RTHK: 'Trump floated shooting protesters in legs'

Donald Trump vented fury at protesters outside the White House in 2020, saying "Can't you just shoot them?" according to then defence secretary Mark Esper in book excerpts released on Monday.

Esper wrote that he sat in the Oval Office with "the president red faced and complaining loudly about the protests under way in Washington" over the police killing of a Black man.

"Can't you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something?" Trump is quoted as saying in a preview of Esper's memoir seen by the Axios news website.

The protests, which were marked by violence as protesters clashed with security forces, were part of a nationwide wave of demonstrations in the wake of the May 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

Esper's account appeared to confirm previous reports of Trump arguing that the military should intervene to quell the spiraling civil unrest.

An earlier book by journalist Michael Bender quoted sources saying the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, argued with Trump against using the military as the president demanded a stronger response.

Bender had quoted Trump as saying "shoot them in the leg  or maybe the foot... but be hard on them!"

US Park Police and National Guard troops deployed tear gas and flash bangs to clear protesters outside the White House.

Esper publicly stated at the time that he opposed invoking the Insurrection Act, a rarely-used 200-year-old law which permits troops to be actively deployed within the United States.

His stance reportedly enraged Trump, and he was sacked in November 2020. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-05-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Rocket strike on Ukraine's Odesa causes death, injuries

Xinhua) 09:16, May 03, 2022

KIEV, May 2 (Xinhua) -- A rocket strike carried out by Russian forces hit Ukraine's southern city of Odesa on Monday, causing deaths and injuries, the head of the Odesa military administration Maksym Marchenko said on Telegram.

According to the operational command "South", missiles hit the city infrastructure, damaging a religious building.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko tweeted later that a 13-year-old child was killed, while a 17-year-old girl was seriously injured in the attack.

According to local media, there are other deaths and injuries in the attack.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
You are here: Business

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. Enditem
Detectives with the Bossier Sheriffs Office have arrested a Bossier City teacher accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Deandre Demar Council, 32, of Bossier City, was arrested on May 2, after detectives determined he was having an inappropriate relationship with a juvenile that attended the school where he taught.

During an interview, the student told detectives that Council gave him money on multiple occasions hoping that he would share either nude or clothed pictures of himself. Detectives say the juvenile was also given gifts and marijuana. The student also said Council shared pornography with him and at least one other victim.

Before his arrest, Council agreed to meet with detectives for an interview where he confessed to giving the student marijuana, money, and gifts. He also admitted to sending the pornography.

After a search of his phone, he admitted to deleting some of his social media applications and photographs off his phone.

Read also: Former Shreveport Police officer arrested in connection with use of force incident

Council was arrested and charged with one count of Distribution of Schedule 1 Narcotics (Marijuana), one count of Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and one count of Obstruction of Justice -Evidence. He was booked into the Bossier Max-Facility. A bond has not been set in the case.

Council had been a teacher in both Bossier and Caddo Parish Schools since 2014, with the majority of his tenure in Caddo Parish.

Bossier Parish Schools said, This type of behavior is not tolerated at Bossier Schools and the district has since severed all ties with this individual following his arrest. We are cooperating fully with investigators and encourage anyone with additional information to report it to the Bossier Sheriffs Office.

This matter is still under investigation and because of where Council worked, detectives have reason to believe there are possibly additional victims in this case.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Bossier Parish teacher charged with 'inappropriate relationship' with student
By Roberto Samora and Ana Mano

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's new agriculture minister Marcos Montes will visit Jordan, Egypt and Morocco in a tour starting this week to discuss increasing fertilizer imports from those countries.

"It's a pilgrimage that we are calling fertilizer diplomacy," Montes said in an interview with Reuters late on Monday, adding he would be joined by private sector representatives. "We are going to open doors."

Brazil relies on imports for about 85% of its fertilizer needs and is concerned about a potential global shortage of the products after Western nations imposed sanctions on key producers Belarus and Russia, while China restricted exports.

Montes' tour will start on Thursday and last 8-10 days. Brazil also aims to encourage foreign investors to produce fertilizers in Brazil, he said.

Brazil's fertilizer imports picked up in the first quarter and in April, as local companies rushed to secure product.

The country's fertilizer imports in April probably surpassed the 1.88 million tonnes from April 2021, according to initial trade data, which showed daily fertilizer imports average jumped to 149,000 tonnes through the fourth week of last month, up from an average of 94,000 a day in April 2021.

Montes said he had originally wanted to start the tour last month, during his first days in the job, but delayed plans because of Ramadan.

Montes replaced Tereza Cristina Dias as agriculture minister in late March, and is building on her legacy.

He has engaged in talks with Iran aimed at boosting Brazil's urea import quota from the current one million tonnes to three million tonnes.

Dias traveled to Iran in February and was accompanied by Brazilian farmers who are keen on swapping fertilizers for corn.

Montes said negotiations with Iran are ongoing, cited payment difficulties related to sanctions against the country and declined to give a timeline for any announcement.

($1 = 5.0834 reais)

(Reporting by Roberto Samora and Ana Mano; Writing by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Susan Fenton)
Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference to unveil the next phase of California's pandemic response in the UPS Healthcare warehouse filled with personal protective equipment in Fontana Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a statewide constitutional "firewall" around abortion rights.

His statement came in response to a leaked SCOTUS draft opinion obtained and published by Politico.

The leaked draft opinion shows that the Supreme Court is set to overturn Roe v. Wade.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday proposed building a statewide constitutional "firewall" around abortion rights, responding to the leaked draft opinion that shows the Supreme Court is set to overturn Roe v. Wade.

"California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution," Newsom said in a joint statement with California's State Senate President Toni Atkins and State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and shared by his office on Twitter.

The statement said California lawmakers will propose a constitutional amendment to "enshrine the right to choose."

"We can't trust SCOTUS to protect the right to abortion, so we'll do it ourselves," Newsom added in a tweet. "Women will remain protected here."

The leaked draft opinion obtained by Politico and published late Monday appears to show that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that provided women with the constitutional right to get an abortion.

The unprecedented leak is not the Court's final ruling, which is expected to come in late June amid the major case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Reuters) - California governor Gavin Newsom said on Monday that the state will propose an amendment to 'enshrine the right to choose' in the state's constitution, after Politico reported a leaked draft suggesting that the U.S. Supreme Court is set to overturn abortion rights in the country.

"We can't trust SCOTUS to protect the right to abortion, so well do it ourselves," Newsom said in a tweet.

(Reporting by Tanvi Mehta in Bengaluru; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Chad Michael Murray doesn't back down from his religious beliefs.

Murray, 40, admitted he's turned down projects that he didn't feel were compatible with his beliefs in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

"I stick to the things I believe in," Murray said. "Let's just say a piece of material were to come across my desk, which has happened plenty of times over the last 22 years, that I don't necessarily feel is what I believe or what I'm selling  then that's not for me."

"I don't want to step in something that I don't believe in any way because it's going to destroy it for everybody else involved," he added. "If you don't fully love and embrace the character that you are inhabiting, it will show on screen. I always want to give the people that I'm working with and the people who are going to watch the movie, the most of me."

Chad Michael Murray opened up about the ways he keeps his faith strong amid his Hollywood experience in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY ON TEACHING HIS CHILDREN ABOUT FAITH: HAVING THE FEAR OF GOD IS VITAL

Other ways Murray keeps his faith strong amid his Hollywood experience include reading his Bible and doing devotionals every morning.

"I get up every day and I put that spiritual armor on, read the Bible and do some devotionals and then get ready to go to work," Murray told Fox News Digital while speaking about his upcoming film, "Fortress: Sniper's Eye."

"I feel stronger and safer walking onto my sets every day knowing that I have God with me every day. Jesus is there with me every day," he said before adding, "When you have that comfort that you just feel safe, you feel different, you feel the opportunity to handle more, your shoulders are bigger, you can carry more weight."

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Murray explained he and his wife keep the pack together and live a traditional lifestyle. Getty Images

Besides creating a space where the actor feels "safe and comfortable," Murray also noted that he keeps his "pack" together, explaining that wherever he goes, his wife and kids follow.

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Murray met wife Sarah Roemer on the set of "Chosen" in 2014. By 2015, the two had married. They share two kids together.

"My family and I, for instance, we don't split up the pack. We go everywhere. My kids, my wife, they go everywhere we go. So, I'm on set chilling with Bruce Willis in Puerto Rico  they're there. Although, they're on the beach, very different."

"We keep the pack together. We have a very traditional home life. We're not people who are typically out and going out. I'm not a good hobnobber. It's not my strong suit. I've gotta be honest. I'm more of a homebody."

Murray knew he wanted to be a part of the entertainment industry at the age of 15, and he launched his career with a role in "Gilmore Girls" back in 2000. Since then, he's starred in movies and TV series including "One Tree Hill," "A Cinderella Story" and "House of Wax."

Murray sticks to his beliefs and reads the Bible every day before walking onto set. Getty Images

Most recently, Murray worked alongside Bruce Willis for "Fortress: Sniper's Eye." The actors previously filmed "Survive the Night" together.

Murray opened up about how grateful he is to have been able to work alongside Willis and get to know him as the actor recently announced his retirement.

"I think I would say the majority of us all have an admiration for [Bruce Willis]. He was my childhood. He's a big part of my childhood  John McClane ['Die Hard'] and Hudson Hawk and 'The Last Boy Scout' and all these great films I grew up watching that I loved so very much  I found identity in, and I wanted to be these characters growing up. I wanted to portray them in my future."

"So for me, having that chance to walk on set and not just collaborate, but to truly create a relationship and get to know each other a little bit and talk and swap old war stories and joke around, goof, laugh and have those moments on set  those are moments that I don't take lightly, that I'm so utterly grateful for."
Chad Michael Murray has said he has turned down plenty of roles over the last 22 years that are not compatible with his religious beliefs.

The actor, 40, is a practising Christian, and he said in a recent interview: I get up every day and I put that spiritual armour on, read the Bible and do some devotionals and then get ready to go to work.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Murray said: I stick to the things I believe in. Lets just say a piece of material were to come across my desk, which has happened plenty of times over the last 22 years, that I dont necessarily feel is what I believe or what Im selling  then thats not for me.

He added: I dont want to step in something that I dont believe in any way because its going to destroy it for everybody else involved.

If you dont fully love and embrace the character that you are inhabiting, it will show on screen. I always want to give the people that Im working with and the people who are going to watch the movie, the most of me.

He said he feels stronger and safer walking onto my sets every day knowing that I have God with me every day, adding: Jesus is there with me every day.

Murray continued: When you have that comfort that you just feel safe, you feel different, you feel the opportunity to handle more, your shoulders are bigger, you can carry more weight.

Chad Michael Murray and his wife, the actor Sarah Roemer (Jim Smeal/Shutterstock)

In a previous interview, Murray said his family pray at every meal, adding: Thats one of the foundations of teaching a good moral compass in our children. Having the fear of God is vital because to be honest what do you have to lose if you have no fear of that.

If you have no fear of God it would be chaos here.

Murray has two children with his wife, the actor Sarah Roemer.

He is known for starring in noughties hits Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill and A Cinderella Story, and can currently be seen alongside Bruce Willis in Fortress: Snipers Eye.

The action cyber-thriller is out now on digital and VOD platforms.
BEIJING (AP)  China's Liaoning aircraft carrier group has embarked on a realistic combat training mission in the Western Pacific, the Chinese navy said Tuesday.

In a posting on its social media site, the navy said the mission is routine, adhers to all international laws and practices and is not directed at any third parties."

However, the mission underscores the growing role of Chinas naval forces as Beijing seeks to supplant the U.S. as the preeminent military power in Asia.

China operates the worlds largest navy by number of ships, while the U.S. maintains an edge in aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines as well as in numbers of bases and allies in the region, where the competition is focused on the strategically vital South China Sea.

The Liaoning was originally purchased as a hulk from Ukraine and entirely refurbished. China has since added a second entirely home-built carrier, the Shandong, and is believed to be at work on at least two more.

Exercising under realistic wartime conditions has become a focus of China's military in recent years, in apparent recognition of its lack of combat experience going back four decades.
Most countries sent their finance ministers and central bank governors to the IMF's spring meetings in Washington, but Gabon - the tiny country on the west coast of Central Africa - sent its environment minister.

"They said this has never happened before. Gabon is just different," said Lee White, whose portfolio includes forests, oceans and climate change, after the meetings. "We spent a lot of time talking about climate financing."

With more than 60 per cent of its revenues coming from oil and manganese ore, Gabon is hoping to replace its petroleum income by strategically positioning its forests, which cover more than 80 per cent of the country.

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.

In 2019, more than 60 per cent of Gabon's US$6.43 billion in exports went to China, followed by Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and India. Crude petroleum made up about 66.9 per cent, followed by manganese ore at 20 per cent. Sawn wood and veneer sheets accounted for just 8 per cent of overseas trade.

When Covid-19 struck in 2020, Gabon's exports fell to US$4.34 billion, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity. China remained the country's biggest destination for its crude petroleum, minerals and wood products.

Gabon's former president Omar Bongo Ondimba predicted a future without oil and implemented drastic measures to strike "a balance between conservation and exploitation of timber".

These included laws creating 13 national parks, which led to the cancellation of more than a million hectares of forest concessions.

When Ondimba, the country's second president who took office in 1967, died in 2009 his son Ali Bongo was elected. His first act was to ban the export of timber logs, from January 2010.

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"When he banned logs, everybody said he was mad," White said.

Then French president Nicolas Sarkozy flew to Libreville to protest against the ban, which led to the closure of many French-owned companies in Gabon.

It was not until White joined the ministry in 2019 that the export ban was rescinded, but with a requirement that companies process the wood before exports. The intention was to shift Gabon from a source of cheap raw materials to a supplier of finished products.

Former president of Gabon Omar Bongo Ondimba implemented drastic protection measures for the country's forests, including 13 national parks. Photo: EPA alt=Former president of Gabon Omar Bongo Ondimba implemented drastic protection measures for the country's forests, including 13 national parks. Photo: EPA>

White said cutting trees to export them as logs would take forestry to just 8 per cent of the economy. However, 92 per cent of the forest economy lies in the transformation of timber into furniture, tables, doors, plywood, and veneer sheets.

"The way we do it is to create a balance between conservation and sustainable development. Currently 22 per cent of our land is protected while 27 per cent of our ocean is protected," he said.

"This way we made the forest more precious."

White said earnings from Gabon's forest economy had quadrupled since the requirement was introduced - from US$250 million a year to US$1 billion a year.

Gabon, with a population of about 2 million people, is in a small league of six or seven countries that absorb more carbon dioxide than they emit, making them "carbon sinks". Also in the club are Guyana, Suriname, the Republic of Congo, Bhutan and Papua New Guinea.

Since it is helping to curb the worst effects of climate change, Gabon believes high emitters such as the United States, China and many European countries should offset their carbon emissions by paying it to keep its forests intact.

Last year, the Norwegian fund Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) paid Gabon US$17 million to do just that, in the first tranche of a US$150 million deal with the UN-backed fund.

Libreville also passed a law last year allowing Gabon to trade carbon credits. The country estimates its rainforest sequesters roughly 140 million tonnes annually, making it a net absorber of more than 100 million tonnes of carbon each year.

Gabon is a "carbon sink", absorbing more carbon dioxide than it emits. Photo: Jevans Nyabiage alt=Gabon is a "carbon sink", absorbing more carbon dioxide than it emits. Photo: Jevans Nyabiage>

Gabon has recently started wooing tourists to its national parks, building eco-tourism villages and promising visitors forest elephants, gorillas and buffalo in one area called the "Last Eden".

The country is home to several threatened animal species, including forest elephants, leopards, buffalo and giant pangolins. It also has the Kevazingo tree, said to provide the hardest and most expensive wood, which is protected from logging and exports. The Okuome tree, on the other hand, is widely used for making plywood.

At the centre of Gabon's forest economy are a dozen Chinese companies that own forest concessions and more than 30 others that process the wood. They tend to control the whole supply chain - felling trees from their concessions which they then transform into timber products.

The Chinese companies, operating more than 6 million hectares (14.8 million acres), account for more than half of Gabon's commercial logging areas, controlling about 40 per cent of concessions.

"A lot of the time Chinese companies have bought forest concession rights from Gabonese companies," White said.

To accelerate investments in timber processing industries, Gabon has set up special economic zones in partnership with Arise Group, offering several tax incentives for investors.

The Nkok special economic zone - about 30km (18 miles) east of Libreville - houses 88 companies, out of 115 registered to do business there. One third are Chinese-owned, while others have investors from India, Turkey and Malaysia.

Indian companies, which are the second-biggest group of investors in wood processing at the Nkok zone, do not log or own forest concessions but instead buy their timber from other firms.

In contrast, European companies concentrate on logging and sell their wood to other companies for processing.

Mohit Agrawal, deputy director general at Gabon Special Economic Zones, said the next major focus was to make furniture for export through its Akiba brand.

Agrawal said the zone was wooing companies, including Chinese firms, to set up furniture factories for export. So far, businesses in the zone had invested between US$700 million and US$1 billion, while the developer had invested US$500 million, he said.

While China is Gabon's biggest market for wood, it also exports to Europe. Shuang Sheng Wood, one of the Chinese companies operating from Nkok, processes veneer sheets for India, Europe and the US.

Zedd Xu, manager at Shuang Sheng Wood factory, says his operation in Gabon employs hundreds of workers. Photo: Jevans Nyabiage alt=Zedd Xu, manager at Shuang Sheng Wood factory, says his operation in Gabon employs hundreds of workers. Photo: Jevans Nyabiage>

Shareholder and manager Zedd Xu said the company had invested US$20 million in the factory, which started operations in 2020 and has 300 workers. Gabon's abundant Ukuome tree logs "is good for the wood business," he said.

"We used to import wood to China from Guinea and Equatorial Guinea but since restrictions on exports were imposed, we decided to set up a company in Gabon near where we can get raw materials."

Xu and his fellow investors have two other companies within the Nkok special processing zone and are building another timber factory - known as African Elephant - which they say will be Gabon's biggest plywood factory, able to process 40,000 cubic metres (1.4 cubic feet) of logs.

"We plan to buy forest concessions to supply our factories," Xu said.

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.
The CIA is offering Russians opposed to the war in Ukraine a secure way to contact the agency amid concerns for their safety, as the Russian government continues a crackdown on outside information and opposition to the Kremlin's months-long invasion.

"We are providing Russian-language instructions on how to safely contact 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 official told CBS News. "Our global mission demands that individuals can contact us securely from anywhere."

The agency on Monday released text-only instructions in Russian on several of its social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, for accessing its dark web site  which has shown value in securely eliciting information from individuals all over the world since it was first launched in 2019.

Accessing the site requires a browser called Tor, or "the onion router," which protects a user's identity by encrypting their web traffic. The CIA hopes it will help concerned citizens in Russia  as well as Russian soldiers in Ukraine  safely contact the agency with information.

Western assessments have routinely indicated that Russia's military forces in Ukraine are suffering from low morale, with occasional reports of soldiers refusing to carry out orders or sabotaging their own equipment.

And while opinion polls in Russia suggest  amid a narrative tightly controlled by the Kremlin  that there is widespread public support for the Kremlin's invasion, U.S. officials are also closely tracking potential fissures among Russian elites, some of whom have seen their fortunes erased by punishing sanctions and have publicly voiced opposition to the war.

Both Facebook and Instagram have been banned in Russia since the start of the invasion, though individuals have found workarounds to access censored sites with the use of premium, paid VPNs. Recent reports indicate demand for VPNs in Russia has skyrocketed since the Kremlin instituted the ban.

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A CIA spokesperson declined to comment on the volume of engagement it had seen from Russia via its dark web site, or how its analysts vetted identities or information once contact was made.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra discusses impact of COVID-19 on mental health

Jan. 6 committee requests interviews from GOP lawmakers

Ohio GOP Senate primary could be an early test of former President Trump's influence
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.

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.

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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 Moscows troops are raining fire indiscriminately, taking a heavy toll on civilians while making only slow progress.

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 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 countrys 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 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.
Shenzhen rolled out 30 policies to help enterprises and businesses affected by the COVID-19 epidemic overcome their difficulties.

Experts said this was the most potent bailout package the city has released so far and is vital to easing the epidemic's pressure on the economy. The policies include tax cuts, fee exemption, and rent subsidies, and their pertinence are praised by the targeted market entities they are intended to serve.

It is expected that these policies will help enterprises and businesses reduce their financial burdens by about 75 billion yuan ($11.78 billion).

Huang Qiang, deputy secretary-general of the Shenzhen municipal people's government, said: "The purpose of these policies is to try to protect the market entities and stimulate their creativity to release more potential and impetus to drive the economic development."

Shenzhen's series of actions to assist enterprises have injected confidence and power into the enterprises.
GENEVA (Reuters) - The head of the Red Cross in Ukraine said on Tuesday that an unknown number of civilians remained trapped in Mariupol and surrounding areas after it evacuated more than 100 civilians from the Azovstal plant.

"We would have hoped that many more people would have been able to join the convoy and get out of hell. That is why we have mixed feelings," Pascal Hundt from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told journalists by Zoom.

He also expressed concern about signs that intense fighting had resumed in and around the plant but said the ICRC would continue to press for access to the remaining civilians.

(Reporting by Emma Farge, Editing by Miranda Murray)
Joe Manchin Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Swing-vote Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) on Tuesday expressed their views on the draft Supreme Court opinion that was leaked Monday night and would overturn Roe v. Wade.

"Overturning Roe v. Wade endangers the health and wellbeing of women in Arizona and across America," Sinema wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.

Despite her opposition to the court's decision, Sinema said she was unwilling to kill the Senate filibuster to force through legislation codifying abortion rights into federal law, The Hill reported.

Statement on Draft Supreme Court Opinion pic.twitter.com/3GYIF3YnM7  Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) May 3, 2022

Manchin did not directly criticize the draft ruling, but he did echo Sinema by voicing support for the filibuster. Both Manchin and Sinema noted that the filibuster has been used in the past to protect "women's rights."

Sens. Collins and Murkowski are both pro-choice, and both expressed disappointment with the leaked opinion. Murkowski said the idea of a decision to overturn Roe "rocks my confidence in the court," while Collins said the draft ruling was "completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office." Both justices reportedly indicated to Collins that they considered Roe to be settled law.

Neither GOP senator, however, is likely to vote to weaken the filibuster while Democrats are in the majority.

Even if Democrats could remove the filibuster, they'd still be two votes short on codifying abortion access. Collins, Murkowski, Manchin, and Bob Casey (D-Penn.) all oppose the Democrats' Women's Health Protection Act.

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The shooting of two young brothers has devastated the Upper Makefield community where they lived and attended Council Rock Schools.

That community will come together Tuesday night to remember the boys, who were just 9 and 13 when police say their mother shot and critically wounded them early Monday morning as they lay in their beds. The boys were being kept on life support so their organs could be donated and were not expected to survive their injuries.

"We are deeply grieved at the tragedy that has happened in our community of Upper Makefield Township. As you may have seen, the person involved was arrested on our church property this morning," wrote The Crossing Church on its Facebook page. "While the family involved in this heartbreaking event was not apart of our church family, we do pray for them as well as for our community."

The church will hold a "Prayers for Comfort" gathering Tuesday at 7 p.m. The public is invited to the church at 1895 Wrightstown Road.

A vigil was also held Monday night in Newtown. The boys are being remembered as sweet kids. The older brother was remembered online as a volunteer at school who would help each morning in a special needs class, while his younger brother was remembered as a funny boy who loved being with his older brother.

More:Council Rock community mourns as family with Upper Makefield shooting

More:What we know about Upper Makefield shooting

Investigators work on the scene of an Upper Makefield home where two boys, 10 and 13 years old, were shot Monday morning. Their mother, 38-year-old Trinh Nguyen, was arrested and charged in the shooting, according to Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub.

More:Upper Makefield mom who police say shot sons, 10 and 13, was facing eviction Tuesday

Trinh Nguyen, 38, was arrested in the church lot on Wrightstown Road in Upper Makefield on Monday morning, hours after she fled her home after police say she shot her boys and tried to shoot a 22-year-old neighbor, the son of her landlord and the nephew of her ex-husband.

Nguyen, with her children, lived separately from the man on the property on Timber Ridge Road. Authorities described the house as a duplex, and court documents described an in-law suite type unit in the large Cape Cod built on three acres in a neighborhood off Highland Road near Woodhill Road.

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She was arraigned Monday on four counts of felony attempted homicide and one count of possessing an instrument of crime, which is a misdemeanor. She was denied bail and taken to Bucks County Corrections. Charges will be upgrade to homicide when the children die, as they are not expected to survive, authorities said.

The Council Rock School District has also offered support for students.

'I am deeply saddened to send this communication to you in light of the well-publicized tragedy involving two Council Rock students today. A tragic event is always difficult to process for all of us, especially our children,' said Acting Superintendent Susan Elliott. "We tend to process such information in different ways and at different paces. It is not uncommon to experience difficulty eating, sleeping, or concentrating. For more information about how to cope with these types of tragic events, please visit the grief resources on our website ... Please know that we will continue to monitor our students and staff and provide them the support they need while they are at school.

'When these types of tragic events occur in our community, its important that we pull together to support each other. I humbly ask you to keep the family, our students, our staff, and our community in your thoughts and prayers."

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero shared the contact info for the Network of Victims Assistance that can offer counseling and crisis services.

This morning an unspeakable tragedy occurred in Upper Makefield Township when two young children were shot in a domestic incident in their home ... As the two victims remain on life support, awaiting organ donation, my heart breaks for the young lives taken too soon, he said. "The police and EMTs from Upper Makefield Township Police Department and the neighboring departments that provided support deserve our thanks and appreciation for all they did today, and all they do every day, in responding to crisis situations like this."

NOVA can be reached at 1-800-675-6900.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Vigil set for Upper Makefield boys shot in their home by their mother
The leak of the draft opinion striking down Roe v Wade's abortion protections crashed on the American political world like a thunderbolt on Monday night.

Politicians and activists on the left and right had been bracing for the possibility of such a sweeping ruling, but the left hoped and the right feared that the court's nine justices might opt for a more limited shift on abortion jurisprudence.

At the very least, most court-watchers expected the final decision to come - as is tradition with most high-profile cases - in the final days of the court's formal session in June. No one imagined that for the first time in modern American history the actual text of a court's draft majority opinion would be leaked in advance.

As the dust starts to settle after the initial shock of the leak, here are some ways the political landscape in the US may have been altered.

Mid-term elections reshaped

The congressional mid-term election cycle is gearing up, with political parties across the US just starting to hold primaries to select their candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and governorships and state legislative chambers.

Up until now, issues like the economy, immigration and crime have been the top concerns of voters. The prospect that the US Supreme Court will tear down Roe and leave the fight over the legality of abortion in the hands of politicians, however, instantly changes the electoral dynamic.

Candidates for office previously offered their views on abortion on a more theoretical plan. If they were in the Senate, they could talk about what kind of judges they would want on the courts. They could support or oppose policies that affected abortion on the margins of the constitutional rights afforded by Roe. They could speculate on what they might do if Roe were struck down.

Now, the abortion issue becomes much more concrete. If they're a national politician, do they support a nationwide ban - or protection - for abortion procedures? If they're a governor, which abortion laws would they sign or veto? If they're a state legislator, what kind of laws would they support?

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In more than half the US states, the political landscape is such that the right to abortion will be all but guaranteed or doomed. But in others - like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - the fate of the procedure will depend on whether pro-choice Democratic governors win re-election or are defeated.

In other states, control of the legislature often swings between the parties from one year to the next. The side that prevails in November could have a blank slate for determining the fate of abortion for their citizens.

This is now poised to be the "abortion mid-terms" - and the candidates and politicians will have to adjust to this new landscape.

Can Congress legalise abortion?

If Roe falls, the US Congress could pass a law that does essentially what the Supreme Court has mandated for the last 50 years - make abortion legal in every US state.

The path to getting there, however, would be a difficult one for pro-choice advocates.

Last year, the House of Representatives, controlled by the Democratic Party, voted to approve legislation that would secure - and, in some cases expand - the right to abortion afforded by the Roe decision. The vote was 218 in favour and 211 against.

The bill then moved to the evenly-divided Senate, where one Democrat - Joe Manchin of West Virginia - joined the Republicans in voting it down. Because of Senate rules that several Democrats (including Mr Manchin) are adamantly against altering, passage would have required 60 votes out of the 100 senators - a mark the abortion bill did not approach.

With the draft opinion leak, Democrats will renew their efforts to pass legal abortion protections that would stop the dozens of states poised to ban the procedure.

Leaders in the House could scale back the scope of their proposal in an attempt to woo Senate Republicans sympathetic to abortion rights, such as Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. They could again try to change Senate rules to allow a simple majority vote to approve legislation - an effort that was unsuccessful during a voting-rights fight last year.

They could also move forward with proposals to add new (presumably liberal) justices to an expanded Supreme Court or try to impeach and remove Donald Trump-appointed Supreme Court justices - like Brett Kavanaugh - who noted the significance of Roe's 50-year precedent and now are at least entertaining the notion of striking the decision down.

The chances of success on such measures range from slim to remote in the extreme - that puts even more pressure on Democrats to win congressional elections in the autumn. And, if Republicans take back at least partial control of Congress instead, the door will firmly shut on Democratic hopes of a national legislative response to Roe's demise.

Are gay marriage and contraception next?

It is difficult to overstate how much the 1973 Roe decision has shaped US history over the last half century.

It led to the rise of the evangelical movement within the Republican Party, as Christian conservatives formed a political identity around abortion - and other social and cultural issues - and worked to influence Republican policies through their activism.

Both parties shifted and became increasingly polarised as a result of Roe. In the first few decades after the decision, it was common to have pro-choice Republicans and anti-abortion Democrats. Over the decades, both parties slowly purged themselves of these outliers, as they became increasingly aligned on cultural and (as a consequence) geographic boundaries.

The maps of where abortion will be banned or greatly limited that are circulating in the media bear a striking resemblance to the red-state, blue-state maps that are familiar to anyone who follows US presidential elections.

The nation, with a few exceptions, has divided into coastal and urban liberal enclaves and heartland and southern conservative strongholds. The abortion debate - and the cultural wars that followed - help explain why.

Few probably predicted the course American politics would take after the Roe decision. And the shape of political landscape - if the draft opinion striking down Roe becomes the law of the land - is equally uncertain. The abortion fight could simply shift from the courts to the state legislatures, keeping US politics much as they are today. The cultural wars driven by the debate could fade, as the nation settles into an uneasy balance of states with abortion guarantees or bans.

Or the battles could become hyper-charged by the prospective ruling and move to other hot-button social issues that, like abortion, rest on Supreme Court precedent.

The decision enshrining a national right to gay marriage is not nearly as old or as established as Roe. And Roe itself rested on a 1965 decision, Griswold v Connecticut, securing the nationwide right to birth control.

In his draft opinion, Justice Samuel Alito drew a distinction between rights spelled out in the Constitution - such as the Second Amendment right to bear arms - and the kind of "unenumerated rights" that the court in Roe said guaranteed access to abortion (and, although Alito did not mention it, also protect gay marriage and contraception).

The justice opined that the former were much more secure than the latter, which need to be strongly rooted in US history and tradition. It may not be long before opponents of gay marriage, or in vitro fertilisation or certain forms of contraception cite Alito's words to make the argument that there is nothing in the Constitution that prohibits bans on those practices either.

A Supreme Court in crisis

Never in modern US history has a draft Supreme Court opinion been leaked to the public. The court traditionally operates like Mt Olympus, with opinions handed down from high and the inner workings - the judicial horse-trading, debating and cajoling necessary to reach a majority - all taking place in cloistered chambers.

It is a practice that speaks to the court's unrivalled power to interpret, uphold or strike down any law Congress passes and establish or dismantle individual rights at the stroke of a pen. It is a power that was assumed by the court itself in the early 1800s - and one that is inherently undemocratic. The power has survived, and been respected, for as long as it has in part because protections and procedures that the court's champions have meticulously crafted over the centuries.

Only the nine judges and their handful of clerks - law school graduates selected for their achievements and intellect - are privy to the machinations of the Supreme Court's judicial process. Initial views are expressed in a non-binding vote shortly after a case is presented to the court, draft majority and dissenting opinions are circulated and changes are made. There are reports and accounts - from former justices and those familiar with the process - of how draft opinions can sometimes bear little resemblance to the final ruling of the court.

The leak of Justice Alito's draft majority opinion tearing up the Roe precedent root and branch short-circuits that process and could gravely wound the Supreme Court as an institution, sowing distrust among the justices and their clerks and fully exposing the judiciary to the sometimes harsh influence of American politics.

Accusations and conspiracy theories are already flying - that the leaker was a liberal making a last-ditch effort to prevent Roe's repeal, a conservative concerned that the sweeping Alito opinion was in danger of being discarded or watered down or a moderate who wants to make a final opinion paring back abortion protections seem less extreme.

Chief Justice John Roberts, in a statement, called the leak a "betrayal of the confidence of the court" and a "singular and egregious breach" of trust. He ordered an investigation into the origins of the leak - but the damage has been done.

The veil of secrecy that has protected the court, carefully maintained even around the most significant and controversial decisions, has been shredded.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

GOP lawmakers and pundits downplayed the significance of Roe v. Wade being overturned.

Across Fox News on Tuesday, reactions tended to pour cold water on the issue.

Several commentators kept the focus on how abortion will remain legal in Democratic-majority states.

The conservative legal movement appears to be on the cusp of achieving a nearly 50-year dream of overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision protecting abortion.

But so far, conservative media appearances show the party and its most loyal pundits holding off on taking a victory lap.

On Monday evening, Politico published a draft Supreme Court opinion authored by Justice Samuel Alito in a case over a 15-week abortion ban passed in Mississippi, an opinion in which a majority of the court would vote to overturn the federal protections for first-trimester abortion established in Roe v. Wade and fortified in Casey v. Planned Parenthood.

On Fox News on Tuesday, however, the mood was more cautious than celebratory.

"If the court threw out Roe, what we are going to find is that when everybody woke up the next day the sky will not have fallen. You know? There will not have been a catastrophe," said Fox News contributor Andrew McCarthy in a clip tweeted by the Daily Beast's Justin Baragona. "It will be like it was before Roe, which is about 30 states had real prohibitions against abortion, 20 states regulated it somewhat more loosely, democracy was happening."

"If Roe is indeed rolled back, you're not going to have this massive change in law," said Fox News contributor and former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on a later Fox News panel. "You will have states, at piecemeal, may put into place a different abortion law here or there, but it's not as if abortion will be banned across the nation entirely."

'The sky will not have fallen'

Images of Fox News personalities, from left, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Maria Bartiromo, Stuart Varney, Neil Cavuto and Charles Payne appear outside News Corporation headquarters in New York on July 31, 2021. AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey

Fox News co-host Tomi Lahren  who has made a name for herself in conservative media by cranking up her rhetoric with firebrand and often offensive takes  poured cold water on the significance of the decision.

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Lahren agreed with McEnany, arguing that Democrats are "counting on low-information viewers and voters who are going to look at this and say abortion is now outlawed."

"I think that's why it's up to conservatives and Republicans to make sure we're getting the actual education out there and reminding people that that is not the case," Lahren added. "We're going to have to play an educational role, and historically, we've done a really bad job at that."

"Half the states roughly, half the states will permit abortions and half the states are going to severely restrict them," said former Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow later on. "I don't know any states that will stop abortions. So people will be free to choose where they want to live, what state, what jurisdiction."

Conservative commentator and radio host Erick Erickson too argued that "nothing is actually going to change" on Twitter and his Substack.

"The reality is nothing is really going to change. People who want an abortion may have to travel further to get one. Overwhelmingly, people will still not be getting abortions."

While it's true that overturning Roe would not make abortion illegal nationwide, it would unleash a new wave of restrictions and bans virtually overnight, affecting tens of millions of Americans.

Currently, 13 states have so-called trigger laws that would heavily restrict or ban abortion if Roe fell, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Eighteen have unenforced, pre-Roe abortion bans or post-Roe restrictions currently blocked by courts that could be put back into effect. Still others, like Florida and Oklahoma, have passed restrictions or bans on abortion set to go into effect this summer.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds up a 15-week abortion ban law after signing it, Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Kissimmee, Fla John Raoux/AP

The Supreme Court overturning Roe would also free up the anti-abortion movement to pursue other more ambitious goals, like pushing Congress to enact federal bans or restrictions on abortion.

And depending on the language of the final ruling itself, the high court overturning Roe could set the stage for the court to erode other legal precedents related to privacy and civil rights.

Republican leaders in Congress also largely sidestepped the substance of the draft ruling, instead accusing "the Left," without evidence, for deliberately leaking the draft in order to undermine the court.

"You need to concentrate on the news of today," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said at a Tuesday press conference. "Not a leaked draft, but the fact the draft was leaked."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delighted in the GOP's apparent squirming, likening his Republican counterparts to "the dog that caught the bus" at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

"They spent decades trying to repeal Roe and now they won't even own up to it," Schumer said. "Their spin masters are telling them to avoid the subject, and they did."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Authorities in Middlesex County are searching for a convicted child rapist who they say ran off in the middle of his trial.

Stephen Corbin, 38, went missing days into his trial last month for the sexual assaults of a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl, according to the Middlesex District Attorneys office. He was convicted in absentia of eight counts of aggravated rape of a child.

Corbin was accused of assaulting the girls on multiple occasions at a home in Lexington and a motel in Bedford in 2017. Following his arrest that year, he was released on $25,000 cash bail and ordered to wear a GPS tracker.

Authorities say Corbin cut off that tracker during his trial. He was in the area of North Street in Andover at the time, according to the district attorney.

This is a relatively rare occurence, to be in the middle of trial and then suddenly the alleged perpetrator disappears, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said.

Since Corbins disappearance, investigators have found his truck close to his former home in Methuen. He also has ties to Lawrence, Haverhill and Hudson, N.H.

Corbin is described as 5-foot-11, approximately 160 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes.

Ryan says Corbin is not believed to be a threat to the public, or to the victims in the case. Anyone with information is asked not to approach him and to call the Massachusetts State Police.

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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.
May 2SALEM, N.H.  The status of a possible plea deal in the DUI case against Dr. Scott Dowd was kept under wraps when those involved left Rockingham Superior Court on Friday afternoon.

But new paperwork reveals what the 38-year-old Salem physician is willing to admit to in exchange for a lighter sentence.

According to a sentencing memorandum filed by Dowd's attorney, Michael Bowser, he is requesting that three of five felony charges be dropped, leaving him to admit to aggravated driving while intoxicated and reckless conduct.

The suggested sentence is a year of home confinement with an additional 2 1/2 to 5 years dependent on good behavior. Dowd would also complete 1,000 hours of community service at a county medical facility or nursing home.

The prosecution, however, has a vastly different opinion and is recommending five years of incarceration, the paperwork states.

Reports by Salem police officers who responded to the crash in July 2021 describe a chaotic scene and the near-death of Giuliana Tutrone, who was 5 years old at the time.

Dowd is accused of speeding through a residential neighborhood  just a mile from his own home  when he drove into a granite mailbox with enough force to launch part of it into 16 Silverbrook Road.

Surveillance footage taken inside shows Giuliana walking into the path of the post as it entered an office at the front of the residence.

In the new court paperwork, Bowser writes of the stress his client has undergone during the pandemic. He also includes praise from clients Dowd has treated thus far in his 12-year career.

In 2016 he became an attending physician with Orthopedics Northeast, which has offices in Salem, New Hampshire, and Andover, Massachusetts. He worked there until his arrest, treating a total of 7,000 patients during his tenure, according to Bowser.

"Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Dowd continued to see patients and perform outpatient operations," the attorney went on. "Dr. Dowd received an average of 100 to 120 office visits and performed approximately 50 procedures each week until the date of the alleged incident."

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When elective orthopedic surgeries were canceled, Bowser said Dowd and his partners at the medical practice were "unable to generate fee for services income."

"Dr. Dowd was under a tremendous amount of professional and personal stress," paperwork states, including, "the prospect of catching this life-threatening disease and the deaths of several patients known personally to him."

His attorney says those stressors contributed directly to "the abhorrent and totally out-of-character behavior on July 10, 2021."

Other than failing to wear a seatbelt in 2001, records show that Dowd has no motor vehicle record or criminal background.

In arguing that the state's suggested sentence is too harsh, Bowser wrote, "this is not a death case," and "the state's recommended sentence substantially exceeds the typical sentencing range for comparable cases."

"It even exceeds the average sentencing range for cases in which a victim died because of the defendant's alleged actions," Bowser said.

Though the New Hampshire Board of Medicine suspended Dowd's license to practice in August 2021, Dowd hopes to continue his professional career, according to his attorney.

Though it is unclear whether both sides have accepted an agreement, a plea and sentence hearing is scheduled for June 3.
Congressional Democrats moved to cast doubt on the Supreme Court's legitimacy on Tuesday, after a leaked draft opinion indicated that the court is likely to overturn Roe v. Wade, leaving the question of abortion's legality up to individual states.

"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the draft opinion for the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives."

Some Democrats resurfaced the idea of packing the court by expanding the number of justices, though that move would depend on support from moderate Democrats like West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who have opposed court-packing.

SCOTUS ROE V. WADE DECISION LEAKED: LIVE UPDATES

More broadly, Democrats quickly moved to delegitimize the court's anticipated ruling.

"If the majority Republican justices stay the course, this decision will go down as one of the most supremely political acts in Supreme Court history," Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse wrote on Twitter.

"I hope the Republican justices seriously reconsider a decision to upend nearly 50 years of precedent and harm millions. It would be a blow from which the Court may not recover, and which would fall squarely on women of this country," Whitehouse added.

New York Rep. Yvette Clarke called the draft decision "a stark reminder that abortion rights are still under attack by this extreme Supreme Court."

New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone said the decision, as drafted, "will further undermine trust in the Supreme Court and cause devastating harm to our people and our nation."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed the court's conservative justices had "defiled precedent and the Courts reputation" by apparently voting to overturn Roe v. Wade.

"Several conservative Justices, who are in no way accountable to the people, have lied to the Senate, ripped up the Constitution, and defiled precedent and the Courts reputationall at the expense of women who could soon be stripped of bodily autonomy and constitutional rights," Schumer and Pelosi said in a joint statement.

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Republicans, meanwhile, celebrated the anticipated ruling as a victory for protecting the right to life, while expressing alarm at the astonishing leaking of the draft opinion.

"Somebody, likely somebody inside the court itself, leaked a confidential brief to the press, to stir up a pressure campaign," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement. "Whoever committed this lawless act knew exactly what it could bring about."

"The same political movement that used a leak to move up the timeline of Justice Breyer's retirement process is trying to use yet another leak to make the court less secure and less impartial," he added.

Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom, Bradford Betz and Tyler O'Neill contributed reporting
Actor Amber Heard talks to her attorneys in a courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court on April 20, 2022. (Evelyn Hockstein / Associated Press)

Right before Amber Heard's team began presenting its case Tuesday, a Virginia judge denied a request made by her attorneys to dismiss Johnny Depp's defamation case against her.

On Tuesday, an attorney for Heard made a motion for summary judgment and asked Judge Penney Azcarate to strike the evidence presented by Depp's team. (Heard has countersued Depp, seeking $100 million versus his plea for $50 million.)

Azcarate promptly rejected the motion, stating "that a jury could weigh" that Heard defamed Depp with her 2018 op-ed about sexual violence based on the evidence provided so far  and therefore the defense should proceed with its counterargument.

J. Benjamin Rottenborn argued Tuesday that Depp's team did not present sufficient evidence to prove that his client, the "Aquaman" actor, defamed the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star with her 2018 essay for the Washington Post.

"Mr. Depp can't meet his burden of proof on this," Rottenborn said. "Mr. Depp hasn't introduced any evidence  and there can't be a reasonable inference drawn that would permit a jury to find  that he's proven ... that Ms. Heard wrote the words with actual malice."

In response to Rottenborn's statements, an attorney for Depp opposed the request for dismissal on grounds that his client provided "multiple credible witnesses, documents and authentic tape recordings ... not only satisfying all of the requisite elements of his claim for defamation, including actual malice, but also going the extra mile of showing that [Heard] physically abused him."

"She's the abuser in this courtroom," Depp lawyer Benjamin Chew asserted.

During the defamation trial unfolding in Fairfax, Va., Depp's team called its two final witnesses to the stand on Tuesday. A nurse who once treated Heard and a forensic accountant testified respectively to injuries allegedly sustained by Heard and financial losses allegedly suffered by Depp.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Photo released on June 11, 2021 by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) shows a selfie of China's first Mars rover Zhurong with the landing platform. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Mars rover Zhurong has traveled more than 1.9 km since it first set its wheels on the surface of the planet in May last year, according to the latest data released by the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of the China National Space Administration.

As of Sunday, Zhurong had been operating on the surface of Mars for 342 Martian days at a distance of 240 million km from Earth. A Martian day is approximately 40 minutes longer than a day on Earth.

Zhurong touched down on the Utopia Planitia, a vast plain in the northern hemisphere of Mars, on May 15, 2021. Since then, it has collected surface rock samples and captured images while exploring the planet.

Mars is about to enter the winter season, during which night temperatures will drop below minus 100 degrees Celsius, with a high probability of sandstorms. Martian winters last an equivalent of six Earth months.

Scientists have made special designs on the Zhurong rover, including low temperature resistance, sand resistance, power security and other features, to ensure the safe conduct of the Mars patrol and exploration process.

The Chinese space administration also disclosed that lunar rover Yutu-2, or Jade Rabbit-2, has been working for 42 lunar days and moved 1,181 meters on the moon surface.

China's Chang'e-4 probe, including a lander and Yutu-2 launched on Dec. 8, 2018, made the first-ever soft landing on the Von Karman Crater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon on Jan. 3, 2019.
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
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Florida Democrats are increasingly worried that the candidates trying to unseat Ron DeSantis cant stop the popular Republican governor from winning re-election as the GOP solidifies its hold on the states political infrastructure.

The Democratic primary between Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, and state Sen. Annette Taddeo (D-Miami) is just four months away, but some operatives and the party faithful say they don't believe any can realistically take on DeSantis. The perceived weak slate of candidates, combined with DeSantis brand of bully politics, has even led national donors to shy away from the state.

Its a problem exacerbated by newly drawn congressional maps championed by DeSantis that give Republicans a 20-8 majority, providing national Democrats even less of a reason to send money and resources to Florida.



It is becoming serious [for Democrats], said Alex Berrios, who served as Palm Beach County regional field director for President Joe Bidens 2020 campaign. Its not unsalvageable, but the situation is becoming critical.

A two-decade absence from the Florida governors mansion has left Democrats functionally powerless in the third most populous state in the country. But Democrats face other problems too, including President Joe Bidens unpopularity, rising prices due to inflation and a statewide electoral landscape that increasingly does not favor Democrats.

But the biggest hurdle is DeSantis, who has amassed a $100 million-plus war chest and is popular in the state and across the country for embracing culture war issues and attacking woke corporations and Bidens policies while defending LGBTQ-related school measures such as Floridas Parental Rights in Education measure, dubbed Dont Say Gay by opponents.

It is getting more difficult to make the Florida case to national donors, said veteran Democratic consultant Ben Pollara. The DeSantis thing is kind of a blessing and a curse. He is perceived as really strong ahead of a potential presidential run, which could scare people off, but also some Democrats really want to knock him off before he gets to that point.



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Thats really true among the really wealthy progressive donor class, he added. The people who give a lot of money to this stuff are really appalled by the idea of him becoming president.

Another veteran Florida Democratic fundraiser has an even blunter assessment.

DeSantis seems unstoppable. He has $100 million in the bank, and we have three Tier B candidates I think a lot of people lack confidence in, said the fundraiser, who was granted anonymity to speak freely. I could be wrong, but I dont think I am.

The problem got worse, the fundraiser added, after the Republican-led Legislature caved to DeSantis during an April special legislative session and approved maps his office drew that gave Republicans 20 of the states 28 congressional districts, a significant edge compared to the current maps.

That makes it even harder for us to get money here, the fundraiser added. Even the eight seats for Democrats are pretty much safe. Its all another hurdle.



Its against that backdrop that the three main Democratic contenders gathered at Orlandos Rosen Center hotel for a candidate forum on Friday night, the first primary season event that all three participated in. The event doubled as a fundraiser for the Democratic Womens Club of Florida.

Each outlined relatively similar policy platforms of protecting the states environment, boosting funding for public education and pushing back on DeSantis hard-edged style of governing.

He is doing this because he wants to run for president, Taddeo said of the motivation behind DeSantis culture war agenda. He only cares about being president. Thats why we must repeal every single one of those bills, and I will from the governors mansion.

For the most part, the candidates did not attack each other, with the exception of Fried highlighting legislation Crist worked on as a state senator in the early 1990s that required inmates to serve 85 percent of their sentences.

A 1992 piece of legislation that, Im sorry, someone on this stage worked on passing that forced individuals to serve 85 percent of their sentences, Fried said. We still have Black and brown men in our jail system who should have been let out.

Crist did not directly respond, instead reserving negative comments for DeSantis, including the governors successful push to get lawmakers to repeal a special taxing district for Disney after the company opposed the Parental Rights in Education measure.

It is amazing to me that any elected official in Florida would attack Mickey Mouse, thats incredible to me, he said. But thats where we are at.

Crist, a former Republican governor-turned Democratic lawmaker, has consistently led in public polling. Hes received a recent wave of state and national endorsements, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Hes also raised more than $8 million  far less than DeSantis but $3 million more than Fried has brought in since she got in the race June 1, 2021.

If you look at the three candidates, the polling has not changed much at all, Charlie Crist has been in the lead there and in fundraising, and most recently endorsements, said Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, the states largest teachers unions and one of the biggest remaining groups backing Democrats in the state. Fried has proven she can win statewide and has done a great job hitting DeSantis, but there has been a consistency with Crist leading of late.

When asked about the enthusiasm-gap of the current Democratic slate, a spokesperson for Crist said his message is resonating with Democrats, Independent and Republicans who are tired of DeSantis.

Charlie is not only way ahead of the Democratic field, he is mounting the strongest campaign to beat DeSantis in November, Samantha Ramirez, his spokesperson, said. Florida Democrats are mounting the first real coordinated campaign in modern state history, taking to heart lessons learned from past cycles.



Fried became the first statewide elected Democrat since 2011 after narrowly winning four years ago, giving her a high profile perch to consistently hit DeSantis while carving out a position as titular head of the party and the front-runner for governor. Most Democrats have cheered Fried for taking shots at DeSantis over his pandemic response and affordable housing, among other issues, but see her campaign making key tactical errors that have bogged down momentum.

I think there have been some missteps on certain policy positions, and I always say candidates should not be on Twitter, they should be raising money, Tampa-based Democratic consultant Maya Brown said of Frieds big presence on social media. I think sometimes they get on Twitter and say stuff, then they cant take that stuff back.

Brown pointed to a selfie Fried tweeted from a plane celebrating the end of the federal mask mandate for public transportation. Fried, who was maskless in the photo, posted the selfie the day the mandate was dropped, which annoyed some Democrats who thought it sent the wrong message about safety. Fried also angered some Democrats by suing the Biden administration over a federal policy that does not allow legal users of medical marijuana to own a firearm or get a concealed carry permit.

The Biden administration lawsuit was confusing for folks. Why would a Democrat sue another Democrat? Brown asked. And when you take a risk like the mask tweet, it has to be well thought out. Florida has been open for two of the three years of the pandemic, but what people appreciate about our party is we have been thoughtful and always wanted people to be safe.

So, I think that tweet and statement kind of got lost, especially with the brand identity we have built, she added.

Frieds campaign has gotten increasingly aggressive in recent weeks, going after Crist on a number of issues tied to his time as a former Republican governor, including that he was openly anti-abortion before leaving the Republican Party in 2010. Her campaign also highlighted reporting that Crist has relied on proxy votes this year instead of in-person voting, a practice Pelosi instituted when Covid-19 was ravaging the nation. While voting remotely, Crist has held regular campaign events.

Chair as empty as his suit, tweeted Keith Edwards, a Fried spokesperson, who included a video portraying Crist as a no-show elected official. Edwards told POLITICO that there's nobody stronger than the person who won a majority of Florida voters since Obama and nobody weaker than the person who lost two statewide elections in a row.

A Crist spokesperson told POLITICO that proxy voting is a great way to ensure his constituents' voices continue to be heard on legislation under consideration in Congress.

State Sen. Shev Jones (D-Miami Gardens) was one of Crists biggest recent state-level endorsers. The Black Democrat is one of the most popular members of the Legislature and had a close relationship with Fried. He said, however, it was time for Democrats to coalesce around Crist to make sure they dont stumble out of a brutal primary into a general election against DeSantis.

Its time we united early to be able to organize early, he said in a text message. The Republicans are good at declaring who they want EARLY  sending money and support behind the candidate. We have to do the same!

Jones said Fried will always be my friend, but she has made some strategic errors that trying to fix .. in the ninth hour could cost us the war.

[Lack of] visibility in the community is one [mistake], he said. But issues that hit their kitchen table is whats missing. People need to KNOW that you have their back. Not on social media, put your team on the street so they can see that you feel them.



Taddeo has struggled to gain any real momentum. The Miami Democrat has developed support among the partys progressive grassroots but has lagged behind Crist and Fried in public polling and fundraising. She was Crists running mate in 2014 when he made a failed bid for governor so has statewide experience, but has not yet broken through. It didnt help that she entered the race in mid-October, months after her primary challengers.

She has been a great advocate for public schools and as a state Senator, but she got in just so late, Spar said. She just is having a hard time getting any traction.

Taddeos spokesperson said that, as a small business owner and the only parent in the primary with a child in public schools, Taddeo remains the Democrats only shot at beating DeSantis.

There is some optimism among Democrats that the party has honed its message on pocketbook issues, including hitting DeSantis on property insurance rate increases and a lack of affordable housing in the state. Democrats raising the issues on the campaign trail helped pressure DeSantis to call lawmakers back to Tallahassee for a late May special session focused on solving the property insurance crisis.

Some Democrats, however, are concerned that the messaging is a little late.

You need to talk to people, so having a longer runway does not mean you should not get started talking to people, said Berrios, the founder of the voter registration organization Mi Vecino. It means you need to start right away because youre not going to get to everybody.

To date, Democrats have been spending huge resources to communicate with voters, which gives some in the party hope that when their candidate starts to make TV appearances and meet more voters, the polling and momentum can begin to shift.

Others think that should have already begun.

Folks are not paying attention yet, they dont even really know an election is coming. We are four months from primary day, and a lot of people have not gotten any direct voter contact, Brown said. Im a young Black female living in the Tampa area. What targeted messages am I getting? I dont really think Im getting any of those.
(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Didi Global Inc.s chaotic 2021 debut in New York, when the ride-hailing giant raised $4.4 billion days before revelations of a Chinese probe into data security tanked the stock.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Didis shares were down 7% in U.S. pre-market trading, deepening an 85% loss since its initial public offering in the summer of last year. The Chinese company said its cooperating with the probe, without providing further details.

U.S. lawmakers had called last year for an investigation into Didis controversial IPO -- the biggest by a Chinese firm since Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Chinas cybersecurity watchdog stunned investors by announcing its investigation into Didi two days after the listing, suspending the internet giants main apps from domestic stores.

That precipitated a flurry of regulatory action against gig-economy and internet companies, culminating in a decision to force Didi to delist from New York and float in Hong Kong instead. That process is now suspended because regulators are pressing for more severe penalties, Bloomberg News has reported.

Its unclear when the SEC launched its own probe into the matter. Didi devoted just a few lines on the U.S. investigation well into a 170-plus-page regular filing on May 2. Spokespeople for Didi and the SEC declined to comment.

After our initial public offering in the United States, the SEC contacted us and made inquiries in relation to the offering, the filing read. We are cooperating with the investigation, subject to strict compliance with applicable PRC laws and regulations. We cannot predict the timing, outcome or consequences of such an investigation.

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The SEC probe adds to the uncertainty surrounding Didi, once the most celebrated startup in China, as it prepares to depart New York bourses under orders from Beijing. The company, once worth about $80 billion, is grappling with the broader fallout after proceeding with its IPO despite regulators objections. It will now likely see its stock traded over the counter on the so-called pink-sheets market, home to penny stocks and other riskier businesses. Didi said last month it hadnt applied to move to another exchange, surprising investors who anticipated a smoother transition.

The company has been in talks with the Cyberspace Administration of China about a fine and other penalties, Bloomberg News has reported. But central government officials told the CAC theyre not satisfied with the proposed punishments and asked for revisions, people familiar with the matter have said.

Didi shareholders will vote on its delisting at a special meeting on May 23.

Beijing Has Put Didi in a Difficult Position: Fully Charged

(Updates with pre-market trading in second paragraph)

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2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Kentuckys education commissioner on Monday said it was distressing that the state-by-state rank of average salary for public teachers dropped Kentucky from 32 in the nation to 36, with the average salary being $56,912.

The data comes from National Education Association research.

The national average salary for teachers is $67,507, according to a Kentucky Education Association news release. Kentucky educators and school support workers were the only state employees who did not receive an across-the-board raise in this years budget, the release said.

I think its distressing and confirms what our teachers have been expressing to us for some time, Kentucky Commissioner of Education Jason E. Glass told the Herald-Leader. Our teachers are falling behind in keeping up with middle class standard of life and a professional wage in the state. Were experiencing the results of a longstanding underinvestment in the pay level of educators and people working in our schools.

Salaries rose just 0.46% in Kentucky from the 2019-20 school year to the 2020-21 school year, which ranks Kentucky 43 in raises for teachers. Only Alabama, North Carolina, West Virginia, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Idaho, and Louisiana ranked lower, according to the release from KEA, one of the states main teacher groups.

Neighboring Indiana teachers received the second highest raises nationally at 6.52%, which took them from 23 nationwide up to 18 in average teacher compensation, the release said.

KEA supported Gov. Andy Beshears proposed budget, which would have invested an additional $2 billion into the states K-12 education system  the most since the passage of the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990  and would not have required additional taxes.

Beshears budget also called for a mandatory 5 percent across-the-board salary increase for all school employees, including teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and all clerical employees.

The Republican-led General Assembly instead passed a budget that included raises for themselves, but which provided no funding for universal pre-K and no raises for teachers or school staff, KEA officials said.

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To add to that insult, the General Assembly established a system that requires public school districts to transfer state and local tax dollars to privately managed charter schools, the release said. Refusing to dedicate available funding to public schools statewide and making the situation worse by imposing additional unwanted, unnecessary costs on local school districts will certainly not improve Kentucky public education.

The legislature included some additional state school funding, known as SEEK, but no language mandating pay raises. Lawmakers said if local school districts wanted to raise salaries, they could do so at their own discretion using the additional SEEK funds provided in the budget.

Glass said teacher pay needs to be elevated out of a political conversation.

Its a labor market problem, he said. The labor market is telling us we have a significant problem. We have to confront it head on or its only going to get worse.
 Read the full article on Motorious

Are you ready for another crossover with attitude?

Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis recently confirmed the Dodge Hornet is real and it will be coming to a dealership near you soon. Before you start jumping up and down, know this isnt a new muscle car. No, that would be way too exciting to be true. Instead, this will be a compact crossover, only were sure with a large serving of attitude. Mind you, that attitude probably wont include serious performance, but were sure the styling will be in your face.

Check out the latest Motorious Podcast episode here.

Already, were having flashbacks to the Nitro. Sure, some people really loved that crossover thing. But it died back in 2011, helping Dodge to turn over a new leaf. Now for a decade weve enjoyed the much more entertaining Dodge lineup, but alas the glory days cant last forever. So bring on the dressed-up, bad-to-the-bone grocery haulers, because the era of muscle seems to be atrophying.

Theres been a lot of talk about Dodge releasing a new compact SUV, something we guess some people who are offended by muscle cars actually want, so this announcement isnt totally a surprise even though its disappointing. Why they cant just get that slop from Honda, Hyundai, or whatever other boring brand of their choice is beyond us. And why Dodge wants to accommodate these demands is also a mystery.

Built on the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Tonale, were sure most current Dodge fans wont be lining up to buy the Hornet. We already saw the Italian sibling revealed back in February and it will arrive in the US early in 2023. Its not clear if the Hornet will be built in Italy like the Tonale, but if so thats going to be awkward for Mopar fans. Welcome to your automaker being an Italian-American-French conglomeration based in the Netherlands.

Those who just open up and swallow whatever Dodge puts in front of them will be mad at me for criticizing the Hornet. After all, we havent seen it yet. Well, fair enough, but I have a bad feeling about this. Hopefully Im wrong, but I think were about to see the full effects Stellantis leadership will have on the future of Dodge. Get ready for plenty of talk about how the Hornet doesnt play by the rules or some nonsense.

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If youre wondering, yes the Hornet name has been lifted off the legendary cars made by AMC back in the day. Since Chrysler bought American Motors, it feels the right to slap the Hornet name on a compact crossover, kind of like reanimating the corpse of George Washington to hawk tooth whitener. Sure, AMC cheapened the name by using it on some compact cars it made in the 70s, but two wrongs dont make a right.

Also confirmed during the meeting was a little bit more about Dodges future electrification plans. Not only will we be getting the much-talked-about all-electric muscle car, Dodge plans to offer some plug-in hybrid options. This includes a Hornet PHEV. Now, try to contain your excitement, please.

Source: Detroit Free Press

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Hampton University officials last month announced they had selected retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Darrell K. Williams to serve as the schools 13th president. He will replace a legend, William R. Harvey, the universitys leader for 44 years and a man whose fingerprints are evident on nearly every corner of the historic campus.

The announcement of a new president of Hampton is significant, not only for the school and the university community, but for the city of Hampton, the region and the larger commonwealth. Hampton University holds a distinguished place on the higher education landscape in Virginia, so a change in leadership commands attention.

But it is also notable that the transition at Hampton will come as other area schools welcome new leaders or where recently appointed presidents are still becoming comfortable in new surroundings.

First, a little about Harvey, whose long and distinguished term at Hampton more than deserves a closer look. It has been pointed out that when he took the reins in 1978, the school was called Hampton University and President Jimmy Carter was in the White House.

He came to Virginia from Tuskegee Institute, where he served as an administrator, and arrived at a time when the future of Hampton was, if not imperiled, then certainly in question. He inherited an institution that ran an annual budget deficit, had a modest endowment of $29 million and was losing ground to its peer institutions.

As he marked 40 years as president, the turnaround was profound. He tightened the purse strings to return Hampton to fiscal solvency, increased efforts to drum up funds and, over time, vastly expanded the academic scope of the school. It added 92 new academic programs, including 12 new doctoral programs, and its endowment now exceeds $400 million.

Those are just a few numbers, but dont do justice to how Harvey transformed Hampton into what he called, one of the best modest-sized universities in the country. Black or white, north or south, east or west. Any objective analysis will show that.

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That includes the construction of 30 campus buildings and improvements to many others, the addition of a Severe Weather Research Center, and the Proton Therapy Institute, which has given cancer patients a less intrusive and less debilitating path to fight their disease.

Beyond that, however, is Hamptons ever-expanding role in our region, which includes working with secondary school students in areas such as aviation, pharmacy and journalism, and Harveys willing partnership with community leaders to improve life across Hampton Roads.

To put it bluntly, Gen. Williams has big shoes to fill, though he sounds eager for the challenge and, as a Hampton graduate, knows the important role the school plays for its students, alumni and the larger community.

Still, to lose someone of Harveys experience and with his connections will be a blow. And his departure isnt the only one at a Hampton Roads university: Christopher Newport University President Paul Trible announced last year that he would step down in August, leaving another sizable hole on the Peninsula.

Those come a year after Old Dominion University President John Broderick gave way to Brian Hemphill, who moved into the top post in July. A year earlier, Javaune Adams-Gaston began her term as president of Norfolk State University. William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe also began in 2019.

These are more than places where promising young people pursue the academic path of their choosing and where talented faculty conduct cutting-edge research. These are economic engines for the region and institutions whose partnership can help Hampton Roads communities tackle some of our thorniest public problems.

Thats why having capable, driven and visionary leaders in these posts is essential to the region as well as each institution, and why Hampton Roads should lend their support to ensure the ongoing changing of the guard in local academia succeeds as seamlessly as possible.
A recent social media post from Olympic skier Eileen Gu in which she says goodbye to China after months of making it her home for the Beijing Winter Games has drawn both plaudits and criticism.



Gu, who won two gold medals and one silver medal while representing China this year, is making her way back to the U.S. to begin her studies at Stanford University. The star athlete deferred a year to participate in the Winter Games.



On April 27, she shared a post to Weibo saying, Thank you China, with emojis of the Chinese flag and a red heart, along with a series of photos from her time in the country.



The hashtag Gu Ailing posts on Weibo to thank China," referring to Gu by her localized name, quickly became a top trending subject on the platform, CNN reported. Within two days, it garnered over 290 million views.



While many of her fans reciprocated the love, some social media users werent as impressed by the way she worded her thanks, accusing her of acting "like a foreigner." They argued that her post seemed to be her distancing herself from China, as she failed to refer to it in the same way other athletes have in the past, using the words motherland or my country.



"Ultimately she thinks of herself as an American. She only joined China temporarily," a top comment reportedly said.



Weibo has since limited search results for the hashtag to mostly positive comments from official accounts.



Gu, who was born and raised in the U.S., was praised in China for her choice to represent the country her mother is from. Though in doing so, Gu was also criticized by Americans for being opportunistic, amid strained U.S.-China relations.



Gu previously faced criticism during the Olympics after advocating for the use of VPNs to bypass the countrys social media restrictions.







Feature Image via @eileen_gu_

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Customer look at a utility bill

Some energy suppliers have been given a three-week deadline to explain accusations they have increased customers' direct debit payments by "more than is necessary".

Jonathan Brearley, boss of the energy regulator Ofgem, recently said there were "troubling signs" of the tactic.

He also expressed concern over customers being directed to inappropriate deals.

Official reviews have now been launched.

Energy bills

Mr Brearley had said in April that reviews were imminent, but the development emerged from an update published on Twitter by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.

Some energy suppliers have been increasing Direct Debits beyond what is required.



I can confirm @Ofgem has today issued Compliance Reviews. Suppliers have three weeks to respond.



The regulator will not hesitate to swiftly enforce compliance, including issuing substantial fines.  Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) May 3, 2022

Mr Kwarteng said that some energy companies had been increasing direct debits beyond what was required.

"I can confirm Ofgem has today issued compliance reviews," Mr Kwarteng's tweet went on.

"The regulator will not hesitate to swiftly enforce compliance, including issuing substantial fines."

However, by reviewing the issue, Ofgem has yet to draw a firm conclusion on whether any rules have been broken.

An Ofgem spokesperson said: "Our top priority is to protect consumers and we recently wrote to suppliers to alert them that we are commissioning a series of market compliance reviews to ensure, amongst other things, that they are handling direct debits fairly, and that overall, they are held to higher standards for performance on customer service and protecting vulnerable customers."

A spokesman for Energy UK, which represents energy companies, said: "Suppliers are required to set [direct debits] at a fair and reasonable level based on the customer's individual circumstances, taking into account factors like previous energy use or record with previous payments.

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"It is right that the regulator is looking to ensure that suppliers are complying with those requirements. Customers who do have concerns with the level of their direct debit payments should contact their supplier."

Cost of living

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had earlier acknowledged "there is more that we can do" to help families struggling with rising fuel and energy bills.

Opposition parties have called for a windfall tax on energy company profits, with Labour accusing him of offering "no answers" to a "cost of living crisis".

Graphic showing how the energy price cap has changed

On 1 April, yearly bills increased by an average of 693 for about 18 million households on standard tariffs.

And some 4.5 million prepayment customers saw an average increase of 708 - from 1,309 to 2,017.

Mr Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, wrote in a blog on Ofgem's website in April that the regulator had received information from consumer groups and the public about "bad practices" by some suppliers.

"We are also seeing troubling signs that some companies are reacting to these changes by allowing levels of customer service to deteriorate," he wrote.

He added that they were also concerned about "the way some vulnerable customers are being treated when they fall into difficulties".

The regulator has powers to issue "substantial fines" of up to 10% of turnover to firms found failing to comply.
Firefighters working to contain a fire in Kharkiv on March 2. The town, in the east of Ukraine, is near Iryna's hometown. Sergey Bobok/AFP via Getty Images

Iryna (not her real name) went to Ukraine to visit her parents after two years apart.

She was in her hometown near Kharkiv when Russia's invasion began on February 24.

This is how she became trapped and eventually escaped, as told to Claire Turrell.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Iryna, who became trapped in Ukraine after the Russian invasion. She asked to use a different name to protect her privacy. Insider has verified her identity. She has provided pictures and documentation verifying her entry into Ukraine, her escape by train, and her entry into Hungary. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

After two years of the pandemic, I desperately wanted to see my parents in Ukraine and give my mother, who looked after my sick grandmother, some respite. At that time, I didn't believe the war would happen. I spoke to my father and he said it looked Ukraine and Russia were going to come to an agreement.

So, with my husband running our catering business and our children at school, I flew from the UK on February 14 for a two-week holiday.

It felt like old times. We started each day with coffee, then went for a walk in the leafy park in our town, which is near Kharkiv in the east. But on February 24 everything changed.

My hometown was bombed for four nights in a row. Next, we were under occupation, and no one could leave. Those who tried to drive their cars out of the town were fired on by Russian tanks, which blocked every exit.

Bombs fell at night, and gunshots blanketed the town during the day.

We grabbed everything we could and took refuge in my parents' basement on the town's outskirts. We spent 23 hours each day in that 3-meter-long room, sat in our outdoor coats as the temperature could drop to -3 degrees Celsius.

We left only for an hour before sunrise, to wash our faces and visit my grandmother next door.

Every time a plane flew overhead and dropped a bomb, I thought they were going to be the last minutes of my life. Even in the basement, the force of each explosion nearby pushed me to the ground.

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From my parents' basement every night, I heard dozens of powerful bombs being dropped on Kharkiv. It was harrowing.

At night, the Russian soldiers broke into houses. One night they took my neighbor's car, and then the following night they returned to take everything else in his garage, including his gun. We heard Russian voices one night as someone tried to pry open our gate, but my father had padlocked it shut, so they left empty-handed.

Every day I looked for ways to leave and dreamed of getting to the evacuation trains. When we had internet, I texted my husband and children to let them know we were safe or to scroll through Telegram to see what was happening. I prayed every minute the terror would end.

My uncle told me that people were being shot in the town if they didn't hand over their mobile phones. Three of our neighbors were killed in the next street when they went to buy food. And when they opened the bakery, it was hit by a bomb. My mother grew vegetables and bred ducks, so we had food. She also had a wood-burning stove and a well for water.

At first, I thought the situation would change, but when they bombed five villages around us, I realized it wouldn't. On the morning of March 18, I decided to leave. I was told there was one brave driver who could take me to the nearest Ukrainian-controlled village, which was 7 miles away, but I'd need to run to the edge of town to meet him.

My father agreed to go with me. I felt torn. My mother chose to stay with her brother and his family and look after my grandmother, but I needed to get back to my children.

My mother wanted to be with us until the last minute. My goal is to go back for her.

The Russian soldiers had scattered mines along the road. After saying goodbye to my mother, we panicked when Russian soldiers started firing shots from their post at the end of the road, and people started running toward us. Then a Ukrainian plane flew overhead and bombed the outpost, which gave us a chance to escape. We hurriedly picked our way along the fence line and made our way to the edge of town, where the driver was anxiously waiting for us. My father kept me behind him as we walked, and he continued to check the fence line for signs of broken wires and the road for small, unexploded bombs. I gripped my rucksack, which contained only a change of clothes. I had hidden my phone and documents in my underwear and carried a cheap phone I could hand over if I were stopped.

When we climbed into the car, I hid under a cover so I couldn't be spotted by passing vehicles. The driver took us down the backstreets to the next village. From there we were able to catch a train to Kharkiv, where we could find a train to take us over the border. But each carriage was full. My father and I ran along the platform from one carriage to the next as people kept turning us away.

When we came to the last one, my dad pushed me inside. We squeezed onto a bench with five other people. Some people ate the food they'd managed to squeeze into their bags, while tiny children cried with exhaustion and fear. We spent the next 30 hours on the train as it sped through the countryside to the Hungarian border.

When it grew dark, teenagers used their mobile phones under their coats so the lights from their screens couldn't be seen from the road. I looked out over the Carpathian Mountains, where I used to go on school trips, and I wondered if it would be the last time I'd see them.

When we arrived in Hungary, refugee stations welcomed us with food and hot drinks, and a local family gave my father their spare room. I flew to the UK to see my children, and I promised my father that I would return to collect him.

When I arrived in the UK on March 29, my husband and children were waiting for me at the airport. I hugged them tightly, and there were lots of tears. My daughter brought my favorite coffee, and my son gave me a bucket of KFC. My village was covered in Ukrainian flags, and they even placed one in the village square.

My father applied for a visa, and a week later I flew back to Budapest to collect him and take him to my home in the UK.

My father and I both worry about my mother. We hope to rescue her soon. We have experienced so much loss. We pray every day for the Ukrainian army to free our town. Some days I lose hope and think it will be Russian forever.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Dean's defense attorneys played hours of news coverage of the case in court Monday morning. They argue he will not be able to get a fair trial in Tarrant County because the case has received too much publicity over the past few years.
Governments, communities and major State-owned enterprises are helping people with special needsespecially seniors living alone, the sick and the disabledto tide over the recent COVID-19 resurgence in Shanghai.



According to Shen Min, deputy director of the Shanghai bureau of civil affairs, these particular groups face more challenges amid closed-loop management. The bureau and related departments are improving the job of taking proper care of these people through prioritizing a three-pronged strategy including complete acknowledgement of their difficulties and appeals, a timely response to the shortage of daily supplies and delivery to their doorsteps.

Seniors account for a major part of the vulnerable. Bureau statistics show that about 120,000 seniors aged 80 or above were living alone in the city during the lockdown in April.

Shen said that the city has opened hotlines for elderly care services in each district, with personnel on duty around the clock. Volunteer teams have been established in the community to collect their appeals and needs.

"For those difficulties that even the district-level departments are unable to solve, major SOE companies will arrange help," Shen added.

State-owned enterprises such as Bailian Group, which was designated by the government to solve the living problems of vulnerable groups, opened hotlines and WeChat services for people over 80 or those with disabilities living alone.

On April 23, its subsidiary Lianhua Supermarket Holdings received a call from a resident in Hongkou district saying that her 103-year-old father needed to eat nutritious and easy-to-swallow food, such as biscuits. The call was immediately transferred to the nearest Lianhua supermarket and its manager Lu Zhiwei sent biscuits and milk within three hours.

The company also opened a text message channel for the hearing impaired.

As of April 26, more than 4,500 people had consulted and sought help from the company, said Zhao Ling, director of the marketing center of Lianhua. Among them, 50 percent were people with disabilities, 40 percent were seniors living alone, and the rest were people with extreme difficulties, including seniors with chronic disease.

"Receiving calls for help from citizens is the first step, and subsequent supplies and logistics must be guaranteed," Zhao said. "We will strive to deliver goods within two to three days."

Wang Xing, manager of Lianhua Supermart's Taopu branch, said that in addition to ensuring the needs of surrounding residents, the store has been serving a nearby nursing home since April 1, specifically providing supplies for the elderly.

Since April 21, a project initiated by Shanghai Charity Foundation has distributed about 120,000 packages to seniors older than 80 who live alone, including suitable food such as bread, milk, cereal, and special supplies such as adult diapers.

The society has also played a role helping disabled people.

Twenty employees with varying degrees of visual impairment are living inside a massage business on Changshou Road, Putuo district, to comply with epidemic prevention and control requirements. Online shopping is difficult for them.

After manager Hu Ping asked the nearby neighborhood committee for help, vegetables and supplies were sent to the needy employees the next day.

"Our business is located in a commercial area, which is not inside the residential community. Generally speaking, it is not necessary for the neighborhood committee to help us. But they did it immediately after hearing about our situation," Hu said.

In Yangpu district, 13 visually impaired staff living in a massage business have received daily necessities such as rice, eggs and vegetables from Shanghai Disabled Persons' Federation every week, according to Xinhua News Agency. The federation also included them in shopping groups in a nearby community to help them buy supplies.

So far, the federation has helped 445 visually impaired people, providing them with what they need most amid the epidemic, Xinhua reported.
NY Daily News

James Bradberrys $21.8 million salary cap hit was unsustainable in this 2022 season. That is one reason the Giants released their best defensive back on Monday. But they also cut him because the new regime had a lower opinion of the player than the last GM and head coach did. Bradberry, 29, learned early this offseason that he was no longer wanted, which is why he stayed away until the team ...
A BP logo at a petrol station in Tonbridge (AFP via Getty Images)

BP is facing renewed calls to divert some of its profits to help ease the cost of living crisis after the oil giant announced underlying profits of $6.2illion (4.94m) - its highest quarterly earnings in over 10 years.

Despte the company announcing a $25 billion hit from its decision to exit Russia, pushing the oil giant to a quarterly loss of $20.3 billion (16.2 billion), the firms underlying performance sparked fresh demands for a one off windfall tax.

As the country prepares for local council elections this week which will be a vital test of the popularity of Boris Johnsons government, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is under growing pressure to do more to help millions of struggling households as energy bills rise and inflation soars.

But while Mr Sunak hinted last week that he will look at a possible windfall tax if energy firms failed to use profits to invest in new oil and gas projects, International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan insisted stripping profits from BP and other major energy companies was not the answer.

Ms Trevelyan told BBC Breakfast: It would not be the right thing to do in my opinion to strip away profits which will be reinvested and I think where we want to see that continue and BP can lead the way in demonstrating how that investment will ensure security of supply for us.

But Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves tweeted: $6.2bn profits for BP in first three months of this year. The case for a one-off windfall tax on oil & gas producer profits cannot be ignored. Yet still the Tories wont back Labours plan to use it to cut energy bills.

Ed Miliband, Labours Shadow Climate Change and Net Zero Secretary, added: Yet again we see the oil and gas companies making billions upon billions of profits coming directly from the pockets of the British people and the government shamefully refuses to act.

The oil and gas firms may be doing their job for the shareholders of their companies but the government is negligently failing to do its job for the people of this country.

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The refusal to levy a windfall tax to help cut energy bills is deeply wrong, unfair, and tells you all you need to know about whose side this government is on - and its not the British people.

And Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: The Conservative governments refusal to introduce a windfall tax on the super profits of oil companies is becoming impossible to justify.

BP is raking in eye-watering profits while millions of people struggle to pay the bills. It is an unforgivable lack of leadership from Boris Johnson at a time of national crisis.

Oil companies are handing out huge dividends and buying back shares, they could easily afford to pay a little more to help the most vulnerable.

However Ms Trevelyan said the Chancellors 9bn support package to help ease rising energy bills combined with the energy proce cap which rose to just under 2,000 in April will help struggling families manage the spike in the cost of living.

She added that energy firms already paid an extra 10 per cent tax compared to other companies.

BP made an underlying profit of $6.2 billion in the first quarter, up from $2.6 billion this time last year and $4 billion in the final three months of 2021. The figure was significantly higher than analysts had expected.

Operating profits were boosted by exceptional oil and gas trading and higher prices, as oil and gas prices soared due to the war in Ukraine.

BP maintained its dividend of 5.46 cents per shares and said it would buyback $2.5 billion of is shares in the next few months, following $1.6 billion of buybacks so far this year.

But the decision to exit its 19.75% stake in Russian oil giant Rosneft has forced the company to take a $25.5 billion charge in the first quarter of the year, pushing it to the large headline loss.

BP was one of the first major businesses to announce it was pulling out of Russia as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, ending a decades long relationship.

In a quarter dominated by the tragic events in Ukraine and volatility in energy markets, BPs focus has been on supplying the reliable energy our customers need, CEO Bernard Looney said.

Our decision in February to exit our shareholding in Rosneft resulted in the material non-cash charges and headline loss we reported today. But it has not changed our strategy, our financial frame, or our expectations for shareholder distributions.

CFO Murray Auchincloss added: We are delivering on our commitment to shareholder distributions.
By Gabriella Borter

(Reuters) - If the U.S. Supreme Court votes to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide, conservative states will have more confidence that their new limits on abortion will stand while liberal states will feel more urgency to protect and expand abortion rights.

Here are some restrictions and protections state legislatures have taken up in 2022:

ABORTION RESTRICTIONS

ARIZONA: Republican Governor Doug Ducey in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. It will take effect later this year if not blocked in court.

FLORIDA: Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a 15-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for medical emergencies or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. The exceptions do not allow for abortion past 15 weeks in case of rape, incest or human trafficking. The ban is due to take effect on July 1.

IDAHO: Republican Governor Brad Little signed a six-week abortion ban in March that allows family members of the fetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The Idaho law was due to take effect in April, but has been blocked by the state Supreme Court pending legal review.

KENTUCKY: The legislature in April overrode Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto to enact several abortion restrictions, including a 15-week ban, a requirement that fetal remains be cremated or interred, and a requirement that a combination birth-death or stillbirth certificate be issued for each abortion. The law took immediate effect, suspending clinics' ability to provide abortions for eight days until a U.S. judge temporarily blocked its enforcement.

OKLAHOMA: The Senate in April passed a ban on all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. It relies on private citizens to sue providers and any person who "aids or abets" abortions to be enforced. The House must approve the Senate's amendments before it heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. With the governor's approval, it would take effect immediately.

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Also in April, Oklahoma's legislature approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which relies on the same lawsuit enforcement mechanism. It will take immediate effect if signed by Stitt.

Stitt signed a bill in April banning abortion except in medical emergencies and penalizing providers who violate the law with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The law is due to take effect in August if not blocked in court.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Republican Governor Kristi Noem signed a bill in March requiring women to make three in-person doctor's visits to complete a medication abortion. The legislation's implementation depends on the outcome of a federal court case.

ABORTION PROTECTIONS

COLORADO: Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a bill on April 4 codifying the right to have an abortion. The measure immediately took effect.

CONNECTICUT: The legislature passed a bill in April that protects anyone who provides abortions, has an abortion or assists someone having an abortion from other states' restrictions. Among other provisions, the measure bars state agencies from assisting in interstate investigations seeking to hold someone civilly or criminally liable for getting or aiding an abortion. The bill awaits Democratic Governor Ned Lamont's signature.

MARYLAND: The legislature passed a bill that expands the definition of who can provide abortions to include any "qualified provider," establishes a state-funded abortion provider training program and requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of abortions. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the state's Democratic-controlled legislature overrode his veto on April 9 and the law is due to take effect July 1.

VERMONT: The Democratic-led legislature in February passed a constitutional amendment that guarantees the right to abortion. It will be on the ballot for voters to approve in November.

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Colleen Jenkins)
Farmworker advocates are concerned about revelations in a USA TODAY story published April 19 that revealed Georgia Department of Labor officials have ties to one of the largest U.S. human trafficking cases ever prosecuted involving foreign agricultural laborers brought here on seasonal H-2A visas.

In October, federal prosecutors indicted 24 people in Georgia for conspiring to engage in forced labor and other related crimes.

"The USA TODAY article exposes even more problems with the deeply flawed H-2A program," said United Farm Workers Foundation Executive Director Diana Tellefson Torres in a statement to the USA TODAY Network. "The links between Georgia current and former labor officials and some of the defendants is extremely concerning and highlights the need for stronger protections and oversight in the H-2A program."

'Beyond troubling': Current, former government officials tied to human trafficking probe in Georgia

Human Trafficking: What led to a migrant workers death from heatstroke?

Read More: Labor rights groups push for reform of farmworker visa program in wake of human trafficking case

Photo showing Mexican passports and money included as an exhibit in a criminal case stemming from the Blooming Onion investigation.

The indictment did not mention connections between those indicted and the Georgia Department of Labor  information that reporters in the USA TODAY Network uncovered during their investigation into the trafficking scheme. One individual indicted in the case, Brett Donovan Bussey, left GDOL in 2018. The other, Jorge Gomez, remains on the job and hasnt been accused of wrongdoing, but officers searched his home in connection with the case, and his sister and nephew are among those indicted.

Both men had responsibilities directly tied to protecting H-2A workers, including inspecting migrant housing and, in the case of Gomez, overseeing the migrant and seasonal farmworker complaint system.

The Georgia Department of Labor did not return multiple requests for comment.

UFW appeals to Biden Administration

"What farm workers need is systemic change within the H-2A program that addresses these underlying flaws by improving protections in recruitment, increasing employer liability, and ensuring that workers have a voice in the workplace," Tellefson Torres wrote. "It is urgent that the government acts to prevent human trafficking and corruption in U.S. immigration programs, rather than allow unscrupulous individuals and employers to profit off of the backs of vulnerable H-2A workers."

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United Farm Workers, the labor union and partner organization to the United Farmworkers Foundation, has launched three petitions calling on the Biden administration to increase oversight of the H-2A program in the wake of the Blooming Onion indictment  one in February, and two since the USA Today network investigation.

"Perhaps even more shocking than the indictments is that the very government officials tasked with protecting farm workers are accused of being connected to these horrible crimes," the petition reads.

Bussey's home in Tifton, Georgia.

A MoveOn.org petition launched Tuesday had nearly 4,500 signatures Wednesday afternoon, while a separate petition launched after the investigation had about 7,000, according to Elizabeth Strater, director of strategic campaigns at UFW. Along with the February petition, she said UFW had collected about 18,500 signatures total calling for increased oversight.

Rafael Flores, communications manager with Polaris Project, said via email the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which Polaris operates, has received calls from those on H-2A visas who worked on the farms involved with or named in the Operation Blooming Onion indictment.

"It is always concerning to see signs of how the system that is supposed to protect workers is actually working the other way around," said Andrea Rojas, director of the strategic initiative on labor trafficking at Polaris. "Migrant workers, including those in the United States legally on H-2, and other temporary work visas, routinely face situations of financial exploitation, threats, and unsafe living and working conditions by their employers."

Help USA TODAY investigate abuse of seasonal farmworkers The USA TODAY Network is reporting on what made the abuse of guest farmworkers in Georgia possible and who profited from it. If you are a worker who suffered abuse or know of one, or if you have any information about potential misconduct by public employees or others, we want to hear from you. We will not use your information without your permission. Contact Investigative Reporter Maria Perez: maria.perez@usatoday.com. Ella habla espanol.

Georgia leaders react

Elected officials in Georgia have also expressed concern about the H-2A program in the wake of the USA Today investigation.

Congressman Rick Allen, who represents Georgia's 12th district covering Douglas, Augusta and Statesboro, serves on both the House Agricultural Committee and as ranking member of the subcommittee on Health, Employment and Labor in the House Committee on Education and Labor.

The details of this investigation are both appalling and deeply disturbing," Allen wrote in a statement. "It is clear that the Georgia Department of Labor failed to enforce basic H-2A compliance measures intended to protect seasonal workers, who serve as a vital link in our nationwide food-supply chain ... I have long advocated for policies that safeguard the dignity of seasonal farm workers, and I support proactive measures to ensure these programs, managed by the states, are operated in full compliance with federal statute.

Worker housing located in Alma, Georgia.

Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff has also expressed concern about the Blooming Onion case. In a letter in early March, Ossoff called on the Biden administration to review the H-2A program. He also listed a number of questions for the Secretaries of State, Labor and Homeland Security on the program, and requested a response by March 31.

We have not yet received official responses from the Administration to Sen. Ossoffs letter urging a full review of the Federal H-2A visa program," wrote Jake Best, Ossoffs communication director, in an email.

Ossoff's office said they were still reviewing the information found by the USA Today Network in its investigation and could not comment on it yet.

This article is part of an ongoing investigative series exploring Operation Blooming Onion, the indictment of 24 people in Georgia with ties to one of the largest human trafficking cases prosecuted by the U.S. Dept. of Justice. At the center of the investigative reporting partnership among USA TODAY, the Savannah Morning News and the Georgia Go Team is how a farm labor trafficking effort of this size could continue for so long without notice by the state and federal departments of labor, which have oversight for the safety of farmworkers brought here under the H-2A visa program. Stories like this are possible because of subscribers like you. Your support will allow us to continue to produce quality journalism. Subscribe TODAY >>

Maria Perez is a reporter on USA TODAYs national investigations team. She can be reached at maria.perez@usatoday.com and on Twitter @mariajpsl.

Abraham Kenmore is the statewide reporter with the Georgia Go Team. He can be reached at akenmore@gannett.com and on Twitter @twiterlessabe.

Drew Favakeh is a public safety reporter for the Savannah Morning News. He can be reached at AFavakeh@savannahnow.com and on Twitter @drewfav.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Human trafficking of farmworkers, ties to GA officials, worry advocates
A federal grand jury has been convened to look into Alex Mudaughs financial affairs, including Murdaughs most sensational alleged theft  the looting of his deceased housekeepers $4 million estate.

Although news outlets including The State have quoted unnamed sources citing federal involvement into Murdaugh matters, the federal grand jurys existence and mission was only officially confirmed recently in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Columbia.

That lawsuit quoted a subpoena  Grand Jury Subpoena Number 2022-0064  issued to Nautilus Insurance Company seeking its records about a $5 million umbrella insurance coverage for Murdaugh that was used to pay claims in the 2018 death of former Murdaugh housekeeper Gloria Satterfield, who died after a fall at Murdaughs estate in Colleton County.

The subpoena means there are now officially two grand juries  one state and one federal  diving into the morass of complex alleged financial crimes involving millions of dollars and easily more than a dozen victims in what has become South Carolinas most sensational true-crime saga this century.

Although the federal grand jurys subpoena is about the Satterfield insurance payout, federal grand juries traditionally have latitude to delve into related subjects.

In addition to probing financial crimes, the state grand jury is also said to be investigating the unsolved killings last June of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, at the familys Colleton County estate.

While the state grand jury has been publicly aggressive, issuing more than a dozen indictments against Murdaugh since last fall, accusing him of defrauding clients, colleagues and others of more than $8 million, the federal grand jury has been operating without fanfare. Grand juries usually work in secret, gathering information that prosecutors can use to file formal, public charges against a defendant.

Sources say the federal grand jury, however, also has been active for months, even though it has not yet issued any indictments. It is investigating how Murdaugh and others may have interacted with Palmetto State Bank in Hampton, a bank where Murdaugh and his former law firm had millions of dollars in various accounts. Murdaugh used Palmetto State Bank to launder money he allegedly stole from his former law firms client trust account and funnel it to his own accounts, according to state grand jury indictments.

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Dick Harpootlian, one of Murdaughs attorneys, said he had no comment on the federal grand jurys involvement.

The last time there were two grand jury investigations into a high profile South Carolina financial crime was when both federal authorities and state authorities were investigating the now-defunct SCANA and that companys multi-million dollar failure of the V.C. Summer nuclear plant in Fairfield County.

In that investigation, a federal grand jury, federal prosecutors and the FBI assumed the more aggressive role, eventually getting guilty pleas of fraud from two top former SCANA officials and a former official from Westinghouse, the company hired by SCANA to build the plant. The fraud charges involved top officials efforts to hide the extent of construction delays and cost overruns at the nuclear plant, problems which had they been made public would have likely deflated SCANAs stock price.

Brook Andrews, the chief assistant U.S. attorney over white collar crimes, had no comment Tuesday when asked about the now-public existence of the federal grand jury probe into Murdaugh-related matters.

The Nautilus lawsuit also named assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Limehouse as one of the federal prosecutors involved in seeking information about Murdaughs involvement with Nautilus. Limehouse, who prosecutes financial crimes, was part of the prosecution team investigating SCANAs crimes.

The Nautilus lawsuit, which seeks to have a federal judge determine whether Murdaugh can keep all his Satterfield-related insurance records secret, said the federal grand jury is investigating how Murdaugh and others coordinated efforts to improperly obtain insurance money.

A spokesman for Attorney General Alan Wilson, whose office is overseeing the states Murdaugh investigation, had no comment Tuesday when asked about the federal involvement.

We cannot comment on anything grand jury-related, whether state or federal, Attorney General spokesman Robert Kittle said. However, as a general matter, while this Office always retains leadership in our cases, we also always look to cooperate and coordinate with our federal partners.

State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel declined to comment about the federal involvement.

Murdaugh eventually wound up with more $3 million in insurance money  much of it apparently from Nautilus  from Satterfields estate that should have gone to Satterfields two heirs, according to lawsuits and state criminal indictments in the case.

Federal Judge Richard Gergel has been assigned to the case. No hearing date has been set.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) leaves her office at the Capitol in Washington on March 8, 2022. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times)

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 Mondale. And after the bitter 2008 Democratic primary, it was in her living room that former Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton met to make peace.

These days, however, Sen. 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, 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.

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On Capitol Hill, it is widely  though always privately  acknowledged that 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.

Feinstein is often engaged during meetings and phone conversations, usually coming prepared and taking notes. But hours later, she will often have forgotten those interactions, said the people familiar with the situation, who insisted that they not be named because they did not want to be quoted disparaging a figure they respect.

Some of them said they did not expect her to serve out her term ending in 2024 under the circumstances, even though she refuses to engage in conversations about stepping down.

A recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle, her hometown paper, reported that some of Feinsteins colleagues believe she is mentally incompetent to serve. It recounted in brutal detail the signs of her decline on the job, an open secret that leading Democrats have quietly accepted as the status quo, but that some people close to her worry has become a spectacle that could tarnish her legacy.

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One Democratic lawmaker who had an extended encounter with Feinstein in February said in an interview that the experience was akin to acting as a caregiver for a person in need of constant assistance. The lawmaker recalled having to reintroduce themself to the senator multiple times, helping her locate her purse repeatedly and answering the same set of basic, small-talk questions over and over again.

A second Democratic lawmaker who was also present said the conversation took place on a flight. In a statement, the second lawmaker described their own interaction with Feinstein as pleasant and brief and not otherwise out of the ordinary. (Last week, Feinstein was spotted flying in first class from San Francisco to Washington with her longtime housekeeper seated next to her.)

Pressed last week about Feinsteins ability to serve, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the Senate majority leader, neither defended her nor tried to dismiss the issue.

Ive had a good number of discussions with Sen. Feinstein, he told reporters, but Im keeping them to myself.

Annette Blum, a stepdaughter, said Feinstein had always been adamant about making her own decisions, whether or not the rest of the family agreed.

We have the utmost respect for her life in public service and her career, Blum said in an interview. The decision is ultimately hers. We will all be there to support her in whatever decision she makes. The whole family feels this way.

In 2018, when Feinstein decided to seek her sixth term in office, she was already facing questions about her age and mental acuity. But she insisted there were no issues  My mind is fine, she said in an interview at the time  and Schumer and the Democrats Senate campaign committee supported her reelection bid.

Feinsteins supporters argue she did her party a favor by staying. The decision meant that Democrats avoided an expensive open-seat race in California, so our states Democratic donors could focus on helping other candidates across the country, said Jeffrey Millman, who served as her campaign manager that year. Today, with her seniority, Sen. Feinstein is an effective and indispensable leader for our state in the Senate.

Most lawmakers argue that the only people who can tell a senator it is time to retire are family members. But Feinsteins husband, financier and Democratic megadonor Richard C. Blum, who passed away in February, shared his wifes stubborn nature and unwillingness to consider an exit from the Senate. Last year, he was still telling friends she could run again in 2024.

When they would bring up questions about Feinsteins ability to continue serving, he would shrug them off, according to two people who discussed the issue with him.

What else is she going to do? Blum would respond, they said.

After her husbands death, Feinstein was under tremendous strain and there were conversations among those close to her about whether she might step away from the Senate. But in the months since, the people said, she has become set on continuing her work.

Feinstein has no plans to leave before the end of her term, a spokesperson said.

Its true the last year has been difficult caring for my dying husband and grieving over his passing, but Ive remained committed to achieving results and I would put my record up against anyones, Feinstein said in a statement, noting that she secured millions of dollars in government funding for her state, among other achievements. If the question is whether Im an effective senator for 40 million Californians, the record shows that I am.

Questions about her mental capacity have circulated for years. During the 2018 Supreme Court nomination hearings for Justice Brett Kavanaugh, people who worked with her said she struggled to remember the names of staff aides. In 2020, amid questions about her ability to lead the powerful Judiciary Committee, she was forced out as the top Democrat on the panel, an episode that people close to her said was deeply disappointing for the senator, who believed she had done the work, had waited her turn and was fully competent to lead the panel.

Feinsteins fiercest defenders concede that she sometimes needs to be told the same information multiple times, and she herself admits to forgetting conversations at times. But her allies insist that, despite the realities of aging, she is in command of her office.

She still calls the shots, said Jennifer Duck, a former chief of staff to Feinstein. If she didnt call the shots, Im sure lots of people would have helped her move onto something else.

But in the U.S. Senate, there is a long tradition of powerful men who have failed to move onto anything else, even long after it was glaringly apparent that they could no longer function on their own.

In his final years in office, former Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., who retired at the age of 100, could barely speak or hear and relied on staff members to help him on and off the Senate floor, where they could also be heard telling him how to vote.

Feinstein, people close to her said, is far more independent, and some argue that she is being held to a sexist double standard.

She is a loyal and dutiful member of the committee, said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., who was chosen to step in as chairman of the judiciary panel after Feinstein was pushed aside.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., declined to comment about his interactions with Feinstein on the panel, where they serve together. Ill leave that to Sen. Schumer, he said.

Over a half-century career in politics, Feinstein rose from a member of the San Francisco board of supervisors to the heights of Democratic power. She created Joshua Tree National Park, wrote the 1994 assault weapons ban and, as the detail-oriented, hard-charging chairwoman of the Intelligence Committee, produced the 6,700-page torture report on the excesses of the war on terrorism.

In recent years, she has become a target of progressive rage for giving Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, the benefit of the doubt  an approach that was common in the courtly Senate she joined in the 1990s, but one that has faded as political polarization has deepened. Some of her allies dismiss the questions about her mental capacity as attacks by Democrats who simply do not like Feinsteins old-fashioned style.

To Feinstein, the questions about her fitness are mystifying and offensive.

She grows angry at the mention of the prospect that she might consider stepping down, pointing out that she still excels at securing funds for California, shows up to vote, attends hearings and leads the spending panel that controls energy and water programs.

Some lawmakers have privately raised red flags about Feinstein to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who in a statement said it was unconscionable that the senator was being subjected to these ridiculous attacks that are beneath the dignity in which she has led and the esteem in which she is held.

Others appear to have grown impatient with the situation. At a hearing in January, Feinstein clashed with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., over a bipartisan antitrust bill that Klobuchar had put forward, asserting that the Biden administration was opposed.

I have been told that, Feinstein told Klobuchar, who pressed to know where her colleague had heard it. You may not like it.

Klobuchar responded, Well no, I dont like it at all, because I think that its not true.

Despite such unpleasant moments, Feinsteins former colleagues say the decision to end a long career in the Senate can be difficult.

Former Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, recalled going through a lot of soul-searching before deciding to forgo a reelection bid in 2013 after three decades in the Senate.

You hate to leave all the things that go along with the office, and after all that amount of time, youve got seniority, and youve got great staff, said Harkin, who was speaking from the Bahamas, where he owns a home and has taken up sailing. I was satisfied that I got enough things done.

Retiring, people close to Feinstein said, holds little appeal for her. She wants to keep working.

 2022 The New York Times Company
US authorities say the Amadea is beneficially owned by Suleyman Kerimov. Osman Uras/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

The US can seize a sanctioned Russian oligarch's superyacht, a high court in Fiji ruled Tuesday.

US authorities say the Amadea is owned by gold tycoon Suleyman Kerimov.

Fiji had already temporarily barred the vessel from leaving its waters.

The US can seize a superyacht it says belongs to a sanctioned Russian oligarch, a high court in Fiji has ruled.

US authorities say the superyacht, the Amadea, is beneficially owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleyman Kerimov, a spokesperson for Fiji's director of public prosecutions (DPP) previously told Insider. Suleyman has been sanctioned by the UK, European Union and the US.

The High Court in Suva, Fiji's capital, on Tuesday "granted the order to seize the superyacht Amadea after an application was made last month by the Director of Public Prosecutions to register the US warrant to seize the yacht," the DPP's office said in a statement.

The Amadea arrived in Fiji from Mexico on April 12. A week later, it was barred from leaving Fiji's waters "until the finalization of an application to register a warrant to seize the property" under a restraining order granted by the country's high court.

If the yacht is seized, it would be the second vessel seized by the US under sanctions aimed at putting pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his invasion of Ukraine.

When asked about the application to seize the Amadea, the US Embassy in Suva told Insider that the US would act with partners across the world to impose costs on the Kremlin "if it continues its war of choice."

"We continue to ratchet up the pressure on Putin's oligarchs and we are working with allies and partners to go after corrupt gains from some of the individuals closest to Putin, no matter where they are held around the world," the Embassy said.

Defense lawyers, however, have disputed the claim that Kerimov owns the vessel and say it's actually owned by Eduard Khudainatov, former chairman and CEO of Kremlin-controlled energy giant Rosneft, per AP.

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The vessel is registered in the Cayman Islands and, according to AP, is owned by Cayman Islands-based Millemarin Investments, whose lawyers say the company is the vessel's legal owner. The lawyers claim Khudainatov, who hasn't been sanctioned, is linked to the company and is the vessel's beneficial owner, per AP.

Kerimov is one of Putin's 'inner circle of oligarchs'

Kerimov, a member of the Russian Federation Council, was sanctioned by the EU and UK on March 15. The EU said that Kerimov is "a member of the inner circle of oligarchs" close to Putin and that he was part of a group who met with the Russian president at the Kremlin in late February to discuss Western sanctions.

Kerimov had already been sanctioned by the US in 2018 for "being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation." Kerimov was arrested by French police in 2017 in connection with a tax evasion investigation.

Kerimov is worth around $14.4 billion, per Bloomberg estimates. He owns Nafta Moscow, a financial and industrial group in Russia, and his family owns a controlling stake in Polyus Gold, which claims to be Russia's biggest gold producer.

The Amadea, built by German yacht makers Lurssen, is close to 350 feet long and has lodgings for 16 guests across eight cabins. Amenities on board include a gym, beauty salon, bar, and glass elevator. It also has an infinity pool, another pool on the owner's private terrace, a jacuzzi, and a helipad.

On April 4, the US seized Tango, a $90 million superyacht which it said belonged to sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. The vessel was seized in Palma De Mallorca, Spain, by Spain's Civil Guard and officials tied to the Department of Justice's KleptoCapture task force.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In a documentary on San Franciscos rigorous Lowell High School, an Asian American student chastises his mother for saying that his father never finished high school.

Dont say that, then-senior Alvan Cai says in Mandarin to his mother, Capri, off-camera before speaking to the filmmakers. I dont want people to think lowly of my dad or anything.

While Asian Americans who strive for top-tier colleges are stereotyped as being from wealthy, educated families, the reality more often resembles stories like Cais: children of working-class immigrants who grab onto the idea of higher education as a vehicle for stability in the U.S.

Its these students whom director Debbie Lum said she hoped to humanize in her documentary, Try Harder!, which made its broadcast debut Monday on PBSs Independent Lens.

These are the kids who cant afford to go to private school. Families bank on that, Lum told NBC Asian America. It is a way for someone who didnt have access to have a way up in society.

Virginia Marshall, president of the San Francisco Alliance of Black School Educators and co-chair of San Francisco African American Honor Roll, with honor student Rachael Schmidt in a scene from

The documentary, which premiered at Sundance last year, chronicles the lives of five students during the 2016-17 school year as they embark on a grueling college admissions process.

For seniors across the country, the admissions journey may color a portion of their high school experience. But for those at Lowell, the citys top public school, the documentary shows how the process almost single-handedly defines students coming-of-age, thrusting them into the ebbs and flows of anticipation and heartbreak.

The students are seen shouldering the burden of extracurriculars ranging from student government to science competitions to sports, along with multiple advanced placement classes, and work. On top of it all, many say they are in constant negotiation between their own dreams and those of their parents. Lum said that with its demanding environment, Lowell is often described as elite. But the term comes with socioeconomic baggage that doesnt quite accurately reflect Lowell students.

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For the most part, and historically speaking, its the kids who are coming from Chinatown, taking an hour bus ride to get there, Lum said. Maybe theyre living in Chinatown SRO [single-room occupancy] housing.

Teacher Bruce Cohen with Lowell H.S. students Brandon Tom, Jayden Lee, Maxwell Hum and Joanna Lu in

According to the most recent Lowell High School Accountability Report Card, released by the San Francisco Unified School District, the student population is overwhelmingly made up of people of color, with Asian Americans constituting more than 50 percent. More than a third of the student body is considered socioeconomically disadvantaged. And over a quarter qualify for free lunch.

Lum said it was evident that many of the parents, who're mostly Asian immigrants, played no small part in their childrens education, prodding them toward certain endeavors and carting them around to after-school activities.

But much of their involvement, Lum said, appeared to be driven by a belief in the American Dream and a trust in meritocracy. The mentality isnt specific to Lowell, either, but one thats often misinterpreted and labeled as a symptom of overbearing tiger parenting.

Pawan Dhingra, a sociologist and a professor of American studies at Amherst College, previously explained that the yearning to attend elite schools is rooted in the belief that education is the only way for Asian American children to compete with others, particularly whites. The majority of Asian Americans come from immigrant families and do not have existing social connections to help secure jobs or internships.

Lum said these family values spawn a unique culture among students, who are bound by a shared understanding that their commitment alone could potentially lift them, and their families, up into better circumstances.

There is the sort of community where theyre all in it together and nobody has a special pass, Lum said. There arent students who, their parents are sitting on the board of something or other.

Students Jana Quan and Kian Mojabi study for their tests. (Courtesy Greenwich Entertainment)

The director said that this environment resulted in a social hierarchy that highly values academic achievement and talent, elements core to admissions. Social life, unlike many other schools, does not orbit around the jocks. Jonathan Chu, for example, is seen as a Lowell God. in the film. He excels in his AP classes, masters the violin and several sports, and serves as student body president.

Lum said she learned in filming that Chu was also an exceptional piano player and rumored to ice skate as well. Those in the film almost lionize him, speaking about Chu as if he were a mythical icon, for whom they have great admiration. And of course, hes been accepted to Harvard.

The emphasis on excellence is so pervasive in their social circles, Lum said, that one student, Ian Wang, applied more pressure on himself despite active encouragement from his parents, who are Lowell alums, to take a less intensive course load.

Ian used to get so much flak, because he only took two AP classes in his junior year, Lum recalls. We had already seen the kids giving him a really hard time about what his mom felt really bad about  she was like, I dont want you to kill yourself.

As admission to elite schools occupy the center of life at Lowell, affirmative action remains a topic that lurks under the surface. In one scene, a physics teacher warns students that they may not get into their dream Ivy League school, even if theyve earned a spot, because his powerpoint slide reads, Youre Asian! And in others, Rachel Schmidt, a Black student, reveals some of the assumptions and casual racism directed at her because of her race.

Throughout my time at Lowell, Ive internalized that stereotype that I get a lot of things because Im Black. And I think for a while, Ive tried to not own up to my blackness, she admits. I think Ive worked hard and I think I have the right grades.

Lum said that the perception that the cards are stacked against Asian students looms large. Even Schmidt told the filmmakers that she doesnt believe its fair that her Asian peers arent getting into school, just because of their race. Even so, Lum said that a majority of the Asian students continue to support affirmative action.

Our community has been pitted against other minority communities in this weird way, which isnt real, Lum said. Most of the kids that I talked to were in support of affirmative action. Even if they thought, Yeah, that might mean it makes it harder for me. but for people who have experienced systemic oppression, There should be some righting of the wrongs.
The state fire marshal in New Hampshire is urging owners of older hotels in the state to install automatic sprinkler systems as part of any future capital improvement projects.

A weekend fire at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort on White Mountain Highway in North Conway raced through the south wing of the resort, which lacked a complete sprinkler system. The fire broke out Saturday, just before 3:00 p.m. Some guests were forced to jump from balconies to escape the flames. Two firefighters and at least one other person had to be treated on the scene.

Large fire breaks out at popular New Hampshire resort

The Office of the State Fire Marshal would advocate for owners to consider automatic sprinkler systems as part of capital projects, according to a statement from the agency on Tuesday.

Under the current state statutes, existing New Hampshire hotels that are not considered a high-rise are not required to have an automatic sprinkler system. Automatic sprinkler systems in new hotels became a fire code requirement in 1991, even for buildings that are not high-rises, according to the fire marshal.

The investigation into the exact cause of the Red Jacket fire could take several more weeks. The fire marshal says the probe is active and ongoing.

Investigators are continuing to follow up on interviews with guests and witnesses, according to the fire marshals statement. Investigative work is projected to continue over the coming weeks, including gathering information specific to the timeline and sequence of operations of the fire alarm system components.

The fire marshals office also said that its office is getting a lot of inquiries about the fire protection at the Red Jacket.

Investigators have been able to verify that the guest rooms were equipped with local, hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up, in addition to a fire alarm system heat detector, according to the fire marshals statement. The smoke alarms were designed to sound only in the individual guest rooms, once activated. The heat detector would set off the building fire alarm system, once activated.

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The agency also said the main hallways of the hotel were equipped with fire alarm system smoke detectors and alarm notification devices which include (horns and strobes.

On Sunday, Boston 25 spoke with a couple about their dramatic escape from the flames.

Only on 25: Hero runs into burning building to rescue girlfriend of 3 months and her son

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
If a president of the United States can't visit a country high on his policy agenda, who's he going to call? Sometimes the answer is his first lady. Ringing America's current FLOTUS, Jill Biden.

Biden, 70, will leave Thursday for Romania and Slovakia on the borders of western Ukraine for a four-day visit to highlight Biden administration support for a country and people ravaged by the two-month-old Russian invasion.

Biden will meet with some of the millions of Ukrainian refugee families in tiny Slovakia on Sunday, Mother's Day in America. Nearly 5.5 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, according to The Associated Press, citing the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

First Lady Jill Biden blows kisses to the crowd during the rainy White House Easter Egg roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 18, 2022.

Biden will also meet with American troops, embassy officials, aid workers and government officials in the two countries, which share parts of their borders with Ukraine.

In New York Monday, Biden said she's looking forward to the trip, her second solo international trip. (She headed the U.S. delegation for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan in July 2021.)

"As a mother myself, I can only imagine the grief the (Ukrainian) families are feeling," Biden said, speaking at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in advance of its annual splashy Met Gala, according to the White House pool report and transcript of her remarks.

"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."

First lady Jill Biden speaks at the unveiling of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute exhibit "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" on May 2, 2022, in New York.

The trip will certainly garner a lot of attention, which is the point, says Myra Gutin, a first-lady historian and professor of communication at Rider University in New Jersey. She says Dr. Biden, a community college professor with a first lady's typically higher popularity ratings than her husband, is being sent to help "boost Ukrainian spirits."

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"She is warm and empathetic, and I expect she will be comforting, possibly hugging (unless there are COVID concerns) the refugees," Gutin says.

"I expect she'll also tell the refugees that she will brief the president about all that she has seen and will carry their concerns to the Oval Office. That could pay dividends for the administration in the public relations war that is being waged aside the Russian invasion."

Biden is indeed a hugger, a woman whose typical stance in any public appearance includes throwing her arms wide apart as if to embrace everyone in her audience.

"The timing is ideal and likely to remind Americans that Jill Biden is both a mother and grandmother and is symbolic of the myriad things that mothers do routinely to comfort and sustain their children," Gutin says. "She has a long history of these efforts, having worked with military families and cancer patients and their parents, and her trip is likely to be perceived as apolitical."

Biden has been known to use subtle signals to express herself and support for her husband's policies, she told her fashion-media audience at the Costume Institute. A few days after the Russian invasion, Biden wore a face mask embroidered with a sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine, at a White House event.

"Our style helps us express things that cant be put in words," she said, recounting how, for her State of the Union outfit in March, she ordered small sunflower appliques and had one sewn on the cuff of her dress as "a symbol of hope and solidarity." And she invited Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, to sit with her during the speech.

First lady Jill Biden wears a sunflower mask in support for the Ukrainian people during an event celebrating Black History Month in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 28, 2022,.

"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. "(The sunflower) was small but it shined against the deep cobalt-blue of my sleeve. 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 hearts  and that we stood with them."

According to the White House schedule, on Friday, Biden will visit Mihail Kogalniceau Airbase in Romania, where she will meet with U.S. troops before traveling to Bucharest, Romania's capital.

On Saturday, she will meet with Romanian government officials, with U.S. embassy staff, humanitarian aid workers and with educators who are helping teach displaced Ukrainian children. She will then travel to Slovakia's capital, Bratislava, to meet with U.S. embassy staff.

On Mother's Day, she will travel to Kosice and Vysne Nemecke, Slovakia, to meet with refugees, aid workers and local Slovakians who are supporting families who have crossed the border seeking refuge during the crisis. On Monday, she will meet with Slovakian government officials before returning to Washington.

First lady Eleanor Roosevelt, on a tour of the South Pacific, stops to chat with a U.S. Marine patient in a naval hospital on Sept. 23, 1943. During World War II, Roosevelt toured American airfields in Britain and visited the wounded on Guadalcanal.

Meeting with American troops is a common FLOTUS engagement, and especially for Biden, who has made support for military families one of her signature causes since she moved into the White House and even before, when she was second lady during the Obama administration.

Gutin says past first ladies have met with troops during war time, but visiting with refugees near a war zone might be a first.

"Eleanor Roosevelt visited soldiers in London and in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. Betty Ford welcomed refugee Vietnamese children to the U.S. (at the Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton) in California in 1975. And Barbara Bush visited soldiers in Kuwait in 1990," Gutin says.

"To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time a first lady has gone to visit war refugees when there was an ongoing conflict."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jill Biden to meet 'not forgotten' Ukraine refugees near war zone
Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged youth in the aerospace sector to contribute more to China's realization of greater self-reliance in aerospace science and technology.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a Monday letter replying to a youth team working on space station construction at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

Xi extended greetings to all youth in the aerospace sector in the letter for China's coming Youth Day, which falls on May 4.

He recalled his exchanges with young researchers during a visit to the CASC nine years ago.

He said China's space industry has continuously made new advancements, including the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System satellites, Chang'e lunar probes, Tianwen-1 Mars probe, Xihe solar exploration satellite, as well as the Tiangong space station and its core module Tianhe.

A large number of young people in the sector have taken the lead and shouldered important responsibilities, demonstrating the enterprising spirit of Chinese youth of the new era, he added.

Making China stronger in the aerospace sector requires continuous efforts across generations, Xi underlined.

He encouraged youth in the sector to carry forward the spirit of "Two Bombs, One Satellite" (Two Bombs refers to the atomic bomb and the intercontinental ballistic missile, while One Satellite refers to the artificial satellite) and the spirit of China's manned space program, and to contribute more on the country's journey to explore space and to its realization of high-level self-reliance in aerospace science and technology through innovation.

Xi visited the China Academy of Space Technology under the CASC on May 4, 2013, and had a discussion with outstanding youth representatives from all sectors.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China, the youth team working on space station construction at the CASC wrote a letter to Xi, reporting on behalf of the company's 80,000 young people their work on promoting China's space sci-tech development over the past nine years, and expressing their firm resolve to strive to make the country stronger in the aerospace sector.
Florida is suing the makers of certain firefighting foams, accusing them of polluting the environment and potentially sickening people with chemicals.

Attorney General Ashley Moodys office filed suit in mid-April in Hillsborough circuit court. The states lawyers accuse several businesses  including DuPont de Nemours Inc.; the Chemours Co.; Tyco Fire Products; and Chemguard Inc.  of using materials that could put people at risk of cancer and other illnesses. The substances are commonly called forever chemicals.

The companies, the Attorney Generals Office said, did not warn customers or the public about the danger.

Floridas case follows similar lawsuits from other states and agencies, including Tampa Bay Water, which oversees much of the regions drinking water, and the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which oversees Tampa International Airport.

Attorney Generals Office spokesperson Kylie Mason declined to comment, saying the case is active and ongoing. Asked why the attorney general, who is from Plant City, filed it in Hillsborough, she said: There are multiple locations within the state where there have been contaminations, and Hillsborough is one of those affected areas.

Moodys complaint lists several places around Florida where firefighting foams were used, including the Hillsborough Community College Fire Academy at 5610 E Columbus Drive in Tampa.

Some other spots: the Florida State Fire College in Ocala, the Pensacola Fire Department and Miami-Dade College Fire Academy. The foams have been used for decades to knock down fires that burn through liquid fuel at military bases, airports and industrial properties, the lawsuit says.

Moodys office accuses manufacturers of multiple offenses, including negligence and creating a public nuisance. The states lawyers wrote that the dangerous chemicals may have seeped into the ground and tainted drinking water.

The foams contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, according to the complaint. Shorthanded as PFAS or forever chemicals, these substances take an extremely long time to break down in the environment. They were also used in products like Teflon and Stainmaster carpets, the states lawsuit says.

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Exposure to forever chemicals may be connected to problems like thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancer and high cholesterol, according to the lawsuit. Moodys office says manufacturers knew or should have known that firefighting foams would endanger people and the environment.

The complaint does not specify how much Florida seeks in compensation or other sanctions, but it says the state has already incurred costs to investigate contamination and anticipates more expenses for environmental cleanup and helping sick residents.

In a statement, a DuPont de Nemours spokesperson said it is a new multi-industrial specialty products company that did not itself sell firefighting foam. The spokesperson said the complaint is without merit.

Moodys filing accuses DuPont of a scheme to transfer assets to shirk responsibility and make it harder for states to recoup money. The lawyers say DuPont violated Floridas Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act.

A Tyco spokesperson said the company does not comment about ongoing litigation. Representatives of Chemours did not return multiple emails seeking comment. A spokesperson for Chemguard did not return multiple voicemails.
(Reuters) - Investment firm All Blue Capital would be advised by Alan Barge, former oncology head at British drugmaker AstraZeneca Plc, in its bid to acquire drug developer Zymeworks Inc, according to a press statement seen by Reuters.

All Blue late last month approached Vancouver, Canada-based Zymeworks, which is developing antibody therapies for cancer, with a $773 million acquisition offer.

Barge recently joined All Blue as oncology drug development advisor and would assist the firm in "reversing the value-destructive measures" that Zymeworks implemented over the past twelve months, according to the statement.

"I have worked closely with the team in developing a business plan for Zymeworks that can create superior value," Barge said in the statement.

Upon successful completion of the deal, Barge would serve on Zymeworks' board, according to the statement.

All Blue is a technology-focused investment firm, whose investments include Airbnb, SpaceX and Lyft. It currently holds a small stake in Zymeworks.

(Reporting by Amruta Khandekar and Anirban Sen in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
Prince Turki al-Faisal al-Saud in Manama, Bahrain. REUTERS/Hamad Mohammed

A former Saudi spy chief slammed Biden for the lacking US response to 2021 terror attacks in the Gulf.

It's the most vocal criticism of Biden from a leading member of the Saudi political elite to date.

US-Saudi relations are currently at a new low, with Biden ostracizing MBS over rights abuses.

The former head of Saudi intelligence publicly slammed President Joe Biden's administration on Sunday, saying the US let his country down by failing to respond to terror attacks on the Arabian Peninsula last year.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and the US have plummeted since Biden took power: Biden has publicly admonished Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over human-rights abuses  saying on the 2020 campaign trail that he would make the kingdom a "pariah" and declaring the prince not Biden's counterpart  and ended US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

In turn, MBS has reportedly ignored Biden's phone calls and said he doesn't care what Biden thinks of him.

One key point of contention is that the Saudis feel the US offered a weak response to a series of attacks on the Arabian Peninsula from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in 2021, which killed three civilians and injured six.

The US was slow to react and, several weeks later, the Biden administration delisted the Houthis' terrorist designation, further infuriating Riyadh.

Speaking to Arab News on Sunday, Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former chief of the Saudi Public Intelligence Department, said the US had failed Saudi Arabia, the strongest rebuke of the Biden's administration from a leading elite Saudi figure to date.

"The president of the US, in his election campaign, said that he will make Saudi Arabia a pariah. And, of course, he went on to practice what he preached," Prince Turki, who previously also served as Saudi ambassador to both the US and UK, said.

"First of all, by stopping the joint operations that America had with the kingdom in meeting the challenge of the Houthi-led rebellion in Yemen against the Yemeni people and, second, among other similar actions, by not meeting [Crown Prince Mohammed]."

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"The fact that President Biden delisted the Houthis from the terrorist list has emboldened them and made them even more aggressive in their attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as on the UAE," he added.

The US-Saudi relationship stretches back decades, and the US has made attempts to save the relationship.

Axios reported that Secretary of State Antony Blinken apologized to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan at a meeting in Morocco late last month for failing to respond fast enough to Houthi attacks.

The US also hurriedly sent Patriot antimissile interceptors to Saudi Arabia in March 2022 to sweeten relations, The Wall Street Journal reported, after repeated requests from Riyadh.

Speaking to Arab News, Prince Turki said Saudi Arabia was "grateful" for recent US statements focusing on its commitment to ensuring Saudi security "but we need to see more" engagement at the top levels.

One issue which may complicate the situation, is Biden's nomination of Michael Ratney as the new US ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

David Schenker, a former senior State Department official, told Insider the appointment could be considered a slight by Saudi Arabia, given Ratney is a career diplomat and not a former US military heavyweight like many past US ambassadors.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Millions of Americans were shocked Monday night by a leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade  a decision that, if finalized, would reverse 50 years of precedent ensuring a womans right to choose to have an abortion.

But thats not the only stunning attack on established constitutional rights in the courts draft majority opinion, first obtained by Politico.

Conservative Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the draft opinion, also specifically criticizes the landmark civil rights cases that legalized marriage equality, Obergefell v. Hodges, and that legalized private consensual sex, Lawrence v. Texas.

Referencing those two cases, Alito eerily says that, like abortion rights, None of these rights has any claim to being deeply rooted in history.

Both Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas have already publicly called for revisiting same-sex couples constitutional right to marry. In October 2020, they described the courts 2015 decision on marriage equality as putting a novel constitutional right over the religious liberty interests explicitly protected in the First Amendment.

By doing so undemocratically, the court has created a problem that only it can fix, Alito and Thomas said at the time. Until then, Obergefell will continue to have ruinous consequences for religious liberty.

That Alito is now tying his criticisms of marriage equality to an actual draft court opinion to overturn a 50-year precedent on abortion rights should be a blaring siren for anyone concerned about constitutionally protected LGBTQ rights.

The concern for us is whats next with this right-wing Supreme Court, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) told HuffPost. I can tell you Obergefell is on Justice Alitos and Justice Thomas hit list.

As Slates Mark Joseph Stern points out on Twitter, at the heart of Alitos opinion is a scathing repudiation of unenumerated rights that are not laid out in the Constitution.

The Supreme Court may only protect these rights, Alito says, if they are deeply rooted in history. Abortion is not. Neither is same-sex marriage, Stern says.

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Second, the meat of Alito's opinion is a lengthly repudiation of "unenumerated rights" that are not laid out in the Constitution. The Supreme Court may only protect these rights, Alito says, if they are "deeply rooted" in history. Abortion is not. Neither is same-sex marriage.  Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) May 3, 2022

Senate Republicans dismissed the idea that Alitos criticisms are a sign that LGBTQ rights are next on the courts chopping block.

Im not aware of any concerted effort to get Obergefell overturned, and I dont think that this opinion will result in that happening, said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). Id be shocked if that happened. I just dont see it.

He said even though he thinks Obergefell was wrongly decided, he still sees it as settled law.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) similarly said he didnt think the draft decision would necessarily be applied to other rulings like same-sex marriage.

Asked if he thinks the court should challenge Obergefell, he wouldnt say.

I think we got enough to think about today, said Cornyn.

But its not lost on LGBTQ rights advocates that Alito intentionally referenced same-sex marriage rights in the context of eviscerating womens reproductive rights.

Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality case, said in a statement that it is concerning that some on the Supreme Court are eager to lump them all together.

The sad part is in both these cases, five or six people will determine the law of the land and go against the vast majority of Ohioans and Americans who overwhelmingly support a womans right to make her own health decisions and a couples right to be married, said Obergefell, who is currently a candidate for an Ohio House seat. This is a sad day, but its not over. We have fought the good fight for too long to be denied our rights now.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday noone could assume that Russia would not attack other countries and Germany would support Finland and Sweden if they decided to join NATO.

"If these two countries decide they should join the NATO alliance then they can count on our support," Scholz said in a statement after hosting the Swedish and Finnish leaders at a two day cabinet retreat.

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh and Miranda Murray; Editing by Madeline Chambers)
BRAINTREE  Mothers who have weathered a child's difficult teenage rebellion might take heart in this story.

When Linda Sylvester, 65, of Rockland, first got in touch with me, she said, "I have a couple of people for you to write about that would benefit the world."

One of them was her mother, June Newman, 85, of Braintree.

June Newman, left, with her daughter, Linda Sylvester, of Rockland, on Friday, April 29, 2022.

"She was director of veterans affairs in Braintree and in Randolph, is still very active at the Quincy Y, went to night school for 12 years and served in the military," Sylvester said. "She is very giving. I have great admiration for her. And she goes shopping for elderly neighbors and takes them meals."

The first encounter we all had was last July when Sylvester's neighbor, Lillie Durgan, of Rockland, turned 100. Both Sylvester and Newman were the main support for Durgan, who died in October.

Inspiration: A GOOD AGE: At 100 Rockland's Lillie Durgan advises 'Do for yourself. Use it or lose it.'

And now it's time to tell Newman's story about an independent woman who worked hard to support and guide her family. She grew up in South Boston, graduated from Girls' High School in Boston in 1954 and joined the Air Force.

"It seemed exciting," she said. "My best friend and I planned it. We wanted to travel, meet other people. It was patriotic."

This 1964 photo shows June Newman, center, with her daughter, Linda, then 7, and her son, Robert, 5.

She was stationed in Texas, where in 1955 she married and began a family, but eventually became a single parent for her daughter, Linda, and son, Robert.

In 1962, she and the children returned to Massachusetts to share a household with her parents, George and Eileen Stratton in Quincy. They helped her with child care while she worked and began what would become a 35-year career with the federal government.

In 1965, at age 29, she bought a two-family home in Hingham. She and her children lived on one side and she rented out the other side.

Newman worked at Fort Devens in Ayer for the Department of Defense as a statistician and cost analyst, and later as a drug and alcohol education coordinator. In 1984, she had a home built in Leominster, but then, after her mother died, she moved back to West Quincy in 1987 to care of her father.

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Girls' High School in Boston. It closed in 1981.

Meanwhile, she went to night school at Northeastern University for 12 years, from 1968 to 1976, to earn her college degree and then earned a master's degree in education at Boston State College in 1980.

In 1992, she retired from the federal government. She had moved to Braintree with her father and soon became the outreach coordinator at the council on aging from 1992 to 1996. She then served as veterans agent and elder services director in Randolph from 1997 to 2003, and filled in on a temporary basis as veterans agent in Braintree in 2006.

In the midst of all this, Sylvester was growing up and describes herself as "a strong-willed kid" who rebelled.

Always stepped up: A Life Well Lived: Kelly Cobble, 'pied piper' of Quincy, saw a need and stepped up

"It wasn't easy growing up because my mum did work a lot and was going to school, but we always knew we were loved," she said. "She wanted to be an example to us, and not live off the system. ... I always felt that I did better with one parent than most ever do with two. My mum made the right decision at the time we were growing up. She was tough, but she was kind, and she always had a great sense of humor."

June Newman, of Braintree, with her son, Robert Newman, on Friday, April 29, 2022.

In the turbulent teenage years, Sylvester said, "I was a brat," determined to do as she pleased. Newman recalled calling other parents to try to locate her daughter when she didn't come home and how one mother told her, "You should treat her like your friend." Newman knew her daughter needed a mother.

Eventually, the two came back together and today Newman says, "If Linda needed to go through what she went through in those growing up, teenage years, it was all worth it to have her be the woman she is today."

They belong to Fort Square Presbyterian Church in Quincy, share a strong faith and walk together regularly at the former naval air base in South Weymouth. They also love to sing together.

Lillie Durgan is all smiles as she celebrates her 100th birthday during a party in her neighbor's home in Rockland, Saturday, July 3, 2021. Tom Gorman/For The Patriot Ledger

"My mother has a beautiful alto voice and used to sing around the house growing up," Sylvester said.

"I just wanted my kids to have a deep faith, to be respectful, decent giving people, not takers but givers," Newman said. "I fed that into them to the best of my ability."

Newman's son, Bob, who does landscaping work, lives with her.

Braintree mother June Newman with her children Linda Sylvester and Robert Newman on Friday April 29, 2022. The photograph she is holding was taken in 1964 when Linda was seven and Bob was five.

With her mother as a model, Sylvester said, "I want to be kind, be positive, not bitter or complaining. Every opportunity that comes into your life, you have a choice of how you are going to react. My mum has taken situations that haven't been so positive and learned from them."

Reach Sue Scheible at sscheible@patriotledger.com.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Daughter's Mother's Day tribute to former veterans agent June Newman
GREEN BAY - A man who served a six-year prison sentence for a 2015 robbery conviction has been charged in the March 16 robbery of $4,780 from a credit union.

A criminal complaint says Clifford J. Boland, 58, is charged with robbery of a financial institution, a felony, as a repeater. Police said Boland is homeless. If convicted, he faces a 40-year prison term and a fine of up to $100,000.

Green Bay police said Boland, wearing a surgical-type mask over his face and a jacket bearing a Milwaukee Brewers logo, walked into the Capital Credit Union at 1651 Main St., shortly after 10 a.m. March 16 and handed the teller a note that said, "I have a gun. Give me the money." The complaint says people in the bank did not see a weapon.

Boland left the bank barely a minute later and walked to a red sedan parked nearby

Surveillance cameras on nearby Main Street businesses showed the man walking to a red car parked at a nearby business, and people who were near the credit union at the time said they saw the same thing, the complaint said. Witnesses noticed another man behind the wheel, and that the car was missing hubcaps on three wheels.

An employee of a nearby business told police that he has seen the robber don his mask in her business' bathroom minutes before the credit union was robbed, the complaint said. Later, police questioned an acquaintance of Boland's; the man told police he drove Boland to a suburb of Chicago, where the acquaintance said Boland bought drugs with money he claimed had come from a tax refund.

Boland was arrested in Chicago this past week.

RELATED: Police: Sturgeon Bay man attacked three adults, two children while trying to steal car

RELATED: Trial starts for Green Bay man accused of slashing former Yellow Cab owner over 200 times during robbery, killing

Contact Doug Schneider at (920) 431-8333, or DSchneid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Man with a previous robbery conviction charged in credit union holdup
Gang violence and kidnappings have been rampant in Port-au-Prince, forcing hundreds of families to flee

Dominican diplomat Carlos Guillen has been freed four days after he was abducted by a gang in Haiti, an official says.

The Dominican Republic's foreign minister, Roberto Alvarez, wrote on Twitter that Mr Guillen was "safe and sound".

Mr Alvarez did not say how Mr Guillen had been freed but thanked "all those who actively took part in his release".

Kidnappings for ransom have surged in Haiti in the past two years.

More than 1,200 people, 81 of them foreign nationals, were abducted last year, according to Haiti's Center for Analysis and Research on Human Rights.

Earlier this week, hundreds of residents fled the Cite de Soleil neighbourhood as gun battles raged

One of Haiti's most powerful gangs, 400 Mawozo, is thought to be behind many of the kidnappings, including that of Mr Guillen.

The Dominican ambassador said members of 400 Mawozo seized Mr Guillen while he was travelling from Haiti's capital, where he served as agricultural attache, to neighbouring Dominican Republic by road.

The gang has its stronghold in the Croix-des-Bouquets area, east of the capital, and it is there that Mr Guillen was reportedly taken.

On Tuesday, the Dominican military said it would deploy intelligence personnel and drones to search for the diplomat but it is not clear from the foreign minister's statement if the army was involved in his release.

The diplomat's release came just hours after the leader of the 400 Mawozo gang was extradited to the United States.

Germine Joly is accused of smuggling weapons and kidnapping people for ransom

Germine Joly, who is also known as "Yonyon", had been held in a prison in Port-au-Prince, from where he negotiated ransom payments for people his gang kidnapped.

Joly is accused of being behind the kidnapping last year of 17 Christian missionaries from the US and Canada.

A Haitian police statement said he would face charges of weapons smuggling and holding US citizens for ransom.

The gang had demanded $1m (800,000) for the release of each of the missionaries and half that sum for the Dominican diplomat. It is not clear if any ransom was paid in either of the cases.

Haiti's gangs have grown in strength since last July, when Haiti's President Jovenel Moise was assassinated by mercenaries.

Earlier this week, at least 20 people were killed and hundreds of families were forced to flee the impoverished area of Cite Soleil after clashes broke out between 400 Mawozo and a rival gang, Chen Mechan.
An investigation dubbed Havana Ghost, targeting drug trafficking and violent crime in the Little Havana neighborhood, has led to the conviction of three men following a long trial in Miami federal court.

The trio of defendants  Ulysses Cabrera, aka Big Cuz, 32; Bernardo Quinonez, aka Macho, 34; and Victor Smith, aka OGP, 26  now face up to life in prison at their sentencing in August before U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga.

The trial, which lasted nine weeks, ended with various guilty verdicts Thursday for the three men. Before trial, more than 20 other defendants indicted in the sprawling case pleaded guilty.

Prosecutors said the three defendants played leading or supporting roles in a continuing criminal enterprise that distributed cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana on the streets of Little Havana between 2013 and 2018.

When rival drug dealers threatened the territory that they controlled or questioned their authority, Cabrera and B. Quinonez directed Smith and other armed members of the ring to intimidate, maim and, in some instances, kill people, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release. Innocent bystanders were sometimes shot and injured. Cabrera and B. Quinonez laundered the dirty drug money in various ways, including buying Opa-locka real estate.

During the investigation, a task force of local, state and federal law enforcement seized 1.5 kilos of cocaine, several grams of crack cocaine, more than 26 pounds of marijuana, four assault rifles, 10 pistols, 10 extended magazines, 10 semi-automatic firearms, a short-barrel rifle, a revolver and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

The case was prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys Ellen DAngelo and Rilwan Adeduntan.

At trial, Cabrera was represented by attorney Paul Petruzzi, B. Quinonez by lawyer Harry Solomon, and Smith by attorney Arthur Louis Wallace III.
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
Even when a business is losing money, it's possible for shareholders to make money if they buy a good business at the right price. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. Having said that, unprofitable companies are risky because they could potentially burn through all their cash and become distressed.

So should Burcon NutraScience (TSE:BU) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. First, we'll determine its cash runway by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves.

See our latest analysis for Burcon NutraScience

How Long Is Burcon NutraScience's Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. In December 2021, Burcon NutraScience had CA$9.4m in cash, and was debt-free. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through CA$3.8m. So it had a cash runway of about 2.5 years from December 2021. Notably, one analyst forecasts that Burcon NutraScience will break even (at a free cash flow level) in about 4 years. That means unless the company reduces its cash burn quickly, it may well look to raise more cash. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is Burcon NutraScience's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

In our view, Burcon NutraScience doesn't yet produce significant amounts of operating revenue, since it reported just CA$344k in the last twelve months. As a result, we think it's a bit early to focus on the revenue growth, so we'll limit ourselves to looking at how the cash burn is changing over time. With cash burn dropping by 10% it seems management feel the company is spending enough to advance its business plans at an appropriate pace. Clearly, however, the crucial factor is whether the company will grow its business going forward. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years.

Can Burcon NutraScience Raise More Cash Easily?

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Even though it has reduced its cash burn recently, shareholders should still consider how easy it would be for Burcon NutraScience to raise more cash in the future. Generally speaking, a listed business can raise new cash through issuing shares or taking on debt. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn.

Burcon NutraScience has a market capitalisation of CA$97m and burnt through CA$3.8m last year, which is 4.0% of the company's market value. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money.

How Risky Is Burcon NutraScience's Cash Burn Situation?

As you can probably tell by now, we're not too worried about Burcon NutraScience's cash burn. In particular, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap stands out as evidence that the company is well on top of its spending. Its weak point is its cash burn reduction, but even that wasn't too bad! One real positive is that at least one analyst is forecasting that the company will reach breakeven. After taking into account the various metrics mentioned in this report, we're pretty comfortable with how the company is spending its cash, as it seems on track to meet its needs over the medium term. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 4 warning signs for Burcon NutraScience (of which 1 doesn't sit too well with us!) you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

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.
Nashville police on Tuesday arrested a Tennessee Department of Correction corporal who worked at a special needs prison after detectives said they found him in possession of hundreds of items of child pornography.

Metro Nashville Police Department detectives charged TDOC Cpl. Michael Vernon White, 54, with multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor after storing sexual photos and videos of infants and young girls on his Internet cloud account.

File photo of prison.

The investigation began after an Internet service provider reported multiple uploads of the images and videos from late February through mid March, according to his arrest affidavit.

TDOC spokeswoman Dorinda Carter said Smith worked at DeBerry Special Needs Facility.

He was hired in June 2012 and disciplinary action, Carter said, is pending.

He was booked into the Davidson County jail just after 7 a.m. Tuesday and released on bail about 12:30 p.m.

This is a developing story.

Natalie Neysa Alund is based in Nashville at The Tennessean and covers breaking news across the South for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Police charge Tennessee prison corporal with possession of child porn
One of the pieces of art in our dining area is "The First Step" by Shadra Strickland. It depicts 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, clad in a white dress and Mary Jane shoes, walking alone up the steps to William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans. Two federal marshals flank the entrance to the school, and behind little Ruby are white faces, some holding Confederate flags, angry that a Black child  one Black child  is integrating their previously, purposefully, segregated neighborhood school.

Clutching a book to her belly with her left hand and holding a book bag in her right, Ruby has a determined but nervous look as she is about to cross the threshold into the school, and into history.

I look at the painting every day. I think often of her parents' brave decision, of how scary it must have been for such a young child to hear shouts of "go home, n*****" from those angry white people as she was walked toward school, how terrifying it was to see the Black doll in a coffin one of the mob carried, how isolating it must have been to go through months of the school year with no classmates, no recess, just Ruby and her teacher.

I look at that painting every day, and it inspires me. It also reminds me of a not-so-distant past, one I've feared for quite some time is roaring back.

It reminds me of what has grudgingly been granted, and how quickly and easily it can be taken away.

On Tuesday morning, in the wake of the news that the Supreme Court intends to effectively repeal Roe v. Wade, which at its root gives women autonomy over their own bodies and lives, that last part  how quickly and easily things can be taken away  is resonating louder than usual.

As a woman, as a sister, as a mother of daughters, as an aunt to nieces, as a coach of a team of 40-plus girls, as an empathetic human being, it's enraging to know that soon we'll all be told that we cannot have the basic right of agency over ourselves.

And as a Black American who is relatively conscious, to borrow from the great James Baldwin, all I see is a strong pull on a delicate thread. And if this thread can be yanked, so can all of the others that have allowed my life to be what it is, and really, allowed my very existence and stand to threaten so many.

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If the Supreme Court can undo Roe v. Wade so quickly and easily, what's going to come next? (Getty Images)

If Roe is a "states' rights" issue as Justice Samuel Alito's draft indicates, is Loving v. Virginia, which legalized interracial marriage? Sen. Mike Braun (R-Indiana) already seemed to say that quiet part out loud when he indicated twice during a call with media in March that the Supreme Court was wrong in the 1967 Loving decision, only to backtrack hours later.

Interracial marriage had long been legal in Massachusetts, where my parents married, but would not have been recognized in many other states before the Loving decision. Not that it being legal made things any easier for my parents to deal with those in their life who thought they knew best, and that "best" was keeping them apart.

If Roe is a "states' rights" issue, is Obergefell v. Hodges? It has long been comical to me that people howl about the "sanctity of marriage" and that it should only be between a man and a woman and not same-sex, yet this is a country where roughly half of all marriages end in divorce. Yes, yes, very sacred.

Obergefell, which guaranteed all people the right to marry, was decided less than seven years ago.

Alito's draft, which was reported on Monday night, argues that abortion is not "deeply rooted" in history. It seems like something Alito simply made up for the purposes of trying to justify his decision, but given that Roe was decided 49 years ago, that does, horrifyingly, seem to open the door for Obergefell to be struck down as well.

If a ruling in place nearly 50 years isn't "deeply rooted," the natural question comes: What does qualify?

The Voting Rights Act, passed in 1965 but since gutted by the Supreme Court, clearly doesn't, not in the eyes of three of the justices still on the Court whose majority opinions have severely weakened it.

Is Brown v. Board of Education "deeply rooted"? The ban on racial segregation in public schools was decided only in 1954, though one can argue there's little done to uphold it even now, 70 years later, when entire districts still have rules policing Black children's hair and banning them from receiving education in schools if they do not comply.

Is the Civil Rights Act of 1964 "deeply rooted"? The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act?

We're seeing attempts to ban books Ruby Bridges wrote about her experience, part of a new wave of book bans that unsurprisingly but nonetheless infuriatingly tilts toward banning books that center Black and queer people.

Voting maps are being redrawn to essentially negate Black voters, if they even vote in the first place after seeing a line that's intentionally hours long because precinct closures have inordinately targeted Black neighborhoods.

Legislatures are trying to write queer, especially trans people, out of existence.

Once again we're reminded what has the deepest roots: a country by white men for white men. Women can die or be impoverished or just be miserable rather than be allowed to make the best choice for their own health and well-being. Black people can never be allowed to be equal citizens. Queer people can be forced back into silence and shame.

All around us, we're seeing threads being tugged and frayed.

The upcoming Supreme Court decision on Roe is likely the first step in an unraveling that, in familiar and despairing fashion, will happen a lot faster than the work it took to establish it.
A house destroyed by shelling in Popasna, Luhansk Oblast

Read also: Russia continues its advance towards Donbas from Izyum in Kharkiv Oblast

He said that the invaders in this manner plan to satisfy the ambitions of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin for the annual celebration in Moscow of the Allies victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

Read also: Russian troops assault Ukrainian settlement near occupied Luhansk

According to Haidai, the Russians will use heavy weapons, including artillery, multiple rocket launchers such as Grad, Smerch, and aircraft, to attack Luhansk Oblast.

Read also: Resistance growing in Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine, says General Staff

And they will simply bomb, launch massive attacks, and try to destroy the infrastructure of Luhansk Oblast that is inaccessible to them, the governor said.
Iowa-based Flexsteel has agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of using the COVID-19 pandemic to collect millions in federal aid while newly installed executives enriched themselves and denied severance pay to hundreds of laid-off workers.

A federal judge has given the settlement preliminary approval, and notices have been sent to the attorneys general in states where the furniture maker operates. Postcard notices to the hundreds of former Flexsteel workers who can claim a share of the settlement proceeds will be mailed within a week.

Those notices inform the former Flexsteel employees of the settlement and state that each class member who does not opt out of the agreement will receive a share of the settlement proceeds. The individual shares will be calculated based on the individual workers years of Flexsteel employment and pay level.

The settlement includes $425,000 for the plaintiffs attorneys, Dorothy OBrien and Kelsey Marquard of the Davenport law firm OBrien & Marquard.

Flexsteel has denied the allegations in the lawsuit, and the settlement agreement itself specifies that it does not constitute an admission of any wrongdoing or liability. Company officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

As is normally the case with class-action lawsuit settlements, a website has been established to provide class members and others with information and documents related to the settlement.

More: Iowans would see unemployment benefits cut by 10 weeks under bill headed to Kim Reynolds

The lawsuit was filed in March 2021, with plaintiffs claiming the Dubuque-headquartered company violated the Iowa Wage Payment Collection Act, as well as the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988 and Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

The plaintiffs allege that when the pandemic hit in early 2020, Flexsteel was deep into a previously announced corporate restructuring that would leave plants in California, Arkansas, Mississippi and Iowa shuttered.

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Flexsteel headquarters in Dubuque.

Up until then, the company had allegedly been providing workers with 60 days notice of their termination in accordance with Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, and with severance pay in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global public health emergency. Two weeks later, Flexsteel notified employees in Dubuque that it intended to permanently lay off 208 employees there, but it allegedly refused to pay severance or give 60 days notice of closure as required by the WARN Act. It also notified workers at its Starkville, Mississippi, plant that it was permanently closing that facility, effective immediately, resulting in the termination of all 170 employees there.

According to the lawsuit, company officials said they provided no notice or severance pay for the Dubuque and Starkville workers because the closures were not reasonably foreseeable until recently when the full impact of COVID-19 became clear.

A few weeks after the announcement, Congress approved the CARES Act, which would provide Flexsteel with $12.7 million in taxpayer-funded assistance.

The lawsuit alleges that just five weeks after COVID-19 was declared a public health emergency, Flexsteel CEO Jerald K. Dittmer purchased 2,787 shares of company stock. A few weeks later, he purchased an additional 1,000 shares, and Flexsteel offered 78,884 stock options to Chief Financial Officer Dereck P. Schmidt at $9.97 per share.

Over the next few months, as Flexsteel plants shut down, Schmidt purchased 49,000 shares of company stock. As of Feb. 9, 2021, those shares were valued at more than $35  almost three times the price they commanded in June 2020.

The lawsuit alleges Dittmer, Schmitt and others defunded the companys severance-pay plan, closed the plants and put their own self-interest ahead of the workers interests. The company, the plaintiffs said, used COVID as an excuse to accelerate the restructuring at a reduced cost, at the expense of terminated employees, even as top executives diverted money allocated for the employee-termination benefit fund.

Flexsteel and the individual defendants used the economic conditions, federal aid and their privileges as executives to enrich themselves, while terminating long-term employees without notice or severance, the lawsuit claims.

Flexsteel has since sold its facilities in Dubuque, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Mississippi and California, with revenue from those sales allegedly totaling $50 million.

The plaintiffs allege that after the Iowa workers were laid off without notice or severance pay, Dittmer reported that the companys profitability had been restored with double-digit growth, strong consumer demand and historic high levels of orders and inventories.

The original plaintiffs in the lawsuit, prior to it being named a class-action case, include former Flexsteel workers Tony Jelinek, Rodney Carroll and Todd Van Der Jagt of Iowa.

Find this story at Iowa Capital Dispatch, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: kobradovich@iowacapitaldispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Dubuque's Flexsteel will pay $1.3M settlement to laid-off workers
Iran's oil minister has paid an official visit to ally Venezuela to meet President Nicolas Maduro and discuss ways to "overcome" the effects of US sanctions against both nations, officials said.

"I received His Excellency Javad Owji, Oil Minister of the sister Islamic Republic of Iran," Maduro said on Twitter, calling it a "a productive meeting to deepen the ties of brotherhood and cooperation in energy matters."

State television showed images of the meeting at the presidential palace in Miraflores.

Earlier Owji met his counterpart Tareck El Aissami to discuss "the construction of routes and mechanisms to overcome the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States government and allied countries," according to a statement from the Venezuelan Oil Ministry.

Javad Owji's visit to Venezuela, which sits on the world's largest proven reserves of crude, came just weeks after a visit by United States officials in the midst of rising global oil prices due to the war on Ukraine.

In March, a US delegation held a hushed meeting with Maduro, whose very legitimacy as president Washington disputes.

Iran is a major oil producer and said last month that production capacity was back to levels before the reimposition of US sanctions in 2018.

El Aissami, named a narcotics "kingpin" by the United States which has placed him on a most-wanted fugitives list, posted a video on Instagram Monday of him receiving Owji at his office with a handshake.

Bilateral ties between the two oil producers were strong under the reign of socialist leader Hugo Chavez (1999-2013) and bolstered further under his successor Maduro.

Venezuela, under strict US sanctions that it blames for the collapse of its once-flourishing oil industry, has strong allies in Iran, Russia and China.

In 2020, Venezuela received two shiploads of fuel and derivatives from Iran to help address crippling domestic shortages. Just a few years earlier, it was still the United States' main supplier.

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Also in 2020, on a visit to Caracas, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said his country would remain on Venezuela's "side."

The March meeting with Maduro caused questions to be raised in Washington, prompting the White House to clarify it was not in "active conversation" with Venezuela on oil imports.

ba/jt/jh/caw
A 53-year-old Ithaca man pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York Tuesday to the possession of child pornography and receipt of child pornography.

Leroy Reed admitted he used a computer to download child porn over the internet using peer-to-peer file sharing software from February 2020 to March 2021, stated a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York. A subsequent search of his apartment revealed that he was in possession of 55 images and 94 video files depicting child porn.

Reed is a registered sex offender who was convicted in 2002 of first-degree rape in a crime that involved a survivor who was 15 years old.

Reed remains detained pending his sentencing scheduled for Sept. 20. He faces 15 to 60 years in prison for his charges.

The court will also impose a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life.

More: Tops Market in Ithaca to close at the end of May

More: Richie Moran, legendary Cornell Big Red lacrosse coach and Ithaca resident, dies at 85

More: Town of Danby has two newsletters and the reason tells the story of a community at odds

Follow Matt Steecker on Twitter @OnTheStecord. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Ithaca man pleads guilty to receiving and possessing child porn
Kris Jenner attends the 2022 Met Gala. Jamie McCarthy / Staff / Getty Images

An LA jury ruled in favor of the Kardashian-Jenners after Blac Chyna sued members of the family for defamation.

Chyna accused members of the family of trash-talking her to E! network executives.

Instead of attending court to hear the verdict, the Kardashian-Jenner family attended the Met Gala.

The Kardashian-Jenner clan traded their courtroom power suits for Gilded Glamour-themed gowns at the Met Gala in New York City on Monday.

As members of the Kardashian-Jenner family got ready to walk the red carpet, a Los Angeles jury handed them a victory in Blac Chyna's lawsuit against the family accusing them of defamation.

Chyna, whose legal name is Angela White, sued Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner, accusing them of unfairly trash-talking her to E! executives five years ago following her split with Rob Kardashian.

She sought $100 million in damages, claiming that such conversations led to the network scrapping the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" spinoff series "Rob & Chyna." The Kardashian-Jenners denied the allegations and the jury ultimately sided with them.

Chyna and her mother were in court but left without answering questions on Monday.

Though several members of the Kardashian-Jenner family testified during the trial, they missed the final day.

On Monday, before the verdict was read out, Kardashian family attorney Michael G. Rhodes said his clients "were all in New York at some gala."

World Media l Music & Movie (@worldsinematv) May 2, 2022

Read the original article on Insider
An overwhelming majority of respondents in a new poll  close to 60 percent  say they would back Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) should the Republican primary be held today.

Polling released by boutique consulting firm ARW Strategies showed that Kemp received 59.4 percent of support among respondents in comparison to Republican gubernatorial challenger, former Sen. David Perdues (R-Ga.) 21.5 percent.

The polling also found that Senate candidate Herschel Walker (R-Ga.) would receive 58.5 percent of the vote should the Republican primary be held today. The next highest percentage received by a Republican candidate is Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black at 9.7 percent.

The development comes just weeks ahead of the gubernatorial May 24 primary as recent polling continues to show Kemp outpacing Perdue. A InsiderAdvantage/FOX 5 Atlanta poll published on Monday shows Kemp receiving 54 percent support compared to Perdues 38 percent.

Kemps campaign confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday that former Vice President Mike Pences former chief of staff, Marc Short, had joined the governors campaign as a senior adviser, illustrating how seriously Republicans are taking the Peach States governors race.

Kemp has previously drawn former President Trumps ire for refusing efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Pence has also broken with Trump over the former presidents assertions that the former vice president had the authority to overturn the election.

The ARW Strategies poll was conducted between April 30 and May 1 with 600 respondents surveyed. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kim Kardashian changed out of Marilyn Monroe's iconic 1962 dress at the top of the Met Gala steps. Gotham/Getty Images

Kim Kardashian dazzled in a dress originally worn by Marilyn Monroe at the 2022 Met Gala.

The dress was so fragile she could only wear it to the top of the steps, Vogue reports.

Kardashian told the publication that she had to practice walking up the stairs in the dress.

Kim Kardashian wore an in iconic look originally seen on Marilyn Monroe to Monday night's Met Gala  but only to the top of the steps.

According to Vogue's Chioma Nnadi, the reality TV star wore the sparkling Bob Mackie gown from Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum in Orlando to ascend the Met Gala steps. She then changed into a replica in a special fitting room built for the occasion.

The publication reports that due to the fragility of the dress, Kardashian wore a dressing gown from her hotel to the event, and set up barricades outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art to block the view of any paparazzi. When she arrived, she went to the fitting room near the steps, where a Ripley's conservationist wearing white gloves was there to assist her. After she walked the red carpet with her boyfriend Pete Davidson, the SKIMS founder changed into the replica, which is also owned by Ripley's, according to Vogue.

"I'm extremely respectful to the dress and what it means to American history. I would never want to sit in it or eat in it or have any risk of any damage to it and I won't be wearing the kind of body makeup I usually do," Kardashian told Vogue, adding that "Everything had to be specifically timed and I had to practice walking up the stairs."

Kim Kardashian walked up the Met Gala steps with boyfriend Pete Davidson before changing out of Marilyn Monroe's fragile dress. James Devaney/GC Images

Ripley's Believe It or Not! also shared a TikTok Monday from Kardashian's fitting in Orlando last week where Kardashian said she was "so grateful" for the opportunity.

@ripleysbelieveitornot Fits like a glove! Heres a behind-the-scenes look of @KimKardashians dress fitting at the Ripley's Believe It or Not! HQ in Orlando last week.  original sound - Ripleys

Monroe first wore the dress to sing her famous rendition of "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Kardashian is now the only other person to sport the dazzling garment after losing 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into it.

Read the original article on Insider
 Flash

Both the Russian and Ukrainian militaries say more than 100 people were evacuated from the besieged city of Mariupol in Ukraine but differ on the exact number and other details.



According to the Russian Defense Ministry on Monday, 126 persons were evacuated from the Azovstal plant and adjacent houses in Mariupol over the past weekend.

On Saturday, 21 people left the Azovstal plant, and 25 others departed from its nearby houses, with all deciding to remain in Donetsk, the ministry said.

On Sunday, 80 more civilians were evacuated from the Azovstal plant and were provided with board, lodging and medical aid. The ministry said that 11 civilians decided to stay in Donetsk, and the remaining wanted to head to territory under Kiev's control.

According to the ministry, the civilians were handed over to representatives of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Their convoy departed for Ukraine's southern city of Zaporizhzhia.

However, Ukraine's military police said on Monday that more than 100 people evacuated from Mariupol arrived in the Ukrainian-controlled southern city of Zaporizhzhia.

Military Law Enforcement Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Facebook that all the evacuees received shelter in Zaporizhzhia, as well as hot meals, food parcels and medicines.

Reports from the Ukrainian side said that the evacuation would continue on Monday.
Kravis forever! Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barkers Met Gala appearance has us stunned. The pair, who went public with their relationship back in February 2021, have finally made their official gala debut at the annual fundraiser for New York Citys Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute alongside dozens of other Hollywood stars.

Kourtney, who has never attended a Met Gala prior to 2022, showed up to the annual Vogue-organized event wearing a cropped white blouse and paneled skirt. Her husband Travis also made the most of his Met Gala debut, showing up in a cropped black suit, white shirt and kilt-style skirt over a pair of dress pants.

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Kourtneys Met Gala debut with Travis comes just weeks after the couple tied the knot in an unofficial wedding ceremony, just hours after the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. The couple held their nuptials early on the morning of April 4, 2022, at the One Love Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Just one day after news broke of their ceremony, Kourtney took to Instagram to confirm the news with a series of personal photos from the venue.

Found these in my camera roll, she captioned her post at the time. 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.

Click here to read the full article.

Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP.

Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP.

Image: Christopher Polk/PMC.

Image: Christopher Polk/PMC.

Image: Christopher Polk/PMC.

Kourtney and Travis practice wedding came less than six months after the pair announced their engagement. The pair shared the exciting news on Instagram on October 17, 2021, with the Poosh founder sharing a photo of herself and her then-fiance on a beach surrounded by candles and roses. forever @travisbarker, she captioned the post.

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Prior to her relationship with Travis, Kourtney was linked to fellow Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum Scott Disick, with whom she shares three children: sons Mason, 11, Reign, 6, and daughter Penelope, 8. Travis, for his part, has been married twice. He was first married to actress Melissa Kennedy from 2001 to 2002. He was then married to model Shanna Moakler from 2004 to 2008. The former couple share two kids: Alabama, 16, and Landon, 18.

The Kardashians is available to stream on Hulu. Heres how to watch it for free.





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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.

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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.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers weighed policies relating to a tariff on imports from countries that contribute to climate change and environmental reviews that Republicans have long called too onerous during a meeting on climate and energy issues.

On Monday, a group of about a dozen lawmakers from across the ideological spectrum met to discuss the issues in what Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) described as getting everyone together on some ideas  on how we can all work together.

We want to make sure that we have the reliability that fossil has given us and can continue to give us and must continue to give us as we basically promote and invest in the new technologies and innovation thats going to take us to the next level, he said.

According to Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), the ideas discussed included where were going to get our minerals, how were going to get them processed, the NEPA review process as you think about building renewable facilities and the challenges we face.

NEPA refers to the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires environmental reviews of major projects, including energy infrastructure, but also other construction such as highways.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said he promoted a carbon border adjustment, an import tariff on products from countries that may have less stringent climate regulations.

Right now the current system incentivizes countries like China and India and Vietnam to not pay attention to emissions because you can produce a good cheaper by not paying, Cassidy said. But if we had a border carbon adjustment, it would help our workers, help our industry, incentivize them to do it right.

This is about national security. Right now, were losing jobs, were losing industry and Chinas economys getting stronger, he said. A carbon border adjustment reverses that.

In addition to Republicans, the meeting included Democrats who are both more moderate, such as Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and more progressive, such Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).

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The meeting came a week after a previous meeting that was attended by only one Republican, Sen. Kevin Cramer (N.D.), but organized by Manchin and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Murkowski, who attended this weeks meeting, did not attend the prior one due to flight issues, according to spokeswoman Karina Borger.

The talks come as Democrats push for climate action through a reconciliation bill remains uncertain. Democrats have called for policies including tax credits for clean energy and electric vehicles and an incentive program aimed at reducing methane emissions from oil and gas production.

Last week, Manchin appeared to say that his bipartisan push did not mean climate policies would be removed from reconciliation.

No, no, no.  People were talking to are as concerned about having reliable energy as they are about making sure that we do it better than anyone does it in the world, so climates going to be a big factor, Manchin said when asked if the effort means that climate should come out of reconciliation.

But he also said he knows on energy that Im working with a group trying to find a bipartisan way that we want to move forward, referring to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Andrew Chung

(Reuters) - The leak of a U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn the constitutional right to abortion is a major breach of confidentiality that has heightened the stakes in an already politically-charged case, experts say.

Politico on Monday night published a draft majority opinion that it had obtained striking down the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which guaranteed the right to abortion nationwide. It was a sign that the court's 6-3 conservative majority was ready to flex its muscle.

While the substance of the draft sparked praise from anti-abortion conservatives and Republicans and condemnation from abortion rights advocates and Democrats, many court watchers blasted on the leak itself as a rare if not unprecedented occurrence.

They predicted chaos inside the court and unpredictable consequences, whose longstanding tradition of confidentiality and trust surrounding its deliberations helps lend the institution its remove from the political branches of government.

Unlike the White House and Congress, where leaks are a regular fact of life and a tool of political operatives trying to advance their agendas, the Supreme Court typically keeps its internal deliberations private.

"This is the equivalent of the Pentagon Papers leak, but at the Supreme Court," Neal Katyal, a former acting U.S. Solicitor General, who argues frequently before the court, said in a Twitter post. He was referring to secret U.S. documents on the Vietnam War published by the New York Times in 1971

The widely followed SCOTUSblog wrote on its Twitter account: "It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the justices and staff."

'MASSIVE VIOLATION'

"Leaking a draft opinion is a massive violation of settled norms. It just doesn't happen," tweeted Dan Epps, a professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis, adding that the culprit likely "would be someone who is upset" about what the court is doing.

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Ilya Shapiro, a lecturer at the Georgetown University Law Center, posted that the leaker is "someone on the left engaged in civil disobedience" and called the leak "inexcusable and threatens the court's functioning."

While a number of commentators said the person who leaked the draft is probably seeking to whip up public fervor to change the justices' minds or get progressive voters to the polls for the Nov. 8 congressional midterm elections, others disagreed, asserting the leaker might be someone - a clerk or even a justice - who sympathizes with the majority.

Such a person would be "worried (in a slightly crazy way) about locking that majority down, and willing to take the extreme step of leaking to advance that goal," said Joseph Fishkin, a professor at the University of California Los Angeles.

This is not the first time an opinion has been leaked before its intended release, according to Jonathan Peters, a law professor at the University of Georgia School of Law. He said that the New York Tribune reported the outcome in an 1852 case involving the Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company 10 days before the court issued the decision.

Peters noted that other leaks have commented on decisions after their release or on personal relationships and conflicts among the justices.

In January National Public Radio reported that due to a surge in COVID-19 infections the justices had been asked to wear masks but only Neil Gorsuch refused, prompting a denial by the court.

Some observers said that the controversy, which is certain to persist, could distract from the court's actions on the right to abortion.

Law professor Rick Hasen said the development actually helps the majority that overturns Roe v. Wade by deflecting commentary to breach of court secrecy norms and by "lessening the blow by setting expectations."

(The story is refiled to correct wording in first paragraph)

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Scott Malone and Michael Perry)
Supreme Court Racial Injustice Schools (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A leaked draft of a US Supreme Court opinion shows a majority of five justices have decided to allow states to outlaw abortion by overruling the landmark cases of Roe v Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey and uphold a Mississippi law which criminalises termination of a pregnancy after 15 weeks.

The draft opinion  first reported by Politico  appears to have been authored by Justice Samuel Alito, and is dated 10 February. It indicates that he, along with Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett voted to overturn Roe and Casey after hearing oral arguments in the case of Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, he wrote. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

A former Supreme Clerk who reviewed the draft opinion told The Independent it is consistent with the work product produced during the courts internal deliberative processes. The authenticity of the document could not be immediate verified by other news organisations.

The immediate impact of such a decision would be to outlaw abortion across a broad swath of the United States, forcing women to carry unwanted pregnancies to term unless they can travel to a state where abortion is legal under state law, or risk undergoing an illegal procedure outside of licensed medical facilities.

Giving states the right to outlaw abortion would reverse a half-century of precedent, and would fulfill an equal number of years of work by religious fundamentalists who have bemoaned the advent of legal abortion because they believe life begins at conception and want the government to enforce their religious doctrines.

It would also represent a huge victory for Republicans, who have sought to reshape the judiciary in a direction more hostile to the rights of women and minorities for decades. All five of the justices voting in favour of overturning Roe and Casey were appointed by Republican presidents, and four of the five are conservative Catholics.

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Legal experts have said overturning Roe and Casey would also give the courts conservative majority a start down a path that could end with it overturning other landmark cases which rely on it, including Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case which legalised same-sex marriage across the United States, and United States v. Windsor, which overturned the federal Defence of Marriage Act.

Many of the same religious fundamentalists who have called for overturning Roe for decades have also expressed a desire for the court to overrule Griswold v. Connecticut, another landmark case which established the right of married couples to use contraception.

But in the draft document, Justice Alito said it was not the courts job to care what the consequences of the decision would be.

We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the publics reaction to our work, he wrote. We do not pretend to know how our political system or society will respond to todays decision overruling Roe and Casey. And even if we could foresee what will happen, we would have no authority to let that knowledge influence our decision.

The leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion is unprecedented in the history of the court, and could indicate the alarm felt by the justices in the minority  or their clerks  at the possibility that the courts conservative majority will strip away a right many women regard as a necessity for full participation in civic life and the economy.

Because the courts opinion in the case has not yet been published, it is possible that one or more justices could have decided to reverse course in the intervening months since the opinion was circulated among the justices.

In an email sent to Politico staff and reported by a New York Times media reporter, editor-in-chief Matt Kaminski and executive editor Dafna Linzer said they were confident in the authenticity of the draft document.
Abortion Rights To Reshape Election With Roe Precedent At Risk

The Supreme Court in Washington, on May 3, 2022. Credit - Al DragoBloomberg/Getty Images

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Bombshell is a word that gets thrown around Washington a lot, but the report published Monday evening by Politico merits its use.

The leaking of a draft of a ruling that would overturn two landmark cases that in effect made access to abortion a constitutional right in the United States landed like a grenade, blowing up both the ongoing midterm elections and the agendas of both parties in Washington.

The initial 98-page ruling leaves little room for nuance: We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, Justice Samuel Alito wrote of the nearly 50-year-old ruling and its follow-up. Assuming Politico has its leak dead-to-rights that a majority of the justices is willing to rip a Band-Aid from the skin of American politics, such a ruling would do more than lead to the outright banning of abortion in more than a dozen states. It could also upend the broader landscape of individual rights, potentially leading to changes in the national rules around contraception, marriage, and private sexual activity.

That is, all of that would happen if the ruling is where the court is actually headed. Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday confirmed the authenticity of the draft, a move that spoke volumes to just how much the leak has rocked Washington. But he added that it did not represent the courts final decision.

In that ambiguity and with a sliding abacus of nuance, both political parties wrestled with their responses to the fallout and calculations about the impact this would have on the electorate.

Democrats immediately rushed to cast Republicans as the party of anti-abortion extremists. Their outrage machine rightly kicked into overdrive and fundraising emails flooded the inboxes of activists and donors. Strategists who had been worried about anemic interest in a cycle without a presidential race on the ballot saw opportunities to engage unreliable voters and perhaps stave off the anticipated Democratic losses. But the Democrats lacked a unified answer to a post-Roe world, lacking 60 votes in the Senate to codify protections for abortion rights and seemingly unwilling to change the rules so they could govern with just a majority of 51 votes in the Senate. Even then, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin has been open about his opposition to abortion and could still drag his party on the topic.

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Republicans, meanwhile, looked to balance their latent glee with the risks of contending with a newly animated Democratic opposition. The GOP has fully embraced a return to the culture wars as a way to poke their own base, fanning discontent over what schools are teaching children and laying the foundation for anti-LGBTQ policies and narrower crackdowns on abortion access. But a full-blown reversal of a federal protection for abortion rights may be a swing too far for some and provoke a reactionary spasm. For every hardcore anti-abortion activist, there are two moderate moms who have long assumed their reproductive rights were walled-off from the outrage churn over critical race theory.

Admittedly, both parties were bracing for a potentially seismic shift in the election season whenever the courts ruling on the Mississippi abortion law came down this summer. But Politicos leak shocked many into action earlier than expected.

The first test case may be playing out in real time in Ohio, where Republicans face a fierce primary contest on Tuesday to decide the nominee in a race to follow retiring Sen. Rob Portman, a member of the Republican establishment. Almost $70 million has been spent on ads in the GOP primary alone, making it the most expensive race so far this year. Former President Donald Trumps endorsement buoyed support for author and investor J.D. Vance and seemed to deflate the hopes of rivals Josh Mandel, Mike Gibbons, and Jane Timken. The states powerful Ohio Right to Life lined-up with Vance but also offered praise for the other three candidates who each scored a 100% rating on the groups scorecard.

But those candidates are also contending with a late insurgent rise of Matt Dolan, a state senator whose family owns the Cleveland Guardians, and who has openly questioned the GOPs fealty to Trump. Dolans relative moderation on abortion rights  he sided with Republican Gov. John Kasichs veto of a bill that could have banned abortion as early as eight weeks  may play a stronger-than-expected role in the Republican primarys final hours. (Kasich, however, signed a law that banned most abortions as early as 12 weeks and had no exception for rape or incest. A federal judge struck part of that law down and abortion is now legal in Ohio up until roughly the 20th week of pregnancy.)

Focus groups for years have consistently told pollsters that abortion is an animating factor for a relatively small sliver of both parties. The intensity gap is one that has allowed both parties to offer up predictable rhetoric without any real consequences. (The notable exceptions, of course, come when candidates stray beyond the staid mainline postures, as was the case in 2012, when Republicans candidates like Rep. Todd Akin drew widespread scorn for rhetoric on legitimate rape and pregnancy.)

By a roughly 2-to-1 margin, Americans want to see Roe upheld, according to an ABC News-Washington Post poll last week, and a majority broadly support abortion rights. Roughly seven in 10 Americans say the decision should be made by the pregnant person and doctors, with only one in four saying the law should regulate that decision.

But the partisan divide remains pronounced in the poll, with 75% of Democrats telling ABC-Post pollsters that Roe should stand and 44% of Republicans saying it should be overturned. But among the biggest bloc of voters  the 40% who identify as independents  53% say Roe should be left in place.

In Gallup polling, moderate voters who describe themselves as pro-choice enjoy an 18-point advantage over those who say theyre pro-life.

The numbers, by and large, have remained consistent over the years. Its not as if voters are just now discovering the medical and ethical issues embedded in the conversation around abortion. But, perhaps instructively, American opinion on same-sex marriage swung rapidly and wildly when the Supreme Court legalized such unions  and could find a corresponding shift if a long-assumed right to abortion was suddenly stripped.

The Supreme Court has traditionally finished its docket by late June or early July. An overturned Roe could energize abortion foes, who have been clamoring for this moment since the 1970s. But it also could spark widespread liberal outrage  not only among those who view abortion access as a leading issue, but a broader group of voters wary of what could come next from the 6-3 conservative court. And in the suburbs, where the margins for party control often lie, many voters could be alienated by such a raw return to the culture wars.

The debate, meanwhile, would not simply end in Washington. The end of Roe would force every state to work out far more granular positions on abortion rights for their constituents, which could take the conversation from one largely seen as defined by Washington and turn it into a fight in every voters backyard. Without the sense of distance, everyone from local elected officials to governors may suddenly be forced into defining exactly when pregnant individuals can have access to abortion and under what circumstances. It could turn the nations politics into chaos. Which is why even local and state parties should note the teed-up Supreme Court draft.

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Washington  Democrats on Monday night sounded the alarm after Politico published a leaked draft opinion that suggested the Supreme Court appeared ready to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which enshrines a woman's right to an abortion. Republicans, meanwhile, voiced cautious support.

The polarized reactions indicated that abortion rights will be a key issue in the midterm elections, galvanizing voters of both parties. Hundreds of protesters converged outside the Supreme Court on Monday night soon after the draft opinion was reported, including a small group who did not support abortion rights.

Even before the report of the opinion on Monday, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America and the Emily's List organization announced a plan to spend $150 million on the 2022 midterms to support candidates who would protect abortion rights.

According to tracking on ActBlue, a platform used to raise money for Democrats and progressive organizations, more than $1 million poured in in less than three hours Monday night following the report.

A crowd of people gather outside the Supreme Court, Monday night, May 2, 2002 in Washington. / Credit: Anna Johnson / AP

Lawmakers and officials from both parties have been bracing for a Supreme Court decision on the 15-week Mississippi abortion ban in the case known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The court heard arguments on the case in December and is expected to release an opinion in late June or early July when the term ends. Early drafts of opinions can change before the final decision is released, and some of the justices could change their minds.

If it is finalized as written, the draft opinion obtained by Politico would see the top court overturn the 50-year precedent codified by Roe and leave the question of abortion to states. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 26 states are certain to or likely to ban abortion without the protections established in the Roe v. Wade decision. Thirteen states have so-called trigger laws that would go into effect almost immediately, others have bans that were in the books before Roe v. Wade or passed restrictions that went on to face legal challenges.

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a blistering joint statement Monday night saying that if Politico's report is accurate, the court is poised to inflict the "greatest restriction on rights in the past fifty years."

"The Republican-appointed Justices' reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history," the statement read. It went on to say that several of the conservative justices had "lied to the U.S. Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation."

Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate Republican who supports abortion rights, said Tuesday that a final decision striking down Roe "would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office." Collins voted to confirm Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh in 2017 and 2018, saying both had given her assurances that they would respect the court's precedents.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, on Monday night responded to Politico's report by calling for Congress to pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade, tweeting: "And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes."

While the House passed a bill to preserve access to abortion ahead of the anticipated Supreme Court decision, the Women's Health Protection Act was blocked in the Senate in February nearly along party lines with all Republicans and Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia opposing.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, said Senate Democrats must be willing to end the filibuster. She also signaled that abortion access would play a critical role in the upcoming elections.

"As we approach the midterm elections, it is absolutely critical that Democrats turn out in record numbers to maintain our majorities. The American people do not support the government interfering with what people do with their own bodies," Gillibrand said in a statement.

Other Democrats sent out tweets, statements and fundraising emails. As Democrats fight to hold onto their majority in the 50-50 split Senate  several Democrats running to unseat Republicans immediately weighed in.

"This horrifying news, and Washington's failure to eliminate the filibuster and codify Roe v. Wade to protect our rights has shown us exactly what is at stake, and it is more urgent than ever that we elect leaders who will stand up for our fundamental freedoms in the U.S. Senate," said U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley, who is running in North Carolina.

The Democratic National Committee put out a statement: "Make no mistake: reproductive rights will be on the ballot and this midterm election is more important now than ever before."

If Roe v. Wade is overturned and abortion is left to states, Democratic governors on Monday night vowed to protect women's rights to an abortion. Gov. Gavin Newsom said California was proposing an amendment to "build a firewall" around the right to an abortion in the state's constitution.

But while Democrats expressed outrage over Politico's report of the draft opinion, some Republican responses were more measured.

Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas called on the Supreme Court and Justice Department to "get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary" in a tweet. He also called Roe "egregiously wrong from the beginning."

Others voiced support Monday night for the reported opinion itself. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri called it "a heck of an opinion" and "morally powerful."

Former Sen. David Perdue, who's running for governor of Georgia this year, released a statement saying he was "hopeful" that Roe v. Wade would soon be overturned, and he touted his time in the Senate helping to confirm three conservative justices under President Trump.

If abortion rights are left up to states, CBS News polling from November 2021 found that 62% of Americans would want abortion in their own state to be legal in all or most cases. Only 14% would want their state to make it illegal in all cases.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court looks set to vote to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide, according to a leaked initial draft majority opinion published by Politico on Monday.

The unprecedented leak from the conservative-majority Supreme Court sent shock waves through the United States, not least because the court prides itself on keeping its internal deliberations secret and leaks are extremely uncommon.

Reuters was not able to confirm the authenticity of the draft. The Supreme Court and the White House declined to comment.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, conservative Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the draft opinion which is dated Feb. 10, according to Politico, which posted a copy https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000180-874f-dd36-a38c-c74f98520000 online.

Based on Alito's opinion, the court would find that the Roe v. Wade decision that allowed abortions performed before a fetus would be viable outside the womb - between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy - was wrongly decided because the U.S. Constitution makes no specific mention of abortion rights.

"Abortion presents a profound moral question. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each state from regulating or prohibiting abortion," Alito said, according to the leaked document.

The news broke a little more than six months before the mid-term elections that will determine if Democrats hold their razor-thin majorities in the U.S. Congress for the next two years of President Joe Biden's term in office.

Abortion is one of the most divisive issues in U.S. politics and has been for nearly a half century.

"This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights, & lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law," said former U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

"It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal. What an utter disgrace."

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Republican Senator Tom Cotton said: "...Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life."

Four of the other Republican-appointed justices  Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett - voted with Alito in the conference held among the justices, the report added.

After an initial vote among the justices following an oral argument, one is assigned the majority opinion and writes a draft. It is then circulated among the justices.

At times, in between the initial vote and the ruling being released, the vote alignment can change. A ruling is only final when it is published by the court.

In a post on Twitter, Neal Katyal, a lawyer who regularly argues before the court, said if the report was accurate it would be "the first major leak from the Supreme Court ever."

The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, heard oral arguments in December on Mississippi's bid to revive its ban on abortion starting at 15 weeks of pregnancy, a law blocked by lower courts.

It appeared based on December's oral argument that a majority was inclined to uphold Mississippi's abortion ban and that there could be five votes to overturn Roe.

The Roe v. Wade decision recognized that the right to personal privacy under the U.S. Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy.

Christian conservatives and many Republican officeholders have long sought to overturn it.

The Supreme Court in a 1992 ruling called Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey reaffirmed abortion rights and prohibited laws imposing an "undue burden" on abortion access.

Mississippi asked the justices to overturn both rulings and Alito's draft opinion largely adopts the Republican state's arguments.

If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights. Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years.

Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Democrats said the draft opinion undermines the importance of this year's elections, in which they are seeking to maintain control of the House and Senate.

"We need to turn out the vote like we've never turned out the vote before," Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin told MSNBC. "The people need to stand up and defend democratic institutions and the rights of the people because the Supreme Court is certainly not doing anything for us."

Republican Senator Josh Hawley said, without evidence, that the leak was likely from a liberal inside the court.

"The justices mustnt give in to this attempt to corrupt the process. Stay strong," he said in a Twitter post.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Eric Beech in Washington; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal and Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Tim Ahmann, Kim Coghill and Michael Perry)
May 3CANTON  The St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators has officially decided how it will spend its $20.9 million share of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Economic development, broadband expansion, and capital projects will be prioritized following a resolution unanimously passed during Monday's full board meeting accepting the funding recommendations proposed by the county's ARPA committee, which investigated how best to use this money.

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden in March 2021 to facilitate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The county's full line-item budget proposed by the committee is $5 million for emergency communications equipment; $4 million for economic development and tourism; $3 million for broadband development and installation; $3 million for utilities, including water and sewer development and repair; $5 million for county capital projects; and $900,000 for ash tree removal and reforestation.

The resolution says that the emergency communications equipment money will go toward a new radio system for the county as well as new equipment for local municipalities.

The economic development and tourism money will be split among numerous organizations. A total of $3 million will be distributed through the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency to various businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The remaining economic development portion will split $300,000 for Clifton-Fine Hospital; $287,000 for commercial driver's license training programs; $200,000 for child care training programs; $100,000 for emergency medical technician training programs; $50,000 for Cornell Cooperative Extension; and $50,000 for the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair.

The $3 million designated for broadband development will help continue efforts to improve internet access across the county.

The $5 million for capital projects will go toward renovating the Public Safety Complex in Canton, repurposing the old jail facility on Judson Street in Canton, and relocating county departments to improve efficiencies for public services.

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The $900,000 will be used to fund the removal of ash trees along county roadways and right-of-ways impacted by the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle. The funds will also support reforestation of these areas.

The ARPA Committee also recommended funds to support employee wellness, ballistic vests for the Probation Department and an emergency services watercraft.

The committee was comprised of Legislators Kevin D. Acres, R-Madrid, James E. Reagen, R-Ogdensburg, Daniel G. Fay, D-Canton, and Anthony J. Arquiett, D-Helena. They also took into consideration input gathered from a November community survey.

During the meeting, legislators also passed a resolution greenlighting wastewater surveillance for the presence of COVID-19. The resolution authorizes contracts with Quadrant Viral Testing LLC and Syracuse University to undertake the data analysis.

Each wastewater sample will cost $225, and the county aims to take two samples per week from selected municipalities.
Lila Grace Moss attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion'. (MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )

Lila Moss rocked the red carpet at the Met Gala on Monday night as her sheer gown revealed the insulin pump and monitor she wears for her Type 1 diabetes.

Arriving with supermodel mum Kate Moss, the 19-year-old mini me wore a a partly see-through Burberry gown, complete with the brand's letters and encrusted with diamonds.

Her insulin pod on her left leg and continuous blood glucose monitoring device on the back of her upper-right arm could be seen through her outfit, as the pair walked hand in hand into New York's Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art.

Read more: British Vogue cover star Lila Moss on modelling: 'My mum always put me off'

Kate Moss and Lila Grace Moss, with her insulin pod and monitor visible beneath her gown. (Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

The up-and-coming model previously discussed her condition on Vogue's In The Bag YouTube series, with her carrying around many essential items to help manage it.

"I have some sugar tablets in case my blood sugar goes low," she said, pointing out her first useful item for the condition.

"I'm diabetic," she went on to explain, "so I have this [holding a black device] which controls a pod on my leg, which gives me insulin, so this is very important to keep in my bag."

"It comes with me everywhere," she added. "I even have, actually, an Apple AirTag and you can follow it around with your phone. It's like Find My Friends, but on your things."

Read more: Met Gala 2022 beauty: From Blake Livelys Magic Cream to Gigi Hadids 9.99 lipstick

Lila Moss recently said her mum Kate Moss tried to 'put her off' modelling. ( ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Read more: Model Lila Moss, who has type 1 diabetes, praised for wearing insulin pump on runway: Youre an inspiration

Moss was last called an inspiration for representing people living with diabetes when she walked the runway for Fendi x Versace at Milan Fashion Week, again joining her mother.

Type 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high, which happens when your body cannot produce enough of a hormone called insulin (this controls blood glucose, according to the NHS).

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Fans praised Lila Moss for wearing her insulin pump at at the Versace special event during the Milan Fashion Week on September 26, 2021 in Milan, Italy. (Getty Images )

Managing type 1 diabetes can take a while to adjust to, though you can still do the things you enjoy  just as Moss does  by doing checks and adjustments to your levels throughout the day. Thankfully, due to developments in technology, finger-prick blood tests are no longer essential, and monitory systems can check blood glucose levels in real time, alerting the wearer to any important changes, also for prevention methods.

Watch: Gilded Glamour: Fashion highlights from the Met Gala 2022
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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.
The 2022 primary election season is now officially in full swing as voters in Indiana and Ohio cast ballots Tuesday in several high-profile races.

Below, live results from Tuesdays primaries:

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
Louisville jet setters may want to start getting to the airport earlier than they think they should.

Passenger traffic is up at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, making for fuller parking lots, more crowded check-ins and snaking security lines.

Airport officials have been pushing the message on social media since March, telling travelers to arrive 1 hour and 45 minutes before their planes depart.

To longtime local residents, that may seem like a stretch for the airport, where they can often breeze through luggage check and security.

People were in line at the security screening at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Friday afternoon.April 29, 2022

But as spring break travel has heated up, coupled with the continuing rebound from pandemic passenger lows, the airport is seeing a fuller terminal. And that doesn't even count the uptick caused by people coming and going for the Kentucky Derby.

We just kind of all came to the agreement that we need to be more intentional about recommending folks get here a little earlier than theyre used to, said Anthony Gilmer, director of marketing and air service development for the Louisville Regional Airport Authority.

"I feel like a lot of Louisvillians have kind of prided themselves over the years on being able to show up to the airport 30 minutes or 40 minutes before your flight and do everything you need to do and make your flight.

He said the airport does not track the number of missed flights. But in the first three months of 2022, there were about 406,000 scheduled passengers flying out of Louisville, double the nearly 202,000 over the same period last year.

Due to increased passenger volume, we recommend that passengers arrive at least 1 hour and 45 minutes prior to their flight's scheduled departure. pic.twitter.com/gqqcDijAuK  FlyLouisville (SDF) (@FlyLouisville) April 27, 2022

And while the number is tracking behind 2019s tally of 451,000, Gilmer said some individual day traffic volume is surpassing that of 2019, the airports busiest on record. And with the airport recently adding two new airlines and offering the most nonstop destinations in its history, airport officials anticipate more flyers.

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Contributing to the new arrival advisory, Gilmer said, is a pandemic-era trend of a more clustered departure schedule with bigger planes that makes peaks of traffic bigger.

We're still a really easy, convenient, friendly airport and all those things, he said. But it's not the quiet place that it used to be every day.

A close call at Louisville Muhammad Ali Airport

While working on this story, this Courier Journal reporter flew out of town to see family on a recent Thursday, knowing the airport was advising the 1 hour and 45 minute time frame.

Thinking back to my previous experiences at the airport, I got dropped off 65 minutes before departure of my midday flight and thought it would be sufficient. I barely made my flight.

Checking my bag and printing a boarding pass took minutes. I spent most of my time waiting in a security line that stretched from the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint back to the Spirit Airlines ticket counter at the front of the terminal  the longest Id ever seen it.

A TSA employee eventually shifted the line to extend down a quiet side hallway. As those around me remarked on the lines length, some calling up their flight information with strained faces, an airport employee came to the rear of the line asking about passengers on flights that departed in the next 30 to 40 minutes.

People were in line at the security screening at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Friday afternoon.April 29, 2022

He pulled some travelers to the front, though I didnt make the cut off. Though the line kept moving, there was much ground to cover, including the roped back-and-forth queue in front of the security checkpoint (featuring a number of TSA now hiring signs).

A brisk walk got me to my gate five minutes before takeoff. I fully expected the planes doors to already be closed, but much to my relief, the plane was late to board, and I made it.

A man who was in the same TSA line was last seen sprinting toward his gate.

Even when I started here, it would take Derby for that line to get down the hall and wrapped around the shops and things like that, Gilmer said. But that is something that we do see more these days.

A new nonstop option: Louisville airport finally lands a nonstop flight to this major West Coast city

Gilmer said the roped queuing area in front of the security checkpoint is unfortunately deceptive, as Louisvilles airport doesnt have as much compared to similarly sized airports, leading to spillover.

Optically it always looks worse than it actually is, he said.

On a more recent Friday at the airport, the cordoned queuing section had been expanded to pack travelers closer together as they waited to pass through security, instead of a longer, single-file line stretching toward the escalators.

In that line was Conisha Mapp and her daughter Laila, who arrived at the airport 90 minutes ahead of their flight to Florida for a cheerleading competition.

We flew around this time last year, and even with COVID, it wasnt this slow or the line this long, said Mapp, a Louisville resident.

She said 90 minutes to two hours before departure has never steered her wrong at Louisvilles airport.

You just never know what might happen, she said.

TSA hiring workers for Louisville airport

Asked if staffing challenges have contributed to the lengthier lines, Gilmer spoke generally, saying airports across the country are able to operate but are hiring and would like to have more workers.

Masking update: TARC ends mask mandate for Louisville bus riders as airlines follow suit

Regional TSA spokesman Mark Howell said the TSA is offering a sign-on bonus of up to $2,000 in Louisville.

Along with just about everybody, were hiring, Howell said. Were seeing that (passenger) volume come back and pretty quickly.

TSA employees are working overtime to meet the airports needs, but Howell noted thats not a long-term solution. He anticipates a continued need for hiring as passenger numbers climb.

There are periods of the day where even when we have every lane open and fully staffed, were going to pull some wait times with the sheer volume of passengers we have passing through, he said.

Besides travelers giving themselves sufficient time to park, check bags and clear security, Howell offered a reminder to passengers to know whats allowed in carry-on luggage and pack accordingly, as banned items slow the screening process for everyone.

He also noted the TSA PreCheck program, which allows passengers to move through the security screening process more quickly.

Gilmer acknowledged the new recommendation time for passengers is padded and that most of the time travelers won't need that full amount of time, especially on days that generally are slower (Tuesdays and Wednesday) and when avoiding peak times (early morning and early to mid afternoon).

Still, cutting it close and making a mad dash through the terminal isn't the optimal way to fly.

"It has more strain on the passenger than it does the system as a whole," Gilmer said. "But it definitely puts a little more strain on everyone that they interact with along the way.

Reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at mglowicki@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville airport passengers told to arrive earlier for SDF flights
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) -The four main parties to negotiations on an intellectual property waiver for COVID-19 vaccines have prepared an "outcome document" for approval by the broader membership, the WTO said on Tuesday, with its chief hoping for a final deal by June.

WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who has made vaccine equity her top priority since taking office in 2021, has been working for months to broker a compromise between the United States, the European Union, India and South Africa to break an 18-month-long impasse.

"What the discussions were aiming at was coming up with something workable," Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters, saying she hoped the WTO's 164 members would finalise and approve the proposal by a major conference in June. "This will advance the discussion and dialogue. For the next pandemic or a flare up of this one, this is hugely important," she said.

The document showed that there were still unresolved areas in the draft deal, including on the duration of the waiver's application which could be either three or five years.

Okonjo-Iweala said recent negotiations had focused on getting broader support for the proposal, including from China. She said Beijing had indicated it was "favourably disposed" to being considered as a developed country in this deal and thus subject to stricter rules. The Chinese mission to the WTO in Geneva did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

All 164 members of the WTO must accept the deal by consensus for it to pass and the topic will be raised at a closed-door meeting in Geneva on Friday. One delegate said it would be critical that the main four parties vocalise strong backing publicly in order to convince others. "If not, doubts will linger and other members stay hesitant," he said.

Maria Pagan, the top U.S. trade negotiator in Geneva, said the United States had worked constructively with other WTO members to "facilitate discussions and bridge differences that might lead to an outcome" that could achieve consensus.

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While conceding success was not assured, Pagan said the United States would continue working with Congress and other stakeholders to get as many safe and effective vaccines to "as many people as fast as possible" while WTO members considered the text.

In past sessions, the United Kingdom and Switzerland - which have opposed a broad waiver on the grounds that it stifles pharmaceutical research - have complained of the lack of transparency in the four-party talks.

Medical charity MSF urged countries to reject the proposal.

"It does not provide a meaningful solution to facilitate increasing people's access to needed medical tools during the pandemic ... and in fact would set a negative precedent for future global health challenges," it said.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Catherine Evans, Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Chizu Nomiyama and Bernard Orr)
A mans car caught fire after a road rage shooting in Seattle, according to Seattle police.

On Sunday at about 2:28 a.m., the victim was driving home from the Capitol Hill area when he accidently cut off another driver.

A man in another car then pulled up next to the victim and said he was going to kill him. He then fired six shots at the victim, hitting his car twice.

The victim, who was not hurt, then drove away from the gunman.

When he got to the area of 15th Avenue South and South Dakota Street, he noticed his car was on fire. When officers arrived, the car was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters arrived and put out the fire.

The victim was not hurt.

It is not known if the cause of the fire was related to the gunshots that hit the car.

More news from KIRO 7

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Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared to weep with joy as she heard news that Roe v Wade could be overturned  and was instantly scolded on social media.

Ms Greene, who only last week accused the Catholic Church of being under Satans control, wept on Monday night as she called news that Supreme Court justices were considering overruling Roe a victory for God.

More like a victory for the Devil, one Twitter user wrote of the Republicans reaction to a leaked first draft showing the courts alleged intent to overturn the landmark 1973 ruling on abortion.

Another user added: A theocratic fascist shedding tears of joy as her country slips into the dark ages with one of the most sophisticated cars in the world in the background. I dont know if there is another image more cynically American than this one.

In a video released on social media on Monday night, Ms Greene appeared to weep and said: I just wanna make an announcement and Im sorry Im just overwhelmed with emotion. This is the best news of our lifetime.

Theres a draft opinion out now to overturn Roe v Wade and this is a great victory, Ms Greene added of the news. This is a great victory for God and the unborn who have been innocently slain for years, [for] my entire life time.

The draft, which was leaked to Politico, said the majority-conservative Supreme Court could overturn Roe within weeks, with the current court term due to end in July.

More like a victory for the devil https://t.co/VATyl8eVLU  Ekta Shah  (@EktaShahMD) May 3, 2022

The draft, which was signed by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, went as far as suggesting that the court had decided to throw-out the 1973 ruling and another from 1992, which allowed states to make their own rules on abortion access.

It argued that Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, and must be overruled.

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It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives, the document, which was later confirmed as genuine by Chief Justice John Roberts, claimed. The Supreme Court has not commented publicly on the leak.

The court is due to come to a decision over a challenge to a Mississippi ban on abortion after 15 weeks of becoming pregnant, which has been seen as the biggest challenge to Roe in years.

BREAKING: Roberts confirms authenticity of draft Dobbs opinion, says it doesn't represent anyone's final position. He has directed Supreme Court marshal to investigate. "The work of the Court will not be affected in any way." pic.twitter.com/XuTEjZbU2M  Greg Stohr (@GregStohr) May 3, 2022

Ms Greene, a vocal opponent of abortion, added on Twitter on Tuesday: Life starts at conception. Our constitution never did and never will give the right to murder another human being in the womb. Abortion was always wrong.

She was last week labelled a disgrace for her comments about the Catholic Church being controlled by Satan, and for her criticism of the institutions acceptance of refugees.

Ms Greene also appeared to claim in the same interview that Satan was responsible for encouraging women to seek an abortion.
Mary Besalski Barrow, who led the charge to create Gainesville's five historic districts and helped restore more than 20 historic local homes and buildings, died Thursday morning surrounded by her family.

She was 85.

Barrow and her husband, Dr. Mark Barrow  a key contributor to the opening of the Matheson Historical Center, Alachua Countys first historic museum and archives  played a major role over the years in preserving Gainesvilles rich history.

She was truly an amazing person," Mark Barrow said of his wife.

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, on Sept. 30, 1936, Mary Barrow came to Gainesville after transferring from Florida State University to the University of Florida in 1956. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in education in 1958, and taught in the Alachua County School District from then until 1962.

Barrow met her husband on a blind date in 1957.

"We went to see a movie called 'Old Yeller,' Mark Barrow recalled. "I was crying, and she had never seen a grown man cry."

The two married on June 28, 1959.

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The Barrows' love of historical preservation began in 1966 after Mark Barrow's took a position at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. They stopped to see a historic house their friends had bought on the Santa Rosa Sound in Fort Walton Beach.

It was leaning about 6 inches, you could see it," he said. "Mary and I said, They are nuts. That thing is going to fall down. "

Dr. Mark and Mary Barrow are surrounded by goods and memorabilia from the 1920s in the Country Store at the Matheson History Museum in 2015. Mary Barrow died Thursday at age 85.

The Barrows revisited the property two years later and it had been restored "magnificently."

"They had filled it with high-end antiques and it was drop-dead gorgeous," the husband said.

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The Barrows had visited the historic towns of Charleston, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, and the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., during Mark's time with NIH, and, after moving back to Gainesville, the couple decided they wanted to restore an old house.

Tigert House

The historic Tigert House is shown in the Duckpond Neighborhood of Gainesville in 2007.

The couple first purchased and restored the Tigert House  which once belonged to former UF President John J. Tigert  in the Duckpond Neighborhood in 1970.

Mary Barrow went on to obtain her contractor's license and was president of the family-owned Victoria Restorations Construction Co. She hired a crew of eight people and together they restored 21 Victorian houses over the next 20 years in Gainesville.

The Barrows eventually sold all but three of the houses, which they rented out as Victorian apartments. The family still owns the Pound House, the Deen House and the Padgett House, which Mark Barrow said was the first apartment complex in Gainesville in 1904.

Gainesville Hodges House

Mark Barrow said his wife's best work was the Hodges House, which was originally next to the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church across from Gainesville's City Hall. The house was going to be torn down, but the Barrows paid $1 for the house and $25,000 to move it about 12 blocks away near the corner of Southeast Seventh Street and Southeast Second Avenue.

"It's a beautiful Queen Anne Victorian with turrets and so forth," he said. "It's the prettiest in town."

HIs late wife also helped restore one of Gainesville's oldest homes, the Bailey House, which was built by Maj. Hames B. Bailey in 1854. In 1972, the house was added to the US National Register of Historic Places.

Gainesville Medicine Group

After serving about 18 years as a cardiologist with the Gainesville Medicine Group, Mark Barrow started a private practice in a Victorian house in east Gainesville that Mary Barrow had restored in 1987.

"The office was stunningly beautiful," Mark Barrow said of the Kelley House at 810 University Ave.

Matheson Museum

A few years later, Mark Barrow led efforts to open the Matheson Historical Center 1994. It was later expanded to include the historic Matheson House museum, located at 528 S.E. 1st Ave. in Gainesville.

The Barrows were given the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 by Gainesville Magazine for their commitment to preserving the city's history.

Mary Barrow has received several other recognitions over the years, including the Historic Preservation Architectural Award in 1976, the ET York Distinguished Service Award in 2012, and the Alachua Conservation Trust Steward Award in 2005. The city of Gainesville designated Sept. 5, 2018, as Mark and Mary Barrow Day.

Founding members of Historic Gainesville Inc., pictured in the early 1970s, from left, Sam Gowan, Mary Barrow, Sarah Drylie and Jane Myers.

Mary Barrow worked with others and founded Historic Gainesville Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of historic preservation, which helped save the Thomas Center. Barrow was actively involved in other organizations over the years, including the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, Junior Welfare League, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Thomas Center Associates, and the Heritage Club of Gainesville.

Mary Barrow is survived by her husband, Mark, and five children: Mark Barrow Jr., 61; William Barrow, 60; John Barrow, 58; Mary Angela Barrow Peffley, 56; and Amy Barrow Brumfield, 54; as well as 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren

"She was an amazing mom," John Barrow said. "Raising five kids and all of her other accomplishments at the same time. She was very supportive of all of us growing up, emotionally and academically."

John Barrow said his mom passed on her love of the ocean and the springs to her children.

"She taught us all how to ski, probably some of us before we could really even walk," he said.

John and Mary Barrow had spent the last five years living in a cottage at The Village at Gainesville.

She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease about seven or eight years ago and it was easier for her to receive the care she needed at the senior living facility. She also was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about a year ago. The diseases began to rapidly take hold over the last few months.

"It was a remarkable 63-year marriage. There's always bumps in the road and different things, but we grew closer as the years went by and almost became one in the last few months," Mark Barrow said. "It was a great honor for me to take care of her."

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Historic city of Gainesville preservationist Mary Barrow dies at 85
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. AP Photo/Brian Witte, File

Gov. Larry Hogan is expected to call for the GOP to move beyond Trump in a Reagan Library speech on Tuesday.

"We won't win back the White House by nominating Donald Trump or a cheap impersonation," Hogan is set to say.

The Maryland Republican will argue that the GOP is "desperately in need of course correction," per Axios and the WSJ.

Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland is expected to call for the Republican Party to move past former President Donald Trump in a speech on Tuesday night at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

"We won't win back the White House by nominating Donald Trump or a cheap impersonation of him," Hogan is set to say, according to copies of his speech obtained by Axios and The Wall Street Journal. "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result."

The Maryland Republican plans to argue that the GOP is "desperately in need of course correction," having "lost the popular vote in seven out of the last eight presidential elections."

"The truth is the last election was not rigged and it wasn't stolen," Hogan is slated to say. "We simply didn't offer the majority of voters what they were looking for."

Hogan, a Maryland Republican, has criticized and clashed with Trump for years. He is one of the few Republican governors to do so.

Trump, Hogan told the Journal, "was his own worst enemy and picked fights and turned people off unnecessarily and really wasn't that successful at getting anything done."

Hogan, who is leaving the governor's office next year, passed up the opportunity to run for US Senate in 2022 and is said to be considering a presidential run himself in 2024.

"It's more of a difference between those who know how to win and those who only pretend that they won," Hogan is expected to say at the Reagan Library, a familiar stomping ground for Republican presidential hopefuls. "Enough of the angry rhetoric and the grievance politics. Enough of the narcissism of small differences. We can't build a successful party by tearing it apart, or burning it down."

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Hogan is also set to denounce the January 6 Capitol insurrection in his speech.

"Jan. 6 was not enthusiastic tourists misbehaving," he will say. "It was an outrageous attack on our democracy, incited by the losing candidate's inflammatory false rhetoric. The last four years were the worst four years for the Republican Party since the 1930s, even worse than after Watergate when Ronald Reagan had to rebuild the party from the ashes."

Hogan will also warn the Republican Party against "complacency" in the 2022 midterms, where the party is expected to make big gains in Congress.

A series of crucial primaries throughout the month of May will test the continued power of Trump's endorsements and his grip over the Republican Party.

The first test on Tuesday evening will take place in Ohio, when Trump-endorsed Senate candidate J.D. Vance is running in a crowded primary field for the open seat currently held by GOP Sen. Rob Portman. And later this month, Trump-endorsed candidates are competing in primaries in West Virginia, Idaho, and Georgia.

"What happens in 2022 may have some bearing on what happens in 2024," Hogan told the Journal. "It's going to show a little bit about which direction the party wants to head and how critically importantor notis an endorsement from Donald Trump."

Hogan himself is campaigning for several Republicans facing Trump-backed primary challengers in 2022, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, he told the Journal.

"He's going to lose more than he's going to win, which is sort of what's been happening for the past four years," Hogan told the Journal of Trump.

Hogan told Axios that he expects the 2024 presidential primary to have over a dozen candidates all clamoring for Trump's base, creating an opening for a more moderate candidate running

"I want to go in a completely different direction, and I think that lane is wide open," Hogan said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at the US Capitol on April 27, 2022. STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Mitch McConnell criticized a leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion on a major abortion-rights case.

McConnell also accused the "radical left" of being behind the leak, though it's unknown who did it.

The top Republican said the Supreme Court should "tune out the bad-faith noise."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday sharply criticized the release of a draft opinion that shows the Supreme Court is poised to undo abortion rights, and accused the "radical left" of being behind the leak.

The Kentucky Republican characterized Monday evening's unprecedented leak as "an attack on the independence of the Supreme Court."

"By every indication, this was yet another escalation in the radical left's ongoing campaign to bully and intimidate federal judges and substitute mob rule for the rule of law," McConnell said in a statement, despite not knowing who has behind the leak.

Politico obtained what it says is a draft opinion, reportedly written by Justice Samuel Alito, on a major abortion rights case that's still pending. The Supreme Court is expected to hand down its decision by late June.

In the 98-page draft opinion, the court's majority would overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion almost 50 years ago.

In light of the leak, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately expressed outrage at the possibility of the Supreme Court overturning Roe.

"If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years  not just on women but on all Americans," the Democratic leaders said in a joint statement on Monday night. "The Republican-appointed Justices' reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history."

President Joe Biden on Tuesday also weighed in on the leak, calling on voters to elect abortion-rights supporters to political office if the Supreme Court eventually decides to throw out Roe.

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"At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law," he said in a statement.

McConnell, who did not address the substance of the draft opinion, said the comments from the nation's top Democrats are "disgraceful."

"Real leaders should defend the Court's independence unconditionally," he added, urging for the leak to be investigated and punished "as fully as possible."

The top Republican also called on the nine justices to "tune out the bad-faith noise and feel totally free to do their jobs, following the facts and the law where they lead."

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the leak of a draft opinion overturning Roe. v Wade a stunning breach and an attack on the Supreme Court.

By every indication, this was yet another escalation in the radical lefts ongoing campaign to bully and intimidate federal judges and substitute mob rule for the rule of law, McConnell said Tuesday morning in a prepared statement.

Nobody has taken responsibility for the leak; some beltway commentators have speculated it came from liberals opposed to the decision, while others have suggested a conservative leaker could by trying to forestall Republican justices from getting cold feet about the opinion, which was apparently drafted in February.

McConnell said nothing about the content of the draft, which, if finalized, would allow states to ban abortion outright. Some 26 states are likely to do so.

More than anyone else in Washington, McConnell is responsible for the Supreme Courts 6-3 Republican majority. He blocked President Barack Obama from appointing a justice in 2016, arguing it was too close to an election, and then reversed himself so Donald Trump could put Amy Coney Barrett on the court in 2020.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) also blasted the leak, describing it as a clearly coordinated campaign to intimidate and obstruct the Justices of the United States Supreme Court.

McConnell said it was disgraceful for Democrats such as President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to decry the likely demise of a constitutional right to abortion.

Real leaders should defend the Courts independence unconditionally, McConnell said. This lawless action should be investigated and punished as fully as possible. The Chief Justice must get to the bottom of it and the Department of Justice must pursue criminal charges if applicable.

Orin Kerr, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said on Twitter its not clear that a crime has been committed.

As far as I can tell, there is no federal criminal law that directly prohibits disclosure of a draft legal opinion, Kerr wrote.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
May 3Five members of a white supremacist prison gang were found guilty Monday of federal crimes connected with 2017 kidnappings, assaults and a murder in Alaska.

The gang operated both inside and out of correctional facilities, prosecutors say. Their affiliations were marked by tattoos of Nazi and white supremacist symbols.

The U.S. District Court jury in Anchorage deliberated for five days before returning Monday's verdict in an already complex case stretched out even further by complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A packed courtroom heard the verdict, which took more than 10 minutes to read given the number of defendants and the extensive list of charges, which included RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, and assault.

At the center of the conspiracy was 45-year-old Filthy Fuhrer, who legally changed his name from Timothy Lobdell and was described as founding and leading the 1488 gang from inside Alaska's maximum-security prison, Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward.

Fuhrer ordered members of the gang to commit violent kidnappings and assaults in the "free world" outside of prison, prosecutors say.

He was serving a 19-year sentence for attempting to kill an Alaska State Trooper two decades ago. Since he first appeared in court in 2019 in connection with the conspiracy charges, Fuhrer's hair had grown out enough to cover some of the tattoos on his scalp.

The other men convicted were Roy Naughton, 43; Glen Baldwin, 40; Colter O'Dell, 29; and Craig King, 56, who prosecutors say was part of the Hells Angels and not a formal member of the 1488s.

The group was tried together because their crimes were in furtherance of their common affiliation with 1488, a "violent prison-based gang" organized around neo-Nazi symbols and ideology, lawyers with the U.S. Justice Department said. The name is a composite of "14 and "88," both significant numbers in neo-Nazi and white supremacist symbology.

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All five men looked stoic at first. But as "guilty" pronouncements trickled out, they began to shift, hunching forward over tented fingers, removing glasses to rub eyes, clenching jaw muscles or staring down at the table. None said anything.

They face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole for the murder, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Anchorage.

The most serious of the crimes occurred in 2017 as punishments against members deemed to have tarnished the organization's standing, prosecutors say.

The goal of that campaign, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney William Taylor, was to "strengthen their organization by getting rid of weaker members and by disciplining members that had made the 1488s look bad to other organizations."

Prosecutors say two low-level 1488 members were kidnapped and assaulted at Fuhrer's command in 2017 for tarnishing the gang's reputation. Part of the punishment involved removal of each victim's "patch": a tattoo worn by full gang members made up of an intertwined swastika and Iron Cross.

Later that summer, the defendants abducted 1488 member Michael Staton and brought him to a vacant Wasilla residence, authorities said. "King lined a room with plastic, where he and the 1488 defendants beat and tortured the victim. Baldwin and O'Dell then took the victim out to the woods, shot him, and burned his body."

According to a 2018 plea agreement by gang member Nicholas Kozorra, a knife "was heated up with a propane torch and the defendant, Baldwin, and King took turns burning Staten's 1488 'patch' from the ribcage area of his body with a hot knife and blowtorch."

Prosecutors had asked that Fuhrer be jailed in Washington awaiting trial to remove him from Alaska, where he was imprisoned when his role in the Stanton murder took place and where the group could carry out violence.

Multiple defendants remained out of state after their arrests, though they were housed at the Anchorage Correctional Complex during the trial that began in mid-March.

The 1488s was started around 2010 by prisoners in the Alaska corrections system as well as Alaskan inmates imprisoned in Colorado or Arizona. Though small compared to other prison-based gangs, the group has grown in influence over the years and expanded to more correctional facilities in Alaska.

As laid out by prosecutors, the 1488s maintained an organized system that generated money through drug sales and involved trafficking firearms, extortion, kidnapping, beatings, and witness intimidation. Though explicitly racist, homophobic and antisemitic, the felonies at the heart of the case were carried out against their own members over infractions like stealing drugs and, in one instance, a motorcycle club vest.

"The organization is based on neo-Nazi ideology, white supremacy," Taylor said. "The particular crimes committed in this case were motivated to strengthen the group's overall objectives but were not based on racial hatred or protected class of those individual victims."

Sentencing was set for October but could be moved earlier, according to courtroom discussion after the verdict Monday.

At least one defense attorney said that her client plans to appeal.

"The combination of the charges and defendants was overwhelming," said Cynthia Franklin, who represented King.

Franklin pointed to issues with pretrial conditions and the government's decision to jointly charge the defendants.

"Evidence becomes difficult to separate," she said.
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The death toll from the collapsed three-story building in Nigeria's southwest Lagos state has risen to nine after rescue workers recovered another body, an emergency management official said Monday.



Ibrahim Farinloye, the coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency in the southwest region, told Xinhua that the building in the Onyigbo area of Lagos state collapsed at about 11 p.m., local time, Sunday, and rescuers have so far found the bodies of nine victims.

"A male child of 4 years has just recovered dead," Farinloye said.

The dead included six males and three females.

He said 24 occupants of the building were rescued alive and are being treated in a hospital. Rescue operations were ongoing at the site in search of people trapped under the rubble.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse, he said.

Cases of building collapses are not uncommon in Nigeria, and local experts blame them on aging structures, non-compliance with building planning and regulations, and the use of substandard materials during construction.
Hillary Clinton made her first appearance at the Met Gala after more than two decades and wore a red carpet dress embroidered with the names of historic American women she admires.

The former first lady and Secretary of State had 60 names, including Madeline Albright, Abigail Adams, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Lady Bird Johnson, and her mother, Dorothy Rodham, sewn into the custom Joseph Altuzarra gown.

Altuzarra told Vogue his handwriting was used to write the names of historic women important to Ms Clinton, which were then hand-embroidered onto the maroon gown.

I knew that I wanted the dress to have a personal component for her, said Altuzarra.

When someone like Hillary goes to the Met, its not just like, theres Hillary at the Met and shes wearing a dress. It has a lot of significance.

I felt like I had to be very thoughtful about what the dress would mean to the theme and to the occasion.

It was Ms Clintons first appearance at the New York event since 2001, and she told the magazines Hamish Bowles that she had promised to come every 20 years.

For better or worse, whatever she wears is dissected and analyzed so thoroughly that you have to be very thoughtful about the choices that you make, added Altuzarra.

Obviously I was thinking about making her look great, but I was also thinking about the story shes going to be telling through this dress, and how she would actually vocalise that when people ask her about it. I wanted that story to be something she felt a personal connection to.
Lily Allen has joined fans in comparing Kylie Jenners Met Gala look to an outfit she wore to V Festival in 2006.

Jenner was one of the most-talked about names attending Monday nights (2 May) celebration of fashion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The model and reality TV star attended alongside her sisters, sporting a white ruffled wedding dress from Off-White with a white cap and mesh veil for the Gilded Glamour dress code.

While many fans were left baffled by Jenners style choice, others immediately compared it to a bridal-inspired look worn by Allen in her peak indie sleaze era, at V Festival in 2006.

(Lily Allen/Instagram)

Performing at the festival, the Smile singer memorably wore a white strapless dress and snapback.

One fan spotted the similarities between the two outfits, posting a picture to Instagram of the looks side by side with the caption: @kyliejenner is giving off @lilyallen at the 2006 V Festival vibes.

Allen reposted the picture to her own Instagram Story, simply captioning it: Lol.

The British singer also was in attendance at the annual event, alongside her husband, Stranger Things star David Harbour. Allen wore Chanel.
Mike Birbiglia has some schedule juggling to do  hes filling in as guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week after Jimmy Kimmel announced Monday he has COVID-19.

Birbiglia, who is currently starring in the one-man show The Old Man and the Pool at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, had been slated to be a guest on the late night ABC show Tuesday, but instead will fill in as host for a few days while Kimmel recuperates.

The Old Man and the Pool plays in the Downstairs Theatre at Steppenwolf Thursday through Sunday nights. Tickets are not currently on sale for this Thursday, though they are for Friday. The theater has not yet publicly announced how the shows schedule might be affected.

Kimmel tweeted Monday that his daughter brought the virus home but that his family was doing fine. He announced that Birbiglia would take over starting Tuesday night.

Birbiglia, for his part, retweeted Kimmels post and joked he was the first person to ever deplane a Southwest Airlines flight and find out theyre guest-hosting a late night talk show.

According to Deadline.com, the show is slated to have a star-packed guest list this week, starting Tuesday with Mike Myers, Iliza Shlesinger and the Black Crowes. Wednesday is Ewan McGregor, Ben Schwartz and the Head and the Heart, and Thursday is Kevin Hart and Hannah Einbinder.

Kimmels news comes after several other late night hosts have tested positive for COVID-19, Variety reports. In recent months, Seth Myers, James Corden and Jimmy Fallon have all tested positive. Recently, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert canceled several shows after Colbert tested positive.

The Old Man and the Pool began performances April 28 and is slated to run through May 22, an autobiographical show of comedic storytelling about love, relationships, middle age and mortality.

dgeorge@chicagotribune.com
Political observers say Black voters will be flooded in the lead-up to the November midterm elections

The midterm elections wont take place until November but misinformation targeting Black voters is expected to intensify in the coming months.

As reported by NBC News, members of Congress have been warned by political experts that voters of color will be hit the hardest by the increasing number of disinformation campaigns.

Marchers lead chants during the Black Voters Matters 57th Selma to Montgomery march on March 09, 2022, in Selma, Alabama. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

During a virtual hearing of the House Administration subcommittee on elections, Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) said Thursday that the misinformation machine has been weaponized and targeted at communities of color by racist and anti-democratic actors who seek to intimidate voters of color and discourage them from participating in the democratic process.

Butterfield, who chairs the subcommittee, added, Voters of color are targeted with disinformation narratives specifically designed to appeal to each communitys concerns in ways that will alienate voters and suppress turnout.

Joi Chaney, executive director of the National Urban Leagues Washington D.C. bureau, also testified Thursday that these disinformation attacks on Black communities are also a broader attack on our democracy and a threat to the national security of this nation, according to the report.

Butterfield called the misinformation movement a threat to our democracy and the free, fair and equitable access to the ballot every voter is entitled to.

The FBI confirmed that both Iran and Russia interfered in the 2020 election, per The Associated Press. U.S. intelligence officials also claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered interference in the 2016 election that brought Donald Trump to the White House, theGrio reported.

A Senate Intelligence Committee report on Russian interference states that No single group of Americans was targeted by IRA information operatives more than African Americans. By far, race and related issues were the preferred target of the information warfare campaign designed to divide the country in 2016.

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According to NBC News, one of the tactics used by disinformation agents included posing as Black influencers on social media and targeting Black and Latino voters on Facebook and Twitter with the message avoid the line  vote from home. Text Hillary to 59925.

Members of Congress heard testimony last week from voting rights groups that communities of color, including immigrants, will be flooded with disinformation in the lead-up to the November midterm elections. One way to combat this is through comprehensive privacy legislation with provisions that limit the amount of data companies can collect that could inevitably prevent bad actors from using that data to nefariously target Black communities, Chaney said.

She said there must be a whole of government and whole of nation effort to push back against disinformation campaigns. She also urged social media companies to be more proactive with curbing disinformation on a daily basis and not just during election periods.

Without some standards, implications of this technology for our elections, for our legal system, for our democracy, for rules of evidence, for our entire social order are frightening and profound, former President Barack Obama said about misinformation during a speech at Stanford University last month, according to the report.

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The post Misinformation may worsen for Black voters as midterms approach appeared first on TheGrio.
Pauleen Le has left WDJT-TV (Channel 58) after four years as a news anchor at Milwaukee's CBS affiliate.

MILWAUKEE  Morning news anchor Pauleen Le has left Milwaukee's WDJT-TV (Channel 58) for a reporter post at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis.

Le, who is from Eagan, Minnesota, joined Channel 58 as a weekend news anchor/reporter in 2018, and became one of Milwaukee's CBS affiliate station's morning news co-anchors in March 2020. The station's morning news runs for two additional hours on WMLW, also known as The M.

Le's last day at Channel 58 was March 18. She tweeted that she starts at WCCO in April.

This is the one goodbye so far where I havent cried although @MikeCurkov tried when he hit me with my big head  I will greatly miss this @CBS58 AM team! They are the best! 1 more hour to go on @WMLWTheM! @meghanreistad pic.twitter.com/txNSIcpd9g  Pauleen Le (@PauleenLe) March 18, 2022

Le's return to Minneapolis brings her full circle: She was an intern at WCCO in 2010, and according to her social media posts, was even interviewed by the station in 2006.

In between her internship and her arrival at Channel 58, Le worked as a reporter and reporter/anchor at WKBT-TV in La Crosse, WLUK-TV in Green Bay and WPTA-TV in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

This weekend was also the final Milwaukee signoff for another Milwaukee TV news anchor. Ben Wagner, who has been a weekend anchor and reporter at WISN-TV (Channel 12) since 2016, is leaving the station to pursue other interests, according to a spokesman for Channel 12.

In a Facebook post Sunday, Wagner said: "The truth is  I dont know whats next. Im looking forward (to) traveling, spending more time with family and throwing some paint on a canvas. To steal a partial quote from one of my more memorable moments here  Im not gonna lie, Im borderline excited for what the future holds."

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Last month, Channel 12 announced that Kristin Pierce will take his place as the station's weekend evening news anchor starting in late March.

Contact Chris Foran at chris.foran@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @cforan12.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Morning anchor Pauleen Le leaves Milwaukee's WDJT-TV for Minneapolis
On April 14, Ukraine once again shocked the world when it launched two Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles, scoring decisive hits that sunk the Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship Moskva. Named for the Russian capital Moscow, this once-symbol of Russian naval supremacy in the war on Ukraine carried a crew of roughly 500 and was fully equipped with an arsenal of anti-ship, anti-aircraft and air defense missiles. Despite its foreboding appearance, this pride of the Russian Federation was unable to defend itself against a small number ASCMs, and it paid the ultimate price.

The fallout from the Moskva sinking has been many faceted. First and foremost, it was a strategic success for Ukraine  taking Russias most lethal warship out of the war and forcing the remaining fleet to retreat farther away from the coast. Second, the sinking is an inescapable political problem for Russian President Vladimir Putin. His misinformation campaign within Russia, unable to suppress the news of this casualty, now must answer for this destroyed vessel and the well-being of its crew.

There is another message from this catastrophe, however, that both the U.S. Navy and Congress must consider when faced with making long-term spending decisions for our 21st century fleet: If a relatively low-cost, short-range missile such as Neptune can destroy one of the largest warships in the Russian Navy, how do we ensure that ships in our fleet are not doomed to the same fate?

This question becomes even more serious when considering the sophistication of Chinas anti-ship missile technology, which significantly dwarfs the range and firepower of Ukraines Neptune missile. By way of comparison, the Neptune has a range of roughly 200 miles, travels at subsonic speed and has a warhead that is designed to cripple but not necessarily sink a large ship. China has anti-ship missiles like the Dong Feng 21, or DF21  whose range is roughly 1,000 miles  and the DF26, whose range is roughly 2,500 miles.

If Ukraines Neptune ASCMs upended Russias naval presence in the Black Sea with ease, clearly the U.S. Navy and Congress must consider whether our pacing threat is capable of the same.

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The U.S. Navy has been furiously working on countermeasures, such as longer-range radars and integrated air and missile defense systems, both of which are being incorporated into new ship construction. The Navy also expressed confidence in the contribution of our submarine fleet with a higher budget for submarine construction and plans to extend the life of older Los Angeles-class subs.

These vessels are relatively impervious to the ASCM threat; our surface fleet is not. Todays surface fleet must be capable to detect, track and engage our adversaries most capable anti-ship missiles, and have the structural integrity to survive damage sustained in combat.

President Joe Bidens proposed Navy budget reflects the need to think through this strategic challenge. On the one hand, the request of $28 billion for Navy shipbuilding is the largest ever. By way of comparison, then-President Donald Trumps last budget in 2020 requested $19 billion. But Bidens request also seeks to decommission a number of legacy surface ships that predate the threat posed by modern anti-ship missiles. Predictably, this decision has been greeted by a chorus of protest, but nonetheless the fact remains: Every U.S. ship that sails into harms way must represent a relevant threat and be fit to fight.

Among the contested ships proposed for decommissioning are five Ticonderoga-class cruisers. The Navy, in its annual shipbuilding report to Congress, cited several serious concerns with the Ticonderoga-class cruiser, including poor material condition of these ships due to their age and ongoing concerns with overall legacy sensor and [hull, mechanical and electrical] system reliability. The chief of naval operations, Adm. Mike Gilday, said that the cruisers SPY-1A, SP-1B [radars are] just not sufficient given the threat were facing. By comparison, the oldest Ticonderoga-class cruiser proposed for decommissioning was commissioned in 1986, only four years after the Russian Slava-class cruiser Moskva.

While it is unclear whether the combat system aboard the Moskva failed her crew, it is without doubt its age and seaworthiness played a role in its demise as the crew was overcome by fire, smoke and seawater.

One lesson that the courageous nation of Ukraine has demonstrated to the world is one that Congress should heed: We not only need to invest in a strong Navy, but also in a survivable one. As Congress begins to shape the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, we must take an honest look at whether the platforms we are fielding to engage our adversaries are both relevant and survivable in modern naval warfare.

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., serves on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs its Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. He founded and co-chairs the Friends of Australia Caucus as well as the AUKUS Working Group (otherwise known as the AUKUS Caucus).
May 3One of six seniors for Mt. Hebron, Emma Behel brings a unique set of experiences to the softball field.

Behel lived in Australia from age 10 to 14, while her father was stationed there as a member of the Marine Corps. Living in Australia, Behel played softball and tried out for the Australian Junior National Team.

She made the final roster, but moved back to the United States. However, Behel still remains a part of the team, rejoining Australian Capital Territory each year during Howard County schools' winter break.

In March, while her teammates were enjoying spring break locally, Behel returned to play for Australian Capital Territory for the sixth time and first in over two years. Last year's games were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, while this year's were pushed to the spring also due to COVID-19.

"It's always fun whenever I do it," Behel said. "This was my sixth time playing for my state and it's always really fun. The girls that I've played against, I've basically been playing against since I was 11 years old. It's always fun to see the new faces and see how they've improved over the years."

This year, Behel played only against other Australian states. In the past, she has played teams from other countries, including Japan. That proved to be an eye-opening experience as she witnessed the ways different countries train and also how they interact postgame.

Howard County Times: Top stories

Although halfway across the world for much of the year, Behel keeps in touch with her teammates through social media like Instagram and Snapchat. This year provided an even more unique experience as there were several new girls on the team who she'd never met or practiced with before. As a pitcher, Behel needed to form a trust with those new players, also learning some of their tendencies in the field.

Despite that added challenge, Behel fostered new relationships both playing and watching the game she loves. Playing in the Olympic Stadium, she and her teammates would often sit in the bleachers and watch other teams compete after their games were finished. That time also allowed her to hang out and reminisce with old friends who she hadn't seen for two-and-a-half years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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"It was crazy just being back like I had never left," Behel said. "It was really the playing that was my most memorable experience and hanging out and bonding with the girls I hadn't seen for a while."

Her coaches, Richard and Sally McCreedy, were part of the Australian Olympic Team in 1996 and 2000, coaching from the dugout they once played in. Behel also experienced the unique pageantry that came with playing in the Olympic Stadium including large crowds, a giant scoreboard and cameras everywhere.

"It was pretty surreal having played Patriot 10U ball and then being able to represent a state in an Olympic Stadium," Behel said. "It's pretty crazy."

Upon returning to the U.S., Behel didn't have long to recover jumping into a packed week with three games for the Vikings. Still a little jet-lagged from her long flight home, Behel pitched all seven innings against Wilde Lake on April 21. She also pitched all seven innings in Mt. Hebron's other two games that week. As the Vikings' lead-off hitter, she excelled at the plate with multiple hits in two of three games.

"Emma is a phenomenal pitcher," Mt. Hebron coach Mark Graydon said of Behel postgame April 21. "She played 10 games last week and she pitched two of them."
In the draft process, the Jacksonville Jaguars fell in love with Travon Walker's measurables and his potential. They took him with the first overall pick, something that wasn't favored to happen until three days before the draft.

Plenty of people disagreed with picking Walker first overall including, it appears, oddsmakers.

Walker isn't the favorite to win NFL defensive rookie of the year at BetMGM. He's not even second in line. Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions and Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants are co-favorites at +450.

Maybe it's just a chance to grab value with the top pick of the draft.

Odds for defensive rookie of the year

Here are the top favorites on the board at BetMGM for defensive rookie of the year:

Hutchinson +450

Thibodeaux +450

Walker +700

Quay Walker +800

Jermaine Johnson II +900

Derek Stingley Jr. +900

Devin Lloyd +1000

Ahmad Gardner +1000

Kyle Hamilton +1100

Everyone else has odds of 16-to-1 or longer.

The last three winners (Micah Parsons, Chase Young, Nick Bosa) got the award because they put up pass-rushing stats, though there have been recent DROY winners at cornerback, off-the-ball linebacker and interior defensive line. Safety is the one position that hasn't been recognized in a while. Mark Carrier is the last safety to win in 1990, which might dissuade you from a Hamilton bet.

Edge defenders generally have the best shot because sack numbers stand out. The odds mostly reflect that.

If the Jaguars are right and Walker is the top player in this class, and shows it right away, 7-to-1 odds on him to win defensive rookie of the year will look smart. But with a fairly deep defensive class, perhaps we'll see a winner much further down the board.

Travon Walker was the first pick of the NFL draft but he's not favored to win defensive rookie of the year. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Who will win defensive rookie of the year?

One name that stands out further down the odds is George Karlaftis. The Purdue edge defender landed with the Kansas City Chiefs, so he'll get plenty of attention and big television games. Karlaftis was a first-round pick so he's already on the radar. He didn't put up huge sack numbers at Purdue but had a high pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus. He has the ability to play a ton of snaps if asked and can defend the run and the pass well. He's 20-to-1 at BetMGM, and it seems that should be shorter.

There are good arguments to be made for any of the players listed above. The co-favorites each have great arguments of course. Walker and Lloyd, the off-ball linebackers, could put up huge stats and take it if none of the pass rushers stand out. Even Hamilton has the all-around skill set to break the safety drought for DROY.

It was a defensive-heavy draft, especially at the top, and might be a rare year in which the defensive rookie of the year race is more interesting than one for the offensive rookie of the year. Now that the draft has settled, you can make a good argument for plenty of players to win the defensive award.
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP)  United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday lauded Nigerian authorities ongoing reintegration of defectors from the jihadi Boko Haram group, which has waged a decade-long insurgency, as the best thing we can do for peace.

Speaking to reporters in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state where the insurgency is centered, Guterres also called for more global funding to help rebuild lives in northeast Nigeria where the rebels are operating.

The best thing we can do for peace is to reintegrate those who in the moment of despair became terrorists but now want to ... contribute to the well-being of their brothers and sisters, the U.N. chief said after meeting with former militants at a rehabilitation camp in Maiduguri.

The Nigerian military said in March that 1,629 of the former fighters have so far graduated from the reintegration program.

In the final leg of his three-nation tour of West Africa, the UN chief is for the first time visiting Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, where he called for donors worldwide to support humanitarian assistance in the northeast.

Boko Haram, Nigerias homegrown Islamic extremist rebels, launched an insurgency in 2009, to fight against western education and to establish Islamic Shariah law in Nigeria.

Their rebellion spread over the years to the neighboring West African countries of Cameroon, Niger and Chad. Boko Haram drew international condemnation in 2014 when they abducted 276 schoolgirls in Chibok village, more than 100 of whom are still missing.

Before his trip to Nigeria, Guterres was in Niger on Monday where he voiced strong concern over jihadi violence in the Sahel, the vast semi-arid area south of the Sahara Desert. The international community must realize that this is no longer just a regional or African issue, but a global threat, he said.

In Nigeria, Guterres visited a camp for people displaced by the violence.

The people I met today want to go back home, he said. But before they return, he said, authorities must put in place the necessary conditions  security conditions, development conditions.

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The jihadi violence has directly resulted in approximately 35,000 deaths and the displacement of at least 2.1 million people, data from U.N. agencies in Nigeria show.

I will be your advocate asking the international community to support and to invest in the Borno of hope, Guterres told Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who has been leading efforts to relocate the displaced persons back to their communities.

Amid the effort to return displaced people to the homes they fled years earlier, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said on Sunday that the war against the militants is approaching its conclusion.

But according to the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank, the jihadist group  especially its most dominant faction the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)  is consolidating its grip on new rural areas in Nigerias central and southern Borno state.
A federal judge has denied a request by a Citadel cadet who was chargedin the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to participate in a three-week study abroad program this summer in Estonia that included visits to sensitive government installations, including a NATO cybersecurity station.

He is facing federal charges in one of the most serious and consequential actions in this country over 100 years,U.S. Judge Tanya Chutkan said Tuesday of Elias Irizarry, a sophomore at South Carolinas military college, The Citadel.

Your motion ... is denied, Chutkan told Eugene Ohm, Irizarrys lawyer, who had urged the judge to let Irizarry travel to Estonia for a three-week study abroad program.

Irizarry, a 2020 Nation Ford High graduate from York County, did not speak in the hearing held by teleconference. Irizarry has been on federal bail since his arrest in March 2021.

He has pleaded not guilty.

In court Tuesday, Chutkan said Irizarry has so far rejected a plea offer and has not sought to move the case forward by saying he wanted to go to trial or offering to plead guilty.

I think Mr. Irizarry needs to re-examine his priorities, Chutkan said.

Ohm argued Irizarry would be supervised while on the trip, but Chutkan was unmoved. Estonia borders Russia, and the study abroad program would involve visiting NATO sites, the judge said.

Ohm also argued that Irizarry should face no sanction in his pending case as he has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent.

What if he wanders into Russia? the judge asked during the hearing. I dont need a lecture on the presumption of innocence.

Chutkan further added that study abroad programs are a benefit, not a requirement. And, Chutkan added, Irizarry is on pre-trial supervision for allegations in a serious riot that attempted to stop the peaceful transition of power on the United States.

Irizarry, 20, and a friend, Elliot Bishai, another Nation Ford High graduate in Fort Mill, had been offered plea bargains in mid-December by the prosecution.

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Bishai pleaded guilty in late April to entering a restricted Capitol area. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29.

Irizarry and Bishai were arrested by the FBI in March 2021 and were arraigned in federal court in Columbia, where assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott Daniels told a magistrate judge that evidence in the case showed they entered the Capitol through a broken window with a mob numbering in the hundreds

Videos show both men entering the Capitol through a window that others in the mob had broken out, court documents alleged. Bishai shouted Lets go! and Civil War 2! as the pair ambled through the Capitol, taking selfies and sitting on statues, according to evidence in his case. Irizarry, a Trump supporter, wore a Make America Great Again cap during the riot.

Both were charged with knowingly disrupting a session of Congress, disorderly conduct in a federal building, demonstrating in a Capitol building and entering and remaining in a Capitol building.

Chutkan has already allowed Irizarry to go to Europe one time.

In December, she allowed Irizarry to travel to Germany over the Christmas holiday on a three-day family trip with his mother.

That trip  a personal trip  was different from the privileged study abroad program that Irizarry had requested to take, the judge said.

Under the conditions of being allowed on bond pending trial, Irizarry had to request permission from the judge in his case to travel out of the country.

This story will be updated.
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An international research team using the Australian telescope with a new method has discovered the brightest known extragalactic pulsar.

Researchers on Tuesday revealed that by using a new observation technique akin to astronomical version of "sunglasses" with the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope, they found a new pulsar 10 times brighter than any other detected outside of our Milky Way Galaxy.

Discovered in 1967, pulsars are remnants of massive stars that emit flickering beams of electromagnetic radiation, which can be useful for guiding spacecraft.

The new pulsar was discovered by researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which owns and operates the ASKAP radio telescope, who used a new technique that captures polarized light.

"This was an amazing surprise. I didn't expect to find a new pulsar, let alone the brightest. But with the new telescopes we now have access to, like ASKAP and its sunglasses, it really is possible," Wang Yuanming, a CSIRO researcher and lead author of the research, said in a media release.

After seeing hints of the pulsar on ASKAP data, the team then confirmed its existence with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory's MeerKAT radio telescope.

Previously pulsars could only be discovered by identifying their flickering light in telescope data, an unreliable method that could miss those that flicker too fast or too slow.

By instead looking for polarized light, pulsars with a wide range of flickering timing can be found.

Elaine Sadler, chief scientist of CSIRO's Australia Telescope National Facility, described the discovery as incredible.

"This speaks to all the great things we can expect from our telescopes and researchers as they constantly find new ways to answer some of our biggest questions," she said.

"From the Australia Telescope Compact Array to ASKAP, the Australia National Telescope Facility continues to provide wonderful access to our Universe," she said.
ALBANY, N.Y.  Indicted ex-Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin will remove himself from Junes primary ballot as Democratic lawmakers opened the door Monday for Gov. Kathy Hochul to replace her disgraced running mate.

Despite initial reluctance, the Dem-led Legislature approved a controversial bill allowing a candidate to remove their name from the ballot if theyve been arrested or are facing criminal charges.

Benjamin, Hochuls hand-picked lieutenant governor, was indicted on federal corruption charges and resigned last month.

The very specifically worded measure, penned by Hochuls office, narrowly passed the Senate 33-29 with several Democratic defections and prompted intense criticism from all sides of the political spectrum.

New Yorkers expect and deserve fair elections and that means elections where everyone plays by the same rules, Ana Maria Archila, a progressive activist and candidate for lieutenant governor, told the Daily News. The governor is abusing her power and forcing a bill at the last minute ... to change election law and (is) interfering with a fair election that is already underway.

Despite ending his campaign, Benjamins name was slated to still appear on the Democratic primary ballot on June 28 since he was nominated by the party earlier this year.

The bill passed on Monday enables the former Harlem state senator to take his name off the ballot and a committee on vacancies made up of top New York Democrats, including party chairman Jay Jacobs and former City Council speaker Christine Quinn, can now swap in another candidate.

In a pre-recorded video statement, Benjamin maintained his innocence and said he will sign the necessary paperwork to remove himself from the ballot.

I fully expect to be exonerated of these false charges and look forward to serving my community again when that time happens, he said. However, until I have the opportunity to clear my name, I will not be able to serve, therefore making it unfair to the voters of this great state for me to remain on the ballot.

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Benjamin faces charges of bribery, fraud and falsifying records related to an alleged scheme involving illegal campaign donations and state grants.

Earlier in the day, Hochul said she was happy about the change but offered no hint of who she may name as her new lieutenant governor or running mate.

Im very pleased that my partners in government agree that this is an important step to take, she told reporters at a Bronx housing event. The expectation is that it will be accomplished today and that will create the necessary vacancy for there to be someone ... that goes before the committee on vacancies.

Hochul, who previously served as lieutenant governor, is seeking a full term in office after replacing disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo last summer.

The measure passed the Assembly 82-57 following heated debate between Hochuls fellow Democrats and Republicans who cast the bill as little more than a political favor.

Just let the process work as it has for nearly 250 years Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, argued on the floor of the chamber.

Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, R-Lockport, slammed the Democratic lawmakers who voted to approve the measure.

Every Legislator who supported this pathetic deal should be embarrassed, he said.

Currently on the ballot in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor are former City Council member Diana Reyna, running alongside Rep.Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y.; and Archila, running with city public advocate Jumaane Williams.

Gubernatorial candidates and their lieutenant governor picks run separately in New Yorks primaries but are coupled up by party for the general election.

This is a tailor-made bill for the situation, Reyna said during a press conference earlier Monday. It is an act of desperation, and when people are desperate, people make mistakes.

Working Families Party state director Sochie Nnaemeka slammed lawmakers who supported the measure.

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, she said. And the Legislature is diminishing itself by changing the rulesin the middle of an electionsolely to clean up this mess.

______
The fight over abortion rights took center stage in the final hours of Ohio's Senate primary election Tuesday, where voters are setting the table for many of the 2022 midterm election battles.

Hours before the polls opened, a draft Supreme Court opinion suggested a decision coming this summer to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision of 1973, which established a constitutional right to abortion.

News that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, plus Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's COVID-19 policies and former President Donald Trump, who put three justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, were all on the minds of some Ohio voters as they went to the polls in Tuesday's primary election.

Whether abortion consumes the 2022 midterms has yet to be determined, but the Ohio race is going to be indicative of how the primary season shapes the fall battles between Democrats and Republican. The hotly contested Ohio Republican primary also offers an early test of Trump's influence over the Republican Party as he considers running for the presidency again in 2024.

Voters head to the polls on primary Election Day at Grove City Recreation Center in Grove City, Ohio on May 3, 2022.

UPDATES: 'Whole range of rights could now be at risk' if Roe v. Wade is overturned, Biden says: Live updates

Political observers said the debate over Trump's influence could replay across the nation, in the Georgia gubernatorial primaries and other Senate contests in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, but Ohio will be the first true challenge for Trump within the GOP.

"One of the big themes is how effective Donald Trump is going to be at getting his preferred candidates over the finish line," said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball, a political analysis newsletter at the University of Virginia. "So it'll be interesting to take stock at the end of the month and kind of see how the former president did and some of the races where he was sticking his neck out."

Candidates on both sides jump on Supreme Court development

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Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democratic candidate for Senate, said he will make abortion a wedge issue against whoever his Republican opponent will be in the fall.

"Every single one of my GOP opponents supports extreme, restrictive anti-abortion laws. We cannot let them near the Senate," he said in a tweet Tuesday.

Last night, the Supreme Courts decision to overturn #RoeVWade was leaked. Today is Ohio's primary and the stakes of our race have never been higher.



Every single one of my GOP opponents supports extreme, restrictive anti-abortion laws. We cannot let them near the Senate.  Tim Ryan (@TimRyan) May 3, 2022

All of the Republican Senate candidates  J.D. Vance, Josh Mandel, Matt Dolan, Mike Gibbons, Jane Timken, Mark Pukita and Neil Patel  oppose abortion rights. Some of them signaled an eagerness to debate the issue in the fall.

"Ban abortions, not AR-15s," Mandel said in a tweet Tuesday.

Other Republicans criticized Ryan for hopping on a leaked court opinion that may not be the final ruling.

The Democratic candidate "is already using the insane leak for the Supreme Court to raise money. Vile, disgusting, and useless," tweeted Bernie Moreno, a former Republican Senate candidate who dropped out of the race in February.

Ban abortions, not AR-15s.  Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) May 3, 2022

Republicans split on Senate race

For Republicans, especially those who support Trump, the big question was whether they could support Vance and whether the former president's lack of an endorsement in the Republican governor's race  the only statewide race where Trump didn't pick a favorite  meant anything more than a casual snub.

Deliberating on who was best to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, Republican voters were divided among the seven candidates on the ballot.

FROM THE COURT: Supreme Court verifies authenticity of leaked opinion in abortion case but says decision not final

Public polls showed Vance, author of the bestselling book "Hillbilly Elegy," leading in his primary after being endorsed by Trump on April 15. But the former president's support opened a nasty intraparty rebellion among right-leaning groups such as the Club for Growth, which vehemently opposed Vance in favor of Mandel.

Joseph Davidoski, 67, of Anderson Township said Vance receiving Trumps support helped him decide.

Others weren't so sure about the "Hillbilly Elegy" author, citing his comments criticizing Trump as "a total fraud" and labeling some supporters "racist."

"I've heard some things about Vance that I just didn't really care for," said Kerrie Clark, a part-time online teacher from Grove City. "I know he was endorsed by Trump, but I don't know. There's something about him that didn't sit right. Maybe that sounds crazy, but when something doesn't sit right with me, I just can't go with them."

A voter makes his picks on primary Election Day at Grove City Recreation Center in Grove City, Ohio on May 3, 2022.

She chose Gibbons, a Cleveland businessman.

Jerry Sparks, 52, of North Canton, was "absolutely" influenced by the former president, but he voted for Timken, former chair of the Ohio Republican Party because "she's fit for the job" and "follows Trump."

Warren Harding, 46, of Anderson Township, chose state Sen. Dolan because he was the only Republican who didn't chase Trump's endorsement.

Its nice to see certain candidates that just arent beholden to a person rather than ideals that I think would benefit society as a whole, Harding said, adding he feels traditional Republican values have been lost.

Kondik, the political analyst, said there have been changes in the Ohio electorate that represent a larger shift in national politics.

"One of them has been the movement of more white college graduates into the Democratic Party and the shift of more white, working-class voters  to the Republican camp," he said. "And Ohio is, as you know, more of a white, working-class state than the nation as a whole, so that got supercharged under Trump."

Ryan has strong support as abortion rises

Ryan has consistently led the pack in the Democratic Senate primary, and voters said Tuesday that they thought the moderate from northeast Ohio would have the best chance in November.

Jordy Mason who is running for Franklin County Central Committee Grove City Ward Two checks voter tally list on Election Day at Grove City Recreation Center in Grove City, Ohio on May 3, 2022.

I like Morgan (Harper, an attorney), but she needs to get into office someplace before she goes for Senate," said Mary Ellen Burns, a retired teacher from the Westgate area near Columbus. "Its like jumping into the big leagues right away.

Mike Credur and Larry Hall, a central Ohio gay couple who have been together for 29 years, also picked Ryan and worried the Supreme Court might reverse their rights next.

The Republican Party is slowly turning everything back 50, 100 years," Credur said. "Theyre just taking away human rights. Its the most unpatriotic party Ive ever seen in my life, and Im 67 years old.

As soon as the news spread that Politico had a copy of a draft Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade, Democrats across Ohio started reacting, especially in the race for governor.

It has never been more important to elect a genuinely pro-choice candidate to be Ohios next governor," former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said in a statement. "If you care about reproductive rights, we need your vote tomorrow  full stop."

Whaley supports abortion access, but her challenger for the Democratic nomination to be governor, former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley, started his political career as a "pro-life Democrat," a fact Emily's List, a political action committee that tries to get female abortion rights supporters in office, hammered when he entered the race last year.

"Any Democrat who goes into the voting booth today has abortion at the center of their thoughts, and that certainly advantages Nan Whaley, University of Cincinnati political professor David Niven said.

Cranley, who started supporting abortion access after having children with his wife, called the news from Washington "an outrageous attack on the dignity and freedom of all women."

Many still like Mike DeWine

Gov. Mike DeWine took criticism from his own party during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, but GOP voters said they still supported him in the primary.

I think Mike DeWine has done a pretty good job with everything during his term, Harding said.

And so did Sparks who wore a ball cap depicting a handgun and the words "Protected by the 2nd Amendment" outside the North Canton Civic Center.

Even Democratic voters Sara and Robert Frato, who picked Whaley for governor, said they appreciated DeWine's leadership during the pandemic.

"We are not Republican, but we felt DeWine did a good job," Sarah Frato said.

DeWine faces former Congressman Jim Renacci, farmer Joe Blystone and former state Rep. Ron Hood in the GOP primary for governor.

Hood ran a low-level campaign, and Blystone didn't raise a lot of money. Still, the political newcomer Blystone had supporters in Marion County.

Dane Williams, 19, voted for the first time Tuesday and picked Blystone because he was definitely a guy who isnt in it just for the money.

He is not a shill for the other party. He is for the people, by the people," Williams said. "He cares about the people. Hes not run by the government, strictly the people.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio primary kicks off 2022 midterm battle as abortion seizes debate
An Ohio school district has voted to ban a local high schools annual "Diversity Day" after clamoring from parents that it contained undertones of Critical Race Theory, according to local reports.

The Forest Hills School District board of education voted Sunday afternoon on the ban for Turpin High School, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. The motion passed 4-0, with one board member, Leslie Rasmussen, refusing to vote.

Sundays motion states that Diversity Day "shall not proceed during school hours" and "shall not be conducted or further organized during school hours or through the use of taxpayer resources."

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT LEADER SAYS HE WOULD LOVE FOR BLACK PEOPLE TO BE TAUGHT THEY ARE SUPERIOR

The Racial Diversity Awareness Day had been at the suburban Cincinnati high school for more than five years. The event has typically included a roster of guest speakers along with activities and discussions.

Board members cited parents who said they didnt want taxpayer money to support curriculums related to "Critical Race Theory," a school of thought which holds that racism is systemic in Americas institutions.

Other parents were reportedly upset that the event was canceled. One parent said during Sundays meeting she was "very disappointed" with Superintendent Scot T. Prebles.

"I feel like he let all of us down today," she said. "And I have seen him fight. I have seen him try so hard and to see him  back down like this. He's leaving. He doesn't care."

Some students were also disappointed by the decision. Senior Casey Lupariello told WLWT she was "sad that I will have to miss it for my senior year."

"But what I am most worried about is kids in the future not being able to experience this event because it is extremely important," she said.

Fox News has reached out to the Forest Hills School District and Superintendent Prebles for additional comment.
The Daily Beast

Lauderdale County SheriffAlabama jail guard Vicky White fatally shot herself as she and escaped murder suspect Casey White were being chased by law enforcement in Indiana on Monday, ending an extraordinary 11 days on the run that captivated the nation.Weve captured them, Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding said in Evansville, Indiana, a five-hour drive from the Florence, Alabama, lockup the pair had vanished from.Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton, Vicky Whites former boss, told re
Cann Group Limited (ASX:CAN) shareholders will doubtless be very grateful to see the share price up 35% in the last month. But that is meagre solace in the face of the shocking decline over three years. Indeed, the share price is down a whopping 84% in the last three years. So we're relieved for long term holders to see a bit of uplift. Only time will tell if the company can sustain the turnaround. We really hope anyone holding through that price crash has a diversified portfolio. Even when you lose money, you don't have to lose the lesson.

So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

Check out our latest analysis for Cann Group

Cann Group isn't currently profitable, so most analysts would look to revenue growth to get an idea of how fast the underlying business is growing. Generally speaking, companies without profits are expected to grow revenue every year, and at a good clip. Some companies are willing to postpone profitability to grow revenue faster, but in that case one does expect good top-line growth.

Over three years, Cann Group grew revenue at 63% per year. That's well above most other pre-profit companies. So why has the share priced crashed 23% per year, in the same time? You'd want to take a close look at the balance sheet, as well as the losses. Ultimately, revenue growth doesn't amount to much if the business can't scale well. Unless the balance sheet is strong, the company might have to raise capital.

You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. This free interactive report on Cann Group's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

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A Different Perspective

While the broader market gained around 11% in the last year, Cann Group shareholders lost 21%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 8% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 5 warning signs for Cann Group (2 make us uncomfortable!) that you should be aware of before investing here.

Cann Group is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on AU exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Pete Williams, Tom Goldstein, and Yamiche Alcindor join Andrea Mitchell to explain the significance of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion indicating a vote to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Pete also breaks down the official statement from Chief Justice Roberts following the leak. "This really is the real draft. But, the Court says, things can change. This is not the final opinion. We're nowhere near there yet."
Watch: Piers Morgan mocks Meghan Markle over cancellation of Netflix series

Piers Morgan has seized the opportunity to ridicule Meghan Markle over the cancellation of her upcoming Netflix animated series, calling it, "a whole new level of humiliation."

The Duchess of Sussex had been developing the children's series Pearl, as part of her and Prince Harry's exclusive deal with the streaming service, but it has been reported that the project has now been dropped.

Morgan said on his TalkTV show Uncensored that the Royal couple may be "subtly discovering that maybe the rest of the world isn't quite as excited by their self-righteous brand of their pious, hypocritical, money-grabbing, virtue-signalling, royal-bashing, as they are."

The 57-year-old former Good Morning Britain presenter deadpanned: "I don't believe in cancel culture so I was obviously distraught to learn that the woman who cancelled me has now been cancelled herself.

"Netflix has shelved the production of Pearl, an animated series developed by Meghan Markle and Sir Elton John's husband David Furnish.

Read more: 'Piers Morgan Uncensored' loses 100,000 viewers on second night

Piers Morgan has ridiculed Meghan Markle over the news her animated series has been dropped by Netflix. (Getty Images)

"I was obviously distraught to learn that the woman who cancelled me has now herself been cancelled."



Piers reacts to Netflix canning Meghan Markle's animated series Pearl.@piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #piersuncensored | #TalkTV pic.twitter.com/FnaNdcfg4e  Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) May 2, 2022

"It was about a 12-year-old girl inspired by influential women. Apparently, it was based on her own very inspiring rags to Royal riches story. Sadly, nobody at Netflix shared my inspiration."

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He added: "Concern is now mounting that their whole 100m deal might now be in jeopardy.

"None of this brings me any pleasure. Especially after the failure of her nauseatingly patronising children's book, The Bench.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Archwell Productions has a multi-year deal with Netflix. (AP)

He added: "Let's face it, when the world's wokeist production company axes the world's wokeist project by the world's wokeist celebrity, that's a whole new level of humiliation.

"I wish Meghan, sincerely, all the very best at this difficult time."

Morgan quit ITV breakfast show Good Morning Britain in March 2021 over comments he made about Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Piers Morgan quit Good Morning Britain over his comments about Meghan Markle. (ITV)

Read more: Gary Lineker mocks Piers Morgan over viewing figures for TalkTV launch show

Morgan, 57, accused the Duchess of Sussex of lying during the interview.

The former tabloid editor has been open about his dislike of Markle since her engagement to Prince Harry was announced in 2017. Morgan claims she befriended him when she was an actor and then shunned him once she entered into a relationship with the prince.

When she published children's picture book The Bench - based on a poem she wrote for Prince Harry on his first Father's Day - Morgan branded the book ludicrously inappropriate" and hypocritical.

Watch: Steve Coogan has called Piers Morgan a modern-day Alan Partridge
NEW YORK (AP)  In breaking news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that would strike down 50 years of abortion policy, Politico's most impactful moment also put the news organization squarely in the middle of one of society's most contentious issues.

Politico sent a memo to staff members on Tuesday saying it had restricted access to its offices and told security to be extra vigilant about visitors. The company also urged employees to consider removing their Politico affiliation on social media accounts.

The company has not reported any specific threats.

But the story on the court's apparent readiness to overrule the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide led to wide speculation online about Politico's sources, some of it specific and malevolent.

The Federalist, a conservative website, headlined a story: The SCOTUS Abortion Decision Leak is what Actual Treasonous Insurrection Looks Like. The site said it believed the news was leaked to bully justices into changing their votes.

Politico's story struck like a thunderclap when posted at 8:32 p.m. Eastern Monday. It's very rare for internal Supreme Court discussions to be made public, and unprecedented for a full draft decision to see the light of day  much less for one of the most closely watched cases to come before justices in years.

Demonstrators quickly appeared outside of the court, and cable news networks rearranged schedules to cover the news.

I gasped and reflexively put my hand over my mouth, journalist Emily Kaplan wrote on Twitter. Haven't done that since Election Night 2016.

The story, written by Josh Gerstein and Alexander Ward, said the court had already voted to eliminate Roe as a precedent. It linked to a copy of the draft decision which, according to a stamp on it, was written by Justice Samuel Alito and circulated within the court on Feb. 10, 2022.

Politico emphasized it was a draft decision that could change. In the article, Politico said it had received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the court's proceedings in the case that was argued Dec. 1, along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

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That would seem to limit the potential sources: Each one of the court's nine justices has four clerks and there is an unknown number of support staff. It was not clear whether Politico had an electronic or hard copy of the decision.

The story was a closely held secret even within Politico, with few people knowing that it was coming. At the time it was posted, Politico's top news executives, Editor-in-Chief Matt Kaminski and Executive Editor Dafna Linzer, sent a memo to the full staff about it.

After an extensive review process, we are confident of the authenticity of the draft, the executives wrote. This unprecedented view into the justice's deliberations is plainly news of great public interest.

Politico gave no details about how it concluded the document was real and not a fake, or how long it had been in possession of the draft. The company said that our journalism speaks for itself.

The draft's authenticity was ultimately confirmed Tuesday by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who announced an investigation into who leaked the document.

It's understandable that Politico is going to great lengths to protect the identity of its source, said Kelly McBride, expert on journalism ethics for the Poynter Institute think tank.

Yet while fellow journalists understand why it's a huge story and why Politico published it, that might not be clear to a general public unfamiliar with how journalism works and often suspicious of motives, she said. Politico should have considered communicating some of that with readers.

It's going to have such massive consequences that I don't think that it's hard to explain why you did it, she said.

Politico doesn't have the footprint of The New York Times, the Washington Post or The Associated Press  all of whom were chasing its story  but it is a well-known brand name for those who follow Washington closely. Launched in 2007 by former Washington Post reporters John Harris and Jim VandeHei, it aggressively covers government and political news. Its morning Playbook newsletter is an influential agenda-setter for the nation's elite.

The expanding company was bought last year by German publisher Axel Springer for a price reported to be around $1 billion.

The fact that they broke this story and their name is all over it distinguishes their journalism and puts their name in both the history books and the textbooks, said Frank Sesno, a former CNN Washington bureau chief and professor at George Washington University.
Social media users are denouncing the actions of a group of teens in Singapore who filmed themselves pulling pranks inside a McDonalds restaurant at Punggol Safra.



Facebook page Singapore Incidents shared a clip on Monday showing a teen boy carrying two cups of water and then pouring the contents onto himself while inside the fast food restaurant. Two girls can be seen filming the boy as he does the stunt. Immediately after the act, the group bolts out of the restaurant running.









According to the post, a boy from the group had earlier slapped his face with an ice cream and threw it on the floor.



The caption also noted that an older worker had to clean up the mess the teens left behind.



"The poor old uncle had to clean after their mess. On top of that, they did not clear their trays."



As of this writing, the clip has been viewed over 60,000 times and has attracted over 130 comments.



Commenters criticized the teens for the behavior, which some pointed out was an act of stupidity.



Have brains the size of peas. Pure stupidity and a public nuisance, a commenter said.



Some lamented that the acts were nothing but an attempt to film a viral social media video.



For the sake of a Tiktok video or fame or viewers ??? wrote another. Do it at home la why inconvenient the staff. Inconsiderate ppl.



Meanwhile, other commenters attributed the teens behavior to poor parenting.



Making a fool of themselves at the expense of the poor service staff, a user wrote. Another upbringing issue.



Who's kids are they? Escapee from orphanage? No parents teach, noted another.







Featured Image via Singapore Incidents

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China's Zhurong travels over 1.9 km on Mars

Xinhua) 09:17, May 03, 2022

Photo released on June 11, 2021 by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) shows a selfie of China's first Mars rover Zhurong with the landing platform. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Mars rover Zhurong has traveled more than 1.9 km since it first set its wheels on the surface of the planet in May last year, according to the latest data released by the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of the China National Space Administration.

As of Sunday, Zhurong had been operating on the surface of Mars for 342 Martian days at a distance of 240 million km from Earth. A Martian day is approximately 40 minutes longer than a day on Earth.

Zhurong touched down on the Utopia Planitia, a vast plain in the northern hemisphere of Mars, on May 15, 2021. Since then, it has collected surface rock samples and captured images while exploring the planet.

Mars is about to enter the winter season, during which night temperatures will drop below minus 100 degrees Celsius, with a high probability of sandstorms. Martian winters last an equivalent of six Earth months.

Scientists have made special designs on the Zhurong rover, including low temperature resistance, sand resistance, power security and other features, to ensure the safe conduct of the Mars patrol and exploration process.

The Chinese space administration also disclosed that lunar rover Yutu-2, or Jade Rabbit-2, has been working for 42 lunar days and moved 1,181 meters on the moon surface.

China's Chang'e-4 probe, including a lander and Yutu-2 launched on Dec. 8, 2018, made the first-ever soft landing on the Von Karman Crater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon on Jan. 3, 2019.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Does anyone care about what Jared Kushner has to say? The New Abnormal podcast host Andy Levy thinks not.

Kushner has a book coming out called Breaking History: A White House Memoir, and Andy is not confident anyone wants to read it.

I know there are people out there who think Don Jr. is like the greatest thing in the world. We know there are people out there who think hes just absolutely fantastic. There are no Jared Kushner stans out there who are just like, I gotta see what this guy has to say, Levy tells co-host Molly Jong-Fast on this episode of TNA. Who cares what Jared Kushner has to say about anything?

Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.

Will people want to read Mark Espers upcoming book about how former President Donald Trump allegedly asked him while he was his secretary of defense if it was permissible to shoot protesters in the street? Probably, and although that info would have been nice to receive when it happened, says Andy, better late than never. Would people want to read a book by Don Jr.? Or even Chris Christie? Yes, says Andy.

But Jared? Forget it.

Molly poses another question: Has Jared even read Jareds book? Let us pour one out for poor Jared Kushners ghostwriter, she adds.

Also on the podcast, The Nation columnist Jeet Heer tells Molly why he thinks the White House Correspondents Dinner is a bad idea. For one, this dinner was the start of Trumps villain origin story, he jokes.

Senator Smeared as Groomer Has Message for Suburban Moms

Plus! If youve ever wondered how a person like Trump was elected in the first place, Dr. Larry Jacobs has an answer. Hes the director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota and explains why primary elections will be the ruin of us all unless we make two big changes.

Listen to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher.

Story continues

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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President Biden released the White Houses annual proclamation on Asian American, and now Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month for May, laying out how his administration is supportive of these communities.



This years statement, released on April 29, celebrates the innumerable contributions and vibrant cultures of AA and NHPI.



Bidens administration announced earlier this year that it would be using AANHPI instead of AAPI, to include Native Hawaiians. Hawaii is the only state to have a majority AANHPI population, with nearly 40% of the islands population being made up by Asian Americans.



AANHPIs are also the countrys fastest-growing racial group, with over 20 million people, or 6.1% of the total population, identifying as AANHPI.



It is predicted that by the year 2060, one in 10 children in the U.S. will be Asian American, bringing that number to 48 million, or 11.7% of the population.



In his proclamation, Biden shared that he was proud to have Vice President Kamala Harris, the first person of South Asian descent to hold the second-in-command position, as part of his administration.



The two key points touted by Biden are his investments in the AA and NHPI communities, including funds specifically allocated to AANHPI causes and businesses, and his signing of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to combat anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes due to COVID-19. The bill gave law enforcement resources to better identify and investigate hate crimes, as well as AANHPI better resources to report hate crimes, was signed into law in May of last year.



Biden also emphasized the need to make healthcare more accessible for AA and NHPI communities. Hawaiian Natives and Pacific Islanders experienced some of the highest COVID-19 death rates among all ethnic groups in the U.S.



The idea of designating a month out of a year to recognize Asian Pacific Americans originated from former Capitol Hill staffer and OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates Jeanie Jew, who initially argued for one week in May.



The month of May marked two significant events: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in May 1843 and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in May 1860.



The Transcontinental Railroad significantly reduced travel times, shaving months down to weeks to get from one coast to the other. It was built by a majority-Chinese immigrant labor force, although the recognition came much later.



Jews own great grandfather, M.Y. Lee, was a Chinese immigrant and had taken part in building the Transcontinental Railroad. He was killed in Oregon during a time of deep anti-Asian sentiment.







Featured Image via PLBechly / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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May 3MITCHELL  After receiving criticism from some local hotel owners about the proposed changes to Mitchell's hotel tax, the city is scrapping its initial plan and opting to negotiate with hotel owners on creating a new tax.

At the request of City Attorney Justin Johnson, the Mitchell City Council unanimously agreed to kill an ordinance on Monday that sought to increase the hotel and lodging Business Improvement District (BID) tax from $1.50 to $2 per nightly stay, along with eliminating the sunset date that was established when the tax was imposed in 2013.

Although the city is doing away with tweaking the BID tax via the city council, Mayor Bob Everson said he's been having "great discussions" with some local hotel owners about implementing a BID tax that would raise it to $2 per nightly stay.

"At this point, the hotel owners are asking you to not move forward with this ordinance," Johnson said. "Just because we couldn't come to an agreement on this specific ordinance, it's not like we can't bring something back in the future. There is a timing issue on when you can start with a new one, but I think we will get to that point."

After noticing Mitchell was the only city in the state with a BID tax that was under $2, Everson proposed to raise it 50 cents and bring Mitchell in line with 22 cities that have a $2 hotel BID tax. However, the proposed changes sparked opposition among some local hotel owners who were concerned the changes were attempting to be made without providing them a fair notice and opportunity to weigh on.

"Not all motel owners were aware of the proposed changes to the BID tax. In the past, they had received mailing, and this time it was published. So this caught some of them by surprise," Attorney Don Petersen said on behalf of several hotel owners during a mid-April council meeting.

As the owner of several large Mitchell hotels, Jerry Thomsen was concerned the initial proposed changes to the BID tax were "too radical" and did not follow the process needed to adjust the BID tax.

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But after he and several hotel owners met with city leaders over the past few weeks, Thomsen said recent discussions with city leaders have him optimistic that a new $2 hotel BID tax could be imposed. For that to happen, Thomsen emphasized that a simple majority of local hotel owners would have to back it since it's a self-imposed tax.

"I'm committed to working with the motel owners and figuring out what type of structure makes sense. The goal is to bring people to town who stay at our hotels, dine and bring sales tax revenue," Thomsen said. "The motel owners are going to be part of the process and have some input here. That's the only way we can make it happen."

While discussions of a new hotel BID tax are currently underway, Thomsen said the overall consensus is that a BID board would need to be established. According to Thomsen, the BID board's main goal would be to determine how the funds generated from the tax are spent.

Everson previously pitched the idea of establishing a BID board to oversee how the BID tax revenue is being spent in the city. However, Thomsen said a future BID board would have to include hotel owners.

Although some hotel owners have opposed the way the initial BID tax changes were being proposed, Thomsen said he's in favor of raising it to $2.

"Our goal is the same as the city's. We want to bring events to town, improve our facilities and welcome more guests at our hotels," Thomsen said.

Everson said the 50 cent increase to the hotel BID tax would provide funds for future capital improvement projects specifically related to athletic and event facilities and attract more large-scale events to Mitchell.

According to Everson, the BID tax generates about $240,000 each year. If a 50 cent increase is imposed, Everson said the BID tax could generate about $320,000 per year. Since it was implemented in 2013, the city's BID tax has helped pay down the $8 million Indoor Aquatic Center and second sheet of ice at the Mitchell Activities Center ice rink.

Another key part of the BID tax is the way it funds Mitchell's Sports and Events Authority board, which is made up of residents who work to bring large-scale sporting events to the city such as the Hoop City Classic and swim meets. The BID tax provides roughly $80,000 to the Sports and Events Authority board, while the remaining is allocated for paying off the remaining costs of the indoor pool.

If a new BID tax isn't implemented, the tax would come to an end once the indoor pool is paid off, which city leaders indicated is estimated for 2023. If the tax comes to an end, so too does the Sports and Events Authority board, Everson said.

As local hotel owners continue discussing the future of a new $2 BID tax, Council member Marty Barington said he's hoping to see it happen.

"I'm hoping we can all come together to make that happen and fill hotels and help bring more entertainment and events to town," Barington said.
The debate over Roe v. Wade has animated American politics for half a century.

A draft version of a Supreme Court ruling was leaked to Politico that deals with a Mississippi abortion law. Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed its authenticity in a statement he released on Tuesday.

Channel 2s Michele Newell spoke to pro-life activists on Tuesday, celebrating what they hope will eventually become the law of the land.

It was exciting to hear truly that to see that we could live in a post Roe world. That we could live in a land where Roe v. Wade is overturned, activist Rachel Guy said. Of course, it was concerning and disheartening to hear that this news was leaked because thats not something thats ever been done.

Pro-life activists we spoke with said they are in communication with advocates across the state discussing the leaked Supreme Court decision draft that could overrule Roe v. Wade and what it could mean for Georgia.

Lets say Dobbs is in favor in June, the wonderful news is that our heartbeat legislation will then go into effect here in Georgia, Rachel Guy said.

We pray that this is truly upheld. I know this was a leak, but we pray that the Justices are not intimidated and that they stay the course, activist Suzanne Guy said.

In the meantime, a representative from the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta told Newell that the plan is to wait until the actual ruling before releasing a statement.

Channel 2s Audrey Washington spent Tuesday speaking with abortion rights activists, who said they are disappointed by the draft opinion, but reiterated that it is just a draft and that as of right now, nothing is set in stone.

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I think were all concerned, said Lauren Frazier with Planned Parenthood Southeast.

Frazier said she heard about the draft majority opinion late Monday night.

This is the most critical moment for abortion rights that weve seen in nearly five decades, Frazier said.

In the draft, the Supreme Court voted to strike down the Roe v. Wade decision. That decision guaranteed federal Constitutional protections of abortion rights.

For us here in Georgia specifically, we will most likely see Gov. Kemps six-weeks ban that he passed be enacted here and we already know that most people at six weeks of pregnancy dont know theyre pregnant, Frazier said.

Kwajelyn Jackson is the executive director of the feminist Womens Health Center in Atlanta.

Abortion care is legal and accessible today and the law has not changed, Jackson said.

She said she wants people to take the opinion seriously because she believes it will have an impact on the care that women will be able to receive in the future.

In order for us to be sustainable for the long term we need full, unfettered access to abortion for the people who need it.

RELATED NEWS:
Reuters

PHOENIX (Reuters) -Laura Wilson is a mother of three who lives in the sprawling suburbs of north Phoenix, a hotly contested electoral area of Arizona that could decide which party controls the U.S. Senate after November's congressional elections. Wilson, 61, is pro-choice, voted for Democratic President Joe Biden, and knew all about the news last week that the U.S. Supreme Court is likely poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision giving women the right to an abortion. Yet Wilson said she is undecided about who she will vote for this November, and abortion rights are not a priority for her.
Pro-choice and anti-abortion activist rally outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on May 02, 2022 in Washington, DC. In an initial draft majority opinion obtained by Politico, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito allegedly wrote that the cases Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern v. Casey should be overruled, which would end federal protection of abortion rights across the country. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

A leaked Supreme Court opinion suggested that Roe v. Wade may be overturned, Politico reported on Monday.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the steps of the Supreme Court after the news broke.

One protestor told Insider they were "tired of them chipping away at our rights, particularly as women."

Hundreds of protestors gathered at the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC, late Monday night after reports suggested Roe v. Wade could potentially be overturned.

A leaked draft opinion, obtained by Politico, suggested that Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that allowed the constitutional right to abortion in 1973, would be overturned by conservative justices.

"I got down here early, right, cause I got home from a long day kicked off shoes my shoes, opened Twitter, saw that Roe v. Wade was trending to be overturned, put my shoes back on, and came right back from east of the river," Rev. Wendy Hamilton, a Democratic congressional candidate from DC, told Insider.

Rev. Wendy Hamilton for Congress-DC  (@revwendy3) May 3, 2022

Hamilton described a scene of hundreds of protesters, chanting with signs in hand, "who are feeling the same outrage." She also counted seven officers standing in her line of sight behind a barricade erected on Monday night, as well as a much smaller group of anti-abortion counterprotesters.

She said that the issue was particularly salient because of Black maternal health issues in the city.

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"I'm tired," Hamilton said. "I'm tired of them chipping away at our rights, particularly as women. They're chipping away at voting rights. They're trying to overturn our democracy almost by any means necessary."

Ryan Jones, a lawyer running for DC attorney general was also at the protests and told Insider he had to "see what the reaction was firsthand."

"This is a mind-blowing decision that I couldn't imagine being overturned in my life," Jones said

A representative for the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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 []
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday that the best way for Washington to speed aid to Ukraine was to pass a funding bill devoid of extraneous items.

Biden has called on Congress to approve $33 billion in aid for Kyiv, a package that some Democrats want to see tied with a COVID-19 relief proposal.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Writing by Tim Ahmann; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Republican senators have expressed outrage over the leak of a draft opinion of the Supreme Courts decision that would effectively overturn Roe v Wade. But when asked what the consequences should be for abortion providers or women who seek abortions, Republicans mostly said it would be up to states to decide.

The news came after Politico published a leaked draft opinion written by Associate Justice Samuel Alito late Monday evening. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed its authenticity on Tuesday and said it will not affect the work of the court going forward.

But many Republicans said the leak would affect the way the court functions.

I think there should be an investigation about the leak, its an outrage and unprecedented in the history of our Republican, said Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi. The states law that restricted abortion after 15 weeks triggered the Supreme Court case Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, for which the draft opinion was written.

But when asked what consequences there should be for seeking an abortion, he deferred.

On reflection, based on what the Chief Justice said today, Im going to withhold comment until we have an official decision, he told The Independent.

Republicans have sought for years to overturn Roe v Wade, which stated that the 14th Amendments right to privacy protects a womans right to access an abortion. After the Senate confirmed Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, giving the court a 6-3 conservative majority, many state legislatures passed laws severely restricting abortion in hopes of sending a case to the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade.

On Monday evening, as supporters of abortion rights camped out in front of the Supreme Court building, Randall Terry, who founded the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, told The Independent that overturning the 1973 decision was just the beginning.

Every abortionist here in America should be tried for the killing of innocent babies, he said. Similarly, he said women who seek out an abortion should also face consequences.

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They are accessories for sure, he said, arguing it could simply be a $20 fine. Something so they have to be arrested, fingerprinted, their faces in the paper.

At the same time, many Republicans focused primarily on the draft opinion being leaked rather than the actual implications of Roe being overturned. Senator Steve Daines of Montana said the leaked draft opinion came up during Republican senators weekly caucus lunch.

Its outrageous, he said. It was a breach of some of the most fundamental issues of trust in the United States Supreme Court. Its going to forever change the ability for Justices and clerks to trust confidentiality. Its unprecedented.

Mr Daines also excoriated Democrats for the fact that no member of their caucus criticised the leak.

Ive not seen a Democrat condemn it, he said. I havent seen a Democrat condemn it yet. He said elected state officials could determine how to respond to abortions going forward in a post-Roe world.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who was Senate Judiciary Committee chairman when Justice Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed, said each state would decide the penalties for abortion.

Go back to 1973, whatever the laws were, I have exceptions for rape, incest, life of the mother, he said.

But other senators were more taciturn. Senator Marsha Blackburn, who tweeted that whoever leaked the draft should be exiled from the legal community, avoided multiple questions from reporters, saying I dont do walk and talks.

Senator Mitt Romney of Utah gave a generic answer when asked what consequences abortion providers or women would face for seeking a pregnancy termination.

Were getting way of ourselves, he told The Independent.

Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, who is retiring this year, deferred when asked about what penalties should be put in place for people who seek abortions.

You want me to comment on a draft that was drafted in February and were in May 1st? he said.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, whose state passed legislation last year that would restrict abortion access after six weeks with no exemptions for rape or incest, said penalties would be left to states.

If Roes overturned, that question will go back to the states, itll be up to the individual state legislators, he said.

Texas legislation would also allow anyone who aids and abets someone seeking an abortion and victorious litigants are eligible for a $10,000 reward in civil court.
Former state Sen. Erin Houchin claimed victory in the crowded Indiana 9th Congressional District Republican primary Tuesday night, proving money isn't everything in an election.

Shortly after, AP called the race for Houchin. As of 10 p.m., she had 37% of the vote, with an estimated 89% of votes counted.

Houchin was followed by former U.S. Rep. Mike Sodrel with 26% of the vote and political newcomer Stu Barnes-Israel with 21% of the vote.

Barnes-Israel had conceded the race just after 9:30 p.m.

This is Houchin's second time running for the 9th Congressional District. She lost to Republican Rep. Trey Hollingsworth in 2016, in part due to a boost from a super PAC funded primarily by Hollingsworth's father.

During this election cycle, she had the backing of most of the prominent state Republicans across the spectrum, including Attorney General Todd Rokita, U.S. Reps. Larry Bucshon and Jackie Walorski, former U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks and well-known conservative election lawyer Jim Bopp.

"We think we certainly had a message that resonated with voters of sending a proven conservative fighter toward victory in November," Houchin told IndyStar. "We had a strong base of grassroots support in the district."

As the only vacant congressional seat in Indiana after Republican Congressman Hollingsworth announced he wouldn't seek reelection less than a month before the filing deadline, Republicans jumped at the opportunity to run for Congress in a safe district in southeast Indiana. Nine Republicans and three Democrats were on the ballot in the red-leaning district.

Houchin is likely to win the general election because of the right-leaning nature of the district.

'It doesn't smell right': Do these congressional candidates really live in the 9th District?

Houchin, Sodrel and Barnes-Israel had the most cash to work with on the Republican side and were largely expected to lead the race.

Excluding personal loans, Houchin raised the most money as of April 13, raking in nearly $440,000.

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But it was Sodrel who had the most receipts and spent the most money, due to personal loans. More than 90% of his money came from personal loans.

Sodrel, who represented the district between 2005-07, loaned his campaign $725,000, and raised roughly an additional $46,000, including a personal $4,420 personal contribution as of April 13.

Barnes-Israel, a first time candidate, loaned his campaign $100,000. He raised an additional 302,000.

9th District primary: With Hollingsworth out, it's newcomers vs. experienced politicians

No other candidate in the crowded race had more than $100,000 worth of receipts. State Rep. J. Michael Davisson, commercial real estate broker Jim Baker, veteran Dan Heiwig, a 40-year-old army veteran, economist Eric Schansberg, retired pastor Brian Tibbs and former Democratic candidate Bill Thomas were also on the Republican primary ballot.

Both Sodrel and Barnes-Israel faced questions about their residency.

Sodrel owns a nearly $2 million lakefront home in Columbus, just outside of the district he's running in. But days after he filed to run for office, he changed his voter registration to a different address: that of a pole barn in Jeffersonville inside the district.

Sodrel's campaign previously told IndyStar he is renting an apartment on the upper level of the pole barn.

"I stay a lot of places, just like if I'm in the northern part of the district  I've got to be in Bloomington tomorrow  sometimes you'll be at Bloomington, Bedford, Decatur, I'll stay here for the night," Sodrel said. "When I was in Congress, I did the same thing."

Likewise, Barnes-Israel purchased a four-bedroom house for $685,000 near Herron-Morton Place Park in Indianapolis in 2020, also outside of the district. In January, he registered to vote at his grandparents' former two-bedroom ranch home in Greensburg, where he says he now lives with his wife and two kids.

When pressed about the use of the Indianapolis house, Barnes-Israel said he was "fortunate to be able to own some other property." He said that he lives in Greensburg full time.

"Greensburg is my home," Barnes-Israel said in a statement. "It's where I was born and raised, where I work all day and rest my head at night, and where I go to church on Sundays.

Legally, congressional candidates don't have to live in the district they represent, but if they don't they can run the risk of appearing like an outsider. Under Indiana law, it's also a level 6 felony to vote in a different precinct than where one resides. Both candidates say they are registered to vote where they say they now live.

In the 9th Congressoinal District Democratic primary, the Associated Press called the race for Matt Fyfe. As of 10:20 p.m., Fyfe had claimed 57% of the vote, followed by Isak Asare with 30% of the vote and Liam Dorris with 14% of the vote. An estimated 71% of the votes have been counted.

Other prominent races

Jennifer-Ruth Green claimed victory in Indiana's 1st Congressional District, another hotly contested Republican primary.

Seven Republicans filed to run in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary, hoping to win the nomination to oust freshman Democratic Rep. Frank Mrvan in November. Green and Blair Milo had emerged as the clear front runners heading into the Republican primary, and both went negative in the last couple of weeks.

The Associated Press had called the race for Green by 10:45 Eastern Time Tuesday. Green had 49% of the vote followed by Blair Milo, a Navy veteran and former member of Gov. Eric Holcomb's administration, with 18% of the vote. An estimated 76% of the vote had been counted.

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to serve our country in uniform for 22 years, and I look forward to earning the opportunity to represent Hoosiers and continue my service in Congress, said Green, an Air Force veteran, in a statement.

In the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary, Mrvan claimed victory just before 9 p.m. Tuesday with 91% of the vote and an estimated 26% of the vote counted. His opponent Richard Fantin had 9% of the vote.

Political analysts think the race has the potential to be competitive in November, though it's long been a Democratic stronghold.

Of Indiana's current congressional delegation, only Reps. Mrvan, Greg Pence and Andre Carson faced challengers in their respective primaries. The Associated Press declared Pence and Carson winners.

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at 317-432-9270 or email her at kaitlin.lange@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana primary 2022: Erin Houchin claims victory in 9th District
In late May  early June, the Russian leadership may resort to provocations

Read also: How the fires at oil depots in Bryansk may affect the Russian army

According to the message, Russias Surgeon General has signed an order for some regions to prepare for a cholera outbreak.

Crimea, as well as Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, and Krasnodar regions  all of which share a border with Ukraine  were mentioned in the document.

It instructed Russian officials in those regions to do the following:

 By May 15, open laboratories to study cholera pathogens, tighten control over mass gatherings of people, and issue guidance to the population on how to best stave off the disease;

 By June 1, set up healthcare facilities to deal with an epidemic, and request corresponding medical supplies in required quantities.

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

Its likely that by late May  early June, Russias leadership could resort to provocations on its territory near Ukraine, Ukrainian intelligence said.

Naturally, there will be attempts to place the blame on Ukraine, accusing (it) of using biological weapons.

Read also: Resistance growing in Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine, says General Staff
The invaders have deported 196,356 Ukrainian children

The figures were given by the head of the National Defense Management Center of Russia, Mikhail Mizintsev, Russian news agency Interfax Russia reports.

11,550 people, including 1,847 children, have been evacuated from the dangerous areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics and Ukraine to the territory of the Russian Federation, without the involvement of the Ukrainian authorities over the past 24 hours, Mizintsev said.

A total of 1,092,137 people have been evacuated since the beginning of the special military operation (Russias term for the most recent stage of its war on Ukraine), including 196,356 children, he said.

Read also: Invaders abducting women with newborns, doctors from Mariupol to occupied Donbas, Russia

In fact, the Ukrainian authorities and many of the Ukrainians taken to Russia say Ukrainians are being forcibly deported to Russia.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union to find instruments to influence Russia in order to return home the many thousands of deported Ukrainians.

Russian invaders are taking Ukrainians to Russia and to the territory of the sham republics they set up in the east of the country, blocking Ukrainian humanitarian corridors and setting up concentration or filtration camps. The fate of the Ukrainians who fail to pass the filtration in the Kremlins concentration camps remains unconfirmed.

Read also: Escape from hell: Women of Mariupol tell their stories of living under occupation and escaping the siege

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has ordered that almost 100,000 Ukrainians forcibly deported from Ukraine be sent to remote parts of Russia, in particular to Siberia and the Polar circle, the UK newspaper The Independent reported.

Over 700,000 civilians have been taken from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts to Russia, Ukrainian Ombudsman for Human Rights in Ukraine Lyudmyla Denisova has said.
Good news for partygoers who are thinking about going to the Caribbean this summer. Saint Lucias government has confirmed that its carnival festivities are returning this July after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic. The islands biggest annual celebration was officially launched in late April and it is expected to have a line-up of events that will highlight the spirit of the Caribean carnival to the fullest. Saint Lucia Carnival is scheduled from 7th to 19th July with national and private events.

Saint Lucia Carnival 2022 will be celebrated with important events such as Carnival Queen Show, Soca and Calypso Monarch, Panorama, and of course, the pillar events such as Color Me Red, Famalay, U4ria, and a few boat rides in between.

Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire said that national events such as calypso will be the key focus for the carnival season carnival. I am excited with how plans are progressing for Lucian Carnival 2022. It is very exciting when we hear that Carnival events are sold out within days after being launched, and some, even four to five months in advance. We also need to ensure that we give the National Events; Panorama, Calypso and Soca Monarchs, King and Queen of the Band and the Queen Show the necessary support so that they too, can be among the big events during the Carnival season.

The Committees that we have put together, both the Carnival Planning and Management Committee and the Carnival Music Management Committee, bring a pool of experience to the table, as we plan to bring back our cultural showcase after its two-year hiatus. We know the trajectory that Carnival was on in 2020 before our precautionary closure, but the energy and demand for Carnival this year is like that of 2019, he added.

The minister emphasized that the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic will determine how the party will be conducted. Meetings will continue to be held with officials from the Ministry of Health and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) to finalize health and safety protocols for the hosting of Saint Lucia Carnival 2022, as we draw closer to the commencement of this highly anticipated cultural showcase.

In April, Hilaire said that originally St. Lucias government was planning to open the party only for vaccinated individuals in a very controlled and rigid environment. However, the requirement to be completely vaccinated to participate in Lucian Carnival 2022 remains uncertain and we will be kept updated as the COVID-19 conditions change. But, for the time being, the artists have been booked, the bands are ready for mas, and there will be plenty of surprises in store for carnival enthusiasts. The conditions are still changing and therefore the final product is still undetermined, the minister told the local media outlets.

The announcement of St. Lucias carnival comes at a moment when the country experiences a rebound in its tourism industry. In March, this Caribbean island reported its highest month of tourism arrivals since it first reopened back in June 2020, according to data from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. The institute attests that the influx of tourists on the island in March was 21 per cent higher than they forecasted.
(Bloomberg) -- The Central Intelligence Agencys venture capital firm has invested in Sandbox AQ, a Google software spinoff that is focused on harnessing artificial intelligence and quantum science.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The CIAs In-Q-Tel was joined by Paladin Capital Group, which backs innovative tech companies, in Sandbox AQs first round of fundraising. The round -- which was oversubscribed -- has garnered well into the nine figures, Sandbox AQ Chief Executive Officer Jack Hidary said in an interview.

Founded in 2016, Sandbox AQ was spun off from Alphabet Inc.s Google earlier this month and is chaired by Eric Schmidt, the search giants former CEO. Instead of making a quantum computer of its own, Sandbox AQ seeks to develop software architecture that can replace existing cryptography with complex new algorithms that are deemed impossible to crack by quantum computers, a nascent technology that isnt yet operationally viable.

Steve Bowsher, president of In-Q-Tel, said the aim of the equity stake was to develop new encryption software that could resist the prospect of code-cracking by emergent quantum computing, as well as quantum sensors and other products.

We want them to be able to sell into the U.S. government, Bowsher said in an interview. He added the venture firm had spent the past few weeks introducing Sandbox AQs work to some of the eight U.S. intelligence agencies that it works with, which include the National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation and CIA.

Bowsher said In-Q-Tel invests in about 30 companies a year. About 40%-45% of the technologies from the 600 companies it has invested in since its genesis in 1999 have gone on to be adopted by U.S. intelligence agencies, he added.

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Paladin Capital Chief Investment Officer Chris Steed predicted Sandbox AQ could come to dominate a market that would be worth tens of billions of dollars. Industry analysts IQT Research estimated last year the market for post-quantum cryptography will grow to $2.3 billion by 2026 and $7.6 billion by 2030.

Hardware Miracles

In-Q-Tel and Paladins backing would allow Sandbox AQ to develop relationships to work closely with U.S. and allied governments on roll out, said Hidary. While it was wonderful to have early-mover advantage, the strength of its software, expert team of more than 55 people and alliances were more critical for success, he added.

Scientists differ over when a breakthrough in quantum computing might arrive, with estimates spanning five to 50 years -- or never at all.

Joe Altepeter, who manages a quantum research program at the Pentagons Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, said last month there was a lot of hype over industry claims about the arrival of quantum computing, which has drawn billions of dollars in investment, though several hardware miracles still stand in the way.

While there was definitely still a possibility that quantum ultimately doesnt develop and so the problem would never manifest, Bowsher said it was important to prepare in advance because you dont want to be caught flat-footed.

He added that it was hard to know how close China, which is investing billions of dollars into quantum research, might be to cracking public-key encryption. If you wait until then, it would be too late, he said.

Experts warn encrypted data that is stolen and stockpiled en masse could be cracked at scale as soon as quantum computing comes online. That could risk troves of commercial and government secrets, some of which remain classified for 25 years or far longer.

Theoretical Threats

Wary of the coming threat, the Biden administration in January tasked national security systems to come up with transition plans to help defend against the theoretical threat to public-key encryption posed by the arrival of quantum computers.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, known as NIST, is seeking to select new quantum-proof encryption algorithms from seven finalists shortly as part of a global competition. Two of the shortlisted algorithms come from the team behind PQShield, an Oxford University spinoff that also offers post-quantum cryptographic software. Winners will be slotted into Sandbox AQs and other companies software architecture.

Sandbox AQ has also newly formed partnerships with Ernst & Young and Deloitte to offer services to thousands of their customers, including initially an inventory of existing software. Financial, pharmaceutical and telecommunications companies, which have some of the most sensitive data to protect, are likely to be at the forefront of efforts to create a new marketplace in post-quantum cryptography.

Were not being alarmist and saying you need to change everything today, said Colin Soutar, who leads cyber strategy at Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory. But I do want to say that organizations should start taking a prudent look at what they have.

Some in the private sector are already taking the plunge. Mount Sinai Health System in New York and its 7,000 physicians became a customer of Sandbox AQs discovery services last month, said Chief Information Officer Kristin Myers. That will enable the healthcare company, which has revenue of $9.3 billion a year, to review all the software it would need to update to prepare for post-quantum cryptography, before determining if it will go ahead with the transition.

I think this is the way the industry will go, especially in the next five years, Myers said, adding she took the step to safeguard patient confidentiality.

(Updates with more details from Bowsher in sixth paragraph. A previous version was corrected to reflect the funding round had closed.)

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2022 Bloomberg L.P.
May 3ALBANY  Rural southwest Georgia residents will gain greater access to health care through $1 million in federal funding that will allow Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital to double the number of mobile health units it puts on the road.

The hospital operates two of the mobile wellness clinics, and the funding, announced by U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, Tuesday, will allow for the purchase of two additional units.

"The first two were funded by the Phoebe Foundation," Phoebe President and CEO Scott Steiner said during an announcement ceremony during which Bishop and Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas also delivered remarks. "The mission then was to deliver vaccines."

The two initial units have been to 284 locations in 18 counties, served 36 businesses and industries and administered almost 7,700 COVID vaccines, Steiner said.

But the mobile wellness clinics are outfitted for much more than giving shots, he said.

The health system CEO said the units will be used to provide prenatal care, behavioral health services, pediatric specialty telehealth visits, do health screenings and present educational programs and materials. Phoebe also is expanding its partnership with Flint River Fresh, an Albany-based nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to fresh and healthy food in the area and which will provide free produce at some clinic events.

"There is a dearth of health care providers in our rural communities," Bishop said during an interview following the announcement. "This will help to address that.

"I hope it will extend the availability of the wonderful state of the art health care Phoebe is able to deliver to this area of the state."

A number of other initiatives also are planned, including one to boost training in medical careers in the area, the congressman said.

"They're all designed to make health care more available to the residents of southwest Georgia," he said.

"Dougherty County is grateful for the funding for the units that will benefit the entire region, particularly those who are prevented from traveling to a facility like Phoebe due to lack of transportation, their finances or distance," Cohilas said.

"This is an incredible ask and a critical gift for us to have here, and it took a lot of hard work. This will literally go and meet them where they are. This literally delivers health care services that are not emergencies."
Sarah Jessica Parker arrives at the 2022 Met Gala. Taylor Hill/Contributor/Getty Images

Sarah Jessica Parker is known for her Met Gala fashion.

This year, Parker worked with designer Christopher John Rogers on her look.

The gown honored the first Black female fashion designer in the White House, Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley.

Sarah Jessica Parker has built up a reputation for her Met Gala red carpet fashion. For this year's event, which took place on May 2 in New York City, Parker once again was on-theme for gilded glamour.

This time, the "And Just Like That ..." star worked with designer Christopher John Rogers to create a look that paid homage to Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, the first Black female fashion designer to work at the White House, according to Vogue.

"She was a smaller designer, and someone that people don't really talk about," Rogers told Vogue. "The idea was to highlight the dichotomy between the extravagant, over-the-top proportions of the time period, and the disparity that was happening in America at the time."

First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln hired Keckley  a former slave who bought back her freedom for $1,200, according to Smithsonian Magazine  in 1861 to be her dressmaker, personal dresser, and confidante. At the time, the designer was building up her dress-making business and a network of clients in Washington DC, Smithsonian reported.

Parker wore a corset-like top and towering headpiece. Taylor Hill/Contributor/Getty Images

Rogers and Parker used a multi-piece dress of Keckley's creation, found in the Chicago History Museum's collection, as a jumping-off point for this year's Met Gala design. The outfit was made up of a gingham-plaid cape and gown, which served as the inspiration for this 2022 look.

"We took the idea of a small gingham and really blew it up," Rogers told Vogue. "We also exaggerated the silhouette."

He used the design to create a fitted top and a ballgown skirt. The look was made with silk faille, moire, and taffeta, and featured Swarovski-crystal buttons, Vogue reported.

Rogers told Vogue that he loved collaborating with Parker because of how creative and adaptable she is. He said his favorite part of the design process is when things come together and shift organically, which Parker was on board with.

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"She allowed me to lean into those happy accidents," he said, which included adding " a sliver of skin" on the sleeve and a lower-than-anticipated neckline.

Parker's gown had detailed cut-outs on the sleeve and a long train on the skirt. Dimitrios Kambouris/Staff/Getty Images

In a video for Vogue shared on April 25, Parker talked about how dressing for this Costume Institute benefit is so time-consuming and joyfully exhausting.

"All these people came together and worked really really hard to put together an extraordinary exhibit," she said of those who help create the actual exhibit inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "It all is like academic and historical and it's fashion ... It is an assignment and you should interpret it and it should be labor-intensive and it should be challenging."

This year's theme celebrated the Gilded Age, a time in American history infamous for enormous wealth inequality among Americans and for harsh working conditions in industrial workplaces occupied by newly emancipated Black people and millions of immigrants, Insider previously reported. Parker and Rogers weren't the only ones to pay tribute to some of the marginalized communities who weren't part of the glamorous society during that era  celebrities including Gabrielle Union, Questlove, and Riz Ahmed all made mention of their outfit tributes in Vogue red-carpet interviews.

Along with the gown, Parker wore a custom headpiece by Phillip Treacy that was "inspired by the opulence and decadence of the Gilded Age," the milliner told Vogue. The actress also wore shoes by her own namesake label SJP Collection, according to Footwear News.

Read the original article on Insider
Scott Johnson (pictured) was killed in 1988

Three decades after US man Scott Johnson's body was found at the base of cliffs in Sydney, his killer has been sentenced to jail.

Scott White was on Tuesday sentenced to a maximum 12 years and seven months in jail for the then-27-year-old's murder.

At the time, the Cambridge University graduate's death was ruled as suicide - something his family never believed.

They had for years fought for Australian police to investigate it as a gay hate crime instead.

On Tuesday, a judge found there was not enough evidence to establish it was a gay hate crime, but sentenced White to jail for the 1988 killing. He will be eligible for parole in 2030.

White - who was 18 at the time of the murder - did not give evidence in court but had told police he and Johnson had met at a bar in December 1988.

The court heard the pair had gone to North Head cliffs in Manly - a well-known gay cruising ground - where, according to White, they got into a fight and Dr Johnson fell.

But a judge found he had struck Dr Johnson without provocation, knowing it would most likely cause the mathematician to fall to his death.

White had acted with "reckless indifference to human life", Justice Helen Wilson told the New South Wales Supreme Court.

"With Johnson's death the world lost a mind ready to contribute substantially to its advancement," she said.

"Scott was, for his supreme intellectual gifts, the most modest person I've ever met," said his brother Steve (left)

The judge said White had been a "street kid" who "dealt with disagreements with his fists" but was "no longer the same angry young man".

The court had previously rejected an attempt by White's lawyers to withdraw a confession he had made.

Why did the case take so long?

Homosexuality had only been decriminalised in New South Wales two years before Dr Johnson's death, and his family allege that police did not take hate crimes seriously.

Investigators initially treated Johnson's death as a suicide.

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His brother Steve campaigned for decades for the case to be re-investigated, claiming that his brother may have been murdered by homophobic gangs.

It's now estimated up to 80 gay men were murdered - with many pushed off cliffs.

In 2012 and 2015, coroners requested the case be reopened. On both occasions police found nothing to convince them Dr Johnson hadn't taken his own life.

But in November 2017, a coroner ruled he had been murdered by a gay hate gang, which led to the new investigation.

Police offered a A$1m (570,000; $645,000) cash reward in 2018 for information about the case, and in 2020 the family doubled the reward to A$2m.

White's ex-wife came forward in 2019 after hearing about the case, telling police the man had often bragged about "bashing" young gay men and had not denied killing Dr Johnson when she had asked.

White also made admissions to police officers before he was charged in 2020.

The police force has previously apologised to the family for not investigating the case properly in the 1980s and failing to protect the gay community.

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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
VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - TUESDAY, 3 MAY 2022, 09:20 The Russian invaders are storming and shelling settlements in the Luhansk region almost around the clock. Source: Serhiy Haidai, head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Five houses have been hit by the Russians in Sievierodonetsk, with at least 12 in the municipality of Hirska. However, we don't know exactly how many at this moment. Because the Russians are assaulting the community's settlements around the clock. Ten houses have been burnt down in Orikhovo and another two in Zolote. We are confirming information about casualties. We are trying to evacuate local residents every day. Sievierodonetsk has withstood eight Russian artillery attacks in 24 hours. As recently as last night, three houses in the old districts of the city were damaged. By the afternoon, a warehouse was already on fire and two more high-rise buildings had been hit. Fortunately, one shell landed in a flat without exploding. It has already been defused by bomb disposal technicians. Three people were rescued from the shelling and rubble." Details: Overall, according to Haidai, the Russians opened fire on residential areas of Luhansk Region 25 times during the course of 2 May. Most of these strikes were on Sievierodonetsk, Rubizhne, Popasna, and Hirska Municipality. At the same time, on the Luhansk Region and Donetsk Region fronts, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have successfully repelled 12 enemy attacks over the past 24 hours.
A Silver Alert has been issued for a 32-year-old man who has been reported missing, according to the N.C. Center for Missing Persons.

Jesse Rabbat DeRoberts was last seen at the Red Roof Inn on Lenoir Rhyne Blvd SE in Hickory.

The N.C. Center for Missing Persons said DeRoberts may have been diagnosed with dementia or some other cognitive impairment.

ALSO READ: Missing 72-year-old Kings Mountain man found, police say

DeRoberts is described as 4 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 85 pounds. He has short blond hair and blue eyes.

The Hickory Police Department said it believes DeRoberts may have been heading to Lenior or possibly Florida.

Officials have not released a photo of the man.

Anyone with information about DeRoberts whereabouts should call Cameron Beal at the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.

(WATCH BELOW: Silver Alert issued for missing 72-year-old Kings Mountain man with cognitive disabilities)




















May 3AUBURN  A judge sentenced a South Paris woman Monday to spend two years of an eight-year prison sentence behind bars after she drove drunk and slammed head-on into another car in Mechanic Falls, seriously injuring the other driver.

Heather Folsom, 37, had pleaded guilty last month to seven charges related to the crash, including aggravated assault, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Her harshest sentence was imposed on that charge.

The crash occurred just before 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14, 2020, near Sawyer Bridge Road at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Lane Road.

Folsom drove a 2016 Volkswagen, which rolled over after the collision. Dennis Berube of Auburn, who was 56 at that time, was driving a 2006 Toyota Avalon southbound when the cars collided.

Assistant District Attorney Patricia Mador told Androscoggin County Superior Court Justice Harold Stewart II that reconstruction experts recovered data from the two vehicles and learned that, at the moment of impact, Folsom's speed was 89 mph in a 45 mph zone; the accelerator was 100%, meaning her foot was pressed all the way down on the gas pedal.

Folsom's blood/alcohol level was 0.286 % or higher than three times the legal limit at the time of the crash, Mador said.

Shortly before the crash, Folsom's car had been reported to police for having passed a tractor-trailer truck on state Route 26 in Poland in the breakdown lane, striking the truck and the guardrail in the process, Mador told the judge.

When rescue crews arrived at the crash scene, they had to cut Berube's car open to free him from the debris.

He spent 52 days in the hospital, 16 days of that time in a medically induced coma. He underwent six surgeries to reattach his spine to his shattered pelvis and medical procedures aimed at repairing fractured leg bones as well as organ damage.

He was released from rehabilitation in a wheelchair and was walking with a cane in the courtroom Monday.

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Folsom pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal operating under the influence, driving to endanger and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, all felony-level charges, each punishable by up to five years in prison. She also admitted to misdemeanor-level charges of driving to endanger and leaving the scene of an accident.

She will serve shorter sentences on the other charges at the same time as aggravated assault sentence, Stewart ordered. On the drunken driving charge, Folsom will lose her license for six years and was fined $2,100.

Family members of the defendant and victim spoke to the judge, the former seeking leniency in sentencing, the latter seeking the harshest punishment.

Folsom had lost her grandmother and mother before the crash and had begun drinking heavily to self-medicate for the depression she was experiencing, her family members said.

She had no criminal history nor history of driving infractions, her attorney, Allan Lobozzo, told the judge.

Berube told the judge he was traveling on the job as a tax assessor when the crash occurred.

It was after leaving the hospital and "acute" rehabilitation, Berube said, that "I began serving my life sentence."

A children's hockey coach for decades leading up to the crash, Berube said he will never skate again and be able to share his passion with others.

"The sense of loss is overwhelming," he said.

He said he is taking full responsibility for his grueling recovery adhering to a rigorous physical therapy regimen.

Berube said he suffers now from searing pain from nerve damage every night that keep him in agony.

He now works 20 hours a week "because it's all I can bear," he said.

"The defendant has had a chance to get her whole life back," Berube said. "I do not. She may not drink again and her life would then be better. I am only glad about that because that would mean she would not destroy another person's life."

Folsom apologized to Berube and his family, adding she didn't remember 90% of what happened the day of the crash.

"There's nothing that I could say to you guys that will change the way you feel about me and what happened," she told the Berube family gathered in the courtroom.

"But I'm not a bad person," she said. "I'm not criminal. I've done everything I can to change the way I was when this happened."

When she is released from prison, Folsom will be on probation for three years during which time she must not have any alcohol or illegal drugs for which she may be searched and tested at random, Justice Stewart said.

She must undergo substance abuse disorder evaluation and treatment, including an in-patient program if recommended by her probation officer, Steward said.

Folsom may not enter any establishment whose primary purpose is to serve alcohol. She may not drive a motor vehicle ATV or snowmobile, Stewart said.

She must perform 288 hours of community service, Stewart said.
Courtesy of HBO

Theres no shortage of goosebump-inducing moments in the 2006 coming-of-age musical Spring Awakeningor in the new HBO documentary about it, Spring Awakening: Those Youve Known. But, as original cast member Jonathan Groff highlights in the film, one moment in particular stands out as the perfect distillation of the shows essence.

On stage, a young man with a shock of messy hair, teased and gelled into a gravity-defying punk rock style, pulls a microphone out of the jacket pocket of his 19th century school uniform.

This is John Gallagher Jr. playing Moritz Stiefel, an anxious teenager tormented by the changes brought by adolescence. He is in the middle of a Latin lesson, surrounded by classmates in identical outfits and identical states of horny teen angst. Over an electric guitar riff, he launches into the first verse of The Bitch of Living, a song about the agony of puberty. His voice is all Billie Joe Armstrong as he spits out lyrics like, She said, Give me that hand, please and the itch you cant control / Let me teach you how to handle all the sadness in your soul.

Courtesy of HBO

The song is irresistibly catchy, the lyrics are funny, and Gallaghers performance is mesmerizing. The juxtaposition between the setting of Germany in the 1800s and the sexed-up, unmistakably rock-and-roll music, all playing out on a Broadway stage, is nothing short of magical. The sound of John Gallagher singing the beginning of Bitch of Living is Spring Awakening, Groff says emphatically in the documentary.

More specifically, Spring Awakening is a rock musical adapted from Frank Wedekinds 1891 play of the same name about the struggles of children coming of age in a sexually oppressive culture. Written by Steven Sater with music by Duncan Sheik, it infuses the plays original setting with raw, unflinching contemporary music to capture the timelessness of its themes. In addition to Groff and Gallagher, it starred Lea Michele before her ascent to fame on Glee. The musical became a cultural phenomenon, winning eight Tony Awards, turning its young stars into celebrities, and attracting screaming audiences of obsessive fans.

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Does Lea Michele Deserve a Comeback?

Premiering on HBO on Tuesday, Spring Awakening: Those Youve Known offers a behind-the-scenes look at last years reunion concert in honor of the shows 15th anniversary. The one-night-only event brought together the original Broadway cast to raise money for the Actors Fund. Directed by Michael John Warren, the poignant documentary combines performances from the anniversary concert with footage from the original run, both on and off stage. The clips are woven together by revelatory interviews with members of the cast and crew.

Reader, it is here that I must issue a warning. Do not watch Spring Awakening: Those Youve Known unless you are prepared to cry and cry. And headbang to songs that rock hard enough to convert even the most stubborn Broadway musical cynic. And then cry some more.

I dont know that I ever thought we would ever do this again, says Lauren Pritchard, who played Ilse in Spring Awakening and had the initial idea for the reunion. There was never fucking anything like this thats ever happened on the Broadway stage. Within three minutes, the waterworks come when the cast first steps out onto the stage for the concert to deafening applause, all of them crying and soaking up the significance of their togetherness in that room again after all those years.

Courtesy of HBO

Most of them teenagers when they first started working on Spring Awakening, they are now in their thirties and have gone on to have successful careers on Broadway, and in TV and film. Groffs impressive resume includes leading the Netflix serial killer drama Mindhunter, making several TV and movie appearances, and originating the role of King George in Hamilton. Pitch Perfect star Skylar Astin played a minor but memorable character in Spring Awakening, a schoolboy obsessed with his piano teachers cleavage. And Lea Michele is, well, Lea Michele.

The throwback footage from 2006, however, shows them all as unknown teens, just like the characters they play. They navigate unrequited crushes, goof off in their dressing rooms, and sprawl across each others laps in the downtime during rehearsals. In the first rehearsal for the reunion in 2021, Groff is brought to tears by Michele singing the shows opening number, Mama Who Bore Me, her voice as stunning and clear as ever. Watching her sing that song, I was like, Oh my God, he explains. I saw this 19-year-old girl memory and I just lost my mind.

Much of Those Youve Known focuses on the platonic love between Groff and Michele, the closeness of their bond a testament to the emotional intensity of the show that brought them together. They played Melchior and Wendla, respectively, two kids who consummate their confusing, powerful new feelings for each other in a hayloft, resulting in Wendlas pregnancy and tragic death from a botched abortion.

During their time doing Spring Awakening, Michele was deeply in love with her co-star, and he was an in-the-closet gay 20-year-old. They became best friends. At one point, Michele hilariously recounts the time that she satisfied Groffs curiosity about female anatomy by showing him her vagina with a desk lamp.

Early reports of the anecdote went viral last weekcompletely out of context, of coursebut in the film, it is a genuinely endearing reminiscence between two lifelong friends. Those Youve Known is Micheles first major project since being accused by former co-stars of microaggressions and rude behavior on the set of Glee. The film doesnt address the controversy, for which Michele has apologized, but it does quietly remind viewers of her preternatural talent and star power.

The musical performances are unsurprisingly incredibleat turns full of fury and sadness, of lust and emotional longing. Ultimately, though, Spring Awakening: Those Youve Known is a love letter to theater and its ability to make people feel seen. It captures the effect that the heaviness of the material had on its young performers, who night after night acted out suicide, abuse, and grief, but persevered because of the letters they got from fans telling them the show saved their lives.

I think thats kind of what got us through it every night, says cast member Lilli Cooper near the films end, knowing how important it was to tell that story.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The Stanislaus County District Attorneys office said Friday it will not file charges against a sheriffs deputy who shot and killed a 16-year-old last May.

Deputy Gerardo Zazueta fatally shot Xander Mann on May 18 during a vehicle pursuit after Mann fled from other deputies during a traffic stop.

Mann, a Riverbank resident, died May 21. Four other teens were in the car with him at the time.

The actions of the involved sheriffs deputy do not rise to the level of criminal conduct that would warrant the filing of criminal charges, the DAs Office wrote in an 11-page memo sent Wednesday to Sheriff Jeff Dirkse.

According to the DAs findings, Mann endangered the law enforcement officers when he escalated the traffic stop to a felony pursuit. The office found he attempted to use his vehicle as a weapon against law enforcement officers from multiple agencies as they pursued him and he attempted to escape.

Other teens who were in the car told investigators Mann said he was afraid hed get into trouble or be sent away because of his prior juvenile criminal record and the fact that he was in the states care. The teens said they tried to get Mann to stop but he refused and yelled at them.

The passengers in the car understood the seriousness/danger of the situation and all but Mann raised their hands to surrender, the memo read.

Modesto Police officers hit Manns car using approved pursuit intervention techniques (PIT) in an effort to stop him, but he continued driving  even backwards at one point, according to camera footage released by the office. After Zazueta attempted a second PIT maneuver, Manns car spun out and deputies were eventually able to close in and triangulate their patrol cars around Mann.

At that time, Mann attempted to accelerate toward deputies and their vehicles. Zazueta then fired either two or three shots.

In a statement, Zazueta said he did not feel there was any room for Manns car between the patrol cars, and he thought Mann was going to hit him.

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Zazueta did not have his body camera turned on at the time of the shooting, which Sheriff Dirkse attributed to the rapid nature of how this critical incident unfolded when camera footage from other deputies was released in the days following the shooting.

Additionally, the DA found much of the evidence difficult to assess because the incident happened quickly and involved moving vehicles.

The importance/relevance of the available physical evidence was further lessened due to the fact that Mann was not stationary when the shooting occurred, and his vehicle traveled some distance forcing the patrol cars to also move, the office said.

In a statement, Sgt. Darwin Hatfield said Manns car came close enough to scuff the bumper of his patrol car. He noted he didnt feel any impact but hadnt seen the scuff during a pre-shift inspection. He also believed in the moment he was close enough to be hit even harder than Mann apparently did.

Manns autopsy showed he had metabolites of cocaine in his system, but not at levels that would explain his irrational choices, the DAs office said.

Manns family has also filed a civil lawsuit against the county, seeking millions in damages for alleged wrongful death, excessive force, negligence and assault and battery. The most recent memo was filed April 8.

The lawsuit says Mann was trying to surrender when Zazueta shot him.

The lawsuit also accuses Dirkse of immediately defending Gerardo Zazueta, the deputy who shot Mann, and trying to influence the publics perception of the shooting in favor of law enforcement by releasing incomplete and misleading circumstances of the shooting, and downplaying or ignoring the several violations of policy committed by (Zazueta) during the course of the incident.

The lawsuit alleges Zazuetas violations include not turning his body camera on, shooting at a moving vehicle as well as failing to follow the Sheriffs Departments vehicle pursuit policy. The lawsuit claims this incident is part of a pattern of a dozen incidents of excessive force by deputies in recent years.

Mark Merin, the Sacramento-based attorney representing Manns family in the lawsuit, said in an interview with the Modesto Bee on Friday afternoon, he wasnt surprised about the District Attorneys decision. He noted that the county has not charged any deputy in a similar case in known memory.

Deputy Justin Wall, who was charged with voluntary manslaughter in San Joaquin County after shooting a Modesto woman in 2017 in a chase that moved over county lines, was acquitted in December.

Merin said this case should have resulted in charges because of what he said was one of the most malicious, unjustifiable uses of force hes seen.

He also said Manns car should not have been categorized as a weapon because he was driving by  not at  Zazueta at the time of the shooting. He noted that the bullets went through the side of the car and not the front, although the DAs office attributed that to Zazuetas perception of the cars location.

Merin believes the lack of camera footage contributes to the confusion about what Zazueta might have seen that night.

Were very disturbed that the officer did not have his body-worn camera operating, Merin said. That would have answered this question clearly.
Reuters

NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, France (Reuters) - The Russian military's failure to seize the Ukrainian capital was inevitable because in the preceding years they had never directly faced a powerful enemy, according to a former mercenary with the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group who fought alongside the Russian army. Marat Gabidullin took part in Wagner Group missions on the Kremlin's behalf in Syria and in a previous conflict in Ukraine, before deciding to go public about his experience inside the secretive private military company. He quit the Wagner group in 2019, but several months before Russia launched the invasion on Feb. 24 Gabidullin, 55, said he received a call from a recruiter who invited him to go back to fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.
The high court appears to overturn the landmark abortion rights case, according to a copy of the draft obtained by Politico.

The U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn the landmark abortion rights case ruling Roe v. Wade, according to a leaked opinion draft obtained by Politico and published Monday night.

Abortion opponents and supporters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 25, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

The outlet reported that a copy of the opinion from Justice Samuel Alito reveals an unflinching repudiation of the 1973 ruling that granted women the right to terminate a pregnancy, as well as Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a 1992 case that upheld Roe v. Wade.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, Justice Alito wrote, according to the document that has been reviewed by former Supreme Court clerks who told MSNBC that the draft appears to be authentic. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

Politico reported that it received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case that is not expected to come down from the high court until June. The outlet also reported that it received other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

While it has not been confirmed, this leak may mark the first time a Supreme Court opinion has been disclosed before a ruling has been announced.

In this April 23, 2021, file photo, members of the Supreme Court pose for a group photo at the Supreme Court in Washington. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

In the opinion draft, Justice Alito compared the issue of abortion to racial discrimination. Roe v. Wade, the conservative opinion noted, is parallel to Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 case that upheld racial segregation in the United States and created the separate but equal doctrine. That ruling remained law until it was overturned by the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was quoted by Alito in his opinion, said that Plessy v. Ferguson was egregiously wrong on the day it was decided.

The case that the Supreme Court is set to rule on that would overturn a nearly 50-year legal precedent involves the abortion clinic Jackson Womens Health Organization, which challenged the State of Mississippis 2018 abortion law, the Gestational Age Act, that outlaws the procedure after 15 weeks and does not make exceptions for rape or incest.

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Shortly after the news, Democratic members of Congress and advocates decried the likely ruling from the Supreme Court.

U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Monday night, As weve warned, SCOTUS isnt just coming for abortion  theyre coming for the right to privacy Roe rests on, which includes gay marriage + civil rights. She added, Manchin is blocking Congress codifying Roe. House has seemingly forgotten about Clarence Thomas. These 2 points must change.

Ocasio-Cortezs fellow member of The Squad, U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley also tweeted a reaction to the opinion draft, plainly writing, Abortion care is a fundamental human right and we must legislate like it.

Abortion care is a fundamental human right and we must legislate like it.  Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) May 3, 2022

Expand the Court. The lives of women across this country depend on it, tweeted U.S. Congressman Mondaire Jones, a member of the House Judiciary Committee.

The potential end of Roe v. Wade has been long anticipated, as conservative groups have for years lobbied for its overturning. One of those groups, the Federalist Society, compiled lists of judges for President Donald Trump to choose from in making his Supreme Court nominee decisions. All three of his appointed justices, who now make up the conservative majority on the court, appeared on those lists.

For years, Republicans have become increasingly hostile toward abortion. States controlled by the GOP began defunding Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the nation, while some states enacted laws restricting the procedure.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, more than 100 restrictive abortion laws have been enacted in the United States since last year.

Pro-choice activists, politicians and others associated with Planned Parenthood gather for a news conference and demonstration at City Hall against the Trump administrations title X rule change on February 25, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

In a public statement in response to the Supreme Court opinion draft, Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson said, Lets be clear: Abortion is legal. It is still your right.

This leaked opinion is horrifying and unprecedented, and it confirms our worst fears: that the Supreme Court is prepared to end the constitutional right to abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade. While we have seen the writing on the wall for decades, it is no less devastating, and comes just as anti-abortion rights groups unveil their ultimate plan to ban abortion nationwide, the statement reads.

Understand that Planned Parenthood and our partners have been preparing for every possible outcome in this case and are built for the fight. Planned Parenthood health centers remain open, abortion is currently still legal, and we will continue to fight like hell to protect the right to access safe, legal abortion.

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The post Supreme Court voted to overturn abortion rights ruling Roe v. Wade in leaked opinion draft appeared first on TheGrio.
Wilmann Vil had just published a video report questioning the circumstances surrounding the brutal killing of a Haitian national police divisional inspector by armed men in the hills above Port-au-Prince when the first menacing call came, warning him that he wasnt careful as a journalist and not all truths should be revealed, he recalls.

Refusing to be dissuaded, Vil says he continued with his investigation of the New Years Day death of Dan Jerry Toussaint, a former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant who was in charge of the police sub-station in Thomassin 25 when he was shot in the head during an anti-gang police operation.

Five days after Toussaint was gunned down, Vil returned to the hillside to continue his reporting. Two other journalists, John Wesley Amady and Wilguens Louis-Saint, were working on the same story when the three ran into each other on a windswept mountaintop and decided to make the visit to a gang leader together.

After getting the go-ahead from the leader to advance, the three found themselves under a hail of gunfire as they attempted to cross a river dividing rival gang territories. Amady and Louis-Saint were killed.

We didnt see anyone, just bullets raining down on us, Vil said. There was nothing I could do for them except run.

Vil is now on the run, he says, forced to flee Haiti after his life and that of his family were threatened because of the report he did on Toussaints still unsolved murder, and what he knows about the inner workings of Haitian gangs who have been increasingly expanding their grip throughout the country.

The murder of his two fellow journalists, along with that of photojournalist Maxiben Lazarre a month later while covering a workers strike in Port-au-Prince, has made Haiti the most dangerous place in the hemisphere today for a journalist, according to the New York based Committee to Protect Journalists .

We just see a clear deterioration for conditions for the press to operate in Haiti, and all of this is underlined by total impunity in the cases of violence against journalists, said Ana Cristina Nunez, senior researcher for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Committee.

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The killings of the three journalist in the first two months of this year have earned the volatile Caribbean nation its dubious recognition as the plight of media workers around the globe get highlighted Tuesday on World Press Freedom Day.

Among the cases of the killing of Haitian journalists over the past four years is that of photojournalist Vladjimir Legagneur, who went went missing in 2018. Considered dead, Legagneur was killed while working on an independent project inside the Port-au-Prince slum of Grand Ravine. A year later, radio journalist Nehemie Joseph was killed in the countrys Central Plateau region.

CPJ became aware of Vils case after putting out a statement following the killing of Amady and Louis-Saint, and has been helping him since his deadly escape and ongoing threats, Nunez said.

There is no case reported in the last year of violence against the press where authorities have been able to identify those responsible and bring justice to the families, Nunez said. So this perpetuates the cycle of violence and impunity.

The United Nations office in Haiti said Tuesday that the three journalists killed earlier this year are among 16 journalists killed in Haiti since 2000. In a statement, it urged public authorities to do everything possible to prevent and punish crimes committed against journalists and encourage media professionals to reflect on issues relating to professional ethics and compliance with the code of ethics and professional conduct for Haitian media and journalists adopted in 2011.

In Haiti, the insecurity of journalists and the expected impunity risk encouraging violations of many human rights other than freedom of expression and freedom of the press, while encouraging other forms of crime, the UN said. On this World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations would like to remind all national actors and the population in general of the central dimension of press freedom in safeguarding democracy and the State of law in Haiti.

Vil, 31, is part of a new generation of Haitian journalists who, born and raised in blighted urban areas, have garnered an unusual access to Haitis deadly gangs  access that has raised concerns about their penchant for risks and lack of journalistic and safety training.

Using their relationships and video cameras, the journalists take viewers inside the sordid world of gang members as they gather weapons, make death threats and promote their violence as a just cause. Overnight, the videos have helped transform gang leaders into instant celebrities, leading to debate in Haitian society about who should and shouldnt have access to a journalists microphone.

A video Vil released in the past week has triggered another debate while sending shock waves through Haitian society. It shows a 10-year-old boy with his face covered, holding an automatic black M4 rifle, his tiny hands barely able to grasp it securely. The video was shot Dec. 6 across the street from a police sub-station in the Martissant neighborhood in Port-au-Prince. The station had just been attacked and raided by gang leader Izo 5 Segonn, who controls a significant portion of the Village of God slum all the way to Martissant.

In the video, a presumed gang member is seen walking back and forth while wearing a Haiti National Police uniform.

Weve hit the ground to confront our opponent Christla, the 10-year-old says in Haitian Creole, as Vils voice can be heard in the background explaining how the gang attack forced the police to flee and rival gang leader Christla had his people waiting down the road. Christlas guys are hiding inside the armored truck and they need to step down and fight.

The 10-year-old goes on to explain in a longer clip that hes from the rice-growing Artibonite Valley, north of Port-au-Prince, but is now living in Martissant.

Until nine days ago, when chaos and violence broke out on the eastern edge of metropolitan Port-au-Prince leading to a least 20 deaths, Martissant had been ground zero in the countrys surging gang violence. At least five gangs operate in the area, including one that flies the American flag and calls itself Team America, according to Vil, who says he has exclusive video of the group.

The gangs have been able to control the main road at the southern entrance of the capital, cutting off access to four regional departments of Haiti, including those devastated by last years deadly Aug. 14 earthquake. They have also been able to control access to a strategic seaport and fuel terminal in the Martissant area.

Vil says he released the video because he wanted to wake Haitians and the world to whats happening in the country, where children as young as 8 are armed.

Eighty percent of Haitian youth are in gangs.... I asked myself where the future of this country is headed, he said.

I published it to bring the attention of the government in Haiti, to show them that they didnt do their job and today these children, who were living on the streets, have been recruited by the gangs, Vil added.

Vil said his information on gang activities in Haiti comes from his own investigation and his ability to walk through all of the ghettos to get information before he was forced into self-exile.

His years of work, he said, have allowed him to amass a library of unseen videos that until now he hasnt been unable to make public.

In the four months since the killing of his fellow journalists, Vil said there have been efforts to use close associates and friends to try and lure him into a trap.

I spent four months hiding in Haiti with my wife and child, and have since left, but I am still in difficulty at this moment, he said.

There are a lot of journalists who have been killed, and when they die the government doesnt say anything, he added. A career as a journalist in Haiti is very difficult. When a young person says hes going to go study journalism, for his parents its like a child who has died.

In Haiti, its a sacrifice when you decide to be a journalist because the bandit is protected, he has a big patron, he added. Journalists are not protected.
GREENACRES  A 17-year-old male who survived being shot at in Greenacres last month was killed Tuesday morning in a drive-by shooting, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies responded shortly after 10 a.m. to a call in the 500 block of Fleming Avenue, about three-quarters of a mile southwest of John I. Leonard High School, and found the teen deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

PBSO investigators have not disclosed the name of the teen, but said he was the same person wounded in a shooting April 13 outside a medical office in the 4900 block of 10th Avenue North.

Click here to view the homicides tracker in a larger window 

Death penalty: Jonathan Schuler guilty of murder in death-penalty case. Now jurors to recommend if he lives or dies

Gunman sought: 'We can bring justice to this family': West Palm police offer $40K reward in child's fatal shooting

6 dead near Delray Beach: PBSO: Teen recorded high-speed driving videos in weeks before fatal Delray-area crash

At the time, investigators said a juvenile was shot in the abdomen during an attack that occurred in front of multiple witnesses.

On Tuesday, the same teen was shot as he was walking out of a residence, PBSO said. Detectives are investigating the incident as a homicide. Authorities have neither named a person of interest nor a motive as of Tuesday afternoon.

The homicide is the second reported in Greenacres this year and is one of 25 in Palm Beach County, according to a Palm Beach Post database.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477).

jwhigham@pbpost.com

@JuliusWhigham

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Drive-by shooting in Greenacres kills teen targeted in prior attack
Elizabeth Edkin teaches 3rd grade English and language arts class at Sheffield Elementary School on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021.

A new Tennessee funding formula for K-12 education is projected to generate $139 million more for students in Shelby County school districts, compared to funds generated under the current, 30-year-old formula.

The expected funding bump from the new formula won't close the gap between what the state calculates students in Shelby County need for education and the higher amount local government spends.

Most Shelby County districts, because of additional local funding to the old formula, already receive funding beyond the amounts they are expected to see from the new formula alone, a Commercial Appeal analysis found.

Of the seven public school districts in the county, Lakeland's growing school district is the lone district projected to gain more from the new formula alone than it will actually receive to spend toward education in 2023, the last fiscal year of the current formula.

The new formula, called the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, or TISA, promises to simplify the way districts are funded by providing money tied to individual students instead of resources a school district needs.

Local governments are still required to maintain education funding at previous levels under TISA, an existing requirement known as maintenance of effort. The law has existed under the current formula, called the Basic Education Program or BEP, and accounts for the regular local funding contributions boosting school district budgets beyond the figures determined by the state formula.

Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced the funding plan in February. The plan faced scrutiny, but ultimately passed as a final act of the Tennessee General Assembly last week.

Shelby County legislators were mixed on the formula, which did not pass on partisan lines. Some of the only Democratic votes of support came from Shelby County representatives, including state Sens. Raumesh Akbari and London Lamar and state Rep. Antonio Parkinson.

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Lee signed the new formula into law Monday from his high school alma mater in Franklin.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signs the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement act, Monday, May 2, 2022 in Franklin, Tenn., in the auditorium of his alma mater, Franklin High School.

Four Shelby districts receive lower share state funds

While TISA formula generates $1 billion in new education funding for Tennessee students, a new funding ratio means the increase will fall to the state, which will raise its K-12 education contribution from $5.19 billion per year to $6.26 billion.

The total required funding from all local governments across the state will remain the same. Under TISA, the local government contribution as a whole will account for 30% of total funding while the state covers 70%.

All Shelby county school districts will benefit from the TISA funding bump, but most will also get a smaller proportion of state funding under TISA than they did under BEP.

Education funding: How Tennessee's new education plan is changing the share of the pie for school districts

In this way, Shelby county's districts reflect what is happening across the state, where nearly two-thirds of school districts, although receiving more in actual dollars, are receiving a lower percentage of state funds than under the previous formula, an analysis by The Tennessean and The Commercial Appeal found.

The Tennessean and The Commercial Appeal conducted its analyses using numbers from the Sycamore Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, that it received from Tennessee Department of Education on March 31.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools will receive a similar share of the total state education funding under the new formula, as will Germantown. Lakeland will receive more. Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville and Millington will get a smaller share of state funding under TISA.

MSCS is funded locally by Shelby County. Municipal districts also receive most of their local funding from county revenues, but receive some funding from their respective municipal governments.

The new state-to-local ratio is key to determining how the proposed formula would shift funding responsibilities. Using a single ratio is a key departure from the BEP, which relies on three different ratios of state and local funding shares depending on what's being funded.

The single ratio means fewer calculations in the new formula, Schwinn has said. Using the proposed new ratio also lowers the amount of funding local governments contribute.

"The proposed 70/30 split under the TISA proposal simplifies the split calculations and ensures that statewide local contribution is less under the TISA than under the BEP and would remain so in future years," the Tennessee Department of Education told The Commercial Appeal and The Tennessean.

Shelby top contributor beyond local funding requirement

What is required of local governments to chip into education funding has been a source of debate and controversy in the past and was again at issue as lawmakers considered the passage of TISA.

In a January 2020 report, the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations found that for the 2017-18 school year, local governments paid $1.7 billion beyond the the BEP's requirements. A similar gap is projected to exist under TISA.

In 2017-18, TACIR found, half of the $1.7 billion was paid by Davidson, Shelby, Williamson and Knox counties.

For many years, TACIR reports have suggested the state recalibrate how it determines what local governments should pay toward the local funding portion of the formula. This measurement, called fiscal capacity, is calculated based on much local counties can afford to pay based on their tax-generating bases.

As recently as December 2020, the authors of the TACIR report again said the state should consider making that calculation at the school district level, rather than at the county level, because of the number of counties in Tennessee that have multiple school systems.

Authors of the report said, "A system-level fiscal capacity model would account for these intra-county differences and essentially eliminate intra-county disparities across school systems."

A change to a system-level fiscal capacity model would impact counties like Shelby, which has multiple school systems.

Tennessean reporter Adam Friedman contributed to this story.

Laura Testino covers education and children's issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @LDTestino

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What new education funding formula means for MSCS, municipal schools
BERLIN (AP)  Germany's top court said Tuesday that it has rejected the appeal of a former member of Syria's secret police who was convicted last year of facilitating the torture of prisoners in his home country.

In a landmark ruling, a court in the western German city of Koblenz had convicted Eyad Al-Gharib of accessory to crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 4 1/2 years in prison. The verdict, which was the first time that a court outside Syria ruled in a case alleging Syrian government officials committed crimes against humanity, was welcomed by human rights activists and victims of President Bashar Assads repression.

Al-Gharib, 45, had appealed the sentence, noting that his testimony to German investigators provided significant evidence for the subsequent conviction of a second, more senior Syrian former official.

The Federal Court of Justice said it found no legal errors in the verdict or sentence imposed by the Koblenz court, meaning that ruling cannot now be challenged.
Map of Turkmenistan

Known for its autocratic government and large gas reserves, Turkmenistan also has a reputation as an island of stability in restive Central Asia.

Despite its gas wealth, much of Turkmenistan's population is still impoverished. After independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 the country entered a period of isolation that has only recently begun to end.

Turkmenistan produces roughly 70 billion cubic metres of natural gas each year, and about two-thirds of its exports go to Russia's Gazprom gas monopoly.

The government has sought out gas deals with several other countries, including China and neighbouring Iran, in order to reduce its dependency on Russia.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

FACTS

LEADER

President: Serdar Berdymukhamedov

Turkmen President Serdar Berdymukhamedov

Serdar Berdymukhamedov took over in March 2022 as the third president of the authoritarian state.

His father Gurbanguly had become president in 2007, on the death of his own mentor Saparmyrat Niyazov.

Like his predecessors, President Berdymukhamedov wields absolute power, and is the focus of a personality cult in the state-run media.

MEDIA

The government has an absolute monopoly of the media and state TV and radio pump out a steady stream of propaganda.

Reporters Without Borders has called Turkmenistan "an ever-expanding news black hole".

Foreign news and opposition websites are blocked and international social networks are often inaccessible.

Read full media profile

TIMELINE

Some key events in Turkmenistan's history:

6th century BC - Area of what is now Turkmenistan forms part of the Persian Empire of Cyrus the Great.

1881 - Area of present-day Turkmenistan incorporated into Russian Turkestan after Battle of Gok Tepe.

1925 - Turkmenistan becomes a fully-fledged constituent republic of the USSR. It does not gain independence until 1991.

2009 December - Pipeline opened for gas exports to China, breaking Russia's stranglehold on Turkmenistan's energy reserves.
LAPD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating two recent incidents in which off-duty LAPD officers fired bullets into their neighbors' apartments, according to LAPD Chief Michel Moore.

No one was injured in either shooting, though the neighbors were home in one of the incidents, Moore told the department's civilian oversight commission at its weekly meeting Tuesday. Both occurred outside L.A., though Moore did not say where.

The two shootings were among three "unintentional discharges" of firearms by LAPD officers between April 22 and April 28, a cluster that Moore called "unique."

In the first incident, an off-duty officer recently out of the police academy and still on probation was removing a gun from a holster at his home about 11:15 p.m. on April 22 when he inadvertently fired a round into the wall of his apartment, Moore said.

The round landed inside an adjacent apartment. The occupants were not home, Moore said.

In the second incident, an off-duty officer had "just finished cleaning his pistol" at his apartment about 3:25 p.m. on April 27 when he also fired a round into his apartment wall and into an adjoining apartment, Moore said.

Although two people were in that adjoining apartment, no one was injured, Moore said.

The third incident, about 6:23 a.m. the next day, involved an on-duty traffic officer accidentally shooting a bullet into the floor of a detective squad room at the West Traffic Division while handling a co-worker's firearm, Moore said.

Moore did not name any of the officers.

Moore said that the string of shootings in such a short period of time concerned him and that investigators had been advised to look for "any identified overlap" among them during their reviews of the cases, though none was expected.

"I'll report back to the commission should there be any such anomalies," he said.

Moore said the incidents heighten concerns for him that officers are not handling firearms properly. Another recent situation also worried Moore. In that one, he said, a body-worn camera video showed that an officer who had seized a firearm in the field handled it in unsafe ways.

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Such incidents either reflect "carelessness or a lack of familiarity" by an officer with a firearm they are handling  both of which are unacceptable given the potential implications, Moore said.

"Guns do not fire by themselves. It takes involvement with an officer and his or her manipulation of that firearm," Moore said.

Officers are required to report unintentional shootings to the department. Moore said there were four unintentional shootings by officers in 2018, 11 in 2019, five in 2020 and eight in 2021.

The three recent ones were the only unintentional shootings reported this year.

Moore said all three would be thoroughly investigated, with the findings brought before the commission. Commissioners also asked Moore to consider whether anything more could be done to prevent such incidents from occurring.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy spoke to a crowd in San Francisco on Monday. He said isolation and loneliness was made worse during the coronavirus pandemic and that there can be physical health consequences. He says the problem spans all ages and that building meaningful relationships is key to reversing the downward spiral, but that it's up to individuals and institutions like workplaces and schools to implement these changes.
May 3The UConn men's basketball program bid an early goodbye to a quartet of players this offseason, but two of them won't be far from the program.

Akok Akok, the junior forward who announced earlier this spring his intentions to transfer from the Huskies, has decided to continue his college basketball career at Georgetown.

Akok is the second Husky to announce plans to join another Big East program in the last two weeks. Guard Corey Floyd Jr. is transferring from UConn to Providence.

UConn will face the Friars and Hoyas at least twice each next season, meaning reunions with Akok and Floyd are already on the horizon.

Guard Jalen Gaffney, who is headed to Florida Atlantic, and guard Rahsool Diggins, who is bound for UMass, have also transferred from the Huskies this spring.

A 6-foot-9 forward from Manchester, New Hampshire, Akok finished his UConn career with 233 points, 214 rebounds, and 92 blocked shots in 55 games over three seasons.

In 23 games this past season, Akok averaged 3.4 points and 3.2 rebounds. His best game was a 12-points, five-rebound, three-block effort in a win over St. Bonaventure Dec. 11 in Newark, New Jersey.

Akok's UConn career was interrupted when he tore his Achilles tendon Feb. 16, 2020 in the Huskies' win over Memphis. At the time of the injury, Akok was 15th nationally in blocked shots per game.

Akok also considered West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Ohio State after opting to leave UConn.

Neill covers UConn men's basketball and UConn football teams, and he keeps a finger on the pulse of Connecticut sports. For live game updates, and more insight into UConn athletics, player transfers, and team changes, follow Neill on Twitter: @NeillOstrout, Facebook: JINeillO, and Instagram: @NeillOstrout.
People in Lviv, Ukraine, were told to seek shelter on Tuesday after multiple missile strikes were reported, knocking out power in parts of the city.

In messages posted to social media, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the airstrikes damaged two pumping stations and three power substations in the area, which is located along the Polish border.

According to the Associated Press, at least four distinct explosions could be heard from downtown Lviv around 8:30 p.m. local time  about an hour and a half after air-raid sirens sounded in the city.

It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

A Russian missile attack on Lviv on Tuesday. (Vladyslav Sodel/Reuters)

At least seven people were killed in missile strikes in Lviv on April 18, according to Ukrainian officials.

On Saturday, actress and activist Angelina Jolie made a surprise visit to Lviv while on a refugee mission. Maksym Kozytsky, head of Lvivs regional military administration, said Jolie spoke with displaced people as well as kids who were injured in the missile attack on the Kramatorsk railway station in April.

During her visit, air-raid sirens began to sound, reportedly prompting Jolie and her aides to exit the train station and rush to a waiting car.

Also over the weekend, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid a visit to Kyiv and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

We believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom, Pelosi told Zelensky. Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done.

Russia has mostly focused its months-long offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine, targeting cities and towns in the Donbas region. Shelling continued this week in the besieged port city of Mariupol, where hundreds of civilians remain holed up in the Azovstal steel plant. Evacuation efforts stalled on Monday, a day after about 100 civilians were able to leave the sprawling mill.

_____

What happened last week in Ukraine? Check out this explainer from Yahoo Immersive to find out.
STORY: On Tuesday, the European Commission was expected to finalize a ban on buying Russian oil in an effort to squeeze Moscow's war chest.

The U.S. Congress is considering a $33 billion military aid package, and the United Kingdom this week vowed an additional $375 million in defense assistance.

Ambassadors from EU countries will discuss the proposed oil sanctions when they meet on Wednesday (May 4).

In his address, Zelenskiy thanked the Albanian government for its military help, sanctions against Russia, and care for Ukrainian refugees.

Members of the Albanian parliament were seen giving Zelenskiy a standing ovation.

Since Russian troops invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 , bombardments have flattened cities, killed thousands of civilians and forced more than five million to flee the country.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine 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.
IRPIN, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine's prosecutor general accused Russia on Tuesday of using rape as a tactic of war and described Russian President Vladimir Putin as "the main war criminal of the 21st century".

Russia has previously denied targeting civilians and has rejected allegations that its forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine.

The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the accusations and has dismissed previous suggestions that Putin is a war criminal.

Visiting the devastated city of Irpin near Kyiv, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said Ukraine was collecting information on allegations of rape, torture and other suspected war crimes by Russian forces.

Venediktova said the allegations included the rape of women, men, children and an old woman. Asked whether rape was a deliberate Russian strategy in the war, she told a news conference: "I am sure actually that it was strategy."

"This is, of course, to scare civil society... to do everything to (force Ukraine to) capitulate," she said.

She provided no specific details of the rape allegations, saying some of the victims remained in Ukraine and were afraid of speaking out for fear of Russian forces returning.

Venediktova said Putin bore responsibility for what happened in Ukraine as commander-in-chief of the Russian armed forces.

"Putin is the main war criminal of the 21st century," she said, recalling Russian military interventions in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, Russia's Chechnya region, Syria and in Ukraine in 2014

"If we speak about (the) crime of aggression, we all know who started this war, and this person is Vladimir Putin," she said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in March dismissed as unforgivable a comment by U.S. President Joe Biden in which he said Putin was a war criminal.

(Reporting by Max Hunder, Writing by Timothy Heritage, Editing by Jon Boyle)
Clinics close to airports; training for out-of-state medics and a raft of legislation rushing through the state assembly: California's fight to keep abortion available to Americans redoubled Tuesday.

The liberal state -- America's most populous -- is leading the charge against the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, which is expected to throw out the federal law allowing abortion, giving states the right to make their own rules on one of the country's most divisive issues.

"California has long, long recognized the fundamental right to privacy and to control over one's own body," California senate's acting president Toni Atkins said Tuesday.

"And now we are going to make sure that right is enshrined in our (state) constitution. I will be introducing a constitutional amendment that will make it crystal clear that reproductive rights in California including and specifically abortion are protected.

"We will not back down. We will double down."

A draft from the Supreme Court leaked on Monday showed the country's top justices were readying to throw out the 1973 Roe vs Wade ruling that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion.

The leak ignited fury among supporters of abortion rights, who have been watching warily as conservative states -- led by Texas -- have begun chipping away at the bedrock law.

Democratic governors of blue- and blue-leaning states including California, New Mexico and Michigan swiftly announced plans to enshrine abortion rights into law even if the court overturns Roe.

"We have a Supreme Court that does not value the rights of women, and a political minority that will stop at nothing to take those rights away," California Governor Gavin Newsom said.

"They are undermining progress, and erasing the civil protections and rights so many have fought for over the last half century.

"We have to wake up. We have to fight like hell. We will not be silenced."

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- 'Extremist' -

Abortion providers said they were already working on providing services to women travelling from other states.

"We know one in four (women) will need abortion services in their reproductive lifetime," said Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.

"That doesn't go away because extremist politicians put forth bans."

Planned Parenthood operates about half of the 165 abortion clinics in California.

The organization has said it is treating about 80 patients from other states every month since Texas adopted a law allowing civil action against abortion providers.

Sue Dunlap, president of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, said she has spent the last few years reorganizing the network of clinics to put them closer to transport hubs like airports or bus stations.

"Los Angeles is a place that people identify with ideas of freedoms," Dunlap said, according to Calmatters.org. "Los Angeles is also a place that, when you dont know where to go, you come here."

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, which covers parts of California and Nevada, said on its website that it had treated dozens of out-of-state patients in the last few months, and was expanding to cope with more, with a new center opening this year.

"Reno's new state-of-the-art health center will have increased space for abortion services (and will be) conveniently located near the Reno airport and other transportation hubs, making it an ideal location for local and out-of-state patients."

hg/amz/jh
The US judge hearing the defamation suit filed by "Pirates of the Caribbean" star Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard rejected a defense request Tuesday to toss the case.

Lawyers for the 36-year-old "Aquaman" actress asked Judge Penney Azcarate to dismiss the suit after Depp's attorneys rested their case following three weeks of testimony in Fairfax County Circuit Court.

They claimed Depp had failed to prove he was defamed by a December 2018 op-ed published in The Washington Post in which Heard described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse."

"The court should grant the motion to strike because the undisputed evidence is that he did, in fact, abuse Amber," said Heard's lawyer Ben Rottenborn.

Depp's lawyer, Benjamin Chew, asked the judge to deny the motion, claiming it was Heard who is "the abuser in this courtroom."

Such a motion to dismiss is common in legal proceedings but is rarely granted.

The judge said enough evidence had been presented so far to allow the case to proceed, and she would leave it up to the seven-person jury to decide.

"If there is a scintilla of evidence that a reasonable juror could weigh, then the matter survives a motion to strike," she said.

Heard never named the 58-year-old Depp in the Post op-ed, but he sued her for implying he was a domestic abuser and is seeking $50 million in damages.

The Texas-born Heard countersued, asking for $100 million and claiming she suffered "rampant physical violence and abuse" at his hands.

Depp has denied ever being physically abusive towards Heard and claimed at the blockbuster trial that she was the one who was frequently violent.

Heard's lawyers began calling their own witnesses after Depp's side rested their case.

Heard is expected to take the witness stand herself this week.

Depp filed the defamation complaint in the United States after losing a separate libel case in London in November 2020 that he brought against The Sun for calling him a "wife-beater."

Depp, a three-time Oscar nominee, and Heard met in 2009 on the set of the film "The Rum Diary" and were married in February 2015. Their divorce was finalized two years later.

cl/to
President Joe Biden. AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Jen Psaki confirmed Biden is considering student-loan forgiveness for those making under $125,000 a year.

The Washington Post previously reported Biden was considering that income threshold.

Many Democrats are against the idea of targeted relief, wanting debt forgiven for all borrowers.

The White House confirmed reports that President Joe Biden is considering linking student-loan forgiveness to income.

"The president talked back on the campaign trail about taking steps or looking at steps to help people making less than $125,000 a year, so that is the frame through which he is making considerations at this point," Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday.

This confirms reporting over the weekend from The Washington Post, which stated Biden is looking at capping relief for individual student-loan borrowers earning less than $125,000 to $150,000, or $250,000 to $300,000 for couples who file joint tax returns.

The income threshold that Psaki floated is in line with Biden's original campaign plan. A White House official granted anonymity told Insider that no final decisions had been made on the matter.

The vast majority of borrowers would likely qualify. According to estimates from Matt Bruenig, founder of the left-leaning People's Policy Project, 95% of all student-debtors would be eligible if relief flowed to singles earning $125,000 or less and couples making $250,000 or below.

That would still be true if student debt relief was capped for individuals and couples earning below $125,000. In that scenario  79% of all student-debtors would be eligible.

Biden said during a speech last week that a decision on student-loan forgiveness will be made "in a couple of weeks," and while he said he is not considering $50,000 in relief for every federal borrower  an amount many progressive lawmakers have pushed for  he could end up fulfilling his $10,000 forgiveness campaign pledge. But subjecting the relief to income thresholds is something some Democrats particularly on the left would rather not see happen.

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New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told The Washington Post she has concerns with establishing income limits.

"I don't believe in a cutoff, especially for so many of the front-line workers who are drowning in debt and would likely be excluded from relief," Ocasio-Cortez said. "Canceling $50,000 in debt is where you really make a dent in inequality and the racial wealth gap. $10,000 isn't."

This differs from many Republican lawmakers' views. Not only do most of them not want to see any broad relief; they want to ensure it doesn't go to the highest earners. GOP Sen. Susan Collins previously told Insider loan forgiveness is "not fair" to those who repaid their debt over many years.

But Democrats are maintaining pressure on Biden to deliver broad and substantial relief to all federal borrowers. According to new data provided to Insider by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, canceling $50,000 in student debt would completely wipe out student-loan balances for 76% of borrowers.

"As this analysis clearly shows, cancelling student debt is a matter of racial justice and about providing relief to millions of hard-working people who invested in their education but are now drowning in debt," Warren said in a statement. "The more President Biden cancels, the more we narrow the racial wealth gap among borrowers and the bigger the boost to Americans' economic futures. This is the right thing to do."

Read the original article on Business Insider
MADISON -

A divided U.S. Supreme Court in 2021 left in effect a new law in Texas that prohibits abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and is one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation.

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the legislation in May. It bans abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy, and allows private citizens to sue abortion providers. There are no exemptions in cases of rape or incest.

Heres a primer on Wisconsins abortion laws and how they could be affected by court decisions.

More: What to know about Texas abortion law that bans the procedure once heartbeat is detected

Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed abortion legislation and has promised any new restrictions won't be signed into law. But what happens after 2022 if a new governor is elected is less clear.

What are Wisconsin's abortion laws?

Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin have passed legislation in recent years under former Gov. Scott Walker that bans abortions after five months of pregnancy and requires women to receive an ultrasound beforehand. Since 1996, women seeking abortions are required to participate in counseling and wait 24 hours before undergoing the procedure.

But Walker opposed making Wisconsin's other abortion laws more strict and in 2018 signaled he wouldn't sign legislation that banned abortions after six weeks.

Evers has vetoed abortion legislation and has promised any new restrictions won't be signed into law.

"I will always trust women to make decisions about their bodies and their health care," Evers tweeted, referencing the Supreme Court's decision to leave the Texas law in place.

Wisconsin 19th century law would take effect if Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case challenging a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks. Thats about two months earlier than whats allowed under Roe v. Wade and other decisions that have upheld a constitutional right to abortion.

Mississippi has asked the justices to overturn Roe. Such a ruling could result in dramatic changes in Wisconsin because the state has a 19th century law on the books that bans all abortions.

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That law has not been enforced for decades, but Roes opponents and supporters agree it would go back into effect if Roe were reversed.

The high court is expected to rule on the Mississippi case by the summer of 2022. By then, Wisconsin will be in the middle of campaigns for governor and U.S. senator.

Madison federal judge considering state rules

Separately, a federal judge in Madison is considering whether to strike down some of Wisconsins abortion laws.

U.S. District Judge William Conley presided over a trial in December in a lawsuit that challenges laws that prevent nurse practitioners from administering abortions and limit the availability of pills that induce abortions.

Conley has not said when he will issue a decision. However he rules, his decision is all but certain to be appealed to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.

You can find out who your legislators are and how to contact them here.

Contact Molly Beck at molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin abortion laws would be affected if Roe v. Wade overturned
I worked at Disney World. Jenna Parkany

I worked as a fur character at Disney World for 4 months during my Disney College Program.

The job was often very hot and exhausting, but there were safety measures in place to keep us cool.

I played multiple characters, and the adults were much harder to deal with than the children.

I spent four months in fur suits playing Winnie the Pooh, King Louie, and Chip 'n' Dale at Disney World during my Disney College Program.

Here are the answers to three questions that people always asks me:

Are there fans in the suits to keep you from overheating?

Two of my characters were Chip 'n' Dale. Jenna Parkany

Unfortunately, there aren't any fans inside the costumes for performers  although you may think there should be given the humid Florida climate.

But there are other ways Disney keeps its performers cool and safe.

Training schedules allow time for performers to get conditioned to the weight of the costumes as well as the heat. Plus, the areas where you typically find characters meeting outside are usually either covered or shaded.

Safety is always the No. 1 priority at Disney, and if a performer is experiencing distress on the job, it's taken very seriously.

How do they decide which and how many characters you play?

Different characters have different height requirements. Jenna Parkany

Some performers have up to 10 roles they're approved for, but others may have just one or two  it really just depends on your height and body measurements.

Since the company aims to keep physical consistency with each character, the various performers cast in each role have to be around the same size.

These height and measurement restrictions are also in place for performers' physical safety inside the costumes.

What happens when kids ask weird questions?

I also did shifts as a character attendant. Jenna Parkany

People may think whiny, scared, and fussy children would be the worst part of the job, but some of the worst interactions I had were actually with adults or teenagers.

Though many adults are there to celebrate and preserve the magic with their families, there were some who just wanted to make me break character. I'd get questions like "Is it hot in there?" or "Are you a boy or a girl?"

Story continues

Luckily, whenever I was working, I always had a front-facing character attendant nearby who could speak to the guests directly and field problems.

Since I couldn't speak or fully handle issues while I was in character in the costume, the attendants were the true heroes when it came to those rough guest interactions.

Read the original article on Insider
Supporters of Honduras' ruling National Party hold signs and flags reading "Honduras yes, abortion no" during a march

Supporters of Honduras' ruling National Party hold signs and flags reading "Honduras yes, abortion no" during a march against abortion at a rally attended by Nasry Asfura, the party's candidate for president in elections this month, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras November 7, 2021. Credit - Fredy RodriguezReuters

A few years ago, in a small home off an uneven road in Honduras, I got a little peek into what life is like when abortion is illegal.

There, I met a woman in her early 20s, who for privacy Ill call Alma. She lived with her family and a smattering of extremely cute animals  there were a few little dogs, a kitten or two, a hen and her chicks. Months earlier, Alma had had stillbirth  she hadnt even known she was pregnant, she told me. Doctors, though, suspected that she had taken medication to induce an abortion. They called the police. When I met Alma, she was awaiting trial.

In Honduras, abortion is outlawed, along with emergency contraception. Sexual violence is commonplace, and women are barred from a basic tool to prevent pregnancy after rape, and then potentially jailed if they end an unwanted one. Through both abortion restrictions and endemic violence, women hear one message: Your body isnt yours.

Read More: Inside Mississippis Last Abortion Clinicand the Biggest Fight for Abortion Rights in a Generation

Alma was far from the only woman Ive met whose body has borne the weight of abortion bans. There was a girl I called Sofia when I wrote about her, also in Honduras, forced to have a child as a 12-year-old rape victim. There was Anita, the pseudonym for a woman who fled war in South Sudan and was forced into sex by her husband even after a doctor told them another pregnancy too soon could kill her; she self-induced an abortion and nearly paid with her life. There was Silvana, raped as a child during Colombias civil war, who starved herself into a miscarriage. There was a woman whose name I dont know, but whose story I heard again and again in a Bangladeshi camp full of Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar  to end an unwanted pregnancy, she put a red-hot brick on her stomach, searing off her flesh.

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A leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion suggests that the Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that legalized abortion for American women. Those of us who have followed the long arc of reproductive-rights law in the U.S. arent surprised, although many of us are devastated and angry. Those of us who have reported on abortion rights and access, and womens rights more broadly, know just how high the stakes are.

The reality is that abortion access, and the procedure itself, has changed quite a bit since the bad old days of pre-Roe America. Now, a combination of misoprostol and mifepristone, taken orally, can effectively and safely induce an abortion without the potentially fertility- or even life-ending complications of older methods that required something be inserted into the cervix. Activists have worked hard to make these medications are available to women in places where abortion is illegal or hard to get, including in the United States. If Roe goes, these activist networks will undoubtedly expand. Abortion wont end, and activists will try to make sure that as many women as possible can access safe abortion-inducing medications. Again, the pro-choice movement will save womens lives.

Read More: The Battle Over the Future of the Anti-Abortion Movement if the Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade

But activists working to deliver safe abortions in a hostile legal environment simply cannot reach every woman in need. Even now, with Roe still standing, a great number of American women cannot get the abortions they want. And the women who are best able to access safe abortions will be those with greater resources: Money, to be sure, but also the education, connections, and internet literacy to know where to find help, and how to tell charlatans and scammers from safe providers. Women who are already vulnerable  who are poor, who are young, who live in rural areas, who dont speak English well or at all, who are the least able to take on a child they havent planned for  are the most likely to fall through the cracks.

U.S. Supreme Court police officers set up barricades during a protest outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Al DragoBloomberg/Getty Images

The criminalization of abortion will in and of itself discourage some women from pursuing abortion procedures, and those women will carry pregnancies to term against their wishes, making them more likely to be stuck in poverty and tied to abusive men. Some of those women will die because of that lack of choice. One estimate suggests that maternal mortality might increase by as much as 21% if abortion is outlawed nationwide.

Other women, fearful of the law but desperate to not be pregnant and too scared or ashamed to ask for help, will take matters into their own hands. Others wont know how to find help or where to look. Some will be fine. Some may not be.

Read More: If Roe v. Wade Is Overturned, Our Clinic Will Stop Providing Abortions Immediately. But We Wont Shut Down

Overzealous prosecutors in the U.S. have already jailed women over suspected abortions. If abortion is outlawed, every indication is that more women, and certainly more doctors, will wind up behind bars.

The worlds most pro-life nations show us what could be in store. In countries with the strictest anti-abortion laws, women face pervasive violence from men. That isnt to say that anti-abortion laws cause violence. It is to say that violence against women, like restrictions on what women can do with their reproductive lives, is a tool of misogynist dominance. It stems from the urge to force women to do your bidding, and the belief that womens bodies and womens lives should be under male control. Its not a coincidence that the countries where women do the best  where they are the most economically prosperous, the safest, have the highest levels of education and employment, are the most supported in parenthood, and are the freest  are also countries where abortion is legal and contraception is easily accessible.

By curtailing abortion access, the U.S. is again making itself an outlier on womens rights, and joining a small number of nations  Poland, Hungary, Brazil, Russia, China  that are moving ever rightward toward authoritarianism. While many countries have liberalized their abortion laws as they have become more democratic, just a handful have restricted reproductive rights  and those restrictions have gone hand-in-hand with shifts away from democratic traditions and toward autocracy.

According to the U.N., nearly 50,000 womens lives could be saved each year simply by repealing anti-abortion laws. The U.S. has instead restricted abortion even further. Overturning Roe would be the biggest blow in nearly 50 years to abortion rights in the U.S., and just the first step in a broader conservative effort to make abortion totally illegal  and if anti-abortion activists get their way, a national abortion law would have no exceptions for rape, incest, health, or the pregnant womans life.

These are the stakes if this draft opinion becomes law: Some womens lives, many womens futures, and all of our freedoms.
Yonkers police detective Brian Menton was released from Jacobi Medical Center Tuesday while bagpipes played and a crowd including many other police officers applauded his bravery.

A motorcade of police vehicles led the way before the ambulance departed the hospital, a Facebook livestream from the Yonkers Police Department showed.

"He's doing well," said Yonkers Police Benevolent Association president Keith Olson. "He's super lucky, all things considered."

Olson said Menton was headed to a rehab facility.

Menton was shot in the stomach in an Elm Street bodega almost two weeks before.

A 27-year veteran of the force, Menton was shot while attempting to arrest three men with other members of the Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, the week before he was set to retire.

Menton tried to stop 28-year-old Bryant Jackson from leaving the bodega, placing his left arm around him, when Jackson shot him once.

Video: The moment Yonkers detective was shot inside Nodine Hill bodega

From Georgia to Yonkers: Inside the alleged gun trafficking scheme that led to a detective being shot

Quick Thinking: NYPD brother saved shot Yonkers detective's life

Police said an FBI agent then shot Jackson in head, killing him.

Menton's twin brother, James, a member of the New York Police Department who was on the job with him, rushed him to the hospital and was credited with saving his life.

Bryce Martin, 23, and Xavier Simms, 22, of Georgia, were both charged with one count of conspiring to traffic firearms in federal court, and could face up to five years in prison.

Contact Diana Dombrowski at ddombrowski@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @domdomdiana

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Yonkers detective Brian Menton released from Jacobi after being shot
As unmanned aerial vehicles prove a critical tool in Ukraine's resistance to the Russian invasion, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi has signaled a growing interest in applications for combat drones.

"We will steadily deploy and actively utilize drones as necessary," Kishi said in a written interview with Nikkei. He outlined plans to coordinate more closely with the U.S. on security strategies, to pave the way for improved cooperation in cyberdefense and other emerging national security concerns.

Japan has adopted the RQ-4B Global Hawk surveillance drone but largely shied away from combat drones. It set aside just 30 million yen ($231,000) for research into the devices in its fiscal 2022 budget.

But drones are a relatively convenient and cheap option compared with fighter jets and tanks, and they can be used in areas too risky for traditional piloted aircraft. At least 40 countries around the world are believed to have deployed combat drones or to have plans to.

Drones have also played a major role in Ukraine's resistance, providing surveillance and attacking Russian tanks, ammunition depots and fuel storage facilities. They reportedly played a role in Javelin antitank missile strikes as well.
The president of a tour boat operator in Hokkaido Prefecture, northern Japan, has stated in a document that a fatal accident last month could have been avoided if safety protocols were followed.

The company's "KAZU I" tour boat sank off the Shiretoko Peninsula on April 23. There were 26 people on board. Fourteen have been confirmed dead. The rest are unaccounted for.

The vessel was operated by Shiretoko Pleasure Cruiser. Company President Katsurada Seiichi recently met relatives of passengers. He distributed a document titled "On my fault," in which he apologizes for the accident.

The document also points out that the boat's captain was required to provide a status report to the cruise manager at the company's office at each of 13 designated points.

It says the report should include the time, weather conditions and wave height.

The document says no such reports were made or recorded on the day of the accident.

It also names Katsurada as the company's cruise manager. Safety management rules require him to remain at the office in principle when tour boats are operating.

The document says Katsurada was away from the office to go to a hospital on the day of the accident, and that he had not instructed an employee to keep in contact with the boat's captain or stay informed about the cruise.

The document says the accident may have been averted if normal protocols were followed.

Japan Coast Guard officials searched the company's office and other facilities on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death.

They plan to investigate the company's safety management system and the president's decision to go ahead with the cruise, despite knowing about the possibility of weather conditions worsening that day.
If Shawn Smith is elected to the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, he plans to make himself available to his constituents in an unconventional manner.

Im this close, if I get elected, to opening an office and making it my job, Smith said in an interview with the Daily Nonpareil. You get paid like its a job. Its a job.

Smith is also thinking about providing constituents with his phone number, so theyll always be able to get a hold of him, something some city council members have warned him against doing.

Theyre like, be careful what you wish for, and Im like, listen, at the end of the day, people just want to be heard, right? Smith said. They want to be heard. Just listen to it. Even if its just a (complaint), they want you to acknowledge their (complaint).

Originally from north Omaha, Smith isnt shy about discussing growing up poor. His father worked at the Vickers hydraulics production plant until he was laid off in the 1970s. His mother was a stay-at-home mom until she got a job when dad lost a job.

He remembers seeing black and white labels on the off brand food that was purchased at the supermarket with food stamps.

We got put on food stamps and I didnt want to go to the grocery store with Mom and Dad, because its a food stamp, Smith said. Like, you know what it is. Theres no hiding it, but I feel like it also made you want to get off of it, right? It was an embarrassment and I think it drove you to go get a job and, you know, get off of government assistance.

Smiths parents were always making sacrifices to provide for their four sons, and he credits his work ethic to witnessing their struggle.

I would love to spend as much time as I possibly could with my kids, but I think providing a house, a home, paying the bills, food, you know, that stuffs pretty important, Smith said. Maybe not go to every single practice. Maybe go to work.

Smith got his first job when he was 15, rebuilding starters and alternators at a local garage. He also worked a second job as a pinsetter at Kelleys North Bowl, setting up fallen pins and emptying ashtrays. He knew he needed to get out of the situation he was in, and at 17, he joined the Army.

Despite being unable to participate in Operation Desert Storm  Smith still had to graduate from high school and finish his advanced individual training for the Army when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990  he remained in the Army Reserves for 27 years.

As part of 172nd Transportation Company, and later the 530th Military Police Battalion, Smith had two deployments to Iraq during the most recent gulf war. He was a mechanic whose job it was to help transport equipment throughout the war zone and keep it in working order.

When he wasnt deployed with his unit, Smith kept busy at home with a lawn and snow removal company, Big Smith Enterprises, which he grew from one man and his lawn mower to having multiple employees and winning contracts from the City of Omaha.

We went from a one man crew to, we had three trucks, six employees, eight mowers, Smith said. We were, I felt like we were legit at that point, right?

Smith ran Big Smith Enterprises from 2005 to 2015, when he was given the opportunity to return to Afghanistan as a civilian contractor. He did two tours mentoring the Afghan military in maintenance and upkeep of their equipment.

It was after the second tour that Smith began to think seriously about politics.

What I decided was, after 27 years of working for the federal government and as a civilian contractor, I want to effect some real change, Smith said. But I want to effect some real change locally, right? Like, this is where you can actually do something.

If elected this year, Smith said he would run for reelection only once, and then he would bow out and gladly hand the reins to someone else.

Im only going to do this twice, Smith said. If I get elected this time, I want to run one more time, then Im done. I want new eyes. I want new thought processes. Maybe the guy that comes in after me is smarter than me, someone who could think outside the box.

Smith wants to encouraged other residents to participate in civil service, whether thats running for county board or volunteering at a library, for example. He sees value in knowing what its like to be of service to others.

When you serve somebody else, that is a whole nother level, Smith said. Kids today will, if they dont work in some sort of service industry, they will never know what its like to serve somebody, to wait on somebody, to see if youve earned that tip at the end.

If you constantly reelect the same people, you get the same eyes, the same thought processes, Smith said. Theres no reason for them to change their line of thinking.

Smith understands that, if elected, there will be a learning curve. He doesnt expect to enact any changes right away.

I want to see how things roll, Smith said. I want to see how things work, how things operate. I feel like the first four years are really going to be getting my feet wet. And then the next four years are me really going to be pushing hard to try to make positive change for the community.

Smith is joined on the Republican ballot by fellow candidates Jeff Jorgensen, Susan Miller, Dave Smith, John Springhower, and incumbents Scott Belt and Justin Schultz.

Jeff Shudak is the lone Democrat running for Board of Supervisors.

The primary election is June 7.

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DES MOINES  The possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, thus sending abortion laws and regulations back to the individual states, raises questions about those laws in Iowa. Here are answers to some of those questions.

Q: What are Iowas current abortion regulations?

A: Abortion is legal in Iowa except after 20 weeks of pregnancy, after which abortion is legal only in cases of a threat to life or health.

Q: What happens in Iowa if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade?

A: Nothing, immediately. The states current abortion regulations would remain because the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled abortion is a protected fundamental right under the state constitution. Iowa Republicans are attempting to nullify that ruling with a proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution.

Q: What is the status of abortion cases in front of the Iowa Supreme Court?

A: The Iowa Supreme Court has struck down two recent Republican-written abortion restrictions. In 2018, the court struck down a three-day waiting period before a woman could have an abortion, and in 2019 the court struck down a ban on abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. The court has not yet ruled on a third case, on which it heard oral arguments in February, that would require a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion.

Q: How many abortions are performed in Iowa?

A: There were 4,058 abortions performed in the state in 2020, a 14% increase from the previous year, according to the most recent data from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Q: How many abortion providers are there in Iowa?

A: According to multiple sources that track abortion-related data, there appears to be six abortion providers in Iowa. That does not include hospitals that may perform late-term abortions.
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 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% 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 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.

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.
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.
DES MOINES  Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she would not force state lawmakers to remain in session until late June while holding out hope they would 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% 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.
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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A carver makes a sculpture of a lion in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 25, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

by Tafara Mugwara

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, May 1 (Xinhua) -- One small piece at a time, Chamunorwa Shuramatongo is in his own way fighting a noncombat battle against animal poaching with his exquisite artwork of wood-carved animal figures.

The talented artist from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city, uses wood from dried-out trees to make hand-carved pieces of art that portray Zimbabwe's wildlife diversity.

"What I am saying is let's conserve our wildlife so that when tourists come and see them, they will leave foreign currency for the government and support us by buying so that we can eke out a living," Shuramatongo told Xinhua at his workshop.

To him, art is not just a passion, or a way to earn a living - he believes that it can be employed as a medium to spread awareness about burning issues in society.

He said each of his carvings, which are made from ironwood, speak of endangered species in the country's vast wilderness.

Zimbabwe, a top safari destination, is home to some of Africa's most iconic animals, but rampant poaching is threatening their survival.

Shuramatongo and many other artists from Bulawayo depend on tourist revenues, and the destruction of wildlife and the environment has a direct impact on their livelihoods.

To play their own small part, they are using art to raise awareness about the scourge of illegal animal trade. Their art pieces made of ironwood, in different sizes, cover all animals, ranging from the big five animals including elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard to other species including giraffes and warthogs.

Ironwood, which is abundant in the Matabeleland region, whose capital is Bulawayo, is exceptionally hard and dense, which makes it ideal for sculpting.

The sculptors, who mostly depend on foreign tourists, say they are bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic since the number of tourists visiting Zimbabwe for safari purposes has fallen drastically over the past two years.

"Lack of tourists is affecting our work because there is a third person who is not an artist who is now actively buying products. I no longer have access to tourists, they are now dealing with the third person and we remain behind the scenes," Shuramatongo said.

Bulawayo is rich in cultural history and is one of the oldest and historically important cities in Zimbabwe.

In contrast to artists from the capital Harare who predominantly use stones to make expressive sculptures, artists in Bulawayo mostly use ironwood which is found in abundance in surrounding areas.

This year, curio sellers in Bulawayo are banking on the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) to market their products.

The ZITF, which ended on April 30, is the leading international exhibition in Zimbabwe, and thousands of exhibitors showcase their products and services every year.

Nigel Mhlanga, a curio seller said he expects to make more sales this year due to increased traffic to the city as a result of the trade fair.

"As people who are in the arts industry, we want to grab this opportunity with both hands so that people visiting the trade fair will support us," he said.

This year's trade fair is anchored on the theme: "Rethink, Reimagine, Reinvent Value Chains for Economic Development." 

A carver makes a sculpture of a lion in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 25, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

Photo shows wooden sculptures of a lion and an elephant in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 25, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

A carver shows a sculpture of a buffalo in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 25, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
A leaked audio tape from former Chief of Staff of the Tunisian presidency Nadia Akacha has revealed that President Kais Saied is ill and does not recognize the ailment.

He will end up very badly, because he is ill and does not recognize his illness. He is going to the wall, even on a personal and psychological level, he is going badly, very badly. There is a doctor who follows his condition. He has foreseen that he will have a big crisis and he will have it because this kind of pathology degenerates in the absence of care and supervision, she allegedly said in the tape leaked on social media.

His family aggravates his case and makes him crazy, especially Atika (the presidents sister-in-law), so it is normal that he would have a crisis. Moreover, with my status, he became mad, she added. Nadia Akacha has denied the tape; one of several that have emerged recently on social media. If confirmed, this will confirm the breakup between Akacha and her formal boss.

Akacha resigned in January citing fundamental differences with the President leader. After two years of work, I have decided to resign from my position as head of the Presidential Cabinet. In view of the profound differences in this responsibility, it is my duty to resign from this position, she had said in a Facebook post.

Currently into exile in France, the former state official had accused the Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine of hijacking the July 25 process.

Nadia Akacha reacted to the leaks assuring that it was a montage and rigged sound elements.

She stepped down amid a political crisis between Saied and his critics who include opposition parties and some civil society organizations. Saied has seized since last July 25 all major powers in the country, including the executive and legislative powers after he suspended and dissolved the parliament.
South Africa opened its very first marijuana retail outlet. The initiative aims to better regulate the use of this herb, whose industry, promising in many ways, still operates at the margin despite the decriminalization of its use since 2018.

The structure called THC Africa is placed under the authority of pharmacist Kyle Brocklebank, in the province of Gauteng in the north of the country.

The principle is, as in all pharmacies, to provide the public with the famous herb on presentation of a prescription. Cannabis is a drug, but its therapeutic virtues in the treatment of pain, among others, are now widely recognized, despite the existence of a few dissenting voices.

It was in September 2018 that the Constitutional Court of South Africa decriminalized the use of marijuana for private consumption. This was the culmination of a long and sometimes politically charged battle begun by Myrte Clarke and Julian Stobbs, a couple campaigning for the lifting of the restrictive framework around hemp.

This decision had contributed to stimulate the know-how of the actors of the dagga  name given locally to the cannabis  notably through a fair in Pretoria, a first in Africa.

But despite this enthusiasm, which was reinforced by the liberalization of the cultivation and marketing of the plant for therapeutic purposes, the persistent legislative vacuum left little room for the development of a sector with a potential estimated to be worth more than 6.3 billion dollars in Africa by 2023, according to the organization Prohibition Partners.
Malis ruling junta announced Monday night that it was breaking off defense agreements with France and its European partners, a further sign of deteriorating relations between Bamako and its former allies in the fight against jihadists.

Making good on a threat that has been waved for months, the military-dominated authorities who came to power by force in August 2020 announced that they were denouncing the Status of Force Agreements (SOFA) that set the legal framework for the presence in Mali of the French Barkhane and European Takuba forces, as well as the defense cooperation treaty signed in 2014 between Mali and France.

In a statement read on national television, government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga cited flagrant violations of national sovereignty by France, which has been militarily engaged in the country since 2013.

He cited Frances unilateral attitude when it suspended joint operations between French and Malian forces in June 2021, the announcement in February 2022, again without any consultation with the Malian side, of the withdrawal of Barkhane and Takuba forces, and the multiple violations of airspace by French aircraft despite the establishment by the authorities of a no-fly zone over a large part of the territory.

In view of these serious shortcomings as well as the flagrant attacks on Malis national sovereignty, the government of the Republic of Mali decides to denounce the defense cooperation treaty of July 16, 2014, the statement said.

The Malian authorities notified the French authorities of this denunciation on Monday afternoon and it will take effect six months after this notification, the spokesman said.

On the other hand, it is with immediate effect that the Malian authorities denounce the Sofa of March 2013 framing the engagement of the French force Serval, then Barkhane, as well as the additional protocol of March 2020 applying to the European detachments of Takuba, the grouping of European special units initiated by France, he said.

Paris has not so far responded to the announcement. The question that arises is whether the cancellation of the SOFA will have repercussions on the ongoing withdrawal of Barkhane, announced in February as the culmination of months of escalating tensions between France and Malian authorities.

Barkhane forces withdrawal, a large and dangerous operation, is supposed to take four to six months.
King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to the Moroccan mountain climber, Bouchra Baibanou, who succeeded in hoisting the Moroccan flag high at the top of Annapurna in the Himalayas.

The Sovereign expressed his warm congratulations to Bouchra Baibanou for this achievement, whishing her more success in her brilliant mountaineering journey.

The King also praised the great efforts made by Bouchra Baibanou to achieve better performances in mountaineering, reflecting thus her will and determination to honor Moroccan women and to consecrate her distinguished presence at continental and international levels.

The Sovereign had bestowed on the alpinist a special award to honor her achievements in mountain climbing. This was on Throne Day in 2015.

By succeeding to climb the Annapurna summit in Nepal, last Saturday April 30, Bouchra Baibanou has become the first Arab woman to set foot on the 10th highest peak in the world, widely considered the worlds deadliest mountain.

This latest achievement has also made Baibanou the first Moroccan and North African woman to complete the seven summits challenge, commented the news outlet Morocco World News.

The Moroccan mountain-climber started the challenge in March 2011 in Tanzania where she succeeded in climbing Africas highest peak, Kilimanjaro, the outlet recalled.

She traveled around the world to climb five more peaks, including Elbrus in Russia in July 2012, Aconcagua in Argentina in January 2014, Denali in Alaska in June 2014, Carstensz in Indonesia in November 2015, and Everest in May 2017.

When she successfully reached the tip of the Annapurna summit Saturday, the alpinist dedicated her achievement to all Moroccan people.

I am very proud to succeed in climbing Annapurna 8091m, one of the most difficult summits in the world. Its a gift for all the Moroccan and especially for the Moroccan, Arab and Muslim women, she said.
UPDATE: Authorities say a former Alabama jail official has died and the murder suspect she is accused of helping escape from custody has been apprehended in Indiana after more than a week on the run.
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 213 in Wallace is attempting to ensure the villages veterans are never forgotten.

The group plans to construct a veterans memorial, located just south of the American Legion building and positioned in the center of Wallace.

The project consists of a series of walls that feature veterans names on individual bricks, and work is expected to begin this spring or summer.

The auxiliary is using $10,000 from a Wallace Community Foundation Fund grant for a portion of the estimated $60,000 project.

A Cinco de Mayo dinner fundraiser is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the American Legion Hall, 217 Commercial Ave.

The event is an opportunity to sample some Mexican cuisine as well as to sponsor a veteran brick. Paver bricks will line the walkway and benches at the site.

Individuals can sponsor the flags that will be raised at the site as well.

Plans call for the establishment of up to six walls at the memorial site, with each one holding about 100 bricks that will feature a veterans name, the dates the individual served, military branch and rank.

The legion auxiliary partnered with the Village of Wallace to apply for the grant as the community foundation could not approve funds for an organization that receives paid dues.

The village applied for the funds for a beautification project, and the grant was approved in April.

Bake sales have been held as a fundraiser for the project along with an ongoing gun and ammunition raffle. The winner for the latter will be drawn on Memorial Day. For more information on the project, contact Cindy Wickizer at 308-660-1941; Cindy Lundvall, 308-520-4453; or Diane Bryant, 308-530-2883.

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Kathy Boudin in 2019. Photo: Paul Marotta/Getty Images

Kathy Boudin  the 1960s radical and member of the leftist militant group Weather Underground who spent more than two decades in prison for the role she played in a deadly robbery, then went on to become a prominent advocate for criminal-justice reform  has died at the age of 78. Her death was confirmed Sunday by her son, San Francisco district attorney Chesa Boudin. My mom fought cancer for seven years in her unshakably optimistic and courageous way, he said in a statement. She made it long enough to meet her grandson, and welcome my father home from prison after 40 years. Her fellow radical Bill Ayers posted a tribute on his website on Sunday as well.

Boudin first came to national attention as a member of the Weather Underground, the violent splinter group that grew out of the campus organization Students for a Democratic Society in 1969. The following year, five Weather Underground activists had been building bombs (intended for Columbia University and Fort Dix) in a townhouse at 18 West 11th Street that was owned by the family of one member of the group, Cathy Wilkerson. On March 6, 1970, one of the bombs went off prematurely, killing three of the five Weathermen in the house; Boudin and Wilkerson survived. (The house was completely destroyed; its replacement breaks the street line, hinting at the disruption that occurred there.) Boudin, who claimed for the rest of her life that shed never built or planted any bombs, lived on the run for more than a decade thereafter.

In 1981, she helped carry out an armored-car robbery in Nanuet, New York, along with her partner, fellow Weather Underground member David Gilbert. Amid the heist, their accomplices, who included other former Weathermen and members of the Black Liberation Army, shot and killed a guard and two police officers. Boudin and Gilbert, who had left their infant son, Chesa, with a babysitter before the robbery, were both arrested the same day.

Police escort Kathy Boudin in Nanuet, New York, after she was arrested for taking part in a deadly Brinks armored-car heist. Photo: David Handschuh/NY Daily News via Getty Images

Boudin ultimately pleaded guilty to robbery and second-degree murder in exchange for a sentence of 20 years to life. (Gilbert was convicted on three counts of murder and sentenced to 75 years in prison, but Governor Andrew Cuomo, in one of his last acts before resigning last year, partially commuted his sentence, making him eligible for parole.)

Boudin expressed contrition at her trial and thereafter, telling The New Yorkers Elizabeth Kolbert in 2001 that her ignorance of the degree of violence around her actions was sick, while also ducking some of the harder questions that Kolbert put to her.

While incarcerated, Boudin was a model prisoner, taught literacy, advocated for inmates with AIDS, and earned a masters degree in adult education. After serving 22 years of her sentence, she was paroled in 2003. Boudin continued working with AIDS patients, then earned a doctorate in education from Columbia University Teachers College, and was eventually named an adjunct professor at the Columbia School of Social Work  which, like her release from prison, was a bright red flag to the law-and-order right. Boudin never stopped advocating for the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated, and later became the co-founder and co-director of the Center for Justice at Columbia University.
In happier times. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Senator Susan Collinss frequent expressions of disappointment and concern over the unsurprisingly extreme actions of her own party are so commonplace that they have become a meme among liberals. At times, the Maine Republican seems to be either living in an alternate political universe or playing the role of a well-intentioned naif on purpose.

Collins was at it again on Tuesday. In a statement reacting to the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, Collins expressed shock (or faux shock?) that she had been misled by two conservative justices she voted to confirm, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch. (Collins did vote no on Donald Trumps third Supreme Court Justice, Amy Coney Barrett, but she said her decision stemmed from the timing of the nomination.)

Susan Collins: If this leaked draft opinion is the final decision and this reporting is accurate, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.  Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 3, 2022

Collins memorably provided the pivotal vote for Kavanaugh in 2018, delivering a fiery speech that largely defended him from Democratic attacks. Her apparent certainty that Kavanaugh would not fundamentally mess with abortion rights was so strong that she was practically singing it from the rooftops:

Sen. Susan Collins repeatedly saying Kavanaugh wont vote to overturn Roe v. Wade: pic.twitter.com/WDwFxtNtgu  j.d. durkin  (@jd_durkin) May 3, 2022

During his confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh said that Roe was settled as a precedent of the Supreme Court and noted that it had been reaffirmed many times over the past 45 years. Gorsuch was considerably more evasive during his hearings, though he did say of Roe that a good judge will consider it as precedent of the United States Supreme Court, worthy of treatment as precedent, like any other.

But just about everyone agrees  with the exception of perhaps one other senator  that confirmation hearings long ago veered away from providing much insight into a judges actual philosophy. They have turned into partisan circuses in which potential justices must pretend to play the role of neutral arbiters  the classic example being John Robertss contention that he was just on the Court to call balls and strikes. And hostility toward Roe has long been probably the most important litmus test for Republican-appointed justices, especially after judges such as David Souter turned out to be much more liberal than conservatives had expected.

Its still possible that Kavanaugh will shift his position before the actual decision is made public. (Gorsuch almost certainly wont.) But if the conservative majority holds, there would be only one way to restore national abortion rights: passing legislation, which would mean abolishing the filibuster. Naturally, Collins is a no on that.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty Images

Whether youre paying attention to the latest phase of the pandemic or not, the coronavirus is still evolving, and the subvariants are starting to add up. After two new variations of the Omicron strain were recently detected in the United States, there are now at least four Omicron subvariants circulating in the country. BA.2 is the still the most dominant and has driven the rise in cases across much of the U.S., but BA.2.12.1 appears to be even more transmissible, as do the newest strains, BA.4 and BA.5, which are expected to cause another wave of infection in South Africa. Below is a primer on everything Omicron and what impact its sublineages may have.

All COVID is now a sublineage of Omicron.

With the Delta variant effectively burned out in most of the world, the remaining variants all trace their lineage through Omicron, as this tracker shows:

Today, we've added three new clades to those tracked in views of SARS-CoV-2 evolution at https://t.co/m1iglSLd12. These are 22A, corresponding to Pango lineage BA.4, 22B, corresponding to Pango lineage BA.5, and 22C, corresponding to Pango lineage BA.2.12.1. 1/6 pic.twitter.com/DKNnXPE6dh  Nextstrain (@nextstrain) April 29, 2022

At this point, the original Omicron strain known as BA.1  which caused the U.S. to clock over 1 million confirmed cases in a single day in January  has been overtaken by its successors, each of which has proven more transmissible than the original.

BA.2

First detected in the U.S. in January, the BA.2 subvariant quickly became the dominant strain in America, overtaking BA.1 by late March, according to the CDC. Considered roughly 1.5 times more transmissible than the original, the variant  known as stealth Omicron for its difficulty to be differentiated in PCR tests  caused a slight increase in confirmed COVID cases in early April. By mid-April, BA.2 represented close to 90 percent of new U.S. cases. Thankfully, BA.2 does not appear to have caused another severe Omicron wave, in part because of a level of protection for those previously infected with BA.1.

BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1

Two closely related subvariants, known as BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1, recently began spreading in the U.S., making up around 29 percent of cases by late April, according to the CDC. The strains were especially prominent in New York last month, accounting for over 90 percent of cases amid a sizable outbreak in the central part of the state. BA.2.12.1 in particular has a mutation on the part of the spike protein of the virus that binds with human cells, making it around 25 percent more transmissible than BA.2, according to the CDC.

Just updated now, 38.5% nationally as of April 30

Only region 2 (includes New York) is BA.2.12.1 dominant (at 62%) pic.twitter.com/654v8nfzP3  Eric Topol (@EricTopol) May 3, 2022

BA.4 and BA.5

Last month, scientists in South Africa identified two new Omicron sublineages, BA.4 and BA.5, which seem to be more infectious than BA.2, may be better equipped with immunity escape, and appear to be driving a surge of new cases in the country. Genomic surveillance has indicated that as of April 20, BA.4 and BA.5 made up more than 70 percent of new cases in South Africa. Experts there now expect a fifth COVID wave within weeks, even though an estimated 90 percent of the population is estimated to have some level of immunity to COVID from either vaccination or prior infection. Thus far, the surge in cases has not led to a surge in hospitalizations. And there is no evidence  at least yet  that the strains are likely to lead to more severe disease than previous strains.

Thats the good news. Whats worrisome about BA.4 and BA.5 is that preliminary data suggests the subvariants have mutations that, according to recent South African research, equip them with extensive escape from neutralizing immunity elicited by previous infection with other variants, vaccines, or combinations of both. The researchers conclude that based on neutralization escape, BA.4 and BA.5 have potential to result in a new infection wave.

A closer look at the percentage of genomes shows that in SA over 70% of recent genomes are BA.4 and BA.5. The most recent genome of 20 of April and genomics surveillance increasing across all provinces. pic.twitter.com/BOm2kWWEKV  Tulio de Oliveira (@Tuliodna) April 28, 2022

Small numbers of BA.4 and BA.5 cases have been detected in at least 20 other countries, including handfuls of cases of each strain in the U.S.  though there is no evidence they are circulating widely here yet. Its not clear whether other nations will face surges from the two strains as South Africa is experiencing.

Can you be infected with these subvariants if you already had Omicron (BA.1)?

That does appear to be possible with BA.4 and BA.5, based on early data from South Africa, and might be possible with the BA.2.12 lineages as well.

What about recombinant strains?

Thankfully, recombinant strains of the virus  think super-mutants combining the transmissibility of an Omicron subvariant with the severity of Delta  have been rare. As computational biologist Cornelius Roemer explains, this is because there was never much co-circulation of the two lineages. When BA.2 grew large, Delta was already gone. (He does warn that the countries that did have co-circulation dont sequence the virus as frequently as in the U.S. and Europe, so even if recombinants existed, it would take a while until we see them in published sequences.)

In the United Kingdom, a Frankenstein variant combining BA.1 and BA.2 known as XE has been sequenced, with 1,125 cases identified in the country by early April. And while cases have been reported in India and Japan, it does not appear to be significantly more transmissible than BA.2 and never took over as the dominant strain in the U.K. It is the devil we know, so to speak, Case Western Reserve University immunologist Mark Cameron told CNBC. Essentially a reshuffling of the same deck of cards.

What is the Biden administration doing to prepare?

At his first news briefing as the new White House COVID-response coordinator in late April, Dr. Ashish Jha provided an apt summary for the Biden administrations approach to the latest stage of the pandemic. We have a very, very contagious variant out there, he said on the day the vice-president tested positive for COVID. It is going to be hard to ensure that no one gets COVID in America. Thats not even a policy goal.

The rise of Omicron subvariants has coincided with the Biden administrations shift to treat COVID as an endemic virus, a reaction that has involved cutting funding requests despite all the unknown variables of the strains ahead. In early March, the White House cut $12 billion from its request to Congress for supplies including tests, therapeutics, and vaccines because the spending would need the co-sign of at least ten Republicans. Eventually, the COVID funding bill approved by Congress was slashed by another $12 billion, leaving the country short for future vaccination programs. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the administration barely has just enough doses to give a second booster to 70 percent of Americans over 50  a group that has already been cleared to get follow-up boosters. With no more federal funding for vaccinations and tests for the uninsured, many providers arent offering shots and swabs for Americans without health insurance anymore. Another substantial deficit in the bill: It has no funding for vaccination and testing abroad despite repeated warnings from public-health experts that the continued spread of the virus would lead to more variants, thereby extending the pandemic.

Can we slow down the subvariant evolution?

Alpha, Beta, Delta, and several Omicron variants have swept through the world, causing tens of millions of cases and millions of deaths since vaccines became widely available in many parts of the world. According to epidemiologist Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and a member of the Biden administrations COVID-19 Advisory Board, the intense pace of change is directly related to the speed at which the novel virus has spread. In the early days of the pandemic, remember there were many fewer people who were infected, and you have to be infected to drive the genetic changes of the virus, he says. Kind of like compound interest, as more and more people got infected, more and more opportunities occurred for the virus to go through various mutations. That by itself helped drive it.

As for slowing the rate of evolving variants, the answer is as simple as it is hard to attain. There is one way, and its to stop transmission, says Osterholm. If the virus is not reproducing itself, we wouldnt see nearly the same level of mutational changes.
Thanks to Auburn art students, Opelikas Museum of East Alabama now bears a second mural recognizing the regions rich agricultural history and contributions.

A class of 13 students and three hired artists painted the mural as part of a semester-long project under the direction of Wendy DesChene, an Auburn University art professor. The class began the mural in January and completed the artwork last week.

Elements of the mural include Booker T. Whatley and George Washington Carver, agriculture professors at the Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University. Whatley was known for developing techniques like drip irrigation, while Carver became internationally recognized for his promotion of peanut butter.

Thats why theres peanuts (in the mural), DesChene said with a laugh. Everythings up there for a reason, except for maybe the cow  and the chicken; they kind of represent all cute farm animals.

She described the artwork as the largest outdoor mural shes ever worked on, with the class piecing it together like a puzzle after painting it in sections on 16 different panels of a material DesChene called mural cloth.

Sometimes the panel was here and then the panel that would go right beside it would be in another room, DesChene said. Wed use things like Instagram layout to try and make sure they all lined up.

Myra Stephenson, a 2021 Auburn University art graduate with a concentration in painting, was among the contributing artists who worked with the class.

Its been really fun working with other people and seeing them grow as artists, Stephenson said. A lot of these people have never even painted before  so seeing them paint for the first time and being able to make things with their hands is fun to watch.

She said her favorite elements of the mural are a dress she painted on one side of the canvas as well as a peacock outline in a vintage peafowl advertisement.

Its fun to think that something youve touched or worked on is going to be there for who knows how long and how many people are going to see it, Stephenson said.

Auburns Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities led funding for the artistic effort, budgeting the project at a total $20,000 for the 35-foot long, 14-foot tall mural on the condition it would be completed in one semester.

Our center has been honored to support this project with Professor DesChene and her students, said Mark Wilson, director of the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center. For them to be able to pull this off especially within a semester is pretty noteworthy, I think.

Glenn Buxton, director and curator of the Museum of East Alabama, said the mural was a long time coming. Originally, the art was to occupy the wall on Avenue A, painted by an Auburn art class led by visiting New York artist Esteban del Valle.

They had come in and did the finishing of the wall, put the grid up, already had the paints here and had their power lifts up there to do the painting, Buxton said. And when they got ready to start, COVID hit and the university shut everything down.

The museum since had artist Chris Johnson Columbus, Ga., paint a mural on the wall paying tribute to other local historical figures and industry, which he completed in March on the other side of the museum. But, the opportunity reappeared in fall 2021 for Auburn students to contribute when Buxton was informed the university still had the money to finance a mural for the museum. In turn, he informed the university that a small pavilion had been constructed for Old Nancy, a 1904 Case steam traction engine the museum received as a donation recently.

I said itd be ideal to make that into an agricultural exhibit and it would be nice to have a mural on that wall, Buxton said. Wendy came with her class, and I took them through the museum and told them things I envisioned (being in the mural), but it was up to them to design how it looked.

DesChene said the final design was meant to pair with the colors of Old Nancy, which arrived not long after the class began painting.

Our color scheme is based on making Old Nancy look the best it can, so theres a lot of black, theres accents of red and theres green, DesChene said. Old Nancy was used as a generator for a sawmill for a long time  and of course, lumber is also very important to this area as well. So everything in the mural has some kind of connection to (East Alabama).

The mural may have been a vehicle for students to improve their painting abilities with public art, but those involved in the project say its aim was also about forging interaction between Auburn students and their community.

We always want to have as many projects (as possible) where students and community members can benefit from each other, Wilson said. Theres no better way to do that than to give students a real-world opportunity to make sure that they get their own vision for what public art and community art can be.

Stephenson said the project was a great way for her and current students to donate to the museum while learning about history in the process.

Its fun to think that something youve touched or worked on is going to be there for who knows how long and (who) knows how many people are going to see it, she said. It was really cool to see it all together because you really dont think about how agricultural everything is while youre here because Auburns (become) so business-like with apartments.

The City of Opelika is set to commemorate the mural in a ceremony on May 12 at the Museum of East Alabama, with the public invited to attend and enjoy free food and beverages. The ceremony will also recognize Johnsons mural on the Avenue A side of the museum.

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ANKARA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The envoys of Turkey and Armenia held the third round of normalization talks in the Austrian capital Vienna on Tuesday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

"The special representatives reaffirmed the declared goal of achieving full normalization between their respective countries through this process," the ministry said in a statement.

In this sense, they had a "sincere and productive exchange of concrete views and discussed possible steps that can be undertaken for tangible progress in this direction," the statement said.

The two countries reiterated their agreement to continue the process without preconditions, it added.

Turkey appointed Serdar Kilic, a former ambassador to the United States, as its special representative to the talks, while Armenia dispatched Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan.

Their first round of talks was held in the Russian capital of Moscow on Jan. 14, followed by the second round in Vienna on Feb. 24.

In February, the two sides resumed charter flights between Istanbul, the largest Turkish city, and Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan met on March 12 in the southwestern resort city of Antalya in Turkey, expressing their willingness to continue to normalize ties.

Relations between the two countries were severed in 1993 during the first war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh when Turkey closed its border with Armenia in support of Azerbaijan.

Turkey and Armenia made serious attempts to restore ties in 2008-2009, with American and Swiss intermediation, but failed to make a breakthrough. 
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If you were to ask Army ROTC member and industrial and systems engineering major Jack Schlossberg why he chose to enlist and serve his country, hed give you a simple, yet telling response: Because I can, so I should.

Originally a member of Auburns Naval ROTC, Schlossberg switched to Army ROTC his sophomore year. For him, Auburns Army ROTC program provided an outlet to grow into a leader by living the Auburn Creedwhich speaks to the true ideals and values of the Auburn Family.

The War Eagle Battalion puts a heavy emphasis on being a servant leader, and as a young cadet, this sounded to me like one of those superficial buzz phrases, Schlossberg said. But day by day, I have seen this ideal reflected in the actions of our cadets and our leadership.

Leadership is the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and women and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all. If this is the one lesson Auburn leaves me with, I am confident I will achieve my goals.

After graduating May 6-7, Schlossberg will attend Ordnance Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Lee, Virginia, followed by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal qualification course at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. He will train to lead an Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD, Platoon, which is responsible for the identification and disarming of explosive hazards both abroad and at home.

Schlossberg, of Ellicott City, Maryland, has worked toward this position since his freshman year and believes the work of EOD units relates directly to the Creed.

They work to make the world a safer place, and that inspires me, Schlossberg said. I believe this can be related directly to the seventh stanza of the Creed, doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with my God.

Kendall Wells decided to tour Auburn because her mother had attended, and from the moment she stepped on campus, it felt like home. For Wells, joining Auburns Air Force ROTC was the best decision shes made, and she has loved every minute of it.

By joining ROTC, youre entering a program where the people around you genuinely want to see each other succeed, Wells said. Its given me the opportunity to lead and mentor people, the tools to overcome difficult situations and the freedom to further develop my understanding of the world.

After walking across the stage at graduation, Wells will begin serving in the prestigious Gold Bar Recruiter Program, or GBRP. The mission of the GBRP is to recruit talented and diverse men and women into the Air and Space Forces. Wells will undergo training at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, before serving for a year as a Gold Bar Recruiter.

Wells volunteered for the program due to a backup in the Air Force pilot training program. After her year as a Gold Bar Recruiter, she will work toward her goal of becoming a HH-60 pilot, the Air Forces premier combat search and rescue helicopter.

The Gold Bar Recruiter program is such a unique experience and a tremendously fulfilling role, Wells said. The Air Force needs more boots on the ground in recruiting, and I cant wait to recruit the next generation of diverse warfighters.

The Ocean Springs, Mississippi, native believes that her studies in Human Development and Family Science in the College of Human Sciences have allowed her to gain skills that will be very useful in her military career. Wells motivation for serving is to chase after experiences that cant be found in a desk job and a belief in the promise of her country.

Just like the Auburn Creed, I believe in my country, and I wholeheartedly believe in our Constitution and what it stands for, Wells said. I value our freedom and our ability to choose the life we want to live.

No matter what people say, we live in the most accepting, culturally diverse country in the world, and I cant wait to serve the people of this country and give back to the country that gave so much to me.

After completing her degree in industrial and systems engineering, Naval ROTC member Emily Hamilton will attend Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina, before dropping below deck as a submarine officer.

Hamiltons desire to serve her country comes from a place of family heritage and values. Hamiltons father served in the military, and she says he instilled values to cherish the freedom provided within the United States, inspiring her to enlist and defend that freedom.

Through Auburns Naval ROTC program, Hamilton says she has made lifelong connections and learned skills necessary to succeed in her career.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Naval ROTC, said Hamilton, a Marietta, Georgia, native. The program has helped me learn to manage my time well between academics, ROTC, extracurriculars and a social life. I have also learned the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and the outcomes of your actions.

The skills Ive learned will not only help me in my military career, but also beyond that.
JERUSALEM, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said on Tuesday that it has imposed a three-day closure on the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip ahead of the country's Memorial Day and Independence Day.

All the crossings between the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel were closed off on Tuesday at 15:00 (1200 GMT), an Israeli military spokesperson confirmed to Xinhua. The closure is scheduled to be lifted at midnight between Thursday and Friday (2100 GMT), "subjected to the situational assessment," the spokesperson added in a statement.

Palestinians will not be allowed to enter Israel during the closure, according to the statement.

"Crossings into Israel will be open for Palestinians on a humanitarian basis, in special circumstances or for medical reasons only," the statement read.

This year, the measure comes amid heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians over a series of deadly Palestinian attacks in Israel, fatal Israeli raids in the West Bank, and clashes at Jerusalem's flashpoint holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound between Palestinian youths and Israeli police.

Israeli Memorial Day begins this year on Tuesday evening, and Independence Day begins at sundown on Wednesday. 
I loathe Bilal. His little "prank" wasnt cute. It would be funny if they did a drive by and it was quick "lol jk!" but 24hrs? and he has the audacity to say that he's disappointed in her how she's acting?



But I did love her mom laughing at her on the one "lol that is America!?!?"



Whats his name saying outright that he wants a sugarmomma was....RUN girl. you wont...but you need to. He aint even that cute.

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Her mom was killing me! I cant with these people like questioning people at that point. Like the time to do that was before the 90 days started and the person gave everything else up to come live with you

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I can't believe he was concerned about her reaction to the simple yoga room. Was she not supposed to be so grateful for a space to practice her friggin' passion in??

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bilal can go fuck himself and this season looks to be one of the messiest, so i too will be coming back.

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Bilal is the WORST. Sir, no grown woman who has her life together and her own coins would be ~grateful~ to come home to a dilapidated house? She has every right to be pissed that after seeing your old REAL ESTATE AGENT ass lugging around LV suitcases across the globe takes her to this falling apart house? You look dumb.



Emily makes me so uncomfortable. Let this man see his child. The way some of these women on this show make having sex a personality trait.



Cowboy Sisqo (LOL) is a mess. The amount of people on this show that live with their parents and can't even afford their own life want bring over someone and usually expects their parents to bankroll this entire thing. Does this man even have a job?

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I have missed these posts so much lol but I will say, the babys name is Koban, apparently everyone who says his name has like a lisp.

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haven't watched the new season yet but been keeping up with the reddit, and bilal sounds like the manifestation of that HVM/k*vin s*muels bullshit i've been seeing around. he's too egotistical to understand that he's going to create a self-fulfilling prophecy, should things not work out with shaheeda, and end up with that woman who runs game after he exhausts women too grown for him.

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Miona Blackfishing Jibari or did he know?



Bilal tricking his fiance and calling it a joke or a prank, Bitch you are tricking her.





Anyways stream 90 Day Bae with Nicole Byer and Marcy Jirraud for hilarious recaps of this mess of a show.

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It's one of my favorite podcasts of all time. Well worth the 5 bucks a month to me.

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Thanks for mentioning the podcast! I didn't know Nicole Byer had one for this show!!

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Oh it is my favorite podcast the episode before last they were high and produced the best episode Ive heard of them. Had me in tears

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I missed these posts SO much



Bilal fucked UP. He's lucky she even got in that nasty white unmarked van he showed up with!! I loved her mom laughing at his ceiling over FaceTime last ep



Kobe seems really nice (so far; I trust no one on this franchise). Emily is stressing me out. Let the man see his child. They aren't even going to a hotel outside of her hometown; why can't they have a couples moment in like... a few days/weeks, after he's MET his CHILD??



Jibri and Miona are either going to crumble fast or they should crumble fast because they are zero percent on the same page. I'm entertained tho



Yve... get outta this.



WHY do I have to see Ari on my screen again!! Of all the couples to come back. Bini's sisters are right to be worried about him moving to the US

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Oh Missionary Theater kid is trying to act like shes a cougar! Lol

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I'm so happy I wasn't the only one rolling my eyes at Bilal's bullshit!! If Sheeda showed up in a fat suit and some stage makeup that made her look older to "test" whether he was only interested in her looks he would've left her at the airport. The women around Bilal seem to be enabling and babying him, so I'm sure he thinks he's perfect. Let's just ignore the fact that he's dodging the kid question with Sheeda even though he knows it's a deal breaker for her and he isn't interested in having any more children...

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Kobe seems hot and nice so far. I also feel like his girl keeps calling their kid Covid.



I don't think Miona even remotely understands how much it costs to live in LA.



I still hate Ariela with a passion.



Kara totally thinks she's adorable/ quirky/ hot/ perfect and it's annoying. She's pretty and all but her clear cockiness ruins it.

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Same. Im surprised at how easily I got angry seeing her smug face on screen again

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I honestly thought Shaeeda was being very kind and gracious. Even though he basically lied to her, she seemed open to fixing the place up and making improvements. I thought it was cruel to play a prank like that after this woman waited on you for two years and was spiritually married to you. He should have *tested* her before having her give up her whole life and leave her country to be with him. I would have been terrified if I were her. What else would he be lying about?



Why are Ari and Biniyam returning? Tbh she deserves to have the whole ass wine bottle tossed on her with how manipulative and coercive she is. Threatening to kidnap a mans child if he upsets you when thats exactly what happened with his previous child and hes explicitly stated he is traumatized by it. Shes terrible.

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Ari is so lucky she has the parents she has because her decision making is hall of fame bad.

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So Jibri went all the way to Serbia to find the "blackest" white woman he could find.... ok.

Also I hate Bilal. Sheeda should just uppercut him. The audacity of this ashy ugly ass dude to tell her to be grateful for holes in the roof and no faucet in the kitchen.

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RIIIIIIGHT! There was no faucet!!!!!

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LOL @ the camera operator who made sure to zoom in on the one other black person in Salina, Kansas.

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I love this messy show and all its offshoots. Makes me feel better about myself and I get to judge idiots.

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Iran is moving ahead with a US$500-million contract for the production development and enhanced oil recovery from its strategically vital South Pars Oil Layer signed between the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company, and an as-yet officially undisclosed foreign company. In this contract, for the first time, horizontal drilling with new foreign technologies and water injection will be used as one of the methods of production enhancement, said NIOC chief executive officer, Mohsen Khojasteh-Mehr. The two key points to understand about the [South Pars] Oil Layer is that it is likely to have a lot more oil in it than has been publicized by the [Petroleum Ministry] and even more importantly it has always been seen by the [Petroleum] Ministry as being a doorway for foreign firms to participate more deeply in the ongoing development of the [South Pars] Gas Field, one of the sources said. The South Pars non-associated natural gas fields 3,700 square kilometers (km) sector of the 9,700 square km basin shared with Qatar (in the form of the 6,000 square km North Field) holds an estimated 14.2 trillion cubic meters (tcm) of gas reserves in place plus 18 billion barrels of gas condensate. It already accounts for around 40 percent of Irans total estimated 33.8 tcm of gas reserves and about 60 percent of its gas production, with this set to rise. It is so important to Irans future prosperity and places in the world that it is regarded by the Islamic Republic as a core strategic project with the latest accurate information relating to it seen as a matter of national security. Nonetheless, as part of the detailed analysis of it and of all Irans core oil and gas assets contained in my new book on the global oil markets, with the addition of the export and sanctions-avoiding Guriyeh-Jask pipeline, the net present value of the South Pars gas field has jumped from an estimated US$116 billion two years ago to just under US$150 billion now, according to sources close to the Petroleum Ministry.

According to the only previous public statements from Iran on the South Pars Oil Layer (SPOL) project, the former deputy head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), Gholamreza Manouchehri, has said that the project is a complex process requiring integrated development and that: We are looking for a competent contractor who can make a commitment to productionWe are looking for cumulative production. Earlier last month, Mohammad Meshkinfam, the managing director of the Pars Oil and Gas Company, which is in charge of developing the South Pars site, said that the company was in talks with a number of Iranian companies on the development of the oil layer of the field. He added that these negotiations were confidential.

This said, just prior to discussing the possibility of pushing the development of the SPOL, the Iranian minister of transport and urban development, Rostam Ghasemi, was at the head of a delegation that flew to Moscow overnight on 26 April to meet his Russian counterparts in order to sign several wide-ranging agreements connected to transport and transit infrastructure. According to local Iranian reports, the agreements included the activation of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the development of maritime, air, and rail cooperation between Iran and Russia. Part of this includes the operation of the rail corridor from Chabahar Port in Iran to Russia and the electrification of the Incheborun-Garmsar Railway.

Chabahar Port has been designated by China and Russia as one of the key port and later air facilities that can be assigned dual use for civilian and military purposes both under the 25-year China-Iran deal originally agreed in 2019, as analyzed in-depth in my new book on the global oil markets, and under the rolling 10-year cooperation agreements between Russia and Iran. The railroad, from Garmsar on the TehranMashhad mainline to Inchehborun on the border with Turkmenistan, is part of a transit route connecting Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Amirabad Port in Irans Mazandaran province. Meanwhile, as Finland pushed for NATO membership in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine, it is apposite to note that the North-South railway corridor starts from Helsinki in Finland and passes through Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Mumbai.

Related: The War In Ukraine Has Stalled Global Efforts To Cut Emissions

Previously, the main international oil companies with interests in the SPOL were Denmarks Maersk Group and French oil supermajor Total. Ironically, given the subsequent turn of events regarding Irans supergiant non-associated South Pars gas field, many in the oil industry believed that one of the reasons for Totals US$7.45 billion purchase of Danish A.P. Moller-Maersks oil and gas unit was to boost the French companys chances of being allowed to run the flagship Phase 11 of the South Pars field by being allowed first to develop the SPOL. According to one of the Iran sources exclusively spoken to by OilPrice.com, Maersk was just days away from being awarded the SPOL contract  alongside Royal Dutch Shell - before Irans NIOC heard that Total was going to buy the Norwegian firm, so held off awarding the contract.

According to the NIOCs Khojasteh-Mehr, the development of the second phase of the SPOL has been negotiated within the framework of the new upstream contract model of the Iran  the Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC), as also analyzed in-depth in my new book on the global oil markets. As such, he added, the project entails upgrading and modifying the existing processing vessel and platform, overhauling existing wells, drilling new wells including production and water injection wells and appraisal, construction of oil discharge and loading system, and strengthening the water injection system.

Iran started pumping oil from the oil layer in March 2017, with an initial production of just 5,000 bpd that has risen now to 25,000 bpd, and this has been focused on the proven oil areas of the SPOL, including Sarvak, Kazhdomi, and the Upper Darian and Lower Darian formations. However, previous internal Petroleum Ministry estimates have been that the SPOL may hold around seven billion barrels of oil. This original estimate has officially been revised down to just under one billion barrels, but this is regarded by the Iranian sources spoken to by OilPrice.com as being an attempt to minimize any potential wrangling with neighboring Qatar over boundaries and the future development of the site.

In this context, much of the SPOLs reserves are projected to be located about 100 kilometers from the Iranian coast, in the north-eastern extension of Qatars Al-Shaheen field in the Persian Gulf. Given that the site is located at around 67 meters of water depth, the lifting costs (excluding capital expenditure) will be higher than the usual figure in Iran. However, the usual figure  a US$2-3 per barrel lifting cost range  is the lowest in the world, along with Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, so a few extra dollars per barrel would still place the site amongst potentially the most profitable in the world, depending on the per barrel remuneration rate given to participating firms by the Petroleum Ministry.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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Hess Corp found itself spending $325 million in March to exit hedges at a serious loss.

With earnings season underway, Americas shale producers are expected, almost across the board, to report stellar earnings, but as Bloomberg reports, theyll also be taking huge losses from hedging against falling oil prices.

In total, BloombergNEF estimates that through next year, U.S. shale companies will face $42 billion in oil and gas hedging losses, based on 2021 data. That means that while balance sheets might remain intact, companies will spend big to exit positions.

BloombergNEF notes that Hess Corp found itself spending $325 million in March to exit hedges at a serious loss, while Pioneer paid a similar amount to exit and lost $2B on hedges last year, while EOG lost $2.8 billion in Q1.

Dropping those hedges could mean a lot more revenue for shale producers this year; however, theres a substantial amount of risk that comes with that if oil prices fall and no hedges are in place.

These large companies, their balance sheets are so much cleaner and their risk appetite is higher, Bloomberg quoted Enverus analyst Andy McConn as saying. Theyve recognized the demand from investors for exposure to the near-term prices. And so all those things considered, theyre saying, its worth our interest to just get rid of hedges.

Smaller Appalachian natural gas companies are also feeling the hedging pain, with less ability to manage it.

Pennsylvania-based EQT recorded $3 billion in losses on derivatives that were not designated as hedges, according to the Post Gazette, while CNX lost some $1.7 billion in the first quarter, compared with $1 billion in losses for Texas-based Range Resources.

For 2022, EQT has some 65% of its production hedged. For 2023, it has nearly half hedged, but gas prices are still rising.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Public exploration and production (E&P) companies are on track to shatter previous record profits this year as high oil and gas prices and surging demand drive financial success. Rystad Energy research shows that total free cash flow (FCF)*, a companys cash from operations after accounting for outflows and asset maintenance, will balloon to $834 billion, a 70% increase from the $493 billion profits in 2021. Total FCF from public E&Ps fell to around $126 billion in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing oil price collapse, halving the prior years total. As the global economy rebounded and fuel demand increased, last years FCF levels surged to nearly $500 billion, the highest profits ever for the upstream industry.

The current financial health of public upstream operators is at an all-time high. Still, the good times are set to get even better this year, thanks to a perfect storm of factors pushing profits and cash flow to another record high in 2022, says Espen Erlingsen, Rystad Energys head of upstream research.

The main contributing factor to these glowing financials is sustained high oil and gas prices. With average Brent oil prices estimated at $111 per barrel in 2022, a Henry Hub gas price at $4.2 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) and a European gas price of $25 per Mcf, total FCF for public upstream companies will reach $834 billion this year.

Related: Buffett Is Betting Big On Oil And Gas Stocks



However, it is not just record high FCF on the table for public upstream operators. Cash from operations** is also expected to rocket this year, breaking the $1 trillion threshold for the first time. The $1.1 trillion projected annual total is a 56% jump from 2021 levels of $719 billion, which was the highest yearly total since 2014.

Cash from operations is typically used to fund new investments and financial costs, such as debt payments and dividends. In 2020, cash from operations dropped by almost $200 billion, or around 35%, implying that companies had less money to finance new activity and issue payouts to their owners. As a result, investments also dropped in 2020, falling by almost $100 billion or around 30%.

Despite the robust growth in cash from operations, investments are not expected to grow significantly this year, inching up to $286 billion from $258 billion in 2021. The investment ratio*** shows the disparity between record cash flow and profits, and the portion of those windfalls that are reinvested. This ratio has fluctuated during the past decade, averaging around 72%. This year, however, the projected investment ratio is expected to plunge to 26%, the lowest since the early 1980s.

The meager investment ratio and soaring FCF indicate that public E&P companies will have significant cash available to pay down debt or fork out dividends to shareholders. Much of last years profit was spent on reducing debt, which has left upstream operators in a very healthy financial position. The upshot of this is that a significant portion of the vast profits anticipated this year will likely be paid out to shareholders.

How the operators stack up

Almost all the large public E&P companies will have an investment ratio between 20% and 30% in 2022. US independent Occidental Petroleum has the lowest ratio of about 20%, while US major ExxonMobil is expected to see the most significant increase in FCF in 2022, growing by about $18 billion. Compatriot independent Hess is an outlier among these companies with an investment ratio of around 45%, due to the companys plans to ramp up investments in Guyana and the core US shale patch of the Bakken.

*FCF includes all cash flows from upstream activity. It does not include cash from financing or hedging effects.

**Cash from operations is calculated as revenue minus operational costs and government take.

***Investment ratio is calculated as investments divided by cash from operations.

By Rystad Energy

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The leaders of Bulgaria and Greece launched on Tuesday the construction of an LNG import terminal near the northern Greek port of Alexandroupolis, aimed at diversifying supply to southeast Europe and cutting its heavy reliance on Russian gas.

The LNG terminal, expected to start operations towards the end of next year, would triple Greeces regasification capacity, Greek Prime Kyriakos Mitsotakis said at the ceremony attended by the prime ministers of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, the president of Serbia, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

Last week, Gazprom stopped gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria, saying supply was cut off due to absence of payments in rubles.

In Bulgaria's case, Bulgaria is required to pay in U.S. dollars for Russian gas under its contract with Gazprom, and Russia's demand for payment in rubles is a breach of that contract and adds risks to the buyer, Bulgarian Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov said last week.

It is clear that in the current war in Ukraine, Russia uses natural gas as a political and economic weapon, Nikolov added, noting that Bulgaria will not negotiate under pressure.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said last week that he had discussed the situation with his Greek counterpart Mitsotakis and that Bulgaria and Greece would continue to work with its neighbor towards energy security and diversification, which is of strategic importance to both countries and the region. Bulgaria and Greece are confident that the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), a pipeline to diversify gas supply away from Russia, will be completed on time this summer, Petkov added.

At todays ceremony, Petkov said that the Kremlins economic blackmail would fail following the united response of the EU to the halt of Russian gas deliveries to two of its member states.

United, we can counter the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the unprecedented pressure from Russia via the stoppage of gas deliveries, Petkov said. The LNG terminal is not only an energy but also a geopolitical project that will change the energy map of the entire region, Bulgarias PM said.

Charles Michel, for his part, commented on Twitter:

We will end our dependence on Russian fossil fuels. This new #LNG terminal is a geopolitical investment. It will help free South East Europe from the weaponisation of gas supply by #Russia.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Plummeting Russian production, some of which may never return to markets, could have a significant impact on oil prices for years to come.

New lockdowns in China exerted some downward pressure on WTI and Brent, but the upside potential remains substantial.

Crude oil prices remained bullish Tuesday morning after the latest signal from the European Union that it is preparing to impose an oil embargo on Russia. China Covid lockdowns continued to exert downward pressure on benchmarks, temporarily reversing the price rise, but the upside potential remains substantial, especially after BPs CEO Bernard Looney told Reuters he expected the deficit of Russian oil to double from 1 million bpd to 2 million bpd this month.

Germanys Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday that Germany was ready to support an immediate oil embargo as well as a more gradual phase-out of Russian oil imports.

"Germany is not against an oil ban on Russia. Of course, it is a heavy load to bear but we would be ready to do that," Habeck said, as quoted by Reuters.

The official also admitted the EU will suffer consequences from its sanction action.

Its inconceivable that sanctions wont have consequences for our own economy and for prices in our countries, Habeck said, as quoted by the Financial Times. We as Europeans are prepared to bear [the economic strain] in order to help Ukraine. But theres no way this wont come at a cost to us.

Meanwhile, Brent crude topped $108 per barrel on Monday, retreating slightly on Tuesday morning to $106.7 (8:50am EST), but remaining substantially higher than a week ago. West Texas Intermediate was trading at $104.3 per barrel at the time of writing, after topping $105 on Monday.

Related: The Inevitable Decline Of Russias Oil Industry

In further bullish news, Reuters reported that five analysts it polled expected the American Petroleum Institute to report another decline in crude oil inventories, with the median forecast for a 1.2-million-barrel draw.

This would add to already substantial declines in crude oil and fuel inventories. In crude, inventories have shed a cumulative 421 million barrels since July last year. Whole fuel inventories across the board are palpably below the five-year average for this time of the year.

Meanwhile, the longer-term outlook for oil also remains bullish as Russias production is falling faster than expected and a lot of it may be lost irreversibly.

While this is happening, OPEC recorded almost no increase in production last month, with analysts expecting the cartel to report a modest 40,000-bpd monthly increase from March. This compares to some 250,000 bpd in monthly increases agreed by the OPEC+ members two years ago.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The Cabinet of Ministers now has 10 days to determine who will be put on the sanctions list.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has just introduced a package of economic measures intended to retaliate against Western sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to terminate exports and deals with the West and add certain individuals and entities to the Kremlins sanctions list in retaliation for sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union.

Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a package of economic measures on Tuesday to retaliate against international sanctions placed on Moscow.

The decree, published on the Kremlin website, was in connection with the unfriendly actions of the United States and its allies that violate international law and aim to illegally deprive the Russian Federation and Russian legal entities of their property.

The Cabinet of Ministers now has 10 days to determine who will be put on the sanctions list.

Sanctioned individuals will be prohibited from carrying out transactions or signing external trade contracts, as well as from exporting products and raw materials.

According to Russian news agency Itar Tass, the Russian Finance Ministry and Central Bank will have the right to give official clarifications on the application of this decree.

The sanctions threat comes as the European Union warns its members against paying for Russian gas in rubles or using a Kremlin-designed loophole through Gazprombank, where payments in other currencies are then transferred to a separate ruble account, going through the sanctioned Russian Central Bank.

It also comes a day after the bloc alerted members to be prepared for Russia to cut off gas to all European Union countries in retaliation for its refusal to make payments in rubles. Last week, Russia cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria.

Threats of retaliation are mounting ahead of May 9th, Russias Victory Day celebrationsa day observers expect Putin to be hoping to be able to demonstrate a significant victory in Ukraine or over the West.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Russian energy giant Rosneft has been hit by a major cyberattack, according to various news reports in Germany.

Germanys Federal Office for Information Security, the BSI, confirmed that hacker group Anonymous has targeted several units of Rosneft, forcing the Russian oil company to take its systems down.

Anonymous published a statement confirming responsibility for the attack, revealing it had captured 20 terabytes of data.

Prosecutors in Berlin have opened an investigation, according to a report in Der Spiegel magazine.

Rosneft is reportedly responsible for around a quarter of all crude oil imports to Germany and holds stakes in three refineries in the country. Its chief executive, Igor Sechin, is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is chairman of the board of directors.

The BSI had warned earlier this month for an increased risk of cyberattacks and an increased threat situation for Germany after Russias invasion of Ukraine, advising companies to improve their IT security measures.

By CityAM

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Minutes after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a new decree on retaliatory sanctions against the West, the European Union has announced a lineup of new sanctions on Russia targeting banking, oil imports and disinformation campaigns, Reuters reports.

"We are working on the sixth package of sanctions which aims to de-SWIFT more banks, list disinformation actors and tackle oil imports," Josep Borrell, head of the foreign policy unit at the EU's executive European Commission, said in a tweet.

The EU adopted its fifth round of sanctions against Russia in early April. This will be the sixth round, if approved.

The bloc has already blacklisted several Russian banks from SWIFTthe worlds key financial messaging services that enables secure transactionsand is now gearing up to add Russias biggest lender, Sberbank, to the exclusion list.

Among the sanctions is expected to be a controversial ban on Russian oil imports by the end of this year.



Details on the new sanctions are expected to be released Wednesday and will then need to be approved by 27 member states. According to the Wall Street Journal, details of the sanctions could be released later on Tuesday.

European Council president Charles Michel says the sanctions are imminent in order to break the Russian war machine.

Our goal is simple: we must break the Russian war machine. And I am confident that the council will imminently impose further sanctions, notably on Russian oil, the Guardian quoted Michel as saying.

Hungary and Slovakia, in particular, remain opposed to a Russian oil ban, though the bloc has reportedly considered exemptions or some sort of timeline relief for both countries. Slovakia insists it needs up to six years to be able to replace Russian oil, while Hungary says it cannot support an oil embargo at all.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Natural gas prices in Europe on Tuesday extended a slide that began three days ago thanks to forecasts for warmer weather coming to Europe along with LNG shipments seen as offsetting the danger of a cutoff of Russian gas for the EU.

Bloomberg reported that gas futures had slipped by over 3% before recouping some of the losses, but still down from yesterday.

Meanwhile, the European Commission is racing to provide legal clarity for payments in Russian rubles amid calls from major importers that they are still not certain whether such payments would breach EU sanctions on Russia.

Its very important that the EU Commission gives a clear legal opinion if payment in rubles is a violation of sanctions, said Italys Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Monday.

The EU remains the top destination for U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas, meanwhile. For the fifth month in a row, Europe took in more than half of U.S. LNG exports globally in April. Total U.S. LNG exports fell slightly during the month mostly on the back of planned maintenance.

With the surge of imports of LNG into the EU, the blocs stance on long-term fossil fuel import commitments is beginning to change. Previously a staunch opponent to such long-term commitments, the EU is now reconsidering, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

Theres a real potential here for Europe to signal the demand for U.S. LNG and for our U.S. LNG providers to provide that gas to them in the form of long-term contracts, said National Security Council senior director for climate and energy Melanie Nakagawa, as quoted by the WSJ.

Besides the United States, the European Union is also looking for gas deliveries from Africa, Bloomberg reported yesterday, citing a draft EU document. Nigeria, Angola, and Senegal are among the countries with solid LNG export potential, according to the document

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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NIAMEY, May 3 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community on Monday here to invest in strengthening the capacity of Niger's army in the fight against terrorism.

"As terrorist attacks continue to increase in the Sahel and spread to Gulf of Guinea states, the international community must realize that this is not just a regional or African issue, but a global threat," said Guterres during a press conference with Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum.

"The international community must invest fully in strengthening the capacity of the Niger army, I will continue to advocate for the mobilization of additional resources to face these challenges," he said.

Niger cannot face all these challenges alone, said Guterres, regarding the African Union, the G5 Sahel and ECOWAS as "essential actors for peace, stability and development in the region."

The G5 Sahel is a regional and intergovernmental organization which groups Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, while the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) is a bloc of 15 West African countries, including Mali, Niger and Nigeria.

"The UN remains committed to Niger and other countries in the Sahel region," said the UN chief, adding that "the peace, stability and prosperity of Niger and the whole of the Sahel represent an absolute priority for the United Nations."

For his part, Bazoum said that terrorism imposes on Niger "the challenge of recruiting more soldiers, training them better than before, and better equipping them. This requires a lot of resources, we need your support."

Guterres arrived in Niger on Monday. He will also visit Nigeria. 
Germanys Uniper is continuing talks with Russian Gazprom and the German government on paying in rubles for deliveries of Russian gas, according to a Q1 financial report, out today.

The news comes as the European Commission urges member-state governments to shun Russian gas amid preparations for an embargo on Russian crude oil imports.

Uniper, which is one of Germanys top gas buyers from Russia, said last week it was going to accept Gazproms new terms for gas payments.

"The plan is to make our payments in euros to an account in Russia," a company spokesperson told German media, as cited by Reuters last Thursday. Since then, however, the EC has stepped up pressure on European gas importers.

Yesterday, the Commission reiterated its warning that paying for Russian gas in rubles would constitute a breach of EU sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

Per the new Russian terms for payments, any buyer of Russian gas from any unfriendly country needs to open two accounts in Gazprombank: one in the foreign currency it wants to pay in and one in rubles.

When a gas payment is due, the buyer deposits the necessary sum in dollars or euros in its first Gazprombank account. The bank then converts the sum into rubles under Russian central bank exchange rates and deposits it in the second account, from which the actual payment is made.

"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," said Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson on Monday.

The European Union received some 40% of its imported natural gas from Russia along with 26% of its imported crude oil. The bloc has substantially stepped up its efforts to find replacement supplies in the last few weeks.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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A refinery owned by French supermajor TotalEnergies in Germany is expected to continue importing Russian crude oil via pipeline at least through the end of this month, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

The 240,000-barrels-per-day refinery Leuna in eastern Germany is one of two facilities in Germany that still use Russian crude imports via the Druzhba oil pipeline from Russia.

Although there is not yet an official ban on Russian oil sales in Europe, major international traders have already said they would either cut or phase out purchases of Russias crude in the coming weeks.

TotalEnergies, for its part, said in March that given the worsening situation in Ukraine and the existence of alternative sources for supplying Europe, TotalEnergies has unilaterally decided to no longer enter into or renew contracts to purchase Russian oil and petroleum products, in order to halt all its purchases of Russian oil and petroleum products as soon as possible and by the end of 2022 at the latest.

TotalEnergies has term contracts to buy Russian crude, which end by December 31, 2022. Those contracts primarily cover supplies via the Druzhba pipeline for the Leuna refinery, the company noted.

In close cooperation with the German government, TotalEnergies will terminate its Russian oil supply contracts for the Leuna refinery as soon as possible and by the end of 2022 at the latest, and will put in place alternative solutions by importing oil via Poland, the French firm said.

Germany is also preparing to take control of the PCK refinery in Schwedt, operated by Russian state-owned Rosneft. The new plan would see PCK inputs shipped through the German Baltic Sea port of Rostock and the Polish port of Gdansk through an alternative pipeline link.

Germany has now reportedly dropped its opposition to an EU ban on Russian oil imports, 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.

The EU is currently discussing an embargo on imports of Russian oil, and could offer exemptions to Hungary, which has threatened to veto a ban on imports from Russia.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Frustrated Indiana conservatives fell short in most primary races Tuesday in their drive to push the Republican-controlled state Legislature further to the right, and two of the movements leaders lost their reelection bids.

The roughly two dozen so-called liberty candidates saw only a few victories in Republican legislative races across the state, with one defeating a 10-term incumbent in northern Indiana and two others winning nominations for GOP-leaning open seats.

A few races remained uncalled late Tuesday, but more than 10 incumbent lawmakers overcame challenges from candidates who argued that the Legislature hasnt been aggressive enough in attempting to ban abortion, enhancing gun rights and overturning COVID-19 restrictions that were ordered by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Republican legislative leaders argued the no compromise stances adopted by many challengers arent practical. They tout the states low taxes and unemployment and broad private school voucher program among its conservative successes.

Unlike in other GOP races across the country  including Ohio, which also had a statewide primary Tuesday  the Indiana legislative contests focused on state issues, rather than which candidate is closest to former President Donald Trump or has his support.

The challengers said they were trying to tap into a deep resentment among voters  and even winning a few seats could nudge the Legislature further to the right.

It was unclear whether the leak of a draft opinion suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn a 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide had any impact in the primary. Indiana lawmakers didn't pursue major anti-abortion action during this year's session as they waited for a decision from the Supreme Court. If the court overturns Roe v Wade, those lawmakers could ask Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb to call the Legislature into a special session so they can act without having to wait until 2023.

The vast majority of House Republicans, including myself, have been abundantly clear that we want to take action to further protect life should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn, in full or in part, Roe, Republican House Speaker Todd Huston said in a statement Tuesday. We will continue to await the courts final decision.

Indiana law generally prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with 99% of abortions in the state occurring at 13 weeks or earlier, according to a state Health Department report.

The state House GOP campaign operation gave more than $1 million to candidates for the primary  including Craig Snow, who defeated hard-right Republican Rep. Curt Nisly of Milford, and Julie McGuire, who beat Rep. John Jacob of Indianapolis. Nisly and Jacob have been heroes of the liberty candidate challengers for proposals blocked by legislative leaders, including a total abortion ban and seeking to void all state COVID-19 restrictions as far back as late 2020.

Meanwhile, the Liberty Defense PAC, which has worked to rally support for its endorsed candidates, had raised a total of about $95,000 by the end of March.

Some of our incumbents are facing very, very engaged opponents, Huston said. You cant take any chances. Our team has been doing everything they need to do, knocking on doors, lots of voter contacts, those types of things. Nobody should take it lightly.

Some challengers say their movement grew from protests against COVID-19 shutdowns and complaints that GOP legislators didnt take action to end Holcombs executive orders, including a mask mandate.

Lorissa Sweet, a County Council member from rural northern Indiana, defeated Rep. Dan Leonard of Huntington. Leonard, a top Huston lieutenant, drew the wrath of social conservatives for his frequent role in blocking proposals from Nisly and Jacob  either by raising procedural objections or not taking up bills assigned to the House committee he leads.

The challengers were unsuccessful against several other top Republicans, including House Majority Leader Matthew Lehman of Berne and several committee chairmen appointed by Huston. Meanwhile, Rep. John Young of Franklin lost his bid for a fourth term to a challenger who wasn't among the Liberty Defense candidates.

The liberty candidates predominantly ran in heavily Republican districts, so even primary wins by far-right challengers would likely provide few opportunities for Democrats to dent the GOPs current 71-29 House majority.

One voter favoring Jacob said he believed more legislators like him would better ensure personal freedoms and increase the push to restrict access to abortions in Indiana.

I'm a conservative Christian, and I can see that in our culture today, there is so much moving in directions that are not Biblical, and I'm thinking that might be part of the pushback" against many current lawmakers, said Mike Teipen, 73, of Indianapolis. It maybe rubs people too much the wrong way  they don't want to take a strong stand on certain issues. But that's what I think makes a good lawmaker.

Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  Norman Mineta, who broke racial barriers for Asian Americans serving in high-profile government posts and ordered commercial flights grounded after the 9/11 terror attacks as the nation's federal transportation secretary, died Tuesday. He was 90.

John Flaherty, Minetas former chief of staff, said Mineta died peacefully at his home surrounded by family in Edgewater, Maryland, east of the nation's capital.

His cause of death was a heart ailment," Flaherty added. He was an extraordinary public servant and a very dear friend."

Mineta broke racial barriers for Asian Americans in becoming mayor of San Jose, California early in his political career. He later became the first Asian American to become a federal Cabinet secretary, serving under both Democratic President Bill Clinton and Republican George W. Bush.

Bush went on to award Mineta the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In a statement, the former president said Mineta was "a wonderful American story about someone who overcame hardship and prejudice to serve in the United States Army, Congress, and the Cabinet of two Presidents.

As my Secretary of Transportation, he showed great leadership in helping prevent further attacks on and after 9/11. As I said when presenting him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Norm has given his country a lifetime of service, and hes given his fellow citizens an example of leadership, devotion to duty, and personal character, the former president said.

The son of Japanese immigrants who spent two years of his childhood at a World War II internment camp, Mineta began his political career leading his hometown of San Jose before joining the Clinton administration as commerce secretary and then crossing party lines to serve in Bushs Cabinet.

As Bushs transportation secretary, Mineta led the department during the crisis of Sept. 11, 2001, as hijacked commercial airliners barreled toward U.S. landmarks. After a second plane crashed into the World Trade Center, Mineta ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to ground all civilian aircraft  more than 4,500 in flight at the time. It was the first such order given in U.S. aviation history.

Mineta was subsequently tasked with restoring confidence in air travel in the aftermath of the terror attacks. He oversaw the hasty creation of the Transportation Security Administration, which took over responsibility for aviation security from the airlines.

Within a year, the TSA had hired tens of thousands of airport screeners, put air marshals on commercial flights and installed high-tech equipment to screen air travelers and their luggage for bombs.

The effort was derided at the time for wasteful spending and causing long lines at airports. But Mineta, widely liked and respected in Washington for his deep knowledge of transportation issues, managed to escape the brunt of that criticism.

In 2006, he resigned at age 74 after 5 and 1/2 years in his post, making him the longest-serving transportation secretary since the agency was created in 1967.

Born on Nov. 12, 1931, Norman Yoshio Mineta was 10 and wearing his Cub Scouts uniform when he and his parents were transported to be incarcerated in Wyoming after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

He went on to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelors degree in business administration and served as an Army intelligence officer in Korea and Japan. After three years with the military, he returned to San Jose to run his fathers Mineta Insurance Agency.

Minetas foray into politics came in 1967, when San Joses mayor tapped him to fill a vacant seat on the city council. He won re-election and served four more years on the council before winning the citys top seat in 1971, making him the first Asian-American mayor of a major city. It now has an airport that bears his name.

Mineta was elected to Congress in 1974 and served 10 terms representing Silicon Valley. During his tenure, he pushed for more funding for the FAA and co-authored a landmark law that gave state and local governments control over highway and mass transit decisions.

The co-founder of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus also scored a personal victory when he helped win passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which required the U.S. government to apologize to the 120,000 Japanese Americans forced to live in wartime internment camps. Former internees also received reparations of $20,000 each.

In 1993, Mineta became chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee  another first  but he quickly lost that job after Republicans won control of the House in 1994.

Mineta resigned from Congress in 1995 to join Lockheed Martin Corp. as senior vice president of its transportation division, which built and operated electronic toll collection systems.

But Washington came calling again five years later when Clinton, in the final months of his presidency, appointed him to replace William Daley as commerce secretary.

Mineta then became the first cabinet secretary to make the switch directly from a Democratic to Republican administration. He was the only Democrat in Bushs cabinet.

As transportation secretary, Mineta successfully promoted private investment in roads and bridges such as the Chicago Skyway and Indiana Toll Road and helped secure passage of a $286 billion highway spending plan after almost two years of wrangling with Congress.

After overseeing the rapid launch of the TSA, Mineta had his department downsized by almost two-thirds when the TSA and Coast Guard were moved to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 in the biggest government reorganization in nearly six decades.

After retiring from public service, he joined the public relations firm Hill & Knowlton as vice chairman and settled with his wife, Danealia, in Maryland near the Chesapeake Bay.

Chea reported from San Francisco.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  A former University of Virginia lacrosse player is liable for fatally beating his girlfriend in 2010 and must pay $15 million in damages in a wrongful death lawsuit, a jury found Monday.

George Huguely V is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence in the killing of Yeardley Love after being convicted of second-degree murder during a 2012 criminal trial. Huguely and Love both played lacrosse at UVA and had a two-year, on-again, off-again relationship before Yeardley was found beaten to death in her off-campus apartment on May 3, 2010.

The lawsuit sought to hold Huguely civilly liable in Love's death and asked the jury to award $29.5 million in compensatory damages, plus $1 million in punitive damages.

On Monday, the jury awarded $7.5 million in compensatory damages to both Yeardley's mother, Sharon Love, and her sister, Lexi Love Hodges. Punitive damages were not awarded.

Both women broke down in tears when the jury's verdict was read in Charlottesville Circuit Court Monday night after about two hours of deliberations. The verdict came almost 12 years to the day Yeardley Love was found dead in her off-campus apartment.

This had been a tremendous ordeal, said Paul Bekman, an attorney for the family.

They've lived through this, they lived through the criminal trial, and now they had to go through this civil trial," he said. "It is a partial closure that means a lot to them.

Bekman said the jury was asked to answer the question of whether Huguely acted with willful and wanton misconduct and whether his actions were in conscious disregard of Love's rights. The jury answered yes, a finding that meant they could award punitive damages, but they did not.

But Bekman said the finding of willful and wanton misconduct means that Huguely will not be able to have the $15 million in compensatory damages dismissed by a bankruptcy court if he argues that he does not have the assets to pay the judgment.

During the trial, Huguely's lawyer, Matthew Green, acknowledged that Huguely's actions caused Yeardley's death and said her family was entitled to compensatory damages.

But Green said Huguely had been drinking heavily for more than 24 hours before he confronted Love in her apartment, did not intend to kill her and was unaware that she was dead until police told him while questioning him the next morning. Green argued that Huguely's actions did not rise to the level of willful and wanton conduct needed for a jury to award punitive damages under Virginia law.

"We think the result of the jury in granting the defense request not to award punitive damages shows that George got a fair trial ten years ago and justice was done at that time and no additional punishment was warranted, Green said after the verdict.

Love, of Cockeysville, Maryland, and Huguely, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, were both 22-year-old UVA seniors who were weeks away from graduation.

Love's attorneys told jurors that Huguely and Love had a rocky relationship that was damaged by Huguely's excessive drinking. They said Huguely kicked a hole in Loves bedroom door, then beat her and left her alone in her apartment without seeking medical attention. A medical examiner concluded she died of blunt force trauma to her head.

Huguely testified that he doesn't remember breaking into her room and leaving her fatally injured. He said he had been drinking heavily and compared his memory of the night Love was killed to a slideshow in which 98% of the slides had been removed.

Bekman said the jury's verdict sends a message that being drunk does not excuse violent behavior. You think you get a free pass  you don't, he said. There's accountability, and accountability took place today in Charlottesville.

Toward the end of his testimony, Huguely turned to Loves mother and sister and apologized for killing her.

I miss her and think about her every day. I would do anything to take back that night, he said. I take responsibility for what happened to her and I should have never gone over to her apartment that night.

Sharon Love initially filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2012, but it was voluntarily dismissed years later after court rulings determined that Huguely was not entitled to coverage under a $6 million homeowners insurance policy held by his family.

A new lawsuit filed in 2018 dropped negligence claims, but added a claim alleging that an assault and battery by Huguely was the proximate cause of Loves death.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Nooryali Noor watched as his children zipped out the back door of their Millard home, their laughter floating through the living room and into the kitchen, where heaps of food sat in wait of the sunset.

The familys 2-month-old kitten watched from a distance as a game of tag ensued.

Nooryali looked back down at his phone, scrolling through photos, until he landed on one taken last summer of a plane crowded with refugees desperately attempting to flee from Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Afghan man and his wife, Latifa Noor, were on that plane with their seven children. They were among thousands making a hasty exit as the Taliban swept across the country at a speed that shocked the world.

The family had received their visas two days before the collapse of the Afghan government. After making it through a dangerous journey and boarding a plane, Nooryali stayed awake for days as they made their way to Kuwait and then on to the United States.

It was very hard to get here, Nooryali said through an interpreter. It was so crowded, and I had to make sure the kids didnt get lost. It would have been easy for the kids to be injured by other people.

Once in the United States, the family set out for Omaha. They knew relatives who previously had settled in California, but Nooryali and Latifa felt Nebraska was a better choice economically for their large family.

The family began a new life with the help of a caseworker and support from a friend who had worked with Nooryali at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan before moving to Omaha five years ago.

The Noor family has faced new beginnings and many firsts since their arrival in November. The journey out of Afghanistan was the first time they had traveled outside the country. The children, 6 to 17 years old, all had their first days of school in Millard; Latifa said they are adjusting well. And in April, the family observed their first Ramadan in the United States.

Considered one of the most sacred months of the year, Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan. When the sun goes down, the fast is broken with a light meal called an iftar, which is followed by an evening prayer.

Celebrating Ramadan in Nebraska is hugely different from celebrating in Afghanistan, Nooryali said.

In Afghanistan, many people dont work during the month of Ramadan, or work just a half-day. The community would also come together for special Ramadan programs.

Here you just go about normal, everyday life, Nooryali said. Its like you feel the spirit of Ramadan less.

Also missing were relatives to share in the celebration. Nooryalis mother, brother and sisters are among family members still in Afghanistan.

Theyre constantly under the fear of the new regime, Nooryali said. We worry less about ourselves  we just worry about our family back there. Were just hoping that soon some sort of security comes to Afghanistan so people can start working toward their old lives back.

As the sun set, the family broke a fast that had begun before the sun rose that morning. A plate of dates was passed around. Dishes of lamb, chicken, rice and yogurt were shared.

Then, as the light continued to fade outside, Nooryali, Latifa and 14-year-old Shabana moved to the living room for their evening prayer. The house was mostly still and quiet as they worshipped on their prayer rugs, joining the tens of thousands of displaced Afghans around the world who, despite their upheaval in their lives, continue the traditions of the holy month.

Nooryali sat back down at the table, to eat alongside his wife before getting a call from his eldest daughter, Shiba. The 17-year-old had finished her shift at a local pizza restaurant.

The after-school job is one of numerous steps the family has taken to adapt to their new home.

Soon, 16-year-old Ahmad will take his driving tests; Latifa is learning English online.

The kids are doing well, Nooryali said. I think were all adjusting well.

<&rule>

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A man fatally shot himself early Tuesday after Bellevue police officers stopped the pickup truck he was driving, police said.

Shortly after 1:50 a.m., Bellevue officers were called to check on the well-being of Matthew Slowik, 42, of Bellevue, after his wife reported that he was making suicidal statements.

Just before 4 a.m., officers located Slowik's Ford F-150 pickup near Victoria Avenue and Sunbury Drive, which is east of Fort Crook Road and north of Harlan Drive. After Slowik stopped the pickup, officers heard a single gunshot from inside. Officers found Slowik dead in the vehicle.

As required by state statute, the incident is being investigated as an in-custody death, Bellevue Police Sgt. Howard Banks said in a prepared statement. The Omaha Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol are assisting in the investigation. Information will be submitted to the Sarpy County attorney pending a grand jury investigation.

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Election 2022: JD Vance wins Ohio's GOP Senate primary

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance has won Ohios contentious and hyper-competitive GOP Senate primary, buoyed by Donald Trumps endorsement in a race widely seen as an early test of the former presidents hold on his party. Vances win ends an exceptionally bitter and expensive primary contest that, at one point, saw two candidates nearly come to blows on a debate stage. And it marks a major victory for Trump, who has staked his reputation as a GOP kingmaker on his ability to pull his chosen candidates across the finish line. Democrat Nan Whaley, the former mayor of Dayton, will take on Ohio's incumbent Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in the general election after both secured their parties' nominations.

'Still in shock.' Abortion defenders, foes stunned by leak

People on both sides of the abortion divide have been anticipating that the Supreme Court this summer would reverse the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. On Monday night, a leaked draft opinion that would overturn Roe began ricocheting around the world. Even those preparing for the undoing of Roe said it was still staggering to see the blunt words of Justice Samuel Alito in print, forcing them to reckon with the likely reality the nation will enter soon. The owner of an Alabama abortion clinic, whose phones were ringing off the hook on Tuesday, said he was still in shock.

Primary takeaways: Trump passes test as kingmaker in Ohio

The primary election in Ohio stood as the first real test this midterm election season of former President Donald Trump's status as the Republican Party kingmaker  and he passed. His chosen GOP candidate in the tight U.S. Senate race, JD Vance, won Tuesday after trailing in the polls just three weeks ago. Another Trump-supported candidate, Ohios Republican secretary of state, Frank LaRose, easily survived a primary challenge. In the governor's primary, Republican incumbent Mike DeWine cruised to victory over three far-right challengers. Trump didn't endorse anyone in that race. He had castigated DeWine for his strict coronavirus policies in 2020.

Russia storms Mariupol plant as some evacuees reach safety

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian fighters say Russian forces have begun storming a sprawling steel plant in the besieged port city of Mariupol. Tuesday's onslaught came as scores of civilians who had been evacuated from the plant reached safer territory. The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine says 101 women, men, children, and older persons left the Azovstal steelworks. Elsewhere, Russian troops shelled a chemical plant in the eastern city of Avdiivka, killing at least 10 people. And explosions were heard in the western city of Lviv, which has been a haven for those fleeing fighting in the east.

Biden blasts 'radical' Roe draft, warns other rights at risk

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is blasting what he calls a radical leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. On Tuesday, Biden warned that a whole range of rights are in jeopardy if it holds. The court cautioned that the draft was not final, and Chief Justice John Roberts said he had ordered an investigation into what he called an egregious breach of trust. Biden said he would work with Congress to legislate the right to abortion into federal law. But such efforts have failed in the past.

Ohio Republican Gov. DeWine will face Nan Whaley this fall

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP)  Former Dayton, Ohio, Mayor Nan Whaley has won the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor and will face incumbent Republican Mike DeWine this fall. Whaley is the first woman in the states history to receive a major partys backing for the top office. She bested ex-Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley on Tuesday. Whaley figures to be an underdog in November against DeWine in a state that hasnt elected a Democrat governor since 2006. DeWine topped three far-right opponents, including ex-U.S. Rep Jim Renacci, by relying on a huge fundraising advantage and a big network of supporters.

North Korea launches suspected missile toward sea

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile toward its eastern waters on Wednesday, South Korean and Japanese officials said, days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to bolster his nuclear arsenal at the fastest possible pace and threatened to use them against rivals. The launch came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to accelerate the development of nuclear weapons and threatened to use them if provoked in a speech at a military parade. The launch is the latest in a string of weapons tests by North Korea, which experts say are aimed at boosting its weapons arsenal and pressuring its rivals to ease international sanctions.

Even as COVID cases rise, mask mandates stay shelved

NEW YORK (AP)  As mask mandates and vaccination rules kept falling across the U.S., infections from the latest COVID variants have been quietly taking hold in some places, sparking concern among public health officials but stirring a muted response from pretty much everyone else. More cities are now in new high-risk categories that are supposed to trigger indoor mask wearing, but there's been little appetite to do so. Much of upstate New York is in a high-alert category that reflects serious community spread. In New York City, cases are rising again, but it's unlikely Mayor Eric Adams will do an about face just a few months after many in his city shed masks and put away vaccination cards.

EXPLAINER: What's the latest in Russia's dance with default?

Russia's debt drama is far from over. Moscow likely made last-minute overdue payments before the end of a grace period that expires Wednesday. But there is still widespread expectation a default may be in the offing. The finance ministry has flirted with paying with rubles, saying that sanctions have frozen its hard currency reserves but swerved to pay in dollars. Ratings agencies say doing otherwise would be default. A finance industry committee is reviewing the status of Russia's debt and whether creditor insurance should be paid out. And more payments are due in coming days.

New Mexico governor seeking US disaster status for wildfire

LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is asking President Joe Biden to declare a disaster as firefighters scramble to clear brush, build fire lines and spray water to keep the largest blaze burning in the U.S. from destroying more homes. The governor signed a request for a presidential disaster declaration Tuesday, while fire managers predicted the battle to protect towns in the state's northeast pine forests and mountains would become more intense later in the week. The fire is the result of two blazes that merged, one of which was a prescribed fire that jumped containment lines. About 6,000 homes have been evacuated and around 170 homes have been destroyed, but officials expect that number to grow.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Chinese enterprises meet challenges with multi-pronged support

Xinhua) 09:41, May 03, 2022

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."

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
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.
MEXICO CITY  Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are camping out in Mexico City and waiting for the U.S. government to allow them into the country.

About 500 evacuees were waiting Tuesday in large tents under a searing sun on a dusty field on the east side of Mexicos sprawling capital. The camp has been open only a week and from 50 to 100 people are arriving every day.

Some refugees have already been to the U.S. border in Tijuana where they were told they would no longer be admitted. Others arrived at airports in Mexico City or Cancun.

The U.S. government announced in late March that it would accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Hundreds entered Mexico daily as tourists in Mexico City or Cancun and flew to Tijuana to wait for a few days to be admitted to the U.S. at a San Diego border crossing on humanitarian parole.

Giorgi Mikaberidze, 19, arrived in Tijuana April 25 and found the U.S. border closed. He went from being just yards from the United States to some 600 miles (966 kilometers) away in the Mexico City area. He said he traveled to Mexico alone.

Its very difficult to wait. We dont know how the program will work, he said.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russia storms Mariupol steel plant as some evacuees reach safety

 Debt drama far from over for Russia even though it dodges default

 Biden visit highlights strain on US weapons stockpile

 Pope Francis offers to meet Putin, but hasn't heard back

 German opposition leader visits Ukraine; chancellor refuses to go

Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden's national security adviser met Tuesday with a Swedish foreign affairs officials and committed to continuing close coordination on security issues, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said.

NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Oscar Stenstrom, state secretary for foreign affairs to Sweden's prime minister, discussed the security situation in Europe in light of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The topics included ongoing efforts to support Ukraine and impose costs on Russia, Watson said.

WASHINGTON  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the war in Ukraine has worsened problems in the Western Hemisphere caused by the coronavirus pandemic, such as rising poverty.

Concerns about the war decreasing the availability of food and increasing prices have sparked fears of increasing hunger and starvation in other nations. Blinken told the annual Conference of the Americas Luncheon on Tuesday that the effects of the war are being felt after the pandemic inflicted massive economic harm throughout the region.

Giving the luncheons keynote address in Washington, Blinken said: Now, with the Russian governments brutal war of aggression on Ukraine, many of these preexisting problems, these preexisting conditions, have been made worse, raising the price of essential commodities throughout the Americas, from fertilizer to wheat to petroleum, cutting off key export markets for many industries in the Americas, and forcing households across the region to make very wrenching choices as the cost of living skyrockets.

Blinken plans to chair two United Nations meetings later this month aimed at spotlighting how the war in Ukraine and other conflicts is affecting the availability of food and prices.

KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian officials say the Russian military has struck railroad infrastructure across the country.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, the head of the Ukrainian railways, said the Russian strikes on Tuesday hit six railway stations in the countrys central and western regions, inflicting heavy damage.

Kamyshin said at least 14 trains were delayed because of the attacks.

Dnipro region Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said Russian missiles struck railway infrastructure in the area, leaving one person wounded and disrupting train movement.

The Ukrainian military also reported strikes on railways in the Kirovohrad region, saying there were unspecified casualties.

Ukraines railroads have played an important role in moving people, goods and military supplies during the war as roads and bridges have been damaged.

TROY, Ala.  President Joe Biden on Tuesday credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant for doing life-saving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine to stifle Russias invasion as he made a pitch for Congress to approve $33 billion so the U.S. can continue hustle aid to the front lines.

Youre allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves, Biden told the workers, his podium flanked by Javelin missile launchers and shipping containers. And, quite frankly, theyre making fools of the Russian military in many instances.

The presidents visit to the Lockheed Martin factory in Alabama also drew attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, 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 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.

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.

UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. humanitarian chief in Ukraine says about 30 people who came out of the besieged Avostal steel plant in Mariupol chose not to leave the city, saying they were horrified at its total devastation and first wanted to find out if their loved ones were still alive.

Osnat Lubrani told a virtual press conference from the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia soon after the arrival Tuesday of 127 people evacuated from the plant and the town of Manhush on Mariupols outskirts that she wants to believe the successful operation will be a stepping stone to more such operations from Avostal and other towns and cities being shelled and bombarded by the Russians.

She said there is knowledge that there are civilians still trapped in the Avostal plant, but the U.N. has no numbers.

Some of them may have been afraid to come out, some of them probably couldnt make it, Lubrani said. Its a huge area and some of the elderly people could hardly walk and a broken bus with flat tires was used to help some of them leave.

Speaking of the people who wanted to stay in Mariupol, she said, These are people that have lived their lives and worked in Mariupol and so it was difficult for them to just leave without knowing what the fate of their loved ones is.

Lubrani said the people still trapped underground in the Avostal plant will hear about the safe evacuation to Zaporizhzhia which is very important, so if we do another operation, I think hopefully more will come out.

The Russian military says its artillery has hit over 400 Ukrainian targets during the last day.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Tuesday that the targets included Ukrainian artillery positions, troops strongholds and two fuel depots.

Konashenkov said Russian aircrafts have hit 39 other targets, including concentrations of troops and weapons and two command posts.

He charged that a U.S.-supplied artillery radar, four air defense radars and six ammunition depots were among the targets destroyed with precision-guided weapons over the last day.

Konashenkovs claims couldnt be independently verified.

LVIV, Ukraine  Russian strikes have apparently targeted the western Ukraine city of Lviv.

The strikes happened in multiple directions just before 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday  about about an hour and a half after air raid sirens sounded in the city and reportedly went off across the entire country. At least four distinct explosions could be heard from downtown Lviv.

Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the strikes damaged three power substations, knocking electricity off in parts of Lviv. Two pump stations were also without power, affecting water supply in the city. Two people were injured in the attack, according to the mayor.

Sadovyi wrote on a social message app that those in the city should take shelter. Trains coming out of Lviv stopped service. Car alarms went off after the blasts, and emergency sirens could be heard.

The mayor on Monday had a news conference with the countrys top U.S. diplomat, discussing how America planned to reopen its diplomatic presence in the city located near the Polish border.

The last major attack targeting the city came April 18, which killed at least seven people. Lviv has become a haven for those fleeing the wars front line in the east.

PARIS  French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call Tuesday with Vladimir Putin, stressed the extreme gravity of the consequences of Russias war of aggression in Ukraine, and called on the Russian leader to allow evacuations from the Mariupol steel mill to continue, the Elysee Palace said.

Macron urged Russia to rise to the level of its responsibility as a permanent member of the U.S. Security Council by ending this devastating aggression, an Elysee statement said.

Macron asked Putin to restart evacuations at the Azovstal plant, which has served as a refuge for Ukrainians, in coordination with humanitarian units, while allowing evacuees to choose their destination, as called for under international law.

It was the first time that the French president has had a conversation with Putin since March 29  before the discovery of the exactions in the Ukrainian town of Bucha  after multiple telephone talks. The call came three days after Macron last spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Concerned about world food security, Macron said he was willing to work with international organizations to try to help seek a lifting of the Russian blockade on exports of food goods via the Black Sea, according to the statement.

He also restated his willingness to work on conditions for a negotiated solution to the war, for peace and for full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and reiterated his oft-stated demand for a cease-fire, the statement said.

KYIV, Ukraine  The Donetsk regional governor said the Russian troops on Tuesday shelled a chemical plant in Avdiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine, killing at least 10 people and wounding 15 more.

The Russians knew exactly where to aim  the workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home, Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. Another cynical crime by Russians on our land.

GENEVA  A top Red Cross official helping oversee a dramatic, five-day effort that led to the evacuation of dozens of civilians from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to a government-held city said he remains extremely concerned about new clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces there  with some other civilians still inside.

Pascal Hundt, who heads the Ukraine office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the humanitarian agency and the United Nations carried out the evacuation after Russia and Ukraine agreed that it would only include civilians. He said some people simply chose not to leave, and he didnt know why  but suspected fear about continued fighting played a part.

A total of 127 people were evacuated from Azovstal and the Mariupol area in buses that arrived in government-controlled Zaporizhzia on Tuesday.

We are today with a mixed feeling. We have done everything to help these people to basically leave the place where they were  to leave hell, Hundt said in a call with reporters from Kyiv. But we would have hoped that much more people would be able to join the convoy and to get out of hell.

Hundt said about a dozen people taken out in the convoy were sick or injured, but none were in critical condition.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Latvia has summoned Russias ambassador to the Baltic country over Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs anti-Semitic statements, the Latvian foreign minister said Tuesday.

The ambassador was to provide explanations on May 5 and receive a protest, Edgars Rinkevics wrote on Twitter.

In an interview with an Italian news channel, Lavrov said that Ukraine could still have Nazi elements even if some figures  including the countrys president  were Jewish, claiming that Hitler also had Jewish origins.

BRUSSELS  The European Unions top diplomat says the blocs executive branch is on the cusp of proposing a new raft of sanctions against Russia, including on oil.

EU policy commissioners have been discussing the new sanctions and are set to send their proposals later Tuesday to the 27 member countries for debate.

The unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a tweet that the executive is working on the 6th package of sanctions which aims to de-swift more banks, list disinformation actors and tackle oil imports. Swift is the most widely used international system for bank transfers.

Member countries have been involved in drawing up the proposals, but they routinely take days to endorse them. The sanctions can only enter force once they are published in the EUs Official Journal. Hungary and Slovakia have already expressed reservations about signing on.

EU ambassadors are scheduled to meet on Wednesday. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also likely to explain the proposals early Wednesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin has told French President Emmanuel Macron that Moscow is ready for talks with Ukraine.

The Kremlin said in its readout of Tuesdays call that despite Kyivs inconsistency and its lack of readiness for serious work, the Russian side is still ready for dialogue.

The Kremlin added that Putin also informed Macron about the course of Russias special military operation. It added that the two leaders also discussed the global food security and Putin underlined that Western sanctions have exacerbated the situation.

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  The U.N.s aid coordinator for Ukraine says 127 people have been evacuated from the besieged Azovstal plant in Mariupol and nearby areas to a government-controlled city, in an operation carried out along with the international Red Cross.

Osnat Lubrani, the humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said Tuesday that those evacuated included 101 people who could finally leave the bunkers below the Azovstal steelworks and see the daylight after two months.

Another 58 people joined the convoy in Manhush, a town on the outskirts of Mariupol.

Today, we brought people safely to Zaporizhzhia, Lubriani said. However, I worry that there may be more civilians who remain trapped.

The evacuees were receiving humanitarian assistance, including health and psychological care, from the U.N, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and partner agencies after arriving in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday.

Some of the evacuees opted to be dropped off before arriving in the city, which is in government-controlled territory, Lubriani said in a statement.

 This item has been corrected to fix the spelling of Osnat Lubranis last name.

KYIV, Ukraine  The deputy commander of the Azov Regiment that is holed up in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol has confirmed to The Associated Press that Russian forces have started to storm the plant on Tuesday.

The move comes almost two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered its military not to storm the plant, but rather block it off.

Asked about the reports in Ukrainian media that the huge steelworks  the last holdout of Ukrainian resistance in a city otherwise controlled by Moscows forces  was being stormed, Sviatoslav Palamar told the AP that it is true.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mariupol patrol police chief Mykhailo Vershinin was quoted by Ukrainian television as saying that the Russian military have started to storm the plant in several places.

The reports come amid a U.N. effort to evacuate civilians from the plant, which helped scores of people escape the sprawling facility.

According to Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard who is also currently at Azovstal, 200 civilians including children remain at the plant.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk told reporters Tuesday that about 150 civilians have been taken from Azovstal and a few hundred remain at the plant. We need a few more days to continue this operation, Vereshchuk said.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged her visiting Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, to try to influence Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Putin has to stop this war, Frederiksen said Tuesday, adding immediately, I hope that India will influence Russia.

Indias neutral stance in the war has raised concerns in the West and earned praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who lauded India for judging the situation in its entirety, not just in a one-sided way.

LONDON  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told Ukraines parliament that their country has achieved the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century by repelling Russias attempt to capture Kyiv.

Johnson addressed lawmakers in Ukraines legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, by video link on Tuesday. He is the first world leader to do so since Ukraine was invaded on Feb. 24.

Johnson, one of Ukraines most prominent international supporters, announced a new 300 million pound ($375 million) package of military aid to Ukraine, including radar, drones and armored vehicles.

Johnson said Ukraine had exploded the myth of (Russian President Vladimir) Putins invincibility, and expressed confidence Ukraine would win the war.

The British leader said Western allies had not done enough to stop Russia after it annexed Crimea and triggered a conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014, and said Ukraines allies should not press it to give up territory to make peace.

He said you are the masters of your fate, and no-one can or should impose anything on Ukrainians. We in the U.K. will be guided by you and we are proud to be your friends.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The name of Brad Ashford, a prominent figure in Nebraska politics who died last month after battling brain cancer, has appeared in efforts to malign GOP gubernatorial candidate State Sen. Brett Lindstrom.

The two-term state senator from Omaha has increasingly become the target of attack ads, some funded by third-party groups, as the increasingly bitter and tightly contested Republican primary contest inches closer to election day, May 10.

Ann Ashford isnt offended or surprised that her late husbands name has been invoked as part of the melee  but shes disheartened by what it symbolizes about politics today.

Brad Ashford was elected to the Nebraska Legislature and U.S. Congress. He changed party affiliation four times, was elected to office as both a Republican and a Democrat, and won the respect of leading figures in each party.

Ashford had endorsed both Lindstrom and Sen. Carol Blood, a Democrat, in Nebraskas gubernatorial primary races.

"He felt very comfortable in endorsing either one of those two as being a good steward and a good governor for Nebraska, and that they would represent Nebraska's interests and represent all individuals in Nebraska rather than just those within their party," Ann Ashford said.

She said her husband was a registered Democrat and cast his primary ballot before he died. Only registered Republicans can vote in Nebraskas Republican primary.

Since Ashfords death April 19, his name has appeared on mailers funded by the political action committee Conservative Nebraska and text messages from another PAC, Say No To RINOs (an acronym for Republicans in Name Only).

The consistent theme of attack ads that target Lindstrom: Hes not conservative enough. Theyve ramped up in recent weeks and usually cite, as evidence, specific votes he has taken as a lawmaker, and, sometimes, a few endorsements.

Some voters received mailers mentioning Ashford's endorsement just a few days after his death, some received text messages April 28.

Democrats are supporting RINO Brett Lindstrom for Governor! a text message read, following an emoji of a rainbow flag, which traditionally symbolizes LGBTQ pride.

The mailer and text messages listed Lindstroms endorsements from Ashford and former Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha. Krist served in the Legislature as a Republican and changed his party registration to Democratic when he challenged Gov. Pete Ricketts in his 2018 reelection race.

The text message also included Lindstroms endorsement from the leftist Teachers Union, a reference to the Nebraska State Education Association. And the mailer included that state Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb had given shoutouts to his running mate, Dave Rippe, on Twitter in the past. Rippe, who lives in Hastings, previously served as Ricketts' state director of economic development.

Lindstrom campaign spokesperson Pat Trueman said in a statement that Ashford was a "good man, committed to bridging the partisan divide and strengthening our community."

"Disparaging the dead is always wrong but it's particularly heinous to use Brad Ashford's good nature and bipartisanship to score cheap political points," he said.

But Ann Ashford sees the use of his name differently.

It saddens me that PACs, especially these dark money PACs, use these  and its characterized, always, as dog whistles  that somehow the other party, or any support from individuals outside of your party, is somehow demonic and should disqualify you, she said.

Ashford is no stranger to politics herself, having run as a Democrat to represent Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District in 2020. She lost in the primary.

Brad Ashford angered some Democrats when he went on to endorse Republican Rep. Don Bacon that year, Ashford said. But she doesn't recall his endorsement being used in this manner  to say that Bacon shouldnt be the Republican candidate because he had Ashfords backing.

My husband's legacy is that you represent everyone," Ashford said. "The voters who vote for you are not just in your party, and that you better darn well be willing to work with everyone where there's a good idea, to get it across the finish line, or you're still going to be sitting there in a futile endeavor.

Conservative Nebraska, the group behind the mailers and other anti-Lindstrom ads, originally targeted Conklin Co. CEO Charles W. Herbster but has more recently shifted to target Lindstrom.

Public filings show that the group is primarily funded by Ricketts and his father, Joe Ricketts. Gov. Ricketts has endorsed Jim Pillen, a hog producer and University of Nebraska regent, in the race and has personally echoed similar criticisms of Lindstrom.

The governor gave $500,000 to the PAC on March 14 and the elder Ricketts gave $100,000 on March 8. Since then, the governor has donated another $775,000 and Joe Ricketts has donated another $50,000.

A handful of other donors gave between $500 and $2,500. A nonprofit that previously targeted Lindstrom, Restore the Good Life, gave $100,000. In all, the PAC has reported spending nearly $562,000 opposing Lindstrom (all after April 5) and nearly $570,000 opposing Herbster (largely before April 6).

Restore the Good Life is the only funding source reported by Say No To RINOs, the group behind the text message and other anti-Lindstrom efforts. Andrew La Grone, a former state senator, is listed as Say No To RINOs treasurer and property at the groups listed address is owned by La Grone and State Sen. Julie Slama, who are married.

Ricketts appointed La Grone and Slama to the Legislature following the 2018 election. Slama went on to win a contentious election to keep her seat in 2020, while La Grone lost to Sen. Jen Day.

A public filing for the group includes two donations worth a combined $150,000 from Restore the Good Life for the reporting period Jan. 1 to April 25 and about $149,000 spent to oppose Lindstrom.

With a week left until election day, Ricketts' candidate of choice announced an endorsement from a prominent political figure who has also switched political parties: Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine.

Kleine was one of the states highest-profile Democrats until he switched parties in October 2020. Hes held office since 2007 and left the Democratic Party after its state central committee passed a resolution criticizing him. He said he was supporting Pillen because he understands that public safety and the safety of the citizens of the state of Nebraska is the most important thing in the role of government.

Hell be a law and order governor, Kleine said, protect Nebraskans and support law enforcement. Pillen's running mate is former U.S. Attorney Joe Kelly.

Trueman, with Lindstrom's campaign, called attention to Kleine's past in a statement after the endorsement: "Just as Pete Ricketts welcomed Don Kleine into the Republican Party, Brett welcomes his new supporters," he said.

Pillen did not offer a straight answer when asked how this endorsement from someone who has switched parties in the past is different from the endorsement of an opponent who has been criticized for the same.

Later in the day, Pillen said in a statement that "the Republican Party welcomes any conservatives, like Don Kleine, that want to join it.

Don Kleine has been a champion in defending police and Nebraskans. Hes prolife, believes in hard work, and making life better for the next generation, like all Republicans," he said.

During the endorsement announcement, Kleine pointed to the value of a governor who represents more than the party line.

I dont have any doubt that Jim Pillen and Joe Kelly are gonna be (in) the governors office for all Nebraskans, OK? No matter who they are or what party theyre in or what part of the state they live in," he said.

World-Herald Staff Writer Henry Cordes contributed to this report.

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A leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion suggesting the high court is preparing to strike down Roe v. Wade left Nebraskans on both sides of the issue watching and planning for what comes next.

With no federal law protecting or prohibiting abortion, the leaked opinion, should it become final, would leave a patchwork of state laws to determine the access Americans have to abortion.

In Nebraska, state law allows abortions up to 20 weeks after conception. A measure that would have banned all abortions in Nebraska if the high court overturned the landmark 1973 ruling died in the Legislature this spring.

One thing Nebraska lawmakers are watching for is whether they will see a new version of Legislative Bill 933, a so-called trigger bill.

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said Tuesday that Nebraskans should be prepared for Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts to call a special legislative session to pass a law that would ban abortion in the state if the high courts final opinion remains unchanged from the draft.

By blocking the passage of LB 933, we just basically bought ourselves some time, said Hunt, who led the eight-hour filibuster against the measure. The bill died after it failed to gather the 33 votes needed for a filibuster-ending cloture motion. The final vote was 31-15, with three senators excused.

State Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, who introduced the bill, said she hopes Ricketts calls a special session if the ruling comes out as drafted so the Legislature can debate abortion rights again.

Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln said Tuesday that he will work with Ricketts to schedule a special session if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade.

A spokeswoman for Ricketts said Tuesday that the Republican governor likely wont decide whether to call a special session focused on abortion until the Supreme Court releases its official opinion on the issue.

Ricketts has said Nebraska needs to be ready to outlaw abortion, and he strongly supported LB 933.

I dont anticipate well have a statement on whether well call a special session until the decision is final, said Alex Reuss, the Ricketts spokeswoman. That might change, but I dont see it changing.

Albrecht said she hasnt yet committed to reintroducing the same version of LB 933 as a new bill if a special session is called, but she doesnt imagine she would make any changes.

LB 933 would have made it a felony for anyone to provide any medication or undertake any procedure with the intent of ending the life of an unborn child, starting at fertilization. The woman undergoing an abortion, however, could not be charged.

Opponents criticized the bill for putting the penalty on doctors or other professionals who administer an abortion. LB 933 would not have provided exemptions, including for rape or incest, but would have allowed licensed physicians charged under the law to use as a defense that the abortion was necessary to prevent the womans death or serious, permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ.

Albrecht said she is confident that the same bill could get passed in a special session; she thinks she has gathered two additional votes to support a cloture motion.

Even if the same bill fails again, Albrecht said she thinks the Legislature eventually will be able to pass an abortion-restricting law next year once new lawmakers are sworn in after the general election.

I think it could get done, she said.

Opponents of LB 933, however, took to Twitter after the draft opinion leaked. State Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln criticized the decision as incredibly dangerous. Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, another LB 933 opponent, confirmed on Twitter Monday night that she would continue to fight against abortion-restricting legislation.

We will never stop fighting, Day said. Im sad tonight but tomorrow, we rise.

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday confirmed the authenticity of the draft, which was leaked to Politico. A court statement stressed that the draft isnt an official ruling.

A final ruling in the case discussed in the draft is expected to come in June or July. The case, known as Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, challenges Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks.

The draft opinion, signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the courts conservative majority, calls the Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion nationwide, egregiously wrong from the start.

Sandy Danek, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, said the unprecedented breach of the courts confidentiality is disturbing, no matter where people stand on the issue.

We need to proceed with caution and wait for the Supreme Court to speak for itself, giving the official opinion when the final draft is complete, she said in a statement.

But Danek said a decision to overturn Roe v. Wade would return the abortion question to elected representatives in state legislatures. Elections matter, she said. Its why we work so hard to elect pro-life officials. Returning this decision back to the states allows for the people to decide, which is where it should have always been.

Fifty-three Democratic state parties pledged in a statement Tuesday to recruit and support candidates for state and federal offices who will fight for abortion rights. The statement called on federal legislators to immediately codify Roe in federal law.

Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a news media call that the organization is prepared to fight and to continue providing abortion care as long as and wherever it is legal.

Elections matter, they matter deeply ... and now is the time to mobilize, she said.

Meanwhile, the organization is preparing to provide access to abortion for people living in states where it would become illegal if the high court rules as the opinion suggests.

Hunt said Nebraska could become a haven for people from surrounding states who are seeking abortion, just as states near Texas did after a law banned most abortions there.

Stoesz said the Planned Parenthood affiliate, which includes Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, is planning for that possibility.

North Dakota and South Dakota both have trigger bans on their books, she said, meaning abortion would immediately become illegal if the high court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Minnesota, however, has a state Supreme Court decision that protects such access. Iowa bans abortions after 20 weeks, but it has a constitutional measure that protects abortion before that cutoff, at least for now. Opponents have proposed placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2024 to nullify it.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.

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Julie Anderson Julie Anderson is a medical reporter for The World-Herald. She covers health care and health care trends and developments, including hospitals, research and treatments. Follow her on Twitter @JulieAnderson41. Phone: 402-444-1066. Follow Julie Anderson 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
BLOOMINGTON  McLean County reproductive rights activists said Tuesday theyre glad to live in Illinois, but the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade stirred concern for future court reversals.

Im really proud that we live in Illinois, a state that has stood up for women's reproductive rights including the access to abortion. A lot of us worked really hard to make sure that the legislation that ensures those rights would pass and it did, said Jodie Slothower, co-founder of Voices of Reason of Bloomington-Normal, a group made up of 2,500 progressive voters in Central Illinois.

A draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito was leaked to Politico reporters Monday and later confirmed by Chief Justice John Roberts, showing a majority vote to overturn the landmark 1973 case that made abortion legal across the U.S. If the decision proceeds, the procedure will be banned in 26 states, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

While some conservatives celebrated the news, others, including GOP gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin of Aurora, said they wanted to withhold comment until the final decision is released.

McLean County Republican Party Chairwoman Connie Beard said it is important to remember that the draft opinion was not an official ruling.

Lets be mindful of the importance of such an issue and wait to see what the official judgment by our largest court, and not get into a world of speculation and quick evaluation of something were not even certain of yet, she said.

'Dividing the country'

Carol Koos, president of the Central Illinois chapter of the ACLU, said the Supreme Courts opinion on Roe was based on personal decisions  who to marry, whether to use birth control, whether to have children and how many children to have  that were beyond the government's legitimate power to decide. In short, individuals, not the government, should make these personal decisions.

Slothower said if the court invalidates the Roe v. Wade decision, its really dividing the country. Most people support abortion rights and it should be a womans right to choose.  To diminish that right is just horrible, especially considering womens medical needs.

The League of Women Voters joined an amicus brief at the national level on the issue of abortion, led by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law and the Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights.

The brief notes the impact that these arbitrary barriers place on women, specifically lower-income and Black women. Barriers to reproductive health care often result in fewer economic and educational opportunities for the women in these communities.

Were really against overturning (Roe v. Wade), said Laurie Bergner, president of the League of Women Voters of McLean County. This is not social equality for women, especially women of color.  Its not giving equal rights over their lives and their bodies and were very concerned. This also creates an unsafe situation because women will end up not having access to good medical care for abortion, which has tended to not stop abortions in the past but has made them less safe.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday said he expected the court would not stop at abortion access, suggesting that future rulings could affect same-sex marriage, and civil rights for minority communities.

Koos echoed concerns that these oppressive efforts will not stop with abortion. This decision will lead to efforts to overturn access to contraception, interracial marriage and LGBTQ rights.

She said anti-abortion activists would work to implement a national ban on abortion after the 2022 midterm elections and the 2024 presidential elections if they gain control of the presidency and Congress.

Our most fundamental right to decide our own fate, our own place in the universe will be in the thrall to the Supreme Court majority that seeks to return us to a repressive past, she said.

The ACLU anticipated this day and worked with reproductive rights advocates and elected officials to put protections in place for abortion rights and a range of other basic freedoms, Koos said. We will be continuing to work to fight this change that will cause us to lose many of our freedoms.

Planned Parenthoods Bloomington Health Center, where medical but not surgical abortions are performed, appeared to be inundated with calls Tuesday morning, with hold times exceeding 15 minutes. Attempts to reach local and state Planned Parenthood representatives were not immediately successful.

Waiting for official decision

During past trips to the annual March for Life held in Washington, D.C., Central Catholic students have demonstrated against abortion. However, Central Catholic spokesman Scott Vogel said the administration at the school wanted to wait until the ruling became official before commenting.

Beard, the county GOP chairwoman, said abortion rights have been an explosive and emotional issue on all sides, but it warrants a better approach to making conclusions on issues like these and reminds the public that justices should be free from undue influences.

The chairwoman said finding the person who leaked the draft and their motivation should be an important task because there are individuals and government officials using this document to either say it would help or hurt their cause.

Im sure most of the judges are not happy at all that this has come out in the way and manner in which it has, she said. They are there to do their due diligence and theyre making their decisions. Obviously, whatever side people may fall on this issue, there are those that are going to jump too quickly  and have emphatic actions that I think would do more harm than good.

Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer.

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Kelsey Watznauer City Editor Follow Kelsey Watznauer Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

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NORMAL  An updated uptown Normal plan will soon be underway after a council vote Monday night.

Farr was one of three companies that responded to the towns request for qualifications. The Chicago-based firm also created the uptown master plan update that was approved in 2015 to follow Normals initial plan laid about 20 years ago.

Town Planner Mercy Davison said several factors including residents evolving needs and wants in regard to housing, retail and office space and the impending construction of the pedestrian underpass brought about this contract.

She also noted the 2015 plan was broader, considering all of uptown, whereas this plan is only for the south side.

Trustee Scott Preston gave one of two dissenting votes on the resolution. He said this plan strikes a very similar tone to money weve already spent on Uptown 2.0, questioning whether it was worth it to pay for the same work we did six years ago.

Trustee Stan Nord, who cast other dissenting vote, said he believe it was premature to fund the planning services in part because uptown hasnt proven success yet, noting existing vacancies.

Up until we start seeing businesses come in, then I think its premature to be doing it, he said. At some point in the future, yes, but we cant force development; we cant force progress.

Trustee Kevin McCarthy disagreed on the success of uptown, and he and Kathleen Lorenz spoke of the new plan as a means of economic development.

Lorenz asked her fellow council members to use a question from a resident as a gut check before deciding their votes.

Is this something that we need to do in order to sustain life? Joe Public cant afford this spending, Lorenz said, quoting a resident.

In answering this riddle of wants v. need, she said: This area, this eight acres, represents economic development, an in-fill and redevelopment of a business district, and one could argue that economic development is in fact the lifeblood of a community.

She said it affects property tax value, sales tax revenue, placemaking and quality of life, but I dont know that my answer is complete.

According to Farrs proposed timeline, the firm intends to bring a final plan to council for approval in January 2023.

Between now and then, the process will include steering committee meetings, in-person public meetings, community design workshops and an open house.

Though the majority is town-owned, the total acreage in the proposed area includes property that is not owned by the town.

Before the meeting, Town Communications Director Cathy Oloffson said those property owners will be kept informed of the planning process and their input will be gathered pertaining to what they would like to see in the area as well.

The town council on Monday also approved an $8,000 raise for City Manager Pam Reece, over a dissenting vote from Nord.

The 3.98% increase is retroactive to April 1 and puts Reeces base salary at $209,000 with a deferred compensation bonus of $2,500.

In amending the employee agreement, council also extended Reeces contract through March 2025.

Nord said he could not support the raise because he doesnt believe it would indicate fiscal responsibility by the council. He also said he believes the city managers priorities do not align with his  streets, water, sewer and public safety.

Trustees Chemberly Cummings, Karyn Smith and McCarthy said the raise was deserved and commended her leadership.

Smith and McCarthy also pointed to projects financed in the 2022-23 budget that include the areas Nord mentioned.

Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer.

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A 5-year-old boy has died after being pulled from a creek in central Indiana. Authorities say the boys 3-year-old sister made it out of the water on her own Saturday and was hospitalized. The children were reported in the creek near Brownsburg after noon on Saturday. The Hendricks County sheriff's office says the boy was pulled from the moving water about 12:30 p.m. He later was pronounced dead at a hospital. His sister suffered injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening. The sheriff's office said it was not immediately clear how the children got into the creek. Brownsburg is northwest of Indianapolis.
100 years ago

May 3, 1922: The board of improvements hired the Petometer Co. of Chicago to find leaks in the water system. In a presentation, the company said it could save Bloomington $60,000 by identifying leaks so they can be fixed. The city will pay six cents for every 1,000 gallons saved.

75 years ago

May 3, 1947: It feels more like a fire department now around the Bloomington Township Fire Protection District station. The newly formed department took delivery of its new fire engine Thursday night. The volunteers are pictured gathered around the Chevrolet truck, inspecting it.

50 years ago

May 3, 1972: Illinois Wesleyan has bought Franklin School and will eventually tear it down. The old school still hosts classes, which will be moved elsewhere within District 87. IWU first offered $70,000 for the school but agreed give $100,000, which was above the appraisal price.

25 years ago

May 3, 1997: Developer Larry Hundman, speaking for a group of investors, revealed plans for a new 60-room hotel at 923 Maple Hill Road. The Country Inn & Suites will have moderately priced rooms, according to Hundman: Its not a Super 8 and its not a Marriott.

Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com.
European Union countries are split on how soon they wind down dependence on Russian energy supplies.



While sanctions have been applied to other areas of business, the EU remains heavily reliant on Russian oil and gas.



Germany's economic minister said the country would be able to weather a Russian oil ban by the end of 2022, as he appeared to back tougher sanctions.



However, Hungary has said it opposes such a move, stating it would not back measures that could endanger supplies.



EU ministers met on Monday to discuss how to manage the situation, under intense pressure to reduce the revenue stream supporting President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.



There are two main challenges faced by member states - how to pay for Russian energy in a way which doesn't breach or undermine EU sanctions, and also how to source and develop alternative supplies to move away from reliance on Russia.



Europe's reliance on Russian energy



At a press conference on Monday, the EU's energy policy chief Kadri Simson said Russia halting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria had strengthened the bloc's will to become independent of Russian fossil fuels.



But according to the Centre of Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the EU has imported about 37bn worth of fossil fuels since the conflict began. The two largest importers worldwide were Germany followed by Italy.



Energy giant Gazprom stopped gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria last week after those countries refused to comply with Russian demands to switch to payment in roubles, and many other member countries are set to face the same issue around mid-May.



Poland and Bulgaria had planned to stop using Russian gas this year and say they can cope with the stoppage, but it has raised fears that other EU countries, including Europe's gas-reliant economic powerhouse Germany, could be next.



Ms Simson repeated the European Commission's view on Monday that paying for gas in roubles would be a "violation" of sanctions and "cannot be accepted."



She said member states were building up gas storage supplies before winter.



Nathan Piper, head of oil and gas research at Investec, told the BBC it was "pretty clear" that the EU wanted to "pivot away" from Russian oil and gas, but added the lack of unity was being caused by the "ability to actually make that happen".



Europe gets about 40% of its natural gas from Russia, which is also the bloc's main oil supplier, but some countries are more dependent Russian fossil fuels than others, so sudden supply cuts could have huge economic impact.



For example, Germany currently gets about 25% of its oil and 40% of its gas from Russia, Slovakia and Hungary received 96% and 58% respectively of their oil imports from Russia last year, according to the International Energy Agency.



Germany's economic minister Robert Habeck said his country had "managed to reach a situation where Germany is able to bear an oil embargo" and was "on course to do the same for gas".



"Other countries need a bit more time," he added.



Diplomatic sources told the BBC that compromises to a complete bloc ban were being looked at, particularly for countries such as Hungary and Slovakia.



'Finding new oil suppliers easier than gas'



Mr Piper said with oil, there were more options to get alternative supplies, compared to gas, which is transported most commonly through pipelines.



He added it is also "trickier" for landlocked EU states to find new sources.



He also warned while Germany might move to ban oil, switching off its Russian gas - which makes up 40% of its total imports - would "take them years".



"Russia could go 'if you want to go after our oil, how about we reduce our gas'," he added.



"They could push up the price, reduce the volumes. They have a lot of bargaining power."



Elsewhere, energy research institute EWI said Germany should limit gas use now to prepare for the possibility of a future cut-off from Russia.



Uniper, one of Germany's biggest energy firms, also warned an EU ban on Russian oil could prompt Russia to halt westward gas flows.



Roubles row causing confusion



The company said last week it would pay in euros which will be converted into roubles, meeting the Kremlin's demand for all transactions to be made in the Russian currency.



"We consider a payment conversion compliant with sanctions law and the Russian decree to be possible," a spokesman told the BBC.



Other European energy firms are reportedly preparing to do the same amid concerns about supply cuts.



In late March, Russia said "unfriendly countries" would have to start paying for its oil and gas in roubles to prop up its currency after Western allies froze billions of dollars it held in foreign currencies overseas.



Under the decree, European importers must pay euros or dollars into an account at Gazprombank, the Swiss-based trading arm of Gazprom, and then convert this into roubles in a second account in Russia.



The majority - 97% - of EU companies' gas supply contracts with Gazprom stipulate payment in euros or dollars.



Some countries are looking to turn to liquified natural gas (LNG), with the US agreeing to ship an additional 15 billion cubic metres to Europe by the end of the year.



The US has already banned Russian oil imports and the UK plans to phase them out by the end of the year.



The EU has previously laid out a strategy to make it independent of Russian fossil fuels by 2030, which includes greater use of greener sources of power.

Source: BBC









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Mr Thomas Mbomba, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, says to promote the internal movement of people, products, and services across Africa, ECOWAS members must have a shared external border.



He said there is the need to have a shared external border for ECOWAS countries, saying it would make West Africa a border-free zone to ease movement.



Speaking at a stakeholder workshop on Promoting Small Scale Cross Border Trade, Rule of Law and Use of Technology in West Africa, Mr Mbomba said ECOWAS had put in place a feasible framework to facilitate free movement of people throughout West Africa as a preliminary to market integration.



The mechanisms include no entrance visas for community citizens, the right of residence and establishment, an ECOWAS Identity Card, an ECOWAS Passport, and the Brown Card Insurance Scheme to ease vehicular transit between member states.



He said the ECOWAS Passport and the Identity Cards were symbols of unity adopted to eliminate rigid border formalities and enhance the modernization of border procedures with passport-scanning machines and harmonized immigration forms designed to facilitate free and easier movement of persons across borders.



Mr Mbomba said the competitiveness of a country's industry in the current global market economy was mainly dependent on the world trading system.



This, he said, was crucial to the performance and consequently the survival of industries all over the world.



Mr Jonathan Osei Owusu, the Executive Director of POS Foundation, said the time had come for Africa to devote its time and resources to develop coordinated, coherent, and unified technological platforms that successfully connect with the region's diverse institutions.



He urged Africans to take advantage of their continent's variety in order to achieve long-term progress for its people.



I am strongly of the opinion that when systems within the region are unified, it will ease the stress and facilitate a smooth transaction of business and trade at the borders, he noted.



Mr Owusu said Africa had to rise up and embrace proper technology in order to facilitate the coordination of systems across the region.



It will also ensure that immigration, customs, health, and border control agencies and departments were capable of monitoring and tracking movements of people, goods, and services along approved and unapproved routes.



He said business and trade could only prosper in an environment where rules and policies were in place and as such the POS Foundation sought to promote small scale border trade.



He said when laws obstructed development and trade, they must be reformed, repealed, or replaced.



Mr Owusu stressed that the diversity in dynamism which exists within our respective countries must be a fuel for change- it must provide a platform for which a unified and harmonized system is created to facilitate trade movement across the borders and increase economic independence.



He encouraged Africans countries to organize themselves and their governments to coordinate efforts among states, strengthen current processes and institutions, and focus on the benefits that Africa has to offer such as human and natural resources.

Source: GNA









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TEHRAN, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Iranian top diplomat said Tuesday that negotiations over reviving a 2015 nuclear deal are underway through the exchanges of written messages.

Making the remarks in an interview with Yemen's Arabic-language Al-Masirah television network, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the talks in Vienna have not stopped.

They are going on in a process to lift the unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran, through the exchange of written messages with the Americans via the European Union's representative, he noted.

The chief Iranian diplomat said his country seeks to reach a "strong" and "lasting" agreement through the talks, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

"We urged the American side to be realistic," he was quoted as saying, adding that removing sanctions in all areas and receiving economic guarantees are among the priorities on the Iranian negotiating team's agenda.

In 2015, Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers, including the United States. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran, including freezing some of Iran's assets abroad, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments.

Since April 2021, several rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties to revive the deal. 
A World Health Organization spokesperson on Tuesday confirmed that its European region would hold a special meeting next week on the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on health and healthcare.



"There will be a meeting on 10 May on the impact of war on Ukraine health system," said Tarik Jasarevic at a Geneva press briefing.



Reuters reported last week that Kyiv had requested the meeting, citing a letter written by the Ukraine diplomatic mission in Geneva signed by some 38 other countries.



Russia, one of the 53 members of WHO's Europe region, has not yet responded to a Reuters' request for comment on the event.

Source: REUTERS









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The Narcotics Control Commission has drafted a National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) to deal with the problem of substance abuse through a multi-sectoral approach.



The Plan, first of its kind in the history of the Commission, aimed at protecting and improving the well-being of the society and individuals, protecting and promoting the public and offering a high level of security to the public.



Mr Kenneth Adu-Manfoh, Acting Director General of the Narcotics Control Commission, said "the NDCMP is an innovative blueprint document designed on the fundamental principles of national drug prevention law, Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020, (Act 1019)."



He said this at a validation workshop of the National Drug Control Master Plan where experts from the country and Economic Community of West Africa State (ECOWAS) met to review and validate Ghana's Master Plan.



The Plan provides a framework for coordinated and joint action and forms the basis for external cooperation in the field of drug prevention.



The strategies proposed aimed at reducing or reversing the harms caused by addictive substance use in society.



The Acting Director General said drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and related crimes had become a threat to the nation and the international community, therefore, the menace ought to be addressed through a multi-sectoral approach.



Mr Adu-Amanfoh said the Commission would use resources invested efficiently to uphold the fundamental values of the citizenry for human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, solidarity, the rule of law and human rights.



He said the implementation of the NDCMP would help reduce the supply of illicit drugs, the craving and use and attendant health problems.



The initiative to have a National Drug Control Master Plan is in line with the ECOWAS Action Plan on illicit drug trafficking, related organised crime and drug abuse.



Mr Baba Gana Wakil, ECOWAS Permanent Representative in Ghana, said the NDCMP would provide the necessary evidence-based guidance to address drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and related crimes in member States.



Speaking on behalf of Dr Siga Fatima Jagne, Commissioner, Social Affairs and Gender, ECOWAS, he said, with the plan, it would be easier for development partners to pick activities they could support member States on.



"So far, 14 member States, including Ghana had had their National Drug Control Master Plan validated. Burkina Faso is yet to get its validation due to the political situation in the country," Ambassador Gana Wakil noted.











Source: GNA









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Government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has delivered on its promise to secure a safe haven for the displaced victims of Appiatse and save them from the torrents of the rain.



Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources said five more structures have been added to the initial 32, bringing the numbers to a total of 37 structures, which he said have all been completely refurbished with roofing, doors and windows, with carpets laid in each room to shelter all the displaced people of Appiatse temporarily.



Addressing the Media on his unannounced visit to Appiatse on 2nd May 2022, Mr Owusu-Bio said 800 victims of 125 households are being moved into the completed rooms while reaffirming that the official relocation day of the people from the tents to the completed buildings still remains 4th May, 2022.



The Deputy Minister expressed his joy over the citizen's enthusiasm about moving into the newly renovated buildings and hoped that on the actual day of final relocation, all 800 people would have moved from the tents to the temporary structures.



"our visit here today was just to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are put in place for a smooth transition on 4th May, 2022 on which we will come with the Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor to officially hand over the buildings to the people. I'm happy with what I've seen today, most of them have moved in and gradually we hope that all will move in before we return on Wednesday," he stated.



He assured that having completed the temporary structures, plans are far advanced to commence work on the main Appiatse site, adding that the tendering have been opened and the committee is almost done and soon the work will begin.



Mr Owusu-Bio who is also the Chairman of the Appiatse Reconstruction Committee in his submission appreciated the support of his team and the Municipal Chief Executive, Dr. Isaac Dasmani and also thanked Ghanaians for their generosity towards the Support fund and the people of Appiatse.



On the accident which occurred on Monday, 2nd May 2022, and which claimed the lives of a lady and his brother on the Appiatse Bogoso road while riding a bicycle, Mr Owusu-Bio sent out some words of condolences to the bereaved family, cautioning them to be more careful.



"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved family, we are very sorry for your loss but there is one thing you must realise, you live very close to the highway, whether you like it or not so please be extra careful and do ensure the safety of your children, making sure they don't play by the roadside and outside the camp."



The temporary structures were handed out to the Ministry by the Future Global Resources Company (FGR), to aid government house the people of Appiatse temporarily as it gathers efforts and funds to reconstruct the Appiatse township which was razed by an explosion some months ago.

Source: classfmonline









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has told British government to stop meddling in the country's affairs, the state-owned Herald newspaper reports quoting the president's spokesman.



It follows criticism of a proposed law, the Private and Voluntary Organisation Bill, that critics say will give government more control over civil society groups.



The government says the bill will end money laundering and foreign funding of local politics, but campaigners say it will give the authorities powers to interfere with operations of NGOs.



The bill will be passed regardless of the criticism, President Mnangagwa is quoted as saying, as he sharply condemned the country's former colonial power.



"They must mind their own business, they cut relations with us (and) we got nothing from them... we don't pay attention to what they are saying," he said.

Source: BBC









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Some residents of Asylum Down in Accra are livid about the perennial flooding of the community and asked Government to address the situation and desist from 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.

Source: GNA









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There is currently a keen contest in the ongoing New Patriotic Party(NPP) constituency elections in the Ashanti Region.



The second batch of the elections held from Thursday 28th April to Monday 2nd May 2022 across the country pulled a lot of surprises and shocks as some persons alleged to be from the incumbent regional Chairman, Wontumi's camp lost their position with fresh entrants making their way to represent the party at the constituency level ahead of 2024 general elections.



Over 70 percent of Wontumi's candidates have lost seats to new entrants.



The contest which appears to be between Wontumi and the contender, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah has gathered momentum as party people are seen in a jubilant mood when results are declared in favour of persons perceived to be Odeneho Kwaku Appiah candidates at the various polling centres.



Purefmonline.com visits to over 38 constituencies indicate a resounding victory for COKA candidates whereas the incumbent regional Chairman's candidates lost.



Out of the 41 constituencies which have voted, Wontumi's candidates, both incumbent and new entrants who contested in the region, unfortunately, lost to the chagrin of some party members gathered at the polling centres.



Strangely, in his(Wontumi) own backyard, Bosomtwi constituency, he lost 6:4 to COKA's team respectively.



Also in COKA's constituency, Afigya Kwabre South, he was given a resounding victory of 10:0 as persons perceived to be Wontumi's candidates lost.



During our visit to the election centres, there were cheers from the crowd(COKA b3ba), meaning literally as COKA will come,- as winning teams are announced in their favour.



With the exception of Manhyia North, Fomena, Atwima Kwawoma, Mampong and Kumawu that are yet to vote because of pending court cases, the remaining constituencies fell for COKA which makes it quite difficult or almost impossible for the incumbent chairman to retain his seat.



Data available on this website indicates out of a total of 47 Constituencies, 42 have conducted elections. With 225 Incumbent elected officers and 193 newly elected officers representing a total of 53.84% and 46.17% respectively.



The party is supposed to elect a total of 420 officers. However, 418 have been elected with 2 positions currently suspended.



Further Explanation:



What this translates to is that about 82% of the Newly elected officers are from areas strongly dominated by the incumbent regional chairman-Wontumi, whereas 8% of the incumbent who retained their position are also believed to be on the side of his contender, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah.



Some of the Newly elected Executives who spoke with the media indicated that the regional Chairmanship contest was between Odeneho Kwaku Appiah and Bernard Antwi Boasiako. When asked why they arrived at such a conclusion they said;



"The party must reorganize early enough for the 2024 General elections. Involving all the new regional chairman contestants is a complete waste of everyone's time. Our focus right now is the two contestants, and that's what we're going to decide on."



The Regional Executives Elections is scheduled for May 27, 2022, barring any last-minute changes.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Former President John Mahama says "a new National Democratic Congress Government, God willing and with the votes of the sovereign people of Ghana  in 2025  will repeal the E-Levy Act.



The controversial Electronic Transactions Levy which started on Sunday, 1st May 2022, has been strongly opposed by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).



Meanwhile, the Minority Leader in Parliament Haruna Idrissu and two NDC MPs have urged the Supreme Court to block the implementation of the e-levy.



The case is expected to be heard on Wednesday, May 4.



Delivering an address titled Ghana at Crossroad on Monday, May 2 Mahama said: we in the NDC do not oppose taxation as a principle. We will not be pretentious and couch fanciful slogans to condemn the principle of taxation like the NPP did in the past. We are, however, implacably opposed to distortionary and burdensome taxes like the e-levy that only force Ghanaians to endure more suffering".



Mahama has also asked President Akufo-Addo to sack the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.



It is inconceivable that the Minister of Finance still remains at post, Mahama said, adding he must be sacked without delay.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Archaeological black rat mandible. Image credit: Ewan Chipping, University of York

New ancient DNA analysis has shed light on how the black rat, blamed for spreading Black Death, dispersed across Europerevealing that the rodent colonized the continent on two occasions in the Roman and Medieval periods.

The studyled by the University of York along with the University of Oxford and the Max Planck Instituteis the first ancient genetic study of the species (Rattus rattus), often known as the ship rat.

By analyzing DNA from ancient black rat remains found at archaeological sites spanning the 1st to the 17th centuries in Europe and North Africa, the researchers have pieced together a new understanding of how rat populations dispersed following the ebbs and flows of human trade, urbanism, and empires.

Disappearance

The study shows that the black rat colonized Europe at least twice, once with the Roman expansion and then again in the Medieval periodmatching up with archaeological evidence for a decline or even disappearance of rats after the fall of the Roman Empire.

The authors of the study say this was likely related to the break-up of the Roman economic system, though climatic change and the 6th Century Justinianic Plague may have played a role too. When towns and long-range trade re-emerged in the Medieval period, so too did a new wave of black rats.

The black rat is one of three rodent species, along with the house mouse (Mus musculus) and brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), to have become globally distributed as a result of its ability to live around humans by taking advantage of food and transportation.

Competition

Black rats were widespread across Europe until at least the 18th century, before their population declined, most likely as a result of competition with the newly arrived brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), the now dominant rat species in temperate Europe.

Dr. David Orton from the Department of Archaeology said that "we've long known that the spread of rats is linked to human events, and we suspected that Roman expansion brought them north into Europe."

"But one remarkable result of our study is quite how much of a single event this seems to have been: all of our Roman rat bones from England to Serbia form a single group in genetic terms."

"When rats reappear in the Medieval period we see a completely different genetic signaturebut again all of our samples from England to Hungary to Finland all group together. We couldn't have hoped for clearer evidence of repeated colonization of Europe."

Signature

Alex Jamieson, co-author at the University of Oxford, says that "the modern dominance of brown rats has obscured the fascinating history of black rats in Europe. Generating genetic signatures of these ancient black rats reveals how closely black rat and human population dynamics mirror each other."

He Yu, co-author from the Max Planck Institute, says that "this study is a great showcase of how the genetic background of human commensal species, like the black rat, could reflect historical or economic events. And more attention should be paid to these often neglected small animals."

Flourish

The study could also be used to provide information about human movement across continents, the researchers say.

Dr. Orton added that their "results show how human-commensal species like the black rat, animals which flourish around human settlements, can act as ideal proxies for human historical processes."

The research, published in Nature Communications, was a collaboration between York and partners including Oxford, the Max Planck Institute, and researchers in over 20 countries.

Explore further From southeast Asia to the sewers: Study determines new geographical origins of brown rats

More information: He Yu et al, Palaeogenomic analysis of black rat (Rattus rattus) reveals multiple European introductions associated with human economic history, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications He Yu et al, Palaeogenomic analysis of black rat (Rattus rattus) reveals multiple European introductions associated with human economic history,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30009-z
MIT linguist Shigeru Miyagawa is the author of the new book, Syntax in the Treetops, published today by the MIT Press. Credit: MIT Press. Credit: Melanie Gonick, MIT.

If you are in Bucharest and impatiently waiting for, say, your children to head off to school in the morning, you might hear yourself saying something like, "Haideti cati intarziat, ce mai!" Or: "Obviously, you are late!"

Uttering that sentence might not actually spur anyone into action. But in the process, it might provide interesting evidence about the way everyday language works. MIT linguist Shigeru Miyagawa contends that it does just that, in a new book exploring the function of syntax, the principles through which language is constructed.

Consider, first, that "haideti" is a form of "hai," a sentence particle that inflects for person and number. Here, "haideti" is second-person plural. But one question that can be askedMiyagawa has been asking it frequently in his recent scholarshipis why agreement is even necessary.

"It's a real mystery as to why this system we call agreement occurs in so many human languages," says Miyagawa, a post-tenure professor of linguistics and the Kochi-Manjiro Professor of Japanese Language and Culture at MIT. Agreement, he says, is essentially "redundant" information.

"Language is a remarkably economical system," Miyagawa adds. "It doesn't have extra things. But the agreement system is redundant. It repeats information to say the subject 'Mary' is feminine, singular, and third person. You know that just from saying, 'Mary.' But with the agreement system, that same information is repeated on the verb."

The answer, Miyagawa believes, relates to a bigger issue in linguistics. Agreement is part of syntax. And syntax, Miyagawa contends, has a more expansive definition than many linguists credit it for. Rather than just being the machinery generating sentence structures, syntax also offers contextual information that can be of use to those uttering or listening to statements.

That is the main argument Miyagawa makes in the new book, "Syntax in the Treetops," published today by the MIT Press. The book extends other research and analysis he has been conducting over the last decade about the way the way agreement signals a bigger role for syntax in common language.

"I'm extending the role of syntax, from just creating sentences to helping sentences be located in the proper discourse context, by connecting the sentence to the speaker and the addressee," Miyagawa says.

The trilogy continues

"Syntax in the Treetops" is the third book Miyagawa has written while building his case about agreement and syntax. In his 2010 book, "Why Agree? Why Move?," published by the MIT Press, Miyagawa made the case that agreement was more common than people realized, drawing on examples in Japanese, English, and Bantu languages. In his 2017 book, "Agreement beyond Phi," also published by the MIT Press, Miyagawa drew on Basque and Japanese to analyze "allocutive agreement," in which verb endings change based on the social status of the people being addressed.

In Japanese, for instance, the sentence "Hanako will come," includes the politeness marking "mas" in a formal setting"Hanako-ga ki-mas-u"but not in an informal setting.

The apparent redundancy of agreement is the departure point for the argument in "Syntax in the Treetops," which itself draws on Japanese, Basque, and Romanian, among other languages. The book's title refers to the branching diagrams linguists use to explain sentence structuresthe basic syntax.

But as Miyagawa now sees it, syntax doesn't only involve the "lower" branches of trees but also generates high-level linguistic elements such as the "commitment phrase" of sentencesinvolving the speaker's commitment to the truthfulness of the statementand a speaker-addressee layer of language.

This is where agreement comes into the picture: A verb could exist without agreement and function just as well, in syntactical terms. But agreement provides high-level situational information, about who is speaking or listening at a given time. So, if syntax generates agreement, Miyagawa argues, it must be the case that syntax also operates in the "treetop" level communication as well.

"It turns out that syntax, which builds all these sentential structures, not only does that, but extends itself one level higher in the structure, to say, "OK, I've got this sentence with complex structure, now I'm going to tie it to the discourse context by identifying me, the speaker, and you, the addressee,'" Miyagawa says.

Rebuilding an older case

In building this case, Miyagawa is revisiting a 1970s thesis proposed by then-MIT linguist John Ross, that every sentence has a representation of the speaker and listener in it. That claim was generally not accepted at the time, but Miyagawa believes it is worth taking seriously.

"Ross was essentially correct, but the empirical evidence he gave was not correct," Miyagawa says. "Languages that have been so critical in the development of linguistic theory, such as those of Indo-European, don't always reveal much about what is happening in the treetops." He adds: "It's really the more recent discoveries from languages like Basque, Romanian, Magahi, and Japanese, which have shown that in fact there's something really important going on." Miyagawa adds that even constructions in English such as the imperative can reveal insights about the treetop layer of syntax, as seen in the work of Raffaella Zanuttini of Yale University.

Other scholars find Miyagawa's continued proposals about agreement and syntax to be worth investigating. Manfred Krifka, a linguistics scholar at Humboldt University in Berlin, has called Ross' hypothesis in the 1970s "one of the boldest, yet most criticized, proposals in syntax."

But in "Syntax in the Treetops," Krifka has written, "Miyagawa presents a full and innovative picture of syntax beyond those structures that are concerned with formulating mere truth conditions, and relate to the actual use of language in communication." As a result, he says, the hypothesis "is very much alive 50 years after it was first conceived."

For his part, Miyagawa says he is "particularly excited" that this line of research has opened up new empirical data in this domain, such as the use of Basque and Japanese. He has also brought in data, in the book, from the language use of children with autism spectrum disorder, indicating that their deployment of language also reveals "properties of the treetop structure that are otherwise difficult to detect." Miyagawa has begun working with autism specialists to expand this particular line of research.

Explore further Linguist expands the horizons of language analysis with new book

More information: Syntax in the Treetops. Syntax in the Treetops. mitpress.mit.edu/books/syntax-treetops

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
By Dana Halawi

BEIRUT, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Hanan Awwad, a university student from southern Lebanon, finds moments of relaxation each day when she walks her dog in the evening along the Hasbani highway.

Her dog is a loyal companion who "shares my joy and sadness," Awwad told Xinhua, adding that she is attentive to the health and comfort of her canine friend.

"We share our food with him in addition to his special food which is mainly imported," she said.

Despite the unprecedented financial crisis, people walking their dogs has become a common scene in Lebanese cities and villages.

With the unabated jobless rate, the collapse of the local currency, and shrinking incomes, a segment of the Lebanese population decided to forget this bitter reality by spending sums of money on caring for their pets.

People tend to keep a pet dog when they want to escape from painful reality and to alleviate their pain, said Lebanese psychologist Jouhaina Daher.

In the same vein, pet training centers, vet clinics, and stores selling dog foods, fashion, and toys are mushrooming in southeastern Lebanon.

Veterinarian Jalal Chamoun told Xinhua he is surprised at this phenomenon in a country compounded with crises.

"I received more than 25 dog owners daily asking for comprehensive veterinary examinations," Chamoun said in his clinic in the southern city of Nabatieh.

Chamoun charges 75,000 Lebanese pounds (around 3 U.S. dollars on the black market) for the dog examination while vaccines are priced at 200,000-500,000 pounds according to their quality.

He also charges between 25,000 and 50,000 pounds for grooming services, based on the local currency's black market rate.

Faten Hmeidan, a young woman who had spent around 50-75 U.S. dollars on dog toothpaste and accessories, conceded the cost of owning a dog is too high, but she is unable to give him up.

"I consider him a member of my family now," she told Xinhua.

Statistics from the Lebanese Veterinary Medical Syndicate reveal that 15 percent of the Lebanese population keeps dogs, according to Chamoun.

To help reduce the cost of owning a dog, a veterinary medical team working with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) offers periodic examinations, lab tests, vaccination, and free medicines to help local farmers and pet dog owners reduce their costs.

"Around 500 dogs get tested by this team, which reduces about 50 percent of the cost for citizens," Chandan Singh, head of the vet team, told Xinhua.

Ihab Munzer, a Lebanese man in his 20s, said he takes 70 U.S. dollars out of the 300 dollars he received each month from his brother who works in the gulf to buy food, clothes, vaccines, and deworming pills for his dog.

"We feel great affection for him," he said. 
MARE mannequins Helga and Zohar ready for transport. Credit: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

In 2022, NASA's Artemis I mission will send a spacecraft capable of supporting a human crew to the moon for the first time in almost 50 years. On this uncrewed test flight, it will be the twin measuring mannequins Helga and Zohar on board the Orion capsule. The MARE experiment devised by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), will use two identical "phantoms" representative of the female body to investigate radiation exposure throughout the flight, which may last up to six weeks. The mission is vital in light of NASA's plan to send the first woman to the moon during the Artemis program. Researchers at the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Cologne developed the experiment and have now delivered it to NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for installation. A new radiation protection vest also forms part of the experiment and will undergo testing. Artemis I is now planned to launch in summer 2022. The assembly and installation of the measuring mannequins is scheduled to take place approximately four weeks before the launch.

The radiation to which the human body is exposed is significantly higher outside Earth's protective magnetic field. The female body is more sensitive to this radiation than the male body in organs such as the breasts. Overall, radiation is one of the greatest challenges posed by longer astronautical missions into deep space, such as those to Mars. "With MARE, the largest radiation experiment ever to be flown beyond low Earth orbit, we are looking to find out exactly how radiation levels affect female astronauts over the course of an entire flight to the moon, and which protective measures might help to counteract this," says Thomas Berger, head of the Biophysics working group in the Radiation Biology Department at the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine. "Over the past few months at the DLR sites in Cologne and Bremen, we have been studying the phantomsHelga and Zoharthoroughly, including conducting tests to determine the effects of the vibrations that they will be subjected to during the launch of the Artemis I mission. The aim is to ensure that everything runs smoothly later at the Kennedy Space Center."

The twin mannequins are modeled on female bodies. In general, women are at greater risk of suffering cancer, so different radiation boundary values always apply to female astronauts than to their male colleagues. However, so far there have been no sex-specific measurements using phantoms in space. "More specifically, both mannequins are made from materials that mimic the human bones, soft tissues and organs of an adult woman. Over 10,000 passive sensors and 34 active radiation detectors are integrated into the 38 slices that make up the mannequins," explains MARE Project Manager Thomas Berger. Both phantoms are 95 centimeters tall and weigh 36 kilograms. One of themHelgawill fly unprotected to the moon, while the otherZoharwill wear a newly developed radiation protection vest, called the AstroRad. By comparing the two sets of data, it will be possible to determine the extent to which the vest developed by the DLR's Israeli partners could protect an astronaut from harmful radiation exposure.

Measuring mannequin Helga. Credit: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

Cosmic radiation in space

Earth's atmosphere and the shielding effect of its magnetic field protect us from most of the radiation in the Universe, including radiation from the sun. When astronauts leave Earth, they are exposed to the full spectrum of radiation found in space. The Orion spacecraft will experience two periods of intense radiation as it flies through the Van Allen Beltonce in the first few hours after launch and upon its return to Earthwhich harbors charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field.

Beyond the protection of Earth's magnetic field, Orion will face a harsher radiation environment than the crew of the International Space Station, which is in low Earth orbit. Outside the Van Allen Belt, the space radiation environment includes energetic particles produced by the sun in solar flares as well as galactic and extragalactic cosmic ray particles that originate from outside the solar system. "Cosmic rays are a particular challenge for long missions in open space, because they deliver a continuous level of high-energy ionized particles," explains Christine Hellweg, Head of the Radiation Biology Department at the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine. "Particles in cosmic rays range from hydrogen to iron and uranium."

On the way to the moon. Credit: NASA, composition image: DLR

The "crew" of the Artemis 1 mission to the moon. Credit: NASA/Lockheed Martin/DLR

Anthropomorphic phantoms measure radiation

Helga and Zohar are anthropomorphic phantomsmeasuring bodies modeled on a human torso. DLR has plenty of experience in this area: a phantom called Matroshka, developed by the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Cologne, was deployed on the ISS between 2004 and 2011. Mounted to the exterior of the ISS, the phantom gathered radiation readings representative of those experienced by an astronaut performing a spacewalk. The phantom was also placed in different parts of the Space Station to measure radiation exposure. "Astronauts on the ISS are exposed to radiation levels that are approximately 250 times higher than that experienced by people on Earth. Radiation exposure during exploration missions further from Earth's magnetic field or in interplanetary space could be much higherin fact, our estimates predict up to 700 times higher," says Berger.

Explore further Radiation for dummies

Provided by DLR
G. sturmi dung beetles. Credit: Alberto Zamprogna / CSIRO European laboratory

The Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineer (DBEE) project reached a major milestone last monththe arrival of a new dung beetle species, Gymnopleurus sturmi, on Australian shores. It is the third and final dung beetle species imported to Australia as part of the DBEE project.

Originally expected to arrive in Australia in 2021, the G. sturmi beetles have been biding their time in CSIRO's lab in France due to COVID-19-related delays. As the pandemic swept across Europe, border closures restricted the movement of researchers and beetles alike.

However, with the world now well and truly out of lockdown, the research team has worked hard to roll out the red carpet for the new beetles on the block.

Here, CSIRO project lead Dr. Valerie Caron introduces the G. sturmi species and outlines next steps.

How are G. sturmi dung beetles different to the other two species Australia has already imported through DBEE?

There's a distinct difference between this species and the two that preceded it, Dr. Caron said.

"The first two species [O. vacca and O. andalusicus] are tunnellers, which burrow dung straight into the ground to house eggs and feed larva," she said.

"G. sturmi is a roller, which takes a chunk of dung, shapes it into a ball and rolls it away to bury it."

While both of these behaviors reduce surface dung, the two different types of beetles working in synergy speed up the process.

"Tunnellers focus on the middle of a cow pat; rollers take dung from the sides," Dr. Caron said.

"Working together, both types of beetles disperse dung more quickly, deterring flies from laying eggsand because G. sturmi aggregate on the surface in search of a partner, they trample the cow pat, too. This should further deter flies."

What does the introduction of G. sturmi mean for Australian red meat producers?

Although these new dung beetles move dung in a different way to the other two species, the benefits of all species are very similarit just depends what season each species is most active.

Through the act of burying dung, dung beetles can improve the flow of water, nutrients and carbon into root zones, enhancing soil carbon and fertility as well as boosting pasture productivity.

Dung beetles also promote a healthier grazing environment, improving animal health and productivity by reducing the incidence of parasites and bacterial disease picked up through feces.

"Interestingly, dung beetles are 'specialists in their field,' with no single species active in all regions across all seasons," Dr. Caron said.

Despite the establishment of 23 introduced species since the 1960s, there aren't many in southern Australia which remain active in late winter and/or spring. The DBEE project aims to fill that gap, complementing established species to give graziers year-round dung beetle activity.

G. sturmi beetles, which originated in Morocco, are typically active in spring and even into summer. This means that once they're commercially, the G. sturmi's benefits will be particularly noticeable around that time of high activity.

When will G. sturmi beetles be released on-farm?

Charles Sturt University will lead a mass-rearing program for this newly-imported dung beetles species with the help of Australian producers through the DBEE project.

"Eventually, G. sturmi will be placed into outside cages to protect them against predators such as ibis, crows and foxes," Dr. Caron explained.

"The producers [involved in the DBEE project] will feed them for a year or more, and all going to plan, we'll have sufficient numbers to release this new species in the field in spring 2023."

Explore further Solving the great Australian poop problem

Provided by Meat & Livestock Australia
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The spread of fake news through "pavement media" in Africa means the continent needs unique techniques to tackle the spread of misinformation, a new study says.

Discussions about current affairs in marketplaces, places of worship, bars, and other social spaces, and through songs, sermons, and graffiti form a key part of the media ecosystem in Africa.

Thiscombined with traditional mediameans information from social media quickly crosses into offline spaces. New research carried out in Ghana says this means efforts intended to combat the spread of misinformation need to move beyond Western-centered conception of what constitutes "media" and take different local modalities of media access and fact-checking into account.

The study, in the journal African Affairs, says social, traditional and pavement media are all used to spread fake news and misinformation in the country. Those using social media are usually able to independently assess the accuracy of information they read. They are keenly aware of the prevalence of misinformation on social media and generally more suspicious of social media content.

Those who hear about misinformation on social media second-hand, or via pavement radio are less likely to question it, leaving them more vulnerable. They usually hear about this information from people they trust, and through existing social hierarchies, so are more likely to take it at face value.

The study was carried out by Professor Elena Gadjanova from the University of Exeter, Professor Gabrielle Lynch from the University of Warwick and Dr. Ghadafi Saibu from the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies.

Dr. Gadjanova said: "Africa's interconnected media spaces and multiple, intersecting, digital inequalities, have significant implications for citizens' patterns of exposure, relative vulnerability, and response to social media misinformation.

"The interconnected media space means that misinformation originating on social media travels through multiple channels simultaneously, significantly increasing its reach. Efforts to battle misinformation should take this into account. There is a need to harness multiple information channels to debunk misinformation: local and national media, common information diffusion spaces, such as markets and high-status individuals who enjoy high levels of trust locally."

The study says social media literacy campaigns are unlikely to be effective unless they have influence in wider society. Beyond encouraging fact-checking on an individual level, governments and civil society should strive to normalize it as social practice, which would empower indirect social media users to exercise more agency in responding to suspected misinformation.

In Africa social media, and the mobile phones that it is usually accessed through, have become a part of everyday life. The study describes the social divide between the highly literate and well off, and those with low literacy skills; between citizens with unlimited access and those with limited opportunities to browse online and those who are offline, but have access to newspapers, TV, and informed social networks, and those who are offline, but have limited access to traditional media and whose friends and family members are similarly disengaged.

Explore further Correcting COVID-19 misinformation

More information: Elena Gadjanova et al, Misinformation Across Digital Divides: Theory And Evidence From Northern Ghana, African Affairs (2022). Elena Gadjanova et al, Misinformation Across Digital Divides: Theory And Evidence From Northern Ghana,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/afraf/adac009
This image, taken by the Galileo spacecraft in 1996, shows two views of Jupiters ice-covered satellite, Europa. The left image shows the approximate natural color while the right is colored to accentuate features. Europa is about 3,160 kilometers (1,950 miles) in diameter, or about the size of Earths moon. Credit: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Researchers from the University of Washington and the University of California, Berkeley have conducted experiments that measured the physical limits for the existence of liquid water in icy extraterrestrial worlds. This blend of geoscience and engineering was done to aid in the search for extraterrestrial life and the upcoming robotic exploration of oceans on moons of other planets.

The results were recently published in Cell Reports Physical Sciences.

"The more a liquid is stable, the more promising it is for habitability," said co-corresponding author Baptiste Journaux, an acting assistant professor of Earth and space sciences at the UW. "Our results show that the cold, salty, high-pressure liquids found in the deep ocean of other planets' moons can remain liquid to much cooler temperature than they would at lower pressures. This extends the range of possible habitats on icy moons, and will allow us to pinpoint where we should look for biosignatures, or signs of life."

Jupiter and Saturn's icy moonsincluding Europa, Ganymede and Titanare leading candidates within our solar system for hosting extraterrestrial life. These ice-encrusted moons are thought to harbor enormous liquid oceans, up to several dozen times the volume of oceans on Earth.

"Despite its designation as the 'blue marble,' Earth is remarkably dry when compared to these worlds," Journaux said.

The oceans on these moons may contain various types of salts and are expected to range from about 100 miles deep, on Europa, to more than 400 miles deep, on Titan.

The left panels gray and blue layers show the deep, ice-covered ocean on Europa, a moon of Jupiter that could host extraterrestrial life. This ocean is thought to be much deeper than oceans on Earth. New research hints at where liquid water might be found in these environments. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech, with modifications by Baptiste Journaux

"We know that water supports life, but the major part of the oceans on these moons are likely below zero degrees Celsius and at pressures higher than anything experienced on Earth," Journaux said. "We needed to know how cold an ocean can get before entirely freezing, including in its deepest abyss."

The study focused on eutectics, or the lowest temperature that a salty solution can remain liquid before entirely freezing. Salt and water are one examplesalty water remains liquid below the freezing temperature of pure water, one of the reasons people sprinkle salt on roads in winter to avoid the formation of ice.

The experiments used UC Berkeley equipment originally designed for the future cryopreservation of organs for medical applications and for food storage. For this research, however, the authors used it to simulate the conditions thought to exist on other planets' moons.

Journaux, a planetary scientist and expert on the physics of water and minerals, worked with UC Berkeley engineers to test solutions of five different salts at pressures up to 3,000 times atmospheric pressure, or 300 megapascalsabout three times the pressure in Earth's deepest ocean trench.

"Knowing the lowest temperature possible for salty water to remain a liquid at high pressures is integral to understanding how extraterrestrial life could exist and thrive in the deep oceans of these icy ocean worlds," said co-corresponding author Matthew Powell-Palm, who did the work as a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley, also co-founder and CEO of the cryopreservation company BioChoric, Inc.

Journaux recently started working with NASA's Dragonfly mission team, which will send a rotorcraft in 2027 to Saturn's largest moon, Titan. NASA also is leading the Europa Clipper mission in 2024 to explore Europa, one of the many moons orbiting Jupiter. Meanwhile, the European Space Agency in 2023 will send its JUICE spacecraft, or Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, to explore three of Jupiter's largest moons: Ganymede, Callisto and Europa.

"The new data obtained from this study may help further researchers' understanding of the complex geological processes observed in these icy ocean worlds," Journaux said.

Explore further Hubble finds evidence of persistent water vapor in one hemisphere of Europa

More information: Brooke Chang et al, On the pressure dependence of salty aqueous eutectics, Cell Reports Physical Science (2022). Journal information: Cell Reports Physical Science Brooke Chang et al, On the pressure dependence of salty aqueous eutectics,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2022.100856
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Popular Ventura, California-based clothing brand Patagonia, the city of Ojai, Ventura County and several environmental groups are suing the U.S. Forest Service in an attempt to stop a forest-thinning project on Pine Mountain in Los Padres National Forest.

The Reyes Peak Forest Health and Fuels Reduction Project, first proposed in 2020, would thin and trim 755 acres of forestland that the Forest Service says would alleviate firefighting risks.

But in lawsuits filed last week in federal court, plaintiffs say the project was improperly vetted, would damage the area's flora, fauna and cultural history, and is a vestige of Trump administration logging initiatives.

"We don't think there is much, if any, merit behind their proposal," said Jeff Kuyper, executive director of Los Padres ForestWatch, an advocacy group that filed its suit with Patagonia, the Keep Sespe Wild Committee, the Earth Island Institute, the American Alpine Club, the Center for Biological Diversity and the California Chaparral Institute.

Ventura County and the city of Ojai each filed its own suit.

The forest-thinning project was immediately controversial, with conservation groups, local government officials and the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation railing against it.

"We're fighting for our sacred sites in the face of what is continued colonization and imperialism," Maura Sullivan, a representative for the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation, told The Times in 2020.

"Pine Mountain is 90 minutes from our corporate headquarters," said Patagonia spokesman J.J. Huggins. "It is a favorite location for our employees and our customers because of the outdoor recreation opportunities out there... It's magical. It is a different realm of wildlife out there."

The U.S. Forest Service declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, but agency officials defended the plan when it was first proposed, saying it was not a logging project.

"That location was designated because of insect and disease treatment," Forest Service project manager Katherine Worn told The Times in 2020. "And it's on a ridge top, and that's where you would put a fuel break."

"Within the project area, there is a need to reduce surface and ladder fuels, reduce potential fire intensities and make the area more resilient to wildfire," Forest Service district ranger John Smith wrote in a 2020 letter outlining the scope of the project.

"The most appropriate fuel treatment strategy is often thinning (removing ladder fuels and decreasing crown density) followed by prescribed fire, piling and burning piled fuels," Smith wrote.

But conservation officials, and recent studies of California wildfires, find that justification flawed.

"If you look at the best science out there, it consistently told us that the best way to protect communities from wildfire is not to construct fuel breaks deep in the wilderness," Kuyper said, adding that more effective strategies included retrofitting homes and structures to be more fire-resistant and developing and maintaining defensible space around structures.

Additionally, a Times investigation in 2019 found that fuel breaks were largely ineffective in stopping some of California's most deadly, wind-driven fires.

Plaintiffs also allege that the project was improperly vetted and pushed through in an attempt to meet logging quotas instituted under President Trump.

"There was a concerted effort by the previous administration to fast-track logging projects on our national forests, and this is certainly a byproduct of that," Kuyper said.

The project was proposed under "categorical exclusions" that allowed the plan to forgo environmental assessments or environmental impact statements. The exclusions named by the Forest Service were insect and disease infestation and wildfire resilience.

Those exclusions and the lack of research into the environmental impacts of the project raised red flags for plaintiffs.

"The [city of Ojai's] main concern is that the Forest Service made this decision regarding a significant amount of logging, without complying with applicable procedural requirements and without really assessing whether it's necessary or helpful to the larger ecology and the larger environment," said City Attorney Matthew Summers.

The extent of logging in the area would require road-building in the wilderness area, facilitating future logging and future developments, Summers said.

The Trump administration encouraged the use of the exclusions, or "loopholes" as Kuyper called them, to push through similar logging projects.

"It was basically them sending a strong message like, 'Do whatever you have to do to approve these projects using the loophole even if it means you've got to be creative and stretch the bounds of the law,' " Kuyper said.

2022 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Sub-adult green sea turtle found stranded at Hervey Bay, Queensland by members of Turtles in Trouble Rescue. Credit: University of the Sunshine Coast

University of the Sunshine Coast researchers and wildlife rescuers have joined forces as they deal with a large increase in stranded, sick, and deceased marine turtles from recent floods and the discovery of a mystery disorder that is eating away at turtle shells.

USC Associate Professor of Animal Ecology Kathy Townsend says the marine reptiles are struggling to find food. And it is only going to get worse in coming months.

"Sediment washed out from rivers and creeks during the extreme rain events is smothering seagrass beds in flood-impacted areas along the Queensland and NSW coast, reducing the quality and quantity of the turtles' primary food source," Dr. Townsend said.

"Sea turtles usually spend summer fattening up before the annual winter dieback of seagrass, but the floods have compromised this, resulting in the poor health of turtles and more strandings," she said. "We anticipate seeing more starving and deceased turtles as winter progresses."

The emergence of a new disease among turtles in Hervey Bay waters, first noticed anecdotally late last year, is also concerning researchers and rescuers.

Since the floods, more turtles are being found with sections of skin and scales shedding from their carapaces, making parts of their shells soft and sponge-like and sometimes exposing bare bone.

"This is the first time this has been documented in sea turtles, and so far, we believe it is contained to the Wide Bay region," Dr. Townsend said.

"The data being collected by our rescuers, as they respond to callouts about strandings and conduct health checks on basking turtles, is essential to helping our researchers determine what is going on, and how the turtles are being exposed to this disease."

The group is sharing their findings with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and is working with The University of Queensland's School of Veterinary Science to determine if the disease is viral, bacterial, parasitic or is being caused by pollutants.

Timothy the turtle's troubled journey

Timothy the turtle was first found a month ago at Hervey Bay and was attended to by Turtles in Trouble Rescue co-coordinator Ali Hammond, and members Cassy Ironside and Angela Bell, who are also Diploma of Animal Ecology students at USC's Fraser Coast campus.

Ms. Hammond said since the floods in February, the group had been swamped with reports of strandings across the Fraser Coast region.

"We had a record 99 call outs in March, more than half had no visible injuries or obvious illnessthey were perhaps resting and conserving energy while searching for food," she said.

"April has been busy so far, with an increase in the number of deceased turtles washing up on beaches.

"Many of the turtles are showing signs of malnourishment, but we can't 'rescue' them all, as we and the wildlife hospitals would be overwhelmed."

The worst cases are sent to Australia Zoo's Wildlife Hospital at the Sunshine Coast for treatment. The others are given health checks, with the data shared with USC researchers.

Despite concerns about Timothy's health, rescuers initially released him after he passed a swim test to check for buoyancy problems.

"Unfortunately, he was found a few weeks later more than 50km away floating, unable to dive and very unwell. He is now in ICU at the wildlife hospital being treated for floaters syndrome," Ms. Hammond said. He also had sections of eroding shell and small skin lesions.

'Bridging the gap between rescue and research'

Dr. Townsend said that Turtles in Trouble Rescue was an exciting initiative that combined citizen science with USC's global research expertise on turtles, including the human impacts from micro-plastics and other pollutants.

"This collaboration is providing essential data on turtle health and movements that we can use to gain new insights into the threats facing Australia's sea turtles," she said.

Ms. Hammond said the formation of Turtles in Trouble Rescue bridged the gap between research and rescue.

"As rescuers we've got the boots on the ground, we are getting to know our local turtles and see them on a regular basis and we understand their movements and their health over time," she said.

"To rescue and rehabilitate one turtle and get it back out into the wild is awesome, but to understand the reason why that turtle stranded in the first place, and to help mitigate that is incredibly important."

Explore further Cape Cod sea turtle strandings increase after slow start

Provided by University of the Sunshine Coast
Eroding archaeological site on Marylands Eastern Shore. Sites like this contain massive quantities of oysters harvested over 1,000 years ago and were key to forming the foundation for this study. The dense accumulation of oysters are all archaeological oysters dated to over a millennia ago, with intact deposits lying underneath the marsh to the right. Credit: Torben Rick

A new global study of Indigenous oyster fisheries co-led by Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History anthropologist Torben Rick and Temple University anthropologist and former Smithsonian postdoctoral fellow Leslie Reeder-Myers shows that oyster fisheries were hugely productive and sustainably managed on a massive scale over hundreds and even thousands of years of intensive harvest. The study's broadest finding was that long before European colonizers arrived, the Indigenous groups in these locations harvested and ate immense quantities of oysters in a manner that did not appear to cause the bivalves' populations to suffer and crash.

The research, published May 3 in Nature Communications, suggests that studying these ancient, sustainable fisheries offers insights to help restore and manage estuaries today. Further, the authors write that these findings make plain that Indigenous peoples in these locations had deep connections to oysters and that their living descendants are long overdue to be involved in decisions about how to manage what is left of this precious coastal resource.

In places like the Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay and Botany Bay near Sydney, oysters exist at tiny fractions of their former numbers. Oyster numbers declined in these places due to boom and bust exploitationbeginning with European colonizers establishing commercial fisheries that quickly raked in huge quantities of oysters, and ending with cratering oyster populations that were also being devastated by habitat alteration, disease and introduced species.

But these parables of ecological collapse wrought by colonization and capitalism often omit evidence of Indigenous fisheries that predated those of European settlers by thousands of years.

Rick said the new paper expands on a seminal 2004 paper that documented the collapses of 28 oyster fisheries located along the east and west coasts of North America and Australia's east coast. But the 2004 paper's timeline in each location begins with European colonists' creation of commercial oyster fisheries.

The new study's goal was to deepen the historical context of those modern declines by documenting the Indigenous oyster fisheries at the same locales that appeared in the 2004 paper. But stretching this ecological timeline deeper into the past was not the paper's only aim, Rick said.

Dense shell midden deposit spanning the past 1,000 years as exposed during excavation at a Tseshaht First Nation village in the Pacific Northwest. Credit: Iain McKechnie

"Conservation today can't just be seen as a biological question and can't just be about undoing the environmental damage we've done in the modern era," Rick said. "Instead, global conservation efforts should be coupled with undoing the legacies of colonialism which brought about the attempted erasure and displacement of Indigenous people all over the world."

To document the Indigenous oyster fisheries in the same locations from the 2004 paper, Rick, Reeder-Myers and colleagues turned to the archaeological record, specifically to accumulations of oyster shells that are also known as middens. These middens come in many forms and are much more than trash piles as some archeologists once suggested. Some were small and perhaps only used seasonally, while others were monumental, towering up to 30 feet into the sky, serving as important ceremonial, sacred and symbolic spaces.

Rick and Reeder-Myers assembled a team of 24 other researchers who specialized in the relevant archaeological sites to gather all the data they could on these Indigenous oyster fisheries. These data came from published academic papers, gray literature (research not made readily available for publication) and the team's own research.

After creating what amounted to a massive spreadsheet for these North American and Australian sites, the researchers assessed which pieces of information were available for the greatest number of locations and realized that the weight of the oyster shells or the number of individual oysters at a site were the two data sets that were most consistent.

"Oyster harvesting didn't start 500 years ago with the arrival of Europeans," said study co-author Bonnie Newsom, an anthropologist at the University of Maine and citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation. "Indigenous peoples had a relationship with and understood this species well enough to use it as part of their subsistence and cultural practices. Indigenous peoples have a lot to offer in terms of how to engage with this natural resource in ways that are sustainable."

In North America, the highest single site totals come from Florida's Gulf Coast. The study estimates that an island called Mound Key in Estero Bay contains the shells of some 18.6 billion oysters harvested by the region's Calusa tribe. About 200 miles north in Cedar Key, Florida, a site known simply as Shell Mound features the remains of an estimated 2.1 billion oysters. On the Atlantic coast of the United States, the midden at South Carolina's Fig Island boasts just under 75.6 million oysters, and a number of sites in the Chesapeake Bay total around 84 million of the shellfish remains. In Australia, Saint Helena Island near Brisbane is estimated to contain roughly 50 million oyster shells harvested by Indigenous peoples over more than 1,000 years.

Crystal River site in Florida with massive shell mounds, dominated by oysters, pictured here during archaeological mapping and showing the modern staircase and platform built on top of one of the mounds. Credit: Victor Thompson

"We knew there were big sites in the southern U.S., but when we started to calculate just how many oysters were in these sites we were astonished," Rick said.

Some of the oldest oyster middens are found in California and Massachusetts and date back more than 6,000 years. The longest-utilized single sites (though not necessarily with perfect continuity) span some 5,000 years.

In many of these places, prior studies have suggested that Indigenous harvests remained sustainable despite their long tenure and significant numbers. The most common way of determining this, Rick said, is by looking for changes in the oysters' shell sizes in the middens. If the fishery is overextended, the shells tend to get smaller. But studies of Indigenous oyster fisheries have not found widespread evidence of this shrinking shell pattern, suggesting the shellfish populations were generally healthy.

"The fact that there are so many oysters at archaeological sites in so many different regions is an important lesson," said Reeder-Myers. "These systems have a ton of potential and huge quantities of oysters can be sustainably harvested over long time periods if the ecosystem is healthy."

Rick said he hopes that their findings are heeded by biologists and environmental managers and heighten public awareness about the deep connections of Indigenous peoples to coastal ecosystems around the world.

"What this study does is it says we need to start a broader dialogue when we look to restore an ecosystem or make conservation decisions," Rick said. "In this case, that dialogue needs to include the Indigenous peoples whose ancestors stewarded these ecosystems for millennia. This broadening of perspectives can enhance biological conservation and help restore connections between Indigenous peoples and their ancestral homelands."

Explore further Native American shell ring villages may have been occupied then abandoned because of climate change

More information: Leslie Reeder-Myers, Indigenous oyster fisheries persisted for millennia and should inform future management, Nature Communications (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-29818-z Journal information: Nature Communications Leslie Reeder-Myers, Indigenous oyster fisheries persisted for millennia and should inform future management,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29818-z
Artist impression of a Mars settlement with cutaway view. Credit: NASA Ames Research Center

In the coming decade, NASA and China plan to send the first crewed missions to Mars. This will consist of both agencies sending spacecraft in 2033, 2035, 2037, and every 26 months after that to coincide with Mars opposition (i.e., when Earth and Mars are closest in their orbits). The long-term aim of these programs is to establish a base on Mars that will serve as a hub that accommodates future missions, though the Chinese have stated that they intend for their base to be a permanent one.

The prospect of sending astronauts on the six- to nine-month journey to Mars presents several challenges, to say nothing of the hazards they'll face while conducting scientific operations on the surface. In a recent study, an international team of scientists conducted a survey of the Martian environmentfrom the peaks of Mount Olympus to its underground recessesto find where radiation is the lowest. Their findings could inform future missions to Mars and the creation of Martian habitats.

The team was led by Jian Zhang, an assistant professor from the School of Earth and Space Sciences (ESS) at the University of Science and Technology of China. He was joined by colleagues from the ESS and the CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology in China, the Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics (IEAP) in Kiel, Germany, and the Russian Academy of Science's (RAS) Institute of BioMedical Problems and the Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) in Moscow. The paper that describes their findings recently appeared in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.

When it comes to missions to Mars and other locations beyond low Earth orbit (LEO), radiation is always a going concern. Compared to Earth, Mars has a tenuous atmosphere (less than 1% of the air pressure), and there is no protective magnetosphere to shield the surface from solar and cosmic radiation. As a result, scientists theorize that harmful particles, particularly galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), could propagate and interact directly with the atmosphere and even reach the subsurface of Mars.

However, the level of radiation exposure depends on just how thick the atmosphere is, which changes due to altitude. Within low-lying areas like Mars' famous canyon system (Valles Marineris) and its largest crater (Hellas Planitia), atmospheric pressure is estimated at over 1.2 and 1.24 kPa, respectively. This is about twice the average of 0.636 kPa and up to 10 times the atmospheric pressure at high-elevation locations like Olympus Mons (the largest mountain in the solar system).

Dr. Jingnan Guo, an esteemed professor with the IEAP at Christian-Albrechts-University and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was Prof. Jian Zhang's Ph.D. supervisor and a co-author on the paper. As she explained to Universe Today via email:

"Different elevation means different atmospheric thickness. High-altitude places generally have a thinner atmosphere on top. High energetic particle radiation needs to traverse through the atmosphere to reach the surface of Mars. If the atmospheric thickness changes, the surface radiation may also change. Thus elevation could influence the surface radiation of Mars."

To this end, the team considered the influence of atmospheric depths on Martian radiation levels. This included the absorbed dose measured in rads; the dose equivalent, measured in rems and sieverts (Sv); and the body effective dose rates induced by GCRs. This consisted of modeling the radiation environment using a state-of-the-art simulator based on the GEometry And Tracking (GEANT4) software developed by CERN.

Known as Atmospheric Radiation Interaction Simulator (AtRIS), this software employs Monte Carlo probability algorithms to simulate particle interactions with the Martian atmosphere and terrain. As Dr. Guo illustrated:

"We use a Monte Carlo approach called 'GEANT4' to model the transport and interaction of energetic particles with the Martian atmosphere and regolith. The Mars environment is set up considering the Mars atmospheric composition and structure and regolith properties.

"The input particle spectra on top of the Mars' atmosphere are obtained also from data-calibrated models which describe the omnipresent particle radiation environment in the interplanetary space that includes charged particles of different species which are mainly protons(~87%), helium ions(12%) and also small traces of heavier ions such as carbon, oxygen and irons."

They found that higher surface pressures can effectively reduce the amount of heavy-ion radiation (GCRs) but that additional shielding is still needed. Unfortunately, the presence of this shielding can lead to "cosmic ray showers," where the impact of GCRs against shielding creates secondary particles that can flood a habitat's interior with varying levels of neutron radiation (aka. neutron flux). These can contribute significantly to the effective dose of radiation astronauts will absorb.

They determined that both the neutron flux and effective dose peak at around 30 cm (1 foot) below the surface. Luckily, these findings offer solutions as far as using Martian regolith for shielding is concerned. Said Dr. Guo:

"For a given threshold of the annual biologically-weighted radiation effective dose, e.g., 100 mSv (a quantity often considered as the threshold below which radiation-induced cancer risk is negligible), the required regolith depth ranges between about 1 m and 1.6 m. Within this range, at a deep crater where the surface pressure is higher, the needed extra regolith shielding is slightly smaller. While on top of Mount Olympus, the needed extra regolith shielding is higher."

Based on their findings, the best sites for future habitats on Mars would be located in low-lying areas and at depths of 1 m and 1.6 m (3.28 to 5.25 ft) beneath the surface. Therefore, the Northern Lowlands, which make up most of the northern hemisphere (aka. Vastitas Borealis), and Valles Marineris would be very suitable locations. In addition to having thicker atmospheric pressure, these regions also have abundant water ice just beneath the surface.

If all goes according to plan, astronauts will be setting foot on the Martian surface in just over a decade. This will consist of transits lasting six to nine months (barring the development of more advanced propulsion technology) and surface operations of up to 18 months. In short, astronauts will have to contend with the threat of elevated radiation for up to three years. As such, detailed mitigation strategies need to be developed well in advance.

NASA and other space agencies have invested considerable time, energy, and resources to develop habitat designs that leverage 3D printing, In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), and even electromagnetic shielding to ensure astronaut health and safety. However, there are still unanswered questions about how effective these strategies will be in practice, especially when considering the amount of time crews will be spending on the Martian surface.

"Our study may serve for mitigating radiation risks when designing future Martian habitats using natural surface material as shielding protection," said Dr. Guo. "Research like this will therefore be of considerable value when mission planners begin considering designs for future Martian habitats that rely on natural surface material to provide radiation protection."

Explore further Mars astronauts will create fuel by having a shower

More information: Jian Zhang et al, From the Top of Martian Olympus to Deep Craters and Beneath: Mars Radiation Environment Under Different Atmospheric and Regolith Depths, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets (2022). Journal information: Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets Jian Zhang et al, From the Top of Martian Olympus to Deep Craters and Beneath: Mars Radiation Environment Under Different Atmospheric and Regolith Depths,(2022). DOI: 10.1029/2021JE007157
Image of a flood-basalt deposit on Mars in the Marte Vallis region taken by the High Resolution Science Imaging Experiment (HiRISE) instrument on board NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft. Credit: NASA/University of Arizona/HiRISE

A new NASA climate simulation suggests that extremely large volcanic eruptions called "flood basalt eruptions" might significantly warm Earth's climate and devastate the ozone layer that shields life from the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

The result contradicts previous studies indicating these volcanoes cool the climate. It also suggests that while extensive flood-basalt eruptions on Mars and Venus may have helped warm their climates, they could have doomed the long-term habitability of these worlds by contributing to water loss.

Unlike brief, explosive volcanic eruptions such as Pinatubo or January's Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai that occur over hours or days, flood basalts are regions with a series of eruptive episodes lasting perhaps centuries each, and occurring over periods of hundreds of thousands of years, sometimes even longer. Some happened at about the same time as mass-extinction events, and many are associated with extremely warm periods in Earth's history. They also appear to have been common on other terrestrial worlds in our solar system, such as Mars and Venus.

"We expected intense cooling in our simulations," said Scott Guzewich of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "However, we found that a brief cooling period was overwhelmed by a warming effect." Guzewich is lead author of a paper about this research published Feb. 1 in Geophysical Research Letters.

While the ozone loss was not a surprise, the simulations indicated the potential magnitude of the destruction, "about two-thirds reduction over global average values, roughly equivalent to the whole planet having an ozone thinning comparable to a severe Antarctic ozone hole," said Guzewich.

A new NASA climate simulation suggests that extremely large volcanic eruptions called "flood basalt eruptions" might significantly warm Earth's climate and devastate the ozone layer that shields life from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Credit: NASA/GSFC/James Tralie

The researchers used the Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry-Climate Model to simulate a four-year-long phase of the Columbia River Basalt (CRB) eruption that occurred between 15 million and 17 million years ago in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The model calculated the effects of the eruption on the troposphere, the turbulent lowest layer of the atmosphere with most of the water vapor and weather, and the stratosphere, the next layer of the atmosphere that is mostly dry and calm. CRB eruptions were likely a mix of explosive events that sent material high into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (about 8 to 10.5 miles or 13 to 17 kilometers altitude) and effusive eruptions that did not extend above 1.9 miles (about 3 kilometers) altitude. The simulation assumed that explosive events happened four times per year and released about 80% of the eruption's sulfur dioxide gas. They found that globally, there was a net cooling for about two years before the warming overwhelms the cooling effect. "The warming persists for about 15 years (the last two years of the eruption and then another 13 years or so)," said Guzewich.

The new simulation is the most comprehensive yet done for flood basalt eruptions and integrates the effects of atmospheric chemistry and climate dynamics on each other, revealing an important feedback mechanism that earlier simulations missed.

"Eruptions like the one we simulated would emit massive amounts of sulfur dioxide gas," said Guzewich. "Chemistry in the atmosphere quickly converts these gas molecules to solid sulfate aerosols. These aerosols reflect visible sunlight, which causes the initial cooling effect, but also absorb infrared radiation, which warms the atmosphere aloft in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Warming this region of the atmosphere allows water vapor (that's normally confined near the surface) to get mixed into the stratosphere (which is normally very dry). We see a 10,000% increase in stratospheric water vapor. Water vapor is a very effective greenhouse gas, and it emits infrared radiation that warms the planet's surface."

The predicted surge of water vapor into the stratosphere also helps explain the severity of the ozone layer depletion. "Ozone layer depletion happens in a couple different ways," said Guzewich. "Following the eruption, the circulation of the stratosphere changes in ways that discourage ozone formation. Second, all that water in the stratosphere also helps destroy ozone with the hydroxyl (OH) radical."

Flood basalts also release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas as well, but they don't appear to emit enough to cause the extreme warming associated with some eruptions. The excess heating from stratospheric water vapor could provide an explanation.

Although Mars and Venus may have had oceans of water in the distant past, both are currently very dry. Scientists are investigating how these worlds lost most of their water to became inhospitable for life. If the surge of water vapor into the upper atmosphere predicted by the simulation is realistic, extensive flood volcanism could have contributed to their arid fates. When water vapor is lofted high in the atmosphere, it becomes susceptible to being broken apart by sunlight, and the lightweight hydrogen atoms from the water molecules can escape to space (water is two hydrogen atoms bound to an oxygen atom). If sustained over long periods, this could deplete oceans.

Explore further Lesser known ozone layer's outsized role in planet warming

More information: Scott D. Guzewich et al, Volcanic Climate Warming Through Radiative and Dynamical Feedbacks of SO 2 Emissions, Geophysical Research Letters (2022). Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters Scott D. Guzewich et al, Volcanic Climate Warming Through Radiative and Dynamical Feedbacks of SO 2 Emissions,(2022). DOI: 10.1029/2021GL096612
This image from the portal shows storms (in red) across West Africa on the evening of 27 April 2022. Credit: Mapbox / OpenStreetMap / 2022 EUMETSAT

An online portal developed by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) will enable forecasters in West Africa to provide communities with earlier and more reliable warnings about large storms.

Storms in the Sahel region, which can reach over 100km in size, have become more extreme since the 1980s due to global warming, with more intense rainfall. Severe flooding during the monsoon from June to September causes human and livestock deaths, plus damages property and infrastructure, leaving thousands of people without homes and livelihoods.

State-of-the-art weather forecast models struggle to predict where new storms will hit and how strong they will be, which makes it difficult to provide warnings to people in affected areas so they can protect their property and livestock or get out of harm's way.

National forecasting agencies in Africa can already make predictions of how storms will behave in the next couple of hours by observing current atmospheric conditions, and analyzing hundreds of historical storms.

Now, thanks to a recent breakthrough by UKCEH scientists, they can make these short-term forecasts, known as 'nowcasts', for six hours ahead and with a higher degree of accuracy. The new research found drier soils can increase the intensity of storms when they are on the move, affecting where they travel and the amount of rainfall they produce.

These novel nowcasting predictions and related satellite observations for West Africa are available via UKCEH's new free portal, which has been funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

National forecasters can interpret the data and make localized forecasts, sending out warnings to people in areas that are expected to be hit by a storm. Last year, as part of a trial of the nowcasting tool, forecasters in Senegal used it to issue a severe weather warning to the public via text message.

Dr. Steven Cole of UKCEH says that "the portal is a great example of how new scientific understanding can be translated into useable real-time tools by working with forecasters. Importantly, this will support communities in West Africa to better manage flood risk from intense rainfall."

A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters found that using data about land surface temperatures improves predictions about the path and strength of an approaching mesoscale convective system (MCS) up to 12 hours ahead. These "megastorms" can be bigger than the size of England and unleash over 100mm of rainfall in just an hour.

"We found a surprising level of predictability of storms from land surface temperatures when testing our methodology on historical data, and West African forecasters are finding our approach very useful for their work," says Professor Chris Taylor of UKCEH.

"We would expect mesoscale convective systems elsewhere in the world to also be influenced by drier soils. Therefore, our methodology could potentially be used to improve storm and flood warning systems in tropical regions such as South Asia and Australia, as well as parts of USA and South America."

The new nowcasting portal allows forecasters to observe storm clouds in near real-time via satellite and compare them with historical storm behavior, plus view data on current land surface conditions. The online tool then uses these data, updated every 15 minutes, to calculate the probability of a mesoscale convective system reaching different areas of the Sahel between the current time and six hours ahead.

UKCEH scientists are continuing to work with forecasting services in West Africa to increase the advance warning time and its reliability by combining more factors influencing storm behavior within their nowcast modeling, in addition to land surface temperature. These include soil moisture, atmospheric humidity, wind conditions and the amount of rainfall there has been in preceding days.

As part of a collaboration with ANACIM, the national meteorological service in Senegal, UKCEH has also developed short-term forecasts of potential flood impacts and risk in Dakar which are available on the portal. It also hopes to work with other forecasting services to provide this service for other areas.

Explore further Study finds land surface conditions can affect mesoscale convective systems while they are on the move

More information: Christopher M Taylor et al, Nowcasting tracks of severe convective storms in West Africa from observations of land surface state, Environmental Research Letters (2022). Journal information: Environmental Research Letters Christopher M Taylor et al, Nowcasting tracks of severe convective storms in West Africa from observations of land surface state,(2022). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ac536d

Provided by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
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. 
The partially excavated skull (facing to the right) of an Archeocyon, an ancient doglike species that lives in the area thats now San Diego up to 28 million years ago. Credit: Cypress Hansen/San Diego Natural History Museum

Sometime around 14,000 years ago, the first humans crossed the Bering Strait to North America with canines, domesticated dogs they used for hunting, by their side.

But long before the canines arrived here, there were predatory doglike canid species who hunted the grasslands and forests of the Americas. A rare and nearly complete fossilized skeleton of one of these long-extinct species was recently discovered by paleontologists at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

This fossil belongs to a group of animals called Archeocyons, which means "ancient dog." It was embedded in two large chunks of sandstone and mudstone unearthed in 2019 from a construction project in the Otay Ranch area of San Diego County. The fossil dates to the late Oligocene epoch and is believed to be 24 million to 28 million years old.

While the fossilized remains are still awaiting further examination and identification by a canid researcher, its discovery has been a boon for the San Diego museum's scientists, including the curator of paleontology Tom Demere, post-doctoral researcher Ashley Poust and curatorial assistant Amanda Linn.

Because the existing fossils in the museum's collection are incomplete and limited in number, the Archeocyons fossil will help the paleo team fill in the blanks on what they know about the ancient dog mammals that lived in the area we now know as San Diego tens of millions of years ago.

Did they walk on their toes like today's dogs? Did they burrow in the ground or live in trees? What food did they prey on and what animals preyed upon them? How did they relate to extinct doglike species that came before them? And, potentially, is this an entirely new undiscovered species? This new fossil is providing SDNHM scientists with a few more pieces of an incomplete evolutionary puzzle.

"It's like you've found a tree branch, but you need more branches to figure out what kind of tree it is," said Linn, who spent nearly 120 hours from December through February partially uncovering the fragile, and in some places, paper-thin skeleton from the rock. "As soon as you uncover the bones, they start to disintegrate ... I used a lot of patience, and a lot of glue."

Archeocyons fossils have been found in the Pacific Northwest and Great Plains states, but almost never in Southern California, where glaciers and plate tectonics have scattered, destroyed and buried deep underground many fossils from that period of history. The chief reason this Archeocyons fossil was found and made its way to the museum is a California law that requires paleontologists be onsite at major construction projects to spot and protect potential fossils for later study.

Pat Sena, the San Diego Natural History Museum's paleo monitor, was observing the rocks tailings in the Otay project nearly three years ago when he saw what looked like tiny white fragments of bone protruding from some excavated rock. He marked the rocks with a black Sharpie marker and had them moved to the museum, where scientific work soon ground to a halt for nearly two years because of the pandemic.

On Dec. 2, Linn started work on the two large rocks, using small carving and cutting tools and brushes to gradually pare away the layers of stone.

"Every time I uncovered a new bone, the picture got clearer," Linn said. "I'd say, 'Oh look, here's where this part matches up with this bone, here's where the spine extends to the legs, here's where the rest of the ribs are.' "

Poust said that once the fossil's cheekbone and teeth emerged from the rock, it became clear that it was an ancient canid species. In March, Poust was one of three international paleontologists who announced their discovery of a new saber-toothed catlike predator, Diegoaelurus, from the Eocene epoch. But where ancient cats had only flesh-tearing teeth, omnivorous canids had both cutting teeth in front to kill and eat small mammals and flatter molar-like teeth in the back of their mouths used to crush plants, seeds and berries. This mix of teeth and the shape of its skull helped Demere identify the fossil as an Archeocyons.

The new fossil is fully intact except for a portion of its long tail. Some of its bones have been jumbled about, possibly as the result of earth movements after the animal died, but its skull, teeth, spine, legs, ankles and toes are complete, providing a wealth of information on the Archeocyons' evolutionary changes.

Poust said the length of the fossil's ankle bones where they would have connected to the Achilles tendons suggests the Archeocyons had adapted to chase its prey long distances across open grasslands. It's also believed that its strong, muscular tail may have been used for balance while running and making sharp turns. There are also indications from its feet that it possibly could have lived or climbed in trees.

Physically, the Archeocyons was the size of today's gray fox, with long legs and a small head. It walked on its toes and had nonretractable claws. Its more foxlike body shape was quite different from an extinct species know as Hesperocyons, which were smaller, longer, had shorter legs and resembled modern-day weasels.

While the Archeocyons fossil is still being studied and not on public display, the museum does have a large exhibit on its first floor that features fossils and a large mural of animals that lived here in San Diego's coastal region during ancient times. Poust said one the animals in the mural painted by artist William Stout, a foxlike creature standing over a freshly killed rabbit, is close to what the Archeocyons may have looked like.

Once the Archeocyons fossil was partially identified in February, Demere had Linn stop work on the fossil, leaving it partially embedded in the rock. He didn't want to risk any damage to the intact skull until it can be further studied by a world-renowned carnivore researcher like Xiaoming Wang of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

"Nothing makes a curator happier than having visiting researchers to the collection," Demere said. "Hopefully, someone comes along. A nearly complete skeleton like this can answer all sorts of questions, depending on who's interested."

Explore further New sabre-tooth predator precedes cats by millions of years

2022 The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A frozen Apollo 17 sample being processed inside a nitrogen-purged glove box at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The sample is one of many being studied as part of the ANGSA program. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, recently received samples of the lunar surface that have been curated in a freezer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston since Apollo 17 astronauts returned them to Earth in December 1972.

This research is part of the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis Program, or ANGSA, an effort to study the samples returned from the Apollo Program in advance of the upcoming Artemis missions to the moon's South Pole.

However, the process of getting the samples from Johnson to researchers at Goddardas well as researchers at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley, the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., and the University of Arizona, Tucsonwasn't simple. It's a process that began more than four years ago when NASA's Julie Mitchell and her Artemis curation team at Johnson began designing and retrofitting a facility to process the frozen Apollo 17 samples. This was a new approach and scientists were excited to employ a technique that could be applied to future lunar missions.

"We started this in early 2018 and there's been a lot of technical challenges that we've had to overcome to get to this point," said Mitchell. "This was seen as a practice run for preparing a facility for future cold sample processing."

"By doing this work we're not just facilitating Artemis exploration, but we're facilitating future sample return and human exploration into the rest of the solar system," Mitchell added. "I feel very privileged to contribute in this small way by developing the capabilities for us to collect these materials, bring them home safely, and curate them for the long term."

Once the facility was ready, Ryan Zeigler, Apollo sample curator in the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Division at Johnson, and his team had to adapt to the unique conditions designed by Mitchell's team to keep the samples frozen during processing, which included decreased visibility due to frost and challenges manipulating the samples while working with thick gloves in a nitrogen-purged glove box, all of which took place inside a walk-in freezer maintained at minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 C). Being able to keep samples frozen will be important for Artemis as astronauts potentially return ice samples from the moon's South Pole.

Scientists at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, recently received samples of the lunar surface that have been curated in a freezer at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston since Apollo 17 astronauts returned them to Earth in December 1972. Credit: NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center

"Everything we do involves a lot of logistics and a lot of infrastructure, but adding the cold makes it a lot harder," said Zeigler. "It's an important learning lesson for Artemis, as being able to process samples in the cold will be even more important for the Artemis mission than it is for Apollo. This work gives us some lessons learned and a good feed forward for Artemis."

Once the frozen samples were processed and subdivided at Johnson by lunar sample processor Jeremy Kent, the samples were then express-shipped in a cooler with dry ice, immediately opened at Goddard, and stored in a secure freezer. For the scientists now working with the treasures, there's something special about receiving samples that haven't been investigated in nearly five decades.

Jamie Elsila, a research scientist in the Astrobiology Analytical Laboratory at Goddard, is focusing on the study of small, volatile organic compounds for her research and analysis of the sample. Previous research showed that some lunar samples contain amino acids, which are essential to life on Earth. Her team wants to understand their origin and distribution in the solar system.

"We think some of the amino acids in the lunar soils may have formed from precursor molecules, which are smaller, more volatile compounds such as formaldehyde or hydrogen cyanide," said Elsila. "Our research goal is to identify and quantify these small organic volatile compounds, as well as any amino acids, and to use the data to understand the prebiotic organic chemistry of the moon."

Natalie Curran, principal investigator for the Mid Atlantic Noble Gas Research Lab at Goddard, focuses on understanding the history that the samples may have experienced during their lifetime on the moon. The surface of the moon is a harsh environment, and unlike the Earth, it doesn't have an atmosphere to protect it from exposure to space.

"Our work allows us to use noble gases, such as argon, helium, neon, and xenon, to measure the duration a sample has been exposed to cosmic rays, and this can help us understand the history of that sample," said Curran. "Cosmic rays can be damaging to organic material that may be in a sample, so understanding the duration helps to determine the effects that exposure has had on the organic."

Three ARES scientists process frozen Apollo 17 samples inside a walk-in freezer maintained at minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 C). Beneath the laboratory gown, they don parkas, gloves, and hats to keep warm. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

Both Elsila and Curran are in possession of frozen and non-frozen lunar samples. When these samples were brought to Earth, a portion was stored at room temperature and another portion was frozen, allowing for comparison between the two groups. Scientists will analyze both sets of samples to ascertain if there are differences in the organic content. Understanding any variations caused by the different curation methods might inform future decisions about how to store samples returned by Artemis astronauts, part of what the ARES team at Johnson will be doing.

For Elsila, "it's very cool to think about all the work that went into collecting the samples on the moon and then all the forethought and care that went into preserving them for us to be able to analyze at this time," she noted.

As for Curran, "when you think of how these samples have come from another world, how far they have traveled and the solar system history they have preserved inside of them, it always blows my mind," she added.

Explore further NASA Goddard teams to study unopened Apollo samples

More information: Learn more about how NASA studies Apollo samples and other celestial bodies at:

https://ares.jsc.nasa.gov Learn more about how NASA studies Apollo samples and other celestial bodies at:
Credit: Antiquity (2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.185

A team of researchers affiliated with the University of Huddersfield in England reports evidence suggesting that large numbers of women from the European continent migrated to the Orkney Islands during the Bronze Age. In their paper published in the journal Antiquity, the group describes their study of the remains of people buried in a Bronze Age cemetery on the island of Westray, one of the northernmost islands of Orkney.

Approximately 4,500 years ago, during the Bronze Age in Europe, people living on the Orkney Islands built a number of stone structures and burial chambers. Prior research has shown that the community of people that lived there made up a farming settlement. Such work has revealed multiple houses and other structures and also a cemetery. In this new effort, the researchers conducted DNA analysis of the bones in the cemetery to learn more about the people who lived there.

The researchers found that the cemetery was primarily the site of burial for just three extended families. They also found that males in the cemetery had long ties to the island or surrounding area. Females, on the other hand were more diverse. While there were some with local ties, many of them came from the European continent, suggesting they had migrated to the island. In the cemetery overall, the researchers found no divisions between genders, status or wealth. All of those buried there had apparently been treated the same. This finding, the researchers contend, suggests that the female migrants had been welcomed into the community. They found that the remains also suggested a relatively stable population on the island, which hints at the possibility that some of the people born there left when they were able to do so.

Credit: Antiquity (2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.185

The researchers also suggest that the migrating women likely brought aspects of their culture with them. Some, for example, were likely Beaker people from some of the milder parts of Europesuch groups were known for their close community ties and advanced agricultural techniques, which could have spilled over to communities on Orkney as the women moved there.

Explore further Archaeologists study small Roman town excavated near Aylesbury

More information: Hazel Moore et al, Migration and community in Bronze Age Orkney: innovation and continuity at the Links of Noltland, Antiquity (2022). Journal information: Antiquity Hazel Moore et al, Migration and community in Bronze Age Orkney: innovation and continuity at the Links of Noltland,(2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.185

 2022 Science X Network
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Tasmania has become one of the first jurisdictions in the world to reduce their carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and increase removals to become net carbon negative, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU) and Griffith University.

The achievement is due to the decrease in the area of Tasmania's native forests that were logged for pulpwood production. The researchers say this change in forest management could be applied in other states and territories to bolster Australia's net emission reductions.

"It's a remarkable achievement for Tasmania to be net carbon negative," co-author Professor David Lindenmayer from ANU said.

"We hear a lot about carbon neutral but not carbon negative. This is one of the first times on the planet that anybody has ever done this kind of reversal."

"There has been a massive change in the state's carbon accounts. Tasmania has gone from being a net emitter of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to now removing more than it is emitting to the atmosphere. Tasmania's net emissions are now in the negative."

"It shows us that change in forest management can have a remarkable impact on climate change. In this case you can pin point the change since the decommissioning of wood chipping and paper pulp exports from Tasmania."

Lead author Professor Brendan Mackey, from Griffith University, said forest management could help limit global warming and help the global leaders meet Paris Agreement targets.

"As our paper reports, a significant source of emissions is from deforestation and degradation due to logging native forest," he said.

Professor Mackey also noted that in the case of Victoria, the State Government has acknowledged that emissions from native forest logging are equivalent to the emissions from 730 000 motor vehicles every year.

"Changing forest management in native forests to avoid emissions from logging along with enabling natural forest growth is an effective strategy that can rapidly reduce emissions and simultaneously increase removals of CO 2 from the atmosphere," he said.

"It is vital we protect and enhance natural forest ecosystem carbon stocks and that the mitigation benefits of forest protection are properly accounted for and reported to help us achieve the deep and rapid cuts in emissions needed over the coming critical decade."

The new paper, published in Environmental Research Letters, highlights how storing carbon in forests could tackle climate change.

"Most of the climate discussions so far have been based on reducing emissions, but that is only part of the equation. We need to store a lot more carbon in the environment," Professor Lindenmayer said.

"The most effective places to do that is in forests because they store the most carbon per unit area, particularly some of the wetter forests in southern Australia, where you get huge trees and enormous amounts of carbon."

"There is a real need to look at the true economic value of our natural assets and the value from protecting natural forests as national carbon reserves. This contributes way more economically than logging them for wood chips and other commodities."

"We do not need to be the world's mine and quarry and buying it back as toilet paper, when there is clearly a better way."

Professor Mackey says that "to make forest protection count for climate we need to change our carbon accounting and reporting so that we record the benefits of both avoiding emissions and allowing ongoing removals from the atmosphere by forest growth."

Explore further Indigenous territories fight climate change

More information: Brendan Mackey et al, Net carbon accounting and reporting are a barrier to understanding the mitigation value of forest protection in developed countries, Environmental Research Letters (2022). Journal information: Environmental Research Letters Brendan Mackey et al, Net carbon accounting and reporting are a barrier to understanding the mitigation value of forest protection in developed countries,(2022). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ac661b
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

People who violate their supervised releasea period of community supervision after release from prisonby committing new crimes are punished not only for their crimes, but also for violating their supervision. In a new paper to be published in the Virginia Law Review, Jacob Schuman, assistant professor of law, Penn State, conducted the first comprehensive examination of how revocation of supervised release for new criminal conduct contributes to mass incarcerationa term referring to the high rates of incarceration in the United States. He also investigates how these punishments are used as a tool of immigration enforcement.

"Every year, approximately 50,000 federal prisoners finish their prison sentences and begin serving terms of supervised release, with the average term of post-release supervision lasting 47 months," said Schuman. "Approximately one-third of these defendants are eventually found in violation of their supervised release and sent back to prisonabout half the time for non-criminal conduct, like missing a meeting or skipping curfew (technical violations), and the other half for new crimes, which I call 'criminal violations.'"

What's unique about criminal violations, Schuman explained, is that they are also punishable through criminal prosecution. By revoking supervised release for criminal violations in addition to prosecuting them, the government can add years to people's sentences, sometimes even doubling them.

For example, Schuman, who was a public defender in Philadelphia prior to joining the faculty at Penn State, described a case in which he represented a woman who was addicted to drugs and was selling them to support her habit. The woman was sentenced to four years in prison, along with four years of supervised release.

"During her supervised release, she was again caught selling drugs," said Schuman, "so she received a new sentence of four years for selling the drugs, along with another four years in prison for violating her supervised release, for a total of eight years in state and federal prisons. In other words, her sentence was effectively doubled."

In his research, Schuman examined (1) the extent to which criminal violations of supervised release contribute to incarceration, (2) the ways that revocations of supervised release may be used as an additional justification for punishing criminal conduct and as an easier alternative to criminal prosecution and (3) the use of supervised release as a tool of immigration enforcement.

According to Schuman, advocates for criminal justice reform typically focus on technical violations because they involve less serious conduct. However, he said, focusing only on technical violations misses a major part of the story. Criminal violations, his research revealed, contribute the majority of prison time imposed through revocation of supervised release. Despite the violations being more aggravated, he argued, the punishment still warrants examination for constitutionality and fairness.

To determine the amount of punishment resulting from criminal violations, Schuman examined data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission's first report on supervised release violations, published in July 2020. The report gathered data from more than 100,000 revocation hearings in federal district courts between 2013 and 2017. By analyzing these data, Schuman found that criminal violations accounted for two-thirds of the total prison time imposed.

"This equates to about 8,200 years of imprisonment imposed by federal judges annually through revocations of supervised release for criminal violations, on top of the many years of imprisonment imposed through prosecutions for the crimes themselves," said Schuman. "In my paper, I argue that these revocations inflict unfair double punishment and erode constitutional rights."

Schuman noted that the government may use revocation of supervised release as an easier alternative to criminal prosecution. For example, Schuman described a case in which a man on supervised release was prosecuted for assault and won at trial with a "not guilty" verdict. Nevertheless, the court still revoked the man's supervised release as a way to send him back to prison. "The fact that a jury is required to try a criminal case but not to revoke supervised release raises serious questions about the constitutionality of the supervised-release system."

Indeed, Schuman referenced a 2019 decision by the Supreme Court, United States v. Haymond, which struck down a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for sex offenders who violated their supervised release by committing a new sex crime. In that case, the Supreme Court concluded that the minimum sentence was unconstitutional because it "more closely resemble[d] the punishment of new criminal offenses, but without granting a defendant the rights, including the jury right, that attend a new criminal prosecution."

Schuman said one area where revocation of community supervision is often used as an alternative to prosecution is in immigration enforcement. He explained that just like U.S. citizen criminal defendants, non-citizen defendants can also be sentenced to a term of supervised release to follow imprisonment. Yet under U.S. immigration law, these defendants are also very likely to be deported from the United States after they are released from prison. The reason for sentencing them to supervised release, according to the courts, is that if they attempt to return the United States, they can be punished for violating their supervised release.

"My analysis of the U.S. Sentencing Commission's database revealed that revocations of illegal reentry accounts for up to one-third of all revocations along the U.S.-Mexico border and one-third of revocations for criminal violations nationally, making it among the most commonly punished criminal violations of supervised release. This suggests that supervised release is being used not only as a program of surveillance, but also as a tool of immigration enforcement."

Schuman said the original purpose of the supervised release system was to help individuals reintegrate into society as constructive individuals, but his findings suggest that the system is instead often used as a tool for punishing criminal conduct. He concluded, "I propose that the Sentencing Commission stop recommending consecutive sentences for criminal violations, and that the Department of Justice should instruct federal prosecutors not to use revocation as an alternative to criminal prosecution except to prevent an imminent public safety threat."
Across animal societies, some individuals benefit more from group-living, whereas others are left out. Credit: Laura Smale

Wealth inequality is a research topic typically reserved for humans. Now, research from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that studying wealth inequality in animals can help shed light on social evolution. Adapting approaches from the study of wealth inequality in humans, the researchers show how wealthin the form of material goods, individual attributes, or social connectionsoccurs broadly across animal species and can be distributed equally or unequally. This framework offers the opportunity to unite different corners of evolutionary biology under the umbrella of wealth inequality, exploring the idea that the unequal distribution of value, whatever form that value may take, has important consequences for animal societies.

Inequality is one of the greatest challenges of modern society and plays a prominent role in social and political debate. In the fields of economics and sociology, scholars study inequality in order to understand where it comes from, what are its consequences, and how we might implement policies that produce more productive, healthy, and equitable societies. An insight from this work is that inequality can have potent consequences for those of us living in these societies.

It was this finding that captured the attention of Eli Strauss, from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany (MPI-AB), and Daizaburo Shizuka, from University of Nebraska-Lincolntwo behavioral ecologists who study social evolution in non-human societies. "Reading these fascinating sociology and economics papers, it struck me that this work shares a common goal with my work in animal behavior, which is that we both want to understand how inequality arises and affects outcomes for individuals and groups," says Strauss, first author on the paper and a post-doctoral researcher at MPI-AB.

A new framework in the study of social evolution

It's not that inequality hadn't been studied in animals before. Animal researchers have long explored differences among animals in their physical traits, the territory and resources they acquire, the structures they construct, or the social power they wield. However, what was missing was the overarching view that these different dimensions of animals' lives are linked under the umbrella of inequality. "As we read, we wondered how the scholarship on the causes and consequences of inequality in humans could help biologists like us better understand animal societies," says Daizaburo Shizuka, an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In a review paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Strauss and Shizuka gather work from different academic fields to bridge the divide between inequality research in human and animal societies. Their focus was on what might be learned about animals by drawing inspiration from studies of inequality in humans. Their review is among the first studies to unite these different areas of research as a means to understand how the unequal distribution of valuein whatever form it takesshapes animal societies.

Can animals have 'wealth?'

First, however, the researchers had to find common ground across humans and animals. In humans, "inequality" exists when something of value is distributed unequally among individuals. Usually, that value is defined as their wealth.

Figure from the paper demonstrating how wealth inequality (center circle) in animals arises from different types of wealth (top left). This inequality can have consequences for individuals that are independent of wealth (top right), and both behavioral processes and ecological processes can shape the amount of inequality in societies (bottom left). Social mobility, or changes in wealth in individuals and lineages over time, is predicted to impact individual and group traits (bottom right). Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2022). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0500

"Animals don't have bank accounts, so how can they be wealthy?" says Strauss. To answer this question, the scientists turned to research in evolutionary anthropology that explores inequality in hunter-gatherer, pastoralist, and other small-scale human societies. "These societies show varying degrees of wealth inequality, but wealth isn't limited to bills and coins," he adds. Instead, anthropologists view wealth as more broadly made up of material goods, individual characteristics like knowledge or hunting ability, and social connections. For instance, a woman could be wealthy by owning many cows, being skillful at growing crops, or having influence in her society.

The review highlights the ways in which these same human dimensions of wealth very clearly operate in animals. Territory ownership and access to food are types of material wealth that are widespread in animals. For instance, squirrels and acorn woodpeckers build food caches and stock them with hordes of nuts and seeds. In dolphins and New Caledonian crows, tool use techniques are valuable chunks of information that open up new foraging opportunities.

Social relationships are also a critical source of wealth in many species, such as in spotted hyenas and ravens, which form alliances with their group-mates that help them rise through the ranks in their societies. Interestingly, like wealth in humans, wealth in animals is sometimes transferred from parents to offspring. Just as money can vary in how unequally it is distributed among people, these types of wealth can be spread fairly evenly among individual animals or can be concentrated in the hands of just a wealthy few.

Shedding light on social evolution

Armed with this broad view of wealth inequality, the authors then explore the ways that inequality research in humans can help us better understand how animal societies work. They discuss theories about what make some societies more unequal than others, the consequences of inequality for individual health and group success, and the ways that individuals and lineages change in wealth over time through social mobility.

Shizuka says, "The structure of a society has a lot of different influences on all individuals that live within it. In many cases, the differences between individuals arise from the various ways in which unequal societies affect them. In turn, individuals try to exert control over or navigate these unequal systems in different ways. The biology of animal societies includes these types of dynamics, and we can't understand the evolution of social animals without recognizing this feedback between the individual and the society."

"Our hope is that this paper will guide future research into wealth inequality across species, which will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the evolution of traits that help animals get the most out of living socially," adds Strauss.

The authors acknowledge that studying inequality in animals could also shed light on how inequality operates in human societies, but advise that caution is needed when looking to animals to understand ourselves. Humans are a particular animal species with unique social and cognitive traits. While it's unlikely that inequality operates completely differently in humans than in other animals, there are also no other societies that operate at the scale of the modern human global economy.

"We can look to other species to understand the general evolutionary processes that produce all animals, ourselves included," says Strauss, "but the question of what makes an ethical human society is fundamentally a moral question where the social lives of animals can't guide us. This is something we need to figure out on our own."

Explore further Hermit crabs' lesson on wealth inequality
From this year's Met Gala, to the Rock & Roll and Country Halls of Fame, to the news of an escaped inmate in Alabama, here's a roundup of 
HUDSON FALLS  A fire broke out on Sunday morning at a Hudson Falls garage near Fort Edward on Route 4.

The garage is on a residential property at 4 Main St. in Hudson Falls near Fort Edward.

The cause of the fire was accidental and not suspicious, Hudson Falls Fire Chief, Tom Bover said Monday.

The fire was caused by embers that had not been completely extinguished the night before, after the residents had a campfire in the backyard despite there being a statewide burn ban, according to Bover.

This is why theres a burn ban, he said.

The garage fire spread to two other sheds nearby, but the fire chief said the three structures can be salvaged.

Bover and his fire department received the call around 9:21 a.m. and had assistance from the Fort Edward, Kingsbury and Bay Ridge fire departments.

Bover said it took about 30 minutes to put the fire out.

In addition, tree specialists came to the scene to take down a hollowed-out tree that caught fire as well, according to Bover.

We were called back to put that fire out, the fire chief said.

The statewide burn ban is in effect from March 16 to May 14, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The Hudson Falls Fire Department posted a message to its Facebook page thanking the other departments who assisted in the incident: Big thank you to all the mutual aid departments, including FERS HF Police and Wash. Co. sheriffs for the assistance today in the morning structure fire.

Drew Wardle is a reporter for The Post-Star. You can contact him at 518-681-7343 or email him at dwardle@poststar.com.

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QUEENSBURY  State troopers seized nearly a kilogram of cocaine and two loaded 9 mm handguns during a traffic stop on the Northway on April 26.

Jalil K. Hill, 37, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Tyrone Williams, 32, of Long Island City, were arrested and charged with felony charges of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, along with a misdemeanor count of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Williams was additionally charged with felony counts of second-degree possession of a forged instrument and first-degree falsifying business records, along with a misdemeanor charge of second-degree criminal impersonation.

Police said that troopers stopped Hill while he was driving north on the Northway in Queensbury for multiple traffic violations. While speaking with Hill, the trooper on scene determined that he was operating the vehicle with a suspended license, according to a news release.

Police said that Williams, Hills passenger, provided the trooper with identification that was later determined to be false.

Multiple vacuum-sealed bags containing almost a kilogram of suspected crack cocaine and two loaded handguns were located after a search of the vehicle with a state police K-9.

Williams and Hill were arraigned and sent to Warren County Jail to await a future court date.
LAKE GEORGE  The Warren-Washington Industrial Development Agency on Monday approved tax breaks for a new workforce apartment complex project in Lake George.

The approval came after the agency held a public hearing on the project known as Sun Valley Apartments, which will be built on a 9.1-acre plot of land on the corner of Sun Valley Drive and Route 9L in the town of Lake George, across from the elementary school.

The project is comprised of five buildings with eight two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment units. An office will be included in one of the buildings. In total, there will be 39 units.

The Lake George school district has offered to build a crosswalk connecting the school and the site of the project, hoping that families with children will move in to the area.

During previous meetings, some concerns had come up regarding the projects lease agreements for future tenants.

While the apartment complex has been billed as workforce housing, some IDA members were fearful that without restrictions included in its lease agreements, subletting and short-term rentals could attract seasonal tourists.

In light of this fear, a contingency will be added in the contract that will restrict any subleasing for these apartments and not allow short-term rental agreements of less than a month.

The IDA does not provide assistance in the form of tax abatements to private residential projects, so the project in question had to prove that it will create jobs in the region.

Hudson Headwaters (Health Network) in Warrensburg has complained that they cant grow their staff because theres not enough modern housing in the area, besides converted motels with a microwave, project partner Michael Grasso said during Mondays public hearing.

Grasso also said that some who work at the Fort William Henry Hotel in Lake George have expressed the same concern and hope that the new apartment project will be built.

Grasso and project partner Richard Askew say that Sun Valley Apartments would meet a direct need for affordable housing in the Lake George area, which could attract more professionals in the service and health industries.

Currently, the monthly rent for the apartments will be set at $1,300.

Workforce housing is defined as 60% to 120% of the median income in Lake George town. Median income in Lake George is $67,907, I might have that number off by a couple of dollars. So that gives a range of income for people who can afford to rent these apartments, between $40,674 to $81,348, said Dave OBrien, IDA chair.

Askew and Grasso will receive tax abatements from the IDA to offset the rising costs of construction materials, as well as relief for the the mortgage tax.

Grasso said that some construction materials have doubled in price.

While some IDA members during the meeting on Monday wanted more time to consider the project, Grasso had raised the concern that if more time were to pass before closing on the project, the mortgage rate would rise from 4.76% to 5%, which would, in effect, make it impossible to set apartment rent at a rate that would fall under workforce housing.

Grasso added that the project could easily become high-end housing, but reemphasized that it should be workforce development.

Without any comments from the public, the IDA motioned to vote. There were no dissenting votes.

Drew Wardle is a reporter for The Post-Star. You can contact him at 518-681-7343 or email him at dwardle@poststar.com.

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BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Shandong Taishan midfielder Moises Magalhaes has completed the mandatory hotel quarantine after he returned to China from Brazil.

The Brazilian player on Tuesday posted a picture on social media showing him with three pieces of luggage with a caption in Portuguese: "14 days concluded. Long days."

Magalhaes served out the 14-day quarantine in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

He will then have to spend seven days in home isolation before being able to join up with the team.

Magalhaes joined Shandong Taishan in October of 2019. 
QUEENSBURY  New author Syrl Kazlo has put a lot of herself and Glens Falls into her first book, a cozy mystery called Kibbles and Death.

Think Hallmark Movies, Kazlo said, because theyre very clean mysteries. All the sex and violence occurs off stage.

In the book, main character Samantha Davies owns a funeral parlor called the Do Drop Inn with her ex-husband, whose late-night body pickups involved more live bodies than dead.

Davies fills her days rug hooking and enjoying her career as a freelance writer for childrens magazines. Davies is hoping to publish her first book, Porkchop, The Wonder Dog, featuring her beloved dachshund Porkchop.

Porkchop is kind of a food snob, and so he turned his nose up to some kibbles, Kazlo explained, and so they decided to donate it to the local animal shelter, and they come in and they find the owner of the shelter murdered by a large dog bone.

Davies has to prove herself innocent of this murder and solicits help with the investigation from her Southern belle cousin Candie.

They set out to prove Sam innocent, but in the meantime there is a hunky new detective in town called Hank, and hes up from Albany, said Kazlo, who modeled the fictional upstate New York town of Wings Falls after Glens Falls.

Kazlo and her husband moved to the area in 2002, when they converted their camp on Copeland Pond in Fort Ann into a year-round home. She taught home economics for almost 25 years before the move.

Kazlo is a member of the Glens Falls Writers Group, which meets at her home in Queensbury.

Kibbles and Death is available on Amazon for $11.99 in paperback. Kazlo will do book signings on June 29 at the Hudson Falls Free Library and on July 17 at the Book Warehouse in Lake George.

Her debut novel is the first in a three-part series published by Gemma Halliday Publishing. Kazlo has already written the second book titled, Hooked to Death.

Theres a lot of mysteries that have crafts involved with them, she said. Im a rug hooker.

Her rug hooking friends also team up to try to help her solve the mystery.

These are fun mysteries, she said.

Gretta Hochsprung writes features and hometown news. She can be reached at 518-742-3206 or ghochsprung@poststar.com.

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EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP  After going two years without hosting its annual Night of 300,000 Meals, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey returned the fundraiser to its township location Thursday.

Local restaurants supplied 225 patrons with food and specialty cocktails while they were entertained with music performed by the Eddie Morgan Duo at the food banks township warehouse, capable of storing 1.6 million pounds of food for people in need, the organization said Monday.

This year, the fundraiser met its goal of collecting $100,000 to help fight hunger throughout South Jersey, the organization said.

Denise Hladun, the food banks director of External Affairs, says everyone in the organization is grateful for the event returning, especially while so many statewide continue to struggle with lingering financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is our third time hosting this event, and we were excited to be able to bring it back this year, Hladun said.

The organization says donors contributions remain valuable to the community.

In Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties, about 60,000 residents struggle with hunger, and one in six children are food insecure in this area, compared to one in 10 statewide, the organization said.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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CAMDEN  A Millville man who pleaded guilty to money laundering and other charges will spend 14 years in prison and pay restitution to 36 victims and multiple government agencies, U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb ruled Tuesday.

Rubbin Sarpong, 38, was charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud, conspiring to commit money laundering and tax evasion, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

Besides prison, Bumb ordered that Sarpong complete three years of supervised release and pay restitution of $3.08 million to the victims, $387,923 in back taxes to the IRS, $4,096 to the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services and $6,903 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sellinger said in a news release.

Court documents state that from January 2016 to Sept. 3, 2019, Sarpong and his conspirators, several of whom live in Ghana, allegedly defrauded victims in New Jersey and elsewhere.

Through stolen or fictitious names and posing as U.S. military personnel overseas, the conspirators used dating websites to develop relationships with their victims to receive money. The money they received was often used as payment to ship gold bars to the U.S., Sellinger previously said.

Millville man pleads guilty to wire fraud, money charges A Millville man pleaded guilty Tuesday to cyber fraud crimes committed through an online rom

Although the stories varied, most often Sarpong and the conspirators would claim to be military personnel stationed in Syria asking victims to send money to help transport gold bars to the United States. The conspirators told many victims their money would be returned once the gold bars were received in the U.S.

The money received, however, was withdrawn as cash and wired to other domestic bank accounts and to other conspirators in Ghana.

Sarpong purchased property in Ghana and posted photographs of himself on social media, showing him with large amounts of cash, high-end cars, designer clothing and expensive jewelry. Despite having received about $1.14 million in taxable income from the scheme between 2016 and 2018, Sarpong didnt file income tax returns or pay income tax, resulting in a tax loss of $387,923, Sellinger said.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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DENNIS TOWNHIP  Allies and some opponents of longtime Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor had kind words Tuesday after learning he died April 28.

He was 74.

Family members announced his death in an obituary posted Tuesday. An Army veteran, longtime attorney and former Democratic chairman in Cape May County, Taylor made an indelible mark on the county Prosecutors Office, which he ran for 13 years.

During that time, he made a lot of positive changes that expanded both the size of the office and the services provided and made us a modern law enforcement agency, said Jeffrey Sutherland, the current county prosecutor. Because of his efforts, when I became county prosecutor in 2017, I started with a strong organization and a legacy that I could build upon, and my motivation going forward is to make our office a premier law enforcement agency in New Jersey.

Sutherland said he spoke with Taylor just a few weeks ago, about the arrest of a Millville man in connection to the cold case of Susan Negersmith, who died in Wildwood on Memorial Day weekend in 1990. After 32 years, officials this spring charged a man with her sexual assault.

Taylor had worked closely with the Negersmith family while serving as prosecutor, and had kept the investigation active throughout his tenure. Sutherland said Taylor became emotional over the fact that Negersmiths father did not live long enough to see someone face charges.

That case always stayed with him, Sutherland said.

Taylor, Robert Taylor, Robert L., - 74, of Dennis Township, NJ, passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2022 sur

Taylor could be a divisive figure in Cape May County, and had at one point taken legal action against the county over the prosecutors budget. After he stepped down as prosecutor, he had also filed a lawsuit over benefits, which was later dismissed.

According to Jerry Thornton, a longtime member of county government who now leads the county Board of Commissioners, Taylor once ran against him for freeholder before being appointed prosecutor.

There was never anything personal there at all, Thornton said Tuesday. It was an issues-oriented campaign. After a debate we would sit together and have a couple of beers.

Thornton said he knew Taylor for more than 30 years and was deeply saddened to hear of his death. He offered his condolences to the Taylor family.

I always really liked him, even though we had our differences, he said.

Taylor was originally appointed by Gov. Jim McGreevey in 2004. Under New Jerseys senatorial courtesy system, an unwritten rule that is nonetheless strictly adhered to in state politics, the state senator has the final word on county prosecutors in a district.

Sutherland confirmed as new Cape May County prosecutor TRENTON  The state Senate confirmed attorney Jeffrey Sutherland, of Ocean City, to be Cape May Countys prosecutor Thursday.

For Taylor, that was Jeff Van Drew. Then a Democratic state senator, Van Drew is now a Republican congressman. He said he backed Taylor to be reappointed to the job.

At the end of the day, I was not only supportive, I ensured that he made it to the finish line, Van Drew said Tuesday. He said Gov. Jon Corzine had promised to support Taylor, but then withdrew his appointment at the end of his term.

Even though the governors seat changed from Democrat to Republican, Van Drew said Gov. Chris Christie named Taylor to another term as prosecutor.

I believe that promises should be kept. Gov. Christie fulfilled the promise that Jon Corzine made, Van Drew said.

He said Taylor did a good job as prosecutor and worked on other issues, such as an evacuation plan for Cape May County in the event of a major storm.

He cared deeply about the county, Van Drew said.

Christie nominates Democratic Party chairman for Cape May County prosecutor TRENTON  Gov. Chris Christie nominated Cape May County Democratic Party Chairman Jeffrey Sutherland on Thursday to serve as the countys next prosecutor.

Taylor is survived by his wife, Lisa J. Taylor, and five daughters, his sister, Nancy Taylor-Lloyd, as well as grandchildren and nieces and nephews. His late brother, Louis Butch Taylor Jr., was a longtime Avalon police officer who worked his way up to become the chief of police.

Bob Taylor was born in North Wildwood and grew up in Stone Harbor, later graduating from Middle Township High School.

He attended James Madison University and served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971. He later graduated from Washington and Lee University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate and was admitted to the bar in 1974.

Taylor practiced law in Stone Harbor for more than 40 years and served as the municipal prosecutor in Middle Township, West Cape May and Lower Township and served as municipal court judge for both Middle and Lower townships. He also worked as a municipal attorney.

He also was a charter member of the Stone Harbor Rescue Squad and was active in other local organizations.

As prosecutor, Taylor created the Special Operations and Planning Section (SWAT) for Cape May County and spearheaded an annual bullying/domestic violence prevention conference. He also supported Cape Assist, Hope One and other addiction prevention programs.

Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill

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After a workers fatal fall Monday at Gillians Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is investigating the incident, is asking business owners to take a second and look for possible fall hazards.

Yesterdays fatal fall is a tragic reminder of the importance of protecting workers from fall hazards, said OSHA Area Director in Marlton Paula Dixon-Roderick. Worker falls are preventable with the use of proper fall protection.

Elevated falls are a leading cause of death for construction workers, accounting for 351 of the 1,008 fatalities recorded in 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Thirty-eight fatal falls in New Jersey have been reported since June 2020, OSHA said in a news release.

Fatal accident at Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City OCEAN CITY  A subcontractor working on the Ferris wheel at Gillians Wonderland Pier fell f

Robert W. Sanger, 62, of Pittsgrove, Salem County, died at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point after falling from a lift connected to the Jersey Shore amusement parks Ferris wheel. Sanger was employed by Cargo Tech International, of Swedesboro, Gloucester County, Ocean City officials said Monday.

Ocean City Fire Department EMTs were called to the park shortly after 10:30 a.m.

Its unclear how Sanger fell, and OSHAs probe continues.

Mayor and park owner Jay Gillian said the company is cooperating with all appropriate authorities to investigate the incident, and would release more information when it becomes available.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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Ive worked as an investigative journalist for more than a decade, first for the (now defunct) Chiragh Daily newspaper and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting.

In 2020, I launched Roydadha, a news and investigative news website. It was the start of the pandemic, and no one wanted to sponsor a new startup. But, through a contact, I was able to get a local bank to advertise.

I had two reporters and one photographer. We covered stories that others ignored, stories that are impactful and can prompt government action.

I was working on an investigative story about street children when Kabul fell. I was hoping it would lead to the childrens rescue, but I was having trouble getting government officials to cooperate.

After the Taliban takeover, all three of my colleagues quit. A lot of the female journalists in Afghanistan, their families did not allow them to return to work. That was the case with my photographer. Others decided to stay home.

I stopped working for a few days in August. But when women took to the streets, I was there to cover the protests. I was happy to see that women were brave and demanding their rights.

I was whipped, and my camera was broken by the Taliban, but I didnt want to talk about it publicly. I didnt want to make a big deal about it. This comes with the job.

Meena Habib attends a Taliban meeting with local residents outside Kabul. (Meena Habib)

Journalism is not an easy profession. Journalists are beaten. Journalists are hurt. Journalists face all kinds of problems.

Afghanistan is a traditional society. There is insecurity and a lack of respect for womens rights. As a woman, you never felt safe going to work. But women who were passionate about their profession, regardless of the circumstance, have continued to work. Im one of them.

My own family never supported me. They wanted me to quit because they felt journalism was a dangerous profession for a woman. After the Taliban took over, my family asked me to leave the country. They feared the Taliban might cause problems for me.

But because of my passion for my profession and desire to serve my people, especially children, I decided to stay.

I dont know whats going to happen. I dont know if my family will allow me to continue to work.

Meena Habib attends a Taliban press conference in Kabul. (Meena Habib)

Most of my colleagues have left. I dont think they should have. If we journalists all leave, who will rebuild the country? Were the bridge between the people and the government.

We all know that journalism is a tough, dangerous profession. Its especially difficult for a woman to cover a story. No one talks to a female journalist. It is true that the Taliban have imposed restrictions on the media, but we can try to have those restrictions removed.

If a journalist is really passionate and committed to her profession, she can report under any circumstance.

The freedom of expression achievements of the past two decades are very important to me, and I dont want to lose them. Thats why I continue to report without fear. If I wasnt committed to my job, Id have quit this risky and dangerous profession.

Interviews with Habib have been translated and edited for length and clarity.
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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DETROIT  Trinity Health and CommonSpirit Health announced they signed an agreement for Trinity Health to acquire all facilities and assets of MercyOne, a regional health system based in Iowa, including MercyOne Clinton Medical Center. Since 1998, MercyOne has operated under a joint operating agreement between not-for-profit Catholic health care organizations Trinity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives, which is now CommonSpirit.

MercyOne serves more than 3.3 million patients each year. The system includes 16 medical centers, 27 affiliate organizations and more than 420 care sites offering a range of health and wellness services, including provider services and urgent care, and more than 20,000 colleagues including 2,000 of the state's most talented doctors and providers.

After months of analysis, Trinity Health and CommonSpirit determined a sole parent is the best path forward for MercyOne and for the communities it serves. Trinity Health, a national health system spanning 25 states, will bring unified strategies and operations to MercyOne's care sites, including one set of system services.

Trinity Health and CommonSpirit will now plan for integration, complete regulatory filings, and take other steps necessary to finalize the transaction, which is expected to be completed this summer 2022.

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Speaking to a group of Scott County Democrats and members of the Iowa Black Caucus, Deidre DeJear tested out a new messaging campaign to hone Democrats' talking points heading into the general election.

DeJear, the presumed Democratic nominee to face Republican incumbent Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in November, told Democrats on Sunday she was running on REAL issues, an acronym that stands for rural revitalization, education and child care, accessible health and mental health care, and labor force.

"These are issues that we can talk about no matter the party, no matter the gender, no matter the race, because these are the real issues," DeJear said. "It's time for Iowa to get real, right?"

Reynolds held an 8-point lead over DeJear in the latest Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa poll from March.

Reynolds, who delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address earlier this year, had more than $4 million in cash on hand at the end of 2021 compared with $8,500 cash on hand for DeJear.

Democratic candidates across the country face political headwinds with a Democratic president in his first term in office. President Biden's approval rating across the country has declined since he took office. The most recent poll by Washington Post/ABC showed the president's approval rating dropped to 42%.

While Reynolds has enjoyed favorable approval ratings among Republican voters in a state where the GOP controls the governor's office, both chambers of the state legislature and five of Iowa's six seats in Congress, among all Iowans, Reynolds latest approval rating dropped to 49% in March. That's down slightly from 51% in November. Another 44% of Iowans polled said they disapproved of the job shes doing, compared with 43% in November; 7% were unsure.

As of April, Republicans lead Democrats by about 62,700 registered voters across the state, according to voter registration numbers from the Iowa Secretary of State's Officce. Of Iowa's 1.84 million active registered voters, about 35% are registered Republicans, 32% are registered Democrats and 31% are registered as no party.

DeJear told Scott County Democrats not to be deterred by the political headwinds. So long as they remain focused on get-out-the-vote efforts and issues that can garner bipartisan support, Democrats can win in November, she said.

Issues like increasing funding for K-12 schools, DeJear said. The Legislature passed a 2.5% increase in funding for K-12 schools, amounting to roughly $172 million in new state general fund revenue, which Republicans say is enough while being fiscally responsible. Democrats proposed a 5% increase, arguing that 2.5% doesn't keep up with costs and challenges schools in hiring new or retaining current teachers.

"We're not meeting the cost of doing business," DeJear said. "We're providing our students with subpar opportunities. Given we invest more, we will expand their opportunities."

DeJear as well advocated for increased funding and access to mental health care, arguing Iowa has too few crisis care centers available for people experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis that requires immediate attention.

On child care, DeJear said she supported increasing state reimbursements for child care providers.

She told Scott County Democrats, too, that she opposed tax-payer-funded scholarships for students to switch to private schools, one of Reynolds' key legislative priorities that has stalled in the Iowa Legislature in the last few weeks.

"Make no mistake, DeJears plan is to spend more money, raise taxes and give in to the cultural woke agenda that is tearing our country apart," Republican Party of Iowa Communications Director Kollin Crompton said in a statement. "Iowans trust Kim Reynolds, the same way she trusted them. Iowans know under Gov. Reynolds leadership Iowa is headed in the right direction.

Three of five Democratic candidates running for three seats on the Scott County Board of Supervisors also attended Sunday's event.

Among them was Blue Grass resident Karl Drapeaux, a business representative for Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. A Marine Corps veteran who grew up in West Davenport, Drapeaux said he was inspired to run over concerns of a potential conflict in Republican Supervisor John Maxwell's dual roles as both a supervisor and North Scott school board member

Joseph Miller, a St. Ambrose business professor from Davenport who previously served as an appointed Davenport City Council member, said he would bring an evidence-based approach to the county board.

Jazmin Newton, a Davenport attorney who lost by fewer than 70 votes to Republican Scott County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ken Beck in 2020, said she wants to elect Democrats down the ballot "because the issues I care about will not matter unless we ... elect a majority on that board."

Other Democrats in the June 7 primary for the Scott County board include incumbent Supervisor Brinson Kinzer, an electrician and construction trainer from Blue Grass, and Dawson Shea VanWinkle, a 2018 Davenport West High School graduate who interned with the county over the summer.

Republicans running in the June 7 primary for Scott County supervisor include: Jean Dickson, a Bettendorf civil service commission member and former Pleasant Valley school board member; Jennifer McAndrew Lane, a current probation and parole officer for the U.S. District Court and wife to the Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane; and Ross Paustian, a farmer and state representative from Walcott.

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UNITED NATIONS, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned "in the strongest terms" the continued heinous terrorist attacks targeting civilians in Afghanistan.

The council issued a press statement to condemn the terrorist attacks, including the attack against the Mawlawi Sekander mosque in Kunduz on April 22 which killed more than 25 people, and the attack against the Khalifa Sahib mosque in Kabul on April 29 which early reports said at least 30 people were killed and many others were injured.

The attacks followed several other recent attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including in religious minority communities, across Afghanistan during the month of Ramadan.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," said the statement.

They reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

They reaffirmed the need for all states to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. 
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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When we heard the incredible news tonight we dropped to our knees and said a prayer as a family in gratitude for all the lives that will be saved. And then we said the pledge of allegiance. The flag looks different after this ruling - it shines even brighter. 
A 19-year-old Rapid City man pleaded not guilty to a second degree murder charge Monday in the shooting death of Myron Pourier.

According to court documents, Quincy Bear Robe told police he shot Pourier, 19, during an argument at the Grand Gateway Hotel.

The Rapid City Police Department arrested Bear Robe after allegedly shooting Pourier at the hotel March 19. Bear Robe was originally charged with aggravated assault and commission of a felony with a firearm and aggravated assault.

After Pourier died in the hospital April 3  just over two weeks after the shooting  a Pennington County grand jury updated the aggravated assault charge to second degree murder.

The probable cause affidavit in Bear Robes case states that police responded to the Grand Gateway Hotel at 4:30 a.m. to respond to a possible shooting. Officers found Pourier at the hotel with a gunshot wound. He was then transported to the hospital and taken into emergency surgery.

After searching the area for suspects, officers located Bear Robe running from the hotel and found a pistol on him when he was stopped. The affidavit states Bear Robe admitted to police he shot Pourier during an argument between Pourier and Bear Robes girlfriend. Witnesses corroborated the account, according to court documents. Shell cases found at the scene matched shell casings remaining in the pistol.

Brendyn Medina, spokesperson for the Rapid City Police Department, previously said alcohol was a factor in the shooting.

Bear Robe is being held at the Pennington County Jail on a $1 million cash bond.

The location of the shooting garnered national attention when one of the Grand Gateway Hotel owners made comments on Facebook stating that Native Americans would be banned from the hotels property and Cheers Lounge after the shooting. Bear Robe is Native American, as was Pourier.

NDN Collective, an Indigenous-led organization based in Rapid City, filed a federal class action civil rights lawsuit against the hotel, its owners, and its parent company after NDN members reportedly attempted to rent rooms at the hotel and were denied.

Bear Robes next hearing is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. July 25.

 Contact Shalom Baer Gee at sgee@rapidcityjournal.com 

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The Pennington County Board of Commissioners approved a proclamation Tuesday morning declaring May 1-7 Pennington County Corrections Week, while honoring fallen corrections officer David Henry, who died in September from COVID-19.

According to the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, Henry contracted COVID-19 while serving at the county jail.

Corrections officers Sheriff Kevin Thom and Chief Deputy Brian Mueller were present to honor both Henry and the corrections staff being recognized with the proclamation. Henrys widow, Lori, was also present, along with her daughter and Henrys mother.

Thom and Pennington County Jail Commander Rob Yantis gave the board a background on Henry, and highlighted the importance of the work done by corrections officers. Henry died in the line of duty as a result of COVID while working in the jail, they said, and his name will be placed on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington and the state memorial in Pierre.

Henry had served as a correctional officer with Pennington County since 2018, with prior service in the United States Coast Guard.

Thom described Henry as dedicated, noting his former military service and what it brought to the department. Mueller described him as even-keeled and oriented on solving problems.

The staff really loved him, Mueller said.

Henrys widow saw corrections week as an opportunity to honor her husband while highlighting the unsung heroes of the corrections department. Henry often spoke of how the community was not aware of what goes on in corrections, she said.

Those men and women serve their communities and put their lives on the line every day, Lori Henry said.

Corrections officers in attendance were recognized and read the official proclamation declaring corrections week.

Commissioner Deb Hadcock thanked the corrections team for their service and acknowledged Henry for his service both to Pennington County and as a member of the Coast Guard.

In other business, Dr. Cheryl Chapman, executive director of Western Dakota Regional Water System, gave the board an update on the Missouri River Water Project. The project, focused on bringing Missouri River water to western South Dakota, has been underway just over a year.

Chapman reviewed the history of the project with the board, presenting graphs highlighting available water versus demand from 1900-2020, from a South Dakota Mines study from 2019. The graph showed projected use after 2020, with predictions on the high side, she said, due to population growth in Pennington County.

The graph showed average versus median precipitation as well as water available during prolonged drought.

If you take a look at that line versus what is being used, were already short of water, Chapman said.

Chapman explained extreme conservation measures were needed to ensure there would be enough drinking water  a question that fueled the Missouri Water Project.

The project would cost an estimated $2 billion and is driven by ongoing drought, Chapman said. In 2020, meetings were held to create a governance structure with representatives across the state.

The question now, she said, is how to effectively and efficiently manage the water when it gets here  a dialogue they hope to have with Pennington County and other counties across western South Dakota.

A board of directors has been chosen, with representation from Rapid City, Box Elder, New Underwood and the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

They are on the State Water Plan, which opened up funding options. A statement of interest was put out in November 2021 and a request for proposal in December. They are now seeking construction dollars from federal programs.

The board has authorized a letter to go the state's congressional delegation asking for authorization to move ahead with studies. As of April 13, the project has received $8 million to fund the studies.

The commission was also introduced to a newly formed volunteer committee for County Vacation Home Rentals. Proposed members Tara Flanery, Jessica Ginger, Jordan Hirschfeld, Laura Jones, Desyl Peterson, Christopher Quail and Kathy Skorzewski introduced themselves.

The members expressed a desire to find balance for the community with such a growing business, and a need for strong regulations and compliance enforcement.

This is a growing trend, Hirschfeld said. I think its good growth, and that theyre looking for middle ground between the public and the city.

Its about finding balance, because were talking about property rights, said Commissioner Ron Rossknecht. We're talking about the folks that want to do this, we're talking about the neighbors, and when that committee can sit there in that scale of justice, get that equal balance, I think the committee's hit a homerun.

The board approved the committee formation unanimously.

Contact Laura Heckmann at lheckmann@rapidcityjournal.com

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The Pennington County Commissioners awarded $5,349,070 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Rapid Valley Sanitary Districts water system expansion request at a special meeting Friday evening.

Initially presented to the commission at its regular board meeting on April 5, and revisited at the April 19 meeting, the request is to build a two-million gallon water storage tank to assist surrounding communities, including Box Elder, Valley Heights and other developments in the area.

Rusty Schmidt, Rapid Valley Sanitary District manager, said this would be the first step in their regionalization. He hopes to attain a one-to-one match in funds from the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to fund the $10 million project.

Jay Alderman with the Pennington County States Attorneys Office, summarized the eligibility of the project for the ARPA funds, as well as noting concerns in maintaining compliance with the ARPA guidelines.

Alderman, along with several other speakers, expressed concern over the complexity of reporting, and responsibility taken on by the county when dealing with a sub-recipient.

Dustin Dale, engineer and operations manager at AE2S (Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.), consulting firm for Rapid Valley Sanitary District, explained their familiarity with the DANR compliance process.

The board also discussed the possibility of using the entirety of their $12 million in ARPA funds for county projects as opposed to partial for county and partial for the Rapid Valley Sanitary District project. Other county projects discussed were related to mental health, addiction treatment and impending jail expenses.

Growth in Rapid City is going east, said Commissioner Deb Hadcock. This is not a want. This is a need for Pennington County.

Schmidt said the infrastructure would bring gains from water and sewer sales and extension and connection fees.

Municipalities around here, Box Elder, Rapid City, will benefit from this greatly, as well, through sales tax, he said. All of this is an avenue to provide for the future and be proactive.

Commissioner Travis Lasseter said this project would be an investment in Pennington County," adding value to the land and increasing property value in areas where they know growth is coming. He suggested this revenue could in turn help offset impending jail expenses.

The likelihood of the project receiving a one-to-one match from DANR, if approved by the county, was also discussed. Schmidt said he was very confident of the match possibilities.

Commission Chair Gary Drewes said he would prefer not to use ARPA funds for this project if there was no match from the state.

The commission unanimously approved a motion to award the Rapid Valley Sanitary District $5,349,070 in ARPA funds, with the understanding that if they do not received the $5 million match or a loan from DANR, they will come back to the Board of Commissioners to discuss alternate means of funding the project.

The Board also unanimously voted to designate the remainder of the ARPA funds to be utilized for the allowable county expenditures related to addiction treatment, mental health, and providing or administering social services and public benefits.

Contact Laura Heckmann at lheckmann@rapidcityjournal.com

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Ellsworth civilian employee Lorie Vega was recently recognized by the Association of Defense Communities as a Defense Community Champion, one of 10 recognized across the nation for excellence in fostering collaboration between military and community.

For Vega, deputy director for the 28th Mission Support Group at Ellsworth Air Force Base, the award highlighted a bigger picture of partnership and connection.

It's not about me, she said. It's about how we can make our community better, not just for our Airmen, but for everybody.

Vega has served as deputy director for two years, but has been at Ellsworth since October 2012. She started in civil service 35 years ago, working all over the country and the world, from California and Hawaii to Germany.

Her experience has now culminated in a position that centers around connecting people. She partners with the community to support their squadrons.

Whats affecting our Airmen affects everybody, she said.

Vega tackles issues like the housing shortage, the price of housing, the price of gas, and childcare  all issues that impact the community.

It spans the fence line  we all share these problems, she said.

Removing that fence line is what Vega does, and what the community champion award celebrates.

She also serves as the innovation and community partnership lead on base, where she works with businesses and student teams to inspire innovation that will develop new technology we can use. Vega has partnered with over 15 universities, including Black Hills University and South Dakota Mines.

I see it as all one network. It's all connected, she said.

Nominated by her community, Vega didnt even know she was in the running. Different representatives from various organizations shes worked with, including Ensign, Elevate and SDEDA (South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority), got together and submitted her name for the award.

That was so moving, Vega said, that they thought enough to do that. That was just amazing.

The array of community organizations involved in Vegas nomination was a testament to the partnership and collaboration celebrated by the award itself.

Winning the award, while a humbling experience for Vega, was a reminder of the community it represents  both civilian and military.

Together, we can make it better for everyone, she said. Not just the civilian sector, or the military sector. We're all one big family.

The recognition comes from the Association of Defense Communities, a non-military association focused on building communities that support Americas military.

The ADC, Vega explained, was originally created to support installations against BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure), a list Ellsworth was once threatened by. It has since evolved into supporting defense communities and recognizing innovation and collaboration.

The value of the ADC recognizing the collaboration she has been a part of, she said, is that it showcases a way to make the community as a whole a better place for everybody.

And you can make a difference, Vega said.

People can become jaded, she said  feel that they cant change things. This reward is a reminder that with a little stubbornness and persistence, you can.

When you get people engaged in the effort, you'd be amazed what you can accomplish," Vega said.

Contact Laura Heckmann at lheckmann@rapidcityjournal.com

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These are some of the most luxurious homes on the Rapid City market.
Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanitys annual Women Build celebration returns in 2022 with a three-day, women-only volunteer opportunity, supporting Habitats mission of helping local families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable housing.

Women Build will be taking place Thursday through Saturday at 130 E. Van Buren St., the future home of future Habitat homeowner, Penny.

According to a news release, this year Habitat hopes women across the community will consider making a donation to the organization throughout the month of May in tribute to the mothers, sisters, friends and neighbors in their lives.

"Together, we can help women throughout the Black Hills work towards home ownership, creating financial stability for their families," the news release states.

According to a news release, Women Build has been a Habitat tradition for more than 20 years, but this years build is a true celebration of the resilience of women in our community.

"Numerous studies have shown that the pandemic has disproportionately affected women in the workforce, threatening their housing security," the news release states. "Currently we have eight partner families working their way through the Habitat program, all independent women. This year we build in honor of their strength and commitment to their future and families."

State Rep. Jess Olsen will be named honorary chairwoman, in recognition that Habitat's work would not be possible without advocates and supporters. Olson is serving in her second term as a South Dakota legislator.

"As a fourth-generation South Dakotan, Olson is a successful business leader and brings a unique real-world perspective to her role as an elected official," the news release states. "She has led efforts to improve work-force development, support stronger families through foster and adoption funding, and most recently she has been an advocate and voice of reason in Pierre to address affordable housing concerns, particularly with the passing of HB 1033."

HB 1033 provided $150 million in loans and grants to the South Dakota Housing Opportunity Fund and $50 million to the South Dakota Housing Development Authority.

For more information, visit www.blackhillshabitat.org or call 605-348-9196. Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity is a United Way member agency.

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The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, may be one of the best-kept secrets in higher education. With its lovely tree-lined campus and classic buildings, it looks and feels like a premier private liberal arts and sciences university. It showers its 4,000 students with personal attention and opportunities. They learn from top professors in small classes. They are schooled in rigorous academics in a supportive community that instills honor and integrity  all for a public-school price.

Provost Timothy ODonnell, a 23-year veteran of the university who started as a communications professor, says, You are getting the high-touch experience for a fraction of the price because the University of Mary Washington is a public university.

Theres something special about UMW that goes beyond academics and the friendly, supportive atmosphere. There are endless opportunities to create customized learning experiences here, ODonnell says.

Opportunity is a hard thing to quantify when choosing a college, but it is part of the UMW culture. We hear over and over from alumni that UMW gave them opportunities they would not have had at other places, ODonnell says. Examples include the university community supporting a free bookmobile dreamed up by an English major; an undergraduate physics major getting published in a scientific journal  and making a video explaining his work; and a computer science major landing the lead in a school play.

UMW students are better prepared for graduate work than many of their peers from larger schools. And those programs are creating pathways to career readiness and employment.

According to a survey of the class of 2021, 90% of graduates for whom the university has reliable information are employed, attending graduate school or engaged in career-related endeavors such as internships or military service.

Our students are quite successful in thinking about and pursuing what we call Life After Mary Washington, says assistant provost Kimberly Young, who oversees the schools Center for Career and Professional Development.

That can mean jobs, graduate school, internships or military service with training toward an ultimate career. Those opportunities are what we ask graduates about when they are leaving, but it's also the perspective of our faculty, who work with students to help them with internships.

The center also engages with employers in the region to ascertain their needs for the emerging workforce.

Perhaps the UMW advantage comes down to one thing: personal connections. It helps, of course, that there are no large lecture halls and no teaching assistants. Small, intimate classes and a student-faculty ratio of 13-to-1 enable faculty to take a personal interest in their students general well-being and career readiness. There are faculty members who will look for you if you dont show up, and follow up with you because they care, ODonnell says. We like to say we admit students one at a time, and we support them one at a time, too.
BUENOS AIRES, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Argentine Health Minister Carla Vizzotti on Tuesday praised the role of Chinese vaccines in combating COVID-19 in the South American country.

Vizzotti thanked representatives of China's CanSino Biologics pharmaceutical firm at a meeting held in Buenos Aires to assess the work carried out during the pandemic and address cooperation strategies for technology transfer, the Health Ministry said.

"Thank you very much for being here. For us it is very important to value all the work that has been done so far and thank you for CanSino's role in our country's response to the pandemic," said Vizzotti.

"The pandemic transformed crisis into an opportunity and this table is a sign that we are taking advantage of that opportunity," she added.

According to Vizzotti, "this meeting is also to think about many strategies beyond COVID-19," and the importance of working together with CanSino on technology transfer.

In June 2021, Argentina approved the emergency use of CanSino's Convidecia vaccine, due to the vaccine's compliance with the standards required by the regulatory authority of manufacturing plants, the development and manufacture of products, their certification in the country of origin and compliance with quality standards.

The vaccine is easy to store because it can be transported at a temperature of between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, and requires just a single dose. It has been used in Argentina to immunize remote communities.

Argentina began its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in December 2020 and has received 119,379,405 doses of vaccines from different pharmaceutical companies, including Chinese companies CanSino and Sinopharm, both of which contributed significantly to the fight against the pandemic.

The South American country has registered 9,083,673 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 128,653 deaths from the disease since the viral outbreak, and has applied some 98,887,551 doses of vaccines so far. 
After a week of uncertainty regarding the rezoning of River City Middle School, and as the Richmond Public Schools chief operating officer submitted resignation papers, the divisions School Board reversed course Monday night and approved moving over 450 students out of the overcrowded Southside building.

Mondays vote undid last weeks failing vote to rezone 453 students from River City Middle School to three other middle schools for the upcoming academic year.

In an 8-1 vote, Chair Shonda Harris-Muhammed, Vice Chair Kenya Gibson and members Mariah White and Stephanie Rizzi flipped their previous position against the rezoning plan and joined members Cheryl Burke, Liz Doerr, Nicole Jones and Dawn Page. Member Jonathan Young maintained his stance against the plan.

I maintain that the decision by this board last Monday to not rezone River City Middle School was ethically wrong, Doerr said Monday.

The vote followed two hours of public comment in which parents, students, teachers and other school officials implored the School Board to reconsider.

In another key development, Chief Operating Officer Alana Gonzalez, who joined the school district last March, submitted her resignation to Superintendent Jason Kamras. Her resignation is effective May 20.

While built to hold 1,500 students, River City Middle opened in September with 1,626 students. The enrollment of the school on Hull Street Road is projected to grow to 1,740 students by the 2024-25 academic year.

On April 25, the board had voted 5-4 against moving 453 students from River City to three other middle schools: Lucille Brown, James H. Binford and Thomas C. Boushall. Those who voted against the plan expressed concerns about the impact to open enrollment, a lack of information regarding operational costs and logistics of moving the students, and claimed the River City Middle rezoning committee created only one proposed alternative.

Before formally switching Monday night to vote yes, Gibson criticized the River City rezoning process, saying a committee, such as the River City rezoning panel, is not designed to pick an option for the board to vote. The committees role is to vet and come forward with many options.

Im going to vote yes because were in a situation where we cannot allow the possibility of overcrowding that would be at play. However, the School Board is going to be challenged to play a more active role, Gibson said.

With the rezoning approved for the upcoming school year, River Citys capacity is slated to drop to 78%, followed by Lucille Browns capacity at 76% and Binford and Boushall will sit at 74% capacity.

During Mondays public comment period, Pippa Holloway, who lives in the 5th District, questioned the School Boards April 25 vote to reject the rezoning plan in relation to Gonzalez, the chief operating officer, resigning.

Whats the connection between River City zoning and the resignation of the COO? The answer is a culture of micromanagement that is bringing chaos and failure, Holloway said.

On Monday, River City Middle Principal Jacquelyn Murphy-Braxton told the School Board that she took last weeks vote personally for the students and staff of River City Middle. Staff and students shared struggles of attending River City, including challenges with restroom access. With a limited number of bathrooms and not enough staff to supervise them, teachers have to use instruction time to take their entire class to the bathroom.

No one wants to see us continue the way we have. No one. Not me, and you shouldnt either, Murphy-Braxton said.

We should be the modern Mother Teresas, Gandhis and Martin Luther Kings for our children, she said.

We all have one job and that is academic achievement. And you cannot have academic achievement in the conditions that we have.

Speaking as a parent, school board member Mariah White provided public comment regarding River City. While White expressed concerns for River Citys overcrowding, she said shes been called out for racism and discrimination and rejected the characterizations.

The four members who have now voted for the rezoning twice, wrote in a joint statement after the April 25 vote failed that the school board prioritized school choice that advantages white and affluent families over the safety and security of Black and Brown students on the southside.

Richmond police identify man found fatally shot Saturday on Hull Street Road A man found dead of an apparent gunshot wound Saturday on Hull Street Road in Richmond has been identified as Genora Allen, 44, of Richmond, c

The South Richmond majority-minority school has a population of 48.1% Black students, 47.4% Hispanic students, 2.1% white students, 1.2% students of multiple races, 1% of Asian students, 0.2% American Indian students and 0.1% Native Hawaiian students, according to September 2021 enrollment numbers.

At the beginning of the meeting, Harris-Muhammed attempted to move the River City vote ahead of public comment. Instead, the board voted to move the vote to directly after public comment.

COOs resignation

In February, five School Board members sought to eliminate the positions of the chief operating officer and the chief wellness officer from the school divisions next annual budget. The following month, in a deadlock vote regarding a bloc of unspecified personnel actions, the School Board barred Kamras from filling the position of chief wellness officer.

Referring to Gonzalez, Kamras wrote in an email to School Board members: Despite my best efforts to retain her, she felt she could not effectively perform her duties given the current political climate, in which she has felt harassed, undermined, and demeaned.

A schools spokesperson confirmed the email, which circulated on social media Monday.

Kamras wrote that as a result of the resignation, many operational projects will be delayed, as the team is already stretched to the breaking point.
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It took 39 years and six months to erect the five Confederate statues on Monument Avenue. They were all removed in 15 months.

What was to come next was a reimagining of Monument Avenue, led by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and augmented by state funding.

At first glance, VMFA seemed like an inspired choice, having transformed itself from the epitome of Old Richmond into a more diverse and welcoming space. It helped shepherd in its renamed address, Arthur Ashe Boulevard, and erected a game-changing new landmark  Kehinde Wileys Rumors of War statue of a contemporary Black man on horseback, inspired by the J.E.B. Stuart monument.

But last fall, the political winds shifted.

Republicans swept the states top three offices and reclaimed the House of Delegates, reinstalling into power a political party that had ardently protected Confederate statues. The spirit of protest and social change that began in the late spring of 2020 suddenly felt like a fleeting moment. Then-Gov. Ralph Northam executed a handoff of the Robert E. Lee monument from the commonwealth to the city, which conveyed that and other Confederate monuments to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.

Without any state property on Monument Avenue, VMFA  a state agency  exited stage left.

Patience has become a watchword.

It is worth remembering that the Confederate statues that formerly lined Monument Avenue stood for more than 100 years, and the pedestals upon which they stood were only completely removed a few weeks ago, Jim Nolan, press secretary for Mayor Levar Stoney, said Monday.

The mayor thinks its important we take a breath, and take the time necessary to thoughtfully reimagine this gateway to our city, recognizing that the Avenue today remains an idyllic thoroughfare, without monuments.

Bill Martin, director of The Valentine, sounded a similar sentiment.

I think the main takeaway is both the Black History Museum and the city, from what I know, have committed to a much longer-term process to allow broader community input, but also to allow time to understand the history of what happened in 2020 in a way that is removed a bit from when it actually happened, Martin said.

Im from the country, he added. Letting land lay fallow is not a bad idea, to allow people to heal so you can do the work to grow the future that you want.

But as we pause to consider that future, I wonder: Is our reimagining process threatened by a paucity of imagination and ambition?

If what were ultimately about is merely a reinvention of one street, were thinking too small.

We are approaching this nations 250th anniversary, and democracy stands at a precipice. Our current political zeitgeist of belligerence, states rights, white grievance and insurrection appears to draw more inspiration from the Lost Cause.

Richmond, the former capital of the Confederacy, has much to teach a nation in need of the lesson. But we must connect the dots.

Instead of merely reimagining Monument Avenue, weve got to imagine a Richmond with a holistic history worthy of individual parts such as Jackson Ward, a cradle of Black entrepreneurship; Shockoe Bottom, once the nations second-busiest domestic market in the buying and selling of human beings; and the University of Richmond, which is interrogating its history as a site of enslavement.

Richmonds core commemorative landscape, and in particular, our sites of conscience, are both an unmatched and underutilized opportunity, said Marland Buckner, interim executive director of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.

Were we to take a holistic approach that saw us align, integrate, collaborate and coordinate across public, private, academic and philanthropic sectors, Buckner said, we would be able to show the nation and the world why it is essential that you come to Richmond and learn about and experience these places for yourself, so that you can understand the arc of the story of the expansion of freedom  and the ways in which that expansion was too often undermined and nullified.

As for the Confederate statues in his museums possession, he said: The process were in right now is working to ensure that these monuments themselves function as teaching tools designed to inform evidence-based, historically accurate, and  frankly  much deeper discussion of the complex dimensions of American apartheid.

These monuments represent the grandest artistic expressions of American apartheid. Our job is to put them to work unwinding the legacy they wrought.

The crisis of U.S. democracy is tied to the legacy they wrought. In connecting Monument Avenue to our larger history, we can build a path forward.
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.
A Politico report that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade after nearly 50 years sent shock waves through Virginia politics and could reset the states closest congressional contests.

A midterm election playing out as a referendum on President Joe Biden, whose approval ratings are underwater, could now become, at least in part, a referendum on abortion rights.

Virginias most vulnerable congressional incumbents might be three women in redrawn districts who voted last year to codify abortion rights in federal law as a hedge against the high court: Reps. Elaine Luria, D-2nd; Abigail Spanberger, D-7th; and Jennifer Wexton, D-10th.

Its chilling, Spanberger, a Henrico County resident who is seeking a third term in a district now based in Northern Virginia, said in an interview on Tuesday. I say that as a woman. I say that as the mother of three daughters.

She cautioned that the Supreme Court draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito is not final, but said what was released completely and totally undermines, attacks, negates the right to privacy.

At the most basic level, its telling governors and state legislatures across the country that they can pursue whatever law they want that may be harmful to women and may be harmful to others, Spanberger said.

Republicans will choose Spanbergers opponent from among six candidates in a June 21 primary.

Yesli Vega, one of Spanbergers potential GOP opponents, tweeted of the Politico report: What a historic moment in the making. An amazing victory in the fight for the life and Liberty of our most vulnerable, the unborn.

Another GOP hopeful in the 7th, state Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, joined a Republican chorus that decried the leak as an attack on the Supreme Courts deliberation processes, though the source of the leak and the intention behind it is not clear.

As a narcotics detective, a veteran, and a 100% pro-life Senator, I have, and will always stand for protecting all human life, Reeves said in a campaign tweet.

Politico reported Monday night that a majority of the Supreme Court, which is preparing to rule on a Mississippi law that bars abortion at 15 weeks, voted in conference to overturn Roe, the 1973 decision that cemented a constitutional right to abortion.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, Alito reportedly wrote in a first draft of an opinion for the court.

The Constitution makes no reference to abortion and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision ...

In addition to Roe, Alito referred to the courts 1992 decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. In that Pennsylvania case a plurality of justices upheld the right to abortion and created an undue burden test on proposed restrictions on the procedure.

Overturning Roe v. Wade would send abortion laws back to the states. That means abortion likely also will play a central role in Virginias next legislative elections, now set for 2023.

But anti-abortion advocates recently told The Washington Post that if Roe is overturned they also plan to seek a stricter federal standard, perhaps to bar abortion after six weeks.

While some states, such as Mississippi, have moved to bar most abortions at 15 weeks, Texas is among states that have passed trigger laws which would essentially ban abortion if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Spanberger still lives in western Henrico, and has said she wont move her family, including three school-age daughters, before January.

The stakes for the mid-term elections have been high since it became clear that so many people were willing to excuse a violent assault on the Capitol, the beating of police officers with American flags and fire extinguishers, she said. The stakes of this election continue to be high, and this is one more proof positive.

But Spanberger said she was less focused on how abortion will play in the impending campaign than what it means for the country, especially women who could be forced to carry a pregnancy to term after being raped or despite a fetal abnormality or threat to their own lives.

Before Roe v. Wade, abortion was occurring, but women were dying, she said. This is about safe and legal abortion.

Spanberger tweeted on Monday night, We voted to codify Roe in the House, and the Senate needs to take it up for a vote.

But she acknowledged on Tuesday that getting the bill to Biden to sign wont be easy because of Senate rules that effectively require 60 votes  10 more than Democrats control. Im realistic about how things move in the Senate, she said.

Wexton, whose redrawn 10th Congressional District lost a portion of Fairfax County and the city of Winchester but gained red Rappahannock and Fauquier counties, also called Monday night for codifying Roe v. Wade.

We must protect women, she tweeted. We must fight back against attempts to control a womans ability to make decisions about her own body.

We must ensure that the Womens Health Protection Act is signed into law.

Eleven Republicans are vying in a May 21 canvass for the right to take on Wexton in the fall.

Rep. Rob. Wittman, R-1st, whose redrawn district includes parts of Chesterfield and Henrico counties, said in a statement: I am 100% pro-life and I believe all life is precious and deserves to be protected  including the unborn.

He said the unprecedented leak of Alitos draft opinion does irreparable damage to the trusted process of the Supreme Court: the ability to deliberate in private.

Democrat Herb Jones, who is challenging Wittman, tweeted that what he called an attack on Womens Freedom to make health care choices is reflective of a broader attack on democratic values at home and abroad.

Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, is running for a second term to represent a new district that includes parts of Richmonds outer suburbs. He issued a series of tweets that praised the reported decision and former President Donald Trump for nominating three justices  Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  who apparently voted to overturn Roe.

The infamous R v. W decision that found a constitutional right to abortion out of thin air is apparently, finally, mercifully, being rectified, Good tweeted on Tuesday morning.

No decision in the history of the Court has caused such horrific carnage & destruction to innocent life, he tweeted, mere collateral damage to the Democrat Lefts relentless 60-year assault on our Constitution, our founding Judeo-Christian principles, the traditional family, and religious freedom.

If this news holds  Thank God for the 2016 election of Donald J. Trump, as we certainly needed at least 2, if not all 3, of the justices he appointed to the Court.

Josh Throneburg, a Charlottesville minister and Democratic challenger to Good, sent a much different message on Tuesday.

As a pastor, Ive sat with women and families agonizing over a pregnancy decision, Throneburg said in a statement on Facebook. One thing was clear to me  women should absolutely be the people making the decision.

To the folks celebrating right now  this doesnt solve any of the problems you think Roe v. Wade caused, he said. Abortions will continue to happen  some states will restrict access while others will expand it. We can be certain that some abortions will be far more dangerous. 

To the women affected by this decision: the person that should make your healthcare choices is YOU, Throneburg said. I will fight for that right.

acain@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6645 Twitter: @AndrewCainRTD mmartz@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6871 Staff writer Sean McGoey contributed to this report.

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters Tuesday that he hopes the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, but he noted that a decision is not final and didnt want to speculate on how hed proceed in Virginia if the court overturns the 1973 decision that declared a constitutional right to abortion.

I believe that the states should be able to take on this responsibility, and I do believe just like in determining what our education budget should be, in determining what our funding for law enforcement should be, how we handle our taxes at the state level  those are state decisions, he said. And I do support the fact that this should be a state decision.

Youngkin said that if Roe is overturned, hed work with the legislature to determine how Virginia would handle abortion law. And he criticized the leak to Politico of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alitos draft opinion reportedly overturning Roe v. Wade.

The news boosts the importance of abortion to Virginias legislative elections next year.

Democrats said theyre committed to protecting legal abortion in Virginia if federal law changes.

This report showing the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade is beyond concerning and will set womens rights back decades, party Chair Susan Swecker said in a statement.

Speaking to reporters after an event at his office building, Youngkin said of the leak: This leak that came from the Supreme Court is just an unbelievable breach of confidence and it was done in order to create chaos and to put pressure on elected officials, and its just fundamentally wrong that this happened.

Politico reported Monday night that the Supreme Court, which will soon rule on a Mississippi law that would halt most abortions after 15 weeks, had voted in conference to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Youngkin said during his campaign that he would support banning abortion at the point when a fetus can feel pain  which states with similar bans have defined as 20 weeks. Youngkin supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or when the womans life is in jeopardy.

Virginia law allows public funds to be used for abortion services in those three circumstances. The Virginia Department of Health is able to use state dollars toward abortion for Medicaid patients following rape or incest or if they have a fetus with a documented incapacitating abnormality.

VDH spokesperson Marian Hunter said that in 2022, this program has received and approved 31 applications in cases of anomalies and one application because of rape or incest for a total of $11,338. But should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, Hunter said there wouldnt be a direct impact on VDHs services because those are subject to the Virginia legislature, Congress and guidance from the governor.

Overturning Roe v. Wade would send abortion laws back to the states. That means abortion likely also will play a central role in Virginias next legislative elections, now set for 2023.

Democrats hold a 21-19 edge in the state Senate while Republicans hold a 52-48 edge in the House of Delegates. In the General Assembly session that ended March 12, Senate Democrats in a committee blocked a number of House GOP bills to further restrict abortion.

Reaction in Virginia

State Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, tweeted Monday night: When Glenn Youngkin comes to take away our abortion rights  he is going to run into a BRICK WALL.

In contrast, Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick, said of the Politico report: This could be the biggest win for life, liberty and limited government that we may see in a lifetime. For the past 49 years, under the Supreme Courts unilateral orders, the murder of 62 million unborn children was legalized and sanctioned  against the will of the American people.

Tarina Keene, executive director of Pro-Choice Virginia, said in a statement that the news is a clarion call to Virginians. We must pursue proactive protections. We must pass a constitutional amendment that will forever enshrine our right to bodily autonomy.

Victoria Cobb, president of The Family Foundation of Virginia, issued a statement saying the organization is cautiously optimistic about the early reports.

If this is in fact the final vote of the justices, it is an incredible ruling, she said in the statement. Roe v. Wade had no Constitutional basis and was wrongly decided, and this is our chance to undo bad precedent that has permitted the destruction of life for decades.

A coalition of community groups that support abortion rights gathered Tuesday evening in front of the federal courthouse in downtown Richmond in support of advocates such as RaeAnn R. Pickett, communications director for the Virginia League of Planned Parenthood.

Pickett said several groups reached out to Planned Parenthood when news broke about the Supreme Courts leaked draft opinion. She said the demonstration, which drew more than 200 people, shows that Virginias coalition of abortion rights activists have been prepared.

Planned Parenthood was literally built for this moment, Pickett said. This is an organic, grassroots movement that I think is reflective of the anger and shock and confusion that a lot of people are feeling. But weve been preparing for this moment for years.

Speakers at the event included former Del. Lashrecse Aird, whos now seeking the Democratic nomination for a state Senate seat. Aird is vying for the nomination with Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, a Catholic who opposes abortion.

We will not let Republicans take Virginia backwards, Aird told members of the crowd as they began a short march on Main Street.

The Politico report came days after Youngkin joined hundreds of marchers at the fourth annual Virginia March for Life and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears addressed abortion opponents gathered at the Bell Tower on Capitol grounds.

In January, Virginias new Republican Attorney General, Jason Miyares, took steps to remove Virginia from a legal brief his Democratic predecessor endorsed that terms the Mississippi abortion law unconstitutional.

Virginia Solicitor General Andrew N. Ferguson wrote to the clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court at the time that Virginia is now of the view that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided, that the Constitution is silent on the question of abortion, and that it is therefore up to the people in the several States to determine the legal status and regulatory treatment of abortion.

Youngkin did not stress abortion in his agenda for this years regular General Assembly session, which focused on issues such as tax cuts and school choice.

If abortion becomes the marquee issue, it would not be the first time it transformed a Virginia election.

In 1989, after the Supreme Court upheld Missouri abortion restrictions in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, Democrat Doug Wilders defense of abortion rights helped him defeat Republican Marshall Coleman and become the nations first elected Black governor.

pwilson@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6061 Twitter:@patrickmwilson acain@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6645 Twitter: @AndrewCainRTD Staff writers Sean McGoey, Holly Prestidge, Lyndon German, Sabrina Moreno and Eric Kolenich contributed to this report.

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GLADE SPRING, Va.  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.

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 Fisher Hollow 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 on Grace Street two years ago were interrupted when the pandemic left many workers unavailable.

Just recently, the Town of Glade Spring notified Mitten that a lien would be issued against the property located within the town limits 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.

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.
by Ronald Ssekandi

KAMPALA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- As the world commemorates Air Quality Awareness Week, Uganda on Tuesday called for joint action to address emissions that lead to detrimental health issues.

Experts told reporters here that urgent action is needed to address air pollution in the east African country, especially in the capital Kampala where some parts register higher levels than those set by World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the 2021 World Air Quality Report, Kampala was ranked among the most polluted cities, with pollution levels exceeding WHO cut-offs by 5-7 times. The main sources of air pollution include dust from unpaved roads, domestic solid biomass energy use, and exhaust and non-exhaust emissions from vehicles, industrial emissions and open burning of solid waste.

Experts warned that with the ever-increasing urban population, air pollution in Kampala is projected to worsen if no deliberate interventions are implemented.

The warnings come at a time when the world is commemorating the 16th annual Air Quality Awareness Week (May 2-6), which aims at sharing information on air quality and how it affects health. This year's celebrations are held under the theme, "Be Air Aware and Prepared".

National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), a state-run environment watchdog, said it is working on new regulations and standards aimed at reducing emissions.

"These standards will regulate emissions generated from vehicles, workplaces, industries, fugitive emissions, indoor air quality and the general ambient air quality," said Akankwasa Barirega, the executive director, NEMA.

Barirega said the regulations and standards will also form a basis for enforcement if one violates the set cut-offs.

To reduce on the emissions, KCCA said it will be tarmacking more city roads, increasing the number of signaled junctions and traffic management innovations to streamline city traffic control. The city will also promote and implement green mobility alternatives including electric mobility, non-motorized transportation and mass-transit alternatives.

The public, according to KCCA, also has a role to play in reducing air pollution. The authority said individuals can walk or cycle as a way of reducing the carbon footprint. Individuals can also among others use alternative transportation (bus or carpool) to get to work.

Engineer Bainomugisha, the AirQo Project Leader based at Makerere University, Uganda's top university, said the project is continuing to deploy air quality monitors in different urban centers. Through a phone application, one can see the quality of air in space and time across the country.

He said authorities have also been trained on how to analyze, interpret and understand air quality data thereby taking informed policies and actions.

"With this information, authorities have the power to take mitigation actions to reduce air pollution," Bainomugisha said.

He said the project has also been carrying out community outreaches teaching the public on the effects of pollution and how they can help protect the environment. 
RICHMOND  A state appeals court on Tuesday overturned the conviction of a Virginia mother who was found guilty of assault and battery for striking her 12-year-old twins with a belt to discipline them.

WTOP-FM reports that a three-judge Court of Appeals panel said the trial judge overstepped her authority when she suggested in her ruling that the mother should have found a different way to punish her children.

Virginia, like every other state, permits parents to discipline their children with corporal punishment, the panel wrote in its ruling.

To fall within the parental privilege justification, discipline must be reasonable and not excessive, the ruling said.

The mother was convicted last year in Hanover County after using a belt to discipline her children for using a cellphone outside the hours established by their parents. Each child had a minor bruise or mark afterward, but neither was seriously injured.

Later that day, the son told a school resource officer he didnt feel safe going home. Her daughter expressed similar fear.

Judge Jan Brodie found the mother guilty, saying the testimony of the son and daughter was very credible.
After 30 days of fasting, congregants at the new West End Islamic Center started Eid al-Fitr holiday celebrations Monday morning with coffee, tea, kheer rice pudding, cookies and doughnuts.

Hundreds of people came to celebrate the Muslim holy day at the newest mosque in the Richmond area, sharing hugs and wishing each other a happy holiday, saying Eid Mubarak and Khair Mubarak.

Families with children in tow took selfies after prayers. Teenagers, many of them students from nearby Deep Run High School , gathered around each other, soaking in the joy as they anticipated the gifts, food and kinship that awaited them at other gatherings with friends and family later in the day.

Its a relief that we finally have our own place to worship, said Isra Shaikh, 17.

Like the thousands of other Muslims who visited other mosques across the Richmond area on Monday, hundreds attended morning prayers at the new house of worship on Shady Grove Road in Glen Allen. The West End Islamic Center remains under construction, but community leaders got special permission from Henrico County officials to hold nightly prayers for the past five weeks during the holy month of Ramadan.

Its been a 10-year journey to get to where we are now, said Kashif Perwez, a spokesperson for the center and member of its board of trustees. The community has been working so hard toward this goal. Finally seeing it come to fruition is a big blessing.

Before the temporary opening of the mosque, congregants gathered at pop-up services at nearby schools, rented facilities or other mosques in the area, such as the Islamic Center of Virginia in Chesterfield County, the Islamic Center of Henrico or the Islamic Center of Richmond on Hungary Road.

The latter two, both in Henrico, opened in the past 10 years. While there are now more places of worship for Muslim people, Perwez and others said theres been a need for another mosque in Henrico, as there are approximately 200 Muslim families in the Short Pump area.

They said other mosques in the area are also challenged by crowded prayer halls and parking lots, especially during the Ramadan season, when Muslim families gather every night to break the daily fast and pray after sunset.

The [Muslim] population in my 23 years here has definitely grown, said Perwez. We wanted to make it convenient for people by having a mosque in their neighborhood. Its easier than having to drive half an hour to go pray. And all three of them in the area are all full.

The opening, however, also came with a reminder of the prejudice and discrimination that Muslim people continue to face, as local police continue to investigate a vandalism incident there last month.

Officers discovered trash, graffiti, tables and chairs flipped over inside the building and a shattered glass window. The damage cost about $2,500 according to the centers leaders.

The national Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nations largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, has called for a hate crime investigation. Perwez said a motive remains unknown, but that the centers leaders arent ruling out the possibility of a racist motive or religious discrimination, especially as it was the second incident in the past six months.

A spokesperson for the Henrico police department did not provide any updates on the latest incident Monday, but said it has not utilized any outside resources when asked if state or federal authorities are assisting their investigation.

After the two morning holiday prayer sessions Monday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin visited the center in a show of solidarity with the local Muslim community.

After touring the facility and discussing the recent vandalism case, the governor said he was troubled to see a house of worship vandalized, no matter what religious community it belongs to. This kind of vandalism, this crime is absolutely an affront to all of us, he said. Our freedom of religious expression is at the core of this issue.

Youngkin said he was encouraged to see the development of the mosque and the communitys response to the incident. He also said that his administration would seek to support them by condemning the incident.

Despite the episode, many who gathered Monday morning were simply happy to be celebrating the holy day after a month of fasting and spiritual reflection.

Shaihk and her friends said they were excited to eat later. Shahir Saeed, 15, another student from Deep Run, said he was excited for cash gifts from his relatives. He said he plans to save the money to buy a new computer.

Its a big accomplishment after 30 days of fasting. Its a big reward, he said of the holiday. Its just a good time for friends and family.
More than a few eyebrows were raised Saturday after a fascinating report by my colleague, Emma Coleman. Consider the headline:

The Facebook page was known as the Down & Dirty news of Southwest Virginia. Something similar, or a copy, is still floating around online but absent the offending posts, said Tazewell County Chief Deputy Harold Heatley.

Its unknown whos operating that presently  but it was updated late Sunday or early Monday. An earlier pinned post characterized the whole page as satire.

The Roanoke officer in question is Larry Kenny Bowman. Hes charged with combining to injure others in their reputation, trade, business or profession. Its a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Court records list the offense date as March 13 and Mike Hall, a lieutenant with the Tazewell County Sheriffs Office, as the complainant. Specifics about the alleged offense remain unclear.

A Tazewell County sheriffs investigator connected Bowman to the original Down & Dirty news page via a subpoena to Facebook.

Heatley said the offending posts, which dont currently appear online, harmed the reputation of a Tazewell County lawyer, Penny Nimmo. He declined to divulge copies of the pages, or specifics about how shes been defamed.

The charges against Bowman were first disclosed in an article in The Voice. Its a newspaper that circulates in Cedar Bluff, the Tazewell County town where Nimmo has her law office. Neither that story nor The Roanoke Times version mentioned Nimmo as the victim.

We have [the offending posts] downloaded and saved as evidence, Heatley said. It does reflect very negatively on Ms. Nimmo and her law practice.

An assistant said Nimmo was out of her office Monday morning. I left a message, but Nimmo didnt call back. I was unable to find a working phone number for Bowman, who Roanoke Police said is also under internal investigation.

Heatley added that the case was referred to his department from the Buchanan County Sheriffs Office, and that somehow, it also involved the Buchanan County Department of Social Services. Buchanan County borders Tazewell County, to the north.

Buchanan County had a conflict of interest, Heatley said. Im not sure what it was. He added that he believes the case is still under investigation in Buchanan County. In The Voices article, Tazewell County Sheriff Brian Hieatt said Bowman is from Buchanan. (Bowman currently resides in Hardy.)

As of Monday, no charges had been filed against Bowman in Buchanan County General District Court. Marci Watson, director of social services for Buchanan County, did not return a call for comment. Nor did Buchanan County Sheriff John McClanahan.

If you were surprised that writing unkind things about someone on Facebook could lead to criminal charges  and potentially jail  then join the club. Thats because libel (defamation published in writing) and slander (spoken defamation) are more commonly seen as torts that wind up as civil lawsuits.

But Virginias hardly the only state with criminal defamation laws on its books. The American Civil Liberties Union says 23 other states have them, too. There used to be more, but six states have repealed their criminal defamation statutes, according to the ACLU.

In the East, aside from Virginia, defamation can still be a crime in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, both Carolinas and Florida. (Georgia and Maryland are two of the states that have repealed criminal defamation laws.)

And Virginia has at least two statutes on its books.

The first is Virginia code 18.2-417, titled Slander and Libel. Heres the first (of two) paragraphs, which is the guts of law:

Any person who shall falsely utter and speak, or falsely write and publish, of and concerning any person of chaste character, any words derogatory of such persons character for virtue and chastity, or imputing to such person acts not virtuous and chaste, or who shall falsely utter and speak, or falsely write and publish, of and concerning another person, any words which from their usual construction and common acceptation are construed as insults and tend to violence and breach of the peace or who shall use grossly insulting language to any person of good character or reputation is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

The maximum punishment is a $500 fine.

Bowman was charged under a second, and apparently more serious law, 18.2-499, which is titled: Combinations to injure others in their reputation, trade, business or profession. Heres the guts of that:

Any two or more persons who combine, associate, agree, mutually undertake or concert together for the purpose of (i) willfully and maliciously injuring another in his reputation, trade, business or profession by any means whatever or (ii) willfully and maliciously compelling another to do or perform any act against his will, or preventing or hindering another from doing or performing any lawful act, shall be jointly and severally guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Such punishment shall be in addition to any civil relief recoverable under  18.2-500.

Its also against that law for one person to procure the participation of another person in any of the above. Maximum punishment is a years incarceration and a $2,500 fine.

So there you have a bit more information about this unusual  and criminal  defamation charge.

Were still waiting to learn specifically how Bowman  allegedly  injured Nimmos reputation. Or whether other victims will press charges for other posts that previously appeared on Down & Dirty news of Southwest Virginia.

But that laws mere existence might cause some folks to think twice about their next social media rant thats directed at somebody else.

A year in jail for injuring someone elses trade or business reputation? On a Facebook page that characterizes itself as satire?

Considering that much of social media is an absolute sewer, only God knows how many more potential crimes are waiting to be brought.

Contact metro columnist Dan Casey at 981-3423 or dan.casey@roanoke.com . Follow him on Twitter:.

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Radford University on Tuesday commended interim President Carolyn Lepre, who was announced as incoming president of Salisbury University, located on the eastern shore of Maryland.

During her time as a Highlander, she has served the university community with compassion, integrity, and a keen understanding of the landscape of higher education today, the university said in a message to campus.

Lepre will depart Radford and start with Salisbury in July, after Radford welcomes its eighth president, Bret Danilowicz, who served since 2018 as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Florida Atlantic University.

Danilowicz, 54, was named as incoming Radford president in December , following a monthslong search.

In a Salisbury University news release, Lepre said: I am thrilled to join such a prestigious, student-centered and forward-thinking university. Salisbury Universitys commitment to student success, academic excellence, and focus on inclusivity and belonging aligns with my personal and professional values. I especially look forward to working in partnership with and celebrating our most important resource  our purpose-driven people. Empowering students to excel as scholars, citizens and practitioners and instilling a passion for lifelong learning is an incredible responsibility and privilege. I am deeply honored to serve as the next President of Salisbury University, and I look forward to becoming a part of the Sea Gull Nation.

Lepre joined Radford as provost and vice president of academic affairs in 2020 after serving in several administrative positions at Marist College. Lepre began what would become one year as Radfords interim president in July , filling the role after Brian Hemphill left to become president of Old Dominion University.

She worked to advance initiatives designed to foster the delivery of high-quality academic programs and experiences, and support the Radford University strategic plan, the campus message said.

I have deeply valued the thoughtful leadership and sincerity of service to the Highlander community since Dr. Lepre has been at the helm as our Interim President, said Board of Visitors Rector Robert Archer. Salisbury University will find her to be a tremendous asset to the university community and a thought leader focused on student success.

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CHARLOTTESVILLE  One day short of the 12th anniversary of her murder, a Charlottesville Circuit Court jury awarded $15 million to Yeardley Loves mother and sister at the end of a week-long wrongful death lawsuit.

The jury ruled that Loves convicted killer, George Huguely V, owed her mother and her sister $7.5 million each. The jury ruled that Huguely qualified to pay punitive damages, but did not set an amount.

$15 million is a very fair verdict, but it is not as important as the finding that the jury made that there was wanton, willful misconduct and conscious disregard for the rights of Yeardley Love, said Loves attorney Paul Bekman. That is extremely important to the family and it is extremely important to us.

We think the result of the jury in granting the defense request not to award punitive damages shows that George got a fair trial ten years ago and justice was done at that time and no additional punishment was warranted, said Matthew Green, Huguelys attorney. We said all along that George accepts legal responsibility for what happened, both criminally and civilly.

Huguely, a former University of Virginia lacrosse player, was found guilty in 2012 of killing Love, 22, a fellow UVa lacrosse player and Huguelys on-again, off-again girlfriend. She was found dead in her apartment in May 2010, two weeks before she and Huguely were set to graduate.

The trial was prompted by a lawsuit from Sharon Love, Yeardleys mother and the administrator of her estate. It began on April 25.

The lawsuit sought $29.5 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.

In closing statements on Monday, Kevin Biniazan, an attorney for the Love family, reminded jurors that because the lawsuit is a civil action and not criminal, the threshold of proof was lower and that they had greater leeway in determining damages.

Green, Huguelys attorney, spent most of his closing argument urging the jurors to find that his client owed the Love family a significantly smaller figure than requested.

Biniazan said the case is about the legacy of Love and how her mother and her sister, Lexie Love, suffered as a result of Huguelys actions.

Biniazan walked the jurors through the events of the weekend leading up to Loves death at the hands of Huguely during the early morning of May 3, 2010. Taking care to focus on her injuries, Biniazan characterized Huguelys actions as vicious, describing how he broke into her apartment, battered her and then left her for dead.

Indicating that Love had fought back, Biniazan said that tests confirmed that Huguely could not be ruled out as a contributor to DNA found under her nails during autopsy.

As hard as she fought, he wasnt backing down, Biniazan said. If he didnt stop when she told him not to come in and broke open her door, do you think he stopped when she told him no?

Biniazan asked the jurors to find that Huguelys actions were evidence of an intent to kill and willful and wanton disregard for Loves safety.

Although much attention had been given to Huguelys alcohol consumption, which was excessive the night of the murder and in the years leading up to it, Biniazan said that alcohol could not be considered a mitigating factor.

Although inebriation can be argued as a mitigating factor for first-degree murder, he said that in this civil action the jurors could only considering it as a compounding factor of Huguelys culpability.

Biniazan also asked the jurors to find that Huguely was deserving of punitive damages totaling $1 million.

Nothing can bring Yeardley back, but by finding that Huguely owes punitive damages you will be vindicating her family and their pain, he said. You can never replace a human life with money, but the question for you today is how do you come close.

Determining how much money the family should receive was difficult, said Green, Huguelys attorney. He said in many wrongful death cases the plaintiff is the spouse of a decedent. That makes it easier to determine compensatory damages by basing the figure on lost income and life expectancy.

In cases like this where Love was not married and did not have any children, the task becomes far more difficult, he said.

In a case like this, where all the usual considerations used to calculate damages are absent, it becomes an almost impossible task, he said. No doubt Yeardleys death leaves an unbelievable void, but nothing can fill that.

Green asked the jurors to consider finding that Huguely owed Loves mother and sister $250,000 each for damages related to services lost and $500,000 each for damages related to their emotional pain and suffering. This $1.5 million figure was still a serious figure, he argued.

For punitive damages, Green asked the jurors to not impose any on his client, arguing that justice had been served when he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to more than two decades in prison.

Punitive damages in civil cases are often a way for a jury to right a perceived injustice, he said, citing high punitive damage findings in profile lawsuits filed against O.J. Simpson and rapist Brock Turner.

No resource was spared in this case and George was sentenced to 24 years in prison, at the high end of the sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder, Green said. No resource was spared during the investigation and trial and justice has already been served.

Green indicated that they do not plan to appeal the jury verdict.

As far as collection goes, Green said that is yet to be determined but the Love family may be able to garnish a third of Huguelys wages. At a pay rate of 55 cents an hour, Green said that means the Love family may be entitled to 18 cents of Huguelys hourly wage in prison.

Mom, sister of slain UVA lacrosse player testify in lawsuit CHARLOTTESVILLE  The mother of a former women's lacrosse player at the University of Virginia broke into tears during her testimony Thursday as she described the moment when she learned her daughter was dead.

Huguely takes the stand during civil trial Emotions ran high as George Huguely V took the stand in Charlottesville Circuit Court Wednes
Thank you to Constance Pechura, Ph.D., for her well-written commentary (To address opioid use disorders, use all available tools) in the April 24 Roanoke Times.

The information Dr. Pechura provided about medications for opioid use disorders and their effectiveness when combined with therapy and other supports was clearly described and essential for the public to understand.

Combating stigma with science and medical data helps to reduce a significant barrier to obtaining treatment. This stigma stains those struggling with opioid use disorder.

I appreciated Pechura highlighting the cutting-edge contribution of VCUs virtual Emergency Department (ED) Bridge program, which substantially provides more patients timely access to treatment in the form of medications for opioid use disorder.

To expand on this outstanding commentary, I want to educate Roanoke Times readers about our community leaders who created Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospitals ED Bridge to Treatment program, the states first-such program as championed by Dr. John Burton and his team.

Patients who presented in the ED with acute symptoms of opioid use disorder have achieved outstanding results; 82% of the patients moved into ambulatory care at the Carilion Psychiatry Departments best practice comprehensive care outpatient program across the street from the ED. Even during the height of the pandemic, the program maintained a 70% success rate. In this field, treatment saves lives very literally.

Sadly, the overdose epidemic intensified during the pandemic. The ED Bridge program leverages the acute care opportunity for initiating treatment, making a meaningful impact by linking vulnerable patients with support and access to effective treatment. Our programs peer recovery specialists provide encouragement and models of hope as living proof that recovery is possible and they can succeed in treatment. Research on Carilions ED Bridge revealed that patients were twice as likely to successfully cross the bridge from the ED to outpatient care when connected with peer support.

Thanks to Burtons mentoring and encouragement, the Carilion ED Bridge has expanded to other Carilion locations: Franklin Memorial Hospital, Tazewell Community Hospital and New River Valley Medical Centers ED.

Working with Psychiatrys outpatient experts in the field of opioid use disorder treatment, Dr. Burton and his team have studied the programs impact and the factors that strengthen its success. A curriculum and training toolkit were developed, allowing the ED Bridge to Treatment model to be replicated throughout Virginia. Five Virginia hospitals have signed on to benefit from these resources and apply the lessons learned at Carilion to their communities.

With overdose fatalities in 2021 exceeding the numbers of any prior years, the leadership of our Carilion ED, working together with the Department of Psychiatry and the peer recovery specialists, is to be applauded.

Collaboration is the key to accomplishing this approach to rapidly and accurately getting patients the treatment they need. Piedmont Community Services is the community partner for Franklin Memorial Hospital, and New Day Recovery offers the treatment shoreline on the other side of the bridge for Tazewell Community Hospital. Other provider partners are reaching out to ensure rapid access to best practice follow-up care. We are immeasurably appreciative of these partners.

An increasing number of providers are getting credentialed to provide buprenorphine, the office-based opioid treatment medication most often the medical piece of the comprehensive services offered in outpatient settings. This growing capacity for treatment and willingness to partner paints a hopeful picture. Involving peer recovery specialists puts patients encouraging prospects in a more precise focus.

Pechura clearly articulated why we must acknowledge that opioid use disorder requires the same level of medical attention and compassionate care as other chronic diseases. Turning the tide on the epidemic of deadly overdoses will require widespread replication of such practices throughout our state and beyond.

Hartman is grant management director in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Carilion Clinic, and director of the Virginia Emergency Department Bridge Replication Project.
Altruism is not the very first thing that comes to mind when the banking sector is considered, but a new generation of fintech companies is hoping to change that to some extent by tweaking offerings to be either green or socially equitable, such as offering avenues to credit for immigrants and harnessing an almost entirely untapped market.

The fintech industry is rapidly growing and the global industry is projected to reach a valuation of $310 billion in 2022 growing at 25% CAGR.

The number of fintech startups worldwide tripled in the last two years, rising from over 12,200 in 2019 to 26,000 in 2021, according to data by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Last year, there were 10,605 financial technology startups in North America as the leading region, up from 5,800 in 2019.

But lately, there has been an explosion of fintech--both new and incumbent players--focusing on ESG, environmental, social and governance investing.

On a social level there are wide opportunities out there. And this year, a lineup of startups targeting under-served immigrants is raising an impressive amount of cash to that end.

Los Angeles-based startup Welcome Tech, which builds financial tools and services for immigrants in the U.S, has raised $35 million in a Series B funding round. The new funding takes the company's total capital raised to $70 million.

The funding round was co-led by TTV Capital, Owl Ventures and SoftBank with participation from Crosscut Ventures, and Mubadala Capital.

Since its founding a decade ago, the platform has attracted roughly 3 million users. The company targets Hispanic population, which represents the largest minority group in the U.S., with a population of 62.8 million.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) survey from 2019, more than 12% of Hispanic households dont have a bank account. Nearly half of Hispanics households in the U.S. are fully unbanked, meaning they cannot open an account

Companys co-founder and CEO Amir Hemmat told dot.LA that Welcome Tech is building a better operating system for immigrants, and that wont exclude eventual growth among other ethnic groups.

The policymakers sit at the top of the white castle and, you know, they dont actually impact the day-to-day practical needs [of immigrants], said Hemmat.

To get a Green Dot Corp. banking account, customers open a bank account through Welcome Techs platform, without a social security number.

UK-based Pillar is another startup focusing on the unbanked immigrant population, recently raising nearly $17 million in pre-seed money from venture capital. Pillar expects to launch its open banking-led data and analytics engine in the third quarter of this year.

Its a niche opportunity, to be sure. In the European Union, only some 5% of the population holds non-EU passports. However, around 18% of the employed population is foreign-born. So, its this 5% Pillar is hoping to tap into as a springboard into the wider 18%. That, as far as Pillar is concerned, is what makes this worth venture-capital backing, Sifted.eu reports.

And the United States has the largest immigrant population, making this market even more lucrative to harness. The U.S. is home to approximately 44 million immigrants, representing nearly 14% of the population.
HARARE, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe on Tuesday reopened schools for the second term, in hopes of restoring a normal school calendar in which pupils will be attending classes five days a week as COVID-19 infections and related deaths have kept declining in the country over the past few months.

After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, pupils were attending classes for up to three days a week as authorities sought to decongest classrooms and curb the spread of the virus. The COVID-19 infections and related deaths have been declining over the past few months, prompting the government to allow the schools to return to normal teaching schedules.

Pupils had a three-week break after the first term which ended in early April instead of the usual four-week holiday because the government wants them to catch up on lost time during national lockdowns.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Taungana Ndoro told the media that schools would adhere to standard operating procedures to ensure a safe environment for pupils.

"We now have a five-day school week as we are no longer alternating classes, but we will still be adhering to the standard operating procedures to make sure that we have a safe environment for our learners," he said.

He urged parents with children aged 12 years and above to allow them to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

"The second vaccination blitz has started and we urge all parents whose children did not get vaccinated the last term to give their consent for their children to get the shot," he said. "This will help us to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in schools particularly as we are going into the winter season." 
Herbivorous dinosaurs that were prevalent in the Cretaceous of Alaska include hadrosaurids, or duck-billed dinosaurs, and ceratopsids, or horned dinosaurs. Artist: Masato Hattori. Credit: SMU (Southern Methodist University)

A new study led by SMU paleontologist Anthony Fiorillo identifies the key role precipitation and temperature play in structuring vertebrate herbivore dinosaur populations in Alaska. The findings, which are published in the journal Geosciences , may also provide historical insights into the consequences of climate change.

"Our study shows the fundamental role precipitation plays in structuring dinosaur populations during one of the warmest windows in Earth history, and that this insight can help shape what we need to focus on as our modern world warms," Fiorillo said.

Scientific investigation into current climate change often considers ways to mitigate temperature changes or uses modeling to predict how a future, warmer world would look. This study provides a window into the deep history of the ancient Arctic and reviews ample evidence for a flourishing high-latitude terrestrial ecosystem where the local paleoclimate was a primary driver in structuring significant abundances of large-bodied plant-eating dinosaurs in the local environment.

The research suggests that the mean annual precipitation, or MAP, played a more direct role in determining the distribution of herbivorous dinosaurs than did the mean annual temperature, or MAT. The study considered animal and plant life and ancient climate conditions of a high terrestrial ecosystem recorded in Arctic Alaska's Prince Creek Formation, the lower Cantwell Formation of Denali National Park, and the Chignik Formation, Aniakchak National Monument.

"I think people use the terms 'climate' and/or 'climate change' often times not fully appreciating all of the parameters that define climate," Fiorillo said. "One of the key parts of our study is that we were able to tease apart two critical parameters and show their relative role in shaping large-bodied herbivore populations. This is important because these dinosaurs would be classified as keystone species, that is, they were critical to the health of the ecosystems in which they lived," he said.

Put another way, the dinosaur's influence on their environment, Fiorillo explained, is similar to modern elephants and how they manipulate their environment which has secondary effects that are critical to other animals in the ecosystem.

Herbivorous dinosaurs that were prevalent in the Cretaceous of Alaska include hadrosaurids, or duck-billed dinosaurs, and ceratopsids, or horned dinosaurs. The research suggests that the hadrosaurs preferred the rain whereas the horned dinosaurs did not.

One of the other study collaborators, former SMU doctoral student Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, now an associate professor of paleontology at the Hokkaido University Museum in Japan, explained that this study is part of a bigger question regarding how dinosaurs moved across the Bering Land Bridge connecting North America and Asia during the Cretaceous.

"Hadrosaurids successfully migrated between these two continents, but not ceratopsids, and it may be that the difference in habitat preference is the reason," Kobayashi said. He emphasized the need to go back to Alaska to collect more data to test this idea.

This study represents the latest in a series of discoveries and observations Fiorillo and his research partners have made over the years in Alaska. Fiorillo first traveled to Alaska in 1998, when dinosaur fossils had been found in only two areas of the state. Now, almost 25 years later, Fiorillo and his colleagues have made a number of dinosaur discoveries across the Alaskan landscape. He named two of the four new dinosaur species recovered in the state.

Fiorillo is a Research Professor in SMU's Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences; a senior research fellow at SMU's ISEM; and curator emeritus of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

In addition to Fiorillo and Kobayashi, the study's other coauthors are Paul J. McCarthy, professor and chair of the Department of Geosciences at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, and Marina B. Suarez, associate professor of geology at the University of Kansas.

About SMU

SMU is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. SMU's alumni, faculty, and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities, and the world.

More information:

Anthony R. Fiorillo et al, Cretaceous Dinosaurs across Alaska Show the Role of Paleoclimate in Structuring Ancient Large-Herbivore Populations, Geosciences (2022). DOI: 10.3390/geosciences12040161

Provided by Southern Methodist University
With just two weeks to go in the regular legislative session, the General Assembly has three full plates of work.

Overall, legislators scored a D this session, writes longtime analyst Holley Ulbrich of Clemson, for being even later than usual with their homework or failing to turn it in, claiming that the other guys dog ate it. And the House, she said, gets no extra points for passing a $12 billion budget in a single day, which smacks of reading Cliff Notes instead of the book!

The states budget plate will be dealt with, one way or another. The Senate and House plans include a $1 billion reduction in income taxes but what remains to be seen is how lawmakers will deal with a $1 billion tax rebate that the Senate wants and how much of a pay increase teachers will get. We hope they invest in teachers and employees over a giveaway that is an election-year gimmick that uses public money to curry favor with voters in the fall.

What happens with the General Assemblys two other filled plates isnt as clear. One plate that is about to topple over includes things legislators should do before the clock runs out, while a third includes bad proposals that need to die by May 12, the last regular day of the session. The other is packed with what it should avoid.

Still to do

Election reform. Part of the reasoning for the need for election reform is the false narrative that theres election fraud (there just isnt). But good government advocates say what legislators have come up with this year will improve election processes and voter confidence. Voters want early voting, said Lynn Teague of the League of Women Voters of South Carolina. Election officials badly need more time to process absentee ballots and other helpful measures. Voter confidence and election management would benefit from risk limiting audits. It will be very unfortunate if these die in the final days of the session.

Education improvements. For years, teachers have wanted more time to spend planning for students, a measure now poised to pass after years of work, said Sherry East, president of the S.C. Education Association. If it goes through, teachers would get a big win. They would have more to celebrate if all teachers got pay raises, not just new teachers. Too many teachers are leaving the profession. Lets bump their pay so they stick around.

Medical marijuana. For seven years, lawmakers have gotten closer to approving medical use of marijuana to relieve suffering of too many sick South Carolinians. Its time to pass this measure and stop messing around.

Other work legislators should finish with are to pass a hate crimes law, close the Charleston loophole to keep guns out of the hands of bad people and fix the states sexual predator registry, which the courts found to be unconstitutional. It can be fixed by providing an adjudicatory process for adding or removing someone.

The main thing (overall with state government) is to do something, observed Steve Skardon of the Palmetto Project. The public is very cynical about the government just now and part of the reason is that it does not appear to be doing anything to solve problems.

What to ignore

But lawmakers should avoid the poison on the jam-packed third plate of pending legislation that includes a warmed-over proposal for vouchers that seeks to use public money for private schools. They should get off the critical race theory bandwagon that tries to fight a culture war that doesnt exist in South Carolina (talk about your Don Quixote-type bills). They need to stop fiddling with abortion. And they need to stop picking on transgender kids who want to play sports. (Schools already have a way of dealing with this and legislators dont need to poke their noses in it just to score points.)

Bottom line: Do what needs to be done, but cause no more harm.

Andy Brack is editor and publisher of Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com.
FLORENCE, S.C. Angel Luis Masdeu, 59, of Hartsville, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempted bank robbery.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on Feb. 25, 2021, Masdeu took a taxicab to a bank in Hartsville where he directed the taxi driver to enter the drive-thru line and place an envelope in the pneumatic tube. The bank teller received the envelope, which contained a torn, handwritten note demanding all money from all drawers and threatening to kill and/or blow up the bank.

The teller activated the alarm, and officers with the Hartsville Police Department were dispatched to the bank. After arriving on scene, officers located the taxicab in the drive-thru line and detained Masdeu.

Upon searching the taxicab, officers located several envelopes matching the envelope that was used to send the note and part of a torn paper matching the tear on the note. Officers determined the taxi driver was not involved in the attempted bank robbery. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Masdeu to 72 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Hartsville Police Department.

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.
Un bus sans conducteur fait un accident a Vienne

Sept passagers ont ete blesses lors dun accident de bus survenu sur une route en pente a Vienne, la capitale de lAutriche. Selon les premiers resultats de lenquete menee par la societe de transport municipale, le bus a commence a devaler la pente car le frein a main navait pas ete correctement actionne, a indique mardi la compagnie de transport a lagence de presse allemande DPA.





Le conducteur se serait arrete a un arret de bus afin de controler une porte defectueuse a larriere du vehicule. Le frein a main nayant pas ete correctement actionne, le bus sest mis rouler. Le vehicule a heurte un arbre et un petit coffret electrique dans un virage.





Une passagere de 55 ans a ete grievement blessee et transportee a lhopital dans un etat critique, ont indique les services de secours. Une autre femme a ete blessee a la colonne vertebrale. Cinq enfants et adolescents ont ete legerement blesses. Le conducteur est en etat de choc et recoit des soins medicaux, a ajoute la compagnie viennoise de transport.




Concerns around Vladimir Putins health have been mounting (SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

The war in Ukraine will only come to end with the death of Russian president, Vladimir Putin, Kyivs top military spy chief has said.

The comments from Major General Kyrylo Budanov come as rumours mount over President Putins health, after videos of the leader looking unwell in meetings.

Boldly predicting a Ukrainian victory at the same time as warning that mass-mobilisation in Russia was near, Mr Budanov issued the veiled threat on Monday evening.

Leaving him a way to retreat is one of the strategies, but it is almost unrealistic, he told The New Voice of Ukraine when asked if Mr Putin would survive the war.

He is a war criminal for the whole world. This is his end, he drove himself into a dead end. Dont worry, Ukraine will win.

The war in Ukraine can only end with Mr Putins death, the top military spy chief said (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Boris Karpichkov, a former KBG agent who defected from Russia, told The Sun this week that Putin was becoming obsessed by paranoid ideas and may be suffering from health issues.

The former KGB agent listed Parkinsons, cancer, or another medical condition as an explanation for his odd behaviour, adding his voice to the list of commentators speculating over Mr Putins 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.

President Macron is set to speak with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (Sputnik)

Amid speculation, Mr Putins press secretary insisted that the presidents health is excellent.

French president Emmanuel Macron will speak with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by telephone at around midday Paris time, Macron's office said on Tuesday.

Although the two spoke regularly in the early weeks following Russia's 24 February invasion of Ukraine, Mr Macron last talked to Putin on 29 March.

Tuesday's call would take place at the initiative of Macron, and follows a call he held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, the Elysee Palace said.
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Russian forces Tuesday began storming the steel mill containing the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol, Ukrainian defenders said, just as scores of civilians evacuated from the bombed-out plant reached relative safety and told of days and nights filled with dread and despair from constant shelling.

Osnat Lubrani, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said that thanks to the evacuation effort over the weekend, 101 people  including women, the elderly, and 17 children, the youngest 6 months old  were able to emerge from the bunkers under the Azovstal steelworks and see the daylight after two months.

One evacuee said she went to sleep at the plant every night afraid she wouldnt wake up.

You cant imagine how scary it is when you sit in the bomb shelter, in a damp and wet basement, and it is bouncing and shaking, 54-year-old Elina Tsybulchenko said upon arriving in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Mariupol, in a convoy of buses and ambulances.

She said if the shelter were hit by a bomb like the ones that left the huge craters she saw on the two occasions she ventured outside, all of us would be done.

Evacuees, a few of whom were in tears, made their way from the buses into a tent offering some of the comforts long denied them during their weeks underground, including hot food, diapers and connections to the outside world. Mothers fed small children. Some of the evacuees browsed racks of donated clothing, including new underwear.

The news for those left behind was more grim. Ukrainian commanders said Russian forces backed by tanks began storming the sprawling plant, which includes a maze of tunnels and bunkers spread out over 11 square kilometers (4 square miles).

How many Ukrainian fighters were holed up inside was unclear, but the Russians put the number at about 2,000 in recent weeks, and 500 were reported to be wounded. A few hundred civilians also remained there, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

Well do everything thats possible to repel the assault, but were calling for urgent measures to evacuate the civilians that remain inside the plant and to bring them out safely, Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of Ukraines Azov Regiment, said on the messaging app Telegram.

He added that throughout the night, the plant was hit with naval artillery fire and airstrikes. Two civilian women were killed and 10 civilians wounded, he said.

The U.N.s Lubrani expressed hope for further evacuations but said none had been worked out.

In his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that by storming the steel mill, Russian forces violated agreements for safe evacuations. He said the prior evacuations are not a victory yet, but its already a result. I believe theres still a chance to save other people."

In other battlefield developments, Russian troops shelled a chemical plant in the eastern city of Avdiivka, killing at least 10 people, Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said.

The Russians knew exactly where to aim  the workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home, Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. Another cynical crime by Russians on our land.

Explosions were also heard in Lviv, in western Ukraine, near the Polish border. The strikes damaged three power substations, knocking out electricity in parts of the city and disrupting the water supply, and wounded two people, the mayor said. Lviv has been a gateway for NATO-supplied weapons and a haven for those fleeing the fighting in the east.

A rocket also struck an infrastructure facility in a mountainous area in Transcarpathia, a region in far western Ukraine that borders Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, authorities said. There was no immediate word of any casualties.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Russian aircraft and artillery hit hundreds of targets in the past day, including troop strongholds, command posts, artillery positions, fuel and ammunition depots and radar equipment.

Ukrainian authorities said the Russians also attacked at least a half-dozen railroad stations around the country.

The assault on the Azovstal steelworks began almost two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military not to storm the plant to finish off the defenders but to seal it off. The first  and so far only  civilians to be evacuated from the shattered plant got out during a brief cease-fire in an operation overseen by the U.N. and the Red Cross.

At a reception center in Zaporizhzhia, stretchers and wheelchairs were lined up, and children's shoes and toys awaited the convoy. Medical and psychological teams were on standby.

Some of the elderly evacuees appeared exhausted as they arrived. Some of the younger people, especially mothers comforting babies and other young children, appeared relieved.

Im very glad to be on Ukrainian soil, said a woman who gave only her first name, Anna, and arrived with two children, ages 1 and 9. We thought we wouldnt get out of there, frankly speaking.

A small group of women held up signs in English asking that fighters also be evacuated from the steel plant.

The arrival of the evacuees was a rare piece of good news in the nearly 10-week conflict that has killed thousands, forced millions to flee the country, laid waste to towns and cities, and shifted the post-Cold War balance of power in Eastern Europe.

Over the past days, traveling with the evacuees, I have heard mothers, children and frail grandparents speak about the trauma of living day after day under unrelenting heavy shelling and the fear of death, and with extreme lack of water, food and sanitation, Lubrani said. They spoke of the hell they have experienced."

In addition to the 101 people evacuated from the steelworks, 58 joined the convoy in a town on the outskirts of Mariupol, Lubrani said. About 30 people who left the plant decided to stay behind in Mariupol to try to find out whether their loved ones were alive, Lubrani said. A total of 127 evacuees arrived in Zaporizhzhia, she said.

The Russian military said earlier that some of the evacuees chose to stay in areas held by pro-Moscow separatists.

Tsybulchenko rejected Russian allegations that the Ukrainian fighters wouldnt allow civilians to leave the plant. She said the Ukrainian military told civilians that they were free to go but would be risking their lives if they did so.

We understood clearly that under these murder weapons, we wouldnt survive, we wouldnt manage to go anywhere, she said.

Mariupol has come to symbolize the human misery inflicted by the war. The Russians two-month siege of the strategic southern port has trapped civilians with little or no food, water, medicine or heat, as Moscows forces pounded the city into rubble. The plant in particular has transfixed the outside world.

After failing to take Kyiv in the early weeks of the war, Russia withdrew from around the capital and announced that its chief objective was the capture of Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, known as the Donbas.

Mariupol lies in the region, and its fall 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 Donbas.

But so far, Russias troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains in the eastern offensive.

Ukraines resistance has been significantly bolstered by Western arms, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced 300 million pounds ($375 million) in new military aid, including radar, drones and armored vehicles.

In a speech delivered remotely to Ukraines parliament, he pronounced the battle Ukraines finest hour, echoing the words of Winston Churchill during World War II.

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 said.

Associated Press journalists Inna Varenytsia and David Keyton in Kyiv, 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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DES MOINES -- Abortion  for now  likely would remain legal in Iowa up to the 20th week of pregnancy, even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark 1973 ruling that guaranteed a womans right to an abortion, as Politico reported it is considering.

But the timing of both U.S. and Iowa Supreme Court rulings could complicate matters.

An overturn of Roe v. Wade would return the authority over abortion regulations to the states, and the Iowa Supreme Court has issued multiple recent rulings striking down proposed abortion restrictions including a three-day waiting period and a ban on abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

The latter ruling stated that a womans right to an abortion is a protected, fundamental right in Iowa. Which means the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, on its own, would not change Iowas state abortion regulations.

However, the Iowa Supreme Court is currently considering another recently passed abortion restriction, requiring a one-day waiting period. And Iowa Republicans earlier this year filed legal briefs asking the court to overturn its 2019 order striking down the ban on abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

If the Iowa Supreme Court overturns its previous ruling, and the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, then Iowa Republicans would be legally clear to pass abortion restrictions.

(The U.S. Supreme Court ruling) would not have a direct impact on Iowa unless the Iowa Supreme Court overturns (its 2019 ruling), said Drake University law professor Sally Frank said Tuesday.

Both rulings could come this summer.

If the Iowa Supreme Court does not overturn its previous ruling, nothing would change in Iowa, even if Roe v. Wade is rejected.

In Iowa, there is a constitutional right to abortion, for now, on the books, Sarah Stoesz, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said Tuesday during a press call.

If the Iowa Supreme Court does not budge, Iowa Republicans are working to change that by proposing an amendment to the Iowa Constitution, which would nullify those recent abortion rulings.

The proposed amendment, which could be put to Iowa voters in 2024, would state that the Iowa Constitution does not guarantee the right to an abortion. That would clear the way for lawmakers to pass abortion restrictions.

Stoesz said Planned Parenthood will be active if the proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution is put to Iowa voters.

We know that politics are very volatile, and we know that elections matter, Stoesz said. We intend to fight that (proposed constitutional amendment) very hard at the ballot.

Another avenue Iowa Republicans could take would be to pass legislation that would create a ban or severe restriction on abortions, and state that the law would only go into effect if and when the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

In fact, exactly that type of legislation already was introduced this session. House File 2289 did not receive any legislative attention earlier this session, but it is precisely the kind of vehicle that statehouse Republicans could use to get a tentative law on the books before this years session ends.

When asked Tuesday whether they intend to pass abortion legislation before this years session ends, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, Republican Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver and Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley did not respond. Reynolds and Whitver issued statements about abortions, but they did not address potential legislative action.

Rep. Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Orange City who introduced the bill, did not respond when asked whether he planned to push for its passage.

Any new law would still have to pass muster with the state Supreme Court.

The Iowa Supreme Court in 2018 struck down a Republican-written three-day waiting period before a woman could have an abortion, and in 2019 struck down a ban on abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is prepared to introduce federal legislation that would ban abortions after roughly six weeks, according to reporting from the Washington Post that cited an anti-abortion advocate source. Ernst issued a statement Tuesday about the report that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, but did not respond to whether she plans to introduce abortion-restricting legislation.

A majority of Iowans  57 percent  believe abortion should be legal, according to the most recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll to ask the question, this past September. That was an increase of 8 percentage points from the previous year.

Just 38 percent of Iowans said abortion should be illegal in most or all cases, according to the September poll results.

There were 4,058 abortions performed in Iowa in 2020, a 14 percent increase from the previous year, according to the most recent data from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Iowa had seen a steady decline in the number of medically and surgically induced abortions over the course of several years, but that trend began reversing in 2019.

In 2017, statehouse Republicans ended federal funding to a state family planning program, and created a new one that does not include offering abortion services.

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John Roberts is heading a Supreme Court in crisis. The chief justice has already ordered an investigation into the unprecedented leak this week of a draft of a major abortion opinion. What comes next could further test Roberts leadership of a court. The addition of three conservative justices during Donald Trumps presidency means there are now five conservative justices to Roberts right who no longer need his vote, and perhaps his moderating influence, to prevail in a case. The abortion decision could be another example of that, with the courts other conservatives prepared to go further than Roberts. He's said repeatedly that he prefers decisions where the court comes to a broad agreement on narrow grounds.
CAIRO, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has released 986 prisoners upon a presidential pardon, the Egyptian Interior Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The move, which marks Eid al-Fitr on Monday, came two weeks after the release of 3,273 inmates by the presidential decree on the occasion of Sinai Liberation Day.

The Egyptian president, according to the country's constitution, can issue pardon decrees for prisoners who had received final unappealable court rulings.

The president usually issues a pardon decree on public holidays, including Muslim festivals, the holy month of Ramadan, and the July 23 Revolution Day.

Last week, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered the reactivation of the presidential pardon committee that was formed in 2016 to review releasing prisoners for non-terrorism-related crimes. 
SIOUX CITY -- A Sergeant Bluff man was sentenced Tuesday to 35 years in prison for fondling a girl on several occasions at a Sergeant Bluff home.

Benjamen Mixdorf, 36, pleaded guilty in Woodbury County District Court to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse, which were amended from second-degree sexual abuse as part of a plea agreement, and two counts of lascivious acts with a child.

The prison sentence was spelled out in the plea agreement. Mixdorf also must register with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for life and will serve a lifetime special sex offender sentence after he completes his prison sentence. If he were to violate terms of the special sentence, he could be sent back to prison.

Mixdorf was arrested in July after authorities were notified that a girl under age 12 had reported being sexually abused.

Mixdorf admitted in court Tuesday that on at least four separate occasions from July 1, 2020, through July 31, 2021, he performed a sex act by force or against the will of the victim or touched her inappropriately.

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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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SAC CITY, Iowa -- Longtime Sac County Auditor Jim Dowling has been honored with the National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate presented the award to Dowling last week in Sac City.

Dowling has served as auditor for more than 40 years, making him the longest-serving current county auditor in the state and one of the longest in state history. He was appointed auditor on Aug. 5, 1981. He previously worked for the Sac County Secondary Roads Department, starting in 1976.

"I didnt expect anything like this," Dowling said in a news release. "Looking back, I can say the last 40 years went by in a big hurry. Weve enjoyed it. Ive learned a lot and met a lot of good people, and I appreciate this very much."

The Medallion Award honors individuals, groups or organizations with an established record of promoting the goals of the National Association of Secretaries of State in the areas of elections, civic education, service to state government and a commitment to giving.

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SIOUX CITY -- Siouxland legislators and activists say they are still trying to piece together the potential ramifications of a draft Supreme Court opinion that would overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling.

The Supreme Court confirmed Tuesday the draft opinion, leaked to Politico, was an authentic document but said it does not represent a decision by the court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.

The draft opinion, in response to an appeal of a Mississippi law that would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks, would leave it up to states on whether to allow abortion or regulate or ban the procedure.

State Sen. Jackie Smith, D-Sioux City, said even if Iowa lawmakers pass a ban before the current milestone of 20 weeks, it would not do much to lessen the number of abortions.

"It doesnt stop women from having abortions, it stops women from having safe abortions," she said.

Smith said the issue should be a "personal decision between a woman and her doctor."

"Ill continue to fight for a womans right to choose," she said.

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, a former colleague of Smith in the Iowa Senate, said he remain "committed to protecting all life."

"For nearly half a century, the #RoeVWade decision has allowed for the destruction of innocent life in America," Feenstra said in a tweet. "I am incredibly encouraged that the Supreme Court appears to finally recognize the injustice this misguided decision has caused."

Feenstra said he also is concerned that "private Supreme Court deliberations appear to have leaked. I pray for the Justices, their safety and their courage to do the right thing and overturn Roe v. Wade once and for all. #IA04"

In September 2021, Feenstra voted against a bill from House Democrats positioned as "protecting a person's ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to protect a health care providers ability to provide abortion services." The first-term Congressman said of H.R. 3755: "While we have recently made significant progress in pursuing pro-life policies, including in a recent Supreme Court victory that upheld a Texas abortion ban, there is clearly still a lot of work to be done."

Susie Edgar, director of the Her Health Women's Center in Sioux City, which discusses pregnancy options with clients, for free, said if the Supreme Court returns the issue to the states, her office would need to specifically tailor its discussions with clients, based on which state they're from.

Edgar said a majority of Her Health clients come in looking for confirmation of a potential pregnancy. The center's site then further explains that if a client is interested in pursuing an abortion, staff and advocates would offer guidance and support.

"Its your decision, and no one should decide for you," the site says. Later in the paragraph the page explains: "We do not perform or refer for abortions."

In 2018, Jackie Christerson helped raised more than $10,000 to assist area patients with travel expenses as they sought family planning and reproductive health care at Planned Parenthood of the Heartland clinics in Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa. If abortion laws are tightened in the tri-state region, Christerson said she worries about where women will go for a safe, legal abortion.

When she was in college, in the early 70s, before Roe v. Wade, Christerson said she had a roommate who had to travel with her mom to Wisconsin and pay $3,000 to get an abortion.

"That was a lot of money. But not everybody had that," she said.

Jared McNett is an online editor and reporter for the Sioux City Journal. You can reach him at 712-293-4234 and follow him on Twitter @TwoHeadedBoy98.

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DES MOINES  Five local communities are teaming up to seek one-time funds from the State of Iowa to help finance $19 million in projects to create a continuous recreational trail from Le Mars to Sergeant Bluff.

On Friday, Sioux City, Le Mars, Sergeant Bluff, Hinton and Merrill plan to apply for a $7.6 million grant from Destination Iowa, a new tourism and economic development initiative Gov. Kim Reynolds announced last month. Financed by $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding the state received, Destination Iowa will award grants from four funds: economically significant development, outdoor recreation, tourism attraction, and creative place-making.

The local coalition, led by the Sioux City Parks and Recreation Department and The Siouxland Initiative, want to tap the $40 million Outdoor Recreation fund. Rather than apply separately, the communities decided to submit a single combined proposal that aligns with their years-long push to connect regional recreation trails to enhance quality of life in the region.

Destination Iowa requires applicants to raise 60 percent of the total project cost to activate a 40 percent match from state government. With an overall price tag of $19 million for the identified trail projects, that means local officials must raise at least $11.4 million to access state matching funds of $7.6 million.

Less than two weeks ago, local organizers still needed to raise $2.2 million to close the local funding gap. As a result of several significant donors and an anonymous matching challenge of $500,000, less than $250,000 remains to be raised.

The goal is to complete the fundraising by Friday, the first day for cities, counties, nonprofits and other organization to start applying for Destination Iowa funds. Local officials stress time is of the essence because the program calls for funds to be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Among the local projects, the $19 million in state and local funding would help finance:

-- The completion of the PlyWood Trail, a 16-mile trail path through parts of rural Plymouth and Woodbury counties, linking to existing trail systems in Le Mars and Sioux City. Ground was broken late last year on the trail, which would run parallel with Highway 75, passing through the towns of Merrill and Hinton. Around $5 million has been raised so far for the PlyWood Trail, which has an estimated cost of $18 to $20 million.

-- Two additional connector trails in Sioux City. The Floyd Trail to PlyWood Trail connector would start near the Outer Drive Pedestrian Bridge and extend to the northern city limits. The Floyd Trail to Riverfront Trail connector, starting at Sixth Street and Hoeven Drive, would connect to the Riverfront Trail at Expo Center Drive.

Last year, the city completed a remaining 1.5-mile gap in the Riverfront Trail, which follows the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers. The connection linked trail systems in Chris Larsen Park and Chataquaua Park.

Reynolds said Destination Iowa aims to invest in new attractions to raise Iowas profile, welcome out-of-state travelers and increase visitor spending while accelerating tourisms recovery. It also will spur local economies and contribute to efforts to recruit new members of Iowas workforce, she said.

Destination Iowa will inspire the kinds of attractions that Iowans take pride in and that will raise the positive profile of our state well beyond our borders, Reynolds said in announcing the project last month.

Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2026.

Over the past two years, Iowa saw a record number of Iowans and out-of-state travelers use outdoor amenities such as state and county parks and recreational bike trails.

However, the hospitality industry in Iowa experienced a 46.1 percent decrease in employment and there was an overall 29 percent decline in visitor spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those interested in learning more about Destination Iowa or contributing to the local fundraising effort should contact Sioux City Parks and Recreation Director Matt Salvatore or Siouxland Initiative President Chris McGowan. Donations of any size are encouraged and welcome.

The Journal's Des Moines Bureau contributed to this story.

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Election 2022: JD Vance wins Ohio's GOP Senate primary

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance has won Ohios contentious and hyper-competitive GOP Senate primary, buoyed by Donald Trumps endorsement in a race widely seen as an early test of the former presidents hold on his party. Vances win ends an exceptionally bitter and expensive primary contest that, at one point, saw two candidates nearly come to blows on a debate stage. And it marks a major victory for Trump, who has staked his reputation as a GOP kingmaker on his ability to pull his chosen candidates across the finish line. Democrat Nan Whaley, the former mayor of Dayton, will take on Ohio's incumbent Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in the general election after both secured their parties' nominations.

'Still in shock.' Abortion defenders, foes stunned by leak

People on both sides of the abortion divide have been anticipating that the Supreme Court this summer would reverse the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. On Monday night, a leaked draft opinion that would overturn Roe began ricocheting around the world. Even those preparing for the undoing of Roe said it was still staggering to see the blunt words of Justice Samuel Alito in print, forcing them to reckon with the likely reality the nation will enter soon. The owner of an Alabama abortion clinic, whose phones were ringing off the hook on Tuesday, said he was still in shock.

Primary takeaways: Trump passes test as kingmaker in Ohio

The primary election in Ohio stood as the first real test this midterm election season of former President Donald Trump's status as the Republican Party kingmaker  and he passed. His chosen GOP candidate in the tight U.S. Senate race, JD Vance, won Tuesday after trailing in the polls just three weeks ago. Another Trump-supported candidate, Ohios Republican secretary of state, Frank LaRose, easily survived a primary challenge. In the governor's primary, Republican incumbent Mike DeWine cruised to victory over three far-right challengers. Trump didn't endorse anyone in that race. He had castigated DeWine for his strict coronavirus policies in 2020.

Russia storms Mariupol plant as some evacuees reach safety

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian fighters say Russian forces have begun storming a sprawling steel plant in the besieged port city of Mariupol. Tuesday's onslaught came as scores of civilians who had been evacuated from the plant reached safer territory. The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine says 101 women, men, children, and older persons left the Azovstal steelworks. Elsewhere, Russian troops shelled a chemical plant in the eastern city of Avdiivka, killing at least 10 people. And explosions were heard in the western city of Lviv, which has been a haven for those fleeing fighting in the east.

Biden blasts 'radical' Roe draft, warns other rights at risk

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is blasting what he calls a radical leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. On Tuesday, Biden warned that a whole range of rights are in jeopardy if it holds. The court cautioned that the draft was not final, and Chief Justice John Roberts said he had ordered an investigation into what he called an egregious breach of trust. Biden said he would work with Congress to legislate the right to abortion into federal law. But such efforts have failed in the past.

Ohio Republican Gov. DeWine will face Nan Whaley this fall

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP)  Former Dayton, Ohio, Mayor Nan Whaley has won the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor and will face incumbent Republican Mike DeWine this fall. Whaley is the first woman in the states history to receive a major partys backing for the top office. She bested ex-Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley on Tuesday. Whaley figures to be an underdog in November against DeWine in a state that hasnt elected a Democrat governor since 2006. DeWine topped three far-right opponents, including ex-U.S. Rep Jim Renacci, by relying on a huge fundraising advantage and a big network of supporters.

North Korea launches suspected missile toward sea

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile toward its eastern waters on Wednesday, South Korean and Japanese officials said, days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to bolster his nuclear arsenal at the fastest possible pace and threatened to use them against rivals. The launch came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to accelerate the development of nuclear weapons and threatened to use them if provoked in a speech at a military parade. The launch is the latest in a string of weapons tests by North Korea, which experts say are aimed at boosting its weapons arsenal and pressuring its rivals to ease international sanctions.

Even as COVID cases rise, mask mandates stay shelved

NEW YORK (AP)  As mask mandates and vaccination rules kept falling across the U.S., infections from the latest COVID variants have been quietly taking hold in some places, sparking concern among public health officials but stirring a muted response from pretty much everyone else. More cities are now in new high-risk categories that are supposed to trigger indoor mask wearing, but there's been little appetite to do so. Much of upstate New York is in a high-alert category that reflects serious community spread. In New York City, cases are rising again, but it's unlikely Mayor Eric Adams will do an about face just a few months after many in his city shed masks and put away vaccination cards.

EXPLAINER: What's the latest in Russia's dance with default?

Russia's debt drama is far from over. Moscow likely made last-minute overdue payments before the end of a grace period that expires Wednesday. But there is still widespread expectation a default may be in the offing. The finance ministry has flirted with paying with rubles, saying that sanctions have frozen its hard currency reserves but swerved to pay in dollars. Ratings agencies say doing otherwise would be default. A finance industry committee is reviewing the status of Russia's debt and whether creditor insurance should be paid out. And more payments are due in coming days.

New Mexico governor seeking US disaster status for wildfire

LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is asking President Joe Biden to declare a disaster as firefighters scramble to clear brush, build fire lines and spray water to keep the largest blaze burning in the U.S. from destroying more homes. The governor signed a request for a presidential disaster declaration Tuesday, while fire managers predicted the battle to protect towns in the state's northeast pine forests and mountains would become more intense later in the week. The fire is the result of two blazes that merged, one of which was a prescribed fire that jumped containment lines. About 6,000 homes have been evacuated and around 170 homes have been destroyed, but officials expect that number to grow.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Overseas Chinese donations for Ramadan reflect great support: UAE official

Xinhua) 09:55, May 03, 2022

DUBAI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Consulate General and Chinese expatriates in Dubai have made a record amount of Ramadan charity donations this year, reflecting the great support for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving economic recovery, a UAE official has said.

Making the remarks at a charity event jointly held by the overseas Chinese and Dubai's Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai, Omar Al Muthanna, head of the CDA's Social Regulatory and Licensing Agency, said the event helped to alleviate the living pressure of vulnerable groups during the holy month of Ramadan and promote friendship between the two countries and two peoples.

This year, the Chinese mission and the Chinese expatriates in Dubai donated over 200,000 UAE dirhams (about 54,449 U.S. dollars) worth of Iftar meals, the largest amount in recent years, China's Consul General in Dubai Li Xuhang told the event.

Li noted that the event was also held in support of the UAE's '1 Billion Meals' campaign launched by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai and deputy prime minister and minister of finance of the UAE for this Ramadan.

More than 30 representatives of overseas Chinese organizations attended the charity event on Friday at Dulsco Training, a workers' community in Dubai, where over 3,000 iftar meals were distributed, and 130,000 dirhams were donated to the CDA.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
by Dames Alexander Sinaga

JAKARTA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- For people who are passionate about street photography, the once-a-year occurrence of quiet streets in Indonesia's capital of Jakarta during Eid al-Fitr holiday is a barrel of fun.

On Monday, Theodore Permadi and his friends were taking quirky and daring pictures in the middle of a road in the capital city's central business district that is normally characterized by traffic congestion and polluted air.

In Indonesia, which hosts the world's largest Muslim population, it is customary for the people living in major cities to return to their hometown for several days to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. The tradition is locally known as "mudik".

Permadi is a resident living in Jakarta's satellite city of South Tangerang. He had earlier planned with three friends the Eid street photography project that would take place in Jakarta's CBD.

"We came here to capture the moment when Jakarta is quiet since we can only experience this situation once a year. This is exciting because we can have some fun on a road that is usually busy with people and vehicles," the 25-year-old man told Xinhua.

"Here our photo models do funny things like watching films on their laptops, sleeping with pillows or setting up a tent in the street," he said laughingly.

One of the models, Melissa Hwang, 24, said that the last time they did such a project was in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Indonesia.

In the past two years, the travel to hometown by Muslims in the archipelagic country for the Eid celebration had become a mission impossible due to the government's ban on the annual exodus in efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

"I'm so happy that we can do this again. Thanks to the government who has allowed the public for mudik," Hwang said, adding that they can take 50 to 60 photos within an hour.

"The best photos will be posted on my social media," she said, adding that her most difficult pose was pretending to laugh while watching a movie.

Some of the Muslim residents in Jakarta who did not go back to their hometown for some reasons celebrated the festive day by experiencing the quietness of Jakarta, home to some 10 million people.

Erwin Syahputra, 45, said he failed to return to his hometown of Palembang on the Sumatra island this year for work reasons. After attending Eid morning prayer outside the newly built Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) in northern part of the capital city, Syahputra and his colleague decided to stroll around downtown Jakarta and took some selfies to get a feel of the city's quietness amid the Eid exodus period.

"This is the first time for me to have seen Jakarta empty. The air smells clean and no city noise," said Syahputra who has been living in the capital for three years.

"The traffic flow from my house to JIS was very smooth. If it's on normal days, people would most likely be frustrated by the heavy traffic," he said. 
TROY, Ala. (AP)  President Joe Biden on Tuesday credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant for doing lifesaving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine to stifle Russia's invasion as he made a pitch for Congress to approve $33 billion so the U.S. can continue to hustle aid to the front lines.

Youre allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves," Biden told the workers, his podium flanked by Javelin missile launchers and shipping containers. "And, quite frankly, theyre making fools of the Russian military in many instances.

The president toured the Lockheed Martin factory in Alabama and said Ukrainian parents are naming their children Javelin or Javelina" because of the weapons' successes.

Every worker in this facility and every American taxpayer is directly contributing to the case for freedom," Biden said.

The president's visit also drew attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, 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 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.

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 Office of Management and Budget specialist on Pentagon budget strategy, war funding and procurement programs.

He added that Stingers and Javelins were where "were seeing the most significant inventory issues" and that 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.

Biden noted that each Javelin produced requires 200 computer chips, but semiconductors are in short supply and limiting the availability of everything from autos to kitchen appliances. Biden is urging that legislation be approved to fund the manufacturing of computer chips in the U.S., though that is a longer-term fix to immediate pressures that militaries, businesses and consumers face now.

The war will mean increased sales for some defense contractors, including Raytheon, which makes the Stinger missiles that 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.

Lockheed Martin's facility in Troy, Alabama has the capacity to manufacture about 2,100 Javelins per year. Biden's trip overlapped with his push for an additional $33 billion in security and economic assistance for Kyiv. 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.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday that Americas military readiness is not dependent on one system. He said that every time the Pentagon develops a package of weapons and systems to send to Ukraine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the department do an assessment on what the impact will be on readiness.

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.

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, which is based in Bethesda, Maryland, said in a statement.

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HONOLULU (AP)  Hawaii lawmakers are on course to commit $600 million to a long-underfunded program providing housing and land leases to Native Hawaiians as they wrap up the current legislative session this week.

The allocations come after Hawaii tourism and state tax revenues rebounded from a COVID-19 pandemic crash. Lawmakers had a $2 billion general fund surplus this year instead of a massive revenue shortfall.

In accordance with Hawaii law, they're giving some of the bounty directly to taxpayers: $300 will go to individuals who earned less than $100,000 a year in 2021 and to couples who earned less than $200,000. Individuals and couples who earned more than those amounts will receive $100.

House and Senate lawmakers are expected to pass the refund legislation when it goes up for floor votes on Tuesday.

The $600 million for Native Hawaiian housing will help those eligible under The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920.

The century-old law was meant to help Hawaiians be economically self-sufficient by providing them with land. People with at least 50% Hawaiian blood quantum can apply for a 99-year lease for $1 a year.

But Hawaii has been slow to award leases, and the waitlist for properties has more than 28,000 names on it.

Surveys by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands indicated some on the waitlist could instead get help with a down payment to buy a home on the market instead of signing a lease, so some of the allocation will go toward this.

Rep. Sylvia Luke, the chairwoman of the House Finance Committee, said lawmakers had a moral obligation to make a large commitment to help Native Hawaiians this session.

If were not going to do it when we have a surplus, when are we ever going to do it? Luke said last month during a talk story session over Zoom with the Council on Native Hawaiian Advancement.

State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who is co-chair of the Native Hawaiian Caucus, called the funding historic.

People should expect to see significant home construction on Hawaiian home lands in the next five years, he said. Those who would prefer help with a down payment may be able to buy a home on the housing market right away instead of waiting for a home lands lease, he said.

Its going to be important for the next governor to put a team in place at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to make sure that that money doesnt go to waste, Keohokalole said.

Gov. David Ige's second term ends in December and he's not allowed to run for a third term.

Together with funding and legislation for other Native Hawaiian issues this session, Keohokalole said lawmakers took the most significant action in favor of the Hawaiian community in 100 years.

Lawmakers are also putting $500 million into the states rainy day fund for emergencies. Ige had proposed putting $1 billion into it at the beginning of the session, but lawmakers balked at that amount.

The fund had $395 million in May 2020, when lawmakers raided it to balance the budget during the pandemic.

This year, the budget also includes $115 million in federal coronavirus relief money to build broadband infrastructure statewide and $33 million in state money to further expand broadband.

Flush coffers also allowed lawmakers to fund programs that hadnt received money in years, like $26 million to pay for adult dental care for Medicaid patients. Lawmakers had to cut funding for this when revenues crashed during the Great Recession and havent been able to restore it since.

This story corrects that lawmakers restored adult dental care funding for Medicaid patients, not Medicare patients.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Associated Press writer Terry Wallace in Dallas contributed to this report.

This version corrects the spelling of Van Ellis first name to Hughes instead of Hugh.

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BUFFALO, Minn. (AP)  The Minnesota Court of Appeals has sided with a man who said he shouldn't have been fined for flying a huge Donald Trump flag atop a crane over his business, calling it a protected expression of free speech.

The Buffalo City Council had found the 30- by 50-foot (9- by 15-meter) flag that Jay Johnson flew over his construction business in 2020 violated a local sign ordinance because of its size and because Johnson did not have a permit. The flag read: TRUMP 2020 Keep America Great.

The council fined Johnson $600.

In its ruling Monday, the appeals court reversed the council's decision, the Star Tribune reported.

It said the city ordinance does not apply to noncommercial speech and that it impermissibly creates a content-based regulation of speech.

It was unclear if the city planned to appeal to the state Supreme Court. A city attorney did not respond the the newspaper's request for comment.

We believe one of the bedrock foundations in this country is you cant publicly punish someone for their political speech," said Johnson's attorney Aaron Dean.

Johnson, 55, said he displayed the flag before the 2020 presidential campaign. After Democrat Joe Biden was declared the winner, police stopped by and told Johnson he had 10 days to take it down. Johnson removed the flag, but reconsidered and briefly put it back up in April 2021.

Johnson said he plans to hoist the Trump flag anew and will hold an event to herald its return.

For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Star Tribune.

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Photo provided by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on May 3, 2022 shows the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope in Australia. Researchers on Tuesday revealed that by using a new observation technique akin to astronomical version of "sunglasses" with the ASKAP radio telescope, they found a new pulsar 10 times brighter than any other detected outside of our Milky Way Galaxy. (CSIRO/Handout via Xinhua)

CANBERRA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- An international research team using the Australian telescope with a new method has discovered the brightest known extragalactic pulsar.

Researchers on Tuesday revealed that by using a new observation technique akin to astronomical version of "sunglasses" with the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope, they found a new pulsar 10 times brighter than any other detected outside of our Milky Way Galaxy.

Discovered in 1967, pulsars are remnants of massive stars that emit flickering beams of electromagnetic radiation, which can be useful for guiding spacecraft.

The new pulsar was discovered by researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which owns and operates the ASKAP radio telescope, who used a new technique that captures polarized light.

"This was an amazing surprise. I didn't expect to find a new pulsar, let alone the brightest. But with the new telescopes we now have access to, like ASKAP and its sunglasses, it really is possible," Wang Yuanming, a CSIRO researcher and lead author of the research, said in a media release.

After seeing hints of the pulsar on ASKAP data, the team then confirmed its existence with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory's MeerKAT radio telescope.

Previously pulsars could only be discovered by identifying their flickering light in telescope data, an unreliable method that could miss those that flicker too fast or too slow.

By instead looking for polarized light, pulsars with a wide range of flickering timing can be found.

Elaine Sadler, chief scientist of CSIRO's Australia Telescope National Facility, described the discovery as incredible.

"This speaks to all the great things we can expect from our telescopes and researchers as they constantly find new ways to answer some of our biggest questions," she said.

"From the Australia Telescope Compact Array to ASKAP, the Australia National Telescope Facility continues to provide wonderful access to our Universe," she said. 

Photo provided by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on May 3, 2022 shows the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory's MeerKAT radio telescope in Karoo, South Africa. Researchers on Tuesday revealed that by using a new observation technique akin to astronomical version of "sunglasses" with the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope, they found a new pulsar 10 times brighter than any other detected outside of our Milky Way Galaxy. (CSIRO/Handout via Xinhua)

Photo provided by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on May 3, 2022 shows the MeerKAT radio telescope's field of view with "sunglasses" on, featuring the newly discovered pulsar. Researchers on Tuesday revealed that by using a new observation technique akin to astronomical version of "sunglasses" with the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope, they found a new pulsar 10 times brighter than any other detected outside of our Milky Way Galaxy. (CSIRO/Handout via Xinhua)
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A private burial and memorial service was scheduled Wednesday for a man known by many as the father of the Mississippi Republican Party.

Wirt Yerger Jr. died Monday at his home in Jackson, Wright and Ferguson Funeral Homes confirmed. He was 92.

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker described Yerger as a trailblazer for the modern Mississippi Republican Party, who had a vision for what principled, conservative leadership could mean for our state and nation.

In a statement, Wicker said he stood on Yerger's shoulders and has benefited from the foundation he helped to create.

I appreciate his good leadership and will miss his friendship. Gayle and I send our condolences to his family, including his wife, Mary, and their children, as they mourn his loss and celebrate a life well-lived, Wicker said.

Gov. Tate Reeves remembered Yerger as a visionary and as a friend, adding, We are terribly saddened to hear of his passing, but we are confident that his legacy will endure for many years to come.

Yerger, was named chairman emeritus of the Mississippi Republican Party in 2009 and was one of Mississippis six electors who cast an Electoral College vote during the 2016 presidential election. He voted for Donald Trump.

He was fiercely committed to both the party and the cause of conservatism, said Grant Callen, founder, and CEO of Empower Mississippi, a nonprofit advocacy organization. When Empower was only an idea, I went to Wirt to ask for his advice. Not only did he warmly encourage the idea for Empower, he wrote one of the very first checks to support the mission and volunteered to join our board of directors.

Over the last eight years, he and I would visit often, and he never stopped telling me how proud he was of the work we were doing.

Yerger, a Jackson native and a graduate of the University of Mississippi, served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Forces Strategic Air Command. He later joined Ross & Yerger, Inc., Mississippis first insurance agency, which had been founded in 1860. according to an obituary provided by the funeral home.

He served as state chair of the Republican Party from 1956 to 1966 and was also chairman of the Southern Association of Republican State Chairmen. In 2009, he was named chairman emeritus of the state GOP for his work in building a two-party political system in Mississippi.

Yerger is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons and a daughter and 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery at 10 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.

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WASHINGTON  Police have erected a low metal fence outside of the Supreme Court blocking access to all but the lowest level of the buildings steps and separating demonstrators into separate pens.

Anti-abortion rights protestors carried signs Tuesday that said Ignore Roe and In God We Trust, while their pro-abortion-rights counterparts held placards declaring Bans off our Bodies and Impeach Kavanaugh"  a reference to Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

One man with a bullhorn shouted, Before the United States, before the constitution, there was Gods law.

The crowds were expected to build throughout the day as people finished work. Multiple pro-rights groups called for a mobilization and mass gathering at the court at 5 p.m.

Here's a collection of photos from the Supreme Court:

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Three alleged gang members were charged with murder Tuesday in the slayings of three women fatally shot in a gunbattle that rocked Californias capital city a month ago.

Prosecutors say the mass shooting that ultimately killed six people and erupted before dawn on April 3 in downtown Sacramento was a result of a feud between two rival gangs, the Garden Blocc Crips and G-Mobb, and their allies. G-Mobb is affiliated with the Bloods street gang.

Officials say at least five people opened fire. Six people were killed in the bloodshed, including three alleged gang members who were involved in the shootout. A dozen more people were wounded  two of whom are also alleged gang members and are now charged in the violence.

In court documents filed Tuesday, police described in minute-by-minute and frame-by-frame detail from multiple surveillance cameras a chaotic shootout with men flashing weapons tucked into their waistbands and bystanders running for cover as the suspects confronted each other outside a jewelry store in downtown Sacramento. Cars hurriedly backed away from the intersection, a vendor abandoned a food cart, and the suspects postured at each other before the shooting began.

An unidentified woman standing between the two groups was pulled back by one gunman, then another after she returned to her spot in the middle. One of the wounded victims  a member of the Del Paso Heights Bloods, an ally of G-Mobb  said a member of the 29th Street Crips confronted him: Dude was like, Whats you staring at? Is there a problem?

District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announced on Tuesday that Smiley Martin, Dandrae Martin and Mtula Payton have been charged with murder in the slayings, as well as weapons offenses. All three are eligible for death penalty but that decision has not been made yet.

Investigators offered no motive, but said in court documents that Smiley Martin and his companions recorded an online video hours before the shooting, flashing guns and talking trash from a location in rival gang territory. In it, they state their plans to head to the downtown area with the intent of opening fire.

The Martin brothers were wounded and remain in jail. Court documents say Dandrae Martin is allegedly a member of the Garden Blocc Crips, while Smiley Martin is affiliated with the 29th Street Crips, which is a subset of his brother's gang. Attorneys for the brothers did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Payton is a fugitive and an alleged member of G-Mobb. A trail of his spent casings measured 257 feet (78.33 meters).

The defendants were charged Tuesday with the slayings of Johntaya Alexander, Yamile Martinez-Andrade and Melinda Davis  three women who prosecutors say were innocent bystanders during the shootout that occurred as patrons of bars and nightclubs emptied out onto the streets in downtown Sacramento.

The three men killed in the bloodshed were Devazia Turner, Sergio Harris and Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi.

Turner was a reported G-Mobb member and Harris was a member of the Del Paso Heights Bloods, an ally of G-Mobb. Hoye-Lucchesi was a member of the 29th Street Crips, prosecutors said.

The district attorney's office on Tuesday did not charge Payton and the Martin brothers with the deaths of Turner, Harris and Hoye-Lucchesi. Authorities said Turner was one of the shooters and was seen firing multiple rounds at the Martins.

Police believe a handgun fell from Hoye-Lucchesi's wounded body as the brothers tried to drag him to safety, but court documents do not say whether he fired the gun. Harris was found with gunshot residue on his hands.

Rod Norgaard, chief deputy district attorney, said it is very difficult to charge someone in a victim's death if the victim was a participant in the crime.

Veteran defense attorney Mark Reichel, who is not involved in the case, said he believes that not charging the three suspects in the deaths of the three male victims was a tactical decision on the part of prosecutors.

Charging the murder count for shooting an alleged gang member who is at the same time actively shooting at you leads rise to a self-defense claim. But its going to be difficult to raise a defense of self-defense to bystanders, Reichel said. It makes it a lot cleaner.

This story has been updated to correct the first name of Sacramento County Chief Deputy District Attorney Rod Norgaard. It is Rod, not Ron.

Dazio reported from Los Angeles.

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 leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion suggesting the high court is preparing to strike down Roe v. Wade left Nebraskans on both sides of the issue watching and planning for what comes next.

With no federal law protecting or prohibiting abortion, the leaked opinion, should it become final, would leave a patchwork of state laws to determine the access Americans have to abortion.

In Nebraska, state law allows abortions up to 20 weeks after conception. A measure that would have banned all abortions in Nebraska if the high court overturned the landmark 1973 ruling died in the Legislature this spring.

One thing Nebraska lawmakers are watching for is whether they will see a new version of LB933, a so-called "trigger" bill.

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said Tuesday that Nebraskans should be prepared for Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts to call a special legislative session to pass a law that would ban abortion in the state if the high court's final opinion remains unchanged from the draft.

"By blocking the passage of LB933, we just basically bought ourselves some time," said Hunt, who led the eight-hour filibuster against the measure. The bill died after it failed to gather the 33 votes needed for a filibuster-ending cloture motion. The final vote was 31-15, with three senators excused.

State Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, who introduced the bill, said she hopes Ricketts calls a special session if the ruling comes out as drafted so the Legislature can debate abortion rights again.

Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln said Tuesday that he will work with Ricketts to schedule a special session if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade.

A spokeswoman for Ricketts said Tuesday that the Republican governor likely won't decide whether to call a special session focused on abortion until the Supreme Court releases its official opinion on the issue.

Ricketts has said Nebraska needs to be ready to outlaw abortion, and he strongly supported LB933.

"I don't anticipate we'll have a statement on whether we'll call a special session until the decision is final," said Alex Reuss, Ricketts' spokeswoman. "That might change, but I don't see it changing."

Albrecht said she hasnt yet committed to reintroducing the same version of LB933 as a new bill if a special session is called, but she doesnt imagine she would make any changes.

LB933 would have made it a felony for anyone to provide any medication or undertake any procedure with the intent of ending the life of an unborn child, starting at fertilization. The woman undergoing an abortion, however, could not be charged.

Opponents criticized the bill for putting the penalty on doctors or other professionals who administer an abortion. LB933 would not have provided exemptions, including for rape or incest, but would have allowed licensed physicians charged under the law to use as a defense that the abortion was necessary to prevent the womans death or serious, permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ.

Albrecht said she is confident that the same bill could get passed in a special session; she thinks she has gathered two additional votes to support a cloture motion.

Even if the same bill fails again, Albrecht said she thinks the Legislature eventually will be able to pass an abortion-restricting law next year once new lawmakers are sworn in after the general election.

I think it could get done, she said.

Opponents of LB933, however, took to Twitter after the draft opinion leaked. State Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln criticized the decision as incredibly dangerous. Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, another LB933 opponent, confirmed on Twitter Monday night that she would continue to fight against abortion-restricting legislation.

We will never stop fighting, Day said. I'm sad tonight but tomorrow, we rise.

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday confirmed the authenticity of the draft, which was leaked to Politico. A court statement stressed that the draft isn't an official ruling.

A final ruling in the case discussed in the draft is expected to come in June or July. The case, known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, challenges Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks.

The draft opinion, signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court's conservative majority, calls the Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion nationwide, "egregiously wrong from the start."

Sandy Danek, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, said the unprecedented breach of the court's confidentiality is disturbing, no matter where people stand on the issue.

"We need to proceed with caution and wait for the Supreme Court to speak for itself, giving the official opinion when the final draft is complete," she said in a statement.

But Danek said a decision to overturn Roe v. Wade would return the abortion question to elected representatives in state legislatures. "Elections matter," she said. "It's why we work so hard to elect pro-life officials. Returning this decision back to the states allows for the people to decide, which is where it should have always been."

Fifty-three Democratic state parties pledged in a statement Tuesday to recruit and support candidates for state and federal offices who will fight for abortion rights. The statement called on federal legislators to immediately codify Roe in federal law.

Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a news media call that the organization is prepared to fight and to continue providing abortion care as long as and wherever it is legal.

"Elections matter, they matter deeply  and now is the time to mobilize," she said.

Meanwhile, the organization is preparing to provide access to abortion for people living in states where it would become illegal if the high court rules as the opinion suggests.

Hunt said Nebraska could become a haven for people from surrounding states who are seeking abortion, just as states near Texas did after a law banned most abortions there.

Stoesz said the Planned Parenthood affiliate, which includes Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, is planning for that possibility.

North Dakota and South Dakota both have trigger bans on their books, she said, meaning abortion would immediately become illegal if the high court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Minnesota, however, has a state Supreme Court decision that protects such access. Iowa bans abortions after 20 weeks, but it has a constitutional measure that protects abortion before that cutoff, at least for now. Opponents have proposed placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2024 to nullify it.

This report contains material from the Associated Press.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  Advocates for legalizing recreational marijuana in South Dakota on Tuesday submitted petition signatures to the secretary of state, saying they were confident they had collected enough to place the initiative on the November ballot.

South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the organization that launched the campaign, has scrambled in recent days to gather the nearly 17,000 signatures of registered South Dakota voters required to get a proposed law on the ballot. Campaign director, Matt Schweich, said the organization has evaluated the petitions and estimates it has at least 19,250 valid signatures.

We are confident that we are going to qualify for the ballot, he told the Associated Press, as he made his way to Pierre to submit the signed petitions.

The proposed law would allow people 21 years old and over to use and grow pot for personal use. It would place a 1 ounce (28 gram) limit on the amount that people could use or share.

Secretary of State Steve Barnett will take a random sample of the petition signatures to evaluate whether the campaign collected enough. If the measure is certified, its signature count can still be challenged within 30 days.

Marijuana legalization has spurred political fights among South Dakota's dominant Republican party in recent years and tested faith in a form of direct democracy  the ballot measure. A citizen-proposed constitutional amendment  known as Amendment A  to legalize cannabis passed by 54% in 2020, but Gov. Kristi Noem sponsored a lawsuit to challenge it and the state Supreme Court ruled last year that it violated the state Constitution.

Noem has continually decried recreational pot legalization, but Schweich argued that Noem's actions have only given the campaign energy.

I think what happened to Amendment A has angered many voters in this state, even those who are not passionate about cannabis reform, he said.

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

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One of the most fascinating creative scenes to emerge in recent years from our long, national nightmare is that of the hyperniche meme account. On Instagram in particular, there now exists plethora of pages dedicated to any kind of meme you can think of, from the outlandish, to the anarchic, hilarious, and extremely nerdy. Name a topic youre even vaguely interested in, and youll find an elaborate, anonymous, dedicated profile full of memes based on it: the band Snail Mail, maintaining work-life balance as an advertiser or architect, reconstructed violins, French philosophy, art-house cinema, Lansing, cloud rap, scenes and dialogue from Twin Peaks and I Think You Should Leave blended together, and even Slate headlines  the list is truly endless.

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Even better are the accounts that dont have consistent throughlines, simply embracing chaos instead. These pages are often anonymously run, make use of a clever and perhaps esoteric name (juggalofamilyvalues, aquarium.drinker, coincellpro), and feature the strangest memes youre likely to find on the platform, whether about sex, weed, ASMR, pet ownership, Judaism, digital creator communities themselves, The Bell Jar, and uhhhh whatever this is.

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Meme pages arent new, of course. The biggest and longest-lasting of such accountsmost notoriously, Fuckjerryhave spent years churning out text-based images, both stolen and original, to their millions of followers. Both the pages and their owners have scored online fame, profiles in major publications, ad sponsorship, and even TV recognition. Yet the most interesting meme pages are nothing like those glossy moneymakers: They arent verified, dont post as consistently, and have far fewer followers (at most hundreds of thousands, but more often half that). Yet theyve crafted an online subculture built on riffing on and combining existing meme formats to create something wholly new. Instead of photos with jokey captions, these pages burst with shitposts clashing familiar photos and drawings with one another, text with zany typefaces, exaggerated color palettes, and messages speaking to the hazy lyrics of Cocteau Twins or the temptations of Super Mario 64.

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These accounts common throughlines range from the acknowledgement of the horrors of modern times, an openness to people from various marginalized communities, a hatred of the post-globalization world order, and an off-kilter sense of humor thats deeply relatable to those who just get it. Its a culture for jokesters and rabbit-hole obsessives, who wish to enjoy and express themselves while the environment and social order collapse.

One creator I spoke with, a recent college graduate who lives on the West Coast and posts memes on the Instagram account @AirportPigeon, told me about what drew her to this style. The answer is more introspective than the contentcovering single-family housing, among other topicsmight suggest.

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There were a lot of memes I saw [on Instagram] that made me think critically about being a woman, my relationships with men, my relationships with my body, she said. Even accounts that posted stuff that wasnt relatable to me were cool because when someone creates a meme account, you get to peer into their little life, and I think thats really fascinating. I just wanted to be a part of that.

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Its not that scrolling through Instagram led to @AirportPigeons feminist awakening. It was that the style of these memes, she said, connected with her in a way other sources of community and education never could. Theres a difference between seeing stuff about feminism in the abstract [or] by reading critical theory and seeing people post, she said. I saw people talk about the way their identity and their political understanding of themselves also intersect with a personal understanding of themselves. She eventually started her first account, where she posted about her life and philosophy, in 2017. Since then, @AirportPigeon has gained more than 3,500 followersher own rather small but engaged community.

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A lot of the accounts I was looking at in 2016 were the first wave of niche, feminist-leaning memes, said user @Ada.Wrong, whom @AirportPigeon cited as a major influence on her own memes. Ada ended up launching her account the same year, joining that feminist wave of meme accounts including Molly Soda and GothShakira, racking up tens of thousands of followers, and even starring in the Adult Swim show Bottom Text.

Many of these meme accounts didnt appear on Instagram out of nowhere, but migrated from other social platforms. Michael Rogers, who posts under the handle @vampire_prototypecombining references to concepts by Mark Fisher and Hunter S. Thompson moved his meme page to Instagram in 2020; he now has more than 10,000 followers. He shifted to Instagram after a decade on Facebook, where he ran a page meme page known as Michael Rayquaza. The early 2010s, he told me, were the peak of Weird Facebook, a time when niche groups and meme pages proliferated. But Instagram became the de facto home for these spaces as Facebook became inhospitable for sharing memes, Rogers said. He left for Instagram in part because he refused to attach his real name to the Michael Rayquaza page; Facebook ended up banning it as a result in 2018.

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Outside of Facebook, Tumblr may have been the Instagram meme pages most influential forerunner. Both Rogers, who was also a big Tumblr user, and AirportPigeon would share Tumblr screenshots on their Insta pages as they built up their followings. For people my age that were on Tumblr, the format of Instagram memes makes the most sense, Mina, who runs the @meetmeintranspecos page (named after the Queens indie music venue), said in January to Built In. The aesthetic aspect of it really clicks for me.

When I spoke with Mina (a pseudonym) over the phone, I learned that shes also IRL friends with the people behind accounts like @KateBush.420 and @This.And.A.Blunt, both of whom are regarded as pioneers of the Instagram niche-meme account movement. As Mina told me, befriending such like-minded memesters has been the biggest benefit of staying within the subcultureshes even managed to connect with people around the world I never thought Id be able to, like techno producers in London.

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What is most special about these specific meme spaces is how open they are to creators from marginalized groups. Many meme-makers reside all around the world and are nonwhite, members of the LGBTQ community, or disabled. Mina noted that many of her friends and followers are trans and nonbinary, for example: The aforementioned @KateBush.420 account has three separate administrators, one whos gender-nonconforming, one whos a transgender man, and another whos a trans woman. All three met after making the jump from Tumblr to Instagram; admin Jamie Doyle told me that the trio only met one another in person months agoand four years after starting the account. Having grown up in a conservative area, Doyle found early solace in crafting memes about queer nightlife. @KateBush.420 has since become a way to not only express her love for the artist to her pages mostly gay fan base, but also to post about being trans in the U.S.even if followers are mostly there for Kate Bush #content.

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Though meme pages can be great outlets for users still figuring out their identities, Instagram itself hasnt always been a safe space. Multiple creators told me that the environment can be hostile if its revealed a woman or trans admin is running a particular account. When youre a woman online and you show your face and make a spectacle of yourself in any sense, it tends to bring a lot of attention, and youre often targeted more, because incels online dont like to see women in any way, Ana, an art student who posts as @NeoliberalHell, told me. [Users] reported a selfie of mine and said it was sexual solicitation. As a result of misogynistic users mass-reporting their posts, female users often get many more strikes on their accounts from Instagram. If [certain users] think a meme page is funny, they assume theyre a man, and they feel like its catfishing if its revealed its a woman. You get hate for not being a man, and its worse if youre not white, said @Ada.Wrong, who is Asian American. People are still arguing if women are funny or not. But thats part of society in general, and the internet is anonymous.

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Unwarranted content strikes and account bans have been commonplace on Instagram for a while now. Users will recall the now-infamous Christmas crackdown from 2018, when Instagram cleared away several much-followed meme accounts. Late last year, Samantha Nazzi, whod originally managed the @soaking_wet_angel account, wrote for Mashable about Instagram banning her account multiple timeseven the backup pages, which users often create in response to bans. Disabled accounts on Instagram are essentially in a limbo period that may never end, wrote Nazzi. If your account gets disabled, you can appeal it, but oftentimes those appeals go unanswered. If Instagram decides to delete your account, you cannot get it back.

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This tracked with the experiences of other meme creators I spoke with. I reached @NeoliberalHell through one of her backup accounts; Michael Rogers has had @vampire_prototype fully banned twice and also maintains several backups. Many users will list these other accounts listed in their bios, just in case anything happens to their current ones. To have this happen to you is to be Zucced, creators said. (Indeed, many of the same accounts that have their just-in-case handles in their bios cite their fear of Zuccing.)

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But just as harrowing as getting Zucced? Instagrams algorithm. Every creator I spoke to said its much harder these days for their memes to find audience. The algorithm is geared toward the accounts that are already big being able to promote their stuff, said @AirportPigeon. I think its a much harsher environment for people who arent huge influencers. I would not wanna be starting out right now. Each account strike increasingly limits the spread of meme posts, and creators believe Instagram is more interested in promoting Reelsits TikTok competitorinstead of text-heavy images, anyway. Due to the pressure of posting constantly to stay on top of the algorithm, and the adverse incentives and abuse on the platform, many accounts have a short shelf life and leave altogether. Some previously big ones, like @climemechange and @literally_noam_chomsky, avoid posting new memes or have scrubbed past images. Fighting against the platform for visibility is part of why users like Ada Wrong are moving away from posting memes and toward other digital projectslike preserving posts and accounts that have been banned by Instagram.

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Memes are a reflection of our current era and culture, wrote Anna Mariani, the 19-year-old Brazilian American behind @This.And.A.Blunt, in an email. In a few years, they will be just as much of a primary historical source as anything else. I strongly believe they should be assigned artistic and intellectual importance.

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After all, these status quoflouting meme pages provide a valuable, fun house-mirror perspective on the modern era, where liberty of expression is found in memeageand then makes its way out to broader culture. Pop stars like Doja Cat are now in the shitposting game. National politicians embrace their followers surreal memes and even devote campaign funds to shitposting as outreach. Meme diplomacy is now a common media talking point, with managers for entire nations social accounts crafting shitposts about other countries. The voices of niche Instagram memes can now be found on different corners of TikTok, on your TV screen, and even in the news. Its important to take stock of what these meme communities are telling us while theyre still hereand to preserve them before theyre gone.
Elyse, a 20-year-old from Chicago and a dedicated Johnny Depp fan, is convinced that the bruises on Amber Heards face are fake. Over Twitter DMs, Elyse tells me that she holds a lifelong fascination with special-effects makeup, blessing her with unique investigatory insight into the reddish swelling that appeared under Heards right eye in photos that circulated through the press in 2016. That same year, Heard claimed that her injuries were the result of Depp flinging an iPhone at her in one of his many violent outbursts. Elyse is less convinced. In fact, like so many other freshly radicalized Johnny Depp supporters, shes certain that theres a conspiracy afoot.

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I could tell you right there that it was makeup because of the shaping and coloring, she says. Not to mention Im chronically ill and I have a ton of bruises from everything, and not one ever looked like that. Now, Im a feminist, and I really didnt say anything on the matter until I gathered all the details since I give the victim the benefit of the doubt, but once I gathered information, I just knew there was something really fishy going on.

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The Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard saga is protracted, labyrinthine, and almost impossible to recount succinctly, but Ill try to do my best to catch you up. They met on the set of 2011s The Rum Diary, started dating in 2012, and married in 2015; Heard filed for divorce 15 months later, seeking a restraining order against Depp due to what she alleged was a bevy of harrowing verbal and physical abuse. Two years after finalizing the split, Heard wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post about her recovery from spousal trauma, a piece that never named Depp directly. Still, the actorwho was already mired in mounting financial troublessued his ex-wife for $50 million on the grounds of defamation, effectively claiming that Heards domestic violence denunciations were fabricated. In fact, Depp went as far as to assert that he was the true victim, and that Heard was frequently aggressive and cruel toward him throughout their romance.

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Ms. Heard is not a victim of domestic abuse, she is a perpetrator, reads Depps complaint, per Vulture, adding that her claims were part of an elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms. Heard and advance her career.

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Everyone can now witness the ugly fruits of this fracas live on TV, as the grim courtroom proceedings of Depp v. Heard trickle into the public square. Legal experts are skeptical that Depp will win the case, and theres already precedent for him losing this particular fight against Heard: His 2020 complaint against the Sun failed after he served papers to the tabloid for referring to him as a wife beater. Depps contentions of his victimhood also ring hollow; the aforementioned Vulture story contains some outstandingly horrific texts that Depp sent about Heard, which I wont republish here, that seem to be right in line with Heards accusations of abuse.

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That said, evidence presented in the trial has backed up some of Depps defenses against Heards charges. Last week, the jury listened to an audio recording in which Heard admitted to hitting Depp, though the specifics of the context remain unclear. (At one point, Heard can be heard saying, I cant promise you I wont get physical again. God, I fucking sometimes get so mad I lose it.) The deeper you dig into this story, the more it reveals an absurdly toxic marriage between two people who are viciously unloading their dirty laundry in broad daylight for the leery, cynical celebrity press. But I dont think anyone couldve expected the groundswell of digital solidarity around Depps dubious guiltlessness, particularly among young people.

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Search for #JusticeForJohnnyDepp on Twitter, and youll see what I mean. Millions of people have come to the same conclusion: Heard is a sociopathic schemer on the level of Amy Dunne, and Depp was unwittingly caught in her web. (Amber Turd has a history of abuse, reads one tweet. Johnny Depp doesnt need Hollywood. He never did. They need him, adds another.) The TikTok hashtag #JohnnyDeppIsInnocent has more than 1.4 billion views, as users pore over the cryptographic subtext of Heards testimonies like theyre the lost frames of the Zapruder film. In one massively viral clip, a Starbucks drive-thru has two tip jars sitting on the counter: one labeled Heard, the other labeled Depp. Go Johnny! cheers the woman filming, as she crams a dollar bill into the Depp jar. Any post even mildly suspicious of Depps innocence is immediately brigaded by countless, froth-mouthed teens, so much so that I expect that this article will make me a main character in some of the more unpleasant corners of the internet.

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Nobody knows what to make of this trend. After witnessing the endemic rot at the heart of Hollywood during the #MeToo era, its bizarre to watch so many people implicitly take the side of an actor whos been both credibly accused of abuse andlets be honestisnt anywhere close to the peak of his fame anymore. That is one of the dark mysteries of fandom. If the BTS A.R.M.Y. can sell out a tour in a nanosecond, then I suppose Depp stans can make a supervillain out of Amber Heard.

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I have made lots of friends in this community, says another member of the #JusticeForJohnnyDepp brigade, who asks to remain anonymous. For the most part everyone has been very supportive and loving of one another. Overall, everyone here is very kind. When asked about how they joined the cause, they tell me that they wanted to use whatever small platform I have to spread the truth and awareness of how abusers will lie and how men struggle the most when trying to come forward about being abused. Its a much bigger issue than people realize, and Im glad I can somewhat say something about it.

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Campaigns of this nature usually attract the most unhinged portions of the American right, in particular: QAnon zealots and dedicated Mike Cernovich fans, who probably still think Seth Rich was assassinated by the Clintons. The #DeppJustice contingency isnt overtly political, but I was surprised to see how many of the people I came across for this story advertised other progressive causes in their Twitter bios. In this universe, it is perfectly normal to have #FreePalestine and #FreeJohnny enshrined on your social media side by side. The sources I spoke to all described their passion for the Depp/Heard scandal with the same language typically reserved for social justice operations; I did not get the sense that they arrived at their conclusions by the forces of 8chan. No, theirs are the same goodhearted instincts that drive so many young people to online advocacy, twisted in some questionable directions.

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Many people in this community are either victims themselves or have known people who are victims of domestic abuse, continues the activist I spoke to. Johnny speaking out and saying firmly that he is a victim and this is what its like to go through this is giving us all a voice.  For me its incredibly inspiring to see him stand up against all the hate and say, No this is the truth. Its given me courage to speak about my story too.

They sum up the cause this way: At the end of the day, we are so passionate about this not because we love Captain Jack Sparrow but because we want to raise awareness for a very real issue that is often brushed under the rug.

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All that said, Im still suspicious as to whether the #DeppJustice push is entirely grassroots. It is impossible to take any roiling discourse at face value in 2022, so Im not surprised by the Fox News report that about 11 percent of all Twitter accounts participating in the conversation are bots, with a majority of them taking Amber Heards side. There is ample opportunity for scammers to cash in on any demarcation line in the culture war, and those interlopers have almost certainly signal-boosted the drama to its current keening apogee. (To reiterate: Surely it cant be possible that this many people still care about Johnny Depp.) We should keep in mind during every social media cycle that all the histrionics might not be what it seems.

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This wont matter much to those who have already fully committed themselves to the #DeppJustice cause. Theyve consolidated their consensus, no matter what happens in the courtroom. Elyse tells me that when she was young, she met Depp on a film set near her hometown. She handed him a drawing of Jack Sparrow, and he gave her a hug. Thats all Elyse needed to believe, in her heart of hearts, that shes on the right side of history. His kindness that day was something that has genuinely stuck with me since it happened, she says. Its a lovely memory, and I hope those taking advantage of her trust have trouble sleeping at night.
Justice Sam Alitos leaked opinion overturning Roe v. Wade is full of startling, if not unexpected, condemnations of abortion and its defenders. But the most staggering aspect of all may be what Alito doesnt say. In the past, justices urging Roes reversal have called on the court to return this question to the states, allowing each state legislature to determine the legality of abortion. This language is conspicuously absent from Alitos draft, which substitutes federalism with hazier rhetoric that seems designed to boost abortion foes next goal: persuading Congress to pass a federal law restricting or banning abortion in all 50 states.

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This case, Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, involves only state regulations. But the ultimate aim of the anti-abortion movement has always been a nationwide ban that overrides blue state efforts to preserve abortion access. And the Dobbs draft takes pains not to preempt any future law that ends all legal abortion in America.

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Anti-abortion groups are already working with Republican lawmakers to push for a federal ban after Roe falls.

Because Alito does not tip off the possibility of congressional involvement, its easy to miss how his opinion tees it up. On multiple occasions, the justice writes that overturning Roe returns the abortion debate to the people and their elected representatives. But which representatives? State legislators, or members of Congress? Alito does not tell us. He is, in fact, careful to avoid specifying how the people can respond to his decision, largely circumventing any wording that suggests abortion rights should be decided state-by-state.

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Alitos approach is markedly different from the one taken by past conservative justicesincluding Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, who led the battle against Roe for decades. In 1992s Planned Parenthood v. Casey (which Alito also overturns), Scalia framed abortion as a matter of state authority. Profound disagreement over reproductive rights, he wrote, should be worked out at the state level, as they were before Roe. As with many other issues, Scalia asserted, the division of sentiment within each state was not as closely balanced as it was among the population of the nation as a whole, meaning not only that more people would be satisfied with the results of state by state resolution, but also that those results would be more stable.

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This belief was not incidental to Scalias opposition to Roe; it lay at the heart of his argument. Roes flaw, he wrote, was not just that it put abortion in the hands of unelected judges, but also that it sought a single standard across the 50 states. The justice expressly disclaimed the notion that abortion could be resolved uniformly, at the national level. In 2000s Stenberg v. Carhart, Scalia declared that the court should return abortion to the peoplewhere the Constitution, by its silence on the subject, left itand let them decide, state by state, whether this practice should be allowed. Other conservative justices echoed Scalia, depicting abortion as a policy dispute that the Constitution leaves in the hands of state legislatures. Along with Thomas, he even suggested that Congress may have no constitutional authority to regulate abortion.

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Such federalism language is almost entirely missing from Alitos draft opinion. Instead, the justice is cagey about who, exactly, has the ultimate authority to outlaw abortion. Several sections of the draft gesture toward states rightsmost notably, a passage canvassing states criminal abortion laws in the 19th century. But this discussion is meant to prove that abortion isnt deeply rooted in American history, not that it is the sole province of the states. Alito comes closest in his conclusion, which says that the Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. But this line comes shortly after an analysis of the Mississippi law challenged in this specific case. So it reads like an affirmation that Mississippi can ban abortions before fetal viability rather than a broader proclamation about states rights.

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Its not hard to guess why Alito would refrain from portraying abortion as a matter for the states to resolve. Anti-abortion groups are already working with Republican lawmakers to push for a federal ban after Roe falls. The Washington Post reports that leaders of the anti-abortion movement are pushing for a six-week banwhich would, in reality, give patients less than two weeks to terminate a pregnancy. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List, has discussed the idea with Republicans who hope to run for president in 2024; most, she told the Post, agreed to make that policy a centerpiece of a presidential campaign. At least ten other organizations are asking GOP members of Congress to commit to a six-week ban.

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Congress is already weighing its post-Roe options. As of this month, 19 senators and more than 100 representativesall Republicanshave cosponsored sweeping legislation that would grant legal personhood from the moment of fertilization. This law would prohibit all abortions at every stage of pregnancy, as well as many common IVF procedures, by granting due process and equal protection rights to fetuses and embryos. Other more incremental bills would make it a federal crime to transport a minor across state lines to help her terminate a pregnancy without parental consent. At a bare minimum, Republicans appear dead set on enacting a federal ban at 15 or 20 weeks, nullifying state laws that allow abortion later in pregnancy.

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Had Alito endorsed Scalias federalism approach, he would have risked foreclosing these opportunities for congressional limits. So he abandoned that limiting principle, replacing it with a vague appeal to democracy writ large.

No one should be fooled. The days of conservative justices rejecting an abortion regime at the national level are over. Even Justice Brett Kavanaugh, ostensibly the most moderate member of Alitos majority, mused during oral arguments in December that perhaps Congress should resolve abortion. Anti-abortion advocates who sincerely believe that abortion is homicide will never settle for a state-by-state compromise. Unless Alitos opinion undergoes substantial changes before publication, it will give these activists precisely what they crave: implicit permission to parlay their victory into a crusade for the nationwide criminalization of all abortion.
PHNOM PENH, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia marked the 29th World Press Freedom Day here on Tuesday, reaffirming its commitment to upholding the freedom of the press in the southeast Asian nation.

An event was held in the capital city of Phnom Penh to mark the day whose theme this year was "Journalism under Digital Siege". The event was attended by about 400 media representatives and practitioners as well as spokespersons in the country.

In a message to mark the day, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said the Cambodian government is committed to protecting the freedoms of expression and the press in the country, as well as promoting the government-media partnership.

"The royal government of Cambodia has given its main priority in its political program on the media sector in order to help the government fight corruption, carry out legal, judicial and public administrative reforms, and promote democracy and human rights," he said.

Hun Sen also encouraged Cambodian journalists to constantly develop their capacity, pay attention to the code of ethics and show professionalism in their work in order to gain confidence and trust from the public.

Speaking at the event, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Cambodia currently has 662 newspapers, bulletins and magazines, 706 news websites, 81 online TVs, 19 TV stations and 221 radio stations as well as 26 representative offices of foreign media.

Huy Vannak, head of the Union of Journalist Federations of Cambodia (UJFC), noted that journalists play a crucial role in conveying credible information to the public.

"The UJFC recognizes that there are still challenges in the field of journalism, including finance, job security and access to information," he added. "However, we encourage journalists to continue to overcome these challenges, play their role in good faith and adhere to professional ethics without fear." 
It is difficult to describe what an achievement the overturning of Roe v. Wade would be for the conservative movement. It is, more than maybe any other issue, foundational to the movement itself. This is the ballgame.

That does not, however, mean that the decision would be politically convenient in the short term for the Republican Party. Overturning Roe is notand has not beenpopular among the American people, even if abortion views overall are relatively nuanced. The overturning of Roe, which would immediately snap into place abortion bans in more than a dozen states, could be the only thing to awaken Democratic voters and at least mitigate the damage of a pro-Republican election cycle.

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Leading Republicans on Tuesday, then, preferred to make the story of Politicos bombshell publication of Justice Samuel Alitos draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade not about how SCOTUS appears to have a majority lined up to eliminate the right to an abortion. They tried to divert attention to the scandalous leak of that news itself.

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Though we have no idea how the draft opinion leaked, or who leaked it, or why they leaked it, the rhetoric coming from Republicans implied that it came from an angry liberal employed by the Supreme Court who wanted to intimidate a conservative justice into changing his or her mind.

Liberals want to rip the blindfold off Lady Justice, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell inveighed in floor remarks Tuesday. They want to override impartiality with intimidation. They want to elevate mob rule over the rule of law. The leaker, he added, knew the danger this could put justices in. McConnell recommended, then, that this lawless action should be investigated and punished to the fullest extent possible, and that if a crime was committed, the Department of Justice must pursue it completely. (Chief Justice John Roberts, in a statement released later Tuesday morning, confirmed that the draft was authenticthough not a final position of any member on the issues in the caseand directed the marshal of the court to investigate the leak.)

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McConnells remarks were, at least, tamer than those of some conservative commentators, who viewed the leak of the draft opinion as worse than the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and other efforts to overturn the result of a presidential election.

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But the focus on a leaker, rather than on the news of a once-in-a-generation Supreme Court opinion, was a coordinated strategy straight out of a National Republican Senatorial Committee talking point memo released Tuesday and reported by Axios. The memo urged Republican senators to focus their reaction on the leak, which was part of the Radical Lefts broader strategy of delegitimizingand then packingthe court. They want to drive the debate in that more fertile direction, and away from the fact that a majority of the Supreme Court aims to take away a popular right from the American people. Theyll have another month or so to get their responses in order on that.

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During his Tuesday afternoon press conference, McConnell was asked whether he, the architect of conservatives 6-3 majority on the court, would take credit for the decision to overturn Roe. He didnt bite.

I think the story today is an effort by someone on the inside to discredit the institution, McConnell said. The impact on the midterms was not the story for today, the possibility of federal abortion restrictions puts the cart before the horse, and the issue was not the leaked draft but the fact that the draft was leaked.

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On the Democratic side, meanwhile, the end of the world was imminent, and the only way to save it was to donate to and vote for Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections.

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer opened his Tuesday floor speech noting that this is a dark and disturbing morning for America. He, along with numerous other Senate Democratic colleagues, gave a press conference later that morning on the Senate steps in which one elected official after another took their swings at the conservatives trying to turn back time.

Though the elimination of Roe could give Democrats a much-needed shot in the arm ahead of the midtermsand lets not be too cynical: Most elected Democrats, like their voters, would still much prefer the Supreme Court didnt eliminate the right to an abortion!they have to be careful how they go about managing it. The draft might mobilize more Democrats into turning out in November if it is the ultimate opinion of the court, but November is six months away.

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If this is, as Sen. Patty Murray said, a five-alarm fire, then Democrats need to be seen fighting now.

Schumers plan for that is for the Senate to hold a vote on legislation to codify the right to an abortion in law. He argued that this was not an abstract exercise and was, instead, as urgent and real as it gets. President Joe Biden said he would sign such a bill into law.

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The chance of Biden getting such an opportunity is effectively zero, though. Democrats preferred partisan vehicle for codifying Roe, the Womens Health Protection Act, doesnt even have 50 votes. Democrats could try to negotiate something narrower with pro-choice GOP Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski (who arent having great days, by the way). Even if they could get 52 votes, though, thats eight short of whats needed to break the filibusterand there is not a majority in the Senate to eliminate the filibuster.

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Still, Democrats in Congress will at least go through the motions. That will help the request for voters to send money and keep electing themthey, who are in power, while all of this is happeninggo down a little smoother. A little bit of fire, like that demonstrated by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday, wouldnt hurt either.

Members of Congress always tend to focus on short-term politics, sure. But here, the focus on the short term is partially due to the inability to conceive of the long term. If the leaked Supreme Court draft of an opinion overturning Roe v. Wade holds in the end, Tuesday will have been the first day of the new politics of the rest of our lives. The legality of abortion will become a central, hot issue of state and federal legislatures indefinitely.

Abortion legislation will come to dominate Congress and each state legislature for the foreseeable future. Pressure will build on mainstream Democrats to reform the court. Roe was the start of a political era. The end of it would start another one.

Today, the focus is on midterm politics. If, or when, this opinion comes down, the focus will turn to forever.
If the Supreme Court indeed strikes down Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey this June, as the draft opinion leaked to and published by Politico tonight suggests it will, years of conventional wisdom about the court and its concerns for its own legitimacy will be proved wrong. Every single court watcher who spoke in terms of baby steps, incrementalism, or chipping away at one of the most vitally important precedents in modern history will have been wrong. Those who suggested the court would never do something so huge and so polarizing just before the November midterms will have been wrong. And the people who assured us that Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett were moderate centrists who cared deeply about the appearance of a nonideological and thoughtful courtwell, yeah. They will have been wrong too.

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If this draft opinion becomes precedent of the court, the results will be catastrophic for women, particularly for women in the states that will immediately make abortion unlawful, and in those places, particularly for young women, poor women, and Black and brown women who will not have the time, resources, or ability to travel out of state. The courts staggering lack of regard for its own legitimacy is exceeded only by its vicious disregard for the real consequences for real pregnant people who are 14 times more likely to die in childbirth than from terminating a pregnancy. The Mississippi lawthe law this opinion is upholdinghas no exception for rape or incest. We will immediately see a raft of bans that give rights to fathers, including sexual assailants, and punish with evermore cruelty and violence women who miscarry or do harm to their fetuses. The days of pretending that womens health and safety were of paramount concern are over.

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For all the shock that has been expressed at what is truly a shocking opinion, polling suggests that the American public may turn its shock into legitimate political anger. CNN polling from January showed that just 30 percent of Americans wanted the court to overturn Roe v. Wade, and 52 percent said that should Roe be overturned, they would want their state to become a safe haven for women seeking abortion. Thirty-five percent said they would be angry if the ruling were overturned, compared with just 14 percent who said they would be happy.

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But in his draft opinion, Justice Sam Alito wants America to know he doesnt care about voters feelings. We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the publics reaction to our work, Alito writes. We do not pretend to know how our political system or society will respond to todays decision overruling Roe and Casey. And even if we could foresee what will happen, we would have no authority to let that knowledge influence our decision.

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Ironically, whoever decided to leak the opinion cared very much about the political implications of the impending decision. It is one of the most brazenly political acts to ever come out of the court, actually. It is perhaps the most emphatic confirmation that there are simply no rules left at an institution that is supposed to be the one making the rules, but is instead currently under unprecedented public scrutiny for its very absence of binding rules. The same Supreme Court that blames journalists for its sinking polling numbers and refuses to be bound by ethics rules wants you to know that it doesnt answer to politics. But it surely produces politics.

In other words, in addition to Alitos sneering references to abortionists and eugenics and his gleeful mockery of the authors of both Roe and Casey, anyone who believed the court would pretend to have any solicitude whatsoeverfor women, for public opinion, for its own reputation as a moderate branchwas well and truly kidding themselves. This draft opinion, whatever may be done to it in the days to come, is Exhibit A for anyone who believed that time or history or respect for their colleagues or the justices who came before them would moderate the five justices in this current majority, a majority that ought to know it stole its way into a majority but again refuses to even feign self-moderation in the face of that fact. We knew this when Texas S.B. 8 law banning abortion after six weeks was decided on the shadow docket in September, and when the court let it stand again this winter. We knew it when we watched the Dobbs arguments last fall. Roe had already been effectively overturned thenwe have just had trouble catching up.

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It is hard to keep this in perspective tonight, in light of the shattering ruling it portends, but there are real and enduring consequences to the fact that the draft opinion was leaked. There are real and enduring consequences to the fact that someone told Politico what the vote count was, that four of the other Republican-appointed justicesClarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barretthad voted with Alito in the conference held among the justices after hearing oral arguments in December, and that line-up remains unchanged as of this week. There are real and enduring consequences to the fact that we now seem to know what Chief Justice John Roberts wants to do, already. The implications for trust and confidence in secret proceedings for the nine justices are stunning. The leaks from the court around Justice Neil Gorsuch declining to wear a mask at oral arguments this winter were a dry run for todays. Whatever norm had been keeping the justices from showing us their Real Housewives of 1 First Street antics is now gone as well.

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The court will surely suffer for this shattering self-own to its own legitimacy. But the rule of law and the public will suffer as well. The three Republican-appointed justices who authored the plurality opinion in Casey knew very well what would happen to the court if it disregarded and disparaged the American public, the Constitution, and itself. Be afraid for whats coming next in terms of personal autonomy and liberty, for LGBTQ protections and the right to contraception, yes. But be equally afraid for the abstraction of an independent and principled judiciary. No matter what happens next, thats already lost.

For more of Dahlia Lithwicks legal analysis of Roe v. Wade, please listen to this recent episode of Amicus.
For all the seeming chaos of his administration, Donald Trump actually had a philosophy of governance, one grounded in assaulting the rule of law, ethics, and truth itself: Trumpery. In a new book, we warn that with Trump out of office, the greatest danger posed by Trumpery is that others will adopt it. Now that has apparently happened at the Supreme Court, as reflected in Justice Samuel Alitos draft opinion overruling Roe v. Wade.

Perhaps the single most defining characteristic of Trumpery is its disdain for the rule of law. The Alito draft in the Dobbs case has that in spades. A central tenet of Supreme Court jurisprudence is stare decisis, the idea that once the Supreme Court has ruled on something, it is settled law and is entitled to permanence, even if later courts may disagree with it. That is particularly true where you have a decadeslong established precedent like Roe.

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By upending one of the core legal principles governing the Supreme Courts functioning, the Alito draft undermines the rule of lawand the courts legitimacy. It is akin to Trumps incessant assault on the laws and norms of the presidency, which in time undermined and weakened the executive branch and Americans faith in it. Alito and the four justices who are reportedly ready to rule with him are sending the Supreme Court down that same slippery slope. And they are sending a dangerous message: If Roe can be tossed out, then any Supreme Court precedent is in jeopardy. There goes stare decisis.

Why this race into recklessness? It is driven by the second core tenet of Trumpery: elevation of selfish personal interests over public policy ones. Alito is himself reportedly opposed to abortion in his personal life, as are some of the other members of the majority. With this draft decision, they have apparently allowed their personal agendas to seep into their abandonment of stare decisis and their official policymaking.

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Sound familiar? Not just Trump but many in his administration used and abused government as a tool for their personal ends, as we explain in our book. Judges are supposed to adjudicate legal issues on the merits, independent of their personal ideologies. Alito and those reportedly joining the draft opinion have done the exact opposite here.

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Another core characteristic of Trumpery is dishonesty, with the former president reported to have lied more than 30,000 times. The Alito draft is rife with disinformation. For example, he justifies his reasoning on Roe with the fact that abortion is an unenumerated rightamong the civil and human rights that are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. These rights, Alito contends, should only receive federal protections if they are deeply rooted in U.S. history and culture. Abortion is not, according to Alito.

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But the truth is the court has many timesincluding recentlyinstituted or upheld protections for unenumerated rights that dont have the long history Alito is describing. That includes protecting interracial and same-sex marriage. To apply this reasoning to other unenumerated rights but not to abortion is contradictory and disingenuous, to say the least.

On the factual side, Alito cites fellow Justice Clarence Thomas in saying that abortion amounts to eugenics targeted at Black people. The truth is much more complicated, and ignores that outlawing abortion will disproportionately hurt women of color. To take only one other example of many, Alito also references Justice Amy Coney Barretts contention that safe haven lawswhich protect parents who give up their child from penalizationobviate the need for abortions. But whether those laws lead to better outcomes for mothers is inconclusive, and experts disagree on their efficacy in general.

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A fourth trait of Trumpery is also evident in the draft opinion: shamelessness. Alito evidently feels no embarrassment at his naked attack on stare decisis, his pursuit of his personal agenda, or his dishonesty. Nor does he see the need for baby steps. The opinion is bold in declaring Roe dead. Like Trumps openly professed desire to overturn the election, Alitos overthrow of a half-century of precedent is unashamed and even brazen.

Fifth, Trumpery divides our society. Like the former presidents policies on immigration and building his wall, or his declaration that the white supremacist rioters in Charlottesville, Virginia, included fine people, the Alito opinion overturning Roe is a burning torch thrown into the tinderbox of our politics and society. Once the court proceeded with great caution to avoid popular turmoil. Not here. The result will foment widespread unrest.

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Like Melania Trumps infamous slogan, Alitos attitude is I really dont care, do you? In his draft opinion he states, We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences, such as concern about the publics reaction to our work. In fact, avoiding the kind of political turmoil and escalation we are now facing is part of why we have stare decisisjudges should care about upsetting long-settled expectations and the societal ruptures that causes. Disregard for (and even intentionally exacerbating) social divisions was a specialty of the former president, who did everything possible to gratify his base. Tragically, this draft opinion smacks of a similar approach, consequences be damned.

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That will do great harm not just to the social fabric, but to our system of government itself. The assault on democracy is the sixth foundational aspect of Trumpery. This decision will devastate the legitimacy of the Supreme Court. It was already on shaky ground, with its current composition owed to two presidents, George W. Bush and Trump, who did not win the popular vote during their initial victorious campaigns to the White House. To make matters worse, the shape of the court was manipulated by the illegitimate GOP Senate blockade during President Barack Obamas last year in office of his pick for the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland, purportedly because it was an election year. Then when a Supreme Court seat became vacant even later in the last months of Trumps administration, a Republican majority in the Senate hypocritically rammed through Justice Amy Coney Barrett. This decision will devastate whatever remaining bipartisan legitimacy the court enjoyed before it as a key branch of our government.

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That brings us to the seventh and final of the seven deadly sins of Trumpery: disdain for ethics. Trump and his cronies famously had little use for ethics. But when it comes to the Alito opinion, here the apostle of Trumpery is whoever leaked it. Doing so was a serious violation of legal ethics and, if done by a justice, of judicial ones. (That is part of the reason that the Supreme Court needs its own code of ethics, as weve argued in our book.) That ethics transgression is however equaled by Alitos own assault on stare decisis, pursuit of his personal agenda, and disregard for truth that the draft represents.

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The leaked Alito decision is terrible news for civil rights, for the Constitution, and for the legitimacy of the Supreme Court. Globally, judicial polarization of this kind often leads to wider democratic backsliding, according to social science. But that same literature teaches us that in a democracy, hope is never lost. If Roe is indeed overturned, we will need to take the battle to the states to secure this precious right in legislation, litigation, and practice, including by getting on-the-ground assistance to women in need. Every concerned American should support this essential effort. As it turns out, much that we hold dear depends on it.
On Monday evening, Politico reported that five members of the Supreme Court had privately voted to strike down Roe v. Wade and end the constitutional right to an abortion. Alongside that report came the unprecedented publication of Justice Samuel Alitos apparent full draft opinion, which was dated in February and does not appear to include the input of other justices.

If the five justices maintain their votes to strike down Roe once the opinion is announced, likely in June, the immediate consequence is that abortion would become illegal in about half of all U.S. states. This would obviously be an earthquake in American social and political life, and it is the most consequential piece of news from Mondays leak.

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There is, however, another monumental story: that the opinion was leaked to begin with, and from one of the most secretive bodies in the country. A draft Supreme Court opinion has never been leaked in full in history, and there hasnt been an advance leak of an outcome since 1986. Only the justices themselves and their small clique of law clerks would likely have access to such a draft. The closest similar example in the past 32 years came when somebody leaked, in 2012, that Chief Justice John Roberts had initially voted to strike down all of Obamacare, before changing his mind and voting to uphold the individual mandate. (Notably, as law professor Jonathan Peters wrote on Twitter, details of the original 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, including the vote itself, were reported in advance by Time magazine.)

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This leak, though, is so shocking because there are many reasons for how and why the court is normally able to maintain strict secrecy. As former clerk Stephen L. Carter wrote for the Washington Post in 2017, the court has been Americas last leak-proof institution. As Carter noted, Supreme Court leaks were so rare because if a clerk was behind one, they would likely be caughtand at great professional risk. The staff of the Supreme Court is very small, and the circle of knowledge of pending opinions is even smaller, Carter wrote. In particular, a law clerk who talked to a reporter might find a once high-flying legal career ruined. And of course fewer people in the know means fewer potential leakers. If one of the justices themselves leaked, meanwhile, wed likely never know, because there is no governing body to investigate the question aside from an impeachment inquiry, which is unlikely to happen over a leak. Indeed, we still have not learned who the leaker of Roberts Obamacare vote was, and that came after the decision. (Theres been considerable speculation around that question.)

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So who leaked the draft Dobbs opinion, and why? From our completely speculative position, there seem to be four logical scenarios that emerged on Monday night.

Scenario One: A progressive clerk leaked the opinion on their own.

The Occams razor answerand the one spreading quickly in conservative media after the leakis that an angry clerk of one of the progressive justices leaked the opinion to prepare the public for the end of Roe, hoping to potentially galvanize opposition against the decision and to make one last desperate attempt to change one of the five votes to overturn Roe. Again, this was the theory that animated conservative media in the hours after the news, which practically described the leaker as a traitor to the country:

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The SCOTUS leak is an actual insurrection. An attempt to completely upend and delegitimize the rule of law, incite violence and chaos, and potentially plunge the nation into civil war. January 6th was a stroll in the park compared to this. It's not even close.  Best Selling Biologist Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) May 3, 2022

Laura Ingraham described the leak in her Fox News show in apocalyptic terms. She called it the end of the court and argued that Chief Justice John Roberts needed to enlist the FBI to unmask the leaker, with her guests speculating that the person had done it to earn cult-hero status in progressive circles. This is the worst type of attack you can launch against the integrity of the Supreme Court, her guest Jonathan Turley said:

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Laura Ingraham says it's "incumbent" for Chief Justice Roberts to drag every law clerk before him and say "give me your phone" to catch the leaker.



"Or the FBI. Give me your phones, we want all of your accounts. We have to look at every device..." pic.twitter.com/BYS1pCMSMn  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) May 3, 2022

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According to this thinking, a progressive clerk would have been so desperate to try to prevent the end of Roe that they would risk their entire professional career on a frantic gambit with virtually no chance of success. Its possible the person behind the leak bet it would generate enough outrage around the decision to change the outcome in their favor. But if a clerk was really trying to convince a fence-sitter, it seems like this sort of institutional attack on the court would have the opposite effect, convincing any wavering justices in the majority that they should not back down. If this was calculated as a gambit by a clerk, it seems like a poor one. Which brings us to the second possibility.

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[Read: Alitos Leaked Draft Fully Overruling Roe Is Jaw-Dropping and Unprecedented]

Scenario Two: A conservative justice leaked it, possibly through a clerk.

This isnt necessarily the likeliest outcome, but of all the options this would seem to me to be the shrewdest tactically. First, it wouldnt make any sense for a clerk who opposed Roe to leak this without the permission of their boss. It would not only put this persons career in jeopardy, it would also put at risk a legal victory that conservatives have been working toward for decades.

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However, it would make perfect sense for a conservative justice to leak this opinion, either themselves or through a clerk, if for some reason they thought one of the five votes was still on the fence to pressure that fence-sitter to stay on the team. Even if that vote was not on the fence, a conservative justice leak would make sense in that it might preempt any sort of last-minute squishiness, as Roberts apparently experienced in the Obamacare decision. The message would be: Weve gone this far, and now all we have to do is the final step. If you back down now, everybody will know that you went soft and you will be a pariah among conservatives even worse than Roberts was after Obamacare.

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In this possibility, the leak would serve other major tactical purposes. It turns attention away from the monumentaland likely to be deeply unpopularruling itself, and toward what conservatives are portraying as a dastardly and corrupt breaking of the norms. On her show, for instance, Ingraham complained that the protesters are enraged at that leaked ruling from Politico tonight regarding Roe v. Wadetheyre outraged not about the leak, theyre outraged about whats in the decision. If the attention can be turned to the protesters, and not the ruling overturning Roe in the most forceful terms possiblewhich polls have consistently showed the public is againstthen that is a political victory for those who realize how unpopular the stance is with the general public.

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The leak could also serve the purpose of ripping the Band-Aid off. The possible political pain of the decision might be lessened in this way, because the public has their expectations set for when the ruling is official and it will be treated as a less significant story then. Critically, if a justice leaked this, its unlikely to ever come out, as there likely wont be the sort of investigation that will force justices to divulge anything they dont want to. Tactically, it would make some sense for a conservative justice to leak this news.

[Read: Roe Will Fall. But the Supreme Courts Legitimacy Is Already Lost]

Scenario Three: A progressive justice leaked the news.

Consider the reasons for this to be a combination of Scenario One and Scenario Two. A progressive justice might have leaked this knowing it was unlikely for them to be caughtas in Scenario Twoand in order to try to put one last final push of pressure on any potentially wavering justices, as in Scenario One. Again, it does not seem like this would work, but if anyone would be privy to the possibility that another justice might be swayed to change his or her mind about ending Roe by a massive public backlash to this draft opinion, it would be another one of the justices. Perhaps a progressive justice noticed that one of the five in favor of ending Roe was soft and decided this was the last best chance to sway them.

Scenario Four: Chief Justice John Roberts leaked the news.

This seems like the least likely of the four scenarios emerging because of how intensely Roberts has sought to portray himself as the protector of the courts legitimacy. Still, its worth considering. Shortly after the draft opinion itself leaked, CNN also reported the full details of Roberts private deliberations on this case. As CNN reported:

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John Roberts did not want to completely overturn Roe v. Wade, meaning he would have dissented from Alitos draft opinion, sources tell CNN, likely with the courts three liberals. Roberts is willing, however, to uphold the Mississippi law that would ban abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy, CNN has learned.

This second leak around Roberts sounds more likely to have come from a justice with insight into his mindset than from a clerk, which would imply that it was potentially a justice who leaked the bigger news. Which leaves the door open for Roberts. Perhaps the chief justice so believes that striking down Roe in this wayand after Republicans in essence stole a seat from President Barack Obama by blockading his Merrick Garland nomination in his final year in office and appointing Amy Coney Barrett in the final months of President Donald Trumps termwould cast such a pall over the court that it might not recover. In that case, perhaps he would leak the news in an effort to convince one of either Justice Brett Kavanaugh or Justice Barrett to join him in an opinion maintaining Roe in name only, while upholding the Mississippi abortion ban. Again, this seems like the least likely outcome, as the legitimacy of the court has suffered a devastating blow tonight that was not at all helped by the nature of the release of this newsan outcome Roberts surely would have wished to avoid at all costs.
The Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, Politico reported on Monday, revealing an apparent leaked draft of Justice Sam Alitos majority opinion abolishing the constitutional right to abortion.

Alitos draft, which he appears to have completed in February, constitutes an acidic and unflinching repudiation of reproductive rightsas well as other closely connected liberties like LGBTQ equality. It is a maximalist assault on progressive constitutionalism that will lead to the near-instant prohibition of abortion in as many as 26 states.

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Never before has the complete draft of a Supreme Court opinion leaked before its official release. But there are many good reasons to believe that the unprecedented leak in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization is, in fact, real.

Most obviously, it reads like a genuine opinion, with the proper structure and format as well as meticulous and extensive citations. It is written in Alitos voice, with a caustic tone that tracks his previous criticisms of Roe and an evident disgust with abortion itself. A stamp on the front page states that it was circulated to the other justices on Feb. 10, which would mean that Alito and his clerks took two months to write it. That timing checks out. Theres a long appendix with various statutes at the end, which Alito frequently attaches to his opinions. From top to bottom, this document looks authentic.

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It is also remarkably extreme. Alitos Dobbs opinion does not seek out any middle path. He disparages Roe and its successors as dishonest, illegitimate, and destructive to the court, the country, and the Constitution. He quotes a wide range of anti-abortion activists, scholars, and judges who view abortion as immoral and barbaric; theres even a footnote that approvingly cites Justice Clarence Thomas debunked theory that abortion is a tool of eugenics against Black Americans.

And he disavows the entire line of jurisprudence upon which Roe rests: the existence of unenumerated rights that safeguard individual autonomy from state invasion. Alito asserts that any such right must be deeply rooted in the nations history and tradition, and access to abortion has no such roots.

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The obvious problem with this analysis is that the Supreme Court has identified plenty of unenumerated rights that lack deep roots in American history. Most recently, the court established the right of same-sex couples to be intimate (2003s Lawrence v. Texas) and get married (2015s Obergefell v. Hodges). Alito dismissed both decisions in harsh terms, mocking their appeals to a broader right to autonomy as a slippery slope. The high level of generality in their reasoning, he wrote, could license fundamental rights to illicit drug use, prostitution, and the like. It is difficult to square this opprobrium toward Lawrence and Obergefell with Alitos later assurance that his decision should not be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion. This unreasoned disclaimer is not worth much on the heels of 62 pages shredding dozens of precedents over a half-century.

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Other aspects of the Dobbs opinion read like pure, unadulterated Alito-ism. (There are, for instance, citations to famed criticism of Roe from liberals like Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Laurence Tribe that gratuitously troll progressives.) Indeed, many aspects of the prose suggest that no other justice in the majority had yet weighed in when Alito circulated the draft. Politico reports that Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett voted with Alito to overrule Roe. That gives Alito just five votes, none of which he can afford to lose.

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[Read: Why Alito Cant Find the Right to Abortion in the Constitution]

During oral arguments, Kavanaugh and Barrett sounded eager to limit backlash, something the leaked opinion shows no interest in doing. Kavanaugh wanted to cabin the courts reasoning by framing abortion as unique because it ostensibly involves the taking of a life. Alitos draft does say that abortion is unique, but this idea does not lie at the heart of his analysis. Rather, his more emphatic denunciation of Roes logic is that abortion rights are not firmly entrenched in tradition or a part of the Constitutions original meaning. If its true that these rights receive no protection, then same-sex marriage will not stand for long. Yet instead of toning down his rhetoric, Alito simply cited Kavanaughs past opinions over and over againas if flattery will be sufficient to appease his politically minded fifth vote.

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It thus seems possible that Kavanaugh, and maybe Barrett, will urge Alito to soften some portions of the opinion that call other precedents into doubt or depict pro-choice justices as idiots and partisan hacks. Will it work? This leak may make that task more difficult, as Alito will not want the public to think that he caved to more moderate squishes. And where is Chief Justice John Roberts in all this? Politico suggests that he did not vote with the majority to overrule Roe. And CNN reported on Monday night that the chief justice wanted to uphold the law at issue in Dobbs, Mississippis 15-week abortion ban, and commence a more incremental rollback of abortion rights. He may now try to dangle some compromise with Alito as the cost of his voteif not a substantive settlement, then a less scathing tone.

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Aside from the Roberts mystery, theres another question: Who in the world leaked this draft? There are two likely scenarios. First, a liberal justice or clerk may have leaked it to ring the alarm and trigger so much backlash that Kavanaugh or Barrett could step back from the brink. Second, a conservative justice or clerk could have leaked it in an effort to lock in the majoritys votes. If Kavanaugh is wavering, this leak might persuade him to stick to his guns to avoid a public flip-flop while conveying principled certainty.

No matter how this draft reached the public, its release is one of the biggest Supreme Court stories ever. It will alter the justices continued deliberations over the next two months, deepening resentments and recriminations between the warring camps. There is still time for a justice to flipan opinion is not final until it is announcedbut the court generally completes its business by the end of June. So the clock is ticking. And right now, a majority appears to be careening toward the complete and unapologetic eradication of Roe.
According to a leaked draft of an opinion written by Justice Sam Alito, the Supreme Court will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that protects the right to an abortion before fetal viability.

The draft, which appears to have been finished in February, may still change before it becomes an official opinion. But the court clearly has the votes. When it overturns Roe, the question of whether abortion should be legaland under what termswill be returned to the states.

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Anti-abortion legislators have spent decades preparing for this moment. Some states already have trigger bans on the books that will outlaw abortion soon after Roe is overturned. Others have left in place abortion bans that existed before Roe. These unrepealed laws will become newly applicable when Roe is gone.

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There are 18 states with abortion bans in those two categories, in which all or most abortions will likely become illegal when Roe falls: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Several other states, including many of those above, have passed new six- or eight-week abortion bans in the decades after Roe. Those laws are unconstitutionaland many were blocked by the courtsas long as Roe is in effect. But they will become fully enforceable when it is invalidated. South Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, and Georgia have passed six-week bans that could be implemented when the Supreme Court issues its final decision.

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Four other states will probably ban most or all abortions when Roe is overturned, given their Republican-controlled governments and their histories of passing abortion restrictions: Florida, Indiana, Montana, and Nebraska.

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According to the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit that tracks state laws on abortion, some other states that have passed restrictions on abortion in the past may not immediately move to ban it. North Carolina, for one, has a pre-Roe abortion ban on the books, but anti-abortion lawmakers do not have a veto-proof majority in the state legislature, so Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper could conceivably prevent it from taking effect.

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In 12 other states, laws explicitly allow abortions before fetal viabilitythe standard established by Roeand whenever the health or life of a pregnant person is at risk: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington.

Several other jurisdictions have established a legal right to abortion care, even without the protections of Roe. In Colorado, D.C., New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont, laws affirm the right to obtain an abortion throughout the duration of a pregnancy. When the Supreme Court overturns Roe, these places will become destinations for people carrying unwanted pregnancies who are denied care in their home states.
Welcome to Source Notes, a Future Tense column about the internets information ecosystem.

On April 25, after Elon Musk announced that he would be buying Twitter for $44 billion and pledged to run the social media platform as a free speech absolutist, Wikipedias volunteer editors knew that they had a lot of work ahead of themand they were right. One contributor soon added the words Owner of Twitter to Musks Wikipedia page, language that another editor promptly deleted with the comment, He does not yet own Twitter! At press time, a precautionary banner on the Musk Wikipedia article warns readers about the likelihood of speedy revisions. This article is about a person involved in a current acquisition. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable, the banner reads.

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Since 2015, the English language version of Musks Wikipedia page has received more than 110 million direct page views. Snippets from Musks Wikipedia article also appear in the Google search results for Elon Musk, a term that has been searched 479 million times in the past 30 days, according to Google Trends, with a pronounced spike in searches following Musks announcement about purchasing Twitter on April 25.

Since the page was created in 2004 (heres what it looked like then, when it was fewer than 100 words), some 3,240 Wikipedia editors have collaboratively written the Musk Wikipedia article, which covers the billionaires early life in South Africa and Canada; his leadership roles with PayPal, SpaceX, and Tesla; and his proposed acquisition of Twitter. Over the course of about 8,600 words, the Wikipedia page outlines Musks career highlightslike the 2020 launch making SpaceX the first private company to place a person in orbit and dock a crewed spacecraft with the International Space Station, and how the Starlink network of satellites has provided some internet access to Ukraine during the 2022 Russian invasion. The article also lists Musks controversies, including a 2018 lawsuit brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission alleging that Musks tweet about having secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share was false and damaging to investors. (Musk settled the SEC lawsuit in 2018.)

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Reading the personal life section of a celebritys Wikipedias page has always been one of the internets greatest pleasures, and in Musks case, that portion is a total trip. It recounts Musks marriages, remarriage, and divorces, together with his relationships with Amber Heard and the Canadian musician Grimes. Theres also a somewhat convoluted paragraph explaining the naming process for Musks sonoriginally named X  A-12, the child is now X AE A-XII Musk because California regulations prohibit the use of any characters not in the modern English alphabet.

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Overall, Musks Wikipedia page has been designated as a good article by the sites volunteer reviewers, meaning that its noteworthy for being well-written, containing factually accurate information, providing broad coverage, and adopting a neutral point of view. According to Wikipedia, only about 0.5 percent of articles on the site are awarded with this recognition. Then again, not every Wikipedia editor thinks the Musk Wikipedia page is up to snuff. More than once, Wikipedia editors have had to remind one another that the page should provide only previously published information and should not be influenced by any opinions that the editor holds about the controversial celebrity. On the articles talk page, a place for editors to chat with one another and raise proposed changes, many of the discussions revolve around whether the article is biased. As the user Warbayx put it, literally 1/4 of Musks front page is dedicated to criticism, how can anyone think this is unbiased and fair? To which the user PraiseVedic replied, I would say that more than 1/4 of the coverage Musk receives in the media is critical of him, so if anything Wikipedia is under-criticizing him, if thats a thing. One suspects the balance of criticism might never feel right to so-called Musketeers, a group that Wikipedia sums up as Fans of Elon Musk, usually in the pejorative sense.

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But there is in fact someone who cares more about Musks Wikipedia page than even his most diehard fanboyElon Musk himself. All signs indicate that the worlds richest man is obsessed with how he is described on the free internet encyclopedia.

Back in December 2019, Musk tweeted, Just looked at my wiki for 1st time in years. Its insane! Btw, can someone please delete investor. I do basically zero investing. In a follow-up tweet, Musk suggested that his Wikipedia page should focus on his leadership of Tesla and SpaceX rather than his investing activity.

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Following Musks tweets, editors sprang to action, first deleting the word investor from the page and then reinserting it. Molly White, a volunteer Wikipedia administrator (username GorillaWarfare), said that tweets like Musks put the Wikipedia community in a difficult position. Its challenging when someone with a large public following makes public calls for people to edit the Wikipedia article about them because typically the people who see those requests are not familiar with Wikipedia or its policies, White said. Although we love when new editors join us, trying to learn to edit while also jumping into a dispute where an article subject disagrees with the content of their article is not an easy task, and can result in challenges both for those new editors and for experienced editors trying to handle the dispute.

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After Musk tweeted this out, Wikipedians engaged in an extended debate about whether Musks request was based more on his desired branding than the facts, and whether it set a bad precedent for a public figure to call on their legion of fans to make requested changes. As a reminder, Wikipedia rules state that the encyclopedia should reflect the information published in reliable, published sources. In this case, hundreds of third-party sources ranging from the Wall Street Journal to the Hindustan Times described Musk as an investor given his early history with Tesla. (More on that in a second.) Musk himself had talked for years about investing in DeepMind to track the progress of artificial intelligence, which he is on record as calling the greatest threat to humanity. Against the backdrop of these secondary sources, it would not be proper for Wikipedia editors to remove the word investor simply because Musk tweetedread: self-publisheda contrarian point of view. (At press time, Musks Wikipedia page still describes him as an investor in the first sentence, which also calls him an entrepreneur and business magnate.)

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Recently, Musk has upped the volume of his Wikipedia grumbling. In April, Vaibhav Sisinty, the CEO and founder of GrowthSchool, tweeted a reminder that Elon Musk was not the founder of Tesla. He acquired it. Musk replied to the tweet stating that when he funded Tesla in 2004, Tesla was a shell corp with no employees, no IP, no designs, no prototype and Even the name Tesla Motors was owned by others! Afterward, Musk lashed out specifically at Wikipedia, tweeting, They say history is written by the victors, but not on Wikipedia if the losing party is still alive & has lots of time on their hands! Many people interpreted this as Musk attacking Martin Eberhard, a person Wikipedia (citing several sources) describes as one of the two original co-founders of Tesla in 2003 and who stayed on as the companys CEO until 2007.

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Although its notoriously hard to read Musks mind, his tweets indicate that he would prefer that Wikipedia name him as a founder of Tesla because of his relatively early contributions to the company and popular associations with the EV brand. But notice how, once again, Musk is asking Wikipedia editors to set aside years of third-party reporting that documents how Musk purchased shares to become Teslas majority shareholder and was not one of the individuals involved since Teslas scrappy beginnings.

Thankfully, Musk cannot decree what information about him should appear on Wikipedia, nor can he mandate that Wikipedia use his preferred nomenclature. For instance, Musk said in 2021 that he believed CEO was a made-up title and that he prefers to be called the Technoking of Tesla. A March 2021 regulatory filing showed that Tesla had officially given him his requested Technoking title. (According to a Tesla spokesperson at the time, Musk remained the companys chief executive officer.) But so far, Wikipedia editors have reverted the many attempts to replace all references to Tesla CEO with Tesla Technoking on Musks Wikipedia page. A notice on the Musk talk page makes a simple case for using traditional language: Musks position at the company is still effectively the CEO, and Technoking would likely be confusing for readers. The current version of the article states, In 2021, Musk nominally changed his title to Technoking while retaining his position as CEO.

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On the talk page behind Musks Wiki page, there is also an editorial note discouraging users from changing the words business magnate, meaning captain of industry, to business magnet, a pun that Musk has joked about on Twitter.

One subject that has been passionately debated among Wikipedia editors is whether Musks page should quote people who describe him as a sociopath. Several former Musk employees and associates have claimed that Musk exhibits pathological sociopathy and is severely lacking in empathy. But so far, Wikipedians have been reluctant to include that verbiage on Musks article. We have to be cautious with these terms so that we dont inaccurately imply that a person has been diagnosed with a medical condition, White told me, noting that a similar discussion often crops up when editors consider using the word narcissist.

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Some Wikipedia editors have proposed a rewrite of the old Goldwater rule, arguing that someones Wiki page should not provide a mental health diagnosis unless it is supported by a clinical psychiatrist who has examined the subject personally. Although Wikipedia has not yet formalized a standard policy in this area, it seems that the sites editors have generally decided to use caution. At press time, there is no language on Musks Wikipedia page describing him as a sociopath or having any sort of maladaptive personality disorder.

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Since announcing his plans to purchase Twitter, Musk has promoted himself as a free speech absolutist who intends to restore the value of free speech to Twitter. Critics are understandably concerned that Musks interpretation of free speech will mean an uptick in misinformation and harassment, which will quickly turn Twitter into a cesspool of lies, racial attacks, and antisemitism.

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At a time when all sides are batting around the term free speech, it seems worthwhile to mention that Wikipedia has never billed itself as a free speech platform. The information is free, yes; the project also firmly resists government censorship, including recent threats from Russia. But the internet encyclopedia has never been a free-for-all. Instead, the ability to post lasting content has always been restricted by the system of peer production and the encyclopedias policies; free expression is limited by rules and requirements, such as citing to a credible source. That matters because nonprofit Wikipedia occupies what appears to be an increasingly rare internet niche: a place where billionaires cannot purchase their preferred version of events, nor own the means of conversation.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
This piece originally appeared in the Conversation

In 2021, an investment firm bought 2,000 acres of real estate for about $4 million. Normally this would not make headlines, but in this case the land was virtual. It existed only in a metaverse platform called the Sandbox. By buying 792 nonfungible tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, the firm then owned the equivalent of 1,200 city blocks.

But did it? It turns out that legal ownership in the metaverse is not that simple.

The prevailing but legally problematic narrative among crypto enthusiasts is that NFTs allow true ownership of digital items in the metaverse for two reasons: decentralization and interoperability. These two technological features have led some to claim that tokens provide indisputable proof of ownership, which can be used across various metaverse apps, environments and games. Because of this decentralization, some also claim that buying and selling virtual items can be done on the blockchain itself for whatever price you want, without any person or any companys permission.

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Despite these claims, the legal status of virtual owners is significantly more complicated. In fact, the current ownership of metaverse assets is not governed by property law at all, but rather by contract law. As a legal scholar who studies property law, tech policy, and legal ownership, I believe that what many companies are calling ownership in the metaverse is not the same as ownership in the physical world, and consumers are at risk of being swindled.

When you buy an item in the metaverse, your purchase is recorded in a transaction on a blockchain, which is a digital ledger under nobodys control and in which transaction records cannot be deleted or altered. Your purchase assigns you ownership of an NFT, which is simply a unique string of bits. You store the NFT in a crypto wallet that only you can open, and which you carry with you wherever you go in the metaverse. Each NFT is linked to a particular virtual item.

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It is easy to think that because your NFT is in your crypto wallet, no one can take your NFT-backed virtual apartment, outfit, or magic wand away from you without access to your wallets private key. Because of this, many people think that the NFT and the digital item are one and the same. Even experts conflate NFTs with their respective digital goods, noting that because NFTs are personal property, they allow you to own digital goods in a virtual world.

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However, when you join a metaverse platform, you must first agree to the platforms terms of service, terms of use or end user license agreement. These are legally binding documents that define the rights and duties of the users and the metaverse platform. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, almost no one actually reads the terms of service. In one study, only 1.7 percent of users found and questioned a child assignment clause embedded in a terms of service document. Everyone else unwittingly gave away their first-born child to the fictional online service provider.

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It is in these lengthy and sometimes incomprehensible documents that metaverse platforms spell out the legal nuances of virtual ownership. Unlike the blockchain itself, the terms of service for each metaverse platform are centralized and are under the complete control of a single company. This is extremely problematic for legal ownership.

Interoperability and portability are defining features of the metaverse, meaning you should be able to carry your non-real-estate virtual propertyyour avatar, your digital art, your magic wandfrom one virtual world to another. But todays virtual worlds are not connected to one another, and there is nothing in an NFT itself that labels it as, say, a magic wand. As it stands, each platform needs to link NFTs to their own proprietary digital assets.

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Under the terms of service, the NFTs purchased and the digital goods received are almost never one and the same. NFTs exist on the blockchain. The land, goods, and characters in the metaverse, on the other hand, exist on private servers running proprietary code with secured, inaccessible databases.

This means that all visual and functional aspects of digital assetsthe very features that give them any valueare not on the blockchain at all. These features are completely controlled by the private metaverse platforms and are subject to their unilateral control.

Because of their terms of service, platforms can even legally delete or give your items away by delinking the digital assets from their original NFT identification codes. Ultimately, even though you may own the NFT that came with your digital purchase, you do not legally own or possess the digital assets themselves. Instead, the platforms merely grant you access to the digital assets and only for the length of time they want.

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For example, on one day you might own a $200,000 digital painting for your apartment in the metaverse, and the next day you may find yourself banned from the metaverse platform, and your painting, which was originally stored in its proprietary databases, deleted. Strictly speaking, you would still own the NFT on the blockchain with its original identification code, but it is now functionally useless and financially worthless.

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While admittedly jarring, this is not a far-fetched scenario. It might not be a wise business move for the platform company, but theres nothing in the law to prevent it. Under the terms of use and premium NFT terms of use governing the $4 millions worth of virtual real estate purchased on the Sandbox, the metaverse companylike many other NFT and metaverse platformsreserves the right at its sole discretion to terminate your ability to use or even access your purchased digital assets.

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If the Sandbox reasonably believes you engaged in any of the platforms prohibited activities, which require subjective judgments about whether you interfered with others enjoyment of the platform, it may immediately suspend or terminate your user account and delete your NFTs images and descriptions from its platform. It can do this without any notice or liability to you.

In fact, the Sandbox even claims the right in these cases to immediately confiscate any NFTs it deems you acquired as a result of the prohibited activities. How it would successfully confiscate blockchain-based NFTs is a technological mystery, but this raises further questions about the validity of what it calls virtual ownership.

The Conversation reached out to The Sandbox for comment but did not receive a response.

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As if these clauses werent alarming enough, many metaverse platforms reserve the right to amend their terms of service at any time with little to no actual notice. This means that users would need to constantly refresh and reread the terms to ensure they do not engage in any recently banned behavior that could result in the deletion of their purchased assets or even their entire accounts.

Technology alone will not pave the way for true ownership of digital assets in the metaverse. NFTs cannot bypass the centralized control that metaverse platforms currently have and will continue to have under their contractual terms of service. Ultimately, legal reform alongside technological innovation is needed before the metaverse can mature into what it promises to become.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
COPENHAGEN, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged diplomatic resolutions for the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

"Dialogue and diplomacy should resolve the issue," Modi told a joint press conference after meeting with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen.

Modi reiterated India's position on the conflict, calling for an "immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine."

Modi said his visit to Denmark, the first by an Indian prime minister in 20 years, was part of a process to strengthen ties between the two countries.

He voiced hope to make cooperation "more dynamic" in areas such as renewable energy, health, ports, shipping, the circular economy, and water management.

"Today, we have agreed on a number of concrete steps, on green energy, clean water, and to counter the next global health crisis," said Frederiksen.

Since Monday, the Indian prime minister has been on a tour of Germany, Denmark, and France.

Modi is expected to attend the second India-Nordic Summit on Wednesday alongside the prime ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. 
On World Press Freedom Day we feel the need to make it clear that independent journalists are one of the last barriers protecting democratic societies from falling victim to autocracy.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown us how far the dissolution of democratic institutions and the suffocation of the free press can go. Autocrats without public control exercised through independent media are more likely to resort to aggression against groups of citizens and even other nations.

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In Russia, over the past thirty years almost 60 journalists have been killed. They were shot in the head, hit by machine gun bullets, poisoned, beaten to death, hit by cars, thrown out of a window or killed as a hostage. In most cases, the identities of the masterminds behind these crimes have never come to light and the world remembers only a very few names of the murdered journalists who searched for the truth and confronted the massive state propaganda machine.

The killing of journalists is a serious indicator that something has gone terribly wrong in a country and that the world should be concerned.

Putin, however, went even further. He is now forcing Europe to live the unimaginable.

Journalists in central and eastern Europe are covering a war that is spilling over to the whole region. We tell stories of losses that will affect generations and of pain that cannot be healed by time. We explain and provide context to disturbing images, political statements and numbers. We separate facts from propaganda 24 hours a day.

We have been forced to assume new journalistic roles. We debunk misinformation disseminated by troll factories and we monitor the state to see whether war-time measures to curb Russian propaganda are in line with the law. We work to give a voice to the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees in search of humanity and solidarity in neighbouring countries so that they can build a dignified life outside of their country.

We also support our colleagues in Ukraine, who are on the most difficult assignment ever, often risking their lives to be able to bring the news to their readers. Nine journalists have already been killed while on assignment in Ukraine.

And we show solidarity with the remaining independent journalists in Russia, who upheld journalistic values in an increasingly hostile environment, but many of whom have either been arrested, exiled, or had their media outlet shut down. Yet in our own region there are other countries under Russia's spell, where propaganda is elevated to the level of state doctrine. Not even EU membership could steer Hungary away from that path. The recent election victory of Viktor Orban and his party Fidesz puts a further strain on the distorted Hungarian media environment, where the few independent media outlets struggle to survive and to preserve the definitions of journalism as understood in democratic societies.

With Orban spreading his illiberal influence across the region, we understand that the fate of independent journalism in Hungary is our shared European fate.

This is particularly evident in Poland, where since 2015, when the Law and Justice (PiS) party came to power, independent media have fallen victim to massive legal, economic and political pressure in the form of lawsuits, many of them SLAPPs, brought against media by political figures; ads and public announcements being withdrawn from free media; attacks on independent media by state propaganda; and a purge of independent reporters and editors in regional and local media acquired by a state-controlled company.

In Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and now Slovenia, authoritarian or illiberal-minded governments have been replaced. But the new Czech government has been slow to enact promised media reforms while in Bulgaria, though the new ruling coalition is not applying pressure on the media, the captured part of the media became a tool of Russian propaganda and is being used to fracture public opinion about the war in Ukraine.

In Romania, journalists regularly face harassment for doing their job: investigative journalist Emilia Sercan was recently the victim of a kompromat operation, which started from a document leaked from the police, and last year, the investigative team of the Libertatea newspaper had to fight more than 30 court cases filed by a Bucharest mayor.

But we journalists are not powerless. Despite verbal attacks, smear campaigns, political and economic pressures, we continue to serve our readers across the region. We understand that every silenced journalist, every political attack, whichever country it happens in, concerns the whole journalistic community.

Journalism teaches us to step back and let the sources, facts, arguments and stories speak through our work. But World Press Freedom Day is an occasion on which we feel the need to make it clear that independent journalists are one of the last barriers protecting democratic societies from falling victim to autocracy. Autocrats without public control might eventually resort to war.

This op/ed is being jointly published by a network of independent media outlets in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia to mark World Press Freedom Day.
Law will come into effect in 2024.

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Slovakia will enjoy new construction legislation after almost 50 years. The parliament passed new laws authored by Deputy PM Stefan Holy (Sme Rodina). The country is in for a revolution in the construction permit process.

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"Not a correction, not an amendment, not some overcooked chewed-up thing. We've passed a completely new law, a modern one that reflects the needs of ordinary people," Holy says.

The path to passing the law was long and in many cases a source of controversy. What are the changes the law brings? Index economic magazine offers answers to some key questions.

When issuing building permits, municipalities carry out what is known as a transferred execution of state administration. This means they perform the roles originally falling on the states shoulders after the state has delegated the competencies to them. In return, municipalities are paid a per capita fee.

For most municipalities, this is a loss-making process, since the costs of running construction offices are higher than the income they receive from the permit fee. On the other hand, this arrangement allows municipalities to control the entire permission process and subsequently regulate construction and development.

Municipalities are thus responsible for the disproportionately long construction permit process. In some cases, investors needed to wait years to receive a permit. An extreme example is the Sputnik project in Bratislavas borough of Ruzinov, given a construction permit after 11 years.

The binding stances issued by the capital are another issue. Some developers have waited up to two years for the city authorities to issue a stance.

The competencies of municipalities in directing and controlling their own development have turned out to be problematic, too, with the recent examples being the Tatras, namely the municipalities of Jasna and Strbske Pleso. The pressure of developers there proved stronger than the conceptual development.

All concerned parties  the municipalities, the state, and developers  say change is needed. Mayors are often put in a tough position since they are supposed to approve construction, but local inhabitants pressure them into building as little as possible.

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During the law's introduction othe Sme Rodina politicians did not hold back on it being a tool to fulfil their pre-election promise of building 25,000 apartments a year.

"Now that the pandemic is over, it will be very important to restart the economy, and we can do this by building massively. Not only as a public sector in the form of infrastructure construction, but together with developers. Be it business centres or flats," said Sme Rodina Chairman Boris Kollar.

The law follows the idea that the whole permission process should be digital. Every resident should be able to acquire a permit via a smartphone. The law will simplify matters by significantly reducing the number of steps from 83 to 13. Another basic change will be the merger of land and construction proceedings. The entire process should be significantly simplified and accelerated.

Construction offices will be moved from the municipal to the state level. A centralized construction office will be created to cover the whole permission process. In addition, eight regional posts will be set up as well.

"Today, officials at construction offices are just writing long permits. Now they are supposed to spend more time out in the field. That is why we are giving more power the building inspection," deputy PM said in an interview with Index earlier this year.

In practice, granting a permit should be quicker and will not take months. Currently, one has to wait between six to twelve months just to construct a simple building. This will change to weeks. Holy has prepared what he calls a whip against bureaucrats via binding legal deadlines for them to process requests.

If they don't say anything, it will count as if they agree with the construction. That is, a permit can be granted in just six weeks. In case of more complex situations the process might take an extra month.

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Their role will be significantly reduced. They will be able to create their master plans, which would define what can be built on a particular land. At the same time, they will issue a statement with an assessment of whether a building is in line with the urban plan.

There will no longer be urban proceedings and designers will have an important role to play. They will be representatives of developers or builders who will incorporate the comments of the authorities into the projects. In other words, they will largely take over tasks that construction authorities were supposed to supervise.

Yes. It will no longer be possible for illegal buildings to be legalised.

"Under this law, it will not be possible to fool the system. If you happen to construct such a building, you will not be able to connect it to public networks or have it approved. The state will order the removal of such a building and will pay for it," Holy explained.

Analysts say yes. This was Holy's intention to begin with.

"The law should increase the availability of housing. That's a big problem today. Experts also agree that the high prices of unavailable apartments are the result of the lengthy permitting process. People will actually feel an increase of available flats and their affordability," Holy said at the beginning of the year.

Developers will have an easier time. The changes can bring about the acceleration of processes and much faster project implementation. The municipalities will lose some of their competency.

Residents may find themselves among both the winners and losers. On the one hand, the jumpstarting a construction can reduce rising prices and increase housing availability. On the other hand, reckless construction can affect the appearance of sites. In other words, rapid construction does not have to necessarily increase the quality of the environment.

The law was harshly criticized by the Association of Towns and Villages of Slovakia (ZMOS).

"For Ruzinov, but also for other city districts of Bratislava, this would mean they would completely lose control over construction in their territory. The city districts are stripped of all competencies related to construction. For the rest of the municipalities it would mean a drastic weakening of their competencies. An unelected civil servant could overturn their binding statement," Martin Chren, the mayor of Ruzinov, said in an interview with Index.

Neither did conservationists like the law. According to them employees will have to deal with agenda that was not theirs to begin with, like overseeing utilities, the number of parking spots, or connections.

Although the law was originally planned to come into effect from the beginning of next year, the deadline was eventually moved to April 1, 2024.

The whole idea is supposed to be based on a quality information system. However, its creation can be complicated, and the experience with state software so far has not been easy. However, Holy has spent months convincing everybody that there will not be any problem.

"The submission is being prepared in cooperation with Stanford University, one of the best in the world. We want them to create the technical basis. I expect them to provide us with a functional output. I cannot imagine any other, better solution," Holy said.

Sme
Slovakia improves its position in a press freedom index. Ukrainian military vehicles will be repaired in Moldava nad Bodvou.

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Good evening. The Tuesday, May 3 edition of Today in Slovakia is ready with the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Slovakias no to Russian energy sanctions

Economy Minister Richard Sulik. (Source: TASR)

Slovakia and Hungary refuse to back new sanctions targeted at Russias energy industry, which the European Union is putting together. A gradual embargo on Russian oil is being debated.

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Both countries, which neighbour Ukraine, say they are heavily dependent on Russian energy supplies, and they have no immediate replacements for them. Russian oil flows to Slovakia through the Druzhba oil pipeline.

It is not yet clear whether the new sanctions will in fact include Russian oil, or whether the two Central European countries will be allowed to refuse some of the sanctions. However, according to diplomats cited by Reuters, Slovakia and Hungary could be offered an exemption or longer transition period.

Slovakias Economy Minister Richard Sulik said that the only Slovak refinery, Slovnaft, could not switch from Russian oil to another type of oil overnight. He added that it would take several years.

So we will insist on the exemption, for sure, Sulik told the media, as quoted by the AP newswire.

Related: Slovakia could last until autumn without Russian gas. What are its options?

Energy: The number of solar energy consumers is increasing in Slovakia, the Population and Housing Census 2021.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you.

Ukrainian military vehicles to be repaired in Moldava

Local civilians walk past a tank destroyed during heavy fighting in an area controlled by Russian-backed separatist forces in Mariupol, Ukraine, on April 19, 2022. (Source: TASR/AP)

Konstrukta-Defence, a Slovak state enterprise, has struck a deal with Ukraine and will service the countrys armoured vehicles.

The Slovak Defence Ministry did not say how many vehicles would be repaired in Moldava nad Bodvou, where the firm repair centre is based.

Slovakia has thus joined the Czech Republic, which will repair Ukrainian tanks. Ukraine recently approached Bulgaria with a similar request as well.

Slovak Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad mentioned a commercial cooperation that could involve the servicing of Ukrainian military equipment by Slovak defence industry firms for the first time back in early April.

So far, the Slovak government has provided humanitarian and military assistance worth of 130 million, including an S-300 air defence system.

IN OTHER NEWS

Slovakia came 27th in the Reporters Without Borderss press freedom ranking , up by eight places. To mark World Press Freedom Day, independent media outlets in Central Europe published a statement. Read it here.

, up by eight places. To mark World Press Freedom Day, independent media outlets in Central Europe published a statement. Read it here. As many as 2,652 Ukrainian refugees arrived in Slovakia through the Slovak-Ukrainian border on May 2. A total of 450 refugees applied for temporary protection on that day.

arrived in Slovakia through the Slovak-Ukrainian border on May 2. A total of 450 refugees applied for temporary protection on that day. The Banska Bystrica Region, central Slovakia, has opened a Ukrainian-Slovak call centre for the refugees who want to settle in the region. A new website has been launched. Slovak language classes are available as well.

Slovan Bratislava ice-hockey players are celebrating their trophy on May 3, 2022, in the streets of Bratislava. (Source: TASR)

From May 4, Ukrainian refugees can apply for temporary protection only in four large-capacity centres in Michalovce, Zilina, Nitra and Bratislava. The Humenne centre will not provide this service for now.

in Michalovce, Zilina, Nitra and Bratislava. The Humenne centre will not provide this service for now. Slovakia reported 765 new Covid cases and seven Covid deaths on May 2. The number of hospitalised Covid patients fell to 662.

and seven Covid deaths on May 2. The number of hospitalised Covid patients fell to 662. The weather in Slovakia on Wednesday, May 4, will be partly cloudy. Showers and storms are expected in the north. The highest daily temperature will reach up to 21C in most places.

Feature story for Tuesday

How M. R. Stefanik moulded his legend

PM Igor Matovic (fifth from the left) laid a wreath on the memorial of Milan Rastislav Stefanik during his official visit to France on February 3. (Source: SITA)

Slovakia will mark the 103rd anniversary since the tragic death of General Milan Rastislav Stefanik, a Slovak statesman and astronomer who helped establish Czechoslovakia after the First World War.

Stefanik, who travelled the world and became a French citizen, died on May 4, 1919, in a plane crash.

Read the story from our archive on how Milan Rastislav Stefanik quickly learnt what it takes to triumph abroad.

More on Spectator.sk:

NEWS

NEWS Milder punishments for marijuana come in effect Read more

CULTURE

CULTURE Archaeologists uncover part of a Trnava barbican Read more

CULTURE

CULTURE Smola a Hrusky has released a song to celebrate one of Slovakia's national parks Read more

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine:

Both the Russian and Ukrainian militaries said more than 100 people were evacuated from the besieged city of Mariupol in Ukraine but differ on the exact number and other details.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry on Monday, 126 persons were evacuated from the Azovstal plant and adjacent houses in Mariupol over the past weekend.

However, Ukraine's military police said on Monday that more than 100 people evacuated from Mariupol arrived in the Ukrainian-controlled southern city of Zaporizhzhia.

- - - -

The head of the Ukrainian President's Office Andriy Yermak said that the end of the conflict and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory are Kiev's objectives at the peace talks with Russia, the presidential press service reported.

"For us, the fundamental things we are not ready to compromise on are our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity," Yermak was quoted as saying in an interview with CNN.

- - - -

Paying Russia for gas in roubles would breach the EU sanctions, the bloc's Energy Commissioner said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference following an extraordinary meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels, Kadri Simson said she told ministers that "paying in 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."

The meeting was held following a decision by Gazprom to suspend the gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, with Simson saying this "marks another turning point in the current crisis."

- - - -

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. 
KIEV, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country may put the issue of neutral status on a nationwide referendum, the Ukrinform news agency reported Tuesday.

If Russia's desire for Ukraine's neutral status is one of the provisions of the agreements on ending the conflict, "we are ready to consider this neutral status for Ukraine," Zelensky said.

However, the referendum would be possible only after Ukraine receives security guarantees from "specific countries," he added.

At the peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, Turkey in March, Kiev proposed to sign a new international treaty on security guarantees, which enshrines obligations for the guarantor countries to provide Ukraine with military assistance in the event of an attack.

In 2014, the Ukrainian parliament renounced Ukraine's "non-aligned" status with the aim of deepening cooperation with NATO. 
Oney Hall has been unstoppable in recent weeks in the Preferred ranks at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and it was more of the same in Mondays $36,000 edition of the tracks top trot.

Despite being parked to the quarter pole in :27, Oney Hall motored away from his foes in the lane en route to a fifth straight triumph for the tandem of driver Trevor Henry and trainer Bob McIntosh.

Henry hustled his charge to the lead from an assigned Post 7 starting spot, but the pair paid a hefty price to get there. Derf Hanover parked the favourite early before taking a back seat. Oney Hall went on to slice out middle panels of :55.4 and 1:24.4 before kicking home in :27.4 to win by 2-1/2 lengths over a hard-charging Spartan General. Patriarch Hanover slid up the pylons to grab the show dough in the 1:52.3 affair.

Alan Leavitt of Lexington, KY owns the six-year-old son of Deweycheatumnhowe-On With The Show who improved his seasonal record to 5-0-2 from nine trips to the track. The 25-time winner pushed his lifetime earnings over $400,000 with the victory.

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results  Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The No. 1 ranked safety project in the VDOT Culpeper District when approved three years ago for $6.2 million in SmartScale funding, the anticipated roundabout at McDevitt Drive and Route 3 in the Town of Culpeper is not slated to be in place for at least another three years.

The public has until May 9 to submit comments on the project at the high-crash location that will dramatically, with an emphasis on safety, reconstruct a gateway to town leading to the community college, world bank and data centers.

VDOT Culpeper District Headquarters opened its auditorium last Thursday night for two hours to answer questions and take feedback from the public about the planned roundabout and to hear from local government officials.

In its current configuration, it can be almost impossible at peak times to make a left onto Route 3 from the stop sign on McDevitt Drive at the intersection. Its also precarious to try and make a left onto McDevitt from Route 3 at a junction that has seen dozens of rear-end collisions in that scenario.

Roundabouts, increasingly installed by VDOT around the state, are designed to remove conflicts that arise from left-turn movements at traditional stop-controlled intersections.

The accident rate at the Culpeper intersection has been high for years, yet the state-controlled project still remains years away.

There were 25 crashes at the location from 2016-2020 with 19 resulting in injury, according to VDOT data.

From 2012 to 2016, there were 22 vehicle crashes within 300-feet of the McDevitt Drive/Route 3 intersection and 21 crashes at the intersection, resulting in 15 injuries, VDOT said.

The most common cause (14 times) was a vehicle trying to turn left from McDevitt Drive onto Route 3, according to data provided by the state transportation department back in 2019 when the project got approved for full funding through competitive SmartScale.

Average daily trips through the spot are more than 8,500 on Route 3 and more than 5,000 from McDevitt, according to VDOT.

Roundabouts, though unpopular with some motorists, reduce crash frequency by about 80 percent as well as crash severity. But progress has been slow on the Culpeper project.

The Culpeper District residency engineer told the Board of Supervisors in 2019, prior to COVID, preliminary engineering on the McDevitt Drive/Route 3 project would begin in the near future. He projected the traffic improvement would be in place by late fall 2023, the engineer told local officials then.

Culpeper Town Council, as early as 2018, along with the county board, supported a roundabout at that location due to the frequency of accidents.

But per the current timeline, subject to change, right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation at the intersection is slated to occur in the spring of 2023, the project put out to bid in fall of 2024 and construction completed by winter 2026.

A VDOT spokeswoman did not immediately reply to a request asking why the project has been so delayed.

The Town of Culpeper has several roundabouts already, including the large, two-lane circle at North Main Street, which opened in 2014, connecting Route 29, 15 and 229, and replacing several traffic lights at the location.

Theres another roundabout connecting nearby Col. Jameson Blvd. to Old Rixeyville Road and at the end of boulevard to Sperryville Pike.

The Star-Exponent is waiting to hear back from town police and VDOT about accident data prior to and since installation of the North Main Street roundabout.

The town is in the process of putting out to bid another roundabout at the intersection of Blue Ridge Avenue and Evans Street, near Yowell Meadow Park, another place where its hard to make left turns at certain times.

VDOT engineer Jonathan Stowe, at Thursdays public hearing in the Culpeper District auditorium, stood over blueprints for the McDevitt roundabout, saying its geometry was carefully crafted to slow things downmotorists going 45 miles per hour on Route 3, coming from town, to 25 miles per hour and lower inside the roundabout. He said it was ideal location for a circle.

This layout is the safest intersection you can build, Stowe said, calling it a simpler design. I really like this because unless traffic is heavy, (you) just find a gap, the VDOT engineer of said of yielding to traffic inside the circle.

VDOT engineer Mike Jacobs said the project was scored for funding based on the safety factor, stating it continues to be problematic for rear-end crashes of vehicles trying to turn left onto McDevitt from Route 3. The problem has not gone away, he said.

The project will include new sidewalks from the MinuteMan Mini Mall on Route 3 connecting around the corner to existing sidewalks at SWIFT.

Former project manager John Rose, with VDOT, said its an overall good project that will help with safety and congestion in the PM peak.

It will allow people to move more smoothly, he said.

At Thursdays open house, people could record public comments about the project, fill out a survey or email comments.

Written comments may be submitted by mail to Justin Cooner, Project Manager, 1601 Orange Rd., Culpeper, VA 22701 or Justin.Cooner@VDOT.Virginia.gov.

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The off-duty Virginia State Police officer who drowned over the weekend in Spotsylvania County has been identified as 41-year-old Nicholas Koslicki.

Koslicki, who was promoted to sergeant last year, drowned in Hunting Run Reservoir following a boating accident, according to information provided by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Koslicki was in a canoe with two other people Saturday when the boat capsized, according to the state agency that is heading the investigation. The other canoe occupants were able to make it to shore, but Koslicki did not.

His body was recovered Sunday following a lengthy search. Koslicki, a former Marine, joined the state police in 2006 and spent a number of years patrolling the Fredericksburg area.

State Police Col. Gary Settle released an email expressing sorrow and urging others to keep Koslickis family and other state police personnel in their thoughts and prayers.
by Yosley Carrero

HAVANA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Deniersi Rodriguez, who works as a safeguard in the seaside resort of Varadero, is aware that some meters of the shoreline may be swallowed up by the sea in the coming decades due to climate change impacts.

"We need to adapt to the new circumstances and continue reinventing the beach," he said.

The Cuban government seeks to promote sustainable tourism amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate change impacts, and the tightening of the U.S.-led commercial and financial embargo on the island.

"We reaffirm our strong commitment to the guidelines of the UN 2030 Agenda," Cuba's Tourism Minister Juan Carlos Garcia said at a sustainable development event in Varadero ahead of the 40th edition of Cuba's International Tourism Fair starting Tuesday.

"Resilience and environmental protection are essential for tourist destinations," he added.

At present, Cuba adopts measures to increase the use of renewable energy sources in the tourism sector while reducing plastic pollution and improving water management in the island's tourist destinations.

Elba Rosa Perez, Cuban Minister of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA), said that addressing coastal erosion, building resilient hotel facilities, and protecting biodiversity were also paramount priorities for the government.

"The contribution of the tourism sector has been strategic for the economic and social development of the country in keeping with the environment protection principles," she said.

Since 2017, the Cuban authorities has been implementing a governmental plan aimed at tackling climate change impacts in the Caribbean nation.

According to CITMA, up to 10 percent of Cuban territory could be submerged by the end of the century due to the sea-level rise.

Cuba's top meteorologist Jose Rubiera said that more active hurricane seasons are projected for years to come in the Caribbean.

"The likelihood of coastal floods will increase, that's the reason why tourism authorities must pay particular attention to risk management," he said.

The Cuban government has forecast a 4 percent economic growth by the end of the year with the arrival of nearly 2.5 million tourists.

Rodolfo Sabonge, secretary-general of the Association of Caribbean States said that a resilient tourism industry was required to better address the impact of natural disasters in the region.

"Climate change is one of the major changes for the regional tourism industry," he said. " Sustainable development is no longer a choice, but an urgent need." 
A Scottsbluff-based banking company has filed an amended formal complaint to the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) against telecommunications companies for repeated service outages.

Platte Valley Financial Services Companies Inc., the holding company of Platte Valley Bank, filed the complaint on Dec. 15, 2021. Respondents include United Telephone Company of the West d/b/a CenturyLink, CenturyLink Communications, LLC and Qwest Corporation d/b/a CenturyLink QC.

The complaint states that the three telecommunications companies failed to provide adequate access of quality communications services to Platte Valley Bank on several occasions.

According to the complaint, the companies did not deliver communication services for extended periods of time in 2020. These service outages included a three-day outage from May 6-9, a 38-hour lapse from May 25-26 and an eight-day service outage from Sept. 1-9.

The complaint describes this as a repeated pattern of violating the Nebraska Telecommunications Regulation Act.

The complaint requested the PSC enter an order for a variety of changes. These include making the telecommunications companies refund Platte Valley for all charges billed for days during periods where services outages occurred for more than a day.

The complaint also requested the respondents provide adequate services as soon as deemed feasible and that the respondents distributions from the Nebraska Telecommunications Universal Service Fund for the affected exchanges be withheld.

It also requests the Commission assess CenturyLink a penalty of up to $10,000 for each day they are deemed to have violated any state laws, terms of their authority or rules of the PSC.

Furthermore, it requests the respondents waive any early cancellation fees imposed on Platte Valley Financial Services Companies and for a public hearing to be held in Scotts Bluff County.

An oral argument for the complaint is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3 at 9 a.m. Mountain Time. It will take place in the Commission Hearing Room in Lincoln. Members of the public can watch the proceedings by going to psc.nebraska.gov/stream. The virtual room for all public events opens 15 to 20 minutes before the events start.

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A Longview man pleaded not guilty in Cowlitz County Superior Court to allegedly starting a fight on someone's property and sexually abusing a woman.

Alberto Vasquez Valencia, 21, was released on a $7,500 bond April 13 and his trial is scheduled for July 12. He is charged with the felonies of third-degree rape and third-degree assault involving a law enforcement officer, as well as the misdemeanors of second-degree criminal trespass and two counts of fourth-degree assault.

Valencia was arrested April 10 after Longview officers responded to a report of Valencia trying to fight people on someone's lawn in the 900 block of 33rd Avenue, according to police records. The owner of the property allegedly told police Valencia damaged his fence to enter the property.

A woman told a responding officer Valencia touched her genitals without consent while at a party next door, the document states.

The report says Valencia spit on a jail officer once he was booked.

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Product listing page display for control and treatment groups. The figure presents a product, as displayed on the retailers listing page. a, Users in the control treatment view the products name and code, its price, information on any promotion active on the product and its energy class through a symbol that reminds them of the visualization adopted in the EU energy label. b,c, Users in the 1-year (b) and 15-year (c) treatments view, in addition, a sentence reporting the yearly (b) or lifetime (c) energy cost of the product, respectively. Credit: Nature Energy (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-022-01002-z

To guide consumers in their choice of electrical appliances and devices, over a decade ago the European Union introduced an energy efficiency labeling scheme. This scheme gives potential buyers an idea of much electrical energy is consumed by different devices, so that they can make more informed choices.

While energy efficiency labels can be quite informative, they are based on several different attributes, which are not all linked to the running costs of products. In other words, they provide a general idea of how energy efficient a device is, but do not tell consumers how much it would weigh on their monthly electricity bills compared to other devices.

Researchers at University of Milan, the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), and Peking University have recently carried out a study investigating whether the addition of accurate energy cost information to EU energy labels could impact consumer choices. Their findings, outlined in a paper published in Nature Energy, suggest that this cost-related information is of interest to consumers and its addition could actually impact their appliance purchases.

"Our recent paper is part of a stream of research funded by an ERC starting grant won by Massimo Tavoni on behavioral drivers of energy efficient choices," Giovanna d'Adda, one of the researchers who carried out the study told TechXplore. "A general theme of the project is how the provision of information can overcome the behavioral barriers to energy conservation behaviors and investments in energy efficiency."

In a previous paper published in Nature Energy, Tavoni, d'Adda Gao, and their colleagues specifically examined human behaviors that can promote greater energy efficiency. While they were reflecting on customers' choices of appliances based on energy efficiency, they highlighted the lack of salient and accurate energy cost information, which is not effectively conveyed by standard EU energy labels.

"We exploited a collaboration with an Italian online retailer to conduct a field experiment," d'Adda explained. "Users of the website who were searching for a refrigerator were randomly assigned to either view the energy cost information (either yearly or lifetime, also randomly) in addition to the standard energy label, or just the standard energy label. We used website navigation and purchase data from the retailer to evaluate whether users assigned to view the energy cost information searched for and purchased different products, by comparing the behavior of these randomly selected groups."

The simple consumer test carried out by d'Adda and her colleagues involved 126,614 people who were purchasing a new refrigerator. Approximately half of these consumers were only provided with the standard EU energy label, while the other half were also given information about the yearly or lifetime energy cost for all the products they were choosing between.

Interestingly, the researchers found that adding this simple and accurate energy cost information significantly affected the consumers' choices. In other words, many people who were also made aware of the appliances yearly or lifetime energy costs made different choices than those who only had access to the EU energy labels, preferring devices with lower energy costs.

"Consumers want to minimize the total cost of the appliances that they buy, which includes both the price and the lifetime energy cost," d'Adda said. "Adding energy cost information to the standard EU label helps consumers achieve this goal. However, the economic savings come at a cost in terms of the time spent searching for the additional information, which requires effort to be processed, so search time increases for consumers assigned to view it. So, the welfare implications of our information treatment are not clear yet."

Overall, the recent study by this team of researchers suggests that EU energy efficiency labels alone might not be enough to effectively guide consumers in their choice of new appliances. In the future, it could thus inspire policy makers wishing to encourage consumers to purchase appliances with a lower absolute levels of energy consumption to also introduce energy cost-related labels. This could be particularly useful in today's global landscape, which is marked by rising energy prices.

"In our next studies, we would like to further explore how contextual features, such as the salience of energy prices or of climate change, affect the impact of information aimed at encouraging energy efficiency," d'Adda added. "In addition, we are interested both in the direct effects of information on targeted behaviors, and in the indirect ones on other related pro-environmental actions."

Explore further Lower energy bills lead to higher energy demand

More information: Giovanna d'Adda et al, A randomized trial of energy cost information provision alongside energy-efficiency classes for refrigerator purchases, Nature Energy (2022). Journal information: Nature Energy Giovanna d'Adda et al, A randomized trial of energy cost information provision alongside energy-efficiency classes for refrigerator purchases,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-022-01002-z

 2022 Science X Network
Credit: Imperial College London

Cheap, reliable audio recorders developed at Imperial have been used to reliably identify birds by their songs in a large trial in Norwegian forests.

The researchers are exploring whether we can build up an accurate picture of the makeup of life in forests and other ecosystems using such audio devices, recording continuously.

The trial used 41 audio loggers across Norway and showed that these can identify 22 bird species with 100% accuracy from their songs, and a further 10 with more than 70% accuracy.

The audio logging system, called Bugg, comprises physical audio recorders that continuously record sound and upload it to a cloud service via mobile SIM cards. Artificial intelligence in the cloud then analyzes the sound recordings in real time to extract individual bird songs and identify the species, as well as analyzing the soundscape as a whole.

Analyzing soundscapes in this way can make monitoring of life in the forest more cost-effective and produce better measurements of ecological status, providing a more comprehensive picture of the state of nature.

Successful test

A prototype version of Bugg was tested in 2019 in the SAFE project in Borneo, where it tracked the soundscapes of forests with different degrees of disruption by logging. Since then, the team has been improving the hardware and software to make a more robust and reliable version, and the tests in Norway represent the first successful deployment of the technology at scale.

Dr. Sarab Sethi, who led the development of Bugg while at the Department of Mathematics at Imperial, said, "By placing audio loggers from the top to the bottom of Norwayat a range of altitudes and latitudeswe can get data across a gradient of environments. With continued data gathering, we can start to answer larger questionssuch as how climate change is affecting these ecosystems."

The Bugg team collaborated with NINA, a research research institute working for the Norwegian Environment Agency, to trial the Bugg system. From 41 audio loggers, they recorded nearly 60,000 hours of data.

The bird songs were identified using the BirdNET model and checked by a Norwegian ornithologist. As well as identifying individual bird species, the results also show that analyzing soundscapes can characterize differences between forest and semi-natural land, as well as differences throughout a season.

The team also created a Twitter bot that tweets the live sounds of birds across the Norway monitoring project. Each tweet also has a poll in the response asking people to verify whether the automatically identified bird was actually correct. The team hope that with enough of this data they will be able to improve their models going forward.

Installing a solar panel to power Bugg devices. Credit: Imperial College London

Research around the world

Following the successful trial, the team are now working with NINA to integrate the audio data into other surveys to improve the coverage. One survey is TOVe, in which volunteers throughout the country record birds arriving in the breeding season.

However, as this relies on people, it is only conducted once a year at a specific time, when most breeding birds have likely arrived. This could mean some are not countedeither they have arrived early and are no longer singing, or will be arriving later. With Bugg, the period of time can be extended, capturing a more precise picture of breeding birds.

As well as working with other projects, such as deploying Bugg on a coffee farm in Mexico, the team have made the designs for the hardware open source, so anyone can build audio loggers for themselves. They also plan to make the software open to all, so it can be used as a research tool by projects around the world.

Explore further Bird recognition
Credit: Imperial College London

A new approach to battery design could provide the key to low-cost, long-term energy storage, according to Imperial College London researchers.

The team of engineers and chemists have created a polysulfide-air redox flow battery (PSA RFB) with not one, but two membranes. The dual membrane design overcomes the main problems with this type of large-scale battery, opening up its potential to store excess energy from, for example, renewable sources such as wind and solar. The research is published in Nature Communications.

In redox flow batteries, energy is stored in liquid electrolytes which flow through the cells during charge and discharge, enabled through chemical reactions. The amount of energy stored is determined by the volume of the electrolyte, making the design potentially easy to scale up. However, the electrolyte used in conventional redox flow batteriesvanadiumis expensive and primarily sourced from either China or Russia.

The Imperial team, led by Professors Nigel Brandon and Anthony Kucernak, have been working on alternatives that use lower cost materials which are widely available. Their approach uses a liquid as one electrolyte and a gas as the otherin this case polysulfide (sulfur dissolved in an alkaline solution) and air. However, the performance of polysulfide-air batteries is limited because no membrane could fully enable the chemical reactions to take place while still preventing polysulfide crossing over into the other part of the cell.

Dr. Mengzheng Ouyang, from Imperial's Department of Earth Science and Engineering, explained: "If the polysulfide crosses over into the air side, then you lose material from one side, which reduces the reaction taking place there and inhibits the activity of the catalyst on the other. This reduces the performance of the batteryso it was a problem we needed to solve."

The alternative devised by the researchers was to use two membranes to separate the polysulfide and the air, with a solution of sodium hydroxide between them. The advantage of the design is that all materials, including the membranes, are relatively cheap and widely available, and that the design provides far more choice in the materials that can be used.

When compared with the best results obtained to date from a polysulfide-air redox flow battery, the new design was able to provide significantly more power, up to 5.8 milliwatts per centimeter squared.

As cost is a critical factor for long-term and large-scale storage, the team also carried out a cost analysis. They calculated the energy costthe price of the storage materials in relation to the amount of energy storedto be around $2.5 per kilowatt hour.

The power costthe rate of charge and discharge achieved in relation to the price of the membranes and catalysts in the cellwas found to be around $1600 per kilowatt. This is currently higher than would be feasible for large-scale energy storage, but the team believe further improvements are readily achievable.

Professor Nigel Brandon, who is also dean of the Faculty of Engineering, said: "Our dual-membrane approach is very exciting as it opens up many new possibilities, for both this and other batteries. To make this cost effective for large-scale storage, a relatively modest improvement in performance would be required, which could be achieved by changes to the catalyst to increase its activity or by further improvements in the membranes used."

Work in this area is already underway within the team, through the catalyst expertise of Professor Anthony Kucernak, from the Department of Chemistry, and research into membrane technology by Dr. Qilei Song from the Department of Chemical Engineering.

The spin-out company RFC Power Ltd, established to develop long-duration storage of renewable energy based on the team's research, is set to commercialize this new design should the improvements be made.

CEO of RFC Power Ltd, Tim Von Werne, said: "There is a pressing need for new ways to store renewable energy over days, weeks or even months at a reasonable cost. This research shows a way to make that possible through improved performance and low-cost materials."

Explore further Membrane design prevents crossover in polysulfide redox flow batteries

More information: Yuhua Xia et al, A cost-effective alkaline polysulfide-air redox flow battery enabled by a dual-membrane cell architecture, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Yuhua Xia et al, A cost-effective alkaline polysulfide-air redox flow battery enabled by a dual-membrane cell architecture,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30044-w
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP)  A president has been named for the newly established Vermont State University, which consolidates three state institutions, the Vermont State College System board announced Monday.

Parwinder Grewal most recently served in leadership roles at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, a new university created through the merger of three institutions, the Vermont college system said. He has accepted the position effective July 1, officials said.

Vermont State University  comprised of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College  will welcome its first class in the fall of 2023. Consolidation talks started in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, as increasing costs and declining student enrollment exacerbated the college systems financial challenges.

Grewal has also served as department head of entomology and plant pathology at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and as a distinguished professor of entomology at Ohio State University, the college system said. At Ohio State, he was the founding director of the Center for Urban Environment and Economic Development and of the Urban Landscape Ecology Program.

We are excited for Parwinder Grewal to chart this new path for higher education in Vermont, Sophie Zdatny, chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System, said in a statement. Dr. Grewal brings a passion for engaging students, a commitment to strong relationships with faculty and staff, and robust experience building university-community partnerships to Vermont State University."

Grewal has a bachelor's degree in agriculture and a master's degree in plant pathology from Punjab Agricultural University in India, and a doctorate in zoology from Imperial College London.

He will also serve as president of Castleton and Northern Vermont universities as well as Vermont Technical College for the 2022-2023 academic year as they transition to Vermont State University, which will officially launch as a unified, singly accredited institution in July of 2023, officials said.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
First responders and public safety experts assembled on Monday on the Texas A&M University campus to participate in Public Safety Interoperability Institute 2022  or Interop22  hosted by the Texas A&M Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center.

Interop22 is a communication-focused event aimed at examining challenges to information sharing and best practices and technologies when responding to a disaster. The weeklong event is happening at Disaster City, A&Ms 60-acre emergency response training facility. The institute features a workshop, exercises and a technology expo that will continue through Friday. This is the seventh year the Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center has hosted the institute.

Walt Magnussen, director of the center, said thought leaders from the public safety industry will discuss a variety of issues during the workshops.

Joan Quintana, associate director, said three scenarios will be presented on Wednesday: a hurricane with loss of commercial communications, an active shooter situation and a local flood. The Brazos County Sheriffs Office, Texas A&M University Police, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard will be participating in the exercises, Quintana said.

For first responders, it gives them an opportunity to interact with new technology and sort of be exposed to whats coming, and to have a say in how a certain particular system of technology works, Quintana said. The players on the technology side, the vendors, theyre developing the solutions that can actually work. So theres a benefit to the vendors for being part of the exercise, and theres benefits to the first responders because they get some influence on the design.

Quintana said the Defense Information Security Agency and the Department of Justice are attending this year. The American Red Cross also has a presence at this years institute.

Thats new and very important, because the American Red Cross, every single time theres a disaster, they show up, Quintana said. And were focused on information sharing, and they have information that responders need and responders have information that they need.

AJ Renold, executive director of the American Red Cross Heart of Texas chapter, said the chapters new partnership with the institute speaks to the need to communicate and be present during disaster exercises.

In the disaster world its all about preparing, responding and then helping to recover, and Red Cross is right at the table with that, Renold said. The more we can practice and know each other, the better we can operate during a disaster.

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Evangelist Alveda King: Dobbs 'Leak' - An Unhelpful Distraction

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Alveda King Ministries

May 3, 2022



ATLANTA, May 3, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by evangelist Alveda King, she is available for comment:

About Alveda King:

Dr. Alveda C. King is from Atlanta, Georgia, and serves as the Chair of the Center for the American Dream at AFPI. She is the daughter of the late slain civil rights activist Rev. A.D. King and the niece of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King is the founder of Speak for Life, fighting for the sanctity and dignity of all life  from the womb to the tomb. She currently serves as a FoxNews contributor and host of the FoxNation show "Alveda King's House." Dr. King is a former college professor, served in the Georgia State House of Representatives, is a former presidential appointee, and 2021 recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.



SOURCE Alveda King Ministries



CONTACT: Brian Mayes, 615-771-2040, brian@nashvillepublicity.com


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An automobile shredding operation in Franklin County allowed wastewater to leak from its landfill, according to an enforcement action taken by environmental regulators.

OmniSource will pay a $28,245 fine under an agreement with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Problems at the business on U.S. 220 south of Rocky Mount have been corrected, and there was no documentation of lasting environmental harm.

A consent order posted to DEQs website states that fluff waste  fabrics, plastics, foam, rubber, and leather that was removed from the interiors of the junked vehicles before they were shredded  was dumped into an adjacent landfill.

In January 2019, an unannounced inspection by the agency found that recent heavy rains had caused seepage and ponding of leachate, or water that has percolated through solids buried in a landfill and may contain hazardous materials.

Although the leachate had not been captured by the landfills drainage system, there was no evidence that it reached a nearby stream, an unnamed tributary of the South Fork of Little Chestnut Creek, according to DEQ.

The inspection found that runoff control systems were not properly maintained.

Efforts to reach OmniSource officials were unsuccessful last week.

It was at least the second time in recent years that the business has encountered problems with its landfill. A DEQ inspection in 2014 found that leachate was overflowing from concrete tanks and seeping from a pipe used to collect the wastewater.

OmniSource agreed to pay a $13,000 fine in that case.
Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed a new variant of the AvosLocker ransomware that disables antivirus solutions to evade detection after breaching target networks by taking advantage of unpatched security flaws.

"This is the first sample we observed from the U.S. with the capability to disable a defense solution using a legitimate Avast Anti-Rootkit Driver file (asWarPot.sys)," Trend Micro researchers, Christoper Ordonez and Alvin Nieto, said in a Monday analysis.

"In addition, the ransomware is also capable of scanning multiple endpoints for the Log4j vulnerability (Log4shell) using Nmap NSE script."

AvosLocker, one of the newer ransomware families to fill the vacuum left by REvil, has been linked to a number of attacks that targeted critical infrastructure in the U.S., including financial services and government facilities.

A ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) affiliate-based group first spotted in July 2021, AvosLocker goes beyond double extortion by auctioning data stolen from victims should the targeted entities refuse to pay the ransom.

Other targeted victims claimed by the ransomware cartel are said to be located in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, the U.A.E., the U.K., Canada, China, and Taiwan, according to an advisory released by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in March 2022.

Telemetry data gathered by Trend Micro shows that the food and beverage sector was the most hit industry between July 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022, followed by technology, finance, telecom, and media verticals.

The entry point for the attack is believed to have been facilitated by leveraging an exploit for a remote code execution flaw in Zoho's ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus software (CVE-2021-40539) to run an HTML application (HTA) hosted on a remote server.

"The HTA executed an obfuscated PowerShell script that contains a shellcode, capable of connecting back to the [command-and-control] server to execute arbitrary commands," the researchers explained.

This includes retrieving an ASPX web shell from the server as well as an installer for the AnyDesk remote desktop software, the latter of which is used to deploy additional tools to scan the local network, terminate security software, and drop the ransomware payload.

Some of the components copied to the infected endpoint are a Nmap script to scan the network for the Log4Shell remote code execution flaw (CVE-2021-44228) and a mass deployment tool called PDQ to deliver a malicious batch script to multiple endpoints.

The batch script, for its part, is equipped with a wide range of capabilities that allows it to disable Windows Update, Windows Defender, and Windows Error Recovery, in addition to preventing safe boot execution of security products, creating a new admin account, and launching the ransomware binary.

Also used is aswArPot.sys, a legitimate Avast anti-rootkit driver, to kill processes associated with different security solutions by weaponizing a now-fixed vulnerability in the driver the Czech company resolved in June 2021.

"The decision to choose the specific rootkit driver file is for its capability to execute in kernel mode (therefore operating at a high privilege)," the researchers pointed out. "This variant is also capable of modifying other details of the installed security solutions, such as disabling the legal notice."
After eight years in the Legislature, Brett Lindstrom believes he is the gubernatorial candidate who, if elected, will be able to hit the ground running.

Lindstrom, who visited Grand Island Monday, said he has had more than 60 personally sponsored bills passed in the Nebraska Legislature. His time in government provides a significant difference between himself and his two main competitors, he said. Experience, I think, matters.

Odds are that whichever Republican wins the May 10 primary will most likely be the governor, he said.

Although he wont take his foot off the gas in campaigning, a primary win would allow him to start working on agenda items, he said.

Lindstrom, 41, agrees that hes in a dead heat with fellow candidates Charles Herbster and Jim Pillen. But he feels hes picking up speed. I could tell about seven or eight weeks ago that momentum had started to move our way.

Still, the race is close. Well see what happens on that last day. But I feel really good about where were at, he said.

Well just keep doing what were doing, he said.

By that, he means staying positive and traveling. Since July 15, hes been to all 93 Nebraska counties and 150 communities.

The Omaha man feels his positive message is resonating. Hes focused on issues that I think matter to people, such as taxation, broadband, housing and child care. Hard work has also helped, he said.

Another factor is that the other guys (are) kind of going at each other on TV. People appreciate that he hasnt gone negative, he said.

In the last 10 days, he said, close to $1 million has been spent in Nebraska by two nonprofit organizations that are known in the political world as C-4s. Those entities, which are allowed to become involved in politics, operate as IRC 501(c)(4) organizations.

Its a way for people to run the negative hit ads without actually having their name attached to it, Lindstrom said.

Some of the ads refer to Lindstrom as a RINO, which stands for Republican In Name Only.

How does Lindstrom react to being called a liberal Republican?

In the Legislature, we just passed the largest tax cut in the history of Nebraska. So if theyre hammering me on the tax increase side, I just got that done, which is well north of a billion dollars once its phased in, he said.

He authored a bill that reduces state taxes on Social Security income. Hes been endorsed by Nebraska Right to Life and received an A rating from the National Rifle Association, he said.

In his time in the Legislature, he cast thousands of votes. Its easy for opponents to tell half-truths about his record, he said. Issues are more complicated than the TV ads imply, he said. He believes his record speaks for itself, and said he doesnt get bogged down in the negative things.

Someone wrote on Facebook that Sen. Lindstroms as much of a RINO as I am Santa Claus, Lindstrom said.

Some of Lindstroms conservative opponents have criticized his support for medical cannabis. He said hes talked to mothers of epileptic children and veterans who say cannabis helps them cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. He also said cannabis could lessen the opioid crisis, in addressing reliance on narcotics for pain medication.

Lindstrom believes that if medical cannabis gets on the Nebraska ballot, voters will approve it.

I dont want a free-for-all, of course, he said. He believes theres a way to structure the system properly, as the state did with gambling. After voters approved casino gaming, the Unicameral was able to pass legislation that tailors it to meet the needs of Nebraskans in a responsible way, he said.

He believes the same thing could be done with medical marijuana.

One nice thing Nebraska does is move slowly on difficult issues, seeing what works and what doesnt work in other states, he said. Then we get to take the best of what other states have already done.

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Extreme drought conditions continue in portions of Central Nebraska. But, rains in the last week has brought some relief to the area.

The National Drought Monitor, as of April 28, had all of Sherman, Valley, Howard and Greeley County and parts of Hall County under extreme drought condition. Since that last drought listing, though, many of those areas have received more than an inch of rain.

For example, as of 3 p.m. Monday, Grand Island had received 1.55 inches of precipitation since April 29. Prior to that date in April and March, Grand Islands precipitation was 1.55 inches. Since September of 2021 through the end of April, Grand Island had received 7.43 inches of precipitation.

But many of those central communities hit hard by drought still have a large deficit to make up before recovering from the ongoing drought.

According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, from March 1-April 28, Ord was 3.86 inches of precipitation below its 30-year average. Greeley was 3.51 inches below its 30-year average during that time period. North Loup was 3.68 inches.

The impact of the ongoing drought is evident in a recent USDA report.

On Monday, the USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that, as of May 1, topsoil moisture supplies, statewide, rated 31% very short, 32% short, 35% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Subsoil moisture supplies, statewide, rated 34% very short, 44% short, 22% adequate, and 0% surplus.

The report said that corn planted, statewide, was 28%, behind 37% last year and 34% for the five-year average. Emerged was 1%, near 2% last year and 3% average.

Soybeans planted, statewide, was 19%, near 18% last year, and ahead of 14% average.

Winter wheat condition, statewide, rated 18% very poor, 21% poor, 36% fair, 24% good, and 1% excellent.

Oats planted was 88%, near 91% last year, but ahead of 79% average. Emerged was 48%, well behind 68% last year, but near 47% average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 47% very poor, 26% poor, 21%fair, 6% good, and 0% excellent.

May is Grand Islands wettest month of the year. Since 2000, the May average precipitation has been 4.76 inches. The months of May through August, during the last 22 years, has produced an average of 14.67 inches of Grand Islands annual precipitation of 26.26 inches.

With May off to a wet start, Grand Islands forecast for the remainder of the week shows chances of showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday and again Saturday and Sunday.

Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide an overview of USDA drought assistance programs during a webinar scheduled for Thursday, May 12.

The webinar is part of the University of Nebraska-Lincolns Center for Agricultural Profitability webinar series devoted to topics for farm and ranch management, profitability, economics and farm survival. It will begin at 12 p.m. CT, and those interested in participating can register at http://cap.unl.edu/webinars.

Nebraska FSA Price Support, Conservation and Environmental Programs Chief Pat Lechner and Nebraska NRCS Outreach Coordinator Brach Johnson will provide an overview of USDA drought assistance programs. The webinar will be moderated by Brad Lubben, UNL associate professor and Extension policy specialist. Randy Saner, UNL beef systems Extension educator, also will present during the webinar.

FSA county offices already are busy implementing drought assistance programs such as the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, said Nebraska FSA State Executive Director John Berge. This and other programs available through both FSA and NRCS are designed to help producers mitigate some of the impact of extreme, adverse weather.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in the webinar should contact the Nebraska FSA State Office at (402) 437-5581 or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339, or email bobbie.krizwickham@usda.gov by Monday, May 9.
YORK  Current voter registration numbers for York County show a slight decline in the total number of people are registered to vote compared to the total right before the 2020 General Election.

And more than a handful of York County voters have registered as members of the Legalize Marijuana NOW party, which did not officially exist back in 2020.

In late October, 2020, there were 9,904 total registered voters in the county. Currently, according to the Nebraska Secretary of States office, there are 9,874 total registered voters in York County.

In 2020, at that time, of the registered voters in the county, 6,546 were Republicans. Currently, there are 6,533 registered Republicans here. That is a 13-person decrease.

In 2020, at that time, there were 1,645 registered Democrats in York County, Right now, there are 1,572. That is a decrease of 73 people.

Two years ago, there were 100 registered Libertarians in York County. That number is now 109, which is an increase of nine people.

In 2020, 1,613 people were registered as non-partisan. That number has increased by 33 people, bringing the non-partisan number to 1,646.

And there are now 14 York County residents registered with the Legalize Marijuana NOW party  14 more than two years ago because, again, this particular party was not formally recognized at that time.
YORK  The driver of a van who rolled his vehicle in the middle of the night on Interstate 80, in York County, has been charged with felony DUI and hes pleaded not guilty in York County District Court.

Albert Woods, Jr., 45, of Omaha, appeared for arraignment in York County District Court this past week. He pleaded not guilty to third offense driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level of more than .15, a Class 3A felony; driving under suspension, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and willful reckless driving, first offense, a Class 3 misdemeanor.

According to court documents, deputies with the York County Sheriffs Department were dispatched on April 1, at 2:23 a.m., on the report of a dark-colored minivan and its driver who was speeding and driving all over the roadway near the Goehner exit. Then a second reporting party reported the same vehicle, saying the driver was unable to maintain a lane. And moments later, York County Communications received three different calls from drivers who said the driver of the dark colored SUV tried to get between two semi trucks, lost control and rolled into a nearby field near mile marker 345, which is between the Henderson and Bradshaw exits.

YSO deputies and a sergeant with the Nebraska State Patrol responded to the calls and found the incident scene. The deputy says in his court affidavit that upon arrival, he saw a vehicle parked on the shoulder of the westbound lanes with its hazard lights on, and a second vehicle  a black GMC Envoy  was sitting upright in a bean field south of the eastbound lanes of travel.

The driver on the shoulder was a witness who had called 911 earlier. That driver told law enforcement he went over to check on the driver of the other vehicle and he thought the driver appeared to be drunk.

The deputy says in the affidavit that Woods was seated in the drivers seat of the running vehicle. The deputy said he could smell the odors of alcohol and marijuana. He said Woods appeared to be impaired and Woods allegedly admitted to also using Percocet.

A check of his records showed Woods drivers license was suspended with a license pickup order due to an insurance cancellation.

During a search of the vehicle, NSP officers found a bag of marijuana and a digital scale with marijuana residue scatted around the top of it.

The deputy said a preliminary breath test indicated a breath alcohol content of over .08. He was arrested. Later, he submitted to a chemical test which indicated his alcohol content was .158.

It was indicated in court documents that Woods has an extensive criminal history to include being a convicted felon and a multi-state offender. He has criminal histories in the states of Arkansas, Iowa and Nebraska. He has prior convictions for assault on a peace officer, possession with the intent to deliver, use of a weapon to commit a felony, domestic violence, distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of marijuana. He also has two convictions for DUI  the first out of Douglas County with a conviction date of April 25, 2019, and the second out of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, with a conviction date of May 6, 2021. He served prison time from May of 2002 to October of 2012, along with 60 months in federal prison, starting in 2012. He is currently on federal parole for distribution of narcotics.

After his arrest, the York County Sheriffs Department was in contact with Woods federal parole officer regarding the placement of a federal hold on Woods.

Following his recent not guilty pleas, a jury trial was scheduled for late summer in York County District Court.
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.
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Roe Overturned? All-Night Vigil at Supreme Court -- Operation Rescue Founder and Pro-Life Activists Gather at Supreme Court Tonight, Monday Night

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Randall Terry

May 2, 2022

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- Pro-Life activists from 8 states are gathering at the Supreme Court for an all-night vigil to celebrate the overturn of Roe vs. Wade. They will be present all night, and in the morning, to do interviews with the press.

Randall Terry, Founder of Operation Rescue States:

"We will dance on the grave of Roe vs. Wade. Thousands of us have been fighting for our entire lives to save babies from murder. This is a huge step toward making child-killing illegal in all 50 states. While the war for babies' lives is not over, this is our 'D-Day' for the pro-life movement. We have taken the beach, and we will 'take Berlin,' and make it a crime to kill an innocent human from conception until birth in all fifty states. There can be no compromise with child-killers."

Terrisa Bukovinac, Founder and executive director of Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising states:

"Roe v. Wade will soon be exactly where it belongs, on the ash heap of human history. We must continue to utilize every nonviolent tool in our toolbox to ensure that the majority opinion leaked today stands. I am profoundly grateful to all the activists who came before me who made this moment possible. The future of America is Pro-Life."

Randall Terry and Terrisa Bukonivac will be at the Supreme Court all night, and all morning, available for interviews and comments.

SOURCE Randall Terry

CONTACT: 202-731-1271, 909-961-6274
Illinois voters will go to the polls June 22 to cast their votes in the Primary Election. Before they do, The Southern Illinoisan wants to tell them about the candidates asking for their votes.

If you are running for office, The Southern Illinoisan wants to hear from you during the next few weeks.

We want to know a little about you, why you chose to run for office, what you think the issues are and how to contact you.

We will use your responses in planning coverage of primary and general election races.

Please visit https://thesouthern.com/forms/illinois_primary_election_candidacy_form/ to fill out the firm.

-- The Southern

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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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Even the best trapeze acts use a net, but the state of Illinois has decided thats not necessary when it comes to powering the homes of its residents. Given the current situation in the energy markets, lawmakers may want to reconsider.

Last year, the state legislature passed, and Democrat Gov. JW Pritzker signed, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, making Illinois the first state in the Midwest to enact legislation to combat global warming.

The measure puts the state on a path to 100% clean energy by 2045. Nuclear power plants will continue to operate in the state, thanks to intense lobbying by ComEd/Exelon, one of the states biggest power providers, which seems to have contributed to the recent indictment of the former Illinois speaker of the House. But plants that use coal, natural gas or oil to provide electricity are slated for the chopping block. Unless the governor and state legislature change their minds, about 6,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity  almost all coal-fired plants  will go offline within five years. Over the following 15 to 20 years, another 15,000 megawatts of natural gas-fired capacity will also be required to significantly reduce emissions, transition to renewables or be retired.

Municipalities in Illinois already derive 9 to 13% of their power from renewable sources, and co-ops that serve rural areas get even more. But when the wind doesnt blow and the sun doesnt shine, those localities turn on peaker plants  fueled by diesel and natural gas  to cover the shortfall. The legislation also calls for all the peaker plants to be retired by 2045.

The Prairie State Energy Campus, a coal-fired plant that serves 2.5 million people in Southern Illinois, would be forced to close by 2045 with no source of power yet identified to replace it. Charlie Meier, who represents the area in the Illinois House of Representatives, said it would take 123,000 acres of solar panels to replace the power generated by that one plant.

That worsens a problem Illinoisians already encounter  that they must import a lot of their energy and pay more for the states current shortage. Plants such as Prairie State are being decommissioned with no sources identified to replace them, and the transmission lines that perhaps would bring green energy into Illinois are themselves often the subject of intense environmental protests. So, the state would become even more reliant on uncertain sources of energy that are transported by uncertain means.

All this may be able to be tolerated as the necessary growing pains of an energy transformation. But as things stand now, Illinois is not replacing traditional energy with green energy; it is cutting off traditional sources with no guarantees  indeed, there are indications this wont work out at all  that green energy will be able to meet the added demand.

The Illinois legislature needs to address this. Its citizens are already paying extremely high prices for energy. The world energy markets are in turmoil because of recent actions taken by the federal government as well as the war in Ukraine. Given the limited movement in Europe, a quick resolution does not seem to be in the cards.

Thats why some members of the legislature are pushing SB1104, the Illinois Regional Generation Reliability Task Force Act  to create a task force that monitors the reliability of the state power grid and ensures that the state maintains the energy supply it needs.

If the state legislature wants to put Illinois at the forefront of energy, it will respond to the current market turmoil by closely analyzing the issues at play here and coming to terms with solutions. It will put money in the pockets of Illinoisians and enable the state to stay on track with its energy transformation.

Anything less is flying without a net.

Rhonda Belford is the chair of the Hardin County Republican Central Committee.

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Memory" is an interesting title for the latest Liam Neeson thriller. Do you remember the last Liam Neeson thriller? Or the one before that? Who was it that got took in that one? It began getting hard to tell these films from one another years ago, and yet they've kept coming. Key & Peele" only seems more prophetic for making the actor's name plural. Liam Neesons is right. He contains, and kills, multitudes.

Memory, which opens in theaters Friday, doesn't much alter the formula but makes for a brutal and bleak variation on the Liam Neeson theme. It casts a broader, more interwoven noir tapestry set around the Texas borderlands, with an ensemble cast including Guy Pearce, Monica Bellucci, and Ray Stevenson. If you come to Memory hoping Neeson is going to growl one-liners like Commit THAT to memory! or If memory serves me correctly, you're toast!"  you may be surprised to find a movie less interested in such action-star heroics than it is something murkier and more cynical.

Does that make it good? Well, I wouldn't go that far. The filmmaking, by Martin Campbell, the British director of thrillers both glossy ("Casino Royale") and gritty ("Edge of Darkness"), lacks the texture and sense of place that could have made Memory (much of which was shot in Bulgaria) something more than a throwaway. But the performers  Neeson and particularly Pearce  don't phone anything in.

Neeson plays an El Paso, Texas, assassin named Alex Lewis who tilts more toward bad guy territory than most of the actor's protagonists. Of course, though, Alex has a moral compass that won't tolerate certain things. He smashes one guy's head against the bar for his rude behavior toward a prostitute. And he won't kill kids. When Alex refuses to kill a 13-year-old girl (Mia Sanchez), a crime syndicate seeking to cover up a child trafficking ring comes after him. At the same time, Alex is beginning to experience early onset Alzheimer's. That, curiously, only seldom affects his mission to protect the girl and bring down the syndicate, but it does make Alex even bolder; his life is fading away, anyway.

At the same time, the FBI agent Vincent Serra (Pearce) is trying to bring down the ring and is watching over the very same teenage girl, but his higher-ups keep pushing him toward other cases. Pearce's very presence in a memory-loss thriller is a nod to Memento. In one scene, when Neeson writes clues on his forearm to help himself remember, you half expect Pearce to grab the pen and give him a few pointers. There's much that's familiar in Memory, a remake of the 2003 Belgian thriller Memory of a Killer.

Alex and Vincent form a loose partnership as two men trying to carry out one act of justice in a place without it. If the Liam Neeson thriller has cast Neeson as a kind of globe-trotting vigilante and defender of justice in a fallen world, it's fitting that he should make his way to the U.S.-Mexican border. Credit Memory for summoning outrage for the plight of young Mexican immigrants along the border.

Pearce, sweaty and grungy, steadies Memory; it's his film as much as Neeson's. But if anything, they seem like actors who ought to be in something better than this, an often slipshod movie populated largely by stock and half-formed characters  like Bellucci's somewhat ridiculous millionaire, an El Paso mogul pulling strings to cover for her son. There's just enough here to imagine a better, more memorable iteration of Memory.

Memory, an Open Road release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for for violence, some bloody images and language throughout. Running time: 114 minutes. Two stars out of four.

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 South Carolina State Library African American Genealogy Series will host local author Dr. Walter Curry Jr., who will present on "Writing Family History: The Narrative Inquiry Approach."

It is one of the presentations offered by Currys company, Renaissance Publications, LLC. The webinar will focus on how to employ the Narrative Inquiry Approach to analyze family stories as units of analysis to contextualize and interpret to create meaning. The webinar will also include strategies to incorporate the Narrative Inquiry Approach in writing family history.

Curry, Ed.D, is a native of Orangeburg. He received a bachelors degree in political science from South Carolina State University and has earned graduate degrees in education, which includes a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from Argosy University, Sarasota.

In 2018, Curry launched Renaissance Publications, LLC., a self-publishing company, which publishes books that focus on African American history through ancestry.

Curry has published two award-winning books, "The Thompson Family: Untold Stories from the Past (1830-1960)" and "The Awakening: The Seawright-Ellison Family Saga, Vol.1, A Narrative History." Both books consist of stories that cover the lineage of Curry's ancestry from slavery, the Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, and family life in Aiken, Barnwell, Orangeburg, and Richland counties.

Curry has done book signings and presentations at local conferences, workshops, bookstores, and schools across the state and nationwide.

The South Carolina State Library welcomes all to participate in its programs. The African American Genealogy Series webinars are great for anyone interested in learning more about South Carolina genealogy and how they might conduct their own family history research. To register for the webinars, visit https://statelibrary.sc.libcal.com/event/8935551. The next webinar will be Sources for African American Genealogical Research at the SC Department of Archives & History with Steven D. Tuttle.

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Following a federal grand jury indictment and a contested bond hearing, 38-year-old Marcus Duran Singleton remains in detention on the charge of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The South Carolina District of the U.S. Attorneys Office made the announcement on Tuesday.

Singleton has addresses in both Norway and Orangeburg.

During the contested bond hearing, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alleged that Singleton pointed and presented a firearm at employees of Cook-Out on Sept. 4, 2021, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a press release.

A federal grand jury in Columbia indicted Singleton following an investigation by the ATF, ODPS, the Norway Police Department and the S. C. Law Enforcement Division, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

The ATF, with the assistance of the NPD and SLED, arrested Singleton and he appeared in court upon his request for a bond. After a contested hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Paige J. Gossett ordered Singleton detained without bond pending resolution of the federal charge against him.

The charge stems from the following:

According to an Orangeburg Department of Public Safety incident report, the incident happened at 2:05 a.m. at the fast-food restaurant located at 725 John C. Calhoun Drive.

The restaurant manager called officers after Singleton allegedly drove past the drive-through speaker and directly to the checkout window where he became irate and demanding food, the report states.

Singleton stepped out of his white SUV, presenting a black Taurus G3 handgun while loading the magazine, the manager claimed.

The manager told her employees to go to the back of the business and then she called law enforcement.

As officers searched Singleton, prior to taking him into custody, they allegedly discovered the handgun in his waistband.

Singleton has pending state charges from the alleged incident of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony and pointing and presenting a firearm at a person.

As a result of the federal charge, Singleton faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, and court-ordered supervision to follow any term of imprisonment, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, 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, the U.S. Attorneys Office stated.

Assistant United States Attorneys Elle E. Klein and Elliott B. Daniels of the Columbia office are prosecuting the case.

Singleton has additional state charges pending from unrelated incidents:

In August 2017, ODPS charged Singleton with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Police allege Singleton fondled a 15-year-old girl on June 19, 2017. At the time of his arrest on this charge, Singleton was on probation for failure to stop for a blue light.

A grand jury has indicted him on that charge.

Singleton maintains hes innocent, according to a letter he wrote to U.S. District Judge Michelle Childs on April 11 of this year.

On July 11, 2021, the Norway Police Department charged Singleton with pointing and presenting a firearm, possession of firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony and first-degree assault and battery.

A grand jury has indicted him on those charges.

And on July 28, 2021, the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office charged Singleton with ill-treatment of animals, malicious injury to personal property valued at $2,000 or less and malicious injury to real property valued at $2,000 or less.

Singleton has served time in prison for serious crimes in the past.

In June 2005, he pleaded guilty to one count each of distribution of cocaine base and assault and battery with intent to kill.

A circuit judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Hes also pleaded guilty to the following charges: driving under suspension, driving under the influence, possession of a stolen weapon, third-degree burglary, simple assault and battery and four counts of breaking into motor vehicles.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD

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Xi encourages youth to help boost China's aerospace sci-tech self-reliance

Xinhua) 13:08, May 03, 2022

BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged youth in the aerospace sector to contribute more to China's realization of greater self-reliance in aerospace science and technology.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a Monday letter replying to a youth team working on space station construction at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
Memories are peculiar things, deeply personal cognitive enactments of reality, emotion, with a hint of imagination. Our minds may truly remember snapshots of situations, perhaps the feelings or sense. I like to think that I have a good memory, particularly when it comes to people and important moments.

I remember she had delicate almost translucent skin which was detailed with fine wrinkles and purple veins. Her hair was white, not grey like most elderly but true white. Her body was small and fragile, yet she appeared strong.

I often think you can tell a lot about someone by their eyes. Whether they be bright or dull, empathetic, or cold. It saddens me to think that I dont truly remember the exact shade of her blue eyes. What I do remember is that her eyes divulged that she carried deeper wisdom and understanding than she wished to disclose.

My great grandmother passed away several years ago. The most poignant of my memories I share of her is the time I spend with her a few days before her death.

Reading Psalm 23

She was a Christian woman with a longstanding faith. As a rest home recluse, she spent many hours reading scripture, listening to sermons, and engaged in prayer.

When it came time for her final stage in her earthly journey she had no fear, she simply wanted to return home.

Our final conversation together was a request for me to read her Psalm 23, and that I did. I read it and read it. Over and over. It was not the first time I had read the scripture but this time I read it with a new perspective.

There is something inherently powerful with reciting scripture out loud. Reciting the psalm was to experience it and to allow it to restore the soul.

Knowing God

John Piper, in his sermon titled Restful words for Labour Day, 1980 he explains that the Psalms reveal the importance for theology and prayer are to be interwoven. By doing this we ensure that we are feeling Gods reality in our hearts as well as our heads.

In Psalm 23, verses 1 to 3 David writes,

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his names sake.

David acknowledges Gods sovereignty, provision, and holiness. He acknowledges the truths that he has been taught to believe and knows in his own mind to be true.

In Psalm 23, verse 4-6, David switches from using he to you as shown in the following verses.

Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

John Piper suggests that the switch to you at the time of entering the valley of death resonates universally amongst believers. It is the crises of life which draw us closer to God. Piper continues to explain, that we are more likely to talk about the green pastures when life is going well and to cry out to God when we are in a valley.

The importance of faith

My great grandmother lived a faithful life. Although her last years stole much from her in terms of health, mobility, and her ability to communicate she remained devoted to Christ.

I believe she chose Psalm 23 to be her final scripture because it surmised to all of us present that she knew that in Gods holiness he is sovereign. Her prayer was that we too would learn to seek God before all else because he is always good.
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.

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The leaked draft ruling showing that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade is raising a lot of questions about what will happen to abortion in Wyoming, particularly following the states passage of an abortion trigger bill in March. The Supreme Court verified Tuesday that the leaked document is authentic.

The draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito and published Monday night by Politico, is a strong rejection of the 1973 landmark case that made abortion a constitutional right in the U.S.

The drafts implications are dramatic. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, that means itll be up to states to decide the legality of abortion within their borders.

Earlier this year, lawmakers passed House Bill 92, which would trigger a near-total ban on abortions in Wyoming if the Supreme Court does away with Roe. Some Wyoming legislators who were against House Bill 92 argued that it could cause mayhem for the state if the Supreme Courts decision on Roe was ambiguous. But based on the current draft, it appears the Supreme Courts decision would be pretty clear-cut.

It looks like its on track for a rapid implementation, Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, said in reference to Wyomings abortion trigger bill.

Case was one of a handful of legislators who were against the abortion trigger bill. His amendment on the bill, which ended up passing after a similar one by Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, failed, provides for exceptions to the potential abortion ban in cases where the mothers life or physical health is in extreme danger, or if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.

It seems pretty clear that were going to have many restrictions and maybe a complete reversal of Roe v. Wade, Case said.

There are a lot of people who are on pins and needles about this.

What does this mean for abortion in Wyoming?

House Bill 92, the abortion trigger ban that legislators passed in March, would outlaw abortion in Wyoming except for a handful of circumstances including extreme physical danger to the mother or if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.

Case said he thinks that it would take a sea of change in political thinking to reverse the bill.

David Adler, a professor of constitutional law and the director of the Alturas Institute, said its important to remember the leaked opinion is only a draft  the text of the opinion, or the actual vote itself, could still change.

But if it becomes final, Adler said Wyoming would likely see the ban in place within 35 days of the opinion. Thats the maximum time the law provides for a review by the state attorney general and certification from the governor.

Wyomings ban, while nearly total, is still more moderate than other states that have trigger laws in place that dont allow abortions to be performed even in cases related to sexual assault or incest.

Cristina Gonzalez, a nurse who works with Lander-based nonprofit Chelseas Fund, said its too early to tell what the opinion will mean for Wyomingites. The fund gives financial assistance to people ordering abortion pills through the mail, which can be obtained with a telemedicine referral. Gonzalez said shes not yet sure how that service will be affected, but that the funds board will be meeting to discuss a game plan in the event the opinion becomes final.

Returning power to states

Abortion wouldnt be illegal everywhere if the Supreme Court decides to overturn Roe v. Wade. A reversal of Roe v. Wade would give states the ability to decide on the legality of abortion.

Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, a pro-life legislator, told the Star-Tribune that it would be nice to see the power going to states.

This is a pivotal time in our countrys history, he said. Its also a pivotal in that this is an issue of states rights to rule.

A return of power to states over abortion would likely make the practice illegal in about half the U.S., according to the New York Times.

The U.S. Senate could still vote to pass a bill  which has already made it through the House  to codify Roe v. Wade and make abortion legal on the federal level. But that would likely require some uncharacteristic votes from Republican senators, or a possible elimination of the filibuster to allow the bill to pass without bipartisan support.

One of the first things that jumped to mind was how important this years elections are going to be, said Sharon Breitweiser, the executive director of Pro-Choice Wyoming. She said the coming vote isnt likely to change the Wyoming Legislatures makeup enough to pave the way to repealing the trigger law in the near future, but her group hopes to start moving in that direction.

I dont want to be naive, but I dont know what other hope we have.

Turning elsewhere

Overturning Roe v. Wade would essentially make the Mountain West an abortion desert. Abortions would, in most instances, be illegal in Wyoming. According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, Idaho and Nebraska would probably move to ban abortion. Utah enacted a trigger law in 2020. South Dakota and North Dakota also have trigger bans.

If Roe falls, Colorado and Montana would be the only two states neighboring Wyoming where abortion would be legal. Those states are gearing up to provide more services for people who live in states where abortion would be outlawed.

Colorados Gov. Jared Polis signed a law last month making abortion access a basic right, according to the Denver Gazette. The governor said in a statement at the time that the law codifies a persons fundamental right to make reproductive health-care decisions free from government interference.

According to the article, overturning Roe v. Wade could result in an influx of patients from other states seeking abortions in Colorado.

Montanas constitution protects access to abortion through the 1999 Armstrong ruling. But that protection is being challenged in court, according to the Billings Gazette. And legislators there will probably try to limit abortion access in the 2023 legislative session.

Abortions are already hard to get in Wyoming. Theres only one clinic  the Womens Health and Family Care Center in Jackson  that currently offers abortion services. Founder of Wellspring Health Access Julie Burkhart said last month that she plans to open a clinic in Casper. Burkhart said in a statement Tuesday morning that she continues to move forward with those plans despite the revelations of the leaked opinion draft.

But Wyoming is a big state and essentially an abortion desert already. Not everyone can drive to a clinic to get an abortion.

Where will things go from here?

To be clear, the leaked opinion is still a draft.

We dont know if a judge might change his or her mind, Sen. Bear, the anti-abortion legislator from Gillette, said. The impact right now with the leak is that there is a great deal more pressure on judges.

ACLU spokesperson Janna Farley also emphasized that the decision isnt set in stone.

While it confirms our deepest fears about what the Supreme Court is ready to do, nothing is final, she told the Star-Tribune on Tuesday.

The ACLU, which was heavily involved in debates on Wyomings abortion trigger ban, also said the decision could change.

We are not conceding anything right now and we will not let the Court off the hook when a decision is finally published, the statement said.

But if the Court does indeed overturn Roe, it would have a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people  falling most quickly and heavily on the most marginalized people: people of color, those trying to make ends meet, young people, and undocumented immigrants, the statement continued.

Michelle St. Louis, an anti-abortion Casper resident, said shes still somewhat skeptical about the leaked opinions implications.

Well see. Im not ready to jump up and down in the streets yet, she said. I would like this to be a done deal.

Another Casper resident opposing the citys planned clinic, Ross Schriftman, said he thinks the leak damages trust in the court, and is therefore likely to divide people even more on the already contentious issue.

The Wyoming Democratic Party will weigh (its) options for potential legal action in response to the pending decision, said executive director Sarah Hunt.

In the meantime, our mission is to elect policymakers who see this ruling for what it is: an attack on our freedom to make personal medical decisions, including when to start a family or choose reproductive healthcare options, Hunt said.

The added public scrutiny, thanks to the leak, may also influence the Supreme Courts final opinion, according to Adler. Its also sparked a Supreme Court investigation into the leak, and drawn anger from many anti-abortion politicians.

It will be interesting to see how the final opinion is different from this opinion, Case, the Republican lawmaker from Lander, said.

The Supreme Court is likely to make a final decision on Roe v. Wade in June.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to provide additional context to Schriftman's comments.

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The picture of a happy and unified church is one that sings of what the church should be. Often when looking from the outside, it may also be what people see. Imagine being new to the church, all you see is smiling faces that greet you and welcome you in.

You see those who have been friends for a while greet each other and excitedly talk about the week that they have just had. You then sing together, listen to Gods word and pray together. But it doesnt just end there. You may be invited to a after church lunch or a small group which happens during the week. At every point, you are greeted by warm and happy people.

However, now you have been in the church for a few years and along the way you have started serving on a team and you spend time seeing the behind the scenes not just the Sunday service. You may come across conflict and think wow this is not like a Sunday morning.

You may wonder if conflict is healthy for the church or whether it further divides the body of Christ. But heres a new question is the church perfect?

When conflicts arise

The church whilst it is called to teach, encourage and reflect the word of God, at the end of the day it is made up of flawed humans. Due to this, no matter how hard we may try to be happy and loving all the time, conflict is bound to happen. So how do we manage it?

Its good to note that there is healthy conflict and unhealthy conflict. Both of which we are bound to see at some point and time within people that we may interact with. Unhealthy conflict is usually called gossip, exclusion and bullying, whilst healthy conflict involves dealing with disagreements and opposing viewpoints.

Healthy conflict, whilst uncomfortable, usually results in better outcomes, whether that be understanding new views, challenging the status quo, or changing how things are done within the church. Unhealthy conflict on the other hand, leads to hurt people who draw away from the church and others.

Our response

So how do we deal with conflict when we see it, experience it or hear it in the church:

If its unhealthy conflict:

#1 When you see or hear it: stand up to gossip or unhealthy comments. Being silent about it is allowing the conflict to grow.

#2 If you experience it: Prayer for the person causing it, talk to the person who is involved and see if you can discuss how you feel. Seek support from those you consider wise counsel or with your eldership.

If its healthy conflict:

If you see it, hear it or experience it: Be open minded, consider opposing views. Share your own thoughts. Discuss it with the eldership if it challenges views or actions of the church. Pray about it.

Remember that we are all flawed, but as the body of Christ we are to hold one another accountable for the actions and words. Healthy conflict builds the church stronger and unifies the people. Unhealthy conflict breaks down the church and divides the people.

Like any other relationships with people, we are called to love our neighbours. But also in order to sharpen those we walk with (Proverbs chapter 27, verse 17), we are called to keep them accountable with love.
"They Reassured Us That There Was No Threat from Belarus": Danilov About Lukashenkos Involvement in the War against Ukraine

"They Reassured Us That There Was No Threat from Belarus": Danilov About Lukashenkos Involvement in the War against Ukraine

According to Oleksiy Danilov, the Secretary of the Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, shortly before the war, Lukashenko had reassured Ukrainian leadership that there was no threat for Ukraine from Belarus.

"Someone may think that the Belarusians are not involved in this war. Of course, no direct participation of Belarusian troops is a big advantage. However, only two days before the war Oleksandr Reznikov officially communicated with the Belorussian Minister of Defence, and our Head of Border Control Service also was in direct communication with his Belorussian colleague. Both of them reassured us that there was no threat for Ukraine from Belarus. However, on February 24th, the Russian military convoys crossed the Ukrainian-Belorussian border and invaded our country from the territory of Belarus, although we expected that initial area of assault would be Milove village in Luhansk Region. We thought the enemy would focus on the area. However, what done is done, and we perfectly understand it now, Danilov said.

He also added that the soon the time would set the record straight and show the true faces of all persons involved in the historic perspective.

On February 24th, the Russian troops deployed in Belarus invaded Chernihiv Region of Ukraine and started the offensive operation to assault the capital city of Kyiv. The Belorussian territory also has been actively used for missile strikes and deployment of enemy air forces attacking the cities and towns of Ukraine.

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A former Tucson insurance agent pleaded guilty last week to defrauding a client of more than a million dollars.

Koreasa M. Williams, 49, formerly licensed in Arizona to sell life and health insurance, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud after defrauding an elderly client of more than $1.3 million, a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of Arizona said.

In the first scheme, Williams admitted to persuading her client to cash in several life insurance policies to invest the proceeds in annuities to be procured by Williams, the news release said. She also admitted that over a period of six months in 2019, she fraudulently convinced her client to give her $1.2 million, using almost $900,000 to pay victims of a prior unrelated annuity fraud scheme in an attempt to avoid criminal charges.

Williams later pleaded guilty to wire fraud in that unrelated fraud scheme and was sentenced to 51 months in prison in December 2021, the news release said. She used the remaining $300,000 to pay her attorneys fees for the unrelated fraud scheme and to settle a civil suit brought by another client.

In the second scheme, Williams admitted to persuading her client to dissolve a charitable foundation and place more than $124,000 in an entity controlled by Williams, the news release said. Williams was supposed to hold the funds until a new entity could be established to receive the money that would then be used to care for the clients daughter, who has a disability; however, Williams never established the new entity and instead diverted more than $118,000 to her own use.

Williamss sentencing is scheduled for July 5.

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A 22-year-old man was shot to death during an argument at a social gathering on Tucson's north side Saturday.

The shooting occurred just after midnight in the 1000 block of West Miracle Mile, near North Fairview Avenue. Jesus Lopez III was found dead in the roadway after multiple people called 911 to report the shooting, Tucson police said.

Sebastian Ricardo Mendivil-Lopez, who lived with the victim at the residence, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder/domestic violence.

Police learned that a verbal altercation occurred during the gathering, which became physical and shots were fired.

This was the 22nd homicide this year, down slightly from the 25 homicides recorded at the same time last year in the city.

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Pima County supervisors approved several policy changes Tuesday in response to the controversy surrounding former County Administrator Chuck Huckelberrys furtive retirement.

Unbeknownst to county residents, Huckelberry submitted his retirement in July 2021 and returned to work to receive his regular salary on top of $12,228 in monthly pension benefits, according to the Arizona State Retirement System.

The former county administrator submitted his resignation April 4, and the board officially appointed Jan Lesher to take over as county administrator on April 5.

On top of the pension payments, Huckelberry received his regular salary from the county, which totaled $114,110 from the date his retirement took effect on July 4, 2021, through his last paycheck issued on April 15, according to county payroll records.

Huckelberry is also set to receive more than $1.1 million from the state retirement system for excess amounts he paid into his pension throughout his tenure with the county, according to a letter the county received from the state retirement system in November. Hes received $35,836 worth of those funds as of his last paycheck.

After learning of the retirement, supervisors directed county administration to come up with a new personnel policy for returning to work after retiring within the Arizona State Retirement System, or ASRS. Supervisors unanimously approved the new policy Tuesday.

The policy states any employee who plans to retire within ASRS but continue to work for the county must obtain approval from the appointing authority, human resources and county administration. If rehired, such employees must notify the county of their retirement status at least 15 days before returning to work.

The policy goes on to delineate specific requirements for the county administrator and clerk of the board. If either person wishes to return to work for the county after retirement from ASRS, the board must grant approval at a properly noticed public meeting, the new policy states.

The county administrator is also required to disclose intention to retire from ASRS at least 90 days before retirement and must have a new contract approved if a return-to-work status is granted.

Supervisor Steve Christy also put up two items for discussion adjacent to the transparency issues surrounding Huckelberrys retirement: the countys response to public records requests and whistleblower protection for county employees.

It seems that theres quite a bit of time before the requests are made and the items requested are actually conveyed or produced to those asking for the information, Christy said, citing an email from the countys Communications Director Mark Evans regarding records requests for information on Huckelberrys retirement.

Im concerned that if we take too long to respond it will give the impression of stonewalling or cover up given the touchy nature of the situation, Evans wrote in an email to county staff.

Lesher said the county is working on meeting with communications and the clerks office, and some of the other staff, to see what it is we might do to ensure that that process is expedited.

Christy also asked for public records requests to be transmitted to the board so theres no being blindsided. Lesher said she will provide an update on the records request process and how board members can access such requests at the next board meeting on May 17.

Christy also introduced an item to update the countys language protecting whistleblowers and prohibiting retaliation against county employees who expose unethical practices.

I think in light of a lot of the issues that have arisen over the termination of Mr. Huckelberry and his pay plan, it seems that there might be issues about our whistleblower policy, he said.

Lesher provided suggested language to add to the countys whistleblower policy, but Christy asked the policy include specific guardrails that forbid those in leadership positions from retaliation against whistleblowers. The county attorneys office will review the amended language and return to the board.

Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com

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Twice a day, new arrivals at the Pima County jail are escorted into a room where they sit in front of a webcam and find out whether theyll be released or kept in jail while their court cases proceed.

On the other end of the webcam, a Tucson City Court judge assesses arrestees charges and, in most cases, only takes a few minutes to make a decision.

These initial appearances are the first hearings defendants attend after theyre arrested. Cases are heard by city of Tucson magistrates regardless of where defendants were arrested under a process established 15 years ago. The agreement between the city of Tucson, Pima County and their court systems consolidated judicial coverage of the hearings throughout the county.

Now, the courts are asking for a 10-year renewal of that agreement, but major players in the countys criminal justice system are calling for changes. Present and past officials from the Pima County Attorneys Office have cited a lack of consistency in rulings resulting in a lack of parity afforded to defendants.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors is set to vote Tuesday, May 3, on the intergovernmental agreement, or IGA, that consolidates the initial appearance process and allows city magistrates to oversee them.

The board has delayed voting on the issue three times after hearing from representatives of the countys court systems, the county attorney and public defender.

Pima County Attorney Laura Conover has tied the conversation around initial appearances to issues within the cash bail system, where a judge issues a bond at an initial appearance that makes a defendants release contingent on their ability to pay, while suggesting the magistrates need more training.

The cash bail system houses people on low cash bail who have no business being in the Pima County Jail; its not a hospital, Conover told the board, adding that the system frees people released on bail who reoffend and lets them go back out and finish what they started.

Top court officials disagree, saying the initial appearance process is efficient. The city magistrates do an exceptionally good job, Jeffrey Bergin, Pima County Superior Courts presiding judge, told the board.

The IGA thats before you is not a bail reform document. Bail reform is a separate issue. Its a legislative issue, primarily, Bergin said. What the IGA does is it allows us to timely, efficiently and fairly see people in their initial appearance.

More experienced judges

City magistrates have overseen initial appearances since 2007. The agreement was renewed in 2019 and expired in June 2021, but the process still operates under its parameters.

The judge must see the arrestee within 24 hours after arrest and decide the conditions of release, which range from being let out of jail without monitoring to being issued high-dollar bond amounts that keep an individual in jail until paid.

Conover suggested the countys current initial appearance process produces different outcomes as judges have differing levels of felony experience, and therefore take different approaches to issue release conditions.

She suggested to the board that the initial appearance process be overseen by Superior Court judges or at the very least a return to deeply experienced felony-level judges.

What Im hoping we wont see anymore is just the wild swing of if you are arrested on a Monday night, youre gonna get one outcome, and if youre arrested on a Tuesday night, its a wildly different analysis that occurs, Conover said. I know this as the county attorney because I have spent many a night and morning observing the disparities.

The uneven results actualize by race, Conover said.

According to data from her office, from 2017 to 2022, the average bail amount set for those charged with nonviolent offenses was $1,684. For Hispanic defendants, average bail was nearly 14% higher than this, and about 11% lower for white defendants. Black defendants were issued bonds about 4% lower than the average.

For violent offenses, the average bail was $15,779. The bail amount decreases by about 2% for Hispanics and 15% for white defendants. For Black defendants, the average bail for violent offenses was $20,636, a 31% increase from the average.

Conover sent suggested changes to the IGA in an April 14 email to the countys court officials and supervisors. They include requiring judges assigned to initial appearances to have at least three years of felony prosecution or criminal defense experience.

The suggested changes also include requiring city magistrates to consider release conditions that dont impose bail if the judge finds the arrestee is not a continuing danger to the community.

Conovers office announced a similar set of standards in August 2021 for the release conditions it suggests to judges during initial appearances, which include considering if those charged with felonies pose an ongoing threat of harm to the community.

But Bergin said theres no data to support the need for more experienced judges and takes issue with the suggestion the countys judicial system should blur its independent lines by implementing policies from a separate branch of the justice system.

Conover said she doesnt want to tread too far into the separate powers of the bench, but that her experience overseeing initial appearances has led her to call for change beyond her own office.

Its incumbent upon me to offer, I think, some amendments to the IGA that would really improve quality and performance, she said.

The initial appearance

Twelve city magistrates conduct initial appearances, some on a pro-tem, or temporary basis, to substitute for full-time judges who are unavailable, said Tony Riojas, Tucson City Courts presiding judge.

Of the eight full-time magistrates, five have prior felony experience, according to Riojas, who added that all four pro-tem judges are retired, and two have experience with felonies beyond the bench.

Riojas oversees eight initial appearance sessions within a four-week rotation where judges are scheduled to handle the hearings. Hes one of three judges in Arizona who train judges presiding over initial appearances.

When new magistrates are brought on, theyll watch a couple of initial appearance sessions, sitting behind the bench with the judge. When they feel comfortable, the new magistrate will preside over a hearing with a more experienced judge watching, Riojas said.

Initial appearance judges must adapt to the fast-paced setting of the hearings, where dozens of individuals release conditions could be determined within an hour. Riojas said the majority of cases the judges oversee are felonies.

If I spend more than five minutes on a case, Im taking a long time, Riojas said. Youve already got all the information youre gonna get, so you just have to process and decide what to do.

The magistrate considers information including the arresting agencys probable cause that a crime was committed and input from the county attorney and public defender.

A key part of the input considered is a report from Pretrial Services, a division of Pima County Superior Court that assesses defendants eligibility for release.

Pretrial Services interviews those booked into jail, looks into their criminal history and completes a Public Safety Assessment  a nine-factor scoring system used to predict an individuals likelihood of committing a violent offense, appearing for their next court date and being rearrested.

Pretrial Services recommends release conditions for arrestees based on this analysis, which is a suggestion judges do not have to follow, but do about 80% of the time, said director Domingo Corona.

Those release conditions range from release without monitoring, release with supervision from a Pretrial Services officer and imposing bail amounts an individual must pay before release.

Were not in the business of predicting human behavior. So we cant say what someones going to do once they get released, Corona said. So I think that collaborative process, when it comes to the bail decision, is helping support the judges role at (initial appearances).

Another key party involved in the process is the public defender, who represents defendants at their initial hearings and may provide further input on their alleged crimes.

Joel Feinman, whose last day as Pima County Public Defender was Monday, agrees with Bergins assertion that city court magistrates are not the issue. Feinman presented his thoughts to the board two weeks after it heard comments from several judges and the county attorneys office.

What my department sees as the problem, or one of the problems, is that people are being held on misdemeanors, he told supervisors.

Magistrates often hold arrestees in jail after initial appearances for failure-to-appear warrants issued by other city court judges in past cases. Feinman said this is due to an understandable tendency to keep defendants in jail on (failure-to-appear) warrants issued by their colleagues.

According to Feinman, his office tracked all initial appearance hearings from April 5-19 and found 109 defendants were held in jail on misdemeanor warrants.

These are people who committed some very low-level misdemeanor offense in Tucson City Court ... and they did not show up in court for their appearance, Feinman said.

The judges at both the county and city levels also highlight defendants past failures to appear at their court hearings as a key issue but say its part of the criminal history they must consider when making decisions.

What gets people in jail more often than not is their failure to appear history, and there is no mechanism that exists that allows us to keep track of people out, Riojas said.

Danelle Liwski, associate presiding judge of Pima County Superior Court, described an escalation of past charges that can lead to people being held on bonds at the jail. After exhausting lower-level release conditions, from release with supervision to relatively low bond amounts, there are few options left to get an arrestee to show up to court.

In her 30 years of experience, the people who end up with bonds on low-level or nonviolent misdemeanors are issued those bonds for previous failures to appear, she said. There has to be some mechanism to get people into court, she said.

Several key players have advocated for an electronic monitoring system to allow more frequent release with added assurance a defendant will show up for their next hearing.

Riojas said plans are in the works for a pilot program to provide ankle monitors to those charged with domestic violence offenses, but that a big issue is someones got to get the defendants when they go where theyre not supposed to go.

Riojas said the ankle monitor pilot program will start with a small number of defendants, but its implementation will depend on available resources. Conovers also on board with this idea. I certainly think we need to be taking advantage of more electronic monitoring and all the myriad tools and ways in which people are appropriately monitored, she said.

Cash bail

Conover has advocated for changes to cash bail and minimizing the criminal justice systems reliance on it. The idea behind imposing a bond on arrestees is to ensure they appear at their court hearings. If the bail is paid, its returned at the end of the trial.

Former Chief Deputy Pima County Attorney Amelia Cramer, who is the chair of the NAACP Tucson Branchs criminal justice reform subcommittee, said the bail decisions imposed by city magistrates contribute to disproportionate outcomes.

The way that bail is currently being used in Pima County, in too many instances, is to impose an amount of money that the arrestee is unable to pay, thus resulting in them remaining incarcerated until the time of their trial, Cramer said. This disproportionately impacts people who are poor and working poor, because these are the folks who are unable to pay bail.

Cramer also pointed to cases where those accused of violent offenses posted their bonds and reoffended when released.

The City Court magistrates have allowed individuals arrested for violent felony crimes  to buy their way out of jail with low bail amounts the magistrates know or should know these individuals will post quickly, Cramer wrote in a letter to the board. Then, on too many occasions, these individuals have gone out and committed new violent crimes while out on pretrial release.

Conover, Sheriff Chris Nanos and then-Tucson Chief of Police Chris Magnus detailed an example of this scenario in an op-ed for the Star in the case of Brandon Watts. Watts was arrested on felony domestic violence charges, had a history of similar offenses, and was issued a $3,500 bond instead of the prosecutors recommendation of $35,000. Watts went on to kill his girlfriend, assault her daughter and hold a family hostage, police said. He committed suicide during a police standoff.

The idea behind her proposed changes to the initial appearance IGA, Conover said, is that a specially trained group of initial appearance judges would set more informed release conditions, especially in serious felony cases.

If we had a small, dedicated pool, we wouldnt get the real wildly disparate results, we would start to get more consistency, Conover said.

But Judge Bergin said juxtaposing the ideas of those unable to make bail and those who make it too easily is an unfair comparison.

On average, over the last four years, (city magistrates) hear 9,000 initial appearances a year.  The tragic events that occur, I will tell you, its very few, he said. When you compare that to the thousands of cases where there isnt a concern, it really tells you its a system thats working, and these judges are doing it well.

And while larger concerns around bail reform have influenced the conversation about the initial appearance process, Bergin argues bail reform is an issue within the states statutes, not one the county has the power to control.

If the statutes of the Constitution are what is the barrier to what folks feel like bond or bail should look like, then thats where the discussion should take place, he said.

Suggesting solutions

Considering Tucson City Court only tries those charged with misdemeanors, Feinman is recommending the county raise the fees it charges the city to jail those charged with nonviolent, victimless misdemeanors.

The county spends $423.73 every time it books someone into its jail and $123.90 every subsequent day they hold them there, according to the Sheriffs Department. Tucson must reimburse the county for the cost of inmates held on city charges.

When gas becomes more expensive, you drive less. So if using the Pima County Jail becomes more expensive for the city of Tucson, then the city of Tucson is going to use the Pima County Jail less, Feinman said. And then it is an action that the Board of Supervisors can take.

Although theyre split on solutions, both the county attorney and public defenders office agree the current length of the IGA  which calls for a 10-year continuation of the current initial appearance process  is far too long. Conover is asking for a continuance until Dec. 31 and an extensive data review to make changes where necessary.

The court wanted a new 10-year contract. I dont think we can ever anticipate what would be healthy for the criminal justice system in 10 years.  I dont even know that we could say what would be healthy for it six months from now, Conover said.

Feinman wrote in a letter to the board that a 10-year renewal is not appropriate, but h supports a year-long extension with strict data collection requirements on all defendants going through initial appearances.

Conover is proposing quarterly reviews of bond racial disparity data.

Bergin said the courts are more than willing to look at changing the time frame of the IGA, but dont believe its the right document to implement reform policies.

Bail reform is not something where you hold the IGA hostage in order to force the courts to change the process or who does it, he said. We hope it stays in place because weve got a good system that allows us to see people twice a day. If for some reason it doesnt come together  I just dont know if itll be twice a day and be as efficient as it is right now.

Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com

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Election 2022: JD Vance wins Ohio's GOP Senate primary

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance has won Ohios contentious and hyper-competitive GOP Senate primary, buoyed by Donald Trumps endorsement in a race widely seen as an early test of the former presidents hold on his party. Vances win ends an exceptionally bitter and expensive primary contest that, at one point, saw two candidates nearly come to blows on a debate stage. And it marks a major victory for Trump, who has staked his reputation as a GOP kingmaker on his ability to pull his chosen candidates across the finish line. Democrat Nan Whaley, the former mayor of Dayton, will take on Ohio's incumbent Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in the general election after both secured their parties' nominations.

'Still in shock.' Abortion defenders, foes stunned by leak

People on both sides of the abortion divide have been anticipating that the Supreme Court this summer would reverse the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. On Monday night, a leaked draft opinion that would overturn Roe began ricocheting around the world. Even those preparing for the undoing of Roe said it was still staggering to see the blunt words of Justice Samuel Alito in print, forcing them to reckon with the likely reality the nation will enter soon. The owner of an Alabama abortion clinic, whose phones were ringing off the hook on Tuesday, said he was still in shock.

Primary takeaways: Trump passes test as kingmaker in Ohio

The primary election in Ohio stood as the first real test this midterm election season of former President Donald Trump's status as the Republican Party kingmaker  and he passed. His chosen GOP candidate in the tight U.S. Senate race, JD Vance, won Tuesday after trailing in the polls just three weeks ago. Another Trump-supported candidate, Ohios Republican secretary of state, Frank LaRose, easily survived a primary challenge. In the governor's primary, Republican incumbent Mike DeWine cruised to victory over three far-right challengers. Trump didn't endorse anyone in that race. He had castigated DeWine for his strict coronavirus policies in 2020.

Russia storms Mariupol plant as some evacuees reach safety

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian fighters say Russian forces have begun storming a sprawling steel plant in the besieged port city of Mariupol. Tuesday's onslaught came as scores of civilians who had been evacuated from the plant reached safer territory. The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine says 101 women, men, children, and older persons left the Azovstal steelworks. Elsewhere, Russian troops shelled a chemical plant in the eastern city of Avdiivka, killing at least 10 people. And explosions were heard in the western city of Lviv, which has been a haven for those fleeing fighting in the east.

Biden blasts 'radical' Roe draft, warns other rights at risk

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is blasting what he calls a radical leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. On Tuesday, Biden warned that a whole range of rights are in jeopardy if it holds. The court cautioned that the draft was not final, and Chief Justice John Roberts said he had ordered an investigation into what he called an egregious breach of trust. Biden said he would work with Congress to legislate the right to abortion into federal law. But such efforts have failed in the past.

Ohio Republican Gov. DeWine will face Nan Whaley this fall

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP)  Former Dayton, Ohio, Mayor Nan Whaley has won the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor and will face incumbent Republican Mike DeWine this fall. Whaley is the first woman in the states history to receive a major partys backing for the top office. She bested ex-Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley on Tuesday. Whaley figures to be an underdog in November against DeWine in a state that hasnt elected a Democrat governor since 2006. DeWine topped three far-right opponents, including ex-U.S. Rep Jim Renacci, by relying on a huge fundraising advantage and a big network of supporters.

North Korea launches suspected missile toward sea

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile toward its eastern waters on Wednesday, South Korean and Japanese officials said, days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to bolster his nuclear arsenal at the fastest possible pace and threatened to use them against rivals. The launch came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to accelerate the development of nuclear weapons and threatened to use them if provoked in a speech at a military parade. The launch is the latest in a string of weapons tests by North Korea, which experts say are aimed at boosting its weapons arsenal and pressuring its rivals to ease international sanctions.

Even as COVID cases rise, mask mandates stay shelved

NEW YORK (AP)  As mask mandates and vaccination rules kept falling across the U.S., infections from the latest COVID variants have been quietly taking hold in some places, sparking concern among public health officials but stirring a muted response from pretty much everyone else. More cities are now in new high-risk categories that are supposed to trigger indoor mask wearing, but there's been little appetite to do so. Much of upstate New York is in a high-alert category that reflects serious community spread. In New York City, cases are rising again, but it's unlikely Mayor Eric Adams will do an about face just a few months after many in his city shed masks and put away vaccination cards.

EXPLAINER: What's the latest in Russia's dance with default?

Russia's debt drama is far from over. Moscow likely made last-minute overdue payments before the end of a grace period that expires Wednesday. But there is still widespread expectation a default may be in the offing. The finance ministry has flirted with paying with rubles, saying that sanctions have frozen its hard currency reserves but swerved to pay in dollars. Ratings agencies say doing otherwise would be default. A finance industry committee is reviewing the status of Russia's debt and whether creditor insurance should be paid out. And more payments are due in coming days.

New Mexico governor seeking US disaster status for wildfire

LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is asking President Joe Biden to declare a disaster as firefighters scramble to clear brush, build fire lines and spray water to keep the largest blaze burning in the U.S. from destroying more homes. The governor signed a request for a presidential disaster declaration Tuesday, while fire managers predicted the battle to protect towns in the state's northeast pine forests and mountains would become more intense later in the week. The fire is the result of two blazes that merged, one of which was a prescribed fire that jumped containment lines. About 6,000 homes have been evacuated and around 170 homes have been destroyed, but officials expect that number to grow.

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REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP)  The endangered California condor returned to soar the skies over the state's far northern coast redwood forests on Tuesday for the first time in more than a century.

Two captive-bred birds were released from a pen in Redwood National Park, about an hour's drive south of the Oregon border, under a project aimed at restoring the giant vultures to their historic habitat in the Pacific Northwest.

The two male condors were moved into staging area at late morning and a remotely controlled gate was opened. After a few minutes of warily eyeing the opening, the birds stepped one by one through the opening, spread their giant wings and took off.

They just jumped up and took flight off into the distance, Tiana Williams-Claussen, wildlife director for the region's Yurok tribe, said in a webcast.

Condors were last spotted in the park area around 1892, authorities said. The California condor is the largest native North American bird, with a wingspan of nearly 10 feet (3 meters). The scavenger was once widespread but had virtually disappeared by the 1970s because of poaching, lead poisoning from eating animals shot by hunters and destruction of its habitat.

The birds can live for 60 years and fly vast distances in search of carrion, so their range could extend into several states.

Federal and local fish and wildlife agencies are involved in the restoration project headed by the Yurok tribe, which traditionally has considered the California condor a sacred animal and has been working for years to return the species to the tribes ancestral territory.

For countless generations, the Yurok people have upheld a sacred responsibility to maintain balance in the natural world. Condor reintroduction is a real-life manifestation of our cultural commitment to restore and protect the planet for future generations, tribal Chairman Joseph L. James said in a statement.

Two more condors were set to be released later  after biologists determine that the two birds who took to the skies Tuesday have displayed appropriate behavior, authorities said.

The condors, including one female and three males, are between 2 and 4 years old. Two were hatched at the Oregon Zoo and two at the Peregrine Funds World Center for Birds of Prey in Idaho.

In the early 1980s, all 22 condors remaining in the wild were trapped and brought into a captive-breeding program that began releasing the giant vultures into Southern Californias Los Padres National Forest in 1992.

That flock has been expanding its range while other condors now occupy parts of Californias Central Coast, Arizona, Utah and Baja California, Mexico. The total population now numbers more than 500 birds in captivity and in the wild.

Two years ago, California condors were spotted in Sequoia National Park, in Californias Sierra Nevada, for the first time in nearly 50 years.

However, that same year, a dozen adults and two chicks died when a wildfire set by an arsonist ravaged their territory on the Big Sur coast.

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NEW YORK (AP)  In breaking news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that would strike down 50 years of abortion policy, Politico's most impactful moment also put the news organization squarely in the middle of one of society's most contentious issues.

Politico sent a memo to staff members on Tuesday saying it had restricted access to its offices and told security to be extra vigilant about visitors. The company also urged employees to consider removing their Politico affiliation on social media accounts.

The company has not reported any specific threats.

But the story on the court's apparent readiness to overrule the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide led to wide speculation online about Politico's sources, some of it specific and malevolent.

The Federalist, a conservative website, headlined a story: The SCOTUS Abortion Decision Leak is what Actual Treasonous Insurrection Looks Like. The site said it believed the news was leaked to bully justices into changing their votes.

Politico's story struck like a thunderclap when posted at 8:32 p.m. Eastern Monday. It's very rare for internal Supreme Court discussions to be made public, and unprecedented for a full draft decision to see the light of day  much less for one of the most closely watched cases to come before justices in years.

Demonstrators quickly appeared outside of the court, and cable news networks rearranged schedules to cover the news.

I gasped and reflexively put my hand over my mouth, journalist Emily Kaplan wrote on Twitter. Haven't done that since Election Night 2016.

The story, written by Josh Gerstein and Alexander Ward, said the court had already voted to eliminate Roe as a precedent. It linked to a copy of the draft decision which, according to a stamp on it, was written by Justice Samuel Alito and circulated within the court on Feb. 10, 2022.

Politico emphasized it was a draft decision that could change. In the article, Politico said it had received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the court's proceedings in the case that was argued Dec. 1, along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

That would seem to limit the potential sources: Each one of the court's nine justices has four clerks and there is an unknown number of support staff. It was not clear whether Politico had an electronic or hard copy of the decision.

The story was a closely held secret even within Politico, with few people knowing that it was coming. At the time it was posted, Politico's top news executives, Editor-in-Chief Matt Kaminski and Executive Editor Dafna Linzer, sent a memo to the full staff about it.

After an extensive review process, we are confident of the authenticity of the draft, the executives wrote. This unprecedented view into the justice's deliberations is plainly news of great public interest.

Politico gave no details about how it concluded the document was real and not a fake, or how long it had been in possession of the draft. The company said that our journalism speaks for itself.

The draft's authenticity was ultimately confirmed Tuesday by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who announced an investigation into who leaked the document.

It's understandable that Politico is going to great lengths to protect the identity of its source, said Kelly McBride, expert on journalism ethics for the Poynter Institute think tank.

Yet while fellow journalists understand why it's a huge story and why Politico published it, that might not be clear to a general public unfamiliar with how journalism works and often suspicious of motives, she said. Politico should have considered communicating some of that with readers.

It's going to have such massive consequences that I don't think that it's hard to explain why you did it, she said.

Politico doesn't have the footprint of The New York Times, the Washington Post or The Associated Press  all of whom were chasing its story  but it is a well-known brand name for those who follow Washington closely. Launched in 2007 by former Washington Post reporters John Harris and Jim VandeHei, it aggressively covers government and political news. Its morning Playbook newsletter is an influential agenda-setter for the nation's elite.

The expanding company was bought last year by German publisher Axel Springer for a price reported to be around $1 billion.

The fact that they broke this story and their name is all over it distinguishes their journalism and puts their name in both the history books and the textbooks, said Frank Sesno, a former CNN Washington bureau chief and professor at George Washington University.

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The Owasso High School has received a generous donation thanks to the creativity of two of its students.

Rebecca Rake and Isaac Worley were recently both named winners of the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahomas 2022 Senior Essay Contest.

As such, the Owasso Masonic Lodge presented a $10,000 check to OHS Principal Mark Officer on Saturday, April 30, to show its support for the schools ongoing participation in the statewide program.

First-place winners, boys and girls division, were both out of Owasso High School, said John Logan, executive director of the Masonic Charity. Its a cool deal.

Rake and Worley were among about 1,000 entrants as part of this years contest, which marked the first time that both male and female winners were selected from the same school in the state.

Their essays addressed an Oklahoma law that recently passed requiring high school students to correctly answer 60 out of 100 questions found on the U.S. citizenship exam before receiving their diploma, and mandating them to study the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Emancipation Proclamation.

The students wrote in response to the question, Do you think politicians should be required to pass a basic U.S. civics test to hold office? Why or why not?

Rake and Worley each received a $2,000 scholarship from the Masonic Charity, and OHS plans to reinvest the $10,000 into various student activities.

Its just incredible generosity from the community, Officer said about the donation. Very humbling to have a group of people who will reach out and support what were trying to do, and support the kids and their efforts.

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Tulsa Countys largest courtroom was standing-room only on Monday as a judge announced that the public nuisance lawsuit filed by three Tulsa Race Massacre survivors against multiple city, county and state groups could move forward.

The hearing hinged on the defendants motion to dismiss the lawsuit on grounds that the states public nuisance statute does not extend to the death and destruction caused during the events more than a century ago, but attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that, based on the states Johnson & Johnson opioids pharmaceutical lawsuit decision, it could.

Tulsa County District Judge Caroline Wall granted the defendants motion to dismiss part of the case but allowed part of it to continue.

Exactly on which grounds the case can continue will be made clear once Wall files a written order, but attorneys for the plaintiffs were rejoicing that it will move forward at all.

History was made today, lead attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons announced to a cheering crowd of supporters outside the courtroom. We have a lot of work to do, but nobody in the country has ever gotten this far.

The case will next proceed to the discovery stage, where attorneys for plaintiffs and defendants will begin accumulating evidence necessary to prove or disprove a continuing public nuisance.

Throughout the hearing, Solomon-Simmons and other plaintiffs attorneys referred back to their more than 100-page filing that alleges that the defendants engaged in criminal activity, destruction of property and offensive activity that left property uninhabitable and caused nuisances that continue to injure and endanger the comfort, repose, health, and safety of the Greenwood community to this day.

The defendants are the city of Tulsa, the Tulsa Regional Chamber, the Tulsa Development Authority, the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, the Tulsa County Board of Commissioners, the Tulsa County sheriff in his official capacity and the Oklahoma Military Department.

The plaintiffs are seeking relief in a number of ways, including declaratory relief as well as abatement by way of reparations and rebuilding the Greenwood community.

Last year, the Oklahoma Supreme Court tossed out a nearly half-billion dollar landmark 2019 ruling in a public nuisance case against Johnson & Johnson, saying the pharmaceutical company could not be held liable for the states opioid crisis because the states public nuisance law was never intended to address a sweeping public crisis like the opioid epidemic.

The law was, however, intended to address specific localized problems, the decision held. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say their case threads that needle.

Solomon-Simmons emphasized that time is of the essence in his arguments to the court, referring to three plaintiffs who survived the massacre and are each more than 100 years old: Lessie Benningfield Randle, Viola Fletcher and Hughes Van Ellis Sr.

We want them to see justice in their lifetime, Solomon-Simmons said. I personally have 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.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, said the courts decision gives Oklahoma great significance in the national conversation on curing Americas past.

The question of repair and, broadly, reparations, is an acceptable legal concept, Jackson Lee said. I will hope to send a message to Republicans and Democrats that repair is not an ugly word. That restore is a legitimate concept.

We may start here with Greenwood.  Who knows where else we may go to heal the land and to again show the world what kind of democracy we are.

Without presupposing the ultimate decision of the court, the ultimate ruling that may come down, Oklahoma, you should be proud.

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Tulsa Countys largest courtroom was standing-room only on Monday as a judge announced that the public nuisance lawsuit filed by three Tulsa Race Massacre survivors against multiple city, county and state groups could move forward.

The hearing hinged on the defendants motion to dismiss the lawsuit on grounds that the states public nuisance statute does not extend to the death and destruction caused during the events more than a century ago, but attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that, based on the states Johnson & Johnson opioids pharmaceutical lawsuit decision, it could.

Tulsa County District Judge Caroline Wall granted the defendants motion to dismiss part of the case but allowed part of it to continue.

Exactly on which grounds the case can continue will be made clear once Wall files a written order, but attorneys for the plaintiffs were rejoicing that it will move forward at all.

History was made today, lead attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons announced to a cheering crowd of supporters outside the courtroom. We have a lot of work to do, but nobody in the country has ever gotten this far.

The case will next proceed to the discovery stage, where attorneys for plaintiffs and defendants will begin accumulating evidence necessary to prove or disprove a continuing public nuisance.

Throughout the hearing, Solomon-Simmons and other plaintiffs attorneys referred back to their more than 100-page filing that alleges that the defendants engaged in criminal activity, destruction of property and offensive activity that left property uninhabitable and caused nuisances that continue to injure and endanger the comfort, repose, health, and safety of the Greenwood community to this day.

The defendants are the city of Tulsa, the Tulsa Regional Chamber, the Tulsa Development Authority, the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, the Tulsa County Board of Commissioners, the Tulsa County sheriff in his official capacity and the Oklahoma Military Department.

The plaintiffs are seeking relief in a number of ways, including declaratory relief as well as abatement by way of reparations and rebuilding the Greenwood community.

Last year, the Oklahoma Supreme Court tossed out a nearly half-billion dollar landmark 2019 ruling in a public nuisance case against Johnson & Johnson, saying the pharmaceutical company could not be held liable for the states opioid crisis because the states public nuisance law was never intended to address a sweeping public crisis like the opioid epidemic.

The law was, however, intended to address specific localized problems, the decision held. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say their case threads that needle.

Solomon-Simmons emphasized that time is of the essence in his arguments to the court, referring to three plaintiffs who survived the massacre and are each more than 100 years old: Lessie Benningfield Randle, Viola Fletcher and Hughes Van Ellis Sr.

We want them to see justice in their lifetime, Solomon-Simmons said. I personally have 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.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, said the courts decision gives Oklahoma great significance in the national conversation on curing Americas past.

The question of repair and, broadly, reparations, is an acceptable legal concept, Jackson Lee said. I will hope to send a message to Republicans and Democrats that repair is not an ugly word. That restore is a legitimate concept.

We may start here with Greenwood.  Who knows where else we may go to heal the land and to again show the world what kind of democracy we are.

Without presupposing the ultimate decision of the court, the ultimate ruling that may come down, Oklahoma, you should be proud.

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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.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Campaign finance quarterly reports filed over the weekend underscore the financial difficulties of challenging an incumbent.

The reports show that Gov. Kevin Stitts reelection campaign had spent more than all of his challengers combined had raised through the end of March, and the gap appears to be getting wider.

Stitt reported contributions of $1.25 million for the period, compared to almost $370,000 for his closest rival, Democrat Joy Hofmeister. Five other candidates reported contributions of less than $40,000; most of that was actually out-of-pocket expenses that Republican Mark Sherwood counted as in-kind contributions.

A sixth candidate, Republican Joel Kintsel, did not begin his campaign until after the March 31 end of the reporting period.

Stitt, who spent around $5 million of his own money and more than $10 million all told to win a tough election in 2018, so far has spent $1.9 million  all of it from other people  on his reelection bid.

By comparison, Hofmeister has raised a total of $904,000 since announcing her candidacy in the fall. The other five candidates reported contributions of $350,000, but that includes $160,000 former state Sen. Ervin Yen transferred from his legislative campaign and $55,000 worth of in-kind contributions reported by Sherwood.

Sherwoods cash contributions were only $42,000 for the election cycle.

Stitts contributions came mainly from Oklahoma but with substantial support from out of state, especially Texas and Florida. Oil and gas, construction and medical were particularly prominent sectors on his report.

Stitt reported spending $451,000 last quarter and $470,000 total with Brabendercox, a top-of-the-line video production and consulting company for services and media buys.

Other expenditures include $225,000 to Targeted Victory, a Washington-based digital consultant; $185,000 to a Minnesota company for printing and postage; $138,000 to campaign manager Donelle Harders company; $66,000 for compliance consulting, $171,298.51 to Absolute Resource Development, a Tulsa-based fundraising firm; and $68,000 to Anedot, an online fundraising and processing platform.

No one, including Hofmeister, can come close to that kind of firepower.

But somebody is spending a lot of money against Stitt. Two ostensibly conservative dark money groups, Sooner State Leadership Fund and Conservative Voice of America, are running bareknuckle spots attacking Stitt.

Reportedly, the Sooner State Leadership Fund is willing to spend up to $10 million to defeat him.

But no one has acknowledged funding the groups, and no real primary challenger to Stitt has emerged.

Stitt has also received some outside help, including spots paid for by the National Republican Governors Association.

Featured video: Gov. Stitt signs near-total abortion ban: We want Oklahoma to be the most pro-life state

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OKLAHOMA CITY  On the same day the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed it may be prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the latest piece of abortion-banning legislation to arrive on his desk.

Senate Bill 1503 received final passage from the state Senate last week. The measure would ban abortions at the detection of a fetal heartbeat, usually at about six weeks, or before most women know theyre pregnant.

SB 1503 includes an emergency clause, meaning it takes effect immediately. But an abortion rights coalition has filed lawsuits to stop SB 1503 and SB 612, the near-total abortion ban signed by Stitt earlier this month. A temporary restraining order to stop SB 1503 from going into effect has been denied.

The governor announced that he had signed the bill on social media.

I am proud to sign SB 1503, the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act into law, Stitt said in a tweet. I want Oklahoma to be the most pro-life state in the country because I represent all four million Oklahomans who overwhelmingly want to protect the unborn.

Meanwhile, reaction to a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion on a current challenge to Roe. v. Wade was swift and varied.

House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, stressed that the opinion is only a draft.

The draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade has been verified.

I think this is far from over, Virgin said. But of course, I think a lot of folks in Oklahoma and across the country are understandably terrified at this point.

She said people are losing a right they have had for 50 years.

It is not often in this country we move backwards in such a striking way, she said.

For decades, the growing majority of GOP lawmakers have passed bills imposing more restrictions on abortion, only to have those laws struck down by the courts. Some Democrats have crossed party lines to vote with Republicans.

The subject has been debated during hundreds of hours in legislative committees and on the House and Senate floors.

Decades of steadfast prayer and unwavering legislative efforts to protect the lives of the unborn are finally on the doorsteps of success, said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. The seemingly imminent overturning of Roe v. Wade justifies the long battle by Oklahoma House Republicans and pro-life allies nationwide to return this matter to the duly elected representatives of state legislatures to decide.

McCall said when the decision is overturned, a state law will trigger an end to abortion in Oklahoma.

Last month, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 612, a near-total ban on abortion.

The law makes abortion a felony for those who provide the care, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. It makes an exception only for an abortion performed to save the life of the mother and takes effect this summer.

Despite that, lawmakers have continued to pass more anti-abortion measures.

For close to 50 years, the silent cries of the millions who lost their lives before even having a chance to live have been heard through the voices of those of us fighting for their rights, McCall said.

Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, archbishop of Oklahoma City, said reversing Roe v. Wade would be an answer to our prayers and a significant step to building a culture of life that recognizes the inherit dignity of each and every human person, particularly the poor and people of color wo are disproportionately targeted by the abortion industry.

Abortion has been a recurring topic on the election trail for incumbents and candidates.

Madison Horn, a Democrat who is among those running against U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, said she was outraged by the draft opinion, adding that women have the right to make their own health care decisions.

If elected, I will fight fiercely for womens rights and access to health care, she said. I will not hide behind empty values, abuse religious principles for political gain or ever waiver in my conviction to defend womens rights.

Lankford said it appears the court is sending the question of when life begins back to state legislatures.

The American people should determine how to protect life, not justices, Lankford said in a prepared statement. In Oklahoma, we will keep speaking out for the value of each life including pregnant and parenting mothers. Those who work for the destruction of children because they are inconvenient are on the wrong side of history. Each child has great potential and we should celebrate every girl and boy.

Former House Speaker T.W. Shannon, a Republican, is among those running to replace U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe.

If the United States Supreme Court is ready to overturn the most murderous opinion in our nations history, then every Oklahoman and American who values life should be thanking President (Donald) Trump for appointing the justices who made the ruling possible, Shannon said.

He said the lives of millions of unborn depend on Republicans taking back control of Congress.

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The ongoing increase in prices of bran poses difficulties for breeders, putting them at risk of great losses, livestock breeding associations have warned.

Many feed companies announced a rise in bran prices in late April and early May, the thirteenth or fourteenth hike since late 2020.

In a notice sent to its customers, MNS Feed Company Limited said that it has increased the prices of its bran products by VND300-500 (US$0.013-0.021) per kilogram since May 1, effective for the southern region.

Similarly, De Heus Company Limited has announced a rise of VND300-400 ($0.017) per kilogram for most bran types since early May, applied to clients from north-central Quang Tri Province to the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

Many other feed enterprises, such as Emivest Feedmill Vietnam Company, C.P Vietnam Livestock JSC, Greenfeed Vietnam Corporation, CJ Vina Agri Co. Ltd., and more have also confirmed a hike of VND300 to VND400 per kilogram for most bran products.

The price of bran has gone up by over VND6,000 ($0.26) per kilogram since late 2020, causing a 25kg bag of bran to become VND125,000 ($5.42) more expensive.

Feed accounts for 70-80 percent of the total cost of livestock breeding, so if the price of bran continues to rise and the selling price of pigs remains low, farmers will suffer great losses, said a large breeder, calling himself Thang, who once delivered 1,000 pigs per month, in southern Dong Nai Province.

As a result, the cost of raising pigs for meat has now surged to VND56,000-60,000 ($2.43-2.6) per kilogram, while live pigs have fetched only VND54,000-57,000 ($2.34-2.47) per kilogram, Nguyen Kim Doan, deputy chairman of the Dong Nai Livestock Association, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Similarly, the continuous increase in bran prices has pushed the cost of raising broiler chickens from VND27,000 ($1.17) to VND28,000 ($1.21) per kilogram, much higher than previous levels, many chicken farmers have lamented.

Chicken raisers face huge losses as breeding costs continuously go up, exceeding the selling prices, Le Van Quyet, deputy chairman of the Southeast Poultry Breeding Association, warned.

Frequently suffering losses, many small-scale breeders have stopped re-herding livestock, leading to their share accounting for only 10-15 percent of the total supply, with the remainder belonging to larger players, Quyet said.

Vietnam currently produces merely 35 percent of animal feed for the domestic market while the rest is imported, said Tong Xuan Chinh, deputy director of the Animal Husbandry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

More and more Vietnamese and foreign enterprises invested in animal husbandry in Vietnam, including Masan, Dabaco, Tan Long, Truong Hai, Hoa Phat, CP, Cargill, Deheus, and Japfa Comfeed, among others, the department said.

So far, Vietnams livestock industry has contributed 25.2 percent to the revenue of the agricultural sector, according to the ministry.

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Thirty-eight people were killed and 53 others injured in traffic accidents across Vietnam from Saturday to Monday, the first three days of the ongoing four-day break marking Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers Day (May 1).

The National Committee for Traffic Safety recorded 80 crashes, along with 38 deaths and 53 injured victims in the country during the three days.

Among them, 29 crashes occurred on Saturday, killing 12 and injuring nine others.

Twenty-six accidents took place on Sunday, claiming 11 lives and wounding 26 people.

On Monday, 15 people died and 18 were injured in 25 accidents.

A particularly serious collision happened along a section of National Highway No. 1 in south-central Binh Dinh Province at around 1:25 am on Monday.

Three people on a motorbike were killed after their vehicle was hit by a passenger bus.

On Monday, traffic police officers booked nearly 4,560 violations, imposing fines totaling VND4 billion (US$174,100), revoking 617 drivers licenses, and impounding 77 cars and 1,594 motorbikes.

Among the traffic offenses, 919 were driving under the influence of alcohol, while 656 were speeding.

Public workers in Vietnam are given four days off from April 30 to May 3 to celebrate Reunification Day and International Workers Day.

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The ferry service taking tourists from Cat Ba Island off Hai Phong City in northern Vietnam back to the mainland was overwhelmed on Monday afternoon after many travelers were stranded on the island for nearly one day due to bad weather.

Thousands of cars lined up in two rows, stretching about 7-8 kilometers on the major road leading to the Cai Vieng ferry terminal, via which people can arrive in and depart Cat Ba Island by ferry.

The rainy weather caused the ferry service to temporarily stop operating from 5:00 pm on Monday, according to Pham Van Manh, a 46-year-old resident of Thai Binh Province, who had intended to leave the island with his family the same afternoon.

As a result, Manhs family, like many other tourists, was unable to leave Cat Ba as planned.

The jamming prompted police officers and the ferry station staff to work together to regulate the traffic and prevent disorder.

Vehicles line up on the major road leading to the Cai Vieng ferry terminal on Cat Ba Island off Hai Phong City, Vietnam, May 2, 2022. Photo: Tien Thang / Tuoi Tre

A leader of the ferry terminal blamed the rainy weather pattern and the surge in visitors during the four-day break marking Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers Day (May 1) for the service suspension.

Although the terminal mobilized all of its nine ferries and about 200 employees on Monday afternoon, the service still failed to meet the tourists travel demand, causing the congestion, according to the leader.

The ferry station representative added that the traffic congestion at the Cai Vieng terminal has long been an unsolved recurrence, which often gets worse on weekends and public holidays.

Traffic jams also frequently happen at the mainland side of the ferry route -- the Got Port.

People arrive in Cat Ba Island off Hai Phong City, Vietnam, by ferry during the four-day break marking Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers Day (May 1) in 2022. Photo: Tien Thang / Tuoi Tre

In order to mitigate such gridlock, Hai Phong authorities temporarily banned the transport of cars and trucks from the Got Port to Cat Ba Island from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm every day during the April 30 holiday.

This measure has significantly reduced congestion in the direction from Hai Phong to Cat Ba.

However, the problem remains on the other end.

Cat Ba Island is the largest of the 367 islands spanning 260 square kilometers that comprise Cat Ba Archipelago, which makes up the southeastern edge of Lan Ha Bay in northern Vietnam.

The island has a surface area of 285 square kilometers and maintains the dramatic and rugged features of the famed Ha Long Bay.

The ferry journey from Hai Phong to Cat Ba takes approximately one hour.

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Here are todays leading news stories:

Society

-- Eighty traffic accidents occurred in Vietnam from Saturday to Monday, the first three days of the ongoing four-day holiday, killing 38 people and injuring 53 others, the National Committee for Traffic Safety reported.

-- Many routes leading to Hanoi were congested on Monday afternoon as people rushed back to the capital city even though the ongoing holiday has yet to end.

-- Officers in south-central Binh Thuan Province confirmed on Monday they had found the body of a 13-year-old student who went missing after falling into a canal on Sunday.

-- The ferry service taking tourists from Cat Ba Island off northern Hai Phong City back to the mainland was overcrowded on Monday afternoon after many travelers were stranded on the island for nearly one day due to bad weather.

-- Police in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang said on Monday they had apprehended a 31-year-old man for allegedly stabbing to death his older brother during a fight while he was under the influence of alcohol.

-- Police officers in northern Thai Binh Province have arrested a 44-year-old teacher who was accused of molesting a fifth grader.

-- Waterway police officers in Ho Chi Minh City confirmed on Monday they had arrested a member of a group of men who had allegedly stolen about 800 liters of diesel oil from local ships.

Lifestyle

-- The Da Nang Department of Tourism announced on Monday that the central city had welcomed more than 254,000 visitors during the holiday weekend marking Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers Day (May 1).

Sports

-- Hundreds of people waited in front of Viet Tri Stadium in northern Phu Tho Province for an entire night on Monday in order to buy tickets to the football matches of Vietnam U23s during the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam in May.

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The number of Vietnamese tourists traveling abroad increased sharply during the Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers Day (May 1) holiday this year despite higher prices for outbound tours against the pre-pandemic period.

Most large travel firms in Ho Chi Minh City, such as Saigontourist, Vietravel, Fiditour - Vietluxtour, TST tourist, and Lua Viet Travel, reopened tours to the Maldives, Dubai, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, and the U.S. during the holiday, which lasts from Saturday to Tuesday, and reported fast growth in the number of customers.

Doan Thi Thanh Tra, director of marketing and communications at Saigontourist, said during the Reunification Day and International Workers Day vacation this year, Vietnamese tourists preferred traveling to the U.S., Dubai, Turkey, Singapore, and Cambodia.

Saigontourist held a four-day tour for 220 guests flying from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore on April 30.

The number of tourists to Cambodia, Dubai, Turkey, and the U.S. was on the rise as well.

After tours to destinations in Southeast Asia, Vietravel introduced an eight-day tour to Mongolia with direct flights scheduled to depart later this month.

The tour costs each tourist VND55 million ($2,381).

A Vietravel representative said tourists could travel abroad during the holiday this year as the coronavirus has been kept at bay thanks to high vaccination coverage rates and natural immunity.

Vietnamese tourists complete procedures to fly to Dubai and Abu Dhabi during the Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers Day (May 1) holiday this year. Photo: Nguyen Minh / Tuoi Tre

They preferred safe destinations with less requirements and competitive prices.

Although the demand for outbound tours during the holiday was not as high as that in the pre-pandemic period, it increased significantly, according to Fiditour - Vietluxtour.

At present, the prices of outbound tours remain high compared with the rates before the COVID-19 outbreak.

As a case in point, tours to Thailand are priced at VND14-17 million ($608-738) per tourist. The price spikes to VND20 million ($867) if travelers stay at four-star hotels.

Previously, travel companies normally offered tours to Thailand at VND8-10 million ($349-436) per guest.

Meanwhile, four-day-three-night tours to Singapore will cost each tourist at least VND16 million ($693).

Nicky Huong Nguyen, assistant manager at Singapores TimesWorld Travel & Educational Tours Pte Ltd, said Vietnamese visitors to Singapore should prepare for the hike in goods and service prices there.

After being hit by COVID-19 over the past two years, restaurants in Singapore have started to charge customers more.

Some people may be surprised at the new prices so it is advisable to get more information and prepare funds, Huong Nguyen added.

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Vietnamese police have initiated criminal proceedings against a teacher who was accused of raping an 11-year-old student in his class.

Police in northern Thai Binh Provinces Tien Hai District have arrested Doan Van Tam, 44, a teacher at Dong Long Elementary and Middle School in the district, on charges of raping a person under 16 years old, a source told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday.

The arrest warrant and prosecution decision against Tam were approved by the procuracy of the same level.

The district police launched an investigation into the case after receiving a denunciation from D.T.X., hailing from Hanoi, on April 29 in which she accused Tam of raping her daughter, 11-year-old N.D.A..

The rape happened around mid-April, VietNamNet cited X. as saying.

Following the allegation, the school management suspended Tam from teaching to facilitate the polices investigation into the case.

Agencies concerned performed a forensic examination to collect evidence.

X. told Tuoi Tre that some relatives of Tams visited her home to apologize and offer remedies for the mans crime but she did not accept their suggestions.

The woman also said her daughter has shown signs of fear, isolated herself, and limited contact with people around her after being sexually abused.

A.s parents divorced when the girl was nine months old and she has since lived with her mother in Hanoi.

In March 2020, when A.s school suspended in-person classes due to the COVID-19 impacts, X. and her daughter moved to Tien Hai District to live with the girls grandparents.

A. later attended the aforementioned school and was placed in the class where Tam was the head teacher.

Local police are continuing their probe.

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Police in Da Lat confirmed on Tuesday the information that a Russian man was arrested in the capital city of Lam Dong Province, located in Vietnams Central Highlands region, for protesting Russias military campaign in Ukraine was untrue, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

The city police averred that they had summoned Propisnov Alexander, a Russian national born in 1981, on Sunday to work on the validity of his passport and visa.

Although Alexanders passport and visa had expired, he remained at accommodation establishments in Da Lat without renewing the papers, which violated Vietnams regulations on exit, entry, transit, residence, and travel.

After the working session, Alexander was aware of his wrongdoing and went to Ho Chi Minh City, where the Consulate General of Russia is located, to complete the passport and visa extension procedures.

Meanwhile, the Da Lat police discovered that many online sites had circulated distorted information related to the Russian nationals case, saying that police officers arrested him for holding a banner at the Lam Vien Square to oppose Russias attack on Ukraine.

The city police warned that individuals who share unverified or untrue information related to Alexanders situation will be handled in accordance with the law.

Vietnamese law stipulates that people who put up false content online can be subject to administrative sanctions.

In case of causing serious consequences through such acts, violators will be criminally charged in accordance with the 2015 Penal Code on the crime of illegally circulating or using information on social and telecommunications networks, with the highest penalty being either a fine from VND200 million (US$8,709) to VND1 billion ($43,547) or 2-7 years in prison.

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A ground-breaking collaboration between the ABC and Australias eSafety Commissioner has seen the release of best practice guidelines designed to help protect journalists and newsrooms from online abuse.

Launched on UNESCOs World Press Freedom Day today, the guidelines align with this years theme of Journalism under digital siege.

The resources include tips for media organisations in supporting staff to manage and mitigate the risk of social media abuse. They include some of the practical steps the ABC is taking to prepare for and respond to social media abuse and continue the ABCs leadership in the space following last years CyberSafety summit.

ABC Managing Director, David Anderson, said, We have all felt and observed a rise in online hate and abuse directed at our media professionals, and we have seen the devastating cumulative impact of this daily bullying, he said. The ABC has made a significant investment in the structures and policies and processes to support journalists and staff. But all journalists need to know theyre not alone and that there are resources they can use for their protection.

Abuse of journalists online is not equally distributed. Female journalists, Indigenous journalists, LGBTQIA+ journalists and culturally and linguistically diverse journalists more likely to experience online abuse.

Research conducted by the eSafety Office  the worlds first government regulatory agency committed to keeping its citizens safer online  has found that women with a media presence were 56 per cent more likely to receive online abuse, and for those with a public profile the threat was even higher. Through the nature of their work, journalists have become more accessible online, with 78 per cent of respondents believing that people think its ok to harass and abuse you if you have a public profile or are active online.

It has been so rewarding to work closely with the ABC on this important issue because we know more and more journalists, particularly female journalists and those from diverse backgrounds, are becoming the targets of abuse online as part of their daily work, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said. And this abuse of women online has devastating consequences, not only for their mental health, but also for the promotion and protection of their important voices in shaping public discourse.

This visible normalisation of targeted online harassment of female and diverse journalists has an incredibly powerful downstream impact on society. In fact, our Women In the Spotlight (WITS) research report showed a quarter of Australian women were reluctant to move into public-facing roles because of the fear of being targeted in such a savage and visible way.

It is important to remember to #ReportandSupport, including reporting serious adult cyber abuse to eSafety at www.esafety.gov.au if the social media site refuses to comply.

The ABC has also recently become a signatory to the Brussels declaration, a new global initiative in support of media professionals safety.

www.esafety.gov.au/educators/corporate-and-community-education/supporting-journalists-engage-safely-online
This week on Foreign Correspondent reporter Bonny Symons-Brown visits the Philippines on the eve of national elections.

How does Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the son of a dictator, who was ousted in a people power revolt 36 years earlier, how can history have been changed so drastically? With the help of social media platforms. Maria Ressa, journalist and Noble Peace Prize laureate.

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, the son of his dictator father Ferdinand Snr, is poised to become the next President of the Philippines.

Once synonymous with corruption and authoritarianism, the Marcos family has succeeded in restoring its once tarnished reputation.

So how did this miraculous makeover happen?

Reporter Bonny Symons-Brown visits the Philippines on the eve of momentous national elections to find out how Bongbong Marcos became so popular his rivals barely stand a chance.

She finds a nation deeply divided over its recent political history.

Ferdinand Marcos ruled the country for two decades with an iron fist, imposing martial law, even jailing and torturing his political opponents.

The President and his glamourous and powerful wife Imelda flaunted their lavish lifestyle as they stole billions from the nations coffers.

In 1986, they were forced out of the country by a People Power revolution but today many Filippinos have forgotten why and forgiven the family.

I think people get tired of the mudslinging against the Marcoses, and people now realise that the best president and the best administration we had was President Marcos, says Larry Gadon, a senatorial candidate on Marcos Jrs ticket.

He dismisses the stories of torture and human rights abuses under martial law as propaganda.

But Cristina lived it. A young activist during the martial law years, she was picked up by police, interrogated and tortured.

We have to continue to tell the story so that it doesnt happen again, she says.

Journalist and Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa says part of the problem is the massive spread of disinformation online.

What social media has done is to spread lies faster than facts, she tells Symons-Brown. And this will help pave the way for a win.

This is a timely and disturbing story about how the powerful weapon of social media can be deployed to rewrite history.

8pm Thursday on ABC.
Travel Guides tonight are off to the Flinders Range in South Australia.

On their trip are the Murray River, Wilpena Pound, Parachilna, Quorn and a helicopter ride.

Starting in Renmark, the houseboat mecca of the mighty Murray, our Guides pick up their houseboats and discover that driving a boat as big as a house is just as hard as it sounds. After a brush with neighbouring boats, a waterfront restaurant and a tree, our Guides manage to find a mooring and relax into all that life on water has to offer, including on board jacuzzis.

The Murray River is the home of high-octane water sports, so our Guides try getting towed behind a ski-boat on a sea-biscuit. For even more revs, they have a go in a Dinghy Derby boat, a death-defying dash around the river bends.

Back on dry land, this trip kicks into 6th gear at the Loveday 44 Adventure Park where our Guides get into battle mode. On the largest gel blasting field in the country, theyre unleashed on the locals with semi-automatic gel blasters.

Leaving the Riverland and the Murray River behind, our Guides swap the river for the road, driving north to the magnificent Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound. Its all about outback luxury here as they stay in eco-friendly villas at Rawnsley Park Station, a huge sheep property with a pool voted one of the most Instagrammable in the world. Our Guides are put to work with the sheep but some need to get the flock out.

7:30pm tonight on Nine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has often asserted that Russians and Ukrainians are one people. He points to a few factors: the Russian language spoken widely in both countries, their similar cultures, and the two countries political connections, which date back to medieval times. But there is one more factor that ties all these together: religion.

Grand Prince Volodymyr, leader of the kingdom of Kyiv, converted to Christianity in the 10th century and forced his subjects to do the same. As Putin sees it, Orthodox Christianity established a religious and cultural foundation that outlasted the kingdom itself, creating a shared heritage among the people who live in present-day Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

As a historian of religion and nationalism in Ukraine and Russia, I see Russias invasion as, in part, an attempt to restore this imagined Russian World. More than 7 in 10 Ukrainians identify as Orthodox Christians, similar to the percentage in Russia.

But what Putins claims ignore is a uniquely Ukrainian religious heritage that transcends church institutions and has long nourished Ukrainians sense of nationhood. Many Ukrainians throughout history have seen religion as something that asserts their separateness from Russia, not their commonality.

Kyiv vs. Moscow

Under imperial Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church was often a tool of assimilation, with officials eager to use the power of the church to make newly conquered peoples Russian subjects.

Beginning in 1654, when Ukrainian lands were being absorbed into imperial Russia, clergy from Moscow had to decide how to accommodate distinct religious texts, practices and ideas from Kyiv that differed from Moscows in subtle yet significant ways. Believing some of the Kyivan practices to be more closely aligned with the Byzantine roots of the Orthodox Church, Russian clergy decided to integrate Ukrainian rituals and priests into the Russian Orthodox Church.

Later, some members of the clergy helped promote the idea of Russian and Ukrainian unity, rooted in Orthodox faith. Yet 19th-century Ukrainian activists took a different view of this history. They saw the Russian Orthodox Church as a tool of empire. In these activists view, the church had adopted Ukrainian traditions in the name of spiritual unity while actually denying Ukrainians distinct identity.

Story continues

These nationalist activists did not abandon Orthodox Christianity, however. As they pushed for an autonomous Ukraine, they asserted there was a difference between the politics of the church institution and the everyday religion that foregrounded Ukrainian life.

In the shadow of empire

Not all Ukrainians lived in the spiritual realm of Moscow. A Ukrainian national movement also grew in the west, in former Kyivan lands that ended up in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Here many in the population were members of a hybrid religious institution, the Greek Catholic Church, which practiced Orthodox rituals but followed the pope.

Local parishes in the Greek Catholic Church became important in the national movement as religious institutions that distinguished Ukrainians from not only Russian neighbors to the east, but also from the local Polish population in Austria-Hungary. But Ukrainian activists grappled with how to build a nation that was split between these two main faiths: the Russian Orthodox Church and the Greek Catholic Church.

When imperial Russia collapsed in 1917, one of the first acts of the new Ukrainian government formed in Kyiv was declaring its own Orthodox Church, separate from Moscow: the Ukrainian Autocephalous Church. The church was intended to use the Ukrainian language and to empower local parishes more than the Russian Orthodox Church had allowed.

As the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, the leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Andrei Sheptytsky, put forward a plan for a unified Ukrainian Church under the Vatican but grounded in Orthodox ritual. He hoped such a church could bring Ukrainians together.

But these plans never materialized. The independent government in Kyiv was defeated by the Bolsheviks by 1921, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church based in Kyiv was banned by the Soviet Union.

Crackdown on nationalist prayers

In the first decades of the Soviet Union, the Bolsheviks mounted a campaign against religious institutions, especially the Russian Orthodox Church. They viewed Russian Orthodoxy, in particular, as an instrument of the old regime and a potential source of opposition.

During World War II, however, the Soviet Union revived the Russian Orthodox Church, hoping to use it as a tool to promote Russian nationalism at home and abroad.

In western Ukraine, which the Soviet Union annexed from Poland in 1939, this meant forcibly converting 3 million Ukrainian Greek Catholics to Russian Orthodoxy.

Many Ukrainians proved resilient in adapting religious life to these circumstances. Some formed an underground Greek Catholic Church, while others found ways to maintain their traditions despite participating in the Soviet-sanctioned Russian Orthodox Church.

In Soviet secret police records, officers documented what they called nationalist practices at church: believers remaining silent when the Moscow patriarchs name was to be commemorated, for example, or using prayer books that predated Soviet rule.

Hopes for change

When the Soviet Union collapsed, Ukraine found itself in a position to redefine the religious landscape. Some Christians became part of the Greek Catholic Church after it was relegalized. Other Christians saw this moment as a time to declare an autocephalous Ukrainian church, meaning they would still be in communion with other Orthodox churches around the world, but not under Moscows control. Still others wanted to remain part of the Russian Orthodox Church based in Moscow.

In 2019, a Ukrainian Orthodox church was recognized as autocephalous by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual head of Orthodoxy worldwide, forming the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

In Ukraine today, only 13% of people say they are affiliated with the Orthodox Church based in Moscow, while 24% follow the Orthodox Church based in Ukraine, and a similar percentage call themselves simply Orthodox.

Some Ukrainians have treated the Moscow-based church with suspicion, recognizing its close ties to Putins government. Yet it would be a mistake to assume that all who attend this church agree with its politics.

Putin and other leaders in Moscow have their own ideas about Orthodoxy. But in Ukraine, sacred spaces have long been where many Ukrainians fought for, and won, their right to self-determination.

[Explore the intersection of faith, politics, arts and culture. Sign up for This Week in Religion.]

This article has been updated to correct the percentage of Ukrainians affiliated with the Orthodox Church based in Moscow.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Kathryn David, Vanderbilt University.

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Kathryn David does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Day 1a of the EPT Monte Carlo 5,300 Main Event has come to an end and 419 runners turned out to Monte Carlo Sporting Complex for the first of two flights in the flagship event of the 2022 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) presented by Monte-Carlo Casino.

The opening flight generated a prize pool of 2,526,850, and the field tops the last time an EPT Main Event was held in Monte Carlo, when 342 players turned out for Day 1a. Despite the smaller field, 128 players bagged in 2019, compared to the 121 that will return on Wednesday for Day 2. It remains to be seen if the tournament will make a run at the record turnout of 1,098 players in 2016.

Merijn van Rooij of the Netherlands is the chip leader after 10 levels of play and he will return with 159 big blinds on Day 2. He's followed closely by Bruno Volkmann, Andrew Hulme, and Kazuhiko Yotsushika. Ramon Colillas and Oliver Bosch are also among the top stacks of the day, along with bracelet winners Justin Saliba and Yuri Dzivielevski.

EPT Monte Carlo 5,300 Main Event Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Name Country Chips Day 2 Big Blinds 1 Merijn van Rooij Netherlands 253,000 159 2 Bruno Volkmann Brazil 240,000 156 3 Andrew Hulme United Kingdom 238,500 154 4 Kazuhiko Yotsushika Japan 233,500 152 5 Ramon Colillas Spain 231,000 150 6 Oliver Bosch Austria 228,500 143 7 Justin Saliba USA 224,500 137 8 Hugo Pingray France 215,000 128 9 Yuri Dzivielevski Brazil 205,500 127 10 Josip Simunic Austria 191,500 127

Day 1a Highlights

It was a banner day for eliminations with more than two-thirds of the field falling before the end of the night. Among them was Tamon Nakamura, who was eliminated on a three-way pot when his tens were out drawn by the queen-eight of bracelet winner Emil Bise. Tsugunari Toma was the third player and had both covered, but his pocket threes were no good.

Toma went on to score a double elimination of Julien Sitbon and Mihail Lala when his eight-six made a straight on the river to crack Sitbon's pocket queens. It was the second big pot that Toma took from Sitbon, and both were a straight made with an eight-six. Toma fell back later in the day and will return for Day 2 with one of the short stacks.

2015 EPT Malta Main Event champion Niall Farrell took his shot in the first flight and will return for Day 2, thanks in part to a clash with Jonas Lauck where Farrell shoved the river and Lauck got away from it to move Farrell above 100K chips. He fell back slightly and finished with 87,000, but he will return on Wednesday in search of his second EPT Main Event title.

Elsewhere, bracelet winner Leo Margets steadily built her stack throughout the day, starting with a double through Ermo Kosk with pocket sevens. She found another pot later in the day when she got a shove through against Ferenc Deak. Margets ended the day with 98,500 and she will return on Wednesday for a shot at Day 3.

Victoria Coren Mitchell will also return for Day 2 after bagging a stack with 47,500, in part thanks to a runner-runner full house against Dan Tolppanen.

Other notable returning players include PokerStars ambassador Benjamin Spragg, John Mooney, Timothy Adams, Sam Greenwood, Daniel Dvoress, 2021 WSOP Main Event Champion Koray Aldemir, and Gaelle Baumann, who bagged 181,500 to finish just outside the top ten.

Day 1b on Tuesday

Action will continue Tuesday, May 3 at noon local time with the second of two flights in the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event. Players who were eliminated on Monday will have another opportunity to jump into Tuesdays flight, and registration will continue through the end of Day 2. Players will once again start with 30,000 in chips and play ten 60-minute levels before they combine with the Day 1a survivors on Wednesday.

Be sure to keep it here with the PokerNews team all week long for live updates from the EPT Monte Carlo 5,300 Main Event.
Another sunny day in the beautiful Principality of Monaco and everyone is gearing up for more action here at the 2022 PokerStars European Poker Tour presented by Monte-Carlo Casino. At 12:30 p.m. local time, the 50,000 No-Limit Hold'em will kick off another high stakes tournament in the Palmiers room in the Monte-Carlo Sporting complex.

Jean-Noel Thorel laid claim to the first 10,200 Mystery Bounty title, Yuri Dzivielevski won the 25,000 Single-Day High Roller, and the 100,000 Super High Roller still has six players competing for the win today on the PokerStars live streams on YouTube and Twitch. But the expectations are that the other high-stakes regulars will all be jumping into this tournament today instead of Day 1b of the 5,300 Main Event.

Players who register in advance, and take their seat and 100,000 stack before the tournament starts, will be refunded 50% of their fees. The levels will last 30 minutes each until they're three-handed after which it will be halved. Registration will remain open until the start of Level 11 with unlimited reentries possible during that period. Play will continue until a winner has been crowned at the end of the road.

A shot clock will be implemented from the start of the event and to incentivize players, even more, to register on time, they will receive 8 time bank cards if they're there from the start. Seven cards will be given when players come in on Level 1, six during Level 2 & 3, five when they take their seats on Level 4 & 5, and four time bank cards during Level 6 and later. When the field gets down to the final table, those players will receive another five time bank cards to add to their collection.

Follow along as the PokerNews team is on hand to bring you all the live updates from the first shuffle until the final river card has been dealt.
There are just six players returning to the felt for the final table of the 100,000 Super High Roller at the 2022 PokerStars European Poker Tour presented by Monte-Carlo Casino. All six players are guaranteed to walk away with a portion of the 4,074,840 prizepool with the winner taking home 1,385,430.

Leading the way when the action begins will be Adrian Mateos who accumulated a massive chip lead with 4,485,000 chips. Mateos had a spectacular Day 2 to this event, sending multiple players to the rail including bubble boy Orpen Kisacikoglu to end the proceedings. With already over $25 million in career tournament earnings, the Spanish poker pro will be looking to add another seven-figure pay day to his resume.

He will be joined by fellow high-stakes poker pros Marius Gierse (2,005,000), Laszlo Bujtas (1,105,000), Mikalai Vaskaboinikau (1,010,000), Mikita Badziakouski (660,000), and Norwegian businessman Kent Staahle (1,235,000). While the other four professionals at the table have plenty of high-stakes experience, Staahle is fairly new to the scene and will be looking to record his highest ever tournament score.

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

The action is slated to get underway 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 levels will continue to be 60 minutes in length until just three players remain where they will drop to 30 minutes. Each player will receive a new set of five time bank cards to use at their disposal throughout the day.

The PokerNews live reporting coverage will be on a 30-minute delay to be in accordance with the live stream. Keep it locked here for all of the updates and to find out who will br crowned the Super High Roller champion.
It was a performance that only one of the best players could pull off and Adrian Mateos will be walking out with another title at the 2022 PokerStars European Poker Tour presented by Monte-Carlo Casino. Besting a field of 42 entries, Mateos showed off his poker prowess over the past couple of days in the 100,000 EPT Super High Roller, defeating some of the best players in the world.

Mateos entered the final table of six players as the odds-on favorite with a healthy chip lead and he did not disappoint as he dominated his way to yet another victory. Mateos held a commanding lead going into three-way action and never looked back, finishing the tournament in around four hours.

Another seven-figure payout of 1,385,430 will pad Mateos' career resume which continues to establish the argument that the Spaniard may be one of the best players in the world. Mateos defeated Marius Gierse in heads-up action who faced a huge uphill battle staring across the table at the overwhelming chip leader. It only took five hands for Mateos to close the curtains on his counterpart despite a double up in the early going.

Final Table Payouts

Place Player Country Prize (EUR) 1st Adrian Mateos Spain 1,385,430 2nd Marius Gierse Austria 957,590 3rd Mikita Badziakouski Belarus 611,230 4th Mikalai Vaskaboinikau Belarus 468,610 5th Laszlo Bujtas Hungary 366,740 6th Kent Staahle Norway 285,240

Winner's Reaction

"It feels amazing to win the Super High Roller seven years after winning the Main Event," he told PokerNews. "[The] Adrian from seven years ago was a different person. Today I think I'm more mature and a different player too.

"I'm still the same guy trying to compete and play the best. The pandemic helped me a lot to improve my game. I put a lot of work in studying online and playing a lot, so after the pandemic is more or less finished, I'm at my highest level and I'm ready to keep winning."

Mateos says that he is looking to pick up more seven-figure cashes after bagging two in the space of six months.

"I'm a really competitive person, I really like the competition. Especially in the highest stakes with the best opponents. I'm ready to keep playing and to try and keep winning."

Final Table Action

The action got underway with the final six players all locking up at least a min-cash of over 285,000. Mateos extended his chip lead in the early going but the first blow came at the hands of Gierse who found a favorable flop against Norwegian businessman Kent Staahle. Gierse picked up pocket aces against the pocket nines of Staahle and an eight-high flop spelled disaster for Staahle who stuck his entire stack in the middle. Short-stacked Laszlo Bujtas didn't mind seeing the action unfold, earning himself a pay jump. However, on the very next hand, Bujtas moved his eight big blind stack into the middle and was eliminated by Mikalai Vaskaboinikau.

That quickly brought the field down to just four players and it was Mikita Badziakouski who started to turn up the heat. For nearly two hours, the final four players battled it out with Badziakouski moving into second place and closing the gap on Mateos. Vaskaboinikau was forced to patiently watch from the sidelines, consistently ditching his rags into the muck. With under ten big blinds remaining, Vaskaboinikau finally picked up a hand to go with but it would be Mateos who flopped top pair and the Vaskaboinikau had to settle for fourth place.

Mateos continued to build on his lead and his two remaining opponents had ill-timed moves that resulted in that lead growing even more. Badziakouski was the first to run an unsuccessful bluff with ace-high into Mateos' second pair and Gierse followed that up with one of his own, betting three streets with nine-high and Mateos calling with two pair. Holding an eight-to-one chip lead over his two opponents, Mateos repeatedly applied ICM pressure that worked in his favor.

Badziakouski was the first to take a shot, putting his stack of five big blinds at risk with a suite-ace. However, Mateos woke up with a dominating hand once again and Badziakouski bowed out in third place. Gierse was ecstatic about the pay jump but knew he had a tough job in front of him, overcoming the insurmountable chip deficit. Despite doubling up in the very first hand of heads-up action, Gierse was unable to stage the comeback as the match ended just a few hands later.

With plenty of other tournaments taking place throughout the Monte Carlo Sporting complex, all six of the finalists quickly found another table to sit down at, whether it be the 5,300 Main Event or the 50,000 Single-Day High Roller. That wraps up the PokerNews coverage for this event but keep it locked here for updates throughout the festival over the next week.
Three victims of Bermondsey family murders lay dead together in the kitchen, court hears

Four members of the same family who were allegedly murdered at a home in southeast London lay dead together in the kitchen and hall when police arrived, the Old Bailey heard.

Dolet Hill, Denton Burke, Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo and Samantha Drummonds had all been stabbed when police officers forced their way into the three-bedroom home in Delaford Road, Bermondsey, at around 1.40am on April 25, it is said.

Joshua Jacques, 28, has been charged with murdering all four, and is currently being held at maximum security HMP Belmarsh while awaiting trial.

The Old Bailey heard he was found naked in the bathroom by police, prior to his arrest.

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow QC said on Tuesday morning: Police were alerted to the possible sound of a disturbance at a residential property at Delaford Road in the early hours of the morning of April 25.

When the police arrived and forced entry to the property, they discovered the lifeless bodies of four victims inside the address.

Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA Media)

Denton Burke, 58, was at the foot of the stairs near to the front door. Dolet Hill, 64, their daughter Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo, 45, and granddaughter Samantha Drummonds, 27, were all in the kitchen.

Mr Glasgow said they all had wounds inflicted by a knife or knives.

Jacques, from Catford, was remanded in custody by Judge Mark Lucraft QC, the Recorder of London, this morning.

He ordered the defendant to appear for a plea hearing on July 19, and no date was set for a trial.

Jacques, flanked by two guards over a videolink from prison, spoke to confirm his identity. He asked for a glass of water before the hearing began, but was told it is not allowed.

At his first court hearing last week, Jacques gave a salute to his aunt in the public gallery and banged his chest twice as he was led away to the cells.

Mrs Hill had worked as a housekeeper at Guys Hospital and had just had surgery for cancer, while her husband Mr Burke had been a council worker.

Police officers in forensic suits enter a house in Bermondsey, south-east London (PA) (PA Wire)

After news of the stabbings broke, a friend and neighbour of Samantha Drummonds described her as "the loveliest girl you could ever meet."

Story continues

She added: "Myself and my family are heartbroken. She was beautiful in every way."

Mrs Hills niece Venecia Reid said of her aunt, who was originally from Jamaica: "She was a good, churchgoing person. She had worked for a hospital and had just had a cancer operation. She was a wonderful person, I cant believe she has gone. She worked so hard for her family. She didnt deserve this."

Meanwhile Tanyshas partner Danny Ofori-Akuffo described the 45-year-old as "a lovely lady" and said her death had left a "hole in my heart."

Jacques has not yet entered any pleas to the four murder charges.
Don't miss CoinDesk's Consensus 2022, the must-attend crypto & blockchain festival experience of the year in Austin, TX this June 9-12.

Meet Audrey Tang, the woman who beat COVID-19. Shes too modest to put it that way, of course. The Digital Minister of Taiwan is quick to say that Im just the face, and that the real credit belongs to the people of Taiwan, who used a mix of open-source tech, crowdsourcing and blockchain-inspired innovation to develop a contract-tracing system that people actually used, keeping coronavirus cases low.

In one remarkable stretch, Taiwan went 200 days without a COVID-19 case, and without China-style lockdowns. The secret sauce? Thanks to privacy-protecting encryption, citizens were happy to scan QR codes and check in at every restaurant, store, bar or cafe. They did this without revealing their personal data. It worked so well that Taiwan reduced the contract tracing cycle to an astonishing 24 minutes.

Its an unorthodox system, and Tang is anything but orthodox. She is many things: A genius who dropped out of school at the age of eight to focus on computer programming (your move, Marc Zuckerberg); a legendary developer in the open-source community; a hacktivist who helped the revolutionary Sunflower movement come to power in Taiwan; the nations youngest-ever minister; the nations first transgender minister; the nations first minister without portfolio (giving her a sweeping scope) and a believer in radical transparency  all of Tangs communications are available to see online.

Blockchain plays a role in this. I learned about fully homomorphic encryption [an encryption method that preserves privacy] by reading the latest research that came from the distributed ledger community, says Tang, who prefers to use the word ledger over blockchain. She implemented tools that let Taiwan citizens quickly come to a consensus  not just about macro issues that you vote on every few years (such as who should lead the country), but on hyper-specific, real-time, micro issues such as What is the best QR scanner to use for a contact tracing system?

Story continues

Read More: Can Taiwan Become Asias Crypto Haven? Not Yet

Audrey Tang is open sourcing and crowdsourcing democracy, and its working. Bonus? She figured out how to beat misinformation campaigns  using a strategy called humor over rumor  and suspects the model could work in the United States.

Ultimately, the system that Tang helped position, which she calls the Taiwan Model, helps us crack the seeming dilemma of preserving privacy and human rights on one side, and tackling structural wicked problems on the other side. Usually its either-or. Or as Tang puts it, Too often it's phrased as a zero-sum game  and Taiwan is proving that no, you can actually have both.

Here's how she did it.

Note: This interview has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity. Thanks to Tangs policy of radical transparency, you can read the entire, unabridged conversation at her website.

What have been your most important goals since you assumed the role of Digital Minster?

I'm a lowercase minister, a digital minister, meaning that I don't give orders and I don't take orders either. And the entire idea is that what matters is to work with the people, and not for the people. For the people means that maybe you know better than people do, right? But with the people means that we need to constantly build the mechanisms, the spaces.

What do you mean by the mechanisms?

Toll-free numbers, a daily press conference and many other things to make sure that people know exactly what's going on without having to invest a lot of research by themselves. To build a ladder of expertise on anything that might be controversial or require public input.

So, of course, the [response to the] pandemic is the [best known example.] I think only we in Taiwan are still doing COVID-zero with Omicron. I don't think anyone else is doing that now.  We've not instilled a single day of lockdown. It's literally based on people voluntarily participating in data collaboratives, such as contact tracing, because they know that when they scan the QR code their phone number or nothing about them will go to the venue owner, so it's privacy-preserving.

A lot of it actually came from the zk-based [zero knowledge-based proofs] research from the Web 3 field, right? I learned about fully homomorphic encryption by reading the latest research that came from the distributed ledger [blockchain] community. But then we put it into use, because people understand that if it saves their time and makes them feel safer, then they are willing to participate and also contribute to make a better QR code scanner that rejects any other QR code and so on.

What else is involved?

Basically, all the components in the current contact tracing get a lot of input from not just the social sector, but also the private sector  like our leading antivirus company Trend Micro, or LINE, which is our equivalent of WhatsApp in Taiwan. So they all got into this ecosystem of shortening contact tracing from 24 hours to 24 minutes. And people can reverse-audit in the past four weeks [to see] which contact tracing, which municipality have looked at your data. So there's reverse accountability to ensure that it's deleted after four weeks.

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Weve built similar relationships with the data collaboratives to counter infodemics as well, which is less widely reported. So my hope is to keep this With the People paradigm going strong, so people dont have to give up when seeing the seeming-dilemma of preserving privacy and human rights on one side and tackling structural-wicked problems, like the [coronavirus] pandemic or info-demic, on the other side. Too often it's phrased as a zero-sum game, like there's a dial here somewhere, right? And Taiwan is proving that, no, you can actually have both if you work with the people, not just for the people.

You mentioned how you work to counter infodemics. What do you mean by this exactly?

So, parallel to the pandemic is the infodemic. The thing that reduced the effectiveness of NPIs [non-pharmaceutical interventions] in other jurisdictions. Like if the people believe that theres a 5G antenna in a mask. [Laughs.]

Oh, so misinformation campaigns?

Or intentional disinformation campaigns. [Or] information manipulation leading up to elections, and so on. Of course, the U.S., being an advanced democracy, doesnt have that.

[Both laugh.] We need you! We need you here in the U.S.! Okay, but seriously, clearly the United States does have, as you say, an infodemic. The U.S. has a big problem there. Can you elaborate on the tools you put in place in Taiwan to stop this?

So we call it humor over rumor. It's very simple. [By analogy], the idea is how some vaccines are made. You take a trending viral virus variant, take its mRNA strands, and put it into a different spike protein configuration and then release it. So it gets even more viral than the [original] virus itself.

Okay, I think Im following 

The idea is that we have this trending scoreboard of which viruses of the mind are getting the highest R-value [a measure of how fast a virus spreads.]  So suppose we know this [misinformation] has an R-value of 10. Like, on average, one person spreads this information to 10 other people. So we focus on that  and then we take some mRNA strands [by analogy], and then we put out a really funny meme.

Whats an example?

Before the pandemic, there was viral disinformation that said, The state is going to fine you $1 million if you perm your hair twice or more a week. Do you believe it? But it's actually viral. Its trending.

And then our premier, within two hours  wrote this extremely funny meme where we quote the disinformation and say it's not true.

Then the premier, who is in his 70s now, posted a photo of him as a young man with a lot of hair. And the young man said, "So it's not true. I used to have hair. I would not punish people who look like my youth." And a fine print that says, "What you've seen in the rumors are actually a labeling requirement for the warnings that the labels of the manufacturer of those hair products, they must be printed on that bottle. So the fine goes to the manufacturer or the bottler if they don't put in a warning label."

Read More: Safeguarding Our Privacy in an Age of Transparency

The viral payload is the premier, as he looks now, with almost no hair, and then with a hair blower, and said, "But if you perm your hair many times a week, it will not damage your bank account, it will damage your hair. Your hairstyle may become my hairstyle. So he makes fun of himself, and it's very convincing.

That went absolutely viral. Much more viral than the disinformation. And the people who laughed about it, who vented their outrage, literally became immune when they see the original disinformation. They don't spread it anymore ... because they have already vented.

Ah, I get it. You're giving an outlet for conspiracy theories and absurdist rumors? A safe, healthy, innocent outlet. And once that thirst has been slaked, they're not as likely to fall prey to the actual rumors. So your team is intentionally creating fantastical funny rumors that are not true, and hoping theyll go viral?

Exactly. Pneumatic engineering. Yes.

Incredible. And with the R scores, youre tracking both the real rumors  the viruses of the mind  and the fake, humor rumors?

The vaccines. Yes.

Do you think that would work in the U.S.?

Yes, definitely. And all it takes is a kind of self-deprecating humor from the leadership.

Thats so interesting. On a related note, I understand that radical transparency is a foundational value of yours. Why is that so important to you, and how can it benefit society?

Because it enables timely consensus, and the ledger [blockchain] community of all communities understands this. If you don't get a high bandwidth in terms of transaction per second and a low latency for a consensus, well, there really is no reason why people should invest in the governance equations, because whatever they propose will take forever to be ratified.

And, of course, in open source you can always fork, but that's not feasible for many communities. You can't really fork the community relationships with you, right? If it's that easy, Facebook would have been forked like a trillion times by now, right? So the right to fork, while fundamental, and I respect the software freedoms which is essentially the right to fork, is just the right to exit.

But what we're building with timely, real-time, radical transparency is the right to voice. The right to matter in governance settings, in a way that doesn't squander your own cognitive resources and can actually ripple through the consent of the governed. To build consensus of the governed, so to speak.

What do you mean exactly?

In an epidemic setting, this is even more important. Because if mask distribution, or contact tracing, or vaccination only works in some pockets of population or some pockets of cities  then it creates internal division that drives the party apart. And we've seen many other jurisdictions where the national and the municipal governments were on completely different sides. And if they do that a couple of times, people lose all trust in the counter epidemic measures, because their mayor said a different thing from the chancellor, or from the premier, and so on.

We can definitely relate to this in the U.S. 

But if, through this real-time, open API, the cabinet minister can very easily say, Yeah, the municipal version is correct. It's been proven by the open-street map community. There's no qualms about that. And then 24 hours later, we integrate that into the consensus. So then it's always a backward-compatible soft fork. There is always a right to fork in democratic policies. But the fork is soft, meaning that it's backward compatible. And the mainline has a timely way to integrate, meaning that we just abandon our original errors of our ways and simply say that the software is now the new reality. Maybe we call it London or something.

Let me try and summarize. So it's the extremely efficient, real-time communication that you've instilled that allows a constant understanding of what people want?

That's right.

And the people, by having their voice clearly heard, dont necessarily have governance. Its not like, if 80% of the people in Taiwan approve of a certain solution its law. Its not a direct democracy. But its a clear demonstration of what they want?

It's agenda. It's agenda-setting power.

Right. Got it. But Im still a little fuzzy on what you mean by the soft fork?

Yeah. So once the agenda is known, not just to the premier or the minister but a crowdsourced agenda is known for everyone, then instead of just the government's contractors delivering solutions, actually, everyone is free to experiment in their vicinity on solutions.

Ah, Im starting to get it 

Last May [2020] when we had our real first [COVID-19] wave  there were literally more than 20 contact tracing solutions going on in just three days.  Pretty much all the contact tracing makers are on the same [communication] channel, and we are just working very diligently so that within a couple of days we converged on the SMS-based, open standard QR code contact tracing where everyone can implement their own QR code scanner but nobody keeps personal data. And that was the consensus of the contact tracing tool makers.

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So I didn't program the tool myself, but I did what we call a reverse-procurement. The specification is defined by the internet civic community. It's taken as a national standard, so that we then take that to ask our vendors and contractors in the private sector to build to the spec that those small-scale experiments have already validated.

It's pretty much the only working way. So crowdsource agenda setting is one, but open innovation co-creation is the other. And these two working together is like a double diamond, right? You get to diverge, converge, diverge, converge very quickly.

How do you feel knowing that you saved a lot of lives? As I understand it, you are the key figure motivating this open-source massive experiment on a national scale. No other country has done this. Youve trounced COVID-19 thanks to this.

I think we call it the Taiwan model, so the "you" is definitely plural. You is not just me. I'm just the face, right? The spokesperson of a huge community of civic tech and government tech.

But I think it is really a model. It's not just for the pandemic and the infodemic. It could also be used to fight climate change, or all sorts of inequity and injustice that people previously thought must result in the loss of one or the other.

After they got introduced into this way of thinking, then they can actually design solutions that work for the true betterment of next generations and so on. Because it's much easier to take the plurality into account if you know, as a fact, that 8,000 people starting a movement online with a popular hashtag is actually a force of good, instead of a force to disrupt. 

So it's a really good thing that we can show those concrete solutions that, as you've said, have saved people's lives. Because then people think, "Oh, if we can actually get the COVID and especially Omnicron [variant] to net-zero, then maybe it's not hard to tackle the carbon dioxide thing, to get it to net-zero." It instills optimism into all the sectors.

I enjoyed this. Congrats on your success.

Thank you. [Raises hand in Vulcan salute.] Live long and prosper.

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Catholic Charities Giving Day

Catholic Charities of Central Texas will host a Giving Day from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday at St. Marys Catholic Church annex, 1401 Washington Ave.

Items at the drive-thru event include diapers, wipes, hygiene kits, books for kids and cleaning supplies.

For more information, contact Cathy Olson Muth at cathy-muth@ccctx.org or 512-651-6158.

Tax protest workshop

A property tax workshop will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at South Waco Community Center, 2815 Speight Ave. The workshop, in both English and Spanish, is designed to assist homeowners protesting property valuations.

Federation selling caladiums

The Waco Federation of Womens Clubs is selling caladiums for $1.10. Pink and white are available.

Proceeds benefit the clubhouse. For more information, call 254-744-3779 or 254-863-5691.

Tasting luncheon Wednesday

Richfield Christian Church, 4201 Cobbs Drive, will have its annual tasting luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Cost is $10 per plate. To-go orders are available.

For more information, call 254-772-2340.

Mothers Day brunch

Bledsoe-Miller Community Center, 300 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., will have a free Mothers Day Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Space is limited, and advanced registration is required.

To reserve a spot, call 254-750-8684.

Free tours Saturday

The Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau and Waco Trolley Tours will offer free mural selfie tours at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday in recognition of National Travel and Tourism Week. To sign up, go to thewacotrolley.com.

Submit printed or typed items to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco, 76702-2588; or email goingson@wacotrib.com.
Connally ISD town hall

Connally ISD will have an informational town hall meeting about its bond election at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Connally Elementary School cafeteria, 300 Cadet Way.

Residents are encouraged to bring any questions. The $39 million bond proposal would fund a new elementary school in the district. Early voting continues from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the board room at the Connally ISD Administration Building, 200 Cadet Way. Election Day is Saturday.

Catholic Charities Giving Day

Catholic Charities of Central Texas will host a Giving Day from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday at St. Marys Catholic Church annex, 1401 Washington Ave.

Items to be given out at the drive-thru event include diapers, wipes, hygiene kits, books for kids and cleaning supplies. There will also be prizes for special winners.

For more information, contact Cathy Olson Muth at cathy-muth@ccctx.org or 512-651-6158.

Home repair program

Grassroots Community Development is accepting applications through Friday for its Bounce exterior home repair program to help low-income families with home repairs.

During the month of July, hundreds of volunteers from across the state will come to Waco and assist homeowners with minor repairs to the outside of their homes. This program is for Waco residents who own their homes and qualify as low-income based on HUD income limits.

For more information, call 254-235-7358, ext. 210, or visit GrassrootsWaco.org.

Tax protest workshop

A property tax workshop will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at South Waco Community Center, 2815 Speight Ave.

This workshop, in both English and Spanish, is designed to assist homeowners in protesting their property valuations.

Submit printed or typed items to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco, 76702-2588; or email goingson@wacotrib.com.
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.
Brian Kolfage arrived in Texas three years ago pledging to help fulfill President Donald Trumps promise of a big, beautiful wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. After pleading guilty to federal fraud charges last month, Kolfage leaves behind two small stretches of fencing that are mired in legal, environmental and permitting fights.

Kolfage, a 40-year-old Air Force veteran, faces more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding donors of hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations to the wall effort. Despite the resolution of the criminal case, Kolfage and his We Build the Wall group still face a defamation suit brought by the National Butterfly Center, a nonprofit nature preserve in the Rio Grande Valley that he accused of promoting sex and human trafficking without evidence. In addition, the federal government has filed suit regarding one of his wall projects, alleging it was built in potential violation of an international treaty between the U.S. and Mexico.

ProPublica and The Texas Tribune reported in 2020 on severe erosion at the base of the 3-mile fence outside of Mission  the subject of a federal lawsuit  that experts said could result in the structure toppling into the Rio Grande if not fixed. The outlets also reported on Kolfages long history of online harassment and intimidation, which escalated with his border wall projects.

Controversy continues to surround the two physical legacies of Kolfages We Build the Wall effort: the bollard fence on the shore of the Rio Grande and a half-mile stretch of fence outside of El Paso.

The federal government has confirmed in court filings that the Rio Grande barrier remains at risk of falling and that it could potentially shift the international boundary. Government lawyers are negotiating a settlement in a lawsuit filed against the project. Based on court hearings, it could require wall builders to modify the barriers, such as adding gates to help prevent flooding, but appears unlikely to result in the removal of the fence that opponents seek.

An attorney for the construction company, Fisher Industries, denied the governments allegations in his response to the complaint, according to court documents, and did not respond to a request for comment.

Separately, three years after construction of the fence outside of El Paso, Kolfages group has failed to fulfill federal requirements, including providing an operation and maintenance plan and evidence of financial responsibility for damage or injuries that can be caused by the structure.

According to the indictment in the fraud case, Kolfage repeatedly claimed that he would not take a penny in salary or compensation and that 100% of the funds raised would be used to execute the groups mission. Thats not what happened, federal prosecutors alleged. The government accused Kolfage of using fake invoices and sham vendor arrangements to siphon more than $350,000 for personal expenses, including home renovations, a boat and a luxury SUV.

In addition to pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy, Kolfage also pleaded guilty to tax crimes for failing to report that income. I knew what I was doing was wrong and a crime, Kolfage told the judge, according to news accounts of the hearing. He is due to be sentenced in September.

We Build the Wall board member and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon was accused of receiving more than $1 million through the scheme, according to the indictment. Trump pardoned Bannon during his final hours at the White House, meaning the federal criminal case against him could not proceed.

As part of his plea, Kolfage agreed to forfeit $17 million from the nonprofit. We Build the Wall is also required to give up more than $1 million in donations in a bank account, according to the plea agreement. Kolfages attorney in the federal fraud case, Cesar de Castro, declined to comment. An attorney listed for We Build the Wall did not respond to a request for comment.

In a 2020 interview with ProPublica and the Tribune, Kolfage denied the possibility of wrongdoing. How is there corruption? Kolfage said. Its privatized. Its not federal money.

We Build the Wall was an influential conservative nonprofit that grew out of a GoFundMe campaign started by Kolfage in 2018. The group pivoted to soliciting donations to build private barriers after learning it couldnt donate directly to the federal government to help Trump build a wall along the southern border. By mid-2020, it had raised more than $25 million.

According to court filings, Kris Kobach, the former Kansas secretary of state and general counsel for We Build the Wall, said in 2019 that the group was only a passive investor in the Mission fence, having provided about 5% of the total cost, and wasnt involved in the planning or design. It was dropped from the lawsuit. Still, We Build the Wall continued to promote the project on its website as one of two completed projects supporters could even tour, at least as of Dec. 31, 2021.

This project goes to show you how We Build The Walls movement to unite Americans who share a common belief in border security has grown into a larger movement of privatized wall builders, it posted on its website next to pictures and a description of the project.

After ProPublica and the Tribune exposed erosion issues at the site, Trump tried to distance himself from the private effort, speculating on Twitter that it was built to make him look bad. Yet just a few months earlier his son Donald Trump Jr. had endorsed We Build the Wall, calling it private enterprise at its finest. Kolfage himself had bragged of having a direct connection to the White House through Bannon and Kobach.

Born in Michigan and raised in Hawaii, Kolfage joined the Air Force. In 2004, two weeks into his second deployment to Iraq, a rocket exploded a few feet from him, severing both of his legs and his right hand.

The Purple Heart recipient recovered after undergoing 16 surgeries in six months, and he often spoke publicly about his experience, becoming the face of resilience and perseverance.

He soon began running a number of right-wing websites and Facebook pages that he claimed earned him as much as $200,000 per month, according to text messages reviewed by ProPublica and the Tribune. The sites included sensationalized, photoshopped and in some cases fabricated content, and several were shut down by Facebook for inauthentic activity in 2018. Kolfage was accused of online bullying and personal attacks, and he formally apologized to a perceived online critic as part of a court settlement.

Upon his arrival in Texas, he targeted local opponents in the Rio Grande Valley, including a prominent Catholic priest and the National Butterfly Center. Both had previously opposed the federal governments plan to build fencing through their property. On social media, Kolfage declared that the center openly supports illegal immigration and sex trafficking of women and children. Social media messages calling staffers pigs, pathetic filth and traitors poured in. You will be made to pay, one Facebook follower declared in a message.

The butterfly center filed a defamation lawsuit against Kolfage and We Build the Wall in 2019, as well as Fisher Industries and the property owner who provided land for the fence, claiming that their supporters had begun to engage in targeted harassment.

Kolfage, who has not been served with the suit, has not responded to the allegations. An attorney for Fisher Industries has denied the allegations in court filings.

Kolfages arrest in 2020 did little to quell the harassment, said the butterfly centers executive director, Marianna Trevino-Wright, as the site became a rallying point for border wall supporters, including out-of-state political candidates.

In late January, a right-wing congressional candidate from Virginia, Kimberly Lowe, visited the nature preserve. Trevino-Wright said Lowe demanded the center give her and another woman access to the river to see all the illegals crossing on the raft. Trevino-Wright said Lowe or her companion tackled her when she asked Lowe to leave the premises, a physical altercation captured on audio. Trevino-Wright said she filed a complaint against Lowe with the Mission Police Department, which did not return calls for comment.

Lowe accused Trevino-Wright of filing a false police report and pushing a false news story and claimed she, not Trevino-Wright, was the one assaulted during the altercation in a statement to ProPublica and the Tribune.

Citing safety concerns, the center shuttered its doors for three months. It reopened last week after spending nearly $30,000 in security upgrades.

I think we will all be on guard for a long time, Trevino-Wright said. I dont know that its possible to experience what we have and not, you know, be changed by that.

Kolfages guilty plea did not end his defiant social media posture on the right-wing microblogging site Gettr, where he has a verified account after having been banned from Facebook and deactivating his Twitter account. On the day after he entered his plea, he posted a screenshot of a Gateway Pundit story crediting him with building more border wall than Presidents Barack Obama or Joe Biden. His pinned post reads They Michael Flynnd me, an apparent reference to the former Trump national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI over contacts with Russian officials. Flynn was subsequently pardoned by Trump.

In the comments section, supporters told Kolfage he deserved a medal and thanked him for everything youve done.
GRUNDY CENTER  Trial is scheduled to begin May 9 in Webster City for a Grundy Center man accused of killing an Iowa state trooper at his home in 2021.

Jury selection for the states case against 42-year-old Michael Thomas Lang will start at the Hamilton County Courthouse, where the trial was moved on a change of venue.

Lang is accused of struggling with a Grundy Center police officer during a traffic stop in April 2021 and then killing Sgt. Jim Smith with a shotgun when officers attempted to detain him at his home. He is also accused of shooting at officers with a State Patrol SWAT team who were in an armored vehicle in the standoff that followed.

During a brief pretrial conference Monday, Assistant Iowa Attorney General Douglas Hammerand said the state anticipates two or three days of testimony, and defense attorney Aaron Hawbaker forecast up to two days of defense witnesses, possibly pushing the trial into the following week.

Much of the defenses case will depend on what type of arguments the defense will be able to use.

Last month, Hawbaker put the state on notice the defense plans to argue Lang was acting in self-defense. Hammerand countered by asking the court to prohibit the self-defense and stand your ground arguments. A hearing on the matter is scheduled following jury selection but before opening statements.

Hammerand also asked the court to grant a two-day break toward the end of the week to allow Smiths family members to attend the National Police Week ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The event honors law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

Judge Joel Dalrymple didnt rule on the request but noted the possibility that the event could coincide with the part of trial while prosecutors and defense attorneys hammer out jury instructions, which typically happens after testimony and before closing arguments.

Lang, who is being held in the Black Hawk County Jail in Waterloo, didnt attend Mondays conference, although his attorney had requested his presence.

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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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WATERLOO  A new Waterloo business pitch competition for African-American entrepreneurs got a $200,000 boost Monday during Small Business Week.

Wells Fargo presented a large check  figuratively and literally  to leaders of the nonprofit 24/7 Black Leadership Advancement Consortium at the Waterloo Convention Center.

While officials are hopeful a local entrepreneur will win, anyone across the state can sign up to participate beginning Tuesday at: www.twentyfoursevenblac.com.

Building economic vitality among the Black and minority populations has been the overarching goal of the organizations work. The new program will be the latest to help knock down barriers.

The last two years many amazing Black women, in addition to other partners, have been responsible for a Black business accelerator, as well as home ownership and career development programs.

Wells Fargo, thank you so much for the resources that youre providing for the pitch competition. Pitching is not something local Black business owners are used to doing. Its something that is pretty foreign within the Black community. As we started the accelerator and we started doing (smaller) pitch competitions, now they are becoming pros at doing pitches, said ReShonda Young, 24/7 BLAC Accelerator director.

The resources you (Wells Fargo) are providing, will allow them to dream bigger, and to encourage them to think bigger about their businesses as they think about what they are going to pitch for, because theyre reaching for big dollars; theyre not pitching for $200.

The Wells Fargo funds will be put toward resources for hosting the competition for three years. That includes the first, second and third place prizes of $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.

One of the loudest cheers at the Monday event came for word that more than 30 businesses have graduated from the accelerator program, with 10 more expected in May and more than 20 having graduated from the home ownership program and two recently having secured loans for the purchase.

When you see the 24/7 (24/7 Wall Street) report and you see the historical inequities that have really impacted Black people for eons, we had to move beyond a conversation, said Kingsley Botchway, 24/7 BLAC treasurer, about the organizations founding. Within that sphere and that one conversation came the inertia to push and do differently.

People keep talking about how this is the best kept secret (in Waterloo), he added. And I really hate that analogy because its not a secret. People that go, and live and breathe and are part of this fabric and this town, know how amazing Waterloo is. You just got to live here. You got to interact with the people here.

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WATERLOO  The Northeast Iowa Food Bank recently received a $20,000 donation from the board of directors of Lincoln Savings Bank and its parent company Lincoln Bancorp in memory of Milt Dakovich to continue the legacy of a long-time supporter of those who are hungry in Northeast Iowa.

Dakovich was involved with the Northeast Iowa Food Bank over its history, helping with numerous projects over the years. In 2000, he helped design and implement the paving of the parking lot located at 106 E. 11th St., helped to fix other paving issues over the years and worked with the food bank in the building of its current facility. The last project Dakovich assisted the food bank on was designing a new parking lot off of its property on Vinton Street, which will be paved later this summer. This donation from Lincoln Savings Bank will go toward the construction of the new parking lot.
CEDAR FALLS  Carter Guse slipped into the chair, arranged his headphones and grabbed a Taylor six-string acoustic-electric guitar, settled the instrument into his lap and ran through a few chords.

Im flatpicking, but I can change if you want me to, Guse said, speaking into a microphone. On the other side of the control booth glass, Catamount Studios recording engineer and producer Travis Huisman shook his head, No, youre good. Ready? He flicked on a metronome sitting on the mixing console to mark time and signaled Guse.

Guse leaned forward and began playing the chords to his original song, Alexis. Within minutes, the 16-year-old Cedar Falls High School musician had laid down the first track on his first single.

It was the first of many tracks Guse recorded that evening at Catamount. He contacted us and said he wanted to do something better than other recordings hed made. That got the ball rolling pretty quickly. Hes very talented and played all the instruments, said Huisman, including guitars, bass, keyboards, drums and piano and sang the vocals.

Throughout the hours-long recording session, Guse was focused and professional, completely in his element. It was very cool. I played nine instruments and 11 tracks and two different parts on the guitar and two vocal tracks singing melody and harmony, enthused Guse.

Honestly, walking into Catamount reminded me of Paisley Park, Princes recording studio. Stepping into the studio, I got that experience and vibe, something Id love to have every day. It was phenomenal  everything sounded so fantastic, and everything went amazing.

Theyre real professionals at Catamount and took my ideas and helped me create the sound I wanted for this song. I think we were very successful in what we wanted to accomplish, he said.

Alexis will be released May 26 to coincide with Guses performance at the wcfsymphonys pre-concert festivities. Guse will be joined by his manager and fellow musician, a member of the Midwest Music Hall of Fame, and violinist Cara Lockhard in the lobby at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls.

Carter not only wrote the lyrics and music for Alexis, but was able to record 11 total tracks and nine different instruments with most tracks completed within two takes. He did all this in under three hours. It is pretty rare to have only one or two takes per vocal or instrument, Miller explained.

While Guse was immersed in recording, Emmy award-winning videographer Jerimiah Junkers, a friend of the family, moved around the studio with lights and camera, shooting scenes for a Guse video.

Guse is considered one of the bright rising stars on the Cedar Valley music scene. He performed a song for Jay Leno at the comedians March concert at GBPAC, as well as performing at Maddie Poppes New Years Eve Concert with the wcfsymphony. This spring, he already has more than a dozen gigs lined up across Iowa and Minnesota.

Music has always been a part of my life. I was the toddler banging on my moms pots and pans. I got into music when I was two years old, playing guitar  not well, Guse said, laughing.

Guse started piano lessons at age 5. He wasnt thrilled because he really wanted to learn to play drums, But now Im glad I learned to play piano. Things just took off from there. I love it, and playing piano helps with writing music.

By second grade, he was playing guitar. I really started gigging in the fifth and sixth grade and played by first professional gig in the sixth grade. I mean, I was paid for that one, Guse recalled.

Guse has always known he doesnt want to sit in the audience. I want to be front of stage, and said music has always helped him through any difficulties or problems growing up has thrown in his path.

Even at his age, Carter has such stage presence. Thats what I think sets him apart from other entertainers his age, and even older performers. Hes an entertainer, Miller said.

The performer won at Bill Rileys Talent Show and performed a song medley at Buddy Hollys 60th Anniversary Tribute. After that I started singing far and wide. Music is something in my life that I cant explain. Its never been a question of when but how, said Guse. He describes his sound as more acoustic, retro 1970s and 1980s.

During the pandemic, Guse turned to YouTube and played live online.

In recent months, Guse performed at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville for hundreds of patrons. The club is recognized as a songwriters acoustic venue where heroes behind the hits share their stories and perform original songs. Garth Brooks, Faith Hill and Taylor Swift are just a few of the stars who have had career-defining moments at the club.

Plans are to release the single for radio play, Miller said, as well as downloading. He can be found at his new website, carterguse.com, on social media @CarterGuse.

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is urging Republican voters to stand against the extremes, saying the GOP is "desperately in need of a course correction, as the term-limited governor weighs a presidential run.

In prepared remarks for a speech Tuesday evening at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, Hogan cast himself as a politician with broad appeal like his political hero, Reagan.

The Republican criticized last year's rioting at the U.S. Capitol as an outrageous attack on our Democracy, incited by the losing candidates inflammatory false rhetoric.

We need to stand against the extremes and for the majority of Americans, Hogan says in the speech. We need a hopeful positive vision for America, and a message that appeals to a broader group of voters.

Hogan said the last four years were the worst for the GOP since the 1930s  "even worse than after Watergate when Ronald Reagan had to rebuild the party from the ashes.

The governor also criticized former President Donald Trump's denial of his loss in the 2020 campaign, saying the divide in the Republican Party is "more of a difference between those who know how to win, and those who only pretend that they won.

A party that lost the popular vote in seven out of the last eight presidential elections, and that couldnt even beat Joe Biden, is desperately in need of a course correction, Hogan said. The truth is the last election was not rigged and it wasnt stolen. We simply didnt offer the majority of voters what they were looking for.

The governor said the Democratic Party is dragging us in a far-left direction that America does not want and can not afford.

Joe Biden said he would govern from the center and unite the country, but instead he caters to the far-left extremes of his party and flails from crisis to crisis, showing weakness to the world, Hogan said.

The popular governor also highlighted his own political resume as one that appeals to Democrats as well as Republicans in a blue state, where he became only the second Republican governor ever reelected in Maryland's history. Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1 in the state.

In February, Hogan announced he would not run for the U.S. Senate, despite an aggressive recruitment push from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans. Hogan has positioned himself to run as a legitimate alternative to Trump.

We wont win back the White House by nominating Donald Trump or a cheap impersonation of him, Hogan said.

Still, Hogan would be an overwhelming underdog given Trumps dominant standing in the GOP.

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

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs interview with Mediaset, Italian television network, Moscow, May 1, 2022  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Question: After your statement about the possibility of a nuclear war, of the third world war, the whole world is asking: is there a real risk of that happening?

Sergey Lavrov: It looks like by the whole world you mean Western media and politicians. This is not the first time I note how skillfully the West twists what Russias representatives say. I was asked about the threats that are currently growing and about how real the risk of the third world war is. I answered literally the following: Russia has never ceased its efforts to reach agreements that would guarantee the prevention of a nuclear war. In recent years, it was Russia who has persistently proposed to its American colleagues that we repeat what Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan did in 1987: adopt a statement reaffirming that there can be no winners in a nuclear war, and therefore it must never be unleashed.

We failed to convince the Trump Administration, because it had its own ideas on this issue. However, the Biden Administration agreed to our proposal. In June 2021, at a meeting between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and US President Joseph Biden in Geneva a statement was adopted on the inadmissibility of a nuclear war. Let me stress: this was done at our initiative.

In January 2022, five permanent members of the UN Security Council adopted a similar statement at the highest level, also at our initiative: there can be no winners in a nuclear war. It must never be unleashed. In order to achieve this goal, President Vladimir Putin proposed convening a summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. This proposal was supported by our Chinese colleagues and France. The United States and the United Kingdom, which always defers to it, are holding back this important event for the time being.

After I said this, I urged everyone to exercise utmost caution not to escalate the existing threats. I was referring to the statement made by President Vladimir Zelensky in February that it had been a mistake for Ukraine to give up its nuclear weapons and it was necessary to acquire them again. There was also a statement made by the leadership of Poland about their readiness to deploy American nuclear weapons on their territory, and much more.

Somehow there were no questions from the media about the statements made by Vladimir Zelensky and Poland. Or after the statement by Foreign Minister of France Jean-Yves Le Drian, who said suddenly: Let us not forget that France also has nuclear weapons. This is what I was talking about. When Western journalists take words out of context and distort the meaning of what I or other Russian representatives actually said, this does them no credit.

Question: Several days ago, President Vladimir Putin said Russia had unparalleled weapons. What did he mean?

Sergey Lavrov: Everyone knows this well. Three years ago, during his Address to the Federal Assembly, President Vladimir Putin presented the latest Russian innovations. First of all, these included hypersonic weapons. He gave a frank and detailed explanation that Russia began developing them after the United States withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. Back then President George W. Bush, answering the question why his country was destroying this essential document, which ensured global stability to a large extent, told President Vladimir Putin they were going to withdraw from the treaty to create an anti-missile system that would not be aimed against Russia. He said they were concerned about North Korea and Iran, and you can do whatever you want in response. They will also consider this as not aimed against the United States.

We had no choice but to work on hypersonic weapons because we knew perfectly well that the US missile defence system would not be aimed at North Korea and Iran but against Russia and then China. We needed weapons that were guaranteed to overpower missile defences. Otherwise, a country that has missile defence systems and offensive weapons may be tempted to launch the first strike thinking that a response will be suppressed by its missile defence systems.

This is how we developed these weapons. They are described in detail in specialised publications. We dont hide that we have them. We were even ready to hold talks with the US on including a discussion on the new systems that have already been developed or will be developed in the future in the treaty on strategic stability that would replace the current New START. Today the Americans have suspended all these talks. We will rely on our own resources.

Question: When UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was visiting Kiev, the city was hit by missile strikes. What would you say in response to Western media and President Vladimir Zelensky who regard these strikes as a provocation against the UN?

Sergey Lavrov: We gave constant warnings. When he announced the launch of the special military operation, President Vladimir Putin said it will be aimed against the military infrastructure in Ukraine used to oppress civilians in the east of the country and create a threat to the security of Russia. They know very well that we are attacking military targets in order to deprive the Ukrainian radicals and the Kiev regime of the opportunity to receive reinforcements in the form of weapons and ammunition.

On the other hand, I have not heard President Vladimir Zelensky say a word about a situation that is in no way related to either a military plant (whatever it is called) or any other military facilities. I mean the Tochka-U missile strikes at the centre of Donetsk over the recent weeks, or the civil railway station in Kramatorsk and several other places, including Kherson (just the day before yesterday). The reason for these strikes was clearly to terrorise civilians and prevent the people living in these regions from deciding their fate. The majority of people there are tired from the oppression they have been suffering all these years from the Kiev regime, which is increasingly becoming a tool in the hands of neo-Nazis, the United States and its closest allies.

Those who came to power after a bloody unconstitutional coup launched a war against their own people and against everything Russian, banning the Russian language, education, and media. They adopted laws promoting Nazi theories and practice. We have warned them. All our warnings met a wall of silence. As we understand now, back then the West led by the United States already intended to encourage the Ukrainian leaders (Petr Poroshenko and Vladimir Zelensky, who came after him) in every possible way in their desire to create threats for Russia.

Our warnings issued in November and December 2021 about the need to stop NATOs reckless expansion to the east and agree on security guarantees that that will not be related to the accession of new countries to the military-political bloc were rejected. I would even say the answer we received was not very polite: Its none of your business, we will expand NATO as we wish, and we wont ask for your permission.

At the same time, the Ukrainian regime gathered about 100,000 troops along the conflict line with Donbass and intensified strikes thus violating the Minsk agreements and the ceasefire. We had no choice but to recognise these two republics, sign an agreement on mutual assistance with them and, upon their request, defend them from the militarists and Nazis who are flourishing in todays Ukraine.

Question: This is how you see it, while Vladimir Zelensky puts it differently. He believes denazification doesnt make any sense. He is a Jew. The Nazis, Azov  there are very few of them (several thousand). Vladimir Zelensky refutes your view of the situation. Do you believe Vladimir Zelensky is an obstacle to peace?

Sergey Lavrov: It makes no difference to me what President Vladimir Zelensky refutes or does not refute. He is as fickle as the wind, as they say. He can change his position several times a day.

I heard him say that they would not even discuss demilitarisation and denazification during peace talks. First, they are torpedoing the talks just as they did the Minsk agreements for eight years. Second, there is nazification there: the captured militants as well as members of the Azov and Aidar battalions and other units wear swastikas or symbols of Nazi Waffen-SS battalions on their clothes or have them tattooed on their bodies; they openly read and promote Mein Kampf. His argument is: How can there be Nazism in Ukraine if he is a Jew? I may be mistaken but Adolf Hitler had Jewish blood, too. This means absolutely nothing. The wise Jewish people say that the most ardent anti-Semites are usually Jews. Every family has its black sheep, as we say.

As for Azov, there is evidence being published now confirming that the Americans and especially the Canadians played a leading role in training the ultra-radical and clearly neo-Nazi units in Ukraine. During all these years, the goal was to insert neo-Nazis into the regular Ukrainian troops. Thus, the Azov fighters would play a leading role in every unit (battalion or regiment). I read such reports in Western media. The fact that the Azov battalion is clearly a neo-Nazi unit was recognised by the West without any hesitation until the situation in early 2022, when they began to change their minds as if on cue. Japan even apologised to Azov recently for having listed it as a terrorist organisation a few years ago because of its neo-Nazi ideology.

Journalists (from some Western media outlet) interviewed Vladimir Zelensky and asked him what he thought about Azov and the ideas that Azov preaches and puts into practice. He said there were many such battalions and they are what they are. I would like to emphasise that this phrase  they are what they are  was cut out by the journalist and it was not included in the interview that was aired. This means the journalist understands what this person says and thinks. He thinks about how the neo-Nazis can be used to fight Russia.

Question: There are several thousand or perhaps tens of thousands of neo-Nazi militants. Can their presence excuse the denazification of a country with the population of 40 million? There are such battalions as the Wagner Group, who also draw inspiration from neo-Nazi ideas, serving with the Russian troops.

Sergey Lavrov: We have discussed the Wagner Group a number of times with those who are interested in this topic. Wagner is a private military company that has nothing to do with the Russian state. We explained this to our French colleagues, too; they started to get nervous when the Wagner Group agreed with the Mali government to provide security services. Back in September 2021, my esteemed colleague Jean-Yves Le Drian, as well as Josep Borrell, said directly that Russia had no business in Africa, neither as a state nor with private military companies because Africa is the EU and Frances zone. This is what they said to me almost word for word.

We also explained the situation in Libya, whose authorities invited this private military company to the city of Tobruk, where the Libyan parliament is situated. Italy knows the Libyan situation very well. They are there on commercial terms, like in Mali. There is nothing like that in Ukraine, which has a huge number of mercenaries from Western countries. I believe the talk about the Wagner Groups presence in Ukraine is nothing but a trick to distract attention from what our Western colleagues are doing. The situation around the confrontation at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, as well as the stubborn, even hysterical desire of Vladimir Zelensky, his team and their Western patrons to evacuate all these people and send them to Ukraine can be explained by the fact that there are many people there who would confirm that there are mercenaries and maybe even acting officers of Western armies on the side of the Ukrainian radicals.

You have asked whether the elimination of several dozen (even thousand) Nazis influence is worth putting a country with a population of 40 million at risk. This question is not entirely correct. It is a matter of Russias fundamental security interests. We have been talking about it for several decades. Long before the coup, the West came to Ukraine (this was 20 years ago) and began to tell them that on the eve of each election they must decide whose side they are on: Europes or Russias. Later they started encouraging the initiatives that the Ukrainian leadership promoted to be as unlike the Russian Federation as possible. I have mentioned the persecution of the Russian language and the Russian media, the shutdown of Russian-language television channels, the ban on the sale of any printed products in Russian (both from Russia and those published in Ukraine), the Russian Orthodox Church, which is a sacred institution in our state and society, and the adoption of laws to promote Nazi theories and practice. These laws are not adopted for several tens of thousands of militants in radical battalions, but for the whole country.

Western Ukraine stopped celebrating the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. It happened a long time ago. The latest developments have nothing to do with it. They started destroying monuments to those who liberated Ukraine from the Nazis when they started celebrating the birthdays of those who collaborated with Hitler as national holidays (Shukhevich, Bandera and others, Waffen-SS fighters). They started to celebrate as a national holiday the day when the Ukrainian Insurgent Army was created, which was found guilty of collaborating with the Nazis at the Nuremberg Tribunal. This did not happen in the last two or three months but started many years ago. Even before the coup.

The coup took place the day after the French and Polish foreign ministers guaranteed a peaceful settlement in February 2014. The following morning, when the opposition overthrew the government, declared a hunt for the president and occupied the administrative building, we asked them why they could not use the power, the influence and authority of the EU to force the opposition to cooperate. The answer was incomprehensible: Viktor Yanukovych had left Kiev. Many people left their capitals. That same year, in 2014, there was a coup in Yemen. President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi also left the capital. The difference was that Viktor Yanukovych left Kiev for another city [in Ukraine], while Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia. Since that time and until recently, for eight long years, the entire progressive humanity headed by our European liberals demanded that President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi return as the legitimate leader of Yemen. But in Ukraine, when the President went to another city, there was no need to do anything anymore. We noted that the first statement made by those who staged the coup was about abolishing the regional status of the Russian language. They called on armed militants (also ultra-radicals) to storm the Supreme Council of Crimea. This is how it all began. Nobody wants to remember this now. The EU was humiliated by the thugs who seized power in Kiev following the coup just as the EU is now humiliated by its failure to enforce its decision to create a community of Serbian municipalities in Kosovo. With the EUs mediation, Pristina and Belgrade agreed on this back in 2013, but the EU has shown its incompetence once again.

Question: What do you think Italys role is now?

Sergey Lavrov: Italy is at the forefront of those who not only adopt anti-Russian sanctions, but also put forward all sorts of initiatives. It was really strange for me to see it, but now we have become accustomed to the fact that Italy can be like that. I thought Italy and the Italian people have a slightly different view of their history and justice in the world, that they can tell the difference between black and white. I dont want to be inaccurate, but in any case some statements made by politicians, not to mention articles in the media, go beyond all diplomatic and political propriety and far beyond journalistic ethics.

Question: Could you tell us what and who you are referring to?

Sergey Lavrov: Our embassy has sent us such materials and even filed a lawsuit because there was a violation of Italian law. I dont want to go into detail now or repeat the nasty things that are being discussed. At least I dont associate it with the Italian people, for whom I have the warmest feelings.

Question: Let us talk about the role of the United States. Joe Biden continues to openly support Ukraine, supply it with money and weapons; he says that there is an aggressor and Ukraine is under attack.

Sergey Lavrov: I have read a lot of things in the American and European media about the connections between Joe Bidens family and Ukraine, so his attention to the current situation comes as no surprise. However, in addition to his personal interest, I cannot rule out that it is also about the fact that Washington is aware of the failure of its long-term strategy to turn Ukraine into a real threat to the Russian Federation and to make sure that Ukraine and Russia are not united and relations between them are not friendly.

In fact, this is not just about Joe Biden. When the Soviet Union broke up, the entire American elite was guided by the legacy of Zbigniew Brzezinski, who said Russia without Ukraine is just a regional power, nothing serious. They were guided by this logic when they pumped Ukraine with offensive weapons, encouraging its militarisation with a clear anti-Russia slant in every possible way, and drawing it into dozens of annual military exercises under the auspices of NATO. Many of those exercises were held in Ukraine. In 90 percent of cases, they were directed against Russia. We can also see now that the United States wants to bring its anti-Russia project (as President Vladimir Putin said) to a conclusion. We are increasingly hearing statements that Russia must be defeated, we must defeat Russia, Ukraine must win, and Russia must lose.

We agreed to the talks at the request of Vladimir Zelensky, and they started to gain momentum. In March, agreements were outlined at a negotiators meeting in Istanbul, based on what Vladimir Zelensky said publicly. He said Ukraine was ready to become a neutral, non-bloc, non-nuclear country if it is provided with security guarantees. We were ready to work on this foundation given the understanding that the agreement would envisage that the security guarantees do not apply to Crimea and Donbass, as the Ukrainians had themselves suggested. Immediately after this proposal of theirs, which they signed and handed over to us, they changed their position. Now they are trying to hold talks in a different way. In particular, they want to receive security guarantees from the West first, although initially these guarantees should have been agreed upon by everyone together, including Russia.

When Vladimir Zelensky said he was ready for Ukraines neutral non-bloc status, he made a serious step forward, which we welcomed. However, after that, his ministers and the Parliament speaker of Ukraine started saying that they should receive security guarantees but the goal of joining NATO (as stated in their constitution) will remain. Now NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the British started saying that if the Ukrainians want to preserve this goal, they have the right to do so. This is what I am talking about.

Now even NATO does not suit the Americans. They didnt hold their last meetings within the framework of NATO (a meeting on support for Ukraine), but simply gathered delegations, because NATO decisions are made by consensus, and they need to decide on all issues quickly and single-handedly.

Question: Perhaps their behaviour was affected by what happened in Mariupol and Bucha. In both cases, you spoke about a staged production, a performance. But, for example, a few days ago CNN broadcast a video recorded by a drone on March 13, which shows that there were Russian troops on those streets with the bodies. Could this have caused a change in their approach? Where is the truth regarding these war crimes?

Sergey Lavrov: There is only one truth here. On March 30, Russian troops left Bucha. The following day, on March 31, Bucha Mayor Anatoly Fedoruk proclaimed victory in front of television cameras saying that the city had returned to normal life. Only three days later they began to show photographs of these bodies. I dont even want to go into detail, because it is so obviously fake that any serious observer can see it at a glance.

I dont know what affected the US. When the US declares solemnly and dramatically that it is impossible to endure all this, no one remembers how the US decided that there was a threat to its security 10,000 kilometres away from its borders: in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, or Yugoslavia in 1999. No one has any doubt that the US has the right to neutralise those made-up threats (like in Iraq, where it turned out to be fake) in any way it likes.

We warned many times over the years that they are posing a threat to the Russian borders, that this is a red line; we have been saying it for many years. They just nodded. But now I believe they thought the world should only listen to the US, because NATO and the entire European Union accepted that their master sits in Washington. And Washington decided that the world should be unipolar. If you read the statements made by their Secretary of the Treasury, for example, they say so directly.

Question: Several days ago, your Ministry published a photo of your predecessor, Andrey Gromyko, meeting with Pope Paul VI. Is this a call for Pope Francis to act as mediator?

Sergey Lavrov: I think it was simply the anniversary of their meeting. The Foreign Ministry is posting photos of events from 20, 30, or 40 years ago on its social media accounts.

Question: Who can bring peace? Is there such a person, institute, or country? President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and President of France Emmanuel Macron, and Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi have tried. Who can get a peace process started that will result in Russia, the West and Ukraine signing a treaty?

Sergey Lavrov: It is a good question, but long overdue. All problems could have been solved peacefully by Petr Poroshenko who was elected in 2014 under the slogan Peace in Donbass. Then he started the war. It could have been solved by Vladimir Zelensky. During his election campaign, he presented himself as the president of peace. In December 2019, he promised to fulfill the Minsk agreements and adopt a law granting a special status to Donbass within the unbroken territorial integrity of Ukraine. He had every chance. All the cards and even the trump cards were in his hands.

Vladimir Zelensky chose to say publically and arrogantly that he will never abide by the Minsk agreements because allegedly this would mean the fall of the Ukrainian nation and state. Everyone who drafted and approved the Minsk agreements at the UN Security Council kept silent. They said that he could stop implementing them if he wanted but Russia should continue to. Thats who could have brought peace.

Vladimir Zelensky can also bring peace now if he stops giving illegal orders to his neo-Nazi battalions and makes them release all civilians and stop resisting.

Question: Do you want Vladimir Zelensky to surrender? Is this the condition for peace?

Sergey Lavrov: We are not demanding that he surrender. We are demanding that he give the order to release all civilians and to stop resisting. Our goal does not include regime change in Ukraine. This is the specialty of the US. They do it all over the world.

We want to ensure the safety of people in eastern Ukraine, so that they wont be threatened by militarisation and nazification and that no threats against the Russian Federation emanate from Ukrainian territory.

Question: Italy is concerned that Russia is suspending gas supplies. What is going on?

Sergey Lavrov: A simple thing that all the critics of our actions and everyone who condemns us these days do not want to talk about for some reason. Money was stolen from us (over $300 billion). Just stolen. A large part of the sum was payment for gas and oil supplies. It was only possible because Gazprom had to keep money in accounts in Western banks (according to your rules). They wanted to punish Russia, so they stole it.

Now they suggest we continue trading as before, and the money remains in their accounts. They will steal it again when they want to. This is the reason. Somehow no one talks about it. What happened to honest journalism?

What we are now proposing is that supplies should be considered paid for not when Gazprombank receives euros or dollars but when they are converted into roubles, which cannot be stolen. Thats the entire story. Our partners know this very well. Note that nothing changes for the buyers. They still pay the sums specified in the contract in euros and dollars. It is converted after that.

We have no right to let our own people down and allow the West to keep up its thieving ways.

Question: There is a lot of speculation in the West about President Vladimir Putins health.

Sergey Lavrov: Please ask foreign leaders who have talked with President Putin recently, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. I think you will see what I mean.

Question: May 9 is nearing. You will be celebrating the liberation from Nazism in 1945. Moscow is holding a parade. What will happen by this time? Is the end of the war near?

Sergey Lavrov: There was a tradition in the Soviet Union, to do something big and loud for some holiday. Our actions in Ukraine are focused solely on the objectives I have mentioned. They were set forth by President of Russia Vladimir Putin: to protect civilians and ensure their safety, and neutralise threats to them and to Russia related to offensive weapons and nazification, which the West is trying hard to downplay.

I have seen reports on NBC and read the American magazine National Interest. Serious articles are beginning to appear there, warning and cautioning against flirting with the Nazis like in 1935-1938.

Question: Will the conflict end by May 9? Is there any reason to hope it will?

Sergey Lavrov: Our servicemen will not artificially time their actions to any date, including Victory Day.

We will solemnly observe May 9, like we always do. We will remember everyone who died to liberate Russia and other former USSR republics, to liberate Europe from the Nazi plague.

The pace of the operation in Ukraine depends first of all on the need to minimise risks for civilians and Russian military personnel.

Source: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs interview with Mediaset, Italian television network, Moscow, May 1, 2022  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
The Joint Coordination Headquarters of the Russian Federation for Humanitarian Response, in co-operation with the authorised federal executive bodies and law enforcement agencies, continues to carefully record numerous egregious cases of nationalists using civilian infrastructure for military purposes, using civilians as human shield:

in Barvenkovo, Kharkov Region, nationalists have set up a stronghold in the building of the Regional Psychiatric Hospital No 2 and forcibly detain civilians in the basement;

in Dnepr (schools No. 2 and 28 and boarding school No. 2), Nikolaev (boarding school for deaf children), Kramatorsk (schools No. 9 and 6) and Slavyansk (school No. 14), the Ukrainian Armed Forces and fighters of the territorial defence battalions have equipped firing positions and deployed armoured vehicles, artillery and MLRS.

This fact is clear evidence of the continuing inhumane attitude of the Kiev authorities towards their own people.

Despite all the difficulties and obstacles imposed by the Ukrainian side, over the past day, without the participation of Kiev, 11,550 people were evacuated from dangerous areas, 1,847 of them children, and in total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 1,092,137 people have already been evacuated, of which 196,356 are children. The state border of the Russian Federation was crossed by 141,045 personal vehicles including 1,494 per day.

More than 9,500 temporary accommodation centres continue to operate in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and are fully equipped with recreational facilities and hot meals.

The refugees are dealt with on an individual basis and are promptly assisted with various pressing issues relating to onward accommodation, employment assistance, places for children in kindergartens and educational institutions, and the provision of entitlements to social benefits.

A significant part of the population forcibly held by radicals in Ukrainian cities is still looking for any opportunities to evacuate to Russia, as evidenced by numerous appeals of citizens through various channels to the official structures of the Russian Federation. Over the past 24 hours, the hotline of the Joint Coordination Headquarters of the Russian Federation for Humanitarian Response, federal executive authorities, constituent entities of the Russian Federation and various NGOs received 142 requests from foreign and Ukrainian citizens to evacuate to Russia, the Donetsk and Lugansk peoples republics, as well as to the Russian Armed Forces-controlled areas of Zaporozhye, Nikolaev, Kharkov and Kherson regions. In total there are 2,754,241 such appeals from 2,133 locations in Ukraine in the database.

Ukrainian nationalists continue to hold 90 foreign nationals from 5 countries hostage as human shield.

In addition, 75 foreign vessels from 17 countries remain blocked in 7 Ukrainian ports (Kherson, Nikolaev, Chernomorsk, Ochakov, Odessa, Yuzhniy and Mariupol). The threat of shelling and high mine danger created by official Kiev in its internal waters and territorial sea prevents vessels from safely leaving the ports and reaching the open sea.

In confirmation of this, the Russian Federation is opening daily from 08:00 to 19:00 (Moscow time) a humanitarian corridor, which is a safe lane south-west of Ukraines territorial sea, 80 nautical miles long and 3 nautical miles wide.

Detailed information in English and Russian on the modus operandi of the maritime humanitarian corridor is broadcast daily every 15 minutes on VHF radio on 14 and 16 international channels in English and Russian.

At the same time, the Kiev authorities continue to avoid engaging with representatives of states and ship-owning companies to resolve the issue of ensuring the safe passage of foreign vessels to the assembly area.

The danger to navigation from Ukrainian mines drifting off their anchors along the coasts of Black Sea states remains.

The Russian Federation is taking a full range of comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of civilian navigation in the waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Federal executive authorities, together with the subjects of the Russian Federation, various public organizations, patriotic movements, continue to accumulate humanitarian aid.

The greatest contributors to the relief effort were:

Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography, Federal Maritime and River Transport Agency, Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, Federal Agency for Nationalities, Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation;

the Republics of Bashkortostan, Buryatia, Dagestan, Crimea and Tatarstan, Altai and Krasnodar Territories, Arkhangelsk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Leningrad, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Rostov, Tula regions and the city of Moscow;

Among political parties and non-profit organisations: United Russia, the Peoples Front All-Russian Public Movement, the All-Russian Public Organisation of Veterans Battle Brotherhood, the Russian Humanitarian Mission, the Russian Union of Russian Women, the Almaz-Antey Military Defence Concern, and interregional public organisation Federation of Military Tactical Games.

More than 23 tonnes of basic necessities and food kits, including baby food and life-saving medicines, have been prepared at collection points.

Since March 2, 17,285.6 tons of humanitarian cargo have already been delivered to Ukraine, 959 humanitarian actions have been carried out, including 8 actions in Kharkov and Kherson regions, as well as in Donetsk and Lugansk peoples republics, during which 159.7 tons of basic necessities, medicines and food were transferred to the civilian population of the liberated areas.

On May 2, 3 humanitarian actions have been planned and are currently being carried out in Kherson region, in Donetsk Peoples Republic, during which 87 tons of basic necessities, medicine and food will be distributed.

WtR
The former US representative for Hawaii Tulsi Gabbard

Biden is just a front man. Obama, April 21: social media censors dont go far enough, so the government needs to step in to do the job. Six days later, Homeland Security rolls out the Ministry of Truth (aka Disinformation Governance Board). pic.twitter.com/CHOD4mbE0B

 Tulsi Gabbard  (@TulsiGabbard) May 1, 2022

I will expand it for her and she knows this without me saying it, but she is grey area speaking

Obama is in charge of the government and Biden is the lackey front man to take the heat

It is what it is and until the people of the USA wake up, the wool will be kept pulled over their eyes

WtR

More by Tulsi:

Every dictatorship has a propaganda arma Ministry of Truth. The Biden Administration has now formally joined the ranks of such dictatorships with their creation of the so-called Disinformation Governance Board, the former US representative for Hawaii Tulsi Gabbard said.

Orwells 1984 we have arrived

Welcome America to the Ministry of Truth.
Medicare in most cases does not pay for in-home care for basic services. One of the greatest misconceptions people have is that there will be a safety net to catch them. And there isnt, says Robert Espinoza, vice president of policy at PHI, an advocacy group for the direct care workforce, which includes home health aides.



Long-term care insurance policies were once thought to be a solution, but insurers found they had underestimated how much they would have to pay in claims and had miscalculated returns on investments because of low interest rates. This prompted many companies to stop selling the policies. Today, policies are still available, but they arent very popular. Only some 49,000 new policies were sold in 2020, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. Cost might be one reason. A single 55-year-old male will pay $950 annually for a premium with an initial benefit amount of $165,000. A single 55-year-old female will pay $1,500 for the same policy.

Its a product that is not inexpensive, says Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. And theres no sense of immediacy that you have to purchase it  unlike other insurance. You cant buy a house and have a mortgage without homeowners insurance. He adds: Theres a certain type of person that buys it. They can afford it and they plan. Not everybody is a planner. And most importantly, you have to be in good health when you apply for this coverage. We have a nation thats not in particularly good health.

Some financial help may be on the horizon: the Credit for Caring Act, introduced in Congress in May 2021. The bipartisan, AARP-supported bill would provide up to $5,000 in federal tax credits for eligible working family caregivers. Qualified expenses include respite care, home modifications and hiring home care aides, as well as assistive technologies and transportation.

Another option can be found in certain Medicare Advantage plans that offer coverage for more services, including home health aides to help with caregiving. In 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded the scope of primarily health related supplemental benefits for those private plans. Now some plans may offer gym memberships, transportation to doctors appointments, healthier food options and grab bars in bathrooms, and may even cover the cost for a person with chronic asthma to have their carpets deep-cleaned to help control the condition.

Challenge No. 4: A shortage of well-trained, reliable caregivers for hire

Paul McCartney famously wondered if someone would feed him when he turned 64. That question, for many older Americans, has become a very legitimate concern. As the number of older adults increases, the demand for home health and personal care aides is projected to grow by 33 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That rate of increase is much higher than the average for all occupations.

Weve been warning of a workforce shortage for years, Espinoza says. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021 the mean hourly wage for home health and personal care aides was $14.07, and the mean annual wage was $29,260.

In every state and the District of Columbia, the direct care worker median wage is lower than the median wage for other occupations that have similar entry-level requirements, according to a 2020 PHI report. That includes janitors, retail clerks and customer service representatives. In many states, McDonalds and Macys will swoop these candidates up with easier entry points and training, Espinoza says. We need to figure out the compensation piece.

Some states are finding creative ways to boost recruitment and retention in the paid caregiver workforce.

In Wisconsin, the WisCaregiver Careers program was launched in 2018 as a public-private partnership between the state Department of Health and nursing home provider associations, generating interest from 9,000 recruits for 3,000 nursing home aide slots through marketing, free training and a $500 retention bonus. We were competing against the big-box stores and coffee shops, so it was really gratifying to get that much interest, says Kevin Coughlin, policy initiatives adviser for Wisconsins Department of Health. A new iteration of the program about to get underway will expand it to include jobs as home health care workers, not just positions in nursing homes.

In New Mexico, the Encuentro Home Health Aide program (HHA), is focused on creating career pathways for immigrants who speak Spanish to enter into eldercare to serve the needs of Spanish-speaking communities. The emphasis is on HHAs to be independent contractors, not signed with an agency, allowing the care worker to make a higher wage. In 2021, both part-time and full-time Encuentro graduates were making an average of $17.50 an hour, says Mayte Lopez, home health aide training specialist for Encuentro. Those HHAs at an agency were making an average of $11.50.

Challenge No. 5: Lack of transportation options

One of the biggest logistical headaches for both caregiver and care recipient is the act of transporting loved ones to a destination  to the store, to medical appointments, to treatment centers, to visit with friends. According to a 2018 National Aging and Disability Transportation Center survey, about 40 percent of caregivers spend at least five hours a week providing or arranging transportation. And if a ride cant be arranged? One older study published in the Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board found that about 3.6 million people in the United States in a given year did not get medical care because of transportation issues. Not being able to get out also adds to a sense of isolation, which has been associated with increased risk of serious health conditions.

Community transportation programs are available; one such program is Dial-A-Ride, usually funded by a local government and made available for passengers 65 and older or for those who qualify under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Volunteer transportation programs, such as Shepherds Centers of America, are available; Shepherds dispatches volunteer drivers from more than 55 affiliate centers across the country each day.

Medicare will typically cover only emergency medical trips, such as those requiring an ambulance, except in certain chronic and debilitating cases, so relying on Medicare isnt the solution. But because of changes that took effect a few years ago, more Medicare Advantage plans began offering transportation benefits; 2020 saw an increase of 25 percent from the previous year, according to the Medical Transportation Access Coalition.

Denver Health was one of the first hospitals to partner with a ride-booking company. In 2017, after an elderly patient had been waiting for several hours for transportation that never came, hospital administrators knew that something needed to be done. A partnership with Lyft made a difference, says Amy Friedman, Denver Healths chief experience officer.

We utilize them every day, says Friedman, adding that the hospital provided 5,800 rides  almost 16 a day  in 2021. She notes that the program is funded by the Denver Health Foundation, a separate philanthropic organization, and that it is only for patients who have no other option. It needs to be a last resort.

San Antoniobased SafeRide Health has a partnership with Lyft. SafeRide makes software that will make arranging such rides even easier. We want to make sure we can make transportation as accessible as possible in one click, says Andy Auerbach, chief revenue officer at SafeRide Health, saying that when a patient makes an appointment, the next question should be, Do you need a ride? Great. One button.

Challenge No. 6: Inequities exist within the system, causing disparities in the caregiving world

Think family caregiving is hard? Its particularly difficult in communities of color, where theres less access to health care, more people hold hourly wage jobs, people often do not trust government officials who may try to provide help, and housing may be substandard. These issues are really baked into the system, says Edem Hado, policy and research manager for the AARP Public Policy Institute.

A 2021 analysis by the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation dedicated to health care issues, found that health care systems in every state are failing many people of color. Even in states that were found to be high-performing, many people of color received much worse health care than white people.

The National Institute on Aging has laid out a Strategic Directions for Research, 20202025 plan; one of its goals is to understand health disparities related to aging and develop strategies to improve the health status of older adults in diverse populations.

Politicians will say, Show me the data,  Hado says. If were not collecting it in a way that reflects different groups, wheres the support there?

But Jan Mutchler, director of the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, says the issue needs to be addressed through an even broader lens: Building up vulnerable communities in general will also improve caregiving. Policies going all the way back in the life course to maternal care, day care, preschool  everything that shapes accumulation of health and human capital are relevant in thinking about what has to happen to establish a more equitable old age.

Ann Oldenburg, a former USA Today reporter, is assistant director of Georgetown University's journalism program. She has a master's degree from Georgetown's Aging & Health program and spent several years as a full-time caregiver to her mother.


Richmond Vanadium Project IPO Update

Perth, May 3, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to provide an update on the demerger of Horizon's 25% interest in the Richmond Vanadium Project ("Project") and proposed listing on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") of 100% of the Project.The 1.8Bt Project is located in central north Queensland and has a completed Pre-Feasibility Study which demonstrated a technically viable and financially attractive development project. Work towards a Bankable Feasibility Study is currently being progressed.As announced to the ASX on 24 November 2021, Horizon executed a Process Deed with its joint venture partner Richmond Vanadium Technology Pty Ltd ("RVT") under which both companies agreed to work together to progress a transaction anticipated to include:- The restructuring of the respective project ownership interests into a dedicated incorporated vehicle holding 100% of the project ("IPO Vehicle") with shares initially held by Horizon (25%) and the existing shareholders of RVT (75%);- Establishment of a high-quality Board and executive team for the IPO Vehicle;- An in-specie distribution of a portion of Horizon's shares in the IPO Vehicle to Horizon shareholders; and- An IPO of new shares in the IPO Vehicle and application to list on the ASX with a priority entitlement to existing Horizon shareholders.Both RVT and Horizon have agreed that RVT will be the dedicated IPO Vehicle. A Sale and Purchase Agreement ("SPA") has now been executed by both parties and the Shareholders Agreement which will come into effect at Completion will govern the operation of RVT until the planned IPO is executed.On Completion RVT shall own 100% of the Project with RVT shares held by Horizon (25%) and existing RVT shareholders (75%).Completion of the sale is expected to occur in the current June Quarter, subject to Horizon completing confirmatory due diligence on RVT to its satisfaction, and the receipt of required regulatory approvals for the transfer of Horizon's Project interest to the IPO Vehicle.On Completion, the new Board of RVT will comprise (full biographies on Page 3* in link below):- Former Western Australian MP, senior WA cabinet minister and corporate strategist Mr Brendon Grylls as Independent Non-Executive Chair;- Current RVT CEO and critical minerals specialist Dr Shaun Ren as Managing Director; and- Metallurgist, mineral economist and Horizon Managing Director Mr Jon Price as Non-Executive Director.Horizon understands that RVT, as the IPO vehicle, has engaged Bell Potter Securities Ltd and Euroz Hartleys Ltd as Joint Lead Managers to the IPO. Completion of the sale will enable RVT to progress the proposed IPO process.Commenting on the progress of the RVT IPO, Horizon Managing Director Jon Price said:"The Horizon team and our JV partners have done an excellent job progressing the internal restructure so we can now advance the IPO and ASX listing process for this world class project.""This comes at a time when the critical minerals sector is clearly in the global frame giving Horizon shareholders excellent exposure to the emerging green energy revolution through a free in-specie distribution of shares in RVT and a priority offering in the IPO."Transaction details and next stepsFollowing consultation between Horizon and the ASX, the ASX has advised that based solely on the information provided to it, ASX Listing Rules 11.4, 11.1.2 and 11.1.3 do not apply to the proposed sale of Horizon's interest in the Project to the IPO Vehicle.As consideration for the sale of Horizon interest in the Project, Horizon will be issued new ordinary shares in RVT constituting 25% of RVT's share capital following the issue. Consequently, the disposal is not expected to have any material effect on Horizon's operations or financial information.The Company will provide further updates as appropriate in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations including the amount of funds to be raised under the proposed IPO, the use of funds and the record date for the in-specie distribution for eligible Horizon shareholders. An indicative timetable which includes the Completion of the SPA, proposed IPO, in-specie distribution and priority offering is provided in the link* below.*To view the timetable, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited

Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed.

Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline.

Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage.


New Wishbone Yttrium Discovery at Mt Stirling Project

Perth, May 3, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Torian Resources Limited ( ASX:TNR ) has reported an additional new rare earths discovery at its Mt Stirling Project in Western Australia after identifying further Yttrium oxide mineralisation in close proximity to its recently announced Yttria clean heavy rare earths elements (HREE) prospect.Surface pXRF identified a 1.3km strike at the Wishbone prospect near the Arktos Fault approximately 2.5km north-west of Yttria. Subsequently auger vacuum (AV) drilling confirmed a cluster of nine discrete Yttrium (Y) contour anomalies ranging from 100ppm to a peak of 296ppm Y. These are all likely to be interlinked and range in strike from 140m to 350m.Combined, Wishbone and Yttria HREE mineralisation has a potential strike of around 3.6km. Both surface pXRF and AV drilling will continue to be used to delineate prospective mineralised corridors for reverse circulation (RC) and further AV extensional and infill drilling. Full details of scope of this extensive drilling campaign will be presented to the market in coming weeks.At this time, extensional drilling continues to expand Wishbone mineralisation on a 160m x 40m drill spacing, with AV drilling also targeting the ~1km strike extension between Yttria and Wishbone.Samples to confirm full spectrum rare earth elements (REE) assays and total rare earths and yttrium oxidation (TREYO) are expected within three weeks. The Company understands there to be a general correlation between elevated copper, cobalt and nickel with yttrium supporting the interpretation that yttrium in the regolith was derived from a mafic and ultramafic source. This explains why the mineral system is so devoid of uranium and thorium. The elevated zinc and yttrium suggest that the source of these metals was an alkaline intrusion. This is an important observation as these intrusions are recognised as primary hosts for rare earth element and other critical metal mineralisation.As has been previously announced the market, following a short hiatus over the Easter and ANZAC day public holidays, the Yttria Mineralogical study being conducted by the University of Queensland (UQ CHEMSCAN) continues, with favourable preliminary results being compiled for a market update in the coming weeks.The aforementioned, an extensive infill and extensional RC and AV drilling programs are currently being planned, so as to extend the REE mineralisation and deliver on a maiden JORC Resource by end of Q3 2022.The Company is currently awaiting permitting for the RC program across 9 tenements, with drill contracts in place for remainder of 2022-23.In addition an ongoing systematic surface pXRF survey continues to test an interpreted ~7.5km of REE prospectivity.Torian's Executive Chairman Mr Paul Summers, provided the following detailed summary* on the Company's recent activity and on the significance of today's announcement.Torian is entering the most exciting period in the Company's exploration history."Our gold exploration program at our Mt Stirling Project is due to deliver extra ounces later this month while several months of further exploration and analysis has considerably increased the board's enthusiasm and confidence in our REE discovery at Yttria and now Wishbone.In consultation with our exploration manager Claudio Sheriff-Zegers and REE consultant Professor Ken Collerson, to date, we've found no negatives at Yttria while continuing to gain a deeper understanding of the prospect's uniqueness, size and quality, on an international scale.*To view the detailed summary, please visit:About Torian Resources Limited

Torian Resources Ltd (ASX:TNR) is a gold exploration and development company with an extensive and strategic land holding comprising eight projects and over 400km2 of tenure in the Goldfields Region of Western Australia.

Torian's flagship project, Zuleika, is located along the world-class Zuleika Shear. The Zuleika Shear is the fourth largest gold producing region in Australia and consistently produces some of the country's highest grade and lowest cost gold mines. Torian's Zuleika project lies north and partly along strike of several major gold deposits including Northern Star's (ASX:NST) 7.0Moz East Kundana Joint Venture and Evolutions (ASX:EVN) 1.8Moz Frogs Legs and White Foil deposits.

Torian's other projects include the strategically located Mt Stirling and Malcolm Projects in the Leonora region (near Red 5's King of the Hills Project), where it recently completed updated Mineral Resource Estimates and preliminary scoping studies, and a suite of other projects in the Kalgoorlie region including Credo Well JV Zuleika JV, Bonnie Vale, Gibraltar and Mount Monger/Wombola.


Monger to Acquire US Lithium Project

Perth, May 3, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Monger Gold Ltd ( ASX:MMG ) is pleased to advise it has entered into a binding agreement (Acquisition Agreement) to acquire up to 100% of the shares and options in American Consolidated Lithium Pty Ltd (American Consolidated Lithium or ACL).American Consolidated Lithium holds the rights to acquire a 100% interest in 700 unpatented placer mining claims covering approximately 14,000 acres in Nye County, southern Nevada pursuant to an option to purchase agreement with Playa Minerals Company (a Utah DBA) (Scotty Option Agreement). Collectively these claims comprise the Scotty Lithium Project (Scotty Lithium Project).Monger's Chairman, Mr Peretz Schapiro said: "We are delighted to secure the Scotty Lithium Project for our shareholders at a very modest upfront cost with the majority of the consideration contingent upon the delineation of a significant JORC (2012) Resource of up to 500Mt at a grade of at least 1,000ppm Li. This would be a very large Resource - which illustrates the considerable upside of this acquisition."The Scotty Lithium Project is located in Nevada immediately adjacent to one of North America's largest lithium resources. The Scotty Lithium Project is also located only 70km from the only lithium producing mine in the US, and just 300km from Tesla's Gigafactory."The electric revolution is just getting started, with increased demand for lithium to be a feature of the world's economy for many years to come. Through development of the Scotty Lithium Project as well as continuing to seek out additional accretive acquisitions, MMG intends to become a significant player in the lithium market."ACL's team possesses deep in-country experience and connections. With their assistance, we will begin work at the Project in earnest, with an extensive soils campaign to begin in June, followed by a drilling campaign in Q3 of this year."We look forward to keeping the market informed of our progress."RATIONALE FOR THE ACQUISITIONThe acquisition of ACL provides Monger (through the Scotty Option Agreement) direct exposure to an ideally located and large-scale lithium exploration project in the Tier 1 lithium mining jurisdiction of Nevada, USA. The acquisition also provides Monger with direct access to ACL's team which has in-depth knowledge of, and experience operating in, the North American minerals exploration sector.Strategic Lithium Asset: Ideally located asset 70kms from Albermarle Corp's Clayton Valley (Silver Peak) Lithium Project in Nevada. Silver Peak is the only producing lithium mine in the USA. The Scotty Lithium Project is also located 330kms from Tesla' Nevada Gigafactory, one of the largest globally.Large Scale Asset: The Scotty Lithium Project area comprises 700 placer mining claims, entirely on BLM land, covering approximately 14,000 acres that immediately adjoin and surround Iconic Minerals Limited's (Iconic) Bonnie Claire Lithium Project. Inferred Resources at Iconic's Bonnie Claire Lithium Project comprise 3.4Bt @ 1,013ppm Li for 18.3 Mt of Li2CO3 equivalent.Tier 1 Mining Jurisdiction: Nevada was ranked as the most attractive jurisdiction in the world for mining investment in 2021, according to the Annual Survey of Mining Companies released by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian policy think-tank.Compelling Valuation: Minimal upfront acquisition costs of A$2 million with the majority of the consideration payable by the Company being contingent upon satisfaction of exploration and development milestones.Significant Exploration Upside: Inferred Resources at Iconic's adjacent Bonnie Claire Lithium Project comprise 3.4Bt @ 1,013ppm Li for 18.3 Mt of Li2CO3 equivalent. The Scotty Lithium Project immediately adjoins the Bonnie Claire Project and likely covers identical geological sequences to those that host Iconic's deposit. High-tenor, coherent, undrilled soil anomalies have been defined in limited previous work at the Scotty Lithium Project. It is believed the Scotty Lithium Project has potential to host a sizeable lithium resource.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Monger Gold Ltd

With an enterprise value AUD $1m and AUD $5m in funding, Monger Gold Limited's (ASX:MMG) intention is to generate value for shareholders by directing funds raised by the Offer into targeted and systematic exploration of our Projects, resulting in the definition of one or more JORC compliant gold and nickel resources.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  A complaint filed with the State Ethics Commission accuses Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams reelection campaign of violating the state cap on political contributions from a single source.

Her campaign, in turn, said it has already refunded the extra money.

The ethics complaint centers on $22,000 in donations from the Pueblo of Santo Domingo since the beginning of last year.

For gubernatorial candidates, state law limits contributions from a single entity to $20,800, or $10,400 for each of the primary and general election cycles.

Brett Kokinadis, director of the Stop MLG Political Action Committee, filed the complaint with New Mexicos ethics agency last week and announced it Monday.

He noted that its the second complaint hes filed against the governor over excess contributions.

About five months ago, Lujan Grishams campaign refunded $4,200 to a potash company after having initially accepted $25,000 and  at the request of the ethics commission  sent another $4,200 to a state election fund that offers public financing for judicial candidates, according to documents released by the commission in January.

New Mexicans are all too aware of the repeated unlawful acts by Gov. Lujan Grisham, Kokinadis said.

Kendall Witmer, a spokeswoman for the governors campaign, said the extra money has been returned.

The campaign refunded the excess contribution and is in compliance with guidance set by the New Mexico Secretary of State, Witmer said in a written statement.

Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, is unopposed in the June 7 primary and will face Republican and Libertarian candidates in the fall general election.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

When 40-year-old Michelle Morgan knocked on a neighbors door early Sunday morning, bloodied and asking for help calling police, she said she had stabbed her boyfriend after he stabbed her.

But investigators say there were many inconsistencies in her story and the physical evidence at the scene did not support her version of events.

Morgan was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Morgan does not have a criminal history in New Mexico according to court records. Prosecutors have asked for her to be held in the county jail pending trial.

The incident was one of three homicide investigations  with four victims  over the weekend.

Around 4 a.m., officers were called to a stabbing at the Desert Willow Apartments on Jefferson north of Alameda NE. Morgans boyfriend, Martin Miera, had been stabbed multiple times in the head, face and neck and died on the bathroom floor. Police said his throat had been cut just below his jaw line and his Achilles tendon on both ankles had been severed. A silver knife, covered with blood, was laying lying nearby.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, one of the apartment complexs residents told police Morgan knocked on her door, asked her to call the police and said hes hurt really bad. The neighbor called 911 and the dispatcher gave instructions to Morgan on how to perform CPR.

The neighbor said that she has heard arguments between Morgan and Miera in the past and Morgan once told her there was physical and emotional abuse in the relationship.

Morgan was taken to the hospital, treated for lacerations to her right leg and knuckles and bruising to her hand and then released.

When detectives interviewed Morgan she told them that she and Miera went to Sandia Casino and then to La Luz trail, where they got into an argument. Morgan told detectives she left Miera at the trail and took his car to a park near her apartment. He eventually came back to the apartment and she let him in.

Michelle said Martin was upset and retrieved a knife from the kitchen, the detective wrote in the complaint. At this point Michelle began to explain the events surrounding the death of Martin Miera. There were numerous inconsistencies in Michelles version of what occurred during the struggle between her and Martin and how he ultimately sustained his numerous observed injuries.

The detective said when confronted with the inconsistencies, Morgan changed her account and said she was the one who got the knife from the kitchen. She said she severed Mieras Achilles tendons to immobilize him but also said he weighed under 140 pounds and was weakened by an abdominal surgery that he underwent three days before the attack, according to the complaint.

At this point she admitted to stabbing Martin four times in the upper chest region and cut his face around four times, the detective wrote in the complaint. Michelle said she was overcome with rage and adrenaline and could not recall the amount of times she stabbed and slashed Martin.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

The nations largest wildfire forced the evacuation of nearly 200 patients at New Mexicos state psychiatric hospital on Monday.

But crews were able to use aircraft to help keep the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire away from Mora and Las Vegas, officials said Monday evening.

The wind was a little lighter today, which did give us a good opportunity to get in and do some good work, said operations section chief Todd Abel. We still had some fire growth.

Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders Monday morning for the west fringes of Las Vegas, just west of the evacuation shelter at the old Memorial Middle School.

Another evacuation shelter has opened at the Glorieta Camp near Pecos.

The fire has torched more than 138,000 acres and is just 20% contained.

San Miguel County Manager Joy Ansley said Monday morning was pretty rough.

But officials are not making evacuation decisions lightly.

This is a horrible time, and we know that people are suffering a lot of losses, Ansley said. We know that everybody is scared, and not sure where this is going.

The New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute evacuated all 197 patients in the early morning hours as the fire raged toward Las Vegas.

At 1 a.m. Monday, the National Guard helped the state-operated psychiatric hospital evacuate.

Some patients are being 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 acting Health Secretary David Scrase. 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.

Luna Community College, which is serving as a headquarters for several disaster agencies, is in an evacuation zone. Those agency teams are sheltering in place.

The college canceled classes and postponed its spring graduation ceremony.

New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas City Schools and West Las Vegas Schools have all canceled classes through Wednesday.

Abel said the fire made a very big run Sunday night, which pushed the blaze close to Bradner Reservoir and to the north and south sides of the United World College in Montezuma.

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 also flared up in previously evacuated areas such as Pendaries, Sapello and Las Tusas.

On the north side of the blaze, crews worked to protect homes near Cleveland and Mora.

Those areas are under mandatory evacuation orders.

We are taking the punches where we can to just keep wearing down our opponent, said incident commander Dave Bales.

New Mexico state Sen. Pete Campos lives in Las Vegas and represents several counties affected by multiple wildfires.

He has spent weeks coordinating shelter sites and supplies for displaced residents.

Whats really heartbreaking is that as families deal with this, and in many cases theyve lost so much, its going to take a long time to put it back together, Campos said.

City of Las Vegas Police Chief Antonio Salazar said that staffing issues  not evacuations  closed the local Walmart for the day.

The fire has not breached city limits.

There are resources  making sure that the fire doesnt get into the city, Salazar said. If it does, then we have plans for that. We are working with the National Guard and we have plans for that.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

As a massive wildfire moves closer to Las Vegas, the city is working to protect and conserve its water supply.

Las Vegas Mayor Louie Trujillo said Monday evening that the city has plenty of water, and the water is safe to consume.

The fire did get into parts of (Bradner) reservoir on a slow crawl, and I understand that the fires are controlled within the reservoir at this time, Trujillo said.

City officials met Monday with state and federal agencies to discuss post-fire operations.

Were working on future plans, on making sure that the water remains safe, Trujillo said.

Las Vegas City Councilor Barbara Perea Casey said the local fire department has been helping protect the water treatment plant just west of Storrie Lake.

We have enough water for three months, Perea Casey said. Weve also asked FEMA to help us with some kind of system that might protect the water from falling ash.

The city derives almost all of its water from the Gallinas watershed.

Much of the watersheds western region has burned in the fire. Monsoon rains this summer could send ash into the river.

City water is stored in the off-river Bradner and Peterson reservoirs and in the privately-operated Storrie Lake.

By Monday evening, all three reservoirs were in evacuation zones. Storrie Lake water is being used for firefighting operations.

Crews had built fire lines and thinned vegetation from the water treatment plant to the city reservoirs.

Perea Casey said that she and her husband will stay in their home unless law enforcement knocks on the door with mandatory evacuation orders.

As she coordinates with other city and state officials on emergency response efforts, the Las Vegas city councilor has packed important papers and supplies and is debating what to do with her potbelly pig.

Were hoping that the winds will calm down, she said. Its been very difficult for everybody. Everybodys extremely stressed.

The city and the New Mexico Environment Department have asked Las Vegas residents to conserve water.

On Monday, the city issued a statement about water use during the unprecedented fire event.

To ensure there will be plenty of water for the firefighters and for our community please be good stewards of our water and limit your water consumption to essential use only, the city statement read.

The Environment Department confirmed Monday that the citys drinking water is safe.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  A social media account for Audrey Trujillo, the Republican candidate for secretary of state, has shared tweets mimicking a Spanish accent and suggesting Jews had outsized influence in the development of COVID-19 vaccines.

In an interview Monday, Trujillo initially said the tweets were fabricated, perhaps by antifa activists in Santa Fe creating fake accounts to embarrass political opponents.

But after confirming the profile in question was hers, she suggested her account may have been hacked and  if it wasnt  that the tweets werent intended to be racist.

If it was tweeted by me  which I said I dont recall these tweets  thats not something I would say, in terms of anything with Jewish or racist intent at all, Trujillo said.

She said she opposes vaccine mandates and might not have seen the Star of David images next to peoples faces in the vaccine tweet, if she sent it.

Trujillo also said someone had tried to gain unauthorized access to her account  a potential explanation, she said, for tweets she didnt remember.

The two tweets were shared from the Twitter account, @AudreyTrueHero, according to a Journal search of the site last week. Trujillo confirmed thats her account.

Her account was later switched to a private setting, blocking it from public view, but the tweets could be viewed by anyone before that.

Trujillo said she is Hispanic and has Jewish heritage.

Im not racist, she said. Honestly, I hate that stuff.

The tweets include:

 An image of a man in a straw hat, with an announcement that bodywash is the Mexican word of the day. It adds: Biden was on TV but no Bodywash him.

It was retweeted by Trujillos account with the comment, Lol.

In Mondays interview, she said she didnt remember the tweet.

But when I look at that, I dont see it as making fun of Mexicans. I see it as a political statement, Trujillo said.

 A message saying Look here! and finger-pointing emoji.

The tweet has an image of pharmaceutical executives with the Star of David  a symbol of Jewish identity  beside each face.

The image says Pick your poison! and describes a number of alleged Jewish connections to COVID-19 vaccines. There are dollar figures listed for corporation net worth and symbols of an eye in a triangle, similar to whats on a dollar bill.

One line of text reads: Which group is heavily over-represented in vaccine nepotism?

Scott Levin, the Mountain states regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights group, said the pandemic has triggered propaganda that uses ancient myths and conspiracies about Jewish people to suggest they have profited from disease and vaccines.

This kind of graphic sort of normalizes hate against Jews, he said after viewing the tweet.

Antisemitic incidents tracked by his organization, Levin said, jumped 34% in 2021 from the previous year.

Its important for our leaders to all speak against these types of myths and conspiracies, not promote them, he said.

Delaney Corcoran, as a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of New Mexico, said prominent Republicans have been promoting Trujillos candidacy.

The Republican candidate for secretary of states tweets are a blatant and vile demonstration of antisemitism and one that is antithetical to New Mexicos history of diversity and individuality, Corcoran said.

The state Republican Party wouldnt comment on the posts Monday.

Trujillo is the lone Republican candidate in the race for secretary of state, the office that oversees New Mexico elections. Also running are incumbent Maggie Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, and Libertarian Mayna Erika Myers.

Trujillo said the sharing of the tweets  which drew condemnation from Democratic legislators on Twitter  was just an attack to defame me.

She said she assumed posts were the result of fake accounts created by left-wing activists to embarrass people they disagree with.

Trujillo said she went through her Twitter history and couldnt find the posts about COVID-19 vaccines and the Mexican word of the day.

Informed that the posts could be found last week through a public search of her account, she noted that people had tried to gain unauthorized access to her profile.

You do get nefarious people who try to break in and mess with your account, Trujillo said.

She also left open the possibility that she might have retweeted something without looking at it closely.
After a competition that ran across four days, 18-year-old Tashina Red Hawk, a member of the Sicangu Lakota tribe from Rosebud, South Dakota, was crowned Miss Indian World during the 2022 Gathering of Nations Powwow.

Twenty-three contestants vied for the title over the weekend, with the final selection made by a panel of judges.

For her traditional talent, Red Hawk sang a Lakota song, discussed bead work and horse culture, and put on a bow-and-arrow demonstration. She also won awards for best essay and best personal interview.

With the exception of the last two years, when COVID forced it to be put on hold, the Miss Indian World pageant has been held annually since 1984  one year after the first Gathering of Nations was held. The pageant gives young Native American women an opportunity to showcase their tribes and cultures, while representing all Native women and serving as a cultural ambassador for all Native Americans.

Contestants must be of Native or Indigenous American descent, single, have no children and have never been married. In addition to the title, contestants are able to win individual awards based on their scores.
LAS CRUCES  A Las Cruces police officer shot and killed 75-year-old Amelia Baca on the evening of April 16. But it wasnt until two days later that the city confirmed a killing occurred via a news release after multiple news media outlets published the familys account.

The news release left out several details, such as Bacas name and age, and raised several questions that have, so far, gone unanswered by city and police officials.

The Officer-involved Incident Task Force is still in the preliminary stages of its investigation into Saturdays death of 75-year-old Amelia Baca of Las Cruces, City of Las Cruces spokesperson Dan Trujillo said April 19 in a response to the Sun-News regarding the timeline of the investigation and whether a specialized mental health team was deployed to the scene.

Trujillo added, the Las Cruces Police Department cannot provide details of the investigation at this time. The name of the officer will not be released at this time. The Officer-involved Incident Task Force will release findings from the investigation at an appropriate time.

Six days after the shooting at about 6:30 p.m., LCPD released a produced video that featured selected screenshots from the responding officers body camera and snippets from the 911 call made before the shooting.

The produced video confirmed the familys account that Baca was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the shooting. In the portions of the 911 call shared, Bacas daughter asked for emergency personnel to assist her since her mother was wielding a knife and threatening her life.

Body camera screenshots in the video showed the responding officer pointing his gun at Baca who was holding two kitchen knives and standing in her doorway. The video tells watchers that the officer told Baca to drop the knives, although that portion of the officers body camera was not made available in the released video.

While the video shed some light on the incident, it did not reveal what happened. The Sun-News requests for the full-body camera video and full 911 call have been denied.

The delay in information has raised questions about how and when police decide to inform the public about what theyre up to. It also highlighted an internal personnel shift within the citys communication office that, for a time, drastically limited how much information came out of the police department.

When asked, City of Las Cruces Director of Communication Mandy Guss said her communications team delayed putting out information regarding Bacas death because they were trying to confirm the accuracy of the information.

I think the most important thing for me that we want to explain in any of these incidents, is that we want to provide accurate information, Guss said. And, it can take time to get the details together.

Police Chief Miguel Dominguez said a news release had been given to him well before it was released April 18.

There was a (news) release that was actually ready to go, Dominguez told the Sun-News. For whatever reason, Im not sure why I didnt get it.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Its not just the massive fire complex threatening the town of Las Vegas, N.M. Fires are ripping through New Mexico forests and causing havoc all over the state.

The Cooks Peak fire has grown to 60,000 acres about 50 miles north of Las Vegas; the Cerro Pelado Fire is six miles from Los Alamos National Laboratory and a new Bear Trap Fire sprung up Sunday in the San Mateo Mountains.

At a community meeting at the Los Alamos County Municipal Building on Monday evening, officials battling the Cerro Pelado Fire said they are working to hold the fire west of Forest Road 289 and south of N.M. Highway 4. Patrick Pearson, the incident commander, said the fire is also moving south toward Cochiti Pueblo. The communities of Cochiti Mesa and the Peralta Canyon and people who live near Valles Caldera have been told to evacuate because of the fire, according to Sandoval County Fire and Rescue.

The fire is 22,314 acres and 10% contained. It has destroyed at least three homes, according to Santa Fe National Forest officials.

Scott Stearns, the meteorologist for the fire, said that he expected windy dry conditions possibly for several days beginning Tuesday, which could complicate the firefight. He said there is no chance of precipitation until next week at the earliest.

Tomorrow is going to be a critical fire behavior day, Stearns said.

No evacuations are planned for Los Alamos County at the moment, but officials have told residents to start to get ready for such an order.

Were obviously making plans for that so were ready, said Los Alamos County Fire Department Chief Troy Hughes.

The fire started April 22 about seven miles east of Jemez Springs.

In an effort to fight the fire, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed Cochiti Lake to all recreation because the reservoir is being used as a water source for aircraft in the firefight. The Cochiti and Tetilla Peak recreation areas are also closed until further notice, as are Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier National Monument.

A new fire sparked Sunday in central New Mexico. The Bear Trap Fire is burning in the San Mateo Mountains, which are part of the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest & Grasslands. The fire was 852 acres on Monday.

Burning 59,065 acres of ponderosa pine, oak brush and grass, the Cooks Peak Fire about 50 miles north of Las Vegas, N.M., was 69% contained on Monday.

The fire, which is believed to have been human caused, started April 17 and has led to evacuations in Colfax and Mora counties.

Meanwhile, the McBride Fire in Ruidoso, which destroyed more than 200 homes and killed two people last month, has moved to the Burned Area Emergency Response phase of the fire recovery. That means a team is in the area assessing burned watersheds and other post-wildfire threats, according to a federal fire information system.
WASHINGTON  A draft opinion suggests the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide, according to a Politico report.

A decision to overrule Roe would lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states and could have huge ramifications for this years elections. But its unclear if the draft represents the courts final word on the matter  opinions often change in ways big and small in the drafting process.

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that the court not overturn Roe. While emphasizing that he couldnt speak to the authenticity of the draft, Biden said his administration is preparing for all eventualities for when the court ultimate rules and that a decision overturning Roe would raise the stakes for voters in Novembers heated midterm elections.

If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose, Biden said. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.

Whatever the outcome, the Politico report late Monday represented an extremely rare breach of the courts secretive deliberation process, and on a case of surpassing importance.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, the draft opinion states. It was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the courts 6-3 conservative majority who was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

The document was labeled a 1st Draft of the Opinion of the Court in a case challenging Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks, a case known as Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term ends in late June or early July.

The draft opinion in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, it states, referencing the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey that affirmed Roes finding of a constitutional right to abortion services but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

A Supreme Court spokeswoman said the court had no comment, and The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the draft Politico posted, which dates from February.

Politico said only that it received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

The draft opinion strongly suggests that when the justices met in private shortly after arguments in the case on Dec. 1, at least five voted to overrule Roe and Casey, and Alito was assigned the task of writing the courts majority opinion.

Votes and opinions in a case arent final until a decision is announced or, in a change wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, posted on the courts website.

The report comes amid a legislative push to restrict abortion in several Republican-led states  Oklahoma being the most recent  even before the court issues its decision. Critics of those measures have said low-income and minority women will disproportionately bear the burden of the new restrictions.

The leak jumpstarted the intense political reverberations that the high courts ultimate decision was expected to have in the midterm election year. Already, politicians on both sides of the aisle were seizing on the report to fundraise and energize their supporters on either side of the hot-button issue.

An AP-NORC poll in December found that Democrats increasingly see protecting abortion rights as a high priority for the government.

Other polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of voters in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. In general, AP-NORC polling finds a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases.

Still, when asked about abortion policy generally, Americans have nuanced attitudes on the issue, and many dont think that abortion should be possible after the first trimester or that women should be able to obtain a legal abortion for any reason.

Alito, in the draft, said the court cant predict how the public might react and shouldnt try. We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the publics reaction to our work, Alito wrote in the draft opinion, according to Politico.

People on both sides of the issue quickly gathered outside the Supreme Court waving signs and chanting on a balmy spring night, following the release of the Politico report.

Reaction was swift from elected officials in Congress and across the country.

In a joint statement from Congress top two Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years  not just on women but on all Americans.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, said people seeking abortions could head to New York. For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms. Abortion will always be safe & accessible in New York, Hochul said in a tweet.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said in a statement, We will let the Supreme Court speak for itself and wait for the Courts official opinion. But local officials were praising the draft.

This puts the decision making back into the hands of the states, which is where it should have always been, said Mississippi state Rep. Becky Currie.

Congress could act, too, though a bill that would write Roes protections into federal law stalled in the Senate after passing the House last year with only Democratic votes.

At Supreme Court arguments in December, all six conservative justices signaled that they would uphold the Mississippi law, and five asked questions that suggested that overruling Roe and Casey was a possibility.

Only Chief Justice John Roberts seemed prepared to take the smaller step of upholding the 15-week ban, though that too would be a significant weakening of abortion rights.

Until now, the court has allowed states to regulate but not ban abortion before the point of viability, around 24 weeks.

The courts three liberal justices seemed likely to be in dissent.

Its impossible to know what efforts are taking place behind the scenes to influence any justices vote. If Roberts is inclined to allow Roe to survive, he need only pick off one other conservative vote to deprive the court of a majority to overrule the abortion landmark.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas. The states law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.

This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights. Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion. Like many anti-abortion bills passed in GOP-led states this year, it does not have exceptions for rape or incest, only to save the life of the mother.

Eight Democratic-leaning states protected or expanded access to the procedure, including California, which has passed legislation making the procedure less expensive and is considering other bills to make itself an abortion sanctuary if Roe is overturned.

The draft looked legitimate to some followers of the court. Veteran Supreme Court lawyer Neal Katyal, who worked as a clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer and therefore has been in a position to see drafts, wrote on Twitter: There are lots of signals the opinion is legit. The length and depth of analysis, would be very hard to fake. It says it is written by Alito and definitely sounds like him.

___

Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko in Washington and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC

HEARING

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE

TO ALL CITIZENS AND PARTIES IN INTEREST:

Notice is hereby given that the City of Albuquerque Land Use Hearing Officer will hold a public hearing on Wednesday May 18, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Committee Room, 9th Floor, Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government Center, One Civic Plaza NW, to consider the following:

AC-22-7, PR-2021-006330-VA-2021-00449-VA-2022-00068:

Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin, & Robb, P.A. c/o Paul M. Roybal, agent for Samuel J. Reynolds, appeals the Zoning Hearing Examiners decision to Deny a Permit  Wall or Fence  Major for a courtyard wall for Lot 20, Block 14, Broadmoor Addition located at 4200 Brockmont Ave. NE, zoned R-1B

A record of the above may be examined at https://www.cabq.

gov/planning/urban-design-development/current-planning-section

Isaac Benton, City Council President

NOTICE TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a disability and require special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Council office at least one day before the meeting date at 768-3100. TTY users please call New Mexico Relay Network toll free at 1-800-659-8331.

Journal: May 3, 2022
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED or Department) will hold a public video/telephonic rulemaking hearing on June 7, 2022. The hearing will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be held via Microsoft Teams. The purpose of the hearing is to take public comment regarding proposed rulemaking adopting a new rule 5.7.37 NMAC NEW MEXICO OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

Join via Microsoft Teams:

https://teams.microsoft.com/

l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting

_ZjVhNzI1NjUtZWM4OC00YWE1LWJjODAtMWExMDlmYmMzMGUw%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2204aa6bf4-d436-426f-bfa4-04b7a70e60ff%22%2

c%22Oid%22%3a%22c327f958-5970-4536-8f6b-03d48

b60d29e%22%7d

Or call in (audio only)

+1 (505) 312-4308

Phone Conference ID:

411 429 44#

Purpose:

The Department proposes adoption of new rule 5.7.37 NMAC. The new proposed rule establishes regulations and procedures for the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship Program created by S.B.140, 55th Leg., 1st Sess. (N.M. 2022). The purpose of the program is to provide financial support to qualified New Mexico students who are enrolled at an eligible New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution or tribal college. The scholarship is intended to help defray the cost of tuition and fees.

Summary of proposed rule:

The proposed rule defines recent graduate learners and returning students learners and includes a section which details the requirements for initial and continuing eligibility for each. The section also details the provisions for students with disabilities seeking approval of reduced credit hours, the probationary process for students who have not met the eligibility requirements and the petition process for students who are seeking to reinstate the scholarship following termination. The proposed rule includes sections which establish the duration of the scholarship and the calculation of award amounts. In addition, the proposed rule includes a section which provides procedures for administration of the program by New Mexico public post-secondary educational institutions or tribal colleges and procedures for administration of the program by the Department. Lastly, the proposed rule provides criteria for termination of the scholarship.

Details for Obtaining a Copy, Public Hearing and Comments: The proposed rule is also posted on the NMHED website and may be accessed at http://www.hed.state.nm.us/ under the Events section. To request that a copy of the proposed rule be sent to you by mail or e-mail, please contact HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us or (505)476-8411.

A public hearing will be held on June 7, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Any person who is or may be affected by this proposed rule may participate. Interested persons may submit written comments to NMHED at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505 or HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us. Written comments must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on June 3, 2022. Please note that any written or verbal comments received will become part of the rulemaking record, be posted to the New Mexico Sunshine Portal, and be accessible to the public. If submitting written comments by email, please indicate in the subject line the number and section of each rule(s) for which you are providing comments. Oral comments will also be accepted at the rule hearing, subject to time limitations.

Legal authority for this rulemaking can be found in Section 9-25-1 et seq. NMSA 1978 and Chapter 42, Laws of 2022.

Any person with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing should contact (505) 476-8411 or email HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.

Journal: May 3, 2022
RULE HEARING AND

REGULAR BOARD

MEETING

The New Mexico Board of Body Art Practitioners will hold a rule hearing on Monday, June 6, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Following the rule hearing, the Board will convene a regular board meeting to consider and adopt the rules and take care of regular business. The meeting will be held via Cisco Webex Meetings.

https://nmrld.webex.com/

nmrld/onstage/g.php?

MTID=ef036fa4cfbe2839bf3d27e25f1e871ed

To join the meeting by phone: 1-415-655-0002 United States Toll

Access Code: 2497 068 4153

The purpose of the rule hearing is to consider proposed changes to Title 16 Chapter 36 NMAC 1978:

Amendments to the rules

below:

16.36.1 NMAC 

General Provisions

16.36.2 NMAC 

Licensure Requirements for Body Art Tattoo Practitioner

16.36.3 NMAC 

Requirements for Establishments

16.36.5 NMAC 

Standards of Practice

16.36.9 NMAC 

Licensure Requirements for Permanent Cosmetics Practitioner

16.36.10 NMAC 

Licensure Requirements for Body Piercing-Scarification Practitioner

To obtain and review copies of the proposed changes and public comments, you may go to the Boards website at:

https://www.rld.nm.gov/

boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-

commissions/body-art-

practitioners-overview/

ba-board-information/

ba-board-meetings/ or

contact the Boards and

Commissions Division at

(505) 476-4622.

The Board is currently accepting public written comments on the proposed amendments. Please submit written comments on the proposed changes to Jennie James, Board Administrator, via electronic mail at: NMBody.Art@state.nm.us , or by regular mail at P.O. Box 25101, Santa Fe, NM 87504, no later than Friday, June 3, 2022. Written comments received prior to the rule hearing will be posted to the RLD website at: https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-

and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/body-art-

practitioners-overview/

ba-rules-and-laws/ . Persons will also be given the opportunity to present their written or oral comments at the public rule hearing.

The agenda for the board meeting will be posted and available at least 72 hours before the meeting on the Board website at https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/body-art-practitioners-overview/ba-board-information/ba-board-meetings/ . Copies of the rules or the agenda may also be obtained by contacting Jennie James, Board Administrator at (505) 476-4622.

An individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing, please contact Jennie James, Board Administrator (505) 476-4622.

Journal: May 3, 2022
TROY, Ala.  President Joe Biden on Tuesday credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant for doing lifesaving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine to stifle Russias invasion as he made a pitch for Congress to approve $33 billion so the U.S. can continue to hustle aid to the front lines.

Youre allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves, Biden told the workers, his podium flanked by Javelin missile launchers and shipping containers. And, quite frankly, theyre making fools of the Russian military in many instances.

The president toured the Lockheed Martin factory in Alabama and said Ukrainian parents are naming their children Javelin or Javelina because of the weapons successes.

Every worker in this facility and every American taxpayer is directly contributing to the case for freedom, Biden said.

The presidents visit also drew attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, 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 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.

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 Office of Management and Budget specialist on Pentagon budget strategy, war funding and procurement programs.

He added that Stingers and Javelins were where were seeing the most significant inventory issues and that 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.

Biden noted that each Javelin produced requires 200 computer chips, but semiconductors are in short supply and limiting the availability of everything from autos to kitchen appliances. Biden is urging that legislation be approved to fund the manufacturing of computer chips in the U.S., though that is a longer-term fix to immediate pressures that militaries, businesses and consumers face now.

The war will mean increased sales for some defense contractors, including Raytheon, which makes the Stinger missiles that 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.

Lockheed Martins facility in Troy, Alabama has the capacity to manufacture about 2,100 Javelins per year. Bidens trip overlapped with his push for an additional $33 billion in security and economic assistance for Kyiv. 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.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday that Americas military readiness is not dependent on one system. He said that every time the Pentagon develops a package of weapons and systems to send to Ukraine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the department do an assessment on what the impact will be on readiness.

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.

The lightweight but lethal Javelin has helped the Ukrainians inflict major damage on Russias 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, which is based in Bethesda, Maryland, said in a statement.
The bombshell leak of a draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case legalizing abortion nationwide has set the country on course for an even more polarized and fluctuating landscape of abortion rights.

Almost immediately, Republicans who had fostered a decades-long push to end abortion rights cheered Roes potential fall. Democrats vowed to fight the possible loss of a constitutional right that has been in place for nearly a half-century.

The Supreme Court confirmed the leaked draft, first published by Politico, was an authentic document but said Tuesday it does not represent a decision by the court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.

Though the draft opinion could change, Democrats and Republicans across the states pledged action amid warnings such a ruling could also put other rights at risk battles that could likewise play out in the states.

In California, Democrats who wield control of the state Legislature and the governors office issued a joint statement late Monday announcing they would seek to amend the states constitution to enshrine abortion rights.

California will not stand idly by as women across America are stripped of their rights and the progress so many have fought for gets erased, California Democrats said. We know we cant trust the Supreme Court to protect reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution. Women will remain protected here.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, said on Twitter she plans to immediately call a special legislative session to save lives if Roe is overturned. The state already has a so-called trigger law that would make abortion illegal if that happens and Noems office declined to say why a special session would be necessary. Her spokesman, Ian Fury, said the tweet, speaks for itself.

In Georgia, which is among several dozen states electing governors this year, candidates on both sides of the aisle proclaimed they would prioritize the issue if elected to the states top office.

Republican gubernatorial candidate David Perdue said hed call state lawmakers into a special session to outlaw all abortions, while Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams said she would defend the right to abortion if she wins.

About half of U.S. states are expected to ban abortion if Roe falls, according to the abortion-rights think tank Guttmacher Institute. Twenty-two states, largely in the South and Midwest, already have total or near-total bans on the books. Aside from Texas, all are now blocked because of Roe.

States have already been preparing for the protentional of the ruling being weakened or overturned, and Republican-led states have also been working to restrict access to medication abortion, which would allow women to get abortions without the burden of traveling to clinics that may be few and far between.

In addition to South Dakota, 12 other states have trigger laws that would immediately ban abortion if Roe is overturned.

One is Oklahoma, where Republican House Speaker Charles McCall declared Tuesday that decades of steadfast prayer and unwavering legislative efforts to protect the lives of the unborn are finally on the doorsteps of success.

For close to 50 years, the silent cries of the millions who lost their lives before even having a chance to live have been heard through the voices of those of us fighting for their rights, McCall said. The pro-life movement won, securing those yet unborn the future and promise that comes with being born in the United States of America.

A few states still have pre-Roe bans on the books, including Michigan, where Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has sued to remove it and pledged on Twitter Monday to fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible.

The Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 declared that the state constitution protects abortion rights, but Republican lawmakers placed on the August primary ballot an initiative to overturn it.

In New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununu was a rare Republican governor who said he supports abortion rights and was committed to upholding Roe v. Wade. So long as I am governor, these health care services for women will remain safe and legal, Sununu said.

However, last year Sununu signed into law restrictions on abortion when he approved a measure banning abortion after 24 weeks of gestation, with exceptions only for pregnancies that threaten the mothers life or health.

Polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of voters in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. In general, AP-NORC polling finds a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases.

At least eight GOP-led states have already passed new restrictions this year, expecting change from the conservative majority on the high court. Arizona and Florida banned the procedure after 15 weeks, without exceptions for rape or incest. Others, like Oklahoma, went further and made it a felony as of this summer to perform an abortion, with an exception only for the life of the mother.

Idaho followed Texas and allowed people to sue over abortions  including potential family members of the embryo.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law, and several states moved to expand or strengthen those protections this year.

States like Washington and Connecticut, for example, have protected abortion providers in their states from lawsuits.

The Democratic leaders in Connecticuts statehouse, which over the weekend sent legislation to that states governor that would protect abortion providers, said in a joint statement Monday night they had feared a proposed decision like the one in the draft opinion and now this nightmare appears to be all too real.

America is likely headed down a dark path where individual states will adopt conflicting statutes leading to additional divisions in an already divided nation, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said.

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said her state would welcome with open arms those who need access to abortion.

In Hawaii, state Sen. Roz Baker, a Democrat, questioned what more the ruling, if issued by the court, could bring.

Are they going to go back and go after the LGBTQ community next? she said. Are they going to go after immigrants? Are they going to go after any of the vulnerable populations?

In some cases, abortion laws may divide states as well.

GOP-led Tennessee also has a trigger law banning abortion if Roe is overturned, but Nashvilles district attorney on Monday tweeted that he would not prosecute any doctor who performed an abortion.

__

Associated Press reporters around the country contributed to this report.
Worlds 1st Omicron-specific inactivated vaccine administered in Chinas Hangzhou

Global Times) 13:53, May 03, 2022

The first dose of COVID-19 inactivated vaccine specifically against the Omicron variant was administered on Sunday during a clinical trial in Hangzhou, East Chinas Zhejiang Province, bringing hope to people in the regions hit by the highly transmissible variant.

Produced by Chinas state-run vaccine producer Sinopharm, the dose inoculated is the world's first inactivated vaccine against Omicron, with top Chinese epidemiologists praising the new vaccine as being of great significance.

Omicron remains a serious threat to peoples health. The previous version of the vaccine is still effective, but the development of a specific vaccine against the mutant strain will provide better immunity, said Li Lanjuan, renowned Chinese epidemiologist based in Hangzhou.

Li explained that the research into and development of the vaccine against the Omicron started on December 9, 2021, and was approved for clinical trial by the National Medical Products Administration on April 26, 2022.

The volunteer for the vaccination had not received a COVID-19 vaccine or been infected with the virus, meaning they had no antibodies.

Li said she and her team will test the effectiveness and safety of the new vaccine by measuring the level of immunogenicity and complex antibodies in the volunteers.

I want to strengthen my immunity and meanwhile contribute to society I feel good so far, the volunteer told media.

Li said the next step would be to conduct clinical trials on people who have already been vaccinated to see if it is also more effective.

Zheng Zhongwei, head of China's COVID-19 vaccine development task force and official with the National Health Commission, previously told media that China's vaccine development team has been on the move since the Omicron variant emerged. The basic principle we follow is Better prepared than unprepared.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
A U.S. Marshals Service task force arrested the fourth, and final, suspect in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man Downtown last summer.

Jonathan Gabriel Martinez, 21, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Investigators say he and two other men  Darryus Chavez, 23, and Asad Moody, 20  were driving up and down Central Avenue on the night of July 10 looking for a man who had beaten Moody up the week before. Investigators say they mistook Trevonte Robbinss friend for the man and fired at both of them, killing Robbins and injuring his friend.

Moody and Chavez were arrested in November and January, respectively. Another man, Isney LaFirme, 21, was arrested in December and charged with conspiracy.

Frank Fisher, a FBI spokesman, said when Martinez was arrested investigators found a silver revolver on the floorboard of his vehicle and a woolen ski-mask.

The Southwest Investigative Fugitive Task Force, which arrested Martinez in Northeast Albuquerque, includes officers from the Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, New Mexico State Police, New Mexico Department of Corrections-Probation & Parole, Department of Homeland Security and the United States Marshals Service.

This investigation highlights the strong partnership the Albuquerque Police Department shares with our many law enforcement partners, said Harold Medina, Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. Martinezs arrest is an example of how working together can bring significant cases like this to an end and give some closure to the victims families.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Last week, Mayor Tim Keller nominated a 25-year veteran of law enforcement to be the next superintendent of police reform  a position he created in March 2021 to lead the Albuquerque Police Department alongside the chief.

On Tuesday, the administration announced it had rescinded the nomination.

LaTesha Watson most recently served as the director of the Office of Public Safety Accountability in Sacramento, California. Prior to that she was the chief of the Henderson Police Department in Nevada for 16 months before she was fired following an investigation into complaints against her. Watson has sued her former department alleging systemic discrimination based on race and gender.

She did not respond to requests for comment about her split with Albuquerque on Tuesday.

In response to questions about what led Watsons nomination to fall through, city spokesman Daniel Jiron said during the final round of in-person meetings last week she had proposed a restructuring of the role that did not align with the position that the administration is hiring for and it became clear to the administration that our vision was not aligned with the candidates.

Although the mayor had announced Watsons nomination on April 25 following a nationwide search, she still had to be confirmed by the City Council. In that news release, Keller, Chief Harold Medina and Watson praised each other and the opportunities for change.

By Tuesday, that had changed and a spokesman said both the city and Watson identified key differences in their visions.

We appreciate Dr. LeTesha Watsons approach to the role, however we believe the restructuring of APD she proposed may in fact set back recent progress made in the Department of Justice consent decree and deviate from processes that are finally producing results, Jiron said in a statement. Albuquerque has steadily pursued reform and we are very encouraged by the upcoming independent monitor report that outlines significant recent progress.

Jiron said Watson had a number of broad and all-encompassing ideas about what the position should look like. He said her ideas for protocols, including about how the department handles compliance and use of force, would have had Albuquerque revisit changes put in place last year that are producing positive results today.

While her alternative approach was thoughtful and well intentioned, we cannot afford to effectively reset the clock, Jiron said. In the last six months we have been making more progress than in the last two years, so now is not the time to go back and restart. At this critical moment, its best for Albuquerque to have someone ready to carry on the work that Interim Superintendent (Sylvester) Stanley has already started and charge full speed ahead on the path weve worked hard to create.

Stanley was the citys first superintendent of police reform  serving on an interim basis  and the citys deputy chief administrative officer until he retired in January. Deputy Chief Eric Garcia has been filling the positions since his retirement.

The superintendent serves alongside the police chief and will oversee disciplining officers, the academy and continuing education, internal affairs and compliance with the Court Approved Settlement Agreement with the Department of Justice. That agreement lays out reforms for the police department, including how it trains, investigates and disciplines officers regarding use of force.

Thirty-four qualified candidates had applied for the post. Jiron said the administration will revisit that pool as well as any additional candidates and solicit new ones.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

As massive wildfires have forced more than 16,000 homes to be evacuated in northern New Mexico, the state is poised to become the first ever to receive a presidential disaster declaration while the emergency is still ongoing.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the request in a briefing Tuesday. She said she expects the White House to approve the declaration soon.

The declaration would unlock nearly unlimited resources for individuals, communities and ecosystems affected by the fires, Lujan Grisham said.

This type of declaration is usually delivered after a fire is extinguished.

Im unwilling to wait, Lujan Grisham said. I have  people evacuated, I have families who dont know what the next day looks like. I have families who are trying to navigate their children, their health care resources (and) figure out their livelihoods, and theyre in every single little community. And it must feel to them like they are out there on their own. Well, youre not.

Other presidential disaster declarations this year made funding available for victims of floods in Washington state, tornadoes in Kentucky and landslides in Puerto Rico. All were issued weeks or months after the disasters occurred.

The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire has grown to nearly 148,000 acres and is 20% contained as of Tuesday evening.

The blaze is now the third-largest in New Mexico history.

It is fast approaching the acreage of the states second-largest wildfire  the 2011 Las Conchas Fire that burned more than 156,000 acres.

The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire forced evacuations west of Las Vegas at the United World College and Luna Community College. On Monday, the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute enlisted the National Guard and private health companies to evacuate all 197 of the facilitys patients.

Karl Hernandez, market president of Genesis HealthCare Western New Mexico, and his team helped transport more than 40 nursing home residents  many in wheelchairs  to other facilities as the wildfire approached.

Its an honor to take care of our vulnerable population in a time of need, Hernandez said.

Crews were working Tuesday morning to tackle the north and south ends of the fire.

Planes flew back and forth in the skies just west of Las Vegas, dropping fire retardant along a ridge south of Bradner Reservoir.

This is just a backup in case those winds truly pick up and we get embers that cross our line, said operations section chief Todd Abel.

On Tuesday, the fire made a run toward Cleveland, just northwest of Mora. Areas of West Holman and Chacon were issued mandatory evacuation notices.

About 15,500 homes have been evacuated because of the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire, the Governors Office said late Tuesday.

In San Miguel County, at least 166 homes have been destroyed.

Lujan Grisham said about $29 million has been spent on the northern wildfires to date, with an additional $2 million being spent each day.

More than 100 National Guardsmen are helping deliver water and evacuate residents.

At the end of the day, the Guard will be whatever the community needs us to be, said Assistant Adjutant General Miguel Aguilar.

Fire crews from other states are among the more than 1,000 personnel on the fire.

The Hermits Peak wildfire began as a U.S. Forest Service prescribed burn in early April.

The governor said agencies need new rules about prescribed burns.

This isnt our first situation where the federal government put us in harms way, Lujan Grisham said.

In 2000, the Cerro Grande Fire started as a prescribed burn. The blaze torched about 43,000 acres in and around Los Alamos, destroyed 235 homes and caused $1 billion in damage.

Lujan Grisham said she expects that, in addition to the presidential declaration, New Mexico could receive direct investments through federal legislation for this years fires.

Meanwhile, about 800 homes have been evacuated because of the Cooks Peak Fire in Mora and Colfax counties. No structures have been destroyed.

And at least 200 homes were evacuated because of the Cerro Pelado Fire east of Jemez Springs, with at least three residences destroyed.

Evacuation shelters are set up in Las Vegas, Taos, Penasco and Red River.

Nearly 500 people are sheltering in Glorieta, and Santa Rosa has opened a shelter.

The governor said the state is identifying more potential shelter spaces.
SALT LAKE CITY  U.S. officials announced what they called extraordinary steps on Tuesday to keep hundreds of billions of gallons of water stored in a reservoir on the Utah-Arizona line to prevent it from shrinking more amid prolonged drought and climate change.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation plans to hold back about 480,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Powell to maintain Glen Canyon Dams ability to produce hydropower for millions of homes and businesses in the region. Thats roughly enough water to serve 1 million to 1.5 million average households annually.

Tanya Trujillo, the bureaus assistant secretary of water and science, said keeping the water stored in the reservoir would stave off hydropower concerns for at least 12 months, giving officials time to strategize for how to operate the dam at a lower water elevation. The lake currently holds less than one-fourth of its full capacity and the dam produces electricity for about 5 million customers in seven U.S. states.

We have never taken this step before in the Colorado River basin, but conditions we see today and the potential risks we see on the horizon demand that we take prompt action, Trujillo said.

The decision will not have any immediate impacts on the amount of water allocated for the regions cities. And it wont affect farms that rely on the Colorado River, which already face mandatory cuts in central Arizona.

But it illustrates the compounding challenges facing Mexico and the seven U.S. states that rely on the Colorado River, which supplies water to about 40 million people and a $5 billion-a-year agricultural sector.

There is less water flowing through the river than is consumed by cities and farms throughout the region. And the water levels in the rivers two primary storage reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, have plummeted substantially over the past two decades  to such an extent that boaters found a decades-old dead body in a barrel exposed on Sunday.

The action announced Tuesday is one of several that have been taken to shore up Lake Powell. The Bureau of Reclamation has also ordered releases from other reservoirs upstream from Lake Powell, including 500,000 acre-feet of water from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir on the Utah-Wyoming border announced last month. Releases from Flaming Gorge as well as Blue Mesa reservoir in Colorado and the Navajo reservoir in New Mexico were ordered last year.

Shoring up Lake Powell may allow water to continue flowing through the turbines at Glen Canyon Dam and keep its hydropower-generating capacity intact, but thats only one of several interests that officials are juggling in managing reservoir levels.

The decision injects uncertainty into the boating and recreation industries that rely on consistent reservoir levels to operate infrastructure like docks. And it forces officials to confront that without drastic conservation measures, demand for water in growing regions will likely come up against supply constraints in a hotter, drier future.

The Bureau of Reclamation announcement followed months of talks between upper basin states  Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming  and their lower basin counterparts in Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico, which are already taking mandatory and voluntary cuts.

Federal officials first floated the proposal last month in a letter to the seven states, which responded with a joint letter in support of the move in which they asked the bureau to adjust water accounting and how it reports lake levels when deciding on future cuts.

The request centered on the fact that keeping water stored in Lake Powell will decrease the amount of water flowing downstream to Lake Mead, the Colorado Rivers other main storage reservoir.

In response to concerns that less for Lake Mead would require lower basin states to take additional cuts, the bureau agreed to act as if the water had flowed downstream in calculating Lake Meads elevation. That compromise alters the implementation of agreements reached over the past 15 years triggering cuts to water users in the lower basin once Lake Mead falls to certain thresholds.

It means moving forward, U.S. officials will credit Lake Mead and act as if the water kept to preserve Lake Powell had been delivered downstream when deciding how to enforce agreements  effectively splintering the lakes actual levels from the levels used to determine cuts.

We are going to account for the water as if it had been released. And we will do it in a way so that it will not trigger additional releases from the upper basin or additional layers of shortage in the lower basin, Trujillo said.
REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK, Calif.  The endangered California condor returned to soar the skies over the states far northern coast redwood forests on Tuesday for the first time in more than a century.

Two captive-bred birds were released from a pen in Redwood National Park, about an hours drive south of the Oregon border, under a project aimed at restoring the giant vultures to their historic habitat in the Pacific Northwest.

The two male condors were moved into staging area at late morning and a remotely controlled gate was opened. After a few minutes of warily eyeing the opening, the birds stepped one by one through the opening, spread their giant wings and took off.

They just jumped up and took flight off into the distance, Tiana Williams-Claussen, wildlife director for the regions Yurok tribe, said in a webcast.

Condors were last spotted in the park area around 1892, authorities said. The California condor is the largest native North American bird, with a wingspan of nearly 10 feet (3 meters). The scavenger was once widespread but had virtually disappeared by the 1970s because of poaching, lead poisoning from eating animals shot by hunters and destruction of its habitat.

The birds can live for 60 years and fly vast distances in search of carrion, so their range could extend into several states.

Federal and local fish and wildlife agencies are involved in the restoration project headed by the Yurok tribe, which traditionally has considered the California condor a sacred animal and has been working for years to return the species to the tribes ancestral territory.

For countless generations, the Yurok people have upheld a sacred responsibility to maintain balance in the natural world. Condor reintroduction is a real-life manifestation of our cultural commitment to restore and protect the planet for future generations, tribal Chairman Joseph L. James said in a statement.

Two more condors were set to be released later  after biologists determine that the two birds who took to the skies Tuesday have displayed appropriate behavior, authorities said.

The condors, including one female and three males, are between 2 and 4 years old. Two were hatched at the Oregon Zoo and two at the Peregrine Funds World Center for Birds of Prey in Idaho.

In the early 1980s, all 22 condors remaining in the wild were trapped and brought into a captive-breeding program that began releasing the giant vultures into Southern Californias Los Padres National Forest in 1992.

That flock has been expanding its range while other condors now occupy parts of Californias Central Coast, Arizona, Utah and Baja California, Mexico. The total population now numbers more than 500 birds in captivity and in the wild.

Two years ago, California condors were spotted in Sequoia National Park, in Californias Sierra Nevada, for the first time in nearly 50 years.

However, that same year, a dozen adults and two chicks died when a wildfire set by an arsonist ravaged their territory on the Big Sur coast.
The formation of a new state network by 11 independent phone and internet companies will look to improve broadband access in New Mexico and, in turn, lower rates for consumers.

Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative Inc., Sacred Wind Communications Inc., Western New Mexico Telephone Co. and others announced on Monday the formation of NM Fiber Network LLC. The creation of the new company will allow the middle mile networks  which connect local networks to other providers  of each business to interconnect with one another, strengthening the broadband connection across the state, said Glenn Lovelace, chairman for NM Fiber Network and CEO of Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative.

It can help the areas of the state that do not currently have internet access and reduce the price for those that have it today, Lovelace told the Journal. And it can increase the reliability for all of them. It also opens doors for us in New Mexico to be able to compete on a national level for service coming in and across the state of New Mexico, which we could not do previously.

The formation came together last fall when the New Mexico Broadband Initiative Consortium  a public-private partnership  was tasked with creating a broadband roadmap for the state that was submitted in January.

In turn, local phone and internet companies put a renewed focus on one of the tenets of the roadmap and decided to form the company, which came together officially in late April.

NM Fiber Network has partnered with INDATEL  a nationwide network connecting more than 700 independent telecom providers  to give them access to national circuits, Lovelace said. INDATEL, though, will also help NM Fiber Network with its backhaul  the portion of broadband that connects local networks to the internet, typically at higher speeds.

NM Fiber Networks internet access points are expected to reach hubs such as Chicago, Illinois, and Ashburn, Virginia, according to the companys website. The company says it will offer speeds of 10 megabits per second to 100 gigabits per second across the state.

The formation of NM Fiber Network comes at an important time, Lovelace said, as state agencies across the country plan to help improve broadband deployment through a $42 billion appropriation  known as the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program (BEAD).

What we will need to do is work with the state and pull our needs together to connect the middle mile (network) and then write a BEAD grant and present that to the state, Lovelace said. And then, you know, with the states approval, we would submit the BEAD grant and, knock on wood, we would be funded for the middle mile that we need to fill in.

Lovelace said the guidelines for submitting an application for the BEAD grant should come out in the next two months, at which point NM Fiber Network will begin putting together information to receive the funding. He also expects NM Fiber Network to begin operations as soon as this year.
BYJUS, the worlds leading edtech company, has announced the appointment of Abhishek Chawla as Vice-President, Engineering. Over the last few months, BYJU'S has been steadily scaling its technology and engineering vertical as it continues to invest in the powerful synergy of technology, innovation, and education. Abhishek's appointment is part of this comprehensive strategy to further enhance BYJUS world-class learning products, accelerate creative development, and create large-scale impact.

In his new role, Abhishek will lead BYJUS supply chain and payments technologies across its portfolio of products. He will also empower teams to bring sustained value to customers and enhance user experience through technological innovations. Additionally, he will plan, manage, and oversee various activities within the department to ensure that efficient operations and cost-effective systems are developed and implemented to meet BYJUS immediate and future demands.

Commenting on the appointment, Anil Goel, President - Technology, BYJUS said, The pursuit of innovation, problem-solving and great execution is at the core of BYJU'S. We are thrilled to have Abhishek join us in strengthening this foundation and transforming learning for the next generation. His strong expertise in tech innovation will further strengthen BYJUS commitment to creating value in students' lives and providing them with high-quality learning opportunities. We look forward to working together and scaling new heights in this journey.

Commenting on his appointment, Abhishek Chawla, Vice President-Engineering, BYJU'S said, BYJUS has taken the transformative power of education to students in every part of the country through its innovation, learning, and support. I am delighted to be associated with the vertical that formed the bedrock of BYJUS foundation. In the last few years, the company has developed tremendously, indicating a promising future in changing the face of education. I am looking forward to building and scaling the engineering systems and empowering learners today to build a better tomorrow.

With over 16 years of extensive experience, Abhishek holds expertise in design, development, implementation, management and production support of large scale and high availability applications. He has built and driven COEs along with owning and building technologies around Wallets, User Platforms and travel etc.

Prior to joining BYJUS, Abhishek was with Paytm. He has also worked in leadership roles at Expedia earlier. He brings on board global expertise in design and development of innovative consumer products.
Dettol Banega Swasth India launched Swachh Bharat Swasth Bharat Yatra to raise awareness on health, hygiene, and sanitation through a series of 90 Nukkad Nataks performed on boats across ghats of Varanasi followed by schools in Gorakhpur. The initiative under thought leadership of Reckitt and implemented by PLAN India, embarked on this journey to inspire children, communities, and individuals with the aim to help develop conscious hand hygiene practices.

Swachh Bharat Swasth Bharat Yatra inaugurated in Varanasi was attended by Padma Shri 2022 - Swami Sivananda Swamiji, Dr. Daya Shankar Mishra, Minister of State in the Ministry of Aayush of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Mridula Jaiswal, Mayor - Varanasi, Dr. Umesh Shukla, Additional Education Director - Varanasi and Dr. Rakesh Singh, District Education Officer - Varanasi. The yatra commenced at Assi Ghat to go on to Rajghat, crossing a total of 84 ghats through the journey with 150 teachers conducting activities on the ghats, educating the audience on cleanliness, health and environment.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Ravi Bhatnagar, Director, External Affairs & Partnerships SOA, Reckitt said, "With DBSI, we have been at the forefront of using innovative campaigns to promote and enforce positive hygiene behaviour by hosting engaging activities with children. The core idea is to create awareness about hand hygiene and help spread the message of overall health with use of creative formats guided by culturally adaptive behavour change communication. DBSI aims to empower local communities to drive behaviour change that has a long-lasting impact on their lives."

Smt. Mridula Jaiswal, Mayor, Varanasi stated, With this unique effort of Dettol Banega Swasth India, through Nukkad Nataks, yet another innovative way to reach out to children for health and hygiene, program has again been able to mark its importance in lives of students and community.

Swami Sivananda Swamiji, Padma Shri 2022 expressed, Swach Bharat Swasth Bharat Yatra is an example of Dettol Banega Swasth India Programs efforts to make children as change agent of hygiene and we urge that every child should be associated with the project for healthier future.

Dr. Daya Shankar Mishra, Minister of State in the Ministry of Aayush of Uttar Pradesh stated, Good health starts from good hygiene, and we should all take step together in joining years of good practices of School Hygiene Education Program for betterment of nation and future.

Mr. Mohammed Asif, Executive Director, Plan India stated, "Our long-standing relationship with DBSI has helped us bring about a significant change in people's lives with Dettol Banega Swasth India. Children are the future of our country, and the Dettol School Hygiene Education Program's outreach has helped create awareness and foster behaviour change for best hygiene practices among children and adolescents. We are thrilled to be associated with this initiative to help bring forth the importance of hand hygiene among different communities through on-ground impactful activities involving education leaders and seekers like teachers and children.

The Swachh Bharat Swasth Bharat Yatra commenced with a Ganga Yatra in Varanasi, a tour through the Ganges covering 84 ghats (from Assi ghat to Raj Ghat) followed by Nukkad Natak performances by teams on three boats. The event came to a closure with alluring lights of Ganga Aarti. The initiative took 150 teachers through different activities on all the ghats highlighting importance of cleanliness, health, and the environment. The overall initiative covered over 45 schools while reaching out to 300 teachers and 10,000 children.
In the last 10 years, PR has taken a different dimension, especially after the entry of social media and the rapid shift to digital, especially in the pandemic period. At the same time the industry has been facing stiff challenges, moreover client expectations have also increased, with more emphasis being given to digital and online reputation management. The industry has undergone a radical shift and the current times have pushed the industry to change gears.

In conversation with Adgully, Piyali Reddy, Head - Corporate Communications, Axis Bank, highlights the growing importance of digital PR, working with thought leaders, using data analytics to gauge the impact of PR campaigns, and more.

How has your overall journey in the PR and communication world been so far? Any significant development that you have noticed in the last 10 years?

It has been an exciting and engaging journey, dotted with inspiring moments and a multitude of learnings. My experience with various leading brands in different industries has played an important role in shaping my perspective and over time has helped me evolve as a communications professional.

The communications industry has seen a lot of changes in the last few years.From being completely print media driven, it has gone on to explore several other avenues such as the digital/ new age media, which include podcast, video interviews, blogs, and even theuse of influencers and micro-influencers. Also, with the pandemic coming in, the industry adopted the virtual and digital worldfar more actively than earlier. As demanding as the change was, it has strengthened our path towards a colossal transformation and moved us closer to the digital India goal.

The industry has shifted to online platforms to reach the modern audience. We saw the rise of virtual press conferences and webinars as they became an important tool for communication, which has now given way to the more flexible hybrid models that allows both physical presence and the option to join online from anywhere. Another trend is the growing importance of regional and language media, as more and more people are looking for the local flavour, even in terms of the news and content that they consume. I believe that as the industry evolves further, we will have a lot more to learn.

How do you view the growing importance of digital PR? Transformation has happened rapidly on the digital front. How are you leveraging the same and adapting to the situation?

Digital PR is the buzzword these days and for a reason! It could prove to be one of the most important elements of your strategy, a game-changer and can help you garner the crucial ROI. It is, in fact, the sweet spot between traditional public relations, SEO and social media, harnessing the power of all three. It helps build your online presence seamlessly through quality content and effective dissemination to the right platforms, directly impacting your search engine rankings. Being digital, its the fastest and easiest way to build awareness across a wide section of the audience. Moreover, it helps drive website traffic and can impact business through lead generation and customer acquisition. A host of metrics/ analytical tools are available to measure Digital PR and its effectiveness, thereby making it an even smarter option.

At Axis, we have been using Digital PR very effectively over the last three years. We now disseminate Digital press releases (instead of plain pdf files) with embedded link and cross-links, images and videos. These multimedia-rich press releases have impacted our search rankings positively and are also easily shareable on social media. This one strategy has hugely impacted our online presence. We now track metrics like  number of organic searches, number of user sessions, new and returning visitors, audience demographics, average time spent on page, etc., most of which are steadily improving. In fact, we get an average of 15X higher unique page views in comparison to PDF releases. Apart from Digital PR, we have been actively looking at new age media opportunities, video interviews, podcasts, blogs etc to make our mark in the Digital world.

The banking industry has a sizable network of both internal and external stakeholders. How are you engaging with both your stakeholders continuously with the right messaging?

As a Communications team, not only do we make a detailed quarterly plan for our PR initiatives aimed at external stakeholders, but also an equally detailed plan for our internal stakeholders, especially employees. Our communications strategy revolves around themes that prioritise various focus areas for the Bank. Many of our campaigns have both an internal and external part to it  for example, the #ComeAsYouAre campaign for the LGBTQIA+ community, which needed awareness both internally and externally.

In external PR, we use a combination of different PR tools to reach our audience and deliver our key messages. In Internal communications, our goal has been three-fold:

1) Engaging and ensuring that all important information is shared with employees;

2) Building awareness on new products, services and initiatives;

3) Motivating and aligning them to the organisations goals and direction.

We have a range of internal channels and tools that help us do this. From internal apps, screen-savers, mailers, newsletters to digi-walls  we utilise a combination of these to land the right messages with our internal audience. Effective leadership communication, HR initiatives and regular connect keep people involved and engaged.

We have created several internal properties to drive meaningful and differentiated communication, whereas our internal campaigns support business teams in creating awareness around their initiatives. Lastly, communication with our internal stakeholders goes beyond work, especially during stressed times like the pandemic, when it is meant to keep everybody together, supporting and building the bridge of trust and compassion.

What are your views about thought leaders? Who according to you is a thought leader and how does one recognise a good thought leader?

Thought leaders are experts in specific areas, who quickly recognise trends and patterns, as well as their potential before they become mainstream, and in many cases, help shaping those areas for the future. They are recognised and respected by the industry, their opinions may often be different from the rest, yet they are trusted and often influence how people react to some of these trends. I believe a thought leader has tremendous responsibility and should shoulder it with honesty, sharing her knowledge and insights for the larger good.

I have been fortunate enough to work with some amazing thought leaders through my career, including our Axis Bank MD and CEO, and have seen their power and influence from close quarters  on employees, customers and others.

The one thing that truly stands out is their ability to use their valuable experience and expertise in making a real difference, whether its in shaping the future of the industry, organization, people or simply a cause that he or she has taken up. Their creative and thought-provoking ideas, insightful messages, their individuality and unique traits, and passion for the subject make them stand out and influence hundreds of people. Lastly, good thought leaders are not just great thinkers, but often show how to deliver results to back up their hypotheses. They act as catalysts to bring about a positive transformation through best practices, sharing of practical knowledge, hard-earned experiences, and success stories.

Recently, I picked up the bestseller  Indra Nooyis autobiography ,My Life In Full, which is an inspirational narrative of her grit, determination and achievements over a dozen years as the CEO of PepsiCo, with challenges being thrown at her indifferent life stages. Through her candid account, she has not just connected with every professional woman, but also the entire ecosystem around her. She has stressed on organisation and community support and has brought up some very critical areas that need to be addressed,if we want to build a more inclusive working world.

Axis Bank is a highly visible brand in the media. What kind of synergy and strategy do you follow with mainstream advertising to make your PR strategy equally effective and rewarding for the brand?

At Axis Bank, brand building through advertising and strategic PR have always complemented each other. Our philosophy Dil Se Open is the thread that binds all our communication, across stakeholders. This applies to mainstream advertising, as well as our PR strategy. While in PR we have various themes to highlight the priority areas of our organisation, the communication is always simple, direct, transparent and tries to establish the human connect.

We also believe that PR strategy can be successful only if it alignswith the business objectives. We follow a holistic approach, starting with understanding the business needs todefining the audience, charting out the relevant media for them - traditional, digital as well as social, and establishing the connect through impactful messaging. Sometimes, its done in phases, focusing on a specific outcome at a specific point in time. Our strategy usually revolves around owned and earned media, with powerful content at the center of it.

Ultimately, what matters is how we convey the intent behind every initiative and the difference we are making to our customers, people, partners and the community at large. At Axis Bank, we have been building a culture of Customer Obsession by keeping the consumer at the very core of every conversation and decision, and actively working towards it in everything we do  consumer interactions, product designs, process innovations, as well as communication.

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of your PR campaign on an ongoing basis? What kind of matrix do you use to measure the effectiveness of various PR campaigns?

While we use a range of data analytics to gauge the impact of various PR projects and campaigns  like spokesperson engagement, geographical coverage, share of voice, tonality, etc., I believe the real measure is always in terms of the outcome that we could deliver for the business objectives. Landing the right messages to help drive the right narrative for your organisation is equally important. An integrated, all-encompassing approach of qualitative and quantitative parameters surely gives you a far better understanding. Therefore, while planning a PR campaignits imperative that we define the measurement criteria/ parameters, which help decide on the effectiveness of the campaign. Also, measurements often provide a plethora of insights, which can help plan the next campaign better.
Indias technological evolution has been amongst the fastest in the world, with certain key moments defining this phenomenal growth story. It is no mean feat for a private company, especially a homegrown start-up, to be seen as one of the catalysts that have enabled the nation to earn its place amongst the most technologically advanced, globally. InMobi Group, Indias first unicorn, has done just that with several firsts to its credit.

Now one of the worlds largest players in digital advertising and consumer tech, InMobi has been recognized as a contributor to Indias history of innovation over the past 75 years by the Government of India.

Commemorating Indias 75 years of independence, Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog celebrated Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in New Delhi, on April 29. As part of this, an installation highlighting 75 technological milestones in the countrys history of innovation since independence was created. InMobi becoming Indias first unicorn (reaching $1 billion valuation) in 2011 was recognized as one of these key milestones. The company was the only tech start-up to have received this honor.

Some of the other iconic events in history to be recognized included the launch of the Aryabhata Satellite and Chandrayaan, LPG Reforms (Liberalisation, Privatisation & Globalisation), the establishment of the first IIT and IIM, setting up of the DRDO and ISRO, the launch of Doordarshan, and formation of TCS.

As an entrepreneur, and as an Indian, I am extremely proud to see that together we have built a company that has cemented its place in the nations history of innovation. InMobis recognition alongside such monumental events is an incredible privilege for us. On behalf of the founders of InMobi Group, I would like to thank the Government of India, and all our employees across the world who have made this honor possible, said Naveen Tewari, Founder & CEO, InMobi Group.

InMobi has been one of the most consistently disruptive companies globally since its inception and has played a major role in transforming the way users experience the internet. The company has been one of the few homegrown tech start-ups by Indian-origin founders to have successfully conquered international markets across the Americas, APAC, and MENA. It has created some of the worlds most path-breaking solutions in digital advertising as well as massive consumer platforms.

These include Glance  one of the worlds leading lock screen content platforms and Roposo, a destination for creator-led live commerce. Through its various consumer platforms, InMobi reaches over 400 million devices across the globe and aims to potentially reach a billion devices over the next 2 years.

There is a trend of Easternisation in consumer technology, and we believe that the next mega platforms will be born out of India. With InMobis DNA of innovation, we hope to lead this charge, Tewari added.

InMobi and its subsidiary Glance are backed by some of the most innovative organizations in

the world including SoftBank, Google, Mithril Capital, and most recently, Jio Platforms.
Ozone, in partnership with Dentsu Impact, has launched its latest campaign, Hum Sab Sambhal Lenge. While most German kitchen hardware brands want us to dream of kitchens like five-star lobbies, through this campaign, Ozone takes a more pragmatic and honest look at what a real Indian kitchen is.

Conceptualised and executed by Dentsu Impact, a dentsuMB Company and the creative agency from the house of dentsu Creative India, the series of five quirky and honest films are individual stories of people in the kitchen in a microformat. They remind us of how our kitchens are a different ball game altogether from the dreamy advertisements we are fed. The films beautifully capture these slices of life, emphasising that the brand understands the consumer efficiently. They showcase kitchens witnessing pots and pans flying in moments of passion and where the in-house brat pulls out the drawer to play the harmonium. With this, the brand underlines the stringent testing that the products undergo, which gives it the confidence to promise that no matter what happens, Hum Sab Sambhaal Lenge. For the record, the campaign has garnered huge success with not just Ozones TG but also with everyone else who can relate to the Indian kitchen.

It is pertinent to note here that the kitchen hardware market in India is fragmented with many local players but with only a handful enjoying the recall of the big players. However, the European origin brands tend to focus more on aesthetics than on addressing what real kitchen conditions need. Here, Ozone saw a great opportunity to position its durable and world-class products that offer unmatched value. Value to a segment that is continuously growing and on the lookout for the kind of quality and assurance that otherwise is typically associated with foreign brands.

Abhishek Aggarwal, President, Ozone Overseas said, Our products are designed for long-lasting use. They are durable, elegant and are tested stringently to work in demanding kitchens. Much like the conditions the films capture. We usher in world-class quality and support to a market that today is ready and is discerning. We want them to know that we understand them like no other.

Ujjwal Anand, Executive Vice President, Dentsu Impact added, The expression, Hum Sab Sambhal Lenge, gives confidence to the TG that no matter what kind of pressure they put on the kitchen hardware, Ozone will handle all of it since it understands Indian kitchen and usage. Also, in a market that is driven by a retailer's recommendation and push, Hum Sab Sambhaal Lenge is equivalent to Arre sir! Main baitha hoon yahan Main keh raha hoon na sir Aankh band kar ke le jao. The articulation gives the assurance to the consumers of the quality and at the same time helps retailers with a whole new pitch.

Mayank Khattar, Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Impact commented, Unlike German kitchens, a plank most of the leading players use, the Indian kitchen with large extended families is accessed by everyone - kids, grandparents, maids and cooks. From Chintu the brat to Pinki the angry teen. Also, everyone has their own style of operating the kitchen, which entails quite a bit of careless and rough usage. In many families, kitchens never stop functioning. Imagine then the load on it; and to depict that, we carefully picked up a family setting with each of its members accessing the kitchen in their signature way and for their own needs. The films are all about these people subjecting the kitchen to any treatment they deem fit.
There is a case decided in March 2022 arising out of the state of Texas. Factually, it involved the horrific murder of Texas resident Pablo Castro in 2004 by John Ramirez [and two other assailants] for less than $2.00. [All three were convicted of three robberies that same night]. One woman managed to escape unharmed by giving the three her purse after the knife used to kill Castro was held to her neck in front of her 2-year-old son. Another woman escaped in her vehicle after the trio attempted to rob her in a fast food drive through line.

The vehicle with the perpetrators in it was identified and pursued by police until it ended in a foot chase. Two accomplices were captured, the killer managed to escape and went to Mexico where he was later arrested near the border just over three years later. Ramirez was sentenced to death in 2008. For over a decade, Ramirez managed to prolong the visit to the death chamber by lethal injection.

Ramirez filed a prison grievance that he wanted his spiritual advisor in the execution chamber during his execution. Initially Texas refused it then later determined that it would be allowed. Ramirez then filed a Step 1 Grievance in June 2021, not only to allow his spiritual advisor in the death chamber but also to be given the ability to verbally utter prayers and to lay hands on him, which Ramirez stated was a part of his religion. His pastor stated affirmatively. Texas refused, saying it was not a part of its protocols when in fact it had been allowed. Ramirez then appealed with a Step 2 Grievance and, because Texas did not act with only a month until the execution, he filed suit through the Federal District Court. The suit asserted under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 and the First Amendment. Ramirez sought preliminary and permanent injunctive relief unless such religious accomodation was allowed in the death chamber. The Complaint was amended to include the pastor audibly praying and laying hands on during the execution. Texas refused and was supported by the Federal District Court as well as the Fifth Circuit as well as a stay of the execution. A Writ of Certiorari was filed with the United States Supreme Court and the Court agreed to hear the case.

The issue is whether the execution should be halted for full consideration. However, to do so Ramirez, must establish that he is likely to succeed on the merits, that he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief, that the balance of equities tips in his favor, and that an injunction is in the public interest. Winter v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20. I must say I got a bit of a chuckle out of the test consisting of irreparable harm when Ramirez was definitely facing that but not because of the issue at hand. Under 42 U. S. C. 2000cc1(a). A plaintiff bears the initial burden of proving that a prison policy implicates his religious exercise. Holt v. Hobbs, 574 U. S. 352, 360. A prisoners requested religious accommodation must be sincerely based on a religious belief and not some other motivation. Id., at 360361. The burden on the prisoners religious exercise must also be substantial. Id., at 361.Pp. 918. Looking at Texas execution protocol and history it does not appear that the allowance as requested by Ramirez will restrict the state from carrying out its compelling governmental interests and it does not appear that the burden on Texas would be substantial. Texas was also concerned that the allowance of a verbal prayer could allow for the exploitation of a statement to be made but the Supreme Court did not see that considering the sincerity of Ramirezs pastor. It was also felt that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 [RLUIPA] would succeed on its merits. The lower Court opinions were reversed and remanded back to the trial Court for reconsideration on the merits. Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion as well as concurring opinions written by Justices Kavanaugh and Sotomayor.

Surprisingly only Justice Thomas voted in dissension and wrote a dissenting opinion. His feeling was that Ramirez, through numerous and various procedures, had long delayed his execution. Thomas wrote, In RLUIPA, Congress created a potent tool with which prisoners can protect their sincerely held religious beliefs. But, like any tool, it can be wielded abusively. And few have a greater incentive to do so than death-row inmates. To counter such abuse, federal courts sitting in equity have a duty to dismiss piecemeal, late-breaking, dilatory, specious, speculative, or manipulative litigation. RLUIPA itself complements that process by requiring a prisoner to demonstrate sincerity.

Meanwhile, Congress passed the PLRA [The Prison Litigation Reform Act 42 U.S.C.  1997e] to force prisoners to exhaust their complaints through state prisons administrative review processes so that prison officials might resolve, or at least build a record to help shed light on, an alleged problem before it escalates to litigation. Federal courts have a duty under the PLRA to dismiss these unexhausted claims.

Today, the Court shrugs off both of these duties. It grants equitable relief for a demonstrably abusive and insincere claim filed by a prisoner with an established history of seeking unjustified delay, harming the State and Ramirezs victims in the process. The Court also forgives the same prisoners complete failure to exhaust another claim. Because I would deny equitable relief for the first claim and dismiss the second under the PLRA, I respectfully dissent.

I hope that this has helped with your question. If you need a lawyer you can contact the Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral service or ask a trusted friend about a lawyer that they might recommend.

This article is informative only and not meant to be all-inclusive. Additionally this article does not serve as legal advice to the reader and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. The reader should seek counsel from their attorney should any questions exist. No representation is made that the quality of legal services performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. As always if you do not have an attorney, ask a trusted friend or family member or contact the Alabama State Bar, Lawyer Referral service.
On April 7, 2022, in Egypt, a Muslim man lunged at and viciously stabbed a Christian priest thrice in the neck with a knife; Fr. Arsenius Wadid died soon thereafter. Although the murderer was instantly apprehended by passersby -- the crime was committed on a crowded street -- Egyptian authorities initially tried to do what their Western counterparts often do: portray the murderer as insane, an aberration of society.

Due to a combination of public outcry (primarily from the Copts themselves), the testimonials of seventeen eyewitnesses, and even the murderers own coherent responses -- to say nothing of the fact that of all the people he could have randomly murdered he targeted the one openly professing his Christian faith by wearing a large crucifix around his neck -- prosecution finally confirmed that he would be tried as sane and cognizant of his actions.

Why both Westerners and non-Westerners constantly seek to portray Muslim murderers of non-Muslims as insane should be clear by now: the alternative -- that Islam somehow promotes such behavior -- would open a massive can of worms that no one wants to deal with.

But can one really say that Islam promotes even the unprovoked slaying of a Christian clergyman, Fr. Arsenius, who was peacefully engaged in a public charitable activity with the youth of his church when he was slaughtered?

Three Koran passages would seem to answer this question in the affirmative: 1. Kill the polytheists wherever you find them (9:5); 2. Fight the leaders of disbelief [kufr] (9:12); 3. When you meet the disbelievers, strike [with your blades at their] necks (47:4).

Consider how these three verses apply to the current case: A Muslim man comes across a leader of disbelief -- that is, a clergyman, a visible representative of Christianity, as demarcated by the cross around Fr. Arseniuss neck. It did not matter that he came across him on an open and crowded street, since Allah also commands the believers to kill the polytheists -- and Islam categorizes Christians as polytheists due to the Trinity -- wherever you find them. Finally, the murderer took his deitys advice by striking directly at the neck, the jugular, which he repeatedly stabbed with a knife.

Should this rather straightforward interpretation still seem farfetched or not nuanced enough, keep in mind that Muslims recite the aforementioned three and many more hate-filled and violent Koran verses every single day; these scriptures are highlighted, praised, and expounded in countless books, on countless televised programs, and all throughout the mosques of the world, especially Egypts. In other words, these verses are ingrained in the minds of pious, observant Muslims.

Even so, one may object that, if such verses are so influential, why arent there more such attacks? Such an observation can only be made by someone whose information is exclusively derived from mainstream media sources: random attacks on infidels are actually quite common -- not a few of them featuring knife stabs to the neck.

In Egypt alone -- where a Coptic clergyman once complained that attacks on Christians happen every two or three days -- a murder nearly identical to that of Fr. Arsenius took place in 2017: then, a Muslim man wielding a butchers knife was seen and videotaped chasing a Coptic bishop in broad daylight; when he finally cornered him, the Muslim repeatedly stabbed the Christian in his neck and head, murdering him. Finally, to underscore that his handiwork was religiously (Islamicly) motivated, the murderer used the bishops own blood to draw a cross on his forehead.

Further confirming that this killer was motivated by Koran verses such as those cited above, neighbors said that he had recently begun praying in the street, shouting loudly and calling Christians infidels. As for motive, one report explained that he had decided to kill any Coptic priest, purchased a dagger, and lay in wait for one to pass by, in a street leading to the local church.

Lay in wait for one to pass by sounds awfully similar to Koran 9:5, which counsels the faithful to capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them on every way.

There are other such examples. In 2013, Coptic priest Mina Cheroubim was shot dead as he left his church in al-Arish, Egypt. A botched attempt occurred in 2020: while traveling to his church in Alexandria, a Coptic priest was ambushed and nearly murdered by a Muslim parolee. According to the report, the parolee, nicknamed Kareem Madi, has a history of attacking Christians -- especially women and girls.

Such murderous assaults are hardly limited to Coptic clergymen who, as the saying goes, wear their faith on their sleeves. Everyday Christians are also targeted and killed in what Egyptian media present as random attacks (with the only constant being the religion of the murderers, Islam, and the religion of their victims, Christianity).

As just two examples, in 2020 a Muslim man crept up behind a Christian woman walking home with groceries, grabbed her hair, pulled her head back, and slit her throat with a knife. Two days later, another Muslim man went for the jugular of a Christian man with a box-cutter; he only managed to sever an ear. On being questioned concerning his motive, this Muslim confessed that he did not know the Copt, but that he simply hates Christians. There are many more such examples from Egypt; see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

The reader may still protest: if the Koran teaches the outright butchery of infidels, wherever you find them, and if at least ten percent of Egypts population is Christian, shouldnt there be many more -- indeed, daily -- murders? The answer to this seeming conundrum is simple enough. Though the Egyptian constitution is heavily based on Islamic sharia law, Egypt is still a modern state -- meaning that the random killing of an infidel is strictly prohibited. As such, it appears that only the most pious -- or as they are often portrayed, the most insane -- are willing to accept the negative consequences of literally enacting the hate-filled and violent verses of their holy book, which include long or even life prison sentences.

That said, such killings would certainly be much more frequent -- especially following Friday mosque prayers, when the believers are regularly riled against the hated infidels -- were they not outlawed and punished by the state.

Raymond Ibrahim, author of the new book, Defenders of the West: The Christian Heroes Who Stood Against Islam, is a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center, a Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum, and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Gatestone Institute.

Image: Talk Media News Photo Archives
Out here in rural western Colorado, were going to have that honest conversation on race that Americans have been promised, but so far have been denied. The only thing that is now unique about the traditional black American experience is this: no other ethnic grouplegally impaired or otherwisein recorded history has been the beneficiary of such massive amounts of reparative private and public largesse with, comparatively, almost nothing to show for it. It has been a complete boondoggle, and the situation is now a national embarrassment.

On three consecutive Mondays this spring, a series of talks on Critical Race Theory (CRT) will debut in Mesa County, Colorado for a host of invitation-only private groups. These talks will cover the unspeakable on the history of race in America, do a thorough examination of what CRT is really all about, and address why our target audience, an often overlooked and ridiculed segment of the nations population, might play a handy role in re-directing the country back to the original intent of Americas most peculiar institutionthat is, our constitutional republic.

Mesa County Colorado (public domain image)

In that the talks will be extremely controversial, perhaps inspiring some to become emotionally unstable or physically violent, together with the other members of our planning committee, weve decided that attendance for the talks must be limited to select audiences that have gone through a type of vetting process.

The talks target a local rural American audience and encourage active participation. The participants that have signed on are from all walks of lifepeach farmers, retired miners and oil riggers, ranchers, licensed therapists, parents of school-aged children, healthcare workers, local pastors, supermarket employees, and law enforcement officers. But despite their diversity, these people all have one thing in common: they are at a loss as to how to handle the onslaught of racial hysteria that is trying to invade their once peaceful and neighborly communities. In reality, what the audiences will be getting are private seminars on race that will help them to take the offense against the chaos that is headed their way.

Understanding the history of black-white relations in this country, we think something very different is required, based on the primary role that race now plays in the rapid disintegration of our culture. Members will receive individual packets of primary source historical materials, custom workbooks for note taking, and an array of relevant current events articles on CRT. Video content will be extremely limited, and recordings will not be allowed. Long winded speeches by distinguished panelists will not be a part of the programs; and by the last of the three talks, we will propose very easy to implement strategies for these everyday Americans to reclaim their status as free citizens of the longest standing constitutional republic in modern history. The strategies will focus first and foremost on helping the participants to use a robust understanding of our founding documents to combat CRT.

Our seminars will offer participants historical deep-dives on an array of issues: the rarely talked consequences that arose from President Lincolns fiat mandates on slavery; why Booker T. Washingtons Atlanta Compromise was a poorly thought out and short-sighted solution to the Negro problem and how his logic provided a historical springboard for CRT.

Another topic that the talks will spend time addressing is the how the nations top colleges and universities have had a recent tradition of producing militant-anti American black scholars who have used their academic pedigree to reconstruct Americas race history, superimposing a question mark on the very legitimacy of the United States. Persons like Nikole Hanna-Jones, producer of the infamous 1619 Project, and her contemporaries, our research will show, are nothing more than a well-varnished but insecure class of black Americans who, a long time ago, made calculated decisions to leap-frog over a thorough and earnest study of the entirety of Western Civilization in search of a pot of gold. Their obsession with black power and their abominable ignorance of the 3,000-year backdrop that led to the founding of the United States has indeed paid rich returns. But in truth, Hanna-Jones and her lot are the real bitter clingers once referenced by the the 44th President of the United States.

We will not be presenting opinions. We will be presenting facts and evidence. Invitees must therefore come to their own conclusions based on what is to be provided. As facilitators, we will only initiate the discussion topics while providing the format and forum. In terms of the style of the talks, think of us as When A Prairie Home Companion and Brooklyn Collide. Very down-home with no time for messing around!

Based on our informal market research in Mesa County, we have discovered that the people are actually hungry for this information. Rural conservative counties in western blue states like this one are often overlooked and completely misunderstood. Although such counties provide the bread and beef for the rest of the country, the salt of the earth residents are often branded as good-for-nothing beasts of burden by their betters, mainly East Coast elitists in the media. But people here are waking up fast. Many now realize that the media in general are not providing them with truthful content.

Also, like other parents nationwide, people here are fighting to have a say in the curriculum that their children are taught; and they are quickly coming to the realization that schools just going back to reading, writing, and arithmetic is not the answer. If we are to get back to our founding American ideals, something more drastic will be needed; and not just for the children, but for all of us. Mesa County, Colorado residents are drawing a line in the sand.

CRT is hypocritical, part of an anti-white trivium of resentment ideology (CRT, BLM, 1619), founded on principles of cultural and economic Marxism but also uniquely American, creating an agenda that stresses division, cancel culture, and the rise of supremacist groups both black and white. Politicians then reflect these foreign ideas by way of defund the police policies, unconstitutional mandates, and financial schemes that are wiping out the Americas middle class especially in rural areas. And although logic tells us that we are all Americans, regardless of race, class, or locale especially because of how race continues to be used as a divisive issue in our culture we are not able to unite and rally to preserve our domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.

CRT has gripped our country. In addition to how it is being taught in schools, it has promoted a re-imagining of America that threatens our values as a nation of people continuously striving towards ideals of understanding humanity based on the content of character and not color. If this phenomenon persists and is successful, our country will not survive.

We owe a great debt to the eastern part of our nation, which has been prominent in our governance since the beginning of our history. The 13 colonies, our nations first capital in Philadelphia, and the American War for Independence provided the foundations for the greatness of the United States. Much of the founding history of our nation comes from the bustling colonial cities of the east.

But it would be prudent to remember that Thomas Jefferson championed the propertied classes, particularly the agrarians, as the nation was cementing its roots, and looked to distinguish itself as a nation far removed from the tyranny of the artificial aristocracies that had plagued Europe for millennia. Western expansion offered much hope for this cause; and in this letter to his friend, John Adams, Mr. Jefferson his ideas regarding the agrarian classes and their role in shaping core republican values. In many ways, Mesa County, Colorado still offers a bit of what our third president envisioned but did not live to see. Also, could a better phrase, artificial aristocracy, have been coined to describe what we are seeing now in the likes of our new black (power) intelligentsia?

Our Constitution, a foundation for our success is what is being challenged and destroyed by divisive ideologies in the forms of CRT, BLM, and the 1619 Project. It was said by our 44th President that we needed to fundamentally change America. Only those with a deep dislike or hatred for the United States could concur with that statement. With the guidance of our Constitution, its time to unpack those words, and decide once and for all if he was right.

If we can keep it, we still have a republic. But only if we intimately know the timeless principles that it was built upon.

William Chip Page is the former mayor of Cripple Creek, Colorado and chairman of the Mesa County Planning Commission. Chip ended up in Colorado, a long time ago, by way of cattle ranching. L.E. Ikenga has been a contributor to the American Thinker for over a decade. She is very happy to have left her native Brooklyn, New York and now enjoys learning as much as possible about her new home state. To keep up with their talks on CRT, join them on Gettr @brooklynprairie.
Dont let liberals shame you over the education war. They will try to present themselves as the defenders of education, all that is right and just about the misunderstood purpose of education. In reality, they are seeking to utilize education as a medium for their political propaganda. Nothing is safe. Calling them out, protecting your children, and taking a battering ram to the rotten core of education is necessary for all patriots if we are to save our country and our children.

The rot in higher education is well-known. (I say this as a graduate of Yale.) The rot emerging in primary education is not as well-known, though it is becoming more so as the days go by. This is a blessing in disguise.

Education has always been seen as the medium to capture the next generation and form them into whatever the state or ruling elite desire. When Joe Biden and other Bolsheviks in Democrat clothing say your children dont belong to you -- dont belong to parents -- they mean it. For them, school is the surrogate parent, the true parent, the place where children are formed to be what they desire and need from them into adulthood.

The family is the great bastion of power and freedom against the state. This has been known since ancient times. This is also why those who have sought the complete restructuring of society have targeted families and children as the cornerstones of society that must be broken. Education is the easiest way to do this under the guise of student maturation and self-improvement.

It used to be the case that families had complete control of their childrens education. In a world when public schooling, even private schooling, was not the norm, education occurred in the home, at the dinner table, next to the fire. As our world industrialized and urbanized, as our world democratized, the warm heart of education moved from the home to the classroom. Universal public education made this possible.

With children now out of the home at a young age for long periods of time without filial supervision or support, it was only time before this reality would offer the great temptation to totalitarians. Inside the classroom, without mom or dad to help them, children were completely at the whims of their teachers.

Karl Marx, in the Communist Manifesto, was one of the first to recognize the totalitarian opportunity in this. Free universal education was one of his tenets. It would become the place to promote his ideas for class consciousness and transform the children of the capitalist and patriotic bourgeoisie into radicals for the revolution.

Patriots must understand the farce of a neutral education. Education, by definition, isnt neutral. Certain subjects and topics are decided to be part of the curriculum. Others are excluded. Choice is always being made. The pedagogical and methodological approaches taken are also not neutral. Conservatives and patriots who hide behind the idea of neutral education already set themselves up at a disadvantage, blinding themselves to the reality that education has always been used as a place to teach and promote certain ideas to students. We must be concerned with what ideas. Ideas are not neutral.

Some of those ideas are comparatively better and less harmful than others. But those ideas chosen are not chosen with neutrality in mind. In Christian or private education, for instance, choices are made with consideration for beauty, classical and cultural significance, thematic edification, and so on. Homer or Dante or Shakespeare are given prominence over Hesiod, Torquato Tasso, or Ben Jonson as examples for various reasons and they are taught with those reasons in mind. Aesthetic, moral, and spiritual formation are part of education.

Holding up the veil of neutrality masks the reality of education and what is going on in schools. Schools are the testing ground for new ideas, molding young people into future souls of whatever the school or their masters intend. When certain Bolsheviks in the Democrat Party say that parents have no rights to their kids in education, they mean it. When educators take to Twitter and other social media platforms to denounce parents and proclaim that their expertise makes them superior to parents, they are playing out their lustful totalitarian fantasies in 280 characters or less. They want absolute and total control.

The education war does matter. It matters not because we have lost neutrality in education, but because we spend so much of our formative years in education that what we read, what we learn, and what we teach will have an impact on our lives. With that in mind we must be cognizant of what matters and why.

Shall education be a pathway for the good, true, and beautiful? Shall it be a place where the formation of souls and the cultivation of love takes place? Or shall it be a place for resentment and utopian lusting and experimentation? Shall it be a place where souls are crushed and where awe and love are extinguished and replaced with the indoctrinated spirit of the political zeitgeist?

Parents should take a proactive role in knowing what is being taught. Educational choice must become the norm. Educational institutions and organizations that exist for the cultivation of souls and shepherding them to the good, true, and beautiful should make themselves as accessible and open to all seeking to escape the rot of statist education system that seeks universal dominance and control over all children from preschool to university.

The education war which has now risen to such prominence in our politics is the defining cultural moment for the twenty-first century (and those seeking to undermine America and destroy its values know that). As the next generation will define what America stands for and becomes, it is imperative for patriotic parents, and educators who see the goodness of America and the beauty and truth of our cultural traditions, to take a stand to cultivate the places and the hearts that will ensure America remains the last, best hope for the world.

Image: National Archives
Justice Harry Blackmun's opinion in Roe v. Wade, declaring abortion to be a right under the Constitution, was derived from the insertion of a right to privacy under the Constitution. Disclosure in Politico of a draft opinion to upend the Blackmun ruling by Justice Samuel Alito, Jr. indicates that the privacy in Supreme Court decision-making  indeed, the very sanctity of the High Court  is at an end, torn down by the inexcusable entry of domestic politics into the judicial process.

The Politico article assumes the authenticity of the opinion attributed to Justice Alito. The fact that he wrote the decision strongly suggests that Chief Justice John Roberts is not included in the alleged majority decision to reverse Roe. It seems more likely than not that had the chief justice agreed to the reversal, he would have assigned the opinion to himself. That Justice Alito wrote the draft overturning Roe indicates that with the chief in the minority, the senior justice in the minority, Justice Clarence Thomas, assigned the opinion to Justice Alito.

Speculation on the leaker has fallen on one of the 36 law clerks to the justices. This, for example, is the view of Brian Fallon, a former press secretary to Hillary Clinton. Democrats, as reported by Politico, which first posted the leak, are hoping that it will galvanize the Democrat base to block Republican gains in November's midterm elections.

Concerning Fallon's speculation, would a mere law assistant to a Supreme Court justice dare to take the extraordinary step of piercing the Court's sanctity? If discovered, it would end a promising legal career. In addition to the 36 law clerks, there are eight other individuals said to have seen the Alito draft: Justice Alito's eight colleagues on the Court. Would one these eight be the likely leaker?

There is one of these eight who will step down when this term of the Court ends: Justice Stephen Breyer, who is to be replaced by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. It is generally conceded that Justice Breyer was pressured to retire to give President Biden the opportunity to make at least one appointment to the Court.

Who would be more likely to disclose a draft opinion prematurely  and for political impact  than a justice who was motivated to step down from the Court for reasons of politics?

That the leak has set off a political firestorm is not surprising  but isn't it more likely than not that such a firestorm would have been ignited had a 5-4 reversal of Roe v. Wade been handed down in the normal course of the proceedings of the Court? Wouldn't Democrats have seen a Roe reversal as a call to political arms, in terms of the November elections and court-packing? Of course, but the leak of the draft has given the left the hope that the reversal can, itself, be reversed  a change that, arguably, would not displease Justice Breyer and his three liberal colleagues.

Image credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
There are two levels to this story. The first is the absolutely unheard-of fact that a Supreme Court opinion was leaked before the Court officially issued it, something that's incredibly damaging to the institution. The second is that, if this really is the decision that the Court will issue, Justice Alito is 100% correct that Roe v. Wade has no constitutional basis and that, under the Constitution as written, the question of abortion belongs to the individual states.

The news was shocking: Politico reported that it had received a draft of the final opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization:

The Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, according to an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito circulated inside the court and obtained by POLITICO.

Nor did Politico stop at reporting what the draft purportedly said. Had that happened, I might have been skeptical, saying that this was just a rumor as the Court sought to run a potential decision up the flagpole to see the response. Instead, Politico uploaded the draft, which is already formatted in the normal fashion for Supreme Court opinions. This is the real deal. (Since the cat's out of the bag, I'll include the Scribd transcript at the end of this article.)



Image: The way things should be. Freepik image.

Publishing a draft decision must always be wrong because it instantly politicizes the Supreme Court's actions by allowing politicians and members of the public to put pressure on the Court to change its opinion before it becomes final. The SCOTUSblog Twitter account sums up accurately how appalling this is:

Its impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin.  SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) May 3, 2022

Currently, my best guess is that a leftist somewhere along the pipeline (justices, clerks, secretaries, the printing company, etc.) leaked the opinion to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing off from its planned decision. If I remember correctly, back in 2012, when the Supreme Court was considering Obamacare's constitutionality, a rumor went around that the Court would strike it down. Then Justice Roberts upheld it (on entirely spurious grounds, I might add).

My sense in 2012 was that the Democrats, upon hearing the rumor, let the justices know that the Court would face serious consequences (i.e., court-packing) if it were to proceed with that decision. So the Court reversed course. Perhaps that thinking was behind yesterday's leak.

Certainly, Democrats responded with the fury and hysteria one would expect. Bernie Sanders instantly demanded that Congress act and, if necessary, end the filibuster to do so:

Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there arent 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes.  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) May 3, 2022

Biden is already preparing a speech:

And right on cue, Biden will give remarks about Roe v. Wade from the White House tomorrow. Completely transparent and devastating political leak.  Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) May 3, 2022

Naturally, the usual hysteria ensued: women are chattel; they'll all die; and, of course, it's raaay-cist!

Women are officially 2nd class citizens in America now with Roe v. Wade overturned. The very basic right to control your body is lost. Its a scary time to be a woman in America & Ill support you with everything I can.  Ethan Klein (@h3h3productions) May 3, 2022

The majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade.



Making abortions illegal won't make them go away. It will only make them more dangerous, more expensive, and lead to the criminalization of poor women and women of color and others who need abortions.



1/3  Nina Turner (@ninaturner) May 3, 2022

As was to be expected, leftist mobs are already forming to intimidate the Supreme Court into changing its decision:

Happening NOW: Protesters are arriving at the Supreme Court following the leaked SCOTUS draft voting to end abortion rights in the United States and overturn Roe V. Wade.



Video credit: @Osinttechnical. pic.twitter.com/LNIXK5dKz3  Vishal P. Singh (they/he)  (@VPS_Reports) May 3, 2022

So now to the second point: Is it a valid decision? Yes. Absolutely, both legally and practically.

There is no honest way to say Roe v. Wade is constitutionally sound. Instead, it's a steaming pile of bovine fecal matter. It has ludicrous science, relies on emotion, and reads nonexistent rights into the Constitution. Justice Alito brutally lays it out:

Even though the Constitution makes no mention of abortion, the Court held that it confers a broad right to obtain one. It did not claim that American law or the common law had ever recognized such a right, and its survey of history ranged from the constitutionally irrelevant (e.g., its discussion of abortion in antiquity) to the plainly incorrect (e.g., its assertion that abortion was probably never a crime under the common law).

Alito continues in that vein, savaging the case, and even quotes Laurence Tribe, the fanatically leftist law professor, who said in 1973 that Roe was "not constitutional law" and didn't even try to be. (Tribe, of course, opposes the current decision.)

Ultimately, says Alito, "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start."

The decision does not end abortion in America. Instead, it does what the Court should have done in 1973: it returns the matter to the states. "It is time," writes Alito, "to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

Abortion will continue to exist in blue states and be ended or limited in red states. Fifty laboratories of democracy will function, as the Constitution intended (see the 10th Amendment), with abortion being decided according to community norms. Indeed, under that standard and contra Bernie Sanders, one can argue that Congress cannot impose abortion nationwide.

Regarding the claim that the decision is racist because it will affect minorities most, the decision is actually anti-racist. Margaret Sanger, who founded Planned Parenthood, was an ardent eugenicist who yearned to eliminate the "unfit" in America through birth control and abortion. There's a reason Planned Parenthood parks itself in minority neighborhoods.

Year after year, in New York City alone, more Black babies are aborted than born. It's estimated that more than 20 million Black babies have been aborted since 1973. It's a weird "racist" opinion that lays the groundwork for more minority babies to be born rather than fewer.

Additionally, I've long thought that part of the murderous criminality in urban Black communities relates to all those abortions. If mothers routinely kill their babies, why should anyone else living there value life?

Finally, forget about the hysteria about dead women. This is not the 1950s. Babies out of wedlock are normative, not shameful. Also, birth control is freely available (and nothing will stop the abortion pill). Plus, it's easier now than it was then to travel to a state where abortion is unlimited.

If the Supreme Court has the courage to face down the mob, this is one of the most constitutionally sound opinions since Heller reinstated the Second Amendment. It will return some normalcy to America. It's also part of what I believe is a very large, slow U-turn that sane people in American institutions (and American homes) are making as they watch the Democrat party race down a path of insanity, immorality, and incoherence.

Scotus Initial Draft Opinio... by Danny Chaitin
President Biden was thankful for the media during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

From an AP article:

While the majority of the speech was filled with cutting jabs, Biden did make note of the important role journalism plays in American democracy, especially in the last decade. "I mean this from the bottom of my heart, that you, the free press, more than you ever did in the last century" he said: " you are the guardians of the truth."

The president and his party should be happy with the press, but it has nothing to do with them being the guardians of the truth or protecting democracy.

The only reason that Biden became president is because Democrat campaign workers, posing as journalists, buried a truthful story about the Biden family corruption that most of them knew was true. They still intentionally hide the truth of the depth and breadth of the corruption from the public because they know that Biden's and other Democrats' poll numbers would be much worse if the public knew the truth.

For the four years before the 2020 election, they also intentionally lied about Russian collusion and repeatedly called Trump an illegitimate president. They still bury most of what Durham has found about the deep corruption of the government and Hillary.

Much of what most of the media reports has nothing to do with the truth or protecting democracy. It has everything to do with maintaining and getting more power for Democrats.

It is the media that are the greatest existential threat to our freedom, prosperity, and survival as a great country, not challenging election results or anything to do with fossil fuels.

Isn't it time that journalists started doing their jobs instead of acting like talking sock puppets?

Photo credit: YouTube screen grab.
It is remarkable how the Democrat party's support for criminals is often preferred despite the harm it causes to U.S. citizens. A recent example comes from California regarding the fentanyl crisis. Fentanyl is an opioid that is 80100 times more potent than morphine, and just a small amount can lead to an overdose. Earlier this month, Anne Milgram of the DEA sent a letter to state law enforcement officials and, after listing seven recent cases of mass overdoses, wrote:

Tragic events like these are being driven by fentanyl. Fentanyl is highly-addictive, found in all 50 states, and drug traffickers are increasingly mixing it with other types of drugs  in powder and pill form  in an effort to drive addiction and attract repeat buyers. These mass-overdose events typically occur in one of the following recurring scenarios: when drug dealers sell their product as "cocaine," when it actually contains fentanyl; or when drug dealers sell fake prescription pills designed to appear nearly identical to legitimate prescriptions  such as OxyContin, Percocet, or Vicodin  that are actually fake prescription pills containing fentanyl. This is creating a frightening nationwide trend where many overdose victims are dying after unknowingly ingesting fentanyl.

Alexandra Capelouto was home in Temecula, California on break in December 2019 from Arizona State University, where she was a scholarship student. She illegally purchased what she thought was oxycodone from a dealer she found on Snapchat and took half of one pill for insomnia. The drug was laced with fentanyl, and Alexandra died in her sleep just a few days before Christmas.

After Alexandra's dealer was arrested, state prosecutors found it difficult to prosecute the man for murder or even manslaughter due to the inadequacy of California law with regard to drugs being laced with other substances such as fentanyl. The dealer is being prosecuted in federal court, where, under federal law, he could receive a prison sentence of 20 years to life if convicted.

In California, an individual convicted of DUI is subject to the Watson Advisement, which the convicted offender must sign. The advisement warns that a second DUI could lead to prosecution for murder if a person is killed by the drunken driver. California senator Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, introduced Senate Bill 350 or Alexandra's Law, which would require that similar warnings be given to first-time offenders convicted of selling or distributing controlled substances. The bill would also allow state prosecutors to charge repeat drug-dealing offenders with manslaughter or second-degree murder in the case of a user's death. The proposed advisement reads,

You are hereby advised that the illicit manufacture and or distribution of controlled substances, either real or counterfeit, inflicts a grave health risk to those who ingest or are exposed to them. It is extremely dangerous to human life to manufacture or distribute real or counterfeit controlled substances. If you do so, and a person dies as a result of that action, you can be charged with voluntary manslaughter or murder.

However, despite bipartisan support from legislators, county district attorneys across the state, and testimony from family members of victims from fentanyl poisoning, the bill was killed by the California Assembly Public Safety Committee in a 4-1 vote, with only one Republican voting for the bill's advance.

Given the deadly consequences that fentanyl-laced illegal drugs pose to the public, one would think Alexandra's law is a no-brainer. However, Senator Sydney Kamlager, D-Los Angeles, a member of the committee that killed the bill, indicated that the problem with the law is that it would increase incarceration rates across the state. Someone needs to remind these Democrats that one purpose of incarceration is to remove individuals from society who pose a danger to the public. A criminal drug-dealer selling fentanyl represented and disguised as something far less lethal qualifies here.

Image: Tony Webster.
These are desperate times for the Democrats in Washington. The polls and the mood of the nation suggest that they will receive a shellacking during the midterms in November.

The Democrats have just around six months to act. Desperate times demand desperate measures, so the Democrats are resorting to sneaky tactics such as "leaks," hoping it will benefit them.

They leaked messages between President Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and key GOP figures and Trump aides to portray Republicans as insurrectionists and fascists looking to subvert the course of democracy.

The New York Times leaked a conversation allegedly between House minority leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Liz Cheney to cause a rift within the GOP and cause the impression that GOP is imploding due to conflicts within the leadership.

However, their most audacious leak occurred on Monday night, when Politico obtained a nearly 100-page opinion, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, which Politico claims is a "full-throated" and "unflinching repudiation of constitutional protections of abortion rights."

A leak such as this emanating from the Supreme Court is unprecedented. Supreme Court historians and court-watchers say they cannot recall any previous leaks.

The leak is a majority opinion relating to Dobbs v. Mississippi (2022) which is a case to evaluate whether Roe v. Wade (1973), which legalized abortion nationwide, can be overruled. If Roe v. Wade is overruled, then states decide on abortion, and this is how federalism and indeed democracy work.

Thus far, the U.S. Supreme Court hasn't issued any official ruling on the case, nor have the justices issued any public statement.

Among the most preposterous media reactions was an MSNBC "expert" claiming that democracy within the U.S. has failed because Supreme Court justices appointed by presidents who lost the popular vote will "shape American life for decades."

So what purpose does this leak serve?

The leak returns the issue of abortion to the forefront. Democrats have successfully characterized abortion as a civil right. This is an issue that fires up the far-left Democrat base, which most likely has been abjectly disappointed with Joe Biden and Democrat lawmakers.

This leak will facilitate fundraising for Democrats. It is also a scare tactic to remind Democrat voters that if they want unrestricted abortion on demand, they have to vote for the Democrats during the midterms.

This leak also could enthuse an already enthused pro-life GOP voter base.

Already, pro-abortion "protests" have begun outside the Supreme Court.

A massive protest is forming in front of the Supreme Court in support of protecting womens bodily autonomy. Im proud our staff members are part. pic.twitter.com/I6MyzhoYex  Bill Pascrell, Jr.  (@BillPascrell) May 3, 2022

"Protests" will also be conducted outside the homes of conservative Supreme Court justices. It must be remembered that these "activists" can stoop to any level. The "protests" will devolve into threats. They could even resort to violence and vandalism. Family members of the justices who live elsewhere could also be targeted.

They will claim to be doing this for the "greater good." The news media will then declare that protests are always messy. They will claim this is a war against the "far right" for the "soul of the nation" and that this is how democracy functions.

The "protesters" may even succeed. Few human beings can withstand relentless hate, attacks, and looming threats. President Trump was among the few who had the fortitude and the resilience to stand up to liberal tyrants and deride them in public. However, most humans, including justices, capitulate when their loved ones are threatened with violence. At times, even if a justice chooses to remain stoic, relatives could urge the justice to fall in line just to ensure their safety. It is easy to preach to others to stand by their values in the face of peril, but difficult to practice.

But beyond the contents of the leak, let's focus on the act of leaking.

Every individual in positions of power, from presidents to senators to Supreme Court justices, must have a secure work environment where he can freely express ideas and opinions.

The process of decision-making and adjudicating works only when justices comprehend and evaluate the merits and demerits of each and every possible outcome. At times, certain individuals feel the need to put their thoughts to paper and circulate them among colleagues. An individual may have myriad ideas, but unless the ideas are acted upon, they remain thoughts.

In this case, the document is still a draft. It is important to remember that deliberations on such cases frequently evolve. Justices change their votes as drafts circulate and develop. Most decisions can be subject to multiple drafts. The Court's holding will not be final until it is published.

When such documents are leaked, the work atmosphere turns volatile. It leads to paranoia. Quite soon, people just stick to groupthink to avoid trouble. This is another goal behind the leak, which is to leverage public pressure on the justices in order that they fall in line.

The public must also understand that this is merely the beginning. When the Democrats lose in November, they could use their "activist" wing to wreak havoc. Nothing is outside the realm of possibility  they could merely refuse to accept the election and compel protesters to occupy Washington until there is a "probe" into the results. If they accept the results, they could cause a spectacle each time the GOP attempts to pass laws that they deem inappropriate.

One could argue that irrespective of the actual ruling, the Supreme Court has already been compromised. If the justices genuinely change their opinions, it will appear that they capitulated before the mob. If they stick with their opinions, the liberals can claim they succumbed to the demands of the right and call it a right-wing takeover.

Any court and the justices within must be judged only on their rulings. Their journey on how they arrived at their judgment and how they evolved is really beyond the scope of public interest. Justices often document each and every relevant detail relating to their judgment, which is available for public consumption. What is excluded from the document should not be anybody's concern.

The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the U.S. representative democracy. Once the workings and the integrity of the Supreme Court are compromised, so are the democratic values of the nation.

When Democrats cannot win elections, they resort to sneaky ploys such as leaks to undermine the functioning of institutions. This is a long-term project to ensure their permanent influence in Washington irrespective of electoral outcomes.

The Republicans must react to this leak by focusing primarily on the act of leaking and how serious a violation it is before they focus on the contents.

An investigation into the leak must be immediately initiated, and the culprit must be punished.

The left has managed to infiltrate and hijack most government institutions and irrevocably compromise them. The Supreme Court has been standing for over two centuries. It still means a great deal to citizens. It must be protected from such thugs at all costs.

Democracy ceases to function if the mob is allowed to take over.

Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License.
We are in a very dangerous moment, as Democrat politicians are looking at the conflict in Ukraine for political salvation. In the face of disastrous polling on Biden's presidency and the direction of the country under Democrats, there is one shining issue where they think they see an opportunity. Via Politico's Playbook:

 The latest WaPo/ABC News poll on the U.S. response to Russia's war in Ukraine has some good news for the White House: "The findings suggest that Biden's policies largely reflect Americans' preferences when it comes to the Russian invasion," write WaPo's Ashley Parker, Emily Guskin and Scott Clement. The toplines: "In all, 73 percent say the United States is doing either the right amount or too little to support Ukraine." "72 percent oppose the U.S. taking direct military action against Russian forces, while 21 percent support the idea." "Even among those who say the United States is doing too little to support Ukraine, 57 percent oppose direct military action."

As Richard Baehr pointed out to me, this explains why Nancy Pelosi brought a group of Democrat politicians to Kyiv.



YouTube screen grab.

It is why Biden is asking for a breathtaking $33-billion aid package for Ukraine, the latest of several multi-billion-dollar supports for that regime (which has bribed politicians on both sides of the aisle).

Perhaps most importantly, the Dems see an opportunity to wash away from memory the stain of the bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan, which began the precipitous fall in Biden's polling support.

Given the stakes involved in brinkmanship with Russia  whose nuclear arsenal is larger than ours  this is the wrong way to forge foreign policy and war making.
Within the space of a week, Nina Jankowicz has gone from being an unknown to a media wunderkind, featured in countless media accounts. But it's fair to say the coverage has been less than fawning.

Referring to her Disinformation Governance Board, to which she had been appointed to head, Jankowicz claimed in a tweet that "one of the key reasons the Board was established, is to maintain the Dept's committment [sic] to protecting free speech, privacy, civil rights, & civil liberties." (And why the Orwellian name, Disinformation Governance Board? Maybe because its acronym, DGB, rhymes with the Soviet-era "KGB.")

But like any card-carrying leftist, her professed allegiance to free speech comes with an asterisk.

In a January 2021 WIRED article, Jankowicz railed against the "insidious" online abuse experienced by women, claiming that Vice President Kamala Harris and congress members Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar had experienced a "sexualized disinformation campaign."

Taking a swipe at the motivations of men, Jankowicz argued, "It is time to reverse this trend by employing creativity and technological prowess to make a pariah of online misogyny." She concluded her diatribe by reiterating the discredited #BelieveWomen refrain: "Like the rest of society in the post #MeToo era, social media platforms must decisively make the shift toward believing women" by allowing them to censor online content.

But the Jankowicz article suffers from a major flaw.

It makes no mention of online harassment experienced by men. According to the Pew Research Center, 43% of men, compared to 38% of women, have experienced online harassment. Some 35% of men say they have been called an offensive name, compared to 26% of women. Men report being physically threatened online more often than women as well  16% vs. 11%. As the old saying goes, "a half-truth is a whole lie."

Later that same year, Jankowicz testified at the British Parliament. Playing the sympathy card, she commented,

I think of the little girls who were so happy on inauguration day, seeing our first female Vice-President inaugurated and, for those of them who are online, looking at the responses to tweets or Vice-President Harris's Instagram posts, where people call the Biden-Harris Administration "Joe and the ho," or worse. There is much worse, alleging that Vice-President Harris slept her way to the top.

In mentioning the "slept her way to the top" claim, Jankowicz was referring to reports of an amorous relationship between Kamala Harris and Willie Brown in 1994 to 1995. As confirmed by multiple media sources, these claims are truthful. According to Reuters Fact Check, "The claim Harris 'had an affair with a married man' is technically true. ... Harris and Brown's relationship was not secret and they made public appearances as a couple."

For Jankowicz to characterize factually accurate reports about the Harris-Brown liaison as "gender misinformation" is flatly dishonest. And ignoring the fact that similar allegations were made against presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump is a sad example of bias by omission.

Jankowicz also startled the members of Parliament with her spurious claim that "being a woman online is an inherently dangerous act." She concluded that "gender misinformation" serves to discourage women from going into politics, and that represents a "national security concern."

Jankowicz presumably was alluding to the feminist fable that female politicians are less inclined to engage in military adventurism. But that narrative is easily refuted by a review of the historical record: the murderous Queen Mary I of England (AKA "Bloody Mary"), Queen Anne (after whom the Queen Anne's War was named), Golda Meir, Benazir Bhutto, and Margaret Thatcher in the Falkland Islands. And we shouldn't forget secretary of state Hillary Clinton's militaristic dethroning of Col. Moammar Gaddafi of Libya and her famous boast, "We came, we saw, he died."

For all her foibles, Nina Jankowicz cannot be accused of being shy. In 2015, Nina cut loose with a raunchy rendition of the holiday tune "My Simple Christmas Wish (Rich, Famous, and Powerful)." To the hoots and hollers of the bar crowd, Jankowicz sang, "I want to be rich, famous, and powerful! Step on all my enemies and never do a thing. Who do I f--- to be famous and powerful?"

So here's the formula: play the victim, never acknowledge the challenges faced by men, indulge in hoary myths about "peace-loving" females, throw in the occasional gender insult, and deny the reality of the sexual exploits of women while at the same time asking, "Who do I f--- to be famous and powerful?"

Disinformation Queen Nina Jankowicz is the perfect embodiment of the double-standards, narcissism, and disingenuousness of modern-day feminism.

Image: Public Domain, Wikipedia.
Progressive Vermont senator Mark MacDonald, a member of the state's Natural Resources & Energy Committee, was pondering how to explain new heating fuel taxes imposed under the state's "clean heat standards" to voters. These fees will apply to fuel oils, redistributed by the state to residents wealthy enough to install heat pumps and other "green" technologies. Elderly folks unable to afford furnace upgrades can thus subsidize new second-home construction for transplants flocking from New York City to Vermont  yet Vermont legislators can't fathom how this is not helping the poor.

Senator MacDonald then engaged in the following exchange with Senator Chris Bray:

"Well for the person who says, 'I don't like that. I don't want to be paying extra.'" Sen. Mark MacDonald: "Well then, get a blanket, for Christ's sake."

Later, Senator MacDonald jokes, "Yeah right" when Bray mentions climate change and slaps his fellow progressive jokingly on the arm, revealing that even these eco-zealots don't buy the "save the world" party line used to shift tax burdens onto poor retirees and welfare moms.

The backlash has been fierce, with many calling for Senator MacDonald to step down:

Fuel prices this year have gone through the roof and so have the prices of everything else. Even when prices were much lower it was not easy for many of us to make ends meet while paying to stay warm... While on my daily route I listen carefully to the pain of low- and middle-income Vermonters who have had no choice but to go cold and hope for spring to come early. You cannot help but feel the anguish of your neighbors. I understand it. Everyone in the industry understands it. The dominant political party in Montpelier does not understand it.

The parallels to Marie Antoinette are inescapable, yet perhaps the distinctions are more noteworthy. Marie Antoinette ruled for less than twenty years; Mark MacDonald has reigned as out-of-touch legislator for nearly four decades! Moreover, Marie Antoinette never actually said, "Let them eat cake!" Mark MacDonald actually did advise thicker blanket protection.

Senator MacDonald enjoys being the controversial agitator:

MacDonald draws inspiration from legislative debates, poking fun at his political opponents and illustrating the absurdity of his august surroundings[.] ... When he speaks, MacDonald is often incomprehensible  it's as if his brain is working too fast to follow.

In one case, he suggested Vermont public employees should be "machine-gunned" for failing to provide requested materials. This senator relishes the limelight of controversy:

I think people are eager to discuss politics face-to-face and get back to the way communities deal with political issues[.]

Vermonters are very eager to speak with Mark MacDonald face to face about his blanket comment  many of them are trying to catch up on their heating bills for the winter, despite layering themselves with blankets. Of course, with net metering in place, electric blankets also now cost more to energize. Vermont's blanket brouhaha is just warming up, recalling an apropos quote: "The blanket is such a great invention that, from inside it, looking at your life being ruined also feels nice and comfortable."

These are the blankets the Vermont senators are handing out, as perceived by many Vermonters. Their economy, rights, incomes, culture, and way of life are all being systematically dismantled by interlopers pretending to save everyone.

Americans are not losing their courage, but storing it up. Vermont taxpayers are (figuratively) boiling tar and gathering feathers, so they can warm things properly this November.

Image: Piqsels.
It is no secret that Joe Biden and the Democratic Party are trying to buy votes by dangling the carrot of student loan debt forgiveness to thousands of college students and recent college graduates. Student loan debt is at an all-time high, hovering at $1.61 trillion (about $5,000 per person in the U.S.), but who is to blame for this? Is it the student, for taking on a debt with no tangible way to repay it? Is it the school for overcharging on tuition?

Shockingly, the answer lies with our beloved federal government. By guaranteeing astronomical amounts of money to kids with no real assets or ways of repaying the loan, they are effectively perpetuating the cycle. Now they want to cancel the debt by robbing Peter to pay Paul. The educational institutions see this as an opportunity to profit greatly, and who can blame them? If you were in business and a third party was going to guarantee you a limitless dollar value from your customers on an annual basis, you would jump at the chance to make the money.

To end this student loan debt crisis, we must stop guaranteeing loans to people with no way of repaying them. This will then cause the educational institutions to lower their tuition prices, knowing that the federal government will no longer back these crooked loans that rob our youths of the ability to afford things such as a place of their own to live.

Parental involvement is also key. Those who can afford to pay for a private education should be encouraged to do so. At the same time, we ought to be advocating increased attendance of state schools, community colleges, entrepreneurship, trades, and our military as all viable options for soon to be graduating high school seniors. Wiping someone's debt clean constitutes a bailout. The free-rider mentality that ensues creates dependence upon government and dependence on the American taxpayer.

The simple answer to all this is not to burden middle-class taxpayers with student loan debt, but for the debt-holder to repay it. We ought to be teaching our children the importance of budgeting and financing their education properly and ignoring the too-good-to-be-true clean slate offer the Democrat party wants you to believe in. There is no such thing as a free lunch. There is an opportunity cost to everything, and this cost I am afraid would hurt us all.

Image: Pixabay.
"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong" is the gist of Murphy's law. For examples, we can't do better than to look at our borders coupled with COVID policy, where we'll see how these current "policies" go, predictably, wrong.

Take yesterday's headline, for instance: a rise in cases of TB in Washington State. Are we letting in people with tuberculosis and not even screening them? If you recall your history, people with TB infections were isolated or even sent back from Ellis Island in the 19th century.

Is the apparent diminution of the immune system caused by repeated "vaccination," leaving people vulnerable? That's harder to prove because there's been a concerted effort to hide such things, which don't match the political narrative.

There are alarming reports of rising cases of hepatitis in children all over the world. Not something you'd expect. Not a localized event that could be attributed neatly to our over-the-border aliens. Why?

People don't seem interesting in seeking answers. They're content with information being purposely obfuscated by our government and media.

The article I linked, above, on hepatitis states that it's unlikely that COVID has anything to do with this mystery outbreak. Not a single mention of whether the children involved are, or are not, vaccinated. Why not? Wouldn't it be good to know?

Instead, the relentless push to vaccinate everyone continues, despite the relevant data that children are at little risk from COVID. Here in California, after losing in court, the city of Piedmont was just forced to drop its mandate that all children over 5 years old have the jab to attend public school. The city brags that 97% of its student body has been "vaccinated" "against" COVID.

The "vaccine" doesn't prevent the virus, nor does it prevent an infected individual from passing it on to others. Nor, apparently, does it prevent severe disease if one gets the virus. But that's a very inconvenient truth.

Just as inconvenient as the facts on masking, which prove that the harm it does outweighs any possible benefit. One of the most eloquent statements I heard on that lately was from Dr. Marty Makary, who said,

When you have doctors aggregating in auditoriums doing their lectures and conferences, then at social events with hundreds of people not wearing masks, what does that tell you about the public health guidance that we've gotten?

I still see countless people wearing face diapers  indoors, outdoors, in their cars, and forcing them on their children. Asked to cite a reason, most reply that they are "deathly afraid of COVID."



Image: Happy vaccinated people? Not so fast. Vector (edited) by storyset, on Freepik.

If people were allowed to see that COVID is not as deadly and dangerous as they think  that there are excellent treatments for it  maybe they'd relax. That doesn't match the narrative, which must be maintained, to keep the EUA for the "vaccine" or the fear-mongering about masks.

I've seen countless articles that call masking into question, and not a single one backs up the idea that masking healthy individuals has a positive effect. This paper in Primary Doctor Medical Journal discusses the dangers from the fibers in masks entering the lungs.

It's entirely possible that continuing to "vaccinate" is the only way to continue our pandemic. Why? Because the vaccinated have less robust immune systems and, therefore, are less able to fight off illness. All you need to see to prove this is statistics on hospitalization and deaths of COVID patients around the world where, countering the popular myth, two to three times as many people are sickening and dying vaccinated versus unvaccinated. Hat tip to Steve Kirsch for sending on some great info. This includes Mark Steyn's explanation of some statistics from Great Britain:

So, the triple-vaccinated in March were responsible for just over a million Covid cases and everybody else 475,000 Covid cases. So, the triple-vaccinated are contracting Covid at approximately twice the rate of the double, single and unvaccinated. Got that? If you get the booster shot, you've got twice as high a chance of getting the Covid. In the United Kingdom, there's twice as many people with the third booster shot who got the Covid as the people who never had the booster shot.

Here's some more info Kirsch provided from the USA, via that great vaccinator, Walgreens. Finally, if you can wade through it, here's an extensive and detailed exploration of all the diseases that have been increasing since vaccination began.

We know that "excess mortality" is up all over the world where vaccines have been given. This is mortality that doesn't come from COVID, but from vaccine-induced problems of the heart, circulatory system, reproductive system, and nervous system. And, perhaps, the TB and hepatitis that are rearing their ugly heads.

The only way we can really find out what's happening is if the government stops burying information. I'm not holding my breath about that happening. And what I do know is that Murphy's law is alive and kicking in 2022.
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When my kids were in college and complaining about their workload, I was unsympathetic. I reminded them that, to pay for college, I lived at home, commuted 30 hours a week, and worked 20 hours a week, as well as working full time during the summer. I also worked my way through law school. I took out small loans I was able to pay off within a few years of graduating. Count me among the people who deeply resents Biden's plan to cancel $1.6 trillion in outstanding student loan debt. Not only is Biden's plan offensive, but he also has no legal authority and, I believe, no constitutional authority to do so.

There's no question about why Biden is planning to cancel student loan debt: college graduates are his base, especially college graduates who spent four, five, six, or more years in college, while incurring tens or hundreds of thousands in debt, to get that degree in Womyns, Queer, or Africana Studies. These are not useful skills, and they confer no practical benefit on the graduates or America as a whole.

The crazy loans started when the government took over the student loan program. Colleges and universities knew what that meant: in terms of tuition, the sky was the limit because suddenly there was free money to be had. Neither colleges nor banks had to pursue unpaid loans. The government was the heavy now.

Some have been wondering how Democrats can go from the government backing the loans to a president unilaterally erasing all debt obligations. I certainly wondered, so I was grateful when John Hinderaker wrote "The Student Loan Scam." He points to a Wall Street Journal article that identifies the statutory authority:

Progressives claim that the Higher Education Act of 1965 grants the President sweeping authority to "compromise"  i.e., modify  student loans. Since Congress granted the Education Department the power to create student debt, they argue, the Biden Administration also has the power to cancel it.

Hinderaker correctly concludes that this is a ludicrous argument. Under Secs. 432(a)(5) and (6), the education commissioner has the power to sue to enforce student loans, and students can sue the commissioner. This litigation-related power includes the right to "compromise" claims, something that, in context, clearly means the power to settle individual claims. "The idea that this entitles the Commissioner (or the president) to simply cancel all outstanding loan obligations is ridiculous." Exactly!



Image: Joe Biden. Twitter screen grab.

Aside from the fact that the law on which Democrats rely does not hand to the president the power to erase $1.6 trillion in debt, I see two other possible problems, although I may be stretching here.

If Biden "cancels" $1.6 trillion in debt obligations, that debt doesn't magically vanish. Instead, the $1.6 trillion become a new obligation imposed on taxpayers, one that Congress did not previously authorize. In other words, it's a tax. Last I looked, the power to tax rested exclusively with Congress:

Constitution, Section 8, Clause 1: SECTION 8. The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.

Biden's responsibility is limited to using the money raised from taxes in the ways that Congress authorizes. There's nothing in his constitutional authority to create what's effectively a vast new tax obligation on the American public.

Likewise, if Biden erases $1.6 trillion in debt in a single swoop, he is effectively creating a new law in America: government-paid college and university education of the kind seen in Europe. Why do I say that? Because Biden cannot cancel currently existing debt without going forward and canceling future acquired debt. After all, he's claimed that he's not pandering for votes; there's a principle involved here.

Biden's executive order, if allowed, will magically achieve what Democrats have always craved, which is the European system. It doesn't matter to Democrats that a much smaller percentage of Europeans go to college than Americans do. (I'd love it if a smaller percentage attended here, too.)

What should matter to all of us is that, just as canceling $1.6 trillion in debt will create a backdoor tax, it will also create a piece of backdoor legislation that will see the government pay for all higher education. Again, Biden doesn't get to do that. His job under the Constitution is to enforce, not enact, the laws of the land.

Yeah, maybe I'm pushing things a bit with these theories. However, Biden's plan  something no president has ever dared to do before  demands understanding the actual effect of his plan at a governmental level and seeing how it intersects with, and violates, the constitutional limits on presidential power.
Over the weekend, I saw this article about public schools and parents.

Maybe it's really parents vs. schools.

This is from the Associated Press:

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 year's budget.

So where did the kids go? They are staying away from public schools.

The article does point out that enrollment is up in Florida, and down in California, in further confirmation of where the moving vans are going.

The pandemic is clearly a factor, but it's more complicated than that.

A Dallas friend well connected with Catholic schools told me that the phone does not stop ringing at the office. Why? Parents are calling wondering how they can move their kid from public schools. Most of them are not even Catholic. As my friend said, one mother said on the phone that she wants to send her kids to a school where boys and girls go to different bathrooms and no one makes it a constitutional issue.

Homeschooling is booming, too, or another way that parents are voting against the system.

What's next? The parents will show up to vote and demand "school choice" from their state legislatures.

Moral of the story: Don't pick a fight with Mom and Dad, because they vote and pay the taxes.

PS: Click for my videos and podcasts at Canto Talk.

Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Once upon a time, there was a man who bathed in dolphin blood. He believed it would keep him young and healthy while his Stalin-inspired regime retained liberation for the people of Burma. This man was born as Shu Maung or apple of the eye, until in 1941 he was renamed Ne Win or the radiant Sun during his rise to a terrifically ruthless dictatorship. For the next 26 years, the name struck images of tyranny and violent extravagance among the people of Burma (also known as Myanmar). This dictator was no ordinary man; He picked on the boundaries of national freedom in the name of liberation, and walked on principles of hardcore Buddhism while playing with ideals of excess.

Rangoon, Burma, before the Japanese bombing December 1941.

Getting to Know Ne Win

Shu Maung was the son of a minor civil servant from Paungdale. Failing to pass through college, he joined the Dobama Asiayone (Our Burma Association) with disillusioned aspirations to liberate his country from the clutches of British rule. This was where the promising lad met stalwarts of politics: Aung San, father of democratic activist Aung San Suu Kyi, and U Nu. By 1941 Maung was getting trained under the Japanese, only to come back as an evolved and renamed Ne Win who would take over as the Burma Independence Army chief in his home country. He saw the coming and going of the Japanese invasion, and fought tooth and nail until Burma gained independence outside the British Commonwealth in January 1948. An aggressive rise under changing colonisers had promised Ne Win a seat in the leadership when the time came. But as the glimpses of a sovereign nation appeared on the horizon, Ne Win ensured that the government of the then Prime Minister U Nu collapsed for him to take over.

The Face of Aggression

Now sitting in the chair as caretaker Prime Minister was a devotee of Marx and Stalin, promising his citizens an exodus into The Burmese Way to Socialism. What came next was an aggressive diversion into a xenophobic political landscape irrigated with Buddisht superstition and Marxist nationalisation. During his reign, Ne Win came to be known as a man of excess, indulging in gambilng and debauchery, religious rituals and extreme megalomania. His decisions were influenced as much by political theory as by astrology and numerology. Though a violent despot with unparalleled power in the country, Ne Win allowed his erratic behaviour to be influenced by the prophecies of fortune tellers. He would shoot at his own reflection in the mirror in hopes to avert an assassination. When violent conflict was to result in a bloodbath, he would superstitiously walk on dog entrails in an attempt to promote the bloodshed. Many said that the leader bathed in dolphin blood according to a Buddhist belief that it would keep him young and healthy for years to come.

Ne Win was told that his lucky number was nine, and succumbing to the greed of luck, the dictator banned the 100 kyat from circulation in the country in 1987. He got it replaced by denominations of 45 and 90 kyat, so that both would add up to nine and be divisible by nine. An already wounded economy gave out its last breath as its citizens lost their savings and went bankrupt on a rulers whim.

Finally, the people spoke. An uprising in 1988 forced Ne Win out of his seat, welcoming Saw Maung in his wake. The change was not without its damages: over 3,000 citizens were killed in protests and the streets of Rangoon were bathed in blood. But this time, there was no way for the ransacker to get back on the throne. Ne Win died in 2002, under the mundane clutches of a house arrest.

References

# BBC News

# Telegraph

# Historyanswers.co.uk
(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 3 - The European Union's institutions are not up to the challenges presented by the modern world and it is time to consider revising the EU's treaties so they can be revamped, Italian Premier Mario Draghi told the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

Draghi added that Italy wants to be at the fore of shaping the future of the EU.

"The European institutions that our predecessors built over the decades served the European citizens well, but they are inadequate for the reality that is before us today," Draghi said.

"We need pragmatic federalism that embraces all of the spheres hit by the transformations taking place, from the economy to energy and security.

"If this requires the start of a path that will lead to the revision of the treaties, this should be embraced with courage and confidence".

Draghi said the EU should "go beyond" the principle of unanimity and take more decisions via qualified majority.

"A Europe that is capable of deciding rapidly is a Europe that is more credible with respect to its citizens and the world," he said.

Draghi said that "we have rendered the EU not just an economic space, but also one to defend the rights and dignity of man" and stressed that "this is a legacy that we must not waste.

"Now is the time to take this path forward," he continued.

"The conference on the future of Europe concludes on May 9 and the final declaration calls on us to be very ambitious.

"We want to be on the front line in designing the new Europe.

"In a geopolitical framework that has suddenly become more dangerous and uncertain, we must address the economic and social emergency and guarantee the security of our citizens". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 3 - Moscow replied on Tuesday after Premier Mario Draghi's described as "obscene" the claim Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made on Italy's Mediaset television on Sunday that Adolf Hitler had Jewish roots.

Moscow has justified its invasion of Ukraine on the grounds that its neighbour must be "denazified" and the Hitler comment was a way to respond to the argument that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky cannot be a Nazi because he is Jewish.

Draghi has also criticised the Mediaset show Lavrov appeared on in relation to the fact that his comments went unchallenged, saying it was more like a speech given at a rally than an interview.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said via Telegram that the Italian journalists had wanted the interview and that Lavrov had not asked for it. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 3 - Luigi Sbarra, the secretary general of the CISL trade union confederation, on Tuesday welcomed the government's new 14-billion-euro package of measures designed to attenuate the knock-on effects of the war in Ukraine, especially the soaring cost of living driven by energy-price hikes.

The package features a 200-euro one-off payment to around 28 million people in Italy with an annual income of up to 35,000 euros and it extends tax credits to energy-intensive firms and windfall taxation on companies making extra profits thanks to the high energy prices.

The government has also extended until July 8 a cut in fuel duties to bring the price at the pump down by around 30 cents,.

Premier Mario Draghi said the new package was in top of the 15.5 billion euros the government has already allocated to attenuating the impact of the war, for a total of around 30 billion euro.

Sbarra said he was satisfied as the government had doubled the size of an initial seven-billion-euro package it presented to trade unions early on Monday.

"It's a significant initial intervention that goes in the direction we hoped for," Sbarra told Radio Anch'io.

"I appreciate the willingness of the government (to listen).

"It's an initial, strong intervention for the emergency.

"Now we must negotiate a new social pact for growth, development and jobs". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 3 - Italy is set to keep backing sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine but it is also ready to work to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict, Premier Mario Draghi told the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

Draghi also reiterated that he was in favour of Ukraine being allowed to join the EU.

"The war in Ukraine has shown the profound vulnerability of many of our countries with respect to Moscow," Draghi said.

"Italy is one of the most exposed member States," he added, referring to Italy's reliance of Russian gas.

"Energy reliance like this is imprudent from the economic point of view and dangerous from the geopolitical point of view.

"Italy intends to take all the necessary decisions to defend its security and Europe's.

"We have supported the sanctions that the EU has decided to impose on Russia, including those in the energy sector.

"We will continue to do so with the same conviction in the future". He said the war in Ukraine presented the EU with "one of the most serious crises in its history" stressing that it was a "humanitarian, security, energy and economic crisis".

"As a founder country of the European Union, Italy believes profoundly in peace and is ready to work on the front line to achieve a diplomatic solution," he said.

Draghi said he did not see the admission of countries that wanted to join the EU as a "threat to the European project" but, on the contrary, as "part of its realization".

"Italy supports the immediate opening of adhesion negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia... we want to give new thrust to the negotiations with Serbia and Montenegro, and guarantee maximum attention to the legitimate aspiratins of Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo.

"We are in favour of the entry of all these counties and we want Ukraine in the EU". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 3 - A foreign worker aged around 40 died crushed by a girder on the building site of the second home of Justice Minister Marta Cartabia at Ollomont near Aosta on Tuesday, the latest in a long string of workplace accident deaths in Italy.

"I am shocked and pained by the accident at my mountain home," said the minister, who has been among the minister at the forefront of the battle to stem the tide of deaths.

Four other workers died on the job last week including one at the foreign ministry in Rome.

The government has taken several steps to try to stem the tide of deaths but the spate, which grabbed public attention a year ago with the death of a 22-year-old mother of a five-year-old boy, Luana D'Orazio, in a textile mill accident near Prato on May 3, 2021, has continued unabated.

The recent fatalities were the latest in a shocking wave of workplace accident deaths in Italy that saw 1,221 perish last year and which has spurred government action.

Such deaths are a national tragedy, Cartabia said on October 22.

She said the government had intervened by increasing the number of inspectors and checks, but a new law on administrative responsibility would be even more useful in stopping the rash of fatalities.

Premier Mario Draghi said on October 17 that workplace safety norms recently approved by the government sent the "unequivocal signal that you cannot save (money) at the expense of workers' lives" after the spate continued with four more deaths in one day.

"As the government, we committed ourselves to doing everything possible to prevent these episodes happening again," Draghi said.

"The norms are the realisation of this promise. We are increasing the numbers of workplace inspectors, we are stiffening sanctions, we are boosting computerization to improve checks." Despite this, as the deaths continued, Italy's big three trade-union confederations, CGIL, CISL and UIL, held a major demonstration in Rome in mid-December to demand further urgent action on health and safety to stem the tide of fatalities.

Turin held a day of mourning on December 21 for three workers who died when a large crane collapsed in the northern city the previous weekend.

Re-elected President Sergio Mattarella said in his inaugural address in February that such deaths must stop, while Pope Francis has also joined the chorus against the phenomenon.

The safety and dignity of workers boost the quality of work done, Francis tweeted ahead of the May 1 Labour Day holiday last Thursday.

"Working safely allows everyone to express the best of themselves while earning their daily bread. The more we take care of the dignity of work, the more certain we are that the quality and beauty of the work carried out will increase," Francis tweeted at @Pontifex.

The number of workplace accident deaths in Italy rose 2.2% in the first quarter of 2022, accident insurance agency INAIL said last Thursday. (ANSA).


'Normalization with Egypt slower than with Israel', Ankara Turkish FM, 'reconciliation with Cairo is strategic'

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, MAY 3 - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by Hurriyet that the normalization process of relations between Ankara and Egypt is slower compared to the ongoing reconciliation between Turkey and Israel.



"The process with Egypt started much sooner but is progressing more slowly", he noted.



Speaking to journalist after returning from a trip to Latin America, Cavusoglu said he has organized a meeting at the ministerial level with Egyptian counterparts. "We will help our exchanges and put into practice the principle of not being adversaries on international platforms", noted Cavusoglu, adding that the normalization of relations with Cairo is part of Ankara's "strategy".



Turkey and Egypt almost completely interrupted relations starting from 2013, after a coup ousted former president Mohammed Morsi, bringing to power then-army chief of staff Abdel Fattah al Sisi. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan never recognized the new Egyptian head of State and subsequently Turkey and Egypt also came into conflict in Libya, supporting rival sides. Respective ambassadors were withdrawn from both countries nine years ago. In 2021, Ankara expressed interest in a reconciliation, followed by talks between Turkish and Egyptian officials. (ANSAmed).




MADRID - With a mirror measuring 4.2 meters in diameter and 44 meters in height, Europe's largest solar telescope will be installed on the Canary Islands and will become operational starting in 2029. This is the project of the European Solar Telescope (EST), presented in Madrid by the Spanish Superior center of scientific research (CSIC).



The new scientific instrument, the head of the project Luis Bellot told the Efe news agency, will allow "a leap of huge quality" in the observation of the sun, as it will be much more powerful than the European solar telescope currently existing, situated on the island of Tenerife, which has a mirror of 1.5 meters in diameter.



The new telescope should be installed starting in 2024 on the island of La Palma, considered one of the best points in the European Union for astronomic observation. The project for the development of EST is promoted by 26 research institutes from 18 European countries.




Plan to repatriate one million Syrians, Erdogan says 550,000 have already returned to Syria, Turkish president

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, MAY 3 - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying by Anadolu that "we are preparing a new project for the voluntary return of one million Syrian brothers who are in our country as guests", in a video message broadcast during a ceremony for the construction of new homes for Syrian refugees in Idlib, a region of northern Syria, near the Turkish border, which has been partly under Ankara's control for several years.



"Some 500,000 Syrians have returned to safe areas from Turkey with operations across the border starting in 2016", added the Turkish president, referring to Ankara's military action against ISIS and also against Kurdish forces, through which it gained control of most of northern Syria.



Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, in 2011, Ankara kept its border open to refugees and currently some 3.7 million Syrians are living in Turkey.



Over the past few years, the majority of the Turkish population expressed frustration towards Syrians and several attacks were reported against districts hosting refugees in various Turkish cities. Based on a 2016 agreement, Turkey receives funding from the European Union in exchange for Ankara's pledge to keep its borders closed to those who attempt to illegally migrate to Europe.(ANSAmed).




ROME - The head of a non-profit migrant reception in Rome was cleared of favoring illegal immigration on Tuesday. Andrea Costa, president of the Baobab Experience non-profit, was acquitted "because the crime was non-existent", a preliminary hearings judge said. Another two Baobab employees were also cleared. Baobab is a charity that helps migrants who are transiting through Rome.



Prosecutors had asked for the charges against the three to be dropped.



The facts investigated by Rome prosecutors date back to October 2016, in particular after the hosting center set up in Via Cupa, in the capital's San Lorenzo district, was cleared. On that occasion, Baobab volunteers offered support and aid to eight Sudanese and a citizen of Chad and bought train and bus tickets to cross the border in Ventimiglia and reach France.



A sit-in outside the courthouse organized to support Costa during the hearing was attended by some 200 people.



Andrea Costa on Tuesday expressed satisfaction after he was cleared of favoring illegal immigration by a preliminary hearings judge in Rome.



"I am satisfied because a judge decided what I already knew: that the act doesn't exist, now someone has written it in black and white".



"Over the past few years, it was hard to know that I was under investigation although I was aware that I had acted in a correct manner", added Costa, who was represented by attorney Francesco Romeo. "I would do everything again, we will continue to help people in need, as is occurring with refugees arriving from Ukraine".




STRASBOURG - Italian Premier Mario Draghi on Tuesday told the European Parliament that "energy policy is an area in which Mediterranean countries must play a fundamental role for the future of Europe".



"Europe is facing an in-depth geo-political reorientation that is set to increasingly move its strategic axis towards the south", he noted.



"The reduction in imports of fossil fuels from Russia makes it inevitable for Europe to look towards the Mediterranean to satisfy its needs. I am referring to gas fields, like transition fuel, but especially to the huge opportunities offered by renewables in Africa and the Middle East. Southern European countries, and Italy in particular, are situated strategically to collect this energy production and act as a bridge towards northern countries. Our centrality tomorrow passes through the investments we will know how to make today".
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.

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.
By Rajesh Kumar Singh and Allison Lampert

(Reuters) - Pilots are back in demand in the United States. But carriers cannot find enough of them, so foreign pilots are rushing to fill the empty cockpits.

U.S. immigration lawyers report a surge in inquiries and visa applications from pilots based in countries where traffic is still recovering from pandemic lows.

That could bring some relief to an industry struggling to rebuild capacity after a two-year slump, but the trend is stirring a backlash from domestic unions.

It also reflects an uneven global recovery from COVID- 19. Coronavirus infections are still rising in many countries although pandemic curbs have been easing in some places. While booming travel demand is projected to help major U.S. carriers surpass their pre-pandemic revenue this quarter, airline traffic in some parts of the world remains depressed.

"While the U.S. has a major shortage, in the rest of the world pilots are out of jobs," said Ana Barbara Schaffert, an attorney at California-based AG Immigration Group.

She has received more than 8,000 requests for consultation in recent months, and is screening over 2,000 resumes from pilots seeking to immigrate to the United States  up more than 90% from before COVID-19.

According to United Airlines, pilots are expected to remain in short supply for years. Whereas the United States can produce a maximum of only 7,000 pilots a year, carriers need 13,000 pilots this year and even more next year, United Airlines said.

Limited training capacity, among other issues, remains a barrier to producing pilots.

Staffing woes have marred operations in recent weeks at carriers such as Alaska Air Group Inc and JetBlue Airways Corp, resulting in mass flight cancellations. To prevent further disruption, airlines have cut summer schedules.

Shortages are even more acute at regional airlines, which are facing a soaring attrition rate because of poaching by higher-paying national carriers.

American Airlines Group Inc last month told investors the pilot attrition rate at its regional carriers was outpacing the hiring rate.

That is drawing interest from pilots in Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia where traffic is still recovering, said Carmen Arce, an attorney at Florida-based Arce Immigration Law.

Arce and Jean-Francois Harvey, global managing partner at Harvey Law Group, said they are also getting inquiries from pilots in Russia, where airlines have been hit hard by Western sanctions.

Three Canadian pilots said they are considering moving to the United States because of Canada's previous strict COVID-19 restrictions, which grounded planes earlier during the pandemic and forced some aviators to seek employment as drivers for Uber Technologies Inc.

'UNPRECEDENTED' OPPORTUNITY

Many foreign pilots have hesitated to apply since immigration in the United States can take up to 26 months and cost as much as $20,000, with no guarantee of success.

"It's like if you wanted to go to Colorado for the (19th century) gold rush, but you were stopped in Michigan," said a Montreal-based pilot for Transat AT Inc's Air Transat.

"If the green card process changed in the U.S., there would be a lot more pilots leaving (Canada)."

Even so, Schaffert said a widening demand-supply gap has created an "unprecedented" opportunity for experienced foreign pilots. First, they must convince U.S. immigration officials that permanent residency would be in the country's interest.

Under the so-called national interest waiver clause, non-U.S. citizens are allowed to apply for permanent residency without a job offer, making it easier to immigrate.

Schaffert said more than 90% of the applications submitted by her firm for experienced pilots have been approved.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) did not supply data on applications from pilots. But a spokesperson said the agency determines requests on "a case-by-case basis."

The Federal Aviation Administration says the number of foreign-licensed pilots seeking U.S. certificates required to fly large jets increased to 718 in 2021, up about 24% from 2019.

BARRIERS TO FLIGHT

Foreign pilots are also facing opposition from local unions. They want airlines to do more to address barriers to becoming a pilot like the high cost of training, instead of recruiting foreigners.

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the world's largest pilot union, with more than 62,000 members, said there is an "adequate" domestic supply of qualified pilots.

"ALPA opposes any efforts to use the visa process to undermine pay and benefits for a profession so critical to the U.S. economy and global travel," it said.

Regional and ultra-low-cost carriers like ExpressJet Airlines, CommutAir, Breeze and Frontier Airlines are recruiting Australian pilots, who can use a special visa.

Faye Malarkey Black, head of the Regional Airline Association, said giving other foreign pilots a similar kind of visa would ease the staffing problem.

SkyWest Inc, which operates flights for Delta Air Lines, American and United, recently dropped 29 government-subsidized routes, blaming insufficient pilots.

While the routes were later restored, regional carrier Mesa Air Group called SkyWest's move the "tip of the iceberg" and warned the problem could hit mainline carriers.

Already, pilots from Delta Air Lines have been picketing at the carrier's hubs, demanding an improvement in "fatiguing" schedules. Southwest Airlines pilots are also complaining of rising rates of fatigue.

United has grounded 150 planes because of insufficient pilots. Black said carriers have cut one of every three flights they operated before the pandemic.

"It's the classic game of musical chairs," Black said. "When you don't have enough chairs for everybody, something gets cut."

(Reporting By Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago and Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Tim Hepher and Matthew Lewis)
Samsung signs deal with Dish for 5G radios, phones FILE PHOTO: A Dish Network satellite dish is shown on a residential home in Encinitas, California

By Supantha Mukherjee

(Reuters) - Samsung has signed a multi-year deal to sell equipment to Dish for its upcoming 5G network in the United States, one of the largest radio deals for the South Korean company since its major Verizon contract in 2020.

Samsung set itself up as a challenger to top telecoms equipment suppliers Nokia and Ericsson in the United States by winning a $6.6 billion deal with Verizon, and the contract with Dish further cements its position.

"This is a greater than a billion dollar agreement for Samsung Networks," Alok Shah, vice president at Samsung, told Reuters. "We will be delivering our first products to Dish later this year."

Dish already has Taiwan's Microelectronics Technology Inc (MTI) and Japan's Fujitsu as suppliers for 5G radios.

Dish is building a 5G network using latest technologies that promises to lower costs and bring in new services, and has tied up with companies ranging from Amazon and Intel to smaller ones such as Altiostar and Mavenir.

While Dish has not launched a commercial network yet, it has committed to regulators to cover 20% of the U.S. population by June, and at least 70% of the population by mid-2023.

"We have an objective to achieve 20% of population coverage by June and we are well on track to achieve that," Dish Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Bye said in an interview.

"We have beta users on our network for some time, testing our network ... we just have not declared commercial launch and you will see that in the coming weeks," he said.

Dish, which has been setting up network infrastructure in dozens of cities, has also faced supply chain issues that have hurt companies globally, including in the telecom industry.

Bye said supply chains had been tough for 12-18 months and the challenges were not going to go away in the next couple of months. But Dish has all the components to reach its June coverage target.

Dish is also testing its 5G network using Samsung Galaxy S22 phones and plans to continue using the phones throughout the network deployment process.

"We are working with other device vendors and you can look at the Boost website and you will see clearly we have relationships with a lot of device vendors," Bye said.

Boost Mobile, a prepaid wireless phone brand owned by Dish, lists phones from Samsung, Motorola and Apple on its website https://www.boostmobile.com/phones.

(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm; Editing by Mark Potter)
By Doyinsola Oladipo and Jeffrey Dastin

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Amazon.com Inc workers voted against unionizing a second warehouse in New York City, a ballot count on Monday showed, representing a defeat for labor organizers just weeks after they celebrated their first U.S. win at the nation's second largest private employer.

Employees at the online retailer's sortation center in the borough of Staten Island, known as LDJ5, voted 618 to 380 against joining the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), according to a tally by U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) officials. Turnout was about 61%.

The rejection risks slowing momentum for labor advocates who since the pandemic have made greater progress organizing at Amazon in the United States than at any other time in the company's 27-year-old history.

Earlier this year, some 55% of employees who voted from Amazon's JFK8 warehouse opted to become part of the ALU, which, under the leadership of former worker Christian Smalls, has argued for higher pay and job security.

Some employees at LDJ5, directly across the street from JFK8, took a different view. They told Reuters their jobs were part-time and required shorter shifts than at the neighboring warehouse, and they doubted a union could deliver on its demand for $30 hourly wages.

Dominque Booker said her role sorting items at LDJ5 even was easier than a job she had held at JFK8. "It's not as demanding," she said. "That's why I put no," adding: "If you want a high-paying job, go back to school."

'ORGANIZING WILL CONTINUE'

Amazon has long been a focus for unions that consider its productivity quotas and above-average warehouse injury rates to be a threat to workers. Amazon instead says it offers great benefits and pay, that its goal-setting is fair and it invests heavily in safety.

John Logan, a professor at San Francisco State University who studies anti-union actions, said Monday's result was a disappointment for organizers but no surprise in light of Amazon's "blistering" opposition.

"This election was even more important to Amazon than it was to the ALU - 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," he said.

The ALU's win last month had followed a streak of union victories at Starbucks Corp stores, in what some labor experts have described as a resurgence of worker interest in unions in the United States.

However, events this past week have shown labor organizers still face immense resistance to organizing at Amazon.

The retailer has called for a re-run of the JFK8 election, saying the NLRB's Brooklyn office appeared to support the union drive and that the ALU had intimidated staff to vote in its favor, allegations the union has dismissed. On Friday, an NLRB director said Amazon would get a hearing on its objections that could overturn the result.

Workers from more than 100 Amazon buildings have reached out to the ALU in the past month to discuss organizing. The ALU greeted Monday's loss with resolve.

"The organizing will continue at this facility and beyond. The fight has just begun," the union said in a post on Twitter. It did not specify if it would file objections to the LDJ5 election.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel in a statement said: "Were glad that our team at LDJ5 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."

(Reporting by Jeffrey Dastin and Doyinsola Oladipo; writing by Julia Love; editing by Chris Reese and Bill Berkrot)
In a decision that would undo 50 years of a polarizing law that legalized abortion across the nation, the U.S. Supreme Court may be close to striking down the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade, according to a leaked draft opinion.

The opinion marked 1st draft and written by Justice Samuel Alito argues that abortion is not a right because such a right has no basis in the Constitutions text or in our nations history, according to the draft published by the website Politico.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, Alito writes in the draft decision which indicates it was first circulated in February.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, it adds, referencing the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey that affirmed Roes finding of a Constitutional right to abortion services but let states to place some constraints. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

The reaction to the Politico report was swift and immediately fierce.

Gov. Hochul rushed out a press release urging women wanting abortions to come to New York, saying they will be welcomed with open arms.

I am horrified by the apparent draft Supreme Court opinion leaked this evening that would overturn the right to abortion guaranteed by Roe v. Wade, she said in a statement. For the sake of women across the country, this should not be the Supreme Courts final opinion when it comes to abortion rights.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 22: Activists attend a rally put on by the "Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights" group in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on January 22, 2022 in Washington, DC. On the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, groups from pro abortion and anti abortion groups demonstrated outside of the Supreme Court.





WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 22: Activists attend a rally put on by the "Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights" group in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on January 22, 2022 in Washington, DC. On the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, groups from pro abortion and anti abortion groups demonstrated outside of the Supreme Court. (Anna Moneymaker/)

Mayor Adams expressed his disappointment with the potential ruling with a post on Twitter.

New York City knows that a womans right to make her own health care decision is hers and hers alone. The potential assault on their freedom in right wing extremists cannot stand. Were ready to fight like hell.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a former presidential candidate, said, An extremist Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade and impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country. Its time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard.

The Alito decision contends that the right to determine abortion laws should fall to state legislatures, not judges.

States, according to the draft, may regulate abortion for legitimate reasons, and when those laws are challenged, courts cant substitute their social and economic beliefs for the judgment of legislative bodies.

We therefore hold that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion, the draft decision states. Roe and Casey (a key 1992 court decision on abortion) must be overruled and the authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people and their elected representatives.

Voting with Alito were four of the other Republican-appointed justices  Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. It came in in a private conference following oral arguments in December, Politico reported.

Supreme Court spokeswoman Patricia McCabe said the court has no comment. The White House also declined to comment.

Associate Justice Samuel Alito sits during a group photo of the Justices at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 23, 2021.





Associate Justice Samuel Alito sits during a group photo of the Justices at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 23, 2021. (ERIN SCHAFF/)

Metal barricades were erected Monday night at the court in Washington, D.C., ahead of expected protests.

GOP Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana called for an immediate investigation of the leak, which is unprecedented. If this was an attempt to intimidate the justices, the individual responsible must be punished, Banks wrote on Twitter.

Politico said it was confident of the authenticity of the document.

The only thing to say is that, if authentic, this leak is a shocking act of betrayal and a breathtaking breach of ethics, wrote Notre Dame law professor O. Carter Snead, an expert in bioethics and Constitutional studies. I wouldnt dream of dignifying this rank corruption by commenting on the substance of the matter.

Certain states, including Texas and Oklahoma, are already putting into place abortion laws that ban the procedure after six weeks  a time at which most women are not even aware of their pregnancy.

The case currently under consideration, Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, centers on a 2018 Mississippi law which barred abortions after 15 weeks.

The health organization, the only state-licensed abortion clinic in Mississippi, won a temporary injunction staying the law as the case made its way to the Supreme Court.

The courts 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, a Texas case, made abortion legal, ruling that the Constitution protects a womans right to choose without excessive government regulation.

In Casey, a divided court voted 5-4 to reject a Pennsylvania law which required married women to tell their husbands before obtaining an abortion.
Vanessa Hudgens is kicking off the 2022 Met Gala with her early arrival in a sheer Moschino black gown.

The actress's body is on full display as she stepped out of her hotel and onto the famous stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the see-through look. While embroidery delicately covers her chest, the bottom of the dress leaves all  including lace black cheeky underwear  in view.

Vanessa Hudgens arrives at The 2022 Met Gala wearing a sheer Moschino gown. (Photo: Getty Images)

Hudgens wore a black lace thong underneath. (Photo: Getty Images)

Hudgens's look is a nod to the event's theme of Gilded Glamour with the intricate lace collar, puff sleeves and long train. She's also added more modern elements with the silver detailing throughout her entangled updo and her belly button piercing, which was visible through the sheer fabric.

She wouldn't be the first to wear a naked dress to the momentous event, as Kendall Jenner and Zoe Kravitz notably wore similar styles to the 2021 Met Gala. Hudgens likely won't be the only one of the night, either.

The 33-year-old might have hinted her color scheme for the big night after stepping out on Sunday evening in New York wearing another black dress with silver rhinestones.

"Pre met gala tings. So excited for tomorrow," she captioned an Instagram post of the look.

Hudgens was one of the first to appear on Monday's carpet in anticipation of her hosting duties for Vogue's official red carpet coverage alongside La La Anthony.

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New York Mom of 10 Welcomes 3rd Set of Twins

10andkim/Instagram Kimberly Alarcon and daughters Kenzy and Kenzley

The more the merrier!

New York mom Kimberly Alarcon, 37, and her husband John Alarcon welcomed their third set of twins, sisters Kenzy and Kenzley, on April 25, Kimberly announced on social media last week.

"They are our last addition and made our tribe a solid 10," Kimberly wrote, noting that Kenzy is "3 minutes older than her little big sister."

While Kenzy was born 4 lbs., 15 oz., Kenzley was born 5 lbs., 9 oz.

"So far Kenzy is our milk guzzler," and Kenzley is enjoying "taking her place as the youngest and baby of our tribe" and absolutely "loves to be held," the proud mama shared.

The Alarcons are also parents to Brittney, 17, Sarah, 13, Hunter, 10, twins Zachary and Zoey, 6, and twins Oliver and Olivia, 4, according to Good Morning America. Additionally, they're fostering their 3-year-old nephew King.

New York Mom of 8 Welcomes 3rd Set of Twins

10andkim/Instagram Twins Kenzy and Kenzley

"We're still in awe, that's all I can say," the new mom, whose twins have all been conceived without fertility treatment, said during an interview with NBC New York.

Although twins run in her family, it's "highly unusual" to welcome "three sets of twins back-to-back without medication or any intervention," Dr. Angela Silber, the chief of maternal fetal medicine at Westchester Medical Center  where the girls were all born  told Today.

"It's pretty incredible," added Silber.

RELATED: Mom Who Thought She Had Stomach Bug Unexpectedly Gives Birth to Son in Hotel Room: 'I'm So in Love'

Kimberly and her husband always wanted to have a big family.

"Having a packed house is normal for me," she told Today, sharing that her mother had 10 biological children and adopted 8 more.

RELATED VIDEO: Formerly Conjoined Twins Enjoying 'Normal' Life at Home After Separation Surgery: 'We're So Happy'

In a candid social media post, Kimberly shared that her latest pregnancy was "difficult."

"Kenzy and Kenzley started their journey as a trio but unfortunately while at the doctor's office I miscarried," she wrote.

During her interview with GMA, Kimberly said that after taking a pregnancy test at home, they went to the doctor. "And after that, while in the doctor's office after she examined me and everything and she told us it was triplets, I went to the restroom and that's when I lost one," she said.

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Silber told GMA that these kinds of miscarriages "happen in about 20%" of triplet pregnancies.

"But she was fortunate that the other two girls grew very well and everything turned out just right," Silber added.

RELATED: Twins Born at 22 Weeks Discharged from Hospital After Over 130 Days: 'We Really Fought Together'

Although life as a family of 12 isn't without its challenges, it's also "full of love."

"It's a handful, but we are grateful," she told Today.

"We have good days, we have bad days, just like any other family," she added. "We just take it one day at a time."
Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner has had a parole application rejected in Germany, according to a report.

The convicted sex offender was declared an official suspect by Portuguese authorities last month.

According to the Daily Mirror, Brueckner  who was sentenced to a seven-year term for rape in a separate case in 2019  was denied parole in April due to his social prognosis.

A spokesperson for the Oldenburg District Court told the paper: The court ruled there were no grounds for suspending the remainder of the sentence.

Brueckner was identified as a murder suspect by German prosecutors in June 2020 (John Stillwell/PA)

Brueckner, who was identified as a murder suspect by German prosecutors in June 2020, has reportedly denied any involvement in the McCann case and has not been charged.

Investigators believe the convicted sex offender killed Madeleine, then three, after abducting her from the holiday apartment.

Lead German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters told the Mirror: His request was rejected on the grounds that he could not be given a positive social prognosis.

In other words, the court has said it believes that the convict will commit further offences if released.

It comes after Madeleines parents said it was 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 (year) but no easier either.

Its a very long time.

Many people talk about the need for closure.

Its always felt a strange term.

Her parents say it is essential they learn the truth of what happened (Joe Giddens/PA)

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.
Muslim men offer Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Sunda Kelapa port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, May 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

CAIRO (AP)  For the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the smell of freshly baked orange biscuits and powdered sugar-dusted cookies typically fills the air in Mona Abubakrs home. But due to higher prices, the Egyptian housewife this year made smaller quantities of the sweet treats, some of which she gives as gifts to relatives and neighbors.

The mother of three has also tweaked another tradition this Eid, which began Monday in Egypt and many countries and marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. She bought fewer outfits for her sons to wear during the three-day feast.

I told them we have to compromise on some things in order to be able to afford other things, she said.

This year, Muslims around the world are observing Eid al-Fitr  typically marked with communal prayers, celebratory gatherings around festive meals and new clothes  in the shadow of a surge in global food prices exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. Against that backdrop, many are still determined to enjoy the holiday amid easing of coronavirus restrictions in their countries while, for others, the festivities are dampened by conflict and economic hardship.

At the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, tens of thousands of Muslims attended prayers Monday morning. The Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Indonesia's capital Jakarta was shuttered when Islams holiest period coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and was closed to communal prayers last year.

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 after he and his wife worshipped at another Jakarta mosque. Hopefully all of this will make us more faithful.

The mood was festive at Cairos Al-Azhar Mosque where people congregated for the Eid prayer on Monday. One man threw lollipops in the air for kids to catch in celebration, before the prayer started, while other children played with balloons.

I was really happy at seeing the gathering and the joy of the people for Eid, said one worshipper, Marwan Taher. The atmosphere here really made me feel like its Eid.

The war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia have disrupted supplies of grain and fertilizer, driving up food prices at a time when inflation was already raging. A number of Muslim-majority countries are heavily reliant on Russia and Ukraine for much of their wheat imports, for instance.

Even before the Russian invasion, an unexpectedly strong global recovery from the 2020 coronavirus recession had created supply chain bottlenecks, causing shipping delays and pushing prices of food and other commodities higher.

In some countries, the fallout from the war in Ukraine is only adding to the woes of those already suffering from turmoil, displacement or poverty.

In Syrias rebel-held northwestern province of Idlib, Ramadan this year was more difficult than Ramadans past. Abed Yassin said he, his wife and three children now receive half the amounts of products  including chickpeas, lentils, rice and cooking oil  which last year they used to get from an aid group. It has made life more difficult.

Syrias economy has been hammered by war, Western sanctions, corruption and an economic meltdown in neighboring Lebanon where Syrians have billions of dollars stuck in Lebanese banks.

In the Gaza Strip, though streets and markets are bustling, many say they cannot afford much.

The situation is difficult, said Um Musab, a mother of five, as she toured a traditional market in Gaza City. Employees barely make a living but the rest of the people are crushed.

Mahmoud al-Madhoun, who bought some date paste, flour and oil to make Eid cookies, said financial conditions were going from bad to worse. However, we are determined to rejoice, he added.

The Palestinian enclave, which relies heavily on imports, was already vulnerable before the Ukraine war as it had been under a tight Israeli-Egyptian blockade meant to isolate Hamas, its militant rulers.

Afghans are celebrating the first Eid since the Taliban takeover amid grim security and economic conditions. Many were cautious but poured into Kabuls largest mosques for prayers on Sunday, when the holiday started there, amid tight security.

Frequent explosions marred the period leading to Eid. These included fatal bombings, most claimed by the Islamic State affiliate known as IS in Khorasan Province, targeting ethnic Hazaras who are mostly Shiites, leaving many of them debating whether it was safe to attend Eid prayers at mosques.

We want to show our resistance, that they cannot push us away, said community leader Dr. Bakr Saeed before Eid. We will go forward.

Violence wasnt the only cause for worry. Since the Taliban takeover in August, Afghanistans economy has been in a freefall with food prices and inflation soaring.

At a charity food distribution center in Kabul on Saturday, Din Mohammad, a father of 10, said he expected this Eid to be his worst.

With poverty, no one can celebrate Eid like in the past, he said. I wish we had jobs and work so we could buy something for ourselves, not have to wait for people to give us food.

Muslims follow a lunar calendar, and methodologies, including moon sighting, can lead to different countries  or Muslim communities  declaring the start of Eid on different days.

In Iraq, security issues also plague celebrations, with security forces going on high alert from Sunday to Thursday to avert possible attacks after a suicide bombing in Baghdad last year ahead of another major Islamic holiday killed dozens.

In India, the countrys Muslim minority is reeling from vilification by hard-line Hindu nationalists who have long espoused anti-Muslim stances, with some inciting against Muslims. Tensions boiled over into violence at Ramadan, including stone-throwing between Hindu and Muslim groups. Muslim preachers cautioned the faithful to remain vigilant during Eid, which will be observed there on Tuesday.

Indian Muslims are proactively preparing themselves to deal with the worst, said Ovais Sultan Khan, a rights activist. Nothing is as it used to be for Muslims in India, including the Eid.

Still, many Muslims elsewhere rejoiced in reviving rituals disrupted by pandemic restrictions.

Millions of Indonesians have crammed into trains, ferries and buses ahead of Eid as they poured out of major cities to celebrate with their families in villages in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country. The return of the tradition of homecoming caused great excitement after two years of subdued festivities due to pandemic restrictions.

The longing for (the) Eid celebration in a normal way has finally been relieved today although the pandemic has not yet ended, said Hadiyul Umam, a resident of Jakarta.

Many in the capital flocked to shopping centers to buy clothes, shoes and sweets before the holiday despite pandemic warnings and food price surges.

Muslims in Malaysia were also in a celebratory mood after their countrys borders fully reopened and COVID-19 measures were further loosened. Ramadan bazaars and shopping malls have been filled with shoppers ahead of Eid and many traveled to their hometowns.

Its a blessing that we can now go back to celebrate, said sales manager Fairuz Mohamad Talib, who works in Kuala Lumpur. His family will celebrate at his wifes village, where they planned to visit neighbors.

Its not about feasting but about getting together, he said ahead of the holiday. With COVID-19 still on his mind, the family will take precautions such as wearing masks during visits. There will be no handshakes, just fist bumps.

___

Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia, and Gannon from Kabul, Afghanistan. Associated Press journalists Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Wafaa Shurafa in Gaza City, Gaza Strip; Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar, India; Bassem Mroue in Beirut; Samya Kullab in Baghdad; Ahmed Hatem in Cairo and Paul Wiseman in Washington contributed reporting.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
June 11: A boat navigates Lake Mead, where a white "bathtub ring" along the shore shows how far below capacity the nation's largest reservoir currently is. Water levels at Lake Mead have hit their lowest points in history amid an ongoing megadrought, creating uncertainty about the water supply for millions of people in the Western United States. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A barrel containing human remains was discovered in Nevada's Lake Mead over the weekend as a historic drought grips the West.

Las Vegas Metro Police fear they will find more bodies, officials told a local news station.

The receding waters at Lake Mead, the country's largest artificial reservoir, have dropped to historic lows. The levels are so shallow that a barrel containing skeletal remains was found Sunday immersed in mud, reports KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.

Based on personal items found in the barrel, police think it has been at the bottom of the lake since the 1980s.

Lt. Ray Spencer with the Las Vegas Metro Police told the news station the person was probably killed four decades ago and was found around 3 p.m. Sunday by boaters. He did not give further details about the person's identity or how the remains ended up in a barrel at the bottom of Lake Mead.

Its going to take an extensive amount of work, Spencer said of trying to identify the person. "I would say there is a very good chance as the water level drops that we are going to find additional human remains."

The lake  a lifeline for 25 million people and millions of acres of farmland in California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico  has been tipping toward crisis amid record temperatures and lower snowpack melt. The lakes growing bathtub ring, formed by mineral deposits, marks the rocky desert slopes more than 150 feet above the retreating shoreline.

"I think anybody can understand there are probably more bodies that have been dumped in Lake Mead, its just a matter of, are we able to recover those? Spencer said.

The water level has receded hundreds of feet over the years, Spencer told The Times; 40 years ago, the current shoreline would have been under 100 feet of water.

"Most of the body was fully intact, and we have recovered the entire body," Spencer said. "We're going to reach out to some experts regarding the corrosion on the barrel and the rate of growth of aquatic life on the surface of the barrel to narrow down a timeline."

Shawna Hollister and her husband were docking their boat at Hemenway Harbor, on the lake's southwestern coast, when they spotted the barrel and the body.

"I was shocked; I didn't believe it," Hollister said. "You could clearly tell it was a body."

The legs were separate from the rest of the body, Hollister said, and it was clear that the person was wearing a shirt.

A photo of the skeleton in a partially exposed barrel was shared with the news station. An official with the Clark County Coroner's Office said the department could not comment on the investigation. Police said they would reach out to outside experts, including at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to help identify the remains.

Last month, water levels at Lake Mead dropped so low that an original water valve not seen since 1971 was exposed. The Southern Nevada Water Authority told CNN that the valve could no longer draw water because of the low water levels.

"The Colorado River Basin is experiencing the worst drought in recorded history," the water agency said in a statement posted to its website. "Since 2000, snowfall and runoff into the basin have been well below normal. These conditions have resulted in significant water level declines at major system reservoirs, including Lake Mead and Lake Powell."

The worsening megadrought is causing water districts to restrict usage. In California, roughly 6 million people will need to curb their water use by 35%. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California says this will equal about 80 gallons per day per person.

The ballpark figure were looking at is getting to the consumption of about 80 gallons per person per day, said Adel Hagekhalil, the districts general manager. Were trying to preserve everything we can.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Lawmakers around the country wasted no time in reacting to the leak of a draft opinion that suggests the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

On Monday night, Politico published the draft of a majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito in which he states that Roe was egregiously wrong from the start.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, Alito writes, referencing the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey case that reaffirmed Roe. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

According to Politico, four of the other Republican-appointed justices  Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  voted with Alito to overturn Roe.

A crowd gathers outside the Supreme Court on Monday night after publication of a draft opinion suggesting that the nations high court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. (Anna Johnson/AP)

President Biden said that if the draft opinion holds, it would represent a radical and fundamental shift in the rule of law.

It concerns me a great deal that we're going to, after 50 years, decide a woman does not have the right to choose, Biden told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday.

If this decision holds, it's really quite a radical decision, Biden added. I think it goes way overboard.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., issued a joint statement Monday night calling the would-be vote to overturn Roe an abomination and The Republican-appointed Justices' reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.

Several of these conservative Justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the U.S. Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Courts reputation  all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could soon be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the constitutional rights theyve relied on for half a century.

Here are some other notable reactions:

Vice President Kamala Harris

The United States Supreme Court has now confirmed that the draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade is genuine. Roe ensures a womans right to choose to have an abortion. It also, at its root, protects the fundamental right to privacy. What is clear is that opponents of Roe want to punish women and take away their rights to make decisions about their own bodies. Republican legislators in states across the country are weaponizing the use of the law against women.

The rights of all Americans are at risk. If the right to privacy is weakened, every person could face a future in which the government can potentially interfere in the personal decisions you make about your life. This is the time to fight for women and for our country with everything we have.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Last nights stunning breach was an attack on the independence of the Supreme Court. By every indication, this was yet another escalation in the radical lefts ongoing campaign to bully and intimidate federal judges and substitute mob rule for the rule of law.

The disgraceful statements by President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer refuse to defend judicial independence and the rule of law and instead play into this toxic spectacle. Real leaders should defend the Courts independence unconditionally.

This lawless action should be investigated and punished as fully as possible. The Chief Justice must get to the bottom of it and the Department of Justice must pursue criminal charges if applicable. All nine Justices should tune out the bad-faith noise and feel totally free to do their jobs, following the facts and the law where they lead.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

An extremist Supreme Court is poised to overturn #RoeVWade and impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country. Its time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard. Were not going back  not ever.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas

"If this report is true, this is nothing short of a massive victory for life and will save the lives of millions of innocent babies. But while I continue to wait for the Supreme Court's ultimate opinion, I am appalled by the shocking breach of trust posed by this leak," Cruz tweeted. "This is a blatant attempt to intimidate the Court through public pressure rather than reasoned argument. I hope my fellow former clerks and the entire legal community will join me in denouncing this egregious breach of trust."

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.

The Supreme Court & the DOJ must get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary. In the meantime, Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.

The draft SCOTUS opinion  allowing laws banning abortion in all cases, including rape  shows a right-wing majority poised to destroy Roe, Casey and the constitutional right to privacy. Striking down fundamental rights, they seek to usher in an Orban-style illiberal democracy.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine

If this leaked draft opinion is the final decision and this reporting is accurate, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office. Obviously, we wont know each Justices decision and reasoning until the Supreme Court officially announces its opinion in this case.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.

If nothing can get done in Washington because of Republican obstructionism, then the American people and women are going to have to vote and people who believe in choice are going to have to vote like they never voted before, because thats the only way we can change this.

People outside the Supreme Court on Monday night after the draft opinion was leaked. (Anna Johnson/AP)

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

It is a sad day for the Supreme Court and a dangerous day for the Rule of Law. The radical assault on our institutions and the Constitution itself has reached a new level with the release of a draft opinion on a major issue facing the Court.

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul

This is an absolutely disgraceful attack on our fundamental right to choose, and we will fight it with everything weve got. Let me be loud and clear: New York will always guarantee your right to abortion. You have our word.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla.

The Supreme Courts confidential deliberation process is sacred & protects it from political interference. This breach shows that radical Democrats are working even harder to intimidate & undermine the Court. It was always their plan. The justices cannot be swayed by this attack.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate. Its high time we do it.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there arent 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.

The left continues its assault on the Supreme Court with an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate. The Justices mustnt give in to this attempt to corrupt the process. Stay strong. I will say, if this is the Courts opinion, its a heck of an opinion. Voluminously researched, tightly argued, and morally powerful.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah

I hope and pray that what appears to be Justice Alitos well-written and well-reasoned draft in fact reflects the majority view of the Court.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

If this is true, this kind of outcome is exactly what Ive been ringing alarm bells about  and this is a five-alarm fire. Republicans goal has always been to ban abortion: theyre already banning abortion in state legislatures across the country, theyre fighting for a federal ban right here in the Senate, and plan to overturn Roe in the Supreme Court too.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A leaked initial draft majority opinion suggests the U.S. Supreme Court has voted to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide, Politico reported on Monday.

Reuters was not immediately able to confirm the draft independently.

The Supreme Court and the White House declined to comment.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the draft opinion which is dated Feb. 10, according to Politico.

Four of the other Republican-appointed justices  Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett - voted with Alito in the conference held among the justices, the report added.

"It is possible there have been some changes since then (Feb 10)," Politico reporter Josh Gerstein, who broke the story, said on MSNBC late on Monday.

After an initial vote among the justices following the oral argument, one is assigned the majority opinion and writes a draft. It is then circulated among the justices. At times, in between the initial vote and the ruling being released, the vote alignment can change. A ruling is only final when it is published by the court.

In a post on Twitter, Neal Katyal, a lawyer who regularly argues before the court, said if the report was accurate it would be "the first major leak from the Supreme Court ever."

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Eric Beech in Washington; Editing by Tim Ahmann, Kim Coghill and Michael Perry)
Governor Gavin Newsom at a press conference in February. Although most legal analysts have considered the issue settled in California, Newsom and legislative leaders said Monday they believe the state must go further to protect abortion rights. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

In a swift response to news that the U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to overturn the nation's landmark abortion rights protections, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders announced Monday night they will ask voters in November to place permanent protections for the procedure in the California Constitution.

"California will not stand idly by as women across America are stripped of their rights and the progress so many have fought for gets erased," Newsom said in a written statement, co-signed by Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood). "We will fight."

An amendment to the state Constitution would require voter approval. Few details on the effort were immediately available, though the process requires little more than a supermajority vote in both legislative houses to get on the Nov. 8 statewide ballot. Democrats hold enough seats in the state Senate and Assembly to send the issue to voters without Republican support  although the issue could easily become a focal point of statewide and legislative campaigns this year.

Newsom quickly lashed out on social media in the wake of reporting by Politico that a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion has been written to overturn the 1973 decision in Roe vs. Wade. The legislative leaders quickly followed suit, deciding later to push to firmly enshrine abortion rights in the California Constitution.

The state already has a sweeping right to personal privacy enshrined in its Constitution by voters in 1972, drafted by an Orange County Assembly member who said at the time that he was alarmed by the potential of government intrusion into the lives of everyday Californians.

Nine years later, the amendment served as the underpinning of a California Supreme Court ruling that overturned a ban on coverage of abortion services for low-income women enrolled in the state's Medi-Cal program.

The restriction at issue undermines the right of privacy guaranteed under our California Constitution in that it threatens not only the womans interests in life, health, and personal bodily autonomy but also her right to decide for herself whether to parent a child, then-Justice Mathew Tobriner wrote for the majority.

But although most legal analysts have considered the issue settled in California, Newsom and legislative leaders said Monday they believe the state must go further.

"California is proposing an amendment to enshrine the right to choose in our state constitution so that there is no doubt as to the right to abortion in this state," the Democrats said in their statement. "We know we cant trust the Supreme Court to protect reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution. Women will remain protected here.

Polls have consistently shown strong majorities of California voters support abortion rights, support that has crossed party lines.

Placing a measure on the November ballot will no doubt galvanize many voters, including some who might not otherwise have cast ballots in what has been shaping up to be a largely sleepy gubernatorial reelection year. Legislative and statewide candidates alike would largely be urged to weigh in on the proposal, mirroring the national interest that would be expected from a ruling by the nations highest court in late spring or early summer.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Ohioans head to the polls Tuesday to vote in Democratic and Republican primaries, featuring multiple hotly contested races, including battles for governor, secretary of state and U.S. Senate.

The race to replace Sen. Rob Portman, who is retiring, features a crowded Republican primary in which former President Donald Trump's endorsement powers will be tested.

In the GOP Senate primary, almost all the candidates have centered their campaigns around being a Trump conservative. But it was a "never-Trumper" turned Trump ally, J.D. Vance, who scored Trump's coveted endorsement, upending the race.

In the days leading up to the Ohio primary, Club for Growth, a conservative anti-tax group backing Republican candidate and former Ohio treasurer Josh Mandel, released an ad attacking Vance and questioning Trump's endorsement of him.

The ad features previous comments from Vance criticizing Trump supporters by saying they voted for the former president for racist reasons.

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Delaware, Ohio, April 23, 2022. (Joe Maiorana/AP)

Other notable Republicans vying for the nomination include Mike Gibbons, a wealthy businessman, Jane Timken, former chairwoman of the Ohio GOP, and Ohio state Sen. Matt Dolan.

Unlike his opponents, Dolan has distanced himself from Trump, saying his campaign is focused on Ohioans and that Republicans focusing on the results of the 2020 election are taking the wrong approach.

MORE: Looming Ohio primary promises early test of Trump's endorsement power

On the other side of the aisle, three candidates are running in the House Democratic primary. Rep. Tim Ryan, who briefly ran for president in 2020 and has long represented the working class Youngstown area, is the clear frontrunner. The other candidates in the race are Traci Johnson and Morgan Harper.

In the GOP gubernatorial primary, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who is seeking a second term, is favored to win. He faces a spirited faceoff with members of his own party who were disappointed with his relatively strict response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republicans looking to replace DeWine include former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, former state Rep. Ron Hood and Joe Blystone, a farmer who jumped into the race. Trump has not endorsed in the contest, but Renacci has campaigned on Trumpism and has cited Trump's support of him in 2018 during his failed campaign for Senate.

PHOTO: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine speaks to the crowd during the Solheim Cup Opening Ceremony in Toledo, Ohio, Sept. 3, 2021. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images, FILE)

Ohio's secretary of state race has received more attention than in previous election cycles. A greater focus has been placed on the top election position of overseeing and validating election results following the 2020 election. Ohio GOP Secretary of State Frank LaRose faces a primary challenger in John Adams. Adams has expressed unfounded doubts about the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results, whereas LaRose has danced around the issue.

LaRose acknowledged President Joe Biden as the legitimate president, but his campaign borrows Trump's rhetoric of "protecting elections," and LaRose has campaigned on fighting voter fraud despite no evidence it is a widespread problem. Trump endorsed LaRose and is considered likely to win and continue on to the general election.

MORE: Democrats face off in heated battle over Ohios 11th District primary

Multiple House races will play out throughout the state Tuesday but the rematch between Rep. Shontel Brown and Nina Turner for Ohio's 11th Congressional District will be one of the most closely watched of the night. Brown was first elected in a special election following Marcia Fudge's appointment to serve as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Brown and Turner's rematch is viewed as a reflection of the divisions between the Democratic Party's progressive and establishment wings. Progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont have endorsed Turner. Biden, however, endorsed Brown on Friday, calling her "an ardent advocate for the people of Ohio and a true partner in Congress."

I am thankful for the support of @JoeBiden. From day one, I promised to work with the President and his administration to deliver for the people of Northeast Ohio and bring economic relief and quality health care to all Americans. pic.twitter.com/yeyfegoRq7  Shontel Brown for Congress (@ShontelMBrown) April 29, 2022

Turner and Brown approached the campaign trail from different ends of the Democratic political spectrum. Turner, a former co-chairwoman of Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, has heavily criticized the Democratic Party and President Joe Biden in the past and her previous loss to Brown was seen as a win for the Democratic establishment. On Monday night, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leading left-wing voice, threw her support behind Turner.

Over 100,000 votes have already been cast statewide, and 182,000 absentee ballots had been requested as of the end of early voting on April 22, according to LaRose.

"As I've visited county boards of elections this month during early voting and spoken with voters, what I've seen firsthand are the high standards of accessibility and security which make our state a national model," the secretary of state said in a statement reporting early voting numbers.

Due to an ongoing redistricting litigation battle still playing out in the state, Tuesday's primary in Ohio will not feature legislative races for the state House or Senate. Voters will cast ballots for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. A second primary will be held for legislative races, though no date has been set, according to LaRose's office.

Ohio primaries test Trump's power over GOP, highlight Democratic divisions originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A crowd gathers outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday, a day after a draft opinion was leaked that indicates justices are prepared to overturn the Roe vs. Wade decision. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

A draft opinion leaked to Politico this week suggests the U.S. Supreme Court could soon overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion nationwide. Here is where things stand:

What is the Supreme Court ruling on?

The case now before the court  Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health Organization  is an appeal from Mississippi to ban abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. The state is not asking the court to overrule Roe vs. Wade or later cases that reaffirmed it.

But many abortion rights supporters have been worried the courts conservative majority could do just that. The leaked draft was written by conservative Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Nothing is final until the court votes and issues its ruling.

If it upholds Mississippis law, it would be its first ratification of an abortion ban before the point when a fetus can survive outside the womb  the standard set in Roe vs. Wade. The immediate effect would be limited, because most abortions take place in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But such a ruling could leave the decision to state lawmakers, laying the groundwork for even more state restrictions on abortion.

Havent states already restricted abortion?

No state has completely banned abortion, though some have come close.

Texas enacted a law last fall that makes abortion illegal after the detection of cardiac activity  the strictest abortion legislation in more than 50 years. It was also the first abortion restriction not to rely on state penalties for enforcement but rather on civil lawsuits, authorizing any member of the public to sue anyone who performs or facilitates an illegal abortion for at least $10,000 per abortion, plus court costs. The laws make no exception for rape or incest.

On Tuesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed a similar law that the Oklahoma Legislature approved last month. The law takes effect immediately, although abortion rights advocates have already challenged it in court.

I want Oklahoma to be the most pro-life state in the country, Stitt tweeted after signing the bill.

The governor recently signed a separate and stricter law that outlaws abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman and makes the procedure a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. That law is set to take effect in late August. Experts say it is unlikely to survive a court challenge unless Roe vs. Wade is struck down.

If the Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade, how many more states could ban abortion?

The Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights advocacy group, predicts that bans would be imposed in at least 26 states, including 13 that have trigger laws set to take effect immediately should the constitutional right to abortion be abolished.

Those bans would eliminate access to abortion for large swaths of the Deep South, Midwest and West  including Arizona, Idaho and Utah  creating areas that abortion rights advocates refer to as abortion deserts.

Would the Supreme Court ruling affect the availability of abortion medication?

It could. States have increasingly restricted the availability of abortion medication, which accounts for more than half of all U.S. abortions.

At least 32 states require it be administered by a physician and 19 mandate that the clinician providing medication abortion to be physically present, in effect prohibiting telemedicine. Indiana and Texas prohibit its use after a specific point in pregnancy. The Texas law, passed last year, also does not allow for the drugs to be shipped by mail, though it is unclear how that can be enforced.

If states ban abortion, cant people just travel to clinics in California or other states?

Not all women can travel out of state. Many have to work or have children (60% of women seeking abortions already have kids, according to the CDC). Migrant women in the country illegally must clear inland checkpoints run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

For those who can go out of state, experts predict that the fall of Roe vs. Wade would increase the distance they have to travel, the overall cost of their abortions and the workload for clinics.

Clinics in states bordering Texas have been overwhelmed in recent months by out-of-state patients seeking abortions, and the crush is likely to get worse as the latest Oklahoma law takes effect. Given scheduling delays and added travel, providers expect to see patients arriving later in their pregnancies, which could further limit which clinics can treat them.

Many so-called haven states, including California, limit abortions in the later stages of pregnancy. Those are extremely rare, but if the lack of access to abortions at home translates to big delays, more women would have to turn to the six states, along with Washington, D.C., that impose no gestational limits. Clinics in at least two of those states  Colorado and New Mexico  have already seen an uptick in patients due to abortion restrictions in Texas.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A draft opinion circulated among Supreme Court justices suggests that earlier this year a majority of them had thrown support behind overturning the 1973 case Roe v. Wade, according to Politico report. (Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press)

The Supreme Court is ready to overturn Roe vs. Wade and allow states to outlaw abortion, according to purported draft opinion that was leaked to Politico.

It is highly unusual for the high court to overturn a landmark decision and equally extraordinary, or perhaps more so, for a draft opinion to leak out in advance of its final release.

The Los Angeles Times could not authenticate the purported draft. Sometimes draft rulings can be revised in the final months as justices weigh in during the writing process.

According to Politico, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote a draft in February that says the abortion ruling was egregiously wrong and should be overturned completely.

Such an outcome would not be a surprise. Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas have made clear for years they thought Roe should be overturned. In recent years, they have been joined by three Trump appointees who agree with them: Justices Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

During the oral argument in December, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. focused on the Mississippi law and its 15-week limit on abortion, which is at the heart of the current discussion.

Roberts argued that the court should decide that issue and stop there. The tenor of his argument suggested the five conservatives on his right were leaning toward overturning Roe entirely.

Typically justices take a tentative vote on an issue in their private conference, and the majority then begins work on a draft opinion.

But the outcome is not set until all the justices have signed off, and it is not uncommon for the wording or votes in some cases to change in May or June.

In 2012, for example, it appeared there were five justices ready to strike down the Affordable Care Act, but the chief justice switched his vote and decided on a narrow way to uphold it.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Kremlin escalated its rhetorical dispute with Israel over World War II history on Tuesday morning by reiterating and expanding on the falsehood-riddled comments made by Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, about the supposed collaboration of Jews during the Holocaust with their own Nazi killers.

In a post titled On Antisemitism, published on the Telegram social media network, Russias foreign ministry tried to equate Israel's support for Ukraine with Jews whom it alleged collaborated with Nazis in World War II, arguing (incorrectly) that history is unfortunately familiar with tragic examples of Jewish-Nazi collaboration.

It went on to accuse the current regime in Kyiv  headed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish  of precisely such complicity, while insisting to Israel that it was the Red Army that stopped the Holocaust and the destruction of the Jewish world.

The post went so far as to suggest that Israel, which has not played a prominent role in supporting Ukraine in its war effort, may be too naive to realize that after canceling Russians, the Ukrainian leadership will inevitably move against the nations Jewish population.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a meeting in Moscow on April 27. (Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

It was a remarkable turn of events, considering that when the war began, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sought to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Slow to help at first, Israel offered Ukraine material support late last month. If that support has been more limited than that of European nations and the United States, that is largely because Israels precarious geopolitical status leaves it little room to maneuver between allies and foes.

Still, it is not entirely clear why the Kremlin has decided to invoke one of the most controversial and misunderstood aspects of World War II history as a means of persuading Israel  and, presumably, other nations  that it was right to invade Ukraine. Such an attempt may have been inevitable, given that Russias initial rationale for attacking its much smaller neighbor was a need to de-Nazify Ukrainian leadership.

Lavrov offered his own thoughts on the matter on Sunday, telling an Italian outlet,Wise Jewish people say that the most ardent antisemites are usually Jews. He also repeated the debunked claim that the Nazi dictator, Adolf Hitler, was partly Jewish.

Having just commemorated the Holocaust the previous week, Israeli leadership vigorously denounced Lavrovs remarks. Foreign Minister Lavrovs remarks are both an unforgivable and outrageous statement as well as a terrible historical error, Lavrovs counterpart, Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid, wrote on Twitter. Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust. The lowest level of racism against Jews is to accuse Jews themselves of antisemitism.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid holds a press conference on the question of Ukraine at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem on April 24, 2022. (Israeli Gov't Press Office (GPO/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Despite the fact that there is little evidence that Lavrovs argument  or any other Russian justification for the Ukraine invasion  has gained any traction, Russias foreign ministry decided to post a lengthy exposition on Telegram that called Lapids statement anti-historical and repeated Lavrovs claim that European Jews were responsible for their own destruction.

The Russian foreign ministry charged Zelensky with consciously abetting Ukrainian neo-Nazis, comparing him to Jewish leaders during World War II who may have been aware of some aspects of the Holocaust but who chose to say nothing. Zelensky, on the other hand, is helping neo-Nazis quite voluntarily, the Telegram post said.

Russia's claims about complicity with the Nazis fail to reflect what the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum calls impossible moral dilemmas faced by Jewish leaders in Eastern European ghettos, from which hundreds of thousands of Jews were deported to the death camps of German-occupied Poland.

The Nazis kept secret their plans for the Holocaust, telling Jews that they were merely being resettled. Rumors of the death camps did reach the ghettos, where Jews were housed in inhumane conditions, but many refused to believe them.

Even as the Russian foreign ministry proffered its arguments about Jewish-Nazi collaboration, it acknowledged  in the same Telegram post  that any such collaboration on the part of Jewish leaders was, in the words of three leading Israeli historians, a marginal phenomenon.
S. Korea, U.S. to begin two-week combined air drills next week: Yonhap

CGTN) 15:52, May 03, 2022

The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States are set to begin two weeks of combined air drills next week, Yonhap reported on Tuesday.

The allies are set to begin the two-week Korea Flying Training on Monday, May 9, the eve of the inauguration of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who has vowed to bolster the Seoul-Washington security alliance under his slogan of "peace through strength."

"The two air forces plan to begin the two-week training on the same scale as the past trainings," said Yonhap, citing an anonymous source.

The ROK and the United States regularly stage military exercises, mainly in the spring and summer. However, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has repeatedly expressed vehement opposition to joint drills, denouncing them as rehearsals for invasion.

The combined forces of the ROK and the U.S. kicked off preliminary military drills last month ahead of the joint springtime military exercise.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
The high court appears to overturn the landmark abortion rights case, according to a copy of the draft obtained by Politico.

The U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn the landmark abortion rights case ruling Roe v. Wade, according to a leaked opinion draft obtained by Politico and published Monday night.

Abortion opponents and supporters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 25, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

The outlet reported that a copy of the opinion from Justice Samuel Alito reveals an unflinching repudiation of the 1973 ruling that granted women the right to terminate a pregnancy, as well as Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a 1992 case that upheld Roe v. Wade.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, Justice Alito wrote, according to the document that has been reviewed by former Supreme Court clerks who told MSNBC that the draft appears to be authentic. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

Politico reported that it received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case that is not expected to come down from the high court until June. The outlet also reported that it received other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

While it has not been confirmed, this leak may mark the first time a Supreme Court opinion has been disclosed before a ruling has been announced.

In this April 23, 2021, file photo, members of the Supreme Court pose for a group photo at the Supreme Court in Washington. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

In the opinion draft, Justice Alito compared the issue of abortion to racial discrimination. Roe v. Wade, the conservative opinion noted, is parallel to Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 case that upheld racial segregation in the United States and created the separate but equal doctrine. That ruling remained law until it was overturned by the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was quoted by Alito in his opinion, said that Plessy v. Ferguson was egregiously wrong on the day it was decided.

Shortly after the news, Democratic members of Congress and advocates decried the likely ruling from the Supreme Court.

U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Monday night, As weve warned, SCOTUS isnt just coming for abortion  theyre coming for the right to privacy Roe rests on, which includes gay marriage + civil rights. She added, Manchin is blocking Congress codifying Roe. House has seemingly forgotten about Clarence Thomas. These 2 points must change.

Ocasio-Cortezs fellow member of The Squad, U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley also tweeted a reaction to the opinion draft, plainly writing, Abortion care is a fundamental human right and we must legislate like it.

Abortion care is a fundamental human right and we must legislate like it.  Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) May 3, 2022

Expand the Court. The lives of women across this country depend on it, tweeted U.S. Congressman Mondaire Jones, a member of the House Judiciary Committee.

This is a breaking news story and is still developing.

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The post Supreme Court voted to overturn abortion rights ruling Roe v. Wade in leaked opinion draft appeared first on TheGrio.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  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.

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.

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.

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.

Steve Johnson, right, with his sisters, Terry, left, and Rebecca and his wife Rosemarie, second right, arrive at the Supreme Court in Sydney, Monday, May 2, 2022, for a sentencing hearing in the murder of Scott Johnson, Steve, Terry and Rebecca's brother. Scott White 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 Scott Johnson, whose death at the base of a North Head cliff was initially dismissed by police as suicide. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

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.

Younger sister Rebecca Johnson said she was satisfied with the sentence.

Today I feel like we've had answers and we've had justice, and that's for our brother and that's 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.

White's 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.
FREER, Texas  A rattlesnake handler died after he was bitten by a snake at the Rattlesnake Roundup in Texas on Saturday.

Eugene De Leon Sr., 60, of the Snake Busters Snake Handlers in Freer, around 100 miles north of San Antonio, was bitten by a rattlesnake while performing at the annual show Saturday afternoon. The bite came four years after his son, Eugene De Leon, was bitten by a two-foot long rattlesnake on the inside of his left thumb.

De Leon was not only a veteran snake handler, but a member of the Freer Volunteer Fire Department and a custodian for Freer High School, according to his obituary.

Eugene De Leon, 60, of the Snake Busters Snake Handlers in Freer died after he was bitten by a snake while performing at the annual show Saturday afternoon.

"The love and dedication he displayed for his community was witnessed every day 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 Freer 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."

De Leon was taken to a Corpus Christi hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

Eugene De Leon, 60, of the Snake Busters Snake Handlers in Freer died after he was bitten by a snake while performing at the annual show Saturday afternoon.

De Leon's sister, Monica Dimas, took to Facebook on Sunday to raise money for her brother's funeral expenses.

"I ask that you keep my mom, Evalina Morgan, and family in prayer as my brother has gained his wings today doing what he loved doing," Dimas said. "He had a passion for snake handling at the Rattlesnake Roundup in Freer...after many years of handling these things today was not your day with them... Rest in Peace my brother."

Bit by a rattlesnake?: Here is what to do

'Recovering well':Cary Elwes shows off swollen finger after rattlesnake bite

Ashlee Burns covers trending and breaking news in South Texas.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Rattlesnake handler dies from bite at Texas rattlesnake show
Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February, the UK and Western allies have been providing military aid to help Ukrainian forces resist Moscows advances.

After starting cautiously with helmets and flak jackets and then limiting supplies to defensive weapons, Western countries have massively stepped up their response.

Some 40 nations are now joining in delivering missiles, tanks and heavy artillery to help Ukraines efforts in countering Russias intensified offensive in the eastern Donbas region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday set out a new 300 million package of support for Kyivs military as he saluted the resistance of Ukrainians in the face of the Russian invasion during an address to the countrys parliament.

Here is a look at what military aid the UK and other nations are sending.

The UK continues to provide military aid, as Ukraine fights President Putins illegal invasion.  #StandWithUkraine  Find out more here: https://t.co/GkHyP9kMYM Here's a summary of our lethal aid support. pic.twitter.com/WpL9EEUzgc  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) April 27, 2022

 What lethal aid has the UK sent so far?

Britain began supplying arms to Ukraine in January, before Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his incursion, sending shoulder-mounted next generation light anti-tank weapons (Nlaws) which have been credited with helping to stall Moscows armoured units.

The UK has since intensified the effort and is one of the largest arms suppliers in Europe to Kyiv, having now delivered more than 5,000 Nlaws and other anti-tank missiles, 1,360 anti-structure munitions, five air-defence systems with more than 100 missiles, and 4.5 tonnes of plastic explosives, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Ukrainian ground troops have also been using Starstreak surface-to-air missiles supplied by the UK to defend themselves against aerial assaults for several weeks, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told MPs last week.

 What other military support has the UK provided to Ukraine?

Mr Wallace said the UK has already given some 200 million in military aid to Kyiv.

The UK has also sent non-lethal equipment to Ukraine, including more than 90,000 ration packs, over 10 pallets of medical equipment, more than 3,000 pieces of body armour, nearly 77,000 helmets and 3,000 pairs of boots, as well as communications equipment and ear defenders.

Britain is training Ukrainian troops in Poland, as well as teaching a small number of Ukrainian soldiers on home soil how to use armoured vehicles.

The UK, alongside Polish, US and international partners, has also set up an international donor coordination centre in Stuttgart to coordinate the delivery of military assistance.

Ukrainian forces have been using Starstreak high-velocity surface-to-air missiles supplied by the UK (Ministry of Defence handout/PA)

 What further military aid is the UK sending?

The Prime Minister on Tuesday confirmed a package of support worth 300 million for Kyiv, including a counter battery radar system to pinpoint artillery bombarding Ukrainian cities, GPS jamming equipment, heavy lift drones to supply its forces and thousands of night vision devices.

He said that in the coming weeks, the UK will send longer-range Brimstone anti-ship missiles to help Ukraine counter Russian warships in the Black Sea, as well as a small number of Stormer armoured vehicles, which carry Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles and are designed to provide a roving threat to Russian planes and helicopters.

The Government also announced that 13 armoured vehicles will start arriving in the countrys east in the coming days to evacuate civilians from besieged areas and protect officials rebuilding critical infrastructure amid ongoing Russian bombardment.

News: UK donates a fleet of armoured vehicles to Ukraine These highly specialised vehicles will protect innocent Ukrainians and evacuate civilians from besieged areas of Ukraine.https://t.co/TjJTiN6Q3u  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) May 3, 2022

A 100 million package of high-grade military equipment announced by Mr Johnson earlier this month includes another 5,000 anti-tank missiles and high-tech precision munitions that loiter over the battlefield until directed to their target.

The Prime Minister also promised 120 armoured vehicles, including Mastiff six-wheel-drive patrol vehicles, and new anti-ship missile systems.

He also offered to send Challenger 2 tanks to neighbouring Poland so that Warsaw can donate its own to Ukraine.

The Prime Minister has promised to send Ukraine the Mastiff, which can be used as a reconnaissance or patrol vehicle (Ministry of Defence handout/PA)

 What defence assistance have other countries provided?

The United States has been Ukraines top contributor, providing more than three billion US dollars (2.4 billion) of military aid since Russia invaded.

That includes the latest military package of 800 million US dollars (638 million) announced by President Joe Biden last week, which consists of 72 howitzers and tactical vehicles to tow the artillery guns, 144,000 artillery rounds and 121 recently-developed Phoenix Ghost tactical drones.

More than half of the US howitzers are already in Ukraine, according to the Pentagon.

The White House has also supplied or promised Mi-17 helicopters, 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, more than 5,000 Javelin missile launchers capable of piercing the most sophisticated armour, thousands of rifles with ammunition and a range of other equipment.

The US and Turkey have both given Ukraine drones armed with missiles, while Canada has sent howitzers and ammunition and has promised eight armoured vehicles.

.@USMC M777 towed 155 mm howitzers bound for Ukraine are loaded onto a @USAirForce C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at @March_ARB. pic.twitter.com/l4mNCiFnc5  Department of Defense  (@DeptofDefense) April 27, 2022

Germany, which has rewritten its longstanding defence policy that ruled out exporting weapons into war zones, last week announced its first delivery of heavy weaponry to Ukraine.

After weeks of mounting pressure at home and abroad, Berlin promised to send Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine.

Newly-re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron has given a green light for the delivery of lorry-mounted Caesar cannons and Milan anti-tank missiles, in addition to around 100 million euro (84 million) worth of military equipment already donated by Paris.

The European Union has signed off on a 500 million euro (419 million) package to fund weapons for Ukraine, marking the first time in the blocs history it is helping provide arms for a warzone.

The Czech Republic has sent T-72 tanks, fighting vehicles and artillery systems and Slovakia has provided its S-300 anti-aircraft defence system.

Poland has sent equipment including drones and Javelin anti-tank missiles and has also pledged T-72 tanks.

Norway has shipped Mistral anti-air missiles and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine.

Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia are also among the countries sending military equipment.

Outside of Europe, Australia has committed six howitzers, ammunition and refitted Bushmaster vehicles, while Japan shed its post-Second World War constraints on military exports to deliver bulletproof vests and helmets to the war-torn nation.
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YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington D.C.., the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

Voice of America reported that a memorandum of understanding was signed during the meeting.

Very productive meeting with Secretary Blinken. Happy to be back in Washington and reaffirm our strong partnership with the US. During last 3 decades Armenia and USA have developed fruitful cooperation anchored on common values of democracy, respect for human rights, and rule of law, the Armenian FM tweeted.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. On May 2 Armenia and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Civil Nuclear Cooperation, reports Armenpress.

This document represents another step in the bilateral partnership established in 1997 when the agreement on Cooperation in the field of nuclear security and exchange of technical information and subsequent agreements of 2007 and 2017 were concluded.

This Memorandum will strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy, providing wider access for the Armenian nuclear energy experts to the latest nuclear safety technologies.

The MoU was signed by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington D.C..

The Armenian FM is in the United States on a working visit.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. On May 2, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in the United States on a working visit, met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Foreign Ministry said in a news release.

Ararat Mirzoyan congratulated his counterpart on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the United States, and commended the existing level of political dialogue between Armenia and the United States.

It was emphasized that over the years the sides have established a solid partnership based on the common values of democracy, protection of human rights and the rule of law. Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the support provided by the United States to Armenia for the strengthening of democracy, sustainable development and the fight against corruption. Antony Blinken, in his turn, highly assessed the democratic reforms implemented in Armenia, and underscored the continuous support of the American side to them.

Both sides stressed the importance of resuming joint work within the framework of the Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue, the final session of which will be held on May 3 in Washington.

Prospects for the development of cooperation in areas of mutual interest were discussed. The Foreign Minister of Armenia stressed the need for deepening trade and economic ties with the United States, emphasizing that there are tangible opportunities for expanding Armenian-American cooperation in the fields of high and information technologies, energy, finance, banking, civil aviation, green economy and others.

Ararat Mirzoyan highly appreciated the US principled position on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, emphasized the importance of the statement of the US President Joe Biden on the anniversary of the Genocide this year, which reaffirms the commitment of US to humanitarian and human rights principles.

The sides also touched upon the issues of international and regional security and stability.

The Armenian side presented the situation in the South Caucasus region and Armenia's position on the processes aimed at establishing regional peace and stability. The interlocutors exchanged ideas on starting negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on a comprehensive peace agreement. The Foreign Minister of Armenia stressed the importance of the US mediating efforts aimed at the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict as a co-chairing country of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Ararat Mirzoyan briefed Antony Blinken on the actions of Azerbaijan aimed at creating a humanitarian crisis in Artsakh and subjecting Nagorno Karabakh to full ethnic cleansing.

In the context of the humanitarian issues resulting from the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabakh, the need for repatriation of the Armenian prisoners of war and other hostages, and preserving the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories fallen under control of Azerbaijan, was emphasized.

During the meeting, reference was made to the implementation of the agreements on the establishment of the Commission on Border Demarcation and Security.

Minister Mirzoyan also briefed the interlocutor on the developments in the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, stressing the readiness of the Armenian side to establish diplomatic relations with Turkey and open the border. Secretary Blinken noted that the United States fully supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey and signifies Armenia's constructive efforts in that process.

At the end of the meeting, Ararat Mirzoyan and Antony Blinken signed a memorandum of understanding on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation between Armenia and the United States.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. On May 2, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is on a working visit in the United States, met with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, the Foreign Ministry said in a news release.

The high dynamics of the development of Armenia-US relations was emphasized, and it was noted that since 2019 the cooperation has been raised to a new level of strategic dialogue. The sides expressed willingness to further strengthen the effective cooperation established in various fields, based on the common values of democracy, protection of human rights, rule of law, and the fight against corruption.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Victoria Nuland exchanged views on the issues of regional security and stability. The implementation process of the agreements reached between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Sochi and Brussels was discussed. They also touched upon the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, as well as the process of launching negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on a comprehensive peace agreement. In this context, the Foreign Minister of Armenia stressed the importance of resuming the work of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

The humanitarian issues resulting from the 44-day war were discussed, particularly, the immediate release and repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and other persons held, and the preservation of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories fallen under the Azerbaijani control.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the recent developments on the Armenia-Turkey normalization process.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. From the first hours of the oppositions rally, shots with the use of large caliber weapons were fired by the Azerbaijani armed forces on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan said at a briefing today.

I have repeatedly stated that the actions of our opposition almost always coincide either with the most important visits (for example, the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin or President of the European Council Charles Michel), or the incidents occurring on the border, the Speaker said.

The Speaker says he doesnt consider this as a coincidence, adding that these actions are coordinated in some way.

I think that our citizens understand well and also perceiving it, they do not join. These rallies are gradually becoming less crowded. As a result of that perception, people do not participate, Alen Simonyan said.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. The statement released by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense claiming that on May 2 the Armenian military opened fire at Azerbaijani military positions in the eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is false, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said.

The Armenian Ministry of Defense added that the situation on the border is relatively stable and is under the full control of the Armenian military.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. This year Armenia and Japan are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. On this occasion, a delegation led by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Honda arrived in Armenia on a two-day friendly visit.

Mr. Taro Honda told Armenpress that he arrived in Armenia to strengthen the bilateral relations between Japan and Armenia.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Armenia, and I came here to strengthen the bilateral relations between Japan and Armenia. Armenia is very far from Japan, and we are not so well aware of the Armenian culture and traditions, therefore, I hope that we will be able to contribute to the development of bilateral relations through bilateral exchanges, he said in an interview to Armenpress.

Accompanied by Ambassador of Japan to Armenia Masanori Fukushima, the Japanese delegation visited today the IT center in the village of Ghukasavan in Ararat province. The center has been established with the financial support of the Japanese government.

The diplomatic relations between Armenia and Japan were established on September 7, 1992. Protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Armenia was signed on that day. So far, Armenia and Japan have signed and adopted 10 statements and agreements.

Reporting by Aram Sargsyan
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan held a meeting with the delegation of the Kansas National Guard led by Adjutant General, Major-General David Weishaar.

Speaking on the Armenia-Kansas military cooperation, the sides were pleased to note that effective actions are implemented in the peacekeeping, military-education, military-medical and other areas.

Papikyan attached importance to the continuous support of the US government, and particularly the Kansas National Guard to the Armenian military reforms.

A number of issues related to the regional security were also discussed.

Papikyan presented the military-political and security situation in the region, views were exchanged on strengthening peace and stability in the current geopolitical situation.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. 155 protesters were detained by police in Yerevan as of 15:00 amid the civil disobedience actions initiated by the opposition, police said.

Another 8 people were detained in Gegharkunik Province and 6 in Ararat Province.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. The delegation led by Minister of Justice of Armenia Karen Andreasyan participated on May 2 in the Armenian-Georgian Legal Forum in Tbilisi, the ministry said in a news release.

Karen Andreasyan and Minister of Justice of Georgia Rati Bregadze delivered remarks during the event, touching upon the importance of cooperation in legal field. The Armenian justice minister thanked his Georgian counterpart for the invitation and said that this forum is an important step for deepening the partnership between the two countries.

The exchange of experience between the two friendly countries is very important for us, starting from the wonderful idea of probation that contributes to the development of the probation system, as well as a very important experience I would like to talk about  those are the justice houses, Karen Andreasyan said.

The two ministers also discussed relevant issues during the forum.

The Georgian minister of justice said that the partnering relations between Georgia and Armenia will enter a new stage, and the cooperation with his Armenian counterpart will further strengthen.

During his visit in Georgia, the Armenian minister will also visit the National Archive, the Justice House, the Correctional Service to get acquainted with the Georgian model of their works.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by Chair of the France-Armenia Friendship Group in the French Senate Gilbert-Luc Devinaz, the PMs Office said.

Welcoming the French delegations visit to Armenia, Pashinyan highly appreciated their contribution to the development and strengthening of the Armenian-French relations. He added that the legislative and executive authorities of the two countries are closely cooperating, and here the friendship group plays a big role. Your visits to our country give a new and positive impetus to the constant strengthening of the Armenian-French partnership, PM Pashinyan said.

Gilbert-Luc Devinaz thanked for the warm reception and stated that they will direct further efforts for the development of partnership. We will continue to stand by Armenia and Artsakh, he said, reminding that the resolution on recognizing the independence of Artsakh by the French Senate is broadly supported by senators.

PM Pashinyan said that the resolution adopted by the Senate has a huge political significance, which gives a great strength and trust in the context of international recognition of rights of Artsakh-Armenians.

The meeting also touched upon issues relating to ensuring the return of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages and other civilians held in Azerbaijan, the current situation in Nagorno Karabakh, the humanitarian problems, as well as the development of democracy in Armenia.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. Prosecutor General of Armenia Artur Davtyan presented to lawmakers the indicators in the fight against drug trafficking.

He said the total quantity of drugs that were confiscated in 2021 has grown.

It is especially noteworthy that compared to the previous year, the quantity of confiscated drugs of higher danger grew, such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. In 2019, 91 grams of cocaine was discovered and confiscated, while in 2021 1kg or 10 times more was confiscated, in 2019 authorities confiscated 13 kilograms of heroin, while in the reporting year it was 33 times more, at 434 kilograms, Davtyan said.

Davtyan said that studies have shown in the recent years that drugs are mostly sold via internet, especially on Telegram channels.

In one particular criminal case, over 20 suspected drug traffickers are facing criminal charges, with 10 of them currently remanded into custody, he said.

Investigations revealed that multiple online resources are active and are overtly advertising drugs.

Unfortunately all countries, including developed and powerful, are facing these challenges, Davtyan said.

He said that necessary preventive and investigative measures are being taken, but warned that these actions wont lead to the desired result without a broad, appropriate public reaction and disciplinary control. Davtyan warned that public indifference is creating fertile grounds for this evil of extreme public danger.

The Prosecutor-General called upon all parents, the entire society, representatives of educational institutions to counter drug trafficking with high vigilance and strong rejection and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
YEREVAN, 3 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 3 May, USD exchange rate up by 1.14 drams to 450.79 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.25 drams to 473.51 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.17 drams to 6.51 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.77 drams to 563.40 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 70.06 drams to 27700.92 drams. Silver price up by 0.86 drams to 339.79 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
Higher energy prices were one of the key factors for the higher exports

Merchandise exports rose 24 per cent to $38.19 billion and imports rose 26.6 per cent to $58.26 billion in April 2022 compared to the same month last year. (Representational Photo: AFP)

Chennai: Merchandise exports rose 24 per cent to $38.19 billion and imports rose 26.6 per cent to $58.26 billion in April 2022 compared to the same month last year.

Higher energy prices were one of the key factors for the higher exp-orts. The export of petroleum products was up 113.21 per cent to $7.73 billion, electronic goods exports were up 64.04 per cent and chemicals 26.71 per cent.

In case of imports too, energy products led the growth. The import of petroleum and crude products accounted for 33.5 per cent of imports in April. In value terms, petroleum products worth $19.51 billion were imported last month, registering a growth of 81.2 per cent on a year-on-year basis. Further, coal, coke, and briquettes worth $4.74 billion were imported in April, up 136.4 per cent from the same month last year. The import of gold was down by 72.9 per cent, while the export of gems and jewellery was down 2.11 per cent.

Both on a yearly basis as well as monthly basis, trade deficit widened and stood at $20.07 billion.

In April 2021, the trade deficit stood at $15.29 billion and in March 2022 it was at $18.51 billion.

While merchandise imports printed in line with our forecast, an encouraging overshooting of exports curtailed the trade deficit to $20.1 billion, below our estimate of $22.8 billion. Nevertheless, unless commodity prices recede appreciably, we expect the merchandise trade deficit to print above US$20 billion in a majority of the months of FY2023, said Aditi Nayar, chief economist, ICRA

The increase in the merchandise trade deficit from $15.3 billion in April 2021 to $20.1 billion in April 2022 was entirely on account of oil. Although the non-oil trade deficit remained stable, there was a shift in its composition, with a plunge in gold imports being offset by a rise in non-oil non-gold imports such as coal and chemicals, an unsavoury yet expected fallout of the higher commodity prices engendered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, she said.
Frederiksen hoped that India will influence Russia on Ukraine and asked Russian President Putin to 'stop this war and end the killings'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen give a press conference in the Prime Minister's official residence Marienborg, in Kongens Lyngby, north of Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 3, 2022. (Photo:AFP)

Copenhagen: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis, even as his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen hoped that India will use its influence over Russia to end the war.

The two leaders discussed the Ukraine crisis and several regional and global issues including increasing trade relations and cooperation in the field of mitigating the impact of climate change during their bilateral talks at the Danish Prime Minister's official residence in Mareinborg near here.

We appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy for resolving the crisis, Modi told reporters here.

Frederiksen hoped that India will influence Russia on Ukraine and asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to "stop this war and end the killings".

My message is very clear that Putin has got to stop this war and to end the killings. I, of course, hope that India will influence Russia also in this discussion, she said.

In a joint statement issued after the talks, the two Prime Ministers expressed serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

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, it said.

The two leaders also discussed the destabilising effect of the conflict in Ukraine and its broader regional and global implications and agreed to remain closely engaged on the issue.

Modi expressed the hope that the negotiations on the India-European Free Trade Agreement will be concluded as soon as possible.

We have also emphasised a free, open, inclusive and ruled-based Indo-Pacific region, the prime minister said.

Modi noted that more than 200 Danish companies were operating in India and were benefiting from the ease of doing business and comprehensive economic reforms.

India's infrastructure sector and green energy industry present immense opportunities for investments to Danish companies and Danish Pension Funds, he said.

Earlier, Frederiksen was at the airport to receive Modi. She extended a warm welcome to Modi at her official residence in Marienborg overlooking the Bagsvaerd Lake.

The two leaders were seen chatting as they took a stroll on the expansive lawns of the 18th-century country home located on a hilltop about 15 km from here.

Members of the Indian diaspora had turned up at the airport dressed in traditional Maharashtrian attire with a 'dhol-tasha' troupe in tow.

The two leaders appreciated the progress in restart of negotiations on the India-EU Trade, Investment and Geographical Indicators Agreements and called for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial approach and an early and simultaneous conclusion.

They also welcomed the launch of the Trade and Technology Council between the EU and India underlining the importance of deep, strategic collaboration on cross-cutting issues related to trade, trusted technology and security.

The two leaders also recalled the India-EU Connectivity Partnership and agreed to support efforts towards its early implementation.

Modi also addressed the India-Denmark Business Forum and was scheduled to speak to the Indian diaspora in the Nordic nation.
by Sumon Corraya

Promoted by the Bishops Conference, the event brought together participants from all of the countrys dioceses. Even though Christians are a minority in this country, we must be strong, said Archbishop of Dhaka Bejoy DCruze. Interreligious dialogue is an important part of this.

Rajshahi (AsiaNews)  The Christo Jyoti Pastoral Centre in Rajshahi hosted a national seminar from 25 to 30 April dedicated to Interreligious dialogue-harmony: the perspective of the Catholic Church under the auspices of the Commission for Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB).

About 72 Catholics from eight dioceses attended the event. Archbishop Bejoy DCruze of Dhaka, missionary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and president of the Commission, opened the discussion.

Our Church in Bangladesh is tiny, but it is gradually getting bigger, he said. Even though Christians are a minority in this country, we must be strong. Educated people want a secular country, where people of every faith can live in brotherhood. Interreligious dialogue is an important part of this.

Dipok Akka, a young participant from Rajshahi, also spoke at the seminar from which he said he drew inspiration.

I should know more about the teachings of other faiths, he said. I should show respect for their religious traditions. Instead of arguing, we should listen and show respect for others points of view.

He is convinced that if everyone knew interreligious dialogue well, there would be no conflicts.

Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country where Christians and other religious minorities live in a relationship of brotherhood with many Muslims.

Seminar participants expressed hope that interreligious dialogue will be included in the curricula and textbooks used in colleges as well as madrasas (Islamic schools).

They also hope that Muslims and Hindus could organise more of such seminars so that extremism could be eliminated from the country.
by Stefano Vecchia

Leila De Lima - former Minister of Justice under Aquino and proud opponent of the president's methods in the "war on drugs" - was arrested and convicted for alleged favors to a drug trafficker. Today Kerwin Espinosa claims that it was the police who forced him to accuse her. Msgr David, president of the Episcopal Conference: "A grave injustice committed against the entire Filipino people".

Manila (AsiaNews) - Leila de Lima, the 62-year-old senator behind bars since 2017 for what her supporters believe was a ploy by President Duterte, who was criticized by the senator for the "war on drugs" launched in 2016 soon after her election, could soon be released from prison. Today, - now in the throes of the administration, ahead of the May 9 presidential elections - De Lima appears to be getting justice.

The contrasts between the president, long even before his candidacy and election in the crosshairs of human rights groups for repressive initiatives towards civil society and the hasty methods used to get rid of critics, had turned five years ago into a complaint against the woman who as Secretary of Justice in 2014 had brought to light the privileges granted in prison to local "drug lords" and their connections.

There followed a trial against her and a conviction for corruption for accepting money from drug trafficking supported by the testimony of the trafficker Kerwin Espinosa. The latter, however, on April 28 retracted with a written document, pointing out how his confession had been extorted by the police and thus freeing De Lima from her alleged responsibilities and in fact neutralizing the conviction.

While waiting for official measures, the senator - who in detention in a judicial custody center has continued to carry out her political and legislative activities and has officially re-elected as a candidate for the elections on the opposite side of the tandem for the presidency and vice-presidency formed by Ferdinand "Bonbong" Marcos and Sara Duterte, the daughter of the outgoing president - has urged others to come out in the open to clearly delineate the relationships between drug trafficking, politics and police.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, a week before the vote, has forcefully recalled the serious consequences of a return of the Marcoses to the leadership of the country and a renewal of Duterte's liberticidal policies.

On April 29, the president of the Episcopal Conference, the Bishop of Caloocan Msgr. Pablo Virgilio David, had publicly highlighted "the heavy injustice" against Leila de Lima, an injustice "committed against the Filipino people", stressing "that she was not even allowed to participate online in the sessions of the Senate".
by Dario Salvi

Atomic energy attracts the countries of the region to meet energy needs and reduce the level of pollutants from hydrocarbons. Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates have already launched projects and are working on new ones. At the center of the game the Russian giant of the sector Rosatom. Doubts remain about the actual safety of the plants and the fear of accidents.

Milan (AsiaNews) - Isolated from the West by the war in Ukraine, Moscow is looking to the East - from China to the Gulf nations, passing through Turkey - to relaunch business and trade. With added value in the form of the "nuclear card", which more and more countries in the area, including the world's leading oil producers, are looking at with growing attention in order to satisfy energy needs on the one hand and, on the other, to achieve the objectives of reducing pollutants. This is also because the Middle East region and North Africa are among those most affected by climate change, with a worrying rise in temperatures that could trigger long-term problems such as drought, famine and drying up of water reserves.

Beyond oil, a nuclear region?

Still in its infancy, the development of nuclear energy is gaining momentum with at least six countries claiming growing ambitions: Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. The latter three are, among others, at the top of the list of greenhouse gas polluting nations, hence the growing interest in nuclear power, which would also guarantee benefits in the area of employment and skilled labor. Nevertheless, at the moment there are only two - at least officially - active plants: the Bushehr plant in Iran and the Barakah plant in the Emirates. While the nuclear aspirations of the Islamic Republic would also be subordinated - at least according to the accusations of the West - to the development of weapons, Abu Dhabi would be the first in the Gulf region to adopt a peaceful program for the production of nuclear energy.

In Saudi Arabia, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy research center has been active since 2010 and is responsible for supervising the programme aimed at building two large power stations. It is part of a broader strategy of the Kingdom for renewable energies, within the framework of Vision 2030 wanted by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (Mbs).

The Russian nuclear giant Rosatom looks at all these countries with attention and interest, to make agreements aimed at the construction of new plants in a market in great expansion. During Expo2020 in Dubai, which recently concluded, the head of the entity for the Middle East and North Africa Alexander Voronkov told S&P Global Platts that Riyadh is one of the realities with which Rosatom "is ready to collaborate when tenders are called, from fuel supply to plant construction."

The Emirates has selected it for the supply of enriched uranium and has already started projects with Turkey and Egypt. The project with Cairo involves the construction of four 1,200 MW units in Dabaa, which are scheduled to come on stream by 2028. The preparatory work should be completed by the second half of 2022; in mid-April, a high-level Russian delegation visited the Country of the Pharaohs to verify the progress of the work and set the next targets. Western sanctions on Moscow are not expected to have negative repercussions in the sector and, as Bloomberg itself wrote in March, even the White House has been reluctant to hit Rosatom directly with punitive measures.

The Tsar and the Sultan

Among those who have spent most vigorously in an attempt to reach a peace agreement, or at least to cool the tempers of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with one foot in NATO and one eye on Moscow. A diplomatic effort to be sold in an internal key, to raise the odds of a leadership clouded by tensions and heavy economic problems. And a way to assert itself as a leading player on the international stage. What is certain is that Ankara is not joining the European and American train of sanctions, seeking to preserve trade relations with Moscow (and Kiev) as much as possible.

In this framework of fragile balance is part of the construction of the first nuclear center in Turkey by Rosatom, with a project of nearly 20 billion euro prerogative of a nation that provides 45% of gas and 17% of oil used annually by the former Ottoman Empire also hungry for energy, with the "sultan" Erdogan trying to maintain a channel of privileged dialogue with the "czar" Vladimir Putin. The commissioning of the first nuclear plant is expected to take place by 2023 at Akkuiu, in the southern province of Mersin, and includes three Vver-1200 pressurized water reactors - under construction - and a fourth at the preliminary design stage. Completion is expected by 2026, providing the country with about 27.5 terawatt hours per year, or about 9 percent of its energy needs. After Akkuiu, realized in 2010 thanks to a direct agreement between Moscow and Ankara, now Turkey seems to want to push the accelerator and proceed with new projects aimed at the construction of other plants. This atomic game, played together with the Saudis, Emirates and Iranians to name but a few - not forgetting Israel, the only nuclear power in the region to date - could give rise to new balances and scenarios that are difficult to trace today.

Nuclear and climate

Finally, the issue relating to the use of nuclear energy also encompasses the theme of climate change. The data released by the experts of the International Energy Agency (IEA) show that the Gulf nations use 90% of hydrocarbons, among the main contributors to the release of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. The impact of nuclear power, in this sense, is almost nil and that is why more and more governments are studying its use to achieve the objectives set by Net-Zero, or the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within the next few decades.

Certainly, nuclear energy is not without its doubts and perplexities, as well as fears relating to possible accidents with heavy repercussions on the health of people and the environment in a situation where there is no lack of conflicts and tensions. One of the examples of compromise is related to desalination activities (process that allows to separate salt from sea water), half of which in the world takes place in the area. And it is precisely the Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait that are the first to exploit the process, obtaining over 90% of the drinking water for their needs. An adverse event would end up causing devastating repercussions on the possibility of access to water, adding to the increase of 1.5 degrees of temperature, double the global average.

Experts say there is a need to carefully evaluate the risks and dangers of an extreme climate that could damage nuclear facilities and cause radiation whose harmful effects would remain for hundreds of years. The European heat waves that shut or slowed down nuclear reactor operations in France and Germany in 2003 and 2019 are more than a wake-up call.

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In an interview with Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera, Francis reveals some details of the Vaticans mediation efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine. He told Kirill: Brother, we are not state clerics; we cannot use the language of politics; instead, we must use that of Jesus. Thus, we must seek ways of peace.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis granted an interview to the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera, which was published today. In it, he provides some details about his attempts in recent weeks to stop the war in Ukraine.

I was willing to go to Moscow to meet Putin, he says, but I fear that he cannot or does not want to have this meeting right now. So much brutality, how can you not stop it?

In light of this, Francis cannot hide his pessimism about the situation: "For peace, there is not enough will; the war is terrible and we must shout it out.

The first day of the war, I called Ukrainian President Zelensky on the phone. On the other hand, I didnt call Putin. We spoke in December for my birthday but this time no, I didnt call.

"I wanted to make a meaningful gesture for the whole world to see; for this reason, I went to the Russian ambassador. I asked them to explain, I said please stop.

Then I asked Cardinal Parolin, after 20 days of war, to send Putin the message that I was willing to go to Moscow. Of course, it was necessary for the Kremlin leader to show some flexibility. We have not yet received an answer but we are still insisting. So much brutality! How can one not want to stop it? Twenty-five years ago, we experienced the same thing in Rwanda.

Speaking about the causes of the war, he wonders whether "NATOs barking at Russias door" did not facilitate the Kremlins wrath.

Still, he notes that It is impossible to think that a free state can wage war on another free state. In Ukraine, someone else caused the conflict. The only thing that is blamed on the Ukrainians is that they reacted in the Donbass, but we are talking about ten years ago. That argument is old.

On the question of whether it is right or not to supply weapons today to Ukraine, he said: I cant answer, Im too far away. What is clear is that weapons are being tested in that land.

The Russians now know that tanks are of little use and are thinking of other things. Wars are fought for this: to test the weapons we have manufactured. This was the case in the Spanish Civil War before the Second World War. The arms trade is a scandal, few oppose it.

In the interview, the pontiff also talked about his relations with the Orthodox patriarch of Moscow, Kirill.

I spoke with him for 40 minutes via zoom. The first 20, with a card in hand, he read me all the justifications for the war. I listened and told him: I dont understand any of this.

Brother, we are not state clerics; we cannot use the language of politics; instead, we must use that of Jesus. We are shepherds of the same holy people of God. For this reason, we must seek ways of peace, to put an end to weapons firing.

The patriarch can not turn himself into Putins altar boy. I had a meeting scheduled with him in Jerusalem on 14 June. It would be our second tete-a-tete; nothing to do with the war. But now he too agrees: lets wait; it (the meeting) could send an ambiguous signal.
Today's headlines: Hong Kong drops in the RFS press freedom rankings; against cyber-attacks, the Israeli government asks companies to create an "Iron Dome"; Caritas Philippines launches a schooling program for young adults and students who have dropped out of classes; in Russia, information and rumors continue to filter out about Putin's health; in Yerevan, opposition demonstrations continue, calling for the premier's resignation.

PAKISTAN

Global Passion School, a Presbyterian Christian school in Sheikhupura, in Pakistan's Punjab province is being targeted in a string of attacks and threats. The institute has been operating since 2018 and provides free education to young people. In recent days, 14 assailants who caused damage, inflicted violence on students, abused teachers and female staff, and extorted money.

HONG KONG

Under Chinese control, Hong Kong has plummeted in Reporters Without Borders' (RSF) annual press freedom rankings. In the crosshairs is the security law that has silenced journalists, caused arrests and shut down newspapers. In one year the governorate has lost 68 positions, moving to 148th place between the Philippines and Turkey. It is the worst collapse among nations in the world.

CHINA - JAPAN

Eight Chinese warships, including an aircraft carrier, sailed between the islands of Japan's southern Okinawa chain, though without trespassing into territorial waters. Helicopters aboard the Liaoning aircraft carrier took off and landed. Beijing did not want to comment on the episode. It is the first crossing in the area since last December of Chinese military vehicles.

ISRAEL

In the face of escalating cyber-attacks, the Israeli government has required telecommunications companies to strengthen their security efforts. The new regulations aim to create a sort of "Iron Dome" along the lines of the one already in place in the country to protect missiles launched by Hamas and Islamic Jihad from the Gaza Strip.

PHILIPPINES

Caritas Philippines has promoted a pilot education program dedicated to young adults and school-age children who have long since dropped out of school. National director Msgr. Jose Colin Bagaforo stresses that the goal is to ensure "better access to quality basic education and stable employment", as well as to counteract the phenomenon of unemployment.

RUSSIA

The news about the health problems of Vladimir Putin, who is said to be suffering from Parkinson's disease and other complications, so much so as to require a surgical operation already planned for April. Surgery then postponed to after the celebrations of May 9. During the treatment the leadership of the country would be entrusted to the Secretary of the Security Council Nikolaj Patrusev.

M. EAST - UKRAINE

The blockade of Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea by the Russian fleet and armed forces has resulted in the impossibility to load and transport four and a half million tons of grain, as stated by the UN representative for production programs, Martin Freak. The expert also reminded that many nations in the world depend on Ukrainian exports.
The redesigned pickup is the next member of Chevrolets new global vehicle family that currently includes the Onix, Onix Plus, and Tracker. The automaker is referring to a vehicle architecture developed specifically for emerging markets. Scalable for B- and C-segment applications, the Global Emerging Markets platform can be specified with front- or all-wheel drive.Back in 2015, when the GEM was officially announced, General Motors pledged approximately $5 billion for this vehicle architecture. The high localization of suppliers drives tremendous cost savings over the life of the program, which is estimated to grow to more than 2 million cars per year.Turning out attention back to the redesigned Montana, the third-generation pickup follows in the footsteps of two-door coupe utility vehicles based on the Opel Corsa and Chevrolet Agile. The previous two generations were manufactured in Brazil or South Africa with a selection of four-pot mills.Montana production at the Sao Caetano do Sul assembly plant ended at the end of April 2021. The final incarnation of the second generation is boasting a maximum payload rating of 1,632 pounds (740 kilograms), which is more than adequate for a unibody thats way smaller than the Maverick that Ford makes in Mexico. The Blue Ovals little truck offers 1,500 lbs (680 kgs).Expected to be offered exclusively as a crew cab, the Nova Montana will debut an unprecedented pickup truck concept for the brand. According to Luiz Eduardo Martins, senior manager of Vehicle Engineering at GM South America, the Golden Bowtie targets the lowest NVH in the segment. Chevy also promises more comfort, new storage technologies designed for improved versatility, and a larger footprint than the previous generation.
SUV

AMG

The good folks over at Hollywood, California-based RDB LA have gotten us spoiled and used to outrageous or mind-bending custom personalization transformations. And they do have an entire squad of custom goodies lined up for their latest vlog episode (embedded below). But there is also one stock, whitethat managed to quirkily stand out in the bespoke crowd.By the way, fret not about losing the one-on-one moment of custom POV madness with the other ones  we are probably going to cover them just as soon as the aftermarket outlet highlights them on their Insta page. Until then, lets swiftly meet the already-personalized goodies.They start with yet another brand-new Tesla Model X Plaid that got treated to a full Satin paint protection vinyl (aka a clear bra), followed by a 1969 Chevy Camaro SS that is up for grabs, and a yet another crazy Lambo Aventador SVJ  a menacingly black example, this time around, featuring an RDB exhaust and tune.The end features a Mercedes-G 63 that got wrapped in a beautiful light blue color from Inozetek but before that one  between the 5:23 and 8:30 marks  there is also the British star of the show, a new 2023 Range Rover posh SUV. The luxurious fifth-gen is among the very few units already available to clients in the United States. And no, it is not NFL's Trent Williams who asked for the white to black wrap swap!Well, the Range Rover gets a quick review and a shout-out on social media, which was cause for equally swift banter from the RDB LA fans, who ultimately ended up suggesting a Toyota RAV4 as a potentially more reliable alternative
EV

Just look at the recent deal with the Saudi Arabian Government for up to 100,000sales over a decade or the rather incredible $236 million its CEO pocketed thanks to a massive stock value increase! However, those are things that only happen in the business stratosphere, so perhaps we would be better off kicking the proceeds with a slightly more affordable and mundane aftermarket novelty.According to John Pudlas, the sales manager at Scottsdale, Arizona-based Echelon Autosports we might be dealing with the first wrapped Lucid in the world. Naturally, the paint-to-wrap swap job was performed by the automotive customization shop based on an Air full EV luxury sedan. You know, the battery-powered fruit of an American startup that set its sights on rivaling the breakthrough Tesla Model S.Now, with this cool-looking purple wrap job, it does not seem ready to set its sight on zero-emission Plaids anymore but rather turns out as an incipient Plum Crazy object of envy for upcoming EV Mopars . Well, maybe Stellantis does not even care about this aftermarket first, now that they have just robbed Mercedes and BMW of their Share Now car-sharing joint venture.On the other hand, as someone quickly noticed, this purple-wrapped Lucid Air could sure use some aftermarket wheels to complete the personalization build. Something that Echelon did not forget to add on their other quirky wrap project we have also embedded second below  a unicorn Ford Bronco 4-Door sitting on custom Forgiatos and wrapped with Inozeteks color-changing vinyl!Now, let me share a little secret: if I were a Plum Crazy aficionado without having purist Mopar thoughts, I would probably pocket them both
AMG

Building on theLine and Night Package, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Night Edition can be combined with all body styles and engines, save for the AMG models. Theyre available in all paint finishes signed by Benz, and they stand out next to the regular proposals by sporting special features inside and out.Some of the things that set them apart are the diamond grille with pins in black, similar looks for the exhaust pipe trim elements, Night Edition logos on the front fenders, and high-gloss finish for the trunk and tailgate of the Sedan and Estate, respectively. They ride on AMG light-alloy wheels in glossy black, and some have high-gloss flanges.Greeting users upon opening the doors are the backlit sills with Mercedes-Benz lettering. The Night Edition brings faux leather upholstery with topstitching, or faux leather and microfiber combo that is also standard, in addition to the real leather options. Dark aluminum and metallic trim, open-pore black ash wood, and Night Edition embroidery on the seats, otherwise heated up front, and floor mats round off the looks of the special models.Those interested in the Night Edition versions of the E-Class can already order the Coupe and Cabriolet in Germany. The Sedan and Estate will officially launch on May 17, and the first units will start arriving at dealers in selected European countries from July 22.Pricing for the package varies between 5,925.50 (equal to $6,232) and 9,222.50 ($9,700), depending on the body style and drive system, and includes tax. The four-door E-Class kicks off at 50,604.75 ($53,225) in its local market, and the long-roof variant can be had from 53,490.50 ($56,260). The Coupe and Cabriolet will set buyers back at least 58,393.30 ($61,417) and 63,938.70 ($67,249) respectively.
According to the company, the Microlino 2.0 will be produced in a final assembly line installed in a 3,000-square-meter (32.292-square-foot) area. That confirms it is quite a small footprint compared to what we see with regular cars. A 30 meters (98 ft) wide terrain that was also 100 meters (328 ft) long would be equivalent to what Microlino occupies at CECOMP Covered with solar panels, the assembly line will employ about one hundred people. A new Microlino 2.0 will leave it every 20 minutes when manufacturing goes full steam. Over 80% of Microlinos parts are made in Europe, most of them coming from Italy.The company is now producing its last pre-production vehicles. We suppose they will be used for final tests and also for test drives in the cities where the company already has some vehicles for demonstration. We have mentioned all of them in our previous article. Not even one has Microlino 2.0 units so far, only the ill-fated 1.0 version that Artega produced.Speaking of Artega, the companys website is now suspended. Instead of presenting the Karo and the companys other businesses, it informs that it is currently in an economic restructuring process and will be strategically repositioned under new management in the future. If you are unaware of how Artega got involved with Microlino, the story is quite interesting.When Micro-Mobility announced it would make the Microlino, its Italian partner was TMI (Tecno Meccanica Imola). The company was sold to Artega, which decided it would sell a competing vehicle based on the Microlino apart from producing it. Micro-Mobility could not make it with anyone else.That led to a lawsuit that was settled. Artega got to keep the Karo design, and Micro-Mobility was free to produce its bubble car with another company. It chose CECOMP and created a joint venture with it. The Microlino underwent massive changes and became a much better product.When the deal was closed in January 2020, we assumed that the Artega Karo would reach the market much sooner than the Microlino 2.0. It was promised for a much higher price than the one the Microlino 2.0 will have. Now, well have to see if it will ever reach production lines. The Microlino 2.0 already has, and its manufacturer promises that customers will soon be getting them. When that happens, well make sure to tell you about it.
And while it makes little sense to discuss the reasons that make Google Maps such a popular choice even on Apples own playground, it worth knowing is that the app keeps getting refinements on a regular basis.A new version of Google Maps for iPhone and CarPlay is now available for download from the App Store, bringing the app to build 6.16.As it typically happens when Google ships a new Google Maps update, the company hasnt provided any release notes on the App Store to tell us whats new in this version. However, we already know that Google Maps for iOS version 6.16 is a big release.The first big change is the integration of photos in the timeline, which can now be displayed on the map in Google Maps. This feature can be disabled from settings if you dont want the Google Photos content to be shown on the map.But whats more important for Apple users is that Google Maps no longer supports iOS 13.3 anymore. In other words, if your iPhone is running this particular version of the operating system (or even older), youre not getting the latest Google Maps update.This means you must update the device to at least iOS 13.4 to be provided with new Google Maps versions going forward.As its usually the case when a new version of Google Maps is released, the latest update also includes additional polishing and improvements that should make the app overall more stable and reliable.Users are obviously recommended to update Google Maps as soon as possible, though keep in mind that only iPhones running iOS 13.4 or later are seeing the update on the App Store.
Due to an incorrect molding parameter change, a number of tanks were produced by YAPP USA Automotive Systems with a thin wall area on the bottom. This condition may lead to a leak if a debris puncture occurs. The Japanese manufacturer also notes that fuel tank performance in the event of a crash is compromised, increasing the risk of injury. As if that wasnt scary enough, the suspect tanks may not meet certain federal safety regulations.The attached report highlights that a production operator noticed a potential anomaly on a fuel tank during the assembly process. A subsequent inspection of the tank revealed a specific area had low wall thickness. The reason for this discrepancy comes in the guise of manual changes to a blow molding parameter. Nissan states that YAPP USA Automotive Systems has implemented a production countermeasure sometime in March 2022.No fewer than 70 potentially affected tanks were shipped to Smyrna, of which six contained the manufacturing issue. The number of Rogue crossovers fitted with suspect fuel tanks is 52, produced between February 4th and February 24th for the 2022 model year, according to the Japanese brand.Part number 172016RF0A refers to the fuel tank assembly fitted to front-wheel-drive vehicles. As for the remedy, Nissan wont cheap out. A replacement fuel tank assembly will be installed along with a replacement lock ring, gasket, and O-ring seal. Dealers have been already notified of the recall, while customers will be informed by first-class mail on May 19th.The percentage of vehicles estimated to actually contain the defect is 1 percent because the submission within the federal watchdogs portal will not allow a non-numeric value. To date, Nissan isnt aware of any confirmed incidents attributable to the low thickness of the suspect tanks.
Although the Senat is supposed to be a showpiece for the Russian car industry, the design was inspired by a European brand, Rolls-Royce. The technology also has Western influences. For example, the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine was developed with the help of Germans from Porsche. This is coupled with an electric engine, and together they produce just under 600 hp. Power is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The 0-100 kph sprint takes less than 6 seconds, and top speed is 250 kph (155 mph).Because safety is very important to those travelling in the Aurus Senat, the vehicle provides a number of specifications that make it almost indestructible should enemies attack it. On the website of a luxury car dealer called Aurus Avilon , we see that the limousine can be configured with 14 special safety features. This is called Aurus Senat BP5 Special Edition.Among them, there is an emergency exit in case of total or partial locking of the door, by opening the rear window. Then, the wheels have an inner support that allows the vehicle to continue moving despite the loss of tyre pressure. Senat BP5 Special Edition is also equipped with bullet-proof windows and ballistic body protection, both complying with the BR5 protection level.Because communication is also very important, the car has an intercom system. It is designed to facilitate communication using the half-duplex Receive-Out mode between the people sitting inside the car and those outside.An armored fuel tank protects against fuel leakage in case of a ballistic impact, and the underside and ceiling are also protected from explosive devices that could be placed under or on top of the vehicle.To prevent toxic gas poisoning of people inside in the event of an attack, the Russian limousine can also be fitted with a system that supplies fresh air to the passenger compartment.Last but not least, the Aurus Senat has a fire extinguishing system designed to detect and extinguish fires under the bonnet or under the car.
All of us have our hobbies that we spend a lot of money on. Rick Ross main hobby is collecting cars, and more specifically, Chevrolet Bel Airs. Now, even his TV is Chevrolet-related.

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According to Bloomberg, statutory credits from Georgia will give Rivian $476 million if the company manages to employ 7,500 people in the factory until 2028. Any failure to achieve that will trigger clawbacks, making Rivian pay the taxes it dodged. The state will also give Rivian $288 million as discretionary spending used in job training programs and site preparation.The other $700 million will come from tax deductions from the four counties where the massive plant will be located: Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties. They will happen for 25 years.In exchange, Georgias economic development commission said the counties would earn $330 million instead of the $ 2million that they would get without the plant. Bloomberg did not mention how much time it would take for the counties to earn that much. We suppose that will happen in the same 25 years.As we wrote on March 19, residents from these four counties are opposing Rivians plans. JoEllen Artz, the president of the No2Rivian organization, told autoevolution about all their concerns with the factory. Groundwater pollution, wildlife protection, and zoning rule issues are the primary ones. Artz stressed it is not a NIMBY (not in my backyard) matter, as some people tried to frame the whole thing.Tesla faced the same matter in Germany with Giga Grunheide. As Bloomberg pointed out, the Georgia government tried to avoid issues with Rivians factory by taking over the approval process to alter local zoning that would allow agricultural zones to receive heavy industries. Artz accused the governor of taking their voice away.
This is what it looked like from the front seats. pic.twitter.com/AwZfuWjwQD  Peter Beck (@Peter_J_Beck) May 3, 2022

The mission, called " There And Back Again ," was unlike any other conducted by Rocket Lab. The company's Electron rocket took off from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula, carrying 34 satellites with it.After successfully putting the payloads to orbit, Electron's first stage returned to Earth. Before releasing the main parachute, a drogue parachute was deployed to create drag and stabilize the rocket as it plummeted towards the Pacific. Rocket Lab had already completed three successful ocean recovery missions in which the Electron returned to Earth and splashed into the water, so everything was meticulously prepared. The information gathered on these missions was used to optimize the rocket's design, making it more resistant.During the "There And Back Again" mission, a reaction control system re-oriented the first stage, allowing it to withstand the harsh re-entry environment. Then, at an altitude of 6,500 ft (1,981 meters), Rocket Lab's customized Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, which was waiting in the capture zone (around 173 miles/ 278 km off the coast of New Zealand), snatched the booster mid-air.This successful mission represents a significant step forward in the company's efforts to make a reusable Electron rocket. Following its splashdown, Rocket Lab transported the booster using a recovery ship to its production complex for inspection and analysis."A tremendous number of factors have to align and many systems have to work together flawlessly, so I am incredibly proud of the stellar efforts of our Recovery Team and all of our engineers who made this mission and our first catch a success. From here we'll assess the stage and determine what changes we might want to make to the system and procedures for the next helicopter catch and eventual re-flight," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck.
Viktor Rashnikov is one of the few Russian oligarchs whose companies released an official statement when the international sanctions were first announced. It stated that in his case, these measures were unfair. In the meantime, some of his assets were allegedly transferred, in order to be protected, while his superyacht left the Maldives, where it was located in March, and is currently unaccounted for.As weve talked about before, all vessels have an obligation to transmit their location at all times through an AIS system. But some of these pleasure crafts on the run have turned it off so that officially nobody knows where they are or where they are headed.Rashnikov is one of Russias numerous steel tycoons, but what makes him stand out is that he started out as a simple employee at the steel company that he would eventually buy. Those stocks made him a fortune , now estimated at over $9 billion. His yacht is truly fit for a billionaire. At almost 460 feet (140 meters), Ocean Victory is one of the worlds mammoth yachts, and at that time (2014), it was the largest one ever built in Italy.Ocean Victory is pure sophistication  it was delivered by a prestigious Italian shipyard, Fincantieri, with an exterior by Espen Oeino and interiors by Alberto Pinto, two iconic names in the industry. It was never fully unveiled to the public, so its only known that it boasts no less than six swimming pools, an underwater observation room, and a state-of-the-art spa spreading over 300 square meters (3,229 square feet). It also has a helideck and a dedicated hangar, while guests can be accommodated in a total of 14 cabins.Youd think that a floating palace such as this one is spotted immediately, yet Ocean Victory is one of the few targeted superyachts that are still out there, with unknown whereabouts.
Combined with the Stellantis-LG Energy Solution joint venture that will create 2,500 jobs in the province to support battery production, the companys overall investment in Ontario is estimated at $8.6 billion CAD ($6.7 billion USD). 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, declared Ontario Premier Doug Ford.Considering how many Canadian jobs were lost since the beginning of the health crisis, that statement is looking a lot like gratuitous flattery for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Its also worth noting that Doug Ford slashed public health units before the pandemic, so yeah, politicians be politicians.Opened in 1928, the Windsor Assembly Plant spans over 4.4 million square feet of floor space and employs 4,262 workers. The facility now makes three products: the Chrysler Pacifica, lower-cost Voyager, and Canada-exclusive Grand Caravan. In light of this investment, Windsor will be transformed to support production of a multi-energy vehicle architecture that will provide all-electric capability for multiple models." Retooling will begin in 2023.Inaugurated in 1986 by American Motors Corporation, the Brampton Assembly Plant currently runs two shifts that total 3,047 workers. Represented by Unifor Local 1285, this facility is responsible for the Chrysler 300 sedan, Dodge Charger sedan, and the Challenger muscle car. Brampton will be retooled and fully modernized, beginning in 2024 as per the press release below. The site is bracing for a new vehicle architecture that will support the automakers electrification plans. With production scheduled to resume in 2025, we still dont have confirmation regarding the vehicles that will be manufactured there or at the Windsor Assembly Plant.
Havila Capella was supposed to be famous for being one of the first eco-friendly hybrid vessels to operate on a Norwegian route, and its batteries were the largest in the world. But only a few months after its launch, it was forced to stop operations.It was being sanctioned because it had been financed by a Russian firm, GTLK. The Norwegian operator is making serious efforts to cut financial ties with this company and to find other financing sources. This is going to take a while, but the government finally granted the vessel a special dispensation for six months, allowing it to resume operations. So, from a sanctioned vessel, Havila Capella is back to being just an eco-friendly cruise ship.Its sister ship, Havila Castor, is also ready to join in. The ship was delivered to Havila Kystruten by the Tersan shipyard in Turkey and will enter service this month. Dubbed the most eco-friendly ships on the Norwegian coastal route, these boats are built with an energy-efficient hull, in addition to the hybrid-electric propulsion system. The result is a cut in CO2 emissions by 25% and up to 90% fewer NOx emissions.These 408-footers (124 meters) can accommodate 640 passengers in 179 cabins, sporting a typical Scandinavian style and premium amenities, including luxury furniture. But whats even more impressive is that they can sail for up to four hours with zero emissions. And since sustainability and circular economy are also important for eco-friendly cruise ship operations, the fancy gourmet meals were replaced by traditional dishes using locally-sourced ingredients from villages along the route.The first two hybrid-electric ships will be followed by two more, Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux, for extended eco-friendly operations along the Norwegian coast.
AMG

HP

If you do your research right, you'll find plenty of station wagons out there that are both practical and thrilling to own. Of course, there are several levels that you can go through, depending on the kind of budget you have.You can get a fast family car for $10K, but if you insist on being seriously fast, you're going to have to dig deeper than that. Cars like the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon , the Audi RS 6, or the Mercedes-E 63 are there to provide you with considerable boot space and neck-bending acceleration at the same time.But what about the other big German car manufacturer? Well, BMW has built a few fast wagons too. Back in the early '90s, you could have gotten a brand new BMW M5 Touring with 340-hp on tap. BMW failed to offer a Touring version for the E39 but decided to make a comeback halfway through the first decade of the third millennium.Any true BMW fan is going to get goosebumps just by thinking of the BMW M5 E60 and its F1-derived V10 engine. There are few things in this world that sound as cool or even better than a rotary engine, and the S85 V10 is one of them, at least from my point of view.More than 20,500 BMW M5s were built within about five years. All of them were equipped with the 500-monster of an engine. Some were fitted with a 7-speed SMG automatic transmission, while North American clients had access to a much more thrilling 6-speed manual.But the interesting fact here is that only about 19,500 units were delivered as sedans. That means that more than 1,000 Touring models were delivered to customers, so it's not hard to see why most people consider the E61 to be a sort of Holy Grail for the German brand.The E61 Touring is, by all means, a limited edition of a vehicle that was already a limited edition by itself. It's BMW's way of offering you the liberty to drive your kids to school at 9 AM and then rush to the racetrack for a fast lap at 10 AM.That's right, you won't embarrass yourself driving the E61 to your local circuit, as it has already lapped the Nurburgring in just over 8 minutes. How many station wagons do you know that can hit 190 mph (305 kph) and sound like they were competing for a Grand Prix podium at the same time? This Black Sapphire Metallic M5 E61 we came across earlier is located in the Czech Republic, and it's unfortunately fitted with the SMG gearbox. But if you're keen on having a third pedal inside, getting a manual conversion is always an option.The odometer shows less than 40,000 miles (64,373 km) on it, and this is an all-original, unmolested vehicle. Resorting to any upgrades could be a difficult choice to make, but you should at least consider an aftermarket exhaust system to help it channel its inner racer.If you're unfamiliar with the way an M5 E61 feels, we've sourced a video of one in action that speaks for itself. The seller hasn't disclosed the price for this car. But you should expect to pay anything between $50,000 to $100,000 for this BMW -badged sleeper.
As long-time Android Auto users already know, new updates rarely come with a changelog, as Google somehow believes providing information on whats new in every version isnt worth the time.However, this doesnt necessarily mean that Android Auto updates dont bring new stuff. They do, and the living proof is the recently released Android Auto 7.6 While Google itself hasnt shared any details on this update, version 7.6 includes support for quick replies, which means users can now answer the messages they receive with a simple tap on a generic message displayed as part of the notification. Previously, everybody had to rely on Google Assistant for the whole thing.This is why updating Android Auto to the latest version as fast as possible is something that many people are interested in. And the best way to do this is by deploying the updates manually.Before anything, its important to understand how Android Auto updates ship to devices out there.Once a new version is published on the Google Play Store, the Mountain View-based search giant uses a gradual rollout to provide Android devices with the update.This means that not everybody is getting the update on day one. The gradual rollout involves a release in stages, with Google accelerating the pace as it collects more information and makes sure no bugs or issues are encountered whatsoever.This is precisely the scope of this gradual rollout. Once Google detects a potential problem, it can suspend the release, therefore limiting the number of impacted devices.The automatic rollout through the Google Play Store typically takes some two weeks, so if youre not willing to wait that much to receive Android Auto (though the waiting time could be shorter depending on how fast your device enters the rollout), your best alternative is the manual update.Before we detail the steps to do this, its important to answer the question on everybodys lips.Is the manual installation of apps and updates dangerous? It is not, but only as long as you download the stand-alone APK installer from trusted sources. Otherwise, the APK files can be specifically crafted to include all kinds of malicious content that could eventually pose a threat to your device and data.Moving on to the manual installation of Android Auto updates, you can find all beta and stable builds on this page (there are several other trusted sources online, so its not hard to find the APK installers if you know where to look).Download the newest version on your Android device  the update is shipped as an APK installer (this format is similar to .EXE or .MSI on Windows devices). On some devices, you could be prompted to double-check the file extension precisely for the security reason detailed above.Once the APK installer with the latest Android Auto version is on your device, just use the file manager to find it and double-tap it to start the deployment. More often than not, Android will prompt you to enable the installation of apps from other sources (other than the Google Play Store), so if you downloaded the APK from a trusted site, youre good to go.After that, the process is completed automatically, with no further action required on your end.If Android Auto was already running on your device, the update is performed automatically, meaning that no data is removed and only the latest version is installed. If the app wasnt already on the device, then youre starting from scratch.Of course, after you install the latest version of Android Auto manually, your device will no longer be provided with updates through the Google Play Store until a newer build is available.
Not too long ago, the idea of a nonstop flight between New York and Sydney was only a dream. But Qantas , the Australian airline that considered itself an innovation pioneer since the beginning, is ready to make this dream come true. Together with Airbus, it has officially confirmed that 12 new A350-1000 aircraft will be connecting Sydney and Melbourne to destinations such as London and New York through nonstop journeys. Qantas will therefore operate the worlds longest flights.The A350-1000 is a modern aircraft in every aspect, from its premium layout and increased fuel efficiency to its compatibility with SAF (sustainable aviation fuel). An advanced airplane needs a proper engine, and the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 seems like the perfect choice. Having entered service in 2015, the Trent XWB is the fastest-selling large engine of all time, while the XWB-97, in particular, is the most efficient large aviation engine currently in operation. The XWB exclusively powers the Airbus A350 family, and the XWB-97 will power the A350-1000.The Trent XWB engine is capable of powering ultra-long-range flights of up to 18 hours while still offering a low fuel consumption. Since 2015, it claims to have saved more than 10 million tons of CO2. Plus, the XWB-97 is also meant to run on SAF in the near future.In addition to the 12 A350-100 aircraft that will be operating on these long routes, Qantas has also added A220 and A321XLR units to its fleet for improved fuel efficiency on domestic routes.
He also said that the United States and Armenia are now working to strengthen and deepen their relations through a strategic dialogue that was launched in 2019 but subsequently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Blinken and Mirzoyan signed after their meeting a memorandum of understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation between their countries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Blinken welcomed democratic reforms implemented by the Armenian government as well as its ongoing dialogue with Azerbaijan. In that regard, he expressed real appreciation for the vision and the courage and the flexibility that the prime minister and Armenia have been showing in this process.

Addressing the Armenian parliament on April 13, Pashinian said said the international community is pressing Armenia to scale back its demands on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh and recognize Azerbaijans territorial integrity. He signaled Yerevans intention to make such concessions to Baku.

The European Union praised the forward-looking speech delivered by Pashinian one week after he met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels for talks hosted by the EUs top official, Charles Michel. Blinken spoke with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders by phone on the eve of the talks.

Pashinians discourse stoked Armenian opposition allegations that he has agreed to restore Azerbaijani control over Karabakh. Armenias leading opposition groups launched late last week daily street protests aimed at toppling the prime minister.

According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Mirzoyan and Blinken discussed, among other things, planned negotiations on an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty and the upcoming creation of a commission tasked with demarcating the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

These issues were also on the agenda of Mirzoyans separate meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland held in Washington earlier on Monday.

In this context, the Foreign Minister of Armenia stressed the importance of resuming the work of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, read a statement released by Mirozyans press office.

The group dealing with the Karabakh conflict has long been led by the United States, Russia and France. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on April 8 that Washington and Paris stopped cooperating with Moscow in that format following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. U.S. and French officials have not denied that.

Lavrov also accused the West of trying to hijack Russian efforts to broker peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan as part of the ongoing geopolitical standoff over Ukraine.

Pashinian and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russias key role in the peace process in a joint declaration issued after their face-to-face talks held on April 19.

In a further sign that Moscow wants to wrest back the initiative in that process, Lavrov has reportedly offered to hold a trilateral meeting with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts next week. Mirzoyan accepted the proposal in an April 29 phone call with Russias top diplomat.
Groups of opposition activists again briefly blocked streets across Yerevan in the morning and thousands of other people rallied in the evening in the citys France Square where opposition forces set up a tent camp on Sunday. Protests also erupted in other parts of the country.

One of the opposition leaders, Ishkhan Saghatelian, said that the campaign is gaining momentum. Our struggle is unstoppable, he said at the evening rally.

As was the case on Monday, riot police were quick to forcibly end the street blockades in the Armenian capital, detaining more than 200 protesters in the process.

As security forces clashed with protesters disrupting traffic, a larger number of other demonstrators led by several opposition lawmakers marched through the city center to try to drum up greater support for their campaign. They entered one of the buildings of Yerevan State University to urge more students to boycott classes and demand Pashinians resignation.

We have one goal: to stop this spate of defeats so that our country doesnt fall apart, said Artur Vanetsian, an opposition leader who headed Armenias National Security Service from 2018-2019.

The countrys two main opposition alliances, which organized the protests, accuse Pashinian of planning to let Azerbaijan take full control over Nagorno-Karabakh. Pashinians political allies deny this.

Some of the citizens who stood by and watched the morning protests were not convinced by the opposition push for regime change.

In democratic countries governments are formed through elections. Period, one man told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

They didnt get [a majority of] votes ten months ago. What do they want now? he said, referring to snap parliamentary elections won by the ruling Civil Contract party.

Im not a big fan of Mr. Pashinian, but these guys must specify their first, second and third steps [after regime change,] said another Yerevan resident.

The opposition took its campaign to other parts of the country on Tuesday. The Armenian police reported 14 arrests there.

News reports said that protesters blocked several regional highways. An RFE/RL reporter witnessed one such blockage outside Armenias third largest city of Vanadzor.

Despite a lack of police intervention, the protesters reopened the Vanadzor-Yerevan highway to traffic shortly afterwards. As one of them explained: We would have kept it blocked for five hours if we had wanted to, but we dont need that because its Vanadzor residents who suffer from such inconvenience.

Other opposition supporters marched through Vanadzors central avenue to voice support for the opposition demands. They repeatedly jostled with police officers escorting the crowd.

Meanwhile, the Armenian parliament speaker, Alen Simonian, insisted that the ongoing protests have not plunged the country into another political crisis.

I respect the activities of our [opposition] colleagues, even though they frequently resort to insults and aggression, Simonian said during a session of the National Assembly boycotted by opposition deputies.

Other pro-government parliamentarians again accused the opposition of exploiting the Karabakh issue in a bid to seize power. They reiterated that Pashinians political foes do not enjoy popular support.
In identical statements, the Turkish and Armenian foreign ministries gave few details of the talks held by veteran Turkish diplomat Serdar Kilic and Ruben Rubinian, a deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament.

The Special Representatives reaffirmed the declared goal of achieving full normalization between their respective countries through this process, read the statements. In this sense, they had sincere and productive exchange of concrete views and discussed possible steps that can be undertaken for tangible progress in this direction.

They reiterated their agreement to continue the process without preconditions, added the statement.

Kilic and Rubinian held their first meeting in Moscow on January 14. Armenias Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan afterwards voiced cautious optimism over the success of the dialogue welcomed by Russia, the United States and the European Union.

Mirzoyan traveled to Turkey and met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in March. Cavusoglu described the talks as very productive.

Ankara has for decades linked the establishment of diplomatic relations with Yerevan and the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border to a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict acceptable to Azerbaijan. Cavusoglu has repeatedly said that his government coordinates the Turkish-Armenian normalization talks with Baku.
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Bass Champs

Lake Fork has been good to thousands of anglers over the years. Fishermen routinely flock there in droves hoping to reel in a big one or two.

Add 13-year-old Brody Parker of McAlester, OK., to the long list of lucky anglers to experience big bass magic on the 27,000-acre reservoir near Quitman. On March 27, the youth angler broke his personal best of five pounds twice in a span of about 20 minutes.

The first was a 6 1/2 pounder. The second was a bruiser of a bass  11.20 pounds.

Parkers prize catch couldnt have been more timely. A sixth grader at Parker Middle School in McAlester, Parker was among the 1,400 anglers who anted up for the 2022 Techron Mega Bass big bass tournament hosted by Haslet-based Bass Champs. He was fishing with his dad, Cody.

The one-day tournament awarded $15,000 for the biggest bass weighed in during each of the seven tournament hours. Additionally, the angler who weighed in the heaviest bass of the event earned a fully rigged Skeeter ZX 200 bass boat valued at around $65,000.

Parkers 11.20 pounder rang the bell on both counts. In doing so, he became youngest angler ever to to win a Bass Champs big bass event, according Bass Champs founder and president, Chad Potts.

Parker said he caught the winning fish while targeting a main lake hump near the dam at around 9:30 a.m. He was throwing a 3/4 ounce chrome/blue Rat-L-Trap.

We started out in Little Caney Creek and didnt catch anything, so we headed for the dam, Parker recalled. Our boat was sitting in about 12 feet and we were casting to water about two feet deep.

Parker said his dad caught a slot fish weighing about 6 1/2 pounds on a Rat-L-Trap and the bite slowed. They moved off the spot and circled back about 15 minutes later.

The decision to give the shallow hump another shot was a good one. The anglers landed several solid slot fish in short order. The youth caught a 6-pounder that topped his personal best and his dad also boated his biggest bass ever, an 8 pounder that was 22 inches long.

The youngster struck bass gold moments later.

I was still getting the treble hooks of my Rat-L-Trap out of the landing net after catching the 8 pounder when Brody hooked the big one and yelled for the net, Cody Parker said. I told him he was going to have to give me minute and then I saw the fish jump. I was like holy crap, thats a big one, well over the slot!

The father/son raced to weigh-in, where the fish tipped the scales to 11.20 pounds and won the $15,000 prize for 10 a.m. hour. Only one other angler  Archie Hayley of Mount Vernon  came close to topping Parker. Hayleys 10.27 pounder won $15,000 as the big bass of the 11 a.m.

Interestingly, Parker isnt the first youth angler reel in man-size bass and a mega pay day in a Texas big bass event.

In April of 2005, 11-year old Brandon Adams of Florence won the 21st Annual Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash on Sam Rayburn with an 11.57 pounder he caught on a Carolina rigged worm. He walked away with the top overall prize package -- a brand new H2 Hummer and fully-rigged Triton bass boat that carried a combined value of $102,000. Adams also won $1,000 for catching the big bass of the hour.

The $103,000 pay day still ranks as the richest ever for a youth angler in the history of competitive fishing. Adams bass has since been unseated as the Junior Angler state record, but still ranks as the Junior Angler lake record for Sam Rayburn.

Jacob Sumrall of Kirbyville also struck big bass gold at Sam Rayburn. Sumrall won the Sealy Outdoors Fall Shootout in Oct. 2017. He weighed in a 9.60 pounder on the first morning of the event. Sumrall won a fully rigged Triton bass boat and $6,000 cash  not a bad pay day for a 12 year old.

More big bass dreams are sure to come true later this month as the folks at Sealy Outdoors host the 2022 Big Bass Splash on Sam Rayburn, The upcoming tournament scheduled for April 22-24 are will pay back a guaranteed purse of $550,000 in cash and prizes, including five overall winners and nearly $251,000 in hourly payouts.

The top overall prize is $10,000, plus a Phoenix boat/RAM Truck package valued at more than $115,000. Second through 5th place pay $20,000, $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000.

Sealy will pay out hourly cash prizes for the 15 single heaviest bass of each tournament hour. Prizes range from $2,500 for first to $300 for 15th place. Anglers who catch the first exact weight 3.00, 4.00 and 5.00 pounder each day win $5,000. Entry fee is $265 per angler for all three days, $215 for two days and $165 for one day. To learn more or to pre-register, check out sealyoutdoors.com.
Some Beaumont ISD high school students are getting a reward.

After the March rain out of the first of two BISD Fair Days, plans were rearranged to allow eligible elementary and middle school students attend the fair on the day originally designated for high school students.

While eligible high school students still received their allotted three free ride tickets, they were unable to attend the fair during the school day as originally planned.

However, the district has found a solution to make it up to those 2,485 students.

RELATED: BISD first fair day canceled, plans rearranged

BISD high school students who were eligible for the fair day will be given one extra final exam exemption this semester.

"I know there was a lot of disappointment when the high school students weren't able to go, but we made the right decision to reward our elementary and middle school students," said district Superintendent Shannon Allen at April's regular board meeting.

Since the two fair days took place during the last week of the fair, and the only day left in that week to hold an additional fair day was Friday, the district could not reschedule the high school fair day, Allen said.

The fair stayed open until midnight on Friday, meaning that workers would violate Occupational Safety and Health Administration had they worked extra hours to accommodate the high school students.

RELATED: Photos: Did we catch your student at the fair?

Traditionally, seniors can earn up to three exam exemptions and freshmen, sophomores and juniors can earn up to two, Senior Director of Student Support Services Randall Maxwell said in an email.

"The Fair Day Committee brainstormed several ideas that students would feel was a reward in lieu of the full fair day experience," he said. "This was the most favorable option, along with giving the students three free ride tickets to use on the last Saturday of the fair."

Students who received a passing score in all courses in the third nine-grading period, have less than four days of in-school suspension, and do not have any out-of-school suspensions or days assigned to alternative centers for discipline purposes are eligible for the bonus exemption.

"Giving this extra exam exemption affords many students the opportunity for an added incentive," Maxwell said. "We hope that it gives them a reprieve at the end of a school year that has been filled with hard work."

Maxwell said students may use their own discretion as to whether to use the exemption and which course to apply it to.

At the board meeting, Allen said the district hopes to continue the partnership with YMBL next year, where they will try again to give high school students an opportunity to have a fair day.

olivia.malick@hearst.com

twitter.com/OliviaMalick
A local elected official is urging the federal prison director to address staff shortages at a federal prison complex in Beaumont where another inmate has been reported dead -- just months after a deadly fight at the complex sent prisons across the nation into lockdown.

Erick Jermaine Leday, 35, died at the hospital on Sunday following a prison fight at the United States Penitentiary, according to the U.S. Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Prisons.

The death was reported just over three months after a fight that killed two prisoners and wounded two others on Jan. 31. It is unclear what prompted the fight, but seven inmates recently were charged in relation to the incident, which authorities say was not related to Sunday's events.

It is unrelated to the incident in January and there is no gang affiliation. However, it is still under investigation. Bureau of Prisons Spokesperson Renee Noel told The Enterprise on Monday. Noel had no further comment in relation to prison safety.

Exclusive: Federal correctional officers union demands action following deadly USP Beaumont fight

At 10:30 a.m. Sunday, staff responded to a fight between Leday and another inmate at the high-security facility that currently houses 1,368 male offenders, a BOP news release said.

The area immediately was secured, and Leday was taken to a local hospital for life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. A second inmate was treated for minor injuries at the facility, the release said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified, the release said. No staff or other inmates were injured and at no time was the public in danger.

Leday was previously sentenced in the Northern District of Texas to more than three years for receipt of firearms while under felony indictment. He had been in custody at USP Beaumont since February 4, 2021, the release said.

U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, Texas-14, released a statement on Monday regarding the deadly incident. In a letter addressed to Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal, Weber said the altercations threaten inmates and correctional officers as well as heighten already "dangerous" working conditions.

Weber in October 2021 introduced thePay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act with Reps. Clay Higgins, Louisiana-3; Brian Babin, Texas-36; Rick Crawford, Arkansas-1; Matt Cartwright, Pennsylvania-8; Don Bacon, Nebraska-2; Pete Stauber, Minnesota-8; and Jefferson Van Drew, New Jersey-2, to revise locality pay rates for employees of the federal Bureau of Prisons.

"On May 1, 2022, an inmate lost his life and another was injured at United States Penitentiary Beaumont," Weber said. "Thanks to the quick actions of our brave correctional officers, the incident was contained before more lives were endangered. As I have previously said, regarding the incident on January 31, 2022, instances of prison violence are not always avoidable, but conditions that lead to a dangerous work environment are. I have received an update from the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), and I will continue to monitor the situation closely."

"In my letter to BOP Director Michael Carvajal, I reiterated my concern that chronic understaffing at our facility is a major problem that needs to be addressed by the BOP. "Doing so will lead to better and safer conditions for our correctional officers and inmates."

Nearly 10 inmates have died in Beaumont federal prisons over the past year for various reasons.

Related: Gang fight deaths in Beaumont penitentiary prompt nationwide lock down of federal prisons

Last year, the U. S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons reported that a USP Beaumont inmate died after he was found unresponsive on Aug. 9. Michael Fossler, 33, suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital where the department said hospital staff pronounced him dead.

Fossler only had one-quarter of his sentence remaining, according to defense attorney Jon Evans.

Rafael Salas, 40, was found unresponsive at the Beaumont Medium security prison on Sept. 8.

In 2021, three senior FCI Beaumont Low inmates died after being cleared as COVID-recovered, including Lee Cormier, 71, on Dec. 28; Armando Ramirez, 71, on March 27; and Robert Neal Hatchell, 63, on Sept. 6.

Related: Beaumont prison inmates indicted following nationwide lockdown

American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley previously called on elected officials to take immediate action to address a shortage of corrections officers following the violent attack in January.

While no correctional officers were injured in the incident, he said AFGE has long warned that the chronic under staffing of prisons are jeopardizing the lives of both workers and inmates.

AFGE Local 1010 President Parker Strong also told The Enterprise in a previous article soon after the attack in January that the federal prison complex in Beaumont has had a staffing problem for nearly five years and that most of the institutions are pushing full capacity.

The AFGE could not immediately be reached by press time. However, the local union previously confirmed it is working with Congress to address the staffing issue, including on the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act.

Weber claims in the letter that the staff at the Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont are "overworked, underpaid, and the BOP is not providing the resources necessary to create a safe environment. While he works to improve conditions across all BOP facilities, Weber said he is "dismayed" that the "dire situation at FCC Beaumont remains neglected by the BOP."

"I have been informed by COs at USP Beaumont that BOP has used the emergency recall system several times to fill vacant posts," Weber said in the letter. "Actions like this only serve as a band-aid to the underlying problems."

"I urge you to work with me and my colleagues in Congress, to swiftly address these issues across the BOP," he continued."I want to be part of the solution, especially at FCC Beaumont, but first, these problems need to be acknowledged soberly by BOP leadership."

meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/megzmagpie
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
When youre losing a game in sports, you just keep playing. The ethos of fair competition demands it, no matter how miserable it gets. Only Little League has a mercy rule.

But war is different. When youre losing a war, unless your national survival is at stake, you find a way to end it. Both Russia and the United States eventually left Afghanistan, even though the circumstances of each countrys involvement were vastly different. But this was the same: Eventually, leaders in both countries had enough. Whether it was military casualties, financial drain or political costs, an end point was reached. They decided to cut their losses and depart.

Which brings us to Ukraine.

Russia is losing this war, and in a big way. It may have lost more than 20,000 soldiers already, which is an incredible number of deaths in just three months. And in warfare, the number of wounded soldiers is usually two or three times the number of fatalities.

The Ukrainian army also claims to have destroyed 986 Russian tanks, 2,418 other combat vehicles, 189 aircraft, 155 helicopters and 229 drones, not counting other destroyed ships, artillery devices, air defense systems, etc.

As with the body count, those numbers may be high. But they are probably close to the real figures, and they add up to a staggering human and material loss.

And because Russia has still failed to achieve some kind of victory in Ukraine, those are the losses of a losing army. It would be one thing  and a big thing  if that were the finally tally. But for a war that will probably drag on for several more months at least, thats an inconceivable statistic for midway losses.

Granted, Ukraines losses have been numbing too. That brave country is not just losing soldiers and tanks, its very cities are being pounded into rubble. But as mentioned earlier, their national survival is at stake, so they will not quit. And lately the United States and other nations have agreed to provide Ukraine with all the weapons and fuel it needs to keep fighting, so keep fighting they will.

But the calculus for Russia is completely different. If that country had a rational leader, it would have found a way to get a negotiated settlement by now and declared that it achieved exactly what it wanted. But Vladimir Putin cannot accept a face-saving agreement like that, so he keeps fighting.

As a dictator, he cant afford to show any weakness or admit that he was wrong. Dictators who do that usually lose power, and keeping his hold on the Russian presidency is more important to him than anything. He is also trapped by this myth that many countries in Europe are part of Mother Russia historically and culturally and should be reunited with his country  whether they like it or not.

But getting back to Ukraine: He is losing this war, and no one can spin it otherwise. The carnage may last much longer, and thousands of innocent Ukrainians will be killed before the fighting ends. And when it does end, he will try to hang on to large chunks of Ukrainian territory.

But the rest of the world will not accept that. The economic and cultural sanctions against Russia will continue. Russian athletes will not compete in another Olympics as long as that occupation continues. Eventually, perhaps years down the road, a future Russian leader will reluctantly agree to return Ukraines borders to something like that which existed in February.

But the damage to Russia from this war will reverberate for decades. The civilized world  specifically Europe  is horrified by this slaughter and will want nothing to do with Russia. Were talking business, academics, sports, the arts, etc. As long as Putin or a similar thug is in power there, the country will be an international pariah.

And something like 300,000 Russians have left their country in horror over this invasion. These are the best and brightest  entrepreneurs, visionaries, business owners, etc. This brain drain will weaken Russia immeasurably.

When the fighting stops, Ukraine will be battered, but it will eventually recover like other European nations after World War II. But Russia faces a much bleaker future, a grim prospect as a morally and intellectually bankrupt nation with nuclear weapons.

Putin, crude and ideological, doesnt understand that. But it is happening, and it could even lead to the end of Russia a world power. And it is all starting now, because Russia is losing this war, in a big way.

Thomas Taschinger, TTaschinger@BeaumontEnterprise.com, is the editorial page editor of The Beaumont Enterprise. Follow him on Twitter at @PoliticalTom
2 detained over building collapse in central China

Xinhua) 15:53, May 03, 2022

CHANGSHA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Public security authorities on Tuesday detained two people over the recent collapse of a self-built residential building in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province.

The two were suspected of the crime of causing a major liability accident, as they took part in the illegal renovation of the building, said local police.

The collapse took place at 12:24 p.m. on Friday in the city's Wangcheng District. Another nine people were detained on Sunday over the collapse.

Further investigations are underway.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
Haji Mohammad Salim (center), a parliamentary candidate, waves to supporters as he campaigns through the streets of Dhaka, Jan. 2, 2014.

Bangladeshi opposition activists are crying foul after a convicted lawmaker from the ruling party was permitted to travel for medical treatment abroad, despite their years-long petitions to allow their leader, Khaleda Zia, to do the same having repeatedly been blocked.

Awami League member Haji Mohammad Salim, a three-time MP, departed from Dhaka for treatment in Bangkok on April 30, his lawyer confirmed, although a High Court had ordered that he surrender to serve a 10-year sentence over his conviction for graft.

My client has gone to Bangkok for treatment, and will return home on May 6. He told me that he would surrender to the trial court on May 17 or 18, attorney M. Syed Ahmed Raza told BenarNews. He was not bound to seek court permission to go abroad.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general, questioned the action.

The government allowed Haji Selim to leave the country while they turned down the application of our leader and three-time prime minister, Khaleda Zia, to seek better medical treatment abroad, Alamgir said. This is testimony that the conviction of Begum Khaleda Zia was politically motivated and aimed at keeping her away from politics.

Zia was convicted in separate trials on graft charges in February and October 2018 and sentenced to 17 years. She was taken to the Old Dhaka Central Jail following her Feb. 8, 2018, conviction.

The jails only prisoner, Zia was incarcerated there until March 25, 2020, when the court suspended her sentence in response to her familys petition that she be released to home confinement over health concerns. Since then, the government has turned down requests that she leave the country for advanced medical care.

On Tuesday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the government was not aware of Selims whereabouts.

I cannot remember the time when Haji Salim came to my office and informed me that he would surrender to the trial court and seek a bail petition afterward. But we do not know whether he left the country, Khan told BenarNews.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a graft complaint against Salim in 2007. A year later, a Dhaka court sentenced him to 13 years and fined him 2 million taka (U.S. $23,179).

Following appeals, the High Court in early 2021 cut the sentence to 10 years and the fine to 1 million taka ($11,573). The final verdict, published on Feb. 10, 2022, ordered Salim to surrender to authorities within 30 days. He has yet to serve a single day of his prison sentence.

Comparing cases

Khurshid Alam, a lawyer with the ACC, compared the cases of Salim and Zia.

The case of Haji Salim is more grievous. He must surrender to the trial court in 30 days. Instead, he secretly left the country. This is a violation of the law of the land, Alam told BenarNews.

A convicted person in no way should leave the country. How he left the country is our question, he told BenarNews. The government has not allowed Khaleda Zia to leave the country.

Badiul Alam Majumder, a civil society leader, raised similar concerns.

Everyone is equal before the law. The law cannot vary from person to person, he told BenarNews. I think those who aided Salim to leave the country must be punished so that nobody would dare to do the same in the future.
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Jennifer Huberdeau is The Eagle's features editor. Prior to The Eagle, she worked at The North Adams Transcript. She is a 2021 Rabkin Award Winner, 2020 New England First Amendment Institute Fellow and a 2010 BCBS Health Care Fellow.
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Geological Survey topographic maps for the Sheffield quadrangle appeared in atlases published in 1890 and 1893, the latter showing Keith just east of Forest Ledge above East Rock in Great Barrington. Keith was gone from the 1897 version and never again included on one of the topographic surveys.
God told me to

God wants me to tell you

Have you ever heard (or said) either of those two sentences? Many people have, but is it true? Does God directly tell us to say or do something? What about when you have something (or someone) on your mind, and you are unsettled until you do something or talk to someone? What do we do when we feel like God is trying to tell us something?

These questions will frame our look into what we should do when we feel like God is trying to tell us something.

Does God Still Speak to Us Today?

Before we answer that question, lets look at how God spoke to people in the Bible.

In the Old Testament, God had direct interactions with certain people. Until what He said was written in scrolls, He spoke, and He still spoke even after portions were written (e.g., The Law). The following verses cite one example for each of a few men with whom God spoke: Adam (Genesis 1:28), Abram (Genesis 12:1), Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15), Moses (Exodus 3:5), Samuel (1 Samuel 3:11-14), and Elijah (1 Kings 18:1), among others. From the writings of the prophets came the scrolls, which became part of the (Hebrew/Jewish) canon of Scripture  what we call the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, we read how God audibly spoke as Father, as Son, and as the Holy Spirit:

If God Does Speak to Us Today, How?

In Hebrews 1:1, we are told, Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.

Hebrews 3:7 references the Old Testament. It reads, Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

The word, says, describes an ongoing action which continues to this day. This  that the Spirit is speaking  is happening today. What was written (past tense) in Scripture is still spoken (present tense) by God today.

Psalm 19 describes the two ways (through two mediums) God communicates to us today. Verses 1-2 say we hear from Him through His creation, The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Theres no denying the powerful testimony of a starry sky or a thunderhead on the horizon. Majestic mountains, an eagle in flight, a new-born baby, or a born-again believer being baptized: all these things are Gods voice to us, attesting to His holiness, greatness, grace, mercy, and presence. And all for His glory.

The psalmist speaks of the law, testimony, precepts, commandment, fear, and rules of the Lord in Psalm 19:7-11. These verses explain how we hear from God through His Word  the Bible. Verses 10-11 state, More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

2 Peter 1:19-21 declares, And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someones own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Dont these passages describe what we hold in our hands  the Bible? God does not speak audibly to people these days. He has given us His word, and it had a period at the end. Saying God spoke to me in any way but through His word is tantamount to adding to the Bible, which we are not to do.

Since All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16), we can apply the warning from Revelation 22:18-19 to the whole of Scripture (see also Galatians 1:6-10).

People may desire the power that comes with saying, God told me such and such, but it is misguided. The only power we trust is that of God and His Spirit working in our lives. This selfish desire removes ones reliance on Scriptural authority and places the focus on self.

But What about Spiritual Promptings?

Darlene (names changed in these true stories) had two distinct instances when she felt the Holy Spirit nudging her to action.

Janice prayed for Darlenes salvation and became her sister-in-Christ when Darlene accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Though close for a time, distance and a change of vocation made their communication less frequent (although there was no loss of sisterly love). Not having spoken in almost a year, one day Darlene could not get Janice out of her thoughts. Darlene called to check in and found her friend had passed away the same day she was heavy on Darlenes heart.

On another occasion, Darlenes Aunt Jane, who lived ten hours away, was her favorite aunt. Jane staunchly refused to accept Jesus as Lord. She said, Im just one of those people who chooses not to believe. She was quite wealthy and relied on her riches to keep her out of harms way. Then health issues came, which surprised Jane because she thought if she had enough money, she wouldnt get sick. Darlene continued to witness to her, even throughout Janes dementia. One day during a walk, Darlene felt a weight for her Aunt Jane and had to get on her knees and pray. She prayed Jane would have a lucid moment and that she would hear the Gospel one more time and say Yes, to the Lords kind invitation. The next day, Darlene learned that during the time of her walk, her beloved aunt had died.

What do we do with instances like this? Darlene acted in the moment with a godly instinct that came through spiritual maturity as only comes from being regularly immersed in the Word and in interaction with more mature believers. She later reflected on what transpired based on her knowledge of God through His word. God through His Holy Spirit impressed something on Darlenes heart, and she applied what she knew of God and the Bible to the providential experience she had. Being daily in Gods Word gave her knowledge of how He works.

We know the Spirit enlightens our minds to the truths God would have us grasp, and how does God draw us to Him but by His Spirit? God would not have us desire immediate revelation, instead, He would have the Spirit open our minds to understand His word as revealed in Scripture.

John Murray said, As we are the subjects of this illumination and are responsive to it, and as the Holy Spirit is operative in us to the doing of Gods will, we shall have feelings, impressions, convictions, urges, inhibitions, impulses, burdens, resolutions. Illumination and direction by the Spirit through the Word of God will focus themselves in our consciousness in these ways.

Five Things We Should Do When It Feels Like God Is Prompting Us to Do Something

1. Process these questions:

- Is God testing you?

- Is there an immediate danger to you or someone else?

2. Pray humbly and expectantly.

3. Look to the Scriptures for wisdom and understanding.

4. Speak to your pastor or an elder for guidance.

5. Act on the prompting only if:

- It is not sin

- It aligns with Scriptural teaching

How Can We Tell if Something Is NOT from God?

If you feel prompted to act in a certain way, do follow the five points listed above. The following practices and Scripture references are vital in your strategy of discernment.

As you begin each day and even when you are in a time of testing, whether good or bad, put on your full armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). Our full armor  in addition to prayer  is our best offense and defense.

1 John 4:1 alerts us, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

If something does not align with Scripture, it is to be avoided.

Jesus may have had Deuteronomy 13:1-4 in mind when He said, An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

We should never base our Christian walk or pursuit of God on emotions. Our Spirit-led lives must be grounded in what God says in His word  Scripture. If there is a temptation to follow a lie, what the Apostle Paul related can help, No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Its the temptation God will save you from.

Some people say God will not give us what we cannot handle. Thats not true. We are hit with things everyday which are impossible for us to endure (e.g., the loss of a spouse, or a child), and we are not to be the ones to handle things. God wants us to bring everything to Him, and that includes the discernment about what is from God and what is not.

What God says always supersedes human perceptions and experiences (feelings). As you are sanctified (John 17:19; 1 Corinthians 3:18), God will lead you into all truth (Psalm 25:5), and He will enable you to understand His will (Ephesians 5:17).

Photo credit: Getty Images/Tatiana

Lisa Loraine Baker is the award-winning author of Someplace to Be Somebody (End Game Press, February 2022). Lisa writes fiction and nonfiction and is currently co-writing a Christian living book with her husband, and a suspense novel.

Lisa is a member of Word Weavers, Intl (as a critique partner and mentor), AWSA, ACFW, Serious Writer Group, and BRRC.

Lisa and her husband, Stephen, inhabit their home as the Newlyweds of Minerva with crazy cat, Lewis.
Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, don't know much about history.

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An Indo-German call will be soon raised for inviting proposals from researchers and industry

India and Germany have agreed to work together with focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups as well as AI research and its application in sustainability and healthcare.

This was stated by Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences after his bilateral talks with German Minister for Education & Research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger.

Both the ministers agreed that there is a lot of scope to work together in Artificial Intelligence for which experts on two sides have already met. An Indo-German call for proposals for this would be raised soon inviting proposals from researchers and industry.

The ministers expressed satisfaction on recently concluded MOU between Department of Science & Technology, Government of India and German Research Foundation (DFG) to support the International Research Training Groups (IRTG) programme would further boost the cooperation towards capacity building targeting the training of Indian and German students for pursuing the PhD programme. The maiden call for inviting proposals under this programme from Indian and German research groups is already on.

Several initiatives for human capacity developments in science and engineering have recently been worked out, which includes Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) to facilitate lateral entry of women researchers into ongoing S&T projects and Paired Early Career Fellowships creating an inclusive ecosystem for the Indo-German S&T cooperation with exchange of young researchers on both sides.
MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project, supported by USAID, has mandated John Snow Research & Training Institute (JSI) to provide technical assistance to National and State Governments to ramp up COVID-19 Vaccination in India

Recently, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity project, organized a collaborative virtual event Expanding Coverage of COVID-19 vaccination for 12-14 year olds, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss current COVID-19 vaccination progress for young adolescents and the urgent need to expand coverage in the wake of rising positive cases across the country.



In India, the USAIDs MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity project is supporting the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW)s nation-wide vaccine deployment efforts, including improving vaccine availability and demand. Through the project, USAID is increasing COVID-19 vaccination uptake among the most vulnerable and marginalized population by engaging influential leaders and groups, such as womens and health professional associations.



COVID-19 vaccination for 12-14 year olds in India commenced on March 16, 2022. Vaccine uptake among this population has been slow, primarily due to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation about its possible side-effects and availability.



Dr. Sanjay Kapur, Managing Director, John Snow India said, Increasing vaccination coverage among children aged 1214 years, is extremely critical to reduce COVID-19associated burden. With cases of COVID-19 on a steep rise again, there is an urgent need to step up public engagement and communication to build confidence and uptake of the Corbevax, the vaccine prescribed by the Centre for children and adolescents. Moreover, it will be essential to provide people who are hesitant, or otherwise unmotivated with respect to the COVID-19 vaccines with the resources, information, and support they need to make the vaccination decision that is right for them.






Last week the Publisher Support Services (PSS), the media industry association, submitted proposed draft legislation to the Competition Commission in its challenge of Google and Meta (Facebook).

Protecting the local news industry

Success in other parts of the world

The challenge is to be compensated for their content used on these platforms and is appealing to all other news organisations in the country to join the campaign.The submission of the proposed draft legislation follows the PSS presentation in February (2022) at an in-camera hearing of the Competition Commissions market inquiry into online platforms operating in South Africa.Says Hoosain Karjieker, CEO of Mail & Guardian Media and chairperson of the PSS: Globally, platforms like Google and Meta have been using publishers content at no cost to grow their market dominance. The main objective of our challenge is to protect the future sustainability of the local news industry. The proposed draft legislation aims to ensure fair and equitable remuneration for South African news media businesses, large and small, for the use of their content.Although the initiative is led by the founder members of the PSS (Arena Holdings, Caxton, Independent Media, Mail & Guardian and Media24), I strongly appeal to other news organisations to join the campaign by making submissions to the Commission. Protecting journalism as a cornerstone of our democracy is a shared responsibility of the industry at large.Karjieker reiterated the success achieved by similar efforts in other parts of the world, most notably Australia and Europe, that forced these platforms to the negotiating table to have them agree on fair compensation to publishers for their content.The PSS is available to assist local news publishers and businesses in making their submissions or answering queries," says Karjieker.Submissions can also be made directly to the Competition Commission at az.oc.mocpmoc@impio , marked for the attention of James Hodge, to reach the Commission by the end of May 2022.
Sooner or later, everyone gets sick. For those who can afford it, they visit a private GP or clinic to receive a diagnosis and the peace of mind that comes with quality treatment for everyday health concerns.

Source: Supplied.

Shared data view

In-app generated scripts and sick notes

But what happens when that everyday quality care and advice is beyond their means? What happens to those who dont have the time to wait in a clinic queue or dont have the money to settle a doctors bill?The all-too-common answer is that people delay medical care, or resort to inadequate home remedies or "Doctor Google" for advice. What if there was a better, more inclusive way to offer access to quality healthcare that is both fast and affordable?Although the country is progressively realising the Constitutional right to healthcare, the fact is that a mere 16% of the South African population has access to a private medical scheme. Therein lies our burden and our opportunity.Introducing Kena Health  an easy solution where anyone can chat to a nurse, doctor or mental-health professional directly from their smartphone. Kena Health is an app that connects users to a team of qualified healthcare practitioners for advice, diagnoses, prescriptions, sick notes, and even referrals to a specialist pathologist or other place of care, as needed. This is all done through their smartphone - and for less than the cost of a Nandos full chicken meal!Kena Healths mission is to make quality healthcare accessible to all.Kena Health uses a team-based approach that allocates the most suitable healthcare practitioners to each patient's unique needs, based on a shared data view of that patient. Family-planning advice, gastritis, anaemia, allergies, UTIs and common colds can be treated by an experienced and qualified nurse. Perhaps an infection, hypertension or other chronic conditions need a prescription from a doctor.Users download the app and register in under two minutes. From there they chat briefly to Linda, Kena's digital assistant, who collects general information about their condition that forms part of the secure patient record. This means patients do not have to repeat their medical Information and background throughout every step of the process.Kena then connects the user directly to a nurse or mental-health professional to receive the medical care or advice they need at a fraction of what it would cost to visit a doctor  and for free at the outset. Consultations can be conducted by means of text, voice or video within the app, all tailored to keep data costs manageable. In instances where a doctor is required, the nurses can transfer the call for a seamless connection within the Kena team.The key to Kena Health is not just the efficiency of information collection, but the ease for the user, and a great experience of quality and affordable care from the Kena team of professionals. By leveraging technology and a team-based approach, the app brings down the cost of care while improving the patients health outcomes.The app further leverages technology in service of a human solution by generating scripts, sick notes and even referral letters, all seamlessly provided within the app. As users get used to this new kind of healthcare, their first three consultations will be free, with subsequent consultations costing as little as R160 each.Kena Healths services are initially available from 8am to 6pm every weekday, and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays.Our goal is to improve access to quality care by lowering cost, says Kena Health founder and chief executive officer, Saul Kornik. By creating an app that focuses on team-based healthcare, were able to do this, while actually improving the quality of health outcomes for each patient."Imagine, a whole team of nurses, doctors and mental-health professionals looking after you! This means that, no matter your income level or where you live, with Kena Health you are invited in to receive services that provide the care you need, all while making you feel cared for and reassured that youre going to be OK.
More than a decade ago, it took over 18-months to correctly diagnose 17 year old Capetonian, Jenna Lowe with rare and severe Pulmonary Hypertension (PH).

Source: Supplied. The late Jenna Lowe with her oxygen concentrator.

World Pulmonary Hypertension Day

Jenna Lowe documentary

Breathlessness or shortness of breath, especially during physical activity

Chest pain known as angina pectoris, especially during physical activity

Dizziness or light-headedness, especially when climbing stairs or standing up

Fainting

Swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen, which is also called oedema

Loss of energy and feeling tired all the time

Dry cough

Raynauds phenomenon: chalky white or blue fingers; can be painful and provoked by the cold

Little was known about this devastating and deadly disease before Jenna set her mind to raising awareness of how the sudden, unexplained onset of PH completely changed the course of her bright and happy life.PH is different from hypertension in that it is dangerously high blood pressure that occurs only in the lungs impacting not only breathing but heart health. Research into the condition is scarce, and according to Dr Gerald Maarman, from the Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa at Stellenbosch University, the prevalence of PH in Africa, which mostly impacts low and middle-income countries, can range from 10% to 68%.It is estimated that 75 million people worldwide suffer from PH, however that could be higher in reality as PH is frequently mis- or undiagnosed.Thanks to the Jenna Lowe Trust - set up as the legacy of the trailblazing, luminous teen - today Cape Town boasts a twice-monthly specialised PH Clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital. The Pulmonary Hypertension Association of South Africa (PHA SA) is also providing an array of essential support for PH patients, and the disease is slowly but surely garnering more support.The Jenna Lowe Trust and the PHA SA are coming together with around 80 organisations worldwide on 5 May 2022 to raise awareness on World PH Day.Unfortunately, this debilitating, progressive condition remains a life-threatening challenge for patients. There is still no cure beyond organ transplants; and many of the necessary medications and equipment to prolong and improve quality of life are prohibitively expensive and unavailable in South Africa. However, probably the greatest reason for the need for PH awareness, is that it is often still misdiagnosed as it is not yet widely understood and recognised by most primary healthcare professionals.Many of the symptoms of PH, which is marked by breathlessness, are shared by other more common lung conditions, including asthma. This is why it is so important for South Africans to be aware of the condition so that they can request the tests for PH should they suspect they might have it.Gabi Lowe, mother of Jenna and director of The Jenna Lowe Trust says: We started the clinic in 2015 as a place of hope for patients and their families. Jennas heart-breaking journey with this cruel disease was made harder because we struggled to access the expertise and help she needed. It is her powerful legacy and wish that it shouldnt be this way for other South Africans suffering with PH.Jenna Lowe tragically passed away in 2015, three months before her 21st birthday, after launching the successful social-media campaign, which highlighted the plight of PH patients and advocated for research, improved care and organ donation.Jenna Lowes story is the subject of an upcoming documentary, which the family hope will bring international attention to the disease.The Jenna Lowe Clinic, which currently serves approximately 500 patients in South Africa is also a hub of training and international engagement for the medical profession. The Jenna Lowe Trust provides the clinic with the services of Nurse Hilary Barlow, and it is overseen by Dr Greg Symons.Nurse Barlow says: With fundraising support from the public we are able to help patients who would otherwise not be able to afford high-cost equipment such as oxygen concentrators and mobility support in order to give them better quality of life.It is important to note that PH can strike anyone, at any age, even those who have previously enjoyed good health. According to the Jenna Lowe Trust, early diagnosis is vital as it can have a significant impact on your health, quality of life and length of life. It is important not to ignore the following symptoms:In advanced stages of pulmonary hypertension, minimal activity may produce some or all of these symptoms. Patients in advanced stages may experience irregular heartbeat, a racing pulse, passing out and difficulty breathing at rest. Sometimes these symptoms mean you have another condition, but sometimes, they may mean you have Pulmonary Hypertension, and it may be important to ask your doctor for a test.Support the important work of The Jenna Lowe Trust here
Account Manager

Remuneration: market-related Location: Cape Town Job level: Mid Own transport required: Yes Type: Permanent Company: Old Friends Young Talent (OFyt)

Job description

3-5 years experience in managing TTL campaigns on strategic business

Leading projects and deadlines

Organised

Logical problem solver

Loves working with great creative

Management of client expectations and service delivery by being focal point of day-to-day interaction

Be consistently responsive & accessible to your team

Excellent knowledge of agency processes

Full ownership of jobs through the system

Ensure all finance admin is thoroughly up to date

Easily self-manage

Cool, calm and optimistic

Experience in Chase is preferred

Requirements







Were looking for a suit, whos equally comfortable in shorts & slops, to join our Cape Town team!This account manager will be working with a small team of hustlers who work just as hard as they play.Salary will be in line with experience. If youd like to join our team and fit the above job description, please email your 1 page CV and covering letter to az.oc.tyfo@ekrub.yecart Posted on 03 May 10:30, Closing date 2 Jul
Cape Town, Claremont R 6000 - R 5000 per month neg

Bantou Empire Marketing is currently expanding rapidly and we are looking for hard working and motivated candidates to take the business to the next levelHave you done...
Jodhpur: Hours before Eid, communal tension broke out in Jodhpur leading to stone pelting. Five policemen were injured in the incident that took place past midnight, officials said.

The situation was brought under control with heavy deployment of police, but the tension re-escalated after the Namaz of Eid on Tuesday morning when some people pelted stones near the Jalori Gate here. A few vehicles were damaged, they said.

Jodhpur is the hometown of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony.

Members of the minority community were installing Eid flags and they put up a flag on a roundabout alongside the statue of freedom fighter Balmukund Bissa.

This led to a confrontation as the other community alleged that they a saffron flag they had put up there ahead of Parshuram Jayanti, had gone missing.

The issue snowballed into stone pelting and clashes, the officials said.

Police rushed to the spot to control the situation during which five policemen were injured, police control room said.

The police had to lob tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Mobile internet services were suspended in the area to check the spread of rumours, the officials said.

Gehlot tweeted urging the people to maintain peace and called the incident unfortunate.

"While respecting the tradition of love and brotherhood of Jodhpur, Marwar, I make a touching appeal to all the parties to maintain peace and cooperate in restoring law and order," he said.

The chief minister said instructions had been issued to the administration to maintain peace and order.

BJP MLA Suryakanta Vyas in Jodhpur raised an objection to the installation of the Eid flag alongside the freedom fighter's statue.

"They did (put up the flag) at (the statue of) Bissa ji and we have a strong objection to this. We will not forget this," Vyas, along with her supporters, said.

BJP state president Satish Poonia said, "Putting up Islamic flag on the statue of freedom fighter Balmukund Bissa by anti-social elements, and removing saffron flag put up on Parshuram Jayanti is condemnable."

He appealed to the people to maintain peace and demanded the state government to establish 'rule of law'.
While Indias aviation industry is rebounding after over two years of immense angst due to the Covid-19 pandemic, reports indicate that nearly 84 million passengers used domestic flights last year. (Representational Image/ PTI)

After Sundays air shocker, when a SpiceJet-operated aircraft  a Boeing 737-800 which had on board 189 passengers  besides six staffers including two pilots and four cabin crew members  encountered severe turbulence that led to grievous injuries, India must comprehensively review its entire civil aviation industry beyond the mandatory ongoing investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The flight, which took off from Mumbai and was bound for Durgapur, West Bengal, met with severe turbulence, which is not a rare possibility while flying. Turbulence is a risk that comes with the turf and can be written off, but what is problematic is that, as per the initial report of the DGCA, there were too many instances of neglect in maintenance as well as slack on part of the employees.

As the plane suffered mid-air shock with dynamic G-forces acting on the craft, airspeed fell and rose dramatically, throwing the people aboard up and down, during which time, the autopilot got disengaged, leaving the skilled alert pilots no option but to manually control the flight.

After enduring the zero-gravity situation mid-air, the plane landed safely, which left two passengers with injuries serious enough to put them in the ICU. Twelve other passengers were hurt, too, besides three among the cabin crew.

Passenger videos that have gone viral show how, during the landing, malfunctioning baggage compartments fell open and the planes floor was seen strewn with stuff. Oxygen panels, too, opened up and masks popped out. An overhead decorative panel was found broken, some of the hand rests of seats broke off, and the food gallery was shattered and opened up.

The DGCA made its report after carrying out a mandatory regulatory inspection and ordered the de-rostering of the involved crew, two SpiceJet employees from the maintenance department, for allowing the plane to move from Durgapur to Kolkata before a formal inquiry. A detailed probe will follow. The aircraft, too, has been grounded.

While Indias aviation industry is rebounding after over two years of immense angst due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with reports indicating that nearly 84 million passengers used domestic flights last year and that over 12 million flew in the month of December, its overall functioning leaves much to be desired in terms of birthing the larger vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who aims to make flying an accessible mode of travel for most Indians and wishes to harness the potential for fast growth of the sector.

The civil aviation sector, with a Jyotiraditya Scindia as its ministerial head, can be rebooted to make it a flagship of the economy. The industry immediately needs a customer-complaint and service levels managing and enforcing ombudsman on lines similar to the banking, insurance or telecom sectors.

Pricing  from tickets to food to cancellation charges  while best left to the market for their regulation  needs a slight supervision in order to ensure there is no whimsical overcharging or presence of unfair trade practices. Changes in rules and processes, too, need to be communicated with passengers with special care for the old, less tech-friendly and less literate. A citizens audit panel can be created to comprehensively review all processes and touch points  online and offline  so that benchmarks can be set and adhered to. Penalties for airlines from failing to stick to airport service level agreements (SLAs) must be entertained quickly and disposed of fairly, and the entire process of navigating airports must be made reasonably uniform.

All this must be done, and can be done, and if done well, the Indian economy would truly reach the skies, with no mid-air shocks to suffer along the way.
Politico on Monday night leaked a Supreme Court draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito stating that Roe and Casey "must be overruled."



From Politico:

Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows



"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," Justice Alito writes in an initial majority draft circulated inside the court.



By JOSH GERSTEIN and ALEXANDER WARD



05/02/2022 08:32 PM EDT



The Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, according to an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito circulated inside the court and obtained by POLITICO.



The draft opinion is a full-throated, unflinching repudiation of the 1973 decision which guaranteed federal constitutional protections of abortion rights and a subsequent 1992 decision  Planned Parenthood v. Casey  that largely maintained the right. Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, Alito writes.



We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, he writes in the document, labeled as the Opinion of the Court. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.



Deliberations on controversial cases have in the past been fluid. Justices can and sometimes do change their votes as draft opinions circulate and major decisions can be subject to multiple drafts and vote-trading, sometimes until just days before a decision is unveiled. The courts holding will not be final until it is published, likely in the next two months.



The immediate impact of the ruling as drafted in February would be to end a half-century guarantee of federal constitutional protection of abortion rights and allow each state to decide whether to restrict or ban abortion. Its unclear if there have been subsequent changes to the draft.



No draft decision in the modern history of the court has been disclosed publicly while a case was still pending.

This leak is clearly an act of blatant political intimidation.





Liberals leaking a SCOTUS decision to pressure the justices to change their mind is an attack on our system 100000000 times more serious than the Capitol riot. This is why you should never listen to these fraudulent assholes when they prattle on about "saving democracy"  Best Selling Biologist Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) May 3, 2022

The SCOTUS leak is an actual insurrection. An attempt to completely upend and delegitimize the rule of law, incite violence and chaos, and potentially plunge the nation into civil war. January 6th was a stroll in the park compared to this. It's not even close.  Best Selling Biologist Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) May 3, 2022



Republican strategist Matt Wolking speculated that the leak was from Sonia Sotomayor's office -- which wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.





A person called Amit Jain clerks for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.



As a Yale student, Jain blasted Yale for supporting Brett Kavanaugh's nomination.



Jain was quoted in a 2017 Politico piece by Josh Gerstein.



Today, Gerstein published the draft SCOTUS opinion on Roe.  Matt Wolking (@MattWolking) May 3, 2022

If it is proven that Sotomayors office was behind the leak  and thats still an if  it wouldnt be the first time this year her office appeared to be behind a political leak. https://t.co/nzpAyxnhH9  Matt Wolking (@MattWolking) May 3, 2022



I must say I'm stunned that this Supreme Court would actually issue such a bold decision. I'm going to have to see it finalized to actually believe it.





Alito's draft opinion overturning Roe and Casey approvingly cites Clarence Thomas' debunked claim that abortion is a tool of eugenics against Black people. https://t.co/4690k0KG1Fhttps://t.co/Kw7x5klE0u pic.twitter.com/DSPxDsBzNv  Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) May 3, 2022

Its impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin.  SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) May 3, 2022

Two final thoughts. 1. Politico reports that the 5 original votes to overturn Roe are unchanged *as of this week*, but does not report (and the leaker would know) that they have all said they will join the Alito opinion. At least 1 is apparently uncommitted. Hence the leak?  SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) May 3, 2022

(contd) 2. Those interested in who leaked the draft should wonder why Alexander Ward  a national security reporter  shares the byline. The leaker would insist that their identity be incredibly tightly held. Politico would not assign someone who didnt have to be on the story.  SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) May 3, 2022

The alleged leak of the opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization is nothing short of breathtaking. It would constitute one of the greatest breaches of security in the history of the Court.  Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 3, 2022

...If this is a true copy of the draft opinion it is hard not to view this as a malicious act. What is the motivation of releasing such a decision? The only intent of such a leak is to trigger a response from outside of the Court.  Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 3, 2022

...The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing.  Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 3, 2022

Its not only the draft that leaked but the secretive justice vote after oral arguments.



Unthinkable. Unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/uNCrcECZvK  Sunny McSunnyface (@sunnyright) May 3, 2022



Libtards are already calling for war.





To think we spent 20 years fighting violent religious extremistsabroad.  Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) May 3, 2022

MASHUP! Pro-abortionists are losing their minds over the thought of not being able to kill babies. pic.twitter.com/0oqFZyMpu5  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 3, 2022

Crowd of protesters is growing quickly, and pushing toward the barricade that the handful of guards put up earlier tonight. Chants of fascist scum have got to go, interspersed with the names of the conservative justices pic.twitter.com/2OHtE2pLuy  Nate Hochman (@njhochman) May 3, 2022



Jonathan Turley said Tuesday morning that there's "a relatively small number of individuals with access to these drafts" and they're likely all going to be investigated by the FBI.





...If a suspect lies to the FBI, there could be prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001. Thus, the culprit will have to make a decision today of whether to radically increase the potential costs of this act...  Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 3, 2022

...This is a relatively small number of individuals with access to these drafts. It is likely that the culprit will be contacted quickly with others by investigators. That will prove a critical moment that could transform an unethical into a criminal act.  Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 3, 2022



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On April 17, I was in London Bridge train station in central London, and couldnt help but notice that the entire station was blanketed with these digital Be Brave Like Ukraine ads. Stylized in a nifty semi-Cyrillic font, the ads feature the classic blue and yellow color scheme that has now become so ubiquitous across The West  perhaps most prominently in London, where a local acquaintance told me shes seen more Ukraine flags on display over the past two months than she ever saw of the UKs own national flag.

I had a few natural questions upon seeing these ads. First, who crafted them? That answer came quickly: Just go to the brave.ua website and youll discover the ads were crafted by a consortium within the Ukraine government, including the office of Zelensky.

The answer to other natural questions have not come so quickly, though. Those questions include: Who paid for these ads? How much did they cost? Who organized their placement in some of the most expensive advertising real estate in the world? (Theyve also been displayed in Times Square, among other high-profile locations.)

Strangely, this information has proven difficult to acquire.

First I tried querying the TFL, the government body in charge of transport in London. They had no clue about the ads. Then I tried Network Rail, which runs most of the railways in England. They had no clue either. Finally I tried the massive global advertising agency which apparently owns the digital screens in question, JCDecaux. And it initially seemed like they might have the answer. I know this because the Corporate Communications Director for JCDecaux inadvertently sent me an email where she deliberates with her colleague about how to answer my questions:

Kinda funny that the Corporate Communications Director still doesnt have the hang of communications skills like sending your sensitive internal emails to the right recipient. Either way, this person did not in fact come back to me tomorrow. Days passed, and I heard nothing. Then, finally, here was the answer:

Curious, dont you think? Why would a multinational advertising conglomerate based in France, with branches in the UK, US, and elsewhere, be so skittish about providing basic details about this Ukraine government advertising campaign? Shouldnt they be proud of it, and therefore happy to provide the details? I thought the message of the ads was to Be Brave Like Ukraine. Apparently that Bravery doesnt extend to allowing for transparency in the financial arrangements of these PR maneuvers, which have resulted in Western capitals being saturated with imagery that to the naked eye may seem benign  but, functionally, amounts to obvious pro-war propaganda.

Because bear in mind that these government-crafted ads have flooded London, NYC, Washington DC, etc. at the same time as Ukraine officials are furiously lobbying the UK and US governments to ramp up their military involvement in the war. Those lobbying efforts have been incredibly successful, with Respectable Mainstream outfits like The New Yorker finally now admitting that the scale of the US commitment constitutes a full proxy war with Russia. (Not so long ago, I was attacked as a peddler of Putins talking points for using the term proxy war on TV.)

It went largely unremarked upon when the head of the Pentagon, flanked by the head of the State Department, transited into Kiev for a secret mission on April 25  and then hours later, a series of giant explosions ripped through a Russian military logistics hub approximately 90 miles inside Russia. This after US officials began leaking that they would no longer even pretend to recognize any distinction between defensive and offensive combat operations conducted by the Ukraine military  effectively acknowledging their willingness to provide both weaponry and real-time intelligence to launch attacks on Russia itself.

In the UK, the Armed Services Secretary, James Heappey, followed this up by declaring that it would be entirely legitimate for arms delivered by Western countries to be used for offensive strikes within Russian territory. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss then went further than even any US official when she declared that total victory in Ukraine must also include driving Russia out of Crimea, raising the stakes higher still.

Which each passing week, both these countries adopt a more and more aggressive, bombastic war footing.

Meanwhile, the nice-seeming Be Brave Like Ukraine ads are covering major transportation centers. It doesnt take much elaborate dot-connecting to apprehend that the ads are one facet of the larger PR campaign to draw the US, UK, and other governments further and further into the war. This campaign has been demonstrably effective. And the ad agency which facilitated the ads is choosing to conceal from the public basic details about their provenance  such as who even paid for them. Really makes you think.
In what appears to be yet another escalation in Silicon Valleys redoubled efforts to quash dissident voices since the beginning of the Ukraine war, PayPal has just blocked the accounts of multiple alternative media voices whove been speaking critically against official US empire narratives. These include journalist and speaker Caleb Maupin, and Mnar Adley and Alan MacLeod of MintPress News.

Just the other day MintPress published an excellent article by MacLeod titled An Intellectual No-Fly Zone: Online Censorship of Ukraine Dissent Is Becoming the New Norm documenting the many ways skepticism of the US governments version of events in this war is being suppressed by Silicon Valley megacorporations, including financial censorship via the demonetization of YouTube videos that dont regurgitate the imperial line on Ukraine.

Today, both MintPress and MacLeod have been banned from using the payment service that many online content creators have come to rely on to help crowdfund their work.

MintPress News happens to have published critical journalism about PayPal itself in the past, like the articles it published in 2018 by Whitney Webb documenting the way shady PayPal-linked billionaires Peter Thiel and Pierre Omidyar have advanced the interests of the US empire and facilitated imperial narrative control, or this one from 2016 on how the company blocks Palestinians from opening accounts while showing no such bias against illegal Israeli settlers.

I asked MintPress News Executive Director Mnar Adley for comment on PayPals move. Here is her response in full:

Paypal banning myself and MintPress is blatant censorship of dissenting journalists & outlets. For the past decade MintPress has been unapologetically working as a watchdog journalism outlet to expose the profiteers of the permanent war state from the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Sudan to Apartheid Israels occupation of Palestine and Saudi Arabias genocidal war in Yemen to regime change operations in Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela where US weapons have flooded these nations to plunge them into devastating civil wars.

In the era of a declining US empire, censorship has become the last resort of an unpopular regime and its forever wars to make the truth disappear and critical thinking all but dead. With the war in Ukraine raging on, weve entered war time and Big Tech giants, including Paypal, are working hand in hand with the New Cold War architects themselves to sanction dissenting journalists. If you read the board of any of these tech giants from Google, Twitter, Facebook and Paypal, they read like a rogues gallery of war mongers and their agenda is clear: To control the free flow of information and target the bank accounts of anyone who dares question the official narrative of the Pentagon or State Department.

It is outrageous to be told that tech giants, which are run by those who directly profit from the New Cold war including the crisis in Ukraine, could limit any journalists ability to fund their work. Can you imagine if this was the norm in Russia, China or Iran? Our media would be screaming about free speech and first amendment rights. Yet, when we do its ok because its under the guise of fighting Russian propaganda.

Were living in an intellectual No-Fly Zone where online censorship of dissenting journalism has become the new norm. The US sanctions regime that is trying to starve Russia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Cuba and Iran and over 25% of the worlds population is now targeting its own citizens with its maximum pressure campaign so we are forced to toe the official government line in order to survive as a journalist in alternative media today.

No matter the war waged against us, we refuse to be backed into a corner and bullied by tech giants who have a deep relationship with weapons manufacturers like Raytheon and Lockheed Martin and who work hand in hand with NATO that profit off the blood of millions of people around the world. The only way forward is for people to unite on a broader front of non-partisanship and fund our own media because there are more of us than there are of them.

PayPal has also banned Caleb Maupin, an American speaker and journalist whose work has already seen his personal Twitter account branded Russia state-affiliated media by the US state-affiliated platform.

Why should something as basic as cash transactions be subject to political censorship? said Maupin when asked for comment. The economic war on independent countries is turning into a war on free speech. Writers and journalists must be able to eat.

Indeed, a very effective way to silence unauthorized media voices is to make it difficult for them to earn a living making their voices heard. Speaking from experience I know for a fact I couldnt put out a fraction of the content I put out if I was forced to work a 95 job in some office rather than having the freedom to put all my time and mental energy into this work thanks to the generous support of my readers. Cutting me off from that funding would be the same as censoring me directly, because theres no way I could continue the kind of work I do.

We are at a profoundly dangerous and frightening point in human history. The US proxy war against Russia in Ukraine is escalating by the day and the drums of war are beating ever louder against China over the Solomon Islands and Taiwan. If you think censorship is bad now, wait until this global power grab really gets going.

____________________

My work is entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, following me on Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud or YouTube, or throwing some money into my tip jar on Ko-fi, Patreon or Paypal. If you want to read more you can buy my books. The best way to make sure you see the stuff I publish is to subscribe to the mailing list for at my website or on Substack, which will get you an email notification for everything I publish. Everyone, racist platforms excluded, has my permission to republish, use or translate any part of this work (or anything else Ive written) in any way they like free of charge. For more info on who I am, where I stand, and what Im trying to do with this platform, click here. All works co-authored with my American husband Tim Foley.

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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.

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.
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.

Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in New Orleans. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

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!"

John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in New Orleans. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

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.
Registrations are now open for residents looking to run for mayor of Brandon.

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THE BRANDON SUN Coun. Jeff Fawcett is thus far the first and only person to put his name forward in Brandon's mayoral race. Incumbent Rick Chrest announced earlier this year he will retire after October's municipal election.

Registrations are now open for residents looking to run for mayor of Brandon.

Starting May 2 and ending Sept. 20, residents who are at least 18 years of age on election day who are Canadian citizens and have been a resident of Brandon as of April 26, 2022 can register to run for mayor.

The registration period for candidates for councillors starts June 30. Nomination papers for registered candidates are due between Sept. 14 and Sept. 20.

Residents who work for the City of Brandon, are running for office in another municipality, are running for school trustee, are a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the Canadian Senate or House of Commons, are a provincial judge or justice of the peace or who have been disqualified from candidacy due to filing 2018 election finance statements late or who have been convicted of an election offence are ineligible to run for any council position.

The City of Brandon has set campaign expense limits as $19,100 for mayoral candidates and $4,800 for councillor candidates this year.

So far, Coun. Jeff Fawcett (Assiniboine) is the only publicly declared candidate in the race to replace retiring Mayor Rick Chrest.

Election day is Oct. 26.

 The Brandon Sun
Policy change

After reading the front-page article on the hospital policy change regarding COVID patients in rooms with non-COVID patients, Im appalled. This government brought this change in January! Without any transparency. What about Prairie Mountain Health? At 78 years, Ive lost faith and hope in both. Voted Conservative most of my life, but thats it! Im done!

Waiting for the override

Regarding the Deloraine-Winchester RM decision on the HyLife hog barn proposal. The democratically elected Deloraine-Winchester council has voted against the hog barn proposal. Now waiting for the rebuttal, should there be one; to override their decision by government-appointed members of the Municipal Board, plus Bill 19. Sadly, democracy no longer exists in Manitoba. The vast majority of letters were not in support of this proposal. Also, I counted 300 names on spreadsheets that were signed by the populace, all in opposition.

Ukrainian dancers inspiring

How wonderful to see the photos in The Brandon Sun of the Troyanda Ukrainian dancers and their weekend performances. I only wish they didnt have to perform under such a dark cloud with the Russian invasion of Ukraine hanging over the world right now. Some might say they shouldnt be dancing when their country is under attack out of a duty to remember those who are dying at the hands of Russian forces. But I disagree. What better way to fight back here in Canada than showcasing Ukrainian heritage and culture? Heres hoping the war ends soon.
Chen Wayne prepares food at his family restaurant in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 2, 2022. Wang Shengfen, 37, and Chen Wayne, 24, from Kaohsiung and Taichung of southeast China's Taiwan respectively, both engage in catering business in Xiamen. Wang runs a "late night canteen" and Chen opens a family restaurant with his father. In 2016, Wang Shengfen and his father came to the mainland to search for business opportunities. Soon, he opened a restaurant with friends in Xiamen's Jimei District. In 2022, he started his own business and opened a late night canteen, which soon became popular among diners in Xiamen. "Working in catering business is quite fulfilling to me," Wang said, "I am planning to open another restaurant soon." At the end of 2019, Chen Wayne, who graduated from high school, came to Xiamen with his father to start their own business, but the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their plan. The father and son then decided to run a family restaurant. Now, their business is getting on track. "Our intention of running this restaurant was to bring authentic Taiwanese cuisine to local diners," Chen said, "In the future, I hope to start a family here and expand the business scale." (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Wang Shengfen plays the guitar at his "late night canteen" in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 1, 2022. Wang Shengfen, 37, and Chen Wayne, 24, from Kaohsiung and Taichung of southeast China's Taiwan respectively, both engage in catering business in Xiamen. Wang runs a "late night canteen" and Chen opens a family restaurant with his father. In 2016, Wang Shengfen and his father came to the mainland to search for business opportunities. Soon, he opened a restaurant with friends in Xiamen's Jimei District. In 2022, he started his own business and opened a late night canteen, which soon became popular among diners in Xiamen. "Working in catering business is quite fulfilling to me," Wang said, "I am planning to open another restaurant soon." At the end of 2019, Chen Wayne, who graduated from high school, came to Xiamen with his father to start their own business, but the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their plan. The father and son then decided to run a family restaurant. Now, their business is getting on track. "Our intention of running this restaurant was to bring authentic Taiwanese cuisine to local diners," Chen said, "In the future, I hope to start a family here and expand the business scale." (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Chen Wayne (back) poses for a photo with customers at his family restaurant in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 2, 2022. Wang Shengfen, 37, and Chen Wayne, 24, from Kaohsiung and Taichung of southeast China's Taiwan respectively, both engage in catering business in Xiamen. Wang runs a "late night canteen" and Chen opens a family restaurant with his father. In 2016, Wang Shengfen and his father came to the mainland to search for business opportunities. Soon, he opened a restaurant with friends in Xiamen's Jimei District. In 2022, he started his own business and opened a late night canteen, which soon became popular among diners in Xiamen. "Working in catering business is quite fulfilling to me," Wang said, "I am planning to open another restaurant soon." At the end of 2019, Chen Wayne, who graduated from high school, came to Xiamen with his father to start their own business, but the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their plan. The father and son then decided to run a family restaurant. Now, their business is getting on track. "Our intention of running this restaurant was to bring authentic Taiwanese cuisine to local diners," Chen said, "In the future, I hope to start a family here and expand the business scale." (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Wang Shengfen makes beverages at his "late night canteen" in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 1, 2022. Wang Shengfen, 37, and Chen Wayne, 24, from Kaohsiung and Taichung of southeast China's Taiwan respectively, both engage in catering business in Xiamen. Wang runs a "late night canteen" and Chen opens a family restaurant with his father. In 2016, Wang Shengfen and his father came to the mainland to search for business opportunities. Soon, he opened a restaurant with friends in Xiamen's Jimei District. In 2022, he started his own business and opened a late night canteen, which soon became popular among diners in Xiamen. "Working in catering business is quite fulfilling to me," Wang said, "I am planning to open another restaurant soon." At the end of 2019, Chen Wayne, who graduated from high school, came to Xiamen with his father to start their own business, but the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their plan. The father and son then decided to run a family restaurant. Now, their business is getting on track. "Our intention of running this restaurant was to bring authentic Taiwanese cuisine to local diners," Chen said, "In the future, I hope to start a family here and expand the business scale." (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Photo taken on May 1, 2022 shows Wang Shengfen's "late night canteen" in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. Wang Shengfen, 37, and Chen Wayne, 24, from Kaohsiung and Taichung of southeast China's Taiwan respectively, both engage in catering business in Xiamen. Wang runs a "late night canteen" and Chen opens a family restaurant with his father. In 2016, Wang Shengfen and his father came to the mainland to search for business opportunities. Soon, he opened a restaurant with friends in Xiamen's Jimei District. In 2022, he started his own business and opened a late night canteen, which soon became popular among diners in Xiamen. "Working in catering business is quite fulfilling to me," Wang said, "I am planning to open another restaurant soon." At the end of 2019, Chen Wayne, who graduated from high school, came to Xiamen with his father to start their own business, but the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their plan. The father and son then decided to run a family restaurant. Now, their business is getting on track. "Our intention of running this restaurant was to bring authentic Taiwanese cuisine to local diners," Chen said, "In the future, I hope to start a family here and expand the business scale." (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Chen Wayne shows a dish he made at his family restaurant in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 2, 2022. Wang Shengfen, 37, and Chen Wayne, 24, from Kaohsiung and Taichung of southeast China's Taiwan respectively, both engage in catering business in Xiamen. Wang runs a "late night canteen" and Chen opens a family restaurant with his father. In 2016, Wang Shengfen and his father came to the mainland to search for business opportunities. Soon, he opened a restaurant with friends in Xiamen's Jimei District. In 2022, he started his own business and opened a late night canteen, which soon became popular among diners in Xiamen. "Working in catering business is quite fulfilling to me," Wang said, "I am planning to open another restaurant soon." At the end of 2019, Chen Wayne, who graduated from high school, came to Xiamen with his father to start their own business, but the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their plan. The father and son then decided to run a family restaurant. Now, their business is getting on track. "Our intention of running this restaurant was to bring authentic Taiwanese cuisine to local diners," Chen said, "In the future, I hope to start a family here and expand the business scale." (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)
MYTH BUSTING Its the Coalitions secret campaign weapon youve never heard about. But a team inside the Liberal Partys campaign machine called the Mythbusters  yes, you read that right  are now regarded as the crack unit inside the partys Milton, Brisbane headquarters. Outgoing Health Minister Greg Hunts chief of staff Wendy Black  the better half to Triple M broadcaster Steve Price  came up with the idea alongside Liberal federal director Andrew Hirst ahead of the last election as a bulwark against a repeat of a 2016 attack. Myth busting: Scott Morrison, Andrew Hirst and Wendy Black. Credit:Illustration: John Shakespeare That was when the Libs slow response to Labors Mediscare campaign helped the Coalition lose up to 10 seats. Readers will recall in the dying days of the campaign a TV commercial starring Bob Hawke urged voters to Save Medicare, Vote Labor. A wide-reaching SMS message warned Time is running out to save Medicare. Its a memory that still makes Libs wince.

The unit is behind the website LaborLies.com.au featuring a photoshopped banner image of Labor leader Anthony Albanese with Pinocchios nose. Rude. Theres also WeakLeadership.com.au, which includes a list of Albos alleged policy flip flops and a photo of Albos mug atop a weathervane which keeps swinging in the breeze. Pithy stuff. Then theres the nightly email bulletin titled Labor Lies with a two-column table labelled Lies on one side and the Facts on the other. The unit apparently swung into overdrive this week when a News Corp article suggested there was a Coalition plan to force pensioners onto a cashless debit card. That claim died out after two days, which Liberal insiders chalk up as a victory to the Mythbusters unit. No doubt there will be more spurious claims to come. But hey, who needs a Mediscare when the Reserve Bank is lifting rates. Theres nothing fake about that.

LEFT RIGHT OUT The great debate about who is hosting the election debates is over, and the ABC has missed out  again. It is a blow for everyone from managing director David Anderson down, with his letter to both Labor and Liberal campaign headquarters imploring them to agree to a debate on the national broadcaster falling on deaf ears. Insiders presenter David Speers and executive producer Sam Clark had been working on a proposal since November which was decidedly minimalist: one table, two party leaders and one moderator  Speers. But no dice, despite Labor leader Anthony Albanese making some modest public comments about how Aunty should host a debate: I do think the idea that the ABC would be excluded from any participation is rather extraordinary. But this attitude did not stop the ALP earlier being first to agree to the first debate on Sky News. And Albos CHQ did agree to a debate on Nine on Sunday and Seven on Wednesday. Insiders host David Speers finds himself on the outside. Credit:Photo: Justin McManus
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Insiders presenter David Speers and executive producer Sam Clark had been working on a proposal since November that was decidedly minimalist: one table, two party leaders and one moderator  Speers.

It is a blow for everyone from managing director David Anderson down, with his letter to both Labor and Liberal campaign headquarters imploring them to agree to a debate on the national broadcaster falling on deaf ears.

The great debate about who is hosting the election debates is over, and the ABC has missed out  again.

But no dice, despite Labor leader Anthony Albanese making some modest public comments about how Aunty should host a debate: I do think the idea that the ABC would be excluded from any participation is rather extraordinary.

But this attitude did not stop the ALP earlier being first to agree to the first debate on Sky News. And Albos CHQ did agree to a debate on Nine on Sunday and Seven on Wednesday.

Its not a great start to the tenure of brand-new head of news, the former 7.30 executive producer Justin Stevens, but clearly the allure of the Quiet Australian fans of Lego Masters (before the 60 Minutes debate on Nine) and Big Brother (before the debate on Seven) proved more attractive than the ABCs audience, otherwise known as the Australasian Branch of the Society of Fans of Vera.

Interestingly, the ALP did make a passing attempt at another debate, writing to the Liberals suggesting a debate in the last week of the campaign. But that timing was never going to find favour.

Generally in the last week its traditional for the leaders to hold an address at the National Press Club, NPC chief executive Maurice Reilly said. The board of the NPC would still like to see the establishment of a debates commission to get past this debate about the debates. So say we all, Maurice.
Most people in NSW emergency departments are not told how long they will need to wait for treatment, with a survey of nearly 21,000 patients showing satisfaction with care fell in most health districts.

Within metropolitan Sydney, Nepean, Blacktown and Bankstown hospitals scored the lowest in the states first survey of emergency department patient satisfaction during the pandemic, while Randwicks Sydney Childrens Hospital, the Prince of Wales and Hornsby Hospital were the high-achievers, performing above the state average on most questions.

The Bureau of Health Information has released a survey of 20,000 patients and their experiences in emergency departments during 2020-21. Credit:Wolter Peeters

More than one in five patients said emergency staff did not check on their condition while they were waiting to be treated, and 54 per cent of people said they were not told how long they would need to wait to be seen by a doctor or nurse.

The Bureau of Health Information (BHI) surveyed nearly 21,000 patients attending 77 emergency departments from July 2020 to June 2021 about their experiences and how they rated their care.
Never have parents been so well-prepared for their childrens teachers to strike.

There are two reasons. One, parents now have strategies in place to deal with remote learning (and sometimes those strategies include a few hours of screen time) because they are COVID-hardened. And even if you think that students returned to school this year ready for school like its 2019, know that every school every day has COVID cases among staff and students and some have even sent entire year-groups home. Yes, parents might be bored or irritated or inconvenienced, but they know how to manage when students are not at school.

Teachers rally in Sydneys Hyde Park on Wednesday morning. Credit:Nick Moir

But the second reason is beyond the pragmatic. Parents know their childrens schools are in crisis. Day after day, students across NSW will come home to tell their parents their classes were run by teachers with no idea about its subject area. Principals are beyond their wits ends, trying to staff schools with boundless vacancies, operating with unstaffed classes every day, students under minimal supervision.

Alice Leung is head teacher secondary studies at Concord High and a Teachers Federation representative (the only teachers who cant get into trouble for speaking to the media). She teaches chemistry. But there have been days where she is in the library teaching her chemistry class, supervising Society and Culture and also Beginners Italian. Hows her Italian? Non-existent.
After dumping a mans body in a wheelie bin at a suburban Brisbane unit complex, two men used the victims phone to order a pizza.

The decomposing body of Kym Mitchell, 61, was found in the bin at a unit block on Yeronga Street in the riverside suburb of Yeronga on December 1, 2018. He had been dead for five days.

The crime scene at the Yeronga unit complex where Kym Mitchells body was found in a wheelie bin. Credit:Felicity Caldwell

After a resident reported a foul smell coming from the bin, the first police officers to arrive were confronted by an extremely harrowing scene.

Mitchell had mobility problems and used a mobility scooter to get around. Two men have admitted being involved in his death and disposal.
If not for Steve Johnsons 15-year private investigation into his brothers 1988 death, which did not always endear him to police, NSW would not be about to embark on the judicial inquiry announced last month into many potential gay-hate murders.

Justice Helen Wilson was unable to conclude  to the standard of evidence required by criminal law  that Scott Johnsons murder was motivated by hatred of gays. However, the Supreme Court judge did accept the evidence of Helen White, former wife of Johnsons killer, Scott White, that he had bragged to her about bashing gay men and when she challenged him about Johnsons death, he told her: The only good poofter is a dead poofter.

Steve Johnson and sister Rebecca outside the court on Tuesday. Credit:Peter Rae

It was a coroners finding in 2005 that two and probably three gay men were killed on the cliffs around a Bondi-Tamarama park in the 1980s that motivated Steve Johnson, an American IT entrepreneur, to ask: did the same thing happen to his brother, the 27-year-old mathematician and PhD student whose naked body was found at the base of a cliff at North Head near Manly on December 10, 1988?

Police dismissed Scott Johnsons death as a suicide that day, a conclusion soon confirmed by a coroner. Steve Johnsons investigation led to a second inquest in 2012  which threw out the suicide finding but left the cause of death open  and to a third inquest in 2017 which found Scott was pushed, hounded or frightened off the cliff.
The world's best badminton players are set to meet at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand for the TotalEnergies BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2022 that will be held on May 8-15, 2022.

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Key Players to Look out for at the BWF Thomas Cup Finals 2022

There will be a plethora of superstars in the 32nd edition of the BWF Thomas Cup Finals 2022, including nine of the top ten in men's singles.

Group A has the most with three: Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and Jonatan Christie are ranked fifth and eighth, respectively, with reigning World Champion and tenth-ranked Loh Kean Yew making his competition debut with Singapore.

Over in Group B, world number one and reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen and third-ranked Anders Antonsen lead the way for Denmark. Group C has fourth-ranked Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei and ninth-ranked Lakshya Sen of India.

Group D will be a faceoff between world number two Momota Kento and seventh-ranked Lee Zii Jia when Japan and Malaysia go head-to-head.

The Women to Watch out for at the BWF Uber Cup Finals 2022

Everyone in the top ten of the BWF women's singles world rankings are expected to take part in the 29th staging of the BWF Uber Cup Finals 2022.

Current World Champion and number two Yamaguchi Akane and number five Okuhara Nozomi will lead the way for Japan in Group A. Apart from that, they have three of the top ten pairs in women's doubles.

Group B is the most stacked with a quartet of the top ten in it. Chinese Taipei's world number one Tai Tzu-ying will be facing the likes of Spain's sixth-ranked Carolina Marin as well as China's third-ranked Chen Yufei and ninth-ranked He Bingjiao.

Host Thailand is the overwhelming favorite in Group C, with former World Champion and number eight Ratchanok Intanon and tenth-ranked Pornpawee Chochuwong at the helm of their squad. India and Korea will provide the fireworks on Group D, Pusarla Venkata Sindhu and fourth-ranked An Se-young headlining their respective countries.

BWF, M88 Mansion Team up for Ultimate Experience of TotalEnergies BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2022

BWF's official betting partner M88 Mansion will provide live updates of the TotalEnergies BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2022 on M88 Mansion's official website.

Tune in for more events, promos, and giveaways from the BWF-M88 Mansion partnership by liking, following, and subscribing to BWF-M88 Mansion social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.

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Convicted killer Bandali Debs has told a murder trial he fired the first of the fatal shots at police in Melbournes south-eastern suburbs in 1998, and that he hit one officer and then heard the shots that killed another.

Debs told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that Jason Roberts was with him when Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller were fatally shot in Cochranes Road, Moorabbin after midnight on August 16, 1998.

Sergeant Gary Silk (left) and Senior Constable Rodney Miller.

Roberts argues he was not in Moorabbin when the shootings happened and has pleaded not guilty to two charges of murder. But Debs gave evidence that he and Roberts were each armed with a loaded .357 revolver when the police officers pulled over their car.

Debs said he was driving his daughter Nicoles blue Hyundai Excel, with Roberts in the passenger seat, when they were pulled over. Nicole Debs was Roberts girlfriend at the time.
Albert said he was not concerned about Victorias debt as long as the government is delivering services. The retiree said he wanted a longer-term plan for the elderly and supported emergency services investment. I called triple-zero one year ago and the issue at that time was they were not able to send me to the nearby hospitals, as there was a long waiting list in the nearby emergency departments, he said. The commuter: Rachel Affas Cranbourne resident Rachel Affas often works from home but is slowly returning to her CBD office. Affas makes long trips once or twice a week for work via the Monash Freeway, occasionally taking the train to her Collins Street office. Rachel Affas commutes to her office from Melbournes outer south-eastern suburbs. Credit:Wayne Taylor

Affas said she wouldve loved to see some relief for myki costs, given the budget forecast of continued high petrol prices. The 23-year-old liked the health-oriented budget overall, but wanted more relief for public transport rather than road projects. When everything else is expensive, you want to turn to public transport, but it ends up costing the same anyway, Affas said. The homebuyers: Maddie and Matt Caldar Having already sold their current home, Maddie and Matt Caldar have been to about 10 auctions without success. Maddie (left), Matt (right) and baby Duncan (centre) feel the housing market is getting out of hand. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

The median house price of Brunswick West is around $1.36 million. Were falling short of that all the time, Matt said. Its pretty outrageous. Although the Caldars supported the budgets health spending, they were concerned about housing affordability. Despite a $50 million investment in the Growing Suburbs Fund, the Caldars said much more was required if it were to shift the needle on suburb desirability and reduce competition for buyers in infrastructure-heavy areas such as Brunswick. The jobseeker: John Attard John Attard is unemployed and surviving on his savings.

The 48-year-old St Kilda man, who says he decided not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 because of his spiritual beliefs, was dismissed from two jobs: one at St Kildas Adventure Playground and another in the youth justice system. He found himself out of work for the first time in six years. With COVID-19 mandates still preventing him from re-entering the workforce and his savings dwindling, he now receives fortnightly Centrelink payments to help him survive. John Attard wants to see higher Centrelink payments, more homes for the homeless, and better rental assistance in Victorias state budget. Credit:Chris Hopkins Attard said the governments job-building efforts, in areas such as advanced manufacturing, medical research and renewable energy, were too industry-specific and dependent on specific training and qualifications that people like himself did not have. Of the $250 household rebate, he said it was appreciated, but said it was a drop in the ocean of what he needed.

Seeing is believing, he said. It sounds good, but only if they stick to their word. The family: Kathy Mechenbier and Scott Thompson-Rodger Event manager Kathy Mechenbier is raising two children with her partner Scott Thompson-Rodger in the inner western suburb of Newport. Seven-year-old Emily attends a nearby private Catholic school, while Leo is three and spends time in childcare and a private kindergarten. Kathy Mechenbier and her children Emily (left) and and Leo (right). Credit:Scott McNaughton Mechenbier said the $250 cost-of-living payments to households that compared energy deals would help her family budget.

I grew up with not much and $250 in our books is better than zero dollars, she said. Mechenbier said she didnt expect support for private schools and her family knew what we were getting ourselves into when enrolling their children there. The sea-changers: Fiona Scally and Steve Bohan Young parents Fiona Scally and Steve Bohan moved to Ocean Grove from Richmond in January last year. Steve still works several days a week in Melbourne while Fiona is a teacher on maternity leave after giving birth to daughter Lucy, who is now 14 weeks old. Fiona Scally, Steve Bohan and their 14-week-old Lucy have moved to Ocean Grove as part of the great exodus. Credit:Jason South
Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek has declared her relationship with Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is terrific, batting away suggestions she had been sidelined during the ALPs election campaign.

The oppositions education spokeswoman has also written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison asking for a debate on education policy  and for him to clarify whether Alan Tudge or Stuart Robert is the education minister.

Labors education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek has batted away suggestions she has been sidelined in the campaign. Credit:Jessica Hromas

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age last week reported that Plibersek, along with Bill Shorten, Ed Husic, Clare ONeil and Brendan OConnor, was not having details of media events or transcripts of campaign press conferences distributed by Labors campaign headquarters.

After that report, Albanese said Plibersek was an outstanding member of my team, and no one is working harder to elect a Labor government than Tanya Plibersek. She is such an extraordinary asset.
Throughout the 21st century, Queensland has had an almost mythical hold over federal politics.

The path to government, so conventional wisdom went, was through the Sunshine State.

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese would love some of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuks electoral fortunes in Queensland. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

And so it was.

Queensland was vital to Labors chances last time it won from Opposition, helped in no small way by having a Queenslander at the top of the ticket.
After two years of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, consulting analyst Rachel Affas has started to work some days in her CBD office.

Affas  a 23-year-old from Cranbourne  makes long car trips once or twice a week on the Monash Freeway, while she also commutes via train to her Collins St office on other days.

Rachael Affas drives or takes to the train to the city for work from the outer suburbs and wants lower Myki prices due to the hike in fuel costs. Credit:Wayne Taylor

She said she wouldve loved to see some relief for Myki costs, particularly given the budget forecast of continued high petrol prices.

When everything else is expensive, you want to turn to public transport, but it ends up costing the same anyway, Affas said.

Affas said she liked the health focus of the budget, but would have liked more funding to be directed towards preventative health.

The governments support for teachers  giving teachers less face-to-face class time and more time for lesson planning  was also pretty much what I wouldve hoped to see, she said.
Communiques issued during the weekend from General MacArthurs headquarters indicate that the great naval battle off the north-east coast of Australia has temporarily ceased. The enemy has been repulsed, but he is expected to reorganise and strengthen his forces for another combined effort. Allied headquarters in one communique said We will continue our attacks against him.

A mushroom cloud rises after a heavy explosion on board USS Lexington, 8 May 1942. Credit:US Navy

Meanwhile aerial conflicts in South-West Pacific area have been continuing, and yesterday further damage to Japanese ships and planes was reported. One enemy seaplane tender and one tanker were damaged and four seaplanes destroyed or damaged. One other seaplane was shot down and some were machine-gunned on the water. The enemy has renewed his air attacks upon Port Moresby, but with no success.

General MacArthurs headquarters described Japanese claims of our losses as entirely fictional, and as having no semblance of a true communique of fact.

The locality in which the battle took place is now officially described as off the north-east coast of Australia. The communique in which this is stated also declares that the action represented the continued efforts of the Japanese to extend aggressive conquests towards the south and south-east.

Our reconnaissance had revealed that the enemy had been gradually building up his naval and transport elements for a coordinated attack of combined forces, which was initiated several days ago. Our naval forces had then attacked in interception. Our attacks would continue.
Washington: President Joe Biden has warned that overturning a landmark Supreme Court decision legalising abortion in the US would be a radical move that could threaten same-sex marriage and the entire notion of privacy in American life.

Hours after a leaked draft decision revealed that the Supreme Court was set to overturn Roe v Wade  the 1973 case guaranteeing that women have a constitutional right to abortion in the US  tensions erupted throughout the country over the fate of the 50-year-old precedent.

US President Joe Biden wants to codify protections for the right to an abortion. Credit:AP

In Congress, Democrats vowed to make abortion a central plank of Novembers midterm elections, while Republicans focused on the extraordinary leaking of Justice Samuel Alitos draft opinion  a security breach that is almost unheard of for an institution where decisions are highly guarded until they are handed down.

A few hundreds metres away, on the steps of the Supreme Court, protesters gathered throughout the day carrying placards with slogans such as hands off my rights and regulate corporations not our bodies while inside, Chief Justice John Roberts ordered an investigation into the source of the leak.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In 1973 the pivotal United States Supreme Court decision Roe v Wade legalised abortion across the country and became a touchstone for 50 years of conflict between the pro-life and pro-choice movements. A leaked draft of a new Supreme Court ruling shows Roe v Wade is on the cusp of being overturned, intensifying furious debate in the US and potentially imperilling a right that millions American women have had for decades. But how did this decades-old ruling come to hold such significance in the global discourse about womens rights, and what could overturning it mean? Attorney Gloria Allred and Norma McCorvey, right, at a pro-choice rally in 1989. Credit:Getty Images What was the decision in Roe v Wade? In 1970, Norma McCorvey was a Texas mother of two children who became pregnant with a third. She wanted an abortion but the states laws denied access to the procedure unless the mothers life was in danger, so McCorvey launched a legal challenge. She was given the pseudonym Jane Roe to protect her identity but later went public. Henry Wade, the opposing Texas attorney-general, also gave his name to the case. The case did not come out of nowhere. As the feminist movement grew and the sexual revolution swept America from the 1960s, pressure grew from women's groups to challenge abortion restrictions.

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After a series of decisions and appeals, McCorveys case reached the United States Supreme Court, the highest court in the country. The court ruled by a 7-2 majority in 1973 that the Texas law was unconstitutional. By then McCorvey had given birth and put the child up for adoption. How did they decide that? Loading The United States Constitution is the country's founding document. It makes no mention of abortion. Nonetheless, the justices of the Supreme Court reasoned that a right to privacy, which the court had previously found was implicit in several parts of the constitution and covered things such as contraception and procreation, extended to a right to have an abortion. In the majority opinion, Justice Harry Blackmun wrote that the costs of denying access to abortion were high, including physical injuries during pregnancy, financial and psychological costs of raising an unwanted child and social stigma. What was the effect of the decision? States such as Texas were no longer allowed to have laws tantamount to banning abortion, a radical step that followed decades in which many states had criminalised the procedure.

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The decision also served as a lightning rod for religious conservatives who argued that life began at the point of conception and that abortion was tantamount to murder. Even Justice Ginsburg, the late liberal feminist Supreme Court judge, argued the court could have avoided some of that backlash had it decided Roe v Wade on equality rather than privacy grounds, as it would be easier to explain to critics. Pro-choice supporters try to block anti-abortion demonstrators in front of the Supreme Court during the annual March for Life on the anniversary of the Roe v Wade ruling in Washington in January 2017. Credit:Getty Images Does that mean abortion is available everywhere in the United States? No. The qualifications Blackmun put on his reasoning have been used to decrease access to abortion over the decades in many states. Federal and state laws at different times have banned federal medical funding going to abortion providers, banned doctors raising abortion as an option with pregnant women, required doctors delivering abortion services to be tied to local hospitals and restricted abortion to the early stages of a pregnancy. Anti-abortion protesters march in Washington in January 2016. Credit:Getty Images

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So what has the Supreme Court done now, and why? A draft opinion published by the news site Politico indicates that a majority of the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v Wade. The draft opinion is from a case called Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organisation, which is a challenge by Mississippis only abortion clinic to a 2018 state law banning abortions after 15 weeks. That law has an exception for severe fetal defects and medical emergencies but none for pregnancies that are the result of rape or incest. The clinic argues it violates Roe v Wade and later decisions upholding it; the respondents argue that Roe should be reversed. The draft appears to be a decision written by the conservative Justice Samuel Alito for five judges, a majority, overturning Roe. Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, Alito reportedly writes in the document. His view is that the constitution does not actually grant the right to abortion. Final court decisions can change and even flip from drafts but the result aligns with the composition of the court. There are six conservative judges and three liberals on the court. Politico claims it obtained the document from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other materials establishing its legitimacy. Legal experts familiar with the court said it read like Alitos writing. The court has declined to comment. A full draft opinion has never leaked before a decision is published in the modern history of the court but there have been numerous leaks of court business.

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In 1973, for example, the result of the original Roe v Wade decision was leaked to Time magazine. It had been disclosed by a court clerk with the intention that it not be publicised before the decision, but a scheduling error meant the article was released first. The court will release its final decision by the end of this term, which will conclude in June or July. What would happen if the draft ruling becomes final? If the court repeals Roe, the consequences would be immediate. The Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights advocacy group, says 22 states have laws that would restrict abortion if Roe were struck down. A further four states - Florida, Indiana, Montana and Nebraska - are also likely to ban or restriction abortion. Some, such as North Dakota and Mississippi, have trigger laws that would come into effect if the Supreme Court repeals Roe. In Mississippi, abortions would be banned unless there was a pending rape trial or the mothers life was in danger. These trigger laws are a way of showing a state government is doing all it can to ban abortion. But in 13 other states, as well as the District of Columbia, abortion access would be unchanged under state laws that protect it. Research from scholars at Middlebury College in Vermont and abortion rights groups suggest that ending Roe would have the biggest impact on poorer women who would find it harder to afford the travel, accommodation, time off work and medical expense of an interstate abortion. State-level politics means those in the midwest and south would have their access restricted the most.

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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 popularity of outsourcing is continuing to rise in the mortgage industry, and Sydney company Brokers BackOffice says its here to help.

The loan processing service provider was set up in 2018 by director and chartered accountant Anshu Lukka (pictured) to assist busy mortgage brokers across Australia.

We are passionate about what we do, Lukka said.

We are approved with all the major aggregator groups, we turn applications around within a 24-hour time frame, process over 150 applications a month and have over 70 broker partners.

Read more: What are the benefits of outsourcing for brokers?

Lukka said there were three main benefits for brokers to outsource to a company such as Brokers BackOffice.

It is a reduced cost as the fee we charge covers 65% to 70% of a brokers cost by employing someone onshore.

The benefit of staff management as brokers do not need to worry about training, staff turnover, etc.

Finally, the broker can focus on growth, building their network and chasing new leads whilst we take care of the backend of their business, Lukka said.

The outsourcing company provided dedicated trained loan processing officers as part of its package to brokers.

Brokers need to go through various administrative tasks including preparing and collecting documents, working through compliance, then loan settlement, so we take care of the backend admin tasks so the broker can focus on what they do best - writing home loans.

Read more: Brokers gain from Bula Outsourcing launching Fiji Headquarters

Lukka said once a broker had met with his or her client to discuss different lender and bank options, and the client provided the required documentation to begin the credit file, Brokers BackOffice could begin working.

The service provider had implemented robust high security IT measures which were independently tested and certified for brokers and aggregators.

We work very hard internally to prepare our portal to service brokers efficiently and consistently, Lukka said.

As the business grows, Lukka said he would like to invest in lead generation and social media.

These are also important areas of a brokers business so we want to help where we can down the track.

Lukka said there was no accreditation process required for brokers to begin working with the outsourcing company, and they must speak to their aggregator to arrange login details before utilising its services.

All aggregators know about us, and they will ask a series of compliance questions. We understand the regulations and they are dealing with an established player, he said.

At the end of the day, it is about teamwork between broker partners, aggregators, and us.
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

For millions of Australians, saving for a first home has been a financial rite of passage, but more and more of the younger generation believe the great property dream is dead.

A severely inflated housing market has pushed an unprecedented number of millennials  Australians born between 1981 and 1996  to opt for the more flexible stock market to secure their financial futures.

A survey published by the Commonwealth Bank revealed that millennials comprised more than two-thirds of the 1 million new customer accounts opened on its CommSec trading app since the start of pandemic in February 2020, news.com.au reported.

Of those customers, 43% said they would rather invest than spend their money, with 38% of that figure opting for the stock market over the traditional path of saving for a property deposit for long-term financial security.

The statistic came as no surprise to millennial retail investor-turned podcast superstar Bryce Leske, co-founder of the popular Equity Mates podcast, which aims to help ordinary Aussies navigate the world of finance and investment.

Since the launch of his podcast in 2017, hes seen a huge uptick of younger people turning to shares as opposed to brick-and-mortar investments like real estate.

When we first started the podcast, investing felt like something that was out of reach for everyday Australians It was dominated by this idea that youd just build wealth through housing, Leske told news.com.au. If you think about the costs involved with putting together an enormous deposit, shouldering legal costs, stamp duty  the price of housing ends up being well out of reach for so many people.

Leske said some of his clients had deposits in excess of $100,000, but were still unable to secure a home loan. As a result, more and more potential homeowners were looking towards the share market to make their money work.

Ben Spoor, 27, management consultant, found investing in shares a far more appealing option due to the sting of additional costs involved with locking in a first home.

I crunched the numbers and owning shares is easier and better for me than an investment in property, Spoor said. Investment properties are a pain and have lots of costs people forget about. Owning shares (index funds, not direct shares) is set and forget.

For Brett Hall, 35, the risk of being leveraged into a volatile mortgage repayment plan pushed him into focusing on the share market for the financial security of his young family.

[My wife and I] weighed up the question of property but we really didnt want to flirt with mortgage stress, Hall told news.com.au. Shares are liquid  if we want to buy a house we can sell our shares and get a deposit Its very hard to go the other way  the entry and exit risks are much higher. People sometimes say rent money is dead money, but I would say interest is the same. So what kind of dead money do you want to be paying?

Hall also opted to kickstart his sons financial future by investing in shares.

We just set up an informal trust for our son, he said, referring to investment accounts that can be invested on behalf of minors. You can start buying shares for $500 and youre in, youre doing something, as opposed to waiting until you have a couple of hundred grand before you put down a deposit.
According to a recent story, Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to undergo cancer surgery and temporarily hand over authority to a tough former federal police head.

In accordance with a video posted on Saturday by the mysterious Telegram channel General SVR, Putin would hand over the authority of Russia's government to Nikolai Patrushev, the head of the Russian federal police's Security Council, while he remains paralyzed during and after the surgery.

Vladimir Putin Set To Vanish for Cancer Surgery

While he goes under the knife, the Russian autocrat is expected to choose hardline Security Council chairman and former FSB leader Nikolai Patrushev to lead the invasion. Patrushev, 70, is regarded as a key architect of the war plan thus far, as well as the guy who persuaded Putin that Kyiv is overrun by neo-Nazis.

Putin was diagnosed with stomach cancer and Parkinson's disease 18 months ago. He has allegedly postponed surgery, which will now take place on May 9 in Red Square as part of the Triumph Day celebration of Russia's World War II victory.

The report comes amid rumors that Putin would declare war on Ukraine and order the mass mobilization of military-age males, posing a significant political risk. The procedure was supposed to take place in the second part of April, but it was postponed, according to Daily Mail.

However, as the assault falters and the Russian army falls far short of its goal of capturing Kyiv in four days, that reputation has come under fire. Many people have questioned if a guy once regarded as a skilled tactician has been weakened by his failing health. One rumor that has surrounded the 69-year-old leader even before the invasion of Ukraine is that Putin has Parkinson's disease.

Last week, curiosity peaked when a video of Putin greeting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in mid-February began to circulate. The former KGB agent can be seen in the video with one hand on his chest and the other in a fist. Putin brings his hand close to his chest as it begins to quiver violently in an apparent attempt to halt the trembling. Despite his attempts, he wobbles unsteadily as he approaches his long-time buddy and fellow election thief, his legs trembling.

While the reclusive Russian leader, who claims he does not allow any type of intrusion into his personal life, is unlikely to provide credible medical information for himself anytime soon, armchair doctors speculated about Parkinson's disease, Mirror reported.

Read Also: World War 3 Warning: Russian State TV Shows Missile Simulation Destroying Paris, Berlin, London in 200 Seconds

Who Take Over During Vladimir Putin's Recovery?

As rumors circulated regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's alleged cancer fight, a fresh report indicates that the strongman would temporarily pass control over to hardliner Nikolai Patrushev if his health prevented him from doing so.

The reports have not been independently confirmed, and Moscow has categorically denied Putin's health. But, if Putin takes a sick day, who will be in charge of the Kremlin?

Nikolai Patrushev, 70, is the secretary of Russia's Security Council, a powerful organization that reports directly to Putin and provides recommendations on military and security matters. Patrushev, who is widely regarded as a loyal Putin friend, wields the majority of the council's authority.

Patrushev is a career Russian intelligence agent, first with the Soviet KGB and then with the Russian FSB. Patrushev's function was compared to that of an American national security adviser in the report. Politico described Patrushev as a Kremlin hawk renowned for his ardent nationalism, conspiratorial mindset, and considerable espionage expertise in a 2017 feature.

As per New York Post, Patrushev joined the KGB in 1974 as a young teenager. Patrushev was appointed chief of Russia's internal intelligence organization, the FSB, after meeting Putin in the 1990s. He held the position for a decade. In 2008, he was appointed to President Vladimir Putin's Security Council.

Related Article: Vladimir Putin Net Worth 2022: Does Anyone Know Russian President's Hidden Wealth?

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Indias market has been affected because the supply of components used in manufacturing goods ranging from television panels to refrigerators and washing-machines is stuck in owing to the Covid-induced lockdown there.

White goods have 25-75 per cent of their components coming from China, with air-conditioners being the most dependent on them with 75 per cent. here have stocked up on components, but inventories could start to dry up from mid-May and the immediate fallout of it could be that some models may go out of stock and the situation could become even more severe in June if the lockdown in China persists.

There are a lot of challenges in . Short supplies across categories are surfacing. It is difficult to say how the situation will pan out mid-May onwards, but it could worsen if the lockdown continues into June, Kamal Nandi, business head and executive vice-president at Godrej Appliances, told Business Standard.

He further added it could take three to four months for the situation to normalise once China lifted lockdown restrictions. That will coincide with the festive season, which begins in September.

Demand for summer products has improved after two years. It had been choked off due to Covid-induced lockdowns impacting sales of summer products like refrigerators and air-conditioners.

Nandi said volumes were a little higher than in the 2019 summer and value-wise sales were up 15-20 per cent due to price increases.

Eric Braganza, president of the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA), said it was difficult to predict the extent of the impact the lockdown in China would have on consumer durables, and parts of Beijing were also being shut down, which too could hurt the industry.

June could be bad if the lockdown continues in China. It is difficult to predict the impact right now, Braganza said.

He said demand for summer products had shot up substantially due to high temperatures across the country and summer came 30 days early this year.

Braganza said a few models could go out of stock due to delays in components coming from China.

Contract manufacturer Dixon Technologies has started witnessing an improvement in inbound shipments but did face a shortage of components in the past two-three weeks.

The shipments delayed are already in the pipeline, said Atul Lall, managing director (MD) and vice-chairman, Dixon Technologies.

Super Plastronics, the brand licensee of Kodak, Thomson, Blaupunkt and Westinghouse in India, had stocked up in October-December and January-March.

We increased our orders from China as we expected some disruption and that has worked for us, said Avneet Singh Marwah, chief executive officer, Super Plastronics.

Retailer Vijay Sales is yet to see an impact on goods reaching stores.

We have not witnessed a slowdown in products reaching stores because we had stocked up in anticipation of good summer sales, said Nilesh Gupta, MD of Vijay Sales.

He also said demand for summer products was extremely strong in March, but not as strong in April.

Gupta added sales of summer goods like air-conditioners and refrigerators were at levels similar to 2019.
Is the central government moving towards merging its four into one?

The question pops up as the four general insurers have decided to restructure the organisation towards profitable growth and have called for Request for Proposal (RFP) from consultancy firms.

The assignment is called "Organisational Efficiencies and Performance Management in Public Sector ."

The four insurers are: The Limited, Limited, The Company Limited and United India Insurance Company Limited.

Of the four, The is listed in the stock exchanges.

As per the tender, the are calling for one consultant for the assignment which is logical as the process, human resource policies and procedures are uniform in the four companies, a senior industry official told IANS.

Though the central government did not proceed further on its earlier announcement to merge the three unlisted non-life insurers- The Oriental Insurance, National Insurance and United India Insurance- or to privatise one of the three.

Given this, the current move seems to be the logical step towards that, say senior industry officials.

Further, the employees in the four companies also demand the same.

According to a senior industry official, the move is still on the cards and is not in consideration of the government.

Be that as it may, as per the RFP, the four companies are undergoing a transformative journey for the last two years with successfully running on the path to profitable growth and efficiencies, optimisation.

"This, being the third year, is earmarked for Organisational Efficiencies."

Accordingly, there is a proposal for restructuring the organisation to bring in profitable growth and employee development through Performance Management and Capability

Management, in alignment with the key performance indicators (KPI) devised the public sector companies.

The four companies have found a need for a consultant who could quickly absorb itself into this journey of ongoing reforms and permeate them into each and every branch and staff by designing, handholding and successfully implementing the process of such transition through organisational restructuring, performance management and its real-time measurement, allocation of specific roles and responsibilities as well as performance indicators for sales, non-sales and support staff, capacity and capability building and carefully crafted change management approach.

As on 31.03.2022, the four insurers together have procured a total premium of Rs.75,116 crore with a market share of around 34 per cent.

The total employees' strength is around 44,743 spread over 6,759 offices.

The expected duration of the proposed assignment for the selected consultants is 10 months, with a provision for extension, if required on existing terms.

As per the RFP, the scope of work involves organisational restructuring that is irreversible providing for digitally enabled workflows to convert operating offices into customer experience and business development centres while centralising underwriting/claims/accounts and others into the Regional Hubs;

- activate all three key channels for retail business growth namely, Agency, Bancassurance and Alternative channels through suitable sales management, incentives and rewards processes;

- create/shift large corporate businesses (both direct and broker-driven) at select6-8 locations, directly reporting to the Head Office.

- provide capacity planning framework through manpower redistribution for both Business Development (BD) and Non-BD roles, with a clear focus on retail business through pre-underwritten products and simplified processes;

- provide a comprehensive reskilling/up - skilling and capability building framework for BD, Non-BD, large corporate and vertical teams to cope with the above restructuring in a confident and motivated manner;

- handhold the insurers in implementing the new organisation structure across functions and geographies by providing carefully designed and sensitively implemented change management approach and communication framework;

- designing objective and quantifiable KPIs for each unique role along with their measurable outcomes and its integration with the performance appraisal system for each PSGIC to achieve y-o-y milestones;

- based on the above KPIs, creating performance dashboards for each sales and non-sales staff at the Operating Offices, Regional Offices and Head Office as well as across functions linked with the core system.

While the majority of the work is centered around a common approach for all the four insurers, the implementation shall happen at individual company level.

"Broadly, 80 per cent of the proposed assignment shall be allocated towards creating unified/common strategies/methodology and frameworks while 20 per cent of the proposed assignment will be allocated towards customising and rolling them out at individual company level," the RFP said.

Interested consultancy firms should submit their proposals to the Chief Executive, General Insurers' (Public Sector) Association of India (GIPSA), the coordinating body for the project.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

--IANS

vj/shb/

(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.)
Non Banking financial company Finance Ltd and Open Financial Technologies, Asias largest focused neo-banking platform today announced a joint venture (JV) to launch Indias first neobank that would cater to banking and credit requirements of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs).

Initial capital of the joint venture company will be Rs 120 crore. The JV composition between Finance and Open is 51:49. The name of the joint venture would be Open Fintech Private Limited.

On Monday, Open became the 100th unicorn as IIFL led a $50 million series D funding along with existing investors Temasek, Tiger Global and 3one4 Capital.

For the JV entity (IIFL Open Fintech Private Limited) created there would be no technology capital expenditure as the same is being Offered by Open on a per customer basis. IIFL Finances existing customer and branch network would be utilized for customer acquisition leading to lower customer acquisition cost. This would also give a head-start to the JV compared to all other newer neo banks. The JV would be earning a revenue fee from IIFL Finance for offering lending services. Additionally, transaction revenue from all payments, cards and value added services would accrue to the JV.

The JV is expected to be a profitable fintech in the first year itself with 1 million customer mark reached within a years time and $2 billion lending book is likely to be created in 2 years, said the statement from the .

Nirmal Jain, Founder, IIFL Group and Managing Director, IIFL Finance said, We are excited to announce this joint venture which can genuinely transform banking and borrowing experience of millions of MSMEs. The unfulfilled credit need for such customers is estimated to be Rs 37 trillion. What these MSMEs need is simplified banking and what banks need is verified transaction and business data. The neo-banking that this JV proposes to offer, will meet requirements of both sides and drive financial inclusion and economic growth at bottom of the pyramid.

The joint venture will enable customers to open an account in less than two minutes without visiting any physical branch and access all banking features on the app itself. "The best part for the customer is that accounting and reconciliation will be auto-matched. Its unique structure of technology and credit underwriting for a variable fee, can potentially make it profitable from the first year itself, added Jain.

Open has over 2.3 million small and medium business merchants on boarded on its Open Money platform. It was founded in 2017 by Anish Achuthan, Mabel Chacko, Deena Jacob and Ajeesh Achuthan and has a strong technology stack, used by banks across India. Through this JV, Open would get a recurring annual SAAS fees per customer for offering technology services to the JV. Additionally, they would also be able to leverage the lending book and infrastructure of IIFL Finance to offer innovative lending solutions to the merchants on their platform. The lending solutions can be offered by Open without taking any lending/First Loss Default Guarantee risk. Open would get incremental revenue from fees generated for lending solutions provided.

IIFL Finance has over 8 million customers and presence in 3000 locations. Over 95% of IIFL Finances loan book caters to micro enterprises. With this JV, IIFL Finance would be able to offer neo-banking services to its all its customers. Banking, Accounting, Billing and Reconciliation services would be offered at a click to IIFL Finances customers. This would help in getting complete insights into users business transaction leading to better underwriting decisions. Additionally the credit solutions to Opens existing 2 million merchants would lead to incremental lending book formation.

The unique proposition of this neobank is an innovative User Interface (UI) system made exclusively for small merchants -- a first of its kind in India. It will offer an alternative experience to traditional banking by providing simple interface for banking and integration with accounting, finance and payroll etc. in a seamless way. Moreover, customers will have access to credit from IIFL Finance at one click. These customers will also have access to savings, insurance, payment, card and other solutions, customized for their needs.

Anish Achuthan, Co-founder and CEO, Open said, We have always felt that the needs of micro businesses are a lot different than the current MSMEs which we cater to at Open and Open has never been focused on the consumer neo-banking space. Further the joint venture can add a lot of synergies to Open as we are getting ready to launch innovative products like revenue-based financing, early settlement, working capital loans and business credit cards on the Open Money platform."

There are 63.3 million MSMEs in India of which 99% are micro enterprises. The banking and business needs of this segment are a lot different than that of medium enterprises. This segment remains largely unserved as large financial institutions have never focused on this segment.

One of the reasons for this is inadequate data for credit assessment. The demand for credit in this segment continues to remain high and supply of financing through formal channels is low. Additionally, there is a very thin line of difference between personal finance and business finance needs of this segment. To cater to this, IIFL Finance will leverage Opens consumer neo-banking platform to offer additional services to its clients. IIFL Finance and Open aim to target the financial needs of this segment. The JV is a win-win for all stakeholders.
Associated Hotels Ltd, a part of the Oberoi group, on Tuesday said its long-serving chairman and director Prithivraj Singh Oberoi resigned with effect from May 2, 2022 due to deteriorating health condition.

Subsequently, the board of directors at a meeting held on Monday appointed Shib Sanker Mukherji, who was the vice chairman, as the new chairman of the company, Associated Hotels said in a regulatory filing.

"PRS Oberoi has decided to relinquish his position as chairman and director of the Associated Hotels Ltd effective May 2, 2022 due to his deteriorating health," the company said.

Popularly known as 'Biki', Oberoi (93) has been chairman of the company since 1988. Under his leadership, the company expanded from its first hotel, 'The Chennai', that opened in 1988, to become one of India's most reputable hotel .

Son of late Rai Bahadur MS Oberoi, the founder of the Oberoi Group, PRS has also been instrumental in developing the chain of hotels.

At present, there are ten Hotels in India located in Mumbai, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bhubaneshwar, Cochin, Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur.

The also operates a Trident hotel in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, according to Trident Hotels website.

Besides, Oberoi has been instrumental in the development of 'Oberoi Hotels and Resorts' and developing the 'Oberoi' as one of the finest luxury hotel brands.

A recipient of India's second highest civilian honour -- the 'Padma Vibhushan'-- in 2008, Oberoi was also awarded the 'Corporate Hotelier of the World' by HOTELS magazine in 2010, the company said.

Acknowledging his "exemplary dedication, passion, commitment and contribution to the company, its guests, shareholders and employees", EIH Associated Hotels said, "His leadership and vision will continue to guide and inspire the organisation."



The company said its new chairman Mukherji has a career of over 50 years in the hospitality industry and joined its board along with PRS Oberoi in 1988.

He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and has completed an Advanced Management Programme from Harvard University in the US.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
will sharpen focus on the domestic market and play to its strength in the lighting and electrical and components as part of re-aligning focus and enhancing return on capital employed (ROCE).

Last week, the company said it had signed an agreement to sell its four-wheeler lighting business in Europe and Americas to Compagnie Plastic Omnium SE for an enterprise value of Euro 600 million, as it seeks to consolidate position in its home market and exit from the underperforming ones. The lighting business in India and China are not part of the deal.

Post the closure of the deal by July or August this year, the plastic and polymer, electrical- and precision metallic parts major envisages doubling its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) next year.

We will be targeting a double digit Ebitda and a ROCE of over 20 per cent. We see a good free cash flow in all the remaining businesses. We are poised for a very good level of profitable growth, Tarang Jain, Varroc Engineering, told Business Standard. Post the deal, 85 per cent of its business will come from India.

The focus on the domestic market is a change in tack for the Tarang Jain-led company which was aiming to be the top three global lighting players after its acquisition of Visteon in 2012.

Our larger play will remain in India now. I dont want to get into a global lighting business any more. We will rather focus on India and China. Even China, we need to see how it goes, he said. Varroc will also take a call within a year on whether it wants to remain in the lighting business in China.

The proposed transaction will help the company become debt free.

The net equity value that Varroc will get after paying off all the debt (in Varroc Lighting Systems) will be Euro 160-175 million. It would use some of that for partially retiring some of the high-cost debt in India which it had taken for VLS operations. It would use the balance for dividend or some other purpose.

Net cash accretion to Varroc, post-tax and net of escrow, is estimated to be between Euro 160- 175 million subject to closing adjustments. The escrow of Euro 35 million would be released over 2-3 years, the company said in a filing to the exchanges.

Turning from gross debt of Rs 400 crore to Rs 500 crore at India level to net cash of Rs 200 to Rs 300 crore would result in interest outgo saving of Rs 60 crore to Rs 70 crore thus enhancing the bottom line significantly, wrote Basudeb Banerjee, analyst at ICICI Direct in a 3 May research report. The India business can reach revenue of Rs 6,000 crore without any major capex, he added.

Jain, who is credited with building the multinational auto component group, said all the new plants the company had set up were grossly underutilised to match the footprints of the global auto firms it was a supplier to.

We were facing a lot of headwinds and had to support VLS (Varroc Lighting Systems) with cash from India. Eventually we had to take a professional call as a company. It was a difficult decision but in the interest of the investors had to do it, said Jain.

Two years after the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic hit Varroc hard. While it recovered from the pandemic, its consequencethe semiconductor shortage didnt spare the firm. We realised that the semiconductor shortage was here to stay. Even if people do put up capacities, it will take 2-3 years to materialise, said Jain adding that he doesnt see it getting resolved for a year or so.

With its leaner working capital structure, Banerjee expects Varroc to generate free cash flow consistently and rise from sub-10 per cent RoCE to around 15-20 per cent band. ICICU has a buy rating on the stock with a revised target price of Rs 563 (earlier Rs 465). What would be left with after its deal with Plastic Ominuim

Businesses by geography Annual revenue (Rs cr) India business 5000 Varroc Lighting System 4 wheeler biz 400 to 500 Vietnam and EU 2 wheeler lighting business 500 Romania Electronic component manufacturing 250 to 300 Italy Forging entity 300 China JV stake to remain as earlier Annual PAT of Rs40 to Rs70 crore

Source: ICICI Direct
Billionaire 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 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 (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.

--IANS

rvt/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.)
was celebrated across the country Tuesday with people thronging Eidgahs and mosques, and families coming together for feasts after two years when the festivities were eclipsed by the pandemic.

But, as people elsewhere in the country prepared for the festival, the administration in Rajasthan's Jodhpur and Madhya Pradesh's Khargone imposed curfews over communal tension, asking residents to stay home.

In Delhi's Jahangirpuri that witnessed riots last month, Hindus and Muslims celebrated Eid together at Kushal Chowk by exchanging sweets and hugs, sending a message of peace and love.

Tight security arrangements were put in place at major religious places in the city. The Namaz of Eid was performed in mosques including at the historic and Fatehpuri Masjid as Covid restrictions remained suspended due to a dip in Covid cases.

In Jammu and Kashmir, rain failed to dampen the spirit of the faithful who celebrated with traditional fervour.

Officials said no untoward incident was reported from any part of the Valley.

The biggest gathering in Kashmir was witnessed at the Hazratbal shrine, where an estimated 80,000 people braved the rain to offer prayers.

Authorities did not allow Eid prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of Srinagar as the management committee refused to accept their conditions.

this year also come in the backdrop of the controversy around the use of hijab in colleges and announcing of Azaan on loudspeakers at mosques.

In Maharashtra, Director General of Police Rajnish Seth said the Aurangabad police will take appropriate legal action against MNS leader Raj Thackeray who had called for silencing loudspeakers at mosques from May 4.

Celebrations on during the last two years were subdued with no major congregational prayers and community feasts due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

However, with the spread of the virus fairly under control and restrictions relaxed, people gathered at mosques across the vast expanse of the country for prayers.

In Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow, over five lakh people led by Imam Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali offered namaz at the Eidgah maidan.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar later thanked the state's religious leaders saying that Eid was peacefully celebrated in the state amid its "traditional Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb" (a syncretic fusion of Hindu and Muslim cultural and religious elements).

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a tweet in Hindi said, "Today, a number of religious events were successfully held in Uttar Pradesh. The people of the state have taken a good initiative by not organising them on roads."



"For a healthy and harmonious society, it is necessary that along with respect for the faith, there should also be rule of law," he said.

Participating in Eid-ul-Fitr prayers held on a rain-drenched Red Road in Kolkata, TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to people to fight against the power which is trying to divide the country."



"The policy of divide and rule and politics of isolation going on in the country are not correct. Do not be scared and keep on fighting.""I am happy that after a gap of two years, you have assembled for this historic Eid prayer at the Red Road. This does not happen anywhere. The situation in the country is not fine. The policy of divide and rule and politics of isolation going on in the country are not correct, Banerjee said.

In Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, Muslims offered special prayers at 51 mosques and Eidgahs.

Celebratory gatherings could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but this time festivities are on with full fervour," Raipur's Qazi-e-Shahar Maulana Mohammad Ali Farooqui told PTI.

Down south in Kerala, people celebrated Eid with full fervour offering special prayers and namaz at mosques.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wished the people on the occasion.

Vijayan tweeted, "At a time when we are moving forward from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, let's imbibe the values of this festival and work toward the common good with vigour and unity."



Sweets were exchanged between the Pakistani Rangers and the BSF on the occasion at the Attari-Wagah joint check post along the International Border in Punjab.

A similar exchange of sweets was done between the BSF and its eastern counterpart Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at several points across the front.

However, the celebrations were marred in some parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

The historic city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan witnessed stone-pelting and clashes, which left five police personnel injured, over putting up of Islamic flags on the Jalori gate circle. Police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

People in some parts of the city spent the day inside their homes, and without mobile internet as authorities imposed a curfew in 10 police stations areas and suspended mobile internet services.

The administration in Madhya Pradesh's violence-hit Khargone decided not to relax the curfew and asked people to celebrate Eid as also the Hindu festival of Akshaya Tritiya at home.

Security has been tightened in Khargone, where violence took place during a Ram Navami procession on April 10.

All religious places in the city will remain shut on Tuesday.

In Punjab, where communal violence was witnessed in Patiala last week, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the occasion of Eid said that anything can be planted in the fertile land of the state but not the seeds of hatred.

Eid symbolises universal brotherhood, peace and amity, he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
For all the furor about which way might tilt U.S. political discourse after getting the keys to Inc., his biggest challenges may emerge across the Pacific.

Asia, home to more than half the worlds population, is Twitters biggest growth opportunity and arguably a far thornier challenge. If the Tesla Inc. and SpaceX billionaire makes good on promises to scrap censorship, hell encounter a plethora of perplexing regulations, wielded by sometimes authoritarian governments, pushed to the limits by a horde of first-time internet users.

The numbers alone suggest Musks biggest headaches lie abroad. Twitters monetizable daily active users numbered 179 million internationally -- dwarfing the 38 million in the U.S. in 2021, according to its latest annual report.

As a public company, has repeatedly emphasized it must abide by local regulations. Once its a private concern controlled by the worlds richest man, Musk will personally shoulder responsibility for navigating that thicket -- and the fallout if he fails.

 has the potential to make or break the new Twitter, said JJ Rose, a contributor to Australias nonpartisan Lowy Institute think tank. It will depend on how he approaches it, if he can harness it for his free speech aims.

Representatives for and Musk didnt respond to requests for comment.

China

Twitter is officially banned in China, but the country will still demand a lot of Musks attention. Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos alluded to the potential conflicts in a tweet shortly after Musks deal, asking Did the Chinese government just gain a bit of leverage over the town square?

An obvious point is that China is tremendously important for Tesla, the key source of Musks wealth. The billionaire will certainly face pressures -- implicit or explicit -- to fine-tune Twitters policies to please Beijing.

As the worlds biggest electric-vehicle market as well as a supplier of Tesla batteries, China is essential to the healthy growth of the centerpiece of Musks business empire. Tesla has also benefited from significant tax breaks in setting up his Shanghai Gigafactory -- its first overseas plant -- and been allowed to wholly own its local operations, a rarity for a U.S. firm.

A pressing issue is how Twitter handles Chinas efforts to spread propaganda globally on the platform. The company in 2020 instituted labels for government officials and state-affiliated media for publications like Xinhua and Global Times, and readers are reminded of this government-backing any time they like or retweet stories. Chinese media have called the practice intimidation and already begun to lobby the billionaire to roll it back.

One of the fiercest tests of Musks avowed commitment to expanding free speech on Twitter will lie in whether he withstands pressure from Beijing to whitewash criticisms and challenges of China on the platform, said Suzanne Nossel, CEO of non-profit advocacy group PEN America. Whatever incremental changes he makes on the platform in the name of free speech risk being subsumed beneath the weight of a heavy Chinese hand controlling what Musk has rightly dubbed a global public square.

Chen Weihua, a journalist at the China Daily, appealed directly to Musk with the argument that such labels suppress free speech and contradict Musks stated principles. The billionaire hasnt given a clear indication of how he would decide such matters.

By free speech, I simply mean that which matches the law, Musk wrote on Twitter. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law.

Bots are another matter. China has also used automated and anonymous accounts to distribute the governments messages, which prompted Twitter to remove more than 170,000 accounts in 2020 for spreading geopolitical narratives favorable to the Communist Party. Musk has pledged to defeat the spam bots or die trying! and sounds determined to keep taking on the fake accounts.

Beijing has shown a willingness to punish billionaires who dont comply with its wishes. Regulators have hammered the countrys tech giants and effectively banished Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. co-founder Jack Ma from public view.

There are incentives on offer beyond the electric-vehicle market. Musks SpaceX could certainly seek Chinese customers, while his Boring Co. may profit from lucrative infrastructure contracts in the country.

And what of Twitter itself? A slice of the Chinese population employs virtual private networks to evade Beijings control and use the service. Could Beijing also offer up access to its 1.4 billion people? Perhaps under the right terms. They would certainly not include free speech.

India

India is another high-stakes market for Twitter: there are half a billion internet users in the country and another half-billion getting online.

Twitter plays a role in Indias online discourse similar to that in the U.S.: the countrys political leaders use it to get their messages out, which are then relayed across TV and news networks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an early adopter and has 78 million followers on the service -- more than Twitter has registered users in the country.

But the New Delhi government has insisted on far more control than Washington has ever been able to exert. Tensions in the relationship spiked during farmer protests in the country in 2020 and 2021 as Twitter and the government clashed over what sort of speech would be tolerated on the platform.

When farmers groups demanded the repeal of certain laws they said favored corporate-run farms, they took to the streets and to make their case, including Twitter. Modis administration insisted the San Francisco-based company take down posts critical of its actions -- and Twitter at first refused to comply. Indian authorities then threatened to jail the companys executives, which prompted Twitter to permanently suspend more than 500 accounts and block access to hundreds more.

It was a direct example of how support for free speech can clash with government edicts and legal compliance. Later in 2021, New Delhi tightened its grip over such as Twitter and Facebook: The government insisted that companies identify specific individuals as grievance officers, who will be responsible for handling official removal requests and who could face prison terms for non-compliance. Twitter acceded, albeit after a delay.

Its not clear how Musk would reconcile his support for more free speech with such strict government controls.

Twitter should match the laws of the country, the owner-to-be said in an interview.

The issue is hardly limited to India. Nearby Sri Lanka restricted access in anticipation of protests in April, while Myanmars military junta last year disrupted internet access altogether in its push to quell opposition. Researchers found Twitter was the most-blocked social media platform globally with a total 12,379 hours of outages in 2021.

Southeast Asia

Southeast has become one of the fastest-growing internet markets, fueled by countries like Indonesia and India getting their vast populations online.

But developing markets come with their own set of issues. Meta Platforms Inc. names the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia as prominent sources of fake and duplicate accounts. Meta, whose Facebook and Instagram services face similar challenges to Twitters, has for years reported in its annual filings that roughly 11% of its worldwide users are duplicate accounts and another 5% are fake. As with China, Twitter will have its work cut out to eradicate synthetic users.

Freedom of expression also bumps up against local laws in this region. Singapore passed a contentious foreign interference law last year granting it powers to demand user information from social networks, in an effort to prevent outsiders from swaying domestic politics. Would that square with Musks ambition of free-wheeling expression?

Vietnam has posed similar challenges for online service providers like Facebook and Alphabet Inc.s Google, with a cybersecurity law effectively forcing a choice between upholding user privacy and adhering to local rules.

The question to be answered over the coming years is how far Musk will stick with his promises of freeing up Twitter -- not just in the U.S., but in the rest of the world.

 is not North America and it is not Europe, said the Lowy Institutes Rose. Musk has a globalist view and his business interests to date have tended to be fairly universal. But something like media requires a more nuanced approach when applied globally.
Bill Gates' opinions regarding marriage have remained unchanged since his divorce from Melinda Gates.

Bill Gates, 66, reminisced on his marriage and divorce from the millionaire philanthropist in an interview with The Sunday Times published on May 1. Bill also stated that he would marry Melinda Gates again if the opportunity arose, though he has no intentions to do so anytime soon.

Microsoft Co-Founder Does Not Regret Saying "I Do" With Melinda Gates

After 27 years of marriage, Melinda Gates, 57, and Bill Gates divorced in August 2021. Though both parties have kept the circumstances of their divorce under wraps, Melinda disclosed earlier this year that adultery and Bill's contacts with late billionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein played a role in their split.

Melinda Gates stated in an interview that she and her ex-husband fought through some of his adultery charges, but that there came the point where there was enough there that I understood it wasn't healthy, and I couldn't trust what we had, according to E News.

The 66-year-old Microsoft co-founder claimed he has no regrets about marrying Melinda Gates, 57, in January 1994. Despite his newfound single status, Bill Gates stated that he had no intention of walking down the aisle again.

The former couple, who married in Hawaii after seven years of dating, divorced in May 2021. Jennifer, 26, and Phoebe, 19, are their daughters, while Rory, 22, is their son. For her part, Melinda previously characterized the realization that she needed to divorce her now-ex-husband as the lowest point of her life, as per Page Six.

Read Also: India, Pakistan Heat Wave: Millions of People at Risk as Temperature Reaches Record Levels Never Seen in 122 Years

Bill Gates Regrets Meeting With Jeffrey Epstein for Fundraising Dinners

The co-chairs of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have maintained good relations while they continue their charity activities. Bill Gates also expressed sorrow for engaging with Jeffrey Epstein, a dead sex offender who is said to have had a role in the breakdown of his marriage to Melinda French Gates.

In the early 2010s, Bill Gates admits to having many dinners with Epstein. Although Epstein already had a 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitutes from children when the meals took place, the Microsoft co-founder said he attended the gatherings to seek money for the Gates Foundation.

During a lengthy interview with The New York Times, Bill Gates recognized that the encounters were a mistake. He also discussed the status of his life after his 27-year marriage ended. Bill Gates also traveled with Epstein on the Lolita Express from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey to Palm Beach on March 1, 2013, one of the few flights that year when pilot Larry Viskoski recorded the name of a passenger, according to flight records.

During the interview, Gates refused to say if he had been unfaithful to his wife before their divorce. Reports that Bill Gates had improper connections with Microsoft staff have spurred an investigation at the company. Bill Gates also stated that he still considers his ex-wife a "friend," despite her refusal to use the same term to describe their present relationship in a previous interview, New York Post reported.

In August, the couple divorced quietly in Washington, DC, where their Gates Foundation is situated. The specifics of the agreement were never made public, although, at the time, Bill was worth roughly $152 billion, giving Melinda a 50% settlement of $76 billion.

This does not include the couple's extensive real estate holdings, including mansions in New York, Washington, and California. Melinda revealed in March that she and Bill aren't friends, but that they are 'nice' and working together, and that he had many affairs during their marriage.

Gates' spokesperson stated that he had sexual contact with a female employee in 2000 and that he quit while an external legal firm investigated the relationship on behalf of the business board. Bill Gates is said to have asked out a Microsoft employee in 2006 after hearing her give a presentation, and then another employee with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation a few years later, both while he was married.

Related Article: Netflix Cancels Meghan Markle's Animated Cartoon Series' Series Amid Cutbacks During Development

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on Tuesday reported 12 COVID-19 cases, taking its tally to 12,24,386, while there was no addition to the death toll, which stood at 10,943, a state health department official said.

The recovery count increased by 15 to touch 12,13,335, leaving the state with an active caseload of 108, he said.

The new cases comprised 10 in Ahmedabad and two in Vadodara, the official added.

A government release said 19,648 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 during the day, taking the overall number of doses administered so far to 10.79 crore.

The adjoining Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu continued to be coronavirus-free, a local official informed.

Gujarat's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 12,24,386, new cases 12, death toll 10,943, discharged 12,13,335, active cases 108, people tested so far - figures not released.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief Minister on Tuesday said that he was honoured to welcome President along with state Governor Jagdish Mukhi.

"Honoured to welcome Hon President Shri Ji along with Hon Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi. The hon'ble President will attend the Bodo Sahitya Sabha which is working to promote the Bodo language & literature," tweeted Sarma.

Earlier today, President arrived at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati.

President of India Ram Nath Kovind is on a visit to and Mizoram from May 3 to 6, 2022.

On May 4, 2022, the President will address the 61st annual conference of Bodo Sahitya Sabha at Tamulpur, . On the same day, he will also grace the valedictory function of the North East Festival at Guwahati, organized by the Ministry of DoNER as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

On May 5, 2022, the President will address the 16th convocation of the Mizoram University at Aizawl.

The Bodo Sahitya Sabha was founded in 1952 and has been working for the development of literature, culture, and language. It is playing a leading role in maintaining coordination among different ethnic groups.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister on Tuesday said it is the "inclusiveness and cultural diversity" that powers the Indian community to feel alive in every moment and these values have developed within Indians for thousands of years.

Addressing the Indian community settled in Denmark during his visit to the Nordic nation, Modi also said that all Indians stand together for the defense of the nation and join hands in the nation-building.

"Inclusiveness and cultural diversity is the power of the Indian community, which makes us all feel alive every moment. Thousands of years of time have developed these values within us," Modi said during his address.

Amid chants of 'Modi, Modi' and 'Modi hai to mumkin hai', in the auditorium with his Danish counterpart sitting in the front row, the prime minister also said that an Indian, wherever he goes in the world, contributes sincerely for 'karmabhoomi' (land of work), for that country.

"Prime Minister Frederickson being here today is a testament to the love and respect he has for Indians," he said.

"Many times when I meet world leaders, they proudly tell me about the achievements of the Indian community settled in their countries," the prime minister added, while noting that the number of Indians settled abroad was higher than entire population of some countries.

Modi said the Green strategic partnership between the two countries is guided by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederickson's personal priorities and values.

"The discussions I had with them today will give new strength, new energy to the relations between the two countries," he added. Modi noted that due to Corona, everyone's life was going on in a virtual mode for a long time. "As soon as the movement became possible last year, Prime Minister Frederickson was the first Head of Government whom we had the opportunity to welcome to India," he recalled.

"This shows the growing relations between and Denmark," he said.

"Whatever be the language, but we all have Indian culture. Our food plate changes, our taste changes. But the Indian way of repeatedly pleading with affection does not change," Modi said.

"We stand together for the defense of the nation and join hands in the nation-building," he added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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 "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 from Russia, highlighting that India's imports from the country are a small fraction of what the rest of the world imports from .

"In terms of oil embargo again, if you look at the actual situation on the ground, I think the by India from 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 from "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.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Civil Aviation Minister on Tuesday said that is working on making its airport carbon-neutral in future.

Taking to Twitter, Scindia said, " is working towards making its airports carbon neutral in the near future so as to emerge as a responsible player in the international civil aviation industry."

"The way Indian civil aviation has bounced back post #COVID19 with all protocols in place shows its resilience & determination. With a robust and holistic plan for the future, we are sure, we will set new milestones in air, soon" - at the Reception of the Indian delegation at @icao (International Civil Aviation Organisation)," he added.

Upon reaching the ICAO office headquarters in Montreal, Scindia was received by the High Commissioner of India, Ajay Bisaria and the Representative of India, Shefali Juneja.

Earlier today, he participated in the roundtable discussion, organised by the Canada- Business Council and spoke about the opportunities available in the civil aviation market in India.

"Participated in an engaging roundtable discussion organized by the Canada-India Business Council, along with industry players from across the aviation spectrum. Spoke about the opportunities available in India, one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally," Scindia tweeted.

Scindia arrived here on Tuesday on the last leg of his visit to North America.

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Jodhpur district administration temporarily suspended services in the district on Tuesday as a precautionary measure after clashes on Monday night, ahead of Eid Ul-Fitr and the Akshaya Tritiya festivals today.

According to an order issued by Jodhpur Divisional Commissioner Himanshu Gupta all services have been suspended in Jodhpur beginning from 1 am today.

All 2G/3G/4G/ Data (Mobile Internet), bulk SMS/MMS/Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media services through service providers (except voice calls, broadband Internet, leased lines have been temporarily suspended till further orders in the entire Jodhpur district, read the order.

This follows after several people were injured in stone-pelting between two communities on Monday night after some miscreants replaced one community's religious flag at Balmukand Bissa at the Jalori Gate intersection circle with that of another. People from the other community objected to this move resulting in clashes.

During this, the crowd also uprooted loudspeakers installed in the area for the Eid prayers.

Following the stone-pelting incident, police arrived and intervened to disperse the gathering.

CM Ashok Gehlot called the clashes between two groups "unfortunate" and said the administration has been instructed to maintain peace and order at all costs.

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The government has written to the Centre to "appreciate the efforts" made by it for replenishing coal stock at plants supplying electricity to the city, days after the two governments engaged in acrimonious exchanges over the issue.

In his letter sent on Monday, Delhi's Power Minister also expressed hope the Centre will continue to supply coal to the power plants to help provide uninterrupted electricity supply to the people of the city.

His letter to Union Power Minister RK Singh comes days after the government raised alarms over the power situation in the city, saying only one day's coal stock was left at thermal power stations that supply electricity to .

Responding to the letter, R K Singh has said the Delhi government was misleading the public with incorrect information about the electricity situation in the capital, according to sources.

In his fresh letter written to Singh on Monday, Jain said the coal stock figures mentioned in his letter on April 28 were based on the daily coal report of the Power Portal managed by the Centre.

He said since the Delhi government is committed to 24x7 power supply, its concern for the "shortage of coal stock" in NTPC stations is paramount in the larger interest of citizens of NCT of Delhi.

"I would like to appreciate the efforts made by the Government of India for replenishing coal stock in NTPC Thermal Power Stations which supply power to NCT of Delhi," Jain added.

He expressed hope that the "same efforts" of Centre will continue in order to avoid any to the NTPC thermal power stations supplying power to Delhi, so as to ensure reliable and continuous supply of power without any disruption to people in the city.

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In a terse message to MNS chief over his May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers from mosques, the ruling on Tuesday asserted does not run on ultimatums and that the rule of law prevails in the state.

faces possible police action for allegedly giving a provocative speech in Aurangabad on Sunday where he reiterated his demand for removal of loudspeakers from mosques. Talking to reporters here, MP and party's chief spokesperson said suitable action will follow if someone give inflammatory speeches. The government does not run on an ultimatum. There is rule of law in the state. There is a buzz that anti-social elements will be brought to the state for instigating riots, he said. Asked who are behind allegedly bringing anti-social elements in the state, Raut said, Those who don't have the strength, such people. This is 'supari' (contract) politics. The state police are capable of handling the situation. So is the home department. The chief minister is keeping an eye on the situation. At a rally in Aurangabad in the Marathwada region of on May 1, said he was firm on the May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers, which he termed as a nuisance, from mosques, and added that if this was not done, then all Hindus should play the Hanuman Chalisa outside these religious places. Raut claimed some anti-social elements will enter the state and disrupt the law and order.

Anyone who thinks they can make the government unstable, then they are making a big mistake and they will be exposed. Ultimatum politics will not work in the state, he said. The heads the Maha Vikas Aghadi government which also comprises the NCP and the Congress.

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Dalit leader and MLA on Tuesday arrived in Gujarat, nearly two weeks after being arrested by the police, and hit out at the state's government calling it "nikamma" (useless) for doing nothing when a legislator from the state was "kidnapped" and taken away.

Addressing a gathering soon after landing in Ahmedabad, Mevani also threatened to give a call for ' bandh' on June 1 if cases against Dalits in Una tehsil (filed over protests post assault on some Dalits in July 2016) and other agitators in the state are not withdrawn and demands of grade pay for policemen and other protesting groups not met by the government. "I would like to tell the government that you are so 'nikamma' (useless), that you could do nothing when the police came to to trample upon its pride. You should be ashamed of it. "The police kidnapping an MLA from Gujarat and taking him to Assam is an insult to 6.5 crore people of Gujarat," the independent MLA said at the gathering where state Congress president Jagdish Thakor, and senior party leaders like Arjun Modhwadia and Amit Chavda were also present. He made the people assembled for the programme take an oath to never vote for the or attend an RSS shakha. Mevani also targeted the Assam government for not saying "sorry" over a lower court's critical observation regarding an FIR filed against him in the north-eastern state. "Instead of feeling ashamed over the observation made by the court, questioning its conscience and reviewing its character, it (Assam government) came out with a stay order (from Gauhati High Court) so as not to publish that review order (of lower court). But it is not yet ready to say sorry," he said. Among other things, the HC had said that the lower court's observation about the case against Mevani appearing to be "manufactured to keep him in custody for longer" was beyond its jurisdiction in a bail matter. Mevani arrived in Ahmedabad in the evening to a resounding welcome by his supporters at the airport. The MLA from Vadgam in Banaskantha district thanked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other and Congress leaders from Gujarat and Assam for their support during his arrest. Two weeks ago, Mevani was picked up by the Assam police from Palanpur in Gujarat over his purported tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Soon after being released on bail in the tweet case a few days ago, he was rearrested for allegedly assaulting a policewoman who was part of the police party which accompanied him to Kokrajhar in Assam. The Gujarat MLA was granted bail in the second case also and on Saturday last he completed pending bail formalities at a court in Kokrajhar. He was granted permission by the court to leave the Assam town as one of his bail conditions was to stay within the limits of the court's jurisdiction.

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Union Home Minister on Tuesday said the government will soon be developing a national database to monitor hawala transactions, terrorist funding, terrorist activities among others.

He said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had a zero tolerance policy against terrorism from the very first day.

The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) Bengaluru premises today.

"The union government will soon be developing a national database to monitor hawala transactions, terrorist funding, counterfeit currency, narcotics, bomb threats, illegal arms smuggling and other terrorist activities," Shah said.

He said intelligence and legal agencies should now be able to make full use of them with the barriers to critical data being removed.

"With the help of data analytics and information technology, there should be a paradigm shift in the current way of working of agencies," he said, as he expressed hope that will fulfill the responsibility of linking various sources of data.

Noting that security requirements today have changed significantly as compared to the earlier security challenges in terms of data, scope and complexity, Shah said, therefore, there is a need for legal and security agencies to have automated, secure and immediate access to information obtained from reliable sources.

The government has entrusted the task of developing and operating a state-of-the-art and innovative information technology platform for accessing information from the data collection organizations to NATGRID, he said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, state Home Minister Araga Gyanendra and Union Minister of State for Home Nishith Pramanik were also present at the event.

Shah said should have an in-built mechanism for continuous upgradation, and there should be a study group in to create a database of modus operandi of various crimes committed within the country.

Requesting user agencies to exercise caution and discretion in using this system, which should be used only for the correct purposes, he said they should also ensure that as much as possible, data from the system is used to improve their efficiency.

He also stressed that privacy and security of data is a very serious matter and assured that necessary protocols have been put in place to ensure that there is no unauthorized access to the personal data of any citizen through this system at any point of time.

The NATGRID CEO informed that the services of NATGRID solution will be available to 11 central agencies and police of all States and Union Territories. It will link user agencies with data holders, giving them access to real-time information needed for intelligence services and investigations, an official release said.

C-DAC Pune has been roped in as Technology Partner and IIT, Bhilai as Plan Management Consultant for the development of NATGRID solution, it said.

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The House Select Committee responsible for investigating the details leading to the horrific and unprecedented Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot has requested testimony from three more pro-Trump GOP lawmakers.

The request was made on Monday, and hopes to figure out more information about the push made by former United States President Donald Trump in regards to the Capitol Hill riot. Congressional investigators sent voluntary interview requests to Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ronny Jackson of Texas, and Mo Brooks of Alabama.

Donald Trump Congressional Allies

However, two of the Republicans, namely Biggs and Johnson, have already opted to turn down the requests later that day. The lawmakers have ample precedent to decline the requests as three other individuals who were previously given the same invitations declined.

The ones who were asked before included House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Jan. 6 committee members are hesitant to issue subpoenas for their congressional colleagues. In a statement, the panel's chair, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, and vice-chair Liz Cheney of Wyoming said some of their congressional colleagues had information relevant to the panel's investigation, as per Politico.

The panel's letter to Biggs said that they wanted to question the former leader of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus about the evidence they obtained. Thompson and Cheney said that Biggs' name was identified as a potential participant in the efforts of certain House Republicans to seek a presidential pardon after the Jan. 6 riot.

Read Also: Leaked Audio Suggests McCarthy Told GOP Members He Would Urge Trump To Resign Following Jan. 6 Riot

Thompson and Cheney added that the panel wanted to understand all of the details surrounding the request for a pardon. They emphasized that they were looking into the specific reasons why a pardon was being sought and what it encompassed.

According to the New York Times, the committee also wanted to interview Biggs regarding a Dec. 21, 2020 meeting he attended at the White House with several other Freedom Caucus members. At the event, there was a discussion about a plan where former Vice President Mike Pence would unilaterally refuse to count certain states' certified electoral votes on Jan. 6.

Probe Into the Capitol Hill Riot

Furthermore, the committee was interested in knowing about Ali Alexander, a prominent organizer of so-called "Stop the Steal" rallies tied to far-right members of Congress. Alexander said that he, in coordination with Biggs, Brooks, and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, but the events of the Jan. 6 riot were in motion.

On the other hand, Brooks made statements in March claiming that Trump asked him repeatedly to illegally "rescind" the results of the elections by removing President Joe Biden and forcing a special election.

The situation comes as the Jan. 6 committee wants its upcoming public hearings to be must-see TV, an effort that is jeopardized by new leaked text messages. The conversations reveal how the former president's allies contrived to keep him in power after his defeat against Biden.

Authorities found recordings of House Republican leader McCarthy's private phone calls that showed he was alarmed by Trump's actions around the Capitol Hill riot. Bob Woodward and Robert Costa also published a book that showcased the dubious legal theories that Trump advisers relied on when they tried to overturn the elections, NBC News reported.

Related Article: Donald Trump Speaks Out on Tax, 2020 Election Investigations: "I'm the Most Honest Human Being" God Created

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Prime Minister on Monday said the New doesn't think only of a secure future alone but takes risks.

Addressing members of the Indian diaspora in Berlin, the Prime Minister said 'Make in India' has become a driving force of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

He said the way technology is being included in governance in India, it shows country's new political will as also the delivery-capability of democracy.

PM Modi said after independence, decided on a direction but the country lagged behind due to one or the other reason.

"But the numerous changes that should have taken place with time, the speed with which it should have been done, the extensive manner in which it should have been done, we lagged behind due to one or the other reason," he said.

During his address, the Prime Minister laid emphasis on minimum government and maximum governance. "There should not be the absence of government wherever it is needed but it should also not be wherever it is not needed."

"Before 2014, wherever you used to see, everything would be a work in progress. I'm not criticising anyone but if a road was made, then it's dug up for electricity, then for water," he said.

Talking about the new India, PM Modi stated that the new doesn't think of a secure future alone.

"It takes risks, it innovates, it incubates. I remember that around 2014, our country had only 200-400 startups. Today, the country has more than 68,000 startups," he said.

"Today the way technology is being included in governance in India, it shows the political will of New India...Now no PM will have to say that I send Re 1 from Delhi but only 15 paise reaches (people)," the prime minister added.

PM Modi highlighted the low price of Internet data in India and said it is unbelievable for many nations. He also noted that the government isn't chaining down the innovators but rather it's pushing them forward by pumping vigour in them.

"If you want to innovate in geospatial area, or build new kinds of drones or rockets or satellites - today India offers the most open and nurturing environment for this," he said.

"Today, all global parameters say that several dozens of these startups have become unicorns. It's not restricted to unicorns alone, today I can proudly say that numerous unicorns in my country are becoming decacorns too. It means they are crossing the level of USD 10 Billion," he added.

The Prime Minister addressed the Indian community meeting after co-chairing the sixth edition of India-Germany intergovernmental consultations (IGC) with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in .

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The has asked the Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), the state's urban planning body, to look into a plea alleging damage by it to a water body in the Jharsa village in Gurugram district within one month.

NGT Principal bench headed by chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel was dealing with a plea, in which the applicant Rohit Thakran contended that the water body was being used till 2019-20 but now, it has been proposed to be "covered by the HSVP illegally".

Referring to a matter pertaining to Lt. Col. Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi vs Union of India, the complainant said the action of the urban planning agency is contrary to the environmental norms laid down in the judgement of the Supreme Court and directions of the Tribunal in the order dated November 18, 2020.

On January 7, the Tribunal directed the District Magistrate, Gurugram to look into the matter and take action in accordance with the law.

In the present Execution Application, the petitioner stated that despite a representation to the District Magistrate on February 9 and subsequent direction to the HSVP, no decision is being taken in the matter.

"In view of above, let the Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran, Panchkula take a decision in the matter and convey the same to the applicant within one month from today," said the NGT in the order dated April 29.

Accordingly, the application has been disposed of.

"A copy of this order be forwarded to the Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran, Panchkula by email for compliance," it read.

--IANS

jw/dpb

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India now has a confirmed case of a person infected with the XE variant, according to Indian SARS-CoV2 Genomics Sequencing Consortium (INSACOG) bulletin. The location is not known yet.

INSACOG is a network of national testing laboratories set up by the government. In the bulletin for April 18 and 25, INSACOG mentions that one case of XE has been confirmed in the country. The location of the person is not yet known, and the Union is yet to issue any statement on the matter.

In the latest bulletin, INSACOG said that (BA.2) is the dominant variant in India till date. As compared to the previous week, 12 states have shown an increase in cases, while nineteen states have shown a decline, it said, adding that suspected recombinant sequences are under further analysis.

BA.2.10 and BA.2.12 are BA.2 sub-lineages that have been detected and many old BA.2 sequences have been reclassified into these new sub-lineages. So far these sub-lineages are not reported to be associated with increased severity of disease, the bulletin said.

Detailing the distribution of the variants of concern (VoC), INSACOG bulletin said there were 4266 Alpha variants, 220 Beta, 3 Gamma, 43928 Delta, 5607 of B.1.617 and B.1.617.3, 20450 AY series, 45359 Omicron, and 1 XE variant in the total 119,834 samples sequenced.

Therefore, one case of XE is confirmed in the country.

Experts have said that the XE sub-variant is 10 per cent more transmissible than the dominant BA.2 variant of Omicron, which had triggered the third wave in the country in January.

So far there are no reports of XE clusters across India.

The BA.2.12.1, the sub-lineage that is causing the rise in Covid-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR), has a mutation in the spike protein which is akin to a mutation found only in the Delta lineage. Whether this causes any severity in infections is to be seen, but so far, clinicians claim that most Covid-19 positive cases are asymptomatic or mild.

Speaking to Business Standard, Shahid Jameel, ssenior research fellow at Green Templeton College at Oxford University explained that now has two main lineages  the BA.1 and the BA.2  both with several sub lineages. As a group, BA.2 spreads about 20 percent better than BA.1, he said, adding that there are two key mutations in the spike in BA.2.12.1.

There are two key mutations in Spike in BA.2.12.1 that are missing from BA.2.12 and other sub lineages. These are L452Q and S704L. Of these a similar (not identical) mutation L452R is found only in the Delta lineage, Jameel explained.

How the XE variant behaves in terms of spread and degree of infection is yet to be seen.
Prime Minister on Tuesday discussed the war in Ukraine with the Danish PM Mette Frederiksen during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between India and Denmark in Copenhagen.

"We share many values. We are two democratic nations, we both believe in a rule-based international system. In times such as these, we need to build an even stronger bridge between us. As close partners, we also discussed the war in Ukraine," said Frederiksen.

Talking about the Bucha killings, she stressed for an independent investigation. Hundreds of civilians were found dead on the streets in Bucha, beside their homes, and in mass graves. Ukraine has accused Russia of the massacre in Bucha. However, Russia has denied the allegations and claimed that it is Ukrainian propaganda.

"We discussed the consequences of horrible crimes committed against civilians and the serious humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The reports on the killings of civilians in Bucha are deeply shocking. We have condemned these killings and we stress the need for an independent investigation," said the Danish PM.

Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities.

"Denmark and the entire European Union strongly condemn Russia's unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. My message is very clear, Russian President Vladimir Putin got to stop this war and end the killings. I, of course, hope that India will influence Russia in this discussion," added Frederiksen.

Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia's military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised to help Ukraine with military aid to fight Russia.

Welcoming PM Modi to Denmark, Frederiksen said that both countries share a strong relationship.

"Thank You so much. First of all, once again, a very warm welcome to Denmark, His Excellency, Prime Minister . I had a very productive meeting today. The relations between our two countries are very strong. PM Modi, I deeply appreciate this important meeting," said the Danish PM.

PM Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen held delegation-level talks in Copenhagen today to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

"Denmark and India are moving fast in transforming our Green Strategic Partnership into some concrete results. The Indian government has high ambitions for the green transition and for making India more independent of fossil fuels. I am very proud that Danish solutions play a key role in realizing these important ambitions. Today, we have agreed on a number of concrete steps on green energy, clean water and to counter the next global health crisis. Just to mention a few examples. Hopefully, the two of us will lead by example by showing that green growth and green tradition can go hand-in-hand. I am convinced that India and Denmark have huge untapped potential for trade and investment," added Frederiksen.

Further, she also talked about Nordic Summit 2022, Frederiksen said, "I look forward to continuing the discussion between the two of us tomorrow also with our Nordic colleagues at the Indo-Nordic Summit 2022."

During Denmark's visit, PM Modi will take part in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit along with 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.

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According to a new study, adults who do not repay college or take on new educational between young adulthood and early middle age are at increased risk of .

The findings of the research were published in the journal 'American Journal of Preventive Medicine'.

The individuals who repaid their student had better or equivalent health than individuals who never faced student debt, suggesting that relieving the burden of student debt could improve population health.

"As the cost of college has increased, students and their families have taken on more debt to get to and stay in college. Consequently, student debt is a massive financial burden to so many in the United States, and yet we know little about the potential long-term health consequences of this debt."

"Previous research showed that, in the short term, student debt burdens were associated with self-reported health and mental health, so we were interested in understanding whether student debt was associated with cardiovascular illness among adults in early mid-life," explained lead investigator Adam M. Lippert, PhD, Department of Sociology, University of Colorado Denver.

The study utilized data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a panel study of 20,745 adolescents in Grades 7 to 12 first interviewed during the 1994-1995 school year. Four subsequent waves of data were collected, including Wave 3, when the respondents were aged 18-26 and Wave 5, when respondents were aged 22-44. Wave 5 respondents were invited to in-home medical exams.

Researchers assessed biological measures of cardiovascular health of 4,193 qualifying respondents using the 30-year Framingham (CVD) risk score, which considers sex, age, blood pressure, antihypertensive treatment, smoking status, diabetes diagnosis, and body mass index to measure the likelihood of a cardiovascular illness over the next 30 years of life. They also looked at levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of chronic or systemic inflammation.

The investigators classified student debt according to the following categories: never had student debt; paid off the debt between Waves 3 and 5; took on debt between waves, and consistently in debt. Models were adjusted for respondent household and family characteristics including education, income, and other demographics.

The researchers found that more than one-third of respondents (37 per cent) did not report student debt in either wave, while 12 per cent had paid off their loans; 28 per cent took on student debt, and 24 per cent consistently had debt. Respondents who consistently had debt or took on debt had higher CVD risk scores than individuals who had never been in debt and those who paid off their debt.

Interestingly, respondents who paid off debt had significantly lower CVD risk scores than those never in debt. They found clinically significant CRP value estimates for those who took on new debt or were consistently in debt between young adulthood and early mid-life, estimates that exceeded their counterparts who never had debt or paid it off. Race/ethnicity had no impact on the results.

Supplemental analyses suggested that, on balance, degree completion provides health benefits even to those with student debt, although these benefits were diminished relative to non-debtors.

Dr Lippert observed that these findings underscore the potential population health implications of transitioning to debt-financed education in the US. Though the empirical evidence is clear on the economic and health returns from a college degree, these advantages come at a cost for borrowers.

"Our study respondents came of age and went to college at a time when student debt was rapidly rising with an average debt of around $25,000 for four-year college graduates. It's risen more since then, leaving young cohorts with more student debt than any before them," Dr Lippert said.

"Unless something is done to reduce the costs of going to college and forgive outstanding debts, the health consequences of climbing student loan debt are likely to grow".

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The government in Uttar Pradesh has chalked out a time-bound strategy to transform in the state.

Health is one of the top priorities of the Chief Minister and he has directed health authorities to leave no stone unturned to make quality healthcare accessible to people.

According to a state government spokesman, the health department is equalising the ratio of doctors and nurses in the next two years through creation of more posts for nurses.

Currently, the doctors far outnumber nurses in the state as the sanctioned posts for the latter is half compared to that of doctors.

The sanctioned posts for doctors as well as nurses stand at 19,011 and 9,569, respectively.

Furthermore, the state government plans to build world-class hospitals on international and interstate borders so that people on both sides of the borders can benefit from them.

The spokesman said that the Yogi government also plans to build seven 50-bedded hospitals in Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Ghaziabad districts, in addition to 25 primary health centres in Varanasi, Ghazipur, Meerut and Mirzapur, as well as 23 community health facilities in Gorakhpur, Pratapgarh and Ghazipur.

Besides, it seeks to provide health insurance cover to the auto drivers, health 'sakhis' and Anganwadi workers under Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

The government will also collect information about the proposed beneficiary workers from the Departments of Women's Welfare, Urban Development and Transport.

The Yogi government has also set an ambitious target of providing dialysis and CT scan facilities in all the 75 districts in the next couple of years.

In five years, it aims to bring down maternal mortality rate of the state from 167 to 100; infant mortality rate from 41 to 28; neo-natal mortality rate from 30 to 20 and total fertility rate from 2.4 to 2.0.

The government also seeks to eradicate tuberculosis through raising awareness of people about the disease, identification of patients and their treatment as well as bringing down the fatality rate from the disease.

--IANS

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With the government's decision to bestow lifetime cabinet status on former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane now challenged in the Bombay High Court, the leader on Tuesday in an affidavit has said that it is up to the Court to decide on the legality of the move.

Rane, in his affidavit filed before the bench of the Bombay HC, also said that there was no quid pro quo with the which led to the ruling party agreeing to grant him a lifetime cabinet status.

"I submit that I have not asked for any such honour or privilege and the same has been bestowed upon me by the state of in its own discretion and wisdom. I submit that whilst denying that the said notification is contrary to law in any manner whatsoever, either as alleged by the petitioner or otherwise, I am not dealing with the petitioner's allegations with respect to the legality of the said notification and with all humility," Rane told the High Court.

On April 25, the bench in Goa had admitted a petition filed by city lawyer Aires Rodrigues challenging the constitutional validity of bestowing of lifetime cabinet status on the former Chief Minister by the state's BJP-led coalition government just ahead of the February 14 Assembly polls.

Rane also said that the lifetime cabinet status was not accorded to him as part of a political quid pro quo as alleged by Rodrigues, in his petition.

"I am presently 83 years of age. If I had contested the present election and had been elected, I would have been 88 years of age when my term as MLA would have come to an end.I have an unblemished record which speaks for itself throughout my long political career," he said in his affidavit.

"In view of my advanced age, I took a decision to retire from active politics. I will however continue to do social work in whatever capacity I can to serve the people of the state of Goa."

--IANS

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India and Denmark on Tuesday agreed to further strengthen the Green Strategic Partnership with a focus on green hydrogen, and wastewater management.

During our discussions, we reviewed the joint work plan for the green strategic partnership. I am happy that significant progress has been made in various fields, especially in the areas of renewable energy, health, ports, shipping, circular economy and water management, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told reporters here after talks with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen.

A number of agreements covering sectors such as green shipping, animal husbandry and dairying, water management, energy, cultural exchange were inked after the bilateral talks.

In a joint statement issued here, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the intention of both countries to deepen and expand the existing cooperation in the field of safe and secure water to meet present and future demand through a holistic and sustainable approach.

They looked forward to the early signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Danish Environment Ministry as a broad-based framework to enhance the existing cooperation and to launch new initiatives, including a Smart Laboratory on Clean River Water in Varanasi and a Centre of Excellence on Smart Water Resources Management, it said.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the Letter of Intent on the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Green Shipping, which will further strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation.

The two leaders also agreed to expand the cooperation on agriculture by a Joint Declaration of Intent establishing among others a Centre of Excellence on Dairy.

India and Denmark also confirmed their continued collaboration in the field of antimicrobial resistance.

India conveyed its acceptance of the Danish invitation to join the International Center for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) as Mission Partner, the joint statement said.

The Danish Prime Minister confirmed Danish accession to the Global Digital Health Partnership on India's invitation to improve public health and well-being through evidence-based digital technologies.

Modi and Frederiksen welcomed the international agreement at COP26 on the need for accelerated climate action for holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below two degree above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degree above pre-industrial level.

The two sides confirmed the aspirations through the Green Strategic Partnership - to take global leadership in pushing for ambitious green energy transition and demonstrate the pathways to achieving it, focusing both on energy efficiency and renewable energy, the joint statement said.

India's Green Strategic Partnership with Denmark is deeply valued. PM Frederiksen and I discussed how we can make this partnership even more effective. We also discussed cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, ports, shipping, water management and more, Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet.

Frederiksen stressed Denmark's commitment to speed up the phase out of fossil fuels and the deployment of in Denmark to reach the goal of reducing emissions by 70 percent by 2030.

(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 merchandise exports in April grew 24.2 per cent year-on-year to their third-highest level ever of $38.2 billion on the back of higher commodity prices amid the ongoing Russia- war, the preliminary trade data released by the commerce ministry showed on Tuesday. The preceding month had witnessed record outbound shipments of $42.2 billion.

Imports in April surged 26.6 per cent to $58.3 billion, leading to a trade deficit of $20.1 billion during the month. Petroleum products (113.2 per cent), electronic goods (64 per cent), and chemicals (26.7 per cent) led the growth in exports in April, while engineering goods (15.4 per cent), pharmaceuticals (3.9 per cent), and readymade garments (16.4 per cent) registered sub-par growth. On the other hand, the export of gems and jewellery (-2.1 per cent) and rice (-14.2 per cent) contracted during the month.

The robust growth in imports in April came despite a 73 per cent drop in gold imports to $1.7 billion.

Import growth was led by coal (136.4 per cent), crude oil (81.2 per cent), chemicals (46.9 per cent), vegetable oil (33.6 per cent), and electronic goods (28.6 per cent).

Aditi Nayar, chief economist at ICRA, said unless commodity prices receded appreciably, she expected the merchandise trade deficit to print above $20 billion for most of FY23. The increase in the merchandise trade deficit was entirely on account of oil. Although the non-oil trade deficit remained stable, there was a shift in its composition, with a plunge in gold imports being offset by a rise in non-oil non-gold imports such as coal and chemicals -- an unsavoury yet expected fallout of the higher commodity prices engendered by the Russia- conflict, she said.

Engineering Export Promotion Council Chairman Mahesh Desai said while engineering goods exports continued the growth momentum set in FY22 despite geopolitical challenges, high logistics cost and unprecedented increases in raw material costs had been hurting the engineering and other sectors. While the trade deals with the UAE and Australia are expected to give a boost to the sector, the proposed free trade pacts with other countries like the UK and Canada would further give impetus to exports from India, he said.

Prospects for the global economy have darkened since the outbreak of the war in on February 24. The (WTO) last month lowered its 2022 global trade forecast to 3 per cent from 4.7 per cent due to the ongoing conflict and a potentially more transmissible Omicron subtype fettering China. Despite comfortably crossing the $400 billion export target in FY22 by $20 billion, the commerce ministry has not projected any fresh target for FY23 given the uncertainty surrounding world trade.
has made an advance commitment to provide 10 billion euros of new and additional developmental assistance in India until 2030 under the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Green and Sustainable Development Partnership signed between the two countries on Monday, MEA informed.

Addressing a press briefing at the conclusion of the first leg of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Europe visit on Monday (local time), Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the JDI provides "a long term strategic perspective" to the development cooperation agenda between India and .

"I think this declaration of intent, imparts long term strategic perspective to our entire development cooperation agenda and as part of which has agreed to make an advance commitment of 10 billion euros of new and additional developmental assistance until 2030," Kwatra said.

The Foreign Secretary also highlighted the agreement signed between the two countries on collaboration on green hydrogen and renewables.

"As part of our partnership in this space, a task force will work towards establishing a green hydrogen hub in India with the German support," the Foreign Secretary informed.

A joint statement by PM Modi and German chancellor Scholz earlier in the day, talked about the green hydrogen partnership, saying, that the two countries would, "develop an Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap based on the inputs by the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force supported by the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF),"

A total of nine agreements in multiple areas were signed between India and Germany on Monday on the occasion of the sixth India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first day of his three-day Europe visit.

PM Modi received a ceremonial guard of honour followed by a bilateral meeting with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021.

The one-on-one meeting was followed by the IGC, the plenary session of which was co-chaired by PM Modi and German chancellor Scholz.

"The economy, ecology, trade, investment linkages, and green partnership, these were the central pillars on which the discussions focussed," Foreign Secretary Kwatra informed.

"The two leaders also shared their respective perspectives on developments on different issues, developing all over the world. This included the knock-on effects of the Ukraine conflict, particularly in sectors like food, energy, fertilisers, edible oil, etherol," he said.

PM Modi is scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries.

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The Defense Ministry of Russia contradicts Ukrainian claims they are winning through their military assets are getting demolished in the second month of the war. Contrary to western media reports, the forces of Zelensky have suffered losses that were not acknowledged.

Russia's offensive action has driven the Azov Regiment and regular forces back, allegedly leaving their western supplies equipment running from the oncoming Russian advance.

Kyiv Claims Destroying Russian Military Assets

According to General Igor Konashenkov of the Defense Ministry, their air defense systems shot down two Su-24Ms, reported TASS.

Russia's Aerospace forces took out two S-300 missile batteries, including ammo dumps and fuel depots in Ukraine.

Konashenkov spoke to the media about these developments last Sunday. He added that the Operational-tactical and army aviation of their forces destroyed the two enemy anti-aircraft missile systems and stopped an intended attack by the Azov-Nazis on the civilian areas of Zaporozhye and Artemovsk.

More targets that took out Kyiv's ability to attack the civilian areas in Privolnoe and Shevchenko located in the Zaporozhye region were affected; previously, the Azov nazis had fired on them. He added that other targets in the region were 15 Ukraine bases and their equipment demolished, cited Azvision.

Russia Debunks Ukraine's Claims

Russian Armed Forces promised western nations that any arms cache would be destroyed if they supplied the Azov-Nazis. A hanger with weapons and ammunition supplied via lethal American aid and its European allies in the region of Odessa; Oniks missiles are precision-guided weapons that destroyed a military airstrip.

The Defense Ministry of Russia called out Ukrainian claims saying their military assets did not strike the areas pinpointed where the stockpile of weapons was stored and destroyed, noted Pan Africa News.

Read Also: Volodymyr Zelensky Children: Does the Ukraine President Have Kids?

Furthermore, the Russian Aerospace Forces remarked that it hit seven military facilities in Ukraine, including three confirmed depots with missile weapons and ammunition, remarked Konashenkov.

Attacks on seven targeted Ukraine military locations that housed their equipment and ammunition, including missiles and artillery used to allegedly shell civilians with missiles launched from planes.

These places assaulted by these weapons are civilians in Berezovoe, located in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Slatino, and Barvenkovo in the Kharkov region affected by the siege.

Changing tactics have more use of Russian air defense batteries that have affected the Ukraine Air Force (UAF) that got two of its Fencer bombers shot down, 12 drones, and 2 Tochka-U missiles.

These air assets of UAF were shot down in the Kharkiv province during the night. The Russia MoD says the 12 unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed Sunday night.

Based on the tally of the Russian forces, they claim that a large number of planes, with UAVS and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), are total equipment of the Ukraine army that has been demolished from February 24.

Putin ordered the special operation to secure Donetsk and Lugansk from an all-out assault by Azov-Nazi and rightist forces.

Konashenkov remarked the total Ukraine military hardware destroyed includes 145 planes, 112 rotorcraft, 2 703 tanks, and armored combat vehicles, 312 MLRS, and 281 anti-aircraft missile systems have been demolished on the battlefield. This information has not been verified but with Kyiv and their claims.

The Defense Ministry of Russia calls Ukrainian claims false as their military assets are falling to the Russian army, which has control of the DPR and LPR.

Related Article: US Neocons Plot the Incursions in Transnistria, Western Ukraine as Biden Schemes To Seize Russian Assets

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The garment units in Tirupur, widely known as the garment capital of South India, will down shutters from May 16 to 21 in protest against the hike in prices of yarn.

The price of yarn has increased by Rs 40 per kg after the Centre reduced the import duty on .

The strike call was announced by the Tirupur garment owners association in a statement on Tuesday.

The garment units, mostly exporters, are worried that the hike in cotton yarn prices will adversely affect their business and, hence, as a mark of protest they will stage the six-day protest. The annual turnover of the Tirupur garment industry is around Rs 36,000 crore.

Tirupur garment owners association president, M.P. Muthuraman, while speaking to IANS, said, "The cotton mills increased the price of yarn by Rs 50 per kilogram in November 2021, and the yarn was sold at Rs 350 per kg. Now after the Government of India has reduced the import duty of cotton, we were expecting prices of yarn to fall, instead, mills have increased it by Rs 40 per kg with which we cannot survive. We have no other option but to shut our units as a mark of protest."

Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) president, Raja Shanmugham while speaking to IANS said, "We request the Union government to effect a ban on the export of cotton yarn till the price stabilizes."

He said that there are possibilities of cotton being hoarded by traders in North India leading to scarcity of product.

Spinning Mills Association (TNSMA) special advisor, Dr. K. Venkitachalam while speaking to IANS said, "The cotton traders in North India are hoarding the product creating scarcity and hence mills are increasing the prices. There seems to be no effect on the removal of import duty of cotton by the Government of India."

He also said that when the removal of import duty for cotton was announced, there was an immediate drop in cotton candy prices, but now with less availability of cotton candy, the price has come up.

--IANS

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a new federal investment in project funding for automaker Stellantis that will modernize assembly plants and increase the production of (EV).

According to a statement from Trudeau's office, the government is investing up to C$529 million ($423 million) into this project, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ontario province is also supporting the project with an investment of up to C$513 million.

"We're building a world-class Canadian auto industry for generations to come, an innovative economy, and a clean, strong future for everyone. This is what a healthy environment and a healthy looks like," Trudeau said.

"Ontario has everything it needs to be North America's auto manufacturing powerhouse once again," said Doug Ford, premier of Ontario, the province with the largest population in .

The multi-billion dollar project from Stellantis will support plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario, implementing flexible vehicle platforms at both plants and increasing its production of EV.

Stellantis' investment will also support the creation of a state-of-the-art Battery Pack Testing Facility for North America at the Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) in Windsor, which will further secure Canada's position as a leader in EV innovation.

Activities at the ARDC are already underway, with an addition to the existing building to be complete by the end of 2023, according to the news release.

The Canadian government is putting in place a sales mandate that will ensure that 100 per cent of new light-duty vehicle sales are zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035.

Accelerating the ZEV target will support the country's commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the statement said.

--IANS

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday announced a new federal investment in project funding for automaker Stellantis that will modernize assembly plants and increase production of (EV).

According to a news release from the prime minister's office, the Canadian government is investing up to CAD 529 million (USD 423 million) into this project. The Province of Ontario is also supporting the project with an investment of up to CAD 513 million (USD 410 million).

"We're building a world-class Canadian auto industry for generations to come, an innovative economy, and a clean, strong future for everyone. This is what a healthy environment and a healthy economy looks like," Trudeau said.

"Ontario has everything it needs to be North America's auto manufacturing powerhouse once again," said Doug Ford, premier of Ontario, the province with the largest population in .

The multi-million-dollar project from Stellantis will support plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario, implementing flexible vehicle platforms at both plants and increasing the production of EVs.

Stellantis' investment will also support the creation of a state-of-the-art Battery Pack Testing Facility for North America at the Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) in Windsor, which will further secure Canada's position as a leader in EV innovation.

Activities at the ARDC are already underway, with an addition to the existing building to be complete by the end of 2023, according to the news release.

The Canadian government is putting in place a sales mandate that will ensure that 100 per cent of new light-duty vehicle sales are zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035. Accelerating the ZEV target will support the country's commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the news release said.

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Flare-up of the Durand line disagreement has the potential to lead to a change of equations between and .

It is surprising that much before the Taliban-led regime in Kabul completes one year in office, and its western neighbour are falling apart.

In this context, Rajiv Dogra's examination of the border issue as the 'Durand's Curse' attains greater significance for analysts and policymakers, reported Asian Lite .

Former diplomat Rajiv Dogra's "Durand's Curse" is the first book written in the world on the Durand agreement which divided Pathans and has bedevilled the world ever since. Having served as Consul General of India in Karachi, Dogra possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Af-Pak region.

"Today his book 'Durand's Curse: A Line Across the Pathan Heart,' first published in 2017, is regarded as one of the most authoritative books on the Pashtun and Afghan history and continuing border tension between and Pakistan," said a review by Dr Sakariya Kareem.

That arbitrary line which Mortimer Durand drew in 1893 on a small piece of paper continues to bleed Afghanistan and hound the world.

'Durand's Curse' is the result of deep research. Fascinating details from long-buried archives of history reveal for the first time a tale of intrigue and deceit against Afghanistan. Bringing alive the wars, the tragedies and the Afghan anger against injustice in this heart-wrenching account of Afghanistan's misfortunes, Dogra has succeeded in presenting an absolutely riveting story of the Indian subcontinent's history.

The book is a saga of British contradictions and flawed strategies in the second half of the nineteenth century and the so-called 'Great Game' that they played out in Afghanistan. They wanted secure borders ending at the frontier which could be defended against an attack by Russia. But they also needed to defend Punjab against raids by Pashtuns from the frontier, reported Asian Lite .

Dogra has written on a topic no British historian has ever bothered to address, exposing the treachery of the British in tricking the Amir into signing the ambiguous agreement. First, the British and then had taken away territory that originally belonged to Afghanistan. But the divided Pathan families refuse to accept this division even now and for the last century and over, there has been a struggle to rub out the cursed line drawn across the sand.

The existence of Pakistan is, according to Dogra, a result of a deliberate British plan, not just a result of the British divide and rule policy. He thinks Nehru betrayed the Pathans. He has a whole chapter on how some states such as India and Afghanistan don't do enough to hold on to their land.

Pakistan was created as a strategic state for British access to Asia and the oil-rich Gulf States as they knew India would no longer act as a British pawn. This miscalculation has created a state which is the hub of all terror activities and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, reported Asian Lite .

The Durand Line passes through the present-day Pakistani provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (NWFP), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan. It also includes 10 provinces in Afghanistan.

The book addresses one of the greatest humanitarian tragedies that has endured for over a century now. The illogical division of land as well as the division of people of one ethnicity into two separate countries, reported Asian Lite International.

The resulting chaos is encapsulated in the line "Afghanistan today can be described as a strong nation but a weak state, while Pakistan is a strong state with no strong sense of nationhood".

Disputed in the context of the struggle for the Pashtun homeland, the Durand Line has of late become the cause of heightened border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Despite Pakistani intelligence's assessment of likely hostility along the Pakistan-Afghanistan borders, there have been ceaseless attacks from the Afghanistan side, reported Asian Lite International.

The attacks were so fierce and rattling that on April 17, Pakistan had to formally urge Kabul to secure the Pak-Afghan border region ensuring strict action against those responsible for terror activities, in the interest of peace and progress of the two 'brotherly' countries'. Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) in Islamabad has categorically said that there has been a significant increase in border hostilities in the last few days.

It further said that of late, elements of banned terrorist groups in the border areas, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have continued to attack Pakistan's border security posts. The Taliban, however, deny harbouring Pakistani militants but are also infuriated by a fence Islamabad is erecting along their 2,700-kilometre (1,600-mile) border known as the Durand line.

On April 14, seven Pakistani Army soldiers were killed in the North Waziristan district by terrorists operating from Afghanistan. This is very unsettling for the Pakistan military establishment. The Taliban authorities warned Pakistan of serious consequences on April 16 after five children and a woman were killed in Afghanistan in rocket attacks launched by the Pakistani military in a pre-dawn assault along the border.

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India and Germany on Tuesday agreed to work together with focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups as well as AI research and its application in sustainability and health care.

India's Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh and German Education and Research Minister, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, during their meeting in Berlin, expressed satisfaction on the ongoing science and technology Cooperation between the two countries, which is one of the strategic pillars of the bilateral relationship.

"There is a lot of scope to work together in Artificial Intelligence, for which experts on two sides have already met. An Indo-German call for proposals for this would be raised soon inviting proposals from researchers and industry," officials said.

On the third day of his official engagement in Berlin, Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned that both the countries are now working in frontier areas of science and technology, including electric mobility, cyber physical system, quantum technologies, future manufacturing, green hydrogen fuel, deep ocean research and proposed to develop joint cooperation in these areas.

The two countries have already started mapping each other's strength in areas such as application of Artificial Intelligence in Sustainability and Healthcare.

Both Ministers felt delighted that several initiatives for human capacity developments in science and engineering have recently been worked out, which includes Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) to facilitate lateral entry of women researchers into ongoing S&T projects and Paired Early Career Fellowships (PECF) creating an inclusive ecosystem for the Indo-German S&T cooperation with exchange of young researchers on both sides.

Stark-Watzinger supported the idea to further strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation by partnering in emerging science and technology areas where both Germany and India have strength to work together and serve two societies.

--IANS

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A member of Iran's syndicate of car parts producers says Iranian producers have an opportunity to export their wares to a Russian manufacturer, state media reported.

The late Monday report quoted Hossein Bahrainian as saying a prominent Russian car maker requested parts from Iran. He did not name the manufacturer. He said it requested brake parts, airbags, air-conditioner parts and other components.

Both Iran and are under U.S. sanctions but the export of Iranian cars and car parts is not subject to sanctions.

The import of automobiles to Iran is also not subject to sanctions. However, Tehran has not imported cars since 2018, after the U.S. withdrew from a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and imposed oil and banking sanctions on Iran.

Western nations stopped exporting to after the invasion of Ukraine.

Iran in recent years has exported car radiators and suspension systems to . In the past it exported cars to Iraq, Syria and Venezuela.

Tehran and Moscow have had close relations in recent years, especially after Iran's sole nuclear power plant went online in 2011 with help from Russia.

With nearly a million cars made in 2021, Iran's auto industry has long enjoyed a vast domestic market due to the monopoly that government factories have in the nation, which has a population of 84 million.

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The Italian government has adopted a decree that eliminates excise taxes on some forms of and methane to help tackle surging energy prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

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 will be lowered starting Tuesday, until at least July 8, reports Xinhua news agency.

For used for transport, excise taxes will be removed while value-added tax will be 5 per cent.

Excise taxes on gasoline will be reduced to 478.40 euros ($502) per 1,000 litres, 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 kg to 182.61 euros per 1,000 kg.

prices in have climbed dramatically since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.

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, has signed new gas supply deals with multiple other countries, including Algeria, Egypt, the Republic of Congo, and Angola.

On April 21, Minister for Economic Transition Roberto Cingolani vowed that would be "almost" independent of Russian gas imports by the second half of next year.

--IANS

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By Allison Lampert and Rajesh Kumar Singh

(Reuters) -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 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.

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 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, which offers membership starting at $2,995, excluding flights, has said active members on average spend over $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, along with Bombardier, which reports earnings on May 5.

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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The head of Russia's Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin has said that his team is making progress in a criminal probe into Ukraine's alleged Pentagon-funded bioweapons programme.

"The analysis of the obtained documents allowed us to clearly identify the people involved in the military biological activities in Ukraine, including representatives of the US Department of Defense and American companies with ties to it," he said, RT reported.

Bastrykin added that the US had spent more than $224 million on biological programmes in Ukraine since 2005 and the foreign aid was used to equip and upgrade around 30 research centers governed by Ukraine's Defence, Health and Agriculture ministries.

"The results of said research had been evacuated to Kiev-controlled territory before the start of (Russia's) special military operation," he said, adding that his agency would continue to study the documents on the matter.

In March, Moscow claimed that it had found evidence that the US had been funding biological weapons research in Ukraine. Washington and Kiev denied this claim and accused Russia of waging a disinformation campaign, RT reported.

Senior US diplomat Victoria Nuland said at the time that Washington was working with Ukraine to prevent research materials from falling into the hands of Russian troops.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, meanwhile, urged the US to "give a full account of its biological military activities at home and abroad and subject itself to multilateral verification".

--IANS

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Inc. slumped 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 Ltd. has also reaped billions in global sales from its Covid-19 vaccine.

The company said 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. Compared with those who took a placebo, people who received Paxlovid had about a third less risk of infection, which wasnt statistically significant.

The shares fell 2.2 per cent at 9:36 a.m. in New York. They had declined 17 per cent this year through Fridays close.

The trial failure, along with reports of rebounding coronavirus levels in some patients who have completed a course of Paxlovid, are unlikely to change the drugs sales potential, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts John Murphy and Sam Fazeli.

The trial miss at most takes away a small incremental sales opportunity in future years, they said Monday in a research note. The reports of rebound infections are also not surprising as viral dynamics during an infection are unlikely to fit perfectly with a rigid 5-day course.

Morgan Stanley analysts, who had estimated the drugs sales to reach $48 billion in 2022, said the prophylaxis data might affect their forecast.

The addressable opportunity for the drug is more limited, which could impact government contracting decisions and hence we see downside risk to our Paxlovid estimates, according to a note from Terence Flynn. Our recent investor conversations suggested measured expectations for an upgrade to Pfizers Paxlovid guidance.
Spain revealed on Monday that the mobile phones of the country's prime minister and defense minister were the targets of "Pegasus" spyware that was able to steal a significant amount of data.

Authorities said that the attack was conducted last year and breached Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's mobile phone twice in May 2021 and Defense Minister Margarita Robles once the following month. On Monday, Presidency Minister Felix Bolanos was the one that made the announcement in a hastily convened news conference.

Pegasus Spyware Attack

Bolanos said that the reports detailing the hackings have already been transferred to Spain's National Court for further investigation. In a statement, the official said that the attack was no doubt an illicit, unauthorized intervention. He said it came from outside state organisms and it did not have judicial authorization.

The country's Socialist-led government has been under pressure to explain why the cellphones of dozens of people connected to the separatist movement in the Catalonia region were infected with the Pegasus spyware between 2017 and 200. The revelations involved at least 65 people, including elected officials, lawyers, and activists, as per NBC News.

The presidency minister did not say whether or not Spanish authorities had any indication of where the attacks originated from or if another nation was behind them. While Bolanos said that data was stolen during the attacks, there was no evidence that other tapping incidents took place after the known dates.

Read Also: EU Members Pay in Ruble To Restore Natural Gas Supply After Refusing Earlier That Resulted in Getting Cut Off

Pegasus spyware is used to silently infiltrate mobile phones in order to extract data or activate a camera or microphone to spy on their owners. The NSO Group, which is based in Israel, owns Pegasus and said that the software is only sold to government agencies that target criminals and terrorists.

According to Aljazeera, the NSO Group has been criticized by global rights groups for allegedly violating users' privacy around the world. It now faces various lawsuits from major tech firms, including Apple and Microsoft.

Spain's Struggles

The spyware attacks came at a time when more than 8,000 migrants forced their way into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. They traveled from Morocco and scaled a border fence or swam around it to get into the country. In response, authorities deployed troops and armored vehicles to stop more migrants from getting into its territory.

It also came as Rabat and Madrid were at odds due to Spain agreeing to provide coronavirus care to a prominent Sahrawi leader who was fighting for the independence of Western Sahara. The territory was once under Spanish control that Morocco annexed in the 1970s.

However, Moroccan authorities have denied accusations that they encouraged mass migration into Ceuta. The remarks come as Spain struggled to cope with tens of thousands of migrants from Africa.

The dispute in the Catalonia region involves separatists wanting to break away from Spain and activists staging occasionally violent street protests. The chaos has haunted Spanish governments for decades.

The Pegasus attacks were discovered by Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity group of experts affiliated with the University of Toronto, This resulted in the regional Catalan accusing Spain's National Intelligence Center (CNI) of spying on separatists, France24 reported.



Related Article: Macron's Presidential Win Greeted by Violent May Day Protests Criticizing French Leader's Policies

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Prime Minister on Tuesday departed for Copenhagen in Denmark from Berlin to begin the second leg of his visit to the three European nations.

Ahead of his departure, PM Modi thanked the German government for their hospitality during his "productive" visit.

"My Germany visit has been a productive one. The talks with @Bundeskanzler Scholz were extensive and so were the Inter-Governmental Consultations. I got a great opportunity to interact with business and Indian community leaders. I thank the German Government for their hospitality," he tweeted.

Meanwhile, PM Modi's visit to Denmark will provide India an opportunity to shape new elements of partnership in the field of skill development, shipping, agri-technology, and mobility, said Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Sunday.

Notably, this will be the Prime Minister's first visit to Denmark, but his third summit-level interaction with his Danish counterpart.

The discussions between both the leaders will focus on bilateral issues as well as issues of regional and global interest. PM Modi and Frederiksen will later also interact with the business leaders of both countries under the auspices of the India-Denmark Business forum.

Kwatra further said that PM Modi would also pay a call on Danish Queen Margrethe II who would also host an official dinner for the Prime Minister.

"Like in Germany, in Denmark too, the Prime Minister will interact with the members of the Indian diaspora during a community event," he added.

The foreign secretary noted that the substance of the partnership with Denmark has many significant pillars that include a green-strategic partnership which is a model of cooperation that focuses on renewable energy, sustainability, and green growth.

"There is also a joint action plan for five years essentially focusing on the specifics of this partnership besides the ongoing cooperation in the field of wind energy, water management, circular economy, shipping, and smart cities," he stated.

Kwatra informed that on May 4, PM Modi will participate in the second India-Nordic summit with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway. However, prior to the start of the summit, PM Modi will also hold bilateral summit meetings with the leaders of Norway, Iceland, Finland and Sweden.

Notably, India is the only country apart from the US with whom the Nordic countries have summit-level meetings.

PM Modi will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.

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Confrontation between "blocs" is growing, as seen between India and Pakistan in the context of a propaganda war, according to the 2022 edition of the World Press Freedom Index compiled by the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

The 2022 edition of the Index, which assesses the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories, highlights the disastrous effects of news and information chaos, the effects of a globalised and unregulated online information space that encourages fake news and propaganda, the RSF said.

Within democratic societies, divisions are growing as a result of the spread of opinion media following the "Fox News model" and the spread of disinformation circuits that are amplified by the way social media functions.

At the level, democracies are being weakened by the asymmetry between open societies and despotic regimes that control their media and online platforms while waging propaganda wars against democracies. Polarisation on these two levels is fuelling increased tension.

The invasion of Ukraine (106th) by Russia (155th) that began on February 24 reflects this process, as the physical conflict was preceded by a propaganda war. China (175th), one of the world's most repressive autocratic regimes, uses its legislative arsenal to confine its population and cut it off from the rest of the world, especially the population of Hong Kong (148th), which has plummeted in the Index.

Media polarisation is feeding and reinforcing internal social divisions in democratic societies such as the US (42nd), despite President Joe Biden's election.

Norway, Denmark and Sweden, continue to serve as a democratic model where freedom of expression flourishes, while Moldova (40th) and Bulgaria (91st) stand out this year thanks to a government change and the hope it has brought for improvement in the situation for journalists even if oligarchs still own or control the media.

The world's 10 worst countries for press freedom include Myanmar (176th), where the February 2021 coup set press freedom back by 10 years, as well as Turkmenistan (177th), Iran (178th), Eritrea (179th) and North Korea (180th).

--IANS

san/ksk/

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is preparing to announce a mobilisation on May 9, the Ukrainian intelligence has claimed on Monday.

" has already been enacting covert mobilisation and is preparing to announce a mass mobilisation in the near future," Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, said during an interview.

When asked whether plans to announce the mobilisation on May 9, he said: "Yes, they are preparing", Ukrayinska Pravda reported, citing the Budanov's interview with NV.

"Now Rosreserv (Russia's Federal Agency for State Reserves) has started to check what they actually have in stock and to calculate what they can give out on mobilisation orders. This is an absolutely necessary step before the start of real mobilisation," he explained.

When asked whether the Kremlin's plan is to win in Donbas by May 9, the head of the Chief Intelligence Directorate said: "That is their goal, but it will not happen, they do not have time. They will not manage to do it."

--IANS

int/shs

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The Pentagon has denied that arms transfers to Ukraine have impacted America's military readiness amid concerns that the Pentagon's own stockpile of Javelin weapons might be dwindling.

"We are comfortable that our readiness has not been impacted by the series of presidential drawdown authorities that we've executed," a senior US Defense Department official told reporters on Monday.

The official also said that the US has delivered more than 5,000 of the 5,500 Javelin anti-tank weapons systems Washington has committed to Ukraine.

However, despite the Pentagon's assurances, the Biden administration is looking at alternative plans in case there are shortages.

"We're considering a range of options, if they're needed, to increase production capacity and improve production timelines of both... Javelins, as well as Stingers," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said later in the day.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden will visit a Lockheed Martin plant in Alabama that makes Javelins just as lawmakers and former officials are raising concerns about the US military stockpiles running low. Psaki said the plant Biden is visiting currently can produce up to 2,100 Javelins per year.

However, the US has now distributed one-third of its available Javelin missiles, according to Senator Richard Blumenthal, who said it will take a year to ramp up to full production from the current annual purchasing level of 1,000 per year. He estimated that it could take up to 32 months to replenish the stocks. Raytheon, confirming this, said it will probably not be until 2023-2024 before they can fully replenish both Javelin and Stinger supplies.

Psaki pointed out the domestic benefits of the program to arm Ukraine.

"Each Javelin... missile requires more than 200 semiconductors to make. And boosting domestic chip manufacturing isn't just critical to making more in America or lowering prices, it's also a vital component of our national security," Psaki said on Monday.

The Biden administration since Russia's military operation began has committed over USD 3.4 billion in security aid to Ukraine. Biden last week asked Congress for another USD 33 billion in aid for Kyiv, USD 20 billion of which would be allocated to security assistance.

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and the US plan to kick off regular combined air force drills next week, in yet another move to highlight their defence posture especially against North Korea's evolving missile threats, informed sources said on Tuesday.

The allies are set to begin the two-week Korea Flying Training on May 9, the eve of the inauguration of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who has vowed to bolster the Seoul-Washington security alliance under his slogan of "peace through strength".

"The two air forces plan to begin the two-week training on the same scale as the past trainings," one of the sources told Yonhap News Agency.

The source stopped short of giving details including specific air assets to be mobilised.

The upcoming training is a scaled-back version of the large-scale Max Thunder exercise that the two countries staged in the past with the massive mobilisation of their air assets and service members.

and the US have recently stepped up their security coordination in the wake of North Korea's missile launches, including its test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile on March 24.

--IANS

ksk/

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The top nuclear envoys of and met here on Tuesday to discuss security situations on the Korean Peninsula amid concerns about North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.

Liu Xiaoming, Beijing's special representative on Korean Peninsula affairs, is on his first visit to Seoul since assuming the post in April 2021 at a time of heightened tensions over Pyongyang's recent spate of missile launches and reported signs of preparations for another nuclear test, reports Yonhap News Agency.

In his first public activity here, he had a meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Noh Kyu-duk, at the foreign ministry building, apparently to share their assessments of the regional security situation.

Liu expressed concerns over the rising tension on the peninsula and reaffirmed China's commitment to play a "positive role" but said the key to a resolution to the issue is in the hands of and .

" is concerned about the tense situation on the Peninsula. 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 wrote on his Twitter page Sunday.

is ready to work with to push forward "the political settlement process" on the matter, he said, describing the two sides as "important cooperation partners."

Last month, the chief South Korean and US nuclear envoys agreed to jointly push for a new UN Security Council resolution against the North for its recent missile launches. But its prospects remain dim, with China and Russia, both veto-wielding permanent members, having maintained a lukewarm stance toward imposing additional sanctions on the North.

On Tuesday afternoon, Liu will visit the Ministry of Unification, which handles inter-Korean affairs, for a meeting with Vice Minister Choi Young-joon, followed by a courtesy call on Unification Minister Lee In-young.

--IANS

ksk/

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Amid Elon Musk's free speech call, has re-suspended the accounts of two prominent conservative figures -- MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and Dr Vladimir "Zev" Zelenko.

The micro-blogging platform permanently suspended their accounts shortly after the duo rejoined it with creating new handles, for violating platform rules against evading bans, reports The Verge.

Lindell was banned last year while Zelenko was banned in 2020.

Lindell was originally suspended for violating Twitter's rules against election misinformation.

Zelenko, who promoted an unproven Covid-19 treatment, was banned for violating rules on platform manipulation and spam.

Twitter's decision came as Musk, who has made a successful $44 billion bid to acquire the platform, promoted free speech and less content moderation.

The world's richest man first supported former US president Donald Trump's social network app 'Truth Social' by sharing its App Store ranking on his microblogging handle.

He later openly criticised Twitter's legal head Vijaya Gadde for suspending the account of The New York Post that wrote an exclusive article about Hunter Biden's laptop.

Musk had long been advocating free speech on the platform, creating apprehensions for many as they fear the site will be left without regulations.

The billionaire earlier said that must remain politically neutral if it wants to keep enjoying public trust.

--IANS

na/dpb

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British Prime Minister on Tuesday became the first world leader to address the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, when he hailed the country's finest hour in the conflict with Russia.

Setting out details of GBP 300 million in extra military support, Johnson invoked the spirit of Britain's war-time Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, in his address via video-link.

The additional military support will cover radars to pinpoint the artillery, heavy lift drones to carry crucial supplies to isolated forces and thousands of night vision devices as the leader pledged to continue to support with weapons, funding and humanitarian aid.

"This is Ukraine's finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come," said Johnson.

"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," he said.

In the coming weeks, we in the will send you Brimstone anti-ship missiles and Stormer anti-aircraft systems. We are providing armoured vehicles to evacuate civilians from areas under attack and protect officials what Volodymyr mentioned to me in our most recent call while they maintain critical infrastructure, he added.

The address follows a similar virtual address by President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Parliament in March, during which the Ukrainian leader had also invoked a Churchillian spirit. Johnson told parliamentarians that the Parliament met throughout World War II, just as Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada has done through the conflict with Russia.

He concluded: It is about Ukrainian democracy against Putin's tyranny. It is about freedom versus oppression. It is about right versus wrong. It is about good versus evil.

And that is why must win; and when we look at the heroism of the Ukrainian people and the bravery of your leader Volodomyr Zelenskyy we know that Ukraine will win. And we in the UK will do everything we can to restore a free sovereign and independent Ukraine.

Downing Street said the UK would send 13 specialised Toyota Land Cruisers to protect civilians officials at command posts and help security authorities rebuild railways in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces are now concentrated.

UK Foreign secretary Liz Truss said the steel-plated vehicles, which were requested by the Ukrainian government, would also help evacuate civilians fleeing Russian shelling on the frontline.

They will arrive there in the coming days, said Truss.

Meanwhile, official data claims a total of 86,000 UK visas have been issued to Ukrainians fleeing the war zone and around 27,000 refugees have arrived in the UK.

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and said Tuesday that they will not support sanctions against Russian energy that the European Union is preparing over the war in Ukraine, saying they are too reliant on those supplies and there are no immediate alternatives.

The EU's executive branch, the European Commission, has drafted new proposals for sanctions, which could include a phased-in embargo on Russian oil.

The 27 member countries are likely to start discussing them Wednesday, but it could be several days before the measures take effect.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted that the commission wants to hit more banks, target those accused of spreading disinformation about the war, and tackle oil imports. It's not clear whether and would receive exemptions.

Slovak Economy Minister Richard Sulik said the country's sole refiner, Slovnaft, cannot immediately switch from Russian crude to another kind of oil. Changing the technology would take several years, Sulik said.

So, we will insist on the exemption, for sure, Sulik told reporters.

is almost fully dependent on Russian oil it receives through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline.

is also heavily reliant, though Germany, another major energy importer, said it could cope if the EU banned Russian oil, with officials still noting that it is a heavy load to bear."



Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the country will not vote for any sanctions that will make the transport of natural gas or oil from to Hungary impossible.

The point is simple, that Hungary's energy supply cannot be endangered because no one can expect us to allow the price of the war (in Ukraine) to be paid by Hungarians, Szijjarto said Tuesday in Kazakhstan. It is currently physically impossible for Hungary and its economy to function without Russian oil.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has developed a reputation as Putin's closest ally in the EU and pursued deep diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow. Orban has deepened dependence on Russian fossil fuels, noting that 85% of Hungary's gas and more than 60% of its oil comes from .

Despite disagreement among EU members on new energy sanctions, European Council President Charles Michel vowed to break the Russian war machine by steering countries on the continent away from Russia's natural gas supplies.

The bloc is racing to secure alternative supplies to Russian energy, placing priority on global LNG imports from countries that include major producers like Algeria, Qatar and the United States.

That includes liquefied natural gas facilities being built in northern Greece, which Michel and the leaders of four Balkan countries toured Tuesday.

We are also sanctioning to put financial, economic and political pressure on the Kremlin because our goal is simple: We must break the Russian war machine, Michel said.

He met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the leaders of Bulgaria, North Macedonia and non-NATO member Serbia at the Greek port of Alexandroupolis.

An LNG import terminal near the port city is due to start operation next year.

LNG that arrives by ship is becoming increasingly important as EU countries look to move away from Russian supplies. Russia last week cut off natural gas to Bulgaria and Poland over a demand to guarantee payment in rubles, in an escalating dispute triggered by the invasion of .

This is why this new LNG terminal is so timely and so important. It's a geopolitical investment and this is a geopolitical moment, Michel said. It reflects what we need to do more of, because it will provide security of supply to Greece, to Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia and other countries in the region. And this is extremely important.

Also at the meetings were Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, North Macedonian Premier Dimitar Kovachevski and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

This is not just an energy project. It will change the energy map of Europe, Petkov said.

The Balkans is a region of 65 million people, and we can do so much more.

The LNG terminal is designed to process some 6 billion cubic meters of gas annually, boosting non-Russian supply that reached region in 2020 with the new Trans Adriatic Pipeline running from Azerbaijan to Italy.

A new interconnector pipeline, fully connecting the gas networks of Greece and Bulgaria is due to launch next month.

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President says the basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that the U.S. Supreme Court not overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalised nationwide.

In a statement Tuesday, Biden said he would work to codify the right to into federal law.

Politico released a draft opinion that suggested the court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case.

A decision to overrule Roe would lead to bans in roughly half the states and could have huge ramifications for this year's elections.

It's unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter opinions often change in the drafting process.

___



OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:



Washington: The Supreme Court is known for keeping secrets. Year after year, in major case after major case, there's little beyond what the justices say during oral arguments that suggests how they will rule.

That's what makes the leak of an apparent draft of an opinion in a major abortion case a shock to court watchers.

The draft published by Politico says that a majority of the court is prepared to overrule the landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that legalised abortion nationwide.

There have been leaks before, but not of such magnitude. Only a handful of people have access to decisions before they're published.

___



Washington: News that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision is reverberating in political battleground Michigan.

The state has a pre-Roe abortion ban that may take effect and is unlikely to be changed by the Republican-led Legislature.

Attention quickly is turning to the courts, where Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Planned Parenthood have filed lawsuits seeking to invalidate the 1931 law.

The development also is putting a focus on the November election, when the governor and legislators are up for reelection and voters may decide whether to enshrine abortion rights in the Michigan Constitution.

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Beijing alleges NATO expansion close to China using the Ukraine strategy due to waning US hegemony feared by Washington. Chinese leaders are wary that the US and its allies are planning to sow the same chaos via surrogate states just like Ukraine. Precisely like Russia, China is viewed by Washington as a threat, and it has formally supported Moscow in snubbing the US president.

Failing US Hegemony in the Indo-Pacific

Developments in Eastern Europe started a US-backed power grab in Ukraine in 2014, a chaotic financial and security crisis since the end of World War II, reported Sputnik News.

To contain China, the west might use the same strategy to cause trouble near the People's Republic of China. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization will have a summit in Madrid with members remarked by state media as an allegedly suspicious plot. Neoconservatives in Washington and their allies want to spread the seed from a security crisis driving European to energy and financial situation; all to take down Vladimir Putin, noted CGTN.

According to an op-ed on the site, when the first bullet was fired at the Moscow border, the United States and NATO had been working to develop ties with Asia-Pacific governments.

Citing Secretary Antony Blinken's call for regional allies to attend the summit, the UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss's saying last week about the need for a global overreach to stop threats in the Indo-Pacific. NATO expansion has called China several times a systemic challenge to the security in the region or US hegemony and pushes the need to be done about it for a global outlook using the Ukraine handbook.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin: 3 Facts You Didn't Know About Russia's President - From His Judo Records to His KGB Pseudonym

The western alliance should have ended after the Cold War. The US has been busy causing instability in Global affairs since 1945, looking for a valid reason for all its activities after the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union when it should have dissolved.

Its hegemonic expansion towards the east about five times from 1999 with 30 members; from only 15 nations. Russia asked the Western Alliance to stop, but it won't with Ukraine.

NATO Expansion Plots To Destabilize

Until now, the US and its allies deny their actions but blame Vladimir Putin for what is caused by their alleged acts. According to the media outlet, NATO is means by Washington to steer allies to do the alleged dirty work to perpetuate its hold in the east and the west. It is joining its allies to show a front that allegedly benefits the US and still is the main superpower globally and denies a multi-lateral world order. NATO will be the main beneficiary and no one else.

The outlet remarked after the statement of US Indo-Pacific Command chief John C. Aquilino; he stated it was a pretty good model for the region for those nations that value freedom. He went on to say those nations had been partners for many years. There will be a rise in collaborative events from partner nations, within and without the area, noted Fars News.

Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested a "Global Security Initiative" to challenge the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy. Also, unilateralism and hegemony-seeking efforts in geopolitics, in general, mentioned Asia Nikkei.

Russia and China published a joint statement in early February condemning NATO membership and the Western bloc's 'Cold War approach to world affairs. NATO expansion, according to China, is dangerous, especially if they use their Ukraine strategy to allegedly further US hegemony via a surrogate; with the support of their allies.

Related Article: EU Horrified as China Sends Missiles for Russia, Fears Beijing's Role in Ukraine Invasion

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By Neha Arora and Mayank Bhardwaj

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's output looks likely to fall in 2022 after five consecutive years of record harvests, as a sharp, sudden rise in temperatures in mid-March cut crop yields in the world's second-biggest producer of the grain.

The drop could curb Indian exports of the staple. Cashing in on a rally in global prices after Russia invaded Ukraine, exported a record 7.85 million tonnes in the fiscal year to March - up 275% from the previous year.

Expecting another record crop, traders and government officials saw an opportunity to export 12 million tonnes in the current 2022-23 fiscal year.

In mid-February, nearly a month before the recent hot spell, the government said was on course to harvest an all-time high 111.32 million tonnes of the grain, up from the previous year's 109.59 million tonnes

The government is 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.

"Loss of production of wheat, all basis, more or less stands around 6%, on account of shrivelling of grains around 20% due to terminal heat and heat waves," the note said.

In 2022, India recorded its warmest March in 122 years with the maximum temperature across the country rising to 33.1 degrees Celsius, nearly 1.86 degrees above normal, according to data compiled by the state-run India Meteorological Department.

"We've some initial idea but it's a little early to fully understand the extent of crop loss," said a senior government official who keeps tabs on planting and harvests.

He declined to be named as he's not authorised to talk to the media.

At this stage, no one has a clear idea about the crop size, said Rajesh Paharia Jain, a New Delhi-based trader. "It's a dynamic situation, so we will have to wait for a while to see a clearer picture," Jain said.

EXPORTS AT RISK

"Based on the production estimates issued by the government in February, we could have easily exported much more than 12 million tonnes, but it now looks like we'll be exporting around 10 million tonnes," he said.

Even with the warm weather, India's wheat exports could easily cross last year's shipments, said the government official.

But some traders more pessimistic, with some projecting as much as a 10% drop in output.

"Dwindling supplies in spot are indicating a bigger drop in the production. I think production could be down 10% to around 100 million tonnes," said the India head of global trading firm, who declined to be named.

The government could restrict exports if production sank come closer to such level, he said.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in Berlin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said currently many countries are struggling with a severe shortage of wheat.

"Big nations are worried about food security, and at this time India's farmers are coming forward to feed the world," Modi said.

Before the nearly 50% surge in global wheat prices, those paid by the state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) exceeded world prices, making exports unattractive.

Now, private traders are actively buying wheat from Indian farmers for exports.

So far this year, FCI's wheat purchases are 38% lower than the previous year, according to official data, indicating both higher purchases by private traders for exports and some drop in crop output as well.

Local prices have gone up by 15% in some markets, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a foreign trading firm, in another potential sign of more buying for exports and tighter supply.

(Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj, Rajendra Jadhav and Neha AroraEditing by Tomasz Janowski and Alistair Bell)

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Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Monday (2 May 2022) raised Rs 5,627.27 crore from anchor investors ahead of its mega initial public offering (IPO).

The state-owned insurer allotted about 5.93 crore shares to 123 investors at Rs 949 per share.

The Singapore government's sovereign wealth fund (GIC) subscribed to shares worth over Rs 414 crore through three funds. BNP Investments subscribed to shares worth about Rs 450 crore.

Out of the total allocation to the anchor investors, 4,21,73,610 equity shares (71% of the total allocation) were allotted to 15 domestic mutual funds through 99 schemes.

SBI Mutual Fund subscribed to shares worth over Rs 1,000 crore through four different schemes.

The initial public offering of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will open on Wednesday, 4 May 2022 and will close on Monday, 9 May 2022.

The Government of India currently holds 100% stake in LIC. It is offering 22.13 crore shares, or 3.5% stake, through the initial offer.

The price band has been set at Rs 902 to Rs 949. The company will offer a discount of Rs 60 per share to LIC policyholders. For retail investors and eligible employees, the discount will be Rs 45 per share.

The firm has reserved around 15.81 lakh shares for eligible employees while 2.21 crore shares are reserved for policyholders. About 6.91 crore shares are reserved for retail investors category.

An investor can bid for a minimum of 15 equity shares and in multiples thereof.

LIC has been providing life insurance in India for more than 65 years and is the largest life insurer in the country, with a 61.6% market share in terms of premiums (or GWP), a 61.4% market share in terms of New Business Premium (or NBP), a 71.8% market share in terms of number of individual policies issued, a 88.8% market share in terms of number of group policies issued for the nine months ended 31 December 2021.

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Former Union Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla on Tuesday took a dig at SP chief saying he has stopped talking about erecting an idol of Lord Parshuram, a deity of Brahmins, since his party's loss in the assembly polls.

"Despite the call given by the SP President of installing Parshuram ji's statue in the state before the assembly elections, more than 90 per cent Brahmins supported and voted BJP. Now doesn't talk about installing an idol anywhere," the Rajya Sabha member from BJP told PTI here.

Shukla was here to attend a programme organised on the occasion of Parshuram Jayanti.

He said, People should never turn their great men into leaders of any particular caste. BJP neither talked about installing the idol, nor is it doing it today. But BJP is committed to the principles of Parshuram ji. BJP talks about ending injustice and terrorism.

In the run up to the latest assembly polls, had organised worship at a Lord Parshuram temple, while the then deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma and other BJP leaders inaugurated a temple of of the deity in Lucknow.

The SP had also announced its plans of erecting a 108 ft tall statue of Lord Parshuram apparently to show respect to the Brahmin community.

Brahmin leader Abhishek Mishra had been given the task to oversee the statue work.

Speaking about the farmers' agitation over the now repealed farm bills, the former minister said that the laws would have benefitted the farmers but had to be scuttled because of middlemen.

Almost 83 per cent of the farmers, especially small ones, would have benefitted from those laws but the agitation, propped up with the help of some middlemen, forced the government to withdraw them, he said.

There were others who were supporting the farmers' movement from the back door and the opposition was also extending its support to it.

However, wherever elections were held, whether in or in other states, the public showed that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a well-wisher of farmers and no one else," Shukla said.

Referring to the government's initiative for sugarcane farmers in UP, he said, In Uttar Pradesh, khandsari units were taxed more than the sugar mills. As a Minister of State for Finance, I invited a proposal and worked to make Khandsari industry completely free from GST.

He said such decisions helped BJP get majority in western and form a government again despite all the efforts by the opposition.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Minister on Tuesday reached for his day-long visit to the southern state that is set to go to polls early next year.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Lok Sabha MP Tejasvi Surya, and Bharatiya Janata Party National Secretary CT Ravi are among the dignitaries who welcomed the Union minister at HAL airport on his arrival in .

Union Home Minister is likely to discuss state with the Chief Minister during his visit.

" is likely to visit on May 3 and I would try to use the opportunity to seek an audience to discuss cabinet expansion," Bommai said earlier.

Meanwhile, Minister of Cooperation Shah will inaugurate Nrupathunga University and NATGRID campus during his day-long engagement in various public events in Bengaluru.

The Home Minister is likely to start his day by paying tributes to Sri Basavanna on Basava Jayanthi at 10 am in the city's Basaveshwar Circle.

Then he will lay the foundation stone of Nrupathunga University, formerly called Government Science College.

The college was established by the erstwhile Mysore Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. From an undergraduate college, it started teaching postgraduate courses with a research programme and later received university status in 2020.

At the event, the Home Minister will participate in the e-inauguration of the forensic science laboratory in Bellari and later launch the E-Beat App.

At the noon, the Home Minister will inaugurate the Bengaluru NATGRID Campus in the city's Sathnur village.

At an event organized at 5.30 pm in Sree Kantheerava Outdoor Stadium, the Home Minister will participate in the closing ceremony of the Khelo India University Games-2021.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr, Chief Minister called for unity between the Hindus and Muslims, and said "isolation policy" was not good.

While attending the special Namaz prayer at Kolkata's Red Road, the chief minister did not miss the opportunity to take jibes at the BJP. She said that West Bengal's culture of unity among different religions was a matter of envy for many and, especially, for those who are trying to divide the country on communal grounds.

"Many are jealous of the culture of unity in . The spirit of unity that exists in is rare. to create division in the country is going on. This is not good for the country. But we will have to remain united and work together. Some people are spreading falsehood to create tension among Hindus and Muslims. We will have to resist them together," the chief minister said at the gathering.

She also said that she would not bow down to the attempts of creating rift among the different religions. "We have to remain united at this crucial juncture. I appeal to all of you not to become victims of communal instigation," the chief minister said.

Several times in the recent past, Mamata Banerjee, without naming the BJP, has alleged that a section of the people "are trying to disturb the culture of peace and harmony in the state by circulating fake videos".

"I request you to have faith in me. I am determined to remove those who are trying to destroy the culture of peace and harmony in the country," the chief minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister attacked the Centre directly for "interfering in the internal affairs of the state".

"An attempt is being made to destroy the federal and democratic structure of the country," she said.

--IANS

src/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.)
Ahead of any state elections, it is common for political leaders to switch sides. And Gujarat, which is going to the polls later this year, is no different on this count.

Gujarat working president Hardik Patel, the face of the reservation movement of 2016-17 who joined the grand old party in 2019, is the latest in the state to fuel talks of a political somersault after he dropped the party's name from his Twitter bio on Monday.

The phrase 'Working President of the Gujarat Congress' is now missing from Hardik Patel's Twitter bio, which reads: "Proud Indian Patriot. Social and Political Activist. Committed to a better India."

Recently, Patel had changed his WhatsApp profile picture from the tricolour scarf to one with a saffron scarf. He even deleted Cogress from his WhatsApp bio. The move had sparked speculation over his possible political switch.

Even during the recent Yuva Swabhiman Sammelan at Tapi, where Youth national President B.V. Srinivas was present, Patel was seen wearing a non-Congress plain white scarf.

Asked about the change in WhatsApp profile picture, Hardik had said that everyone changes their DPs every five days, and he also did the same.

On the other hand, Patel has also criticised national Congress leaders on various platforms of late.

Last Tuesday, he had tweeted: "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."

In a few interviews recently, Hardik had blamed national Congress leaders by saying that he is not getting due respect as Gujarat Congress President, as no one consults him nor gives him any major responsibility.

He recently said in an interview that he considers himself as a 'Hinduvadi' and 'Rambhakt'.

--IANS

asmita/arm

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday alleged that Haryana's rate is highest in the country.

Referring to the latest Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy report, Surjewala said that "the rate in is highest in the country at 34.5 per cent, which is four times of rate".

"Job scams are getting exposed every other month in the state, but the state Government is trying to save the real kingpins," he alleged, as per a statement issued here.

Congress' chief spokesperson further said that the youth of is facing the brunt of unemployment due to the alleged wrong policies of the state government.

"As many as 3.32 lakh posts are reportedly lying vacant in various state government departments, boards and corporations, which is about 43 per cent of the total 7.60 lakh regular posts. The jobs are continuously decreasing in the private sector also," he said.

The paper leak mafia is flourishing under the nose of this government, but the BJP-JJP Government is not acting against the real culprits despite the repeated demands from the opposition, Surjewala claimed.

Demanding an investigation under the direct supervision of the Punjab and High Court judge, Surjewala said that the previous HCS (Prelims) & Dental Surgeons' entrance examination had to be cancelled "because the blatant corruption and irregularities got exposed, but there should be a fair investigation on the white collar beneficiaries of the bribe money".

(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.)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is under treatment at the Mayo Clinic in US, on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister seeking his urgent intervention to see that the "exorbitant" airfares in the domestic and international sector are reduced.

"I write this letter to invite your kind attention to the substantial hike in air fares in all domestic and international sectors which is adversely affecting a large number of our pravasis who travel to their home country in the vacation time, besides, tourists have also started visiting after the decline of incidence of Covid-19 pandemic.

"One of the major key sector affected by Covid-19 was the hospitality industry, including travel and tourism. Though this sector has been opened and has started functioning normally the new challenge which can be the reason for a setback to return to normalcy is the exorbitant air fares," he said.

Vijayan, in his letter, also gives the pre-Covid fares and the present fares which shows a massive hike.

From Cochin to Delhi, the fares jumped from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000 and it went up from Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,800 from Thiruvananthapuram to Cochin.

Likewise in the international sector, it shot up more than a staggering 300 per cent from Rs 12,000 to Rs 40,000 to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and almost four times to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from Rs 15,000 to Rs 58,000.

To London and New York, it doubled from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh and from Rs 65,000 to Rs 1,30,000 respectively.

--IANS

sg/vd

(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.)
An irked All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Tuesday said it has cut off relations with President after he rebuffed its offer to join the 'Iftar' on Sunday.

AIMIM MP from Aurangabad Syed Imtiaz Jaleel said that ahead of his rally in that city three days ago (May 1), he had extended a personal invite to Raj to partake in their 'Iftar' (breaking the Ramzan fast with evening prayers) that evening.

"However, he did not honour our invitations... Now, we wish him 'Eid Mubarak' from afar only... We shall not invite him to savour our delicious 'Sheer Korma' today," a dejected Jaleel told mediapersons after performing the Eid-ul-Fitr 'namaz' here this morning.

He said the 'Iftar' gesture to Raj was intended to foster and nurture communal harmony and harmony among the Hindu-Muslim brethren ahead of his public meeting that had created huge apprehensions among the minorities with his campaign to remove mosque loudspeakers by May 4 (today).

"Unfortunately, there was no response from him. If he had come a very positive message would have gone to the masses. I had insisted that he should join our 'Iftar' and all could have appreciated. Yet he remained aloof," said Jaleel.

The AIMIM MP made it clear that it was the good security arrangements by the Aurangabad Police which ensured the MNS rally went off peacefully without untoward incidents.

"We did our duty... We extended a hand of friendship to Raj Thackeray, but he doesn't deserve it, and he proved it in his speech also," the MP said with a smile.

He said now there's no question of any negotiations nor sup 'Sheer Korma' with him... and the AIMIM would greet him 'Eid Mubarak' from a distance and the party congratulated the Aurangabad Police for its excellent security arrangements that day.

It may be recalled that in his rally, Raj thundered 'Now or Never' and demanded that all loudspeakers must be yanked off mosques and after that even from other places of worship.

He had earlier issued a May 3 (today) deadline, but in view of Eid-ul-Fitr postponed it by a day till Wednesday (May 4), as the Maha Vikas Aghadi geared to face the possible ramifications of the MNS campaign.

On his part, Raj has been fervently claiming that the anti-loudspeakers matter is not a religious one directed at any particular community, but a social issue that has been hanging for long.

Calling upon the Aurangabad Police to take immediate measures and remove the loudspeakers from mosques, he warned that if this was not done, the MNS workers would blare out 'Hanuman Chalisa' at double volume and he would not be responsible for the consequences.

Major parties in the state, including the ruling MVA allies Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress leaders, Abu Asim Azmi of Samajwadi Party, Raju Shetti of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, Pravin Gaikwad of Sambhaji Brigade, Kishore Tiwari from Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and India Against Corruption were those who slammed Raj for his utterances with hidden threats.

Interestingly, after Raj announced his anti-loudspeakers campaign, the AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi had clamped a gag order on his partymen from making any comments on the issue, last month.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Z Irani on Tuesday visited Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's parliamentary constituency of Wayanad in and said that there was "much that has not been done" in the district and the local administration has assured her that it would be addressed.

Irani, meeting reporters after a review meeting with the local administration, pointed out various shortcomings, like lack of water connections to around 1.35 lakh households, non-screening for health issues common among tribals, non-digitisation of their land records and ensuring skill development among the tribals, in the district which were brought to her attention.

She further said that ease of living of the tribals needs to be enhanced, infrastructure in the district needs to be strengthened and developed and services like health, education, nutrition and financial services, needs to be delivered to the people there, especially the poorest of the poor.

"There is much that has not been done and I have been assured (by the district administration) that it will be done," the Union Minister said while answering queries from reporters there.

While speaking to reporters, she also took a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying, "I am not Rahul Gandhi, I don't run from Amethi."



This was in response to a query on whether she would consider contesting elections from Wayanad if her party asks her to.

She also said that she brings with her the compliments from Amethi to Wayanad.

During her interaction with reporters, she said that she came to know today that there were around 57,000 farmers in the district who did not have the Kisan Credit Card, 1.35 lakh families/ households did not have water connections, maintaining of proper land records had been going on for last 50 years and yet it was not completed and the housing schemes for the poor were not being implemented.

She also said that there were several central government schemes, like the Prime Minister's Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) and another meant for re-enrollment of out of school girls, which too were not being implemented as the district-level officials were unaware about them.

Irani said that she has received a commitment from the district administration that they will review their processes "so that their system deliveries can be bettered."



She also said that the administration assured her that they will try to ensure water connections to all households by 2023 under the Prime Minister's Jal Jeevan Mission.

(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.)
Ex-President Donald Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin loathes US President Joe Biden as a weak leader who does not deserve his respect. The former president observed the stark difference between the Biden regime that has lowered the standing of the US. When the 46th president said America is back with his recorded gaffes, many were allegedly amused, and some were incredulous at his bold statement.

People Respected Trump Despite Reservations

He said his administration was more respected than his predecessor ever was, and Putin has been throwing nuclear weapons, threatening NATO that he'll use them, according to RT.

At a rally in Nebraska last Sunday, he threw stinging words at Washington in his public address. Saying that the Democrat president does lead, America was influential and respected globally. Adding that everyone ignores the current sitting President of the United States; they do not answer his phone calls which is a sad disgrace.

It was about the attempts by his predecessor, who was the lowest polling president and was ignored in March by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. They don't want to answer or talk to him about surging oil prices causing monster fuel price hikes. It was much different under the Trump administration, cited Middle East Eye.

Trump added that Biden is clueless and reminded how the 79-year-old gestured to someone to shake hands with no one there. While the Russian leader boldly threaten using nukes all the time, noted Cuba Si.

Donald Trump remarked that no nuclear word was said this much before like Vladimir Putin. It should not even be mentioned because it is too awful.

Read Also: Donald Trump Children: What You Need to Know About the 5 Trump Kids

Furthermore, Putin's administration restored Russia's nuclear stockpile as others did; it was a common response. All the compounded mistakes of Biden have made the US government look less able, making it seem so shameful with the Afghan debacle. The 46th president failed to protect the interests of the US and its allies, leaving them out of the loop.

It can be called one of the worst chapters of the US that is worse than Vietnam, and it is a democrat at the helm through it all. No justification by the current US leader can deflect the Incursion of Russia in Ukraine is due to his weakness and inability to act as leader of the USA.

Threats from the Kremlin

A week ago, President Putin told the US and its allies to stop assisting Kyiv and gave a serious warning of a fast response using the most advanced weapons of Russia at his disposal. Adding that preparation is underway to deploy them anytime, mentioned Greater Kashmir.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked in an interview that during Trump's term when Moscow wanted him to recommit to a 1987 statement saying that a nuclear war will have losers, no winners. The 45th president declined, but Joe Biden agreed to do it.

But the situation is getting catastrophic as the moves by the US and allies are pushing everything to the brink of nuclear Armageddon.

Late in February, after the special operation in the Donbas, the Kremlin placed nuclear units in a state of readiness; due to illegal sanctions and harsh statements directed at Russia.

Donald Trump warned that Joe Biden's failure in Afghanistan had emboldened Vladimir Putin that would never happen under his watch, casting aspersion.

Related Article: Joe Biden Appears To Shake Hands With No One After Finishing Speech Recently

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A day after political strategist hinted about launching a political party, Bihar Chief Minister maintained a studied silence on the development.

While interacting with media on the occasion of Eid on Tuesday, the chief minister initially ducked the question, but on being asked repeatedly, he stated that he has nothing to do with it.

On Monday, hinted at launching a political party from Bihar. Taking to his official Twitter handle, he 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 to path to Jan Suraj - People good governance starting from Bihar," he tweeted.

His tweets evoked sharp reactions by RJD and BJP, but JD-U chose not to react.

It is well known that has good relations with Prashant Kishor, which the former has admitted several times on public platforms.

Several, however, see it a political ploy of to indirectly promote PK in the state so that the parties can be merged.

Currently, JD-U is undergoing a deep crisis especially after the second expansion of the Narendra Modi government. In that expansion, R.C.P. Singh was given the charge to bargain with BJP but he opted otherwise and secured the cabinet berth for himself.

This led to other prominent leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh being upset with him. Nitish Kumar realised it and made him the party's president.

At present, there is a RCP Singh group, Lalan Singh group, Upendra Kushwaha group, active in JD-U.

Taking this in view, the JD-U has issued an official notification directing that every poster and advertisement will have Kumar's photograph only. No other leaders are entitled to promote themselves through poster in Bihar.

It is well known that except Nitish Kumar, there is no political successor in JD-U who could hold the party together at present. Neither RCP Singh, nor Lalan Singh or Upendra Kushwaha.

In that context, the political capability of PK is well established across the country. Hence, Nitish Kumar could give ideal play ground in Bihar to grow as a party and then merge into JD-U so that it would be easy for Nitish Kumar to hand over the responsibility to hold his legacy.

Though, this is just an assumption of political analysts in Bihar, they also believe that no one, including his closest allies, know Kumar's take on it.

--IANS

ajk/shb/

(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 3 (ANI/PNN): 'Shabd.in', an e-platform based dedicated tool for the writer community through for publishing their books and promote them online and earn money, has now introduced the listing facility of books for sale across the country. Any writer, who has got their book published from any publication, will now be able to list it on shabd.in for sale. In addition to it, the brand is preparing to make available all the books in nearly all Indian languages on their website for readers to purchase from. Shabd.in used to be a Hindi-based website, and recently has added English language, making it a one of the very few bi-lingual literature websites in India.

Shabd.in was soft-launched in late 2021 and re-launched in March 2022, with additional features and various revenue models. The platform aims at serving as a means to bridge the gap of the absence of local language platforms in India where people could write freely and get their books published.

Shabd.in came into existence as Shabdanagari.com in 2015, where it was merely a social networking site in Hindi, founded by Amitesh Misra and Nikhil Tiwari. In September 2021, the social networking site was re-branded as Shabd.in with an expanded range of services targeted towards the writers in Indian languages. The platform was joined by another founding member, Santosh Verma, to further strengthen the functionality and vision. For its interactive model, the platform got approved by the IIT Kanpur incubation center and received seed funding to proceed. The platform is headquartered in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh and has its branch office in Noida.

(https://shabd.in) has different revenue and publishing models.

1. Writers can publish their e-book on the platform for free and the users can enjoy reading their work without shelling a dime.

2. Writers can publish their e-book and set a price on their work to earn 80 per cent royalty on each sale, claimed highest compared to the competing publishers in the industry.

3. Writers can also get their books published in paperback, promote them on the platform and get them listed on other platforms like Amazon or Flipkart as well.

For publishing the paperback edition, the writer is required to pay a one-time fee of INR 5100. An additional package available at INR 11,000 is made available with added benefits for the printing of the book like the addition of ISBN and listing on 3rd party platforms. For listing a book published by other publishers, 65 per cent commission is paid to the writer.

Discussing the platform, MD & CEO - Shabd.in, Amitesh Misra said, "We are continuously adding more and more convenient features and options for the userbase and writer community of India so that no piece of creativity is lost due to the lack of resources or opportunities. With our new additions of listing facility, adding English to our website and further working on adding 20+ Indian languages in the coming months will certainly serve to the pressing requirements of the community."

Shabd.in aims to become the biggest multilingual content platform in the vernacular space in India in the next 5 years, while keeping the exploitation of writers at bay. While the platform offers the highest royalty percentage for the sellers, it looks ahead to become every writer's first choice to publish their work in their native language.

This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In 2022, there are more pressures on aviation than ever before. Sanctions, pandemic restrictions, the rising cost of aviation fuel, geo-political crises, severe weather, even the occasional volcanic eruption, can all disrupt airlines and flight plans.

Some companies struggle to keep up with the pace of change. This is not the case with HADID, the Dubai-headquartered international trip support company with global offices, full service FBO facilities and a worldwide presence. HADID sees opportunities where other providers see obstacles.

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Growth through change and adaptation

HADID has recently redesigned its corporate theme, choosing the iconic olive tree in part because of its highly adaptive nature. They have strong roots and many branches, and they endure.

HADIDs blend of discreet, thoughtful, trip optimisation and competitive foresight, positions the company as one of the industry leaders in international trip planning. Although it has served VIPs for over forty years, HADID is about more than executive trip support. HADID also regularly serves humanitarian aid flights, defence operations, complex cargo requirements, repatriation flights, MEDEVAC missions and more.

Regulations and flight restrictions

Apart from a resolute anti-war stance, HADID extricates itself entirely from geo-political discourse, but provides operators with a resource to navigate complex regulatory environments and to find the best solutions.

Recent sanctions against Russia have presented significant challenges for operators. With the complete closure of Ukrainian, Moldovan and portions of Russian and Belarusian airspace, overflight operations in Europe have become complex, especially where aircraft are transiting between Western Europe and the Middle East and Asia.

HADID is helping operators optimize routes, assess risks, obtain flight permits and settle navigation fees with CAAs. The company is supporting evacuation flights and humanitarian operations.

Meanwhile, HADIDs diversification means it is not difficult to ensure compliance with regulatory constraints while catering to its clients travel needs.

Covid-19 created a slew of new legislation which can restrict flight schedules, limit the number of passengers on flights and further affect travel itineraries. Fortunately, HADID has its own in-house flight planning expertise, Operations Control Centres (OCC) and a bespoke flight management and customer relationship IT system called COMPASS.

These enable HADID to be responsive at short notice, rerouting flights and scheduling new flights so passengers enjoy continuity of hospitality. This extends to ongoing travel in many cases by helicopter, room and restaurant bookings, and any other services VIPs might request. HADID provides a meet and greet concierge service, where discretion and privacy are paramount.

Aviation authority liaison

Different national aviation authorities have their own restrictions, regulations and fees. As global circumstances change so do local requirements for operators. HADID has experts who keep on top of regulatory changes, ensuring that private jet owners, pilots and crew are not unnecessarily disadvantaged.

Alongside its 24/7 OCC, the company operates a network of suppliers, partners and supervisors on the ground worldwide. It also has regional offices in locations including China, India, Italy, France, Niger, Pakistan, the UK, and the USA. Our regional presence ensures that local legislation, NOTAMS and Travel Advisories are well understood and followed to the letter.

Price and service flexibility

As fuel prices rise, HADID can secure competitive fuel rates at short notice from reliable suppliers. VAT exemptions can be applied through HADID. Navigation fee payments are made in advance and operators are also offered a line of credit for aviation fuel so that their journeys are expedited.

Eritrea is an example of a territory where the local aviation authority imposes a deposit payment to secure navigation fees for any overflying operators. The HADID Navigation Fees Support service can cover the deposit on behalf of operators. Fees are calculated accurately and secured on time, allowing operators to avoid any outstanding payments and associated penalties. Across all services, delivering value is the objective, for passengers, crews and operators alike.

HADID also operates and manages full-service FBOs. These executive spaces resemble five-star facilities, a far cry from the slow and prosaic airport lounges generally provided.

For example, the HADID Mehran Lounge at Jinnah International Airport in Pakistan is carefully curated, tastefully decorated and provides a choice of goods and services executive clients expect. This is core to HADIDs brand, providing privacy, comfort and ease, with seamless services.

Half-way around the world, in Italy, HADID prepares for the summer months at their Riviera Airport FBO, situated just 20 minutes by helicopter from Monaco. From the moment a customers jet lands, to the moment it takes off, HADID handles everything. Improvements have continued at the airport. With highly anticipated events such as the Monaco F1 and Cannes Film Festival through the summer, HADID caters to the increasing desire for a seamless and hassle-free route into Monaco, amongst other destinations along the Riviera. Perfect for those who wish to avoid the cacophonous malls, queues and traffic of major airports.

Covid-19

During the pandemic HADID continued to serve its clients wherever flights were still permitted. It undertook rigorous hygiene standardization, providing safe, clean and air-conditioned facilities for travellers to rest.

As things ease off, HADID continues to adopt a cautious but non-intrusive approach to health and hygiene, striking a careful balance between safety and comfort.

Earlier this year the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) became a HADID partner. The agreement enables HADID to connect its clientele to one of the worlds most renowned private healthcare nations.

Defence and humanitarian aid

HADID has a long history of servicing strategic defence and humanitarian missions. These require a different approach to flight planning, security and risk assessment than commercial flights.

However, these flights also need staff to be flexible and capable of relaying urgent updates to flight crews with urgency and efficiency.

These missions may involve handling risky cargo or injured personnel with ease and professionalism. During the height of the pandemic, HADIDs personnel arranged hundreds of cargo flights to transport vaccines where they were most needed.

HADID has arranged military and civilian repatriation flights, humanitarian and political missions and will continue to offer these services alongside its commercial and private charter flights.

Protecting your privacy

HADIDs staff are nothing if not multi-skilled. From MEDEVAC missions to preserving the privacy of VIPs, discretion and tact are assured.

For this to work, staff are vetted and fully trained in the requests clients might make. Concierge staff need to be able to arrange chauffeured limousines or recommend excellent hotels and restaurants at short notice.

Sustainability

Technologies for hybrid aircraft are in development that will help mitigate the cost of fuel. Before they arrive, using electricity to power as many features and services as possible is a helpful compromise. HADID is watching this space closely to invest in the sustainable future of the aviation industry wherever opportunities arise.

In the meantime, carbon-offsetting will become an increasingly important part of business aviations commitment to sustainability.

Whatever the future of aviation holds, despite its current volatility and the accelerated pace of change, HADID remains a brand synonymous with adaptability, quality and reliability.
Blancco Technology Group has formally unveiled new, state-of-the-art Cork City Centre based offices in Lapps Quay. The opening event was attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD, who cut the ribbon, recognizing Blancco Irelands continued investment in the region through the creation of this new site with capacity for up to 34 employees.



IDA Ireland has supported Blancco to make these new offices a centre of excellence for R&D as well as a strategic hub for Blancco, globally. Over the next three to four years, Blancco will invest several million euros in R&D, job creation and skills training. Blancco has a hybrid working arrangement in place across all its locations. It has plans to continue to add roles at its Cork site, with some currently in the process of being filled.



Blancco provides organizations with secure, compliant, and automated solutions that deliver best practice data erasure and management while accelerating the transition to the circular economy. Each year, tens of millions of Blancco erasures allow top-tier organisations to protect end-of-life data against unauthorised access, safely redeploy data storage assets, and firmly comply with increased data protection and privacy requirements.



Welcoming the new expansion, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said, "This is exciting news for Cork and for Ireland. The new Blancco hub in Lapps Quay will bring new employment to local citizens, and it further reinstates Corks competitive position in attracting investment from leading, global technology businesses at the forefront of innovation. I am delighted that Blancco has chosen Cork for its new premises, as part of its global expansion."

CFO at Blancco, Adam Moloney added, "This represents a significant milestone for the Blancco Group. Were investing heavily in our operations in Ireland, and it will be a key strategic hub as we accelerate our international expansion. With this launch we look forward to adding new members to our growing business, but this opening event is also an opportunity for us to celebrate the hard work of our outstanding Blancco Ireland team."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
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
Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney is at the top of Donald Trump's list of GOP foes.

The former president, who sponsored and helped fundraise for Harriet Hageman in her attempt to unseat Cheney in this year's Republican primary, will travel to Wyoming later this month to headline a rally for his preferred candidate.

Trump To Hold Rally in Wyoming

On Monday, Trump announced that he will conduct a rally in Casper, Wyoming, on May 28. Cheney, a longstanding Republican Trump opponent, was the most senior of the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach the president on charges of encouraging the fatal attack on the US Capitol. Right-wing radicals and other Trump supporters launched the attack to prevent Congress from certifying President Biden's Electoral College victory in the 2020 election.

A conservative legislator and defense hawk who is the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney was instantly chastised by Trump and his supporters, and she was forced to resign from her post as House GOP leader in May.

Cheney is one of just two Republicans participating on a special select committee set up by House Democrats to examine the storming of the US Capitol. Cheney has been vocal about the need of safeguarding the nation's democratic process and putting country before party, according to Fox News.

On Aug. 16, Hageman, an attorney, and Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, will square off in the nation's smallest state. Cheney was the House Republican's No. 3 until she was forced out last year in punishment for her harsh criticism of Trump. Her House colleagues originally supported her as she joined nine other Republicans in voting to impeach Trump for allegedly instigating the Capitol riot last year, but they grew dissatisfied with her ongoing criticism of the former president.

Cheney eventually became a member of a Democratic-led committee investigating the disturbance. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) turned down pro-Trump Republicans chosen by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for the panel (R-Calif.) During Cheney's four years in office, he and Trump fought on foreign policy, with Trump promoting an America first philosophy that included pressuring partners to fund their defense.

Because of Cheney-pushed limits on evacuating US troops from Afghanistan, Germany, and South Korea, Trump rejected a $740 billion defense bill in December 2020. Trump frequently refers to Cheney and her father as "warmongers," and he singled her out in a speech to his supporters before storming the Capitol to prevent President Biden's Electoral College win from being certified, New York Post reported.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin's Cancer Surgery, Revealed; Ex-Police Chief to Take Over Russia [RUMOR]

Donald Trump's Grip on Republicans Face First Test

The first big test of Donald Trump's hold on Republican supporters will take place on Tuesday when a crowded and fractious US Senate race centered mostly on the former president concludes. In a contest marked by prominent contenders positioning themselves as standard-bearers of Trump's America First movement and emulating his harsh manner, Trump nominated venture billionaire JD Vance.

However, scores of Ohio Republican officials reacted angrily to Vance's endorsement, warning that he would reduce Republican turnout in the general election and throw the seat to US Rep. Tim Ryan. The likely Democratic nominee is Representative Tim Ryan. Vance's opponents were also supported by a major GOP group and Trump-allied conservatives such as Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Ohio is the first in a string of primaries that will determine the strength of Trump's support, which he is using to stave off prospective presidential challenges in 2024 if he runs again.

Trump has also endorsed candidates in high-stakes Republican Senate primaries in Pennsylvania, which will be conducted on May 17, and Georgia, which will be held on May 24. The president's party has usually lost seats during his first term, thus Republicans are widely favored to take control of the House in November.

The Senate is now tied 50-50, and the GOP's chances of gaining a majority in the upper house are dimming, owing to concerns about Trump's statewide electability, according to Bloomberg via MSN.

Related Article: Donald Trump Net Worth 2022: Did Trump Get Richer Since Leaving the US Presidency?

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ADDIS ABABA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian security forces have arrested 76 suspects in connection with Eid al-Fitr festival violence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital.

Ethiopia Security and Intelligence Task Force (ESITF) said in a press statement Monday that the suspects were accused of inciting a riot during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Addis Ababa in the same day.

"The ensuing riot injured a number of security forces and caused property damage in nearby buildings," the ESITF statement said. "76 individuals suspected of direct involvement in the riot have been apprehended, with a manhunt continuing for other suspects currently at large."

The ESITF statement also said sharp blunt objects, foreign extremist memorabilia and violence-inciting flyers were seized along with the suspects.

Tension has been rising across Ethiopia after deadly violence between the Christian and Muslim communities in the city of Gonder last week left at least 20 dead. The violence in Gonder 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 that 373 suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the deadly violence in Gonder city. 
A Republican senator is telling Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that the Biden administration's new Disinformation Governance Board may be unlawful and subject to a vote in Congress.

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) offered a legal criticism of the board in a letter to Mayorkas on Monday as the White House worked to calm public outrage over the Big Brother-like panel and its controversial leader, who has a history of disseminating falsehoods.

Sen. Bill Hagerty Says New Disinformation Board Needs Vote of Congress

The board's formation, according to Hagerty, may violate the Antideficiency Act, which states that the executive branch cannot spend money without Congress permitting it, and it may also be susceptible to the Congressional Review Act.

The board, which has been compared to an Orwellian Ministry of Truth by Republicans and some left-wing and libertarian opponents, was unveiled last week, just after billionaire Elon Musk agreed to acquire Twitter to undertake pro-free speech and anti-censorship changes, according to the New York Post.

Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation specialist, has constantly questioned The Washington Post's reporting on papers from Hunter Biden's laptop, which the Washington Post and New York Times have just now confirmed. She's also been chastised for her own social media posts, including a TikTok in which she mocks free speech and fake news in a parody of the "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" song from "Mary Poppins."

While many consider Tesla CEO Elon Musk as the leading anti-free-speech leftist, he said that such proverbial threats to the establishment dynamic have been occurring for some time. According to Gutfeld, the creation of Fox News Channel, and subsequently journalists like Glenn Greenwald and commentators like Joe Rogan endangered that relationship as early as October 1996.

"Now it's Musk, so every reaction you see is the same. They fear speech because it competes with theirs," he explained, noting that Mayorkas specifically emphasized that the new misinformation infrastructure will strive against speech's "connection to violence," as per Fox News

Read Also: Moscow Warns Retaliation Against Western Countries Provoking Neo-Nazi Attacks on Russia

Disinformation Board Head Criticized by Republicans

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, described the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) misinformation board as a weapon for combating illegal immigration, saying that the board's first warnings were sent out in 2020 during the Trump administration.

She stated that the board's focus will be on addressing the use of disinformation by traffickers to encourage more people to travel to the border. More migrants were encountered at the southern border in March than in any other month since the early 2000s.

When the new plan for the dystopian-sounding board was disclosed last week, many were outraged, particularly over Nina Jankowicz, who has been appointed to lead the Disinformation Governance Board. Jankowicz has criticized Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter as well as reports concerning the Hunter Biden laptop.

Despite Republican criticism, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas lauded President Joe Biden's new misinformation czar as qualified and objective on Sunday. In spite of rising right-wing suspicions that the White House's new Disinformation Governance Board may be used for censorship and monitoring, he assured that it will not be used to monitor American residents.

Conservatives have slammed Jankowicz's selection, citing her past denial of reporting by the New York Post and DailyMail.com on Hunter Biden's laptop as a Trump campaign product. The contents of the laptop, some of which are tied to a federal tax fraud probe into the president's son, were rejected as Russian disinformation by Democrats and mainstream media outlets in October 2020 until being verified by the Washington Post early this year.

Jankowicz, a Wilson Center fellow who formerly assisted the Ukrainian government, has also been criticized for praising former British spy Christopher Steele. Steele is the author of the now-debunked Russia dossier, which claimed Trump had close links to Moscow.

Jankowicz also received backlash for an old tweet criticizing commercials urging masks used when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in March 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, cautioned against wearing a mask in public at the time, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: Kamala Harris COVID-19 Update: When Is the VP Returning to White House?

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Israeli authorities are demanding an apology from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after the official made false claims that Adolf Hitler, the infamous German dictator, was Jewish, in a futile attempt to justify Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The Kremlin has continued to struggle to explain its fundamental reason for trying to "denazify" its neighboring European country as its leader, President Volodymyr Zelensky, is Jewish. Russia's most recent attempt is comparing the comedian-turned-war-leader to one of the most loathed people in history.

Was Hitler Jewish?

The remarks are seen as a desperate attempt by Russia to explain its unprovoked war on Ukraine, a sovereign nation that it has partly occupied since 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin initially justified his decisions by saying that there was a threat to Ukrainian ultranationalists.

But since then, the Russian leader and many other top Kremlin officials have shifted their narrative, now settling that blames the West for allegedly using Ukraine as a proxy to weaken Russia. Lavrov made his remarks to the Italian television network Zona Bianca. He seems to be trying to revive the original rationale of the Russian government, as per Yahoo News.

Israeli authorities said that the Russian foreign minister's remarks were an "outrageous statement and a terrible historic mistake." During the interview, Lavrov answered a question where he was asked how Moscow planned to denazify Ukraine.

Read Also: World War 3 Warning: Russian State TV Shows Missile Simulation Destroying Paris, Berlin, London in 200 Seconds

It is believed that the false idea of Hitler being a Jew comes from speculation, which has no evidence to support itself, that he had a grandfather who may have been Jewish. Furthermore, the Russian foreign minister said, "For a long time now we've been hearing the wise Jewish people say that the biggest anti-Semites are the Jews themselves."

According to CBS News, in a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett denounced the comments and said that the use of the Holocaust as a "political tool" should be stopped immediately. He added that such lies are only made to accuse the Jews themselves of the most horrific crimes in history that were committed against them.

Russia-Ukraine War

The head of Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, Dani Dayan, also called Lavrov's remarks "false, delusional, and dangerous, and worthy of all condemnation." Furthermore, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid summoned Lavrov to the country over the comments.

Lapid said that Lavrov's remarks were "unforgivable," calling them "scandalous," adding that they were expecting an apology. The Russian foreign minister was also asked whether or not President Putin was planning on using nuclear weapons against Ukraine. The official said that Russian authorities were working to reach a peace accord.

In a statement, Lavrov said that they have proposed to the United States to repeat what Gorbachev and Reagan said in 1987. He said that the acceptance of a declaration confirming a nuclear war would have no winners.

The Russian foreign minister also denied that the Russian president was planning to use the May 9 celebrations to declare a total war against the world. He said that the pace of the war depends on the need to minimize the risks for the civilian population and for the Russian military, The Daily Beast reported.



Related Article: Moscow Warns Retaliation Against Western Countries Provoking Neo-Nazi Attacks on Russia

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AFRIQUE :: The CAF Champions League final is around the corner :: AFRICA

The defending champions, Al Ahly, will face ES Setifienne of Algeria in an North African derby. While, Atletico Petroleos de Luanda of Angola will face Moroccan champions, Wydad Casablanca.

However, the CAF is yet to announce the country which will host the final of Africas prestigious competition.

Several countries have been named as favorites for hosting with the most standout name being Morocco.

After communicating with one of the sources inside Al Ahly SC, weve found out that the club does not favor Morocco to be the hosting country as that will be against the fair play rules.

The source clarified that allowing Morocco to host the final will act as an advantage for Wydad, if the Moroccan team qualifies for the final.

Furthermore, the source questioned Moroccos right to host the final as it recently hosted last seasons final.

Finally, Al Ahly do not understand why the CAF is taking too long to announce the country that will host the final given that there are many countries that never hosted the final before and will be willing to host that major event.
Muslims throughout India celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday by offering prayers outside mosques, following a string of assaults against Muslims during their month-long observance of Ramadan.

Mohammad Habeeb ur Rehman, a civil engineer in Mumbai, the country's commercial capital, said this year's festivity is different from the ones before.

"This is the most painful Eid with the worst memories for Indian Muslims," he said.

Recently, anti-Muslim sentiment and attacks have increased across the country, with Hindu and Muslim organizations throwing stones at each other during religious processions and police demolishing several Muslim-owned structures, per ABC News.

Hindi Nationalists' Anti-Muslim Agenda

Hard-line Hindu nationalists who have long advocated an anti-Muslim agenda have vilified the group, which accounts for 14% of India's 1.4 billion people. The violence has been indirectly endorsed by certain leaders of India's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remained quiet on the matter.

Hindutva religious leaders have issued a flurry of genocide threats in recent months. More than 18 religious leaders have called for the kidnapping, rape, and extermination of Muslims, as well as a boycott of their enterprises. They have campaigned for the eradication of Islamic culture in India. Per The Diplomat, ordinary citizens are being used as foot soldiers by these leaders to fulfill their objective of building a Hindu state in India.

Eid al-Fitr is traditionally commemorated by communal prayers, joyful gatherings around holiday meals, and new clothing, but COVID-19 regulations have hampered celebrations in India for the past two years.

The Muslim celebration has been suppressed in Indian-controlled Kashmir for the past three years due to an unprecedented military lockdown enforced when India removed the territory of its semi-autonomy in 2019, preceded by the epidemic.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin's Cancer Surgery, Revealed; Ex-Police Chief to Take Over Russia [RUMOR]

Violence During Holy Month

Throughout Ramadan, the region saw an uptick in violence, with at least 20 militants, two civilians, and five police and military deaths.

Meanwhile, hundreds gathered at New Delhi's Jama Masjid, one of the country's largest mosques, to perform Eid prayers for the first time in almost two years because of pandemic restrictions. On Tuesday morning, families gathered early to exchange hugs and well wishes.

According to Al Jazeera, the majority of the violence in April occurred in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, as Hindus celebrated the birthday of Ram, one of the religion's most revered gods.

While the Khargone district administration bulldozed at least 16 houses and 29 stores belonging to individuals suspected of throwing stones at Ram Navmi parades in five localities of the district on the same day.

Even though a trial is still ongoing in the courts, authorities tore down the homes and properties of Muslims accused of crimes.

Shops that are part of Talab Chowk Jama Masjid's structure in Khargone, MP being demolished right now! pic.twitter.com/qLmJNmHPfI  Sharjeel Usmani (@SharjeelUsmani) April 11, 2022

Many Muslim leaders and activists have criticized the government for bulldozing the suspects' homes and questioned if such actions are lawful. Violence was also reported in the western state of Gujarat, which is also dominated by the BJP, in the towns of Khambhat in the Anand district and Himmatnagar in the Sabarkantha district.

Constantly receiving videos of the #RamNavmi rally violence in Gujarat's #Himmatnagar.



Look at how right wing rioters are hurling stones, causing ruckus in muslim dominated Ashraf Nagar.#IndianMuslimsUnderAttack #IndianMuslimGenocideAlert pic.twitter.com/OcPRuafqmr  Tarushi Aswani (@tarushi_aswani) April 12, 2022

According to media reports, many shops and vehicles in Khambhat and Himmatnagar were set ablaze, with at least one person killed as a result of the attack.

Related Article: Archaeologists Find 1,000-Year-Old Clay Vessels Alleged Used as Explosive Hand Grenades by Christian Crusaders in the 12th Century

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Who is taking over? The position is being divided in two, with Biden administration insider and recent Disney hire Kristina Schake taking over Disney communications and Disney lawyer Horacio Gutierrez handling government relations and global public policy. Chapeks memo also announced that Susan Fox, senior VP for government relations, and Yvonne Pei, senior vp, external relations, Greater China, will join Dorothy Attwood, senior vp, global public policy, in reporting directly to Gutierrez.

Why the changes? Morrells departure and the movement of so many executives who work on the political side of Disneys business seem almost certainly connected to DeSantis increasingly aggressive and very public attacks against the company. Two weeks ago, the conflict escalated when DeSantis signed new legislation into law that revokes Disney Worlds self-governing status, a benefit the company has enjoyed since 1967. Since the bills passing, DeSantis has continued to take shots at the company, and the state of animation as a whole.

What kind of shots? On Wednesday of last week, while in Las Vegas campaigning for Republican Senate candidate Adam Laxalt, DeSantis accused Disney executives of injecting sexuality into its programming. One of the things that really bugged me were these Zoom videos with all these people that are high up at Disney talking about how [it] was their intention to inject sexuality into the programming for these very young kids, he said.

Whats this about injecting sexuality into programming? Presumably, DeSantis was referencing a call in which Disney corporate president Karey Burke said that as a mother of two queer children, she supports Disney introducing many LGBTQIA characters in our stories. She also pointed out that those characters should be allowed to just be characters, and not have to be about gay stories. Maybe the governor didnt watch the whole clip.

When we were young, you could watch cartoons without having to worry, the 43-year-old governor bemoaned. Now parents have to sit there and worry about, What are they trying to inject in? What type of ideology are they trying to pursue? And that is wrong.

Was that it? Not quite. During a Fox News broadcast on Friday, DeSantis addressed his decision to revoke Disneys self-governing status saying: Having one company with their own government and special privileges, when that company has pledged itself to attacking the parents in my state; when that company has very high up people talking about injecting pansexualism into programming for young kids, its wrong. Walt Disney would not want that. So, get back to the mission. Do what you did great. Thats why people love the company, and youve lost your way. Maybe this will be the wakeup call that they need to get back on track.

DeSantis: Walt Disney would not want that!

Crowd: *cheers* pic.twitter.com/vdlnmgIiv0  Acyn (@Acyn) April 29, 2022

How have his comments been received? During his Fox News segment, DeSantis received a standing ovation from the audience. After his comments in Las Vegas went viral though, a myriad of examples countering his arguments about the sexualization of cartoons have flooded social media. The governors detractors posted clips from decades-old classic cartoons in which Bugs Bunny crossed-dresses and seduces other male characters; scenes of Pepe Le Pew committing blatant acts of sexual assault; and comic artist/writer and illustrator Kyle Smeallie did a quick bit of math to point out that DeSantis was nine years old when a hyper-sexualized Jessica Rabbit made her big screen debut.
In an April 29 statement, NASA has asked for public feedback on the scope of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for its proposed Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission.

NASA Wants Your Input on One of Its Projects

To put it another way, NASA is seeking public input on an environmental assessment for its Mars sample return effort.

"The public meetings will include briefings about the status of the National Environmental Policy Act process for the proposed program, as well as its purpose and scientific goals. Meetings will also cover why the Utah Test and Training Range operated by the U.S. Air Force is the proposed landing site for the samples, and what planners are doing to ensure safe and secure return of the samples - a topic known as backward planetary protection," NASA statement read.

According to Space.com, the project, a collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to bring materials collected by the Perseverance Mars rover to Earth as early as 2033. Once they arrive, scientists will examine them in laboratories throughout the world for indications of Mars life and information about the Red Planet's evolutionary history.

NASA said it "will consider all comments received during the scoping process in the subsequent development of the MSR Draft Environmental Impact Statement," which will also be released for public comment in 2022 if the schedule holds.

Comments must be sent by May 16th, either online or by mail. In addition, the agency intends to organize two virtual public meetings. The sessions will take place at 3 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 4, and 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 5.

What Exactly Is NASA's Mars Sample Return Effort?

Space.com reported that the appeal for public input follows the announcement a few weeks ago of some changes to the sample return program.

Read More: NASA's Perseverance Rover Successfully Collects Its 7th Sample

Due to the mission's mass requirements, NASA assessed in March that developing a second lander would be preferable. The "fetch rover" from ESA will be carried by the second lander, while "the first one will tote the NASA-developed Mars ascent vehicle (MAV)."

The fetch rover's objective is to retrieve Perseverance's stored samples, which the rover is gathering on the bottom of Mars' Jezero Crater, and then place them in the MAV. The samples will be launched by the MAV into Mars orbit, where they will be captured by an ESA-provided Earth-return orbiter and returned to Earth.

The projected launch date has been pushed back two years to 2028, with the samples' arrival on Earth being pushed back to 2033 from 2031.

More Plans To Investigate the Red Planet Later This Decade

As previously reported, citing Space Flight Now, the Perseverance rover, which weighs one ton and is fueled by plutonium, is on the first leg of the multi-launch Mars Sample Return program, which intends to collect samples for return to Earth.

"NASA and the European Space Agency intend to send a series of spacecraft to Mars later this decade to collect Perseverance's samples, launch them off the Red Planet and into space, and then return the specimens to Earth for study in 'sophisticated' terrestrial labs," the report read.

Related Article: 10 Things to Know About NASA's Perseverance Rover
Below, we look at the five projects which were dropped by Netflix and the one series which will now be produced as a feature. Its important to note that several of the projects were cut as far back as last year, so it has little to do with the companys recent subscriber and stock market troubles. Its also worth pointing out that Netflix is still one of the worlds largest animation commissioners and producers with hundreds of animated films and series in various stages of development and production. Of course, thats of little consolation to the people who worked hard on some of the projects which had already gone into production.

Bone

Originally announced in 2019, Bone was to be an animated series adaptation of Jeff Smiths incredibly popular comic book series of the same name (1991-2004). The book series won countless awards and was included among Times 10 best graphic novels of all time. On April 20, Drew Taylor at The Wrap confirmed rumors that the Netflix adaptation had been dropped.

Boons and Curses

Announced in May of last year, Boons and Curses was a comedy-action series created by Jaydeep Hasrajani and which was promoted by Netflix as part of a slate from Asian-American creators. The 2d series was meant to follow a great warrior from a mythical land. Not ready to go into details just yet, Hasrajani tweeted on April 29:

Its been a day, folks! Ill talk about this later and respond to all the love and support Ive been getting!

Dino Daycare

Dino Daycare was a 3d-animated preschool series announced in 2020 as part of a slate of projects that Chris Nee (Doc McStuffins, We the People) was set to oversee. It would have been the fifth Nee-Netflix collaboration. Nee tweeted out her disappointment over the weekend:

Hard day for a beautiful show deep into production. So much love to Jeff King and the incredible Dino Daycare crew. I have no doubt it will find a new home. But right now, hard. If you need the best of preschool writers, DM me.

Pearl

Announced last summer, Pearl was the working title to an animated series created by Meghan Markle through Archewell Productions, the company she and her husband, Henry Charles Albert David, a member of the British royal family, set up at Netflix in fall of 2020. It would have been the first animated series at their company. The series was still in very early development when Netflix decided not to continue production.

Toil & Trouble

Emmy-winner Lauren Faust (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic), was developing this original series about witches for Netflix, and tweeted her frustrations when news of the shows un-greenlighting went public.

A few weeks ago, Faust tweeted:

In light of the buzz worthy Netflix Animation article from The Wrap, Id like to thank all who offered sympathy for my un-greenlit project, Toil and Trouble. If any consolation, Ive RETAINED THE RIGHTS to all my pre-Netflix T&T material, which were ample, & have hope it can still live another day. And that perhaps we can get the band back together to share our new take on the world of witches and familiars wrapped up in heartfelt, magic, comedy adventure about female friendship. Wish us luck!

Roald Dahls The Twits

Not dead yet, this project which was originally developed as an animated series will now be produced as a feature film.

In November 2018, Netflix made a splash when they acquired the rights to adapt several of Dahls stories, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, and The Twits. The company doubled down in September of last year, acquiring the Roald Dahl Story Company, giving the platform access to the entire catalog of stories written by the British novelist. The Twits turns on a vile couple who live in a windowless house made of bricks and who constantly play spiteful pranks on one another.

Other Netflix projects from the Dahl collection include an animated series based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory helmed by Taika Waititi and Phil Johnston (Ralph Breaks the Internet), another Waititi animated series based entirely on Charlie and the Chocolate Factorys Oompa-Loompas, and an adaptation of Matilda the Musical with Sony and Working Title.

In spite of, or perhaps because of, the pall cast over Netflixs animation activities following the confirmation that the above series had been dropped, the company today released a sizzle reel featuring a first look at many of its highest-profile kids and family animated series which will get new episodes in the coming months.

While popular series such as The Cuphead Show, The Dragon Prince, and Pokemon Master Journeys all appear, we were excited to get an early look at Everett Downing and Patrick Harpins My Dad the Bounty Hunter, Daisuke Dice Tsutsumis Oni: Thunder Gods Tale, and Matt Fernandes Daniel Spellbound.

New and returning shows in 2022:

The Cuphead Show!

Daniel Spellbound

Dead End: Paranormal Park

The Dragon Prince S4

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Season 3

Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure

Karmas World Season 3

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight

Oni: Thunder Gods Tale

Pokemon Master Journeys: The Series: Part 3

Sharkdog Season 2

Sonic Prime

Super Giant Robot Brothers

Series Premiering in 2023:
Photo: Living Lakes Canada 2021 Winner of the Most Biodiverse Category: Laurel Dawn - Eva Lake, BC

Amateur photographers can capture prizes by submitting photos of their favourite lakes to Living Lakes Canada.

The B.C.-based non-profit is holding its second-annual biodiversity photo challenge to celebrate the beauty of Canadas two million lakes. The contest is also raising awareness around climate change impacts threatening their biodiversity.

Lake photographers have until the end of July to participate. Photos can be submitted using the online submission form at lakeblitz.livinglakescanada.ca or by email to [email protected], or by using #LakeBlitzPhoto on social media. All photos will be displayed in an online gallery and the best of each week will be shared on Living Lakes Canadas social media channels.

Everyone who enters will be eligible to win in four different categories: most biodiverse, most impacted, public favourite, and a kids category.

The winners in the first three categories will receive prize packs that include products from contest sponsors: Kicking Horse Coffee, Lush Cosmetics and DAVIDsTEA.

Winners of the most biodiverse and most impacted category will be chosen by Living Lakes Canada and the public favourite will be selected based on social media likes. The kids category winner will be selected by the kids' conservation organization Earth Rangers and awarded a kid-friendly prize pack that's age appropriate and awesome. All winners will be announced in early August.
Photo: Stambol Studios The ability to see and experience real estate before it is built is the real strength of virtual reality.

Remote work and online sales received a boost during the pandemic and led to changes in how real estate was sold. Virtual tours and remote signing became options for many buyers as the industry pivoted to address the new environment.

But for developers, the traditional display suite remains the cornerstone of sales efforts, providing a physical, tangible encounter with what a future home will be like.

Its proven. You cant debate that it works, said Hani Lammam, executive vice-president, Cressey Development Group, of traditional presentation suites. My perspective is that this is such a big decision, you want to be able to touch it and feel it. This is a big investment for people.

Cressey has never used virtual reality to sell homes, and Lammam doesnt expect to use it while buyers are still wanting to tour presentation centres.

But since 2016, Stambol Studios of Vancouver has been creating virtual environments for developers from architectural plans to help buyers visualize and understand a potential purchase.

We basically take [the architects plans], turn them into incredibly realistic renderings of the buildings with all the elements that make a building sellable, said Dogu Taskiran, CEO of Stambol. If they have a virtual reality headset attached to a mobile device or a computer, then they can get into these units and walk into them as if they are already built.

Its clients include Etro Construction Ltd., for which it rendered the Turner Dairy project at 17th Avenue and Ontario Street in Vancouver. Visitors could don a VR headset and see what the townhomes planned for the site would look like even before the century-old dairy on the site was demolished.

Stambol also worked with Lark Group of Surrey to create a virtual experience within a job site trailer rather than build out a full presentation suite for an 18-unit condo development on Semiahmoo Spit in Blaine, Washington.

They could also use the same material to send to their overseas investors or embed it on their website and then use it on social media, Taskiran said. One stone gets 50 birds, really.

This is cost-effective, both because of the reach and the material costs involved. A single suite in a display centre can cost $250,000; building out and furnishing a full home can be many times more.

Most developers spend up to $2 million to create that and its throw-away work, its not eco-friendly, Taskiran said. This, less than $50,000 will give you one three-bedroom apartment.

The cost savings appeal to Joey Coupland, vice-president, sales with Wesgroup Properties LP, which uses augmented images to save on material costs.

Building a presentation centre and a show suite is always expensive, so were always considering another option or another tool we could use to display our homes or our product, she said.

Virtual staging  augmenting pictures of real homes with imagery of furniture  has been the most common practice to date.

Its significantly less than buying the furniture and staging [the home], she says.

But when it comes to a full-on virtual option, she says the physical experience wins every time.

Its not the preferred experience we want to create for our homeowners, so were always building our show suites, she said. We see the benefit in the homeowners coming through and touching and feeling the materials, seeing the attention to detail.

But as the technology evolves, project marketers like Ryan Lalonde see things changing. Stambols creation of virtual realities that people can enter in a presentation suite may well become the sort of environment people will experience from home. This could allow them to shop properties, allowing them to compare homes, or commercial space, without ever going to the physical site.

Virtual reality is an immersive experience that is  going to unlock and remove some of the roadblocks and the hurdles that they feel in purchasing real estate, he said.

Parallel reality

However, it could also create spaces people could inhabit parallel to real life, something he sees changing how people socialize. Rather than go to a restaurant or gather at home, people would enter a virtual restaurant space from their living rooms.

This is already the reality at Stambol Studios, where staff collaborate remotely through their headsets.

Our entire team is actually doing virtual work, together, as if theyre in the same office, Taskiran said. You can turn right and talk to that person, turn left and talk to that person.

On March 21, Stambol launched Order in Box, a marketplace for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to handle trade in the digital certificates of ownership attached to such environments.

You will be able to buy a virtual home, paying for it in cryptocurrency and get an NFT for it, he said. That will be your record of ownership, then you can get into it and live in it through virtual reality.

The homes furnishings and artwork would have NFTs, too. It could sit on virtual land represented by an NFT.

People gathering around the same asset is what makes something valuable, he said. You build up value that way and Ive known many developers who have virtual real estate now.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A new document shows that the gunman who killed 22 people in rural Nova Scotia had been on the radar of police up to a decade before his two-day rampage in April 2020.

The report tabled Tuesday by the public inquiry into the killings says Gabriel Wortman was the subject of police investigations on at least two and possibly three occasions.

The first occurred in June 2010 when RCMP in Moncton, N.B., were contacted by the gunmans uncle. Glynn Wortman told RCMP Const. Len Vickers that his nephew, who lived in the Halifax area, had threatened to kill his parents. Later that day, Vickers informed Sgt. Cordell Poirier of Halifax Regional Police that he had also received a complaint from Wortmans father, Paul, about a death threat from his son.

Poiriers report on the incident says he and another officer went to the killers home in Dartmouth, N.S., where they spoke to his spouse, Lisa Banfield, at 3:25 a.m.

The document says Banfield told the officers that Wortman was asleep. She said he had been upset over a letter he had received the day before related to a lengthy legal battle with his parents over property. Poirier asked Banfield if there were any weapons in the home and she said no.

Poirier later checked with the Canadian Firearms Registry for any possible weapons and reported that If [the perpetrator] has any weapons they are not registered. The document states that Wortman had never applied for a firearms licence.

Poiriers report said he eventually spoke with Gabriel Wortman, who told him over the phone that he had a pellet gun and two inoperable antique muskets hanging on the wall of his cottage in Portapique, N.S.

The Halifax sergeant reported that he contacted RCMP Const. Greg Wiley, who said he was a friend of Wortmans and would attempt to meet him to discuss the complaint. The document states that Wiley, who worked out of the Bible Hill detachment near Portapique, had struck up a rapport with the killer after responding to a report of a tool theft from his cottage around 2007-08.

However, Poirier reported closing the file on Aug. 26, 2010 after he couldnt get in touch with Wortman's father. Meanwhile, the inquiry said Wiley told the inquiry's investigators he couldnt recall speaking with Poirier in 2010, and RCMP lawyers later advised that Wiley couldnt find relevant notes after a search of his home following the mass shooting.

A second threat, this one against police, prompted a warning from the Truro, N.S., police department nearly a year later. On May 4, 2011 the Criminal Intelligence Service of Nova Scotia issued an officer safety bulletin to police agencies about Wortman written by Cpl. Greg Densmore, who warned that Wortman wants to kill a cop.

The bulletin was based on information from an unnamed person who told police that Wortman was in possession of at least one handgun and several long rifles that were stored in a compartment behind the flue in his Portapique cottage.

Poirier took note of the bulletin which he thought represented a viable threat.

He reported that he spoke to Densmore, the author of the bulletin, and to Wortmans father before contacting Bible Hill RCMP, where Const. John McMinn, the on-duty supervisor, said he was unaware of the bulletin. Poirier said he provided McMinn with his report from 2010, including information about Wortmans personal vehicle.

The document says McMinn conducted a database search, but it adds no further details.

The third incident involves a report filed to police on July 6, 2013 by an ex-neighbour of the gunman in Portapique. Brenda Forbes told the inquiry commission that she reported her belief about illegal weapons during a complaint about a domestic violence incident involving Lisa Banfield, the gunmans spouse.

However, RCMP record searches following the 2020 mass shooting indicate the responding officers took minimal notes at the time. Much of the information had since been purged, and RCMP investigators eventually concluded that the incident was outside the parameters of the homicide (mass shooting) investigation.

An RCMP email on June 9, 2020 also said there seems to be a discrepancy in Forbes's memory of her call to police and added that there was no record of a domestic occurrence on the day Forbes described. Our member who spoke to her in 2013 says he believes that call was about Brenda  not about a domestic against someone else, the email states.

Forbes subsequently told the inquiry in an Aug. 19, 2021 interview that police never called her back about her complaint, and they did not make a voice recording when she spoke with them.

Meanwhile, the inquiry's foundational document also released details about the gunmans arsenal at his home in Portapique.

It shows that relatives on both sides of his family and others, including neighbours and people who had worked on his property, had been shown his guns. Several people were also shown where they were hidden in the Portapique cottage and in an adjacent warehouse.

All described weapons including high calibre pistols, assault rifles and shotguns, and the document makes it clear that Wortman wasnt shy about telling people that he had obtained some of the guns in the United States.

Lisa Banfield told the inquiry in an interview that he had Rambo and military-style guns and had purchased his handguns in the United States and brought them back to Canada hidden in the back of his truck.

When the gunman was killed by police as he stopped to refuel a stolen car north of Halifax, he had several weapons in his possession.

The document states police recovered a Glock 23 pistol, a Ruger P89 pistol, a Colt Carbine 5.56 semi-automatic rifle, a Ruger Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle and a Smith & Wesson Model 5947 handgun that belonged to RCMP Const. Heidi Stevenson, whom the gunman had killed shortly before.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Molson Coors Beverage Co. says its profits soared in the first quarter for its largest quarterly sales growth in more than a decade.

The Colorado and Montreal-based company, which reports in U.S. dollars, says it earned US$151.5 million or 70 cents per diluted share, up from US$84.1 million or 39 cents per share a year earlier.

Underlying net income excluding one-time items was US$63.8 million or 29 cents per share, compared with US$1.6 million or one cent per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

Revenues for the three months ended March 31 were US$2.2 billion, up nearly 17 per cent from US$1.9 billion, primarily as a result of strong growth outside of North America amid fewer on-premise restrictions in Europe.

Net sales in the Americas increased 8.5 per cent due to higher net pricing and sales mix even as brand volumes declined 4.5 per cent in Canada and 4.3 per cent in the U.S. Net sales in other global markets were up 84.2 per cent as brand volumes were up nearly 20 per cent.

Molson Coors was expected to post US$2.1 billion in revenues, according to financial data firm Refinitiv.
Photo: Tara Raby White Rock Lake fire burning across Okanagan Lake on the evening of Aug. 6.

Spring has arrived in B.C. and that means worry over flooding, followed quickly, by wildfire concerns.

The provincial government held a news conference Tuesday featuring federal meteorologists and officials from the BC Wildfire Service.

An ominous warning for the B.C. Interior from officials explaining that there are still areas of the province, particularly in the south, that are very dry and could be susceptible to wildfires if they don't receive more precipitation.

"There was no reset," said Brent Martin, BC Wildfire Service deputy of predictive services.

Martin agreed with Environment Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon's assessment that there just wasn't enough snow to completely reset the fire fuels that created problems last summer.

"Rain in May doesn't really help, we need more rain in June to help reduce the threat of wildfires in parts of the province this summer."

Snow pack in the Thompson-Okanagan has almost returned to normal levels and there is some flooding concern, "if we get too much rain in May that will swell the rivers," Sekhon said.

The real alarming news came from Martin, who said, "conditions could carry over from last fire season to this year if we don't get more precipitation, either snow or rain."

"This is a very similar pattern to what we saw last year, which doesn't mean we will have the same wildfire season, but those deep fuels that feed a fire once it gets started are tinder dry," Martin added.

He said BC Wildfire Service crews are closely watching the entire province, but in particular, the corridor from Kamloops to the Okanagan, right through to the U.S. border.

"We are keeping a close eye on the entire province using air surveillance and modelling but we very much have boots on the ground and BCWS firefighters are in there assigned areas familiarizing themselves with the terrain and ready to go at a moments notice."

The provincial government also announced Tuesday it is expanding the use if its cellular emergency alert system for use with floods and fires this year.
Re. Poll: Is Canada doing enough to adequately reduce greenhouse gas emissions? (Castanet, April 28)

Castanets recent community poll indicated more than 50% of respondents believe Canada is doing enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We wonder if Castanet readers are mistaking promises for action.

In 2015, Canada pledged that by 2020, we would reduce our GHG emissions by 17% compared to 2005. We managed a 1.1 % drop, the worst of any G7 nation. Our newest pledge is a 40% to 45% reduction by 2030 and getting to net zero by 2050. But, in the words of the national Commissioner of the Environment, we cant continue to go from failure to failure. We need action now.

In fact, for the five years prior to the pandemic, Canadas GHG emissions were holding steady between 733 and 740 megatonnes per year and our per capita emissions remain amongst the highest on earth. Canada is in no way doing anything near enough to stave off the severe impacts of climate change.

This past year, British Columbia has (experienced) an unprecedented heat dome, drought, unhealthy smoke-filled air and widespread infrastructure damage from atmospheric rivers. Last summers heat wave killed almost 600 people. Events have drilled home the fact that global heating is threatening our way of life and our climate is changing faster than anticipated.

Last month the U.N.s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated: The evidence is clear. The time for action is now. Its now or never if we want to limit global warming to 1.5 C.

To meet this target, we need to reduce our GHG emissions by 40 % by 2040. We have less than eight years to succeed.

Also in April, the University of Waterloo released a report entitled Irreversible Extreme Heat: Protecting Canadians and Communities from a Lethal Future.

In the report, Kelowna is projected to face the longest-lasting heat waves and the hottest maximum temperatures of any major Canadian city. It predicts that if we fail to reduce GHG emissions by 2050, Kelowna will have a warmest maximum temperature of 40 C. This past summer, we had four days above 40 C!

We are heating up at a rate that is nearly 30 years ahead of schedule. There is no time to lose.

Kelowna must do its part. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities states municipal governments have direct or indirect control over approximately 44 per cent of GHG emissions in Canada.

The most recent IPCC report also calls upon municipalities to act.

Cities and other urban areas offer significant opportunities for emissions reductions, it states.

Transportation policy is the most effective tool a city possesses to reduce GHG emissions but despite the urgency of climate action, Kelowna recently approved a Transportation Master Plan that bakes in a 10% increase of Kelownas Transportation GHGs over the next 20 years.

Residents of Kelowna can no longer afford to be lulled into climate complacency by unfulfilled promises at the national, provincial and municipal level.

It is time to demand bold action from all levels of government. Time is quickly running out.

Tom Warshawski, Kelowna Climate Coalition
Photo: The Canadian Press Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen rises during Question Period, Wednesday, April 27, 2022 in Ottawa. Conservative caucus members have been instructed not to comment on a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion, suggesting the top court could overturn a 1973 decision that legalized abortion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The Bloc Quebecois was set to ask the House of Commons to vote on a motion Tuesday confirming the right to an abortion, while Conservative MPs are being warned against commenting on the U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that has thrown the issue back into the domestic spotlight.

Canadian leaders are among the millions reacting to the news first reported Monday by Politico of a leaked draft opinion by the U.S. top court, suggesting it could overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion countrywide.

"The right to choose is a womans right and a womans right alone. Every woman in Canada has a right to a safe and legal abortion," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted Tuesday.

"Well never back down from protecting and promoting womens rights in Canada and around the world."

The draft decision south of the border also prompted the Bloc Quebecois to signal Tuesday it would present a unanimous consent motion after question period confirming that a woman's body is hers alone, as is her decision to have an abortion for whatever reason.

Earlier Tuesday, Conservative MPs and senators had been warned by the office of interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen to avoid making any comments on the draft opinion.

The Canadian Press obtained a copy of the one-sentence memo.

It is not uncommon for the leader's office to ask MPs to refrain from commenting on certain issues. In this case, according to a statement from Bergen on Tuesday, MPs were told to stay silent because it would be inappropriate to comment on a matter for the U.S. courts.

Abortion nonetheless remains a thorny political issue for the Conservatives. The party is in the middle of a leadership race in which anti-abortion groups are mobilizing to back candidates who oppose the procedure.

Many Tory MPs also oppose abortion and have over the years brought forward different private member's bills to try to tighten access.

Ontario MP Leslyn Lewis, who is anti-abortion, is among those heavily favoured by social conservatives in the leadership contest. She is running a campaign that includes what she calls a "No Hidden Agenda" plank in her platform, which includes promises to ban sex-selective abortion and stop funding abortion services overseas.

A campaign spokesman on Tuesday said she wouldn't comment on the draft decision because it isnt final.

At least one Conservative leadership hopeful did wade into the debate, warning against Tories once again finding themselves on the receiving end of attacks from the Liberals on the abortion issue.

"While this is a U.S. decision, in its wake it's important for leaders to commit to protecting women's rights," Patrick Brown, mayor of Brampton, Ont., said in a statement.

He went on to say the draft decision gives Trudeau's Liberal government  which brokered a deal with the federal NDP to stay in power until 2025  "a lifeline to extend their power far beyond 2025, by making Canadians afraid of Conservatives."

"Abortion in Canada should be safe, legal and, in my personal opinion, rare," Brown said.

"That's why my government will support women and families with policies that encourage other options, such as adoption and increased parental supports  A Conservative party led by me will not change Canada's abortion laws. Period."

Michelle Coates Mather, a spokeswoman for Jean Charest's campaign, said on Tuesday that the former Quebec premier supports abortion rights and would never vote on a private member's bill promising to restrict access.

The campaigns of Pierre Poilievre, Scott Aitchison and Roman Baber did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

The last time the House of Commons voted on an abortion-related matter was in June 2021 when it defeated a private member's bill, brought forward by backbench Conservative Saskatchewan MP Cathay Wagantall, to ban so-called sex-selective abortions that she said targeted girls.

A majority of Conservative MPs voted in favour of the defeated bill, including Bergen. She was deputy leader at the time.

Bergen pushed back Tuesday against criticisms toward her party's stance on abortion. She said access to the procedure was not restricted when Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper was in power, and accused Trudeau of using the issue to divide Canadians.

In spite of her own support for the past sex-selective abortion bill, Bergen said "the Conservative party will not introduce legislation or reopen the abortion debate."

Abortion also became an issue for former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole during last year's federal election campaign once it was revealed that his platform included a pledge to protect the conscience rights of health-care workers from having to perform procedures they find objectionable.

During the election, the Liberals themselves made a series of promises to improve abortion access in Canada, including regulating access under the Canada Health Act.

The mandate letter for Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos calls on him to reinforce compliance under the act, develop a sexual and reproductive health rights information portal and support youth-led grassroots organizations that respond to the unique sexual and reproductive health needs of young people.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freelands office has been tasked with changing the country's Income Tax Act to revoke charitable status from anti-abortion groups, like crisis pregnancy centres.

The recent federal budget did not earmark any specific funding for reproductive rights.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Tuesday the federal government could take two major steps to protect abortion rights in Canada.

One, commit to increasing health transfers, to make sure the overall system is properly funded, and two, in any case where a province is not funding appropriately services that should be covered by the Canada Health Act  enforce the rules, he said.

Singh said the act contains measures that allow Ottawa to withhold health-care funding when a province is not providing a service that should be publicly available.

The offices of Duclos and Freeland have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Photo: Ken Mayer / Flickr

The BC Unclaimed Property Society (BCUPS) says there is $177 million worth of unclaimed assets sitting in holding accounts waiting to be reunited with their rightful owners, including a $1.9-million estate.

The government-sanctioned society is the legal custodian of unclaimed funds received from the court system, the Public Guardian and Trustee of B.C., credit unions, insurance firms, companies and government. It maintains a free online database listing unclaimed accounts that are typically forgotten by British Columbians.

Established in 2003, the fund continues to grow each year, as the society receives much more money than is returned to verified claimants. For instance, last year the society took in $4.07 million whereas only $717,209 was returned.

Most unclaimed accounts in the societys database amount to between $300 and $500  typically from inactive credit union accounts, overpayments, unpaid wages and proceeds from courts.

"People lose track of their funds for a number of reasons," said Alena Levitz, the societys executive director via a statement May 3. "People tend to move around a lot, change jobs frequently, or simply forget to close an account."

Levitz said theres been a significant increase in online inquiries over the last two years.

"For many cash-strapped British Columbians, being reunited with their unclaimed funds provided welcome financial relief during an unprecedented period of economic adversity. The availability of unclaimed funds also helps support numerous social programs and charities across the province, said Levitz.

Some money is eventually disbursed to charities; last year, the society allocated $6.24 million to Vancouver Foundation to support community and social programs.

Unclaimed property in B.C. by the numbers
Photo: The Canadian Press Erin O'Toole speaks during a media availability in West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Elections Canadas latest reports show the Conservatives took in more than $5 million from 31,512 donors during the period in which the former leader was ousted amid a major caucus revolt.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Only two political parties managed to raise more money in the first quarter of this year than at the end of 2021: the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois.

Elections Canadas latest reports show the Conservatives took in more than $5 million from 31,512 donors during the period in which former leader Erin OToole was ousted amid a major caucus revolt.

OToole lost the top job on Feb. 2 after a majority of the caucus voted to enter the partys third leadership race since 2015, following weeks of party members calling for OToole to step down.

Candice Bergen became interim leader, and since then six people have lined up to become OTooles permanent replacement when Conservatives vote in September.

The Blocs fundraising efforts rebounded slightly after an 87 per cent drop in donations between September and December of last year, but the $551,488 raised is still less than half the $1.2 million it brought in during the quarter that included the federal election.

Liberal donors gave just shy of $3.5 million in the first three months of the year, down from $3.9 million in the final quarter of last year.
Google Pixel 6 May 2022 update brings a fix to its weak notification vibration issue. The update also comes to the older devices of the tech giant, the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, which also experience bugs.

Google Pixel 6 May Update

As per a news story by The Verge, the latest flagship smartphone of Google, the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro, have been facing multiple issues since their release.

Although it is to note that Android 12 comes with a few occasional bugs every now and then, the problems on the Google flagship phone have been surprising a lot.

To be fair, Google is constantly rolling out fixes for these issues.

One of the recent bugs on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones breaks its notifications, suddenly making its vibrations dramatically weaker than they should have been.

Users of the Pixel 6 phones have noticed the notification vibrations bug in the latter part of March, saying that the haptic feedback on their mobile devices has become weaker.

It comes after Google rolled out its March update, which ironically was supposed to fix existing bugs on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Instead, users were complaining that it brought a new one.

Pixel 6 Weak Notifications Fixed

So, this time around, Google announced that its May 2022 update for its Pixel phones, including the 6, 6 Pro, 3a, 3a XL, comes with "improvements for haptic feedback."

The Verge noted in its report that some users actually preferred the weaker vibrations on the Pixel phones, which the March update brought to their devices.

However, the news outlet confirmed in its report that after the May 2022 update, the haptic feedback on Pixel smartphones is now stronger than how it was when the March update came out.

So, it turns out that Google might not have intended to weaken the vibrations on the Pixel phones intentionally. The tech giant now describes the stronger haptic feedback as an improvement.

Read Also: Pixel 6's New Android Bug Automatically Rejects Incoming Calls - No Fix Yet?

Pixel 3a, 3a XL Last Update

Meanwhile, the giant phone maker also announced that owners of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL should still expect the final update of their phones, according to a recent report by Android Police.

Pixel 3a owners, along with the users of the latest Pixel 6, still received an update from Google earlier today.

So, some 3a and 3a XL users assumed that it might be the last one that they are getting as the three-year support has already concluded.

It comes as the Pixel 3a phones debuted in May 2019. Despite that, Google assures its users that the final update is rolling out in July 2022.

Related Article: Google Pixel 6 Pro Camera Guide: 5 Easy Steps to Take 4K Resolution Selfie Video
Photo: VPD On April 28, Vancouver police released two images of a man they suspect of multiple flashing incidents reported this spring at Langara CollegeImages courtesy

After a series of flashing incidents at Langara College in March and April, Vancouver police have arrested and charged a 35-year-old man.

Police officers spotted him while on patrol in downtown Vancouver on Sunday, May 1. They spotted a man matching the description walking near the intersection of Main Street and Terminal Avenue and arrested him without incident.

Christopher Ram, 35, is now facing one charge for an indecent act on March 27 at Langara. At the time of his arrest police say he was also wanted B.C.-wide for two unrelated indecent acts, but weren't able to say when or where those acts happened.

Last month police sought the public's help finding a suspect in three flashing incidents at Langara, noting the same man was suspected in the incidents on March 20, March 27 and April 19. Ram has only been charged for the March 27 incident; police state the investigation is ongoing.
Holcim buys six quarries from FAMY Group

03 May 2022

Holcim has acquired six quarries from the FAMY Group, a major player in the aggregates sector in eastern France. The quarries currently serve the metropolitan areas of Dijon, Lyon and Geneva (Switzerland), accelerating Holcims expansion into the growing Rhone-Alpes region.

Miljan Gutovic, regional head for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Holcim, said, This acquisition expands our footprint in the highly attractive Rhone-Alpes region, confirming our ambition to revitalise key urban areas from Lyon to Geneva. This expansion is in line with our strategy to accelerate green growth and play our part in Europes net-zero transition. Our combined businesses and improved market access will provide an excellent platform to further strengthen our range of sustainable building solutions, such as ECOPact green concrete.

This latest deal adds to the aggregate and ready-mix concrete facilities acquired by Holcim in 2021, which included 12 bolt-on acquisitions across mature European and North American markets.

Published under
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
The Chattanooga Area Food Bank (Food Bank) received a $100,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgias COVID-19 Relief Fund to expand operations in nine Northwest Georgia counties.

The Food Bank is partnering with Whitfield County and the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority for the purchase, renovation, and expansion of their NWGA facility. This $3.1 million project will help the Food Bank to meet the needs of more than 64,000 NWGA neighbors facing hunger by providing better access to fresh and healthy food options like produce and dairy, create a more customized distribution experience, and expand operations.

The Food Bank works with over 80 community partners in Northwest Georgia, providing 118 programs that serve families in need of food assistance. Last year, the Food Bank, along with community partners, distributed 6,357,778 pounds of groceries in NWGA.

Throughout the last 2 years, the Food Banks Northwest Georgia location has provided consistent support to the communities of Northwest Georgia. Its work has played a central role in our regions ability to respond to immediate human needs and do so in an efficient and effective way. They have further demonstrated that they fulfill a critical role in our humanitarian response system. We see the Food Banks purchase and expansion of their Dalton facility as a key component to our regions disaster readiness strategy, says David Aft, President of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia.

When we established the COVID-19 Relief Fund in early 2020, we made a commitment to utilize the contributions made to it in a way that yielded the highest return on our investment. With this in mind, the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgias COVID-19 Relief Fund will make a $100,000 grant to the Chattanooga Food Bank, earmarking its gift to the organizations expansion in Northwest Georgia. We are proud to join with so many others who have understood how valuable the Food Bank is and the important role it plays in times of crisis  they remain a trusted and effective service partner and we are pleased to help.
Im not big on electric vehicles and a poll on Chattanooga.com confirms 74 percent of Chattanoogan.com readers are leery as well. Im enough of a realist to know the electricity to charge the proliferation of electric cars being pushed down Americas throat comes from 70 percent of coal-powered power plants and lets be honest, to say these vehicles will reduce global warming is going to take a lot more convincing from me.

Not long ago an open letter to agricultural giant John Deere brought a chuckle in our mammoth agriculture community and, as one who spent many hours on a John Deere tractor, I can only relate to the American folly that EVs belong in our fields. Read this one:

* * *

DEAR JOHN DEERE 

Farmers ask great questions regarding being forced to purchase electric farm equipment. I dont know what the farmers will do as explained below. The foolishness of it all -- especially brought to you by the idiots and fools that we sent to D.C. to run this place (into the ground).

Check this out, folks --- the lefties are now going after diesel powered farm equipment and want electric tractors and combines. A close friend farms over 10,000 acres of corn in the Midwest. The property is spread out over three counties. His operation is a "partnership farm" with John Deere. They use the larger farm operations as demonstration projects for promotion and development of new equipment.

He recently received a phone call from his John Deere representative, and they want the farm to go to electric tractors and combines in 2023. He currently has 5 diesel combines that cost $900,000 each that are traded-in every 3 years. Also, over 10 really BIG tractors. JD wants him to go all electric soon.

He said: "Ok, I have some questions. How do I charge these combines when they are 3 counties away from the shop in the middle of a cornfield, in the middle of nowhere?"

"How do I run them 24 hours a day for 10 or 12 days straight when the harvest is ready, and the weather is coming in?"

"How do I get a 50,000+ lb. combine that takes up the width of an entire road back to the shop 20 miles away when the battery goes dead?"

There was dead silence on the other end of the phone.

When the corn is ready to harvest, it has to have the proper sugar and moisture content. If it is too wet, it has to be put in giant dryers that burn natural or propane gas, and lots of it. Harvest time is critical because if it degrades in sugar content or quality, it can drop the value of his crop by half a million dollars or more. It is analyzed at time of sale. It is standard procedure to run these machines 10 to 12 days straight, 24 hours a day at peak harvest time.

When the machines need fuel, a tanker truck delivers it, and the machines keep going. John Deere's only answer is "we're working on it." They are being pushed by the lefty Dems in the government to force these electric machines on the American farmer.

These people are out of control. They are messing with the production of food crops that feed people and livestock... all in the name of their "green dream." Look for the cost of your box of cornflakes to triple in the next 24 months...

Seems that the dum-dums in Washington have imparted their "wisdom" on John Deere.

* * *

Dont fall for such manure. And if you are repulsed by this, make sure you vote today. Every election gets us closer to who we really are.

royexum@aol.com
When Josh Foster graduates from Georgia Northwestern Technical Colleges (GNTC) Welding and Joining Technology program this semester, he is leaving with a diploma and renewed self-confidence.

Mr. Foster, 20, said he quit private high school at 17 to pursue his General Educational Development (GED) diploma after his brother, who is three years older, graduated and was no longer there to protect him.

The other parents werent accepting that my brother and I had a single mother, he said. Their parents werent kind to my mother, and the other students werent kind to me.

When he enrolled in GED classes at GNTCs Office of Adult Education, he knew immediately that the GED program would be different than any of his previous academic experiences, he said, adding that Adult Education Lead Teacher and Site Manager Elisa Allgood Curole was kind and understanding and provided the one-on-one attention students needed so that the whole class could succeed.

Josh had anger issues stemming from his failure to fit in with the other kids at the private school, Ms. Curole said. He found his fit in our classes. He determined his own work schedule, worked with his teacher to master the subjects in which he needed to test, and within four months, earned his HSE (High School Equivalency).

Upon completing the GED diploma in 2020, he opted for the Welding and Joining Technology diploma program as an affordable, two-year education. He attends classes on the Walker County Campus in Rock Spring.

The moment I stepped foot in the welding lab, I knew welding was for me, he said.

Joshs personality suits this profession well because in the welding industry you must be willing to work hard, and Josh is willing to do whatever work is needed to be done, and completes it on time, said Tayler Davidson, instructor of Welding and Joining Technology. One thing I believe that has helped Josh the most is establishing a strong work ethic.

Mr. Davidson said he met Mr. Foster about a year ago and has watched his attitude transform.

I feel now that Josh is more positive about working, he seems to enjoy working more, and his confidence in working and in general has improved tremendously, he said. Josh is a very smart, dedicated and hardworking individual who sets goals that he wants to achieve and does whatever it takes to achieve those goals.

Mr. Foster said he got a pipe-fitter job with Callahan Mechanical Contractors, Inc. in Chattanooga in November 2021 as he continued his education.

His boss has graciously worked with Josh so that his job schedule and class schedule do not conflict, and he has moved from temporary employee to a permanent member of their team, Ms. Curole said.

Mr. Foster said the most important lesson he learned at GNTC has been that you can fall down as many times as you need to. All that matters is that you get back up.

His education at GNTC has also boosted his self-esteem, which was poor when he first enrolled, he said.

My experience at GNTC has given me a much greater respect for the time and effort that teachers put in, he said. It taught me the value of patience and, especially, hard work. As long as you dont let the world affect you too much, you can be as great as you want to be.

Mr. Fosters achievements not only mark a victory for him but also exemplify what other students who have faced hurdles in their high school education can achieve with a nudge in the right direction and some encouragement.

We work with them to develop the skills to find gainful employment and/or enroll in a program of study at GNTC, Ms. Curole said. We help them overcome stigmas that they may have attached to school and learning because of past, bad experiences. We encourage them to strive to do the best and be the best that they can be.

The Office of Adult Education helps students to do more than earn their GED diploma, Ms. Curole said.

Yes, we act as surrogate parents and therapists, but we get to see the potential that is inherent in every student grow and take shape as the student realizes that he or she can accomplish great things with hard work, she said.

Ms. Curole acknowledged some GNTC students who come from even worse circumstances rise above them to graduate.

But most of those students at least had their high school diploma when they started their GNTC journey. Josh started further down the ladder. He had to complete that step before he even started, she said. I am proud of the young man he has become.
We all knew something wasnt right, that something perplexing had happened. We just couldnt quite put our finger on what it was that had taken place during the 2020 election cycle. Many Americans knew something wasnt right when they woke up on Wednesday, November 4, 2020. They went to bed with a probable outcome and woke up the next morning to what was shaping up to be an Election Day Miracle.



Yet, we were told voter fraud didnt exist; average Americans were ridiculed and shamed right out of even talking about it.

Its been labeled 2020s Big Lie, and you were a fool or resided in the camp of fools if you believed the Big Lie, or even simply had questions. Lawmakers, law enforcement, journalists and the mainstream media, contrary to their job descriptions, werent asking any questions either. Major network news headlines followed for months afterwards:Exhaustive fact check finds little evidence of voter fraud, but 2020s Big Lie lives on -PBS NewshourFact check: no evidence of 8 million excess Biden votes from 2020 election -USA TodayFar too little vote fraud to tip election to Trump, AP finds -APThe Times called officials in every state: No evidence of voter fraud -The New York Times6 Conspiracy theories about the 2020 election  debunked -CBS NewsFactbox: Trumps false claims debunked: the 2020 election and Jan. 6 riot -ReutersRepublicans cling to voter fraud claims  at their own peril U.S. News and World ReportAs GOP lawmakers push for more election fraud charges, prosecutors find few cases -The Washington PostThe list of headlines goes on and on, even to current day. But many Americans still have questions, especially with 2022 being a crucial election year. Honesty, integrity, and a free and fair election process may be all that stands between a devastating progressive agenda  with many of the boxes already checked  and an already waning United States as we know it.2000 Mules, according to their website, premieres this week. The film claims to prove voter fraud  enough to have made a difference in the outcome of the 2020 presidential election  and show evidence of mules, defined in the movie trailer as a person picking up ballots and running them to the drop boxes. Of course, the Election Day Miracle wasnt a miracle after all, but is 2000 Mules just another toothless claim that media, lawmakers, and law enforcement will continue to ignore just like they did in 2020 and 2021? It was obvious to many that something was wrong, but the violence that occurred on January 6, 2021 overshadowed and seemingly halted any quests for inquiry.After January 6, 2021 and much to the dismay of millions of average Americans, no one in power was willing to answer any questions or address any concerns regarding the legitimacy of the soon-to-be sworn in 46th President of the United States.Just another one of those average Americans, I wrote the following letter to a few members of the Senate after the Inauguration of President Joe Biden.Dear Senators:Today, January 20, 2021, was a dark day in the history of the United States of America. Millions of Americans watched the inauguration of a president they did not elect and where the legality and integrity of the entire election process still remain in question. The voice of a nation, that once seemed loud and strong, was today reduced to a weak, hoarse whisper.My family and I watched as the entourage walked down empty streets, lined only with soldiers and the occasional reporter, a sight I have never seen before. No crowds, no flags waving, no shouts and cheers, only what appeared to be a pathetic and unsuccessful attempt to display normalcy and legitimacy.My children didnt understand what was so different and why I watched in disbelief at the silent streets, with only military and the occasional reporter. It was difficult to find the words to compare years past  the sense of hope that is always felt at the changing hands of an administration  the civility, the reciprocity between crowd and elected official and their family, the hope and faith in true democracy on full display with all the pomp and circumstance. Not this year, not with this administration. I had no words to explain it to my children. Instead, I felt a profound sense of loss for what appeared to be someone elses country, yet having to accept it was and is mine, ours  and theirs  the next generation.I am a proud American and Tennessean. I am grateful for this country and consider it a providential gift not to be taken for granted. I am a wife and mother, both which I also consider gifts. Most importantly, I am an imperfect follower of Jesus Christ and am dependent on his grace everyday to live and serve my family and community. It is my privilege and pleasure to raise my children under the same canopy of grace for as long as it is given me to do. Because of this and despite all that transpires, I know He sees and is in control of all things. But my conscience will not rest without putting the following before you as our elected officials.How are the American people supposed to believe in the legitimacy of the voting process of these supposed free and fair United States? How do we ever trust again that our vote counts? How do we convince our children that their vote will count? Our democracy has been called into question by refusing to address numerous incidences of voter fraud, many of which have been proven through witness testimony. You began the process on January 6, 2021, but stopped after the abhorrent and horrific events of that day. Do the actions of a few criminals that do not represent the millions justify you quitting the process of proving the integrity of our election process?The American people have questions. First, why did you question it, and then change your minds after these events that unfolded? One action did not justify the other. Either you believed that there needed to be further investigation, or you were posturing politically. Respectfully, your actions do not make sense and you owe your constituents an explanation and a thorough investigation.Millions of Americans are no longer a slave to the political tactics we have seen, from both Democrats and Republicans, and for all the things Donald Trump was during his time in office, one thing he did not portray himself to be was part of the establishment. Or is he? When did our elected representatives in Washington, D.C. stop serving the will of the American people? Make no mistake, I detest and abhor what took place on January 6, 2021 and do not support violence in any way, but the powers that be have made even the very questioning of government comparable to Soviet Russia or the CCP. Am I now on a list for questioning what happened and what will be done? Am I now part of cancel culture because of my bio and lack of reason to trust in the process of our election system? Simply put, do our votes even count?You quit  and the reason why is unclear. Again, it doesnt make sense. Regardless of what happened, it should not have changed the investigation into potential election fraud. The legitimacy of this presidency is and will remain unclear. The legitimacy of this day and the future for ALL Americans remains unclear as well. Americans want to move forward, but that cannot happen honestly, effectively, and restoratively without clear reasoning and a thorough investigation.I believe I speak for millions of Americans when I say today was a dark day, but we want to trust and believe that there is hope for a brighter future. But that cannot happen without truth, honest transparency, and a thorough investigation. Election integrity and trust must be restored in the minds of all Americans in order for our Republic to continue to exist.  January 20, 2021, Inauguration DayThe response? Form letters from two state representatives.2000 Mules claims to show proof, the smoking gun, that something fraudulent did indeed happen that changed the outcome of the American 2020 presidential election. 535 Congressional representatives, as well as law enforcement, will have an opportunity to address what really happened in 2020, and restore trust in the American voting process. The future of the country depends on it, because an honest election system is the foundation of a free society. But will 2000 Mules and the claimed exposition of voter fraud make any difference in future elections and election integrity in the United States of America?As we continue to see, only time will tell.

----



Holly Abernathy is a communications and creative arts professional. She works in a variety of media and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.6qCreative.com.
The International Space Station (ISS) is one piece of evidence of humanity's capacity to cooperate regardless of nationality and political ideologies.

However, that sentiment may soon be a thing of the past due to current events.

Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin said on Russian State TV that Russia is ending its work on the ISS due to the various sanctions placed on it, per Bloomberg.

The space station was operational due to Russia and US' efforts to make it happen in 1969, per the ISS National Lab.

Roscosmos is Russia's equivalent of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Roscosmos Pull Out Details

According to Russian state media outlets Tass and RIA Novosti, Rogozin said that the decision to pull Roscosmos out of the ISS "has been taken already" and that Roscosmos is not obliged to talk about it publicly.

Rogozin did add that Roscosmos will inform its partners about their decision with a year's notice.

Roscosmos' Director-General previously threatened the West with non-cooperation and eventual pull out within the ISS if the economic sanctions placed on Russia remain in effect, saying that they were "unacceptable." He also added that normal relations between Russia and the West are only possible through "the complete and unconditional lifting of illegal sanctions."

Rogozin posted these statements on Twitter for anyone to read in early April. However, it seems Rogozin chose to limit the people who view his statements, effectively hiding them from anyone save for those he specified that can. Thankfully, an archived copy of his tweets can be found on the Wayback Machine.

Read More: Here's How Much You Have to Pay for Sony's QD-OLED, Other TVs

Rogozin also threatened the US with Roscosmos' withdrawal from the ISS in February due to the latter's sanctions on major Russian banks and the imposition of export controls on Russia to reduce high-tech imports to the country, per a separate report from The Hill.

If you block cooperation with us, who will save the ISS from an uncontrolled deorbit and fall into the US or... Europe?" Rogozin said in one of his tweets at the time. "There is also the possibility of a 500-ton structure falling on India and China. Do you want to threaten them with such a prospect? The ISS does not fly over Russia, therefore, all the risks are yours. Are you ready for them?

Rogozin also chose to limit the people who view this particular tweet.

ISS History

The ISS is the result of the collaboration among five space agencies representing 15 countries, including Russia's Roscosmos and the US' NASA. As such, it is not owned by one single nation, per the European Space Agency (ESA).

Other nations and space agencies, such as the ESA, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency, have either contributed funding or astronauts.

A total of 19 countries have visited the ISS, which resulted in a total of 244 individuals visiting it as of April 2021, according to Space.com.

NASA mentioned that the ISS will continue to operate until 2030. Afterward, it will be retired or decommissioned by commanding it to crash into the Pacific Ocean's "spacecraft cemetery," letting it burn up on Earth's atmosphere and crashing it in the process.

Related Article: 10 Things To Know About Life on the International Space Station
TennGreen Land Conservancy announced today that registration is underway for the second annual Hike-a-Thon, and an exciting matching donation has been added to raise the stakes! This virtually-managed event is unlike any other in the southeast, allowing participants to enjoy the outdoors from anywhere while raising funds and awareness to protect the lands they love. Registration is free, and theres something for everyone with 20 adventure competitions for hikers, paddlers, trail runners, climbers, mountain bikers, and more. The adventure competitions begin on June 1, though participants may start fundraising as soon as theyre registered.

To up the ante this year, all donations made through the Hike-a-Thon will be matched up to $25,000 beginning May 1. Funds raised through the Hike-a-Thon will go far to protect the places that provide us all well-being and an unrivaled quality of life.

Proceeds from this event benefit TennGreen Land Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee. TennGreen protects, cares for, and connects people with Tennessees natural world by providing meaningful outdoor experiences, establishing conservation easements, supporting restoration efforts, and acquiring (or assisting in the acquisition of) privately-held land. In 2021, TennGreen conserved over 2,500 acres of forests and open spaces in Tennessee, including establishing Hope Memorial Park in Cookeville, acquiring land along the Fiery Gizzard Trail in Tracy City, and expanding Lockeland Springs Park in Nashville.

Hike-a-Thon participants may compete individually or on teams for the chance to win exciting prizes in a number of adventure competitions. Prizes range from REI Backpacking Bundles and free shoes from KEEN Footwear to a three-night stay for two guests at Wildwood Resort & Marina in Granville, Tennessee.

Individual competitions include Most Money Raised, Most Miles Hiked, Most Miles Hiked (Senior), Most Miles Hiked by a Hiker Experiencing a Disability, Most Miles Hiked with a Dog, Most Miles Trail Run, Most Miles Paddled, Most Miles Mountain Biked, Most Feet Climbed, Most Overall Adventures, Most Unique Donors, and Most Days with an Adventurea new competition hosted in partnership with Healthy Parks Healthy Person.

Team competitions include Best Team Name, Most Money Raised, Most Miles Hiked, Most Team Donors, and Most Unique Adventures.

Prizes will also be awarded in three photography competitions, including Best Photo, Best Group/Team Photo, and Best Selfie.

Participants may compete in as many adventure competitions as they would like, and pop-up prizes will be up for grabs via TennGreen Land Conservancys Facebook and Instagram pages (@tenngreenlc) throughout the month of June.

TennGreen Land Conservancy is grateful for the generosity of this years leading Hike-a-Thon sponsors: Bearded Iris Brewing, The Bailey Company, and Cumberland Kayak & Adventure Company.

Register for the Hike-a-Thon now at mightycause.com/event/Hikeathon22. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Alice Hudson Pell, TennGreen Land Conservancys Associate Director, at events@tenngreen.org or 615 329-4441. Donations to the Hike-a-Thon can be made at tenngreen.org or by mailing a check to 1213A 16th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212. Please be sure to note that your gift is designated for the Hike-a-Thon when donating online or by check.
Baylor's Isabelle Drayer '18 has been named a Fulbright Scholar and will continue her studies living and working in Galicia, Spain from September 2022 through June 2023.

Ms. Drayer will receive her B.A. from the University of Richmond on May 8, with a double Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science and Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies, and an entrepreneurship minor from the Robins School of Business.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for U.S. graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals, and artists to research, study, or teach English abroad for one academic year.

"Being named a Fulbright scholar is a great honor, and I am extremely excited to take my love of people and learning to Spain for a year and grow both personally and professionally, said Ms. Drayer, adding that she is grateful to the friends and faculty from the Baylor community and credits her Spanish classes and teachers for inspiring her interests in other cultures. While at Baylor, I had my first opportunity to take Spanish classes with incredible teachers, all of whom left an indelible mark on my life and instilled in me a passion for exploring other cultures. I will always be grateful for the foundation that I built at Baylor which has allowed me to grow into the person I am today.

A leader in Baylor's community service program, Ms. Drayer was selected for the 2017 service trip to Kingston, Jamaica and was the recipient of the community service award her senior year. "The community service program fostered my care and concern for others, leading me to continually pursue service options to widen my perspective throughout my time at the University of Richmond. Additionally, traveling to both Jamaica and India during my junior and senior years sparked my interest in international studies and bettering myself as a global citizen."
The Chattanooga Area Historical Association will hold it's May program on Monday, May 9 at 6 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, 554 Mccallie Ave.



David Carroll from Channel 3 Local News will discuss his new book, "Hello, Chattanooga: Famous People Who Have Visited the Tennessee Valley."

"David has received rave reviews for his book, and you will enjoy his presentation and have the opportunity to purchase a book if you wish," organizers said. "We are meeting in the Chapel which is easy to access (no steps) . Parking is easier and free. Many of you will remember the Medical Arts Building and its parking lot; that building and the parking lot are now part of the church.

"For those who are not familiar with the area, the sanctuary is on the corner of McCallie & Douglas; next to the church is a tall building and between it and the larger building which is now owned by UTC is a small driveway. If you cannot find it, call 423-595-4468; we will get you to the meeting.

"All meetings are free of charge and open to the public; we ask you to come and bring a guest."
Two Red Bank residents, Lawrence Miller and William F. Hull, have launched an effort to capture as many images of Red Bank as possible, as well as the stories that go with each one. The images will be used to illustrate a new book. They are working with Arcadia Publishing, a publisher of neighborhood, local and regional histories in pictorial form.



Mr. Miller, a retired educator and media professional, has worked on many projects that have used photographs to tell local histories. Mr. Hull served as the curator for the Chattanooga History Center and is the author of five books on Chattanooga area history.



Our greatest challenge, says Mr. Miller, is to collect photographs that tell the story of Red Bank and possess a level of picture quality that can be reproduced in a book format. We know the photos are out there, but we need to get local folks involved.



They have purchased a high-quality photo scanner and will ask Red Bank people to bring the photographs to be scanned. The first opportunity for people who want to share their photos will be at the Red Bank Jubilee on May 7. They will have vendor space as 10,000 Photos of Red Bank. The Jubilee will be held at Red Bank City Park from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.



Photos can also be brought to The Meeting House on Dayton Boulevard on Monday, May 9, and Wednesday, May 11. Other times and places will be listed on the Facebook page: 10,000 Photographs of Red Bank, or individuals can upload their photos themselves to the 10,000 Photos of Red Bank on Flickr.
Here are upcoming street closings:

Kane Brown Concert  Updated Initial Closure Time



Reggie White Blvd between W 20th Street and the Skate Park access road will now close on Wednesday, beginning at 6 p.m. for Kane Brown Concert staging.

State Of The City Address



Broad Street southbound between 7th Street and 8th Street will be closed Thursday, from 1 p.m.

until 5 p.m. for the State Of The City Address. The Tivoli Theatre will host Mayor Kellys speech and community forum, however, an RSVP is required for attendance.

Armed Forces Day Parade



The following roads and intersections will be closed Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. to stage the annual Armed Forces Day Parade:

Market Street between W 12th and MLK Boulevard

W 11th Street at the intersection of Market Street

W 10th Street at the intersection of Market Street

The Armed Forces Day Parade will start at 10:30 a.m. within the southbound lanes of Market Street at 10th Street and travel northbound until W 5th Street where the parade will disperse. The following restrictions will be in place during the parade:

Market Street southbound between W 4th Street and W 10th Street will be closed.

The cross streets of Market Street and MLK Blvd, 8th Street, 7th Street, 6th Street, and 5th Street will be closed during the parade.

All street parking between 4th Street and 10th Street will be prohibited during the parade.

The eastbound right lane of 4th Street will be closed from Broad Street to Cherry Street for bus staging.

Gran Fondo Hincapie Street Closures and Traffic Impact



The following roads and intersections will be closed from Friday, beginning 2 p.m. until Saturday, at 6 p.m. for the Gran Fondo Hincapie setup and bike event.

E Martin Luther King Blvd from Lindsay Street to Houston Street

Houston Street from E Martin Luther King Blvd to E 10th Street

East 10th Street at the intersection of Houston Street

Gran Fondo Hincapie Bike Ride - Cyclists will be escorted by CPD officers starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, beginning from E Martin Luther King Boulevard, turning north onto Market Street. CPD will be present at all intersections on Market Street, crossing into North Shore, and continuing on Cherokee Boulevard. Please watch for instructions from these officers as the cyclists will be given the right of way while an officer is present.

A secondary route traveling Manufacturers Road will have officers present at both Highway 27 ramps and at the entrance of Renaissance Park.

The first return cyclists are expected back into Chattanooga around 10 a.m.

Inbound cyclists will return via Tiftonia using Cummings Road, Wauhatchie Pike, turning north onto Cummings Highway until Broad Street. From Broad Street, cyclists will turn on W 33rd, then travel north on Alton Park Blvd / Market Street, right on W 12th Street, continuing onto Houston Street, and back to the closure on E Martin Luther King Boulevard. Officers will be located at major intersections/traffic lights for the inbound cyclists.

Cyclists will be required to ride with traffic while following the rules of the road. This is an open course so expect cyclists throughout the city. Please pay close attention to officer instructions when CPD is present.

Most cyclists should complete their routes by 4 p.m.

South Chattanooga Holiday Market



Hughes Avenue between W 40th Street and W 41st Street will be closed Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. to host the South Chattanooga Holiday Market. Detours will be posted.

Corner Market on 55th



E 55th Street between St Elmo Avenue and Virginia Avenue will be closed on Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. to host the Corner Market on 55th Street. Detours will be posted.

Chattanooga Market



Reggie White Boulevard between W 19th Street and the Skate Park access road will remain closed after the Kane Brown Concert to host Sundays Chattanooga Market. The theme for Sunday, will be a Mothers Day Celebration

View CDOT's map of event and road closures for full details of these activities and other projects underway in our public space.
For the tenth consecutive year, Hamilton County Schools teachers have earned grants for self-designed summer fellowships to enrich student learning. The grants are made possible by the national non-profit Fund for Teachers and are administered locally through a partnership with the Public Education Foundation. Fund for Teachers invests in educators skills, knowledge, and confidence to impact student achievement by allowing teachers to design their unique fellowships.

PEF is, once again, delighted to provide Hamilton County teachers the opportunity to learn even more about the subjects they teachand to do their studying anywhere in the world, said Dr. Dan Challener, president of the Public Education Foundation. Over the last decade, thanks to the partnership between PEF and Fund for Teachers, nearly 200 HCS teachers from 40 different HCS schools have had the opportunity to study everything from geothermal energy in Iceland to digital fabrication in China, from the wilderness in Alaska to the Lewis and Clark trail in Montana. It speaks volumes of their commitment to their students that so many HCS teachers spend their summers expanding their knowledge for the benefit of our students.

Fund for Teachers allotted more than $17,000 in grant awards for Hamilton County teachers this year. All preK-12 teachers were invited to apply for up to $5,000 as individuals or $10,000 as a team. Four grant recipients from three schools will explore a total of five countries and at least 10 cities across the world as they embark on personalized learning journeys.

The 2022 cohort includes:

Marcie Williams of Ooltewah High School will explore science museums in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle. She will also attend the International Physics and Astronomy Educator Program at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory in Richland, Wa. to learn methods for introducing high school students to classical physics, modern physics and astronomy using inquiry-based activities that incorporate physics into real-life applications.

Justin Walley of Ooltewah High School and Vanessa Moss of Central High School will explore sustainable living practices across Alaska to create student buy-in and construction of a functional model that shifts student thinking toward human impact on the environment. Upon return, they will help to launch a new school initiative for next-generation sustainable living.

Brooke Hopkins of Soddy Daisy High School will explore multiple cities in Northern and Central Europe to better understand the individual, lived experiences of the Holocaust in order to build a greater understanding of the systematic way the Nazis exterminated more than six million Jews. Through this experience, she aims to help students feel connected to the victims, perpetrators, and bystanders of the Holocaust and its undeniable place in our history.

Fund for Teachers strives to value, not just appreciate, educators, said Karen Eckhoff, FFT executive director. Value connotes merit, courage and virtue, traits evidenced in our Fellows grant proposals, then demonstrated on fellowships and, ultimately, applied in the classroom. Now more than ever, it is imperative we validate and invest in this caliber of teacher.

As a regional partner with Fund for Teachers, PEF provides targeted support for HCS teachers throughout the rigorous application process. This support has helped approximately 200 HCS teachers earn Fund for Teachers grants and pursue these exciting learning experiences around the globe. The personalized learning model invests directly in veteran teachers as they design and participate in unique professional learning. Following their fellowships, Fellows return to HCS to implement strategies and lessons learned as they craft innovative learning experiences for their students.
The original pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne joined Olivia Rodrigo on stage during a recent tour stop in Canada. Together, they sang Lavignes 2002 hit, Complicated. It was a bucket list moment in music for Rodrigo as shes credited Lavigne as an inspiration in the past.

Avril Lavigne and Olivia Rodrigo | Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Variety

Olivia Rodrigo says of Lavigne, I cant sing her praises enough

During her sold-out SOUR world tour, Olivia Rodrigo has been performing a cover of Avril Lavignes Complicated every show. The 20-year-old song put Lavigne on the map during a time when Blink 182 and Backstreet Boys ruled the charts. Lavigne posted a tweet of Rodrigo performing her song with two heart emojis on April 6.

On Saturday, April 29, Rodrigo played to a sold-out crowd at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada. Before she brought out Lavigne, she said she broke down so many barriers, and opened so many doors for girls like me. Rodrigo continued, I cant sing her praises enough. Shes from Canada, and Im so, so, so lucky because she came here tonight to sing with me.

Lavigne appeared on stage wearing a matching red plaid skirt to Rodrigos blue plaid look. The two belted our Complicated for a crowd who sang along to every word.

Olivia Rodrigo was not yet born when Complicated was released in 2002

During an interview with ABC Audio, Lavigne said of Complicated, It was my first song and it was the first video. It was on the radio, it was a huge hit and, like, launched my career. Lavigne continued, So its, like, in a waythe most important song, too.

When Complicated was released, Olivia Rodrigo was not yet born. Even so, 19-year-old Rodrigo is a huge fan of Lavigne. In December, Lavigne presented Rodrigo with the Songwriter of the Year award at Varietys Hitmaker brunch.

According to People Magazine, Rodrigo gushed, First of all, I want to thank Avril for coming here today. I am such a massive fan of you I look up to you so much. So, this is so surreal for me. Thank you for the love and support.

Like Avril Lavigne, Olivia Rodrigo prides herself on being a songwriter

Although theres an age gap, the two pop-punk princesses have a lot in common. Both were accomplished songwriters at a young age. Lavigne wrote Complicated when she was 16 years old. Rodrigo wrote her breakout hit Drivers License at 17.

When accepting her Songwriter of the Year award, Rodrigo said, Ive been writing songs since I was like five years old, and my favorite part about all of this is that feeling of writing a song that perfectly captures how you feel  so to accept an award for songwriting is really meaningful to me.

Rodrigos SOUR tour continues through July 7. Lavigne released a new album, Love Sux, in February. Shes currently touring to support the album with her next date in Quebec, Canada, this Friday, May 6.



RELATED: Olivia Rodrigo Reveals Which Song From Sour She Wrote On Set
Netflix announced that one of the most popular cooking competitions on reality television is returning.

Iron Chef America Will Return Soon

As per the news story of Variety, Former "Iron Chef America" host Alton Brown and Mark Dacascos, who portrayed the iconic role of "The Chairman" on the show, are returning to Kitchen Stadium for another round as part of Netflix's relaunch of the "Iron Chef" series. The latest Netflix series, titled "Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend" will launch on June 15, will see Brown hosting alongside "Top Chef" winner Kristen Kish, while Dacascos will reprise his role as The Chairman.

It was reported that the "Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend" will consist of eight, 45-minute episodes.

Read More: Netflix Issues Extra Charges for Password Sharing Beyond Household

Meanwhile, according to Polygon, Iron Chef was first broadcast in Japan before being adapted into Iron Chef America, which aired on Food Network for 13 seasons. In cooking challenges centered on a certain ingredient, the series pitted challenger cooks against recognized pros. The show also featured a number of spinoffs, including themed specials, regional competitions like the U.K. and Canada, and other variations. As per Variety, this year, Netflix will also release "Iron Chef Mexico" and "Iron Chef Brazil."

What the Cameras Don't Show You on This Show

Each episode featured two accomplished chefs (one Iron Chef and the other not) competing in a fast-paced cooking duel, with host Alton Brown breaking down the action for the viewers.

However, Mashed said that as culinary producer Jill Novatt told Courant, creating a single episode can take months of planning, from deciding on the secret ingredient to recruiting the greatest chefs from throughout the country. What you might not know is that what happened behind the scenes of "Iron Chef America" was sometimes just as exciting as what was seen on camera.

The adrenaline rush is one of the charms of "Iron Chef America." The chefs had no time to waste because they had to prepare five dishes in under an hour. That's less than 15 minutes for each dish. What the cameras didn't show you was that the crew behind the scenes was also working hard. According to Eater, they filmed two episodes a day for three weeks straight.

Mashed, citing DGA Quarterly Magazine, reported that it took roughly five hours to shoot a 40-minute episode of "Iron Chef America." According to director Eytan Keller, once the camera started rolling, there was no stopping it until the war was over - even if the cooks were having a bad day with their knives.

Mashed further reported that after the tough battle against time, the cooks simply flipped a coin to determine which meals would be presented to the judges first. Cameras bypassed the flip and went right to a panel of judges, where they were served quickly prepared food. While it may appear like the food was hurried from the station to the judgment table in the blink of an eye, things actually slow down once the battle is over.

Related Article: Pressure Mounts on Netflix as Employee Morale Drops While Subscribers Flee
Many fans have taken note of the severely worn video footage that appears in the title sequence of Better Call Saul Season 6. Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) will inevitably become Gene Takavic thanks to his involvement with Heisenberg (Bryan Cranston), but we dont know what becomes of Gene after Breaking Bad. Considering the appearance of the footage in Better Call Sauls title sequence, we might get to know Gene a bit more before the AMC series ends.

Don Harvey and Bob Odenkirk | Warrick Page/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Better Call Sauls black and white scenes show glimpses of Gene Takavics life

Thanks to Breaking Bad, we know Saul Goodman ends up in Nebraska working as the manager of a Cinnabon under the name Gene Takavic. Better Call Saul gives fans an even closer look at Genes fate.

So far, there have only been glimpses of Genes life post-Breaking Bad. In season 4 of Better Call Saul, Jeff (Don Harvey) recognizes Gene as Saul Goodman when he gets into his taxi. Jeff appears again in season 5, forcing Gene to confirm his alter ego while on a break in the mall.

There have not been any black and white scenes of Gene thus far in the final season of Better Call Saul. Still, fans are hopeful well get a full episode (or two) that detail what becomes of Gene Takavic.

Better Call Sauls title sequence could be Gene Takavic reliving Saul Goodmans glory days

The meaning behind Better Call Sauls title sequence has been discussed at length among fans. The theory regarding Gene rewatching old Saul Goodman promos been discussed on Reddit before, but it has come up again with the start of the final season.

The video footage appears more worn with every season. I always thought it was a metaphor of how Sauls [morals are] getting more and more f***ed up per season, says one Better Call Saul fan.

We know Gene Takavic is Jimmy McGills ultimate fate. One Reddit user elaborates on exactly why the footage in the title sequence appears worn. Its the VHS that Gene brings out of hiding and watches over and over, they wrote. The film inside the tape is breaking down as time goes by.

Analog tape disintegrates over time, another Redditor adds. Its lifespan can be extended through a baking process, but ultimately, time will take its toll. When the magnetic particulate withers away, all that remains is a clear plastic strip that contains nothing.

Better Call Sauls title sequence could hint at Gene Takavic episodes

In addition to the literal meaning behind the worn video, the title sequence could contain another hint about the kinds of episodes fans can expect in the last season of Better Call Saul. From the beginning, fans have noticed slight variations in the footage, with the black and white portion of the video getting longer each season.

Bob Odenkirk | Joe Pugliese/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

While this could be a subtle nod to Saul getting closer to the path that inevitability leads him to Breaking Bad, it could also be Vince Gilligans way of teasing a few black and white Gene-centric episodes this season. Not only does this feel like a Gilligan move, but it would be a poetic end to the series giving us a glimpse into Genes future in a world without Walter White.

Tune in Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET to see how Jimmy/Saul/Genes life plays out.

Watch episodes of Better Call Saul on AMC.

RELATED: Better Call Saul: 9 Subtle Breaking Bad References You May Have Missed
Sarah Jessica Parker channeled her inner Carrie Bradshaw at 2022s Met Gala. The look fits both the theme and her iconic Sex and the City character. With it, though, she was also paying homage to an important figure in American history. As the 2022 Met Gala theme asks attendees to embrace New Yorks Gilded Age, Parker nodded to 1860s designer Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, the first Black female designer in the White House.

Sarah Jessica Parker | Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Sarah Jessica Parker is a frequent Met Gala attendee

Parker made her Met Gala red carpet debut in 1995 with a thrifted dress.

This was a dress from a thrift store, which then I had tailored, she told Vogue. And clearly did my own hair and makeup. I would never have gone alone. Like, I would have been way too scared. Too nervous. I think I didnt know enough, and therefore I went, like if had Id known more, I probably would have found a way to regretfully decline.

Sarah Jessica Parker goes all out for the 2018 #MetGala in an elaborate golden Dolce & Gabbana gown. https://t.co/QEDRnxk1XP pic.twitter.com/UWSdEBEy0I  Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) May 8, 2018

Despite the vague regret regarding her Met Gala debut, Parker looked glamorous in a fitted black gown. Since then, she has been a consistent standout at the affair. In 2006, she joined Alexander McQueen with a plaid look for the AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion theme. Similarly, she turned heads in 2013 with a mohawk headpiece and a golden gown in 2018.

Her dress pays homage to a fashion designer from the 1800s

In 2022, Parker worked with designer Christopher John Rogers on her Met Gala look. The black, white, and gray gown gets a pop of color from a dramatic headpiece with a magenta floral piece. 19th-century designer Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley inspired the gown. Keckley was a formerly enslaved woman who became the official dressmaker to Mary Todd Lincoln in the 1860s.

She was a smaller designer, and someone that people dont really talk about, Rogers said, per Vogue. The idea was to highlight the dichotomy between the extravagant, over-the-top proportions of the time period, and the disparity that was happening in America at the time.

And just like that Sarah Jessica Parker is at the #MetGala.



(: Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/3nyqyGyPcD  Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) May 2, 2022

Keckley purchased her freedom through her work as a seamstress. Parker and Rogers drew inspiration from a gown Keckley designed in the 1860s.

It was this cape, and a black and white gingham-plaid gown underneath, Rogers explained. It was the starting point for us  and since were known for using plaids and taffeta, it was already in the wheelhouse of what we do.

The result was a blown-out gingham pattern on a ballgown silhouette.

Sarah Jessica Parker has her own fashion line

Parkers high fashion moment shouldnt come as a surprise. Her character on Sex and the City is a known fashionista and Parker owns her own fashion line. Sarah Jessica Parker launched the brand in 2014.

We founded our footwear collection upon three main pillars: delivering quality products, using color and sparkle as a neutral, and giving the single sole a new heartbeat, she wrote on the companys official website. We arrived in NYC the same month of the same year and share many fashion references from those early days on the island of Manhattan and those points of inspiration have played an influential role in our design process. As well, we both agreed that our shoes had to be handmade in Italy which enjoys a long tradition of being considered the home of the finest shoemakers in the world.

The company offers footwear, accessories, and fragrances.

RELATED: Sarah Jessica Parker Excludes Sex and the City Co-Stars Kim Cattrall and Chris Noth From Her Broadway Show
Hot take: the way Ozark ends makes perfect sense. Now that every episode of season 4 is available on Netflix, its time to celebrate the full-circle moments the series brought fans and mourn a significant loss from the Ozark finale.

[SPOILER ALERT: Spoilers ahead for episodes of Ozark Season 4 Part 2, including the finale.]

Laura Linney, Jason Bateman | Netflix

Ozark Season 4 finale brings the series full circle

First and foremost, lets commend Chris Mundy, Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, and the entire Ozark crew for four seasons of carefully planned story. There are countless examples of parallels in Ozark from season 1 to season 4, a sign of vigilance in the writers room and an effort many fans recognize and appreciate.

The fourth season comes to an end mirroring how the show began in many ways. In season 1, Jonah holds a gun at Roy Petty (Jason Thomas Butler) and later, Garcia (Joseph Melendez) to protect his family; in the Ozark finale, Jonahs gun is pointed at Mel Sattem (Adam Rothenberg) for the same reasons.

Whats more, every move Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner) has made since season 1 brings on her fate in the finale. Any way you look at it, the storytelling in Ozarks final season is unmatched.

Ruth Langmores death completes the story that is Ozark

From the start of the series, Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) has done everything in his power to protect his family. Despite her attempt to kill him, Marty eventually includes Ruth in the fold. Like many others, I struggled to see Ozark ending without any members of the Byrde family dying, but in a sense, one of them did.

In the final episode of the Netflix series, Ruth is killed by Camila Elizonndro (Veronica Falcon) as retribution for her murdering Javi (Alfonso Herrera Rodriguez). I am at peace with that.

Yet another full-circle moment, Ruths death acknowledges the only way she could truly be happy. Despite breaking ground on a new home and securing her stake in the Missouri Belle, Ruth would never feel whole again without Wyatt (Charlie Tahan) or Ben (Tom Pelphrey) in her life.

Julia Garner | Netflix

On top of that, if she lived, Ruth would constantly be in fear of the Navarro cartel. If Camila hadnt discovered Ruth killed Javi in the finale, she would have eventually.

Additionally, Ruths plans to run a clean casino would have been short-lived. The Missouri Belle was built to launder money, and the cartel would have regained ownership of it eventually.

Yes, Ruths death was devastating to witness, but there was also something beautiful about the moment. Ruth doesnt run away from her fate. Instead, she follows through with what she told Marty in the first half of season 4. Frustrated about Wyatts murder, Ruth told Marty: If you wanna stop me, youre gonna have to f***ing kill me.

In the end, Ruth faces Camila head-on and bravely questions: Are you gonna f***ing do this s*** or what?

Ozark shouldnt have a season 5

Ozark ends in a way that alludes there is more to come, but Mundy and others have always said they couldnt see the show going past season 5 (or a fourth season split into two parts). Either way, we have to accept the way Ozark ended  hearing Jonahs shotgun going off without seeing where the bullet lands.

Charlie Tahan, Julia Garner | Tina Rowden/Netflix

I choose to take that as a sign Mel is dead and the Byrdes are free to try and assimilate back into normal life. Id like to believe Marty and Wendy stay together (how could they not after the trauma), Charlotte finds success in Chicago, and Jonah follows through on his plans to go legitimate, at least until he finishes high school. I also hope Ruth is reunited with her loved ones, much like she imagines in A Hard Way to Go.

Watch new episodes of Ozark on Netflix.

RELATED: Ozark: Wyatt Langmores Mizzou Essay From Season 2 Predicted His Fate in Season 4
While once best known as a country artist, Taylor Swift has branched out within the world of music. Shes collaborated with everyone from indie rockers like Aaron Dessner to rappers like Kendrick Lamar. But given her origins, it makes sense that country-music mega-star Keith Urban heavily influenced her style.

Taylor Swift and Keith Urban are long-time friends

First performing together when Swift was a supporting act for Urbans Escape Together World Tour in 2009, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban have a long-standing friendship. Since then, they collaborated in 2013 on Tim McGraws Highway Dont Care with Swift as a guest vocalist and Urban on guitar. The friends linked up again in 2014, with Urban joining Swift on stage in Toronto during her 1989 World Tour. More recently, video footage of Urban covering Swifts song Lover created buzz.

Following Urbans cover of Lover, he posted a clip of the performance to his Twitter feed. He introduced the song by saying, Every now and then you hear a song that you love and wish youd written.

Swift explains Urbans influence on her music

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame )

For her part, Swift is equally as forthcoming with praise for her friend and his creative experimentation within the genre. The Grammy-winner expressed how Urbans artistry made an impact on her. His melodies and inflections influenced me so intensely because they were so different from what I was hearing in country at that time, incorporating rock, pop, and blues into the mix, she told Rolling Stone in 2021. He absolutely redefined the genre for me, by making it a wider and more expansive place to create from within.

In the article, Urban explained his musical genius was not well received by others in country at the time. You dont really get help and support until they see that youre really becoming a part of the community, he said. Its very hard. Rather than switching genres entirely, he focused on releasing country singles for radio, while saving the more unique tracks to build out his albums.

Swift has done this with her music as well. She began leaning into pop with her 2012 album, Red, before releasing her first official pop album, 1989, in 2014. Today, Swift is a pop artist first, but her sister albums Folklore and Evermore showed a shift into indie rock and, not coincidentally, more of her country roots.

Swift and Urban continue to collaborate

Im really honored that @KeithUrban is a part of this project, duetting on Thats When and singing harmonies on We Were Happy. I was his opening act during the Fearless album era and his music has inspired me endlessly.  Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 3, 2021

The mutual admiration and appreciation between the friends recently brought them together for Swifts rerecorded album Fearless (Taylors Version). The album features Urban on background vocals and guitar for two songs.

Swift shared this news with her fans ahead of the albums release in April 2021. Im really honored that @KeithUrban is a part of this project, duetting on Thats When and singing harmonies on We Were Happy,' she wrote. I was his opening act during the Fearless album era and his music has inspired me endlessly.

Theyre two of the biggest stars in music currently. So while Taylor Swift and Keith Urbans music may not be easily categorized, it is among the best and most inspired of our time.
Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, and Donatella Versace are just a few of the fashion industrys most renowned and respected designers. Many not-so-famous designers hope to someday achieve their level of success and name recognition. Quickly climbing the ranks amongst these is Amina Muaddi.

Here are nine things everyone will want to know about the Jordanian-Romanian fashion designer and her iconic style as she rises to fame.

1. Amina Muaddi is 34 years old

Muaddis age is most certainly just a number. But her fans might be surprised to learn that, born in 1987, Muaddi is only 34 years old.

Set to celebrate her next birthday this June, it will likely be a stylish one. In an old Instagram post, the star opened up about not wanting to celebrate her birthday at the peak of the pandemic, but with hope on the horizon, fingers are crossed that this upcoming birthday will be different.

2. Her upbringing

For the most part, Muaddi was raised in Italy. But the fashionista star also has roots in Jordan and Romania. Tribute To highlights her path to stardom and success as she studied at Milans European Institute of Design. Muaddis unique background and upbringing play a part in her internationally acclaimed brand.

3. Amina Muaddis past as an esteemed stylist

Muaddi always had an eye for fashion. Before jumping into designing, the star worked as a stylist for respected publications like GQ and Vogue.

4. She went to Riviera del Brenta to study the craft of Italian shoemaking

When Muaddi was ready to go after her dreams, she meant business. The fashion star even spent a year living in Riviera del Brenta, the most famous shoe-making district in all of Italy. While there, even though it wasnt always easy, Muaddi studied and continued to learn about the craft of shoemaking. The invaluable experience likely contributed to her immense success.

5. Muaddi is well-known for her trademark signature flared heel

Designed in Paris and made in Italy, Amina Muaddi's Begum glass slingback heels are the product of a lifetime of traveling and learning.



Reserve now on https://t.co/PKCsvUmPSR.#PlazaIndonesia#YourSecondHome#ItsWhereIWantToBe#PlazaIndonesiaEshop pic.twitter.com/G39AGLAgDr  plazaindonesia (@plazaindonesia) June 27, 2020

Dating back to 2017, Muaddis signature flared heel put the designer on the map. Celebrities and popular A-listers started flaunting her products. Kendall Jenner, Rihanna, Irina Shayk, and Hailey Bieber are just a few it-girls who have been spotted in Muaddis shoes.

6. Amina Muaddis love life

Amina Muaddi at Paris Fashion Week 2022-23 | Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

At the moment, all signs point to Muaddi being single but definitely ready to mingle. In February 2022, she shared a series of photos showing her slaying everything from her pony to, of course, her shoes. Captioned, If I was a housewife, it is safe to say someone seems ready.

7. Muaddi was the 2021 recipient of Entrepreneur of the Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year Award. Thank you for the honor @fashiontrustarabia. pic.twitter.com/HqwVbXyX9h  Amina Muaddi (@AminaMuaddi) November 6, 2021

With so much success under her belt these past few years, her fans and followers probably werent surprised to hear she received an award recognizing all of her work and ambition. In 2021, Muaddi received the title of Entrepreneur of the Year by Fashion Trust Arabia. Business of Fashion covered the details behind the honor.

8. Amina Muaddis most popular products

Ready for this jelly?

The ROBYN sandal. May 21. pic.twitter.com/Rc8u2c9eOF  Amina Muaddi (@AminaMuaddi) April 5, 2021

The previously mentioned flared heels have been a huge success. Celebrities and Instagram influencers have non-stop posted about them since the brands conception. A popular choice, the Robyn Sandal embodies the iridescent glass-like slipper look that so many people have been after lately.

Who What Wear has kept track of Muaddis most popular shoes that seem to continuously sell out. The Zula PVC-Trimmed Leather Sandals and Gilda Pony Sandals were just two of the stunning shoes featured on the elusive list.

9. Amina Muaddis net worth

Whenever Im here I remember that I made my dreams come true pic.twitter.com/jp4WQjZ2Cc  Amina Muaddi (@AminaMuaddi) May 27, 2021

Market Realist shared that Muaddis net worth is valued at 7 million dollars. From the looks of it, the stylish stars value and successes are likely only to go up from here.



RELATED: The Richest Fashion Designers and How They Got That Way
Hydrogen is a key element in the energy transition. To ensure that hydrogen can become generally established as an energy source, it must be produced at market prices, in sufficient quantities and in a climate-neutral manner, and used with a high CO 2 reduction rate. This requires affordable, robust hydrogen systems in the form of electrolyzers and fuel cells. With the intent of launching their serial production in the future, Reference-factory.H2 provides both a design for guidance and a modular system based on new and specifically optimized technologies. This shall contribute to the economically viable production of electrolyzers and fuel cells, accelerate their market breakthrough and massively reduce the cost of hydrogen. Reference-factory.H2 will be presented for the first time at the joint Fraunhofer booth at the Hannover Messe 2022 from May 30 to June 2.

In order to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, countries must largely stop using oil, gas and coal, switching instead to renewable energy sources. Here, hydrogen is a key element as an energy source when it comes to storage and widespread distribution. However, the benefits of hydrogen go even further. It provides the unique opportunity to combine energy supply, climate protection and value creation. It plays a key role in reducing CO 2 emissions, while offering a sustainable and future-proof field of business for Germany as a production location.

Electrolyzers are required for the climate-neutral production of hydrogen. They are used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen with electricity generated from wind or solar power. The resulting green hydrogen can be used in various ways. It can either be further processed in the process industry as a sustainable raw material or converted back into electricity using fuel cells. However, to date both electrolyzers and fuel cells have been produced in small quantities and at high cost, with little automation involved. Reference-factory.H2 offers the potential for science and industry to catapult the production of hydrogen systems into a new era of efficient industrial mass production.

To ensure the successful outcome of this action, existing production technologies must be analyzed and evaluated in terms of their use for high-quality serial production of electrolyzers and fuel cells. New continuous processes and systems are also required to pave the way toward mass production. This is the only way to substantially reduce the production effort and to ultimately put hydrogen on an equal cost footing with fossil energy sources.

In the current period of high technological variability, when market uptake for electrolyzers is in its early stages and the uptake for fuel cells is targeted for the 2030s, German industry needs a technical production focus. This is the only reasonable way for companies to invest in this field of business at an early stage in order to make it sustainable and to position themselves successfully in the face of international competition in the long term. To ensure and support this focus, Reference Factory.H2 was designed for the flexible, dynamically adaptable, quantity-scalable serial production of hydrogen systems. The concept is unique because of the direct opportunities for industrial involvement. Companies can be both users of the services and partners of Reference-factory.H2.

Hybrid production system accelerates transfer to industry

Reference-factory.H2 is a production system based on physical and virtual components. It is used to create a reference design and new technology solutions, while existing ones are optimized. At the same time, digital twins of the production elements are developed and incorporated in a virtual architecture. This creates a modular system of technologies that are compared with each other and flexibly combined in process chains. Reference-factory.H2 allows us to use regional expertise and infrastructures better so that industry can be more closely involved in development. This accelerates the transfer of the solutions to industry, says Dr. Ulrike Beyer, Head of the Hydrogen Task Force at Fraunhofer IWU and coordinator of the project. Were basically building a B2B platform in which we merge the core areas of expertise of the Fraunhofer Institutes and the partners involved to create a highly effective value chain for hydrogen systems, thus providing potential stakeholders with a holistic overview of the economic opportunities, says Beyer. The virtual images offer the research teams the chance to simulate the networking of new production processes and systems, and to check and compare them in detail on the computer, thus selecting the appropriate materials, tools and systems for achieving effective production. As a result, overall relationships can be clearly displayed right up to complete process chains, and it is possible to evaluate the cost incurred in the production of hydrogen systems.

Plans exist for offering services and specific forms of involvement to German industry starting in the third quarter of this year. The common objective will be to develop production technologies and systems conducive to the serial production of fuel cells and electrolyzers, which will substantially support market uptake from 2025.

Reference-factory.H2 was designed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU in Chemnitz and is operated together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen. The research content of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS in Chemnitz and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA in Stuttgart are also incorporated. The Reference-factory.H2 concept also is a key element of the FRHY  Reference Factory for High-Rate Electrolyzer Production group from the hydrogen lighthouse project involving the Fraunhofer concept H2GO  National Action Plan for Fuel Cell Production, in which 14 other Fraunhofer Institutes are involved.

Opportunity for hydrogen system production

The stack is at the core of the hydrogen systems and also is the place where the water is split and electricity generated, explains Beyer. This stack consists of several hundred stacked interconnected individual cells in which the chemical energy conversion takes place. Due to its multiple repeating elements, it makes sense to shift the production of the stack to industrial production involving large quantities, thus substantially reducing cost.

The reference-factory includes machines and systems for producing the key stack components: the bipolar plate (BPP) and membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The new concept makes it possible to locally carry out the necessary technology developments locally on site, so that a forming press can be available for BPPs in Chemnitz and a production plant for the MEA in Aachen. Their digital twins are brought together centrally in a common architecture, where they are used for process comparisons and evaluations, or for considerations regarding process chains, explains Beyer. The aim is to develop a modular system of technologies whose individual components can be evaluated technologically and economically. This system intends to reduce the investment risk and support companies in the development of their hydrogen field of business.

Details about the Reference-factory.H2 concept, the range of services and the opportunity to become involved will be available to interested visitors at the Hannover Messe 2022 at the joint Fraunhofer booth (Hall 5, Booth A06). In addition to providing information on the relevant areas of expertise, infrastructures, technologies and projects, Reference-factory.H2 will also offer an action area for experiencing a wide range of interactions.
JUBA, South Sudan, May 3, 2022 (Morning Star News)  A couple in Sudan could be punished with 100 lashes after being charged with adultery because a sharia (Islamic law) court annulled their marriage due to the husbands conversion to Christianity, their attorney said.

Hamouda Tia Kafi, 34, and Nada Hamad Shukralah, 25, of Al Bageir, Al Jazirah state, were Muslims when they married in 2016, but when Kafi put his faith in Christ in 2018, his wifes family sought and won a sharia court decision to dissolve their marriage, their attorney said.

The sharia court annulled the marriage on the basis of Kafis conversion as apostasy was a crime punishable by death at the time. In 2020, following the end of President Omar al-Bashirs Islamist regime in 2019, Sudan decriminalized apostasy, and in 2021 Shukralah converted to Christianity and returned with their two children to her husband.

Following Shukralahs conversion and return to her husband, her brother charged them with adultery under Article 146 of Sudans 1991 criminal law based on the sharia courts annulment of their marriage, said their attorney, whose name is withheld for security reasons. Police arrested the couple on Aug. 17 and detained them for four days before they received bail.

The court has interrogated the couple after two of the witnesses told the court that the marriage between the couple is illegal, and as a result they are accused of adultery under Article 146, but I told the court that the marriage is legal, their attorney said.

The next hearing in their case was scheduled for May 12.

He said the couple, members of a Baptist church, are facing growing threats from hardline Muslims, in particular Shukralahs brother.

In the case of adultery by an unmarried person, Article 146 calls for a sentence of flogging and expulsion from the area. If the convicted is married, adultery is punishable by death by stoning under Article 146.

Flogging violates the absolute prohibition against torture and other ill treatment in international human rights law, according to Amnesty International.

Following two years of advances in religious freedom in Sudan after the end of the Islamist dictatorship under Bashir in 2019, the specter of state-sponsored persecution returned with a military coup on Oct. 25, 2021.

After Bashir was ousted from 30 years of power in April 2019, the transitional civilian-military government managed to undo some sharia provisions. It outlawed the labeling of any religious group infidels and thus effectively rescinded apostasy laws that made leaving Islam punishable by death.

With the Oct. 25 coup, Christians in Sudan fear the return of the most repressive and harsh aspects of Islamic law. Abdalla Hamdok, who had led a transitional government as prime minister starting in September 2019, was detained under house arrest for nearly a month before he was released and reinstated in a tenuous power-sharing agreement in November.

Hamdock had been faced with rooting out longstanding corruption and an Islamist deep state from Bashirs regime  the same deep state that is suspected of rooting out the transitional government in the Oct. 25 coup.

Persecution of Christians by non-state actors continued before and after the coup. In Open Doors 2022 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Sudan remained at No. 13, where it ranked the previous year, as attacks by non-state actors continued and religious freedom reforms at the national level were not enacted locally.

Sudan had dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in six years when it first ranked No. 13 in the 2021 World Watch List. The U.S. State Departments International Religious Freedom Report states that conditions have improved somewhat with the decriminalization of apostasy and a halt to demolition of churches, but that conservative Islam still dominates society; Christians face discrimination, including problems in obtaining licenses for constructing church buildings.

The U.S. State Department in 2019 removed Sudan from the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) that engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom and upgraded it to a watch list. The State Department removed Sudan from the Special Watch List in December 2020. Sudan had previously been designated as a CPC from 1999 to 2018.

The Christian population of Sudan is estimated at 2 million, or 4.5 percent of the toal population of more than 43 million.

If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved.

If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/?

Publication date: May 3, 2022

Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Sezer Ozger
Apple has been accused by EU officials of limiting competition from third-party mobile wallet providers in order to boost Apple Pay.

Separately, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) claimed that App Store policies linked to dating apps were "insufficient."

EU Targets Apple Over the Alleged Dominance of Apple Pay

As per the news story of 9to5Mac, the EU competition commission issued an official Statement of Objections against Apple on Monday, citing Apple Pay's dominance.

The EU claims it has reached the preliminary assessment that Apple unfairly abused its dominant position in the market for mobile wallets by restricting third-party access to the NFC chip, hence increasing Apple Pay uptake. It said that Apple inhibits competition by restricting full access to NFC technology on the iPhone for its own service, Apple Pay.

The report noted that a preliminary finding does not always imply that the EU will impose fines. The first part of the process was completed on Monday, when the commission sent Apple its formal Statement of Objections and gave Apple time to respond. The EU will then assess the response before deciding whether or not to proceed.

Read More: iPhone Virus Warning: 3 Signs Your Apple Device Has Malware and How to Remove Them

Meanwhile, according to Digital Trends, Apple's Executive Vice President and Chief of Competition Margrethe Vestager said that Apple may have broken EU antitrust laws by preventing competitors from using NFC technology.

She explained that third-party tech companies develop NFC technology, and that "tap and go" payment has become a regular way of payment in practically every retailer in the EU. NFC technology was established by third-party mobile companies, and they should be able to use it, but because Apple is the market leader in the rapidly developing mobile wallet sector, Vestager said it has been gatekeeping it for Apple Pay users.

Digital Trends mentioned that the EU Commission has been investigating Apple's alleged competition misconduct involving Apple Pay since June 2020.

Apple's Efforts on the App Store Payment System Policies for Dating Apps Are Deemed 'Insufficient' by a Dutch Watchdog

In a separate report of 9to5Mac, it was said that Apple is still under fire for its efforts on App Store policies linked to dating apps, with the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) calling them "insufficient." The ACM says it will take up to several weeks to decide what action it will take next.

Journalist Nando Kasteleijn published this update on Apple's case on Twitter, indicating that the ACM may be preparing a new penalty for the Cupertino company.

Update in Apple-zaak van de ACM:



Toezichthouder bereidt nieuwe last onder dwangsom voor. ACM ziet wel verbetering in de voorstellen, maar die zijn nog onvoldoende.



Details en bedrag nieuwe dwangsom volgen laten. pic.twitter.com/dncKOj51H6  Nando Kasteleijn (@nandokasteleijn) May 2, 2022

However, the Dutch watchdog group claims that while Apple's proposal is an improvement, it is insufficient to comply with EU and Dutch standards.

9to5Mac said that Apple was penalized roughly $5 million for 10 weeks, but the ACM believes the penalty did not achieve the desired outcome, therefore the ACM is formulating a fresh order subject to penalty, which might take several weeks.

Related Article: Apple Gets Backing From Roblox, Security Experts, and Former US Officials in Antitrust Case Against Epic Games
When Justin Dunn preaches about Jesus feeding the 5,000, he points to the stained glass window on the southwest side of University Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

There, the gospel story is illuminated alongside the stories in the other windows in the 67-year-old sanctuary, which show Christs birth, miracles, crucifixion, and resurrection.

As a pastor, youre always looking for a good illustration, Dunn said. The windows are perfect for that because theyre right there and get people to look up, and then theyre going to come back next week and see the same window again.

Stained glass windows became common in American evangelical churches in the West and Midwest in the 1870s. With the prosperity and growth following the Civil War, church architects increasingly turned to Romanesque and Gothic Revival styles, according to David Bains, professor of biblical and religious studies at Samford University, and that included gorgeous windows. The stained glass created an aesthetically rich interior and blocked out the bustling city streets outside.

Early evangelical stained glass often featured simple symbols, like a Bible or a cross, but technological advancements in the manufacture of opalescent glass in the 1880s and 90s allowed for more elaborate biblical scenes.

You get big, very legible teaching images of Jesus that you can look at and think about during church services and that ministers can appeal to in their sermons, Bains said. Evangelicals copied popular illustrations by German artists that were then being reproduced in Bibles and Sunday school literature and enthusiastically funded the work of artists including Louis Comfort Tiffany ...

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Its the moment pro-life evangelicals had been working toward for decades. It came in a way none were expecting.

A leaked decision to overturn Roe v. Wade signals a win for the sanctity of life and a potential blow to the sanctity of the US Supreme Court.

On Monday night, Politico reported that the majority of justices are poised to strike down federal abortion rights in their upcoming ruling on a Mississippi abortion case. The source? A first draft of a majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito.

This early version of his 98-page decision, published on the outlets website, doesnt just uphold the states restrictions on abortionas some had predicted the conservative-leaning court would dobut rejects the landmark Roe case as egregiously wrong from the start, and returns the issue of abortion restrictions to state legislatures.

The court was expected to release its ruling on Mississippis 15-week abortion ban in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization before its term ends in June. Having a draft of the majority opinion made public is unprecedented. The process is notoriously secretive. Even the timing of decisions, or how many decisions will be issued in a given day, isnt revealed in advance.

If the courts final ruling in this case is similar to Alitos leaked draft, it will represent the most significant move on abortion in a generation. Bolstered by Alitos arguments, the pro-life faithful are looking to the post-Roe horizon, when they hope fewer and fewer young lives will end due to abortion. Yet, their reactions are tempered with questions over whether the draft reflects where the high court will finally land, when the decision will be made official, and how the draft was leaked.

This is truly a breathtaking development. Assuming it truly remains a majority opinionwhich could still changeit means we are one step closer to ending the Roe-Casey abortion framework that has stalked this nation for nearly 50 years. It feels almost like a dream to be able to state that, Brent Leatherwood, acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, told CT on Monday.

But this leak also represents an incredible rupture of the protocol that has seemingly governed court deliberations since its inception.

White evangelicals are the most pro-life religious group in the countrytheyre twice as likely as the average American to want to make abortion illegal. After generations of pro-life activism and a flurry of conservative appointments, including three justices under President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court is finally poised to overturn the 1973 landmark abortion caseonly the news doesnt come from the steps of the Supreme Court but from a leak to the media.

Mark Caleb Smith, politics professor at Cedarville University, said that the leak appears designed to put pressure on Alito and the justices in the majority, while spurring Democrats to act on legislation to protect abortion rights.

Expect the court, and the justices themselves, to be the epicenter of protests. In their shoes, I would be worried about intimidation and violence, Smith said. Within minutes of the report going up online Monday, the Supreme Court building was barricaded.

Leatherwood shared Smiths concerns, worried about behind-the-scenes political efforts trying to get the court to change course. I will be praying for each justice and their safety, for this majority to hold firm for life, and for them collectively to have the fortitude to withstand the torrent of criticism that is likely coming their way, he said.

Ed Whelan, distinguished senior fellow and Antonin Scalia chair in constitutional studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, called the version of the draft opinion leaked Monday powerful and meticulous and a systematic dismantling of the illegitimate Roe/Casey regime.

In the document, Alito described Roe as exceptionally weak and said the previous Supreme Court decisions survey of history ranged from the constitutionally irrelevant to the plainly incorrect. According to Alito, The inescapable conclusion is that a right to abortion is not deeply rooted in the Nations history and traditions.

Politico reported that Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett had sided with Alito in a vote after oral arguments in December. Chief Justice John Robertswho during oral arguments seemed to favor a middle-ground decision that wouldnt reverse Roedid not. The final outcome could change if Roberts and another conservative justice join an opinion with the three liberal-leaning justices.

Its also possible for justices to change their minds in between the first and final draft. Sometimes even on the day the ruling comes out. In Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the 1992 Supreme Court was ready to reverse Roe, but after further negotiation ended up affirming it instead.

But now that the courts position on the Mississippi case has been made public, there will be more scrutiny of where the justices stand, notes Liberty University law professor Rena M. Lindevaldsen.

The released opinion is a legally persuasive opinion that is heavily sourced to reveal to the objective reader that Roe lacked constitutional basis. However, as the oral arguments in Dobbs revealed, there will be those who believe any overruling of Roe is inherently political, she told CT.

But if in response to the certain public outcry by pro-abortionists that will follow this released draft, those justices who have initially voted to overturn Roe change their votes to affirm Roe, it will epitomize the political nature of the courts abortion precedent, she added. At this point, they simply cannot change their votes without appearing to succumb to political pressure.

Pro-life groups are urging the court to make the decision final now that the draft is out. March for Life president Jeanne Mancini tweeted that given the leak the court should issue a ruling as soon as possible.

An early decision would shift the timeline for subsequent state-level moves on abortion up at least a month.

For pro-life people, I am not sure it changes all that much. Assuming this is the final opinion, and Roe is overturned, it just means the struggle starts now instead of in June, said Smith, the Cedarville professor. States will become the political battleground for abortion, with very conservative states limiting the procedure significantly and very progressive states allowing abortion throughout the pregnancy.

Overturning Roe will also have implications for how churches and ministries care for pregnant moms and vulnerable families. In the weeks following Texass law restricting abortion to around six weeks, evangelical-run crisis pregnancy centers saw a shift in clientele, with women eager to confirm pregnancy earlier so they would have time to get an abortion before the cutoff.

A statement from the pro-life Susan B. Anthony list mentioned the ongoing need for an ever-growing pro-life safety net as well as the organizations commitment to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature.

Overturning Roe would not be the end of the anti-abortion fight.

Its not enough to send abortion back to the states, tweeted Lila Rose, founder of Live Action. We will not have true Justice until every human beings right to life is legally protected from the moment of fertilization. The Constitution is not silent on abortion. The 14th Amendments guarantee of equal protection and due process should make abortion illegal nationwide.

We are just getting started in our defense of human life, she continued. We must be in every statehouse, the halls of Congress, and we will even be back to the Supreme Court to advocate for our preborn brothers and sisters.

Mary Ziegler, a legal historian focused on abortion, said the argument in the leaked opinion indicates the Supreme Court could go on to rule further on the issue after Roe. The easy way to distinguish abortion is what Alito doesto focus on the state's interest in life, she tweeted. But that will intensify efforts to convince the Court to declare that abortion is unconstitutional. If this is how the Court determines the pedigree of rights, it may well not stop at abortion.

While many pro-life evangelicals are relieved at the move toward overturning Roe, political and legal experts caution against overlooking the implications of how the groundbreaking news was made public and the longer-term implications for the court. SCOTUSblog called the leak the gravest, most unforgivable sin.

We desperately need the court to maintain its legitimacy for the good of our society. The court is designed to be objective, insulated from political pressure, and removed from public opinion, said Smith. When partisans start to see the court as merely a tool in their arsenal, and they use the court, pack it, or twist it to achieve their goals, we run the very real risk of losing those minority protections. This can only work if there is a general, cultural understanding of the court as fair, neutral, and apolitical.

Charles Camosy, the Catholic author of Beyond the Abortion Wars, suggested that while there is a lot of common ground favoring some restrictions on abortion, extremist views threaten that unity.

If what was leaked is basically what the opinion ends up becoming, it is a huge victory for a consistent vision of human rights. It creates the conditions for the possibility of prenatal justice which doesnt pit women against their own children, he wrote in a column for Religion News Serviceon Monday.

But the leak, which puts the very notion of the legitimacy of the Supreme Court at stake, has more to say, perhaps about where the abortion debate is headed. The leaker seems to believe the stakes are so high as to be willing to destroy the Courts ability to function.

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When Laurie Hartner visited a womens prison in Haiti to distribute toiletries and share words of hope, she felt distant from the women. Many of their faces were weary and wary.

But when Hartner and her mission companions began singing the Easter hymn Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!, the energy in the room was transformed.

When we stopped singing, the women in the prison had picked up exactly where we left off, Hartner said. They began singing and clapping, echoing down the halls. They were raising their hands up in praise. We had connected through God's amazing and most wonderful grace. We were sharing joy.

The power of an encounter? For me, it's in the poorest country, in the darkest place there, Hartner said. Joy can erupt and fill that place and take over and then how much more can joy fill my darkest places, my poorest places. Joy can reside in me no matter what.

Coming Back Changed

When Brooke Engelbrekssten and ten other students were getting ready to leave for a mission trip to Haiti as part of a college ministry program at a church in Burke, Virginia, she reflected on her decision to take part in the mission.

Everyone that goes to Haiti comes back changed, Engelbrekssten said. This change is visible in many ways. People can go out and start an organization, they can choose to waste less water every day, or they can choose to simply lead a life more dedicated to God.

My mother was one of these changed people. When she returned from her trip, she recounted the shock she experienced when she would look around the Haitian villages and see the majority of men and women not in underwear. She felt called to do everything in her power to help clothe the Haitians who lived every day without something we take for granted.

As a result of her encounter in Haiti, Engelbrekssten saw her mother send endless emails, make countless phone calls, until finally, one man said yes. She still remembers as a fourth-grader, documenting their journey to North Carolina where Hanes was generously sending a sea container full of donated underwear to Haiti, all thanks to her mothers dedication to clothing the Haitians in what should be considered a human right.

My mother was truly an inspiration for me, she said. One trip, one person, and one decision to make a change has benefited hundreds of thousands of people. From the moment I saw the pallets filled with underwear, I wanted to go on every Haiti trip I heard about because I wanted to make a change too.

Lifting Families from Extreme Poverty

The Gospel teaches us to love our neighbor. This requires coming together as the body of Christ. Food For The Poor provides the opportunity for a mission, for a community, a church to come together to do God's work.

Forty years ago, our shared journey began. Were dedicated to living out the gospel and helping those living in extreme poverty in the Caribbean and Latin America. Through the generosity of our donors, children whose bodies ache with hunger are fed. Families stay healthy because they can drink clean water. And entire communities are uplifted from the grips of poverty. But there are so many more who need help.

In the abundant grace of Jesus, we are led to reach children and families in the most desperate situations with basic essentials, the tools for a new future, and the boundless glory of Gods love.

You can change the future for suffering children and families right now.

Break the Cycle

Your congregation's gift will help build homes for families in desperate need of safe, secure shelter. This fresh start will give them a chance to break the cycle of poverty and will share the hope and joy of the Gospel.

This spring, Food For The Poor announced a new program, Seven Saves. Its a grassroots program for church communities that puts faith into action among your congregation, helping individuals engage with the problem of extreme poverty. Seven Saves is good for the poor but also makes good things happen in your church like the shared goals that build community and keep your congregation working together and actively invested in outcomes.

This robust new initiative provides you with planning, resources, and church-wide elements with no commitment of the church budget.

Take this opportunity to learn more about how lasting positive change is possible in the developing world and how your church family can join the mission to break the cycle of poverty.

Learn more about how your church can get involved at SevenSaves.org.
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.
Kirk Cameron talks homeschooling: Biblical transformation of culture must 'begin in the home'

NASHVILLE  Kirk Cameron recently opened up about the importance of parental involvement in education and shared why he believes the biblical transformation of culture begins in the home  not in the government-run public school system.

In a sit-down interview with The Christian Post, the 51-year-old actor and author shared why he and his wife, Chelsea, decided to homeschool their six children.

[Homeschooling] is this biblical concept that parenting, and particularly the education of children, is a parental responsibility and privilege, he said. It's not some job that God gave to civil government to do. And yet for generations, we've handed our children over to the government, essentially giving to Caesar the things that belong to God, and our children, made in the image of God, belong to us.

"And so we know them, we love them. And if we're going to disciple them seven or eight hours a day in some sort of a school institution, it sure as heck better be something that's going to reinforce the things that God wants us to be teaching our kids. And I think that that's best done in a community where moms and dads are running the show and leading the way.

The Growing Pains actor is gearing up for the release of his new documentary, The Homeschool Awakening, in which he dives into the adventures of dynamic American families on a mission to put fun and faith back into learning. The film will be in theaters this June for two nights only on June 1314.

The pandemic made parents grossly aware of what public schools are teaching our kids, Cameron said in a press release announcing the Fathom Events documentary. Its up to us, the parents, to cultivate the hearts, souls and minds of our children, and todays public-school systems are not working for us, they are actively working against us. Public education has become Public Enemy No. 1.

When he was first introduced to the concept of homeschooling, Cameron joked that he was under the impression he had to have 14 kids that all played the violin. Now, decades later, hes on a mission to debunk common myths about homeschooling and give an honest look at the practice.

Homeschooling looks different for different people, Cameron told CP, adding: Sometimes it's private schools, sometimes it's in-home lessons. Sometimes it's co-ops and networks and conventions and curriculums. Other times, it's reading novels and exploring and pursuing your passions and talents.

This homeschool documentary is going to explore all of that, and give people an idea of how to homeschool their kids. Because true biblical transformation of culture has to begin in the home, he added.

He stressed that investing in children from a young age and teaching them biblical principles is always worth it, even if the fruits of that labor arent evident until later.

You begin to see the good and the bad seeds that you've planted when they were young, and whoever educates our children control the future, he said. So what I would say is, the future of the Kingdom of God is built and it hinges upon faithful moms and dads believing the promises of God and faithfully training their kids up in the way they should go.

Though parenthood can be scary and difficult in an increasingly secularized culture, Cameron offered that reminder that God is present in even the hardest moments. He encouraged parents to model biblical Christianity for their children in the way they parent and conduct their lives.

Don't worry that [your house] is not perfectly kept in and picked up; your house is not supposed to be a museum, he emphasized. Your house is more like a workshop, and you're building little humans, and you're shaping their hearts and their souls and their minds. Theres supposed to be sawdust on the floor. It's supposed to be a little messy because you're building something, and it's difficult. And God is there with you, and the Bible is your blueprint.

Go for it. Do it with joy, and depend on the grace and the promises of God to help you through, because this whole process is molding and shaping you as a parent as well, he continued. God's not done with you yet, either. So lean into it. It's lean into it, joyfully. And trust God, it's all worth it.

An award-winning actor who has starred in a slew of faith-based films including Fireproof and Left Behind, Cameron is passionate about using his platform to share his faith and equip the next generation of believers. In November, he debuted his show Takeaways on TBN, where he discusses pressing issues facing believers with experts like Dennis Prager, Mike Huckabee, Candace Cameron Bure and others.

Christians, he said, are called to engage with culture and difficult issues. He lamented the tendency of some believers to adopt a form of escapism that says, The world is bad, its run by the devil, Im not of this world, I just need to make sure I have my relationship right with God, and one day, I'll go to Heaven where everything will be OK.

The only problem with that is that I think that it kills the power of the Gospel, Cameron said, adding that the Gospel is what transforms hearts, marriages, families, communities and entire cultures.

My goal shouldn't be to get from Earth to Heaven, but to be saved and transformed so that I can bring Heaven to Earth, he added.

Christians should instead take what God has done in their lives and then seek to transform their worlds, impacting politics, family, faith and everything else so that God's ways become more manifest in our world, and our kids have more of a future because of it.

And when culture feels defeating and it seems like the tyrants are winning and the good guys are losing, Cameron offered the reminder that throughout history, evil has been defeated and righteousness always prevails.

Those who are in covenant with God are the ones who change history and bring blessing and protection and prosperity for people and create the best families, the best businesses and the best cultures and nations, he said.

When we see things appear to collapse around us, what is likely happening is God is using the enemies of the family of faith and the cultural pressures to bring about His will to purify His bride and accomplish His Kingdom purposes. But we've got to think that way. And were taught to in the Bible, and history demonstrates that that is always the way that it works.
Liberty U faces federal investigation as another student claims rape allegation was mishandled

Another former student has claimed that Liberty University failed to properly investigate her allegation of sexual assault, prompting the U.S. Department of Education to investigate the school's handling of assault allegations.

The lawsuit, filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, argues that Liberty failed to provide Plaintiff with services or reasonable accommodations required under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act, and other laws.

According to the complaint, student Jane Doe was raped by another student on April 27, 2021, at an off-campus student housing complex called The Oasis. The lawsuit claims that the university didn't investigate the claim and later accused her of violating the student code of conduct.

The lawsuit comes after a class-action lawsuit was filed last year by a dozen students who made similar allegations. The U.S. Department of Education is now investigating Liberty University's handling of reported sexual assaults and the school's compliance with the Clery Act, which requires schools to support victims of sexual violence.

The incident involving Doe was said to have occurred following a party at the pool and courtyard of the apartment complex. "Excessive and underage drinking" allegedly occurred for hours "unabated and unmonitored."

The alleged perpetrator was accused of being intoxicated and following Doe to her room when she went to change clothes. Inside the room, Doe alleges she was raped and strangled despite her best attempts to escape. The lawsuit makes clear that the advances were unwanted. Doe said she texted friends to come to help her escape the situation, and Doe immediately reported the crime to campus authorities.

Despite their knowledge of the incident, Liberty failed to investigate the matter and did not take any action or protective measures in response, claimed the lawsuit.

Instead, Liberty demonstrated systematic deliberate indifference, retaliated against the Plaintiff, and perpetuated a sexually hostile and dangerous environment on and around campus.

The complaint states that because of Libertys conduct, Plaintiff Jane Doe suffered immense damages, including damage to her academic standing, being ostracized from the university community and being accused by the administration of violating the 'Liberty Way' (Libertys code of student conduct).

[Jane Doe] lived in regular fear of encountering her assailant on and around campus, and dealt with daily mental, emotional, and psychological trauma, continued the complaint. Ultimately, Plaintiff was forced out of Liberty University.

A Liberty University spokesperson told The Christian Post in an emailed statement Monday that the university has not reviewed the lawsuit and therefore declines to make a specific, public comment on the suit at this time.

Liberty University will certainly address these claims in court," the statement reads.

Also listed as plaintiffs are companies that have owned and operated The Oasis off-campus "students only" housing complex.

"No security or other personnel of The Oasis took any measures to prohibit the

excessive and underage drinking that took place for hours in the common areas of the complex," the lawsuit claims.

Hours after the alleged rape, the plaintiff went to a local hospital to undergo forensic examination and filed a police report with a Campbell County Sheriffs Department deputy. The lawsuit claims photographs were taken of numerous bruises and lacerations on her body and she was discharged the next day.

Doe also reported the assault to Liberty University campus police but was told that campus police would not investigate the incident because it was outside of their jurisdiction. Doe claims she was told to file a report with the school's Title IX office. Despite contacting the Title IX office, Doe alleges the school didn't investigate her claims for the rest of the semester. The lawsuit claimed Doe was contacted in late May about an investigation into another student's "substance use policy.

"[The school's] outreach had nothing to do with the rape and assault reported to

Liberty, but rather was the beginning of a months-long effort by Liberty to harass, intimidate,

and retaliate against the Plaintiff," the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit comes after 12 women filed a class-action lawsuit against Liberty last Jule, accusing the Lynchburg-based higher education institution of failing to adequately investigate credible claims of sexual assault.

The complaint argued that Liberty created an unsafe campus environment by misusing its honor code, The Liberty Way. The code, among other things, prohibits extramarital sex, consuming alcohol and attending events where alcohol is served.

The Liberty spokesperson directed CP to a statement from last October, in which Liberty President Jerry Prevo defended the evangelical Christian schools code of conduct.

The Liberty Way should never be misused to cover up wrongdoing. It is also the case that as a Christian university we will remain unwavering in our commitment to cultivating a culture in our Liberty community that honors Gods Word and embraces Gods principles for life, stated Prevo at the time.

While The Liberty Way must never be used to discourage victims from reporting wrongdoing, we also believe that we do not have to choose between embracing our code of conduct as a Christian university and in complying with our legal Title IX obligations. We can do both at the same time, and we will do so.

A Liberty University spokesperson said the school "welcomes" the Department of Education's investigation into its Cleary Act compliance program and pledged "full cooperation."

"We have also committed to work collaboratively with the Department to address any potential compliance gaps identified through the review," the spokesperson said in a statement sent to WDBJ7.

"Our Clery Compliance Officer, in the Office of Equity and Compliance, works closely with the Liberty University Police Department and campus partners to prioritize campus safety and fulfill the requirements of the Clery Act."
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.
Russian priests risking fines, arrest for opposition to Ukraine invasion continue to speak out

Two Russian Orthodox priests remain publicly opposed to Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, even though one was fined and could face prison time if he continues to criticize the war openly.

Father Georgy Edelshtein and Father Ioann Burdin are among the priests from the Russian Orthodox Church speaking out against Russias military campaign in Ukraine since it began on Feb. 24.

The church leader, Moscow Patriarch Kirill, has backed the war in a series of sermons, calling for Russians to rally around the authorities, accusing enemies of attempting to destroy the unity between Russia and Ukraine.

By speaking out against the war, the pair of Orthodox priests are also speaking out against the church patriarch. In a video interview released Saturday by Agence France-Presse, Edelshtein maintained that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine the victim of aggression.

Im afraid I am a bad priest. Ive never been against all wars, he said. But Ive always been against any land grabbing, aggressive war.

As AFP reported, the pair's protests began on Feb. 25, a day after the invasion, when Edelshtein signed a letter written by Burdin condemning the war. The letter was posted on the website of Burdins church in the village of Karabanovo in the Kostroma region before it was deleted.

The blood of Ukrainian residents will remain on the hands not only of the rulers of Russia and soldiers carrying out this order. Their blood is on the hands of each of us who approve this war or simply remain silent, the post read.

A highly placed monk, Metropolitan Ferapont of Kostroma, claimed the pair are only two priests out of 160 in the region that oppose the war, condemning the letter. Still, the two priests have maintained their position about Russias military operations in Ukraine.

The responsibility for what is happening is not borne only by the one who gave the order, by the one who kills and sheds blood, but by all of us who approve or keep the silence, Burdin said in an interview with AFP.

The priest said that the commandment Thou shalt not kill is unconditional to him, just like the rest of Gods Ten Commandments.

Thats to say, it has no other interpretations, no matter what one tries to put into it, no matter how one distorts or limit it, he said.

On March 6, Burdin, who heads the Christs Resurrection Church in Karabanovo, preached about the human cost of the ongoing fighting before police detained him on that same day for questioning.

According to the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, police arrested the priest based on a new code of administrative offenses implemented in early March.

Police accused Burdin of discrediting the Russian armed forces by speaking about Russias military presence in Ukraine and its ongoing shelling of Ukrainian civilians.

On March 10, the Krasnoselsky District Court found Burdin guilty and imposed a fine of over $400, according to AFP. A repeat offense for the charge of discrediting the Russian armed forces is punishable by up to three years in prison.

Burdin claims that police have photographed his house and car. In early April, he withdrew from active service and is considering whether to stay in the church.

Edelshtein remarked that Burdin is braver than me, I am retired because he does not face any sanctions for signing his friends letter. While still allowed to hold services, Edelshtein has mostly retired from the Church.

On March 1, 280 priests and deacons of the Russian Orthodox Church also called for an immediate end to Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine. In a letter, they wrote that they mourn the ordeal to which our brothers and sisters in Ukraine were undeservedly subjected.

According to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 3,153 civilians in Ukraine have been killed since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24. About 3,000 others have been injured, while over 11 million people have fled their homes.

The Orthodox Public Affairs Committee, which combats the persecution of Christians worldwide, released a March 21 statement condemning the Russian Orthodox leadership's response to the invasion. The group was launched in 2020 and led by George Gigicos, who served as the director of the White House Office of Presidential Advance under President Donald Trump.

Patriarch Kirill, his possible successor, Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokomansk, who heads the Public Relations wing of the Moscow Patriarchate; the Department of External Church Relations (DECR), and the Rev. Nikolai Balashov, a priest of the DECR and long-time accomplice to Kirill, are all complicit in not only supporting the invasion of Ukraine, but also in perpetuating the lies of the government against their own people, the statement reads.

The group contends that Russian Orthodox leaders have abandoned the Orthodox People of Ukraine, who make up 1/3 of their flock, and are as blameworthy for the deaths of innocent children and civilians as the soldiers acting on orders from the Kremlin.

OPAC also called for sanctions against the Russian Orthodox Church leadership, a stance shared by Archbishop Yevstratiy of Chernihiv and Nizhyn of the Autocephalous Church of Ukraine.

Yevstratiy insisted that Kirill, Tikhon, Hilarion and Balashov be included in the international and Ukrainian sanctions list alongside Russian ministers, propagandists and Putins oligarchs. He characterized the four church leaders as the main supporters of the idea of the Russian World, a neo-imperialist plan that created the ideological background of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
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.
Fact check: 5 false claims corrected in the Dobbs oral arguments

On December 1, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, a case that poses the best chance in over a generation to overturn Roe v. Wade. Julie Rickelman, senior director of U.S. litigation for the Center for Reproductive Rights, argued that the Court should strike down Mississippis Gestational Age Act  the bipartisan legislation banning abortion after 15 weeks that was at issue in the case.

Although Rickelmans arguments occasionally aligned with the truth, the majority of what she said does not pass a fact check. Lets examine several of those claims.

Claim 1: Justice Roberts questioned whether a 15-week ban on abortion, as opposed to a ban at the point of viability (generally set at 22-24 weeks gestation), would have a severely negative impact on women in their place in society. Rickelman responded by stating, People who need abortion after 15 weeks are most often in the most challenging circumstances  In fact, the data has been very clear over the last 50 years that abortion has been critical to womens equal participation in society.

The Truth: In Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, a publication of the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, the authors acknowledge that women seeking late-term abortions do so for the same reasons women receive earlier abortions  stressful circumstances of unprepared pregnancy, single-motherhood, financial pressure and relationship discord. Killing a child is not the solution to challenging circumstances.

Claim 2: Justice Roberts mentioned that the list of countries that do not ban abortion prior to viability includes North Korea and China. Rickelman responded, First thats not correct about international law. In fact, the majority of countries that permit legal access to abortion allow access right up until viability  So, for example, Canada, Great Britain and most of Europe allows access to abortion right up until viability

The Truth: Across the globe, only six countries allow abortion throughout the entirety of pregnancy  North Korea, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Canada, and the United States. While Rickelman was correct that Canada and the United Kingdom offer abortion up until viability, she was wrong in characterizing that as typical for Europe. In fact, only two countries in Europe (the United Kingdom and Finland) allow abortion for broad social reasons or socioeconomic reasons. Around the world, 100 countries completely outlaw abortion or only allow abortion to protect the life of the mother or in cases of rape, incest, or fetal abnormality.

Claim 3: Justice Gorsuch asked Rickelman whether the undue burden standard is unworkable. Rickelman replied, The only thing thats at issue in this case is the viability line, and the viability line has been enduringly workable. The lower federal courts have applied it consistently and uniformly for 50 years. And the Fifth Circuit here below had no difficulty striking down this law unanimously, 3-0. So its been an exceedingly workable standard.

The Truth: Theviability line has shifted from 28 weeks when Roe was decided in 1973 to 22-24 weeks today. Multiple babies have even survived at 21 weeks. Viability is not a standard that can be uniformly applied because it varies from person to person. Characterizing viability as an exceedingly workable standard is either wishful thinking or willful ignorance.

Claim 4: Justice Alito questioned Rickelman about her defense of the viability line. He asked, The fetus has an interest in having a life, and that doesnt change, does it, from the point before viability to the point after viability? Rickelman ultimately responded, It [the viability standard] is principled because, in ordering the interests at stake, the Court had to set a line between conception and birth, and it logically looked at the fetus ability to survive separately as a legal line because its objectively verifiable and doesnt require the Court to resolve the philosophical issues at stake.

The Truth: The matter of an unborn child being a human being is not a philosophical issue; it is a scientific fact. Furthermore, at no point in time do babies  born or unborn (or countless fully grown adults)  have the ability to survive separately, so if Rickelman actually believes that the Courts line where a person has the ability to survive separately is the logical point before which a person can be killed  she is endorsing abortion, infanticide, and the right to kill anyone who cannot survive on their own.

Claim 5: In an exchange with Justice Alito, Rickelman claimed that access to abortion is part of the American tradition. She said, At the founding, women were able to end their pregnancy under the common law. And, in fact, this Court  specifically called out and relied on Roes conclusion that at the time of the founding and well into the 1800s, women had the ability to end a pregnancy.

The Truth: Multiple amicus briefs were filed proving the opposite. The Thomas More Society noted that English common law originally followed in the American colonies considered abortion after quickening as a serious crime, and early state laws made abortion throughout pregnancy criminal. As Josh Craddock pointed out in his seminal piece, Protecting Prenatal Persons: Does the Fourteenth Amendment Prohibit Abortion? published in Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, quickening was used to protect prenatal life as soon as it could be discerned  not to exclude life prior to that moment. In other words, at the time of the American founding, once there was evidence of life in the womb, it was protected. Professors Mary Ann Glendon and O. Carter Snead echoed this argument.



Craddock also noted that by the time of ratification of the 14th Amendment, which is used to justify the right to privacy under which abortion is legalized, not only did common-law and state practice protect the unborn, but dictionaries used person and human being interchangeably, and the authors of the 14th Amendment expected it to especially protect the weak and marginalized. Esteemed legal scholars John Finnis and Robert George, as well as Lee Strang, submitted amicus briefs arguing along the same line of thought.

As we pray for the outcome in Dobbs, let us also pray for Julie Rickelman  that this brilliant woman will seek the truth and one day use her God-given gifts to defend life.

Originally published at the Family Research Council.
Virtual reality (VR) headsets are slowly becoming more and more in demand as developers create software that support such hardware. A few examples of these are video games like Resident Evil 4 VR, Blade & Sorcery, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR.

These VR headsets differ in price ranges, but the most affordable one by a longshot is Meta's Oculus Quest 2 VR headset, which costs $299. However, a few more VR headsets could be coming out way soon.

According to a report from The Verge, Meta is looking to release three other VR headsets by 2024 aside from the Project Cambria VR headset, which is expected to come later this year.

These VR headsets are expected to be sold at a higher price due to them coming with higher specifications than the Oculus Quest hardware.

Project Cambria VR Headset Details

According to the unnamed sources of The Information's report, Meta's roadmap consists of releasing four new VR headsets by 2024, with the Project Cambria VR headset being the first of the four.

After the first Project Cambria headset, Meta plans to release another VR headset, known as Stinson, in 2023. By 2024, the company plans to release an updated version of the Cambria, codenamed Funston, along with another VR headset, codenamed Cardiff.

Meta will also release its first augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently known as Project Nazare, in 2024.

However, as these headsets have better hardware than Meta's current offering, you should expect to shell out a larger amount of cash to get one for yourself. According to PC Gamer's article, Project Cambria will cost at least $800, which is triple the price of the Quest 2.

Read More: Google Pixel 6 May Update Fixes Notification Mess  Is Pixel 3a Getting its Last Update?

The pricing information of the other three headsets is still being speculated on, but The Verge reports in a separate article that Project Nazare will have a higher price tag than the Quest 2.

To give you a glimpse of Project Cambria's features, it comes equipped with a high-resolution screen that makes reading text easier on the eyes, with makes sense due to it being advertised as a VR/AR headset "more focused on work use cases."

It also has outward-facing cameras that can display a full-color passthrough so users can see their surroundings in real-time while it displays various visual overlays depending on what app is open.

It Better Be Worth It

Despite the anticipation these headsets could generate, investors are skeptical of Zuckerberg's investment in the metaverse due to the money spent in developing hardware such as Project Cambria and the payout of these investments being years away from happening.

In fact, Meta's stock fell by nearby 50% due to investors' fears, which negatively offset Meta's growth in the past five years since its rebranding from Facebook in October 2021.

Zuckerberg acknowledged these fears but still stood firm about the investments made, saying that the company's metaverse hardware hasn't really hit the market and scale "in a meaningful way."

Related Article: Meta To Open First Retail Store To Get Mroe People To Join The Metaverse  When Is It Opening?
Running short on money and members, 75-year-old Florida church holds final service

Running short on money and membership, a 75-year-old Florida congregation that dwindled to just 19 amid the pandemic, gathered for its final service a week ago.

The website for Gulfport Presbyterian Church is still up and running for now, but as far as the now 19 former members are concerned, their final service, livestreamed on Facebook on April 24, was their last hurrah.

You cant have a church without money and people, 93-year-old longtime member, Yvonne Johnson, who served for some 50 years in the church, told News 4 Jax.

After years of watching members die or leave the congregation and failing to attract new ones, the remaining members of Gulfport Presbyterian Church decided last September that it was time to close down their church, one of the oldest religious institutions in Gulfport.

There is a time for everything, Marsha Rydberg read at the final service from the book of Ecclesiastes. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot  a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away.

Members recall the heyday of the church in the '60s and '70s when they didnt struggle to find worshipers. Since then, however, the church started losing young people who were supposed to keep the church going.

They also tried different efforts to bring back followers to their church, but they all failed.

The Rev. Micki Robinson, 66, the churchs longtime pastor who retired last year, recalled how she would play her harp at downtown Gulfports First Friday Art Walks to attract new members.

Id play just so people knew we existed, Robinson told News4Jax. But the community changed and the world changed. People walked in and they saw old people  they didnt realize how young they were in attitude.

The church also tried other strategies like Who Let The Dogs In  services that allowed people to bring their pets to worship. Their efforts werent enough so they made the decision last year that they would close on the final Sunday in April.

Calls to the church by The Christian Post on Monday went unanswered, but members like 71-year-old Theresa McLean recalled to News4Jax how the church helped them get through some of the toughest times in life.

I wasnt popular in high school, said McLean. I was in the youth group here, and that got me through.

Speaking during the last service, the Rev. William Cowfer said despite the shuttering of the congregation, the work of Jesus would continue.

When Jesus descended, the disciples work was not done  it was beginning, he said. Though we have mixed emotions about not being able to continue here as a congregation, the congregation that was here all these years is scattered throughout the world.
Biden launches commission to look into packing Supreme Court

Presiden

President Biden has created a 180-day commission to consider adding seats to the U.S. Supreme Court or setting term limits for justices, a move that some have warned could lead to irreversible damage.

The president acted under pressure from activists pushing for more seats to alter the ideological balance of the court after President Donald J. Trump appointed three justices, including one to a seat that Republicans had blocked his predecessor, Barack Obama, from filling for almost a year, The New York Times reported.

The purpose of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court is to provide an analysis of the principal arguments in the contemporary public debate for and against Supreme Court reform, including an appraisal of the merits and legality of particular reform proposals, The White House said in a statement.

The topics it will examine include the genesis of the reform debate; the Courts role in the Constitutional system; the length of service and turnover of justices on the Court; the membership and size of the Court; and the Courts case selection, rules, and practices, the statement added.

The co-chairs are Bob Bauer, Barack Obamas former White House counsel, and Cristina Rodriguez, a former official in the Obama Justice Department, The Wall Street Journal noted in an editorial.

The commission will have an unwieldy 36 members, who tilt markedly to the political left, the editorial added. Caroline Fredrickson is a former president of the American Constitution Society, the left-wing legal lobby. Michael Waldman runs the Brennan Center for Justice, the highly partisan legal shop at NYU that wants to restrict political speech. Laurence Tribe is the Harvard professor whose Twitter feed hasnt helped his reputation for judgment or reason.

While a few legal conservatives are part of the commission, they will lend a bipartisan patina to a commission that by its very existence is meant to pressure the Supreme Court, it added. The threat of court-packing is intended to make the Justices think twice about rulings that progressives dislike. Many of our legal friends think the threat has already had a notable impact on Chief Justice John Roberts on gun rights and abortion cases.

Earlier this week, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, a Democrat, warned during a speech at Harvard that packing the court will diminish confidence in the courts, and in the rule of law itself.

In 2019, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Democrat, spoke against the idea of packing the Supreme Court. My worry is that the next time the Republicans are in power they will do the same thing, I think that is not the ultimate solution, Reuters quoted him as saying.

A 2020 survey by The New York Times and Siena College showed that a majority of Americans oppose the idea of packing the Supreme Court.

Among likely voters, 58% said Democrats should not look to increase the size of the Supreme Court, while only 31% said they were in favor of it, Fox News reported that the time.

Mike Davis, founder and president of the Article III Project, called Bidens move alarming, saying it must be met with the harshest of denunciations from both sides of the aisle as it could lead to irreversible damage.

Packing the Supreme Court would destroy centuries of hard work from Democrat- and Republican-appointed justices to insulate the high court from partisan politics, The Daily Wire quoted Davis as saying. It also raises serious red flags as to what unconstitutional actions President Biden is planning that a more favorable Supreme Court might tolerate.
California church sheltering Ukrainians seeking refuge in America: 'It was just natural'

As thousands of Ukrainians crossed the border from Tijuana seeking refuge in the United States, a California church seized the opportunity to demonstrate Christ's love by offering them shelter.

Since Russia's war in Ukraine began in February, Calvary Church San Diego in Chula Vista, California, has assisted the Ukrainians by supplying medicine to the country and aiding in rescue efforts. The church also started providing shelter to Ukrainian refugees who started arriving through the U.S. and Mexico border several weeks ago.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Calvary Pastor Phil Metzger said the church has a "vested interest" in Ukraine, as it has 25 Calvaries there within its network of churches. He estimated that the church is about 15 minutes away from the U.S. and Mexico border.

The church assisted refugees at the border after Metzger received a message from a longtime missionary friend who runs a church in Sacramento. Aware of Calvary's proximity to the border, Metzger's colleague asked if he was interested in helping the Ukrainians there.

"We were already praying; we were already involved," Metzger said. "When we heard about the opportunity at the border, it was just natural; this is what we need to do. This is the right thing for us to be a part of right now."

Metzger and the church staff traveled to the border, offering the Ukrainians they encountered a place to stay for the night. That evening, the Calvary pastor believes about 100 refugees showed up, and from there, it just kept "skyrocketing."

Within the first few days of transporting Ukrainians, Metzger traveled to the Tijuana side of the border, eventually teaming up with other individuals helping Ukrainian refugees. One group would transport refugees from the airport to the border while another took them to Calvary.

Everyone wore badges of the Ukrainian flag to help refugees identify them, building a trustworthy reputation the more they ventured to the border. Metzger said that as word spread about their work, many refugees approached them who were already familiar with the aid they provided.

Calvary invented a numbering system through a church application called People Center to help account for the thousands of Ukrainians coming through the border. Individuals typically use the application to check themselves and their children in when they show up for church. The new numbering system allowed Metzger's team to create a "digital line" and put people with medical emergencies at the front.

Due to the high number of refugees arriving at the border, Calvary has housed them at the church and in the homes of 100 church members.

Metzger said finding 100 members willing to house refugees was "not hard." People could sign up to help in the church foyer, and many did.

"People were inspired, honestly," he said. "They just saw the immensity of the need and jumped into it."

Church members attempting to converse with Ukrainians in their homes typically used Google Translate. But local Russian and Ukrainian communities also helped Calvary communicate with the refugees.

The church even held services in Russian, but Metzger said it doesn't do that anymore, as their church was only a short-term place of refuge. While services are held in English, the pastor said several Ukrainians attended, and some were baptized at a recent Easter service.

Local businesses, restaurants and an assortment of churches in the area also supported Calvary's efforts. Since the church only provided housing for a few days, organizations like the Christian disaster relief group Samaritan's Purse assisted them with long-term resettlement.

The refugees staying temporarily at Calvary were allowed to remain in the U.S. for one year while on Humanitarian Parole, which allows individuals to stay in the country without an immigrant or non-immigrant visa. From what Metzger observed, most of the refugees were eager to return home.

"'My work is gone. The house that we lived in was destroyed. We have nowhere. This is our only option.' Young children would always say things like, 'I don't want to be in America. I want to go home.' We heard those things a lot," he said. "They wanted to be back in their home, in their bed, in their life."

According to UNHCR data, over 5 million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24.

The worship leader was unsure of the exact number of refugees his church housed, but said they had at least 400 people coming in each night for a couple of weeks.

According to reliefweb, Mexican officials estimate that between 10,000 and 20,000 Ukrainians traveled to the U.S. through the border. Metzger said his team "took care of the lion's share of that."

Calvary's relief efforts in Ukraine have cost about half a million dollars, but Metzger said housing Ukrainians at the church or in members' homes was "very cheap" in comparison. Relief efforts in the war-torn country were funded by donations through the church's website.

The pastor said that members were "generous" with their money, and members covered the potential costs of housing another person themselves. He assumed the church might have some additional electricity bills from sheltering people, but noted that Calvary also uses solar energy.

The Biden administration announced its "Uniting for Ukraine" program on April 21, advising Ukrainians to cease entering the country through Mexico. Instead, the program will allow refugees to migrate from Europe to the U.S. if they have a sponsor there and give them two years of Humanitarian Parole. Refugees were invited to start submitting their online applications Monday.

With no more refugees coming through the border, Calvary has stopped sheltering them, but Metzger said the church would continue focusing on its relief efforts in Ukraine.
Democrats push for adding justices to Supreme Court following leak of draft opinion on abortion Chief Justice John Roberts calls leak a 'betrayal,' orders investigation

The leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court majority opinion overturning Roe v. Wade is leading to renewed calls from Democratic lawmakers to expand the number of justices on the court and pursue legislative means to legalize nationwide.

On Monday, Politico published a story unveiling the contents of a draft opinion in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization authored by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. The draft opinion, which fellow Republican-appointed Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas signed on to, concludes that Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which established and upheld a right to abortion, respectively, must be overruled.

Top Democrats in Washington reacted with contempt to the draft opinion, which was dated Feb. 10 and is still subject to change, as the courts official ruling in Dobbs has not been released.

In a statement released by the Supreme Court on Tuesday verifying the authenticity of the draft opinion, the court said it does not reflect a final ruling. Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. said whoever released the draft, committed a "betrayal" and called for an investigation into the leak.

"To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed," Roberts said. "The work of the Court will not be affected in any way.

He continued: "We at the Court are blessed to have a workforce  permanent employees and law clerks alike  intensely loyal to the institution and dedicated to the rule of law. Court employees have an exemplary and important tradition of respecting the confidentiality of the judicial process and upholding the trust of the Court. This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the Court and the community of public servants who work here.

"I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak."

President Joe Biden issued a statement Tuesday stressing that we do not know whether this draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the court. He vowed that his administration will be ready when any ruling is issued.

If the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose, Biden added. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., issued a joint statement Monday evening warning: If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years  not just on women but on behalf of all Americans.

They also maintained that a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe would go down as an abomination and one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.

Ahead of the Supreme Courts ruling in Dobbs, which deals with a 15-week abortion ban in Mississippi, Democratic senators threatened that any decision overturning Roe v. Wade would lead to an acceleration in their push to add justices to the Supreme Court, a process critics refer to as court-packing. Now that a draft opinion has surfaced indicating that a majority of justices seem inclined to overturn Roe, those threats are resurfacing.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., took to Twitter Monday to call for drastic action to stop this horrifying injustice in this tracks, which included a demand to Expand the Supreme Court. Warren also expressed a desire to end the filibuster and codify #RoevWade with a national law protecting rights.

While the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives has already approved the Womens Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe into law and restrict the ability of states to pass abortion restrictions, the measure died in the Senate.

End the filibuster. Codify #RoeVWade with a national law protecting abortion rights. Expand the Supreme Court. Stop this horrifying injustice in its tracks.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 3, 2022

The Democrats have a narrow 50-50 majority in the Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote, and the filibuster rule requires most legislation to secure 60 votes for passage. However, Schumer indicated Tuesday that the Senate would hold another vote on the Womens Health Protection Act.

"This is as urgent and as real as it gets": Senate Majority Leader Schumer vows to hold a vote codifying Roe v. Wade in the wake of a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court over the longstanding law. https://t.co/2zmItOkuofpic.twitter.com/dtKPQkBk4N  MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 3, 2022

Warren is one of three Senate Democrats who have signed on as cosponsors to the Judiciary Act of 2021, which would increase the number of Supreme Court justices from nine to 13. Since the court currently consists of six judges appointed by Republican presidents and three justices appointed by Democratic presidents, adding four new jurists to the bench would nullify the Republican-appointed majority.

While the idea of adding justices to the Supreme Court has gained traction among many on the Left, it received a cool reception from one of their most beloved icons: the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In a 2019 interview with NPR, the late Supreme Court justice, who consistently voted to uphold existing abortion precedent during her tenure on the bench, asserted that Nine seems to be a good number.

Its been that way for a long time, she noted. Specifically, the Judiciary Act of 1869 set the number of justices at nine and the size of the court has remained the same ever since.

Describing increasing the number of judges as a bad idea, Ginsburg predicted that it would make the court look partisan. She denounced the idea of one side saying, When were in power, were going to enlarge the number of judges, so we have more people who would vote the way we want them to.

While calls to add more justices to the Supreme Court have intensified as the prospect of significant changes to abortion law looms large, the Judiciary Act of 2021 predates the courts announcement that it would hear the Dobbs case. The initial efforts to expand the size of the Supreme Court stem from outrage over the Senates handling of vacancies on the bench that have materialized in recent years.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a co-sponsor of the Judiciary Act of 2021 in the House, first called for an expansion of the Supreme Court following the confirmation of the Barrett, a Trump appointee, to the court in October 2020, just a week before the 2020 presidential election. Byron York, chief political correspondent for the Washington Examiner, elaborated on the source of Democratic outrage surrounding the appointments of Barrett and Gorsuch.

On Feb. 13, 2016, Republican-appointed Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died unexpectedly, York recalled. On March 16, [then-President Barack] Obama nominated then-Judge Merrick Garland to replace Scalia. But Republicans had a 54-seat majority in the Senate.

Then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to consider the Garland nomination, arguing that the decision on who should be on the court should wait for the next president, York added. "McConnell cited the fact that it was a presidential election year as the justification for his position. Republican Donald Trump ultimately won the election and therefore got to appoint Scalias replacement.

From a Democratic point of view, the first of Trumps choices, Gorsuch, was illegitimate, because it filled the seat Obama should have been allowed to fill, York explained. When another Supreme Court vacancy popped up a month-and-a-half before the 2020 presidential election following Ginsburgs death, the Republican-controlled Senate worked to swiftly confirm Barrett, even though it had argued four years earlier that voters should decide who should pick the next Supreme Court justice if a vacancy occurs in an election year.

York contended that the Democrats also view Barrett as illegitimate. The fact that two presidents who did not win the popular vote but won the Electoral College appointed four of the five justices voting to overturn Roe in the draft opinion only compounds Democrats concerns about the courts legitimacy and the nature of our political institutions, York added.
Free speech advocates slam Biden's 'Ministry of Truth,' say it aims to crack down on dissenting opinions

The Biden administrations plan to create a Disinformation Governance Board is receiving an overwhelmingly negative reaction, with critics invoking comparisons to the Ministry of Truth from George Orwells dystopian novel 1984.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced the formation of a Disinformation Governance Board while testifying before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Wednesday. When discussing efforts to combat mis- and disinformation, Mayorkas told Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., that Our Undersecretary for Policy Rob Silvers is co-chair with our Principal Deputy General Counsel Jennifer Daskal in leading a just recently constituted Misinformation-Disinformation Governance Board.

The goal is to bring the resources of the department together to address this threat, he added. The Department of Homeland Security has not issued a formal statement on the Disinformation Governance Board. Mayorkas announcement came just days after Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and an outspoken free speech advocate, announced his purchase of Twitter with the goal of making it the platform for free speech around the globe.

Nina Jankowicz, who formerly worked as a disinformation fellow at the Wilson Center, confirmed the accuracy of a Politico report identifying her as the executive director of the Disinformation Governance Board in a tweet Wednesday. The news of the Disinformation Governance Boards creation as well as Jankowiczs appointment as leader of the initiative led to swift condemnation from critics of the Biden administration.

Cat's out of the bag: here's what I've been up to the past two months, and why I've been a bit quiet on here.



Honored to be serving in the Biden Administration @DHSgov and helping shape our counter-disinformation efforts. https://t.co/uN20vl7qqVpic.twitter.com/JEn4FqLdck  Nina Jankowicz ???????????????? (@wiczipedia) April 27, 2022

Much of the discussion surrounding the Disinformation Governance Board has spoken on its purported resemblance to the Ministry of Truth, a central tenet of the dystopian futuristic society that serves as the setting of the novel 1984.

As explained by the website Book Analysis, in the novel, The Ministry of Truth, like the three other ministries, has an ironic name. It purports to be focused on the pursuit of truth when, in fact, the ministry is concerned with erasing the truth of the past and the present and replacing it with whatever the Party deems correct. Those in charge of the ministry decide what truth is.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., was among several lawmakers who likened the Misinformation-Disinformation Governance Board to a Ministry of Truth. The federal government has no business creating a Ministry of Truth, he declared on Twitter Friday. The Department of Homeland Securitys Disinformation Board is unconstitutional and unamerican, and Ill be announcing a bill to defund it.

The Federal Government has no business creating a Ministry of Truth.



The Department of Homeland Security's "Disinformation Board" is unconstitutional and unamerican, and I'll be introducing a bill to defund it. https://t.co/n3H9c8XGB1  Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2022

Former Democratic Congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard had a similar reaction to her former colleague on the other side of the aisle. Every dictatorship has a propaganda arm  a Ministry of Truth, she stated on Twitter Friday. The Biden administration has now formally joined the ranks of such dictatorships.

Every dictatorship has a propaganda arma Ministry of Truth. The Biden Administration has now formally joined the ranks of such dictatorships with their creation of the so-called Disinformation Governance Board. pic.twitter.com/iMnrqksaJJ  Tulsi Gabbard ???? (@TulsiGabbard) April 29, 2022

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., outlined his concerns with the Disinformation Governance Board as well as Jankowicz in a letter to Mayorkas published Thursday. This new board is almost certainly unconstitutional and should be dissolved immediately, he wrote.

Hawley portrayed the establishment of the Disinformation Governance Board as part of an effort to crack down on dissenting opinions: For well over a year, your Department has consistently treated competing policy views as disinformation to be monitored or investigated. However, political debates on issues such as immigration, pandemic lockdowns, and foreign policy clearly constitute core political speech protected by the First Amendment.

The Supreme Court has even gone so far as to say that Under the First Amendment there is no such thing as a false idea, he added. The apparent broad mandate of this new government entity to coordinate countering misinformation in America undermines the argument that it can even exist consistent with the Constitution.

Additionally, Hawley decried the choice to make Jankowicz the leader of the new board, maintaining that she has accumulated a long history of partisan attacks. He specifically pointed to her praise of an article concluding that homegrown fascism predated President Donald Trump, her characterization of the U.S. as systemically racist and a tweet she sent out expressing concern about what would happen if free speech absolutists were taking over more platforms after Musk purchased Twitter as causes for concern.

While Democrats have for years controlled the public square through their Big Tech allies, Mr. Musks acquisition of Twitter has shown just how tenuous that control is. It can only be assumed that the sole purpose of this new Disinformation Governance Board will be to marshal the power of the federal government to censor conservative and dissenting speech. This is dangerous and un-American. The board should be immediately dissolved.

For her part, Jankowicz has maintained that a HUGE focus of our work and indeed, one of the key reasons the Board was established, is to maintain the Depts commitment to protecting free speech, privacy, civil rights, & civil liberties. However, Jankowicz previously wrote an article expressing a desire to expand censorship on social media platforms.

Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor, who 2016 Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson included on his shortlist of potential U.S. Supreme Court appointments, included an excerpt from Jankowiczs article in Foreign Affairs magazine in a blog post published over the weekend. He specifically recalled that Jankowicz urged the incoming Biden administration to creat[e] a counter-disinformation czar within the National Security Council and se[t] up a corresponding directorate.

A year-and-a-half after writing that post, Jankowicz is primed to hold the position she advocated for in the article. However, it is based in the Department of Homeland Security instead of the National Security Council. More recently, she has characterized those who oppose the regulation of content on social media as first amendment zealots, which Turley mentioned in his blog.
Biggest churches push 'superficial Christianity,' 'phonies' now being exposed: John MacArthur

Some of America's biggest churches support a culture of corrupt, superficial Christianity and made a lot of money doing it but the internet is now making it harder for phonies to survive, Pastor John MacArthur recently said.

Speaking at the pulpit of Grace Community Church in California for the first time after a brief absence during which some speculated he may have been ill, MacArthur suggested that the pandemic combined with the technological shift in ministry has led to a sifting and shifting.

We had for decades, people trying to create a cultural Christianity that would appeal to nonbelievers, that was accepting of immorality, accepting of homosexuality, accepting of racial hatred. There was a kind of superficial, shallow Christianity that watered down the Gospel, didnt talk about sin, tried to have a positive message. And it was very successful. And I get it because I fought that battle well for almost all the time Ive been here, he told his congregants in a sermon just over a week ago.

He explained that one of the things he likes to do is to call the church to repentance but it was a tough call because superficial Christianity made a lot of money and elevated a lot of charlatans.

It was successful. The biggest churches in America are part of it. It was very hard to call people to faithfulness when you could be so corrupt and so successful in Christian religion. That was the battle. Now I think theres a sifting and a shifting, he said before alluding to sex scandals surrounding prominent Christian figures like late apologist Ravi Zacharias and former Hillsong Church Pastor Carl Lentz without mentioning their names.

First of all, phonies are going to have a hard time hiding with the internet. Were seeing one after another after another. Dead ones and alive ones. This dead apologist had a deviant sex life. This cool dude rock and roll pastor was immoral with multiple women for years and years, MacArthur said.

I look at all that and my thoughts were I dont think if it werent for Jesus Christ that I could sell anybody on Christianity. We preach Christ, right? And youre attracted to Him, right? But if there are people out there looking at Christianity, it has to be uninviting, maybe even repulsive. Who are these people? Filthy rich, immoral, corrupt, narcissistic. If it werent for Jesus Christ, Christianity would have no appeal, he said.

MacArthur also explained that despite efforts by government authorities to shutter his church during the pandemic, he has managed to defy every restriction and remain open regardless of fines and court actions against his church.

They tried every way to close Grace Church. And I think it is true that there is no more scrutinized church in the United States of America than Grace Community Church, he said, calling out major media organizations like ABC, CNN and the Los Angeles Times as well as ungodly bloggers who tried to discredit his church.

Im still here, he said.

MacArthur said the decision to remain open in defiance of government restrictions has been a blessing to his church. He said even though the church had not collected an offering in the last 10 months, congregants have given more in the last 10 months than any 10-month period in the history of this church.

MacArthur fought for his churchs legal right to hold indoor worship services amid the pandemic and said even though his church has faced fines each Sunday for their defiance, the congregation has only continued to flourish.

In the middle of the lawsuit, the Lord has grown our church. So this was a very small tiny local church until COVID. One thousand new members, baptisms, he said, calling his new members Grace refugees.

Did you hear the testimonies in baptism Sunday night? Theres a new evangelical term. I love it. Its Grace refugees, he said as his congregation laughed.

Its the people who had no other church to go to so they came here as church refugees, he said to more cheers.

And arent we happy about that? Arent we blessed? Well take you whoever you are even if youre a Presbyterian refugee. People have flown in from all across America, driven in from all across the West every Sunday to be with us. Some of you only came here because it was the only church open and you found it wasnt just a church that was open. It was a church that was presenting the Gospel and the Word of God, he said.
Judge refuses to dismiss case against megachurch leader Naason Joaquin Garcia

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephen A. Marcus refused Monday to dismiss a case against controversial megachurch leader Naason Joaquin Garcia, who is accused of multiple sex crimes, including making sex videos with minor girls from his flock at La Luz Del Mundo or Light of the World.

On March 15, Garcias defense attorney Alan Jackson and his team argued in a 211-page motion that the case brought against Garcia by the California Attorney Generals Office alleging that he groomed and raped teenage girls from his congregation is based on fabricated evidence.

Marcus agreed that the California Attorney General's Office should have turned over some evidence to Garcia's attorneys before an August 2020 hearing, but said the defense had "not met the materiality requirement'' for dismissal, MyNewsLa.com reported.

In a statement posted on his churchs Facebook page on Monday, the megachurchs pastors followers noted: We have full confidence that the time will come when the innocence and honorability of the Apostle of Jesus Christ, Naason Joaquin, will be demonstrated, because the lie prevails only until the truth comes to light.

The 52-year-old preacher was arrested in the summer of 2019 at the Los Angeles International Airport. He and several co-defendants are being tried separately. They were charged with human trafficking, production of child pornography, forcible rape of a minor and other felonies committed between 2015 and 2019.

A group of girls was allegedly told that if they went against Garcias desires, they were going against God, according to the criminal complaint.

In their March motion, Garcias defense team said they reviewed more than 70,000 texts messages and that some of Garcias accusers were sexually active, angst-filled teenagers who lied, shoplifted, used drugs, drank alcohol, struggled with mental health and spoke of having sex with the church leader for money.

The March motion also claims that California Department of Justice Special Agent Joseph Cedusky selectively used information from the thousands of text messages to further the criminal narrative against Garcia while the prosecution actively delayed access to the entire cache of text messages to the defense.

The magnitude of the governments misconduct was so vast that it cannot easily be quantified, and the cascading effect of consequences from these actions is immense, Jackson and his team wrote. These include, inter alia, Mr. Garcia being forced to sit through a mockery of a preliminary hearing based entirely on lies and fiction created from whole cloth in the minds of investigators and prosecutors.

Garcia has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and is facing a $50 million bail, believed to be the highest ever imposed in L.A. County. The pastors lawyers have long argued the pastor is 100% innocent.

The pastor is awaiting trial set for June 6 in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.
Vermont's new assisted suicide law eliminates in-person doctor consultation requirement

Vermont will now enable patients to remotely request medication to hasten their death by amending its assisted suicide statute to include telemedicine and expand access to life-ending drugs.

Gov. Phil Scott signed S.74 into law last week, allowing patients who meet specific criteria to request a prescription to aid in dying without an in-person doctor visit.

The original 2013 S.77 bill required patients with a terminal illness and a six-month prognosis to make two in-person visit requests to a prescribing physician, at least 15 days apart. Patients also had to visit another consulting physician to make a written request and wait 48 hours after receiving the prescription to use it.

The new law eliminates the requirement that the prescribing physician performs a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from a terminal condition. Patients must still make two requests for life-ending medication, at least 15 days apart, but physicians can now remotely determine a patient's eligibility. It also removes the 48-hour waiting period between when the physician writes the prescription and the patient uses it.

Under S.74, healthcare providers and pharmacists aiding patients in suicide will have legal immunity.

Wesley J. Smith, chair and senior fellow at the conservative think tank Discovery Institute's Center on Human Exceptionalism, told The Christian Post that the recent bill is "appalling, but not surprising."

"Once the principle is established that suicide is an acceptable answer to human suffering and that the state will facilitate that effort, then the supposed guidelines that are promised to protect against abuse soon come to be seen as obstacles," Smith said.

"What Vermont is doing is making it so that it's easier to receive assisted suicide, and that process will continue in any jurisdiction that legalizes it. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower. But it continues and moves forward."

According to a January Vermont Department of Health report, from May 31, 2013, to June 30, 2021, 116 state residents used the law to end their lives.

Act 27, passed by the General Assembly in 2015, requires the state's Department of Health to facilitate information regarding compliance and make the statistical report available to the public.

Some proponents of assisted suicide argue that patients should have the right to determine when they die, saying that it constitutes compassionate medical care by alleviating an individual's suffering. Proponents also claim that giving patients the right to die relieves their families of the financial burden of paying for their healthcare costs.

Smith, however, contends that legalizing assisted suicide creates a "two-tiered system of the value of human life."

"You're basically saying that a certain category of people should not have the same suicide prevention as other people," Smith said. "And you're validating their worst fears that they're a burden, that they do not have lives worth living."

The Discovery Institute senior fellow also asserts that few people undergo assisted suicide to alleviate the pain of a physical illness. He believes many seek help with ending their lives for "existential reasons."

According to a 2008 study published in the weekly peer-reviewed journal BMJ, depression and mental illness could also be a factor causing some people to opt for assisted suicide. The study, led by Dr. Linda Ganzini of the Oregon Health & Science University, analyzed 200 terminally ill cancer patients in Oregon. The study found that the prevalence of depressive symptoms among patients expressing a desire to end their lives was 59% but only 8% among patients without the desire to die.

In addition, the study suggested that treatment of depression usually reduces suicidal ideation among patients.

The study's authors concluded that patients requesting suicide should undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if they are severely depressed or suffering from other mental health conditions.

Smith believes that patients looking to end their lives due to a physical or mental ailment should receive the same interventions to support their continued living as any other suicidal person.

"A suicide is a suicide, and they can pretend that aid in dying isn't suicide, but that's exactly what it is," Smith said. "Anyone who is suicidal, and none of us knows what might stimulate us to fall into that darkness, should be given the same life-affirming care that says, 'We need you, we want you here. Let us do what it takes to help you maintain your life."
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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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.
Meta's Facebook is no longer focusing on housing a podcast platform. The social media giant has decided that it will remove all podcasts from its platform starting next month, on June 3.

In June 2021, Facebook implemented numerous features that cater podcasting for creators. However, only a year after entering the podcasting game, the company has decided to exit the field altogether.

Following the success of the live audio app Clubhouse, Facebook launched its live audio and podcast service in June 2021, coinciding with a craze for social audio platforms.

This week, in a memo written by the company to its partners, the social media platform will cease allowing users to add podcasts to its platform, and it will delete all podcasts starting on June 3.

Facebook Podcasts

Facebook podcasts, taking effect from June 3, will discontinue its support for podcasts and will remove them entirely from the social media service.

Last April, The Meta-owned social media platform unveiled a number of audio initiatives, coinciding with a booming industry for podcasts and audio in general. However, according to a story published last month by Bloomberg News, the company's enthusiasm has dropped and it is now concentrating on other efforts, which has disappointed several providers.

This comes after it rebranded its company to Meta. Since then, the company has made headlines in focusing on developing their Metaverse technology.

Earlier this week, Facebook sent a notice to its partners informing them that it will no longer allow users to upload podcasts to the site. It will phase out both its short-form audio product Soundbites and its core audio hub, which will be decommissioned.

According to Bloomberg, Meta spokesperson stated, "We're constantly evaluating the features we offer so we can focus on the most meaningful experiences." Additionally, the spokesperson did not mention a specific date on when they would pull out Soundbites and the audio hub, although they mentioned that it will most likely be in the coming weeks.

Read Also: TikTok's Effect House Will Now Support More AR Effects From Camera IQ

Facebook Audio and Podcasts

Meta's Facebook, in the statement to its partners, stated that it does not intend to notify users that podcasts would no longer be available, instead, the company will leave it up to the podcast publishers to determine how they wish to communicate this information to their audience.

As reported by Business Insider, the social media giant launched the Live Audio Rooms feature in the platform, moving forward, this feature will be integrated into Facebook Live. The integration of the feature will allow users to choose between going live with just audio or going live with audio and video.

In recent years, the podcast market has become increasingly congested. Spotify, aside from being a music streaming platform, has grown to significantly dominate the space of podcasting. In line with that, the company plans to invest more and have more creators on board.

Aside from Spotify, Clubhouse, and Facebook, Amazon is also reportedly dipping its toes on podcasts.

Last year, Facebook began rolling out these products, beginning with the launch of Live Audio Rooms in the United States for iOS. The venture of the playform to podcasts began with prominent personalities and select Facebook Groups, as well as the introduction of an initial group of podcasts partners in the United States.

Previously, Facebook's Live Audio Rooms were made available to any verified public figure or creator in the United States who is in good standing with the social media platform and who is using either a profile or the new Facebook Pages experience on iOS

Nevertheless, all Facebook users this week in the United States will still be able to listen to Live Audio Rooms and podcasts on the social media platform.

Related Articles: Spotify Growth Skyrockets to 422 Million Users Despite Exit in Russia and Joe Rogan Controversies
Lawsuit accuses Church of Scientology of holding children captive, forcing them into labor

The Church of Scientology has denied allegations from former employees who say they were trafficked as children growing up in what some consider to be a celebrity cult.

A lawsuit filed last week in a Florida federal court alleges six counts of forced labor against Scientology leader David Miscavige and five Scientology entities in violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.

In a statement, the Church of Scientology called the allegations "scurrilous and ridiculous," suggesting the lawsuit is a "sham and a scam."

"Valeska Paris already wasted the time of law enforcement when she made these fraudulent claims years ago," the statement adds. "It is public record they closed her file stating 'There are no corroborating witnesses or evidence provided to support the allegations.'"

Gawain Baxter  who filed the complaint along with his wife, Laura, and Valeska Paris  alleges he was 6 years old when he became a contractor for the Church of Scientology for 1 billion years.

From the ages of six to fourteen, Gawain was not permitted to attend any accredited public or private school, according to the lawsuit. Instead, schoolwork consisted of two to three hours per day of basic reading, writing, and math in a classroom of thirty other children, under the supervision of Linda Hilton, Cadet Coordinators spouse.

The lawsuit alleges Scientology officials systematically trafficked Baxter and others through the organizations oft-cited Sea Org workforce, using indoctrination and other methods to hobble them from both physical, financial and psychological perspectives.

According to the lawsuit, Baxter performed manual labor as a boy at the churchs "Flag Base" in Clearwater, Florida. After he tried to call attention to what he described as abuse and intolerable living conditions, Baxter says he was sent to a ship in the Caribbeans known as Freewinds.

After receiving only basic reading, writing and math instruction, then 15-year-old Baxter and the other plaintiffs had their passports and IDs confiscated, the lawsuit alleges.

This was not a peaceful or loving environment; instead, it was a world filled with abuse, violence, intimidation, and fear. [Scientology] considered Plaintiffs to be possessions, void of any rights, whose sole purpose was to serve [them], the complaint reads.

Baxter claims that his parents placed him in a Cadet Org nursery in Clearwater, Florida, when he was 2 months old and that when he was 6, he became a member of Cadet Org. Baxter claims he was separated from his parents and forced to live in a dormitory, which was a repurposed Quality Inn, with over 100 other children.

The complaint claims that children slept on bunk beds in crowded rooms. Baxter was reportedly allowed to visit his parents every evening at dinner initially. But when he turned 10, he allegedly could only visit his parents once per week but sometimes only once per month.

After finishing daily schoolwork and Scientology indoctrination, the filing states that Baxter was forced to provide five to ten hours a day of unpaid work at Flag Base, including food preparation, trash removal, landscaping, and clerical work.

But during staff shortages, Baxter alleges he was made to work full-time and skip his schoolwork entirely.

At age thirteen, Gawain was provided a stipend of eight dollars per week, which was contingent on his completing his training courses and performing his work to the satisfaction of Cadet Coordinator, the lawsuit reads. Gawain used this paltry amount to purchase necessities, including his toiletries and shoes.

At the age of 14, Baxter said he was transferred from Cadet Org to Sea Org. But before joining Sea Org, he was forced to complete boot camp at Flag Base. Although Baxter didnt want to join the boot camp, the complaint claims he was threatened with potential homelessness and told that his parents would be punished for his resistance.

For the three-month period that he was on the EPF, Gawain was required to perform physical labor, including renovating a building, cleaning other facilities, and landscaping for twelve or more hours per day, and to spend an additional five hours each day immersed in Defendants indoctrination programs, the lawsuit reads. During this entire period, Gawain was sleep-deprived, given inadequate time to eat, and verbally abused by his adult supervisors.

After completing boot camp and joining Sea Org, Baxter was allegedly sent from Florida to Curacao and placed on the Freewinds, where his passport and immigration documents were taken. On the ship, Baxter claims he was forced to perform arduous physical labor and menial tasks, between 16 and 24 hours per day.

His assignments allegedly included repainting pipes, cleaning the deck, preparing food and serving as a steward for the crew and administrative work.

[He was] punished for any failure to fully comply with the commands of higher-ranking Sea Org members, the legal filing states. Gawain suffered from sleep deprivation and was always anxious and fearful that anything he said or asked might be interpreted as rebellious and result in physical or mental punishment.

Founded by American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in 1955 with its headquarters in Los Angeles, the Church of Scientology states on its website that it "has no set dogma concerning God that it imposes on its members."

"As with all its tenets, Scientology does not ask individuals to accept anything on faith alone," the website reads. "Rather, as one's level of spiritual awareness increases through participation in Scientology auditing and training, one attains his own certainty of every dynamic."

The organization has faced scrutiny in recent years over allegations from at least one high-profile member, King of Queens actress Leah Remini, who says the church leadership forced her to have an abortion against her will.

Thie story was updated to include a statement from the Church of Scientology.
DHS disinformation board: Another progressive tactic to suppress conservative speech

We witnessed something ominous in the continued censorship efforts by the progressive left when the Department of Homeland Security created a new Disinformation Governance Board.



This new disinformation board, announced on April 27, comes shortly after the DHS's February National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin claiming the Department plans to work with partners such as Big Tech companies to fight the proliferation of false or misleading narratives, which sow discord or undermine public trust in U.S. Government institutions. This bulletin warns that pushing alleged false or misleading narratives was associated with terrorism and would be handled accordingly.

The new disinformation board is being led by 33-year-old progressive Nina Jankowicz, who previously pushed the false narrative of the Hunter Biden laptop story. The use of DHS law enforcement tools to enforce correct information is something we have previously seen in places like China and Russia  but its now here.

First, its important to understand how the term disinformation is framed by the left to justify censorship. The Washington Examiner presciently opined: The conception of disinformation has become a controversial and polarizing matter. Liberals say disinformation, meaning false information spread deliberately and covertly, is a threat to democracy. Conservatives, though, increasingly say that the threat of disinformation is wrongly used as a cover to censor them.

Fearmongering about white supremacy has been a successful method for the left to justify this breach of American freedom. The February DHS bulletin about the danger of conservative narratives is predicated on the alleged terror threat of white supremacy. Conservative speech is quickly twisted into dangerous white supremacist ideology with the corresponding demand for censorship to prevent violence.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) summarized the conservative view of the danger of criminalizing conservative speech in his letter to the DHS Secretary: It can only be assumed that the sole purpose of this new Disinformation Governance Board will be to marshal the power of the federal government to censor conservative and dissenting speech. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) also said of the Board to the Washington Examiner: Homeland security should focus on securing the homeland and protecting Americans, not on trying to create the embryo of a Ministry of Truth.



Of relevance to this issue, the mainstream media has finally admitted that the Hunter Biden laptop scandal was true after over a year of calling it disinformation (helped along by more than 50 senior intelligence leaders calling it Russian disinformation). That story would have been permanently suppressed as disinformation had the Board existed previously.

As our Lord told us, You will know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free, and yet we know that we find the truth only when freedom reigns and speech is not censored. Its time to demand we remain true to the Constitution, including freedom of speech. Our children deserve nothing less.
Elon Musks stick figures and our nations standards

What can we learn from Elon Musks apparent shift to the right in his politics? From his perspective, as illustrated in his stick figure tweet, he has not shifted at all. Instead, the left has veered further left, because of which, by remaining stationary in his own views, it is perceived that he has moved to the right.

His graphic reminded me of an illustration I used for many years while preaching, holding the Bible high in my right hand and using my left hand to represent the state of the society.

I would then say this: Because we dont want to appear fanatical or radical as followers of Jesus, we tend to set our standards somewhere between the standards of Gods Word and the standards of the world. But as the standards of each generation get lower and lower, our standards get lower as well.

As a result, within a couple of generations, things are acceptable in our own homes as believers that would have been detestable in the homes of our non-believing grandparents.

Put another way, unless we actively swim against the tide of the worldly culture, we will find ourselves drifting in the wrong direction. We will simply be carried by the current.

Musks point is similar yet different, especially since it is not related at all to a faith standard or a biblical belief.

Instead, it illustrates just how far to the left the progressive mindset has shifted. As the saying goes, Todays Democratic Party is not the Democratic Party of Bill Clinton. (Do you remember when the Democratic mantra concerning abortion was, We want abortion to be safe, legal, and rare? How would that play today?)

Most of my Jewish relatives and friends from childhood are Democrats today, some of them quite staunchly.

Yet a few of these old friends are not, and when I interacted with them on social media, asking them what happened, their stories were the same.

They began to see what was really happening. They began to recognize how dramatically the liberal side was becoming extreme. They began to understand that the policies they once defended were actually indefensible and that the policies they once loathed actually had some merit.

Now, some of them are more conservative politically than I am.

To be clear, and as Ive said almost endlessly over the years, my hope is not in a political party. And, while I virtually always vote Republican, I am registered as an Independent just as a personal matter of conscience.

Yet no one cannot deny that, for those of you who identify as liberal or progressive or Democrat, the ground has shifted under your feet. And if you remain stationary, you have now moved to the right.

Some of this shift happened right before our eyes during the Democratic presidential debates, as candidate Biden moved further to the left on abortion, saying he would no longer support the Hyde Amendment. It was either that or distance himself from his increasingly pro-abortion party. At least that was his perception. (As reported in the New York Times, Joe Biden Denounces Hyde Amendment, Reversing His Position.)

Getting back to Musk, Lee Brown wrote in the New York Post, Billionaire Elon Musk insists he is a liberal  but is viewed as a far-right bigot because woke progressives are pushing the left to extremes.

The worlds richest man used his new $44 billion purchase, Twitter, to share a simple stick-figure illustration Thursday highlighting his position in the dramatically shifting political landscape over the last 14 years.

A smiling figure named me starts standing left of center close to a fellow liberal in 2008, when Barack Obama was first elected president

But by 2012, when Obama was reelected, Musks fellow liberal is drawn racing off to the extreme left  so fast that the figure leaves a gust of air.

Musks me remains in the same spot  but appears even closer to the center because of the gradual shift left.

By 2021, when President Biden entered the White House, Musks fellow liberal is now a woke progressive who is so far left it has completely rewritten the boundaries.

Exactly so. The lefts radicality is destroying its base.

Not only so, but as many as have noted, the left is continually eating its own. As I recently pointed out, It is a biblical principle that everything reproduces after its own kind. Generosity begets generosity, kindness begets kindness, hatred begets hatred, and cruelty begets cruelty.

When this principle is applied to the cultural elitism of the left it is inevitable that, over time, the left will eventually devour itself. Thats because cultural elitism is based on a self-righteous judgmentalism which, in turn, begets even more self-righteous judgmentalism. And so, by its very nature, the circle gets smaller and smaller until the ally of today becomes the enemy of tomorrow.

As I concluded, The silver lining in all this is that, over time, the radical left will cancel itself. Just give it enough time.

Its the same with the continuing shift to the radical left. Over time, it will leave the vast majority of Americans behind, since the lefts extreme woke agenda is non-sustainable.

As a result, in the end, there will be a lot more people just like Elon Musk. The woke agenda will leave them behind.
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.
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.
California's population dropped for the second year in a row, but there's indication that the rate of decline may be slowing, the state's Department of Finance said on Monday.

California saw its total population drop by 117,552 residents, or 0.3%, in 2021, bringing the total to 39,185,605.

"The 0.3-percent decline represents a slowing compared to the 0.59-percent decline over the nine month period between the April 2020 Census date and the years end," the state said in its annual population update.

The state said the decline was the result of aging baby boomers, federal policies restricting immigration, COVID-19 deaths and an increase in people leaving the state.

Of the state's 58 counties, 38 saw population declines, including four Bay Area counties. In the list of counties with the top 10 largest decreases, Plumas saw its population drop by 3.2%, Lassen 2.8 %, Butte 2.4%, Del Norte 1.4%, Napa 1%, San Mateo 0.9%, Marin 0.9%, and Shasta, San Francisco and Ventura all went down 0.8%.

The Central Valley and Inland Empire saw their populations grow, while every coastal county saw a dip except in three college towns  San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz  where students returned to dorms.

Only two counties saw population gains above 1%: Yolo jumped 1.8% due to students returning to the dorms at UC Davis, and San Benito bumped up 1.1% due to new housing being built.

At the height of the pandemic, there was a lot of talk about the so-called "California exodus"  the people who fled the high prices and fast pace of the Golden State for a more relaxed and affordable life in places like Bozeman, Montana, and Austin, Texas.

The latest data is revealing that indeed the state's population shrank. The San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley metro area saw the third-highest number of residents in the country packing up and moving between July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021, with a net migration loss of 128,870 people, U.S. Census Bureau data issued in March said.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  A 23-year-old Florida rapper who goes by the name Rod Wave has been arrested on a domestic battery charge, officials said.

Rodarius Green, whose song Heart on Ice" broke into the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020, was arrested early Monday in St. Petersburg on a warrant out of Osceola County, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop in St. Petersburg.
Happening, Audrey Diwan's Golden Lion-winner at last year's Venice Film Festival, is set in 1963 France but the period detail isn't prominent. Instead, it's an abortion tale that feels as though it could it could take place in many places, long ago or today.

It's filmed in square-like academy ratio and it's as if the edges of the frame are closing in on Anne Duchesne (Anamaria Vartolomei), a smart literature student  maybe even a brilliant one; we see her define anaphora without hesitation  who is shocked when a doctor informs her that she's pregnant.

This is 12 years before abortion would be legalized in France and Anne's predicament is immediately urgent. Do something, she tells the doctor, who replies that it's impossible, the law is unsparing. For Anne, her apparently first sexual encounter threatens to derail her life just as it's getting started. She comes from a working class background. Her parents  and most of all Anne, herself  have high expectations for her.

I want to continue my studies," she tells another doctor. Its essential for me.

Films from Cristian Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days to Eliza Hittman's Never Sometimes Always Rarely" have captured the human toll of systems that give women little choice when faced with an unwanted pregnancy. What distinguishes Happening, Diwan's second feature film, is, overwhelmingly, her and Laurent Tangy's tightly composed cinematography and Vartolomei's riveting, steely performance. To a remarkable degree, Happening is viscerally connected with its protagonist, closely detailing not just her navigation of social taboos and restrictions but capturing her unapologetic determination. It's a movie about abortion, yes, but it's also a coming-of-age tale about a woman's resolve.

Happening," which opens in select theaters Friday and expands afterward, is based on the 2001 memoir by celebrated French author Annie Ernaux, who framed her 60s experience as it was recalled decades later by sifting through old journals and memories. Diwan's film has no such framework, instead preferring to stay rigorously close to Anne's experience as it's unfolding. Abortion is to even her friends an unspeakable subject; just the hint of promiscuity is enough to make her nearly an outcast. In one frightfully vulnerable scene, classmates confront her in the shower for being loose while they and she are naked.

It's a fittingly staged scene because in Happening, there's no intimacy or pleasure for Anne's body. It's a battleground. When she's asked for her reading of Louis Aragon's Elsa at Her Mirror," Anne describes the poem's war references. And she, too, is in a kind of war, with seemingly no one on her side, desperate for help  or at least for some honesty. Anne grows increasingly isolated but also hardened and defiant. Diwan films her clinical encounters at length and, in a film where no one wants to say the truth out loud, Happening culminates in Anne holding back screams of pain because the walls are too thin.

"Happening, an IFC Films release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for disturbing material/images, sexual content and graphic nudity. In French with subtitles. Running time: 100 minutes. Three stars out of four.

___

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
Houston may be one of the best places to eat Asian food outside of Asia itself. The city's sheer diversity of cuisines from across the continent is on full display during Asian Restaurant Month, the second annual event that is timed for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month in May.

Launched by Houston's Asian Chamber of Commerce last year, Asian Restaurant Month returns in 2022 with a digital passport in partnership with Visit Houston. Diners can record which participating restaurants they've visited over the month of May and receive prizes based on how many they've checked off their list.

Details and a full list of 100-plus enrolled businesses can be found on the website. Here are 17 must-visit restaurantsspecifically participating in Houston's Asian Restaurant Monthreflecting the various foods and cuisines that are part of the May event.

For Chinese dim sum: Ocean Palace

One of the few Houston restaurants to offer traditional cart service, Ocean Palace is a classic for dim sum. The two-story, 38,000-square-foot restaurant has been operating in Hong Kong City Mall since 1999. Dim sum is available daily, but the rolling carts are only on the weekends.

Find it: 11215 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77072 (281-988-8898)

Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

For Chinese hot pot: Chongqing Chicken Pot

Hot pot is all the rage these days, but has been a staple in China for centuries. Diners do the cooking themselves from a selection of meat, seafood and vegetables. Chongqing Chicken Pot specializes in chicken hot pot, but also offers brisket, beef ribs, shrimp and frog pots.

Chowbus

Find it: 9393 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77036 (832-582-8483)

Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

For Chinese Szechuan: Bamboo House

The addictive, numbing tingle of Szechuan food is available at Bamboo House in Humble. Chef William Chu serves traditional Chinese dishes from the Szechuan province such as wonton soup, mapo tofu, kung pao, and whole and half Peking ducks.

Find it: 7855 N Sam Houston Pkwy. E, Humble, TX 77396 (281-441-3456)

Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

For Filipino: Filipiniana Too

Getting a taste of food from the Philippines is easy at Filipiniana Too in northwest Houston. The restaurant offers a buffet of more than 30 dishes that revolve daily. Classics include beef asado, chicken or pork adobo, a variety of pancit noodle dishes, and even lechon, a Filipino specialty of whole roasted pig.

Find it: 4051 FM 1960, Houston, TX 77068 (281-895-6666)

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Himalaya Restaurant / Himalaya Restaurant

For Indian: Himalaya

Himalaya is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Houston for Indian and Pakistani food. Chef Kaiser Lashkari is famous for his fusion masala-spiced fried chicken, as well as more traditional fare like biryani, kababs, vindaloo and korma curries. The restaurant is BYOB.

Find it: 6652 Southwest Fwy., Houston, TX 77074 (713-532-2837)

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

For Japanese ramen: Samurai Noodle

From the broth to the noodles, everything is made from scratch at this ramen shop in the Heights. Samurai Noodle even imported a noodle-making machine from Japan. Options include spicy miso shouyu ramen, shouyu tonkotsu ramen and tampopo shouyu ramen.

Mai Pham / Contributor

Find it: 1801 Durham Dr. #2, Houston, TX 77007 (832-879-2982)

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 12-9:30 p.m.

For Japanese sushi: Kata Robata

Chef Manabu Horiuchi flies in the highest quality fish from Japan several times a week for his Upper Kirby sushi hot spot. Go a la carte with a variety of traditional and modern interpretations of sushi, or make a reservation for the omakase chef's tasting.

Find it: 3600 Kirby Dr. Suite H, Houston, TX 77098 (713-526-8858)

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10:30 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, 12-3 p.m. and 5-11 p.m.; Sunday, 12-10 p.m.

Nick de la Torre, Houston Chronicle / Contributer

For Korean: Honey Pig BBQ

Started by restaurateur and Korean immigrant Micky Kim in 2007, Honey Pig now has five locations (with two more on the way) in Maryland, Virginia and Texas. Head to Houston's Asiatown for a Korean barbecue experience with generous special combos and a la carte options like pork belly, kalbi, bulgogi and brisket.

Find it: 9140 Bellaire Blvd. Suite B, Houston, TX 77036 (713-842-7993)

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight

For Malaysian: Phat Eatery

Chef Alex Au-Yeung's Katy restaurant put Malaysian food on the map in Houston. At Phat Eatery, start with a roti canai appetizerflatbread with curry dipand a selection of dim sum, then dig into main dishes like the rice dish nasi lemak, or the Malaysian chicken curry infused with galangal and pandan leaf.

Kimberly Park

Find it: 23119 Colonial Parkway, Suite B-2, Katy, TX 77449 (832-913-6382)

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

For Taiwanese: Tapioca House

Tapioca House offers a variety of boba drinks, Taiwan's most famous food import. But the restaurant's Taiwanese street snacks provide a broader taste of the country's food, through rice dishes like crispy pork chop, black pepper chicken and braised pork belly, and other bites from crispy tofu to sesame balls.

Find it: 9104 Bellaire Blvd. Suite B, Houston, TX 77036 (713-272-6468)

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

For Thai: Kin Dee

Kin Dee opened in the Heights in May 2020. The Thai restaurant specializes in noodle-based dishes that are visually beautiful and cover several distinct Thai regions. Highlights include panang curry, spicy pork noodle soup and Thai dumplings made with butterfly pea flower to make them purple.

Eat Drink HTX

Find it: 1533 N. Shepherd Drive, Suite 160, Houston, TX 77008 (281-826-2655)

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m-3 p.m. and 5p.m.-12 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m-12 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

For Vietnamese: Xin Chao

Chef Christine Ha of the Blind Goat opened her second restaurant, Xin Chao, in October 2020 with chef Tony J. Nguyen. Ha, a MasterChef winner, starts her menu with Viet-Cajun oysters and pork belly baos, leading to mains like the smoked beef rib noodles, and a catch-of-the-day whole fish served with tamarind sauce and fish sauce vinaigrette.

Courtesy

Find it: 2310 Decatur St., Houston, TX 77007 (832-740-4888)

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 5-11 p.m.

For Viet-Cajun: Crawfish Cafe

It's the tail end of crawfish season, so get your hands on mudbugs while you can. Houston coined the fusion Viet-Cajun cuisine from Vietnamese and Louisiana culinary influences. Crawfish Cafe, with locations in Asiatown and the Heights, offers boils with several sauce options to coat the crawfish.

Find it (Asiatown): 11209 Bellaire Blvd. Suite C36, Houston, TX 77072 (281-575-1746)

Hours: Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 12-10 p.m.

Find it (Heights): 1026 N Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX 77008 (832-649-7102)

Hours: Monday-Friday, 12-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 12-10 p.m.

For Yemeni: Hadramout

There's even food from Yemen in Houston. Hadramout serves well-known Middle Eastern specialties like hummus and baba ghanoush, while also introducing mains like Zurbian chicken and lamb, a type of biryani dish that's popular in Yemen.

Find it: 3758 S Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77063 (832-767-1894)

Hours: Wednesday-Monday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

For barbecue: Blood Bros. BBQ

Alief-raised friends Quy Hoang and Terry and Robin Wong, along with pitmaster Jaime Valencia, are changing Houston's barbecue scene with their Bellaire joint, Blood Bros. BBQ. The liberal use of Asian ingredients and flavors are what make this restaurant special, from the brisket fried rice to the togarashi split chicken.

Will Blunt StarChefs

Find it: 5425 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, TX 77401 (713-664-7776)

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

For boba: Fuji Tea

Taiwanese company Fuji Tea landed on Houston for its first U.S. location. Spring for standard boba pearls or venture out with red bean paste or cheese foam. There's a solid menu of milk teas as well as herbal and fruit teas such as the white peach oolong drink.

Find it: 9312 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77036 (832-659-0929)

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

For burgers: Burger-chan

The team behind Burger-chan recently moved their original location in Greenway Plaza to a new space in Uptown. The burgers are customizable with several sauce and topping options inspired by Asian flavors, like kimchi relish and sambal mayonnaise.

Terence Tang

Find it: 5353 W. Alabama St., Suite 110, Houston, TX 77056 (832-408-0860)

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
TROY, Ala. (AP)  President Joe Biden on Tuesday credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant for doing lifesaving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine to stifle Russia's invasion as he made a pitch for Congress to approve $33 billion so the U.S. can continue to hustle aid to the front lines.

Youre allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves," Biden told the workers, his podium flanked by Javelin missile launchers and shipping containers. "And, quite frankly, theyre making fools of the Russian military in many instances.

The president toured the Lockheed Martin factory in Alabama and said Ukrainian parents are naming their children Javelin or Javelina" because of the weapons' successes.

Every worker in this facility and every American taxpayer is directly contributing to the case for freedom," Biden said.

The president's visit also drew attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, 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 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.

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 Office of Management and Budget specialist on Pentagon budget strategy, war funding and procurement programs.

He added that Stingers and Javelins were where "were seeing the most significant inventory issues" and that 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.

Biden noted that each Javelin produced requires 200 computer chips, but semiconductors are in short supply and limiting the availability of everything from autos to kitchen appliances. Biden is urging that legislation be approved to fund the manufacturing of computer chips in the U.S., though that is a longer-term fix to immediate pressures that militaries, businesses and consumers face now.

The war will mean increased sales for some defense contractors, including Raytheon, which makes the Stinger missiles that 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.

Lockheed Martin's facility in Troy, Alabama has the capacity to manufacture about 2,100 Javelins per year. Biden's trip overlapped with his push for an additional $33 billion in security and economic assistance for Kyiv. 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.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday that Americas military readiness is not dependent on one system. He said that every time the Pentagon develops a package of weapons and systems to send to Ukraine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the department do an assessment on what the impact will be on readiness.

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.

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, which is based in Bethesda, Maryland, said in a statement.
Hong Kong: East Rail extension opens May 15

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan today announced that the MTR East Rail Line Cross-Harbour Extension will open on May 15.

With the extension, the East Rail Line will become Hong Kong's fourth cross-harbour rail line and connect the Northeast New Territories, Central Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

Hung Hom Station and Admiralty Station will be linked through the new Exhibition Centre Station and the rail journey between the two stations will be reduced from 19 minutes to seven minutes.

Mr Chan made it clear that safety is of the utmost importance before a rail line is launched.

First and foremost, we have to realise that for any train, new or old, should they be put into operation they must be sound and safe.

By sound and safe, we mean that all the systems involved in the operation, including the signalling system, operating system, all electrical and mechanical services systems, the permanent way track and everything concerning it would be safe and sound.

He added that train safety must be approved, investigated and supervised by various government departments including the Fire Services Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department and the Highways Department.

So the trains are under very close scrutiny and examination before they are allowed to start to operate.

I am sure that Hong Kongs railway is one of the best across the globe and there is no doubt that we have confidence that the new East Rail Line Cross-Harbour Extension will operate very smoothly in due course.

This story has been published on: 2022-05-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Photo taken on May 3, 2022 shows people performing Eid al-Fitr prayers at a masjid in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Xinhua)

by Naim-Ul-Karim

DHAKA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Eid al-Fitr, the largest Muslim festival that marks the ending of the month-long fasting in the holy month of Ramadan, is a time for immense joy and happiness for Muslims in Bangladesh and across the world.

After a two-year COVID-19 hiatus, the largest festival is back in full swing in Bangladesh with Muslims shaking hands and hugging each other thrice as usual after Eid prayers this time.

With the infection rate subsiding largely and new deaths dropping, Bangladesh is celebrating this Eid like the regular year and the air is filled with festivities.

Muslims across the country flocked to open places and masjids for offering special Eid prayers on Tuesday morning.

Long lines of worshippers were seen since Eid day morning in front of Dhaka's many masjids, including the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

Also, the main Eid congregation in the capital was held at the national Eidgah (an open ground for Eid prayers) after two years.

"Eid this year is quite normal. It's entirely different to those Eids in the last two years," said Abdur Rahim on the way back from the national Eid congregation venue with his family members including children, holding colorful balloons.

"This time we're again going to visit houses of relatives and friends waiting for us with special dishes," he said while seeking his car parked far away from the congregation way.

Businesses elsewhere in the city said they were feeling the usual Eid boom this year.

"We did business as usual this season. We feel that this is truly Eid time," said Ahsan Miah, a shopkeeper who kept his outlet open even on Eid day in Eastern Dhaka's Banasree area.

On the street in front of the shop near the main masjid of Banasree area, hawkers are seen roaming as usual. Children with family members attended the Eid prayers and gathered around the hawkers to buy balloons, toys and candies.

"There is an excellent atmosphere of joy and happiness of Eid this time. We don't feel like we're in an adverse situation like past years," Masud Ahmad said while buying balloons for his kids.

He said many of his kith and kin have gone home to join the Eid festival celebration with their families in villages after the annual exodus had been stalled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a post on his Facebook page, Bangladeshi Posts and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar on Saturday said the number of mobile SIM card users that left Dhaka in five days till May 1 has crossed the 10-million mark.

While millions of people were on the move at bus terminals, train stations and river ports, traveler Tumpa Moni said "being able to go home in this crowd is a great joy for me."

Many were unable to go home in the last two years due to the pandemic, Moni said.

TV channels telecasting special programs showed gorgeous Eid celebrations in places outside the capital city.

The country's largest Eid congregation was reportedly held widely at Sholakia in Kishoreganj district, some 117 km northeast of Dhaka, with hundreds of thousands of participants offering prayers. Worshippers there are seen shaking hands and doing the customary hugging after the prayers. 

Two boys hug each other after Eid al-Fitr prayers at a masjid in Dhaka, Bangladesh on May 3, 2022. (Xinhua)
Woori Bank CEO Lee Won-duk / Courtesy of Woori Financial Group





By Anna J. Park







Woori Bank CEO Lee Won-duk apologized over the recent embezzlement of 61.4 billion won ($48.4 million) by a bank employee, adding that the bank will do its best to win back customer trust.







"The bank will take every possible measure to cooperate with the authorities in its investigation to get to the bottom of the embezzlement case," Lee told reporters in central Seoul on Tuesday, before attending a joint meeting with Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Governor Jeong Eun-bo, along with 16 other bank chiefs.







Yet he did not provide any further details about the case. "Currently, the police investigation and the FSS inspection are both underway," he said. "It would be inappropriate to comment further on the case."







On Tuesday afternoon, FSS Governor Jeong met with CEOs from 17 local banks, including KB, Shinhan, Hana, NongHyup, Kakao and K among others, at the Korea Federation of Banks headquarters in central Seoul, urging the bank bosses to focus on risk management amid growing global uncertainties.







In particular, the FSS chief called on them to take necessary measures to examine their respective internal controls issues so as to prevent similar incidents.







"The recent financial incident (that took place at Woori Bank) is a serious matter that harms consumer trust in regard to the banking industry," Jeong said during the meeting.







"After thoroughly investigating the case at the bank, the FSS plans for strict punitive measures against those who are responsible and seek institutional improvements in order to modify any problems within the bank's internal control systems."


John Locher/AP

LAS VEGAS (AP)  A Las Vegas City Council member who is running as a Republican for Nevada state treasurer was recovering Tuesday from face and head injuries after she was injured in a car crash.

Details about the crash were not provided, but Michele Fiores campaign aide, Rory McShane, said in an email that Fiore suffered a broken orbital bone and head trauma in the Monday crash.
NEW YORK (AP)  A defense lawyer urged jurors Tuesday to reject a prosecutors claims that his client is a terrorist who photographed U.S. landmarks as potential targets, saying the government didnt prove anything during a two-week trial.

Attorney Marlon Kirton said his client, Alexei Saab, is a victim of a clear case of government overreach.

He spoke during closing arguments after Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Richman repeatedly labeled Saab a terrorist, saying he came to the U.S. to scope out potential targets for Hezbollahs Islamic Jihad Organization from 2000 to 2005 even as he lived a double life, working as a software engineer for technology companies.

Among the potential targets researched by Saab were Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal, all three New York area airports, the Brooklyn, Triborough and George Washington bridges and the Lincoln and Holland tunnels connecting New Jersey to Manhattan.

And Richman noted one more target in his argument to convict in Manhattan federal court.

He sits here in a courtroom inside a courthouse he once photographed for Hezbollah, the prosecutor said.

The one-time Morristown, New Jersey, resident pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges after his 2019 arrest, as authorities disclosed that he had been interviewed by FBI agents during 11 sessions over several weeks.

Kirton maintained that Saab was never read his rights as he spoke of events in a manner that produced un-credible, crazy, unsubstantiated information that became a large part of the case against him.

The lawyer highlighted a marriage-fraud charge against Saab, saying the government insisted that jurors believe Saab lied repeatedly to immigration authorities but then believe everything he said when he spoke to FBI agents.

That same liar is now telling the truth? Kirton asked.

He also urged jurors to consider that Hezbollah has never carried out an attack in the United States even though prosecutors said Saab was placed here as a sleeper cell to prepare for an attack if one became necessary.

The lawyer said his client was hardly hiding himself when he was sending emails to others about how to build a bomb.

They didn't prove anything, he said.

Prosecutors say Saab joined Hezbollah in 1996 and once tried to kill a man he later understood to be a suspected Israeli spy by pointing a weapon at the individual at close range, but the firearm jammed.

Charges carrying potential penalties exceeding 100 years in prison include providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy, receiving military-type training from a foreign terrorist organization, unlawful procurement of citizenship to facilitate international terrorism and citizenship application fraud.

After closing arguments concluded, Judge Paul G. Gardephe read legal instructions to jurors and told them to return Wednesday morning to begin deliberations.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Ethiopian officials say they have arrested 76 suspects following unrest that erupted in the capital, Addis Ababa, during Eid al-Fitr prayers on Monday.

The unrest followed days of tension between the East African nations Christians and Muslims in various parts of the country after at least 21 Muslims were killed on April 26 in the northern city of Gondar.

Muslim representatives charged that extremist Christian groups carried out the killings and a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in Gondar, a tourist destination and one of Ethiopias largest cities with more than 300,000 people.

Six security officials were arrested for negligence over the killings, according to officials in the northwestern Amhara region.

Following the killings, a few Christian churches were burned in other parts of the country.

Amid these tensions, scores of thousands of Muslims gathered for Eid al-Fitr prayers on Monday in the capital citys central Meskel Square where they planned to walk to the nearby stadium.

The procession became violent after tear gas was fired by police. Some windows were smashed, a nearby museum was attacked and rocks were thrown at police, according to local reports. Police arrested some of the protesters.

A few individuals have caused an unrest that led to damages to property and injuries to security forces. Seventy-six suspects are now under custody, Ethiopia's security task force said in a statement Tuesday without providing more details.

We are investigating the causes of these clashes and will inform the public on our findings, Markos Tadesse, a spokesman for the Addis Ababa police, said.

It was all peaceful until one of the security personnel fired tear gas toward the crowd, Najib Amin, an eyewitness said, adding that angry people then started throwing rocks in protest.

It all came out of control after that. Several children were separated from their family members and some buildings around Meskel Square were hit by rocks, he said.

The majority of Ethiopia's 115 million people are Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. About 34% of the population are Muslims.

Ethiopias religious groups have long coexisted peacefully, but ethnic and religious tensions have grown recently.

The ongoing civil war in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region has exacerbated ethnic tensions. It's estimated that conflict has caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people, especially of the Tigray ethnic group, according to international aid groups.
Ren' Priebe/AP

BERLIN (AP)  Authorities in Germany are probing the death of a man who collapsed Monday during a police check in the city of Mannheim, drawing allegations of police violence after a video surfaced allegedly showing him being beaten by officers while lying on the ground.

Gokay Akbulut, a federal lawmaker who represents Mannheim, called Tuesday for a thorough investigation of the case, saying it demonstrated the need for an independent complaints procedure.
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  German conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz traveled to Kyiv Tuesday for meetings with Ukrainian officials including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz made clear that he wouldnt be visiting Ukraine any time soon.

Scholz has traded barbs with Ukrainian officials in recent weeks because of Kyiv's refusal to invite Germany's head of state, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whom Ukraine accuses of cozying up to Russia during his time as foreign minister.

It cant work that a country that provides so much military aid, so much financial aid ... you then say that the president cant come, Scholz told public broadcaster ZDF late Monday.

Ukraine's ambassador in Berlin, Andrij Melnyk, responded Tuesday by calling Scholz's refusal to visit not very statesmanlike.

This is about the most brutal war of extermination since the Nazi invasion of Ukraine, its not kindergarten, he said.

German opposition leader Merz, who heads former Chancellor Angela Merkels center-right Union bloc, visited the town of Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, to see the destruction caused by the Russian army.

Speaking to reporters against a backdrop of shelled buildings, Merz expressed his full admiration to the Ukrainian military for having halted the Russian advance at Irpin, and pledged to help the town rebuild.

Merz later met with senior officials including Zelenskyy, saying afterward that he had held extraordinarily good talks with the Ukrainian president.

Political rivals accused the 66-year-old of using the visit to Kyiv to score points against Scholz days before two German state elections in which Merzs Christian Democratic Union is hoping to retain power.

The Union bloc joined Germanys three governing parties in a non-binding vote backing the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine last week. German media report that the government is planning to approve further armaments for Ukraine soon, including large self-propelled howitzers.

Critics, particularly on the far-left and right, have argued against providing weapons to Ukraine, saying Germany risks being drawn into a conflict with Russia.

German authorities say they have recorded the arrival of some 400,000 refugees from Ukraine since the start of the war.
ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP)  Scores of guns stolen last year in northwest Louisiana have been found 120 miles (195 kilometers) away, in a vehicle left in a hospital parking lot in central Louisiana, authorities said.

The discovery came months after a man and woman were indicted on a charge accusing them of taking 62 guns in a burglary Nov. 14, 2021, at the Guns-N-Ammo Store in Benton. Burglars made a hole in the roof to get in, the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office said in November.

Attorneys for Salih or Silah Reed  federal court records have it spelled Salih" and the sheriff's office has Silah"  and Jessica Moore declined to comment about the charges against them or the discovery of the guns. Neither the sheriffs office nor Reeds attorney, J. Broocks Greer III, responded immediately to a query Tuesday about the spelling of Reeds given name.

The weapons were found after security employees at St. Francis Cabrini Hospital notified Alexandria police about an abandoned vehicle, Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington said in a news release Friday.

Every gun stolen from Guns-N-Ammo was found, he said.

Its a great day for law enforcement when we are able to recover all of the guns taken in that burglary to ensure they do not fall into the wrong hands, he said. We are confident with our arrests in that case but were troubled that we could not locate the stolen weapons."

Reed and Moore were arrested five days after the break-in and were indicted in January by a federal grand jury.

Both are charged with one count of stealing guns from Guns-N-Ammo. Reed faces five additional charges including stealing guns from a different dealer in September 2019, transporting stolen guns and possessing guns after a felony conviction.

Each is held on a $320,000 bond, Whittington said. Their trial is scheduled Oct. 11 before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell.
RICHMOND, Ill. (AP)  Two women have been charged with concealing a death after police in suburban Chicago found the body of a dead man at a conservation area.

A 43-year-old Genoa City, Wisconsin, woman and a 24-year-old Richmond, Illinois, woman each were charged with concealment of a death, a criminal complaint filed Monday in McHenry County said.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Democratic U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown beat former state Sen. Nina Turner for the second time since last summer, easily prevailing in an Ohio primary billed nationally as a key showdown between the partys more moderate establishment and its activist progressive wing.

Brown, who had campaigned with South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, the most senior Black member of Congress, and as a strong ally to President Joe Biden's domestic agenda, had topped Turner in July's special election primary  and did so again Tuesday. The president called Brown on Tuesday night to congratulate her on the victory and released a statement on Wednesday calling her win an important step forward."

Primaries in Ohio and the neighboring, Rust Belt state of Indiana helped kick into high gear a midterm season that will see Democrats attempt to defend their razor-thin congressional majorities this November.

A former Democratic Party county chair, Brown has only been in Congress a matter of months but came into the rematch with the power of incumbency. Turner, a leading surrogate for Bernie Sanders 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, was endorsed by the Vermont senator and top progressive groups, which had hoped for a second-try upset.

The Cleveland district where Brown and Turner squared off is heavily African American and solidly Democratic, making Brown heavily favored to retain her seat in Novembers general election. Our Revolution, the activist group that grew out of Sanders first presidential run, says it devoted 150 volunteers toward boosting Turner in the race, while the pro-Israeli Democratic political organization DMFI PAC announced spending more than $1 million for Brown.

During Rep. Browns five short months in Congress, she has proven to be a tenacious advocate for the people of her district and a fierce fighter for the Democratic agenda and our partys values," DMFI PAC President Mark Mellman said in a statement. Ohio Democrats sent a clear message that they want candidates who seek to unite the party.

Turner tweeted a video of her chanting loudly with supporters, We gon be alright. She told them that was her enduring message to the progressive movement.

Elsewhere, Republican Rep. Warren Davidson turned back a primary challenge from Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich, son of the famous doctor known for the anti-choking maneuver. Davidson had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump  whose backing helped author JD Vance win the much-watched GOP primary for Ohio's open Senate seat on Tuesday  while Heimlich had criticized the former president.

Trump's support proved valuable in other House primaries in Ohio as well.

Former Trump aide Max Miller locked up the Republican nomination in a new district in the northeastern part of the state despite being accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham.

Meanwhile, the Akron-area district where another Trump pick, conservative commentator Madison Gilbert won the Republican nomination, should be one of the likely competitive House seats in November's general election. She'll face state Rep. Emilia Sykes, a former Ohio House Democratic leader and a daughter of a powerful political family in the area.

Conservative activist group FreedomWorks for America vowed that Gilbert would get Congress "out from under the thumb of radical Leftists.

Gilbert is the real deal, a fact that Ohioans have echoed with their votes tonight," Noah Wall, FreedomWorks for America executive director, said in a statement. "We are excited to continue mobilizing our grassroots army on Gilberts behalf as she heads into the general election.

Another tough congressional race could be coming to Cincinnati in November, when Republican Rep. Steve Chabot will face Democratic Cincinnati City Council member Greg Landsman.

Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in the state House, has held her seat since 1983 and was unopposed in her primary Tuesday. Trump devotee J.R. Majewski will face her in November.

Majewski, a political newcomer, parlayed praise he won from Trump on Twitter into a political win over two sitting Republican state lawmakers. Thank you to J.R. Majewski, a great Air Force Veteran and Trump Supporter who did a beautiful job of turning his lawn into a giant Trump Sign," Trump tweeted in July 2020.

Kaptur, a popular Democrat in her hometown of Toledo, faces one of her toughest general election battles this fall due to redistricting. Ohios 9th Congressional District, which hugs the Lake Erie coast around Toledo, is now considered a political toss-up under new Republican-drawn boundaries approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission.

In Indiana, former state Sen. Erin Houchin topped eight other Republicans, including former U.S. Rep. Mike Sodrel, for the party's nomination in the state's only open House seat and will be heavily favored in November. GOP Rep. Trey Hollingsworth isnt seeking reelection in his southern Indiana district as he hints at running for governor in 2024.

___

Weissert reported from Washington.

___

Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics.
DENVER (AP)  A judge has ordered a county clerk who copied his voting system's hard drives to turn over his copies to Colorado's secretary of state by the end of the day Wednesday.

Secretary of State Jena Griswold sued to force Elbert County Clerk Dallas Schroeder to turn over the external hard drives containing the copies and Judge Gary M. Kramer ruled late Friday that Schroeder must follow her lawful orders. Kramer also ordered Schroeder to answer Griswold's questions about who has had access to the copies in filings.

It's one of a handful of cases across the United States in which authorities are investigating whether local officials directed or aided in suspected security breaches at their own election offices. Some of them have expressed doubt about the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Schroeder's lawyer, John Case, declined to comment on the order Monday.

Schroeder has said he copied the hard drives because he wanted to preserve the results of the 2020 election. He first made a copy of the hard drives of the election server, the image cast central computers and the adjudication computer before the state updated voting software. He then made a copy of that set of copies.

During a hearing Friday before the judge issued his order, Case urged Kramer not to allow both copies to be in the same place at the same time in case some disaster like a fire might destroy them. He also asked that Griswold return them to Schroeder after looking at them. Kramers order did not address those concerns.

While Schroeder has said that he gave one copy to Case and the other to an unnamed lawyer, Case told Kramer that one copy was now in Schroeders office and the other was under his control but not in his possession, without elaborating.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Hunt argued that unless the copies were under Griswolds control they could end up being used to hack the states voting system.
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RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  A former University of Virginia lacrosse player is liable for fatally beating his girlfriend in 2010 and must pay $15 million in damages in a wrongful death lawsuit, a jury found Monday.

George Huguely V is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence in the killing of Yeardley Love after being convicted of second-degree murder during a 2012 criminal trial. Huguely and Love both played lacrosse at UVA and had a two-year, on-again, off-again relationship before Yeardley was found beaten to death in her off-campus apartment on May 3, 2010.

The lawsuit sought to hold Huguely civilly liable in Love's death and asked the jury to award $29.5 million in compensatory damages, plus $1 million in punitive damages.

On Monday, the jury awarded $7.5 million in compensatory damages to both Yeardley's mother, Sharon Love, and her sister, Lexi Love Hodges. Punitive damages were not awarded.

Both women broke down in tears when the jury's verdict was read in Charlottesville Circuit Court Monday night after about two hours of deliberations. The verdict came almost 12 years to the day Yeardley Love was found dead in her off-campus apartment.

This had been a tremendous ordeal, said Paul Bekman, an attorney for the family.

They've lived through this, they lived through the criminal trial, and now they had to go through this civil trial," he said. "It is a partial closure that means a lot to them.

Bekman said the jury was asked to answer the question of whether Huguely acted with willful and wanton misconduct and whether his actions were in conscious disregard of Love's rights. The jury answered yes, a finding that meant they could award punitive damages, but they did not.

But Bekman said the finding of willful and wanton misconduct means that Huguely will not be able to have the $15 million in compensatory damages dismissed by a bankruptcy court if he argues that he does not have the assets to pay the judgment.

During the trial, Huguely's lawyer, Matthew Green, acknowledged that Huguely's actions caused Yeardley's death and said her family was entitled to compensatory damages.

But Green said Huguely had been drinking heavily for more than 24 hours before he confronted Love in her apartment, did not intend to kill her and was unaware that she was dead until police told him while questioning him the next morning. Green argued that Huguely's actions did not rise to the level of willful and wanton conduct needed for a jury to award punitive damages under Virginia law.

"We think the result of the jury in granting the defense request not to award punitive damages shows that George got a fair trial ten years ago and justice was done at that time and no additional punishment was warranted, Green said after the verdict.

Love, of Cockeysville, Maryland, and Huguely, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, were both 22-year-old UVA seniors who were weeks away from graduation.

Love's attorneys told jurors that Huguely and Love had a rocky relationship that was damaged by Huguely's excessive drinking. They said Huguely kicked a hole in Loves bedroom door, then beat her and left her alone in her apartment without seeking medical attention. A medical examiner concluded she died of blunt force trauma to her head.

Huguely testified that he doesn't remember breaking into her room and leaving her fatally injured. He said he had been drinking heavily and compared his memory of the night Love was killed to a slideshow in which 98% of the slides had been removed.

Bekman said the jury's verdict sends a message that being drunk does not excuse violent behavior. You think you get a free pass  you don't, he said. There's accountability, and accountability took place today in Charlottesville.

Toward the end of his testimony, Huguely turned to Loves mother and sister and apologized for killing her.

I miss her and think about her every day. I would do anything to take back that night, he said. I take responsibility for what happened to her and I should have never gone over to her apartment that night.

Sharon Love initially filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2012, but it was voluntarily dismissed years later after court rulings determined that Huguely was not entitled to coverage under a $6 million homeowners insurance policy held by his family.

A new lawsuit filed in 2018 dropped negligence claims, but added a claim alleging that an assault and battery by Huguely was the proximate cause of Loves death.
High school students wearing face masks take a selfie ahead of their field trip in Seoul, May 2, the first day after the lifting of the government's outdoor mask mandate. Yonhap





New COVID-19 cases rose to over 50,000, Monday, from a nearly three-month low the previous day, as the government seeks a return to normalcy amid a recent gradual decrease in infections.







The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 51,131 new infections, including 45 from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 17,346,753.







Monday's count more than doubled from Sunday's 20,084; but still marked a drop from a week earlier when the figure remained above 80,000.







Forty-nine deaths were added, down from Sunday's 83, bringing the total to 23,007, the KDCA said, for a fatality rate of 0.13 percent.







The number of critically ill patients came to 417, down from 461 reported the previous day, and the fourth day in a row marking a decline.







As the country has seen a downward trend in new infections after the worst virus wave driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, the government has eased strict antivirus rules to support the people's return to normalcy.







On Monday, the government lifted the outdoor mask mandate after more than 18 months of enforcement, except for large gatherings of 50 or more.







Last month, the government also fully lifted private gathering limits and business hour curfews.







But mask wearing is still recommended when it is difficult for people to keep a 1-meter distance from each other at gatherings and in circumstances where lots of droplets of saliva could be expelled, such as shouting and singing.







The government also made it clear that indoor mask wearing needs to be in place for some time being.







As of midnight Monday, 44.55 million people, or 86.8 percent of the population, had been vaccinated with the first two shots, and 33.14 million people had received their first booster shots, representing 64.6 percent.







The number of those having the second booster shot came to 2.2 million, or 4.4 percent of the population, the KDCA said. (Yonhap)






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A Los Angeles protest over the leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that would throw out Roe v. Wade briefly turned into a skirmish with police, who say one officer was injured.

A citywide police tactical alert was declared after a Tuesday night confrontation near downtown's Pershing Square.

Authorities say about 250 people had been marching peacefully for abortion rights before the clash. LAPD Chief Michel Moore says some demonstrators threw rocks and bottles at officers. One officer was struck with a baton.

There was no immediate word of any arrests and the crowd mostly dispersed after a large police presence was called in.

It was the only violence reported among demonstrations held around the country. About 1,000 people gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington D.C. Smaller gatherings were held in Atlanta; Austin, Texas and in Manhattan, where New York state Attorney General Letitia James announced that nearly two decades ago, she walked proudly into Planned Parenthood" and had an abortion.

___

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ABORTION STORY:

 Biden says if Roe v. Wade is overturned, other rights could be next

 Chief Justice John Roberts launches an investigation into the leak

 Several state abortion bans would kick in if Roe is overturned

 The leak of the draft opinion came as a shock to Supreme Court watchers

 Senate Democrats fume, say they'll take the fight to the campaign trail

Find all AP stories on abortion: https://apnews.com/hub/abortion

___

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

WASHINGTON -- Vice President Kamala Harris is blasting the draft U.S. Supreme Court decision that would overturn federal abortion rights.

How dare they, she said Tuesday in a speech at the EMILYS List political action committee national conference. How dare they try to deny women their rights and their freedoms.

The draft decision, which was leaked Monday night, would overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

Womens rights in America are under attack, Harris said. Today we know our purpose, we also know what we are up against.

Let us fight with everything weve got, she said.

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LAREDO, Texas  U.S Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, one of the last Democrats in Congress to oppose abortion, said Tuesday that the draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade goes too far and would divide the country.

The 17-year incumbent is in the midst of the toughest reelection fight of his career against progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros. She is backed by abortion rights groups ahead of their May 24 primary runoff, which could become the first test of whether the court leak will galvanize voters, as many Democrats are predicting.

In a statement, Cuellar reiterated his opposition to abortion but said the draft is not based on precedent and is not incremental in nature.

As a Catholic, I do not support abortion, however, we cannot have an outright ban, Cuellar said. There must be exceptions in cases of rape, incest and danger to the life of the mother.

Cisneros trailed Cuellar by about 1,000 votes in the March primary. She criticized him again Tuesday for being the only House Democrat who didnt support a bill earlier this year to protect abortion rights.

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RENO, Nev.  Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat who supports abortion rights, said Tuesday that the states residents are among those who wouldnt immediately be affected by a Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. Thats because voters passed a referendum in 1990 guaranteeing a right to a legal abortion until 24 weeks of pregnancy.

But Ford said he shared concerns voiced by President Joe Biden and others that other privacy rights could be at risk if the justices follow through, including same-sex marriage and birth control.

Former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, an anti-abortion Republican seeking the GOP nomination to try to unseat Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto in November, praised the reasoning in the draft opinion.

If the leaked decision reflects the Supreme Courts ultimate decision, it would constitute an historic victory for the sanctity of life and the principles of democratic self-determination, he said in a statement.

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TOPEKA, Kan.  Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat and strong abortion-rights supporter in a Republican-dominated state, vowed Tuesday to continue to oppose all regressive legislation which interferes with individual rights or freedoms.

Kansas voters will decide in the August primary whether to add language to the state constitution sought by abortion opponents saying that nothing in the charter grants a right to an abortion.

The ballot initiative is designed to overturn a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision declaring access to abortion a fundamental right, which abortion foes fear could lead the court to overturn existing restrictions. But if Roe v. Wade is overturned, the change would allow the Republican-controlled Legislature to ban abortion.

While I dont want to jump to conclusions based on a leaked draft, I want to reiterate that Ive always believed that every womans reproductive decisions should be left to her and her physician, Kelly said in a statement.

Kellys presumed Republican opponent in the governors race, Attorney General Derek Schmidt, says that however the U.S. Supreme Court rules, Kansas voters still need to pass the state ballot initiative.

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AUSTIN, Texas  Karina Munoz, who works at a clinic in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, that specializes in womens health services, said Tuesday that she receives about 100-150 calls per day regarding abortion services.

She said at least half of the callers are from the U.S. and most call from Texas, which shares a roughly 230-mile-long (370-kilometer-long) border with Tamaulipas, Mexicos northeasternmost state.

When they call, she said she clarifies to clients that though Mexicos high court set a legal precedent by decriminalizing abortion in a case from Coahuila, a state that also shares a long border with Texas, abortion is still not allowed in Tamaulipas.

She said the U.S. clients that her clinic does treat can only be seen for health and prenatal exams, and that abortion-seekers are advised to seek them where it is legal.

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WASHINGTON  Furious Senate Democrats are vowing to vote on legislation to protect abortion access for millions of Americans.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday angrily denounced the Supreme Courts leaked draft decision that would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, is holding firm to his refusal to end the filibuster, saying Tuesday that The filibuster is the only protection we have for democracy.

So without Republican support, Congress is essentially powerless to prevent the unraveling of the abortion access.

Schumer stopped short of promising to change Senate filibuster rules to overcome Republican obstruction to salvage the abortion law.

Key Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said if the draft holds, it rocks my confidence in the court.

Democrats signaled they will fight it out on the campaign trail this fall.

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SANTA FE, N.M.  New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who signed a law last year that overturned the states long-dormant ban on most abortion procedures, took to Twitter on Tuesday and promised to safeguard local access to abortion services.

Grisham, a Democrat who signed that law in anticipation of a new approach from the U.S. Supreme Court, wrote that The moment so many of us feared is upon us.

New Mexico voters in 2020 ousted several socially conservative Democratic legislators who were supportive of the states 1969 ban.

New Mexico already receives many patients from neighboring states such as Texas that have tightened restrictions on abortion procedures. Albuquerque is home to one of only a few independent clinics in the country that perform abortions in the third trimester.

Republicans in the legislative minority vowed to revisit the states abortion laws, while Democratic activists scheduled an evening womens march in support of abortion rights outside a federal courthouse in the state capital, Santa Fe.

Democratic state House Speaker Brian Egolf said Tuesday on Twitter that the trend in this country is dangerous. Today, its loss of access to care; next its contraception.

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OVERLAND PARK, Kan.  Dr. Iman Alsaden, the medical director for Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said her organization has already had a glimpse of what a post-Roe v. Wade landscape would look like.

Texas ban on abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy took effect in September, resulting in a 2500% increase in the number of patients from Texas at her groups clinics in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Since that day, my colleagues and I have regularly treated patients who are fleeing their communities to seek care, Alsaden, who is based in Overland Park, Kansas, told reporters during a conference call on Tuesday.

She said many of these patients are forced to drive hours to make appointments on time and to scramble to make travel and childcare arrangements.

Theyre taking time off of work, taking time out of school and taking time away from their family responsibilities to get the care that until September 2021 they were able to get safely and readily in their communities, Alsaden said.

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FARGO, N.D.  North Dakotas only abortion clinic is reassuring patients that their appointments will stand, for now.

Tammi Kromenaker, who owns and operates the Red River Womens Clinic in Fargo, said Tuesday that she posted a notice on the clinics website letting women know that abortion is still legal and that their appointments at the clinic are safe.

Politico published a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion late Monday showing that a majority of the court is prepared to overrule the landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide.

Kromenaker says she also talked to staff about the draft opinion, emphasizing that this is not yet the final ruling. Its a message shes seen from abortion providers across the country.

She says she already had a plan to open a clinic just across the river in Minnesota if a 2007 North Dakota law outlawing abortion was triggered by any Supreme Court decision, and the leak just made that move all the more urgent.

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AUSTIN, Texas  A Texas Republican who authored the most restrictive abortion law in the U.S. says he looks forward to Roe v. Wade ending up on the ash heap of history.

State Sen. Bryan Hughes carried Senate Bill 8, which bans abortions in Texas after roughly six weeks of pregnancy. The law is enforced solely through private lawsuits and the guarantee of at least $10,000 for successfully suing a doctor or anyone else who helps a woman obtain an abortion.

State data shows abortions in Texas roughly two dozen clinics plummeted by about 50% in the three months after the law took effect in September, compared to a year earlier.

Hughes told the Associated Press in a text message: When the travesty of Roe v. Wade is finally on the ash heap of history, more little lives can be saved, and more mothers can be helped.

Amy Hagstrom Miller, president of Whole Womans Health, says her four clinics in Texas have spent months preparing for Roe to be overturned. She says her staff is telling patients and callers that abortion is still legal, for now.

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JACKSON, Miss.  Abortion rights opponent Barbara Beavers stood outside Mississippis only abortion clinic Tuesday next to two signs with the slogans: Ask me about free pregnancy tests & ultrasounds and You dont have to do this today.

Beavers, who retired from a crisis pregnancy center, which tries to persuade women not to have abortions, prayed and tried to talk to people as they got out of cars to go inside.

Im offering help and alternatives to abortion, said Beavers, who lives in Jackson. Abortion hurts women as well as unborn children, and so I want to offer them kind of a last  before they go in  place of respite, help and hope.

Asked if she thought she would ever see Roe v. Wade overturned, Beavers said: Dred Scott was overturned. It was a bad law. Roe v. Wades bad law. We need to be defending our children, unborn or born. We need to be defending them. We need to be supporting them. We dont need to be killing them.

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WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Tuesday blasted as radical the draft Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that protected abortion rights.

It concerns me a great deal that after 50 years were going to decide that a woman doesnt have the right to choose, Biden told reporters before boarding Air Force One for a trip to Alabama.

If the decision is issued, he said, a whole range of rights that are based on the presumption of privacy will be in question, including access to contraception and same sex marriage.

Its a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence, Biden said.

Biden said he wanted Congress to pass legislation codifying Roe v. Wade, but he wasnt prepared to say whether the Senate should sidestep the filibuster to do so.

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WASHINGTON  Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday confirmed the authenticity of a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court may be be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

Roberts also ordered an investigation into what he called an egregious breach of trust.

In the high courts first public comment since the draft was published late Monday, Roberts said, Although the document described in yesterdays reports is authentic, it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.

To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed, he said in a written statement.

He added: I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak.
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The midterm election season began in earnest Tuesday with primaries in Indiana and Ohio. Ohio's hotly contested Republican Senate race tested the enduring power of former President Donald Trump's influence, as his endorsed candidate, JD Vance, defeated six others for the GOP nomination for the seat held by retiring Republican Sen. Rob Portman.

Trump-endorsed Republicans Madison Gesiotto Gilbert and Max Miller won U.S. House primaries in northeast Ohio. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, also endorsed by Trump, won the states Republican primary over a conservative challenger who questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED:

Election 2022: JD Vance wins Ohios GOP Senate primary

Ohio Republican Gov. DeWine will face Nan Whaley this fall

Indiana GOP lawmakers hold off many hard-right challengers

Brown wins Ohio rematch with progressive activist Turner

Primary takeaways: Trump passes test as kingmaker in Ohio

___

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

COLUMBUS, Ohio  Donald Trump-endorsed Republican Madison Gesiotto Gilbert has won a crowded primary for an open U.S. House seat in northeast Ohio.

Gilbert, a North Canton columnist and conservative commentator who worked on Trumps 2020 campaign, bested six other Republicans on Tuesday to secure the GOP nomination for the Akron-area 13th Congressional District.

Gilbert will face Democratic state Rep. Emilia Sykes, who was unopposed in the primary, this November. Their contest will be one of the years most competitive, with the newly drawn district viewed as a toss-up slightly favoring Democrats.

Among rivals defeated by Gilbert were anti-abortion activist Janet Folger Porter; lawyer and entrepreneur Greg Wheeler; and Shay Hawkins, an attorney and trade association president.

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INDIANAPOLIS  Jennifer-Ruth Green has won the Republican nomination in a northwestern Indiana congressional district that the GOP is looking to capture after several decades as a Democratic stronghold.

Green, a Black U.S. Air Force veteran, won Tuesdays primary in the 1st Congressional District to challenge Democratic Rep. Frank Mrvan, who won his first term in 2020 following the retirement of 18-term Democratic Rep. Pete Visclosky.

The 1st District hugs Indianas Lake Michigan shoreline near Chicago. Democrats have typically won there by large margins, but former President Donald Trump closed the gap by appealing to working-class voters in a district with some of the countrys largest steel mills.

Green emerged from a seven-candidate Republican field that included former LaPorte Mayor Blair Milo, who was well connected with Indianas Republican hierarchy after spending four years as a member of GOP Gov. Eric Holcombs Cabinet leading state job-training programs.

Green had a combat deployment to Iraq and is now a lieutenant colonel in the Indiana Air National Guard. She had criticized Milo as not supportive enough of Trump, citing Milos decision to step down as a delegate to the 2016 Republican convention rather than vote for Trump as the nominee.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio  U.S. Senate candidate JD Vance struck a unifying tone as he accepted the Republican Partys nomination Tuesday.

He complimented his GOP opponents  including silencing boos for his most bitter rival, former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel -- and pledged to appeal to the states many moderates heading into November.

He said Democratic nominee Tim Ryan, a 10-term congressman, is the very worst of modern American politics for saying he stands for one thing and voting for another. He called Ryan a guy who has spent 20 years failing the people of Youngstown and now wants the people of Ohio to give him a promotion.

Vance made it a point to reach out to Mandels supporters.

Some of the best people in the state of Ohio voted for Josh Mandel tonight. I hope to earn your support, he said.

But Vance called the conservative Club for Growth, which endorsed Mandel early and spent millions in negative attack ads against Vance, one of the grossest organizations in professional establishment Washington.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio  U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown has won her Democratic primary in Cleveland, holding off a second challenge from progressive firebrand Nina Turner.

Browns victory in Ohios 11th Congressional District on Tuesday followed Turners loss of some key support she had from the partys left flank during the pairs first faceoff last August.

Turner, a former state senator, was endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose 2020 presidential campaign she co-chaired. On the eve of Tuesdays primary, she was also endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But other members of the squad laid low this time, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus wound up endorsing Brown.

With her win, Brown is expected to hold on to the seat in November in the heavily Democratic district. She is a former member of the Cuyahoga County Council and chair of the county Democratic Party.

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INDIANAPOLIS  Former state Sen. Erin Houchin has won the crowded Republican primary for an open congressional seat from a solidly GOP district in southern Indiana.

Houchin emerged Tuesday from a nine-candidate Republican field for the 9th Congressional District seat that opened up when current GOP Rep. Trey Hollingsworth unexpectedly announced in January he wouldnt seek reelection after three terms.

The 45-year-old Houchin finished second to Hollingsworth in the 2016 GOP primary race. This time, she was able to overcome a self-funded campaign by wealthy trucking company owner Mike Sodrel, who attempted a political comeback for the seat he held for a single term after a 2004 election win.

Houchin resigned her state Senate seat in February after seven years to focus on the congressional race. Houchin was the only woman among the Republican candidates, and she also drew on her ties to GOP activists from her previous stints as former U.S. Sen. Dan Coats southeastern Indiana director and the 9th Districts Republican chair.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio  JD Vance has won the Republican primary for Ohios open Senate seat, notching a major victory for former President Donald Trump, who had endorsed him.

The Hillbilly Elegy author defeated six other candidates Tuesday to claim the Republican nomination for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Rob Portman.

Trump endorsed Vance less than three weeks before the primary at a time when state treasurer Josh Mandel and investment banker Mike Gibbons were leading in the polls.

The former president has staked his status as a GOP kingmaker on his ability to mobilize his supporters as he eyes another White House run in 2024.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio  Republican Max Miller has won a U.S. House primary in northeast Ohio, in an early midterm victory for Donald Trump, who had endorsed him.

Miller, a former campaign and White House aide to the former president, prevailed in a four-way GOP primary Tuesday in Ohios newly drawn 7th Congressional District.

His path to the nomination eased when incumbent Rep. Bob Gibbs dropped out of contention in April, citing the chaos created by Ohios unresolved redistricting fight.

Miller will be favored this fall in the Republican-leaning district, which sprawls west and south of Cleveland. He faces Democrat Matthew Diemer, a Bay Village media entrepreneur and first-time candidate who was unopposed after two challengers left the race.

Miller was initially recruited to challenge U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, but Gonzalez retired.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio  Nan Whaley has won the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor, becoming the first woman in the states history to receive a major partys backing for the office.

Ohio has never elected a female governor, and the former Dayton mayor figures to be an underdog against incumbent Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who sewed up his partys nomination despite angering conservatives with his aggressive pandemic mandates in a state that has swung to the right in recent years.

Whaley defeated former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley on Tuesday in a race that drew little attention as much of the state focused on the contentious Senate Republican primary and ongoing redistricting legal battle.

She promised during the campaign to protect abortion rights and wants the state to add a $15 minimum wage, universal preschool and better access to child care.

Ohio hasnt elected a Democrat to be governor since 2006. Despite being a presidential bellwether state for over a half century until 2020, Ohio has become more Republican under the influence of former President Donald Trump.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio  Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine won his partys nomination for a second term in office despite angering many conservatives early in the pandemic with aggressive stay-at-home mandates and business shutdowns.

DeWine on Tuesday topped three far-right opponents, including former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, who painted the governor as a moderate not aligned with former President Donald Trump.

Despite some notable splits with Trump, DeWine managed to win a shot at a second term by relying on a huge fundraising advantage and a network of supporters built from a political career spanning more than 40 years.

DeWine will be a favorite again in November against the winner of the Democratic primary between Nan Whaley and John Cranley, two former Ohio mayors who have far less name recognition in a state that hasnt elected a Democrat governor since 2006.

DeWine touted his longtime record of opposing abortion, calling himself the most pro-life governor in Ohio history.

In his first term, DeWine signed a bill banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected  at the time one of the most stringent restrictions in the nation. In the past year, he signed a Stand Your Ground law and scored a major win when Intel announced it was investing $20 billion in two semiconductor factories near Columbus.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio  Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has won the states Republican primary over a conservative challenger who questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results.

LaRose defeated former state lawmaker John Adams in Tuesdays primary election. He will face Democrat Chelsea Clark, a suburban Cincinnati City Council member and businesswoman, in November. Clark was unopposed in Tuesdays primary.

LaRose was elected Ohio secretary of state in 2018 and presided over the states 2020 election. LaRose defended the integrity of the vote count in the weeks after the 2020 election, saying, Elections are run better and more honestly than really I think they ever have been. This year, however, while trying to win Donald Trumps endorsement, he changed his tune, saying he agreed with the former president that voter fraud is a serious problem.

LaRose had Trumps endorsement in the race. He had backed Trumps first run for office in 2016 and was part of a team that handled logistics for Trumps 2017 inauguration.

Adams is an Army and Navy veteran and former state lawmaker who had criticized LaRose for his role in postponing the March 2020 primary during the coronavirus pandemic.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio  U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan has won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Ohio.

The 10-term congressman from Ohios blue-collar Mahoning Valley defeated progressive Morgan Harper, a former consumer protection attorney, and one other rival to claim the Democratic nomination for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Rob Portman.

Ryans victory was widely expected, given his long history in office and his backing by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, the states highest-ranking Democrat. Democrats see the November election as one of its best chances nationally to flip a seat.

Ryan will face the winner of the crowded Republican primary in the November general election. Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance, former state treasurer Josh Mandel and investment banker Mike Gibbons are among the candidates competing for the GOP nomination. Vance was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

Ryan directed his campaign message at working class Ohio residents, promising to increase jobs and boost wages.

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Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics.
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HOUSTON (AP)  A man was convicted Tuesday in the fatal stabbing of an 11-year-old Houston boy as the child walked home from school in 2016.

Jurors deliberated for about three hours before finding 33-year-old Andre Timothy Jackson, guilty of murder in the death of Josue Flores.

Jackson, who has always maintained his innocence, faces up to life in prison.

Authorities say the sixth grader was killed as he walked home from a science club meeting at a school just north of downtown Houston on May 17, 2016. He was only two blocks from home when he was stabbed more than 20 times.

Witnesses told officers they heard loud screams and saw the boy struggling with a man. The boy collapsed on the grass near the sidewalk and the man ran away.

During closing arguments on Tuesday, prosecutors told jurors that the boy's DNA was found on Jacksons jacket.

The reasonable conclusion here is that the victims DNA is on Andre Jacksons jacket because he murdered Josue Flores. Andre Jackson is a killer. He killed a child and the evidence is right here guys, said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Chris Condon.

Police say the jacket was found in the room at the Salvation Army shelter where Jackson had been living in at the time of the killing. Surveillance video from the day of Josues death showed Jackson wearing the jacket.

But Jerome Godinich, one of Jacksons attorneys, suggested to jurors that the amount of DNA found on the jacket was so small that it could have been transferred onto it by someone else at the shelter. Jacksons attorneys said he didnt match the physical description of the suspect seen by people who witnessed the killing and Jackson had no history of violence.

It is a textbook example of how innocent people get convicted, said Justin Keiter, another of Jacksons attorneys.

Jackson said in a YouTube video posted in May 2019: I am not Josues killer. I am not a killer.

The Marine Corps veteran was first arrested weeks after Josues killing. But prosecutors dropped the charge in 2017, saying there wasnt enough evidence to try Jackson or uphold a conviction.

He was rearrested in 2019 after prosecutors said newly tested DNA evidence connected him to the killing.

Jackson wasnt the first person charged in the case.

A 31-year-old man with a long criminal history was charged days after the killing, but that charge was dropped when detectives found evidence to support his alibi.

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Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter at www.twitter.com/juanlozano70
OLATHE, Kan. (AP)  A Kansas man has been found guilty of capital murder in the 2018 killing of his pregnant girlfriend.

A jury convicted Devonte Dominique Wash, 31, of Kansas City, Kansas, on Monday for the death of 23-year-old Ashley Harlan, of Olathe, and her unborn child, prosecutors for Johnson County said in a statement.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexican authorities said Tuesday they have relocated a migrant camp that sprung up in a park in the border city of Reynosa, moving about 2,000 people from Central American and Haiti to a shelter in the city, across the border from McAllen, Texas.

The camp of migrants mainly from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Haiti sprung up after U.S. officials. citing the pandemic, invoked a a health rule that denies migrants a chance to seek asylum.

Mexico's National Immigration Institute said the migrants were taken near midnight Monday to the shelter, which it said will have better hygiene and food services.

But on Monday, people in another border city, Nuevo Laredo, said hundreds of migrants, mainly Haitians, have streamed into the city, which is across the border from Laredo, Texas

The rush apparently started after the U.S. began processing some asylum seekers there.

The Catholic bishop of Nuevo Laredo said Monday that migrant shelters there are already overcrowded, with some migrants sleeping outside in tents.

Bishop Enrique Sanchez Martinez said migrants started streaming into Nuevo Laredo in late April, though the city isnt usually popular among migrants, in part because it is dominated by the violent Northeast drug cartel.

It is new for us because this is the last place they come, due to the conditions of our border, of our city, which are sometimes adverse for migrants, the bishop said. But since they opened the door in the United States to asylum requests, a lot of them came in large groups.

Marvin Ajic, the director of the Casa Nazareth shelter, said that around April 16, Mexican authorities notified the shelters that the United States would resume processing asylum claims for humanitarian reasons.

The U.S. had begun allowing more people in, especially Central American adults, to prepare for lifting Title 42  a pandemic-era health rule that denies migrants a chance to enter the U.S. seek asylum  on May 23. But a federal judge in Louisiana ruled last week that the government could not unwind the rule before the end date.

The (Mexican) immigration officials organized things with the shelters, and the plan was to send people who had been waiting a long time, without any checks, basically anyone, Ajic.

That apparently drew the attention of other migrants, including Haitians.

In September, similar rumors sparked a rush by about 15,000 mostly Haitian refugees to the Texas border, where they camped under a bridge. U.S. officials began large scale deportations of Haitians while also allowing thousands to remain in the U.S.

Ajic warned migrants against coming to the border, noting the risks. On Monday, Mexicos National Immigration Institute said that so far this year, it has hauled the bodies of 19 immigrants from the Rio Grande, also known as the Rio Bravo.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  Prosecutors in Idaho say they will seek the death penalty against a woman charged with killing her two youngest children and her new husband's previous wife.

The prosecuting attorneys from Fremont and Madison counties made the announcement in court documents filed Monday, saying Lori Daybell Vallow will qualify for capital punishment if she is convicted at her trial later this year because the slayings were exceptionally depraved and carried out for financial gain.

The prosecutors also said Lori Vallow Daybell showed utter disregard for human life and has exhibited a propensity to commit murder which will probably constitute a continuing threat to society. Her attorney, Jim Archibald, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lori Daybell's co-defendant and husband, Chad Daybell, is also facing a potential death penalty if convicted. The pair are charged with murder, conspiracy and grand theft in connection with the deaths of 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan.

Prosecutors announced their intent to seek capital punishment in Chad Daybells case last August, but Lori Vallow Daybell's case was on hold at the time because she was undergoing treatment at a mental health facility. Lori Vallow Daybell is scheduled to stand trial in October, and Chad Daybell is scheduled for trial next January.

Idaho law enforcement began investigating the Daybells in November 2019 after extended family members reported the children were missing. The children were missing for several months, during which time police said the couple lied about the children's whereabouts, before their bodies were found buried on Chad Daybell's property in rural Idaho.

Chad and Lori Daybell married just two weeks after his previous wife, Tammy Daybell, died unexpectedly. Tammy Daybell's death was initially reported as natural causes, but investigators had her body exhumed after growing suspicious when Chad Daybell quickly remarried.

Lori Vallow Daybell is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in Arizona in connection with the death of her previous husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed by Lori Daybell's brother, Alex Cox, who claimed it was self-defense. Cox later died of what police said was natural causes.

Chad Daybell has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and a judge entered a not guilty plea on Lori Vallow Daybell's behalf after she stood silent when asked for a plea earlier this year.

Idaho law allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty if they can show certain aggravating factors for crimes like murder or conspiracy to commit murder.
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (AP)  Police have arrested a North Carolina man in connection with a fatal shooting in broad daylight at a park, authorities said.

Rocky Mount police spokesman Ricky Jackson said officers arrested Ronnie Slade, 18, at his residence on Monday, news outlets reported. Slade is being held without bond in the Edgecombe County jail on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
Mark Lennihan/AP

Pfizer now hopes to tell U.S. regulators how well its COVID-19 vaccine works in the littlest kids by late May or early June.

Pfizer is testing three extra-small doses of its vaccine in children under 5 after two shots didn't prove quite strong enough. Initial results had been expected last month but the company laid out the latest timeline Tuesday during its discussion of quarterly financial results.
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NEW YORK (AP)  In breaking news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that would strike down 50 years of abortion policy, Politico's most impactful moment also put the news organization squarely in the middle of one of society's most contentious issues.

Politico sent a memo to staff members on Tuesday saying it had restricted access to its offices and told security to be extra vigilant about visitors. The company also urged employees to consider removing their Politico affiliation on social media accounts.

The company has not reported any specific threats.

But the story on the court's apparent readiness to overrule the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide led to wide speculation online about Politico's sources, some of it specific and malevolent.

The Federalist, a conservative website, headlined a story: The SCOTUS Abortion Decision Leak is what Actual Treasonous Insurrection Looks Like. The site said it believed the news was leaked to bully justices into changing their votes.

Politico's story struck like a thunderclap when posted at 8:32 p.m. Eastern Monday. It's very rare for internal Supreme Court discussions to be made public, and unprecedented for a full draft decision to see the light of day  much less for one of the most closely watched cases to come before justices in years.

Demonstrators quickly appeared outside of the court, and cable news networks rearranged schedules to cover the news.

I gasped and reflexively put my hand over my mouth, journalist Emily Kaplan wrote on Twitter. Haven't done that since Election Night 2016.

The story, written by Josh Gerstein and Alexander Ward, said the court had already voted to eliminate Roe as a precedent. It linked to a copy of the draft decision which, according to a stamp on it, was written by Justice Samuel Alito and circulated within the court on Feb. 10, 2022.

Politico emphasized it was a draft decision that could change. In the article, Politico said it had received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the court's proceedings in the case that was argued Dec. 1, along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

That would seem to limit the potential sources: Each one of the court's nine justices has four clerks and there is an unknown number of support staff. It was not clear whether Politico had an electronic or hard copy of the decision.

The story was a closely held secret even within Politico, with few people knowing that it was coming. At the time it was posted, Politico's top news executives, Editor-in-Chief Matt Kaminski and Executive Editor Dafna Linzer, sent a memo to the full staff about it.

After an extensive review process, we are confident of the authenticity of the draft, the executives wrote. This unprecedented view into the justice's deliberations is plainly news of great public interest.

Politico gave no details about how it concluded the document was real and not a fake, or how long it had been in possession of the draft. The company said that our journalism speaks for itself.

The draft's authenticity was ultimately confirmed Tuesday by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who announced an investigation into who leaked the document.

It's understandable that Politico is going to great lengths to protect the identity of its source, said Kelly McBride, expert on journalism ethics for the Poynter Institute think tank.

Yet while fellow journalists understand why it's a huge story and why Politico published it, that might not be clear to a general public unfamiliar with how journalism works and often suspicious of motives, she said. Politico should have considered communicating some of that with readers.

It's going to have such massive consequences that I don't think that it's hard to explain why you did it, she said.

Politico doesn't have the footprint of The New York Times, the Washington Post or The Associated Press  all of whom were chasing its story  but it is a well-known brand name for those who follow Washington closely. Launched in 2007 by former Washington Post reporters John Harris and Jim VandeHei, it aggressively covers government and political news. Its morning Playbook newsletter is an influential agenda-setter for the nation's elite.

The expanding company was bought last year by German publisher Axel Springer for a price reported to be around $1 billion.

The fact that they broke this story and their name is all over it distinguishes their journalism and puts their name in both the history books and the textbooks, said Frank Sesno, a former CNN Washington bureau chief and professor at George Washington University.
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LANSING, Mich. (AP)  A draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion that would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision reverberated in political battleground Michigan, where a near-total abortion ban may take effect again after nearly 50 years and is unlikely to be changed by the Republican-led Legislature.

There is increased attention in Michigan on the state courts, where Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Planned Parenthood  anticipating the ruling  filed lawsuits less than a month ago seeking to invalidate the dormant 1931 law that remains on the books. The governor wants the Michigan Supreme Court to declare a constitutional right to abortion by recognizing the rights to privacy and bodily integrity. She argues the law is invalid under the due process and equal protection clauses of the state constitution.

The development also put a focus on the November election, when the governor and legislators are up for reelection and voters may decide whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.

Women are waking up this morning feeling hopeless; but we can't go back. I'm more motivated than ever to keep fighting like hell to ensure abortion remains safe and accessible in Michigan," Whitmer tweeted.

The leaked draft opinion published Monday by Politico in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure. A Supreme Court statement emphasized that the draft is not the justices final word.

Michigan's pre-Roe law, which followed a similar 1846 law, makes it a four-year felony to use an instrument or administer any substance with the intent to abort a fetus unless necessary to preserve the woman's life. It has no exceptions in cases of rape and incest, and Whitmer has said Michigan would have one of the most extreme laws in the country.

Republican legislators have blocked Democrats' efforts to repeal the law. The state's Democratic attorney general, Dana Nessel, and Democratic prosecutors in seven counties with abortion clinics in turn have pledged to not enforce it. The six other counties with clinics have Republican prosecutors.

Nessel said she believes the pre-Roe ban would immediately go into effect if Roe is overturned. She warned that would have a chilling effect on doctors in part because prosecutors who favor abortion rights may be succeeded by those who do not. She said the law also could be interpreted to criminalize self-induced abortions.

Its a very odd set of circumstances. Generally speaking throughout history, we gain rights. We dont normally lose them, she said.

All 10 Republican candidates vying to challenge Whitmer are anti-abortion. Many oppose it except to protect the woman's life, aligning with Right to Life of Michigan's position. At least two, business owner Kevin Rinke and State Police Capt. Michael Brown, favor additional exceptions such as for rape and incest.

If true, I believe the Supreme Court acted properly by letting the people of Michigan make their own decision, Rinke tweeted. As governor, I will ensure that Michigan is a state that respects the sanctity of life.

Another candidate, conservative former news host Tudor Dixon, issued a lengthy statement saying she is pro-life and telling women they do not have to pick and choose between having a baby.

Life is winning! chiropractor Garrett Soldano tweeted.

For abortion-rights supporters, the pending high court decision also made clear the urgency of a ballot drive they announced in January. The constitutional amendment would affirm the right to make pregnancy-related decisions without interference, including about abortion and other reproductive services such as birth control.

The Reproductive Freedom for All committee needs to collect about 425,000 valid voter signatures by July 11 to make the November ballot. The measure would become law if voters approved it.

In Michigan, 70% of voters in the 2020 presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave Roe v. Wade as is and 27% said it should overturn the decision, according to AP VoteCast. That was similar to opinions among voters nationwide.

Few voters in Michigan, 12%, said abortion in general should be illegal in all cases. Many, 28%, said abortion should be illegal in most cases, but a majority  59%  said abortion in general should be legal in all or most cases.

The unfortunate reality is that our fate is now in our own hands; the U.S. Supreme Court will not protect us," said Nicole Wells Stallworth, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan. Our campaign to enshrine right to an abortion in the Michigan Constitution is essential, and we must remain vigilant and energized to see it through to the finish because the clock is ticking.

___

Associated Press polling reporter Hannah Fingerhut contributed to this report.

___

The story has been updated to correct that it has been nearly 50 years since Michigan had a near-total abortion ban.

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Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, May 2. AP-Yonhap



The U.S.-South Korea alliance is an incredibly important relationship that is vital to many issues in the region and around the world, a White House spokesperson said Monday of reasons for President Joe Biden's planned trip to Seoul.



Jen Psaki also noted North Korea will be a "prominent part" of the agenda for Biden's upcoming trip that will also take him to Japan.



"I would note that we have an incredibly important, vital relationship with South Korea. We work on a range of issues in the region and around the world, and that is the reason why the president is going to be visiting later this month," she said in a press briefing when asked if the U.S. plans to invite South Korea to join the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a grouping of the U.S., Australia, Japan and India.



"There are many ways that we engage with South Korea. It's an incredibly important partnership, relationship, but the Quad will remain the Quad. We will continue to engage with South Korea through a range of mechanisms and continue to work on the strength of our relationship," she added.



The White House earlier said the U.S. leader will be traveling to South Korea and Japan, in that order, from May 20-24.



Psaki said the order of Biden's trip should not be over emphasized when asked if his visit to Seoul before Tokyo indicates the U.S.' focus on North Korea issues.



"In terms of the order of the trip. I would not over read into that. Obviously we have a strong relationship with Japan, strong relationship with South Korea," she said, adding, "I'm certain North Korea will, of course, be on the agenda, prominent part of the agenda."



Pyongyang has staged more than a dozen rounds of missile launches since September, while remaining unresponsive to U.S. overtures since the Biden administration took office in January 2021. (Yonhap)


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The phones inside an Alabama abortion clinic were ringing off the hook: the callers wanted to know if abortion remains legal. And, if so, for how long?

A leaked Supreme Court draft opinion was ricocheting around the world.

As Dalton Johnson, the clinics owner, read it Monday night, he was struck by the bluntness of the language that would end the constitutional right to an abortion, closing clinics in about half of American states, including his.

Im still in shock, Johnson said Tuesday as he scrambled to reassure his staff and patients they would continue providing abortions as long as theyre allowed in Alabama.

People on both sides of the abortion divide have been expecting the Supreme Court this summer to reverse the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade cas e that legalized abortion nationwide. But many said the draft opinion was nevertheless stunning, forcing them to reckon with the reality the nation is likely to enter soon.

I cant stop crying, said an elated Mississippi state Rep. Becky Currie, who sponsored the 2018 law that is the basis for the Supreme Court case. I am not quite sure I have the words to express how I feel right now, but God has had his hands on that bill since the beginning.

The leaked draft, published late Monday by Politico, is a 98-page opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which challenged the constitutionality of the Mississippi bill that banned abortion after 15 weeks. If the decision stands as written, it would also overturn Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a 1992 decision that protected abortion services even though it allowed states to add some limitations.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, the draft opinion states. It was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the courts 6-3 conservative majority. According to Politico, four other justices  Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  have agreed with the opinion.

The draft opinion was written in February, and the language could change before the court issues its final ruling. As written, it would give states the power to decide the legality of abortion. Roughly half, largely in the South and Midwest, are likely to quickly ban abortion.

Abortion clinics in those states opened Tuesday morning, still seeing patients but uncertain about the future.

The daily rituals unfolded as they always do: some protesters screamed at people walking inside while other abortion opponents prayed, clinic escorts tried to shield patients and hustle them in the doors.

Please overturn Roe v. Wade, said Barbara Beavers, who stood outside the clinic in Jackson, Mississippi, on Tuesday, gently trying to persuade people against going inside. Have mercy on our unborn children. Were destroying our future, killing our babies.

Inside clinics, the news prompted frantic phone calls, and abortion providers across America rushed to tell their patients that the clinics remained open.

I immediately felt sick to my stomach, said Tammi Kromenaker, who owns a clinic in Fargo, North Dakota. And 20 million thoughts started going through my head about what can we do? What does my staff need to hear? What do our patients need to hear?

She posted a notice on their website: If you have an appointment at Red River Womens Clinic, your appointment is safe.

In Charleston, West Virginia, Katie Quinonez had barely slept the night before; she was having nightmares about the Supreme Court. She rushed into the clinic Tuesday morning, terrified that her patients would misunderstand the news and think that abortion was immediately outlawed. They posted on social media that abortion remains legal and the clinic is open, but they dont know for how much longer.

She had been bracing for this news.

But there was still this visceral reaction, this very devastating feeling, Quinonez said. This is a red alert moment. This is beyond a red alert moment. The building is on fire.

At Johnsons clinic in Huntsville, women called to ask whether they can still get an abortion. Johnson said his first call of the morning was from a woman who had an abortion scheduled for Friday and wanted to come in Tuesday instead.

The staff held a meeting, and Johnson says he asked them to focus on those still coming for abortions who need their help. The opinion was just a draft, he told them, and cautioned that it wasnt the final decision.

Dr. Cheryl Hamlin, an OB-GYN from Boston, travels South about once a month to do abortions at Mississippis only abortion clinic. She said a lot of her patients won't be able to afford the costs of going out of state to have an abortion, including paying for hotels and taking time off work.

Meanwhile, states that continue to allow abortions are going to be overflowing with patients, she said.

Some anti-abortion activists were skeptical that the draft would become reality, fixating instead on the fact that it was leaked the press and whether that implied political posturing.

Im hopeful, said Dennis Westover, a 72-year-old retired electrical engineer, a regular protester outside the clinic in Charleston, West Virginia. But he was suspicious that someone leaked it as ammunition in the countrys intractable culture wars.

When our Supreme Court stuff starts to be leaked, its egregious, he said. One side or the other did it for a political motive to stir up some kind of stink.

In Louisville, Kentucky, protester Angela Minter said she prayed the draft opinion will be the final one.

Im excited today, Minter said. I believe its an indication of whats to come.

Minter thinks thats God answering her prayers: Shes been coming to the clinic most mornings since 2004. Patients tried to dodge her and the other protesters screaming outside. Dont murder your baby, one man shouted at a young woman. Clinic escorts in orange vests helped her into the building.

The Louisville clinic was closed for a week last month after the legislature banned abortion, until a court intervened. But if Roe falls, it will likely be shuttered again.

I do anticipate a day with no abortion clinics in Kentucky, said Meg Stern, who runs the Kentucky Health Justice Network and escorts at the clinic. Abortion access will now be an issue of privilege: People with the means to travel will be able to end their pregnancies.

Its the family that only has one vehicle and is already struggling to make ends meet. Maybe theyre in the city, maybe theyre in the rural parts of the state. But if they dont have access to travel, lodging, gas money, food money, babysitters while theyre gone, time off work, she said. Do you have the car that will make it?

For months now, the nation has had a glimpse of what that looks like. Texas banned abortion after six weeks in September. Planned Parenthood clinics in the surrounding states saw a 2,500% increase in patients, said Dr. Iman Alsaden, medical director for Planned Parenthood Great Plains.

Some Texans have arrived in Jackson, Mississippi, where Derenda Hancock volunteers as an escort.

Its only the people who can afford to get here that were seeing. It makes you think about all the people left behind at home that cant afford to get here, that cant make the trip. How are they faring? she wondered. Theyre going to be forced to be mothers.

Some groups are working to try to circumvent the law the best they can: mobile abortion units, fundraising for travel assistance, mail-order medications. One online womens health provider reported a significant spike in requests for emergency contraception Tuesday. Democrat-leaning states like New York, California and Illinois are rushing to pass laws to protect abortion access, both for their residents and people coming from out of state.

If abortion is outlawed in North Dakota, Kromenaker is planning to open a clinic just across the river in Minnesota. She hopes the leaked draft shakes people enough to take action, right away.

She texted her husband Tuesday: Weve got to move forward very quickly now, she wrote. The urgency is there.

___

Santana reported from New Orleans, Wagster Pettus from Jackson and Galofaro from Louisville. Leah Willingham contributed from Charleston, West Virginia, and Dylan Lovan from Louisville.

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Follow more of APs coverage on abortion: https://apnews.com/hub/abortion
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.
ABERDEEN, Wash. (AP)  A tuberculosis outbreak at Stafford Creek Corrections Center has spurred fears among incarcerated people and their families over whether correctional officials are properly responding to the serious and sometimes fatal infectious disease.

The cluster of 17 cases of active TB disease at the prison have helped drive what state health officials described last week as Washingtons largest TB outbreak in two decades. The state has recorded 70 cases so far this year, the Seattle Times reported.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh will meet with union organizers at the White House on Thursday, part of a broader effort by the administration to boost unionization campaigns at major employers.

A White House official insisted on anonymity to share the details of the gathering. Among the guests will be Chris Smalls, who heads the Amazon Labor Union and won a vote last month to unionize warehouse workers on Staten Island, New York. Other organizers attending include those working to unionize Starbucks, outdoors retailer REI and the animation studio Titmouse.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP)  West Virginia University is receiving $11 million in federal dollars for research on treating and slowing the progression of incurable eye diseases.

West Virginia has the second-highest rate of visual disability in the U.S., according to a university news release. A visual disability is a disability that cannot be treated with corrective glasses.
Harris County Constable Precinct 4

A Texas woman was slapped by the tail of an 8-foot alligator found on her front porch after she returned from a trip out of town on Monday, May 2 in Humble, in the Houston area. Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Deputies responded to the scene of the unwanted guests, according to a news alert from the agency.

The large gator was found in the 19700 block of Bolton Bridge Lane. Homeowner Jody White told KHOU 11 his girlfriend was greeted by the alligator after she got out of the car to unlock the door and open the garage door.
The relationship between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has frayed to the point where the San Francisco Democrat has grown "increasingly open" about her frustrations with the president, according to a new book from New York Times political correspondents Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns.

An excerpt from "This Will Not Pass" reviewed by SFGATE details how Pelosi grew annoyed with Biden's handling of two initiatives: the Build Back Better spending bill and voting rights legislation. The book states that while Pelosi's inability to manage her caucus' progressive and centrist wings "exasperated the White House," she felt Biden deserved some blame himself.

"Pelosi's grievances with the White House had deepened, too, and at the start of 2022 she was increasingly open about her frustrations with Biden," Martin and Burns write. "By then, the House had approved Build Back Better and voting rights legislation. The Senate had done neither and the Speaker was openly doubtful of whether Biden had a strategy to change that. In January 2022, Pelosi startled the White House by twice criticizing Biden for his public remarks on voting rights and the legislative strategy for Build Back Better, in both cases chiding the president for rhetoric she saw as ineffective."

The criticisms the book mentions came on Jan. 13 and Jan. 20.

In the first instance, Pelosi said a speech Biden delivered on voting rights was "wonderful and "fabulous" but also added, "The only criticism I would make too, I wouldnt say theyre criticism but observations, nobody knows who Bull Connor is, you know if were making the case to say want to be with Martin Luther King or Bull Connor, whos that?" (Bull Connor was an opponent of the civil rights movement in the 1960s).

The second time, Pelosi said that she didn't love Biden stating that Build Back Better would have to be split into individual "chunks."

Chunks is an interesting word, she said. So what the president calls chunks I would hope would be a major bill going forward. It may be more limited, but it is still significant.

The book states that Pelosi's frustration with Biden on Build Back Better largely stems from the president not using his political capital in 2021 to exert pressure on congressional Democrats to pass the bipartisan infrastructure package in a timely manner. Martin and Burns write that Pelosi was left "disappointed" by Biden's "hesitation to break the standoff between centrists and progressives in his party" that "had left Democrats in a painful state of suspended animation."

Martin and Burns write that she was further incensed after Biden visited Capitol Hill on Oct. 28 and still did not demand that lawmakers immediately pass the infrastructure bill. She was also reportedly annoyed with White House chief of staff Ron Klain, and the authors state that Pelosi had a "misreading" of the situation with West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin.

"[Biden] left it to Pelosi to speak up in the meeting and urge her members to vote straightaway," Martin and Burns write. "Biden's hesitation enraged and bewildered the speaker. In private, she blamed Ron Klain for coddling progressives. But she blamed Biden, too, asking with irritation why he could not tell Manchin he absolutely needed to vote for Build Back Better and be done with it  a profound misreading, Biden knew, of how such a command would likely go over with a proud senator."

It was Manchin in the end, who put the final nail in Build Back Better's coffin in the Senate.
Politico reported Monday evening that the Supreme Court had voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, according to a leaked initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito. The document, labeled as the "Opinion of the Court" calls for Roe to be overruled, stating, "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

The Supreme Court on Tuesday confirmed that the draft opinion revealed by Politico is authentic but not final. Chief Justice John G. Roberts called for an investigation into the leak, stating, "To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way."

President Joe Biden issued a statement Tuesday calling for pro-choice support from legislators and voters in coming elections. "We need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law," Biden wrote, adding that a woman's right to an abortion is "fundamental."

"If the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose, Biden continued. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November."

A number of Texas leaders erred on the side of caution by not releasing any statements until the opinion was deemed true, others took to social media shortly after the leak to weigh in. Notably missing from the conversation was Gov. Greg Abbott, who as of Tuesday morning had not released a statement on the draft opinion via social media or his website.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) blamed former President Donald Trump for the alleged decision, saying the Supreme Court under his leadership "finally got their wish by violating precedent and destroying decades of privacy rights for women under the ninth amendment."

"This political court has done what many of the justices said in their confirmation hearings would not be done," Jackson wrote in a statement on Twitter. "It is time for womens rights to privacy to again be uplifted by the United States Congress and the White House immediately!"

State Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston) warned of the possibility of other rights being stripped following the overturning of Roe. "The right to abortion is deeply tied to ideas of PRIVACY and autonomy in private decisions of the family," Wu wrote. "If there's no privacy protection for abortion, then many other private decisions may be up for public regulation. You've been warned."

Houston City Councilwoman Abbie Kamin wrote that if true, "it will be one of the darkest days in US history with implications for autonomy over our bodies, and our religious freedoms, that are devastating."

State Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin), disappointed with the decision, said that a woman's right to her body is a fundamental human right and constitutional right. "The U.S. Supreme Courts failure to recognize this is a failure to recognize the full human dignity of women, full citizens entitled to equal rights under the law," Hinojosa wrote on Twitter.

Others called for Texans to take action against the supposed Supreme Court ruling. State Rep. Celia Israel (D-Austin) vowed to "fight like hell," writing, "As the Supreme Court tries to control women and our bodies, women and those who truly respect us must vote like hell this fall."

Julian Castro "50 years of precedentstruck down by a radicalized right-wing Supreme Court packed by an authoritarian president," Castro tweeted. "This should be a wake up call to every American voter. Our democracy and the fundamental rights that come with it are on the ballot in 2022. Vote!"

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke urged voters to elect him in order to protect women's rights to an abortion. "Every woman deserves the freedom to make their own decisions about their body, health care, and future," the former El Paso congressman wrote on Twitter.

State Rep. James Talarico (D-Round Rock) announced that in light of the leaked opinion, he donated $10,000 to O'Rourke's campaign and another $10,000 to political action committee Annie's List. He called for others to donate as well, saying "we all have to put our money where our mouth is." State Rep. Jasmine Crocket (D-Dallas) called for the Supreme Court to be expanded and for Roe to be "codified."

Across the aisle, Republicans celebrated the opinion as a victory for the pro-life movement. Sen. Ted Cruz said he was "appalled by the shocking breach of trust" from the leak and claimed it was an attempt to intimidate the court through public pressure. However, "If this report is true," Cruz wrote," this is nothing short of a massive victory for life and will save the lives of millions of innocent babies."

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called Tuesday "a great day for life" if the draft opinion is accurate. "If the leaked draft is indeed accurate, it is a great day for innocent babies in the womb," Patrick said. "They will finally be safe in Texas and other Republican states. Prayerfully, in time, all states will protect them.

Attorney General Ken Paxton said that he hopes the Supreme Court returns the question of abortion to states. "This is why I led a 24-state coalition in support of MSs law banning them after 15 wks," Paxton tweeted. "Ill [continue] to ensure that TX protects the unborn & pray for the end of abortion across our nation."

State Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) simply tweeted, "We are the prolife generation!" On Monday, Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler) wrote "To God be the glory," and on Tuesday followed up with calling Alito's opinion "pure gold."

State Rep. Shelby Slawson (R-Stephenville) pointed out that upon the Supreme Court overturning Roe, a trigger ban will take effect in the Lone Star State. "Praying this draft becomes a strong final opinion & Texas once again protects all unborn LIFE!" Slawson tweeted.

State Rep. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) claimed that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and that its overturn was past due. State Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) wrote that he hopes Christians would "rise to the moment" in "standing for innocent life."

State Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) said that the leaked internal opinion shows that it's likely the court decision will be overturned, writing, "Roe v Wade seems poised to be placed on the ash heap of history - where it belongs!"
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, May 3, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX

422 PM CDT Tue May 3 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Llano

County through 500 PM CDT...

At 422 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over

Baby Head, or 9 miles north of Llano. This storm was nearly

stationary.

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...

Llano, Buchanan Lake Village, Baby Head, Stolz, Lone Grove, Bluffton

and Tow.

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 3092 9845 3089 9845 3088 9846 3087 9843

3086 9842 3073 9846 3073 9872 3092 9879

TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 174DEG 3KT 3088 9862

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN

MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, May 3, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northeastern Llano County in south central Texas...

* Until 530 PM CDT.

* At 439 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Lone Grove,

or 10 miles northeast of Llano, and is nearly stationary.

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...

Buchanan Lake Village, Baby Head, Bluffton, Lone Grove and Tow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

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.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Prime minister nominee Han Duck-soo / Yonhap





Prime minister nominee Han Duck-soo said Tuesday that Japan will benefit the most if Korea does not join a mega free trade agreement involving 11 Asia-Pacific nations.







Han made the remark during his confirmation hearing, as he supports Korea's bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).







"The issue of opening the market to others is about expanding our overall economic territory," Han said. "If we are left out from multilateral free trade involving many countries, we will lose our ground."







The CPTPP involves 11 nations, including Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Mexico and Vietnam, and accounted for around 15 percent of the world's total trade volume of $5.2 trillion as of 2020.







Han, who has been nominated as the first prime minster of the incoming Yoon Suk-yeol government, said he will focus on solving "structural problems" in the country's economy, such as the low birthrate and fiscal soundness.







During Monday's hearing, Han was busy explaining conflict of interest allegations related to his home rental in the 1990s and also the hefty salary he received as an adviser to law firm Kim & Chang.







On criticism over his revolving door move, in which he switched back and forth between the government and Kim & Chang, Han reiterated that there was no conflict of interest issue.







Han previously served in the country's No. 2 job from 2007 to 2008.







Han will be cleared for appointment once the National Assembly adopts a report on his confirmation hearing. In Korea, the prime minister is the only Cabinet post that requires the approval of lawmakers. (Yonhap)






WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, May 3, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southern Hunt County in north central Texas...

Northwestern Van Zandt County in north central Texas...

Rains County in north central Texas...

* Until 415 AM CDT.

* At 337 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lake

Tawakoni State Park, or 5 miles northeast of Wills Point, moving

east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Wills Point, Grand Saline, West Tawakoni, Edgewood, Emory, East

Tawakoni, Fruitvale, Lake Tawakoni State Park and Point.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM CDT /12 PM MDT/

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH 9 PM CDT/8 PM MDT WEDNESDAY EVENING

FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 15% OR LESS, 20 FT WINDS OF 20 MPH OR

MORE, AND HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER FOR SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO,

THE UPPER TRANS PECOS, DAVIS AND CHINATI MOUNTAINS, CULBERSON

COUNTY AND MARFA PLATEAU...

* AFFECTED AREA...Loving, Sacramento Foothills and Guadalupe

Mountains, Chaves Plains, Eddy Plains, Lea, Guadalupe and

Delaware Mountains, Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor, Eastern

Culberson County, Reeves County Plains, Chinati Mountains,

Marfa Plateau, Davis Mountains and Davis Mountains Foothills.

* TIMING...FROM 1 PM CDT /12 PM MDT/ Wednesday afternoon through 9

PM CDT/8 PM MDT Wednesday evening.

* WINDS...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent.

* RFTI...6 or critical.

* IMPACTS...Avoid the use of open flames or any activities that

may generate sparks. Accidental ignitions will have the

potential to grow into dangerous wind-driven wildfires.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions

are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible

Red Flag Warnings.

_____

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
Noh Kyu-duk, right, South Korea's chief nuclear envoy, shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Liu Xiaoming ahead of their talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo



China's top nuclear envoy reiterated the country's stance, Tuesday, that issues regarding the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea's nuclear program, should be resolved through diplomatic engagement by relevant parties.



Liu Xiaoming, China's special representative on Korean Peninsula Affairs who visited Seoul, Sunday, made the remark following a closed-door meeting with his South Korean counterpart Noh Kyu-duk.



"I believe that the issues linked to the peninsula are still on the track of political settlement," he told reporters.



"We figure that there is a new change in terms of the situation on the peninsula. Under the circumstances, all relevant parties should make efforts, which will eventually provide more opportunities to ease tensions."



With regard to the meeting, the Chinese envoy said they mainly discussed the situation on the peninsula, during which the two sides shared some views.



"We agreed to make efforts in pursuing the denuclearization of the peninsula and achieve its stabilization," he said. "We need to continue joint efforts."



His remarks come as the Chinese government has urged all relevant parties to take responsibility for North Korea's series of provocative actions. So far this year, the Kim Jong-un regime has conducted 13 rounds of missile launches, including a launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Plus, there are signs of preparations for a new nuclear test.



In response to North Korea's saber-rattling, the United States has called for the international community to impose additional sanctions on Pyongyang, but to no avail due to opposition from China and Russia. The North is already banned from making any launch using ballistic missile technology under U.N. Security Council resolutions.



In fact, Liu said all parties should stay cool-headed and exercise restraint upon his arrival in Seoul.



"I stressed that China's position is consistent and clear. China is concerned about the tense situation on the peninsula. We call on all parties to stay cool-headed and exercise restraint, and we disapprove actions by any party that could escalate tension," the Chinese envoy said.



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said Noh and Liu discussed ways to stably manage the situation on the peninsula.



"Noh expressed concerns over recent North Korean military moves, while asking the Chinese government to play a constructive role in bringing North Korea back to dialogue," the foreign ministry said in a statement.



"The ministry confirmed that China will play a role in addressing issues on the peninsula in a peaceful way."



While staying here until Saturday, the Chinese envoy plans to meet with senior security officials of the incoming Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Liu also said, Sunday, that he will discuss peninsula issues with officials in both the sitting and incoming governments to enhance bilateral communication and cooperation on this matter.



According to sources, the senior officials of the Yoon administration will include Kim Tae-hyo, named as Yoon's deputy national security adviser.


The province is looking to help employers meet their workforce needs.

Alberta lifts restrictions on temporary foreign workers The province is looking to help employers meet their workforce needs.

Alberta lifts restrictions on temporary foreign workers The province is looking to help employers meet their workforce needs.

Alberta lifts restrictions on temporary foreign workers The province is looking to help employers meet their workforce needs. Daniel Levy Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

Effective May 1st, Alberta is lifting restrictions on the hiring of new temporary foreign workers.

All pending applications, including those submitted prior to May 1, are subject to this change.

Prior to the change, the Alberta government had a refusal to process list containing occupations for which employers could not submit applications to the Canadian government to hire temporary foreign workers in the province.

The Canadian government operates the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and was refusing to process TFWP applications for these occupations on the advice of the Alberta government. These were occupations that, according to the Alberta government, had labour surpluses. Alberta was seeking to encourage employers to hire unemployed Albertans for these occupations instead.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

Alberta has justified the loosening of its TFWP restrictions on the grounds it will support sectors of the provincial economy that are grappling with labour shortages and are struggling to find Canadian workers.

According to Statistics Canada, the province has about 88,000 job vacancies.

Alberta says it will monitor impacts of this change and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the TFWP continues to benefit its economy.

The purpose of the TFWP is to enable employers in Canada to hire foreign workers to fill job vacancies when they can not find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to do the job. An employer typically needs to submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application to the Canadian government.

The Canadian government will then evaluate whether the hiring of the foreign worker may have a positive or neutral impact on the Canadian labour market. Evidence must usually be provided that there are no qualified workers in Canada available to do the job. If a positive or neutral LMIA is granted, the foreign worker can then go ahead and submit a work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Nationally, Canada is experiencing labour shortages across the country with over 800,000 job vacancies. This is resulting in federal and provincial governments easing their regulations to enable employers to recruit more foreign talent to supplement the Canadian labour market. In early April, the Canadian government relaxed its TFWP rules in response to the countrys historically low unemployment rate and historically high job vacancy rate.

Canadas unemployment rate stands at 5.3 per cent, the lowest on record.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
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State utility Korea Electric Power (KEPCO) said Tuesday it has been in talks with Britain over the latter's plan to build nuclear power stations.







Director-level officials of KEPCO visited Britain earlier this month and met with officials there to discuss the nuclear power plant construction plan, according to KEPCO.







"We will analyze its profitability and other values before making a decision on participation," a KEPCO official said.







The Daily Telegraph, a British newspaper, reported Monday that British Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng met with KEPCO officials to discuss Korea's investment in the nuclear industry there.







But KEPCO officials said the recent meeting was more like a working-level one, as the envisioned project is still in its early stages.







Britain seeks to boost its energy security, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has had an impact on energy supplies in Europe. Russia's state-owned gas producer Gazprom has cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, as the countries refused to pay for shipments in rubles.







British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants up to eight new nuclear reactors to be built in his country by 2050 to supply up to a quarter of projected electricity demand, according to the Daily Telegraph.







In March, Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol and the British prime minister vowed to deepen digital, industrial and military cooperation, as well as make joint efforts to denuclearize North Korea, during telephone talks.







Yoon has vowed to scrap a nuclear phase-out policy and make the country a powerhouse in nuclear power generation.







In 2009, a KEPCO-led consortium won a $20 billion contract to build four nuclear reactors in Barakah, 270 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi, marking Korea's first export of a locally developed commercial atomic power plant.







In March, the United Arab Emirates started commercial operation of the second unit of the Barakah nuclear power plant  the first unit began operation in April 2021. (Yonhap)






This content has been supplied by a commercial partner.

For those looking for radical action on climate change, COP26 might have seemed a little underwhelming. However, stewardship director at Rathbones, Matt Crossman, believes there is some cause for optimism. The scale of activity at COP26 was pretty mind blowing. Glasgow hosted a staggering 38,000 delegates from 197 countries, he says. Now the dust has settled, we can reflect on the relative success of the event, which did bring some headline agreements to give us a glimmer of hope for the future.

Crossman says it is worth taking a step back to look at what has been achieved so far through COP. Back in 2015, only 127 countries had made any kind of mid-century net-zero commitment. By the end of COP26, there were 140 countries signed up to the net-zero pledge, including India and China, accounting for 90% of global emissions. Is it fast enough? Probably not, but it is significant.

Crossman says that the onus is now on governments to follow through with their commitments. There are still numerous pressing issues for us to address, but we are moving in the right direction. At a national level, governments need to make good their promises to mobilise climate financing  $100bn a year was agreed in Glasgow for climate mitigation and adaptation, and we need to see the phase out of fossil fuel financing accelerate.

Aligning values, creating impact

For head of charities, Andrew Pitt, investors also have an important role to play in this transition. There are two main things that all charities need to consider: theres creating impact and there is values alignment. Sometimes I think these two objectives get confused. If you just divest from all fossil fuel companies because you feel they do not align with your values, then that doesnt actually achieve a huge amount in terms of impact.

Pitt suggests working together with companies to reduce their carbon footprint as part of a wider responsible investment strategy. Obviously, you have to work with companies that are willing to engage, are willing to listen and have signed up to decarbonisation goals. By influencing their choices and helping drive their transition, then you are having much more impact.

He adds that this is a long-term and complex process. The first thing to understand is that this is not just about some distant net-zero commitment. It is about having genuinely robust plans that impact all of the carbon footprint of the business, and setting interim targets that are tangible. It has to cover the entire emissions profile of the company, not just the direct output. It should include everything from transportation to the footprint of the products it sells.

To achieve the goals set at COP26, charities also have to shoulder some of the responsibility for their own carbon output, says Pitt. Its not just about their investment portfolios. One of the problems with the environment, social and governance (ESG) movement is that people think that if they have a net-zero portfolio then they are doing all they can. They think the impact they are having on the environment is reflected entirely by the contents of their portfolio. But thats only one part of it. We should all be trying to reduce our personal and organisations carbon footprints as much possible as well.

Focus of responsible investment

How and when change might come about is uncertain, suggests Crossman, and it is important to realise that the pandemic has not fundamentally altered behaviours. Its pretty clear despite all the talk of building back better, emissions pretty quickly resumed that pre-pandemic path and the trajectory of global warming remains unchanged.

Having said that, change in society is very rarely linear and predictable. When it happens, it happens rapidly. Just as manufacturers of horse-drawn carriages couldnt have predicted the rise of the motor car, or executives at Blockbuster couldnt have anticipated the rise of Netflix and streaming, change when it comes is usually fast and furious, and led by the private sector where regulation leaves a gap. So, when we reflect on the capacity of our institutions to deliver the change we need, I think it makes the focus of responsible investment all the more important.

This gives cause for optimism, believes Pitt. Behind the scenes, there is a huge amount of pressure being brought to bear by investors on high-emitting industries to change the way they operate. And there is now much more quantitative evidence to suggest that shareholder engagement in its various guises  from formal voting to regular engagement with management  is actually driving this transition. We are seeing major change across the fossil fuel industry as companies look to renewables, cutting emissions and changing their business models. By being stakeholders, charities can be part of that change.

What we do

We like to work in partnership with our charity clients which means you have direct access to the person managing your charitys investments, resulting in a portfolio that accurately meets your needs and is as individual as your charity.

Key facts*

7.1bn of charitable funds under management

Over 1,900 charity clients

Segregated or pooled investment

Dedicated team of charity investment specialists

A history grounded in philanthropy

*All figures as at 31 December 2021

Matt Crossman is Stewardship Director and Andrew Pitt is Head of Charities at Rathbones

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
ShelterBox appoints director for people

Disaster relief charity ShelterBox has appointed Ruth Evans as its new director for people.

Evans joins from the NHS where she was a culture transformation manager for 10 months. She was once a Macmillan nurse specialist and has spent more than 30 years in the NHS. She joins as the charity is in the process of developing its new five-year strategy.

On her appointment, Evans said: I am delighted to be joining the ShelterBox family as it develops its organisational strategy for the next five years. The passion to ensure that no one is without shelter after disaster is palpable in the organisation and I feel very privileged to be working with so many dedicated colleagues, here in Truro, nationally and internationally.

New head of fundraising for deaf charity

Vicky Parker joins Auditory Verbal UK as its new head of fundraising. She succeeds Emma Johnson, who held the role for five years.

She joins from SportInspired, a national sport charity, where she was head of business development and communications. Before that, she was senior corporate development manager at homelessness charity Centrepoint. She has 10 years experience leading fundraising, and has also worked at the Princes Trust and Revitalise.

Parker said: I am thrilled to be joining the talented team at AVUK at this incredibly important time. I find it hard to believe that AVT is not readily available for families to consider in the UK.

Of all the children we support, 97% of those with no additional needs all go on to achieve age-appropriate spoken language and ultimately life choices on par with their hearing peers. We have to change things in the UK, we have to be there to support deaf children and their families and I am excited to be part of that change.

AVUK receives no government funding and Parker has said she is keen to explore partnerships to allow the charity to achieve its objectives.

Conservation Volunteers welcomes new trustees

The Conservation Volunteers, a community volunteering charity, has appointed four new trustees as part of its pledge to become more diverse.

It has worked with the agency Inclusive Boards to recruit the trustees. The charity wanted to ensure more of its volunteer base was reflected at governance level. All of the new trustees are female.

Katie Simmons is director of fundraising strategy at the British Red Cross. She has held senior fundraising roles at Diabetes UK and GOSH Charity.

Lani Dines is the fundraising officer for the John Muir Trust. She is also the secretary trustee for an environmental charity, Forest of Hearts.

Emily Evans is chief commercial officer for Mental Health Concern and Insight IAPT. She has 15 years of experience in third-sector healthcare.

Emma Aspinall is a social worker with Social Work England. She has over 30 years experience working in health and social care, and has done so within the charity sector. She is currently director of care at Acorns Childrens Hospice.

New chair at Royal hospital charity

Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity has appointed Jennifer Winter as its new chair of trustees. She succeeds Richard Hunting, who is stepping down after a ten-year term.

Winter will take up the helm on 3 May. She is also the CEO of Animalcare Group, a veterinary pharmaceutical business, and was vice president of AstraZeneca for five years.

Caroline Bault, trustee at Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity, said: Jennifer brings many strengths to this role, with a track record of success as a business leader, an NGO chief executive and non-executive director. We would like to thank Richard Hunting for his contribution to the charity over the past decade, his dedication and passion has been inspirational.

Cure Leukaemia appoints four new trustees

Cure Leukaemia has appointed four new trustees to its board.

Phil Whitehead is managing director at Molson Coors Beverage Company. He has worked with the company for over 13 years.

Michael Doolin is managing director at Clover HR, a HR consultancy business he set up in 2017.

Alston Owens is managing consultant at GBPartnerships Consult. Previously, he was a programme manager at the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Jo Murphy is head of legal at Data & Adtech, Global. She has over 20 years experience in legal professions, and has been with Global for over 10 years.

Geoff Cousins, chair of Cure Leukaemia, said: After an exceptionally competitive search, we are delighted to be welcoming Phil, Alston, Jo and Michael to our Board of Trustees in addition to Laura and Lareena who joined the Board just prior to the countrywide lockdown. Together they all bring a wealth of skills, experience, and shared passion for Cure Leukaemias work, and we look forward to their contributions as we start developing our ambitious future plans.

New chair at Sickle Cell Society

Michele Salter has been appointed the chair of Sickle Cell Societys board. She takes over from Kye Gbangbola who leaves the role after eight years.

Salter was formerly the charitys vice chair and treasurer, and has been working in some capacity with the charity since 2014.

Chief executive, John James, said: We are delighted to have Michele stepping up as chair of trustees. As vice-chair & treasurer she has worked tirelessly to support the growth and development of the charity. We look forward to seeing the society continue to grow and reach more people under her leadership.

Veterans Housing Scotland welcomes a new trustee

Veterans Housing Scotland has appointed Alison Moodie as a trustee.

Group captain and chairman Bob Kemp said: Today in Scotland, around 3% of all those assessed as homeless by local authorities are military veterans. The vast majority of those transitioning from military service do so without the need for further support, however for some there will always be a need for ongoing assistance.

In working to achieve our aim of providing a safe and secure home in a supportive community for our veterans we need a broad range of skills across our board. There is no doubt that the specialist knowledge and experience Alison brings will be valuable.

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Last night, Politicos Josh Gerstein and Alexander Ward dropped a bombshell story in the least hyperbolic sense of that term. The pair obtained a draft majority opinionwritten by Justice Samuel Alito based on a preliminary vote of the Supreme Court, and circulated among the other justices in Februarythat would strike down Roe v. Wade and, with it, the constitutionally protected right to an abortion, with Alito calling the precedent egregiously wrong from the start. Gerstein and Ward noted prominently in their article that deliberations around sensitive cases can be fluidwith justices haggling over drafts and, sometimes, changing their minds in the processand that an official verdict has yet to be rendered. Still, the story immediately lit up the mediasphere.

So, too, did the fact that a draft opinion had leaked to the press ahead of the formal publication of a final decision. In their story, Gerstein and Ward wrote simply that they received the draft, as well as other details supporting the authenticity of the document, from a person familiar with the courts proceedings; they also noted that the appearances and timing of this draft are consistent with court practice and published the whole thing on Politicos website so that readers could judge for themselves, apparently creating a fresh version of the document to stop users from combing through metadata to identify the source. (Various journalists praised Politico for good digital hygiene, though Kim Zetter, a reporter who covers cybersecurity, argued that it was risky to publish the whole document in any form given that the court could theoretically have used more old-school toolssubtle tweaks to language, sayto trace provenance.) Matt Kaminski and Dafna Linzer, Politicos top editors, also vouched for the drafts authenticity in an internal memo to staff, citing an extensive review process.

ICYMI: The elitist coverage of the Correspondents Dinner and the coronavirus

Often, with a story of this magnitude, a rival outlet will quickly confirm (or, more rarely, cast doubt on) the authenticity of a document or other piece of sourcing, but Politicos scoop, the courts reporter Erica Orden noted, appeared utterly unmatchable; the court, after all, has a reputation for impenetrability, particularly on matters as substantial as this. As major news organizations quickly gave the story top billing, several acknowledged in their copy that they had been unable to independently verify it. The Washington Post wrote that it had no reason to believe that the detailed document Politico said it obtained was illegitimate; staffers on Rachel Maddows show, on MSNBC, consulted with four former Supreme Court clerks who all said that the draft looked legitimate in form and style. As the night wore on, CNN became the first outlet to meaningfully advance the story, with sources telling the network that Chief Justice John Roberts does not favor overturning Roe in its entirety. (Politico had reported that his stance was unclear.) In statements to the press, a spokesperson for the court offered a curt no comment.

In an article accompanying his scoop, Gerstein wrote that the leak of the draft opinion was highly unusualcourt-watchers, including historians and former clerks, told him that they could not recall it having happened beforethough he also noted that hints about deliberations among justices have leaked out in the past, including in a Post article in 1972, when Roe was being decided. (Leaks that do not concern the courts substantive decision-making are somewhat more common.) Observers including Jonathan Peters, a CJR contributor, noted that decisions have leaked to the press in the pastincluding, again, in the run-up to Roe, when a Time reporter got wind of the verdict before it was read out from the bench. The magazine only scooped the official announcement by a couple of hours, though Chief Justice Warren Burger was nonetheless furious, reportedly threatening clerks with lie detector tests administered by the FBI.

Ultimately, if the outlets that referred to the Alito leak as unprecedented were wrong to do so (and we would banish that word from journalism entirely), it at the very least marks an escalation in scotus-leak lore. As Gerstein told Maddow last night, court reporters have become accustomed to parsing justices hints and body language during oral arguments for clues as to how they might rule, as well as the nuanced reading of editorials, in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, that have sometimes seemed to be downstream of whispers emanating from the bench. Such instances, Gerstein noted, have never been accompanied by an actual written opinion. I do think that this is groundbreaking, he said. It does take the court into new territory.

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As news of the leak broke last night, pundits in both mainstream and right-wing media reacted with shock and no little consternation. scotusblog called the leak the gravest, most unforgivable sin in terms of eroding trust among the justices and their staff, while CNNs Jeffrey Toobin said he didnt know how the institution is going to recover from it; over on Fox, Laura Ingraham demanded that Roberts and/or the FBI (them again) search clerks electronic devices, while an on-air guest twice called the leak an insurrection against the court. In addition to the institutionalist fretting and unhinged insinuations of high criminality, news consumers were also treated to varying strains of speculation: about the impact the decision, if formalized, might have on the midterm elections, and about the motives of the leaker. The conventional wisdom seemed to hold that a court insider hopes public pressure will change at least one justices mind, though others warned that the publication of the draft opinion could lock in the verdict, while steering public debate away from the facts at issue and toward the subversion of court procedure.

To the latter point, numerous observers stressed that the fact of the leak doesnt matter anywhere near as much as the substance of the draft ruling itself. This is clearly correctthere is an enormous amount at stake here for millions of Americans, especially those from marginalized groups, and this should be the focus of our coverage. The fact of the leak is itself consequential, though, and not just for journalists covering the court and their approach to their beat going forward. Unflinching explanations of the consequences of Alitos draft opinion, and close scrutiny of his rationale, are essential; at the same time, we are still dealing with a draft here, and we should explain what that means, too. Even if the verdict doesnt change from here, the precise wording of the majority opinion might, and that will still matter a great deal. We should also be crystal clear that Roe has not yet been officially overturneda question of immediate significance for people seeking abortions in the near term.

The fact of the leak also speaks to an important story about the court as an institution, in ways that go beyond naive procedural pearl-clutching. To the extent that a draft opinion in a pending case becoming public represents a departure, it comes (as Ive written before) at a broader moment of departure for the courts practices and basic legitimacy, and the leak must be seen in that context. One key recent issue has been around transparency in the courts decision-making, such as its expanded use of its shadow docketincluding, last year, in a case that functionally gutted Roe in Texasto issue verdicts without hearing public arguments or publishing a rationale. The shadow docket is not at issue this time. But the leak is shadowy in a more general sense. In a functioning democracy, the public wouldnt learn of a seismic impending change to established rights via a mid-evening Politico scoop.

Below, more on Roe and the leak:

Lingering questions: Poynters Kelly McBride assessed the ethical implications of Politico publishing the leaked opinion, predicting that it will likely become a case study for future generations of journalists. As long as the document holds up as authenticPolitico seems to be on solid ethical ground, McBride writes, though she argues that editors should offer more information about how they reached the decision to publish. When confronted with an unprecedented leak like this, news consumers are understandably skeptical in this era of mis- and disinformation. When journalists behind the work dont signal that they have gone through an ethical process, consumers may conclude that ethics dont matter to journalists.

Poynters Kelly McBride assessed the ethical implications of Politico publishing the leaked opinion, predicting that it will likely become a case study for future generations of journalists. As long as the document holds up as authenticPolitico seems to be on solid ethical ground, McBride writes, though she argues that editors should offer more information about how they reached the decision to publish. When confronted with an unprecedented leak like this, news consumers are understandably skeptical in this era of mis- and disinformation. When journalists behind the work dont signal that they have gone through an ethical process, consumers may conclude that ethics dont matter to journalists. From the home front, I: In 2019, after the governor of Alabama signed a near-total ban on abortion in the state and other restrictive bills passed elsewhere, CJRs Alexandria Neason wrote that reactive national news coverage created short-term confusion as to what was and wasnt legal. (The Alabama bill did not take immediate effect, and Roe remained the law of the land.) Failing to emphasize these facts, Neason wrote, meant that residents in need of care may not have known they could still get it. A local bureau of Planned Parenthood was so inundated with calls from people unsure whether the procedure was legal that they had to open an automated hotline to field calls.

In 2019, after the governor of Alabama signed a near-total ban on abortion in the state and other restrictive bills passed elsewhere, CJRs Alexandria Neason wrote that reactive national news coverage created short-term confusion as to what was and wasnt legal. (The Alabama bill did not take immediate effect, and Roe remained the law of the land.) Failing to emphasize these facts, Neason wrote, meant that residents in need of care may not have known they could still get it. A local bureau of Planned Parenthood was so inundated with calls from people unsure whether the procedure was legal that they had to open an automated hotline to field calls. From the home front, II: A year ago, after the Supreme Court agreed to take the case from which Alitos draft opinion has now stemmed, Kyle Pope, CJRs editor and publisher, explored how we got here by speaking with Maria Clark, a Louisiana-based healthcare reporter with USA Todays American South team, and Jessica Mason Pieklo, senior vice president and executive editor at Rewire News Group, on an episode of our podcast, The Kicker. You can listen back to it here.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: 2022 is already the deadliest year for journalists in Mexico

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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.
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For four months, two out of every three news articles posted to the official Facebook page of an Ohio gubernatorial hopeful have gone to sites run by pseudo-news network Metric Media, a Tow Center analysis shows.

With May 3s gubernatorial primary looming, Jim Renacci, a former congressman whose team is touting him as the states only Trump candidate, has consistently pushed a stream of beneficial stories published by the shady local news network whose emergence, expansion, funding, and political ties the Tow Center has been investigating since 2019. Allegations that it was a pay for play operation were made in the run-up to the 2020 general election.

Renaccis pattern of posting was reported by Cleveland.com earlier this month following a Twitter thread by Adrienne Goldstein of the German Marshall Foundation. The report stated that Renaccis Facebook page had linked to Metric Media sites more than 50 times.

Per the Tow Center analysis, this underplays Renaccis penchant for promoting Metric Media stories. At the time of the Cleveland.com story, Renacci had in fact linked to Metric Media sites 68 times in just over three months. By April 24, that number had grown to 82.

Our analysis further illuminates:

The extent to which Renacci has relied upon Metric Media websites since December 2021;

His broad use of Metric Medias Ohio sites and strong predilection for Buckeye Reporter, a site with minimal social media presence;

The utility of these news articles for self-promoting and/or undermining political opponents;

Occasional successes with high levels of Facebook engagement; and

The minuscule Facebook engagement the stories generate outside of Renaccis page.

Methodology

Using CrowdTangle, the Facebook-owned analytics tool, we analyzed links posted to Jim Renaccis official Facebook page (@JimRenacci) between Monday, August 16, 2021, and Sunday, April 24, 2022 (inclusive). This period was chosen as it facilitated a comparison of two 18-week periods before and after Monday, December 20, 2021, the beginning of the week that Renacci began consistently sharing links from Metric Media outlets. To home in on news articles, we filtered the data set for links (removing photos, videos, etc.) and removed links to Renaccis own website, Facebook, and event listings. This resulted in a data set of 139 links shared via Renaccis Facebook page. Data on Facebook engagement was collected via the Facebook and CrowdTangle APIs.

Renaccis reliance on Metric Media stories dates back to December 23, 2021, when he shared a Buckeye Reporter story attacking incumbent governor Mike DeWine.

According to the Facebook Ad Library, Metric Media LLC spent $530 promoting this story to 200,000250,000 Facebook users in Ohio between December 24, 2021, and January 7, 2022. This is one of just two Buckeye Reporter articles that Metric Media LLC has paid to promote on the platform.

The extent to which Renacci came to depend on Metric Media stories is demonstrated by a comparison of his link-sharing activity in the 18 weeks either side of Monday, December 20, 2021. Between August 16, 2021, and December 19, 2021, he shared twenty stories via his Facebook page. All but one came from sites unrelated to Metric Media. Renacci did not appear partial to any particular source during this period, sharing stories from fourteen different domains.

From December 20, however, Renaccis posting frequency increased sharplylargely driven by useful coverage from Metric Media sites. He posted 119 links to his Facebook page between December 20, 2021, and April 24, 2022. Of these, 82 linked to stories published by Metric Media properties (69 percent).

In other words, more than two out of every three stories posted to Renaccis Facebook page since December 20, 2021, have been favorable pieces produced by Metric Media.

Of the 82 articles Renacci shared, 12 did not identify an author, attributing authorship only to the outlet (e.g., six articles were attributed to Buckeye Reporter or Buckeye Reporter reports).

Since that first post in December 2021, Renacci has posted links to Metric Media stories at least once a weekusually much more. Most weeks, these links vastly outnumbered links to nonMetric Media sites. For example, in the week beginning March 28, 2022, Renacci posted ten links to Metric Media sites, compared with three that went to sites outside the Metric Media universe. Three weeks earlier, in the week beginning March 7, 2022, he posted six links. All went to Metric Media sites.

The extent to which the proliferation of Metric Media stories has led to a surge in link sharing on Renaccis Facebook page since December 2021 is illustrated below (the dotted line marks December 23, 2021).

These articles seem to serve a few purposes. First, they create the impression Renacci is generating a lot of organic press coverage, which can then be cross-promoted via his campaign website and other platforms.

For example, linking to a Buckeye Reporter story in which he slammed Ohio health officials and Gov. Mike DeWine, Renaccis campaign website published a blogICYMI: Renacci Makes Headlines with Demand that DeWine Condemn Child Abuse Mask Mandates on Kidsthat noted statewide outlets had picked up on his comments. Another ICYMI blog regurgitated another Buckeye Reporter story.

Additionally, these articles provide a platform for Renacci to promote his core talking points. Our analysis shows that 62 of the 82 Metric Media stories pushed via Renaccis Facebook page74 percentcarried his own quotes in their headlines.

Some have amassed what is, by Metric Medias standards, high engagement on Facebook. Three have run up over 10,000 interactions:

Renacci pushes back on after-school program: The Satan Club should have no access to our children (Warren-Clinton News, 23,631 interactions)

Renacci: Masking our kids in schools for eight hours a day is child abuse. (Buckeye Reporter, 11,535 interactions)

Renacci slams DeWine for Ohio population decline, says hes governing Ohio like a blue-state liberal (Buckeye Reporter, 11,141 interactions)

Other platforms have proved less fruitful. The tweet from Renaccis official Twitter account (@JimRenacci) promoting the Warren-Clinton News article that amassed over 23,000 interactions on Facebook generated just 147 interactions on that platform (108 likes, 28 retweets, 9 replies, and 2 quote tweets).

Overall, the Metric Media stories to which Renacci has linked have garnered a total of 180,426 interactions across Facebook:

155,192 reactions (likes, wow, angry, etc.)

15,795 comments

9,439 shares

Of these, 169,382or 94 percenthave been generated by Renaccis posts. In other words, these news articles have not generated any meaningful engagement on Facebook beyond Jim Renaccis own page. The page that has generated the next highest total is Ohio Value Voters Inc., which has garnered 1,177 interactions across eleven posts linking to pro-Renacci Metric Media articles.

A penchant for the Buckeye Reporter

Renacci has posted links to 14 different Metric Media sites since December 23, 2021.

By far the most common is the Buckeye Reporter, to which he has linked 34 times. Others to which he has linked more than five times are the Cincy Reporter (11 posts), Ohio Business Daily (10 posts), and Cleveland Reporter (9 posts).

The Buckeye Reporter is among the initial slew of Metric Media sites that first attracted attention in 2019. Its domain, buckeyereporter.com, was created on June 30, 2019, according to icann.org. It is categorized as a media/news company on its Facebook page, but has not made any posts since uploading a profile picture and cover photo on June 26, 2020. As of April 25, 2022, the page had been liked by five people and had six followers. Buckeye Reporter does not have a Twitter presence.

According to the boilerplate About Us page on the Buckeye Reporter website, Metric Medias approach is to provide objective, data-driven information without political bias. We provide 100% original reporting, including to share as much data as possible from government and other publicly available sources.

Despite this, one does not have to dig very deep to find notable disparities between coverage of Renacci and incumbent governor DeWine.

As of April 25, the Buckeye Reporter had ten stories tagged as containing references to DeWine. Of these, nine contained attack lines from Renacci in the headline (e.g., Renacci: DeWine is a nightmare for Ohio families, and now hes paying the price). The other, which is headlined DeWine unhinged: Ill kick your a**, dedicates considerable attention to Renacci. It also reports that Joe Blystone, the target of DeWines alleged threat and one of Jim Renaccis political opponents, was accused of bad behavior in the exchange, which is not off brand.

By contrast, there are 34 Buckeye Reporter stories tagged as Jim Renacci for Governor or, more recently, Jim Renacci for Congress. All are sympathetic to Renaccis cause.

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Pete Brown is the Research Director at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism, and runs the Content Analysis Hub for the Publishers and Platforms project.
The North Fork of the White River in southern Missouri is a nationally known fly-fishing destination, teeming with brown and rainbow trout. The stream is fed from underground springs in the Ozark Mountains, keeping its waters cool on hot summer days.

Rivers, of course, are prone to flooding. Derek and Jennifer Christopherson were aware of that risk and purchased a flood certificate from CoreLogic Flood Services before buying a home and property overlooking the river and relocating from Fargo, North Dakota. The certificate said their home in Tecumseh, Missouri was in Flood Zone X, outside of even the 500-year flood plain in the most favorable flood zone designation available.

In April 2017, only 40 days after they purchased the property, the North Fork spilled over its banks and flooded the home up to the roofline.

The Christophersons, who did not buy flood insurance, filed a lawsuit against CoreLogic, the couple who sold them the property, the real estate broker and brokerage that arranged the sale, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and three contractors who assisted FEMA in drawing its flood maps.

The litigation against CoreLogic and others continues, but on Monday a panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court decision that dismissed the Christophersons complaint against three contractors that assisted FEMA in determining flood risk. The panel said U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark for the Western District of Missouri had correctly ruled that the Christophersons had failed to state a valid claim.

Vague naked assertions and conclusory statements, the court said, will not suffice.

Ketchmark had also dismissed FEMA as a defendant because the Flood Control Act of 1928 grants the agency sovereign immunity. The Christophersons did not appeal that portion of her ruling. She also ruled that the litigation against CoreLogic and other defendants is better handled in state court.

The Christophersons lawsuit says that they were unaware that in 2010 FEMA had ignored advice from the US Army Corps of Engineers and changed the flood map for their area to lower the Special Flood Hazard area to 580 feet four inches to 615 feet above sea level. The CoreLogic flood certificate stated that there had been no prior changes to the map.

The prior owners of the property, Robert and Connie Jo Bushner had specifically demanded that FEMA make that change after they tried and failed to sell their home for several years, the lawsuit says. Robert Bushner allegedly told the Christophersons that the property was not in any flood zone and had never flooded, as did real estate agent Inez Pahlmann with Missouri Ozarks Realty.

The lawsuit charges that after the 2017 flood, FEMA and three of its contractors, Stantec Inc., WS Atkins and the Dewberry Companies, fraudulently amended the map to restore the prior 615-foot flood level and back-dated the change to 2010 to make it appear that the Special Flood Hazard designation had existed all the while.

There is no justification, and has never been any justification, for the 2010 change from 615 feet to 580/581 feet, and such a 34 lowering of the (base flood elevation) would never be reasonable, appropriate, or feasible, the lawsuit says. The complaint states that the damage caused the defendants fraud is compounded because the new flood maps make it impossible for them to sell their property.

The Christophersons claim they suffered $1,500,000 in damages, a sum that includes the $350,000 they paid for the home, $280,282 in lost income and $150,000 in personal property.

The 8th Circuit panel, however, said in its opinion that other than obtuse statements, the Christophersons complaint does not state any facts that would support their allegations of fraud and negligent misrepresentation. There were no allegations of any acts or omissions by Stantec, Atkins of Dewberry individually.

The Christopherson filed a new lawsuit against CoreLogic and the Bushners in an Ozark County, Missouri court. CoreLogic, a California corporation, had the case removed to federal court on April 27.

Mark A. Olthoff, an attorney for CoreLogic, said he is aware that Christophersons had revived their lawsuit, but he has not yet responded to it and is unable to comment.




President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol met with Australia's ambassador to Seoul on Tuesday and asked for the country's support for cooperation between South Korea and working groups under the Quad security partnership, his spokesperson said.







Yoon made the request during a meeting with Ambassador Catherine Raper, referring to the U.S.-led forum seen as aimed at countering China's rise. Quad also involves Japan, Australia and India.







Yoon "called for Australia's support so that South Korea and the Quad working groups can pursue cooperation," his spokesperson Bae Hyun-jin said in a statement.







Raper responded that as countries sharing core values, she believes South Korea and Australia have much room to strengthen cooperation in diverse areas and that she will do her best in her role as ambassador, Bae said.







During the campaign, Yoon promised to gradually seek South Korea's joining of the forum after taking part in its various working groups. (Yonhap)


Lawyers for OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and many of those who had claims against the company over the toll of opioids joined together Friday to urge a federal judicial panel to allow a plan that would settle lawsuits across the country.

The legal question facing the judges from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York: Does a bankruptcy judge have the authority to grant members of the Sackler family who own the company protection from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids?

Sackler family members have insisted on the legal shield in exchange for providing the money behind the proposed settlement. And as their offer was boosted over more than two years of negotiations and mediation, most of the parties came to support the deal _ including all the states.

But the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustees Office, an arm of the Justice Department, has continued pushing back, asserting its improper to provide a legal shield for members of the wealthy family who have not themselves filed for bankruptcy protection.

A non-debtor says: `I can get the benefit of a discharge but I dont need to comply with any of the rules of the bankruptcy code and I dont need to contribute all of my assets, Michael Shih, a lawyer for the office, told a three-judge panel of the 2nd Circuit in a hearing Friday in New York City. Thats the fundamental inconsistency here.

Lawyers for Purdue and others who support the settlement said that the protections for Sackler family members would be limited to cases involving opioids and are needed to get a fair outcome, rather than seeing the fight continue through many trials all over the country.

The releases at issue are not only important to the plan, they are absolutely essential, said Mitchell Hurley, a lawyer for the official committee of unsecured creditors in Purdues bankruptcy case told the judges.

Purdue lawyer Marshall Huebner pointed out that unlike other parties, the Bankruptcy Trustees office and federal government are not in line to receive any money from the settlement. He told the judges that allowing lawsuits against the Sacklers to move forward might not result in more money to fight the opioid crisis  in part because most of the familys wealth is in trusts, much of it overseas.

We are bringing in billions and billions of dollars to save lives, Huebner told the court.

All three judges asked pointed questions on the positions of both Huebner and Shih.

The 2nd Circuit judges did not indicate when they would rule, but it often takes weeks or months after a hearing.

No matter how the 2nd Circuit rules on the case, an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is possible. If Purdue and its allies win, they still must go back to the bankruptcy judge to get the latest version of the deal approved.

Under the planned deal, Sackler family members would contribute $5.5 billion to $6 billion over time, plus give up ownership of the company. Purdue would then become a new entity known as Knoa Pharma that would dedicate its profits to fighting the nations opioid epidemic.

Most of the Sacklers money also would go to fighting the epidemic, but at least $750 million would be distributed to some individual victims and their families.

Other product-liability cases have been settled through bankruptcy court by using the sort of protections this deal would give the Sacklers. But opponents of the settlement are challenging the strategy based on the fact that a handful of parties still object to the deal.

Almost all the governments and other entities that originally sued Purdue have agreed to the settlement. Besides the bankruptcy trustee, the only official objectors left are Canadian local governments and First Nations, and two mothers of sons who died of opioid overdoses.

This week, more than 1,000 families who have lost loved ones to overdoses sent a letter asking the U.S. Justice Department to drop its opposition. They said individual victims would not receive payments if the settlement is derailed.

One of the letter-signers is Chery Juaire of Marlborough, Massachusetts, who lost two adult sons to overdoses. She said Friday that she hopes the court clears the way for the settlement _ and that the Justice Department stops fighting against it.

We just hope the judges agree with our position and hope they rule soon, she said, because lives are at stake.

The federal judge overseeing Purdues bankruptcy case approved a settlement last year that was later rejected on an appeal brought primarily by attorneys general for eight states and the District of Columbia. The sides then went to mediation that ultimately persuaded the Sacklers to increase their contribution by more than $1 billion.

Purdue is perhaps the highest-profile player in the opioid industry. But several other drugmakers, distribution companies and pharmacies also have been sued by state and local governments. While a handful of cases have gone to trial, many also are being settled.

Earlier this year, drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and distribution giants AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson finalized deals to provide a total of $26 billion. Most of the money is required to be used to fight the opioid crisis, which has been linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. over the last two decades.

About the photo: Lynn Wencus, of Wrentham, Mass., holds a poster, with a likeness of her son Jeff, at her home, in Wrentham, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Wencus lost her son to a heroin overdose in 2017. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and virtually all U.S. states have agreed to a new settlement of opioid lawsuits. The deal reached Thursday, March 3, 2022, would require members of the Sackler family who own the drugmaker to pay $5.5 billion to $6 billion in cash. They also apologized. A bankruptcy judge must still approve the deal. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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 jurys 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 Harrions family $500,000 because, under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act, it was liable for the 911 dispatchers actions.

However, justices reversed part of the jurys 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.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Wind-whipped flames raced Monday across more of New Mexicos tinder-dry mountainsides, after forcing more residents to flee their homes while firefighting crews elsewhere in the drought-parched state tried to prevent new wildfires from growing.

The blaze burning near the community of Las Vegas in northeastern New Mexico is the biggest wildfire in the U.S. and has charred more than 188 square miles (487 square kilometers). Fire officials said they expect it to keep growing.

Winds are changing constantly and those, combined with low humidity and high temperatures keep the fire spreading at dangerous speeds and in different directions, fire officials warned in an overnight update about the fire. Over the next two weeks, the majority of our days are listed as red flag days, with high winds, which will continue to make suppression efforts difficult.

The fire has been fanned by an extended period of hot, dry and windy conditions and ballooned in size Sunday, prompting authorities to issue new evacuation orders for parts of Las Vegas, population about 13,000, the small town of Mora and other villages.

Officials have said the 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 set by fire firefighters to clear brush and small trees that can serve as fire fuel escaped containment. The cause of the other fire is still under investigation.

Another New Mexico wildfire burning in the mountains near Los Alamos National Laboratory also prompted more evacuations over the weekend. 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 on record.

Nearly 3,000 wildland firefighters are battling blazes around the U.S., with about one-third of those assigned to the largest fire burning in New Mexico.

The blazes are among many this spring that forced panicked residents to make life-or-death, fight-or-flee snap decisions as wildfire season heats up in the U.S. West. Years of hotter and drier weather have the exacerbated blazes, leading them to frequently burn larger areas and for longer periods compared with previous decades.

Wildfires have become a year-round threat in the West given changing conditions that include earlier snowmelt and rain coming later in the fall, scientist have said.

The problems have been exacerbated by decades of fire suppression and poor management along with a more than 20-year megadrought that studies link to human-caused climate change.

About the photo: 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)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The construction site of a mosque in Daegu is seen in this Feb. 14 photo. Korea Times file





An appeals court ruled in favor of a group of Muslims seeking to repeal an administrative order suspending construction of a mosque in the southeastern city of Daegu, Friday, rejecting an appeal from residents complaining about noise and other issues.







The Buk District office in Daegu, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, had initially approved the construction of an Islamic mosque in a residential area of Daehyeong-dong in September 2020, but issued the suspension order in February last year following complaints from residents.







The Muslims pushing for the construction filed a suit to get the suspension order canceled, and a district court ruled in their favor last year, saying the ward office issued the suspension order based on complaints rather than legal grounds.







The district office did not appeal the decision, but residents took the case to the appeals court.










By Matt VanVolkenburg







In September 1968, The Korea Times inaugurated a section titled "Student Corner" on Sundays to "serve as a forum for ideas of thinking students in view of the ever-increasing number of collegian readers." Submissions were to be less than 500 words and include the writer's name, university, major and a photo.







Articles published during 1968 touched on a variety of topics but were often focused on the various stresses students faced and reflect some of the societal conditions of the time.







On Oct. 27, Lee Kap-sook, a political science major at Sookmyung Women's University, coined a new term, "local scholarship," as "the expense of lodging and clothing sent by parents to their sons and daughters who live in the boarding houses or dormitories," which was "applied for" by writing a letter to one's parents, preferably without a stamp, as it proved that the writer had "run out of even small change."







In her latest letter, Lee wrote that she had made an "unprecedented promise in the history of 'my promises' to [my] parents": to earn a real scholarship. Though she "felt a deep sense of responsibility for the promise," she was not sure if she could honor it or not. She decided, in the end, that "maybe it is more important to spend freshman days in a valuable manner  a stepping stone for my future career."







On Nov. 17, Joe Chan-hee, an English major at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), expressed worry about the struggle to find a job he would face after graduation, but thought that, as a freshman, he should only have to worry about "being immersed in study" during "the golden period of university life."







He wrote, "I cannot turn away from the fact that only with money can I maintain myself in school," which resulted in him looking for part-time work, usually as a tutor. While he conceded that "being a tutor is rather easier than taking other kinds of part-time jobs," it was still "a hell of a time spending about two hours every day with rich students as they treated me, although not openly, as a foolish freshman rather than a dignified teacher."







Not only did it take time and effort to secure such a position, he would sometimes be disappointed by the payment he received, and hear things like "If you don't like it, that's all right. There are many persons that will gladly accept my offer." He added, "When the big-bellied boss says this assuming an air of arrogance, our poor 'arbeiter' feels as if the self-respect that is formed at the bottom of his heart is devastated."







Some students inadvertently revealed the tough living conditions of that time period, such as when Park Jang-sang, a pre-med student at Catholic Medical College, wrote on Nov. 17 that "My little sister was all smiles this morning when she showed me a piece of ice from a wash basin."







On Sept. 15, Chung Dong-sup, an English major at Kyung Hee University, described a discussion held by 60 students from different schools on the question of "How can we be happy most of the time?" Ultimately, only various manifestations of happiness were agreed upon, leaving the author deciding that "In order to be happy, you must learn to be satisfied."







Others thought that the key to happiness was mental relaxation. On Nov. 3, Rhee Hyung-june, a philosophy major at Seoul National University, described how "the most delightful time" of his week was when he solved math problems, often falling asleep at his desk. As to why he spent so much time on a subject not connected to his major, he wrote, "we have to find outlets for our burden which the routine daily life imposes upon us in this confused world." While some found catharsis in drinking, watching movies or hiking, he wrote that "When I feel blue, I open the text of mathematics. The longer I have my heart in my reading, the more I feel joy and free from [having] various subjects to learn and lots of assignments to do."







On Dec. 27, while describing the disappointment he felt at not having achieved his goals for the year, Kim Hong-gi, a political science major at Seoul National University, listed three different responses to the belief that "life is always far below what we expect of it." The first was to "enjoy your ephemeral life" and not think about the future, which would at least free you from the "various mental diseases which usually develop from the harrowed mentality." Another was to grieve over your failures and become "more alienated from reality," which he thought was the worst option, because those who chose it "may not enjoy a long life and will remain uninitiated in the task of nation-building." The final option was to "indulge in cynicism or apathy" without a willingness to participate in society.







Kim's mention of the task of nation-building made clear that many students took seriously the idea that their role was to contribute to society. Kim Young-sup, a freshman in the food manufacturing department at Pusan Fisheries College, wrote that the "aim of college education is to study a science, and search for truth cultivating a leading personality which can perform service to human society."







Just what shape Korean society should take was also a topic of discussion. On Sept. 15, Lee Sang-joon, an English major at HUFS, described how foreign residents in Korea who wrote about performances or exhibitions by Koreans of "Western music" or "Western art" unwittingly imposed "a sort of inferiority complex" upon the artists. This was because they questioned why Koreans were "imitating" the West and not pursuing Korean traditional art or music. If this attitude were to be "applied to other aspects of life," he argued, "Nothing could be exchanged or shared between any two different countries" and "underdeveloped countries would never be successful in their endeavors to modernize or industrialize."







While he did not "deny there exists this or that kind of cultural traditionpeculiar to this or that locality  such as the Korean traditional way of life," he believed that they were "obtained by habit and not restricted to a particular area." For him, there was no "'This-is-yours-and-that-is-mine' boundary of culture or civilization," so "a good habit leading to custom must be pass[ed] around the neighborhood of humanity, no matter where it may be initiated."







In a piece published on Nov. 24, Hoh Keum-dong, a German literature major at Seoul National University, expressed a different opinion on cultural mixing. Though he admired the courage of the "many coeds dressed in mini skirts strutting on the street" on campus, he worried that "they too often accept frivolous Western modes without any careful consideration which is based upon the customs and circumstances quite different from ours."







It was not until he had "seen many skirts come into vogue in our campus" that he realized the "formidable force" of fashion, which was able "to make so-called elite co-eds of our university impotent." For him, this was indicative of a key problem faced by Korea since liberation, namely that it had "been exposed without protection to waves of Western influence and underwent unprecedented upheaval leaving in its wake numerous social evils and confusion, especially in the area of morality." As a result, he wrote, "we are losing our heritage amidst a whirlwind of Western trends," which left him afraid that Korean culture was "about to vanish."







Because of this, he felt Koreans were "confronted with the grave moment of history" in which they needed to "find, preserve and construct [their] heritage," because if they did not, and continued to "accept the contagious influence of Western trends blindfolded," they would be left "suffering from mental servility" which would lead to despair.







The authors of these articles touched on topics that, to varying degrees, are still pertinent, though some of the assertions they made might raise eyebrows today. For example, amid Hoh's concerns about Korea's heritage, one wonders what is to be made of his claim that "Coffee is hazardous to the health of most Koreans who can hardly afford to eat meat."







Matt VanVolkenburg has a master's degree in Korean studies from the University of Washington. He is the blogger behind populargusts.blogspot.kr
Clifford Chance appoints two counsel and nine senior associates in Luxembourg

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance today announces the promotion of two counsel and nine senior associates in Luxembourg.

Eimear O'Dwyer, counsel, Banking, Finance & Capital Markets: Eimear specialises in capital markets, securitisation and structured finance. She advises on a wide range of transactions including repackagings, securitisations, multi-source financings, MTN programmes and standalone bond issuances. She has also a particular interest in ESG matters.

Adnes Muhovic, counsel, Banking, Finance & Capital Markets: Adnes has extensive experience acting for both lenders and borrowers in national and cross-border finance work covering a wide range of debt financing practice areas, including general corporate lending, structured finance, asset finance, acquisition finance and real estate finance. He further specialises in unsecured and secured fund financings.

Benoit America, senior associate, Investment Funds: Benoit focuses on the regulatory framework associated with investment funds and their managers. This includes advising clients on AIFMD as well as other issues associated with, for example, ESG, MiFID, derivatives and securities lending.

Zoe Bofferding, senior associate, Investment Funds: Zoe advises domestic and international clients on the legal, regulatory, corporate and structural aspects of investment vehicles, with a particular focus on unregulated AIFs, SIFs and RAIFs with real estate, private equity, debt and fund of funds strategies.

Florie-Anne Gonera, senior associate, Investment Funds: Florie-Anne advises domestic and international clients on all legal, corporate and regulatory aspects in relation to the structuring, setting up and organisation of regulated and unregulated investment vehicles, with a particular focus on real estate, private debt and private equity funds.

Charlotte Reynders, senior associate, Investment Funds: Charlotte advises domestic and international clients on the structuring of investment vehicles with real estate, infrastructure, debt and private equity strategies. In addition, Charlotte is closely involved on fund financing facilities and investor's negotiation for development finance institutions.

Anne-Lise Vandevoir, senior associate, Investment Funds: Anne-Lise advises clients on legal, regulatory and organisational aspects of the structuring, management and servicing of both investment funds and investment funds managers. She has a strong focus on financial regulatory matters, including advising a wide range of regulated professionals of the Luxembourg financial sector.

Margaux Felix, senior associate, Banking, Finance & Capital Markets: Margaux specialises in national and cross-border banking and finance work, including acquisition finance, real estate finance and secured lending. She advises in particular funds, large international investment banks and Luxembourg banks on financing transactions for Luxembourg-based investment funds.

Sherazade Ould-Hocine, senior associate, Banking, Finance & Capital Markets: Sherazade focuses on, both domestic and cross-border transactions, including, in particular, real estate finance, asset finance, acquisition finance and general bank lending activities.

Sadan Ramovic, senior associate, Banking, Finance & Capital Markets: Sadan advises across the whole spectrum of lending activities and specialises in domestic and cross-border transactions, including, real estate finance, structured finance, asset finance and acquisition finance.

Nazim Faid, senior associate, Corporate: Nazim focuses on M&A transactions, private equity, project and acquisition financing, complex restructuring and joint ventures. He also works with Fintechs on their M&A and joint-venture operations.

Commenting on these promotions Steve Jacoby, Managing Partner of Clifford Chance in Luxembourg, said: "Congratulations to these talented lawyers who have achieved this significant career accomplishment. Their promotion will further strengthen the position of our Luxembourg office in the banking finance, capital markets and investment funds practices and will be a great asset for our financial investors clients".
A U-2S reconnaissance jet lands at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Aug. 10, 2021. Yonhap





South Korea and the United States plan to kick off regular combined air force exercises next week, informed sources said Tuesday, in yet another move to highlight their defense posture especially against North Korea's evolving missile threats.







The allies are set to begin the two-week Korea Flying Training, Monday, the eve of the inauguration of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who has vowed to bolster the Seoul-Washington security alliance under his slogan of "peace through strength."







"The two air forces plan to begin the two-week training on the same scale as the past trainings," one source told Yonhap News Agency on condition of anonymity.







The source stopped short of giving details including specific air assets to be mobilized.







The upcoming training is a scaled-back version of the large-scale Max Thunder exercise that the two countries staged in the past with the massive mobilization of air assets and service members.







The allies' Navies also plan to start a four-day anti-submarine exercise Tuesday in the East Sea, officials here said.







For the Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness and Evaluation Measurement (SHAREM) exercise, the Navies are set to mobilize a series of key assets, including the guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson that arrived here last week.







South Korea and the U.S. have recently stepped up their security coordination in the wake of North Korea's missile launches, including its test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile March 24. (Yonhap)






Defense Minister Nominee Lee Jong-sup speaks to reporters in front of his office in Yongsan District, Seoul, April 11. Newsis



South Korean Defense Minister nominee Lee Jong-sup on Tuesday raised the possibility of North Korea test-firing a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a standard angle to prove its atmospheric reentry technology.



In a written answer to a lawmaker's question, Lee said that the North could conduct another test of the Hwasong-17 ICBM to verify the technology required to ensure the missile's warhead can withstand extremely high temperatures during reentry to Earth's atmosphere.



The reclusive regime fired what it claimed was the Hwasong-17 missile, apparently at a lofted angle, on March 24. Experts presume that if launched at a normal angle, the new ICBM could travel around 15,000 kilometers.



"North Korea has not yet verified the warhead's atmospheric reentry capability as it has so far test-fired the missile at a steep angle," Lee said. "There's the possibility of the North attempting to launch the missile at a normal angle to verify the reentry capability."



Noting the North's evolving nuclear and missile threats, Lee mentioned a "preemptive strike" option that he said can be executed "in light of self-defense through prudent judgment and determination."



But he added the use of such a military option would be limited to circumstances where there is a "clear" sign of a potential nuclear or missile attack.



In an answer to another lawmaker's question, the nominee said that the North could seek to acquire a nuclear-powered submarine, while noting the possibility of another submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test.



"We will ensure our preparedness, taking into account the possibility that the North could push to develop a nuclear-powered submarine domestically or build it with parts imported from overseas," he said.



Asked about how he would characterize a North Korean ballistic missile test, Lee said it should be viewed as a "provocation." The liberal Moon Jae-in administration had refrained from using the expression amid its drive for engagement with the North.



"(North Korean ballistic missiles) call for enhancing the credibility of the United States' extended deterrence to South Korea and the deployment of U.S. strategic assets in light of deterrence," Lee said.



The nominee also mentioned his hope for the deployment of America's strategic assets here on a "regular" basis  an indication that he regards those assets as a key element of the allies' deterrence against North Korean provocations. (Yonhap)


Hospitals in Colorado could soon be banned from pursuing debt collections against patients if they do not post their prices online, thanks to legislation passed by state lawmakers on Tuesday.

If enacted, House Bill 1285 would prohibit hospitals not following federal price transparency laws from using debt collectors, filing negative credit reports against patients and obtaining state court judgements for outstanding debts. Noncompliant hospitals could still bill patients, but if they pursue collection actions, they must refund any debt paid by the patient, in addition to all legal fees.

When you go into a hospital, you should know what the cost is beforehand, said bill sponsor Sen. John Cooke, R-Greeley. You can look at different hospitals and say, I want to get the procedure here because its cheaper than over here."

The state Senate unanimously passed the bill Tuesday following the Houses 63-1 vote last month. The bill will now be sent back to the House to approve changes made by the Senate, then to Gov. Jared Polis for final consideration.

The bill brought together both sides of the aisle, receiving sponsorship from two Democrats and two Republicans, in addition to the near unanimous support from both chambers.

Supporters of the bill said the state must take action since, more than a year after it went into effect, only 6% of Colorado hospitals are in full compliance with the price transparency law that allows patients to compare costs between hospitals, according to a report by PatientRightsAdvocate.org. That is below the national average of 14.3% compliance.

This is a bill about protecting consumers, said bill sponsor Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. Its a good bill to move folks in the right direction and to protect those people who are looking for health care and making sure they know exactly what is going on in terms of pricing.

Hospitals stood firmly against the bill, arguing that it would lead to frivolous lawsuits for large hospital systems and threaten the businesses of smaller hospitals that do not have the resources to comply with price transparency right now.

Republican Sens. Paul Lundeen of Monument and Bob Gardner of Colorado Springs raised similar concerns during the Senate debate Monday, saying the bill could result in even smaller hospital capacities as Colorado hospitals struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is, in short, well-intended and ill-considered legislation, Gardner said. HB-1285 chooses a mechanism to enforce that which the federal government did not intend.  It is draconian. It is not a carving knife, but a meat cleaver. Not a scalpel for enforcement, but a bludgeon.

The Senate voted to amend the bill to narrow the complaints patients can bring against noncompliant hospitals, specifying that patients can only complain about price transparency for procedures relevant to their own care.

Last month, the House also amended the bill to give small, critical access hospitals with less than 25 beds more time to comply. For these hospitals, the bill would go into effect in February 2023 instead of this August as it will for all other hospitals.

These changes seemingly won over most opposition, earning the bill a 35-0 vote in the Senate. In the House, the only no vote against the bill was from Grand Junction Republican Rep. Janice Rich, who said she opposed the measure because she is just tired of the governments meddling in business.
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By Lee Hyo-jin



The Working Group on Bribery (WGB) under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has expressed concerns over a controversial prosecutorial reform bill here which seeks to reduce the prosecution's investigative powers.



National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug proposed a compromised version of the prosecutorial reform bill, which if bill passed, WGB chair Drago Kos was quoted as saying on April 22 that it is likely that laws stipulating the prosecution's investigative power on all crimes, including corruption, will be removed.





The OECD logo is seen in this October file photo. AFP-Yonhap



The prosecutorial reform bill aims to stop prosecutors from investigating crimes in six major categories: corruption, economic affairs, public officials, elections, the defense industry and large-scale incidents with mass casualties.






The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
Above a desk somewhere at Apple HQ someone has probably pasted the slogan, "Another week, another lawsuit," and this week seems no different as the EU is targeting Apple Pay, or to be more specific, how Apple constrains use of the NFC chip inside iPhones.

Whats the claim?

The second charge in Europe this year, EU antitrust regulators have alleged that Apple restricts competitors by denying access to the NFC (Near-Field Communications) technology it uses in its mobile wallet.

Apple has been sent a statement of objections in which regulators detailed how it has abused its dominance position in markets for mobile wallets on iOS in contravention of Article 102 of the TFEU.

Apple Pay has access to the NFC Input APIs, which the company does not make available to third-party payment firms. However, other platforms do permit third parties to access NFC tech to make such payments.

The EU statement says it "does not take issue with the online restrictions nor the alleged refusals of access to Apple Pay for specific products of rivals that the Commission announced that it had concerns when it opened the in-depth investigation into Apple's practices.

Both the latter matters were part of the investigation when it began in 2020, allegedly in response to complaints raised by PayPal.

The case is different from the proposals within the EU Digital Markets Act, which will also affect Apples business. Apple is facing scrutiny and regulation in most of its major markets, including the UK, US, Korea, Europe, Japa,n and elsewhere.

What the EU says

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, Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

Regulators argue that Apple has significant market power in the mobile device market and dominates mobile wallets. The Commission argues that the company is abusing this power by reserving access to NFC tech on its devices to Apple Pay, to the detriment of competitors and consumers.

Apple will now have time to examine the allegations and respond to them as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Statement of Objections should not be confused with being a final judgement  though Vestager has already rejected counterarguments concerning security and regulators seem deaf to the need for user privacy.

What Apple says

In a statement provided to me, Apple defended itself, saying: We designed Apple Pay to provide an easy and secure way for users to digitally present their existing payment cards and for banks and other financial institutions to offer contactless payments for their customers.

"Apple Pay is only one of many options available to European consumers for making payments and has ensured equal access to NFC while setting industry-leading standards for privacy and security. We 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."

It is worth noting that Apple recently opened the NFC chip to Apple developers for use with Apples Tap to Pay feature, which turns iPhones into card readers. This does not yet allow rivals to use the NFC chip to make payments from iPhones. Apple also recently published a report that showed how successful third-party apps could be on its platforms.

Whats the history?

Apple really began laying the foundations for payment tech in iPhones years before the 2014 introduction of Apple Pay. In 2010, it acquired contactless/near field communications tech firm, VIVOtech and soon recruited industry expert Benjamin Vigier as its product manager of mobile commerce.

Vigier was likely a key hire to enable Apples plans; he also led development of mobile payment systems for Starbucks and Paypal. That hire wasnt random. Apple had already filed patents for use of NFC tech by then, and speculation concerning Apples plans to hold flight tickets on iPhones had already begun.

When Apple did launch the service, it did so long behind everyone else, but Apple Pay soon eclipsed that of similar services from Samsung, HTC, and others. It turned out that people making mobile payments wanted brand trust, security, and biometric identity to seal these transactions.

Since then, Apple Pay has possibly become the most widely used NFC-based payment system in the world; its arguable that the iPhone maker has done more than most to break down initial consumer resistance to mobile payment systems.

Why is this happening?

Apple is a victim of its own success. When the company introduced the iPod and launched its iTunes ecosystem, it was a small company fighting for survival against Microsoft and others.

The same basic business plan Apple used with iTunes was subsequently transposed around iPhone and the App Store. Today the company has become the worlds most valuable tech company, which means it is under a different set of rules.

While before it was a small player fighting for position, today it has become a major firm and must anticipate scrutiny. It must also develop a new approach to this side of its business, while shoring up revenue elsewhere.

It seems inevitable the mobile payments space would become messy.

Arguably, most mobile payment systems have failed amid suspicion about the entire sector that emerged in 2010. Apple has built a far deeper currency of trust across its customer base and seems to have bigger ambitions in the financial services space. These ambitions inevitably pit the company against incumbents in the space, so its of little surprise to see the regulators getting involved.

Whats at stake?

Money. If the EU finds Apple guilty, it could be fined up to 10% of its global turnover, though it is unlikely to be punished to that extent. Apple Pay is used by more than 2,500 banks in Europe along with over 250 challenger banks and fintech services.

In the background, we also have continued speculation around Apples plans to introduce new payment services and to extend Apple Card availability outside the US. Associated with this, we also hear rumors the company may intend to launch an Apple-as-a-service plan.

What might happen?

Apple seems ready to fight tooth and claw to protect its strategy of making some features platform specific. Total control of its ecosystem has always been part of its approach, so this is philosophically in keeping with that strategy.

All the same, the shades of tech regulation cast heavy shadows on the company at this time, and as in any conflict resolution will eventually be reached through a combination of negotiation and regulation.

This could take years, but the arguments being made elsewhere concerning its ecosystem probably also apply here.

I think the ultimate question will be how much Apple can charge third-party companies for access to profitable parts of its system without being seen as anti-competitive. And to what extent will regulatory activity dilute the user experience?

During the course of events, I imagine Apple will attempt to say that those complaining about its business practices in mobile payments are attempting to capitalize on its work, given other attempts to create systems as popular as its own have already failed.

That argument likely wont win regulators over to its position, but may help the company justify a right to demand a slice of any future transactions made using its platforms on services provided by third parties. I doubt the latter will get a free ride.

Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
A friend of mine recently wrote about the "joys" of having slow Internet in Grand Bahamas. Of course, he was there on vacation; for me, vacation is just a word in the dictionary. I'm the kind of person who used to send in stories using a 300-baud acoustic modem on a payphone. Now, that was slow!

But, for work today we need the fastest possible internet to our home offices and workplaces. That's because now more than ever, whether we're working from home, the office, or a combination of the two, we need fast with a capital "F" Internet.

As the analyst firm CCS Insight found in its latest Employee Workplace Technology Survey 2022, 37% of respondents said slow networks were the biggest connectivity frustration. This was followed by poor mobile signals, 30%; unreliable home Wi-Fi, 29%; and corporate office Wi-Fi, 29%.

I feel your pain.

I'm working from our Myrtle Beach condo this week with its 5Mbps DSL Internet connection. Oh, how I long for my home office's Gigabit connection!

I had my nose rubbed into just how bad this was when a recent Zoom meeting stuttered its way into oblivion. Today, by CCS Insight's count, businesses rely on video meeting programs such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom as never before. In 2021, the use of online video conferencing jumped by 50%.

At the same time, ye olde telephone calls are dropping fast in popularity. Their survey showed that desk phone and mobile phone calls were down 20%. In its place, people are using instant messaging systems such as Slack and, you guessed it, videoconferencing apps.

In comparison, a phone call, even if done using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), can take as little as 100 Kilobits per second (Kbps). A group Zoom call requires a minimum of 1Mbps up and 600kbps down per user. (Practically speaking, I'd triple those bandwidth requirements.)

Looking ahead, CCS Insight and yours truly see the use of desk phones decreasing quickly over the next 12 months. In their place, we'll see voice-only and video calls growing strongly.

This will have two business impacts.

The first is you'll need faster internet speeds to meet the demands for videoconferences. Second, it's time for you to reconsider how much you're paying for PBX and traditional phone services.

I'm not saying it's time to dump your PBX  it's not. But I can see the eventual end of business landline phones from here.

Of course, your home workers need all the fast internet they can get. They may not be sharing one Internet connection with a dozen other employees. Still, they are likely sharing it with kids playing video games and family members watching "The Batman" in 4K resolution on HBO Max.

While getting faster last-mile internet will help, you need more than that; you also need to speed up your local office network and Wi-Fi.

For actual speed, you still can't beat Gigabit Ethernet. Wi-Fi is all well and good, but it will never replace the Ethernet cable to the servers and the routers.

For most users, however, Wi-Fi is where it's at.

If you haven't updated your Wi-Fi access points and meshes since 2020, it's time to upgrade.

What you should look for is gear that supports Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax.

The big reason to upgrade is Wi-Fi 6 delivers an almost 40% increase in pure throughput over its immediate predecessor, Wi-Fi 5.

Behind the raw speed increase, Wi-Fi 6 also uses Multi-User, Multi-Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO), and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) to let the Wi-Fi router split connections into eight simultaneous streams. The net result boosts the effective bandwidth per user four-fold.

Another Wi-Fi 6 feature, Target Wake Time (TWT), is a beneficial power-saving scheme. It enables Wi-Fi 6 devices to stay asleep until they need to send and receive data. This gives useful Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets like security cameras and video doorbells better battery life. It also helps smartphones and laptops.

You can get Wi-Fi 6 equipment for as little as $70, but you don't want to go cheap unless you have no choice.

The less expensive equipment doesn't have the CPU power or multi-Gigabit ports needed for top performance. Decent gear, such as the TP-Link Archer line and the Asus ZenWiFi ET8, goes for prices ranging from $200 to $500.

If you want even more speed and the ability to deal with dozens or hundreds of devices, you'll want to move up to Wi-Fi 6E. In particular, Wi-Fi 6E can handle multiple Internet addresses.

That happens more often than you might think. Today, every blasted piece of equipment in your home, including the refrigerator and washing machines, can have its own IP address.

Wi-Fi 6E is also faster than Wi-Fi 6. Indeed, the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is the first Wi-Fi router I've ever tested that can actually deliver a Gigabit-per-second signal over the air.

That's the good news. The bad news is that Wi-Fi 6E hardware is expensive.

Prices start at around $400, and my Orbi Wi-Fi 6E mesh cost me a cool $1,500. On the other hand, it also covers two buildings with 3,500 square feet.

So, you do get what you pay for.

Finally, as you consider your internet and network future, remember that a network is only as fast as your slowest link.

If your laptops, for example, are still using the obsolete 802.11n Wi-Fi chipsets, they still can't go any faster than 300Mbps, even if they're sitting on top of a 6E router pumping out a 1Gbps signal.
National Election Commission headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province / Newsis



By Ko Dong-hwan



While lawmakers at the National Assembly are split over the passage of two prosecution reform bills that will overhaul the investigative powers of prosecutors, the repercussions of the clash are spreading beyond the National Assembly.



At the crux of an intensifying debate on the issue is whether or not it is legitimate to hold a referendum to let the public decide whether the bills should be legislated or not. Holding a referendum was suggested by Rep. Chang Je-won, the chief of staff for President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol. Chang proposed the bills to be put to a referendum on June 1, when the local elections are held, on the premise of saving both money to prepare for another election and time for people to go to the polling stations.



The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) have been locking horns for weeks over the prosecutorial reform. The DPK has decided it would work to pass the bills at the National Assembly in order to reduce what it argues is the excessive power wielded by prosecutors, while the PPP is strongly opposed. President Moon Jae-in also sided with the DPK earlier this week, adding to the tense partisan standoff.



In response to the PPP's referendum proposal, the National Election Commission (NEC) said, Wednesday, that a referendum would be unconstitutional because the country's National Voting Law is pending a revision. In 2014, the Constitutional Court singled out a clause that excluded the votes of Korean citizens living overseas when holding a referendum as unconstitutional. Since then, the law has remained unchanged.



As to the NEC's argument that the law must be revised prior to holding a referendum, professors and lawyers are voicing disagreement. A conservative-minded professors' group on April 28 released a joint statement questioning the NEC's argument.





People Power Party lawmakers stage a protest at the National Assembly, April 27, against the ruling Democratic Party of Korea for trying to pass prosecution reform bills. The posters held by the lawmakers criticize the ruling party for the reform initiative. Joint Press Corps.



"The NEC is just an agency that ensures fairness in elections and referendums," the group said. "For them to say holding a referendum is unconstitutional is an act of arrogation against the country's judiciary bodies that ultimately hold the rights to check and determine any flaws behind holding a referendum."



The group then called for a clear response on whether the NEC's statement came from a single person within the organization or represented its general stance.



Lawyer Shin Pyeong, a former president of the Korean Constitutional Law Association, also questioned the NEC's argument. He posted on Facebook, April 27, that the public must vote on whether most of the prosecutors' powers to investigate criminal cases should be scrapped and instead transferred to the country's police force through the passage of the bills.









Citing a constitutional clause that stated a president has the vested power to hold a referendum to decide on important policies in diplomacy, national defense, unification and other significant state matters, Shin argued that the removal of prosecutors' investigative powers can be categorized under "other significant state matters" because it violates the basic rights of members of the public and disrupts the country's constitutional foundation.





People Power Party Chairman Rep. Lee Jun-seok speaks during a discussion at the National Assembly about removing prosecutors' investigative powers and transferring them to the police through prosecution reform bills, April 28. Joint Press Corps.



"The president's call for a referendum can effectively fend off the unfair legislation of the bills at the National Assembly, in a so-called legislative coup," Shin said.



A judge-turned-lawyer also criticized the NEC's argument, claiming that the president's call to hold a referendum when deemed necessary is an absolute right that can be executed under any circumstances. He said that the "technical error" in the National Voting Law can be spontaneously patched up through administrative measures and cannot be an excuse to object a referendum.



"Allow suffrage to Koreans overseas and that will do for the Constitutional Court's correction," the lawyer said. "It is hard to understand the NEC citing such an absurd law to dismiss a constitutional term (that entitles a president to hold a referendum)."



Shortly after midnight on Thursday, the DPK ended the PPP's filibuster to block the bills, sending one of the bills to a plenary vote on Saturday this week. On Wednesday afternoon, as soon as a plenary National Assembly session opened, the PPP immediately launched the filibuster, which was led by Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, the party's floor leader. But the filibuster ended at midnight as the DPK, which holds 171 out of 300 National Assembly seats, voted for an early end of the parliamentary session, which can end a filibuster.



By law, a bill that was subject to a filibuster will be automatically put to a vote three days after the filibuster tactic ends. That means a revision to the Prosecutors' Office Act, one of the two prosecution reform bills, will be put to a plenary vote on Saturday.





Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Ahn Min-seok speaks in favor of the reform bill to separate prosecutors' indictment and investigative powers in the filibuster session during a plenary meeting at the National Assembly, April 27. Newsis
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This CoolSocial report was updated on 2022-05-03, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.
Lawmakers attend a plenary session of the National Assembly in Seoul, May 3. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea passed another bill to complete its "prosecution reform," only a week before incoming President Yonn Suk-yeol takes office. Yonhap





The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) railroaded the last-remaining bill on prosecution reform through the National Assembly amid opposition protest Tuesday, completing its push to reduce and ultimately remove the prosecution's investigative powers.







The revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, the remaining half of the ruling DP's prosecution reform legislation, was passed in a 164-3 vote, with seven abstentions during a parliamentary plenary session. The revision calls for limiting the scope of the prosecution's supplementary investigations.







The move follows Saturday's passage of the revision to the Prosecutors' Office Act that reduces the prosecution's investigative powers to only two types of crime  corruption and economic  from the current six, before removing them completely.







The DPK, which holds 171 out of 300 seats, has been trying to pass the two bills and have them signed into law before the May 10 inauguration of President-elect Yoon.







The revisions are expected to be promulgated at a Cabinet meeting of the outgoing Moon Jae-in administration later in the day.







The Cabinet meeting was originally scheduled for 10 a.m., the same time the plenary session opened, but was pushed back.







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 two sides reached a compromise deal under which the prosecution's investigative powers would be reduced from six crime types to two before being removed completely, but the PPP backtracked following criticism that lawmakers were colluding to shield themselves from prosecution investigations as the agreement calls for stripping the prosecution of its right to investigate election crimes.







PPP lawmakers plan to stand outside Cheong Wa Dae for a third day Tuesday, displaying signs demanding Moon's veto of the legislation. (Yonhap)






Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's transition committee, gives a presentation of the incoming Yoon Suk-yeol government's 110 policy proposals, during a press conference in Seoul's Jongno District, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps



Transition committee unveils 110 policy proposals



By Jung Da-min



Parents with infants who are 11 months old or younger will receive a monthly financial subsidy of 1 million won ($789) starting in 2024, according to Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the presidential transition committee, Tuesday.



The subsidy for parents of infants, aimed at stopping the nation's falling birthrate, is one of the 110 policy proposals unveiled by the transition committee for the incoming Yoon Suk-yeol government during a press conference held at the committee's office in central Seoul.



The 1 million won support for infants and their parents was included as part of a welfare policy for socially vulnerable groups, including low income earners, children, the elderly and the disabled, aimed at improving income inequality.



Starting next year, parents of infants will be given 700,000 won per month, and the amount will increase to 1 million by 2024.



To alleviate elderly poverty, the committee also pledged to increase the basic pension for senior citizens gradually to 400,000 won from the current 300,000 won.



Ahn also emphasized the need to seek balanced development among provincial cities, saying the increasing economic gap between regions has been one of the fundamental causes for the low birth rate issue.



As for the country's current situation, Ahn said Korea is unique in that those born when it was still a developing country and those born after it became a developed country are living together. He said it is important for the government to break away from the old ways of prioritizing the national interest over individuals.



Ahn also presented six major goals relating to the national tasks of the upcoming administration, which includes: restoring common sense and justice; fostering a dynamic economy led by the private sector with support from the government; fostering an inclusive society that embraces the socially vulnerable; creating an innovative future based on freedom and creativity; becoming a global hub promoting the values of freedom, peace and prosperity; and becoming a country with balanced regional development.



The other major tasks included expanding support for small business owners who suffered losses due to COVID-19 pandemic, expanding the housing supply and scrapping the nuclear power phase-out policy, all of which have been election pledges of Yoon.




Multiple series of network switches manufactured by Aruba Networks, owned by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Avaya, owned by Extreme Networks, are vulnerable to attacks that could allow attackers to break network segmentation, exfiltrate data from internal networks to the internet, and escape captive portals. The flaws stem from mistakes made by the vendors when implementing a popular embedded TLS library.

The vulnerabilities are rated critical and can lead to remote code execution (RCE), according to researchers from security firm Armis who found them. These flaws, collectively dubbed TLStorm 2.0, could enable attackers to take full control, often without authentication, of switches that are deployed in a wide variety of enterprise networks and are also used to isolate public-facing network segments in airports, hospitals, hotels and other organizations.

"In the last few months, we have seen an increasing number of vulnerabilities in popular libraries, with the two most notable ones being Log4Shell and Spring4Shell," the Armis researchers said in their report. "While its clear that almost every software relies on external libraries, these libraries introduce new risks to the hosting software. In the case of Mocana NanoSSL, the manual clearly states the proper cleanup in case of connection error, but we have already seen multiple vendors not handling the errors properly, resulting in memory corruption or state confusion bugs."

What are NanoSSL and TLStorm?

NanoSSL is a closed-source highly performant TLS library for embedded devices with over a decade of history. It was developed by Mocana, an IoT security company recently acquired by DigiCert. The Armis researchers first identified critical vulnerabilities, dubbed TLStorm, in APC SmartUPS devices that stemmed from the manufacturer not following some of the implementation recommendations made by the NanoSSL developers.

Implementation flaws are common when it comes to cryptographic libraries in general and can provide a path to exploit known weaknesses in those libraries that rely on correct and safe implementation to mitigate. This was the case with the APC SmartUPS vulnerabilities which were in the code that glued together the vendor logic and the NanoSSL library.

While investigating the TLStorm flaws, Armis identified dozens of devices using the NanoSSL library in its existing database of device profiles and some of them were network switches made by Aruba and Avaya. This led them to finding the same library implementation issues in these devices as well with similarly serious implications. These new bugs were dubbed TLStorm 2.0.

Bypassing network segmentation and captive portals

Network switches are commonly used to isolate virtual local area network (VLAN) segments from each other for security reasons. For example, it's common for organizations to isolate guest networks, either Wi-Fi or wired, from the larger corporate network, or to isolate critical devices or servers within their own more restricted network segment that cannot be accessed from the broader corporate network without additional authentication.

One common feature of authenticating network access is through so-called captive portals. These are essentially web pages displayed to newly connecting users where they are asked to authenticate or to accept certain terms and conditions before they are provided with access to the internet or other network resources. Captive portals are very common with guest networks -- both Wi-Fi and wired -- in a variety of environments, from airports, hospitals and hotels to coffee shops, apartment buildings and business centers.

"Using the TLStorm 2.0 vulnerabilities, an attacker can abuse the captive portal and gain remote code execution over the switch with no need for authentication," the Armis researchers said. "Once the attacker has control over the switch, he can disable the captive portal completely and connect freely to the corporate network."

Once the attackers have control over the switch, they can also bypass the network segmentation and jump from one VLAN into another. This allows for lateral movement across the network and potential network segments that should be isolated from the internet.

The NanoSSL implementation errors in Aruba switches can be exploited through TLS connections made both to the captive portal feature but also through RADIUS protocol. RADIUS is a client-server network authentication and authorization protocol used to provide central management for users accessing network services. Network switches include a RADIUS client that connects to the central RADIUS server to request access to different resources.

"A vulnerability in the RADIUS connection handling could allow an attacker that is able to intercept the RADIUS connection via a man in the middle attack to gain RCE over the switch with no user interaction," the Armis researchers said.

Separately, a user of the captive portal can take control of a vulnerable switch before authentication. Since both issues stem from improper TLS connection handling via NanoSSL in Aruba switches, they are tracked together as CVE-2022-23677 (9.0 CVSS severity score). The researchers also identified two memory corruption issues in the RADIUS client of Aruba switches that can lead to execution of attacker-control data via heap overflows. These are tracked separately as CVE-2022-23676 (9.1 CVSS score).

The Aruba switch models impacted by these flaws are: the Aruba 5400R Series, 3810 Series, 2920 Series, 2930F Series, 2930M Series, 2530 Series and 2540 Series.

The vulnerabilities found in Avaya switches can be exploited through the web management portal and none of them require authentication. One flaw (CVE-2022-29860) with 9.8 severity score is a heap overflow stemming from TLS reassembly. This is caused by improper validation of the NanoSSL return values when processing POST requests to the web server.

A separate vulnerability in HTTP header parsing of Avaya switches when handling multipart form data combined with a string that is not null-terminated can also cause an attacker-controlled stack overflow and lead to remote code execution. This is tracked separately as CVE-2022-29861 (9.8 CVSS score).

A third RCE vulnerability that hasn't received a CVE ID was also found in a discontinued Avaya product line and is caused by missing error checks related to the NanoSSL library. Since the impacted products are no longer maintained, this flaw is unlikely to receive a patch, but Armis's data shows devices impacted by it are still being used in the wild.

The Avaya devices affected by TLStorm 2.0 are: the ERS3500 Series, ERS3600 Series, ERS4900 Series and ERS5900 Series.

Mitigating TLStorm 2.0

According to Armis, there's no indication the TLStorm 2.0 vulnerabilities have been exploited in the wild and both Aruba (HPE) and Avaya (Extreme Networks) have contacted customers and issued patches for most of the vulnerabilities. These are available through their respective customer support portals.

In addition, Armis recommends implementing network monitoring solutions that can identify exploit attempts for these and other vulnerabilities and limiting the attack surface of devices by blocking access to their management portals from guest networks or limiting them to dedicated management ports.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. has learned a great deal about Russian military shortfalls and capabilities in the first two months of the war in Ukraine, top Pentagon leaders told Congress Tuesday. But they warned that Moscow is learning from its mistakes as the war shifts to a new phase, and that will shape the artillery and other weapons systems the U.S. will provide.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee that if Congress approves funding, the most critical things that Ukraine needs are anti-tank, anti-aircraft and shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles. Milley added that with the fighting now concentrated in the eastern Donbas region, Ukrainian forces also need more tanks and other mechanized vehicles, which the U.S. and other nations are providing.

The coming weeks, they said, will be crucial.

Prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February, the U.S. had provided about $1 billion in weapons and gear to the Ukrainian military, and had been training troops for years. Since the invasion, the U.S. has committed another $3.7 billion in weapons and other aid, and is seeking a $33 billion supplemental appropriation from Congress that includes a wide range of military and other support.

Senators, including Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., pressed Austin and Milley on whether weapons are actually getting out to the troops on the front lines, or if they are being diverted or hoarded. Austin said it's difficult to know since there are no U.S. personnel on the ground in Ukraine to monitor the weapons flow. But he said they talk to their counterparts in Ukraine regularly, and stress the need for accountability in weapons distribution.

Austin pointed to early failures by Russia, including almost immediate struggles with logistics, and difficulties getting food, water and supplies to troops.

As we saw things unfold on the ground, we saw them not able to support themselves logistically, we saw them make some bad assumptions at the beginning of this, we saw them fail to integrate aerial fires with their ground maneuver, and just a number of missteps, Austin said.  I attribute a lot of that to lack of leadership at the lower level.

The leadership problems, he said, forced Russia to send higher ranking generals to the battlefront, where many have been killed.

Austin said the U.S. expects to see some of the same mistakes as the fighting in the Donbas and across southern Ukraine escalates, as Russia tries to wrest control of a solid stretch of land from the east, through Mariupol, along the Sea of Azov to Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula seized by Russian and annexed in March 2014.

But, he said, they will learn from what they did in the early stages of this fight. And well see them improve their logistical efforts. And well see them improve their massing of fires and that sort of business. But some things they wont be able to correct.

Austin and Milley said that Russia's failure to train young commanders to make decisions, has led to a very top-heavy organization that hasn't been as nimble and effective as the Ukrainian forces. Milley said the U.S. and other Western nations taught Ukrainian forces about mission command and decentralized control and tactics, which are more successful on a dynamic battlefield.

He also said the U.S. opened up the pipes" and sent a "significant amount of intelligence to Ukraine both before the invasion, and as the fight has gone on.

In a related matter, President Joe Biden has nominated Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli to be the next top general for Europe, and to serve as the Supreme Allied Commander for NATO. Cavoli is currently serving as commander of U.S. Army Europe-Africa. His nomination now goes to the U.S. Senate for confirmation. He would replace Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters.
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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.
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NEW YORK (AP)  For veteran anti-abortion activists, the leaked Supreme Court document read like a detailed dream come true, spelling out a potential ruling that would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and allow U.S. states to ban abortion.

Yet even amid their celebrations, there were hard-nosed assessments from some about the political battles that lie ahead if the national map officially becomes a patchwork of conflicting abortion laws.

The end of Roe is only the beginning of saving unborn lives, Daniel Darling, a Southern Baptist author and pastor, wrote in a column Tuesday for Baptist Press.

The fight for their dignity goes from state to state and likely, into the halls of Congress, he added, After fifty years, we cannot grow weary.

The Supreme Court confirmed Tuesday that the draft opinion, leaked to Politico, was an authentic document but said it does not represent a decision by the court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.

Nonetheless, Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, embraced as a historic moment the news that five of the courts nine justices potentially endorse an opinion that would undo the 1973 ruling.

She found herself crying tears of elation as she listened to her husband explain to their children that such a decision will result in millions of children being allowed to be born.

Weve been preparing for this for years  but we know we have so much more to do, said Hawkins, who has been an activist for 22 years since she volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center in Steubenville, Ohio, at age 15.

Assuming Roe is overturned, Hawkins said she and her allies would press Republican-governed states to swiftly outlaw abortion while also stepping up lobbying in Democratic strongholds where the procedure is protected, such as California and New York.

Another project, Hawkins said, is to trade ideas with Republican state officials about how to prevent women in states with bans from accessing mail-order pills to self-induce an abortion. And she welcomes discussion about a potential federal abortion ban were Republicans to retake both Congress and the presidency.

But some, like Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life for the past 14 years, disagree with the idea of seeking a national ban.

Its a bad idea to run anything through our federal government, given Congresss lack of ability to get things done, he said. This debate should be decided in our statehouses, not in the halls of D.C.

Regarding mail-order pills, Gonidakis said it's inevitable that some women in states with bans would be able to obtain them via the internet.

You cant eliminate it completely, he said. We cant go around knocking on everyones doors and checking their internet. Weve got to change the culture, win hearts and minds.

Regardless, he said of the leaked document: Weve been praying for this for a long, long time.

On Tuesday, Barbara Beavers of Jackson, Mississippi, stood outside the states only abortion clinic next to two signs that read: Ask me about free pregnancy tests & ultrasounds and You dont have to do this today. She prayed and tried to talk to people as they got out of cars to go inside.

Asked about the Supreme Court developments, Beavers replied, Roe v. Wades bad law.

We need to be defending our children, unborn or born, she added. We dont need to be killing.

Michael New, an abortion opponent who teaches social research at The Catholic University of America, said a reversal of Roe would be a very important victory for the movement but not the end of its challenges.

Women in states with legal protections for preborn children could still obtain abortions in other states where the laws are more permissive, he said via email. Crafting policies to discourage women from seeking abortions in other states will likely engage pro-life analysts and strategists for years to come.

Long-time anti-abortion activist Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action, noted that her state stands to be a battleground for abortion issues in this year's midterm elections. There is a pre-Roe criminal statute that could take effect, but Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul has said he would not enforce it.

If the Court does overturn Roe, Wisconsins pro-life movement must be ready to serve women facing unplanned pregnancies and their babies, Appling said. We must be ready for this election season to stand together for babies and their mothers.

In his Baptist Press column, Darling spoke of vindication for a relentless pro-life movement that has often been maligned, misunderstood, and mocked and yet refused to go away.

Patient pro-life activists, often led by women, have marched in rain, snow and sleet year after year, he wrote, "demanding justice for the unborn.

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Associated Press reporter Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed to this report.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
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NAUGATUCK  Suspended New Canaan K-9 Officer David Rivera Jr. and Daniel Luna, his general manager of Black Rock Canines, had a way of dealing with dogs they felt couldnt be trained, former and current employees told state and local investigators, according to court documents.

Luna is accused of shooting the dogs in the head while he served them dinner, the court documents said. Rivera, whose own police K-9 was revoked by his department, would use heavy equipment to bury the animals at the Naugatuck property at 100 Hunters Mountain Road, according to an arrest warrant charging Luna with close to 20 counts, including cruelty to animals, unlawful euthanization of a canine and first-degree reckless endangerment.

The allegations outlined in these affidavits are not only illegal but also disheartening, Naugatuck Police Chief Colin McAllister said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

As a police agency with three successful working K-9s that serve our community to their highest capacity, we are appalled at the treatment that other dogs of the same caliber were given while under the care of Black Rock Canines.

Rivera was suspended from the New Canaan Police Department last week after his arrest by Stratford police on charges he had illegally possessed and stored explosives at his home as part of the dog training business he ran on the side.

Rivera surrendered Monday to Naugatuck police after a warrant was issued for his arrest on accusations he and Luna shot and killed dogs and abused other animals at Black Rock Canines, which trained and sold dogs to police departments and other law enforcement agencies and private citizens, McAllister said.

Rivera was charged by Naugatuck police with conspiracy to commit animal cruelty, first-degree reckless endangerment and conspiracy to commit euthanization of a canine. Rivera was released after posting $150,000 bond and will appear May 18 in state Superior Court in Waterbury on the new charges.

Luna, 33, was arraigned Tuesday in Waterbury on four counts of animal cruelty, four counts of conspiracy to commit animal cruelty, one count of first-degree reckless endangerment, four counts of conspiracy to commit euthanization of a canine and third-degree identity theft.

Naugatuck police seized 31 dogs from the facility and placed them in a shelter, pending the outcome of the criminal cases, McAllister said.

The dogs appeared to be in good condition, he said.

Naugatuck police said they searched the business property on April 26 after receiving reports of suspected animal cruelty. The allegations came as state officials were investigating reports that Rivera was improperly storing explosives on the property, but had moved them to his Stratford home, the court documents said.

Three days after the search, McAllister said Riveras father, David Rivera Sr., was arrested Friday for allegedly threatening Black Rock Canines employees with a knife. Rivera Sr., 57, of Stratford, was charged with second-degree threatening and two counts of breach of peace. He was released after posting $25,000 bond and will appear May 11 in Waterbury Superior Court.

According to Lunas arrest warrant, one Black Rock Canines employee reported to state police that she helped move explosives and dogs to the Naugatuck Event Center for training.

The training consisted of teaching the dogs to sniff explosives, she said, according to the warrant. The four-story downtown building was usually filled with other people who were engaging in various activities, she said.

The woman would place the explosives around the building so the dogs could learn their scent, the warrant said. She would pack up the explosives and the dogs at the end of the day and bring them back to Black Rock Canines in a van, she said.

Luna, a Waterbury resident who moved to Connecticut two years ago, was a police officer in Texas for a decade, according to his attorney, Robert Berke. He has no prior record and was working full-time as a police K-9 trainer, Berke said.

I do not believe hes a risk of flight, Berke said.

During Tuesdays arraignment, Waterbury Superior Court Judge Frank Ionatti called the allegations egregious before setting bond at $75,000. Luna posted bond and is required to wear an electronic monitoring device, officials said.

An arrest warrant alleges that Luna and Rivera shot and killed at least 10 dogs they believed were not able to be trained or sold.

One employee of Black Rock Canines told police that Luna would kill the dogs while they ate, the warrant stated.

The dogs and food dishes, which sometimes contained bullet holes, were buried in a pit on the property, the employee said, according to the warrant.

Investigators confirmed the accounts by digging where employees said dogs were buried, the warrant said.

The decomposing animals were sent to the state Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab at Storrs, police said.

Employees led police to an area of the property where several dogs were isolated, the warrant said. Those dogs were called useless, the employee said, and confined to their cages 24 hours a day, according to the warrant.

Employees told police they had never seen a veterinarian on the property, the warrant stated.

Police launched an investigation after they said employees reported concerns Rivera was improperly handling explosives at Black Rock Canines, which he ran outside his work as a New Canaan K-9 officer.

The investigation led police to Riveras Stratford home where they said a large amount of explosives were found improperly stored. Rivera also is accused of possessing the explosives illegally since he did not have a license, according to an arrest warrant for the original charges.

Rivera, 34, was arraigned Friday in state Superior Court in Bridgeport on charges of illegal possession of explosives, illegal storage of explosives, illegal possession of an assault rifle, illegal storage of a firearm and three counts of improper transfer of a firearm.

Rivera was released after posting $250,000 bond for those charges.

Rivera was suspended as a New Canaan police officer after the department learned of the investigation into the explosives, Chief Leon Krolikowski said.

Rivera had been out on workers compensation. However, Krolikowski and other town officials have declined to say when Rivera last worked as a police officer.

New Canaans K-9, a German shepherd named Apollo, is still with the department.

He is healthy, happy and looking forward to continuing his career with our department, Krolikowski said.

Rivera has at least two pending workers compensation complaints with the state Workers Compensation Commission, which oversees claims that need negotiations or have been denied.

Rivera joined the New Canaan Police Department in 2014 after being a member of the Bridgeport police force.

Rivera has received commendations and awards from the department in recent years after helping to save someone who was overdosing and successfully capturing a man who refused to drop his gun.

Last July, Rivera filed a lawsuit against New Canaan, claiming discrimination based on skin color and race after he was not chosen for the departments Special Response Team. That case is going to trial, court records show.

Staff writers Peter Yankowski and Liz Hardaway contributed to this story.
Health Minister nominee Chung Ho-young attends a National Assembly confirmation hearing, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps



Education Minister nominee Kim In-chul steps down amid scholarship allegations



By Lee Hyo-jin



Health Minister nominee Chung Ho-young was grilled at a National Assembly confirmation hearing, Tuesday, over allegations that he used his position to help his children enter a highly coveted medical school.



Members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) demanded Chung turn down his nomination.



Nevertheless, he reaffirmed his earlier stance that he will not refuse the nomination, denying the allegations raised against him.



Since he was nominated on April 13, Chung has faced snowballing personal and family-related allegations, all of which he has flatly denied issuing 63 statements through the Ministry of Health and Welfare's website and holding a press conference on April 17.



Suspicions were raised that his daughter and son were able to transfer to Kyungpook National University School of Medicine in 2016 and 2017, respectively, allegedly using their father's influence while he was president of the affiliated Kyungpook National University Hospital.



Throughout the hearing, DPK lawmakers bombarded Chung with questions about the admissions process.

.

"Surveys show that two out of three people think the nominee is not a suitable candidate for the position. Even in Daegu, where Chung has long served as a medical professional, 58.7 percent of people view that his explanations (regarding the allegations) are insufficient," DPK Rep. Kim Sung-joo said.



Kim called on the nominee to take a "decisive action," saying that calls for him not to become minister are growing among doctors' groups and even among members of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).



"I am sorry to have caused public concern," Chung said, while still denying the allegations and insisting that he has explained enough.



In response to Rep. Ko Min-jung's question asking why he wouldn't consider withdrawing his nomination, Chung said, "Despite the allegations, I believe there is no problem in terms of ethics."



Yet criticisms also came from PPP lawmakers, who pointed out that the allegations against the nominee could be seen as ethical misconduct.



Rep. Kang Gi-yoon asked why Chung's children applied at the medical school of Kyungpook National University specifically, among other medical schools nationwide, which has led some to speculate about their father's involvement in the admissions process. Rep. Kim Mi-ae said that a minister should be subject to a higher ethical standard, considering that fairness is currently a sensitive issue in society, especially among the younger generations.





Education Minister nominee Kim In-chul announces his decision to no longer pursue approval for the government post, Tuesday. Yonhap
HARTFORD  Black members of the state Senates Democratic caucus mounted complaints late Friday over generations of racism, threatening a bill aimed at shielding patients and medical providers from criminal and civil charges from anti-abortion states.

White women lawmakers rallied their personal stories to help push the legislation over the finish line.

The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Ned Lamont, a supporter of abortion rights. If he signs the the bill, it could make Connecticut a reproductive-rights safe harbor and possible destination for women fleeing states where they can no longer receive services in the nationwide effort by conservative Republicans to prohibit access.

Although the bill prevailed with support from both parties, it will be remembered for an extraordinary divide among Democrats along racial lines  not over support of the bill, but rather over more-fundamental issues of race.

I will not stand here and support a system that was designed to take advantage of people that didnt know any better, said Sen. Patricia Billie Miller of Stamford, who is Black. I know, Ive heard that a woman has the right to choose, that its her body and I agree, as my good senator stated, I agree its her body to choose. But my position is if were going to give her that choice, then lets give her all the facts. I cant support a system that has systemically tried to get rid of a race of people.

State Sen. Julie Kushner, who is white, now a grandmother in her 70s, stood to recall the abortion she had in her mid-20s. Her hopes to start a family were dashed by doctors who said a medication was highly likely to cause tragic birth defects.

State Sen. Marilyn Moore of Bridgeport, who received health care at Planned Parenthood for 40 years and worked there for eight years, said she has a degree of loyalty to the organization, but her experience also illustrated its shortcomings. What I learned at Planned Parenthood was how much racism and distrust there is in the medical system, and how health care providers turned away low-income women from services, said Moore, who is Black.

How women who went through the wrong door, ended up having late-stage breast cancer because they couldnt speak English or didnt have health insurance, Moore said. We get to COVID. People talk about why Black people dont want to get vaccinated, because there has been medical apartheid. And we have experienced it for hundreds and hundreds of years. That carries over into all of this. I am struggling with friendship, with the truth and what I need to do in the future.

Sen. Mae Flexer and Sen. Mary Daugherty Abrams, both of whom are white, reminded the Senate circle in the State Capitols ornate, hushed third-floor chamber that the struggle for reproductive freedom dates back more than half a century and is now threatened by the Supreme Court of the United States and conservative Republican state governments such as Texas and most-recently Oklahoma.

And Sen. Christine Cohen warned that even though Connecticut has codified abortion rights since 1990, the threat is real. Anti-choice states in the fulminating culture wars of the 2020s are creating laws that allow private individuals to win interstate bounties by naming women who come to the state for reproductive services, for possible prosecution, along with the medical professionals who may treat them.

The focus of the three-hour debate belonged to the Black Democratic lawmakers. g veteran Sen. Douglas McCrory of Hartford. He led the discussion on institutionalized racism that dates back before the Civil War. That position was most recently articulated during the mid-April House debate by Rep. TreneeMcGee of West Haven.

I support women having the right, but there is something structurally wrong here, said McCrory, who is co-chairman of the legislative Education Committee. Gosh, people, weve got some issues here that weve got to face openly. I am going to vote yes, but theres a lot more that we have to learn about this issue: the history; where we are now; the demographics, the numbers. If your roots are so rotten, what can you bear for me? No one has addressed that.

The debate was led by Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, co-chairman of the legislative Judiciary Committee, Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, a physician who is co-chairman of the Public Health Committee, as well as Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, a top Republican on the health panel.

One key provision: The measure would expand the people who can perform the surgical abortion procedures by allowing nurse-midwives, advanced practice registered nurses and physicians assistants who are certified in the procedures to perform them at a time when the state is seeing a shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists because of rising malpractice insurance costs.

I do not see this bill as an abortion bill as it has been labeled over and over, Somers said. I think we have a duty to protect our Connecticut clinicians. I do think that it is somewhat outrageous that another state thinks that it can come into our state and sue our clinicians that are performing a procedure that is legal and safe.

Then as the Senate chamber inched toward the end of the debate, Kushner, D-Danbury, Flexer, D-Killingly, Cohen, D-Guilford and Abrams, D-Meriden, reminded the Senate of the importance for Connecticut to become a safe destination for women whose reproductive rights have been taken away.

I feel terrible that there may be women coming from Texas and other states, said Kushner, recalling that she came of age before the 1973 ruling of the Supreme Court allowing abortion. Voting no on this bill doesnt end systemic racism either. There is absolutely no question that we have done things in the history of our country and the medical sciences that are abhorrent.

At 25, married and pregnant with her first child, she got bad news at her first obstetrician appointment. It turned out what I was taking for hives had a very high rate of birth defects, said Kushner, today the mother of three children and the grandmother of four. I chose to have an abortion.

Lets just be clear: wealthy women will still continue to have the right to access health care, whether we approve this legislation here this evening or not, Flexer said. It is woman who grew up in families like mine, who dont have access to resources - to money, lets be blunt - who will have to make difficult decisions.

I think the work we have done as a state to protect the reproductive rights of women is a beacon of hope to our fellow women of this country and I dont think we can take that for granted, said Abrams, who had been the co-chairwoman of the Public Health Committee before missing most of the 2022 legislative session because of illness. I dont think we can take that for granted. I dont think that this chamber can ignore what we see happening in the rest of our country.

In Texas, abortions are now illegal after six weeks, before most people even know that theyre pregnant said Cohen. It creates a vigilante state where citizens become bounty hunters, turning in people in-crisis and turning-in the health care providers that were providing them safe and effective care. Oklahoma now has banned abortions after six weeks as well and made performing the procedure a felony. And 26 states could have strict bans on abortions in the very near future.

In the end, just before midnight Friday, the bill passed 25-9, highlighting a three-hour debate that will likely be the most-memorable discussion of the 2022 legislative session, which ends at midnight May 4.

Democrats including Moore, Miller and Sen. Dennis Bradley of Bridgeport joined Republican Sens. John Kissel of Enfield, Rob Sampson of Wolcott, Henri Martin of Bristol, Eric Berthel of Watertown, Dan Champagne of Vernon, and Ryan Fazio of Greenwich in opposing the bill.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
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BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP)  Slovakia and Hungary said Tuesday that they will not support sanctions against Russian energy that the European Union is preparing over the war in Ukraine, saying they are too reliant on those supplies and there are no immediate alternatives.

The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, has drafted new proposals for sanctions, which could include a phased-in embargo on Russian oil. The 27 member countries are likely to start discussing them Wednesday, but it could be several days before the measures take effect.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted that the commission wants to hit more banks, target those accused of spreading disinformation about the war, and tackle oil imports. Its not clear whether Slovakia and Hungary would receive exemptions.

Slovak Economy Minister Richard Sulik said the country's sole refiner, Slovnaft, cannot immediately switch from Russian crude to another kind of oil. Changing the technology would take several years, Sulik said.

So, we will insist on the exemption, for sure, Sulik told reporters.

Slovakia is almost fully dependent on Russian oil it receives through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline. Hungary is also heavily reliant, though Germany, another major energy importer, said it could cope if the EU banned Russian oil, with officials still noting that it is a heavy load to bear."

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the country will not vote for any sanctions that will make the transport of natural gas or oil from Russia to Hungary impossible.

The point is simple, that Hungarys energy supply cannot be endangered because no one can expect us to allow the price of the war (in Ukraine) to be paid by Hungarians, Szijjarto said Tuesday in Kazakhstan. It is currently physically impossible for Hungary and its economy to function without Russian oil.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has developed a reputation as Putins closest ally in the EU and pursued deep diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow. Orban has deepened dependence on Russian fossil fuels, noting that 85% of Hungarys gas and more than 60% of its oil comes from Russia.

Despite disagreement among EU members on new energy sanctions, European Council President Charles Michel vowed to break the Russian war machine by steering countries on the continent away from Russias natural gas supplies.

The bloc is racing to secure alternative supplies to Russian energy, placing priority on global LNG imports from countries that include major producers like Algeria, Qatar and the United States.

That includes liquefied natural gas facilities being built in northern Greece, which Michel and the leaders of four Balkan countries toured Tuesday.

We are also sanctioning Russia to put financial, economic and political pressure on the Kremlin because our goal is simple: We must break the Russian war machine, Michel said.

He met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the leaders of Bulgaria, North Macedonia and non-NATO member Serbia at the Greek port of Alexandroupolis. An LNG import terminal near the port city is due to start operation next year.

LNG that arrives by ship is becoming increasingly important as EU countries look to move away from Russian supplies. Russia last week cut off natural gas to Bulgaria and Poland over a demand to guarantee payment in rubles, in an escalating dispute triggered by the invasion of Ukraine.

This is why this new LNG terminal is so timely and so important. Its a geopolitical investment and this is a geopolitical moment, Michel said. It reflects what we need to do more of, because it will provide security of supply to Greece, to Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia and other countries in the region. And this is extremely important.

Also at the meetings were Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, North Macedonian Premier Dimitar Kovachevski and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

This is not just an energy project. It will change the energy map of Europe, Petkov said. The Balkans is a region of 65 million people, and we can do so much more.

The LNG terminal is designed to process some 6 billion cubic meters of gas annually, boosting non-Russian supply that reached region in 2020 with the new Trans Adriatic Pipeline running from Azerbaijan to Italy.

A new interconnector pipeline, fully connecting the gas networks of Greece and Bulgaria is due to launch next month. ___ Janicek reported from Prague and Gatopoulos from Athens, Greece. AP reporter Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed.
A Waterbury man faces up to 50 years in prison after police found 11,000 bags of fentanyl, 99 grams of heroin and firearms in his storage unit, according to federal prosecutors.

Lenwood Gatling, 38, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Hartford to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and possession of a firearm by a felon. The distribution charge carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years, while the firearm charge has a maximum prison term of 10 years, according to Leonard Boyle, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Gatlings sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

Investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administrations New Haven Task Force charged Gatling after an investigation into heroin trafficking in Milford. In July 2020, a cooperating source provided police with information about a heroin dealer in Milford who got their drugs from a supplier at a U-Haul Storage Facility, according to court documents.

Police conducted surveillance and tracked the drug trafficker in August 2020, discovering that the dealer went to the U-Haul Storage Facility on Meriden Road in Waterbury to meet with Gatling in the parking lot. The two would meet either in Gatlings car or in the storage facility, and then the dealer promptly returned to Milford, court documents stated.

In early September 2020, agents installed a camera on a utility pole across from the U-Haul facility to monitor Gatling. That same month, DEA agents conducted controlled purchases of heroin from Gatling, court documents stated.

Law enforcement also observed Gatling meeting with others in a similar fashion and said Gatling frequented the storage facility on an almost daily basis and often spends several hours a day at the facility, according to court documents.

On Oct. 14, 2020, agents and officers executed a search and seizure warrant at Gatlings storage unit. Inside, they found nine firearms, three of which were reported stolen; 420 grams of fentanyl packaged in 11,000 bags; about 99 grams of heroin; 9 grams of cocaine and approximately $30,000 in cash, according to Boyles office.

Gatling has been convicted of multiple felonies in the past, according to Boyles office, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP)  A mother and grandmother have been charged with murder and felony child abuse after a 3-year-old child was found dead in a North Carolina motel, police said.

Asheville police said in a news release that Chantarica Nasha Matthews, 29, and Inga Torrence Matthews, 50, also are charged with concealment of death. They're being held in the Buncombe County jail without bond on the murder charge. Each woman was assigned to the public defender's office, but a specific attorney hadn't been named on Tuesday.
VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Francis told an Italian newspaper he had offered to travel to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin to try to end Russia's war in Ukraine and suggested the invasion might have been provoked by NATOs eastward expansion.

Francis said he made the offer about three weeks into Russia's invasion, via the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, but has yet to hear back.

Francis lengthy interview with Corriere della Sera newspaper underscored the Vaticans complicated policy on Ukraine, where it is caught between denouncing the atrocities while not alienating Russia and its Orthodox Church.

Popes for decades have sought to visit Moscow as part of the longstanding effort to heal relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, which split with Rome more than 1,000 years ago. But an invitation has never been forthcoming.

Of course, it would be necessary for the leader of the Kremlin to make available some window of opportunity. But we still have not had a response and we are still pushing, even if I fear that Putin cannot and does not want to have this meeting at this moment, Francis was quoted as saying by Corriere della Sera.

Francis recalled that he spoke in March with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, for 40 minutes by videoconference and for the first half with paper in hand, he read all of the justifications for the war."

"I listened and told him: I dont understand any of this. Brother, we are not clerics of the state, we cannot use language of politics, but that of Jesus. For this we need to find the paths of peace, to stop the firing of arms.

He added that Kirill cannot turn into Putins altar boy, a dismissive term used by a top U.S. Ukrainian Greek Catholic archbishop.

Francis has frequently denounced the weapons industry and the announced increases in defense spending by the West in recent weeks. But he has also defended the right of Ukrainians to protect their territory from the Russian invasion, in line with Catholic social doctrine. He told Corriere he felt he was too removed to judge the morality of resupplying the Ukrainian armed forces from the West.

But he also said he was trying to understand why Russia had reacted as it had. Maybe this barking of NATO at Russias door had prompted it, he was quoted as saying, An anger that I dont know if you can say was provoked, but maybe facilitated.

Francis has given a handful of interviews of late to friendly media emphasizing his call for an end to the war and initiatives to provide humanitarian relief to Ukrainians. He has defended his decision to not call out Putin or Russia publicly, saying popes don't do so. But he freely named Putin in his remarks to Corriere, and seemed to equate the carnage in Ukraine with the genocide in Rwanda a quarter-century ago.

Such brutality, how can you not try to to stop it? Twenty-five years ago in Rwanda we saw the same thing, he was quoted as saying.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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.
A n editorial we published on the 25th anniversary of Roe v. Wade in 1998 predicted the debate over abortion will be just as passionate in 2023 as it was in 1973.

That debate has never abated in the last 49 years, and never will. For all that noise, it still comes down to the simple matter of whether a woman has the right to get an abortion. That is enough to carve the deepest of trenches in this modern civil war.

Connecticut is now a leader of the resistance to the U.S. Supreme Courts current efforts to overturn the landmark decision. As the Court tries to push the decision into the hands of elected officials, Connecticut is positioning itself as a sanctuary.

The Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, which is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont, anticipated the Supreme Courts actions.

The law would shield personnel who perform abortions in Connecticut, and thwart states that try to cross borders to punish medical professionals.

But know this: if you are providing, assisting in, or seeking an abortion that is legal in Connecticut, we will defend you. If you are seeking to exercise your right to determine your reproductive future, we will defend you, state Reps. Matt Blumenthal and Jillian Gilchrest, who co-chair the Reproductive Rights Caucus, wrote in a statement.

With actions such as the protections it codified in 1990, Connecticut has reliably braced itself for a fight that would cross generations. Matt Blumenthal, as just one example, is carrying forward the work of his father, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

Our state also is unique because the issue does not check party boxes here. Therein lies a reminder that this can be a traumatic issue on both sides of the line.

When the Reproductive Freedom act passed the state Senate, conservative Republicans who opposed it were joined by two prominent Black Democrats, Marilyn Moore of Bridgeport and Patricia Billie Miller of Stamford.

I cant support a system that has systemically tried to get rid of a race of people, Miller said.

The bill was approved on the House side with seven of the 87 Yes votes coming from Republicans and 14 Nos from Democrats, 10 of whom are people of color.

Only one Connecticut governor in the last 50 years has opposed abortion rights. Republican Gov. Thomas Meskills efforts to uphold Connecticuts anti-abortion statute were repealed, which helped shape the Roe v. Wade decision a few months later.

Republican John Rowland was firmly anti-abortion during his tenure in Congress, shifting his position during his successful run for governor.

It will become a campaign issue again this year. Bob Stefanowski, who is expected to again claim the Republican nomination for governor, was pressed to clarify his position during his unsuccessful run against Lamont four years ago.

Bob believes that Roe is settled law. He would not seek to limit access to reproductive choice if elected, his spokesman said at the time. Since the law may not be settled, Stefanowski will be pressed for a new answer in the months to come.

Our editorial of a quarter century ago also theorized that the public dialogue over abortion was evolving. Were not sure it has. Any discussion begins and ends with the individual, and her right to choose.

Connecticut is on the right side of history in defending her rights.
Early on in Connecticut legislative session, there was a proposal before the Public Safety Committee (SB 132) that would have legalized certain classes of consumer grade fireworks. The bill failed to make it beyond the committee process for a full vetting by the entire legislature, but there is time for the legislature to take the proposal up before they adjourn on May 4.

This years legislative proposal is significantly different than any other consumer fireworks bill considered by the Connecticut legislature in the past. There are requirements and precautions placed in this bill to restrict the age of individuals who would be eligible to purchase consumer fireworks to 21, limitations to the hours fireworks may legally be displayed, requirements imposed by safety officials for consumers to abide by, along with some of the nations strictest penalties for violations.
President Moon Jae-in bangs the gavel to open a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. It was the last Cabinet meeting of Moon's presidency, and he approved two prosecutorial reform bills which are aimed at limiting prosecutors' investigative powers. Yonhap



Main opposition party criticizes Moon for 'colluding' with ruling party to avoid investigation afterwards



By Nam Hyun-woo



President Moon Jae-in signed into law bills aimed at limiting prosecutors' investigative powers, snubbing protests from prosecutors and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).



During a Cabinet meeting, Tuesday, Moon approved revised bills of the Prosecutors' Office Act and the Criminal Procedure Act, which were passed by the National Assembly on April 30 and Tuesday, respectively.



"Despite the government's achievements to help authorities to be faithful to their roles, there are concerns about the prosecution's political neutrality, fairness and selective justice," Moon said during the meeting. "I believe this is why the National Assembly took a step forward to separate prosecutors' investigative powers from their authority to indict."



As the bills were promulgated at the Cabinet meeting, they will take effect in four months.



The two revisions are the crux of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) prosecution reform drive.



The revised Prosecutors' Office Act will allow prosecutors to open investigations only on corruption and economic crimes, and the revised Criminal Procedure Act is aimed at limiting the authority of prosecutors in investigating criminal cases.









After passing the revision to the Prosecutors' Office Act on April 30, the National Assembly approved the Criminal Procedure Act revision, with 164 out of 174 attending lawmakers approving it in a plenary session which lasted for only 3 minutes. This was possible because the DPK holds 173 seats, a majority in the Assembly.



Initially, Moon planned to hold the Cabinet meeting at 10 a.m., Tuesday, but postponed it to 2 p.m., in order to give time for the Assembly to pass the Criminal Procedure Act revision. It was the outgoing president's last Cabinet meeting held before his departure from the presidency on May 9.



Incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol, who used to be prosecutor general, has already said that he would veto the prosecutorial reform bills.





People Power Party floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, center, holds a document asking President Moon Jae-in to veto prosecutorial reform bills during a rally in front of Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps
President Moon Jae-in, left / Yonhap



President Moon Jae-in promulgated two controversial bills on prosecution reform at a final Cabinet meeting, Tuesday, before his term ends next week, paving the way for eventually stripping the prosecution of its power to investigate.



Moon's promulgation of the two bills came hours after the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) railroaded the last remaining bill on prosecution reform through the National Assembly amid opposition protests, completing its push to reduce and ultimately remove the prosecution's investigative powers.



Before deliberations on the bills at his final Cabinet meeting, Moon said, "Concerns about political neutrality, fairness and selective justice in the prosecution's investigations have still not been resolved."



"And there are evaluations that it is not enough to win public trust, which is why the National Assembly has taken a step further in separating investigations and indictment."



One of the laws is aimed at limiting the scope of the prosecution's supplementary investigations, while the other is to reduce the prosecution's investigative powers to only two types of crimes  corruption and economic  from the current six before removing them completely.



The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has called for Moon to use a veto on the laws, but Moon was widely expected to promulgate them, as the laws were a result of a compromise deal between the two main parties, Cheong Wa Dae officials said.



The DPK and the PPP have been wrangling for weeks over the bills, as the DPK had insisted they were necessary to ensure the prosecution did 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 two sides reached a compromise deal, brokered by National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug, under which the prosecution's investigative powers would be reduced from six crime types to two before being removed completely, but the PPP backtracked following criticism that lawmakers were colluding to shield themselves from prosecution investigations, as the agreement calls for stripping the prosecution of its right to investigate election crimes.



The legislation will go into effect four months after its promulgation.



The DPK, which holds 171 out of 300 seats, has tried to pass the two bills and get them signed into law before the May 10 inauguration of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, because Yoon would be expected to veto the bills.



"The compromise deal was virtually the agreement between the ruling and opposition parties that came out after long discussions of their floor leaders and lawmakers," Park said following the passage of the bill. "I want to be clear that this agenda was processed from the viewpoint of the people and national interest."



After the plenary session, PPP lawmakers stood outside Cheong Wa Dae and displayed signs to demand Moon's veto of the legislation.



"Parliamentary democracy was trampled on, and procedures and principles collapsed against tricks and cheats," said Kim Hyung-dong, a spokesperson of the PPP. "We really hoped the last Cabinet meeting of President Moon would not end with the promulgation of evil prosecution reform laws."



Hours before Moon promulgated the bills, the prosecution again implored Moon to use his veto to stop the legislation from becoming law.



"We earnestly appeal to the president to exercise the right to demand reconsideration as the guardian of the rule of law and democracy, so that the revision of the criminal justice system can be carried out through in-depth discussion and deliberation and public support," the Supreme Prosecutors Office said in a press release. (Yonhap)




Visitors, especially students, fill the venue of the World Forestry Congress at COEX in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul



By Baek Byung-yeul



SK Forest, Dunamu, Nepa and other Korean companies and state-run agencies are promoting efforts to improve their environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) performance and green technologies at the ongoing World Forestry Congress (WFC), according to officials from the companies and public agencies, Tuesday.



They have installed promotional booths at COEX in southern Seoul, where the WFC event is taking place. They said the event, which provides a platform to discuss ways to build a green, healthy and resilient future with forests, has been a great opportunity to meet their future customers.





An employee of local safety equipment maker Cijun introduces the company's disaster safety equipment during the World Forestry Congress at COEX in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul



"As a safety equipment maker for natural disasters such as wildland fires, we've decided to join the event to promote our technologies and products. Our equipment was also used by firefighters who worked to fight the wildfires in Uljin in March," a spokesman of Cijun, a local safety equipment maker, said at the company's booth.





SK Forest's promotional booth is seen at COEX in Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul



SK Forest, SK Group's forestry business arm, set up a promotional booth in the middle of the venue to let visitors experience the group's efforts to create forests and reduce carbon emissions.



"We decorated the entire exhibition hall with displays so that visitors can experience how our group has been trying to solve environmental problems and protect forests as if they were there," an official at the company's booth said.











A student is briefed by employees of fintech company Dunamu on how the company contributes to reducing carbon emissions, during the World Forestry Congress at COEX in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul



Dunamu, operator of the crypto exchange Upbit, also set up a booth at the event. "We joined this event to show our efforts to improve our environmental impact. When visitors plant virtual trees in our Second Block metaverse platform, our company is planting real trees in wildfire-hit regions in Korea in cooperation with the Korea Forest Service," a Dunamu spokesman said.





People visit Korea Aerospace Industries' booth during the World Forestry Congress at COEX in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul



Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) showcased its domestically developed Surion helicopter at the event. "The KUH-1FS Surion helicopter is the only helicopter in Korea that can extinguish forest fires at night. It was dispatched to fire-hit regions recently such as Uljin," a company spokesman elaborated.



KAI also plans to establish an air control system for helicopters to carry out air control missions in the future such as prevention of insect pests in forests.



The outdoor clothing maker Nepa is also running a promotional booth, where it exhibits clothes made of eco-friendly materials.





People visit Konkuk University's booth during the World Forestry Congress at COEX in Seoul, Tuesday. The Korea-based school took part in the event to promote its professional training project for social economy in the field of forestry and landscape architecture. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul
When I joined the Labour Party in 1987, I saw it as a bulwark for truth and decency. It was the era of the notorious Section 28, which banned the supposed 'promotion of homosexuality' by local authorities, a Conservative policy that I regarded as bigoted and wrong.

I had my differences with Labour over the years and resigned my membership in 2010. When the extreme Left-winger Jeremy Corbyn became leader five years later, I did everything in my power to defeat the party. More recently, I have been relieved to see Labour take steps to return to sanity under Keir Starmer.

And I have always assumed that as a former director of public prosecutions, Sir Keir would be upstanding and honest  two vital qualities for a leader  and that Labour would be the same under his leadership.

But my faith in his honesty has taken a severe, possibly fatal, dent over his refusal to be open and transparent about the meal he enjoyed with colleagues in Durham last April.

I cannot reconcile what we know about the evening, and his refusal to answer basic questions about that night, with his claim that he has done nothing wrong.

Indeed, as I listened to him being interviewed on yesterday's BBC Radio 4 Today programme, his failure to address the questions he was asked led to me to wonder if, as the former chief prosecutor, he had at the back of his mind the police caution given to anyone who is arrested: 'You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.'

Interviewer Martha Kearney asked a basic question about what is now known as 'Beergate'  the controversy over the allegation that he and his deputy leader, Angela Rayner, broke lockdown rules at a campaign event in Durham last year.

'Has there been any contact with you or your office from Durham police, since Conservative MPs called for inquiries to be reopened?' Miss Kearney demanded. It was a simple question that could and should have been answered with a straight yes or no. But at no point has Sir Keir been open or transparent about what actually happened that night.

Students filmed the Labour leader drinking in the office of one of his MPs while indoor socialising was banned

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is seen outside BBC as he does morning media round. Keir Starmer on morning media round, BBC, London, England, United Kingdom - 03 May 2022

Despite being asked the question repeatedly, he refused even to acknowledge it, let alone to answer  instead offering the irrelevant response that the police had already investigated the incident and cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Yes, we know that. The point now is that new evidence has since been unearthed by the Daily Mail. And the police have subsequently been asked to look again at whether there was indeed a breach of the law.

Yet Sir Keir is unwilling even to comment on whether the police have contacted him.

The natural reaction to his refusal to give a straight answer is to suspect he is hiding something. From the very start of this, Sir Keir and the Labour Party have behaved as if they take everyone else for idiots, deliberately obfuscating over what actually happened, refusing to answer direct questions or to give a full account. Worse than that, they misled everybody about the presence of Mrs Rayner, denying she was present until they were caught out.

Sir Keir says it was a 'mistake'  as if the presence of the party's deputy leader was something everyone there on the night simply forgot about.

'I don't think anybody would seriously say Keir Starmer's team would lie to the media about this,' he insists.

It is risible  as if no one would dream that a politician and his staff would ever say something that wasn't true.

When evidence first emerged of the Downing Street parties, Boris Johnson made things infinitely worse for himself by appearing not to give the full story straight away.

The drip-drip-drip of information allowed his enemies to gun for him. Sir Keir's response was to call his opposite number a liar and demand his resignation: 'I think the Prime Minister broke the law, I think he then lied about what had happened.'

Students who filmed the Labour leader drinking in the office of one of his MPs while indoor socialising was banned also photographed an unfamiliar black Land Rover Discovery parked outside

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Sir Keir's accusation of lying should be directed straight back at him. So many questions are being left deliberately unanswered that the only rational response is that he and his team are trying to hide what happened.

Here is what we know for certain. In April 2021, the Tier 2 restrictions in Durham stated: 'You must not socialise indoors except with your household or support bubble.'

We know that Sir Keir and Mrs Rayner drank beer and ate a meal indoors with people not from their respective household or support bubbles. Sir Keir says that this was fine, because the rules had an exemption for gatherings 'reasonably necessary for the purposes of campaigning in an election'.

The video of him downing a beer was taken after 10pm. Sir

Keir says he went back to work after the beer and his meal. Really?

He is seriously telling us that everyone in the room had a takeaway and a drink late at night after a long day and then they all decided the best thing to do was start working again?

It's not only implausible  there is not a shred of evidence to show any work was done after they had eaten. If it's true, why won't he tell us what work he did when he resumed work after the meal  or when he finally left to go back to his hotel? Was everyone else working when he started work again, or were they eating and drinking while he worked? Who else, exactly, was there?

Instead of answers to these crucial questions, Sir Keir offers only silence.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Sir Keir's accusation of lying should be directed straight back at him

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth attends a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 73rd Anniversary of the NHS in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England, UK on Monday 5 July, 2021

But the holes in his story get bigger by the day. Sir Keir also says he had no choice but to eat with his colleagues because he couldn't get a meal at the hotel he was staying in.

The Mail has shown this is nonsense  the hotel made a point of offering room service for law-abiding guests who were following the rules by eating alone in their room. Sir Keir could remove all doubt about the truth of his story if he gave a full account of what happened backed up by evidence. In the absence of such evidence, however, it looks to be no more and no less than a social meal and a drink with colleagues after work  and so not remotely 'necessary'. In other words, illegal under the Tier 2 rules.

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, was fined for turning up to a scheduled work meeting in the Cabinet room to find that a gathering was taking place, and not walking out. For that, Labour demanded his resignation. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

Sir Keir plainly thinks he can keep saying nothing and the fuss will die down. But the one thing voters cannot stomach is a politician who lies  so Sir Keir needs to come clean. It is difficult to imagine why he would let this story fester if he really has done nothing wrong and can prove it by answering questions, so it may well be he is covering up his own lawbreaking.

If that is the case then  on his own merciless standards  surely he must resign.

Or does he believe that the rules don't apply to him?
Anyone who is old enough to remember Mrs Thatcher's glory days will have been cheered by the news that Right to Buy is back.

Boris Johnson is planning to revive her flagship policy to help young people on to the housing ladder.

Of all the legacies of the 1980s, none has more obviously changed Britain for the better than the sale of council houses, which transformed more than 2.5 million tenants into proud homeowners.

Yet the job Mrs Thatcher began, of creating a property-owning democracy, remains unfinished. Forty years on, about 17 per cent of households in England still live in social housing, as tenants of local authorities or housing associations.

Now the Prime Minister, who came of age during those heady years, hopes to offer a new generation  the so-called 'generation rent'  the opportunity to own property.

Margaret Thatcher introduced the Right to Buy scheme when she was Prime Minister, Boris Johnson is now looking to reintroduce this policy

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hopes to help younger people get onto the property market through the scheme

Derided

Some five million people who rent their homes from housing associations will be given the right to buy at a discount.

Of course, the usual suspects on the Left have derided the idea. But what they cannot escape is the fact that Right to Buy is still regarded as one of Mrs Thatcher's most popular policies.

And even though there is a world of difference between Thatcher's Britain and the country today under Johnson  not least that property prices are so prohibitively expensive in comparison to the 1980s  any government help to set foot on the housing ladder will be welcomed by voters.

The new policy will be aimed particularly at the Red Wall regions in northern England, where in the past, Labour-dominated local authorities did their best to discourage tenants from buying their homes.

In Scotland and Wales, Left-wing devolved administrations have long since abolished the Right to Buy.

The idea of extending the policy to cover all subsidised housing first emerged in the 2015 Conservative manifesto and has been a commitment ever since. But neither David Cameron nor Theresa May delivered on their promises. Meanwhile, rocketing property prices have pushed home ownership ever further out of reach of young families.

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

Boris, unlike some of his predecessors, has always been passionate about enabling those on lower incomes to buy their own homes. One source says the Prime Minister 'has a fixation on the young not being able to get on to the housing ladder'.

After his landslide victory in 2019, Boris first tried loosening the planning laws to allow more housing development. But that scheme had to be shelved when it ran into backbench resistance after last June's shock by-election defeat in Chesham and Amersham, where voters objected to the relaxed rules.

Now Boris has ordered his staff to come up with a workable scheme to end discrimination against the 2.5 million households who are tenants of housing associations. They, too, will be entitled to buy their homes.

The existing Right to Buy rules, which apply to council tenants, do not extend to those who rent from housing associations. The new plan is expected to sweep away these restrictions and give all public sector tenants equal rights.

What Boris has grasped, like Margaret Thatcher before him, is the incredible pride and happiness that only living under your own roof can confer. There is no more powerful motivation than the desire to own your own home.

The Declaration of Independence begins with a statement of 'certain unalienable rights', among them 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. But Thomas Jefferson, who drafted the text, borrowed it from the English philosopher John Locke, whose original words were: 'Life, liberty and estate.' Locke knew the right to own 'estate', or property, is inseparable from the pursuit of happiness.

By the time of Thatcher's second election in 1983, 250,000 council homes had been bought under Right to Buy (pictured handing over deeds to a council home buyer)

When Mrs Thatcher came to power in 1979, she wasted no time in passing the Housing Act 1980, which enshrined the Right to Buy in law. One in three households living in council housing was suddenly given the chance to acquire their own property.

Discounts of up to 50 per cent were offered according to how long they had paid rent, along with 100 per cent mortgages.

It was a revolution. Labour hated it, but the voters loved it. Mrs Thatcher herself introduced the new legislation in a special television broadcast.

'If you have been a council tenant for at least three years,' she told a disbelieving but delighted nation, 'you will have the right, by law, to buy your house.' With a characteristic nod of approval, the Iron Lady added: 'And that's that.'

By the time of the next election in 1983, which Mrs Thatcher won by a landslide, a quarter of a million council homes had been bought under Right to Buy  and millions more would follow.

Popularity

In the teeth of Labour opposition, the Conservatives had established themselves as the party of homeowners.

Under Neil Kinnock, Labour was forced to accept that the Right to Buy was here to stay. Its popularity later persuaded Tony Blair to embrace the policy.

Tony Blair embraced the Right to Buy policy

Despite the conversion of the Blairites, the Labour Left has always loathed the Right to Buy. Some MPs have self-interested motives, having benefited personally from council housing. For decades, the late Frank Dobson, a former Health Secretary under Blair, rented a three-bed flat in a magnificent mansion block in Bloomsbury, paying a heavily subsidised rent to Camden Council  of which he had once been the Left-wing leader.

When this cosy arrangement emerged in 2011, Dobson said he 'could not afford' to rent privately, despite having enjoyed a ministerial salary and pension.

Other Left-wingers quietly embraced Right to Buy. In 2016, the former leader of the National Union of Mineworkers, Arthur Scargill, was revealed by the Mail to have bought his council flat in the Barbican for half its market value, then estimated at 2 million. Mrs Thatcher's old enemy, a lifelong Marxist, had no scruples about taking advantage of her signature policy.

Hostile

The truth is that even socialists are not immune to the pleasures of home ownership. I have no objection to them exercising their rights like anyone else  as long as they don't pull up the ladder behind them. Unfortunately, the Labour Party seems to have turned its back on aspiring homeowners.

Under Sir Keir Starmer, Labour is much more hostile to property owners than it was under Sir Tony Blair. Lisa Nandy, the Shadow Housing Secretary, has denounced Boris Johnson's proposal to extend the Right to Buy to include tenants of housing associations.

Ms Nandy claims the plan is 'desperate' and proof of a 'tired government'. She adds: 'These proposals would worsen the shortage of affordable homes.'

Labour pretends that Right to Buy is to blame for the housing shortage. But this is a myth. Neither Mrs Thatcher nor Mr Johnson is responsible for the failure to build enough affordable homes. The fault lies with local authorities, many of them Labour or Liberal Democrat, which frittered away the proceeds of council house sales on their pet projects and monstrous bureaucracy instead.

By extending Right to Buy to millions more people, Boris is on to a winner  and Labour knows it. He doesn't claim this policy alone will solve the housing crisis. But rebooting Right to Buy is a very good start.

Like his mentor, Margaret Thatcher, Boris instinctively shares the British people's love of life, liberty  and property.
Anna Wintour ensured there was no doubt about who reigns over the Met Gala by sporting a tiara as she arrived at this year's event.

The 72-year-old fashion editor donned a glittering crown atop her signature sleek bob, the dazzling cherry on top of a very colorful beaded ensemble, which featured a feather-embellished cape, and a long matching skirt that flowed down to the ground.

Clearly thrilled to see her iconic event returning to the first Monday in May for the first time since 2019, Wintour went all out with the glitz and glam for the evening, eschewing her normal toned-down makeup in favor of a much bolder look, which saw her modeling a smokey eye and a vibrant pink lip.

Vogue's editor-in-chief also left her signature sunglasses at home, instead choosing to accessorize with her glittering gold tiara and a matching necklace, which was just visible against the collar of her multi-colored beaded cape.

The dazzling accessories were in keeping with the theme of this year's Met Gala: Gilded Glamour, a tribute to the iconic fashions of New York's Gilded Age.

Anna Wintour left no doubt about who reigns over the Met Gala by arriving at this year's event in a glittering crown

She wore the tiara with a dazzling multi-colored ensemble, which featured a feather-embellished cape over a matching skirt

The 72-year-old eschewed her signature no-fuss makeup style in favor of a much more glamorous look, sporting a bold smokey eye and a vibrant pink lip color

She further gilded her outfit with a pair of custom made pale gold sandals designed by Manolo Blahnik - the Vogue editor's favorite footwear label.

Wintour also brought something else precious with her to this year's event: her two children, Charles and Bee Shaffer, both of whom were accompanied by their partners.

Bee, 32, was joined by her husband, Francesco Carrozzini, 39, while doctor Charles, 37, walked the red carpet with his long-time wife Elizabeth Cordry.

Both women pulled out all the stops for the glittering soiree, with Bee - who gave birth to her first child, son Oliver, in November, donning a stunning black lace gown, which featured cutouts on both side of her waist, and distressed detailing at the back.

Her husband Francesco went for a classic look in a navy blue tuxedo, while his brother-in-law Charles went for an even more traditional black tailcoat, white waistcoat, and white bow tie.

Charles' wife Elizabeth matched her husband in a black-and-white look, modeling a beautiful strapless gown that featured a huge skirt and long train.

The white design featured a black bow tie at the waist and had a black bow pattern all over the fabric.

The Met Gala marks a much more festive family outing for Wintour and her children, who last week came together to attend a memorial service for the late Andre Leon Talley in Harlem.

Wintour was one of the first guests to arrive at this year's Met Gala, the theme of which is Gilded Glamour and sees attendees taking inspiration from the fashions of the Gilded Age

The Vogue editor-in-chief modeled her signature sleek bob, but she left her famed sunglasses at home for the night

Wintour couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she made her way down the carpet - a marked change for the famously-frosty editor

Talley died on January 18, 2022, at a White Plains, New York, hospital after suffering from a heart attack, believed to have been caused by complicated of COVID-19, and his sad passing left a gaping hole in the fashion world.

The memorial took place just a few days before the highly-anticipated Met Gala, which has been hosted by Wintour for nearly three decades, and has been branded by some as the biggest night in fashion; Talley helped plan the star-studded event for many years during his time at Vogue.

Talley and Wintour had been friends for more than a decade, however their relationship ultimately soured in the years leading up to his death.

In 2020, Talley unleashed a furious tirade against Wintour in his book, The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir, claiming that their relationship left him with 'emotional and psychological scars.'

'Anna is not capable of simple human kindness. I would love for her to say something human and sincere,' he said.

'I have huge emotional and psychological scars from my relationship with this towering and influential woman, who can sit by the queen of England, on the front row of a fashion show, in her uniform of dark glasses and perfect Louise Brooks clipped coiffure framing her Mona Lisa mystery face.'

After Talley's death in January, Wintour acknowledged her 'complicated relationship' with the esteemed journalist, while paying tribute to her 'magnificent' friend.

Wintour's daughter Bee Shaffer and her husband Francesco Carrozzini joined the Vogue editor-in-chief at the event - which comes six months after the birth of their son, Oliver

The fashion editor's son Charles Shaffer, 37, and his wife Elizabeth Cordry were also spotted on the red carpet at the Met Gala

The siblings and in-laws happily posed together outside of the venue, before making their way into the Met Gala

In the statement, Wintour said the loss of Talley is 'immeasurable,' and that she will miss him, despite their 'complicated past.'

The pair's long-time friendship came to an abrupt end when she apparently cut him off for being 'too old, too overweight, too uncool,' he claimed.

He said the icy editor left him scarred after she made negative remarks about his weight - something he had been struggling with since the death of his grandmother.

In one scorching passage, he wrote: 'She is immune to anyone other than the powerful and famous people who populate the pages of Vogue  I am no longer of value to her.'

Despite his comments, on the day after his passing, Wintour wrote: 'The loss of Andre is felt by so many of us today: the designers he enthusiastically cheered on every season, and who loved him for it; the generations he inspired to work in the industry, seeing a figure who broke boundaries while never forgetting where he started from; those who knew fashion, and Vogue, simply because of him; and, not forgetting, the multitude of colleagues over the years who were consistently buoyed by every new discovery of Andres, which he would discuss loudly, and volubly - no one could make people more excited about the most seemingly insignificant fashion details than him.

'Even his stream of colorful faxes and emails were a highly anticipated event, something we all looked forward to,' she said.

'Yet its the loss of Andre as my colleague and friend that I think of now; its immeasurable.

'He was magnificent and erudite and wickedly funny - mercurial, too. Like many decades-long relationships, there were complicated moments, but all I want to remember today, all I care about, is the brilliant and compassionate man who was a generous and loving friend to me and to my family for many, many years, and who we will all miss so much.'
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark was spotted gracefully getting off a military helicopter in Bangladesh to meet fans on a whirlwind tour of the country.

The 50-year-old royal shook the hands of locals and graciously waved at the surrounding crowds on April 25 with one image capturing the moment she posed for a selfie with fans eagerly awaiting her arrival.

The Danish royal opted for a comfortable, casual look wearing a red patterned shirt, khaki pants and a matching cap.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark was spotted gracefully getting off a military helicopter in Bangladesh

She was escorted across the tarmac to meet waiting fans and organisers of the trip

Princess Mary was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers

Crown Princess Mary shook the hands of locals and graciously waved at the surrounding crowds during her short trip to Bangladesh

Princess Mary was showed some delicious fruits and vegetables while on the tour

The Rohingya people and communities seemed to be thrilled to catch a glimpse of Princess Mary and exchanged floral gifts.

She began her working trip in Dhaka, where the mother-of-four was greeted by Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed.

Earlier that week the princess shared a delightful selfie-style video with her fans while travelling around Bangladesh.

One image captured the moment she posed for a selfie with a fan who was at the front of the crowd waiting for her arrival (pictured)

The beloved royal seemed poised and in high spirits as she spoke to the community

The Rohingya people and communities seemed to be thrilled to catch a glimpse of Princess Mary and exchanged floral gifts

The Danish royal opted for a comfortable, casual look wearing a red patterned shirt, khaki pants and a matching cap

Afterwards, accompanied by the Minister for Development Cooperation Flemming Mller Mortensen, Mary met with representatives from Danish companies based in Bangladesh in hopes the two countries can collaborate on green, Earth-friendly products.

The Princess took to the Danish royal family's social media accounts to explain the purpose of her visit there.

'On this journey, the focus is on the consequences of climate change for the population, nature and biodiversity, for Bangladesh is one of the world's most climate vulnerable countries, and it is expected that by 2050, up to 20 million people will be displaced,' Princess Mary said.

The 50-year-old royal began her working trip in Dhaka, where the mother-of-four was received by Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed

'We need to focus more than ever on the diversity of nature and to promote projects aimed at conserving and protecting nature.

'In Bangladesh, there is a worrying pressure on natural resources. At the same time, the country is one of the most vulnerable countries in relation to the negative consequences of climate change - also for the population.

'This means, among other things, that people often have to move because they can no longer grow their crops or because areas are flooded.'

The Princess took to the Danish royal family's social media accounts to explain the purpose of her visit there

For the meeting Mary wore a blue and white silk dress by Beulah London and Dulong pearl and diamond earrings, a favourite of the royal's

For the meeting Mary wore a blue and white silk dress by Beulah London and Dulong pearl and diamond earrings, a favourite of the royal's.

'Love this dress on Princess Mary. The colours and fabric look light and fresh for Bangladesh's warm climate, and Mary looks cool and collected and ready for business. I like the pleating - it give a breezy look as well as some shape to the dress. Overall very nice look indeed,' one royal commenter remarked.

'It's so good to see countries working together to combat world issues. Thank you for all that you do,' said another.

A third added: 'We love our Princess! Sending luck from Australia'.
Olympic freestyle skier and model Eileen Gu put an edgy spin on 'gilded glamour' at Monday night's Met Gala, opting to wear a leather mini-dress to the white tie affair.

The American-born athlete, who controversially competes for China, posed for photos outside of The Mark Hotel prior to attending the star-studded benefit, which is held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the first Monday in May.

Gu, 18, made a bold statement in head-to-toe leather, an interesting take on the Gilded Age-inspired dress code. Her structured strapless dress featured a heart-shaped bodice and an asymmetrical hemline.

Olympic freestyle skier Eileen Gu, 18, was among the stars who walked the red carpet at the Met Gala on Monday evening

The teen posed for photos outside of The Mark Hotel prior to attending the star-studded benefit, which is held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Gu made a bold statement in head-to-toe leather, an interesting take on the Gilded Age-inspired dress code

The athlete topped off her look with knee-high leather boots with platform heels, leather cuffs on her wrists, and a metallic box-shaped clutch.

Gu's wore her dark hair in loose waves around her shoulders, and chunky blonde highlights framed her face. Her kohl-rimmed eyes matched her black nails.

The theme of this year's Met Gala'In America: An Anthology of Fashion'is an homage to the Gilded Age, a tumultuous period in American history that extended from roughly 1870 to 1900.

The stars who were lucky enough to score invites to the exclusive event were told the dress code is 'gilded glamour' and white tie, which is worn for only the most formal occasions.

Gu's wore her dark hair in loose waves around her shoulders, and chunky blonde highlights framed her face

Gu's structured strapless dress featured a heart-shaped bodice and an asymmetrical hemline. She topped off her look with platform leather boots, leather wrist cuffs, and a metallic clutch

White tie attire is typically floor-length gowns for women and a tailcoat and matching trousers for me.

However, guests have been known to go rogue in the name of fashion, and Gu appears to be one of them in her modern-leather look.

The athlete arrived in New York on Sunday and went straight for a run in Central Park, which she called her 'jet lag cure' on her Instagram Stories.

She also fit in a workout before getting ready for the gala. She shared a snapshot of herself at the hotel gym with the caption: 'Met morning mileage.'

Gu made her Met Gala debut just eight months ago at last year's event, which was held in September after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gu hit the gym for a morning workout before getting ready for the Met Gala

The athlete arrived in New York on Sunday and went straight for a run in Central Park, which she called her 'jet lag cure' on her Instagram Stories

She attended the event with Victoria's Secret wearing a black and white strapless bubble dress that was cinched with a large black bow.

While speaking with Yahoo, she opened up about why she thinks this is an exciting time for American fashion.

'American fashion is diverse culturally and racially, and in terms of where you come from, what you look like and your different perspectives,' she said. 'I think that is really beautiful for fashion because it creates a space for everyone and anyone to feel seen and heard.'

Gu's second Met Gala appearance comes just a few months after her impressive Olympic run in Beijing, where she made history as the first action-sports athlete to win three medals at the same Winter Games.

The freestyle skier won two gold medals in the halfpipe and big air events and a silver medal in the slopestyle while representing China.

Gu made history at the Beijing Olympics in February as the first action-sports athlete to win three medals at the same Winter Games

Gu made her Met Gala debut just eight months ago at last year's event, which was held in September after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Gu was already famous in China when she became the face of the Beijing Olympics with her image on billboards across the country. She starred in a series of commercials that broke up Chinese state TV coverage of the Winter Games.

The teen is also a professional model and has represented dozens of brands, including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, the Chinese milk company Mengniu, and the Chinese chain Luckin Coffee.

Gue, who was born and raised in California, started representing China in 2019 after training with the American ski team for four years.

Her mother, Yan Gu, is Chinese, and she took up the nationality to compete for China at the Beijing Olympics. Her father, who remains unknown, is American, and the family lives in San Francisco.

So far, Gu has remained evasive on whether she still retains an American passport.

China does not allow dual nationality, and state media has previously reported that she renounced her U.S. citizenship after she became a Chinese national at the age of 15.

'Nobody can deny I'm American, nobody can deny I'm Chinese,' she stated in an interview with the South China Morning Post in 2021.
A gay man has labelled the Australian Red Cross blood service as 'homophobic' in furious rant over his ineligibility to give blood.

Footage of popular TikTokker Scott O'Halloran unleashing his fury on the 'gay man ban' has gone viral.

The video starts with Scott's brother Luke secretly filming him by the sink, before casually announcing he plans to give blood.

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Brothers Scott O'Halloran, left, and Luke O'Halloran, right, have slammed the Red Cross' rules about gay men being ineligible to donate blood

Scott questions whether his brother is stirring him up before saying his peace.

'Let me not mix my words, the Red Cross is today's modern day homophobic organisation,' he said.

'The reason why I can't give blood, and let me tell you Luke it is a privilege for you to be able to give blood because you are not gay and I am.

'I could save somebody's sick child's life by donating my blood, but because I have sex with a man I am not allowed to,' he said.

The Red Cross' blood donation guidelines indicate men who have participate in sexual activity with another man have to wait three months before they can donate.

This also extends to female partners of men who have had sex with men, the organisation's information explains.

Poll Do you think the eligibility criteria for giving blood, which includes piercings, tattoos and sexual activity between men, is too strict? Yes, way too strict, just test the blood! No, I am comfortable with the rules! Yes, I think they could be tweaked. Do you think the eligibility criteria for giving blood, which includes piercings, tattoos and sexual activity between men, is too strict? Yes, way too strict, just test the blood! 42 votes

No, I am comfortable with the rules! 129 votes

Yes, I think they could be tweaked. 13 votes Now share your opinion





The wait time was dropped from 12 months to three months after a review of the guidelines in 2020.

Daily Mail understands the Red Cross's Life Blood arm are continually working with research groups and government bodies to assess their guidelines.

'We know people are frustrated by these rules, and we too would like to see more change. We are committed to making it easier for more people to donate blood, however it takes time, research, and we need to know that it's safe and feasible,' a Red Cross Life Blood spokesperson said.

'We're currently exploring reducing the three-month waiting period for plasma donations,' they said.

'We know that gay and bisexual men in declared monogamous relationships are a low risk, but as a group they are still at a higher risk of exposure than people in heterosexual relationships,' they said.

Scott, who is gay, says he is not allowed to give blood because he is married to a man

But this doesn't make the situation any less frustrating for would-be donors like Scott.

'It is hurtful I am sick of it, I hear their adds every single day in the car and it tells me I should be saving lives and I should consider donating my blood.

'If I was to go in there they would turn me away because I am gay,' he said.

To add to his anger the social media star says the organisation 'blocked him from their Instagram handle' when he approached them on the issue.

Speaking to FEMAIL the brothers who have a combined 1.2 million followers on TikTok said they both feel 'very strongly' about Scott and other gay men being able to donate.

'It's heartbreaking to constantly hear advertisements on radio and or social media pleading for blood donors when there are many gay men willing to help out but purely because I am a man who is in love with and married to another man, I simply cannot donate. It is discrimination and I feel so helpless,' Scott said.

He also said he has been told he can abstain from having sex for three months if she wants to give blood

'I've been told that I should abstain from having sex with my husband for three months which is abhorrent as I cannot imagine this request being put onto a heterosexual. It feels like the Aust Red Cross hate gay men and their daily ads are constant reminders that I'm still not equal,' he added.

The Red Cross said anyone who has a higher risk of exposure to HIV is banned from donating for the same period.

According to the organisation's research 67 percent of newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Australia occur in men who have sex with men.
A retired Marine Corps colonel has opened up about the misogyny she has faced as a female veteran from both civilians and other service members.

Jincy Canterbury Hayes, 66, from Kentucky, went viral last month after her daughter Whitney Frost shared a TikTok video of her discussing how she is treated as a female veteran.

'Did you know that women are veterans too?' she asked. 'For example, when you park at Lowe's by the sign that says "Veterans Only," and you get out and two or three guys come on over and tell you that it's not for you, it's for your husband. By the way, my husband was not in the military. He is a civilian.'

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Jincy Canterbury Hayes, 66, from Kentucky, opened up about how she is treated as a female veteran in a now-viral TikTok video

The retired Marine Corp colonel recalled how she parked in front of a 'Veterans Only' sign at Lowe's and some guys claimed the spot wasn't for her, it was for her husband

Canterbury Hayes joined the Marine Corps after she graduated with a journalism degree from Murray State University in 1978

Canterbury Hayes joined the Marine Corps after she graduated with a journalism degree from Murray State University in 1978 and served for 30 years, the Kentucky New Era reported.

She pointed to her 'USMC Retired' T-shirt in the video, saying that when she wears it, she is often asked, 'Oh, was your husband a Marine.'

'One of my favorites, just recently, I got a telephone call from the VA. I was scheduled for surgery in two days, and so they were calling to discuss that with me,' she explained.

'The nurse that called asked to speak with Mr. Hayes. I said, "Well, this is Mrs. Hayes. Can I help you?" And she said, "I want to speak with Mr. Hayes," and she was kind of snarky about it. And I said, "Well, would you like to speak with Mr. Hayes or the veteran?" Dead silence.'

'My husband was not in the military. He is a civilian,' Canterbury Hayes noted

Canterbury Hayes said one fellow service member even had the audacity to ask if she knew 'which side of the gun the bullet comes out of'

Canterbury Hayes, who was promoted to colonel after years in the Marines, noted that it's not just civilians who find it hard to believe that she is a veteran.

She described another disparaging interaction she had with a retired service member while in line at the base exchange.

'This old retired dude was standing in front of me, and he turned around and saw me standing there in my camouflage and with my eagles on my collar, and he said, "What do you do in the Marine Corps?"' she recalled.

'I said, "Well, I'm the G1 of the second Marine division," and he goes, "Oh hell no, women are not in the division." [I said], "Well, I guess [they are]." He said, "Honey, do you even know which side of the gun the bullet comes out of?"

'Just to remind everyone,' she said, turning her coffee mug around. ' Not all GIs are Joes'

'I didn't have to hurt him because my son was there and took up for me,' she added.

At the end of the video, Canterbury Hayes held up her Marine Corps coffee mug that had an important message on the back.

'Just to remind everyone,' she said, turning the mug around. 'Not all GIs are Joes.'

The now-viral video has been viewed 6.9 million times and has received more than 42,000 comments.

Many people thanked Canterbury Hayes for her service while others shared their own experiences with sexism in the military.

The TikTok video was shared by her daughter Whitney Frost last month, and it has been viewed more than 6.9 million times

The candid clip has also received over 42,000 comments, and many people thanked Canterbury Hayes for her service

Other commenters shared their own experiences with sexism in the military

'Yes! Both of my parents both retired after 20 years of service. But people often dont acknowledge my mom as a veteran,' one person wrote.

'Misogyny is so engrained in us. Im working on it still. Thank you for this,' someone else added, while another shared, 'It is insane the amount of sexism I have seen in the military. But this lady, she is my hero.'

In a follow-up video, she opened up about how she handled being sexually harassed by a colonel when she was a 'brand new second lieutenant.'

'I had just reported to my duty station, and I really didn't know too many people. I think I had only been there about four days. And so my colonel had me pulling some files out of the filing cabinet,' she explained.

In a follow-up video, Canterbury Hayes recounted how she handled being sexually harassed by a colonel when she was a 'brand new second lieutenant.'

She explained that she was leaning over a filing cabinet when a full bird colonel pressed himself against her. She said she grabbed his 'package' and gave him a warning

'He was my biggest cheerleader from then on out,' Canterbury Hayes said

Canterbury Hayes recalled being in her 'little skirt' and 'little khaki shirt' while she was leaning over into the filing cabinet.

'Somebody came up behind me and pressed up against me,' she said. 'And I was like, "Oh." It was an excited presence, too. I just thought I would toss that in. I didn't know anybody that well, so I reached around behind me, grabbed a handful of [coughs] package, and then I whipped around.

'I didn't even see who it was yet. I was just looking down,' she continued. 'I said, "Are these yours?" And then I looked up to see this full bird colonel standing there with this really bizarre look on his face, like, "Oh, God."

'And he said, "Yes." I said, "Do you want to keep them?" He said, "Yes." "Then keep them off me." He was my biggest cheerleader from then on out,' she added. 'He was was the colonel of the G4. It was just really crazy.'
Elsa Pataky has shared enviable images of her autumn holiday with three kids and husband Chris Hemsworth to Instagram, causing many to ask just how she maintains her taut and toned physique.

The 45-year-old who lives in Byron Bay, northern NSW, took some time away from her busy schedule to go surfing, on beach walks and horse riding with her brood in tow, including daughter India Rose and twin sons Tristan and Sasha.

'A few of my favourites - kids, horses and sunrise yoga,' she captioned a separate video of her vacation, pointing to just some of her favourite outdoor activities that burn serious calories.

During the Covid pandemic Elsa was using her husband's personal training app Centr to access fast workouts she could do from her home.

Elsa Pataky has shared enviable images of her autumn holiday with three kids and husband Chris Hemsworth to Instagram, causing many to ask just how she maintains her taut and toned physique

The 45-year-old who lives in Byron Bay, northern NSW, took some time away from her busy schedule to go surfing, on beach walks and horse riding with her brood in tow, including daughter India Rose and twin sons Tristan and Sasha

She told Sunday Life in 2021 that she credits her age-defying bikini body to eating healthy and training hard.

'I have learnt to eat healthily over the years and it's just part of who I am,' she said.

Elsa continued: 'I have a few cheat days each week and make up for it by going to the gym or horse riding.'

'Nothing beats the morning endorphins after you've worked out. You feel better and know it's worth it.'

Speaking to Good Housekeeping in 2018, Elsa said she always strives to make fitness a priority, even if it means taking her three children with her to the gym.

Speaking to Good Housekeeping in 2018, Elsa said she always strives to make fitness a priority, even if it means taking her three children with her to the gym

She told Sunday Life in 2021 that she credits her age-defying bikini body to eating healthy and training hard

'Trust me, most kids can have fun just about anywhere, including a gym,' she said.

Yoga is also a major part of Elsa's fitness routine, with the Spanish actress explaining that the mat-based exercise is 'great for toning your booty'.

The Fast and Furious star will usually end her day with a yoga routine or some more strenuous exercise.

On Wednesday Elsa announced that she has co-founded a natural origin skincare brand called Purely Byron, which will launch with a 'ritual balm' and clay mask, among other products, on June 1.

On Wednesday Elsa announced that she has co-founded a natural origin skincare brand called Purely Byron , which will launch with a 'ritual balm' and clay mask, among other products, on June 1

'Moving to Byron Bay in 2014, I felt an immediate connection to its natural beauty, community and spirit,' she said.

'And it's here I discovered the incredible range of natural botanicals grown in the Byron Shire. Botanicals that have the power to be clinically-effective.

I have a real passion for skincare and natural ingredients, but I needed a team of experts to bring it to life for me! So I have collaborated with two amazing women, experts in beauty & skin, to help me create a natural skincare range that captures the essence of Byron.'
A student whose face was burnt off in a horrific blaze was terrified her boyfriend would leave her when he finally saw her scars - but he's 'totally proved her wrong' and loyally supported her painful recovery.

Solrun Waldorff, 24, from Reykjavik, Iceland, was staying over at her boyfriend Rahmon Anvarov's flat in October 2019 when a fire from a cooking accident spread throughout the building, trapping the couple in a basement bedroom.

Firefighters battled through the flames to rescue the duo, but Solrun was left in a coma for a month and was flown to Sweden for treatment.

Solrun Waldorff, 24, from Reykjavik, Iceland, whose face was burnt off in a horrific blaze was terrified her boyfriend Rahmon Anvarov would leave her when he finally saw her scars - but he 'totally proved her wrong' and loyally supported her painful recovery

She was staying over at Rahmon's flat in October 2019 when a fire from a cooking accident spread throughout the building, trapping the couple in a basement bedroom

She finally flew home two months later to be reunited with boyfriend who had insisted on not seeing any pictures whilst she was in recovery.

Although the psychology graduate was terrified that her 30-year-old partner would leave her once he saw her burns, loyal Rahmon proved her worries unfounded and he has stuck by her side ever since.

Whilst she is still getting used to going out and has faced abuse and horrible comments, Solrun is doing her best to live a normal life and plans to help people dealing with trauma and raise awareness about fire safety.

Before the fire: The psychology graduate was terrified that her 30-year-old partner would leave her once he saw her burns

Firefighters battled through the flames to rescue the duo, but Solrun was left in a coma for a month and was flown to Sweden for treatment

She finally flew home two months later to be reunited with boyfriend who had insisted on not seeing any pictures whilst she was in recovery

Solrun said: 'The fire happened on the 23rd October 2019. My boyfriend was renting a room and I was staying the night.

'Whilst we slept, the landlord came home and started cooking with oil. For some reason, the oil caught fire.

'There were no fire extinguishers, so he took the pot and tried running with it outside. But right in front of the front door, he dropped the pot and the fire spread extremely quickly throughout the house.

'We were in the basement room so the front door would have been our only exit. We woke up and opened the door to the bedroom, saw the fire and panicked.

Loyal Rahmon proved her worries unfounded as he has stuck by her side ever since (pictured before the fire)

Whilst she is still getting used to going out and has faced abuse and horrible comments, Solrun is doing her best to live a normal life and plans to help people dealing with trauma and raise awareness about fire safety

'There was a window to a patio in the room that my boyfriend tried breaking with an office chair. But there was so much smoke and we were very weak.

'I think we passed out very quickly. From what I've been told, the firefighters arrived five minutes later and they were able to break the window.

'They found my boyfriend on the floor and were able to drag him out. But because I didn't live there, they didn't know that there would be another person in the room.

'When they got the fire under control, they found me by chance in my boyfriend's bed and they were able to drag me out as well.

The fire happened on the 23rd October 2019 when Solrun stayed over with her partner and was while they slept the landlord started cooking with oil which caught fire

Solrun passed out because of the smoke and while Rahmon was dragged out by firefighters to safety, she was left inside the house

Her injuries were so severe she was in a coma for a month and she woke up in a Swedish hospital

'I woke up a month later in Sweden. It was very scary. I had tubes down my throat, I was very disoriented and I was on all kinds of drugs. I was in a lot of pain.

'It was so difficult to grasp what was real. I couldn't move either - after being in a coma for a month, my muscles had deteriorated.

'My family were there, they just kept telling me I'd been in an accident but that things would be fine.

'From there, I was going into surgeries and learning to walk. Overall, I was in Sweden for two months - one in a coma and another in rehabilitation.

She wasn't able to move when she woke up after being in a coma for a month, her muscles had deteriorated

During her time in hospital she was going through many surgeries and learning how to walk again

'I had to have skin grafts, as well as having surgery where they would clean out the slime from my lungs.'

With Rahmon - who was burnt on his arms, chest and back - receiving treatment back home in Iceland, Solrun didn't see him for two months.

Solrun said: 'I didn't see my boyfriend until I came back to Iceland. I was nervous about him seeing me again.

'He didn't want to see any pictures of me whilst I was away. He wanted to see me when I came back. I felt a lot of pressure, because I wanted to ease him into it and be prepared.

Not only did she look nothing like she did before, but she also had limited capabilities and needed help with everything

She had many skin grafts, as well as having surgery where they would clean out the slime from her lungs

She went through numerous skin grafts over her two months in hospital and she has many more to complete going forward

'I did spend a lot of time worrying that this would be too much. Not only did I look nothing like I did before, I also had limited capabilities and needed help with everything.

'I was worried he wouldn't want to be with me anymore.

'When I got back to Iceland, he was nothing but wonderful and understanding. He totally proved my worries wrong.

'I realise this is an irrational fear of mine, and he's never shown or done anything to make me believe he'd leave.

With Rahmon - who was burnt on his arms, chest and back - receiving treatment back home in Iceland, Solrun didn't see him for two months (pictured before the fire)

Solrun said she didn't see her boyfriend until she came back to Iceland and she 'was nervous about him seeing me again' (pictured before the fire)

'But I've connected with other burn survivors and you hear stories. I know one woman who said her husband didn't even visit her whilst she was in the hospital and he just left.

'You hear these horrible stories and you realise people can be like that. It makes you worry.

'I do worry that he'll leave me. We've spoken a lot about it, and he's been really reassuring about it.

'I thought the accident would either break us or make us a stronger couple. It's definitely made us a stronger couple.

Her lungs are very weak since the fire so she can't exercise with Rahmon like they used to do together

Awful: She suffered from scaring all over her body including her legs and her arms as well as he face

'My lungs are very weak, but he'll be so patient with me. We used to exercise together but I can't do that like I did before.'

When she first woke up from the coma, Solrun didn't realise how severe the burns had been, although they covered her face, arms and legs.

Solrun said: 'A week after I woke up, I began to remember and retain what was being said to me. That's when I realised I was burnt.

'It was until a bit later that I realised how much I had been burnt, when they began showing me pictures.

'When I saw my face underneath the bandages, it was quite traumatic.

When she first woke up from the coma, Solrun didn't realise how severe the burns had been, although they covered her face, arms and legs

'I was 22 when this happened. I guess I lived in a bubble thinking that because I was young, nothing bad would happen to me.

'I had no idea how my future would be. I didn't know what I'd be able to do anymore. All my future plans had shifted.

'When the accident happened, I was in my last year of doing my Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I did finish it when I was able to.

'I didn't know what I wanted to do with Psychology, but I do want to help people who have gone through trauma and maybe do some fire prevention work.

'I did not want this to be something that would blacken my future and destroy me. I wanted to do something with this.

'I've done a campaign with the government housing department where I talked about how important it is that people have fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in their homes.

'I am set to talk to a hospital about their burn unit and how to make it more efficient, resourceful and friendly for burn survivors.'

Day-to-day life is difficult for Solrun, whose lungs were left severely damaged by the fire.

Solrun said: 'I have little energy. If I go to the supermarket one day, then there's not much else I can do that day.

'I can only breathe out using 30-40 per cent of my lungs, and I get bronchitis and pneumonia a lot.

When the accident happened, she was in her last year of doing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology however she did finish it when she was able to (pictured before the fire)

'I've been told my lungs won't get any better. Maybe it was naive of me, but I was very optimistic that they'd go back to normal.

'My doctor told me that if I keep getting infections, pneumonia, etc, there's a good chance that my lungs will deteriorate further in the future.

'Facial reconstructive surgery is on the horizon. I have trouble opening my mouth because there's so much scarring, so they would need to try and widen my mouth, as well as reconstructing my nose - I lost quite a lot of the bridge.'

Initially, Solrun found it difficult to go out in public due to people's reactions, but she claims she has developed a 'thicker skin' in the years since.

Solrun said: 'When I came back to Iceland, I was really determined to not become somebody who would lock herself away and be a recluse.

'Against my better judgement, I decided to go to the mall during Christmas time. It was very difficult, but it helped me realise how people are going to react to my burns.

'I overheard a group of teenagers talking about me, saying: "She looks horrible. What's she doing here?".

'I wasn't quite equipped with how to deal with it. I went home and shut myself off for a week because I felt very rejected.

'In the years since, I've developed a thicker skin and my confidence has grown. It's an ongoing battle though.'
Queen Mathilde of Belgium looked typically elegant in a chic dress alongside King Philippe in Sounio, Greece on Tuesday.

The royal, 49, showed off her stye credentials in a smart blue and white belted dress which she paired with a large woven summer hat to keep the blazing sun at bay.

The couple beamed as they posed in front of the Temple of Poseidon on the second day of a three day state visit.

In a rare moment of PDA, King Philippe sweetly held his wife hand to help her across the uneven ground outside the temple after their photo call.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium looked typically elegant in a chic blue and white dress alongside King Philippe in Sounio, Greece on Tuesday

The mother-of-four completed her outfit with cream heels and a matching clutch bag.

Her Majesty, who is first queen consort of native Belgian nationality, wore her blonde locks down and opted for a natural make-up look.

Meanwhile, King Phillipe opted for a tan suite which he paired with a light blue shirt and a salmon tie.

The King completed his smart look with formal brown leather shoes and a white pocket square.

The royal, 49, showed off her stye credentials in a stunning ensemble which she paired with a large woven summer hat

The couple beamed as they posed in front of the Temple of Poseidon on the second day of a three day state visit

Effortlessly stylish: The mother-of-four completed her outfit with cream heels and a matching clutch bag

The pair decided to climb the the archeological site of Thorikos for a sweet photo opportunity together

King Phillipe helped his wife up the rugged steps by hold her arm and guiding her across the uneven steps

Looking good: King Phillipe opted for a tan suite which he paired with a light blue shirt and a salmon tie

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.

It comes after Mathilde stunned in a crimped coral dress alongside King Philippe to meet Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and her husband Pavlos Kotsonis in Athens on Monday.

She showed off her easy style in a red and pink midi dress with an oversized waist belt and statement buckle.

Her Majesty 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.

Queen Mathilde enjoyed a cup of coffee prior to attending the symposium on archeology and heritage conservation

The King and Queen headed a delegation of ministers, businessmen, academics and industrials

It comes after Mathilde stunned in a crimped coral dress alongside King Philippe to meet Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and her husband Pavlos Kotsonis in Athens on Monday

She showed off her easy style in a red and pink midi dress with an oversized waist belt and statement buckle

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.
Unilateral legislation is insult to democracy



The outgoing Moon Jae-in administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have completed a legislation process to deprive the prosecution of its investigative powers, despite strong opposition from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) as well as prosecutors, lawyers and professors. The ruling camp cannot deflect criticism for railroading related bills through the National Assembly in an apparent bid to prevent the prosecution from investigating allegations of corruption and abuse of power raised against the Moon government.



On Tuesday, President Moon promulgated the legislation in a Cabinet meeting, allowing it to become a law which will take effect in four months. He ignored demand by the prosecution and the PPP that he should exercise his veto power. The move came hours after the DPK passed a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act in a 164-3 vote with all PPP lawmakers abstaining in protest against the majority party's reckless and unilateral legislation process. On Saturday, the DPK also rammed through an amendment to the Prosecutors' Office Act that is aimed at limiting the prosecution's investigation to only two crimes  corruption and economic crimes  instead of the current six.



The legislation also calls for the complete deprivation of the prosecution's all investigative powers that will be handed over to a to-be-created investigative unit resembling the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in one year and six months. The DPK argued that the legislation was inevitable to prevent the prosecution from abusing its power for political purposes. But the PPP criticized the DPK for attempting to protect the ruling elite from possible investigations over corruption and abuse of power just before Moon's term ends May 9.



It is wrong for the DPK to neutralize the prosecution by taking advantage of its majority power. The governing party has not done anything at all to have discussions with the opposition parties. Nor has it made any effort to build a social consensus over the issue. What the DPK has done over the last three weeks was to flex its muscle as a majority party which holds 171 seats in the 300-member Assembly. It has only used tricks and loopholes to get rid of obstacles to its unilateral legislative push.



On April 22, the DPK and the PPP agreed to accept a compromise proposal presented by Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug. But the PPP retreated from the agreement, caving in to mounting criticism for colluding with the DPK in stripping the prosecution of its investigative power. Then, the DPK sped up the legislation in the face of opposing voices from all walks of life, including legal experts and civic activists who express concerns about the weakening of the criminal justice system.



In every respect, the DPK's legislation is seen as the tyranny of the majority. It is apparently an insult to the rule of law and democracy. The DPK and the Moon government have trampled on the spirit of the National Assembly Act which was revised in 2012 to block a majority party from railroading bills through the Assembly. They have left an indelible mark in the history of the country's parliament history.



Now, the Constitutional Court should decide whether the legislation is lawful. It is also urgent to lay the legal groundwork to prevent a majority party from abusing its legislative power.


A man who advertised his ex-girlfriend's wedding dress on Facebook Marketplace for 5 has gone viral on social media after describing the item as a 'size fat', and hinting that she may have been unfaithful during their relationship.

Posting under the handle @pduck11 on TikTok, Paula Hoops shared a screenshot of the advert posted by Christopher Carter, from Stockton-on-Tees. insulting his former partner throughout the description and hinting that their engagement was called off due to cheating.

As well as saying that the dress would 'suit a cheap s*****r' he added that the dress is supposedly a size 12, but is probably bigger because his ex was 'prone to lying'.

There is no evidence any of the claims he made in the ad about the unnamed woman are true.

Many social media users blasted Christopher arguing she had a 'lucky escape' from him, however others sympathized with his fury if she had indeed been unfaithful.

Christopher Carter, from Stockton-on-Tees, has gone viral on social media after listing his ex-girlfriend's wedding dress (pictured) on Facebook Marketplace for 5

Christopher Carter described the dress as for a 'larger lady' and being 'quite chavvy in style' as he hoped to find a buyer willing to collect it

Christopher took to Facebook Marketplace with a selection of photos of the dress, including one showing how it looked on his former lover.

He told potential buyers that it's available for 5 collection only but claimed to be unsure of the size because his ex was 'prone to lying'.

Having listed the dress as a 'size fat', he described the item writing: 'Wedding dress - would fit the larger lady, quite chavvy in style so would suit a cheap s******.

'Had a lucky escape so it's brand new which is more than can be said for the intended wearers well worn v*****.

'UK local only as its collect only - I will not be posting this item.

'It's a size 12 I think - she was prone to lying so it's possibly a 14/16.'

Many social media users were left unimpressed by the advert, with one writing: 'This says more about him than it does her.'

A stream of commenters said the woman has a 'lucky escape' and admitted they felt 'attacked' by Christopher's decision to list a size 12/14 as 'fat'

Another said: 'She looks amazing in the dress and from the looks of it she had a lucky escape.'

'No, but she looked stunning. I'm glad she didn't marry him,' a third commented.

However, others argued the woman seems to have cheated on Christopher therefore he has the right to vent about having a 'broken' heart.

'Everyone thinking she had a lucky escape when sounds like he was cheated on. Who hasn't said crap about an ex. Imagine fiance cheating,' one wrote.

Another said: 'Maybe she broke his heart and he's venting?'

A third added: 'All the 'she's had a lucky escape' comments but if it was a girl trashing a guy's car they'd all be hyping her up! Double standards.'
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It's not easy to outdo a royal when it comes to stylish wardrobes, but the Duchess of Cornwall more than met her match in Manchester today as she posed alongside exuberant carnival performers.

The Duchess of Cornwall cut a stylish figure in tartan as she visited a photography exhibition before heading to a pre-Jubilee celebration at the Emmaus Mossley Homelessness Charity in the Ashton-under-Lyne area of the city.

The latter offered Camilla a giant tea party - with the finest china - and a welcome party that included an enormous puppet, drummers and carnival performers in colourful attire.

And the royal even picked up a bit of a bargain as she toured a charity shop in Mossley, admitting as she snapped up a Silver Jubilee commemorative mug for just 1.50 that she 'collects' royal memorabilia.

The eagle-eyed Duchess spotted the cup as she scoured shelves at the Emmaus UK shop, a social enterprise community which supports homeless people through education, training and personal development.

Scroll down for video

Getting in the carnival spirit? The Duchess of Cornwall meets carnival performers as she attends a pre-Jubilee Big Lunch at Emmaus Mossley Homelessness Charity on Tuesday

Browsing a charity shop in Mossley ahead of the Big Lunch, the royal made the surprise announcement that she actually collects royal memorabilia and even picked up a royal mug for the princely sum of 1.50

The future Queen's Consort appeared in jubilant spirits as she was greeted by drummers at the public engagement

Battle of the skirts! Camilla chats to a carnival performer as she arrives at the charity in Ashton-under-Lyne near Manchester

The Duchess has been the organisations patron since 2006 and made it her mission to visit as many of its communities around the country as possible.

She dived into the Mossley shop for a spot of bargain hunting declaring: 'Ooh theres a really nice teapot here for anyone who collects them. I wish I had a bit more time here. Its a great place to get presents if you have the time.'

Spotting the mug, which had been produced to celebrate the Queens Silver Jubilee in 1977, she exclaimed: 'I see youve got a nice jubilee mug. I am going to buy that! I have a whole collection, believe it or not.'

Touring the bric-a-brac area, the royal also met the shop team and Emmaus Mossley volunteers and marvelled at the size and range of goods on offer.

Youve even got a wedding dress,  she laughed.

She was told that they re-stock every day. See, I told you, plenty of bargains if you have the time, she told reporters.

The Duchess was in the area both as patron of Emmaus but also of the The Big Lunch, organised by Eden Communities, which brings millions of people together annually to celebrate their local communities.

This year, The Big Jubilee Lunch will be the official community celebration for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend

And sticking to the jubilee theme, she was greeted by performers from Global Grooves, including two operating giant, 14-foot high puppets to the sound of a lively band.

Global Grooves will be taking part in the official Platinum Jubilee pageant on Sunday June 5 and gave Camilla a sneak peek of their carnival-style performance.

She also shook hands with Padmini, its operator bending down to greet the royal visitor.

What. A lovely place this is and what a fantastic view, smiled the Duchess.

During her trip to the charity shop, the Duchess of Cornwall bought a mug created to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee, which took place in 1977

Pressing the sizeable flesh! A gargantuan puppet extends a hand in the company of royalty as a slightly bemused Camilla looks on

Camilla chats with Big Lunch companions, volunteers and Platinum Champion nominees over a cup of tea at the celebration

Young and old gathered for the traditional English tea party - with a very special guest - at the Big Lunch event

Still wearing their costumes, the carnival performers also joined the afternoon tea party, chatting with the Duchess as she mingled with attendees

Inside, she toured the Emmaus workshop and met volunteers including David Kniveton who were upcycling and reupholstering donated chairs in preparation for Emmaus Mossleys Big Jubilee Lunch.

Upstairs she briefly chatted to another group of volunteers making recycled bunting, before sitting down at several tables to chat to supporters, Big Lunch organisers and Platinum Champion nominees.

Camilla was so busy chatting with them that she never even got to take a sip of one of the many cups of that were poured for. That always happens to me, she said ruefully.

Do you feel that people are rallying around now especially after lockdown, she asked one.

Its just wonderful to get people back together again. 

She also teased George Hall, 74, from Mossley, who told her he would be 75 in May.

Two months earlier than me, she joked. The trouble is that you just dont feel it, do you?

While cutting into a cake baked especially to mark the charity's 25th birthday, the royal thanked the organisation's volunteers for their service. She added she was 'thrilled' by the gathering and hoped people would do the same for the Queen's Jubilee next month

The colourful iced cake marks the charity's 25th birthday; the thriving community for people who have previously been homeless houses 26 people who share communal facilities

She also cut a cake to mark the occasion and, in an off-the-cuff, speech said; Before I delve into this delicious looking cake can I first wish Emmaus Mossley a very very happy 25th birthday. I feel very very proud to be here today because I am patron of Emmaus and the Big Lunch and President of the Royal Voluntary Service, hence all these wonderful volunteers.

'So I am thrilled to get everybody here today to celebrate the jubilee weekend, when I hope you will be having an even bigger lunch on the day. The aim is 10 million people, thats what we are hoping. Its a lovely way to celebrate, its a lovely way to get to know your neighbours and two have a lot of delicious food and chat.

The Duchess of Cornwall has been Patron of Emmaus since 2006, which offers a thriving community that is home to 26 people. Situated at Longlands Mill in Tameside, each of the 26 companions has their own en-suite bedroom and access to a range of communal facilities including a kitchen, dining room, lounge, garden and gym.

A right royal knees up: the Duchess looked to be deep in conversation as she joined different tables at the tea party

It provides help to people of all backgrounds, beliefs and genders who are experiencing homelessness. To join the community, individuals have to commit to working full-time in the social enterprise and they are provided with education, training and personal development to help them work towards a better future.

Peter Stewart, Executive Director of the Eden Project in Cornwall, home of The Big Lunch idea, said: Today celebrates everything The Big Jubilee Lunch is about; people, community, connection  an opportunity to give back with a lovely sense of relaxed occasion.'

Royal Voluntary Service Platinum Champion nominees also joined in the fun, enjoying food and conversation together with Emmaus volunteers and Big Lunch organisers from the local area.

Nominated for giving back to society, the invited nominees will find out soon if they have been shortlisted to receive a Platinum Champion award in one of eight categories to be celebrated at Big Jubilee Lunch events across the UK this June.

The Duchess of Cornwall pictured in Manchester city centre on Tuesday visiting The 'I Am' exhibition, a collection of portraits of 12 domestic abuse survivors - including a Chief Inspector and TV star - taken by photographer Allie Crewe

Earlier, the future Queen Consort, who turns 75 later this year, visited the north-west city to view a collection of 12 portraits of domestic abuse survivors by award-winning photographer Allie Crewe.

Camilla has long been a passionate supporter of people affected by domestic violence and looked deep in conversation with the curators of the outdoor exhibition, which is the work of domestic abuse charity SafeLives, during the solo public engagement.

The royal travelled to the north-west UK city this morning, and looked every inch the royal in a smart navy and green tartan skirt suit, as she browsed the photographs being shown as part of the city's SICK! Festival which runs until the end of the month. She finished the look with a pair of favourite suede, knee-high boots and a collar-less shirt.

Camilla also wore a Sabina sunflower on her left lapel, thought to be in tribute to murdered Sabina Nessa, who lost her life at the hands of Koci Selamaj, 36, in September last year.

The future Queen Consort pictured delivering a speech at a reception for the exhibition which is the work of domestic abuse charity SafeLives

In a speech at Manchester Central Library, the Duchess said: 'The photographs are both incredibly moving and inspiring.

'Moving because of the depth of pain and loss that the survivors have endured at the hands of those who claimed to love them, and inspiring because these photographs show us how survivors can, and do, take back their own identity and their own stories, which have too often been eroded and taken from them by the abuse they have suffered.

'Part of the power of these photographs lies in the fact that the images are not of victims as we might have supposed but, in the words of one of them, 'strong, feisty, brave survivors, changing the journey from victim to victor... making it smoother, shorter and never lonely'.'

Camilla said the stories she heard were 'heartbreaking' but 'not, by any means, unique'.

She added: 'I am so honoured to launch this exhibition and I wish it - and all the survivors who are gathered here - every possible success as, together, we seek to end domestic abuse forever.'

After delivering a speech to attendees, the royal was greeted by well-wishers outside, including one lady who gave her a bunch of red carnations

Suzanne Jacob, chief executive of SafeLives, said the work Camilla has done with the charity is 'just phenomenal'.

She said: 'The issue is really at the centre of her mind all the time; we see her raising it overseas and on other visits.

'We always say this can happen behind any front door, on any street, and we hope when people see the portraits there will be something which will touch them and connect with their life, so instead of thinking about this happening to 'those people over there' they will think about it happening to us as a society.'

After delivering the speech to those attending the exhibition - including domestic abuse survivors - Camilla took the time to shake hands and chat with well-wishers before leaving in a royal car.

Among the women whose faces are featured in the 'I Am' exhibition is Sam Beckinsale, who appeared as firefighter Kate Stevens in ITV show London's Burning.

The 55-year-old reflected on her own experiences of enduring domestic abuse, saying: 'You may still be walking and talking, but the person you were has been annihilated.'

The Duchess looked delighted to chat with those visiting the exhibition, shaking hands with one masked fan

A young fan in a blue hat offers his hand through the railings, with Camilla bending down to greet him

The royal offers a final wave to those who turned out to see her before leaving Manchester city centre

Camilla, who turns 75 later this year, wore a smart navy and green tartan skirt suit for the solo public engagement in Manchester this morning

The Duchess looked pensive as she prepared to address an audience at the exhibition on Tuesday

Camilla wore a Sabina sunflower on her left lapel, thought to be in tribute to murdered Sabina Nessa, who lost her life at the hands of Koci Selamaj, 36, in September last year

The royal was seen flicking her hair away from her face as she listened to the exhibition's stories of women affected by domestic abuse

Camilla posed for a group photograph with survivors of domestic abuse and those involved with bringing the exhibition to life

Camilla has been passionate supporter of women affected by domestic violence; she's previously said that she will continue to champion survivors in a bid to stop abuse happening

Among the portraits seen by the Duchess was one of Chief Inspector Sharon Baker, 43,whose own life has been affected by five years of coercive control. A video she made detailing the abuse saw more than 130 officers come forward with their own experiences

Another portrait seen by the Duchess was one of Chief Inspector Sharon Baker, 43, whose own life has been affected by five years of coercive control.

A video she made detailing the abuse she suffered saw more than 130 police officers come forward with their own experiences.

Crewe, the photographer behind the work, said the intimate portraits ask people to 'confront their gaze'.

She told The Observer last month: 'The men and women in these portraits ask us to confront their gaze, to pay attention to their trauma  A face opens the conversation. We challenge the values of a society that tolerates violence and turns a blind eye.'

It was revealed last week that the Duchess of Cornwall will appear in a special edition of Vogue magazine this summer to mark her 75th birthday.

Camilla's photoshoot took place last month with a skeleton crew of magazine staff and palace aides, all sworn to secrecy.

An insider said the session had been agreed after several meetings between the Duchess and Edward Enninful, the British Vogue editor-in-chief.

The source said: 'Conversations have been ongoing for months so this has been in the pipeline for a long time. The timing has been carefully thought through and her 75th birthday felt like the appropriate time.'

Camilla is expected to feature on the front cover of the fashion bible, which has also conducted an interview with her.

The high-profile exposure will be seen as a major step towards establishing the Duchess as a future Queen Consort in the public consciousness.

The Duchess of Cornwall will appear in a special edition of Vogue magazine this summer to mark her 75th birthday. Camilla's photoshoot took place last week with a skeleton crew of magazine staff and palace aides, all sworn to secrecy. (She is pictured in a Vivienne Westwood gown at the London Palladium in 2013)

An insider said the session had been agreed after several meetings between the Duchess and Edward Enninful, the British Vogue editor-in-chief. (They are pictured at London Fashion Week in 2019)

The Queen, who has said that it is her 'sincere wish' that Camilla is known as such when Prince Charles ascends the throne, is thought to approve of the Vogue project.

Another source said: 'It won't just be in the magazine but obviously very prominently displayed on the website, so lots of people will see this.'

It is understood that the Duchess turned down the offer of flying in a team of celebrity stylists to help with the shoot.

Her participation will be seen as a show of support for Ghanaian-born Mr Enninful, who has championed diversity during his five years at the helm of the magazine.

Last year, he took on the role of global ambassador for the Prince's Trust, which was founded by Prince Charles in 1976.

And last week, Mr Enninful hosted a gala event for the charity in New York, attended by supermodels Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, the Hadid sisters and Karlie Kloss.
The Countess of Wessex looked the part this afternoon as she donned her wellies for a day in the Devon countryside for a farm school visit with her husband Prince Edward.

Sophie, 57, sported a brown smock top and cream trousers as she visited East Shallowford Farm today, pairing her ensemble with a green military-style jacket and Ariat wellington boots.

The mother-of-two and her husband were introduced to pupils and staff at the farm school in Newton Abbot, which works with young people living in challenging circumstances to teach them practical farming skills.

The Countess of Wessex, sported a brown smock top and cream trousers as she visited East Shallowford Farm today, pairing her ensemble with a green military-style jacket and Ariat wellington boots, for a visit to a farm school in Devon

Sophie and Edward also held out their hands to pet and feed the lambs at the farm

The pair, pictured, appeared to be sharing a joke as they laughed together, with both grinning from ear to ear

As she walked around the farm, she opted for simple makeup and gold hoop earrings, sweeping her hair into a half ponytail.

The royal couple are due to take part in activities at Shallowford with the pupils including feeding the animals, bird box making and dry-stone walling.

The 57-year-old was also photographed holding a tiny frog, looking thoughtful as the animal nestled in her hands.

Sophie smiled as she greeted staff and young people at the farm.

Sophie, 57, pictured, donned a brown smock top and cream trousers as she visited East Shallowford Farm in Devon today

The mother-of-two paired the smart top and trousers with a green military-style jacket and Ariat wellington boots, pictured

The couple opened the East Shallowford Farm Development Project and leant down to stroke some sheep and held out their hands to feed them.

Sophie and Edward also spoke to some of the pupils about their experiences of the farm.

They also appeared to be sharing a joke as they laughed together, with both grinning from ear to ear.

And they were snapped listening intently during their visit to the farm.

The couple, pictured, leant down to stroke some lambs while at the Devon farm

Sophie, pictured, leans to look at an activity sheet with pupils at the farm school

It comes after the Wessexes return from their Caribbean tour, which saw them visit spots such as St Lucia.

The royal couple attended the Soufriere Mini Stadium, Saint Lucia, for a performance celebrating St Lucia's young people.

Edward opted for comfortable shoes, pictured, during today's farm visit in Devon today

The couple, pictured, grin as they continue their tour of the farm in Newton Abbot today

Sophie and Edward, pictured, also spoke to some of the pupils about their experiences of the farm

The Earl and Countess of Wessex received a mixed reception during their visit to Saint Lucia - with the Queen having been urged to apologise by Caribbean protesters seeking reparations.

Edward and Sophie initially received a warm welcome to the island during a walkabout in the town of Soufriere, but were soon met by a group of around 10 protesters before a trip to a cocoa plantation.

Sophie and Edward, pictured, unveil a wooden sign which marks their opening of the East Shallowford Farm Development Project

The 57-year-old, pictured, was photographed holding a tiny frog, which nestled in her hands at the farm

Sophie, pictured, walks through the vast expanse of greenery during the farm visit in Devon today

One protester said: 'We want reparations now. The Queen of England needs to apologise for slavery.' Another smiled and said: 'London Bridge is falling down.'

The demonstrators displayed banners reading 'repatriation with reparations' and 'Queen say sorry' while playing drums and chanting.

And Sophie and Edward, pictured, were snapped listening intently during their visit to the farm

The Countess of Wessex, pictured, holds onto a snakeskin clutch bag during her visit to the farm today

Sophie and Edward initially experienced the warmest welcome they had received on their Caribbean tour during a walkabout in the town of Soufriere, with one man saying to Edward: 'I salute you, my prince.'

The earl spoke to a road sweeper with a broom who was standing in front of the small crowd, and joked 'I hope you keep this lot in order' while pretending to wave the broom. Sophie and Edward were cheered as they left the area.

The protests followed similar demonstrations in St Vincent and the Grenadines, where some held signs saying 'compensation now' and 'Britain your debt is outstanding'.

The earl and countess were also urged to use their 'diplomatic influence' to provide 'reparatory justice' by the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda during a visit to the country on their tour.

Sophie, pictured, gets crafty as she participates in a woodwork class at the farm today

Sophie, pictured, kneels to look at a clipboard and help two pupils at the Newton Abbot farm today
The last Empress of Iran has recalled her shock over her country's 1979 Islamic Revolution - and labelled it 'unbelievable' following her 43 years in exile.

In an interview for Town&Country, Farah Pahlavi, 83, who was dubbed the Jackie Kennedy of the Middle East during her heyday, opened up about the overthrowing of her late husband Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

In 1979 the Shah, whose family had already fled to Egypt, was deposed and replaced with the hardline Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini - a shift that would have long-lasting and far-reaching implications.

With his liberalising reforms and harsh treatment of his political opponents, the Shah made an enemy of traditionalists in the country, and Khomeini, who had been living in exile in France, successfully returned and announced the creation of an Islamic republic.

The women's rights movement quickly regressed. Wearing the hijab was enforced, many of the liberties they had been granted were withdrawn and the female minister of education in Iran, Farrokhroo Parsa, was executed by firing squad.

Recalling the revolution, Farah admitted: 'It was very sad, and very hard, and we couldn't understand why our people were going in this direction when Iran was doing so much and moving forward.'

The last Empress of Iran has recalled her shock over her country's 1979 Islamic Revolution - and labelled it 'unbelievable' following her 43 years in exile. Pictured right, Farah Pahlavi in 2015

In an interview for Town&Country , Farah Pahlavi, 83, who was dubbed the Jackie Kennedy of the Middle East during her heyday, opened up about the overthrowing of her late husband Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (pictured in 1962)

She added: 'I don't think that we didn't have problems. But even today, when I think about it, these were not problems to the point that they would lead to what happened.

'Countries change, governments that change for something better are not bad - but to go from Cyrus the Great to this is unbelievable.'

Remembering her time as an empress as 'beautiful', French-educated Farah described how her life was 'very full', filled with meeting kings, queens, presidents, artists and musicians.

Farah, who now splits her time between Maryland in America and Paris, also praised the Iranian women - noting that they were the only group that stood up against the revolution.

She encouraged women in the country - some of whom have protested against the compulsory wearing of the hijab - to stay strong, insisting that Iran will rise from her ashes.

In a region where women have historically kept a private profile, the empress was highly public, visiting places and people to do with her passions for art, culture and education, and featuring on countless magazine covers worldwide.

After marrying Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Farah (pictured on her wedding day) became patron of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, and set off to amass an art collection, gathering items which would now be valued at $3 billion

Following her husband's death in 1980, Farah settled in the US and now splits her time between the States and Paris

The publication suggests she made way for future female royals of the Middle East, such as Queen Rania of Jordan, who has a public Instagram account to showcase her work.

But many are divided over the legacy of Farah and some consider her a modern-day Marie Antoinette who represented the worst excesses of the shah's regime before the 1979 revolution.

The most lavish parts of her legacy include an extravagant three-day party thrown in the Persepolis in October 1971 by her husband, with the couple flying in eighteen tons of food to celebrate Iran's 2,500th anniversary.

Meanwhile Farah was also patron of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, in which she amassed an art collection, gathering modern pieces which would now be valued at $3billion.

Farah was born in October 1938 in Tehran to an upper-class family, with her paternal side being natives of Iranian Azerbaijan while her mother's relatives were of Gilak origin, from Lahijan on the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea.

In the late 19th century Farah's grandfather had been an accomplished diplomat, serving as the Persian Ambassador to the Romanov Court in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The family eventually had to flee their hometown to Egypt before embarking on a 18-month search for permanent asylum through Morocco and the Bahamas. They were eventually granted asylum in Mexico (pictured)

Her own father was an officer in the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces and a graduate of the prestigious French Military Academy at St. Cyr.

She had a close bond with her father, who died suddenly when she was just 10-years-old, leaving the family struggling financially.

The last Shah of Iran who fled the country in 1979 with his wife before dying months later Throughout his reign, which lasted until the 1979 Revolution, the Shah remained loyal to America and its allies, meeting with every President from Harry S Truman to Richard Nixon. But a CIA operation to destabilise and replace the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadeq in the 1950s bred anti-American sentiment among the people of Iran, while the Shah's burgeoning oil wealth through the 60s and 70s fostered resentment against him. In 1979 the Shah, who had already fled the country, was deposed and replaced with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who referred to America as the 'Great Satan'. America's subsequent decision to admit the Shah for cancer treatment incensed Iran, which wanted him extradited and executed, and led to protesting students storming the American embassy in Tehran. This sparked the hostage crisis which saw 52 American diplomats held for 444 days. Despite their eventual release, the incident placed relations into a deep-freeze from which they have never recovered. Advertisement

She was forced to move from their villa in northern Tehran into a shared apartment with one of her uncles.

Before his death, Farah's father instilled in his daughter a love of the French language and culture.

Soon she began studying at Tehran's Italian School before moving to the French Jeanne d'Arc School until the age of sixteen and later to the Lycee Razi.

Upon finishing her studies at the Lycee Razi, she pursued an interest in architecture at the Ecole Speciale d'Architecture in Paris.

According to AllThatIsInteresting, her classmates described her as a 'hard worker who studied well into the night.'

As a student studying abroad, she was invited to meet with the Shah at the Iranian Embassy in Paris in 1959 when she was just 21-years-old.

Not long afterwards, the couple began dating, before announcing their engagement on 23 November 1959.

The shah would later say: 'I knew as soon as we metthat she was the woman I had been waiting for so long, as well as the queen my country needed.'

As a young Queen of Iran, Farah's December 1959 wedding was the object of much curiosity and received worldwide press attention.

Her gown was designed by Yves Saint Laurent, then a designer at the house of Dior, and she wore the newly commissioned Noor-ol-Ain Diamond tiara.

The couple went on to have four children: Crown Prince Reza, Princess Farahnaz, Prince Ali, and Princess Leila.

Part of Farah's appeal to the shah had been her Western education and understanding of culture.

Together, the pair claimed they would usher in a 'golden age of Iran.'

During her time as a royal, Farah took an active interest in promoting culture and the arts in Iran.

Through her patronage, numerous organisations were created and fostered to further her ambition of bringing historical and contemporary Iranian Art to prominence both inside Iran and in the Western world.

Under her guidance, the museum of modern art acquired nearly 150 works by such artists as Pablo Picasso, Monet and Andy Warhol.

As a student studying abroad, Farah was invited to meet with the Shah at the Iranian Embassy in Paris at the age of 21

Farah's style, charm, and support of the arts, led her to be dubbed the 'Jackie Kennedy of the Middle East.'

At the same time, the Shah was pushing the country to adopt Western-oriented secular modernisation, allowing some degree of cultural freedom.

He believed the headscarf suppressed women and banned the hijab, and granted women the right to vote and an increasing number joined the workforce.

Under the Shah, Iranians enjoyed the luxury of new colleges, universities and libraries. Secondary schools were free for all and financial support was extended to university students.

However the Shah's determination to showcase an increasingly liberal and modern front to the world and ban on religious garments frustrated traditionalists in Iran.

Under Pahlavi, there was a widespread censorship of the press. He repressed political dissent - and the crackdown on communists and Islamists led to many being imprisoned and tortured.

During her time as a royal, Farah (pictured in 1960) took an active interest in promoting culture and the arts in Iran

People lived in fear of the Shah's secret police called SAVAK, which paralysed people from speaking out against the regime; such was the notoriety of their brutality.

These factors, along with the Shah being perceived as a puppet of the USA and economic uncertainty, culminated in the monarchy being overthrown.

The 1979 Iranian revolution saw the ousting of the Shah and the induction of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini - a shift that would have long-lasting and far-reaching implications.

The Pahlavi family fled to Egypt before embarking on a 18-month search for permanent asylum through Morocco and the Bahamas.

Finally they were granted asylum in Mexico but travelled to the US to seek medical assistance for the Shah's developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Their visit to the States worsened relations between the US and Iran and the couple were forced to flee to Egypt.

Shah's health deteriorated and he died four months later in 27 July 1980.

Farah stayed in the country for two years before flying back to the US, where she settled in Maryland.
An Australian shopper has been left puzzled by Chemist Warehouse's bizarre Mother's Day gift suggestions.

Above the shelves of feminine and intimate hygiene products the woman spotted a sign reading 'What mum really wants this Mother's Day'.

Products such as Vagisil, FemFresh and Canesten are typically used to treat things issues like thrush and claim to keep intimate areas fresh and itch-free.

Above the shelves of feminine and intimate hygiene products the woman spotted a sign reading 'What mum really wants this Mothers Day'

The Chemist Warehouse customer posted the gaffe to Facebook captioned: 'Just what any mother wants! Saw this today at the chemist' amusing fellow users.

'Do you want a yeast infection? Cause thats how you get a yeast infection,' one woman joked, while another said the hilarious gift suggestion gave them a 'good laugh'.

Thankfully the Chemist Warehouse website lists some more fitting presents to give mum on Mother's Day like designer fragrances, skincare and beauty sets.

For those still looking for a last minute Mother's Day present, eBay Australia has partnered with the founder of astrology.com.au Dadhichi Toth to create the ultimate astrology-inspired gift guide based on mum's zodiac sign.

From fitness watches for active Aries mums to travel books for adventure-seeking Taureans, this guide will help Australians give their mums a gift they will be starry-eyed for.

'Gift-giving can seem like an impossible task, especially for mum but astrology can help you find the perfect gift this Mother's Day,' Dadhichi Toth said.

'From air fryers, handbags to candles, I've created the ultimate Mother's Day gift guide to help you find something your mum will adore. Astrology is primarily personality-focused so understanding the qualities and traits of your mum's Zodiac sign can give you great insight into which gifts will make her feel loved and appreciated.'

Aries March 21 - April 19

Mars is the ruler of Aries, a fiery and active planet. This could explain her competitive nature.

Astrology suggests purchasing a work-appropriate blouse or accessories for the home office. Consider a gift that is fitness-oriented for her if she enjoys exercising.

Toth recommends the Louis Vuitton Stellar Sneaker ($1,150.00), GUESS Medium Canvas Logo Duffle Gym Bag ($58.95) and the FitSmart Multi-Function Smartwatch ($56.95).

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Taurus mothers love learning and adventure.

If she is a Taurus, you can give her a gift that speaks to the depths of her sensuality - or even a planner that tracks her happy travels and prepare her for the next year.

A Taurus mother would appreciate fine jewellery and any other gift that shows you care like Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2022 ($21.50), a Tony Bianco Harper Weekender Bag ($74.36) or Peter's of Kensington: Halcyon Days Torque Bangle Ivory & Gold ($65.00).

Gemini May 21 - June 21

Gemini is an intellectual air sign, so anything to stimulate your Gemini mother's mind will be greatly appreciated.

Books, subscriptions to exciting topics and anything related to travel can pique her interest.

Gemini is always on the go, so sporting and fashion accessories also make great gifts like the Apple Watch Series 4 GPS + Cellular ($285), Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High 'Seafoam' ($480) or the Avanti Capri 600ml Double Wall French Coffee Plunger ($29.95).

Cancer June 22 - July 22

Cancer women love the kitchen and anything to do with cooking.

Utensils and appliances that make her life easier around the home are excellent gift ideas. Of course, chocolate, flowers and other sentimental knick-knacks will touch her heart.

Opt for a KitchenAid 4.8L Artisan Stand Mixer KSM160 ($739), Louis Vuitton Monogram Petit Sac ($2,685) or Chocolate Bar Mold Silicon Ice Tray ($6.99).

Leo July 23 - August 22

Leo is a proud star sign, so she will appreciate gifts that help her look and feel her best.

Fashion, fabrics, make-up, and sporting gear that she can use to keep fit and look great are lovely ideas.

Toth suggest the Microplush Bath Robe Blush ($60), Nude By Nature Essentials Makeup Brush Collection ($23.97) and Yeezy Boost 350 V2 'Dazzling Blue' Sneaker ($550).

Virgo August 23 - September 22

Virgo is an organised and health-conscious sign.

A practical gift that enhances this part of your mother's life will be appreciated.

Cleanliness is also an essential part of the Virgo star sign signature. Consider gifts that will help her keep her space spotlessly clean like the Dyson V8 Animal ($649.00), Maxim Kitchen Pro 3.5L 240W Slow Cooker ($39.98) and the New Wahl Mini Massage Gun ($249.95).

Libra September 23 - October 23

Venus, the planet of beauty, rules Libra women.

They are attracted to feminine and pretty things. You might consider buying her a luxury candle, jewellery or perfume to help her connect with her inner goddess. A spiritual theme would be appreciated.

Toth recommended Vesuvius 400g Luxury Candle by Apsley Australia ($44.95), Estee Lauder Pleasures 50ml ($66.95) and Swarovski Millenia Drop Earrings ($175).

Scorpio October 24 - November 21

'Scorpio is a sensual sign so look for gifts that show your mother's determination and strong willpower. For her, a spice rack would be ideal.

You can also buy her a Polaroid instant camera or mobile phone with good selfie resolution for scrapbooking.

Try the Polaroid Go Instant Camera ($199.00), Aromatherapy Diffuser Humidifier ($31.95) and Tier Lazy Susan Spice Rack ($43.50).

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Sagittarius is the travel sign, so gifting your mother a holiday somewhere exotic or even a weekend away in a comfortable hotel in a nice setting would thrill her.

Sports gear such as fitness watches or hair styling appliances also won't go to waste on a Sagittarius mum.

Try out a Cabello Hair Dryer PRO 3900 + Chic Curling Tong ($94.95), Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 40mm Rose Gold with Pink Leather Strap ($749.00) and Waterproof and Sandproof Picnic Blanket ($78.99)

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

It's never too late to get some R&R! A soothing massage is a great way to let your mind relax if you haven't had the chance.

Your Capricorn mother deserves some pampering and downtime. No matter what you choose, she will be grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Toth opts for Roborock S5 Max Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaner ($704.00), Electric Massage Recliner Chair ($1,458.95), Living Space Tuscan Sun 60cm Round Mirror by Spotlight ($35.00).

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

Aquarian mothers love flowers that reflect their personalities.

For example, peonies are a symbol of their individuality and maternal instincts. A crystal is an excellent Aquarius gift idea for Mother's Day as this star sign rules the new age.

Mum might love a Himalayan Salt Lamp ($29.99), Bevilles Miracle Link Bracelet with 1/4ct of Diamonds in Sterling Silver ($299.99) or a Devanti 7L Air Fryer ($76.07).

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Pisces mothers love to create. Creative gifts will delight her, whether you give her flowers in a lovely bouquet or an essential oil candle made by hand.

You can also create a playlist with her favourite songs.

A Pisces mum would enjoy the Breville BFP800BAL the Kitchen Wizz Pro Food Processor 2000 Watt ($598), Adult Colouring Books De-stress A4 Size Birds ($9.95) or the DeLonghi EC885M Dedica Arte Coffee Machine ($359)
Sydneysiders have discovered an incredible hidden bar that looks like a scene out of Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

The Saga Bar is tucked away down an unsuspecting alley behind hard-carved double doors in the heart of Chippendale, Sydney and visitors have to ring a door bell to enter.

Dimly lit and adorned with palm trees and creeping vines, with cave-like stone walls and a huge projected jungle waterfall mural, Saga Bar is an exotic hideaway that offers visitors a unique dining experience for adventurous foodies.

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Foodies have discovered the incredible jungle-themed Saga Bar hidden behind ornate wood-carved doors down an unsuspecting alleyway in Chippendale, Sydney

Saga Bar dimly lit and adorned with palm trees and creeping vines, with cave-like stone walls and a huge projected jungle waterfall mural

Diners have been flocking, not only for the out-of-this-world decor but the extensive menu of signature cocktails and indulgent food

Diners have been flocking, not only for the out-of-this-world decor but the extensive menu of signature cocktails and indulgent food.

Popular cocktails include the Ganesha's Gold with banana-infused whiskey, and the purple Lavender Husk served with a smoke bubble on top to pop for a side of theatre with your drink.

The food menu is inspired by head chef Deke's Zambian upbringing with overtones of African flavours and influences of the Middle East, South East Asia and beyond.

Dishes include Ouma's mealie bread made from a traditional family recipe with smoked whipped butter, beef shin wontons that have been marinated for 12 hours, as well as the black sesame creme brulee dessert.

Visitors have called Saga Bar an 'intimate' cocktail establishment that looks like a movie set from Stephen Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Popular cocktails include the Ganesha's Gold with banana-infused whiskey, and the purple Lavender Husk (pictured) served with a smoke bubble on top to pop for a side of theatre

'I was blown away by the ambience and detail that has gone in to making this hidden bar such a must-do on any hospitality professionals list of places to go in Sydney,' a reviewer wrote

Visitors have been leaving rave reviews of their Saga Bar experience with one calling it an 'overseas exotic holiday' and like 'dining on a movie set'.

'We found the entrance down a dark alley.... no signage, you just ring the doorbell. The front of house opens the very cool doors and you are no longer in Sydney - you are in an intimate cocktail bar that makes you feel like you are in an Indiana Jones movie,' one guest said.

'I was blown away by the ambience and detail that has gone in to making this hidden bar such a must-do on any hospitality professionals list of places to go in Sydney,' another wrote.
Australian foodies are rushing to McDonald's new 'flavour burst' soft serves available in a select few stores.

The traditional McDonald's soft serves has been given a twist of flavours including purple grape, bubble gum, chocolate swirl, pina colada, raspberry or banana.

Adrian Widjonarko, from Sydney, travelled to the McDonald's Bondi location just to try out the new $1.50 cone and documented his visit in a now viral TikTok clip.

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Australian foodies are rushing to their nearest McDonald's to see if the fast food chain's new flavour burst soft serves are available

'Ive been wanting to go and finally I am in Bondi Beach and ran to get this! Grape one is chef kiss!' he captioned the video which has been viewed more than 214,400 times since it was uploaded last night.

Adrian said the Bondi restaurant was the only location he knew of that stocked the flavour burst soft serves and that he 'loved' his grape ice-cream calling it 'super yum' and grapey'.

The viral clip sent many of Adrian's 154,4000 followers into a spin and drew in hundreds of comments from fellow fast food lovers keen to try Macca's new sweet treat and tagging their friends.

Adrian Widjonarko, from Sydney, travelled to McDonalds' Bondi location just to try out the new $1.50 cone and documented his visit in a now viral TikTok clip

'Am I going all the way to Bondi for this? Yes,' one viewer wrote and another said: 'Omg I'm going!! I'm testing them all'.

'If Bondi wasnt a five hour flight Id go,' a third laughed while others questioned where else the new desserts are available.

'Why don't they have this countrywide?' one fan asked.

'If they don't bring this to a single Maccas near me I will RIOT,' a second joked.

Daily Mail Australia have reached out to McDonald's for comment.
Being hospitalised with Covid could age your brain by two decades, a Government-funded study warned today.

Cambridge University experts say the effect is the equivalent of losing roughly 10 IQ points.

Dozens of studies have found Covid damages brain function, but the scientists claim this is first of its kind to rigorously assess the impact.

A new study has found survivors of severe Covid infection performed worse on cognitive tests than members of the public six months after recovery. The left chart shows how Covid survivor scored on 'accuracy' in a cognitive test, with a negative score being worse than the general public. The right chart shows the Covid survivors scores in terms of time taken with a positive score indicating they took longer than the average person to solve the test

Scientists found this Covid related decline in cognitive function most closely matched that seen in healthy people as they age of 50 and 70. These graphs show the cognitive decline scores for a variety of conditions with the Covid patients on the far left, age related decline in the middle and dementia on the far right. The bars in red indicate how inaccurate test scores were from the average and the blue bars indicate the time taken by participants to answer questions

What is Long Covid and what does the NHS recommend for it? As of January 2, an estimated 1.33 million people in the UK were estimated to have long Covid, according to the Office of National Statistics. Long Covid is an informal term, used to describe ongoing symptoms following a Covid infection that go on longer than 12 weeks. A dizzying array of symptoms have been attributed to long Covid, including: extreme tiredness (fatigue)

shortness of breath

chest pain or tightness

problems with memory and concentration ('brain fog')

difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

heart palpitations

dizziness

pins and needles

joint pain

depression and anxiety

tinnitus, earaches

feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite

a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste

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Researchers tested the cognitive skills of 46 patients with an average age of 51 who were hospitalised with the virus in 2020. A third had been hooked up to ventilators.

They underwent a range of memory, attention and reasoning tests six months after their illness.

These test results were then compared against the scores done by 66,000 members of the general public.

Some 460 were selected for direct comparison based on patient demographics.

Results showed the Covid survivors were on average less accurate and had slower response times than the public.

Covid survivors scored particularly poorly on tasks in which they had to find appropriate words for a problem, called 'verbal analogies' in the test.

This, the authors said, was a commonly reported problem among those experiencing 'brain fog' after recovering from Covid.

The results also showed patients who needed mechanical ventilation scored the worst in the tests, indicating severity of illness is a driving factor in the cognitive decline involved in long Covid.

The study, which also involved researchers from Imperial College London, said the cognitive impairment in Covid survivors was similar to that seen normally as people age from 50 to 70.

While the patients had shown some 'gradual' cognitive improvement 10 months after their illness, the authors said some may never fully recover their prior intelligence.

They also warned that millions who suffered a milder version of Covid could also be impacted, although to a lesser extent.

Neuroscientist Professor David Menon, study author, said while some of the patients had shown improvement over time, it was slow, and some may never recover their prior cognitive abilities.

'We followed some patients up as late as ten months after their acute infection, so were able to see a very slow improvement,' he said.

'While this was not statistically significant, it is at least heading in the right direction, but it is very possible that some of these individuals will never fully recover.'

Fellow researcher Professor Adam Hampshire said a large number of Britons could be hit by this Covid driven pre-mature brain ageing.

He added: 'Around 40,000 people have been through intensive care with Covid in England alone and many more will have been very sick, but not admitted to hospital.

'This means there is a large number of people out there still experiencing problems with cognition many months later.

'We urgently need to look at what can be done to help these people.'

An Office for National Statistics (ONS) report estimated 1.33million adults were suffering symptoms of long Covid as of January 2. The graph above shows the change in long-Covid prevalence during the pandemic but gives the rate in thousands

Echoing previous studies, the scientists said this premature aging could be due to the the virus reducing oxygen to the brain, or due to inflammation of brain tissues occurring as the body attempts to fight off Covid.

This study was partly funded by National Institute for Health Research, a body which directs Government funded health research from the Department of Health.

Published in eClinicalMedicine, it's the latest to warn about Covid's long-term health problems.

Previous research has attributed a host of long term problems to Covid, from mental health problems, ongoing fatigue, to a loss in libido.
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Experts have urged people not to panic as South Africa once again becomes a focal point of the pandemic amid a fresh Covid surge of new subvariants.

The world watched in horror last November as the super-infectious Omicron strain (BA.1) spread through South Africa at unprecedented speed  which turned out to be mild.

But now the country finds itself at the cusp of a fresh explosion in infections, this time due to sub-strains that appear even more transmissible and resistant to antibodies.

Covid cases have nearly quadrupled in a month nationally and hospital admissions are ticking up in Gauteng province, the former epicentre of the original Omicron wave.

Researchers on the ground in South Africa say the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants can evade immunity and cause symptoms in people who were infected with their parent strain just months ago.

What is still unclear is whether the new wave will create milder or more severe illness  but experts tell MailOnline the former is more likely, for the UK at least.

Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, said Britain's second Omicron wave, triggered by the BA.2 subvariant, will have given Britons an extra layer of immunity against severe illness.

He pointed to a pre-print which showed the combination of vaccination and Omicron infection created 'robust protection' against Omicron's sub-lineages.

However, it is less clear how the latest wave will play out in South Africa, where only three in 10 South Africans have had two jabs and just one per cent have had a booster dose.

Fresh surge: South Africa finds itself at the cusp of a new explosion in infections, this time due to sub-strains that appear even more transmissible and resistant to antibodies than Omicron. Covid cases have nearly quadrupled in a month nationally to an average of around 4,800 per day

History repeats: Gauteng province - the former epicentre of the original Omicron wave - is also seeing the biggest rises in cases again

Nationally there are about 1,400 weekly daily hospital admissions for the virus, only slightly higher than a month ago, but it takes several weeks for people to fall ill enough to be admitted

In Gauteng province, home to Johannesburg, admissions have doubled in a month

There has also been a lull in infections since the original Omicron wave collapsed in South Africa in January, whereas the UK's case rates spiralled again over spring.

There are now nearly 4,800 new Covid infections per day in South Africa, on average, compared to around 1,300 this time last month.

Nationally there are about 1,400 weekly daily hospital admissions for the virus, broadly unchanged from a month ago, but it takes several weeks for any trend to play out.

In Gauteng province, home to Johannesburg, admissions have doubled in a month.

Cognitive impairment from severe COVID-19 equivalent to 20 years of ageing Being hospitalised with Covid could age your brain by two decades, a Government-funded study warned today. Cambridge University experts say the effect is the equivalent of losing roughly 10 IQ points. Dozens of studies have found Covid damages brain function, the scientists claim this is first study of its kind to assess the impact. Researchers tested the cognitive skills of 46 patients who were hospitalised with the virus in 2020. A third had been hooked up to ventilators. They underwent a range of memory, attention and reasoning tests six months after their ordeal. These test results were then compared against the scores done by 66,008 members of the general public, with 460 selected for direct comparison based on patient demographics. Results showed the Covid survivors were on average less accurate and had slower response times than the public. Covid survivors scored particularly poorly on tasks relating to finding appropriate words for a problem, called 'verbal analogies' in the test. This, the authors said, was a commonly reported problem among those experiencing 'brain fog' after recovering from Covid. The results also showed patients who needed mechanical ventilation scored the worst in the tests indicating severity of illness was a driving factor in the cognitive decline. The experts, also from Imperial College London, said the cognitive impairment was similar to that seen normally as people age from 50 to 70. While the patients had shown some 'gradual' cognitive improvement 10 months after their illness, the authors said some may never fully recover their prior intelligence. They also warned that millions who suffered a milder version of Covid could also be impacted, although to a lesser extent. Neuroscientist Professor David Menon, study author, said while some of the patients had shown improvement over time, it was slow, and some may never recover their prior cognitive abilities. Advertisement

However, more than 90 per cent of South Africans are estimated to have natural immunity against Covid, which could limit the pressure on hospitals.

Professor Hunter told MailOnline he expects BA.4 and BA.5 to become dominant in the UK unless another completely new variant arises.

'I suspect that unless something else comes along, one or both of these variants will become dominant in the UK but I can't predict how big a surge of infections that would lead to,' he said.

'It is also likely that we will still have robust protection against severe disease for most of us.

'Vaccines give good additional protection after a BA.1 infection so given the UK has a much higher vaccine uptake than South Africa, as well as having high prior infection rates, it is difficult to predict what that would mean for UK with certainty.'

Professor Christina Pagel, of University College London and part of a former Zero Covid campaign group, said a best case scenario would see a small BA.4/BA.5 wave in the UK.

At worst it could mean a wave as bad as the Omicron or BA.2 wave, which never overwhelmed the NHS, according to Professor Pagel, who is not normally known for optimistic Covid forecasts.

She told The Guardian that the UK was approaching summer, meaning more outdoor mixing and lower levels of transmission.

But there are naturally some intrigue about the latest rise in South Africa, given what happened last November when the country announced the Omicron variant to the world.

Last November it was recording fewer than 300 daily cases before the strain caused an astronomical surge, peaking at 27,000 daily cases within a month.

The situation in South Africa caused international panic, with countries across the world shutting their borders to travellers from swathes of Africa in early December.

But Omicron quickly spread around the world and caused unprecedented rises in cases.

Frightened that the surge could lead to a wave of hospitalisations, many leaders across Europe chose to lock down again  including the Netherlands and Austria and France.

In the UK, Britons were urged to cancel their Christmas parties and only see people if it was essential. That was despite doctors in South Africa strongly insisting that Omicron was milder than previous waves.

Experts told MailOnline at the time that there was an element of 'snobbery' among UK experts in ignoring the pleas of South African doctors.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline that people need to get out of the habit of fixating on ebbs and flows of the virus in other countries.

'Over the coming months and years we're going to see numbers of infections rise and fall around the world. It's natural and nothing to be afraid of or shocked by,' he said.

'The important thing is to maintain sufficient immunity in population so that we keep a lid on Covid-19's worst effects and some reduction in spread.

'Having a good level of immunity derived from vaccines and previous infections means that hospitalisations are reduced and when they do occur, tend to be at the less serious end of the spectrum with fewer admissions to intensive care.'

Since the more transmissible but milder Omicron strains took off in the UK in December, Covid cases have soared to record levels, with 4.1million infections logged at the latest peak last month.

But, unlike in previous parts of the pandemic, surges in severe illness never followed. Deaths in England never breached 250 a day in April, similar to levels seen in bad flu seasons.

Hospital admissions peaked at just over 2,000  half of the peak in January 2021  and more than half were likely admitted for a different illness and tested positive incidentally.
Double-masking does not stop people from catching or spreading Covid  and it might even raise their risk, a study suggests.

US health chiefs have been advising Americans to double-up if they can't get their hands on a medical-grade mask since early 2021, claiming it increases protection.

But now researchers say wearing two masks may actually do the opposite, by creating 'a false sense of security' that causes people to take unnecessary risk.

Wearing two cloth masks can also force more air through the gaps between the face, increasing the amount of virus breathed into the air, they found.

The study, which used computer simulation models, looked at cloth masks so the findings do not necessarily apply to surgical masks or N95s used in hospitals.

However, the researchers noted that wearing two tight-fitting masks could cause 'breathing difficulties'.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a cloth mask on top of a surgical mask to achieve a 'better fit and extra protection'.

A team of US researchers, who measured airflow through and around masks, found double-masking does not improve how well they work and 'produces a false sense of security'. Pictured: Time evolution of cough while wearing a face mask

Experts from Florida State University and Johns Hopkins University made computer simulations of 3D heads based on 100 men and 100 women.

The researchers simulated a cough jet from the mouth of the models, which wore a cloth mask over the nose and mouth and elastic hoops wrapped around the ears.

The team calculated the filtration efficiency, which measures how much virus-filled droplets are captured or blocked by the mask.

The findings, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, show wearing two face coverings provide 'negligible, if any, increase in protection'.

Two masks 'might not significantly improve' the protection against breathing out virus particles.

However, they said while it could 'theoretically' reduce the amount of virus that could pass through the mask, if two good-fitting face coverings are worn, it 'could also lead to breathing difficulties'.

A second poor-fitting masks decreases the amount of air that can be filtered through the covering  forcing more air through any gaps between the mask and face.

They said people could also have a 'false sense of security when choosing to double mask', and therefore be less likely to social distance or take other precautions.

Double masking has become 'more and more popular' for Americans who cannot access the most effective N95 and KN95 masks, the researchers said, which makes the findings important.

They said one cloth mask would be better than two, but the best type of mask is one that fits tightly like an N95 or KN95.

UK health chiefs have previously said there is 'insufficient evidence' to recommend double-masking.

Covid is mainly spread through droplets an infected person releases when they breathe, speak, cough or sneeze.

Large particles can land in the nose or mouth of people nearby, while smaller airborne droplets stay suspended in the air can be breathed in.

Evidence shows that, when worn correctly, masks can reduce the spread of these particles  but by how much is still contested.
By Chyung Eun-ju and Joel Cho





Chyung Eun-ju Joel Cho
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America's daily Covid cases have now hit their highest level in two months with the even more transmissible sub-variant of Omicron now behind two in five cases, as a former White House Covid advisor warns the South to brace for a summer wave.

Figures from states, counties and local health officials showed a total of 95,854 new infections were recorded over the last 24 hours.

This was the biggest daily count since late February at the tail-end of the Omicron wave, and marked a 60 percent uptick two weeks ago. A total of 11 states are now seeing cases double every 14 days, while just two  Oklahoma and Arizona  continue to register a drop in infections.

CDC surveillance today revealed the new Omicron subvariant  scientifically named BA.2.12.1  is now behind up to 44 percent of new infections. Two weeks ago it was only behind about 22 percent.

Dr Deborah Birx has warned southern states should prepare for an uptick in Covid infections in the next few months because of 'waning immunity', while the north should also expect a surge this winter.

She pointed to South Africa  where Omicron first emerged  which is again recording a major surge in Covid cases just four to six months after the last wave amid falling antibody levels.

Only Maine was yesterday facing 'moderate' stress in its intensive care unit (ICU) from Covid patients, which made up more than one in ten people admitted.

The number of Covid patients on America's wards rose 16 percent yesterday compared to two weeks ago, with 17,220 now hospitalized, but many of these patients are not seriously ill with the virus and only tested positive incidentally after being admitted for another condition such as a fall.

America's Covid deaths have risen 51 percent in two weeks after 391 were recorded yesterday. The country has now registered a total of 993,999 Covid fatalities, the most in the world, and is expected to cross the one million mark in the coming weeks.

The above graph shows daily Covid infections in the U.S. which hit 95,854 yesterday, their highest level in two months. A total of 11 states are now seeing cases double every two weeks, while just two are still recording drops over the same period

The above graph shows daily Covid deaths in the U.S. These ticked up 51 percent yesterday compared to two weeks ago. America has now registered a total of 993,999 fatalities, as it edges closer to the one million mark

The CDC today estimated that BA.2.12.1 is now behind about two in five Covid infections in the U.S., up from 22 per cent only two weeks ago. It is now spreading across the country

It is already dominant in New York and New Jersey, the CDC estimates, but is yet to become the main subvariant in other areas

The above map shows stress levels on ICU wards as determined by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in Washington. They regard a ward as being under low Covid stress if less than 10 percent of its patients are struggling with Covid, but under moderate stress if 10 to 20 percent have the virus

Dr Deborah Birx  who headed up the country's Covid response under then-President Donald Trump  today warned southern states to brace for another wave of Covid infections this summer. It came after Moderna's chief medical officer Dr Paul Burton yesterday said the vaccine maker would have Omicron-specific shots available by the fall

Just under half of states are now reporting cases, hospitalizations and deaths on a weekly basis rather than every day, while Florida is only reporting the data once every two weeks.

This makes it difficult to track the growing outbreak across the country, with statisticians instead forced to rely on reports from local counties and public health officials. Figures were compiled by the New York Times.

Covid cases surge in South Africa just months after it became world's Omicron hotspot Experts have urged people not to panic as South Africa once again becomes a focal point of the pandemic amid a fresh Covid surge of new subvariants. The world watched in horror last November as the super-infectious Omicron strain (BA.1) spread through South Africa at unprecedented speed  which turned out to be mild. But now the country finds itself at the cusp of a fresh explosion in infections, this time due to sub-strains that appear even more transmissible and resistant to antibodies. Covid cases have nearly quadrupled in a month nationally and hospital admissions are ticking up in Gauteng province, the former epicentre of the original Omicron wave. Researchers on the ground in South Africa say the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants can evade immunity and cause symptoms in people who were infected with their parent strain just months ago. What is still unclear is whether the new wave will create milder or more severe illness  but experts tell MailOnline the former is more likely, for the UK at least. Advertisement

Warning of the impending wave Dr Birx, who headed up the Covid response for then-President Donald Trump, told CBS's 'Face the Nation' that America should get ready for another spike 'right now'.

She said: 'We should be preparing right now for a potential surge in the summer across the Southern united states because we saw it in 2020, we saw it in 2021.

'We have to make it very clear to the American people that your protection against infection wanes.

'What has happened each time is we have had a summer surge across the South and a winter surge that starts in the Northern plains and moves down accelerated by thanksgiving and the holidays and Christmas and Hanukah, and that's predictable.'

She said more surges were expected because immunity from vaccines and/or previous infections wanes overtime.

Dr Birx also pointed to South Africa, which has seen its infections quadruple in a month, in the face of falling antibody levels.

'I follow South Africa very closely, they're good about testing, they're good about sequencing and finding their variants,' she told CBS.

'[But] they are on an up slope again, with each of these surges about four to six months apart.

'That tells me that natural immunity wanes enough in the general population after four to six months that a significant surge is going to occur again.'

In an update today, the CDC estimated the new Omicron variant  that is about 25 percent more transmissible than BA.2  was now behind two in five Covid cases.

It is already the dominant subvariant in New York and New Jersey, behind 70 percent of cases, and has spread across the whole country.

Dr Eric Topol, a molecular scientist, warned that people who caught Omicron will likely also be susceptible to its subvariant spreading in the U.S.

He also warned it was 'possible' the variant could trigger more severe disease than its predecessors, but added 'there aren't any claer-cut data on more severe disease than [original] Omicron yet.'

Data shows cases are surging fastest in Missouri (up 182 percent in two weeks), Indiana (up 146 percent) and Hawaii (up 146 percent).

They are also more than doubling every two weeks in West Virginia, Utah, Washington, North Carolina, South Dakota, Georgia, Maryland and Montana.

Just two states  Oklahoma (down two percent in two weeks) and Arizona (down 15 percent)  are still recording a drop in infections.

It is thought the uptick in cases is being driven by an even more transmissible variant of Omicron  scientifically named BA.2.12.1  that was first detected in the northeast.

It is already dominant in New York and New Jersey, and has spread to every corner of the country. Nationally, it is behind about 28 percent of cases.

It comes amid a surge in Covid cases in South Africa  although experts have urged people not to panic about the uptick.

The world watched in horror last November as the super-infectious Omicron strain (BA.1) spread through South Africa at unprecedented speed  which turned out to be mild.

But now the country finds itself at the cusp of a fresh explosion in infections, this time due to sub-strains that appear even more transmissible and resistant to antibodies.

Covid cases have nearly quadrupled in a month nationally and hospital admissions are ticking up in Gauteng province, the former epicentre of the original Omicron wave.

Researchers on the ground in South Africa say the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants can evade immunity and cause symptoms in people who were infected with their parent strain just months ago.

What is still unclear is whether the new wave will create milder or more severe illness  but experts told DailyMail.com the former is more likely, for the UK at least.

Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, said Britain's second Omicron wave, triggered by the BA.2 subvariant, will have given Britons an extra layer of immunity against severe illness.

He pointed to a pre-print which showed the combination of vaccination and Omicron infection created 'robust protection' against Omicron's sub-lineages.

However, it is less clear how the latest wave will play out in South Africa, where only three in 10 South Africans have had two jabs and just one per cent have had a booster dose.
A 26-year-old researcher who drunk a shot of dysentery-triggering bacteria for a vaccine trial was left rushing for the toilet and feeling so ill he 'wanted to die'.

Jake Eberts, from Washington D.C., was paid $7,000 to ingest the shigella bacteria  often spread by contaminated water  at Maryland University last month.

Within three days he was waking up early with a feeling of 'funny business' in his stomach and having to rush to the bathroom.

Over the next 48 hours he faced stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, a fever of 103F, and felt so exhausted that lifting any of his limbs was a 'Herculean effort'.

Nurses were quick to give him fluids to replace what was being lost, and put him on antibiotics to help fight the infection. He recovered in four days.

Mr Eberts was infected in a challenge trial, where participants get an experimental jab or placebo and before being exposed to the disease they were inoculated against.

He had received two jabs about a month apart, and was incarcerated for 11 days until the infection cleared. He suspects he got the placebo, or inactive vaccine, because the sickness was so bad.

Summing up the illness, Mr Eberts said: 'That was the most brutally sick I have ever been, and I wanted to die for a solid six hours. I cannot imagine how terrifying this disease is for a small child.'

Jake Eberts, 26, from Washington D.C., was infected with shigella as part of a vaccine challenge trial. He had been administered with two doses of either the experimental jab or a placebo before being infected. He is pictured above wearing a pore strip  which is used to remove blackheads

Mr Eberts is pictured above swallowing a saline fluid before he drunk the shigella bacteria. He said he started to feel unwell on the third day of the infection

About 450,000 to 500,000 people are infected with shigella in the U.S. annually, estimates suggest.

But in the developing world it may trigger up to 160million cases and 600,000 deaths every year.

Shigella is spread through contaminated food and water, as well as touching surfaces also touched by someone who is infected with the illness.

Most infections trigger bloody diarrhea, a fever, stomach pain, and a feeling of needing to defecate even when the bowels are empty for five to seven days.

Those struck down with the condition are normally only offered fluids to ease the illness. But in more serious cases they will also receive antibiotics, says the CDC.

What is Shigella? Shigella is a gut infection that causes severe diarrhoea and stomach cramps. It is normally spread through contaminated food and water, but can also be passed on by touching surfaces contaminated by someone who is infected. In an infection the bacteria may trigger stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, a fever and a feeling of needing to defecate. These symptoms continue for about five to seven days on average, until the infection is cleared. Treatment currently focuses on administering fluids to patients and waiting for the illness to end. In more serious cases, patients may also be offered antibiotics to help clear their infection. About 450,000 to 500,000 cases are triggered in the U.S. every year. But across the developed world it can lead to around 160million cases annually. Estimates suggest about 600,000 people die from shigella every year, mostly being young children. Advertisement

There is currently no vaccine available against shigella, although several candidates are in development.

Mr Eberts was one of 16 people in the phase two challenge trial testing one  which has the scientific name SF2a-TT15.

After drinking the shigella, he reported on Twitter feeling well over the first two days after being infected.

But on day three he wrote at 2.50am: 'Woken up by what I can only describe as a feeling of funny business in my gut. Cramps, slight chills, stool sample normal, at least visually.

'Fever/chills got super ugly around 4am.

'No diarrhea yet, but Chekhov's diarrhea revolver is now just hanging above me and every time I [release gas] I am pulling the trigger in the world's worst game of Russian roulette.'

Over that day, Mr Eberts said he had started suffering dysentery and soiled himself twice. He had visited the toilet 11 times that day and was also feeling extremely tired.

'I went to go to the bathroom and every single part of that  getting up, walking, grabbing toilet paper  felt like a Herculean effort,' he wrote.

'I was so exhausted that I just laid down on the bathroom floor for several minutes.'

Nurses decided to initiate treatment at this time, after he started showing symptoms of infection.

The following day Mr Eberts said he began to feel 'much better' than beforehand, although continued to need the toilet regularly.

He also had a fever again, which soared up to 101F.

'I'm not totally recovered yet,' he wrote online. 'The antibiotics helped tremendously and my fever is gone, but I am still producing a French onion soup from hell every time I go to the bathroom.'

The next day, however, he reported feeling 'much better' as his bowel movements began to get 'more normal'.

About 16 people aged 18 to 45 years old were involved in the challenge trial at the University of Maryland. Half got the vaccine, and half got a placebo.

Mr Eberts was one of the first people to get sick, but said over the next few days 11 others also came down with dysentery. Four people only displayed an asymptomatic illness.

All had received either two shots of the vaccine or a placebo, which was a dummy vaccine.

Placebo groups are needed in trials so that scientists can determine whether the item being tested  in this case a vaccine  had an effect.

It is not clear who got the placebo and who got the vaccine, with the results not due to be un-blinded until two more trials are completed.,

But Mr Eberts said he thought it was likely he had the placebo, telling The Insider: 'If I did get the vaccine, that is really bad news for the vaccine.'

The university is now recruiting for two more groups of up to 22 people to take part in the study. A fourth group will also be recruited who will be told that they have received the vaccine.

Dr Wilbur Chen, who is running the trial, is hoping that the jab will be at least 70 per cent effective against infection with shigella.

He said if it fails to hit at least 50 per cent effectiveness, then the jab has failed.
Lily James complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that Mail Online breached Clause 2 (Privacy) and Clause 3 (Harassment) of the Editors Code of Practice in a series of 51 articles, published between 12 October 2020 and 2 February 2021.

The complainant said that the publication had harassed her by continuing to approach her after she had made it aware of her concerns on several occasions about what she considered to be persistent and intrusive approaches from the press and her request that these approaches should cease.

The complainant also said that the publication had breached her privacy by taking and publishing a set of photographs showing her eating dinner in a restaurant with two colleagues. She said she had been sitting towards the back of the restaurant and was not readily visible to passers-by; therefore, she said, she had a reasonable expectation of privacy, which was not overridden by any public interest.

IPSO found that Mail Online had breached Clause 3 of the Editors Code of Practice. An IPSO privacy notice, circulated on 13 October 2020, made a specific request for members of the press to leave the area around the complainants home and refrain from attempting to contact and photograph her. After this request had been made, a public interest was required under the terms of Clause 3 to justify persisting in attempts to contact and photograph the complainant. The publication had then commissioned a journalist to look for the complainant in the vicinity of her home. The decision to direct a journalist to attend the area around the complainants house to watch for her in the immediate aftermath of the circulation of the notice broke the terms of the request to desist from attempting to contact and approach the complainant in the vicinity of her home, and the request for members of the press to disperse from the area around her home. There was, therefore, a breach of Clause 3 in relation to the repeated approaches to the area of the complainants home. A separate complaint under Clause 3 about the volume of the coverage relating to the complainant was not upheld.

IPSO also found that the publication had breached Clause 2 of the Editors Code, by publishing a set of photographs showing the complainant seated and eating in the back of a restaurant. Clause 2 of the Editors Code makes clear that it is unacceptable to photograph individuals in public places where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy without their consent, and the Committee concluded that the complainant did have a reasonable expectation of privacy at the time that the photographs were taken, with a long-lens camera. The complainant had taken clear steps to seat herself away from public view, and the photographs had been obtained surreptitiously from outside the restaurant using professional equipment.

Mail Online had said that there was a public interest in publishing the photographs, which outweighed any reasonable expectation of privacy which the complainant might have had  because in its view they appeared to show the complainant engaged in an activity which contravened the Covid-19 guidance which was in place at the time. However, the complainant had told Mail Online prior to publication that the photographs showed her engaged in a business meeting  which was allowed, according to guidance at the time, which Mail Online was not in a position to dispute. It did not appear to have given further consideration as to whether there was a public interest in the photographs publication, having been made aware of this information. There was, therefore, a breach of Clause 2.

IPSO upheld the complaints under Clause 2 (Privacy) and Clause 3 (Harassment) and required publication of this adjudication as a remedy.

To report an inaccuracy, please email corrections@mailonline.co.uk. To make a formal complaint under IPSO rules please go to www.mailonline.co.uk/readerseditor where you will find an easy-to-use complaints form. You can also write to Readers' Editor, MailOnline, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street,

W8 5TT or contact IPSO directly at ipso.co.uk
Do you really love your current car and not want to part ways with it?

Or are you simply reluctant to offload your existing motor knowing that you will soon only be able to buy an electric car when the Government outlaws the sale of new petrol and diesel models from 2030?

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then there is a solution that is helping motorists and businesses keep hold of their current vehicles for longer.

Ivor Searle, the British engine remanufacturer, has enjoyed its best-ever year for unit sales in its 76-year history on the back of record demand for rebuilt powerplants.

It says that rebuilt engines can be part of the circular economy - lowering costs and environmental impact while reusing existing parts where possible - and demand is being led by vans and diesel cars.

Surging demand for remanufactured engines: British business that rebuilds petrol and diesel powerplants has recorded best-ever annual sales, primarily due to pandemic-related factors

The leading engine remanufacturer, which is based in Soham, Cambridgeshire, has reported its most successful 12-month trading performance since the company was founded in 1946.

It says it has experience a boom in demand caused by 'macro-economic factors' brought on by the pandemic.

One of these factors is the increased use of vans since Covid-19 struck.

Businesses have increased their delivery and courier services, adding extra pressure on existing - and ageing - fleets of commercial vehicles.

This has seen a huge spike in orders for diesel engines for vans.

It has also received record orders for remanufactured car engines, mostly due to the ongoing lack of availability of new models brought on by the global semiconductor supply shortage.

This limited car production for the last two years, with major auto makers continuing to struggle to get their hands vast reserves of computer chips.

This has resulted in long lead times for new cars - in some cases customers being told to wait up to 12 months on orders - and seen many drivers keeping hold of their existing cars for longer.

And there could be another factor that triggers consumer interest in rebuilt engines in the not too distant future.

With the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars due to be introduced at the end of the decade, those who don't want to own an electric vehicle will need to consider alternative solutions if they want to keep driving combustion-engine cars.

Since the pandemic hit, businesses have upped the availability of delivery and courier services. This has added extra pressure on existing - and ageing - fleets of vans

The company has also received record orders for remanufactured car engines due to the lack of availability of new models because of the global semiconductor supply shortage that is strangling outputs of new cars (pictured, Jaguar Land Rover UK production facility)

Various reports have predicted that motorists reluctant to drive battery-powered vehicles will be looking to keep the motors they already own for longer, or look to replace them with the final run of petrol and diesel vehicles entering the market as the 2030 deadline approaches.

Having achieved growth of 35 per cent in remanufactured engine sales over the past year, Ivor Searle says it has expanded its operational capacity in response to demand from both UK and EU customers.

It is currently producing up to 150 engines per week - so around 7,800 a year - which is its highest output ever recorded.

Pictured: The Ivor Seale factory in Soham, Cambridgeshire. It is currently producing up to 150 engines per week - so around 7,800 a year - which is its highest throughput ever

Donor units are sourced from vehicles that have sustained terminal failure of the engine

Bosses anticipate that this will grow further during 2022 with the introduction of additional units to its range of petrol and diesel powerplants.

'During the first lockdown in 2020, our orders started to climb significantly as van fleets were worked around the clock, placing severe stress on older vehicles,' explains commercial director, David Eszenyi.

'Coupled with this has been the impact of the semiconductor crisis, thats forcing car owners, online delivery firms, tradespeople and van fleets to run vehicles longer, due to lengthening new build lead times, as well as increased pricing and supply chain issues for other components.

'This trend has generated further momentum for Ivor Searle over the past year and we expect demand to increase further, particularly in Europe, which is fast becoming a major growth market for our remanufactured products.'

Rebuilding engines is part of a circular economy and 40% cheaper than buying a new unit from car makers

Remanufacturing of engines is part of a 'circular economy' that's often overlooked due to most drivers replacing their cars rather than refitting them with refreshed components.

Ivor Searle tells us that a remanufactured engine, gearbox or turbo typically costs up to 40 per cent less than buying a brand new unit, making it an affordable solution for some drivers who aren't quite ready to let go of their existing cars.

It is a cost-effective alternative to manufacturing brand new products and at the same time saves raw materials and energy: typically, every engine produced saves around 50kg in core metal, whilst using 85 per cent less energy than manufacturing.

How does it work?

Donor units are sourced from vehicles that have sustained terminal failure of the engine.

These are then completely stripped and components are assessed and replaced where necessary.

Quality inspections and testing is carried out on each unit before the units are painted and placed into storage awaiting orders.

All units come with a 12 month unlimited mileage parts and labour warranty.

Remanufacturing of engines is part of a circular economy that's often overlooked due to most drivers replacing their cars once the engine goes bang or other vital components give up

These are the ten steps the businesses takes when it gets their hands on a donor engine and how it remanufacturers it ready for reuse

Typically, when a vehicle is taken to a mechanic for repair and a new engine is needed, the garage would buy a remanufactured unit from Ivor Searle.

Once the rebuilt engine is fitted, a vehicle's odometer should not be reset as it is a record for all the components of a car, not just the powerplant up front.

Toyota is plotting its own UK sub-brand for remanufacturing Toyota has spoken about its plans to remanufacturer cars after their 'first cycle' so that second-hand buyers have an 'almost like new' used vehicle Earlier this year, bosses at Japanese car maker Toyota said they intend to create a new sub-brand in the UK that will focus on the remanufacturing of ex-customer cars. In an interview with Autocar, president and managing director of Toyota GB, Agustin Martin, said its factory in Burnaston, Derbyshire, will have a fleet-focused mobility division called Kinto that will refurbish 'to the best standard' end of cycle models. He told the title that Toyota will take vehicles back to the factory after their 'first use cycle', such as at the end of a lease contract or when a finance agreement comes to an end. The vehicles will have a full refresh to ensure the second user has a car that's almost like new - though this will likely result in higher second-hand prices. The same process could also be carried out ahead of a vehicle's third use cycle in a bid to prolong the quality of cars over a longer period of time. He said: 'We need to stretch the way we look at life for both the vehicle and the customer.' He explained that this will also help to reduce the environmental impact of new vehicle production.

However, owners of cars with remanufactured engines, gearboxes and turbos should keep a record of the mileage at the date they were installed as part of their documentation.

Ivor Searle tells us that the most popular engine request currently is for 2.2-litre diesel units for vans, particularly Ford Transits.

This is followed by 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre diesel engines for Ford, Renault, Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen and Audi cars.

The third most popular is the 1.0-litre Ford petrol engine, usually found in the Fiesta and Focus.

Motorists who don't want to go through a garage or mechanic to source a remanufactured engine for their existing car can, in principle, directly request one from Ivor Searle via it's Customer Own Unit service.

However, a spokesperson for the company said this is currently not available because all its engineers are currently deployed for 'commercial customer workload'.

However, the company hopes to reinstate the service as additional engineers are recruited.

'This is highly skilled work and there is a challenge in finding individuals with this skillset,' the spokesperson explained.

The automotive parts remanufacturing market in Europe is valued at around 10billion and expected to reach 20billion by the end of 2024, as diesel vehicles constitute the highest proportion of cars and vans across Europe, the business says.

According to a recent report, Europes vehicle parts remanufacturing market is forecast to grow by up to 10 per cent annually.

By the end of 2024, the number of remanufactured products will surpass 56 million units per year.
Tara Clee is an investment analyst specialising in ESG (environmental, social and governance) at Hargreaves Lansdown.

The global agricultural and food industry contributes to around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions and is draining our planets natural resources.

Our net zero transition relies on improving the sustainability of our food systems. And this presents a great area of opportunity for investors.

The good news is that there are already pioneering technologies improving the efficiency of our practices and developing plant-based meat alternatives to meet our growing demand.

Where to invest: The net zero transition relies on improving the sustainability of our food systems

The World Wide Fund for Nature has estimated that over the next four decades, in order to feed our growing population, we will need to produce more food than we have over the entire human history.

With food prices surging as a result of the war in Ukraine, there is even more reason to invest in and diversify our global food supplies.

What thematic funds might you consider for your portfolio?

Investors can look at funds that take a thematic approach to get a broad exposure. Managers may invest in themes linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as:

Tara Clee: The global agricultural and food industry contributes to around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions

- Zero hunger

- Responsible consumption and production

- Life below water

- Life on land

Any themes will typically be included on the fund factsheet or can be found on the funds website.

Baillie Gifford Positive Change (Ongoing charge: 0.53 per cent)

Invests in global high-quality growth companies to deliver positive change across four themes, including environment and resource needs.

The fund owns Beyond Meat, a pioneering plant-based meat alternatives producer which aims to reduce global meat consumption.

The company encourages behavioural change by partnering with fast food outlets, like KFC.

Montanaro Better World (Ongoing charge: 1.00 per cent)

Invests in small and midcap companies with products or services that help to solve some of the worlds greatest problems.

The themes align with the Sustainable Development Goals, including environmental protection, nutrition, and innovative technologies.

One of the funds holdings, Chr Hansen, produces cultures and dairy enzymes and probiotics. Their products are helping to reduce food waste, increase crop yield and improve the health profile of food.

FP WHEB Sustainability (Ongoing charge: 1.03 per cent)

Focuses on high-quality global companies that will aid the transition to healthy, low carbon and sustainable economies.

The themes include environmental sciences and resource efficiency.

One of the funds holdings, Koninklijke DSM, develops innovative food and feed supplements for human and animal nutrition.

This reduces the environmental impacts of food production and supports more efficient global food supply chains.

JPMorgan Climate Change Solutions (Ongoing charge: 0.70 per cent)

Identifies long-term megatrends and themes and then invests in companies set to benefit over time. One of the key sub-themes is sustainable food and water.

Among the top 10 holdings, CNH Industrial is making agricultural manufacturing processes more effective, efficient, economical, and environment-friendly through the application of streamlined systems and technologies.

What specialist funds might you consider for your portfolio?

Alternatively, there are specialist funds that solely focus on sustainable food.

These funds carry a higher risk by concentrating on one area of the economy and should be held as a small portion of your portfolio.

Mystified by green investing jargon like ESG and greenwashing? As more go 'ethical' with their money, find an A-Z of what you need to know here.

The most successful portfolios are ones that invest in a range of different themes, types of investments, countries and industries.

Rize Sustainable Future of Food UCITS ETF (FOOD) (Ongoing charge: 0.45 per cent)

Offers exposure to companies addressing many different aspects of the future of food, from plant-based food, precision farming and agricultural science to sustainable packaging.

One of the funds holdings, John Bean Technologies, develops food and aero technologies that can maximise food yield and reduce emissions.

iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers ETF (Ongoing charge: 0.39 per cent)

Aims to track the results on an index composed of global equities primarily in the agricultural sector.

The largest holding, Deere & Co, develops and manufactures precision agriculture technologies using cameras and machine learning to differentiate crops and weeds.

The sprayer then only applies pesticide to weeds, and fertiliser to crops, significantly reducing waste, and the impact on ecosystems.
Missguided has put retail giants on alert over a takeover as the fast fashion house fights to stay afloat.

The Manchester business founded 12 years ago by millionaire Nitin Passi, has enlisted consultants to help with a deal that could be clinched this month.

Asos, Chinese firm Shein, JD Sports, Mike Ashley's Frasers Group and the billionaire Issa brothers  the owners of Asda  are said to be interested.

Manchester-based fast fashion business Missguided founded 12 years ago by millionaire Nitin Passi (centre), has enlisted consultants to help with a deal that could be clinched this month

Private equity giants are circling and sales documents have been sent to the likes of CVC and Carlyle.

Last year Missguided was saved from devastating supply chain disruption by investor Alteri, which gave it 53million and took a 50 per cent stake. Alteri could hand over more this month.

Passi last month stepped down as chief executive at the online-only firm which was among retailers accused in a 2017 TV documentary of paying staff 3-3.50 an hour.

Alteri told the Daily Telegraph: 'Missguided has appointed Teneo to manage a sales process, which has already attracted interest from several potential buyers.

'Alteri continues to support the business financially and operationally.'
Lift off: Patrick McCall joins London-listed Seraphim Space Investment Trust this week as a venture partner

Sir Richard Bransons right-hand man is ditching him to head for the stars.

Patrick McCall, former chairman of Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit, joins London-listed Seraphim Space Investment Trust this week as a venture partner.

Seraphim focuses on fast-growing space tech firms and has put 135million into them since floating on the London Stock Exchange in 2021. Branson is a backer. McCall, 57, has been a director at Virgin since 2001 and has developed businesses including Virgin Active and Virgin Trains.

His most recent role was senior partner at Virgin Group. He played a key role in brokering the agreement for it to launch a satellite from Cornwall this year.

He will sit on the boards of companies Seraphim has invested in, such as D-Orbit, which drops off other firm satellites in space and collects old or broken kit.

McCall said: New tech and rapid innovation are driving significant progress in the sector and enabling new space companies to tackle some of the worlds most complex environmental and social challenges.
Finland will formally announce its bid to join NATO on May 12 with Sweden following suit days later, potentially sparking a huge escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war, government sources have said.

President Sauli Niinisto will announce his approval for the country to join the Western defence alliance a week on Thursday, insiders said.

On the same day, parliamentary groups will give their approval for the application which could be submitted at a NATO summit in June, Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported.

Today, the Finnish and Swedish prime ministers Sanna Marin and Magdalena Andersson are meeting with German chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss a 'joint leap' at his retreat north of Berlin.

Talks have also taken place between the Finnish and Swedish foreign ministers Pekka Haavisto and Ann Linde.

Haavisto said: 'It is Finland's wish that Finland and Sweden can adhere to the same timetable in respect of applying to membership to NATO.'

Finland and its neighbour Sweden have expressed a desire to join the military pact since Putin launched his savage invasion of Ukraine.

Finland and its neighbour Sweden have expressed a desire to join the military pact since Putin launched his savage invasion of Ukraine

Olaf Scholz welcomes Sanna Marin (left) and Magdalena Andersson (right) during the first day of a German federal government cabinet retreat at Schloss Meseberg today

The three leaders are discussing a 'joint leap' at the summit as Finland and Sweden prepare to join NATO

Finland's president Sauli Niinisto (right) and prime minister Sanna Marin (left) are close to announcing the formal bid

The two countries have historically avoided NATO membership, despite close alignment with the West, in an effort not to provoke Russia.

Moscow lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov recently warned Finland that a formal application would mean 'the destruction of the country', while another Kremlin spokesman Alexander Grushko threatening 'the most undesirable consequences'.

But Putin's invasion has decisively changed public opinion in the Scandinavian countries after Russia began the war with a barrage of rhetoric about stopping NATO expansion.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify the details provided by Iltalehti.

Under the Finnish constitution, the president leads Finland's foreign and security policy in cooperation with the government.

It comes as a Finnish nuclear energy company terminated a contract with Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom for the delivery of a nuclear power plant, in part due to the war in Ukraine 'which has worsened the risks for the project'.

Today, the Finnish and Swedish prime ministers Sanna Marin and Magdalena Andersson (pictured) will also meet with German chancellor Olaf Scholz

The company, Fennovoima, also cited 'significant delays and inability to deliver the project' for terminating the deal to build the northern Finland Hanhikivi Nuclear Power Plant.

It was proposed to house a Russian-designed pressurized water reactor, with a capacity of 1200 MW and the nuclear power plant was to generate approximately 10 per cent of Finland's electricity needs, the company said.

Why are Sweden and Finland not in NATO? Both Finland and Sweden have been militarily non-aligned since WWII. Sweden maintained its policy of neutrality - which had begun in the early 19th century - throughout the war wanting to avoid being drawn into a conflict that was engulfing the nearby powers of Germany and the Soviet Union. Instead, Sweden profited from its neutrality by exporting iron ore to the Nazis and sharing military intelligence with the Allies and training their refugee soldiers. Meanwhile Finland changed sides in the conflict, first being invaded by Joseph Stalin and assisting the Nazis, before fighting against Hitler's troops. When NATO was formed in 1949 for a Western military alliance, Sweden decided not to join and continue its neutrality, introducing a security policy that secured its non-alignment in peace and neutrality in war. In 1994, Stockholm decided to join the NATO programme Partnership for Peace (PfP), aimed to build trust between member states and other European countries, but until now it has not signalled a desire to fully join the alliance. Finland is also a PfP member but has similarly stated its desire to remain neutral since the war. The EU member state was part of the Russian Empire and won independence during the 1917 Russian revolution but it nearly lost it fighting the Soviet Union in World War Two. Having been invaded by Russia in 1939 and sharing a long border with the superpower, Finland wanted to stay out of future conflicts, giving it the freedom to maintain a strong relationship with Moscow and the West while enjoying a free market economy. Advertisement

In April 2021, the company announced that construction was to begin in 2023 and commercial operation would start in 2029.

In a statement, Fennovoimas's CEO Joachim Specht said the decision 'is estimated to have a significant employee impact in Fennovoima and is expected to impact also the supply chain companies.'

On Friday, Niinisto met with NATO general secretary Jen Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg said in Brussels: 'If they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden will be warmly welcomed and I expect the process to go quickly.'

He also described the countries as 'our closest partners', adding: 'They are strong and mature democracies.

The decision will be confirmed in a meeting between the President and the government's key ministers after the President's and the Parliament's initial announcements, it was reported.

'Their armed forces meet NATO standards and are interoperable with NATO forces.

'We train together, we exercise together, and we have also worked with Finland and Sweden in many different missions and operations.'

In Sweden, the government has ignored calls for a referendum on the issue, believing it would take time to organise and they need to take advantage of the current fast route to membership.

The latest polling showed 65 per cent of Finns and 57 per cent of Swedes want to join the alliance.

Attempting to join NATO would almost certainly be seen as a provocation by Moscow, for whom the alliance's expansion on its borders has been a prime security grievance.

But Sweden's ruling party said last month: 'When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden's security position changed fundamentally.'

The centre-left Social Democrats have historically opposed NATO membership but the brutal invasion of Ukraine has reignited debate in the Scandinavian kingdom.

A policy reversal for the party, which ruled for an uninterrupted 40 years between the 1930s and 1970s, would be historic.

Sweden is officially non-aligned militarily, although it is a NATO partner and abandoned its position of strict neutrality after the end of the Cold War.

Finland has a long history with Russia. In 1917 it declared independence after 150 years of Russian rule.

During World War II, its vastly outnumbered army fought off a Soviet invasion, before a peace deal saw it cede several border areas to the Soviet Union.

During the Cold War, Finland remained neutral in exchange for guarantees from Moscow that it would not invade.

A view shows buildings destroyed by the shelling, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Borodianka, Kyiv region

So the turnaround in sentiment on NATO would have been unthinkable just a few months ago.

As recently as January, Marin said membership was 'very unlikely' during her term.

But after two decades of public support for membership remaining steady at 20-30 per cent, the war caused a huge surge.

Recent surveys by a Finnish market research company put 84 per cent of Finns as viewing Russia as a 'significant military threat', up by 25 per cent on last year.

In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov euphemistically warned the move would 'not improve' the security situation in Europe.

'We have repeatedly said that the alliance remains a tool geared towards confrontation and its further expansion will not bring stability to the European continent,' Peskov said.

Any membership bid must be accepted by all 30 NATO states, a process that could take four months to a year.

Finland has so far received public assurances from Stoltenberg that NATO's door remains open, and several members' support.

Unlike Finland, Sweden shares no land border with Russia and the two countries have not been at war for two centuries.

Nonetheless, pro-NATO sentiment is also rising among Swedes who 'are realising that they might find themselves in the same position as Ukraine, a lot of sympathy but no military help,' said Robert Dalsjo, research director at the Swedish Defence Research Agency.

'For the Social Democrats in Sweden to change opinion [on NATO] is like changing religion,' former Finnish PM Alexander Stubb said. 'And I'm not talking Protestant to Catholic, I'm talking Christian to Muslim.'

Niinisto said Russia's response could include airspace, territorial violations and hybrid attacks, which Finnish NATO proponents believe the country is well prepared to withstand.

'Russia will most certainly huff and puff,' Dalsjo said, but added: 'I don't think they will do anything violent.

'However, in the mood that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is right now, I wouldn't rule it out entirely.'
British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie called for his release from U.S. custody after he was arrested on a cocaine-smuggling charges, claiming he is immune from prosecution because he is the elected, constitutional head of government of the British overseas territory.

An attorney for Fahie, 51, made the request in a Miami federal court filing Monday.

Fahie and his ports director, Oleanvine Maynard, were apprehended last Thursday during a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sting as they were preparing to board a private jet in Miami.

According to a criminal complaint, Fahie and Maynard had been at the airport to meet who they thought were Sinaloa Cartel drug traffickers from Mexico but in reality were undercover DEA agents.

British Virgin Island Premier Andrew Fahie is being held in Miami after he was arrested last Thursday on drug smuggling charges in a sting set up by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. On Monday, Fahie's lawyers asked a Miami federal court to release the leader of the British territory, claiming he is immune to prosecution

British Virgin Island Premier Andrew Fahie and the British territory's director of ports, Oleanvine Maynard, were arrested Thursday, at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport by undercover DEA agents

In the court document, 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.

As part of the scheme, Fahie had met with a DEA informant who alleged to be a member of the Mexican cartel co-founded by Joaquin 'El Chapo Guzman' and agreed to let the organization smuggle cocaine from Colombia.

The complaint indicated that thousands of kilograms would arrive from Colombia to the Island of Tortola. The cocaine would eventually be trafficked to Puerto Rico and then shipped to New York and Miami.

Federal agents swarmed Fahie after he was shown designer shopping bags filled with an upfront payment of $700,000 for him and Maynard, the complaint said.

Oleanvine Maynard, the managing director of the British Virgin Island's ports, is facing conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to launder money after she and the British territory's premier were arrested in Miami on Thursday

The shocking 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 doesn't protect you if you're 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 General Manuel Noriega.

The Premier of the British Virgin Islands Andrew Fahie and Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard are being held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami as a result of their arrest on drug smuggling charges

Still, prosecutions of foreign officials are rare and going after the Caribbean island's 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 isn't 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.

Governor 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.

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.
Meghan Markle 'hated' touring Australia with husband Prince Harry back in October 2018 and found the visit 'pointless,' according to former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown.

The British writer revealed Meghan's feelings during her time Down Under in her new royal biography, 'The Palace Papers'.

Brown, who was Princess Diana's diarist and had close ties with the royals, discovered Meghan's seemingly unimpressed opinion of Australia through a former Palace staffer.

When the Sussexes (pictured) arrived in Australia in October 2018, thousands of Australians gathered to see them in the flesh (pictured, the pair on the Opera House steps in Sydney during the trip) - something Meghan struggled to grasp 'the point' of

When the Sussexes arrived in Australia in October 2018, thousands of Australians gathered from all corners of the country to see Harry and Meghan in the flesh.

The press and the public became enamoured by the presence of the two royals as they visited sites in Sydney, Melbourne, Dubbo and Queensland's Fraser Island, as well as going to the Invictus Games.

Despite the warm reception and a lively itinerary, Brown claims Meghan actually loathed the trip.

'So, Meghan must have been thrilled with it all  right? No. She apparently hated every second of it,' she wrote.

'She didn't understand why things were set up in that way. Instead of being excited when thousands of people showed up at the Opera House, it was very much like, 'What's the purpose? I don't understand this',' a Palace employee told Brown.

The staffer said Meghan didn't appear to grasp the 'representational role' of the British monarchy when they toured, adding she was more interested in 'causes she wanted to spotlight'.

Former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown (pictured) unveiled Meghan's feelings during her time Down Under in her new royal biography, 'The Palace Papers'

Despite the warm reception and a lively itinerary, Brown claims Meghan actually loathed the trip (Pictured: Meghan greeting the public outside of the Opera House)

The staffer said Meghan didn't appear to grasp the 'representational role' of the British monarchy when they toured, adding she was more interested in 'causes she wanted to spotlight' (Pictured: Meghan and Harry greeting the public outside of the Opera House)

Brown's claims are supported in an article printed in The Times last year, which asserts that Meghan found it 'silly' when people crowded to see the Sussexes when they arrived in Sydney.

'What are they all doing here? It's silly,' she reportedly said to her team.

A source said that she simply 'didn't get it'.

The Sussexes completed 75 engagements in 16 days across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga during the whirlwind tour - all while Meghan was in the early stages of her first pregnancy.

They were often pictured having intimate conversations, embracing fans or receiving numerous gifts from admirers during their time Down Under.

Brown claims in her book that one of the main things Meghan took away from the tour was her and Harry's unrecognised importance in the royal hierarchy.

Brown's claims are supported in an article printed in The Times last year, which asserts that Meghan found it 'silly' when people crowded to see the Sussexes when they arrived in Sydney. (Pictured: Meghan at Bondi Beach)

Brown claims in her book that one of the main things Meghan took away from the tour was her and Harry's unrecognised importance in the royal hierarchy (Pictured: The couple at the Invictus Games Down Under)

'It was head-turning for Meghan to experience the full-throttle motorcade-purring, outrider-vrooming, crowd-roaring adulation of a popular young royal on a tour planned to the last teacup by the Palace machine.

'Meghan seemed to interpret the success as a call for Brand Sussex to be elevated in the Palace hierarchy.'

However, Meghan reportedly felt 'snubbed' of appreciation by the Royal Family after the couple returned to the UK.

When they did arrive home, word soon spread that all was not well within the palace, including rumours of a rift between brothers and a falling out between Meghan and Kate Middleton.

Then in 2020, Meghan and Harry announced they were stepping down as senior working members of the royal family, and were later stripped of any remaining titles and patronages they had.




U.S. President Joe Biden is seeking to hold a meeting with Korean business leaders during his trip to Seoul later this month, Seoul officials said Tuesday.







Biden is scheduled to visit Seoul from May 20-22 for a summit with incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol, who will take office May 10.







"President Biden hopes to meet businesspeople who invested in the United States, possibly via the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea," an official close to Yoon said.







The participants, format and other details of the envisioned meeting have yet to be determined, he added.







During his visit in 2019, former U.S. President Donald Trump met with the chiefs of major Korean business groups, including Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK and CJ, and expressed his gratitude for their investment in the U.S.







Yoon and Biden plan to hold a summit May 21, with North Korea, the bilateral alliance and economic cooperation high on the agenda.







U.S. officials recently inspected Samsung Electronics's semiconductor fabrication plant in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, raising the possibility of his visit to one of the nation's chip industry centers.







The U.S. is reportedly considering a plan for Biden to deliver a speech to the general public on topics that include the Korea-U.S. alliance and economic security. (Yonhap)






Elon Musk on Monday accused a MSNBC host of 'basically saying Republicans are Nazis,' after the anchor, Mehdi Hasan, warned that Musk's plan to give the left and right an equal platform on Twitter was dangerous.

Musk, 50, on April 25 reached an agreement with Twitter's board to buy the company for $44 billion.

He said he was motivated by a wish to restore Twitter as a place for the free exchange of ideas, and has repeatedly said he wants to move away from 'censorship' and err on the side of free speech.

His critics fear that this will result in an explosion of hate speech.

Hasan, 43, on Sunday told viewers of his show: 'It's easy in American discourse to talk simplistically about the far-left and the far-right as two equally dangerously fringe boxes.

'Elon Musk has done it plenty of times just in the past week.

'But here's the difference. America's far-left wants to give us free health care and free childcare. America's far-right wants to give us white supremacy and no democracy.

'And this asymmetrical polarization of U.S. politics would be laughable if it went so horrifying.'

MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan on Sunday warned about Elon Musk's promise to open up Twitter, saying that there were dangers inherent in unbridled free speech

Elon Musk is pictured on Monday at the Met Gala with his mother Maye - his first time stepping out in public since sealing the deal to buy Twitter

Musk is pictured on April 14, at a TED conference in Vancouver

Hasan said the United States was 'living through an unspeakably dangerous moment,' noting that 'the pro-QAnon, pro neo-Nazi faction of the Republican party is poised to expand dramatically' in November's midterms.

He added: 'We're just two years away from Donald Trump, very possibly, re-seizing executive power.'

Hasan said that, if Trump wins re-election in 2024, Musk's purchase of Twitter could be seen as 'a pivotal moment'.

It would be seen, he continued, as the moment: 'When a petulant and not so bright billionaire casually bought one of the world's most influential messaging machines and just handed it to the far-right.'

Musk was unimpressed by Sunday's criticism, and fired back on Twitter

Musk on Monday was unimpressed by Hasan's critique.

'NBC basically saying Republicans are Nazis,' he tweeted in a thread.

'Same org that covered up Hunter Biden laptop story, had Harvey Weinstein story early & killed it & built Matt Lauer his rape office. Lovely people.'

Hasan replied: 'Dear @elonmusk, free speech doesn't mean you can just put words in my mouth.

'I'm not 'basically saying' Republicans are Nazis, watch the clip: I'm calling out groups of House Republicans who attend conferences with neo-Nazis and echo their Nazi rhetoric.

'Should I not? Don't you?'

He then invited Musk onto his show.

'Instead of replying to right-wing, bad-faith Twitter accounts that selectively clip the words of liberals and leftists, and in this case prompt you to then distort my words, why not come on my show and do a robust interview with me on your views on free speech?'

When Musk failed to reply, Hasan tried again.

'So what say you @elonmusk?' he tweeted.

'Rather than take softballs on the TED stage, why not come on my show and have a robust discussion with me about the nature and scope of free speech in America?

'Is there anything more pro-free speech than a good-faith, informed public debate?'

Musk on Monday night was at the Met Gala in New York City - his first public outing since sealing the deal to buy Twitter.

He was asked by La La Anthony, interviewing guests as they arrive, about his plans for Twitter.

'My goal, assuming everything gets done, is to make Twitter as inclusive as possible and to have as broad a swathe of people on Twitter as possible,' he said.

'And that it is entertaining and funny and they have as much fun as possible.'

Musk and his mother are seen on Monday night at the Met Gala

Hours before the gala began, it emerged that Musk is in talks with large investment firms and high net-worth individuals about taking on more financing for his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter and tying up less of his wealth in the deal, Reuters reported.

Musk is the world's richest person, with Forbes estimating his net worth at about $245 billion.

Yet most of his wealth is tied up in the shares of Tesla, the electric car maker he leads.

Last week, Musk disclosed he sold $8.5 billion worth of Tesla stock following his agreement to buy Twitter.

The new financing, which could come in the form of preferred or common equity, could reduce the $21 billion cash contribution that Musk has committed to the deal as well as a margin loan he secured against his Tesla shares, the sources said.

The banks that agreed last month to provide $13 billion in loans based on Twitter's business balked at offering more debt for Musk's acquisition given the San Francisco-based company's limited cash flow, Reuters reported last month.

Musk has also pledged some of his Tesla shares to banks to arrange a $12.5 billion margin loan to help fund the deal.

Investors have been fretting over whether Musk will complete the Twitter deal given that he has backtracked in the past.

In April, he decided at the last minute not to take up a seat on Twitter's board.

In 2018, Musk tweeted that there was 'funding secured' for a $72 billion deal to take Tesla private but did not move ahead with an offer.

Twitter shares ended trading up 0.2% at $49.14 in New York on Monday, closer to the $54.20 per share acquisition price, as investors interpreted the news on the new financing discussions as making it slightly more likely that the deal will close.

Musk would have to pay a $1 billion termination fee to Twitter if he walked away, and the social media company could also sue him to complete the deal.

Musk, who calls himself a free speech absolutist, has criticized Twitter's moderation policies.

He wants Twitter's algorithm for prioritizing tweets to be public and objects to giving too much power on the service to corporations that advertise.
Police discovered the body of an elderly Florida woman inside of a large freezer in her home last week, reports said.

Cops identified the woman as Marie Hoskins, 93, a native of Sebastian, Florida.

Following the gruesome discovery, Hoskins' 64-year-old daughter, Michelle Hoskins, was taken in by police for questioning. She was apparently also living in the house, cops said.

According to a statement from the Sebastian Police Department, Hoskins' neighbors became worried when they had not heard from the 93-year-old in days.

Investigators managed to obtain a key for Hoskins' home, along the 100 block of Paddock Lane, in the city from a relative who lives out of town.

Michelle Hoskins was pictured being led away by police in reporting by Sebastian Daily.

Marie Hoskins, 93, was found dead inside of a freezer in the garage of her home on the night of April 28

Michelle Hoskins was pictured being led away by police by Sebastian Daily

The horrific discovery was made here along the 100 block of Paddock Lane in Sebastian, Florida

It's not clear when the last time neighbors saw Marie Hoskins. One neighbor told WPTV that he only saw her rarely, usually when she checked her mail.

Hoskins lived in the home since 2006, moving to the area with her late husband George Vannoy from Cocoa Beach, Florida

The phone number associated with the home has been disconnected.

Inside, officers were met by Hoskins' daughter. Following a brief search of the home, Hoskins' body was found inside of the chest freezer in the garage.

As Michelle Hoskins went with police for questioning, a formal search warrant was issued and officers completed a sweep of the home.

In an interview with Sebastian Daily, Captain Timothy Wood described the 64-year-old as a 'suspect' in the case. While in a separate interview with WPTV, Wood said that officers investigating the case had an 'odd feeling' about Hoskins' disappearance.

Sebastian Police Department Captain Timothy Wood told the media that investigators felt 'odd' about Hoskins' disappearance from the start

It's not clear when Marie Hoskins was last seen. A neighbor told WPTV that he rarely saw Marie Hoskins, sometimes she would check her mailbox.

Records show that Hoskins bought the home in 2006 and lived there with professional musician George Vannoy. Vannoy died in March 2019 at the age of 86.

According to a neighbor's Facebook page, prior to moving to Sebastian, Hoskins worked as a supervisor at the Kennedy Space Center during the space race of the 1960s.

Hoskins previously lived in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
A killer who murdered his own grandmother and had a hit list of other family members he wanted dead will walk free from jail within days.

Anthony Grant Lauritsen used a lawn edger and hammer to murder and disembowel his grandmother Margaret Lauritsen, 67, and in the Perth suburb of Calista in 1998.

Her beloved pet poodle Suzie was also killed in the gruesome murder that shocked Australia and tore her family apart.

Lauritsen was later sentenced to life behind bars with a non-parole period of at least 20 years.

The Prisoners Review Board has now deemed Lauritsen as 'low risk of reoffending' and granted him parole to walk free from jail next week.

Margaret Lauritsen, 67, was murdered and disembowelled by her grandson in her Perth home

The decision has shocked and angered Lauritsen's family who now fear for their lives.

They have spent more than two decades dreading his release and fear he'll follow through with his hit list.

The family had previously been told Lauritsen was not capable of rehabilitation.

'I think I'm in shock that this day has actually come,' a family spokesperson told The West Australian.

'It is just so so scary and unbelievable.'

They claim he posed a deadly threat to multiple members of the family who are now considering moving.

'He had a hit list of people he was planning on killing even whilst in jail,' the spokesperson added.

Anthony Grant Lauritsen (pictured as a young man) will be released on parole on May 9, 24 years after killing his grandmother

Lauritsen was transferred to minimum security facility Karnet Prison Farm in 2019, where he he has since completed a Re-Socialisation program to prepare for his release back into society.

Attorney-General John Quigley said he 'carefully considered' the Prisoners Review Board's recommendations.

He also took community safety and the views of Mrs Lauritsen's loved ones into account before going against the family's wishes.

'The Attorney General extends his condolences to the late Margaret Lauritsen's family,' a spokesman said.

'The Attorney General noted that Mr Lauritsen has been assessed as a low risk of re-offending, recently successfully completed all stages of his RSP and served 24 years in prison  longer than the period imposed by the court.'

Anthony Grant Lauritsen used a lawn edger and hammer to murder and disembowel his grandmother Margaret (pictured)

Lauritsen, then aged 22, killed his grandmother while she was siting in her favourite armchair before dragging her body to her bedroom where she was disembowled.

He rinsed the murder weapons and left them on his aunt's bed, who he threatened to kill and tried to attack with an axe seven weeks prior.

Lauristen was waiting to kill his aunt once she returned when police found and arrested the blood-soaked murderer.

The judge noted Lauristen 'attempted to sever her (his grandmother's) head' and 'disemboweled her' before 'handling the contents, taking them out of the body'.

The court also heard Lauristen admired Martin Bryant, who killed 35 people in the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

Lauristen was sentenced to at least 20 years in jail, which was the longest sentence ever handed down by a WA court at the time.
An Aussie mother who spent one month in an induced coma after being smashed off her scooter in a horror hit and run in Bali has woken up.

The 36-year-old has spent weeks heavily sedated on a ventilator in the ICU ward at the Alfred hospital in Melbourne, before finally waking up from her induced coma on Sunday.

Peta Richards, her husband Matt and their boys Sonny, 4, and Alfie, 3, were holidaying in Bali on April 1 when the nurse was thrown from her bike by another rider after she stepped out to buy her three-year-old 'one more birthday present'.

Peta Richards (pictured in hospital) was on a holiday in Bali with her family when she was hit by another motorbike rider while stepping out to buy her three-year-old son 'one more birthday present'

Peta Richards (right), her husband Matt (left) and two young sons had been holidaying in the tropical paradise when tragedy struck

Peta was rushed to a local hospital with severe head injuries, including bleeding on the brain, a fractured skull and extensive brain swelling.

She was in a critical condition in an induced coma after doctors at the International Hospital in Kuta performed life-saving surgery by removing part of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain.

Peta's husband Matt, worked tirelessly to coordinate his wife's transfer to Melbourne hospital and was flown back on a medical evacuation flight 10 days after the accident.

Her close friend Rachel Berben shared the hopeful news to the GoFundMe account set up to help financially support Peta and her family.

'She has been transferred from ICU to a ward. She is currently awake and making small steps day by day,' Ms Berben wrote.

'She will require some further surgeries in the coming weeks.

'From here she will then progress onto intensive neuro rehabilitation to begin her journey forward.'

Ms Peta's required major surgery and had a piece of her skull removed to take pressure off her brain. Surgeons performed the live-saving operation at the International Hospital in Kuta

The mother-of-two faces a lengthy road to recovery with friends and family asking those following Peta's journey to keep her in their 'prayers and thoughts'.

Peta and her family had been waiting more than two years to go on a trip away together with the beloved mother working on the frontline throughout the pandemic.

They had landed in Bali at the end of February and were five weeks into the trip before she decided she would head out on a short trip to get another present for Alfie, when the experienced motorcyclist became the victim of a hit and run.

Ms Berben said the accident was a matter of being at 'the wrong place at the wrong time'

'She has her motorbike licence, she has her international licence, she has travel insurance, she wore a helmet,' Ms Berben said.

'She was doing everything right.'

Peta's husband Matt, worked tirelessly to coordinate his wife's transfer to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. Ms Richard's was flown back on a medical evacuation flight (pictured) 10 days after the accident

Husband Matt has been by her side the entire time, ensuring Peta was safely moved among Balinese hospitals, arranging flights home all while looking after their young children.

'He is absolutely inhuman. What he's done is beyond the capacity of one person,' friend Ms Berben told Daily Mail Australia.

Her husband Matt, mother and sister have been constantly at her side while sharing the responsibilities of looking after Sonny and Alfie.

'Never in a million years would you think that popping out on a 7-minute trip to buy your 3-year-old son 'one more birthday present' would completely change the entire course of your life,' Ms Berben said.

'It's completely horrific that in that split section their life was flipped upside down.

'Just knowing she's never going to have the life she's had before potentially, it's going to be a long road to get back to something like that with her boys.'

Rachel said Sonny and Alfie aren't 'fully aware' of what is going on with their mum.

'It's so hard to tell a three and four-year-old what's happened, they just think she's sick. It's just devastating.'

The GoFundMe account has seen more than 1,500 donations totalling $141,118 and received one donation of $10,000 from a complete stranger.

The family were shocked by the outpouring of support she's received so quickly.

'They are completely overwhelmed and appreciative of everyone's supportive messages, outreach and donations, so thank you all so much,' Rachel posted to the page.
Karl Stefanovic has hit out at the 'woke brigade' who are trying to stop parents giving their kids ham sandwiches, calling it 'un-Australian'.

His comments come after leaflets from the Cancer Council were sent out by teachers at NSW schools telling kids to stop eating ham sandwiches because processed meat is linked to an increased risk of cancer.

The 'healthy eating leaflets' have prompted a furious backlash from parents, who say they're sick of the 'nanny state' telling them what to feed their kids.

Stefanovic also hit back against the Cancer Council's health advice on Tuesday morning, declaring 'hands off our ham'.

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

'I think this is just ridiculous,' Stefanovic explained. 'I don't know where they get off doing this.'

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He said it should be up to children to decide whether they eat ham sandwiches.

'I don't know what I would do without having a ham and cheese sandwich after a hangover on a Saturday morning,' he said.

'This is an attack on the national consciousness more than anything else.

He spoke with butcher David Bligh, owner of Bringelly Pork & Bacon in Sydney, and asked him what he thought about the 'woke brigade' coming for ham sandwiches.

'There's many people who bring up all sorts of issues about food and chemicals and things like that,' Mr Bligh explained.

The 'healthy eating leaflets' have prompted a furious backlash from parents, who say they're sick of the 'nanny state' telling them what to feed their kids

'But a lot of the preservatives and things that are put in ham and bacon are actually naturally occurring and also found in vegetables.'

However a Cancer Council spokeswoman defended the leaflets and says they are part of a health campaign to get children eating better food.

Today Show host Karl Stefanovic has hit back at the leaflets and says it's an attack on the national consciousness

Cancer Council leaflets (pictured) encouraging children to 'ditch the ham sandwich' have been included in public school newsletters

CANCER COUNCIL'S UNHEALTHY SNACKS AND ALTERNATIVES Snack: juice or cordial. Alternative: milk or water Snack: cheese spread. Alternative: vegie sticks and hummus, wholegrain crispbread with cheese and vegemite or a cheese and tomato sandwich Snack: dessert tubs. Alternative: yoghurt, berry smoothie or apple pie with oats. Snack: muffins. Alternative: fruit loaf, banana pikelets or apple and date muffins Snack: chocolate. Alternative: homemade bliss balls, flap jacks or reduced fat custard Snack: sweet biscuits. Alternative: raisin toast, mixed berry scones, carrot cake oat biscuits Snack: muesli bars. Alternative: homemade muesli bars, zucchini, broccoli and cheese hashbrown cups or fruit English muffins Snack: lollies. Alternative: dried fruit, celery with cream cheese and sultanas or healthy apple crumble Snack: savoury biscuits. Alternative: baked pita bread with roast vegetable dip, vegetable muffins or wholemeal crackers with hummus Snack: roll ups. Alternative: canned fruit in natural juice, fruit and yoghurt or fruit salad Snack: cake. Alternative: banana bread, pumpkin and sweet potato scones or fruit loaf Snack: chips. Alternative: popcorn, roasted chickpeas or plain rice crackers Source: Cancer Council Advertisement

'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.

Parents have also been told to avoid adding muesli bars, and savoury biscuits to their children's school lunch boxes by the organisation.

Instead of a muesli bar, the Cancer Council suggested parents whip up a homemade version, or some zucchini, broccoli and cheese hashbrown cups.

Alternative options for a slice of cake included fruit loaf and pumpkin and sweet potato scones.

For fruit juice, milk or water was suggested instead, and for a bag of biscuits, parents were encouraged to consider giving their kids pita bread and roast vegetable dip, or vegetable muffins.

Popcorn and roasted chickpeas were other options parents were told to consider over a packet of chips.
A high school teacher is still denying she had an intimate relationship with a 13-year-old student after she was found guilty of sexually assaulting him and ordered to pay more than $1.4 million in compensation.

Nicholas Brockhurst, 39, successfully sued former Toowoomba Grammar English teacher Meredith Rawlings for abusing him when he was boarding at the school between the ages of 13 and 14.

Mr Brockhurst said the pair began their relationship when he was in his first year of high school in 1996, when he was just 13 and Mrs Rawlings was 30.

He was living more than 200km from his parents in Drillham and said he had found Mrs Rawlings 'very friendly' during his first year at the school and appreciated that she cared about his schoolwork and progress.

Nicholas Brockhurst (pictured) has sued his former teacher Meredith Rawlings for nearly $1.4 million for sexually abusing him when he was a boarding student at Toowoomba Grammar

During this time Mrs Rawlings offered Mr Brockhurst private tutoring sessions and would often call for him to come to her office over the loudspeaker at lunchtimes or after school.

Mr Brockhurst said he and Mrs Rawlings had grown 'closer' by the middle of the year and were 'getting to know each other'.

He said Mrs Rawlings would give him more attention than other students and write him love letters and songs.

In one letter read to the court, Mrs Rawlings wrote: 'I'm thinking of you every minute of the day - I go to sleep with you on my mind and wake up the same way.

'I love you very much. I really love you.'

Meredith Rawlings (pictured) was found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing a 13-year-old student between 1996 and 1997 at Toowoomba Grammar

However, when asked by A Current Affair what the meaning behind her letters was, Mrs Rawlings said it was clear 'they are not love letters'.

Mrs Rawlings similarly denied writing love songs for the teenager in court, where she claimed she had given Mr Brockhurst the songs to learn on guitar, not in a romantic capacity.

Mr Brockhurst said he didn't own a guitar while boarding at the school and wasn't taking lessons.

Their relationship then began to escalate.

Mr Brockhurst had been a boarding student at Toowoomba Grammar (pictured) and 200km from his parents when the abuse occurred

Mr Brockhurst said he would skip dinner to spend extra hours with Mrs Rawlings - often in her car - before the teacher would head home to her husband, a chef who worked late.

'We were hugging, kissing, things like that at that stage. It was very regular and something not maternal. It clearly meant something to both of us,' he said.

By 1997 - when Mr Brockhurst was 14 - other students began to notice their strangely close relationship and would call Mr Brockhurst 'the chosen one', 'the special one', and 'teacher's pet' and reported seeing the pair in 'compromising positions' to the school.

Mrs Rawlings was directed by the school to not be alone with Mr Brockhurst but ignored instruction and invited Mr Brockhurst to stay at her house overnight where they had sex for the first time.

Mr Brockhurst said Mrs Rawlings 'vanished into thin air' after the school learnt of his abuse and said he was 'devastated' by her disappearance

'I didn't know better at the time. I thought it was extremely special that this person was much older than me and we got along so well,' Mr Brockhurst said.

However Mrs Rawlings denies the pair were ever intimate.

'Do you know how horrendous it was to listen to Nick Brockhurst talking about these allegations. It's unbelievable, it's so stressful especially when you know he's sitting there and he's not telling the truth,' she said.

Later that year Mr Brockhurst's parents found some of the love letters written by Mrs Rawlings to their teenage son and reported it to the school.

Mr Brockhurst said Mrs Rawlings 'vanished into thin air' and said he was 'devastated' by her disappearance.

Mrs Rawlings said she didn't appeal the decision because she doesn't have the money to pursue the case and has since filed for bankruptcy

He said he has suffered from financial loss and depression while struggling to recover from the relationship and successfully sued Mrs Rawlings for $1,456,524 in August, 2021 - some 24 years after Mrs Rawlings left the school.

A judge found Mrs Rawlings sexual abuse of Mr Brockhurst caused him personal injury, including a depressive disorder.

Mrs Rawlings told A Current Affair she didn't appeal the decision because she doesn't have the money to pursue the case.

Mrs Rawlings has since filed for bankruptcy and said she can't afford to pay Mr Brockhurst's compensation bill, despite partially owning a popular restaurant and two properties in Toowoomba.

However Mr Brockhurst said he wasn't chasing compensation and that he sued Mrs Rawlings because her actions had 'nearly destroyed' his life and that it was 'about telling Australia or the world, this is what happened to me'.
All three Republican lawmakers the House January 6 Committee requested to speak with have rejected the offer, saying the panel was 'illegitimate' and a 'ruthless crusade' against former President Donald Trump.

'I will not participate in the illegitimate Committee's ruthless crusade against President Trump and his allies,' said Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, who was Trump's physician in the White House.

'I will not be participating in the illegitimate and Democrat-sympathizing House Jan. 6 committee panel,' noted Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona.

'At one time I would have voluntarily testified before the Nancy Pelosi Witch Hunt Committee But that time has long passed,' said Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama.

The special committee wanted to speak to the three Republicans about what they know about events leading up to the Capitol riot  this time referencing lawmakers' role in planning meetings and 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 Brooks, Biggs and Jackson earlier Monday - all 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.

'I will not participate in the illegitimate Committee's ruthless crusade against President Trump and his allies,' said Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, who was Trump's physician in the White House

'I will not be participating in the illegitimate and Democrat-sympathizing House Jan. 6 committee panel,' noted Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona

'At one time I would have voluntarily testified before the Nancy Pelosi Witch Hunt Committee But that time has long passed,' said Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama

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 said: '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.'

A group of Trump supporters storms 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.
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A career criminal, accused of shooting a tourist in Manhattan in order to rob him of his pricey $450,000 Richard Mille watch has appeared in court on charges of attempted murder.

Nathaniel Owens, 35, who was already on parole for weapons charges from 2012 is the prime suspect in an attack on tourist Pierrick Jamaux, 33, that occurred outside a hotel in Midtown in March.

Prosecutors say Jamaux, who was visiting the city from Hong King with his Australian model wife, Sarah Watts, 26, was attacked by Owens who shot him five times in the groin and legs in order to get at his watch.

Jamaux, a cryptocurrency expert, would often show off the flashy timepiece on social media. At the time of the assault he said that he had 'absolutely no clue who did this' and that it was 'to steal my watch.'

Nathaniel Owens appears in Manhattan Supreme Court on attempted murder charges stemming from the March 2020 shooting of a tourist outside of a Midtown Hotel whom he targeted to rob of an expensive watch

Owens has a lengthy rap sheet having been arrested 18 times since 2012. It includes charges for drug possession, assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Owens has two prior illegal gun convictions from a incidents in 2005 and 2012

Owens has a lengthy rap sheet having been arrested 18 times since 2012. It includes charges for drug possession, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

Owens has two prior illegal gun convictions from a Brooklyn incident 2005 and 2012 in Queens.

He had also been in state prison for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon but was paroled in March 2018.

According to Assistant District Attorney Diana Serebrenik after Jamaux's shooting surveillance video shows Owens changed his clothes before and afterwards.

He faces a minimum of 20 years to life in jail if convicted.

The entrepreneur was visiting from Hong Kong with his model wife, Sarah Watts, 26 (pictured together). At the time of the robbery he was wearing a $450,000 Richard Mille watch (pictured)

Speaking from his hospital bed in New York in March, entrepreneur Jamaux told DailyMail.com: 'Given the fact he was waiting there when we arrived and also the violence of the crime, I believe he followed me.

'Someone knew I had the watch and somebody knew I'd be back in the hotel at that time,' he said.

'I believe they found me somewhere, then they tracked me for a few hours or days to figure out what I do, where I go. I think it was organized.'

He added: 'It cannot be a coincidence because it happened between the Uber and the door of the hotel - there is two meters of distance. The guy was waiting for me there is no doubt about it.

'He started shooting me even before I understood he wanted my watch and from then I was just pushing the gun down and he kept shooting my legs, it was crazy.

'I know he shot five times but I think some of them went through both legs. Three of them are point-blank shooting. I have a lot of bullet holes.'

A 25-year-old female friend of the couple jumped on the robber's back and began to choke him.

'She is one of my really good friends, she is fiery,' Jamaux joked, adding that she'd had a few drinks. 'She jumped on his back and she did a triangle-like choke like in MMA.'

The bullets shattered his femur bone and severed his femoral artery, and he quickly passed out in the street as he began to bleed out.

Pierrick Jamaux, 33, (pictured inside the ambulance) was shot five times in the legs during an attempted robbery outside his hotel in NYC

The NYPD released images of the man who shot Jamaux during an attempted robbery in Midtown Manhattan

The attacked occurred on March 18 as the couple and another woman got out of an Uber outside the Fifty Hotel and Suites in Manhattan

The suspect was unable to wrangle the pricey watch from Jamaux's wrist because its bracelet security mechanism.

The attempted robber got away with a female accomplice in a black four door sedan BMW.

Miraculously, Jamaux survived the shooting, and credits New York hospitals' experience with tackling shootings for his recovery.

'They hit my femoral artery - it's something where you usually die in 5 minutes - it was a major surgery to save my life,' he said. 'If you are going to get shot, the US is the best place to survive a gunshot wound.

'I feel like the doctors really know what they are doing. I think they unfortunately have a lot of practice.

'I was surprised when I talked to one of the doctors here. I said 'does it happen often?' and he was like 'yes' without hesitation.'

Jamaux works in Hong Kong for Hi, an online banking planform dealing in cryptocurrency, savings and investments

Jamaux lived in New York for a year about a decade ago and said the city felt safe at the time. Often on his business trips, he hires a bodyguard, but didn't know he would need one in the Big Apple. He is pictured here with his wife

'You don't need to be a genius to realize New York is very very dangerous right now. I don't think it's safe for anyone. There are too many people who have nothing to lose,' Jamaux told DailyMail.com

Overall crime in the city is up more than 45 percent since the same period last year

Jamaux lived in New York for a year about a decade ago and said the city felt safe at the time. Often on his business trips, he hires a bodyguard, but didn't know he would need one in the Big Apple.

'Because I thought New York was safe, I did not think I needed any security in New York,' he explained. 'A few days before the shooting we walked for one block around midnight and I did not feel safe at all.

'If I knew New York had changed like that, I would never have come here. I probably would have diverted my business trip and stayed in Europe.

'You don't need to be a genius to realize New York is very very dangerous right now. I don't think it's safe for anyone. There are too many people who have nothing to lose.'

Jamaux works in Hong Kong for Hi, an online banking planform dealing in cryptocurrency, savings and investments.

The entrepreneur has also worked in Paris, where he hails from, New York City and London before he settled in Hong Kong to work with the cryptocurrency company in 2019.

Jamaux was sporting a Richard Mille watch when the attack took place. The watches cost on average, $200,000, with some designs fetching for as much as $1.3 million.

The attempted robbery comes amid a dangerous crime wave in the once-safe city.

The arrests comes as New York is in the middle of a crime surge, with overall crime up 42 percent.

The Big Apple is having an increasing problem with ghost guns and other weapons, with shooting victims up 4.4 percent. Assaults and robbery are also both up 20 and 45 percent, respectively.

Last week, Mayor Eric Adams said that New Yorkers can look forward to a 'visible difference in policing in the next couple of weeks.'

Police are seen at the scene of Jamaux's shooting in Midtown Manhattan on the evening of March 18

Jamaux, 33, (pictured inside the ambulance) was rushed to hospital after the shooting. He almost died when one of the bullets severed his femoral artery
A man has been jailed after being caught by his then partner reading a 648-page digital handbook on child exploitation titled 'The Paedophile's Handbook'.

Darwin resident Jayden Trevitt, 30, was sentenced to nine months behind bars after pleading guilty at the Northern Territory Supreme Court last week to charges of accessing and possessing child abuse material.

Trevitt was caught by his then-fiancee viewing the catalogue of disturbing images and text in the middle of the night, which included parts titled: 'how to find and groom children', 'how to avoid detection of that sort of activity' and 'how to get children to keep offending behaviours secret'.

Darwin resident Jayden Trevitt (pictured), 30, was sentenced to nine months behind bars after pleading guilty to accessing and possessing child abuse material

He was caught accessing the sickening document by his fiance when she awoke at 2am on August 22 last year.

Upon seeing her partner was not in bed, she walked into the study and found him using his gaming computer.

Trevitt was wearing headphones at the time so he did not hear her enter.

The woman watched Trevitt accessing the child abuse materials and walked back to her bedroom to get her mobile phone and used it to record five videos of him viewing the disturbing content.

He was using a web browser specifically used to access the Dark Web and protect his identity.

She returned to bed and the following morning reported him to police, who discovered a 'broad and disturbing range' of child abuse material that had been access over two days in August, 2021.

Officers from the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team attended his residence and seized his black gaming computer which he had been using in the sessions recorded by his fiance.

They also seized two encrypted USBs, an iPhone and another laptop.

Officers from the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team attended his residence and seized his black gaming computer which he had been using in the sessions recorded by his fiance

Chief Justice Michael Grant said Trevitt failed to show he was 'genuinely remorseful' and his behaviour was 'loathsome' and 'perverse'.

'In assessing the gravity of your offending and the appropriate sentence, I must necessarily take into account the fact that children have been grievously harmed in both a physical and a psychological sense to satisfy the loathsome, base and perverse desires of people like you.

'Those children are vulnerable and they are not in a position to protect themselves. You engaged in that offending despite the fact that you must necessarily have known each and every time you viewed an image or a video that the children depicted in them were being subject to exploitation and abuse.

'Your barrister suggests in submissions that you did not consider at the time that you were hurting anyone, but I do not accept that to be so.'

Justice Grant sentenced Trevitt to an 18-month sentence, with nine months to be served in jail and nine months serving the community.

He will have to forfeit his electronic devices and will be on a good behaviour bond for two years following his release from prison.

'I must necessarily take into account the fact that children have been grievously harmed in both a physical and a psychological sense to satisfy the loathsome, base and perverse desires of people like you,' Justice Grant said.

'There is no direct evidence before me to suggest that you have acknowledged, or that you are genuinely remorseful for, the fact that you have been part of creating demand for material of this kind, and in doing so have contributed to the suffering of many children.'
The Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California is paying one woman $100,000 to settle her lawsuit claiming that she was bitten by bed bugs during her stay and suffered a serious rash as a result.

Dr. Ivy Eldridge claimed in her 2018 lawsuit that she suffered physical and emotional damage after waking up with bedbug bites during her stay at the Disneyland Hotel in April of that year.

She accused the hotel staff of knowing that it had a bedbug issue and failing to notify her about the infestation prior to her stay, according to the suit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The lawsuit also notes that Eldridge, a vice principal at a Riverside, California, school, 'endured many sleepless nights and much emotional and mental distress, coupled with other physical conditions associated with severe mental and emotional distress.'

She claimed she received costly medical treatment after developing a rash over her entire body when the bugs 'sucked her blood until they were gorged,' and had to take time off of work to endure these treatments.

Photos included in the lawsuit showed welts and bite marks on Eldridge's shoulders, neck back and ears.

Now, four years later, TMZ reports, the Disneyland Hotel has agreed to pay Eldridge $100,000 for the damages she incurred.

Dr Ivy Eldridge (pictured) sued the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim in 2018 after she claims she received bed bug bites

The hotel has now settled her suit, four years later, for $100,000 in damages

In her lawsuit, she claimed that the Disneyland Hotel knew about the bedbug infestation but failed to tell her about it

Her attorney, Brian Virag from the firm MyBedBugLawyer, Inc., claimed at the time that the hotel 'did not provide a bedbug-free hotel room.'

He called the Disneyland Hotel's response to the bedbugs 'so extreme and outrageous as to go beyond all bounds of decency.'

Virag also noted in the lawsuit that this was not the first time a Disney resort had dealt with bedbugs.

In 2016, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel&Spa was sued over bedbug problems.

Virag said the issue should have been resolved by the time Eldridge checked in with her family at the Disneyland Hotel.

At the time, though, Disneyland spokesperson Liz Jaeger said 'these occurrences are extremely rare.'

'We take extensive preventative measures so that our guests are comfortable and safe during their hotel stays and when needed take aggressive steps to rectify,' Jaeger told the Los Angeles Times.

But as Virag told TMZ following the news of the settlement: 'Bedbugs don't discriminate; they are found in hotels of all quality levels throughout the country and worldwide.'
Hanjin Transportation headquarters in Seoul / Yonhap





A court has ruled against the owner family of logistics-to-airline conglomerate Hanjin Group in a lawsuit they filed to reverse a government order to pay about 14 billion won ($11 million) in gift and income taxes, officials said Tuesday.







In 2018, the Seoul Regional Office of the National Tax Service issued the order against Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Hanjin Group and Korean Air, his two sisters and his mother, saying the late Hanjin chairman Cho Yang-ho unlawfully shared his private firm's profits with his family members by listing them as co-owners.







Last year, the Cho family asked the court to cancel the order, claiming the whole family practically owned the company even though they were not involved in the business.







The Seoul Administrative Court, however, said the late chairman was the sole practical owner of the company, thus, the profit-sharing was considered tax evasion. (Yonhap)






Four and a half years ago, on a characteristically gloomy November day on the River Clyde, Nicola Sturgeon was having a very special day out.

At Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow on Scotland's west coast, just a few miles down the road from Scotland's largest city, the First Minister was guest of honour at the launch of its pride and joy, a new ferry named the Glen Sannox, built to serve Scotland's island communities.

A special platform had been constructed for her and other VIPs. Scotland's First Minister was given pride of place as the new ship slid down the slipway and into the black waters of the Clyde estuary.

That day in 2017 saw Ms Sturgeon and the SNP at the peak of their powers. Three years earlier, just before the Scottish independence referendum, the yard had been saved from collapse in a deal brokered by her predecessor Alex Salmond.

After succeeding him, Ms Sturgeon had awarded it the contract to build the Glen Sannox and another vessel.

In a part of Britain where the history of shipbuilding occupies a near-mythical grip on the popular imagination, it was a proud moment, and it was the First Minister who had made it happen.

The Glen Sannox launches on the Clyde on November 21, 2017, in a ceremony hosted by First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon

'Ship launches are always emotional occasions but to have the return of commercial shipbuilding here on the Clyde at Ferguson's is extra special,' she gushed to waiting cameras. It seemed all was well.

But the reality was rather different. Attentive observers noticed that the windows on the bridge of the Glen Sannox weren't real; they were fakes, painted on to make the ship appear finished for the occasion.

Nor was the hull in any way seaworthy. The 'launch' was for the cameras. At the end of the day, the cameras and Ms Sturgeon all went home.

And, staggeringly, 52 months on from the First Minister's big day out, the Glen Sannox remains at the dock, unfinished.

Its sister vessel is even further behind.

Islanders, for whom these ferries are a lifeline connecting them to the mainland, are having to make do with an ageing fleet that regularly breaks down  only last week, the CalMacferry which serves the nearby Isle of Arran broke down.

The two new ferries are now more than four years overdue. On one level the debacle over the Glen Sannox is laughable  unlike Helen of Troy, Nicola of Edinburgh is the face who hasn't launched so much as a dinghy.

But this scandal on the Clyde is now shining a spotlight on a much wider Scottish phenomenon: what might be called the 'Sturgeonisation' of government north of the border.

Like the fake windows of the Glen Sannox, it is a government that is often painted-on only. Governing isn't the priority; its primary purpose is the break-up of the United Kingdom.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was in Port Glasgow in 2017 to name the liquefied natural gas passenger ferry MV Glen Sannox at the ceremony attended by owner of Ferguson Shipyard Jim McColl

And up till now, Scots have lapped up Ms Sturgeon's pledge to 'stand up for Scotland'  while giving the boot to the unpopular Boris Johnson. Now the act is wearing thin.

The ferries fiasco has shown my fellow Scots that the SNP games and the endless politics are not cost-free. It leads to a government both incompetent and corrupt.

And as the full scale of the scandal emerges, the question lingering alongside the unloved, unfinished Glen Sannox is whether Ms Sturgeon's struggle to break up Britain is also beginning to slide down the slipway, to sit marooned in a siding.

The story of the ship that didn't sail has dominated the home news agenda in Scotland over the past few weeks. It began in late March with a devastating report by the country's independent spending watchdog, Audit Scotland.

Right from the off, the report concluded, the project had been beset by 'a lack of transparent decision-making, a lack of project oversight and no clear understanding of what significant sums of public money have achieved'.

And the detail of the report revealed something highly irregular. In 2015, the Ferguson yard told transport chiefs it couldn't provide a refund guarantee if things went wrong  normally a standard element in any contract. Scotland's public ferry agency consequently warned the SNP the project was too risky.

Yet while the alarm lights were flashing, we have now learned that Ms Sturgeon's government insisted the plans  and the photo-ops  carry on. Audit Scotland has drily concluded there is 'insufficient evidence' to explain why. And over recent weeks, the plot has only thickened.

Pursued for an answer, Ministers have shrugged  either the documentation has gone missing or never existed in the first place.

This, commented Ms Sturgeon last week, was 'regrettable'. The stench of a cover-up is everywhere.

Back at the yard, there are fears the two ships will remain stuck in the dock for some more months, possibly years, to come.

Which is also where, this spring, we find the SNP. Ever since they rescued the yard in the run-up to the referendum, both Alex Salmond and then Nicola Sturgeon took every opportunity to enjoy their apparent success down on the Clyde.

Even when the SNP was forced to nationalise it as the project turned bad, the rescue was sold as a triumph. Here was a perfect opportunity to show off the SNP's mantra that they, and they alone, 'stand up for Scotland'.

Indeed, in one cringingly embarrassing promotional video, Ms Sturgeon boasted of just this in front of the ship itself.

Hundreds of well-wishers turned out to watch the Glen Sannox launch on the Clyde, expecting the vessel to make many voyages to the islands and back

But the Audit Scotland report and the growing scandal around secret decisions and conveniently misplaced documents, has shown Scotland the price tag attached to this hubris.

The original cost of 97 million could potentially now hit more than 400million. The profligacy has been summed up by revelations over the hiring of a government appointed 'turnaround' director who came in as things went dowhill.

He was paid an eye-watering 3,000 a day, and when he quit last year, as his parting shot, he revealed that a series of cables, bought for the ship's wiring, actually weren't long enough to be used. It stinks.

The refusal of the SNP to say why they insisted this disaster go ahead despite warnings has prompted former First Minister Jack McConnell to suggest the police should now get involved.

The question is simple: what are they hiding? One badly run project might be brushed aside. But this tale of incompetence, secrecy and alleged corruption fits a fast-emerging pattern.

It isn't just ferries. For Scotland is now becoming littered with examples of disastrous SNP interventions which look great to begin with, cost a lot, deliver little and are often left mired in secrecy and denial.

There is Prestwick Airport, also nationalised by the SNP in 2013, after it had been incurring annual losses of 2million.

The then deputy First Minister, one Nicola Sturgeon, promised the government would soon be 'turning Prestwick around and making it a viable enterprise'.

Almost ten years on, a cross-party committee of MPs slammed the now First Minister for ploughing in 50million, with no prospect of a buyer.

Edinburgh and Glasgow airports have rightly questioned why a publicly owned airport has been given cash, while they had to suffer during the pandemic. No answer was given.

There is the SNP's flagship Scottish National Investment Bank , championed as a way to boost growth in Scotland but whose chief executive  who took home a cool 235,000 a year  resigned last month.

She hasn't explained why and, as with the ferries, Ms Sturgeon insists it's nobody's business to know.

There was the quiet deal the SNP struck with Indian steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta under which he bought an aluminium plant in the Scottish Highlands in return for state guarantees worth more than 500million.

Last week, the offices of Mr Gupta's Liberty Steel company were visited by the Serious Fraud Office. The taxpayer is on the hook.

On the other hand, at least Ms Sturgeon got a nice photograph alongside the businessman. Then last month, the Scottish Government took over the country's rail operator, too.

It's fair to say taxpayers and rail users are not brimming with optimism. Ms Sturgeon is still Scotland's most popular politician, it should be said.

During the pandemic, ever keen to present herself as an alternative to Boris Johnson, she held press conferences literally every day. She didn't just lead the news, she read it out.

An army of SNP spin doctors and Scottish Government press officers are on hand to promote her every utterance. She dominates the public landscape as a result.

But with the ferries scandal destroying the SNP's reputation for governing, it is all beginning to wear thin. And the true nature of Ms Sturgeon's operation is emerging. Instead of focusing on improvements to the NHS or sorting out schools, the relentless aim is to craft a story of 'us' up here and 'them' down there, south of the border.

Lest you think I exaggerate, consider internal documents released a few weeks ago under freedom of information laws.

They showed instructions from SNP ministers to their civil service speechwriters. Official addresses should 'try to avoid getting bogged down in policy unless necessary', the advice came down.

Rather, 'constitutional points'  ie, the case for independence  should be emphasised. And as the SNP prepares this spring and summer to restart its push for a second referendum on independence, this Sturgeonisation of our politics is becoming ever more prevalent.

Under this obsessively political plan, every issue and opportunity is used to emphasise difference between Scotland and England.

The SNP  and their Green helpers in government  set themselves up as ultra 'progressives'  by, for example, introducing radical new gender laws that have incurred the ire of Edinburgh resident JK Rowling, or opposing exploration in the North Sea.

The unfinished Glen Sannox Caledonian Macbrayne ferry is seen at Ferguson Marine shipyard on April 1 in Port Glasgow

Loathing of the 'disgusting' regressive Conservative government is then ramped up. Scots are invited to reach the conclusion that Scotland is different, that Britain is divided and its end is therefore inevitable.

Dare to disagree? Then a reliable army of hypernationalists around the SNP movement are there to shout you down for being 'anti-Scottish'.

In this world, nothing is ever the SNP's fault. Scotland is instead always the victim. And this divisive rhetoric and grievance culture has consequences.

Scotland is a wonderful country but for all that the SNP preaches openness and diversity, it can often feel like a less tolerant place. Power has been centralised in Edinburgh, handing the government more control.

The theocracy of nationalism takes no prisoners. And criticism of orthodoxy is met with shin-kicking personal attacks on whoever dares put their head above the parapet.

Does it work though? On Thursday, the SNP should easily win the largest number of council seats in the local elections. More than 70 per cent of younger voters now support independence.

Wait for older sceptics like me to die off, goes the thinking, and the dream of separation will come.

Unless one of Scotland's opposition parties steps up to become a genuine alternative, they may well be right. But counter to that, as the ferries scandal shows, is the fact that time works both ways.

Because the SNP now has a dreadful record hanging over its head. To add to the ferries affair and the long list of flops already discussed, there is a cloud hanging over the mammoth Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where at least two children died due to infections picked up in the facility.

A public enquiry into the way the SNP managed its construction, and that of another hospital in Edinburgh, is ongoing.

There is the SNP's mishandling of the Scottish economy: only the north-east of England and Northern Ireland have had lower growth rates in recent years  even though Scotland spends more per head on economic development than anywhere else in Britain.

Then there is its record on education, where performance in maths and science recently fell to a record low. Will Scots notice? Time will tell.

When the Scottish Parliament came into being in 1999, Billy Connolly, who began his working life as a boilerman in the Glasgow shipyards, noted with that merciless humour how Scotland now had its own 'pretendy parliament'. It turns out it's worse.

Twentyfive years on, Scotland is lumbered with a pretendy government: all show, and few solutions.

In Port Glasgow, on the banks of the Clyde, can be found its pitiful legacy: a stricken boat with fake windows.

For Ms Sturgeon and co, we can only hope the tide is going out.
New York's mayor Eric Adams appeared at the Met Gala on Monday night wearing a tuxedo on which was written 'End gun violence' along with a drawing of a handgun encircled in a 'no' symbol.

Although well-intentioned, the symbolism quickly drew mockery online with viewers responding with sarcasm that the problem of gun crime was suddenly fixed.

Adams, 61, and his partner Tracey Collins arrived together as photographers snapped the couple as they walked up the famous carpeted steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Adam's tux also had the symbol for the N train prominently displayed in what was a clear reference to last month's mass shooting on a crowded subway train in Brooklyn in which 23 people were hurt.

Adams, who is in his first-term as mayor campaigned on mandate of public safety and has been under pressure to curb violence in the city.

Yet, in the first three months of this year, there have been 291 shootings in the city, up from 252 over the same period last year, according to NYPD statistics.

In March alone, the city reported 115 shooting incidents  more than 16% increase from March 2021.

'The goal is to end gun violence and save our children,' Adams said as he pointed out the various subway lines visible on the jacket: 'Here's my Q train, my 3 train, my N train, my A train.'

The piece was designed by Laolu Senbanjo, a Nigerian lawyer-turned-artist now based in Brooklyn.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrives at the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday night

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and partner Tracey Collins arrive for the 2022 Met Gala

New York's Mayor is coming up to his fourth month in office and gave the thumbs up

The Mayor's jacket drew attention from photographers who asked him to give a twirl

Mayor Adams' jacket was emblazoned with various New York landmarks including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building

Many online were not impressed by the message being delivered by Eric Adams' jacket

'Bringing a little swagger back to the #MetGala. Honored to be here,' Adams tweeted, alongside a number of pictures

'Bringing a little swagger back to the #MetGala. Honored to be here,' Adams tweeted, alongside a number of pictures.

The jacket did not appear to impress viewers online who did not feel as though its message would make any difference to the city's skyrocketing gun crime statistics.

'End gun violence? Isn't that HIS job?' asked on Twitter user.

'Yeah this will bring felonies down,' joked another.

'Symbolism rarely if ever brings crime under control, cogent solutions do,' said one.

'Bravo! Way to do nothing about the problem,' wrote one sarcastically.

Earlier in the day, Adams was seen having a pedicure ahead of highlight of the city's fashion calendar.

Video posted to Twitter showed the mayor completely barefoot while sitting in a chair at the Cuccio Nail Salon in Washington Heights in Manhattan as his feet were seen to.

'The Met Ball  so we'll make sure I have a pedi done before I go,' Adams joked.

Adams received his treatment at 2pm on Monday afternoon. A spokesman confirmed that the mayor did not have his nails painted.

The Met Gala's theme for this year is 'Gilded glamour, white-tie,' guests have were told.

Adams appears to enjoy mingling in the fashion world. He attended New York Fashion Week in February where he was seated next to Anna Wintour.

Thank you to Cuccio Nail Salon in Washington Heights for getting me ready for the #MetGala!



Its #SmallBusinessWeek in New York City  shop local! pic.twitter.com/EAmJCE6jZ6  Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) May 2, 2022

Earlier in the day, Adams was seen having a pedicure in Washington Heights

Video posted to Twitter showed the mayor completely barefoot while sitting in a chair at the Cuccio Nail Salon in Washington Heights in Manhattan as his feet were given a good scrub

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 Madeline Albright, Abigail Adams, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Lady Bird Johnson, and Clinton's mother, Dorothy Rodham.

Clinton's last Met Gala was a while ago.

'I told Anna I would come every 20 years,' she said.

Hillary Clinton attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion' at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday night

Clinton was dressed in a Bordeaux-colored gown designed by Joseph Altuzarra

Mrs Clinton is seen from behind in a sprawling ballgown on Monday night

The names of historic women are sewn into Clinton's hem and neckline

The names sewn into the dress include Madeline Albright, Abigail Adams, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Lady Bird Johnson, and Clinton's mother, Dorothy Rodham

Hillary Clinton attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala

The former First Lady and Secretary of State is said to have drawn inspiration for her dress from the women of America's past whom she admires.

'I would've filled the entire dress,' Clinton said. 'We decided to stick with women who were no longer with us.

'It also reflected Joseph's interest in what were called 'friendship quilts' that women used to embroider sayings or phrases or their names of family or friends,' she explained.

Altuzarra's handwriting was used to write the names of women which was then embroidered by hang onto the maroon gown.

'I knew that I wanted the dress to have a personal component for her,' Altuzarra told Vogue.

'When someone like Hillary goes to the Met, it's not just like, 'there's Hillary at the Met and she's wearing a dress.' It has a lot of significance. I felt like I had to be very thoughtful about what the dress would mean to the theme and to the occasion.'

Clinton's former aide, Huma Abedin, was also seen walking the red carpet into the gala
Scotland Yard has issued nearly 17 times as many fixed penalty notices for Covid rule-breaking as Durham Constabulary.

Boris Johnson was last month hit with a 50 fine by the Metropolitan Police for attending a gathering in No10 on his birthday in 2020.

But Durham police has so far refused to launch an investigation into Sir Keir Starmer for an event in April last year when he was filmed swigging beer.

Scotland Yard has issued nearly 17 times as many fixed penalty notices for Covid rule-breaking as Durham Constabulary (headquarters pictured), with 1,090 fines handed out by Durham compared to 17,829 of the Met

Figures from the National Police Chiefs Council show that between March 27 2020 and February 27 this year, Durham issued 1,090 fixed penalty notices relating to breaches of Covid regulations  thats 171 per 100,000 of its population.

In the same period, the Met issued 17,829  203 per 100,000.

On average, there were 207 fixed penalty notices issued per 100,000 people across England and Wales.
The Queen made an extraordinary personal intervention with ministers in order to prevent her cousin being kidnapped by the IRA, a new book reveals.

In 1971, the Duke of Kent, an Army officer with the Royal Scots Greys, was sent to Northern Ireland with his unit.

However, the former Northern Ireland prime minister, Lord O'Neil received a warning that the IRA were planning to kidnap the then 35-year-old Duke when his unit entered Belfast.

The peer passed the message on to the Queen via her private secretary. She, in turn alerted Prime Minister Edward Heath during her private audience and he relayed a warning to his ministers.

The Queen, pictured, made it known she did not want her cousin, the Duke of Kent deployed to Northern Ireland with the Royal Scots Greys in 1971

The Duke of Kent, pictured, was an officer with the Royal Scots Greys who were sent to Belfast in 1971. The Queen made it known she did not want him sent to Northern Ireland where the IRA had plans to kidnap him

Commanding officers were then told, very clearly, that the Duke was not to be sent to Belfast without special orders. A few weeks later, the Duke was posted back to the mainland.

The revelation appears in Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II by Robert Hardman who discovered the secret correspondence in the National Archives.

He quotes the Ministry of Defence official, A.W. Stephens, who informed the Prime Minister's private secretary, Robert Armstrong, on February 11: 'The Queen's wish that the Duke should not be sent into Belfast has been carefully noted.'

Mr Hardman said: 'This was a time when kidnappings were on the up - a British diplomat had been kidnapped by separatists in Quebec months earlier - and the Queen was clearly worried enough about the credibility of this rumour that she intervened with the PM.

'Though she has always been very loyal to her cousins - and they to her - this would not have been a case of special treatment.

'When it came to the Falklands, for example, the Queen was adamant that Prince Andrew should not receive special treatment. She would have been more concerned that the Duke of Kent's presence was a danger to his men.'

The Royal family - including the Queen - have been a target for the IRA.

The organisation claimed responsibility for the 1979 murder of Lord Louis Mountbatten, 79, second cousin of the Queen and great-uncle of Prince Charles.

The World War II hero and last viceroy of India was aboard his 29-foot Shadow V fishing boat with six others near his summer home in northwest Ireland the morning of the attack.

The IRA were also said to be behind a failed bomb attempt to assassinate the Queen in 1981 when she opened a giant new oil terminal at Sullom Voe in Shetland.

The IRA made it clear they regarded the Royal Family as 'legitimate targets' during the Queen's Silver Jubilee visit to Northern Ireland in August 1977, warning that they would give her a 'jubilee bomb blitz to remember'.

The revelation over the Duke of Kent coincides with the announcement that the Duke has become the latest member of the Royal Family to write his memoirs.

While the Royal Family await this autumn's publication of Prince Harry's memoirs with dread, it is understood that they are entirely happy with the forthcoming book, A Royal Life, which the Duke has written with the historian, Hugo Vickers. It includes his memories of his father's death during the Second World War, of being bullied at prep school and of his nerves at taking part in the Coronation.

The Duke, who has recorded memories of his unusual life for posterity, has offered a glimpse of the Royal family at play, from the Queen and Princess Margaret as young sisters to the Queen and Prince Philip enjoying a casual lunch at Balmoral in his book A Royal Life.

Known as Prince Edward before he inherited the title aged six on the death of his father, the Duke has had a ringside seat to royal history for his 86 years.

He is first cousin to the Queen, related through their fathers, and his book promises 'unique insights, with photographs from the Duke's personal collection'.
The grandparents of an Australian family are being deported after arriving in the country unvaccinated against Covid and without a travel exemption.

After a 19 hour flight from Ireland, Anne and Audie Ryan-Murphy touched down in Perth and were immediately met by Border Force officials.

The pair were questioned for 10 hours after their flight on Monday and have since been detained at the Hyatt Hotel in Perth's CBD awaiting deportation.

While travellers no longer need to take a Covid test to fly Down Under, they do need to be vaccinated or have an exemption.

Anne (left) and Audie (right) Ryan-Murphy were stopped by border force officials after their 19-hour flight from Ireland. Officials said the unvaccinated pair travelled without an exemption and are being held for deportation

Mr and Ms Ryan-Murphy made the long journey after strict travel restrictions separated them from their family for three years.

The grandparents were set to meet their granddaughter for the first time and believed they had the right approvals for the long-awaited reunion.

'They were honest about their vaccination status from the very beginning,' their son Karl said.

'Under the guidance of a travel agent at home they did everything they were asked to do: weeks worth of paperwork and waiting on approvals.'

He explained the couple were expecting to enter hotel quarantine because of their vaccination status.

Unvaccinated Australians returning home are required in some states, including Western Australia, to enter hotel quarantine for seven days - but the same is not allowed for tourists, who must instead have a special exemption.

The pair made the long journey to Perth to see family (pictured) and meet their 20-month-old granddaughter for the first time. The Irish couple timed their trip to help their son and his heavily pregnant wife who are preparing for their second child

The Irish couple timed their arrival to help their son and his heavily pregnant wife who are preparing to welcome the arrival of their second child.

'We are expecting our 2nd baby to be born any day now with an induction booked for 4th of May, if she doesn't arrive before,' Karl said.

'I know that many of us have been in this terrible situation since Covid, but knowing they are just down the road and we can't be reunited is beyond heart-breaking.

'They had planned on being here for two months to help us find our feet, with very little support here in Perth.'

Recent rule changes have seen the end of Covid restrictions and mandates across the country but unvaccinated overseas travellers still have to get an exemption before entering the country.

Western Australia has recently dropped a number of its strict Covid requirements and after a two year hiatus opened its borders to arrivals last month.

Ms Ryan-Murphy said her and her husband believed they had done their due-diligence in the months leading up to their arrival.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) maintained tough border closures during the pandemic

'We were devastated. Everyone thinks we're criminals,' Ms Ryan-Murphy told Nine News.

'Have we slipped through a net here? Why were we allowed on (the plane)?

'We told on all the forms that we were unvaxed.'

Border Force officials allegedly told the couple that they should have never been allowed on the flight.

Mr and Ms Ryan-Murphy are being held at the Hyatt Hotel and are booked to be deported on a flight on Tuesday night.

Their family are pleading with the government to grant them an exemption on compassionate grounds.
Removing a ban on creating new grammar schools would end the geographic sweepstake in education quality, a Red Wall Conservative MP has claimed.

Jonathan Gullis, a former teacher, has launched a campaign to scrap the ban so that poorer areas can benefit.

There are no grammars in the North East and almost half of the 163 in the UK are in London and the South East.

Mr Gullis, the MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, said: We can level up the country by offering students in the most deprived constituencies the same choice in education as the least deprived.

The ban was brought in by Tony Blair in 1998. It is understood that most Tory MPs want to scrap it. But the Department for Education said there were no such plans.

Removing a ban on creating new grammar schools would end the 'georgraphic sweepstake' in education quality, Red Wall Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis (pictured), a former teacher, has claimed

Mr Gullis added: Education is currently the very definition of a postcode lottery. Protecting existing grammar schools without creating new ones is reinforcing this.

We cannot and must not continue with this geographic sweepstake approach to education. Pupils should be able to stay local and to go far, to coin a phrase.

Last night, a supporter of the campaign, Sir Graham Brady, told the Mail: Grammar schools have been a tremendous driver of social mobility and their abolition across most of the country has removed opportunity from many people.

I strongly support Jonathan Gullis campaign to reopen those opportunities, especially in the less affluent parts of the country.

After 12 years of Conservative-led government, it is absurd we still have Labours law and I hope the government will move to remove that senseless piece of legislation as soon as possible.

Mr Gullis campaign argues that wealthy areas of the country have a monopoly on grammar schools, meaning poorer areas of the UK cannot reap their benefits.

In February the government identified 55 Education Investment Areas to raise school standards. Mr Gullis said there was a unique opportunity to end this education podcode lottery in the target regions.

Boris Johnson has historically voiced support for grammars, saying in 2014 that the decision to get rid of them was a real tragedy for this country.

When asked about reviving Mrs Mays plans in March, Mr Zahawi said: Their ethos is fantastic, their DNA I want to spread in the system.

We will continue to make sure whether its grammar schools or Church of England or Catholic schools, they feel they can join the journey and they feel they can be part of that journey and protected as well. He also told the Commons in March that he wants to spread the DNA of grammar schools across the system.
A man who recently admitted murdering an American mathematician found at the bottom of a Sydney cliff 34 years ago in a gay hate crime has come out as gay himself, a court has heard.

Scott Phillip White, 51, was jailed for a maximum of 12 years and seven months on Tuesday over the murder of Scott Johnson, 27, whose naked body was found at the bottom of a cliff on Sydney's northern beaches in December 1988.

White will be eligible for parole in eight years in August 2030.

For more than three decades, Mr Johnson's death was dismissed by police as suicide before White was charged with murder in 2020 after a lengthy campaign by his loved ones and the media.

White had previously indicated he would plead not guilty before changing his plea at a pre-trial hearing in January. He showed no emotion in the court dock as Justice Helen Wilson handed down his sentence on Tuesday.

Justice Wilson found that he had punched Mr Johnson at North Head in a hostile act, causing the doctor to fall to his death.

Scott Johnson's body was found at the bottom of a cliff on Sydney's northern beaches in 1988

Scott Phillip White (pictured) will spend at least eight years behind bars over Scott Johnson's murder 34 years ago

Scott Johnson's family out on a united front as they leave the NSW Supreme Court after Scott Phillip White was sentenced over the mathematician's murder on Tuesday

'[White] did a violent act and that act is the direct cause of Dr Johnson leaving the clifftop in terror,' the judge said.

The fatal assault was done with reckless indifference to human life, with White throwing the punch near the unguarded edge of a high coastal cliff and then fleeing the scene without notifying the police after Dr Johnson disappeared over the edge.

Justice Wilson found there was not enough evidence 'beyond reasonable doubt' to show the murder was a gay hate crime, however, because White had met Dr Johnson at the Brighton Hotel and the pair had willingly gone to the gay beat together.

Justice Wilson acknowledged the outcome would 'unlikely to end the grief ... it may bring some peace' for Dr Johnson's grieving family, who have spent the last 34 years fighting for justice.

'It was a terrible death ... Mr Johnson must have been terrified, aware he would strike the rocks below and conscious of his fate,' she said.

Justice Wilson found the attack was not planned and could have been driven by 'self-loathing'.

White was raised in a homophobic family before he came out as gay years later, the sentencing process revealed this week.

White, was facing life behind bars but received a reduced sentence based on his recent guilty plea, cognitive impairment and a dysfunctional upbringing.

Originally from Los Angeles, Dr Johnson had been a doctoral student at the Australian National University in Canberra when he met White at a Manly hotel before the pair went to North Head.

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

Scott Johnson's brother Steve, (right) arrived at the NSW Supreme Court on Monday with his sisters, Terry, left, and Rebecca and his wife Rosemarie (second right), where the family gave harrowing statements

At a hearing on Monday, White barrister's Belinda Rigg SC argued her client should receive a lesser sentence because he had only turned 18 at the time, saying that sentences for murder were significantly lower in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

White's intellectual impairments meant he had suffered stress, anxiety and panic attacks while in custody.

During the 1980s, White was a gay man who had lived with his homophobic brother and alcoholic parents, Ms Rigg said.

She also told the court White now identified as gay and had told police he went, at Mr Johnson's suggestion, to North Head on the night of his death.

It comes as Mr Johnson's shattered family spoke of the horror, terror, tragedy and heartbreak that the past 34 years have brought.

Sister Terry Johnson said Scott 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.'

Another sister Rebecca Johnson talked about how society in the 1980s had also let down teenagers who thought violence against gay men was acceptable.

'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 on Monday.

'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

Scott Johnson's family have spent the last 34 years fighting for justice. Pictured is his brother Steve hugging his wife outside the NSW Supreme Court on Monday

Brother Steve Johnson described the death as too awful to be true, saying his mother had reacted with a wailing cry at the news.

'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.'

Dr Johnson's partner Michael Noone also gave a statement describing the sheer horror of receiving a call from the police about the death of a loved one.

The victim statements were heard after White's former partner Helen White took the stand and described a conversation with him 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.

Ms White denied suggestions by White's barrister that she had only gone to police because of a $1 million reward offered in 2018 for information about Mr Johnson's death, and rejected claims she had made up the conversations with her then husband.

The prosecution pointed to the seriousness of the offence, saying it was targeted towards the victim's sexuality.

'This was a grave and serious murder which entailed a high degree of criminality,' crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield said.

Scott Johnson, a Los Angeles native, was a doctoral student at the Australian National University in Canberra before being killed

Speaking after Monday's hearing, Steve Johnson said that while giving their statements in court was emotional for the family, it was a chance to look White right in the eyes.

'I got to tell [White] what my brother was like. I got to tell him how it felt to hear that he was dead ... I have to think it sunk in. He watched and listened.'

White's defence team unsuccessfully tried to reverse the guilty plea the day it was made.

An appeal of White's conviction was filed last month and could be heard Court of Criminal Appeal 'towards the end of this year', Justice Wilson said.

While the initial police inquest in 1989 found Mr Johnson's death was a suicide, the case was reopened in 2012.

Another inquest returned an open finding in June 2012, but a third in 2017 found Mr Johnson fell from the clifftops as a result of violence by an unidentified attacker who perceived him to be gay.
Russia has lost a quarter of its combat forces deployed in Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion, according the UK's Defence Intelligence agency.

According to intelligence experts, Russia committed more than 120 battalion tactical groups, some 65 per cent of their entire ground combat strength.

Losses among Russia's elite units such as their VDV airborne forces are likely to have suffered greater loses and will 'probably take years' to replenish these forces.

The daily update from Defence Intelligence showed how Ukrainian forces have dramatically weakened Russian personnel, diminishing their combat forces.

The update says: 'At the start of the conflict, Russia committed over 120 battalion tactical groups, approximately 65 per cent of its entire ground combat strength.

The daily update from Defence Intelligence showed how Ukrainian forces have dramatically weakened Russian personnel, diminishing their combat forces. Pictured: A Ukrainian woman poses for photo in front of a destroyed Russian tank near Makariv, Ukraine on May 2

Ukrainian forces have rendered one-quarter of all its ground combat units ineffective

A briefing from Defence Intelligence said Russia deployed 65 per cent of its entire ground combat strength in Ukraine with more than a quarter of these units rendered 'combat ineffective' within the first 10 weeks of the conflict

'It is likely that more than a quarter of these units have now been rendered combat ineffective.

'Some of Russia's most elite units, including VDV airborne Forces, have suffered the highest levels of attrition. It will probalby take years for Russia to reconstitute these forces.'

The news comes amid revelations that 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.

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

A 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

Ukraine has received billions of pounds worth of military aid to counter the Russian invaders

A Ukrainian boy poses for photo on the top of a destroyed Russian tank near Makariv, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine

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.

An ex-KGB agent who defected to the West has also 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.

Putin has begun to interrogate doctors  in an echo of Stalin's last years

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.

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 his nightly address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of waging 'a war of extermination', saying Russian shelling had hit food, grain and fertiliser warehouses, and residential neighbourhoods 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

Ukraine's military claimed on 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.

Hundreds of millions of pounds in military assistance has flowed into Ukraine during the war, but Russia's vast armouries mean Ukraine still needs massive support.

Mr Zelensky has appealed to the West for more weapons, and tougher economic sanctions on Russia.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other US legislators visited Mr Zelensky on Saturday to show American support.

European Union energy ministers were meeting on 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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The Supreme Court has voted to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that legalized abortion in the United States, a leaked draft opinion revealed on Monday.

The draft was obtained by Politico. Written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by a Republican president who sit on the court, it repudiated both Roe v Wade and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs Casey Decision.

If and when the draft is made final, the decision removes the federal right to abortion in America, leaving it up to elected officials in each state to decide whether or not women should have access to abortions.

Twenty-six states are likely to ban it if Roe v. Wade is formally overturned, essentially outlawing abortion in more than half of the country. Eighteen states already have restrictive abortion laws in place.

The news sent shock waves throughout Washington D.C. with Democrats vowing to codify the legal right to an abortion into law and Republicans demanding an investigation into the leak, claiming it was done to try and influence the high court ahead of its formal ruling.

Perhaps anticipating backlash, the Supreme Court building initially was barricaded Monday night before being watched by security.

Protesters eventually headed toward the gates in large numbers, with some standing up and chanting, while others sat outside the building and lit candles in silence. A small number of counter-protesters also gathered.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the draft opinion, which was crafted in February and circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

Republican appointed-Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett all voted to strike down Roe with Samuel Alito, Politico noted

The beginning of the original leaked draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito

Protesters gather, chant and hold signs outside the Supreme Court in Washington Monday night

Lights burn inside U.S. Supreme Court offices late at night after the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito

THE 26 STATES POISED TO OUTLAW ABORTION IF ROE V. WADE IS FORMALLY OVERTURNED Alabama Arizona Arkansas Idaho Kentucky Louisiana Michigan Mississippi Missouri North Dakota South Dakota Oklahoma Tennessee Texas Utah West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Georgia, Iowa Ohio South Carolina Advertisement

Politico reports that, aside from Alito, four other judges voted in favor of overturning the law: Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, all of whom were nominated by Republican presidents.

Politico noted that this is the first such case in modern history of a Supreme Court draft decision being leaked to the public while the case was still pending.

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could still be changed.

Sometimes drafts are circulated by one justice in the hopes of swaying fellow judges but this is believed to be the first time a draft has been leaked.

The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation the Alito draft was leaked ahead in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

The court, notably, did not deny the legitimacy of the draft opinion.

A spokesperson for the Supreme Court said: 'The Court has no comment.'

Politico executive editor Dafna Linzer sent a note to staff after the story posted, expressing confidence in the story and their verification of the draft opinion.

'After an extensive review process, we are confident of the authenticity of the draft.

'We take our responsibilities to our readers with the greatest seriousness,' she noted.

If the Alito decision is adopted, it would return the issue of abortions to the states and over half of the 50 states are likely to ban abortion.

Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years.

There were smaller gatherings of anti-abortion protesters at the event as well

Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute.

Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.

WHAT IS ROE V. WADE? The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognized that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion. Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion. She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger. Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights. Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague, and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category. The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant. The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court. The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972. Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states. Advertisement

The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.

This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights.

Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion.

South Dakota Republican governor Kristi Noem meanwhile said her state would look to ban abortion.

She said: 'If this report is true and Roe v. Wade is overturned, I will immediately call for a special session to save lives and guarantee that every unborn child has a right to life in South Dakota.'

Meanwhile, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texas, responded to the news by encouraging the Court to return the issue to the states.

'I hope that #SCOTUS returns the question of abortion where it belongs: the States,' Paxton said on Twitter. 'This is why I led a 24-state coalition in support of MS's law banning them after 15 weeks. I'll [continue] to ensure that TX protects the unborn & pray for the end of abortion across our nation.'

The unprecedented leak sent shock waves through the United States, not least because the court prides itself on keeping its internal deliberations secret and leaks are extremely uncommon.

The news stunned abortion providers.

On Monday night, Andrea Gallegos, executive administrator at Tulsa Women's Clinic in Oklahoma, had just finished calling some 25 patients scheduled for abortions on Tuesday to tell them that their appointments would need to be canceled because of a soon to be enacted Oklahoma law modeled on a highly restrictive Texas abortion ban.

'I can't say that I'm surprised,' she said.

'Now all these other conservative states like Oklahoma are passing the exact same legislation that Texas did, I have to say I became less optimistic and way more scared for what the future of Roe looks like.'

The anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List welcomed the news.

'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature,' said its president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, in a statement.

Just hours after the stunning leak of draft opinion emerged, hundreds of pro-choice and anti-abortion activists gathered in front of the US Supreme Court on Monday night.

Squaring off on either side of the white marble building a stone's throw from the Capitol, the pro-choice and anti-abortion groups railed at each other.

'Roe v. Wade is going to go,' anti-abortion protesters taunted, while the pro-choice crowd yelled: 'My body, my choice.'

The two groups chanted and waved placards in the plaza in front of the steps to the Supreme Court, with barriers and a few uniformed police officers barring access to the colonnaded building.

Abby Korb, a 23-year-old graduate student and congressional aide, said she was 'in literal shock' when the news broke and quickly headed to the Supreme Court with a friend.

'I'm a woman and my rights are being taken away every single day,' she said.

Like many others at the spontaneous demonstration, Korb, originally from Wisconsin, is now calling for legislation at the federal level to protect access to abortion.

'We need access to safe abortion because making it illegal isn't going to stop it, it's just going to make it more dangerous,' she said.

The 26 states where abortion will likely become illegal if SCOTUS overturns Roe vs Wade The 26 states where abortion will likely become illegal if SCOTUS overturns Roe vs Wade after leaked draft opinion showed a majority of justices supported the move More than half of all US states have some kind of abortion ban law likely to take effect if Roe v Wade is overturned by the United States Supreme Court. According to the pro-reproductive rights group The Guttmacher Institute, there are 26 states that will likely make abortions illegal if the Supreme Court overturns the landmark 1973 ruling. 18 have existing abortion bans that have previously been ruled unconstitutional, four have time limit bans and four are likely to pass laws if Roe v Wade is overturned, the organization found. The 18 states that have near-total bans on abortion already on the books are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In addition, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, and South Carolina all have laws that ban abortions after the six-week mark. Florida, Indiana, Montana and Nebraska, are likely to pass bills when Roe v Wade is overturned, the Guttmacher Institute said. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin's bans all have pre-Roe v Wade laws that became unenforceable after the Supreme Court's 1973 decision - that would kick into effect if the federal legal precedent established in Roe were overturned. Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas have further bans that will come into effect if the law was overturned. These were passed post-Roe v Wade. They're joined by Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Wyoming, in passing such laws. The states that will limit abortions based on the length of time a patient has been pregnant are Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota and Ohio. There are four states that have laws that state abortion is not a constitutionally protected right: Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia. Advertisement

The growing crowd took turns to hurl expletives at Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who reportedly wrote the opinion, and called on Democratic Party leaders to 'do something'.

Madeline Hren, a 25-year-old from North Carolina, said she was very angry. 'I called everyone I knew to be very angry,' she said, holding a small sign with a drawing of a bloody coat hanger that said 'We will not go back.'

'I'm really upset about it... I didn't cry. I'm mostly just mad,' said Hren, who works for the UN Foundation. She now fears that an abortion ban will extend to her native North Carolina.

For opponents of the right to abortion, however, it was time to celebrate.

'You don't care if people die,' they sang at the pro-choice crowd.

'I hope they overturn it,' said Claire Rowan, a 55-year-old mother of seven children, some of whom accompanied her to the demonstration.

Rowan said she hopes people will now be 'asking God for forgiveness so that the nation can heal.'

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court'

Some people held vigil silently outside the court in the nation's capital Monday evening

Politico reports that four of the five remaining Republican-appointed justices voted with Alito in December, after hearing oral arguments on a Mississippi abortion case. And that line-up remains unchanged as of this week.

The opinion draft - originally obtained by Politico - was written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court

Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett all voted to strike down Roe.

Democrat-appointed justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan are working on dissents.

What remains unclear his how Chief Justice John Roberts, appointed by George W. Bush, will vote. Sources told CNN that he would've dissented with the liberals on Alito's opinion draft.

But if the justices stand firm, it would not matter how Roberts votes as five back the Alito draft opinion.

'There are lots of signals the opinion is legit,' wrote Supreme Court attorney Neal Katyal on Twitter. 'The length and depth of analysis, would be very hard to fake. It says it is written by Alito and definitely sounds like him. It's 60+ pages long.'

Draft opinions can change and the ruling will not be final until it is published.

If the Alito draft is adopted, it would rule in favor of Mississippi in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization - a case involving the state's attempt to ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The draft opinion runs 98 pages, including a 31-page appendix of historical state abortion laws, Politico notes in its report. The document is replete with citations to previous court decisions, books and other authorities, and includes 118 footnotes. The appearances and timing of this draft are consistent with court practice.

Politico said only that it received 'a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the court's proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.'

Katyal described how the Supreme Court handles its decision making process.

'After oral argument the Justices take a tenative vote. This would have happened in December. The senior most justice in the majority gets to assign the opinion. That might have been Roberts, but doubtful since Alito wrote this draft,' he noted on Twitter.

'Now, once the draft is circulated, the justices in dissent will write an opinion. That's presumably happening now. But the tenative vote seems strong, and Chief Justice Roberts is irrelevant if the 4 + Alito hold with their tentative votes,' he added.

Pro-abortion rights protesters react outside the U.S. Supreme Court

One person holds up a signing expressing their dissent on the possible ruling

How US states are taking sides on abortion If the US Supreme Court votes to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that legalised abortion nationwide, conservative states will have more confidence that their new limits on abortion will stand while liberal states will feel more urgency to protect and expand abortion rights. Here are some restrictions and protections state legislatures have taken up in 2022: ABORTION RESTRICTIONS ARIZONA : Republican Governor Doug Ducey in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. It will take effect later this year if not blocked in court.

: Republican Governor Doug Ducey in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. It will take effect later this year if not blocked in court. FLORIDA : Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a 15-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for medical emergencies or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. The exceptions do not allow for abortion past 15 weeks in case of rape, incest or human trafficking. The ban is due to take effect on July 1.

: Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a 15-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for medical emergencies or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. The exceptions do not allow for abortion past 15 weeks in case of rape, incest or human trafficking. The ban is due to take effect on July 1. IDAHO : Republican Governor Brad Little signed a six-week abortion ban in March that allows family members of the fetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The Idaho law was due to take effect in April, but has been blocked by the state Supreme Court pending legal review.

: Republican Governor Brad Little signed a six-week abortion ban in March that allows family members of the fetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The Idaho law was due to take effect in April, but has been blocked by the state Supreme Court pending legal review. KENTUCKY : The legislature in April overrode Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto to enact several abortion restrictions, including a 15-week ban, a requirement that fetal remains be cremated or interred, and a requirement that a combination birth-death or stillbirth certificate be issued for each abortion. The law took immediate effect, suspending clinics' ability to provide abortions for eight days until a U.S. judge temporarily blocked its enforcement.

: The legislature in April overrode Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto to enact several abortion restrictions, including a 15-week ban, a requirement that fetal remains be cremated or interred, and a requirement that a combination birth-death or stillbirth certificate be issued for each abortion. The law took immediate effect, suspending clinics' ability to provide abortions for eight days until a U.S. judge temporarily blocked its enforcement. OKLAHOMA : The Senate in April passed a ban on all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. It relies on private citizens to sue providers and any person who 'aids or abets' abortions to be enforced. The House must approve the Senate's amendments before it heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. With the governor's approval, it would take effect immediately. Also in April, Oklahoma's legislature approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which relies on the same lawsuit enforcement mechanism. It will take immediate effect if signed by Stitt. Mr Stitt signed a bill in April banning abortion except in medical emergencies and penalizing providers who violate the law with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The law is due to take effect in August if not blocked in court.

: The Senate in April passed a ban on all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. It relies on private citizens to sue providers and any person who 'aids or abets' abortions to be enforced. The House must approve the Senate's amendments before it heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. With the governor's approval, it would take effect immediately. Also in April, Oklahoma's legislature approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which relies on the same lawsuit enforcement mechanism. It will take immediate effect if signed by Stitt. Mr Stitt signed a bill in April banning abortion except in medical emergencies and penalizing providers who violate the law with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The law is due to take effect in August if not blocked in court. SOUTH DAKOTA : Republican Governor Kristi Noem signed a bill in March requiring women to make three in-person doctor's visits to complete a medication abortion. The legislation's implementation depends on the outcome of a federal court case. ABORTION PROTECTIONS COLORADO : Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a bill on April 4 codifying the right to have an abortion. The measure immediately took effect.

: Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a bill on April 4 codifying the right to have an abortion. The measure immediately took effect. CONNECTICUT : The legislature passed a bill in April that protects anyone who provides abortions, has an abortion or assists someone having an abortion from other states' restrictions. Among other provisions, the measure bars state agencies from assisting in interstate investigations seeking to hold someone civilly or criminally liable for getting or aiding an abortion. The bill awaits Democratic Governor Ned Lamont's signature.

: The legislature passed a bill in April that protects anyone who provides abortions, has an abortion or assists someone having an abortion from other states' restrictions. Among other provisions, the measure bars state agencies from assisting in interstate investigations seeking to hold someone civilly or criminally liable for getting or aiding an abortion. The bill awaits Democratic Governor Ned Lamont's signature. MARYLAND : The legislature passed a bill that expands the definition of who can provide abortions to include any 'qualified provider,' establishes a state-funded abortion provider training program and requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of abortions. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the state's Democratic-controlled legislature overrode his veto on April 9 and the law is due to take effect on July 1.

: The legislature passed a bill that expands the definition of who can provide abortions to include any 'qualified provider,' establishes a state-funded abortion provider training program and requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of abortions. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the state's Democratic-controlled legislature overrode his veto on April 9 and the law is due to take effect on July 1. VERMONT : The Democratic-led legislature in February passed a constitutional amendment that guarantees the right to abortion. It will be on the ballot for voters to approve in November. Advertisement

The unprecedented leak has likely shaken the Supreme Court to its core.

Barricades were being posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online. Posts to social media showed people gathering at the metal fencing, holding candles in vigil.

The highly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign strategist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Such a ruling would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm election where Democrats are struggling to keep control of Congress.

Abortion would also become a major political issue in governors' races with states being given the right to determine whether or not to allow the procedure.

Both sides of the political aisle immediately jumped on the report with Democrats outraged and Republicans praising the news.

'Abortion care is a fundamental human right and we must legislation like it,' wrote progressive Rep. Ayanna Pressly of Massachusetts on Twitter.

'This is bulls***,' wrote Democratic Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota on Twitter.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers will not be silenced. The world is about to hear their fury. California will not sit back. We are going to fight like hell,' wrote Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California.

'The Supreme Court is preparing to overturn Roe - the most significant and glorious news of our lifetime. Join me in praying to God for the right outcome. Life begins at conception. Let's protect it,' tweeted conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida claimed the leak was done to influence the ruling.

'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions & norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion,' he wrote on Twitter.

And Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas called for an investigation of the leak.

'The Supreme Court & the DOJ must get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary,' he tweeted.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, in September, passed legislation that would codify abortion rights protections amid threats to Roe v. Wade.

That bill has been stalled in the 50-50 Senate, where it needs at least 60 votes to move forward. And it may need more than that as not all Democratic senators are guaranteed to vote for such a bill, particularly moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders said that 60-vote thresh hold, often called the filibuster, must be removed to legalize abortion.

'Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes,' he tweeted on Monday night.

Observers called the leak a 'crisis' for Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts' tenure leading the court - above Roberts speaks with retiring Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer in March at the State of the Union address

Protesters use coat hangers to signify that they were used for illegal abortions prior to Roe vs. Wade

Marchers hold up a sign reading 'The people are supreme' in front of the Supreme Court

A woman holds up a sign saying 'we won't go back' at the protest

Protesters numbered in the hundreds according to reporters at the Supreme Court Monday night

A sign telling the Supreme Court one opinion on their potential ruling

Republicans call the leak of Roe v. Wade draft opinion an effort to 'intimidate' justices into changing their ruling as Democrats promise to 'fight like hell' to stop abortion being banned

Republican lawmakers have celebrated the news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that is set to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision which legalized abortion - but have denounced the leak as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Republicans called it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, questioned why the opinion was leaked

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the 'world is about to hear [the] fury' of 'our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers' as he vowed to fight back against the decision

Mike Gibbons, who is currently facing Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance in the Republican primary for an Ohio Senate seat, wrote that the decision marked a 'huge pro-life victory,' noting it's 'great to see the Court recognize all life is protected under the Constitution.

'We still have to make sure we elect candidates that will continue to defend the unborn, which is exactly what I'll do in the U.S. Senate.

Others, though, raised doubts about why the opinion was leaked to POLITICO, with Marco Rubio writing: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions and norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion.'

Republican Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also tweeted that the leak is 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.'

'The Justices mustn't give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' Hawley wrote. 'Stay strong.'

Embattled Congressmember Madison Cawthorn also tweeted that the story 'was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down.'

'Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong,' he urged his followers, noting: 'Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win.'

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

Rubio questioned the leak of Alito's decision as a liberal plot on Monday night

Conservatives celebrated the news on Twitter Monday night - even as they questioned the leak

'If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years - not just on women but on all Americans,' Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement.

'The Republican-appointed Justices' reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.'

They also used the opportunity to slam former President Trump, saying: 'Several of these conservative justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the Constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century.

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump,' the two top Congressional Democrats continued, adding: 'Every Republican Senator who supported Sen. McConnell and voted for Trump justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people.'

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement following the news - apparently using the opportunity to slam former President Donald Trump

And Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted Monday night she is 'not surprised' by the news.

'This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights and lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law,' she wrote.

'It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal.

'What an utter disgrace.'

Many have now said they would fight the decision if it were passed - either at the federal or the state level.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy reminded his followers that he signed into law the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies the right to an abortion into New Jersey law.

'New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights,' he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said abortions rights would not be overturned 'on my watch,' and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also promised that 'abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York,' saying it will welcome anyone who says they need an abortion 'with open arms.'

'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed,' Hochul tweeted.

At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James also promised in a tweet to 'do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion' adding, 'Congress must act immediately to do the same.'

And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will 'fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal and accessible in our state.'

On the progressive end , woke Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, noted that Sen. Joe Manchin is preventing a vote on codifying abortion rights into law, while Sen. Bernie Sanders suggested ending the filibuster to get it passed.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also branded the Supreme Court 'extremist' in a tweet saying it will 'impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country.

'It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard,' Warren wrote. 'We're not going backnot ever.'

Prominent Democrats from across the country raged against the news on Twitter, as several Democratic governors vowed to protect abortion rights in their states

Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, warned that Alito's decision could also lead to bans on birth control as he claimed the decision is reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale.

He was referring to the novel by Margaret Atwood - which was later turned into a television show. In both iterations, women are forced by the state to give birth.

'The basic legal claim here is that the word 'abortion' doesn't appear in the Constitution, and of course it doesn't appear in the Constitution,' Raskin, a Constitutional lawyer, explained to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Monday night.

'But the Supreme Court in 1973, in Roe v. Wade or Griswold v. Connecticut - which was a 1965 decision by the Supreme Court striking down a law banning birth control, even for married couples in Connecticut - the Supreme Court said that the due process liberty clause include a right to privacy, over intimate decision making.

'So the point is that Justice Alito's decision would also apply, presumably, to the right to privacy in contraception,' he continued.

'If Casey is to fall, if Roe v. Wade is to fall, then Griswold v. Connecticut presumably is to follow as well because the word 'contraception' or 'birth control' doesn't appear in the Constitution [either].

'So this would appear to be an invitation to have Handmaid's Tale-type anti-feminist regulation and legislation all over the country,' Raskin concluded.

Roe vs Wade: The Texas mother who won the landmark 1973 case but then became a fierce opponent of abortion rights - and her 'Roe Baby' daughter who finally revealed her identity last year

Norma McCorvey, known as 'Jane Roe', is pictured in January 1983. A decade earlier she had won a landmark abortion case - but the baby she wished to abort, Shelley Lynn Thornton, was born before the case concluded

The original Roe v. Wade case was brought in 1971 by Norma McCorvey, a 22-year-old living in Texas who was unmarried and seeking a termination of her unwanted pregnancy.

She married at the age of 16, but separated shortly after while she was pregnant. She gave custody of her daughter to her mother.

She gave a second child up for adoption, but when she got pregnant a third time she decided to have an abortion.

She said she couldn't afford to travel to one of the handful of states where it would have been legal.

Because of state legislation preventing abortions unless the mother's life is at risk, she was unable to undergo the procedure in a safe and legal environment.

So McCorvey sued Henry Wade, the Dallas county district attorney, in 1970. The case went on to the Supreme Court, under the filing Roe vs Wade, to protect McCorvey's privacy.

Sarah Weddington and a former classmate, Linda Coffee, brought a class-action lawsuit on behalf of a pregnant woman challenging a state law that largely banned abortions.

She had been among only five women out of a class of 1,600 to graduate with a law degree from the University of Texas in 1967.

The Supreme Court handed down the watershed 7-2 decision that a woman's right to make her own medical decisions, including the choice to have an abortion, is protected under the 14th Amendment. In particular, that the Due Process Clause of the the 14th Amendment provides a fundamental 'right to privacy' that protects a woman's liberty to choose whether or not to have an abortion.

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized a woman's constitutional right to an abortion in Roe v. Wade. The landmark ruling legalized abortion nationwide but divided public opinion and has been under attack ever since.

The landmark ruling saw abortions decriminalized in 46 states, but under certain specific conditions which individual states could decide on. For example, states could decide whether abortions were allowed only during the first and second trimester but not the third (typically beyond 28 weeks).

Among pro-choice campaigners, the decision was hailed as a victory which would mean fewer women would become seriously - or even fatally - ill from abortions carried out by unqualified or unlicensed practitioners. Moreover, the freedom of choice was considered a significant step in the equality fight for women in the country. Victims of rape or incest would be able to have the pregnancy terminated and not feel coerced into motherhood.

However, pro-lifers contended it was tantamount to murder and that every life, no matter how it was conceived, is precious. Though the decision has never been overturned, anti-abortionists have prompted hundreds of states laws since then narrowing the scope of the ruling.

Norma McCorvey aka 'Jane Roe' (left) and her attorney Gloria Allred at the Supreme Court in 1989, the year she made her identity known. After winning Roe vs Wade, Norma went on to be a face for women's rights before switching to be pro-life years later. She admitted before she died that she made the change in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars

Following the ruling, McCorvey lived a quiet life until the 1980s when she revealed herself to be Jane Roe. McCorvey became a leading, outspoken pro-abortion voice in American discourse, even working at a women's clinic where abortions were performed.

However, she performed an unlikely U-turn in 1995, becoming a born-again Christian and began traveling the country speaking out against the procedure.

In 2003, a she filed a motion to overturn her original 1973 ruling with the U.S. district court in Dallas. The motion moved through the courts until it was ultimately denied by the Supreme Court in 2005.

McCorvey died at an assisted living home in Texas in February 2017, aged 69. She admitted before she died that she made the change in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This is my deathbed confession,' she says. 'I took their money and they took me out in front of the cameras and told me what to say. That's what I'd say.'

In the interview, McCorvey refers to herself as 'the Big Fish' in the eyes of evangelical leaders who were eager to have her publicly switch sides and take up their cause.

In addressing her activism for the religious right, McCorvey boasts: 'I'm a good actress.'

Baby Roe: Shelley Lynn Thornton, a 51-year-old mother of three, has spoken out for the first time on camera. Her biological mother Norma McCorvey was Jane Roe, whose landmark lawsuit Roe vs Wade won women across America the right to have abortions

Shelley Lynn Thornton, now 51, is the biological daughter of Norma McCorvey and spoke on the record for the first time in 2021.

Shelley appeared on Good Morning America for her first ever TV interview. Her identity was only made public in September by The Atlantic.

'A lot of people didn't know I existed,' she said, adding she fears the world blames her for abortion being legal.

'It doesn't revolve around me, I wasn't the one who created this law. I'm not the one who created this movement. I had nothing to do with it. I was just a little itty-bitty thing and, you know, circumstances prevailed.

'My whole thinking is that, 'oh God everybody is going to hate me because everyone is going to blame me for abortion being legal,' she said.

Thornton, who never met her birth mother in person before her death in 2017, told journalist Joshua Prager she had decided to speak out after more than half a century because she wanted to free herself from the 'secrets and lies.'

'Secrets and lies are, like, the two worst things in the whole world. I'm keeping a secret, but I hate it,' she said, in an adapted excerpt from Prager's new book 'The Family Roe: An American Story', published in The Atlantic.

'I want everyone to understand that this is something I've chosen to do.'
A furious row has erupted over a $63million Powerball win amid claims a member of an unsuccessful lotto syndicate is claiming a $260,000 slice of the jackpot.

The owners of winning 'pay off your mortgage' syndicate, Tania and Kevin Parkes, have gone to court stop Mark Ing - a consumer protection worker who allegedly bought a ticket in another syndicate - from collecting a share of the winnings.

The couple, who own City News Kalgoorlie and another newsagency in the city in regional Western Australia, run multiple syndicates for different Lotto prize pools in the state.

The syndicates offer participants the chance to win big for the relatively low price of just $100 each.

On February 24, the Mr and Mrs Parkes and the 248 others who entered #2 Syndicate - named 'pay off your mortgage' - were overjoyed when they found out they won $261,986 each, which was half the total $120million Powerball jackpot.

Tania and Kevin Parkes (pictured with their children after their Powerball numbers were called) run a number of Lotto syndicates from their newsagency in WA

Mark Ing (pictured) used to work in consumer protection for the Western Australian government

LOTTO SYNDICATES, EXPLAINED: A Lotto syndicate works by offering tickets to individual subscribers. In this case, tickets were $100 each. The money is pooled and operators use the funds to buy lottery tickets. If the syndicate lottery ticket wins a prize, the prize is divided equally between the subscribers. In this particular instance, when a syndicate ticket is sold, an individually-numbered copy of the ticket is generated by the Lotterywest equipment at the newsagency. That ticket is either collected by the subscriber, or held by the newsagency - pending collection. City News in Kalgoorlie allows subscribers to purchase syndicate tickets over the phone. The newsagency then records the payment and, when the payment is confirmed, issues a ticket and records the number. The agency keeps the ticket in a folder created for the subscriber. Advertisement

'Still absolutely buzzing. Thanks for an unbelievable unforgettable night guys,' the couple wrote four days later on Facebook.

'Wish we could have partied with all 250. Although feels like we did. Maybe a few sore heads in the morning.

'We f***ing did it!'

But what should have been a feel-good situation quickly turned sour when Mr Ing turned up at a Lotterywest office claiming he was part of the winning syndicate, which the Parkes alleged was not true.

According to documents filed in the Supreme Court in April, Mr Ing was able to make a claim for the cash, pending proof that he subscribed to the winning syndicate.

Lotterywest said that if the winning Syndicate #2 ticket was found, either the owners of the syndicate or Mr Ing could mail it to officials.

The Parkes allege they subsequently reviewed their records and discovered Mr Ing had bought into the unsuccessful #1 Syndicate - before subscriptions to the winning syndicate opened.

The Parkes claimed they asked Mr Ing to tell Lotterywest of the findings, but he maintained his claim on the winnings and refused to speak with them.

Lotterywest paid the winnings to all #2 Syndicate subscribers on March 11, except Mr Ing.

However on April 14 - even though there was a formal dispute over the winnings - officials told the couple they intended to pay Mr Ing.

The payout has since been blocked by the Supreme Court.

Kevin and Tania Parkes (pictured) were overjoyed when they won Powerball - along with 248 others

Members of the Lotto syndicate were offered tickets for $100 each. Pictured: The winning Powerball ticket

Mr Ing has worked as a senior regional officer at the Government of Western Australia's department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety since March 2020.

Prior to that, he worked at the Consumer Protection's Property Industries branch as a compliance officer.

The matter will return to court on August 2.

A middle-aged man from Coffs Harbour in NSW won the other half of the $120million Powerball jackpot.

Kevin and Tania Parkes run a newsagency in Kalgoorlie. After the winning numbers were called, they celebrated with some of the syndicate members
SKT building in Seoul / Courtesy of SKT



By Kim Hyun-bin



SK Telecom (SKT) is set to increase employee wages and welfare for this year in hopes of better satisfying and retaining workers, after some of its IT industry competitors made headlines for their significant pay raises, according to company officials Tuesday.



The officials said SKT's management and union have agreed to increase the base wage by 2.5 percent, up from the 1.9 percent proposed earlier. It will also provide 7 million won ($5,530) of additional pay to all employees this month.



The move comes as its competitors have been increasing wages and benefits drastically.



Kakao also raised salaries by 15 percent this year, and Naver's workers and management reached a tentative agreement on a wage hike of 10 percent. Last week, Samsung Electronics announced plans to increase employee wages by 9 percent.



"Compared to the industry, the 2.5 percent base salary increase may seem small, but SKT is well-known not just within SK Group but the industry for receiving tens of millions of won in incentives and high salaries. In addition, the additional salary of 7 million won for all employees is also significant," a senior industry official told The Korea Times, Tuesday.





CEO Yoo Young-sang
Melissa Caddick's DJ husband has been kicked out of his wife's $15million mansion, the Federal Court ordered.

On Tuesday morning, Justice Brigitte Markovic told Anthony Koletti to vacate the multi million-dollar home in Dover Heights, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, by May 18.

'Anthony Koletti is to be granted liberty to apply on two days' written notice in respect of any dispute regarding the removal of personal property items from the Dover Heights property,' Justice Markovic said.

The property will be sold by liquidators in an attempt to try and repay some of the $23million Caddick stole from investors in her Ponzi scheme - which largely comprised close friends and family.

Melissa Caddick's DJ husband has been kicked out of his wife's $15million mansion, the Federal Court has ordered (pictured together)

Anthony Koletti has been living in the Dover Heights home (pictured) since his wife vanished

Caddick posed as a financial advisor and told her 74 victims that she was investing their life savings in well-performing shares - fudging CommSec statements to trick them into believing they were accumulating wealth.

However, Caddick didn't invest anything on her clients' behalf - instead, she used investor money to fund her lavish lifestyle, which included luxury holidays, designer jewellery, clothes, cars, and a fine art collection.

Her scheme fell apart when the Australian Investment and Securities Commission and the Australian Federal Police raided her home in November 2020.

She mysteriously vanished the next day and wasn't seen or heard from again until March the following year when her severed foot washed up on a South Coast beach - 400km away from the Dover Heights mansion.

Caddick was presumed dead, but there will be a formal inquest in September.

Financial adviser Melissa Caddick is pictured with her husband Anthony Koletti in Aspen, Colorado, during a ski trip

Former hairdresser Anthony Koletti (pictured outside court in February) objected to the sale of the $15million home his fraudster wife bought with stolen money

Mr Koletti fought to keep some of the assets his wife bought with stolen funds - claiming only two weeks ago that he contributed financially to the household between 2017 and 2020.

In mid-April, the one-time DJ submitted a statement to the Federal Court claiming he was a homemaker and cared for his Caddick's teenage son - which meant he should be given Caddick's art collection, diamond jewellery, and her Gucci wedding dress.

He has also tried to get a cut of the sale of the $15million house, along with the $4million three-bedroom unit in Edgecliff - which Caddick bought for her elderly parents.

In February, Mr Koletti told the Federal Court that he saw 'no purpose' in receivers having access to the Dover Heights home.

'I need all the money that I can get,' he said.

Pictured: Anthony Koletti with the Audi R8 convertible sports car that Caddick bought

After claiming he was too busy to let a court-appointed insolvency group inside the property, he said he was 'trying to support a young child.'

Caddick's teenage son, who she had with her first husband, is understood to be living at the property with Mr Koletti.

The court previously heard that Mr Koletti had $1.95 in his bank account when Caddick vanished in November 2020 - the day after the home was raided by Australian Federal Police.

Steven Golledge, SC, who is representing Bruce Gleeson and Daniel Soire from insolvency firm Jones Partners, told the court that Mr Koletti objected to the sale of the house, but that he did not provide any evidence to support his claim.

Mr Koletti also objected to the sale of his Audi R8 convertible sports car, but again he failed to give liquidators any proof that he contributed to the $390,000 purchase in 2016.

The car sold for $295,000 in February, while Caddick's black 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 was auctioned for $66,250.
A mother who allegedly ordered her eldest son to drown his younger brother because she believed he was a 'devil child' who would be cleansed and reborn has pleaded not guilty.

Salimah Elizabeth Ainsworth, 39, from Western Australia is accused of pulling the boy from the bath - after the older son refused the order - and holding his nose until he passed out.

The three-year-old was later allegedly locked outside of the house naked for hours until neighbours heard the boy screaming and called police on September 30, 2021.

Ms Ainsworth appeared in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court in November via video-link from her jail cell before being granted bail to reside in York - a small town two hours outside Perth.

Salimah Ainsworth (pictured) pleaded not guilty to one charge of doing an act with intent to cause harm which endangered another

On Monday she pleaded not guilty in the same court to one charge of doing an act with intent to cause harm which endangered another, reports the Kalgoorlie Miner.

Ms Ainsworth previously apologised in court for the 'horrible' events and claimed they were the result of marijuana-induced psychosis.

The court heard allegations that on September 30 she woke her 13-year-old older son at their Kambalda West residence and told him to 'wash' the toddler.

She then allegedly tried to 'cleanse' the boy by putting him in the shower and bath before leaving him alone, turning the lights off and shutting the door - telling the older boy he was a 'devil child' and would be reborn.

Ms Ainsworth's alleged behaviour was revealed in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court (pictured)

The young brother hit his head on the bath while Ms Ainsworth was allegedly trying to force him in, before telling the older brother to drown him.

When he refused, she allegedly held the boy's nose until he passed out then ordered the brother to take him to his father's house 200m away, police claim.

The father was not at home and when the boys returned, she allegedly would not let in the younger son.

Three hours later, neighbours confronted Ms Ainsworth after allegedly hearing the child screaming and called police.

Ms Ainsworth will reappear in court in July when a trial at the District Court will be scheduled.
Republican lawmakers throughout the country celebrated the news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that is set to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision which legalized abortion - but have denounced the leak as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

Republicans celebrated the decision, calling it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

The Supreme Court is planning to vote to strike down the decision of Roe v. Wade, long considered a vanguard of guaranteeing a right to an abortion in the United States.

The opinion draft - originally obtained by Politico - was written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the 'world is about to hear [the] fury' of 'our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers' as he vowed to fight back against the decision

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, questioned why the opinion was leaked

Reaction to the news of Alito's draft opinion was swift Monday night, with conservative lawmakers celebrating the news after decades of fighting for an end to abortion rights - though they raised doubts about why the decision was leaked in the first place.

Mike Gibbons, who is currently facing Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance in the Republican primary for an Ohio Senate seat, wrote that the decision marked a 'huge pro-life victory,' noting it's 'great to see the Court recognize all life is protected under the Constitution.

'We still have to make sure we elect candidates that will continue to defend the unborn, which is exactly what I'll do in the U.S. Senate.

Others, though, raised doubts about why the opinion was leaked to POLITICO, with Marco Rubio writing: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republics institutions and norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion.'

Republican Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also tweeted that the leak is 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.'

'The Justices mustnt give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' Hawley wrote. 'Stay strong.'

Embattled Congressmember Madison Cawthorn also tweeted that the story 'was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down.'

'Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong,' he urged his followers, noting: 'Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win.'

And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, said in a statement she is 'overwhelmed with emotion because this is the best news of our lifetime.

'This is a great victory for God and the unborn who have been innocently slain for years, my entire lifetime,' she said.

'I want to urge everyone to continue to pray, people all over our country, people all over our world, have been praying to end abortion.

'I want you to understand that there is going to be a major pushback in our country because theres going to be people that are going to fight to keep it and theyre going to fight keep murdering the innocent unborn.

'I want you to dig in in prayer and faith and continue to pray that this actually comes true when they do release their opinion that Roe v Wade will be overturned and abortion will end and this will return the rights back to the states.

'I urge every single strong pro-life state to end it,' she wrote.

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

Rubio questioned the leak of Alito's decision as a liberal plot on Monday night

Conservatives celebrated the news on Twitter Monday night - even as they questioned the leak

A number of Democrats have since come out against the decision, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying in a joint statement that the decision 'would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.'

They also used the opportunity to slam former President Trump, saying: 'Several of these conservative justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the Constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century.

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump,' the two top Congressional Democrats continued, adding: 'Every Republican Senator who supported Sen. McConnell and voted for Trump justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people.'

And one-time Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted Monday night she is 'not surprised' by the news.

'This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights and lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law,' she wrote. 'It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal.

'What an utter disgrace.'

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement following the news - apparently using the opportunity to slam former President Donald Trump

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted that she was 'not surprised' by the news, but thought it was an 'utter disgrace'

Many have now said they would fight the decision if it were passed - either at the federal or the state level.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy reminded his followers that he signed into law the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies the right to an abortion into New Jersey law.

'New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights,' he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said abortions rights would not be overturned 'on my watch,' and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also promised that 'abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York,' saying it will welcome anyone who says they need an abortion 'with open arms.'

'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed,' Hochul tweeted.

At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James also promised in a tweet to 'do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion' adding, 'Congress must act immediately to do the same.'

And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will 'fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal and accessible in our state.'

On the progressive end , woke Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, noted that Sen. Joe Manchin is preventing a vote on codifying abortion rights into law, while Sen. Bernie Sanders suggested ending the filibuster to get it passed.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also branded the Supreme Court 'extremist' in a tweet saying it will 'impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country.

'It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard,' Warren wrote. 'We're not going backnot ever.'

Prominent Democrats from across the country raged against the news on Twitter, as several Democratic governors vowed to protect abortion rights in their states

Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, warned that Alito's decision could also lead to bans on birth control as he claimed the decision is reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale.

He was referring to the novel by Margaret Atwood - which was later turned into a television show. In both iterations, women are forced by the state to give birth.

'The basic legal claim here is that the word "abortion" doesn't appear in the Constitution, and of course it doesn't appear in the Constitution,' Raskin, a Constitutional lawyer, explained to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Monday night.

'But the Supreme Court in 1973, in Roe v. Wade or Griswold v. Connecticut - which was a 1965 decision by the Supreme Court striking down a law banning birth control, even for married couples in Connecticut - the Supreme Court said that the due process liberty clause include a right to privacy, over intimate decision making.

'So the point is that Justice Alito's decision would also apply, presumably, to the right to privacy in contraception,' he continued. 'If Casey is to fall, if Roe v. Wade is to fall, then Griswold v. Connecticut presumably is to follow as well because the word "contraception" or "birth control" doesn't appear in the Constitution [either].

'So this would appear to be an invitation to have Handmaid's Tale-type anti-feminist regulation and legislation all over the country,' Raskin concluded.

Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin compared a draft Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade to The Handmaid's Tale on Monday night

He explained in an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, left, that the decision could also jeopardize access to birth control

Raskin was referencing a Margaret Atwood novel - which later inspired a television show - in which women are forced by the state to give birth

The Supreme Court's draft decision has shaken the Supreme Court to its core, with barricades posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online.

The highly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign strategist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Such a ruling would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm election where Democrats are struggling to keep control of Congress.

Abortion would also become a major political issue in governors' races with states being given the right to determine whether or not to allow the procedure.
Norma McCorvey, known as 'Jane Roe', is pictured in January 1983. A decade earlier she had won a landmark abortion case - but the baby she wished to abort, Shelley Lynn Thornton, was born before the case concluded

The Supreme Court has voted to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that legalized abortion in the United States, a bombshell report revealed on Monday.

The decision, outlined in a majority draft opinion that was leaked to the public, repudiates both Roe v Wade and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs Casey Decision. This is the first such case in modern history of a Supreme Court draft decision being leaked to the public while the case was still pending.

The history of the Roe v Wade, which has proved controversial since it was made in 1973, dates back half a century.

The case was filed in 1971 by Norma McCorvey, a 22-year-old living in Texas who was unmarried and seeking a termination of her unwanted pregnancy.

She married at the age of 16, but separated shortly after while she was pregnant. She gave custody of her daughter to her mother.

She gave a second child up for adoption, but when she got pregnant a third time she decided to have an abortion.

She said she couldnt afford to travel to one of the handful of states where it would have been legal. Because of state legislation preventing abortions unless the mother's life is at risk, she was unable to undergo the procedure in a safe and legal environment.

McCorvey sued Henry Wade, the Dallas county district attorney, in 1970. The case went on to the Supreme Court, under the filing Roe vs Wade, to protect McCorvey's privacy.

Sarah Weddington and a former classmate, Linda Coffee, brought a class-action lawsuit on behalf of a pregnant woman challenging a state law that largely banned abortions.

She had been among only five women out of a class of 1,600 to graduate with a law degree from the University of Texas in 1967.

If and when the leaked draft is made final, the decision removes the federal right to abortion in America, leaving it up to elected officials in each state to decide whether or not women should have access to abortions. Twenty-six states are likely to ban it if Roe v. Wade is formally overturned, essentially outlawing abortion in more than half of the country. Eighteen states already have restrictive abortion laws in place.

McCorvey is pictured in July 2011. She died in 2017 without ever meeting Shelley in person. The pair spoke on the phone in 1989

Norma McCorvey aka 'Jane Roe' (left) and her attorney Gloria Allred at the Supreme Court in 1989, the year she made her identity known. After winning Roe vs Wade, Norma went on to be a face for women's rights before switching to be pro-life years later. She admitted before she died that she made the change in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars

The Supreme Court handed down the watershed 7-2 decision that a woman's right to make her own medical decisions, including the choice to have an abortion, is protected under the 14th Amendment. In particular, that the Due Process Clause of the the 14th Amendment provides a fundamental 'right to privacy' that protects a woman's liberty to choose whether or not to have an abortion.

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized a woman's constitutional right to an abortion in Roe v. Wade. The landmark ruling legalized abortion nationwide but divided public opinion and has been under attack ever since.

The landmark ruling saw abortions decriminalized in 46 states, but under certain specific conditions which individual states could decide on. For example, states could decide whether abortions were allowed only during the first and second trimester but not the third (typically beyond 28 weeks).

Among pro-choice campaigners, the decision was hailed as a victory which would mean fewer women would become seriously - or even fatally - ill from abortions carried out by unqualified or unlicensed practitioners. Moreover, the freedom of choice was considered a significant step in the equality fight for women in the country. Victims of rape or incest would be able to have the pregnancy terminated and not feel coerced into motherhood.

However, pro-lifers contended it was tantamount to murder and that every life, no matter how it was conceived, is precious. Though the decision has never been overturned, anti-abortionists have prompted hundreds of states laws since then narrowing the scope of the ruling.

Baby Roe: Shelley Lynn Thornton, a 51-year-old mother of three, has spoken out for the first time on camera. Her biological mother Norma McCorvey was Jane Roe, whose landmark lawsuit Roe vs Wade won women across America the right to have abortions

Shelley said she is neither pro-life or pro-choice. 'I don't understand why it's a government concern,' she said. She has three kids of her own and when she first became pregnant at 20, decided abortion was not 'part of who' she was

Roe vs Wade: How the landmark ruling protected a woman's right to choose The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognized that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion. Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion. She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger. Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights. Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category. The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant. The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court. The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972. Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states. Advertisement

Following the ruling, McCorvey lived a quiet life until the 1980s when she revealed herself to be Jane Roe.

McCorvey became a leading, outspoken pro-abortion voice in American discourse, even working at a women's clinic where abortions were performed.

However, she performed an unlikely U-turn in 1995, becoming a born-again Christian and began traveling the country speaking out against the procedure.

In 2003, a she filed a motion to overturn her original 1973 ruling with the U.S. district court in Dallas. The motion moved through the courts until it was ultimately denied by the Supreme Court in 2005.

McCorvey died at an assisted living home in Texas in February 2017, aged 69. She admitted before she died that she made the change in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

'This is my deathbed confession,' she said. 'I took their money and they took me out in front of the cameras and told me what to say. Thats what Id say.'

In the interview, McCorvey refered to herself as 'the Big Fish' in the eyes of evangelical leaders who were eager to have her publicly switch sides and take up their cause.

In addressing her activism for the religious right, McCorvey boasts: 'I'm a good actress.'

Shelley Lynn Thornton, now 51, is the biological daughter of Norma McCorvey and spoke on the record for the first time in 2021.

Thornton was two-and-a-half when Roe v Wade was decided. She had been adopted by Ruth Schmidt and Billy Thornton as a baby.

Thornton appeared on Good Morning America for her first ever TV interview. Her identity was only made public in September by The Atlantic.

'A lot of people didn't know I existed,' she said, adding she fears the world blames her for abortion being legal.

'It doesn't revolve around me, I wasn't the one who created this law. I'm not the one who created this movement. I had nothing to do with it. I was just a little itty-bitty thing and, you know, circumstances prevailed.

'My whole thinking is that, "oh God everybody is going to hate me because everyone is going to blame me for abortion being legal,"' she said.

Thornton, who never met her birth mother in person before her death in 2017, told journalist Joshua Prager she had decided to speak out after more than half a century because she wanted to free herself from the 'secrets and lies.'

Shelley Thorton was adopted as a baby and raised by Ruth and Billy Thornton, a married couple. She is their only child. She was two-and-a-half when Roe v Wade was decided

Norma McCorvey (left) holds a pro-choice sign with former attorney Gloria Allred (right) in front of the US Supreme Court building on April 26, 1989

'Secrets and lies are, like, the two worst things in the whole world. I'm keeping a secret, but I hate it,' she said, in an adapted excerpt from Prager's new book 'The Family Roe: An American Story', published in The Atlantic.

'I want everyone to understand that this is something I've chosen to do.'

She says she has never forgiven McCorvey for trying to 'use her for publicity' when she was a teenager and discovered who she was after being confronted by National Enquirer reporters her biological mother had enlisted.

'They'd asked me if I'd ever heard of her before and I said no. And they said, 'Well, she is the woman who they used to do the Roe versus Wade case. She was Jane Roe.'"

She said she'd grown up with the idea that 'if a family member had a baby, they couldn't take care of it, then somebody else in the family took it and took care of it.'

Norma McCorvey aka 'Jane Roe' (left) and her attorney Gloria Allred at the Supreme Court in 1989, the year she made her identity known. After winning Roe vs Wade, Norma went on to be a face for women's rights before switching to be pro-life years later. She admitted before she died that she made the change in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars

The reporters told her who her biological mother was then asked her if she was 'pro life or pro choice' which she said she didn't understand.

'And that's really hard to grasp when you're in that kind of a situation and you're just kind of like learning all of this stuff,' she said.

Schmidt ended the meeting and the pair left. They asked the Enquirer not to reveal Thornton's identity and the magazine respected her wishes.

Afterwards, Thornton spoke to McCorvey on the phone.

She didn't deserve to meet me. She never did anything in her life to get that privilege back. She never expressed genuine feeling for me or genuine remorse for doing the things that she did, saying the things that she did over and over and over again

'It became apparent to me really quickly that the only reason why she wanted to reach out to me and find me was because she wanted to use me for publicity.

'She didn't deserve to meet me,' Thornton said. 'She never did anything in her life to get that privilege back.'

'She never expressed genuine feeling for me or genuine remorse for doing the things that she did, saying the things that she did over and over and over again.

'She wasn't sorry, about giving me away or anything,' she said.

Thornton said last year she will never forgive McCorvey 'mostly because I feel that she could have handled things a lot better.'

She said she wished she had been 'upfront' about craving media attention over a real relationship with her.

'I can deal with that. I can't deal with lies and treachery and things like that. To me, that's like no, sorry, not playing that game with you. And that's all it was. It was a game. It was a game. I was just a pawn, and I wasn't going to let her do it.'

McCorvey is pictured in 1998. Shelley Lynn Thornton, 51, has come forward to reveal that she is the youngest daughter of McCorvey - the woman known as Jane Roe

The Enquirer published an article in 1989 revealing the so-called 'Roe baby' had been found but, at her request, did not reveal Thornton's identity.

Two years after the Enquirer article and as an unmarried 20-year-old, Thornton discovered she was pregnant.

She was already planning to marry her partner Doug but said she was 'not at all' eager to become a mother.

Doug had suggested they consider an abortion, but Thornton said her ties to the Roe v. Wade case had caused her to rethink her views on abortion.

When the Enquirer had tracked her down, Thornton's adoptive mom, Schmidt, told the journalist 'we don't believe in abortion,' she said.

The publication had then described her as pro-life because she had told the journalist 'she couldn't see herself having an abortion.'

Thornton said she was unhappy with this description because she regarded pro-life as 'a bunch of religious fanatics going around and doing protests.'

Shelley Thornton (pictured during childhood) knew she was adopted but didn't know who her birth mother was until 1989 when she was contacted by reporters from The National Enquirer

After the Roe v. Wade ruling, McCorvey lived quietly for several years before revealing herself as Jane Roe in the 1980s. She also confessed to lying when she said the pregnancy was the result of rape.

Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, she remained an ardent supporter of abortion rights and worked for a time at a Dallas women's clinic where abortions were performed.

But she did an about-face and later spoke out on behalf of anti-abortion campaigners after befriending The Rev. Philip 'Flip' Benham when his anti-abortion group moved next door to the clinic where she was working.

She was baptized an evangelical Christian before network TV cameras by Benham, who was the leader of Operation Rescue, now known as Operation Save America.

Her religious conversion led her to give up her female lover, Connie Gonzales. She said the relationship turned platonic in the early 1990s and that once she became a Christian she believed homosexuality was wrong.

A short time later, she underwent another religious conversion and became a Roman Catholic and left Operation Rescue. Though she was still against abortion, she said she had reservations about the group's confrontational style.

McCorvey formed her own group, Roe No More Ministry, in 1997 and traveled around the U.S. speaking out against abortion. In testimony for a Senate subcommittee in 1998, McCorvey said: 'I am dedicated to spending the rest of my life undoing the law that bears my name.'

In 2005, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge by McCorvey to the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.

McCorvey was baptized an evangelical Christian in the 1990s before network TV cameras by Benham, who was the leader of Operation Rescue, now known as Operation Save America

Norma McCorvey stands with her friend Meredith Champion, 9, at an Operation Rescue rally in downtown Dallas in January 1997

McCorvey had written two autobiographies in her lifetime - one about pro-abortion and later about her change in stance.

The first, 'I Am Roe' in 1994, included abortion-rights sentiments along with details of her early life of dysfunctional parents, reform school, petty crime, drug abuse, alcoholism, an abusive husband, an attempted suicide and lesbianism.

McCorvey was born in Louisiana in 1947 and spent part of her childhood there until her family moved to Dallas.

In her book, she recounted stealing money at the age of 10 from the gas station where she worked afternoons and weekends and running away to Oklahoma City before being returned home by police.

She was eventually sent to a state reform school for girls in the northern Texas town of Gainesville, living there from the age of 11 to 15.

She married Elwood McCorvey at the age of 16, but separated shortly after while she was pregnant. With her drug and alcohol problems, she gave custody of her daughter, Melissa Mills, to her mother who eventually adopted the girl.

McCorvey fell pregnant to a different man and gave the baby up for adoption in 1967.

It was her third pregnancy that catapulted her into the abortion rights struggle.

Her first child was the only one of her three children who was a part of her mother's life. Mills was with McCorvey when she died.

Before Shelley, Norma McCorvey had two other daughters who she put up for adoption. Melissa Mills is one of them (pictured in 2021). Her first child was the only one of her three children who was a part of her mother's life. Mills was with McCorvey when she died

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

The news sent shock waves throughout Washington D.C. with Democrats vowing to codify the legal right to an abortion into law and Republicans celebrating the news.

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states as more than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights.

However, abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant - and have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years.

There are 18 states that have near-total bans on their books, while four more have time-limit band and four others are likely to pass new bans if Roe v. Wade is overturned

Republican appointed-Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett all voted to strike down Roe with Samuel Alito, Politico noted

Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute.

Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.

The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.

This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights.

Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion.
Hillary Clinton on Monday attended her first Met Gala in 21 years, wearing a dress designed to send a powerful message to those who came near her.

Clinton, 74, worked with designer Joseph Altuzarra to pay tribute to celebrated women of the past, with 60 of their names sewn into her burgundy strapless gown.

Asked for the inspiration, she said she was discussing ideas with the French-American designer and came up with the concept.

'I said, 'What about American women in the past who have inspired me?'' she explained to red carpet interviewers Vanessa Hudgens and Hamish Bowles, Vogue Editor at Large.

Clinton said the initial list was excessive, so they limited it to women who were dead, and whittled it down to 60 names.

The names of Harriet Tubman, Sacagawea, Eleanor Roosevelt and her mother, Dorothy Rodham, were among those sewn into the hem and neckline - along with Madeleine Albright.

Hillary Clinton is pictured on Monday arriving at the Met Gala in her custom-made Altuzarra

The gown featured names of women Clinton admired sewn into the neckline - among them Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to get a medical degree in the US; Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross; and Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist

Clinton said that she was discussing with Altuzarra how best to interpret the theme, 'Gilded Glamor'

The former secretary of state waves as she arrives at the New York museum

Clinton is seen on Monday enthusiastically greeting a friend on the red carpet

Monday marked the first time that Clinton has attended the Met Gala since 2001

She also chose Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to get a medical degree in the US, and Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross.

Clinton was accompanied by her longtime aide Huma Abedin, in a strapless yellow gown.

Clinton's gown featured a nod to the exhibition accompanying the gala, as it drew inspiration from a piece featured in the exhibit.

Huma Abedin, Clinton's longtime aide, attended the event with her

'It reflected Joseph's interest in what were called friendship quilts, that women used to embroider sayings, or phrases or the names of families and friends,' Clinton said.

Altuzarra told Vogue.com: 'The quilt was an opportunity for women to get together and have this social interaction.

'They were often a kind of memory for women of their community and families, especially if they didn't stay in one place all their life.'

The 39-year-old added: 'I do think America has a very rich and long history of folk craftsmanship, which I thought was a really nice story to allude to.

'People who aren't famous but who would quilt at home and create things for their families.'

Altuzarra, who has previously dressed stars such as Salma Hayek and Evan Rachel Wood for the Met Gala, said he knew that Clinton would draw attention.

'For better or worse, whatever she wears is dissected and analyzed so thoroughly that you have to be very thoughtful about the choices that you make,' Altuzarra said.

'Obviously I was thinking about making her look great, but I was also thinking about the story she's going to be telling through this dress, and how she would actually vocalize that when people ask her about it.

'I wanted that story to be something she felt a personal connection to.'
A man who allegedly assaulted an anti-communist protester has been charged by police.

The NSW Police Force confirmed officers have now charged a 48-year-old man with assault following Drew Pavlou's, 20, viral political protest in Eastwood, Sydney, on Saturday.

An angry mob surrounded Mr Pavlou on Saturday night after he held up a sign which read 'f*** Xi Jinping' at a busy Asian market in one of Sydney's highest Chinese population suburbs.

The NSW Police Force confirmed officers have now charged a 48-year-old man with assault following Drew Pavlou's, 20, viral political protest in Eastwood, Sydney, on Saturday

'F*** you, motherf***er,' one bystander screamed at him repeatedly.

Another person punched Mr Pavlou's sign and told him: 'America has genocide, not Xi Jinping.'

Video shows how the situation quickly escalated when two men attempted to take the camera from Mr Pavlou's friend and snatched his sign away.

Several women in the crowd told Mr Pavlou he was a coward and to 'f*** off' while he remained standing in the street.

An angry mob surrounded Mr Pavlou on Saturday night after he held up a sign which read 'f*** Xi Jinping' at a busy Asian market in one of Sydney's highest Chinese population suburbs

Police were forced to intervene as the situation worsened but there were no reports of serious injury.

'My point is a simple one - I should be able to insult a dictator like Xi Jinping in my own country without being physically assaulted and attacked,' Mr Pavlou wrote on Facebook.

'Australia is a democracy and we should be free to insult any leader no matter how coarsely - this is a simple principle of free speech.

'No way would I have been surrounded by 50 people and physically assaulted if I held up a sign saying 'F*** Scott Morrison' in Sydney.

Police were forced to intervene at the Eastwood protest as the situation worsened but there were no reports of serious injury

'Why should Chinese ultra-nationalists get a free pass to assault people in Australia if someone insults Xi Jinping?'

The 48-year-old man was charged with assault on Monday and is due to appear at Hornsby Local Court on June 1.

On Sunday, Mr Pavlou claimed NSW Police had called him to inform him they were conducting an investigation into his protest.

'New South Wales police just called me to tell me I'm getting charged for holding a sign saying 'f*** Xi Jinping' in Sydney,' he tweeted.

Mr Pavlou has repeatedly made headlines since organising a protest movement in support of democracy in Hong Kong and the University of Queensland

'They won't tell me what the exact charge is and they won't tell me whether the men who physically assaulted us are being charged.'

NSW Police has not yet laid any formal charges against Mr Pavlou.

Mr Pavlou - based in Brisbane - was in Sydney to support Democratic Alliance candidate Kyinzom Dhongdue, who has Tibetan heritage is running for the seat of Bennelong.

Mr Pavlou has repeatedly made headlines since organising a protest movement in support of democracy in Hong Kong and the University of Queensland.

He launched the Drew Pavlou Democratic Alliance (DPDA) federal political party in December of last year and is running for the Federal Senate at the May 21 election.

His party pledges to fight corruption, protect human rights, tackle poverty and homelessness and build a green economy.
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 Austin's 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.

President Joe Biden met Marc (L) and Debra Tice, the parents of US journalist Austin Tice on Monday. They are seen holding portraits of him during a press conference in 2017

Austin Tice's current whereabouts and health status remain unclear. It's been nearly ten years since he was last seen after going missing in Syria in 2012

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 killed, injured, detained or go missing while covering conflicts.

Biden also said at the event that he wanted to meet with the Tices to speak about their son.

During Saturday night's event, WHCA president Steve Portnoy of CBC News asked Debra Tice to stand and paid tribute to her son, 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.

Halfway through his speech on Saturday night, Biden said to Debra Tice: 'Mom, I'd like to meet you and Dad to talk about your son'

Marc and Debra Tice, the parents of US journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria almost ten years ago are pictured together in 2018

Speaking of Austin Tice, Portnoy said: '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 also spoke at the event then 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.'

'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.'

'Today's meeting built on multiple meetings and conversations between the Tice family and the President's national security team, which will remain in regular contact with the Tices and other families of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

Debra Tice appeared at White House Correspondent's Association dinner on Saturday (above)

President Biden reiterated his commitment to continue to work through all available avenues to secure Austin Tice's long overdue return to his family

'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 in a statement.

Tice, a freelance journalist who is from Houston 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.'

Only one video showing him alive and 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.

Marc and Debra Tice have pleaded with the Biden administration to help their son. They are pictured in an interview last August when their son would have turned 40

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.

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.

Biden's meeting with Marc and Debra Tice took place at the White House on Monday. The couple are pictured during a press conference in December 2018

'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.'

The Biden administration called on Syria to return Tice last year.

'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.

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.
A 'hellish' Covid-19 outbreak aboard a cruise ship off the north-west coast of Australia has seen up to 20 passengers and crew forced to isolate.

The Coral Geographer, which costs $3,000 a night, docked in Darwin on Tuesday and the affected passengers and crew - who had been restricted to their cabins - were allowed to disembark and were taken to isolation facilities.

There were 74 passengers and 38 crew on board the cruise, and around 50 were allowed to disembark after they were screened and tested negative, the NT News reported.

Up to 20 passengers and crew are being forced to isolate on board the Coral Geographer cruise (pictured) following a COVID-19 outbreak on Tuesday

'This was managed in Darwin (on Tuesday) by Coral Expeditions who arranged transport and lodgings in a safe manner and in full collaboration with health authorities,' Coral Expeditions Commercial director Jeff Gillies said.

'All unaffected guests and crew disembarked as normal.

One of the positive passengers described the situation on board as 'hellish' and said being forced into isolation in the cabin felt 'like a jail.'

'Your dinner (is) handed to you in plastic plates at 9pm,' the passenger said.

'It started with the staff. A staff member was the first to declare they were positive.'

The passenger said there should have been a doctor on board, that sick passengers and crew should have been given access to telehealth to consult a medical practitioner.

The passenger who caught COVID-19 while on board, claimed it felt 'like a jail'

The people affected by the virus were set to isolate at the DoubleTree hotel, after the Howard Springs quarantine facility was mothballed last month due to the end of isolation requirements for all entries.

Passengers were advised to claim the hotel bills on their health insurance.
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Hundreds of pro-choice activists took to the streets of Washington late into the night on Monday after news that the U.S. Supreme Court may overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling which legalized abortion nationwide.

A leaked initial draft majority opinion suggests the court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, Politico reported on Monday. The Supreme Court and the White House declined to comment.

Abortion rights supporters could be heard shouting 'abortion is healthcare' and 'my body my choice' outside the court in what were often emotional scenes.

Pro-life supporters were also present but in far smaller numbers with the two groups seen facing off outside the court. Anti-abortion activists chanted 'hey, hey, ho, ho, Roe v. Wade has got to go'.

A crowd of people gathered outside the Supreme Court on Monday night after a draft opinion circulated among Supreme Court justices suggesting the majority of them had thrown support behind overturning the 1973 case Roe v. Wade

Pro-abortion rights protesters react outside the U.S. Supreme Court after the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito preparing for a majority of the court to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights later this year

A crowd of people gather outside the Supreme Court, early on Tuesday morning in Washington

Protestors react outside the U.S. Supreme Court to the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito preparing for a majority of the court to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision later this year

Abortion is one of the most divisive issues in U.S. politics and has been for nearly a half century.

A 2021 poll by the Pew Research Center found that 59% of U.S. adults believed it should be legal in all or most cases, while 39% thought it should be illegal in most or all cases.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' conservative Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the draft opinion which is dated Feb. 10, according to Politico, which posted a copy online.

Based on Alito's opinion, the court would find that the Roe v. Wade decision that allowed abortions performed before a fetus would be viable outside the womb - between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy - was wrongly decided because the U.S. Constitution makes no specific mention of abortion rights.

Hundreds of pro-choice and anti-abortion activists on Monday night chanted and waved placards in the plaza in front of the steps to the Supreme Court, with barriers and a few uniformed police officers barring access to the colonnaded building.

Abby Korb, a 23-year-old graduate student and congressional aide, said she was 'in literal shock' when the news broke and quickly headed to the Supreme Court with a friend.

'I'm a woman and my rights are being taken away every single day,' she said.

Like many others at the spontaneous demonstration, Korb, originally from Wisconsin, is now calling for legislation at the federal level to protect access to abortion.

'We need access to safe abortion because making it illegal isn't going to stop it, it's just going to make it more dangerous,' she said.

The growing crowd took turns to hurl expletives at Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who reportedly wrote the opinion, and called on Democratic Party leaders to 'do something'.

Madeline Hren, a 25-year-old from North Carolina, said she was very angry.

'I called everyone I knew to be very angry,' she said, holding a small sign with a drawing of a bloody coat hanger that said 'We will not go back.'

'I'm really upset about it... I didn't cry. I'm mostly just mad,' said Hren, who works for the UN Foundation. She now fears that an abortion ban will extend to her native North Carolina.

For opponents of the right to abortion, however, it was time to celebrate.

'You don't care if people die,' they sang at the pro-choice crowd.

'I hope they overturn it,' said Claire Rowan, a 55-year-old mother of seven children, some of whom accompanied her to the demonstration.

Rowan said she hopes people will now be 'asking God for forgiveness so that the nation can heal.'

An anti-abortion protester celebrates outside the U.S. Supreme Court after the leak of a draft majority opinion

Anti-abortion protesters celebrate outside the U.S. Supreme Court after the leak of a draft majority opinion

It's unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter but emotions ran high on Monday night

People could be heard chanting 'abortion is healthcare' loudly and seen holding signs as the crowd grew

'Abortion presents a profound moral question. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each state from regulating or prohibiting abortion,' Alito said, according to the leaked document.

The unprecedented leak sent shock waves through the United States, not least because the court prides itself on keeping its internal deliberations secret and leaks are extremely uncommon.

The news stunned abortion providers.

On Monday night, Andrea Gallegos, executive administrator at Tulsa Women's Clinic in Oklahoma, had just finished calling some 25 patients scheduled for abortions on Tuesday to tell them that their appointments would need to be canceled because of a soon to be enacted Oklahoma law modeled on a highly restrictive Texas abortion ban.

'I can't say that I'm surprised,' she said.

'Now all these other conservative states like Oklahoma are passing the exact same legislation that Texas did, I have to say I became less optimistic and way more scared for what the future of Roe looks like.'

The ruling would be the court's most sweeping since former President Donald Trump succeeded in naming three justices to the court, cementing a 6-3 conservative majority.

'I'm just a little in shock,' said one protester who said she expected the court would not overturn almost 50 years of precedent

Demonstrators rallied outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday night

Jack Parr, 18, of Long Island, New York and Lexi Plaisted, 18, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, gather with other protestors outside the U.S. Supreme Court

About 200 mostly pro-abortion rights protesters were gathered in front of barricades at the court in Washington, D.C. chanting 'abortion is health care'

Demonstrators gather outside of the U.S. Supreme Court to hold signs opposing any kind of ban on abortion

Some women who gathered outside the court were almost in tears at what may lie ahead

An anti-abortion rights protester celebrates outside the U.S. Supreme Court after hearing the news

Pro-Life and pro-choice activists gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court on May 2. According to Politico's reporting, Alito's draft is not final and could change

There are 18 states that have near-total bans on their books, while four more have time-limit band and four others are likely to pass new bans if Roe is overturned

'The Republican-appointed Justices' reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history,' said U.S. House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, both Democrats.

The news broke a little more than six months before the midterm elections that will determine if Democrats hold their razor-thin majorities in the U.S. Congress for the next two years of President Joe Biden's term in office.

The decision appeared based on an oral argument in December on Mississippi's bid to revive its ban on abortion starting at 15 weeks of pregnancy, a law blocked by lower courts.

The report said a court majority was inclined to uphold Mississippi's abortion ban and that there could be five votes to overturn Roe. An official ruling is expected sometime before the end of June.

Four of the other Republican-appointed justices - Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett - voted with Alito in the conference held among the justices, the report added.

More than half of all states have some kind of abortion ban law set to take effect if Roe v Wade is overturned by the United States Supreme Court

Some demonstrators sat outside the court and lit candles in silence. A small number of counter-protesters also gathered

The news sent shock waves throughout Washington D.C. with Democrats vowing to codify the legal right to an abortion into law and Republicans demanding an investigating into the leak

Protestors react outside the U.S. Supreme Court with some strongly-worded signs

The opinion was drafted in February 2022. It's likely that a final ruling will be made public within the next two months

After an initial vote among the justices following an oral argument, one is assigned the majority opinion and writes a draft. It is then circulated among the justices.

At times, in between the initial vote and the ruling being released, the vote alignment can change. A ruling is only final when it is published by the court.

The Roe v. Wade decision recognized that the right to personal privacy under the U.S. Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy.

Christian conservatives and many Republican officeholders have long sought to overturn it.

If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights. Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years.

A crowd of people gather outside the Supreme Court, in the early hours of Tuesday morning

One woman could be seen holding a coat hanger - a reference to crude and dangerous method used in back alley abortions

Pro-abortion rights protesters take part in a vigil while anti-abortion protesters celebrate behind them outside the court

Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Democrats said the draft opinion undermines the importance of this year's elections, in which they are seeking to maintain control of the House and Senate. Republican lawmakers criticized the leak, suggesting it was an attempt to inappropriately pressure the court into changing course.

The anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List welcomed the news.

'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature,' said its president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, in a statement.

A protester holds a candle outside the Supreme Court after the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito

Hundreds of people could be seen gathered out on the street

A protester holds a sign outside the U.S. Supreme Court during the protest on Monday night

Court police installed metal barricades in front of the stone building's steps on Monday evening after news broke of the draft opinion's existence
An Australian man has shared a terrifying photo of a giant huntsman the size of a face perched on his living room wall after he allowed it to live in his family's home for more than a year.

Jake Gray initially saw the spider a year ago inside his Cairns home in Far North Queensland, only to find it had grown to a monstrous size 12 months later.

The spider is reportedly named Charlotte, and loves going from room to room eating bugs.

'Check out this big girl... the mighty huntsman,' he wrote.

Jake Gray found the spider on the wall of his Cairns home in north Queensland and said it has been living there for about a year

While Mr Gray seemed to be coping with the arachnid living on his property, other social media commenters were not as excited about the size of the spider.

'Is this a jungle?' One woman said.

'Bruh that's the spider's house now, make sure they have a copy of the deed,' another person wrote.

One person wrote: 'Id have to move house and buy new stuff. Its all charlottes now.

Another commented: 'I will never visit Australia. You could not pay me enough money to visit that god forsaken land.'

'When people ask me why I left Australia this. This is why. You dont know real fear till you wake up at 4am in the morning and one of these dudes is staring at you from your ceiling,' another said.

'It's going to have to start paying rent soon and contribute to the upkeep,' one user commented.

Fellow Queenslanders shared their own stories about finding scary spiders in unfortunate places, with one woman finding a banded huntsman in her car.

'A few years ago while driving to school on the Gold Coast, my son in the backseat said to his brother in the front "what's that behind your head?",' one woman wrote.

'I looked and stopped the car and we all got out screaming.

Fellow Queenslanders shared their own stories about finding scary spiders in unfortunate places, with one woman finding a banded huntsman in her car (pictured)

Another woman had been driving in the car last month when she found a huge huntsman crawling inside the car (pictured right)

'I picked up the spider with my daughter's blanket and threw it onto the grass.'

Another woman said she was driving in her car when she spotted a menacing shadow crawling across the window.

'I nearly crashed, the poor guys at the produce place had to get it out for me,' she wrote.

'It's the biggest one I've ever seen.'

One Queensland woman walked into her laundry to use the bathroom but found two huntsman near the toilet.

A man posted an image of a huntsman so big it's taking up much of his car's back window (pictured)

One Queensland woman walked into her laundry to use the bathroom but found two huntsman near the toilet

'They gave me a heart attack and forced me to go and pee on the back lawn,' she said.

'Luckily it was late at night! I hate spiders.'

There are more than 155 different species of huntsman in Australia. They are large, long-legged spiders and are mostly coloured grey and brown with banded legs.






Critics claim Moon putting political considerations before economic feasibility



By Lee Kyung-min



The government's controversial plan to build a 13.7 trillion won ($10.8 billion) international airport near Gadeok Island, off the coast of Busan, is facing growing criticism from many environmental activists and economists who claim the project lacks economic feasibility and will destroy the marine environment.



The critics also argue building the airport in the sea is politically motivated as President Moon Jae-in and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) seek to garner more support from voters in Busan and South Gyeongsang Province ahead of the June 1 local elections.



But proponents of the project say the yearslong push to build an airport in the southeastern area near the second-largest city promotes the balanced growth of the country which is largely focused on the Seoul area.



Balanced growth?



On April 29, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said the government will forgo a feasibility study and push ahead with its plan to start construction in the latter half of 2025 and complete it as early as June 2035. A feasibility study is a prerequisite for state-run projects costing over 50 billion won.



The ministry-commissioned study seeks to limit waste in government spending, help guarantee the full and stable execution of the projects and bolster overall efficient fiscal management.



"The construction project of Gadeok New Airport will be exempt from the mandatory study and be carried out in accordance with a special law set up to foster balanced growth of the country through government projects," Second Vice Minister of Economy and Finance Ahn Do-geol said in a statement released Friday.



Behind the unusually expedited decision to forgo the crucial procedure was the outgoing president who said on April 26 that he found it "meaningful that the feasibility study will be waived," a comment essentially dictating the ministry's decision.



"It is deeply meaningful that the construction of a new airport in Gadeok, long sought by residents of the southeastern region, will proceed without the feasibility study," Moon said. "We expect the incoming administration to do its best for the early opening of the new airport, thereby advancing balanced development encompassing Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsang Provinces," he added.



Politics all along



However, the law cited by Ahn was hastily set up and passed by the National Assembly in February 2021, less than three months after an oversight committee under the Prime Minister's Office recommended a "fundamental revision" of a plan to build an international airport in Gimhae, a southeastern coastal city shortlisted as a candidate to house the new airport.



At the time, lawmakers of both the ruling and opposition parties who served constituents in Busan rushed to pass the law, after replacing the word Gimhae with Gadeok, a result of rare bipartisan unity ahead of the then-upcoming Busan mayoral by-election two months later.





A group of environmental activists hold a rally, demanding the government scrap the plan to build an offshore airport near Gadeok Island in front of Seoul Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, April 29. Korea Times file
A female teacher has been arrested and accused of sexually abusing a teenage school student.

Azar Rahmatzadeh, 44, from Melbourne 's Wantirna College was charged with sexual penetration of a child under 16, sexual assault and one charge of supplying liquor to a minor

Azar Rahmatzadeh, 44, from Melbourne's Wantirna College, a public school, was charged with sexual penetration of a child under 16, sexual assault and one charge of supplying liquor to a minor.

The Herald Sun reported that police launched an investigation into the Ms Rahmatzadeh after she allegedly sent texts to a male student calling him 'handsome'.

Rahmatzadeh was granted bail on Monday after a brief appearance before Melbourne's Magistrates' Court.

In the Facebook message, Rahmatzadeh allegedly complains that the student deleted her from the social media app.

'I wasn't mad and it didn't mean I didn't like you or didn't want to talk to you or see you anymore, I also noticed that day that you removed me as a friend on Facebook,' the message from the teacher allegedly said.

'I'm just stupid sometimes, I don't think and make stupid decisions (I'll stop drinking!!) but please know I still think the world of you and hope reading this makes you hate me less and one day, in time, we can be mates again.

'I'm truly sorry if I hurt you. F**king love your guts forever xxx.'

Another text exchange allegedly discusses when Rahmatzadeh will send a photo of herself in a bikini, to which she allegedly says when the student is 18.

Wantirna College Principal Kevin Murphy told parents in a letter the teacher would not be returning to school grounds while the case continues.

'We were very concerned to learn of this and I assure you our number one priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our students,' he said.

Rahmatzadeh will appear in court again on July 29.
Nicola Sturgeon has declined to define what a woman is, saying it would 'oversimplify' the debate over gender reform and could harm trans people.

The Scottish National Party leader yesterday angered female rights groups by refusing a definition in an interview ahead of the local elections.

She said: 'I'm not going to, I'm just not going to get into this debate at a level that's about simplified and lurid headlines. Trans people are amongst, possibly the most, stigmatised and discriminated against minorities in our society.

'And every time we oversimplify this debate, trans people actually suffer and I think it's important, they're such a tiny minority, that we actually take the issues around protecting and enhancing the rights of trans people seriously.'

It comes amid reforms planned by the SNP that would allow people in Scotland to change their legal sex just by signing a declaration - and would not need a medical diagnosis or the approval of a doctor.

Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon on the campaign trail in Arbroath yesterday

Miss Sturgeon also said in The Times interview that she would argue until her 'dying breath' that there was no conflict between women's rights and trans rights.

Female rights campaigners have written to politicians and election candidates urging them to define 'woman', and they said anyone who does not reply with the dictionary definition of 'adult human female' should not be trusted.

The For Women Scotland campaign group said: 'Sturgeon reminds us of no one so much as Thatcher around the time of the poll tax, wilfully ploughing on despite all evidence that she is wrong and declaring that she knows better than others but refusing to explain why.'

The Scottish Tories have pledged to protect female-only spaces in council facilities. But former leader Ruth Davidson failed to wholeheartedly support this policy.

The Scottish Tories have pledged to protect female-only spaces in council facilities. But former leader Ruth Davidson (pictured with leader Douglas Ross yesterday in Portobello, Edinburgh) failed to wholeheartedly support this policy

She said: 'In terms of making sure that we absolutely look after women's safety and women's rights and single-sex spaces and all the rest of it  I agree that we need absolute reassurances about that.

'But we also need to have a real understanding and compassion for people who are one of the most persecuted minorities in this country.'

Pressed again on whether she can say she supports her party's stance on single-sex spaces, she said: 'I absolutely support the position that we need to give our women and our girls reassurances about single-sex spaces.

'But I also believe that we can be better about making sure that both trans men and trans women are safe and have understanding and services to help them in their transition. I don't think these things have to be in conflict.'
A woman's finger tip was ripped off after an encounter with a feral pig, when she tried to shoo the pests away in a friend's yard.

A male boar launched at Kay Robins and gnawed away at her hands, leaving them in tatters, while she was looking after a friend's home in Townsville last month.

Her horrific injuries included one broken finger, bite marks on her legs and arms, with deep cuts across six of her fingers - 30 stitches all up.

Pig hunter Guy Keven, 51, told Daily Mail Australia the wild pigs in Townsville are more aggressive than others in the region as there isn't much sanctuary for them to hide in.

Her horrific injuries included one broken finger, bite marks on her legs and arms, with deep cuts across six of her fingers - 30 stitches all up

'Once they start [attacking] they don't give up,' Mr Keven said. 'Just stay away from them, that's the best thing - 99 per cent of the time, they go away.'

'Normally they try and get away unless they're injured or cornered, most of them only attack if they have got little suckers, or they can't get away.'

Ms Robins' terrifying Easter time ordeal started after she discovered a herd of pigs in the yard, and realising she had left an outside gate open.

Most of the pigs scurried out of the yard after she shooed them, but one male pig kept going back and forward as she was trying to direct it out.

Then it charged at her, getting a grip on her hands as she tried to defend herself.



The pig 'went for my legs', Robins told 7NEWS.

The animal fastened its teeth onto her hands and wouldn't let go, as it continued 'chomping'

Ms Robins (pictured) said she was lucky, but asks whether a child would survive such an attack

'I put my hands down to try and stop him from eating my legs ... and he just started to grab my hands,' Ms Robins said.

'I had the piece of bamboo in my right hand, I was poking him in the eye when he was chewing on this hand, and he wasn't even batting an eyelid. It was not making the slightest bit of difference.'

The animal fastened its teeth onto her hands and wouldn't let go, as it continued 'chomping'

Mr Keven said that because Ms Robins was shooing the pigs away, the boar probably got confused and went for her.

'By the sounds of it, she has come out, and these pigs have run out, but old dopey's got stuck behind the fence ... she's waving her arms, well of course he's not going to just stand there.'

Luckily, a neighbour came after hearing her screams, prompting the beast to flee, before Ms Robins went to hospital - which she thought would be a quick visit.

Mr Keven said most Aussie feral pigs (pictured) run away from people, unless they are injured, cornered or are looking after young.

But she was there for six days as swelling in her hands came down - before stitches could be done - including fixing a 'really flayed open' index finger.

She revealed this week that she was still having trouble moving her fingers since last month's trauma.

Ms Robins said she thinks she is lucky to survive but questions whether a child would, and hopes authorities can act on the feral pig problem.

The attack came after locals have complained about the problem for years, with the Queensland Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto calling for state and federal funding to curb the dangerous pests.

Dametto said in 2019 that wild pigs need to be managed 'constantly' and support is needed from both state and federal governments.

Mr Keven said the pigs have caused some financial pain for farmers in the region, as they run amok in sugar cane farms - with one farmer estimating he loses $1000 per cane growing season.

The pig hunter said it's hard to get paid for culling pigs, and does some work off his own back in banana and cane farms.

'A lot of pigs come out of national parks and forestry so it makes it hard for people to try to keep some sort of control on the numbers,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'People like me that don't get paid to help control the numbers, it gets very expensive with fuel, bullets and other costs, so we can not do it as often as we would like - but we like helping out the farmers.'

The North Queenslander goes out at night to hunt and uses thermal gear to track pigs down and uses high powered rifles.

'But you can't get high numbers, and you can't bait the pigs because of the cassowaries - and the pigs are trap shy too,' he said.

The pig has been in the news recently after the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was found detected in them in the Northern Territory, as well as in other domestic pigs.

JEV is a mosquito-borne viral disease that can be amplified in pigs, with the virus being transmitted by infected mosquitos to humans from these animals.

Mr Keven took aerial pictures on Friday showing the devastation (brown, dry parts) caused by feral pigs on a sugar cane farm north of Townsville.

Parts of a damaged sugar cane farm in Kennedy, about 200km north of Townsville
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been hampered by strategic incompetence that has left its armed forces 'significantly weaker' and less feared, despite Moscow doubling its military budget in 13 years, Britain's Ministry of Defence says.

According to the MoD, from 2005 to 2018 Russia pumped billions into its 'New Look' military modernisation project, investing heavily in its land, air and sea capabilities.

This has seen the development of new missile systems (that have been hailed by President Vladimir Putin as being superior to western equivalents), the overhaul of its Soviet-era tactics and the procurement of more modern military equipment.

However, despite spending more than $65billion on its military in 2021, Russian forces have been unable to dominate Ukraine due to poor strategy and execution, the MoD said.

In an update yesterday, the MoD said that Russia has lost a quarter of its combat forces deployed in Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion.

According to intelligence experts, Russia committed more than 120 battalion tactical groups, some 65 per cent of their entire ground combat strength.

As a result, Putin's forces have been wakened 'both materially and conceptually,' the MoD said in its daily update on the situation in Ukraine. Western sanctions mean it will take years for the country's military to recover from its losses.

Ukrainians gather around a destroyed Russian tank near Makariv, Kyiv Oblast, May 2, 2022. Since launching an invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Vladimir Putin has seen his forces suffer heavy losses at the hands of Kyiv's forces

According to the MoD, from 2005 to 2018 Russia pumped billions into its 'New Look' military modernisation project, investing heavily in its land, air and sea capabilities

Pictured: Some of the high-powered 'super weapons' in development by Russia's military

Pictured: A graph showing Russian military spending from 2000, and its spending as a percentage of its GDP. From 2005 to 2018, Russia doubled its defence budget in an attempt to modernise its military

'Russia's defence budget approximately doubled between 2005 and 2018, with investment in several high-end air, land and sea capabilities,' the MoD said on Tuesday. 'From 2008 this underpinned the expansive military modernisation programme New Look.

'However, the modernisation of its physical equipment has not enabled Russia to dominate Ukraine. Failures both in strategic planning and operational execution have left it unable to translate numerical strength into decisive advantage.'

'Russia's military is now significantly weaker, both materially and conceptually, as a result of its invasion of Ukraine,' Britain's defence ministry added. 'Recovery from this will be exacerbated by sanctions. This will have a lasting impact on Russia's ability to deploy conventional military force.'

There is some doubt over whether Russia does truly spend $65billion on defence (around 8 percent of U.S. defence spending) while maintaining a military that is closer in size to those belonging to the United States and China.

Russia's annual budget is in same realm as countries such as United Kingdom and France, which have far smaller armies. The United States by comparison spends $770billion, while China spends around $250billion ever year.

Other estimates suggest Russia's spending could be between $150-$200billion in order to supply its 1,350,000 active military personnel, maintain is vast numbers of military vehicles, aircraft and a naval fleet, and continue its high-value projects.

Such projects have included the development of high-powered missile systems, such as the Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missile, the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, the fearsome nuclear-capable 'Satan II' missile, and the supposedly 'unstoppable' 'Kinzhal' missile.

All have been touted by the Kremlin as weapons that would be deployed in an all-out war against the West. However, there is little evidence to suggest that they are fully operational or have been used in Russia's war in Ukraine.

The Zircon missile - that can travel at Mach 8 speeds - in particular has been identified by Moscow's state-controlled TV as Putin's weapon of choice to wipe out American cities in the event of nuclear war.

Meanwhile, Western military experts have said the Satan II (Sarmat) is capable of carrying 10 or more nuclear warheads and decoys - enough to wipe out territories the size of Britain or France in a single strike.

The Kinzhal - or Dagger - is 'unstoppable' by current Western weapons, according to the Kremlin. It has a range of 1,250 miles, and is also nuclear capable.

Another missile that Putin is adding to his arsenal is the Poseidon Torpedo - or Status-6 Oceanic Multipurpose System - which TV presenter Dmitry Kiselyov, a man often known as 'Putin's mouthpiece', threatened the UK with on Monday.

Kiselyov said the Poseidon underwater drone could trigger a 1,600ft radioactive tidal wave and 'plunge Britain to the depths of the ocean' if it was detonated off its coast.

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.

Russia has also developed the S-550 missile defence system. While little is known about the system, it is thought to be Russia's latest foray into the space arms race - designed to take out targets hundreds of miles above earth such as low-orbit satellites, in-coming nuclear warheads, and orbital hypersonic weapons.

The Sarmat missile (pictured in test launch) is said to be the world's longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of striking a target 11,200 miles away - meaning it could easily strike targets in the US and Europe from Russia

Pictured: A Russian Zircon missile system is demonstrated in a test launch. The Zircon missile - that can travel at Mach 8 speeds - has been identified by Moscow's state-controlled TV as Putin's weapon of choice to wipe out American cities in the event of nuclear war

Russia's top-secret S-550 'star wars' missile system has entered active service last year, defence sources said, after a number of rumoured tests (pictured). It is designed to intercept in-coming missiles and could also destroy Western satellites

The Kinzhal missile - or Dagger - is 'unstoppable' by current Western weapons, according to the Kremlin. It has a range of 1,250 miles, and is also nuclear capable. Pictured: The missile is seen being carried by a Russian fighter jet

Pictured: The Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle is shown in a computer-generated video released by Russia's Defence Ministry

In addition to the development of its special weapons systems, Russia is also developing more modern military vehicles and aircraft.

One example is the T-14 Armata, a next-generation battle tank which the Russian army planned to purchase 2,300 of between 2015 and 2020. However, production of the tanks have been delayed - pushing the acquisition back to 2025.

The 55-tonne modular tank features an unmanned turret, and is designed so that its parts can be swapped out. Compared to other tanks, it sits low to the ground, making it less vulnerable to other ground fire.

Russia is also developing the Tupolev PAK DA stealth bomber, another next-generation piece of military equipment that can remain in the air for up to 30 hours and carry both conventional and nuclear bombs.

Three prototypes of the bomber are expected to begin testing in April 2023.

Putin's military engineers are also developing a new model of Submarine - the nuclear-powered Yasen class - which is set to replace the Russian navy's Soviet-era submarines that are still in operation.

Estimates place the cost of the submarine anywhere between $1billion to $2billion.

The Russian defence budget must also keep and maintain a vast arsenal of military vehicles.



Figures accurate prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine show that Moscow has more than 12,000 tanks, 30,000 armoured vehicles, 14,000 artillery vehicles, over 4,000 military aircraft and 605 naval assets.

The Kremlin has also spent billions on its 'New Look' modernisation project, which it began in 2008 in order to reform its forces. Prior to these efforts, much of the Kremlin's military was still made up of Soviet-era equipment and tactical thinking.

With its 6,257 warheads, Moscow also boasts the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.

Western concern at the risk of nuclear war has increased since Putin launched his illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

When the Russian tyrant burst into the former Soviet state, he made a reference to his nation's nuclear deterrents, warning the West that any major intervention would 'lead you to such consequences that you have never encountered in your history'.

However, despite Russian threats, its war in Ukraine has shone the spotlight on its stalling modernisation efforts, raising questions over their effectiveness.

Despite Russia deploying its modern equipment, Ukraine - which spends almost $12billion on its military and controls around 500,000 military personnel - has proven to be more than capable of going head-to-head with Russia's invading forces.

As Putin was massing troops on Ukraine's borders in the months leading up to the invasion, many analysts feared that the Russia's far superior numbers would result in the quick capture of the country.

However, Kyiv's forces have surprised everyone - not least the Russian president - with their fierce resistance. Not only have they been able to repel Russian forces from several regions of the country, but Ukrainian troops have also dealt significant losses to Moscow's armies.

Pictured: Military vehicles are seen during the Victory Day Parade rehearsals at Tverskaya street, on April 28, 2022 in Moscow, Russia

Russia has more than 12,000 tanks in its vast arsenal of military hardware

With its 6,257 warheads, Moscow also boasts the largest nuclear arsenal in the world

Pictured: A road in Ukraine is showed littered with the wreckages of Russian tanks after they were destroyed by Kyiv's forces in artillery strikes (April 6)

Kyiv has claimed that more than 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the fighting that began on February 24, while thousands of tanks and other Russian military vehicles have been destroyed or captured.

The UK's Defence Intelligence agency said yesterday that Russia has lost a quarter of its combat forces deployed in Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion.

According to intelligence experts, Russia committed more than 120 battalion tactical groups, some 65 per cent of their entire ground combat strength.

Losses among Russia's elite units such as their VDV airborne forces are likely to have suffered greater loses and will 'probably take years' to replenish these forces.

The daily update from Defence Intelligence showed how Ukrainian forces have dramatically weakened Russian personnel, diminishing their combat forces.

The update says: '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. Some of Russia's most elite units, including VDV airborne Forces, have suffered the highest levels of attrition. It will probably take years for Russia to reconstitute these forces.'

Russia's failures have been largely attributed to poor, dated tactics exhibited by Moscow's generals. There have been several examples of Russian soldiers slowly advancing in easy-to-target tank columns reminiscent of Soviet-era conflicts.

Ukrainian serviceman walks past the turret of a Russian tank next to a destroyed petrol station in the village of Skybyn, northeast of Kyiv on May 2, 2022

This has left Russian hardware open to attack by Ukraine's more agile ground forces, which have carried out ambushes using aerial strikes.

Military blog Oryx has been tracking Russia's hardware losses, tallying visual confirmations from pictures and videos coming out of Ukraine.

By Oryx's latest count, Russia has lost 3,342 items of military hardware - including tanks, armoured fighting vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, as well as communication stations, artillery and air defence systems.

Of those, 1,805 have been visually confirmed as destroyed, 59 have been damaged, 266 have been abandoned and 1,212 have been captured, by the blog's count.

Given that Oryx's figures are based on visual confirmations, this is seen as a minimum count. The true figure is believed to be far higher, with Kyiv's defence ministry claiming more than 4,000 vehicles have been destroyed.

Meanwhile, previous assessments by senior British military officials have described Russia's campaign as being in 'chaos', with intelligence showing ill-prepared Russian soldiers refusing to carry out orders.

As Putin's invasion has dragged into its third month, analysts have questioned whether Russian can sustain its forces for much longer.

According to an article written by Paul De Grauwe, a Professor in European Political Economy at LSE, Russia will have to 'drastically increase its military spending' to win the war, as its current budget will not be enough.

While Russia has increased its defence budget, official figures show that its defence spending as a percentage of its GDP has remained between 3 percent and 5 percent since 2000. In 2021, Russia spent 4.08% of its GDP on defence.

With crippling Western sanctions causing the Russian economy - and the value of the rouble - to nosedive, Moscow will struggle to repair the damage to its military suffered in Ukraine at its current rate of spending.
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The US Supreme Court looks set to overturn a landmark ruling that effectively legalised abortions across America, handing the power to decide whether or not to permit the procedure back to individual states.

A draft legal opinion, which was leaked to Politico, reveals five Republican-nominated judges - a majority of the court's nine judges - are in agreement on the issue which would be enough to force a change in the law  though their decision is not final until the ruling is officially published.

US President Joe Biden today said it is a 'woman's right to choose' if she has an abortion as he warned the 'basic fairness and the stability of our law demand' the Supreme Court does not overturn the Roe v Wade ruling.

Partisan fighting over the issue began almost immediately after the leak, with Democrats vowing to defend abortion rights while Republican lawmakers demanded a probe into the leak as they denounced it as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Neal Katyal, a former acting US Solicitor General under former President Barack Obama, said: 'This is the biggest step back for women in decades. It will have proven consequences. You can have now a flat ban on abortion in any state.'

In the leaked document, conservative Justice Samuel Alito writes that Roe v Wade - the 1973 Supreme Court ruling which found that excessive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional - was 'egregiously wrong from the start' and 'must be overruled'.

Alito, who was nominated to the court in 2006 by George W Bush, argues that Roe's 'reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. Far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.'

But there were few signs that the new ruling will do anything to heal those divisions, with protesters gathering outside the court in Washington DC last night.

If the ruling is overturned by the conservative-dominated court - with Republicans having a 6 - 3 majority - it would give individual states the power to decide on whether to ban abortion. The Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research group, has said that 26 states are 'certain or likely' to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant.

These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year.

As it stands in the US, abortion can take place until about 24 weeks into pregnancy - but the exact period varies between states. For example, Texas bans abortion after about six weeks but Florida has a 15-week abortion ban.

Key points emerging from the Roe vs Wade legal opinion

If Roe vs Wade is overturned, decision on whether to ban abortion will be decided by states and 26 are likely to do so

Hours after draft opinion emerged, hundreds of pro-choice and anti-abortion activists gathered by US Supreme Court

A ruling to overturn Roe vs Wade would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm elections

Both sides of political aisle immediately jumped on the report with Democrats outraged and Republicans praising the news

Republican appointed-Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett all voted to strike down Roe with Samuel Alito, Politico noted

The beginning of the original leaked draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito

Protesters gather, chant and hold signs outside the Supreme Court in Washington Monday night

Lights burn inside U.S. Supreme Court offices late at night after the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito

There were smaller gatherings of anti-abortion protesters at the event as well

Right now: Barricades are up around the Supreme Court building, just minutes after reports from Politico were leaked indicating SCOTUS has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. pic.twitter.com/LxR9rbs6TF  Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) May 3, 2022

The opinion draft - originally obtained by Politico - was written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court

Mr Biden said he could not speak to the authenticity of the draft and said his administration was preparing for all eventualities for when the court ultimately ruled.

Mr Biden said a decision overturning Roe would raise the stakes for voters in November's heated midterm elections.

'If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation's elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman's right to choose,' Mr Biden said.

'And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice senators and a pro-choice majority in the house to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.'

Although past efforts have failed, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he intended to hold a vote.

'This is as urgent and real as it gets,' Mr Schumer said on the Senate floor on Tuesday. 'Every American is going to see on which side every senator stands.'

If the leak proves to be genuine - and the Supreme Court has not denied that it is - it would mark the first time that a draft opinion has ever appeared in public before being officially published, a move expected within the next two months.

A decision in the case had been expected before the court begins its summer recess in late June or early July, so it could be more than a month before the court actually issues a final opinion. If the court does what the draft suggests, the ruling would upend a nearly 50-year-old decision; its advance publication would also disturb an almost unbroken tradition of secrecy at the court.

A spokesperson for the Supreme Court said: 'The Court has no comment.'

Alito also takes aim in the draft document at another 1992 case - Planned Parenthood v. Casey - which upheld Roe's findings.

Politico reports that, aside from Alito, four other judges voted in favour of overturning the law: Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, all of whom were nominated by Republican presidents.

If the Alito decision is adopted, it would return the issue of abortions to the states and over half are likely to ban abortion.

Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years.

Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute.

Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.

The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.

This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights.

Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion.

South Dakota Republican governor Kristi Noem meanwhile said her state would look to ban abortion.

She said: 'If this report is true and Roe v. Wade is overturned, I will immediately call for a special session to save lives and guarantee that every unborn child has a right to life in South Dakota.'

Meanwhile, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texas, responded to the news by encouraging the Court to return the issue to the states.

'I hope that #SCOTUS returns the question of abortion where it belongs: the States,' Paxton said on Twitter. 'This is why I led a 24-state coalition in support of MS's law banning them after 15 weeks. I'll [continue] to ensure that TX protects the unborn & pray for the end of abortion across our nation.'

Republicans called it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

Mike Gibbons, who is currently facing Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance in the Republican primary for an Ohio Senate seat, wrote that the decision marked a 'huge pro-life victory,' noting it's 'great to see the Court recognize all life is protected under the Constitution.

'We still have to make sure we elect candidates that will continue to defend the unborn, which is exactly what I'll do in the U.S. Senate.

Others, though, raised doubts about why the opinion was leaked to POLITICO, with Marco Rubio writing: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions and norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion.'

Republican Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also tweeted that the leak is 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.'

'The Justices mustn't give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' Hawley wrote. 'Stay strong.'

Embattled Congress member Madison Cawthorn also tweeted that the story 'was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down.'

'Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong,' he urged his followers, noting: 'Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win.'

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

The 26 states where abortion will likely become illegal if SCOTUS overturns Roe vs Wade The 26 states where abortion will likely become illegal if SCOTUS overturns Roe vs Wade after leaked draft opinion showed a majority of justices supported the move More than half of all US states have some kind of abortion ban law likely to take effect if Roe v Wade is overturned by the United States Supreme Court. According to the pro-reproductive rights group The Guttmacher Institute, there are 26 states that will likely make abortions illegal if the Supreme Court overturns the landmark 1973 ruling. 18 have existing abortion bans that have previously been ruled unconstitutional, four have time limit bans and four are likely to pass laws if Roe v Wade is overturned, the organization found. The 18 states that have near-total bans on abortion already on the books are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In addition, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, and South Carolina all have laws that ban abortions after the six-week mark. Florida, Indiana, Montana and Nebraska, are likely to pass bills when Roe v Wade is overturned, the Guttmacher Institute said. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin's bans all have pre-Roe v Wade laws that became unenforceable after the Supreme Court's 1973 decision - that would kick into effect if the federal legal precedent established in Roe were overturned. Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas have further bans that will come into effect if the law was overturned. These were passed post-Roe v Wade. They're joined by Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Wyoming, in passing such laws. The states that will limit abortions based on the length of time a patient has been pregnant are Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota and Ohio. There are four states that have laws that state abortion is not a constitutionally protected right: Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia. Advertisement

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

'If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years - not just on women but on all Americans,' Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement.

'The Republican-appointed Justices' reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.'

They also used the opportunity to slam former President Trump, saying: 'Several of these conservative justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the Constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century.

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump,' the two top Congressional Democrats continued, adding: 'Every Republican Senator who supported Sen. McConnell and voted for Trump justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people.'

And Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted Monday night she is 'not surprised' by the news.

'This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights and lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law,' she wrote.

'It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal.

'What an utter disgrace.'

Many have now said they would fight the decision if it were passed - either at the federal or the state level.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy reminded his followers that he signed into law the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies the right to an abortion into New Jersey law.

'New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights,' he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said abortions rights would not be overturned 'on my watch,' and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also promised that 'abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York,' saying it will welcome anyone who says they need an abortion 'with open arms.'

'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed,' Hochul tweeted.

At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James also promised in a tweet to 'do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion' adding, 'Congress must act immediately to do the same.'

And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will 'fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal and accessible in our state.'

On the progressive end, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, noted that Sen. Joe Manchin is preventing a vote on codifying abortion rights into law, while Sen. Bernie Sanders suggested ending the filibuster to get it passed.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also branded the Supreme Court 'extremist' in a tweet saying it will 'impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country.

'It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard,' Warren wrote. 'We're not going backnot ever.'

Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, warned that Alito's decision could also lead to bans on birth control as he claimed the decision is reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale.

He was referring to the novel by Margaret Atwood - which was later turned into a television show. In both iterations, women are forced by the state to give birth.

'The basic legal claim here is that the word 'abortion' doesn't appear in the Constitution, and of course it doesn't appear in the Constitution,' Raskin, a Constitutional lawyer, explained to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Monday night.

'But the Supreme Court in 1973, in Roe v. Wade or Griswold v. Connecticut - which was a 1965 decision by the Supreme Court striking down a law banning birth control, even for married couples in Connecticut - the Supreme Court said that the due process liberty clause include a right to privacy, over intimate decision making.

'So the point is that Justice Alito's decision would also apply, presumably, to the right to privacy in contraception,' he continued.

'If Casey is to fall, if Roe v. Wade is to fall, then Griswold v. Connecticut presumably is to follow as well because the word 'contraception' or 'birth control' doesn't appear in the Constitution [either].

'So this would appear to be an invitation to have Handmaid's Tale-type anti-feminist regulation and legislation all over the country,' Raskin concluded.

One person holds up a signing expressing their dissent on the possible ruling

Observers called the leak a 'crisis' for Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts' tenure leading the court - above Roberts speaks with retiring Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer in March at the State of the Union address

A woman holds up a sign saying 'we won't go back' at the protest

Just hours after the stunning leak of draft opinion emerged, hundreds of pro-choice and anti-abortion activists gathered in front of the US Supreme Court on Monday night.

Squaring off on either side of the white marble building a stone's throw from the Capitol, the pro-choice and anti-abortion groups railed at each other.

'Roe v. Wade is going to go,' anti-abortion protesters taunted, while the pro-choice crowd yelled: 'My body, my choice.'

The two groups chanted and waved placards in the plaza in front of the steps to the Supreme Court, with barriers and a few uniformed police officers barring access to the colonnaded building.

Abby Korb, a 23-year-old graduate student and congressional aide, said she was 'in literal shock' when the news broke and quickly headed to the Supreme Court with a friend.

'I'm a woman and my rights are being taken away every single day,' she said.

Like many others at the spontaneous demonstration, Korb, originally from Wisconsin, is now calling for legislation at the federal level to protect access to abortion.

'We need access to safe abortion because making it illegal isn't going to stop it, it's just going to make it more dangerous,' she said.

The growing crowd took turns to hurl expletives at Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who reportedly wrote the opinion, and called on Democratic Party leaders to 'do something'.

Madeline Hren, a 25-year-old from North Carolina, said she was very angry. 'I called everyone I knew to be very angry,' she said, holding a small sign with a drawing of a bloody coat hanger that said 'We will not go back.'

'I'm really upset about it... I didn't cry. I'm mostly just mad,' said Hren, who works for the UN Foundation. She now fears that an abortion ban will extend to her native North Carolina.

For opponents of the right to abortion, however, it was time to celebrate.

'You don't care if people die,' they sang at the pro-choice crowd.

'I hope they overturn it,' said Claire Rowan, a 55-year-old mother of seven children, some of whom accompanied her to the demonstration.

Rowan said she hopes people will now be 'asking God for forgiveness so that the nation can heal.'

The unprecedented leak sent shock waves through the United States, not least because the court prides itself on keeping its internal deliberations secret and leaks are extremely uncommon.

The news stunned abortion providers.

On Monday night, Andrea Gallegos, executive administrator at Tulsa Women's Clinic in Oklahoma, had just finished calling some 25 patients scheduled for abortions on Tuesday to tell them that their appointments would need to be canceled because of a soon to be enacted Oklahoma law modeled on a highly restrictive Texas abortion ban.

'I can't say that I'm surprised,' she said.

'Now all these other conservative states like Oklahoma are passing the exact same legislation that Texas did, I have to say I became less optimistic and way more scared for what the future of Roe looks like.'

The anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List welcomed the news.

'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature,' said its president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, in a statement.

Politico reports that four of the five remaining Republican-appointed justices voted with Alito in December, after hearing oral arguments on a Mississippi abortion case. And that line-up remains unchanged as of this week.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett all voted to strike down Roe.

Democrat-appointed justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan are working on dissents.

It is not clear how Chief Justice John Roberts, nominated by W Bush, voted - though the fact that he did not pen the majority opinion could suggest he voted against. Sources told CNN that he would've dissented with the liberals on Alito's opinion draft.

But if the justices stand firm, it would not matter how Roberts votes as five back the Alito draft opinion.

Draft opinions can change and the ruling will not be final until it is published.

If the Alito draft is adopted, it would rule in favor of Mississippi in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization - a case involving the state's attempt to ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Younger women, poorer women and African-American women would likely be most disproportionately affected by an abortion ban.

Most women who have abortions in America are aged between 20 and 29, with 57 per cent of reported terminations in 2019 performed on people within this age group.

Rachel Jones, a senior researcher at pro-choice research group the Guttmacher Institute, told BBC News: 'The typical abortion patient is in their 20s, doesn't have a lot of money and has one or more children.'

Some 75 per cent of women in the US having an abortion are deemed low income or poor, based on the country's official poverty definitions.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court'

Some people held vigil silently outside the court in the nation's capital Monday evening

Pro-abortion rights protesters react outside the U.S. Supreme Court

Protesters use coat hangers to signify that they were used for illegal abortions prior to Roe vs. Wade

The draft opinion runs 98 pages, including a 31-page appendix of historical state abortion laws, Politico notes in its report. The document is replete with citations to previous court decisions, books and other authorities, and includes 118 footnotes. The appearances and timing of this draft are consistent with court practice.

Politico said only that it received 'a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.'

Politico executive editor Dafna Linzer sent a note to staff after the story posted, expressing confidence in the story and their verification of the draft opinion.

'After an extensive review process, we are confident of the authenticity of the draft. ... We take our responsibilities to our readers with the greatest seriousness,' she noted.

Politico posted the entire draft opinion online.

Katyal described how the Supreme Court handles its decision making process.

'After oral argument the Justices take a tentative vote. This would have happened in December. The senior most justice in the majority gets to assign the opinion. That might have been Roberts, but doubtful since Alito wrote this draft,' he noted on Twitter.

'Now, once the draft is circulated, the justices in dissent will write an opinion. That's presumably happening now. But the tenative vote seems strong, and Chief Justice Roberts is irrelevant if the 4 + Alito hold with their tentative votes,' he added.

The unprecedented leak has likely shaken the Supreme Court to its core.

Barricades were being posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online. Posts to social media showed people gathering at the metal fencing, holding candles in vigil.

The hightly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign stratgist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unpredecented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Marchers hold up a sign reading 'The people are supreme' in front of the Supreme Court

Protesters numbered in the hundreds according to reporters at the Supreme Court Monday night

A sign telling the Supreme Court one opinion on their potential ruling

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, in September, passed legislation that would codify abortion rights protections amid threats to Roe v. Wade.

That bill has been stalled in the 50-50 Senate, where it needs at least 60 votes to move forward. And it may need more than that as not all Democratic senators are guaranteed to vote for such a bill, particularly moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders said that 60-vote thresh hold, often called the filibuster, must be removed to legalize abortion.

'Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes,' he tweeted on Monday night.

Roe v. Wade: Which US states could make abortion illegal if landmark 1973 law is overturned... and what would it mean for women in America? Vital Q&A on looming Supreme Court decision

By Mark Duell for MailOnline

The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the United States, according to a bombshell leaked draft of a majority opinion that suggests it may soon overturn the famous Roe v. Wade ruling.

The 98-page draft revealed by Politico calls the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision - which held that access to abortion in the US is a constitutional right - 'egregiously wrong from the start'.

Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant.

These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year.

As it stands in the US, abortion can take place until about 24 weeks into pregnancy - but the exact period varies between states. For example, Texas bans abortion after about six weeks but Florida has a 15-week abortion ban.

The draft majority opinion was written by Justice Samuel Alito and has been circulating inside the conservative-dominated court since February. The leak while the case is still pending is seen as an extraordinary breach.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. Here, MailOnline looks at what the latest developments mean - and the history of abortion laws in the US:

Pro-abortion and pro-choice demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington DC overnight

WHAT IS ROE V. WADE?

The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy.

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion.

Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion.

She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger.

Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights.

Norma McCorvey, known as 'Jane Roe', is pictured in January 1983 (left) and July 2011 (right). In the 1970s she won a landmark abortion case - but the baby she wished to abort, Shelley Lynn Thornton, was born before the case concluded

Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague, and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category.

The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant.

The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court.

The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972.

Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states.

Pro-choice activists gather at the US Supreme Court in Washington DC overnight amid a huge public backlash at the news

WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED NOW?

The US Supreme Court has not decided anything yet, but a draft opinion reportedly circulated among court justices suggests that it may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade.

A document labelled 'Opinion of the Court' shows a majority of the court's justices earlier this year threw support behind overturning the 1973 case that legalised abortion across the country.

According to Politico - who published the 'leaked document' - the draft opinion shows the court voted to strike down the landmark case. However, it is unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter.

The paper was labelled '1st Draft' of the 'Opinion of the Court' and was said to be referring to a case challenging Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks - a case known as Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organisation.

The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in the case, and opinions - and even justices' votes - have been known to change during the drafting process.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July.

The draft is signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court's 6-3 conservative majority, who was appointed by former President George W Bush.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' the draft opinion states.

It in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER RULINGS SINCE 1973?

On the same day as the Roe v. Wade decision, the justices also ruled in the separate 'Doe v. Bolton' case, which authorised each state to add restrictions to abortion rights for later-term pregnancies.

The constitutional right to abortion was later confirmed in a number of decisions, including 'Webster v. Reproductive Health Services' in 1989 and 'Planned Parenthood v. Casey' in 1992.

In the latter, the court guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the foetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks of gestation.

The Planned Parenthood v Casey ruling also affirmed Roe's finding of a constitutional right to abortion services, but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice.

WHICH STATES COULD MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED?

If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights.

Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years.

Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute.

Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.

There are 18 states that have near-total bans on their books, while four more have time-limit band and four others are likely to pass new bans if Roe v. Wade is overturned

The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.

This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights.

Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion.

CAN WOMEN GET AN ABORTION IN A DIFFERENT STATE?

Yes - the variation in abortion laws around America already means that some women have to travel to a different state to access a procedure.

For example in Texas - which has passed a law banning almost all abortions in the state - an average of 1,400 women from the state travelling each month between September and December 2021 and sought out procedures at 34 facilities in other states such as Louisiana and Kansas.

Research by the University of Texas established that more than a quarter of Texans seeking an abortion (27 per cent) went to obtain the procedure in New Mexico, a state which has seven facilities.

WHAT WOULD ROE V. WADE BEING OVERTURNED MEAN FOR WOMEN?

Abortion would not become illegal everywhere in the US if Roe v. Wade is overturned, with individual states still able to choose whether and when they would be permitted.

As it stands, abortion is legal in every state - but with varying restrictions.

Abortion would likely become illegal in about half of the states in the US if the ruling is overturned - with 24 states expected to ban abortion if they are able to do so.

These are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

WHO IS LIKELY TO BE MOST AFFECTED BY AN ABORTION BAN?

Younger women, poorer women and African-American women would likely be most disproportionately affected by an abortion ban in the US.

Most women who have abortions in America are aged between 20 and 29, with 57 per cent of reported terminations in 2019 performed on people within this age group.

Rachel Jones, a senior researcher at pro-choice research group the Guttmacher Institute, told BBC News: 'The typical abortion patient is in their 20s, doesn't have a lot of money and has one or more children.'

Some 75 per cent of women in the US having an abortion are deemed low income or poor, based on the country's official poverty definitions.

And while black people make up only 13 per cent of the US population, black women undergo more than a third of the country's reported abortions.

In 2019, there were about 630,000 abortions reported in the US, which was significantly down on 765,000 in 2010. Two suggested reasons for this are more access to contraceptives and lower sexual activity.

Baby Roe: Shelley Lynn Thornton, a 51-year-old mother of three, spoke out for the first time last year. Her biological mother Norma McCorvey was Jane Roe, whose landmark lawsuit Roe v. Wade won women across America the right to have abortions

WHAT RESTRICTIONS HAVE INDIVIDUAL STATES PUT IN PLACE ALREADY THIS YEAR?

If the US Supreme Court votes to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, conservative states will have more confidence that their new limits on abortion will stand while liberal states will feel more urgency to protect and expand abortion rights. Here are some restrictions and protections state legislatures have taken up in 2022:

ABORTION RESTRICTIONS

ARIZONA : Republican Governor Doug Ducey in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. It will take effect later this year if not blocked in court.

: Republican Governor Doug Ducey in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. It will take effect later this year if not blocked in court. FLORIDA : Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a 15-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for medical emergencies or if the foetus has a fatal abnormality. The exceptions do not allow for abortion past 15 weeks in case of rape, incest or human trafficking. The ban is due to take effect on July 1.

: Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a 15-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for medical emergencies or if the foetus has a fatal abnormality. The exceptions do not allow for abortion past 15 weeks in case of rape, incest or human trafficking. The ban is due to take effect on July 1. IDAHO : Republican Governor Brad Little signed a six-week abortion ban in March that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The Idaho law was due to take effect in April, but has been blocked by the state Supreme Court pending legal review.

: Republican Governor Brad Little signed a six-week abortion ban in March that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The Idaho law was due to take effect in April, but has been blocked by the state Supreme Court pending legal review. KENTUCKY : The legislature in April overrode Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto to enact several abortion restrictions, including a 15-week ban, a requirement that fetal remains be cremated or interred, and a requirement that a combination birth-death or stillbirth certificate be issued for each abortion. The law took immediate effect, suspending clinics' ability to provide abortions for eight days until a U.S. judge temporarily blocked its enforcement.

: The legislature in April overrode Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto to enact several abortion restrictions, including a 15-week ban, a requirement that fetal remains be cremated or interred, and a requirement that a combination birth-death or stillbirth certificate be issued for each abortion. The law took immediate effect, suspending clinics' ability to provide abortions for eight days until a U.S. judge temporarily blocked its enforcement. OKLAHOMA : The Senate in April passed a ban on all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. It relies on private citizens to sue providers and any person who 'aids or abets' abortions to be enforced. The House must approve the Senate's amendments before it heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. With the governor's approval, it would take effect immediately. Also in April, Oklahoma's legislature approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which relies on the same lawsuit enforcement mechanism. It will take immediate effect if signed by Stitt. Mr Stitt signed a bill in April banning abortion except in medical emergencies and penalizing providers who violate the law with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The law is due to take effect in August if not blocked in court.

: The Senate in April passed a ban on all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. It relies on private citizens to sue providers and any person who 'aids or abets' abortions to be enforced. The House must approve the Senate's amendments before it heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. With the governor's approval, it would take effect immediately. Also in April, Oklahoma's legislature approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which relies on the same lawsuit enforcement mechanism. It will take immediate effect if signed by Stitt. Mr Stitt signed a bill in April banning abortion except in medical emergencies and penalizing providers who violate the law with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The law is due to take effect in August if not blocked in court. SOUTH DAKOTA : Republican Governor Kristi Noem signed a bill in March requiring women to make three in-person doctor's visits to complete a medication abortion. The legislation's implementation depends on the outcome of a federal court case.

ABORTION PROTECTIONS

COLORADO : Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a bill on April 4 codifying the right to have an abortion. The measure immediately took effect.

: Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a bill on April 4 codifying the right to have an abortion. The measure immediately took effect. CONNECTICUT : The legislature passed a bill in April that protects anyone who provides abortions, has an abortion or assists someone having an abortion from other states' restrictions. Among other provisions, the measure bars state agencies from assisting in interstate investigations seeking to hold someone civilly or criminally liable for getting or aiding an abortion. The bill awaits Democratic Governor Ned Lamont's signature.

: The legislature passed a bill in April that protects anyone who provides abortions, has an abortion or assists someone having an abortion from other states' restrictions. Among other provisions, the measure bars state agencies from assisting in interstate investigations seeking to hold someone civilly or criminally liable for getting or aiding an abortion. The bill awaits Democratic Governor Ned Lamont's signature. MARYLAND : The legislature passed a bill that expands the definition of who can provide abortions to include any 'qualified provider,' establishes a state-funded abortion provider training program and requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of abortions. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the state's Democratic-controlled legislature overrode his veto on April 9 and the law is due to take effect on July 1.

: The legislature passed a bill that expands the definition of who can provide abortions to include any 'qualified provider,' establishes a state-funded abortion provider training program and requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of abortions. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the state's Democratic-controlled legislature overrode his veto on April 9 and the law is due to take effect on July 1. VERMONT : The Democratic-led legislature in February passed a constitutional amendment that guarantees the right to abortion. It will be on the ballot for voters to approve in November.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD?

As new limits on abortion rights are pursued in the United States and other countries, here is a look at global abortion statistics and some of the world's strictest abortion laws.

Data has been provided by the UN World Health Organization as well as from the Guttmacher Institute research group and the Center for Reproductive Rights legal advocacy group, both of which support abortion rights.

Approximately 73 million abortions occur worldwide annually, with 61 per cent of all unintended pregnancies and 29 per cent of all pregnancies ending in abortion, according to the World Health Organization.

It said about 45 per cent of all abortions are unsafe, of which 97 per cent occur in developing countries. A WHO fact sheet said 'Unsafe abortion is a leading - but preventable - cause of maternal deaths and morbidities.'

There are 16 countries where abortion is prohibited altogether, a list that includes Egypt, Iraq, the Philippines, Laos, Senegal, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

About three dozen other countries allow it only to save the life of the mother, a list that includes Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Iran, Afghanistan and Myanmar. Around 40 per cent of women of reproductive age live in places where abortion access is illegal or limited.

In England, Scotland and Wales, anyone can legally have an abortion at up to 23 weeks and six days of pregnancy, which is in line with the Abortion Act of 1967. Here is the situation in a number of countries:

Poland in January 2021 put into effect a constitutional court decision prohibiting abortions performed due to fetal defects, banning the most common of the few legal grounds for terminating a pregnancy in the largely Catholic country.

in January 2021 put into effect a constitutional court decision prohibiting abortions performed due to fetal defects, banning the most common of the few legal grounds for terminating a pregnancy in the largely Catholic country. El Salvador has some of the world's strictest abortion laws, with the procedure banned without exception since 1998. More than 180 women who experienced obstetric emergencies were prosecuted for abortion or aggravated homicide in the past 20 years.

has some of the world's strictest abortion laws, with the procedure banned without exception since 1998. More than 180 women who experienced obstetric emergencies were prosecuted for abortion or aggravated homicide in the past 20 years. Women in Malta are denied access to abortion, even if their lives are at risk. It is the only EU member state that completely prohibits the procedure. Women face up to three years in jail.

are denied access to abortion, even if their lives are at risk. It is the only EU member state that completely prohibits the procedure. Women face up to three years in jail. Senegal prohibits abortion but its code of medical ethics allows it if three doctors agree it is needed to save a woman's life. A 2014 study showed the rules force women to seek clandestine abortions and, as a last resort, kill their own infants.

prohibits abortion but its code of medical ethics allows it if three doctors agree it is needed to save a woman's life. A 2014 study showed the rules force women to seek clandestine abortions and, as a last resort, kill their own infants. In the United Arab Emirates , abortion is illegal except if the pregnancy endangers the woman's life or there is evidence the baby will not survive. Women could face up to one year in prison and a hefty fine. Women who seek hospital treatment for a miscarriage may be accused of attempted abortion.

, abortion is illegal except if the pregnancy endangers the woman's life or there is evidence the baby will not survive. Women could face up to one year in prison and a hefty fine. Women who seek hospital treatment for a miscarriage may be accused of attempted abortion. Anti-abortion laws in the Philippines derive from its time as a colony of Spain. Abortion has been prohibited for more than a century. About 1,000 Filipino women die each year from complications. Spain is among more than 50 countries that have liberalized abortion laws over the past quarter century.

WOULD IT LEAD TO A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF ORPHANGES?

This would seem very unlikely in the modern age, with traditional orphanages now being extinct in the US - but there is an interesting case study going back more than 50 years that provides an insight.

In 1966, a complete ban on abortion and access to contraception was imposed in Romania, with the target of increasing its population.

This worked in the short-term as the average number of children born to Romanian women increased from 1.9 to 3.7 - but it then fell again as people discovered ways of getting round the ban such as bribing doctors.

It also meant that hundreds of thousands of children ended up state orphanages where they were beaten, abused and lived in filthy conditions - with an estimated 170,000 housed in these facilities when communism fell in 1989.

For children in America nowadays there is an emphasis on the foster and adoption system, rather than orphanages, which aims to match children with families who can appropriately care for them. There are also residential and group homes for children who are unable to properly integrate into a foster home.

Roe vs Wade: The Texas mother who won the landmark 1973 case but then became a fierce opponent of abortion rights - and her 'Roe Baby' daughter who finally revealed her identity last year

ByStephen M. Lepore For Dailymail.Com

The Supreme Court has voted to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that legalized abortion in the United States, a bombshell report revealed on Monday.

Norma McCorvey, known as 'Jane Roe', is pictured in January 1983. A decade earlier she had won a landmark abortion case - but the baby she wished to abort, Shelley Lynn Thornton, was born before the case concluded

The history of the legislation, which has proved controversial since it was made in 1973, dates back half a century.

The case was filed in 1971 by Norma McCorvey, a 22-year-old living in Texas who was unmarried and seeking a termination of her unwanted pregnancy.

She married at the age of 16, but separated shortly after while she was pregnant. She gave custody of her daughter to her mother.

She gave a second child up for adoption, but when she got pregnant a third time she decided to have an abortion.

She said she couldn't afford to travel to one of the handful of states where it would have been legal.

Because of state legislation preventing abortions unless the mother's life is at risk, she was unable to undergo the procedure in a safe and legal environment.

So McCorvey sued Henry Wade, the Dallas county district attorney, in 1970. The case went on to the Supreme Court, under the filing Roe vs Wade, to protect McCorvey's privacy.

Sarah Weddington and a former classmate, Linda Coffee, brought a class-action lawsuit on behalf of a pregnant woman challenging a state law that largely banned abortions.

She had been among only five women out of a class of 1,600 to graduate with a law degree from the University of Texas in 1967.

The Supreme Court handed down the watershed 7-2 decision that a woman's right to make her own medical decisions, including the choice to have an abortion, is protected under the 14th Amendment. In particular, that the Due Process Clause of the the 14th Amendment provides a fundamental 'right to privacy' that protects a woman's liberty to choose whether or not to have an abortion.

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized a woman's constitutional right to an abortion in Roe v. Wade. The landmark ruling legalized abortion nationwide but divided public opinion and has been under attack ever since.

The landmark ruling saw abortions decriminalized in 46 states, but under certain specific conditions which individual states could decide on. For example, states could decide whether abortions were allowed only during the first and second trimester but not the third (typically beyond 28 weeks).

Among pro-choice campaigners, the decision was hailed as a victory which would mean fewer women would become seriously - or even fatally - ill from abortions carried out by unqualified or unlicensed practitioners. Moreover, the freedom of choice was considered a significant step in the equality fight for women in the country. Victims of rape or incest would be able to have the pregnancy terminated and not feel coerced into motherhood.

However, pro-lifers contended it was tantamount to murder and that every life, no matter how it was conceived, is precious. Though the decision has never been overturned, anti-abortionists have prompted hundreds of states laws since then narrowing the scope of the ruling.

McCorvey is pictured in July 2011. She died in 2017 without ever meeting Shelley in person. The pair spoke on the phone in 1989

Norma McCorvey aka 'Jane Roe' (left) and her attorney Gloria Allred at the Supreme Court in 1989, the year she made her identity known. After winning Roe vs Wade, Norma went on to be a face for women's rights before switching to be pro-life years later. She admitted before she died that she made the change in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars

Following the ruling, McCorvey lived a quiet life until the 1980s when she revealed herself to be Jane Roe. McCorvey became a leading, outspoken pro-abortion voice in American discourse, even working at a women's clinic where abortions were performed.

However, she performed an unlikely U-turn in 1995, becoming a born-again Christian and began traveling the country speaking out against the procedure.

In 2003, a she filed a motion to overturn her original 1973 ruling with the U.S. district court in Dallas. The motion moved through the courts until it was ultimately denied by the Supreme Court in 2005.

McCorvey died at an assisted living home in Texas in February 2017, aged 69. She admitted before she died that she made the change in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This is my deathbed confession,' she says. 'I took their money and they took me out in front of the cameras and told me what to say. That's what I'd say.'

In the interview, McCorvey refers to herself as 'the Big Fish' in the eyes of evangelical leaders who were eager to have her publicly switch sides and take up their cause.

In addressing her activism for the religious right, McCorvey boasts: 'I'm a good actress.'

Shelley Lynn Thornton, now 51, is the biological daughter of Norma McCorvey and spoke on the record for the first time in 2021.

Baby Roe: Shelley Lynn Thornton, a 51-year-old mother of three, has spoken out for the first time on camera. Her biological mother Norma McCorvey was Jane Roe, whose landmark lawsuit Roe vs Wade won women across America the right to have abortions

Shelley said she is neither pro-life or pro-choice. 'I don't understand why it's a government concern,' she said. She has three kids of her own and when she first became pregnant at 20, decided abortion was not 'part of who' she was

Shelley appeared on Good Morning America for her first ever TV interview. Her identity was only made public in September by The Atlantic.

'A lot of people didn't know I existed,' she said, adding she fears the world blames her for abortion being legal.

'It doesn't revolve around me, I wasn't the one who created this law. I'm not the one who created this movement. I had nothing to do with it. I was just a little itty-bitty thing and, you know, circumstances prevailed.

'My whole thinking is that, 'oh God everybody is going to hate me because everyone is going to blame me for abortion being legal,' she said.

Thornton, who never met her birth mother in person before her death in 2017, told journalist Joshua Prager she had decided to speak out after more than half a century because she wanted to free herself from the 'secrets and lies.'

'Secrets and lies are, like, the two worst things in the whole world. I'm keeping a secret, but I hate it,' she said, in an adapted excerpt from Prager's new book 'The Family Roe: An American Story', published in The Atlantic.

'I want everyone to understand that this is something I've chosen to do.'

McCorvey in 1998. Shelley Lynn Thornton, 51, has come forward to reveal that she is the youngest daughter of McCorvey - the woman known as Jane Roe

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

The news sent shock waves throughout Washington D.C. with Democrats vowing to codify the legal right to an abortion into law and Republicans celebrating the news.

Politico noted that this is the first such case in modern history of a Supreme Court draft decision being leaked to the public while the case was still pending.

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.
Mary Beard has revealed she stumbled across porn while searching for historical paintings on Google, days after shamed Tory MP Neil Parish admitted to finding adult content while searching for tractors.

The classicist was shocked to end up on a porn website after searching for portraits of Roman emperors by Italian painter Titian, but said she 'left pronto'.

Professor Beard said the revelation was not meant as support for Mr Parish, who resigned on Sunday after admitting to looking at pornography twice in the House of Commons.

Historian Mary Beard, pictured here with host Mel Giedroyc at the British Academy Television Craft Awards, said she was shocked to come across a porn site while searching for portraits by Italian painter Titian

The situation has similarities to the case of Neil Parish, the Tory MP who claimed he landed on an X-rated website in the House of Commons while searching for tractors on Google

Professor Beard was searching for Titian's Caesar portraits, which depict 11 of Rome's most famous leaders. Pictured here is his portrait of Julius Caesar

Friends of the Devon MP claim he had been searching for 'Dominator' combine harvesters when he opened a link to an adult website, something that was witnessed by another MP.

However, he admitted he then looked at adult content deliberately a second time while in the House, while Beard says she avoided going back for a second look.

Writing on Twitter on Monday, May 2, she said: 'This is not meant as a support for Mr Parish but I have ended up on a porn site after searching for Titian's Caesar portraits. A shock and I left pronto!

The 67-year-old added she didn't go back to it later and it has 'a bit put me off searching for Titian in general!'

The classics expert revealed the shocking experience on Twitter, saying she has since given up searching for Titian as it's 'too dangerous'

The Eleven Caesars were created by Titian between 1536 and 1540. Pictured are the portraits of emperors Augustus (left) and Nero (right)

She wrote: 'I have given up search Titian! Too dangerous.'

The Eleven Caesars are a series of portraits depicting 11 of Rome's most famous leaders which were created by Titian between 1536 and 1540.

None of these portraits have any nudity, although some other works by the Renaissance artist do depict nude and semi-nude women, as was common at the time.

Titian: How a boy from the alps became one of Italy's most celebrated painters Tiziano Vecellio, better known as Titian, was an Italian painter who was prolific in the 16th century. Born in the Italian Alps, he was sent to Venice as a child where he learned his craft from painter Giovanni Bellini. Even during his lifetime Titian's works were praised by critics and fellow artists. Like many artists of the day, his includes nude and semi-nude depictions of women. Among these are Sacred and Profane Love, which shows two women, one dressed and one nude, which are thought to represent Venus. His painting, Venus of Urbino, which depicts a reclining woman who is nude, is considered to be among the most beautiful of its type. Titian's Venus of Urbino is considered to be one of the most beautiful paintings of its type The Renaissance artist also painted more religious paintings, including Assumption, which depicts Mary the mother of Jesus ascending to heaven. Titian was also a master of portraits and was commissioned by many of Italian society's aristocrats. In this style he also created the Eleven Caesars, a series of 11 portraits of Roman emperors including Julius Caesar, Augustus and Nero. Advertisement

It comes days after Mr Parish, who has been the MP for Tiverton and Honiton since 2010, announced he would resign over the porn scandal that has embroiled him over the last week.

The 65-year-old, who was a farmer before becoming an MP, was seen viewing X-rated material on two occasions in the House of Commons.

It is claimed the first of these incidents took place when he searched for 'Dominator' combine harvesters, which are a wide-used brand of farm vehicle.

Devon county councillor Colin Slade told The Telegraph he 'could see' how the search might have led to inappropriate content, arguing: 'I have never had any concerns about his behaviour and I regard Neil as totally truthful.

'I saw his BBC interview, which was very heartfelt, in which he said he was wrong and he was sorry.'

Former Tory MP Neil Parish, who resigned yesterday over his porn-watching scandal in the House of Commons, was in fact searching for 'Dominator' combine harvesters when he opened a link to an adult website, his friends claim (Parish is pictured on a Dominator combine harvester)

The 65-year-old environment and rural affairs committee chairman, who is a farmer by trade, announced last night that he would quit his Tiverton and Honiton seat after admitting he watched porn on his phone while sat on the Commons' green benches

Mr Slade's suggestion has not yet been confirmed by Mr Parish, though the former Tory MP did say he was looking at tractors when he stumbled upon adult content.

The married father-of-two had previously vowed to continue as the MP for Tiverton and Honiton after it was revealed he was the politician seen watching porn by two Conservative colleagues, but finally bowed to pressure to resign on Sunday.

He said in an interview with BBC South West that he recognised the 'furore' and 'damage' he was causing his family and his constituency in Devon before deciding 'it just wasn't worth carrying on'.

'The situation was, funnily enough it was tractors I was looking at, so I did get into another website with sort of a very similar name and I watched it for a bit, which I shouldn't have done,' Mr Parish said.

'My crime, my most biggest crime, is that on another occasion I went in a second time, and that was deliberate.

'I was wrong what I was doing, but this idea that I was there watching it, intimidating women, I mean I have 12 years in Parliament and probably got one of the best reputations ever - or did have.'

When pressed on why he chose to view the material in the Commons, he said: 'I don't know, I think I must've taken complete leave of my senses and my sensibilities and my sense of decency, everything.'

'I thought that I could explain to the standards committee what happened and it would be worth explaining what happened which I will in a minute.'

He added: 'What I do want to put on record is that for all my rights and wrongs, I was not proud of what I was doing. The one thing I wasn't doing and which I will take to my grave as being true is I was not actually making sure people could see it.

Tory MP Neil Parish is pictured arriving back to his home in Somerset following news that he is being investigated over claims that he watched porn in the House of Commons before his resignation

'In fact, I was trying to do quite the opposite. I was wrong what I was doing, but this idea that I was there watching it and intimidating women.'

He continued: 'Total madness. I'm not going to defend it. I'm also not going to defend what I did. What I did was absolutely, totally wrong. In the end, what do you do?'

He told the BBC that he and his wife discussed fighting it in some way yesterday morning.

'I was wrong. I searched my conscience and that's why I'm here this afternoon. I'm not trying to be virtuous about it in any shape or form. I was wrong. I was stupid. I lost a sense of mind.

'What is done is done. What I am saying is one can use process to delay and hold things up. I decided not to.'

He was suspended by the Conservatives on Friday under investigation after confirming that he was the MP who had been seen watching the material.

His resignation will trigger a by-election in the South West seat of Tiverton and Honiton in Devon which has a Consrvative majority of over 14,000.
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The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the United States, according to a bombshell leaked draft of a majority opinion that suggests it may soon overturn the famous Roe v. Wade ruling.

The 98-page draft revealed by Politico calls the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision - which held that access to abortion in the US is a constitutional right - 'egregiously wrong from the start'.

Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant.

These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year.

As it stands in the US, abortion can take place until about 24 weeks into pregnancy - but the exact period varies between states. For example, Texas bans abortion after about six weeks but Florida has a 15-week abortion ban.

The draft majority opinion was written by Justice Samuel Alito and has been circulating inside the conservative-dominated court since February. The leak while the case is still pending is seen as an extraordinary breach.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. Here, MailOnline looks at what the latest developments mean - and the history of abortion laws in the US:

Pro-abortion and pro-choice demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington DC overnight

WHAT IS ROE V. WADE?

The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy.

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion.

Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion.

She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger.

Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights.

Norma McCorvey, known as 'Jane Roe', is pictured in January 1983 (left) and July 2011 (right). In the 1970s she won a landmark abortion case - but the baby she wished to abort, Shelley Lynn Thornton, was born before the case concluded

Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague, and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category.

The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant.

The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court.

The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972.

Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states.

Pro-choice activists gather at the US Supreme Court in Washington DC overnight amid a huge public backlash at the news

WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED NOW?

The US Supreme Court has not decided anything yet, but a draft opinion reportedly circulated among court justices suggests that it may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade.

A document labelled 'Opinion of the Court' shows a majority of the court's justices earlier this year threw support behind overturning the 1973 case that legalised abortion across the country.

According to Politico - who published the 'leaked document' - the draft opinion shows the court voted to strike down the landmark case. However, it is unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter.

The paper was labelled '1st Draft' of the 'Opinion of the Court' and was said to be referring to a case challenging Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks - a case known as Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organisation.

The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in the case, and opinions - and even justices' votes - have been known to change during the drafting process.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July.

The draft is signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court's 6-3 conservative majority, who was appointed by former President George W Bush.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' the draft opinion states.

It in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER RULINGS SINCE 1973?

On the same day as the Roe v. Wade decision, the justices also ruled in the separate 'Doe v. Bolton' case, which authorised each state to add restrictions to abortion rights for later-term pregnancies.

The constitutional right to abortion was later confirmed in a number of decisions, including 'Webster v. Reproductive Health Services' in 1989 and 'Planned Parenthood v. Casey' in 1992.

In the latter, the court guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the foetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks of gestation.

The Planned Parenthood v Casey ruling also affirmed Roe's finding of a constitutional right to abortion services, but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice.

WHICH STATES COULD MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED?

If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights.

Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years.

Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute.

Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.

There are 18 states that have near-total bans on their books, while four more have time-limit band and four others are likely to pass new bans if Roe v. Wade is overturned

The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.

This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights.

Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion.

CAN WOMEN GET AN ABORTION IN A DIFFERENT STATE?

Yes - the variation in abortion laws around America already means that some women have to travel to a different state to access a procedure.

For example in Texas - which has passed a law banning almost all abortions in the state - an average of 1,400 women from the state travelling each month between September and December 2021 and sought out procedures at 34 facilities in other states such as Louisiana and Kansas.

Research by the University of Texas established that more than a quarter of Texans seeking an abortion (27 per cent) went to obtain the procedure in New Mexico, a state which has seven facilities.

WHAT WOULD ROE V. WADE BEING OVERTURNED MEAN FOR WOMEN?

Abortion would not become illegal everywhere in the US if Roe v. Wade is overturned, with individual states still able to choose whether and when they would be permitted.

As it stands, abortion is legal in every state - but with varying restrictions.

Abortion would likely become illegal in about half of the states in the US if the ruling is overturned - with 24 states expected to ban abortion if they are able to do so.

These are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

WHO IS LIKELY TO BE MOST AFFECTED BY AN ABORTION BAN?

Younger women, poorer women and African-American women would likely be most disproportionately affected by an abortion ban in the US.

Most women who have abortions in America are aged between 20 and 29, with 57 per cent of reported terminations in 2019 performed on people within this age group.

Rachel Jones, a senior researcher at pro-choice research group the Guttmacher Institute, told BBC News: "The typical abortion patient is in their 20s, doesn't have a lot of money and has one or more children."

Some 75 per cent of women in the US having an abortion are deemed low income or poor, based on the countrys official poverty definitions.

And while black people make up only 13 per cent of the US population, black women undergo more than a third of the country's reported abortions.

In 2019, there were about 630,000 abortions reported in the US, which was significantly down on 765,000 in 2010. Two suggested reasons for this are more access to contraceptives and lower sexual activity.

Baby Roe: Shelley Lynn Thornton, a 51-year-old mother of three, spoke out for the first time last year. Her biological mother Norma McCorvey was Jane Roe, whose landmark lawsuit Roe v. Wade won women across America the right to have abortions

WHAT RESTRICTIONS HAVE INDIVIDUAL STATES PUT IN PLACE ALREADY THIS YEAR?

If the US Supreme Court votes to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, conservative states will have more confidence that their new limits on abortion will stand while liberal states will feel more urgency to protect and expand abortion rights. Here are some restrictions and protections state legislatures have taken up in 2022:

ABORTION RESTRICTIONS

ARIZONA : Republican Governor Doug Ducey in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. It will take effect later this year if not blocked in court.

: Republican Governor Doug Ducey in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. It will take effect later this year if not blocked in court. FLORIDA : Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a 15-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for medical emergencies or if the foetus has a fatal abnormality. The exceptions do not allow for abortion past 15 weeks in case of rape, incest or human trafficking. The ban is due to take effect on July 1.

: Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a 15-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for medical emergencies or if the foetus has a fatal abnormality. The exceptions do not allow for abortion past 15 weeks in case of rape, incest or human trafficking. The ban is due to take effect on July 1. IDAHO : Republican Governor Brad Little signed a six-week abortion ban in March that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The Idaho law was due to take effect in April, but has been blocked by the state Supreme Court pending legal review.

: Republican Governor Brad Little signed a six-week abortion ban in March that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The Idaho law was due to take effect in April, but has been blocked by the state Supreme Court pending legal review. KENTUCKY : The legislature in April overrode Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto to enact several abortion restrictions, including a 15-week ban, a requirement that fetal remains be cremated or interred, and a requirement that a combination birth-death or stillbirth certificate be issued for each abortion. The law took immediate effect, suspending clinics' ability to provide abortions for eight days until a U.S. judge temporarily blocked its enforcement.

: The legislature in April overrode Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto to enact several abortion restrictions, including a 15-week ban, a requirement that fetal remains be cremated or interred, and a requirement that a combination birth-death or stillbirth certificate be issued for each abortion. The law took immediate effect, suspending clinics' ability to provide abortions for eight days until a U.S. judge temporarily blocked its enforcement. OKLAHOMA : The Senate in April passed a ban on all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. It relies on private citizens to sue providers and any person who 'aids or abets' abortions to be enforced. The House must approve the Senate's amendments before it heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. With the governor's approval, it would take effect immediately. Also in April, Oklahoma's legislature approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which relies on the same lawsuit enforcement mechanism. It will take immediate effect if signed by Stitt. Mr Stitt signed a bill in April banning abortion except in medical emergencies and penalizing providers who violate the law with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The law is due to take effect in August if not blocked in court.

: The Senate in April passed a ban on all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. It relies on private citizens to sue providers and any person who 'aids or abets' abortions to be enforced. The House must approve the Senate's amendments before it heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. With the governor's approval, it would take effect immediately. Also in April, Oklahoma's legislature approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which relies on the same lawsuit enforcement mechanism. It will take immediate effect if signed by Stitt. Mr Stitt signed a bill in April banning abortion except in medical emergencies and penalizing providers who violate the law with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The law is due to take effect in August if not blocked in court. SOUTH DAKOTA : Republican Governor Kristi Noem signed a bill in March requiring women to make three in-person doctor's visits to complete a medication abortion. The legislation's implementation depends on the outcome of a federal court case.

ABORTION PROTECTIONS

COLORADO : Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a bill on April 4 codifying the right to have an abortion. The measure immediately took effect.

: Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a bill on April 4 codifying the right to have an abortion. The measure immediately took effect. CONNECTICUT : The legislature passed a bill in April that protects anyone who provides abortions, has an abortion or assists someone having an abortion from other states' restrictions. Among other provisions, the measure bars state agencies from assisting in interstate investigations seeking to hold someone civilly or criminally liable for getting or aiding an abortion. The bill awaits Democratic Governor Ned Lamont's signature.

: The legislature passed a bill in April that protects anyone who provides abortions, has an abortion or assists someone having an abortion from other states' restrictions. Among other provisions, the measure bars state agencies from assisting in interstate investigations seeking to hold someone civilly or criminally liable for getting or aiding an abortion. The bill awaits Democratic Governor Ned Lamont's signature. MARYLAND : The legislature passed a bill that expands the definition of who can provide abortions to include any 'qualified provider,' establishes a state-funded abortion provider training program and requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of abortions. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the state's Democratic-controlled legislature overrode his veto on April 9 and the law is due to take effect on July 1.

: The legislature passed a bill that expands the definition of who can provide abortions to include any 'qualified provider,' establishes a state-funded abortion provider training program and requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of abortions. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the state's Democratic-controlled legislature overrode his veto on April 9 and the law is due to take effect on July 1. VERMONT : The Democratic-led legislature in February passed a constitutional amendment that guarantees the right to abortion. It will be on the ballot for voters to approve in November.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD?

As new limits on abortion rights are pursued in the United States and other countries, here is a look at global abortion statistics and some of the world's strictest abortion laws.

Data has been provided by the UN World Health Organization as well as from the Guttmacher Institute research group and the Center for Reproductive Rights legal advocacy group, both of which support abortion rights.

Approximately 73 million abortions occur worldwide annually, with 61 per cent of all unintended pregnancies and 29 per cent of all pregnancies ending in abortion, according to the World Health Organization.

It said about 45 per cent of all abortions are unsafe, of which 97 per cent occur in developing countries. A WHO fact sheet said 'Unsafe abortion is a leading - but preventable - cause of maternal deaths and morbidities.'

There are 16 countries where abortion is prohibited altogether, a list that includes Egypt, Iraq, the Philippines, Laos, Senegal, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

About three dozen other countries allow it only to save the life of the mother, a list that includes Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Iran, Afghanistan and Myanmar. Around 40 per cent of women of reproductive age live in places where abortion access is illegal or limited.

In England, Scotland and Wales, anyone can legally have an abortion at up to 23 weeks and six days of pregnancy, which is in line with the Abortion Act of 1967. Here is the situation in a number of countries:

Poland in January 2021 put into effect a constitutional court decision prohibiting abortions performed due to fetal defects, banning the most common of the few legal grounds for terminating a pregnancy in the largely Catholic country.

in January 2021 put into effect a constitutional court decision prohibiting abortions performed due to fetal defects, banning the most common of the few legal grounds for terminating a pregnancy in the largely Catholic country. El Salvador has some of the world's strictest abortion laws, with the procedure banned without exception since 1998. More than 180 women who experienced obstetric emergencies were prosecuted for abortion or aggravated homicide in the past 20 years.

has some of the world's strictest abortion laws, with the procedure banned without exception since 1998. More than 180 women who experienced obstetric emergencies were prosecuted for abortion or aggravated homicide in the past 20 years. Women in Malta are denied access to abortion, even if their lives are at risk. It is the only EU member state that completely prohibits the procedure. Women face up to three years in jail.

are denied access to abortion, even if their lives are at risk. It is the only EU member state that completely prohibits the procedure. Women face up to three years in jail. Senegal prohibits abortion but its code of medical ethics allows it if three doctors agree it is needed to save a woman's life. A 2014 study showed the rules force women to seek clandestine abortions and, as a last resort, kill their own infants.

prohibits abortion but its code of medical ethics allows it if three doctors agree it is needed to save a woman's life. A 2014 study showed the rules force women to seek clandestine abortions and, as a last resort, kill their own infants. In the United Arab Emirates , abortion is illegal except if the pregnancy endangers the woman's life or there is evidence the baby will not survive. Women could face up to one year in prison and a hefty fine. Women who seek hospital treatment for a miscarriage may be accused of attempted abortion.

, abortion is illegal except if the pregnancy endangers the woman's life or there is evidence the baby will not survive. Women could face up to one year in prison and a hefty fine. Women who seek hospital treatment for a miscarriage may be accused of attempted abortion. Anti-abortion laws in the Philippines derive from its time as a colony of Spain. Abortion has been prohibited for more than a century. About 1,000 Filipino women die each year from complications. Spain is among more than 50 countries that have liberalized abortion laws over the past quarter century.

WOULD IT LEAD TO A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF ORPHANGES?

This would seem very unlikely in the modern age, with traditional orphanages now being extinct in the US - but there is an interesting case study going back more than 50 years that provides an insight.

In 1966, a complete ban on abortion and access to contraception was imposed in Romania, with the target of increasing its population.

This worked in the short-term as the average number of children born to Romanian women increased from 1.9 to 3.7 - but it then fell again as people discovered ways of getting round the ban such as bribing doctors.

It also meant that hundreds of thousands of children ended up state orphanages where they were beaten, abused and lived in filthy conditions - with an estimated 170,000 housed in these facilities when communism fell in 1989.

For children in America nowadays there is an emphasis on the foster and adoption system, rather than orphanages, which aims to match children with families who can appropriately care for them. There are also residential and group homes for children who are unable to properly integrate into a foster home.
A woman's funeral in Peru was interrupted when the woman herself started banging on the lid of the coffin to say she was still alive.

In a shocking twist to a tragic day, stunned relatives carrying the coffin of Rosa Isabel Cespede Callaca, 36, opened it and found their relative with her eyes open looking at them.

Rosa and the coffin were rushed to nearby Referential Hospital Ferrenafe on the back of a pickup truck where she was quickly hooked up to a life support machine.

Sheepish medics confirmed that she did have vital signs - albeit very low ones - and her condition improved slightly once on life support, giving hope that a miracle was in progress.

But Rosa's condition then rapidly deteriorated and she passed away a few hours later.

Cemetery caretaker Juan Segundo Cajo said: '[She] opened her eyes and was sweating. I immediately went to my office and called the police.'

Rosa Isabel Cespede Callaca was rushed to hospital from her own funeral after she woke up inside the coffin and started banging on it

Rosa had been in a serious car crash on a road in the Chiclayo-Picsi region which claimed the life of her brother-in-law and seriously injured her nephews

Stunned relatives carrying the coffin of Rosa Isabel Cespede Callaca, age not reported, to her final resting place opened it and found their relative with her eyes open looking at them

A video taken shortly after the astounding discovery shows a team of police carrying the coffin through a crowd to a pickup truck. The video then cuts to a team of medics standing over the open coffin with an unconscious Rosa at their feet.

Rosa had been in a serious car crash on a road in the Chiclayo-Picsi region which claimed the life of her brother-in-law and seriously injured her nephews.

She too had been pronounced dead after the crash and her relatives had arranged a funeral for her on April 26 in the city of Lambayque.

Her relatives expressed predictable outrage that Rosa had been declared dead and sent to the morgue for a funeral 'in the first place'.

Rosa and the coffin were rushed to nearby Referential Hospital Ferrenafe on the back of a pickup truck where she was quickly hooked up to a life support machine

Sheepish medics confirmed that she did have vital signs - albeit very low ones - and her condition improved slightly once on life support, giving hope that a miracle was in progress. But then Rosa's condition rapidly deteriorated and she passed away a few hours later.

An unnamed aunt furious with the hospital said: 'We want to know why my niece reacted yesterday, when we were taking her to be buried.

'We have the videos in which she pushes and touches the coffin.'

It has been speculated that the medics at the Referential Hospital Ferrenafe where she had been taken initially after the crash had mistaken a coma for being dead.

Police are now investigating whether staff at the hospital negligently took Rosa off life support, pronounced her dead and sent her to the morgue without proper review to check that she was actually dead.

Rosas three nephews, who were injured in the same crash as she, are said to be recovering in hospital but still in a serious condition.
Crumbling hospitals are putting patients at risk and jeopardising efforts to tackle NHS backlogs, experts warned today.

Sewage leaking through ceilings, broken lifts and rat-infested wards are among the issues logged by health chiefs.

Power outages also saw life-saving operations postponed, forcing women in labour to be rushed to other hospitals in taxis.

The state of disrepair has forced hospitals, tasked with sorting the knock-on effects of Covid to patient care, to cancel hundreds of appointments.

More than 6,800 health and safety incidents caused by old and faulty NHS buildings were logged last year. This is up from roughly 2,300 in 2017.

Jeremy Hunt, former Health Secretary, claimed the figures, unearthed by The Times, were 'deeply concerning'.

The health service logged 6,812 clinical service incidents linked to a failure to invest in infrastructure in the last year, such as collapsing ceilings and power outages that risked patient safety. The figure, which also covers leaks, heating problems and pest infestations, is 2.9-times higher than the 2,338 recorded in 2017. Pictured: Royal Liverpool Hospital flooded 10 times in 2018, causing delays to patient care and forcing staff to wear wellies

The newspaper's FOI requests uncovered a case where a patient on a ventilator was stuck in a broken lift for half-an-hour.

The patient, who was unconscious, was stuck alongside five members of staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital in May 2019.

Another incident at the same hospital saw patients have to 'sleep in hats and gloves' because of a lack of heating. Health chiefs labelled the issue 'a patient death waiting to happen'.

While a patient at Furness General Hospital in Cumbria saw their room overflow with 'raw sewage' in November, it was revealed.

Faeces coming through the floor and water leaking from ceilings: The horror incidents at NHS hospitals Ceiling collapse on a side ward, water leaking from the ceiling on the top of the maternity landing and a lift broke down trapping two nurses inside (North West) Call bells were broken on a ward. Faeces coming through the floor on the ultrasound corridor (Yorkshire and the Humber) Waste pipe above a ward broke, resulting in waste leaking into the ward area (West Midlands) Part of the Emergency Department was closed due to a 'severe' sewage leak in December 2018 (London) Dirt/faeces/slime spurted up through a sink. This landed on a patients bed, and covered the floor and surrounding area. There was also a 'severe' leak from the roof by the maternity unit. Store cupboards were soaked, and water was going into electric fittings (West Midlands) A lift which had initially had a jammed door, stopped working. Staff and patients were unable to use the lift (South East) Water poured onto a ward bed from the ceiling and patients had to be moved (London) Sewage was coming up through the drains in bathrooms, water flooded into the ward corridor. Only one shower room was able to be used for 19 patients (East Midlands) Water leaking from pipes led to delays to patients being operated on  operating time had to be reduced and some were cancelled or relocated (East Midlands Several lifts out of service left no access to the Coronary Care Unit for catering trolleys, bed or patients. A patient was left on the Clinical Decisions Unit in a wheelchair, as they were unable to access CCU for treatment (East Midlands) A burst pipe meant no x-rays could be taken (South) Ceiling panel on a ward collapsed, but fortunately missed the patient (North West) People were trapped in a lift (London) 'Ceiling leakage' and tiles falling off on numerous areas on a ward, and that on one occasion the labour ward was very cold, and they were unable to keep babies warm (West Midlands) Lifts were not in action, making it impossible to get immobile patients upstairs  some were coming directly from clinic for urgent surgery and appointments had to be cancelled (South East) Advertisement

And Oxford University Hospitals reported how sewage waste 'started to rain torrents through the ceiling' as a patient and doctor spoke.

Royal Lancaster Infirmary said a 'dirty, foul-smelling water' leaked through the ceiling into a 'clean baby milk prep kitchen', forcing nurses to move equipment and stock while also caring for newborns.

And just over a week ago, a five-hour power outage at the Royal London Hospital in east London saw two kidney operations cancelled and women in labour taken to other maternity units in the back of taxis.

Hundreds of rat and pest infestations have been reported at hospitals, with 38 of these logged at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London alone.

Experts today said the safety problems are getting worse every year, forcing hospitals to 'patch things up'.

Nigel Edwards, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust thinktank, told The Times: 'There are significant safety issues putting patients at risk of harm.

'But there is also a lower level problem of cancellations, patients having to be moved because things aren't working and the operation theatre is not available.

'Then there is the pressure on staff who are having to deal with things falling apart around them.'

Mr Hunt, head of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, said failure to invest in NHS infrastructure would worsen the NHS waiting list  which already stands at a record 6.18million.

The Conservative MP, said to be plotting a leadership bid if Boris Johnson is ousted, added: 'Proper investment in our hospital buildings is critical to patient safety.

'These infrastructure issues are clearly a big risk to progress on the backlog, and make already tough jobs even more difficult for NHS staff.

'With the extra taxpayers' money going into the system, I hope we will see a plan to tackle this problem as a matter of urgency.'

The NHS warned last year it needed 9.2billion to clear its backlog of maintenance work.

This includes upgrades to its portfolio 10,000-plus buildings, as well as equipment and ambulance services.

The NHS deemed 1.6billion worth of the work was 'high risk', while 3billion had a 'significant risk'.

The health service already spends 10billion per year running its facilities.

Some billions of pounds of taxpayers' cash  generated through a 1.25 per cent national insurance hike  will be dished out to the NHS to reduce the number of people waiting for routine operations and scans, as well as social care.

But bosses warned red tape means this money can't be spent on maintenance.

A spokesperson at the Department of Health said: 'Patient safety is our top priority and we are investing record sums to upgrade and modernise NHS buildings so staff have the facilities needed to provide world-class care.

'We are investing 1.7billion until 2025 for over 70 hospital upgrades across England, and in 2020-21 we invested a record 895 million in tackling critical infrastructure risk, which included funding for nearly 1,800 urgent maintenance projects across over 170 trusts.

'We are also delivering the biggest hospital building programme in a generation, with a target of 48 hospitals by 2030.'
Russia has doubled down and accused Israel of supporting neo-Nazis in Ukraine in a bitter row sparked by Sergei Lavrov's comments that Adolf Hitler had 'Jewish blood'.

Israel slammed the Russian foreign minister yesterday, saying his claim - made when talking about Volodymyr Zelensky who is Jewish - was an 'unforgivable' falsehood that debased the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust.

Lavrov said: 'I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it means nothing. For a long time now we've been hearing the wise Jewish people say that the biggest anti-Semites are the Jews themselves.'

Lavrov's comments sparked fury around the world, with Zelensky condemning the 'anti-Semitic' remarks which showed 'Moscow has forgotten all the lessons from World War II'.

Yair Lapid, Israel's foreign minister, also branded the remark 'scandalous' and said the Russian ambassador would be summoned for a 'tough talk'.

But in a statement today, the Russian foreign ministry said Lapid's comments were 'anti-historical' and 'explaining to a large extent why the current Israeli government supports the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv'.

Sergei Lavrov has sparked fury by claiming Adolf Hitler had Jewish blood as he justified Russia's 'denazification' in Ukraine

Lavrov's comments sparked fury around the world, with Zelensky condemning the 'anti-Semitic' remarks

Moscow reiterated Lavrov's point that Zelensky's Jewish origins did not preclude Ukraine from being run by neo-Nazis.

'Anti-Semitism in everyday life and in politics is not stopped and is on the contrary nurtured (in Ukraine),' it said in a statement.

Lavrov made the Hitler 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 Zelensky, was himself Jewish.

Israel has expressed support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February.

But wary of damaging relations with Russia, a powerbroker in neighbouring Syria, it initially avoided direct criticism of Moscow and has not enforced formal sanctions on Russian oligarchs.

But ties have grown more strained, with Lapid last month accusing Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine.

Yair Lapid, Israel's foreign minister, branded the remark 'scandalous' and said the Russian ambassador would be summoned for a 'tough talk'

He said yesterday: 'It is an unforgivable, scandalous statement, a terrible historical mistake, and we expect an apology.'

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'.

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'.

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

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, Zelensky 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.
Tourism industry officials discuss measures to revitalize the industry during the 24th Tourism Industry Committee meeting held at Lotte Hotel Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of KCCI



Tourism industry calls for scrapping of mandatory PCR tests for inbound travelers



By Kim Hyun-bin



The government should simplify entry procedures for visitors at the nation's airports and seaports to boost the number of inbound travelers, airline and tourism industry officials said Tuesday.



They called on the Moon Jae-in administration to scrap mandatory PCR tests on inbound tourists and relax other COVID-19 quarantine measures, as well as speeding up visa issuances to foreign visitors.



According to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the 24th Tourism Industry Committee meeting was held at Lotte Hotel Seoul, Tuesday with senior tourism officials in attendance including Korean Air CEO Woo Ki-hong, Chosun Hotels & Resorts CEO Han Chae-yang, and Hotel Lotte CEO Ahn Se-jin.



"Although the aftermath and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to linger, the tourism industry is starting to recover as social-distancing measures are lifted," said Woo, who also chairs the tourism industry committee at the KCCI.



According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the international tourism market is expected to recover this year to around 40 percent to 50 percent of its size compared to 2019.



The airline industry has stated that it is necessary to normalize entry procedures for visitors and resume international flights that were suspended during the pandemic.



"While many countries are in the process of normalizing entry procedures, Korea is still in a situation where strict regulations such as PCR negative verification are still increasing the burden of costs and inconveniences in arrivals and departures. We should allow unvaccinated children to enter the country without quarantine," Kim Kwang-ok, head of the Korea Civil Aviation Association, said.



"It is necessary to prepare for an increase in travel demand by expanding international air routes and slots, which were reduced due to quarantine policies," Kim added.



The duty-free shop industry suggested that the government extend further policy support.



"Due to external uncertainties and the intensive promotion of the duty-free industry in competing countries such as China, the timing of the recovery of the domestic duty-free industry is still unclear," Shin Ja-hyeon, head of the Korea Duty Free Shops Association, said. "We need to secure global competitiveness by raising the duty-free limit."


Boris Johnson today admitted the UK could have reacted faster in helping Ukrainian refugees amid widespread criticism of the 'endless' delays facing families trying to reach safety - as prospective prepared to sue Priti Patel over the failures.

The Prime Minister was pressed on why the UK is making it harder for refugees than other European countries in an interview on ITV's Good Morning Britain.

'Well, we have done a huge amount to help Ukrainian women and children in the area but we're now seeing large numbers come to the UK,' he told host Susanna Reid.

'So far, 86,000 visas have been issued and 27,000 are already here and I want to say, thank you - 27,000 is a lot and it's growing fast and I want to pay tribute to all those who are helping to look after Ukrainians.

'Could we have done it faster? Yes, perhaps we could.'

The Prime Minister was pressed on why the UK is making it harder for refugees than other European countries in an interview on ITV's Good Morning Britain

Home Secretary Priti Patel faces legal action over delays to granting visas to Ukrainian refugees

Asked why the UK is not offering visa-free travel to Ukrainians, Mr Johnson said that in a wartime situation, some people might be 'pretending' to be refugees.

He said: 'It's important to protect the system from those who might want to abuse it.

'It's also important to protect the women and children from coming to somewhere where they're not going to get the welcome that we would want, so that's why the screening and all the work we've done to make sure that we match up people in the right way, and the results are starting to be really excellent, you're seeing large numbers now.'

When it was put to him that only a fraction of those who have applied for visas have arrived in the UK, Mr Johnson responded: 'Quite a big fraction.'

Earlier on the programme, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK said many refugees coming to Britain had to first wait in European towns such as the French port city of Calais as the UK 'unfortunately' does not offer visa-free access.

Vadym Prystaiko said he 'restarted negotiations' on the issue with the Home Secretary with the aim of suspending 'this unnecessarily long, difficult bureaucratic procedure'.

It comes as would-be sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine visa scheme are threatening the Government with legal action on behalf of hundreds of Ukrainian refugees who have spent weeks waiting to come to Britain.

At least 800 Ukrainian refugees are still waiting for visas after applying within the first two weeks of the scheme opening.

In total, 59,000 Ukrainians who have been granted visas have still not arrived in the UK, despite the Russian invasion taking place more than two months ago.

Ukrainian refugees at Przemysl train station, the entry point into Poland that is closest to the border

Protesters at a 'Vigil for Visas' demonstration last month on Parliament Square in central London

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the Government of being 'behind the curve and in chaos' on Home Office assistance for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters in Bitterne Village, Southampton, he said: 'Yet again with the Ukrainian visas and the whole scheme, we've seen a Government that's behind the curve and in chaos, and this is the hallmarks, I'm afraid, of this Government.

Why is the Government facing legal action over Homes for Ukraine? The Government is facing legal action over 'inordinate and unreasonable delays' in processing hundreds of visa applications made in March by Ukrainian refugees. Would-be hosts have instructed lawyers on behalf of hundreds of refugees who have spent weeks waiting to come to the UK. Here is some information about the Homes for Ukraine scheme and the waits refugees and their UK sponsors have been experiencing. What is the scheme? The Homes for Ukraine programme allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring people escaping the war to safety even if they have no ties to the UK. Anyone with a room or home available for at least six months can offer it to a Ukrainian individual or a family, though those offering to host will be vetted and Ukrainian applicants will undergo security checks. The scheme opened for applications more than six weeks ago on March 18. How many UK sponsors have offered up their homes? More than 200,000 would-be hosts have registered their interest. Members of the public have been praised for their 'amazing' and 'incredible' generosity. How many Ukrainians have applied and how many have arrived? As of last week, some 74,700 refugees had applied for visas through the sponsorship scheme, according to official figures. Some 11,110 have arrived in the UK - about a fifth of the 51,300 people with visas granted under the scheme. Government officials believe some people applied for visas so they have the option of coming to the UK but are staying in countries bordering Ukraine so they can return home sooner, while others have changed their minds. There are also multiple cases where Ukrainians are unable to travel because some family members, usually young children, are waiting for longer than their relatives for their documents. And there are reports of some refugees not being made aware that they have permission to travel. Why is the Government facing legal action? There have been widespread concerns about the length of time refugees have been waiting for their visas under the scheme. Would-be hosts have compiled figures showing that hundreds of Ukrainians who applied for visas within the first two weeks of its launch are still waiting. The groups who are threatening legal action on behalf of those waiting - Vigil 4 Visas and Taking Action Over The Homes For Ukraine Visa Delays - say the delays have put people in Ukraine and border countries at risk and heaped 'considerable pressure and strain' on UK hosts. A judicial review could be brought on the grounds that the Home Office has a policy of delaying the March applications and deciding later applications instead - or that the system is 'so chaotic and unstable' that it is unreasonable. What has the Government said? In an interview with ITV's Good Morning Britain, Boris Johnson admitted the UK could have reacted faster in helping Ukrainian refugees, though he said 'large numbers' are now coming to Britain. Previously, the Government has acknowledged that waits of several weeks for some refugees are 'unacceptable'. In early April, Home Secretary Priti Patel apologised 'with frustration' after coming under fire over the time it was taking for refugees to arrive. And refugees minister Lord Harrington previously said the process was too long and not 'as seamless as it should have been'. A Government spokesman said it has streamlined the visa system, simplified the forms, and boosted staff numbers and that officials are 'now processing visas as quickly as they come in'. Advertisement

'The generosity of the British people has been incredible, people wanting to come forward to take refugees into their own homes, to help in any way they can.

'What they want is a Government that matches their ambition and, in the end, what they've got is the usual shambles and chaos that we've got used to with this Government, I'm afraid.'

The groups behind the legal action against the Home Office, Vigil 4 Visas and Taking Action Over The Homes For Ukraine Visa Delays, say the delays have put people in Ukraine and border countries at risk, and heaped 'considerable pressure and strain' on UK hosts.

Lawyers for the groups are planning to send a pre-action protocol letter to the Home Office this week, asking it to 'sort out the endless muddles and tangles'.

They could then apply for a judicial review of the Government's visa-processing policy.

Katherine Klinger, who has helped organise vigils outside the Home Office over the past week, said: 'Perhaps the most striking thing I've noticed is the utter despair, shame and sense of responsibility so many hosts report.

'Hosts are in tears sometimes when they report to us what has happened in the past six weeks - dozens of emails, phone calls, letters, trips to the Home Office, MPs' involvement etc - it's very humbling.'

The groups are due to launch an online crowdfunder on Tuesday morning to raise up to 15,000 to help pay for the legal costs.

When it goes live, the page will read: 'If the Home Office does not get a grip on this urgent and potentially catastrophic situation, we will bring our action for judicial review and ask that it is considered urgently in light of the vulnerability of so many of the March applicants.'

Mr Johnson said 'large numbers' of those fleeing the war are now coming to Britain.

In an interview with Susanna Reid on ITV's Good Morning Britain, he said: 'So far 86,000 visas have been issued and 27,000 are already here and I want to say 'thank you' - 27,000 is a lot and it's growing fast and I want to pay tribute to all those who are helping to look after Ukrainians.

'Could we have done it faster? Yes, perhaps we could.'

The legal letter will highlight 10 cases of Ukrainians who are still waiting for their visas after applying during the days after the Homes For Ukraine scheme first opened on March 18.

These include the case of a Ukrainian mother and her daughter, aged under 10, who applied for their visas around five weeks ago.

The mother received her visa on April 18 but the little girl is still waiting.

The legal action is being prepared by Amanda Jones, an immigration and public law barrister, and follows a previous successful individual challenge, the group said.

Ms Jones challenged the Government on behalf of a member of the Marlow Ukraine Collective, who had been waiting more than a month to bring the family she is sponsoring to the UK.

Rebecca Lewis, a 44-year-old teacher from Marlow, Buckinghamshire, sought help after the mother she is sponsoring received her visa on April 9 but her children, aged four and five, were still waiting.

After Ms Jones contacted the Government, within nine hours the family was told the remaining visas were ready, she said.

Ms Jones said the judicial review would be brought on the grounds that the Home Office has a policy of delaying the March applications, and deciding later applications instead - or that the system is 'so chaotic and unstable' that it is unreasonable.

She said: 'A group of British citizens who responded to the call for generous people to sponsor Ukrainians for visas, host them for at least six months, and provide moral and emotional support under the Homes For Ukraine programme are at their wits' end.

'Hundreds of applications made on or before 31st March remain outstanding.

'Phone calls to the Home Office are a waste of time. MPs chasing the Home Office get contradictory and unhelpful replies.

'The Ukrainian applicants - the vast majority of whom are women and children - are running out of money, hope and support in Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, and more.

'Many have no proper accommodation and are reliant on food donations.'

A Government spokesman said: 'In response to (Vladimir) Putin's barbaric invasion we launched one of the fastest and biggest visa schemes in UK history. Over 86,000 visas have been issued so Ukrainians can live and work in the UK.

'The changes the Home Office has made to streamline the visa system, including simplifying the forms and boosting staff numbers, are working and we are now processing visas as quickly as they come in - enabling thousands more Ukrainians to come through our uncapped routes.'

Protesters are angry that tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees have still not arrived in the UK - despite being granted visas
Shanghai morgue workers reacted in a flustered disbelief when they discovered an elderly patient they were delivering to the morgue in a body bag was still alive.

The incident took place in the metropolis' Putuo District on Sunday as Chinese authorities impose a merciless lockdown on the city's 25 million inhabitants in a bid to enforce their zero Covid policy.

A video showing the bumbling workers in full Covid PPE went viral on Chinese social media, sparking outrage among a populace already raging at the heavy-handed actions of Shanghai authorities.

The Putuo district authorities yesterday announced an investigation and that they had sacked five officials involved in the blunder.

The video shows two staff from the nursing home and one mortuary worker loading the body bag into the back of a hearse.

Moments later they take it out again, open it up and pull a cover from the man's face.

'He's alive!' one of the workers exclaims. 'He's alive, I saw it, he's alive. Don't cover him any more.'

The video shows two staff from the nursing home and one mortuary worker loading the body bag into the back of a hearse

'He's alive!' one of the workers exclaims. 'He's alive, I saw it, he's alive. Don't cover him any more'

One of the workers can be seen covering the man's face again after realising he was still alive

But one of the workers can be seen covering the man's face again even after realising he was still alive.

They then transfer him back to the nursing home with the elderly man still inside the body bag.

The person filming can be heard calling the incident a 'disgrace for human life', adding: '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.'

Authorities said in a statement the man was receiving treatment in hospital in a stable condition.

A residential unit showing residents confined to their homes in the Jing'an district in Shanghai

White-clad police prepare to inspect the Covid papers of delivery workers permitted to leave their homes

Covid workers oversee the vital work of delivery men as authorities struggle to keep the city running

Members of the Blue Sky Rescue Team disinfect a residential community during the phased lockdown in Shanghai

Dragged away: Authorities in hazmat suits manhandle a resident in Shanghai

'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.'

Authorities announced that the doctor who signed the death certificate has been struck off and four senior officials in the Putuo government would be fired.

The care home that sent the man to the mortuary apologised for the mistake.

The incident is seen as symptomatic of the callous and inhumane zero Covid policy which has seen millions of residents trapped in their apartments with little access to basic necessities such as food and water.

Social media users were scathing of the incident, with one comment saying: 'Shanghai is a terrfying place!' and another talking of the 'chaos' engulfing China's biggest city.

Another user wrote: 'This incident took place in one of China's most prosperous cities and happened to be filmed. How much is happening in other cities that is not caught on camera? Today, it's this man, in the future, it's us.'

The streets of many districts in Shanghai have been like ghost towns in recent weeks, populated only by the white-clad Covid workers who enforce the lockdown on residents.

Under the harsh lockdown rules, most people are strictly forbidden from leaving their homes for any reason. Those with Covid are forced to state-run quaratine centres.

Roughly 400 deaths from Covid have been reported in Shanghai care homes but there is suspicion that this figure is underreported, with other causes being listed on death certificates.

Only 62 per cent of over-60s have ben fully vaccinated and for over-80s the number drops to 15 per cent. There are also doubts about the efficacy of the Chinese vaccine Sinovac.

A study by the University of Hong Kong found that two jabs from Sinovac would provide 'insufficent' antibodies against the Omicron variant currently ripping through Shanghai.
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Ukraine has pushed Putin's army back from its second-largest city in a successful counter-attack as dead bodies of Russian soldiers were found arranged in a grisly Z pattern - the symbol of its invasion - in a recaptured village.

Kyiv's men stormed east out of Kharkiv, in north-eastern Ukraine, on Monday and managed to recapture the town of Staryi Saltiv around 30 miles away, according to a Pentagon intelligence briefing.

The move relieves pressure on Kharkiv, which Putin's men were intending to capture and which has been heavily shelled, while also threatening the main Russian supply route for forces currently fighting in nearby Donbas.

Journalists who ventured out of Kharkiv behind the advancing troops described the nearby countryside as an 'open-air graveyard', with the streets and fields littered with bodies lying unclaimed.

One of the most-gruesome sights was the discovery of what appeared to be Russian corpses arranged into a 'Z' pattern. The bodies of civilians were also found inside apartments and burned-out vehicles nearby. Both likely constitute war crimes.

The corpses of Russian soldiers lie arranged in a 'Z' pattern inside a village re-captured by Ukraine on Monday, on the outskirts of Kharkiv

Russia and Ukraine are fighting for control of the eastern Donbas region, with battles ongoing around Kharkiv, Izyum and Popansa. Russian troops have now been moved out of Mariupol to join the fight, despite some Ukrainians still holding out there

Ukrainian artillery strikes Russian armoured vehicles to the west of Izyum, where the bulk of Putin's forces are concentrated, on an unknown date

Russia has made small gains in an effort to take Donbas, the US has said, but is moving slowly because commanders are trying to conserve troops

Putin 'takes FULL control' of Russian invasion 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. Advertisement

Meanwhile footage showed Ukrainian artillery destroying a column of Russian armoured vehicles further south, to the west of Izyum, as heavy fighting continues for control over Donbas.

The Ukrainian advance came on a day when little else changed along a frontline stretching hundreds of miles from Kharkiv in the north, to Mariupol in the south and further west towards the city of Mykolaiv.

American intelligence says Russia launched 30 missiles against targets inside Ukraine yesterday, while artillery continued to pound defensive positions in an attempt to soften them up for troops to attack.

Despite the heavy shelling, Russian gains have been 'tepid', the Pentagon said.

Moscow's forces made only minor advances around Popansa and further north in the town of Lyman, as they attempt to surround Ukrainian troops defending the cities of Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.

Both sides are said to be suffering heavy casualties in the region, though Russia's losses are widely expected to be worse than Ukraine's.

Russia's slow advances are due to commanders trying to preserve troops after units were mauled in the failed effort to capture Kyiv, the US says.

Meanwhile Ukrainian forces holed up inside the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol continue to hold out against Russian bombardment, which resumed Sunday night after a 48-hour ceasefire allowed 100 civilian to evacuate.

Around 12 battalions that had been committed to taking the city have now moved out and been sent to the frontline further north, to aid in the fight for Donbas.

Further to the west, fighting continues over territory between Mykolaiv and Kherson - the latter of which is the only major Ukrainian city to have fallen into Russian hands.

Kyiv believes that Russia is planning to stage a referendum in Kherson as a pre-text to declaring it independent of Ukraine, perhaps to coincide with a Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9 marking the surrender of Nazi Germany.

The US is also warning that Russia could soon move to annex areas of Luhansk and Donetsk which have been occupied by rebel groups it supports since 2014.

According to Moscow, the rebel-held territories are currently 'independent republics' separate from both Russia and Ukraine. The new move would seen them absorbed into the Russian mainland.

The body of a civilian lies covered in coats inside a house where they had been taking shelter - possibly for weeks - as fighting raged in the countryside, close to Kharkiv

A burned-out car which contained the remains of two civilians was uncovered by Ukrainian forces pushing east out of Kharkiv

Sunlight shines through a building that has been partially destroyed by Russian shelling on areas close to the city of Kharkiv

Finland 'will formally announce bid to join NATO on May 12' Finland will formally announce its bid to join NATO on May 12 with Sweden following suit days later, potentially sparking a huge escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war, government sources have said. President Sauli Niinisto will announce his approval for the country to join the Western defence alliance a week on Thursday, insiders said. On the same day, parliamentary groups will give their approval for the application which could be submitted at a NATO summit in June, Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported. Today, the Finnish and Swedish prime ministers Sanna Marin and Magdalena Andersson will meet with German chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss a 'joint leap' at his retreat north of Berlin. Talks have also taken place between the Finnish and Swedish foreign ministers Pekka Haavisto and Ann Linde. Haavisto said: 'It is Finland's wish that Finland and Sweden can adhere to the same timetable in respect of applying to membership to NATO.' Advertisement

'Russia plans to engineer referenda upon joining sometime in mid-May,' said Michael Carpenter, US envoy to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

He said Russia was considering a similar plan in a third region, Kherson, where Moscow has recently solidified control and imposed use of its ruble currency.

'We think the reports are highly credible,' Carpenter told reporters in Washington.

As with Crimea, he vowed that the international community would not support Russian-dictated changes to Ukraine's borders.

'Such sham referenda - fabricated votes - will not be considered legitimate, nor will any attempts to annex additional Ukrainian territory,' Carpenter said.

'But we have to act with a sense of urgency.'

American intelligence believes Russia is likely behind schedule in its efforts to seize Donbas, with Ukrainian counter-attacks slowing the advance down.

'[The Russians] are clearly in the offensive mode, but they are not being as successful as they wanted to be,' officials briefed journalists yesterday.

Russia and Ukraine are now locked into what is likely to be a bloody and prolonged struggle for control of the Donbas region - the outcome of which is likely to prove pivotal to the outcome of the war.

Moscow's generals are aiming to capture the region and surround Ukrainian forces entrenched there in the process, in an effort to force their surrender.

If that happens, then it will mean a large chunk of the Ukrainian army being killed or captured, increasing the likelihood that Russia will renew attacks further to the west - on Mykolaiv, Odesa, and possibly Kyiv.

Ukraine aims to hold its current defensive positions while making limited counter-attacks to weaken or cut Russian supply lines to the front, in an effort to kill or capture as many troops as possible while also destroying equipment.

Ukrainian servicemen adjust a drone as they plot attacks on Russian forces gathered at Izyum, where some of the heaviest fighting in Donbas is taking place

Ukrainian servicemen rest in a shelter at their position near the city of Izyum, amid heavy fighting with Russian forces

A Ukrainian fighter checks his phone in a shelter near the frontline in Izyum, where the bulk of Russian forces trying to seize the Donbas is now based

The West must 'defeat Russia in Ukraine', Tony Blair says Former Prime Minister Tony said the West must strive to 'defeat Russian aggression in Ukraine', in a streamed interview with the New York Times earlier today. Blair, 68, spoke at length about the situation in Ukraine and the West's relationship with Russia, postulating that Russian President Vladimir Putin is 'detached from reality' and insisting Russia had misunderstood NATO's expansion in Europe. 'I think our ambition has got to be to defeat Russia's aggression in Ukraine and to secure a Russian retreat for what they've done,' the former Labour leader said. 'It's obviously in the interest of the West to make sure [Putin] is disinclined to do this ever again. Because it's been an extraordinary act of unprovoked aggression, right here on the doorstep of the European Union.' Blair claimed he told Putin the West had no hostile intent towards Russia, insisting while he was in Downing Street that he encouraged the Russian leader to 'use the vast resources of the country to build a strong country'. But Putin by 2005 had become 'absolutely obsessed' with the idea the West was against him, according to the former PM. Advertisement

The US and UK estimate that Russia has so-far lost about a quarter of its invasion force. If Ukraine can keep inflicting casualties while preserving its own forces, then it will cause the Russian advance to stall.

If Russian losses are particularly severe, then it may make it difficult for Putin's men to hold the territory they have gained and could spark a retreat - as happened in Kyiv.

Ultimately, Ukraine aims to push Russia's troops out of the entire country - including parts of Donbas and Crimea it occupied before the February invasion.

Liz Truss, the UK foreign secretary, has said that London shares this goal, with the US says its aim is to weaken Russia to the point where it cannot attack again.

To that end, President Joe Biden has pledged $33billion in military aid for the country while Britain will today commit to sending an extra 300million of kit.

Supplies include long-range and heavy weapons such as tanks, artillery and helicopters, along with specialist equipment such as night vision goggles and vehicles that can be used to evacuate civilians.

Boris Johnson is set to announce the extra package of spending today, echoing his own hero Winston Churchill in an address to Ukraine's parliament by describing the fight to defeat Russia as their 'finest hour'.

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 Ukraine's friends' after reopening the British embassy in Kyiv last week.

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 Ukraine's 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.'

Ukrainian civilians huddle together as they are evacuated from a village that had been re-taken by Kyiv's forces, on the outskirts of Kharkiv

Volunteers carry an elderly woman after they evacuated residents from a village retaken by Ukrainian forces, close to Kharkiv

Civilians from the eastern Ukraine city of Lyman, which has come under attack by Russian troops in recent days, are evacuated further to the west into territory under Ukrainian control

Western powers have levelled unprecedented sanctions against Russia over the war while delivering money and weapons to Ukraine, including a $33 billion (31 billion euro) arms and support package announced by US President Joe Biden last week.

The European Commission will on Tuesday propose a new package, including an embargo on Russian oil, officials said.

It will also involve 'more Russian banks' being pushed out of the global SWIFT payment network, the bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell said Monday.

After talks on Monday, the European Union warned member states to prepare for a possible complete breakdown in gas supplies from Russia, insisting it would not cede to Moscow's demand that imports be paid for in rubles.

Germany, Europe's largest economy, was heavily dependent on Russian gas prior to the war, but European views quickly hardened after the invasion.

EU and French officials said the 27-member bloc was united with Poland and Bulgaria, whose gas supplies were cut last week after they refused to pay in rubles.

Western nations have been trying to show support by reopening embassies in Kyiv that were closed due to the invasion, with Denmark the latest to make the move Monday.

Kristina Kvien, the US charge d'affaires, announced in the western city of Lviv that Washington hopes to have diplomats back in Kyiv by the end of May.
Tesco has teamed up with Uber to help expand its rapid grocery delivery service, it has been announced.

Uber Eats couriers will now be responsible for making deliveries of Tesco products ordered via the supermarket's Whoosh service, the delivery app said.

Many supermarkets including Sainsbury's, Asda and Waitrose have food delivery platforms on Uber Eats and Deliveroo.

But Tesco has shied away from the apps, focusing on its on Whoosh service that aims to deliver food and drinks in under 60 minutes.

This could be because margins charged for rapid delivery are sometimes seen as excessively high.

The cost for deliver on its Whoosh service is estimated at around 5 for pack and delivery which is more than those made via its traditional online grocery service.

But it is not clear whether this is more expensive than other online platforms as some supermarkets charge more for goods on Deliveroo or Uber Eats while the delivery cost fluctuates between 1 and 4 depending on distance.

Tesco has teamed up with Uber to help expand its rapid grocery delivery service, it has been announced

Uber said its network of Uber Eats couriers will now be responsible for making deliveries of Tesco products ordered via the supermarket's Whoosh service

Tesco stores working with Uber Eats delivery drivers St Albans Express Letchworth EXP Letchworth Earlham Rd Express Grove Rd Express Norwich Norwich Magdalen Rd Express Norwich Plumstead Rd Express Leith Walk Express Edinburgh Causewayside Express Edinburgh Craiglockhart Express Edinburgh Gracemount Express Edinburgh Queensferry Rd Express Edinburgh Stenhouse Place Express Edinburgh Edinburgh Dundas Express Edinburgh Niddrie Express Edinburgh Low Moor Bradford Express Bradford Bradford Bolton Express Bradford Bradford Sunbridge Rd Express Farlington Express Portsmouth Portsmouth Kingston Rd Express Leaventhorpe Esso Express Bradford Source: Tesco Advertisement

The deal with Uber launches from 20 stores across the UK, including Edinburgh, Bradford, Portsmouth, Norwich, St Albans and Letchworth, and bosses said the partnership will help reach its target of offering the service from 600 stores by the end of the year.

Alex Troughton, head of new verticals and grocery at Uber Eats UK, said: 'It's clear that the needs of businesses and consumers have been rapidly evolving in recent years and that trend is accelerating.

'This exciting new partnership will harness the best of Uber's technology to power superfast Tesco deliveries across the UK.

'The partnership is proof positive of the momentum we're seeing in our groceries and retailer delivery offer, and we're committed to providing world-class solutions to our partners.'

A spokesman for Tesco said: 'As we work to make Tesco Whoosh available to more customers, we are pleased to partner with Uber to help us deliver the same Tesco quality and value, all within the hour.'

There is already fierce competition in this space with Deliveroo having Co-op, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Nisa on its books.

While Uber Eats has Sainsbury's, Asda, and Shell.

Tesco had previously tried rapid delivery with start-up Gorillas.

Uber Eats also announced a partnership with BP in March for customers to get deliveries from their local forecourt.

Around 120 petrol stations in the UK will be added to the food delivery app by the end of June, as part of 3,000 locations globally where Uber Eats will offer deliveries over the next three years.

Food delivery app services have pushed hard into delivering food from convenience stores, particularly during the pandemic.

There has also been heavy investment into grocery-specific fast delivery services including Getir and Gorillaz in recent years, while UK supermarkets have also worked on their on in-house services.

BP said there are plans to launch in other European countries from next year.

Deliveroo in March also joined forces with WHSmith as it continues to expand further from its traditional takeaway delivery business.

The online delivery operator said it will be able to deliver a raft of products, from printer cartridges to bestselling novels, to customers in 20 minutes.

It is Deliveroo's first major leap into general merchandise although the company has rapidly grown its retail operation since the pandemic struck, linking up with supermarkets such as Sainsbury's and Waitrose.

The trial will offer about 600 WHSmith products to customers.

This will include stationery and home-working equipment, children's revision guides, technology accessories including airpods and best-selling books.
A cold-blooded murderer moments after plunging a knife in a sex workers 26 times, told police he just killed 'some random b***h by stabbing the living s**t out of her', a court has heard.

Matthew Bradley James Tench was sentenced to life behind bars in Maryborough Supreme Court on Tuesday for the gruesome death of Linda Lovett, 58, inside a Queensland motel room.

The 26-year-old was armed with a knife when he met with the Thai woman at the Maryborough City Motel in the Fraser Coast Region, on November 3, 2018.

After the pair had sex, Tench viciously stabbed her in the neck and upper body as she tried in vain to escape him.

Workers and guests tried frantically to save Ms Lovett after hearing her desperate screams for help, but her injuries were too severe.

Matthew Bradley James Tench, 26, (pictured) pleaded guilty to murdering Linda Lovett, 58, inside a Queensland motel room in Maryborough Supreme Court on Tuesday

The 26-year-old was armed with a knife when he met with the Thai sex worker at the Maryborough City Motel (pictured) in the Fraser Coast Region, on November 3, 2018

Judge David Jackson said when Tench was interviewed the day after the sickening attack he had admitted to police he had simply 'felt like killing people', the Courier Mail reported.

The knifeman went on to say he had hit breaking point, telling officers he had 'been through so much s**t' and had 'had enough of life in general'.

Judge Jackson said the accused suffered from a personality disorder with anti-social tendencies, suicidal thoughts, intense anger and a low tolerance for frustration.

The court also heard how the killer had been sexually abused as a child.

However, he ruled Tench was in sound mind when he launched the 'physically savage and mentally vicious' attack on Ms Lovett.

After the pair had sex, Tench viciously stabbed Ms Lovett 26 times in her neck and upper body as she tried in vain to escape him (pictured is the Maryborough City Motel)

Ms Lovett tragically died on the scene (pictured) after suffering a fatal cut on her neck which was later determined to be the cause of death

Ms Lovett was stabbed 26 times by her then-22-year-old attacker and was found with defensive wounds to her hands and arms.

She had been able to stumble out of the room as the motel manager and other guests were alerted to her horrifying screams.

However, she tragically died at the scene after suffering a fatal cut on her neck which was later determined to be the cause of death.

The court heard there was so much blood that Tench had slipped and fell at one point during the grisly and unprovoked attack.

One in custody after he was eventually apprehended, he told the arresting officer he had killed 'some random b***h by stabbing the living s**t out of her'.

Tench was in sound mind when he launched the 'physically savage and mentally vicious' attack on Ms Lovett. Crime Scene pictured

'You then had sex with Ms Lovett and still had that urge, so stabbed her and continued to do so while she tried to get away,' Judge Jackson said.

He said Tench had vented his anger and frustration at the world by preying on a 'defenceless woman' who hadn't deserved to die.

The judge did however note he had displayed some remorse when he asked officers to extend his apologies to his victims' friends and family.

'She did nothing to provoke you before you stabbed her,' Judge Jackson said.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment with the 1,277 days he has already spent in custody included in his time already served.
Vladimir Putin's special 'Doomsday' plane which allows him to continue ruling Russia during a nuclear war has been seen flying around Moscow in recent days.

Video shows the Ilyushin Il-80 passing low over the outskirts of the city amid tension that he will resort to atomic weapons during the conflict in Ukraine.

But Russian officials have insisted the aircraft will be showcased with a low flypast at Monday's annual Victory Day parade on Red Square, and is involved in 'rehearsals' for the display.

Vladimir Putin's special 'Doomsday' plane which allows him to continue ruling Russia during a nuclear war has been seen flying around Moscow

The giant Soviet-era aircraft is windowless apart from the cockpit and known as the 'Flying Kremlin'

Russian officials have insisted the aircraft will be showcased with a low flypast at Monday's annual Victory Day parade on Red Square

The giant Soviet-era aircraft - windowless apart from the cockpit and known as the 'Flying Kremlin' - has not been seen at a Victory Day commemoration - marking defeat of Hitler and end of the Second World War - since 2010.

Its reappearance is a sign Putin wants to send a warning message to the West.

The Il-80 Maxdome will be escorted by two MiG-29s as it flies low over St Basil's Cathedral.

Ramming home Russia's nuclear readiness, strategic missile carriers Tu-95MS and Tu-160 'White Swan' will be part of the fly-past.

A fifth-generation Su-57 fighter and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers will be on display.

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that eight MiG-29SMTs will fly in the form of the letter 'Z' in support of Russian servicemen participating in a special military operation in Ukraine.

It has not been seen at a Victory Day commemoration - marking defeat of Hitler and end of the Second World War - since 2010 (pictured)

Ilyushin Il-80: Putin's flying war room The windowless Il-80 is Putin's so-called Doomsday plane, designed to act as a Kremlin in the sky in the event of nuclear attack. Putin would be able to rule Russia and issue commands to his military from the airborne command post in the event of a full-scale war. This includes the ability to order a nuclear strike. The crown jewel of the Il-80s equipment is known as Zveno-S, which includes an advanced communications suite that uses satellite antennas housed on top in a large oval-shaped pod towards the front on the plane. Two more large pods - attached under the wings - each carry a turbine engine that services as an additional power supply source for the on-board equipment. There is also a special very low frequency (VLF) antenna system used for communicating with submarines carrying ballistic missiles. Il-80s were first flown in 1987 and an upgrade programme was launched in 2008, in which the second version of Zveno-S was introduced to at least two of the planes. Length: 200 feet (60 m) Wingspan: 160 feet (48 m) Cruising speed: 530 mph (850 km/h) Range: 2,230 miles (3600 km) Engine type: Kuznetsov NK-86 Manufacturer: Ilyushin First flight: March 5, 1987 Number built: 4 Advertisement

Critics see the 'Z' sign as akin to the swastika in Nazi Germany.

The lumbering Il-80 Maxdome is designed to act as a Kremlin-in-the-sky in the event of nuclear attack, and can be refuelled in mid-air.

Putin would be able to rule Russia and issue commands to his military for nuclear strikes from the airborne command post.

A large 'canoe' for satellite communications sits atop its fuselage in the front, with large antennae in its aft.

The tail of the aircraft also houses a winch for a towed, very low-frequency (VLF) antenna.

Horizontal stabilisers also have space for more sensors or communication antennas.

The aircraft has two large electrical generator pods inwards of its engines.

A retractable fuelling probe is below the cockpit.

The planes are due to be replaced by more modern Ilyushin 96-400M's, allowing the Russian leader more comfort as he controls troops and missiles during a nuclear catastrophe.

The first of the new airborne command and control planes is now under construction, said a source in the military-industrial sector, but is not believed to be ready yet.

In an embarrassing security lapse, one of the four existing planes was infiltrated and robbed last year as it was undergoing a refit in Russian city Taganrog, on the Sea of Azov.

Some 39 pieces of radio equipment were stolen after a cargo hatch was opened.

The equipment contained precious metals gold and platinum which is seen as a possible motive for the theft.

It weighed several kilograms.

Local taxi driver Zhora Khachunts, 36, was detained over the embarrassing heist but claimed he was being framed.

Russian gossip columnist Bozhena Rynska said: 'How sweet. The leadership will push the red button and travel behind Urals on a ******* cool plane.

'And we will stay as radioactive ash.'
The brother of murdered aid worker David Haines has said that seeing a member of the ISIS Beatles who killed his sibling jailed for life brought him a sense of closure.

Mike Haines, 55, joined the families of other victims in court in Alexandria, Virginia, last week as Londoner Alexanda Kotey was sentenced for his role in the terror cell's murder of four hostages.

Appearing on ITVs Good Morning Britain yesterday, Mr Haines told hosts Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley how he 'expected to feel hate and anger'.

He said: 'I expected to feel anger, I expected to feel hate. When I faced him it was grim satisfaction that he was in a court of law with his rights held up to the highest degree. It was a sense of closure.'

The group, dubbed The Beatles due to their English accents, was said to be made up of ringleader Mohammed Emwazi, known as Jihadi John, Aine Davis, El Shafee Elsheikh and Kotey.

They were responsible for the brutal killings of a number of Western captives, believed to include Britons Alan Henning and David Haines.

The brother of murdered aid worker David Haines (above right) has said that seeing a member of the ISIS Beatles who killed his sibling jailed for life brought him a sense of closure

Mike Haines, 55, joined the families of other victims in court in Alexandria, Virginia, last week as Londoner Alexanda Kotey (pictured) was sentenced for his role in the terror cell's murder of four hostages

Mr Haines also revealed how the trauma of his brothers execution effectively killed his parents.

'My mum slowly gave up on life and she slowly faded away until her death,' he said.

'My dad...in the 48 hours after I told my parents that David had gone, his dementia got so much worse...again he slowly faded.'

The charges against Kotey, and his co-accused Elsheikh, who was convicted after trial last month, only featured US victims.

Both Kotey and Elsheikh appeared in court in Virginia on April 29 when the families of those murdered by the terror cell addressed the judge on their collective loss.

Elsheikh is expected to be sentenced at a later date.

Mr Haines with his brother David (left) in the late 1990s. David was captured by militants in Syria in March 2013 while delivering aid to the war-torn country

Appearing on ITVs Good Morning Britain yesterday, Mr Haines told hosts Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley how he 'expected to feel hate and anger'

Mr Haines, an RAF veteran and former mental health nurse, previously said he would 'look forward' to staring down the so-called Islamic State terrorist.

'In some ways obviously I am quite nervous, and in other ways I am looking forward to staring them in the face, to drawing a line behind what has happened,' he said.

'And that is the real reason (for) going out to read my impact statement to the court - to draw a line in the sand and say: "Yes, you have played a big part in my family's life, you have had a hold on my family's life. However, now, that stops".'

Elsheikh, Kotey and Emwazi all knew each other in England before joining IS.

Elsheikh was captured alongside Kotey in Syria in 2018 by the US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces while trying to escape to Turkey.

Davis was jailed in Turkey and Emwazi was killed in a drone strike, while Kotey last year pleaded guilty to eight counts relating to his involvement in the hostage plot.

Mr Haines, an RAF veteran and former mental health nurse, previously said he would 'look forward' to staring down the so-called Islamic State terrorist

Mr Haines, from Dundee in Scotland, said he would cherish the opportunity to sit down with Kotey and to 'look him in the eyes and tell him he has been misguided'.

And in an extraordinary demonstration of his rejection of hatred, Mr Haines added: 'What I would like to hear, although I don't think it will ever happen, is for Kotey to say: "I'm sorry, what we were doing was wrong."

'And if that was to happen, (for him to say) "What we were doing was not about Islam ... it was about the spread of terror", then I would actually shake his hand.'

Mr Haines' 44-year-old younger brother was captured by militants in Syria in March 2013 while delivering aid to the war-torn country.

His murder the following year sent shockwaves around the world when a video recording of his barbaric execution was used as propaganda by the Beatles.

The family still do not know what has happened to the body.

But Mr Haines, who runs education charity Global Acts Of Unity in honour of his brother, said it is 'not important' for him to find out where David's remains are.

'Wherever David's remains lie, whatever has been done to them ... David walks with me still,' he said.

'At the end of the presentation, I can feel him pat me on the back and say: 'Nice one.'

'My brother walks with me still I don't need his remains to mourn over.'

Mr Haines said he continues to be affected by terror attacks around the globe, and was actually in Manchester the night of the Arena suicide bomb which killed 22 people in 2017.

He said: 'Every time that we hear of an attack, there is sadness in our hearts, because we know that this club that we belong to has just expanded - that club that nobody wants to be a part of who've had family members and loved ones injured, maimed or murdered in an act of terrorism.

'However, what we have seen over and over and over again is the way that people respond to attacks of terror.

'What we try to do with Global Acts of Unity is show that if we react with hate, the extremists and terrorists win. And they will not win.'

Kotey is expected to be given a life sentence but could yet be brought to the UK to face trial over the deaths of Mr Haines and Mr Henning.
Police still have not contacted Labour over Keir Starmer's 'Beergate' episode, it was revealed today - despite another Cabinet minister urging a probe.

In interviews this morning, Sir Keir denied there was any 'equivalence' between the 'work event' during a visit to Durham last year and the lockdown breaches in Downing Street.

He accused the Tories of 'mudslinging' ahead of local elections, before raising eyebrows by repeatedly dodging over whether police had been in touch about the incident.

However, it is understood there has been no fresh approach from the local force.

The comments came as Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan added to calls for Durham Police to look again at the issue, saying she would 'encourage' officers to do so.

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'.

In interviews this morning, Sir Keir denied there was any 'equivalence' between the 'work event' during a visit to Durham last year and the lockdown breaches in Downing Street

Sir Keir was caught on camera swigging beer with colleagues at a time when England was slowly emerging from lockdown last year

Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan added to calls for Durham Police to look again at the issue, saying she would 'encourage' officers to do so

But last week, after being presented with video evidence by the Daily Mail, the party was forced to admit deputy leader Mrs Rayner was at the gathering  something it had denied for months.

A string of other questions have also been raised about Labour's 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.

Asked if there has been any contact from the force in recent weeks, a clearly irritated Sir Keir told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'The police looked at this months ago and came to a clear conclusion that was 'no rules were broken', and that's because no rules were broken.

'Look, they've already concluded their investigation, no rules were broken and this is simply being whipped up as mud-slinging by the Tories.'

He added: 'We were working, we stopped for food, no party, no rules were broken; I don't know what I can add to that.'

Asked if he returned to work after the beer, he replied: 'Yes, the idea that nobody works at 10 o'clock at night is absurd.'

Amid growing calls for a review of the event, Ms Trevelyan told Sky News: 'I understand that there is some work ongoing and I would absolutely encourage them to look at it.'

She added: 'I'd like Durham constabulary to look at everything and to  if they felt a fixed penalty notice was the appropriate statement of conclusion of it in the same way the Metropolitan Police have here for a number of people who were in Downing Street at events that had been deemed unsuitable, then what I would want to see is that same fixed penalty notice.

'I don't think those are resigning matters for anybody.'

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said yesterday: 'Keir Starmer clearly has questions to answer on this affair, which isn't going away.

'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 Labour's 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 Keir's] account of events.'

While Home Secretary Priti 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.

'It's clear Starmer has more questions to answer in light of recent revelations.'

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said yesterday: 'No reasonable person believes Labour's 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 Thursday's local elections.

He was also grilled on suggestions there could have been as many as 30 attendees.

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.

Mark Jenkinson said: 'They're quick to call for police investigations and resignations, unless it's 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 he'd 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 Met's 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 former Amazon.com Inc employee sued the online retailer on Monday, saying it wrongly fired her and demanded she repay wages after she contracted 'long Covid.'

Brittany Hope, 29, a former brand manager for Amazon's fashion line The Drop in Manhattan, is seeking damages for alleged violations of federal, state and New York City disability laws.

She said Amazon fired her two months after catching Covid for 'job abandonment' and billed her $12,273 for alleged overpayment of wages, but the complaint filed in the Manhattan federal court does not say whether Hope was diagnosed with the virus.

The Brooklyn resident said she was hospitalized after being diagnosed with the flu on February 3, 2020, four months after being hired, and a few weeks before the coronavirus started taking hold in the United States.

Hope said she 'later realized' she had been 'seriously ill with Covid and long Covid'.

Amazon workers protest as they vote for the unionization of the company. A former Amazon.com Inc employee is suing the online retailer, saying she was wrongly fired and demanding it repay her wages

The complaint filed in Manhattan federal court does not say whether Hope was diagnosed with Covid-19.

It said Hope also complained to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In early February 2020, only two more cases of person-to-person Covid transmission had been identified in the US, both reported in California.

March 1, 2020, saw the first confirmed case of in New York State, but it soon emerged that several people later understood to be suffering from Covid-19 were at first misdiagnosed with pneumonia earlier in the year.

On March 7, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a State of Emergency in New York after 89 cases were confirmed, announcing a containment zone on March 12 and a stay-at-home order on March 20.

A woman holds a placard as Amazon and union workers attend rally outside the company building in the Staten Island. The Brooklyn resident said she was hospitalized after being diagnosed with the flu on February and was fired shortly after. It then billed her $12,273 for alleged overpayment of wages

An Amazon Labour Union (ALU) organizer greets workers outside Amazon's LDJ5 sortation center. Hope said her May 12, 2020 request for medical leave caused Amazon to cut off access to her work email and the company's disability and leave portal

Hope said that after the pandemic took hold and she began working 17-hour days, she began having suicidal thoughts and her physical health deteriorated.

She said her May 12, 2020 request for medical leave caused Amazon to cut off access to her work email and the company's disability and leave portal.

'Hope could not navigate the company's leave process because of her severe long Covid symptoms,' the complaint said.

Her failure to receive reasonable accommodations 'is familiar to many Americans similar to that of other Amazon employees who have found it difficult to balance the challenges to their own wellbeing against the demands of their jobs,' Hope's lawyer Alex Berke said in a statement.

Amazon, the second-largest US private employer, has long been criticized by labor advocates over how it treats workers, who labor unions are trying to organize at some facilities.

The Seattle-based company says it offers great benefits and pay, and sets fair goals for its employees.

The case is Hope v Amazon.com Services LLC et al, US District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 22-03537.

Amazon has been criticized by labor advocates over how it treats workers, who labor unions are trying to organize at some facilities
Ivanka Trump told the House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol that her father, former President Donald Trump, was told he 'had to do something to stop' the riot, the panel chairman said.

Ivanka, who was with her father in the White House during the riots at the Capitol, testified last month before the House panel and she had answered investigators' questions on a video teleconference.

A month later, new details have emerged about the testimony that was conducted behind closed doors, with Mississippi Representative Bennie Thompson, the committee's chairman, saying Ivanka had been helpful in the probe.

Thompson told CNN: 'There were questions asked about what she was doing at the time that the insurrection was occurring at the Capitol, and she told us. [Investigators] asked certain questions about her awareness of what her father was doing. She told us.'

The Committee chairman said Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, who also testified to the panel, did not give away 'trade secrets' but their testimony did corroborate critical testimony from others who said Trump was hesitant to call off the rioters despite being asked to do so.

'They kinda supported the fact that the President was told he had to do something to stop the January 6 insurrection. That he had to be public with it; he had to be direct,' Thompson said.

'So in that respect... we have been able to systematically, with our depositions and interviewing of other witnesses, we've been able to fill in a lot of the gaps.'

Ivanka Trump told the House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol that her father, former President Donald Trump, was told he 'had to do something to stop' the riot, the panel chairman said

Mississippi Representative Bennie Thompson, the committee's chairman, (right) said Ivanka had been helpful in the probe

Ivanka is one of more than 800 witnesses the committee has interviewed as it works to compile a record of the attack, the worst on the Capitol in more than two centuries. She is the first of Trump's children known to speak to the committee and one of the closest people to her father.

Ivanka attended the rally that President Trump spoke to on the National Mall the morning of the riot and was reported to be in and out of the Oval Office as MAGA supporters stormed the Capitol.

She is said to have spent hours that day asking her father to speak out against the violence and have his supporters leave the Capitol.

Her decision to cooperate is significant for the panel, which has been trying to secure an interview with her since late January.

The nine-member panel is particularly focused on what the former president was doing as his supporters broke into the Capitol and interrupted the certification of President Joe Biden's victory.

The committee also heard from former Vice President Mike Pence's national security adviser Keith Kellogg, who said Ivanka was sometimes with her father as he watched the riot unfold on TV in a room off the Oval Office.

The testimony is key for the panel who is trying to fill in the gaps in the presidential daily diary on January 6.

Ivanka testified less than a week after her husband Kushner testified to the committee in a separate virtual meeting that lasted more than six hours.

Former President Donald Trump speaks from the podium during a rally on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Greenwood, Nebraska

Members of the panel said his testimony was helpful and were hoping to further fill in the gaps with her help.

The panel is using the interviews to compile a comprehensive record and will begin to release information in the coming months as it holds public hearings and releases a series of reports on the insurrection.

While Congress doesn't have power to charge anyone with a crime, members of the panel say the objective is to create the most comprehensive record possible so nothing like it ever happens again.

Lawmakers have said they want to discuss what Ivanka Trump knew about her father's efforts, including a telephone call they say she witnessed, to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject Biden's 2020 election win as part of his ceremonial role overseeing the electoral count. Pence rejected those efforts.

The committee is also interested in any concerns she may have heard from Pence's staff, members of Congress and the White House counsel's office about Trump's pressure on Pence.

Ivanka Trump's cooperation stands in contrast with some of her father's other top advisers, several of whom have refused to cooperate as the former president has fought the probe.

Trump has tried to exert executive privilege over documents and interviews, but in many cases has been overruled by courts or Biden, who has that authority as the sitting president.

Other witnesses who are still close to the former president  and several who were in the White House that day  have declined to answer the committee's questions.

Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington

Thompson questioned why Trump did not object to his family members testifying before the panel, but his advisers are now being held in contempt of Congress by the House after their refusal to testify. The White House aides said they had been instructed by Trump to claim executive privilege over their conversations.

'Now we have four individuals who are being held in contempt of Congress because they were directed by the President not to come. So they are under the bus, but his children are not. They came,' Thompson told CNN.

'Now to me, that's Donald Trump that we are discovering. It's 'do as I say, but not do as I do.' Do you understand? I say don't go and testify, but when my children or my in-laws are involved, you can go testify.'

'I just know that if the children went and the others didn't because he told them not to go, based on their own accounting, that's just suspicious,' Thompson said.

'I think it's ironic that he would tell some people not to come and they follow his direction and get held in contempt of Congress,' while his children do the opposite. 'So, I mean, that's kind of who he is.'



Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich told CNN: 'This committee has exposed itself as partisan hacks who have tampered and edited evidence, while also selectively leaking testimony to peddle their dishonest political agenda. To make matters worse, their allies in the media are going along with it, parroting half truths and Democrat talking points as gospel.'
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a joint news conference with Eritrea Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed following their talks in Moscow, April 27. On May 2, Israel lashed out at Russia over unforgivable comments made in an interview with an Italian news channel by Lavrov about Nazism and antisemitism including claims that Adolf Hitler was Jewish. AP-Yonhap





Israel lambasted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, 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 Zelenskyy 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 Sunday when he was asked why Russia said it needed to "denazify" Ukraine if the country's own president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 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.







Zelenskyy, 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."






This is the moment an angry mob descended on the home of an alleged paedophile to 'protect their children from vile people'.

Dozens of locals gathered outside the house in Moodiesburn, North Lanarkshire, and shouted abuse as dozens of police officers with cars and vans guarded the property.

Footage showed a police dog barking at the crowd as onlookers shouted abuse and cars beeped their horns.

WELL DONE MOODIESBURN GET THE BEAST OUT Posted by David Campbell on Monday, May 2, 2022

Dozens of locals gathered outside the house in Moodiesburn, North Lanarkshire, and shouted abuse as dozens of police officers with cars and vans guarded the property

Later, a person could be seen being escorted by police into a waiting van, which quickly drove away.

The mob shouted 'f*****g paedo' and 'paedo protectors' as a man was led away.

It appears the alleged paedophile was 'outed' by local people who then tracked down their address.

An onlooker told the Scottish Sun: 'We're a great a community coming together to protect its children and people from such vile people.'

Police Scotland has been approached for comment.
Furious villagers have gone to war with the New Forest after they were banned from planting trees to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee as it might disturb grazing ponies.

People living in the Hampshire village of Burley are battling with the custodians of the national park after they rejected their proposals to plant 12 oak trees to 'pay homage' to Her Majesty.

Residents of the village say it has a 125-year tradition of planting trees to commemorate royal jubilees.

This year, to mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's reign, Burley Parish Council (BPC) hoped to dig in the trees on grassland in their village in the New Forest.

Councillor Robert Clarke, of Burley Parish Council, says the village wishes to 'honour' the Queen by planting the trees for her Platinum Jubilee

The village council is furious after the Verderers, which is charged with protecting the forest, refused them permission to plant 12 oak trees on this plot of land (pictured)

But the 800-year-old institution charged with protecting the forest, the Verderers, rejected their application because of the potential impact it may have on grazing by the New Forest's famous ponies.

The Verderers, which protect and regulate agricultural practices in the national park and date back to the 13th century, told BPC they can only plant one oak tree.

However, the council has now hit back with a renewed and impassioned plea to plant 12 trees - insisting that a Royal may wish to inspect them.

Having launched a new fight against the refusal, the council is now awaiting a decision from the Verderers' court in the coming weeks.

Councillor Robert Clarke, who is responsible for trees in Burley Parish Council, told the Court of Verderers they wish to 'honour' Queen Elizabeth II, who will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in June.

Cllr Clarke said: 'The planting is intended to be a very public gesture of the villagers' sense of loyalty to Her Majesty and appreciation of our monarch's long reign.

'Who knows, a member of the Royal Family may wish to inspect our planted tree when a visit is next planned to the New Forest.

Burley Parish Council wants to plant 12 oak trees in the red area pictured above. They would be next to nine surviving trees planted for the Queen's silver jubilee in 1977 (pictured in the green area)

Burley Parish Council wants to plant the trees to 'pay homage' to Queen Elizabeth II, pictured here cutting a cake at Sandringham House in February

'BPC will certainly be confirming this tangible token of appreciation when we write our customary letter of congratulation and good wishes to Her Majesty the Queen closer to June 2.

'Burley villagers wish to be seen by our monarch, and the wider British public, as honouring the very long and outstanding service of Her Majesty to this country, knowing that she herself wishes to see the occasion taken as a real opportunity to increase the tree cover of our country to a generous and meaningful extent.

'Is that not then a reasonable aspiration for any New Forest villager? And one worthy of encouragement?

The trees were to be planted in the village of Burley, in the New Forest National Park, but the organisation responsible for the upkeep of the forest has refused the plans

The Verderers said it was concerned about the impact planting the trees would have on grazing in the national park. Pictured is Cllr Clarke next to the land where the tree would be planted (circled in red)

Cllr Clarke said the planting of trees to mark royal jubilees has been a tradition in the village for 'at least 125 years'

'May I then ask you again to reconsider your decision and grant us permission to plant our desired 12 tree copse... for the sake of Her Majesty's pleasure, and a meaningful token of our concern for the future of our open forest trees.

What are the Verderers of the New Forest? Dating back to the 13th century the Verderers are thought to have originally acted as a court which passed sentence on crimes committed within the boundaries of the New Forest. Other woodlands, including the Forest of Dean and Epping Forest also have verderers. In their roles they deal with the management of common land, where the New Forest's famous ponies roam. The group has the role of trying to maintain the natural beauty of the environment and preserve the character of the land which has developed over the last 900 years. As a result it has the power to approve or refuse applications that would affect non-private land in the New Forest. Members of the group are unpaid, and they meet once a month. The organisation employs a group of people called 'agisters' who are tasked with ensuring animals grazing in the national park are safe and well on a day-to-day basis. Advertisement

'But more than that, if the Verderers have not yet themselves decided upon a suitable expression of loyalty and appreciation on this unique occasion, may we, the Burley Parish councillors, invite you to join us and add your name in what is surely a very appropriate New Forest offer of homage to Her Majesty.'

Cllr Clarke also said: 'And right now we must face the awful reality of the effects of the four recent storms that have felled 126 trees around the village.'

Cllr Clarke, in his presentation, pointed out the council has a history of celebrating jubilees, and that the copse would be adjacent to trees planted for the Queen's 1977 Silver Jubilee.

'Planting commemorative trees has been a recorded Burley tradition for at least 125 years', Cllr Clarke said.

'And only once, apparently, has a single tree been planted on private land in the past, in commemoration of King George VI's 1937 coronation.'

Councillor Phillip Daubeney, chair of the parish council, added: 'The platinum jubilee is quite extraordinary so we wanted to do something special. It is also important to do our bit for the planet and planting more trees helps combat climate change.'

But, Cllr Clarke suggested he is not hopeful that the Verderers will grant them permission to plant 12 trees when they reconvene next week.

In a letter outlining their policy on celebratory trees, the Verderers said: 'The Verderers receive many requests for trees, plaques, seats et cetera to be planted or placed on the Open Forest. It is the policy of the Verderers to almost always refuse consent.'

The Verderers said 'the forest consists of a mosaic of habitats that is very rare and highly regarded in environmental terms' and that it is key to 'preserve grazing and vegetation on the open forest'.

A Verderers spokeswoman, speaking after the council's first application was refused, said: 'The Verderers felt they could not approve Burley's request for 12 trees, especially as it is quite possible that if approved, a significant number of further similar requests could be received.

'It would be unfair to agree to Burley and then turn down other parishes but to agree them all, could result in the loss of quite a few acres of grazing.'
Downing Street today insisted Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron have not fallen out despite the pair not having held a call since the French President's re-election last month.

Mr Macron secured five more years in the Elysee Palace on 24th April when he defeated rival Marine Le Pen.

But, in the nine days since, the French President has not picked up the phone to the Prime Minister, in what has been branded as 'Le Snub'.

Mr Macron's telephone silence has not extended to all world leaders, with the French President due to have spoken to Russia's Vladimir Putin this morning.

The French and Russian leaders spoke regularly in the early weeks following Mr Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine, but - prior to today - they last talked on 29th March.

Today's call was instigated by Mr Macron and follows a call he held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, the Elysee Palace said.

In London, Number 10 batted away suggestions that Mr Johnson might be concerned he is below Mr Putin in the pecking order when it comes to contact with the French President.

'We speak regularly to our French counterparts, the PM has spoken to President Macron in recent weeks and months and they will continue to do so,' Mr Johnson's official spokesman said.

Asked why the PM and French President had not spoken since the latter's election victory, the spokesman added: 'Macron was obviously re-elected so it's a slightly different situation to having a new world leader.

'But I'm sure they will speak in due course.'

Pressed on whether Mr Johnson and Mr Macron had had a fight, the spokesman replied: 'No. Timings for leaders calls can move around.

'They will speak in due course and we will confirm when they have done.'

Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron have not held a phone call since the French President's re-election last month

Mr Macron, pictured with his wife Brigitte Macron, was re-elected to the French presidency on 24 April

The French President's telephone silence has not extended to all world leaders, with Mr Macron due to have spoken to Russia's Vladimir Putin this morning

Late last year, Mr Macron was reported to have referred to Mr Johnson as a 'clown' in a private conversation.

The pair have also previously clashed over a number of Brexit issues - such as arrangements for Northern Ireland and fishing rights - as well as Channel migrant crossings.

There had been speculation that Mr Macron's re-election would calm tensions between London and Paris, with the French President no longer having to campaign to extend his term in office.

Number 10 today stressed the UK and France 'maintain a strong relationship', as shown by their joint action against Mr Putin over Ukraine.

And Downing Street said that Government ministers 'remain in close contact' with both French and EU counterparts on migration issues.

However, there were fresh tensions today over UK-French efforts to stem the number of illegal Channel crossings as Number 10 dismissed a French politician's claim they were a waste of money.

Pierre-Henri Dumont, the MP for Calais, claimed his country should end its joint work with Britain on the issue because it wastes millions of pounds of UK taxpayers' cash.

He said that continuing with ongoing operations would just make French and British voters 'angry and unhappy' because 'migrants will continue to cross'.

Mr Dumont questioned the point of cooperation between the two countries. And he suggested the millions of pounds being given to France was not enough, adding: 'We are not your b***h.'

Last year, the UK agreed to pay France 54million to help expand the country's efforts to stem the number of small boats crossing the Channel.

This included a doubling of the number of police patrolling French beaches. The agreement came on top of a 28million struck a year earlier.

Despite a recent 11-day pause in small boat crossings across the Channel, which has been attributed to rough weather, more than 250 people were reported to have made the perilous journey on Sunday.

In total, more than 7,000 migrants are estimated to have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel this year so far.

An analysis of government figures found this is more than three times the number recorded for the same period in 2021 (2,390), and more than seven times the amount recorded at this point in 2020 (1,006).

In an interview with The Times, Mr Dumont suggested that no amount of money would stop the Channel crossings.

'I strongly believe that we need to exit the relationship that we have right now with the UK, which is basically the UK is giving us money to do the job, because it makes both sides of the Channel angry,' he said.

'The UK taxpayer because they say "were giving money to the French, what are they doing, we still have crossings".

'But we are not your b***h. We know that the migrants will continue to cross and at the end it will make only people on both sides of the Channel angry and unhappy because we think youre not giving enough money and you think you are giving us enough money and you dont see the results.

'So what is the point here?'

Pierre-Henri Dumont claimed that continuing with ongoing operations would just make French and British voters 'angry and unhappy'

In total, more than 7,000 migrants are estimated to have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel this year so far

Home Secretary Priti Patel last year agreed to pay France 54m to help expand the country's efforts to stem the number of small boats crossing the Channel. It came on top of a 28m struck a year earlier

Home Secretary Priti Patel has attemped a fresh crackdown on Channel crossings with a new 120million deal to send migrants arriving illegally in the UK on a one-way flight to Rwanda.

But Mr Dumont claimed the agreement with Kigali would only make people-smuggling gangs richer and lead to migrants attempting riskier crossings with the prospect of more drownings.

'With the Rwanda solution, it will make the smugglers richer and it will be that the trip will be more dangerous because the only solution for them not to be deported to Rwanda is not to be caught because they can live in the UK quietly without getting in trouble because there is no ID checks on the streets,' he told the newspaper.

He added that because migrants now face the risk of deportation to Rwanda, they will 'not call the British authorities, I am afraid, once they enter the British waters, they will go without calling them, with more and more risks of drowning'.

Mr Dumont insisted the UK should open a 'legal route' for eligible migrants to come to Britain by allowing applications on the Continent, before they reach British shores.

He suggested Britain could be included in European Union efforts to open new camps on Greek islands, despite no longer being a member of the bloc.

But the French politician stressed there would be no return to the EU's Dublin arrangements, under which failed asylum seekers reaching the UK could previously be returned to the EU country they arrived from.

He said: 'There will be no deal for a simple reason, because the UK has decided to exit the EU. When you are exiting the EU you are exiting the Dublin agreement.'

Responding to Mr Dumont's comments about joint UK-French efforts to stem Channel crossings being a waste of British taxpayers' cash, the PM's official spokesman said: 'You won't be surprised to hear we disagree with that.

'That support so far has prevented 23,000 migrant attempts in 2021, so that is a valuable investment in preventing people from making a dangerous crossing that we know puts lives at risk.'
Ukraine's top military spy has suggested the only way Russia will stop its brutal invasion is if Vladimir Putin dies.

Kyrylo Budanov said it is 'unrealistic' to expect the Kremlin to completely withdraw its forces from Ukraine.

When asked if Putin could end the war alive, he told The New Voice of Ukraine: 'Leaving him a way to retreat is one of the strategies, but it is almost unrealistic.

Kyrylo Budanov (pictured) has suggested the only way Russia will stop its brutal invasion is if Vladimir Putin dies

Budanov said it is 'unrealistic' to expect the Kremlin to completely withdraw its forces from Ukraine

'He is a war criminal for the whole world. This is his end, he drove himself into a dead end.'

The spy chief did not propose any suggestions for how Putin might die.

But he said he believes it could spark a political crisis in Russia, which could see the country divided up.

Budanov said Putin's death could also lead to the 'relative preservation of the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation when changing the country's leadership'.

Many Western analysts have claimed Putin wants to claim some sort of victory or major escalation by Russia's Victory Day on May 9, which celebrates the Soviet Union's defeat over Nazi Germany.

Budanov said he believes Putin is now scrambling to mobilise more forces ahead of the symbolic day.

Russia and Ukraine are fighting for control of the eastern Donbas region, with battles ongoing around Kharkiv, Izyum and Popansa. Russian troops have now been moved out of Mariupol to join the fight, despite some Ukrainians still holding out there

Sunlight shines through a building that has been partially destroyed by Russian shelling on areas close to the city of Kharkiv

He said: 'They had the main deadlineto have time to finish by April 24 they completely failed him. The second date is to complete the operation at least in Donbas by May 9.

'Putin cannot admit that he is losing to Ukraine.'

But an imminent victory still seems unlikely, as today Ukraine pushed back Russia from its second-largest city in a successful counter-attack.

Kyiv's men stormed east out of Kharkiv, in north-eastern Ukraine, on Monday and managed to recapture the town of Staryi Saltiv around 30 miles away, according to a Pentagon intelligence briefing.

The move relieves pressure on Kharkiv, which Putin's men were intending to capture and which has been heavily shelled, while also threatening the main Russian supply route for forces currently fighting in nearby Donbas.

Journalists who ventured out of Kharkiv behind the advancing troops described the nearby countryside as an 'open-air graveyard', with the streets and fields littered with bodies lying unclaimed.

One of the most-gruesome sights was the discovery of what appeared to be Russian corpses arranged into a 'Z' pattern. The bodies of civilians were also found inside apartments and burned-out vehicles nearby. Both likely constitute war crimes.

Meanwhile footage showed Ukrainian artillery destroying a column of Russian armoured vehicles further south, to the west of Izyum, as heavy fighting continues for control over Donbas.

The Ukrainian advance came on a day when little else changed along a frontline stretching hundreds of miles from Kharkiv in the north, to Mariupol in the south and further west towards the city of Mykolaiv.

American intelligence says Russia launched 30 missiles against targets inside Ukraine yesterday, while artillery continued to pound defensive positions in an attempt to soften them up for troops to attack.

Despite the heavy shelling, Russian gains have been 'tepid', the Pentagon said.

Moscow's forces made only minor advances around Popansa and further north in the town of Lyman, as they attempt to surround Ukrainian troops defending the cities of Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.

Both sides are said to be suffering heavy casualties in the region, though Russia's losses are widely expected to be worse than Ukraine's.

Russia's slow advances are due to commanders trying to preserve troops after units were mauled in the failed effort to capture Kyiv, the US says.
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Boris Johnson hailed the battle against Vladimir Putin as Ukraine's 'finest hour' today as he became the first world leader to address Kyiv's parliament.

With Union flags on show as the PM spoke by video link, he channelled Winston Churchill urging the country to keep resisting the Russian invaders.

Mr Johnson is also announcing a new 300million package of military support as he underlines the UK's backing for Volodymyr Zelensky and his brave fighters.

The MPs gave the premier a succession of standing ovations, with one saying Ukraine was 'lucky to have a friend like the UK'.

In another symbolic move, the British ambassador Melinda Simmons - who only recently returned to Kyiv - was present in person to hear the address.

Ms Simmons tweeted a photo of the scene saying it was 'a huge privilege' to be at the session, although she later deleted it.

The appearance comes after Mr Johnson's surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital last month.

Boris Johnson hailed the battle against Vladimir Putin as Ukraine's 'finest hour' today as he became the first world leader to address Kyiv 's parliament

The MPs gave the premier a succession of standing ovations, with one saying Ukraine was 'lucky to have a friend like the UK'

British ambassador Melinda Simmons - who only recently returned to Kyiv - was present in person to hear the address

Ms Simmons tweeted a photo of the scene saying it was 'a huge privilege' to be at the session

Mr Johnson (pictured giving an interview today) is also announcing a new 300million package of military support as he underlines the UK's backing for Volodymyr Zelensky and his brave fighters

UK will send armoured vehicles to Ukraine Britain is to send 13 protective armoured vehicles to Ukraine to evacuate civilians from besieged areas in the east of the country, the Government has said. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the fleet consists of highly specialised 4x4s fitted with armour and reinforced glass to resist the high-velocity bullets, anti-personnel mines and improvised explosive devices used by Russia's military to attack civilians. The donation from the FCDO's fleet follows a direct request from the government in Kyiv for safe transport means for civilians. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: 'The intentional targeting of innocent civilians is a war crime. 'This latest donation of armoured vehicles will help protect innocent Ukrainians attempting to flee Russian shelling and support Ukrainian officials carrying out vital work.' The steel-plated vehicles will also be used to transport officials to temporary command posts and help security authorities rebuild railway lines in eastern Ukraine. The vehicles will start to arrive there in the coming days, with the FCDO working to dispatch them 'as quickly as possible'. Advertisement

The speech was not shown live due to security concerns.

Mr Johnson told politicians the UK is 'proud to be among Ukraine's friends' after reopening the British embassy in Kyiv last week.

In his address to the parliament  known as the Verkhovna Rada  the PM echoed the words of Churchill to the British people during the Second World War.

Mr Johnson said: 'You have exploded the myth of Putin's invincibility and you have written one of the most glorious chapters in military history and in the life of your country.

'The so-called irresistible force of Putin's war machine has broken on the immovable object of Ukrainian patriotism and love of country.

'This is Ukraine's finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come.'

He added: '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.

'They will say that Ukrainians proved by their tenacity and sacrifice that tanks and guns cannot suppress a nation fighting for its independence, and that is why I believe that Ukraine will win.'

Mr Johnson regards Sir Winston as his political hero and wrote a biography of the wartime leader's 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.

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 country's 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 Zelensky's 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: 'I'm 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 West's response to Russia's invasion and has sent more than 450million in military aid to the Ukrainian army, including thousands of missiles.

Mr Johnson made a secret visit to Kyiv last month (pictured next to President Zelensky)

Mr Johnson and President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured together in Kyiv) have struck up a close relationship

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 Putin's 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 UN's human rights office.

The dead Z: Russian soldiers' bodies are laid out in the shape of their invasion insignia as Zelensky's men make 30-mile advance and expel Putin's forces from town near Kharkiv

Ukrainian troops have successfully counter-attacked to the east of Kharkiv, capturing a town 30 miles away

Move pushes Russia away from country's second-largest city, and makes main Donbas supply line vulnerable

Bodies have been uncovered in recaptured villages, including Russia corpses arranged in 'Z' invasion symbol

Meanwhile video showed Russian tanks being hit by artillery near Izyum, where heavy fighting is underway

By Chris Pleasance for MailOnline

Ukraine has pushed Putin's army back from its second-largest city in a successful counter-attack as dead bodies of Russian soldiers were found arranged in a grisly Z pattern - the symbol of its invasion - in a recaptured village.

Kyiv's men stormed east out of Kharkiv, in north-eastern Ukraine, on Monday and managed to recapture the town of Staryi Saltiv around 30 miles away, according to a Pentagon intelligence briefing.

The move relieves pressure on Kharkiv, which Putin's men were intending to capture and which has been heavily shelled, while also threatening the main Russian supply route for forces currently fighting in nearby Donbas.

Journalists who ventured out of Kharkiv behind the advancing troops described the nearby countryside as an 'open-air graveyard', with the streets and fields littered with bodies lying unclaimed.

One of the most-gruesome sights was the discovery of what appeared to be Russian corpses arranged into a 'Z' pattern. The bodies of civilians were also found inside apartments and burned-out vehicles nearby. Both likely constitute war crimes.

The corpses of Russian soldiers lie arranged in a 'Z' pattern inside a village re-captured by Ukraine on Monday, on the outskirts of Kharkiv

Russia and Ukraine are fighting for control of the eastern Donbas region, with battles ongoing around Kharkiv, Izyum and Popansa. Russian troops have now been moved out of Mariupol to join the fight, despite some Ukrainians still holding out there

Ukrainian artillery strikes Russian armoured vehicles to the west of Izyum, where the bulk of Putin's forces are concentrated, on an unknown date

Russia has made small gains in an effort to take Donbas, the US has said, but is moving slowly because commanders are trying to conserve troops

Putin 'takes FULL control' of Russian invasion 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. Advertisement

Meanwhile footage showed Ukrainian artillery destroying a column of Russian armoured vehicles further south, to the west of Izyum, as heavy fighting continues for control over Donbas.

The Ukrainian advance came on a day when little else changed along a frontline stretching hundreds of miles from Kharkiv in the north, to Mariupol in the south and further west towards the city of Mykolaiv.

American intelligence says Russia launched 30 missiles against targets inside Ukraine yesterday, while artillery continued to pound defensive positions in an attempt to soften them up for troops to attack.

Despite the heavy shelling, Russian gains have been 'tepid', the Pentagon said.

Moscow's forces made only minor advances around Popansa and further north in the town of Lyman, as they attempt to surround Ukrainian troops defending the cities of Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.

Both sides are said to be suffering heavy casualties in the region, though Russia's losses are widely expected to be worse than Ukraine's.

Russia's slow advances are due to commanders trying to preserve troops after units were mauled in the failed effort to capture Kyiv, the US says.

Meanwhile Ukrainian forces holed up inside the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol continue to hold out against Russian bombardment, which resumed Sunday night after a 48-hour ceasefire allowed 100 civilian to evacuate.

Around 12 battalions that had been committed to taking the city have now moved out and been sent to the frontline further north, to aid in the fight for Donbas.

Further to the west, fighting continues over territory between Mykolaiv and Kherson - the latter of which is the only major Ukrainian city to have fallen into Russian hands.

Kyiv believes that Russia is planning to stage a referendum in Kherson as a pre-text to declaring it independent of Ukraine, perhaps to coincide with a Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9 marking the surrender of Nazi Germany.

The US is also warning that Russia could soon move to annex areas of Luhansk and Donetsk which have been occupied by rebel groups it supports since 2014.

According to Moscow, the rebel-held territories are currently 'independent republics' separate from both Russia and Ukraine. The new move would seen them absorbed into the Russian mainland.

'Russia plans to engineer referenda upon joining sometime in mid-May,' said Michael Carpenter, US envoy to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

He said Russia was considering a similar plan in a third region, Kherson, where Moscow has recently solidified control and imposed use of its ruble currency.

'We think the reports are highly credible,' Carpenter told reporters in Washington.

The body of a civilian lies covered in coats inside a house where they had been taking shelter - possibly for weeks - as fighting raged in the countryside, close to Kharkiv

A burned-out car which contained the remains of two civilians was uncovered by Ukrainian forces pushing east out of Kharkiv

Sunlight shines through a building that has been partially destroyed by Russian shelling on areas close to the city of Kharkiv

Finland 'will formally announce bid to join NATO on May 12' Finland will formally announce its bid to join NATO on May 12 with Sweden following suit days later, potentially sparking a huge escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war, government sources have said. President Sauli Niinisto will announce his approval for the country to join the Western defence alliance a week on Thursday, insiders said. On the same day, parliamentary groups will give their approval for the application which could be submitted at a NATO summit in June, Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported. Today, the Finnish and Swedish prime ministers Sanna Marin and Magdalena Andersson will meet with German chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss a 'joint leap' at his retreat north of Berlin. Talks have also taken place between the Finnish and Swedish foreign ministers Pekka Haavisto and Ann Linde. Haavisto said: 'It is Finland's wish that Finland and Sweden can adhere to the same timetable in respect of applying to membership to NATO.' Advertisement

As with Crimea, he vowed that the international community would not support Russian-dictated changes to Ukraine's borders.

'Such sham referenda - fabricated votes - will not be considered legitimate, nor will any attempts to annex additional Ukrainian territory,' Carpenter said.

'But we have to act with a sense of urgency.'

American intelligence believes Russia is likely behind schedule in its efforts to seize Donbas, with Ukrainian counter-attacks slowing the advance down.

'[The Russians] are clearly in the offensive mode, but they are not being as successful as they wanted to be,' officials briefed journalists yesterday.

Russia and Ukraine are now locked into what is likely to be a bloody and prolonged struggle for control of the Donbas region - the outcome of which is likely to prove pivotal to the outcome of the war.

Moscow's generals are aiming to capture the region and surround Ukrainian forces entrenched there in the process, in an effort to force their surrender.

If that happens, then it will mean a large chunk of the Ukrainian army being killed or captured, increasing the likelihood that Russia will renew attacks further to the west - on Mykolaiv, Odesa, and possibly Kyiv.

Ukraine aims to hold its current defensive positions while making limited counter-attacks to weaken or cut Russian supply lines to the front, in an effort to kill or capture as many troops as possible while also destroying equipment.

The US and UK estimate that Russia has so-far lost about a quarter of its invasion force. If Ukraine can keep inflicting casualties while preserving its own forces, then it will cause the Russian advance to stall.

If Russian losses are particularly severe, then it may make it difficult for Putin's men to hold the territory they have gained and could spark a retreat - as happened in Kyiv.

Ultimately, Ukraine aims to push Russia's troops out of the entire country - including parts of Donbas and Crimea it occupied before the February invasion.

Liz Truss, the UK foreign secretary, has said that London shares this goal, with the US says its aim is to weaken Russia to the point where it cannot attack again.

To that end, President Joe Biden has pledged $33billion in military aid for the country while Britain will today commit to sending an extra 300million of kit.

Ukrainian servicemen adjust a drone as they plot attacks on Russian forces gathered at Izyum, where some of the heaviest fighting in Donbas is taking place

Ukrainian servicemen rest in a shelter at their position near the city of Izyum, amid heavy fighting with Russian forces

A Ukrainian fighter checks his phone in a shelter near the frontline in Izyum, where the bulk of Russian forces trying to seize the Donbas is now based

The West must 'defeat Russia in Ukraine', Tony Blair says Former Prime Minister Tony said the West must strive to 'defeat Russian aggression in Ukraine', in a streamed interview with the New York Times earlier today. Blair, 68, spoke at length about the situation in Ukraine and the West's relationship with Russia, postulating that Russian President Vladimir Putin is 'detached from reality' and insisting Russia had misunderstood NATO's expansion in Europe. 'I think our ambition has got to be to defeat Russia's aggression in Ukraine and to secure a Russian retreat for what they've done,' the former Labour leader said. 'It's obviously in the interest of the West to make sure [Putin] is disinclined to do this ever again. Because it's been an extraordinary act of unprovoked aggression, right here on the doorstep of the European Union.' Blair claimed he told Putin the West had no hostile intent towards Russia, insisting while he was in Downing Street that he encouraged the Russian leader to 'use the vast resources of the country to build a strong country'. But Putin by 2005 had become 'absolutely obsessed' with the idea the West was against him, according to the former PM. Advertisement

Supplies include long-range and heavy weapons such as tanks, artillery and helicopters, along with specialist equipment such as night vision goggles and vehicles that can be used to evacuate civilians.

Boris Johnson is set to announce the extra package of spending today, echoing his own hero Winston Churchill in an address to Ukraine's parliament by describing the fight to defeat Russia as their 'finest hour'.

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 Ukraine's friends' after reopening the British embassy in Kyiv last week.

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 Ukraine's 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.'

Western powers have levelled unprecedented sanctions against Russia over the war while delivering money and weapons to Ukraine, including a $33 billion (31 billion euro) arms and support package announced by US President Joe Biden last week.

The European Commission will on Tuesday propose a new package, including an embargo on Russian oil, officials said.

It will also involve 'more Russian banks' being pushed out of the global SWIFT payment network, the bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell said Monday.

After talks on Monday, the European Union warned member states to prepare for a possible complete breakdown in gas supplies from Russia, insisting it would not cede to Moscow's demand that imports be paid for in rubles.

Germany, Europe's largest economy, was heavily dependent on Russian gas prior to the war, but European views quickly hardened after the invasion.

EU and French officials said the 27-member bloc was united with Poland and Bulgaria, whose gas supplies were cut last week after they refused to pay in rubles.

Western nations have been trying to show support by reopening embassies in Kyiv that were closed due to the invasion, with Denmark the latest to make the move Monday.

Kristina Kvien, the US charge d'affaires, announced in the western city of Lviv that Washington hopes to have diplomats back in Kyiv by the end of May.

Ukrainian civilians huddle together as they are evacuated from a village that had been re-taken by Kyiv's forces, on the outskirts of Kharkiv

Volunteers carry an elderly woman after they evacuated residents from a village retaken by Ukrainian forces, close to Kharkiv
A Greek man is facing 10 years in jail for kicking a kitten into the sea after he lured it over to the edge of a restaurant's decking with a piece of fish.

The diner was captured on video playing with two cats, before using the side of his foot to shunt one of them over the edge and into the water.

Footage of the kick sparked outrage in both Greece and abroad, with many calling on the country's government to act.

The incident took place on Sunday on the Greek island of Evia, with a government minister announcing on Monday afternoon that a man had been arrested.

Under Greek animal cruelty laws, if charged and convicted of animal abuse the man is facing up to 10 years in prison and could be fined as much as 50,000 (42,000).

Pictured: Still grabs from a video in which a man was shown kicking a kitten into the sea at a Greek restaurant on Sunday. Officials have said a man has been arrested over the incident

The video, shot under a table and through a number of blue chair legs, opens with the man using the piece of fish to entice the cat towards the edge of the decking.

As a woman is heard laughing in the background, the kitten appears reluctant to get too close to the edge and is shown raising its paw at the fish.

However, the man is able to get the black and white kitten to come closer to him as a second, larger cat comes into view attracted by the prospect of food.

The second cat quickly retreats back through the table legs away from the edge, but the first continues to get close to where the man is trying to direct it.

The man is then seen trying to use one of his feet to nudge the car closer to the drop, and the cat takes a couple of steps forward towards the fish in his hand.

At which point, the man uses the side of his foot to kick the cat off the decking and into the sea as laughter can be heard in the background.

Pictured: The man was shown in the video trying to lure the cat towards the edge of the wooden decking overlooking the sea. A second cat was also seen being tempted by the fish, but knew better than to get too close to the edge

The second cat comes back from underneath the tables, and appears confused as to where the kitten has gone.

The man is then shown trying to lure the second cat over the edge as well, but he drops the fish over the edge. The black and white cat sense trouble, and escapes away from the edge of the deck and runs back underneath the chairs.

Local reports said that the two cats belonged to the restaurant owner, who told reporters that the cat survived being kicked into the water. It was reportedly saved from the sea and taken to a nearby vet.

The owner said that he would help police track down the man who kicked the kitten.

The cat was first reluctant to get too close to the edge, but was too tempted by the fish. Once the cat was on the edge of the decking, the man used the side of his foot to kick the cat into the sea

Pictured: A still grab from the video showing where the cat was kicked into the sea

Greek Minister for Citizen Protection, or Police Minister, Takis Theodorikakos wrote on Facebook that a man had been arrested.

'A little while ago, the Greek Police arrested a person who kicked and threw a kitten into the sea,' he wrote on Monday.

'Violence against animals is unacceptable. The government has passed a strict law to protect animals from abuse which is now in place, but in any case it is a matter of humanity and culture.

'I am deeply saddened by those who mistreat animals and those who tolerate it. I heartily congratulate those who raised the issue. The reason now belongs to the Greek justice,' the minister added.

In recent years, Greece has tightened its animal protection laws, meaning that if found guilty of animal cruelty the man could face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of 50,000.
A Russian oligarch who broke ranks with the Kremlin to denounce Putin's war on Ukraine says he has been forced to sell his assets and now fears for his life.

Oleg Tinkov, 54 and formerly one of Russia's richest men, says he was bullied into giving up his share of the bank he founded for pittance after penning an Instagram post last month calling the invasion of Ukraine 'crazy' and Putin's army 'shi**y'.

Tinkov says he is now in hiding outside Russia and has hired bodyguards after being warned by friends with connections in the security service that 'a decision regarding you has been made', leaving him in fear of his life.

Never-the-less, he has since stood by his decision to speak out against the war - claiming that many other members of the Russian elite feel the same, but are 'afraid' of what will happen if they go public.

'I don't believe in Russia's 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.'

Oleg Tinkov, 54 and formerly one of Russia's richest men (pictured in 2019), says he is in hiding and fearing for his life after speaking out against Putin's war on Ukraine

Tinkov (left, with wife Rina, right, and their children) denounced Putin's war as 'crazy' and Russia's army as 'sh*t' in an Instagram post uploaded last month

Tinkov (pictured today) says the Kremlin bullied him into selling his assets for a pittance and forced the bank he founded to change its name after he spoke out

Before February 24 - the day Putin declared the start of his 'special military operation' in Ukraine - Mr Tinkov was worth some $9billion thanks to a 35 per cent stake he held in the high-tech bank he founded in 2006, Tinkoff.

But his fortunes withered as Western nations imposed sanctions in the wake of the invasion, prompting him to take his frustration out in an Instagram post on April 19.

Speaking to the New York Times last week from an undisclosed location in his first interview since the post, Mr Tinkov said retribution against him was swift.

Just a day later, he said executives at Tinkoff took a call from the Kremlin and were told: 'We will nationalize your bank if he doesn't sell it and the owner doesn't change, and if you don't change the name.'

Two days after the call, Tinkoff announced it was changing its name - a move the bank claims had been planned for a while.

The former billionaire says the rest of Russia's elite support his views, but are 'afraid' to speak out for fear of repercussions

Tinkov says he was then forced to flogged his shares to a company owned by Vladimir Potanin, a billionaire who is close to Putin and runs a mining company.

'I couldn't discuss the price,' Mr. Tinkov said. 'It was like a hostage  you take what you are offered. I couldn't negotiate.'

He refused to discuss the final price , but said it was only three per cent of what he believes the stake was worth.

Now unshackled from Russia - a country he departed in 2019 so he could receive treatment for leukemia abroad - Tinkov says it 'has no future' as long as Putin is in charge, which he predicted will be for a 'long time',

'Russia, as a country, no longer exists,' he said. 'I believed that the Putin regime was bad. But of course, I had no idea that it would take on such catastrophic scale.'

Though he does appears on a UK list of sanctioned oligarchs, Tinkov maintains he was never a supporter of Putin and made his own money as an entrepreneur - unlike most Russian billionaires who enrich themselves babysitting former state assets.

Posting on Instagram again today, he wrote: 'I was one of the few who managed, despite, and not thanks to the regime, to build 4 different businesses from nothing!

'I was proud... of the fact that in corrupt and archaic Russia, you can build an honest, free and American type of business.'

He added: 'It is a pity that my country has finally slipped into archaism, paternalism and servility. There is no Russia, it has all gone.

'The threats to me personally, a person who is struggling with the most severe blood cancer-leukemia, the desire to punish me just for opinion, my honest opinion, speaks of the final dehumanization of the regime.'

Russia is doomed as long as Putin (pictured just days before declaring war) remains in charge, Tinkov says, which he predicts will be a 'long time'

A former beer and pierogi seller, Tinkov made his fortune after founding a high-tech bank in 2006 and was worth more than $9billion at the peak of his fortunes

Russia has been fighting in Ukraine for two months, causing widespread devastation though at a huge cost to Moscow (pictured, smoke rises over the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol

Branding the rest of Russia's elite 'cowards', he added: 'This is evil, and I'm on the side of good... Ukraine will win because good always wins over evil.'

A statement from Tinkoff said there had been 'no threats of any kind against the bank's leadership.'

'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.

The son of a Siberian coal miner, Tinkov was selling beer and dumplings before he launched Tinkoff bank in 2006, but stepped down as chairman of the board after a 14-year run, announcing he had been diagnosed with acute leukemia.

Tinkoff shares fell more than 90% since the start of the war in Ukraine, losing Tinkov his billionaire status. Forbes estimates he is worth approximately $800million.

Tinkov has close connection with Putin, he admitted in an interview with the Financial Times. But after his diagnosis, he told Forbes he discovered how fragile life could be, prompting him to call for an end to the war.

The Russian banking billionaire owns the world's first private ice-breaking super yacht and was banned from travelling outside the M25 ahead of an extradition hearing.

Tinkov is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next month off the back of an extradition request made by US authorities who wish to question him over an alleged multi million-pound tax fraud.

Tinkov, who relinquished his US citizenship in October 2013, was released on 20m bail while the extradition is decided.

Tinkov left Russia to get treatment for leukemia in 2019 (pictured), and has been based outside the country ever since

According to the US Department of Justice, Tinkov allegedly filed paperwork claiming he was worth $300,000.

They began their investigation after discovering he owned a 2018 Dassault 8X private jet registered in the Isle of Man.

US authorities said: 'Oleg Tinkov was the indirect majority shareholder of a branchless online bank that provided its customers with financial and bank services.

'The indictment alleges as a result of an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange in 2013, Tinkov beneficially owned more than $1 billion worth of the banks shares.

'The indictment further alleges that three days after the IPO, Tinkov renounced his US citizenship  a taxable event requiring Tinkov to report to the IRS the constructive sale of his worldwide assets, report the gain on the constructive sale of those assets to the IRS, and pay tax on such gain to the IRS.'

Federal authorities alleged Tinkov routed more than $1bn through the British Virgin Islands to avoid US tax.

According to the indictment, Tinkov said his income was less than $206,000 in 2013 while his net worth was $300,000.

According to the Feds: 'If convicted, Tinkov faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison on each count. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.'

As well as his superyacht, Tinkov owns a Dassault 8x jet worth around 50 million.

According to an investigation by The Times, Tinkov is on the US government's 'Putin list'.
A finance worker whose boss told her 'you must have been having some fun lately' when she revealed she was pregnant has been awarded a 15,000 payout.

Bianca King was initially ignored by company director George Dodds when she informed him she was expecting, before he then made the inappropriate comment alluding to her sex life.

He then told her she was being sacked, but withdrew the dismissal when Ms King, a mortgage administrator, told him she would be taking maternity leave, an employment tribunal heard.

Over the following months, Mr Dodds began shouting at Ms King and, on one occasion, reduced her to tears after criticising her in front of colleagues during a video conference call, a judge was told.

Ms King says the treatment left her stressed before the birth of her first child and she had to arrange an appointment with a GP due to mounting anxiety.

An employment tribunal has now ruled she was the victim of pregnancy discrimination and awarded her 15,009.84 in compensation.

The hearing was told Ms King was a processing clerk for Mr Dodd's Northampton-based firm Mortgage Compare from September 2016.

In October 2018, she sent an email to Mr Dodds informing him she was pregnant with a due date in March 2019.

However, the tribunal heard that he did not respond to the email.

George Dodds, director of Northampton-based firm Mortgage Compare, subjected Ms King to 'unfavourable treatment' a tribunal heard

Around a week later, Ms King requested some holiday leave, which was granted verbally over the phone, when Mr Dodds acknowledged her pregnancy for the first time.

He said she must have been having some fun lately, the tribunal was told.

Mr Dodds requested a meeting with Ms King at their office in December 2018, in which he handed her a letter stating she was to be 'laid off with immediate effect'.

The company director told her the firm was enduring financial difficulties and could no longer continue to 'keep her', though no other employee was given such information.

But he took the letter back when she told him she would be going on maternity leave in four months, to which he responded 'that changes everything', the tribunal heard.

Employment Judge Martin Bloom said: 'It is evident...that the threat of laying off [Miss King] was only made to her as a result of her notification... that she was pregnant.'

In December 2018, Ms King sent an email to Mr Dodds making reference to the letter and her belief she was 'being discriminated against' due to her pregnancy.

The tribunal heard Mr Dodds then began criticising Ms King.

He emailed her about lunch breaks, telling her to please ensure you leave on time and return by 2pm, despite her timekeeping never previously been an issue.

Mr Dodds also accused Ms King of not sending emails and shouted at her on several occasions.

Judge Bloom added: 'This form of behaviour directed to [Miss King] by Mr Dodds had not been in evidence prior to [her] pregnancy.

Mr Dodds denies the accusations and says his solicitors are currently considering whether to appeal the tribunal's rulings

'On one such occasion [she] was so upset she had to leave a group video call and went to the toilet in tears.'

In January 2019, Ms King met with Mr Dodds to discuss her request to take her 2019 holiday entitlement prior to the commencement of her maternity leave.

Mr Dodds agreed to the request, but described it as 'cheeky'.

Judge Bloom said: 'That was, we consider, an inappropriate comment and was aggravated by the fact that it was [her] last day at work before she took the period of holiday and subsequently went on maternity leave.'

The tribunal heard Ms King returned to work at the end of January 2019, but her computer had been shut down and she was denied access to all system before being told she was 'not required to work'.

Instead, she was required to sit around for several hours before being allowed to go home, the tribunal heard.

The following month, Ms King tried to contact Mr Dodds after not receiving maternity pay, but her attempts were 'largely ignored'.

In April 2019, Mr Dodds told Ms King that all employees were being converted to 'self-employed status'.

She then emailed Mr Dodds asking for more information, but received a reply saying: 'This doesnt surprise me. You have been looking for a way to accuse us of this (the termination of her employment) for months.'

Ms King never returned to work, the tribunal heard.

Returning a ruling, Judge Bloom said: 'In our judgment the treatment that we have found constitutes unfavourable treatment.'

He added: 'These acts of unfavourable treatment were carried out by [Mr Dodds] because [Miss King] had advised them that she was pregnant and due to take and subsequently did take maternity leave.

'No lawful or indeed any plausible alternative exists for that treatment.

'We have taken note of the fact that [Miss King] was extremely distressed by the events.

'Her pregnancy was her first pregnancy and she had been very much looking forward to the birth of her child. [She] was undoubtedly not only upset by the events but became stressed.

'Eventually she had to see her General Practitioner and was prescribed medication for anxiety and stress.

'At a time when she ought to have been looking forward to the birth of her child she had to deal with the events... and a subsequent deterioration in her health.'

Speaking to MailOnline today, Mr Dodds denied making the comments about Ms King's pregnancy and insisted no letter stating an intention to terminate her employment was ever handed over.

He said: 'The only comment I can make is that the people representing us are considering an appeal.

'The whole exercise was complete and utter lies. I am willing to give an independent IT expert access to my emails to prove it.

'It took the tribunal two years to get to a hearing. We all suffered over that time.

'It is quite appalling that this was not recorded so that we can provide what they were lying about.

'Ms King made a statement that she was given a letter during a consultation with me and when I heard she was pregnant I took it back. I knew she was pregnant for weeks before that. The letter was never produced.

'She was given everything she was requested following our consultation over her maternity leave. The meeting finished amicably.'
The Pope has revealed that he asked for a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin to try to make him see sense over his bloody war in Ukraine, but has so far been greeted by silence.

The 85-year-old pontiff told Italy's Corriere Della Sera newspaper that he had communicated to Moscow via Vatican diplomats that he sought a meeting three weeks into the conflict.

Pope Francis previously met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban two weeks ago and was told by the far-right leader - Putin's principal ally in the EU - that 'the Russians have a plan, that everything will end on May 9', referring to the anniversary of the end of the Soviet Union's involvement in World War II.

With that date coming early next week, Francis communicated to Putin that he was willing to make the trip to Moscow.

'Certainly, it was necessary for the Kremlin leader to allow an opening. We have not yet received a response and we are still insisting,' Francis said.

He added: 'I fear that Putin cannot, and does not, want to have this meeting at this time. But how can you not stop so much brutality?'

Pope Francis waves during Regina Caeli prayer, in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican on Monday. The Pope has asked for a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin to try to make him see sense over his bloody war in Ukraine, but has so far been greeted by silence

Russian President Vladimir Puint - reported to be suffering from cancer, Parkinson's and 'schizophrenic symptoms' has so far snubbed ell entreaties from the Pope to discuss stopping the war

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told Pope Francis two weeks that 'the Russians have a plan, that everything will end on May 9', referring to the anniversary of Russia's liberation at the end of World War II

The Pope has walked a delicate tightrope over the conflict, condemning 'unjustified aggression' and lamenting atrocities against civilians, but has until now refrained from officially pointing the finger at Russia and Putin.

Asked about a trip to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, which Francis last month said was a possibility, the pope said he would not go for now.

'First, I have to go to Moscow, first I have to meet Putin ... I do what I can. If Putin would only open a door,' he said.

Francis also appeared to suggest NATO was in part to blame for Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, which began when the Russian tyrant ordered his troops across his neighbour's border on February 24.

He said that while he would not go as far to say that NATO's presence in nearby countries such as Poland and the Balkans 'provoked' Russia, he said that the military alliance 'perhaps facilitated' the invasion by 'barking' as Putin's door.

NATO and other countries supporting Ukraine have insisted that Moscow has been the aggressor, massing its troops on the border in the months before the invasion before launching its invasion of a sovereign country.

It has been reported on Russian Telegram channels that Putin is very sick with a triple whammy of cancer, Parkinson's and 'schizophrenic symptoms', which might go some way to explaining his implacable bloodlust towards Ukraine.

Instead the head of the Catholic Church has been dealing with Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, who is a full-blooded supporter of the violent conflict.

The war in Ukraine has strained relations between the two churches and caused a split among Orthodox Christians around the world.

Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church is a full-blooded supporter of the invasion of Ukraine

Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulate each other after the Easter service at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. Patrich Kirill hsa provided Putin with cover to prosecute his war in Ukraine

In the interview, Francis said that when he had a 40-minute video conference with Kirill on March 16, the patriarch spent half of it reading from a sheet of paper 'with all the justifications for the war'.

Moscow describes its action in Ukraine as a 'special operation' to demilitarise and 'denazify' its neighbour.

Kirill, 75, sees the war as a bulwark against a decadent West - particularly over the acceptance of homosexuality - that threatens his vision of a 'Russky Mir' ('Russian World') that includes Belarus and Ukraine.

'We (the pope and Kirill) are pastors of the same people of God. That is why we have to seek paths of peace, to cease the fire of weapons. The patriarch cannot become Putin's altar boy,' Francis was quoted as saying.

The pope also said that when he met Viktor Orban on April 21, the Hungarian prime minister told him 'the Russian have a plan, that everything will end on May 9', referring to the anniversary of Russia's liberation at the end of World War II.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said the anniversary would have no bearing on Moscow's military operations in Ukraine.
Two brothers who starred in ITV reality show 'Life on Marbs' attacked a PR boss at an exclusive Mayfair club when women started dancing in their private booth, a court heard.

Old Harrovian Adam Graham, 32, and brother Jeffrey, 30, became 'annoyed' when members of the public starting dancing in their private area at the celebrity haunt.

The pair believed they had booked an area of the Maddox Club - which counts Prince Harry among its past famous guests - for friends and family, but uninvited guests started joining their party.

Tom Heslop, prosecuting, told Westminster Magistrates' Court: 'The two defendants began to get annoyed with members of the public dancing in their space.'

The pair, who recently set up a new luxury concierge business, appeared on the twelve-episode reality series Life on Marbs, which followed the lives of the glamorous residents living in the popular Spanish resort, in 2015.

Old Harrovian Adam Graham, 32, and brother Jeffrey, 30, appeared on the twelve-episode series, which followed the lives of the glamorous residents living in the popular Spanish resort, in 2015

Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the brothers became 'annoyed' when members of the public starting dancing in their private area at the celebrity haunt. Pictured: Adam Graham

The pair believed they had booked an area of the Maddox Club (pictured) - which counts Prince Harry amongst its past famous guests - for friends and family, but uninvited guests started joining their party

The victim, PR manager Jacob Bohbot (pictured), was sat at a table with a group of women close to the Graham family

Mr Heslop said the victim, PR manager Jacob Bohbot, was sat at a table with a group of women close to the Graham family.

The brothers thought the women were 'getting in their space' and complained to security about them dancing in their area, the court heard.

Adam claimed he 'gently ushered away' a woman who kept entering the area and Mr Bohbot remonstated to Jeffrey about her treatment. Jeffrey then struck Mr Bohbot in the face.

'The victim then felt multiple hands hit him,' said Mr Bohbot.

'The victim was at the time uncertain as to who was hitting him, but Jeffrey and Adam were both punching as shown on CCTV. Jeffrey Graham begins the assault, he instigated it, and Adam joins in.'

George Dugbo, defending, said: 'They went to the club after a family event.

'They had reserved a private seating area and a female member of the public interfered with their personal space.

'They referred this to the security guard a number of times before Adam gently ushered the female member of public away.'

Mr Dugbo said there was a 'spur of the moment, emotional reaction' from Jeffrey initially with Adam acting instinctively to protect his brother.

He said the brothers have written a 'letter of apology and have taken steps of reaching out to the complainant.

The pair recently set up a new luxury concierge business, the court heard.

Adam (pictured) claimed he 'gently ushered away' a woman who kept entering the area and Mr Bohbot remonstated to Jeffrey about her treatment

Jeffrey Graham (pictured) then struck Mr Bohbot in the face, the court was told

Magistrate Claire Harris said: 'This would have been a very frightening incident not just for the victim but for other people there that night.

'This is a serious incident where there are four types of injury. We hear there was a chipped tooth which is a lasting injury for some time.

But she added: 'We have also taken into account your good character and remorse. We hope to never see you in court again.'

The Graham brothers, both of Willow Park Way, Aston-on-Trent, near Derby, admitted assault by beating.

Adam Graham received a 12-month community order with 80 hours unpaid work, whilst Jeffrey Graham, received a 12-month community order with 120 hours unpaid work.

Each brother was also ordered to pay 100 compensation to the victim, as well as 180 in court costs and fees.

They were also banned from the Maddox Club for the duration of their community orders.

Prince Harry, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Keira Knightly, P Diddy, Cesc Fabregas and Pharell Williams have all been photographed at the 450-a-year members only club, near Savile Row.
German Minister of Economics and Climate Protection Robert Habeck gives a statement in Berlin, May 2. AFP-Yonhap





Germany said Monday it was prepared to back an immediate European Union embargo on Russian oil, a major shift from Moscow's biggest energy customer that could let Europe impose such a ban within days.







Russia's energy exports  by far its biggest source of income  have so far largely been exempt from international sanctions over the war in Ukraine. Kyiv says that loophole means European countries are funding the Kremlin war effort, sending Moscow hundreds of millions of euros every day.







"We have managed to reach a situation where Germany is able to bear an oil embargo," German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Monday in Brussels, where he met with EU colleagues. "This means it won't be without consequences."







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, including from within the Social Democrat's own governing coalition.







In an interview broadcast Monday, Scholz said sanctions will remain until Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a peace deal with Ukraine.







"We won't withdraw the sanctions unless he reaches an agreement with Ukraine, and he won't get that with a dictated peace," Scholz said on ZDF public television. He said Germany also would not accept Russia's annexation of Crimea.







Ambassadors from EU countries will discuss the proposed oil sanctions when they meet Wednesday.







"With coal and oil, it is possible to forgo Russian imports now," Finance Minister Christian Lindner told Die Welt newspaper. "It can't be ruled out that fuel prices could rise."







Germany had already reduced the share of Russian oil in its imports to 12 percent from 35 percent before Russia invaded Ukraine, Feb. 24, but had previously said it needed months to phase out Russian crude to lessen the economic impact at home.







Eastern parts of Germany in particular rely on fuel from a refinery owned by Russia's state oil company Rosneft, served by the Soviet-era "Friendship" pipeline that runs thousands of miles to oil fields in Siberia.







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 rubles, which the EU rejects. Last week, Moscow cut off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. The EU ministers meeting Monday discussed a joint response.







Local civilians line up to get humanitarian aid distributed at the United Humanitarian Center in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, May 2. AP-Yonhap




Amber Heard's former nurse testified that the actress sent her pictures with red marks on her face and was told that she was suicidal.

Erin Falati testified on Monday that she had written in her nursing notes that the actress had been 'experiencing increased anxiety' in November 2015, as the high-profile defamation trial between the feuding exes entered its fourth week.

Falati, who testified via a pre-recorded deposition, told the court that Heard's sister had told her that the actress 'kept saying she wants to kill herself' in March 2015, after Heard returned from Australia following the couple's explosive fight.

The healthcare worker is set to be questioned by Johnny Depp's lawyers today after Judge Penney Azcarate called an early end to Monday's proceedings before Falati could finish her testimony.

The court was shown photographs of Heard's red and bruised face that the actress had sent to Falati.

Speaking of the photographs, Falati said: 'I'm not an expert... I mean there's color on her face in different areas, I don't know what's what.'

Amber Heard's former nurse has testified that the actress sent her pictures with red marks on her face (pictured) via text messages and was told that she was suicidal

The court was shown photographs of Heard's red and bruised face that the actress had sent to her former nurse Erin Falati

Erin Falati testified on Monday that she had written in her nursing notes that the actress had been 'experiencing increased anxiety' in November 2015, as the high-profile defamation trial between the feuding exes entered its fourth week

Falati recalled how she had texted Whitney Heard, Heard's sister, checking if she was OK, after the actress had returned from Australia.

Falati wrote in a text: 'Thank goodness she must be exhausted. You want me to come to the loft or is she safe and sound asleep?'

Whitney replied: 'Safe? No she is not, kept saying she wants to kill herself.'

In her nursing notes from November that year, Falati wrote that Heard had been 'experiencing increased anxiety' with 'several outbursts of anger and rage'

Falati told the court that she was there to 'in layman's terms, calm things down a bit.'

She recalled one incident in London in 2014 when Heard was 'very angry' because she thought her phone had been hacked.

In a note in her nursing log on December 17, 2015, Falati described how Heard was 'weepy and sad' and 'slouched' after a row with Depp.

Heard had a 'visible bright red blood appearing at the center of lower lip' that was 'actively bleeding.'

The notes stated that Heard's 'head is bruised and she lost clumps of hair in altercation' - she was advised to get it checked out.

In a note in the nursing log from May 26, 2016, after the divorce was filed, Falati said Heard felt it was the 'hardest' time of her life and that she 'can't deal with the negative publicity.'

Actor Amber Heard and her attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, listen to Erin Falati, also known as Erin Boerum, a former nurse of Amber Heard, as she testifies remotely in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 2

Erin Falati testified on Monday that she had written in her nursing notes that the actress had been 'experiencing increased anxiety' in November 2015, as the high-profile defamation trial between the feuding exes Amber Heard and Johnny Depp entered its fourth week

Earlier on Monday, Depp's agent testified that Heard'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.

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.
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Villagers living in the UK's 'best beach resort' have said it is the victim of its own success as an influx of tourists has left it plagued by traffic jams, littering and drunk holidaymakers.

The tiny Northumberland village of Bamburgh topped a Which? poll that ranked each destination on its beaches, value for money, food and drink, and tourist attractions.

With a population of just 414, Bamburgh attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year and is famed for its castle and spectacular golden beaches.

But despite being crowned the UK's top seaside hotspot for the second year in a row in April's poll, proving it was unbeatable once again for its sheer beauty, residents have made the extraordinary claim that it is the victim of its own success.

A severe lack of parking spaces and strict planning laws have led some locals to say the village has been ruined by tourists and day-trippers.

Bamburgh, with a population of a little over 400, was named Britains best seaside destination in Which?s annual survey. Above is the 'imposing' Bamburgh Castle overlooking the beach

With a population of just 414, Bamburgh attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year and is famed for its castle and spectacular golden beaches

One resident and business owner, who did not want to be named, said: 'It might be an unpopular thing to admit but the village is just too popular now.

'When it was named the best seaside resort in the UK, you could almost hear a collective groan from residents and businesses.

'Of course we need tourists and want them here but the village is so packed on sunny days no one looks like they're having much fun.

'It's not unusual to spend an hour in your car as traffic crawls through the village.

'What I fear is that a few more ridiculous busy summers and people will give Bamburgh a miss altogether in a few years' time.'

Another business owner added: 'A friend of mine summed up the problem quite well the other day when he said it's like over-fishing.

'Pubs and hotel owners might be enjoying the money rolling in but the more people who come here, the more damage is done to the environment.

'I've noticed a big increase in litter being dumped in the sand dunes below the castle which is a really sad thing to see.'

Respondents to the Which? poll, released on April 30, said the village's sweeping sandy beach overlooked by clifftop Bamburgh Castle was spectacular and imposing.

In 2021, when Bamburgh also came out on top, respondents suggested word had spread about Bamburgh's appeal, with some encouraging visitors to reserve tables in the restaurants in advance as places were often booked up, and to arrive at the castle early to secure a parking space

Now, locals have complained about groups of rowdy revellers holding late-night boozy parties in the sand dunes.

Resident John Graham, 60, said: 'When the sun is out the place can be overrun.

'In the day, you get the icecream brigade leaving their rubbish everywhere and in the evenings the drunken louts have their fun.

'On an average morning in the summer I pick up five or six burnt out disposable barbecues and half-a-dozen or so bin bags full of bottles and cans.'

The village drew huge crowds last year as millions of Brits were forced to holiday in the UK as a result of strict Covid rules limiting foreign travel.

To meet the demands of more visitors, emergency temporary planning laws were introduced to free up land for extra parking.

But now, the rules are being tightened meaning the village has fewer parking spaces this year while still expecting the same number of visitors.

Despite being crowned the UK's top seaside hotspot for the second year in a row in April's poll, proving it was unbeatable once again for its sheer beauty, residents of Bamburgh have made the extraordinary claim that it is the victim of its own success

Tables by Which? show the ranking of coastal towns and villages across Britain. The consumer champion asked thousands of holidaymakers to rate coastal resorts they have visited across a range of categories

Bamburgh Parish Council chairman Barbara Brook said: 'We had dispensation last year to open the Glebe Field beside the church for 56 days and now that is going to be impossible because the directive is 28 days.

'We asked for more yellow lines - and I can understand that more yellow lines are not wanted across Northumberland - but we're now in a dilemma because over the Easter period we had huge car parking problems in the village.'

The village has also seen an increase in litter and fly-tipping, with locals blaming a pilot scheme allowing motorhomes to park overnight.

Councillor Brook said there had been 'an enormous amount more litter' since the scheme was introduced.

Despite calls to prevent traffic jams building up in the village, Northumberland County Council has refused to increase the amount of parking space available.

Local services director Paul Jones said: 'We aren't proposing any additional parking capacity within Bamburgh.

'We're happy to have further dialogue to see what we can do to support you and the local landowner in terms of the use of seasonal overflow arrangements and what can and can't be done to stay on the right side of the law.'

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An alleged killer accused of murdering four members of the same family including his girlfriend was found by police hiding naked in a bathroom, a court heard today.

Dolet Hill, 64, her husband Denton Burke, 58, daughter Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo, 45, and granddaughter Samantha Drummonds, 27, were all found stabbed to death in the kitchen at her home in Bermondsey, south-east London.

Police had been called to a disturbance at the family's three-bedroom terraced home in Delaford Road, near Millwall Stadium, at 1.40am on April 25.

Armed officers smashed down the door and discovered the bodies.

Joshua Jacques, 28, the boyfriend of Samantha, was arrested at the scene in the early hours.

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow QC told the court today how the bodies were all found in the kitchen apart from Mr Burke who was found at the foot of the stairs.

'The four victims had sustained numerous wounds sustained by a knife or knives,' he said.

Joshua Jacques (left) appearing at the Old Bailey, London this morning via videolink from HMP Belmarsh. On the right is a prison officer

Joshua Jerome Derriviere Jacques, 28, the boyfriend of one of the victims, Samantha Drummonds, has been charged with four counts of murder

Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo, 45, who was killed at an address in Bermondsey last month

Mr Glasgow added: 'The police were alerted to the possible sound of a disturbance at a residential property...in the early hours of the morning on 25 April.

'When police arrived and forced entry to the property they discovered the lifeless bodies of the four victims in the address.'

The defendant was found naked in the bathroom upstairs having made contact with his mother, before being arrested and taken to Brixton police station.

Jacques was charged following an investigation by homicide detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command.

Wearing a grey prison tracksuit he appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link charged with four counts of murder.

He spoke to confirm his name and identity during the brief hearing.

Jacques, of Minard Road, Catford, was remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey on July 19.

Samantha Drummonds, 27, who was killed at an address in Bermondsey last month
A trio of metal detectorists who discovered more than 150 Roman coins after mistaking them for tent pegs could be set to make some 40,000 from the haul.

The band of friends were camping near the ancient village of Pewsey in Wiltshire when they dug up the buried treasure just 6ft from where they pitched their tent.

Robert Abbot, 53, thought he had found a handful of old metal pegs which had activated his metal detector, but hidden just below was a valuable silver Roman Siliqua coin.

His detector went into a frenzy and with the help of friends, Dave Allen, 59, a carpenter and Mick Rae, 63, a dairy herd manager, they frantically dug up dozens of the ancient Roman coins.

By the end of their weekend camping trip they had uncovered 161 silver coins, all around 1,600 years old, which they carried home in their washing up bowl.

Mick Rae from Wiltshire (pictured) holds up a coin from the hoard, picture taken by Rob Abbot from Essex who first discovered the ancient silver coins under a handful of metal tent pegs

The three friends had to use their washing up bowl to store their haul

The three metal detectorist friends were on a camping trip in the Wiltshire village (Pictured) A silver Miliarensis Trier coin found in the hoard

They found the coins meters away from where they had pitched their tent (pictured) A silver Miliarensis Trier coin found in the hoard

(Left) One side of the first coin discovered (Right) The other side of the first coin discovered

Mr Abbot, who owns a computer shop in Essex, said: 'We were so excited and we're looking forward to the auction, but we have no idea how we'll spend the money.'

'Having finished breakfast first, I turned on my machine and having walked around six paces from the tent, I found several tent pegs and just under the surface a late Roman silver siliqua in pristine condition.

'A few moments later beside it, I found another one.

'Ironically, we had been camping there two weeks previous for a week-long detecting outing. What we hadn't realised is we'd actually camped right on top of the area where the coins were found.'

The coins, which date from 340 to 602 AD would have been buried when Anglo-Saxon invaders overran Britain in the final days of the Roman empire.

The 'Pewsey Hoard' is now tipped to sell for 40,000 and the coins will go under the hammer at London-based auctioneers Noonans in Mayfair.

Nigel Mills, a coin specialist at Noonans, said the coins were in 'mint' condition.

He said: 'Virtually, all of the coins are in mint condition and have not even needed to be cleaned since their discovery.

'The hoard was buried at a time when Roman rule in Britain under the Emperor Honorius was no longer viable with the army being recalled to protect other provinces.

'In AD 410 Britain was told to protect itself by Honorius. As a result Britain has become a treasure island of late 4th century and early 5th century gold and silver Roman coin and jewellery hoards as the local population buried their valuables and then fell victim to Saxon raids.

'Detector finds in recent years include the Thetford and Hoxne hoards.'

Rob, who discovered the hoard said: 'Unbelievably I don't actually have any photographs of myself finding any coins. I think everyone else was too excited to be taking pictures! '

The silver coin found in the hoard (pictured) A silver Miliarensis Trier coin
Voters are heading to the polls in Ohio Tuesday morning for the expensive and contentious primary election where it's still anyone's game to replace retiring GOP Senator Rob Portman.

Ohio's Republican race will put former President Donald Trump's influence to the test after he backed a candidate many GOP voters in the state claim isn't conservative enough  J.D. Vance.

The wide open race shows Vance in the lead with 26.2 percent of the vote, according to a Trafalgar Group poll released Monday. But competitor and state Senator Matt Dolan isn't far behind with 22 percent and former state treasurer Josh Mandel earned 20 percent in the survey.

'Polls open in about 10 minutes here in Ohio, and I just want to say thank you to everyone,' Vance tweeted on Tuesday morning. 'To the volunteers and early supporters, to my staff and the campaign team, to my family who allowed me to do this, and to the people of Ohio who will vote today. God bless you all!'

Author Vance is going up against six other candidates on the primary ballot, but his biggest competitors are Mandel, Dolan and banker Mike Gibbons. The remaining three candidates further behind in the polls are former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken, businessmen Mark Pukita and Neil Patel.

Mandel, Vance, Gibbons, Timken and Dolan all feel within striking distance of victory after a huge number of voters said they are still undecided in the days leading up to Election Day in Ohio.

Candidates and interest groups as of Monday spent an unprecedented $66.2 million on television, cable and radio advertising in the GOP primary, which shattered the previous campaign spending record in the state.

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Voters cast their ballots in Ohio's primary election at a polling location in Columbus suburb of Dublin, Ohio on Tuesday, May 3, 2022

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Ohio's Trump-backed Senate candidate J.D. Vance speaks at a polling location in Grove City, Ohio on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 as voters head to cast their ballot in the primary race

Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine (pictured) arrives on Tuesday to cast his ballot in the state's primary race

DeWine votes with Ohio's first lady Fran DeWine in Cedarville, Ohio on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 as he vies for a chance at a second term in office

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Ohio voters are heading to the polls Tuesday to vote in several elections  including the hotly contested and unprecedentedly expensive Senate race where it's still anyone's game

A poll from Trafalgar Group released Monday shows Vance in the lead with 26.2% and Dolan close behind with 22%. Three of the candidates are below the 8.6% of Ohio voters who are still undecided

Whoever wins the Republican primary will go against one of three Democrats running in Tuesday's race  Representative Tim Ryan, attorney Morgan Harper or tech executive Traci Johnson.

'I was the last person into this race, so the undecideds have had multiple times to go with any other candidate,' Dolan told Fox News on Sunday. 'So as they're becoming aware of me, that's where I'm rising in the polls.'

Of the 1,081 likely GOP primary voters surveyed in the Trafalgar poll taken April 29 through May 1, 8.6 percent of respondents said they were still undecided.

The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.99 percentage points.

Although the Senate primary is taking a major front seat through money and advertising, there is also a spotlight on deciding the Senate Democratic nominee and whether incumbent Republican Governor Mike DeWine will get a chance for term No. 2, which will be against one of two former southwest Ohio mayors.

Former President Donald Trump's coattails will be put the test on Tuesday after he put his backing last month behind Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance (left)  which confused many Republicans in the state who feel he isn't conservative or pro-Trump enough

THE RACES TO WATCH IN OHIO'S TUESDAY PRIMARY ELECTION The Republican-leaning states of Ohio and Indiana hold nominating primaries on Tuesday where voters will pick their parties' candidates for the U.S. Congress and other offices, helping to shape the field for the Nov. 8 midterm elections. Here are four contests to watch in Ohio: J.D. VANCE V. JOSH MANDEL This contest to succeed retiring Republican Senator Rob Portman is shaping up as a high-profile test of former President Donald Trump's ability to shape the Republican field to his liking as he ponders another White House bid. Trump upended the crowded race when he endorsed J.D. Vance, the 'Hillbilly Elegy' author and venture capitalist, a newcomer to politics who had been trailing other candidates. Ohio Republicans have argued that Vance's past criticism of Trump could hurt the party's chances of holding the seat in November. Vance's most prominent rival is Josh Mandel, an ex-U.S. Marine and former state treasurer, who had been considered the front-runner prior to Trump's endorsement. Like Vance, Mandel has endorsed Trump's false claims of election fraud. Other candidates include: Jane Timken, a former chair of the state Republican Party; banker Mike Gibbons, and Matt Dolan, a wealthy state senator who is the only candidate to acknowledge that Biden was elected legitimately. TIM RYAN'S SENATE BID U.S. Representative Tim Ryan is considered the favorite to win the Democratic endorsement over Morgan Harper, a progressive attorney and tech executive Traci Johnson. Ryan has represented the Youngstown area in Congress since 2002, carving out a reputation as a centrist on social issues and a liberal on economic issues. The winner of this contest will likely face an uphill fight against the Republican nominee in a state that has drifted steadily to the right over the past decade. GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE FACES CHALLENGERS Incumbent Republican Governor Mike DeWine faces two challengers: former Rep. Jim Renacci, who fell short in a U.S. Senate bid in 2018, and farmer Joe Blystone. If DeWine wins the primary as expected, he is favored to win re-election in the fall. DEMOCRATIC DUEL: BROWN V. TURNER The Democratic primary in the state's Cleveland-based 11th congressional district features a rematch between incumbent Representative Shontel Brown and progressive Nina Turner, who lost in a special election last year. That race was seen as a proxy battle between the Democratic Party's progressive wing, which backed Turner, and establishment figures, which lined up behind Brown. The victor of this primary will be heavily favored to win in November. Advertisement

Vance prompted voters on Twitter to head to their polling places Tuesday morning

Senate GOP primary competitor Josh Mandel posted images on Twitter with voters on Monday in Vienna, Ohio. He has the backing of many major Republican names, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz

Mandel poses with voters the day before the Ohio primary election

Despite no clear 'front-runner' for most of the Senate race, Trump's endorsement of Vance last month and his rally a few weeks later helped clarify things for some voters who rely on the ex-president's backing to pick their preferred candidate.

'The president himself has endorsed us, Donald Trump Jr.,' Vance, the author of Hillbilly Elegy, said Saturday. 'I think that sends a signal that I'm not gonna stab our voters in the back.'

A big round of conservative money and advertising has kept Mandel in contention, in what has been a bad tempered race, and could even open the door for state Senator Matt Dolan, who has gone out of his way not to seek out Trump's favor.

During a rally outside of Columbus, Ohio last month, Vance still received some mixed reviews from the pro-Trump crowd, but by the end of the former president's remarks, Ohioans were cheering on the candidate.

But Trump made a slip up during his rally in Greenwood, Nebraska on Sunday in managing to forget his chosen candidate  confusing the two top Republicans in the primary by saying 'J.D. Mandel'.

'You know,' Trump told the crowd 'we've endorsed Dr Oz.' The TV physician is Trump's pick in Pennsylvania.

'We've endorsed,' he said before pausing and searching for the right name  'J.P., right? J.D. Mandel, and he's doing great.'
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The worlds last flightworthy Hurricane from the Battle of Britain, which spent decades rusting away at an Indian university, has been pictured soaring through the skies over Berkshire after it was lovingly restored to working use.

Hurricane R4118, which flew 49 sorties and shot down five enemy aircraft during the Second World War, only flies during the summer months, during which members of the public can pay to fly alongside it in a second aircraft.

Photographer Lisa Harding took to the air on Sunday, May 1, and captured these stunning air to air shots of the plane, which is based at White Waltham Airfield in Berkshire.

Hurricane R4118 (pictured) flew 49 sorties and shot down five enemy aircraft during the Second World War. It is one of the last flightworthy Hurricanes from the Battle of Britain

The aircraft has been lovingly restored to working order after it was discovered rusting away at a university in India in 1982

The aircraft, pictured bottom right here in March 1941, was flown by 605 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, which raged from July to October 1940

The aircraft is also hangered alongside the worlds only two seater Hurricane which was recently converted to allow members of the public to experience flying in one of the historic warbirds.

The iconic plane had been left to rust in India after the end of the war when it was sent to Mumbai and later donated to a university for engineering students to study.

In 1996 it was bought by enthusiast Peter Vacher, who spent four years working to get it back into flying condition, and would later write a book title 'Hurricane R4118' about his experiences.

Mr Vacher, a former printer, spotted the Hurricane R4118 rotting hulk in 1982 on a visit to a university at Benares, north-east India, but did not immediately realise what it was.

The plane had been given to engineering students in 1947 after the war in the Far East came to an end. The fuselage was lying in a compound with the propeller, wings and tailplane spread out over the ground.

Speaking to MailOnline in 2014, Mr Vacher said: It looked like a pile of junk, but once I had found out what it was, I became obsessed with restoring it.

Members of the public can pay to fly alongside the historic aircraft as it soars across the skies of Berkshire from its base at White Waltham Airfield

He returned to India in 1996 and, after a long battle with local bureaucrats, bought the fighter for 25,000 in 2001 and shipped it to Britain.

It took four years and 32,000 hours of restoration work, including renovating a Rolls-Royce Merlin III engine, before the Hurricane was once again airworthy. It has since flown in public more than 100 times.

Mr Vacher then put it up for sale for 2.5 million in 2014, and amid fears it would be sold and shipped off to the United States, it was bought by software entrepreneur James Brown who has kept it in the UK with his company Hurricane Heritage.

Its former owner Peter Vacher spent four years restoring the aircraft before putting it up for sale with a price tag of 2.5 million in 2014

The Hawker Hurricane experience costs from 3,875 for 30 minutes in the air.

Mr Brown said: 'Most people have never flown in an aircraft where you have another one alongside you. But it's also very rare to have a second Hawker Hurricane.

'We've only been able to offer it to a couple of people so far but they have been blown away. To have one appear on your wing 50ft away is absolutely thrilling.'

Hawker Hurricanes were brought into RAF service in 1937, two years before the outbreak of the Second World War.

Am id fears the aircraft could be shipped off to the United States it was bought by software entrepreneur James Brown, founder of Hurricane Heritage, who kept it in the UK

It would play a vital role in the defence of the UK during the Battle of Britain, which raged in the skies between July and October 1940, destroying more enemy aircraft than all air and ground defences combined, according to the Royal Air Force Museum.

A total of 14,487 Hurricanes were built in Britain and Canada between 1937 and 1944, with variants including bomber-interceptors, fighter-bombers and ground support aircraft, as well as fighters.

They inflicted 60 per cent of Luftwaffe losses in the Battle of Britain and took part in all the major theatres of the Second World War.
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The US has tested a new 'quicksink' bomb designed to destroy enemy warships from the sky.

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Eglin Air Force Base's Integrated Test Team demonstrated what an attack on a warship in combat with the US could look like on April 28.

The US Air Force tested the munitions against a cargo ship in the Gulf of Mexico, breaking it in half and sinking it.

An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter launched the modified bomb, successfully striking the target by detonating a GPS-navigated bomb underneath the vessel.

The new technology provides the US Air Force with torpedo-like kill capabilities on US Air Force platforms.

The US has blown up a test cargo ship in the Gulf of Mexico to test new US Air Force munitions it refers to as a 'quicksink' bomb, designed to destroy enemy warships

While the US Navy submarine has the ability to launch and destroy a ship with a single torpedo at any time, the Quicksink allows for a cheaper and more destructive attack

Torpedo attacks also gives away the location of the submarine, making it vulnerable to counterattack from enemy forces

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Eglin Air Force Base's Integrated Test Team demonstrated what an attack on a warship in combat with the US could look like on April 28

What is the quicksink bomb? The 2,000-pound air-launched quicksink bomb is the first of its kind developed for maritime combat. A sudden death for enemy ships, the quicksink bomb is an alternative to attacking enemy warships with submarines. The experiment used Joint Direct Attack Munition, a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs into all-weather precision-guided munitions. They were modified to engage moving targets with a GPS-assisted Navigation System. An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter is used to launch the munition. When the fighter jet detects the cargo ship, it fires an all-weather munition that flies to the targets coordinates. Like a torpedo, the seeker embedded within the bomb tracks the velocity of the ship and exploding beneath it. When a submarine launches a torpedo, it gives away the location of the vessel. But aircraft are able to quickly retreat after launching the 'quicksink', providing more options to US commanders when in combat. Advertisement

The experiment used Joint Direct Attack Munition, a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs into all-weather precision-guided munitions.

They were modified to engage moving targets with a GPS-assisted Interial Navigation System.

While torpedoes are mostly used to sink enemy ships, such an attack gives away the location of the submarine, making it vulnerable to counterattack.

'A Navy submarine has the ability to launch and destroy a ship with a single torpedo at any time, but the 'Quicksink' [Joint Capability Technology Demonstration] aims to develop a low-cost method of achieving torpedo-like kills from the air at a much higher rate and over a much larger area,' said Kirk Herzog, AFRL program manager.

'Quicksink is an answer to an urgent need to neutralise maritime threats to freedom around the world,' said Colonel Tony Meeks, director of AFRL's Munitions Directorate.

'The men and women of this directorate consistently find ways to solve our nation's greatest challenges.'

The test was accomplished through a collaborative effort with AFRL, the 780th Test Squadron of the 96th Test Wing, and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron of the 53rd Wing.

An AFRL statement explains: 'AFRL scientists and engineers are developing a weapon open systems architecture, or WOSA, seeker to enable precise placement of the weapon.

'Heavy-weight torpedoes are effective [at sinking large ships] but are expensive and employed by a small portion of naval assets,' said Major Andrew Swanson, 85th TES division chief of Advanced Programs.

Quicksink risks relatively low-cost aircraft when compared with the danger of losing a submarine to enemy retaliation after a torpedo strike.

The weapon ultimately gives US warfighters more options when in combat.

As it was released over the Gulf of Mexico, where Eglin operates the 120,000 square mile Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range, stakeholders watched the Quicksink demonstration online thanks to multiple camera feeds from aerial platforms.

A single F-15EX costs $87.7 million per aircraft, whereas a US submarine can cost up to $2.8 billion per unit, according to Aero Corner.

Warships also usually do not possess armour underneath, with a minority of vessels possessing anti-air capability.

Quicksink is low cost when compared with torpedo strikes, giving the US warfighters more options when in combat

It was released over the Gulf of Mexico, where Eglin operates the 120,000 square mile Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range

A single F-15EX costs $87.7 million per aircraft, whereas a US submarine can cost up to $2.8 billion per unit

Warships also usually do not possess armour underneath, with a minority of vessels possessing anti-air capability

On March 11 last year, the US Air Force launched the F-15EX Eagle II fighter. The original Eagle II programme was set to deliver 144 aircraft to replace aging F-15Cs, most of which are in the Air National Guard, but war chiefs have expanded the project.

2022's defence budget saw the Biden administration put $1.32billion towards funding for 12 Eagle IIs and $133.5 million in advance procurement for future aircraft.

The 2023 budget proposal included a request for $2.6billion to buy 24 F-15EX aircraft, after an initial order of 80.

Kingsley Field, Oregon, hosts the Air Forces F15EX training schoolhouse which started in 2022. The first operational F-15EX squadron is to be at Portland Air National Guard Base in 2023.

The fighter jets can be deployed anywhere the US has airbases or aircraft carriers, currently including Japan, the UK, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Estonia, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Niger, Djibouti, South Korea and Singapore.

2022's defence budget saw the Biden administration put $1.32billion towards funding for 12 Eagle IIs and $133.5 million in advance procurement for future aircraft

The US currently has 11 aircraft carriers, with The USS George Washington is off the coast of Australia and the USS Ronald Regan is close to Japan, according to Marine vessel traffic.

The USS Harry S. Truman is off the coast of Sicily, while the rest are all within US waters.

US maritime threats come predominantly from China and Russia, with several incidents in the South-China Sea prompting the deployment of US wartime vessels.

In January, the Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army claimed the USS Benfold 'illegally' sailed into Chinese territorial waters without permission, violating the country's sovereignty.

They added that Chinese naval and air forces had tracked the ship.

The US Navy rejected the idea that the Benfold was warned away but appeared to confirm the ship was operating in the area, saying the mission reflected the US Navy's commitment to defend freedom of navigation. The navy frequently carries out such missions in the South China Sea to challenge Chinese territorial claims.
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Republican lawmakers are calling for the person behind a leaked Supreme Court memo indicating the end of federal abortion rights to be 'brought to justice.'

Conservatives throughout the country celebrated the news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that is set to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case - but have denounced the leak as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Meanwhile progressives led Democrats' outrage over the stunning reversal of high court precedent, with some even renewing calls to end the Senate filibuster.

Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the leaked draft's authenticity on Tuesday morning and announced the high court will investigate to find out who is responsible. His statement said that such drafts were routine parts of the decision process and did not indicate a final opinion.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont both called for Congress to safeguard Roe v. Wade with federal legislation.

'People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter late Monday night.

She added: 'It's high time we do it.'

On the other side of the aisle, Republicans are demanding investigations into who leaked the Supreme Court draft opinion.

Progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren joined protesters outside of the Supreme Court on Tuesday morning

Pro-life and pro-choice demonstrators gather in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on May 3

The court is expected to issue a decision by June. The draft opinion calls the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade decision 'egregiously wrong from the start'

The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the US, according to a leaked draft of a majority opinion that would shred nearly 50 years of constitutional protections

There are 18 states that have near-total bans on their books, while four more have time-limit band and four others are likely to pass new bans if Roe is overturned

The national Republican Party chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said Democrats' pro-choice position is 'radical, cruel, and anti-science.'

Democrats are showing once again how extreme they really are on abortion, pushing taxpayer-funded, on demand, and unlimited abortion up until the moment of birth and after. Their position on abortion is radical, cruel, and anti-science...The Republican Party will always stand for the sanctity of life, speak up for the unborn, and protect vulnerable mothers,' McDaniel said.

GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah said whoever leaked the explosive memo 'needs to be brought to justice' in an interview on Fox News soon after the report.

'This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates,' Lee said.

He also released a statement on Monday night calling the decision 'well-reasoned' but further panned the leak as 'dangerous, despicable, and damaging.'

The Utah conservative is on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts.'

'I have questions about whether that person should ever be allowed to practice law. That something that will be worked out in due time. These are small circles. As a former Supreme Court clerk I can tell you there are very few people in the entire building who had access to the opinion,' he said on Fox.

Protesters descended upon the court late on Monday night after Politico reported the Supreme Court's bombshell draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade

Meanwhile Democrats across the country have reacted with outrage, with many renewing calls for the landmark ruling to be codified into federal law

'I am virtually certain there are number people inside the court, probably figured out who it is. That person needs to be brought to justice and held to account to what they did. This is the first and what I predict will be a series of other attempts to delegitimize the supreme court of the United States in the coming months.'

Tennessee's Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn tweeted: 'I have no doubt that the Chief Justice will work to root out the radical activist that betrayed the sacred tradition of the court. The leaker must be immediately removed from their position and exiled from the legal community.'

Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Texas said: 'It is unfortunate that the news of the greatest victory for the Pro Life movement comes on the heels of one of the most profound breaches of trust the Court has ever seen.'

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas called on President Joe Biden's Justice Department to 'get to the bottom' of the matter and, like his colleagues, shared praise for the high court's reported decision.

'The Supreme Court & the DOJ must get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary. In the meantime, Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life,' Cotton said on Monday night.

Following suit, moderate Republican Senator Mitt Romney on Tuesday morning called for both an investigation and consequences.

The Utah lawmaker began his statement by lauding the reported high court decision and said: 'Laws regarding abortion would now be returned to the people and their elected representatives.'

'The breach of the Court's deliberative process, however, is an appalling affront against a critical institution and should be fully investigated and those responsible should be punished.'

Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said the leaker should be disbarred if they are a law clerk.

Pro-choice activists remained outside the Supreme Court into Tuesday morning, hours after the bombshell Monday night report

Democrats have been renewing calls to scuttle the Senate filibuster in order to pass legislation safeguarding Roe v. Wade

Sanders led the left wing in demanding his colleagues scuttle the filibuster to pass pro-choice legislation with a simple majority.

'Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes,' the Independent senator said.

Democrats previously tried to scuttle the filibuster to pass federal voting rights legislation with only their 50 seats in the chamber plus Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote, but the effort failed in the face of moderate opposition within their own party.

Sanders' former adviser and current Ohio House candidate Nina Turner echoed her ex-boss' calls.

'Protecting abortion rights is not a midterm pitchDemocrats have the power now. We have the majority in Congress and we have the White House. Instead of drafting fundraising emails tonight, our elected leaders should be in DC voting to codify Roe & getting rid of the filibuster,' Turner said on Twitter.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York called for top-down reforms on all levels of government, 'even if it means eliminating the filibuster.'

'With far-right justices poised to overturn Roe, the lives of millions of Americans depend on us. We must codify the right to an abortion into federal laweven if it means eliminating the filibuster. We must flip state legislatures. And states like NY must open our doors,' Gillibrand wrote on Twitter.

On the House side, Ocasio-Cortez's fellow 'Squad' member Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri said the Supreme Court's reported decision is a national 'emergency.'

'Abolish the filibuster. Codify Roe. Expand the Supreme Court. Protect abortion rights by any means necessary. We need all of the above. This is an emergency,' Bush said on Tuesday morning.

Brian Fallon, Hillary Clinton's former 2016 press secretary who is co-founder and executive director of Demand Justice, publicly pondered if the leaker was a 'brave clerk' hoping public outrage would reverse the monumental decision.

'Is a brave clerk taking this unpredecented(sp) step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?' Fallon questioned.

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee called for the leaker to be 'brought to justice.' He's on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts'

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

Alito's draft does not necessarily represent the sentiments of other justices who did not pen the opinion, but it's been suggested that the court's 5-3 conservative supermajority will likely deliver on the historic reversal.

Republicans celebrated the decision, calling it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

Pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List hailed the report as a victory for their movement.

'If the draft opinion made public tonight is the final opinion of the court, we wholeheartedly applaud the decision. The American people have the right to act through their elected officials to debate and enact laws that protect unborn children and honor women,' SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. 'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature.'

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

Republican appointed-Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett all voted to strike down Roe with Samuel Alito, Politico noted

The opinion draft - originally obtained by Politico - was written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court

Reaction to the news of Alito's draft opinion was swift Monday night, with conservative lawmakers celebrating the news after decades of fighting for an end to abortion rights - though they raised doubts about why the decision was leaked in the first place.

Mike Gibbons, who is currently facing Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance in the Republican primary for an Ohio Senate seat, wrote that the decision marked a 'huge pro-life victory,' noting it's 'great to see the Court recognize all life is protected under the Constitution.

'We still have to make sure we elect candidates that will continue to defend the unborn, which is exactly what I'll do in the U.S. Senate.

Others, though, raised doubts about why the opinion was leaked to POLITICO, with Marco Rubio writing: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions and norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion.'

Republican Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also tweeted that the leak is 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.'

'The Justices mustn't give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' Hawley wrote. 'Stay strong.'

Embattled Congressmember Madison Cawthorn also tweeted that the story 'was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down.'

'Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong,' he urged his followers, noting: 'Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win.'

Roe v. Wade: Which US states could make abortion illegal if landmark 1973 law is overturned... and what would it mean for women in America? Vital Q&A on looming Supreme Court decision The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the United States, according to a bombshell leaked draft of a majority opinion that suggests it may be poised to overturn the famous Roe v. Wade ruling. The 98-page draft revealed by Politico calls the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision - which held that access to abortion in the US is a constitutional right - 'egregiously wrong from the start'. Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The draft was written by Justice Samuel Alito and has been circulating inside the conservative-dominated court since February. The leak of a draft opinion while a case is still pending is an extraordinary breach. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. Here, DailyMail.com looks at what the latest developments mean - and the history of abortion laws in the US: WHAT IS ROE V. WADE? The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion. Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion. She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger. Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights. Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague, and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category. The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant. The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court. The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972. Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states. WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED NOW? The Supreme Court has not decided anything yet, but a draft opinion reportedly circulated among court justices suggests that it may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. A document labelled 'Opinion of the Court' shows a majority of the court's justices earlier this year threw support behind overturning the 1973 case that legalised abortion across the country. According to Politico - who published the 'leaked document' - the draft opinion shows the court voted to strike down the landmark case. However, it is unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter. The paper was labelled '1st Draft' of the 'Opinion of the Court' and was said to be referring to a case challenging Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks - a case known as Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organisation. The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in the case, and opinions - and even justices' votes - have been known to change during the drafting process. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. The draft is signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court's 6-3 conservative majority, who was appointed by former President George W Bush. 'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' the draft opinion states. It in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER RULINGS SINCE 1973? On the same day as the Roe v. Wade decision, the justices also ruled in the separate 'Doe v. Bolton' case, which authorised each state to add restrictions to abortion rights for later-term pregnancies. The constitutional right to abortion was later confirmed in a number of decisions, including 'Webster v. Reproductive Health Services' in 1989 and 'Planned Parenthood v. Casey' in 1992. In the latter, the court guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the foetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks of gestation. The Planned Parenthood v Casey ruling also affirmed Roe's finding of a constitutional right to abortion services, but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. WHICH STATES COULD MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED? If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights. Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years. Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level. Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.= The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law. This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights. Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion. CAN WOMEN GET AN ABORTION IN A DIFFERENT STATE? Yes - the variation in abortion laws around America already means that some women have to travel to a different state to access a procedure. For example in Texas - which has passed a law banning almost all abortions in the state - an average of 1,400 women from the state travelling each month between September and December 2021 and sought out procedures at 34 facilities in other states such as Louisiana and Kansas. Research by the University of Texas established that more than a quarter of Texans seeking an abortion (27 per cent) went to obtain the procedure in New Mexico, a state which has seven facilities. WHAT WOULD ROE V. WADE BEING OVERTURNED MEAN FOR WOMEN? Abortion would not become illegal everywhere in the US if Roe v. Wade is overturned, with individual states still able to choose whether and when they would be permitted. As it stands, abortion is legal in every state - but with varying restrictions. Abortion would likely become illegal in about half of the states in the US if the ruling is overturned - with 24 states expected to ban abortion if they are able to do so. These are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Advertisement

And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, said in a statement she is 'overwhelmed with emotion because this is the best news of our lifetime.

'This is a great victory for God and the unborn who have been innocently slain for years, my entire lifetime,' she said.

'I want to urge everyone to continue to pray, people all over our country, people all over our world, have been praying to end abortion.

'I want you to understand that there is going to be a major pushback in our country because there's going to be people that are going to fight to keep it and they're going to fight keep murdering the innocent unborn.

'I want you to dig in in prayer and faith and continue to pray that this actually comes true when they do release their opinion that Roe v Wade will be overturned and abortion will end and this will return the rights back to the states.

'I urge every single strong pro-life state to end it,' she wrote.

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

Rubio questioned the leak of Alito's decision as a liberal plot on Monday night

Conservatives celebrated the news on Twitter Monday night - even as they questioned the leak

California, New York and New Jersey vow to protect abortion rights and say they'll welcome pregnant women 'with open arms' from 26 states where it might become banned in wake of SCOTUS leak Democratic governors are rushing to reassure the public that abortion would always be legal in their states in light of the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion that suggests the court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade. The bombshell Supreme Court draft has not been confirmed yet but if it is, it paves the way for states to make their own rules on abortion. Twenty-six Republican-led states are likely to either ban abortion entirely or place heavy restrictions in place if it is confirmed. Some, like Texas and Mississippi, have already all but banned abortions. SCOTUS is rushing to find the leak and Republicans are fuming that it was intended to create the furor that it has and hopefully sway the court against confirming it. President Biden has vowed to sign the right to abortion into law if Roe v. Wade is overturned. In the meantime, Democratic Governors are rushing to promise that no matter what the Supreme Court does, they will always allow abortion in their states. California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted that he would enshrine the right to abortion in the California constitution. 'California will not stand by idly as women across America are stripped of their rights and the progress so many have fought for gets erased. We will fight. 'California is proposing an amendment to enshrine the right to choose in our state constitution so that there is no doubt as to the right to abortion in this state. 'We know we can't trust the Supreme Court to protect our reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution. 'Women will remain protected here.' Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, tweeted: 'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed. 'For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms. 'Abortion will always be safe & accessible in New York. 'New York will always be a place where abortion rights are protected. 'Just as the Statue of Liberty lifts her lamp tall in our harbor, New York will never stop fighting for whats right  unafraid and undeterred.' New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said: 'A truly dark day in America with the news reports that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. 'This year, I signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act  codifying a woman's right to choose into state law. New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights. 'I want to assure every New Jerseyan that todays news about the Supreme Court does not change access to abortion in our state.  Access to reproductive health care remains available to anyone who needs it in New Jersey.' At least 22 states have laws on the books that would come into effect once the decision is officially adopted. The organization also identified four more states that it expects to pass new abortion bans in the near future, marking a total of 26 states that appear set to ban the procedures The 18 states that have near-total bans on abortion already on the books are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In addition, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, and South Carolina all have laws that ban abortions after the six-week mark. At the time of writing, those six-week bans have been ruled unconstitutional. Florida, Indiana, Montana and Nebraska, are likely to pass bills when Roe v Wade is overturned. Florida already has a 15-week abortion ban that will go into effect in July 2022. The law does not make any exceptions for cases of rape or incest. 'There is an exception if the health of the patient is in danger. In signing the law into effect, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement, 'Life is a sacred gift worthy of our protection, and I am proud to sign this great piece of legislation which represents the most significant protections for life in the state's modern history.' Republicans however say the far left is trying to railroad the Supreme Court, the highest in the country. On Tuesday, Mitch McConnell urged SCOTUS to 'tune out the noise' with its decision and carry on deliberating the issue. GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah said whoever leaked the explosive memo 'needs to be brought to justice' in an interview on Fox News soon after the report. 'This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates,' Lee said. He also released a statement on Monday night calling the decision 'well-reasoned' but further panned the leak as 'dangerous, despicable, and damaging.' The Utah conservative is on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts.' Advertisement

A number of Democrats have since come out against the decision, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying in a joint statement that the decision 'would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.'

They also used the opportunity to slam former President Trump, saying: 'Several of these conservative justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the Constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century.

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump,' the two top Congressional Democrats continued, adding: 'Every Republican Senator who supported Sen. McConnell and voted for Trump justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people.'

And one-time Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted Monday night she is 'not surprised' by the news.

'This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights and lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law,' she wrote. 'It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal.

'What an utter disgrace.'

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement following the news - apparently using the opportunity to slam former President Donald Trump

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted that she was 'not surprised' by the news, but thought it was an 'utter disgrace'

Many have now said they would fight the decision if it were passed - either at the federal or the state level.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy reminded his followers that he signed into law the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies the right to an abortion into New Jersey law.

'New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights,' he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said abortions rights would not be overturned 'on my watch,' and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also promised that 'abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York,' saying it will welcome anyone who says they need an abortion 'with open arms.'

'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed,' Hochul tweeted.

At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James also promised in a tweet to 'do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion' adding, 'Congress must act immediately to do the same.'

And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will 'fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal and accessible in our state.'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also branded the Supreme Court 'extremist' in a tweet saying it will 'impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country.

'It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard,' Warren wrote. 'We're not going backnot ever.'

Prominent Democrats from across the country raged against the news on Twitter, as several Democratic governors vowed to protect abortion rights in their states

Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, warned that Alito's decision could also lead to bans on birth control as he claimed the decision is reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale.

He was referring to the novel by Margaret Atwood - which was later turned into a television show. In both iterations, women are forced by the state to give birth.

'The basic legal claim here is that the word 'abortion' doesn't appear in the Constitution, and of course it doesn't appear in the Constitution,' Raskin, a Constitutional lawyer, explained to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Monday night.

'But the Supreme Court in 1973, in Roe v. Wade or Griswold v. Connecticut - which was a 1965 decision by the Supreme Court striking down a law banning birth control, even for married couples in Connecticut - the Supreme Court said that the due process liberty clause include a right to privacy, over intimate decision making.

'So the point is that Justice Alito's decision would also apply, presumably, to the right to privacy in contraception,' he continued. 'If Casey is to fall, if Roe v. Wade is to fall, then Griswold v. Connecticut presumably is to follow as well because the word 'contraception' or 'birth control' doesn't appear in the Constitution [either].

'So this would appear to be an invitation to have Handmaid's Tale-type anti-feminist regulation and legislation all over the country,' Raskin concluded.

The Supreme Court's draft decision has shaken the Supreme Court to its core, with barricades posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online.

The highly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign strategist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Such a ruling would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm election where Democrats are struggling to keep control of Congress.

Abortion would also become a major political issue in governors' races with states being given the right to determine whether or not to allow the procedure.
A doctor has called for dads to do a 'role reversal' for the challenging new-born phase in a family's life when the second bub comes along.

Dr Daniel Golly says dads should take over most of the baby caring duties to allow mum to focus on the older child, while she gets some good shuteye.

'Your'e going to get to the whole family sleeping through the night much quicker, when dad is more hands on,' Dr Golly told 9News.

Hands-on dad Matt Stevic (pictured with his second daughter) said his confidence grew as he took on the primary carer role for his young daughter

The Melbourne paediatrician said studies revealed that dad's brains grow when they care for newborns and they can help babies resettle at night without needing to feed to sleep.

AFL umpire Matt Stevic took on the role swap with his wife Millie when they had their second daughter - scrapping the conventional Aussie parenting roles.

Mr Stevic said taking on the primary carer role of nappy changing and sleep settling was all about pulling his weight.

'It was really just trying to share the tasks and the load,' the father of two said.

'It gave me a great deal of confidence that pretty much dads can do, everything with a newborn - outside the obvious.'

Dr Daniel Golly (pictured) said when dads take on a more primary role, they can help babies resettle at night without needing to feed to sleep

Dr Golly said that studies show that dad having a lead role as primary carer of an infant, can help the entire family get back on track with life after a baby arrival

And it has been a game changer in helping his wife get some good sleep.

'I remember the first time Matt helped overnight, and I got six hours sleep in a row,' Ms Stevic said - then she was able to focus more energy on their first-born toddler.

But Infant Health and Lactation expert Dr Karleen Gribble said the theory is good but the idea shouldn't sacrifice the important connection mums and babies need.

'There is actually a good reason why women should be the primary care giver of a newborn - but there is no reason why they should be doing the shopping, cooking and cleaning,' Dr Gribble said.
Lance O'Connor was today found guilty of causing Peter Kyle MP harassment, alarm or distress after shouting 'this is what we do to traitors' while holding a makeshift gallows and noose outside the House of Commons

An anti-lockdown protester who shouted at a Labour MP 'this is what we do to traitors' while holding a makeshift gallows and noose outside the House of Commons has avoided jail.

Lance O'Connor, 57, called out the name of Hove and Portslade MP Peter Kyle in Parliament Square, central London, while he was walking back to his office in Portcullis House on October 20 last year, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

The 51-year-old MP, who was appointed shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland last year, saw O'Connor standing with the makeshift 6ft-tall gallows and noose after hearing someone call his name.

Mr Kyle said he then saw the defendant pointing at the object and saying: 'This is what happens to traitors.'

District Judge Neeta Minhas found O'Connor guilty of causing Mr Kyle harassment, alarm or distress after a short trial on Tuesday morning.

She handed O'Connor a conditional discharge for 12 months, meaning he must not commit another offence within that period.

She also ordered him to pay 660, including 200 to Mr Kyle.

O'Connor, who appeared in court holding a wooden walking stick resembling a gallows with a noose, said he would be appealing against the decision and muttered 'complete travesty' as he left court.

Mr Kyle, the MP for Hove, said he heard O'Connor shout his name and when he turned around he saw the defendant holding a makeshift gallows and noose. Mr Kyle took this picture and later shared it onto his Twitter

The public gallery was full of O'Connor's supporters - including Piers Corbyn - throughout the half-day trial, who cried 'shame on you' when the guilty verdict was delivered.

O'Connor had denied calling out Mr Kyle's name, calling him a 'traitor' or saying 'this is what we do to traitors' while pointing at the gallows and noose.

He admitted bringing the gallows, which he built from plastic guttering, to a protest on Parliament Square on October 20 last year but denied it would cause anyone harassment, alarm or distress.

O'Connor claimed the gallows was just 'a bit of plastic guttering' which he had made to show his 'artistic temperament'.

He even made the outlandish claim that MPs should resign if they could not 'take this sort of criticism'.

Mr Kyle said later on Tuesday that the verdict gave him 'huge relief'.

He tweeted: 'This guilty verdict gives me huge relief, not for myself but our whole politics.

'Political debate is precious, it needs protecting from threat and violence.

'I'm so grateful to our police and those who prosecuted this case so professionally. Thank you.'

During the trial, Mr Kyle said he had been having lunch with staff and was walking back towards his office in Portcullis house when his attention was drawn to his name being called out by someone among a small group of protestors.

He said he felt 'chilled' and 'threatened', especially in light of Conservative MP Sir David Amess's murder a week earlier.

O'Connor told the court he did not intend to cause distress but was protesting about 'draconian' lockdown measures that were in force at the time and claimed he did not know Mr Kyle was an MP

Giving evidence, Mr Kyle said he was walking towards the corner of Bridge Road near the PC Keith Palmer memorial in Parliament Square when he heard his name being called.

Asked what the tone of the voice was, he said: 'It was in an angry shout.'

He added: 'I saw a man standing there holding gallows with a noose in Parliament Square.

'When I looked briefly the first time I did not quite take it in. It was only when I continued walking that the impact of what I had seen struck me.'

The MP then said: 'The word "traitor" was being used and then, when I looked across the road again, a man said "This is what we do with traitors".'

Mr Kyle said he saw the man pointing up at the noose and took a photo which he later posted on Twitter, and which was shown to the court.

He said he then ran back to his office as he saw the action as a 'direct threat to myself and a direct threat to other members of Parliament'.

'I was shocked, I was chilled, I was threatened,' he added.

Mr Kyle referred to the murder of Sir David, who had been killed a week before, and Michael Gove, who was called an 'absolute w*****' and a 'f***ing idiot' by anti-lockdown protestors four days earlier, saying: 'There was an atmosphere around Westminster that was chilling so to see that was horrifying.'

Stephen Tiller, who later called police, said he went up to the defendant and asked what the gallows was for, to which he replied: 'all those f***ers in there'.

Mr Tiller asked whether O'Connor wanted to hang doctors and nurses to which he said 'no, only the instigators.'

He said: 'He then started talking about Bill Gates for some weird reason.

'I thought he was completely off his trolley to be honest.

'He also said "the death penalty does not exist in this country any more but if people commit treason they should go to the gallows".

'I was very conscious of the gallows as they reminded me of ones that were erected for Mike Pence during the January 6 insurrection.'

O'Connor later told the court he did not intend to cause distress but was protesting about 'draconian' lockdown measures that were in force at the time.

O'Connor appeared in court holding a wooden walking stick resembling a gallows with a noose

The defendant claimed he did not know Mr Kyle was an MP, adding: 'I had never seen him before. I do not watch anything to do with Parliament.'

He claimed Mr Kyle had come up to him and asked: 'Do you think that is appropriate?'

O'Connor said: 'I pointed across the road at the Palace of Westminster and said "What I think is inappropriate is the draconian measures the people in Parliament have made".'

He also said he built the object 'as a statement to the Government that treason is still punishable by the gallows'.

Alex Alawode, prosecuting, pressed him on the gallows being 'threatening' as an 'instrument of execution'.

O'Connor said: 'I took that as a symbol. It is a bit of plastic, how am I going to hang anybody with a bit of plastic?'

Mr Alawode asked him if he thought it would cause distress in the wake of Sir David's murder, and he said: 'I did not consider it, to be quite honest with you.

'Now I can see that some people can find it - not some people, MPs - but they are public servants and if they cannot take this sort of criticism maybe they should be in a different career.'

O'Connor repeatedly answered 'I totally refute that allegation' when he was asked if he had called Mr Kyle's name, used the word 'traitor' or intended to threaten the MP.

O'Connor, of Plaistow, east London, had denied targeting Mr Kyle with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Judge Minhas told him: 'I make the finding that [Mr Kyle] was caused harm, alarm or distress by your behaviour, by the gallows', adding that Mr Kyle had felt so threatened that he ran away.

'I make the finding that there can be no other reason while holding these gallows and directing them towards a Member of Parliament save to cause harassment, alarm or distress.'
Local resident Tatiana Bushlanova, 64, sits on a bench near an apartment building heavily damaged during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, May 2. Reuters-Yonhap



Ukraine hoped a first column of evacuees from the ruins of a steel works in Russian-occupied Mariupol would reach the city of Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday, and hospitals prepared to treat people for anything from burns to malnutrition.



Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said more than 200 civilians remain in the Azovstal steel plant in the Sea of Azov port city, which has been devastated by weeks of Russian bombardment, and that about 100,000 civilians were still in Mariupol.



"The column (of evacuees) is moving towards Zaporizhzhia. The evacuation continues," Boichenko said on national television.



The United Nations and International Committee of the Red Cross began an operation coordinated with Ukraine and Russia on April 29 to bring out women, children and the elderly from the steel works.



The sprawling Azovstal industrial complex became a refuge for both civilians and Ukrainian fighters as Moscow laid siege to Mariupol, devastating the city.



Hospitals have been stocked up and supported by volunteers to prepare for the arrival of the convoy, Dr Dorit Nizan, World Health Organization (WHO) Incident Manager for Ukraine, said by Zoom from Zaporizhzhia.



"We are ready for burns, fractures and wounds, as well as diarrhoea, respiratory infections. We are also ready to see if there are pregnant women, children with malnutrition. We are all here and the health system is well prepared," she said.



She said some people had arrived recently by making their own way from villages near Mariupol and had minor injuries, but that mental health was the "big issue".



"Many cried when they arrived when they were met by family members. It was very moving," she said.



TEARS IN MARIUPOL



In Mariupol, 64-year-old resident Tatyana Bushlanova is so used to Russian bombardments that she does not flinch when shells explode.



"You wake up in the morning and you cry. You cry in the evening. I don't know where to go at all... everything ismdestroyed, everything is broken. Where should people go now? Here, they are sitting there with small kids with little ones," Bushlanova said on Monday, wiping away tears on a bench outside a charred apartment block.



"It does not stop. I don't know how to stay here during the winter. We don't have a roof, don't have windows. Everything is very complicated."



Russian forces on Monday pounded the steel works with shelling. A Reuters witness saw them using a "Grad" multiple rocket launcher. Thick black smoke rose from the plant. (Reuters)




An ex-CIA agent who admitted to drugging and raping at least 26 women while working in Mexico has claimed he is innocent because he has erectile dysfunction.

Brian Jeffrey Raymond, 45, who was working at the US Embassy, was arrested October 9, 2020, in La Mesa, California on charges of sexual assault and sexual abuse.

The FBI started investigating Raymond after Mexican police responded to a call in May 2020 from a passerby who reported seeing a 'naked, hysterical woman desperately screaming for help' on the terrace of a Mexico City apartment leased by the US government.

Investigators found more than 500 photos and videos on Raymond's iCloud account in which he appears to be filming unconscious women, many of whom he met on dating apps, according to court documents.

Some of the photos allegedly showed Raymond nude and aroused as he held victims' eyes open, played with their limbs and put fingers in their mouths to show they were unconscious.

Raymond left his job in June and moved back in with his parents in California, where he was arrested. In July 2021, the former agent pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and transporting obscene material. He faced between 13 and 27 years behind bars at sentencing, which was scheduled for November.

But in an April 29 motion seeking to withdraw his guilty plea, Raymond's lawyers offered reasons for wanting to drop the plea, including his 'enlarged prostrate' and the medicine he was taking for it which caused erectile dysfunction.

Brian Jeffrey Raymond, 45, pictured, a former CIA agent, admitted to drugging and raping at least 26 women, but now claims he's not guilty because he suffers from erectile dysfunction

In an April 29 motion seeking to withdraw his guilty plea, Raymond's lawyers said he couldn't have done the heinous crimes he's accused of because he suffers from erectile dysfunction

Raymond's lawyers say their client has an enlarged prostate and has been taking dutasteride, a drug marketed under the brand name Avodart, 'for years,' according to the motion, and one of the side effects of dutasteride is erectile dysfunction.

'As a person with ED, Mr. Raymond experiences a prolonged refractory period (the time between ejaculation and when he can again achieve an erection), generally at least 12 hours,' the motion says.

'Therefore, he asserts that he could not have had sex with Complainant #7 to the point of ejaculation during the night (as allegedly evidenced by a used condom in the bathroom), and then also had consensual sex with Complainant #7 in the morning, which he clearly did, because both he and she remember that occurring.'

One of the victims, a Mexican national who worked at a call center and identified in court records as Adult Victim 7 or 'AV-7,' and Complainant #7, told investigators she became violently ill and blacked out at Raymond's apartment after drinking some wine and liquor he had poured for her.

She said she woke up the next morning, naked in Raymond's bed, without any memory of having taken her clothes off.

The woman said she and Raymond then had consensual sex, explaining that she again began to feel nauseated in the middle of it and went to the bathroom to compose herself. There, she saw a used condom on the vanity, from the night before, but said she still didn't remember having sex with Raymond.

In the April filing, lawyers say that investigators only found one used condom in the apartment during their search.

Later, agents discovered 77 photos and four videos on Raymond's phone of the woman, unconscious, with Raymond opening her eyelid and pulling down her lower lip, putting his fingers in her mouth, and closeups of her breasts and genitals, court filings state.

The woman said she 'was unaware of the existence of any photographs and videos and did not consent to them being taken,' the affidavit states, 'and did not consent to Raymond touching her body while she was unconscious,' FBI Special Agent Erin L. Sheridan said in a search warrant affidavit filed Dec. 31, 2020.

In the April filing, Raymond is also arguing in the filing that his constitutional rights were violated because of the way investigators gained access to crucial evidence on his phone.

Material found on two phones seized by investigators were messages with one of victim about alcohol (right) and a profile of a woman he met on a dating site (left)

In an April court filing, prosecutors revealed 'what appears to be [a] list of women with whom [Raymond] had sex in an email he sent to himself labeled 'Mortgage and Interest Expenses.'

The email started with #61 in 2016 and ends with #143 in 2020, and contains the names and nationalities of the women, whether they had fake breasts, and a month/year.'

According to a memo in in the court documents, victim AV-7, who was on that list, had previously told investigators that was 'attractive, incredible,' and said she 'liked him,' and that she 'felt secure knowing he worked for the U.S. government.'

She also told investigators that when she got sick at Raymond's apartment, he 'showed care and concern for her, bringing her water and telling her it was okay that she threw up,' the filing stated. 'Because the defendant was being so kind to her, she assumed he had done nothing wrong. She blamed herself for possibly ruining her chances at a relationship with him.'

But once investigators told the victim about the accusations and showed her the photos and videos taken of her, AV-7 'expressed that [Raymond] destroyed her life,' the filing stated. 'She feels like 'garbage' and does not feel safe. She has trouble sleeping and experiences nightmares. She was so distracted after learning what [Raymond] had done to her that she was fired from her job.'

When asked about AV-7, Raymond told investigators: 'I'm a single guy. 'I date girls. This has never happened to me before, and I'm a very chill individual. I'm not aggressive We did have things to drink that night, but I never got the impression that she was not of sound mind or anything like that.'

Raymond at the time had also told investigators that he did not take prescription meds, which contradicts his filing from last week claiming that he was taking drugs to combat his erectile dysfunction.

'For many of the victims, their complete lack of memory continues to cause them great distressthey will never know exactly what the defendant did to them,' prosecutors said in an April 14 court filing.

'They are struggling to cope. Some of them have lost their jobs. Many of them experience nightmares, sometimes featuring either the defendant or their own lifeless bodies. Many continue to struggle with anxiety. Some have lost relationships, as they have been rendered unable to trust or experience intimacy with another person. The defendant's actions have significantly impacted their lives.'

Raymond, pictured, who left his job in June 2020, is accused of filming many of his alleged victims while they were unconscious, according to federal prosecutors. Some of the images allegedly showed Raymond nude and aroused as he held victims' eyes open, played with their limbs and put fingers in their mouths to show they were unconscious

Raymond has worked for the U.S. government for 23 years in numerous countries, according to court documents. Prosecutors did not specify what position he held in Mexico other than to say he was working for a U.S. government agency at the embassy.

Roberto Velasco, director general of North America in Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Raymond was the first secretary of the United States, a mid-level diplomatic post.

Mexican authorities collaborated with U.S. officials on the investigation that led to Raymond's arrest 'in order to bring to justice a potential series of sexual abuses that occurred in both countries,' Velasco said in a statement.

Raymond's apartment was in Mexico City's Polanco neighborhood. It is one of the richest areas of Mexico City, a main hub for finance and high-end commerce

The Mexican government emphasized 'its categorical rejection of any form of gender violence,' Velasco said.

Raymond left his job in mid-June 2020 after he was questioned about the May 31 incident and his cellphones and lap top were seized, according to court documents.

Mexican police reported finding a 'naked, hysterical woman desperately screaming for help from the defendants balcony,' according to prosecutors. Raymond had been living there since August 2018.

The victim told investigators she had no idea that Raymond was filming her or that he had pulled down her bra, exposing her breasts.

The other victims were discovered after investigators found hundreds of photos and videos, according to court documents.

Fluent in Spanish and Mandarin, Raymond has 'led an exemplary life' from all outward appearances, according to prosecutors.

'The fact that many victims in defendant's case were unaware of his behavior until they were shown the videos and photographs made while they were unconscious is evidence of his unique ability to portray a very different public face,' prosecutors said in their court filings.

He continued to meet with women until September of 2021 in San Diego, according to court documents.

Raymond, a former staffer at the US Embassy in Mexico City (pictured), has been accused of drugging and sexually assaulting at least 26 women after authorities discovered photos and videos of the alleged victims unconscious in his bed

In one series of images, a man believed to be Raymond was seen pawing at a woman's breast and pulling down her shorts while she was unconscious, court documents state.

Raymond allegedly texted the woman the next morning, writing: '[H]opefully you aren't too hung over today.'

'Hey!' she wrote back. 'Yesterday was rough. I had a massive hangover... lol. I had fun too! We have to do it again.'

The pair went on another date, during which the women remembered blacking out after a few drinks and then woke up fully clothed in her bed next to Raymond.

Prosecutors said the woman was unaware that she had been sexually assaulted by Raymond until after investigators showed her the images found on his devices.

Investigators also found incriminating evidence in Raymond's browsing history. Prosecutors referenced several of his alleged searches in court documents, including 'passed out black girl,' 'deep sleep,' 'Ambien and alcohol and pass out,' 'dissolve,' and 'passed out and carried.'

Despite being under investigation, Raymond continued to use dating apps to meet women from July up until his arrest in October, prosecutors said.

Raymond remains in custody at a Washington, D.C. jail. The government has until May 20 to file a response to Raymond's motion to change his plea.
A bartender who filed a lawsuit against Don Lemon alleging he sexually assaulted him at a Hamptons bar has dropped the suit, claiming he 'misremembered' their meeting in 2018 after his case began falling apart.

Dustin Hice, 41, accused Lemon, 56, of putting 'his hand down the front of his own shorts, and vigorously rubbed his genitalia, removed his hand and shoved his index and middle fingers into Plaintiff's moustache under Hice's nose.'

Hice and Lemon's attorneys, however, filed a motion on Monday to dismiss the 2019 lawsuit after two of Hice's witnesses contradicted him and offered to testify for the defense and a judge found the bartender failed to comply with orders to turn over evidence, Mediaite reported.

In a statement, Hice said: 'After a lot of inner reflection and a deep dive into my memory, I have come to realize that my recollection of the events that occurred on the night in question when I first met CNN anchor Don Lemon were not what I thought they were when I filed this lawsuit.'

Lemon's attorney, Caroline Polisi, said the lawsuit was a money grab on Hice's part, who previously claimed to have been offered $500,000 to settle the case last year.

'This case was a crass money grab from its inception,' Polisi said. 'Mr. Lemon has never paid the plaintiff a dime over the course of this unfortunate spectacle, and he is looking forward to moving on with his life.'

Dustin Hice, 41, dropped his lawsuit against Don Lemon where he claimed the CNN anchor sexually assaulted him at a bar in the Hamptons in 2018. Hice said he misremembered the encounter after two of his key witnesses contradicted him while under oath

Lemon, 56, pictured at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday, has denied the allegations. His attorney called the lawsuit a 'crass money grab'

Hice, right, pictured with his sister, previously claimed he and coworkers met Lemon in July 2018 and that he felt 'emotionally devastated' following the alleged incident

Polisi said she's glad the 'abusive lawsuit' could come to an end, adding that this was yet another attack Lemon, as a gay black man, has had to endure.

'This has been a long and difficult journey for Don,' Polisi said in a statement. 'Out of respect for the judicial process and my advice, he has had to remain silent in the face of a malicious and vulgar attack on his character.

'Unfortunately, being a gay Black man in the media, he has had to deal with these sorts of attacks for quite some time.

'The Courts ruling fully vindicates Mr. Lemon and brings an end to this abusive lawsuit.'

Hice had previously said he was with co-workers at Murfs Backstreet Tavern in Sag Harbor, New York, in July 2018, when he met Lemon.

Hice claimed the meeting took a bizarre turn quickly when Lemon allegedly put his hands down his own shorts, rubbed his genitalia, and tried to force Hice to smell his fingers.

That is when Hice said he 'fled the bar' and took five to ten minutes to collect himself before he was able to return inside, having recovered from the incident which he claims left him 'shocked and humiliated,' according to the lawsuit.

When he returned, Lemon was gone, while Hice claimed he was left 'emotionally devastated by Mr. Lemons demeaning unprovoked and offensive assault'.

Hice's story started coming apart, however, during the discovery phase of the trial when his two key witnessed contradicted him under oath, with one retracted his testimony in March, Mediaite reported.

The two witnesses were dropped by the plaintiff, but Polisi then updated the defense's witness list to have them testify on Lemon's behalf.

A judge also found Hice 'did nothing to preserve relevant evidence here and in fact got rid of some of it, whether on purpose or not,' according to Mediaite.

Hice was also ordered to compensate Lemon for more than $77,000 in attorney's fees and cost last fall as a result of sanctions for failing to comply with orders to turn over evidence.

On Monday, both the plaintiff and defense submitted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which also bars Hice from any future attempts to amend or re-file the suit against Lemon.

Hice claims that he was out with co-workers at Murf's Backstreet Tavern (above) in Sag Harbor on or around July 15, 2018 when Lemon approached him and sexually assaulted him

Hice (left) was also ordered by the court to pay $77,000 in attorney's fees for Lemon

Hice's key witnesses to the supposed incident were dropped by the plaintiff, but later picked up to testify on by the defense. Pictured, Lemon (right) with his husband at their Hamptons home days before the alleged incident

Polisi also slammed the media's coverage of the lawsuit, claiming reporting over the case was skewed against Lemon.

'I hope that many in the media have learned their lesson on misreporting the facts and jumping to conclusions' Polisi said. 'The reporting on this story by many outlets has been a case-study in unethical and uninformed reporting.'

Hice had previously appeared on Fox News and The Megyn Kelly Show as he made his false claims and also bashed CNN last December, which was reeling from the allegations against anchor Chris Cuomo.

Cuomo was fired from the media giant over his involvement in defending his disgraced brother from sexual assault allegations, with Hice appearing on Fox and calling CNN a 'network rife with predators and perverts.'

CNN had defended Lemon and claimed Hice had an agenda against the news outlet, saying in a statement: 'The plaintiff in this lawsuit has previously displayed a pattern of contempt for CNN on his social media accounts.

'This claim follows his unsuccessful threats and demands for an exorbitant amount of money from Don Lemon.

Don categorically denies these claims and this matter does not merit any further comment at this time.'
The murder suspect who escaped from an Alabama jail on Friday is a 'dangerous monster' who promised to kill his ex-girlfriend if he ever got out.

Casey White, 38, broke into a home in Athens in December 2015 and ordered two men to get down on the ground at gunpoint, according to court documents.

He fired multiple shots and left bullet holes in the wall during the rampage but his ex-girlfriend managed to escape.

Two young children were found hiding in the basement, while a dog was found shot dead in a hallway, Fox News reports.

'He stated that he wanted to kill her and have the police kill him,' according to a police report.

'His only regret was that neither was successful. He stated that if he was released he would kill the victim.'

He was eventually convicted on nine counts including attempted murder, kidnapping and animal cruelty and was sentenced to 75 years in prison.

While serving time, he confessed to killing 59-year-old Connie Ridgeway in a murder-for-hire plot two months before the crime spree.

The 6ft 9in inmate was escorted out of the Lauderdale County jail on Friday by a female guard who had recently sold her house and filed for retirement.

Deputies charged Vicky White, no relation, with 'permitting or facilitating an escape in the first degree' on Monday.

Authorities are still looking for the pair, warning the public that Casey is 'extremely dangerous.'

Ridgeway's son Austin Williams says the convict is a 'monster' who needs to be 'back behind bars.'

Casey White, above in February 2019, was arrested in 2015 for a crime spree in which he shot at his ex-girlfriend. He previously told police he'd kill her if he got out

While imprisoned in June 2020, he admitted to killing a 59-year-old woman two months before his arrest

Connie Ridgeway, 59, was killed in her home at Meadowland Apartments in Rogersville, Alabama in 2015. Casey White said he was paid to kill her

Corrections officer Vicky White (left) went missing on Friday evening after collecting Casey White, no relation, from county jail by herself in violation of protocol

Casey's arrest at the age of 32 finally came after he engaged in a crime spree that played out in two counties in Tennessee and Alabama in December 2015.

In one night, he staged a home invasion and carjacked two vehicles at gunpoint, shooting one person in the arm, WHNT reports.

At the home, he fired multiple rounds and killed a dog.

Ridgeway's son Austin Williams told Fox News: 'He's definitely a monster. We have to get this guy back behind bars.'

The crimes were followed by a chase where speeds reached more than 100 miles per hour.

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.

He was charged with attempted murder, two counts of kidnapping, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, breaking and entering a vehicle, animal cruelty for shooting a dog and attempting to elude.

While imprisoned in June 2020, he wrote to Lauderdale County requesting a meeting with the sheriff's office and confessed to killing Connie Ridgeway - providing a detailed description of the crime scene.

Ridgeway was killed in her home at Meadowland Apartments in Rogersville, Alabama in 2015, according to WAFF.

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 and was temporarily moved from prison to the Lauderdale County jail to face trial.

That's when he escaped with the help of Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky White.

US Marshals are offering rewards up to $5,000 for information leading to Vicky White and $10,000 for information leading to Casey White

Casey White was moved from prison, where he was already serving a 75-year sentence, to county jail to face capital murder charges for killing Connie Ridgeway (pictured)

Police are pictured in December 2015 taking Casey 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

'He's definitely a monster,' Ridgeway's son Austin Williams told Fox News. 'We have to get this guy back behind bars.'

Timeline of Vicky White and Casey White's disappearance Friday at 8.47am: Transport Van 5 leaves the Lauderdale County jail with seven inmates escorted by two deputies 8.56am: Transport Van 2 leaves the jail with five inmates also escorted by two deputies 9.20am: Assistant Director Vicky White tells a deputy to prepare inmate Casey White for transport to courthouse. Deputy removes White from his cell, takes him to booking and handcuffs him and shackles his legs. 9.41am: Vicky leaves detention center with Casey and head to the courthouse for a 'mental health evaluation.' She told the booking officer that she is the only deputy available who is firearm-certified and that she's dropping him off to other deputies at the courthouse. Vicky says she's then going to Med Plus for a personal appointment. 9.49am: Surveillance video shows Vicky's police cruiser parked at the nearby Florence Square shopping center parking lot eight minutes after leaving the jail. 'There was not enough time for them to even attempt to try to come to the courthouse,' Sheriff Rick Singleton said. 11.34am: A Florence Police Department officer spots her cruiser. 3.30pm: Booking officer reports to administration that they've been trying to contact Vicky to check on her, and that her phone is going directly to voice mail. The officer also says that Casey was not returned to the detention center with other inmates. Source: WAAY-TV, Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office Advertisement

In 2020, Casey's request to be transferred out of prison and into the county jail was denied after authorities found a makeshift knife stashed in the shower that they believed he intended to use to force someone to let him out.

But he was moved to the jail anyway in order to face capital murder charges for the death of Ridgeway.

On Friday, Vicky White told a booking officer she was escorting Casey to the county courthouse for a mental health evaluation. The move was against protocol for Casey, who was always meant to have at least two guards with him.

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.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said Casey was 'handcuffed and shackled' in the back of Vicky's patrol car when they both left the county jail that morning.

From there, they went straight to the parking lot of a nearby shopping center.

Surveillance footage shows Vicky's police cruiser parked at the Florence Square shopping center eight minutes after leaving the jail.

'There was not enough time for them to even attempt to try to come to the courthouse,' Singleton said.

The car was spotted in the parking lot an hour-and-a-half later.

Vicky had filed for retirement a day before her disappearance. She was also living with her mother after recently selling her home.

On Monday morning, 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?'

Friday was slated to be her last day on the job, Singleton said Monday afternoon, adding that she 'talked about going to the beach.'

Vicky may be flush with cash from the recent sale of her home, he said.

The sheriff warned: 'Casey White is an extremely dangerous person. We need to get him located and get him off the street.'

Vicky is facing charges of 'permitting or facilitating an escape in the first degree,' a felony that carries a maximum prison term of 10 years.

Sheriff Rick Singleton announced charges against Vicky White for 'permitting or facilitating an escape in the first degree' on Monday. The felony carries a maximum prison term of 10 years

Vicky's mother says that her daughter, who was named 'employee of the year' four times and was living with her after selling her house five weeks ago, never mentioned an inmate

Those who knew Vicky say that helping Casey would be out of character for the guard, who was voted 'employee of the year' four times during her 17 years at the sheriff's office.

'This is not the Vicky White we know, by any stretch of the imagination,' Sheriff Singleton said.

Friday was slated to be her last day on the job, he added, revealing that she 'talked about going to the beach.'

Vicky's mother Pat Davis doesn't believe her daughter would willingly help an inmate she never even talked about.

'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.

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.'

The US Marshals Service announced on Sunday that it is offering up to $10,000 for information about the escaped inmate and 'missing and endangered' correctional officer.
Trinh Nguyen, 38, was charged with three counts of attempted criminal homicide and denied bail during an arraignment

Two Pennsylvania boys are on life support after their mother allegedly shot them in the head in their beds before trying to kill her neighbor when the gun jammed.

The boys, nine and 13, remain hospitalized so their organs can be donated after they were said to have been blasted by their 38-year-old mother Trinh Nguyen.

Nguyen also allegedly tried to shoot her ex-husband's 22-year-old nephew, who lives in an attached apartment of the family duplex.

Police responded to reports of gunshots shortly after 7am Monday and found the boys severely injured at the Upper Makefield Township home, NBC reported.

At least one of them underwent surgery but they are not expected to survive, authorities said.

'Upon entry both boys were found still alive but in their beds with gunshot wounds to their heads,' Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub said.

Nguyen allegedly fled the scene in a white minivan and was arrested around 11.30am at a nearby church's parking lot.

Authorities said she appeared to be under the influence of drugs and evidence had been found that she had attempted suicide.

The mother-of-two was charged with three counts of attempted criminal homicide and denied bail during an arraignment.

A preliminary hearing for her case was scheduled for May 16.

The boys, nine and 13, remain hospitalized so their organs can be donated after they were shot by their mother in a wealthy Pennsylvania neighborhood

Nguyen fled the scene in a white minivan and was arrested around 11:30 a.m. at a nearby church's parking lot

Nguyen also attempted to shoot her ex-husband's 22-year-old nephew, who lives in an attached apartment of the duplex in the 100 block of Timber Ridge Road where Nguyen also resided with her children

Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub said Monday charges against Nguyen will likely be upgraded to homicide given the boys are not expected to survive.

The woman had a pending eviction notice set to be enforced on Tuesday, local news outlet Courier Times reported.

The tragedy on Monday came amid a dispute with Nguyen's ex-sister-in-law, Corinna Tini-Melchiondo, who was trying to evict Nguyen from the five-bedroom duplex.

She alleged she had failed to pay $11,000 in rent after divorcing from Tini-Melchiondo's brother Ed Tini last year.

On Monday morning, police said Nguyen shot her children in the head before approaching Tini-Melchiondo's son Gianni and giving him a box with photos for Nguyen's ex-husband.

According to authorities, Gianni turned around and when he faced Nguyen she was holding a gun.

'...but by the grace of God, the gun did not fire,' Weintraub said during a press conference on Monday.

At least one of the boys underwent surgery but they are not expected to survive, authorities said

The tragedy on Monday came amid a dispute with Nguyen's ex-sister-in-law, Corinna Tini-Melchiondo, who was attempting to evict Nguyen from the five-bedroom duplex alleging that she had failed to pay $11,000 in rent after divorcing from Tini'Melchiondo's brother, Ed Tini, last year

Nguyen fled the scene before police arrived but was arrested about four hours later in the parking lot of Washington Crossing Methodist Church

Church staff alerted authorities after seeing a wanted bulletin issued priorly. Weintraub said Nguyen appeared to be under the influence of drugs at the time of her arrest

The children, found by an officer and Gianni Melchiondo, were taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown but it is very unlikely that they will survive

Gianni then wrapped her in 'a bear hug' and disarmed her before alerting authorities, Weintraub said.

Nguyen allegedly fled the scene before police arrived but was arrested about four hours later in the parking lot of Washington Crossing Methodist Church.

Church staff alerted authorities after seeing a wanted bulletin issued earlier. Weintraub claimed Nguyen was under the influence of drugs at the time.

She was apprehended and booked into the Bucks County Correctional Facility. Nguyen was charged with three counts of attempted homicide.

The children, found by an officer and Gianni, were taken to St Mary Medical Center in Middletown but it is very unlikely they will survive, Weintraub said.

Police said there was evidence Nguyen had attempted suicide but did not elaborate on what exactly they had found.
non-consensually and repeatedly inserted the word 'rape' into the claim against the wishes of the unnamed client

The suit contends that Bloom non-consensually and repeatedly inserted the word 'rape' into the claim against the wishes of the unnamed client

Marciano says Bloom threatened to file another suit on behalf of another accuser, in what he alleges was an effort to extort him out of more cash

Their accusations came after several others accused Marciano of misconduct - including supermodel Kate Upton

Bloom, a self-described 'women's advocate' lawyer who served on the legal teams for Bill Cosby and Bill O'Reilly's accusers, represents four of those women

A further five accusers who previously worked for Marciano - including the one named as S.S. in Marciano's suit - are now being represented by Bloom

Marciano, 70, was ousted from his position as CEO of Guess in 2018, after the company agreed to pay $500,000 to five models who said he harassed them

Paul Marciano has sued the attorney Lisa Bloom for extortion, claiming she threatened to publicize a rape claim against him unless he paid a settlement

Embattled Guess cofounder Paul Marciano is suing a celebrity attorney representing multiple women who accuse him of sexual misconduct.

Marciano, 70, whose worth a reported $388million, has accused Lisa Bloom, the daughter of famed attorney Gloria Allred, of trying to extort him and threatening to publicize a phony rape claim against him unless he agreed to pay a settlement.

The former CEO of the multibillion-dollar clothing empire claims he has a signed affidavit from one of Bloom's clients, stating that she was never raped by him.

Marciano was ousted from his position as CEO of the multibillion-dollar clothing empire in 2018, after the company agreed to pay $500,000 to five models who accused the fashion mogul of misconduct during Guess shoots.

Four of those accusers were represented by Bloom, 60, a self-described 'women's advocate' lawyer who previously served on legal teams tasked with addressing sexual misconduct claims against Bill Cosby and Bill O'Reilly.

Last month, another five unidentified women came forward accusing Marciano of sexual harassment and assault, all represented by Bloom - three of whom have filed lawsuits, and another filing a police report.

The fifth women, an aspiring model who worked for Guess, reported to the company's human resources department last March that she had been sexually harassed by Marciano.

She eventually approached Bloom for representation, and private negotiations between Marciano's attorney and Bloom's legal team ensued.

Paul Marciano, 70, was ousted from his position as CEO of multibillion-dollar clothing empire Guess in 2018, after the company agreed to pay $500,000 to five models who said the fashion mogul harassed them during Guess shoots. He is facing charges for one of those allegations

However, as discussions ground on, according to Marciano's attorneys, Bloom and other attorneys escalated the severity of the womans claims in an attempt to extract money from the mogul and his company.

The lawsuit alleges Bloom's law firm threatened to file criminal charges unless Marciano paid $1.9million to the client, referred to as 'S.S' in the filing - an amount that was decreased to $235,000 after his attorneys rejected the proposal.

Attached to the 'final' demand that Marciano and Guess pay $235,000 to settle the case out of court was a 27-page draft of a complaint Bloom said would be filed in court if attorneys did not play ball, Marcianos lawyers said.

'In doing so, the Bloom defendants forced the plaintiff to play an extortive game of Russian roulette,' the suit filed Monday in LA County Superior Court, states.

The suit contends that Bloom - who previously served a legal adviser to convicted sex pest Harvey Weinstein - non-consensually and repeatedly inserted the word 'rape' into that claim, against the wishes of the unnamed client, who they say signed an affidavit attesting that fact.

'The client, (hereinafter referred to as S.S.) specifically told the Bloom defendants that plaintiff never raped her,' the suit reads, 'but the Bloom defendants paid her no mind. Instead, they told S.S. they would not threaten plaintiff with a rape accusation but did so anyway,' the suit states.

High-profile attorney Lisa Bloom, who represents four of five of the women accusing Marciano of sexual misconduct, was sued Monday by the fashion mogul for extortion, with Marciano claiming she threatened to publicize a phony rape claim against him unless he paid $235,000

Marcianos lawyers went on to assert that they even have a sworn declaration to stand up those assertions from Bloom's client, who they say was so alarmed by Blooms legal tactics that she came forward to his attorneys as a 'whistleblower.'

'This is a case of extortion,' the attorneys wrote in the filing of their allegations against the LA-based lawyer and her team, which they said fit 'a pattern of tortious, deceptive, and otherwise improper behavior by the defendants, attorney Lisa Bloom and her namesake law firm The Bloom Firm.'

'That has been exposed by a former client who had the courage to be a whistleblower to their outrageous conduct The Bloom Defendants have hidden behind their status as lawyers.

'But a bar card is not a license to commit extortion,' the suit asserts.

The woman, who lawyers said was identified in the complaint by her initials, 'does not want women like herself to be manipulated by Lisa Bloom,' Gary Kaufman, one of Marcianos attorneys, said of the suit, which demands a jury trial.

The behavior from Bloom, Marcianos lawyers said, aligns with previous strategies employed by the high-powered attorney that saw her air damaging allegations in a lawsuit or news conference with the sole intention of garnering a settlement.

'Whether the accusation is true or not does not matter,' they wrote. 'What matters is making the target pay up.'

In a statement addressing the suit Monday, Marciano's crisis lawyer said that their suit against the Bloom firm 'meticulously details a series of brazen actions orchestrated by Bloom to concoct allegations and extort money from Paul Marciano, including attempts to conceal the shakedown scheme.'

In court papers, Marciano, who retained a board seat after his ousting, said the Bloom Law Firm made the threats knowing the allegations were false, and even went as far as to disregard the models assertions that no such event took place

'The plot ultimately unraveled when a whistleblower former client of Bloom revealed that she had specifically disavowed a claim of rape that Bloom had asserted against Marciano and told Bloom to remove that allegation from a draft lawsuit Bloom used to threaten Mr. Marciano.

'The Complaint further alleges that Bloom never removed it.'

On Tuesday, in a statement sent to DailyMail.com Bloom responded to Marcianos suit, saying it was the mark of a 'desperate' man, noting that the filing had come days before a deposition addressing one of her anonymous clients' misconduct claims, where, for the first time, the mogul will speak on the allegations while under oath.

In the bulletin, Bloom called Marcianos claims of being extorted 'laughable' and 'baseless,' predicting that the complaint would be quickly tossed.

'Over twenty women have accused Paul Marciano of sexual harassment and sexual assault (most of whom I did not represent), according to Guess own records,' Bloom wrote.

'Guess has stood by him for decades despite the pleas of so many women for justice and a recent shareholder revolt. His strong-arm tactics do not work on me.

'I am finally taking Paul Marcianos deposition next week. He is getting desperate. He is losing the case and he knows it. (As for this former client, we have many confidential emails from her describing her appalling story of what Paul Marciano did to her, which is why she hired us, to get justice against him on her sexual misconduct claims. We get client approval on everything we send out.)'

Bloom, 60, then asserted: 'I will not be distracted. This laughable, baseless case will be thrown out early.'

Addressing Marciano directly, the she added: 'I look forward to your appearance in my office next week where you will, for the first time, have to answer questions under oath about my clients sexual assault claims against you. I am ready. Are you?'

Bloom, pictured with her famous mother Gloria Allred in 2014, non-consensually and repeatedly inserted the word 'rape' into her client's claim against her wishes, the suit states

Last week, shareholders at the company - which has seen profits plummet in recent years, falling from a market value peak of roughly $5.4billion in 2007 to $1.35billion today - attempted to vote majority stakeholders Marciano and brother and Maurice, who retired from Guess in 2012, off the board due to the claims against Marciano.

Legion Partners Asset Management, a hedge fund that owns a 2.5 percent stake in Guess, lead the effort to persuade investors to not re-elect the Marcianos to the board last week, arguing the company needed to distance themselves from the brother in the wake of the allegations against Paul.

However, the brothers narrowly eked out a win in an ensuing vote, solidifying their positions as the company's primary shareholders - collectively owning roughly 44 percent of the jean giant.

'Paul Marciano may have eked out a win at todays annual meeting, but he cannot hide from the persistent reputational and valuation risks we believe his continued presence poses to Guess,' Legion said in a statement following the vote, which reportedly saw 83 percent of noninsider shareholders back the decision to boot Paul.

'There is a credible risk to the Guess brand posed by Paul Marcianos continued involvement with the company, and the board has been unable to separate him from the company despite a growing chorus of public allegations of sexual misconduct,' advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., said in a report of the vote, which came nearly four years after board members launched an investigation into the claims against Marciano in 2018.

'Shareholders may have trouble separating the influence of the brothers and co-founders on the boards actions and find that the prudent course of action is to withhold support for both Marcianos,' officials from the firm said last week, prior to the vote.

The firm labeled the boards 2018 investigation into allegations of unwanted advances, kisses, and groping by Marciano was 'insufficient,' and not re-electing the Marcianos would 'begin a clean break in this long and sordid thread in the companys history.'

Over the past decade, in a combination of lawsuits, social media posts, and news articles, several women have accused Marciano of inappropriate behavior, prompting the board's 2018 investigation.

Over the past decade, in a combination of lawsuits, social media posts, and news articles, several women have accused Marciano of inappropriate behavior, prompting an investigation by the company's board that saw the mogul resign. He, however, retained his seat on the company's board and was rehired less than a year as it chief creative officer

The investigation found that 'on certain occasions,' Marciano had 'exercised poor judgment in his communications with models and photographers' and had put himself in 'situations in which plausible allegations of improper conduct could, and did, arise.'

Bloom has represented multiple Marciano accusers, including the client referred to in Marciano's complaint. The client was an aspiring model who last March reported to Guess human resources department that she had been sexually harassed, the document notes.

Marciano currently resides in LA with his wife of six years, former model Mareva Georges Marciano, and two of his children, 16-year-old Ryan Marciano and Gia Marciano, 10.

He also has two adult aged children, Nicolai, 27, who works at Guess as the company's Director of Brand Partnerships and Specialty Marketing, and Ella Marciano

The deposition between Marciano's attorneys and the Bloom Firm is slated for next week.
Face mask rules in schools in Wales are set to be lifted from next Monday as the nation moves to end its remaining Covid restrictions, it was announced today.

Education and Welsh Language minister Jeremy Miles said the changes 'reflect the move from pandemic to endemic'.

The Welsh Government wrote to schools on Tuesday to inform them that they no longer need to use Covid measures based on local circumstance, which are based on the Local Covid-19 decision framework.

The changes are in line with the Welsh Government's stance that coronavirus should now be considered in the same context as other infectious illnesses such as flu.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has said remaining Covid restrictions - such as wearing masks in health and care settings - will be lifted by May 9 if the public health situation remains stable. Changes to requirements to schools will come into effect on the same day.

The move will make Wales the last nation in the UK to remove all government-mandated Covid restrictions, after England lifted rules from February 24, followed by Scotland on May 1, while Northern Ireland replaced legal requirements with guidance in February.

The Welsh Government wrote to schools on Tuesday to inform them that they no longer need to use Covid measures based on local circumstance, which are based on the Local Covid-19 decision framework. Pictured: Llanishen High School in Cardiff in September last year

The changes are in line with the Welsh Government's stance that coronavirus should now be considered in the same context as other infectious illnesses such as flu. Pictured: a child wearing a face mask during a maths lesson in Cardiff, Wales, last September

Schools will still be advised to work with local authorities and public health advisers so that measures are 'appropriate and proportionate' and reflect the levels of local risk.

Schools and other education settings will be given checklists to consider which local measures remain proportionate, while special schools will continue to follow guidance for children and young people who are clinically vulnerable.

Mr Miles told the Welsh Government's weekly press briefing: 'In line with the wider public health guidance published at the last three-week review, we have today written to headteachers to signpost the impending changes to our advice for schools, which reflect the move from pandemic to endemic.

'This will ensure school guidance is more closely aligned with the rest of society.'

He added: 'We all know that Covid-19 has not gone away. It remains vitally important we reduce the spread of the virus where we can  this includes, for example, following self-isolation guidance, and for education settings to continue to undertake robust risk assessments.'

Laura Doel, director of school leaders' union NAHT Cymru, said: 'Our position throughout the pandemic has been that decisions on mitigation measures in schools must be based on the medical and scientific evidence available, and while the rest of Wales moves into a new phase of living with Covid, we appreciate the need to adapt to a changing situation.

First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured on April 5) has said remaining Covid restrictions will be lifted by May 9 if the public health situation remains stable. Changes to requirements to schools will come into effect on the same day

What are the current UK Covid guidelines? England The government removed all remaining restrictions in England from February 24. To reduce the risk of catching Covid, people are advised to let fresh air in if meeting inside, meet outdoors and consider wearing a face mask in crowded areas. Wales Face coverings remain a legal requirement in health and care settings. The Welsh Government states that if the current public health situation remains stable, then the remaining restriction will be removed on May 9. Scotland All Covid rules and restrictions have been lifted. From May 1, most people no longer have to take a Covid test and are advised to stay at home if unwell. People are encouraged to use 'Covid sense' to protect themselves and others by getting a vaccine when offered and wearing a mask on public transport, for example. Northern Ireland Guidance replaced legal requirements in Northern Ireland in February. People who are displaying symptoms or have tested positive for the virus are advised to self-isolate immediately for a period of 10 days. Face coverings are strongly recommended in all public indoor settings. If people can work from home then they should, but those who cannot should take care to avoid the spread of Covid in the workplace. Advertisement

'But the reality for schools is that we are still seeing significant staff and learner absence as a result of Covid,' she added.

She said that a recent survey of members showed that the costs of Covid-related absence in primary schools would 'quickly spiral into the tens of thousands of pounds'.

'The majority of schools in Wales will not have the insurance in place to cover short-term staff absence so supply costs will come directly out of school budgets.

'This is the very money that has been allocated to setting to support teaching and learning. It won't take very long for schools to burn through existing funds and have to make cuts to balance budgets.'

Meanwhile, ONS data last Friday showed cases fell in every part of England and among all age groups the week previous.

They also declined in Scotland and Wales, however the trend was uncertain in Northern Ireland.

Kara Steel, a senior statistician at the ONS, said: 'Infections have thankfully continued to decrease across most of the UK, though we are yet to see if this is part of a larger trend.'

Despite the 'welcome decreases' in infections, she warned case rates 'remain high'.

Since the more transmissible but milder Omicron strains took off across the country in December, Covid cases have soared to record levels, with 4.1million infections logged at the latest peak last month.

NHS hospitals  tasked with tackling the backlog of patients whose care was disrupted by the pandemic felt pressure from the resurgence, even though virus admissions were only half of in previous waves.

But the number of patients occupying intensive care beds barely changed throughout the latest wave, illustrating how the threat of Covid has receded thanks to the country's sky-high immunity rates.

Deaths in England never breached 250 a day in April, similar to levels seen in bad flu seasons.

The latest ONS data estimates that Covid prevalence rates fell to 2,408,300 in England in the week to April 23, the equivalent to roughly 4.42 per cent of people being infected.

Virus prevalence also continued to fall in Scotland, where 218,000 people (one in 25, 4.14 per cent) were infected, and in Wales, where 172,300 (one in 18, 5.67 per cent) were thought to be carrying the virus.
An angry Greens senator has gone on an extraordinary rant in a tense stand off with police, calling officers 'criminals' and 'an absolute disgrace'.

Lidia Thorpe confronted police during a demonstration at the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation where activists protested against the transportation of 12 detainees to Christmas Island detention centre.

The refugee advocates had scuffles with officers guarding the facility as protesters tried to block mini-vans and spray-painted on government vehicles.

Lidia Thorpe (pictured) is the first Aboriginal woman to represent Victoria in the Senate

The angry Greens senator (pictured) went on an extraordinary rant in a tense stand off with police, calling officers 'criminals' and 'an absolute disgrace'

Ms Thorpe accused police of violence and inappropriate conduct after scuffles broke out with police when protesters blocked mini-vans and spray-painted on government vehicles

'You are the criminals, you are the only criminals on this land,' Ms Thorpe shouted at police in video posted to her social media channels.

'How dare you manhandle women like you did. Like you pushed me out of the way. You're an absolute disgrace.'

Another video of the protest showed police using pepper spray on demonstrators.

'Cops used overwhelming force to break the bus out the back gate, then pulled back because we stood our ground,' Ms Thorpe posted on Facebook and twitter.

In the video a group of Victorian police appear to backpedal as Ms Thorpe strides towards them shouting and pointing at them.

'We're talking about innocent people in there... Aboriginal people in there,' she said.

'You have black fellas locked up in there which this government says aren't black.

Ms Thorpe confronted police (pictured) during a demonstration at the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation where activists protested against the transportation of 12 detainees to Christmas Island

Protests at the Melbourne Immigration Transit Centre are seen trying to block a vehicle

'I know you gotta do your job but why do you have to get violent? We're not here for violence. You're the violent perpetrators.

'Where's your accountability for hurting people out here. Shame. You should be ashamed.

'You're like big bully men pushing women, innocent women.'

She is the first Aboriginal woman to represent Victoria in the Senate and is the first Aboriginal federal parliamentarian from the Greens.

Ms Thorpe has become known for high profile activism in her four years in Victorian and federal politics, especially on immigration, social justice and environmental issues.

In the video a group of Victorian police appear to backpedal as Ms Thorpe strides towards them shouting and pointing at them (pictured)

Last year she was kicked out of Parliament after she stripped off in the middle of a debate and shouted: 'Black lives don't matter in Beetaloo'.

Recently she claimed she was racially profiled at Canberra Airport in a clash with airport staff.

Ben Fordham, 2GB breakfast show host, accused the senator of 'throwing a hissy fit' at check-in over being told her hand luggage was too heavy.
A 'Neo-Nazi' college student who allegedly 'idolised' Hitler searched how to make a flamethrower as he planned a terror attack on a police station as part of a campaign to launch a white supremacist race war, a court heard today.

Luke Skelton, 18, who was said to have racist, sexist, homophobic, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic views, denies preparing to commit acts of terrorism over the year to October 2021.

The Gateshead College student, from Oxclose, Washington, Tyne and Wear, took photos of Forth Banks police station in Newcastle last September, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Skelton was arrested by counter terror police who found a horde of extreme right wing material on his devices, along with plans to attack the German and French parliaments, the court heard.

Luke Skelton, 18, had footage allegedly included a video 'glorifying' Derek Chauvin, the police officer convicted of the murder of George Floyd, Teeside Crown Court (pictured) heard

Footage allegedly included a video 'glorifying' Derek Chauvin, the police officer convicted of the murder of George Floyd, on Skelton's phone.

There was other footage from a Neo-Nazi group depicting Pride rainbow flags and Black Lives Matter flags being burnt in the street.

Jurors also heard Skelton was inspired by Anders Behring Breivik, who murdered 77 people in a bomb and gun rampage in Norway in 2011 and Brenton Tarrant, who shot dead 51 worshippers at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019.

Teesside Crown Court heard Skelton began trying to source explosives and guns online and went to photograph a police station in Newcastle which was one of three in the city he had in his sights for a terror attack.

Nicholas de la Poer QC, prosecuting, said the purpose was to carry out 'hostile reconnaissance' and the site was one of three police stations he considered as potential targets.

Demonstrating the defendant's mindset in the run-up to the event, Mr de la Poer said: 'Luke Skelton believed in an extreme right-wing ideology.

'An ideology which lionised Adolf Hitler. An ideology which approved of the terrible attack on a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.

'An ideology which is racist, sexist, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic. An ideology which sees violence as a way to achieve political objectives and notoriety.'

The prosecution anticipated that Skelton, who has autism, may try to say his views were merely trying to shock or because he was bored, but the Crown will argue that he was planning acts of terror.

Concerns were raised at the college about images in his workbook and Skelton told a tutor he had strong views about immigration and held right-wing views, the court was told.

He was referred to the Prevent programme, aimed at de-radicalising him, and had eight sessions with an intervention provider, his caseworker, before he turned 18 and disengaged from the service.

In January last year he searched how to make dynamite and also started writing a so-called 'final note' on his phone, intended to be read by others after something had happened, the jury was told.

Mr de la Poer said: 'He states the purpose of the final note is to 'clarify the reasoning for why I have committed these acts is to accelerate the coming collapse and racial war'.

'It is expected that the war will lead to people dying 'in the thousands'.

'The hope Luke Skelton is expressing is for his act to spark this war.'

Mr de la Poer will continue opening the prosecution case this afternoon.
An Australian Jewish community has been subjected to a despicable anti-Semitic attack on the day it gathered at a temple to remember the Holocaust.

Flyers with swastikas and vile anti-Jewish slurs were put on a pole outside Temple Shalom in Isle of Capri on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

Copies of the flyers - which also attacked Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who is Jewish - were also put in the letter boxes of local houses, including to a person whose family survived the Holocaust.

Rabbi Adi Cohen said the attack would 'generate fear' among members of the community.

A swastika was featured on one of the vile flyers used to attack a Jewish community on the Gold Coast

The leaflets were posted as the community gathered to mark Yom HaShoah  Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust.

The person whose family survived the Holocaust said they were now considering moving to Israel with their family and that Australia is no longer safe for Jews.

The hate attack also referred to the federal election campaign. Slurs on the leaflets said Australian politics is 'dominated by Jews' and Scott Morrison is their 'puppet'.

It accompanied pictures of Treasurer Frydenberg along with other cabinet members.

'It is a great shame that the Treasurer of our country has to be offered close personal protection, not because he's the Treasurer but because he's a Jew,' Mr Morrison told parliament last November when Mr Frydenberg beefed up his security.

But Rabbi Cohen said the Temple Shalom community would not be intimidated.

Temple Shalom (pictured) in Isle of Capri on the Gold Coast was targeted by anti-Semites

Vile anti-Semitic flyers (pictured) were taped to a pole across from a Jewish temple (pictured in background)

'The days that the Jews were victims are over,' he told News Corp.

'I will not be intimidated. I will not give up to terrorism or to fear ... This is a place of sanctuary, a place of worship and spirituality, not a place of fear and hate.'

Rabbi Cohen said the it was important to note the attack happened during the federal election campaign.

A poster (pictured) used despicable anti-Semitic slurs to attack a Jewish community in Queensland, and also members of the federal government

'Whether it is directed to Jews, to Muslims, to Chinese or any other ethnicity or religion, it is plain and simple, unacceptable in Australian society.'

The use of a swastika is not currently illegal in Queensland, but the issue is being reviewed.

A report to the state parliament in February recommended making the display of hate symbols such as the swastika a criminal offence.
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Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is likely to break with his conservative colleagues and vote with liberals against overturning Roe v. Wade

Conservative Justice John Roberts is expected to join liberals on the Supreme Court bench in voting against overturning landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade.

The Supreme Court's Chief Justice is against completely overturning Roe v. Wade and would therefore likely dissent from Justice Samuel Alito's draft opinion and vote with the court's three liberal justices, sources told CNN.

Despite voting against an entire overturn, Roberts is willing, according to the Tuesday report, to uphold the Mississippi law that would ban abortion at the 15-week mark of pregnancy.

The laws created in the aftermath of the Roe v. Wade decision made it so the government cannot interfere with a woman's ability to terminate a pregnancy before the point when a baby can live outside its mother's womb, which is around 23 weeks into a pregnancy.

The Supreme Court currently sits at a 6-3 conservative majority, but Roberts has more recently and consistently voted with members of the court that were nominated by Democratic presidents.

If he goes forward with dissenting from his conservative colleagues, the Justices that would make up the majority overturning Roe are Alito as well as Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

Conservatives saw a major win during the final months of former President Donald Trump's time in office when he was able to replace late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett  solidifying the right-leaning of the bench.

Republican lawmakers are demanding that the person behind a leaked Supreme Court memo indicating the end of federal abortion rights to be 'brought to justice.'

Conservatives throughout the country celebrated the news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that is set to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case - but have denounced the leak as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Meanwhile progressives led Democrats ' outrage over the stunning reversal of high court precedent, with some even renewing calls to end the Senate filibuster. And protesters immediately convened outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on Monday evening after news broke of the leak.

The White House questioned the validity of the draft opinion, but said decisive action must be taken if it's true the bench is on track to overturn the landmark abortion law.

'We do not know whether this draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the Court,' President Joe Biden said in a statement sent out by the White House Tuesday morning.

'With that critical caveat, I want to be clear on three points about the cases before the Supreme Court,' he continued.

'First, my administration argued strongly before the Court in defense of Roe v. Wade I believe that a woman's right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.'

Pro-abortion protesters lined up outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 after leaked documents indicated conservatives on the bench will overturn the 50-year ruling under Roe v. Wade that has guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion

If Roberts does vote against overturning the landmark abortion case, the five remaining conservative justices (circled in red) will still have the numbers to reverse the decision with a 6-3 conservative majority bench

This map shows the 26 states where abortion will likely become illegal entirely or partially if the Supreme Court ends Roe v. Wade. Current law allows for abortion up until the point where a baby can survive on its own outside its mother's womb, which is about the 23-week mark

Enraged demonstrators immediately descended on the Supreme Court Monday night into Tuesday morning after news broke of the leaked draft decision by conservative Justice Samuel Alito. Pictured: A crowd outside the court on Tuesday demands Roe be upheld

He said, secondly, that his administration's Gender Policy Council and White House Counsel's Office 'will be ready when any ruling is issued.'

'Third, if the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation's elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman's right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November,' he continued in a bid for Democrats in the 2022 midterms.

'At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.'

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont immediately called for Congress to safeguard Roe v. Wade with federal legislation.

'People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter late Monday night.

She added: 'It's high time we do it.'

The firebrand Democrat posed a question to her colleagues asking them what message their outrage would be sending without action.

'It's time to be decisive, lead with confidence, fight for a prosperous future for all and protect the vulnerable,' she said.

Sanders demanded his colleagues scuttle the filibuster to pass pro-choice legislation with a simple majority.

'Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes,' the Independent senator said.

Democrats previously tried to scuttle the filibuster to pass federal voting rights legislation with only their 50 seats in the chamber plus Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote, but the effort failed in the face of moderate opposition within their own party.

Brian Fallon, Hillary Clinton's former 2016 press secretary who is co-founder and executive director of Demand Justice, publicly pondered if the leaker was a 'brave clerk' hoping public outrage would reverse the monumental decision.

'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?' Fallon questioned.

On the other side of the aisle, Republicans are demanding investigations into who leaked a Supreme Court draft opinion for the first time in history.

Protesters descended upon the court late on Monday night after Politico reported the Supreme Court's bombshell draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade

Democrats across the country have reacted with outrage, with many renewing calls for the landmark ruling to be codified into federal law

GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah said whoever leaked the explosive memo 'needs to be brought to justice' in an interview on Fox News soon after the report.

'This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates,' Lee said.

He also released a statement on Monday night calling the decision 'well-reasoned' but further panned the leak as 'dangerous, despicable, and damaging.'

The Utah conservative is on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts.'

'I have questions about whether that person should ever be allowed to practice law. That something that will be worked out in due time. These are small circles. As a former Supreme Court clerk I can tell you there are very few people in the entire building who had access to the opinion,' he said on Fox.

'I am virtually certain there are number people inside the court, probably figured out who it is. That person needs to be brought to justice and held to account to what they did. This is the first and what I predict will be a series of other attempts to delegitimize the supreme court of the United States in the coming months.'

Tennessee's Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn tweeted: 'I have no doubt that the Chief Justice will work to root out the radical activist that betrayed the sacred tradition of the court. The leaker must be immediately removed from their position and exiled from the legal community.'

Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Texas said: 'It is unfortunate that the news of the greatest victory for the Pro Life movement comes on the heels of one of the most profound breaches of trust the Court has ever seen.'

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas called on President Joe Biden's Justice Department to 'get to the bottom' of the matter and, like his colleagues, shared praise for the high court's reported decision.

'The Supreme Court & the DOJ must get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary. In the meantime, Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life,' Cotton said on Monday night.

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee called for the leaker to be 'brought to justice.' He's on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts'

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

Republicans celebrated the decision, calling it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

Pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List hailed the report as a victory for their movement.

The opinion draft - originally obtained by Politico - was written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court

'If the draft opinion made public tonight is the final opinion of the court, we wholeheartedly applaud the decision. The American people have the right to act through their elected officials to debate and enact laws that protect unborn children and honor women,' SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. 'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature.'

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the 'world is about to hear [the] fury' of 'our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers' as he vowed to fight back against the decision

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, questioned why the opinion was leaked

Reaction to the news of Alito's draft opinion was swift Monday night, with conservative lawmakers celebrating the news after decades of fighting for an end to abortion rights - though they raised doubts about why the decision was leaked in the first place.

Mike Gibbons, who is currently facing Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance in the Republican primary for an Ohio Senate seat, wrote that the decision marked a 'huge pro-life victory,' noting it's 'great to see the Court recognize all life is protected under the Constitution.

'We still have to make sure we elect candidates that will continue to defend the unborn, which is exactly what I'll do in the U.S. Senate.

Others, though, raised doubts about why the opinion was leaked to POLITICO, with Marco Rubio writing: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions and norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion.'

Republican Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also tweeted that the leak is 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.'

'The Justices mustn't give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' Hawley wrote. 'Stay strong.'

Embattled Congressmember Madison Cawthorn also tweeted that the story 'was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down.'

'Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong,' he urged his followers, noting: 'Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win.'

And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, said in a statement she is 'overwhelmed with emotion because this is the best news of our lifetime.

'This is a great victory for God and the unborn who have been innocently slain for years, my entire lifetime,' she said.

'I want to urge everyone to continue to pray, people all over our country, people all over our world, have been praying to end abortion.

'I want you to understand that there is going to be a major pushback in our country because there's going to be people that are going to fight to keep it and they're going to fight keep murdering the innocent unborn.

'I want you to dig in in prayer and faith and continue to pray that this actually comes true when they do release their opinion that Roe v Wade will be overturned and abortion will end and this will return the rights back to the states.

'I urge every single strong pro-life state to end it,' she wrote.

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

Rubio questioned the leak of Alito's decision as a liberal plot on Monday night

Conservatives celebrated the news on Twitter Monday night - even as they questioned the leak

A number of Democrats have since come out against the decision, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying in a joint statement that the decision 'would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.'

They also used the opportunity to slam former President Trump, saying: 'Several of these conservative justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the Constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century.

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump,' the two top Congressional Democrats continued, adding: 'Every Republican Senator who supported Sen. McConnell and voted for Trump justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people.'

And one-time Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted Monday night she is 'not surprised' by the news.

'This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights and lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law,' she wrote. 'It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal.

'What an utter disgrace.'

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement following the news - apparently using the opportunity to slam former President Donald Trump

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted that she was 'not surprised' by the news, but thought it was an 'utter disgrace'

Many have now said they would fight the decision if it were passed - either at the federal or the state level.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy reminded his followers that he signed into law the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies the right to an abortion into New Jersey law.

'New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights,' he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said abortions rights would not be overturned 'on my watch,' and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also promised that 'abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York,' saying it will welcome anyone who says they need an abortion 'with open arms.'

'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed,' Hochul tweeted.

At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James also promised in a tweet to 'do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion' adding, 'Congress must act immediately to do the same.'

And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will 'fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal and accessible in our state.'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also branded the Supreme Court 'extremist' in a tweet saying it will 'impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country.

'It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard,' Warren wrote. 'We're not going backnot ever.'

Prominent Democrats from across the country raged against the news on Twitter, as several Democratic governors vowed to protect abortion rights in their states

Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, warned that Alito's decision could also lead to bans on birth control as he claimed the decision is reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale.

He was referring to the novel by Margaret Atwood - which was later turned into a television show. In both iterations, women are forced by the state to give birth.

'The basic legal claim here is that the word 'abortion' doesn't appear in the Constitution, and of course it doesn't appear in the Constitution,' Raskin, a Constitutional lawyer, explained to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Monday night.

'But the Supreme Court in 1973, in Roe v. Wade or Griswold v. Connecticut - which was a 1965 decision by the Supreme Court striking down a law banning birth control, even for married couples in Connecticut - the Supreme Court said that the due process liberty clause include a right to privacy, over intimate decision making.

'So the point is that Justice Alito's decision would also apply, presumably, to the right to privacy in contraception,' he continued. 'If Casey is to fall, if Roe v. Wade is to fall, then Griswold v. Connecticut presumably is to follow as well because the word 'contraception' or 'birth control' doesn't appear in the Constitution [either].

'So this would appear to be an invitation to have Handmaid's Tale-type anti-feminist regulation and legislation all over the country,' Raskin concluded.

Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin compared a draft Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade to The Handmaid's Tale on Monday night

He explained in an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, left, that the decision could also jeopardize access to birth control

Raskin was referencing a Margaret Atwood novel - which later inspired a television show - in which women are forced by the state to give birth

The Supreme Court's draft decision has shaken the Supreme Court to its core, with barricades posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online.

The highly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign strategist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Such a ruling would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm election where Democrats are struggling to keep control of Congress.

Abortion would also become a major political issue in governors' races with states being given the right to determine whether or not to allow the procedure.
Hundreds of prisoners of war - including captured British fighters - could be forced to march through Moscow's Red Square during Vladimir Putin's Victory Day military parade, a think tank has warned.

The Ukraine-based Centre for Defence Strategies said that 500 captured fighters could be 'forced to go through Red Square for cameras', according to The Times.

Three British fighters could be among the 500 after Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, were captured by Russian forces in the besieged city of Mariupol last month while they were fighting along-side Ukrainian defenders.

The pair, who had both lived in Ukraine for some time, were paraded on Russian state television after being seized when a large number of fighters surrendered.

A third British fighter, Andrew Hill, was also detained in Russia after a video surfaced showing the father of four from Plymouth being interrogated on Russian TV.

President Putin's annual military parade is held on May 9 to mark the anniversary of the end of fighting in Europe during the Second World War, in 1945.

Each year, thousands of Russian soldiers march through Moscow's famous red square while showing off the country's latest hardware - including tanks, artillery, nuclear missiles and armoured vehicles - while fighter jets stream overhead.

Hundreds of prisoners of war - including captured British fighters - could be forced to march through Moscow's Red Square during Vladimir Putin's Victory Day military parade, a think tank has warned. Pictured: Russian artillery vehicles, tanks and military vehicles roll along Tverskaya street toward Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade

Some analysts had predicted that Putin wanted to be in a position where he could declare some form of victory in Ukraine on May 9. But with the parade now just six days away, that is looking less likely.

Instead, Western officials believe that Putin could use the event to formally declare war on Ukraine, which would mean he could mobilise Russia's reserve forces.

Speaking on Friday, Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace predicted the Russian president would declare a new war against the world's 'Nazis' at the parade.

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.

Putin, having failed in nearly all objectives, may seek to consolidate what he's got... and just be a sort of cancerous growth within the country,' he continued.

'We have to help Ukrainians effectively get the limpet off the rock and keep the momentum pushing them back.'

Three British fighters could be among the 500 prisoners of war after Aiden Aslin (right), 28, and Shaun Pinner (left), 48, were captured by Russian forces in the besieged city of Mariupol last month while they were fighting along-side Ukrainian defenders

Pictured: Aiden Aslin (left) and Shaun Pinner (right), who had both lived in Ukraine for some time, were paraded on Russian state television after being seized when a large number of fighters surrendered

Andrew Hill was also paraded on Kremlin TV after being captured by the Russians in Ukraine

Each year, thousands of Russian soldiers march through Moscow's famous red square while showing off the country's latest hardware - including tanks, artillery, nuclear missiles and armoured vehicles - while fighter jets stream overhead. Pictured: The parade in 2021

Mr Wallace said that while he had no intelligence saying that Putin was planning such an announcement, it was likely given his previous comments.

'We have seen a number of statements from Putin about this becoming a war, "this is a proxy war" - which it isn't - and "Nazis are everywhere", basically, "they are not just in Ukraine, NATO is full of Nazis'.

'I think he will try to move from his "special operation",' Mr Wallace told LBC. 'He's been rolling the pitch, laying the ground for being able to say "look, this is now a war against Nazis, and what I need is more people. I need more Russian cannon fodder".'

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.

The pope said on Tuesday on that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had told him Russia planned to end the war on May 9. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier this week that Moscow would not rush to meet that symbolic date.

Putin launched his illegal invasion of Ukraine on February 24, calling it a 'special military operation' to 'de-nazify' Russia's neighbour - despite its president Volodymyr Zelensky being Jewish, and the far-right enjoying little support in the country.

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.

Some analysts had predicted that Putin wanted to be in a position where he could declare some form of victory in Ukraine on May 9. But with the parade now just six days away, that is looking less likely. Western officials now believe Putin will use the occasion to officially declare war on Ukraine, which would allow him to deploy Russia's reserve forces

However, as in the first months of the invasion, Russian forces are being met with heavy Ukrainian resistance from Kyiv's determined armies.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said today that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been hampered by strategic incompetence that has left its armed forces 'significantly weaker' and less feared, despite Moscow doubling its military budget in 13 years.

According to the MoD, from 2005 to 2018 Russia pumped billions into its 'New Look' military modernisation project, investing heavily in its land, air and sea capabilities.

This has seen the development of new missile systems (that have been hailed by President Vladimir Putin as being superior to western equivalents), the overhaul of its Soviet-era tactics and the procurement of more modern military equipment.

However, despite spending more than $65billion on its military in 2021, Russian forces have been unable to dominate Ukraine due to poor strategy and execution, the MoD said.

In an update yesterday, the MoD said that Russia has lost a quarter of its combat forces deployed in Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion.

According to intelligence experts, Russia committed more than 120 battalion tactical groups, some 65 per cent of their entire ground combat strength.

As a result, Putin's forces have been wakened 'both materially and conceptually,' the MoD said in its daily update on the situation in Ukraine. Western sanctions mean it will take years for the country's military to recover from its losses.

'Russia's defence budget approximately doubled between 2005 and 2018, with investment in several high-end air, land and sea capabilities,' the MoD said on Tuesday. 'From 2008 this underpinned the expansive military modernisation programme New Look.

'However, the modernisation of its physical equipment has not enabled Russia to dominate Ukraine. Failures both in strategic planning and operational execution have left it unable to translate numerical strength into decisive advantage.'

'Russia's military is now significantly weaker, both materially and conceptually, as a result of its invasion of Ukraine,' Britain's defence ministry added. 'Recovery from this will be exacerbated by sanctions. This will have a lasting impact on Russia's ability to deploy conventional military force.'
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will be desperate to remain in power for fear of what his successor might do to him, a former top US general has said.

In the cutthroat halls of Russian power politics, where he cannot rely on the rule of law and institutions of government to protect him, Vladimir Putin may be in real danger from senior military and security figures over Russia's catastrophic performance in the invasion of Ukraine.

General Jack Keane believes Putin, who is reported to be in severely bad health, will do 'anything' to stay in power after finding the bite he has taken out of Ukraine might be more than he can chew.

'He's all about staying in power. That's his motivation. He will do anything to stay in power.

'He knows full well that a successor who doesn't agree with him could mean his demise.'

With the Russian war effort faltering and floundering each day a little more, greater and greater pressure is put on Putin to achieve some tangible success and ward off the powerful and aggressive 'siloviki' - or security bloc of ex-KGB officers.

Vladimir Putin chairing the his Security Council in which the decision to invase Ukraine was taken on Feb 21. He will be desperate to remain in power for fear of what his successor might do to him, a former top US general has said

General Jack Keane (above) told Fox Busines he believes Putin, who is reported to be in severely bad health, will do 'anything' to stay in power

Putin sits facing the members of Russia's Security Council in the Kremlin. With the Russian dictator's health failing and the invasion floundering, there is real concern of a 'palace coup'

Ex-FSB chief Patrushev (left) is a fearsome Kremlin official and war advocate (2015 image). He is reported to be Putin's choice to take the reigns of government while the leader undergoes cancer surgery

The yellow areas mark Russian retreat from Ukraine, something that the security establishment is apparently furious about and blames Putin

They reportedly blame the Russian president, who is thought to be scheduled for cancer surgery in the near future, for the embarrassing failure to even attempt to take Kyiv and the retreat from northern Ukraine.

'He still wants to take the country over, topple the regime - and I take Putin seriously,' General Keane continued to Fox Business.

'I think many of us discounted him for a number of years, but he is about returning to the Russian Empire.

'I think as long as he's in power, he will be in pursuit of it.'

He added: 'He has no future beyond him being the president of Russia. That's a fact.'

Russian leaders have a mixed record of surviving losing power in a country where democratic norms have never taken root.

Putin himself was respectful to his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, refusing to prosecute him for the various accusations of corruption that surrounded him and his daughter from his time in power.

Putin, pictured last week, reportedly has Parkinson's, cancer and schizophrenic symptoms

Putin seems not to have much faith in any successor that might follow him and finds himself trapped in the classic dictator's dilemma, in which he cannot hand over power for fear that his successor might prosecute him or strip him of assets he has accumulated or even have him killed

And Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet premier, still lives free and unbothered near Moscow at the age of 91.

But Putin himself seems not to have such faith in any successor that might follow him and finds himself trapped in the classic dictator's dilemma, in which he cannot hand over power for fear that his successor might prosecute him or strip him of assets he has accumulated or even have him killed.

As a keen student of history, the Russian president will be aware of the circumstances surrounding the death of the last great Russian dictator, Joseph Stalin.

His advisor Lavrentiy Beria, upon finding the tyrant on his death bed, is reputed to have said: 'Cant you see, Comrade Stalin is sleeping soundly? Dont disturb him and stop alarming us.'

It is thought that a powerful bloc among the country's generals are eager to declare all out total war on Ukraine, invade Moldova and even take on NATO due to its material support for Ukraine.

But the Russian war machine has been hampered by strategic incompetence that has left its armed forces 'significantly weaker' and less feared, despite Moscow doubling its military budget in 13 years, Britain's Ministry of Defence says.

And the MoD said that Russia has lost a quarter of its combat forces deployed in Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion.

According to intelligence experts, Russia committed more than 120 battalion tactical groups, some 65 per cent of their entire ground combat strength.

Meanwhile the Russian dictator is reported to have scheduled cancer surgery in the near future and will be out of commission - and hence acutely vulnerable to a palace coup - for several days.

He will reportedly hand over the reigns of the war to hardline Security Council head and ex-Federal Security Service (FSB) chief Nikolai Patrushev while he is under the knife.

At the same time, Ukraine's top military spy has suggested the only way Russia will stop its brutal invasion is if Vladimir Putin dies.

Kyrylo Budanov said it is 'unrealistic' to expect the Kremlin to completely withdraw its forces from Ukraine.

When asked if Putin could end the war alive, he told The New Voice of Ukraine: 'Leaving him a way to retreat is one of the strategies, but it is almost unrealistic.'
The recent global outbreak has puzzled scientists, who do not yet know cause

Most cases in Europe but some in Americas, Western Pacific and Southeast Asia

WHO says at least 228 hepatitis cases have been detected in 20 countries

Eight more countries have reported cases of a mystery hepatitis in children in the past week, the World Health Organization has confirmed.

It brings the total number of countries with cases to 20. Globally, 228 children have been sickened with an unusual form of the liver disease and another 50 suspected cases are being probed.

One death has been confirmed but four more are suspected, and 18 children have required a liver transplant.

Experts say the current count could be the 'tip of the iceberg', with many countries only now stepping up surveillance for the unusual complication.

Most of the cases so far have been detected in Europe but there are others in the Americas, the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Scientists are puzzled by the spate of cases because none of the affected children have tested positive for normal hepatitis-causing viruses.

Adenoviruses  which normally cause the common cold and stomach bugs  are thought to be the culprit, despite rarely causing liver inflammation.

There are concerns lockdowns may have weakened children's immunity to normally benign viruses and investigations are also looking at whether a mutated adenovirus or Covid are involved.

But UK scientists have admitted it could take at least three months until health chiefs know exactly what is behind the spate of cases.

The World Health Organization has been informed of at least 228 children who were suffering from the liver inflammation condition by the start of the month, while an additional 50 under investigation

Covid lockdowns may be behind the mysterious spate of hepatitis cases in children because they reduced social mixing and weakened their immunity, experts claim

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 up to two deaths 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* Austria Germany Poland Cyprus Slovenia Maldives Occupied Palestinian territory 145 27 22 12 Six Fewer than five Four Nine Two Two One One Three Unspecified Two One One Two One One One *cases in Canada and Illinois, Wisconsin and New York are still yet to be confirmed What are the top theories? Co-infection Experts say the cases may be linked to adenovirus, commonly associated with colds, but further research is ongoing. This, in combination with Covid infections, could be causing the spike in cases. The WHO reported adenovirus has been detected in at least 74 of the cases. At least 20 of the children tested positive for the coronavirus. Weakened immunity British experts tasked with investigating the spate of illnesses believe the endless cycle of lockdowns may have played a contributing role. Restrictions may have weakened children's immunity because of reduced social mixing, leaving them at heightened risk of adenovirus. This means even 'normal' adenovirus could be causing the severe outcomes, because children are not responding to it how they did in the past. Adenovirus mutation Other scientists said it may have been the adenovirus that has acquired 'unusual mutations'. This would mean it could be more transmissible or better able to get around children's natural immunity. New Covid variant UKHSA officials included 'a new variant of SARS-CoV-2' in their working hypotheses. Covid has caused liver inflammation in very rare cases during the pandemic, although these have been across all ages rather than isolated in children. Environmental triggers The UKHSA has noted environmental triggers are still being probed as possible causes of the illnesses. These could include pollution or exposure to particular drugs or toxins. Advertisement

WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva today: 'As of May 1, at least 228 probable cases were reported to WHO from 20 countries, with over 50 additional cases under investigation.'

Most of the cases have been detected in the UK (145) and US (20), which have some of the strongest surveillance systems.

It previously announced hepatitis cases of an 'unknown origin' had been confirmed in Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands, as well as Israel, Denmark, Norway and Romania.

In its first update on the hepatitis outbreak since April 23, the WHO said cases have spread to eight more countries.

The agency did not reveal which countries had reported the extra cases but other health bodies revealed Austria, Germany, Poland, Japan and Canada have detected cases, while Singapore is probing a possible case in a 10-month-old baby.

And Indonesia yesterday said three children had died from suspected hepatitis of unknown cause.

The 145 affected children in Britain, who have mainly been aged five and under, initially suffered from diarrhoea and nausea, followed by jaundice  yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes.

The WHO confirmed one death, although it did not reveal the location. One fatality in the US is being probed, along with the three in Indonesia.

UK health chiefs told MailOnline today that no hepatitis deaths have been logged in Britain.

The youngsters in Indonesia, aged two, eight and 11, suffered from a fever, jaundice, as well as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and dark-coloured urine.

The country's health chiefs suspect the cases were hepatitis but they are running tests to determine whether the usual A to E hepatitis viruses were behind them, or if their origin is unknown.

The WHO was first informed of the cases by health chiefs in Scotland on April 5, after they detected 10 cases in children under the age of 10, the earliest of which was dated back to January.

This was more than the average of seven to eight non-A to E hepatitis cases that Scotland usually logs over the course of a year.

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.

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.

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'.
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They were the brave female pilots who, by helping to deliver 309,000 aircraft, contributed to victory against Nazi Germany.

Despite opposition from the top brass of the Royal Air Force, the Spitfire Women of the Second World War flew Spitfires and other aircraft from factories to other bases in Britain so they could be fitted with weapons and instruments and be made ready for combat.

Now, eight decades on, the pilots - who were part of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) - are among 'unsung' female heroes from the war being honoured on a set of stamps that are being issued by the Royal Mail on Thursday.

Among those celebrated on the stamps is Diana Barnato Walker, who is seen climbing aboard a Mk IX Spitfire at RAF Hamble, Hampshire, dressed in her trademark fleece-lined leather jacket.

She is believed to have been the only British woman to fly a Spitfire into occupied Europe during the Second World War.

Also seen is ferry pilot Faith Bennet - who had been an actress before the war and had been married to Hollywood screenwriter Charles Bennett - at the controls of a Lockheed Hudson bomber.

Other images show female codebreakers at the legendary Bletchley Park, air raid wardens standing amid the rubble of destroyed buildings, and nurses at work on the front line.

A stamp showing a mechanic who is believed to be Lance Corporal Adina Henrietta Williams - a former nurse from British Guyana - repairing vehicles - is also among the collection.

The stamp designs have been approved by the Queen and will prove special to her because the 96-year-old monarch served in the ATS as a mechanic during the latter part of the war.

The 'Spitfire Women' of the Second World War are among those being celebrated by the Royal Mail on a new set of stamps. Pictured: Diana Barnato Walker, who is seen climbing aboard a Mk IX Spitfire at RAF Hamble, Hampshire, dressed in her trademark fleece-lined leather jacket

This stamp shows some of the Spitfire Women emerging from an Avro Anson aircraft. In compiling the collection, Royal Mail worked with historians Professor Lucy Noakes, Professor Richard Overy and Richard Poad from the Air Transport Auxiliary Museum

Another stamp in the collection shows female pilots meeting in their briefing room. The woman in the centre of the image has been identified as First Officer Maureen Dunlop  she was in the ATA and was well-known. None of the other women have been identified

The main set of ten stamps that are being released are titled Unsung Heroes: Women of World War II. They highlight the huge range of work women undertook during the war.

The Spitfire Women are shown on a further four stamps, which are presented on a miniature sheet.

A presentation pack containing all the stamps costs 16.

In compiling the collection, Royal Mail worked with historians Professor Lucy Noakes, Professor Richard Overy and Richard Poad from the Air Transport Auxiliary Museum.

Until 1941, women's work in the war effort was voluntary but the increased demands of the conflict against Adolf Hitler's forces prompted Winston Churchill's government to introduce female conscription.

By the middle of 1943, the majority of British women were in wartime employment, either in industry, agriculture, or the women's auxiliary services.

The ATS had been set up in 1938, whilst the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and Women's Royal Naval Service was established a year later.

Historian Giles Whittell, the author of a book about the Spitfire Women, told the BBC's Today Programme this morning that the role of the female pilots was 'crucial'.

'Typical flights involved ferrying planes without instruments or weapons, but from the factories to the plants where they would get kitted out with the instruments,' he said.

Another stamp shows female codebreakers working at the legendary Bletchley Park during the war. The top secret codebreaking facility was based at a country house and was where a team that included Alan Turing cracked the German Enigma machine

A female air raid warden is shown on another of Royal Mail's new stamps. The woman is seen walking amidst piles of rubble

A stamp showing a mechanic who is believed to be Lance Corporal Adina Henrietta Williams - a former nurse from British Guyana - repairing vehicles - is also among the collection

Some women who served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service also manned spotlights that picked out German planes conducting bombing raids

'So if the weather was bad they were supposed not to fly but if they did and they flew above the cloud they had broken a cardinal rule but some of them did anyway.'

He added: 'So some of the resourceful pilots got themselves trained up by chatting up male officers and training personnel but otherwise it was extremely dangerous and by my count about 1 in 10 of them died. Many of them simply by flying into the sea or into hills.'

Mr Whittell said that the female pilots faced sexism from senior members of the RAF, who could 'not get their heads around' the fact that women were flying planes.

A ban on women delivering planes across the Channel was imposed due to the opposition to female pilots. It was only lifted near the end of the war.

ATS girl Lance Corporal Williams was one of many volunteers from what were then British colonies and Dominions who contributed to the fight against Nazi Germany.

Former actress Ms Bennett, who was born Margaret Ellen Riddick, was born in 1903 and died in 1969.

She began calling herself Faith Bennett after marrying Hollywood writer Charles Alfred Seiny Bennett in 1930.

Also seen is ferry pilot Faith Bennet - who had been an actress before the war and had been married to Hollywood screenwriter Charles Bennett - at the controls of a Lockheed Hudson bomber

Women from the Women's Royal Naval Service are seen at work in another of Royal Mail's new stamps. They will be available for purchase from Thursday

Workers from the Women's Timber Corps, which was part of the Women's Land Army, are seen cutting a felled tree into pieces

Thousands of women also worked in factories across Britain during the Second World War. Above: One of the new stamps

According to the Internet Movie Database, she is known for productions including Seeing is Believing (1934), Master and Man (1934) and Eyes of Fate (1933).

The star took up flying and passed her 'A' license in 1934. Even though she and her husband divorced in 1941, Ms Bennett kept her married name.

She joined the ATA in July 1941 and went on to have two accidents which left her injured.

The first was the result of a mishap in a Hurricane. In a second accident in 1943 she sustained concussion.

Ms Bennett left the ATA in 1945 and married Herbert Henry Newmark in the summer of 1946.

An award for female pilots that was named after Ms Bennett by the British Women's Pilots' Association still exists.

Another stamp in the collection shows female pilots meeting in their briefing room. The woman in the centre of the image has been identified as First Officer Maureen Dunlop  she was in the ATA and was well-known.

None of the other women are named and could not be identified.

Another stamp shows female nurses from Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service at work during the war

The Women's Voluntary Services helped to keep troops supplied with equipment during the war, amid intense fighting with Germany

The Women's Auxiliary Air Force also played a key role in keeping aircraft maintained throughout the conflict with Germany

Ms Dunlop grew up in Argentina before coming to England in 1941. There, she volunteered for the ATA and served as a ferry pilot until the end of the war.

The photo showing Ms Walker was taken at RAF Hamble, in Hampshire, in May 1945.

Born 15 Jan 1918, Diana joined ATA in December 1941 with very few flying hours, but became one of ATA's most accomplished pilots, being based at Hamble.

She was the only British woman on record to fly, at the controls of a Mk IX Spitfire, over the Channel into occupied Europe during the second world war.

Volunteering for service in September 1939, she delivered 260 unarmed Spitfires from factories to RAF airfields between 1942 and 1945.

After the war she was Corps Pilot to the Womens Junior Air Corps and broke the sound barrier in 1963  for a time she was the fastest woman in the world. She died in 2008, aged 90.

David Gold, the Royal Mail's director of external affairs and policy, said: 'These stamps are a tribute to the millions of women who contributed to the war effort and the Allied victory.

'Their bravery and sacrifice is often overlooked, but their work helped to drive some of the post-war social changes that eventually saw equal opportunities and equal pay legislation.

'We must also remember the women who supported the war effort at home, managing households despite the unceasing demands of total war.'
Billionaire Bill Gates confirmed during a TODAY Show interview Tuesday that he 'caused pain' to his ex-wife Melinda and 'certainly made mistakes' in their marriage, but refused to address any allegations of infidelity

Billionaire Bill Gates confirmed he 'caused pain' to his ex-wife and 'certainly made mistakes' in their marriage, but refused to address any allegations of infidelity.

Gates, 66, was asked about his faithfulness to his former wife during a TODAY Show interview Tuesday after Melinda French Gates, 57, suggested in March that he had more than one affair throughout their 27-year-marriage.

'I certainly made mistakes, and I take responsibility,' Gates told anchor Savannah Guthrie, declining to elaborate further. 'I don't think delving into the particulars at this point is constructive, but yes, I caused pain, and I feel terrible about that.'

Melinda suggested during an interview in March that Gates had more than one affair throughout their 27-year-marriage.

'Those are questions Bill needs to answer,' she said when asked about reports he cheated multiple times. He previously acknowledged one affair.

'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.'

During that same interview, Melinda revealed that she and Gates are not friends, but are 'friendly' and continue to work together.

The Microsoft co-founder's admission of marital mistakes comes just two days after he shared how he made 'a huge mistake' by attending fundraising meetings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.





Gates 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.

The billionaire revealed Tuesday that Melinda had advised against getting involved with the financier.

'I certainly made a huge mistake. Not only meeting him in the first place, but I met with him a number of times,' Gates told Guthrie. 'I had a goal of raising money for global health. I didn't realize that meeting with him almost downplayed the incredibly awful things he did.

'I learned more about that over time. But, you know, I'd add that to the list of big mistakes, including where Melinda's advice was sound and I should have followed it sooner than I did.'

The TODAY host hit back, questioning why Gates seemingly wasn't concerned about working with Epstein even though Melinda allegedly had a 'visceral reaction the first time she met him.'

'No, he was a bad person,' the billionaire answered. 'I had a reason that I thought those meetings would lead to something good. But I shouldn't have done them.'

'I certainly made mistakes, and I take responsibility,' Gates said of his marriage to Melinda French Gates. 'I don't think delving into the particulars at this point is constructive, but yes, I caused pain, and I feel terrible about that.' The former couple is pictured together in 2019

Gates' admission of fault comes just two days after he shared how he made 'a huge mistake' by attending fundraising meetings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein . The pair are pictured together at Epstein's mansion in 2011

BILL GATES ON DIVORCE:



Bill Gates: "I certainly made mistakes ... I don't think delving into the particulars is constructive. Yes, I caused pain and I feel terrible about that."@SavannahGuthrie: "What have you learned about yourself?" pic.twitter.com/ltIbESBXlj  TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 3, 2022

His remarks echoed the narrative he gave The Times in an interview published Sunday which also probed his working relationship with Epstein.

'At the time, I didn't realize that by having those meetings it would be seen as giving him credibility,' Gates told the newspaper.

'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.'

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.

EXCLUSIVE with @SavannahGuthrie:



Savannah: Why did you continue to meet with [Jeffrey Epstein]?



Bill Gates: Id add that to the list of big mistakes including, where Melindas advice was sound and I should have followed that sooner than I did. pic.twitter.com/ogsqQC4Gq0  TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 3, 2022

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

Melinda Gates and Bill Gates speak on stage during The Robin Hood Foundation's benefit in New York City in May 2018

The Microsoft co-founder reportedly visited Epstein's home numerous times and even talked with him about his 'toxic' marriage while the pedophile allegedly gave him advice on ending the union, 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.

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.

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 photo shows Bill and Melinda Gates while they were dating before getting married

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, who was probed about the affair during his TODAY interview Tuesday, has refused to say whether he cheated on Melinda.

He admitted to making mistakes that he 'feels terrible about' and humbly acknowledged that he is no expert on marriage.

'Divorce is definitely a sad thing,' he told Guthrie. 'I have responsibility for causing a lot of pain to my family.'

'I feel good that all of us is moving forward,' he said, before stating he was in no position to reveal life lessons or offer advice to the public.

'You know, there are areas like climate or, you know, health where I have expertise,' he said. 'And on personal matters like this - you know, I don't think of myself as an expert. I should be very humble about...

'Success has a tricky aspect to it. So, I don't have great advice for other people.'

He was also questioned about a statement he made in May 2021 where he revealed that he would marry Melinda 'all over again' and described their marriage as 'great'.

Gates told TODAY co-host Savannah Guthrie that he and Melinda keep their priorities focused on their children and the Gates Foundation, which he feels 'very lucky' to continue to share with his ex-wife

Guthrie, however, pointed out that Melinda only described the pair as 'friendly' but 'not necessarily friends'.

'How do you see the relationship moving forward?' she asked.

Gates replied: 'Well this was a very tough thing. We had a lot of amazing things in our marriage. The kids, the foundation. The enjoyment we had. And so it is a very hard adjustment.

'I know divorces are different. But, you know, just a complete change and we were partners. We kind of grew up together. And now that's different. We're not married.'

He did say their priorities remain on their children and the Gates Foundation, which he feels 'very lucky' to continue to share with Melinda.

'One of the things we built together is the Gates Foundation and we love that work,' he explained. 'We've got all the resources I was lucky enough to get. We've got Warren Buffett committed massive resources. So making sure that is spent well, saves lives. Melinda and I love doing that work together.

'So I feel very lucky that I is still have that with her. As well as, you know, we've got three incredible kids.'

Jennifer Gates shared a new photo from her lavish wedding that took place last October, capturing her father Bill Gates beaming at her in her bridal gown

Both Bill and Melinda were there to walk Jennifer down the aisle on her big day

Jennifer Gates married Egyptian equestrian Nayel Nassar in a secret ceremony the day before the announced wedding date

The couple's oldest daughter, Jennifer Gates, married Egyptian equestrian Nayel Nassar in a secret ceremony last October the day before their announced wedding date.

Jennifer and Nassar then had a lavish $2million wedding at her home in North Salem, New York on October 16.

Both Gates and Melinda were in attendance and together walked their daughter down the aisle.

The formerly married couple was also spotted mingling with guests at the dinner and reception in their first appearance together since separating.

Bill and Melinda Gates walk their daughter, Jennifer Gates, into her wedding on the family's property in North Salem, NY
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President Joe Biden said women have a 'fundamental' right to an abortion and called on American voters to 'elect pro-choice officials this November' in Tuesday morning statement, hours after a memo leaked that suggests the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade.

He also pledged the White House would be 'ready when any ruling is issued.' The Supreme Court confirmed the draft was authentic late on Tuesday morning.

Biden reasserted his position after the leak was confirmed, telling reporters just before boarding Air Force one that it was 'really quite a radical decision' and 'a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence.'

The president also said it could regulate all the decisions in an American's private life such as 'who you marry, whether or not you decide to conceive a child or not, whether or not you can have a abortion, a range of other decisions.'

Less than 12 hours earlier, the Democratic leaders of Congress released a joint statement blasting the leaked opinion as an 'abomination' and accusing the high court's conservatives of 'ripping up the Constitution.'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer then took to the Senate floor and delivered a searing rebuke echoing his Monday night statement with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and announcing the Senate will hold a vote on federal abortion legislation -- after a similar effort tanked earlier this year.

It comes as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other conservative lawmakers cheered the potential ruling, while calling for investigations and even criminal charges for the source of the historic leak.

'I just got a call saying that it's been announced that it is a real draft but it doesn't represent who's gonna vote for it yet. I hope there are not enough votes for it,' Biden said of the drafted opinion, which does not represent a final decision by the court.

Referencing his career on the Senate Judiciary committee, which included the torpedoed confirmation hearings of right-wing former Solicitor General Robert Bork, Biden continued: 'It's the main reason why I worked so hard to keep Robert Bork off the court, it reflects his view almost -- almost-- anyway, look. The idea that -- it concerns me a great deal that were gonna, after 50 years, decide that a woman does not have the right to choose.'

'Equally profound is the rationale used -- it would mean that every other decision relating to the notion of privacy is thrown into question.'

'If the rationale of the decision as released were to be sustained, a whole range of rights would be in question,' Biden continued. 'If it becomes a law and if what is written is remained, it goes far beyond the concern of whether or not there is the right to choose. It goes to other basic rights.'

Also on the Supreme Court fight...

Chief Justice John Roberts announced an investigation into the source of the Supreme Court leak

Progressive lawmakers have renewed calls to abolish the filibuster in order to pass federal abortion protections

Twenty-six Republican-controlled states are poised to ban abortion rights if Roe v. Wade is overturned

The leaked draft is part of a case currently being deliberated in front of the court, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, where Mississippi officials are looking to outlaw abortion after 15 weeks and scrap Roe altogether

Senate GOP Leader McConnell called for the leaker to face criminal charges

Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin claimed the next step after removing federal abortion protections would be legalizing forced sterilization for women

The draft opinion was authored by Justice Samuel Alito and only directly represents his views, but could signal the court's conservative supermajority feels the same

GOP Senator Susan Collins said the opinion is 'completely inconsistent with what [Trump-appointed] Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.'

Republican Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker stood with Democratic state leaders to criticize the draft

Pro-life and pro-choice demonstrators gather in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on May 3

The court is expected to issue a decision by June. The draft opinion calls the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade decision 'egregiously wrong from the start'

There are 18 states that have near-total bans on their books, while four more have time-limit band and four others are likely to pass new bans if Roe is overturned

Biden began his written statement pointing out his White House's efforts to protect abortion writes, declaring: 'My administration argued strongly before the Court in defense of Roe v. Wade.

We said that Roe is based on a long line of precedent recognizing the Fourteenth Amendments concept of personal liberty against government interference with intensely personal decisions. I believe that a womans right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.'

He also repeated past condemnation of Texas state law SB 8, nicknamed the Heartbeat Act, which limits abortions after six weeks -- before most women even know they're pregnant.

'Second, shortly after the enactment of Texas law SB 8 and other laws restricting womens reproductive rights, I directed my Gender Policy Council and White House Counsels Office to prepare options for an Administration response to the continued attack on abortion and reproductive rights, under a variety of possible outcomes in the cases pending before the Supreme Court. We will be ready when any ruling is issued,' Biden said.

His last point was a direct appeal to American voters -- and perhaps a veiled shot at moderate senators like Joe Manchin, who voted along with Republicans to block Democrats' last attempt to federalize abortion rights with the Womens Health Protection Act in March.

'If the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November,' Biden pressed.

'At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe which I will work to pass and sign into law.'

Top Democrats blast Trump and the Republican lawmakers who allowed three conservatives justices onto the Supreme Court

Less than two hours later, Schumer blasted former President Donald Trump and the Republican lawmakers who aided him in getting three conservative justices onto the Supreme Court to form its decisive right-wing majority.

'This is a dark and disturbing morning for America,' the New York Democrat began.

'Under this decision, our children will have less rights than their parents.'

He continued, 'These conservative justices who are in no way accountable to the American people have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution, and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation.'

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has completely devolved into the party of Trump.'

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell returned fire, criticizing Biden, Pelosi and Schumer's statements as 'disgraceful.'

'The disgraceful statements by President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer refuse to defend judicial independence and the rule of law and instead play into this toxic spectacle. Real leaders should defend the Courts independence unconditionally,' McConnell said.

The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the US, according to a leaked draft of a majority opinion that would shred nearly 50 years of constitutional protections

Democrat lawmakers have ramped up calls to enshrine abortion rights in federal law while Republicans have been demanding to know who leaked the court's draft

President Joe Biden vowed the White House would be 'ready' whenever the Supreme Court did deliver an opinion on Roe v. Wade

He also called on the leaker to be investigated and even criminally charged.

'Last nights stunning breach was an attack on the independence of the Supreme Court. By every indication, this was yet another escalation in the radical lefts ongoing campaign to bully and intimidate federal judges and substitute mob rule for the rule of law,' McConnell declared.

Biden's full statement on reported Supreme Court leak We do not know whether this draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the Court. With that critical caveat, I want to be clear on three points about the cases before the Supreme Court. First, my administration argued strongly before the Court in defense of Roe v. Wade. We said that Roe is based on a long line of precedent recognizing the Fourteenth Amendments concept of personal liberty against government interference with intensely personal decisions. I believe that a womans right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned. Second, shortly after the enactment of Texas law SB 8 and other laws restricting womens reproductive rights, I directed my Gender Policy Council and White House Counsels Office to prepare options for an Administration response to the continued attack on abortion and reproductive rights, under a variety of possible outcomes in the cases pending before the Supreme Court. We will be ready when any ruling is issued. Third, if the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law. Advertisement

'This lawless action should be investigated and punished as fully as possible. The Chief Justice must get to the bottom of it and the Department of Justice must pursue criminal charges if applicable.'

The Supreme Court confirms the leaked draft opinion is authentic and opens an investigation

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

The Supreme Court confirmed the draft was authentic in a late Tuesday morning statement but defended it as 'a routine and essential part of the Court's confidential deliberative work,' nor does it 'represent a decision by the court or the final position of any member.'

'To the extent this betrayal of confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way,' Chief Justice John Roberts said in the statement.

'We at the Court are blessed to have a workforce -- permanent employees and law clerks alike -- intensely loyal to the institution and dedicated to the rule of law. Court employees are an exemplary and important tradition of respecting the confidentiality of the judicial process and upholding the trust of the court.'

Roberts announced that the court would open an investigation into the source of the leak.

Conservatives throughout the country celebrated the news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that is set to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case - but have denounced the leak as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Progressives including AOC and Bernie Sanders demand Congress codify if abortion rights and renew calls for an end to the filibuster

Meanwhile progressives led Democrats' outrage over the stunning reversal of high court precedent, with some even renewing calls to end the Senate filibuster.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont both called for Congress to safeguard Roe v. Wade with federal legislation.

'People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter late Monday night.

She added: 'It's high time we do it.'

The firebrand Democrat posed a question to her colleagues asking them what message their outrage would be sending without action.

'It's time to be decisive, lead with confidence, fight for a prosperous future for all and protect the vulnerable,' she said.

On the other side of the aisle, Republicans are demanding investigations into who leaked the Supreme Court draft opinion.

Republicans launch calls for the hunt for the leaker and demand they be brought to justice

GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah said whoever leaked the explosive memo 'needs to be brought to justice' in an interview on Fox News soon after the report.

'This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates,' Lee said.

He also released a statement on Monday night calling the decision 'well-reasoned' but further panned the leak as 'dangerous, despicable, and damaging.'

The Utah conservative is on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts.'

'I have questions about whether that person should ever be allowed to practice law. That something that will be worked out in due time. These are small circles. As a former Supreme Court clerk I can tell you there are very few people in the entire building who had access to the opinion,' he said on Fox.

'I am virtually certain there are number people inside the court, probably figured out who it is. That person needs to be brought to justice and held to account to what they did. This is the first and what I predict will be a series of other attempts to delegitimize the supreme court of the United States in the coming months.'

Tennessee's Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn tweeted: 'I have no doubt that the Chief Justice will work to root out the radical activist that betrayed the sacred tradition of the court. The leaker must be immediately removed from their position and exiled from the legal community.'

Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Texas said: 'It is unfortunate that the news of the greatest victory for the Pro Life movement comes on the heels of one of the most profound breaches of trust the Court has ever seen.'

Protesters descended upon the court late on Monday night after Politico reported the Supreme Court's bombshell draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade

Meanwhile Democrats across the country have reacted with outrage, with many renewing calls for the landmark ruling to be codified into federal law

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas called on President Joe Biden's Justice Department to 'get to the bottom' of the matter and, like his colleagues, shared praise for the high court's reported decision.

'The Supreme Court & the DOJ must get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary. In the meantime, Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life,' Cotton said on Monday night.

Following suit, moderate Republican Senator Mitt Romney on Tuesday morning called for both an investigation and consequences.

The Utah lawmaker began his statement by lauding the reported high court decision and said: 'Laws regarding abortion would now be returned to the people and their elected representatives.'

'The breach of the Court's deliberative process, however, is an appalling affront against a critical institution and should be fully investigated and those responsible should be punished.'

Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said the leaker should be disbarred if they are a law clerk.

Pro-choice activists remained outside the Supreme Court into Tuesday morning, hours after the bombshell Monday night report

Democrats have been renewing calls to scuttle the Senate filibuster in order to pass legislation safeguarding Roe v. Wade

Sanders led the left wing in demanding his colleagues scuttle the filibuster to pass pro-choice legislation with a simple majority.

'Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes,' the Independent senator said.

Democrats previously tried to scuttle the filibuster to pass federal voting rights legislation with only their 50 seats in the chamber plus Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote, but the effort failed in the face of moderate opposition within their own party.

Sanders' former adviser and current Ohio House candidate Nina Turner echoed her ex-boss' calls.

'Protecting abortion rights is not a midterm pitchDemocrats have the power now. We have the majority in Congress and we have the White House. Instead of drafting fundraising emails tonight, our elected leaders should be in DC voting to codify Roe & getting rid of the filibuster,' Turner said on Twitter.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York called for top-down reforms on all levels of government, 'even if it means eliminating the filibuster.'

Meanwhile in Mississippi, whose Supreme Court case against the last abortion clinic in the state is at the heart of the greatest challenge to abortion rights this century, pro-life and pro-choice activists are demonstrating outside of the clinic on May 3

Clinic escorts stand on the other side of the entrance to direct and deflect any interference from anti-abortion protestors

'With far-right justices poised to overturn Roe, the lives of millions of Americans depend on us. We must codify the right to an abortion into federal laweven if it means eliminating the filibuster. We must flip state legislatures. And states like NY must open our doors,' Gillibrand wrote on Twitter.

On the House side, Ocasio-Cortez's fellow 'Squad' member Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri said the Supreme Court's reported decision is a national 'emergency.'

'Abolish the filibuster. Codify Roe. Expand the Supreme Court. Protect abortion rights by any means necessary. We need all of the above. This is an emergency,' Bush said on Tuesday morning.

Brian Fallon, Hillary Clinton's former 2016 press secretary who is co-founder and executive director of Demand Justice, publicly pondered if the leaker was a 'brave clerk' hoping public outrage would reverse the monumental decision.

'Is a brave clerk taking this unpredecented(sp) step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?' Fallon questioned.

Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee called for the leaker to be 'brought to justice.' He's on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts'

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

Alito's draft does not necessarily represent the sentiments of other justices who did not pen the opinion, but it's been suggested that the court's 5-3 conservative supermajority will likely deliver on the historic reversal.

Republicans celebrated the decision, calling it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

Pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List hailed the report as a victory for their movement.

'If the draft opinion made public tonight is the final opinion of the court, we wholeheartedly applaud the decision. The American people have the right to act through their elected officials to debate and enact laws that protect unborn children and honor women,' SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. 'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature.'

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

Republican appointed-Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett all voted to strike down Roe with Samuel Alito, Politico noted

The opinion draft - originally obtained by Politico - was written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court

Reaction to the news of Alito's draft opinion was swift Monday night, with conservative lawmakers celebrating the news after decades of fighting for an end to abortion rights - though they raised doubts about why the decision was leaked in the first place.

Mike Gibbons, who is currently facing Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance in the Republican primary for an Ohio Senate seat, wrote that the decision marked a 'huge pro-life victory,' noting it's 'great to see the Court recognize all life is protected under the Constitution.

'We still have to make sure we elect candidates that will continue to defend the unborn, which is exactly what I'll do in the U.S. Senate.

Others, though, raised doubts about why the opinion was leaked to POLITICO, with Marco Rubio writing: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions and norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion.'

Republican Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also tweeted that the leak is 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.'

'The Justices mustn't give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' Hawley wrote. 'Stay strong.'

Embattled Congressmember Madison Cawthorn also tweeted that the story 'was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down.'

'Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong,' he urged his followers, noting: 'Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win.'

Roe v. Wade: Which US states could make abortion illegal if landmark 1973 law is overturned... and what would it mean for women in America? Vital Q&A on looming Supreme Court decision The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the United States, according to a bombshell leaked draft of a majority opinion that suggests it may be poised to overturn the famous Roe v. Wade ruling. The 98-page draft revealed by Politico calls the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision - which held that access to abortion in the US is a constitutional right - 'egregiously wrong from the start'. Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The draft was written by Justice Samuel Alito and has been circulating inside the conservative-dominated court since February. The leak of a draft opinion while a case is still pending is an extraordinary breach. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. Here, DailyMail.com looks at what the latest developments mean - and the history of abortion laws in the US: WHAT IS ROE V. WADE? The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion. Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion. She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger. Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights. Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague, and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category. The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant. The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court. The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972. Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states. WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED NOW? The Supreme Court has not decided anything yet, but a draft opinion reportedly circulated among court justices suggests that it may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. A document labelled 'Opinion of the Court' shows a majority of the court's justices earlier this year threw support behind overturning the 1973 case that legalised abortion across the country. According to Politico - who published the 'leaked document' - the draft opinion shows the court voted to strike down the landmark case. However, it is unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter. The paper was labelled '1st Draft' of the 'Opinion of the Court' and was said to be referring to a case challenging Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks - a case known as Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organisation. The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in the case, and opinions - and even justices' votes - have been known to change during the drafting process. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. The draft is signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court's 6-3 conservative majority, who was appointed by former President George W Bush. 'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' the draft opinion states. It in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER RULINGS SINCE 1973? On the same day as the Roe v. Wade decision, the justices also ruled in the separate 'Doe v. Bolton' case, which authorised each state to add restrictions to abortion rights for later-term pregnancies. The constitutional right to abortion was later confirmed in a number of decisions, including 'Webster v. Reproductive Health Services' in 1989 and 'Planned Parenthood v. Casey' in 1992. In the latter, the court guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the foetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks of gestation. The Planned Parenthood v Casey ruling also affirmed Roe's finding of a constitutional right to abortion services, but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. WHICH STATES COULD MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED? If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights. Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years. Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level. Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.= The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law. This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights. Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion. CAN WOMEN GET AN ABORTION IN A DIFFERENT STATE? Yes - the variation in abortion laws around America already means that some women have to travel to a different state to access a procedure. For example in Texas - which has passed a law banning almost all abortions in the state - an average of 1,400 women from the state travelling each month between September and December 2021 and sought out procedures at 34 facilities in other states such as Louisiana and Kansas. Research by the University of Texas established that more than a quarter of Texans seeking an abortion (27 per cent) went to obtain the procedure in New Mexico, a state which has seven facilities. WHAT WOULD ROE V. WADE BEING OVERTURNED MEAN FOR WOMEN? Abortion would not become illegal everywhere in the US if Roe v. Wade is overturned, with individual states still able to choose whether and when they would be permitted. As it stands, abortion is legal in every state - but with varying restrictions. Abortion would likely become illegal in about half of the states in the US if the ruling is overturned - with 24 states expected to ban abortion if they are able to do so. These are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Advertisement

And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, said in a statement she is 'overwhelmed with emotion because this is the best news of our lifetime.

'This is a great victory for God and the unborn who have been innocently slain for years, my entire lifetime,' she said.

'I want to urge everyone to continue to pray, people all over our country, people all over our world, have been praying to end abortion.

'I want you to understand that there is going to be a major pushback in our country because there's going to be people that are going to fight to keep it and they're going to fight keep murdering the innocent unborn.

'I want you to dig in in prayer and faith and continue to pray that this actually comes true when they do release their opinion that Roe v Wade will be overturned and abortion will end and this will return the rights back to the states.

'I urge every single strong pro-life state to end it,' she wrote.

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

Conservatives celebrated the news on Twitter Monday night - even as they questioned the leak

A number of Democrats have since come out against the decision, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying in a joint statement that the decision 'would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.'

They also used the opportunity to slam former President Trump, saying: 'Several of these conservative justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the Constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century.

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump,' the two top Congressional Democrats continued, adding: 'Every Republican Senator who supported Sen. McConnell and voted for Trump justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people.'

And one-time Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted Monday night she is 'not surprised' by the news.

'This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights and lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law,' she wrote. 'It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal.

'What an utter disgrace.'

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement following the news - apparently using the opportunity to slam former President Donald Trump

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted that she was 'not surprised' by the news, but thought it was an 'utter disgrace'

Many have now said they would fight the decision if it were passed - either at the federal or the state level.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy reminded his followers that he signed into law the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies the right to an abortion into New Jersey law.

'New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights,' he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said abortions rights would not be overturned 'on my watch,' and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also promised that 'abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York,' saying it will welcome anyone who says they need an abortion 'with open arms.'

'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed,' Hochul tweeted.

At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James also promised in a tweet to 'do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion' adding, 'Congress must act immediately to do the same.'

And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will 'fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal and accessible in our state.'

Meanwhile Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, also criticized the reported opinion and spoke out for women's right to choose.

'If SCOTUS overturns Roe, it would be a massive setback for women in states without responsible laws protecting abortion access and reproductive health services,' Baker said on Tuesday morning. 'I am proud to support every woman's right to choose and I am proud that MA has and will always protect every woman's right to choose what is best for them.'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also branded the Supreme Court 'extremist' in a tweet saying it will 'impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country.

'It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard,' Warren wrote. 'We're not going backnot ever.'

Prominent Democrats from across the country raged against the news on Twitter, as several Democratic governors vowed to protect abortion rights in their states

Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, warned that Alito's decision could also lead to bans on birth control as he claimed the decision is reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale.

He was referring to the novel by Margaret Atwood - which was later turned into a television show. In both iterations, women are forced by the state to give birth.

'The basic legal claim here is that the word 'abortion' doesn't appear in the Constitution, and of course it doesn't appear in the Constitution,' Raskin, a Constitutional lawyer, explained to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Monday night.

'But the Supreme Court in 1973, in Roe v. Wade or Griswold v. Connecticut - which was a 1965 decision by the Supreme Court striking down a law banning birth control, even for married couples in Connecticut - the Supreme Court said that the due process liberty clause include a right to privacy, over intimate decision making.

'So the point is that Justice Alito's decision would also apply, presumably, to the right to privacy in contraception,' he continued. 'If Casey is to fall, if Roe v. Wade is to fall, then Griswold v. Connecticut presumably is to follow as well because the word 'contraception' or 'birth control' doesn't appear in the Constitution [either].

'So this would appear to be an invitation to have Handmaid's Tale-type anti-feminist regulation and legislation all over the country,' Raskin concluded.

California, New York and New Jersey vow to protect abortion rights and say they'll welcome pregnant women 'with open arms' from 26 states where it might become banned in wake of SCOTUS leak Democratic governors are rushing to reassure the public that abortion would always be legal in their states in light of the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion that suggests the court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade. The bombshell Supreme Court draft has not been confirmed yet but if it is, it paves the way for states to make their own rules on abortion. Twenty-six Republican-led states are likely to either ban abortion entirely or place heavy restrictions in place if it is confirmed. Some, like Texas and Mississippi, have already all but banned abortions. SCOTUS is rushing to find the leak and Republicans are fuming that it was intended to create the furor that it has and hopefully sway the court against confirming it. President Biden has vowed to sign the right to abortion into law if Roe v. Wade is overturned. In the meantime, Democratic Governors are rushing to promise that no matter what the Supreme Court does, they will always allow abortion in their states. California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted that he would enshrine the right to abortion in the California constitution. 'California will not stand by idly as women across America are stripped of their rights and the progress so many have fought for gets erased. We will fight. 'California is proposing an amendment to enshrine the right to choose in our state constitution so that there is no doubt as to the right to abortion in this state. 'We know we can't trust the Supreme Court to protect our reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution. 'Women will remain protected here.' Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, tweeted: 'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed. 'For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms. 'Abortion will always be safe & accessible in New York. 'New York will always be a place where abortion rights are protected. 'Just as the Statue of Liberty lifts her lamp tall in our harbor, New York will never stop fighting for whats right  unafraid and undeterred.' New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said: 'A truly dark day in America with the news reports that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. 'This year, I signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act  codifying a woman's right to choose into state law. New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights. 'I want to assure every New Jerseyan that todays news about the Supreme Court does not change access to abortion in our state.  Access to reproductive health care remains available to anyone who needs it in New Jersey.' At least 22 states have laws on the books that would come into effect once the decision is officially adopted. The organization also identified four more states that it expects to pass new abortion bans in the near future, marking a total of 26 states that appear set to ban the procedures The 18 states that have near-total bans on abortion already on the books are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In addition, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, and South Carolina all have laws that ban abortions after the six-week mark. At the time of writing, those six-week bans have been ruled unconstitutional. Florida, Indiana, Montana and Nebraska, are likely to pass bills when Roe v Wade is overturned. Florida already has a 15-week abortion ban that will go into effect in July 2022. The law does not make any exceptions for cases of rape or incest. 'There is an exception if the health of the patient is in danger. In signing the law into effect, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement, 'Life is a sacred gift worthy of our protection, and I am proud to sign this great piece of legislation which represents the most significant protections for life in the state's modern history.' Republicans however say the far left is trying to railroad the Supreme Court, the highest in the country. On Tuesday, Mitch McConnell urged SCOTUS to 'tune out the noise' with its decision and carry on deliberating the issue. GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah said whoever leaked the explosive memo 'needs to be brought to justice' in an interview on Fox News soon after the report. 'This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates,' Lee said. He also released a statement on Monday night calling the decision 'well-reasoned' but further panned the leak as 'dangerous, despicable, and damaging.' The Utah conservative is on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts.' Advertisement

The Supreme Court's draft decision has shaken the Supreme Court to its core, with barricades posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online.

The highly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign strategist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Such a ruling would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm election where Democrats are struggling to keep control of Congress.

Abortion would also become a major political issue in governors' races with states being given the right to determine whether or not to allow the procedure.
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Democratic governors are rushing to reassure the public that abortion would always be legal in their states in light of the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion that suggests the court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade.

The bombshell Supreme Court draft has not been confirmed yet but if it is, it paves the way for states to make their own rules on abortion.

Twenty-six Republican-led states are likely to either ban abortion entirely or place heavy restrictions in place if it is confirmed. Some, like Texas and Mississippi, have already all but banned abortions.

SCOTUS is rushing to find the leak and Republicans are fuming that it was intended to create the furor that it has and hopefully sway the court against confirming it.

President Biden has vowed to sign the right to abortion into law if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

In the meantime, Democratic Governors are rushing to promise that no matter what the Supreme Court does, they will always allow abortion in their states.

California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted that he would enshrine the right to abortion in the California constitution.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz both vowed to protect abortion rights in their states

'California will not stand by idly as women across America are stripped of their rights and the progress so many have fought for gets erased. We will fight.

'California is proposing an amendment to enshrine the right to choose in our state constitution so that there is no doubt as to the right to abortion in this state.

'We know we can't trust the Supreme Court to protect our reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution.

'Women will remain protected here.'

Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, tweeted: 'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed.

BIDEN VOWS TO SIGN ABORTION RIGHTS INTO LAW IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED President Biden released this statement this morning after the SCOTUS leak. We do not know whether this draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the Court. With that critical caveat, I want to be clear on three points about the cases before the Supreme Court. First, my administration argued strongly before the Court in defense of Roe v. Wade. We said that Roe is based on a long line of precedent recognizing the Fourteenth Amendments concept of personal liberty against government interference with intensely personal decisions. I believe that a womans right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned. Second, shortly after the enactment of Texas law SB 8 and other laws restricting womens reproductive rights, I directed my Gender Policy Council and White House Counsels Office to prepare options for an Administration response to the continued attack on abortion and reproductive rights, under a variety of possible outcomes in the cases pending before the Supreme Court. We will be ready when any ruling is issued. Third, if the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.' Advertisement

'For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms.

'Abortion will always be safe & accessible in New York.

'New York will always be a place where abortion rights are protected.

'Just as the Statue of Liberty lifts her lamp tall in our harbor, New York will never stop fighting for whats right  unafraid and undeterred.'

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said: 'A truly dark day in America with the news reports that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.

'This year, I signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act  codifying a woman's right to choose into state law. New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights.

'I want to assure every New Jerseyan that todays news about the Supreme Court does not change access to abortion in our state.  Access to reproductive health care remains available to anyone who needs it in New Jersey.'

At least 22 states have laws on the books that would come into effect once the decision is officially adopted.

The organization also identified four more states that it expects to pass new abortion bans in the near future, marking a total of 26 states that appear set to ban the procedures

The 18 states that have near-total bans on abortion already on the books are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

In addition, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, and South Carolina all have laws that ban abortions after the six-week mark.

At the time of writing, those six-week bans have been ruled unconstitutional.

Florida, Indiana, Montana and Nebraska, are likely to pass bills when Roe v Wade is overturned.

Florida already has a 15-week abortion ban that will go into effect in July 2022.

The law does not make any exceptions for cases of rape or incest.

'There is an exception if the health of the patient is in danger.

In signing the law into effect, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement, 'Life is a sacred gift worthy of our protection, and I am proud to sign this great piece of legislation which represents the most significant protections for life in the state's modern history.'

Republicans however say the far left is trying to railroad the Supreme Court, the highest in the country.

On Tuesday, Mitch McConnell urged SCOTUS to 'tune out the noise' with its decision and carry on deliberating the issue.

GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah said whoever leaked the explosive memo 'needs to be brought to justice' in an interview on Fox News soon after the report.

'This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates,' Lee said.

He also released a statement on Monday night calling the decision 'well-reasoned' but further panned the leak as 'dangerous, despicable, and damaging.'

The Utah conservative is on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts.'
Irish lawmakers have reacted with fury after Russian state media urged Putin to wipe Great Britain off the map with a giant tidal wave, destroying Ireland in the process.

Dmitry Kiselyov, 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.

The doomsday warnings were accompanied with a graphic showing how the underwater attack would be launched from a submarine based in the Atlantic Ocean.

Ireland is not mentioned at all but the graphic shows the island being completely engulfed by the tidal wave before it even hits the shores of England, Scotland or Wales.

Irish politicians have shared their disgust at the apocalyptic threat from Russia, whose propaganda channels have regularly discussed the destruction of Great Britain, with Ireland also likely to suffer in any attack.

Irish politicians have shared their disgust at the apocalyptic threat of destruction from Russian state TV

A graphic showed Ireland and the United Kingdom being completely destroyed by a tidal wave from a single Poseidon bomb

MEP Billy Kelleher 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 Putin's approval.

'Time to tell Russian Government that this wild language is simply unacceptable to us.'

Senator Tom Clonan added that the Russian ambassador to Ireland, Yury Filato, should be summoned over the issue.

Kiselyov warned in his Sunday show : '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 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 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 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 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.
A former top aide to Hillary Clinton lauded the 'brave clerk' who he speculated might have leaked the draft Supreme Court opinion striking down Roe v. Wade  saying it might be an effort to influence the final decision.

Brian Fallon, the former spokesman for Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and executive director of advocacy group Demand Justice, praised whoever leaked the 98-page draft opinion to Politico that would strike down the landmark abortion rights ruling.

'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?' Fallon tweeted Monday night, soon after the initial report.

Former Hillary Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon asked if a 'brave clerk' was 'taking this unpredecented step of leaking a draft opinion' to try to sway the Supreme Court's ultimate decision

In addition to helping run Clinton's campaign, Fallon was a spokesman at the Justice Department and for now-Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer.

'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' reads the draft opinion, which identifies Justice Samuel Alito as the author.

There has been no confirmation that one of the high court's clerks, who assist justices and help write and research the opinions, were the source of the leak.

However initial speculation immediately focused on clerks for one of the court's three liberal justices, who are set to be on the losing end of the opinion in the court's 6-3 majority. (The story identified four conservative justices joining Alito in voting to strike down Roe on a preliminary vote, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

Fallon assumed the leak

The leak could play out in unexpected ways. Legal scholar Rick Hasen said it helps the court's conservative majority by 'lessening the blow' of the news

Chief Justice Samuel Alito authored the draft opinion

The draft would strike down the landmark abortion rights case

Protestors react outside the U.S. Supreme Court to the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito preparing for a majority of the court to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision later this year, in Washington, U.S., May 3, 2022. There was speculation that the leak could be an effort to shape the opinion  or jump start political pushback

Chief Justice John Roberts is against completely overturning Roe v. Wade and would likely dissent, sources told CNN.

Conservative talk hosts immediately pointed the finger at a liberal leak in commentary Monday night as the bombshell hit political Washington.

Conservative host Larua Ingraham, herself a former clerk, fumed about the leak on Fox News.

'It is not up to a law clerk or any employee of the court to leak a decision in what is a naked attempt to try to change the outcome,' she said.

The White House responded with a statement from President Biden Tuesday that sought to fire up abortion rights supporters by pointing to the political battles ahead.

'If the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation's elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman's right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.'

But it is not certain that the leak came from a clerk, or from one of the camps set to be on the losing side.

Others inside the court likely have access to the draft documents  although the leak was an extraordinary break with how the court operates.

Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, tweeted: 'One thing to keep in mind here: some may say this SCOTUS leak benefits those who oppose overturning Roe. But it actually helps the majority that overturns by (1) deflecting commentary to breach of Court secrecy norms and (2) lessening the blow by setting expectations.'

He was referencing a media landscape where new and shocking developments get the most play. If the Court does strike down Roe in June, the bombshell news might get treated as fulfilling what the media already knew was coming due to the leak.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) took to Fox to demand the leaker be 'brought to justice.'

'I have questions about whether that person should ever be allowed to practice law. That something that will be worked out in due time. These are small circles. As a former Supreme Court clerk I can tell you there are very few people in the entire building who had access to the opinion,' he said on Fox.

'I am virtually certain there are number people inside the court, probably figured out who it is. That person needs to be brought to justice and held to account to what they did. This is the first and what I predict will be a series of other attempts to delegitimize the supreme court of the United States in the coming months.'
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she will name Rep. Anthony Delgado to serve as the next lieutenant governor  solving a state political problem while giving House Democrats another open seat to defend.

Delgado, a Democrat, will take on the largely ceremonial role previously formerly held by Brian Benjamin, who resigned following his arrest for federal bribery and corruption charges. He denies wrongdoing.

Delgado, 45, represents an upstate New York district of the kind that the two parties have battled over for years. He is the first black lawmaker to represent an Upstate district. His retirement from Congress once the paperwork is completed will come on top of 30 other Democrats who are not seeking reelection  in year where Republicans are hoping to capitalize on structural advantages to seize control of the House.

Hochul touted fellow Delgado's work in Congress on bills to help veterans, small business and those with student loan debt.

Delgado, a Rhodes Scholar who briefly pursued a rap career after earning a Harvard law degree, had campaigned on universal access to Medicare, creating good jobs and eliminating tax loopholes for the rich.

'I am proud to announce I am appointing Congressman Antonio Delgado, an outstanding leader and public servant, as Lieutenant Governor of New York,' Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted

He has represented the competitive district since 2019. During his first campaign, Republicans tried to get mileage out of lyrics in his early rap lyrics.

He was among state Democrats who called on Hochul's predecessor Andrew Cuomo to resign over sexual harassment allegations.

'Having won competitive primary and general elections for Congress, Rep. Antonio Delgado is a battle-tested campaigner who has the experience to serve New Yorkers and the work ethic to get our partys message out to voters, unite communities, and lift up Democratic candidates statewide,' Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

In a tweet she called him an 'outstanding leader and public servant.'

'I look forward to working with him to usher in a new era of fairness, equity, and prosperity for communities across the State,' she wrote.

It was unclear immediately when Delgado, who was first elected in 2018 to represent the Hudson Valley and the Catskills, would take office.

The news broke on a day when Democrats were contemplating their next legislative moves after a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade.

Hochul tweeted out the announcement Tuesday

Former New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin leaves a hearing in federal court on Monday, April. 18, 2022, in New York. Benjamin previously plead not guilty to corruption charges. Delgado will replace him in Albany

Even some supporters questioned what kind of vetting Hochul did with her first selection

Delgado was the first person of color elected to represent upstate New York in Congress, and is a member of the Black and Hispanic Congressional Caucuses.

'Upstate, downstate, doesn't matter,' he said. 'We all want the same things: security, family and opportunity.'

The appointment comes a day after Hochul signed a law that will allow Benjamin's name to be removed from the ballot in the state's upcoming Democratic primary, and potentially allow Delgado to run for the lieutenant governor's job if he wants it permanently.

Delgado had won his swing district and ousted Republican incumbent Jon Faso, but Democrats had hoped to ensure Delgado's win this year by drawing up new political district maps that a court later struck down as unconstitutionally gerrymandered.

An upstate judge and a researcher are now working on new maps, which are expected to give Democrats less of an edge than they hoped.

Delgado, a former litigator for a New York City international law firm, won by five percentage points against Faso. GOP ads at the time called him a 'big-city liberal' and attacked Delgado song lyrics that were critical of capitalism and police.

'Antonio Delgado was smart and got a jump on the job market before he and the rest of his House Democrat colleagues lose this fall,' National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Samantha Bullock said.
Russia has stepped up its propaganda war against Sweden by producing bus stop advertisements accusing the peaceful Scandinavian nation of being Nazis.

The hybrid warfare strategy comes as Sweden prepares for NATO accession, abandoning decades of neutrality in light of Moscow's military aggression towards Ukraine.

The provocation comes hot on the heels of Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov's incendiary comments that 'Hitler had Jewish blood', which drew demands for an apology from Israel.

The campaign has seen adverts pop up in Russia depicting various Swedish national heroes as Nazis with the slogan: 'We are against Nazism, they are not.'

The word 'we' is in the colour of the Russian flag and 'they' in the colours of the Swedish flag. Selective quotes appear next to each picture purporting to paint the figure as a Nazi.

Astrid Lindgren, the creator of one of Sweden's touchstone culture products in Pippi Longstocking, is singled out for her alleged Nazi attitudes, as well as Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad and film maestro Ingmar Bergman.

Another poster paints Sweden's King Gustaf V as a Nazi.

Russia has stepped up its propaganda war against Sweden by producing bus stop advertisements accusing famous Swedish national heroes of being Nazis

The poster paints Sweden's King Gustaf V as a Nazi. The disasteful poster campaign has seen adverts pop up in Russia and also Sweden depicting various Swedish national heroes as Nazis

The slogan at the top reads: 'We are against Nazism, they are not'. The hybrid warfare strategy comes as Sweden prepares for NATO accession, abandoning decades of neutrality in light of Moscow's military aggression towards Ukraine

The Swedish Foreign Ministry acknowledged the poster campaign as the work of Russian group 'Our Victory'.

'We have no intention of engaging in a public polemic with the Russian organisation 'Our Victory', which is reportedly behind these posters,' a spokesperson for the foreign ministry said.

'In Russia, smears about ''Nazism'' have been used repeatedly against countries and individuals who are critical of Russia's actions.'

Sweden's prime minister, Magdalena Andersson, called the campaign 'completely unacceptable'.

Counter advertisements have appeared outside the Russian embassy in Stockholm with text in Cyrilllic.

At the bottom it says: 'Dear checkists (sic) and other employess at the Russian embassy. Is it hard for you to go to work? Do you feel ashamed at the end of the day? It may soon be too late to defect. Contact us for a consultation on political asylum. Coffee on us!'

This advert in Russian appeared outside the Russian embassy in Stockholm

At the bottom it says: 'Dear checkists (sic) and other employess at the Russian embassy. Is it hard for you to go to work? Do you feel ashamed at the end of the day? It may soon be too late to defect. Contact us for a consultation on political asylum. Coffee on us!'

Ingvar Kamprad, who died in 2018, is the founder of global furniture retailer giant IKEA

Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman, who died in 2001, directed many classic films including 1957's The Seventh Seal

Children's author Astrid Lindgren, who created the character Pippi Longstocking, a girl with two platted pigtails and enormous physical strength

'But it is important to say already right now that Sweden could become the target of an influence campaign by foreign powers,' she said.

What did they actually say? A Russian poster campaign accusing famous Swedish figures of having Nazi sympathies. Astrid Lindgren The author of beloved children's books based around the character is quoted by the Russian propaganda campaign as saying: 'And so I think I'd rather say 'Heil Hitler' my whole life than get the Russians on top of us. You can hardly think of anything so awful.' Lindgren wrote the line in her World War Two diaries. She was also a committed anti-Nazi who wrote Hitler was a 'little, unknown German artisan who had become 'his people's nemesis and cultural destroyer'. Ingmar Bergman The Swedish auteur was quoted as saying about a Nazi rally: 'I had never seen anything like this eruption of immense energy. I shouted like everyone else, held out my arm like everyone else, howled like everyone else, and loved it like everyone else.' But Bergman entirely disavowed the Nazis once the images of the concentration camps came to light. 'When the truth finally conquered my resistance, I was overcome with despair, and my self contempt, already a severe burden, accelerated beyond the borders of endurance,' he wrote. Ingvar Kamprad The Ikea founder was quoted as saying: 'I was a Nazi! I admired Hitler!' Kampard was indeed a Nazi sympathiser during the war, but later described this as the 'greatest mistake of my life.' Advertisement

'It's important that all Swedes, and not least those of you in journalism, recognise that there is a risk that foreign powers will try to influence the Swedish debate climate.'

There were suggestions that the poster campaign was part of a strategy of preparing the ground for military action against Sweden before it comes under the NATO defence umbrella, much as Moscow did against Ukraine.

Former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt said: 'Are there any limits to these guys? Are they preparing a 'denazifying' operation against Sweden as well?

'I think this will further solidify support for Sweden joining NATO'.

Accusing western countries of Nazism is a part of the justification for their own war,' said Mikael Ostlund, head of communications for the Swedish Defense Defense Agency.

'This is probably directed towards its own population. This has been one of the justifications for the war in Ukraine as well.'

'This follows Russia's narrative and is in line with the propaganda that the Kremlin and Russian state media are pumping out. We have seen that they have done it against western countries before as well,' he said.

'Then you know that you will probably reach the Swedish media.'

'If I am to make a qualified guess, it is aimed at the Russian population but also with the aim of reaching Swedes.'

Meanwhile, Russia doubled down and accused Israel of supporting neo-Nazis in Ukraine in a bitter row sparked by Sergei Lavrov's comments that Adolf Hitler had 'Jewish blood'.

Israel slammed the Russian foreign minister yesterday, saying his claim - made when talking about Volodymyr Zelensky who is Jewish - was an 'unforgivable' falsehood that debased the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust.

Lavrov said: 'I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it means nothing. For a long time now we've been hearing the wise Jewish people say that the biggest anti-Semites are the Jews themselves.'

Lavrov's comments sparked fury around the world, with Zelensky condemning the 'anti-Semitic' remarks which showed 'Moscow has forgotten all the lessons from World War II'.

Yair Lapid, Israel's foreign minister, also branded the remark 'scandalous' and said the Russian ambassador would be summoned for a 'tough talk'.

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Gwendolyn Campbell, 53, alleged in a lawsuit filed Friday with California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) that America's biggest bank has discriminated against her because she is a woman

A female JP Morgan Chase financial advisor is suing the banking giant because it allegedly allowed male staff to steal her clients and excluded her from key meetings.

Gwendolyn Campbell filed a lawsuit against America's biggest bank claimed it had discriminated against her because she is a woman.

The 53-year-old mother of two, who works from home in California due to being immunocompromised, blasted bosses in the suit for taking 'advantage of her'.

She also penned a brutal medium post in which she slams 'a complete lack of control and accountability at the bank when it comes to issues of discrimination'.

Campbell's $1.1 billion New York-based financial advising group was recruited from Merrill Lynch in 2020.

The financial advisor with more than 30 years experience cited JPMorgan's wealth management and unique career prospects as reasons for joining.

But her lawyers argued in court filings sent on Friday to California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing argued this was no longer the case, CBS reported.

The suit alleges JPMorgan agreed to provide accommodations and later took advantage of 'her vulnerable position,' harming her career irreparably as a result.

'J.P Morgan has thanked Campbell by trying to steal her clients pursuant to a well-known ''playbook,'' casting her aside,' the complaint reads.

Campbell's lawyers claimed that one of her clients told her that JPMorgan had him in a 'noose' with their loans, as it had offered him '$50 million' in new loans to 'drop her.'

It is unclear what damages Campbell is seeking, DailyMail.com has reached out to her attorneys for comment.

Campbell claims that the banking giant bribed her clients to 'drop her'

Her lawyers argued that one of her clients told her that JPMorgan had him in a 'noose' with their loans, as it had offered him '$50 million' in new loans to 'drop her'

Campbell said that during the roughly two years after joining JPMorgan Chase, she has been subjected to discrimination and misogyny.

She claimed that the bank bribed her clients with loans to move away from her and obstructed her requests for resources for clients.

'Where that was not enough, J.P. Morgan began to take away Campbell's resources, exclude her from client meetings and terms sheets, ostracize and bully her and interfere with her performing her job for clients,' the lawsuit states.

One client even told the financial advisor that seeing being ostracized 'was like watching the movie ''Sleeping with the Enemy,'' where a woman had to fake her own death to escape an abusive relationship,' Campbell's lawyers said.

In a medium post on April 29, Campbell wrote that JP Morgan recruited her for her clients, over $1 billion in assets, millions of dollars of fees, and experience.

'Ms. Campbell's EEOC filing against JP Morgan describes a complete lack of control and accountability at the bank when it comes to issues of discrimination, harassment, and basic human decency and respect,' her lawyers told CBS.

'The fact that the alleged conduct has continued for more than a year-and-a-half without remedy is appalling.'

Campbell filed a restraining order in an earlier attempt to prevent coworkers from contacting her clients, but the request was denied by a judge in December.

Campbell's $1.1 billion financial advising group was recruited from Merrill Lynch in 2020

In a medium post on April 29, Campbell wrote that JP Morgan recruited her for her clients, over $1 billion in assets, millions of dollars of fees, and experience

JPMorgan refused to comment on the ongoing court proceedings but pointed out the denied request in a statement to CBS.

'A federal court has already spoken on many of these matters,' the company said, according to the outlet. 'As we have previously communicated, we will investigate any employee's concerns that are escalated.'

Campbell's lawyers argued in the filing that her professional reputation has been irremediably tainted.

JP Morgan 'has used its power and financial might to try to crush Campbell, destroy her career and suppress information about its illegal and retaliatory acts,' they claimed.

'As the sole breadwinner for her family, and only financial supporter of her children's medical needs, Campbell understood that J.P. Morgan would stop at nothing....'

Campbell, who says has been recognized by Barron's, Forbes, The Financial Times, and Working Mother Magazine for her career accomplishments, said she hopes justice prevails.
The Lib Dems today admitted it is 'rational' to give Labour a clear run in areas where they can take on the Tories - amid claims of a secret elections pact.

Party leader Sir Ed Davey insisted he made no apologies for putting 'scarce resources where we think we can win'.

But in a round of interviews with just days to go until crunch local elections he denied there was any formal arrangement with Keir Starmer.

Tory chairman Oliver Dowden has accused Sir Keir of standing down candidates 'in swathes of the country' where Lib Dem support is strong to avoid splitting the anti-Tory vote.

And he alleges Sir Ed Davey's party has returned the favour where Labour is dominant elsewhere.

Both have dismissed the idea - reminiscent of the Lib-Lab election tie-ups of the 1970s - and Sir Ed repeated today that there is no pact.

'Political parties need to make rational decisions,' Sir Ed told LBC. 'You would expect us to make rational decisions and we put our scarce resources where we think we can win.'

In another interview he told PA News: 'I welcome politicians from any party who share similar policy positions, who change their policy positions to be more aligned to us; of course I welcome that.

'And there's no doubt Keir Starmer is much more to the centre than (former Labour leader and Sir Keir's predecessor) Jeremy Corbyn. I mean, that's hardly news. And I think that's a good thing for British politics if people are more towards what I call the reformist centre.'

But Sir Ed said: 'There isn't a pact. There won't be a pact.'

In a round of interviews with just days to go until crunch local elections, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey (right) denied there was any pact with Keir Starmer (left)

Boris Johnson's (pictured today) enemies are waiting until after the elections  and the conclusion of the Partygate investigations  before deciding whether to push for a vote of no confidence

In a letter to Sir Keir over the weekend, Mr Dowden said Sir Keir planned to 'deny the voters a proper democratic choice' on Thursday.

Tory strategists fear a drubbing in this week's polls, which come in the wake of months of damaging 'Partygate' headlines over alleged lockdown breaches at No 10.

Many of Mr Johnson's enemies in the party have said that they are waiting until after the elections  and the conclusion of the Partygate investigations  before deciding whether to push for a vote of no confidence.

Mr Johnson is also reeling from the fall-out from the resignation of Tory MP Neil Parish, who admitted watching pornography twice in Parliament.

A shock survey today found Labour is in line to gain more than 800 councillors in the contests on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives could see their numbers dive by 548 - in what would be a disastrous result for the PM as MPs mull a coup in the wake of the Partygate scandal.

It would be the worst Tory showing since Tony Blair was Labour leader, with flagship councils such as Wandsworth and Westminster on the line as well as Southampton and Thurrock.

The latest research for Electoral Calculus and Find Out Now interviewed 1,749 adults in the 201 councils holding ballots this week.
A man was reportedly stabbed following a two-car crash in a quiet Kent town early this morning.

The dramatic incident happened in a residential road in Herne Bay, near Canterbury, at around 7am this morning.

Photos from the scene show a white Vauxhall lying on its roof in the street, with a blue convertible BMW alongside it.

The driver of the BMW alleged his passenger was 'stabbed' by the occupants who climbed out of the Vauxhall before fleeing the scene.

Police have confirmed a man has been taken to hospital with an 'injury consistent with a stab wound' following the early morning crash.

The crash took place in a quiet residential road in Herne Bay, Kent, at around 7am this morning

A white car was seen on its roof after the incident while a blue BMW in the middle of the road was also damaged

Officers have cordoned off Stanley Road where the crash took place, as well as a nearby alleyway while forensics units investigate.

A man who claimed to be driving the BMW said the passenger of his car was 'stabbed' when someone climbed out of the upside down Vauxhall, UKNIP reports.

He claimed his friend had gone to speak to the people in the Vauxhall when he was attacked.

'My pal has gone after the pair and that was when he got stabbed,' he said.

'There was a lot of blood and he was bleeding badly.'

The injured man, who was taken to hospital in London, was helped by a resident who was woken by the crash until ambulance crews arrived, KentOnline reports.

His injuries are not thought to be life threatening and no arrests have been made.

One anonymous resident told KentOnline they were 'shocked' to see what had happened.

'It's just an ordinary, quiet residential area, so there's nothing like this that this goes on.

Police officers have cordoned off Stanely Road in Herne Bay while they investigate the scene

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: 'Officers were called to Stanley Road, Herne Bay at 7.05am on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, following a report of a two-car collision followed by an assault.

'Officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service and a man was taken to a London hospital with an injury consistent with a stab wound.

'An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing and a section of Stanley Road is currently closed, as well as an alleyway off Canterbury Road, while officers conduct enquiries.'

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information, and has yet to speak to officers, should call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 03-0150.
A California appeals court ruled that San Francisco could not block four suspected drug dealers from the inner-city Tenderloin district, a 50-square-block neighborhood rife with crime and drug use.

The ruling, which came on Friday, stemmed from San Francisco's attempted to ban 28 alleged drug dealers in 2020 who frequented the downtown area, which has seen the city's largest number of overdose deaths.

An enforcement of the ban what shot down in court last May, with the city appealing the decision as officials specifically named alleged drug dealers Christian Noel Padilla-Martel, Victor Zelaya, 27, Jarold Sanchez, 23, and Guadaloupe Aguilar-Benegas, 28, as individuals who needed to be kept out of the district.

In the appeals court's 3-0 ruling against the ban, Justice Marla Miller said the city could not ban people from geographic areas as it infringes on the constitutional right to travel.

'The court determined that excluding defendants from such a large area in the center of San Francisco implicates the constitutional right to intrastate travelthat is, the right to travel locally through public spaces and roadsand the City failed to meet its evidentiary burden of convincing the court that its proposed remedy was sufficiently tailored to minimally infringe upon the protected interests at stake,' Miller wrote.

The decision comes as the city continues to see soaring vagrancy and crime rates, with homeless gloating that they get 'paid to be homeless in San Francisco' and stores continuing to fall victim to brazen smash-and-grab robberies as grand larceny rates increased by 27.4 percent this year.

A California appeals court ruled that San Francisco could not ban four alleged drug dealers from the Tenderloin district, a 50-square-block neighborhood rife with crime and drug use. The district is home to two consumption sites where people can openly use drugs

The area has seen the city's largest number of overdose deaths in San Francisco, making up 40 percent of the 699 fatal overdoses reported in 2020

The city sought to ban 28 drug dealers from the area as a way to curb the fata overdoses

The order was blocked last May, with an appeals court judge agreeing that the city could not enforce the ban against the four suspected dealers, who all claimed they need to to travel to or across the area to get to family members and social services

Justice Marla Miller said the city could not ban people from geographic areas as it infringes on the constitutional right to travel

In its attempt to ban the four individuals, the city claimed they were 'engaged in the illegal sale of controlled substances,' in the neighborhood and sought up to $8,500 for each violation of the stay-away order.

Padilla-Martel, a house painter, was arrested three times within three months in 2020 for allegedly selling controlled substances.

He claimed he needs to travel through the Tenderloin neighborhood in order to see his five-year-old son who lives with his grandparents.

Zelaya was arrested three times as well between July 2019 and May 2020 for the same charges.

Zelaya, who operates a food cart with his wife and sister-in-law, said he needs to go to the neighborhood to visit his two daughters from a previous relationship.

Sanchez, who is unemployed, was arrested five times between February 2020 and February 2021. He claimed he needs to travel through Tenderloin to get to organizations that offer assistance with employment, housing and health services.

Aguilar-Benegas, a mother of two and pregnant with a third, was arrested five times between May 2020 and February 2021. She claimed the clinic for her ultrasound was in Tenderloin, as were organizations she was speaking with regarding affordable housing options after her husband died in 2020.

Miller agreed that the San Francisco judge who shot down the ban last year was entitled to believe the four defendants' statements 'that they were interested in taking advantage of the employment, treatment, housing, and health services available in the 50-square-block neighborhood.

'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,' she added.

A spokesperson for San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu said the office was disappointed by the ruling and has yet to decide whether or not to file an appeal.

'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,' spokesperson Jen Kwart said in a statement.

Despite the city's efforts to curb drug use in Tenderloin by placing rehab facilities and offering services directly in the neighborhood, the area has become awash with vagrancy and people taking drugs in broad daylight after the city opened two drug consumption sites in the area.

The city's Center on Substance Use & Health has reported 144 overdose deaths so far this year, after reporting 640 in 2021.

A man sits on the ground next to a fence that surrounds the consumption site in Tenderloin, where witnesses have seen hundreds of people dealing and using drugs

The site is located at 1172 Market Street, in the United Nations Plaza. The supervised drug consumption area is an outdoor fenced section of the linkage center, which features staff and services aimed at helping drug addicts and homeless individuals

Despite the center opening up, vagrancy has soared in the area near the consumption sites

Pictures of the site show individuals coming and going as they take drugs in the open

Dozens of people go through the area every day, yet despite the city's efforts, officials estimate that overdoses will drop only slightly this year

City Mayor London Breed had promised to crack down on rampant crime and homelessness, but people are still living on the streets in the Tenderloin neighborhood

The city opted to open the consumption sites at the Tenderloin district after overdoses and drug-dealing arrests shot up during the pandemic.

San Francisco Police reported about 600 drug-dealing arrests in 2020, with 40 percent of the 699 fatal overdoses reported that year taking place in Tenderloin and the city's South Market neighborhood.

In Tenderloin specifically, police seized over $280,000 in cash from drug bust and collected more than 18 kilograms of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl in 2020.

City Mayor London Breed had said the consumption sites were opened as a necessity to provide rapid drug interventions.

'The work that we have in place after our assessment allow us this ability through this emergency declaration to move quickly, to move fast, to change the conditions - specifically of the Tenderloin community' she said in January. 'This is necessary in order to see a difference.'

The move, however, was slammed by residents who said the sites allow people to use drugs with impunity and empower drug dealers in the area.

Jacqui Berlinn, of Mothers Against Drug Deaths, has repeatedly slammed the consumption sites. She said her son, Corey, frequents the site, where he was allegedly stabbed by a drug dealer.

'The addicts  barely surviving, with clothes hanging off their shoulders showing open sores, pipes in their hands  are the most important part of the homeless industrial complex,' Berlinn wrote in an opinion piece for DailyMail.com earlier this month with fellow mother Gina McDonald.

'If the addicts were gone tomorrow this business would disappear, but apparently the powers that be don't want that to happen.'

There are an estimated 30,000 homeless in the five-county Bay Area - which are comprised of the East Bay, North Bay, South Bay, Peninsula and the city of San Francisco regions.

In February, A homeless man going by James told Michael Schellenberg, author of the 'San Franciscko' book critical of the progressive city's policies, that he made the active choice to leave Texas for San Francisco.

James claimed he did so because it was easier to be homeless in the California city and that he could live-off welfare.

'Two hundred food stamps and $620 cash a month. Forget about it,' James said. Why wouldnt I do it? You know, its f*****g free money dude.

'Why would I want to pay rent? Im not doing s**t. Ive got a f*****g cell phone that I have Amazon Prime and Netflix on.'

Despite the presence of the consumption sites to help reduce overdoses, the city is on track to reporting 576 fatal overdoses by the end of 2020, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Crime continues to soar in San Francisco, with overall crime up 10.3 percent so far this year

The city attempted to ban the suspected drug dealers amid soaring crime rates, with San Francisco seeing a more than 10 percent rise in crime.

San Francisco Police reported a 15 murders so far this year, a 25 percent increase from the 11 reported in the same time last year.

Larceny theft has also skyrocketed, with 10,000 cases reported this year, a 27.4 percent rise from the 7,852 reported last year.

Assaults also saw a spike of 10 percent with 771 cases reported so far this year, and rapes have gone up by 4.3 percent, with police reporting 73 cases in 2022.

As larceny continues to see the largest increase in crime, the Bay area has contended with a series of smash-and-grab robberies in the past year, with brazen thieves raiding stores in the middle of day.

Video from a Walgreens in San Francisco shows the latest such robbery, which depicts three shoplifters grabbing everything they could into bags and running out the pharmacy, all while the clerk could do nothing but watch.

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.

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.

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

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, the Chronicle reported.

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.
This is the moment a bear was discovered sitting in the passenger seat of a woman's car in Connecticut after breaking in.

Cornwall resident Cody Gillotti, who said the wild animal had 'totaled' his mother-in-law's Subaru, said he'd been relaxing at home when he saw the car's internal lights go on when the door was opened.

He went outside to find a large bear sitting in the passenger seat, looking almost as surprised to see him, as he was to find it.

'It was almost like a deer in headlights, it was just stunned,' Gillotti later told NBC Connecticut. 'It looked like a teenage kid that just passed out in his car after a long night of partying and his mom caught him.'

Thankfully, no one was hurt in the encounter.

Gillotti called the authorities and agents from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection agency arrived to remove the bear.

The black bear froze (pictured) when it was caught by local resident Cody Gillotti. The wild animal caused extensive damage to Gillotti's mother-in-law

A huge black bear was recently caught inside a woman's car in Cornwall, Connecticut, while looking for food in the middle of the night

Cody Gillotti told NBC he noticed a 'kind of shiny' light from his mother-in-law's car, prompting him to go outside and to make the discovery. His mother-in-law was already sleeping at the time

Officials quickly realized the bear had trapped itself inside the vehicle after all doors were locked. They opened the door with a rope before using a bean bag round to get the bear gradually out of the vehicle.

Gillotti noticed the car starting to 'rock back and forth,' as the bear became alarmed by its surrounding. That's when the wild animal 'was about to come busting out,' he said.

The bear finally broke loose from the car's interior and ran off into the woods nearby.

Stunned by the chain of events, Gillotti said the bear was one of 'the biggest [he's] ever seen,' although he claims to have seen some in the area before, Fox61 reported.

Before the bear broke into his mother-in-law's car, it appeared that it first got into Gillotti's pickup truck, causing some damage.

The wild animal tore up the seats before it moved on to his mother-in-law's car.

'I think he opened it up and there was no food in my truck. There was an empty McDonald's bag and a couple other things in her car so I think he kind of just moved things around my seat looking for stuff, couldn't find anything and then left and went into [my mother-in-law's] car,' Gillotti said.

The black bear broke into Gillotti's pickup truck, ripping its seat by doing so, before moving into his mother-in-law's vehicle. Pictured: the damage done in Gillotti's car by the wild animal

Gillotti said the bear didn't cause as much damage to his truck (pictured) compared to his mother-in-law's Subaru

The vehicle's roof, windows and a side door look to have been ripped off by the bear, pictures show.

'I'm sure the Subaru's going to be toast. You can't turn power off the vehicle without disconnecting the battery. You take the key out lights still turn on,' Gillotti told WFSB-TV. 'The interior's completely destroyed.'

On a GoFundMe page that he set up to raise funds for the car's repair, he wrote: 'He absolutely destroyed the car, ripped apart two doors, shredded the head line and back seats.'

Gillotti added that his mother-in-law's car 'stinks to high heaven'.

No injuries were reported from the discovery. Gillotti told NBC that he wouldn't be surprised to bump into the same bear sometime soon.

'I'm sure it'll be back,' he said.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection warned residents on its website to expect more bear sightings as the wild animals come out of hibernation. It advises people to keep their home and car doors locked and to firmly shut their windows to avoid any similar instances.

Black bears are not a rare species to come across in Connecticut. There are roughly 1000 to 1200 of them in the state, according to the local NBC outlet - a 25 percent increase since 2018.

The Department of Energy and Environment Protection has filed more than 3500 human/bear encounters in 2020. That's three times more the amount than in 2018, according to its website.

Gillotti created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his mother-in-law's car reparations after the bear destroyed it when authorities were trying to lure it away from the vehicle

The black bear absolutely destroyed the car of Gillotti's mother-in-law, ripping apart two doors, shredded the head liner and back seats (pictureed)
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Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion indicating the Supreme Court would upend Roe v. Wade as he announced an investigation into the source of the 'betrayal.'

'To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way,' Roberts wrote in a Tuesday morning statement.

'I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak,' Roberts added.

Roberts said that though the document was authentic, it does not represent the 'final decision' of any members of the court.

Roberts did not want to overturn Roe, meaning he would have dissented from the other five conservative justices in Justice Samuel Alito's draft opinion, according to CNN. Last fall during arguments for the case at the center of the matter, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, Roberts seemed to be looking for a way to uphold Mississippi's ban on abortions after 15 weeks without overturning Roe.

President Biden told reporters just before boarding Air Force one that it was 'really quite a radical decision' and 'a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence.'

'I just got a call saying that it's been announced that it is a real draft but it doesn't represent who's gonna vote for it yet. I hope there are not enough votes for it,' Biden said.

If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states - more than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights.

Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years. Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute.

Also on the Supreme Court fight...

Progressive lawmakers have renewed calls to abolish the filibuster in order to pass federal abortion protections

Twenty-six Republican-controlled states are poised to ban abortion rights if Roe v. Wade is overturned

The leaked draft is part of a case currently being deliberated in front of the court, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, where Mississippi officials are looking to outlaw abortion after 15 weeks and scrap Roe altogether

Senate GOP Leader McConnell called for the leaker to face criminal charges

Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin claimed the next step after removing federal abortion protections would be legalizing forced sterilization for women

The draft opinion was authored by Justice Samuel Alito and only directly represents his views, but could signal the court's conservative supermajority feels the same

GOP Senator Susan Collins said the opinion is 'completely inconsistent with what [Trump-appointed] Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.'

Republican Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker stood with Democratic state leaders to criticize the draft

Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion indicating the Supreme Court would upend Roe v. Wade as he announced an investigation into the source of the 'betrayal'

Roberts decried the leak as an 'egregious breach' and an 'affront to the court.'

'We at the Court are blessed to have a workforce - permanent employees and law clerks alike - intensely loyal to the institution and dedicated to the rule of law. Court employees have an exemplary and important tradition of respecting the confidentiality of the judicial process and upholding the trust of the Court. This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the Court and the community of public servants who work here,' Roberts said.

Biden said in a further statement on the draft: 'My administration argued strongly before the Court in defense of Roe v. Wade. We said that Roe is based on 'a long line of precedent recognizing 'the Fourteenth Amendment's concept of personal liberty' against government interference with intensely personal decisions.' I believe that a woman's right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.'

Biden, along with Vice President Harris, warned that undoing Roe v. Wade would open up other privacy rights to attack.

'It would mean that every other decision relating to the notion of privacy is thrown into question...If the rationale of the decision as released were to be sustained, a whole range of rights would be in question...If it becomes a law and if what is written is remained, it goes far beyond the concern of whether or not there is the right to choose. It goes to other basic rights,' Biden said.

'The rights of all Americans are at risk. If the right to privacy is weakened, every person could face a future in which the government can potentially interfere in the personal decisions you make about your life,' Harris added in a statement.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez predicted that gay rights and civil rights could be next on the chopping block.

'As weve warned, SCOTUS isnt just coming for abortion - theyre coming for the right to privacy Roe rests on, which includes gay marriage + civil rights,' she wrote on Twitter.

Republican lawmakers meanwhile are calling for the person behind a leaked Supreme Court memo indicating the end of federal abortion rights to be 'brought to justice.'

Conservatives throughout the country celebrated the news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that is set to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case - but have denounced the leak as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Meanwhile progressives led Democrats' outrage over the stunning reversal of high court precedent, with some even renewing calls to end the Senate filibuster.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont both called for Congress to safeguard Roe v. Wade with federal legislation.

'People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter late Monday night.

She added: 'It's high time we do it.'

The firebrand Democrat posed a question to her colleagues asking them what message their outrage would be sending without action.

'It's time to be decisive, lead with confidence, fight for a prosperous future for all and protect the vulnerable,' she said.

On the other side of the aisle, Republicans are demanding investigations into who leaked a Supreme Court draft opinion for the first time in history.

GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah said whoever leaked the explosive memo 'needs to be brought to justice' in an interview on Fox News soon after the report.

'This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates,' Lee said.

He also released a statement on Monday night calling the decision 'well-reasoned' but further panned the leak as 'dangerous, despicable, and damaging.'

The Utah conservative is on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts.'

Pro-choice and pro-life protesters descended on the Supreme Court building on May 3

Anti abortion protesters face off with pro abortion protesters in front of the Supreme Court

Protesters descended upon the court late on Monday night after Politico reported the Supreme Court's bombshell draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade. The woman above wears an 'I really do care' jacket, fashioned after former First Lady Melania Trump wore that said, 'I really don't care. Do u?'

'I have questions about whether that person should ever be allowed to practice law. That something that will be worked out in due time. These are small circles. As a former Supreme Court clerk I can tell you there are very few people in the entire building who had access to the opinion,' he said on Fox.

'I am virtually certain there are number people inside the court, probably figured out who it is. That person needs to be brought to justice and held to account to what they did. This is the first and what I predict will be a series of other attempts to delegitimize the supreme court of the United States in the coming months.'

Tennessee's Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn tweeted: 'I have no doubt that the Chief Justice will work to root out the radical activist that betrayed the sacred tradition of the court. The leaker must be immediately removed from their position and exiled from the legal community.'

Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Texas said: 'It is unfortunate that the news of the greatest victory for the Pro Life movement comes on the heels of one of the most profound breaches of trust the Court has ever seen.'

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas called on President Joe Biden's Justice Department to 'get to the bottom' of the matter and, like his colleagues, shared praise for the high court's reported decision.

'The Supreme Court & the DOJ must get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary. In the meantime, Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life,' Cotton said on Monday night.

Following suit, moderate Republican Senator Mitt Romney on Tuesday morning called for both an investigation and consequences.

The Utah lawmaker began his statement by lauding the reported high court decision and said: 'Laws regarding abortion would now be returned to the people and their elected representatives.'

'The breach of the Court's deliberative process, however, is an appalling affront against a critical institution and should be fully investigated and those responsible should be punished.'

Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said the leaker should be disbarred if they are a law clerk.

Pro-choice activists remained outside the Supreme Court into Tuesday morning, hours after the bombshell Monday night report

Democrats have been renewing calls to scuttle the Senate filibuster in order to pass legislation safeguarding Roe v. Wade

Sanders led the left wing in demanding his colleagues scuttle the filibuster to pass pro-choice legislation with a simple majority.

'Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes,' the Independent senator said.

Democrats previously tried to scuttle the filibuster to pass federal voting rights legislation with only their 50 seats in the chamber plus Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote, but the effort failed in the face of moderate opposition within their own party.

Sanders' former adviser and current Ohio House candidate Nina Turner echoed her ex-boss' calls.

'Protecting abortion rights is not a midterm pitchDemocrats have the power now. We have the majority in Congress and we have the White House. Instead of drafting fundraising emails tonight, our elected leaders should be in DC voting to codify Roe & getting rid of the filibuster,' Turner said on Twitter.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York called for top-down reforms on all levels of government, 'even if it means eliminating the filibuster.'

'With far-right justices poised to overturn Roe, the lives of millions of Americans depend on us. We must codify the right to an abortion into federal laweven if it means eliminating the filibuster. We must flip state legislatures. And states like NY must open our doors,' Gillibrand wrote on Twitter.

On the House side, Ocasio-Cortez's fellow 'Squad' member Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri said the Supreme Court's reported decision is a national 'emergency.'

'Abolish the filibuster. Codify Roe. Expand the Supreme Court. Protect abortion rights by any means necessary. We need all of the above. This is an emergency,' Bush said on Tuesday morning.

Brian Fallon, Hillary Clinton's former 2016 press secretary who is co-founder and executive director of Demand Justice, publicly pondered if the leaker was a 'brave clerk' hoping public outrage would reverse the monumental decision.

'Is a brave clerk taking this unpredecented(sp) step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?' Fallon questioned.

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee called for the leaker to be 'brought to justice.' He's on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts'

California, New York and New Jersey vow to protect abortion rights and say they'll welcome pregnant women 'with open arms' from 26 states where it might become banned in wake of SCOTUS leak Democratic governors are rushing to reassure the public that abortion would always be legal in their states in light of the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion that suggests the court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade. The bombshell Supreme Court draft has not been confirmed yet but if it is, it paves the way for states to make their own rules on abortion. Twenty-six Republican-led states are likely to either ban abortion entirely or place heavy restrictions in place if it is confirmed. Some, like Texas and Mississippi, have already all but banned abortions. SCOTUS is rushing to find the leak and Republicans are fuming that it was intended to create the furor that it has and hopefully sway the court against confirming it. President Biden has vowed to sign the right to abortion into law if Roe v. Wade is overturned. In the meantime, Democratic Governors are rushing to promise that no matter what the Supreme Court does, they will always allow abortion in their states. California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted that he would enshrine the right to abortion in the California constitution. 'California will not stand by idly as women across America are stripped of their rights and the progress so many have fought for gets erased. We will fight. 'California is proposing an amendment to enshrine the right to choose in our state constitution so that there is no doubt as to the right to abortion in this state. 'We know we can't trust the Supreme Court to protect our reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution. 'Women will remain protected here.' Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, tweeted: 'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed. 'For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms. 'Abortion will always be safe & accessible in New York. 'New York will always be a place where abortion rights are protected. 'Just as the Statue of Liberty lifts her lamp tall in our harbor, New York will never stop fighting for whats right  unafraid and undeterred.' New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said: 'A truly dark day in America with the news reports that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. 'This year, I signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act  codifying a woman's right to choose into state law. New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights. 'I want to assure every New Jerseyan that todays news about the Supreme Court does not change access to abortion in our state.  Access to reproductive health care remains available to anyone who needs it in New Jersey.' At least 22 states have laws on the books that would come into effect once the decision is officially adopted. The organization also identified four more states that it expects to pass new abortion bans in the near future, marking a total of 26 states that appear set to ban the procedures The 18 states that have near-total bans on abortion already on the books are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In addition, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, and South Carolina all have laws that ban abortions after the six-week mark. At the time of writing, those six-week bans have been ruled unconstitutional. Florida, Indiana, Montana and Nebraska, are likely to pass bills when Roe v Wade is overturned. Florida already has a 15-week abortion ban that will go into effect in July 2022. The law does not make any exceptions for cases of rape or incest. 'There is an exception if the health of the patient is in danger. In signing the law into effect, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement, 'Life is a sacred gift worthy of our protection, and I am proud to sign this great piece of legislation which represents the most significant protections for life in the state's modern history.' Republicans however say the far left is trying to railroad the Supreme Court, the highest in the country. On Tuesday, Mitch McConnell urged SCOTUS to 'tune out the noise' with its decision and carry on deliberating the issue. GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah said whoever leaked the explosive memo 'needs to be brought to justice' in an interview on Fox News soon after the report. 'This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates,' Lee said. He also released a statement on Monday night calling the decision 'well-reasoned' but further panned the leak as 'dangerous, despicable, and damaging.' The Utah conservative is on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts.' Advertisement

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

Alito's draft does not necessarily represent the sentiments of other justices who did not pen the opinion, but it's been suggested that the court's 5-3 conservative supermajority will likely deliver on the historic reversal.

Republicans celebrated the decision, calling it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

Pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List hailed the report as a victory for their movement.

'If the draft opinion made public tonight is the final opinion of the court, we wholeheartedly applaud the decision. The American people have the right to act through their elected officials to debate and enact laws that protect unborn children and honor women,' SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. 'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature.'

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

The Supreme Court is planning to vote to strike down the decision of Roe v. Wade, long considered a vanguard of guaranteeing a right to an abortion in the United States.

The opinion draft - originally obtained by Politico - was written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the 'world is about to hear [the] fury' of 'our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers' as he vowed to fight back against the decision

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, questioned why the opinion was leaked

Reaction to the news of Alito's draft opinion was swift Monday night, with conservative lawmakers celebrating the news after decades of fighting for an end to abortion rights - though they raised doubts about why the decision was leaked in the first place.

Mike Gibbons, who is currently facing Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance in the Republican primary for an Ohio Senate seat, wrote that the decision marked a 'huge pro-life victory,' noting it's 'great to see the Court recognize all life is protected under the Constitution.

'We still have to make sure we elect candidates that will continue to defend the unborn, which is exactly what I'll do in the U.S. Senate.

Others, though, raised doubts about why the opinion was leaked to POLITICO, with Marco Rubio writing: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions and norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion.'

Republican Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also tweeted that the leak is 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.'

'The Justices mustn't give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' Hawley wrote. 'Stay strong.'

Embattled Congressmember Madison Cawthorn also tweeted that the story 'was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down.'

'Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong,' he urged his followers, noting: 'Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win.'

And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, said in a statement she is 'overwhelmed with emotion because this is the best news of our lifetime.

'This is a great victory for God and the unborn who have been innocently slain for years, my entire lifetime,' she said.

'I want to urge everyone to continue to pray, people all over our country, people all over our world, have been praying to end abortion.

'I want you to understand that there is going to be a major pushback in our country because there's going to be people that are going to fight to keep it and they're going to fight keep murdering the innocent unborn.

'I want you to dig in in prayer and faith and continue to pray that this actually comes true when they do release their opinion that Roe v Wade will be overturned and abortion will end and this will return the rights back to the states.

'I urge every single strong pro-life state to end it,' she wrote.

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

Rubio questioned the leak of Alito's decision as a liberal plot on Monday night

Conservatives celebrated the news on Twitter Monday night - even as they questioned the leak

A number of Democrats have since come out against the decision, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying in a joint statement that the decision 'would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.'

They also used the opportunity to slam former President Trump, saying: 'Several of these conservative justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the Constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century.

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump,' the two top Congressional Democrats continued, adding: 'Every Republican Senator who supported Sen. McConnell and voted for Trump justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people.'

And one-time Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted Monday night she is 'not surprised' by the news.

'This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights and lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law,' she wrote. 'It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal.

'What an utter disgrace.'

Roe v. Wade: Which US states could make abortion illegal if landmark 1973 law is overturned... and what would it mean for women in America? Vital Q&A on looming Supreme Court decision The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the United States, according to a bombshell leaked draft of a majority opinion that suggests it may be poised to overturn the famous Roe v. Wade ruling. The 98-page draft revealed by Politico calls the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision - which held that access to abortion in the US is a constitutional right - 'egregiously wrong from the start'. Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The draft was written by Justice Samuel Alito and has been circulating inside the conservative-dominated court since February. The leak of a draft opinion while a case is still pending is an extraordinary breach. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. Here, DailyMail.com looks at what the latest developments mean - and the history of abortion laws in the US: WHAT IS ROE V. WADE? The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion. Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion. She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger. Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights. Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague, and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category. The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant. The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court. The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972. Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states. WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED NOW? The Supreme Court has not decided anything yet, but a draft opinion reportedly circulated among court justices suggests that it may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. A document labelled 'Opinion of the Court' shows a majority of the court's justices earlier this year threw support behind overturning the 1973 case that legalised abortion across the country. According to Politico - who published the 'leaked document' - the draft opinion shows the court voted to strike down the landmark case. However, it is unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter. The paper was labelled '1st Draft' of the 'Opinion of the Court' and was said to be referring to a case challenging Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks - a case known as Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organisation. The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in the case, and opinions - and even justices' votes - have been known to change during the drafting process. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. The draft is signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court's 6-3 conservative majority, who was appointed by former President George W Bush. 'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' the draft opinion states. It in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER RULINGS SINCE 1973? On the same day as the Roe v. Wade decision, the justices also ruled in the separate 'Doe v. Bolton' case, which authorised each state to add restrictions to abortion rights for later-term pregnancies. The constitutional right to abortion was later confirmed in a number of decisions, including 'Webster v. Reproductive Health Services' in 1989 and 'Planned Parenthood v. Casey' in 1992. In the latter, the court guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the foetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks of gestation. The Planned Parenthood v Casey ruling also affirmed Roe's finding of a constitutional right to abortion services, but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. WHICH STATES COULD MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED? If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights. Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years. Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level. Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.= The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law. This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights. Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion. CAN WOMEN GET AN ABORTION IN A DIFFERENT STATE? Yes - the variation in abortion laws around America already means that some women have to travel to a different state to access a procedure. For example in Texas - which has passed a law banning almost all abortions in the state - an average of 1,400 women from the state travelling each month between September and December 2021 and sought out procedures at 34 facilities in other states such as Louisiana and Kansas. Research by the University of Texas established that more than a quarter of Texans seeking an abortion (27 per cent) went to obtain the procedure in New Mexico, a state which has seven facilities. WHAT WOULD ROE V. WADE BEING OVERTURNED MEAN FOR WOMEN? Abortion would not become illegal everywhere in the US if Roe v. Wade is overturned, with individual states still able to choose whether and when they would be permitted. As it stands, abortion is legal in every state - but with varying restrictions. Abortion would likely become illegal in about half of the states in the US if the ruling is overturned - with 24 states expected to ban abortion if they are able to do so. These are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Advertisement

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement following the news - apparently using the opportunity to slam former President Donald Trump

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted that she was 'not surprised' by the news, but thought it was an 'utter disgrace'

Many have now said they would fight the decision if it were passed - either at the federal or the state level.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy reminded his followers that he signed into law the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies the right to an abortion into New Jersey law.

'New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights,' he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said abortions rights would not be overturned 'on my watch,' and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also promised that 'abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York,' saying it will welcome anyone who says they need an abortion 'with open arms.'

'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed,' Hochul tweeted.

At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James also promised in a tweet to 'do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion' adding, 'Congress must act immediately to do the same.'

And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will 'fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal and accessible in our state.'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also branded the Supreme Court 'extremist' in a tweet saying it will 'impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country.

'It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard,' Warren wrote. 'We're not going backnot ever.'

Prominent Democrats from across the country raged against the news on Twitter, as several Democratic governors vowed to protect abortion rights in their states

Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, warned that Alito's decision could also lead to bans on birth control as he claimed the decision is reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale.

He was referring to the novel by Margaret Atwood - which was later turned into a television show. In both iterations, women are forced by the state to give birth.

'The basic legal claim here is that the word 'abortion' doesn't appear in the Constitution, and of course it doesn't appear in the Constitution,' Raskin, a Constitutional lawyer, explained to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Monday night.

'But the Supreme Court in 1973, in Roe v. Wade or Griswold v. Connecticut - which was a 1965 decision by the Supreme Court striking down a law banning birth control, even for married couples in Connecticut - the Supreme Court said that the due process liberty clause include a right to privacy, over intimate decision making.

'So the point is that Justice Alito's decision would also apply, presumably, to the right to privacy in contraception,' he continued. 'If Casey is to fall, if Roe v. Wade is to fall, then Griswold v. Connecticut presumably is to follow as well because the word 'contraception' or 'birth control' doesn't appear in the Constitution [either].

'So this would appear to be an invitation to have Handmaid's Tale-type anti-feminist regulation and legislation all over the country,' Raskin concluded.

Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin compared a draft Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade to The Handmaid's Tale on Monday night

The Supreme Court's draft decision has shaken the Supreme Court to its core, with barricades posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online.

The highly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign strategist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Such a ruling would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm election where Democrats are struggling to keep control of Congress.

Abortion would also become a major political issue in governors' races with states being given the right to determine whether or not to allow the procedure.
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Mitch McConnell tore into Democrats, including President Joe Biden, on Tuesday for playing into the 'toxic spectacle' and not condemning the person who leaked a draft opinion on the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade to the press before an official decision was issued.

'Last night's stunning breach was an attack on the independence of the Supreme Court,' McConnell said in a statement calling for the leaker to be brought to justice. 'By every indication, this was yet another escalation in the radical left's ongoing campaign to bully and intimidate federal judges and substitute mob rule for the rule of law.'

President Joe Biden questioned the validity of the draft opinion, but said decisive action must be taken to protect abortion rights if it's true the bench is on track to overturn the landmark law.

'We do not know whether this draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the Court,' Biden said in a statement sent out by the White House Tuesday morning. He said if it was true, there would be a White House plan to protect abortion rights.

When speaking at a press conference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, McConnell slammed the press for focusing their coverage on the contents of the leaked draft opinion and not the astounding and unprecedented fact that a Supreme Court document was leaked in general.

'I think the story today is an effort by someone on the inside to discredit the institution of the Senate, which continues a pattern that we've observed over the last several years,' the leader explained.

He then listed examples of the increased pressure from Democrats to politicize the Supreme Court: '[Democratic] Leader Schumer over on the steps of the Supreme Court calling out justices by name. Sheldon Whitehouse and others calling amicus briefs, threatening the court, efforts to pack the court, efforts to have term limits on court justices.'

'What's unique about today,' McConnell continues, 'is this is the first time that we've had someone on the inside try to attack the institution.'

He remained press, 'You need  it seems to me, excuse the lecture  to concentrate on what the news is today. Not a leaked draft, but the fact that the draft was leaked.'

McConnell also told press at the Capitol that if the rule is struck down, he still intends to support keeping the filibuster in place.

'If the Supreme Court does indeed strike down Roe and you are Majority Leader, do you commit to keeping the filibuster in place at all costs?'

'Absolutely. We don't want to break the Senate and that's breaking the Senate,' he said.

'And we went through that exercise a couple of months ago. I said it was the most important day in the history of the Senate as an institution. That remains the case and will  as far as I'm concerned, if we're in the majority  remain the case in perpetuity.'

Moderate Republican Senator Mitt Romney joined McConnell in calling for action against the leaker.

'The breach of the Court's deliberative process,' Romney wrote in a Tuesday statement, 'is an appalling affront against a critical institution and should be fully investigated and those responsible should be punished.'

Instead of condemning those who leaked the draft opinion that led to the chaos Monday evening into Tuesday morning, Democrats and liberals came out guns blazing against the potential end to constitutional protections for women's ability to terminate their pregnancy.

'The disgraceful statements by President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer refuse to defend judicial independence and the rule of law and instead play into this toxic spectacle,' McConnell accused in his Tuesday statement.

'Real leaders should defend the Court's independence unconditionally.'

Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell slammed President Joe Biden and Democrats for playing into the 'toxic spectacle' and not condemning the person who leaked a draft opinion on the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade to the press

Pro-abortion protesters clashed with pro-life activists outside the United States Supreme Court on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 after the leak showed conservatives on the court are potentially on track to overturn Roe v. Wade

McConnell and Senator Mitt Romney both released statements Tuesday bashing the leak and calling for the person who released the draft opinion to be 'punished' and 'brought to justice'

Chief Justice John Roberts launched an investigation Tuesday into the leak to Politico  just moments after McConnell's statement demanded that action to 'pursue criminal charges if applicable.'

'All nine Justices should tune out the bad-faith noise and feel totally free to do their jobs, following the facts and the law where they lead,' the Kentucky Republican said.

Romney's statement Tuesday said that if the leak's contents are true, he supports the decision to overturn the landmark abortion case decision that spans back 50 years.

'If the leaked draft opinion reflects the final outcome, it is a decision I support,' the Utah GOP senator wrote. 'The sanctity of human life is a foundational American principle. Laws regarding abortion would now be returned to the people and their elected representatives.'

Conservatives throughout the country celebrated the news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that is set to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case - but have denounced the leak as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Meanwhile progressives led Democrats ' outrage over the stunning reversal of high court precedent, with some even renewing calls to end the Senate filibuster. And protesters immediately convened outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on Monday evening after news broke of the leak.

A Marist poll from January 2022 shows that 44 percent of Americans feel that abortion decision should be left up to the states, which getting rid of protections under Roe v. Wade would allow for.

Another 36 percent of respondents in that poll said abortion should be made legal without restrictions while 17 percent said they wanted the Supreme Court to make abortion completely illegal.

The same poll shows that 71 percent of those surveyed support significant restrictions on abortion, spanning from only being permitted during the first trimester to being banned under any circumstance.

While Democrats and Republicans are extremely split on the matter, 70 percent of independents support these restrictions.

Biden laid out a three point plan for if Roe decision is overturned.

'First, my administration argued strongly before the Court in defense of Roe v. Wade I believe that a woman's right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.'

He said, secondly, that his administration's Gender Policy Council and White House Counsel's Office 'will be ready when any ruling is issued.'

'Third, if the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation's elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman's right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November,' he continued in a bid for Democrats in the 2022 midterms.

'At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.'

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is slated to speak at EMILY's List Gala on Tuesday evening, said that the draft decision is further proof that 'Republican legislators in states across the country are weaponizing the use of the law against women.'

If Chief Supreme Court Justice John Roberts (center bottom) does vote with liberals against overturning the landmark abortion case, the five remaining conservative justices (circled in red) will still have the numbers to reverse the decision with a 6-3 conservative majority bench

A Marist poll taken January 2022 shows that 71% of Americans support restrictions on abortion spanning from being illegal until after the first trimester to a full ban on terminating a pregnancy altogether

'The rights of all Americans are at risk,' the VP added in a Tuesday statement. 'If the right to privacy is weakened, every person could face a future in which the government can potentially interfere in the personal decisions you make about your life.'

'This is the time to fight for women and for our country with everything we have.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont immediately called for Congress to safeguard Roe v. Wade with federal legislation.

'People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter late Monday night.

She added: 'It's high time we do it.'

The firebrand Democrat posed a question to her colleagues asking them what message their outrage would be sending without action.

'It's time to be decisive, lead with confidence, fight for a prosperous future for all and protect the vulnerable,' she said.

On the other side of the aisle, Republicans are demanding investigations into who leaked a Supreme Court draft opinion for the first time in history.

GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah said whoever leaked the explosive memo 'needs to be brought to justice' in an interview on Fox News soon after the report.

'This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates,' Lee said.

He also released a statement on Monday night calling the decision 'well-reasoned' but further panned the leak as 'dangerous, despicable, and damaging.'

The Utah conservative is on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts.'

Protesters descended upon the court late on Monday night after Politico reported the Supreme Court's bombshell draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade

Meanwhile Democrats across the country have reacted with outrage, with many renewing calls for the landmark ruling to be codified into federal law

'I have questions about whether that person should ever be allowed to practice law. That something that will be worked out in due time. These are small circles. As a former Supreme Court clerk I can tell you there are very few people in the entire building who had access to the opinion,' he said on Fox.

'I am virtually certain there are number people inside the court, probably figured out who it is. That person needs to be brought to justice and held to account to what they did. This is the first and what I predict will be a series of other attempts to delegitimize the supreme court of the United States in the coming months.'

Tennessee's Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn tweeted: 'I have no doubt that the Chief Justice will work to root out the radical activist that betrayed the sacred tradition of the court. The leaker must be immediately removed from their position and exiled from the legal community.'

Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Texas said: 'It is unfortunate that the news of the greatest victory for the Pro Life movement comes on the heels of one of the most profound breaches of trust the Court has ever seen.'

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas called on President Joe Biden's Justice Department to 'get to the bottom' of the matter and, like his colleagues, shared praise for the high court's reported decision.

'The Supreme Court & the DOJ must get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary. In the meantime, Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life,' Cotton said on Monday night.

Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said the leaker should be disbarred if they are a law clerk.

Pro-choice activists remained outside the Supreme Court into Tuesday morning, hours after the bombshell Monday night report

Democrats have been renewing calls to scuttle the Senate filibuster in order to pass legislation safeguarding Roe v. Wade

Sanders led the left wing in demanding his colleagues scuttle the filibuster to pass pro-choice legislation with a simple majority.

'Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes,' the Independent senator said.

Democrats previously tried to scuttle the filibuster to pass federal voting rights legislation with only their 50 seats in the chamber plus Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote, but the effort failed in the face of moderate opposition within their own party.

Sanders' former adviser and current Ohio House candidate Nina Turner echoed her ex-boss' calls.

'Protecting abortion rights is not a midterm pitchDemocrats have the power now. We have the majority in Congress and we have the White House. Instead of drafting fundraising emails tonight, our elected leaders should be in DC voting to codify Roe & getting rid of the filibuster,' Turner said on Twitter.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York called for top-down reforms on all levels of government, 'even if it means eliminating the filibuster.'

'With far-right justices poised to overturn Roe, the lives of millions of Americans depend on us. We must codify the right to an abortion into federal laweven if it means eliminating the filibuster. We must flip state legislatures. And states like NY must open our doors,' Gillibrand wrote on Twitter.

On the House side, Ocasio-Cortez's fellow 'Squad' member Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri said the Supreme Court's reported decision is a national 'emergency.'

'Abolish the filibuster. Codify Roe. Expand the Supreme Court. Protect abortion rights by any means necessary. We need all of the above. This is an emergency,' Bush said on Tuesday morning.

Brian Fallon, Hillary Clinton's former 2016 press secretary who is co-founder and executive director of Demand Justice, publicly pondered if the leaker was a 'brave clerk' hoping public outrage would reverse the monumental decision.

'Is a brave clerk taking this unpredecented(sp) step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?' Fallon questioned.

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee called for the leaker to be 'brought to justice.' He's on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts'

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

Alito's draft does not necessarily represent the sentiments of other justices who did not pen the opinion, but it's been suggested that the court's 5-3 conservative supermajority will likely deliver on the historic reversal.

Republicans celebrated the decision, calling it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

Pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List hailed the report as a victory for their movement.

The opinion draft - originally obtained by Politico - was written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court

'If the draft opinion made public tonight is the final opinion of the court, we wholeheartedly applaud the decision. The American people have the right to act through their elected officials to debate and enact laws that protect unborn children and honor women,' SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. 'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature.'

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the 'world is about to hear [the] fury' of 'our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers' as he vowed to fight back against the decision

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, questioned why the opinion was leaked

Reaction to the news of Alito's draft opinion was swift Monday night, with conservative lawmakers celebrating the news after decades of fighting for an end to abortion rights - though they raised doubts about why the decision was leaked in the first place.

Mike Gibbons, who is currently facing Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance in the Republican primary for an Ohio Senate seat, wrote that the decision marked a 'huge pro-life victory,' noting it's 'great to see the Court recognize all life is protected under the Constitution.

'We still have to make sure we elect candidates that will continue to defend the unborn, which is exactly what I'll do in the U.S. Senate.

Others, though, raised doubts about why the opinion was leaked to POLITICO, with Marco Rubio writing: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions and norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion.'

Republican Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also tweeted that the leak is 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.'

'The Justices mustn't give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' Hawley wrote. 'Stay strong.'

Embattled Congressmember Madison Cawthorn also tweeted that the story 'was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down.'

'Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong,' he urged his followers, noting: 'Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win.'

And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, said in a statement she is 'overwhelmed with emotion because this is the best news of our lifetime.

'This is a great victory for God and the unborn who have been innocently slain for years, my entire lifetime,' she said.

'I want to urge everyone to continue to pray, people all over our country, people all over our world, have been praying to end abortion.

'I want you to understand that there is going to be a major pushback in our country because there's going to be people that are going to fight to keep it and they're going to fight keep murdering the innocent unborn.

'I want you to dig in in prayer and faith and continue to pray that this actually comes true when they do release their opinion that Roe v Wade will be overturned and abortion will end and this will return the rights back to the states.

'I urge every single strong pro-life state to end it,' she wrote.

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

Rubio questioned the leak of Alito's decision as a liberal plot on Monday night

A number of Democrats have since come out against the decision, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying in a joint statement that the decision 'would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.'

They also used the opportunity to slam former President Trump, saying: 'Several of these conservative justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the Constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century.

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump,' the two top Congressional Democrats continued, adding: 'Every Republican Senator who supported Sen. McConnell and voted for Trump justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people.'

And one-time Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted Monday night she is 'not surprised' by the news.

'This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights and lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law,' she wrote. 'It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal.

'What an utter disgrace.'

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement following the news - apparently using the opportunity to slam former President Donald Trump

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted that she was 'not surprised' by the news, but thought it was an 'utter disgrace'

Many have now said they would fight the decision if it were passed - either at the federal or the state level.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy reminded his followers that he signed into law the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies the right to an abortion into New Jersey law.

'New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights,' he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said abortions rights would not be overturned 'on my watch,' and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also promised that 'abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York,' saying it will welcome anyone who says they need an abortion 'with open arms.'

'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed,' Hochul tweeted.

At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James also promised in a tweet to 'do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion' adding, 'Congress must act immediately to do the same.'

And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will 'fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal and accessible in our state.'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also branded the Supreme Court 'extremist' in a tweet saying it will 'impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country.

'It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard,' Warren wrote. 'We're not going backnot ever.'

Prominent Democrats from across the country raged against the news on Twitter, as several Democratic governors vowed to protect abortion rights in their states

Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, warned that Alito's decision could also lead to bans on birth control as he claimed the decision is reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale.

He was referring to the novel by Margaret Atwood - which was later turned into a television show. In both iterations, women are forced by the state to give birth.

'The basic legal claim here is that the word 'abortion' doesn't appear in the Constitution, and of course it doesn't appear in the Constitution,' Raskin, a Constitutional lawyer, explained to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Monday night.

'But the Supreme Court in 1973, in Roe v. Wade or Griswold v. Connecticut - which was a 1965 decision by the Supreme Court striking down a law banning birth control, even for married couples in Connecticut - the Supreme Court said that the due process liberty clause include a right to privacy, over intimate decision making.

'So the point is that Justice Alito's decision would also apply, presumably, to the right to privacy in contraception,' he continued. 'If Casey is to fall, if Roe v. Wade is to fall, then Griswold v. Connecticut presumably is to follow as well because the word 'contraception' or 'birth control' doesn't appear in the Constitution [either].

'So this would appear to be an invitation to have Handmaid's Tale-type anti-feminist regulation and legislation all over the country,' Raskin concluded.

Maryland Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin explained in an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow (left) Monday night that the decision overturn could also jeopardize access to birth control

Raskin was referencing a Margaret Atwood novel - which later inspired a television show - in which women are forced by the state to give birth

The Supreme Court's draft decision has shaken the Supreme Court to its core, with barricades posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online.

The highly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign strategist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Such a ruling would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm election where Democrats are struggling to keep control of Congress.

Abortion would also become a major political issue in governors' races with states being given the right to determine whether or not to allow the procedure.

Roe v. Wade: Which US states could make abortion illegal if landmark 1973 law is overturned... and what would it mean for women in America? Vital Q&A on looming Supreme Court decision The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the United States, according to a bombshell leaked draft of a majority opinion that suggests it may be poised to overturn the famous Roe v. Wade ruling. The 98-page draft revealed by Politico calls the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision - which held that access to abortion in the US is a constitutional right - 'egregiously wrong from the start'. Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The draft was written by Justice Samuel Alito and has been circulating inside the conservative-dominated court since February. The leak of a draft opinion while a case is still pending is an extraordinary breach. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. Here, DailyMail.com looks at what the latest developments mean - and the history of abortion laws in the US: WHAT IS ROE V. WADE? The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion. Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion. She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger. Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights. Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague, and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category. The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant. The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court. The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972. Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states. WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED NOW? The Supreme Court has not decided anything yet, but a draft opinion reportedly circulated among court justices suggests that it may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. A document labelled 'Opinion of the Court' shows a majority of the court's justices earlier this year threw support behind overturning the 1973 case that legalised abortion across the country. According to Politico - who published the 'leaked document' - the draft opinion shows the court voted to strike down the landmark case. However, it is unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter. The paper was labelled '1st Draft' of the 'Opinion of the Court' and was said to be referring to a case challenging Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks - a case known as Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organisation. The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in the case, and opinions - and even justices' votes - have been known to change during the drafting process. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. The draft is signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court's 6-3 conservative majority, who was appointed by former President George W Bush. 'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' the draft opinion states. It in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER RULINGS SINCE 1973? On the same day as the Roe v. Wade decision, the justices also ruled in the separate 'Doe v. Bolton' case, which authorised each state to add restrictions to abortion rights for later-term pregnancies. The constitutional right to abortion was later confirmed in a number of decisions, including 'Webster v. Reproductive Health Services' in 1989 and 'Planned Parenthood v. Casey' in 1992. In the latter, the court guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the foetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks of gestation. The Planned Parenthood v Casey ruling also affirmed Roe's finding of a constitutional right to abortion services, but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. WHICH STATES COULD MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED? If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights. Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years. Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level. Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.= The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law. This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights. Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion. CAN WOMEN GET AN ABORTION IN A DIFFERENT STATE? Yes - the variation in abortion laws around America already means that some women have to travel to a different state to access a procedure. For example in Texas - which has passed a law banning almost all abortions in the state - an average of 1,400 women from the state travelling each month between September and December 2021 and sought out procedures at 34 facilities in other states such as Louisiana and Kansas. Research by the University of Texas established that more than a quarter of Texans seeking an abortion (27 per cent) went to obtain the procedure in New Mexico, a state which has seven facilities. WHAT WOULD ROE V. WADE BEING OVERTURNED MEAN FOR WOMEN? Abortion would not become illegal everywhere in the US if Roe v. Wade is overturned, with individual states still able to choose whether and when they would be permitted. As it stands, abortion is legal in every state - but with varying restrictions. Abortion would likely become illegal in about half of the states in the US if the ruling is overturned - with 24 states expected to ban abortion if they are able to do so. These are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Advertisement
A father murdered his two-year-old son after shooting him with a BB gun, stabbing him with a skewer and smothering him with a pillow out of spite towards his ex-partner, a court has heard.

Prosecutors said Lukasz Czapla's fury towards his former girlfriend Patrycja Szczesniak is what motivated him to kill their son Julius at his home address in Muirhouse, Edinburgh, in November 2020.

The 41-year-old former IT technician is on trial accused of murdering the toddler, and has previously offered to plead guilty to culpable homicide, but this has been rejected by the Crown.

Prosecutors said Lukasz Czapla's fury towards his former girlfriend Patrycja Szczesniak is what motivated him to kill their son Julius (pictured) at his home address in Muirhouse, Edinburgh, in November 2020

At a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Alan Cameron, prosecuting, told a 15-strong jury that the accused was 'motivated with anger towards Patrycja when he killed his son'.

After referencing details of how Julius was killed, and a conversation between Czapla and his friend Wojciech Marchlewski where the accused said he would 'kill' or 'smash' his son, Mr Cameron said to the jury: 'You should be in no doubt to convict him of the crime of murder based on that evidence.'

He then re-read a transcript from a phone call between the accused and Mr Marchlewski which took place several weeks after the alleged murder.

It included comments such as: 'I started talking to myself that she was so f****** annoying... for f***'s sake I am so f****** pissed off... the way she ignores me, it really angers me... I was absolutely rageous about her, how could she ignore me?'

Earlier, the court saw text messages between the two parents hours before Julius was killed where Ms Szczesniak had mentioned a new partner.

When asked by Czapla for more details about him, she declined to comment further.

Messages were then sent from the accused to Ms Szczesniak that contained sexual content, which she did not reply to.

A final message Czapla sent to her before he killed their son included: 'You're raising him with another guy, soon enough I'll have to pay alimony.'

Mr Cameron also referenced previous evidence that heard Czapla was paranoid about his former partner being unfaithful at the beginning stages of their seven-year relationship, which the accused said has been exaggerated.

The court had previously heard evidence from three psychiatrists who assessed Czapla's mental condition.

Tributes left in memory of the tragic two-year-old, who was allegedly murdered by his father

Dr Deborah Mountain, who interviewed him hours after Julius was killed, said the accused showed no signs of mental illness.

Senior consultant psychiatrists Dr Alexander Quinn and Dr Khuram Khan, who assessed Czapla multiple times, clashed over some diagnoses, but both agreed the accused had depression, though not severely.

Addressing the jury, Mr Cameron said members are required to decide whether or not Czapla was suffering from 'diminished responsibility' at the time of Julius's death, which could reduce the offence from murder to culpable homicide.

He explained this meant that Czapla had to have been 'suffering from an abnormality of mind that substantially impaired his ability to control his conduct at the time of the crime'.

Evidence has shown the accused had consumed alcohol and taken anti-depressant medication the night he killed his son.

Voluntary intoxication cannot amount to diminished responsibility, the court heard. However, if someone is intoxicated, and they have some sort of mental disorder that should inhibit their ability to control their conduct, then it can apply.

Mr Cameron told the jury: 'The accused voluntarily consumed alcohol and drugs.

'His impulse was lowered and he acted on his emotions and killed his son to get back at her (Ms Szczesniak).

'Depression played a minor role, and certainly didn't substantially impair his ability to control his conduct. Alcohol and drugs did this.'

He added: 'He was furious with his ex-partner... in a fit of anger and spite he killed his son to hurt his former partner.'

Mr Cameron closed his speech saying 'diminished responsibility has not been proved'.

A teddy bear with the message 'fly high baby boy' is left in memory of the tragic toddler

Iain McSporran QC, defending, read out an opinion given by Dr Quinn after he interviewed the accused for a third time in July 2021, during which Czapla gave a 'harrowing' account of how he killed his son.

Dr Quinn's assessment, which was read out in court, said: 'It would appear that Mr Czapla's depressive illness had a substantial role to play in the events which led to the killing of his son.

'It is my opinion that his depressive illness would have led to a substantial impairment in Mr Czapla's ability to control his conduct.'

Mr McSporran told the jury: 'The words used by Dr Quinn, engaged by prosecution, supports the professional expert opinion that the conditions for diminished responsibility were met.'

He added: 'Lukasz Czapla loved his son Julius, he was a caring, loving father - if anything, he was over-protective.

'I would say the killing of Julius is simply inconceivable, it goes against nature, it's utterly incomprehensible, yet it can be understood. Not excused, but understood.

'This loving father killed his son because his depressive illness had a substantial role that led to the killing.

'His depressive illness had substantially impaired his ability to control his conduct.'

Czapla has pleaded guilty to nine other charges which include dangerous driving, drug possession and having an air weapon.

All evidence, before Lord Beckett, has concluded.
The husband of Hollywood actress Zara Phythian accused of sexually abusing a schoolgirl angrily told police 'I'm no paedophile', a court has heard.

Taekwondo 'master' Victor Marke is accused of grooming the youngster from the age of 13 alongside his wife Zara, who starred in the hit 2016 Marvel film 'Doctor Strange' with Benedict Cumberbatch.

Prosecutors claim the pair, both martial arts experts, regularly assaulted the teenager between 2005 and 2008 at their home - with Victor occasionally filming the incidents.

Jurors at Nottingham Crown Court have been told the alleged abuse began after the Markes plied the girl with rum, before Zara, who has appeared in several movies under the name Zara Phythian, 'dared' her to perform a sex act on Victor.

The assaults are said to have progressed to including full sexual intercourse, with activity taking place 'once or twice a month', with the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, being ordered 'not to tell anyone'.

The court also heard how Victor denied being a paedophile during his police interview, before adding the girl could have vindictively made the allegations because she was 'jealous' of Zara's success.

The Markes are jointly charged with 14 counts of sexual activity with a child, which they deny.

Hollywood actress Zara Phythian, 36, from Mansfield, who starred in the Marvel blockbuster with Benedict Cumberbatch ,with spouse Victor Marke, 59, are jointly charged with 14 counts of sexual activity with a child

Victor has also pleaded not guilty to indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl from 2002 to 2003.

Transcripts from his police interviews after he was arrested on suspicion of the alleged 2002/03 offences were read to jurors by prosecutor Ahmad Hossein QC.

The hearing was told that as the 59-year-old was being quizzed by Detective Inspector Parminder Dhillon, of Notts Police, in 2017, he said: 'I'm angry about what is being said.

'I do not want to say anything bad about her (the alleged victim) because I am really angry.

'I know I play it close to the border with banter. I always have done. I chat like I am 18 myself.

'But if you are trying to say I am a paedophile, I am not.

'I am fully aware of the rights and wrongs, if that is what you are trying to say.'

Asked if he knew why the allegations had been made, Victor replied: 'No, no, no, I do not know where they have come from.'

He added the girl may have been 'jealous' of Zara, 36, who appeared in Doctor Strange shortly before the claims were reported to police.

Victor told Det Insp Dhillon: 'When me and my wife split up I remember she found it quite shocking when I ended up with Zara. I got the impression she was quite upset with me.

'In November Doctor Strange came out and Zara is all over the cinema.

'Has she (the alleged victim) had enough? Is she a bit peed off?

'I think some people may have been aware of a jealousy thing between (the girl) and Zara.'

British actress Zara Phythian, right, who starred in Doctor Strange with Benedict Cumberbatch, left. She is now on trial for child sex offences with her husband Victor

Ms Phythian as Zealot in Doctor Strange with Mads Mikkelsen (left). She is also the star of a number of martial arts action movies including Tribal: Get out Alive with another due out this year

As the individual claims  that he had indecently touched the girl on several occasions - were put to Victor, he at one point apologised for shouting, and said: 'This is paedophile s***. You have to stop this s*** now.

'I swear on God, no. I do not believe she said this. There is something going off. I don't believe she would say this. Why has she said this? She has got no reason to.

'Is she under pressure from someone? This is bulls***. You have to have a look at her. I think she is ill.

'I have had no sexual relations or contact with her. I just want to go home. I need to tell my wife this. I feel angry now.'

It was then put to Victor that some of his electronic devices had been seized. Asked if there was 'anything on them that will get you in trouble', he replied: 'Porn. Legal porn. No child stuff if that is what you are trying to suggest.

'There might be some personal sex between me and the missus, stuff we like.

'You are allowed to film yourself, aren't you? It's not illegal.'

The second alleged victim, who has accused both Victor and Zara Marke of sexual activity with her, previously told the hearing how she finally revealed what she described as her 'darkest secret' years later when a police officer knocked on her mum's door to say the first girl had made claims against Victor.

At that time, the court has heard how Taekwondo black belt Zara, of Mansfield, Notts, was enjoying 'unprecedented personal and professional success' thanks to her acting career, including the role of 'Brunette Zealot' in Doctor Strange.

The girl said she 'would never have come forward' and planned to 'die with my shame' - but had recently become a mum, and felt she had 'no option to speak my truth' in a bid to stop anyone else being targeted in the same way she claimed to have been.

Giving evidence from behind a screen last Thursday while Victor, of Ravenshead, Notts, and Zara sat in the dock, she added: 'That was my deepest, darkest secret.

'I thought that if I was to say anything, then my family would hate me. At that time I really hated my mum. I got stuck because I had this secret and I could not tell her.'

In a videotaped interview also played to the jury that the alleged victim gave to police, she told how the Markes 'preyed' upon her.

She said: 'They saw the vulnerability in me and preyed on that, and saw my mum was struggling, and took advantage of that.

'I found it quite hard and they kind of instructed me through all of it (the sexual activity).'

Referring to the alleged filming of the incidents, she added: 'All I can remember is he used to record.

'I don't know what he did with them. I never saw them again. I did not want to see them. I was ashamed. It was a power they had over me.

'I never knew how to get out of that situation. I could not see a way out.'

The alleged victim went on to claim the Markes had 'made me leave college six months in', adding: 'They really ruined my education in a sense'.

She said that she finally told a friend what had been going on when she was 18, and had later spoken to Zara on the phone, telling jurors: 'I said I am not coming back. Zara said, 'Don't come back, I'm burning all your stuff'.'

The court has previously heard Victor's marriage broke down around 2005 after he had an affair with Zara, who was herself a teenager at the time.

In his opening speech to the jury at the start of the trial, Mr Hossain said: 'Both of those defendants commanded admiration and respect within the martial arts world and the prosecution case is that Victor Marke groomed these two separate complainants when they were children and that he used his position of trust and authority to make them feel special so that he could satisfy his sexual urges.

'And, it is the prosecution's case, that Zara Marke was part of that process and Zara Marke acted, as is alleged, with Victor Marke.'

In a later police interview, that took place in March 2017, Victor was quizzed after he and Zara had been arrested over claims they had sexual activity with the second girl.

He told detectives he and his wife had 'met through training', and got together after he separated from his first wife, Juliet, adding: 'She helped me find a flat and then we ended up together.

'She was the only one there for me to be honest. People weren't appreciative of a 40-year-old going out with a 19-year-old.'

Victor was also asked by the police if the couple owned any sex toys.

He replied: 'You would have to ask Zara,' then added: 'Dildos, gags, whips, panel things.

'Nothing illegal, just Victoria's Secret stuff. A bed strap thing where you strap someone down on the bed.'

The court heard the couple had also taken part in filming their sex life with a Go Pro camera, and swinging. However, Victor wouldn't comment on the latter, telling officers: 'I am not willing to talk about mine and Zara's sex life any more.'

Victor then admitted he had had sex with the girl on four occasions - but claimed it was after she had turned 18, and was 'consensual'.

He went on to say the alleged victim was 'evil', 'hurtful', and a 'nutter'.

The trial continues.
Natalie McGarry, 40, who represented Glasgow East for the SNP, allegedly stole more than 25,000 between April 2013 and August 2015

A former SNP MP has denied embezzling money from two organisations advocating for Scottish independence.

Natalie McGarry, 40, who represented Glasgow East for the SNP, allegedly stole more than 25,000 between April 2013 and August 2015.

McGarry is said to have embezzled 21,000 while treasurer for Women for Independence (WFI) between April 26, 2013 and November 30, 2015.

A second charge states McGarry took 4,661 between April 9, 2014 and August 10, 2015 when she was Treasurer, Secretary and Convenor of Glasgow Regional Association (GRA) of the SNP.

McGarry - of Clarkston, East Renfrewshire - denies the two charges at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

McGarry began her evidence by stating that she suffers from a condition which affects her vocal nerves and is impacted by her mental health.

Her defence counsel Allan MacLeod asked her: 'Did you embezzle money from the organisation Women for Independence?'

McGarry: 'Certainly not.'

Mr MacLeod said: 'Did you embezzle money from the Glasgow Regional Association of the Scottish National Party?'

McGarry said: 'I did not.'

Mr MacLeod said: 'Did you deliberately misappropriate funds from either of those organisations for your own use?'

McGarry said: 'I did not.'

McGarry claimed that she joined WFI in order to bridge the gap between male and female voices in the independence campaign.

McGarry claimed that she joined WFI in order to bridge the gap between male and female voices in the independence campaign

McGarry - of Clarkston, East Renfrewshire - denies the two charges at Glasgow Sheriff Court

She claimed to have taken a more hands on role with the administration side of WFI after an unpaid bill of 187 was sent to one of the organisation's email accounts which had not been dealt with.

McGarry told the jury that it was 'embarrassing' as the printing firm owed the cash was a personal contact.

She claimed that she and fellow founding member Shona McAlpine did the 'donkey work' for the organisation.

McGarry later said: 'I'm a good organiser but I'm not the most organised person, this is not what I signed up for.

'I believed in the organisation and independence, someone had to step up and do it and there didn't seem as if there were people doing it.

'It was just falling by the wayside and I didn't want it to fail and Shona McAlpine didn't want it to fail.'

She said that the pair pushed WFI through 2013 and 2014 and added that they were 'overwhelmed.'

McGarry claimed she was unemployed at the time and was being helped out financially by her parents.

McGarry claimed that her 'arm was pulled' when she decided to stand as a candidate in the Cowdenbeath byelection for Holyrood in 2013.

She was defeated and later stood again for the SNP at th e 2015 UK general election as a candidate for Glasgow East where she was elected.

McGarry said: 'My campaign team were the best and deserved someone who would give their all to the campaign and I did and they did - we exhausted ourselves.

'There was nothing that we didn't do that we could have.'

McGarry added that she was not 'focused enough' on WFI business during the election campaign.

McGarry was visibly emotional when she told the jury that she did not stand for election again in 2017.

She said: 'This was hanging over me and I wasn't able to fight the election again and I was pregnant as well.'

The trial continues before sheriff Tom Hughes.
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Just over 35,000 Britons have tested positive for Covid since Friday and 400 deaths have been registered in the same time, official data shows.

A delay to the Government's dashboard update on bank holiday Monday means today's stats include four days' worth of numbers - after ministers stopped publishing the figures on weekends following 'Freedom Day'.

It shows there were 35,635 new positive Covid tests over the last four days, working out at an average of just 8,900 daily cases since Friday. There were also 407 total deaths, equivalent of just over 100 daily.

Case numbers logged by the central testing scheme are becoming increasingly unreliable now that free swabs have been stopped for the vast majority of Britons.

Meanwhile, latest Covid hospital data shows there were 1,198 new admissions for the virus on April 27, which marked a near-19 per cent decrease on the previous week.

Daily hospitalisations have now fallen for 22 days in a row  despite NHS leaders calling for masks and outdoor mixing to return just weeks ago.

Pressure is mounting on the UK to scrap its daily Covid stats after Ireland said it would discontinue its updates in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, South Africa has once again become a focal point of the pandemic amid a fresh Covid surge of new subvariants.

Covid cases have nearly quadrupled in a month nationally and hospital admissions are ticking up in Gauteng province, the former epicentre of the original Omicron wave.

The world watched in horror last November as the super-infectious Omicron strain (BA.1) spread through South Africa at unprecedented speed  which turned out to be mild.

But now the country finds itself at the cusp of a fresh explosion in infections, this time due to sub-strains that appear even more transmissible and resistant to antibodies.

Researchers on the ground in South Africa say the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants can evade immunity and cause symptoms in people who were infected with their parent strain just months ago.

What is still unclear is whether the new wave will create milder or more severe illness  but experts tell MailOnline the former is more likely, for the UK at least.

Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, said Britain's second Omicron wave, triggered by the BA.2 subvariant, will have given Britons an extra layer of immunity against severe illness.

Long Covid ages your brain by TWENTY years Being hospitalised with Covid could age your brain by two decades, a Government-funded study warned today. Cambridge University experts say the effect is the equivalent of losing roughly 10 IQ points. Dozens of studies have found Covid damages brain function, the scientists claim this is first study of its kind to assess the impact. Researchers tested the cognitive skills of 46 patients who were hospitalised with the virus in 2020. A third had been hooked up to ventilators. They underwent a range of memory, attention and reasoning tests six months after their ordeal. These test results were then compared against the scores done by 66,008 members of the general public, with 460 selected for direct comparison based on patient demographics. Results showed the Covid survivors were on average less accurate and had slower response times than the public. Covid survivors scored particularly poorly on tasks relating to finding appropriate words for a problem, called 'verbal analogies' in the test. This, the authors said, was a commonly reported problem among those experiencing 'brain fog' after recovering from Covid. The results also showed patients who needed mechanical ventilation scored the worst in the tests indicating severity of illness was a driving factor in the cognitive decline. The experts, also from Imperial College London, said the cognitive impairment was similar to that seen normally as people age from 50 to 70. While the patients had shown some 'gradual' cognitive improvement 10 months after their illness, the authors said some may never fully recover their prior intelligence. They also warned that millions who suffered a milder version of Covid could also be impacted, although to a lesser extent. Neuroscientist Professor David Menon, study author, said while some of the patients had shown improvement over time, it was slow, and some may never recover their prior cognitive abilities. Advertisement

He pointed to a pre-print which showed the combination of vaccination and Omicron infection created 'robust protection' against Omicron's sub-lineages.

However, it is less clear how the latest wave will play out in South Africa, where only three in 10 South Africans have had two jabs and just one per cent have had a booster dose.

There has also been a lull in infections since the original Omicron wave collapsed in South Africa in January, whereas the UK's case rates spiralled again over spring.

There are now nearly 4,800 new Covid infections per day in South Africa, on average, compared to around 1,300 this time last month.

Nationally there are about 1,400 weekly daily hospital admissions for the virus, broadly unchanged from a month ago, but it takes several weeks for any trend to play out.

In Gauteng province, home to Johannesburg, admissions have doubled in a month.

However, more than 90 per cent of South Africans are estimated to have natural immunity against Covid, which could limit the pressure on hospitals.

Professor Hunter told MailOnline he expects BA.4 and BA.5 to become dominant in the UK unless another completely new variant arises.

'I suspect that unless something else comes along, one or both of these variants will become dominant in the UK but I can't predict how big a surge of infections that would lead to,' he said.

'It is also likely that we will still have robust protection against severe disease for most of us.

'Vaccines give good additional protection after a BA.1 infection so given the UK has a much higher vaccine uptake than South Africa, as well as having high prior infection rates, it is difficult to predict what that would mean for UK with certainty.'

Professor Christina Pagel, of University College London and part of a former Zero Covid campaign group, said a best case scenario would see a small BA.4/BA.5 wave in the UK.

At worst it could mean a wave as bad as the Omicron or BA.2 wave, which never overwhelmed the NHS, according to Professor Pagel, who is not normally known for optimistic Covid forecasts.

She told The Guardian that the UK was approaching summer, meaning more outdoor mixing and lower levels of transmission.

But there are naturally some intrigue about the latest rise in South Africa, given what happened last November when the country announced the Omicron variant to the world.

Last November it was recording fewer than 300 daily cases before the strain caused an astronomical surge, peaking at 27,000 daily cases within a month.

The situation in South Africa caused international panic, with countries across the world shutting their borders to travellers from swathes of Africa in early December.

But Omicron quickly spread around the world and caused unprecedented rises in cases.

Frightened that the surge could lead to a wave of hospitalisations, many leaders across Europe chose to lock down again  including the Netherlands and Austria and France.

In the UK, Britons were urged to cancel their Christmas parties and only see people if it was essential. That was despite doctors in South Africa strongly insisting that Omicron was milder than previous waves.

Experts told MailOnline at the time that there was an element of 'snobbery' among UK experts in ignoring the pleas of South African doctors.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline that people need to get out of the habit of fixating on ebbs and flows of the virus in other countries.

'Over the coming months and years we're going to see numbers of infections rise and fall around the world. It's natural and nothing to be afraid of or shocked by,' he said.

'The important thing is to maintain sufficient immunity in population so that we keep a lid on Covid-19's worst effects and some reduction in spread.

'Having a good level of immunity derived from vaccines and previous infections means that hospitalisations are reduced and when they do occur, tend to be at the less serious end of the spectrum with fewer admissions to intensive care.'

Since the more transmissible but milder Omicron strains took off in the UK in December, Covid cases have soared to record levels, with 4.1million infections logged at the latest peak last month.

But, unlike in previous parts of the pandemic, surges in severe illness never followed. Deaths in England never breached 250 a day in April, similar to levels seen in bad flu seasons.

Hospital admissions peaked at just over 2,000  half of the peak in January 2021  and more than half were likely admitted for a different illness and tested positive incidentally.
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

A Louisiana couple indicted on second-degree murder charges in the death of their severely autistic daughter who was discovered 'fused' to a sofa by her own excrement insisted that she never wanted to leave the couch.

Clay, 65, and Sheila Fletcher, 64, were arrested on Monday and indicted by a grand jury on second-degree murder charges in the death of Lacey Fletcher, 36, whose emaciated body partly submerged in a hole in a couch at their home in January.

Speaking to law enforcement, the Fletchers allegedly insisted that it was Lacey who made the decision to remain on the couch for 12 years, DailyMail.com revealed.

They told investigators that their daughter, who had developed 'some degree of Asperger's syndrome of 9th grade when she started being home schooled,' would use the couch or a nearby towel as her bathroom.

Coroner Dr. Ewell Dewitt Bickham III, with the East Feliciana Parish Coroner's Office, said, that based on evidence, it looked as if Lacey had been on that couch for almost 12 years.

Bickham also told WAFB that medical records show that Lacey Fletcher did not have a primary care physician.

'In 2010, the parents went to the doctor's office without Lacey and asked his advice on what to do,' Bickham said. 'She is increasingly not wanting to leave the house, not wanting to leave the sofa, just totally recluse.'

Bickham said the doctor told her parents to bring their daughter to the hospital, yet she was never admitted and no treatment was provided.

'If you have anyone in your family, the message is if you have anyone in your family with a mental health condition or a disability, get help,' Bickham added.

Sheila Fletcher, 64, (pictured) and Clay Fletcher, 65, were arrested Monday and indicted on second-degree murder charges for the death of their daughter, Lacey, 36.

A photo of the two-story home located on Tom Drive in Slaughter, Louisiana where Lacey lived with her parents

In the horrific scene discovered on January 3, Lacey's emaciated body was found 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, Louisiana.

'Opened the door, walked into the house, there was a stench, an odor, feces, fecal material, urine, you couldn't hold your breath,' Bickham said, WAFB reported.

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.

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.

'I have been a sheriff for six years, and I have had a lot of things happen here in East Feliciana Parish, but this type of scene, this is by far the worst,' Sheriff Jeffery Travis said.

The Fletchers were arrested Monday and then indicted on second-degree murder charges. A trial date has not yet been set.

Bickham 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.

'The father was completely emotionless, the mother's head was lying down on, between her legs, she was weeping a little bit,' he added.

'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 Monday's grand jury proceedings as 'long emotional day.'

'Seeing those photos again and reliving this traumatic experience again was really hard.'

Clay Fletcher, 65, and Shiela Fletcher, 64, were indicted on second-degree murder charges for their daughter Lacey Ellen Fletcher's death

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.'

'Evidence wise, a minimum of 12 years,' he said. 'Could be before that. At least 12 years. A terribly long period of time.'

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.'

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE

Sheila Fletcher resigned from 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'

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.

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

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 resulted in grand jury deliberation and indictment decision.

'I hope this indictment brings some spotlight to victims of this type of crime,' D'Aquilla added.

Sheila and Clay Fletcher will be booked into the East Feliciana Prison, WAFB reported.
The mother of a five-year-old girl with a rare genetic disorder who has never weighted more than 18lbs, has been handed just 20 years probation for removing her daughter's feeding tube.

Porscha Mickens, 29, and her husband Jerrail were arrested in 2020 after their daughter, Kylie Mickens, was brought unresponsive to a hospital outside of Atlanta, Georgia, weighing just eight pounds. She died the next day, Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

The couple were both charged with felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children. Porscha took an open-ended plea but Jerrail, Kylie's father, died in November last year in a motorcycle accident.

Last week, Porscha was sentenced to 20 years probation, despite the 'egregious' child neglect after the court heard she was an attentive mother, who had sought advice from multiple doctors and received very little support from the hospital.

She had also told the court she had removed her daughter's feeding tube, which the little girl relied on to survive, on the advice of a holistic doctor.

Kylie suffered from the genetic disorder Chromosome 1p36 deletion syndrome which made it difficult to eat and drink and left her severely underdeveloped. The most Kylie ever weighed was 18 pounds, but when she died at five years old she was less than eight pounds - about the weight of a newborn baby.

Porscha Mickens, 29, was sentenced to 20 years probation for removing her daughter's feeding tube after the little girl died weighing just eight pounds

Kylie Mickens suffered from a rare genetic disorder that made eating and drinking difficult, and prevented growth. Her weight fluctuated constantly throughout her life

In 2018 Kylie had a feeding tube inserted through her nose and into her stomach, but when she began to be able to eat processed food her mother removed the tube on the recommendation of a holistic doctor.

An autopsy conducted after her death determined that Kylie had died from malnutrition and dehydration as a result of medical neglect, a finding prosecutors used to argue that the Mickens' behavior was directly responsible for Kylie's death.

'This child starved to death over months and months,' Hall County Assistant District Attorney Anna Fowler said in court, 'She was not getting enough food. She was getting no medical care that she needed. And that is why she died, when she did, how she did.'

District Attorney Lee Darragh said Kylie's death was 'one of the most egregious cases of child neglect,' he had seen.

Kylie Mickens in the arms of her father, Jerrail Mickens. Jerrail died in a motorcycle accident in November of 2021

But Mickens defense pointed out that Kylie's weight constantly fluctuated, that the Mickens had tirelessly sought treatment for their daughter throughout her life, and that when Kylie didn't gain weight in the care of doctors the family was told to visit specialists.

'She would go to the specialists that she was sent to. She went to 14 of them before she put a stop to most of that,' defense attorney Corinne Mull told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 'Gastroenterologists, neurologists, just a variety of doctors, geneticists. She went to all of them.'

The defense also called at least seven witnesses who testified that Porscha was an attentive mother to her ailing child, and that she slept in the same room as her daughter so she could be on hand in case Kylie suffered seizures in the night.

'If she had given up on the child, why would you have the child staying in your bedroom and checking her for seizures? It just doesn't make sense,' Mull said.

Kylie spent her life in and out of hospitals, and never weighed more than 18 pounds. When she was born doctors told the Mickens that she would not live longer than two years

The judge in the case felt that if Kylie could not maintain a healthy weight even in the care of medical professionals, her parents could not be held fully responsible for her malnutrition

Jerrail Micken was arrested after his five-year-old daughter died weighing just eight pounds in 2020

Defense also argued that aside from the tube's removal being recommended by the holistic doctor, Porscha also wanted her daughter to be able to enjoy tasting food.

'She was interested in giving [Kylie] something to taste and something she would enjoy as opposed to just dropping it in her stomach,' Mull said.

Mull also pointed out that when Kylie was born the Mickens were told she wouldn't live longer than two years. Asked of they wanted to put her up for adoption, Mull said that the Mickens never considered the option.

A doctor who treated Kylie testified that she would have survived longer if she had remained hospitalized, but Mull showed that the doctor had previously written a report saying that Kylie only 'may possibly have gotten better.'

The Hall County DA asked that Porscha serve a 30 year sentence, with 25 years of it behind bars.

Porscha submitted a plea for second degree murder and child cruelty charges, and was given 20 years of probation by Superior Court Judge C. Andrew Fuller

'It should go without saying that the court's sentence does not lessen the value of Kylie's life,' Fuller said in court after deciding that prison time was not necessary.

'He pointed out that the hospital couldn't keep her from losing weight,' Mull said, 'So how do we blame Porscha for that?'
A United States Capitol Police officer has been suspended after discharging their service weapon inside a congressional office building, officials say.

The officer, who was not immediately identified, fired the weapon in the break room of the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC, Tuesday morning around 8:30 am, US Capitol Police told DailyMail.com.

Sources familiar with the matter told DC outlet Roll Call that the discharge was accidental. No injuries were reported following the incident, cops said, adding that the officer has since been suspended.

An investigation is currently underway.

A United States Capitol Police officer has been suspended after discharging their service weapon inside a congressional office building, officials say. The officer, who was not immediately identified, fired the weapon in the break room of the Cannon House Office Building (pictured) in Washington, DC, Tuesday morning around 8:30 am

The incident comes as security at the US Capitol has faced scrutiny following the January 2021 riots that saw the complex's main building stormed

'The Capitol Polices Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is investigating the discharge of a USCP weapon inside a break room in the Cannon Office Building,' the agency said in a statement Tuesday morning following the shooting.

'The officer has been suspended while OPR investigates the incident,' the department stated.

Police did not specify whether the officer's forced leave was paid or not, nor did they divulge whether the discharge was intentional or not.

Officials declined to comment further due to the ongoing investigation.

The incident comes as security at the US Capitol has faced scrutiny following the January 2021 riots that saw the complex's main building stormed.

Last month, a military parachute event at nearby MLB stadium Nationals Park inadvertently triggered a 'probable threat' warning at the complex, spurring officials to issue an evacuation order.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) subsequently issued an apology for not alerting Capitol Police of the planned demonstration.

In January, a Michigan woman who illegally parked in front of US Capitol Police headquarters with a loaded shotgun and three other weapons was arrested. She told cops she drove some 600 miles because she had important information regarding the January 6 riots.

In December, the Longworth House Office Building of the Capitol complex was put on a shelter-in-place order after a Capitol staffer brought a gun into the building.

The staffer was charged with carrying a pistol without a license in the incident, which transpired just hours before President Biden was to visit the complex for a tribute to late Senator Bob Dole.

In October, Capitol Police detained a suspect from a 'suspicious vehicle' parked near the US Supreme Court after the man failed to heed commands from officers, spurring them to use a flashbang device to subdue him.

In August, Capitol police arrested another man who claimed to have a bomb outside the Capitol building, following an hours-long standoff.
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President Joe Biden said women have a 'fundamental' right to an abortion and called on American voters to 'elect pro-choice officials this November' in Tuesday morning statement, hours after a memo leaked that suggests the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade.

He also pledged the White House would be 'ready when any ruling is issued.' The Supreme Court confirmed the draft was authentic late on Tuesday morning.

Biden reasserted his position after the leak was confirmed, telling reporters just before boarding Air Force one that it was 'really quite a radical decision' and 'a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence.'

The president also said it could regulate all the decisions in an American's private life such as 'who you marry, whether or not you decide to conceive a child or not, whether or not you can have a abortion, a range of other decisions.'

'If the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation's elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman's right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November,' Biden pressed.

'At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe which I will work to pass and sign into law.'

It comes as the US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion indicating the court would upend Roe v. Wade, announcing today an investigation will be launched into the source of the 'betrayal.'

The Supreme Court looks set to overturn the landmark ruling that effectively legalised abortions across America, handing the power to decide whether or not to permit the procedure back to individual states.

A draft legal opinion, which was leaked to Politico, reveals five Republican-nominated judges - a majority of the court's nine judges - are in agreement on the issue which would be enough to force a change in the law  though their decision is not final until the ruling is officially published.

'To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way,' Roberts wrote in a Tuesday morning statement.

'We at the Court are blessed to have a workforce - permanent employees and law clerks alike - intensely loyal to the institution and dedicated to the rule of law. Court employees have an exemplary and important tradition of respecting the confidentiality of the judicial process and upholding the trust of the Court. This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the Court and the community of public servants who work here.'

'I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak,' Roberts added.

Roberts said that though the document was authentic, it does not represent the 'final decision' of any members of the court.

Partisan fighting over the issue began almost immediately after the leak, with Democrats vowing to defend abortion rights while Republican lawmakers demanded a probe into the leak as they denounced it as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Neal Katyal, a former acting US Solicitor General under former President Barack Obama, said: 'This is the biggest step back for women in decades. It will have proven consequences. You can have now a flat ban on abortion in any state.'

In the leaked document, conservative Justice Samuel Alito writes that Roe v Wade - the 1973 Supreme Court ruling which found that excessive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional - was 'egregiously wrong from the start' and 'must be overruled'.

Alito, who was nominated to the court in 2006 by George W Bush, argues that Roe's 'reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. Far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.'

But there were few signs that the new ruling will do anything to heal those divisions, with protesters gathering outside the court in Washington DC last night.

If the ruling is overturned by the conservative-dominated court - with Republicans having a 6 - 3 majority - it would give individual states the power to decide on whether to ban abortion. The Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research group, has said that 26 states are 'certain or likely' to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant.

These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year.

As it stands in the US, abortion can take place until about 24 weeks into pregnancy - but the exact period varies between states. For example, Texas bans abortion after about six weeks but Florida has a 15-week abortion ban.

Key points emerging from the Roe vs Wade legal opinion

If Roe vs Wade is overturned, decision on whether to ban abortion will be decided by states and 26 are likely to do so

Hours after draft opinion emerged, hundreds of pro-choice and anti-abortion activists gathered by US Supreme Court

A ruling to overturn Roe vs Wade would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm elections

Both sides of political aisle immediately jumped on the report with Democrats outraged and Republicans praising the news

Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion indicating the Supreme Court would upend Roe v. Wade as he announced an investigation into the source of the 'betrayal'. President Biden told reporters just before boarding Air Force one that it was 'really quite a radical decision' and 'a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence'

Republican appointed-Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett all voted to strike down Roe with Samuel Alito, Politico noted

The beginning of the original leaked draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito

Protesters gather, chant and hold signs outside the Supreme Court in Washington Monday night

Lights burn inside U.S. Supreme Court offices late at night after the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito

There were smaller gatherings of anti-abortion protesters at the event as well

Right now: Barricades are up around the Supreme Court building, just minutes after reports from Politico were leaked indicating SCOTUS has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. pic.twitter.com/LxR9rbs6TF  Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) May 3, 2022

The opinion draft - originally obtained by Politico - was written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court

Mr Biden said he could not speak to the authenticity of the draft and said his administration was preparing for all eventualities for when the court ultimately ruled.

Mr Biden said a decision overturning Roe would raise the stakes for voters in November's heated midterm elections.

'If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation's elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman's right to choose,' Mr Biden said.

'And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice senators and a pro-choice majority in the house to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.'

Although past efforts have failed, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he intended to hold a vote.

'This is as urgent and real as it gets,' Mr Schumer said on the Senate floor on Tuesday. 'Every American is going to see on which side every senator stands.'

If the leak proves to be genuine - and the Supreme Court has not denied that it is - it would mark the first time that a draft opinion has ever appeared in public before being officially published, a move expected within the next two months.

A decision in the case had been expected before the court begins its summer recess in late June or early July, so it could be more than a month before the court actually issues a final opinion. If the court does what the draft suggests, the ruling would upend a nearly 50-year-old decision; its advance publication would also disturb an almost unbroken tradition of secrecy at the court.

A spokesperson for the Supreme Court said: 'The Court has no comment.'

Alito also takes aim in the draft document at another 1992 case - Planned Parenthood v. Casey - which upheld Roe's findings.

Politico reports that, aside from Alito, four other judges voted in favour of overturning the law: Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, all of whom were nominated by Republican presidents.

If the Alito decision is adopted, it would return the issue of abortions to the states and over half are likely to ban abortion.

Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years.

Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute.

Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.

The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.

This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights.

Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion.

South Dakota Republican governor Kristi Noem meanwhile said her state would look to ban abortion.

She said: 'If this report is true and Roe v. Wade is overturned, I will immediately call for a special session to save lives and guarantee that every unborn child has a right to life in South Dakota.'

Meanwhile, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texas, responded to the news by encouraging the Court to return the issue to the states.

'I hope that #SCOTUS returns the question of abortion where it belongs: the States,' Paxton said on Twitter. 'This is why I led a 24-state coalition in support of MS's law banning them after 15 weeks. I'll [continue] to ensure that TX protects the unborn & pray for the end of abortion across our nation.'

Republicans called it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

Mike Gibbons, who is currently facing Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance in the Republican primary for an Ohio Senate seat, wrote that the decision marked a 'huge pro-life victory,' noting it's 'great to see the Court recognize all life is protected under the Constitution.

'We still have to make sure we elect candidates that will continue to defend the unborn, which is exactly what I'll do in the U.S. Senate.

Others, though, raised doubts about why the opinion was leaked to POLITICO, with Marco Rubio writing: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions and norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion.'

Republican Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also tweeted that the leak is 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.'

'The Justices mustn't give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' Hawley wrote. 'Stay strong.'

Embattled Congress member Madison Cawthorn also tweeted that the story 'was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down.'

'Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong,' he urged his followers, noting: 'Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win.'

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

The 26 states where abortion will likely become illegal if SCOTUS overturns Roe vs Wade The 26 states where abortion will likely become illegal if SCOTUS overturns Roe vs Wade after leaked draft opinion showed a majority of justices supported the move More than half of all US states have some kind of abortion ban law likely to take effect if Roe v Wade is overturned by the United States Supreme Court. According to the pro-reproductive rights group The Guttmacher Institute, there are 26 states that will likely make abortions illegal if the Supreme Court overturns the landmark 1973 ruling. 18 have existing abortion bans that have previously been ruled unconstitutional, four have time limit bans and four are likely to pass laws if Roe v Wade is overturned, the organization found. The 18 states that have near-total bans on abortion already on the books are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In addition, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, and South Carolina all have laws that ban abortions after the six-week mark. Florida, Indiana, Montana and Nebraska, are likely to pass bills when Roe v Wade is overturned, the Guttmacher Institute said. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin's bans all have pre-Roe v Wade laws that became unenforceable after the Supreme Court's 1973 decision - that would kick into effect if the federal legal precedent established in Roe were overturned. Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas have further bans that will come into effect if the law was overturned. These were passed post-Roe v Wade. They're joined by Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Wyoming, in passing such laws. The states that will limit abortions based on the length of time a patient has been pregnant are Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota and Ohio. There are four states that have laws that state abortion is not a constitutionally protected right: Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia. Advertisement

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

'If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years - not just on women but on all Americans,' Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement.

'The Republican-appointed Justices' reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.'

They also used the opportunity to slam former President Trump, saying: 'Several of these conservative justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the Constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century.

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump,' the two top Congressional Democrats continued, adding: 'Every Republican Senator who supported Sen. McConnell and voted for Trump justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people.'

And Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted Monday night she is 'not surprised' by the news.

'This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights and lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law,' she wrote.

'It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal.

'What an utter disgrace.'

Many have now said they would fight the decision if it were passed - either at the federal or the state level.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy reminded his followers that he signed into law the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies the right to an abortion into New Jersey law.

'New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights,' he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said abortions rights would not be overturned 'on my watch,' and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also promised that 'abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York,' saying it will welcome anyone who says they need an abortion 'with open arms.'

'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed,' Hochul tweeted.

At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James also promised in a tweet to 'do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion' adding, 'Congress must act immediately to do the same.'

And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will 'fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal and accessible in our state.'

On the progressive end, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, noted that Sen. Joe Manchin is preventing a vote on codifying abortion rights into law, while Sen. Bernie Sanders suggested ending the filibuster to get it passed.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also branded the Supreme Court 'extremist' in a tweet saying it will 'impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country.

'It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard,' Warren wrote. 'We're not going backnot ever.'

Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, warned that Alito's decision could also lead to bans on birth control as he claimed the decision is reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale.

He was referring to the novel by Margaret Atwood - which was later turned into a television show. In both iterations, women are forced by the state to give birth.

'The basic legal claim here is that the word 'abortion' doesn't appear in the Constitution, and of course it doesn't appear in the Constitution,' Raskin, a Constitutional lawyer, explained to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Monday night.

'But the Supreme Court in 1973, in Roe v. Wade or Griswold v. Connecticut - which was a 1965 decision by the Supreme Court striking down a law banning birth control, even for married couples in Connecticut - the Supreme Court said that the due process liberty clause include a right to privacy, over intimate decision making.

'So the point is that Justice Alito's decision would also apply, presumably, to the right to privacy in contraception,' he continued.

'If Casey is to fall, if Roe v. Wade is to fall, then Griswold v. Connecticut presumably is to follow as well because the word 'contraception' or 'birth control' doesn't appear in the Constitution [either].

'So this would appear to be an invitation to have Handmaid's Tale-type anti-feminist regulation and legislation all over the country,' Raskin concluded.

One person holds up a signing expressing their dissent on the possible ruling

Observers called the leak a 'crisis' for Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts' tenure leading the court - above Roberts speaks with retiring Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer in March at the State of the Union address

A woman holds up a sign saying 'we won't go back' at the protest

Just hours after the stunning leak of draft opinion emerged, hundreds of pro-choice and anti-abortion activists gathered in front of the US Supreme Court on Monday night.

Squaring off on either side of the white marble building a stone's throw from the Capitol, the pro-choice and anti-abortion groups railed at each other.

'Roe v. Wade is going to go,' anti-abortion protesters taunted, while the pro-choice crowd yelled: 'My body, my choice.'

The two groups chanted and waved placards in the plaza in front of the steps to the Supreme Court, with barriers and a few uniformed police officers barring access to the colonnaded building.

Abby Korb, a 23-year-old graduate student and congressional aide, said she was 'in literal shock' when the news broke and quickly headed to the Supreme Court with a friend.

'I'm a woman and my rights are being taken away every single day,' she said.

Like many others at the spontaneous demonstration, Korb, originally from Wisconsin, is now calling for legislation at the federal level to protect access to abortion.

'We need access to safe abortion because making it illegal isn't going to stop it, it's just going to make it more dangerous,' she said.

The growing crowd took turns to hurl expletives at Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who reportedly wrote the opinion, and called on Democratic Party leaders to 'do something'.

Madeline Hren, a 25-year-old from North Carolina, said she was very angry. 'I called everyone I knew to be very angry,' she said, holding a small sign with a drawing of a bloody coat hanger that said 'We will not go back.'

'I'm really upset about it... I didn't cry. I'm mostly just mad,' said Hren, who works for the UN Foundation. She now fears that an abortion ban will extend to her native North Carolina.

For opponents of the right to abortion, however, it was time to celebrate.

'You don't care if people die,' they sang at the pro-choice crowd.

'I hope they overturn it,' said Claire Rowan, a 55-year-old mother of seven children, some of whom accompanied her to the demonstration.

Rowan said she hopes people will now be 'asking God for forgiveness so that the nation can heal.'

The unprecedented leak sent shock waves through the United States, not least because the court prides itself on keeping its internal deliberations secret and leaks are extremely uncommon.

The news stunned abortion providers.

On Monday night, Andrea Gallegos, executive administrator at Tulsa Women's Clinic in Oklahoma, had just finished calling some 25 patients scheduled for abortions on Tuesday to tell them that their appointments would need to be canceled because of a soon to be enacted Oklahoma law modeled on a highly restrictive Texas abortion ban.

'I can't say that I'm surprised,' she said.

'Now all these other conservative states like Oklahoma are passing the exact same legislation that Texas did, I have to say I became less optimistic and way more scared for what the future of Roe looks like.'

The anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List welcomed the news.

'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature,' said its president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, in a statement.

Politico reports that four of the five remaining Republican-appointed justices voted with Alito in December, after hearing oral arguments on a Mississippi abortion case. And that line-up remains unchanged as of this week.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett all voted to strike down Roe.

Democrat-appointed justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan are working on dissents.

It is not clear how Chief Justice John Roberts, nominated by W Bush, voted - though the fact that he did not pen the majority opinion could suggest he voted against. Sources told CNN that he would've dissented with the liberals on Alito's opinion draft.

But if the justices stand firm, it would not matter how Roberts votes as five back the Alito draft opinion.

Draft opinions can change and the ruling will not be final until it is published.

If the Alito draft is adopted, it would rule in favor of Mississippi in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization - a case involving the state's attempt to ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Younger women, poorer women and African-American women would likely be most disproportionately affected by an abortion ban.

Most women who have abortions in America are aged between 20 and 29, with 57 per cent of reported terminations in 2019 performed on people within this age group.

Rachel Jones, a senior researcher at pro-choice research group the Guttmacher Institute, told BBC News: 'The typical abortion patient is in their 20s, doesn't have a lot of money and has one or more children.'

Some 75 per cent of women in the US having an abortion are deemed low income or poor, based on the country's official poverty definitions.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court'

Some people held vigil silently outside the court in the nation's capital Monday evening

Pro-abortion rights protesters react outside the U.S. Supreme Court

Protesters use coat hangers to signify that they were used for illegal abortions prior to Roe vs. Wade

The draft opinion runs 98 pages, including a 31-page appendix of historical state abortion laws, Politico notes in its report. The document is replete with citations to previous court decisions, books and other authorities, and includes 118 footnotes. The appearances and timing of this draft are consistent with court practice.

Politico said only that it received 'a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.'

Politico executive editor Dafna Linzer sent a note to staff after the story posted, expressing confidence in the story and their verification of the draft opinion.

'After an extensive review process, we are confident of the authenticity of the draft. ... We take our responsibilities to our readers with the greatest seriousness,' she noted.

Politico posted the entire draft opinion online.

Katyal described how the Supreme Court handles its decision making process.

'After oral argument the Justices take a tentative vote. This would have happened in December. The senior most justice in the majority gets to assign the opinion. That might have been Roberts, but doubtful since Alito wrote this draft,' he noted on Twitter.

'Now, once the draft is circulated, the justices in dissent will write an opinion. That's presumably happening now. But the tenative vote seems strong, and Chief Justice Roberts is irrelevant if the 4 + Alito hold with their tentative votes,' he added.

The unprecedented leak has likely shaken the Supreme Court to its core.

Barricades were being posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online. Posts to social media showed people gathering at the metal fencing, holding candles in vigil.

The hightly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign stratgist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unpredecented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Marchers hold up a sign reading 'The people are supreme' in front of the Supreme Court

Protesters numbered in the hundreds according to reporters at the Supreme Court Monday night

A sign telling the Supreme Court one opinion on their potential ruling

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, in September, passed legislation that would codify abortion rights protections amid threats to Roe v. Wade.

That bill has been stalled in the 50-50 Senate, where it needs at least 60 votes to move forward. And it may need more than that as not all Democratic senators are guaranteed to vote for such a bill, particularly moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders said that 60-vote thresh hold, often called the filibuster, must be removed to legalize abortion.

'Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes,' he tweeted on Monday night.

Roe v. Wade: Which US states could make abortion illegal if landmark 1973 law is overturned... and what would it mean for women in America? Vital Q&A on looming Supreme Court decision

By Mark Duell for MailOnline

The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the United States, according to a bombshell leaked draft of a majority opinion that suggests it may soon overturn the famous Roe v. Wade ruling.

The 98-page draft revealed by Politico calls the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision - which held that access to abortion in the US is a constitutional right - 'egregiously wrong from the start'.

Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant.

These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year.

As it stands in the US, abortion can take place until about 24 weeks into pregnancy - but the exact period varies between states. For example, Texas bans abortion after about six weeks but Florida has a 15-week abortion ban.

The draft majority opinion was written by Justice Samuel Alito and has been circulating inside the conservative-dominated court since February. The leak while the case is still pending is seen as an extraordinary breach.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. Here, MailOnline looks at what the latest developments mean - and the history of abortion laws in the US:

Pro-abortion and pro-choice demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington DC overnight

WHAT IS ROE V. WADE?

The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy.

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion.

Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion.

She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger.

Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights.

Norma McCorvey, known as 'Jane Roe', is pictured in January 1983 (left) and July 2011 (right). In the 1970s she won a landmark abortion case - but the baby she wished to abort, Shelley Lynn Thornton, was born before the case concluded

Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague, and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category.

The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant.

The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court.

The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972.

Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states.

Pro-choice activists gather at the US Supreme Court in Washington DC overnight amid a huge public backlash at the news

WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED NOW?

The US Supreme Court has not decided anything yet, but a draft opinion reportedly circulated among court justices suggests that it may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade.

A document labelled 'Opinion of the Court' shows a majority of the court's justices earlier this year threw support behind overturning the 1973 case that legalised abortion across the country.

According to Politico - who published the 'leaked document' - the draft opinion shows the court voted to strike down the landmark case. However, it is unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter.

The paper was labelled '1st Draft' of the 'Opinion of the Court' and was said to be referring to a case challenging Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks - a case known as Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organisation.

The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in the case, and opinions - and even justices' votes - have been known to change during the drafting process.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July.

The draft is signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court's 6-3 conservative majority, who was appointed by former President George W Bush.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' the draft opinion states.

It in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER RULINGS SINCE 1973?

On the same day as the Roe v. Wade decision, the justices also ruled in the separate 'Doe v. Bolton' case, which authorised each state to add restrictions to abortion rights for later-term pregnancies.

The constitutional right to abortion was later confirmed in a number of decisions, including 'Webster v. Reproductive Health Services' in 1989 and 'Planned Parenthood v. Casey' in 1992.

In the latter, the court guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the foetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks of gestation.

The Planned Parenthood v Casey ruling also affirmed Roe's finding of a constitutional right to abortion services, but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice.

WHICH STATES COULD MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED?

If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights.

Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years.

Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute.

Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.

There are 18 states that have near-total bans on their books, while four more have time-limit band and four others are likely to pass new bans if Roe v. Wade is overturned

The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.

This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights.

Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion.

CAN WOMEN GET AN ABORTION IN A DIFFERENT STATE?

Yes - the variation in abortion laws around America already means that some women have to travel to a different state to access a procedure.

For example in Texas - which has passed a law banning almost all abortions in the state - an average of 1,400 women from the state travelling each month between September and December 2021 and sought out procedures at 34 facilities in other states such as Louisiana and Kansas.

Research by the University of Texas established that more than a quarter of Texans seeking an abortion (27 per cent) went to obtain the procedure in New Mexico, a state which has seven facilities.

WHAT WOULD ROE V. WADE BEING OVERTURNED MEAN FOR WOMEN?

Abortion would not become illegal everywhere in the US if Roe v. Wade is overturned, with individual states still able to choose whether and when they would be permitted.

As it stands, abortion is legal in every state - but with varying restrictions.

Abortion would likely become illegal in about half of the states in the US if the ruling is overturned - with 24 states expected to ban abortion if they are able to do so.

These are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

WHO IS LIKELY TO BE MOST AFFECTED BY AN ABORTION BAN?

Younger women, poorer women and African-American women would likely be most disproportionately affected by an abortion ban in the US.

Most women who have abortions in America are aged between 20 and 29, with 57 per cent of reported terminations in 2019 performed on people within this age group.

Rachel Jones, a senior researcher at pro-choice research group the Guttmacher Institute, told BBC News: 'The typical abortion patient is in their 20s, doesn't have a lot of money and has one or more children.'

Some 75 per cent of women in the US having an abortion are deemed low income or poor, based on the country's official poverty definitions.

And while black people make up only 13 per cent of the US population, black women undergo more than a third of the country's reported abortions.

In 2019, there were about 630,000 abortions reported in the US, which was significantly down on 765,000 in 2010. Two suggested reasons for this are more access to contraceptives and lower sexual activity.

Baby Roe: Shelley Lynn Thornton, a 51-year-old mother of three, spoke out for the first time last year. Her biological mother Norma McCorvey was Jane Roe, whose landmark lawsuit Roe v. Wade won women across America the right to have abortions

WHAT RESTRICTIONS HAVE INDIVIDUAL STATES PUT IN PLACE ALREADY THIS YEAR?

If the US Supreme Court votes to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, conservative states will have more confidence that their new limits on abortion will stand while liberal states will feel more urgency to protect and expand abortion rights. Here are some restrictions and protections state legislatures have taken up in 2022:

ABORTION RESTRICTIONS

ARIZONA : Republican Governor Doug Ducey in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. It will take effect later this year if not blocked in court.

: Republican Governor Doug Ducey in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. It will take effect later this year if not blocked in court. FLORIDA : Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a 15-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for medical emergencies or if the foetus has a fatal abnormality. The exceptions do not allow for abortion past 15 weeks in case of rape, incest or human trafficking. The ban is due to take effect on July 1.

: Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a 15-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for medical emergencies or if the foetus has a fatal abnormality. The exceptions do not allow for abortion past 15 weeks in case of rape, incest or human trafficking. The ban is due to take effect on July 1. IDAHO : Republican Governor Brad Little signed a six-week abortion ban in March that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The Idaho law was due to take effect in April, but has been blocked by the state Supreme Court pending legal review.

: Republican Governor Brad Little signed a six-week abortion ban in March that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The Idaho law was due to take effect in April, but has been blocked by the state Supreme Court pending legal review. KENTUCKY : The legislature in April overrode Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto to enact several abortion restrictions, including a 15-week ban, a requirement that fetal remains be cremated or interred, and a requirement that a combination birth-death or stillbirth certificate be issued for each abortion. The law took immediate effect, suspending clinics' ability to provide abortions for eight days until a U.S. judge temporarily blocked its enforcement.

: The legislature in April overrode Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto to enact several abortion restrictions, including a 15-week ban, a requirement that fetal remains be cremated or interred, and a requirement that a combination birth-death or stillbirth certificate be issued for each abortion. The law took immediate effect, suspending clinics' ability to provide abortions for eight days until a U.S. judge temporarily blocked its enforcement. OKLAHOMA : The Senate in April passed a ban on all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. It relies on private citizens to sue providers and any person who 'aids or abets' abortions to be enforced. The House must approve the Senate's amendments before it heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. With the governor's approval, it would take effect immediately. Also in April, Oklahoma's legislature approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which relies on the same lawsuit enforcement mechanism. It will take immediate effect if signed by Stitt. Mr Stitt signed a bill in April banning abortion except in medical emergencies and penalizing providers who violate the law with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The law is due to take effect in August if not blocked in court.

: The Senate in April passed a ban on all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. It relies on private citizens to sue providers and any person who 'aids or abets' abortions to be enforced. The House must approve the Senate's amendments before it heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. With the governor's approval, it would take effect immediately. Also in April, Oklahoma's legislature approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which relies on the same lawsuit enforcement mechanism. It will take immediate effect if signed by Stitt. Mr Stitt signed a bill in April banning abortion except in medical emergencies and penalizing providers who violate the law with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The law is due to take effect in August if not blocked in court. SOUTH DAKOTA : Republican Governor Kristi Noem signed a bill in March requiring women to make three in-person doctor's visits to complete a medication abortion. The legislation's implementation depends on the outcome of a federal court case.

ABORTION PROTECTIONS

COLORADO : Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a bill on April 4 codifying the right to have an abortion. The measure immediately took effect.

: Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a bill on April 4 codifying the right to have an abortion. The measure immediately took effect. CONNECTICUT : The legislature passed a bill in April that protects anyone who provides abortions, has an abortion or assists someone having an abortion from other states' restrictions. Among other provisions, the measure bars state agencies from assisting in interstate investigations seeking to hold someone civilly or criminally liable for getting or aiding an abortion. The bill awaits Democratic Governor Ned Lamont's signature.

: The legislature passed a bill in April that protects anyone who provides abortions, has an abortion or assists someone having an abortion from other states' restrictions. Among other provisions, the measure bars state agencies from assisting in interstate investigations seeking to hold someone civilly or criminally liable for getting or aiding an abortion. The bill awaits Democratic Governor Ned Lamont's signature. MARYLAND : The legislature passed a bill that expands the definition of who can provide abortions to include any 'qualified provider,' establishes a state-funded abortion provider training program and requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of abortions. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the state's Democratic-controlled legislature overrode his veto on April 9 and the law is due to take effect on July 1.

: The legislature passed a bill that expands the definition of who can provide abortions to include any 'qualified provider,' establishes a state-funded abortion provider training program and requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of abortions. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the state's Democratic-controlled legislature overrode his veto on April 9 and the law is due to take effect on July 1. VERMONT : The Democratic-led legislature in February passed a constitutional amendment that guarantees the right to abortion. It will be on the ballot for voters to approve in November.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD?

As new limits on abortion rights are pursued in the United States and other countries, here is a look at global abortion statistics and some of the world's strictest abortion laws.

Data has been provided by the UN World Health Organization as well as from the Guttmacher Institute research group and the Center for Reproductive Rights legal advocacy group, both of which support abortion rights.

Approximately 73 million abortions occur worldwide annually, with 61 per cent of all unintended pregnancies and 29 per cent of all pregnancies ending in abortion, according to the World Health Organization.

It said about 45 per cent of all abortions are unsafe, of which 97 per cent occur in developing countries. A WHO fact sheet said 'Unsafe abortion is a leading - but preventable - cause of maternal deaths and morbidities.'

There are 16 countries where abortion is prohibited altogether, a list that includes Egypt, Iraq, the Philippines, Laos, Senegal, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

About three dozen other countries allow it only to save the life of the mother, a list that includes Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Iran, Afghanistan and Myanmar. Around 40 per cent of women of reproductive age live in places where abortion access is illegal or limited.

In England, Scotland and Wales, anyone can legally have an abortion at up to 23 weeks and six days of pregnancy, which is in line with the Abortion Act of 1967. Here is the situation in a number of countries:

Poland in January 2021 put into effect a constitutional court decision prohibiting abortions performed due to fetal defects, banning the most common of the few legal grounds for terminating a pregnancy in the largely Catholic country.

in January 2021 put into effect a constitutional court decision prohibiting abortions performed due to fetal defects, banning the most common of the few legal grounds for terminating a pregnancy in the largely Catholic country. El Salvador has some of the world's strictest abortion laws, with the procedure banned without exception since 1998. More than 180 women who experienced obstetric emergencies were prosecuted for abortion or aggravated homicide in the past 20 years.

has some of the world's strictest abortion laws, with the procedure banned without exception since 1998. More than 180 women who experienced obstetric emergencies were prosecuted for abortion or aggravated homicide in the past 20 years. Women in Malta are denied access to abortion, even if their lives are at risk. It is the only EU member state that completely prohibits the procedure. Women face up to three years in jail.

are denied access to abortion, even if their lives are at risk. It is the only EU member state that completely prohibits the procedure. Women face up to three years in jail. Senegal prohibits abortion but its code of medical ethics allows it if three doctors agree it is needed to save a woman's life. A 2014 study showed the rules force women to seek clandestine abortions and, as a last resort, kill their own infants.

prohibits abortion but its code of medical ethics allows it if three doctors agree it is needed to save a woman's life. A 2014 study showed the rules force women to seek clandestine abortions and, as a last resort, kill their own infants. In the United Arab Emirates , abortion is illegal except if the pregnancy endangers the woman's life or there is evidence the baby will not survive. Women could face up to one year in prison and a hefty fine. Women who seek hospital treatment for a miscarriage may be accused of attempted abortion.

, abortion is illegal except if the pregnancy endangers the woman's life or there is evidence the baby will not survive. Women could face up to one year in prison and a hefty fine. Women who seek hospital treatment for a miscarriage may be accused of attempted abortion. Anti-abortion laws in the Philippines derive from its time as a colony of Spain. Abortion has been prohibited for more than a century. About 1,000 Filipino women die each year from complications. Spain is among more than 50 countries that have liberalized abortion laws over the past quarter century.

WOULD IT LEAD TO A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF ORPHANGES?

This would seem very unlikely in the modern age, with traditional orphanages now being extinct in the US - but there is an interesting case study going back more than 50 years that provides an insight.

In 1966, a complete ban on abortion and access to contraception was imposed in Romania, with the target of increasing its population.

This worked in the short-term as the average number of children born to Romanian women increased from 1.9 to 3.7 - but it then fell again as people discovered ways of getting round the ban such as bribing doctors.

It also meant that hundreds of thousands of children ended up state orphanages where they were beaten, abused and lived in filthy conditions - with an estimated 170,000 housed in these facilities when communism fell in 1989.

For children in America nowadays there is an emphasis on the foster and adoption system, rather than orphanages, which aims to match children with families who can appropriately care for them. There are also residential and group homes for children who are unable to properly integrate into a foster home.

Roe vs Wade: The Texas mother who won the landmark 1973 case but then became a fierce opponent of abortion rights - and her 'Roe Baby' daughter who finally revealed her identity last year

ByStephen M. Lepore For Dailymail.Com

The Supreme Court has voted to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that legalized abortion in the United States, a bombshell report revealed on Monday.

Norma McCorvey, known as 'Jane Roe', is pictured in January 1983. A decade earlier she had won a landmark abortion case - but the baby she wished to abort, Shelley Lynn Thornton, was born before the case concluded

The history of the legislation, which has proved controversial since it was made in 1973, dates back half a century.

The case was filed in 1971 by Norma McCorvey, a 22-year-old living in Texas who was unmarried and seeking a termination of her unwanted pregnancy.

She married at the age of 16, but separated shortly after while she was pregnant. She gave custody of her daughter to her mother.

She gave a second child up for adoption, but when she got pregnant a third time she decided to have an abortion.

She said she couldn't afford to travel to one of the handful of states where it would have been legal.

Because of state legislation preventing abortions unless the mother's life is at risk, she was unable to undergo the procedure in a safe and legal environment.

So McCorvey sued Henry Wade, the Dallas county district attorney, in 1970. The case went on to the Supreme Court, under the filing Roe vs Wade, to protect McCorvey's privacy.

Sarah Weddington and a former classmate, Linda Coffee, brought a class-action lawsuit on behalf of a pregnant woman challenging a state law that largely banned abortions.

She had been among only five women out of a class of 1,600 to graduate with a law degree from the University of Texas in 1967.

The Supreme Court handed down the watershed 7-2 decision that a woman's right to make her own medical decisions, including the choice to have an abortion, is protected under the 14th Amendment. In particular, that the Due Process Clause of the the 14th Amendment provides a fundamental 'right to privacy' that protects a woman's liberty to choose whether or not to have an abortion.

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized a woman's constitutional right to an abortion in Roe v. Wade. The landmark ruling legalized abortion nationwide but divided public opinion and has been under attack ever since.

The landmark ruling saw abortions decriminalized in 46 states, but under certain specific conditions which individual states could decide on. For example, states could decide whether abortions were allowed only during the first and second trimester but not the third (typically beyond 28 weeks).

Among pro-choice campaigners, the decision was hailed as a victory which would mean fewer women would become seriously - or even fatally - ill from abortions carried out by unqualified or unlicensed practitioners. Moreover, the freedom of choice was considered a significant step in the equality fight for women in the country. Victims of rape or incest would be able to have the pregnancy terminated and not feel coerced into motherhood.

However, pro-lifers contended it was tantamount to murder and that every life, no matter how it was conceived, is precious. Though the decision has never been overturned, anti-abortionists have prompted hundreds of states laws since then narrowing the scope of the ruling.

McCorvey is pictured in July 2011. She died in 2017 without ever meeting Shelley in person. The pair spoke on the phone in 1989

Norma McCorvey aka 'Jane Roe' (left) and her attorney Gloria Allred at the Supreme Court in 1989, the year she made her identity known. After winning Roe vs Wade, Norma went on to be a face for women's rights before switching to be pro-life years later. She admitted before she died that she made the change in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars

Following the ruling, McCorvey lived a quiet life until the 1980s when she revealed herself to be Jane Roe. McCorvey became a leading, outspoken pro-abortion voice in American discourse, even working at a women's clinic where abortions were performed.

However, she performed an unlikely U-turn in 1995, becoming a born-again Christian and began traveling the country speaking out against the procedure.

In 2003, a she filed a motion to overturn her original 1973 ruling with the U.S. district court in Dallas. The motion moved through the courts until it was ultimately denied by the Supreme Court in 2005.

McCorvey died at an assisted living home in Texas in February 2017, aged 69. She admitted before she died that she made the change in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This is my deathbed confession,' she says. 'I took their money and they took me out in front of the cameras and told me what to say. That's what I'd say.'

In the interview, McCorvey refers to herself as 'the Big Fish' in the eyes of evangelical leaders who were eager to have her publicly switch sides and take up their cause.

In addressing her activism for the religious right, McCorvey boasts: 'I'm a good actress.'

Shelley Lynn Thornton, now 51, is the biological daughter of Norma McCorvey and spoke on the record for the first time in 2021.

Baby Roe: Shelley Lynn Thornton, a 51-year-old mother of three, has spoken out for the first time on camera. Her biological mother Norma McCorvey was Jane Roe, whose landmark lawsuit Roe vs Wade won women across America the right to have abortions

Shelley said she is neither pro-life or pro-choice. 'I don't understand why it's a government concern,' she said. She has three kids of her own and when she first became pregnant at 20, decided abortion was not 'part of who' she was

Shelley appeared on Good Morning America for her first ever TV interview. Her identity was only made public in September by The Atlantic.

'A lot of people didn't know I existed,' she said, adding she fears the world blames her for abortion being legal.

'It doesn't revolve around me, I wasn't the one who created this law. I'm not the one who created this movement. I had nothing to do with it. I was just a little itty-bitty thing and, you know, circumstances prevailed.

'My whole thinking is that, 'oh God everybody is going to hate me because everyone is going to blame me for abortion being legal,' she said.

Thornton, who never met her birth mother in person before her death in 2017, told journalist Joshua Prager she had decided to speak out after more than half a century because she wanted to free herself from the 'secrets and lies.'

'Secrets and lies are, like, the two worst things in the whole world. I'm keeping a secret, but I hate it,' she said, in an adapted excerpt from Prager's new book 'The Family Roe: An American Story', published in The Atlantic.

'I want everyone to understand that this is something I've chosen to do.'

McCorvey in 1998. Shelley Lynn Thornton, 51, has come forward to reveal that she is the youngest daughter of McCorvey - the woman known as Jane Roe

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

The news sent shock waves throughout Washington D.C. with Democrats vowing to codify the legal right to an abortion into law and Republicans celebrating the news.

Politico noted that this is the first such case in modern history of a Supreme Court draft decision being leaked to the public while the case was still pending.

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.
The Trump Organization and the Presidential Inaugural Committee will pay a combined $750,000 to Washington, DC to settle a lawsuit over allegations that the former president's inaugural committee misspend funds to enrich his real estate empire, the capital's attorney general announced on Tuesday.

Donald Trump panned Racine's investigation as a 'witch hunt' and implored the Democratic official to focus on 'soaring' crime rates in his city instead.

The agreement, which has yet to be signed by the presiding judge, would see the sum split between two DC-area nonprofits benefitting the city's youth, according to a copy of the document shared by Attorney General Karl Racine.

The ex-president himself was not named as a defendant in the suit, which targets Presidential Inaugural Committee, the Trump Organization and the Trump International Hotel in DC.

Trump claimed he only settled due to the 'impending sale' of his Washington, DC hotel.

The hotel, which opened just before Trump won the White House in 2016, was approved to be sold to a Miami-based investment fund earlier this year.

'Given the impending sale of The Trump International Hotel, Washington D.C., and with absolutely no admission of liability or guilt, we have reached a settlement to end all litigation with Democrat Attorney General Racine,' Trump said in a statement through his family business.

Donald Trump, who is not named a defendant in the lawsuit, denounced DC Attorney General Karl Racine's (right) probe as a 'witch hunt'

'As crime rates are soaring in our Nation's Capital, it is necessary that the Attorney General focus on those issues rather than a further leg of the greatest Witch-Hunt in political history.'

He continued, 'This was yet another example of weaponizing Law Enforcement against the Republican Party and, in particular, the former President of the United States. So bad for our Country!'

The president praised himself for creating a 'landmark' out of 'nothing' -- despite the building's place on the National Register of Historic Places as the Old Post Office and Clock Tower.

'It was my great honor to have built this truly great hotel out of a structure that had laid dormant for thirty years, creating jobs and so many other benefits for the people of D.C., and indeed, our Country itself,' Trump said.

'A true landmark has been created out of nothing!'

The legal settlement is not 'an admission of wrongdoing, unlawful conduct, or liability' on the part of the Trump Organization or Trump's inaugural committee, the court filing states.

Racine boasted on Twitter Tuesday, 'We clawed back $750,000 from the Trump Organization to give to local nonprofits educating youth about democracy and civics.'

'Were resolving our lawsuit and sending the message that if you violate DC nonprofit lawno matter how powerful you areyou'll pay.'

In his own statement on the settlement, Trump said he made his DC hotel into a 'landmark' despite the building previously being listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Racine praised the deal struck by his office and the Trump Organization as a 'successful resolution' in his efforts 'to recover misspent nonprofit funds and ill-gotten gains.'

'With todays successful resolution, were returning the money to DC,' he said, which the court filing shows will be two separate $350,000 checks to the Mikva Challenge Grant Foundation and DC Action for Children Today.

'In the District, were committed to ensuring that corruption comes at a cost. That should be clear to everyone, including future presidents,' the attorney general said.

In 2020, Racine accused the inaugural committee of conspiring with Trump's family to 'grossly overpay' for event space at the former president's DC hotel around the time of Trump's inauguration in January 2017.

The attorney general's office alleges the nonprofit committee misused some $1.1 million, which included a $300,000 private party for Trump's three adult children Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.

Trump's opening of a hotel just before entering the White House was heavily criticized by ethics watchdogs throughout his presidency. The hotel saw steady business from diplomats and lobbyists staying there to curry favor with the former commander-in-chief.

Trump's portion of the $750,000 settlement is not the only legal woe drilling a hole in his pocket.

Racine announced the settlement, and the details of where the money will go, on Twitter

Last month, a justice on the New York state Supreme Court approved a request from state Attorney General Letitia James to hold Trump in contempt and fine him $10,000 for every day he does not cooperate with her subpoena.

James' office is investigating Trump's family business over accusations that the company and its executives -- mainly the ex-president and his children -- presented misleading financial statements to win favorable loan terms and other deals.

She alleges that the practice has gone on for at least a decade.

At the heart of James' subpoena are eight financial documents which she claims Trump is keeping or otherwise failed to turn over to her team.

The former president and his lawyer claim he simply does not have the pages New York is requesting -- an excuse that Judge Arthur Engoron did not buy.

Trump's lawyer Alina Habba said in a Monday filing that he 'performed a diligent, thorough and comprehensive search for all of the documents and items called for in the subpoena and provided complete and accurate responses.'

Trump himself blasted Engoron as 'unbelievably unfair.'

'Weve given millions and millions of pages and he says give more, give more, always give more,' he told Bloomberg.
The leak of a draft SCOTUS opinion striking down Roe v. Wade caused a firestorm of political debate, arguments over the constitution and questions about America's healthcare future on Tuesday.

But in the midst of the political debate and confusion over what overturning it would actually mean, it remains unclear how Americans actually feel about the issue.

Roe v. Wade was the 1973 landmark SCOTUS ruling that gave women across America the right to an abortion without extreme government interference, which should - in theory - stop federal, state or local governments from applying restrictions.

If the ruling is overturned, it paves the way for states to make up their own minds on how to restrict or allow abortion and 26 Republican states have already signaled that they may ban abortions entirely.

An examination of different polls give conflicting information on what Americans actually feel about the issue.

The Supreme Court is set to decide later this year, formally, on whether or not states can make their own abortion rules. This is how a group of 1,000 Americans voted in a recent poll

A recent ABC/Washington Post poll of 1,000 Americans in January 2022 found that 54% would vote to uphold Roe v. Wade, whereas a third would overturn it and 18% have no opinion

The majority of Americans in all of the polls considered themselves pro-choice as opposed to pro-life, but their views on restrictions vary more greatly

A Wall Street Journal poll found half would oppose a ban on abortions after six weeks, but 42 percent would support one. It was closer on bans on abortions after 15 weeks, which is the benchmark commonly used by anti-abortion activists for when a fetus can feel pain

The circumstances under which many Americans think abortion is acceptable vary hugely. Huge majorities voted that it should be legal when a woman's health is endangered, when she is raped, or when there is evidence of serious birth defects but less think it is acceptable for a woman to get an abortion if she can't afford to care for the baby

Most Americans think abortions should be legal - but only under certain circumstances

By and large, Americans are pro-choice however they are almost split evenly on whether abortions should be legal after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

A recent ABC and Washington Post poll found that 54 percent of Americans believe Roe v. Wade should be upheld, whereas 28 percent believe it should be overturned.

Forty-two percent of people polled by The Wall Street Journal in April said they would favor a bill banning abortion after six weeks.

Forty eight percent said they would support the same law to apply after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

A different poll by Marist and the Knights of Columbus - a Catholic organization - found that 44 percent of Americans think it should be down to the states to decide how to police it.

That same Marist poll found that 55 percent of Americans consider themselves pro-choice. A Gallup poll from 2021 put that number at 80 percent.

This is how the abortion landscape in America is likely to shape up if Roe v. Wade is struck down

Many Americans disagree on how, why and for how long women should be able to access abortions without restrictions.

When asked 'do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, certain circumstances or illegal in all circumstances?' by Gallup last year, 32 percent said they should be legal under any circumstances whereas 48 percent said they should only be legal under certain circumstances.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement on Tuesday after the leak to insist the draft was not the court's final decision.

He vowed to find whoever was responsible for leaking the document and called it an 'egregious breach'.

Meanwhile Democrats reacted furiously and immediately started discussing how to codify abortion into permanent law.

The governors of Democratic states like New York and California said they would always protect abortion rights in their states, and would welcome women from any where it becomes banned.

In the private sector, Amazon has vowed to pay for the medical and transport expenses of any employee who might not be able to access abortion if Roe v. Wade is struck down.
A Minnesota cigar executive has been murdered inside his luxury villa at a high end resort in the Dominican Republic.

Jeffrey McMahon, from St Paul's Minnesota, was found Tuesday with multiple stab wounds at his home in the Casa de Campo Resort and Villas in La Romana, local news reports.

His house is just 5.5miles from handmade cigar factory Tabacalera de Garcia where he worked in upper management.

McMahon also suffered multiple blows to the head, according to Diario Libre. His body was transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences in San Pedro de Macoris.

Jeff McMahon, an American executive for a cigar company in the Dominican Republic, was murdered at the Casa de Campo resort in La Romana

The Casa de Campo Resort and Villas opened nearly 50 years ago, becoming the first resort to operate in the Dominican Republic

Tabacalera de Garcia, a cigar company located in La Romana, Dominican Republic, employed Jeffrey McMahon as an executive

The Dominican National Police have identified a male suspect who they believe was in McMahon's car when he arrived home on Monday evening. The suspect's identity has not yet been publicly released.

Casa de Campo security raised concerns after the assailant was spotted in McMahon's vehicle and drove through the exit barrier.

DailyMail.com contacted Casa de Campo Resort and Villas for comment.

The luxurious resort has been open for nearly 50 years and was the first resort in the Caribbean island.

It has attracted celebrities like Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and the Kardashians along with former United States Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton

Local outlets reported that McMahon held a management position with Tabacalera de Garcia in La Romana.

The company bills itself as the 'world's largest handmade cigar factory' where famous cigars like Romeo y Julieta, H.Upmann and Montecristo are produced.

DailyMail.com reached out to parent company Altadis USA for comment.
Dame Lynne Owens said she was not applying for the role but did not want to reveal her reasons, but they are not health-related and she is still 'looking for my next career challenge'

The former director general of the National Crime Agency has ruled herself out of the running for Met Police commissioner - as applications are due to close tomorrow.

Dame Lynne Owens had led the National Crime Agency - dubbed 'Britain's FBI' - from 2016 until last October.

She had been seen as the natural successor to the Scotland Yard top job until she retired on health grounds last autumn. She has now fully recovered from cancer.

But Dame Lynne said she was not applying for the Met role today. She did not want to reveal her reasons, other than saying they are not health-related and she is still 'looking for my next career challenge'.

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.

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.

Dame Lynne posted on Twitter today: 'The deadline for @metpoliceuk Commissioner applications is tomorrow. To prevent speculation & in the interests of transparency I'm not applying.

Dame Cressida quit in February after losing the support of London mayor Sadiq Khan

'I'm so grateful for the support I've had as I've worked through my decision.

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. She ruled herself out of the running on May 3, a day before the deadline. 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

'I do not intend to talk about my rationale other than to say it is not health related & I am actively looking for my next career challenge! I wish candidates every success - policing will always hold my (heart emoji).'

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.

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.

Sir Mark Rowley is a familiar figure after leading the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism operations for four years, while Lucy D'Orsi has been praised for her work at the British Transport Police

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.

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.
Cambridge University has encouraged staff to provide warnings on 'challenging' content from classics of English literature.

The historic institution said content notes - sometimes called trigger warnings - boost student attainment and academic freedom.

The Cambridge University Centre for Teaching and Learning has told staff that violence, discrimination and illness should all be marked with content notes.

New guidance sees dons defend the use of warnings to make education more inclusive by stopping students from being excessively distressed during their studies.

Cambridge University came under fire last October for putting trigger warnings on children's books such as Little House On The Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder for its 'stereotypical depictions of Native Americans'

The advice, issued in the last week, states: 'Content notes are not intended to 'coddle' privileged students insulated from violence.

'They help to equip students who have experienced violence to engage with their education on an equal footing, rather than exposing them to triggers without warning or preparation which may make them relive their own experiences of such realities.'

Cambridge University came under fire last October for putting trigger warnings on children's books such as Little House On The Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder for its 'stereotypical depictions of Native Americans'.

In 2017, students at the university were warned of gore and violence that might 'upset' them in Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus.

Yet in the new guidance, Cambridge University says there is 'no harm in providing a content note'.

It states that content notes do not limit the topics that can be discussed in the classroom.

The university adds that students who are not given adequate warnings face a negative impact on their well-being and academic achievement

The university adds that students who are not given adequate warnings face a negative impact on their well-being and academic achievement.

The advice states: 'There is no reason that providing content notes, or any other reasonable adjustment for disabled students, should limit the content that can be presented or discussed in the classroom.

'In fact, students who benefit from content notes will be better equipped to discuss challenging material if content notes are provided, thus resulting in a positive impact on academic freedom and intellectual rigour, by ensuring that all students - particularly those most affected by the issues being discussed - are able to participate on a more equal footing.

It adds: 'Content notes inform students of the content of a given piece of material, not to mark it as 'do not read', but instead to enable students to take the necessary steps to engage safely and with minimal psychological distress.

'It should also be noted that there is a difference between 'psychological distress' and being intellectually challenged, and that the former is certainly not a prerequisite to the latter.

'Students are best prepared to deal with intellectually challenging material when they are enabled to manage any emotional / psychological distress that such material may provoke.'

'Arguments against the use of content notes tend to employ a rhetoric of 'snowflake students' wanting to be protected and coddled from the harsh realities of life.

'In fact, the issue for many students is precisely that they are already well acquainted with those realities; triggering content reflects traumatic events they themselves have experienced.'
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An anti-abortion activist, who describes himself as the 'pro-life Spiderman', has been arrested for climbing the 1,070-foot tall Salesforce Tower in San Francisco without a safety rope or harness.

Witnesses first spotted Maison Deschamps, 22, climbing the skyscraper at around 9:21 a.m. on Tuesday before alerting police.

Officers placed DesChamps in custody once he climbed all 61 floors to reach the tower's roof. He appeared to only be wearing a hoodie, as several office workers inside the tower recorded footage of the climber reaching their floors without any climbing gear.

DesChamps is an experienced rock climber, according to his website, which also reveals that he wanted to climb the tower to 'put a doctor behind bars,' as well as raise at least a million dollars for charities advocating for women who are pro-life.

'I am a rock climber that has recently started climbing Skyscrapers to end abortion,' his website - www.prolifespiderman.com - says.

The climb also comes less than a day after the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S. since 1973.

Madison DesChamps, 22, climbed up the entirety of the Salesforce tower without a harness in response to the Supreme Court's decision to overrule Roe vs Wade on Tuesday morning

DesChamps filmed himself on Instagram climbing up all 61 stories, in which he says in one video: 'Everything's going good, I just wish I had more water'

Office workers from inside the tower filmed DesChamps climbing up their floor levels as he appeared to be without a harness

The San Francisco Police Department told people to avoid the area around the tower while DesChamps was ascending the building with little effort

He took a little less than two hours to climb the building's 61 floors after witnesses started observing him at around 9:30 a.m. Pictured: DesChamps reaching the top of the Salesforce tower

The 22-year-old was arrested (pictured) by San Francisco Police once he made it to the roof of the tallest building in San Francisco

Earlier on Tuesday morning, streets in the surrounding area were shut by police, who also asked people to stay away from the building.

'Officers have developed [probable] cause to arrest the subject but charges are still pending,' the San Francisco Police Department said in a statement. 'At minimum he will be arrested for trespassing.'

Throughout his journey to the top, DesChamps filmed himself on Instagram. At one point, he can be seen on his story (@maison.deschamps) saying: 'Everything's going good, I just wish I had more water' and raising awareness for anti-abortion groups. He also called out Dr. Cesare Santangelo, an obstetrician-gynecologist in D.C. in another video.

'I'm up here climbing right now to protest Dr. Santangelo in Washington D.C.,' he says from high up the tower. 'There's been no investigation so far. The guy is out there killing babies. I think that's pretty bad. I'd like to help out and share this around or go to prolifespiderman.com and you can donate and help us raise some money for charities that support women in prolife. Thank you.'

DesChamps is targeting Dr Santangelo after non-profit, pro-life group Live Action, released undercover footage in which the D.C.-based doctor appears to say that he would refuse to help a baby if it was born alive after an abortion attempt.

After sharing the videos online, the climber reportedly completed his journey to the top of the tower at 10:50 a.m.

DesChamps, who started rock climbing at the age of 16, is a finance major at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It is unclear why he is in the San Francisco area, but the student claims that he climbed the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2021 to protest COVID-19 mandates.

Tom Metcalfe, of Oakland, witnessed most of the scale when he was walking down Mission Street at 9:35 a.m. on his way to work.

Respect for this man who just climbed the Salesforce Tower without any safety to make his point! pic.twitter.com/KUkjQITB1c  Terence Lim (@terlimws) May 3, 2022

Walking to get coffee in San Francisco and this dude is just climbing a building pic.twitter.com/aTzeXLVBa8  Trent (@BarstoolTrent) May 3, 2022

'I noticed the police sealing off the area around Salesforce Tower,' Metcalfe told The San Francisco Gate. 'A couple of people were looking up and so I glanced up and I saw a man climbing up the tower. He was a third of the way up the tower and making quick progress. It looked like he knew what he was doing. He was clambering up the outside

Completed in 2018, the Salesforce Tower is the tallest building in San Francisco and the second tallest in California behind the 1,100 feet Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles. The building also serves as the headquarters to cloud-based software company, Salesforce.

There is also a prestigious, $4million permanent multi-million-dollar art installation by San Francisco artist Jim Campbell at the top of the tower. The installation has more than 11,000 LED lights that displays low-resolution moving color imagery.

Workers inside the building shared footage of Deschamps climbing up their floor levels, with a Twitter user (@k_j_floyd) sharing: 'My man #freeclimbing #salesforcetower on a Tuesday.'

Deschamps condemned Dr Santangelo in an Instagram post he made while climbing the Salesforce tower, sharing that the doctor 'needs to be held accountable. The goal of this peaceful mission is to spread the word and get Dr Santangelo put in jail.'

The Salesforce Tower has never been climbed up before, with DesChamps being the first person to climbs all of its 61 floors

Another user, Terence Lim, shared similar footage, along the caption: 'Respect for this man who just climbed the Salesforce Tower without any safety to make his point!'

Blogger for Bar Stool Sports, Trent, took footage from outside the building earlier in the morning, sharing: 'Walking to get coffee in San Francisco and this dude is just climbing a building'

On Tuesday, Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion indicating the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade as he announced an investigation into the source of the 'betrayal.'

'To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way,' Roberts wrote in a Tuesday morning statement.

'I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak,' Roberts added.

If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states - more than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights. GOP states, roughly 26 of them, are said to be in favor of the amendment.
U.S. health officials on Tuesday reinstated their recommendation that Americans wear masks on planes, trains and buses, despite a court ruling last month that struck down a national mask mandate on public transportation.

Americans aged two and older should wear a well-fitting masks while on public transportation, including in airports and train stations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended, citing the current spread of coronavirus and projections of future COVID-19 trends.

For months, the Transportation Security Administration had been enforcing a requirement that passengers and workers wear masks.

The government had repeatedly extended the mandate, and the latest one had been set to expire May 3, but a federal judge in Florida struck down the rule on April 18.

The same day, the TSA said it would no longer enforce the mandate.

A CDC spokesperson said, 'As a result of a court order, the mask order is no longer in effect and is not being enforced.'

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on Tuesday that Americans age 2 and older wear masks while on planes, trains and buses. People are pictured on an American Airlines flight on April 19, shortly after the mask mandate was lifted nationwide

The TSA had stopped enforcing the mask mandate on April 18, with travels across America free to decide whether they wanted to wear a mask or not. Pictured, maskless passengers at the Los Angeles International Airport on April 25

Amtrak also dropped the enforcement of its masking requirements last month. Pictured, travels on Amtrak's Northeast Regional train on April 22

The CDC had asked the Justice Department to appeal the decision, which the department did.

On Tuesday, CDC officials declined to comment on the status of the appeal. DOJ officials did not immediately respond to a request for information.

At a Senate hearing Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg suggested that the administration may not want to reimpose the mask mandate.

'The appeal concerns whether the CDC has the authority to (require masks) in this pandemic or in any pandemic, which is completely distinct from whether a mask mandate ought to be applied any given day,' Buttigieg said.

He said he agreed that based on conditions on April 13 when the mandate was extended for 15 days that it should have been allowed to expire but said it was a CDC decision.

Several airlines dropped mask mandates after US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle struck down the Biden policy on April 18, saying that the mandate - in which non-complying travelers are 'forcibly removed from their airplane seats, denied board at the bus steps, and turned away at the train station doors' - was akin to 'detention and quarantine.'

United Airlines said in a statement that they will continue following the guidance from April 18 ruling and allowing passengers to go maskless as they please.

'While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask  and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public  they will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the CDC continues to strongly recommend wearing a mask on public transit' a United spokesperson said.

Following the repeal of the mandate, United CEO Jack Kirby said he doesn't think the federal mask mandate will ever return.

'I think it's very unlikely that a mask mandate is going to come back anytime in the foreseeable future,' Kirby told the Today Show the week the mandate ended. 'We're getting back to living life as normal.'

JetBlue, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment on whether or not they would follow the CDC's recommendation.

New York City still requires passengers on public transport to wear masks. Pictured, a masked and maskless man at a New York subway stop on April 21

In the wake of the April 18 ruling, the national train line Amtrak stopped enforcing the mask mandate but said passengers were still welcomed to wear their masks as a preventive measure against COVID-19.

Megabus and Greyhound have also said masks will no long be required for employees and passengers. Greyhound, however, does required masking on cross border trips to Canada and Mexico.

Some cities, such as New York City, still requires employees and passengers to wear masks on public transit.

The decision to relax the nationwide mask mandate comes as COVID-19 cases continue to drop after two years of the pandemic.

The U.S. reported 81,644 new COVID-19 cases in the past day, according to Johns Hopkins University, along with 266 new deaths.

More than two-thirds of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, and about 82.5 percent have gotten at least one jab.
Ukraine's ambassador to Berlin called Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz a 'sulky liver sausage' for hinting he won't visit Ukraine like other European leaders.

Mr Scholz suggested that he would not visit Kyiv after the German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier's offer to visit was rejected, he has also been accused by President Volodymyr Zelensky of having close ties to the Kremlin.

The relationship between Ukraine and Germany has been strained during Russia's invasion, as Mr Scholz has been criticised by Kyiv for weak sanctions against Putin and for a lack of military support.

'You can't do that,' Mr Scholz told ZDF, a German public broadcaster, on Monday.

'It can't work that when a country has provided so much military aid, so much financial aid  which is needed  when it's a question of the security guarantees that will be important to Ukraine in the future  you then say: But the president can't come.'

However Ukraine's envoy to Berlin, Andriy Melnyk, said: 'Acting like a sulky liver sausage doesn't sound very statesmanlike.

'This is about the most brutal war of extermination since the Nazi attack on Ukraine - it's no kindergarten.'

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured) was called a 'sulky liver sausage' by Kyiv's ambassador to Berlin, who has been an outspoken critic of Germany's response to Russia's invasion

Andriy Melnyk (pictured), Ukraine's Ambassador to Germany,

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (pictured) has not visited Kyiv like many other European leaders, after his offer last month to meet with Zelensky was snubbed

Meanwhile Germanys conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv for meetings with Ukrainian officials.

He has previously accused Scholz of weak leadership and of 'procrastination, dithering and timidity'.

Last week Germany announced it would deliver anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine for the first time, which signalled a major shift in policy.

The Chairman of the German Christian Democratic Party (CDU) Friedrich Merz was in Irpin today

Their announcement that they could quit Russian oil by late summer, further highlighted a show of support for Ukraine.

Mr Scholz denied claims their response to Russia's invasion was hesitant: 'I've always made quick decisions, in tandem with everyone else... but my line is that we act in a level-headed and prudent manner.'

He insisted Germany is 'firmly by the side' of Ukraine, with officials citing their recent actions such as the suspension of Nord Stream 2 and additional military support.

He also vowed that sanctions would not be lifted until Putin signs a peace deal with Ukraine.

This week the European Commission is expected to propose their sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

Which may include a possible embargo on buying Russian oil - which Germany said on Monday it was prepared to back.

Ambassadors from EU countries will discuss the proposed oil sanctions on Wednesday.
An abusive father who tortured his own child so badly his legs had to be amputated could now be due compensation after he was battered by two fellow prison inmates.

Anthony Smith, 51, had 12 teeth knocked out after his attackers hit him with socks filled with cans of tuna during a two-hour savaging

Anthony Smith, 51, who is serving a 10-year sentence for child cruelty at HMP Swaleside in Kent, had 12 teeth knocked out after his attackers hit him with socks filled with cans of tuna during a two-hour savaging.

Smith, who abused little Tony Hudgell alongside his partner Jody Simpson, was tied up and assaulted with the homemade weapons by Michael Stewart, 31, and Nathan Odgers, 36.

The pair struck Smith repeatedly with their improvised weapons and tied him to his cell bed after he collected his breakfast.

Child abuser Smith could be in line for a taxpayer-funded payout as he was the victim of an attack while a prisoner. He could claim for both physical injuries and mental trauma inflicted.

During the attack the inmates shouted that Smith should lose his legs and threatened to 'chop off his legs' - a reference to the appalling violence he inflicted on his son.

Tony was just four months old when he was subjected to vile abuse at the couple's flat in Maidstone, Kent, in 2014.

The youngster, now seven, lost both legs as a result of the injuries and his campaigning with adopted mother Paula led to a recent law change, dubbed Tony's Law, could see abusers jailed for life.

Tony, pictured above in 2020, was just four months old when he was subjected to vile abuse at the couple's flat in Maidstone, Kent

The youngester, now seven, lost both legs as a result of the injuries and his campaigning with adopted mother Paula led to a recent law change, dubbed Tony's Law, could see abusers jailed for life

Stewart and Odgers reportedly told Smith to go along with their hostage plan staged in protest at being at the notorious category B jail dubbed 'Stabside' in the hope of being moved jails.

Both defendants later claimed Smith volunteered but he denied this.

A wardrobe was pushed across the door and the observation panel blocked with toilet paper as the pair demanded to speak to a governor.

Initially Stewart and Odgers did not know of Smith's notorious crimes until another inmate shouted out who he was.

Stewart - who was serving 10 years for serious violence - and Nathan Odgers - who is serving 10-and-a-half years for a sting of armed robberies - then barricaded themselves in after tying Smith to the bed.

A prisoner was heard to shout: 'He should have his legs chopped off.'

Smith was left needing hospital treatment for multiple teeth fractures and bruising after the brutal assault left the tuna tins 'heavily dented'.

The two-hour ordeal happened in August 2018 - just six months after Smith and Simpson were jailed over their abuse - but it would take another 19 months before the CPS would authorise charges.

A judge at Maidstone Crown Court today said the delay was 'extraordinary and unconscionable' and cut their sentences by a year.

Stewart, who had links to Bedford, was given an extended jail term of eight years and five months and father-of-four Odgers, from Hastings, East Sussex, received an extended sentence of nine years and six months.

Tony was admitted to the Evelina London Children's in Southwark, south east London, in 2015

In December 2021 Tony met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their festive carol concert at Westminster Abbey

Both men admitted charges of false imprisonment and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Judge Jeremy Donne QC told the court Smith needed 12 teeth replaced - although the pair were not responsible for all of the injuries.

He said he accepted the motive for the attack was not revenge but a desire to move to a different jail.

He ordered Stewart to serve an immediate jail term of three years and eight months and Odgers four years and six months.

The judge then ruled the two will also have to serve another five years on licence when they are released after serving two-thirds of the jail terms.

Little Tony's suffering at the hands of his parents caused national outrage as his injuries were so horrific, including a hip dislocation and head trauma, the youngster had to have surgery to amputate both legs at the knee.

He has since learnt to walk on prosthetic legs and during lockdown raised over 1.2 million for the NHS and the hospital that saved his life.
A convicted sex offender who was found to be hiding two teenage runaways in his wardrobe in his bedroom has been jailed for four years.

Police were called to the flat of Jamie Paul Roberts, 35, who also goes by the name Jamie Whelan, in Skewen, Wales, at 3.40am on 21 December last year after a teenage boy and girl, who were living in children's homes, had failed to return home by their curfew times.

Swansea Crown Court heard that the lights were on in the property but the officers' knocks went unanswered, though they noticed the blinds in a window were twitching.

Officers continued knocking and eventually Roberts answered - despite being fully clothed he told his callers he had been asleep.

The house was searched and it initially appeared Roberts was alone. But officers noticed a big pile of bedding and clothes stacked up in front of a wardrobe in one of the bedrooms.

When officers moved the items, and opened the wardrobe, they found the missing children hiding inside. The teenagers were returned to their care homes and Roberts was arrested.

In his subsequent interview the 35-year-old defendant, of New Road, Skewen, Neath, Wales, provided a prepared statement in which he said the children had asked him to hide them, and that they had taken cocaine and amphetamine.

After being questioned, Roberts, who is currently subject to a sexual harm prevention order after being convicted of child abduction, was released under investigation.

But just weeks after police made the shocking discovery, Jamie Roberts took two boys - again vulnerable teens living in care - back to his house where they drank alcohol and took drugs - and he suggested getting amphetamine as it 'makes you really horny'.

Convicted sex offender Jamie Roberts, 35, from Skewen, Neath, Wales, who was found to be hiding two teenage runaways in his wardrobe in his bedroom has been jailed for four years

The court heard the second incident happened on February 28 this year and involved the same teen boy along with another male youth who was also living in care.

The prosecutor said on this occasion, Roberts met the boys at Swansea Railway Station and took them back to his home in Skewen.

During the Monday evening, the trio drank alcohol and the two teens smoked cannabis.

At around 4am an argument broke out and Roberts chased the boys from his flat - reportedly at knife-point.

One boy rang his care home and a member of staff drove to Skewen to collect him.

Roberts was again arrested and admitted arranging to pick up one of the boys from the station - but said he had been surprised to find the youngster was not alone.

Roberts had previously pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

He has 19 previous convictions for 22 offences including a number for sexual offences beginning with the indecent assault of a girl when he was a juvenile - this involved him assaulting a girl in public toilets on a beach.

In 2005 he was convicted at Swansea Crown Court of breaching a sexual harm prevention order, and convicted of the same offence two years later at Stratford Crown Court. However, the court did not hear details of these breaches.

In 2021 he was sentenced to a two-year community order for child abduction - this offence involved a young boy staying in his property in defiance of a child abduction warning notice issued by police following concerns raised by the boy's dad about the nature of the defendant's relationship with his son.

Defending Roberts, Ian Ibrahim said the defendant's childhood had been 'nothing short of a disaster for him'.

Swansea Crown Court (pictured) heard how just weeks after police made the first shocking discovery, Jamie Roberts took another two boys - again vulnerable teens living in care - back to his house where they drank alcohol and took drugs - and he suggested getting amphetamine as it 'makes you really horny'

He said Roberts was taken into care at the age of four and put on anti-psychotic drugs because of his behaviour, and that was followed by a period of living with 10 different foster families and in five foster homes, as well as being bullied at school.

The barrister said the defendant had subsequently been diagnosed with a number of conditions including personality disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.

Mr Ibrahim said Roberts had been the victim of a serious assault in Cardiff's Bute Park - the same area where Dr Gary Jenkins was murdered in a homophobic attack - and had also been the victim of so-called cuckooing when a drugs-gang took over his Neath flat.

Judge Paul Thomas QC said he had no doubt Roberts' contact with the young children from care homes had been sexually-motivated grooming behaviour.

He said it was clear the defendant posed a risk of serious harm to children but said it was not possible to pass an extended sentence for the offences currently before the court.

With a one-quarter discount for his guilty pleas, Roberts was sentenced to three-and-a-half years for breaching the sexual harm prevention order, and the judge re-sentenced the defendant for the previous child abduction offence imposing a six month sentence for that to run consecutively, making an overall sentence of four years in prison.

Roberts will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
A young man who survived cancer has tragically died while riding an e-scooter along a cycle lane.

Scott Wilson, 29, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, was critically injured in the collision in his home city on Saturday, April 23.

Today, his family announced that he sadly succumbed to his injuries on Friday, April 26 - six days after the crash.

Paying tribute on a fundraising page set up to assist with funeral costs, Scott's mum Linda Wilson said: 'It is with great sadness my beloved son lost his life after losing control on his electric scooter.

'He was only 29 years of age and fought leukaemia, had both hips replaced and one shoulder replacement because of all the chemotherapy.'

Scott Wilson, 29, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, was critically injured while riding his e-scooter in a cycle lane on Saturday, April 23

Scott was seen riding his e-scooter in a cycle lane next to Harehills Lane in Leeds shortly before the accident.

According to reports, he was hurled from the saddle after losing control of the machine. No other vehicle was involved.

He is one of only a handful of Britons to die so far in the electric scooter craze.

Figures show in the 12 months before June 2021 there were 882 accidents involving e-scooters, of which 172 (around 20 per cent) were single-vehicle accidents.

There were 931 casualties resulting from those accidents, of which 732 were e-scooter users.

Scott was seen riding his e-scooter in a cycle lane next to Harehills Lane in Leeds shortly before the accident (Pictured: the scene of the collision)

Tragically, three people - all e-scooter riders - were killed. The DfT estimates that 253 were seriously injured, and 675 slight injuries.

West Yorkshire police said at the time: 'At 7.45pm on Saturday, police were contacted by the ambulance service who were attending a road traffic collision in York Road, Leeds.'

'The rider of an electric scooter had lost control and fallen from the vehicle while travelling in a cycle lane near to the junction with Harehills Lane. No other vehicle was involved.'

'The 29-year-old man received life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.'
President Joe Biden visited a Lockheed Martin weapons manufacturing facility on Tuesday and thanked the company's workers for assembling Javelin anti-tank missiles, which Ukrainian fighters have used to fight off the Russian invasion.

'You're allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves and quite frankly they're making fools of the Russian military in many instances,' Biden told workers at a plant in Troy, Alabama.

The Biden administration has committed to sending 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin started invading the country on February 24.

President Joe Biden visited a Lockheed Martin weapons manufacturing facility on Tuesday and thanked the company's workers for assembling Javelin anti-tank missiles

President Joe Biden speaks to workers at a Lockheed Martin weapons factory on Tuesday in Troy, Alabama

President Joe Biden gets shown how Javelin anti-tank missiles are constructed at a tour of an Alabama Lockheed Martin plant Tuesday

President Joe Biden shakes the hand of a worker Tuesday at Lockheed Martin's weapons factory in Troy, Alabama

Javelin ant-tank missiles are seen at Lockheed Martin's Pike County Operations facility in Troy, Alabama on Tuesday

President Joe Biden arrives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama on Tuesday prior to touring the Lockheed Martin Pike County Operations facility where they manufacture Javelin anti-tank missiles in Troy, Alabama

People watch as President Joe Biden arrives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama on Tuesday to tour a Lockheed Martin plant

Biden took a brief tour of the plant before delivering a speech.

'You realize how many lives you've saved,' Biden told one woman during the tour. 'Tell you what, you make a gigantic difference to the rest of the world.'

He kept the compliments coming once he got onstage.

He was introduced by Linda Griffin, a senior missile assembler for the Javelin program, who shouted out she had touched every one of the '50,000!' Javelins made in Troy.

'I tell you what Linda, if I was CEO of this company I would be worried,' Biden joked, complimenting her spirited introduction when he took over the podium.

Biden said he made the trek to Alabama to say 'thank you, thank you, thank you,' to the workers.

'We know that the United States is leading our allies and partners around the world to make sure the courageous Ukrainians who are fighting for the future of the nation have the weapons and the capacity and ammunition and equipment to defend themselves against Putin's brutal war,' Biden said.

'A lot of war crimes are being committed,' the president continued.

'But what we don't always see is the work that makes so much of this possible - and that's you,' Biden added. 'You make it possible for them to have a shot.'

President Joe Biden talks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews ahead of his trip to Alabama on Tuesday

'You're making a gigantic difference for these poor sons of guns under such enormous pressure and firepower,' he also said.

Biden said that Ukrainians have been so thankful that they're naming babies after the weapons.

'In fact, they've been so important there's even a story about Ukrainian parents naming their children - not a joke - their newborn child "Javelin" or "Javelina,"' Biden said.

He, again, pushed Congress to pass a $33 billion supplemental that would further fund the U.S. effort to arm Ukraine.

The request includes an additional $20 billion in military aid toward Ukraine, which would also go toward resupplying the U.S.'s munitions stockpile, which is dwindling due to the war effort.

The president also segued and talked about semiconductors, asking lawmakers to pass the CHIPS Act, which would bolster U.S. semiconductor manufacturing.
Amazon will reimburse its staff in the US up to $4,000 in travel expenses annually for a range of non-life threatening medical treatments, including elective abortions, as conservative-led laws look to block access in many states.

The online retail giant's decision comes after a leaked memo on Monday revealed that the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

In a message sent to Amazon employees on Monday, obtained by Reuters, Amazon told its employees that the new work benefit would apply to an employee if an operation could not be done within 100 miles of their home and virtual care is not accessible.

Amazon will reimburse its staff in the US up to $4,000 in travel expenses annually for a range of non-life threatening medical treatments, including elective abortions

More than 50 companies offer benefit that reimburses staff for abortion care Amazon The online retail giant said it would cover up to $4,000 per year in travel expenses for staff members seeking non-life-threatening medical care, including abortions, if not available within 100 miles of where they live Citigroup The company announced they would cover employees' travel if they need to leave their state for an abortion 'In response to changes in reproductive healthcare laws in certain states in the US, beginning in 2022 we provide travel benefits to facilitate access to adequate resources,' Citi said in a letter to shareholders Bumble The dating app company, in September created a fund 'supporting the reproductive rights of women and people across the gender spectrum who seek abortions in Texas' 'Bumble is women-founded and women-led, and from day one we've stood up for the most vulnerable. We'll keep fighting against regressive laws like #SB8' Match Group The company that owns Match.com and dating apps including Tinder, OkCupid and Hinge, announced in September a fund to ensure its employees would be able to seek reproductive care outside of Texas 'The company generally does not take political stands unless it is relevant to our business,' said CEO Shar Dubey in a memo at the time. 'But in this instance, I personally, as a woman in Texas, could not keep silent' Lyft & Uber The ride-sharing companies both announced in September they would create legal defense funds to protect any drivers who might be sued under the Texas law for driving a person who receives an abortion Salesforce Salesforce announced in September that it would assist its employees and their families if they want to leave Texas after the state passed the nation's most restrictive abortion law Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff tweeted at the time: 'Ohana if you want to move we'll help you exit TX. Your choice' Yelp Starting in May, Yelp will cover travel expenses for any US employees and their dependents who need to travel out of state to access abortion care 'It's a priority for us to offer our employees consistent healthcare coverage, regardless of where they live,' a representative said Advertisement

That will be put in place for all corporate and warehouse employees or covered dependents enrolled in the company's Premera or Aetna health plans, according to the memo.

Amazon's decision comes after Citigroup and Yelp both announced they would reimburse travel expenses for abortion care as a direct response to a slew of bills passing in red states looking to restrict access to the procedure.

Citigroup in March said in a filing with regulators that in light of 'changes in reproductive healthcare laws in certain states,' it will provide travel benefits to 'facilitate access to adequate resources.'

The companies join a list of dozens that have made moves in reaction to states maneuvering to block women's to access abortion.

More than 50 US companies, including the online review service Yelp, clothing maker Patagonia and ride-hailing app Lyft, late last year signed on to a statement opposing a new Texas law that bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

Cloud computing giant Salesforce offered to relocate employees at its Texas facilities to other states after the law went into effect there.

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.

Amazon's new benefit, effective to Jan. 1 retroactively, applies if an operation is not available within 100 miles 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. The list of procedures covered also included gastric bypass, mental health care, and in-patient treatment for substance abuse disorders, according to Amazon.

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.

The moves come as legal analysts believe the Supreme Court, dominated by conservatives following the nomination of three justices by former president Donald Trump, looks poised to possibly overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that held that access to abortion is a woman's constitutional right.

In December, hearing oral arguments about a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks, the court's conservative majority appeared inclined to not only uphold the law but to toss out Roe v. Wade.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision in the Mississippi case by June.

The Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research group, has said that 26 states are 'certain or likely' to ban abortion if the Roe is overturned.

The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the US, according to a leaked draft of a majority opinion that would shred 50 years of constitutional protections

Protesters descended upon the court late on Monday night after Politico reported the Supreme Court's bombshell draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade

Pro-choice activists remained outside the Supreme Court into Tuesday morning, hours after the bombshell Monday night report

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

Alito's draft does not necessarily represent the sentiments of other justices who did not pen the opinion, but it's been suggested that the court's 5-3 conservative supermajority will likely deliver on the historic reversal.

The Supreme Court is planning to vote to strike down the decision of Roe v. Wade, long considered a vanguard of guaranteeing a right to an abortion in the United States.

Republicans celebrated the decision, calling it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

Pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List hailed the report as a victory for their movement.

'If the draft opinion made public tonight is the final opinion of the court, we wholeheartedly applaud the decision. The American people have the right to act through their elected officials to debate and enact laws that protect unborn children and honor women,' SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. 'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature.'

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

Reaction to the news of Alito's draft opinion was swift Monday night, with conservative lawmakers celebrating the news after decades of fighting for an end to abortion rights - though they raised doubts about why the decision was leaked in the first place.

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

Roe v. Wade: Which US states could make abortion illegal if landmark 1973 law is overturned... and what would it mean for women in America? Vital Q&A on looming Supreme Court decision The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the United States, according to a bombshell leaked draft of a majority opinion that suggests it may be poised to overturn the famous Roe v. Wade ruling. The 98-page draft revealed by Politico calls the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision - which held that access to abortion in the US is a constitutional right - 'egregiously wrong from the start'. Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The draft was written by Justice Samuel Alito and has been circulating inside the conservative-dominated court since February. The leak of a draft opinion while a case is still pending is an extraordinary breach. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. Here, DailyMail.com looks at what the latest developments mean - and the history of abortion laws in the US: WHAT IS ROE V. WADE? The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion. Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion. She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger. Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights. Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague, and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category. The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant. The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court. The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972. Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states. WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED NOW? The Supreme Court has not decided anything yet, but a draft opinion reportedly circulated among court justices suggests that it may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. A document labelled 'Opinion of the Court' shows a majority of the court's justices earlier this year threw support behind overturning the 1973 case that legalised abortion across the country. According to Politico - who published the 'leaked document' - the draft opinion shows the court voted to strike down the landmark case. However, it is unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter. The paper was labelled '1st Draft' of the 'Opinion of the Court' and was said to be referring to a case challenging Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks - a case known as Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organisation. The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in the case, and opinions - and even justices' votes - have been known to change during the drafting process. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. The draft is signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court's 6-3 conservative majority, who was appointed by former President George W Bush. 'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' the draft opinion states. It in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER RULINGS SINCE 1973? On the same day as the Roe v. Wade decision, the justices also ruled in the separate 'Doe v. Bolton' case, which authorised each state to add restrictions to abortion rights for later-term pregnancies. The constitutional right to abortion was later confirmed in a number of decisions, including 'Webster v. Reproductive Health Services' in 1989 and 'Planned Parenthood v. Casey' in 1992. In the latter, the court guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the foetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks of gestation. The Planned Parenthood v Casey ruling also affirmed Roe's finding of a constitutional right to abortion services, but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. WHICH STATES COULD MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED? If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights. Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years. Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level. Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.= The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law. This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights. Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion. CAN WOMEN GET AN ABORTION IN A DIFFERENT STATE? Yes - the variation in abortion laws around America already means that some women have to travel to a different state to access a procedure. For example in Texas - which has passed a law banning almost all abortions in the state - an average of 1,400 women from the state travelling each month between September and December 2021 and sought out procedures at 34 facilities in other states such as Louisiana and Kansas. Research by the University of Texas established that more than a quarter of Texans seeking an abortion (27 per cent) went to obtain the procedure in New Mexico, a state which has seven facilities. WHAT WOULD ROE V. WADE BEING OVERTURNED MEAN FOR WOMEN? Abortion would not become illegal everywhere in the US if Roe v. Wade is overturned, with individual states still able to choose whether and when they would be permitted. As it stands, abortion is legal in every state - but with varying restrictions. Abortion would likely become illegal in about half of the states in the US if the ruling is overturned - with 24 states expected to ban abortion if they are able to do so. These are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Advertisement

The Supreme Court's draft decision has shaken the Supreme Court to its core, with barricades posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online.

The highly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Pro-choice and pro-life protesters descended on the Supreme Court building on May 3

Anti abortion protesters face off with pro abortion protesters in front of the Supreme Court

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign strategist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Such a ruling would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm election where Democrats are struggling to keep control of Congress.

Abortion would also become a major political issue in governors' races with states being given the right to determine whether or not to allow the procedure.
'Cult mom' Lori Vallow could face the death penalty if she's found guilty of murdering her children as prosecutors move to try her alongside her husband in January.

Vallow, 48, and her husband Chad Daybell have been charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder, among other crimes.

They are in relation to the deaths of Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, 7, Tylee Ryan, 16, and Daybell's first wife Tammy.

The children were found buried in Daybell's backyard in Idaho in 2020 after they were last seen in September 2019. Tammy was killed in October 2019, two weeks before Vallow and Daybell married, authorities said.

In a court filing on Monday, Fremont and Madison county prosecutors indicated that they plan to seek the death penalty against the pair if they're convicted, the East Idaho News reports.

Their indictments allege the couple became convinced their victims were zombies who had been possessed by dark spirits and could only be released through death. Vallow and Daybell have both pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Idaho prosecutors indicated that they plan to seek the death penalty against Lori Vallow and her husband Chad Daybell if they're found guilty of murdering Vallow's children

Lori Vallow (left) and Chad Daybell (right) were said to have extreme religious beliefs. Detectives believe the couple's 'belief system, lust and greed' also led to the deaths of Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell

Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, left, and Tylee Ryan, right, were last seen in September 2019. Their bodies were eventually discovered buried on Chad Daybell's property after a nine-month search

Vallow pleaded not guilty to murdering her children during a court appearance in April

Prosecutors cited a number of reasons as to why Vallow and Daybell are eligible for the death penalty.

According to their filing, the pair's alleged murders fit the bill for the sentence, which requires crimes to be 'especially heinous, atrocious, cruel, or manifesting exceptional depravity.'

The death penalty is also called for in cases exhibiting 'an utter disregard for human life,' prosecutors say, as well as in murders 'committed for remuneration,' or pay.

Vallow wore a blue sweater and green reading glasses as she entered a courtroom at the Fremont County Courthouse on April 19.

She remained silent as District Judge Steven Boyce summarized the six charges against her - with her attorney asking the court to enter a not guilty plea.

Vallow was arrested in Hawaii in February and extradited to Idaho in March.

Last year, a jury-ordered psychological assessment determined she was incompetent to move ahead with the trial. But last month, Fremont County District Judge Steven Boyce ordered court proceedings against Vallow to continue, saying she had restored competency.

The 48-year-old was at Fremont County Courthouse in St Anthony, Idaho (pictured), following her husband Chad Daybell, on April 19

JJ's grandfather Larry Woodcock last week accused Vallow of 'knowing how to play the system' and said he was thankful Judge Boyce had restored her competency.

He told KUTV: 'We're thankful that it has moved forward. I've said it since day one, she is not incompetent. She knows how to play the system.'

Vallow is also charged in Arizona with conspiring to kill her former estranged husband Charles Vallow with the help of her now-deceased brother Alex Cox.

Vallow and Daybell's indictments allege the couple became convinced their victims were zombies who had been possessed by dark spirits and could only be released through death.

Vallow's close friend Melanie Gibbs told investigators that the couple drew people into their circle of believers by giving them bits of information and flattered followers by telling them they were part of the select few who were supposed to carry out a special spiritual mission.

Those who questioned the beliefs were pushed out of the group, investigators said.

The Daybells used a special scoring system to determine whether people were good or evil, Gibbs said.

Each person was assigned a number to indicate how many times they had lived before, as well as a 'light' or 'dark' rating to indicate if they had made a contract with God or Satan.

People were also given 'vibration' scores and trustworthiness ratings, and those with high-enough 'vibrations' were deemed to be 'translated,' holding special powers.

The Daybells believed 'zombies' were people who had died and their bodies had been possessed by evil spirits. The group would spend time praying to get rid of the zombies, and believed that if they were successful the possessed person would physically die, freeing their soul from 'limbo.'

JJ's grandfather Larry Woodcock last week accused Vallow of 'knowing how to play the system' and said he was thankful Judge Boyce had restored her competency

Vallow told some of her friends that her estranged husband Charles was a zombie, according to investigators, and some in the group regularly joined her in praying for his demise.

After he was shot and killed by Alex Cox during an argument, Cox reportedly told another follower that he didn't feel bad because he killed a zombie.

The group also believed that once a person became 'exalted,' they couldn't be held responsible for their actions on Earth.

An investigative report notes: 'Because Lori was already "exalted," she would often slam her hand on the counter and state, "Doesn't count for me!"'

Vallow had been confined to a state psychiatric hospital since June 8, 2021, after she was found incompetent to stand trial after a psychological assessment.

Her stay at the psychiatric facility was extended several times before her competency was restored last week.

Vallow is accused of killing two of her children, JJ and Tylee, with the help of her husband Daybell.

JJ's grandfather said he would be in court for Vallow's arraignment and trial in January, hoping the system gets justice for his grandson.

He added: 'He was just a special little boy. I promise you. I will be sitting so close to them, I can iron their clothes from the back.'

JJ and Tylee are seen smiling and hugging while standing on a boardwalk in front of a thermal feature at Yellowstone National Park in Idaho on September 8, 2019, with their uncle Alex Cox. It would be the last time that Tylee was seen alive

Tylee and JJ vanished in September 2019, leading to a nationwide hunt. Their bodies were not found until the following June.

The whole saga began in 2019, when Charles Vallow was killed by Lori's brother Alex Cox.

A police probe in Arizona found computer documents indicating that Charles discovered his wife was having an affair with Chad Daybell just weeks before his death.

Charles confronted Lori in a text message and then reached out to Daybell's wife Tammy to let her know their spouses were cheating.

The investigators did not determine if she ever read the email or deleted it without reading.

Eleven days after Charles sent the email, he was shot to death by Cox, who argued self-defense.

At the time, he was seeking a divorce, saying Lori believed she had become a god-like figure who was responsible for ushering in the biblical end times.

Meanwhile Cox died in December 2019 of an apparent blood clot in his lung.

A police investigation in Arizona uncovered computer documents that indicated Charles Vallow discovered his wife was having an affair with Chad Daybell just weeks before his death (Lori and Charles are pictured at their wedding in 2006)

Before marrying Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell, who died in October 2019. Authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell married Lori Vallow after just two weeks, and Tammy Daybell's body was exhumed. Although the autopsy results have never been publicly released, Tammy Daybell's son, Garth Daybell said last year authorities believe his mother died by asphyxiation

Tylee was last seen on September 8, 2019, while JJ was last seen with his uncle Alex Cox on September 22. Their bodies were found in Daybell's backyard in June 2020

Shortly after Charles's death, Vallow and the children moved to Idaho, where Daybell lived.

He ran a publishing firm putting out fiction books he wrote on apocalyptic scenarios loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He also recorded podcasts about preparing for biblical end times, and friends said he claimed to be able to receive visions from 'beyond the veil'.

He was married to Tammy, who died in October 2019. Authorities grew suspicious when Daybell married Lori just two weeks later, and Tammy's body was exhumed.

The autopsy has never been released, but Tammy's son, Garth said last year they told him they believe his mother died by asphyxiation.

Then in November 2019, police began searching for Tylee and JJ in after relatives raised concerns.

Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about the children's whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho. They were found in Hawaii months later.

Tylee was last seen on September 8, 2019, when she went to Yellowstone National Park with her mother, her brother and Cox, court documents say.

In this June 9, 2020, aerial photo, investigators search for the human remains of JJ and Taylee at Chad Daybell's residence in the 200 block of 1900 east, in Salem, Idaho

It is not clear what happened to her, but police say the next day Cox's cellphone data shows he made a trip to Daybell's property and was near the children's bodies.

Also on September 9, 2021, investigators say Daybell texted Tammy, reportedly telling her he decided to burn some plants and also had shot a raccoon.

The detective said in the documents he was suspicious because raccoons are normally nocturnal and the text said the animal had been shot during the day.

Lori's best friend Melanie Gibb said she was told Tylee was attending school at a nearby college, though investigators found the teen had never been enrolled.

Gibb also said JJ's behavior appeared to be typical, despite his mother claiming he was acting strangely.

The last time Gibb saw JJ was September 22, 2019, at Lori's apartment. Cox left with his nephew for his place nearby, Gibb told police, and when they returned, JJ appeared to be asleep, with his head on Cox's shoulder.

The next morning, Gibb said JJ was gone and Lori said Cox had taken him for a while.

An analysis of Cox's cellphone records that day shows his phone pinged at locations on Daybell's property again.

It was those cellphone records that led police to the bodies of the children, officers said.

Daybell met Vallow in 2018 and the two quickly became close, according to investigators.

Within a short time, they were traveling to meet each other, and at one point Daybell wrote a story for her based on two characters who met at a religious conference.

By May of 2019, Lori was looking at gemstones online similar to the ones that would later be in their wedding rings.

Daybell and Vallow communicated with each other using code names or pet names like Lili, Bubby, Raphael and sometimes eschewed standard text messaging.

Instead they used 'burner' phones or messaging systems inside of a popular karaoke phone application, according to computer and phone files found by investigators.

As their relationship grew, so did their cult-like religious beliefs, according to investigators.

Several family members and friends interviewed by detectives described them as having a strange doomsday-focused belief system.

At times as many as 10 people were part of the loose religious group that met to pray, drive out evil spirits and seek revelations from 'beyond the spiritual veil'.

Though the beliefs Vallow's friends described to detectives were loosely based on theology from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were extreme.

Daybell sits in prison awaiting trial, currently scheduled for January 2023. Prosecutors have sought the death penalty.

They have cited the fact all his alleged crimes were committed for remuneration  life insurance and social security payments  as aggravating circumstances.
The director of the Central Intelligence Agency made a previously-unannounced trip to Saudi Arabia last month where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), it was reported on Tuesday.

CIA Director Bill Burns' visit to the city of Jeddah occurred in mid-April, the Wall Street Journal reported, during a period marked by critically low relations between the Saudi and American governments.

It also happened a month after reports emerged that President Joe Biden is considering a trip to Riyadh to meet with the nation's de facto leader, who the president previously condemned for ordering the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Biden greenlit the public release of a US intelligence report last year that claimed MBS orchestrated and approved the plan for Khashoggi's 2018 killing.

And on the presidential campaign trail, Biden promised to 'make them pay the price' over the kingdom's human rights abuses.

It's a sharp departure from the Trump administration's considerably warmer relations with the Saudis, including a personal friendship between Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and the Crown Prince that led to accusations of the Republican administration overlooking the regime's wrongdoings.

But repairing the US-Saudi relationship took on fresh urgency after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, throwing the global energy supply chain into chaos.

CIA Director Bill Burns met with Saudi Arabia's de facto leader Mohammed Bin Salman in the coastal city of Jeddah. A US official reportedly said, 'It was a good conversation, better tone than prior U.S. government engagement'

Russia's attack is reportedly one of the central topics that came up during Burns' meeting with MBS in April.

The Crown Prince and the US's top spy also allegedly discussed the war in Yemen and ongoing talks to revive the Iran Nuclear Deal.

'It was a good conversation, better tone than prior U.S. government engagement,' an official told the Journal.

A CIA spokesperson told DailyMail.com the agency does not comment on the director's schedule.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House for comment.

Biden faced criticism in March over reportedly planning a trip to Saudi Arabia to discuss oil production after Russia's invasion of Ukraine destabilized the global energy supply chain

As a State Department official under the Biden administration, Burns helped lead the talks that led to the original Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) limiting Iran's nuclear proliferation.

Trump withdrew from the JCPOA when he took office.

Burns is not the first Biden official to visit Saudi Arabia, after a disastrous trip by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in September 2021.

A former National Security Council official said the Biden administration was likely shopping within its ranks for an official the Saudis will warm up to.

'Theyre looking around for where the relationship is strongest and engaging there,' Atlantic Council nonresident senior fellow Kirsten Fontenrose is quoted as saying in Tuesday's report.

Part of the reason the US is looking to mend the relationship is because of concerns that Saudi Arabia could be a powerful ally to Russia at a time when the West is trying to isolate the Eastern European energy producer over its brutal war.

Biden banned importing Russian energy earlier this year in a bid to cut off the Kremlin's main source of war funding.

Riyadh previously sided with Moscow in March when it refused Washington's request to increase crude oil production to offset sky-high global energy costs.

In March the White House denied a report that MBS snubbed a phone call from Biden just one week after speaking with Russia's autocratic leader Vladimir Putin.

'The president did speak with the Saudi king just a few weeks ago, several weeks ago, so its all running together at this point in time,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at the time, referencing a February call between Biden and MBS's father.

She said claims that MBS -- who largely runs the kingdom on his father's behalf -- rebuffed Biden were 'inaccurate.'

The Journal had reported MBS ignored the president's request over his disapproval of Saudi Arabia's involvement in Yemen, where Saudi-backed fighters are in a bloody clash with rebels armed by Iran.

And less than a year earlier, a meeting between the Saudi de facto leader and Biden adviser Sullivan ended with MBS shouting at the US official over the issue of Khashoggi's killing.

MBS reportedly told Sullivan to never bring it up to him again. He's denied any involvement in the killing.

The Saudis have previously cancelled attempted visits by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and State Secretary Antony Blinken.
The teen has said that he would likely change his name if he ever returned to a college campus

A rep for the school told DailyMail.com the university 'does not have a student' enrolled under Rittenhouse's name, nor have they received an application

The posts come months after the teen withdrew from former alma mater Arizona State following student protests demanding his removal from campus

In another post, Rittenhouse wrote he was considering staying in Texas, with an image showing him sitting in an oversized chair bearing the university's logo

'ASU has been fun but becoming an Aggie might be better,' Rittenhouse captioned one post, referring to the university's nickname for its student body

While visiting the Lone Star State, Rittenhouse took to Instagram to air his scholarly ambitions to his 202,000 followers

Kyle Rittenhouse, the teen acquitted of fatally shooting two men in Kenosha in 2020, has hinted he may be attending Texas A&M University

Kyle Rittenhouse, the Illinois teen acquitted of fatally shooting two men in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020, has hinted he may be attending Texas A&M University, after leaving former alma mater Arizona State last year following student protests demanding his withdrawal from campus.

While visiting the Lone Star State, 19-year-old Rittenhouse - who was acquitted for the August 2020 deaths of Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, last November - took to Instagram to air his scholarly ambitions to his 202,000 followers.

'ASU has been fun but becoming an Aggie might be better,' Rittenhouse captioned one post earlier from College Station - a town in the central part of the state where the school is located - referring to the university's nickname for its student body.

In another post days later, Rittenhouse wrote he was considering staying in Texas, with an accompanying image showing the teen sitting in an oversized chair that bore the university's logo and an inscription of its popular catchphrase, 'Howdy.'

'I'm thinking about staying,' Rittenhouse wrote in the photo's caption.

It was unclear from the posts whether Rittenhouse was seriously considering attending the school, which is located a short drive from the state's three most populous cities, Austin, Dallas, and Houston.

While visiting Texas this week, Kyle Rittenhouse - who was acquitted for the August 2020 deaths of two men during a BLM protest in Kenosha last November - took to Instagram to air his scholarly ambitions to his 202,000 followers, with a post that suggested he was considering attending Texas A&M

Rittenhouse, 19, wrote he was considering staying in Texas, with the accompanying image showing the teen sitting in an oversized chair that bore the university's logo

The deadline to enroll for the upcoming fall semester passed last December. A rep for the school told DailyMail.com Tuesday that the school currently 'does not have a student' enrolled under Rittenhouse's name, nor have they received an application.

However, the teen has said that he would likely change his name if he ever returned to a college campus.

In the series of posts theorizing his potential return to a college campus, Rittenhouse saw a flood of support from his hordes of followers, with many suggesting the school - one of the more conservative public institutions in the US - would welcome him with open arms.

'You'll fit right in,' one user commented.

'Probably a lot more accepting than ASU,' another wrote, referencing the student-led campaign last year during and after Rittenhouse's highly publicized trial to have him booted from Arizona State.

'Wed love to have you,' another remarked.

Rittenhouse saw a flood of support from his hordes of followers, with many suggesting the school - one of the more conservative public institutions in the US - would welcome him with open arms

'ASU has been fun but becoming an Aggie might be better,' Rittenhouse captioned another post from College Station - a town in the central part of the state where the school is located - referring to the university's nickname for its student body

Rittenhouse had a brief stint last year at the Phoenix university, where he was registered part-time for a non-degree online course, which he did not complete.

The teen then disenrolled from the school three months into the fall semester, shortly after he was found not guilty for the Kenosha killings.

A spokesperson for the school told DailyMail.com at the time that the decision to disenroll was Rittenhouse's alone, and that it was not a result of any action taken by the university.

Prior to dropping the online course in late November, ASU students campaigned relentlessly to have Rittenhouse removed from campus.

An alliance of left-wing student groups, The Arizona State University Students for Socialism, Students for Justice in Palestine, Multicultural Solidarity Coalition, and MECHA de ASU, took part in the campaign, which was to culminate with a December 1 'rally and protest to get murderer Kyle Rittenhouse off our campus.'

Kyle Rittenhouse reacts after his acquittal on November 19 at the courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin

As part of their list of demands, the band of woke students ordered university officials release a statement denouncing 'white supremacy' and 'murderer Rittenhouse,' and to construct a 'multicultural safe space on campus.'

They also asked the school redirect funding from the ASU police force to support the aforementioned 'safe space from white supremacy.'

'Even with a not-guilty verdict from a flawed "justice" system - Kyle Rittenhouse is still guilty to his victims and the families of those victims,' a letter from the liberal coalition stated.

'Join us to demand from ASU that those demands be met to protect students from a violent blood-thirsty murderer.'

Amid the calls for his removal, Rittenhouse quietly withdrew from the online course shortly before the planned December 1 protest.

During an appearance on The Charlie Kirk Show on November 28, days before it was revealed he was no longer enrolled in the Arizona school, Rittenhouse said he 'didn't really care' about the protests.

'Look, I don't really care that they're protesting,' he said. 'I think it's actually very silly and funny but I agree with everyone's right to demonstrate, no matter how silly it is.'

In another interview earlier that month, while he was still on trial, Rittenhouse told News Nation that he wanted to return to campus in-person and was considering changing his name.

Rittenhouse's lawyers successfully argued that a then-17-year-old Rittenhouse was acting in self-defense when he shot dead Rosenbaum and Huber, and wounded Gaige Grosskreutz, now 28.

During the trial, Rittenhouse described how he was in fear of his life after being attacked by the three protesters, who he said threatened to kill him.

Following the verdict, President Joe Biden said he was 'angry and concerned' but appealed for calm.

The assertion came roughly a year after he had branded Rittenhouse a 'white supremacist' during his campaign to defeat Donald Trump.

Republicans have accused the president of 'slandering' Rittenhouse, who at time was a minor, while conservative commentators such as Fox News' Sean Hannity suggest Biden could be guilty of defamation.

In a Twitter post published by Rittenhouse last month, shortly before his de facto college tour, the teen slammed the head of state for not returning repeated calls demanding an apology following his acquittal.

'Hey @JoeBiden,' Rittenhouse wrote in the March tweet, which he re-shared to Instagram. 'I'm still waiting for that call back.'
A judge has given a Conservative MP facing bankruptcy proceedings time to raise money to save himself from insolvency.

Judge Sally Barber on Tuesday approved a plan for Adam Afriyie, who represents Windsor, to sell a property.

The judge considered Mr Afriyie's case at an online hearing in the specialist Insolvency and Companies Court.

HM Revenue & Customs had filed a bankruptcy petition, the judge heard.

Under Parliamentary rules, MPs who are declared bankrupt are obliged to stand down if a bankruptcy restrictions order is made against them

Adam Afriyie, 56, will be required to step down from his seat as MP of Windsor if he is declared bankrupt

Judge Barber said she had been asked to 'validate' a plan for Mr Afriyie to sell his 'main private residence'.

Mr Afriyie did not appear at today's hearing, but the judge heard from a lawyer representing him.

Details of the amount Mr Afriyie is said to owe did not emerge at the hearing. But the judge was told that the property set to be sold had a mortgage of about 3 million.

She heard that there were a number of creditors, and that the main creditor was HM Revenue & Customs.

Judge Barber indicated that the case would be reviewed in about three months.

Mr Afriyie, 57, was elected in 2005.

His website states: 'Adam is known for his thoughtfulness, honesty and plain-speaking style.

Court documents show that HMRC has filed for bankruptcy against Adam Afriyie in a dispute over his past business interests

'Born in 1965 to a white English mother and a black Ghanaian father, Adam was brought up by his mother in social housing in South London.

'He attended Oliver Goldsmith Primary School in Peckham and went on to gain a B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from Imperial College (Wye).'

News of the bankruptcy proceedings emerged in late 2019.

A spokeswoman for Mr Afriyie told the BBC at the time that the petition had arisen due to 'complex business reasons'.

She said then that the petition was 'subject to legal challenge' and likely to be be 'dismissed as part of the ongoing negotiations with HMRC' or when an agreement was reached.'
Madeleine McCann's parents have joined friends and well wishers to remember their daughter on the painful 15th anniversary of her disappearance - as a prime suspect faces being charged.

Kate and Gerry McCann were warmly welcomed by their community during a poignant prayer service in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire.

The couple, who hold on to hope that Madeleine - who would now be aged nearly 19 - is still alive, appeared overwhelmed by the support as they joined in prayers and readings to mark the occasion.

The annual outdoor event has been cancelled over the past two years because of Covid restrictions.

Kate and Gerry said tonight: '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.'

Kate and Gerry McCann have been pictured for the first time in public in four years as they were warmly welcomed by their community during a poignant prayer service in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire

Madeleine McCann's parents, Kate and Gerry, mark the 15th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance from Portugal at a vigil in their home village of Rothley

In 2019 Kate turned up alone with her twins Sean and Amelie - now aged 17 - as her heart doctor husband was away in Italy at an important medical conference.

Former surgery GP turned hospital medical worker Kate, 54, had dashed from work to join Gerry at the war memorial for the welcomed event.

Kate, wearing black jeans, cornflower blue V-neck sweater and trainers, fought back tears as children lit candles for Madeleine and other lost youngsters.

Neither parent addressed the 100-strong crowd but Kate, wearing reading glasses, read a poem, saying: 'Survival can be summed up three words: Never give up.

'That's the heart of it really, just keep trying.

Three-year-old Madeleine vanished from a holiday apartment in Portugal's Praia da Luz in May 2007

'Sometimes you have to get knocked down, lower than you have ever been, to stand up taller than you ever were.

'Perseverance is stubbornness.'

The McCanns joined family, friends and villagers for an informal evening service after German rapist Christian Brueckner was recently made an official suspect over Madeleine's abduction and presumed murder.

They had walked the near mile, separately, from their home.

A family source said: 'Kate and Gerry enjoy going to the service for a time of prayer and quiet reflection. They always appreciate the support of the public.'

They met in the chilly night air at Cross Green on the milestone anniversary - where a candle for the world's most famous missing child still burns around the clock.

During the service, local children went up to light candles to remember Madeleine, or a special person of their choice.

One little girl tripped and stumbled on the ground as she ran back to her mother, and a concerned Kate joined others calling 'Whoops!' then smiled as the child picked herself up unscathed.

Renowned and respected cardiologist Gerry, 53, casually dressed in navy trousers, salmon-pink T-shirt and grey-blue sweater, later individually thanked well wishers for attending the half-hour gathering.

Vicar of the local parish church, The Rev. Rob Gladstone, who led the prayers, opened the service by telling the crowd: 'Once again after a gap of two years we're able to come together again here at Cross Green to remember Madeleine, to show solidarity to Kate and Gerry, Sean and Amelie.

The McCanns joined family, friends and villagers for an informal evening service

The annual outdoor event has been cancelled over the past two years because of Covid restrictions

'Lord we thank you for sustaining Gerry and Kate through these painful years.

'Keep us their hope of finding Madeleine, of discovering the truth of her disappearance... real hope is hard won.'

During the gathering, touching messages of support were read out by children.

Iconic pictures of a young Madeleine were tied to the railing around the war memorial and a vase of fresh yellow flowers was placed on the ground.

The Madeleine candle burned brightly as Rev Gladstone said: 'We hope the light here in Rothley dispels the darkness.'

At times Kate and Gerry appeared tearful, at other times they smiled.

Kate, who appeared to be limping, was hugged by friends and supporters.

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

Three-year-old Madeleine vanished from a holiday apartment in Portugal's Praia da Luz in May 2007.

She was discovered missing from her bed in the seaside complex by her horrified mum shortly after 10pm. She had been left alone her younger siblings while her parents were dining in a nearby tapas restaurant with their seven pals.

Madeleine's great uncle, retired head teacher Brian Kennedy, 83, who lives in the same village and has attended all 13 anniversary gatherings with his wife Janet, said: 'Kate and Gerry feel heartened that something positive seems to be happening with the investigation.

'They are being kept updated by the Met Police but they have no details to share now.

'They have never lost hope even after all these years, and in juts over a week's time Madeleine would be 19.

'If you had told our family 15 years it would go on for so long without a resolution we would have thought that was very unlikely.'

He had earlier read a poem 'The Beacon' previously written for Kate and Gerry by former Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

Madeleine's parents told of their 'need for answers' in a public posting on the eve of the latest anniversary which they say is 'a very long time.'

In a heartfelt posting on Monday on the Find Maddie and Official Campaign websites, the McCanns wrote: '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.

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

'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.'

The couple praised three nations' police forces for their continued work in trying to crack the painstaking case.

They posted: '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.'

They added: '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. Kate and Gerry.'

Their post is accompanied by a touching phrase from Winnie the Pooh author AA Milne, with a picture of Pooh bear and Piglet, saying: 'But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you.'

Caged 44-year-old sex fiend Christian Brueckner was declared an official suspect by Portuguese police two weeks ago.

Two years ago he was sensationally named by German officers as the person 'responsible' for Madeleine's kidnap and feared murder.

He was quizzed for the first time last week at Oldenburg jail, where he is serving a sentence for rape, but is understood to have used his right to remain silent.

Brueckner could now be summoned to Portugal for questioning and even be charged.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren vented at the Supreme Court Tuesday following the leak of a draft opinion that would strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion case.

'I am angry,' the Massachusetts Democrat fumed. 'Angry and upset and determined.'

She joined protesters who rushed to the High Court hours after Politico reported on the draft opinion.

Gesticulating with her arm as she spoke, she said Americans want to maintain Roe as the 'law of the land'  while a heckler outside the court interrupted and accused her of trying to 'dismember children.'

'We've heard enough from the extremists,' she said, before heading away from the scene.

Chief Justice John Roberts, who reportedly does not plan to join in the majority opinion, confirmed the legitimacy of the draft when he announced a leak probe.

'I am here because I am angry, and I am here because the United States Congress can change all of this. Angry, but committed,' Warren intoned.

She accused conservatives of 'plotting, carefully cultivating these Supreme Court justices so they could have a majority on the bench who would accomplish something that the majority of Americans do not want.'

'I am here because I am angry,' said Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who joined demonstrators during a protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court, after the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito

'They knew what they were getting when they voted for these people. And this is what they want. It is up to the rest of us to make the legislative process work,' she said.

Warren was among a group of Democrats who were recounting recent history that set up the court's 6-3 conservative majority: including the filibuster of Obama nominee Merrick Garland, the rush to confirm Justice Amy Coney Barrett in the last weeks before the 2020 elections after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the clash over Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the third of President Donald Trump's nominees.

Maine Sen. Susan Collins (R), who voted for two of Trump's nominees, Kavanaugh and Justice Neil Gorsuch, said if the draft holds 'it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.'

Republicans trained their ire at whoever leaked the document, which shattered tradition at the high court.

But Warren called that focus a distraction.

Warren accused conservatives of 'plotting, carefully cultivating these Supreme Court justices' to act against the majority

The leaked draft set off protests Monday

The opinion drafted by Justice Samuel Alito (lower left) would rewrite decades of abortion law

A visibly shaken and angry Senator Elizabeth Warren just spoke in-front of #SCOTUS. @TheNationalNews pic.twitter.com/KzQ2Z0Lg3b  Willy Lowry (@willy_lowry) May 3, 2022

'What should be investigated and prosecuted is the fact that people who were nominated to the Supreme Court stood up and said they believed in the rule of law and precedent, and then at first opportunity, changed direction by 180 degrees and are going for a full repeal of Roe,' she said.

She also blasted the draft in an appearance on CNN.

'It's not going to fall hardest on well-to-do women,' she said of a post-Roe America.

'They can afford to get on a plane and go to another state where abortion is legal. They can afford to leave the country. Who this is going to fall hardest on is going to be on poor women. It's going to fall hardest on those who have been molested. It's going to fall hardest on women who've been raped. It's going to fall hardest on the woman who's already working two jobs to try to take care of the children she has. And this Supreme Court has said they don't care,' she fumed.

'They don't care about those women. What they care about is imposing their extremist view on the rest of the country. That's what the Republicans have been building toward and looks like they've about arrived there.'

Senate Democratic leaders vowed to try to codify Roe through legislation  but that would run smack into a GOP filibuster.

And Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) reiterated that he is opposed to ending the filibuster to push the change through.

President Joe Biden blasted the draft as 'radical,' but stopped short of calling for changes to the court's structure.
NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere on Tuesday tried to appeal his conviction, claiming through his lawyers that he didn't get a fair shake in court because they weren't given enough time to cross-examine witnesses.

Heiress Clare Bronfman - who was also convicted for her role in the sex cult - also appealed her six year sentencing, claiming she was made an example of because she is so rich.

Raniere was convicted of sex trafficking in January 2019 and was sentenced to 120 years in prison in October 2020.

NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere (left) is currently serving a 120-year sentence but he on Tuesday asked for his conviction to be overturned. The judges adjourned without making a decision. Seagrams' heiress Clare Bronfman (right) also appealed for a lighter sentence. She was sentenced to six years for her role in the cult

He did not appear in court on Tuesday as his attorney claimed that he did not get long enough to question witnesses, specifically Lauren Salzman, who struck a deal with prosecutors and escaped jail herself.

'The defense did not get to ask all the questions the defense wanted.

'The intent was crucial to this case,' Raniere's attorney argued.

The judges reserved a decision pending review. It's unclear when they will return to court.

In the same hearing, attorneys for Bronfman argued that she was given too harsh a sentence because of her wealth and privilege.

Raniere's attorneys claimed they didn't get enough time to question witness Lauren Salzman, who made a deal with prosecutors in exchange for her testimony

Victims of the cult told prosecutors how Raniere and other leaders brandished them with a burning piece of metal

'Clearly, she was punished for her wealth, her privilege,' her attorney said.

Bronfman and Raniere were among those convicted of orchestrating and facilitating the cult, which drew in Hollywood actresses among victims under the guise of giving them a self-help course.

Victims told prosecutors how they were starved, sleep-deprived and even brandished with a scalding metal symbol as part of the cult.

Raniere has always denied wrongdoing.

At trial, prosecutors told how he had impregnated three sisters, all of whom he then forced to get abortions.

At his appeal hearing on Tuesday, his attorneys said the abortions were irrelevant to the case and designed to prejudice a jury.

Bronfman was convicted of conspiracy to conceal and harbor people who were not in the US legally for financial gain.

She was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison - a harsher sentence than some others who were found guilty.

Her attorney said in court that she was made an example of because of her wealth.

Bronfman is an heiress to the Seagram's liquor and beverages empire.
Keir Starmer was left squirming yesterday as he struggled to fend off urgent questions over Beergate.

During a series of bruising interviews, the Labour leader refused three times to say whether police have been in touch with him following fresh revelations in the Daily Mail.

Sir Keir also snapped angrily at a journalist who questioned whether he had really gone back to work after his 10pm beer and curry with his deputy Angela Rayner and party officials.

Labours defence hangs on the unsubstantiated claim that he had carried on with campaigning duties after the late-night meal in Durham. The party yesterday refused to specify what, if any, work was done.

But Sir Keir said it was absurd to suggest that the Friday night drink on April 20, 2021, was the end of his working day.

During a series of bruising interviews, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer refused three times to say whether police have been in touch with him following fresh revelations in the Daily Mail

Durham Constabulary is under mounting pressure to reopen its investigation into the event at the offices of Durham MP Mary Foy in the run-up to last years local elections

Last night a picture emerged of what may have been his official car (above) in Durham that evening. This raises the prospect that his police protection team might be able to provide bombshell testimony, in the same way that officers are being asked for their recollections of Partygate events in Downing Street

Last night a picture emerged of what may have been his official car in Durham that evening.

This raises the prospect that his police protection team might be able to provide bombshell testimony, in the same way that officers are being asked for their recollections of Partygate events in Downing Street.

Labour last night declined to comment on the picture, or on whether police were present at the event in Durham Miners Hall. A source said the party would never get into security arrangements.

But Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries urged Sir Keir to come clean about the event in order to allay further suspicions.

She added: The natural reaction to his refusal to give a straight answer is to suspect that he is hiding something.

Two students who filmed the incident yesterday told the Mail they had been shocked to witness the Labour leader at what appeared to be a rule-breaking social event.

One said: Keir Starmer had been so vocal about pushing for more lockdown restrictions, so when I saw him I thought, What a hypocrite  the hypocrisy really annoyed me. So I got my phone and started to film them.

The second student said several more people were at the event than were visible in the video footage, adding: It seemed like what youd do at the end of a good days work when the boss says to get something in as a reward. It was a Friday night.

Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan yesterday became the latest Cabinet minister to urge the police to look again at whether Sir Keir broke Covid rules

Durham Constabulary is under mounting pressure to reopen its investigation into the event at the offices of Durham MP Mary Foy in the run-up to last years local elections.

It refused yesterday to make any further comment on the case, including whether it has been in contact with Sir Keirs office.

But senior figures said it was untenable for the force to continue to ignore the allegations of law-breaking by a politician seeking to be prime minister.

Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan yesterday became the latest Cabinet minister to urge the police to look again at whether Sir Keir broke Covid rules. She said officers should see whether a fine was appropriate  as had been issued to Boris Johnson and others over a Downing Street event.

Julia Mulligan, Conservative former police and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire Police, said: There cannot be a double standard in the investigation of Covid restrictions cases across police force areas. It cant be one rule in London and another rule in Durham.

North West Durham MP Richard Holden, who has been leading calls for a probe, said: This is an issue that Keir Starmer has hammered on about for month after month when it involves the PM. I just want to make sure that he is held to the same standard.

The Mail revealed last week that Labour had lied about Mrs Rayners presence at the event for three months before being presented with proof she was there.

At the weekend a local takeaway driver recalled delivering a large curry order for up to 30 people, before later retracting his story.

Sir Keir yesterday angrily denied wrongdoing, saying the accusations were politically motivated.

In a fractious interview with BBC Radio 4s Today programme, he said: We were working, we stopped for food, no party, no rules were broken; I dont know what I can add to that.

Asked whether he had returned to work after the beer, he replied: Yes, the idea that nobody works at ten oclock at night is absurd.

Sir Keir refused three times to say whether Durham police had contacted him after announcing last week that they would consider a request to review their decision not to fully investigate the case.

A Labour source said it was self-evident the police had not been in touch as they had not reopened the investigation.
A top TV cameraman has been found dead after he disappeared on Saturday night and didn't respond to texts or phone calls from his girlfriend.

Joseph Day's out of character disappearance sparked a desperate search and public appeal for information which was widely shared on both sides of the world.

The former TVNZ camera operator's last known whereabouts were in the upmarket Clifton area of Bristol in the UK, where he lived with his partner of five years Kelsey Mulcahy.

The search for the New Zealander ended in tragedy after British police found a body believed to be of Mr Day at Avon Gorge in Bristol on Tuesday morning local time.

His fiancee, who was in London for a girls' weekend, feared the worst after exchanging a final text with him about closing the blackout blinds before bed - but returning home to find them still open and no trace of her partner.

A body has been found during the desperate search for Kiwi cameraman Joseph Day (pictured left with fiancee Kelsey)

TVNZ reporters have paid tribute to former camera operator Joseph Day (pictured right next to reporter Jehan Casinader)

'While formal identification has not yet taken place, we have updated the family of missing 31-year-old Joseph Day,' an Avon and Somerset Police statement read.

'Our hearts go out to them and we thank them for their patience while enquiries into the circumstances of death continue.

'Wed ask the public to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of Josephs family at this time.'

Ms Mucahy was spending the night with friends two-and-a half hours away in London and had been texting her fiance back and forth - with the last being a regular chat about blinds in their home - until he suddenly stopped replying around 8.45pm on Saturday night local time.

The couple were new to the Clifton area and had been looking forward to a day trip to Bath Spa on Monday, which was a public holiday in the UK.

The couple had just bought tickets to see Chris Rock in London in a few weeks time and were planning to return home to New Zealand at the end of the year to get married.

Kelsey Mulcahy had been texting back and forth with her fiance Joseph Day on Saturday night until he suddenly stopped replying

Sunday TVNZ reporter Mava Moayyed led the outpouring tributes back home in New Zealand for Joseph Day. Pictured are the pair on an assignment

'This is extremely out of character for him, we always keep in touch every minute of the day. Everyone who knows Joe loves him very much, he is incredibly special to me, and his family and friends,' Ms Mulcahy posted after he disappeared.

'If you have any information at all, if you've seen him anywhere, please reach out and let me or the Avon and Somerset police know.'

Mr Day had been been taking a break from the media and was working as a builder in the UK.

His fiancee recalled the last text message from him on Saturday after reminding him to pull down the blackout blinds.

'His reply was "will do" and then he stopped responding but before that we were talking about how we were going to go to London in three weeks,' Ms Mulcahy told Nine Newspapers.

Mava Moayyed (second left) described her former colleague (right) as loyal and honourable

'We just adore each other, we have not had problems in our relationship and I would be truly honest if we did.'

Ms Mulcahy's worst fears were realised when she returned home on Sunday afternoon to find the blinds still open and a Hello Fresh grocery box outside.

'Something is preventing him from coming back; there's no way he's choosing not to come home to me,' she said.

'His mum hasn't heard from him and he adores his mum.'

She told the NZ Herald: 'It's hard because there are so many people that love him in New Zealand, his family and all of his friends adore him  he's just the sweetest, nicest guy ever.

'His plan was to have a really nice night in at home, having the flat to himself.'

An online fundraising page to help with costs to bring Mr Day's body home has already raised almost $60,000 within hours.

'As close friends of Kelsey Mulcahy and Joseph Day, many of you have reached out wanting to offer your help and support to the family during this unbelievably difficult time,' the page states.

'The money raised will be used to support Joe and Kelseys family in their efforts in the open investigation, journey to Bristol, and costs related to bringing him home to rest in Aotearoa, New Zealand.'

Mr Day's friends and former TVNZ colleagues back home in New Zealand were rocked by the devastating news, sparking an outpouring of tributes.

Sunday TVNZ reporter Mava Moayyed remembered him as an exceptional camera operator and a wonderful colleague.

Former camera operator Joseph Day (pictured) vanished in the UK city of Bristol

The former TVNZ camera operator (pictured) had been working as a builder in the UK

'He had the ability to capture angles, lights, and moments that added so much beauty to each story. He was loyal and honourable,' she tweeted

'When we would go out on shoots, the people we were filming adored him. He was humble, hardworking, but work wasn't his life. It was clear how much he loved his family and his fiance. My heart is broken for them. Rest in peace, Joe.'

Colleague Jehan Casinader added: 'Whether it was the Christchurch terror attack, a trip to Hollywood... or a schoolboy rugby game in Palmy, you always delivered. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.'

1NewsNZ reporter Andrew Macfarlane was also rocked by the horrible news.

'He had a unique way of getting people to talk with ease in front of the camera, in a situation that can feel absolutely bizarre. A testament to how friendly he was to people. He will be missed,' he said.

Hours before police confirmed a body was found, Mr Day's sister Olivia posted that police regard her brother's disappearance as high risk and top priority.

'Thank you to every single person who has spread our message around the world. Now we just need good news,' she wrote on Tuesday.

Josh Tasman-Jones said it was out of character for his best mate to not be in touch with his fiancee for so long.

A public appeal for Joseph Day's disappearance in the UK was widely shared on both sides of the world

Josh Tasman-Jones said it was out of character for his best mate (pictured) to not be in touch with his fiancee for this long after he went missing
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An uninhabitable Washington state home sitting right on the edge of landslide cliff has been listed on the market for a whopping $200,000.

Whatever merits the extravagant price for the declining, unkempt, wire-fenced home remains a mystery.

The pastel-green four-bedroom Everett property's asking price has already been cut by $50,0000 from its initial $250,000 Zillow listing after 17 days on the market.

The listing advertises the four-bedroom home's few perks - views of the valley, the mountains, and little else - as it tries to convince a buyer that there is potential to transform the property.

One thing is certain, the future owner must not only have great vision - and faith that the home can be restored at all - but also significant savings to renovate the 'shy' property. The house is currently not habitable as it sits dangerously close to a landslide cliff.

A rather particular Washington property almost hanging off the edge of a landslide has been listed on the market for a whopping $200,000

The pastel-green four-bedroom Everett property's asking price has already been cut by $50,0000 from the initial $250,000 Zillow listing after 17 days on the market

The listing advertises the four-bedroom house's amenities - views of the valley, the mountains, and little more

The Everett house was initially listed for $250,000 on April 15, but the asking price has since been updated to just below $200,000. The city's real estate market saw a 21.9percent increase in March compared to the same time last year

Engineers have also recommended 'installing a soldier wall to stabilize the home and land for renovation,' according to the Zillow listing.

Surrounding the property are miles of weeds running wild and forest, perhaps making privacy one of the few advantages of the purchase.

The median asking price for a property in Everett, 25 miles north of Seattle, is $640,000, according to Redfin.

The city's real estate market saw a 21.9percent increase in March compared to the same time last year.

Engineers have also recommended 'installing a soldier wall to stabilize the home and land for renovation,' according to the Zillow listing

Whatever merits the extravagant price for the declining, unkempt, wire-fenced home remains a mystery

A listing for the Rambler-styled home promises unique views of the mountains and sunrises and a 'fabulous' floor plan that includes two bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs, along with three bathrooms and a family room

Surrounding the property are miles of weeds running wild and forest, perhaps making privacy one of the few advantages of the purchase

The house was initially listed for $250,000 on April 15, but the asking price has since been updated to just below $200,000.

A listing for the Rambler-styled home promises unique views of the mountains and sunrises and a 'fabulous' floor plan that includes two bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs, along with three bathrooms and a family room.

The property has already been on the market for 17 days. It has been seen by potential purchasers more than 27,000 times and saved by 484 people who have seen beyond its undeniable flaws.
Refugees from Mariupol were subjected to a humiliating interrogation by Russian troops before they were finally freed from the steelworks where they had been hiding for two months.

Exhausted survivors told the Daily Mail they were called Ukrainian scum, had their underwear checked and were forced to give their fingerprints at a Russian checkpoint before they were allowed to board Red Cross buses.

Dozens of refugees arriving at a UN aid centre in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia yesterday also gave horrifying accounts of their time cowering in bunkers at the Azovstal steelworks.

Tonight, there were fears for hundreds of civilians still trapped at the Soviet-era site as Russian bombs rained down in a relentless barrage.

Around 156 survivors were rescued in a mercy mission at the weekend after the Red Cross managed to secure a ceasefire.

A man welcomes Mariupol evacuees Anna Zaitseva and her son Svyatoslav, aged six months, at a processing area in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine

But it emerged that part of the deal with the Kremlin meant the evacuees had to be screened by brutish Russian soldiers at the occupied town of Bezimenne, 30 miles east from Mariupol, before they were released back into Ukrainian-held territory.

One survivor, Elina Vasylivna, 54, told the Daily Mail: They took our fingerprints, took pictures. My head was spinning.

The militia did a questionnaire and asked us how we feel about the war, about our government. They called us Ukrainian scum.

Our phones were taken away and they did a personal examination of our underwear. Our personal belongings were inspected  it was like a totalitarian state.

She said life there was hell, adding: I would never wish this on my worst enemy in my life. Its just a horror, a nightmare.

Miss Vasylivna said she hid in a bunker with family members, including her 82-year-old mother. Starving hungry they decided to make a desperate dash to scavenge food from a bombed-out depot near the steelworks.

Pro-Russian forces fire a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher near an iron and steel works in Mariupol

She said: We went to pick up food from the ground. My son brought back some biscuits which were mixed with cement and glass. But we brushed it off and ate them because we hadnt seen bread for six weeks.

A 47-year-old woman who came off one of the buses but declined to give her name said: There is no water, no electricity, no gas. Constant bombings, planes. Everything was pouring from the sky. We were in the basement for a month and everything was shaking. The earth shook constantly.

I still have a son there inside Azovstal. My brother died. Now the torture has begun for me. We are just waiting, worried about civilians, about children left behind. All the horror they are going through is very scary.

Anna Zaitseva, who arrived in Zaporizhzhia with her six-month-old son Svyatoslav, said: There was a moment we lost hope, we thought everyone had forgotten about us. We are so thankful for everyone who helped us.

Smoke rises above a plant of Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in the southern port city of Mariupol

However fears were growing for those left stranded at the steelworks last night.

Tonight Ukrainian sources said renewed Russian attacks had killed two women at the site.

Moscow justified its attack by accusing Kyiv of abusing the weekends ceasefire to allow hundreds of Ukrainian troops to reinforce their defensive positions at the site.

Mykhailo Vershynin, head of the Mariupol police force, said Russian troops were storming the plant in several places.

Pascal Hundt, of the International Committee of the Red Cross, also expressed his concern, saying: We would have hoped that many more people would have been able to join the convoy and get out of hell.
Keir Starmer faced yet more questions over 'Beergate' last night after it emerged his own police bodyguards may have witnessed the alleged lockdown breach.

Students who filmed the Labour leader drinking in the office of one of his MPs while indoor socialising was banned also photographed an unfamiliar black Land Rover Discovery parked outside.

If it was one of the official police protection vehicles issued to Sir Keir in his role as a senior politician, it would raise the prospect that officers guarding him can help definitively solve the questions which continue to swirl around the night's events.

One of the students who filmed the gathering at Durham Miners Hall on April 30 last year said: 'We had never seen a black Land Rover parked there before, it really stuck out. We took a picture of it because we were convinced it was the car in which he had been driven there.'

Last night a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'We do not comment on protection matters.' Labour did not respond to requests for comment.

Former Scotland Yard Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick was previously forced to defend officers on duty in Whitehall as questions were raised on how potentially lockdown-breaching gatherings were able to take place at a site with a heavy police presence.

Speaking in February, she said the officers were there to provide 'protective security' but refused to be drawn on 'anything they may have seen or heard'.

The Leader of the Opposition is one of a small number of senior politicians given round-the-clock protection by police.

Students who filmed the Labour leader drinking in the office of one of his MPs while indoor socialising was banned also photographed an unfamiliar black Land Rover Discovery parked outside

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is seen outside BBC as he does morning media round. Keir Starmer on morning media round, BBC, London, England, United Kingdom - 03 May 2022

Students filmed the Labour leader drinking in the office of one of his MPs while indoor socialising was banned

Specialist officers and patrol cars are provided by a special committee of the Metropolitan Police which offers the same protection to senior royals.

Officers would know everywhere the 'principal' is going during a visit and have a rough idea of timings, a source said last night.

There are typically two cars from a pool of vehicles, one for the VIP with a driver who is usually a police officer, plus a backup vehicle containing further officers. All are typically armed.

It came after police in Durham last night failed to back up Labour claims that officers had not contacted Sir Keir about claims of a beer-swigging lockdown breach.

Even before the suggestion that the Labour leader's bodyguards were present that night, the force has been under intense pressure to rethink its decision not to investigate whether the Labour leader broke the rules.

But almost nine hours after Sir Keir gave an interview to BBC Radio 4's Today programme  during which he repeatedly failed to deny whether police had been in touch with him or his office over 'Beergate'  it finally confirmed it was making no statement to clear up the confusion.

Durham Constabulary also said there was no update on its announcement last week that officers were going to 'consider' Conservative MP Richard Holden's demand that it investigated the much-scrutinised events of that night.

FACT BOX TITLE BBC Radio 4 Today, 8.22am Martha Kearney (MK): Has there been any contact with you or your office from Durham Police since Conservative MPs called for inquiries to be re-opened? Sir Keir Starmer (KS): We were working in the office. It was just before elections. We were busy. We'd paused for food. No party. No rules were broken. That is the long and the short of it. All that's happened in the last week is that, with local elections on the horizon, local Conservative MPs have decided to chuck mud. MK: I note you haven't answered my question. Has there been any contact with you or the office in recent weeks? KS: The police looked at this months ago and came to a clear conclusion that no rules were broken. And that's because no rules were broken. MK: Not quite what I asked... I just wondered whether they'd been back in touch since local MPs have been raising questions about it? KS: Well look, they've already concluded their investigation. No rules were broken and this is simply being whipped up as mudslinging by the Tories. MK: But you must remember if the police had rung up your office? KS: If the Conservative Party put as much effort into answering the question 'how are you going to help people with energy bills?' as they're putting into this mudslinging, they'd actually do a service for millions of people who are really worried about their energy bills. MK: But by not answering questions like mine aren't you adding to the clouds of doubt around this? KS: Well there's just... we were working, we stopped for food, no party, no rules were broken. I don't know what I can add to that. Times Radio, 8:42am Lucy Fisher (LF): Would you welcome Durham Constabulary re-examining [the affair] just to clear up whether any rules were broken or not? KS: There weren't any rules broken, the police have already looked at it. And it's pretty obvious with two days before the election what's going on here, which is mudslinging by the Conservatives because they've got nothing to say on the issue that really matters, which is the cost of living crisis. If they put as much energy into answering the plea of millions of people for help with their bills as they are into slinging mud, actually that would be to the great benefit of millions of people who are really, really tossing and turning in their beds, worrying about their bills. LF: Durham Constabulary has been found to have given out fewer fixed penalty notices than the Met. So wouldn't you welcome them just looking at it again, just to clear up any confusion about what's happened? KS: No rules were broken, no party, nothing to add. BBC Breakfast, 8.48am Sally Nugent (SN): Surely, if Boris Johnson and people who attended parties in Downing Street have been questioned, you should also be questioned about that evening? KS: We were working in the office. We paused and stopped for food. There was no party. There was no breach of the rules. The police looked at it months ago and determined there was no breach of the rules. That is the long and the short of it. Everything else that's happened in the last week is mud-slinging by the Conservative Party, who know there's an election in two days' time, have got absolutely nothing to say on the cost-ofliving crisis and therefore are spraying as much mud as they possibly can. SN: Have the police been in touch about what happened on that night? KS: Well the police looked into this months ago and came to their conclusion. All that's happened since then is Conservative MPs have been trying to whip it up and throw mud, that is all that's happened, there's no change in the situation. SN: And if they got back in touch would you co-operate? KS: There's nothing... you know... we stopped, we didn't break the rules, the police looked at it months ago, the rest of it is pure politics from the Conservative party. Advertisement

The holes in his story get bigger by the day. Time to come clean

By Stephen Pollard for the Daily Mail

When I joined the Labour Party in 1987, I saw it as a bulwark for truth and decency. It was the era of the notorious Section 28, which banned the supposed 'promotion of homosexuality' by local authorities, a Conservative policy that I regarded as bigoted and wrong.

I had my differences with Labour over the years and resigned my membership in 2010. When the extreme Left-winger Jeremy Corbyn became leader five years later, I did everything in my power to defeat the party. More recently, I have been relieved to see Labour take steps to return to sanity under Keir Starmer.

And I have always assumed that as a former director of public prosecutions, Sir Keir would be upstanding and honest  two vital qualities for a leader  and that Labour would be the same under his leadership.

But my faith in his honesty has taken a severe, possibly fatal, dent over his refusal to be open and transparent about the meal he enjoyed with colleagues in Durham last April.

I cannot reconcile what we know about the evening, and his refusal to answer basic questions about that night, with his claim that he has done nothing wrong.

Indeed, as I listened to him being interviewed on yesterday's BBC Radio 4 Today programme, his failure to address the questions he was asked led to me to wonder if, as the former chief prosecutor, he had at the back of his mind the police caution given to anyone who is arrested: 'You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.'

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth attends a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 73rd Anniversary of the NHS in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England, UK on Monday 5 July, 2021

Interviewer Martha Kearney asked a basic question about what is now known as 'Beergate'  the controversy over the allegation that he and his deputy leader, Angela Rayner, broke lockdown rules at a campaign event in Durham last year.

'Has there been any contact with you or your office from Durham police, since Conservative MPs called for inquiries to be reopened?' Miss Kearney demanded. It was a simple question that could and should have been answered with a straight yes or no. But at no point has Sir Keir been open or transparent about what actually happened that night.

Despite being asked the question repeatedly, he refused even to acknowledge it, let alone to answer  instead offering the irrelevant response that the police had already investigated the incident and cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Yes, we know that. The point now is that new evidence has since been unearthed by the Daily Mail. And the police have subsequently been asked to look again at whether there was indeed a breach of the law.

Yet Sir Keir is unwilling even to comment on whether the police have contacted him.

The natural reaction to his refusal to give a straight answer is to suspect he is hiding something. From the very start of this, Sir Keir and the Labour Party have behaved as if they take everyone else for idiots, deliberately obfuscating over what actually happened, refusing to answer direct questions or to give a full account. Worse than that, they misled everybody about the presence of Mrs Rayner, denying she was present until they were caught out.

Sir Keir says it was a 'mistake'  as if the presence of the party's deputy leader was something everyone there on the night simply forgot about.

'I don't think anybody would seriously say Keir Starmer's team would lie to the media about this,' he insists.

It is risible  as if no one would dream that a politician and his staff would ever say something that wasn't true.

When evidence first emerged of the Downing Street parties, Boris Johnson made things infinitely worse for himself by appearing not to give the full story straight away.

The drip-drip-drip of information allowed his enemies to gun for him. Sir Keir's response was to call his opposite number a liar and demand his resignation: 'I think the Prime Minister broke the law, I think he then lied about what had happened.'

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Sir Keir's accusation of lying should be directed straight back at him. So many questions are being left deliberately unanswered that the only rational response is that he and his team are trying to hide what happened.

Here is what we know for certain. In April 2021, the Tier 2 restrictions in Durham stated: 'You must not socialise indoors except with your household or support bubble.'

We know that Sir Keir and Mrs Rayner drank beer and ate a meal indoors with people not from their respective household or support bubbles. Sir Keir says that this was fine, because the rules had an exemption for gatherings 'reasonably necessary for the purposes of campaigning in an election'.

The video of him downing a beer was taken after 10pm. Sir

Keir says he went back to work after the beer and his meal. Really?

He is seriously telling us that everyone in the room had a takeaway and a drink late at night after a long day and then they all decided the best thing to do was start working again?

It's not only implausible  there is not a shred of evidence to show any work was done after they had eaten. If it's true, why won't he tell us what work he did when he resumed work after the meal  or when he finally left to go back to his hotel? Was everyone else working when he started work again, or were they eating and drinking while he worked? Who else, exactly, was there?

Instead of answers to these crucial questions, Sir Keir offers only silence.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Sir Keir's accusation of lying should be directed straight back at him

But the holes in his story get bigger by the day. Sir Keir also says he had no choice but to eat with his colleagues because he couldn't get a meal at the hotel he was staying in.

The Mail has shown this is nonsense  the hotel made a point of offering room service for law-abiding guests who were following the rules by eating alone in their room. Sir Keir could remove all doubt about the truth of his story if he gave a full account of what happened backed up by evidence. In the absence of such evidence, however, it looks to be no more and no less than a social meal and a drink with colleagues after work  and so not remotely 'necessary'. In other words, illegal under the Tier 2 rules.

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, was fined for turning up to a scheduled work meeting in the Cabinet room to find that a gathering was taking place, and not walking out. For that, Labour demanded his resignation. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

Sir Keir plainly thinks he can keep saying nothing and the fuss will die down. But the one thing voters cannot stomach is a politician who lies  so Sir Keir needs to come clean. It is difficult to imagine why he would let this story fester if he really has done nothing wrong and can prove it by answering questions, so it may well be he is covering up his own lawbreaking.

If that is the case then  on his own merciless standards  surely he must resign.

Or does he believe that the rules don't apply to him?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paid for location data harvested from millions of cell phones to track compliance with COVID-19 lockdown measures, according to a new report.

The CDC paid $420,000 for a year of access to the cell phone location data from the data brokerage SafeGraph, according to documents reported by Vice News on Tuesday.

The data was aggregated, meaning that it was intended to show general trends rather than the movements of specific phones, however the move still set off alarm bells with some privacy advocates.

The CDC and SafeGraph did not respond to messages from DailyMail.com seeking comment on Tuesday afternoon.

The CDC paid $420,000 for a year of access to the cell phone location data from the data brokerage SafeGraph, to track compliance with COVID-19 lockdown measures

According to Vice, the documents show that the CDC planned to use the data to analyze compliance with curfews, track patterns of people visiting K-12 schools, and specifically monitor the effectiveness of policy in the Navajo Nation.

The CDC documents describe SafeGraph's data as 'critical for ongoing response efforts, such as hourly monitoring of activity in curfew zones or detailed counts of visits to participating pharmacies for vaccine monitoring.'

Zach Edwards, a cybersecurity researcher who closely follows the data marketplace, told Vice that it appears the CDC had broader ambitions for the location data, beyond tracking the pandemic response.

'The CDC seems to have purposefully created an open-ended list of use cases, which included monitoring curfews, neighbor to neighbor visits, visits to churches, schools and pharmacies, and also a variety of analysis with this data specifically focused on 'violence,' he told the outlet.

In the early days of the pandemic, SafeGraph made some of its aggregate data and analysis available publicly to help inform the policy response to the pandemic.

CDC documents describe SafeGraph's data as 'critical for ongoing response efforts, such as hourly monitoring of activity in curfew zones'

The data showed, for example, how visits to bars and restaurants had changed compared to the pre-pandemic average.

In an April 2020 blog post, the company described how the CDC was using the free data, including 'to better understand where COVID-19 has the potential to spread the most.'

However, by last year SafeGraph had apparently decided to start charging for its location data.

The controversial firm is financially backed by Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, the former head of Saudi Arabias intelligence agency.

Billionaire Peter Thiel is also an investor in the company.

In June, Google banned SafeGraph from the Android app store, meaning that apps incorporating the company's tracking codes were forced to remove it.

SafeGraph collected at least some of its data through codes embedded in other apps.
Republicans are demanding action after the unprecedented leak of a draft Supreme Court memo signaling the end of Roe v. Wade.

Rep. James Comer led a group of Republicans on the Oversight Committee in demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) launch an investigation into who leaked the draft, while Gov. Ron DeSantis deemed the leak a 'judicial insurrection.'

'You wanna talk about an insurrection, that's a judicial insurrection by taking that out and trying to kneecap a potential majority,' the Florida governor said during a press conference Tuesday.

Sounding the alarm about abortions being performed one day before a due date in some states, the governor claimed the U.S. 'is more in line with countries like China and North Korea, than it is with typical European countries.'

Comer's group of GOP lawmakers called the leak 'one of the most fundamental and troubling breaches of Supreme Court 'confidentiality and secrecy' in its history.'

'Whoever is responsible for this breach must have known that the draft opinion would foment discord and upheaval,' their letter read.

Comer told DailyMail.com: 'Just like the Democrats' reckless talk about packing the Supreme Court as a means to push their radical agenda on the American people, this unprecedented leak is another attack on the integrity and independence of the Supreme Court.

'The Department of Justice should immediately launch an investigation into this leak and hold the leaker accountable for the damage inflicted on this American institution.'

The letter called for all documents and communications related to a potential DOJ investigation of the leak to be handed over to Congress and a description of all potential laws violated by leaking the memo.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued his own blistering statement announcing an internal investigation to get to the source of the leak.

'You wanna talk about an insurrection, that's a judicial insurrection by taking that out and trying to kneecap a potential majority,' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference Tuesday

Rep. James Comer led a group of Republicans on the Oversight Committee in demanding the DOJ launch an investigation into who leaked the draft, while Gov. Ron DeSantis deemed the leak a 'judicial insurrection'

'I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak,' Roberts said. 'This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the Court and the community of public servants who work here.'

The draft opinion showed a 5-4 majority of justices were in favor of overturning Roe in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case.

If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states - more than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights.

Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years. Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute.

Meanwhile Mitch McConnell tore into Democrats, including President Joe Biden, on Tuesday for playing into the 'toxic spectacle' and not condemning the person who leaked a draft opinion on the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade to the press before an official decision was issued.

'Last night's stunning breach was an attack on the independence of the Supreme Court,' McConnell said in a statement calling for the leaker to be brought to justice. 'By every indication, this was yet another escalation in the radical left's ongoing campaign to bully and intimidate federal judges and substitute mob rule for the rule of law.'

President Biden told reporters just before boarding Air Force one that it was 'really quite a radical decision' and 'a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence.'

'I just got a call saying that it's been announced that it is a real draft but it doesn't represent who's gonna vote for it yet. I hope there are not enough votes for it,' Biden said.

Biden, along with Vice President Harris, warned that undoing Roe v. Wade would open up other privacy rights to attack.

'It would mean that every other decision relating to the notion of privacy is thrown into question...If the rationale of the decision as released were to be sustained, a whole range of rights would be in question...If it becomes a law and if what is written is remained, it goes far beyond the concern of whether or not there is the right to choose. It goes to other basic rights,' Biden said.

'The rights of all Americans are at risk. If the right to privacy is weakened, every person could face a future in which the government can potentially interfere in the personal decisions you make about your life,' Harris added in a statement.

When speaking at a press conference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, McConnell slammed the press for focusing their coverage on the contents of the leaked draft opinion and not the astounding and unprecedented fact that a Supreme Court document was leaked in general.

'I think the story today is an effort by someone on the inside to discredit the institution of the Senate, which continues a pattern that we've observed over the last several years,' the leader explained.

He then listed examples of the increased pressure from Democrats to politicize the Supreme Court: '[Democratic] Leader Schumer over on the steps of the Supreme Court calling out justices by name. Sheldon Whitehouse and others calling amicus briefs, threatening the court, efforts to pack the court, efforts to have term limits on court justices.'

'What's unique about today,' McConnell continues, 'is this is the first time that we've had someone on the inside try to attack the institution.'

He remained press, 'You need  it seems to me, excuse the lecture  to concentrate on what the news is today. Not a leaked draft, but the fact that the draft was leaked.'

McConnell also told press at the Capitol that if the rule is struck down, he still intends to support keeping the filibuster in place.

'If the Supreme Court does indeed strike down Roe and you are Majority Leader, do you commit to keeping the filibuster in place at all costs?'

'Absolutely. We don't want to break the Senate and that's breaking the Senate,' he said.

'And we went through that exercise a couple of months ago. I said it was the most important day in the history of the Senate as an institution. That remains the case and will  as far as I'm concerned, if we're in the majority  remain the case in perpetuity.'

Pro-choice activists descend on the Supreme Court after the leaked SCOTUS opinion, some holding signs that say 'abortion on demand and without apology'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren joins demonstrators outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday

Moderate Republican Senator Mitt Romney joined McConnell in calling for action against the leaker.

'The breach of the Court's deliberative process,' Romney wrote in a Tuesday statement, 'is an appalling affront against a critical institution and should be fully investigated and those responsible should be punished.'

Instead of condemning those who leaked the draft opinion that led to the chaos Monday evening into Tuesday morning, Democrats and liberals came out guns blazing against the potential end to constitutional protections for women's ability to terminate their pregnancy.

'The disgraceful statements by President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer refuse to defend judicial independence and the rule of law and instead play into this toxic spectacle,' McConnell accused in his Tuesday statement.

'Real leaders should defend the Court's independence unconditionally.'

Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell slammed President Joe Biden and Democrats for playing into the 'toxic spectacle' and not condemning the person who leaked a draft opinion on the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade to the press

Pro-abortion protesters clashed with pro-life activists outside the United States Supreme Court on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 after the leak showed conservatives on the court are potentially on track to overturn Roe v. Wade

McConnell and Senator Mitt Romney both released statements Tuesday bashing the leak and calling for the person who released the draft opinion to be 'punished' and 'brought to justice'

Chief Justice John Roberts launched an investigation Tuesday into the leak to Politico  just moments after McConnell's statement demanded that action to 'pursue criminal charges if applicable.'

'All nine Justices should tune out the bad-faith noise and feel totally free to do their jobs, following the facts and the law where they lead,' the Kentucky Republican said.

Romney's statement Tuesday said that if the leak's contents are true, he supports the decision to overturn the landmark abortion case decision that spans back 50 years.

'If the leaked draft opinion reflects the final outcome, it is a decision I support,' the Utah GOP senator wrote. 'The sanctity of human life is a foundational American principle. Laws regarding abortion would now be returned to the people and their elected representatives.'

Conservatives throughout the country celebrated the news of a Supreme Court draft opinion that is set to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case - but have denounced the leak as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Meanwhile progressives led Democrats ' outrage over the stunning reversal of high court precedent, with some even renewing calls to end the Senate filibuster. And protesters immediately convened outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on Monday evening after news broke of the leak.

A Marist poll from January 2022 shows that 44 percent of Americans feel that abortion decision should be left up to the states, which getting rid of protections under Roe v. Wade would allow for.

Another 36 percent of respondents in that poll said abortion should be made legal without restrictions while 17 percent said they wanted the Supreme Court to make abortion completely illegal.

The same poll shows that 71 percent of those surveyed support significant restrictions on abortion, spanning from only being permitted during the first trimester to being banned under any circumstance.

While Democrats and Republicans are extremely split on the matter, 70 percent of independents support these restrictions.

Biden laid out a three point plan for if Roe decision is overturned.

'First, my administration argued strongly before the Court in defense of Roe v. Wade I believe that a woman's right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.'

He said, secondly, that his administration's Gender Policy Council and White House Counsel's Office 'will be ready when any ruling is issued.'

'Third, if the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation's elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman's right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November,' he continued in a bid for Democrats in the 2022 midterms.

'At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.'

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is slated to speak at EMILY's List Gala on Tuesday evening, said that the draft decision is further proof that 'Republican legislators in states across the country are weaponizing the use of the law against women.'

If Chief Supreme Court Justice John Roberts (center bottom) does vote with liberals against overturning the landmark abortion case, the five remaining conservative justices (circled in red) will still have the numbers to reverse the decision with a 6-3 conservative majority bench

A Marist poll taken January 2022 shows that 71% of Americans support restrictions on abortion spanning from being illegal until after the first trimester to a full ban on terminating a pregnancy altogether

'The rights of all Americans are at risk,' the VP added in a Tuesday statement. 'If the right to privacy is weakened, every person could face a future in which the government can potentially interfere in the personal decisions you make about your life.'

'This is the time to fight for women and for our country with everything we have.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont immediately called for Congress to safeguard Roe v. Wade with federal legislation.

'People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter late Monday night.

She added: 'It's high time we do it.'

The firebrand Democrat posed a question to her colleagues asking them what message their outrage would be sending without action.

'It's time to be decisive, lead with confidence, fight for a prosperous future for all and protect the vulnerable,' she said.

On the other side of the aisle, Republicans are demanding investigations into who leaked a Supreme Court draft opinion for the first time in history.

GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah said whoever leaked the explosive memo 'needs to be brought to justice' in an interview on Fox News soon after the report.

'This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates,' Lee said.

He also released a statement on Monday night calling the decision 'well-reasoned' but further panned the leak as 'dangerous, despicable, and damaging.'

The Utah conservative is on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts.'

Protesters descended upon the court late on Monday night after Politico reported the Supreme Court's bombshell draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade

Meanwhile Democrats across the country have reacted with outrage, with many renewing calls for the landmark ruling to be codified into federal law

'I have questions about whether that person should ever be allowed to practice law. That something that will be worked out in due time. These are small circles. As a former Supreme Court clerk I can tell you there are very few people in the entire building who had access to the opinion,' he said on Fox.

'I am virtually certain there are number people inside the court, probably figured out who it is. That person needs to be brought to justice and held to account to what they did. This is the first and what I predict will be a series of other attempts to delegitimize the supreme court of the United States in the coming months.'

Tennessee's Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn tweeted: 'I have no doubt that the Chief Justice will work to root out the radical activist that betrayed the sacred tradition of the court. The leaker must be immediately removed from their position and exiled from the legal community.'

Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Texas said: 'It is unfortunate that the news of the greatest victory for the Pro Life movement comes on the heels of one of the most profound breaches of trust the Court has ever seen.'

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas called on President Joe Biden's Justice Department to 'get to the bottom' of the matter and, like his colleagues, shared praise for the high court's reported decision.

'The Supreme Court & the DOJ must get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary. In the meantime, Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life,' Cotton said on Monday night.

Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said the leaker should be disbarred if they are a law clerk.

Pro-choice activists remained outside the Supreme Court into Tuesday morning, hours after the bombshell Monday night report

Democrats have been renewing calls to scuttle the Senate filibuster in order to pass legislation safeguarding Roe v. Wade

Sanders led the left wing in demanding his colleagues scuttle the filibuster to pass pro-choice legislation with a simple majority.

'Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes,' the Independent senator said.

Democrats previously tried to scuttle the filibuster to pass federal voting rights legislation with only their 50 seats in the chamber plus Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote, but the effort failed in the face of moderate opposition within their own party.

Sanders' former adviser and current Ohio House candidate Nina Turner echoed her ex-boss' calls.

'Protecting abortion rights is not a midterm pitchDemocrats have the power now. We have the majority in Congress and we have the White House. Instead of drafting fundraising emails tonight, our elected leaders should be in DC voting to codify Roe & getting rid of the filibuster,' Turner said on Twitter.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York called for top-down reforms on all levels of government, 'even if it means eliminating the filibuster.'

'With far-right justices poised to overturn Roe, the lives of millions of Americans depend on us. We must codify the right to an abortion into federal laweven if it means eliminating the filibuster. We must flip state legislatures. And states like NY must open our doors,' Gillibrand wrote on Twitter.

On the House side, Ocasio-Cortez's fellow 'Squad' member Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri said the Supreme Court's reported decision is a national 'emergency.'

'Abolish the filibuster. Codify Roe. Expand the Supreme Court. Protect abortion rights by any means necessary. We need all of the above. This is an emergency,' Bush said on Tuesday morning.

Brian Fallon, Hillary Clinton's former 2016 press secretary who is co-founder and executive director of Demand Justice, publicly pondered if the leaker was a 'brave clerk' hoping public outrage would reverse the monumental decision.

'Is a brave clerk taking this unpredecented(sp) step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?' Fallon questioned.

Politico reported Monday night that Justice Samuel Alito, one of six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court, wrote a majority draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision.

Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee called for the leaker to be 'brought to justice.' He's on a Senate subcommittee that will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Monday about 'transparency and accountability for 21st century courts'

'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' Alito writes in the opinion, which was reportedly circulated among the court members. 'We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,' he continues in the document, titled 'Opinion of the Court.'

'It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'

Alito's draft does not necessarily represent the sentiments of other justices who did not pen the opinion, but it's been suggested that the court's 5-3 conservative supermajority will likely deliver on the historic reversal.

Republicans celebrated the decision, calling it a victory for the social conservatives and Christians who have worked for decades in lockstep to reach this moment.

Pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List hailed the report as a victory for their movement.

The opinion draft - originally obtained by Politico - was written by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the six justices appointed by Republican presidents on the nine-member court

'If the draft opinion made public tonight is the final opinion of the court, we wholeheartedly applaud the decision. The American people have the right to act through their elected officials to debate and enact laws that protect unborn children and honor women,' SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. 'If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature.'

The draft document is not final until the court formally announces its decision in a case, meaning the ruling could technically still be changed. The court is expected to issue its final ruling before its term is up in late June or early July.

That led to speculation from some on the right, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, that the Alito draft was leaked in the hopes public outrage could temper the court's decision.

Indeed, following its release, several notable Democrats have already slammed the decision, saying they will not abide by it.

One Democratic Representative compared the decision to a dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed the state would 'fight like Hell' to oppose the ruling.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' Newsom tweeted Monday night. 'The world is about to hear their fury.'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the 'world is about to hear [the] fury' of 'our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers' as he vowed to fight back against the decision

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, questioned why the opinion was leaked

Reaction to the news of Alito's draft opinion was swift Monday night, with conservative lawmakers celebrating the news after decades of fighting for an end to abortion rights - though they raised doubts about why the decision was leaked in the first place.

Mike Gibbons, who is currently facing Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance in the Republican primary for an Ohio Senate seat, wrote that the decision marked a 'huge pro-life victory,' noting it's 'great to see the Court recognize all life is protected under the Constitution.

'We still have to make sure we elect candidates that will continue to defend the unborn, which is exactly what I'll do in the U.S. Senate.

Others, though, raised doubts about why the opinion was leaked to POLITICO, with Marco Rubio writing: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions and norms remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate the justices on abortion.'

Republican Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also tweeted that the leak is 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.'

'The Justices mustn't give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' Hawley wrote. 'Stay strong.'

Embattled Congressmember Madison Cawthorn also tweeted that the story 'was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down.'

'Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong,' he urged his followers, noting: 'Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win.'

And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, said in a statement she is 'overwhelmed with emotion because this is the best news of our lifetime.

'This is a great victory for God and the unborn who have been innocently slain for years, my entire lifetime,' she said.

'I want to urge everyone to continue to pray, people all over our country, people all over our world, have been praying to end abortion.

'I want you to understand that there is going to be a major pushback in our country because there's going to be people that are going to fight to keep it and they're going to fight keep murdering the innocent unborn.

'I want you to dig in in prayer and faith and continue to pray that this actually comes true when they do release their opinion that Roe v Wade will be overturned and abortion will end and this will return the rights back to the states.

'I urge every single strong pro-life state to end it,' she wrote.

On the left, Democrats and abortion rights activists slammed the decision - saying it is a 'nightmare scenario' as they vowed to fight the ruling.

In a statement following the news, Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said: 'This is the nightmare scenario we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice space have been sounding the alarm about and especially once the U.S. Supreme Court had a conservative majority.

'And now, if this opinion truly is reflective of the final decision of the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, then even if abortion remains legal today, we are just days away from more than 26 states banning access to abortion services, essential and safe health care that has been a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.'

'Make no mistake about it, the plan has always been to ban and criminalize abortion ever since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided,' she claimed.

Rubio questioned the leak of Alito's decision as a liberal plot on Monday night

A number of Democrats have since come out against the decision, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying in a joint statement that the decision 'would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.'

They also used the opportunity to slam former President Trump, saying: 'Several of these conservative justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the US Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the Constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century.

'The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump,' the two top Congressional Democrats continued, adding: 'Every Republican Senator who supported Sen. McConnell and voted for Trump justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people.'

And one-time Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted Monday night she is 'not surprised' by the news.

'This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights and lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law,' she wrote. 'It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal.

'What an utter disgrace.'

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement following the news - apparently using the opportunity to slam former President Donald Trump

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also tweeted that she was 'not surprised' by the news, but thought it was an 'utter disgrace'

Many have now said they would fight the decision if it were passed - either at the federal or the state level.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy reminded his followers that he signed into law the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies the right to an abortion into New Jersey law.

'New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights,' he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said abortions rights would not be overturned 'on my watch,' and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also promised that 'abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York,' saying it will welcome anyone who says they need an abortion 'with open arms.'

'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed,' Hochul tweeted.

At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James also promised in a tweet to 'do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion' adding, 'Congress must act immediately to do the same.'

And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will 'fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal and accessible in our state.'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also branded the Supreme Court 'extremist' in a tweet saying it will 'impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country.

'It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard,' Warren wrote. 'We're not going backnot ever.'

Prominent Democrats from across the country raged against the news on Twitter, as several Democratic governors vowed to protect abortion rights in their states

Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, warned that Alito's decision could also lead to bans on birth control as he claimed the decision is reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale.

He was referring to the novel by Margaret Atwood - which was later turned into a television show. In both iterations, women are forced by the state to give birth.

'The basic legal claim here is that the word 'abortion' doesn't appear in the Constitution, and of course it doesn't appear in the Constitution,' Raskin, a Constitutional lawyer, explained to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Monday night.

'But the Supreme Court in 1973, in Roe v. Wade or Griswold v. Connecticut - which was a 1965 decision by the Supreme Court striking down a law banning birth control, even for married couples in Connecticut - the Supreme Court said that the due process liberty clause include a right to privacy, over intimate decision making.

'So the point is that Justice Alito's decision would also apply, presumably, to the right to privacy in contraception,' he continued. 'If Casey is to fall, if Roe v. Wade is to fall, then Griswold v. Connecticut presumably is to follow as well because the word 'contraception' or 'birth control' doesn't appear in the Constitution [either].

'So this would appear to be an invitation to have Handmaid's Tale-type anti-feminist regulation and legislation all over the country,' Raskin concluded.

Maryland Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin explained in an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow (left) Monday night that the decision overturn could also jeopardize access to birth control

Raskin was referencing a Margaret Atwood novel - which later inspired a television show - in which women are forced by the state to give birth

The Supreme Court's draft decision has shaken the Supreme Court to its core, with barricades posted around the building shortly after the report was posted online.

The highly-respected SCOTUSblog, which covers the court in-depth, noted: 'The document leaked to Politico is almost certainly an authentic draft opinion by J. Alito that reflects what he believes at least 5 members of the Court have voted to support  overruling Roe. But as Alito's draft, it does not reflect the comments or reactions of other Justices.'

'It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin,' SCOTUSblog tweeted.

Other observers called it a crisis for Roberts' tenure as chief justice.

'The article represents the greatest crisis that Chief Justice John Roberts has faced in his tenure on the Court,' wrote legal scholar Jonathan Turley.

Turley also pointed out the leak happened to put pressure on the court to change its ruling before it's publicly announced.

'The most likely motivation is obviously to pressure the Court and push the legislation in Congress on a federal abortion law before the midterm elections. It will also likely renew the call for court packing,' he added.

And Democratic campaign strategist Brian Fallon tweeted: 'Is a brave clerk taking this unprecedented step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?'

Such a ruling would immediately become an issue in the 2022 midterm election where Democrats are struggling to keep control of Congress.

Abortion would also become a major political issue in governors' races with states being given the right to determine whether or not to allow the procedure.

Roe v. Wade: Which US states could make abortion illegal if landmark 1973 law is overturned... and what would it mean for women in America? Vital Q&A on looming Supreme Court decision The Supreme Court is poised to strike down the right to abortion in the United States, according to a bombshell leaked draft of a majority opinion that suggests it may be poised to overturn the famous Roe v. Wade ruling. The 98-page draft revealed by Politico calls the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision - which held that access to abortion in the US is a constitutional right - 'egregiously wrong from the start'. Abortion rights have been under threat in recent months as Republican-led states move to tighten rules - with some seeking to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. These include Arizona, where the Republican Governor in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; and Idaho where the governor signed a six-week abortion ban that allows family members of the foetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The draft was written by Justice Samuel Alito and has been circulating inside the conservative-dominated court since February. The leak of a draft opinion while a case is still pending is an extraordinary breach. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. Here, DailyMail.com looks at what the latest developments mean - and the history of abortion laws in the US: WHAT IS ROE V. WADE? The Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy applied to abortion. Roe was 'Jane Roe,' a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, a single mother pregnant for the third time, who wanted an abortion. She sued the Dallas attorney general Henry Wade over a Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life was in danger. Roe's lawyers said she was unable to travel out of the state to obtain an abortion and argued that the law was too vague and infringed on her constitutional rights. Filing a complaint alongside her was Texas doctor James Hallford, who argued the law's medical provision was vague, and that he was unable to reliably determine which of his patients fell into the allowed category. The 'Does', another couple who were childless, also filed a companion complaint, saying that medical risks made it unsafe but not life-threatening for the wife to carry a pregnancy to term, and arguing they should be able to obtain a safe, legal abortion should she become pregnant. The trio of complaints - from a woman who wanted an abortion, a doctor who wanted to perform them and a non-pregnant woman who wanted the right if the need arose - ultimately reached the nation's top court. The court heard arguments twice, and then waited until after Republican president Richard Nixon's re-election, in November 1972. Only the following January did it offer its historic seven-to-two decision - overturning the Texas laws and setting a legal precedent that has had ramifications in all 50 states. WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED NOW? The Supreme Court has not decided anything yet, but a draft opinion reportedly circulated among court justices suggests that it may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. A document labelled 'Opinion of the Court' shows a majority of the court's justices earlier this year threw support behind overturning the 1973 case that legalised abortion across the country. According to Politico - who published the 'leaked document' - the draft opinion shows the court voted to strike down the landmark case. However, it is unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter. The paper was labelled '1st Draft' of the 'Opinion of the Court' and was said to be referring to a case challenging Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks - a case known as Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organisation. The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in the case, and opinions - and even justices' votes - have been known to change during the drafting process. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term is up in late June or early July. The draft is signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court's 6-3 conservative majority, who was appointed by former President George W Bush. 'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,' the draft opinion states. It in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER RULINGS SINCE 1973? On the same day as the Roe v. Wade decision, the justices also ruled in the separate 'Doe v. Bolton' case, which authorised each state to add restrictions to abortion rights for later-term pregnancies. The constitutional right to abortion was later confirmed in a number of decisions, including 'Webster v. Reproductive Health Services' in 1989 and 'Planned Parenthood v. Casey' in 1992. In the latter, the court guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the foetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks of gestation. The Planned Parenthood v Casey ruling also affirmed Roe's finding of a constitutional right to abortion services, but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. WHICH STATES COULD MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED? If Roe is overturned, abortion is likely to remain legal in liberal states. More than a dozen states currently have laws protecting abortion rights. Numerous Republican-led states have passed various abortion restrictions in defiance of the Roe precedent in recent years. Republicans could try to enact a nationwide abortion ban, while Democrats could also seek to protect abortion rights at the national level. Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas.= The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law. This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights. Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion. CAN WOMEN GET AN ABORTION IN A DIFFERENT STATE? Yes - the variation in abortion laws around America already means that some women have to travel to a different state to access a procedure. For example in Texas - which has passed a law banning almost all abortions in the state - an average of 1,400 women from the state travelling each month between September and December 2021 and sought out procedures at 34 facilities in other states such as Louisiana and Kansas. Research by the University of Texas established that more than a quarter of Texans seeking an abortion (27 per cent) went to obtain the procedure in New Mexico, a state which has seven facilities. WHAT WOULD ROE V. WADE BEING OVERTURNED MEAN FOR WOMEN? Abortion would not become illegal everywhere in the US if Roe v. Wade is overturned, with individual states still able to choose whether and when they would be permitted. As it stands, abortion is legal in every state - but with varying restrictions. Abortion would likely become illegal in about half of the states in the US if the ruling is overturned - with 24 states expected to ban abortion if they are able to do so. These are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Advertisement
Norma McCorvey was never quite a household name, but thanks to the alter-ego she adopted in 1969, the former waitress is today regarded as one of the most influential Americans of the past half-century.

Calling herself Jane Roe the pregnant 22-year-old from Dallas, Texas, was the young woman who chose to anonymously challenge state laws which then made abortion illegal, except in cases of rape or when a mothers life was at risk.

Her ensuing case against Henry Wade, the local attorney general, became known as Roe v Wade. After winding its way through the US court system, it reached the US Supreme Court in 1973, where a 7-2 majority of judges decided in McCorveys favour.

The sensational ruling instantly legalised terminations across the USA, sparking one of the most vicious culture wars of the modern era. For the rest of her natural life, the woman at its centre, who had waived her right to privacy after the verdict, could be found squarely on its front line.

Norma McCorvey (left) formally known as 'Jane Roe', challenged state laws in 1969 that made abortions illegal and won after her case made it to the US Supreme Court

Dallas District Attorney, Henry Wade (pictured), was the defendant for the famous constitutional challenge

It was never a straightforward ride. For years, McCorvey was an outspoken supporter of the pro-choice movement along with her lesbian partner Connie. But in the mid-1990s she converted to Christianity and promptly started touring the world to give tub-thumping speeches at anti-abortion protests.

At one stage, in 2004, she even went back to court in a (failed) effort to have her case overturned. Five years later, she was arrested at a Catholic university in Indiana, protesting a visit by President Obama, who she had described as a child killer over his support for abortion rights.Then, on her deathbed in 2017, came a further remarkable twist.

Claiming she had been paid around $450,000 (360,000) by the pro-life lobby in exchange for her high-profile conversion to their cause, she told a TV documentary team she never really held strong views on the issue. The whole thing, she claimed, had actually been a PR stunt. I was the big fish, she declared. It was all an act.

Norma McCorveys life story, aspects of which are once more being chewed over by the Supreme Court, is disputed to this day. Supporters of Roe v Wade argue that she saved generations of women from lives blighted by unwanted offspring. Opponents claim she paved the way for the legal destruction of perhaps 58million children.

Shelley Lynn Thornton (pictured) is the unwanted daughter of Norma McCorvey, and was adopted when she was just three days old

What cannot be denied, wherever one stands, is that she makes an imperfect heroine: difficult and at times dishonest, with longstanding drug and alcohol abuse issues, and a habit of occasionally biting the hand that feeds.

Her tale begins just after the Second World War, when her father, a TV repairman, walked out on the family in Louisiana, leaving her to be raised by mother Mildred Nelson, a violent alcoholic.

Aged ten, Norma stole money from a petrol station cash register and absconded with a female friend to Oklahoma, where they tricked hotel staff into renting them a room. After being arrested, she was sent to a reform school for troubled girls and on her release aged 15, was sent to live with her mothers cousin, whom she claimed raped her every night for three weeks.

At 16, she married a twice-divorced sheet-metal worker named Woody McCorvey and moved to Los Angeles.

But he also abused her, and after having two daughters  both were given up for adoption  she moved to Texas, where she spent part of the time living with her father and the rest living on the streets.

It was here, while working in a circus, that a casual fling saw her become pregnant again.

Unwilling to go through with the traumatic experience of giving a third child up for adoption, she decided to seek a termination. But Texas was then one of 33 of Americas 50 states that outlawed it. And while she soon found an unlicensed doctor who would carry out the procedure, she could not afford his $500 fee and felt scared, as she later put it, to turn my body over to him.

Norma McCorvey (pictured aged 35) initially avoided the spotlight after the case but later in the 1980s began giving talks and attending rallies

Help eventually came in the shape of Linda Coffee and Sarah Weddington, two recent graduates of the University of Texas law school, who agreed to sue the state on her behalf, arguing that the ban on abortions was at odds with the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees a citizens right to privacy. They won a series of victories in lower courts and by the time proceedings had reached the US Supreme Court, the case had become an international cause celebre.

Bra-burning feminists who descended on the hearings watched with incredulity as the attorney representing Texas, Jay Floyd, kicked off proceedings by making what commentators later dubbed the worst joke in legal history. With reference to Coffee and Weddington, he said: Mr Chief Justice, and may it please the court. Its an old joke, but when a man argues against two beautiful ladies like this, they are going to have the last word.

It set the tone for a legal confrontation that would be disastrous for the pro-life lobby, resulting in a ruling that made it illegal for individual states to outlaw abortion in the first trimester of a womans pregnancy (while allowing them to regulate it in the second, and outlaw it altogether in the third).

After the verdict, McCorvey retreated initially into obscurity, moving back to Dallas and quietly setting up home with Connie Gonzales, who she met in 1970 while attempting to shoplift from a store Gonzales ran.

Around 1980, she began embracing her notoriety, attending pro-abortion rallies (in exchange for speaking fees), taking jobs in abortion clinics and on one occasion appearing on stage in Washington DC with Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda and Glenn Close.

Later in her life Norma changed her views dramatically and became a pro-life activist

The fame and money came at a cost: McCorvey promptly started to get hate mail calling her a baby killer, while body parts from ripped-up baby dolls were scattered on her lawn. One night, a man fired a shotgun from a passing lorry, shattering her windows.

Meanwhile she began to feel resentment towards largely middle-class activists in the feminist movement who, according to a biographer, looked down at her working-class background.

But then, in 1995, members of Operation Rescue, an anti-abortion group, rented a house next to the clinic where she worked and set about befriending her. They began showing McCorvey posters depicting foetal development.

The [babys] progression was so obvious, she later recalled. It hurt my heart, just looking at them. Finally it dawned on me. Norma I said to myself. Theyre right.

Then in 1995 she was baptised and in one of the most dramatic U-turns imaginable, moved out the clinic and into the anti-abortion HQ next door.

She spent subsequent years gathering testimonies from women who say that having an abortion ruined their life and insisting to evangelical allies that her relationship with Gonzales, with whom she lived until 2006, was entirely platonic.

But by 2010 she had fallen out with the anti-abortion lobby and her deathbed claim that she had only worked with them in order to secretly make money meant her reputation in conservative circles became as tarnished as it by then was in liberal ones.

Among those who maintain a dim view of McCorvey to this day is the woman, or rather child, at the centre of Roe v Wade. Shelley Lynn Thornton was the result of the pregnancy that sparked the initial lawsuit since (due to the speed at which the wheels of justice turn) the verdict came too late for McCorvey to take advantage of it.

Put up for adoption at three days old, she spoke to her biological mother via telephone in the late 2000s, but refused to meet face-to-face, concluding she would be used for PR purposes. She was finally identified last year after giving an interview to the Atlantic.

She didnt deserve to meet me, Thornton said. She never did anything to get that privilege back. She never expressed any genuine feeling for me or remorse for doing the things she did

She wasnt sorry, about giving me away or anything. I would never, ever thank her for not aborting me.
A woman originally from California was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday after she pleaded guilty to soliciting more than $100,000 in donations to help pay for cancer treatments she neither needed nor received.

Amanda Christine Riley, who was then living in San Jose, is also ordered to pay restitution to those she scammed out of her money, and will be placed under supervision for three years following her release.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California had argued in court documents that Riley, 37, started to claim online in 2012 that she had Hodgkin's lymphoma and tried to solicit donations to cover her so-called medical expenses.

She even created a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter a blog documenting her battle with the cancer, and shaved her head to keep the rouse going, the Attorney's Office reports.

But the donations - totaling $105,513 - were instead deposited into her personal bank accounts and were used to pay for living expenses.

Her scheme was ultimately discovered by the Internal Revenue Service in 2019 and she was charged with one count of wire fraud in July 2020, which she pleaded guilty to last October.

Amanda Christine Riley, 37, was sentenced on Tuesday to five years in prison for soliciting more than $100,000 in donations for cancer treatments - despite not having cancer

Federal prosecutors claimed Riley created had a blog, Lymphoma Can Suck It, which included a link to this support page with a 'donate now' button

According to federal prosecutors, Riley began documenting her bogus illness on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in October 2012.

She also launched a blog, titled Lymphoma Can Suck It, according to federal prosecutors.

Riley shared photos of herself with captions claiming she was taking cancer drugs and receiving treatment.

She went so far as to shaved her head to make it appear as if she lost her hair during chemotherapy and even falsified medical records with forged doctors' letter and medical certificates.

Her blog also linked to a support page, which included false information about her fake 'battle with cancer.'

The description reads that Riley was initially diagnosed with cancer in June 2012 and had a brief remission the following year before the lymphoma returned 'with a vengeance' as a Stage-4 metastatic cancer, requiring several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment at various hospitals around the country, including Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The now-defunct page featured a clickable 'donate now' icon for visitors to donate money online, and encouraged them to make contributions to 'support Amanda' and help her 'battle with cancer.'

Riley also received money from donors via checks that were deposited into her personal bank account from her friends, family and members of her church.

Other donations came from a Facebook challenge, CrossFit fundraiser, Christmas ornament sale, quilt raffle, Chilis Grill & Bar fundraiser, calendar sales and eBay auctions of various items, including an electric guitar autographed by country music stars John Michael Montgomery and LeAnn Rimes.

It has since been revealed that Riley had convinced her family members that she had cancer, and went as far to sue one person who questioned her diagnosis.

But in reality, Riley has never had Hodgkins lymphoma or any other type of cancer.

'When people donated to Riley over the internet or at in-person fundraisers, they believed their donations would be used to pay Rileys cancer-related expenses,' according to the U.S. attorney's statement.

'In fact, Riley had no cancer-related expenses, and donors funds were simply deposited into Rileys personal bank account.'

She ultimately pleaded guilty to the charges - acknowledging that between September 2012 and January 2019, she raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars by falsely claiming she battled Hodgkins lymphoma and soliciting donations on social media.

Since then, she lost her job as principal of Pac Point Christian Academy in Gilroy, and she and her husband, Cory, moved with their two sons to Texas.

Judge Beth Freeman also ordered Riley to pay restitution to those she scammed out of her money, and will be placed under supervision for three years following her release

Riley and her husband, Cory, have moved to Texas with their two sons after she pleaded guilty last year to wire fraud

In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, her attorneys argued to Judge Beth Labson Freeman, that she should only face five years in prison.

'Ms. Riley recognizes the seriousness of her offense,' Jodi Linker, a public defender wrote to the judge last month, noting: 'She is extremely remorseful and is determined to do everything possible both to make restitution and to earn the forgiveness of the people she has hurt.'

The public defender went on to note that Riley 'is a devoted wife and mother, and, before her actions ended her career, she was a gifted teacher.'

Linker also insinuated in the sentencing memorandum that Riley had mental health issues, writing: 'On the surface, Ms. Riley's upbringing appears to have been relatively stable.

'Her parents fought often and sometimes imposed harsh punishments on the children, but her basic needs were met, and while she did not have many friends growing up, she was an excellent student who participated in extracurricular activities.

'As a teenager, however, Ms. Riley experienced a series of traumatic events, the impact of which went unacknowledged and unaddressed for many years.'

Any details of the 'traumatic events' were redacted from the document.

Attorneys for Riley had requested she be sentenced to five years in prison noting: 'She is extremely remorseful and is determined to do everything possible both to make restitution and to earn the forgiveness of the people she has hurt'

Family members like Amanda's stepdaughter, Jessa Riley Gonzalez, gave her victim impact statement in court on Tuesday

And in court on Tuesday, her family members and former co-workers testified about the 'caring' woman they knew, who is always there for her two young boys and her family.

Ginny Whelchel, a teacher at Pac Point Christian School, noting that Riley 'spent considerable time with troubled students and their families' and created a community service group.

Her brother, Tom Maneri, also wrote in his Victim Impact Statement that 'Amanda made a significant and life-changing mistake,' claiming it 'most likely started out as an outcry for attention and help.

'I'm confident she was in too deep and didn't know how to climb back out of the hole she had been digging for so long,' he wrote in the statement, which he read in court on Tuesday.

'After you've been living with a big lie on your chest for years, I can imagine it becomes part of your identity,' he added.

'She made a mistake and I'm confident she ad I both look forward to getting past the legal repercussions of her actions so that my entire family can work towards a healthier and brighter future.'

Meanwhile, Riley's father, Thomas Maneri, wrote that: 'Amanda has always been a very thoughtful and kind person, putting other people's feelings often before her own.

'I've tried to be equally supportive of Amanda, and although she didn't have cancer, she has struggled with several other physical health issues.

'She has always wanted my approval, and I know it breaks her heart to let me down.

'It breaks my heart to see her so broken from the weight of her horrible decision, and the pressure to protect her family thru the process.

'Our family struggled last Fall when Amanda finally told us all the truth,' he continued.

'But thru our anger, we still see the light in her and have seen the Hell she has been through that we wouldn't wish on anyone.'
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The German investigator probing the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has sensationally revealed there is 'new evidence' linking paedophile prime suspect Christian Brueckner to her abduction.

Speaking on Portuguese TV last night, 15 years to the day since she vanished in Praia da Luz, prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said he is 'sure' the toddler was murdered and that Brueckner, 45, did it.

Mr Wolters was interviewed on a show called Sabado yesterday to mark the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance from her parents' holiday apartment at Praia da Luz on Portugal's Algarve coast.

He said: 'The investigation is still going on and we have found some new facts, some new evidence, not forensic evidence but evidence.'

Kate McCann's necklace: A poignant tribute to missing Madeleine and her twin siblings The three rings are believed to symbolise Maddie and the couple's two other children Kate McCann wore a necklace with three rings - a nod to her three children including missing Madeleine. Each year on her birthday, the family reportedly leave presents and cards in her bedroom, which is understood to remain as a shrine to her and unchanged since she was snatched 15 years ago. Maddie's 17-year-old twin siblings Sean and Amelie still live at home with their parents. Sean and Amelie attend a Catholic secondary school in Leicestershire, which famously held a place for their big sister in the hope that one day they would welcome her as a pupil. If still alive, Maddie would be turning 19 on May 13. Advertisement

The German prosecutor then repeated his 2020 claim that Brueckner, a convicted paedophile in prison for raping a pensioner, was responsible for her murder and said: 'We are sure that he killed Madeleine McCann. I can't give you any more details for the moment.'

It has been speculated by The Sun that the new evidence in question could be fibres from the Maddie's pink Eeyore pyjamas after she was bundled into the back of the van, despite Mr Wolters' insistence the evidence is 'not forensic'.

When asked by host Sandra Felgueiras whether it was 'true that you have found something of Madeleine McCann in Christian Brueckner's van', Mr Wolters replied: 'I'm not going to comment on the details of the investigation.' But when pressed by the interviewer: 'But you can't deny it?' Mr Wolters responded: 'I don't want to deny it', adding: 'The suspect has not yet been informed'.

Under German law, details of a police investigation cannot be revealed until a suspect and their lawyers are given the full details. The case can then be made public.

Wolters' appearance on Portuguese TV yesterday coincided with a memorial service held to commemorate the 15-year anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance.

Kate and Gerry McCann were warmly welcomed by their community during a poignant prayer service in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire. Mrs McCann read a poem while clutching her necklace made up of three rings, likely to symbolise Maddie and the couple's two other children.

Convicted rapist and paedophile Brueckner was named by German prosecutors as prime suspect in the case two years ago with investigators saying they had 'concrete evidence' she was dead.

But since then there has been little sign of him being charged, prompting speculation there is not enough evidence of his involvement in her disappearance and earlier this week it emerged Brueckner claims to have an alibi the night she vanished.

Kate and Gerry, who hold on to hope that Madeleine - who would now be aged nearly 19 - is still alive, appeared overwhelmed by the support as they joined in prayers and readings to mark the occasion.

The annual outdoor event has been cancelled over the past two years because of Covid restrictions. Kate and Gerry said last night: '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.'

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

Speaking on Portuguese TV last night (pictured), 15 years to the day since she vanished in Praia da Luz, prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said he is 'sure' the toddler was murdered and that Brueckner, 45, did it

Kate and Gerry McCann were warmly welcomed by their community during a poignant prayer service in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire. Mrs McCann read a poem while clutching her necklace made up of three rings

Brueckner is pictured in the van where prosecutors may have found new evidence linking him to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

An undated handout photograph released by the Metropolitan Police in London on June 3, 2020, shows VW T3 Westfalia campervan, used in and around Praia da Luz, Portugal, by Christian Brueckner

Kate and Gerry McCann have been pictured for the first time in public in four years as they were warmly welcomed by their community during a poignant prayer service in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire

Madeleine McCann's parents, Kate and Gerry, mark the 15th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance from Portugal at a vigil in their home village of Rothley

In 2019 Kate turned up alone with her twins Sean and Amelie - now aged 17 - as her heart doctor husband was away in Italy at an important medical conference.

What do we know about Maddie murder suspect Christian Brueckner and his criminal past? 1976: Christian Brueckner (pictured) is born in Wurzburg under a different name, believed to be Fischer. He was adopted by the Brueckner family and took their surname. 1992: Christian Brueckner is arrested on suspicion of burglary in his hometown of Wurzburg, Bavaria. 1994: He is given a two-year youth jail sentence for 'abusing a child' and 'performing sex acts in front of a child'. 1995: Brueckner arrives in Portugal as an 18-year-old backpacker and begins working in catering in the seaside resorts of Lagos and Praia da Luz. But friends say he became involved with a criminal syndicate trafficking drugs into the Algarve. September 2005: He dons a mask and breaks into an apartment where he rapes a 72-year-old American tourist. The victim was bound, gagged, blindfolded and whipped with a metal cane before being raped for 15 minutes. She said afterwards that he had clearly enjoyed 'torturing' her before the rape. April 2007: He moves out of a farmhouse and into a campervan now linked to the crime. The farmhouse is cleaned and a bag of wigs and 'exotic clothes' is found. May 3, 2007: Madeleine McCann is snatched at around 10pm from her bed as her parents eat tapas with friends yards away. Brueckner's mobile phone places him in the area that night. He returns to his native Germany shortly after that. October 2011: He is sentenced to 21 months for 'dealing narcotics' in Niebull, in northern Germany. In 2013 police released a photofit of a man seen lurking near the McCann apartment and Scotland Yard said that suspect last night had not yet been ruled out of the probe 2014: He moves to Braunschweig where he starts running a town-centre kiosk. He then goes back to Portugal with a girlfriend. 2016: He is back in Germany. He is given 15 months in prison for 'sexual abuse of a child in the act of creating and possessing child pornographic material'. May 3, 2017: Brueckner is said to be in a bar with a friend when a ten-year anniversary appeal following Madeleine's disappearance is shown on German television. He is said to have told him in a bar that he 'knew all about' what happened to her. He then showed his friend a video of him raping a woman. MailOnline understands the friend went to police shortly afterwards. June 2017: He heads back to Portugal and extradited again to Germany. The reason was a sentencing of the Braunschweig district court to 15 months' imprisonment for the sexual abuse of a child. August 2018: After his release from prison he lives on the streets. But he was jailed again for drug offences. First Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters addresses the media during a press conference on the Madeleine McCann case at the public prosecutor's office in Braunschweig September 2018: Brueckner is arrested in Milan, Italy and extradited to Germany and put on trial for raping the American tourist in 2007 after a DNA match to hair found at the crime scene. July 2019: He is jailed for 21 months for drug dealing in the northern German resort of Sylt. August 2019: Brueckner is charged with the rape of the American tourist in Praia da Luz in 2005. December 2019: He is convicted of rape of extortion of the tourist based on DNA evidence. He is given a seven year sentence, but this has not been imposed pending an appeal. June 3, 2020: Scotland Yard and the German police reveal that that they have identified a suspect in the Maddie McCann case June 4, 2020: Prosecutors in Braunschweig, where he lives, say they believe Madeleine McCann has been murdered, says spokesman Hans Christian Wolters. He is named in the German press as the prime suspect. May 4, 2021: Kate and Gerry McCann post a statement on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign website saying they still cling to the hope of seeing their daughter again as they prepare to mark her 18th birthday on May 12. April 21, 2022: Christian Brueckner, now 44, is made an 'arguido', a formal suspect, by Portuguese authorities. But he has not been charged. Advertisement

Former surgery GP turned hospital medical worker Kate, 54, had dashed from work to join Gerry at the war memorial for the welcomed event.

Kate, wearing black jeans, cornflower blue V-neck sweater and trainers, fought back tears as children lit candles for Madeleine and other lost youngsters.

Neither parent addressed the 100-strong crowd but Kate, wearing reading glasses, read a poem, saying: 'Survival can be summed up three words: Never give up.

'That's the heart of it really, just keep trying.

'Sometimes you have to get knocked down, lower than you have ever been, to stand up taller than you ever were.

'Perseverance is stubbornness.'

Prime suspect Brueckner has insisted he was with an 18-year-old German woman, having sex in his camper van miles away from where Madeleine vanished from and he has given full details to a US documentary.

When he was named in June 2020 police asked for information in the distinctive yellow and white T3 campervan and DNA experts have been examining it ever since.

In her report Sandra highlighted how the fact that Mr Wolters refused to deny that something of Madeleine's had been found was proof of his guilt.

Mr Wolters also revealed how he had not been in touch with the McCanns and said: 'There is no relationship between the McCanns and me. I have never spoken with them and I have never written to them. There is no relationship.'

He also highlighted how the fact that Portuguese police had made Brueckner an 'arguido' or suspect in the case showed the German investigation was 'going the right way'.

Brueckner is currently serving seven years for the rape of a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005, two years before Madeleine was snatched and he is in Germany's Oldenburg jail.

Prosecutors are investigating him over the rape of a Irish tour guide Hazel Behan in the Algarve as well as a sexual assault in Praia da Luz on a ten-year-old German girl a month before Madeleine disappeared.

He is also being probed over an indecent exposure in a children's playground in the Algarve and last month MailOnline revealed he was also being investigated over two further rapes.

The McCanns joined family, friends and villagers for their informal evening service yesterday as Wolters spoke with Portuguese TV.

A family source said: 'Kate and Gerry enjoy going to the service for a time of prayer and quiet reflection. They always appreciate the support of the public.'

They met in the chilly night air at Cross Green on the milestone anniversary - where a candle for the world's most famous missing child still burns around the clock.

During the service, local children went up to light candles to remember Madeleine, or a special person of their choice.

One little girl tripped and stumbled on the ground as she ran back to her mother, and a concerned Kate joined others calling 'Whoops!' then smiled as the child picked herself up unscathed.

Renowned and respected cardiologist Gerry, 53, casually dressed in navy trousers, salmon-pink T-shirt and grey-blue sweater, later individually thanked well wishers for attending the half-hour gathering.

Vicar of the local parish church, The Rev. Rob Gladstone, who led the prayers, opened the service by telling the crowd: 'Once again after a gap of two years we're able to come together again here at Cross Green to remember Madeleine, to show solidarity to Kate and Gerry, Sean and Amelie.

'Lord we thank you for sustaining Gerry and Kate through these painful years.

'Keep us their hope of finding Madeleine, of discovering the truth of her disappearance... real hope is hard won.'

During the gathering, touching messages of support were read out by children.

Iconic pictures of a young Madeleine were tied to the railing around the war memorial and a vase of fresh yellow flowers was placed on the ground.

The Madeleine candle burned brightly as Rev Gladstone said: 'We hope the light here in Rothley dispels the darkness.'

At times Kate and Gerry appeared tearful, at other times they smiled.

Kate, who appeared to be limping, was hugged by friends and supporters.

Three-year-old Madeleine vanished from a holiday apartment in Portugal's Praia da Luz in May 2007.

She was discovered missing from her bed in the seaside complex by her horrified mum shortly after 10pm. She had been left alone her younger siblings while her parents were dining in a nearby tapas restaurant with their seven pals.

Madeleine's great uncle, retired head teacher Brian Kennedy, 83, who lives in the same village and has attended all 13 anniversary gatherings with his wife Janet, said: 'Kate and Gerry feel heartened that something positive seems to be happening with the investigation.

'They are being kept updated by the Met Police but they have no details to share now.

'They have never lost hope even after all these years, and in juts over a week's time Madeleine would be 19.

'If you had told our family 15 years it would go on for so long without a resolution we would have thought that was very unlikely.'

He had earlier read a poem 'The Beacon' previously written for Kate and Gerry by former Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

Madeleine's parents told of their 'need for answers' in a public posting on the eve of the latest anniversary which they say is 'a very long time.'

In a heartfelt posting on Monday on the Find Maddie and Official Campaign websites, the McCanns wrote: '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.

The McCanns joined family, friends and villagers for an informal evening service yesterday in Leicestershire

The annual outdoor event has been cancelled over the past two years because of Covid restrictions

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

The farmhouse where the prime suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance lived was located just two miles from where she went missing from her family's holiday apartment

Brueckner lived in the farmhouse above Praia da Luz (pictured) on the Algarve in Portugal and is said to have seldom mixed with his neighbours and allowed the property to fall into disrepair

The suspect, who is in prison in Germany for rape, has been linked to an early 1980s camper van - with a white upper body and yellow skirting, registered in Portugal - which is seen here on the Algarve in 2007. Police believe it may have been used in the crime

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

Madeleine vanished on May 3 2007 while on holiday with her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, and her twin siblings Sean and Amelie

The last photograph taken of Madeleine shows her smiling next to her little sister Amelie and their father Gerry at 1.30pm on May 3, 2007 in Portugal, the day she went missing

Officers are hoping to nail Christian Brueckner (pictured left) A man matching his description was seen outside the McCann's apartment in the four days before (efit right). A phone call also links him to the area

It is suspected that Brueckner received a telephone call shortly before three year old Maddie was abducted from her ground floor apartment. Pictured: The Ocean Club in Praia da Luz, where Madeleine disappeared during a family holiday in 2007

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

'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.'

The couple praised three nations' police forces for their continued work in trying to crack the painstaking case.

They posted: '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.'

They added: '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. Kate and Gerry.'

Their post is accompanied by a touching phrase from Winnie the Pooh author AA Milne, with a picture of Pooh bear and Piglet, saying: 'But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you.'
For a total of 24,000 a year, it provided hot meals to elderly residents in the area.

Yet a Labour-run council has axed its meals on wheels service  even after paying its outgoing chief executive more than 600,000, it emerged yesterday.

Croydon Council, in south London, was accused of ending a lifeline after it decided not to renew the service.

The same council paid its former chief executive Jo Negrini 613,895 when she left her role two months before the council effectively went bankrupt in November 2020.

Her payoff included a loss-of-office payment of 144,356 and a pension strain payment  which occurs when someone draws their benefits earlier than expected  of 292,851 on top of her normal salary.

Campaigners warned that for some house-bound pensioners without families the meal delivery was one of their few points of human contact.

Its cancellation increases their risk of social isolation and loneliness and has come at a time when rising energy and food bills are leaving many pensioners struggling to cope.

Croydon Council's former chief executive Jo Negrini (above) was paid 613,895 when she left her role two months before the council effectively went bankrupt in November 2020

Croydon Council said it had found alternatives for all users of the service, but critics claimed these were up to 20 per cent more expensive.

Opposition councillors said some 206 pensioners used the service, and that the majority paid for their own meals, with the council subsidising VAT costs.

Residents were told in March that the service was being cancelled, and the meal deliveries stopped last week.

It comes after Croydon Council was forced to impose a ban on non-essential spending last year after it effectively declared itself bankrupt in November 2020.

The council, which has been under Labour control since 2014, said it was unable to meet its legal obligation to balance its books.

It received a 120million bail-out from the Government in 2021. But its budget report this year warned it still faced an unresolved shortfall of 73million that was being investigated by auditors Grant Thornton.

Jason Perry, Conservative candidate for Croydon mayor, said he was extremely worried about residents who relied on the scheme.

Mr Perry said: It is going to be the poorest and the most vulnerable who suffer once again, and this is all down to cuts being made because Labour bankrupted the council.

For a total of 24,000 a year, it provided hot meals to elderly residents in the area. Yet Labour-run Croydon Council axed its meals on wheels service. [File image]

Croydon Council has proposed around 38million in budget cuts for the next financial year, including 5.7million in benefit cuts, according to website InsideCroydon.

Councillors voted to remove council tax support worth up to 29 a week from around 20,000 of the boroughs most vulnerable households, the website said.

The councils new chief executive Katherine Kerswell earns 192,474, according to its pay policy for this year.

The council confirmed its meals on wheels service was no longer available and that it had not renewed its contract with the provider, Apetito.

Apetito withdrew its service to all Croydon residents, including its private customers. Croydon Council said it had written to all residents who received the meals.

It said: The council will save 24,000 per annum in direct costs, along with indirect costs of the councils VAT subsidy for its 140 residents referred by adult social care services.

We cannot advise on Apetitos independent decision to leave the Croydon market but can confirm alternatives have been identified for all residents under our care.
Following the news that Justice Samuel Alito penned a draft opinion in February repudiating both Roe vs. Wade and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision, prominent Democrats have vowed to fight it.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders demanded Congress pass legislation that codifies abortion rights into law - and potentially end the filibuster to pass that bill, while Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren branded the Supreme Court as 'extremist.'

Several Democratic governors, like New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, also vowed to protect abortion rights in their state, with Hochul writing: 'I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for and won.'

Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy dubbed it a 'truly dark day in America,' and California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to 'fight like hell.

'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced,' he tweeted.

Feminist attorney Gloria Allred wrote: 'If the leaked draft opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade becomes the final opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court, then countless women and girls will die or be maimed from illegal, unsafe abortions. Urge SCOTUS to support Roe v. Wade and stop endangering women.'

Prominent Democrats have taken to Twitter to condemn a draft decision overturning Roe v. Wade

Republicans, though, seemed excited by the news - but still remained wary of the decision to leak the draft decision.

Sen. Josh Hawley wrote that the leak of Alito's decision was 'an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate.

'The Justices mustn't give in to this attempt to corrupt the process,' he wrote, urging them to 'stay strong.'

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio also questioned the motives behind the leak, writing Monday night: 'The next time you hear the far left preaching about how they are fighting to preserve our Republic's institutions and norms, remember how they leaked a Supreme Court opinion in an attempt to intimidate.'

And controversial North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn asked for prayers for the end of Roe v. Wade, writing: 'Evil MUST not triumph.

'Science, common sense and LIFE will win.'
Cladding-hit flat owners saw their fears play out when a fire occurred in a block of flats in south-east London - on the same day as the Building Safety Bill was being discussed in the House of Lords.

Twenty-five fire engines and around 120 firefighters attended the blaze in Deptford last week. The London Fire Brigade said no injuries were reported.

However, the fire was a stark reminder to cladding-hit victims about the potential dangers of living in a block of flats where fire can spread quickly - particularly if it has unsafe cladding or missing fire breaks.

Lucy Brown, who lives near the block of flats that caught fire, claimed that it was the 'third serious fire within three miles of her home in as many months'.

'All of the buildings had major fire defects,' she said. 'The third building was still burning as the Lords defeated some amendments to the Building Safety Bill that would have protected leaseholders from costs to make their mis-sold flats safe.'

Twenty-five fire engines and around 120 firefighters attended the blaze at the block of flats in Deptford yesterday

Last week, the Lords agreed to changes to the Building Safety Bill that were made by the Commons on April 20 , reversing changes previously made by the Lords on March 29 and April 4.

The Lords also defeated a fresh attempt to restrict leaseholder contributions to non-cladding costs to no more than 250.

After going back and forth between the Commons and the Lords, the Bill is now an Act of Parliament. It is likely to take between two and 18 months for it to come fully into force.

In short, it means that leaseholders in affected buildings above 11 metres or with at least five storeys cannot be billed for cladding costs from the end of June this year  and protection is backdated to February 14 2022.

However, in reality, it may mean leaseholders still having to pay for some work. This is because so far, only around 40 developers have reached an agreement in principle with the Government to remediate fire safety critical defects on buildings built in the last 30 years.

But contractual terms to implement that promise are yet to be announced, explained Liam Spender, a trustee of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, and a senior associate at Velitor Law.

He said: 'The Government's solution is welcome but complicated. It will only succeed if developers do not draft the agreements in a way that lets them off the hook.

'Managing agents and freeholders will be responsible for implementing some of the cost protections. They have a poor track record in following current service charge law. The Government needs to take a firm line against all the parties involved if it is to succeed.'

Since the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, concerns about cladding have become a national issue

There is no help for people who have already paid, or who have flats in buildings under 11 metres tall. And there is also no help for anyone who owns more than three buy-to-let properties.

However, leaseholders can still be called upon to pay between 10,000 and 100,000 in non-cladding costs.

Leaseholders in flats worth less than 175,000 outside of London  and 325,000 inside of the capital  cannot be requested to pay anything for non-cladding costs.

Cladding-hit flat owner Steph Pike said: While some progress has been made in relation to who pays for fire safety remediation costs, most leaseholders are still living in potentially unsafe buildings that are no closer to being fixed.

'We found out my building had issues over two years ago, yet we have no idea when, or if, it is going to be fixed. We are still stuck in limbo.

'The recent fires in blocks of flats in London make me really concerned that, if these buildings are not fixed soon, it's only a matter of time before another Grenfell occurs.'

Leaseholder Steph Pike says the recent fires in London have made her concerned that, if these buildings are not fixed soon, it's only a matter of time before another Grenfell occurs

And speaking last week, cladding-hit flat owner Natalie Carter said: 'Yesterday's fire raged on for almost 12 hours - that's terrifying. At precisely the time the Lords were giving up the fight to protect leaseholders from all costs.

'Are the Government genuinely going to wait until the next Grenfell before they act? Why are we still working out who pays while more and more fires destroy homes and threaten lives?'

A DLUHC spokesperson said: 'The Building Safety Act, passed today, will for the first time legally protect leaseholders from the cost of making their buildings safe.

'Leaseholders will be freed from unfair bills, as building owners will be prevented from passing costs onto them.

'This is in addition to pledges made by over 35 of the UK's biggest homebuilders to fix all buildings 11 metres-plus they have played a role in developing in the last 30 years.'
Space firm Rocket Lab has succeeded in catching a falling rocket with a helicopter for the first time  although it had to drop it into the ocean less than a minute later.

The California-based company's rocket lifted off at 10:50am Tuesday (22:50 GMT Monday) on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand and sent 34 satellites into orbit.

Rocket Lab's four-story-tall Electron booster stage fell back through Earth's atmosphere and successfully deployed a parachute to reduce its speed.

But after briefly catching the spent rocket, a helicopter crew was quickly forced to let it go again for safety reasons, and it fell into the Pacific Ocean where it was collected by a waiting boat.

A mid-air capture has been tried before, albeit unsuccessfully by NASA's Genesis spacecraft back in 2004  making Tuesday's efforts a historic first.

In this image supplied by Rocket Lab, the Electron rocket blasts off for its 'There And Back Again' mission from their launch pad on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, Tuesday, May 3, 2022. The California-based company regularly launches 18-meter (59-foot) rockets from the remote Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand to deliver satellites into space

In this image, a helicopter hovers above as it attempts to capture Electron's first stage in mid-air by helicopter above New Zealand, Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Rocket Lab wants to slash the cost of sending things into space by reusing rockets  an industry trend pioneered by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX.

ELECTRON: SMALL ROCKET LAUNCHER Height: 18m (59ft) Payload to LEO: 300kg (661lb) Successful launches: 97 Cost: $100 million Cost per launch: $7.5 million Launch sites: Mahia LC-1 (active), MARS (planned), Sutherland (proposed) First flight: 2017 Advertisement

To do this, it needs to be able to bring the rocket stage safely back to Earth after it has blasted off and deployed payloads into space.

Rocket Lab named its latest mission 'There And Back Again'  a reference to the movie trilogy 'The Hobbit' which was filmed in New Zealand.

'Bringing a rocket back from space and catching it with a helicopter is something of a supersonic ballet,' said Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO.

'A tremendous number of factors have to align and many systems have to work together flawlessly, so I am incredibly proud of the stellar efforts of our Recovery Team and all of our engineers who made this mission and our first catch a success.

'From here we'll assess the stage and determine what changes we might want to make to the system and procedures for the next helicopter catch and eventual re-flight.'

On Twitter, Beck said it was 'no big deal' that the rocket had to be dropped into the ocean, adding: 'The rocket splashed down safely and the ship is loading it now.'

Beck hailed the mission as a success, saying that almost everything went to plan and that the unexpected load issue was a tiny detail which would soon be fixed.

'They got a great catch. They just didn't like the way the load was feeling,' Beck said of the helicopter crew in a conference call after the launch.

Take-off of the the Electron booster rocket from Rocket Lab's complex on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula

The California-based company's rocket lifted off to send 34 satellites toward orbit at 10:50am Tuesday (22:50 GMT Monday) on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

On Twitter, Beck said it was 'no big deal' that the rocket had to be dropped into the ocean, adding: 'The rocket splashed down safely and the ship is loading it now'

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket blasts off for its 'There And Back Again' mission from their launch pad on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, Tuesday, May 3, 2022

ROCKET LAB STATEMENT 'The "There And Back Again" mission saw Rocket Lab complete a mid-air capture of the Electron booster with a helicopter for the first time. 'After launching to space, Electrons first stage returned to Earth under a parachute. At 6,500 ft, Rocket Labs Sikorsky S-92 helicopter rendezvoused with the returning stage and used a hook on a long line to capture the parachute line. 'The mid-air capture is a major milestone in Rocket Labs pursuit to make Electron a reusable rocket to increase launch frequency and reduce launch costs for small satellites. 'After the catch, the helicopter pilot detected different load characteristics than previously experienced in testing and offloaded the stage for a successful splashdown. 'The stage is being loaded onto Rocket Labs recovery vessel for transport back to the companys production complex for analysis and assessment for re-flight as planned.' Advertisement

Tuesday's attempt successfully deployed 34 satellites for various companies  Alba Orbital, Astrix Astronautics, Aurora Propulsion Technologies, E-Space, Spaceflight and Unseenlabs.

However, this was only part of the mission; the second phase aimed to perform a mid-air capture of the Electron booster with a helicopter for the first time.

Two and a half minutes after launching from Rocket Lab's launch site on the tip of New Zealand's north island, the first and second stages of the rocket separated.

The latter continued to orbit, while the first stage plummeted to Earth at speeds of more than 5,000 mph (8,000 kph).

This first stage then deployed a parachute to slow its descent to around 22 miles per hour as it entered a 'capture zone' above the Pacific.

The rocket stage was caught with a long, vertical cable with a hook on the end hanging from the underside of a piloted Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, which had been tracking its descent and moving into position.

When the parachuted rocket came into view during its descent of 22 miles per hour, the cable was steered by the helicopter's two pilots over the rocket to capture it.

The helicopter cable latched onto the booster's capture line, as seen on the company's live stream, prompting cheers and applause from Rocket Lab engineers in the company's mission control centre in Long Beach.

But the cheers from engineers turned to audible groans under a minute later during the stream as the helicopter pilots were forced to release the rocket from the cable and dunk it into the Pacific Ocean.

In this image supplied by Rocket Lab, the Electron rocket blasts off for its 'There And Back Again' mission from their launch pad on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, Tuesday, May 3, 2022. The California-based company regularly launches 18-meter (59-foot) rockets from the remote Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand to deliver satellites into space. (Rocket Lab via AP

The helicopter cable latched onto the booster's capture line, as seen on the company's live stream

The team had noticed 'different load characteristics' than what had been experienced during previous capture tests, a Rocket Lab spokesperson later confirmed.

A fully successful test would have involved carrying the rocket booster back to land or onto a barge without having it touch ocean water.

The company described the brief midair capture at 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) by the helicopter as a milestone.

It was not immediately clear whether Rocket Lab planned to reuse the booster.

Here, Rocket Lab perfoms successful dummy runs of catching a rocket stage with their customised Sikorsky S-92 helicopter

A mid-air capture has been tried before, albeit unsuccessfully by NASA's Genesis spacecraft back in 2004  making Tuesday's efforts a historic first (artist's impression)

A detailed analysis should reveal the reasons for the discrepancy in the load characteristics, according to Beck.

He said he still hoped the company could salvage some or all of the spent rocket booster, despite it getting dunked in salt water which they'd hoped to avoid.

The California-based company regularly launches 18-metre (59-foot) rockets from the remote Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand to deliver satellites into space.

Making its rockets reusable will enable the company to increase the number of launches it makes and reduce costs, the firm claims.
Alzheimer's is a condition that affects millions of over-65s, yet there's currently no simple or reliable test for the disease.

Now, scientists have developed a smartphone app that they claim could detect signs of Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions - based on a selfie of the eye.

The app tracks changes in pupil size, which researchers from the University of California San Diego say could be used to assess a person's cognitive condition.

'While there is still a lot of work to be done, I am excited about the potential for using this technology to bring neurological screening out of clinical lab settings and into homes,' said Colin Barry, first author of the study.

'We hope that this opens the door to novel explorations of using smartphones to detect and monitor potential health problems earlier on.'

The app uses a smartphone's near-infrared camera to detect the pupil and calculate its size with sub-millimetre accuracy. Meanwhile, the smartphone's selfie camera is used to take a colour picture, capturing the distance between the smartphone and the user. This allows the app to convert the pupil size from the near-infrared image into millimetre units

How does the app work? The app uses a smartphone's near-infrared camera to detect the pupil and calculate its size with sub-millimetre accuracy. Meanwhile, the smartphone's selfie camera is used to take a colour picture, capturing the distance between the smartphone and the user. This allows the app to convert the pupil size from the near-infrared image into millimetre units. The team also worked with older people to ensure the smartphone app was user friendly. Key features include voice commands, image-based instruction, and a cheap, plastic scope to direct the user into the right position. Advertisement

The pupil is the black circle in the centre of the eye that functions to let in light and focus the retina so you can see.

Previous research has shown that pupil size can provide information about a person's neurological functions.

For example, pupil size increases when a person performs a difficult cognitive task, or hears an unexpected sound.

To measure pupil size, healthcare providers currently perform what's known as a pupil response test.

This requires specialised and expensive equipment, and can only be performed in the lab or at a clinic.

In their new study, the team set out to develop a more accessible and affordable solution.

'A scalable smartphone assessment tool that can be used for large-scale community screenings could facilitate the development of pupil response tests as minimally-invasive and inexpensive tests to aid in the detection and understanding of diseases like Alzheimer's disease,' said Professor Eric Granholm, a psychiatry professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

The app uses a smartphone's near-infrared camera to detect the pupil and calculate its size with sub-millimetre accuracy.

Most smartphones now have an infrared camera built-in for facial recognition - including the OnePlus 8 Pro, the iPhone X and later, and the Samsung Galaxy S8 and later.

Meanwhile, the smartphone's selfie camera is used to take a colour picture, capturing the distance between the smartphone and the user.

Scientists have developed a smartphone app that they claim could detect signs of Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions - based on a selfie of the eye

This allows the app to convert the pupil size from the near-infrared image into millimetre units.

During testing, the researchers found that the app's measurements were comparable to those taken by a pupillometre  the device considered the gold standard for measuring pupil size.

The team also worked with older people to ensure the smartphone app was user-friendly.

Key features include voice commands, image-based instruction, and a cheap, plastic scope to direct the user into the right position.

'By testing directly with older adults, we learned about ways to improve our system's overall usability and even helped us innovate older adult specific solutions that make it easier for those with different physical limits to still use our system successfully,' said Professor Edward Wang, a faculty member in the UC San Diego Design Lab.

'When developing technologies, we must look beyond function as the only metric of success, but understand how our solutions will be utilised by end-users who are very diverse.'

The team now plans to test the app with older adults with mild cognitive impairment, to see how effective it is in screening for early stage Alzheimer's disease.
'Dirty' city-living animals such as rats may have a reputation for harbouring infectious diseases, but a new study suggests these urban dwellers don't host any more human-infective viruses than their rural species.

Urban species suffer from 'sampling bias' when assessed for infective viruses, scientists say, so their reputation as disease carriers is likely blown out of proportion.

According to the experts, city wildlife might pose less of a threat for future pandemics than once thought.

Rats famously carried fleas that caused the Black Death, a devastating bubonic plague pandemic in the 14th century  which may explain their bad reputation that still lingers today.

Scientists have long suspected that cities might be a hotspot for outbreak risk, thanks to species like rats, foxes and birds. Pictured, a common rat feeding in Central Park, New York

RATS INFECT HUMANS WITH 'SEOUL HANTAVIRUS' In Washington DC, a growing rat problem caused a respiratory virus called Seoul hantavirus to infect two people in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hantaviruses are a family of related viruses found worldwide, typically carried by rodents. Rats with Seoul hantavirus will appear healthy. People can get hantavirus infections from having contact with, or being in close proximity to infected rodents, or their urine and droppings. It can also be transmitted through a bite from an infected rat. Seoul hantavirus cannot be spread from person to person. People that become infected with Seoul hantavirus often exhibit relatively mild or no disease, but some will develop a form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Death occurs in approximately 1-2% of cases. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Wisconsin Department of Health Services Advertisement

The new study was conducted by an international research team led by scientists at Georgetown University, Washington DC and published in Nature Ecology and Evolution.

The study compared urban adapted mammal species (such as rats, foxes, badgers and racoons) with those species that can't live in urban environments (red deer, weasels and otters, for example).

'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 study author Greg Albery at Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences.

'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 parasites  and we've started to hit diminishing returns.'

Scientists have long suspected that cities might be a hotspot for outbreak risk, thanks to species like rats, foxes and pigeons.

The Covid pandemic has sparked substantial interest in where future outbreaks of viruses are at the highest risk of emerging  not just SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid), but other viruses too.

In Washington DC, a growing rat problem caused a respiratory virus called Seoul hantavirus to infect two people in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the new study, researchers set out to understand whether animals adapted to living in cities tend to have different viruses.

After examining pathogens hosted by nearly 3,000 mammal species, they found that urban-adapted animals could host roughly 10 times as many kinds of disease, compared with species that cant live in urban environments.

However, they found that pattern was partly a problem of sampling bias; the urban-adapted species were nearly 100 times better studied in the scientific literature.

Scientists have long suspected that cities might be a hotspot for outbreak risk, thanks to species like rats, foxes and birds

BILL GATES: 'WE'VE NOT SEEN THE WORST OF COVID Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates has warned there is a 'way above five per cent' risk the world has not yet seen the worst of the Covid pandemic. The tech mogul and philanthropist said he did not want to sound 'doom and gloom' but warned there was a risk an 'even more transmissive and even more fatal' variant could be generated. 'We're still at risk of this pandemic generating a variant that would be even more transmissive and even more fatal,' Gates told The Financial Times. 'It's not likely, I don't want to be a voice of doom and gloom, but it's way above a 5 percent risk that this pandemic, we haven't even seen the worst of it.' Gates - who releases his new book How to Prevent the Next Pandemic on Tuesday - advised governments across the world to invest in a team of epidemiologists and computer modelers to help identify global health threats in the future. Read more: Bill Gates warns 'we've NOT seen the worst of Covid' Advertisement

Surprisingly, after adjusting for sampling bias, the team found that city-living species don't seem to host more human-infective viruses more often.

'Stunningly, although urban-adapted species have 10 times as many parasites, more than 100 times as many studies have been published on them,' Albery said.

'When you correct for this bias, they don't have more human pathogens than expected  meaning that our perception of their novel disease risk has been overinflated by our sampling process.'

While the findings don't mean cities are disease-free, they might 'exonerate' city wildlife from a reputation for being 'hyper-reservoirs' of infectious disease.

'This probably means that urban animals aren't hiding as many important novel pathogens as we might think  those 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 co-existing alongside us, and they still spread a lot of diseases to humans living in urban areas.'

Future research should explore how city living may affect the prevalence and transmission of diseases, the authors say.

Almost all of the disease data in the study came from the US and Europe, so further studies could widen the data to global samples.

As far as Covid goes, it's generally thought humans pose a greater risk of spreading SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid) to animals than the other way round.

Bubonic plague is a type of infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium which is spread mostly by fleas on rodents . Depicted here are infected people during the bubonic plague pandemic of the 14th century

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2 to humans is 'low'.

In a rural areas of Ohio, white-tailed deer were infected with SARS-CoV-2, likely due to transmission from humans, it was revealed in December.

Evidence already suggests SARS-CoV-2 originated in horseshoe bats, although it's likely the virus passed to humans through pangolins, a scaly mammal often confused for a reptile.
Facebook owner Meta is reportedly planning to release four new virtual reality headsets between now and 2024, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg accelerates his push into the so-called 'metaverse'.

The first  codenamed Project Cambria  is a high-end VR and mixed-reality headset billed as a device for the future of work, and will launch around September with an estimated price-tag of at least $799, after being delayed by supply chain and other pandemic-related issues.

A second version of Cambria, code-named Funston, is slated to come out in 2024.

Meanwhile, Meta also plans to release two new versions of its less expensive Quest headset  internally code-named Stinson and Cardiff  in 2023 and 2024, according to an internal road map seen by The Information.

The ambitious timeline shows Meta is hoping to reinforce its early lead in the VR market, established through its ownership of headset maker Oculus, whose devices now carry the Quest brand.

Zuckerberg is hoping the proliferation of these devices will lead to a broader acceptance of VR, and help to drive forward his vision for the metaverse  an immersive virtual world in which people work, socialise and play.

Zuckerberg is hoping the proliferation of these devices will lead to a broader acceptance of VR, and help to drive forward his vision for the metaverse

The 'metaverse' is a set of virtual spaces where you can game, work and communicate with other people who aren't in the same physical space as you. Pictured: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seen fencing in the 'Metaverse' with an Olympic gold medal fencer

What is the metaverse? The 'metaverse' is a set of virtual spaces where you can game, work and communicate with other people who aren't in the same physical space as you. Facebook explained: 'You'll be able to hang out with friends, work, play, learn, shop, create and more. 'It's not necessarily about spending more time online  it's about making the time you do spend online more meaningful.' While Facebook is leading the charge with the metaverse, it explained that it isn't a single product one company can build alone. 'Just like the internet, the metaverse exists whether Facebook is there or not,' it added. 'And it won't be built overnight. Many of these products will only be fully realized in the next 10-15 years.' Advertisement

The internal road map indicates that Meta's plan is to release a high-end VR headset followed by lower-cost one on alternating years.

While Quest 2 retails at 299 for the 128GB version and 399 for the 256GB version, Cambria is expected to cost around 799, two people familiar with the matter told The Information.

However, a Meta spokesperson said the price would be significantly higher.

In an earnings call last week, Zuckerberg said Cambria 'will be more focused on work use cases and eventually replacing your laptop or work setup'.

It will have high-resolution image quality for reading text, with the idea that people can use it to send emails or code.

However, it will run on Meta's Android-based VR operating system, meaning it won't be able to run any common workplace software designed for PCs or Macs  although users will be able to use web-based tools via Meta's VR web browser.

The headset will have outward-facing cameras, so it will be able to show users a high-resolution view of their real-life surroundings through the headset's displays.

This means that as well as full virtual reality, it will allow for applications that mix physical and digital content in a similar way to augmented reality.

Additional sensors built into Cambria will be able to follow the users' eyes and facial expressions, which their avatars can then mirror in apps like Meta's Horizon Worlds and Workrooms.

Cambria will be heavier than Quest 2 because it has a larger battery, according to a person familiar with the device.

However, unlike in Quest, the battery in Cambria is in the back of the device, which makes it more comfortable and balanced to wear.

Meta released a teaser video of its Project Cambria VR headset in October. Zuckerberg has since said will be 'more focused on work use cases and eventually replacing your laptop or work setup'

As well as Virtual Reality, Meta's Cambria headset will allow for applications that mix physical and digital content in a similar way to augmented reality

Meanwhile, Meta's long-awaited augmented reality glasses, codenamed Project Nazare, are also slated to launch in 2024, with a more-advanced version due in 2026.

A former employee who has worked on the project reportedly told The Verge that Zuckerberg wants the launch of the AR glasses to be Meta's 'iPhone moment'.

One of the key features will be the ability to communicate and interact with holograms of other people through the glasses, which Zuckerberg believes will, over time, provide people with a more immersive experience than video calls.

He also reportedly wants the Nazare to offer a complete AR experience and rich 3D graphics, along with a large field of view and a 'socially acceptable design'.

The glasses won't need to be paired to an iPhone or Android phone to operate, allowing Meta to get out from under the thumb of Apple and Google, which together dictate the terms that apps such as Facebook have to abide by on mobile phones.

Meta reportedly wants to release several generations of AR glasses, with the first model to drop in 2024, followed by a lighter, more advanced design for 2026, and a third version in 2028.

Facebook's parent company Meta is understood to be planning the first release of its Star Trek-style smart glasses in 2024. The company has previously partnered with Ray-Ban to launch a range of smart glasses that feature two hidden cameras (pictured)

Founder Mark Zuckerberg has long spoken of his ambition to create a virtual world where humans can work, socialise and play, and his company's much-anticipated VR and AR headsets are just part of this vision

During the company's earnings call last week, Zuckerberg announced that Meta would be scaling back investment in the metaverse, after it saw its slowest quarterly revenue growth since 2012.

The company's total revenue, the bulk of which comes from ad sales, rose 7 percent to $27.91 billion in the first quarter, but missed analysts' estimates of $28.20 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

The company only earned profits of $7.47 billion, or $2.72 per share, in the first quarter, which is down 21 percent from $9.5 billion, or $3.30 per share, in the same period a year earlier.

Reality Labs, the branch of the company aimed at building products for the metaverse, lost $2.96 billion in the latest quarter, a rise from the $1.83 billion in the first quarter last year, CNBC reported.

The branch's revenue, however, had performed better than expected, making up $695 million of the company's revenue compared to the $683 million that was estimated earlier.

Zuckerberg told the Verge that given the company's 'current business growth levels,' he is 'now planning to slow the pace of some of our investments,' including the Metaverse, the company's virtual world project.
The Big Bang is widely accepted as being the start of everything we see around us.

But a new study suggests the beginning of the end could come 'remarkably' soon, when the universe's 13.8 billion years of expansion comes to an abrupt halt.

Researchers believe it could then enter an era of slow contraction that ends billions of years from now with the death  or possibly rebirth  of time and space.

In a new paper, Princeton University scientists used previous observations of cosmic expansion to try to model dark energy  a mysterious force which makes up around 70 per cent of the universe.

The repellent force seems to be causing the cosmos to expand ever faster, but the experts think its influence may now be weakening.

According to their model, the acceleration of the universe could rapidly end within the next 65 million years  then, within 100 million years, the universe could stop expanding altogether and begin shrinking.

This would cause a 'Big Crunch' and could all happen 'remarkably' quickly, according to study co-author Paul Steinhardt, director of the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science at Princeton University in New Jersey.

The Big Bang is widely accepted as being the start of everything we see around us. But a new study suggests the beginning of the end could come 'remarkably' soon, when the universe's 13.8 billion years of expansion comes to an abrupt halt (stock image)

HOW WILL THE UNIVERSE END? The Big Crunch: Gravity would become the most powerful force in the universe. The rate that the universe expands would decrease and the universe would start to collapse. The Big Bounce: The universe could shrink just enough to return to a state similar to its original conditions. Another Big Bang  also known as a 'Big Bounce'  could then occur which would create a new universe from the old one. This cyclical pattern of expansion and contraction would constantly collapse and remake the universe. The Big Freeze: In this end-of-the-universe scenario, matter would stay together, but would decay into radiation as the universe expands. The Big Rip: This would start once the pull of the universe's expansion gets stronger than gravity. Galaxies would tear apart, followed by black holes, planets and stars. Advertisement

'Going back in time 65 million years, that's when the Chicxulub asteroid hit the Earth and eliminated the dinosaurs,' he told Live Science.

'On a cosmic scale, 65 million years is remarkably short.'

Albert Einstein had the idea of the cosmological constant  which is the value of uniform energy density that permeates space  to explain why the universe wasn't collapsing.

But cosmology underwent a paradigm shift in 1998 when researchers announced that the rate at which the universe was expanding had accelerated.

As a result, the cosmological constant had to be given a non-zero value, and many believed this expansion was the sign of an imminent collapse.

Scientists named the mysterious source of this acceleration dark energy.

An invisible entity, they believe it works contrary to gravity by pushing the universe's most massive objects farther apart rather than drawing them together.

That means that if it becomes weaker, gravity would then be the dominant force and would cause the universe to shrink, leading to colliding stars, galaxies and planets as the cosmos collapses in on itself.

Experts think it could weaken because, rather than being constant, dark energy may be something called quintessence  a dynamic field that changes over time.

'The question we're raising in this paper is, "Does this acceleration have to last forever?"' Steinhardt said.

'And if not, what are the alternatives, and how soon could things change?'

To test their theory, the researchers created a model of quintessence, showing its repellent and attractive power over time.

Once the model reliably reproduced the universe's expansion history they then extended the predictions into the future.

What they found was that dark energy could be in the midst of a rapid decline that potentially began billions of years ago, meaning the accelerated expansion of the universe is already slowing down.

In a new paper, Princeton University scientists used previous observations of cosmic expansion to try to model dark energy  a mysterious force which makes up around 70 per cent of the universe (stock image)

'This would be a very special kind of contraction that we call slow contraction,' Steinhardt said. 'Instead of expanding, space contracts very, very slowly.'

The experts said that, to begin with, this shrinking of the cosmos would be so slow that if humans were still alive on Earth at the time, they wouldn't even notice it.

But after a few billion years the universe would reach about half the size it is today.

Steinhardt said that from that point the cosmos would either contract until it collapses in on itself in a 'Big Crunch', or shrink just enough to return to a state similar to its original conditions.

He theorises that another Big Bang  also known as a 'Big Bounce'  could then occur which would create a new universe from the old one.

This cyclical pattern of expansion and contraction would constantly collapse and remake the universe, the researchers believe.

It is one of a number of competing theories for how the universe will end, along with the 'Big Rip' that would tear apart galaxies, or the 'Big Freeze' that would see matter stay together but decay into radiation as the universe expands.

The new study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
It's something that we're all regularly warned about, but it seems that even top executives are still using passwords that are very easy to guess.

New research by NordPass has revealed the most popular passwords used by CEOs  with '123456' and 'password' continuing to top the list.

Names and mythical creatures are also very commonly used, with 'Michael', 'Jordans' and 'dragon' also featuring in the top list.

New research by NordPass has revealed the most popular passwords used by CEOs  with '123456' and 'password' continuing to top the list

Top 10 passwords used by CEOs Password Count 123456 29,401 password 22,511 12345 11,876 123456789 10,988 qwerty 9,738 1234 6,520 qwerty123 6,446 1q2w3e

5,809 111111 5,487 12345678 5,099 Advertisement

The list of top passwords used by CEOs was compiled by NordPass in partnership with independent researchers specialising in research about cybersecurity incidents.

The team analysed over 290 million data breaches worldwide, before grouping passwords according to job title and industry.

Among the fields affected, technology, finance, construction, healthcare, and hospitality were shown to experience the most security incidents.

The list revealed that '123456', was the most popular password among CEOs, having been used by 29,401 executives across the 290 million data breaches.

'Password' was next, with 22,511 uses, followed by '12345' (11,876 uses), '123456789' (10,988 uses) and 'qwerty' (9,738 uses).

Several names were widely used, with 'Tiffany, 'Charlie', 'Michael' and 'Jordan' coming out as the most popular options.

Besides names, CEOs also showed their love for animals and mythical creatures when it came to passwords, with 'dragon' and 'monkey' revealed as the most widely used.

Last year, NordPass revealed the top 200 most common passwords used by the general public online.

Interestingly, this new data shows that easy-to-crack passwords are just as popular among business executives as they are with general internet users.

'It is unbelievable how similar we all think, and this research simply confirms that  what we might consider being very original, in fact, can place us in the list of most common,' said Jonas Karklys, CEO of NordPass.

'Everyone from gamer teenagers to company owners are targets of cybercrimes, and the only difference is that business entities, as a rule, pay a higher price for their unawareness.'

The team analysed over 290 million data breaches worldwide, before grouping passwords according to job title and industry (stock image)

An IBM report last year revealed that the average global cost of a data breach is now $4.24 million - 10 per cent higher than 2020.

Meanwhile, attacks that happen due to compromised credentials - which account for 20 per cent of breaches - cost even more, at $4.37 million.

Based on the findings, NordPass is urging internet users to follow simple steps to improve password security.

This includes deploying a password manager, introducing cybersecurity training, and enabling multi-factor authentication.

Meanwhile, Grahame Williams, Identity & Access Management Director at Thales, claims that passwords should be dropped altogether.

'Passwords are no longer effective in their ability to keep sensitive data secure and are the prime resource for hackers to gain access,' he said.

'Companies should instead look to adopt access management solutions such as passwordless authentication which relies on FIDO, certificate-based PKI authentication, policy-based access and cloud access management solutions that ensures secure, convenient access to all cloud applications.

'This will overcome the inherent vulnerabilities of text-based passwords, while improving levels of assurance and convenience.'

The study comes shortly after experts revealed how long it would take a hacker to crack your logins.



According to the research, anything with six characters, regardless of whether numbers and symbol are included, can be cracked instantly.

The same goes for anything that is seven or eight characters but made up of just numbers or lower case letters.

But the news doesn't get much better for any eight character combination.

In fact, they can all be guessed in about 39 minutes according to US cybersecurity company Hive Systems, which is based in Richmond, Virginia.

On the flip side the way to guarantee that your password won't be cracked for some 438 trillion years is to use 18 characters made up of numbers, upper and lower case letters and symbols.
Scientists recently announced plans to broadcast a radio message containing Earth's location deep into space, in the hope it may one day be received and understood by an alien civilisation.

Now separate research has estimated how long it might take to actually make contact with extraterrestrials.

In a best case scenario it could be around two millennia, the experts from Beijing Normal University estimate, while a pessimistic view is far longer  400,000 years to be precise.

'As the only advanced intelligent civilisation on the Earth, one of the most puzzling questions for humans is whether our existence is unique,' the authors Wenjie Song and He Gao wrote in their study.

'The reason why we have not received a signal may be that the communication lifetime of human is not long enough at present.'

Scientists recently announced plans to broadcast a radio message into space in the hope it may one day be received and understood by aliens. But now separate research has estimated how long it might take to actually engage in a two-way conversation with extraterrestrials

The paper dealt with two parameters: firstly, how many terrestrial planets are habitable and how often life on these planets evolves into a CETI, and secondly at which stage of a host star's evolution a CETI may be born. The probability of life appearing and evolving into a CETI was (fc), and the stage of the host star's evolution required was (F)

SCIENTISTS WILL SEND A MESSAGE TO SPACE REVEALING EARTH'S LOCATION TO ALIENS The question of whether or not we are alone in the universe has preoccupied scientists for decades, but efforts to find life beyond our planet have so far been unfruitful. Now experts are planning to broadcast a radio message containing Earth's location deep into space, in the hope that it may one day be received and understood by an alien civilisation. Called the Beacon in the Galaxy (BITG) message, it is essentially an updated version of the famous Arecibo message, which was first transmitted in 1974 for the same purpose. That was sent in binary code  ones and zeroes  which, once decoded, formed a visual graphic showing a stick figure of a human, our DNA and a depiction of our solar system. BITG will also include a drawing of DNA, the solar system and a diagram of the male and female form, but it also contains a lot more information about basic mathematics and science than the Arecibo message did. Advertisement

There have been many studies on extraterrestrial civilisation in the past few decades.

One previous study, published in 2020 by researchers at the University of Nottingham, estimated there are likely to be 36 Communicating Extraterrestrial Intelligent Civilisations (CETIs) in the Milky Way.

This figure came from calculations involving galactic star formation histories and the likelihood of stars hosting Earth-like planets in their habitable zones.

The paper stated that '[T]he subject of extraterrestrial intelligent and communicative civilisations will remain entirely in the domain of hypothesis until any positive detection is made'.

But the authors also stressed that it was still possible to produce models for 'plausible estimates of the occurrence rate of such civilisations'.

The new paper by researchers at Beijing Normal University builds on the previous research.

It deals with two parameters: firstly, how many terrestrial planets are habitable and how often life on these planets evolves into a CETI, and secondly at which stage of a host star's evolution a CETI may be born.

The researchers gave each of these parameters a variable in their calculations. The probability of life appearing and evolving into a CETI was (fc), and the stage of the host star's evolution required was (F).

Song and Gao ran a series of modelling scenarios using different values for these variables and came up with an optimistic outlook and a pessimistic outlook.

The optimistic one used the values F = 25 per cent and fc = 0.1 per cent, which meant that a star has to be at least 25 per cent into its lifetime before a CETI can emerge and for each terrestrial planet, there's only a 0.1 per cent chance of a CETI appearing.

Their variables created more than 42,000 CETIs, which led to an estimate that it would take around 2,000 years to communicate with aliens.

On the flip side, the pessimistic scenario variables were F = 75 per cent and fc = 0.001 per cent.

This is working on the assumption that a star can't host a CETI until it's much older, and the probability of any single terrestrial planet hosting a CETI drops to a minuscule percentage.

Song and Gao came up with an optimistic outlook and a pessimistic outlook. The optimistic one used the values F = 25 per cent and fc = 0.1 per cent, which meant that a star has to be at least 25 per cent into its lifetime before a CETI can emerge and for each terrestrial planet, there's only a 0.1 per cent chance of a CETI appearing

DOES ALIEN LIFE EXIST? No life beyond Earth has ever been found; there is no evidence that alien life has ever visited our planet. However, this does not mean that the universe is lifeless other than on Earth, according to NASA. The space agency says: 'While no clear signs of life have ever been detected, the possibility of extraterrestrial biology - the scientific logic that supports it - has grown increasingly plausible.' One popular school of thought is that our own existence is evidence that there is certainly life on other planets, as the likelihood of Earth being a 'one-off' is almost zero. However, one argument against this is - if there is extraterrestrial life, why have we not found any evidence for it? Advertisement

The modelling in this scenario creates just 111 CETIs in the Milky Way, meaning humanity would likely have to survive another 400,000 years to communicate with extraterrestrials.

However, this is still over three times more CETIs than were predicted in the 2020 University of Nottingham paper.

'It has been proposed that the lifetime of civilizations is very likely self-limiting (known as the Doomsday argument), due to many potential disruptions, such as population issues, nuclear annihilation, sudden climate change, rouge comets, ecological changes, etc,' the researchers wrote.

'If the Doomsday argument is correct, for some pessimistic situations, humans may not receive any signals from other CETIs before extinction.

'It is also possible that no two CETIs in the Milky Way could ever communicate with each other.'

The research, published in The Astrophysical Journal, comes a month after scientists unveiled plans to broadcast a radio message containing Earth's location deep into space.

Called the Beacon in the Galaxy (BITG) message, it is essentially an updated version of the famous Arecibo message, which was first transmitted in 1974 for the same purpose.

That was sent in binary code  ones and zeroes  which, once decoded, formed a visual graphic showing a stick figure of a human, our DNA and a depiction of our solar system.

BITG will also include a drawing of DNA, the solar system and a diagram of the male and female form, but it also contains a lot more information about basic mathematics and science than the Arecibo message did.

Scientists are planning to broadcast a radio message with Earth's location deep into space, in the hope that it may one day be received and understood by an alien civilisation. Called the Beacon in the Galaxy (BITG) message, it will include a diagram of the male and female form

For example, there will also be information about the most common elements on Earth, a map showing current land masses on our planet, and an invitation to reply to the message.

While the prospect of contacting alien life may sound exciting, broadcasting our location into space goes against concerns voiced by late physics professor Stephen Hawking that intelligent extraterrestrial civilisations may want to destroy us.

Professor Hawking showed support for efforts to find aliens by listening, but warned against actively reaching out in the form of radio messages amid fears that humanity's own behaviour suggests extra-terrestrial life might not be friendly.

'If you look at history, contact between humans and less intelligent organisms have often been disastrous from their point of view, and encounters between civilisations with advanced versus primitive technologies have gone badly for the less advanced,' he said.

But Jamilah Hah, who is involved in the BITG project, thinks the benefits of contacting aliens outweigh the potential risks, 'as long as contact is approached with a clear sign of peace'.

The message has not yet been broadcast and no date has been given as to when it might happen.
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The largest known Native America cave art  dating back 1,000 years  has been uncovered with the help of 3D scans.

Archaeologists say the massive drawings may represent spirits of the underworld, with one depicting a rattlesnake that stretches over 10ft (3 metres) long.

They made their discovery in the 19th Unnamed Cave in Alabama, which was first found in 1998 but has had its location kept secret to keep it safe.

University of Tennessee Professor Jan F. Simek and a team of researchers made the discovery while working to better document the cave.

'We knew the cave contains pre-contact Native American mud glyphs, and we were carrying out a 3D photogrammetry documentation project to aid with management and conservation,' said Professor Simek.

Photogrammetry is a process where thousands of photos are taken that can be used to build a 3D model.

Evil spirits: The largest known Native America cave art  dating back 1,000 years  has been uncovered with the help of 3D scans. Archaeologists say the drawings may represent spirits of the underworld, with one depicting a rattlesnake (pictured)

The discovery was made in the 19th Unnamed Cave in Alabama, which was found in 1998 but has had its location kept secret

University of Tennessee Professor Jan F. Simek and a team of researchers made this discovery while working to better document the cave. Photogrammetry is a process where thousands of photos are taken that can be used to build a 3D model

This not only provides an accurate record of the site but can also help document the art by allowing researchers to view the images from new angles.

Such a technique is particularly important in the 19th Unnamed Cave because low ceilings make it hard to view the images.

While using the 3D model to take a wide view of the ceiling deep in the cave, beyond where sunlight reaches, the team spotted five giant, previously unknown glyphs.

'The very large cave art images cannot be seen in person in the cave because of the constrained spaces on the site,' said Professor Simek.

They included anthropomorphic figures in elaborate regalia and a serpent.

The latter appears to be a diamondback rattlesnake, the largest rattlesnake in the Americas and an animal that was sacred to Southeast Indigenous people.

Photogrammetry not only provides an accurate record of the site but can also help document the art by allowing researchers to view the images from new angles

The cave art images include anthropomorphic figures in elaborate regalia and a serpent

While using the 3D model to take a wide view of the ceiling deep in the cave, beyond where sunlight reaches, the team spotted five giant, previously unknown glyphs

The team also carried out radiocarbon dating of the cave and found that it is a pre-contact site over 1,000 years old which was visited during the first millennium AD.

This was a period when farming and long-term settlements began to replace the forager lifestyle in the region.

These ancient Native Americans were modifying their landscape on a large scale, often incorporating religious and spiritual beliefs.

In the Southeast large mounds were built to ascend to the spirits of the upper world.

Caves were also sacred spaces viewed as the opposite of the mounds  routes to the underworld.

The team also carried out radiocarbon dating of the cave and found that it is a pre-contact site over 1,000 years old which was visited during the first millennium AD

Caves were also sacred spaces viewed as the opposite of the mounds  routes to the underworld

The 19th Unnamed Cave is a well-studied site, yet these images had been missed

The team hopes that applying photogrammetry to other sites could lead to further findings, which could revolutionise our understanding of ancient Native American cave art

As such, the team think that the newly identified glyphs might be depicting the spirits of the underworld.

They also think they might just be scratching the surface of these finds.

The 19th Unnamed Cave is a well-studied site, yet these images had been missed.

The team hopes that applying photogrammetry to other sites could lead to further findings, which could revolutionise our understanding of ancient Native American cave art.

'These images are different than most of the ancient art so far observed in the American southeast and suggest that our understanding of that art may be based on incomplete data,' said Professor Simek.

The research has been published in the journal Antiquity.

The 19th Unnamed Cave in Alabama is a well-studied site, yet these images had been missed
China has big plans for its orbital laboratory, the Tiangong space station, including inviting international and commercial partners to take part and visit the facility.

The station launched in April 2021 with the Tianhe habitation unit, and by the end of this year will include two more modules, the Wentian and Mengtian science facilities.

It sits 340 miles about 340 miles above the Earth's surface, about 100 miles higher than the International Space Station, and is about a fifth the mass of the ISS.

China will launch six missions before the end of this year to complete the station, including sending crews of astronauts on six month missions, and re-supply trips.

Chinese authorities say plans for the station, once fully assembled, include inviting space tourists and astronauts from other space agencies to visit, as well as linking up the station to become the control center for a powerful space telescope.

The Xuntian space telescope is similar to Hubble but with a 300 times greater field of view, and will be in a shared orbit with Tiangong, allowing it to dock for repairs, upgrades, and refuelling as necessary, according to the Chinese space agency.

Details of the future plans for the station were discussed during a press conference after the return of the Shenzhou 13 crew of astronauts from Tiangong in April.

China has big plans for its orbital laboratory, the Tiangong space station, including inviting international and commercial partners to take part and visit the facility. Artist impression

The station launched in April 2021 with the Tianhe habitation unit, and by the end of this year will include two more modules, the Wentian and Mengtian science facilities

China will launch the next batch of three astronauts to the station in June, after the last crew returned last month after six months in space.

In future, once the final two modules launch, future crews will be able to handover in space, with up to six astronauts on board at the same time for a short period of time.

The next major upgrade to the station will see the second module, Wentian, attach to Tianhe in July, with the third module, Wengtian, launching in October.

Wentian, which translates as 'Quest of the Heavens', is a laboratory cabin module, as well as providing navigation avionics and backup control functions.

It is also another pressurized environment that will allow researchers to conduct experiments in a low gravity environment - similar to the ISS.

Mengian, or 'Dreaming of the Heavens' will launch in October and dock with the other two modules and will include its own airlock to supplement Tianhe.

This will allow for a spacecraft to be docked to Tianhe, and other spacecraft to arrive with supplies and equipment - or to bring tourists and visitors.

China has been gradually building towards an ISS-style modular space station for the past few decades, after being excluded from cooperating with the ISS by the US.

It sits 340 miles about 340 miles above the Earth's surface, about 100 miles higher than the International Space Station, and is about a fifth the mass of the ISS

China will launch six missions before the end of this year to complete the station, including sending crews of astronauts on six month missions, and re-supply trips

Now, the ISS is under threat, after Russia announced it would withdraw from the station within the next two years, and the US planning to move away from running its own orbital facilities, instead renting space on commercial stations.

There are multiple commercial space stations scheduled to launch by the end of the decade, including one from Axiom space which recently operated the first fully commercial trip to the International Space Station in partnership with SpaceX.

TIANHE IS THE CORE MODULE IN THE NEW TIANGONG SPACE STATION China launched the first module in its modular space station in April 2021. Designed in a similar way, but much smaller than the International Space Station, allowing for upgrades. Known as Tiangong, or Heavenly Palace, the first module - Tianhe - was launched on April 29, 2021. The 59ft long living quarters will include a solar array and docking ports for spaceships and future modules. The final two parts of the space station are expected to launch in 2022. It will house up to three astronauts at a time for six months once operational. Orbit: 210 to 280 miles Mass: 180,000 to 220,000 lb Length: 65ft Diameter: 10ft Lifespan: 15 years Modules Tianhe - core (2021)

Wentian - lab (2022)

Mengtian - lab (2022)

Xuntian - space telescope (2023) Advertisement

Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, is also leading a consortium building a space station, described as a space business park, as it Lockheed Martin.

China plans to try and capitalize on its growing number of billionaires, offering them the chance to go to space without taking their money outside of China.

First, they will have up to six astronauts on board at the same time, double the current three - made possible thanks to extra living quarters with the Wentian.

These astronauts will conduct experiments including astronomy, life sciences, microgravity research and work on new materials and space technology.

The launch of the Xuntian telescope in 2023 could also see the station increase in both scope and size, to allow for occasional docking from the telescope.

'The telescope will conduct frontier scientific research in the universe's formation and evolution, dark matter and dark energy, exoplanets and solar system objects, and is expected to secure a batch of major innovative breakthroughs,' said Hao Chun, director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO).

There are also plans to add other modules and even potentially private cabins, allowing for a broader array of activities in the future, said Hao.

'We're developing the extending modules and cabins of the spacecraft to conduct more experiments and provide better living conditions for the astronauts,' he said.

There could in future be up to six modules on Tiangong, still considerably less than the 17 on the International Space Station, made up of eight US, six Russian, two Japanese and one European modules.

CMSEO are also working on a next generation rocket, as well as future crew spacecraft able to take seven astronauts to the station - currently they can carry three at a time on the Shenzhou craft.

Chinese authorities say plans for the station, once fully assembled, include inviting space tourists and astronauts from other space agencies to visit, as well as linking up the station to become the control center for a powerful space telescope

The Xuntian space telescope is similar to Hubble but with a 300 times greater field of view, and will be in a shared orbit with Tiangong, allowing it to dock for repairs, upgrades, and refuelling as necessary, according to the Chinese space agency

'We'll also actively explore new models of commercial human spaceflight and introduce commercial cargo,' Hao said, as reported by Space.com.

China is also looking to work with other nations, potentially including Russian and the European Union, on space cooperation.

Officials have repeatedly said they would support proposals for foreign astronauts to visit Tiangong, and that multiple foreign countries have expressed interest.

Ji Qiming, an assistant director at CMSEO said 'in the near future, after the completion of the Chinese space station, we will see Chinese and foreign astronauts fly and work together.'
Chelsea's defensive pair Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are both keen on a move to Barcelona this summer, according to reports in Spain - in a move that would see Thomas Tuchel needing almost an entirely new back line.

The Spanish duo have been mainstays at Stamford Bridge - with Alonso joining in 2016 while captain Azpilicueta has been on their books since the 2012-13 season.

Azpilicueta came close to leaving Chelsea on a free transfer this summer before penning a new one-year extension, while left-back Alonso's deal will finish at the end of next season.

Barcelona are reportedly keen on Chelsea duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso

Should both depart, it would leave Thomas Tuchel needing an almost entirely new defence

And Mundo Deportivo report that Barcelona are ready to pounce on their contract uncertainty and lure them to the Nou Camp this summer.

It says the Spanish duo are 'seduced by the idea of wearing Barca colours' and 'want to come' and play for boss Xavi next season.

However, it adds that Barcelona have a 'problem in negotiations' with Azpilicueta loyal to the club after a decade at Stamford Bridge and having a 'moral obligation' not to force a move away.

Chelsea have been enduring a turbulent spell in recent times after Roman Abramovich had his assets frozen by the Government amid his ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin following their invasion of Ukraine this year.

The move sent the Blues into turmoil with the club unable to make signings and sell tickets, while even their away travel budget was capped. Chelsea are still yet to announce a new owner for the club though LA Dodgers chief Todd Boehly looks the favourite to take over.

The Spanish duo want to join the Nou Camp after a lengthy spell at Chelsea, the report claims

Barcelona boss Xavi has revamped his squad and is targeting a number of Chelsea stars

Mundo Deportivo claims both Alonso and Azpilicueta are 'seduced' by the idea of joining Barcelona

During a difficult period where Chelsea were in huge financial danger and facing an uncertain future, Azpilicueta has stepped up to provide leadership on the pitch and would be reluctant to end his time decade-long spell on a sour note.

Azpilicueta remains a 'very interesting' player for Barcelona given his versatility across many positions in defence, it says, and it is 'very clear that they want to try to sign him' at some point.

On Alonso, the report claims the Spanish left-back is 'looking forward to playing for Barcelona' and that he is optimistic the club will let him join them for a 'low price'.

Should both players end up leaving this summer, it would leave boss Thomas Tuchel searching for an almost entirely new backline.

Centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are already set to depart on free transfers - with the former in line for a move to Real Madrid and the latter also reportedly signing for Barcelona.

So if Azpilicueta and Alonso follow them out the door that will mean Tuchel will need a new left-back, three centre-backs as well as cover for right-back, given Azpilicueta's ability to play there.

Barca boss Xavi has already conducted a huge revamp of his squad since taking over this season - signing the likes of Adama Traore, Dani Alves, Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Aussie power couple Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness were among the best dressed at the Met Gala in New York City on Monday.

The couple, who have been married for 26 years, looked incredible in Tom Ford as they stepped out on the red carpet at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In keeping with the 'gilded glamour' theme, Hugh, 53, looked dapper in a three-piece suit with tails, and Deborra-Lee, 66, turned heads in a figure-hugging black lace dress.

Glamorous: Aussie power couple Hugh Jackman (left) and Deborra-Lee Furness (right) were among the best dressed at the Met Gala in New York City on Monday

Her glamorous frock featured a high neck, long sleeves and a layered cape.

She accessorised with chandelier earrings and a glitzy bracelet, and tied back her blonde locks into a retro beehive hairstyle.

'Off we go to the Met Gala,' Hugh wrote on Instagram before the fundraiser.

All eyes on Deb! Her glamorous frock featured a high neck, long sleeves and a layered cape

Looking good! Deborra-Lee accessorised with chandelier earrings and a glitzy bracelet, and tied back her blonde locks into a retro beehive hairstyle

Getting ready: 'Off we go to the Met Gala,' Hugh wrote on Instagram before the fundraiser

He added: 'Thank you, Tom Ford and team, for your brilliance and generosity!'

Hugh is best friends with actor Ryan Reynolds, whose wife Blake Lively stole the show at the Met Gala in a stunning ball gown that changed colour from pink to blue on the red carpet.

The Hollywood couple are co-chairs of the 2022 Met Gala.

Wow! Hugh is best friends with actor Ryan Reynolds, whose wife Blake Lively stole the show at the Met Gala in a stunning ball gown that changed colour from pink to blue on the red carpet

Show-stopper: The Gossip Girl actress' frock changed from pink to blue on the red carpet

Anniversary: Hugh and Deborra-Lee celebrated 26 years of marriage earlier this month

Hugh and Deborra-Lee, who live in New York City, celebrated 26 years of marriage earlier this month.

'Every single day is filled with so much laughter, joy and backgammon!!!! Deb you light up my life. I love you with all my heart!' the X-Men star said at the time.

The Broadway star and his actress wife wed in April 1996, just a year after meeting.
Newlyweds Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz put on a cosy display as they departed The Mark Hotel ahead of the Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday.

Son of David and Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn, 23, wore a bright white suit and matching shirt from Valentino Haute Couture, worn open to give a glimpse at his chest.

Actress Nicola, 27, caught the eye in a hot pink floor-length gown with a low cut bardot neckline and cut out detail to the front.

Newlyweds: Brooklyn Beckham, 23, and Nicola Peltz, 27, looked cosy as they departed The Mark Hotel ahead of the Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday

The garment featured loose pleats and the train swept across the floor behind her as she posed outside the hotel.

Brooklyn completed his look by wearing a pair of comfortable white trainers while he accessorised with some gold chains around his neck.

The couple, who married at a lavish star-studded wedding in Palm Beach, Florida last month, stood arm-in-arm before heading to the event.

In style: Son of David and Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn, wore a bright white suit and matching shirt which he wore open to give a glimpse at his chest

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.

Glamorous: Actress Nicola caught the eye in a hot pink floor-length gown with a low cut bardot neckline and cut out detail to the front

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.

Strike a pose: The garment featured loose pleats and the train swept across the floor behind her as she posed outside the hotel

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.
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Megan Thee Stallion channeled Greek goddess glamour as she made her grand entrance at the star-studded Met Gala in New York City on Monday.

The rapper, 27, modeled an ultra sexy gold sequin Moschino gown with mesh-cut-outs at the waist.

It also featured a dramatic thigh-high slit that allowed Megan to showcase her shapely legs and sky-high heels.

Goddess vibes: Megan Thee Stallion channeled Greek goddess glamour as she made her grand entrance at the star-studded Met Gala in New York City on Monday

Her dazzling Met Gala look was designed by Moschino's Jeremy Scott, who accompanied the WAP hitmaker to the annual gala.

The skirt of Megan's gown was covered in beaded embroidery and lined with champagne-toned silk.

The bust was covered in shimmering gold sequins and her shoulders were covered with a gold feather shrug made to resemble wings.

Megan elevated her already statuesque frame by rocking strappy nude heels with a gold strap running across the toes.

Golden girl: The rapper, 27, modeled an ultra sexy gold sequin Moschino gown with mesh-cut-outs at the waist

The Savage rapper kept the gold theme going by rocking a glittery gold manicure and metallic gold eyeshadow on her lids.

Megan's raven tresses were swept up into a pin-curled beehive and her baby hair was gelled down.

Before arriving to the gala, Megan was spotted leaving the Mark Hotel in New York City with Jeremy by her side.

As she made her way from the hotel's exit to a nearby SUV, the female MC playfully stuck out her tongue for shutterbugs and offered fans a friendly wave.

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.'

Designed by Jeremy! Her dazzling Met Gala look was designed by Moschino's Jeremy Scott, who accompanied the WAP hitmaker to the annual gala

Leggy: It also featured a dramatic thigh-high slit that allowed Megan to showcase her shapely legs and sky-high heels

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.

En route: Before her gala arrival, Megan was captured exiting the Mark Hotel

Playful: As she made her way from the hotel's exit to a nearby SUV, the female MC playfully stuck out her tongue for shutterbugs

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.

Ciao! She also offered fans a friendly wave before getting in her car

Helping hands: In order to keep her dress in pristine condition, Megan had her train lifted up off the grown by two men

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.
Fashion entrepreneur Fredrik Robertsson showcased a stunning futuristic bodysuit as he walked the red carpet on Monday at the Met Gala.

The fashion entrepreneur had all eyes on him in a silver bodysuit covered in intricate needles that made him look like a cross between a porcupine and a puffer fish.

Fredrik's look was built around a gray-and-black bodysuit with flared pant legs that covered up his black footwear.

Ambitious: Fredrik Robertsson appeared to have outdone himself on Monday when he arrived at the 2022 Met Gala in Manhattan. He looked unrecognizable in a silver bodysuit covered in intricate needles that made him look like a porcupine

The opaque pants reached up to his midriff, before featuring sheer panels revealing his chest.

His torso was covered in intricate, swirling designs featuring the long needles, which appeared to be rounded off at the end so as not to poke himself or others.

The covered his chest and arms in swirling patterns, and even featured long needle extensions for his fingers.

Fredrik's bodysuit featured clear circular windows revealing his legs on the sides of his pants, and he towered in a pair of black platforms.

The fashion enthusiast also channeled a peacock with eye-like designs visible on rows of spins attached to his pant legs that were draped behind him like a small train.

He completed the eerie look by wearing his frosted silverblond hair slicked back.

Sharp: Fredrik's look was built around a gray-and-black bodysuit with flared pant legs that covered up his black footwear

Eye-catching: He wore a long gray-and-black bodysuit with flared pants legs. His torso was covered with sheer material and decorated with intricate rows of long silver needles, which were rounded off at the tips so as not to poke anyone

His eyes were lined with thick black-and-white makeup, and the liner was decorated with large white dots.

On Instagram, Robertsson had posted about his preparations, though he played coy when it came to the theme of his outfit.

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 glamor' to match the theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' a continuation of last year's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

Robertsson's ensemble seemed to point more toward the future than to classic American fashion.

On point: He completed the eerie look by wearing his frosted silverblond hair slicked back. His eyes were lined with thick black-and-white makeup, and the liner was decorated with large white dots

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.

The theme: This year's dress code is 'gilded glamor' to match the theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' a continuation of last year's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

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.
Amy Schumer didn't let the glamour of the Met Gala keep her from being funny Monday.

The comic, 40, had some choice words as she was interviewed by La La Anthony on a Vogue livestream as she made her entrance to the luxe event at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday.

When Anthony asked her what the term 'Gilded Glamour' - the theme of the event - meant to her, the Trainwreck actress responded, 'Um, a vibrator - you know what Im gonna say - its ridiculous.'

The latest: Amy Schumer, 40, had some choice words as she was interviewed by La La Anthony on a Vogue livestream as she made her entrance to the luxe event at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday

Schumer, who was a co-host at the Oscars in March, added, 'Im also here for the drinks.'

The Emmy-winning star, who shares son Gene, two, with her spouse, Chris Fischer, 42, donned a long-sleeved black double-breasted button-down gown by Gabriela Hearst, with three buttons on the right side and long tassels on each side as she made her way to the well-heeled gathering.

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo author joked, 'Everyones always at home [wondering] what Amy Schumers going to be wearing.'

Schumer rounded out her ensemble with black sunglasses with strappy black heels and had her blonde locks combed to the side.

When Vogue livestream host La La Anthony asked her what the Gilded Glamour meant to her, the Trainwreck actress responded, 'Um, a vibrator - you know what Im gonna say - its ridiculous.'

Schumer, who was a co-host at the Oscars in March, added, 'Im also here for the drinks'

The Emmy-winning star donned a long-sleeved black double-breasted button-down gown by Gabriela Hearst, with three buttons on the right side and long tassels on each side as she made her way to the well-heeled gathering

Monday's event - whose co-chairs included Regina King, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Lin-Manuel Miranda - encouraged guests to 'embody the grandeur - and perhaps the dichotomy - of Gilded Age New York,' an expression that originated by Mark Twain about the timeframe from 1870 to 1890, according to Vogue.

Schumer has past been outspoken about her disdain for attending the annual event, which attracts the biggest names in show business and pop culture, saying on The Howard Stern Show in 2016, 'I dont like the farce ... were dressed up like a bunch of f***ing a**holes.'

She added: 'I left earlier than I should have been allowed, but it's exciting, I got to meet Beyonce and she was like, "Is this your first Met Gala?" And I was like, "Its my last!"' (It wasn't, as Schumer went on to attend the proceedings the following year.)

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.

Schumer rounded out her ensemble with black sunglasses with strappy black heels and had her blonde locks combed to the side

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo author joked, 'Everyones always at home [wondering] what Amy Schumers going to be wearing'

The comic waved to fans from the red carpet of the annual event

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.
Married At First Sight star Jessika Power is blissfully happy in her relationship with British podcaster Connor Thompson.

And the 30-year-old influencer has now revealed they are about to take a major step forward in their relationship.

She told Daily Mail Australia on Monday she was ready to introduce him to her family.

'I've been feeling clucky for years': Jessika Power, 30, (pictured on Monday) has revealed she is ready to take the next step in her relationship with British boyfriend Connor Thompson

'Connor is coming over in September to meet all my family in Western Australia and on the Gold Coast,' she said at a promo event for Skinny B*tch low-calorie wines.

'I also want to take him to some really beautiful Australian landmarks. I want to take him to The Great Barrier Reef, I want to try and get a couple of nights out near Uluru.

'I want to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk, things like that so he can actually experience Australia and see how beautiful our country is.'

The couple have discussed living together Down Under for a few months sometime in the near future before they make a decision on where they want to settle.

Meet the parents! The Married At First Sight alum told Daily Mail Australia on Monday she was ready to introduce Connor to her family in Western Australia and on the Gold Coast

'I would go wherever he goes at the end of the day. I'm happy to move to the UK. I love it there. I think it's really beautiful, I think the country is amazing,' she said.

When asked if having children was on the cards, Jessika said: 'I've been feeling clucky for years now, we all know that.

'I want a baby but you've got to be with the right person to have a baby. You can't just go in and have children.'

Planning for the future: When asked if having children was on the cards, Jessika said: 'I've been feeling clucky for years now, we all know that'

It comes after Jessika sparked rumours she'd faked being single in order to appear on British reality show Celebs Go Dating.

At the time she filmed the E4 program, she had recently moved in with Connor in Manchester.

A source told The Sun: 'Everyone thinks Jessika has been with Connor the whole time. She has now moved him into her apartment and they are no longer hiding their romance.

'The whole "split" was very convenient so she could cash her cheque but not surprisingly she didn't meet anyone on the show. It's wasted everyone's time really and bosses aren't happy.'

Ready to mingle? It comes after Jessika sparked rumours she'd faked being single in order to appear on British reality show Celebs Go Dating (pictured on the series)

The Aussie MAFS star was reportedly paid 40,000 (AU$70,000) to star on Celebs Go Dating.

Contestants who sign up for the show have contracts which stipulate they must be single throughout the process.

Jessika was claiming to be single while going on dates with numerous men for the series.

Naughty! The Aussie was reportedly paid 40,000 (AU$70,000) to star on Celebs Go Dating. Contestants who sign up for the show have contracts which stipulate they must be single throughout the process - but insiders suspect she was secretly dating Connor the whole time

She even took one potential love match away on the mini-break, before heading straight back to Connor once the cameras stopped rolling.

She relocated from Queensland to Manchester last year, after falling for Englishman Connor, who hosts the Erasing the Bar podcast.

The blonde rose to fame on season six of Married At First Sight Australia in 2019.
Steve Irwin's son Robert Irwin turned 18 years old just months ago.

And the teenage crocodile hunter had female fans swooning over him physique in a new TikTok video.

In the video, Robert showed off his buff body underneath a clingy wet khaki shirt as he stood in the waist-deep water of a croc enclosure at Australia Zoo.

Like father like son: Steve Irwin's son Robert Irwin turned 18 years old just months ago, and the teenage crocodile hunter had female fans swooning over him physique in a new TikTok video this week

The young zookeeper got a huge saltwater crocodile named Bluey to swim right towards him by repeatedly splashing the surface of the water.

Robert then jumped out the water as Bluey swam through to the next enclosure.

And his fans were loving every minute of it.

Looking fit! In the video, Robert showed off his buff body underneath a clingy wet khaki shirt as he stood in the waist-deep water of a croc enclosure at Australia Zoo.

Volunteers: His fans were loving every minute of it based on the video's comments

'Respectfully HE'S HOT,' gushed one in the video's comments, with many readily agreeing.

'Hahahah. I was thinking mmmh. Then WAIT. HOW OLD ARE YOU?!' added another.

'I would marry that man in a heartbeat no questions asked,' declared another.

Loving it: 'Respectfully HE'S HOT,' gushed one fan in the video's comments, with many readily agreeing

The video comes after Robert 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 teen sensation was dressed in Steve's classic khaki ensemble as he performed alongside the group.

Special guest: Robert recently 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.

'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.'
Bella Hadid enlisted three staffers to help carry her long train while leaving the Mark Hotel in Manhattan's Upper East Side for the gala at the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The 25-year-old IMG Model flaunted substantial cleavage and cinched her already slim waist with a Burberry black corset wrapped with a black lace skirt and matching pantyhose.

The half-Palestinian, half-Dutch beauty wore her raven locks in a Grecian partial updo coiffed by hairstylist Evanie Frausto.

Takes a village! Bella Hadid enlisted three staffers to help carry her long train while leaving the Mark Hotel in Manhattan's Upper East Side for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala

Make-up artist Nadia Tayeh fully contoured Bella's complexion for the Costume Institute benefit.

Hadid had more help when she arrived to the Met Gala's famed steps

The Kin Euphorics co-founder struck a pose while showcasing her Briony Raymond pearl anklet and she wore $180 Dorsey 'Lee' pearl earrings.

Bella later posed with Burberry CCO Riccardo Tisci and his other Met muse, 10-time Grammy-nominated rapper Nicki Minaj.

Vamp! The 25-year-old IMG Model flaunted substantial cleavage and cinched her already slim waist with a black Burberry corset wrapped with a black lace skirt and matching pantyhose

Ready for her close-up! The half-Palestinian, half-Dutch beauty wore her raven locks in a Grecian partial updo coiffed by hairstylist Evanie Frausto

Diva: Bella had more help when she arrived to the Met Gala's famed steps

Hadid then reunited with her big sister Gigi Hadid rocking a red PVC Versace catsuit and matching PVC boots while cinching her already tiny waist with a corset.

The DC-born, Malibu-raised stunner will soon make her acting debut in a recurring role in the third season of Hulu hit dramedy series Ramy created by and starring Ramy Youssef.

The 'gilded glamour' themed event served as a part two to last year's exhibition In America: An Anthology of Fashion.

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.

Leggy lady: Hadid struck a pose while showcasing her Briony Raymond pearl anklet and she wore $180 Dorsey 'Lee' pearl earrings

Happy place: Make-up artist Nadia Tayeh fully contoured the Kin Euphorics co-founder's complexion for the Costume Institute benefit

The man behind the dresses: Bella later posed with Burberry CCO Riccardo Tisci and his other Met muse, 10-time Grammy-nominated rapper Nicki Minaj

BDSM fetish wear! Hadid then reunited with her big sister Gigi Hadid rocking a red PVC Versace catsuit and matching PVC boots while cinching her already tiny waist with a corset

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.
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Vanessa Hudgens took to her 2022 Met Gala co-hosting duties in a sheer black gown by Moschino.

The 33-year-old actress flashed her lacy black underwear underneath her statement-making dress, which had a lengthy train.

The High School Musical alum looked ravishing and radiant as she posed along the event's red carpet.

Edgy! Vanessa Hudgens stunned in a completely sheer black Moschino gown featuring an intricate lace design that showed off her sexy black underwear underneath

The superstar was decked out in diamonds as she modeled chandelier earrings, a chunky bracelet, and multiple rings.

The sparkling accents complemented her gothic-glam look as she showed off her keen fashion sense.

Hudgens scooped her silky, black tresses into a towering bun that she adorned with a thin string of pearls.

In addition to her sexy undergarment she displayed her numerous torso tattoos in the transparent number.

Hot: Vanessa Hudgens took to her 2022 Met Gala co-hosting duties in a sheer black gown by Moschino

Smoldering: The 33-year-old actress flashed her lacy black underwear underneath her statement-making dress, which had a lengthy train

Adorable: The High School Musical alum looked ravishing and radiant as she posed along the event's red carpet

The gown boasted long-sleeves, which had puffy accents at the shoulders and stretched over her thumbs.

The bodice featured lace detailing that extended up to the look's turtleneck neckline.

Her bottom half had a high-waisted skirt that highlighted her trim waistline and flowed out into a long, pleated train.

Vanessa's sparkling belly-button ring could be seen through the material, as well as her black underwear.

Inked: In addition to her sexy undergarment she displayed her numerous torso tattoos in the transparent number

Hairdo: Hudgens scooped her silky, black tresses into a towering bun that she adorned with a thin string of pearls

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.'

Social engagement: Meanwhile, Vanessa also took to her social media account to share a behind-the-scenes image before she headed out

Co-hosts: Vanessa is the co-host of the red carpet coverage show, along with LaLa Anthony and Hamish Bowles

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.

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.

Jeweled: The superstar was decked out in diamonds as she modeled chandelier earrings, a chunky bracelet, and multiple rings
Actress and model Evelyn Sharma swapped the glitz and glamour of Bollywood for life in the rural town of Chinchilla, Queensland, with her Australian dentist husband.

And the 35-year-old movie star reflected on the life-changing move during an interview with Channel Nine's A Current Affair on Saturday.

German-born Evelyn said that despite the relocation being 'the best thing' she ever did, she does sometimes miss 'the glamorous life'.

New life: Evelyn Sharma (pictured), the Bollywood star who gave up stardom for a quiet life in rural Queensland with her Aussie husband, says the move was 'the best thing' she ever did

'The glamorous life, I do miss it sometimes, the red carpet and getting dressed up in beautiful gowns and sarees,' Evelyn said.

'It's been like a tornado, a whirlwind in my life. It's changed so much.'

However, she said moving to Australia had been the 'best thing' for her family.

Evelyn lives in Chinchilla, a rural town in the Western Downs Region, after her dental surgeon husband Tushaan Bhindi bought the local practice.

Nostalgia: 'The glamorous life, I do miss it sometimes, the red carpet and getting dressed up in beautiful gowns and sarees,' Evelyn said on A Current Affair over the weekend

'In the beginning it felt like a mental detox, being in Chinchilla in the country, away from 22 million people in one city,' she previously told The Courier Mail.

'That constant noise that you have around yourself but also being conscious of paparazzi, that was just my everyday life.'

'At some point here I started getting very uncomfortable if I saw phones pointing at me, but then I was like, they don't know who I am, they're not taking my picture, and it became really relaxing, and I felt so safe.'

Evelyn married Tushaan in May last year. They welcomed a daughter in December.

Down Under: Evelyn lives in Chinchilla, a rural town in the Western Downs Region, after her dental surgeon husband Tushaan Bhindi (right) bought the local practice

Anonymous: 'At some point here I started getting very uncomfortable if I saw phones pointing at me, but then I was like, "They don't know who I am. They're not taking my picture." And it became really relaxing, and I felt so safe,' said Evelyn (pictured in Mumbai on June 28, 2018)

She admitted it was 'really really tough' being separated from her family and friends during her pregnancy.

But she said the town had been very supportive of her and her family.

Evelyn made her movie debut in 2006 in the American film Turn Left. She went on to star in Bollywood production From Sydney with Love in 2012, before landing a role in the 2013 romantic comedy Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

She also hosted her own travel show, Life Mein Ek Baar.

Career: Evelyn made her movie debut in 2006 in the American film Turn Left. She went on to star in Bollywood production From Sydney with Love in 2012, before landing a role in the 2013 romantic comedy Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Kris Jenner was radiant as she made her walk down the red carpet at the 2022 Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday.

The reality star, 66, donned a black bob wig to complement her luxe fashion ensemble of a silk yellow Oscar de la Renta gown with silver trimming to the annual event.

The Momager donned long white gloves with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Tamara Mellon shoes as she made her way to the party with beau Corey Gamble, 41, who wore a navy blue tuxedo to the proceedings.

The latest: Kris Jenner, 66, was radiant as she made her walk down the red carpet at the 2022 Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday

Speaking with Access Hollywood, Jenner said she was elated to be joined by her daughters at the event, as Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, and Kendall and Kylie Jenner, were all slated to attend.

'I'm so happy, it makes me really happy and we've had the best time today getting ready so this will be fun,' Jenner said. 'I can't wait to watch my girls walk in.'

Jenner said she was 'really excited' for Khloe, who was making her debut at the Met Gala on Monday.

She suggested to 'pay special attention to Kim tonight,' as a 'big surprise' was in store.

The reality star donned a black bob wig to complement her luxe fashion ensemble of a silk yellow Oscar de la Renta gown with silver trimming to the annual event

The Momager donned long white gloves with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Tamara Mellon shoes

Jenner said she was elated to be joined by her daughters at the event, as daughters Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, and Kendall and Kylie Jenner, were all slated to attend

Jenner's classic look prompted comparisons to the late Jackie Kennedy on Twitter.

'Kris Jenner looks like an older Jackie O, so I bet Kim has on Marilyns gold dress,' one user wrote, while another said, 'Kris Jenner & her weave say theyre channeling Jackie Kennedy for the gilded age theme.'

Some users questioned how Jenner's ensemble squared with the 'Gilded Glamour' theme of the event.

'Kris Jenner looks amazing, but I am really confused about how Jackie O became Gilded Age,' one user said. 'I love this though.'

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 said: 'I'm so happy, it makes me really happy and we've had the best time today getting ready so this will be fun. I can't wait to watch my girls walk in'

Jenner made her way to the party with beau Corey Gamble, 41, who wore a navy blue tuxedo to the proceedings

The reality star was at the center of attention as she made her entrance on Monday

As Jenner attended the event on the East Coast, a jury in LA dismissed Blac Chyna's lawsuit against her and three of her daughters Monday

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.

Some social media users compared Jenner's look to that of Jackie Kennedy

Jenner and beau Gamble posed with one another at the luxe proceedings

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.
She has been prepping for the Met Gala for the last 24 hours with reiki facials and crystal rituals.

And Miranda Kerr, 39, was simply glowing as she attended fashion's biggest night in New York City on Monday with her husband Evan Spiegel.

The Aussie supermodel turned heads at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a low-cut white Oscar de la Renta gown that showed off her decolletage.

A dream in cream! Miranda Kerr showed off her stunning decolletage in a low-cut Oscar de la Renta gown and blinding Bulgari diamond jewels as she attended the Met Gala in New York City on Monday night

The brunette beauty was also dripping in breathtaking Bulgari jewels, including a choker necklace, glittering bracelet and large stud earrings.

Miranda went for old Hollywood glamour for her hair and makeup - pulling her locks back into a chic chignon and opting for a bold red lip and a wing-tipped lined eye.

Meanwhile, Gigi and Bella Hadid turned heads on the red carpet by wearing skintight PVC and leather.

Dapper: Snapchat founder Evan looked dapper in a black tuxedo, white dress shirt and a matching bow-tie

Dripping in jewels: The brunette beauty was also dripping in breathtaking Bulgari jewels, including a choker necklace, glittering bracelet and large stud earrings

Not a hair out of place: Miranda went for old Hollywood glamour for her hair and makeup - pulling her locks back into a chic chignon and opting for a bold red lip and a wing-tipped lined eye

And Blake Lively brought the drama in a huge gown that transformed on the red carpet as she attended the star-studded event with her husband Ryan Reynolds.

Tickets for the glitzy soiree 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.

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.'

Miranda shares sons Hart, three, and Myles, two, with Evan, 31, and is also mum to a 10-year-old son, Flynn, who she shares with ex-husband Orlando Bloom.

Orlando, 44, is now engaged to Katy Perry, and they share a one-year-old daughter together, Daisy.

Stunning: Meanwhile, Blake Lively brought the drama in a huge gown that transformed on the red carpet as she attended the star-studded event with her husband Ryan Reynolds
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Khloe Kardashian was the picture of glamour as she arrived to the star-studded Met Gala on Monday night.

The KUWTK star, 37, slipped her gym-honed physique into dazzling gold Moschino gown with beaded fringe from the bust to the hem.

This year's Met Gala marks the first time that Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour has invited all six of the Kardashian-Jenner women to the annual soiree.

Glamour girl: Khloe Kardashian was the picture of glamour as she arrived to the star-studded Met Gala on Monday night. The KUWTK star, 37, slipped her gym-honed physique into dazzling gold Moschino gown with beaded fringe from the bust to the hem

Khloe, who has never attended the Met Gala, told red carpet correspondents that she's 'so excited that we're all here together.'

This is Khloe's first time at the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit as

For an added sexy factor, Khloe's gown had a semi-sheer skirt that gave a glimpse at her lean legs.

The mother-of-one's already trim waistline was further cinched in with a nude corset to create a dramatic hourglass silhouette.

She had a black cloak resting in the crook of her arms and slipped on a pair of matching arm-length gloves.

Bonde bombshell: The Good American founder's bleach blonde hair was parted to one side and teased at the root to create a voluminous swoop.

Goth touch: She had a black cloak resting in the crook of her arms and slipped on a pair of matching arm-length gloves

She slipped her feet into a pair of understated heeled sandals and shielded her eyes from the flashbulbs with a pair of reflective gold shades.

The Good American founder's bleach blonde hair was parted to one side by her sister Kim's longtime hairstylist Chris Appleton, who used Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray to ensure a totally sleek and shiny finish, before styling with tools from Tangle Teezer, then finishing the look off with the Color Wow Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hair Spray and the Pop & Lock Frizz-Control and Glossing Serum.

Khloe opted to go without the long blonde tresses that she is often seen modeling and instead chose to show off her natural, shoulder-length locks for the night.

She shared details about her Jeremy Scott-designed gala getup, including how her stunning gown was thrown together in 'like 10 days.'

When asked what she's looking forward to the 'most' at her first-ever gala, Khloe confessed that was definitely ready to get the party started.

Natural: Instead of her go-to lengthy locks, Khloe opted to let her natural shoulder-length hair shine for the evening

Understated: She slipped her feet into a pair of understated heeled sandals

'I need a glass of champagne so that's what i'm mainly looking forward to,' she told the Met's red carpet MC, La La Anthony - who is also her sister Kim Kardashian's longtime BFF.

Prior to hitting the red carpet, Khloe was captured exiting her hotel in New York City with sister Kylie Jenner.

The dynamic duo strolled side-by-side from the hotel's entrance/exit to a nearby chauffeured vehicle.

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.'

Ready to party! When asked what she's looking forward to the 'most' at her first-ever gala, Khloe confessed that was definitely ready to get the party started

Sister act: Khloe made sure to get some snaps with younger sister Kylie Jenner, 24, after taking on the red carpet solo

Wow! Once inside the venue, Khloe couldn't help but strike a pose in front of a wall of bright red roses

Star-studded: 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.

Family ties: Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, and Kendall Jenner looked like the ultimate sister squad on the red carpet

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.

First time: This year's Met Gala marks the first time that Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour has invited all six of the Kardashian-Jenner women to the annual soiree. Khloe, who has never attended the Met Gala, told red carpet correspondents that she's 'so excited that we're all here together'

Designer darling: She shared details about her Jeremy Scott-designed gala getup, including how her stunning gown was thrown together in 'like 10 days.' When asked what she's looking forward to the 'most' at her first-ever gala, Khloe confessed that was definitely ready to get the party started

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.

En route: Prior to hitting the red carpet, Khloe was captured exiting her hotel in New York City with sister Kylie Jenner
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Jared Leto kept his doppelganger theme going on Monday when he walked the red carpet at the Met Gala with what looked like an identical twin.

The 50-year-old Oscar winner was actually joined by Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele, who had his hair and outfit perfectly styled to match.

The Morbius star's look was more modest than previous years, and he and Michele both wore matching cream-colored Gucci tuxedos.

Twinning! Jared Leto, 50, was joined by his doppelganger, Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele, as they both wore cream-colored tuxedos from the iconic fashion house at the Met Gala in Manhattan on Monday

Jared was totally covered up in the linen tux, which featured a double-breasted jacket with wide black peaked lapels and black buttons.

He paired it with a simple white shirt and spiced up the muted colors with a red silk bow tie.

The Blade Runner 2049 actor also appeared to have on a black cummerbund, and he wore loose-fitting pants in the same design as his jacket.

The cream-colored items were decorated with delicate floral embroidery.

Suited up: Jared was totally covered up in the linen tux, which featured a double-breasted jacket with wide black peaked lapels and black buttons. He paired it with a simple white shirt and spiced up the muted colors with a red silk bow tie

Accessorized: The Dallas Buyers Club actor carried along a brown suede Gucci clutch, and he wore simple black suede boots

Jared wore his dark hair long as has become his standard, and he let the wavy strands cascade down his front.

The Dallas Buyers Club actor carried along a brown suede Gucci clutch, and he wore simple black suede boots.

He and Alessandro completed their edgy ensembles by donning matching black sunglasses and wearing jeweled barrette's to hold their hair back.

Jared's most recent Met Gala appearance was in 2019, when he also wore a doppelganger-themed outfit.

That year, he arrive din a red jeweled gown, but the most striking part of his look was a replica of his own head, which he carried along with him.

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.'

On point: He and Alessandro completed their edgy ensembles by donning matching black sunglasses and wearing jeweled barrette's to hold their hair back.

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.

Sensing a pattern: Jared's most recent Met Gala appearance was in 2019, when he also wore a doppelganger-themed outfit. That year, he arrive din a red jeweled gown, but the most striking part of his look was a replica of his own head, which he carried along with him

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.
Lisa Curry has lived with unimaginable grief since the death of her 33-year-old daughter Jaimi in September 2020.

And the 59-year-old Olympian revealed on Tuesday that fellow champion swimmer Dawn Fraser recently told her to 'move on' from the tragedy.

She told Jonesy & Amanda on Tuesday that Dawn, a former independent politician, had meant well when she gave the advice.

Advice: Lisa Curry (right) said on Tuesday that fellow champion swimmer Dawn Fraser had told her recently to 'move on' from the death of her 33-year-old daughter Jaimi (left)

Lisa revealed her friend's advice after telling radio hosts Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones and Amanda Keller that she no longer wanted to 'dwell on everything that's sad' because it's 'not what Jaimi would have wanted'.

She also confessed it was heartbreaking to see her ex-husband Grant Kenny - Jaimi's father - looking 'sad all the time'.

'You've got to, at some point [move on]... you know, I bumped into Dawn Fraser the other morning, and she said, "Lisa, you've just got to move on. You've just got to move on,"' she said.

Lisa's tone suggested Dawn was simply trying to be kind, and revealed she'd told her in response: 'I know, I know. It's just hard to do.'

Advice: Lisa, 59, told Jonesy & Amanda that Dawn, a former independent politician, had meant well when she gave the advice. (Pictured: Dawn Fraser in Sydney on April 30, 2022)

Jonesy remarked: 'That's a simplistic approach.

'I think a lot of people say "move on", but there's nothing wrong with grieving, living in the moment. You will get past this, because you're a strong woman.'

Through tears, Lisa replied: 'It's... it's one day after another. There's not one minute of the day when I don't think of our daughter.'

Lisa went on to say she was happy to be turning 60 soon, and was going to celebrate with a 'birth year, rather than a birthday'.

Loss: Jaimi (right) died at Sunshine Coast University Hospital on September 14, 2020, surrounded by her family, including her Olympian mother and Ironman father Grant Kenny

Jaimi died at Sunshine Coast University Hospital on September 14, 2020, surrounded by her family, including her Olympian mother and Ironman father.

She was receiving treatment for an eating disorder at the time of her death.

Lisa faced more heartache after she lost her mother, Pat, in April this year.

Loss: Lisa faced more heartache in April when her mother Pat died. (Jaimi and Pat are pictured)

Family: Lisa (left) married Grant Kenny (right) in 1984, before the pair separated in 2009. They welcomed three children together: son Jett, 28, and daughters Morgan, 31, and Jaimi (centre)

Lisa and Grant married in 1984, separated in 2009 and welcomed three children together: son Jett, 28, and daughters Morgan, 31, and Jaimi.

The retired competitive swimmer married Elvis impersonator Mark Tabone in 2018.

In need of support? Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Kid's Helpline on 1800 55 1800

Love story: The retired competitive swimmer married Elvis impersonator Mark Tabone in 2018
He's enjoying his breakout year as an actor following his Oscar-nominated performance in The Power of the Dog.

But Kodi Smit-McPhee suffered a fashion misstep at the 2022 Met Gala on Monday when he attended the glitzy red carpet event wearing a pair of red gloves.

The fashion accessories bore a striking resemblance to rubber washing-up gloves.

What was he thinking? Australian actor Kodi Smit-McPhee suffered a fashion misstep at the Met Gala on Monday when he attended the glitzy red carpet event wearing a pair of red gloves

The Adelaide-born actor, 25, wore a silver pinkie ring over one of the long red gloves.

He paired the head-turning accessories with a simple pair of blue jeans and a white dress shirt with a diamond-studded neck adornment.

Kodi's debut at the star-studded society gala comes just weeks after he narrowly missed out on winning his first-ever Oscar.

From bad to worse: The Adelaide-born actor wore a silver pinkie ring over one of the long red gloves, which bore a striking resemblance to rubber washing-up gloves

The X-Men: Dark Phoenix actor was tipped to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his acclaimed performance in The Power of the Dog.

However he was beaten on the night by CODA actor Troy Kotsur.

The Power of the Dog, which also stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons, is based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Thomas Savage.

It's set in 1920s Montana and centres around Peter (Smit-McPhee) who is tormented by Cumberbatch's conflicted cowboy Phil.

The look: He paired the head-turning accessories with a simple pair of blue jeans and a white dress shirt with a diamond-studded neck adornment

'I saw parallels with Peter in myself,' Kodi said of his role.

'In terms of how he carries himself, he might have different interests to the general population and growing up that can be kind of hard since you don't really fit into a box.'

The film was shot in New Zealand, with Kodi using the opportunity to move back to Melbourne for most of last year.

Kodi has been dating long-time girlfriend Rebecca Phillipou since before 2015.
DI Ray

Rating:

Rip-Off Britain

Rating:

Coppers aren't just getting younger every year. If Detective Inspector Rachita Ray is any example, they've become alarmingly thin-skinned, too.

The Midlands police officer, played by Parminder Nagra in DI Ray (ITV), goes out of her way to be offended by everyone and everything they say.

An elderly shopper mistakes her for one of the staff in a supermarket and politely asks where the eggs are. DI Ray bristles like a hedgehog with wind.

Then her superintendent makes the unforgivable faux pas of asking where her family comes from. If looks meant demotion, the Super would be a constable back on traffic duty by now.

Parminder Nagra plays Detective Inspector Rachita Ray in DI Ray

When she's promoted to the murder squad, she's convinced this is a veiled racist insult. 'I've been brought in to tick a box,' she fumes to her boyfriend, who makes the basic sexist error of proposing marriage and producing an engagement ring. What a dinosaur!

Her first investigation is into the fatal stabbing of a Muslim man who was dating a Hindu girl. The case is given top priority as a 'culturally specific homicide' and DI Ray takes this as a personal slight, too.

Sometimes, her colleagues don't say the wrong thing  and Inspector Woke gets huffy about that as well.

When Sergeant Tony Khatri (Maanuv Thiara) is assigned to her team as a family liaison officer, she asks him what languages he speaks. 'Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi,' he says, and fires the question back at her.

'GCSE Spanish,' she seethes. Poor old Sergeant Tony looks suitably chastised.

Unreconstructed old fossil that I am, I do wonder how  when she treats every bit of small talk as a 'micro-aggression'  she copes with the brickbats that are a copper's daily lot.

Sea siren of the night: Seamstress Amy, 22, on the sewing contest Stitch, Please! (BBC3), was taking a break from her full-time job . . . as a 'professional mermaid' at a holiday park. 'I can hold my breath for two minutes,' she said. Good thing, or she'd be a fish out of water. Advertisement

This four-part drama, continuing tonight, is written by actress Maya Sondhi, who played PC Maneet Bindra in Line Of Duty. The script is crammed with creaking slang  lots of 'innit bro' and 'it's tote mad'  that hampers the cast, even the usually excellent Gemma Whelan who plays DI Ray's boss.

And with hectoring set-pieces that are engineered to make a point about police attitudes to ethnic minorities, the whole show has the air of a made-for-schools drama addressing social problems.

Angela Rippon, Julia Somerville and Gloria Hunniford proved a far better investigative team, as their morning series Rip-Off Britain (BBC1) returned.

The ladies, all in their 70s (and Gloria, remarkably, a shade older than that), look like the first choices to star as crusading Miss Marples, in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Richard Osman's mega-seller The Thursday Murder Club.

Though the crimes they uncover stop short of murder, the trio highlighted some worrying stories.

Matt Ladkin was besieged by scammers after a pension provider accidentally leaked his personal data online  including his address, date of birth and national insurance number.

Criminals set up a bank account in his name and took out a 9,000 loan, as well as setting up numerous phone contracts  with all the bills going to Matt. He spent weeks trying to shut the accounts down. 'It was like putting out fires everywhere,' he said.

Tech expert David McClelland chipped in with some tips for staying safe online.

This is the sort of show where a cheesy disco soundtrack plays as the advice is reeled off.

At least you can snap your fingers and tap your foot as the fraudsters circle.
Carrie Bickmore is now broadcasting her radio show from London after moving overseas with her family.

And the popular presenter, 41, ditched the glamour as she hosted Hit Network's Carrie & Tommy Show this week.

The mother-of-three was fresh-faced, wore a red hoodie and threw her trademark blonde tresses up in a bun for her work day.

Radio star: Carrie Bickmore, 41, went makeup-free and broadcasted from London on Monday -after revealing she's 'settling into the UK' after leaving The Project for a family adventure

A Hit Network microphone was placed on a desk in front of her and a sound mixer was behind the TV and radio star.

It comes after Carrie said her family are 'settling into the UK' after their big move overseas together.

Carrie stepped away as star presenter of The Project for the trip.

On their way! In an Instagram post back in April, Carrie shared a picture of herself, partner Chris and their children loaded up at Melbourne airport, ready to fly out

In an Instagram post back in April, Carrie shared a picture of herself, partner Chris and their children loaded up at Melbourne airport, ready to fly out.

'Our adventure is well underway can't wait to share what we've been up to over the past few weeks travelling,' the caption began.

'We've packed it in [visiting France, Switzerland and Austria] (perhaps too many stops for our little people!) and we've seen the most incredible places,' Carrie continued.

Next steps: The long time Project presenter recently revealed she and her family are 'settling in to the UK now' - after a few stops along the way to the capital

'Settling in to the UK now,' she concluded, before dubbing the trip '#britmorefamilyadventure or the Chriswolds's family adventure as Chris calls it'.

Carrie first revealed her grand plans with partner Chris Walker and their kids in March.

'In April I'm going to be taking a few months off The Project desk. Chris and I and the kids are heading off on a family adventure together.'

'We've been wanting to do it for a while but for lots of reasons the timing hasn't been right, but we figure it's never going to be the perfect time to go.

Time away: Carrie first revealed her grand plans with partner Chris Walker and their kids in March. 'In April I'm going to be taking a few months off The Project desk. Chris and I and the kids are heading off on a family adventure together' Carrie explained

'It's something we really want to do before my son starts his final years at school so we're doing term two in the UK. So I will be off for a couple of months.'

Carrie also said she had been inspired by The Project panellist Kate Langbroek, 56, who spent two years living in Bologna, Italy, with her family.

Meanwhile Waleed Aly and Lisa Wilkinson were noticeably absent from The Project in the wake of Carrie's move, but have since returned.
Married At First Sight star Olivia Frazer has set the record straight on longstanding rumours the Channel Nine reality show is scripted.

The teaching student, 28, said during an Instagram Q&A on Monday that while the show does sound 'scripted' at times, this isn't because the stars are being fed lines.

She revealed the dialogue occasionally sounds unnatural because the participants are told to rephrase sentences to make them clearer.

Scripted? Married At First Sight star Olivia Frazer (pictured) has set the record straight on longstanding rumours the Channel Nine reality show is scripted

For example, MAFS stars are frequently told to repeat a question a producer has asked them off camera before giving an answer.

'You have to repeat back the questions that producers ask you, which is why it sometimes sounds scripted,' Olivia explained.

She added that producers often 'poke and prod' during filming in order to get the contestants to say something, but there is never a physical 'script' on set.

Elsewhere in her wide-ranging Q&A, Olivia admitted she had regrets about the show.

Repetition: Olivia, 28, said on Monday that while the show does sound 'scripted' at times, this isn't because the stars are being fed lines. She revealed the dialogue occasionally sounds unnatural because the participants are told to rephrase sentences to make them clearer

Despite having found 'the love of [her] life' in boyfriend Jackson Lonie, she said she 'would not let my worst enemy go on Married At First Sight'.

Olivia cited an example of manipulative editing when she supposedly berated Jackson for going to the gym.

She said she wasn't upset at Jackson, but was instead worried the producers were going to use the scene as an excuse to bring up the fact she used to be overweight.

'That never happened. I was salty about filming in a gym because I thought they were trying to take the p**s out of me being a former fat girl,' she said.

'So that's why I had the s**ts while we were filming in the gym.'

Regrets: Despite having found 'the love of [her] life' in boyfriend Jackson Lonie (right), she said she 'would not let my worst enemy go on Married At First Sight'

It comes after Olivia shared a post on Instagram last Wednesday about putting bitterness aside and moving on with her life.

She posed with a cocktail in hand while enjoying an afternoon drink in a courtyard, and wrote: 'Cheers to getting better and not staying bitter.'

Olivia also shared a video on her Stories of herself and Jackson smiling at a harbourside venue overlooking the city.

Classy: Olivia, who was unfairly portrayed as the villain on this year's season of MAFS, shared a post on Instagram last week about putting bitterness aside

Survivor: She posed with a cocktail in hand while enjoying an afternoon drink in a courtyard, and wrote, 'Cheers to getting better and not staying bitter'

Confirming they are still together despite their sometimes rocky journey on MAFS, she captioned the clip: 'Happy honeys @jacklonie1.'

Olivia, from the Central Coast, was labelled public enemy No. 1 on this year's season of MAFS after her feud with rival bride Domenica Calarco.

Domenica was given a sympathetic edit after being outed as an OnlyFans model by Olivia, who in turn was portrayed as mean-spirited and vindictive.

Couple goals: Olivia also shared a video on her Stories of herself and boyfriend Jackson Lonie smiling at a harbourside venue overlooking the city. Confirming they are still together despite their sometimes rocky journey on MAFS, she captioned the clip: 'Happy honeys @jacklonie1'

However, sources have confirmed to Daily Mail Australia this did not tell the full story.

Last week, one of the show's participants broke ranks to reveal Domenica's behaviour during filming was just as bad as Olivia's.

Cody Bromley said the feud between the warring brides could 'easily' have been edited to make Domenica the villain, adding: 'There were no heroes or villains.'

Hung out to dry: Olivia, from the Central Coast, was labelled public enemy No. 1 on this year's season of MAFS after her feud with rival bride Domenica Calarco

'It's a shame. The edit could have gone either way with the whole Domenica and Olivia thing,' he said.

'[The edit] could have easily made Dom look like the villain and Liv look like the hero, but it didn't pan out like that.

'It's just a shame to see that there is that divide and a lot of people being nasty.'
She is set to reprise her role as Princess Diana in The Crown's upcoming fifth season.

And Elizabeth Debicki would have made the People's Princess proud with her stylish arrival at the Met Gala in New York City on Monday.

The Australian actress, who is taking over the role from Emma Corrin, oozed ethereal glamour in a lace cream gown plucked from Dior's latest haute couture collection.

Lovely in lace! The Crown's Elizabeth Debicki cut an ethereal figure on Monday as she arrived at the Met Gala in NYC wearing a cream lace gown from Dior's latest haute couture collection

Wearing her long blonde hair in a wavy half-up style, the 31-year-old completed her look with a gold headband and drop earrings.

Elizabeth opted for an understated makeup look comprising peach-hued blush, pink lipstick and newly bleached eyebrows.

Gigi and Bella Hadid also turned heads on the red carpet in skintight PVC and leather.

Angelic: The Australian actress, 31, opted for an understated makeup look comprising peach-hued blush, pink lipstick and newly bleached eyebrows

Meanwhile, Blake Lively brought the drama in a huge gown that transformed on the red carpet as she attended the glitzy gala with her husband Ryan Reynolds.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, is considered by many to be the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets'.

Tickets for the soiree 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 $16.4million for the Met's Costume Institute.

Stunning: Meanwhile, Blake Lively brought the drama in a huge gown that transformed on the red carpet as she attended the glitzy gala with her husband Ryan Reynolds

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'.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is once again supervising the benefit as chairwoman, a position she has held since 1995.

Her fellow honorary co-chairs are designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

Hell for leather! Gigi (left) and Bella Hadid (right) turned heads in skintight PVC and leather
Portia de Rossi just wants wife Ellen DeGeneres to be happy.

Appearing on Tuesday's edition of Ellen, de Rossi, 49, shared her hopes for her spouse, 64, as her long-running talk show wraps up later this month.

'Everyone is asking me what Im going to do next and giving me advice on what to do next and Ive never point-blank asked you what I should do next,' DeGeneres told her wife of 13 years.

The latest: Portia de Rossi, 49, says on Tuesday's edition of Ellen that she just wants wife Ellen DeGeneres, 64, to be happy as she prepares to end her show after 19 years

The Horsham, Australia-born actress, who's been seen on shows including Arrested Development, Scandal and Nip/Tuck, said she hopes her wife will 'do something that makes [her] really happy.'

De Rossi added: 'I want to make sure that you continue being a teacher because thats really what youve been for everybody and I just feel like, more than ever, we need love and light and laughter.

'So I hope that you continue to do something like that, like stand-up for example ... I dont really have an opinion, but stand-up would be good.'

De Rossi said of the show's upcoming conclusion after 19 years: 'I cant believe its nearly over, its just crazy, its been such a huge part of our lives.'

The Horsham, Australia-born actress, who's been seen on shows including Arrested Development, Scandal and Nip/Tuck, said she hopes her wife will 'do something that makes [her] really happy'

In the episode, DeGeneres reminisced about how the couple's relationship has spanned the course of the series, as they began dating in 2004

DeGeneres told de Rossi, 'You came into my life on the second season of this show, weve been together for 17 years. So with the show ending, you know, its actually a big thing for both of us ... because you watched me go through everything with the show'

In the episode, DeGeneres reminisced about how the couple's relationship has spanned the course of the series, as they began dating in 2004.

'You came into my life on the second season of this show, weve been together for 17 years,' Ellen said. 'So with the show ending, you know, its actually a big thing for both of us ... because you watched me go through everything with the show, but I learned today, which I didnt know, theres a story of [you] watching me the first show the first season.'

De Rossi recalled how she nervously watched the first Ellen show as a closeted actress at the time.

'Ellen was kind of like the litmus test for young actors in Hollywood because we just, her success meant so much to us, it kind of meant, "Can I be authentic and honest and still be able to pay the rent?" I remember watching the first episode of the show standing the entire time and I remember, I was alone, I remember saying out loud to the TV, "She did it."

'Because you could just feel the magic - oh my gosh Im emotional already - you could feel the magic of the show, and I just knew that it was going to be around for as long as you wanted it to be.'

DeGeneres recalled a story about how de Rossi's grandmother changed her views on same sex relationships once they became a couple.

'I think whats amazing too, is that since weve been together, many things have changed - you came out by just being with me, that was your outing,' she said. 'Your story of telling your grandmother that you were with me is a beautiful story.'

De Rossi recalled how she nervously watched the first Ellen show as a closeted actress at the time

DeGeneres recalled a story about how de Rossi's grandmother changed her views on same sex relationships once they became a couple

The talk show host and actress exchanged vows in August of 2008

De Rossi said that her grandmother was a huge fan of DeGeneres on her sitcom Ellen 'until the episode where she came out.'

'The minute Ellen came out she refused to watch the show; in fact, if a commercial for the show came on she would change the channel and say, "That disgusting woman" - so that didnt bode well for me,' de Rossi said.

She said that she moved to Los Angeles and started her career in show business, eventually returning to Australia on a visit where her grandmother asked her if she was 'seeing anyone special.

'At this point, my mom was supposed to have told gram that I was with Ellen,' de Rossi said of her grandmother, who was '99 at this point.'

De Rossi said she reminded her grandmother that she knew that she lived with DeGeneres, and her grandmother responded, 'Yes, and all this time I was worried that that lesbian was hitting on my granddaughter.'

De Rossi said that her grandmother put her head in her hands and remained silent for a long period until she looked at her and told her, 'I love you just the same.'

Said DeGeneres: 'That was a beautiful thing, for someone at that age to have such strong feelings and then she just thought about it, "I love you just the same" ... [de Rossi's] mother had been taking care of her but it got to the point where she couldnt take care of her anymore, so we put her in the best home care that we could provide for her ... and she died at 103 with our wedding picture next to her bed.'

Ellen's final show is slated to air May 26.
Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney pulled off a dramatic reveal while attending her first-ever Costume Institute benefit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan on Monday.

The 24-year-old SAG Award nominee arrived to 'gilded glamour'-themed event with helpers carrying the voluminous train on her custom Tory Burch ball gown.

It was a big 'princess' moment for Sydney, whose inspiration was 'grunge meets glamour.'

Before/after: Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney pulled off a dramatic reveal while attending her first-ever Costume Institute benefit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan on Monday

After ascending the Met Gala's famed staircase, Sweeney suddenly took the skirt off her peplum corseted creation.

Once off, the Spokane-born, LA-raised stunner was free to showcase her muscular legs wearing silver Aquazurra stilettos selected by stylist Molly Dickson.

You'd never know that Sydney - who boasts 13.5M Instagram/Twitter followers - confessed to feeling 'so nervous and excited' before the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets.'

Hairstylist Bobby Elliot coiffed Sweeney's middle-parted bedhead and make-up artist Melissa Hernandez applied dark liner around her blue eyes, using products from Armani Beauty.

Speaking about the inspiration behind Sydney's makeup look for the evening, Melissa explained that she wanted to create a clear contrast with the dress in order to finish with an overall 'effortless and cool' feel.

'To contrast the elegant structure and glitter tulle overlay of Sydneys Tory Burch gown, we went with hazy, lived-in smokey eyes and a muted matte sheer lip,' she said. 'I wanted the overall look to feel effortless and cool, yet fierce and unexpected.'

Diva! The 24-year-old SAG Award nominee arrived to 'gilded glamour'-themed event with helpers carrying the voluminous train on her custom Tory Burch ball gown

Side view of the train: It was a big 'princess' moment for Sydney, whose inspiration was 'grunge meets glamour'

Ready? After ascending the Met Gala's famed staircase, Sweeney suddenly removed the skirt off her peplum corseted creation

Hair flipping: Once off, the Spokane-born, LA-raised stunner was free to showcase her muscular legs wearing silver Aquazurra stilettos selected by stylist Molly Dickson

You'd never know that Sydney - who boasts 13.5M Instagram/Twitter followers - confessed to feeling 'so nervous and excited' before the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets'

Ready for her close-up! Hairstylist Bobby Elliot coiffed Sweeney's middle-parted bedhead and make-up artist Melissa Hernandez applied dark liner around her blue eyes

In order to achieve this, Melissa prepped Sydney's skin with products from Laneige - a brand for which the actress serves as a spokesperson - before applying makeup from Armani Beauty, including the brand's much-loved Luminous Silk Foundation and the Luminous Silk Glow Setting Powder to create a stunning radiance to the skin.

To enhance the eyes, Melissa used the Smooth Silk Eye Pencil for definition and the newly-launched Neo Nude Melting Color Balm on the lids.

For Sydney's hair, Bobby Elliot described his chosen style as 'gritty and tough, yet effortless, chic and timeless', something that he achieved with tools from GHD - including the Helios Professional Hair Dryer and the Curve Soft Curl Iron - and products from John Freida - including the Frizz Ease Original Serum, the Dream Curls Air Whipped Foam, and the Moisture Barrier Hairspray to lock the 'do into place.

After arriving at the Met Gala, the White Lotus star then dutifully posed with the 55-year-old designer and her fellow Met Gala muses Kerry Washington and Adwoa Aboah.

Part two to last year's exhibition In America: An Anthology of Fashion served as a reunion for Sydney and her Euphoria castmate Maude Apatow.

Sweeney plays Cassie Howard and Apatow plays her onscreen sister Lexi Howard in Sam Levinson's hit teen drama series, which HBO renewed for a third season in February.

On March 23, the Night Teeth actress wrapped her role as South Dakota waitress Penny Jo Poplin in Tony Tost's action crime drama National Anthem, which is now in post production.

Squad: The White Lotus star then dutifully posed with the 55-year-old designer (2-R) and her fellow Met Gala muses Kerry Washington (2-L) and Adwoa Aboah (R)

'My ride or die!' Part two to last year's exhibition In America: An Anthology of Fashion served as a reunion for Sydney and her Euphoria castmate Maude Apatow

Siblings: Sweeney plays Cassie Howard and Apatow plays her onscreen sister Lexi Howard in Sam Levinson's hit teen drama series, which HBO renewed for a third season in February

And last month, Sydney - who's trained in MMA - joined Dakota Johnson in a mystery role in S.J. Clarkson's MCU superhero movie Madame Web for Sony Pictures, according to Deadline.

Tickets for the glitzy event can reportedly cost up to $35K apiece, while prices for a table range from $200K to $300K, with last year's bash raking in a whopping $16.4M 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.

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.

Now in post production! On March 23, the Night Teeth actress wrapped her role as South Dakota waitress Penny Jo Poplin in Tony Tost's (M) action crime drama National Anthem
Emma Watkins shared a series of stunning photos from her wedding to musician Oliver Brian on Instagram on Monday.

The 32-year-old former Wiggles star gave fans a glimpse inside her romantic country nuptials by posting images from a shoot with Vogue Australia, which were taken by photographer Liz Sunshine.

'This was really all about family and having as many of our family there as possible and just being able to be together,' Emma told the publication.

The May 1 nuptials were held at a private estate near Warrnambool in Victoria, with around 80 guests in attendance.

Emma was ever the blushing bride as she walked down the aisle before cuddling up to her new groom.

She looked ethereal in a vintage-inspired peach tulle and sequin gown by Paolo Sebastian and said 'it fit perfectly' from the moment she tried it on.

'I'd been looking for something that wasn't too fluffy, that had a bit of ballet in it. I always wear button-up collared shirts and when 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.

'The dress is so much more simple than I thought I was going to choose. I'm quite eclectic and eccentric - I like colour. I was looking for something fun. When I saw the dress I thought, that is very me.'

She added: 'I would never have imagined it and that's why I like it so much.'

Emma paired her gown with a pair of Roger Vivier velvet ballet flats with buckles made of diamante crystals.

Other photos showed a vintage car full of young wedding guests, while the newlyweds happily mingled with loved ones at an outdoor reception.

In her Vogue interview, Emma said they chose the picturesque location because it was close to where most of Oliver's family resides.

Just married: Emma Watkins shared a series of stunning photos from her wedding to musician Oliver Brian on Instagram on Monday

She said the property is over 100 years old, which worked perfectly for the wedding's Pride and Prejudice theme.

While the reception featured 'a sit-down lunch', Emma described it as 'very casual', and said she and Oliver, 34, decided to act as emcees themselves.

She also explained their decision to have a goat-painted wedding cake, adding: 'We love animals'.

Newlyweds: The 32-year-old former Wiggles star gave fans a glimpse inside her romantic country wedding, sharing photos from Vogue Australia

Emma said the couple's pet goats, Strawberries and Cream, were unable to attend, so they thought the cake 'would be a nice token of our own family farm'.

Other photos showed the happy couple walking through the countryside hand-in-hand, with Emma revealing she did her own hair and makeup.

'In my profession, you don't have a choice but to do it yourself, as any kind of dancer or performer in a show,' she told Vogue Australia.

'This was really all about family and having as many of our family there as possible and just being able to be together,' Emma told the publication

'I think being here and being so remote, I wanted to be on my own and to have that time by myself to get ready.

'It felt more casual for it to be just me. I made my headpiece on the morning of. I had silk flowers with me in the room and I was cutting them and putting them into my hair, and pinning them...

'I really wanted to do as much for my outfit myself and to have it as if I was getting ready for a show. It was very me. I was putting them in at the last minute.'

Put a ring on it: They announced their engagement in April last year, with Emma sharing a photo of herself and Oliver showing off her engagement ring, and captioning it: '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.

They announced their engagement in April last year, with Emma sharing a photo of herself and Oliver showing off her engagement ring, and captioning it: 'When life gets more sparkly'.
Nova 919 Adelaide breakfast show host Ben Harvey has tied the knot with his long-time partner, Samantha Wallace.

The couple exchanged vows on Saturday in front of family and friends at Woodburn Homestead in Strathalbyn, South Australia.

The intimate ceremony featured Ben's brother James as Best Man and Sam's sister Catherine as Maid of Honour, with the couple's dog Finley making an appearance as ring bearer.

Congratulations! Nova 919 Adelaide breakfast show host Ben Harvey has tied the knot with his long-time partner Samantha Wallace

His Nova co-host Liam Stapleton cheekily played the role of 'Better Man', a role that did not allow him to make a speech or take on any important responsibilities.

The couple have been together for over seven years after meeting at a nightclub in Adelaide and got engaged in 2020.

'Went snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and that night I told her I organised a dinner. We went out the door and across the hall to her mum and dad's room, and all the family was in there... I did it in front of her family,' he explained at the time.

Gorgeous: The couple exchanged vows on Saturday in front of family and friends at Woodburn Homestead in Strathalbyn, South Australia

'It was pretty intimidating... The lights were all off, so when someone turned them on they were all there and she didn't know what was going on and started freaking out.'

Ben then detailed getting down on one knee and not knowing what to say.

'I didn't plan what I was going to say. Like, I might say a few words about spending the rest of my life with you... she was freaking out, like 'what's going on?', 'what are you doing?',' he said.

That's different! His Nova co-host Liam Stapleton (left) cheekily played the role of 'Better Man', a role that did not allow him to make a speech or take on any important responsibilities

'Before I even got the ring out she said 'yes' and I got it out and shoved it on her finger.'

The funnyman added he hired a private chef to make the couple Japanese food in the hotel room after because 'that's her favourite'.

'We've been dating for five and a half years, so it was about time,' he said.

Bliss: The radio host popped the question while on holiday with Sam's family in Port Douglas, Queensland, on December 29, 2020

'She wanted to be proposed to in Japan but because of COVID that wasn't going to happen.

'I also got her sunflowers, because thats her favourite flower and I was playing Jack Johnson's Better Together.'
He may not have got an invite to the 2022 Met Gala in New York City.

But that didn't stop Tim Robards from striking up his best model pose on Tuesday, as he enjoyed a holiday with wife Anna Heinrich and their daughter Elle, one, in Fiji.

In a post shared to Instagram, The Bachelor hunk, 39, flashed his thigh while posing in a white bath robe from a hotel resort.

Working it: He may not have got an invite to the 2022 Met Gala in New York City, but that didn't stop Tim Robards (pictured) from striking up his best model pose on Tuesday

Tim offered a smouldering look in the cringeworthy photo, while pointing his left foot - adorned in a white slipper - to the camera.

'MET GALA 2022' he jokingly captioned the photo.

In another image, Tim showed off his little girl Elle walking through the resort, while a third photo showed him and his gorgeous wife posing in their robes.

Another image showed Anna beaming while their little girl splashed around in the swimming pool.

Perfect match: The former Bachelor star shared photos from his holiday with wife Anna Heinrich (left) and their daughter Elle, one, in Fiji

Making a splash: Another image showed Anna beaming while their little girl splashed around in the swimming pool

The family holiday comes after Tim and Anna listed their Rose Bay unit for sale.

The Bachelor and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! stars have set a price guide of $2.8million for the three-bedder, according to realestate.com.au.

It was previously listed last November at a price guide of $3.45million.

Selling out: The family holiday comes after Tim and Anna listed their Rose Bay unit for sale

The boutique apartment is located on a block of six, just moments from the Rose Bay Wharf and eateries.

It features open-plan kitchen and dining, which leads out to a balcony.

The marble kitchen has luxurious appliances including a Smeg gas cooktop and an integrated fridge/freezer.

Must be sold: The Bachelor and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! stars have set a price guide of $2.8million for the three-bedder, according to realestate.com.au

The property also has timber floors in the living spaces and high quality carpet in the three bedrooms.

Agent Gavin Rubenstein told the website the couple 'need a house' after last year expressing a desire to expand their family.

The latest property move for the couple comes after they recently put their third and final investment property in Queensland on the market.

Location location: The boutique apartment is located on a block of six, just moments from the Rose Bay Wharf and eateries

Tim and Anna last month listed their townhouse in Brisbane's Aspley, reported realestate.com.au last month.

The four-bedroom, two-storey house has been advertised as 'an unmissable buying, downsizing or investment opportunity'.

It features a fully fenced courtyard and garage, and was purchased by Tim, 39, for $452,500 back in February 2016.

That same year, he bought two other properties in Brisbane suburbs Richlands and Murarrie, both of which have since been sold.

Finishings: The property also has timber floors in the living spaces and high quality carpet in the three bedrooms

Tim and Anna, 35, sold their three-bedroom townhouse in Murarrie for $730,000 in November last year.

A month later, they sold their four-bedroom townhouse in Richlands for $450,000, making the Aspley townhouse their last Brisbane property.

The couple, who share one-year-old daughter Elle, have made Sydney their permanent base in recent years.

They met on the set of the 2013 season of The Bachelor.
Just over a month after winning her first Oscar for West Side Story, Ariana DeBose continued the celebration at the 2022 Met Gala.

The 31-year-old actress, who won for portraying Anita in director Steven Spielberg's musical remake, paid homage to her historic win, the first openly gay women of color to win an acting Oscar.

She was joined by the designer of her dress, Moschino's creative director Jeremy Scott, who rocked a twinning look alongside the actress.

Oscar gold: Just over a month after winning her first Oscar for West Side Story, Ariana DeBose continued the celebration at the 2022 Met Gala

DeBose stepped out with a shimmering strapless Moschino gown with gold accents that wrapped over her shoulders.

She also wore black gloves that came up to her biceps with matching gold accents along with black studded earrings.

The gold accents trailed down her legs as the black gown feathered behind her while posing with Scott, in a matching black and gold tux with similar gold accents.

Ariana and Jeremy: The gold accents trailed down her legs as the black gown feathered behind her while posing with Scott, in a matching black and gold tux with similar gold accents

She opened up about the gown on the red carpet in an interview with Extra, revealing that Scott, 'gave me gilded glamour,' referring to this year's Gala theme.

'It celebrates the fact I won an Oscar and also it's very me and very Moschino. I feel clad in iconography,' she added.

When asked where she keeps her Oscar, the actress revealed she, 'just got back to New York yesterday, and I'm about to leave, so I haven't actually chosen a spot for said Oscar or any of the beautiful statues that has been my privilege to hold.'

Theme: She opened up about the gown on the red carpet in an interview with Extra, revealing that Scott, 'gave me gilded glamour,' referring to this year's Gala theme

She also expressed her excitement to reunite with one of this year's Met Gala chairs, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

'Yes, we were texting yesterday, actually. I was like, "I sincerely hope I get to hug you,"' she said of Miranda, who she worked with as an ensemble member of Hamilton.

After her historic win, she has a busy next few years ahead of her with a number of film projects in the works.

Busy: After her historic win, she has a busy next few years ahead of her with a number of film projects in the works

She'll next be seen in director Matthew Vaughn's action-thriller Argylle, starring with Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Samuel L. Jackson and John Cena.

DeBose also has I.S.S. in post-production, starring alongside Pilou Asbaek, Chris Messina and John Gallagher Jr.

The actress will also join the superhero realm, signing on to play Calypso in the Sony/Marvel movie Kraven the Hunter.
Naomi Campbell dazzled in a black and silver Burberry gown as she attended the star-studded Met Gala 2022 in New York on Monday night.

The supermodel, 51, looked effortlessly elegant in the floor-length number which was covered in glitzy detailing and featured a statement beaded collar.

Naomi nailed the 'gilded glamour' theme by adding matching face gems to her look that were arranged in a pretty pattern.

Wow: Naomi Campbell dazzled in a black and silver Burberry gown as she attended the star-studded Met Gala 2022 on Monday night

Her dress swept over her toned frame and was cinched in at the middle and featured in built gloves that perfectly matched her gloves.

The beauty accessorised with dangly earrings and a huge diamond ring as she posed up a storm.

Naomi wore her long dark tresses in a sleek straight style and opted for a dramatic makeup look to compliment her face gems.

Star: The supermodel, 51, looked effortlessly elegant in the floor-length number which was covered in glitzy detailing and featured a statement beaded collar

The look: Naomi nailed the 'gilded glamour' theme by adding matching face gems to her look that were arranged in a pretty pattern

Glowing: Naomi wore her long dark tresses in a sleek straight style and opted for a dramatic makeup look to compliment her face gems

Wow: She looked stunning as she posed for Burberry's official shots

Glowing: Her makeup was perfected before she put her face gems on

All eyes on her: She dazzled in her dress in the Burberry shots

Beautiful: She looked every inch the supermodel as she posed up a storm

Naomi's make-up artist Adam Wolfgang also ensured that he created a stunning base for the dazzling face gems to be applied to, using products from Pat McGrath Labs to ensure that the supermodel's complexion had a radiant glow all night long.

He began by prepping the skin with the newly-launched Divine Skin: Rose 001 The Essence - Pat McGrath Labs' first-ever skincare product - before following up with the Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Primer, Foundation, and Concealer.

To create Naomi's smoky eye, Adam used shades from the Mothership I: Subliminal Palette, before further accentuating the eyes with the Pat McGrath Labs x Bridgerton Legendary Wear Velvet Kohl Eyeliner.

Finally, layers of the FetishEYES Mascara were applied to her lashes.

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 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.'

Outfit: Her dress swept over her toned frame and was cinched in at the middle and featured in built gloves that perfectly matched her gloves

Confident: The beauty accessorised with dangly earrings and a huge diamond ring as she posed up a storm

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 time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour once again supervised 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.

Exciting: 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'

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.

Bolton said eight directors created what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

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.

Charity: 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

Fashion: Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda hosted this time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka

Gala: 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

Designs: More than half the pieces in the opening exhibition will be rotated out and garments from designers not yet featured will go on display

Incredible: Naomi looked stunning in the dress which had a floor-length design

Jewels: Naomi really went for it with the 'gilded glamour' look with the face gems

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.

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.

Important: 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'

Fun: 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'

Posing up a storm: She put on a confident display on the red carpet

Radiant look: Naomi showed off her smooth complexion and dazzled with the intricate face gems

Happy: She looked in great spirits as she posed for the cameras and clapped

Work it: She put on a glamorous display in the black and silver dress

Stars: Similar to the September event, there were 400 guests this year, lower than the pre-pandemic highs of 500-600 attendees

Cause: The Met Gala is a huge money-maker for the museum, and provides the Costume Institute with its main source of funding

Good: 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

Big names: Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour once again supervised the benefit as chairwoman, a position she's held since 1995
Hailey Bieber ensured all eyes would be on her as she flashed the flesh at a Met Gala afterparty in New York City on Monday.

The model, 25, had turned heads earlier in the night as she arrived at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a custom Yves Saint Laurent white gown with a feather trim coat.

It comes after Hailey revealed she thought she was suffering a 'full blown stroke' during her recent health scare.

Stunning: Hailey Bieber ensured all eyes would be on her as she flashed the flesh at a Met Gala afterparty held at Zero Bond in New York City on Monday... after her recent health scare

Yet she moved away from the Gilded Glamour theme for an afterparty held at Zero Bond as she slipped into a pair of tiny leather hotpants and a barely-there bralet.

Hailey put her tanned and toned pins on full display in her miniscule shorts, while a pair of red strappy heels helped boost her model frame.

A tiny bejewelled bra also highlighted her assets, yet she protected her modesty by layering it beneath an oversized black blazer.

The wife of Justin Bieber - who attended the soiree without her husband in tow - completed the look by slicking her blonde locks into a topknot and donning square shades.

Change of pace: She moved away from the Gilded Glamour theme for an afterparty as she slipped into a pair of tiny leather hotpants and a barely-there bralet

Ethereal: The model, 25, had turned heads earlier in the night as she arrived at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a custom Yves Saint Laurent white gown

Earlier in the evening, the beauty looked ethereal as she walked the red carpet in a Yves Saint Laurent gown.

The blonde bombshell added further glamour to the look with a pair of black tights and sparkling Tiffany jewels.

The beauty looked to be in good spirits, after recently undergoing a procedure to fix a hole in hear heart, following a 'mini-stroke.'

Hailey finalized her look with a pair of strappy black and crystal heels. As for glam, she kept things to a minimal, sporting a light bronze eyeshadow and pink lipstick.

It comes after Hailey revealed she thought she was suffering a 'full blown stroke' during her recent health scare.

Working it: Hailey put her tanned and toned pins on full display in her miniscule shorts, while a pair of red strappy heels helped boost her model frame

The model took to her YouTube channel to share details of her health scare in March, when she was informed by doctors that she'd suffered a blood clot on her brain.

She recalled: 'We were in the middle of talking and all of a sudden, I felt this really weird sensation that kind of like, travelled down my arm from my shoulder all the way down to my fingertips, and it made my fingertips feel really numb and weird.'

Hailey initially tried to move her fingers to understand what was wrong. But when she tried to respond to a question from her husband, Hailey wasn't able to.

She shared: 'Justin was like, 'Are you OK?' And I just didn't respond because I wasn't sure and then he asked me again, and when I went to respond, I couldn't speak.

'The right side of my face started drooping. I couldn't get a sentence out. Everything was coming out - not even jumbled - just like, couldn't get the words out.'

Chest a glimpse: A tiny bejewelled bra also highlighted her assets, yet she protected her modesty by layering it beneath an oversized black blazer

Hailey and Justin both concluded she'd suffered a stroke. However, they were subsequently told it was something else entirely.

The blonde beauty - whose symptoms were only temporary - explained: 'It's like having a ministroke.

'It definitely feels like having a stoke, except my body was able to resolve it pretty quickly and then I didn't have any more issues for the whole rest of the day and the whole rest of the time that I was in the hospital.'

Hailey explained that there were three contributing factors behind her health scare.

She said: 'One, was that I had just recently started birth control pills. Which, I should've never been on, because I am someone who suffered from migraines anyway, and I had just not talked to my doctor about this.'

Blonde bombshell: The wife of Justin Bieber - who attended the soiree without her husband in tow - completed the look by slicking her blonde locks into a topknot

Hailey cited having COVID as another reason, and she then claimed that going 'on a very long flight' was the third reason.

She added: 'I had flown to Paris and back in a very short amount of time. And I slept through the whole flight both ways, didn't get up and move around. Never thought about wearing compressions socks.

'So, basically, all of the doctors came to the conclusion that it was the perfect storm that led to me having a small blood clot.'

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 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 time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

Turning heads: Hailey had all eyes on her as she made a glamorous departure from the bash

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour once again supervised 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.

Bolton said eight directors created what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

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.

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.

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.
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She walked the Met Gala 2022 red carpet in a stunning bejewelled Atelier Versace dress, and Lily James wowed in a second incredible look for the after-party.

The British actress, 32, made her entrance at New York City's Standard Hotel in a daring purple mini dress from Versace.

Lily ditched her underwear for the racy mini, which featured safety-pin fastenings, mirroring Elizabeth Hurley's iconic 1994 dress.

Wow! Lily James wowed in a second incredible Versace look for the Met Gala 2022 after-party on Monday, making her entrance at New York City's Standard Hotel in a daring purple mini dress

Lily showed off her incredible figure in the barely-there mini, flashing her long legs as she strutted into the party after a night of wowing at the Met.

She added a pair of gold link heels and a matching Versace bag, while finishing her look with hooped earrings and a sleek up do.

The beauty beamed as she walked hand in hand with her Queens of the Stone Age rocker boyfriend Michael Shuman, who she went Instagram official with in February.

Gorgeous: Lily ditched her underwear for the racy mini, which featured safety-pin fastenings

Another winning look: Earlier on Monday the Pam and Tommy actress exuded Grecian glamour in a sparkling bejewelled Atelier Versace dress (right)

The couple were first linked last year after they were spotted sharing a kiss outside a boutique hotel. The American star was said to be staying at the hotel where Lily was quarantining with cast and crew for the film What's Love Got To Do With It?.

Earlier on Monday the Pam and Tommy actress exuded Grecian glamour in a sparkling bejewelled Atelier Versace 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.

VIP: She happily greeted fans while strutting in her gold chain heels over the cobblestones

Copy cat: Lily's purple mini gave a nod to Elizabeth Hurley's iconic 1994 Versace dress with its safety pin detailing

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 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.'

Making an entrance: Lily showed off her incredible figure in the barely-there dress, flashing her long legs as she strutted into the party

Date: The beauty beamed as she walked hand in hand with her Queens of the Stone Age rocker boyfriend Michael Shuman, who she went Instagram official with in February

Time to party: 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.'

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 time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour once again supervised 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.

Putting on show: Lily chose Versace for both looks on Monday night, earlier wowing the red carpet with a semi-sheer number featuring an asymmetric neckline and teasing a glimpse of the star's incredible frame
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Cara Delevingne appeared to be very worse for wear on Monday night as pictures show the model being held up by Vanessa Hudgens and Megan Thee Stallion while leaving the raucous Met Gala afterparty in New York.

The 29-year-old, who went topless earlier in the evening at the iconic event, had been one of the revellers at the Casa Cipriani bash, with the celebrations seeming to have taken their toll on the bleary-eyed star.

On her very animated departure, she was supported by actress Vanessa, 33, and rapper Megan, 27, who appeared to be calming her down.

Bleary-eyed: Cara Delevingne appeared VERY worse for wear as she was held up by Vanessa Hudgens and Megan Thee Stallion while leaving raucous Met Gala afterparty - after going topless at iconic event

One image showed an uptight Cara clinging onto Megan's hand as she called it a night on the fun, with the Diamonds singer keeping a close eye on her as they navigated their way out of the venue.

A concerned Vanessa was also pictured placing an arm across Cara, in what appeared to be a bid to help her pal avoid any drama.

Megan and Vanessa remained firmly by a distressed Cara's side as the raucousness made its way outside.

Oh dear: On her very animated departure, Cara was supported by actress Vanessa, 33, and rapper Megan, 27 (pictured behind her), who appeared to be calming her down

Friends: A concerned Vanessa was also pictured placing an arm across Cara, in what appeared to be a bid to help her pal avoid any drama

End of the night: Cara was pictured with a camera slung over her frame

There for her: Megan and Vanessa remained firmly by a distressed Cara's side

Leaving: One image showed an uptight Cara clinging onto Megan's hand as she called it a night on the fun, with the Diamonds singer keeping a close eye on her as they navigated their way out of the venue

Stars: Vanessa donned a Moschino jacket after stunning in a sheer gown earlier in the evening

After daring to bare at the annual Met Gala it was a surprisingly subdued Cara who attended its subsequent after-party on Monday evening.

The British model and actress had stormed the red carpet at the star-studded event, where she stripped off her Christian Dior jacket to unveil her gold painted body while posing outside of the The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

But Cara appeared to be feeling the chill as she made her way into the late night after-party at New York City nightspot Zero Gravity wearing a mid-length winter coat.

Here she comes: After daring to bare at the annual Met Gala it was a surprisingly subdued Cara who attended its subsequent after-party on Monday evening

Covered up: Cara appeared to be feeling the chill as she made her way into a late night after-party at New York City nightspot Zero Gravity wearing a mid-length winter coat

With the striking gold facade scrubbed clean, Cara opted for a sequined silver minidress in place of the androgynous red trouser-suit she wore earlier that evening.

She added to the look with a pair of scuffed black boots, while bold make-up - the only lasting remnant of her red carpet look - drew further attention to her already recognisable features.

Despite the shocking nature of her earlier look, Cara oozed confidence and even stuck her tongue out at photographers after going topless on the red carpet.

Looking good: Cara opted for a sequined silver minidress in place of the androgynous red trouser-suit she wore earlier that evening

Golden girl: She was painted gold all the way down to her feet as she attended the Met Gala

Big reveal: Cara arrived to the gala in a red double-breasted jacket that she would later strip off

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

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.

She did decide to leave her lower half under wraps by rocking a pair of silky high-waisted red trousers that matched her jacket.

Cara kept the jacket in one hand while yielding a black cane with a gold handle in the other.

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

Her bright blonde hair was parted to one side and styled in glamorous, loose waves that flowed down her back and chest. Some of it was tucked behind her ear to show off her interesting earrings.

She stomped around the spacious venue in a pair of gorgeous red platform heels.

As for makeup, Cara had hoards of rhinestones glued to her eyes in a cateye shape with shimmery shadow swiped across her brown bone.

Her lips were doused in milky pink lip gloss and her pale complexion was given a youthful flush with pink blusher.

Met Gala veteran: Cara has walked the Met Gala red carpet since her debut in 2011 and has always pulled out all the stops

Star-studded: 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'

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 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.

Bedazzled: As for makeup, Cara had hoards of rhinestones glued to her eyes in a cateye shape with shimmery shadow swiped across her brown bone

Flushed: Her lips were doused in milky pink lip gloss and her pale complexion was given a youthful flush with pink blusher

Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda hosted the occasion, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

It was Miranda's first time as a Met Gala co-chair, but he was originally intended to co-host the 2020 edition before the pandemic forced its cancellation.

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 came 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.

Preview: She first teased her Met Gala look as she was captured leaving her hotel in New York City ahead of the event

Underwraps: Cara had her cane in hand and kept her golden chest totally hidden beneath her jacket. Only her painted hands and the tops of her feet were visible
Jessie Buckley opted for a bizarre ensemble on Monday while attending the Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The actress, 32, poked fun at gender stereotypes as she donned a pinstriped suit by Elsa Schiaparelli, which she teamed with a drawn-on moustache.

The Irish star - who was styled by Rose Forde - oozed confidence in the matching blazer, trouser and tie outfit as she made a bold fashion statement.

Bold: Jessie Buckley opted for a bizarre ensemble on Monday while attending the Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jessie, who had dyed her locks bright blonde for the event, sported a large black fedora which covered her short tresses.

The Chernobyl star wore black slip-on shoes and stood out from the crowd with her drawn-on black moustache.

Jessie also caught up with pals Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan after her striking appearance on the red carpet.

Bizarre: The actress, 32, poked fun at gender stereotype's as she donned a pin-striped suit and a fake moustache at the A-list bash

Standing out: Jessie, who had dyed her locks a bright brash blonde for the event, sported a large black fedora which covered her short tresses

Out there: The Irish star - who was styled by Rose Forde - oozed confidence in the matching blazer, trouser and tie outfit as she made a bold fashion statement

Quirky: The Chernobyl star wore black slip-on shoes and stood out from the crowd with her drawn on black moustache

She recently won Best Actress in a Musical at the Oliver Awards for her turn as Sally Bowles in the West End Musical Cabaret.

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.'

The theme was inspired by an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which traces the evolution of American fashion.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, is considered by many to be 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, though last year's event moved to September due to the pandemic.

Changing it up: Jessie looked drastically different at the event from her usual glamorous style (pictured at the Oscars 2022)

Looking good: She caught up with pals Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan after her striking appearance on the red carpet

Tickets for the glitzy event 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.

It marked Miranda's first time as a Met Gala co-chair (and guest), after he was originally intended to co-host the 2020 edition before the pandemic forced its cancellation.

Glamorous: This year's dress code is 'gilded glamor' to match the theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' a continuation of last year's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour once again supervised 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 came 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 showcases 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.
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They spent the evening dressed in their finery and maintaining their poise as they attended the annual Met Gala and followed the Gilded Glamour theme.

Yet the stars were quick to let loose as they stepped off the red carpet and headed to various afterparties across the city later in the evening.

While they may have been on their best behaviour inside the benefit - where tickets can cost up to $35,000 apiece - the likes of Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Cardi B were keen to let their hair down as they party hopped after the event,

Dancing on the tables, tucking into Popeyes burgers and checking if they made the best dressed list: Inside the Met Gala afterparties as the likes of Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Cardi B let loose

No doubt feeling the strain after a night walking the red carpet and famous long staircase in their towering heels, Kendall and Hailey were seen chilling out on the sofa after changing into their afterparty looks.

Despite looking ready to tear up the town, it seemed the ladies needed a quick rest before they hit the dancefloor, with Hailey also spotted scrolling through her phone - no doubt checking to see if her outfit earlier had earned her a spot on the various best dressed lists.

The model, 25, had turned heads earlier in the night as she arrived at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a custom Yves Saint Laurent white gown with a feather trim coat.

Yet she moved away from the Gilded Glamour theme for an afterparty held at Zero Bond as she slipped into a pair of tiny leather hotpants and a barely-there bralet.

Loving life: Across town Cardi B was hosting her own afterparty with Playboy at the Standard, and seemed to show no signs of fatigue as she was spotted dancing on the tables

Meanwhile, Kendall had made her Gala entrance in a stunning voluminous Prada gown boasting a billowing skirt adorned with ruffle accents, while she sported striking bleached eyebrows.

She had filled her brows back to their normal look for the afterparty, however, and swapped her ballgown for a sheer lace co-ord that fully exposed her pink lingerie and slender physique.

Across town Cardi B was hosting her own afterparty with Playboy at the Standard, and seemed to show no signs of fatigue as she was spotted dancing on the tables.

Chilling out: No doubt feeling the strain after a night walking the red carpet and famous long staircase in their towering heels, Kendall and Hailey were seen chilling out on the sofa after changing into their afterparty looks

Mixing things up: Kendall had made her Gala entrance in a stunning voluminous Prada gown boasting a billowing skirt yet later swapped her ballgown for a sheer lace co-ord that fully exposed her pink lingerie and slender physique

She made it! Hailey was spotted scrolling through her phone - no doubt checking to see if her outfit earlier had earned her a spot on the various best dressed lists

Before and after: Hailey had donned a custom Yves Saint Laurent white gown then later moved away from the Gilded Glamour theme for an afterparty as she slipped into a pair of tiny leather hotpants and a barely-there bralet for the afterparty

For the gala, the Bronx native, 29, had wowed in a figure-hugging gold Versace look adorned with coins and chains that showed off her curves.

She later changed things up and opted for a plunging black dress with gold embellishment on the bodice and a backless design that highlighted her many tattoos.

With a variety of afterparties being thrown across the city, everyone was pulling out the stops to ensure they could attract the best guests, with designer LaQuan Smith putting on a spread of burgers from Popeyes for his attendees to snack on.

Bleary-eyed: Cara Delevingne appeared equally worse for wear as she was held up by Vanessa Hudgens and Megan Thee Stallion while leaving the raucous Met Gala afterparty - after going topless at iconic event

No slowing down! Across town Cardi B was hosting her own afterparty with Playboy at the Standard, and seemed to show no signs of fatigue as she was spotted dancing on the tables

Ready to party: Cardi ensured she had everyone on their feet as she jumped around and danced on the tables

Party animal: She was keen to keep the festivities going long into the night as she partied up a storm

Jump to it: Cardi threw some of her best moves as she grabbed the microphone and whipped up the crowds

Wow: For the gala, the Bronx native, 29, had wowed in a figure-hugging gold Versace look adorned with coins and chains but later changed things up and opted for a plunging black dress with gold embellishment on the bodice

Throwing shapes: Cardi shared a clip of Normani letting loose inside her party

Striking looks: Normani had wowed in a velvet co-ord with a bubble skirt before changing into a puff sleeve jacket and satin leggings to attend Cardi B's afterparty

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 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.'

Making moves: Gemma Chan shared a snap alongside the likes of Emma Stone, HoYeon Jung Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas, Chloe Moretz and Cynthia Erivro as they headed to an afterparty on a coach

Fun times: Brooklyn Beckham seemed in high spirits as he enjoyed a glass of wine inside the afterparty with new wife Nicola Peltz, who had changed into a stunning mint green gown

Snap happy: The son of David and Victoria Beckham seemed to be having the time of his life as he posed for snaps with his pal

Handy husband: Nicola was delighted that her partner kept hold of her drink and accessories on the dance floor

Quick change: While Brooklyn opted to stay in his cream Valentino suit, Nicola changed out of her plunging hot pink gown and into a flowing mint green dress with striking cut out detailing

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 time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour once again supervised 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.

Yum: With a variety of afterparties being thrown across the city, everyone was pulling out the stops, with designer LaQuan Smith putting on a spread of burgers from Popeyes (pictured: Teyana Taylor)

Tuck in: After no doubt keeping things healthy in the lead up to the Gala, the likes of Brooks Nader and Haley Kalil seemed delighted to be able to tuck into some fast food

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.

Bolton said eight directors created what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

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.

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).

Party time! The likes of Bella Hadid, Blake Lively and Addison Rae looked phenomenal as they headed to various afterparties

Sequinned sirens: Lily James looked lovely in lilac while Sara Sampaio was gorgeous in gold as they hit the afterparties

Ready to go: Kourtney Kardashian and fiance Travis Barker were spotted heading to a Met Gala afterparty hand in hand

Beautiful in black: Winnie Harlow, Maisie Williams and Megan Thee Stallion opted for muted ensembles

Pretty in prints: Camila Cabello rocked a feathered mini dress and fur coat while Olivia Rodrigo looked sensational in a pink and red tweed dress with cut outs on the waist

Cute couple: - Kaia Gerber wowed in a feathered silver gown as she partied with boyfriend Austin Butler

Similar to the September event, there were 400 guests this year, lower than the pre-pandemic highs of 500-600 attendees.

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.

Sizzling: La La Anthony left little to the imagination in a see-through pale blue lace dress while Kacey Musgraves stunned in a green checkered co-ord and Laura Harrier dazzled in a glittering purple mini dress

Supermodel squad: Jasmine Tookes, Miranda Kerr, Sara Sampaio, and Lily Aldridge proved to be the ultimate supermodel squad as they posed up outside the after party venue before heading inside

Blue-tiful: Karlie Kloss, Erykah Badu and Joan Smalls opted for blue ensembles to hit the town in

Delightful duo: Alicia Keys wowed in silver sequinned gown as she attended a party with Swizz Beatz

Fearless fashion: Jared Leto rocked a black polkadot mesh top beneath a black satin blazer, Sebastian Stan opted for an oversized navy jacket and Gunna layered a black vest over a white button-down shirt with the sleeves cut off

Fun times: Ansel Elgort and his girlfriend Violetta Komyshan looked smitten as they headed to a party while Chloe Moretz headed out with her pal HoYeon Jung

Here come the girls! Billie Eilish donned bunny ears for the afterparty while Cara Delevingne slipped into a silver sequinned mini dress and Molly Sims opted for a sparkling trouser suit

Cute couple: Kieran Culkin and Claire Danes, who starred together in 2002's Igby Goes Down - were spotted at Cardi B's afterparty

Chic and cheerful: Janelle Monae wowed in a pair of rabbit ears and a sequinned mini dress while Dove Cameron also opted for all-black but paired a busty little black dress with a glittering jacket

Strutting their stuff: (L-R) Gemma Chan, Camila Mendes, Rosalia and Danai Gurira wowed in their afterparty looks
Kylie Gillies was turning heads on Tuesday.

The Morning Show host attended the Australian Ballet at the Sydney Opera House and chose an eye-catching outfit for the occasion.

The 54-year-old looked positively youthful in images shared to Instagram, in which she showed off her ensemble for the camera.

Wow: Kylie Gillies (pictured) was turning heads on Tuesday. The Morning Show host attended the Australian Ballet at the Sydney Opera House and chose an eye-catching outfit

Kylie opted for a black tulle skirt with sheer panels that offered glimpses at her trim pins, and also featured ruffled portions.

She paired it with a white, long-sleeved dress shirt, which she knotted at the midriff, while pulling up the sleeves.

The television star wore her hair freshly blow dried and opted for a glowing makeup palette with a nude lipstick.

Looking good: The 54-year-old looked positively youthful in images shared to Instagram, in which she showed off her ensemble for the camera

Pretty: Kylie opted for a black tulle skirt with sheer panels that offered glimpses at her trim pins, and also featured ruffled portions

Kylie went light on the accessories, but added a towering pair of black stiletto heels to the look.

She wrote in her caption: 'When the Australian Ballet calls upon you to host an event tulle is the only answer.

'Beautiful Mothers Day fundraiser for the company to stage Swan Lake in 2023 for their 60th anniversary.

So close: Kylie was ousted from Dancing with the Stars a few weeks shy of the finale

Last shot: She and her dance partner Aric Yegudkin (right) fell at the last hurdle

'Thanks @adene_cassidy and committee for trusting me. And I only mentioned Dancing With The Stars once. Okay, maybe twice.'

Kylie was ousted from Dancing with the Stars a few weeks shy of the finale.

She and her dance partner Aric Yegudkin fell at the last hurdle - the semi-final, as they faced a double elimination following their samba performance.
He's an Australian television personality known for hosting The Price Is Right from 1993 to 2005.

He is also known to Australian audiences for his role on several other game shows, including Cash Bonanza and Wheel of Fortune.

The Channel Seven star currently co-hosts The Morning Show alongside Kylie Gillies and The Chase Australia.

Guess who! This veteran TV presenter is unrecognisable in this adorable throwback photo - so can you tell who it is?

Of course, the person in the photograph is none other than Larry Emdur.

In the image, a young Larry is pictured smiling in a red T-shirt while posing for the camera.

'I want my freckles back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' he wrote alongside the image posted to Instagram on Tuesday.

Revealed: Of course, the person in the photograph is none other than Larry Emdur

The post comes after Larry and his wife Sylvie recently sold their $3million New York inspired apartment in Sydney's The Rocks after just a few weeks on the market.

According to a report in The Sunday Telegraph last month, the pair parted with the three-bedroom conversion prior to its auction.

Although no price has been revealed, the couple sold the property through their son, Jye Emdur, who is an agent on the sales executive team for Ray White TRG.

Role: The TV personality currently co-hosts The Morning Show alongside Kylie Gillies and also hosts The Chase Australia

Larry and Sylvie are expected to move to a new place in Darling Point.

The stunning Art Deco apartment has three bedrooms and a private lift entry.

Larry and Sylvie purchased the home in 2017 after selling their Dover Heights clifftop property for $11.5million.
Simone Ashley made her eye-catching debut at the star-studded Met Gala 2022 in New York City on Monday night.

The Bridgerton star - who stepped into the leading lady role of Kate Sharma for the second series of the hit Netflix show - dazzled in the Moschino ensemble on the red carpet.

The 27-year-old, who was styled by Rebecca Corbin-Murray, flashed her toned midriff in the gold sequin top and satin skirt, while sporting a dramatic matching coat with a trail detail.

Flawless: Simone Ashley made her eye-catching debut at the star-studded Met Gala 2022 in New York on Monday night

Simone elevated her height in a pair of black stiletto's, while accessorising with a diamond choker and earrings.

The actress looked glamorous at the A-list bash as she sported a cat-eye look, teamed with a nude lip.

Her long raven locks were slicked back in a ponytail as she posed up a storm during her very first Met Gala.

Simone was later pictured with the creative director of Moschino Jeremy Scott, who made a bold fashion statement in a black and gold ensemble.

Incredible: She flashed her toned midriff in the gold sequin top and satin skirt, while sporting a dramatic matching coat with a trail detail

Exciting! In a recent interview, Simone revealed she 'is a Bridgerton girl now' and is set to return for series three

Wow! The Bridgerton star - who stepped into the leading lady role of Kate Sharma for the second series of the hit Netflix show - dazzled in the Moschino ensemble on the red carpet

Glowing: The actress looked glamorous at the A-list bash as she sported a cat-eye look with a nude lip

And Simone's co-star Nicola Coughlan channeled her Bridgerton character in a corset-style dress at the A-list event.

The Irish actress, 35, wowed in a pink and black puffy gown that mirrored the regency style from the hit Netflix show in which she stars as Penelope.

She also sported longer blonde locks for the event after normally rocking a choppy blonde bob.

Fashionista: Simone elevated her height in a pair of black heels, while accessorising with a diamond choker and earrings

Stunning: Her long raven locks were slicked back in a ponytail as she posed up a storm during her very first Met Gala

Beaming: The star flashed her dazzling white smile on the red carpet

The incredible dress featured pretty feather detailing and was adorned with gem stones to add a glamorous feel.

She showed off her ample assets in the bustier and accessorised with silver dangly earrings and statement rings and bracelets.

Nicola wore her newly-long light tresses in a sleek straight style and opted for a glamorous makeup look complete with a smoky eye.

Star-studded event: 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

Looking good: Simone was later pictured with the creative director of Moschino Jeremy Scott, who made a bold fashion statement in a black and gold ensemble

Pals: Ariana DeBose, Simone Ashley, and another guest posed up a storm at the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets.'

Wow! The Met Gala is a huge money-maker for the museum, and provides the Costume Institute with its main source of funding

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 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.

Wow: Nicola Coughlan channeled her Bridgerton style in a corset dress as she attended the star-studded Met Gala 2022 in New York on Monday night

Change: She also sported longer blonde locks for the event after normally rocking a choppy blonde bob (pictured with her bob right last month)

Stunning: The incredible dress featured pretty feather detailing and was adorned with gem stones to add a glamorous feel

Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda hosted this time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour once again supervised 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.

Bolton said eight directors created what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

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.

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).

Expensive: 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

Similar to the September event, there were 400 guests this year, lower than the pre-pandemic highs of 500-600 attendees.

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.
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Lila Moss, her mother Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell joined a host of other famous faces wearing the British designer Burberry to the Met Gala 2022 in New York on Monday.

The model, 19, sizzled in a sheer nude dress emblazoned with the brand name while her mother, 48, put on a leggy display in a classy black number with thigh-split.

Bella Hadid, 25, also donned the designer, putting on a very busty display in a leather corset and sheer tights, while edgy Irina Shayk wore a leather biker jacket and matching trousers.

Stars: Lila Moss, her mother Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Bella Hadid joined a host of other famous faces wearing the British designer Burberry to the Met Gala 2022 in New York on Monday (L-R: Lila, Kate, Bella and Naomi)

Lila made her debut at the Met Gala on Monday and looked jaw-dropping in the sheer beige Burberry gown that was emblazoned with letters and numbers and encrusted in diamonds.

Underneath she wore a figure-hugging nude bodysuit to preserve her modesty that left her toned legs on full display.

She completed the showstopper ensemble with glitzy chandelier earrings and elevated her height in a pair of nude heels.

Her blonde locks were swept back in an elegant up do, while she sported minimal makeup to let her youthful beauty shine through.

Here she is: The model, 19, sizzled in a sheer nude dress emblazoned with the brand name as she posed up a storm for official Burberry shots

Looking good: Her mother Kate, 48, put on a leggy display in a classy black number with thigh-split

Nude: Lila made her debut at the Met Gala on Monday and looked jaw-dropping in the sheer beige Burberry gown that was emblazoned with letters and numbers and encrusted in diamonds

Wow! Bella Hadid, 25, also donned the designer, putting on a very busty display in a leather corset and sheer tights

Incredible: Naomi dazzled in a black and silver Burberry gown as she attended the event and posed specially for Burberry

Star: The supermodel looked effortlessly elegant in the floor-length number which was covered in glitzy detailing and featured a statement beaded collar

Her mother looked equally stunning in a black tuxedo-inspired gown, which left one shoulder completely bare.

Kate's dress boasted a daringly high slit that showed off her long legs underneath and black high heels.

She toted her belongings in a black clutch and wore a simple diamond necklace and matching earrings.

Her blonde tresses were styled in soft waves and she finished off her look with a classic red lip.

The brand: Nicki Minaj and Riccardo Tisci also wore Burberry for the event and posed together in their black ensembles

Elsewhere continuing with the Burberry theme Bella flaunted substantial cleavage and cinched her already slim waist with a Burberry black corset wrapped with a black lace skirt and matching pantyhose.

The half-Palestinian, half-Dutch beauty wore her raven locks in a Grecian partial up do coiffed by hairstylist Evanie Frausto.

Make-up artist Nadia Tayeh fully contoured Bella's complexion for the Costume Institute benefit.

Meanwhile Irina opted for a grungy biker look in a striking leather ensemble.

Bold look: Irina had clearly ignored the theme with her outfit, dressing in a studded black leather biker jacket, matching trousers, corset, belt and gloves

Irina had clearly ignored the theme with her outfit, dressing in a studded black leather biker jacket, matching trousers, corset, belt and gloves.

She completed the look with statement silver jewellery and wore her dark hair slicked back while opting for a dramatic smoky eye look.

Also rocking Burberry was Naomi, 51, who dazzled in a black and silver Burberry gown as she attended the star-studded Met Gala 2022 in New York on Monday night.

The supermodel looked effortlessly elegant in the floor-length number which was covered in glitzy detailing and featured a statement beaded collar.

Glowing: She completed the look with statement silver jewellery and wore her dark hair slicked back while opting for a dramatic smoky eye look

Naomi nailed the 'gilded glamour' theme by adding matching face gems to her look that were arranged in a pretty pattern.

Her dress swept over her toned frame and was cinched in at the middle and featured in built gloves that perfectly matched her gloves.

The beauty accessorised with dangly earrings and a huge diamond ring as she posed up a storm.

Naomi wore her long dark tresses in a sleek straight style and opted for a dramatic makeup look to compliment her face gems.

The look: Lila completed the showstopper ensemble with glitzy chandelier earrings and elevated her height in a pair of nude heels

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 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.'
Natasha Poonawalla turned heads in an opulent all-gold ensemble - including a metallic corset with detailing which artfully spun over her head in a halo - at this year's Met Gala in New York on Monday.

The businesswoman and socialite, 40, kept true to the Gilded Glamour theme, styling her look with exuberant jewellery, including a chunky gemstone headband, heavy ornate earrings and clusters of decorative bangles.

Her gorgeous caramel-coloured gown was intricately beaded with sequins.

Head to toe: Natasha Poonawalla, 40, turned heads in an opulent all-gold ensemble at this year's Met Gala in New York on Monday

All gold: The businesswoman, 40, kept true to the Gilded Glamour theme, styling her look with exuberant jewellery

It consisted of a diamante-studded bustier bodice with a stunning bronze-toned shawl draped over and wrapped around, coming out in a flowing train behind the wealthy magnate.

Thinking through every little detail, even Natasha's nails were spangled with gems and pearls as her highlighted honey blonde hair appeared gold when caught in the light.

Letting her loud ensemble do the talking, the socialite kept her make-simple with a dewy base, shimmery eyeshadow, and a smoked out wing.

Dressed to the nines: The gown consisted of a diamante-studded bustier bodice with a stunning bronze-toned shawl draped over and wrapped around

Dripping in gold: Natasha's gorgeous caramel-coloured gown was intricately beaded with sequins, wrapped around with a metallic corset

Stunning: Letting her loud ensemble do the talking, the socialite kept her make-simple with a dewy base, a shimmery eyeshadow, and a smoked out wing

Natasha is part of the wealthy Poonawalla family, which runs the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, The Serum Institute.

It was founded by her father-in-law Cyrus Poonawalla, 81, in 1966 and has joined forces with vaccine developers including Novavax, Codagenix and AstraZeneca.

The family background was in racehorse breeding, and after one horse was bitten by a snake, the firm was created to allow them to make treatments themselves.

Gorgeous: Natasha was draped in shades of gold as she posed up a storm at this year's Met Gala

Details: Thinking through every little detail, even Natasha's nails were spangled with gems and pearls

Ornate: Natasha was bedazzled with stacks of rings and bangles along her arms and hands, adding to the opulence of her ensemble

All that glitters: Natasha was a vision in her eye-catching ensemble, sticking to the Gilded Glamour theme

Cyrus is the chairman of the Institute, with an estimated net worth of $19billion (15.1billion) - as reported in February - and has passed the baton to his son Adar Poonawalla, who acts as CEO. Last month Cyrus' net worth was reported to be as much as $26billion (20.7bilion) by some outlets.

Adar and his wife Natasha are Mayfair and Mumbai based, with some of her best friends in the highest parts of society: the Marchioness of Bath, Priyanka Chopra Jones, and Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor.

The family spend most of their time in their 50,000-a-week London pad, a Georgian townhouse in Mayfair and one of the largest properties in the neighbourhood.

Out of this world: Natasha's corset had its own orbit as intricate detailing spun out and around her ensemble

Striking a pose: The businesswoman struck a confident pose as she attended this year's star-studded Met Gala

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 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 time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour once again supervised 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.
Josie Gibson channeled her inner Spider-Man as she abseiled down the ITV studios in London on Tuesday to mark the iconic film's 20th anniversary.

The chat show host, 37, claimed she felt like 'Spider-Woman' as she mirrored the superheroes moves by climbing down the side of a building - with a little extra help.

The presenter spoke to Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby live from the rooftop, where she let the world know she 'feels like Spider-Women!'.

Fun! Josie Gibson channeled her inner Spider-Man as she abseiled down the ITV studios in London on Tuesday to mark the iconic film's 20th anniversary

Josie looked fantastic in the red and blue clinging catsuit, while sporting a red eye mask and striking a pose.

She told Phillip and Holly: 'Good morning both. It's your favourite crime fighting superhero Spider-Man here, web slinging my way around the television centre, making sure everything is alright.'

Phillip said, 'I don't remember Spider-Man having a Bristolian accent!'

Josie took off her mask, revealing her true identity and said, 'It's me!'.

Looking good: The chat show host, 37, claimed she felt like 'Spider-Woman' as she mirrored the super heroes moves by climbing down the side of a building - with a little extra help

Amazing: The presenter spoke to Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby live from the rooftop, where she let the world know she 'feels like Spider-Women!'

Phillip was in shock and asked if she felt ok and she replied: 'I went for a bit of hypnotherapy. I feel, Phil, like Spider-Woman!'

Josie went on to explain her reason for abseiling down the TV centre today: 'With great power comes great responsibility. That's the famous quote said to Peter Parker before he became one of our favourite superheroes - Spider-Man.'

She added, 'For me, it's taking a whole new meaning. Today marks Spider-Man's 20th anniversary on the big screen and I'm going to be scaling that iconic wall on the television centre. Good luck to me!'

Phillip looked in shock and asked if she felt ok and she replied: 'I went for a bit of hypnotherapy. I feel, Phil, like Spider-Woman!'

Real life superhero: Josie took off her mask, revealing her true identity and said, 'It's me!'

She then geared up in a safety helmet, harness and hiking boots in preparation for the big moment.

Josie screamed: 'My spider senses are telling me maybe this is a bad idea!' as Holly and Phillip cheered her on from inside the studio.

They said: 'If you like action movies then you wanna tune in to this because this is the real action here.'

Brave: Josie looked fantastic in the red and blue clinging catsuit, while sporting a red eye mask and her safety gear

Earlier in the year, current Spider-Man Tom Holland spoke candidly to Josie and co-presenter Holly Willoughby about his future as Spider-Man during an appearance on This Morning.

The London-born actor, 25, admitted his latest outing as the web-slinging superhero 'might be his last'.

Tom explained: 'It could be my last Spider-Man, but the first one could have been.' He added: 'If it's time, I would step down proudly.'

Candid: Tom Holland spoke candidly about his future as Spider-Man during an appearance on This Morning on Thursday

Tom - who looked dapper in a collared navy jumper - also revealed he is relieved to finally be able to speak openly about the fact that former Spider-Men Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

He noted: 'It's actually quite nice to be able to say this now. We finally have the three Spider-Man's sharing the screen. Playing Spider-Man can be quite alienating.'

Of his relationship with the two actors, Tom added: 'To have that brotherhood was quite special.'

Hosts: Chatting to hosts Holly Willoughby and Josie Gibson, the London-born actor also admitted 'playing Spider-Man can be quite alienating'

He also assured Holly and Josie that despite his global fame, he has remained grounded thanks to his tight-knit family.

'I have a great network of friends and family,' he shared.

'My family are the first people to tell me if I have a Hollywood moment and keep me grounded.'
Alexa Chung showed off her fashion credentials as she headed for a night out at the Standard Hotel's Met Gala afterparty on Monday evening.

The beauty made the appearance with her ex-boyfriend Matthew Hitt rather than current beau Orson Fry - as the pair have seemingly remained friendly since their 2017 split.

For the bash, which followed on from the star-studded Met Gala, the 38-year-old designer looked elegant in a champagne coloured satin gown.

Night out: Alexa Chung, 38, oozed elegance on Monday evening in a champagne satin gown as she attended the Standard Hotel Met Gala after party with her ex-boyfriend Matthew Hitt

The dress featured a draping bardot neckline, while the beauty gave a glimpse at her toned legs with a thigh-grazing slit up the side.

Alexa's above-the-shoulder tresses fell freely into a loose curl for the evening, as she went bold with a bright red lip.

The model added a pair of clear, pointed-toe heels, which featured a large, silver bow detail.

Exes: The beauty made the appearance with her ex-boyfriend Matthew Hitt rather than current beau Orson Fry - as the pair have seemingly remained friendly since their 2017 split

Elegant: The designer looked chic in a champagne coloured satin gown for both the Met Gala and it's afterparty

Alexa clutched onto a tiny, diamond detailed yellow handbag for the outing, making her way into the afterparty.

She added chunky silver jewellery in the form of a statement ring and a stand-out bracelet.

Meanwhile, ex-boyfriend Matthew looked dapper in a low-key black suit, layered over a white shirt, with the top buttons undone for a more casual look.

Work it: The beauty commanded attention on the Met Gala red carpet, as she seemingly flew solo

Details: The dress featured a draping bardot neckline - as she paired it with pointed toe silver heels

His brunette locks sat in a ruffled curl as he accompanied the star to the bash.

Alexa kept the same look earlier in the evening, as she struck an array of poses on the red carpet.

She graced the main event solo, with neither Matthew or her current beau Orson by her side.

Beauy: Alexa's above-the-shoulder tresses fell freely into a loose curl for the evening, as she went bold with a bright red lip

Alexa clutched onto a tiny yellow handbag for the outing, adding a chunky silver bracelet and rings

Matthew and Alexa have remained close since their 2017 split, with the pair being spotted together after the break up in the same year.

But Alexa's boyfriend Orson, who is heir to the Fry's chocolate dynasty, was noticeably missing from the star-studded evening - following reports that the pair are living together in London.

The couple first sparked romance rumours in May 2019 when they were seen putting on an affectionate display at the All Point East Festival, it was then revealed that their relationship had begun two months prior.
They are one of Married At First Sight's most successful couples after finding love on the show in 2019.

And on Tuesday, Jules Robinson and husband Cameron Merchant looked as loved-up as ever as they attended the premiere of Binge's gripping new true crime series The Staircase in Sydney.

The couple were spotted arriving to Restaurant Hubert, with Jules nestling into Cameron at the event.

Loved-up: Married At First Sight stars Jules Robinson and Cameron Merchant looked loved-up as they attended The Staircase premiere in Sydney on Tuesday

Jules, 40, looked stylish in an all-white ensemble consisting of pants, a top and long jacket.

The reality TV star completed her look with a pair of strappy silver heels, and a white bag.

She left her long locks out and opted for a neutral palette of makeup to the event.

Meanwhile, Cameron looked dapper in black pants, a black buttoned shirt and white blazer.

He completed his look with brown shoes and was all smiles as he embraced his wife on the red carpet.

All smiles: The couple were spotted arriving to Restaurant Hubert, with Jules nestling into Cameron at the event

Brittany Hockley also made an appearance at the star-studded event.

The 34-year-old put on a stylish display in a beige leotard, a matching coloured coat and boots.

The former Bachelor star left her brunette locks out and wore a full face of makeup consisting of blush and a nude lip.

Dressed to impress: Brittany Hockley also made an appearance at the star-studded event. She put on a stylish display in a beige leotard, a matching coloured coat and boots

Gary Jubelin also looked dapper in a black tuxedo and white buttoned shirt.

The detective and author completed his look with a pair of comfortable black boots and a belt.

Meanwhile, Christian Wilkins made a style statement in black pants and a brown one shoulder top.

Looking sharp: Gary Jubelin also looked dapper in a black tuxedo and white buttoned shirt
Lila Moss revealed the insulin pump and monitor she wears to control her Type 1 diabetes while attending the annual Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening.

Arriving alongside supermodel mother Kate Moss, the 19-year old made her latest red carpet appearance in a sheer beige Burberry gown, emblazoned with letters and numbers and encrusted in diamonds.

The outfit's sheer detailing drew attention to the insulin pod on her left hip and continuous blood glucose monitoring device on her upper-right arm as she made her way into New York's iconic Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art.

Visible: Lila Moss revealed the insulin pump she wears to control her diabetes and monitor her blood sugar levels while attending the annual Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening

The young model previously discussed her condition during a segment on Vogue's In The Bag YouTube after making the unconventional decision to wear the monitor on the catwalk.

She said: 'I have some sugar tablets, in case my blood sugar goes low. I'm diabetic so I have this which controls a pod on my leg, which gives me insulin.

'This is very important to keep in my bag, it comes with me everywhere.'

Lila, the daughter of catwalk veteran Kate and her former partner Jefferson Hack, revealed she has an Apple AirTag attached to her insulin pump reader so she doesn't lose it.

What are continuous blood glucose monitors? Many people with type 1 diabetes, who lack the essential hormone insulin that controls blood sugar levels, have to perform uncomfortable checks at least four times a day. The results show how much insulin  which helps the body absorb sugars in food  they will need to inject to keep their blood sugar stable and avoid potentially fatal spikes or falls. But high-tech implants can monitor blood sugar in real time, marking the end of finger-prick blood tests. Called a continuous blood glucose monitor, the implants are no larger than a 2 coin and sit on the arm, beaming updates to the user's phone. Former Prime Minister Theresa May used one of the most popular gadgets, a FreeStyle Libre. While the technology has been available in the UK for more than a decade, spending watchdogs judged it too expensive to offer to every patient. But NHS chiefs have since announced they plan to fund the monitors for all. Advertisement

Essential: Her outfit's sheer detailing drew attention to the monitoring device as she posed for photos at New York's iconic Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art

Star: Lila's insulin pump was visible as she walked the runway in a swimsuit at the Versace special event during Milan Fashion Week earlier this year

She added: 'I even have an apple air-tag to follow it around with my phone.'

Lila's insulin pump was visible as she walked the runway in a swimsuit at the Versace special event during Milan Fashion Week earlier this year.

Speaking about her condition in 2020, she told The Kit: 'I think not many people know that I have diabetes. It's not visible from the outside, so no one would really know just by looking at you.'

Stunning: Arriving alongside supermodel mother Kate Moss, the 19-year old made her latest red carpet appearance in a sheer beige Burberry gown

There it is: Called a continuous blood glucose monitor, the implant worn by Lila is no larger than a 2 coin and sits on the arm, beaming updates to the user's phone

Type 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high.

It happens when your body cannot produce enough of a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose.

You need daily injections of insulin to keep your blood glucose levels under control.

Sugar tablets: The model spoke about her condition during a segment on Vogue's In The Bag YouTube series
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America's Got Talent star Jonathan Goodwin has been left paralysed for life, his fiance Amanda Abbington revealed after a fireball stunt left him with 'shattered legs and a broken spine' last year.

The 42-year-old was seriously injured after performing the dangerous stunt in October 2021 where he attempted to escape from a straight jacket while being hung upside down 30 feet in the air in between two suspended cars.

Abbington explained that the timing was misjudged and the cars were released too early, causing him to be crushed between them as they caught on fire.

She said Jonathan, who also appeared on the 2019 season of Britain's Got Talent, will never recover from the accident at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Georgia which saw him nearly die twice.

Amanda told the Out to Lunch podcast with Jay Rayner: 'He fell 30 feet and lost a kidney, broke both shoulder blades, shattered both legs.

'Third degree burns, broke his spine and severed his spinal cord and, nearly died. And then on the operating table, he nearly died again.'

Injured: Amanda Abbington has revealed her fiance, stunt performer Jonathan Goodwin, has been left paralysed and in a wheelchair after performing the dangerous stunt for America's Got Talent: Extreme in October 2021

The Sherlock actress confirmed it is unlikely Jonathan will walk again, saying: 'He's paralysed now he's in a wheelchair.'

'Unless there's a kind of stem cell surgery or that thing that Elon Musk is designing with the little chip, he'll be like that forever.'

Jonathan was released from hospital in February and Amanda - who has two children with former partner Martin Freeman - praised his bravery as he continues the long road to recovery.

She added: 'His courage and his strength is something that I just aspire to be like. He's just incredible, honestly, like so happy, just like a very happy, positive human being, just liquid sunshine. He's amazing.'

The actress also revealed the stuntman had sent her a voicemail before his surgery explaining that there was a 50% chance he would not make it, so he told her he loved her and thanked her for the last couple of months of his life with her.

Goodwin, who has now retired from escapology, documented his four months in hospital recovering from injuries including burns and broken legs.

He has performed other similarly death-defying stunts before. In 2013, he wore a straightjacket and dangled from a blazing rope over the River Thames in London.

Goodwin was suspended upside down from the London Eye and managed to escape, which was all part of his TV series The Incredible Mr Goodwin.

One of his most dramatic stunts for America's Got Talent involved him covering himself in flammable liquid and shackling himself up putting his head in a box so that he couldn't see.

He had to escape from the restraints in less than 20 seconds after he was set on fire.

Goodwin successful completed the stunt, which set several of the judges on edge, despite it being the first time he had ever attempted the death-defying act.

In contrast to his fiery stunts, Goodwin went underwater for the BBC special How Not to Become Shark Bait, in which he demonstrated by allowing a Caribbean reef shark to attack him.

Hospital: The stunt went horribly wrong and lead to him being hospitalized for four months, with Jonathan admitting

During the doomed stunt for America's Got Talent: Extreme, Jonathan was suspended 70ft in the air, sandwiched between two cars and clad in a straightjacket, when the vehicles burst into flames.

He missed the air mattress that was supposed to break his fall and hit his head on the ground. Jonathan later admitted he had 'dodged the worst' but had a 'long road to recovery' ahead of him.

He wrote on Instagram: 'To death I say nananana boo boo. I have been to the very brink and dodged the worst that a human being can, without fear because I was protected by love.

'Love is all you need, so make sure you get some, cos its good s***. 'There is a long road to recovery and that won't look like what it did I may leave the daft s*** alone for a while, but I have a lot left to do in this world. Maybe we can make something good together?'

The accident happened in mid-October, with NBC 'temporarily' suspending production on the show.

The stunt was filmed at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Jonathan was suspended 70 feet in the air. He was supposed to free himself and fall into an inflatable airbag, before two cars slammed together on each side of him.

But the timing was miscalculated and both the cars collided with Jonathan, exploding on impact. Jonathan fell to the ground but missed the airbag and landed on his head. He was airlifted to a local hospital.

A recording of a 911 call was published by The US Sun in which a woman said: 'We are at the Atlanta Motor Speedway at the America's Got Talent filming location. We had a man suspended from a cable with cars that were supposed to slam into each other, and he didn't drop in time and they slammed into him.

Stunt: The stunt was filmed at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Goodwin was suspended 70 feet in the air

Suspended: The accident happened in mid-October, with NBC 'temporarily' suspending production on the show

Shocking: Jonathan later admitted he had 'dodged the worst' but had a 'long road to recovery' ahead of him as he remained in hospital after the terrifying incident

Long road to recovery: Jonathan spent four months in hospital with his injuries

'He's about a 40-year-old white male. He fell about 40 feet. He missed the airbag and landed on his head.'

'During a rehearsal last evening for America's Got Talent: Extreme, an accident occurred in which escape artist Jonathan Goodwin was injured while performing his act,' the show said in a statement

'He was responsive and was immediately taken to the hospital where he is continuing to receive medical care. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family as we await further updates on his condition.'

The spokesperson added: 'The health and safety of our cast and crew continue to be our priority.'

The accident happened during a rehearsal for the show so it's unclear if the accident will be addressed at all during the inaugural season of AGT: Extreme.

Amanda previously spoke about her fiance's daredevil lifestyle to The Daily Mail's Richard Eden, gushing: 'Jonathan sets fire to himself and catches bullets for a living, but is also grown up, sensitive, and considerate. I'm completely besotted.'

The Welsh daredevil is said to have proposed to Amanda last year just weeks before his lifechanging accident. It is not clear when the couple began dating.

The couple had previously been friends on social media for around 10 years, with Abbington following his content as her son Joe thought his act was 'amazing'.

She explained that they connected after she split with fellow Sherlock actor Martin Freeman and separated from another partner - and when Goodwin had divorced from his wife.

James and Amanda: The stuntman shared a photo of him with his fiancee, Sherlock actress Amanda as they celebrated his release from the hospital

Abbington revealed that at the beginning of their relationship, they spent hours talking on the phone every day before he flew to Vienna to meet her in person for the first time.

Amanda - who split from husband Martin Freeman five years ago - shared her first picture with Jonathan, posting a throwback from a recent romantic getaway that she captioned: 'When in Vienna, you hang out at the graveyards. What of it.'

Her post came after Jonathan shared his first picture of the pair earlier in the month, penning: 'That was possibly the longest game of hide and seek ever.'

Amanda then commented: 'I love you. '

The rumours came just nine months after Amanda revealed she had split from The Queen's Gambit actor Jonjo O'Neill after four years.

The TV star started dating Irishman Jonjo, 42, after she split from actor Martin, 50, in 2016 after 16 years together.

Amanda, known for playing Mary Morstan in Sherlock, and Jonjo took the step of moving in together in her Hertfordshire home during the pandemic last year.

The actress announced the split to fans on her Instagram Live, saying: 'Sadly no Irishman anymore. He's gone... it's fine, it's just one of those things.'

Cute couple: Amanda shared her first picture with Jonathan in October posting a throwback that she captioned: 'When in Vienna, you hang out at the graveyards. What of it'

Sweet: Her post came after Jonathan shared his first picture of the pair, penning: 'That was possibly the longest game of hide and seek ever.' Amanda then commented: 'I love you'

The mother-of-two hinted at her heartbreak by saying she was, 'very sad for personal reasons' and admitting she was struggling with lockdown because she was 'on my own in the house', The Sun reports.

She added: 'At the moment I'm quite fragile... I'm a fragile girl at the moment.'

Amanda also joked that she had joined a dating app in a bid to combat her loneliness.

She wrote: 'I go on Tinder. No, I've never been on Tinder, nor would I, that was a joke. Being on your own, certainly, you build your strength up and you get a sense of perspective.'

Amanda and Jonjo first began dating in November 2016 - nine months after she secretly split from The Office star Martin.

The actress recently discussed her break up from Martin as she expressed fears that they had given their two children 'irreparable damage' after their split.

The couple share son Joe, 15, and daughter Grace, 12.

Talking to fans in April during an Instagram live for the It's Ok mental health campaign, which she is an ambassador of, Amanda admitted it is 'unsettling' if she pretends to be a Stepford Wife parent and doesn't want to 'hide' anything from her children.

Case of the ex: Rumours of the engagement came just nine months after Amanda revealed she had split from The Queen's Gambit actor Jonjo O'Neill after four years (pictured in September 2019)

The clan: Amanda and ex-husband Martin Freeman share son Joe, 15, and daughter Grace, 12 (Martin is pictured with their kids in 2020)

Amanda said during the video, which was broadcast to 49.1K followers: 'I think it's unsettling if I pretend I'm this Stepford Wife parent.

'Nobody is. I'm sure I've given them irreparable damage and they will be going to therapy because of me and Martin at some point.'

She continued: 'If I can teach them to talk about it, say there's nothing to be frightened of or ashamed of with whatever you're going through.

'Whether you get drunk or try drugs, whatever you do  this place where we live is a safe place where you can say whatever you like.

'That's what I am striving for and what Martin strives for as well  to create a place where they're not hiding anything.'

Amanda added that it is important to discuss mental health with her children and for them to know that some days are 'hard' for her so it's not a 'dirty secret'.

She said: 'To hide this from my children, that sometimes I get depressed or if I'm on antidepressants, what are you saying about all these mental health issues? Are you saying they're offensive and shouldn't happen? I don't want that.'
Succession star Kieran Culkin looked dapper on Monday when he attended Cardi B's Met Gala afterparty at the Standard with actress Claire Danes in tow.

The actor, 39, dressed to impress in a dashing tuxedo, while keeping his feet comfortable in a pair of black high top trainers.

He had looked effortlessly cool at the Met Gala itself earlier in the evening, wearing a pair of black sunglasses while posing at the star-studded event.

Couple goals: Succession star Kieran Culkin attended Cardi B's Met Gala afterparty at the Standard in New York on Monday with good friend Claire Danes

Looking good: The Succession star, 39, dressed to impress in a dashing tuxedo at the Met Gala itself earlier in the night, while keeping his feet comfy in a pair of black high top trainers

Claire, 43, who starred alongside Kieran in 2002's Igby Goes Down, donned a satin dress with a butterfly midi dress which she teamed with white shawl and gold heels.

Kieran who is the younger brother of former child star Macaulay Culkin, has been married to wife Jazz Charton since 2013 and they have two children together.

Earlier in the night, Claire arrived at the Met Gala with her husband Hugh Dancy, 46, on her arm.

Exploring the city: The talented pair strolled through the streets of Manhattan afterwards

Exciting: They were making their way to the Standard Hotel Met Gala Afterparty

Pals: Claire placed a friendly hand on Kieran's back as they reached the swanky venue

Dapper: The former child star certainly looked suave in his ensemble

Dashing: He looked effortlessly cool in a pair of black sunglasses while posing at the star-studded event

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 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.'

Gorgeous: Earlier, Claire stood out in a stunning lemon gown for the Met Gala in New York City, arriving with her husband Hugh Dancy

Family: Kieran who is the younger brother of former child star Macaulay, has been married to Jazz Charton since 2013 and share their two kids (pictured at the Golden Globe Awards in 2020)

Star-studded: Kieran met up with his stunning wife Jazz, who wowed in a chic ensemble after the main event

There he is: Kieran is best known for his role as Roman Roy in Succession

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 time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour once again supervised 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.

Wow! Cardi B showed off her killer curves in a plunging dress for her Met Gala afterparty

Star-studded: 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.'

Exclusive event: 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.'

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.

Bolton said eight directors created what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

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.

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).

Throwback: Claire starred alongside Kieran in 2002's Igby Goes Down (both pictured in-character)

Similar to the September event, there were 400 guests this year, lower than the pre-pandemic highs of 500-600 attendees.

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.
Bradley Cooper looked to be one of the most eligible bachelors at the Met Gala in NYC on Monday evening.

The Nightmare Alley actor arrived alone in a black suit with a crisp white shirt and no tie. He also had a fuzzy week old beard making him look casually classic.

And while at the splashy event, the star was seen chatting up Emma Stone and Cynthia Erivo but not his baby mama, Russian model Irina Shayk.

Mr Met Gala: Bradley Cooper looked to be one of the most eligible bachelors at the Met Gala in NYC on Monday evening

Also at the event was his ex, and baby mama, model Irina Shyak who looked spectacular.

Together Bradley and Irina have a daughter named Lea De Seine Shayk Cooper, aged five.

They seem to have a happy co-parenting relationship and are often seen together in Manhattan as they pick up and drop off Lea.

NO TIE! The Nightmare Alley actor arrived alone in a black suit with a crisp white shirt and no tie. He also had a fuzzy week old beard making him look casually classic

This sighting comes after Cooper said he has a 'crazy' work ethic.

The 47-year-old actor admits that his passionate approach to work can occasionally make life difficult for some of his co-stars.

Bradley - who has starred in films such as 'American Sniper', 'A Star Is

Born', and the 'Hangover' franchise - explained: 'Love equals discipline. If I love something, I can have the discipline.

So VIP: Here the actor spoke with Emma Stone and Cynthia Erivo

Hey pal: And Erivo put a hand on his shoulder when inside the Met Gala

Hello friend: Cooper also posed with Jessie Buckley who had on a striped suit

'I have a crazy work ethic. That is definitely true. So much so that the jobs that I have taken in the last five or six years, the people that I've worked with, I have said, 'I work really hard, and this isn't going to be easy.' And it's because I love it so much.'

Bradley dreamed of working in the movie industry during his younger years.

And he's now desperate to make the most of every opportunity that comes his way.

NOT a gown! His ex Irina Shayk went for a more masculine look her leather jacket and slacks which does not seem to follow the Gilded theme

The Hollywood star told Variety: 'The thing that I just cannot live with myself is if I didn't use that time to work as hard as I could to get it to the best place it could be. I grew up with this idea that we do what we do for a living; I dreamt it.'

Bradley suggested he's already surpassed his own career expectations.

However, he doesn't have any intention of slowing down anytime soon and his passion for making movies remains as strong as ever.

He shared: 'I don't know if I ever dreamt this big. I don't even know if I allowed myself to. Shame on me if I don't work hard, and I'm here now. I'm not going to squander this. No way, man. No way. It all comes from love.'
They led the bank holiday celebrations at the weekend with their show-stopping Cabaret performances.

And Amber Davies and Claire Sweeney, 51, looked good doing it, as they stunned in a host of backstage snaps at Proud Embankment for Cabaret All Stars.

25-year-old Amber showed off her toned abs in a western cowboy outfit - which featured a baby blue bralet and a pair of low waisted denim shorts.

Beauties: Amber Davies, 25, and Claire Sweeney, 51, looked gorgeous as they led the bank holiday celebrations at Cabaret All Stars, with Amber flashing her toned abs for a host of snaps

She added a tassel detailed leather jacket in a bubblegum pink - adding a brown cowboy hat to the look.

The former Love Island star sported a pair of black cowboy boots with the look, as her brunette tresses fell in a Hollywood style curl.

She added a full glam stage makeup look with a dramatic red lip, layering gold necklaces with a cross charm.

Taut: Amber showed off her toned abs in a western cowboy outfit - which featured a baby blue bralet and a pair of low waisted denim shorts

Bombshell: The former Love Island star sported a pair of black cowboy boots with the look, as her brunette tresses fell in a Hollywood style curl

Meanwhile, Claire dazzled in a extravagant maxi dress, with a diamante detailed bodice and a feathered design from the waist down.

The ensemble featured a glimmering V-shaped panel around the bust, with tasseled shoulder pads.

The actress had her bright blonde locks in a sleek straight style as they were left to fall behind her ear at one side.

Stage show: She rocked her usual Cabaret uniforms, which include a mesh feathered robe in a blush pink

Assets: The beauty also showed off her incredible figure in a black mesh catsuit with a waist cinching corset in the middle - adding a visible black underwear set underneath

Performer: She added black boots to the ensemble, while working her stage magic on the crowd

She added pointed-toe glitter heels and complementing drop earrings to the look - with a radiant makeup look and a dark red lip.

It was just one of many looks for both of the stars throughout the show, as host Amber slipped into a number of jaw-dropping looks.

She rocked her usual Cabaret uniforms, which include a mesh feathered robe in a blush pink.

The beauty also showed off her incredible figure in a black mesh catsuit with a waist cinching corset in the middle - adding a visible black underwear set underneath.

End of the night: Later, Amber slipped into something a little more comfortable, sporting a figure-hugging midaxi dress with a scooped neck and sleeveless design

Extravagant: Performer Claire swapped her embellished dress for a mesh black jumpsuit - with a ruffle feathered bust

She added black boots to the ensemble, while working her stage magic on the crowd.

Later, Amber slipped into something a little more comfortable, sporting a figure-hugging midaxi dress with a scooped neck and sleeveless design.

She took a final bow for the camera in the ensemble, adding a pair of black strapped heels.

Performer Claire swapped her embellished dress for a mesh black jumpsuit - with a ruffle feathered bust and peacock design jewels as she amped up the glamour.

Glam: She added some chunky diamond jewellery for the look as she amped up the glamour

Mother and daugher: Claire's lookalike mum, Kathleen, attended to watch her daughter perform - as she looked ultra glamorous

A host of guests came to watch the pair on stage, including Claire's lookalike mum, Kathleen, who looked ultra glamorous as she stood alongside her daughter.

Dan Wootton, presenter Tonia Buxton and director of the show, Jessica Talbot-Smith also attended the show as they brought in the bank holiday.

Dan and Tonia got stuck into the action as they posed for some snaps together, with Dan opting for a navy blue, velvet blazer for the night out.

Tonia nailed a chic look with an asymmetric draping sleeve black dress, as she looked radiant in a blushed makeup look.

Guests: Dan Wootton and Tonia Buxton got stuck into the action as they posed for some snaps together, with Dan opting for a navy blue, velvet blazer for the night out

Sleek: Tonia nailed a chic look with an asymmetric draping sleeve black dress, as she looked radiant in a blushed makeup look

Ripped: Influencer Rowan Row shoed off his hunky physique as he stripped off on stage
Emmerdale's Michelle Hardwick has revealed that she and her wife Kate Brooks have to call the police over death threats they receive due to their sexuality.

The actress, 46, who is married to the soap's producer Kate, 43, has told how the 'root' of the vile abuse is 'because they're gay'.

Michelle and her wife welcomed their first child together in October 2020 - a baby boy named Edward and recently revealed they hope to have another child.

Sad: Emmerdale's Michelle Hardwick has revealed that she and her wife Kate Brooks have to call the police over death threats they receive due to their sexuality

Michelle told Ok! Magazine of the abuse: 'There have been certain times when police have had to be called because there have been death threats.

'When they're mentioning your son's name and you're just going 'Really? I'm just in a soap you know  we're not doing any harm to anybody'.

'The root of it all is always because I'm gay, I'm a gay woman.

'And it's like, 'Lesbians shouldn't be on this Earth, just burn in hell and die.''

Tough: The actress, 46, who is married to the soap's producer Kate, 43, has told how the 'root' of the vile abuse is 'because they're gay' (pictured as Vanessa Woodfield on Emmerdale)

It comes after last year Michelle received a flood of supportive messages after sharing some of the homophobic abuse she has received online.

The star posted screenshots of the shocking messages from the troll to Instagram and Twitter.

While challenging them to reveal their identity, the openly-gay 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.

Family: Michelle and her wife welcomed their first child together in October 2020 - a baby boy named Edward and recently revealed they hope to have another child

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.

'I honestly don't take it to heart, I just like to highlight it every so often.

Loved up: Michelle married producer Kate at Elvis' home Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee in 2019

'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.

'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].'

A further follower added: 'Life is all about the love. You are an inspiration and a wonderful role model. And as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside.

'I wish you and Kate Teddy and Fred a happy bank holiday weekend [rainbow flag, heart emoji].'

Wow! Last year Michelle said she was 'overjoyed' with emotion following the supportive messages from fans after she was sent homophobic abuse

Michelle and her wife welcomed their first child together in October 2020 - a baby boy named Edward.

The ITV star announced the exciting news on her Instagram at the time and shared a sweet black and white snap cuddling her bundle of joy in the hospital.

She gushed over her 'handsome little chap' and revealed her and her wife of one year have named him Edward Peter Brooks.

Accompanying the post she penned: 'On Friday 9th October, this handsome little chap entered the world. Edward 'Teddy' Peter Brooks we are so in love with you! #ourlittleTeddyboyrevealed

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

Michelle, who plays Vanessa Woodfield on the hit soap, also shared a second snap with Edward all wrapped up in a colourful blanket while he slept.

Earlier this month Michelle said she would love another baby with her wife Kate after the couple welcomed their son.

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.

Michelle, who previously starred in Heartbeat spin-off The Royal, came out publicly in 2013.
The Repair Shop host Jay Blades has spoken of his surprise at the show's popularity as he was made an MBE at Windsor Castle.

Blades, a furniture restorer and designer, was given the honour by the Prince of Wales on Tuesday for services to craft and in recognition of his work promoting heritage craft and restoration in the UK.

The regular favourite on the BBC show - which sees members of the public bringing in worn out family heirlooms to be restored by a team of experts - said he never expected that the programme 'would become so big'.

Honour: The Repair Shop host Jay Blades has spoken of his surprise at the show's popularity as he was made an MBE at Windsor Castle

Blades has starred in the programme since it started in 2017.

He said: 'I knew it was special, because you wouldn't have all of those different disciplines in the same building. You wouldn't have a ceramic next to a fine art next to woodwork and a clock restorer, you just wouldn't have that.'

He said that the rest of the team were 'over the moon' for him after receiving his MBE.

'They've all said: "Do we have to bow, do we have to curtsy to you?" and stuff like that.

MBE: Blades was given the honour by the Prince of Wales on Tuesday for services to craft and in recognition of his work promoting heritage craft and restoration in the UK

'I've just said there's one request: as long as they can bring me a biscuit with my cup of tea, that's all I want,' he joked.

The presenter, when asked whether a particular object from the show stood out to him, said it was like 'picking your favourite child'.

'All of them are really special, all the individuals that bring an item in, all the items are dear to them and all the memories are so unique that you could never pick one I don't think.'

Blades, 52, stressed the importance of craft as part of a sustainable future, something which he spoke about with Charles as received the honour.

Popular: The regular favourite on the BBC show said he never expected that the programme 'would become so big'

Achievement: Blades left school at 15, and has set up a charity encouraging young people who struggle academically to get involved in practical jobs, such as restoration and craft

'It's all about sustainability, it's all about teaching the next generation as to what they should be doing and what they can do, because some people think craft isn't accessible to them,' he said.

'I want craft to be accessible to everybody, from the poor side of town to the rich side of town, so everybody can access it.'

Blades left school at 15, and has set up a charity encouraging young people who struggle academically to get involved in practical jobs, such as restoration and craft.

He is also an ambassador for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, which provides people with up to 18,000 in funding to study a traditional craft.

Ceremony: He is also an ambassador for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, which provides people with up to 18,000 in funding to study a traditional craft

Jay previously lauded his co-stars for giving him the 'confidence' to speak about his dyslexia.

The TV personality whose disability prevents him from using the reading device, revealed he 'loves' working on the BBC programme since he can talk in 'the way that he feels' while filming.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline at the recent RTS Awards, he opened up about about how he's overcome hurdles in order to present to millions, despite being diagnosed with the disorder at the age of 31.

He said: 'No we do nothing like that, no autocue. The person who tells me about all the emails is Kirsten [Ramsay], in the emails they send, she let's me know what they're all about.

'There's no script. It's all as real as it looks and it's all done in one take so working on The Repair Shop is brilliant for a dyslexic cos you just talk the way that you feel. You say what it is you're feeling at the time.'

Pals: He said that the rest of the team were 'over the moon' for him after receiving his MBE. 'They've all said: "Do we have to bow, do we have to curtsy to you?" and stuff like that'

Having also featured in TV favourites including Jay Blades' Home Fix, Money for Nothing and Strictly Come Dancing, the furniture restorer claimed he cannot appear in a show that requires him to use a teleprompter.

He said: 'Everything has to be unscripted. A lot of the shows I do are unscripted. They're very accommodating to my, you call is a disability, they're very accommodating to that.'

Going on to gush about his pals at the factual programme, the Hackney native continued of his dyslexia: 'The confidence to speak about it comes from the people that are around you.

'So if you feel comfortable with them... at The Repair Shop we have a lovely family down there, they allow you to feel comfortable so you can open up and just be cool.

'So yeah you've got to have good people around you. If you haven't, you're in trouble.'
Jodie Turner-Smith put on a loved-up display with her husband Joshua Jackson as she shared a slew of behind the scenes Met Gala snaps.

The Queen & Slim actress, 35, cosied up to Joshua, 43, in the cute snippets she shared with her 489k Instagram followers on Tuesday from the glamorous night.

The beauty dazzled in her Gucci ensemble while the actor - who she tied the knot with in 2019 - beamed and put his arm around her.

Love is in the air: Jodie Turner-Smith put on a loved-up display with her husband Joshua Jackson in behind the scene Met Gala snaps

Jodie did a quick outfit change for a Met Gala afterparty as she donned a plunging red top and chunky gold jewellery while Joshua hugged her from behind.

She had earlier hit the red carpet in a custom Gucci silver dress that was comprised of a crystal chain bra and a fringed mini-skirt.

Later in the evening, she met up with actor friend Anthony Ramos who looked in high spirits as he sported a white shirt and bow tie.

Couple goals: The Queen & Slim actress, 35, cosied up to Joshua, 43, in the cute videos she shared with her 489k Instagram followers on Tuesday from the glamorous night

The Met Gala theme for 2022 was Gilded Glamour, marking the opening of the In America: An Anthology of Fashion exhibition at the Met in New York City.

And few attendees were showing more skin than actress Jodie, who left little to the imagination.

The skirt was prominent up front but layered behind a much longer pink pleated chiffon skirt that trailed behind her.

Cute! The beauty dazzled in her Gucci ensemble while the actor - who she tied the knot with in 2019 - beamed and put his arm around her

Pals: Later in the evening, she met up with actor friend Anthony Ramos who looked in high spirits as he sported a white shirt and bow tie

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.

The bearded actor also wore grey dress pants and black shoes buffed to a mirror shine for the annual gala.

Jodie and Joshua: Few stars were showing more skin at the 2022 Met Gala than actress Jodie, who left little to the imagination

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.'

Jodie is coming off a busy 2021 where she starred in Without Remorse with Michael B. Jordan and the AMC mini-series Anne Boleyn.

This year she has already starred in the festival favorite After Yang and she'll next be seen in Noah Baumbach's Don DeLillo adaptation White Noise.

Meanwhile Joshua is coming off the hit series Dr. Death and he will next be seen in a TV series remake Fatal Attraction.
Emma Stone crossed paths with an old flame on Monday evening as she attended the Met Gala at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art.

The actress, 33, was reunited with Kieran Culkin, more than 10-years after they dated while playing a young couple in 2009 comedy Paper Man.

Mingling with guests outside the iconic Met, a delighted Culkin, 39, wrapped an arm around his ex-girlfriend's waist as they posed for photos before making their way inside.

Fancy meeting you here: Emma Stone crossed paths with old flame Kieran Culkin on Monday evening as she attended the Met Gala at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art

The Succession star was attending the annual event without his glamorous wife Jazz Charton, and he dressed appropriately in a dashing tuxedo.

Meanwhile Emma shimmered in a modest satin slip gown from Louis Vuitton, decorated with sheer layers and long white ostrich feathers.

The Oscar-winner secretly married Dave McCary in the summer of 2020, after initially postponing their spring nuptials due to COVID-19.

They welcomed their first child together, daughter Louise Jean - named after Stone's grandmother - in March 2021.

Old times: The actress was reunited with Kieran Culkin, more than 10-years after they embarked on a short lived romance while playing a couple in 2009 comedy Paper Man

Stone dated Culkin for two years after working on comedy flop Paper Man with co-stars Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Daniels and Lisa Kudrow.

While the film sank without trace - getting only a limited released across north America - the former couple's romance blossomed before finally ending in 2011.

Culkin, the younger brother of former child star Macaulay Culkin, has been married since 2013 and raises daughter Kinsey Sioux, two, and son Wilder Wolf, nine months, with wife Jazz.

Happy couple: Stone secretly married Dave McCary (far right) in the summer of 2020, after initially postponing their spring nuptials due to COVID-19

Family: Culkin has been married since 2013 and raises daughter Kinsey Sioux, two, and son Wilder Wolf, nine months, with wife Jazz Charton (pictured at the Golden Globes in 2020)

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 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.

In good company: Succession star Culkin was joined by Claire Danes at the Met Gala afterparty
Wendy Williams made a rare public appearance since her talk show cancellation as she celebrated fashion's biggest night at a Met Gala afterparty on Monday.

The talk show icon, 57, wowed in a colorful dress, vibrant sneakers, and dollar sign print purse as she arrived to The Standard on the arm of Hollywood Unlocked CEO Jason Lee.

After a tumultuous year, which saw her grapple with her health and lose control of her finances at Wells Fargo, Wendy couldn't have looked any happier enjoying a night on the town.

How are you doing!? Wendy Williams made a rare public appearance since her talk show cancellation as she celebrated fashion's biggest night at a Met Gala afterparty on Monday

She turned every head in a pleated dress which featured numerous layers in shades of bright red, orange, royal blue and teal.

Ensuring no one would forget her name, she rocked a massive 'W' necklace.

The talk show titan also rocked a head full of cascading curls, full lashes, and a swipe of shimmering blush.

Wendy and her friend really were having the time of their lives once they entered the party.

Make way for Wendy! The talk show icon, 57, wowed in a colorful dress, vibrant sneakers, and dollar sign print purse as she arrived to The Standard on the arm of Hollywood Unlocked CEO Jason Lee

Jason gave fans an inside look at all the fun on his Instagram Stories where he called Wendy the 'sexiest date' in NYC.

'I wasn't going to come outside without the sexiest date in New York City!' Jason said before panning to Wendy, who was now wearing black bunny ears.

He asked her her iconic catchphrase - 'How ya doing?'

'How ya doing?' Wendy threw back.

Strike a pose! The dynamic duo posed up a storm at the entrance of the hotel

Speaking with TMZ as she arrived to the party, Wendy said she planned on returning to television in September.

'Of course!' she said when asked if she was returning to her show.

'The Wendy Williams Show lives forever!' she added.

Asked if she would be returning in September, Williams shouted enthusiastically, 'Yes! Yes! Yes!'

Wendy said in March that she's looking forward to returning to host The Wendy Williams Show, even though the show's producer and distributor announced in February that it was being canceled.

So far, no end date has been announced, and the show is still going through guest hosts, including Sherri Shepherd and Michael Rapaport.

Sherri will now be taking over for Wendy with a new talk show simply titled Sherri. It is set to take over Wendy's time slot in the fall.

Wendy hasn't been seen on her show since July 2021.

Wendy has also been engaged in a lawsuit with Wells Fargo after it blocked her from accessing her funds due to its contention that she requires a guardian.

Having a blast: Jason gave fans an inside look at all the fun on his Instagram Stories where he called Wendy the 'sexiest date' in NYC
Sasha Lane has opened up about her current mental health state and admitted she has 'definitely been depressed'.

The actress, who is set to star in the new BBC series Conversations With Friends, spoke exclusively to Porter about her previous 'trauma' molding her into the actress she is today.

The 26-year-old admitted she is currently in a weird place due to 'overthinking and exhaustion' but currently loves what she does.

Struggling: Sasha Lane has opened up about her current mental health state and admitted she has 'definitely been depressed'



In the interview, she said: '[I've been in] a weird place of confusion for the past couple weeks... I feel like I keep having these little bouts of  it's not just depression, because I've definitely been depressed. But just very low. But then I also feel really good.

'I feel confused because I don't know what I actually am. I can't really pinpoint anything [that's] wrong, besides maybe overthinking and exhaustion.'

She told Porter she is still getting used to her busy work schedule: 'I think I'm at a place where I wanna love what I'm doing  and I do mostly love what I'm doing  but I also have to balance.

'I get anxious now with my schedules and all that. They're like, 'Just get on a plane'. I'm like, 'I can't just get on a plane  my life doesn't work like that now.'

Candid: The actress, who is set to star in the new BBC series Conversations With Friends, spoke to Porter about her previous 'trauma' molding her into the actress she is today

She made her debut starring alongside Shia LaBeouf in American Honey but six years on, she has carved out a Hollywood career that's entirely her own.

Sasha candidly speaks about her previous 'trauma' but is confident her career wouldn't be where it is today without it.

The star said: 'It might be effortless, but that's because I have years of trauma riding on my back... that's how I know what [a character] is feeling and thinking... I have to tap into something

'There is a reason that I am still here. Because  and I have to remind myself  this industry would have literally put me back on the same beach they found me on if I did not have something.'

Mental health: The 26-year-old admitted she is currently in a weird place due to 'overthinking and exhaustion' but currently loves what she does

During the pandemic, Sasha became a mother and since her daughter was born she tries to make more time for herself.

She said: 'I have to make myself happy or be good with where I am at, which means I'm constantly working and thinking through my thoughts and feelings.

'So, when I'm with [my daughter] all she sees from me is f*cking love and smiles and craziness.'

In the interview, she said: '[I've been in] a weird place of confusion for the past couple weeks... I feel like I keep having these little bouts of  it's not just depression, because I've definitely been depressed

The BBC has confirmed the release date for Conversations With Friends, the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's 2017 novel.

The show is set to premiere on Sunday, May 15 on BBC Three, with a new teaser clip of the series shared on the channel's Twitter account.

The story follows the two young student women, Frances (Alison Oliver) and Bobbi (Sasha Lane), as they navigate their unusual attraction to the mysterious married couple Nick (Joe Alwyn) and Melissa (Jemima Kirke) after they meet at a poetry night in Dublin.

During the interview with Porter, Sasha spoke about her new character: 'It's so easy to read the book and go, 'Ugh, that Bobbi, she's such a b*tch, she's so rude; everyone's gonna hate this character

'but I'm like, 'That's exactly what you're not paying attention to'. [I'm interested in] the human behind it.'

The star said: 'It might be effortless, but that's because I have years of trauma riding on my back... that's how I know what [a character] is feeling and thinking... I have to tap into something

In the new teaser, Frances and Bobbi are seen going for a swim in the sea with Melissa before they walk back to her house.

Melissa says she's going to have a shower and then tells Frances to relax when she asks if there's anything she can help with.

Nick arrives home and meets Frances for the first time just as Melissa goes upstairs.

The pair appear to make eyes at each other before Bobbi enters the rooma and introduces herself to Nick and asks what's for dinner.

Clip: In a new teaser, characters Frances (Alison Oliver) and Bobbi (Sasha Lane) are seen going for a swim in the sea with Melissa (Jemima Kirke) before they walk back to her house

Conversations With Friends was Sally Rooney's debut novel, published a year before Normal People, which went on to become a global bestseller.

During the course of the novel, Bobbi becomes infatuated with Melissa and openly begins a flirtation with the older woman, who appears flattered by the attention.

Meanwhile, Frances and Nick embark on an elicit affair, with the foursome become more and more entangled with one another.

Nick ultimately reveals the affair to his wife, who accepts the relationship - having had her own affairs - and Nick begins to date Frances openly within the group.

The new series comes after the success of Rooney's 2018 novel Normal People which was adapted into a ratings smash hit TV series in 2020.

It saw show leads Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, who took on Connell and Marianne's love story, soar to fame after it aired during the first lockdown.

Normal People has been the most watched show on BBC Three ever with more than 23 million downloads globally and over 6.75 million devices watching the first episode. This makes it the most popular programme on the channel ever.

Conversations with Friends will premiere on May 15 2022, airing on BBC Three in the UK and Hulu in the US.
A 26-year-old woman says she intends to sell her unborn child to raise money to support her other child living with disability.

Ruvarashe Taruvinga, a mother of two girls, claimed she has put her unborn child on sale so that she can buy a wheelchair for her five-year-old child.

She claimed her husband, Tawanda Banda (33) dumped her after she gave birth to a child with disability.

Taruvinga also accuses Banda of allegedly tampering with her family planning tablets to get her pregnant, before dumping her.

Life has not been fair to me and I nearly committed suicide, said Taruvinga.

My husband and in-laws neglected my child living with disability arguing that there was no one with such a condition in their family.

My husband devised a plan to impregnate and dump me. He has since left for Malawi where he is now living.

I didnt want another child considering the life I am living where I am failing to support this child on my back.

Anotori mwana saka handaida kuita mumwe mwana anodazve kuberekwa.

If I can find a couple that wants to pay for the child in my womb, Id be grateful.

He is a boy, according to the scan. I am expecting the child in June, according to maternity records, she said.

Taruvinga, who is a vendor, told H-Metro she wanted to look after her child, living with disability, and help her get a good education.

I love the neglected child. She is my gift from God so I want money, as well as a wheelchair, to help her access everything, including education.

I am finding it difficult to make ends meet and that is why I saw that it was better to offer the unborn child to either Social Welfare or any willing couple.

I lost my national identity card and without that I cannot process anything at Social Welfare, said Taruvinga.

Born in a family of two, Taruvinga is the youngest child in her family. H Metro
He was dubbed the F1 Supremo after he turned Formula One from a niche racing competition to a global phenomenon.

And Bernie Ecclestone, 91, revealed his son Ace, 21, could be following his footsteps as he posed with the tot in a race car for an adorable snap in Sao Paulo.

The business magnate's wife Fabiana Flosi, 45, posted the sweet shot on Instagram on Monday as she gushed over the two men in her life.

Formula son: Bernie Ecclestone, 91, looked every inch the proud father as he planted baby Ace, 21 months, behind the wheel of a car at Interlagos Circuit in an Instagram post on Monday

She penned: 'Ace first Racing car experienceat Interlagos!'

The sweet snap showed father-of-four Bernie fussing over his youngest child, who donned ear protectors while gripping onto the wheel.

Racing has turned into a family affair, with Fabiana - Bernie's third wife - elected last year as a vice-president of the FIA.

Her appointment led to the motor sport organisation's new president, Mohammed ben Sulayem, insisting that Bernie was not involved behind the scenes.

Doting dad: Bernie became a father for the fourth time when he welcomed son Ace in July 2020 with Fabiana, who he married in 2012

Bernie became a father for the fourth time when he welcomed son Ace in July 2020 with Fabiana, who he married in 2012.

The couple met through the World Motor Sport Council, where she regularly attended meetings.

He previously hit back at claims he was too old to become a father after Ace's birth, saying he wants even more children.

Smitten: Bernie and Fabiana met through the World Motor Sport Council, where she regularly attended meetings

He told The Sun on Sunday: 'Now I have more time on my hands and I hope I can spend it with my son as he grows up. I don't know if we will stop here. Perhaps he should have a little brother or sister.

Discussing his first chats with his now-wife about starting a family when they first met eight years ago, he said: 'Fabiana said she wanted a family, and I told her, "That's no problem for me. Half a dozen kids is great".'

The billionaire businessman is already a father to daughters Deborah, 66, Tamara, 37, and Petra Ecclestone, 33.

Deborah was born to his first wife Ivy Bamford before he welcomed socialites Tamara and Petra with his second wife Slavica Radic.
Kerry Katona has revealed that she can no longer see herself and her fiance Ryan Mahoney having any children together.

Already mum to Molly, 20, and Lilly-Sue, 18, from her relationship with Brian McFadden, 41, and Heidi, 14, and Maxwell, 13, with Mark Croft, 50, she also has a daughter DJ, eight, who she shared with the late rugby player George Kay.

The former Atomic Kitten star, 41, has confessed that despite planning to freeze her eggs she doesn't think Ryan, 32, is ready for a baby.

'Im not sure hed be able to cope with a baby': Kerry Katona, 41, had revealed that she can't see herself having any children with her fiance Ryan Mahoney

Writing in her new! Magazine column, she explained: 'I previously spoke about freezing my eggs to potentially have a baby with Ryan. But now I cant see us ever having children together.

'In all honesty, I just cant imagine Ryan with a newborn and getting up in the middle of the night for feeds.

'Hes a great stepdad, but Im not sure hed be able to cope with a baby. Ryan is very content with the kids we have.'

Content: Writing in New!, she explained: 'I previously spoke about freezing my eggs to potentially have a baby with Ryan. But now I cant see us ever having children together'

Brood: As well as DJ, eight, Kerry is mother to Molly, 20, and Lilly-Sue, 18, with Brian McFadden, 41, and Heidi, 14, and Maxwell, 13, from her relationship with Mark Croft, 50

Last year, Kerry previously ruled out adopting a child and had considered surrogacy after nearly dying from complications while giving birth to Dylan-Jorge (DJ).

After meeting a family who have been through the surrogacy process, Kerry said on Steph's Packed Lunch: 'We have got an appointment tomorrow about getting my eggs harvested. That is the next step, and that is as far as we are going.

She explained: 'Ryan hasnt biologically grown any of his children, hes eight years younger than me.'

The next step: Last year, Kerry told Steph's Packed Lunch she was getting her eggs harvested ready for when she and she and fiance Ryan decide to have children

'I dont want to rob Ryan of not having his own child, if that is a route we want to go down, but I dont want to carry another child.'

Ryan added: 'Its something that down the line it might be more of a thought than a thing for me to be like," I want more than I do at the minute".

'Were so busy that it isnt top of the list, but if it is going to happen, we need to get the ball rolling and start the process.'

The couple were told by Dr Helen Prosser that they were looking at spending an initial 25,000 on a surrogate to cover expenses including vitamins, clothing and childcare.

Decision: Kerry said: 'I dont want to rob Ryan of not having his own child, if that is a route we want to go down, but I dont want to carry another child'
D.L. Hughley appears to be moving past his feud with Kanye West to side with the rapper after Kim Kardashian's beau Pete Davidson tattooed the initials KNSCP on his neck for Kim, North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm.

Hughley, 59, who recently traded barbed comments with West, told TMZ that the ink was 'antagonizing' and if he were in Ye's position: 'That would p**s me off.'

Back in March, West, 44, wrote a menacing social media post stating that he could find Hughley's address and could 'afford to hurt' him after the actor commented on the mogul's mental health.

Taking sides: D.L. Hughley appears to be moving past his feud with Kanye West to side with the rapper after Kim Kardashian's beau Pete Davidson tattooed the initials KNSCP on his neck for Kim, North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm

'I think it's his body, it's his woman, [but] those are Kanye [West's] kids. That would p**s me off,' D.L. told TMZ went asked about Pete's questionable new ink.

'The father's alive, he's a good father, he's taking care of these kids. I don't understand [what] that's all about,' he added. 'It's none of my business, but if you tattoo my kids' name on your neck, I'd have something to say about it.'

Kim's boyfriend Pete Davidson showed off a small tattoo just above the neckline of his white t-shirt last week.

It read KNSCP which seems to be for Kim Kardashian and her kids North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, four, and Psalm, two, that she shares with ex-husband Kanye West.

'I think it's his body, it's his woman, [but] those are Kanye [West's] kids. That would p**s me off,' D.L. told TMZ went asked about Pete's questionable new ink.

'Listen, nobody's telling you you can't live your life. If that's your woman, you have a good time. But if you put that man's kids on your neck, that's antagonizing. That's out of pocket for me,' D.L. mused about the tattoo.

'[West] ain't an absentee father. He's a good father,' he continued. 'And you know the stuff that's going on. You already know that it's a volatile situation. Do you think that's going to help?

Hughley isn't alone in his criticism of Pete's choice considering the SNL star has only dated the reality TV siren, 41, for only seven months. Not to mention how Kanye West has repeatedly harassed him and Kim over the romance.

People took to Twitter to express their shock over the new ink. Most of the remarks were not very flattering.

'The father's alive, he's a good father, he's taking care of these kids. I don't understand [what] that's all about,' he added. 'It's none of my business, but if you tattoo my kids' name on your neck, I'd have something to say about it.' (seen in 2019)

Tin seemed to think that the comedian's tattoo choice was strange. He added it was 'mad weird.' And Cole Filer said that it is odd to get a tattoo for a girl seven months in.

DeAnn did not seem pleased with the tat and said Pete was a 'weirdo.'

Another said: 'I'm starting to believe Pete enjoys poking at Kanye!' while a fan joked, 'I'll be waiting for Kanye's rant about this shortly.'

And another tweeter then said: 'If this is true in regards to that new tattoo, it's saying more about Pete & Kim than it does Kanye. That's for sure. Let's hope that Kanye stay strong, stay cool, & stay focus. As long as those children is good & safe; that's all that should matter in my opinion.'

You've got to be kidding: Hughley isn't alone in his criticism of Pete's choice considering the SNL star has only dated the reality TV siren, 41, for only seven months

Neither Davidson nor Kardashian have confirmed that's what the tattoo stands for yet. This would not be the first time the Saturday Night Live star has gotten a tattoo honoring Kardashian though.

He has 'My Girl Is A Lawyer' tattooed on his body in honor of the People's Choice Award winner.

Hughley's admonishment of Pete and defense of Ye as a good father flies in this face of their recent public spat.

The rapper had previously threatened the TV star in a since deleted social media post and said he could easily find out where he lived.

'DL Hughley is a pawn Yeah I know a king not supposed to address a pawn but I address everything and find addresses DL So dont speak on me or my children I can afford to hurt u,' Kanye wrote.

'Listen, nobody's telling you you can't live your life. If that's your woman, you have a good time. But if you put that man's kids on your neck, that's antagonizing. That's out of pocket for me,' D.L. mused about the tattoo.

In a subsequent post  which he also deleted  West posted a video of Hughley collapsing on stage during a stand-up set in June 2020, after he had come down with Covid-19.

'We gone stop letting practicing drug addicts be used by leftist to Willie Lynch our Future Black people with our own opinion are not allowed to speak in public,' the producer wrote.

'I am the glitch DL God does not like you You have no favor Your family hates you I would hate to be related to somebody who used to be famous Now you just known as a broke pawn at least Oprah got billions "allegedly" Come on leftist Yall gotta do better than DL This Ye Bring the real smoke baby,' he continued.

The tirade was in response to comments the comic and political commentator had made in Kardashian's defense amid her ongoing divorce from West.

'I think that Ive watched too many times when things like that happened and a woman or somebody is not believed. And then things escalate,' he told VladTV. 'He is stalking her. You can think its cute. If it was my daughter, Id do something about it. I dont think its funny.

Drama: Hughley's admonishment of Pete and defense of Ye as a good father flies in this face of their recent public spat after Kanye threatened the actor's life for commenting on his divorce from Kim Kardashian

'I think that you cant write a beat so good that you get to do these things,' he continued. 'And society laughs it off because they say, "Well, shes showing her a** all the time and hes this and hes that."'

During a Fanroom Live session with Chanel Omari from August 2020, which was in the midst of the rapper's doomed presidential campaign, he said West uses his mental health issues as a excuse when it can benefit him.

'Hes not so mentally ill that hell talk about any other group of people,' Hughley said. 'He talks about people that he knows he can get away with, and then hes not so ill that hes trying to be a disruptor in the political form. Hes not so ill that he takes $5 million in PPP payments, so he seems to be conveniently ill when it serves his purpose.'

Hughely shot back at Kanye after the threat suggesting that he 'pick up his Xanax'.

In his follow-up Instagram post, he added, 'You can tell when people surround themselves with real ones. REAL ONES in your corner would NEVER allow you to threaten a man or his family, especially in a public forum. Mental health is no joke neither is the safety of a mans home and family. #TeamDL #KingS***.'

Hughley continued his Twitter tirade against the Monster rapper: 'Ain't no way in hell I'd ever be scared of a dude who wears #IKnowWhatDidLastSummerBoots [sic]!!!' he wrote, referencing the bulky black rain boots that West has lately been a fan of.

Red carpet debut: Meanwhile, Davidson and Kardashian are getting more serious and made their red carpet debut at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner over the weekend

He took up the taunting another not by bringing West's ex Kim Kardashian's new boyfriend Pete Davidson into the mix.

'#Kanye!! It's just too bad that you acting like a nut won't stop #Pete from bustin one!!,' he crassly joked.

Meanwhile, Davidson and Kardashian are getting more serious and made their red carpet debut at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner over the weekend.

Kardashian dazzled in a rhinestone-covered Balenciaga gown that clung to her famous curves as her much younger beau looked suave in a classic black Prada suit styled with a white dress shirt and a skinny black tie.

They followed up that event with a show-stopping appearance at The Met Gala in New York Monday night.
Irina Shayk cut a business casual figure when she stepped out in New York this Tuesday after attending the previous day's Met Gala.

The 36-year-old Russian supermodel had made a splash at the star-studded fete in a black leather ensemble that emphasized her statuesque figure.

But when she was seen the next day she relaxed into a flowing white button-down blouse with a simple pair of dark flared slacks.

Off she goes: Irina Shayk cut a business casual figure when she stepped out in New York this Tuesday after attending the previous day's Met Gala

Irina let her luxurious dark locks flutter free in the breeze and smiled radiantly as she chatted on the phone while strolling down the sidewalk.

Accentuating her screen siren features with makeup, she warded off the rays with a large gleaming pair of black sunglasses.

At times she could be seen carrying a bulging white shopping bag under one arm, while at others she was lugging a mysterious white wooden box down the sidewalk.

One day earlier Irina wore a head-to-toe black leather suit, complete with a tie and a pair of gloves, in an outfit Vogue reported was Burberry.

On the move: At times she could be seen carrying a bulging white shopping bag under one arm, while at others she was lugging a mysterious white wooden box down the sidewalk

Maintaining her correspondence: Irina let her luxurious dark locks flutter free in the breeze and smiled radiantly as she chatted on the phone while strolling down the sidewalk

Stepping out: Irina was spotted linking arms with a pal in the SoHo district

She accented the look with a pair of massive black hoop earrings as well as a metallic black ring attached to one of her belt loops.

The ensemble radiated a biker chic quality that was at stark odds with the event's Gilded Glamour theme, which was meant to be a nod to America's Gilded Age.

One of the other attendees of the event was Irina's amicable ex Bradley Cooper, with whom she is raising a five-year-old daughter called Lea De Seine.

Although both Irina and Bradley were spotted separately attending the ball, they were never captured on camera mingling with one another there.

Taking it easy: The duo looked relaxed as they explored the sights

Swanking about: One day earlier Irina wore a head-to-toe black leather suit, complete with a tie and a pair of gloves, in an outfit Vogue reported was Burberry

Smoldering stare: She accented the look with a pair of massive black hoop earrings as well as a metallic black ring attached to one of her belt loops

Irina's dating history includes Cristiano Ronaldo and last year she was briefly linked to Kanye West in the wake of his split from Kim Kardashian.

She and Bradley are such close co-parents that they have made sure to live just blocks apart in Greenwich Village in order to raise their daughter.

'Hes a full-on, hands-on dad - no nanny,' Irina told Highsnobiety last year. 'Lea went on holiday with him for almost two weeks - I didnt call them once.'

The mother of one added: 'Me and her father are very strict. When she finishes eating, she gets up from the table, takes her plate, says "thank you." Without "please" or "thank you" shes not getting anything.'
Kelly Brook cut a casual figure as she left the Heart FM studios in London on Thursday.

The radio host, 42, wore a navy blue Anine Bing sweatshirt with the word 'Paris' emblazoned across the front.

She was closely followed by Radio X host Johnny Vaughan, 55 - who Kelly spent six months co-hosting Channel 4's legendary morning show The Big Breakfast with in 1999 - with the broadcaster cutting a casual figure in a navy blue polo shirt and jacket.

Pals: Kelly Brook, 42, cut a casual figure as she left the Heart FM studios in London on Thursday while her former The Big Breakfast co-host Johnny Vaughan, 55, followed her out the building

Johnny completed his look by opting for a pair of trousers in the same shade while he wore a comfortable pair of trousers.

Actress Kelly opted for a semi-sheer pleated black skirt and wore a pair of high-heeled boots to add a few inches to her stature.

She accessorised with a gold chain around her neck and carried a black handbag on her arm.

In style: The radio host Kelly wore a navy blue Anine Bing sweatshirt with the word 'Paris' emblazoned across the front

The pair were in good spirits, smiling as they left the Global Radio studios separately.

Kelly was a 19-year old unknown when she was recruited to fill Denise Van Outen's shoes on The Big Breakfast.

But six-months after being unveiled as Van Outen's replacement in January 1999 she left the show, having failed to replicate her predecessor's chemistry with the lively, opinionated Vaughan.

In the detail: She accessorised with a gold chain around her neck and carried a black handbag on her arm

The abrupt departure led to a host of stand-in presenters taking her place, with Liza Tarbuck, Lisa Rogers, Amanda Byram and the returning Van Outen all filling in alongside Johnny before the show went off-air in 2002.

Speaking in February 2019, Kelly admitted that her media career was given a second chance by Capital Radio following various forays into acting, modelling and presenting.

'It's been really lovely because I feel like I have been given another lifeline,' she told Hello!

Keeping it casual: Radio X host Johnny wore a navy blue polo shirt and jacket with matching trousers and trainers

'You think: "Oh, that's it, maybe I had my go and it's someone else's turn." When an opportunity like this comes along, all of a sudden you've got another shot.'

It comes after Kelly Brook said she's confident she has the found the one, as she gushed that boyfriend Jeremy Parisi 'ticks all the boxes' and 'can keep up with her and the lifestyle she loves'.

A smitten Kelly may have been engaged four times before, but she could not have been more complimentary of her Italian-and-French beau, who she considers the 'most romantic' out of them both.

Fashion focus: Actress Kelly opted for a semi-sheer pleated black skirt and wore a pair of high-heeled boots to add a few inches to her stature

Looking back: Kelly was a 19-year old unknown when she was recruited to fill Denise Van Outen's shoes on The Big Breakfast (pictured 1999)

The star also sent tongues wagging by remarking she and model Jeremy, 37, who she began dating in 2015, are 'open' to marriage if 'all the stars align'.

Opening up about her romance with her 'best friend and soulmate', Kelly told The Mirror last month: 'I've found someone who can keep up with me and the lifestyle that I love. It's the combination of having a very exciting life but also having moments where it's nice to stay home, watch Netflix and walk the dog. It's getting that balance.'

The model - a lads' mag favourite in the noughties - has been engaged before to actor Jason Statham, Back To The Future's Billy Zane, rugby player - and Nicole Scherzinger's current man - Thom Evans and Gladiator David McIntosh.

Love: It comes after Kelly said she and model Jeremy, 37, are 'open' to marriage if 'all the stars align'

She also dated lothario Danny Cipriani on and off from 2008 to 2010.

Kelly's relationship with her first fiance Jason, now 54, lasted for seven years before they split up in 2004.

The action-thriller film star is now engaged to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and the pair share two children.

Fiance number two Billy, 56, is an American actor and Kelly met him on the set of Survival Island, also known as Three, in 2005.

Past romance: Kelly was previously engaged to Billy Zane, 56, is an American actor and Kelly met him on the set of Survival Island, also known as Three, in 2005 (pictured 2008)

They called it time on their relationship in 2008.

Scottish international rugby union player Thom Evans, 37, was Kelly's third husband-to-be, and they dated from 2010 to 2013.

The pair sadly suffered two miscarriages during their time together.

The sportsman is now dating Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.

Short-lived romance: The fourth and most recent of her fiance's was Gladiator competitor David McIntosh, who she was with for less than a year before they split in January 2015

In at fourth, Gladiator competitor David, now 36, and Kelly were together for less than a year before they split in January 2015.

David proposed after just 11 weeks of dating before they suffered an extremely acrimonious split six months later.

Kelly and Jeremy, who met via Instagram, recently celebrated their seventh anniversary - which marks the day he packed up his French abode and moved in with her in Kent.

Of their secret to long-lasting love, Kelly said: 'I just think I think being older and wiser. We have the same kind of goals. Jeremy's a family man. I love being with family. We just have a lot in common.'
Daniel Radcliffe transformed into Weird Al Yankovic in the first teaser trailer for Roku Original's upcoming biopic about the life of the satirical musician.

On Tuesday, the streaming platform released a minute-long clip in which the 32-year-old actor was seen playing Weird Al's trademark accordion and spitting out whiskey while going shirtless on stage as he embodied the hitmaker.

'Hope you guys are ready for this,' Daniel told a crowd of screaming fans as the trailer opened.

The latest: Daniel Radcliffe transformed into Weird Al Yankovic in the first teaser trailer for Roku Original's upcoming biopic about the life of the satirical musician

The Harry Potter star was seen from behind while shirtless on stage with his band before the trailer cut to him lifting up an accordion and shouting, 'Yeah!"

Like A Surgeon, Weird Al's hit parody of Madonna's classic Like A Virgin, began to play as Daniel was seen giving a high five.

The British performer donned a curly brown wig, mustache, glasses and one of Weird Al's trademark Hawaiian t-shirts.

Channeling Al: The first teaser trailer for Roku Original's upcoming biopic about the life of the satirical musician was released Tuesday

In character: On Tuesday, the streaming platform released a minute-long clip in which the 32-year-old actor was seen playing Weird Al's trademark accordion and spitting out whiskey while going shirtless on stage as he embodied the hitmaker

'Hope you guys are ready for this': Daniel told a crowd of screaming fans as the trailer opened

He was then seen holding an envelope as a group of his friends cheered behind him.

The trailer then cut to Daniel as he played an accordion on stage before he was seen throwing open the door of a music producer's office and throwing an object.

In the next scene, Radcliffe showed off his impressively toned physique as he strutted shirtless across a stage while holding a bottle of whiskey.

Good news: He was then seen holding an envelope as a group of his friends cheered behind him

Performing: The trailer then cut to Daniel as he played an accordion on stage

Had it: He was seen throwing open the door of a music producer's office and throwing an object

He took a swig of whiskey before throwing his head back and spitting it into the air.

Daniel was seen slicing a palm frond, doing a split, performing while dressed in scrubs and battling with a sushi chef in the next scenes.

The trailer cut to another scene in which the Kill Your Darlings actor was seen standing next to Rainn Wilson's Dr. Demento.

Going shirtless: In the next scene, Radcliffe showed off his impressively toned physique as he strutted shirtless across a stage while holding a bottle of whiskey

The band: Weird Al's bandmates included Steve Jay and Jim West

Hitmaker: He has sold over 12 millions records as of 2007 over his career (which has spanned over five decades) and earned five Grammy Awards as well 11 more nominations

'Anybody got an accordion?' he asked as he was surrounded by outstretched hands holding three accordions.

The trailer concluded as Daniel, who wore an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt, stood at the door of a mansion while Madonna (Evan Rachel Wood) walked by behind him.

'What can I say? I'm full of surprises,' he said as he shut the door with a slam.

'Anybody got an accordion?': Daniel was seen playing Weird Al's signature instrument

Like a surgeon: The Harry Potter star was dressed up in scrubs in one scene

Funny: Daniel was seen battling a sushi chef in another scene

Per Variety, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story was produced by Funny or Die and Tango. Weird Al himself co-wrote the script along with Funny or Die's Eric Appel, who also directed the biopic.

In addition to Radcliffe, Wilson and Wood, the cast also stars Julianne Nicholson and Toby Huss as Weird Al's parents Mary and Nick Yankovic.

The biopic follows 'every facet of Yankovic's life, from his meteoric rise to fame with early hits like Eat It and Like a Surgeon to his torrid celebrity affairs and famously depraved lifestyle,' per TVLine.

Co-stars: The trailer cut to another scene in which the Kill Your Darlings actor was seen standing next to Rainn Wilson's Dr. Demento

Icon: Evan Rachel Wood was seen briefly in character as Madonna

Biopic: Per Variety, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story was produced by Funny or Die and Tango. Al himself co-wrote the script along with Funny or Die's Eric Appel, who also directed the biopic

In addition, the movie will take fans on 'a truly unbelievable journey through Yankovic's life and career, from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time.'

It was announced Daniel would play Weird Al in the biopic in January 2022 and filming began in February 2022 in Los Angeles.

Daniel, who became a household name playing Harry Potter in that franchise, is a choice that Weird Al himself approves.

Star power: It was announced Daniel would play Weird Al in the biopic in January 2022

He said of the choice: 'Absolutely thrilled that Daniel will be portraying' him.'

Weird Al jokingly added: 'I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for.'

It is unknown when the film will premiere but it will debut on The Roku Channel, and a Roku device is not required in order to watch it.

Striking: In the first image of Evan as Madonna that was released by Roku, Evan sported a similar look Madonna sported in the 1980s, complete with her ribbon style headband and lace pieces with layered necklaces

Weird Al, born Alfred Matthew Yankovic, became a household name because of his parody songs and comedic lyrics including Eat It, White & Nerdy, Smells Like Nirvana, Like a Surgeon, Amish Paradise and more.

He has sold over 12 millions records as of 2007 over his career (which has spanned over five decades) and earned five Grammy Awards as well 11 more nominations.

The 62-year-old is married to Suzanne Yankovic; they tied the knot in 2001 and are parents to daughter Nina, 19.
Cara Kilbey has given birth to a baby boy named Jagger James, her third child with partner Daniel Harris.

The former TOWIE star, 34, took to Instagram to reveal the happy news on Tuesday as she shared a picture of her bundle of joy with her daughters Penelope, six, and Hunter, four.

In the caption of her post, she gushed: 'Meet Our Surprise Arrival. Jagger James [blue heart emoji].'

Congratulations! Cara Kilbey has given birth to a baby boy named Jagger James, her third child with partner Daniel Harris

Her former co-star on the ITV2 reality show Amy Childs wrote: 'Congratulations darling xx.'

Jess Wright added: 'Congratulations,' with Love Island's Olivia Bowen adding: 'Congratulations gorgeous! So beautiful.'

Sam Faiers wrote: 'Aww congratulations xxx so beautiful xxxxx,' and Danielle Lloyd penned, 'Awww congratulations babe he is beautiful .'

Cara made the happy announcement in January that she is pregnant with her third child, eight months after undergoing surgery for a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Exciting: The former TOWIE star, 34, took to Instagram to reveal the happy news on Tuesday

The influencer took to Instagram to reveal she was six months along, with a snap of her in a white unbuttoned shirt and black underwear, showing off her blossoming baby bump.

Alongside it she wrote: '6 Months Baby. Baby Harris Due in May'.

Her comments section was flooded with comments from her ex co-stars, wishing her congratulations on her happy news.

Ferne McCann wrote: 'Oh wow darling congratulations you look amazing', while Jess Wright commented: 'Congratulations lovely' with a string of heart emojis.

Wow! In the caption of her post, she gushed: 'Meet Our Surprise Arrival. Jagger James [blue heart emoji]'

Supportive: Her comments section was flooded with comments from her ex co-stars, wishing her congratulations on her happy news

It comes after in May 2021, Cara revealed that she had to have one of her fallopian tubes removed via keyhole surgery after suffering a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Updating her fans on why she'd been quiet on social media, the mother-of-two candidly detailed her recent health woes, starting: 'I've been quiet on Instagram recently

'Last month I found out I had an ectopic pregnancy that had ruptured and caused an internal bleed, so was rushed into theatre for an emergency op.

'Now I'm back again, but this time with kidney stones... Think I'm overdue a holiday.'

Baby joy: Cara made the happy announcement in January that she is pregnant with her third child, eight months after undergoing surgery for a ruptured ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.

A ruptured fallopian tube is very serious and surgery to repair it needs to be carried out as quickly as possible, according to the NHS.

Cara has left reality TV behind her.

She now runs a pre loved designer good business, often sharing branded items to Instagram at discounted prices.

And after leaving the show, Cara met her boyfriend Daniel Harris in 2014 and in 2015 she suffered a miscarriage when she was five months pregnant.

'I was rushed into theatre': Updating her fans on why she'd been quiet on social media, the mother-of-two candidly detailed her recent health woes, starting: 'I've been quiet on Instagram recently'

WHAT IS AN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY? An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are the tubes connecting the ovaries to the womb. If an egg gets stuck in them, it won't develop into a baby and your health may be at risk if the pregnancy continues. Unfortunately, it's not possible to save the pregnancy. It usually has to be removed using medicine or an operation. In the UK, around 1 in every 80-90 pregnancies is ectopic. This is around 12,000 pregnancies a year. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

The couple now have two children, daughter Penelope Blu and son Hunter, with their little boy being born after Daniel served time in prison.

Daniel was accused of masterminding a drugs empire, but was cleared of drugs charges and instead found guilty of stashing 116,000 in ill-gotten gains in 2017.

Cara had been patiently waiting while her partner languished in jail, shortly after the birth of Penelope, who she brought to visit him one to two times a week.

Daniel was accused of making 'vast profits' by sending drug couriers on mopeds disguised as trainee cab drivers around central London over three-and-a-half years.

They announced they were expecting Hunter in June 2017, just two months after Daniel was released.

The couple met while Harris was living out in Spain with his father and she was on holiday there. They returned to the UK in September 2015 when she fell pregnant.

It was previously reported that other men, some of whom were his friends, went on to plead guilty to their part in the plots and have been jailed for more than 68 years.

Cara still shares snaps of her beau and their children, with her last posting a lovely image of Daniel and Penelope in the sea to mark his birthday in March.
TikTok sensation Hasbulla Magomedov is heading Down Under.

The 19-year-old, who has dwarfism and is famous for his child-like appearance, announced on Tuesday he's coming to Australia for a live event.

Hasbulla is the latest international celebrity to collaborate with The Hour Group, an Australian company that runs motivational speaking events.

Hasbulla Down Under! TikTok sensation Hasbulla Magomedov, 19, (pictured) has announced he is travelling to Australia for an exclusive speaking event

While finer details of his trip have not yet been revealed, it's clear the aspiring MMA fighter will have plenty to discuss when he takes to the stage.

Hasbulla shot to fame in late 2020 when he began posting videos on Instagram and TikTok of himself performing daring stunts and pranks.

With his unique appearance and confident attitude, Hasbulla soon amassed a huge online following.

Online fame: The aspiring MMA star, who has dwarfism, shot to fame in late 2020 when he began posting videos on Instagram and TikTok of himself performing daring stunts and pranks

Popular: With his unique appearance and confident attitude, Hasbulla soon amassed a huge online following

He now boasts 4.6 billion views on TikTok, and 2.6 million followers on Instagram.

Hasbulla has also attracted attention by challenging prominent UFC stars to fights, including MMA champion Conor McGregor.

'I want to punish this one [McGregor]. He talks too much,' he said in a recent viral clip.

A star is born! He now boasts 4.6 billion views on TikTok, and 2.6 million followers on Instagram

Unlikely friends: Hasbulla's newfound fame helped him befriend Russian MMA fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov (right), which led to fans nicknaming him 'Mini Khabib'

Expanding his brand: In December 2021, Hasbulla dipped his toe into the fledgling NFT market by launching a cartoon that resembled himself

Hasbulla's newfound fame helped him befriend Russian MMA fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, which led to fans nicknaming him 'Mini Khabib'.

And In December 2021, he dipped his toe into the fledgling NFT market by launching a cartoon that resembled himself.

Hasbulla was born with Growth Hormone Deficiency, a condition known as dwarfism, causing him to have an abnormally short stature with normal body proportions.
Joe Jonas and his pregnant wife Sophie Turner looked in bright spirits while out in New York City this Tuesday.

The duo were enjoying a casual stroll just one day after they brought a flash of metallic dazzle to the Gilded Age-themed Met Gala.

Sophie, 26, who already has a one-year-old daughter called Willa with Joe, draped her burgeoning baby bump in a grey t-shirt.

Stepping out: Joe Jonas and his pregnant wife Sophie Turner looked in bright spirits while out in New York City this Tuesday

She zipped a dark crop hoodie over the top and slipped into a matching pair of midnight blue sweats, rounding off the look with shades and sneakers.

Meanwhile Joe threw a walnut brown jacket over a simple jeans-and-t-shirt outfit, chatting on his phone while heading down the sidewalk.

One day earlier Joe and Sophie were seen dressed to the nines as they strode up the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art.

Both of them exuded style in shimmering monochrome Louis Vuitton outfits with metallic accents that afforded them a dash of disco dazzle.

Bump: The pregnant star showed off her pregnancy belly while out in NYC

Meanwhile: Joe threw a walnut brown jacket over a simple jeans-and-t-shirt outfit, chatting on his phone while heading down the sidewalk

In her stride: The actress looked comfy and casual while out and about

Side by side: The duo were enjoying a casual stroll just one day after they brought a flash of metallic dazzle to the Gilded Age-themed Met Gala

This year the Met Gala returned to its usual date of the first Monday in May, after last year's event had to be held in September because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, has been at the helm of the Met Gala for more than a quarter of a century.

The theme of the 2022 event was Gilded Glamour, with Vogue instructing guests 'to embody the grandeur - and perhaps the dichotomy - of Gilded Age New York.'

Joe and Sophie nodded towards the ear, he in a coat with floor-length tails and she in a flowing floor-length frock reminiscent of the late 19th century.

On the town: One day earlier Joe and Sophie were seen dressed to the nines as they strode up the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Both of them caressed Sophie's baby bump as they posed up a storm for the shutterbugs on what is often dubbed 'fashion's biggest night.'

About two months ago multiple news outlets reported that Joe and Sophie are expecting their second little bundle of joy.

The couple tied the knot in Las Vegas on May Day 2019, exchanging vows in front of an Elvis impersonator after attending the Billboard Music Awards.

They had a larger wedding in France later that year, and the following July during the coronavirus lockdowns Sophie welcomed their daughter Willa into the world.
Gold medal-winning Paralympian Kelly Cartwright is expecting her third child with her longtime partner Ryan Miller.

The Australian sprinter and long jumper, 33, shared the happy news on Instagram on Tuesday by posting a picture of her ultrasound scan.

Kelly and Ryan's baby is due in November.

'New addition to our family coming in November!' Gold medal-winning Paralympian Kelly Cartwright (right) is expecting her third child with her longtime partner Ryan Miller (left)

Kelly said the news came as a surprise for the couple, who previously 'gave all their baby things away' after their two children outgrew them.

'Surprise!' she wrote in the caption.

'We are so excited / nervous to add the third and last addition to our little family! Coming this November.'

Baby joy: The Australian sprinter and long jumper, 33, shared the happy news on Instagram on Tuesday by posting this picture of her ultrasound scan

'I promised to not find out this time but I'm already struggling. So gender reveal coming soon,' she added.

Kelly's friends offered their well-wishes in the comments section, with footy WAG Alex Fevola writing: 'Congratulations!'

Radio host Ash Pollard commented: 'Oh, my god!'

Kelly and Ryan, who have been together for more than seven years, are already parents to daughter Charley, two, and son Max, five.

Growing family: Kelly and Ryan, who have been together for more than seven years, are already parents to daughter Charley, two, and son Max, five

Kelly was just 15 years old when her leg was amputated after she'd been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called synovial sarcoma.

'I remember telling the doctors I'd rather die than have my leg amputated,' she previously told Daily Mail Australia.

But after researching the survival rates without amputation, Kelly made the tough decision to have her leg removed.

Amputation: Kelly was just 15 years old when her leg was amputated after she'd been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called synovial sarcoma

'I remember meeting other amputees afterwards, which was hugely helpful - as was the rehabilitation,' she said.

'Speaking to other people and working with my mentor was also invaluable - it helped me to go back to sport.'

After having her right leg amputated, Kelly went on to win two Paralympic medals, climb Mount Kilimanjaro and appear on Dancing with the Stars.
Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has quashed reports that he is in talks with President Emmerson Mnangagwa with the aim of forming a government of national unity.

Chamisa was responding to reports by Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, who last week claimed that the CCC leader was behind the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations proposal to defer elections for seven years.

I am not engaged with Mnangagwa on any dialogue regarding a government structure. The only dialogue and pact I have called for is the pre-election pact that must be done. I also disagreed with the proposal by the churches to have a sabbatical on elections and said we only need a sabbatical on election violence, Chamisa told journalists on Sunday on the sidelines of the Workers Day celebrations, which were held in Dzivarasekwa in Harare.

CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Siziba yesterday told NewsDay that the only pact that Chamisa wanted with all political parties was electoral reforms.

We need a national dialogue with political parties on the pre-election pact and electoral reforms so that we put an end to the past of contested elections. We dont want violence in the next elections, and we dont need the abuse of State institutions at all, Siziba said.

We dont want a political dialogue to share power, we want dialogue with all political parties, and Zanu PF being our major opponent, on electoral reforms. Chamisa has never refused dialogue with all political parties on electoral reforms.

Political analyst Maxwell Saungweme said there was need for Chamisa and Mnangagwa to engage in dialogue to end socio-economic problems bedevilling the country.

The socio-economic and political challenges facing the country cannot be unlocked by political science. After every war, people engage in dialogue. Even after independence, we engaged in dialogue. Zimbabwe needs dialogue, he said.

If President Mnangagwa and Chamisa care about Zimbabwe, they should be able to talk to each other. I dont find any wisdom in one saying they dont want to talk to the other, even for the electoral reforms, there is need for dialogue. After all we are all Zimbabweans.

Another political analyst Sydicks Muradzikwa said: Chamisa is not refusing to engage in dialogue, but he is refusing the terms of reference for the dialogue. He is simply saying that President Mnangagwa is part of the problem and cannot be part of the solution, and cannot be the convenor of the dialogue. That is the major reason he is refusing to talk to Mnangagwa. If there is no dialogue, we are going to continue to see the same problems.

The youthful opposition leader, who contested the 2018 polls as the MDC Alliance presidential candidate, has refused to recognise Mnangagwas electoral victory citing vote rigging.

He has also refused to be part of the Political Actors Dialogue created by Mnangagwa and made up of losing fringe 2018 presidential aspirants. Newsday
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Paparazzi pioneer Ron Galella, who was dubbed 'Paparazzo Extraordinaire' and the 'Godfather' of the industry, passed away on Saturday.

The photographer - who clashed with celebrities such as former First Lady Jacqueline Onassis and actor Marlon Brando - passed at his home in Montville, New Jersey at 91 years of age from congestive heart failure, according to The New York Times.

Galella's passing was confirmed by Geoffrey Croft, who edited Galella's most recent book 100 Iconic Photographs - A Retrospective.

R.I.P.: Paparazzi pioneer Ron Galella, who was dubbed 'Paparazzo Extraordinaire' and the 'Godfather' of the industry, passed away on Saturday

Stint: Galella was born in New York City in January 1931, starting his photography career as a United States Air Force photographer from 1951 to 1955, including a stint in the Korean War

Galella was born in New York City in January 1931, starting his photography career as a United States Air Force photographer from 1951 to 1955, including a stint in the Korean War.

After his stint with the military, he attended the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, graduating with a photojournalism degree in 1958.

He started taking pictures of celebrities at movie premieres and selling them to publications like National Enquirer in the early 1960s, long before paparazzi photographers became ubiquitous at such events.

His best-selling photo was of windswept Jackie Onassis (pictured) as she walked down Madison Avenue in New York City wearing no makeup and jeans. He told Forbes in 2020 it was an off chance that he got the photo as he was riding in a taxi down the street. 'I was driving in the backseat of a taxi and the taxi driver blew his horn  a stroke of luck, I didnt ask him to  and thats how I got that great picture,' he told the outlet

He chased her down the street to get more shots (pictured). He said Jackie put her sunglasses on the second she realized it was him

He even admitted that 'unpoised' shots were his favorite and that's what attracted him to Jackie Onassis. He told Forbes in 2020: 'Thats why Jackie O was my favorite, she didnt stop and pose. Full of life, moving around and going to events.'

Jackie was his muse and he even called his 'girlfriend, in a way' at one point. He took so many photographs of her that a judge issued a restraining order of 25 feet and 30 feet from her children

Clashed: The photographer - who clashed with celebrities such as Jacqueline Onassis and Marlon Brando - passed at his home in Montville, New Jersey at 91 years of age from congestive heart failure, according to the New York Times

Galella catapulted his career by taking pictures of celebrities at galas and parties. He became a staple photographer at the Met Gala, which he shot for more than 50 years and even released a book titled Costume Galas and Parties 1927-2018: The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2019.

Many of his most iconic photos were taken inside the Gala, back when photographers were allowed to roam the museum freely throughout the event, but he admitted in 2020 it had become more 'restrictive.'

'I had the freedom to shoot people in the exhibit, better pictures to get different angles, them in action with their gowns. That stopped because there was so much demand, they put up tents in the front and only allowed arrivals for photographers,' he told Forbes in 2020.

He admitted to sneaking into the event in the years after a few times to get 'unpoised' shots of the stars and even accompanied his friend George Wimple, who had a local TV crew covering the event, as his still photographer to get exclusive pictures inside the party.

He even admitted that 'unpoised' shots were his favorite and what attracted him to former First Lady Jackie Onassis. He told Forbes in 2020: 'Thats why Jackie O was my favorite, she didnt stop and pose. Full of life, moving around and going to events.'

His work was quickly despised by celebrities, like Jackie, for taking their photographs without permission, with a judge in the late 1960s calling him one of the worst, 'two-bit chiselers and fixers.'

He would reportedly hide in bushes or behind parked cars, and sometimes even bribed doormen or limo drivers to get the shots he needed.

Galella is perhaps best known for his incessant pursuit of Jackie, which even lead to a nearly decade-long legal battle.

He also said actor Marlon Brando (left) made him famous after punching him in the face and knocking out five of Galella's teeth. The photographer (right) was later seen wearing a helmet to photograph the actor. He said in his 2010 documentary: 'I don't want anyone to think they can go around punching me if I am taking their picture. Get that story out, not the money'

The photographer still had the helmet after all these years, covered with the name 'Ron' and stars and two 'paparazzi' stickers

He was also a staple at the Met Gala and was even snuck into the event to get exclusive shots after photographers were banned from coming inside (pictured: Cher and Paulette Betts at the 1974 Met Gala)

Jackie sued Galella in 1972, claiming the photographer was making her life, 'intolerable, almost unlivable, with his constant surveillance,' while he claimed he had the right to earn a living by taking these pictures.

The result was a judge handing down a restraining order barring Galella from being 25 feet away from Jackie O, and 30 feet from her children.

He was found guilty of breaking that order four times over the next decade, which he faced over seven years in jail for and a $120,000 fine.

He would ultimately settle for a $10,000 fine and giving up his rights to photograph Jackie and her children.

Galella admitted in the 2010 documentary Smash His Camera (the title of which is taken from Jackie O's instructions to a security guard) that he was 'obsessed' with the former First Lady.

'I had no girlfriend. She was my girlfriend, in a way,' Galella said in the documentary.

His best-selling photograph was of Jackie walking down Madison Avenue in New York City wearing no makeup, jeans, and her hair windblown.

He told Forbes in 2020 it was an off chance that he got the photo as he was riding in a taxi down the street.

He was known for liking to take the unpoised photographs of celebrities, like Dustin Hoffman at the NYC tennis tournament

He also shot former President Donald Trump (left) in 1987 with Al Sharpton, among other famous celebrities

He even pictured the Royal Family. Galella was known to lean outside of taxis and hide in bushes and behind cars to get natural pictures of celebrities

Sean Penn (right) punched Galella whiling out walking with then-girlfriend Madonna (left) as they walked NYC in 1986

He also shot pictures of Michael Jackson and actress Brooke Shields and child-actor Emmanuel Lewis (pictured)

'I was driving in the backseat of a taxi and the taxi driver blew his horn  a stroke of luck, I didnt ask him to  and thats how I got that great picture,' he told the outlet.

'She didnt know it was me because I was holding my camera up. But once I got out of the car, and she saw it was me, she put her glasses on. I got her for another block. She turned to me and said: "Are you pleased with yourself?" I said: "Yes, I am, thank you, goodbye."'

He said Jackie made him famous and claimed he was the 'most famous paparazzo in the world.'

'They call me the godfather,' he said in 2020.

He also claimed Jackie kept the book of photographs he took 'until the day she died.' The book is now in a Boston museum.

'The other thing was Marlon Brando slugging me, knocking five teeth out of my jaw. That made me famous, too. The controversy helped,' he told Forbes in 2020.

The photographer was punched in the face by Marlon Brando in 1972 after following him outside of a restaurant in New York City, knocking out five of his teeth with a single punch. He sued the actor, who ultimately settled for $40,000.

Two-bit: His work was quickly despised by celebrities for taking their photographs without permission, with a judge in the late 1960s calling him one of the worst, 'two-bit chiselers and fixers'

Sued: Onassis sued Galella in 1972, claiming the photographer was makin her life, 'intolerable, almost unlivable, with his constant surveillance,' while he claimed he had the right to earn a living by taking these pictures

He was later seen wearing a football helmet the next time he photographed the actor and said in his 2010 documentary: 'I don't want anyone to think they can go around punching me if I am taking their picture. Get that story out, not the money.'

Galella also once bribed a watchman at a warehouse $15 to 'lock me in over a weekend so I could get exclusive shots of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton on their yacht' in London in 1969.

He also had contentious run-ins with celebs such Elvis Presley, whose security guards slashed his tires; and Sean Penn, who punched him while photographing the actor with his then-wife Madonna; and Doris Day, who he cut a hole in a hedge to snap pictures of her sunbathing.

'My idea of a good picture is one thats in focus and of a famous person doing something infamous. It's being in the right place at the wrong time,' he told BBC at an unknown time.

He was known to ambush celebrities by jumping out of bushes and phone boxes and leaning out of taxis to get the shot.

Obsessed: Galella admitted in the 2010 documentary Smash His Camera (the title of which is taken from Jackie O's instructions to a security guard) that he was 'obsessed' with the former First Lady

Photos: Despite the hatred of his methods, the photographs themselves were often widely praised, appearing in publications such as Time, Life, People and The National Enquirer

Books: Galella published 22 books of photography, and his work has been exhibited in galleries around the world, with Andy Warhol calling him his favorite photographer

Despite the hatred of his methods, the photographs themselves were often widely praised, appearing in publications such as Time, Life, People and The National Enquirer.

Galella published 22 books of photography, and his work has been exhibited in galleries around the world, with Andy Warhol calling him his favorite photographer.

He married Betty Lou Burke in 1979, who worked as a photo editor for Today Is Sunday before becoming his business partner until her death in 2017.

Galella is survived by his brother Vincent and many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and -nephews.
Have you ever:

Met someone who was working on a cause you cared about, told them how grateful you were, and then told them how your partner wished she could be here right now,

right when she was standing next to you all along??

What would you call this? Weird or just a memory loss?

Donald Trump. Photo: AP

Most of us who remember Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, know him to be an amusing and an entertaining leader. Though he did not always go by the rules, his antics were quite popular. Also, people loved pulling him up when he forgot something that he ideally shouldn't have.

Here is a list of seven instances when Trump faced backlash for his forgetfulness:

1. WHAT'S HIS NAME AGAIN?

If you were watching this live, take a shot and guess: Who exactly is Trump talking about? Coz you might get confused.

Trump: Weve endorsed Dr.Oz. Weve endorsed JP right? JD Mandell. Hes doing great pic.twitter.com/wkP3KetanL  Acyn (@Acyn) May 1, 2022

During a rally in Nebraska in May 2022, Trump endorsed the wrong candidate for the elections to the US Senate. This was after he bragged about his ''perfect'' score on a cognitive/ dementia test, something he has been bragging about for years.

Trump at the rally in Ohio.Photo : AP

At the rally, he appeared to forget the name of JD Vance, a candidate who he was endorsing in Ohio. But, instead of directly acknowledging JD Vance, he said, ''we have endorsed Dr Oz'' (who btw is a candidate in Pennsylvania and not in Ohio). Then, he corrected himself in the next statement, saying that, Weve endorsed  JP, right? JD Mandel, and hes doing great. Theyre all doing good''. Now we don't know who JD Mandel is, but it was definitely not the person he should have spoken about.

LOL!, were in Ohio and when I heard Trump saying he endorsed JD Mandel I nearly fell off the couch LMAO! The Republican senate race here is EMBARRASSING! ?? They forgot #ETTD All trying to be Trumps favorite boy. And of course he forgets which rival Trumper he endorsed!  Birgit Kirstin ????? (@birkirstin) May 2, 2022

What pissed off a lot of people was the fact that this happened immediately after he bragged about passing a basic 10-minute dementia test, which allows clinicians to spot signs of dementia. If you don't know, many years back, Trump had taken the test, and he aced it. He always talks about acing this difficult test in his rallies since that stopped some people from calling him stupid. Many also think that Trump takes this test seriously because he considers it as an IQ test.

Trump took a cognitive test because he didn't 'like being called stupid'. This is a copy of the DEMENTIA test that was given : Can you name the Lion?? Dont share this- it would really piss off Trump. #StupidTrump #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/KKcyLeOVNa  PointLucid (@VaccDMichele) April 24, 2022

2. MY APP IS CALLED ERM...

You might remember how Trump was banned from Twitter, which led him to starting his own social media platform. During a rally in April 2022, Trump appeared to have forgotten the name of his own social media platform. He managed to use some fancy accent and called the app ''Truth Central'' when the app is actually called ''Truth Social''.

Trump doesnt even know the name of his own social media platform Truth Social. pic.twitter.com/ktVpuJDLMk  Ron Filipkowski ???? (@RonFilipkowski) April 24, 2022

The ironic thing is, Trump was never really active active on this app all this while. On April 29, when he finally posted something for the first time, people tweeted about it and wondered why he had started a platform that he was himself not using.

JUST IN - Trump is back on social media, but this time on Truth Social, his first post says: pic.twitter.com/HyVhdUouPd  Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) April 28, 2022

3. MY WIFE IS (NOT) MISSING THIS

In 2017, the Trumps visited Florida and the former President briefed the ground-level workers on hurricane Irma rescue efforts. As he spoke about the rescue work, he thanked the rescue teams and said, "I just want to thank everybody, the first responders, on behalf of myself, our Vice-President. Melania really wanted to be with us, it has really touched her heart."

Imagine standing next to the President and being spoken about, as if you weren't here the entire time. OUCH.. But Melania, the posh first lady, kept a straight face and nodded while Trump made this blunder.

@seanhannity asked @mcuban if Biden has the mental acuity to take on the toughest job in the world.Trump forgot Melania was standing next to him. Is that enough "mental acuity" Sean?"Melania really wanted to be with us" Who is that standing RIGHT next to you?? pic.twitter.com/F6uJVKBq2y  ?????????? ?????? ?? ?????????? (@TeddyB_NYGiants) June 24, 2020

No one understood this madness.

If this doesn't demonstrate a complete break with reality, then I don't know what does!! The look on Melania's face is clearly being stunned  ????????Maureen Startin?????????? (@MaureenStartin) September 22, 2017

4. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT I GOT YOU LAST YEAR, YOUR MAJESTY

When was the last time you gifted someone, who you meet very rarely, and did not remember what you gifted?

Donald Trump with the Queen. Photo: Reuters

When Donald Trump was in the UK and was rubbing shoulders with the royals at the Buckingham Palace, he had a rather embarrassing moment with the Queen. He totally forgot about a gift he gave Her Majesty just a year before.

The Trumps had gifted a statue of a horse to the Queen.

Trump was also shown the pewter horse that hed given the Queen last year in his visit to Windsor. He was asked if he recognised it and he said no! Melania came to his rescue and said I think we gave that to the Queen. pic.twitter.com/SaIXvhUb7P  Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) June 3, 2019

But when they came to meet the Queen the next year, they were shown the gift. When the Queen asked Mr. Trump if he remembered the gift, Mr. Trump said ''No''. But Melania came to the rescue (as usual) and said I think we gave that to the Queen. What an embarrassing moment to be in.

5. LET'S GET IN?

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania welcomed Prime Minister Andrej Babis and Mrs. Monika Babisova of the Czech Republic for their first official visit to the White House pic.twitter.com/Gq6RL8n47t  POLITICO (@politico) March 7, 2019

In 2019, Donald and Melania Trump welcomed the Prime Minister of Czech Republic, Andrej Babis and his wife Monika Babisova to the White House. But after they met for a few seconds, Trump and Andrej moved inside the White House. Meanwhile, Melania and Monika who were waiting to pose for pictures, were left outside the White House. After the embarrassing couple of seconds, Monica literally shrugged shoulders and then they both followed their husbands inside.

It's quite clear from their reactions that the women did not expect this particular bit of weird behaviour.

6. SHE HAS A SON. IS HE MINE TOO? PROBABLY YEAH.

Donald, Melania and their son Barron. Photo : Reuters

Trump was pulled up on Trevor Noah's show when the former US president said something confusing to the media. Melania was also present when Trump was talking about vaping-related incidents and how it was affecting the US citizens. Trump mentioned that Melania felt strongly about this situation as she has a son. Then he added the word ''together''.

Why this caught public's attention was because this so called son that he spoke about, Barron Trump, was his son too.

Trevor Noah rightly said: ''So what does he mean when he says, she has a son? How on earth does Trump forget that he has a son? Hes like the worlds worst dad.''

TONIGHT: Donald Trump moves to ban flavored e-cigarettes, inspired in part by his wifes son, who is coincidentally also his own son. pic.twitter.com/ts4LtwlhHD  The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) September 11, 2019

Shes got a son? he said. You mean, the son she made with you?

7. HE WHOSE NAME I CANNOT REMEMBER

When Trump addressed his followers at Arizona in Jul 2021, he recalled a meeting with Taliban leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada. But he could only recall the meeting, not the name of the person he met. So for the sake of understanding, Trump renamed the man on the spot, while he was giving his speech. Guess what he called him? Mohammed!

Trump can't remember the name of the Taliban leader, says, "let's call him Mohammed." (His name is Hibatullah Akhundzada) pic.twitter.com/bhZgVZnz7Y  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 25, 2021

Trump paused when he couldn't remember Akhundzada's name and said, "let's call him Mohammad." As our entertainer tried to impersonate Akhundzada, the crowd laughed.

What other behaviours of Trump have got you chuckling?
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For Release: Thursday, April 21, 2022

DEC Announces May 1 Opening of Turkey Hunting Seasons

Annual Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend is April 23 and 24

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that spring turkey season opens on Sunday, May 1, in all of upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary. In addition, DEC's annual youth turkey hunting weekend will take place on Saturday, April 23, and Sunday, April 24. The youth turkey hunt for junior hunters ages 12 to 15 is open in all of upstate New York and Suffolk County.

"May is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the fantastic turkey hunting opportunities throughout New York State," Commissioner Seggos said. "The gobble of a tom turkey keeps hunters going afield year after year to chase these popular game birds."

The spring turkey harvest in New York averages approximately 19,000 birds and varies based on the number of participants and turkey productivity in the previous few spring seasons. This spring, DEC biologists expect hunters to take more turkeys than last year. Hunters prefer to take toms (birds older than two years) over younger male jakes, so typically wildlife managers see a two-year lag between summer productivity and spring take. Overall, turkey populations are lower than a few years ago due to below-average reproductive success in two of the last three years. However, improved turkey productivity in 2020 will mean a greater proportion of toms available to hunters this spring compared to last year.

Important Information for the May Spring Turkey Season:

Hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for New York City and Long Island;

Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their hunting license;

Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day;

Hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day;

The bag limit for the youth hunt is one bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth's regular season bag limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken in upstate New York (north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary) beginning May 1;

Hunters may not use rifles or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 8, or with a bow or crossbow (except crossbows may not be used in Westchester County);

Successful hunters must fill out the tag that comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested;

Successful hunters must report their harvest within seven days of taking a bird. Call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or report harvest online at DEC's Game Harvest Reporting webpage; and

For more information about turkey hunting in New York, see the 2021-22 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit the Turkey Hunting pages of DEC's webpage.

Hunt Safe, Hunt Smart!

While statistics show that hunting in New York State is safer than ever, mistakes are made each year. Every hunting-related shooting incident is preventable, and DEC encourages hunters to use common sense this season and remember what they were taught in their DEC Hunter Education course:

Point your gun in a safe direction;

Treat every gun as if it were loaded;

Be sure of your target and beyond;

Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; and

Stalking stinks! Sit with your back against a tree or other object wider than your shoulders and call birds to you.

DEC also encourages all hunters to wear blaze orange or blaze pink when moving between hunting spots to make themselves more visible to other hunters. A blaze orange or blaze pink vest or other material can be hung in a nearby tree when you are set up and calling birds so other hunters are alerted to your presence.

A hunter education class is required for all new hunters. To find a hunter education class in your area, visit DEC's Hunter Education Program webpage or call 1-888-HUNT-ED2 (1-888-486-8332).

Tips for a Successful and Safe Turkey Hunting Season

Don't stalk. More than half of turkey hunting injuries happen when a hunter is stalking.

Always assume any call or footsteps you hear are from another hunter. Don't shoot until you clearly see the whole turkey and know its sex;

If you see another hunter, talk to him or her clearly, and don't move. Never wave or use a turkey call to alert another hunter;

Turkeys are tough. You need to be close (30 yards or less is best). You need to get a clear head and neck shot. Do not try to shoot them in the body or when they are flying;

Smaller shot, no. 4, 5, and 6, work better than larger shot, due to denser shot patterns;

When calling, sit still with your back against a big tree, to hide you from turkeys and stalkers;

Never wear turkey colors -- red, white, or blue;

Wear hunter orange or pink when going in or out of the woods and when walking around;

When sitting still waiting for a turkey, put hunter orange or pink on a tree near you; and

If you take a turkey or carry a decoy, wrap it in hunter orange or pink.

For more information about getting outdoors and protecting public lands, go to DEC's Love Our NY Lands webpage and learn how to be prepared, Leave No TraceTM, and other tips to be outdoors safely.

Buy Sporting Licenses Online

Sporting licenses may be purchased online at any time (leaves DEC website), and privileges can be used immediately by simply carrying the transaction number (DEC-LS#) while afield. Anglers, hunters, and trappers may also use the HuntFishNY mobile app to display an electronic copy of their license. The HuntFishNY app is available for download through the Apple App or Google Play stores. Back tags and carcass tags must still be mailed, and customers should allow 10-14 days for receipt of their tags. Please visit DEC's website for more information about sporting licenses.

Citizen Science Opportunity: DEC Seeks Turkey Hunters for Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey

Turkey hunters can record the number of ruffed grouse they hear drumming while afield to help DEC track the distribution and abundance of this game bird. To get a survey form, go to DEC's website or call (518) 402-8883. To participate in DEC's Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey or other wildlife surveys, visit the "Citizen Science" page of DEC's website.

Draft Regulations Available for Public Comment

Turkey hunters are reminded that DEC is accepting public comments through June 5, 2022, on proposed regulations that would expand turkey hunting opportunities beginning this fall, changing the minimum shot size from #8 to #9, and establishing a spring turkey season in Suffolk County in 2023. More information about these proposals can be found on DEC's website.
INFORMATION minister Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday said Zimbabwe stood guided by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Union (AU) on reports that the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) was setting up a base in neighbouring Zambia.

Mutsvangwa said: Zimbabwe respects the sovereign decisions made by all independent States. When it comes to regional security issues Zimbabwe is guided by collective decisions made by member States.

Foreign Affairs ministry spokesperson Levit Mugejo added: Address this issue to the Zambian embassy or the United States embassy. We cannot comment on something that we have heard in the media. There is a Sadc position and the African Union position on these issues.

Reports on April 25 said AFRICOM would open an Office of Security Co-operation at the US embassy in Zambia.

A statement by the US embassy in Zambia revealed that the US had invested over US$8 million to assist in the pre-deployment training of Zambian battalions to be deployed on the United Nations Multidimensional Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic.

However, the setting up of an AFRICOM office in Zambia has divided opinion within Zambia.

The New Heritage Party wishes to place on record, its strong misgivings about the announcement by the American General Peter Bailey that the American and the Zambian governments have agreed to establish and locate the AFRICOM, which is the military command centre for the US government against its enemies on the African continent, in Zambia, the opposition New Heritage Party led by Chishala Kateka said.

AFRICOM is a combatant organ of the US defence department. Sadc countries, including South Africa, have been uncomfortable having AFRICOM at their doorsteps. Newsday
HYDERABAD: The BJP on Monday took serious objection to the state government's claims that the weaver community was being well taken care of, and that there were no distress-driven suicides in that community.

BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar challenged Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao to visit the Palamuru region with him and he would prove that the TRS government was lying on this issue.

Sanjay, on day 19 of his padayatra, was accompanied by senior leader and BJP's in-charge for Madhya Pradesh P. Muralidhar Rao.

Addressing a meeting at Kistapur village in Narayanpet constituency during a stop-over, Sanjay slammed industries minister K.T. Rama Rao for his letter in which he asked why the Centre had done previous little for the weavers' community. He said the Centre had permitted setting up of a mega textile park but the state government had not allotted land for it.

Urging people to question TRS leaders, on the failure of the government to keep its promises, Sanjay said MNREGA workers were not being paid even once in three months when the norm is that payments should be made every week.

He said the Centre was providing financial aid for distribution of sheep, goats, and fish fingerlings. The state received Rs 1,000 crore as subsidy for the sheep scheme, and in addition, was providing funds for feed for the sheep and fish in tanks, he said.

Muralidhar Rao said Sanjay's padayatra is to understand the woes faced by people, to bring them to the notice of the government and inform the people of the state the way the government is neglecting the needs of its people.

He said the Narendra Modi government has stuck to its promises, scrapped Article 370, is building the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and made triple talaq illegal. The Telangana government is run by a family, and leads in corruption.
New Delhi: There are no victors in the Ukraine conflict and everyone will suffer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Berlin on Monday, as India and Germany strengthened their bilateral ties in talks between Mr Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and signed as many as nine agreements. These included a Green and Sustainable Development Partnership under which Germany will extend financial assistance to India to the tune of a whopping 10 billion euros until 2030, including possible collaboration on Green Energy Corridors, such as the Leh-Haryana transmission line and the project of a carbon neutral Ladakh.

While deciding to ramp up both trade ties and defence and security cooperation, both nations also declared they had finalised negotiations on a Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership that will facilitate two-way mobility of students, professional and researchers as well as addressing the challenges of illegal migration.

The two leaders also co-chaired the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between the two nations, with the German Chancellor inviting Mr Modi to attend the Group of Seven summit that will be held next month in Germany.

In the presence of Mr Modi at a media event, the German Chancellor appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the Ukraine war and accused Moscow of having violated international law by invading Ukraine. Speaking later and reiterating Indias stand for the immediate cessation of hostilities, Mr Modi said: There would be no victors in the Ukraine conflict and everyone will suffer due to it. But the differences in perception between the two nations were obvious in the joint statement, in which Germany strongly condemned Russia for its unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, but New Delhi refrained from doing so.

Both nations, however, jointly expressed their serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine, reiterated the need for 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. Both leaders also discussed the destabilising effect of the conflict in Ukraine and its broader regional and global implications and agreed to remain closely engaged on the issue. They also called reiterated the significance of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, in a veiled indication towards Chinas role.

Other bilateral pacts signed on Monday included one on implementation of Triangular Development Cooperation projects in Third Countries, another on the establishment of an agreement on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information and on the establishment of an agreement to establish a direct encrypted link between the MEA and the German Foreign Office and also ones on establishment of an Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force and bilateral cooperation on Renewable Energy Partnership.

Addressing the media in Mr Modis presence, the German Chancellor said: Russia has violated the fundamental principles of international law ... I repeat my appeal to (President) Putin to end this war. Mr Scholz also accused Russia of brutal attacks on Ukraines civilian population. He said both he and Mr Modi had agreed on the importance of a rules-based order and that borders should not be changed through violence.

Pointing out how fragile, peace and stability in the world are, Mr Modi noted that India had immediately called for a ceasefire in Ukraine from the very beginning of the conflict. We believe no party will be victorious. Everyone will suffer. We are for peace India is very concerned about the humanitarian impact, he said. Mr Modi also pointed to the effects of the war on developing countries, adding that oil prices are skyrocketing with global shortages of food and fertilisers. He noted India has been extending humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

The ICG between both nations was also attended by senior ministers from both sides, including external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman from the Indian side. An official statement by New Delhi said: Participating ministers and officials from both sides presented brief reports on their meetings on the different tracks of the IGC -- Foreign Affairs and Security, Economic, Financial Policy, Scientific and Social Exchange, and Climate, Environment, Sustainable Development and Energy.

On ramping up trade ties, the joint statement said: Germany and India are important trade and investment partners. Both sides 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.  India and Germany expressed their commitment to complete the protocol amending the double tax avoidance agreement quickly. In the field of bilateral trade and investment, both sides underlined their readiness to continue the successful format of the Indo-German Fast Track Mechanism, which has proven to be an important reference for current and future investors.
Senior Congress leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy at the Ujjaini Mahakali temple at Secunderabad, following reports that the management was all set to replace the idol of the Goddess. (Surender Reddy/DC)

HYDERABAD: The Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad, home for the biggest Bonalu celebrations in the state, is planning to install a larger idol of the Goddess as the temple management believes that the existing idol is very small and cannot be seen easily by devotees who throng the temple during the annual festivities.

The Ujjaini Mahankali temple was established in 1815 by Suriti Appiah, who served in the British Army in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. He vowed that he would build a temple for Mahankali in his hometown of Hyderabad if the plague that was wreaking havoc at that time in Ujjain subsided. It was from Ujjain that Appiah brought to the city a nine-inch tall stone idol of the deity and installed it at what is now famously known as Ujjaini Mahankali temple.

With the idol being small, the temple management has put into motion the process to install a new 5-foot 4-inch tall idol of the deity to be placed in front of the original idol. The two are to be connected with a gold string, which, according to the temple authorities, endows the new idol with the same powers as that of the original deity.

Senior Congress leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy, who rushed to the temple after learning about the plans, questioned the secrecy surrounding the exercise.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Shashidhar Reddy said, This involves the faith of lakhs of devotees, generations of whom have been worshipping at this temple. The people believe that the power of this temple is derived from this deity. Now the management is installing a bigger idol in front of the main deity, he said. This is something we never heard of being done in any other temple.

We found a letter from the temple management to the commissioner of endowments saying that the founder family, trustees, the Pushpagiri Peethams swamiji and the Archakas of this temple have accepted this proposal, he added. The letter, Shashidhar Reddy said, also says that the move to install the new idol followed the instructions from minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav.

I question the management and the executive officer on the need for such secrecy and the hurry to complete the process before the Bonalu Jatara in July, he said.

Gutta Manohar Reddy, the temples executive officer said, We are going ahead after taking permission from the authorities concerned. The larger idol is for the benefit of devotees, who cannot view the idol during the Bonalu celebrations amidst the rush and from a distance, and also during normal times.
The app will be installed in all tabs and mobile phones of traffic officials posted at 300-odd traffic junctions in the five zones in the city.  Representational image/DC

HYDERABAD: In order to check increasing traffic violations, the city police are coming up with a mobile phone app to record the time, date and location of violations. The app will be installed in all tabs and mobile phones of traffic officials posted at 300-odd traffic junctions in the five zones in the city.

The data recorded in the apps will be used as evidence of violation of rules. Earlier, traffic personnel used to take pictures of violators on tabs and mobile phones, but provided wrong locations many a time in their daily reports. In order to address this issue, the traffic police are planning to introduce the app, which includes global positioning system (GPS) data as suggested by the city traffic chief to his technical team.

Details would be collected from the traffic data storage department and vehicles of violators would be seized if the fine amount was not cleared then and there, the traffic police sources said.

We were busy with bandobast duties during festivals in the recent past and were not able to focus on traffic violations. After Id-ul-Fitr, our officials will be completely involved in traffic maintenance. We have altered our strategy, joint commissioner of police (traffic) A. V. Ranganath told Deccan Chronicle.

We have previous records and data of violators who were booked earlier. Our officials, based on the data, will book cases and impose heavy penalties if required. We will detain the vehicles until the fine is cleared. The new app will be loaded with previous data so that it will be helpful in detecting previous violations, Ranganath said.

On being asked about the drive against tinted glass and improper number plates, Ranganath said it would be intensified. There will be no further discount on challans and the violators will not be spared, he said.
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court was reluctant to issue orders to the Osmania University Vice-Chancellor to give permission to Congress president Rahul Gandhi`s interactive meeting with students and employees at Tagore auditorium on the campus on May 7.

The court gave liberty to the petitioners, members of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) to file a petition challenging the VCs rejection orders.

Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy was on Monday dealing with the house motion petition filed by Koturi Manavatha Roy, a PhD scholar from the Telugu department of the university, and three other NSUI members seeking permission for the Congress leaders interaction with students. They said although they had sought the VCs permission on April 22, he had not responded compelling them to approach the court.

The petitioners alleged that the VC had not accorded permission under pressure from TRS leaders.

At around 3.30 pm, the court directed the VC to consider the application of the petitioners. By 4 pm, government counsel Srikanth Reddy informed the court that the application had been rejected by the VC on the grounds that there was a resolution not to allow any programme that had political overtones.

Subsequently, the court felt that it was not proper on its part to intervene in the administrative functions of any university.
HYDERABAD: Coming down heavily on the TRS government for arresting 18 NSUI activists who had staged a protest at Osmania University Vice Chancellor's office, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A. Revanth Reddy on Monday announced that former AICC chief Rahul Gandhi would visit the arrested student activists in the Chanchalguda central prison on May 7.

The TPCC leaders met arrested NSUI leaders and members in the prison during the mulakat and expressed their solidarity. Telangana Congress in-charge Manickam Tagore demanded that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao release the young leaders immediately.

After meeting the NSUI leaders, Revanth Reddy said that if the state government would not release the NSUI leaders and activists, Rahul Gandhi would go to the jail to meet them. The Congress leaders would stage a protest at the jail against the Telangana government and the police for its hasty and undemocratic action in arresting the NSUI leaders.

The Congress leaders also met Chanchalguda jail superintendent and submitted a representation seeking permission for Rahul Gandhi to meet NSUI leaders and activists in the jail on May 7.

"Rahul Gandhi's programme is scheduled to be held in Telangana on May 6 and 7 in addressing the farmers issues. Thousands of unemployed youth are jobless due to lack of opportunities. As many as 80,000 farmers died by suicide due to lack of support from government to farm sector. The government and the police deliberately arrested NSUI leaders and members and sent them to jail," Revanth Reddy said.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Revanth Reddy said, "not only is the action of the police under Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao wrong in trying to prevent Rahul Gandhi from meeting university students, but is also dictating to students of the Osmania University, who have always taken the lead in shaping our state's politics, from deciding whom they should meet. How can CM KCR decide who the students of OU can invite to their campus, meet, or interact with? We will give a call to students of all universities to join their OU brethren and peers in freeing the shackles of restrictions imposed on our great university by the TRS government."

On the other hand, Congress MLA Turpu Jayaprakash Reddy (Jagga Reddy) stated that Rahul Gandhi would visit the OU campus on May 7 irrespective of whether or not the university officials gave permission.

AICC in-charge for Telangana affairs Manickam Tagore demanded that the Chief Minister release the young leaders Immediately. "Protest is their right. If you send them to jail for protest, it happens only in dictatorship," tweeted Tagore.

Meanwhile, Mahila Congress leaders and activists staged a protest at the Gandhi Bhavan at Nampally against the police for arresting NSUI leaders and burnt effigy of Chandrashekar Rao.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, right, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, talk in the garden of the prime minister's official residence Marienborg, in Kongens Lyngby, north of Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Modi is on a two-day visit to Denmark. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: After bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday in Copenhagen, Danish PM Mette Frederiksen condemned Russia for its unlawful invasion of Ukraine and publicly hoped India would influence Russia to stop its military offensive, as she also demanded that Russian President Vladimir Putin has got to stop this war. The two PMs also reviewed the bilateral Green Strategic Partnership between their two nations and decided to ramp up trade ties and cooperation in green energy and combating climate change, with the two nations signing nine pacts in diverse fields such as migration and mobility, shipping, culture, fisheries, animal husbandry, skill development, start-ups, water management and energy policy.

Both leaders also reconfirmed their commitment to democratic values, the rule of law and respect for human rights on which the Green Strategic Partnership is based. Mr Modi will participate in the Second India-Nordic Summit in Copenhagen on Wednesday with the leaders of five Nordic nations -- Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.

In his public remarks on Tuesday after talks with the Danish PM, Mr Narendra Modi said: Today, we also discussed a number of regional and global issues, including India-EU relations, Indo-Pacific and Ukraine. We called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and the adoption of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the problem. We stressed on ensuring a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. We hope that negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement will be concluded as soon as possible. We also discussed our cooperation in the field of climate. India is also committed to fulfilling the resolutions taken at the Glasgow COP-26. We have agreed to explore more opportunities for cooperation in the Arctic region.

As the Danish PM reiterated Denmarks strong condemnation of the unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine by Russian forces, both leaders in a joint statement expressed their serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine, reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, 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 and discussed the destabilising effect of the conflict in Ukraine and its broader regional and global implications, while agreeing to remain closely engaged on the issue.

On India-EU ties, the two Prime Ministers emphasised the importance of India-EU Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen this partnership. They also appreciated the progress in restart of negotiations on India-EU Trade, Investment and Geographical Indicators Agreements and called for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial approach and an early and simultaneous conclusion. Both leaders welcomed the launch of the Trade and Technology Council between the EU and India, underlining the importance of deep, strategic collaboration on cross-cutting issues related to trade, trusted technology and security and also recalled the India-EU Connectivity Partnership and agreed to support efforts towards its early implementation.

In a statement, New Delhi said: Both PMs reviewed progress of the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership. The discussions covered cooperation in renewable energy, especially offshore wind energy and green hydrogen, as well as skill development, health, shipping, water and the Arctic, among others. New Delhi also said Mr Modi appreciated the positive contribution of Danish companies in India to our flagship programmes while the Danish PM highlighted the positive role of Indian companies in Denmark.

On trade ties, the joint statement said: The two PMs underlined the importance of bilateral trade and investments and stressed the need to maximise the potential of economic ties between the two countries. They affirmed that robust bilateral investments and trade flows through diversified, resilient, transparent, open, secure and predictable global supply chains would ensure economic security and prosperity of their peoples. The two PMs welcomed Danish investments in India, especially in the renewable energy, water, terminals and port modernisation and expansion, food processing and engineering sectors and Indias investments in Denmark, especially in information technology They noted that such investments have made India the country where Danish companies have the largest number of employees outside of Denmark.

It added: Both leaders agreed that the opportunities created by the Green Strategic Partnership will likely lead to an upward trajectory in bilateral trade and investment. In this context, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the launch of the India Green Finance Initiative, which aims to contribute to financing green projects in India with the purpose of accelerating green growth and job creation in India.
The war in Ukraine is indeed on the minds of German Chancellor Olaf Sholtz and French President Emmanuel Macron, and on the minds of the leaders of Denmark, Sweden, Norway. But the conflict now raging in the European continent is not going to be a little more than an irritant to visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Neither Mr Scholtz nor Mr Macron are great enthusiasts about a boycott of Russia and President Vladimir Putin the way that US President Joe Biden, British PM Boris Johnson and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen may be. Mr Scholtz may not have pressed the issue of India condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine beyond a point. But there can be little doubt that Germany, France and every other European country is forthright in their condemnation of Russia.

But India is not really under any pressure even though Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson have tried and failed to get India to condemn Russia. India has withstood the pressure and persuasion of the Europeans and Americans quite well, and the Prime Minister can take credit for it. But India has been pressing hard for a strong position in the Indo-Pacific, which satisfies New Delhi because it is indirectly directed against China. The Europeans are not friends with Russia because there is no meeting of minds there, but European leaders are realistic enough to acknowledge that China is an important economic player in global markets. They recognise India as a potential big player too and that is why they keen to woo India.

The Europeans would not go beyond polite words to speak out against China in the context of the India-China conflict and confrontation. This will no doubt irritate Indian leaders, but they must put up with it. Mr Modi, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar will no doubt be annoyed by Europes lukewarm criticism of China and that too indirectly. The positions of Germans Olaf Scholtz and Frances Emmanuel Macron are complex. They condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine, something that India would not, but they also know that they must calibrate their moves against Russia.

India enjoys the status of a spectator, as Mr Modi had acknowledged in his press statement in Berlin on Monday. So, the India-German statement included a slightly elaborate reference to the Indo-Pacific, which pleases India, but their real concern is the war next door in Ukraine. Mr Modi and his team  this is the first that the Prime Minister is flanked by the finance minister and the external affairs minister  is interested in getting bilateral agreements on key aspects, including business, technology and investments.

Mr Modi, however, had to acknowledge that the war in Ukraine is having a negative impact on the global economy as in the rise in the prices of oil and food. The tepid remarks clearly showed that Mr Modi had nothing emphatic to say about the war in Ukraine: India is deeply concerned by the humanitarian impact of this conflict. We have sent humanitarian aid for Ukraine on our behalf. We are also trying to help other friendly countries through food exports, oil supplies and economic assistance. The heart of the matter for Prime Minister Modi was: Germany has decided to help Indias green growth plans with an additional development assistance of 10 billion euros by 2030. For this, I thank Germany and Chancellor Scholtz. He also said: Indias skilled workers and professionals have benefited the economies of many countries. I am confident that the Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement between India and Germany will facilitate the movement of people between the two countries.

The German point of view had obviously a different emphasis in the joint statement: Through its attack on Ukraine, Russia violated fundamental principles of international law. The war and the brutal attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine show an unrestrained Russia has been violating the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. Chancellor Scholz then added: I repeat my appeal to Putin to end the war, to end the senseless killing. German economics minister Robert Habeck of the Green Party said Germany would back an immediate ban on all Russian oil and gas imports, though that would be a burden for Germany.

So, Germany was dealing with Mr Modi and India at a different level, even as it was taking a vital decision on the war in Ukraine and its relations with Russia.

The story will remain the same as Mr Modi travels to Denmark, where he will speak at the India-Nordic Summit in Copenhagen, and then on to France. It will be argued that Mr Modi is only pursuing Indias national interest. He is of course doing that. Whether India is able to rise above its national interest and show concern about the crisis in Europe remains a moot question. Of course, the Indian strategy pundits would say that it is none of Indias business to be concerned about the war in Ukraine because that is Europes concern. They would argue that Indias self-absorption is justified because no other country would spare any thought for India. The Narendra Modi government has latched on to this principle and it has raised navel-gazing into a supreme art.

The question, however, is this: What should India be doing as a middle-rung world leader? Should it be doing more than uttering platitudes on diplomacy and dialogue as the only way out of the war in Ukraine, or should it take initiative, suggest a concrete plan, either at the United Nations or at the G-20 meeting next month? The efforts may come to nought as was seen when Mr Macron, and then Chancellor Scholtz, travelled to Moscow. Even unwilling leaders like the German Chancellor and the French President would be compelled to join the others in a war against Russia. It is true that neither Russia nor Ukraine, along with the rest of the Nato and EU countries, are ever going to accept the presence of UN peacekeeping forces as it would have been in Africa and Asia. Should India and Mr Modi speak up about the dangers of expanding Nato eastwards, even if it means the Nato members would not like it. But it would have given India the room to tell Russia to refrain from wanton killing and destruction in Ukraine. That would have meant India would be able to speak truth to power. But then, the truth has no place in realpolitik.
People arrive at a reception center for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Monday, May 2, 2022. Thousands of Ukrainian continue to leave Russian occupied areas. (AP/Francisco Seco)

Moscow: More than 1 million people, including nearly 200,000 children, have been taken from Ukraine to Russia since the Russian invasion began, Russia's 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.

Throughout the war, Ukraine has accused Moscow's troops of taking civilians against their will to Russia or Russian-controlled areas, something the Kremlin has denied.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking Monday to Greek state TV ERT, said half a million Ukrainians have been "illegally taken to Russia, or other places, against their will".
St Johns Hospital in Bengaluru has sought skin for grafting for the acid attack victim from the skin bank at Victoria Hospital.

The 25-year-old victim, who was working at a private finance company, was attacked by her jilted lover in her office on Thursday.

He accosted her on the first floor and poured acid on her face before he fled the scene. The victim has come down with 30 per cent burns and is being treated at St Johns Hospital.

Confirming the news of lending skin for grafting from the skin bank, Dr K T Ramesh, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery in Victoria Hospital, said: We have given 4000 cm2 of skin for grafting as asked by St Johns Hospital. We gave them whatever we had.

The team of plastic surgeons at St Johns have used a part of the skin and completed the first round of surgery on Monday.

The first stage of surgery was done today and some portion of the burnt skin was covered. We used a part of the skin to cover a bit of her thigh and torso, as well.

2nd surgery in three days

The next surgery will be conducted after three days where we will use the skin to cover a part of her face and scalp. She is stable and recovering well, Dr Arvind Kasthuri, Chief of Medical Services, St Johns Medical College Hospital, told DH.

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Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Tuesday said the EU needs to emerge stronger from the historic challenges thrown up by the war in Ukraine, including by expanding eastwards.

The conflict, he told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, was "a security, humanitarian, energy and economic crisis all rolled into one" that had revealed existing EU institutions to be "inadequate" in their response.

The answer, he argued, was "pragmatic federalism" with streamlined decision-making that would get rid of member state vetoes that currently are often able to block majority stances.

"This is the start of a path that will lead to treaty revision. And if that's going to be the case, we should embrace it," he said, to applause by MEPs.

Draghi, a former president of the European Central Bank credited with saving the euro from collapse a decade ago, said EU enlargement eastwards was key, including by taking in Ukraine.

"We need to fully integrate countries that have European aspirations," he said.

He voiced Italy's support for "the immediate opening up of accession negotiations" with Albania and North Macedonia, and for reinforced negotiations with Kosovo and Bosnia.

"We're in favour of all of these countries joining the European Union and we also want Ukraine as a member of the European Union," he said.

Days after Russia invaded in February, Ukraine pleaded for fast-track entry into the EU.

Brussels responded by saying the process was rigorous, complex and took years, but offered Kyiv a speeded-up preliminary evaluation stage.

Albania and North Macedonia were already poised to start the accession process since 2020, but have been in limbo because of objections from Bulgaria and conditions imposed by Germany and the Netherlands.

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Opposition parties in Assam seem to be in a race to become an alternative to ruling BJP and its allies on their own in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

With Congress, the second-biggest party after BJP in Assam staring at further shrink of its strength following exodus of several MLAs and leaders, Opposition leaders are now joining parties like Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with the promise to their supporters about emerging as an alternative to BJP and its allies.

"Trinamool Congress under Mamata Banerjee's leadership is now the only party which can provide an alternative to people looking to unseat BJP government in 2024. In Assam, we can become the alternative as people had voted for Congress and BJP and are now looking for an alternative," former president of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and Rajya Sabha member, Ripun Bora said in Guwahati on April 27 after Mamta Banerjee appointed him as president of TMC's Assam unit.

Bora, who was Congress' biggest face after Tarun Gogoi's death in 2020, quit the party and joined TMC last month following differences with party leaders during the Rajya Sabha elections.

At least four young leaders, including Kamal Medhi, a former aide of Akhil Gogoi and a strong opposition voice against BJP, joined AAP on Monday, days after quiting Akhil-led party, Raijor Dal. Akhil is now the only MLA of Raijor Dal. Manoj Dhanowar, son of former Congress minister Rameswar Dhanowar, also joined AAP days after quitting Congress. Medhi had joined Congress in 2018, months before 2019 Lok Sabha polls but later joined Akhil's party. Medhi also said that AAP can be BJP's alternative given people's response to the corruption-free politics espoused by Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi and Punjab. AAP made its debut in Assam politics by winning in a ward of Guwahati Municipal Corporation last month.

Akhil's party Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Parishad, another anti-BJP party are also leading campaigns against BJP without hint of any tie up. Badruddin Ajmal's party, AIUDF too has denied possibility of further alliance with Congress in the future.

The race of the Opposition parties, according to observers, carries the possibility of keeping them divided and thereby helping BJP and its allies, AGP and UPPL in the Lok Sabha polls. "If the Opposition does not unite in time, it is going to be a cakewalk for BJP again," a former Congress leader, who did not wish to be named, said.

BJP had won nine out of 14 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 in Assam while Congress bagged only three. AIUDF and Independent won one seat each.

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The State Investigation Agency (SIA), a unit carved out of the Jammu and Kashmir police has filed a charge sheet against three persons, including an Indian student enrolled in a Pakistani university and his father, for indulging in terror activities and passing across the border information about army units.

Officials said this was another example of Pakistan misusing higher studies as bait for recruitment in terror groups.

Already 17 youths who had gone to Pakistan for studies, have been killed at the Line of Control while infiltrating into Kashmir, or during security forces encounters with terror outfits, they said.

The charge sheet was filed against student Asif Shabir Naik, a resident of Kashtigarh in Doda, his father Shabir Hussain Naik, and Safdar Hussain (the latter two currently in Pakistan) under various sections of the anti-terror law, officials said.

Read | Pakistani terrorists compelled to come out of hideouts in Kashmir: Army

The SIA has also invoked the legal tool of Letters Rogatory wherein the Pakistani court of law would be approached through the competent Indian court seeking Pakistan's assistance in providing information about the charge-sheeted individuals.

"Even if the prospects of a positive response are bleak, the SIA would not leave a single legal stone unturned, said a senior officer of the agency.

Asif Shabir Naik was given a cover as a student of the International Islamic University in Islamabad in a mass communication programme, but actually, he was working in the media cell of the banned terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, the officials said.

He was intercepted at the Srinagar airport based on intelligence inputs that he had been visiting Pakistan posing as a student studying there.

However, according to the officials, he had been visiting terrorist and separatist training facilities.

The case has shown how Pakistani agencies have been brazenly and egregiously misusing not only the travel between the two countries based on valid travel documents but also the Indian students going to Pakistan for higher studies, the officials said.

Investigations show that the terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen gave the cover of studentship to Naik but used his stay in Pakistan to meet his father, who heads the media wing of the banned terror outfit, besides providing him training in sabotage and subversion, they said.

His phone's forensic examinations showed he had video graphed army installations along the Baramula-Srinagar Road.

He had also photographed the access road to the airport and security features adjacent to it, the officials said.

Naik was issued a visitor's visa, but immigration records indicated he was a student, they said.

While Naik has been arrested in the case and is currently in judicial custody, the two other accused -- alleged mastermind Shabir Hussain Naik and his associate Safdar Hussain -- are hiding in Pakistan and have been chargesheeted as absconders, the officials said.

The probe showed, according to the officials, that Naik had concealed that his father was in Pakistan and a senior member of the terror group and that he had been falsely mentioned that he was visiting Pakistan to meet a relative by the name of Subhan Bhat, a fictitious character.

The objective of Naik's admission as a student in a mass media course in Pakistan was to return to India as a journalist and clandestinely get embedded in the system and receive instructions from across the border for planning, coordinating, and executing not only propaganda operations but separatist and even violent terrorist actions.

But for the videos in his cell phone, the latter part of the adversary agenda would not have surfaced, the officials said. The probe also showed that Asif Naik had been given secret login credentials to the Kashmir Media Service (KMS), known as the mouthpiece of the United Jihad Council for Kashmir, and its web portal based in Pakistan.

Besides this, his arrests also indicated that Pakistan's ISI was planning to revive militancy in the Chenab Valley and Jammu region by targeting prominent persons of a particular community and creating terror among the members of that community, the officials said.

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A meeting to discuss the future of Ballougry Primary School is to be held tomorrow night.

Parents, staff and governors are invited to attend the event at the school which begins at 7.30pm.

The meeting has been called following a letter received by the school from the Education Authority (EA) informing them that they intend to start a process regarding the school's future.

The EA's letter, which has been seen by The Derry News, has informed parents, staff and governors of their intention to begin an eight-week consultation ahead of publication of a report regarding the future of Ballougry Primary School.

This process begins tomorrow and will expire on Wednesday, June 29. The EA will be holding a public meeting online on Monday, May 9. For those interested in attending, you are advised to register by emailing: areaplanning3@eani.org.uk

A letter written to the parents and guardians of the school's pupils by Principal Damian O'Kane has also been seen by The Derry News.

In it he writes: Unfortunately, the Education Authority's Area Planning Department focus on school enrolment numbers and school finances mainly despite the many other qualities schools have, particularly the small rural schools such as ours.

He goes on to add: We, myself and the Board of Governors, were as shocked as I know you will be to receive this letter.... We have consistently maintained that Ballougry has made incredible steps forward and we have evidential documents to back this up which we feel the EA have not given due credit to.

We now need your help, as our dedicated parents and guardians, to inform the Education Authority through this process that we deserve to remain in this community.
A week-long retreat to mark the anniversary of the death of Sister Clare Crockett, who sadly died six years ago, took place last week at Creggan Chapel in Derry.

The chapel saw large crowds every day, with every mass full to capacity.

Sister Clare was just 33 years old when she died on April 16 2016 after an earthquake struck the home and school of Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother in Playa Prieta, Ecuador, where she was working as a nun.

Her death touched thousands across the world as many have called for Sister Clare to be named a Saint, due to the comfort and spiritual healing many have felt from her, as the Bishop of Spain is set to open the cause to the Pope.

Clare's sister, Shauna Gillan, said the retreat and the memory of her beloved sister is still extremely moving and comforting.

"We never expected the turn out that we have got the last week, it is so overwhelming," Shauna said.

"So many people have come out, even in the morning. There are morning masses at seven o'clock, 10' clock and then mass in the evening and every one has been filled, it's really beautiful.

"We did a retreat last year and we didn't know if it would be as successful this year but it couldn't be going any better. There wasn't even space to stand in the chapel, it was absolutely packed.

"People travelled from up and down the country just to come to the services. People are so happy to be a part of it.

"I think it was so busy and different because she is one of our own, she is from here and people are so proud to have her as one of our own.

"Her death was heartbreaking but she is living on. She is in everybody's home. She's everywhere. The two murals up in the town too, they are absolutely stunning. She is our wee Derry Girl."

The retreat held last week was called the 'Universal Call to Holiness'. There were morning masses and then the evening masses included the priest preaching and talking about Sister Clare and then guest speakers too. There were also healing services.

Shauna continued: "The way they spoke about her was so beautiful. The peace people get from her, it's so beautiful. Clare is not a Saint yet so we don't pray to her for healing, that would defeat the cause.

"We are waiting for the Bishop in Spain to put it to Rome, it's all in his hands. It is a long process but I have no doubt that it will happen.

"The faith and belief people have in her is so beautiful, they have kept her alive. There is not a day goes by that we don't hear a story about her and how she has helped someone.

"The grave is always packed, it never stops. You never go up and no one is there.

"Clare was just a wee young girl from Derry. I think that is why she is loved so much. She went and gave up her life to be a nun, she is so special.

"The support we have received is amazing, you couldn't ask for a better town for the support."

Shauna still sees Sister Clare as her big sister; a normal Derry Girl, "Clare was the eldest and she was the boss, what she said went. She loved a wee drink, a wee cigarette. She was just our Clare, and now she has helped people all over the world."

Sister Clare was a normal teenager, she was the eldest of the three girls, growing up with younger sisters, Shauna and Megan.

Shauna said her sister initially wanted to be an actress, "She wanted to be famous and now she is famous, not the way she thought she would be when she was younger, but in a far better way.

"Clare had parts in films and wanted to be an actress but it all changed when her friend ruptured her appendix and couldn't go to Spain so offered Clare her ticket.

"Our Clare thought she had a free ticket to Ibiza to party and when she got there it was a convent. It changed everything.

"She came home for a year but she never settled. She flew back out and became a nun. We didn't think it would happen, thinking she would be back home, but she proved us wrong.

"Everyone always has a good word to say about her, noone has ever said she was anything but amazing. It is so lovely for our family.

"See when you look at your life, I wish I was as happy as she was out there. Clare always said when she had everything, material things and her acting, she had nothing.

"Then, when she became a nun, she was happy and she was satisfied. She had nothing material and was the happiest person in the world."
Econet Wireless has expanded its 5G network in Zimbabwe to the southern region of Bulawayo, a move to progress the country in its ambition to activate new technologies such as AI, IoT and robotics.

Econet chief technology officer Edwin Banda noted the operator is fulfilling a need as many customers already own 5G devices, reported local newspaper The Herald.

We have always been pioneers in this market, in the area of technology and innovation, and the fact that we are the first to launch 5G in Zimbabwe is in line with that tradition.

Our launch of the service is a response to evolving customer needs, with so many of our customers already having 5G-compatible devices. We want to ensure they are not left behind by technology trends that are already in use in other countries, said Banda.

The executive also detailed there will be 22 5G base stations online by May 15 in the capital city of Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Gweru and Chitungwiza.

Econet first launched its 5G network in February in the capital city Harare. Banada said the 5G rollout augments its 4G network and Econet will continue with its 4G rollout. We will continue our 4G rollout to all areas of the country to ensure we bridge the digital divide and promote accessibility of digital services to all populated areas of our nation, he said.

Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) director-general Gift Machengete said the watchdog is keeping a close eye on 5G rollouts as they could foster industrial and societal transformations as Zimbabwe aspires to become an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, he said.

He earmarked two key technologies, network softwartisation and network virtualisation, to lay the ground for the creation of new value chains and the development of new services and apps across all industries.
International semiconductor consortium ISMC, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi-based fund manager Next Orbit Ventures and Israel's Tower Semiconductor, a leading foundry in high-value analogue semiconductor solutions, reportedly plans to invest $3 billion in India's southern Karnataka state to set up a chip-making plant.

ISMC has requested 150 acres of land in Mysurus Kochanahalli industrial area. This 65nm analogue semiconductor fabrication plant will be one of Indias first and largest semiconductor fabrication units under the central governments Indian Semiconductor Mission, once the project gets government approval.

The Semiconductor Mission aims to formulate and drive Indias long-term strategies for developing semiconductors and display manufacturing facilities and a semiconductor design ecosystem.

ISMC says that its project is expected to generate more than 1,500 direct and 10,000 indirect employment opportunities and ancillary semiconductor ecosystem industry development in the area, with significant multiplier effects.

It also seems that US chip giant Intel could eventually own a piece of the new plant, given its recently announced plans to acquire Tower for $5.4 billion in a deal that is set to close by early next year.

ISMC is not alone. Indian conglomerate Vedanta Ltd has also shown interest in the prime minister's $10 billion incentive plan to encourage companies to set up semiconductor and display operations in India.

Vedanta has apparently told Reuters that it is advanced talks with Gujarat and Maharashtra in west India and Telangana in the south to choose a site. It reportedly has a planned investment outlay of $20 billion for its semiconductor and display push.

If the Indian government is right, this is a sound industry to promote in the coming years. It has said that the countrys semiconductor market is forecast to grow to $63 billion by 2026 from $15 billion in 2020.
Panamas Cabinet Council, which is led by the countrys President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, has approved new resolutions concerning the republics telecoms sector.

The first of these is the takeover of Digicel Panamas operating licence by the regulator ASEP (Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Publicos / National Public Services Authority), which the government claims will guarantee the continuity of the workers and the personal communications service.

Digicel is withdrawing from the market and has applied for voluntary liquidation after the government cleared Cable & Wireless Panamas proposed acquisition of Claro Panama. Digicel believes that the entity resulting from the merger will dominate the mobile sector, making Panama a competitively unviable market for smaller operators.

As part of this process, Digicel will sell off its Panamanian assets. Given the imminent merger of its two main rivals, Tigo Panamas parent firm Millicom International Cellular would seem an obvious buyer  but the groups CEO Mauricio Ramos has confirmed that it is not interested in this.

Speaking at Millicoms Q122 earnings call, Ramos said: We are not in M&A mode. We are in operational mode. So, whether Digicel stays on or doesnt stay on, it really doesnt significantly change what we  are delivering on.

However, Tigo Panama has expressed interest in another resolution approved by the Cabinet Council  the clearance of a further 120MHz of AWS band spectrum for mobile broadband use. Following Cabinet Resolution 41-22 (which was passed on 12th April 2022), ASEP has set the AWS reserve price at PAB1,214,287 (US$1,214,287) per MHz, meaning that the available spectrum could bring in as much as US$145.68 million.

In the same earnings call, Ramos noted: The government of Panama has released really reasonable prices [for] AWS spectrum, which well be picking up. I think were in the process of buying it and acquiring it. Panama has historically had a really good spectrum policy, which is parity of spectrum for everybody.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the countrys regulator, has announced plans for a study to assess the current level of competition in the colocation and infrastructure sharing (CIS) segment of the Nigerian telecommunications sector.

The study is to enable the Commission to have what it describes as insightful and evidence-based facts to glean the dynamics at play and ensure the continuous growth of the CIS segment of the telecom market. The NCC says it sees this issue as a priority in view of the critical role played by the CIS segment of the telecom ecosystem in ensuring robust services.

The Commission has engaged consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to conduct the study on its behalf.

The NCCs Director, Policy, Competition and Economy Analysis (PCEA), Yetunde Akinloye, pointed out at a recent stakeholders forum: The CIS segment has recorded significant growth and transformation over the years, having about 80 licensees operating in the segment, while its performance and activities continue to impact significantly on other segments of the Nigerian industry.

He added that the objective of the study is to provide insights into the level of competition in the CIS market segment and articulate strategies to enhance both competition and opportunities in the market.

Also speaking at the event was a Partner at PwC, Mary Iwelumo. She stated that the study aims to analyse the structure and operations of the collocation and infrastructure sharing segment of the telecoms market, draw out insights and advise the Commission on necessary regulatory interventions required. The study is expected to be concluded before the end of July.
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The Pope Drops In : Release Date, Trailer, Cast & Songs About The Pope Drops In The Pope Drops In was released on May 04, 2022 and was directed by Bill McAdams Jr. .This movie is 1 hr 32 min in duration and is available in English language. Marcus M. Mauldin, Abi Esmena, Michael Shawn Starks, Brandi Botkin, Laura DeJean, Ryan Wesley Gilreath, Daniel Britt, Brian Phillips, Tess Talbot, Justin McCombs and Anne Taylor are playing as the star cast in this movie. The Pope Drops In is available in genre.

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BEIJING (AP)  Two people were rescued Sunday from the rubble of a building in central China more than 50 hours after it collapsed, leaving dozens trapped or missing, state media said.

Separately, police arrested nine people including the building owner on suspicion of causing a major liability accident, the official Xinhua News Agency said.





. . .
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The 4,000-inmate prison will be partly funded by pandemic relief dollars.



MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Alabama officials have signed a $623 million contract to build a new 4,000-inmate prison in Elmore County, part of a sweeping construction plan that will be partly funded by pandemic relief dollars.

A spokeswoman for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey last week confirmed the state signed a contract with Caddell Construction Co., effective April 15, for construction of a specialized men's prison facility in Elmore County. The Alabama Department of Corrections on Friday released a redacted copy of the contract. The document indicated the initial guaranteed maximum price for the contract is $623 million, an amount that two key lawmakers said matched initial cost projections.





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By MATTHEW DALY

Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Continuing its push to dramatically boost sales of electric vehicles, the Biden administration on Monday announced $3.1 billion in funding to U.S. companies that make and recycle lithium-ion batteries.

The investments from last year's $1 trillion infrastructure law are separate from an executive order President Joe Biden issued this spring, invoking the Defense Production Act boost production of lithium and other critical minerals used to power electric vehicles.





. . .
Louth Labour TD Ged Nash has welcomed the meeting which took place last Friday between Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) lecturers who are members of the institutes branch of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris

As reported by the Dundalk Democrat last week, the DKIT TUI branch has said that it has little enough confidence that the current leadership at DkIT could deliver on achieving Technological University status for the institute and says that this institute needs new leadership to take us forward.

In a statement following the meeting last Friday, Deputy Nash said: Minister Harris agreed to meet the DKIT TUI Branch members at my request. He has agreed to meet with me and branch members again in a few weeks time to again discuss the urgent need for DKIT to progress towards obtaining Technological University status. This is the single most important issue for the social and economic development of Louth and the wider region.

The Louth Labour TD continued, the constant delays, obfuscation and frankly the paralysis we have experienced in terms of progressing to TU status is unforgivable. Dundalk and Louth has been left behind and it cannot be tolerated. Each day that passes without TU status is a day wasted.

Deputy Nash added, I am in constant contact with the Minister on this pressing issue for our county and with college staff who have done a tremendous job keeping this ambition on the agenda. This is a singular priority for me and there now needs to be a new urgency injected into the process and real leadership shown at local and national level to move this vital project on.
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Ukrainian people seeking access to third level education will be supported via a newly created helpdesk.

That's according to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, who has today (May 3) announced the establishment of the National Student and Researcher (NSR) Helpdesk.

It will reportedly assist the needs of third-level students and researchers among the 20,000 refugees who have fled to Ireland from the war in Ukraine.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said, "The third level sector has once again shown important leadership since the unlawful war in the Ukraine. A new central helpdesk will be established providing important information to Ukrainian people seeking to access third level here in Ireland.

"The helpdesk will be staffed by Admissions and Researcher Advisors and other experts who will be able to direct students to a local college equipped to meet their educational needs. The Advisors are currently receiving additional training to strengthen the capacity to engage with displaced persons."

We have set up a new central helpdesk to help the people of Ukraine access third level education here.



Contact NSRHelpdesk@mu.ie or call 01 474 7788 if you need assistance.



Please help us spread the word.https://t.co/3fuTW0TIWb pic.twitter.com/rN6ui2ff58  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 3, 2022

Six staff will reportedly operate the helpdesk for an initial six months.

The minister stated he is "confident" it will enable Ukrainian students to make informed choices about continued education in Ireland before the new academic year begins in September 2022.

He said, "I know that many students have already been in contact with our institutions, and the first task of colleagues at the NSR Helpdesk will be to centralise data from these contacts.

"Our priorities in our education systems have to be to welcome, support and meet the needs of the students, teachers and researchers who are displaced, and I am convinced that this helpdesk is a key element to achieve just that. I am also bringing a memo to Government on a range of additional supports for affected persons."

Ukrainians seeking assistance can email NSRHelpdesk@mu.ie or call +353 (0)1 474 7788.

This will first facilitate students who have made direct contact with third level institutions, however the helpdesk is expected to be fully operational for all students in mid-May.
A witness in the Santina Cawley murder trial testified that she heard the accused woman repeatedly saying in the early hours of the morning in question, I am telling, I am telling.

38-year-old Karen Harrington of Lakelands Crescent, Mahon, Cork, denies the murder of Santina Cawley at Elderwood Park, Boreenamanna Road, on July 5 2019.

Neighbour Aoife Niamh McGaley knew Karen Harrington since they were teenagers and lived for a few years in an apartment neighbouring Ms Harringtons at Elderwood Park.

Ms McGaley testified today at the trial in the Central Criminal Court in Cork, Around 3ish I heard arguing. It sounded like it was arguing between a man and a woman. Voices were kind of muffled.

A bit after that I heard Karen screaming  I am going to tell em.

I heard glass smash. She is screaming at some guy, Colm, and some guy, Dylan, to get the guards  she was going to tell them, she was going to tell them everything.

The witness said by going to her own balcony she could bang on the glass door of Karen Harringtons apartment to see if she was OK as what she heard was completely out of character for her.

I was genuinely concerned for Karens safety I could make out someone sobbing. I immediately started bating down the door. I was kicking it. She responded, Is that the guards, the witness said, adding that she told Karen Harrington it was her, and the accused opened the door for her.

The witness said the accused was in her pyjamas and looked very distressed and upset and kept apologising, saying she did not mean to be shouting and causing so much trouble.

At one stage the witness said Karen Harrington looked in a bedroom door like she was checking something in the room.

When she turned to come back out I noticed a mark on her face. I noticed her hair was ripped out  it looked like a chunk of it. Her hair looked like someone had grabbed her hair and pulled it She had a giant Betty Boop statue that Karen absolutely loved  it was smashed. There was a hurley and GAA helmet.

I got the impression she was scared of something, I cannot explain it, I got this uneasy feeling for her I was not happy about the situation at all I went back to my apartment. I heard her arguing with someone with a very deep voice. It was a male Unless it was a woman with a very deep voice, she said.

At 3.42 a.m. that same morning, Karen Harrington rang the witness and asked for a lighter and the witness said she did not have one  to which the accused replied, according to the witness, Oh no bother, girl.

The witness said she was in touch with an Australian friend who asked her why she was up so late in Cork. Ms McGaley told her, Because I live in The Bronx.

One woman was excused from further participation as a juror in the case by Mr Justice Michael McGrath and the trial continues before a jury of four women and seven men.
A 13-year old boy who the High Court heard was in a fairly violent road collision in Co Cork five years ago has settled his court action for 4 million.

A part of Darragh ORegans case was against the HSE after he claimed that his pre-existing brain cyst was allegedly perforated and this was allegedly missed when he went to Cork University Hospital emergency department six days after the crash.

The young boy, who lives in the Cayman Islands, had been on holiday in Co Cork where his grandparents live when a hire car driven by his father collided with another car pulling a caravan which was parked on the hard shoulder at Ballyhea, Charleville on August 7, 2017.

Darraghs Counsel Liam Reidy SC with Tadhg Dorgan BL instructed by John McCarthy solicitor told the court the then 8-year old boy was brought to University Hospital Limerick but did not appear to have any injuries.

Six days later Darragh was brought to Cork University Hospital with persistent headache and vomiting.

Counsel said the suspicion should have been of an intracranial problem. It was also their case he said that an examination of the back of the boys eye was allegedly not done.

Counsel said it was their case that the most basic eye test which checked cranial pressure was allegedly not carried out.

When the boy returned to the Cayman Islands, Counsel said he had to be transferred to a Miami hospital where he had to have three surgeries where burr holes and drains were inserted in his skull.

Darragh ORegan, Grand Cayman, the Cayman Islands had through his mother Fiona ORegan sued his father Daniel who was the driver of the hire car which was owned by Executive Trust Ltd with offices at Northwood Business Park, Santry, Dublin. He also sued the driver of the other vehicle, Gerald Long of Eglantine Crescent, Mallow, Co Cork and the HSE.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that liability had been admitted by the drivers and the car rental company.

Against the HSE it was claimed there was an alleged failure to properly investigate the persistence of the boys neurological symptoms in the days after the accident and an alleged failure to carry out the eye examination.

The HSE denied the claims and contended a cyst perforation could have happened anytime in the boys future and he would have had to have surgery.

It was claimed the boy remained asymptomatic for six days following the collision until August 13,2017 when he started to develop headaches, vomiting and fatigue.

The boy was referred to the emergency department of Cork University Hospital. He was complaining of persistent headache and vomiting. A CT of his brain was reported as normal apart from the congenital brain cyst.

It was claimed an examination of the back of the inside eye was not performed and he was discharged from the Cork hospital and prescribed anti nausea medication and painkillers. It was further claimed in the days that followed his discharge, Darragh felt persistently unwell with ongoing headaches and increasing nausea and vomiting. He was again referred by a GP on August 23, 2017 to the emergency department of Cork University Hospital.

The boys case was reviewed and it was allegedly concluded that the CT scan showed no evidence of raised intracranial pressure. The need for another CT scan was not expressed it was claimed and a diagnosis of post concussion syndrome was made. Advice was given regarding symptom control and the young boy was discharged from hospital.

On August 25, 2017 the family flew back to the Cayman Islands but the boys symptoms continued with worsening pain, vomiting, fatigue and hyperventilation.

Approving the settlement Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a good one and he wished Darragh and his family well for the future.
A Youghal man apologised for buying cannabis online to deal in the area saying it was a stupid idea  and the sentencing judge said he was right.

The young man caught dealing cannabis in Youghal said he was ashamed of his behaviour and has turned his life around.

27-year-old Liam Power of Ridgewood, Youghal, County Cork, pleaded guilty to being in possession of cannabis for his own use and the more serious charge of having the drugs for the purpose of sale or supply to others.

Defence barrister, Suzanne Lewis, said The probation report said he is low risk of re-offending.

He is ashamed of his behaviour. This was a foolish idea my client had. It was an endeavour to make some money.

He is 27. He cooperated fully with the gardai. He made full and frank admissions. He is remorseful. He knows what he did was wrong. This was a short-lived foolish scheme he embarked on, Ms Lewis BL said.

Judge Helen Boyle said that in all the circumstances she would impose a six-month suspended sentence on the young man.

Judge Boyle said, You maintain it was a stupid idea and you are right."

Donal McCarthy prosecution barrister said the Director of Public Prosecutions indicated the case could be dealt with at district court level. However, the district court judge said it was too serious for him to accept jurisdiction for it and he directed that it be sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Garda Jason Goggin said the defendants home was searched at 9.30 p.m. on December 2 2020 and 4,100 worth of cannabis herb was found.

Liam Power arrived home during the search and he immediately admitted responsibility for He was detained and interviewed and he admitted having them for the purpose of sale or supply, Garda Goggin said.

Judge Boyle was told that the young man worked extremely hard and that he took a chance to buy the drugs online but apologised saying it was a stupid idea.
A FORMER teacher, UCC staff member and concierge at Corks Hayfield Manor Hotel has been remembered as a jack of all trades and an absolute gentleman following his passing.

Bart Bambury, originally from Kenmare, passed peacefully at Marymount University Hospital and Hospice on Saturday. He was aged in his mid-70s.

Mr Bambury had an extensive career in education working as a classroom teacher, and had a 30-year secondment with responsibility for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of teachers in Cork schools. He was the first full-time director of the Cork Education Support Centre (CESC), then known as the Cork Teachers Centre.

Later he worked as an assistant librarian in University College Cork (UCC) and as a concierge in Hayfield Manor.

A statement from the CESC underscored the immense legacy in education Mr Bambury leaves.

Bart was director of what was first called Cork Teachers Centre, from its inception in 1973, until his retirement in 2001.

During that time, with limited resources and housed in temporary accommodation, Bart made a pioneering and innovative contribution to teacher professional development in Cork.

He was instrumental in the development of our present purpose-built premises in the Mardyke, now known as Cork Education Support Centre, which continues to build on the legacy left by Bart.

UCC President, Professor John OHalloran said: All of the UCC community were saddened to hear of the passing of Bart, he will be fondly remembered by his friends and colleagues.

We extend our deepest sympathies to his family at this sad time, Prof OHalloran said.

The head of the universitys visitors centre, JP Quinn, described Mr Bambury as a jack of all trades.

A teacher, a librarian, a concierge, a huge supporter of UCC and education in general. In recent years Bart became a well-known and formidable tour guide in the city.

UCCs Director of Information Services and University Librarian John Fitzgerald said Mr Bambury was a hugely popular figure among both colleagues and students.

'GENTLEMAN'

Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) President John Driscoll said Mr Bambury was an absolute gentleman who was a great source of knowledge.

Mr Driscoll said on the occasion of the INTOs 150th anniversary, Mr Bambury donated his personal collection of artefacts pertaining to the organisations founding president, Vere Foster.

This collection is on permanent display at the INTOs head office in Dublin.

The proprietor of Hayfield Manor, Joe Scally said the team at Hayfield were very saddened to hear of the passing of their dear friend and former colleague.

Tributes were also paid by Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer, who described him as very personable and very interested in education.

Mr Bambury is survived by his wife Martina, and children Padraig, Niamh and Aoife.

He is described as the adored grandfather to his six grandchildren.

He will be laid to rest on Friday.
Kenneth Fox

Russian state television has broadcast mocked-up clips of nuclear weapons destroying Ireland in response to the UKs support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war there.

The clips were broadcast by the state-owned television channel Russia-1 and introduced by Dmitry Kiselyov, a close associate of Russian president Vladimir Putin and who is perceived as a propagandist for the Kremlin. Russia-1 is the most widely watched television channel in Russia.

As the Irish Times reports, Ireland is not mentioned directly in either of the two clips. In one segment, Mr Kiselyov speaks of an attack on the British Isles as footage plays of the islands of Ireland and Britain being wiped off the map by a nuclear weapon.

It actually seems like theyre raving on the British Isles, Mr Kiselyov says, after baselessly claiming UK prime minister Boris Johnson had threatened a nuclear strike on Russia.

Why threaten neverending Russia when youre on an island which is, you know, is so small, he says, according to an translation from journalist Francis Scarr, who monitors Russian media for the BBC.

The island is so small that just one Sarmat missile is sufficient to sink it once and for all. Everything has been calculated already, he claims, as a graphic shows a blast erasing Ireland and Britain from the map.

In a second segment, Mr Kiselyov talks of using a Poseidon nuclear underwater drone, an experimental Russian weapon, to plunge the British Isles into the depths of the sea.

It approaches its target at a depth of 1km at a speed of 200km/h. Theres no way of stopping this underwater drone, he tells viewers.

The warhead has a yield of up to 100 megatons and will cause a gigantic tidal wave up to 500m high. Such a barrage alone also carries extreme doses of radiation, he claims.

A computer graphic shows the missile exploding off the northeast coast of Co Donegal, setting off a tidal wave that wipes both islands from the map.

The radiation from the blast will turn whatever is left of the British Isles into a radioactive desert, he concludes.

The clips form part of one of several recent broadcasts threatening nuclear attack on the UK in retaliation for its support of Ukraine, which Moscow invaded on February 24th.
Updated: 10pm

The Cabinet has delayed sign-off on the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly brought a memo to Cabinet this evening seeking approval for the construction of the new facility at St Vincent's Hospital campus in Dublin, but later told reporters that the decision will come before the Cabinet again in two weeks' time.

The planned move from Dublins Holles Street to the site at Elm Park has raised concerns about potential religious interference in the delivery of services, as the hospital will be built on land leased from a company given the property by the Religious Sisters of Charity.

It is understood sign-off on the relocation was delayed this evening as a number of Ministers asked for more time to consider the documents.

Fine Gael Ministers Heather Humphreys, Helen McEntee, and Hildegarde Naughton and Green Minister Catherine Martin all sought assurances from Mr Donnelly that all legal services, including abortion and sterilisation, would be available at the new national maternity hospital, according to a report in The Irish Times.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Donnelly sought to respond to critics of the ownership arrangements for the long-delayed hospital by publishing legal documents on the HSE website and promising to take questions from the Oireachtas Health Committee.

There are multiple layers of protection in place

The new hospital will be the greatest investment in infrastructure in womens healthcare that weve ever had, he told a media briefing said.

Theres various concerns being raised, so around the investment in the State and the investment of the State being protected, but I think the biggest concern that people are raising is they want reassurance.

They want absolutely reassurance that the new hospital will be fully independent, that it will be clinically independent, that it will be operationally independent, and it will offer all services.

That is absolutely the case. There are multiple layers of protection in place.

'See for themselves'

Mr Donnelly said that he wanted people to see for themselves and be able to see within the memorandum of understanding the clinical protections in the NMH and indeed the obligations on the new National Maternity hospital to provide all services.

The planned decision to push ahead with Cabinet approval on Tuesday had been met with criticism from both protesters and from politicians.

Mr Donnelly indicated that the Government would now try to alleviate those worries.

There is absolutely no ambiguity whatsoever about the clinical and operational independence of the National Maternity Hospital," he said.

Thats absolutely guaranteed with multiple layers of protection in place.

Mr Donnelly, flanked by several health officials including the Master of the National Maternity Hospital, Professor Shane Higgins, and Dr Rhona Mahony, a consultant obstetrician and board member of Vincents Healthcare Group, stressed that there could be no more delays.

He said that the health of women was at stake, after years of delay.

Who owns the land under the building has absolutely no impact on the services provided, or the governance of the building, he said.

He said that the State also does not own the land under GP surgeries or primary care centres.

Ahead of this evenings Cabinet meeting, the Taoiseach said he felt genuinely satisfied safeguards are in place to allow the new hospital to proceed and he had been assured it would operate with no religious influence.

-Additional reporting by Press Association.
Kenneth Fox

Russia pulling out of the International Space Station (ISS) in retaliation to sanctions from the West is a "loss to the human race", according to an Irish astronomer.

The ISS is a joint collaboration between space agencies from the US (NASA), Japan (JAXA), Europe (ESA), Canada (CSA) and up until recently, Russia.

The station itself is made up of 17 different modules or components. Russia has six modules in total which are the Zarya, Zvezda, Poisk, Rassvet, Nauka, and Prichal.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie, the editor of Astronomy Ireland, David Moore said the spirit of collaboration between scientists has always been important.

"2011 was the last time NASA launched a shuttle, it was quite embarrassing for the Americans because they had no manned space facility to get their astronauts up to the ISS.

"They really needed the Russian's help, and they have been working together for over a decade, until Elon Musk built rockets for NASA."

With the rift developing between Russia and the West over the Ukraine invasion, it leaves both parties in a strange situation.

"It is going to be an unholy mess! Are they going to undock the Russian modules or will they make new ones?"

The wider picture however is that things are changing in space, and it is becoming a much more privatised industry.

"The Chinese already have their own space station and people like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos will look to do something similar as well in the future," he said.

The move away from the ISS by Russia means they will more than likely co-operate with China, which is something that has already been talked about.

The last frontier

Even throughout the Cold War, the US and Russia worked together in space and politics never entered the fray. The ISS is now just down to the US, Canada, Japan and the EU.

"I am sure the Americans and their partners, including Ireland who are part of the European Space Agency (ESA), will reorganise everything," said Mr Moore.

"It was the last frontier though where politics did not factor in and scientists took a lot of pride in that. They always got on well together."

As a member of the ESA, Ireland gives millions in funding to the agency which means Irish companies can bid for ESA contracts.

If they do work with the ESA, it gives Irish companies a sense of prestige and credibility and other companies will be more likely to work with them.

With the future of space likely to be in the realm of private enterprises, Russia's move could signal a new era for space exploration.

"The sad thing about it is that it basically makes space a polarising place. It was always the one area where politics had no real jurisdiction.

"That is properly the biggest loss for the human race is the sense of co-operation is gone. Russia will go on to do its own thing and so will the US and Europe, but it is sad they could not do it together," Mr Moore said.
AS the war in Ukraine rages on, many more women and children will find themselves displaced in the weeks, even months, ahead.

While many donation drives have taken place, bringing aid to those in Ukraine, and readying aid for those being welcomed into Ireland, there is something missing from many lists of suggested items to give  personal care items, particularly womens sanitary products.

Agata Bialek, from Together-Razem Center, has established an ongoing initiative, Woman for Woman in Cork, to help fill the gap.

There are around 20,000 Ukrainians in Ireland at the moment and more are to arrive in the following weeks. The situation is very dynamic and things are changing rapidly, but there will be thousands of Ukrainians in the Cork and Munster region. Most of them are women and children, Agata explains.

As a woman, I am more aware of the needs of other women and their struggles.

" I know that there is still a lot of taboo around basic hygiene needs of women around the world and the topic is sensitive. It is difficult for many of us to ask for sanitary products.

Imagine this common scenario. You are caught by surprise while out of the house, whispering to the person in the next stall over, asking if they have a pad or tampon with which they can part. And you are almost always greeted by a friendly hand reaching through with exactly what is needed in that moment. Agata and her colleagues are asking the women of Cork to be that friendly helping hand.

We, at Together-Razem, organised Woman for Woman to help and make the basic toiletries and sanitary products freely available to any Ukrainian woman.

Womens personal hygiene is still a very sensitive topic and is often neglected or avoided in the media and many people dont feel comfortable talking about it.

Personal care is a very intimate sphere of life. Women very often do not have the courage to talk about their personal needs either, due to cultural restraints. We want to break the taboo, enable, and empower women to be more open about their basic needs.

The Woman for Woman project is a move in the right direction. We hope other organisations will follow suit.

The initiative is simple. Put together a pack containing each of the items on the list and drop it off at one of three collection points in Cork. One pack will go to one Ukrainian woman entering Cork, fleeing her now war-torn home. Each pack should contain:

2 packs of night/long sanitary pads with wings

1 pack of regular sanitary pads with wings

1 pack of regular panty liners

1 toothpaste

1 shower gel

1 shampoo

1 toothbrush

1 antiperspirant

1 pack cosmetic/cotton pads

1 face and hand cream

1 pack of disposable razors

1 hair comb/brush

Many of them lost everything in the war and didnt even have a chance to pack their bags. They left the war zone with one handbag or a small suitcase, explains Agata.

The newcomers arrive in Ireland with barely any possessions. We must meet the very basic, urgent needs first. These people need shelter/accommodation, food, clothing, toiletries, etc.

The Ukrainians who had to leave their country face uncertainty, lack of security, a sense of being displaced and lost. Nothing is certain and this lack of stability causes chaos and confusion.

Razem Together have established a hub for Ukrainians new to Ireland in their Blackpool office and a dedicated location for the Ukrainian community is soon to follow.

We try to reach out to as many refugees as possible and provide a range of support services to them. Every person who comes to us is registered, receives necessary help and essential hygienic/ toiletry sets. Together-Razem staff speak Polish, Ukrainian and Russian, so its easy for us to communicate with the newly arrived Ukrainians.

To get involved in the Woman for Woman in Cork initiative, please drop all your kitted out packages to any of the following:

Together-Together Center, Unit 2A, Kilnap Business Park, Old Mallow Road, Cork, T23 V9K3 (every Tuesday from 10am to 3pm.

Julia Grocery Polish Shop, Unit 4 Corabbey Mews, Distillery Walk, Midleton, Co. Cork, P25 X449

Grocery Market Polish Shop Youghal, 95 N Main Street, Youghal-Lands, Youghal, Co. Cork.

To get in touch with the coordinator, Agata, please telephone 085 855 2644.

She adds: I live by Gogols quote: People are never so poor that they cannot afford to share their goods with others. Its important that we give whatever we can.

Together-Razem Center has been in operation since 2006 and a registered charity since 2012, providing social advice, advocacy, adult English language classes, Polish language extracurricular school activities, counselling, activation programmes for seniors, and so much more, to migrants entering Cork, mainly from Eastern Europe.
As you may already know, I have a lot of fun on Twitter and in these posts bringing forth the shenanigans of Republican candidates while also educating Michigans voters. I know that sometimes it may come off as silly or unserious. But today, I must be serious about what is happening regarding Roe v Wade.

But this is not the time for pith, this it not the time for levity. Alito wrote that this would return the issue of abortion to the peoples representatives. And it is time that we stop laughing about them because they are the ones making decisions about our health care.

Over the last two years, I have shown a glimpse of the kind of representatives that the Republican party has put forth, and made to win through dark money contributions, gerrymandered state legislative districts, and conspiracy-fueled cultism to Donald Trump.

Consistently, these representatives have not represented the will of the people. If they did, how could Michigan consistently vote for Democrats in presidential elections, yet elect a Republican State Senate for the last 38 years?

The minute that this opinion is formally entered and Roe v. Wade is no longer law, abortion will be illegal in Michigan. We have a law from the Great Depression era to thank for that.

And it wont stop there. Alito specifically calls out same-sex marriage and sodomy laws in his opinion, claiming that they, too, are not deeply rooted in history.

The leaked majority opinion claims that safe haven laws somehow make it worry-free to have to carry a baby to term. They dont. They claim that leave for pregnancy and childbirth is guaranteed in many cases. But not all.

This is no longer an academic debate. This is not a negotiation about how many weeks. It is not a thought exercise about a rapists unborn child or the value of a mothers life if it is in danger, while carrying a child.

The rub here is that the other side never considered it a debate. They never considered it a thought exercise. They worked methodically and mercilessly to unethically, unjustly pack the Supreme Court over the last six years to get us to this point.

Too many of the people who probably consider themselves to be allies have said that it would never come to this. They would not listen and today they will be full of excuses. And its too late for that.

We told you that this would happen. We said it in no uncertain terms and we were told that we were being overly dramatic. We were told that this was settled law. And make no mistake, as we have said many times before: This will not end abortions. It will end safe abortions.

I often get asked about voter turnout and its impacts on our way of life. We are seeing that right now. The people that are aghast right now should have gotten out and voted every election for the last ten years. They should have voted like their rights depended on it.

The Republicans in Congress have inexorably marched us to this point systematically over the last decade and they accomplished their goal. So what is next for them?

Is it codifying discrimination against our LGBTQ+ community? Is it eliminating marriage equality? Prohibiting adequate access to contraception? Limiting womens travel between states to have access to abortions in states that still allow it? Because thats where this opinion suggests they will be going next.

Perhaps they will fundamentally change how Americans enjoy their right to privacy. This decision drives a pretty big truck through established case law and precedent on that issue.

So what can be done? Thats the next, inevitable, question, because we cannot change where we are, only where we go.

First of all, WE MUST VOTE LIKE OUR LIVES AND RIGHTS DEPEND ON IT.

We must turn out to the ballot box, we must support pro-choice and pro-LGBTQIA+ candidates and we must do it immediately. There is already a ballot initiative on the way that we must support.

We must find a way around our legislature that has turned a blind eye, knowing that this decision was coming and refusing to update our law. We must hold those representatives accountable for their inaction and demand that they solve this problem now.

We must donate to candidates who support our issues. I suggest Dana Nessel and Gretchen Whitmer to start. Because they will be crucial in the years ahead. We must check our voter registration and make sure it is up to date. Michigan voters can do that here.

You must sign up for your local clerks permanent absent voter ballot application list. Ingham County voters can do so on my website.

You must request your absent voter ballots for August and November as soon as you are sent the applications and you must VOTE in every election.

There is no small amount of irony that this coming weekend is Mothers Day. But this year, the Republicans are giving the mothers of this country the gift of no longer having autonomy over their body and taking away their ability to determine their own future.

The other side is counting on us to go quietly. They are counting on us to sit back and let this happen to our county. They are counting on us to accept that their political dogma is more important than our rights.

Mark my words: The women of this country will not go quietly. We will not let you strip us of our rights. We won this right once before and we will do it again. I am Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum. I am ready for battle, are you?

[CC image credit: TitiNicola | Wikimedia Commons]
Solving the problem of fibre fragmentation

Microplastics area global environmental problem. They are found in every sea, from the Artic Ocean to the deepest seafloor sediment, and they are highly detrimental to sealife when ingested. A major source of marine microplastics is fibre fragments released from clothing and textiles during laundering.

Despite pressure, there are currently no regulatory or industry requirements regarding fibre fragments. The Philippines has a House Bill pending and several bills have been proposed in the US. The state of Connecticut has passed a bill for the purpose of developing a consumer awareness and education program concerning the presence of synthetic microfibres in clothing.

In Europe, the EU is developing a directive and France has passed a law stating new washing machines must be fitted with a filter to capture fibers by 2025. This is a problem that is not going away.

Terminology

We all know the term microfibre. It refers to a synthetic fibre with a linear density of less than one denier (1 dtex). However, while microfibres do constitute a significant portion of microplastics, the issue is not restricted to synthetic fibres. A better term is fibre fragment, which encompasses the full range of textiles synthetic, natural and blends. Organizations such as the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) and Cross Industry Agreement (CIA) use this term to refer to textile fibres less than 5 mm in length that have broken away from the main textile body.

Fibre fragmentation

Fibre fragmentation is the action of a fibre being released from the textile body. Minimizing this process during a products life cycle is the goal for brands and manufacturers looking to demonstrate sustainability and corporate responsibility. In September 2021, TMC launched the Microfibre 2030 Commitment and Microfibre Roadmap. The roadmap helps the textiles industry to meet a commitment to have zero environmental impact by 2030.

Achieving this goal requires the ability to effectively evaluate fiber fragmentation in laundering effluent. Manufacturers also need a way to compare materials and assess how different parameters  degree of fibre raising, fabric construction, type of final finishing, etc.  will impact fibre fragmentation. Only with this data can they make the right choices when bringing new products to market.

Fibre fastness

The industry is looking for textiles that demonstrate fibre fastness  resistance to being broken down during laundering. Forward thinking manufacturers want end products with good fibre fastness performance.

Two testing routes exist for fibre fastness:

- Small-scale  understand fibre fastness during product development by testing textiles under standard conditions to reflect domestic laundering

- Full-scale  part of due diligence, testing finished garments/textiles using washing machines to simulate real life

There are a variety of test methods available to manufacturers, with more in development:

- ISO/DIS 4484-1  a collaboration between the CIA and European Committee for Standardization (CEN). The results of a round robin trial were released in Sept 2021

- AATCC TM 212  a small-scale testing method released in August 2021

- TMC test method  released March 2020

SGS

SGS released its first full-scale testing solution in 2017. They work in close collaboration with the AATCC, CIA and TMC and, through an unrivalled global network of accredited laboratories, provide a comprehensive range of small-and full-scale testing services.

This article is written by SGS' Global Technical Manager, Steve McDonald.
Press Release

May 3, 2022 De Lima to DOJ: What's wrong about witnesses recanting their lies against me Re-electionist Senator Leila M. de Lima maintained that there is nothing questionable about witnesses finally speaking the truth and finding it in their conscience to retract their lies against her in relation to illegal drugs. De Lima said the Department of Justice's (DOJ) decision to keep her detained despite the recent developments in her trumped-up drug cases puts into question the department's fidelity to justice even more than her ongoing cases already do. "Anyone can see how I am in no position to force anything from the witnesses against me," she said. "There are many things questionable about the cases against me. The recantation of witnesses is not one of them. If anything, this is the only thing that makes sense: it's proof that the truth will always come out. "The DOJ is supposed to search for truth. Ngayon, the DOJ wants to bury the truth... dahil ba mga opisyales nila ang sangkot?," she asked. In his affidavit, notarized on April 30, 2022 in Pasig, former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos retracted his previous statements, affidavits, and court testimonies that he delivered money to De Lima and her former aide Ronnie Dayan. Ragos, a principal witness in one of two cases against De Lima pending at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, said that he was threatened by then Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II into making false allegations against De Lima. In a statement, the DOJ questioned the delay on the part of Ragos in recanting his previous statements, saying it casts doubt on its truthfulness. The lady Senator from Bicol maintained that DOJ's mandate is to serve the ends of justice, and not to use the law to persecute and oppress. "Once they lost the moral certainty to have me convicted beyond reasonable doubt, it is their duty to withdraw the cases," she said. De Lima considered her unjust detention as the "greatest frame-up", "grandest conspiracy of lies" and the "grossest injustice" under the Duterte regime. "Isipin nyo naman po: Hindi ako kandidato noong 2013. Pero tumanggap daw ako ng pera noong Nov. at Dec. 2012 para sa kandidatura na yun. Dyan palang, klarong kasinungalingan na yung ipinakargang kwento nila kay Ragos sa kanyang dating testimonya, na ayon sa kanyang affidavit of retraction, ay dikta ni dating SOJ Aquirre," said De Lima, a former justice secretary. Ragos' recantation came just days after confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa also recanted his allegations against De Lima in relation to illegal drug trade in a counter-affidavit filed at the DOJ on April 28. 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.
At least a billion people sweltered under extreme temperatures in India and Pakistan this weekend as the two countries endure a record-breaking heat wave.

Northwest and central India saw their highest average maximum temperature for April since record keeping began 122 years ago, according to Indian Meteorological Department data reported by CNN. Meanwhile, Jacobabad, Pakistan reached 49 degrees Celsius on Saturday, which is one of the hottest April temperatures ever recorded, according to The Guardian.

We are living in hell, Nazeer Ahmed of Turbat, Pakistan told The Guardian.

#Pakistan soared up to a scorching 49C (120.2F) today.



That's one of the hottest temperatures ever recorded on Earth in April. pic.twitter.com/AnIxNnjfwU  US StormWatch (@US_Stormwatch) May 1, 2022

Ahmeds experience exemplifies what happens when extreme weather fueled by the climate crisis strains the ability of a nations infrastructure to meet it. Both Pakistan and India are dealing with energy shortages, and Ahmed said that Turbat does not receive enough energy to power refrigerators or air conditioners.

Electricity demands have also resulted in coal shortages in parts of India, some of which have been without power for as many as nine hours a day, according to CNN. Some states have also canceled school, since traveling to the classroom in high heat put strain on students health and caused some of them to develop nose bleeds.

We dont have a heat action plan and there are gaps in planning, Dr. Chandni Singh, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change lead author and senior researcher at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, told CNN. You can only adapt so much. This heatwave is testing the limits of human survivability.

Singh said the unprecedented heat wave was in keeping with what scientists predicted would happen as global temperatures continue to rise due to the burning of fossil fuels.

It is premature to attribute the extreme heat in India and Pakistan solely to climate change. However, it is consistent with what we expect in a changing climate. Heatwaves are more frequent and more intense and starting earlier than in the past, World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas said in a statement.

At least a billion people experienced temperatures 40 degrees Celsius or above from Thursday to Sunday in the two countries, according to Axios, and several experienced highs of 43 degrees Celsius or higher. Banda in Uttar Pradesh set an April record of 47.2 degrees Celsius on Friday, while Nawabshah, Pakistan hit 49.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday, likely the highest temperature on record for the Northern Hemisphere so far in 2022.

India also experienced its hottest March on record, and this has harmed its wheat crop, AP News reported. Further, the hot temperatures means that around seven million people are at risk from flooding as glaciers melt quickly in the Himalaya, Hindu Kush and Karkoram mountains, Reuters reported.

Both countries are expected to see some relief this week, with temperatures falling by three to four degrees Celsius in Northwest India and returning to a seasonal average of 40 degrees in Pakistan, CNN reported.

However, heat waves like this will only persist if nothing is done to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Historical emitters of greenhouse gases have to step up because we are, in countries like India and Pakistan, really hitting the limits of adapting to heat, Singh told Democracy Now.
Last call for entries for 2022 Manx Telecom Parish Walk

More than a thousand people have already registered for this year's Parish Walk.

The final deadline for entries is this Sunday.

Manx Telecom says 1,125 competitors have registered for the event which takes place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June.



Competitors have 24 hours to complete the 85-mile course around the Islands 17 parishes and reach the finish on Douglas Promenade.

You can re-watch Energy FM's coverage of last year's Parish Walk here.
Amazon already has a policy in place to reimburse employees up to $10,000 for travel expenses if they're having treatments for life-threatening issues. Now, it has also introduced a policy that will benefit those seeking other kinds of treatment. According to Reuters, the e-commerce giant has told its employees in the US that it will offer up to $4,000 in annual travel reimbursements for non-life threatening medical treatments, including cellular gene therapies, substance-abuse disorder services and abortions.

Politico recently obtained an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, showing that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the US. If Roe v. Wade truly gets overturned, then it's up to local state governments to decide whether to legalize or restrict abortion  and conservative states like Alabama, where Amazon has facilities, are expected to limit access to the procedure.

Reuters says Amazon will reimburse travel under the new policy if a procedure is not available within 100 miles of an employees' home and long-distance/virtual treatment isn't possible. It will apply to both office and warehouse employees, as well as their dependents enrolled in Premera or Aetna health plans. It will also be retroactively applied to eligible travel that took place within this year, starting on January 1st. As the news organization notes, it shows Amazon's efforts when it comes to retaining and attracting talent for the company.

That said, Amazon has also recently ended its paid COVID leave policy for workers. It will no longer pay time off for workers that test positive for the virus and will only offer them up to five days of unpaid leave going forward.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Just because theyre out of college doesnt mean that the grads in your life wont have time for gaming  its a great way to blow off steam after a hard day at work, or after a particularly grueling job search. But now that theyre older they could definitely up their accessories game a bit, so weve rounded up some of our favorite gaming items that will upgrade their experience, and a few hot titles that will give them plenty to do this and talk about this summer.

8BitDo Pro 2

8BitDo

Your grad is fully out in the adult world now, so they really deserve a pro-level controller for their gaming activities  particularly one thats flexible for all their needs, be it mobile or console gaming. 8BitDo makes a number of great solutions, but the one that wed recommend above all else is the Pro 2. This PlayStation-styled controller is super comfortable to hold, pairs easily via Bluetooth and is compatible with a wide range of devices, from Windows and macOS machines to Android devices to the Nintendo Switch. If your grad is a tinkerer, the Pro 2 will even work with the Raspberry Pi. This is truly the Swiss Army knife of game controllers.

Logitech G435

Engadget

A headset is a must-have if you want the best game audio, but being tethered to a computer or console is not so much fun. Neither is the selection of colors available for most headsets, unless youre a big fan of red and black all the time. Luckily, Logitech has this stylish wireless headset for around $80. The G435 connects to a computer via a Logitech Lightspeed dongle so your gamer wont have to worry about Bluetooth lag or an unreliable connection. As for looks, it comes in cheery colors like blue or lilac, and the padded ear cups and headband will keep a head cool while not mussing up their hair.

Elgato Stream Deck Mini

Elgato

If your grad is thinking about a career in streaming, theyre going to need the proper equipment to get started. Its best to start out small, and the Stream Deck Mini is a nice, affordable way to dip their toe in the water. The Decks six buttons give budding streamers one-touch access to popular functions like lighting, audio and emotes. And its super easy to set up  just drop and drag in the software. Becoming a famous streamer can be a lot of work, and the Stream Deck just makes it a bit easier to handle.

Logitech Litra Glow

Logitech

Another key item to a successful streaming career is the lighting. After all, someone cant be an on-camera personality if you cant see them on camera. But ring lights can be expensive, unwieldy or just hard to set up. Logitech makes all those problems go away with its Litra Glow streaming light. This compact light can clip on the top of a laptop for on-the-go streaming while also providing soft all-over illumination  no telltale rings in your grads eyes when they stream.

Timbuk2 CS03 Crossbody Sling

Timbuk2

No more classes means your grad can slim down in the backpack department. But if theyre a gamer theyre still going to need something with lots of pockets to store cables and cards. Gaming accessory maker SteelSeries and shoulder bag company Timbuk2 have collaborated on a pair of bags made for the gaming lifestyle, and the smaller CS03 is perfect for carrying around a Nintendo Switch, headphones and other mobile gaming accessories. This crossbody bag may remind you of a fanny pack, but it has way more pockets for cords and game cards, and a padded lining to keep delicate LCD screens safe from scratches.

SteelSeries Rival 5 Gaming Mouse

SteelSeries

Gaming mice are great for a lot more than just gaming  theyre great for school and work, so if your grad doesnt already have one, why not upgrade them to the versatile Rival 5? Its curved shape feels great in the hand and the customizable lighting isnt too flashy so it works for both home and office. Players will appreciate the array of nine programmable buttons that fit all genres of gaming, including popular titles like Fortnite and Genshin Impact to deeper strategy experiences like the Civilization series.

Razer Huntsman Mini

Razer

Your gamer shouldnt have to settle for the keyboard that came with their laptop. They shouldnt have to settle for anything less than a premium mechanical keyboard, and you dont have to break the bank to get them one. The Huntsman Mini is a small 60 percent deck with optical switches. Thats not word salad  this just means its a smaller keyboard without a number pad or arrows, and it uses lasers under each key for a super fast response time. Its a great keyboard to have in a gaming arsenal for travel purposes, but its good enough that gamers might make it a full-time accessory.

Video games

Pokemon Arceus Legends

Nintendo

With the school year over and done with, grads have a bit of time on their hands, so why not give them a game to kick back and relax with when theyre not searching for a job? Players who grew up with the Pokemon franchise will appreciate this fresh take on the world, with action-oriented gameplay and a storyline that takes place in the distant past of the Sinnoh region from Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. Even if they havent played a Pokemon game before, Legends can make a good entry point to the franchise that will get them ready for this falls new generation of creatures in Scarlet and Violet.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Nintendo

Kirby titles have gotten a lot easier over the years, but Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a game for the old-school gamers who like more of a challenge. This epic title has Kirby exploring a post-apocalyptic world, battling enemies and gaining new abilities. If your grad has ever wondered if Kirby could eat a car, this is the Switch game to get them. Fans are even calling it the best Kirby game since the 90s, so its sure to keep your loved one busy over the summer.

Elden Ring

FromSoftware

Your grad has probably been super busy this year so far, studying for finals and getting ready for graduation. So its likely they havent dipped their toe into the massive, immersive experience that is Elden Ring. This epic title can be brutally difficult with a big learning curve, which makes it less for casual gamers than for those players who have a lot of time on their hands like someone just out of school. Soon enough theyll be slammed with job offers, so give them this soon-to-be-classic while they can fully enjoy it.
ViacomCBS has finally narrowed the timing for some of its international Paramount+ launches. As Variety reports, Paramount Global announced during an earnings call that the streaming service will arrive in the UK and Ireland on June 22nd. South Korea will also have access sometime in June. You'll have to wait a while longer in other parts of the world, however. Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland will can start watching in the second half of 2022, while people in India will have to wait until 2023.

In the UK, you'll pay 7 per month or 70 per year. Sky Cinema customers will have Paramount+ included at no extra charge.

The expansion will be welcome if you've wanted to watch Halo and other shows that have remained exclusive to Paramount+ so far. However, this won't thrill everyone. Until late last year, ViacomCBS made shows like Star Trek: Discovery available outside of Paramount+ coverage areas through rivals like Netflix. You'll now have to subscribe to yet another service to follow affected shows.
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

A special $350 discount is being offered by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance for those interested in attending Medicarians 2022, the national Medicare insurance industry conference.

The conference takes place June 7-8, 2022 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"This annual event brings together a cross section of industry leaders who focus on Medicare insurance and increasingly on other senior products favored by Medicare plan participants," states Jesse Slome, director of the Association. "It's an incredible opportunity to network with the industry's experts and movers and shakers."

The Association is making available a special discounted registration that saves some $350 off the $995 regular registration cost. Slome notes that the discount is available for a limited time at the discretion of the conference organizers.

Learn more and access the special registration link at https://www.medicaresupp.org/medicare-insurance-conference-2022/.

The American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance (AAMSI) advocates for the importance of planning. The organization maintains the leading national online directory when consumers can find local Medicare insurance agents. For more information, visit the organization's websites at https://www.medicaresupp.org
The Tower Life Building, an iconic 31-story skyscraper in downtown San Antonio that opened in 1929 and was long the citys tallest, has changed hands.

After owning the building for nearly 80 years, the Zachry family has sold it to a group that includes the McCombs family, local developer Ed Cross and Jon Wiegand of Alamo Capital Advisors.

We are honored to now own and steward a piece of San Antonios cultural heritage, Joe Shields, director of business development at McCombs Enterprises and grandson of businessman B.J. Red McCombs, said in an announcement this week.

On ExpressNews.com: Tower Life Building opened to great fanfare

The group declined to disclose the purchase price, occupancy rate and its plans for the building at 310 S. St. Marys St., which the Bexar Appraisal District values at $10.2 million.

Wiegand said the acquisition was attractive because of its iconic nature and other development projects in the works downtown. The Tower Life Building is on the River Walk and near Hemisfair, where construction of a 9-acre public park dubbed Civic Park is underway.

Vibrant neighborhood

Zachry Hospitality is spearheading a $340 million development at the park that will include apartments, a hotel, restaurants and other retail. City Council recently approved a revised deal with the company to start the long-delayed project.

The University of Texas at San Antonio is expanding its downtown campus and construction of its School of Data Science at 506 Dolorosa St. is underway. The Tower Life Building is also a short walk from H-E-Bs headquarters and Southtown.

Weston Urban recently started construction of a 32-story high-rise at North Main Avenue and East Travis Street thats to include 354 apartments and 6,275 square feet of retail space. The local development firm also plans to rehabilitate the Arana and Continental Hotel buildings on a block bounded by San Pedro Creek and Commerce, Dolorosa and Laredo streets. It would construct a 15-story building with about 255 apartment units between the two buildings.

Los Angeles-based BH Properties is renovating a parking garage and office building at 146 Navarro St. it acquired from CPS Energy. Blueprint Hospitality, which is based in the Houston and Chicago areas, plans to turn another former CPS building at 145 Navarro St. into a hotel.

We feel we are at the center of a really vibrant neighborhood and are excited to add to the continued momentum of our communitys urban core, Wiegand said.

Hotels and stores downtown were hard-hit during the coronavirus pandemic as office employees shifted to working remotely, tourism dried up and conventions were canceled or postponed.

Now, leisure visitors are filling hotel rooms again and conventions are slowly returning. Some businesses have brought employees back to offices, but not all. The vacancy rate for office space in the central business district was 17 percent in the first quarter, according to commercial real estate firm Transwestern.

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 2 1 of 2 Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Courtesy of UTSA Special Collections Show More Show Less



That was up from 9.6 percent during the same three-month period in 2021, 6.3 percent in 2020 and 6.6 percent in 2019, prior to the pandemic.

Building history

The 404-foot building opened in 1929 as the Smith-Young Tower. It features gargoyles and a green-glazed tile roof.

The six elevators, having all-automatic controls, were not able to handle the crowds, the San Antonio Light newspaper reported at the time. Hundreds didnt wait for elevators but climbed up and down long flights of stairs. The crowd did not become thin until midnight.

Smith Bros. Properties Co. spent between $2.5 million and $3 million to build the tower, which was designed by prominent architects Atlee Ayres and his son Robert Ayres.

San Antonios first Sears, Roebuck & Co. store was located on the first six floors for a decade.

The Smith brothers envisioned developing a flurry of skyscrapers around the tower that would rival Rockefeller Center in New York, but the Great Depression hit.

After the building went into receivership, it was sold to Rupe & Son Inc. of Dallas in the 1930s. A group led by D. Gordon Rupe bought the city bus system and moved San Antonio Transit Co.s headquarters into the tower, which was renamed the Transit Tower.

On ExpressNews.com: Tower Life building hosted Eisenhowers office, a tunnel and all kinds of other weirdness

It was also the headquarters of the Third U.S. Army and then-Col. Dwight D. Eisenhower was chief of staff. He took the oath of office as brigadier general at the building in 1941.

H.B. Zachry acquired it in 1943, when he was board chairman at Citizens Republic Life Insurance. The insurance company, which was based there, changed its name in the 1960s and the building took on its present name.

The Zachry family has refurbished and upgraded the historic building over the decades.

A tunnel connected the tower to the Plaza Hotel across the street and provided access to the hotels coffee shop and several stores. It was closed in 1975 and the Plaza Hotel is now known as Granada Homes, which provides affordable housing for low-income seniors.

It remained the citys tallest building until 1988, when the 546-foot Marriott Rivercenter was built. The Tower of the Americas is the tallest structure, at heights of 622 at its roof and 750 feet at its spire.

The Tower Life Building has been the signature of the San Antonio skyline for nearly a century, and we are excited to maintain its prestige and be part of the continued reinvigoration of our communitys downtown, Wiegand said in the announcement.

madison.iszler@express-news.net
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The Supreme Courts apparent decision to allow state lawmakers to make womens health care choices puts chief executives in a tough spot, forcing them to choose between their employees rights and right-wing backlash.

Disneys recent experience defending LGBT rights against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss demagoguery will sadly encourage cowardice.

Millions of Texans are waiting to hear how their employee health insurance will handle abortion coverage when the procedure becomes a first-degree felony punishable by life in prison.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: GOP's policies on COVID, guns, abortion and education are bad for business

Texas Republicans have made banning abortion their marquee issue for decades. In addition to prohibiting government health insurance from paying for abortions, the Legislature also banned state-regulated plans from covering them.

Employers of 60 percent of Americans with company-sponsored health insurance, though, use self-funded plans. These are exempt from state regulations, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health care research organization. Only 14 percent of self-funded plans exclude some or all abortions.

Polling shows 59 percent of Americans think abortion should be legal under all or most circumstances, according to Pew Research.

After Gov. Greg Abbott allowed Texans to privately prosecute other Texans who seek an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, many companies stepped up. Amazon, Citigroup, Salesforce, Apple, Bumble, Levis, GoDaddy, Match, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, have all promised to help employees get abortions outside Texas.

We are pro-woman. We will support a womans right to make health care decisions for herself, even if that means traveling out of state. Its an investment thats not just right, but good business too, Curtis Sparrer, a principal at PR firm Bospar told me in an email.

The company will pay for travel and other expenditures should a Bospar staff member need reproductive health care banned in any state where they live, Sparrer added.

We want other companies and PR agencies to join the fight, especially since many are composed of women and are led by women. The rights of women are not just on the line, he added. As someone who credits his same-sex marriage to the legacy of Roe, I am imploring my colleagues and friends to end their silence and speak truth to power.

Taking a stand on anything, though, is becoming more perilous for corporations and executives who would rather generate profits than controversy. Employees, especially younger workers, expect their companys leadership to reflect their values.

More than half of consumers will buy or advocate for brands based on their beliefs, while six in 10 employees will choose employers based on shared beliefs and values, according to Edelman, a global PR firm. A stunning 81 percent of respondents want CEOs to be front and center discussing public policy.

Abortion raises passions like few others, and as I told NPRs Rachel Martin last year on Morning Edition, any company that speaks up risks becoming a lightning rod. Companies frequently have strategies theyve worked on for years, and they do not want to sacrifice them for a divisive political issue.

When Abbott said he spoke regularly with Elon Musk, the worlds wealthiest man, and claimed the owner of Tesla Inc. likes Texass conservative policies, Musk demurred on Twitter. He said he tries to stay out of politics.

Musks tweet was ludicrous because he comments on politics all the time. But he didnt say anything because he was in the process of moving Teslas headquarters to Austin. He wasnt going to rock the boat by supporting womens rights.

Disneys CEO Bob Chapek tried to sit out the controversy around Floridas Dont Say Gay law, which censors discussions of LGBT peoples existence. When Chapek did nothing, his LGBT employees felt disregarded; when he spoke up, he made Disney a scapegoat for conservative bigots.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Abbott puts Elon Musk on the spot over abortion ban, other extreme policies

Disney is a massive international company planning to indoctrinate children around the world with radical ideas, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wrote in announcing plans for a Texas Dont Say Gay law.

Other conservatives have accused Disney of promoting pedophilia and using phallic imagery in Mickey and Minnie Mouse photos to promote homosexuality. DeSantis has made Disney-bashing part of his stump speech as he prepares to run for president.

No CEO or board of directors wants to become a battleground in the culture wars. But employees of many national and global corporations will expect to retain their abortion coverage, no matter where they live.

Only the naive will try to sit this out. Both sides are too angry and motivated to find a company to bash. Executives need to immediately stand up for womens rights and take whatever heat comes. Their employees and customers expect nothing less.

Chris Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
Argo Group International Holdings Ltd., a specialty insurer that has its U.S. headquarters in San Antonio, could be looking for a buyer or merger partner.

The Bermuda-based company announced that its board of directors has begun exploring a potential sale, merger or some other type of transaction.

The board believes now is the opportune time to explore a range of potential strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, Argo Chairman Thomas Bradley said in a statement.

Argos announcement comes more than seven months after New York-based Capital Returns Management, an insurance industry investor, called on Argo to consider a sale or other alternatives.

Exploring the sale of the entire Company is the optimal and necessary next step to maximize shareholder value, Capital Returns President Ron Bobman said in a September letter to Argos board. Previous attempts at piecemeal sales have either failedor yielded no returns to shareholders.

Bobman believed Argos businesses could be sold for $80 a share. The stock closed at $43.71 Monday. Its shares have risen about 12 percent since the companys announcement on Thursday.

In March, Capital Returns nominated Bobman and another individual to serve on Argos board. But the company has postponed its annual meeting until later this year.

We can now add a sale and an annual meeting to the growing and long list of actions the ARGO Board has undertaken either too late or too little, Bobman said in an emailed statement Monday. The deferral of our annual meeting forces shareholders to continue to rely upon an ineffective board to make critical shareholder value decisions, a responsibility they have failed us heretofore.

Bradley downplayed Capital Returns overtures in a note to Argo employees in March.

It has become increasingly common for investors to use the public forum to engage with management teams and boards, Bradley said. This news has no impact on our day-to-day operations.

Bradley is handling the duties of Argo CEO Kevin Rehnberg, who took a leave of absence for health reasons in March.

This marks the second proxy fight at Argo in the span of about three years.

In 2019, San Francisco investment adviser Voce Capital Management blasted former Argo CEO Mark E. Watson III for what it said was the insurers spendthrift culture that was costing shareholders.

A torrent of events followed Voces criticism. The Securities and Exchange Commission issued a subpoena to Argo for documents relating to its disclosures about executive perks and benefits. Watson later stepped down.

In 2020, the SEC levied a $900,000 fine against Argo for failing to disclose about $5.3 million in perks awarded to Watson. The agency also fined Watson $450,000.

Argo is a midsize player in the niche field of insuring complex or hard-to-price risks other insurers wont touch.

Since the change in leadership, Argo has exited various unprofitable businesses.

Over the last year, Argos board of directors and executive leadership team have taken decisive actions to strengthen the company by pursuing profitable growth, reducing volatility and employing disciplined expense management, Bradley said in the statement.

On Monday, Argo reported that it lost $3.6 million, or 11 cents a share, on $483.8 million in revenue in the first quarter ended March 31. That compares with net earnings of $27.2 million, or 78 cents a share, on $523.6 million in revenue in the same period last year.

The company has reduced its workforce in San Antonio from about 200 to 140 employees. As a result, its planning to move into a smaller office in July. It will occupy slightly more than 25,000 square feet in the Soto building at 711 Broadway. It currently occupies 85,000 square feet at the IBC Centre at 175 E. Houston St.

pdanner@express-news.net
When San Antonio composer Nadia Botello and the Agarita chamber ensemble talk about giving audiences an immersive experience, theyre not speaking metaphorically.

Agaritas free concert on Friday can be experienced by listeners who are submerged in, floating atop of or sitting near the Alamo Heights Pool.

Listening to music underwater is a distinctive experience, said Botello, a former competitive synchronized swimmer.

Youre bypassing your cochlear system, which is your hearing, and youre listening directly through your bones, she said. Its a very physical, very intimate experience, very strange for some people, very accessible for others. If they have hearing difficulties, its more aligned to how they experience sound in the world generally.

Before and after the concert, Botellos underwater sound installation Ojo de Agua I will be played in the pool through a speaker. Agarita will play Ojo de Agua II as part of its live program played by Agarita. Both pieces draw on research Botello did on the San Antonio River for her masters degree in music and sound from Bard College.

During the concert, the musicians also will play nature-inspired works by Timo Andres, Debussy, Dvorak, Jessica Meyer, Philip Glass and Chris Rogerson.

More Information Agarita When: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Friday; concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Where: Alamo Heights Pool, 250 Viesca St. Details: Admission is free; reservations are not required. A reception, including paletas and sparkling wine, will follow the concert. agarita.org See More Collapse

Botello created Ojo de Agua specifically for Agarita. Her work has been played around the world, but this is the first time it will be presented in her hometown.

She said the new work is less about trying to capture something than it is about raising questions: What might a river be saying for itself and what does it mean to really listen to something, in this case, a body of water? When youre really listening to something, youre paying attention to it.

None of my work is didactic, and I never mean it to be. My intent is usually to have an experience that people leave maybe having their own set of questions, not so much a set of answers.

The seed for the concert was planted when Botello and Agarita violist Marisa Bushman met in an exercise class and struck up a conversation. Bushman soon set up a meeting with Daniel Anastasio, Agaritas artistic director, about the possibility of collaborating.

When Bushman learned that much of Botellos work involves water, she wanted to find a way to bring that kind of experience to San Antonio audiences.

I think that its so rare that people get to really immerse themselves fully  physically, spiritually, emotionally  into something, Bushman said.

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Whatever shape the collaboration ultimately took, it was always going to involve water, Botello said.

My work has been about water for probably almost 10 years in different ways, she said. There was no question that it would be about anything else, essentially, when we decided to collaborate.

The pool will require people attending the concert to sign a waiver. And Bushman said they also should keep in mind that, although the concert will have an informal vibe, it is a performance, and so they should be respectful of others experiences just as they would be in a more traditional venue.

Botello had hoped to premiere the work at the pool at San Pedro Springs Park, and would like to see it done there at some point in the future. Agarita wasnt able to get a commitment from the city to make that happen this time around. When Bushman talked to Rick Shaw, who runs the Alamo Heights Pool, about the possibility of performing it there, she got an enthusiastic yes.

I think its a wonderful testament to how San Antonio as a whole, especially the private sector, steps up when they can, said Bushman, who has produced concerts in unusual venues all over the city as part of Agarita. Theres sense of adventurousness from all of the private sector people Ive worked with.

dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN
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.
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One man is dead after a shooting at a West Side convenience store late Monday night, San Antonio police said.

Officers were called to the intersection of 24th and Commerce streets just after 10 p.m. for a shooting outside the Superior Convenient Stop. Witnesses said the male victim was talking to another man outside the convenience store just before shots rang out.

The victim suffered two gunshot wounds, one to the leg and another to the torso. He was taken to the hospital where he later died.

The suspect fled from the scene and wasn't located.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
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A man was shot inside a home in southeast Bexar County early Tuesday morning and later died at a local hospital.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office said it has not found the shooter, who it believes killed the man at a home just after 1 a.m. in the 11000 block of Loop 107, near the Loop 1604 and Texas 87 interchange.

The man was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

A woman was taken in for questioning, officials at the scene said.

Authorities said they don't have a description of the suspect.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
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PIERRE, S.D. (AP)  The South Dakota House on Tuesday impeached state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg over a 2020 car crash in which he killed a pedestrian but initially said he might have struck a deer or another large animal.

Ravnsborg, a Republican, is the first official to be impeached in South Dakota history. He will at least temporarily be removed from office pending the historic Senate trial, where it takes a two-thirds majority to convict on impeachment charges. The Senate must wait at least 20 days to hold its trial, but has not yet set a date.

Ravnsborg pleaded no contest last year to a pair of traffic misdemeanors in the crash, including making an illegal lane change. He has cast Joseph Boevers death as a tragic accident.

In narrowly voting to impeach the state's top prosecutor, the Republican-controlled House charged Ravnsborg with committing crimes that caused someones death, making numerous misrepresentations to law enforcement officers after the crash and using his office to navigate the criminal investigation. A Senate conviction would mean Ravnsborg would be barred from holding any state office in the future.

When were dealing with the life of one of your citizens, I think that weighed heavily on everyone, said Republican Rep. Will Mortenson, who introduced the articles of impeachment.

Ravnsborg said in a statement he is looking forward to the Senate trial, where I believe I will be vindicated.

Meanwhile, Tim Bormann, the attorney generals chief of staff, said his staff would professionally dedicate ourselves to their work while Ranvsborg is forced to take a leave.

Ravnsborg, who took office in 2019, was returning home from a Republican dinner in September 2020 when he struck and killed Boever, who was walking along a rural highway. A sheriff who responded after Ravnsborg called 911 initially reported it as a collision with an animal. Ravnsborg has said he did not realize he hit a man until he returned the next day and found the body.

The Highway Patrol concluded that Ravnsborgs car crossed completely onto the highway shoulder before hitting Boever, and criminal investigators said later that they didnt believe some of Ravnsborgs statements.

The House rejected the recommendation of a GOP-backed majority report from a special investigative committee, which argued that anything wrong he did was not part of his official duties in office. But even Republican lawmakers who argued his actions did not meet constitutional grounds for impeachment said Ravnsborg should resign.

He should have stepped down, should have done the honorable thing, said House Speaker Spencer Gosch, who oversaw the House investigation and voted against impeachment.

The articles of impeachment required approval from a majority of the 70 members of the House and passed by just one vote.

Of the 36 people who voted in favor, eight were Democrats and 28 were Republicans. The 31 against it were all Republicans. Republican Rep. Scott Odenbach recused himself because he had given legal advice to the attorney general after the crash. Two other Republican lawmakers were absent.

Ravnsborg, who had been largely silent about the crash and was not present for the vote, sent lawmakers a pair of defiant letters Monday night urging them not to impeach him.

In a few hours, your vote will set a precedent for years to come, Ravnsborg wrote. No state has ever impeached an elected official for a traffic accident.

He also accused Republican Gov. Kristi Noem of interfering in the investigation and of supporting impeachment because of the attorney generals investigations into her behavior.

After Ravnsborg fell out with the governor following the crash, he pushed a pair of ethics complaints against Noem to the states Government Accountability Board. His office is also investigating whether an organization aligned with the governor broke campaign finance disclosure laws.

Noem lauded the vote on Twitter, writing that the House did the right thing for the people of South Dakota and for Joe Boever's family.

The decision brought some relief for his family, who his wedding photo as they watched from the House gallery during the vote. They have decried the criminal prosecution as a slap on the wrist for Ravnsborg.

Were a step closer to justice. Were not done, said Boevers cousin, Nick Nemec.

Now we just need the Senates help on this because these laws need to be changed badly, said Jennifer Boever, who was married to Boever. People are getting hurt and killed, and the pedestrian has no self-defense against a 4,000 pound (1,814 kilogram) vehicle.
WASHINGTON  News that the Supreme Court is preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade has given progressive Jessica Cisneros a rallying cry just weeks before voters head to the polls in her primary runoff against longtime Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, one of the closest watched races in the country.

Lets defeat the last anti-choice Democrat in the US House, tweeted Cisneros, the 28-year-old immigration attorney from Laredo who forced Cuellar into a runoff in March.

The supercharged May 24 rematch between one of the most moderate Democrats in the House and his liberal challenger is now becoming an early test of how voters will respond to the looming Supreme Court ruling.

Cuellar was the only Democrat in the House to oppose a bill last year that would have codified the right to an abortion  a move by Washington Democrats to counter Texas Republicans near-total ban on abortions. Now, reports that the Supreme Court is preparing to upend that right come just as Cisneros airs another barrage of TV ads hammering Cuellar for siding with Republicans.

In a statement Tuesday, Cuellar condemned the leaked opinion as not based on precedent.

As a Catholic, I do not support abortion, however, we cannot have an outright ban, the statement said. There must be exceptions in the case of rape, incest, and danger to the life of the mother.

Political experts say that for Cuellar its the worst possible time for the high court to admit its preparing a ruling that may ban abortion.

Cuellars campaign has already weathered one political bombshell after the FBI searched his Laredo home and campaign offices. And the longtime congressman survived the primary in March with 1,005 votes more than Cisneros, who has far outpaced him in fundraising. Cuellars attorney has said Justice Department prosecutors told him the congressman is not a target in the investigation.

The Supreme Court is about to drop a thermonuclear device on American politics, said Jon Taylor, a University of Texas-San Antonio political science professor. It was competitive enough already, and it was close and nasty enough already, and now its turning white hot  and this issue is going to do it.

The Supreme Court issued a statement Tuesday verifying a draft of the majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito and published by Politico, was legitimate but not final. If it stands, it would send the issue of abortion rights back to the states, where Texas Republicans have already passed a law that would ban abortion entirely.

The news comes as Cisneros and her backers had already doubled down on abortion rights as a driving issue in her bid against Cuellar.

Hes not going to budge

Hours before the news broke on Monday, womens rights groups EMILYs List and NARAL Pro-Choice America launched digital ads highlighting Cuellars lone stance on the abortion bill and saying Cisneros would fight for reproductive freedom.

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, two progressive stars who have backed Cisneros, urged supporters to give to her campaign on Tuesday.

Were trying to do everything we can because we recognize with a slim Democratic majority, Henry Cuellar could be the deciding vote on the future of our reproductive rights, Cisneros said. Hes shown time and time again hes not going to budge on this issue.

She said the issue was already given fresh salience last month when a woman in Starr County, which is part of the district, was arrested and charged with murder over a self-induced abortion. The charges were eventually dropped, but she spent three days in jail and the case drew national attention.

I think it really is close to home, and I guess this is the kind of future that people like Henry Cuellar want for us  one where we dont have a right to our own bodily autonomy, she said. This is absolutely not what our community deserves.

But Cuellar isnt exactly alone in South Texas, where several Democratic elected officials share his opposition to abortion. His district is more than 70 percent Latino and Democratic voters there are likely more split on the issue than they are in other parts of the state.

Pelosi, Hoyer backed Cuellar

Cuellars supporters say he is Democrats best shot at keeping the South Texas district blue as Republicans are likely to put significant resources into trying to flip it this November after making surprising gains in the region in 2020. The Republicans vying to take on Cuellar or Cisneros have said they would rather run against Cisneros, who they believe they can effectively brand a socialist.

Cuellars campaign has run TV ads focused on results they say the congressman has gotten for the district.

If we lose him in Congress, we lose everything, the ads say.

House Democratic leadership has lined up behind Cuellar, with House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn set to make an appearance at a San Antonio rally for the congressman on Wednesday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer have also endorsed Cuellar.

But alarm over the Supreme Court preparing to ban abortion could put them in an awkward position, as Democrats are likely to make reproductive rights a core piece of their message heading into the midterms.

Theyre now stuck with a guy that is so diametrically opposed to one of the issues the Democrats are strongest on, and now all of a sudden, youre dealing with a situation where a guy  to be blunt  at least on this issue, is radioactive, Taylor said. You have a guy who is the outlier in the Democratic party in the House and for Democrats in Texas, now tacking into the wind.

Democrats say the abortion issue is a highly motivating one for their voters.

Bexar County Democratic Party Chairwoman Monica Alcantara called it a huge issue for women and families and moms in Bexar County.

I believe its going to have a huge impact as we go into the election, Alcantara said. I believe those that werent  the men and women  that werent rushing out to go vote see the urgency in the matter and really whats at stake.

Harold Cook, a Texas political analyst who worked for years as a Democratic consultant, said Cuellar should be very concerned.

Cook recalled working as political director for the Texas chapter of NARAL in 1989 when the Supreme Court issued a ruling upholding a Missouri law that restricted the use of state funding for abortions. He said the organization happened to have sent mailers out that same day asking for donations of $25. People sent in checks for $1,000 or more. He remembered getting a couple for $10,000.

People were really, really, really pissed off, and motivated, he said. The only question after that is whether you can keep them motivated until the next election.

ben.wermund@chron.com
To set the scene, lets just say that the St. Vincent de Paul Columbus Club Banquet Hall on Ray Ellison Drive would be the perfect place for a South Side quinceanera.

The street, named for a long-ago developer, may tell you all you need to know. The hall sits west of Palo Alto College, where new developments mix with those frozen in time.

Last summer, the Knights of Columbus Council 5262 celebrated the installation of a new heating and air-conditioning system, but the place otherwise reads 1970s post-Vietnam pride, from its smokey glass light fixtures to the hundreds of trophies and religious statues behind glass.

If the place had a soundtrack, itd be piping out R&B, funk and soul along with Tejano and Brown Eyed Soul. I could almost hear Santanas Black Magic Woman on one end of the room and Malos Suavecito on the other.

More than 75 people waited to hear about what they can do to get their property tax appraisals to reflect the linoleum tile lifting off their kitchen floors.

Theyre worried, which is why they spent their Saturday morning at a property tax workshop.

Theres so much to remember about property taxes, like exemptions and deferrals, but none as important as this: You have until May 16 to protest your property appraisal. We get an extra day because the May 15 deadline falls on a Sunday.

District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia is well-known in this area, so is Bexar County tax assessor-collector Albert Uresti. Theyre South Siders.

She welcomed attendees. Uresti followed with a slideshow that condensed the most valuable information property owners need to understand their appraisals and tax bills. That includes applying for exemptions and deferrals that can lower taxable value, which in turn reduces their tax bills, and how to prepare to protest their new, outrageous appraisals.

The sound system, by the way, was perfect, and by that, I mean intermediately working.

Some people sounded angry. They were the first to raise their hands with questions, mostly about how the appraisal office settles on what their homes are worth in an exploding housing market that we can blame on population shifts, new development and gentrification.

Sometimes, what its appraisers look at is infuriating  like what a neighbor (read: gentrifier) did to sell a house.

To illustrate, a friend who moved from Los Angeles to a gated North Side neighborhood paid for his house in cash, outbidding others for it.

The majority sounded stressed about trying to stay in their homes and keep whatever assets they can in an economy that has been awfully good for the ultra-rich and hard for most of the rest.

One property taxpayer wanted to know why someone from the tax appraisal office hadnt yet knocked on his door to see first-hand why his house isnt worth what it says it is.

Uresti has lived in the same house on the South Side for more than 40 years. When another resident told him what side of Zarzamora he lives on, Uresti commented, Oh, thats the rich side. Then they both laughed.

His office collected $4 billion in property taxes for 66 taxing jurisdictions, including school districts, the city of San Antonio and Bexar County. They set tax rates but may not raise taxes if new money is raised from higher property appraisals.

Residents here pay their taxes, as evident by the offices collection rate of 98.9 percent.

Uresti said he sent bills to more than 715,000 property tax accounts, including more than 456,000 residential, commercial and business statements.

The remainder, about 259,000 accounts, are paid by a mortgage lender or lien holder. Most taxpayers pay out of pocket.

Their statements land like a ton of bricks.

They arrive and get right in your face with an annual catastrophic consequence.

Maybe thats why Urestis office has done so much to try to ease the pain, beginning with little things like providing adequate seating and a queuing system thats more efficient.

Voices were raised as questions were being taken, while other residents lined up to submit protest forms.

I was impressed people werent angrier. They want to pay their taxes and stay in homes they hope to someday leave to their children.

Its their American Dream and all they have, even if their HVAC needs replacing and the foundation must be redone.

The value of homes jumped 28 percent from last year anyway.

Take photos of every flaw, or every improvement you havent done. Show what shape your home is really in.

Hasle la llorada, as my mother used to say, which translates roughly into make someone cry but means to make your best case.

I was recently at a fundraiser at a far North Side realty company. The differences couldnt have been starker between it and the South Side banquet hall where plate sales are used to fund raise.

It has been rented for a retirement party and, yes, a quince.

Its a place frozen in time, like bell bottoms and a Chicano afro, and unlike our soaring appraisals.

eayala@express-news.net
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The husband of a woman accused in a 2017 murder-for-hire plot in San Antonio sobbed and collapsed on the witness stand Monday while pleading that her life and those of their children are in danger.

It was only the latest drama in an extraordinarily complicated trial.

Jose DePaz was a defense witness for Angelica Navarro-DePaz, 44, an Austin businesswoman charged with solicitation of capital murder with remuneration. San Antonio police captured her on video and audio asking an undercover detective posing as a hit man to kill her boyfriend's sister.

Navarro-DePaz last week testified that the confidential informant who helped police in the case was part of an organized crime group that had been terrorizing her for months.

Henrietta Martinez, the informant known as Katy, extorted monthly payments as protection for a bar the defendant owned, and had ordered her to go through the motions of seeking the assassination so the target could get her immigration status cleared up  none of which she reported to police because Martinez told her she worked with the police, Navarro-DePaz said. Martinez is now deceased.

DePaz confirmed that he and Navarro-DePaz still are married and share a house in Cedar Park with their children, but have been estranged since about 2012. Testifying with the help of a translator, DePaz at times became emotional when asked about his wifes account that she was kidnapped and burned as a warning by the group.

DePaz cried while detailing the burns on his wifes body, and said, They were trying to kill my wife, the mother of my children.

On ExpressNews.com: Defendant testifies in murder-for-hire trial; says San Antonio police informant shook down her business

DePaz was asked about two occasions when the alleged target of the assassination plot, Anayeli Mendoza Flores, and Martinez went to a feed store the couple owned to confront his wife.

Flores testified last week that she did not know Martinez and that she owed Navarro-DePaz $40,000 for bringing her into the country illegally, an allegation also floated by two San Antonio police detectives who testified last week.

DePaz said Flores and Martinez sped through the parking lot of the feed store, in June or July of 2017, and yelled, We have something prepared for Angelica that you cannot even imagine.

His testimony prompted several objections by prosecutors, and state District Judge Melisa Skinner warned him not to repeat what he was told by others and to answer questions that require a yes-or-no answer with just the word that applied.

When DePaz was asked to clarify what occurred when Flores and Martinez visited his store, he sobbed and collapsed, saying, I just want to tell the truth! My children are in danger!

After the outburst, Skinner had the jury removed from the courtroom.

Other defense witnesses Monday attempted to back Navarro-DePazs claims that a ruthless and violent underworld group was controlling her life, and testified that Flores and Martinez were part of the organization.

The Docket: Local crime and courtroom news, delivered to your inbox weekly

Skinner did not allow the testimony of one woman who works for Navarro-DePaz because she is undocumented, would have been questioned about her immigration status, and through her lawyer would invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Skinner said that situation would deprive prosecutors of their right to cross-examine witnesses.

The womans roommate, Gaspar Pasqual, a naturalized citizen, said the two were awakened around 2:30 a.m. Monday when two men and a woman he identified as Flores broke into their Cedar Park home, pistol whipped and threatened them with AK-47s if they testified.

They made it clear if I came here to be a witness, it would be the last day of my life, Pasqual testified through a translator.

On cross examination Pasqual was asked if Flores was present at the attack, which he confirmed.

He said he had previously been ordered to kill Navarro-DePaz so they wouldnt do anything to my family.

Skinner responded that Pasqual needed an attorney. She recessed the trial for the day.

Testimony continues Tuesday in the 437th District Court. If convicted, Navarro-DePaz faces up to life in prison.
LEON VALLEY  Leon Valley residents will go to the polls Saturday to decide whether longtime Mayor Chris Riley should get another term leading the city, and theyll choose among three candidates for the Place 2 seat on City Council.

Riley, 70, a legal assistant and office manager for a law firm, has served as the suburbs mayor since 2004. She is running for another two-year term. She is being challenged by 31-year-old Evan Bohl, a business owner who is a member of both the citys Planning and Zoning and Park commissions, as well as the citys Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee.

In addition to her duties as mayor, Riley is a member of the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organizations Transportation Policy Board. The MPO is an agency that provides local direction for urban transportation planning and projects and allocates federal funds for transportation projects to cities with populations greater than 50,000.

RELATED: Leon Valley weighs options to limit flooding for area troubled creek

In Place 2, incumbent Josh Stevens, 32, is running for re-election to a second two-year term after his election in 2020. Stevens, an owner of a customized medical products company, is being challenged by Danielle Bolton and Elaine Valdez. Bolton, 50, is an educator and administrator who serves on two city boards. She is vice chairwoman of the Park Commission and a member of the Capital Facilities Oversight Committee. Valdez, 66, is a retired recreation therapist and a member of the Park Commission.

This is not the first time Bohl, Bolton and Valdez are running for seats on the Leon Valley City Council. All three ran for the council in the 2021 election.

Incumbent Rey Orozco is running unopposed in Place 4.

Leon Valley residents can cast their ballots for the city election Saturday at the Leon Valley Conference Center, 6421 Evers Road. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Below are the mayoral and Place 2 candidates responses to an Express-News questionnaires.

MORE LIKE THIS: Put fluoride in the water? Leon Valley residents weigh in.

Mayor

Why are you running for mayor?

Riley: A) To allow me to complete the planning process for the preferred multi-modal alternative in the Bandera Road corridor, a 25-year vision. I have been representing Leon Valley in partnering with (San Antonio) Councilwoman Ana Sandoval and the City of San Antonio, Texas Department of Transportation, VIA and other state officials since 2018.

B) To help with the revision of the Home Rule Charter, first adopted in 2017, by among other things, allowed the city manager and council majority to attack their political opponents. The problem was temporarily resolved in November 2020, where citizens gathered signatures, put the recalls on the ballot, and voted to remove two of the majority council members.

Bohl: I was inspired by the mayor and encouraged by her actions to run for this office. As mayor, I would facilitate the orderly and timely conduct of City Council meetings to address the needs and concerns of the public, to be decisive in conducting city business and to affect action where there has been stagnation and complacency.

Additionally, as mayor, I will have more channels of opportunity to speak with peers and share concerns, issues and solutions to bring about the most effective outcome to best benefit the citizens of Leon Valley. Finally, the value that the mayor's position holds is the most appropriate choice to utilize the passions and insights of the community in service to all, not just in service to those who vote for me.

After 18 years, our community still seeks leadership, confidence and a display of knowledge that has not been delivered on.

What experience and skills do you feel you can bring to the mayors office that will benefit both the City Council, the residents of the city, and in helping to solve problems?

Riley: My experience as mayor has taught me how to run a meeting. I am open and transparent by communicating to our citizens/businesses regularly during COVID, in addition to the bimonthly Lions Roar newsletter.

I have built relationships with regional elected officials and staff which help our city to accomplish its goals. I work with our staff and council to identify needs and determine and enact solutions.

I am a public servant, which means community priorities come first, not individual ones. I have always listened and shown respect and dignity to all who come before council, to work together to build consensus on how to solve problems.

Bohl: Over the past 11 years serving at the municipal, county and state level in my community, I bring a strong foundation of understanding of how our government works, the processes by which we serve the citizens. Knowledge and understanding enhanced by my time serving on the various city commissions and committees provides for a strong well-rounded insight into what it is to be an attentive, thoughtful, effective, positive elected official for Leon Valley.

If you are elected mayor, what issues and priorities will you focus on for the city and its residents?

Riley: Review staff pay levels to retain dedicated employees; finish the planned dog park; rely on re-constituted Citizens Police Advisory Committee to recommend ways to improve our excellent police services; complete the connection from Leon Valleys Raymond Rimkus Park to the Howard Park Greenway Trails System (run by city of San Antonio); continue to respond to citizens concerns in a timely and effective manner; continue to communicate to citizens after each council meeting on what actions were taken by council and other important information; continue to work with citizens on reporting the status of the pandemic; continue to educate our citizens about the threat of flooding and what can be done to lessen the impact; and continue to partner with the city of San Antonio and Bexar County on common issues which benefit Leon Valley and the surrounding area such as flooding, parks and warming/cooling centers.

Bohl: First and foremost, making the city safer and assuring quality of life by advocating for the passage of a change to Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances that eliminates puppy mill animals as a source for animal retail stores in Leon Valley.

Formation of a functional animal care program in Leon Valley to assist in addressing and enforcing all animal matters in Leon Valley. These two measures would have an immediate positive impact on the safety of the residents.

I would focus next on collaborating with our county and state level representative counterparts to receive various funding sources for public safety improvements, infrastructure improvements, and more comprehensive flood mitigation actions. And most importantly, leading the council to be more professional and decisive in its role in making policy that benefits Leon Valley as a whole.

During the last two years, there have been divisions within the Leon Valley community concerning the actions of the City Council, previous city managers, and the previous police chief. Should you be elected as mayor, what will you do to bring unity to the city and make sure residents can trust and have faith in their city government?

Riley: The city is well along in reuniting and becoming forward-looking again. Since November 2020, we have not had any infighting and have resolved issues in a respectful manner. The new council, elected in 2021, along with the mayor, have made necessary changes which have done much to heal the city.

With the hiring of Dr. Crystal Caldera as city manager, who has 17 years of experience in Leon Valley, the mayor and council are again working in a transparent manner to prioritize and address the multitude of issues facing our city.

Bohl: Understanding my role as mayor, facilitating and leading the council with purposeful action and guidance, I believe that consistent upholding of ethical values, the law, and the trust placed in by the citizens is a major first step away from the toxic past and forward toward restoring the public trust in their city government. Consistency and discipline are key to achieving this goal.

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Place 2

Why are you running for election to Place 2 on the City Council?

Stevens: I like to continue to set in motion priorities outlined on my campaign website, including construction of the dog park we are currently planning with Google, achieving TPCA Accreditation (Texas Police Chiefs Association), placing the Home Rule Charter on the November 2022 ballot with either significant amendments or a complete repeal, working harder toward attracting new businesses and retaining good businesses we have, and continue working toward a bonds proposal for park, library and public works renovations. Id like to see many of these projects through the finish line.

Valdez: Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.

Bolton: In 2019 my house was damaged severely when my neighbor started a fire in his garage. In the process of handling all the issues involved, I found several policies that I felt needed to be addressed. My solution was to get involved in the process.

If you are elected to the council, what issues and priorities will you focus on for the city and its residents?

Stevens: Through a collaborative effort with my colleagues, we will continue addressing and resolving specific issues from our council pipeline and continue to add specific issues that are brought to our attention by citizens and businesses. The pipeline, which is discussed by the council and reprioritized at the end of every regular meeting, has included things weve already addressed, such as improving police policies, increasing transparency, continuing negotiations for the potential DooglePark (dog park) with accompanying Google Hut Lease agreement, and exiting the red-light camera contract. Some other things I hope to prioritize include funding for floodplain improvements around the Raymond Rimkus Park, increasing the compensation for our law enforcement officers and firefighters/ EMS, increasing visibility of police officers in the community to deter crime, and continue expanding opportunities for citizens to connect with their government.

Another very important issue I hope to aggressively address is improving the business-scape of Leon Valley. Weve historically done a poor job attracting good businesses to Leon Valley and retaining them; I hope we can develop strategies to change this trend.

The final priority Ive been working on is meeting with the owners of the two retail pet establishments to discuss community concerns related to the sourcing of puppies. The ownership of both pet stores has committed to partnering with us to create reasonable policies to enhance transparency, ensure consumer protections, and begin adopting out stray dogs from our community at a zero-profit margin. This is a win-win opportunity to work together to deal with the most common complaints regarding retail pet establishments as well as an opportunity to rehome stray dogs in our community.

Valdez: Pursue ways to make Leon Valley a vibrant, safe, aesthetically pleasing city, welcoming to new residents, developers and business owners; improve spaces for recreation, fitness and family activities for better quality of life; make all public facilities safe, well maintained and accessible to everyone; welcome, connect, and assure apartment dwellers that they belong to the Leon Valley community by improving communication to these residents and fostering relationships with apartment property managers.

Bolton: The issues that I find are priorities are the rise in criminal activity, flooding, public works and code compliance. Together with the other members of the council, I am hoping that we can make some real progress in making our community better for everyone.

What experience and skills do you feel you bring to the City Council that can benefit both the council and the residents of the city and in helping to solve problems?

Stevens: I bring an innovative mind, the ability to critically think and analyze, and a business knowledge that set me apart from my competition. Im a Leon Valley small business owner, have a masters degree in business administration, am a registered nurse, and have a track record of getting things done, both in my professional life and personal life.

Ive demonstrated the ability to approach issues with an open mind and listen to contrasting points of view. Knowing that sometimes people wont all agree, Ive demonstrated the willingness to compromise and sit down to work out resolutions to complex issues. I respond quickly to concerns that are brought to my attention and try to always approach complex problems with a can-do attitude. Sometimes when I cant resolve the issue, or Leon Valley cant resolve an issue, I try to connect constituents or business owners with someone that might be able to resolve the issue.

Valdez: Approachable, active listener; proven, effective leadership skills and compassion for others; action-oriented; seeks compromise; committed to working actively to challenge and respond to bias, discrimination, harassment and systemic racism.

Bolton: The skills that I bring to the council include knowing that it is not about me. Being a member of the city council should always be what is best for the community. I am outgoing, hard-working, organized, articulate, tenacious, and able to look at more than one perspective. I do not owe allegiance to anyone and am only interested in doing what is best for my community.

How will your experience serving on city commissions or boards help prepare you to serve on City Council?

Valdez: Knowing the facts and staying abreast of current issues and new developments; I appreciate the valuable work being done by all the boards and committees; and I am assertive and share my ideas even when I maybe in the minority.

Bolton: I believe that serving on the commissions will help by giving me a stronger foundation and understanding of the direction of the citys master plan. I believe that knowing the citys past will help make better decisions for our future.

During the last two years, there have been divisions within the Leon Valley community concerning the actions of the City Council, previous city managers, and the previous police chief. Should you be elected to the City Council, what will you do to bring unity to the city and make sure residents can trust and have faith in their city government?

Stevens: We will move forward and remain focused on the issues important to our community. Though we dont always agree, the current council has demonstrated that we will continue to diligently work for the citizens of our community and keep our focus on what the overwhelming majority of citizens want. Theres a mutual respect and trust that is shared between council members and also between council members and staff. Its a significant night and day difference from the dysfunction the council demonstrated when I began my term 17 months ago.

Based on communications and conversations Ive had with most citizens over the past months, citizens are beginning to regain their faith and trust in their local government officials, our city administration and the police department. Based on the actions and conversations of our new city manager and police chief, Im confident they will be significant assets as we continue working to regain faith and trust in our community.

Valdez: Actively listen to the residents; address their concerns and take action; foster transparency; explain to residents the rationale for decisions made by me and/or the other councilors; seek compromise when viewpoints differ; and strive for justice and peace.

Bolton: Simple, transparency. I am a person that does what she says and says what she means. No hidden agendas, and I do not have to bring others down to make myself look better. Again, if you keep in mind that it is not personal. It is about the community as a whole.

DDeKunder@express-news.net
Its been 76 years since Virgil Starks was killed and his wife Katie was injured in a double shooting that marked the end of a murder spree by one of Texas most prolific and still unidentified serial killers.

In spring 1946, people in the Texarkana area lived in fear as multiple young couples were slaughtered in what is now known as the number one unsolved murder case in Texas history, according to Texas Monthly.

During his 10-week period of terror, the assailant, known as the Phantom Slayer or Phantom Killer depending on whom you ask, is credited with attacking eight people  all male-female pairs. Five victims died from their injuries.

The murder spree, dubbed the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, started with the attack on 25-year-old Jimmy Hollis and his girlfriend, 19-year-old Mary Jeanne Larey, just before midnight on Feb. 22. The two were parked on a secluded road when a man in a white cloth mask, resembling a pillowcase with eyes cut out, appeared at the drivers side door and shined a flashlight in the window.

On ExpressNews.com: Welcome to your nightmare: 38 years ago, feds raided a Kerr ranch where hitchhikers were tortured

According to media reports, the killer told Hollis that he wouldnt kill him if he did as told, instructing him to the take off his pants. The killer assaulted Hollis first, pistol whipping him with a firearm and fracturing his skull in multiple places.

The killer then told Larey to run before catching up to her and sexually assaulting her. She managed to escape and run to a nearby house to call for help. By the time police arrived, the man had vanished.

The first murder came a month later when the bodies of 29-year-old Richard Griffin and 17-year-old Polly Ann Moore were found dead in Griffins car on the morning of March 24. A passing motorist saw the vehicle on a lovers lane and found the two blood-soaked figures inside.

Evidence suggested that the two were killed outside the vehicle with a .32-caliber Colt pistol before their bodies were put in the car.

Over the next several weeks, two more people died allegedly at the hands of the Phantom Killer. Paul Martin, 17, and Betty Jo Booker, 15, were killed on April 14 on another secluded road.

Media reports said the deaths paralyzed the town, striking fear in nearly every person who lived in the area.

A 2014 article from Texas Monthly described the chaos in the town: Women of means packed up their clothes and children and checked into downtowns Hotel Grim when their husbands were away on business. Others rigged Rube Goldbergesque security systems, attaching pots and pans to wire that was strung around their property. People who had never owned guns slept with loaded pistols on both sides of the bed and made pallets on the floor so their children could sleep beside them.

On May 3, 1946, the Phantom Killer struck for the last time, killing 37-year-old Virgil Starks and his 36-year-old wife, Katie Starks, in their Arkansas farmhouse.

Virgil was shot twice in the back of the head through a closed window while sitting in an armchair reading the newspaper. Upon hearing the sound of broken glass, Katie rushed into the room and found her dead husband.

As she attempted to call the police, she was shot twice in the face from the same window. She fled through the front door and ran to a neighbors house.

On ExpressNews.com: Fatal stabbing of young Corpus Christi mother unsolved after 29 years

In total, three attacks occurred on youngsters parked on lovers lanes on the Texas side of town and one at a rural farmhouse on the Arkansas side, according to Texas Monthly. Every attack occurred late at night on a weekend.

Police identified several suspects in the case, including a petty criminal named Youell Swinney, based on statements his wife made to police and circumstantial evidence found at some of the scenes. But after his wife recanted her statement and refused to testify against him, the murder charges against Swinney were dropped.

Now, 76 years later, the murders remain a mystery. The horrors that happened in Texarkana spurred several movies and television shows, including the famous 1976 movie  and its 2014 remake  The Town that Dreaded Sundown.

In 2020, the FBI released hundreds of pages related to the Phantom Killer case, including reports, media clippings and photographic evidence of fingerprints, maps and other items.

NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the number of years its been since the crimes occurred.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
The San Antonio Independent School District board approved the contract of new Superintendent Jaime Aquino, who then addressed the community in strikingly personal terms Monday evening.

I want to begin this journey by allowing you to get to know me, Jaime, the person, the human being, not the leader, Aquino, 57, said before reading a letter he wrote to his young self in both English and Spanish.

He starts work Tuesday.

The trustees unanimous vote came after a minutes-long discussion in executive session in a special meeting three weeks after they named Aquino the sole finalist for the position.

Aquino will get an annual salary of $315,000 under a five-year contract that ends May 2, 2027. The compensation is similar to that received by former Superintendent Pedro Martinez.

During the 2020-2021 school year  the last of his tenure at SAISD  Martinez received $315,054, up from his starting salary of $279,999 during the 2015-2016 school year, according to Texas Education Agency records.

Aquino sat in the audience surrounded by family members as the board voted. He then received la bendicion from his mother, Margarita, hugs from others, and took the podium to speak with introspection and intensity.

In the letter to himself, he described a sensitive youngster who questioned the worlds injustices and strained under their weight, from growing up surrounded by inequity in the Dominican Republic, to experiencing racism and stereotyping before and after moving to the United States with his family.

At an early age, you will experience insurmountable despair, and this will lead you to try to do the unthinkable and end your life, his letter read. For the rest of your life, youll feel guilt over the pain that that act cost your parents.  They will forgive you, so you should forgive yourself and trust that God saved you for a purpose.

Use this experience to ensure that others find meaning in their lives. Help them understand that they matter, and help them hold on, he read.

In both languages, the new superintendent also read from his favorite childrens book, I Will Make Miracles by Susie Morgenstern, and provided a copy to each trustee, urging them to share the miracles they would like to see happen.

Your words were authentic, they were heartfelt, they were perfect for the time that we are in, trustee Ed Garza said. As my colleagues have stated, you bring a style of leadership and a connection to people that will allow for miracles to happen.

Trustee Alicia Sebastian told Aquino he was a breath of fresh air that a lot of our families can connect to, different and just very wise in your approach.

I thank you so much, I thank the family for sharing Jaime with us. It is going to be a lot of work starting tomorrow, but Im just excited to be in this position as a board member, she said.

The contract provides for health and life insurance coverage, an allowance of $750 per month for the use of his personal vehicle for district duties, a cell phone for work purposes, home office equipment, and a credit card for business expenses.

Aquino will be required to submit a list of specific district goals for the boards consideration and trustees will give him written evaluations at least once a year, using an evaluation instrument to be developed by both he and the board.

He is moving to San Antonio from New York, where he has been a consultant in recent years following an education career with school districts in his home state, California and Connecticut, including a stint as deputy superintendent of instruction at Los Angeles Unified School District between 2011 and 2014.

Aquino has described teaching as his calling in life and said he was attracted by SAISDs familia feeling and the opportunity to serve the districts 45,000 students as if they were his own children, he said.

We came to you with a very challenging slate of our expectations for a leader, trustee Leticia Ozuna told him Monday. It is very humbling, your presentation to us on this inaugural day of your service, for your emotional availability during this time.

Aquinos first day will start with a budget workshop with the board at 9 a.m, and he urged the community to attend or watch.

I invite all of the entire community to be part of the process, he said during his livestreamed remarks. If you cant come in tomorrow, please listen in as we make great and thorough decisions to make sure that all of our students can achieve their fullest potential.

danya.perez@express-news.net | @DanyaPH
In January 2016, Ted Cruz released a TV ad in Iowa, attacking Donald Trump, his chief rival for the Republican presidential nomination.

This states junior U.S. senator employed video of a 1999 Meet the Press interview with Trump, in which the topic of abortion came up.

Trump, who was then a publicity-craving New York mogul considering an independent presidential campaign, said, Well, look, Im very pro-choice.

Cruz wanted to make the case to staunch social conservatives that Trump couldnt be trusted; he wasnt one of them; he didnt share their causes.

This message helped Cruz carry the 2016 Iowa caucuses, but did little to slow Trumps march to the GOP nomination or his general election triumph that November.

Looking back at the Cruz ad, however, is an illuminating experience, because it brings to mind an oddity of culture-war politics in the United States: the way abortion morphed from a sensitive issue that created bipartisan discomfort and uneasiness into a highly charged partisan litmus test.

On Monday night, Politico published a leaked draft opinion by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito which, if it stands, will effectively strike down legalized abortion in this country, 49 years after the courts landmark Roe v. Wade decision established that protection. It will take us back to the pre-Roe time when the legality of abortion hinged on which state you were talking about.

The five justices believed to support the reversal of Roe  Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  were all nominated by Republican presidents. No big surprise there.

What might surprise you is the fact that all five of those justices were nominated by presidents who publicly defined themselves as pro-choice before they made it to the White House.

Three justices came from Trump and one each came from the father/son tandem of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

When George W. Bush ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in 1978, he told a reporter from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that while he didnt support federal funding for abortions, he ultimately saw the issue as one best left up to a woman and her doctor.

When Bush reemerged in 1994 as a candidate for Texas governor, however, his opposition to legalized abortion was unequivocal.

You could argue that Bush was only 31 during his congressional campaign and still in the process of defining himself and his belief system.

Its telling, however, that when his father ran for the GOP presidential nomination in 1980, he did so by setting himself apart from anti-abortion hard-liner Ronald Reagan.

George H.W. Bush said he was personally opposed to abortion, but didnt agree with Reagans push for a constitutional amendment to ban it.

Unlike Reagan, Bush seemed to regard abortion as a minor issue that didnt warrant a lot of consideration.

In a June 1980 interview with conservative columnist John Lofton Jr., the elder Bush, who was 56 at the time, said, Ill have to tell you I dont know exactly when life begins.

Lofton: But you dont believe it begins at conception?

Bush: No.

When Lofton asked how much time Bush had devoted to thinking about abortion, he said, Not that much, frankly.

Bush wasnt a major outlier in the Republican Party of 1980. That year, Bob Dole and Charles Percy, two of the GOPs most prominent U.S. senators, denounced a plank in the partys national platform dictating that federal court appointees must oppose legalized abortion.

A national poll conducted in 1980 found that 42 percent of Americans wanted to see Roe overturned, while 55 percent wanted it to stand. The most fascinating element of the poll was that GOP opinion almost perfectly matched that of the general electorate, with only 43 percent of Republicans supporting a reversal of Roe.

Over the ensuing four decades, public support for legalized abortion has grown and solidified, but you wouldnt know it from our politics, because the voices of opposition have grown louder, better organized and more solidly entrenched in the fabric of the GOP.

History has shown that abortion bans dont eliminate the practice. They simply make abortions more dangerous, more expensive and less accessible.

Nine months before the Roe decision, an Associated Press story chronicled the work of Problem Pregnancy Information, a Houston referral agency which arranged legal abortions for about 6,000 women a year, in states (such as California, Colorado and New York) that had abortion laws less restrictive than Texas.

Of course, the service wasnt much help to working-class women who couldnt afford the cost of out-of-state trips.

Thats the world to which were returning.

ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
We are confronting a religious extremist movement in the United States that has turned the meaning of religious freedom on its head.

It hides behind the facade that a culture war is raging in the country. But what is raging is anything but a culture war. When you scratch the surface, what you discover is a religious extremist movement that wants to replace the secular law this nation was founded upon and replace it with biblical law.

Christian nationalists invoke religious freedom to justify discrimination, attacks on transgender children, homophobia, sexism, limiting reproductive rights, denying climate change, opposing mask and vaccine mandates, demanding creationism be taught in public science classes and tax money be given to send children to private religious schools, book banning and violent opposition to democracy. It might be wise to take a moment to remind ourselves what the founders bequeathed to us and how critical it is to defend those freedoms.

RELATED: Commentary: Reaching beyond the front lines of the culture wars

On Dec. 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified and became part of the United States Constitution. It gave American citizens the most significant guarantees of liberty the world has ever known. First among them, what many call the First Freedom, stated Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. These sixteen words provided the foundation for Americas religious freedoms and guaranteed liberty of conscience. Whether that led to belief or nonbelief, it was none of the governments business. It prohibited the government from establishing a national religion or having the religious beliefs of one denomination imposed on all Americans. This revolutionary, Enlightenment-inspired idea changed the historically, long-held relationship between government and religion that had held the individual in subjugation for centuries.

Responding to an 1801 letter from the Baptist Church in Danbury, Conn., raising concerns about the lack of protection for religious liberty in their state and fear of government establishment of religion, Thomas Jefferson wrote, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Here, the term separation of church and state is enshrined in the American lexicon.

It has been commonly understood that religious freedom means freedom of religion and freedom from religion for all Americans. Every citizen has the right to follow the dictates of their conscience, whether that leads to belief or nonbelief. In 1808, Jefferson said nothing gave him greater satisfaction than the success of religious freedom:

In reviewing the history of the times through which we have passed, no portion of it gives greater satisfaction, on reflection, than that which presents the efforts of the friends of religious freedom and the success with which they were crowned. We have solved by fair experiment, the great and interesting question whether freedom of religion is compatible with order in government, and obedience to the laws. And we have experienced the quiet as well as the comfort which results from leaving everyone to profess freely and openly those principles of religion which are the inductions of his own reason, and the serious convictions of his own inquiries.

RELATED: Commentary: There is no absolute separation of church and state

Yet today what the country is confronting is a battle between modernity ushered in by the founding of the United States and the old enemies of individual freedoms: authoritarians and their religious cohorts. In other words, the re-marriage of church and state. We either stand for our nations democratic ideals as envisioned by the founders, or we stand with the world before the American Revolution.

Eric Lane is president of the San Antonio Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church & State.
Responding to a recent bombshell report in the New York Times, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy lied. Then, apparently unsatisfied with his subterfuge, he lied about the lie. It has become a disturbing pattern.

McCarthy, R-Calif., according to an audio recording when he was with a group of GOP leaders, said he believed then-President Donald Trump was responsible for inciting the deadly siege of the Capitol on Jan. 6. He said he would ask the president to resign.

Ive had it with this guy, he said.

It was a remarkable show of integrity from someone who had kowtowed to Trump since 2016. But not so fast. McCarthy denied making those comments, calling the report totally false and wrong.

RELATED: Ayala: Caught telling the truth about Trump, McCarthy heads to the border

Then the Times reporters, Alex Burns and Jonathan Martin, released the recording, documented in their book, This Will Not Pass. McCarthy, caught in a lie, responded in what has become a familiar pattern. He lied about lying. His answer was almost impossible to follow.

The reporter never asked me that question. The reporter came to me the night before he released the book. And my understanding was he was saying that I asked President Trump to resign, he responded, rather disjointedly, to a question during a recent press conference in Eagle Pass, where he was touring the border.

No, I never did. And thats what I was answering. If youre asking, now, did I tell my members that were gonna ask  ask them if I told any of them that I said President Trump  the answer is no.

The question from the Times, however, was not whether he told Trump to resign, but whether he told colleagues he intended to tell Trump to resign, which the recording proves he did.

Im glad you asked that question, but whats more important than something that happened 15 months ago on a private conversation with about four other people is whats happening here right now, he said.

RELATED: McCarthy defends 1/6 audio, House GOP backs 'next speaker'

McCarthy was referring to the controversy surrounding Title 42, the policy that allows the expulsion of undocumented immigrants based on pandemic health restrictions. President Joe Biden has sought to lift those restrictions, sparking fierce debate in Washington and at the border. It is a debate worth having  we support ending Title 42 because it is not an immigration response  but it is disingenuous to use it to deflect attention from another serious issue, which is the lying associated with the conversations following the siege on Jan. 6.

It is no coincidence that these lies involved another man who has had a tenuous connection to the truth  Trump. It was the Big Lie that Trump lost the 2020 election due to voter fraud that fueled the insurrection.

McCarthy and Trump get away with these lies because their supporters allow them to. Lies are OK, in this age of partisanship, if they advance an agenda. The real goal, the real agenda, is to remain in power by whatever means necessary, including lying.

Republican voters should wonder why McCarthy, or other GOP officials, might speak one way in private and quite another in public. The ends do not justify the means.

McCarthy is likely to be the next House speaker. That would be rich. In lying, he puts his well-being above that of the people.
The U.S., United Kingdom and Russia signed an agreement in 1994 to ensure Ukraines sovereignty if it gave up its nuclear weapons. Ukraine, at that time, had the third-largest number of nuclear weapons in the world. They gave up their nuclear weapons to Russia for elimination. Look how much the agreements were worth.

Anyone wonder why North Korea or Iran do not want to give up their nuclear programs?

Jerry D. Schmidt

A clear border plan

Re: Soldiers body recovered from river, Metro, April 26:

The drowning of Texas Guardsman Spc. Bishop Evans is the latest example of the failed, incompetent and ignorant criminalization of immigration policies from leaders who lack critical thinking ability and historical knowledge.

The answer on our southern border is to use a legal system to process immigrants, house them temporarily, provide job training for them to enter our scarce workforces and assimilate them. The United Sates could even buy buses for Mexico to bring immigrants to entry points. This bypasses the cartels, provides humanitarian assistance, and stops drownings and damage to property along the border. Immigrants have sought freedom through the ages for safety and security, the same things we take for granted.

It is laughable when political candidates say, Vote for me and I will secure the border. Not one offers a plan on how they will do it.

George Farias

Founding Fathers vision

Re: U.S. is a republic, Your Turn, April 26:

I concur with letter writer Martha Confray that the Founding Fathers did not want to establish a direct democracy. They crafted our Constitution to provide for a form of government run by democratically elected representatives. Therefore, we individually take responsibility for running our country by voting for and electing our representatives.

Oxford Dictionaries defines democracy as a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. This definition encapsulates the government established by our Constitution. I disagree with Confrays statement, The fact that we live in a republic not a democracy should be clear to all.

We are a democracy because the Constitution grants eligible citizens the right to vote. We are considered a republic because we delegate responsibility to our representatives to handle the actions of our government.

Phillip Hooge
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

On a Friday afternoon last March, Sahar Punjwani ran a familiar errand  buying tampons, pads and panty liners. But this time, she was joined by lawyers from a prestigious Houston law firm.

It was weird because we were all crowded into the aisle together, and they were just watching me, waiting for me to hand them my receipt, Punjwani recalls.

That receipt showed that Punjwani had spent $21.56 on menstrual products  and $1.78 on sales tax.

Texas is one of 26 states that charges sales tax on menstrual products, something Punjwani and her organization, the Texas Menstrual Equity Coalition, have been fighting for years to change. That visit to the pharmacy, and the $1.78 in sales tax it generated, was the first step in a new challenge that the group says theyre prepared to take all the way to the state Supreme Court.

Though the whole group is behind this new effort, it was Punjwanis receipt that had to be submitted as evidence, and her name that had to lead the legal filings, because she was the only member of the groups leadership that was legally an adult at the time.

Punjwani, now 20, said its not surprising to her that this effort to repeal the sales tax for menstrual products is being led by a group of teenagers. In her experience, theres still a lot of stigma around discussing periods among older generations.

I think thats translated into a lot of frustration with my peers over not being able to talk about something that is so natural, she said. Weve learned, from social media and other things, to translate that frustration into activism and actual results.

Combating period poverty

Punjwani grew up in Houston in an immigrant family in which menstruation and periods were seen as a taboo subject. When she was a junior in high school, she saw an Instagram post from a national period equity advocacy organization advertising a policy boot camp for young people.

During the training, she learned about how sales tax contributes to period poverty, a lack of affordable, accessible menstrual products for low-income people. Period poverty is widespread in the United States: 1 in 5 teens cannot afford menstrual products, according to a study from the national advocacy group Period, and 84% have either missed class or know someone who has missed class due to insufficient menstrual supplies.

People who use alternative menstrual supplies, like rags and paper towels, are at heightened risk for infection, and there are negative mental health impacts of not being able to afford proper sanitary supplies.

Several states have repealed their sales tax on menstrual products in recent years, but as Punjwani learned in the training, Texas has not. In this training, Punjwani met other Texas teens who were as outraged by this as she was  like Zoe Kass.

Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune

Kass, now 18, first got involved with this issue while volunteering in the obstetrics clinic at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston. Some of the patients she interacted with couldnt afford menstrual products or were forced to sacrifice other necessities to pay for pads and tampons.

Kass co-founded The Period Pact Houston, which raises money to donate menstrual supplies to school nurses in the Houston area. Shes also known for filling the womens restroom at her school with pads and tampons, earning her the nickname the period girl.

There was one day that I dropped a box of tampons down the stairs and this boy caught them and his eyes went really wide, she said. I was like, well, were fighting stigma one scared teenage boy at a time.

Many of the young Texans who met during the policy boot camp were already doing these donation drives and fundraisers in their own communities. But they wanted to think bigger. They started meeting regularly in summer 2020, eventually titling their group the Texas Menstrual Equity Coalition.

And their first target? The sales tax on menstrual products.

A lot of people go their whole lives buying menstrual products and never realize theyre paying taxes, said Punjwani. And then there are people who are very conscious of that, and thats who is going to benefit the most from this.

Legislative efforts

The coalition started working with state legislators, including Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, who has filed a bill to make menstrual supplies tax-exempt every session since 2017.

None of those bills ever made it out of committee. But in early 2021, Kass got the call: Howards bill was going before the state House Ways and Means Committee, and she was being asked to testify.

Kass and another member of the coalition skipped virtual school for the day, drove to Austin, sat in front of a panel of state legislators and talked about their periods. She said it was empowering to get a chance to speak to elected officials, especially because I cant even vote for them yet.

But she also knew there was very little chance the bill would pass, a sentiment she said some of the legislators conveyed very clearly.

Not all of them, but some of them definitely saw us and treated us as little girls, she said. Were basically their kids ages in a lot of cases, and what right do we have to tell them how it is?

She said she left the hearing proud but annoyed.

The Legislative Budget Board estimated the sales tax reduction would cost Texas roughly $42 million over the two-year budget cycle. The bill didnt advance to the House floor.

But the coalition was already working on another angle to repeal the tax, starting with Punjwanis receipt for $1.78.

Challenging the comptrollers office

As part of their legislative advocacy work, the coalition met with the Womens Health Caucus, where they first discussed the idea of bringing a legal challenge to the tax on menstrual supplies. Kass asked her dad if he knew any lawyers who could help them explore this avenue, and he connected them with prestigious Houston law firm Baker Botts.

When we started digging into sales tax  regulations promulgated by the comptroller, we saw that there was really this inequity going on in the tax treatment of menstrual products, said Baker Botts associate Laura Shoemaker McGonagill.

Baker Botts agreed to take the case pro bono, which is how they all ended up in the tampon aisle at a store in Houston, watching Punjwani buy menstrual products. They then submitted that receipt to the Texas comptrollers office, requesting a refund on the sales tax shed paid  and a determination that all menstrual products should be similarly tax-exempt.

Their argument is that menstrual products qualify as wound care dressings, which the tax exemption regulation defines as a product that absorbs wound drainage, protects healing tissue, maintains a moist or dry wound environment (as appropriate), or prevents bacterial contamination.

We view this inequitable application of wound care dressings as discrimination on the basis of sex, said Shoemaker McGonagill. For example, gender-neutral products, like Band-Aids, are tax-exempt and feminine hygiene products are not.

She also pointed out that over-the-counter male libido enhancers are tax-exempt under a separate regulation.

Just as a basic layperson looking at this, I think most people would say managing a monthly menstrual flow is much more important and medically necessary to yourself and to others, compared to libido enhancers, Shoemaker McGonagill said.

In February, the comptrollers office rejected Punjwanis request for a refund; she filed an appeal and requested a hearing. If that appeal is denied, they plan to take the case to the courts.

Shoemaker McGonagill said working with the young women behind this movement has been one of the more inspiring experiences of her career.

When I think back to what I was doing when I was 17 or 18, I was not advocating for change at a legislative level, she said. Weve just been blown away by them from the very beginning. Theyre very thoughtful. They have good insight. And I think theyre working really hard to remedy the situation through every avenue available to them.

Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune

The fight goes on

While this case wends its way through the administrative system, Kass, Punjwani and their peers are still working to advance understanding about period inequities in their community.

Punjwani is now a sophomore at the University of Chicago, where she has run menstrual supply donation drives alongside other advocacy work. In her own family, she has seen firsthand the power of talking openly about these issues.

I have two younger sisters and they know now that this isnt something you have to be quiet about or use code words for, she said. Her sister has started running similar donation drives at her high school, too.

Kass is finishing up her senior year of high school, still stocking the bathrooms and, through her AP government class, learning a lot more about the process she has been participating in.

Its just been funny, weve been talking about lobbyists and Supreme Court cases and the Ways and Means Committee, and its like, oh, I testified to them, she said. And now working with the lawyers to try to understand the tax code and all that.

When she joined that policy training a few years ago, she said she never would have imagined shed be taking on the states tax code on behalf of all menstruating people.

This is the result of a lot of people trusting us and having confidence in us and taking us seriously, she said. And if were successful, I think it really sets a precedent for other states. Because if Texas can do it, so can everywhere else.

Disclosure: The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
With the Supreme Court reportedly set to overturn Roe v. Wade, the ruling that has protected abortion rights in the United States for almost half a century, Texas leaders are reacting strongly  albeit from opposite sides.

POLITICO on Monday published a draft majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito in February, indicating that the high court has initially voted to abolish Roe v. Wade entirely. The Supreme Court has not yet issued a formal decision, and votes could change before that time  but if it holds, the ruling would send the issue of abortion rights back to states.

BETRAYAL: Chief Justice Roberts confirms authenticity of leaked draft

The Texas Legislature has already approved a so-called trigger law that would ban nearly all abortions within weeks of that court decision. The state has already outlawed most abortions under the controversial Senate Bill 8, which cuts off the procedure at roughly six weeks, but the trigger law would prevent abortions from the moment of conception.

Heres how Texans are reacting.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz

If this report is true, this is nothing short of a massive victory for life and will save the lives of millions of innocent babies. But while I continue to wait for the Supreme Court's ultimate opinion, I am appalled by the shocking breach of trust posed by this leak. This is a blatant attempt to intimidate the court through public pressure rather than reasoned argument. I hope my fellow former clerks and the entire legal community will join me in denouncing this egregious breach of trust.

WHAT TO KNOW: Where Texas abortion law stands, with Roe v. Wade in serious jeopardy

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

If accurate that Roe v. Wade is set to be overturned, this is a great day for life. Media reports estimate that as many as 62 million innocent babies have been aborted since the Supreme Court decided Roe in 1973. Texas has already taken decisive action on this issue. Not only did the Texas Legislature pass the Heartbeat Bill that has already saved thousands of innocent babies since becoming law last September, we also passed the Trigger Bill, which I made a top priority last session. ... I am sure the left will fight to allow abortion in Texas. They will not win that fight.

Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, Democratic candidate for governor

Every woman deserves the freedom to make their own decisions about their body, health care, and future. Its never been more urgent to elect a governor who will always protect a womans right to abortion.

Attorney General Ken Paxton

I hope that #SCOTUS returns the question of abortion where it belongs: the States. This is why I led a 24-state coalition in support of MSs law banning them after 15 wks. Ill cont to ensure that TX protects the unborn & pray for the end of abortion across our nation. #ProLife

Cecile Richards, daughter of the late Gov. Ann Richards and former president of Planned Parenthood

5 judges appointed by Republicans appear to be prepared to end a 50 year old constitutional right to legal abortion. This is not what the American people want; this is Republican politicians putting government in charge of your pregnancy. Full stop.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin

If accurate, the Republican-controlled activist Supreme Court is about to deal a blow to five decades of precedent protecting the right to privacy and choice. With a 100 percent lifetime pro-choice voting record, this injustice must become the fuel for greater engagement to ensure that healthcare choices are made only by consulting a doctor and loved ones, not politicians or unelected judges.

State Sen. Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway and GOP candidate for land commissioner

If genuine, the overturn of #RoeVWade would mean the answered prayer of Christians across our nation! However, leaking information prematurely about any #SCOTUS decision is a clear attempt to thwart the outcome and intimidate Justices & staff.

State Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood

Most Texans are supportive of every Texans right to an abortion. Politicians should leave all pregnancy-related care to patients and their doctors. Because all Texans deserve the freedom to make their own health care decisions. As legislators, we need to focus on the critical issues threatening our health care system by ensuring access to a full range of pregnancy-related care, improving affordability of quality health insurance and lowering prescription drug prices.
Celebrity farmer Gareth Wyn Jones has joined politicians calling for the Welsh government to review its ban on electronic collars used to stop dogs chasing livestock.

In a public Facebook discussion on Saturday, the Welsh hill farmer said the government needed to relook at the ban on e-collars.

He described it as contradictory given that producers like himself were allowed to use powerful electric fences.

Comparing the two, Mr Wyn Jones said the fences work really well they only get a shock once and they learn why not the other?

He explained how he has had to shoot a dog on his farm after it killed lambs and spoke about how dog owners are often forced to put down their dogs after attacks.

Youve got to be cruel to be kind, Im not meaning giving the dog a hiding, I mean real, rigorous training," he said.

"If youre saving a dog, and the stress to that owner by not putting that dog down and saving the rest of that dogs life because it knows it cant chase livestock, that dogs going to be happier dog, that owners going to be a happier person and that farmer is going to feel a lot better.

Mr Wyn Jones, who farms in Llanfairfechan, was responding to data from NFU mutual which reveals that Welsh farmers face four times more losses from dog attacks than their Scottish counterparts.

The data matches police statistics showing that Welsh farmers are being forced to shoot far more dogs than their English counterparts.

Last month The Telegraph reported David Jones MP, the former Welsh Secretary of State, saying that the ban on e-collars has "failed" and should be urgently reassessed [because it was] leading to many more animal deaths".

Plaid Cymrus Peredur Owen Griffiths MS has also urged a review of the ban on e-collar training. In his letter to Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths he said: E-collars act like a vaccine against a dogs desire to chase sheep.

"Being shot by a farmer is clearly far worse for the dog than being trained with a one-off startle from an e-collar.

The Welsh government banned the training of dogs with e-collars in 2010, and in 2018, Scotland decided against following suit.

In England Defra has said it still plans to go ahead with a ban which was first proposed by then-Defra Secretary Michael Gove, four years ago.

E-collars are used to train dogs to associate sheep with a one-off static pulse and so become wary of approaching them.

Academic studies have found that the dogs continue to avoid sheep even when they are off-lead and unaccompanied.

E-collar supporters argue this is vital as police data reveals that in most attacks the dogs had escaped from human control.

The Welsh government has so far refused to consider reviewing its ban on e-collar training.
Scotland's farmers and crofters now have access to new guidance on financial support for activity that will improve awareness of their climate performance.

The first phase of Track 1 of the National Test Programme (NTP), entitled 'Preparing for Sustainable Farming', has launched.

It aims to help farms get prepared to meet the conditions of future agriculture policy and support in Scotland.

The Scottish government's guidance includes information on how to make a claim towards the cost of carbon audits and soil analysis with links to supporting information.

Through Track 1, suckler beef producers will also receive access to YourHerdStats, a new online tool within the ScotEID system that will present herd management information and highlight opportunities for further improvement.

This will be delivered through the NTP which was announced in October 2021 and is supported by up to 51 million over the next three years.

The Scottish government said further detail on Track 2 of the Programme would be issued in the coming months.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said that Scotland could become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

To help them on this journey, we will continue to support active farming and food production with direct payments," she explained.

Many are already leading the way having carried out carbon audits and soil sampling work but we are offering support to encourage all farmers and crofters to undertake this.

We are planning to introduce enhanced conditionality for payments with targeted outcomes for biodiversity gain and a drive towards low carbon approaches."

The work on the NTP has been co-developed with industry as Scotland moves towards its new Scottish Agriculture Bill.

This will be brought forward in 2023, replacing the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The government's decision to ditch plans to start checks on EU imports exposes British farmers to the risk of devastating diseases like African swine fever, the pig sector has warned.

The government will scrap the planned introduction of import checks on animals and animal products coming into the UK from 1 July 2022.

Checks on EU imports have been delayed three times already. The government had initially planned to enforce them in January 2021 at the end of the Brexit transition period.

This subsequent failure to fully implement Border Control checks has meant EU food and agricultural imports are not subject to the rigorous checks placed on UK exports.

Farming industry groups say the checks are crucial to the UK's biosecurity, animal health and food safety, and without them they leave farmers exposed.

Now the National Pig Association (NPA) has warned that the government's decision could put the UK pig sector at risk of diseases such as African swine fever (ASF).

The lethal pig disease is currently spreading in domestic animals across Germany, and has also been found in Belgium, Romania, and Poland.

Asian countries  including major pig producing countries such as China and Vietnam  have been hit particularly hard by it, and cases have also been reported in Sub Saharan Africa.

The disease has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of pigs and wild boar in Europe, and millions in Asia.

NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: Not only does this extend these grossly unfair trading conditions at a time when the pig sector desperately needs fairness and a level playing field, it exposes the farming industry to potentially devastating diseases like ASF.

The NPA's concerns and fears are widely echoed elsewhere within the industry.

Citing the threat of a catastrophic ASF incursion, British Veterinary Association (BVA) senior vice president James Russell said the deeply misguided move flies in the face of common sense.

Mr Russell also warned that it undermines the governments commitment to preserve high levels of animal and human health in the UK.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and remove the threat of significant damage to our food and farming industries.

If not, the government must urgently set out how it will safeguard animal health and welfare in the UK in the coming months, he said.

NFU president Minette Batters said the governments unacceptable approach had left British farmers at an unfair continued competitive disadvantage to EU competitors.

These checks are absolutely crucial to the nations biosecurity, animal health and food safety and without them we really do leave ourselves at risk, she said.

British Meat Processors Association chief executive Nick Allen warned that the decision was a double-edged sword for many meat businesses.

It makes imports cheaper and easier but comes with some serious risks of food fraud, unfair competition and compromises to animal health."
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Bring something different to your Eid table this year with this interesting recipe from Chef Ranveer Brar



The Muslim community throughout the world is readying itself to celebrate as the holy month of Ramadan finally draws to a close. Eid commemorates the completion of the month-long period of roza (dawn-to-dusk fasting).



To join in the celebration this Eid, heres a treat for your loved ones from Chef Ranveer Brar. He serves up a traditional sevai dish in a shot glass! Made with healthy ingredients and rich in flavour, these Sheer Khurma Sips will add to your celebratory table and make your festive moments delightful till the last drop.



To make the Sheer Khurma Sips, you will need a non-stick saucepan, a spatula, a ladle, and two shot glasses. The recipe is very simple to make and suitable for beginners, takes just 10 minutes, and serves two.



Sheer Khurma Sips by Chef Ranveer Brar



Ingredients

1 tbsp ghee

1 tbsp chopped pistachios

1 tbsp chopped cashew nuts

2 tbsp charoli

 cup chopped beetroot (cut brunoise style  tiny dices)

500 ml milk

Strawberry flavoured syrup

 cup dry vermicelli

15 g icing sugar

5 g dried rose petals





Method

Heat the ghee in a saucepan on a low flame. Add the chopped pistachios and cashew nuts and the charoli, and roast them. Gradually add the chopped beetroot, pour the milk over it, and cook well. Ensure that the nuts are blended in thoroughly. Add the strawberry flavoured syrup and cook until the milk almost reaches a boil. Add the vermicelli to this mixture and switch off the flame. Decorate with a dusting of the icing sugar, and sprinkle with the dried rose petals.

Tip: For plating purposes, you can also roast the vermicelli in ghee. Pour the sheer khurma into the shot glasses and place the roasted vermicelli on top in the shape of a nest. Dust some icing sugar over and sprinkle with dried rose petals to beautify the appearance of this unusual dish.





Recipe and image: Hershey's



Also see: Mango Rolls With Walnut-Ginger Dipping Sauce
With the new designation, North Devon in the UK will get added protection from pollution and harmful developments



If you are a keen surfer, you will already know of the World Surfing Reserves across the planet  Santa Cruz and Malibu in California; Huanchaco in Peru; the Gold Coast, Noosa Heads and Manly Beach in Australia, Ericeira in Portugal; Punta de Lobos in Chile; Guarda Do Embau in Brazil; and Bahia Todos Santos in Mexico. Now the United Kingdom gets its first  North Devon.



Devon is known for its curling tides that are perfect for surfing all through the year, and which suit everyone from beginners to expert surfers.



This new designation from the US non-profit Save the Waves Coalition ensures that the 30-kilometre coastline in Southwest England will now get extra protection from harmful coastal developments and pollution, with the help of groups such as UNESCO, surf clubs, and local businesses and charities such as Surfers Against Sewage. They will work to ensure the quality of the waves and the health of the ecosystems that produce them. Threats to the beauty spot include harmful coastal development, a reduction in the quality of the water, limited access to the coast, and pollution and the effects of climate change.



This is the first such designation in the United Kingdom, and the second in this part of the world after Portugals Ericeira.









A favourite spot with surfers in the United Kingdom, North Devon is fittingly the place to find the Museum of British Surfing as well as the national organisation for surfing in England, Surfing England. You can hire equipment along the coastline, and get yourself surfing lessons too. If you know what youre doing, head to the Croyde, Saunton, Woolacombe, and Lynmouth beaches  that is where the best breaks are. The best waves can be found in the winter, but the region boasts a temperate climate, so dedicated surfers will find the swells excellent through the year.



If youre inspired by all this, its good to know that there are many places in India at which you can hang 10.



Images: Shutterstock




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Hyundai Motor expanded its NFT community at the fastest pace ever as 100,000 Discord members gathered in a week, selling out every 'Hyundai x Meta Kongz' NFT

Hyundai Motor to issue 10,000 Ethereum-based Metamobility NFTs on its official website on May 9-10

Launch to apply the 'Reveal' method by showing a placeholder image first, then revealing the actual 'Shooting Star' NFT images later

Starting with the 'Shooting Star' NFTs sale, Hyundai Motor to create a NFT project within its 'Metamobility universe'

SEOUL, South Korea, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company will offer its first exclusive Metamobility Non-Fungible Token (NFT) collection, 'Shooting Star,' through its official NFT website, on May 9-10.

The 'Shooting Star' collection builds on the momentum created on April 18 when Hyundai Motor announced that it would become the first automaker to build a global NFT community.

For its NFT community, Hyundai Motor launched dedicated channels on Discord and Twitter as well as an official website that launched on May 2 to form an online community.

On May 9-10, Hyundai Motor will sell 10,000 official Ethereum-based 'Shooting Star' NFTs on its official NFT website. Pre-sale for whitelist buyers who won the NFT community event hosted by Hyundai Motor will be on May 9, followed by a general sale on May 10.

The sale of an NFT in the form of a shooting star will be followed by the latest film of 'Hyundai x Meta Kongz,' which ends with 'Kongz' finding a shooting star stuck in a Hyundai Pony windshield wiper.

Hyundai Motor's Metamobility NFT applies the 'Reveal' method, showing a placeholder image first, and then revealing the actual individual NFT images later. In other words, the 10,000 placeholder 'Shooting Star' NFTs will turn into unique Metamobility NFTs in various shapes in late May.

"Starting with our 'Shooting Star' NFTs, we are expanding the Hyundai brand experience into the 'Metamobility universe,' creating unique opportunities for our NFT community members to join in the fun," said Thomas Schemera, Hyundai Motor's Global Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Customer Experience Division. "We plan to launch more unique NFTs based on the 'Metamobility universe' concept and introduce more member benefits to expand the community going forward. We welcome everyone to be part of our experimental journey."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1808697/Photo_1.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1761625/Hyundai_Motor_Group_Logo.jpg
OVERLAND PARK, KS / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2022 / Tortoise today announced the following unaudited balance sheet information and asset coverage ratio updates for TYG, NTG, TTP, NDP and TPZ.

Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp. (NYSE:TYG) today announced that as of April 29, 2022, the company's unaudited total assets were approximately $610.7 million and its unaudited net asset value was $467.3 million, or $39.17 per share.

As of April 29, 2022, the company's asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness was 577%, and its coverage ratio for preferred shares was 431%. For more information on the company's coverage ratios, please refer to the leverage summary web page at https://cef.tortoiseecofin.com.

Set forth below is a summary of the company's unaudited balance sheet at April 29, 2022.

Unaudited balance sheet



(in Millions) Per Share Investments $ 606.1 $ 50.81 Cash and Cash Equivalents 0.4 0.03 Other Assets 4.2 0.36 Total Assets 610.7 51.20

Short-Term Borrowings 19.6 1.64 Senior Notes 85.8 7.20 Preferred Stock 35.7 2.99 Total Leverage 141.1 11.83

Other Liabilities 2.2 0.19 Current Tax Liability 0.1 0.01

Net Assets $ 467.3 $ 39.17



11.93 million common shares currently outstanding.

Tortoise Midstream Energy Fund, Inc. (NYSE:NTG) today announced that as of April 29, 2022, the company's unaudited total assets were approximately $313.7 million and its unaudited net asset value was $247.9 million, or $43.93 per share.

As of April 29, 2022, the company's asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness was 693%, and its coverage ratio for preferred shares was 482%. For more information on the company's coverage ratios, please refer to the leverage summary web page at https://cef.tortoiseecofin.com.

Set forth below is a summary of the company's unaudited balance sheet at April 29, 2022.

Unaudited balance sheet



(in Millions) Per Share Investments $ 309.8 $ 54.89 Cash and Cash Equivalents 0.5 0.08 Current Tax Asset 0.9 0.16 Other Assets 2.5 0.46 Total Assets 313.7 55.59

Short-Term Borrowings 13.0 2.30 Senior Notes 32.2 5.70 Preferred Stock 19.7 3.49 Total Leverage 64.9 11.49

Other Liability 0.9 0.17

Net Assets $ 247.9 $ 43.93

5.64 million common shares currently outstanding.

Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc. (NYSE:TTP) today announced that as of April 29, 2022, the company's unaudited total assets were approximately $95.5 million and its unaudited net asset value was $74.7 million, or $33.51 per share.

As of April 29, 2022, the company's asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness was 663%, and its coverage ratio for preferred shares was 465%. For more information on the company's coverage ratios, please refer to the leverage summary web page at https://cef.tortoiseecofin.com.

Set forth below is a summary of the company's unaudited balance sheet at April 29, 2022.

Unaudited balance sheet



(in Millions) Per Share Investments $ 94.5 $ 42.39 Cash and Cash Equivalents 0.2 0.10 Other Assets 0.8 0.36 Total Assets 95.5 42.85

Short-Term Borrowings 10.4 4.66 Senior Notes 3.9 1.77 Preferred Stock 6.1 2.74 Total Leverage 20.4 9.17

Other Liabilities 0.4 0.17 Net Assets $ 74.7 $ 33.51

2.23 million common shares currently outstanding.

Tortoise Energy Independence Fund, Inc. (NYSE:NDP) today announced that as of April 29, 2022, the company's unaudited total assets were approximately $65.6 million and its unaudited net asset value was $62.5 million, or $33.87 per share.

As of April 29, 2022, the company's asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness was 2,256%. For more information on the company's coverage ratios, please refer to the leverage summary web page at https://cef.tortoiseecofin.com.

Set forth below is a summary of the company's unaudited balance sheet at April 29, 2022.

Unaudited balance sheet



(in Millions) Per Share Investments $ 65.3 $ 35.36 Cash and Cash Equivalents 0.1 0.09 Other Assets 0.2 0.10 Total Assets 65.6 35.55

Credit Facility Borrowings 2.9 1.57

Other Liabilities 0.2 0.11 Net Assets $ 62.5 $ 33.87

1.85 million common shares currently outstanding.

Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE:TPZ) today announced that as of April 29, 2022, the company's unaudited total assets were approximately $129.9 million and its unaudited net asset value was $103.7 million, or $15.88 per share.

As of April 29, 2022, the company's asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness was 500%. For more information on the company's coverage ratios, please refer to the leverage summary web page at https://cef.tortoiseecofin.com.

Set forth below is a summary of the company's unaudited balance sheet at April 29, 2022.

Unaudited balance sheet



(in Millions) Per Share Investments $ 128.0 $ 19.61 Cash and Cash Equivalents 0.3 0.05 Other Assets 1.6 0.24 Total Assets 129.9 19.90

Credit Facility Borrowings 25.9 3.97

Other Liabilities 0.3 0.05 Net Assets $ 103.7 $ 15.88

6.53 million common shares currently outstanding.

The top 10 holdings for TYG, NTG, TTP, NDP and TPZ as of the most recent month-end can be found on each fund's portfolio web page at https://cef.tortoiseecofin.com.

About Tortoise

Tortoise focuses on energy & power infrastructure and the transition to cleaner energy. Tortoise's solid track record of energy value chain investment experience and research dates back more than 20 years. As one of the earliest investors in midstream energy, Tortoise believes it is well-positioned to be at the forefront of the global energy evolution that is underway. With a steady wins approach and a long-term perspective, Tortoise strives to make a positive impact on clients and communities. To learn more, please visit www.TortoiseEcofin.com.

Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. is the adviser to Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp., Tortoise Midstream Energy Fund, Inc., Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc., Tortoise Energy Independence Fund, Inc. and Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

For additional information on these funds, please visit cef.tortoiseecofin.com.

Safe harbor statement

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are "forward-looking statements." Although the funds and Tortoise Capital Advisors believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the fund's reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required by law, the funds and Tortoise Capital Advisors do not assume a duty to update this forward-looking statement.

Contact information:

For more information contact Jen Ashlock at (913) 981-1020 or info@tortoiseecofin.com

SOURCE: TortoiseEcofin

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699834/Tortoise-Provides-Unaudited-Balance-Sheet-Information-and-Asset-Coverage-Ratio-Updates-as-of-April-29-2022-for-TYG-NTG-TTP-NDP-and-TPZ
Winnipeg, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2022) - Novra Technologies Inc. (TSXV: NVI) ("Novra") has announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

2021 Consolidated Financial Results

Novra's 2021 financial results improved significantly over the previous year. The company returned to profitability on a consolidated basis and our Net Income improved by more than $2.6 million over 2020. This year-over-year improvement was driven by a combination of a 45% increase in revenue, to $7.2 million, and significant reductions in operating costs.

(In Thousands)

Three Months Ended December 31,



Year Ended December 31,





2021



2020



% Chg



2021



2020



% Chg Revenue by type:



































Products $ 1,025

$ 1,116



-8%

$ 5,606

$ 2,690



108%

Services

484



558



-13%



1,600



2,289



-30%

Total revenue

1,509



1,674



-10%



7,206



4,979



45% Gross profit

569



631



-10%



3,329



2,398



39%

Gross margin

37.7%



37.7%







46.2%



48.2%





Operating expenses

279



1,201



-77%



3,999



5,147



-22%

Operating income (loss)

290



(570 )

NM



(670 )

(2,749 )

-76% Other income (expenses)

(62 )

(179 )

-65%



850



323



163% Net income loss as reported under IFRS

227



(749 )

NM



180



(2,426 )

NM

























Adjusted EBITDA - non-IFRS measure (2) $ 594

$ (116 )

NM

$ 1,494

$ (921 )

NM

NM - Not meaningful

(1) Amounts in the table may not reconcile due to rounding differences.

(2) Refer to the Management's Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (loss) as reported under IFRS.

The significant increase in revenue, coupled with a 22% reduction in operating expenses, resulted in adjusted EBITDA(2) of $1.49 million for the year, an improvement of more than $2.4 million over 2020. This indicates a substantial improvement in the results of Novra's core operating activities.

Continued global supply chain and transport disruptions have prevented us from achieving the significant profits we were targeting for 2021. Our Net Income of $180 thousand and adjusted EBITDA of $1.49 million would have been much higher if we had been able to ship over $4 million in orders that we received in 2021 and originally expected to deliver before the end of the year.

Fortunately, continued diligent work with our suppliers and partners to aggressively manage these supply chain disruptions and delivery challenges has resulted in increased confidence in the timelines to deliver our significant backlog in 2022. However, these issues will continue to affect lead-times to deliver new orders we may receive through at least the next few quarters, particularly orders for custom or unstocked products.

Gross profit for the current year was slightly lower at 46.2%, a reduction of 2% compared to 2020. This reduction resulted from the rising input costs that have been felt by manufacturers around the world, coupled with changes in our product/service mix. We adjusted pricing of certain products in 2021 in response to those cost increases.

Due to on-going global geo-political and public health situations, we expect continued volatility in our revenue and income over the next several quarters as these continue to impact on our clients and the economy in general. Novra currently has an order backlog of approximately $5.9 million and at December 31, 2021 we had more than $1.3 million in deferred revenue. Together these provide some visibility into future revenue for 2022 and beyond.

"Although I am disappointed that supply chain disruptions prevented us from reporting significant profits, I am grateful and appreciative of our clients for their patience and understanding during these very challenging times. We take very seriously their trust in us and our products to deliver their mission critical services. Our positive results for 2021, plus our current backlog and deferred revenue, are indicative of this trust. We are constantly monitoring and taking action, as we operate in the age of COVID-19 and now the Ukrainian war, to enable us to deliver our products to our clients in a timely manner," said Harris Liontas, President and CEO.

For additional details on Novra's results and outlook for the year ended December 31, 2021, please refer to our MD&A and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, which are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

About Novra Technologies Inc.:

Novra (TSXV: NVI) (OTCQB: NVRVF) is an international technology provider of products, systems and services for the distribution of multimedia broadband content. The Novra Group of companies includes Novra Technologies Inc, International Datacasting Corporation, and Wegener Corporation. The companies in the group are known for a strong focus on applications including: broadcast video and radio, digital cinema, digital signage, and highly reliable data communications.

For more information visit: www.novragroup.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, concerning but not limited to: our profitability outlook, the pending acquisition of Wegener, and anticipated developments in our operations in future periods. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by words such as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "outlook", "opportunity", "momentum", "potential", "targeted", "plans" "possible", "positive indication for", "looking forward to", "getting ready to", "is starting to", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. As such, forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect our current assumptions and expectations regarding future events. These are subject to a number of risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions. Some of these risks and uncertainties are described herein under the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the MD&A.

For the above reasons, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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.

# # #

CONTACT FOR NOVRA:

Harris Liontas

President & CEO

+1 204 989 4632

hliontas@novra.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122489
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2022) - Maple Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV: MGM) (OTCQB: MGMLF) (FSE: M3G) ("Maple Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed a technical report in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for the Douay Gold Project ("Douay") and the Joutel Gold Project ("Joutel"), which are both held by a 50/50 joint venture (the "JV") between the Company and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. The technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Douay and Joutel Projects, Northwestern Quebec, Canada" was prepared by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. to support the disclosure of the updated Douay mineral resource estimate, with an effective date of March 17, 2022, and to document the exploration status of Joutel. The technical report is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company's website (www.maplegoldmines.com).

Maple Gold's news release dated March 17, 2022, which is also available on SEDAR and the Company's website, summarizes key results, assumptions and estimates contained in the technical report. The Company is pleased to report that there are no material differences between the key results, assumptions and estimates contained in the news release dated March 17, 2022 and the content of the technical report filed today.

Qualified Persons

The mineral resources disclosed in this news release have been estimated by Ms. Marie-Christine Gosselin, P.Geo., an employee of SLR and independent of Maple Gold Mines. By virtue of her education and relevant experience, Ms. Gosselin is a "Qualified Person" for the purpose of NI 43-101. Mineral resources have been classified in accordance with CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 2014). Ms. Gosselin, P.Geo. has read and approved the contents of this press release as it pertains to the disclosed mineral resource estimates.

The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed and prepared under the supervision of Mr. Fred Speidel, M. Sc., P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration of Maple Gold. Mr. Speidel is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Speidel has verified the data related to the exploration information disclosed in this press release through his direct participation in the work.

About Maple Gold

Maple Gold Mines Ltd. is a Canadian advanced exploration company in a 50/50 joint venture with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited to jointly advance the district-scale Douay and Joutel gold projects located in Quebec's prolific Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt. The projects benefit from exceptional infrastructure access and boast ~400 km2 of highly prospective ground including an established gold resource at Douay (SLR 2022) that holds significant expansion potential as well as the past-producing Eagle, Telbel and Eagle West mines at Joutel. In addition, the Company holds an exclusive option to acquire 100% of the Eagle Mine Property.

The district-scale property package also hosts a significant number of regional exploration targets along a 55 km strike length of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone that have yet to be tested through drilling, making the project ripe for new gold and polymetallic discoveries. The Company is well capitalized and is currently focused on carrying out exploration and drill programs to grow resources and make new discoveries to establish an exciting new gold district in the heart of the Abitibi. For more information, please visit www.maplegoldmines.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Mineral Resource Estimate

Readers are cautioned that mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The mineral resource estimate is classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum's "CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" incorporated by reference into National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. There is no guarantee that any part of the mineral resources discussed herein will be converted into a mineral reserve in the future.

ON BEHALF OF MAPLE GOLD MINES LTD.

"Matthew Hornor"

B. Matthew Hornor, President & CEO

For Further Information Please Contact:

Mr. Joness Lang

Executive Vice-President

Cell: 778.686.6836

Email: jlang@maplegoldmines.com

Mr. Kiran Patankar

SVP, Growth Strategy

Cell: 604.935.9577

Email: kpatankar@maplegoldmines.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada, including statements about exploration work and results from current and future work programs. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimate of future events. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Maple Gold Mines Ltd.'s filings with Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com or the Company's website at www.maplegoldmines.com. 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122494
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.
Next-generation sequencing version of MammaPrint and BluePrint enables decentralized testing in CE-mark jurisdictions like Germany

Analysis for Belgian Health Care Package shows MammaPrint yields cost-savings for breast cancer care systemically

Agendia, Inc., a commercial stage company focused on enabling optimized decision-making by providing physicians with next-generation diagnostic and information solutions that can be used to help improve outcomes for breast cancer patients worldwide, today announced that it will present new data at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Breast Cancer Congress 2022 taking place in Berlin, Germany on May 3-5, 2022.

The first of the two poster presentations, entitled Equivalence of NGS-based MammaPrint 70-gene signature risk of recurrence and BluePrint 80-gene signature of molecular subtyping tests to the centralized microarray tests [234P], concludes that the next-generation sequencing (NGS) version of MammaPrint and BluePrint[1] is equivalent to the centralized microarray test, as demonstrated by results from various labs globally. This enables a more accurate decentralized solution to breast cancer care fostering worldwide accessibility to more reliable genomic testing.

"The accessibility of breast cancer care is crucial and by validating the interchangeability of the NGS version of MammaPrint and BluePrint compared to the standardized microarray tests, new doors are opened for global physicians who may need to rely on in-country platforms in order to secure the MammaPrint and BluePrint results their patients may require," said Annuska Glas, Senior Vice President Research and Development and Innovation at Agendia. "MammaPrint is a valuable tool to support treatment planning for breast cancer patients and with the decentralized NGS platform, this can be offered in even more countries. These findings further confirm that MammaPrint and BluePrint can provide the same accurate results through NGS."

Agendia is expanding novel ways to ensure accessibility of care worldwide by advancing solutions with a decentralized option for testing kits to run on an NGS platform, and innovative modalities such as digital AI pathology. This data presented at ESMO Breast follows an announcement from Agendia earlier this year that it is progressing its Digital MammaPrint artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform in Brazil to potentially fundamentally change the way breast cancer is treated by providing essential information more quickly and elevating the capabilities of global physicians treating women with breast cancer in their local communities.

A second poster presentation, entitled Budget impact analysis for the Health Care Package by using MammaPrint in Belgium [238P], builds on earlier research from the landmark MINDACT trial and combines this with the results of the interim analysis of the pilot study performed in Belgium (unpublished data). The budget impact model shows that use of MammaPrint yields savings for breast cancer care in Belgium for the Belgian Health Care Package when compared to no gene expression profiling testing. According to the budget impact model, the use of MammaPrint in patients selected according to criteria of the pilot study leads to high savings. If gene expression profiling was performed for all clinical high risk patients, savings would even be higher.

By combining the cost of genomic testing with the savings made due to a net reduction in chemotherapy usage, the annual savings add up to more than 5,800,000, an average savings of 3,900 per patient, compared with standard clinical care of a patient with breast cancer in Belgium. MINDACT has produced previous multi-country health savings analyses, published in the European Journal of Cancer showing that genomic testing is beneficial as it provides valuable insights that potentially allow patients to avoid the complexity of chemotherapy, passing down significant financial savings to them while also triggering significant cost savings for large health systems around the world.

"Drawing from the impact data used from the pilot study performed in Belgium, we are able to determine new insights that the use of MammaPrint could grant substantial cost savings to women who may not require chemotherapy and could ultimately alleviate some of the burden on Belgium's health care system as a whole," said Pino Cusumano, MD, Breast Surgeon, Centre Hospitalier Chretien, Liege in Belgium. "Data has previously demonstrated that by de-escalating women with Low Risk cases from chemotherapy treatment, outcomes are still as good and women are able to follow a more personalized treatment plan. We believe these data demonstrate that the previous analysis holds for the state of breast cancer care in Belgium in 2022, and that the overall patient benefit extends beyond physical care into financial wellness too."

Taken together, the two posters presented at ESMO Breast 2022 suggest that regardless of where the patient is located, she is able to receive the same high-quality results with the added benefit of cost-effective treatment planning.

"The studies presented at EMSO 2022 underpin our central efforts at Agendia to ensure our genomic tests are widely accessible and affordable, without compromising scientific integrity or decision-making, to bring the clarity women with breast cancer seek to guide their treatment planning," said Bastiaan van der Baan, Chief Clinical and Business Development Officer at Agendia. "Through our steadfast commitment to enable global adoption of MammaPrint and BluePrint, we look forward to continuing studies such as these to grow evidence supporting our mission to serve women with breast cancer throughout their treatment journey."

1MammaPrint and BluePrint next-generation sequencing kits are not yet cleared for sale in the United States by the US Food and Drug Administration BluePrint has been CE-marked for use in Europe. BluePrint is also commercialized as a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) and audited under CAP/CLIA in the United States.

About Agendia

Agendia is a mission-driven, commercial stage company focused on enabling optimized decision-making by providing physicians with next-generation diagnostic and information solutions that can be used to help improve outcomes for breast cancer patients worldwide. The company currently offers two commercially-available genomic profiling tests that help surgeons, oncologists and pathologists to personalize treatment for women at critical intervention points throughout their patient journey.

MammaPrint is a 70-gene prognostic test that, along with other clinicopathologic factors, determines a specific patient's breast cancer recurrence risk. BluePrint is an 80-gene molecular subtyping test that identifies the underlying biology of an individual breast cancer to provide information about its behavior, long-term prognosis and potential response to systemic therapy. Together, MammaPrint and BluePrint provide a holistic view of the biology underlying an individual patient's breast cancer, enabling physicians to objectively select the best treatment plan.

For more information on Agendia's assays and ongoing trials, please visit www.agendia.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005531/en/

Contacts:

Media

Terri Clevenger

ICR Westwicke Healthcare PR

Tel: 203.856.4326

Terri.Clevenger@icrinc.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - Bam Bam Resources Corp. (CSE: BBR) (OTC Pink: NPEZF) (FSE: 4NPB) ("Bam Bam" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the expanded soil sampling program is underway for the Majuba Hill Project in Pershing County, Nevada. The program is designed to expand on the very encouraging results reported from the 2021 program (see Bam Bam News Release October 14, 2021). The 2021 soil sampling program expanded the DeSoto Copper Oxide Target and the Copper-Gold Target zones, however, the anomalous areas are still open to the northeast at the DeSoto and to the east of the Copper-Gold Target.





Figure 1



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6332/122444_be88d8fc14553ad7_001full.jpg

David Greenway, President and CEO, commented: "The very-encouraging results from the newly-discovered DeSoto Copper Oxide and the Copper-Gold Target zones led us to roll out an expanded soil sampling program. The anomalous areas are still open to the northeast at the DeSoto and to the east of the Copper-Gold Target and I look forward to how much further this program will expand the already massive Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold district size asset."

About Majuba Hill

Copper mineralization at Majuba is centered within a large contiguous land position. Bam Bam has 100% control of the emerging Majuba Hill Copper District by private surface and mineral ownership, patented mining claims, and Federal Lode Mining claims. The property is in Nevada, a Tier 1 mining district that is the most mining friendly place in North America with well-developed transportation, power, and workforce infrastructure.

Majuba is easily reached by 23 miles of well-maintained roads leading from U.S. Interstate 80. The existing highways are sufficient for transportation of exploration-size heavy equipment. Development logistics will be able to use the 4 lane Interstate 80 highway, Union Pacific railroad tracks, as well as power, natural gas, and fiber optic transmission lines in the rail - highway corridor.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed by E.L. "Buster" Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101").

About Bam Bam Resources Corp.

Bam Bam Resources Corp. (CSE: BBR) (OTC Pink: NPEZF) (FSE: 4NPB) is engaged in the identification, review and acquisition of latter stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets. This is in direct response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for precious metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change. Such programs are heavily reliant on silver, gold and especially copper to produce Electric Vehicles and other renewable power sources, as well as building infrastructure to provide clean and affordable electricity.

The flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold District located 156 miles outside Reno, Nevada, USA. Management has been mandated to focus on safe, mining friendly jurisdictions where government regulations are supportive of mining operations.

On Behalf of the Board of Bam Bam Resources Corp.

"David Greenway"

David C. Greenway

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Joel Warawa

VP of Corporate Communications

E: jw@bambamresources.com

P: 1 (855) 475-0745

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Bam Bam Resources Corp. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Bam Bam Resources Corp. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Bam Bam Resources Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122444
VANCOUVER, B.C. / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIRA)(OTCQX:PMMCF) is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities at its 6,800-hectare Block 4 project in northern Chile, and announces the start of a geochemical soil sampling program and advances plans for drill testing of the Buenavista target.

Block 4 is located along the principal porphyry copper belt of northern Chile, about 110 km south of the giant La Escondida copper mine. Buenavista comprises a poorly exposed quartz-veinlet stockwork zone hosted within a dacite porphyry intrusion, which is spatially coincident with a magnetic high and anomalous molybdenum geochemistry. Copper oxide occurrences and anomalous gold values are zoned around the central stockwork zone (see news release dated March 15, 2022).

Key takeaways:

Follow-up geological fieldwork at the Company's Block 4 property led to the discovery of the stockwork veined porphyry intrusion spatially coincident with a magnetic anomaly detected by Pampa Metals' ground magnetics survey (see news release date November 18, 2021), with the new target being named Buenavista.

The Company completed a trenching program at Buenavista in November-December 2021 (see news release dated February 8, 2022), with assay results returning up to 0.26% copper, including 24m @ 0.14% Cu - and up to 0.64g/t gold, including 24m @ 0.25g/t (see news release dated March 15, 2022).

Buenavista is a priority follow-up target for Pampa Metals and the company continues to advance plans for a maiden drill test once the rapidly encroaching southern hemisphere winter is over.

Block 4 - Exploration Activities and Planning

The Buenavista target at Block 4 is a priority follow-up target for Pampa Metals. Results to date have revealed a central porphyritic intrusion, associated with an intense quartz-veinlet stockwork, a discrete magnetic anomaly, and highly anomalous Cu-Mo-Au geochemistry from limited trenching, all supporting the possible presence of a productive Tertiary porphyry copper style system.

Pampa Metals intends to test the Buenavista target with diamond drilling. Although access to the project is relatively easy with a good quality dirt road extending from the paved Pan American Highway, the project is somewhat remote, and the rapidly encroaching southern hemisphere winter season will make for difficult work conditions. Consequently, plans are underway, including preliminary environmental studies and permitting, for a drill program to start in the southern hemisphere springtime, around September of this year. In the meantime, further surface studies are being implemented and considered, as follows:

Given the lack of large rock outcrops at Buenavista and the presence of shallow (<5m) post-mineral soil cover, the area presents ideal conditions for soil geochemical surveys that will help to delineate the pathfinder geochemical signature and zonation patterns of the copper-molybdenum-gold anomalies identified in trenching at the Buenavista target. This, in turn, will help to delineate new objectives for drill hole locations and refine the planned diamond drill program. An approximately 2,500 soil sample program on a 100m x 50m grid, covering an area of approximately 3.5 km x 3.5 km centred on the Buenavista target and stockwork zone, will be initiated immediately, with sampling in the field expected to be completed before any potential winter storms. Based on the soil sampling geochemical results, and subject to weather conditions, additional trenching to expose more bedrock for sampling, may be considered.

Several magnetic anomalies, with similar features to the magnetic anomaly centred on the Buenavista target, occur under thicker post mineral cover materials to the east and north of Buenavista. Consideration is being given to exploring through the thicker cover using induced polarisation ("IP") geophysical methods to test for the presence of possible porphyry-type sulphide mineralisation associated with one or more of the magnetic anomalies. Contractor quotes and contractor availabilities are being sought.



Pampa Metals - Other Activities

In addition to its focus at its Block 4 project, Pampa Metals continues to evaluate a follow-up drill program at the Cerro Chiquitin target on its wholly owned Cerro Buenos Aires project (see latest news release dated April 6, 2022), as well as two follow-up drill targets at its Redondo-Veronica project (see latest news release dated September 28, 2021). In addition, the company continues to evaluate the prospective potential of the Block 3 project and has started a 1:5000 geological reconnaissance on the Block 2 property.

Pampa Metals is also active with field follow-up of eight target areas in northern Chile generated by VerAI Discoveries using Artificial Intelligence technologies, over which the Company has option rights (see news release dated February 1, 2022).

Additionally, the Company rounds off its very active exploration programs with two projects at Morros Blancos and Cerro Blanco under option to Austral Gold Ltd, where a variety of exploration activities, including drill testing, have been underway since August 2021 (see latest news release dated January 11, 2022).

ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is a Canadian company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE: PM) as well as the Frankfurt (FSE: FIRA) and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCF) exchanges. Pampa Metals owns a highly prospective, wholly owned, 62,000-hectare portfolio of eight projects for copper and gold located along proven mineral belts in Chile, one of the world's top mining jurisdictions. The Company is actively progressing four of its projects, including completed and planned drill tests, and has two additional projects optioned to Austral Gold Ltd., with Austral already drill testing its first target on Pampa Metals' ground. The Company has also signed an agreement with VerAI Discoveries Inc. giving Pampa Metals access to the latest in artificial intelligence technologies in relation to mineral exploration, as well as a further 18,700 hectares of highly prospective terrain in the core of the highly productive mineral belts of northern Chile.

The Company has a vision to create value for shareholders and all other stakeholders by making a major copper or gold discovery along the prime mineral belts of Chile, using the best geological and technological methods. For more information, please visit Pampa Metals' website www.pampametals.com.

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G, Geologist and a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego is a consultant to the Company.

Note: The reader is cautioned that Pampa Metals' projects are early-stage exploration projects, and reference to existing mines and deposits, or mineralization hosted on adjacent or nearby properties, is not necessarily indicative of any mineralization on Pampa Metals' properties.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Paul Gill | CEO & Director

www.pampametals.com

INVESTOR CONTACT

Ioannis (Yannis) Tsitos | Director

investors@pampametals.com

The CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, which address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "indicate" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699801/Pampa-Metals-Initiates-Large-Scale-Soil-Sampling-Program-and-advances-plans-for-First-Pass-Drill-Program-at-Buenavista-Target-at-its-Block-4-Project
Some of the prominent market players in the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) wax industry include Sasol, Brenntag, Yi Mei New Material Tech. Co. Ltd., Ter Hell and Co. Gmbh, Michel man, Industrial Raw Materials LLC, and Globalwax LLC.

SELBYVILLE, Del., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The FT wax market value is projected to reach USD 1.1 billion by 2028, according to a new research report by Global Market Insights Inc. Rising consumer focus on hygiene and sanitation coupled with numerous benefits offered by product such as low viscosity, high softening point, and high melting points supporting market demand across plastic, rubber, packaging, and other consumer goods application will propel the industry outlook.

FT wax industry is poised to witness a CAGR of 6.5% from 2022 to 2028 on account of rising consumer awareness regarding the benefits of FT wax. The implementation of waxes from FT technology in various industries owing to their capability to improve product strength and resistance will instigate the market inclination. They also enhance the external traits of the product over which the wax is applied by providing better shine and glaze to it resulting in an enhanced consumer demand.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1818

some major findings of the FT wax market report include:

Significant benefits such as cost efficiency and reduced production time & cost are driving the product penetration in paints and coatings.

Polish and other sanitation goods industry segment is likely to surpass USD 45 million by 2028 due to rapid advancements in technical and chemical aspects.

by 2028 due to rapid advancements in technical and chemical aspects. Strong demand for product due to its favorable properties such as high strength and induced flexibility has urged manufacturers to utilize it PVC resins, accelerating the market forecasts.

Growing applications of FT wax in the cosmetics industry for imparting protection and moisturization benefits will boost the market landscape.

The significant rise in the transport of processed and raw foods have thrusted the corrugated box demand which ultimately fuels the business statistics.

Browse key industry insights spread across 250 pages with 145 market data tables & 9 figures & charts from the report, "FT Wax Market Analysis By Application (Paint & Coating, Resin, Plastics, And Synthetic Rubber, Tire, Polish And Other Sanitation Goods, Corrugated And Solid Fiber Boxes, Printing Ink) Industry Analysis Report, Regional, Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2022 - 2028" in detail along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/ft-wax-market

FT wax market from printing ink segment is expected to exceed USD 23 Million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.5%. This is owing to an increase in the water-resistant toners and inks industry. FT wax bestows peculiar properties such as coefficient of friction, impacting slip resistance, dispersion and resistance to water, solvents, or grease.

Asia Pacific FT wax market accounted for 30% revenue share in 2021 and is estimated to grow at over 7% CAGR through 2028. This is owing to their benefits comprising high tensile strength and ease of application in varied sectors like printing ink, resins, plastics, synthetic rubber, candle & cosmetics production, will augment the regional market revenue. Additionally, FT wax imparts improved strength & resistance to severe stress upon the products which assists in market enlargement in the region. The focus on progressive printing equipment and technology is gradually bringing about a change in traditional methods for the same around the world and thus, this will increase the consumption of FT wax in the region.

FT wax industry is competitive with presence of multinational corporations and growing regional manufacturers such as Sasol, Shell, Deurex AG, Evonik Industries AG, Nippon Seiro Co. Ltd., Nanyang Saier, KPL International Limited, King Honor International, Brenntag, Yi Mei New Material Tech. Co. Ltd., Ter Hell and Co. Gmbh, Michel man, Industrial Raw Materials LLC, and Globalwax LLC.

Request for customization of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/roc/1818

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.

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Corporate Sales, USA

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Horbunova and Kudinenko to speak at Vital Voices, the non-profit founded by Hillary Rodham Clinton and the late Madeleine Albright, at the opening of its Global Headquarters for Women's Leadership & three-day festival.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 03, 2022 and social entrepreneur and health advocate Olya, founder of Tabletochki Charity Foundation, will participate in the grand opening of the new Vital Voices Global Headquarters for Women's Leadership as speakers in the fireside chat Fearless Leadership: Navigating the Beirut Blast and the Ukraine Invasion alongside Lebanese chef Aline Kamakian.

Horbunova will share her perspective from Kyiv on the current Russia conflict, while Kudinenko will speak about her work providing urgent assistance to more than 6,500 families with children who have cancer. Since 2011, her foundation has helped more than 60,000 children receive improved quality of treatment and $20 million in aid.

"We have to look inside these lines that have divided us, and we have to develop the ability to cross these lines," said Horbunova.

The new Global Embassy for Women at which Horbunova and Kudinenko will speak is opening in the center of downtown Washington, D.C. Located at 1509 16th Street, NW, the building stands among other high-profile institutions and think tanks, just minutes from the White House and Black Lives Matter Plaza in the city's new "Equality Corridor." This first-of-its-kind physical and digital space will be the epicenter of activity for global women leaders and their allies. It will also serve as a collaborative and inclusive space for all women - everywhere.

In addition to serving as the home base for the Vital Voices staff and the non-profit's global network of women leaders, the building will also be a gathering place for local and visiting women's organizations with limited resources that need a place to convene, innovate, plan, and act - all in the pursuit of tackling the world's greatest challenges.

"It is our hope that women and their allies from around the world will come to this building to expand their networks, share their stories of success and hardship, highlight their bold visions for progress, and recharge so that they can go back out into the world and make real change happen," explains former First Lady of the United States and Secretary of State?Hillary Rodham Clinton, who, along with the late U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, established Vital Voices in 1997. "Madeleine was so excited about the creation of this Women's Embassy and, in opening it, we're honoring her vision and legacy." Clinton will serve as a speaker at the grand opening on Thursday, May 5.

A three-day festival will welcome this new neighbor to the United States capital city. Activities start on Thursday, May 5, with a morning march of hundreds of girls and allies from the White House to the Vital Voices Global Headquarters to showcase the next generation of leaders. Following a ribbon cutting, the Vital Voices Global Headquarters for Women's Leadership will open its doors for three days of exhibits, panels, luncheons, and other activities to bring women together and celebrate the launch of the Headquarters. On May 7, the building will hold an open house as part of Passport DC's popular "Around the World Embassy Tour.".)

Confirmed guests (subject to change) include?Hillary Clinton, fashion designer and Vital Voices Board Member?Diane von Furstenberg, marketing executive and Vital Voices Board Member Bozoma Saint John, Washington?D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser,?Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad,?Ukrainian human rights activist Oksana Horbunova, former?Deputy Trade Minister of Afghanistan Muquadessa Yourish, former?President of Ireland Mary Robinson,?climate activist Sophia Kianni, recording artist?MILCK, actors and activists?Amber Tamblyn?and?Angelina Spicer,?and more.

"Vital Voices was created to make space for women to be heard," says?Vital Voices President and CEO Alyse Nelson. "Over more than two decades of investing in women leaders on the frontlines of change, we have seen firsthand how women lead differently, and that difference is precisely what our world needs to solve the challenges ahead of us. Now is the time to put a stake in the ground and create a permanent, physical, and very visible space for these leaders to come together. We believe this Headquarters will spark creativity, trust, and the kind of bold ideas that will transform and improve communities and nations around the world."

The event will stream live worldwide at:?www.vitalvoices.org.

The full?MEDIA SCHEDULE?and registration information is available?HERE. A?MEDIA KIT?with photos and video of the Headquarters, its construction, and the women leaders involved is available?HERE.

BACKGROUND

About Vital Voices Global Partnership

Driven by the universal truth that women are the key to progress in their communities and that nations can't move forward without women in leadership positions, the Vital Voices Global Partnership has directly invested in more than 20,000 changemakers across 184 countries and territories over the last 24 years. It's provided early support for leaders who went on to become Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, U.S. Youth Poet Laureates, Prime Ministers, award-winning innovators, pioneering human rights defenders, and breakthrough social entrepreneurs, including Amanda Gorman, Malala Yousafzai, and more.

Serving as a "venture catalyst," the non-profit identifies leaders with a daring vision for change and partners with them to make that vision a reality. It provides connections, increased capacity, a peer network, financial support, skills training, and increased visibility for their work, which ranges from gender-based violence to the climate crisis, economic inequities to political disempowerment, and more.

Attachments
LONDON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Intragen announced today that Alex Fagioli has been appointed Chief Executive Officer to succeed Founder Ian Yoxall who will be supporting Alex by applying his vast Identity and Access Management (IAM) experience to identifying acquisitions and other strategic initiatives.

A highly regarded, people-orientated business leader, Alex brings a wealth of experience in growing technology businesses, most recently from his roles within Tectrade (a CSI Group company), a highly successful data protection consulting and managed services organisation, which he led for a number of years.

Ian commented that "having founded Intragen 16 years ago I am exceptionally pleased to share the news on our next growth step. Today I hand over the reins to Alex Fagioli who brings a broad range of experience and boundless energy to Intragen. As a Founder, it was important to me personally that our customers and staff could be placed in the hands of someone who could represent the trust that has been placed in us and carry this forward. I am delighted that we have managed to bring Alex on board."

Whilst at Tectrade, Alex built and developed a world-class managed services proposition and led the company to significant growth in addition to launching a US operation.

"Alex comes to Intragen with an impressive background of directly relevant experience and success," said Bill Joss, Intragen's Chairman. "His energy, focus, and talent will drive even more momentum in a business which has performed well so far, and which has an exciting future."

Alex started his career in data storage and protection and is excited by the opportunity he has at Intragen to join the cyber security sector, one of the fastest-growing areas of the technology market.

"I am incredibly thrilled to be joining Intragen. As market-leading specialists in Identity and Access Management, with brilliant talent and a large and varied set of customers, there is a great base to build upon for the next phase of growth," Alex said. "I am looking forward to working with our investors, FPE Capital, our Chairman, Bill Joss, and the management team. We have big ambitions to capture more market share, expand our European coverage, and scale up our industry-leading managed services offering in Identity Management."

FPE Capital invested in Intragen in September 2019, and since then has supported the business to develop and meet the demands of a dynamically advancing cybersecurity market.

The addition of Alex to the team underlines Intragen's commitment to its clients and its intention to be a leading provider of IAM solutions.

Contact:

Gabrielle Roper

Digital Marketing Manager

gabrielle.roper@intragen.com

07450565606
DGAP-News: Goldplay Mining Inc. / Key word(s): Drilling Result

Goldplay Drills 12.2m of 1.18% Copper, Including 5.5m of 2.33 % Copper at Aparis Mine, In Southern Portugal



03.05.2022 / 10:00

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



NEWS RELEASE GOLDPLAY DRILLS 12.2M OF 1.18% COPPER,

INCLUDING 5.5M OF 2.33 % COPPER AT APARIS MINE, IN SOUTHERN PORTUGAL VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - May 3, 2022 - (TSXV: AUC) (US/OTCQB:AUCCF), (Frankfurt:9FY), (the "Company" or "Goldplay"), is pleased to announce new drill results from the Phase 1 drilling program completed at the Aparis Copper Mine ("Aparis") in Southern Portugal. The Aparis mine is part of the 73.2 km2 Barrancos exploration license, and two other projects, held by a private Portuguese company, Indice Crucial Lda ("Indice Crucial") on which Goldplay can earn up to 100% interest (see Company's news release dated June 23, 2021 for more details).



HIGHLIGHTS Drill intercept: 1.18 % Copper ("Cu") over 12.2 meters ("m") from 207.0m, including 2.33% Cu over 5.50m and including 5.50% Cu over 2m.

Discovery of a broad mineralized copper zone, immediately adjacent at depth to the old mining works

Excellent exploration upside. Extensive copper mineralized vein system mapped over 2.5 km along strike, with potential to extend up to 5 km.

Discovery of a gold-bearing structure, 140 m west of the copper zone, averaging 5.87 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold over 2 m

Historic Mine located less than 160Km (over paved roads) to a large copper smelter located in Huelva Catalin Kilofliski, President & CEO stated: "We are very excited with the results of our inaugural drilling program that confirm our belief that a copper mineralized system occurs at the Aparis mine that is much wider than the previous mining activities indicate. Furthermore, the discovery of a gold-bearing structure within 140 m of the copper zone further enhances the potential of the project. The Aparis copper mineralized system has been traced for 2.5 km through historical workings, surface exposures and historical geophysical surveys and early indications are this could be extended further providing us with an exciting advanced copper-gold project. Excellent infrastructure and an existing copper smelter nearby provide further benefits for project exploration and potential future development to feed Europe's urgent needs for copper metal." Assay results have been received from all three diamond holes from the Phase 1 drilling campaign for a total of 824 m. The objective of this initial Phase 1 drilling program was to better determine the overall width and expansion potential of the copper mineralized structures.



The Company's initial objectives were fully accomplished. The results confirm the presence of a wide (>10m) copper mineralized envelope as indicated by the most recent results which include a 12.2m interval grading 1.18% Copper in hole GBA2103 with several sections of high-grade including 5.5m averaging 2.33% and including 2.0 m of 5.5% Cu (as indicated in the table below). In addition, a new auriferous zone has been identified 140 m west of the main vein system which returned 5.87 g/t Au over 2m in hole GBA2101 (previously reported by the Company on February 28, 2022). Table 1 - Significant Drill Results, Aparis Copper Mine Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Drilled Width (m)* Cu (%) Au (g/t) Structure GBA2101** 46.05 48.05 2.00 --- 5.87 140 west of Main vein and 295.00 300.50 5.50 0.21 --- Main vein and 318.50 321.50 3.00 0.31 --- Parallel vein GBA2102 No significant results - old mine stope intersected @ 104.4-106.8 m GBA2103 212.40 219.20 12.20*** 1.18 --- Main vein including 213.70 219.20 5.50 2.33 --- Main Vein including 213.70 215.70 2.00 5.50 --- Main Vein * True widths have not been determined as the mineralized body remains open. Further drilling is required to determine the mineralized body orientation and true widths.

**Analytical results from Hole GBA2101 were previously reported. Refer to press release dated February 28, 2022

***Adjacent to 2.4 m of historically mined stope (210 - 212.4 m) The Aparis Mine was operated as a small scale mine from 1889 to 1927 and more recently between 1969 and 1975 when the mine closed due to low copper prices. Aparis consists of a main vein zone (Saramago vein) that has been traced through surface exposures and mostly shallow underground workings for more than 2.5 km along a north-northeast strike and dipping steeply to the west. Historical mining focused on a narrow (<1m wide), very high-grade portion of the vein zone, where grades were reported to reach in excess of 10% Cu. The deepest parts of the mine are 220 m below surface, below which very little historical exploration took place. Further north, historical workings at the Malhada dos Caeiros and Vale de Marcos mines (Figure 1) did not extend much below 50 m depth. In addition, the full width potential of the main vein zone has never been thoroughly tested by drilling and is believed to be upwards of 10m wide. Goldplay drill tested the vein system from November 2021 to February 2022 with a total of 3 holes to investigate in detail the grades, nature, and potential for broader zones and depth extension of the mineralized system.

This will help us evaluate possible scenario scenarios of developing a modern mining operation by contrast with the artisanal methods used in the past, with historical production coming exclusively from <1m thick high-grade veins. Figure 1 - Location of Drill Holes and Historic Workings at the Aparis Copper Mine Drill Hole GBA2101 targeted the main vein zone at approximately 260 m depth and 90 meters below the historical workings. The hole intersected two parallel vein structures, grading 0.21% Cu over 5.5 m from 295m drilled depth and 0.31% Cu over 3m from 318.5m drilled depth. These results are encouraging in that they show the copper mineralized structures are wide and continuous at depth and that additional drilling is needed to vector in on potential higher-grade shoots within the structures. As previously reported, this same hole also intersected a previously unknown gold-bearing zone, approximately 140 m west of the main copper vein zone which grading 5.87 g/t Au over 2m, from 46.05m drilled depth. Drill Hole GBA2102 was collared approximately 180 m south of GBA2101 and drilled through a series of historic mining works (that have not been previously identified). The hole was therefore stopped at a vertical depth of approximately 80 m. It is believed that significant copper grades may have been historically mined from these mined out stopes. Drill Hole GBA2103 was collared approximately 230 m north of GBA2101 and was the furthest north hole drilled by the Company. The hole intersected a 12.2m interval averaging 1.18% Cu, including several higher-grade sections, as shown in Table 1. The interval includes a 2.4 m drilled length through an historical mine stope where no core was recovered, and a 0.00% Cu grade assigned to the interval. Immediately east of the stope the drill hole returned the highest copper grades, including 9.69% Cu over 1m 5.50% Cu over 2m and 2.33% Cu over 5.50 m. This intercept is suggesting that significant copper mineralization still remains unmined. The old workings were focused on thin high-grade sections (>3% Cu typically) leaving behind a large of the mineralized material. As shown in the Figure 2 the drill hole crossed the mineralized structure at the deepest part of the historical mine at a vertical depth of approximately 200 m, indicating good potential for the mineralization to continue at depth and towards the north. Figure 2 - Cross Section (looking North) Showing Drill Hole GBA2103 and Historical Mine Workings Exploration focus will be put on drilling continuation on the depth and strike extensions of the known mineralization and evaluation of wider zones than those historically mined, better tailored to the present technologies and higher metal prices. Table 2: Drill Hole Summary Drill Hole Easting

(UTM) Northing

(UTM) Elevation

(m) Azimuth

(degrees) Dip

(degrees) Length

(m) GBA2101 668200 4221334 233 115 -60 359.30 GBA2102 668246 4221150 225 110 -45 150.00 GBA2103 668357 4221566 235 110 -70 315.00 TOTAL 834.3 Future Exploration Plans The Company's review of historical exploration and mining records indicate that historical miners have focused on narrow (<1m), high grade copper structures, often in excess of 10% Cu, while leaving behind the surrounding, lower grade material (1% to 3% Cu), which at the time may not have been considered economic. Goldplay drill hole GBA2103 proved the presence of a wider mineralized system. The potential quantity and grade of the Company's exploration target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource. With Phase 1 complete, the Company is planning to complete two additional follow-up drill programs with the following goals and objectives: Phase 2 (2,500m in drilling, 10 holes): Drill confirmation of reported high grade zones from old reports and expand the "mining widths" to a more substantial target size.

Check depth extensions to the mineralized system below reported known ore shoots Phase 3 (6,500m in drilling, 20 holes): Infill drilling on a ca. 200 x 200m grid to come out with a preliminary resource estimation (Inferred category);

Mineralogical and metallurgic tests of composite core samples on an independent laboratory.

Based on results undertaking of a PFS considering at this stage several possible mining scenarios.

Preparation of a preliminary Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is also considered along with a decision to proceed with the application for a mining license will be taken during this period. Figure 3 - Longitudinal Section (looking West) Along the 2.5km Length of the Main Vein System Showing Phase 1 and Proposed Phases 2 and 3 Drilling The potential quantity and grade of the Company's exploration target is conceptual in nature, there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and t it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.

QA/QC

All samples were sent to ALS Global Laboratories in Spain for sample preparation and analysis. At the laboratory, rock sample preparation involved drying, fine crushing to better than 70% passing minus 2 mm (CRY-31), then split the sample using a Boyd Rotary Splitter (SPL-22Y) and pulverizing a 1000g split to 85% passing the <75 microns (PUL-32). The fine fraction was analyzed for gold by Fire Assay on a 30g aliquot with an ICP-AES finish (Au-ICP21), and for 48 additional elements by four acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma ("ICP") - ultra trace level analysis (ME-MS51). Quality control samples were regularly analyzed by the laboratory and include blanks (CDN-BL-10) and, certified reference materials (CDM-CM-41) provided by CDN Resources Laboratories Ltd, #2, 20148 - 102nd Ave, Langley, B.C., Canada



Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Jose Mario Castelo Branco, Euro Geo, Golplay's Exploration Manager, a Qualified Person within the context of Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101; Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The readers should not rely on any historical estimates. The Company and the QP have not done sufficient work to verify any historical estimates. Additional work including drilling will be required to verify and upgrade historical estimates.

About Goldplay Mining

Goldplay Mining is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. Goldplay holds large district scale gold, and copper-gold projects located in BC's Golden Triangle and southwestern BC with potential for world class mineral discoveries. The Company also holds several brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal with near term mining potential. On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Catalin Kilofliski"

President, CEO & Director For further information please contact: Goldplay Mining Inc.

Mr. Catalin Kilofliski, President & CEO Suite 650 - 1021 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 0C3

T: (604) 655-1420

E: catalin@goldplaymining.ca

www.goldplaymining.ca



Forward Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the exploration potential of Aparis. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. 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.

03.05.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


STOCKHOLM, SE / ACCESSWIRE / May 03, 2022 / Vimian Group (STO:VIMIAN)

Vimian Group AB (publ) ("Vimian"), Reg. No. 559234-8923, with its registered office in Stockholm, gives notice of the Annual General Meeting to be held on 2 June 2022 at 10.00 CEST at Advokatfirman Vinge's premises at Smalandsgatan 20, SE-111 87 Stockholm, Sweden.

Shareholders can participate in the Annual General Meeting by attending the venue in person or by postal voting.

Right to participate in the Annual General Meeting and notice of participation

Participation in the Annual General Meeting at the venue

A shareholder who wishes to participate in the Annual General Meeting at the venue in person or represented by a proxy must (i) be recorded in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB relating to the circumstances on 24 May 2022, and (ii) no later than 27 May 2022 give notice by post to Vimian Group AB, "Annual General Meeting", c/o Euroclear Sweden AB, Box 191, SE-101 23 Stockholm, Sweden or via e-mail to GeneralMeetingService@euroclear.com. When providing such notice, the shareholder shall state name, personal or corporate registration number, address, telephone number and the number of any accompanying assistant(s) (maximum two assistants).

If a shareholder is represented by proxy, a written, dated proxy for the representative must be issued. A proxy form is available on the company's website, www.vimian.com. If the proxy is issued by a legal entity, a certificate of registration or equivalent certificate of authority should be enclosed. To facilitate the registration at the Annual General Meeting, the proxy and the certificate of registration or equivalent certificate of authority should be sent to Euroclear Sweden AB as set out above so that it is received no later than 27 May 2022.

Participation by postal voting

A shareholder who wishes to participate in the Annual General Meeting by postal voting must (i) be recorded in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB relating to the circumstances on 24 May 2022 and (ii) notify its intention to participate in the Annual General Meeting no later than 27 May 2022, by casting its postal vote in accordance with the instructions below so that the postal vote is received by Euroclear Sweden AB no later than on that day.

A shareholder who wishes to participate in the Annual General Meeting at the venue in person or represented by a proxy must give notice thereof in accordance with what is set out under Participation in the Annual General Meeting at the venue above. This means that a notification by postal vote is not sufficient for a person who wishes to participate at the venue.

A special form shall be used when postal voting. The postal voting form is available on the company's website www.vimian.com. A completed and signed form may be submitted by post to Vimian Group AB, "Annual General Meeting", c/o Euroclear Sweden AB, Box 191, SE-101 23 Stockholm, Sweden or via e-mail to GeneralMeetingService@euroclear.com. The completed form shall be received by Euroclear Sweden AB not later than 27 May 2022. Shareholders may also cast their votes electronically through BankID verification via Euroclear Sweden AB's website, https://anmalan.vpc.se/euroclearproxy. The shareholder may not provide special instructions or conditions in the voting form. If so, the vote (i.e. the postal vote in its entirety) is invalid. Further instructions and conditions are included in the form for postal voting.

If a shareholder votes by proxy, a written and dated proxy shall be enclosed to the postal voting form. Proxy forms are available on the company's website www.vimian.com. If the shareholder is a legal entity, a certificate of incorporation or an equivalent certificate of authority should be enclosed. If a shareholder has voted in advance and attends the Annual General Meeting in person or through a proxy, the postal vote is still valid except to the extent the shareholder participates in a voting procedure at the Annual General Meeting or otherwise withdraws its casted postal vote. If the shareholder chooses to participate in a voting at the Annual General Meeting, the vote cast will replace the postal vote with regard to the relevant item on the agenda.

Nominee-registered shares

To be entitled to participate in the Annual General Meeting, a shareholder whose shares are held in the name of a nominee must, in addition to providing notification of participation, register its shares in its own name so that the shareholder is recorded in the share register relating to the circumstances on 24 May 2022. Such registration may be temporary (so-called voting right registration) and is requested from the nominee in accordance with the nominee's procedures and in such time in advance as the nominee determines. Voting right registrations completed by the nominee not later than 27 May 2022 are taken into account when preparing the register of shareholders.

Proposed agenda

Opening of the Annual General Meeting. Election of a chairman of the Annual General Meeting. Preparation and approval of the voting register. Approval of the agenda. Election of one or two persons who shall approve the minutes. Determination of whether the Annual General Meeting has been duly convened. Presentation of the annual report and the auditor's report as well as the consolidated financial statements and the auditor's report. Resolutions regarding: adoption of the income statement and the balance sheet as well as the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet; allocation of the company's profit or loss according to the adopted balance sheet; and discharge from liability for board members and the CEO. Determination of the number of board members and the number of auditors and deputy auditors. Determination of fees for the board of directors and the auditors. Election of the board members; Gabriel Fitzgerald (re-election); Mikael Dolsten (re-election); Frida Westerberg (re-election); Martin Erleman (re-election); Theodor Bonnier (re-election); Petra Rumpf (new election); and Chairman of the board of directors: Gabriel Fitzgerald (re-election). Election of the auditor. Proposal regarding a new incentive program. Proposal regarding authorisation for the board of directors to resolve on new share issues. Closing of the Annual General Meeting.

Proposed resolutions

Item 2 - Proposal regarding election of a chairman of the Annual General Meeting

The nomination committee proposes that Dain Hard Nevonen from Advokatfirman Vinge is elected chairman of the Annual General Meeting.

Item 9 - Proposal regarding the number of board members and the number of auditors and deputy auditors

The nomination committee proposes that the number of board members elected by the General Meeting is six without deputies.

The number of auditors is proposed to be one without deputies.

Item 10 - Proposal regarding fees for the board of directors and the auditors

The nomination committee proposes that the fees to the board of directors amount to EUR 150,000 in total for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting, to be allocated with EUR 50,000 (previously EUR 50,000) to each one of the elected board members, with the exception of Gabriel Fitzgerald (chairman of the board), Martin Erleman and Theodor Bonnier who have announced that they refrain from fees.

The fees to the auditor is proposed to be paid in accordance with approved invoices.

Item 11 - Proposal regarding election of the board members

The nomination committee proposes that Gabriel Fitzgerald, Mikael Dolsten, Frida Westerberg, Martin Erleman and Theodor Bonnier are re-elected, and Petra Rumpf is newly elected, as board members for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

It is proposed that Gabriel Fitzgerald is re-elected as chairman of the board of directors.

Information regarding the individuals proposed by the nomination committee for reelection is available at www.vimian.com and information concerning the proposed new board member Petra Rumpf is presented below.

Information concerning the proposed new board member Petra Rumpf

Born: 1977.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Economics from Trier University and MBA from Clark University, USA.

Other current assignments: Member of the Supervisory Board at SHL-Medical, Zug. Member of the Supervisory Board, Chair of the ESG Task Force and member of the Technology Committee at Straumann Group. Member of the Supervisory Board and Chair of the Digital Advisory Board at VZUG, Zug. Member of the Advisory Board at Lima Corporate.

Principal work experience: Member of the Executive Management Board and Global Head Dental Service Organizations at Straumann Group. Member of the Executive Committee of Nobel Biocare. Several years of experience in life science companies, the high-tech sector and over ten years of experience as a board member in companies within the MedTech industry.

Shareholding in the company: 40,000 ordinary shares.

Independent of:

The Company and executive management: Yes.

Major shareholders: Yes.

Item 12 - Proposal regarding election of the auditor

The nomination committee proposes that Grant Thornton Sweden AB is re-elected as auditor for the company for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting, which is in accordance with the audit committee's recommendation. Should the nomination committee's proposal for auditor be adopted, Grant Thornton Sweden AB has informed that authorised public accountant Carl-Johan Regell will be appointed auditor in charge.

Item 13 - Proposal regarding a new incentive program

The purpose of the long-term incentive program 2022 ("LTI 2022")

The purpose of LTI 2022 is to enable to provide remuneration tied to Vimian's s long term value creation to current and future key individuals, employees and consultants in Vimian and thus align the participants interests with those of the shareholders. LTI 2022 will be an important program for Vimian to attract, motivate and retain the best talents, which is important for Vimian to reach long-term value creation for the shareholders.

Issue, transfer and allocation of warrants

The board of directors proposes the annual general meeting to resolve on an issue and transfer of a maximum of 5,800,000 warrants, entailing an increase of the share capital, at full exercise, of maximum SEK 9672.41. Each warrant shall entitle to subscription for one (1) ordinary share. The warrants shall be issued free of charge to Vimian Group AB (publ) and the last day for allotment to participants in LTI 2022 shall be 31 December 2022.

The reason for deviating from the shareholders' preferential right is to implement an incentive program and thereby a remuneration structure which connects the remuneration for key individuals, employees and consultants of Vimian to Vimian and its long-term value creation and thus also align the participants interests with those of the shareholders. LTI 2022 will be an important program for Vimian to attract, motivate and retain its key individuals and employees, which is important to Vimian to reach long-term value creation for the shareholders.

LTI 2022 includes not more than 115 persons who are employees, consultants, or during the subscription period enters into agreement regarding employment or assignments, within the Vimian group. The issued warrants may, with deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, be subscribed free of charge by Vimian Group AB (publ) after which the warrants shall be offered to the participants. The transfer of the warrants shall be made at a price corresponding to the market value of the warrants (the warrant premium) at the time of the transfer, calculated according to the Black & Scholes valuation model. The valuation of the warrants shall be made by the company in collaboration with an independent valuation firm. In connection with the transfer of warrants to the participants, the company shall reserve the right to repurchase the warrants if the participant's employment or assignment within the group ceases or if the participant in turn wishes to transfer the warrants before the warrants can be exercised according to the terms and conditions that apply to the warrants.

Subscription of warrants shall be made free of charge on a subscription list until and including 15 June 2022. The Board of Directors have the right to extend the subscription period.

The right to acquire warrants from the company shall vest in the following categories of employees:

Category Maximum number of warrants per person/category as a share of the total number of warrants and assuming allotment of the maximum number of warrants CEO (1 person) 7% / 7% Senior executives (9 persons) 4% / 25% Other participants (105 persons) 2% / 68%

The maximum number of warrants that can be acquired per person in accordance with the table above is a cap and the number of warrants that each participant can acquire is limited both by the total maximum number of warrants that can be acquired in each category and the maximum number of warrants that can be acquired per participant in in the relevant category.

The warrants shall be transferred on market terms at a price (premium) established on the basis of a market value of the warrants calculated using the Black & Scholes valuation model calculated by the company in collaboration with an independent valuation firm. A new market value shall be established in an equivalent way for acquisitions made by new participants after the expiration of the initial application period. The value has preliminary been calculated to be SEK 14.36 per warrant based on a share price of SEK 60.95.

The transfer of the warrants shall be made at a price corresponding to the market value of the warrants at the time of the transfer, which entails that no social security contributions shall arise for the group in connection with the transfer of the warrants.

Payment for the allocated warrants shall be made in cash no later than five days following the application for acquisition. The board shall establish a corresponding date of payment for acquisitions made by new participants.

Each warrant shall entitle to subscription for one (1) ordinary share in the company. Subscription for shares in accordance with the terms of the warrants is possible during the period from and including 15 June 2025 up to and including 30 June 2025.

The company may, by means of a board resolution, cancel the warrants that are not transferred in accordance with the below or that have been re-purchased from participants. Cancellation shall be registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office.

The subscription price per ordinary share shall correspond to 116 per cent of the volume-weighted average price for the company's share during the time period of five trading days immediately preceding the offer to subscribe for warrants, rounded to the nearest full ten cents (Sw. ore) whereby five cents shall be rounded up. However, the subscription price shall not be less than the share's quota value. The amount of the subscription price exceeding the quota value of the shares shall be contributed to the free share premium reserve. The subscription price and number of shares in which each warrant carries an entitlement to shall be recalculated in the event of split or reversed split of shares, new issue of shares etc. in accordance with market practice.

Ordinary shares subscribed for by exercise of the warrants shall entitle to dividend for the first time on the first record date for dividend which occurs after the subscription of ordinary shares, by exercising the warrants, is executed.

The Board of Directors, or the person appointed by the Board of Directors, is proposed to be authorised to make minor adjustments to the resolution mentioned above, as may be required in connection with the registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Sw. Bolagsverket).

Pre-emption and termination of employment or assignment

A condition for a participant to be offered to acquire warrants, is that these persons have previously entered into a pre-emption agreement in which the participant shall be obligated to offer all warrants to the company, or in partial, if the employment or assignment is terminated or if the warrants shall be transferred or disposed to a third party. In addition, the warrants shall be offered to the company, and the participant shall also have the right to receive an offer from the company, to redemption corresponding to the prevailing market value if a person reaches a shareholding in the company exceeding ninety (90) per cent.

Dilution

Based on the number of shares in Vimian as of 1 May 2022, the dilution effect due to LTI 2022 will amount to approximately 1.5 per cent (number of shares) and 1.6 per cent (number of votes). Also considering the number of shares that may be issued pursuant to previous implemented incentive programs in Vimian adopted in 2021, the maximum dilution amount to approximately 1.5 per cent (number of shares) and 1.6 per cent (number of votes).

Impact of financial ratios and costs for the company etc.

LTI 2022 is expected to have a marginal impact on the company's financial ratios. The costs before taxes for the company associated with LTI 2022, includes administrative costs. The total cost of LTI 2022, assuming full participation, is expected to amount to approximately SEK 750,000 during a period of three years.

Preparation of the proposal

The principles of LTI 2022 have been prepared by the Board of Directors of the company. The proposal has been prepared with the assistance of external advisors and after consultation with larger shareholders.

Other share-related incentive programs etc.

At the time of the notice for the general meeting, Vimian have two outstanding warrant programs which are further described in Vimian's annual report for 2021.

Item 14 - Proposal regarding authorisation for the board of directors to resolve on new share issues

The board of directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves to authorise to the board of directors, up and until the next Annual General Meeting, on one or several occasions and with or without pre-emptive rights for shareholders, to resolve on the issue of new shares, comprising a total of not more than 20 per cent of the total number of outstanding shares in the company after the utilization of the authorisation. Such share issue resolution may be made with or without provisions for contribution in kind, set-off or other conditions.

The purpose of the authorisation is to increase the financial flexibility of the company and the acting scope of the board of directors. Should the board of directors resolve on an issue with deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, the reason for this must be to strengthen the financial position of the company in a time and cost-effective manner or in connection with an acquisition agreement, or, alternatively, to procure capital for such acquisition. Upon such deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, the new issue shall be made at market terms and conditions.

Special majority requirements

A resolution in accordance with the board of directors' proposal in item 13 above requires the approval of at least nine-tenths (9/10) of the shares represented and votes cast at the Annual General Meeting. A resolution in accordance with the board of directors' proposal in item 14 above shall only be valid where supported by not less than two-thirds (2/3) of both votes cast and the shares represented at the Annual General Meeting.

Shareholders' right to obtain information

Shareholders are reminded of their right to, at the Annual General Meeting, obtain information from the board of directors and CEO in accordance with Chapter 7 Section 32 of the Swedish Companies Act. Shareholders who wish to submit questions in advance may do so by sending post to Vimian Group AB, Riddargatan 19, SE-114 57 Stockholm, Sweden or via e-mail to agm@vimian.com.

Number of shares and votes

As of the date of this notice, there are 389,394,897 shares outstanding in Vimian, corresponding to 366,940,129.2 votes, of which 364,445,155 are ordinary shares entitled to one vote per share and 24,949,742 are class C shares entitled to one-tenth vote per share. As of the date of this notice, the company holds no shares.

Authorisation

The CEO shall be authorised to make such minor adjustments to the resolutions of the Annual General Meeting that may be necessary in connection with the registration thereof.

Documentation etc.

The annual report and all other documentation for resolutions are available at the company's office at Riddargatan 19, SE-114 57 Stockholm, Sweden, and at the company's website, www.vimian.com, no later than two weeks before the Annual General Meeting. Moreover, the nomination committee's motivated statement is available at the company's above address, as well as at www.vimian.com, from the date of this notice. Copies of the documents will be sent to shareholders who so request and who inform the company of their postal address.

Processing of personal data

For information on how your personal data is processed, see the integrity policy that is available at Euroclear's website https://www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Privacy-notice-bolagsstammor-engelska.pdf.

This notice is a translation of a Swedish notice and in case of any deviations between the language versions, the Swedish version shall prevail.

Stockholm, May 2022

Vimian Group AB (publ)

The board of directors

For further information, please contact:

Maria Dahllof Tullberg

Head of IR, Communications & Sustainability

maria.tullberg@vimian.com

+46 736 26 88 86

About Vimian

Vimian is a global, fast-growing group of innovation-driven companies with a shared passion for making a positive impact through improving animal health. Together, we put science, technology and our customers' needs at the centre of everything we do to deliver effective solutions to veterinary professionals, labs and pet parents around the world. We bring together pioneering and entrepreneurial businesses in animal health, with an aim to create a uniquely diversified proposition of products and services of the highest standard. Our group covers four essential and rapidly evolving areas within animal health: Specialty Pharma, Diagnostics, Veterinary Services and MedTech. Vimian provides individual businesses with access to our networks, expertise, infrastructure and capital to accelerate innovation and growth. We are as passionate about supporting leadership within our existing businesses, as we are about welcoming new partners to the Vimian family - together helping us make an even greater impact by improving animal health. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Vimian and our family of companies reach over 15,000 customers in +150 markets, employ more than 600 people and have a combined annual turnover of approximately EUR 170 million. FNCA Sweden AB is appointed the Company's Certified Adviser, info@fnca.se, +46 (0) 8-528 00 399. For more information, please visit: www.vimian.com.

Attachments

Notice of Annual General Meeting in Vimian Group AB (publ)

SOURCE: Vimian Group

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699904/Notice-of-Annual-General-Meeting-in-Vimian-Group-AB-publ
LONDON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nossa Data, the fintech start-up that is helping corporates to streamline their ESG reporting, has raised a 1.2m seed round led by Symvan Capital and BGF. The round also brings in prominent angel investors as well as follow-on funding from SFC Capital and Techstars.

Founded by Julianne Flesher (CEO) and Irina Dumitrescu (CTO) the pair started the company in 2020 when they repeatedly saw how burdensome ESG disclosure was for companies.

Nossa Data's software offers companies everything they need to streamline their ESG disclosure in a single place. They offer a number of benefits, including template reporting to the top ESG frameworks including SASB Standards and TCFD, benchmarking of a company's ESG performance versus its peers, detailed workflow optimisation for peer collaboration and AI insights.

Over the course of 2021 the team fine-tuned their product even further while working directly with hundreds of the world's largest corporations through a direct partnership with The Workforce Disclosure Initiative (WDI) set up by the NGO, ShareAction.

Nossa Data CEO, Julianne Flesher, said: "We spoke to the ESG disclosure teams at the world's largest companies and it was shocking to learn how much time they need to spend on repetitive disclosures. For a large corporation, they are currently expected to respond to about a dozen distinct ESG frameworks - that does not even include the additional ad-hoc investor questionnaires or ESG rating agency requests they receive.

"Getting to work with an emerging standard like the WDI was an amazing opportunity for our team. Our software enabled all 170 WDI disclosing companies including half of the FTSE 100 such as Unilever, Barclays, AstraZeneca, H&M and more to submit their 2021 data on key workforce topics. Through this collaboration we have collected thousands of pieces of product feedback that have directly impacted how our product works today."

With the funding the team will continue to develop their ESG reporting software and improve customer experience and efficiencies.

Michael Theodosiou, investment manager at Symvan Capital, said: "The UK becoming the first G20 country to enshrine TCFD into legislation is a clear demonstration of the increasing importance of ESG disclosures and practices in society, creating a wealth of opportunities for both impact and returns. Nossa Data's thoughtful 'company-centric' approach combined with a SaaS tool differentiates them from an increasingly crowded field of investor-centric offerings. As early-stage investors, we are also invariably investing in the founders as much as the business, and Julianne and Irina impressed us from the start with passion that is matched with knowledge, pragmatism, and work ethic, and we are excited to be a part of helping them to succeed on their mission."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1808760/Nossa_Data_Team.jpg
BLACKROCK LATIN AMERICAN INVESTMENT TRUST PLC (the "Company")

LEI: UK9OG5Q0CYUDFGRX4151

Voting Rights and Capital (Article 15 Transparency Directive, DTR 5.6)

In conformity with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule 5.6.1R, the Company would like to notify the market of the following:

As at 30 April 2022, BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust plc's capital consists of 39,259,620 Ordinary Shares of 10 cents each, carrying one vote each, excluding 2,181,662 ordinary shares held in treasury.

As at 30 April 2022, the total number of voting rights for Ordinary shareholders in BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust plc is 39,259,620.

Shareholders should use 39,259,620 as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company.

All enquiries:

Sarah Beynsberger

BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, Company Secretary

Tel: 0207 743 2639

3 May 2022
It also aims to raise USD 10 million to rehome 2,500 Ukrainian refugees

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - The past few weeks have seen Philcoin achieve tremendous milestones. The world's first and only philanthropic cryptocurrency saw its token value increase by 67% within 48 hours of its decentralized exchange listing in March. To add to its list of accolades, Philcoin announced its centralized exchange listing on MEXC Global on Thursday 22 April 2022 - a centralized exchange which recently achieved the title of 'Best Crypto Exchange in Asia' at the Crypto Expo held in Dubai this year.

Philcoin

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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MEXC is one of the world's leading digital-asset trading platforms and offers users one-stop services regarding digital assets with top-notch security to fully ensure the safety of each user's assets. Philcoin has also been listed on the world's best price-tracking sites including CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko, Binance and Crypto.com - each requiring a rigorous due diligence process proving Philcoin's commitment to be renowned as a highly trusted and credentialed cryptocurrency.

Speaking on Philcoin's achievements and future endeavors, Jerry Lopez, CEO and Founder said, "The success of Philcoin so far has surpassed all of my expectations and more. It's proof that when you put humanity, purpose and impact at the core of your business; the world will respond with love and support. I am deeply humbled by what we have achieved so far, and I am excited to further our reach so that we can change the way giving happens. Through the adoption of Philcoin, we are able to bridge philanthropy and technology to ensure those who need financial aid can receive it instantly. The faster we, as a global movement, can facilitate instant donations and token utility; the faster we can help heal the world."

Dunstan Teo, Founder and Investor of Philcoin added, "Having MEXC Global as our first centralized exchange listing is a proud moment for Philcoin and adds yet another level of confidence for our users. In the coming months, we will announce more listings, giving our community more choice when it comes to where they want to buy and hold Philcoin."

Philcoin has also announced its first philanthropic initiative in support of the Ukraine war. Through its ever-growing community of 250 million members around the world, Philcoin aims to raise USD 10 million to rehome 2,500 Ukrainian refugees. It plans to work with some of the world's best-known charities who can provide on-the-ground support in Ukraine and help disperse the funds to those in need.

Philcoin is a British Virgin Islands company with global operations spanning the USA, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Australia, Philippines, India, Spain, Colombia and Finland. It plans to further extend its reach into developing countries within the coming months.

For more information, follow Philcoin on Telegram and Twitter for instant updates. You can also find them on Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, Instagram, Reddit and Medium.

About Philcoin:

Philcoin is an award-winning philanthropic movement in the blockchain whose purpose is to establish a global interactive ecosystem where the daily use of IOT "Internet of Things" (social media, television, means of communication) become a rail where people can earn while they use the products and services.

Given our history of humanitarian support and endeavors, Philcoin's purpose is to GIVE BACK while people transact in BLOCKCHAIN.

Philcoin's vision is to create the largest community of philanthropists around the world in a time and age where over 1.7B people are unbanked, over 55% of people in the USA alone cannot read a book at an 8th grade level, and where giving back has been ignored as a global initiative in the blockchain space. A space where billions of dollars have been directed to projects without a purpose.

Philcoin's mission is to help people build a digital economy while chatting, watching television, playing video games, getting educated and shopping. As well as using our philanthropic partnerships which allows everyone an equal opportunity in generating digital wealth, Philcoin uses Smart contracts which demonstrate a high level of a transparency, and a user-friendly environment, whilst fulfilling the purpose of the 17 SDGs and every humanitarian support in our ecosystem.

For collaborations, partnerships & media enquiries, please contact:

Tatum April, Chief Marketing Officer

tatumapril@philcoin.io

+971504099892

https://philcoin.io

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122359
Tubulis today announced the successful completion of a 60 million (USD $63 million) Series B financing led by Andera Partners with participation from new investors Evotec and Fund+. All existing investors also participated in the round, including Bayern Kapital (with Wachstumsfonds Bayern 2), BioMedPartners, coparion, High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF), OCCIDENT and Seventure Partners. The new capital will be used to advance Tubulis' proprietary pipeline of uniquely assembled antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), towards clinical evaluation as well as introduce programs addressing a range of solid tumor indications. The proceeds will enable the company to deliver the true therapeutic potential of ADCs through further innovation of novel payload classes and identification of new cancer targets.

"This funding emphasizes that Tubulis is uniquely positioned to consolidate the findings of the last 20 years in the ADC field and translate this understanding into meaningful therapeutic benefits for patients. We have reached an important inflection point in the development of our platform technologies as well as our pipeline of highly novel protein-drug conjugates and we are now focused on unlocking new avenues in the treatment of solid tumors bringing safe and effective ADCs to patients," said Dominik Schumacher, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Tubulis. "With this capital in place, we will execute on our growth strategy, including important focus areas for our pipeline and for how we can apply our proprietary technologies, biologic insights and new mechanisms of action to enable the true therapeutic value inherent in targeted therapeutics."

In conjunction with the round, Sofia Ioannidou, PhD, Partner at Andera Partners, Thomas Hanke, PhD, EVP, Head of Academic Partnerships at Evotec as well as Jan Van den Bossche, Partner at Fund+ will join Tubulis' Board of Directors consisting of Sebastian Punzeler, PhD, Principal at coparion, Dominik Schumacher, PhD, CEO of Tubulis and Christian Grndahl, MD, DVM, PhD, MBA, the Chairman of the Board. In addition, Valentin Piech, PhD, Partner at BioMedPartners will take over the board seat from Michael Wacker, PhD, General Partner at BioMedPartners. Biographies for all board members can be found on the website using the following link.

"With its unique toolkit of proprietary technologies and its pipeline of differentiated ADC candidates, Tubulis holds a compelling position in the ADC field," stated Andera Partners' Sofia Ioannidou, PhD. "We look forward to supporting this talented team in bringing innovative ADCs to patients and are confident that Tubulis has the potential to become a leader in the next era of ADC drug development."

Tubulis' capability of creating a pipeline of antibody-drug conjugates is based on a diverse range of targeting molecules, novel payloads and proprietary conjugation technologies. They enable the discovery of truly innovative ADCs that go beyond traditional payload classes and can increase antibody conjugation options via novel chemical groups leading to stable, high drug-to-antibody ratios. Tubulis has developed superior Topoisomerase-I linker-payloads with significantly improved pharmacokinetic properties and unique conjugation chemistry enabling access to a novel payload class that has been chemically challenging for conjugation in the past.

The company's lead tumor-targeting assets build upon this technological breadth and are currently in preclinical development addressing several high unmet medical need indications. Tubulis' pipeline also includes a program for hematological tumors, which is on the path towards IND-readiness. Tubulis remains focused on pairing novel payloads with disease-specific targets to tackle the five deadliest cancer indications globally.

Baker McKenzie (Julia Braun) served as counsel for new Series B investors and CMS (Stefan-Ulrich Muller) for Tubulis.

About Tubulis

Tubulis generates uniquely matched protein-drug conjugates through the combination of novel proprietary technologies and disease-specific biologic insight. Our goal is to expand the therapeutic potential of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) by increasing design flexibility while overcoming constraints of toxicity, efficacy and indication. Tubulis will build new conjugates to fill its growing pipeline and will continue to collaborate with industry partners to usher in a new ADC era and deliver better outcomes for patients. Visit www.tubulis.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Andera Partners

Created over 20 years ago, Andera Partners is a major player in private company investments in France and internationally. Its teams manage over 3.2 billion in investments in life sciences (Andera Life Sciences), growth and buyout capital (Andera MidCap, Andera Expansion, Andera Croissance, Andera Co-Invest), sponsor-less transactions (Andera Acto) and ecological transition (Andera Infra).

Based in Paris, with offices in Antwerp and Munich, Andera Partners is wholly owned by its teams, which count nearly 90 professionals, of which 56 are investment professionals. It is structured as a partnership and managed by a board of 10 partners. Responsible and committed, the management company regularly forms partnerships with non-profit sector entities and takes concrete action in the fight against global warming. Andera Partners has been certified carbon neutral since 2018.

Andera's 15-person life sciences team brings together extensive experience in the life sciences industry, private equity and venture capital. Active since 2000, the team has raised over 1.1 billion through its BioDiscovery family of funds and is currently investing from its new BioDiscovery 6 fund. Since inception, the BioDiscovery funds have invested in more than 75 European and U.S. biotech and medtech companies. For further information, please visit www.anderapartners.com.

About Bayern Kapital

Bayern Kapital GmbH based in Landshut was founded on the initiative of the Bavarian government in 1995. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bavarian LfA Forderbank. As the venture capital organisation of the Land of Bavaria, Bayern Kapital provides equity capital financing for the founders of young innovative technology companies in Bavaria. Presently, Bayern Kapital manages thirteen investment funds with a total volume of around 700m. So far, it has invested roughly 350m in about 300 innovative companies in the fields of technology in various sectors including life science, software IT, medical technology, materials and new materials, nanotechnology and environmental technology. In this way, more than 8000 long-term jobs in sustainable companies have been created in Bavaria. www.bayernkapital.de

About BioMedPartners

Based in Basel, Switzerland, BioMedPartners is an independent European venture capital firm that acts as lead- or co-lead investor providing private equity to early- to mid-stage life sciences companies. Since 2002, BioMedPartners has invested in several highly innovative companies of which twenty-five have already either successfully been acquired by leading biopharma companies or have completed an IPO. With more than CHF 350 million in capital raised for Life Sciences exclusively and a strong team of experienced industry experts as well as an extensive scientific and pharma network, BioMedPartners has established itself as one of the leading early-stage human healthcare investors in Europe.

For further information please visit: www.biomedvc.com

About coparion

coparion provides venture capital to accelerate momentum and growth. With a current active fund of EUR 275m coparion has the means to do so. coparion supports entrepreneurial vision with know-how, but without intervening in daily business operations. Thanks to in-depth experience in venture capital and in building companies, the coparion team discerns potentials and opens up new perspectives. coparion only invests with co-investors. The fund invests up to EUR 10m per company, usually in several financing rounds of EUR 1-5m each. Investment focus is on German companies in the start-up and early growth phase. coparion is based in Cologne and Berlin. www.coparion.vc

About Evotec SE

Evotec is a life science company with a unique business model that delivers on its mission to discover and develop highly effective therapeutics and make them available to the patients. The Company's multimodality platform comprises a unique combination of innovative technologies, data and science for the discovery, development, and production of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products. Evotec leverages this "Data-driven R&D Autobahn to Cures" for proprietary projects and within a network of partners including all Top 20 Pharma and over 800 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, as well as other healthcare stakeholders. Evotec has strategic activities in a broad range of currently underserved therapeutic areas, including e.g. neurology, oncology, as well as metabolic and infectious diseases. Within these areas of expertise, Evotec aims to create the world-leading co-owned pipeline for innovative therapeutics and has to-date established a portfolio of more than 200 proprietary and co-owned R&D projects from early discovery to clinical development. Evotec operates globally with more than 4,200 highly qualified people. The Company's 15 sites offer highly synergistic technologies and services and operate as complementary clusters of excellence. For additional information please go to www.evotec.com and follow us on Twitter @Evotec and LinkedIn.

About Fund+

Fund+ is a Belgian venture capital firm that invests in innovative European Life Sciences companies developing drugs, medical devices and diagnostics, with a strong focus on patient-centric approaches and major unmet medical needs. With over 200M in assets under management, Fund+ has built a strong track record since 2015, investing in 17 portfolio companies with two major exits. The fund is managed by a specialist team of seasoned life sciences professionals with healthcare industry, corporate finance and strategy consulting experience, supporting companies throughout their growth cycle. The company aims to maintain a leading position in the Life Sciences sector, creating sustainable value for its shareholders and a tangible impact on society.

For more information, please visit: www.fundplus.be

About High-Tech Grunderfonds

High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven start-ups. With around EUR 900 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge more than 650 start-ups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and startup experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGF's focus is on high-tech start-ups in the fields of digital tech, industrial technology, life sciences, chemistry and related business areas. To date, external investors have injected more than EUR 4 billion into the HTGF portfolio via more than 1,900 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully sold interests in more than 150 companies.

Fund Investors in the public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and 32 companies.

www.htgf.de/en

About OCCIDENT

OCCIDENT is an international venture capital investor with offices in Zug and Munich, is owner-managed and invests own wealth. Its aim is to make a positive contribution to society through sustainable and meaningful investments.

OCCIDENT invests in innovative deep tech start-ups with excellent technologies in the fields of life sciences, digital and high-tech with broad application possibilities and the potential for further value-generating developments. The geographic focus is Germany and Switzerland. The preferred stage for initial financing is from seed rounds or later and from 0.5 million euros. OCCIDENT distinguishes itself in particular by its in-depth knowledge of the technology and the versatile support offered to its portfolio companies by its competent team of experts. For more information, please visit www.occident.group.

About Seventure Partners

Seventure Partners is a long term equity investor who actively supports innovative companies aiming at generating positive impacts on Humankind, Society, Sustainability and the Planet.

With 900m net commitments under management as of the end of 2021, Seventure is a leading venture capital firm in Europe investing since 1997 in innovative businesses with high growth potential in 2 main fields: 1/Life sciences (Biotech, Health digital Health, Nutrition, Foodtech, Blue Economy, Aquaculture, Animal Agriculture, Sport Wellness with a specific interest for MICROBIOME-related innovations) across Europe, Israel, Asia and North America and 2/Digital technologies in Western Europe.

Investments can range between 500k and 10m per round, or up to 20m per company, from early to late stage, growth, pre-IPO and IPO.

With Health for Life Capital funds (160ME and 250ME) and its co-investments funds, Seventure is worldwide leader in microbiome investments with more than 20 microbiome companies in its portfolio to date.

For more details: http://www.seventure.fr/en Twitter: @seventurep

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005676/en/

Contacts:

For Tubulis

Dominik Schumacher, CEO Co-Founder

Phone: 49 (0) 89 2180 74233

Email: info@tubulis.com

Media Requests for Tubulis

Trophic Communications

Stephanie May or Laura Mittmann

Phone: +49 (0) 171 185 5682

Email: tubulis@trophic.eu
German-founded finance software company publishes its growth figures for 2021 and Q1 2022 - driving its vision of digital transformation in accounting to the next level

LONDON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LucaNet is on track to reach their ambitious growth goal in the UK for the next year running. The Financial Performance Management software provider has helped many companies around the country in recent years, however their vision to simplify the work of corporate finance and accounting teams in an era of digital transformation does not stop here and it's more relevant now than ever.

Made in Germany since 1999, LucaNet provides a high-quality software to corporate finance teams, for financial consolidation, planning, reporting and data management. LucaNet takes an active role in supporting the new reality of the accounting function. By automating all financial processes in a single solution, it enables finance teams to save time, produce reliable and audit-ready data- available for CEO's strategic decisions, whilst freeing their team's time for more meaningful tasks. Quality that was awarded by G2 most recently as Winter Leader 2022.

The significance of digital transformation in ensuring long-term business success is constantly growing. As a result, more and more companies are incorporating digitalisation processes, and no, this is not something that has happened overnight, but rather over the course of years - in the context of recent global events: the Covid-19 pandemic, remote working, the Great Resignation as well as new regulations including ESG reporting and finally the auditing crisis in the UK. The industry's move towards digital change is considerably often harder to ignore and seems inevitable.

Growth Plans for 2022

For the last few years, LucaNet has been driving more and more companies to incorporate digitalisation processes and supporting the long-term success of their customers. This is clear from the 77% growth in the UK in 2021 and plans to reach 65% of growth in 2022.

"We are excited about our continuous growth in the UK market and grateful for the trust our customers and partners have in us. It shows us that the focus on our mission to make the life of finance professionals easier, leads us in the right direction and solves challenges for our clients," Andreas Ley, Managing Director of LucaNet UK.

Accountex 2022

This May, LucaNet's participation at Europe's largest trade show for finance and accounting - Accountex, will further support its vision of digital transformation in the UK. LucaNet is to meet with CFOs, Groups Financial Controllers and FP&A Managers to understand their challenges but also to showcase how the companies that work with LucaNet have benefited hugely from investing in the new technology that took their finance teams to the next level.

About LucaNet

Since 1999, LucaNet has been going the extra mile as market leader in Financial Performance Management. We offer easy-to-use software coupled with expert consulting to master financial consolidation, planning, reporting and data management. Our award-winning software provides 100% reliable data, making the lives of CFOs, controllers, and group accountants a lot easier - every single day. This is why more than 3,500 customers in over 50 countries have put their trust in LucaNet.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1804767/Andreas_Ley_LucaNet.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1782716/LucaNet_Logo.jpg

Media contact:

Alexandra Cianciara

Marketing Manager at LucaNet

alexandrac@lucanet.com
Breakthrough Expands Platform in Europe with Second U.K. Acquisition in 2022

LOS ANGELES and LONDON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Breakthrough Properties, a leading global developer of life sciences real estate backed by a joint venture of Tishman Speyer and Bellco Capital, today announced it has acquired The Vitrum Building, located on 1.8 acres inside St. John's Innovation Park in Cambridge, England, one of the region's premier clusters for life science innovation.

A leader in development and operations of life science workspaces, Breakthrough Properties creates purpose-built, Class A office and lab environments, promotes elevated user experiences and provides companies with access to its world renowned Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

St. John's Innovation Park, which sits on 21 acres, provides a campus-style setting close to both the Cambridge town center and major transportation routes. It and the adjacent Cambridge Science Park together form the Northern Cluster, Cambridge's premier life sciences and technology district. The Northern Cluster is already home to many of the UK's most dynamic life science companies, which are developing transformative drugs for patients around the world.

To help meet the growing demand for high-quality lab space in one of the U.K.'s most supply-constrained clusters, Breakthrough intends to work collaboratively with local stakeholders to reposition in a manner that respects and enhances the long-term plan for the St. John's Innovation Park.

"We have strong conviction in the future of the European life sciences market and are actively exploring opportunities to deliver best-in-class research and development facilities to support the continued advancement of life changing discoveries," said Daniel D'Orazi, EVP and Chief Investment Officer, Breakthrough Properties. "We are particularly excited about the prospects for continued growth throughout the Golden Triangle, where the majority of all U.K. life science investment occurs."

Added Tishman Speyer Managing Director Justin Woolf, "Backed by Tishman Speyer's global development expertise and Bellco's deep relationships with the world's leading life sciences research and development firms, Breakthrough Properties is uniquely positioned to conceive, create and maintain premier ecosystems throughout the world. We look forward to collaborating on a redevelopment of the Vitrum Building that aligns with the overall vision for St. John's Innovation Park."

This purchase marks Breakthrough's second U.K. acquisition in 2022. In late January, Breakthrough purchased the 1.7-acre Trinity House site in Oxford, where it intends to create a purpose-built, Class A office and lab environment. With its latest acquisition, Breakthrough now has 4.6 million square feet in its under-construction and near-term development pipeline across the United States and Europe.

Breakthrough puts sustainability at the forefront of all of its initiatives with a particular emphasis on increasing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and providing healthy workspaces for users. Breakthrough Properties targets BREEAM Outstanding certification in all of its projects across the United Kingdom and EU markets, as well as LEED Gold certification at its United States properties, which stretch from San Diego to Boston.

About Breakthrough Properties (www.btprop.com)

Formed in 2019 as a joint venture between global real estate owner, developer and investor Tishman Speyer and biotechnology investment firm Bellco Capital, Breakthrough Properties is a life science real estate development company that leverages cross-sector collaboration to deliver environments that foster innovation and scientific breakthroughs. Breakthrough Properties' mission is to acquire, develop and operate the best life science properties in leading urban technology centers around the world and support scientific innovation across biotechnology, agriculture and nutrition. Breakthrough combines Tishman Speyer's decades of global real estate development experience with Bellco Capital's industry-making biotechnology entrepreneurship to reimagine environments where companies can create life-changing therapies for patients.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1809578/Aerial_of_Cambridge__UK___Courtesy_of_Adobe_Photos.jpg
DGAP-News: Andera Partners / Key word(s): Financing

Andera Partners supports Tubulis in a 60 million Series B financing to accelerate the development of its ADCs



03.05.2022 / 11:05

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Press Release

Andera Partners supports Tubulis in a 60 million Series B financing

to accelerate the development of its ADCs

Paris, France and Munich, Germany, May 3, 2022 - Andera Partners, a leading European private equity player, through its biotech and medtech practice Andera Life Sciences, announced today that it is leading a 60 million (USD $63 million) Series B financing round for Tubulis with participation from new investors Evotec and Fund+. All existing investors also participated in the round, including Bayern Kapital (with Wachstumsfonds Bayern 2), BioMedPartners, coparion, High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF), OCCIDENT and Seventure Partners. The new capital will be used to advance Tubulis' proprietary pipeline of uniquely assembled antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) towards clinical evaluation as well as introduce programs addressing a range of solid tumor indications. The proceeds will enable the company to deliver the true therapeutic potential of ADCs through further innovation of novel payload classes and identification of new cancer targets.

"This funding emphasizes that Tubulis is uniquely positioned to consolidate the findings of the last 20 years in the ADC field and translate this understanding into meaningful therapeutic benefits for patients. We have reached an important inflection point in the development of our platform technologies, as well as our pipeline of highly novel protein-drug conjugates and we are now focused on unlocking new avenues in the treatment of solid tumors, bringing safe and effective ADCs to patients," said Dominik Schumacher, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Tubulis. "With this capital in place, we will execute on our growth strategy, including important focus areas for our pipeline and for how we can apply our proprietary technologies, biologic insights and new mechanisms of action to enable the true therapeutic value inherent in targeted therapeutics."

In conjunction with the round, Sofia Ioannidou, PhD, Partner at Andera Partners, Thomas Hanke, PhD, EVP, Head of Academic Partnerships at Evotec as well as Jan Van den Bossche, Partner at Fund+ will join Tubulis' Board of Directors, consisting of Sebastian Punzeler, PhD, Principal at coparion, Dominik Schumacher, PhD, CEO of Tubulis and Christian Grndahl, MD, DVM, PhD, MBA, the Chairman of the Board. In addition, Valentin Piech, PhD, Partner at BioMedPartners will take over the board seat from Michael Wacker, PhD, General Partner at BioMedPartners.

"With its unique toolkit of proprietary technologies and its pipeline of differentiated ADC candidates, Tubulis holds a compelling position in the ADC field," stated Andera Partners' Sofia Ioannidou, PhD. "We look forward to supporting this talented team in bringing innovative ADCs to patients and are confident that Tubulis has the potential to become a leader in the next era of ADC drug development."

Olivier Litzka, PhD, partner in the Munich office of Andera Partners, added: "The Tubulis funding is significant for Andera as it is our first new investment in Germany after the opening of our Munich office in April 2021. While we have been investing in Germany since 2001, we see an increasing number of high-profile companies, which led to our recent portfolio additions T-Knife in Berlin, TRiCares in Munich, and Exciva in Heidelberg."

Tubulis' capability of creating a pipeline of antibody-drug conjugates is based on a diverse range of targeting molecules, novel payloads and proprietary conjugation technologies. They enable the discovery of truly innovative ADCs that go beyond traditional payload classes and can increase antibody conjugation options via novel chemical groups leading to stable, high drug-to-antibody ratios. Tubulis has developed superior Topoisomerase-I linker-payloads with significantly improved pharmacokinetic properties and unique conjugation chemistry enabling access to a novel payload class that has been chemically challenging for conjugation in the past.

The company's lead tumor-targeting assets build upon this technological breadth and are currently in preclinical development addressing several high unmet medical need indications. Tubulis' pipeline also includes a program for hematological tumors, which is on the path towards IND-readiness. Tubulis remains focused on pairing novel payloads with disease-specific targets to tackle the five deadliest cancer indications globally.

Baker McKenzie (Julia Braun) served as counsel for new Series B investors and CMS (Stefan-Ulrich Muller) for Tubulis.

About Andera Partners

Created over 20 years ago, Andera Partners is a major player in private company investments in France and internationally. Its teams manage over 3.2 billion in investments in life sciences (Andera Life Sciences), growth and buyout capital (Andera MidCap, Andera Expansion, Andera Croissance, Andera Co-Invest), sponsorless transactions (Andera Acto) and ecological transition (Andera Infra).

Based in Paris, with offices in Antwerp and Munich, Andera Partners is wholly owned by its teams, which count nearly 90 professionals, of which 56 are investment professionals. It is structured as a partnership and managed by a board of 10 partners. Responsible and committed, the management company regularly forms partnerships with non-profit sector entities and takes concrete action in the fight against global warming. Andera Partners has been certified carbon neutral since 2018.

Andera's 15-person life sciences team brings together extensive experience in the life sciences industry, private equity and venture capital. Active since 2000, the team has raised over 1.1 billion through its BioDiscovery family of funds and is currently investing from its new BioDiscovery 6 fund. Since inception, the BioDiscovery funds have invested in more than 75 European and U.S. biotech and medtech companies.

For further information, please visit www.anderapartners.com.

About Tubulis

Tubulis generates uniquely matched protein-drug conjugates through the combination of novel proprietary technologies and disease-specific biologic insight. Our goal is to expand the therapeutic potential of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) by increasing design flexibility while overcoming constraints of toxicity, efficacy and indication. Tubulis will build new conjugates to fill its growing pipeline and will continue to collaborate with industry partners to usher in a new ADC era and deliver better outcomes for patients. Visit www.tubulis.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contacts:

Nicolas DELSERT, Andera Partners: +33 6 22 67 71 17 / n.delsert@anderapartners.com

Marie-Charlotte POTET, Bien Commun Advisory: +33 6 47 97 39 46 / mc.potet@bcadvisory.fr

Raimund GABRIEL, MC Services: +49 89 210 228 30 / raimund.gabriel@mc-services.eu

Dr. Johanna KOBLER, MC Services: +49 89 210 228 46 / johanna.kobler@mc-services.eu

03.05.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


GOLDEN, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:PLSH) is pleased to announce that Leslie Buttorff will be in attendance at The Q2 Investor Summit Group - In-Person. Panacea Life Sciences Holdings' Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Buttorff, will discuss the company's roadmap for growth in the next 1-2 years.

Event: The Q2 Investor Summit Group Date: May 3-4, 2022 Location: The Westin New York Grand Central

212 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 Presentation: May 3rd at 1:15PM ET View webcast presentation: https://newsroom.panacealife.com

1x1s will be available for qualified investors

The conference is completely complimentary to qualified investors. Please register at Complimentary Investor Registration

About Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc.

Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:PLSH) is a fully integrated FDA, cGMP certified, seed-to-sale cannabinoid product focused company. We research, develop, manufacture and commercialize raw materials derived from industrial hemp and custom formulate, manufacture and distribute softgels (both bovine and vegan), gummies, tinctures, sublingual tablets, patches, K-Tape, topical pain relief and skin care products as our base business. We have expanded our research and development preclinical and clinical programs, with a focus on nutraceutical and purposeful, natural pharmaceutical alternatives for humans and companion animals. We research, produce, and distribute products both domestically and internationally that target and treat major categories of medical conditions: pain, cancer, psychological, epilepsy, gastrointestinal, autoimmune, neurological, and sleep disorders and support these product through clinical research and studies. These categories include conditions that affect hundreds of millions of patients and animals worldwide.Our vision is to become the leading research and manufacturing cannabinoid and nutraceutical company (top 10 in terms of revenue and brand) in the U.S.

For further information:

Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc.

Leslie Buttorff

3034340215

leslie.buttorff@panacealife.com

About the Investor Summit Group

The Investor Summit Group (formerly MicroCap Conference) is an exclusive, independent conference dedicated to connecting smallcap and microcap companies with qualified investors. The Q2 Investor Summit Group will take place in-person, featuring 65+ companies and over 300 investors comprising institutional investors, family offices, and high net worth investors. Sectors Participating: Biotech, Communication Services, Consumer, Energy, Energy/Tech, Financial, Healthcare, Industrials, Materials, Real Estate, Technology, and Tech/Crypt. info@investorsummitgroup.com

SOURCE: Panacea Life Sciences, Inc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699840/Panacea-Life-Sciences-Holdings-Inc-Announces-Participation-in-Investor-Summit-Groups-Q2-In-Person-Conference
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - Alpha Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: ALEX) ("Alpha" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from 14 of 19 reverse-circulation (RC) drill holes at the Aburna gold prospect, part of the Company's 100% owned Kerkasha Project, Eritrea.

Highlights

Drill hole ABR-005 in the Hill 52 location intersected 15 meters averaging 5.85 g/t gold.

Drill hole ABR-008 in the Celebration Hill location intersected 10 meters averaging 5.24 g/t gold.

The Aburna gold prospect on the Kerkasha Project has not been previously drilled. This initial drilling program was conducted in February and March 2022 and consisted of 19 angled RC holes to depths of 60 to 222 meters (see Drill Collar Table 2 below for more details)

Michael Hopley, Alpha President & CEO said, "We are very encouraged with these initial drill results from Aburna, particularly because of the very large size potential of the prospect indicated from earlier trenching over approximately 4 km by 2 kms. The results to date show impressive widths of strong gold mineralization in two areas of interests at Aburna - Hill 52 and Celebration Hill. Now that these areas have demonstrated possible economic grade mineralisation is present, further drilling will focus on determining the strike extent and width of mineralisation.

Table 1: Summary of Best Intervals from recent drilling at Aburna.

Hole Number From (m) To (m) Interval (m)* Au (g/t) Area ABR-001 2 16 14 0.87 Hill 52 and 37 45 8 1.58 Hill 52 ABR-002 2 7 5 3.65 Hill 52 and 14 18 4 1.38 Hill 52 and 64 65 1 1.08 Hill 52 and 69 72 3 1.90 Hill 52 ABR-003 89 91 2 1.43 Hill 52 ABR-004 14 16 2 3.00 Hill 52 and 21 22 1 1.44 Hill 52 ABR-005 6 21 15 5.85 Hill 52 and 46 47 1 4.48 Hill 52 and 25 26 1 2.43 Hill 52 and 55 57 2 4.65 Hill 52 and 64 65 1 3.31 Hill 52 ABR-006 27 28 1 1.12 Hill 52 and 136 137 1 3.31 Hill 52 ABR-007 23 24 1 1.85 Hill 52 ABR-008 49 59 10 5.24 Celebration Hill and 85 86 1 1.57 Celebration Hill ABR-011 59 60 1 1.77 Celebration Hill ABR-012 58 59 1 1.49 Celebration Hill

*Note that at this early stage of exploration the true width of the mineralization is uncertain, but it is estimated to be 70 to 80% of reported intervals. Intervals are calculated with a start and end value of not less than 0.92g/t Au using a 0.2 g/t Au cut-off and a maximum internal dilution of 2 m.

Aburna Gold Prospect

Aburna Gold Prospect

The Aburna gold prospect is located on the western side of the Company's large Kerkasha Exploration License. Gold was mined at Aburna in the 1920s by Italian colonial miners and more recently by local artisanal miners. Earlier work by Alpha has identified gold mineralization over an area of approximately 4 km by 2 km northeast of the colonial Mine. Gold mineralization at Aburna is orogenic-type associated with three major NE-SW oriented shear zones. Recent work by Alpha has included continuous 1-m long sub-surface channel and trench sampling (See press releases on 4th November 2021 and 10th February 2022). Results have defined six prospective sub-areas namely: Hill 52, Saddle Workings, Channel 12 NE, Celebration Hill, Pad 2 and Aburna Central - (see Map 1 below). In addition, consultant structural Geologist Dr. Ghislain Tourigny has completed detailed geological mapping of these areas.

Map 1 Aburna Gold Prospect





To view an enhanced version of Map 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8361/122570_79d7f1f664bdbb38_001full.jpg

Notes

Sampling, Sub-sampling and Analysis

Geological consultants from RSC were responsible for the design of a strict QA/QC program consistent with industry best practice. Drilling was by reverse-circulation. Samples were split at the rig using a Metzke splitter, before being transported to a secure location for logging.

All samples were submitted to Nabro Laboratories Limited (Nabro), Asmara, Eritrea, for sample preparation. Samples were crushed (to 90% passing 2.8 mm) and pulverised (to 85% passing 75 m). Two scoop samples were taken from the pulveriser bowl: approximately 120 g for laboratory analysis and approximately 100 g for portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis. The coarse and pulp rejects were stored at a warehouse in Asmara. The Company inserted certified reference material from OREAS (www.ore.com.au) into the sample stream, while Nabro inserted barren granodiorite material into the sample stream as a blank.

Drill samples were shipped to ALS Geochemistry (ALS), Loughrea, Ireland, for analysis. ALS analyzed all drill samples for gold by method Au-AA26 (50 g charge fire assay, AAS finish). ALS is independent of the Company and its quality management systems framework is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 or certified to ISO 9001:2015 standards.

Table 2 Drill Collar Data

Prospect Hole Type East (UTM) North (UTM) RL Azimuth () DIP () Started Ended Depth (m) Aburna ABR001 RC 340821 1651448 920 315 -50 2/26/2022 2/26/2022 78 Aburna ABR002 RC 340852 1651421 942 315 -50 2/27/2022 2/27/2022 108 Aburna ABR003 RC 340875 1651392 937 315 -50 2/28/2022 2/28/2022 150 Aburna ABR004 RC 340904 1651359 946 315 -50 1/3/2022 1/3/2022 84 Aburna ABR005 RC 340873 1651265 965 315 -50 3/2/2022 3/4/2022 222 Aburna ABR006 RC 340878 1651331 931 315 -50 3/4/2022 3/5/2022 180 Aburna ABR007 RC 340826 1651328 941 315 -50 3/6/2022 3/6/2022 90 Aburna ABR008 RC 341631 1650633 930 315 -50 3/7/2022 3/8/2022 102 Aburna ABR009 RC 341546 1650555 948 315 -50 3/8/2022 3/8/2022 72 Aburna ABR010 RC 341504 1650476 958 315 -50 3/9/2022 3/9/2022 78 Aburna ABR011 RC 341388 1650261 950 315 -50 3/9/2022 3/10/2022 84 Aburna ABR012 RC 341221 1650082 944 315 -50 3/10/2022 3/10/2022 78 Aburna ABR013 RC 340406 1649981 981 315 -50 3/11/2022 3/11/2022 60 Aburna ABR014 RC 340406 1649981 981 315 -70 3/11/2022 3/12/2022 84 Aburna ABR015 RC 341571 1651533 936 315 -50 3/14/2022 3/14/2022 114 Aburna ABR016 RC 340850 1651234 950 315 -50 3/15/2022 3/16/2022 186 Aburna ABR017 RC 340823 1651264 945 315 -50 3/16/2000 3/17/2022 100 Aburna ABR018 RC 340906 1651240 965 315 -50 3/18/2022 3/18/2022 70 Aburna ABR019 RC 341756 1651866 943 315 -50 3/18/2022 3/18/2022 60 Total 2,000

About Alpha

Alpha is an exploration company listed on the TSX-V exchange under the symbol ALEX that has made 3 important discoveries in 2 years at it's Kerkasha Project in Eritrea:

Anagulu porphyry gold-copper





Tolegimja volcanogenic-massive-sulphide (VMS)





Aburna orogenic gold

The company is managed by a group of highly experienced and successful professionals with many years of experience carrying out exploration and resource development programs in Eritrea and Sudan and is focused on the discovery of world class economic gold and base metals deposits in the highly prospective Arabian-Nubian shield, on either side of the Red Sea. Alpha currently holds a 100% interest in the large (771 km2) Kerkasha Exploration License in southwest Eritrea, located 135 km west-southwest of the capital city of Asmara. Since acquiring the property in January 2018, the company has spent approximately CAD$12 million on exploration and identified 17 in prospects of which six have been drilled to date.

For further information go to the Alpha webpage at www.alpha-exploration.com or contact:

Michael Hopley

President and Chief Executive Officer

Alpha Exploration Ltd.

Email: mhopley@alpha-exploration.com

Tel: +44 207129 1148

Qualified Person

All scientific and technical information in this press release, including the results of the Aburna drill program and how these results relate to the ongoing exploration at the Kerkasha Project has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Michael Hopley, President, Chief Executive Officer of Alpha and a "qualified person" for the purposes of national Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Cautionary Notes

This press release is intended for distribution in Canada only and is not intended for distribution to United States newswire services or dissemination in the United States.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to: future dataset interpretations, sampling, plans for its projects (including the Anagulu prospect), surveys related to Alpha's assets, and the Company's drilling program. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, Alpha has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions and the price of gold and other minerals. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of Alpha believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to Alpha's financing efforts; risks associated with the business of Alpha given its limited operating history; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); risks related to the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, its impact on general economic conditions, the ability to obtain financing as required, and causing potential delays to exploration activities; those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Final Prospectus; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. Alpha does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122570
Avolon reports increased revenue and cash collections as borders reopen

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announces results for the first quarter (Q1) of 2022.

2022 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

INCOME STATEMENT ($ MILLION) Q1 2022 Q1 2021 CHANGE Lease Revenue 658 470 188 Net Loss (182) (83) (99) Adjusted Net Income/(Loss) (excluding Russia) 80 (83) 163

BALANCE SHEET ($ MILLION) Q1 2022 FY 2021 CHANGE Total Available Liquidity 5,372 6,256 (884) Total Assets 30,521 30,984 (463) Secured Debt Total Assets 20% 20% Net Debt to Equity 2.4x 2.4x

Delivered $658 million of lease revenue and generated $320 million of net cash from operating activities in the quarter;

Adjusted Net Income of $80 million excluding the impact of Russia;

Ended the quarter with total available liquidity of $5.4 billion, including $477 million of unrestricted cash and $4.9 billion of undrawn debt facilities;

Raised $300 million of drawn and revolving unsecured debt facilities, bringing total revolving debt capacity to $5.9bn at quarter end;

Declared and paid a dividend of $12.5 million in respect of FY21 and released $104.7 million of previously withheld dividends to Bohai; and

Ended the year with a secured debt to total assets ratio of 20%, over $17 billion of unencumbered assets and net leverage of 2.4x.

2022 FIRST QUARTER FLEET HIGHLIGHTS

Owned and managed fleet of 592 aircraft at quarter end, with total orders and commitments for 240 fuel-efficient, new technology aircraft;

Average owned fleet age of 6.0 years with an average remaining lease term of 6.9 years;

Delivered a total of 6 new aircraft to 4 customers and transitioned 11 aircraft to follow-on lessees;

Executed commitments for the sale and leaseback of 16 aircraft;

Sold 3 owned aircraft and entered into letters of intent for the sale of a further 35 owned aircrraft; and

Ended the first quarter with a total of 142 airline customers operating in 61 countries.

2022 FIRST QUARTER IMPACT OF RUSSIA

As disclosed in Q1 update, as of 31 March, Avolon had 10 owned aircraft located in Russia representing less than 1% of Avolon's portfolio value net of security deposits and maintenance reserves;

During the quarter, Avolon recognized an impairment of $304 million in respect of our exposure to Russia, reducing the carrying value of the 10 owned aircraft to zero. This impairment is partly offset by the net release of $43 million in other lease associated balances resulting in a $261 million net impact to the income statement; and

As a result of this impairment, Avolon is reporting a net loss of $182 million for the quarter, and an adjusted net income, excluding the impact of Russia of $80 million for the period.

Domhnal Slattery, Avolon CEO, commented: "As we reflect on our performance during the quarter, first and foremost our minds are with the people of Ukraine and those both at home and abroad that are impacted at this time. We are hopeful for a swift and peaceful end to the conflict.

Given the impact of sanctions, we are recognising an impairment charge of $304 million in the first quarter in relation to our aircraft which were previously on lease in Russia. While we continue to make every effort to recover these assets and are pleased to have repossessed four aircraft, we are recognizing the full impairment this quarter, putting the financial impact of Russian sanctions firmly behind us.

Despite the headwinds of COVID-19 and Russian sanctions, we delivered our strongest quarterly underlying performance since the onset of the pandemic. Our improved year-on-year performance was largely driven by the rapid reopening of borders in Asia and increased flying globally, which supported a further improvement in the financial health of our customers and resulted in increased cash collection rates. This performance re-affirms the inherent strengths of our business and the absolute resilience of the aircraft leasing model, providing us with confidence in the outlook for the remainder of the year."

ENDS

About Avolon

Headquartered in Ireland, with offices in the United States, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Avolon provides aircraft leasing and lease management services. Avolon is 70% owned by an indirect subsidiary of Bohai Leasing Co., Ltd., a public company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SLE: 000415) and 30% owned by ORIX Aviation Systems, a subsidiary of ORIX Corporation which is listed on the Tokyo and New York Stock Exchanges (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX). Avolon is the world's second largest aircraft leasing business with an owned, managed and committed fleet, as of 31 March 2022 of 832 aircraft.

Website: www.avolon.aero

Twitter: @avolon_aero

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005683/en/

Contacts:

Ross O'Connor

Head of Capital Markets

roconnor@avolon.aero

T: +353 1 231 5818



Jonathan Neilan

FTI Consulting

avolon@fticonsulting.com

M: +353 86 231 4135
(All metal prices reported in USD)

Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL: SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) ("Sierra Metals" or "the Company") announces the filing of Sociedad Minera Corona S.A.'s ("Corona") unaudited Financial Statements and the Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the first quarter of 2022 ("Q1 2022").

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005312/en/

Image 1: Yauricocha Mine, Chumpe Plant Flotation Cells (Photo: Business Wire)

The Company holds an 81.8% interest in Corona. All amounts are presented in US dollars unless otherwise stated and have not been adjusted for the 18.2% non-controlling interest.

Corona's Q1-2022 financial statements have not been reviewed by the Sierra Metals Board. The Company will be releasing its Q1-2022 consolidated financial statements on May 11th, 2022 with an investor conference call taking place on May 12th, 2022.

Corona's Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

Revenues of US$35.8 million, a 15% decrease from Q1 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA of US$14.8 million, an 8% decrease from Q1 2021.

Total tonnes processed of 315,250, a 3% decrease from Q1 2021.

Net production revenue per tonne of ore milled decreased by 5% to US$121.34.

Cash Cost per copper equivalent payable pound higher by 48% to US$2.19.

All-in sustaining cost ("AISC") per copper equivalent payable pound higher by 40% to US$3.70.

Copper equivalent pounds production decreased 32% to 10.9 million pounds.

$17.0 million of cash and cash equivalents as at March 31, 2022.

$70.3 million of working capital as at March 31, 2022.

The Yauricocha mine processed 315,250 tons during the Q1 2022, which represents a decrease of 3% compared Q1 2021. Labor shortages were experienced in development and mining areas due to the impact of COVID-19 in January and February.

The delays in preparation of the polymetallic mining zones forced the mine to focus on copper sulfides during the quarter, which resulted in higher copper head grades, but negatively impacted grades for all other metals, except gold. Q1 2022 copper and gold production was 60% and 19% higher, while silver, lead and zinc production were 43%, 56% and 57% lower respectively as compared to Q1 2021. Copper equivalent production for Q1 2022 from Yauricocha was 10,876 pounds or 32% lower than the same quarter of 2021. This reflects the decrease in average ore grade on current permitted mining areas.

Luis Marchese, CEO of Sierra Metals, commented, "During Q1 2022, Yauricocha metal production was negatively impacted due to decreasing ore grades in the currently permitted mining areas, and Covid related labour shortages in the early part of the year."

He continued, "Looking ahead, our priority is to treat ore at full plant capacity and incorporate the newly discovered high-grade areas in order to maximize metal production at current prices."

He concluded, "We expect that we will be able to make up for the delay in production at Yauricocha, and with improved grades, we are optimistic about our progress in the Mine's performance going forward."

The following table displays selected unaudited financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

Press Release Selected Financial Results (In thousands of US dollars, except cash cost and revenue Three Months Ended per tonne metrics) March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 Var % Revenue 35,794 41,925 -15% Adjusted EBITDA (1) 14,803 16,173 -8% Cash Flow from operations 11,080 16,496 -33% Gross profit 13,268 16,149 -18% Income Tax Expense 1,268 (6,842) -119% Net Income 10,497 5,175 103% Net production revenue per tonne of ore milled (2) 121.34 128.10 -5% Cash cost per tonne of ore milled (2) 59.19 60.43 -2% Cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound (2) 2.19 1.48 48% All-In Sustaining Cost per copper equivalent payable pound (2) 3.70 2.65 40% (In thousands of US dollars, unless otherwise stated) March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Cash and cash equivalents 17,041 32,870 Assets 235,267 232,868 Liabilities 58,013 66,111 Equity 177,254 166,757

(1) Adjusted EBITDA includes adjustments for depletion and depreciation, interest expense and other financing costs, interest income, share-based compensation, Foreign Exchange (gain) loss and income taxes; see non-IFRS Performance Measures section of the Company's MD&A. (2) Net production revenue per tonne, cash cost per tonne, cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound and All-In Sustaining Cost per copper ('AISC') equivalent pound are non-IFRS performance measures. AISC includes the cost of sales, treatment and refining charges, sustaining capital expenditures, general and administrative expense, and selling expense, and exclude workers' profit sharing, depreciation, and other non-cash provisions; see non-IFRS Performance Measures section of the Company's MD&A.

The following table displays average realized metal prices information for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 vs March 31, 2021:

Average realized prices Quarter ended March 31 Increase In US$ 2022 2021 Silver ($/oz) 23.95 26.44 -9% Copper ($/lb) 4.53 3.88 17% Zinc ($/lb) 1.69 1.24 36% Lead ($/lb) 1.06 0.92 15% Gold ($/oz) 1,875 1,778 5%

Corona's Financial Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

Revenue from metals payable at the Yauricocha Mine in Peru of $35.8 million for Q1 2022 decreased by 15% compared to $41.9 million of revenues in Q1 2021. Despite higher metal prices, revenues decreased during Q1 2022 mainly due to lower metal production attributable to lower grades except copper. Copper equivalent payable pounds dropped 51% due to lower quantities of metals sold as compared to Q1 2021.

Yauricocha's cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound was $2.19 (Q1 2021 $1.48), and AISC per copper equivalent payable pound of $3.70 (Q1 2021 $2.65). Higher unit costs resulted from a 36% decrease in copper equivalent payable pounds.

Adjusted EBITDA of US$14.8 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to US$16.2 million for the same period of 2021. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period of the year 2021 was due to lower revenues from the Company, explained above.

Operating cash flow before movements in working capital of US$11.1 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to US$16.5 million in the same period of 2021.

Cash and cash equivalents of $17.0 million as at March 31, 2022, compared to $32.9 million as at December 31, 2021. Cash and cash equivalents decreased as cash used in investing activities ($6.2 million) and financing activities ($10.5 million) exceeded cash flow of $0.8 million generated from operating activities.

Net income of $10.5 million, or $0.292 per share for Q1 2022 compared to net income of $5.2 million, or $0.144 per share for Q1 2021. The increase in net income during Q1 2022 resulted from the recovery of deferred taxes and no current taxes as there was no taxable income during the quarter.

Corona's Operational Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022:

The following table displays the production results for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

Yauricocha Production Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 % Var. Tonnes processed 315,250 326,211 -3% Daily throughput 3,603 3,728 -3% Silver grade (g/t) 39.40 54.35 -28% Copper grade 0.79% 0.56% 41% Lead grade 0.66% 1.34% -51% Zinc grade 1.83% 3.71% -51% Gold Grade (g/t) 0.52 0.43 21% Silver recovery 63.99% 79.05% -19% Copper recovery 77.22% 66.26% 17% Lead recovery 82.50% 90.16% -8% Zinc recovery 82.09% 90.34% -9% Gold Recovery 20.06% 19.77% 1% Silver production (000 oz) 256 451 -43% Copper production (000 lb) 4,279 2,682 60% Lead production (000 lb) 3,828 8,706 -56% Zinc production (000 lb) 10,492 24,123 -57% Gold Production (oz) 1,057 890 19% Copper equivalent pounds (000's)(1) 10,876 15,937 -32%

(1) Copper equivalent pounds for Q1 2022 were calculated using the following realized prices: $23.95/oz Ag, $4.53/lb Cu, $1.69/lb Zn, $1.06/lb Pb, $1,875/oz Au. Copper equivalent pounds for Q1 2021 were calculated using the following realized prices: $26.44/oz Ag, $3.88/lb Cu, $1.24/lb Zn, $0.92/lb Pb, $1,778/oz Au.

Quality Control

Americo Zuzunaga, FAusIMM CP (Mining Engineer) and Vice President of Corporate Planning, is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Sierra Metals

Sierra Metals Inc. is a diversified Canadian mining company with Green Metal exposure including increasing copper production and base metal production with precious metals byproduct credits, focused on the production and development of its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company is focused on increasing production volume and growing mineral resources. Sierra Metals has recently had several new key discoveries and still has many more exciting brownfield exploration opportunities at all three Mines in Peru and Mexico that are within close proximity to the existing mines. Additionally, the Company also has large land packages at all three mines with several prospective regional targets providing longer-term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential.

The Company's Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Bolsa de Valores de Lima under the symbol "SMT" and on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol "SMTS".

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Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the date of the 2020 Shareholders' Meeting and the anticipated filing of the Compensation Disclosure. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the risks described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated March 16, 2022 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and other risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which filings are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively.

The risk factors referred to above are not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future and is inherently uncertain, and the Company's actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company's statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking information if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005312/en/

Contacts:

For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com

Investor Relations

CEO

Sierra Metals Inc.

Tel: +1 (416) 366-7777

Email: info@sierrametals.com

Luis Marchese

Sierra Metals Inc.

Tel: +1 (416) 366-7777
The "France Construction Market Size, Trends and Forecasts by Sector Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis, 2020-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The French construction industry is expected to have expanded by 13% in real terms in 2021, supported by a very low base in 2020, coupled with an increase in the construction of residential and non-residential buildings.

The industry is expected to expand by 3.3% in real terms in 2022, before stabilizing at an annual average of 2% growth from 2023 to 2026. However, the industry's output could be affected by weak investor and consumer confidence in the short -term, due to a spike in Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases caused by the spread of the Omicron variant of the virus.

Additionally, falling levels of employment within the construction industry and rising costs of materials pose a potential downside risk to the industry's output.

Over the medium and long term, the industry's output will be supported by investments as part of the EUR30 billion (US$36.5 billion) 'France 2030' plan unveiled by the French President Emmanuel Macron in October 2021. EUR8 billion (US$9.7 billion) of this funding will be invested on renewables, nuclear and hydrogen; over the next nine years, the plan aims to promote the emergence of small innovative nuclear reactors with better waste management, become a leader in green hydrogen by building at least two giga factories with electrolysers, and decarbonise French industry by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 35% compared to 2015 levels.

Additionally, EUR4 billion (US$4.9 billion) is earmarked for transport and mobility, with funding allocated to help reach the government's domestic production target of two million full-electric and hybrid vehicles by 2030, as well as producing the first low-carbon aircraft by the same year. This plan comes on top of the EUR100 billion (US$114 billion) economic recovery plan unveiled by the government in September 2020.

The industry's output over the forecast period will also be supported by public and private sector investments in housing, healthcare, transport, energy, and tourism infrastructure projects, particularly in preparation for the upcoming summer Olympic games in Paris in 2024. The government plans to spend EUR6.8 billion (US$8 billion) to upgrade the country's infrastructure by 2024.

The government's plan to invest EUR80 billion (US$94.4 billion) in transport infrastructure, emissions reduction, and support for energy-efficient buildings through renovation will also support the industry's growth over the forecast period.

Scope

Historical (2017-2021) and forecast (2022-2026) valuations of the construction industry in France, featuring details of key growth drivers.

Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline.

Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants

Reasons to Buy

Identify and evaluate market opportunities using the publisher's standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies.

Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts.

Understand the latest industry and market trends.

Formulate and validate strategy using the publisher's critical and actionable insight.

Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures.

Evaluate competitive risk and success factors.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Construction Industry: At-A-Glance

3 Context

3.1 Economic Performance

3.2 Political Environment and Policy

3.3 Demographics

3.4 Covid-19 Status

3.5 Risk Profile

4 Construction Outlook

4.1 All Construction

Outlook

Latest News and Developments

Construction Projects Momentum Index

4.2 Commercial Construction

Outlook

Project Analytics

Latest News and Developments

4.3 Industrial Construction

Outlook

Project Analytics

Latest News and Developments

4.4 Infrastructure Construction

Outlook

Project Analytics

Latest News and Developments

4.5 Energy and Utilities Construction

Outlook

Project Analytics

Latest News and Developments

4.6 Institutional Construction

Outlook

Project Analytics

Latest News and Developments

4.7 Residential Construction

Outlook

Project Analytics

Latest News and Developments

5 Key Industry Participants

5.1 Contractors

5.2 Consultants

6 Construction Market Data

7 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rf99li

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005748/en/

Contacts:

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

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Former CIA officer Mike Castiglione leads group to bridge public/private sectors on critical blockchain national security issues

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association for Digital Asset Markets (ADAM) and Eventus today announced that ADAM has just appointed Eventus Director of Regulatory Affairs, Digital Assets and former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer Mike Castiglione as Chair of its new National Security Working Group. ADAM created the working group to serve as a bridge between the public and private sectors by acting as a go-to resource for the executive and legislative branches to interface with industry experts on blockchain national security issues.

The ADAM Board of Directors approved Castiglione's selection based on his broad national security experience and Eventus' industry-leading technology in trade surveillance, risk monitoring and transaction monitoring for digital assets.

ADAM CEO Michelle Bond said: "We are very excited to have Mike as the Chair of our National Security Working Group. ADAM has a very deep bench, and we know Mike will add to this, leveraging his experience to guide the working group. He will enable us to continue public-private information sharing to the utmost degree, and we're looking forward to working with him."

Joseph Schifano, Eventus Global Head of Regulatory Affairs, said: "Mike has delivered clear, objective insights on national security challenges during a 15-year career in the U.S. federal government. Eventus is proud to play a role in this working group - which will be a key resource to government and the industry alike - and to collaborate with other experts throughout ADAM's membership to ensure digital asset markets are safe and trusted."

ADAM's National Security Working Group aims to leverage private sector knowledge and expertise to empower policymakers and regulators with insights on anti-money laundering (AML) capabilities and to ensure blockchain technology promotes global growth, open markets, and stability.

"Public-private partnerships are a cornerstone of sound regulation that encourages rapid adoption of emerging technologies. ADAM members are positioned to learn from each other and to build the next suite of products that advances digital assets," Castiglione said.

The ADAM National Security Working Group builds on previous ADAM efforts in the national security space, including its recent comments to FinCEN on Bank Secrecy Act modernization and its testimony to the House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy.

About the Association for Digital Asset Markets (ADAM)

The Association for Digital Asset Markers is a private, non-profit, membership-based association of firms operating in the digital asset markets and is a standards-setting body and self-governing association committed to promoting market integrity and best practices. ADAM works with leading financial firms, entrepreneurs and regulators to develop industry best practices that facilitate fair and orderly digital asset markets. In this vein, ADAM's objectives are to: (1) protect market participants from fraud and manipulation; (2) provide clear standards for efficient trading, custody, and the clearing and settlement of digital assets; (3) encourage professionalism and ethical conduct by market participants; and (4) increase transparency and provide information to the public and governments about digital asset markets. In furtherance of this, ADAM released a principles-based Code of Conduct in late 2019 that sets certain standards of professional conduct for ADAM members.

ADAM consists of a broad-based industry group that includes a wide variety of market participants, including trading platforms, custodians, investors, asset managers, traders, liquidity providers, brokers, and service providers. ADAM members are firms that are active in digital asset markets or seek to participate in those markets. ADAM members include: Anchorage Digital, N.A.; BitGo; BitOoda; BlockFi; BTIG; CMT Digital; CoinFund; Cumberland; Crowe LLP; Digital Asset Council of Financial Professionals; Dunamis Trading; Eventus; Fireblocks; FTX.com; FTX.us; Galaxy Digital; Genesis; Grayscale; GSR; HRT; Hxro Foundation; Jane Street Capital; Multicoin Capital; Oasis Pro Markets; Parataxis; Paxos; Robinhood Crypto; Sarson Funds; Solidus Capital; Solidus Labs; Symbiont; Symphony; WisdomTree; and XBTO. ADAM law firm partners include Anderson Kill; DLA Piper; DLx Law; Mayer Brown LLP; Morgan Lewis; and McGonigle, P.C.

About Eventus

Eventus is a leading global provider of multi-asset class trade surveillance and market risk solutions. Its powerful, award-winning Validus platform is easy to deploy, customize and operate across equities, options, futures, foreign exchange (FX), fixed income and digital asset markets. Validus is proven in the most complex, high-volume and real-time environments of tier-1 banks, broker-dealers, futures commission merchants (FCMs), proprietary trading groups, market centers, buy-side institutions, energy and commodity trading firms, and regulators. The company's rapidly growing client base relies on Validus and Eventus' responsive support and product development teams to overcome its most pressing regulatory challenges. For more, visit www.eventus.com.

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New Name and Branding Reflect Company's Mission to Help Bring Next-Generation Therapies to Light

News Summary

Rebranding comes after a series of strategic acquisitions, most recently Pharm-Olam

Company's newly combined services address clinical development and consulting needs of small and mid-sized biotechs

New name unites worldwide experienced workforce in its singular mission

CARY, N.C., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

Global biopharmaceutical services leader, CATO SMS, today unveiled its new name, Allucent , with bold branding to emphasize the company's spotlight on serving the specialized needs of small and mid-sized biotech companies.

This move follows a three-year series of strategic acquisitions*, most recently of clinical research provider, Pharm-Olam, that doubled the company's size, strengthened and deepened its capabilities, and expanded its global reach. Now, Allucent is a unified organization with more than 30 years of experience, built to support small and mid-sized biotech companies with achieving breakthrough science.

Currently, smaller companies hold approximately 70% of the biopharmaceutical industry's intellectual property and often benefit from third-party experts possessing clinical and regulatory experience and capabilities to ensure their innovations have the best chance of success. Allucent was formed to address this need, offering full-service clinical trial capabilities, deep therapeutic expertise, product development and consulting services.

Derived from the Latin verb alluceo, Allucent means to shine a light upon something or create an opportunity. The new name and branding unite the company and its people under one purpose - putting the spotlight on smaller, innovative biopharmaceutical companies and helping them deliver on their potential.

Mark A. Goldberg, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer, Allucent, said:

"In three short years, we've transformed our company to meet the unique needs of small and mid-sized biotechs. Our new name, Allucent, puts the focus on the clients we exist to serve and aligns our people under our shared passion of helping to bring new therapies to light. As we continue our growth journey, we're committed to making sure we remain big enough to deliver, but small enough to care."

Anchored by deep expertise and a high-touch partnership model, Allucent offers a breadth of specialized services and therapeutic experience geared toward small and mid-sized biotech companies, including:

Flexible clinical and regulatory solutions to successfully navigate the complexities of managing multi-national programs across early and late-stage development, including clinical trial operations; biometrics; decentralized trial capabilities; and clinical pharmacology, modeling and simulation.

A team of global consultants, focused on strategic product development, regulatory affairs and regulatory submissions with extensive health authority expertise in clinical, non-clinical, CMC and GxP compliance.

Robust scientific and drug development expertise in key and complex therapeutic areas and modalities with a focus on oncology, cell and gene therapy, rare disease and vaccines.

A global workforce of 1,200+ employees possessing deep clinical and technical experience with a passion for remaining close to breakthrough science.

Wide geographic coverage in 60+ countries across North America , Latin America , Europe , India and the Middle East.

*Recent acquisitions include Array Biostatistics in 2020, Nuventra in 2021, and Pharm-Olam in 2022

About Allucent

Allucent is on a mission to help bring new therapies to light by solving the distinct challenges of small and mid-sized biotech companies. The company is purpose-built through the convergence of leading providers to address this unmet need. Today, Allucent is a global provider of comprehensive drug development solutions, including consulting, clinical operations, biometrics and clinical pharmacology across a variety of therapeutic areas. With more than 30 years of experience in over 60 countries, Allucent's individualized partnership approach provides experience-driven insights and expertise to assist its clients in successfully navigating the complexities of delivering novel treatments to patients. Visit Allucent.com for more information.

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INNISFIL, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / White Tuque, a provider of innovative solutions for Cyber Defence and Cyber Preparedness, announced today its partnership with Qualys Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based IT, security and compliance solutions, to add its Vulnerability Management, Detection and Response (VMDR) solution into its service offerings.

Qualys VMDR seamlessly brings together discovery, assessment, detection and response into a single cloud-based app - significantly accelerating the ability of organizations to respond to threats and effectively prevent breaches. With cyberattack volumes and levels of sophistication growing exponentially, Qualys VMDR will allow White Tuque customers to prevent possible exploitation and keep up in today's increasingly tumultuous threat landscape.

"The beginning of this strategic partnership coincides with a time when bad actors are growing increasingly sophisticated and organizations face an explosive number of vulnerabilities," said Suzanne Swanson, senior vice president of Global Partners, Qualys. "We are pleased to engage with organizations like White Tuque to arm North American customers with our game-changing Vulnerability Management, Detection and Response capability."

"We have chosen to completely standardize all our Vulnerability and Configuration Management offerings around the Qualys Cloud Platform. Our singular focus on Qualys in this space provides customers with maximum value from their investment, rather than the generalized implementations of other larger firms. We like to call this True Value-Added Services, or True-VAS," said Mitchell Dollin , Vice President of Infrastructure and Managed Security Services at White Tuque.

He added, "Vulnerability and Configuration Management programs have evolved significantly over the last five years. Rather than flooding IT teams with thousands of findings that may never be exploited, Vulnerability and Compliance programs should use a risk-based approach, leveraging threat and asset context to address specific risks. The Qualys VMDR solution and add-ons give this capability to all sizes of organizations, allowing customers to remediate problems from a single pane of glass. Our focus at White Tuque is to ensure all customers can leverage this capability, both with proper platform setup and with modernized processes. Once in place, customers benefit from a lower total cost of ownership as well as a quantifiable reduction of risk."

"This partnership strengthens our ability to provide clients of all sizes access to enterprise-grade security controls in the vulnerability management space," said Kevin Sandschafer, COO and Vice President of Cyber Risk and Assurance. "When combined with the strength of Qualys cloud-based IT, security and compliance solutions, our ability to implement and execute will far exceed the industry norm."

-30-

*Qualys, Qualys VMDR and the Qualys logo are proprietary trademarks of Qualys, Inc.

About WhiteTuque

White Tuque's mission is to give companies a trusted partner and a framework of best practices for cyber defence. We are a boutique team with expertise in cyber risk, cyber protection and intelligence.

Partnership with White Tuque gives all companies access to a battle-tested and crisis-proven team of Canada's leading cyber-security experts. We make this level of protection affordable by condensing simple and repeatable tactics into a digestible and scalable format for all organizations. These tactics are the backbone of what protects businesses of all sizes, including Fortune 500 companies and financial institutions. At White Tuque our mandate is to make these available to organizations of all sizes.

To learn more about White Tuque's services you can reach out to us at Info@WhiteTuque.com or visit our website at https://WhiteTuque.com/ .

SOURCE: White Tuque

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699852/White-Tuque-Partners-with-Qualys-to-Strengthen-Its-Cybersecurity-Offerings
Mondi plc

Incorporated in England and Wales

Registered number: 6209386

Tax registration number: 454 12394 14454

LEI: 213800LOZA69QFDC9N34

LSE share code: MNDI ISIN: GB00B1CRLC47

JSE share code: MNP

3 May 2022

Mondi Group - 2021 Final Dividend euro/sterling Exchange Rate

On 3 March 2022 Mondi plc announced that it will, subject to shareholder approval at the AGM, pay a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2021 of 45.00 euro cents per ordinary share on Monday 16 May 2022. The dividend will be paid in euro.

However, ordinary shareholders resident in the United Kingdom will receive the final dividend in sterling (unless shareholders have elected to receive their dividends in euro). The last date for euro currency elections was 26 April 2022. It was stated in the announcement on 3 March that the exchange rate for the final dividend payment would be set today. Accordingly, it is confirmed that sterling dividend payments will be converted at a rate of EUR 1 to GBP 0.83725. Therefore, the equivalent final dividend in pence per ordinary share will be 37.67625.

Mondi plc South African branch register shareholders will receive the final dividend in South African rand cents, converted at a rate of EUR 1 to ZAR 16.96618. Therefore, the equivalent gross final dividend in rand cents per ordinary share will be 763.47810.

Information relating to the dividend tax applicable to Mondi plc South African branch register shareholders can be found in the ZAR/euro exchange rate announcement released by Mondi on 3 March 2022.

About Mondi

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain - from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and plastic films, to developing and manufacturing effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy and intrinsic in the way we do business. We lead the industry with our customer-centric approach, EcoSolutions, where we ask the right questions to find the most sustainable solution. In 2021, Mondi had revenues of 7.7 billion and underlying EBITDA of 1.5 billion.

Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP). Mondi is a FTSE 100 constituent, and has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Series since 2007.

Sponsor in South Africa: Merrill Lynch South Africa Proprietary Limited t/a BofA Securities.
Mit abermals starken Bohrergebnissen untermauert Group Ten Metals (TSXV: PGE; FRA: 5D32) Zug um Zug das Weltklasseformat seines polymetallischen PGE-Ni-Cu-Co-Au Projekts Stillwater West in Montana, USA!Die drei soeben veroffentlichten Step-Out-Bohrungen (funf weitere aus 2021 stehen noch aus) liefern oberflachennahe, hochgradige Abschnitte fur Batteriemetalle, die zu den besten gehoren, die bisher im Bezirk Stillwater ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The Sixth Annual Fast Company World Changing Ideas Awards Honor the Products, Concepts, Companies, Policies and Designs that Are Driving Change and Tackling Issues from Public Health, Climate Change to Inequality and More

Scottsdale, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - PathogenDx ("PathogenDx" or "Company"), a U.S.-based biotechnology company setting the standard in molecular-based testing through the widespread adoption of its advanced microarray testing platform for the human diagnostics, food and agricultural industries, announced that it has been awarded an honorable mention in Fast Company's 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards in the "Pandemic Response" category for its introduction of a new, customized COVID-19 testing portal, which rapidly and affordably detects all SARS-CoV-2 variants while streamlining data reporting for public health agencies, professionals and epidemiologists. The winners of Fast Company's 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards were announced today [May 3, 2022], and honor clean technology, innovative corporate initiatives, brave new designs for cities and buildings and other creative works that are supporting the growth of positive social innovation, tackling social inequality, climate change and public health crises.



Leveraging its learnings from the agile development of COVID-19 diagnostics, the NIH-RADx program brings to life a new generation genotyping diagnostic with capability to deliver sequencing accuracy at high volume but a fraction of the cost. PathogenDx's Detectx-Cv has already detected all major variants, providing results in four hours after receiving a positive sample from any Covid-19 test, running up to 576 samples in a single shift for a fraction of the cost of NGS Sequencing.



"We are humbled to have the hard work of our talented team be recognized by Fast Company's 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards," said Milan Patel, co-founder and CEO of PathogenDx. "We are grateful to the NIH and the RADx program for their support in helping bring Detectx-Cv+ to market. The launch of our Detectx-Cv+ assay in genotyping mutations is just the tip of the iceberg in applying this breakthrough technology across other clinical diagnostics segments. Ultimately, as we introduce new products off this platform, the patients, providers and payers will win, with broader access and better health information, improved clinical utility and lower cost. The performance horsepower of our multiplex microarray has overcome the sensitivity limitations of qRT-PCR technologies with 'single gene mutational' accuracy similar to Next Generation Sequencing ('NGS') while delivering high volume throughput testing at one-tenth the cost. It is the right platform solution that is gravely needed in the diagnostics sector given what we have learned and experienced with variants sprouting off SARS-CoV-2, and the ever growing challenges we are facing not only on the infectious disease side with antibiotic resistance, but across other clinical diagnostics sectors."

"We are consistently inspired by the novelty and creativity that people are applying to solve some of our society's most pressing problems, from shelter to climate crisis. At Fast Company, we release this list to amplify companies doing vital, innovative work to address some of the big challenges facing the world today," says David Lidsky, interim editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "Our journalists have identified some of the most ingenious initiatives to launch since the start of 2021, which we hope will both have a meaningful impact and lead others to join in being part of the solution."

Now in its sixth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 39 winners, 350 finalists and more than 600 honorable mentions - with climate change, social justice and AI and data being among the most popular categories. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 2,997 entries in the fields of transportation, education, food, politics, technology, health, social justice and more. In addition, several new categories have been added this year, including climate, nature, water and workplace.

The 2022 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Switzerland to Hong Kong to Australia. Fast Company's Summer 2022 issue, which will hit the newsstands on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, will showcase some of the world's most innovative entrepreneurs and companies tackling the most important global challenges. The issues highlight, among others, probiotics for coral reefs, easy-to-assemble kit homes for refugees or disaster survivors, a 3D-printed vaccine patch, an electric truck, a system to heat homes from the waste heat of a name-brand factory and prosecutor-initiated resentencing for overly long prison sentences.

For more information, visit https://pathogendx.com/covid-19/.

About the World Changing Ideas Awards

World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company's major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving problems that affect us all.

About PathogenDx

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, PathogenDx's mission is to become the new standard in DNA-based testing through widespread adoption of its advanced microarray testing platform for the human diagnostics, food and agricultural industries. PathogenDx's technology can rapidly identify and detect up to 50 pathogens all in a single test, in six hours providing triplicate data per analyte for certainty in results with a simple and easy process. The company's DNA-testing products - Detectx, Quantx and Envirox are disrupting the century old practice of petri dish testing to identify, detect and quantify pathogens that threaten human health, our ecosystem and the environment. This technology will help growing businesses deliver safer products leading to healthier lives, while preventing billions of dollars in losses from infection and contamination. For more information on how you can utilize this simple, powerful and inexpensive DNA-based pathogen testing, visit www.pathogendx.com.

Media Contact:

MATTIO Communications

Ellen Mellody

570-209-2947

pathogendx@mattio.com

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122472
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Cannabis Global, Inc. (OTC PINK:CBGL), Cannabis Global, Inc., a licensed Los Angeles-based manufacturer and distributor in the cannabis sector, today announced an important supply agreement to solidify the Company's position in the solventless cannabis product sector. Under the terms of an agreement, Sugarmade, Inc. (OTC Pink:SGMD) will cultivate cannabis specifically for Cannabis Global. The initial contract calls for the supply of 25,000 pounds of "Fresh Frozen" cannabis, which will be cultivated specifically to Cannabis Global's specifications.

Fresh Frozen cannabis is immediately flash frozen upon harvest - instead of the traditional treatment of drying and curing after harvest. This form of cannabis is almost exclusively used to create ultra-premium cannabis concentrates, such as live rosin, hash and live resin.

"This Agreement serves several very important purposes," commented CEO Arman Tabatabaei. "By contracting with Sugarmade we will be able to specify exactly the strains and cultivation parameters that will enable us to produce the finest hash and rosin products for our customers. By locking in a $28 per pound future price, compared to the current spot price well in excess of $100 per pound, we expect our margins to be meaningfully enhanced. Perhaps even more importantly, having a steady supply of premium Fresh Frozen cannabis will allow us to provide consistency in our products and to ensure an adequate supply of products will be available to our very fast growing base of retail customers. As we have recently announced, our retail base and our revenues are ramping quickly. This Agreement helps us to meet the substantial demand we are experiencing."

The companies have signed a pre-booked, fixed-price contract for an initial 25,000 pounds for $700,000, which will include cash payments from Cannabis Global to Sugarmade of $300,000, with notes accounting for the remaining $400,000. Planting is expected to begin in mid-May and continue into early June. Cannabis Global will also hold an option to purchase additional pounds if the cannabis cultivation effort yields excess materials.

Mr. Tabatabaei continued, "We plan to process a significant amount of this material at our Lynwood California location. In addition, we will enter the wholesale space to supply up to 10 separate strains of Fresh Frozen Cannabis to other solventless manufacturers in the Los Angeles area. With the market for solventless products growing rapidly, we believe this agreement will be an important component of our future success."

Cannabis Global plans to launch its premium rosin line under the Wolfgang Wax brand name by way of its recent acquisition of the Caliwanna, LLC brands. In addition, Cannabis Global will utilize the rosin concentrates produced from the biomass to enhance its rosin preroll and edible lines, and in the future for inclusion in cannabis beverages and tinctures, we are currently in development.

About Cannabis Global, Inc.

Cannabis Global, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based, fully audited and reporting Company with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, trading under the stock symbol CBGL. We are an emerging force in the cannabis marketplace with a growing product and proprietary intellectual property portfolio. We are marketing and producing Comply Bag, an innovative solution for cannabis storage, transport and tracking. Our subsidiary, Natural Plant Extract (NPE), is a Southern California licensed cannabis manufacturer and distributor which licenses our technologies to produce edibles for the cannabis marketplace. Cannabis Global has filed three non-provisional and multiple provisional patents for cannabis infusion and nanoparticle technologies and continues an active research & development program.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs and results of new business opportunities and words such as "anticipate", "seek", intend", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "project", "plan", or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.sec.gov.

Corporate contact:

Arman Tabatabaei

IR@cannabisglobalinc.com

+1-(310)-986-4929

IR Contact:

Stuart Smith

https://www.smallcapvoice.com/

ssmith@smallcapvoice.com

SOURCE: Cannabis Global, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699776/Cannabis-Global-Commences-Fresh-Frozen-Supply-Contract-with-Sugarmade-Inc
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) ("Granite Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained SGS to complete an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on the Carmacks project. The PEA will use the 2022 Resource Estimate (Table 1), consisting of 36.2 million tonnes (Mt) in Measured and Indicated categories (M&I), grading 1.07% CuEq (0.81% Cu, 0.26g/t Au, 3.23g/t Ag and 0.011% Mo) for a total of 651 million pounds (Mlbs) of contained M&I copper and an additional 38 Mlbs Cu Inferred as the main input. Building off a 2017 PEA(1), the updated study will encompass the following:

Significant Increase in Contained Copper - The 2022 resource estimate marked a 43% increase in contained copper over the previous estimate referenced (2)

- The 2022 resource estimate marked a 43% increase in contained copper over the previous estimate referenced Inclusion of Sulphide Processing - As of the publication of the 2022 resource estimate the Carmacks project consists of roughly 50/50 sulfide and oxide resources by contained metal. The Company sees the inclusion of sulphide resources as a significant potential value driver having a positive impact on the economics of the project; and

- As of the publication of the 2022 resource estimate the Carmacks project consists of roughly 50/50 sulfide and oxide resources by contained metal. The Company sees the inclusion of sulphide resources as a significant potential value driver having a positive impact on the economics of the project; and High Proportion of Resources Modeled in Three Conceptual Open Pits - 96% of the 2022 resources are contained within the conceptual pits (Figure 1). With a high percentage of current resources reporting in conceptual pits the cash cost per pound of copper is expected to be significantly lower when compared to a similar sized underground operation.

Timothy Johnson, Granite Creek President & CEO, stated, "The launch of the updated Preliminary Economic Assessment study marks a major milestone in the development of the Carmacks deposit at a time when commodities demand is seeing rapid growth. The Carmacks project is well-positioned by its location, access to infrastructure, and proximity to the operating, high-grade Minto mine just to the north. Both copper and molybdenum have been deemed by the Canadian government to be 'critical minerals' based on their role in the transition to a low-carbon economy which we expect will provide prolonged price strength well into the future. We look forward to continuing to bring positive news as we develop this high-grade copper project."

Upcoming Events

OTC Markets Mining and Metals Virtual Conference - Tim Johnson, President & CEO, will present live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on May 5th, 2022 at 10am PT | 1pm ET. To register, click here.

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference - Granite Creek Copper will join fellow members of the Metallic Group of Companies at the 2022 VRIC event at the Vancouver Convention Centre on May 17-18. Visit us in Booth 111.

2022 Technical Report Filing

Granite Creek also announces that further to its news release dated March 15, 2022 it has filed on SEDAR a National Instrument 43-101 technical report (the "Technical Report") for the Carmacks project, located in the Yukon, Canada.

The report, entitled "Technical Report on the Updated Mineral Resource Estimates for the Carmacks Cu-Au-Ag Project Near Carmacks, Yukon, Canada", has an effective date of February 25, 2022. The Technical Report was authored Allan Armitage Ph.D., P.Geo of SGS Geological Services("SGS") an independent Qualified Person and was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The Technical Report is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and will also be available on the Company's website at www.gcxcopper.com.

Table 1 - 2022 Carmacks Copper Project Mineral Resources

Cu=copper, Au=gold, Mo=molybdenum, Ag=silver, Mt=millions of tonnes, Mlbs=millions of pounds, klbs=thousands of pounds, koz=thousands of ounces. Mineral Resources are reported using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards. Mineral Resources are reported within a conceptual constraining pit shell that includes the following input parameters: Metal prices of $3.60/lb Cu, $1,750/Au, $22/oz Ag, $14/lb Mo and pit slope angles that vary from 35 for overburden to 55for granodiorite host. Metal prices are in US$. Metallurgical recoveries reflective of prior test work that averages: 85% Cu, 85% Au, 65% Ag in the oxide domain and 90% Cu, 76% Au, 65% Ag in the sulphide domain. Mo recovery is assumed to be 70% in both oxide and sulphide domain. Tonnes are metric tonnes, with Cu and Mo grades as percentages and Au and Ag grades as gram per tonne units. Cu and Mo metal content is reported in lb and Au and Ag content is reported in troy oz. Totals and Metal content may not sum due to rounding and significant digits used in calculations. Cu Eq calculation is based on 100% recovery of all metals using the same metal prices used in the resource calculation: $3.60/lb Cu, $1,750/Au, $22/oz Ag, $14/lb Mo.

Figure 1 - Oblique view of 2022 resources and proposed pits (total strike length of 2,950 m)

Qualified Persons

The Carmacks project 2022 Resource Estimate was prepared by Allan Armitage, P.Geo., of SGS Geological Services, an independent Qualified Person, in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") with an effective date of February 25, 2022. Armitage conducted a site visit to the property on November 9, 2021.

Ms. Debbie James, P.Geo., a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure not pertaining to the resource estimate contained in this news release. Ms. James is a Senior Geologist with TruePoint Exploration and a Project Manager at Carmacks.

1PEA: "NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report on the Carmacks Project, Yukon, Canada" Effective Date 12 October 2016. Report Date: 25 November 2016. SEDAR Filing Date: 9 February 2017

1News Release: "Copper North Expands Oxide Mineral resources at Carmacks" Published on SEDAR 9 April 2018.

About Granite Creek Copper

Granite Creek, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a Canadian exploration company focused on the 176 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada's Yukon Territory. The project is on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine, operated by Minto Metals Corp., to the north, and features excellent access to infrastructure with the nearby paved Yukon Highway 2, along with grid power within 12 km. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company's website at www.gcxcopper.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Timothy Johnson, President & CEO

Telephone: 1 (604) 235-1982

Toll-Free: 1 (888) 361-3494

E-mail: info@gcxcopper.com

Website: www.gcxcopper.com

Metallic Group: www.metallicgroup.ca

Twitter: @yukoncopper

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Granite Creek Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Granite Creek Copper and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Granite Creek Copper Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699894/Granite-Creek-Copper-Retains-SGS-Canada-for-Updated-Preliminary-Economic-Assessment-on-High-Grade-Carmacks-Copper-Gold-Silver-Project-in-Yukon-Canada
New leadership sets precedence for continued innovation and quality service delivery for employer-sponsored primary care

TULSA, OK / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / CareATC, a leader in customized employer healthcare benefit solutions, welcomes Sam Jones as Chief Operating Officer; Scott Parks as Chief Strategy Officer; and Greg Biernacki, MD, MPH as Chief Medical Officer.

The wave of new leadership comes as a result of CareATC's recent acquisition of CareTeam, a middle market direct primary care solution based in Charleston, South Carolina. Sam Jones previously served as CareTeam CEO; Scott Parks as President; and Greg Biernacki as Chief Medical Officer.

"At CareATC, we've re-imagined the healthcare experience to drive more engagement, better outcomes, and lower plan costs for employers," said Greg Bellomy, CareATC CEO. "In essence, what we do gives people the power to be well. The addition of Sam Jones as Chief Operating Officer; Scott Parks as Chief Strategy Officer; and Dr. Greg Biernacki as Chief Medical Officer continues this important work and will no doubt propel our company and the industry forward in innovative ways."

New Chief Operating Officer to Bring Scale-Up Approach to Operations

Sam Jones is the Chief Operating Officer of CareATC and formerly the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of CareTeam, which was acquired by CareATC in October of 2021. Sam has 20 years of experience in growing and managing healthcare-related businesses. Prior to CareTeam, Sam co-founded eScribe where he grew the company to become the 4th largest provider in the space. Sam's professional experience began in finance and private equity and has evolved to include a portfolio of start-up to scale-up growth successes.

Inaugural CareATC Chief Strategy Officer to Focus on Market Growth Strategies

Scott Parks is the Chief Strategy Officer for CareATC. Scott was President and Co-Founder of CareTeam, which was acquired by CareATC in October 2021. He possesses over a decade of experience in business development and growth company leadership. Prior to CareTeam, Scott was the Vice President of eScribe where he scaled the business to a national company, which was eventually acquired in 2015. Scott has worked with some of the nation's largest health systems and physician groups on implementing transformative clinical efficiency solutions. Scott began his career executing start-up and growth strategies for a variety of organizations including foreign government agencies, non-profits, and an array of businesses.

New Chief Medical Officer to Continue Advance of Evidence-Based Medical Care

Greg Biernacki, MD, MPH brings over 35 years of primary care and preventive medicine experience to his work at CareATC. Dr. Biernacki previously served as Chief Medical Officer for CareTeam and directs policy and evidence-based medical care practices and collaborates with the CareATC medical providers to ensure quality patient care.

Dr. Biernacki has served as medical director for not-for profit health entities and NASA. He brings expertise in primary care and preventive medicine including wellness, occupational health, and aerospace medicine. He is a retired Colonel and flight surgeon in the Air Force and is a veteran of the Iraqi War where he served as commander of the 447th EMEDS in Bagdad. Dr. Biernacki is boarded in Preventive Medicine in both General Preventive Medicine/Public Health and Aerospace Medicine.

About CareATC, Inc.

CareATC, Inc., offers customized healthcare benefit solutions for employers. CareATC's advanced transformational care model drives engagement, improves health outcomes, lowers healthcare costs and provides transparency into the total cost of care. CareATC manages more than 165 clients in 26 states, cares for more than 430,000 members and is Accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc. Learn more by visiting https://www.careatc.com/ .

Media Contact:

Paul Keeling, Chief Business Development Officer

Phone: (918) 779-7414

Email: pkeeling@careatc.com

SOURCE: CareATC, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699791/CareATC-Announces-New-Chief-Operating-Officer-Chief-Medical-Officer-and-Chief-Strategy-Officer
DGAP-News: Ameramex International

AmeraMex International Receives Orders Totaling $855,000



03.05.2022 / 14:10

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





CHICO, CA May 3, 2022 - AmeraMex International, Inc. (OTCQB: AMMX), a provider of heavy equipment for logistics companies, infrastructure construction and forestry conservation, announced that it has received equipment orders totaling $855,000 which brings year-to-date sales up to $9.4 million.

The order consisted of one Taylor THDC 955 Container Handler shipping to a port in Houston, Texas.

One 30,000 pound capacity Taylor Forklift shipping and three yard trucks shipping to customers in California.

For more information and pricing of equipment for the logistics, construction, and forestry industries, or to book a demonstration of the Kovaco Electric's 100 percent electric skid steer loaders, ASV Posti-Tract and Skid Steer Loaders, Menzi Muck Excavators or a Magni Telescopic Handler, contact the AmeraMex/Hamre Equipment sales team at 530.895.8955.

About AmeraMex International

AmeraMex International sells, leases and rents heavy equipment to companies within multiple industries including construction, logistics, mining, and lumber. AmeraMex, with a US and international customer base, has over 30 years of experience in heavy equipment sales and service. Follow AmeraMex on Twitter @ammx_intl and visit the AmeraMex website, www.AMMX.net or www.hamreequipment.com for additional information and equipment videos.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if added information becomes available in the future.

Marty Tullio

+1 949-632-1900

marty@mccloudcommunications.com

https://www.ammx.net

03.05.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Regulatory News:

ESI Group (ISIN Code: FR0004110310, Mnemo: ESI), a global simulation and virtual prototyping software partner for industry, announces the open-source release of its Inspector software; an opening for the scientific community, industrial collaboration, and innovation.

Inspector is a visual and interactive data exploration software that can analyze a large volume of data to extract useful information that can be applied in the following contexts: predictive maintenance, cybersecurity, control, and analysis of machine learning algorithms.

By making Inspector software available to as many people as possible, ESI Group continues its commitment to the industrial and academic ecosystems, offering them the possibility of working on a reliable and customizable solution to meet the technical challenges and specific needs of the community.

ENSAM (Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Arts et Metiers) will lead the development and expansion of Inspector, as part of the continuum of sponsorship and co-creation activities already in progress between ESI Group and ENSAM. This collaboration has been reinforced with their mutual involvement in the DesCartes program led by the CNRS in Singapore, the CREATE-ID international research chair, and through the ESI ENSAM virtual engineering laboratory.

This open-source approach has many advantages. First, it allows the community to use the software in an optimal and fast way, thus, enabling the scientific community to benefit from new functionalities adapted to the requirements of each user, as well as from security improvements. Secondly, through its approach, ESI Group wishes to offer an opportunity to benefit from a software whose reliability has been proven over the years by its customers in various industries, including Automotive and Aeronautics. "Inspector" will continue to evolve and adapt to the needs of the community thanks to the collaboration of the numerous stakeholders.

Several industry players and "Inspector" users have expressed interest and support for ESI Group's initiative to deploy its data analysis software in open source. This is the case, for example, with CNS.

Stephane Perrin, Managing Director of CNS states: "The decision taken by ESI Group is a great illustration of the Group's dedication to the innovation and scientific ecosystem with its cutting-edge technologies. At CNS, a Network and Security expertise company, we are mobilized to ensure the future of Inspector. In addition to integrating Inspector into our continuous network auditing software suite, we will also soon offer support for the software via our business unit dedicated to innovative solutions."

Emmanuel Leroy, EVP Product, Innovation Industry Solutions at ESI Group said: "Data and open source are the two main keywords of this new coordinated action with ENSAM. We are delighted to be able to take our collaboration a step further while contributing to academic and industrial research and innovation. "Inspector" will provide users with a tool for analyzing large volumes of data to optimize the performance of manufacturing processes. In a period where data is becoming key but remains expensive; I am convinced that this open-source release will open opportunities for industrial players, whether they are large companies or startups."

Information on how to obtain the Inspector download and installation links

The "Inspector" module can be retrieved as an archive (674MB) with the following command: sftp inspector@jibleo.com:source_code/inendi-inspector_opensource_export_2022-01-27.tgz.

The password associated with the SFTP account "inspector" is "ut!iep2E" and the checksum sha256 of the archive is d0404dd13c80ec8a4e32f406986731025881097ed03fa47a4af77827744f1000

The location of the Gitlab project from which the export was made is the following: https://gitlab.com/inendi/inspector

The software can now be installed with the following command (as indicated in the documentation on the Gitlab project homepage): flatpak install --user -y https://inendi.gitlab.io/inspector/install.flatpakref

About ESI Group

Founded in 1973, ESI Group is a leading innovator in Virtual Prototyping solutions and a global enabler of industrial transformation. Thanks to the company's unique know-how in the physics of materials, it has developed and refined, over the last 45 years, advanced simulation capabilities. Having identified gaps in the traditional approach to Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), ESI has introduced a holistic methodology centered on industrial productivity and product performance throughout its entire lifecycle, i.e. Product Performance Lifecycle, from engineering to manufacturing and in operation. Present in more than 20 countries, and in major industrial sectors, ESI employs 1200 high-level specialists 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.

Follow ESI: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter YouTube

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005291/en/

Contacts:

ESI Press

Florence Barre

press@esi-group.com

+33 1 49 78 28 28

Verbatee Press 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
Press Release

May 3, 2022 Bong Go commends PRRD for signing Excellence in Teacher Education Act Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, a staunch advocate for quality education and a member of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for signing Republic Act No. 11713, otherwise known as the Excellence in Teacher Education Act of 2022, on Wednesday, April 27. "Teachers play a critical role in ensuring the continued delivery of learning and ensuring a brighter future for our children, as the country continues its battles against COVID-19. That is why I want to commend President Duterte for prioritizing the welfare of our educators," Go underscored. "Alam kong napakahirap ng buhay ngayon kaya dapat patuloy natin ibigay ang nararapat na suporta sa ating mga guro, lalung-lalo na at nasa gitna pa tayo ng krisis. Kung gusto natin umunlad ang educational sector, bigyan natin ng karampatang suporta at importansya ang mga guro," he added. The law seeks to nurture the country's educators to ensure that they are equipped and ready to create a more conducive and effective learning environment for their students. The Act shall significantly improve the educational sector by revamping the Teacher Education Council (TEC) and developing necessary scholarship programs for aspiring teachers. It also mandates the establishment of Teacher Education Centers of Excellence (Teacher Education-COEs) in strategic places in all regions of the country, following a set of standard criteria. The objectives and functions of Teacher Education-COEs are to conduct innovative and relevant pre-service and in-service teacher education and training programs, including alternative delivery programs, that would develop and produce teachers who will foster and promote quality education. The Act also institutionalizes the National Educators Academy of the Philippines to provide quality and development programs on teacher education to in-service teachers, school leaders, and other related personnel in primary education. "Habang ang mga kabataan ang pag-asa ng ating kinabukasan, napaka importante po talaga na pangalagaan natin ang ating mga guro dahil sila po ang pangunahing maghuhulma sa ating mga kabataan," stressed Go. "Huwag natin pababayaan ang ating mga guro. Nais ko rin magpasalamat sa aking kasamahan sa Senado, kay Senator Win Gatchalian dahil talaga naman maraming matutulungan ang kaniyang ipinanukalang batas," he expressed. Meanwhile, Go is one of the co-authors of Republic Act No. 11510 or the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Act of 2021 that improves the delivery of basic education to the underrepresented and disadvantaged students. The ALS Law provides students with specialized programs and alternative education approaches not available under the formal learning system. The senator also co-authored RA 11650 which institutes services and programs for learners with disabilities in support of inclusive education. The Act aims to enhance the quality of education in the formal learning sector by providing free support services as well as programs that are tailored to the needs of differently-abled learners. It likewise mandates the implementation of a Child Find System, a scheme for locating and evaluating learners with disabilities who have not received basic education services and facilitating their inclusion into the general education system. The lawmaker also filed Senate Bill No. 396 in 2019 which seeks to expand the application of the Special Education Fund for payment of salaries and allowances of teaching and non-teaching personnel, among other purposes.
Ukraine Ministry of Defence requests help from Florida-based firearms manufacturer Adams Arms, in conjunction with its industry partners, who will donate 10 high-tech-enabled, semi-automatic sniper rifles and ammunition

Longtime leaders in US firearms, Adam Arms, are donating Sniper Rifles and Ammunition to Ukraine, in conjunction with six other firearms manufacturers. The gun manufacturers will donate 10 state-of-the-art, semi-automatic sniper rifle systems (built on Adams Arms 21st-century piston platform) along with ammunition, to be delivered to the Ukraine Ministry of Defence. (The rifles, optics and ammunition are valued at more than $80,000.)

-- The rifles will be assembled at and shipped from Adams Arms at their Brooksville, FL, plant on May 5th, 2022.

The six manufacturers working with Adams Arms contributing parts for the rifles are:

1. Leupold Stevens, a Beaverton, OR, manufacturer who is supplying the scopes/optics and mounts.

"We have a strong belief in freedom and self-determination and are honored to contribute further to Ukraine and its determination to defend their ground," says Bruce Pettet, CEO of Leupold Stevens, a world leader in sporting optics.

2. PROOF Research, a Columbia Falls, MT, manufacturer who is donating the barrels.

"We are dedicated to freedom and are proud to be able to contribute to its defense in Ukraine," says Kelly Streiff, VP Sales Marketing, PROOF Research, a leader in application of composite technologies.

3. Rise Armament, from Broken Arrow, OK, is taking care of the triggers.

4. Radian Weapons, out of Redmond, OR, has supplied the charging handles/safety selectors.

5. Luth AR, a Buffalo, MN, manufacturer is supplying the buttstocks.

"We strongly believe in the right of individuals to fight for freedom against tyranny," adds Randy Luth, founder and CEO of Luth-AR and founder of DPMS/Panther Arms, an innovator in rifle accessories.

6. Hornady Manufacturing, out of Grand Island, NE, will take care of the ammunition.

"The Russian invasion of Ukraine is an attack on national sovereignty and individual freedom and liberty that must be stopped. We are proud to partner with our industry partners to provide much needed assistance to the Ukrainian people in their fight against tyranny," says Hornady Manufacturing VP Jason Hornady.

Adams Arms President Jason East adds, "It goes beyond altruism or corporate responsibility. As Americans, we cannot allow the kind of aggression Russia has brought forth in Ukraine. What's that old saying? The only thing evil needs to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Well, we are doing something."

Adams Arms has already delivered approximately 1,000 piston-driven, semi-automatic AR-15 style rifles to Ukraine for civilian use and are planning to reach a total of 2,500.

About Adams Arms

In a changing nation where the fastest growing markets of first-time gun owners are millennials, women and people of color, the old public impression of gun owners has faded. Skill proficiency, adventure and empowerment are spearheading the sharp demand for firearms and ammunition, while personal and home defense continues to be a driving force. Adams Arms, headquartered in Brooksville, Florida, is the face of reliable, clean, and cooler AR15 firearms operation with its patented piston drive action-favorites of gun enthusiasts across the country. Known for their years of parts experience and their engineering and design prowess, their Retro-Fit system can be installed by owners or piston-action arms can be purchased new. Adams Arms' proprietary PVD and Melonite process and their lifetime warranty make their lineup of products dependable for years to come. Visit https://adamsarms.net/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005303/en/

Contacts:

Media Inquiries:

Karla Jo Helms

JOTO PR

727-777-4619

jotopr.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (J) said it now expects fiscal 2022 adjusted EBITDA of $1.385 billion to $1.435 billion, revised from prior guidance range of $1.370 billion to $1.450 billion. The company now expects adjusted EPS of $6.95 to $7.35, revised from prior guidance of $6.85 to $7.45. Second quarter net income was $88.8 million, or $0.68 per share compared with $11.04 million, or $0.08 per share, last year. Excluding items, adjusted earnings was $223 million or $1.72 per share for the period. Analysts on average had expected the company to earn $1.68 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The company's revenue for the quarter rose 8.6% to $3.8 billion from $3.5 billion last year. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Cloud Investigation Platform Provider Recognized for its Ability to Empower Security Teams to Investigate and Respond to Threats at Cloud Speed

Cado Security, provider of the cloud investigation platform, today announced that it has been named one of 10 finalists for the RSA Conference 2022 Innovation Sandbox Contest. Known for its ability to effortlessly deliver forensic-level detail into cloud, container and serverless environments, Cado Security brings incident response into the cloud era. On Monday, June 6, Cado Security will present its cloud investigation platform to a panel of renowned industry judges and a live in-person audience at RSA Conference 2022 in San Francisco.

The Cado Response platform delivers unprecedented visibility and context into threats spanning cloud, container and serverless environments. Within a single timeline, security teams can seamlessly investigate hundreds of data sources across cloud-provider logs, disk, memory, and more. The platform is powered by a patent-pending cloud-native architecture that automatically scales up and down to provide rapid, parallel data processing, drastically reducing dwell time following incident detection. Only Cado empowers security teams to investigate and respond to threats at cloud speed.

"When a cyber incident occurs in the cloud today, security teams face a number of obstacles that lead to significant delays in investigation and response," said James Campbell, CEO and Co-Founder, Cado Security. "As more data moves to the cloud and more threats target cloud environments, it's critical that security teams have the ability to respond efficiently. The Cado Response platform delivers forensic-level detail, empowering security teams to investigate and respond to cyber incidents without wasting time, money, or effort."

Since 2005, the RSAC Innovation Sandbox has served as a platform for the most promising young cybersecurity companies to showcase their groundbreaking technologies and compete for the title of "Most Innovative Startup." The competition is widely recognized as a catapult for success and the top 10 finalists have collectively celebrated 69 acquisitions and received $9.8 billion in investments over the last 17 years. Cado Security will have three minutes to pitch the panel of judges before a question-and-answer round.

"While the cybersecurity industry contends with constant changes and challenges, these bold thinkers are the changemakers we need to protect the world against new threats," said Linda Gray Martin, Vice President, RSA Conference. "For the last 17 years, RSAC Innovation Sandbox Contest finalists have gone on to make a significant impact, and there's no doubt that this year is any different. We're cheering on this year's finalists to carry on the competition's legacy with their game-changing ideas and I look forward to seeing the influence they make on the future."

The RSAC Innovation Sandbox Contest kicks off at 12:00 p.m. PT on June 6 and winners will be announced at 3:00 p.m. the same day. The panel of renowned expert judges includes Dorit Dor, Chief Product Officer at Check Point Software Technologies; Niloofar Howe, Sr. Operating Partner at Energy Impact Partners; Paul Kocher, Independent Researcher; Shlomo Kramer, Co-founder and CEO, Cato Networks; and Christopher Young, Executive Vice President of Business Development Strategy and Ventures at Microsoft. Hugh Thompson, Program Committee Chair of RSA Conference, will return to host the contest.

For more information regarding RSA Conference 2022, taking place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco from June 6-9, please visit https://www.rsaconference.com/usa.

To schedule a demo with Cado Security during RSA, please visit: https://offers.cadosecurity.com/rsa-book-meeting

About Cado Security

Cado Security provides the cloud investigation platform that empowers security teams to respond to threats at cloud speed. By automating data capture and processing across cloud and container environments, Cado Response effortlessly delivers forensic-level detail and unprecedented context to simplify cloud investigation and response. Backed by Blossom Capital and Ten Eleven Ventures, Cado Security has offices in the United States and United Kingdom. For more information, please visit https://www.cadosecurity.com/ or follow us on Twitter @cadosecurity.

About RSA Conference

RSA Conference is the premier series of global events and year-round learning for the cybersecurity community. RSAC is where the security industry converges to discuss current and future concerns and have access to the experts, unbiased content and ideas that help enable individuals and companies advance their cybersecurity posture and build stronger and smarter teams. Both in-person and online, RSAC brings the cybersecurity industry together and empowers the collective "we" to stand against cyberthreats around the world. RSAC is the ultimate marketplace for the latest technologies and hands-on educational opportunities that help industry professionals discover how to make their companies more secure while showcasing the most enterprising, influential, and thought-provoking thinkers and leaders in cybersecurity today. For the most up-to-date news pertaining to the cybersecurity industry visit www.rsaconference.com. Where the world talks security.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005941/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Maryellen Sartori

fama PR for Cado Security

cado@famapr.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - ION Energy Limited (TSXV: ION) (OTCQB: IONGF) (FSE: 5YB) ("ION" or the "Company") is excited to provide an extensive operational and exploration update on the heels of the site visits in Mongolia in late April, to our Baavhai Uul and Urgakh Naran projects:

+81,000 hectare Baavhai Uul flagship project has shown ~25% lithium anomalies thusfar, as further drilling results are pending; and

Results from core brine sampling are expected from our +29,000 hectare Urgakh Naran sala: sampling was collected from the surface, with five of eight Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) lines completed with 53 auger holes to a depth of 12m, 2m after the water table or basement; whichever was arrived at first. Auger holes are being sampled every 2m and are bailed a minimum of twice, 24 hours after being drilled before collecting brine samples.

Following the recent site visits to the 100%-owned Baavhai Uul and Urgakh Naran projects, conducted by our CEO, Ali Haji, ION Director, Enkhtuvshin Khishigsuren, Don Hains, P.Geo, MBA, Lead Technical Advisor, and Dr. Mark King, PhD, P.Geo, ION is pleased to share that exploration programs have advanced and results from both brine collected and core samples are expected in the coming weeks.

ION's CEO, Ali Haji, commented, "I would like to thank Mark and Don for joining this strategic visit, and am excited to be building a critical Lithium supply, with these foremost global industry experts by our side. Having their on-the-ground insight was invaluable from a training perspective for our in-country exploration team, and further reinforced the potential of our highly prospective, world-class assets. We are encouraged by the prospect of Baavhai Uul's pending additional drilling results and Urgakh Naran's current sampling."

ION's technical advisor, Dr. Mark King shared his observations: "I visited Mongolia from April 19-24, 2022 for the purpose of reviewing ION's lithium brine exploration assets, located in the Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia. Though the UN site's program is at an early stage, with TEM geophysics and shallow auger sampling just under way, the geology and morphology of the property is highly prospective, with some parallels to Nevada playa basins and South American salars. It was heartening to see some artisanal salt harvesting in the surface evaporite layers, contained in the low-lying dry ponds and lakes: a good indication of brine presence.

In my first foray into Mongolia, it was evident that the jurisdiction has a very positive view of responsible mining and exploration projects. And my interaction with the in-country ION exploration crew demonstrates that Mongolia has a highly-skilled mining workforce, with well-trained geologists and hydrogeologists to support such projects. I look forward to the upcoming results from both of ION Energy's sites."

ION Energy looks forward to providing regular exploration program updates with the market, in the coming weeks. In the meantime, our team has prepared this video to share in the excitement of our recent visit.

Urgakh Naran







Figure 1. Aerial image of two salt flats in the Urgakh Naran Basin.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6906/122500_a8b456b9e4e36ab8_001full.jpg











Figure 2. Exploration Camp at Urgakh Naran.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6906/122500_fig2.jpg







Figure 3. Natural Evaporation Ponds on one of the salt basins at Urgakh Naran.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6906/122500_a8b456b9e4e36ab8_003full.jpg







Figure 4. Brine collected on site at Urgakh Naran during site visit for assay.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6906/122500_a8b456b9e4e36ab8_004full.jpg







Figure 5. Senior Technical team: Enkhtuvshin Khishigsuren, Mark King, PhD, PGeo., and Don Hains, P.Geo, MBA with CEO, Ali Haji on site at Urgakh Naran.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6906/122500_a8b456b9e4e36ab8_005full.jpg







Figure 6. Exploration status at Urgakh Naran as at April 30, 2022.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 6, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6906/122500_a8b456b9e4e36ab8_006full.jpg

Baavhai Uul

Results from the maiden auger exploration program have now been obtained for the entire licence. The Company looks forward to the results from the infill program. Given the scale of this licence, we are encouraged by the grades being seen in and around the White Wolf Prospect.







Figure 7. Baavhai Uul results and exploration status map.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 7, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6906/122500_a8b456b9e4e36ab8_007full.jpg

All technical information disclosed in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Khurelbaatar Lamzav, P.Geo., an independent consultant to the Company and a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101.

Options

The Company also announces that it has granted to certain consultants and insiders of the Company, 165,000 options an aggregate of 165,000 incentive stock options (the "Stock Options") to purchase common shares under the Company's incentive stock option plan (the "Plan"). Each Stock Option is exercisable into a common share of the Company at a price of $0.605 for a period of two years from the date of grant. The Stock Options will vest immediately and be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About ION Energy Ltd.

ION Energy Ltd. (TSXV: ION) (OTCQB: IONGF) (FSE: 5YB) is committed to exploring and developing Mongolia's lithium salars. ION's flagship, 81,000+ hectare Baavhai Uul lithium brine project, represents the largest and first lithium brine exploration licence award in Mongolia. ION also holds the 29,000+ hectare Urgakh Naran highly prospective Lithium Brine licence in Dorngovi Province in Mongolia. ION is well-poised to be a key player in the clean energy revolution, positioned well to service the world's increased demand for lithium. Information about the Company is available on its website, www.ionenergy.ca, or under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

For further information:

COMPANY CONTACT: Ali Haji, ali@ionenergy.ca, +1 647-871-4571

MEDIA CONTACT: Siloni Waraich, siloni@ionenergy.ca, + 1 416-432-4920

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Information set forth in this news release contains 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. 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. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, potential mineralization, exploration and development results, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from ION Energy's expectations include, among others, uncertainties relating to availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, risks related to international operations, the actual results of current exploration activities, delays in the development of projects, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined as well as future prices of lithium, and ability to predict or counteract potential impact of COVID-19 coronavirus on factors relevant to the Company's business. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122500
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Mendon Venture Partners, a venture investment and strategic advisory firm,has hired Kelsey Weaver as Head of Platform to further differentiate its fund as the founding partners thoughtfully invest in fintech companies that serve regional and community banks.

Weaver brings nearly twelve years of working in financial services, predominantly at the intersection of banking and technology. Prior to joining Mendon Venture Partners, she ran her own consulting company, Empact Innovation, focused on startups, capital raising, and market fit for various fintech companies as well as strategic partnerships with established banking institutions.

Weaver started her career in the media space, hosting events and educational workshops for bank executives. She went on to build and lead FinXTech, a platform created to connect fintech and bankers, in collaboration with BankDirector. Currently, Weaver sits on the board for Locality Bank, a de novo, digital-first bank out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Weaver holds a BA in Finance from Belmont University.

"We are thrilled to have Kelsey join our team and can think of no one better to be our first employee given our focus and recently launched banktech fund that invests in early- to mid-stage innovative technologies that predominantly serve traditional banks. We are confident that Kelsey will help build, expand, and accelerate our efforts for this initial fund and beyond," commented Andrew Marquardt, Founder and Managing Partner of Mendon Venture Partners.

"I'm excited to join such established investment experts in the banking and fintech space, and look forward to working with all the founding partners, Anton Schutz, Andrew Marquardt, Dan Goldfarb, and John Clausen. There is tremendous financial value to the network effect, especially with a thoughtful and bespoke approach," stated Kelsey Weaver.

For the fund, Weaver will help fundraise, communicate trends and deal flow to our partners, establish partnerships, create community, and advise portfolio companies on their go to market strategies.

About Mendon Venture Partners

Mendon Venture Partners is a venture capital investment firm focused on the intersection of innovative technology and traditional banks. Mendon Ventures BankTech Fund is dedicated to investing in technologies that predominantly serve incumbent regional and community banks across foundational pillars of financial services including big data/analytics, automation, payments, core banking/processing, and risk/compliance. Mendon Ventures intends to realize and add value through its unique approach, aligned partnerships, rigorous analysis, and trusted advisory role among market participants.

Media Contact

John Clausen

clausen@mendonventures.com

SOURCE: Mendon Venture Partners

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699819/Mendon-Venture-Partners-Adds-FinTech-and-Banking-Veteran-Kelsey-Weaver
CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:EPL) ("Eagle Plains") and SKRR Exploration (SKRR) have received results from the 10-hole, 1867m (6125') drill program recently completed on EPL's 100%-owned Olson property (the "Property"). SKRR may earn up to a 75% interest in the property over three years (option agreement details below). The Olson property area covers 11,219 ha located within the Trans Hudson Corridor 20km northwest of Deschambault Lake, Saskatchewan and 80km south of SSR Mining's Seabee Gold Operation. All 2022 work was fully funded by SKRR.

The 2022 program was designed to follow up on results from SKRR's 18-hole, 2,981m (9780') drill program completed in Fall 2020 and the 12-hole, 1674m (5492') diamond drill program completed in Winter 2021. Both programs were successful in intersecting significant gold mineralization, extending known mineralized trends at the Olson and Sisken Zones as well as defining newly discovered gold mineralization at the Point, Jena, Ackbar and Michael's Lake Zones (see EPL news releases February 4th, 2021, March 25th, 2021 & May 6, 2021)

Winter Program Drilling Highlights:

Winter 2022 program continued to demonstrate the potential for broad mineralized zones at Michael's Lake. New discoveries include: OL22009: 50.35 m @ 0.56 g/t Au (85.00-135.35m)



Drill results at the Olson Zone continue to be encouraging: step-out holes show continuity of mineralized shear veins along strike and down-dip of previous intersections. The Olson Zone remains open in all directions. Significant intersections include: OL22003: 8.07 m @ 1.62 g/t Au (47.73-55.80m), including: 0.89 m @ 5.64 g/t Au (51.11-52.00m) OL22006: 2.07 m @ 2.44 g/t Au (74.70-76.77m)



Drilling at Ackbar Lake focused on extending gold mineralization first discovered in 2021. 2022 drilling proved strike-length continuity of mineralization >100m from the discovery hole OL21029. Significant intersections include: OL22008: 6.75 m @ 0.95 g/t (62.00-68.75m), including: 1.02 m @ 1.97 g/t (63.48-64.50m) OL22008 confirmed continuity of mineralization over >100m. This mineralization was first discovered in drill hole OL21029, returning 0.75g/t Au over 8.12m, including 2.39g/t Au over 1.4m;



9 of 10 holes completed during the recent program intersected significant gold mineralization

See Olson regional map here

See Olson property map here

Select Drill Results Table

Hole From (m) To (m) Core Interval (m) Au (g/t) Azimuth () Dip () Zone OL22001 47.00 48.00 1.00 1.20 160 45 Olson OL22002 17.63 18.38 0.75 2.34 155 50 and 81.60 83.70 2.10 3.20 including 81.60 82.64 1.04 5.22 OL22003 47.73 55.80 8.07 1.62 155 55 including 50.00 54.30 4.30 2.78 including 51.11 52.00 0.89 5.64 and 66.14 67.15 1.01 1.01 and 72.50 73.25 0.75 1.69 OL22004 125.32 126.74 1.42 1.43 155 55 and 134.00 135.00 1.00 1.33 OL22005 23.33 37.90 14.57 0.50 155 55 including 32.45 33.50 1.05 1.27 and 74.41 76.10 1.69 0.89 including 75.10 76.10 1.00 1.05 OL22006 74.70 76.77 2.07 2.44 155 65 and 88.50 89.50 1.00 1.37 and 100.23 105.90 5.67 0.81 including 102.72 103.98 1.26 1.72 OL22007 32.42 33.80 1.38 2.00 210 55 Ackbar and 51.35 52.50 1.15 1.01 and 130.60 137.50 6.90 0.43 including 136.92 137.50 0.58 1.01 228.10 229.00 0.90 1.42 OL22008 62.00 68.75 6.75 0.95 210 45 including 62.00 65.72 3.72 1.25 including 63.48 64.50 1.02 1.97 OL22009 85.00 135.35 50.35 0.56 290 70 Michael's Lake including 131.00 134.10 3.10 1.48 OL22010 no significant intercepts 150 45 Carina

* All drill indicated intercepts as reported in this news release are measured along core length and true thickness is yet to be determined.

See Olson maps and drill collar locations here

Drillholes OL22001 - 006 were completed at the Olson Zone and were designed to test mineralized shear-veins hosted in strained metavolcanic rocks. Results from 2022 show that mineralization reported in historic holes have strike and dip direction continuity and remains open in all directions. Hole OL22003 returned 8.10 m of 1.62 g/t Au including 0.84m of 5.64 g/t Au. Hole OL22006 returned 2.44 g/t Au over 2.07 m

Drillholes OL22007 - 008 were completed at Ackbar Lake and tested mineralized shear/vein systems hosted in granodiorite-diorite of the Brownell Lake Pluton. Mineralization in this zone was first discovered during the 2021 program in hole OL21029. OL22008 returned 0.95 g/t Au over 6.75 m including 1.97 g/t over 1.02m.

OL22009 tested a geophysical chargeability anomaly at the Michael's Lake Zone that was first intersected in OL20018 and OL21024. OL22009 was designed as a 120 m step-out from OL21024 and successfully intersected mineralized hosted at the contact between the Brownell Lake Pluton and surround country rock. Assays show a broad, low-grade Au mineralization associated with the contact, returning 50.35m of 0.56 g/t Au including 3.10 m of 1.48 g/t Au.

Drillholes OL22010 tested the western extension of Au mineralization reported in historic drilling at the Carina Zone. The hole intersected semi-massive arsenopyrite hosted in a 1.0 m thick quartz vein. Assays did not return economically significant Au concentrations.

Tim Termuende, P.Geo., President and CEO commented recently on the results: "We continue to be encouraged by results to date at the Olson Project. The presence of consistent high grade gold mineralization identified at the Olson Zone and low-grade, bulk-tonnage gold mineralization discovered at the Point, Ackbar and Michael Lake Zones confirms the overall potential of the Olson Project and the widespread presence of gold mineralization on the property."

Ross McElroy, Chairman and Chief Geologist, SKRR Exploration stated: "With multiple drill confirmed target areas displaying a diverse style of gold mineralization, the Olson property continues to impress, showing encouraging signs of the potential to host deposit scale occurrences. Hole OL22009 at Michael Lake, with a 50m wide mineralized interval is an excellent example of the large and robust scale of gold mineralization at Olson."

Olson Project Summary

The Olson project area overlies regionally sheared, highly strained meta-volcanic and intrusive rocks which are considered to be prospective for orogenic gold mineralization. The property is host to 29 mineral occurrences defined by historical geological mapping, prospecting, trenching and 4700m of diamond drilling, with the last drilling by third party operators reported in 2008. Historical drilling at Olson Lake intersected 7.5 m grading 2.07 g/t Au including 13.00 g/t Au over 0.65 m, and grab samples of up to 105.52 g/t Au have been collected at the Kalix occurrence. 2018-2019 fieldwork completed by Eagle Plains and a previous partner consisted of a detailed compilation of historical data, geological mapping, soil geochemical work and prospecting. Fall 2020 drill program by SKRR at the Olson Zone intersected significant gold mineralization including new discoveries at the previously undrilled Point, Jena and Michael's Lake Zones, high grade mineralization in a step out hole at the historic Olson showing and wide intercepts of near surface mineralization at the Siskin Zone. Follow-up drilling in 2021 extended known mineralization at historical occurrences and resulted in a new gold discovery at the previously undrilled Ackbar Zone. The Olson project is considered to be significantly underexplored, with many known gold occurrences open at depth and along strike. Some results are historical in nature and have not been confirmed by Eagle Plains/SKRR but are considered to be reliable and will form a basis for ongoing work.

QA/QC

Geological and geotechnical logging and core sampling were completed at a facility on the Olson property. Assay intervals were based on visual identification of mineralization, presence and density of quartz veins and lithological boundaries. TerraLogic Exploration geologists maintained chain of custody and sampling procedures reported in this news release according to best industry practice and with due attention to quality assurance and quality control, including sampling field duplicates and insertion of certified standard and blank samples.

Samples were sent for geochemical analysis with ALS Global, Vancouver for the following analyses: 48 element four-acid ICP-MS (ME-MS61) and gold (Au) 50 g Fire Assay - AA finish (Au-AA25). Samples that returned over 1ppm Au by Au-AA24 were re-analysed using gold (Au) 50g Fire Assay - Gravimetric finish (Au-GRA22).

On receipt of final certificates of analysis, the QA/QC sample results were reviewed to ensure the order of samples were reported correctly, that the blanks ran clean, and that the results for each standard had minimal variance from its certified value. QA/QC for the Olson Drilling Program included certified reference material ("CRM's") and blanks that were inserted into each sample batch in order to verify the analytical from the lab. The CRM's from all holes reported passed within 3 standard deviations and the blanks returned acceptable values. All of the lab internal standards and duplicates were within acceptable values.

Olson Option Agreement Details

Under the Agreement, SKRR may earn-in up to a 51% interest in the Property by completing exploration expenditures of $3,000,000, making cash payments of $250,000 and issuing 1,000,000 voting class common shares to EPL over a 4 year period ending December 31, 2022. SKRR may earn-in up to a an additional 24% (75% total) interest in the Property by making additional exploration expenditures of $1,500,000 on the Property and issuing 200,000 common shares of SKRR to Eagle Plains on or before December 31, 2023.

Qualified Persons

The four-week program at the Olson was supervised by Jarrod Brown, P.Geo. of TerraLogic Exploration Services of Cranbrook, B.C. and relied extensively on support services and personnel from the town of Deschambault Lake, SK for which we express our gratitude. Charles C. Downie, P.Geo., a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and a Director of Eagle Plains Resources Ltd., has prepared, reviewed, and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release.

About Eagle Plains Resources

Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains is a well-funded, prolific project generator that continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada. The Company was formed in 1992 and is the ninth-oldest listed issuer on the TSX-V (and one of only three that has not seen a roll-back or restructuring of its shares). Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin-outs has transferred over $100,000,000 in value directly to its shareholders, with Copper Canyon Resources and recently Taiga Gold being notable examples.

The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team. Eagle Plains also holds significant royalty interests in western Canadian projects, covering a broad spectrum of commodities. Management's focus is to advance its most promising exploration projects. Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices.

Expenditures from 2011-2021 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $27M, the majority of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 42,000m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim J. Termuende"

President and CEO

For further information on EPL, please contact

Mike Labach at

1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673)

Email: mgl@eagleplains.com or visit our website at http://www.eagleplains.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

SOURCE: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699795/Eagle-Plains-SKRR-Drilling-Continues-to-Intersect-Widespread-Gold-Mineralization-at-the-Olson-Gold-Project-Saskatchewan
Provides Update on Miminiska Project

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Lithoquest Resources Inc. (TSXV:LDI) ("Lithoquest" or the "Company") today announced that it has entered into an Option Agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the 615ha Gold Standard Project located in northwest Ontario. The Company has also staked an additional 252 mineral claims surrounding the Gold Standard property, bringing the total project area to 5,953 ha.

"Gold Standard augments the Company's portfolio of projects in northwest Ontario," commented Bruce Counts, President and CEO of Lithoquest Resources Inc. "Historical work on the property supports the potential for a major discovery, the area is under-explored, and it can be acquired and advanced inexpensively."

Gold Standard Project Highlights

Option to earn a 100% interest in claims covering historical high-grade gold workings

Results from work conducted by the vendors near the historical workings include 471 g/t Au* and 450 g/t Au* from bedrock grab samples as well as 113 g/t Au over 1.2m* from a chip sample

and from bedrock grab samples as well as from a chip sample Minimal exploration work has been completed in the project area. No holes have been drilled near the historical workings and there are only 4 holes on the property with the last completed in 1971.

Accessible year-round

Low acquisition cost

Gold Standard Project Transaction

The Option Agreement contemplates Lithoquest earning a 100% interest in the Gold Standard mineral claims (see Figure 1) from Messrs. Allan Onchulenko and Peter Gehrels (the "Vendors") by making the scheduled payments defined in Table 1. The Option Agreement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance

Table 1: Option Payments for 100% interest in the Gold Standard Property

Payment Date Cash Lithoquest Common Shares On signing of the LOI $5,000 Nil 10 days after Effective Date $10,000 $15,000 12 months after the Effective Date $20,000 $20,000 24 months after the Effective Date $25,000 $25,000 Total $60,000 $60,000

The "Effective Date" is defined as the date the Option Agreement receives TSX Venture Exchange acceptance

The Vendors will retain a 2% Net Smelter Royalty on both projects. Lithoquest can buy back 1% of the NSR by paying the Vendors $750,000 at any time

Figure 1: Gold Standard Project

This acquisition is part of the Company's ongoing process to actively review mineral properties with the objective of securing projects that offer significant discovery potential. Taken together with the Company's commanding land position in the Fort Hope Greenstone Belt, Lithoquest now has projects that range from grassroots to early discovery.

* Historical results have not been independently verified by Lithoquest and there is no guarantee that the Company can reproduce the results in whole or in part. Potential investors should not rely on these historical results when making an investment decision

Miminiska Update

The Miminiska Project continues to be the Company's primary focus. Core from the recent drill program has now been logged in detail and approximately 800 samples have been submitted to an accredited laboratory for assay. Results are expected before the end of Q2.

Miminiska is located within the traditional territory of the Eabametoong First Nation (the "EFN"). Lithoquest has submitted project information to the EFN that follows their engagement protocols and the Company looks forward to feedback from community members.

Stock Option Grant

The Company has granted incentive stock options to certain of its directors, officers and consultants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,450,000 common shares of the Company (the "Options"). The Options are exercisable for a period of five years, at a price of $0.20 per common share. All Options were granted in accordance with the Company's stock option plan.

Qualified Person

The technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Bruce Counts, P. Geo., President, CEO and a Director of Lithoquest Resources Inc. and Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.

About Lithoquest Resources Inc.

Lithoquest is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of economic precious and base metal deposits on four district-scale projects in northwest Ontario: Miminiska, Keezhik, Attwood and Gold Standard.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the Company's strategic plans, future operations, future work programs and objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. 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 information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. 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, except as required by law.

For further information, please contact:

Lithoquest Resources Inc.

+1 (604) 506-2804

bcounts@lithoquest.com

SOURCE: Lithoquest Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699882/Lithoquest-Acquires-Fourth-High-Grade-Gold-Project-in-NW-Ontario
Keynote Session and New eBook Explore the History and Future of Identity Governance and Administration

Clear Skye Inc, the only identity governance and security solution built natively on ServiceNow, today announced the details of its participation at the 2022 Enterprise Identity Conference (EIC) taking place from May 10-13 in Berlin, Germany. Hosted by analyst firm KuppingerCole, EIC is Europe's leading identity and cloud conference, bringing together the brightest minds in IT and security for the past 15 years. The hybrid event will live-stream both in-person and virtual sessions covering the top industry trends, challenges, and use cases in enterprise identity today.

Clear Skye Chief Strategy Officer Jackson Shaw will present two keynote sessions, one titled "The Value Paradox: The 3 Inflections of IGA," which will explore the phases of identity governance and administration (IGA) through modern history. The company has issued an eBook with the same title, available now for download online or at the Clear Skye booth (#8). Additionally, Clear Skye will participate on a panel with leaders from Ping Identity and ForgeRock.

Who: Jackson Shaw, CSO, Clear Skye

What: EIC 2022. Sessions include:



Keynote: Privacy the 7 Laws of Identity (19:20 19:40 on Tuesday, May 10)



Panel: Identity Fabrics: The Mesh and the Factory for Identity Services (11:30 12:00 on Wednesday, May 11)



Keynote: The Value Paradox: The 3 Inflections of IGA (19:40 20:00 on Wednesday, May 11)

When: May 10-13, 2022

Where: bcc Berlin Congress Center, Alexanderstr. 11, 10178 Berlin or online

Additional Resources:

Click here to learn more about Clear Skye's EIC sessions

Click here to download our eBook or visit booth #8 at EIC

For more information about Clear Skye or request a product demo, visit https://clearskye.com/

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest Clear Skye updates

About Clear Skye

Clear Skye is the only identity security and governance solution built natively on ServiceNow. The company reimagines enterprise identity access and risk management by enabling organizations to use a familiar interface, provide deeper identity control and insight, and build a bridge between the business and IT. By reducing silos between functional areas like HR, IT, SecOps, and GRC, Clear Skye reduces friction, increases efficiency, and accelerates time-to-value. Global customers trust Clear Skye with their identity lifecycle management, governance, and security initiatives.

For more information, visit www.clearskye.com, and follow on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005059/en/

Contacts:

Gina Devine

Director, Global Communications, Clear Skye

gina.devine@clearskye.com
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Fortitude Gold (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") today announced the timing of its first quarter 2022 earnings conference call scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 2022. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield.

Conference Call

Fortitude Gold's CEO, Mr. Jason Reid, will host the conference call Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Topics of discussion will include first quarter results and an update on current operations. The conference call will be recorded and posted to the Company's website.

Q&A

Following Mr. Reid's opening remarks, the Company will host a question and answer (Q&A) session.

Date: Thursday, May 5, 2022

Time: 11:00 AM Eastern (9:00 AM Mountain)

There are two ways to join the conference call:

To join the conference via webcast, please click on the following link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2640/45469.



To join the call via telephone please use one of the following dial-in details:



Toll Free: 888-506-0062

International: 973-528-0011

Participant Access Code: 382581

Please connect to the conference call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time using one of the connection options listed above.

About Fortitude Gold Corp.:

Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of five high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and a sixth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions.

Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release. In particular, the scope, duration, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mining operations, Company employees, and supply chains as well as the scope, duration and impact of government action aimed at mitigating the pandemic may cause future actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. Also, there can be no assurance that production will continue at any specific rate.

CONTACT:

Greg Patterson

719-717-9825

greg.patterson@fortitudegold.com

www.Fortitudegold.com

SOURCE: Fortitude Gold Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699843/Fortitude-Gold-Announces-First-Quarter-Conference-Call
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - Tower Resources Ltd. (TSXV: TWR) ("Tower" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has completed its preliminary follow-up diamond drilling program on the newly discovered Hole 26 gold zone on the Company's Rabbit North property near Kamloops, British Columbia, between New Gold's New Afton underground Cu-Au mine and Teck's Highland Valley open pit Cu-Mo mine (see Fig. 1). Tower has also officially named the gold discovery the Lightning Zone in recognition of the speed with which it was struck, just six months after the initial till heavy mineral survey that identified the Dominic Lake gold grain dispersal train (see Fig. 2).

Six holes Nos. RN22-028 to 033, totaling 2398 m were drilled (see Figs. 2, 3), adding to the four inaugural holes drilled in December 2021, Nos. 024 to 027. The new holes were positioned to confirm the apparent 040 strike and determine the dip of the substantial mineralized zone indicated by the impressive 1.40 g/t Au intercept over 95 m, including 19.2 m of 4.21 g/t Au, in discovery Hole RN21-026 in December, 2021 (see Tower's January 11, 2022 press release), and test the first 100-150 m of the presumed northeastern strike extension of the zone.

Holes 028 and 029 were sited 50 m northeast of Hole 026 and drilled in scissors fashion toward the Lightning Zone (Fig. 3). Their intersections appeared to confirm the apparent northeast strike of the zone and determined that its dip is steep, probably to the south. Therefore the remaining holes were drilled to the northwest at dips of either 45 or 60.

Holes 030 and 031 were drilled 100 m northeast along strike from Hole 026, Hole 033 was drilled 150 m northeast and Hole 032 was drilled under the common collars of Holes 026 and 027. All holes appear to have intersected the Lightning Zone based on intense fracturing with visible bleaching, silicification and pyritization similar to that associated with the zone in Hole 026.

The apparent widths of the intersections are up to several tens of metres, the 95 m intersection in Hole 026 being longer because the hole was drilled more obliquely to the gold zone. The host rocks are andesitic crystal-ash, lapilli and block tuffs, with the finer tuffs appearing to be the most permissive hosts.

The visually most impressive - and interestingly also the deepest - intersection is in Hole 030 where silicification is most advanced, resulting in intense quartz veining with abundant pyrite and, locally, significant chalcopyrite (see Fig. 4). The intercept from Hole 33 is more typical, showing the characteristic fractured, broken core, bleaching and silica flooding with relatively little pyrite (see Fig. 5).

Those holes that were extended well beyond the Lightning Zone, such as Nos. 029 and 031, appear to have intersected a second mineralized zone ~100 m further down-hole. The host tuff in this "footwall" zone is similarly fractured and silicified but contains little pyrite. However, pyrite abundance is not a reliable indicator of Au grade here because the high-grade (12.4 g/t), 10 m intersection in historical Hole 97-07, 400 m along strike to the northeast (see Figs. 2, 3), contained only 1 to 2% pyrite. As well, a vertical percussion hole drilled in 1990 one km further northeast, No. 90-5 (see Fig. 2) returned 1.75 g/t Au from a composite 40 m sample that also contained only 1 to 2% pyrite.

Holes 030 and 033 intersected a dyke of quartz-feldspar porphyry that is very siliceous and as fractured and pyritized as the intruded tuffs (see Fig. 6), suggesting that the gold mineralization is related to intrusion of the porphyry. Intriguingly, a similar porphyry dyke is present beside the high-grade gold zone in Hole 97-07 to the northeast.

All core from the new holes, along with the previously uncut core sections from December holes RN21-024 to 027, has been submitted for analysis. The analyses for Holes 024 to 027 are now being received while those for Holes 028 to 033 are expected near the end of May.

The Au results from the two drilling programs will be released separately after they have been received and evaluated. Drilling is expected to resume in mid-June.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Stuart Averill, P.Geo., a Director of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Tower Resources

Tower is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in the Americas. The Company's key exploration assets, both in B.C., are the Rabbit North copper-gold porphyry project located between the New Afton copper-gold and Highland Valley copper mines in the Kamloops mining district and the Nechako gold-silver project near Artemis' Blackwater project.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Tower Resources Ltd.

Joe Dhami, President and CEO

(778) 996-4730

www.towerresources.ca

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.





Figure 1 - Location of Tower's Rabbit North property relative to the active mines of the Kamloops district.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/122576_da2a5a7d14abe913_002full.jpg





Figure 2 - Location of the drill area relative to the Dominic Lake gold grain dispersal train, Tower's December 2021 drill holes and historical holes with significant Au intercepts.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/122576_da2a5a7d14abe913_003full.jpg





Figure 3 - Drill hole locations. See Figure 2 for legend.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/122576_da2a5a7d14abe913_004full.jpg





Figure 4a - Part of the strongly quartz-veined section of the Lightning Zone in Hole 030.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/122576_da2a5a7d14abe913_005full.jpg





Figure 4b - Detail of part of Figure 4a.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/122576_da2a5a7d14abe913_006full.jpg





Figure 5 -Strongly fractured/altered and weakly pyritized andesitic tuff producing badly broken core typical of the Lightning Zone. Hole 33.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/122576_da2a5a7d14abe913_007full.jpg





Figure 6 - Fractured and altered quartz-feldspar porphyry from Hole 30.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/122576_da2a5a7d14abe913_008full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122576


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - AmerisourceBergen (ABC), Cardinal Health (CAH) and McKesson (MCK) announced Tuesday that they have reached an agreement with the Washington Attorney General, under which the distributors will pay up to $518 million to the State of Washington and its participating subdivisions to resolve opioid-related claims.



The settlement amount is consistent with Washington's allocation under the previously announced comprehensive agreement to settle the vast majority of the opioid lawsuits filed by state and local governmental entities, as well as certain attorneys' fees and costs.



Upon effectiveness of the settlement, the State of Washington will dismiss the lawsuit that is currently being tried. The agreement is subject to certain contingencies, including the rate of subdivision participation.



The terms of the agreement with the State of Washington are consistent with the comprehensive settlement agreement, which became effective on April 2, 2022.



While the companies strongly dispute the allegations made in the plaintiffs' complaints and during trial, they believe that resolving all of the litigation filed by the State of Washington and its political subdivisions will further the companies' goal of achieving broad resolution of governmental opioid claims while delivering meaningful relief to communities across the United States that have been impacted by the opioid epidemic.







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Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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ELKO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Lithium Corporation (OTCQB:LTUM) ("LTUM" or "the Company"), a North American company focused on energy metals for the growing energy storage sector and high-tech industries, is pleased to inform shareholders the Fish Lake Valley claim block has been expanded yet again, and the partially completed magnetotelluric (MT) survey identified three stand-alone drill targets in the more southerly areas of the claim block.

Recently, the Fish Lake Valley claim block increased to approximately 11,020 acres (4460 hectares) in order to cover basinal lows identified by the earlier passive seismic survey, which possibly could be traps for Li-in-brine mineralization. Additionally, the recent MT (magnetotelluric) survey, conducted on the southern portions of the claim block, identified 3 conductivity targets suggestive of brine mineralization at depth. Two of these targets are adjacent to previously identified structure that coincides with proximal Li-in-clay at surface. The third target is further east and has not been previously identified as an area of interest.

The Fish Lake Valley project optionee Morella Corporation indicated they are planning to commence an initial drill program here sometime in the second half of 2022.

About Lithium Corporation

Lithium Corporation is an exploration company based in Nevada devoted to the exploration for energy storage related resources throughout North America, and looking to capitalize on opportunities within the ever-expanding next generation energy storage markets. The Company has maintained a strategic alliance with Morella Corporation (the Company's single largest shareholder) for the past nine years, and has recently entered into a formal agreement with Morella with respect to an earn-in on the Company's Fish Lake Valley lithium-in-brine prospect in Esmeralda County, Nevada.

Website: www.lithiumcorporation.com

CONTACT:

Tom Lewis, CEO

Lithium Corporation

775-410-5287

info@lithiumcorporation.com

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This current report contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of minerals prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our most recent annual report for our last fiscal year, our quarterly reports, and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Lithium Corporation (OTC-LTUM) 1031 Railroad St. Ste 102B Elko NV 89801 (775) 410-5287 www.lithiumcorporation.com

SOURCE: Lithium Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699824/Lithium-Corporation-Fish-Lake-Valley-Project-Progress
Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - GENERAL EUROPEAN STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS INC. (OTC Pink: GESI) (the "Company or GESI") is pleased to announce the Seismic and Electromagnetic Methods for Deep Mineral Exploration Project ("SEEMS DEEP"), has officially commenced. GESI participates in the SEEMS DEEP Project through its wholly owned Finnish subsidiary Laakso Minerals Oy ("Laakso").

The Kick-off meeting of the SEEMS DEEP Consortium takes place today, with several leading European scientific institutions and companies participating

During this meeting the participants are expected to finalize the work streams for the upcoming exploration program, targeting deep-seated ore deposits within Laakso's reservation permit

GESI's Korpuajarvi Reservation Permit will be used as a test area of SEEMS DEEP Project. It covers a significant portion of the strong positive-gravity and magnetic anomaly, which connects the two parts of the Koillismaa-Narankavaara Intrusive Complex and is supposed to act as a conduit ("Feeder Dyke") for the mafic-ultramafic magma that formed orthomagmatic Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-Platinum Group Elements (Palladium, Platinum, Gold) and Chrome-Vanadium-Titanium-Iron mineralization in the area

Laakso Minerals Oy has started already the process of conversion of the Korpuajarvi Reservation Permit into an Exploration Permit, which would give the Company the exploration rights over the area for 4 to 15 years

Wolfgang Rauball, GESI's CEO, stated, "This is a historic occasion for GESI and the SEMS DEEP Team, we are at the forefront of modern exploration techniques and are pushing the boundaries of what was previously thought possible. The Energy Transition will require the discovery of large deposits that can support the paradigm shift in our energy use that is already underway, to make these discoveries exploration techniques need to evolve and technologies improve, we at the vanguard of this process. We look forward to updating shareholders on developments as the project advances."

About SEEMS DEEP:

The SEEMS DEEP Project is a part of the ERA-MIN3, a global innovative pan-European network of 24 European and non-European research funding organizations, aiming to strengthen the mineral raw materials community through the coordination of research and innovation programs.

The Project has been selected for financing by the referees after a strong competition of 146 pre-proposals for its scientific excellence, impact and implementation. The total budget of the Project is  2,182,518.

Other Participants alongside GESI include the: Geological Survey of Finland, Bureau des Recherches Geologiques et Minieres (France), Uppsala University (Sweden), Institute of Geophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, IRIS Instruments (France), GRM-Services (Finland), Geopartner Geofizyka (Poland).

The SEEMS DEEP Consortium is implementing the innovative scientific-research methods, approaches and ideas in discovering of the deep-seated ore deposits within Laakso's reservation permit through the development of a novel workflow, integrating seismic and electromagnetic methods.

The SEEMS DEEP workflow aims to substantially improve geomodels that will enable better decisions in exploration drilling, which in turn will lead to decreased exploration cost and a smaller environmental impact. Its ambition is to produce high-confidence earth models that add more value to the exploration project than several drill holes that might miss the exploration target and provide only point-like data.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include any that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words "estimate", "project", "intend", "forecast", "anticipate", "plan", "planning", "expect", "believe", "likely", "should", "could", "would", "may" or similar words or expressions. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results and financial position to differ materially from those in such statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the Company's ability to grow. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted and any reported should not be considered an indication of future performance. Potential risks and uncertainties include the Company's operating history and resources, together with all usual and common economic, competitive, and equity market conditions / risks.

Contact:

Robert Seguin, V.P., Investor Relations

General European Strategic Investments Inc.

Robert.Seguin@gesi-usa.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122577
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Goodbody Health Inc. (CSE:GDBY) (OTCQB:GDBYF) ("Goodbody Health" or the "Company") is pleased to announce today a positive adjusted EBITDA of 0.48 million (C$0.83m) in its audited Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2021. The Company has filed the Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for year ending 2021 with strong results, especially in the second half of the year due to its growth in testing services. All amounts unless stated otherwise are presented in British Pounds (GBP).

The Company having met its ambition of diversifying within the Wellness sector through the rollout of additional testing clinics continues to expand both its clinic footprint and the range of tests offered. The Company is rapidly becoming an aggregator of innovative technology and innovative tests, including blood and genome, and is highly active in looking at novel products to enable consumers to take more control of their wellbeing.

The Company's CBD products have successfully met the requirements of the FSA novel food list while both its Polish subsidiary and Phytovista Laboratories have achieved accreditations and registrations to support the quality agenda on the CBD side of the group. CBD related revenue during 2021 underperformed, and thus supports the Boards decision to diversify revenue opportunities.

Management have therefore taken a cautious approach to goodwill and intangibles from the StillCanna reverse takeover in 2020, posting impairments to strengthen the balance sheet going forward.

2021 Highlights:

Revenue 755% higher than 2020. 17.06m (C$29.41m) (2020: 1.99m), 15.07m more than the previous year, making it the highest revenue year since inception, driven by the clinic testing business.

Gross profit 695% higher than 2020. 8.93m (C$15.39m) (2020: 1.12m), 7.81m more than the previous year. The gross profit percentage margin remains strong at 52% although slightly lower than the previous year of 56%

Adjusted EBITDA (Adjusted for non-cash items). 0.48m 1 (C$0.83m) (2020: -3.27m), 3.75m better than the previous year.

(C$0.83m) (2020: -3.27m), 3.75m better than the previous year. ISO22000 accreditation in Poland. The Polish plant achieved ISO22000 as well as HACCP, GO and GHP, all globally recognised standards for safe food manufacturing.

Phytovista Laboratories Granted ISO Accreditation, the Group UK Laboratory, Phytovista Laboratories was granted accreditation for ISO/IEC 17025:2017, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.

Two tranches of the Company's non-brokered private placement were issued at a price of C$0.07875 per Unit of 45,888,730 Units for gross proceeds of C$3,613,737.49 and 12,701,557 Units for gross proceeds of C$1,000,247.61.

German Distribution. A contract with Lexalife in Germany to distribute Goodbody CBD products signed.

Online GP Service. The Introduction of an online GP service

Superdrug. The Clinic network partnered with Superdrug to extend the offering for phlebotomy blood services.

Clinic network. Over 140 clinics and 32 product tests by year end

The net comprehensive position improved to show a loss of 2.14m (2020: 4.51m). This loss was generated mainly by the prudent impairment of the Polish goodwill (143k), intangibles (467k), and farming equipment no longer in regular use (276k). This impairment was due to lower than expected revenues in Poland and risks associated with the potential impact of war in Ukraine. Additionally, there were 309k of net unrealised currency losses on intercompany loans and translation adjustments.

Highlights Subsequent to end 2021:

Change of name to Goodbody Health. The Company changed its name to represent a clearer view of the new broader health and wellness strategy.

Move up to OTCQB. The company moved from OTC pinks listing to OTCQB.

Novel Food acceptance. Goodbody CBD products were listed by the FSA on the novel food list.

Phytovista Laboratories Granted Home Office License, the Group UK Laboratory, Phytovista Laboratories was granted a Home Office license to handle controlled substances.

The clinic network has grown to over 200 with over 100 being supplied with Abbott machines to test for diabetes and cholesterol, giving results in less than ten minutes as well as the broader range of tests offered totalling 45.

Geremy Thomas, Executive Chairman, says; "The decision to incorporate revenue sources outside CBD has proven to be the right strategy. I am absolutely delighted by the fantastic revenues driven by strong growth and a clear strategy in the Health & Wellness Sector. We offer our customers choice and the ability to know more to live better. The NHS plan to place more emphasis on people taking more responsibility of their health will continue to focus the market on prevention rather than symptomatic diagnosis. We are very much consistent with this approach with our strategy."

1EBITDA has been adjusted for the following non-cash items: share based payment charges, asset impairment, and unrealised currency losses

The Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis and further information regarding the Company can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Marc Howells

Chief Executive Officer

Goodbody Health Inc.

+44 (0) 20 7971 1255

enquiries@goodbodyhealth.com

www.goodbodyhealth.com Anne Tew

Chief Financial Officer

Goodbody Health Inc.

+44 (0) 20 7971 1255

enquiries@goodbodyhealth.com

www.goodbodyhealth.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains certain "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. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Goodbody Health's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements 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" "plan is" or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur", "will be achieved" or "shortly". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to; the Company becoming and aggregator of innovative technology and innovative tests; and that there are risks associated with the potential impact of war in Ukraine.

Although Goodbody Health believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. In particular, the NHS plan to place more emphasis on people taking more responsibility of their health will continue to focus the market on prevention rather than symptomatic diagnosis; and posting impairments will strengthen the balance sheet going forward.

The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this press release, and Goodbody Health does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws

SOURCE: Goodbody Health Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699827/Goodbody-Health-Inc-Publishes-2021-Audited-Financial-Statements
Sale supports strategy to focus investments on advantaged assets

Includes 'Neptun Deep' block in the Black Sea

Transaction expected to close in second quarter

ExxonMobil has reached an agreement to sell its Romanian upstream affiliate, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania, to Romgaz for more than $1 billion, subject to Romanian government approvals.

"ExxonMobil continues to evaluate our portfolio of opportunities, focusing our investments in advantaged assets with a low cost of supply," said Liam Mallon, president of ExxonMobil Upstream Company. "Our investments to date have positioned the Neptun Deep project for future success with potential to help increase resource production within Romania and the European Union."

The agreement includes all shares in ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania along with interest in the XIX Neptun Block offshore Romania. Operatorship on the block will transfer to its other titleholder, OMV Petrom. Employees of the Romanian affiliate will transfer as part of the sale.

ExxonMobil has been present in Romania's upstream sector since November 2008, when it acquired an interest in the deepwater Neptun Deep block in the Black Sea.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded international energy and petrochemical companies, creates solutions that improve quality of life and meet society's evolving needs.

The corporation's primary businesses Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions provide products that enable modern life, including energy, chemicals, lubricants, and lower-emissions technologies. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading portfolio of resources, and is one of the largest integrated fuels, lubricants and chemical companies in the world. To learn more, visit exxonmobil.com and the Energy Factor.

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Statement

Statements of future events or conditions in this release are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including closing of agreed divestments and realization of payments; performance of and results from other investments; and other business plans, could vary significantly depending on a number of factors including the supply and demand for oil, gas, and petroleum products and other market factors affecting the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries; the severity, length and ultimate impact of COVID-19 on people and economies and actions of governments in response to the pandemic; obtaining necessary approvals and consents and satisfaction of other conditions precedent contained in the applicable agreements; the development and competitiveness of alternative technologies; actions of competitors and commercial counterparties; political and regulatory developments including environmental regulations; and other factors discussed in this release and under Item 1A Risk Factors in ExxonMobil's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Results" on the Investors page of our website at exxonmobil.com. The term "project" can refer to a variety of different activities and does not necessarily have the same meaning as in any government payment transparency reports.

Exxon Mobil Corporation has numerous affiliates, many with names that include ExxonMobil, Exxon, Mobil, Esso, and XTO. For convenience and simplicity, those terms and terms such as Corporation, company, our, we, and its are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific affiliates or affiliate groups. Nothing contained herein is intended to override the corporate separateness of affiliated companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005774/en/

Contacts:

Media Relations

972-940-6007
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Elliott Investment Management L.P., which manages funds that have investment in Western Digital Corporation (WDC), sent a letter to the Board of Western Digital. The letter called on the Board to conduct a full strategic review of the value that could be created by separating its two businesses, hard disk drives and NAND flash memory. Through separation, Elliott believes Western Digital's stock price could reach $100+ per share by the end of 2023. Also, Elliott is offering $1+ billion of incremental equity capital into the Flash business at an enterprise value of $17 to $20 billion, to be utilized either in a spin-off transaction or as equity financing in a sale or merger with a strategic partner. 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.
Elligo Health Research, the ultimate healthcare-enabling research organization, today announced a new collaboration with WHYZE Health, a digital platform that strives to unify research, healthcare, and patient data an integration that gives patients more control over their healthcare data and will break down barriers for participation in clinical trials. WHYZE Health CMO, Professor Frank Sullivan, and CEO of Elligo, John Potthoff, Ph.D., announce that their two companies will be jointly forming a European Medical Advisory Committee and inviting others in healthcare and clinical trials to join. The committee's mission is to connect and empower more physicians, patients, and population health stakeholders to get access to the right clinical trials.

"The current landscape for clinical research relies on doctors to encourage patients to seek out clinical trials," said Christian Burns, President, Elligo International. "However, the WHYZE Health platform will empower patients to bring research options to their doctors as well, eliminating the siloed approach to patient care and the housing of patient records. Building on Elligo's experience with over 600 community-based healthcare practices and their data, the goal is to enable clinical trials within WHYZE's access to local healthcare providers to raise awareness of clinical trials, increase patient and physician participation, and encourage research as care leading to better patient outcomes, more efficient healthcare systems, and better health economics."

The objective of the WHYZE Health platform is to revolutionize healthcare by creating a fully connected digital ecosystem that allows the exchange of validated, structured, and up-to-date health data. With WHYZE:

Patient users of the application will have access to and be able to share their fully portable healthcare information with population health and healthcare organizations. The platform uses real-world evidence to provide up-to-date information on the best available treatment options, centers, and support networks.

will have access to and be able to share their fully portable healthcare information with population health and healthcare organizations. The platform uses real-world evidence to provide up-to-date information on the best available treatment options, centers, and support networks. Physician users of the application will be able to streamline patient care by communicating freely with patient users and other physicians and providers that are approved by the patient. This can reduce diagnostic timelines and improve healthcare outcomes.

will be able to streamline patient care by communicating freely with patient users and other physicians and providers that are approved by the patient. This can reduce diagnostic timelines and improve healthcare outcomes. Clinical research organizationusers of the application will be able to access patient consented data through a secured exchange for clinical trials.

"WHYZE and Elligo together seek to create innovative solutions that utilize industry standards and healthcare data to fundamentally improve regulated clinical research traditional, hybrid, and at-home studies and accelerate research conclusions," said WHYZE Health CEO Frances Abeton, MBA. "This is the next evolution of healthcare to enable all stakeholders to facilitate a patient-centric collaborative care and research approach."

For more information about Elligo and their partners accelerating clinical research, visit https://www.elligohealthresearch.com/.

About Elligo Health Research

Elligo Health Research accelerates clinical trials through healthcare with access to known patients and their HIPAA-compliant healthcare data, our IntElligo Research Stack technology, and our hybrid enrollment model, PatientSelect. Coupled with the largest Known Patient Access Network, Elligo's Site Solutions enable healthcare practices and research sites to participate in clinical trials. By adaptive engagement of known patients and physicians, we accelerate the development of new pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device and diagnostic products.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005366/en/

Contacts:

Lindsey Langemeier

SCORR Marketing

402-405-4269

lindsey@scorrmarketing.com
WESTCHESTER, Ill., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to the food manufacturing industry, today announced that it will host its 2022 Investor Day on Thursday, June 2, 2022, from its Ingredion Idea Labs innovation center in New Jersey. The presentation will begin at 9 a.m. (ET) and is expected to end at approximately 10:30 a.m. (ET).

The event will be hosted by James Zallie, president and chief executive officer, and James Gray, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and include presentations from other members of the Company's executive leadership team followed by a Q&A discussion. A live webcast of the presentation will be available at https://ir.ingredionincorporated.com/ (https://ir.ingredionincorporated.com/), in the "News and Events" section, under "Events and Presentations." Participants are encouraged to preregister on the Company's newsroom and log on to the webcast approximately 10 minutes before the start of the presentation. A replay of the presentation will be available on the Company's website shortly after the event and will be archived for one year.

ABOUT INGREDION

Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR) headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, is a leading global ingredient solutions provider serving customers in more than 120 countries. With 2021 annual net sales of nearly $7 billion, the company turns grains, fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for the food, beverage, animal nutrition, brewing and industrial markets. With Ingredion Idea Labs innovation centers located around the world and more than 12,000 employees, the Company co-creates with customers and fulfills its purpose of bringing the potential of people, nature, and technology together to make life better. Visit ingredion.com (https://ir.ingredionincorporated.com/)for more information and the latest Company news.

CONTACT:

Investors: Jason Payant, 708-551-2584

Media: Becca Hary, 708-551-2602




Industry Veterans from Galaxy Digital and Proof Trading to bolster efforts of the company's Product, Engineering & Design team

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Clear Street , a fintech building better access to capital markets, today announced key additions to its Senior Leadership Team with the appointment of William Dulude as Chief Product Officer; Prerak Sanghvi as Vice President of Engineering and the promotions of Emilio Schapira to Vice President of Engineering and Brent Brooks to Chief Design Officer. These leaders will together oversee the firm's Product, Engineering & Design (PED) function.

"Our team at Clear Street is on a mission to improve investors' access to the capital markets by building better infrastructure. It is an ambitious goal and to achieve it we need strong leaders to shape strategy, set priorities and guide our teams," said Sachin Kumar, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Clear Street. "I am pleased to welcome Will and Prerak and congratulate Emilio and Brent on their new roles. The Product, Engineering and Design team is a critical function, and I am confident that these leaders will help us continue to deliver for our clients and push the boundaries of what we can create in the future."

William Dulude joins Clear Street with an extensive career in trading systems, risk management, engineering, investment and operations management, account reconciliation and financial modeling. He most recently served as Director of Electronic Trading Product at Galaxy Digital, and before that was Global Head of Operations at Tagomi. He has also held senior roles at Tower Research Capital, KCG Holdings, and Courant Capital Management. In this new role as Chief Product Officer, he will be responsible for running product strategy at the enterprise level, as well as overseeing product development for all of Clear Street's business segments.

Prerak Sanghvi will be joining Clear Street in June, bringing vast experience in electronic trading, equities, trading systems, engineering, capital markets, market data and risk management. Most recently, Sanghvi served as CTO of Proof Trading. He previously served as Head of Venture Technology at IEX Group, Inc. and has held senior roles at RBC Capital Markets, Myrias LLC, and Bank of America Securities. In this new role as VP of Engineering, Sanghvi will oversee Clear Street's Product, Securities Finance, Risk, Electronic Execution Services and Fact Data engineering teams.

Emilio Schapira is being promoted to VP of Engineering after serving as the company's Engineering Lead for Clearing & Custody and Infrastructure since November 2021. In his new role, Schapira will oversee the Clearing, Data, Research & Analytics, Control, and Infrastructure engineering teams, as well as several other horizontal teams that are in incubation stages. Prior to Clear Street, Schapira served in lead engineering roles at Waze and the Google Cloud Platform.

After joining Clear Street last year as the company's Head of Design, Brent Brooks enters into his new role as Chief Design Officer. Brooks has built a robust team of talented designers that work seamlessly across different functions, balancing a long list of needs and visions while continuing to deliver.

Over the past 12 months, Clear Street has expanded its leadership team and nearly doubled its staff to support product development and meet client demand. The firm also recently announced the expansion of its North American footprint to include a new Dallas office to support Sales & Trading efforts.

About Clear Street:

Launched in 2018 by industry veterans, Clear Street is a financial technology company building better infrastructure for capital markets. Clear Street's first offering is its proprietary, cloud-based prime brokerage platform, which offers institutions, professional traders, and brokerages everything they need to trade U.S. equities and options. The platform is built on native cloud infrastructure that is flexible, scalable, secure, and reliable. Clear Street clients are able to trade sooner and smarter, processing more than $3 billion in trades every day. In the future, Clear Street will offer a suite of services to meet the needs of all market participants, across geographies and asset classes. For more information visit https://clearstreet.io/ .

Press Contact:

Elizabeth Connerat

press@clearstreet.io

Clear Street does not provide investment, legal, regulatory, tax, or compliance advice. Consult professionals in these fields to address your specific circumstances. These materials are: (i) solely an overview of Clear Street's products and services; (ii) provided for informational purposes only; and (iii) subject to change without notice or obligation to replace any information contained therein.

Products and services offered by Clear Street LLC, member FINRA and SIPC. Additional information about Clear Street is available on FINRA BrokerCheck (https://brokercheck.finra.org/firm/summary/288933), including its Customer Relationship Summary.

Copyright  2022 Clear Street LLC, all rights reserved

SOURCE: Clear Street

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699820/Clear-Street-Names-William-Dulude-as-Chief-Product-Officer-Appoints-VPs-of-Engineering-and-Chief-Design-Officer
GUANGZHOU, China, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 131st Canton Fair, hosted virtually from April 15 to 24, further expanded its global sales and marketing network to promote trade cooperation with a record-breaking number of 536,000 overseas buyers from 228 countries and regions worldwide participating in the spring Fair, a 41.8 percent increase from the 130th Fair.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9044851-131st-canton-fair-china/

Themed "Canton Fair, Global Share," the 131st Canton Fair has fully optimized its official platform to set up sections for supplier and vendor matching, new product releases, exhibitor connections and more, structuring a highly efficient, ubiquitous and borderless trade platform that allows global sellers and buyers to sign orders from anywhere in the world.

A total of 25,500 exhibiting companies have presented their products and brands at the Canton Fair, showcasing over three million items, a third of which are new product releases. Both of these figures represent new records in Canton Fair's history.

"A large number of intelligent, green and low-carbon products with independent intellectual property rights are emerging and growing rapidly, with the continuous development of new technologies, processes and models. The Canton Fair is a platform to show the world the latest achievements of China's advanced manufacturing, creativity, technologies and brands, demonstrating the strong resilience of China's foreign trade," said Xu Bing, the spokesperson of the Canton Fair and Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre.

The Canton Fair has arranged 147 top companies from 24 trade groups to host 150 new product launch events under five major themes: advanced technology, intelligent manufacturing, better life, low-carbon & green products and trade services.

In addition, the Fair also featured 974 companies in the Rural Vitalization zone who brought 49,200 products and signed orders to push forward the scaled, branded and specialized development of local industries.

More "Trade Bridge" events were hosted during the Canton Fair that reached 57 countries and regions worldwide, with a total of 4,000 overseas buyers participating to connect with Chinese companies and brands. The eight episodes of the "Discover Canton Fair with Bee and Honey" livestreaming event garnered a total viewership of 1.48 million.

The global partnership program has also been promoted at the Fair, with cooperation agreements signed with industry and commerce institutions from the 14 RCEP member countries. The Canton Fair now has 170 global partners, and has furthered expanded its global network.

For more information: https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US
WEF will Feature 374water in a Technology Spotlight on PFAS Elimination While Showcasing Their Collaborative Partnership with the Merrell Brothers to Bring The AirSCWO Systems into the Municipal Market

DURHAM, NC / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / 374Water Inc. (OTCQB:SCWO) , a social impact cleantech company today announced it will sponsor and participate in the Water Environment Federation (WEF), Residuals and Biosolids Conference 2022 . The pre-conference workshop will take place on May 24, followed by the exhibition from May 25-27 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. 374Water is pioneering a new era of sustainability and shifting the waste paradigm from treatment and disposal to elimination and resource recovery through its innovative AirSCWO systems.

WEF, in cooperation with the Ohio Water Environment Association, aims to bring industry professionals together to discuss best practices, case studies, new technologies, and showcase innovations in the wastewater residuals and biosolids community. 374Water and its strategic partner, the Merrell Brothers, will be located at Booth 523, where both teams will be available to discuss 374Water's AirSCWO systems. WEF will feature 374Water in a Technology Spotlight at Booth 523 on "PFAS Elimination with SCWO" on May 26th at 12:30pm EDT. 374Water and Merrell Brothers are strategic partners collaborating on the manufacturing and service of AirSCWO Nix systems in the United States and Canada.

AirSCWO systems transform the simplest and most complex wastes such as wastewater residuals and biosolids, food waste, and industrial waste, including PFAS, the "forever chemical," into valuable resources. The systems harness the power of supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), a physical-thermal process that uses the properties of water above its critical point. In these conditions, in the presence of oxygen, organic wastes and chemicals are rapidly converted to clean water, energy, and minerals. The systems provide decentralized treatment at the source of generation reducing off-site waste hauling and disposal costs.

"2022 will be a critical year for the residual and biosolids industry as awareness and pressure from the public is calling for action to address chemical pollution and emerging contaminants like PFAS," said Kobe Nagar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 374Water. "We look forward to participating in this year's conference alongside other industry leaders to enable discussions and provide solutions for our municipal clients who want to be at the forefront of innovation and to move the industry forward."

The U.S. EPA's 2019 biosolids report found that approximately 4.75 million dry metric tons of biosolids were produced in the country that year. The Centers for Disease Control reports 98% of Americans have traces of PFAS in their bloodstream, which are later being recycled back into the environment through the use of biosolids. With The State of Maine banning the use of agricultural biosolids and more regulation mounting, municipalities and businesses are looking to cleantech for solutions. 374Water believes its attendance and participation in events like the WEF Residuals and Biosolids Conference will increase awareness of the value of SCWO among WEF members, thought leaders and decision-makers working at the forefront of residuals and biosolids treatment.

To learn more about 374Water, visit www.374water.com

About 374Water:

374Water is a US-based cleantech, social impact company whose mission is to preserve a clean and healthy environment that sustains life. We are pioneering a new era of sustainable waste management that supports a circular economy and enables organizations to achieve their sustainability goals. https://www.374water.com/

About Merrell Brothers:

Merrell Bros., Inc. is a nationwide biosolids management company helping municipalities, industries, and agricultural operations successfully manage and recycle biosolids since 1982. Merrell Bros., Inc. is dedicated to environmentally sound, agriculturally oriented, and State and Federally approved methods of biosolids management. At Merrell Bros., Inc. we make every effort to build a reputation based on honesty and professionalism.

Cautionary Language

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), which statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," and other words of similar meaning.

Company Contact: 374 Water: Richard Davis (786) 412-7015 ir@374Water.com Investor Contact: Hayden IR: James Carbonara (646)-755-7412 james@haydenir.com Media Contact: FischTank PR: 374water@fischtankpr.com

SOURCE: 374Water Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699933/374Water-Sponsors-the-Water-Environment-Federation-Residuals-and-Biosolids-Conference-from-May-24-27-2022
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Highmark Interactive Inc. (TSXV:HMRK) ("Highmark" or the "Corporation"), a global leader in digital health technologies, intends to amend the term to expiry of certain outstanding warrants to purchase common shares of the Corporation.

The warrants were initially issued as warrants to purchase shares of Highmark Innovations Inc. ("Innovations") as an incentive to certain individual lenders to lend funds to Innovations to complete acquisitions and for working capital (such funds, the "Bridge Loan") in connection with the Corporation's qualifying transaction with Innovations (the "QT"). On completion of the QT in November 2021, the warrants to purchase common shares of Innovations were exchanged for 1,060,987 warrants to purchase common shares in the capital of the Corporation on substantially equivalent economic terms, after accounting for the exchange ratio in the QT. On the date the warrants were issued, the term to maturity of the Bridge Loan was less than one year, and therefore the term of the warrants was initially limited under TSX Venture policies to not longer than one year. The warrants are currently due to expire on May 11, 2022.

During the course of completion of the QT, the term to maturity of the Bridge Loan was extended to May 11, 2023, being the date that is two years from the date the funds were advanced, but the term to expiry of the warrants was not concurrently extended. The Corporation intends to amend the expiry date of the warrants to May 11, 2023, being the amended maturity date of the Bridge Loan, provided that if the principal amount of the Bridge Loan is reduced or repaid during the first year of its term (i.e., before May 11, 2022), a pro rata number of the warrants will have their term reduced to the later of May 11, 2022 (i.e., one year from the date of issuance) and 30 days from the reduction or repayment of the loan. The warrants are exercisable at a price of $0.54 per share. The price of the warrants is not being amended. The amendment of the expiry date is subject to TSXV acceptance. The Corporation has applied to TSXV for approval of the amendments.

For additional information with respect to the QT, the Bridge Loan, and the warrants, see the Corporation's filing statement dated November 4, 2021, filed on the Corporation's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Highmark Interactive

Highmark Interactive was created to change the paradigm of testing and management for brain and mental health. Highmark's approach is focused on providing real-time data to health providers to support proactive, preventative interventions and targeted care planning to improve health outcomes.

In addition to a growing network of virtual, in-person and hybrid clinics, Highmark Interactive offers the world's first gamified, FDA cleared patient-led assessments as well as digital clinician-led assessments of neurofunction and balance. Together, the technology is used in >300 clinics globally. By unlocking insights, Highmark's platform enables precision medicine and creates a more contemporary model for delivering better outcomes in medical, mental health and rehabilitation services.

Learn more: https://www.highmark.tech/

For further information:

Highmark Interactive Inc.

Investor Relations

ir@highmark.tech

Don Harkness, Chief Financial Officer

855-969-5079

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This News Release contains forward-looking statements that relate to the current expectations and views of future events of the Corporation.

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, predictions, indications, 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 management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among other things, statements with respect to the amendment of the expiry date of certain outstanding warrants of the Corporation. These statements and other forward-looking information are based on opinions, assumptions and estimates made by the Corporation in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that Highmark believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release.

There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. In addition, if any of the assumptions or estimates made by management prove to be incorrect, actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Accordingly, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. Although the Corporation believes the assumptions underlying the statements related to the Corporation are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and the risks identified in the filing statement, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Highmark Interactive Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699939/Highmark-Announces-Intention-To-Amend-Warrant-Terms
BUCHAREST (dpa-AFX) - First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Romania and Slovakia this week to meet the displaced Ukrainian parents and children, who fled the country following Russian invasion. During her visit, from May 5 to May 9, she will also meet with U.S. service members, U.S. embassy personnel, humanitarian aid workers, and educators. Jill Biden is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian mothers and children on Mother's Day. The First Lady will depart the United States for Romania on the evening of Thursday, the White House said. On Friday, she will visit Mihail Kogalniceau Airbase in Romania, where she will meet with United States military service members. In the evening, the First Lady will travel to Romanian capital Bucharest. On Saturday, Jill Biden will meet with members of the Romanian Government, U.S. embassy staff, humanitarian aid workers, as well as educators who are helping teach displaced Ukrainian children and incorporate them into a stable and safe school environment. She will then travel to Bratislava, Slovakia to meet with U.S. embassy staff. On Sunday, the First Lady will travel to Kosice and Vysne Nemecke to meet with Ukrainian refugees, humanitarian aid workers, and local Slovaks who are supporting families who have sought refuge in their country during the Ukraine crisis. On Monday, Jill Biden will meet with members of the Slovak Government. 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.
WEED Australia Ltd. is a majority (>99%) owned subsidiary of WEED, Inc (USA) and one of the first public Cannabis companies in Australia established in March 2017.

TUCSON, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / WEED, Inc. (OTCQB: BUDZ ) ("WEED" or the "Company") a global cannabis & hemp bioresearch company based in the USA, focused on the development and application of cannabis-derived compounds for the treatment of human and animal diseases, announced today that its subsidiary, WEED Australia Ltd. completed its financial statement requirements under ASIC RULES and intends to move forward with a formal public offering for WEED Australia later in 2022 or 2023 depending on market conditions. As a current reporting public company in Australia., (all financial statements have been prepared in accordance with The Corporations Act of 2001 and Australian Accounting Standards and interpretations of the Australian Accounting Standards Board.) WEED is currently looking for and talking to candidates to form strategic partnerships to join under its WEED umbrella.

Glenn E. Martin, WEED, Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer, will be traveling to WEED Australia's Gold Coast based headquarters in mid May 2022 to attend the exclusive "United in Compassion" conference May 20th to May 23rd. For more information on the conference please visit UnitedinCompassion.com.au

"WEED Australia looks to continue its R & D in clinical trials domestically as well as in Israel in conjunction with sister company, WEED Israel Cannabis Ltd. on product development and educational tools for doctors, health practitioners and the public. The Cannabis Institute of Australia, WEED Australia's non-profit arm will lead the charge" states Glenn E. Martin , "Our goal is to take care of the domestic Australian marketplace first, with both pharma and non pharma products to deepen knowledge and uses of Cannabis and its derivative forms from high THC to CBD & CBG compounds. Research is key to long term success. An informed customer is your best patient." Martin continues; "We believe the majority of discoveries in Cannabis and Hemp are yet to be found. These are exciting times that will change global health worldwide!

WEED, Inc.'s Subsidiaries past comments from 2021/2022

WEED Israel (Cannabis) Ltd. "After over 2 years of putting human clinical trials and product development on hold due to COVID, WEED Israel is poised and anxious to build out our global brands in both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical categories, starting with women's health and veterans' ailments (PTSD) to healthy green alternative medicines" stated Elliot Kwestel, Managing Director of WEED Israel (Cannabis) Ltd. based outside Jerusalem. Kwestel further commented, "WEED Israel looks to enrich and expand our clinical trials with both THC and Cannabinoid studies to promote healthy living for generations to come."

WEED Australia Ltd. and The Cannabis Institute of Australia (C.I.A.), our Australian non-profit arm, based in Queensland on the Gold Coast. Managing Director Patrick Brodnik stated, "With the new rules out governing cannabis & hemp in Australia and the announcement on 1st of February 2021 to allow over-the-counter CBD medicines in pharmacies, timing is perfect to begin our clinical trials in Israel and Australia to bring new curative products to market as we close out COVID mandates this year. Managing Director Brodnik continues, "This year 2022, we believe the future of decriminalizing cannabis and hemp globally will prove to be a giant leap forward for worldwide cannabis legalization."

WEED Hong Kong Ltd. Director Nicole Breen agrees, "The pandemic has affected all of us on a worldwide basis. Healing our planet with natural therapies, treatments and eventual "cures" utilizing natures' own Cannabaceae plant with its many properties, both with high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) compounds, I believe will change the force of medicine forever in the years to come. We look forward to an exciting year end and a Prosperous 2022."

Caution Regarding Cannabis Operations in the United States

Investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. While legal in certain states, cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable U.S. federal money laundering legislation. Investors should carefully read the risk factors and disclosures contained in our offering circular before making any decision to invest in our company.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as, "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "expect", "anticipate", "believe, "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "outlook" and other similar expressions, and include statements with respect to future revenue and profits. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors relevant in the circumstances, including assumptions in respect of current and future market conditions, the current and future regulatory environment; and the availability of licenses, approvals and permits.

Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

Legal Notice

The information is provided for convenience only, is not investment advice and may not be relied upon in considering an investment in WEED, Inc. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained herein, and any investment decision should be based solely on the information contained in the offering circular and related materials, and the investors independent research. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the future performance of any investment in WEED, Inc. or that investors will or are likely to achieve favorable results, will make any profit at all or will be able to avoid incurring a loss on their investment. In addition, prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their financial, tax, accounting or other advisors to determine whether an investment in WEED, Inc. is suitable for them.

Media Contact:

Glenn E. Martin, CEO

1-520-818-8582

Glenn@WEEDincUSA.com

SOURCE: WEED, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699770/WEED-Australia-Ltd-a-Public-Company-and-Fully-Reporting-Under-Australian-Securities-and-Investment-Commission-ASIC-Rules-Completes-Five-Full-Years-of-Audited-Financials
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. (TSXV: WHY) ("West High Yield" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated April 5, 2022, gold drilling commenced on April 30, 2022 at the Company's Midnight Gold claim (the "Project Site") located in the Rossland Gold Camp area, British Columbia pursuant to its 2022 gold drill program (the "2022 Program"). The Company also announces the receipt of proceeds from the exercise of certain securities of the Company.

2022 Program

As highlighted in the Company's news release dated April 5, 2022, West Kootenay Diamond Drilling Services Ltd. (the "Contractor"), who the Company signed a drilling contract with to carry out the 2022 Program, will drill holes of up 20,000 feet on the Project Site with the objective to test deeper areas considered as having a high potential to extend the footprint of the known mineralization on the Project Site. The Company anticipates being able to further define the gold mineralization on the Project Site in order to allow the Company to proceed with a mineral resource estimate pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Frank Marasco Jr., President & CEO of West High Yield commented as follows: "I am pleased that as soon as weather conditions permitted, the Contractor team mobilized all drill equipment and support infrastructure to start drilling so quickly at the Project Site. Building on the Company's previously released 2009 drill results, West High Yield has excellent targets to test and with this strong start to the 2022 Program, the Company fully expects to drill all the planned targeted holes with considerable promise and expand the mineralized footprint at the Project Site with higher-grade cores."

The Company looks forward to sharing the results of the 2022 Program as soon as assay results are available from a qualified third-party assay lab. For more detailed information about the Company's previous gold drilling results, please refer to the Company's news release dated September 24, 2020 or its website.

Proceeds from Exercise of Warrants

The Company further announces that it has received proceeds totaling CAD$150,000 from the exercise of common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") One holder (the "Warrantholder") of Warrants exercised an aggregate of 1,000,000 Warrants resulting in the issuance of 500,000 common shares of the Company (each a "Warrant Share"). Two (2) Warrants permitted the Warrantholder to acquire one (1) Warrant Share at an exercise price of CAD$0.30 per Warrant Share. The Warrants were issued in connection with a private placement financing of the Company which closed in April of 2021.

About West High Yield

West High Yield is a publicly traded junior mining exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties in Canada with a primary objective to develop its Record Ridge magnesium deposit using green processing techniques to minimize waste and CO2 emissions.

Contact Information:

West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd.

Frank Marasco Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: (403) 660-3488 Facsimile: (403) 206-7159

Email: frank@whyresources.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; and other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date hereof, and to not use such forward-looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities of the Company will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122589
Profitero is a global SaaS platform that helps brands analyse and optimize their sales, marketing and operations performance across more than 700 retail websites around the world and 70 million products.

Publicis Groupe will combine Profitero's industry leading product data and analytics with the Groupe's retail media, data, and commerce solutions to offer unmatched capabilities for brands to maximize their online sales.

Regulatory News:

Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] (Paris:PUB) today announces the acquisition of Profitero, a leading SaaS global ecommerce intelligence platform helping brands accelerate commerce sales and profitability.

Profitero's solutions provide actionable insights and product visibility to more than 4,000 brands and 70 million products on more than 700 retailer websites, in over 50 countries every day.

As the lines between offline and online shopping blur due to digitally-influenced sales, Profitero's ecommerce and omnichannel analytics offering allows brands to anticipate, activate, and automate the next best action to fuel profitable growth for each item of their product catalogue.

By joining forces with Publicis Groupe, Profitero will access the necessary resources and capabilities to expand on its analytics core. As a result, it will become the first global commerce platform to truly empower brands by using predictive intelligence to deliver the best product experience, optimize content, increase results of organic search, compare prices with competitors, monitor product availability and track customer ratings and reviews, among other features.

Profitero's products, technology, and 300 employees will further scale and supercharge Publicis Groupe's existing commerce capabilities around the world. Publicis is now uniquely positioned to help its clients exponentially grow their online sales by uniting four strategic pillars:

People: A better understanding of people and how they shop, through Epsilon's CORE ID offering the industry's most accurate, stable and scalable identity solution, hosting more than 300 million consumer profiles worldwide.

Product: The combination of the Groupe's predictive Commerce Intelligence platform and Profitero will enable brands to maximize product performance relative to competitors across dozens of metrics, including paid and organic search placement, product content, pricing, stock availability and reviews across 700+ retailers by tracking and analyzing over 70 million products.

Placement: The ability to deliver retail media planning to manage ad placement and optimize the consumer journey, via CitrusAd, a leader in retail media, and the scale of Publicis Media.

Platforms: Better experiences across the customer journey and greater agility and faster time to market for clients, through Publicis Sapient's leading business transformation expertise, combining consulting, design, and engineering to build platform-based businesses blending marketing, sales, and service.

Profitero will remain a product-focused company within Publicis, led by CEO Bryan Wiener and President Sarah Hofstetter.

Wiener will report into Publicis Groupe Chairman and CEO Arthur Sadoun, who said: "By adding Profitero to our existing assets, we are now uniquely positioned across the four key pillars our clients need to connect, to capture an unfair share of the exponential growth in online sales. With us, our clients will seamlessly understand people, how they shop better than anyone else, thanks to Epsilon;

optimize their online product catalogue thanks to Profitero; maximize their online spend with retailers thanks to CitrusAd and the scale of Publicis Media. And they will be able to deliver unique, creative, customer experiences, through platforms backed by Publicis Sapient's engineering expertise. I am delighted to welcome Sarah, Bryan, and their outstanding team of experts to the Publicis family

Bryan Wiener, Profitero CEO said: "This is the best of both worlds as we retain our entrepreneurial spirit as a product-led organization while benefiting from the Publicis Groupe's diverse capabilities and scale. This brings immediate value to our clients and employees with increased product and technology investment, infusion of new media and content activation capabilities and tapping into the Groupe's global talent to fuel our continued growth

About Publicis Groupe The Power of One

Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] is a global leader in communication. The Groupe is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation. Publicis Groupe is a privileged partner in its clients' transformation to enhance personalization at scale. The Groupe relies on ten expertise concentrated within four main activities: Communication, Media, Data and Technology. Through a unified and fluid organization, its clients have a facilitated access to all its expertise in every market. Present in over 100 countries, Publicis Groupe employs around 90,000 professionals.

www.publicisgroupe.com Twitter: @PublicisGroupe Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Viva la Difference!

About Profitero

For more information, please visit www.profitero.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005971/en/

Contacts:

Delphine Stricker

Communication Director

+ 33 (0)6 38 81 40 00

delphine.stricker@publicisgroupe.com

Lizzie Dewhurst

Corporate Communications EMEA

+ 44 (0)79 49 918194

lizzie.dewhurst@publicisgroupe.com

Michelle McGowan

Corporate Communications US

+1 312 220 40 73

michelle.mcgowan@publicisgroupe.com

Alessandra Girolami

Investor Relations

+ 33 (0)1 44 43 77 88

alessandra.girolami@publicisgroupe.com

Clemence Vermersch

Investor Relations

+ 33 (0)1 44 43 72 17

clemence.vermersch@publicisgroupe.com
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 27th Session of the Youth Assembly returns this year after a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. Themed "Dare to Reshape the World," the event will convene 1,000 young leaders ages 18 to 32 in New York City , on August 12-14. Registration is open until June 30, 2022 .

"We need to place young people at the center of creating positive change in the world," says Daniel Obst, President and CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs, the global not-for-profit organizing the event. "Two years ago, New York City was the epicenter of the pandemic. We are excited to contribute to the city-and the world's-recovery by once again giving young people this global platform. With pandemics, climate change, and now the war in Ukraine, it's critically important to convene young leaders to connect, collaborate and advance towards solving the world's greatest challenges."

Selected through a competitive process, Delegates will tackle urgent challenges related to Youth, Global Health, Global Citizenship, Digital Cooperation and Inclusion. As a result, the Youth Assembly will create a powerful cross-sector global network (already 20,000-strong across 160 countries ) for the next generation of changemakers empowered to lead action-based projects, confront challenges, seize opportunities, and make a difference in their communities.

"At the Youth Assembly, you are one handshake, one business card away from living the life you envisioned for yourself and the people around you," said Youth Assembly alumna, Dr. Rebakaone Bowe, Global Health Policy graduate from Botswana.

Among other awards and opportunities, Youth Assembly Delegates will compete for the AFS Award for Young Global Citizens , worth $10,000 (with two runner up awards of $2,500 each). The award will support ongoing social impact ventures that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Youth Assembly is organized by AFS Intercultural Programs , a global non-profit founded in 1914 and renowned for its intercultural learning programs that empower young people with essential global skills-and the passion for making a difference. The event is supported by the Institute of International Education, University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, bp, SDSN Youth, Global Gateway Advisors, Candid, Schwarzman Scholars, Stanley Ho Foundation, Government of Romania Department of Sustainable Development, DoSomething.org and many more.

Applications and more information at: youthassembly.org .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1809370/Youth_Assembly.jpg
Dufry International AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results

Invitation to Dufry's First Quarter 2022 Trading Update



03.05.2022 / 18:00



Dufry is delighted to invite you to our First Quarter Trading Update 2022 Conference Call: Thursday, 19th of May 2022

From 14.30h CEST Speakers will be Julian Diaz, CEO Dufry AG, Yves Gerster, CFO Dufry AG and Xavier Rossinyol, Designated CEO Dufry AG. The presentation will be held in English, followed by a Q&A session. Time/Agenda:

- 14:30 CEST Investor & Analyst Presentation followed by Q&A Presentation and Conference Call: The access to the webcast platform will be available through our website. A playback option will be available there until 19th of June 2022. Telephone Access

Participants are invited to pre-register for the conference call here. Participants will receive the dial-in numbers and a personal pin-code upon registration. If you are unable to register through the link, please send an e-mail to ir@dufry.com. News Release & Presentation

Dufry will publish its 2022 First Quarter Results on 19th of May 2022 at 07:00 CEST with the presentation available on Dufry's IR website. For further information please contact: Dr. Kristin Kohler

Global Head

Investor Relations

Phone: +41 61 266 44 22

kristin.koehler@dufry.com Renzo Radice

Corporate Communications &

Investor Relations

Phone: +41 61 266 44 19

renzo.radice@dufry.com

Dufry Group - A leading global travel retailer Dufry AG (SIX: DUFN) is the leading global travel retailer operating over 2,300 duty-free and duty-paid shops in airports, cruise lines, seaports, railway stations and downtown tourist areas, in more than 420 locations in 66 countries across all six continents. The Company, founded in 1865 and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is offering customers a first-class shopping experience, global brands, a unique market access and landlords a reliable, value-enhancing partnership. To learn more about Dufry, please visit www.dufry.com.

Social Responsibility

Dufry cares for children and supports social projects from SOS Kinderdorf in Brazil, Cambodia, Mexico, Morocco and Ivory Coast. SOS Children's Villages is an independent, non-political and non-demonstrational organization established for orphaned and destitute children all over the world.

End of Media Release


3 May 2022

Rightmove plc

Share buy-back programme

Rightmove plc - Transaction in own shares

Rightmove plc ('Rightmove') announces that today it purchased 80,000 of its 0.1p ordinary shares at a volume weighted average price paid per share of 616.712p. The highest price paid per share was 621.200p and the lowest price paid per share was 612.000p. Rightmove purchased these shares through UBS AG London Branch.

The number of shares purchased represented 0.0095% of the voting rights attributable to the total ordinary shares in issue prior to such purchase. The purchased shares will be cancelled.

Since announcing a share buy-back programme on 28 December 2007, Rightmove has purchased in aggregate 465,696,229 ordinary shares.

The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding treasury shares) following this announcement is 840,890,677. Rightmove holds 12,467,174 shares in treasury.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as amended by The Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the "UK MAR"), the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by UBS AG London Branch on behalf of the Company as part of the buyback programme.

Contact Michelle Palmer, Assistant Company Secretary CompanySecretary@rightmove.co.uk

Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions
Disclosure in accordance with the AMF General Regulation

Regulatory News:

The shareholders of Antin Infrastructure Partners (the "Company") are invited to attend the Combined Annual Shareholders' Meeting (the "Meeting") to be held at 2:30 p.m. on 24 May 2022 at the Cloud Business Center, 10bis rue du Quatre-Septembre, 75002 Paris.

Organisational arrangements for the Meeting are subject to change depending on public health restrictions and/or legal requirements. Shareholders are therefore invited to regularly consult the Company's website https://shareholders.antin-ip.com/ under " Shareholders Meetings", which may be updated to specify final arrangements for Meeting attendance.

The Company has taken all measures to facilitate remote voting so that shareholders can vote without physically attending the Meeting, by internet on the VOTACCESS secure voting platform or by post using the form provided for this purpose and available on the Company's website (https://shareholders.antin-ip.com/shareholders-meeting/).

The Meeting will be broadcasted live and recorded in full on the Company's website. The registration link to access the broadcast of the Meeting will be available as of 9 May 2022 on the Company's website(https://shareholders.antin-ip.com/shareholders-meeting/).

The preliminary meeting notice including the agenda, draft resolutions and ways of participating in the Meeting was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) n45 on 15 April 2022. The convening notice was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) n52 and in Les Affiches Parisiennes on 2 May 2022.

Documents and information mentioned in Article R. 22-10-23 of the French commercial Code are available on the Company's website (https://shareholders.antin-ip.com/shareholders-meeting/).

Documents and information mentioned in Articles R. 225-81 and R. 225-83 of the French commercial Code can be sent to shareholders upon request to BNP Paribas Securities Services, Grands Moulins de Pantin, 9 rue du Debarcadere, 93500 Pantin, France (centralising institution appointed by the Company). They are also available on the Company's website (https://shareholders.antin-ip.com/shareholders-meeting/).

Shareholders may address their written questions to the Board of Directors, in accordance with the conditions specified in the preliminary meeting notice, until 18 May 2022 at midnight, Paris time. Written questions must be accompanied by a certificate of shareholder account registration, by email, to the following address: shareholderrelations@antin-ip.com.

In addition, shareholders will have the opportunity to ask questions on 24 May 2022 during the Q&A session of the Meeting if they are present in the room.

For any enquiries, shareholders can contact the Company via the shareholderrelations@antin-ip.com email address.

About Antin Infrastructure Partners

Antin Infrastructure Partners is a leading private equity firm focused on infrastructure. With over 22bn in Assets Under Management across its Flagship, Mid Cap and NextGen investment strategies, Antin targets investments in the energy and environment, telecom, transport and social infrastructure sectors. With offices in Paris, London, New York, Singapore and Luxembourg, Antin employs over 175 professionals dedicated to growing, improving and transforming infrastructure businesses while delivering long-term value to portfolio companies and investors. Majority owned by its partners, Antin is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: ANTIN ISIN: FR0014005AL0)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006089/en/

Contacts:

Media

Nicolle Graugnard, Communication Director

Email: nicolle.graugnard@antin-ip.com

Shareholder Relations

Ludmilla Binet, Head of Shareholder Relations

Email: ludmilla.binet@antin-ip.com

Brunswick

Email: antinip@brunswickgroup.com

Tristan Roquet Montegon +33 (0) 6 37 00 52 57

Gabriel Jabes +33 (0) 6 40 87 08 14
The "France Social Commerce Market Intelligence and Future Growth Dynamics Databook 50+ KPIs on Social Commerce Trends by End-Use Sectors, Operational KPIs, Retail Product Dynamics, and Consumer Demographics Q1 2022 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

According to the Q1 2022 Social Commerce Survey, social commerce industry in France is expected to grow by 21.8% on annual basis to reach US$7, 980.0 million in 2022.

The social commerce industry is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 23.9% during 2022-2028. The social commerce GMV in the country will increase from US$7, 980.0 million in 2022 to reach US$29, 438.1 million by 2028.

Globally, the social commerce market has grown significantly over the last four to eight quarters. The introduction of shopping tools by large social media platforms has largely supported the growth of the social commerce industry around the world. Notably, similar trends are visible in France, where the social commerce market is still developing when compared to other countries such as the United States and China.

As the online shopping method continues to gain momentum among consumers in France, big retailers are also looking to capitalize on the trend to further increase their sales numbers in the country. French retailers are conducting a number of live shopping events to gain increasing traction from social consumers in the country. Moreover, even global players are looking to enter the French social commerce industry in 2022 to capitalize on the growing social commerce trend and to gain market share.

While the market is still in its early stages of development with low social commerce penetration, the growing popularity of social media shopping among consumers has made the French industry ripe for disruption. Consequently, the publisher expects firms to launch innovative products and venture capital and private equity firms to increase their investment in the social commerce space over the next four to eight quarters.

Social commerce companies are focusing on promoting high-end products to gain more profit

While the social commerce sector is growing in France, consumers are still hesitant when it comes to purchasing products from social networking platforms. This behavior of the French consumer is also reflected in their spending on social media platforms. According to publisher's recent survey, nearly 80% of the French consumers who have made purchases from social media platforms buy for less than US$55.

The mistrust among the French consumers is one of the factors why consumers prefer buying low-priced products. Consequently, the publisher expects social media platforms to adopt strategic initiatives which can help them spread awareness and create trust among consumers, which can further help in increasing the overall transaction value and volume in the country.

Among the various platforms used by consumers to complete social commerce purchases, almost 75% of the consumers prefer Facebook. On the other hand, Instagram is preferred by approximately 25%, whereas Snapchat is preferred by 10.8% of the consumers in the country.

Scope

France Ecommerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2019-2028

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2019-2028

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Retail Product Categories, 2019-2028

Clothing Footwear

Beauty and Personal Care

Food Grocery

Appliances and Electronics

Home Improvement

Others

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Segment, 2019-2028

B2B

B2C

C2C

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Device, 2019-2028

Mobile

Desktop

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2019-2028

Domestic

Cross Border

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2019-2028

Tier-1 Cities

Tier-2 Cities

Tier-3 Cities

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Payment Method, 2019-2028

Credit Card

Debit Card

Bank Transfer

Prepaid Card

Digital Mobile Wallet

Other Digital Payment

Cash

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Consumer Demographics Behaviour, 2021

By Age

By Income Level

By Gender

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mwsrul

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006091/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

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Madeleine Dassule, Co-Head, Technology at Wellington Management joins Board of Directors

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / The Fintech Open Source Foundation ( FINOS ) today announced Wellington Management ( Wellington ), one of the world's largest independent investment management firms, as its newest Platinum member. In addition, Wellington's Co-Head, Technology, Madeleine Dassule will join the FINOS board of directors. This membership highlights the value and long-term benefits that open source collaboration brings to buy-side firms, with FINOS being recognized as the neutral umbrella for all industry constituents of the financial services ecosystem to leverage and contribute to open source technology.

"On an industry-wide scale, we are seeing an increased diversity of organizations joining the open source movement and playing an instrumental role in driving innovation throughout the ecosystem," said Gabriele Columbro, Executive Director of FINOS. "The engagement and open collaboration of buy-side firms and adoption of FINOS' open standards drives fundamental technology principles, enhancing interoperability across the industry. The impact of transformation through open source continues to be measured by the global recognition of value among leading institutions."

Among the Diversification of FINOS Members, Buy-Side Participation in Open Source Bolsters Value Across the Ecosystem

Year after year, FINOS continues to expand the diversity of its corporate members, now showcasing the recognition of value in open source among leading buy-side institutions, including large asset managers and hedge funds. The addition of Wellington as a Platinum member empowers the drive of technology standards in critical areas, such as interoperability with the sell side and industry-wide data. Leveraging the power of open source technology through projects contributed to FINOS, like FDC3 and Legend , buy-side institutions enable direct connectivity with their counterparts and reduce vendor lock-in.

"As we come together to tackle common technology challenges our industry faces such as application interoperability, we empower our clients and counterparties to manage workflows and establish connectivity better and faster," said Dov Katz, a Distinguished Engineer and Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and Member of the FINOS Governing Board. "With buy- side firms like Wellington joining FINOS, we are further strengthening the ecosystem and harnessing the benefits from frameworks such as FDC3 to achieve our vision of continuous innovation to drive open standards and effective collaboration."

"Buy-side participation in the open source movement plays a pivotal role in establishing vendor-neutral collaboration with sell-side conglomerates," said Kim Prado of The Bank of Montreal, and Vice Chair of the FINOS Governing Board. "Through projects like FDC3, Wellington and other firms support the development of unified industry congruence. The addition of Madeleine to the FINOS Governing Board aids in addressing key challenges facing financial services."

Newest FINOS Platinum Board Member Reinforces the Value of Open Source to Investment Management

Wellington's Madeleine Dassule, Co-Head, Technology, joins the FINOS board of directors. Dassule assumes her role with the goal of leveraging the power of FINOS' open source projects. As Platinum representative on the FINOS Governing Board, Dassule represents the buy-side of the ecosystem influencing the direction of the foundation to deliver tangible business value to her respective industry and closely related counterparts.

"As our bank partners continue to innovate and introduce rich sets of data and analytics, we are eager to integrate these valuable insights into our portfolio construction and risk transfer processes," said Dassule. "Advancement in desktop integration and interoperability will allow our investors and traders to leverage these tools in a manner that is frictionless and compatible with their existing workflows. We are excited to collaborate with the industry to further provide investment excellence to our clients."

"The FINOS technology standards developed by the FDC3 community create opportunities for banks to collaborate with clients to improve their overall experience. Citi and Wellington recently completed a proof of concept that successfully integrated an analytics function in CitiVelocity alongside Wellington Management's proprietary company and security level investor tools," said Biswarup Chatterjee, Head of Innovation, Global Markets at Citi.

To learn more about joining FINOS as a member, visit the Membership Benefits page . Interested in learning about our buy-side initiatives? Email us about our next buy-side roundtable.

About FINOS

FINOS (The Fintech Open Source Foundation) is a nonprofit whose mission is to foster adoption of open source, open standards and collaborative software development practices in financial services. It is the center for open source developers and the financial services industry to build new technology projects that have a lasting impact on business operations. As a regulatory compliant platform, the foundation enables developers from these competing organizations to collaborate on projects with a strong propensity for mutualization. It has enabled codebase contributions from both the buy- and sell-side firms and counts over 50 major financial institutions, fintechs and technology consultancies as part of its membership. FINOS is also part of the Linux Foundation, the largest shared technology organization in the world. Get involved and join FINOS as a Member.

Media Contact:

Catharine Rybeck

Caliber Corporate Advisers

catharine@calibercorporateadvisers.com

SOURCE: FINOS

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699943/Wellington-Management-Joins-FINOS-as-a-Platinum-Member-Setting-The-Stage-for-Open-Source-Buy-Side-Connectivity
SHREVEPORT, LA / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Give for Good is North Louisiana's largest giving event. This year, Give for a Good Day is being held on May 3rd and community members have the chance to see how one passionate local non-profit, Dream Hunt Foundation, is engaging the North Louisianans with a dedicated experience for local children and teens between the ages of 8-18. Shreve Island Elementary School is bringing 25 special needs children for a picturesque fishing field day. Dream Hunt Foundation works with multiple hospitals and organizations throughout the south. The Dream Hunt Foundation exists so that children and teens with disabilities, terminal illnesses or those considered disadvantaged, have the chance of a lifetime to fulfill their dream of participating in a guided hunting or fishing trip. Dream Hunt Foundation makes their dreams come true!

The Dream Hunt Foundation's Give For Good event will take place on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 9623 Wallace Lake Rd, Shreveport, La. 71106 from 9am-12pm.

About Dream Hunt Foundation:

Dream Hunt Foundation is a Louisiana-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to help kids with special needs, or who are underprivileged, to fulfill their dream of going on the hunt-of-a-lifetime. Dream Hunt was founded in the Spring of 2013 under the belief that children and teens between the ages of 8 and 18 years whose lives have been otherwise focused on their disability, illness, or limited resources, could also have the opportunity to love the outdoors in an organized hunting experience.

Special arrangements are made to accommodate the needs of each individual hunter to ensure the trip is enjoyable, safe, and memorable. The foundation has partnered with Shriner's Hospital of Shreveport, LA. Together, we have already made many dreams come true!

Dream Hunt Foundation has a board of directors that oversees and ensures that each dream hunt is a success. In addition, the Board of Directors also grants approval of all potential candidates through an application process.

The vision of Dream Hunt Foundation is to grow and expand into uncharted territory, where kids and their families have opportunities they never dreamed possible through an incomparable outdoor experience. A vision that will change lives, one dream at a time!

Contact:

For more information, please contact Jeff Warren at 318.455.9797

SOURCE: Dream Hunt Foundation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699944/Dream-Hunt-Foundation-Hosts-Local-Special-Needs-Children-for-Day-of-Outdoor-Adventure-in-Shreveport-on-May-3
BOSTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 3D Systems commercialized stereolithography thirty years ago, 3D printer manufacturers who invented their own proprietary technology predominantly followed the same business strategy: selling their printers to customers. Until recently, it was the norm for established and rising 3D printing players, both in metal and polymer additive manufacturing, to follow the same path. However, companies with proprietary technology are now seeing an alternative. Instead of telling customers how disruptive their machines can be, just be the disruptor.

Decades of an industry following the same business strategy has exposed the inherent difficulties in selling printers, especially metal printers, to end-users. First, customers will need to find the budget for a printer costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, alongside consumable printing materials that cost hundreds per kilogram. Then, the customers will need to train employees to operate these printers and how to prepare and finish any 3D-printed parts; if the customer doesn't have the internal resources for this, they will need to hire skilled labor. Lastly, to make the most of any 3D printer, customers need to understand how to identify applications where 3D printing offers the most value-add and how to design for these opportunities. Overall, these factors make convincing customers to invest in 3D printing, especially metal additive manufacturing, a difficult decision to make. That is not to say the metal printer install base is not growing, but that this increasingly popular business model fits into a growing industry that IDTechEx forecast will reach $18.5 billion by 2032 in their latest report, "Metal Additive Manufacturing 2022-2032: Technology and Market Outlook".

A New Strategy - In-House Production

New entrants have recognized the obstacles posed by the traditional business model of selling metal printers to customers for them to print parts. Rather than selling the printers using their proprietary technology like traditional 3D printer manufacturers, they have chosen a different business strategy where they keep their proprietary printing technology in-house.

Here, the 3D printer is not the main product being sold; rather, finished 3D-printed parts are the main product. This circumvents many of the classic barriers to 3D printing adoption, like high capital expenses and the need for specialized AM knowledge. Rather than having to convince customers that the customer can print great components if they buy a 3D printer, in-house production companies can simply demonstrate that their proprietary printers can indeed manufacture complex, custom parts.

In this way, in-house production companies using their own proprietary technology are like vertically integrated OEMs. Not only will these companies develop their own printing technology and equipment, but they also often develop their own materials for their proprietary printers. As parts manufacturers delivering finished components to customers, they also complete any post-processing that is needed (i.e. depowdering, debinding, sintering, milling, finishing, etc.). Some also use their own in-house software for design and simulation. Vertical integration makes it possible to provide a full suite of services to end-users - part manufacturing, consulting, design, etc.

The Production Players To Keep An Eye On

In the metal additive manufacturing industry, most are familiar with the classic 3D printer manufacturers selling their printers for part-production, like EOS, SLM Solutions, ExOne, and more. Many of these do have in-house part production, but this is not the main focus and typically runs at a small scale. New entrants with a proprietary process exclusively for in-house production are appearing on the metal AM landscape - who are some players to look out for?

3DEO is the American start-up behind Selective Inhibition Sintering, a novel metal binder jetting process that is similar in principle to Multi-Jet Fusion and High Speed Sintering. Here, an anti-fusing agent is applied alongside the binder to create high quality consolidated metal parts. 3DEO kept Selective Inhibition Sintering in-house to focus on high-volume production services, which is difficult for customers purchasing 3D printers to accomplish. In 2021, 3DEO announced that they had printed their millionth part. Having raised $79 million as of Q1 2022 to commercialize their proprietary Area Printing technology, Seurat Technologies is another American start-up making waves in the metal AM industry. Area Printing innovates on laser powder bed fusion, a process often plagued with speed issues, to improve on build volume and part throughput. Seurat is currently running a customer adoption program to help customers identify key applications for their technology. The oldest company on this list, Norsk Titanium uses its Rapid Plasma Deposition technology not only exclusively for in-house production but exclusively for in-house titanium part production for industrial applications. Though Norsk has the narrowest business focus of the companies listed, this specificity allows them to focus on high-value verticals with qualification and validation needs like aerospace. In fact, one of Norsk's notable customers is Boeing. Relativity Space is an American aerospace company with over 700 employees and $1.34 billion in funding that has created their own metal additive manufacturing technology for rocket manufacturing. Called Stargate, it is the world's largest metal 3D printer according to Relativity, capable of printing a single metal piece up to 32 feet tall. Stargate is utilized by Relativity to manufacture parts for their own rockets. A spin-out of Autodesk, Holo has developed a technology platform called PureFormTM. PureForm uses a proprietary vat photopolymerization printer designed for high volume production to cure photopolymer resin loaded with metal powder and create a green part. That part is debound and sintered to remove the photopolymer and densify the final metal part. This technology is notable for being well-suited for pure copper 3D printing, which is tricky to accomplish with powder bed fusion.

Metal AM is not the only 3D printing specialty seeing this strategy being implemented, considering the emergence of companies like Arevo and Arris Composites in composite 3D printing and OPT Industries and Spectroplast in polymer 3D printing. With startups now considering alternate business strategies from their founding, IDTechEx expects to see more AM companies pursuing this interesting approach to increasing 3D printing adoption.

It should be noted that this type of business will not displace traditional service bureaus. Service bureaus have the benefit of being technology agnostic with the ability to collate printers from different processes and companies in a single company. With service bureaus like Materialise and Protolabs generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue each year, the contract manufacturing sector of the 3D printing industry will continue to grow strongly.

Market forecasts for Metal Additive Manufacturing

IDTechEx's report on metal additive manufacturing forecasts future revenue, install base, and materials demand for the metal AM market while carefully segmenting the metal AM technology and materials market by 10 process categories and 9 metal material categories. Additionally, IDTechEx analyses each metal printing technology and provides detailed discussion on the metal AM materials market. For further information on this market including interview-based profiles of the main players, technology benchmarking studies, granular 10-year market forecasts, and application case-studies, see the IDTechEx market report "Metal Additive Manufacturing 2022-2032: Technology and Market Outlook".

For more information on this report, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/MetalAM or for the full portfolio of 3D Printing research available from IDTechEx please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/3D.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

Images download:

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Media Contact:

Natalie Moreton

Digital Marketing Manager

press@IDTechEx.com

+44(0)1223 812300

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Datametrex and Northstar on their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

Datametrex AI (TSXV:DM) reports record annual financial results

Datametrex AI Limited (DM) has reported record results for FY 2021. Revenue was $49 million compared to $12 million for the same period in 2020, an increase of 296 per cent. Net earnings were $9 million, a 282 per cent increase, compared to a $5 million loss in 2020. Marshall Gunter, CEO of Datametrex sat down with Shoran Devi to discuss the results.

For the full interview with Marshall Gunter and to learn more about Datametrex's news, click here.

Northstar Gold (CSE:NSG) acquires Britcanna mining lease

Northstar Gold Corp. (NSG) has signed an option agreement to acquire 100 per cent interest in the 161 hectare Britcanna Property Mining Lease. The property is located 47 km south of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Northstar's CEO Brian Fowler sat down with Shoran Devi to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Brian Fowler and to learn more about Northstar Gold's news, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

CONTACT:

The Market Herald

Brianna Anthony

brianna.anthony@themarketherald.ca

themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699966/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-New-Interviews-with-Datametrex-and-Northstar
Regulatory News:

Following the mandatory takeover bid launched by The Adecco Group on AKKA Technologies shares and as already communicated, The Adecco Group holds 96.97% of the outstanding shares and 94.40% of the outstanding convertible bonds issued by AKKA. Therefore, a simplified squeeze-out bid is ongoing, the acceptance period of which will end on May 11, 2022.

Once the squeeze out has been completed, AKKA Technologies will be automatically delisted. The Board of Directors has therefore decided to no longer publish the 2022 Q1 financial information.

ABOUT AKKA

AKKA is a European leader in engineering consulting and R&D services. Our comprehensive portfolio of digital solutions combined with our expertise in engineering, uniquely positions us to support our clients by leveraging the power of connected data to accelerate innovation and drive the future of smart industry. AKKA accompanies leading industry players across a wide range of sectors throughout the life cycle of their products with cutting edge digital technologies (AI, ADAS, IoT, Big Data, robotics, embedded computing, machine learning, etc.) to help them rethink their products and business processes. Founded in 1984, AKKA has a strong entrepreneurial culture and a wide global footprint. Our 20,000 employees around the world are all passionate about technology and share the AKKA values of respect, courage and ambition. The Group recorded revenues of c. 1.6 billion in 2021. AKKA Technologies (AKA) is listed on Euronext Paris and Brussels segment A ISIN code: FR0004180537. AKKA is part of Akkodis, a Global Business Unit of The Adecco Group.

For more information, please visit: https://www.akka-technologies.com/

Follow us on: https://twitter.com/AKKA_Tech

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005933/en/

Contacts:

Stephanie Bia

Group Communications Investor Relations Director

Tel: +33(0)6 47 85 98 78

stephanie.bia@akka.eu
On a mission to preserve beauty and uniqueness, connecting local creators to global customers

MILAN, May 03, 2022is disrupting this industry by supporting craft businesses and creators and connecting them to global customers looking for unique, handmade pieces.

Ippolita Rostagnolaunched Artemest after a visit to Florence, where she realised many of the local artisans were going out of business as their customer base increasingly shopped online. Joined by Marco Credendino, they set out to create a global network connecting local businesses with affluent individuals across the globe.

Artemest today has become the realisation of this vision: six years after launching, they connect 1,300+ Italian artisans and creators - offering 60,000+ products - with thousands of customers and design professionals across the globe. Artemest's catalogue looks more like an art museum than an interior design shop; offering a curated selection of home decor, art and furniture.

Ippolita Rostagno said, "Craftsmanship has been central to the development of the civilized world and has coalesced generations around the idea that art matters. Our ambition is to further this tradition by bringing beauty into people's everyday lives".

Artemest has now secured 15 million in funding, led by specialist fund IRIS Ventures and Olma Luxury Holdings. The marketplace will use this funding to accelerate growth, with a focus on the US; further develop its technology, brand & community and optimize its catalog and talent recruitment. Legal counsels Edoardo Canetta Rossi Palermo and Barbara Ballandi led the Chiomenti legal team advising Artemest on the deal.

The investment will also support the development of Artemest's services for interior designers, brands and hospitality partners, offering them best-in-class, end-to-end support thanks to its personal advisors as well as its content and tech-enabled tools.

Montse Suarez, Founder and Managing Partner of IRIS Ventures, finishes: "Finding visionaries building purpose-led brands that transform the way we live is what we do at IRIS Ventures, and Artemest is a perfect illustration of it. Artemest is the Italian guardian of craftsmanship excellence and creativity, giving the community of artisans and small businesses the ability to preserve their heritage by making it accessible to a global audience".

Artemest

Co-founded by jewellery entrepreneur Ippolita Rostagnoand Marco Credendinois the largest marketplace of Italian high-end, artisanal design, with a vision to become the leading global platform for contemporary design and luxury craftsmanship.

IRIS Ventures

IRIS Venturesis the advisor to IRIS Fund I FCRE, a growth equity fund targeting European and US purpose-led consumer-centric brands and tech-enabled solutions that solve for healthier, happier and more convenient lives. IRIS Ventures has presence in Barcelona, London and New York.

Contact

press@artemest.com

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Fundraising campaign surpassed its goal of $10K in less than 10 hours

Darwin's Natural Pet Products continues its tradition of helping animals in need with a recent fundraising campaign to help pets displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. In partnership with Harmony Fund, Darwin's set out to raise money to support animal rescue efforts in Ukraine via an email campaign that aimed to match donations up to $10,000. The Darwin's community responded with an outpouring of generosity, and the campaign met its matching goal in less than 10 hours. The current total is over $20,000 from more than 300 donors.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006296/en/

Volunteers from Harmony Fund have rescued hundreds of animals displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. (Photo: Business Wire)

"We're gratified by the speed and magnitude of the response, but frankly, knowing how our Darwin's family feels about the welfare of animals around the world, we're not surprised," said Gary Tashjian, Darwin's CEO. "Donations are still coming in, and Harmony Fund has been a wonderful partner in getting those funds to the animals and volunteers on the ground who need them."

With the influx of donations, the Harmony Fund rented a tractor trailer to make the round trip from Kyiv to Bucharest and back again. On its first trip, it was so stuffed with food and veterinary supplies that they needed to leave a few pallets behind for the next trip.

"I'm so surprised and thankful for the quick response from so many caring people," said Laura Simpson, founder of the Harmony Fund. "We have animals with skin conditions, wounds, seizure disorders and more who really need the medicines we're bringing in. Thanks to the generosity of Darwin's and its customers, thousands of at-risk dogs and cats in Ukraine will be safe from hunger through the end of May with our next delivery."

While Harmony Fund is coordinating costs for food, supplies and transport, the team on the ground is made up of animal lovers from a few organizations, including Breaking the Chains, which handles security, transport, and animal care; the Sache Vet clinic, providing vet supplies via Romania; TobiHelpUA, made up of brave young volunteers who deliver aid and supplies; a team called Help for UA Animals, who handle delivery and unloading of supplies; and a team from Centarus Foundation in Poland who provide sheltering of homeless animals and delivery of supplies.

"Darwin's is proud to partner with the Harmony Fund, who were able to put these dollars to work on Day One, having already established infrastructure and contacts in Ukraine," said Tashjian. "We wanted to make an immediate impact, and the Harmony Fund was perfectly positioned to make that happen."

Now with Russian troops in the Eastern region, there is a second wave of evacuees leaving pets behind and also animal shelters who are in dire need of food and supplies. Last week, Harmony Fund was able to send a month's supply of food for the PIF shelter in Donetsk, which is home to well over 1,000 animals and acts as a distribution point for over 40 small shelters in the area. The mission to help them is ongoing.

To learn more about the campaign or make a donation, visit harmonyfund.org/donation/help-ukraines-animals-darwins/.

About Darwin's Natural Pet Products

Darwin's Pet Products' mission is to help pets and their owners enjoy more years of healthy companionship together. To do that, they make raw, minimally processed, nutritious feeding for pets convenient and cost-effective. But that's just the start. While Darwin's commitment to animals starts with customers and their pets, it goes further, to all dogs and cats, especially the ones that need help and those that help us through their service. And even further, to ensure the humane treatment of the animals that Darwin's sources for meals. Learn more at darwinspet.com.

About Harmony Fund

Harmony Fund is an esteemed charity based in the USA, offering a lifeline to underdog animal rescue squads across the planet. Harmony Fund's partners are the small but incredibly courageous animal rescue teams who operate in parts of the world where animal welfare is quite poor. Harmony Fund supporters are dramatically impacting thousands upon thousands of animals who might otherwise go without food, shelter and veterinary care. More at harmonyfund.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006296/en/

Contacts:

Laurel Johnson

Darwins@firmani.com

(206) 466-2706
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - King Global Ventures Inc. (TSXV: KING) (OTC Pink: KGLDF) (FSE: 5LM1) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of GoldSpot Discoveries Corp's ("GoldSpot") (TSXV: SPOT) (OTCQX: SPOFF) Multi-Parameter Airborne Geophysics Survey ("M-PASS") on its Golden Nugget and Miss Pickle properties. Results of the survey will be used in conjunction with GoldSpot's Artificial Intelligence data analysis to further target refinement in preparation for King's planned "Maiden" drill program slated for this spring. The final compilation of data from the program is intended to highlight new target areas for further ground exploration. King plans to follow up on new generated targets with a summer field program of mapping, grab, channel, and soil sampling.

Robert Dzisiak, Chief Executive Officer of King stated, "The M-Pass airborne survey results will provide critical data for target refinement for our planned spring drill program. GoldSpot's Artificial Intelligence data analysis on the unexplored areas of King's properties will provide insightful information for further exploration and drilling. We also look forward to establishing potential continuity of our geological model in relation to the recent, bonanza grade results from Prospect Minerals, Toogood gold project which trends through our New World Island Property."

Newfoundland Properties:

King Global's projects include 100% interest in the following gold exploration projects:

The Golden Nugget Property consists of a 10 km long contiguous land package (1,850 ha.) of siliciclastic sediments within beds of conglomerates and mafic materials. High grade gold occurs in all rock groups with channel samples having returned values of 50.2 g/t gold over 1.1 m, 87 g/t over 0.8 m and 29.2 g/t over 2.5 m. These high grade channels are contained within extensive areas of lower to medium grade gold values along the entire length of this 10 km structural corridor.

The Miss Pickle Property (950 ha), is also north of the Davidsville Group and lies in another parallel structure to the Gold Nugget Property known as the Coaker Trend. Historical grab samples include, 7.3 g/t gold over 2.05 m, 8.3 g/t gold over 1.9 m and 7.1 g/t gold over 1.2 m. The length weighed average of 26 channel samples across the zone is 3.2 g/t gold. A new gold zone with overall channel sampling of 0.30 g/t Au over 54 m, including 0.96 g/t Au over 7.5 m was discovered during the summer of 2021 (the zone is open in all directions).

The Gold Boulder Prospect consists of four contiguous claim blocks (100 ha) and is located near the small town of Glenwood in Central Newfoundland. Geologically the property is underlain by siliciclastic sediments of the Davidsville Group which is the same geological belt which hosts New Found Gold's (NFG-TSX) high grade Queensway project. The entire prospect is bound on all side by New Found Gold Corp.

The Chapel Island Property (1,300 ha) consists of 54 mining blocks located in north-east central Newfoundland, on Chapel Island within the Dunnage Tectonostratigraphic zone of the Appalachian Orogen. The Road zone consists of 4 historical showings containing numerous Au occurrences. These occurrences have returned individual assay results up to 85 g/t Au and 32 g/t Au. Chapel Island also has historical nickel showings grab samples up to 3.05% Ni.

The Lost Swamp showing is comprised of a silicified and carbonate altered Coaker porphyry that contains very, fine grained arsenopyrite, with assay results returning values up to 149.8 g/t Au and 23.3 g/t Au. At the Swamp zone, a total of 35 channel samples were cut for a combined length of 35.9 m at 8 different locations in the old trench. The best results from the sampling were 5.2 m of 484 ppb Au and 0.9 m of 3.9 g/t Au.

About King Global Ventures

King Global Ventures Inc. (TSXV: KING) holds 100% interest in four highly prospective and previously explored gold exploration projects in the Gander Gold Belt Region of Newfoundland, Canada. King is supported by strategic investor Eric Sprott who is a significant shareholder of the Company.

Additional information about King Ventures can be viewed at the Company's website at www.kingtsxv.com or at www.sedar.com.

About GoldSpot Discoveries Corp.

GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: SPOT) (OTCQX: SPOFF) is a technology company using artificial intelligence to revolutionize the future of global mining exploration with a full suite of data and knowledge-driven SaaS tools and services. GoldSpot works with industry leaders across all commodity and deposit types to identity new exploration targets, develop cutting-edge technologies and, to strategically invest in mineral exploration companies. Our leading team of expert scientists merges geoscience and data science to deliver bespoke solutions that save time, reduce costs, and produce far more accurate results than ever before possible.

On behalf of King Global Ventures

Robert Dzisiak

Chief Executive Officer

204-955-4803

ir@kingtsxv.com

www.kingtsxv.com

The technical contents of this news release were approved by Andrew Lee Smith, Bsc., P.Geo, ICD.D, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

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 Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, the uncertainty of the financing, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in preparing such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove imprecise and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122446
BigBear.ai executives slated to address conferences across the world, emphasizing the importance of emerging AI/ML technologies and responsible deployment

BigBear.ai (NYSE: BBAI), a leader in AI-powered analytics and cyber engineering solutions, announced company executives are embarking on a thought-leadership campaign across multiple global industry events. The campaign will emphasize how the company's advancements in AI technologies will impact the federal and commercial markets in the coming months.

At these events, BigBearai leaders willhighlight the capabilities of BigBear.ai's newly acquired company, ProModel Corporation, the importance of defining responsible AI usage, and how federal and commercial organizations leverage AI and ML.

The events BigBear.ai is scheduled to address include:

CTMA Partners Meeting

May 3-5, 2022: Virginia Beach, VA

Due to the rapid deployment and advancement of sensor technologies, artificial intelligence, and data science, the Department of Defense has turned to a more predictive-based approach to maintaining technology assets. The agency's recently revamped condition-based maintenance plus (CBM+) policy will accelerate the adoption, integration, and use of these emerging technologies while shifting its strategic approach from largely reactive maintenance to proactive maintenance. Participating as part of a panel session to address this trend, BigBear.ai Senior Vice President of Analytics Carl Napoletano will highlight ProModel's commercial capabilities and ProModel Government Services' legacy capabilities in the federal space.

DIA Future Technologies Symposium

May 11-12, 2022: Virtual Event

BigBear.ai's Senior Vice President of Analytics, Frank Porcelli, will brief the DIA community about BigBear.ai's AI-powered solutions at this virtual presentation. After providing a high-level overview and demonstration of the company's AI products (Observe, Orient, and Dominate), Frank will also offer insights into how AI technologies are being leveraged in the federal sector.

Conference on Governance of Emerging Technologies and Science

May 19-20, 2022: Phoenix, Arizona

Newly appointed BigBear.ai General Counsel Carolyn Blankenship will attend the ninth edition of Arizona State's annual conference, which examines how to create sustainable governance solutions that address new technologies' legal, regulatory, and policy ramifications. During her presentation, Carolyn will detail the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) law in AI and the responsible use of AI and other emerging technologies. Prior to starting as General Counsel, Carolyn organized and led Thomson Reuters' cross-functional team that outlined the organization's first set of Data Ethics Principles.

Automotive Innovation Forum

May 24-25, 2022: Munich, Germany

ProModel was among the select few organizations invited to attend Autodesk's The Automotive Innovation Forum 2022. This premier industry event celebrates new automotive plant design and manufacturing technology solutions. Michael Jolicoeur of ProModel, Director of the Autodesk Business Division, will headline a panel at the conference and highlight the latest industry trends in automotive factory design and automation.

DAX 2022

June 4, 2022: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland

Three BigBear.ai experts Zach Casper, Senior Director of Cyber; Leon Worthen, Manager of Strategic Operations; and Sammy Hamilton, Data Scientist/Engagement Engineer will headline a panel discussion exploring the variety of ways AI and ML are deployed throughout the defense industry. The trio of experts will discuss how AI and ML solve pressing cybersecurity problems facing the Department of Defense and intelligence communities.

To connect with BigBear.ai at these events, send an email to events@bigbear.ai.

About BigBear.ai

BigBear.ai delivers AI-powered analytics and cyber engineering solutions to support mission-critical operations and decision-making in complex, real-world environments. BigBear.ai's customers, which include the US Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, the US Federal Government, as well as customers in manufacturing, logistics, commercial space, and other sectors, rely on BigBear.ai's solutions to see and shape their world through reliable, predictive insights and goal-oriented advice. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, BigBear.ai has additional locations in Virginia, Massachusetts, Michigan, and California. For more information, please visit: http://bigbear.ai/ and follow BigBear.ai on Twitter: @BigBearai.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006310/en/

Contacts:

BigBear.ai

Tyler Sigmon

443-430-2622

Tyler.Sigmon@bigbear.ai

OR

Bluetext

Thomas Walter

646-265-3144

thomas@bluetext.com
Swiss performance sportswear brand On (NYSE: ONON) announced today that the Company will release its first quarter 2022 financial results on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, before U.S. financial markets open.

The Company's management will host an earnings conference call and webcast at 8:00 am U.S. Eastern Time on May 17, 2022 (2:00 pm CET on May 17, 2022). To access the live conference call by telephone, please dial the following numbers:

United States: +1 760 294 16 74 United Kingdom: +44 203 059 58 69 Switzerland: +41 91 261 14 47

No access code necessary

Additionally, a live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website and under the following Link. Following the conclusion of the call, a replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website.

About On

On was born in the Swiss Alps with one goal: to revolutionize the sensation of running by empowering all to run on clouds. Twelve years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel, and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, and all-day activities. Fueled by customer-recommendation, On's award-winning CloudTec innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides in sportswear's circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fanbase inspiring humans to explore, discover and dream on.

On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on-running.com.

Source: On

Category: Earnings

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005961/en/

Contacts:

Investors:

On Holding AG

Florian Maag

investorrelations@on-running.com

or

ICR, Inc.

Brendon Frey

brendon.frey@icrinc.com

Media:

On Holding AG

Vesna Stimac

press@on-running.com
ST. PAUL, Minn., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 3M Littmann today announced its 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope received honorable mention accolades in the health category of the 2022 Fast Company World Changing Ideas global awards program recognizing companies, products and initiatives that support innovation for the public good and tackle social inequality, climate change and public health crises.

Currently available in 21 countries, the 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope is a first-of-its-kind smart stethoscope. Released in October 2020, it marries best-in-class 3M Littmann technology with advanced digital innovations from Eko, a digital health company advancing heart and lung disease detection. Benefits to clinicians include:

Sound amplification up to 40 times -- at peak frequency versus analog -- to help health care providers with different hearing abilities and identify hard to hear body noises.

Active noise cancellation to help reduce distracting background sounds for those working in noisy environments.

Easy one-button toggling between analog and digital amplification modes to suit the clinician's listening needs. Also includes two tunable diaphragms -- adult and pediatric - that allow users to listen for both high and low frequency sounds without repositioning the chest piece.

Visualization of sound data during auscultation. The ability to see the pathology is another tool to help clinicians with diagnoses.

HIPAA compliant means to save and annotate 15-, 30-, 60- or 120-second recordings in a secure dashboard. Also enables clinicians to create a library of heart sounds to monitor the progression of a disease, for education, or to securely share recordings with colleagues.

Analysis of heart sounds to aid in the detection of the presence of suspected heart murmurs in seconds with Eko's FDA-cleared and clinically-proven AI algorithm.

"3M Littmann is a pioneer and proven leader in auscultation innovation and quality. The 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope is our most advanced stethoscope yet and we believe it will help the world tackle heart disease, one preventative screening at a time," said Kristi Barnett, 3M medical devices senior director. "3M applies science to life. Our entire health care team is constantly exploring new and iterative technologies and partnerships that empower clinicians and improve patient outcomes worldwide and we are honored with this prestigious recognition from Fast Company,"

"The entire team at Eko is thrilled about this recognition from Fast Company," said Connor Landgraf, co-founder and CEO of Eko, which was also recognized by Fast Company earlier this year among the ten most innovative health companies of 2022 . "Our collaboration with 3M Littmann on the Littmann CORE Stethoscope has already put our heart disease screening technology into the hands of hundreds of thousands of clinicians globally, effectively screening over a million patients annually."

Now in its sixth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 39 winners, 350 finalists, and more than 600 honorable mentions, with climate, social justice, and AI and data among the most popular categories. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of almost 3,000 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, health, social justice, and more. The 2022 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Switzerland to Hong Kong to Australia.

"We are consistently inspired by the novelty and creativity that people are applying to society's most pressing problems, from shelter to the climate crisis," says David Lidsky, interim editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "Fast Company relishes its role in amplifying the important and innovative work being done to address big challenges. Our journalists have identified some of the most ingenious initiatives to launch since the start of 2021, and we can't wait to see the positive mark they leave on their respective industries."

About 3M

At 3M (NYSE: MMM), we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily as our employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M's creative solutions to global challenges at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.

About 3M Littmann Stethoscopes

3M Littmann Stethoscopes is a global leader in auscultation technology - providing innovative solutions to improve patient care. Littmann stethoscopes are trusted worldwide for precision, acoustic excellence, reliable design and exceptional performance, helping clinicians detect difficult-to-hear body sounds and improve patient outcomes.

About Eko

Eko, a digital health company, is advancing how healthcare professionals detect and monitor heart and lung disease with its innovative suite of digital tools, patient and provider software, and AI-powered analysis. Its FDA-cleared platform is used by hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide, allowing them to detect earlier and with higher accuracy, diagnose with more confidence, manage treatment effectively, and ultimately give their patients the best care possible. Eko is headquartered in Oakland, California, with over $125 million in funding from Highland Capital Partners, Questa Capital, Artis Ventures, DigiTx Partners, NTTVC, Morningside Technology Ventures Limited, Mayo Clinic, Sutter Health, and others. For more information visit www.ekohealth.com .

About the World Changing Ideas Awards

World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company's major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1343410/3M_Logo.jpg
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - Zedcor Inc. (TSXV: ZDC) (the "Company" or "Zedcor") announces that options to purchase 325,000 common shares of the Company were granted to employees of the Company, with an exercise price of $0.50 per share. The options have been granted pursuant to the Company's 10% rolling stock option plan and will expire five years from the date of grant. All of the options will vest as to one third thereof on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.

About Zedcor Inc.

Zedcor Inc. is a Canadian public corporation and parent company to Zedcor Security Solutions Corp. Driven by our guiding principles of being pioneers, innovators and honest, Zedcor is engaged in providing technology based security & surveillance services in Western and Central Canada. The Company is disrupting the security industry with its three main service offerings to customers across all market segments: 1) rental, service and remote monitoring of its proprietary MobileyeZ security towers; 2) live monitoring of fixed site locations; and 3) security personnel. The Company trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ZDC".

For further information contact:

Todd Ziniuk

Chief Executive Officer

P: (403) 930-5430

E: tziniuk@zedcor.ca

Amin Ladha

Chief Financial Officer

P: (403) 930-5430

E: aladha@zedcor.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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122637
Bogota, Colombia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - Medcolcanna Organics Inc. (CSE: MCCN) ("Medcolcanna", "MCCN" or the "Company"), a leading Canadian and globally integrated medicinal cannabis company with operations in Colombia, announced today that its audited financial report, CEO and CFO certifications, and management discussion & analysis (the "Annual Filings") for the year ended December 31, 2021 were not released as scheduled on or about May 2, 2022. It is now anticipated that the release will occur on or about June 15, 2022.

The Company is late in the preparation of the Annual Filings due to financial difficulties that it has been experiencing as it tries to restructure the Company and move towards financial self-sustainability and generating revenue through the export of dried flower to various international jurisdictions following recent legislative changes in Colombia. The Company only recently made arrangements to obtain the necessary financing to pay for the costs associated with the audit and the payment of its staff to allow for the preparation of such financial statements. The preparation and review of the Annual Filings is expected to be commenced in the very near future but will not be completed in time to meet the filing deadline.

As a result of the delay, the Company has voluntarily requested that the Securities Commissions in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario issue a temporary order that prohibits certain current directors, officers and insiders of Groundstar from trading in securities of the Company for so long as the Annual Filings are not filed and has been granted such order as of May 3, 2022. The issuance of such management cease trade order does not affect the ability of persons who are not directors, officers or insiders of the issuer to trade in their securities. The Company intends to provide updates in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders with respect to further developments in respect of this matter promptly following their occurrence, including the issuance of bi-weekly status update reports until such time as the Annual Filings are completed.

Further, the Company announces that it has recently received the resignation from Pablo Abba Vieira as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Vieira has resigned from the Company for personal reasons. The Board of Directors of the Company thanks Mr. Vieira for his contributions to the Company and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

About Medcolcanna

Medcolcanna is a Canadian-integrated medical cannabis company, whose fully licensed operations are based in Colombia.

Led by a proven and successful management team, Medcolcanna has a growing number of facilities in optimal growing locations, which positions the Company to become a global leader in the medical cannabis market.

Medcolcanna employs state-of-the-art organic agricultural technology and innovative pharmaceutical processes to produce high-quality products.

The Company's scalable production model and network of pharmaceutical partnerships globally ensures that they remain at the forefront of the medical cannabis industry.

If you would like to receive News Releases via email as soon as they are published, please subscribe here: https://medcolcanna.com/contact-us/ or write to info@medcolcanna.com.

Additional information about Medcolcanna can be found on its web site at medcolcanna.com

Medcolcanna Investor Relations Contact:

Chris Reid, CFO

Carrera 49b # 93-62 Bogota, Colombia

Phone: +571 642-9113

Email: info@medcolcanna.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release.

Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals for any proposed transaction, including those discussed herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release.

Medcolcanna assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122682
Ownwell, an Austin, TX-based provider of an online solution to help commercial and residential property owners save money on property taxes, raised $5.75M in Seed funding.

The round, which brings the total raised for Ownwell to $7.5m, was led by First Round Capital with participation from Wonder Ventures, Founder Collective, Long Journey Ventures and Scott Banister.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its hiring in all areas: sales, marketing, technology, operations and local experts and expand its business reach.

Led by CEO Colton Pace, Ownwell specializes in reducing property taxes for property owners. Each year, the companys tech system analyzes millions of properties to identify property owners who are overpaying and offers to protest their tax assessments on their behalf for just 25% of any savings they are able to achieve.

Over the past nine months, Ownwells customer base has grown by 40x, with operations currently in Texas, California, Washington and Florida with further plans to expand.



FinSMEs

03/05/2022
JDog Brands Joins the RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) Movement to Raise Money for Deployed Service Members Through Soldiers Angels

The home services franchisor will be raising awareness and donations by driving a specialty wrapped RED vehicle across Pennsylvania and Maryland on April 28th.

BERWYN, PA. (PRWEB) April 29, 2022 - JDog Brands has announced a strategic, nationwide partnership with Soldiers Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to providing aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families.

While JDog's mission is widely known to be centered around reducing the Veteran unemployment rate to under 1%, theyre now engaging in a new mission to inspire every American to wear a red shirt on Fridays to honor and remember everyone deployed. To bring awareness to the RED movement, JDog will be driving their RED wrapped vehicle to locations in their home state of Pennsylvania and Maryland while raising money for Soldiers' Angels.

I think we as Americans go on with our lives every day without realizing that there are troops constantly deploying each week, said JDog Brands CEO and Veteran Jerry Flanagan. It only gets highlighted when there's a war or an invasion, but for the last 70 years, troops have been deployed around the world to protect us and our country. It's important that people take the time to put on a RED shirt to remind ourselves and others about our troops. Soldiers' Angels is the perfect partner in this mission because the work they do for our military and their families is nothing short of heroic.

We are very excited to partner with JDog Brands and encourage more Americans to show support for our deployed service members, said Amy Palmer, President and CEO of Soldiers Angels. In 2003 when Soldiers Angels was founded, there was resounding support for our military and thousands of people wore RED every Friday. However, we have seen that support decline steadily over the last 19 years, so were very excited that JDog is going to help bring light back to this important weekly tradition.

SOURCE JDog Brands

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AP

Fed to fight inflation with fastest rate hikes in decades

WASHINGTON

The Federal Reserve is poised this week to accelerate its most drastic steps in three decades to attack inflation by making it costlier to borrow  for a car, a home, a business deal, a credit card purchase  all of which will compound Americans financial strains and likely weaken the economy.

Yet with inflation having surged to a 40-year high, the Fed has come under extraordinary pressure to act aggressively to slow spending and curb the price spikes that are bedeviling households and companies.

After its latest rate-setting meeting ends Wednesday, the Fed will almost certainly announce that its raising its benchmark short-term interest rate by a half-percentage point  the sharpest rate hike since 2000. The Fed will likely carry out another half-point rate hike at its next meeting in June and possibly at the next one after that, in July. Economists foresee still further rate hikes in the months to follow.

Whats more, the Fed is also expected to announce Wednesday that it will begin quickly shrinking its vast stockpile of Treasury and mortgage bonds beginning in June  a move that will have the effect of further tightening credit.

Chair Jerome Powell and the Fed will take these steps largely in the dark. No one knows just how high the central banks short-term rate must go to slow the economy and restrain inflation. Nor do the officials know how much they can reduce the Feds unprecedented $9 trillion balance sheet before they risk destabilizing financial markets.

I liken it to driving in reverse while using the rear-view mirror, said Diane Swonk, chief economist at the consulting firm Grant Thornton. They just dont know what obstacles theyre going to hit.

Yet many economists think the Fed is already acting too late. Even as inflation has soared, the Feds benchmark rate is in a range of just 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent, a level low enough to stimulate growth. Adjusted for inflation, the Feds key rate  which influences many consumer and business loans  is deep in negative territory.

Thats why Powell and other Fed officials have said in recent weeks that they want to raise rates expeditiously, to a level that neither boosts nor restrains the economy  what economists refer to as the neutral rate. Policymakers consider a neutral rate to be roughly 2.4 percent. But no one is certain what the neutral rate is at any particular time, especially in an economy that is evolving quickly.

If, as most economists expect, the Fed this year carries out three half-point rate hikes and then follows with three quarter-point hikes, its rate would reach roughly neutral by years end. Those increases would amount to the fastest pace of rate hikes since 1989, noted Roberto Perli, an economist at Piper Sandler.

Even dovish Fed officials, such as Charles Evans, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, have endorsed that path. (Fed doves typically prefer keeping rates low to support hiring, while hawks often support higher rates to curb inflation.)

Powell said last week that once the Fed reaches its neutral rate, it may then tighten credit even further  to a level that would restrain growth  if that turns out to be appropriate. Financial markets are pricing in a rate as high as 3.6 percent by mid-2023, which would be the highest in 15 years.

Expectations for the Feds path have become clearer over just the past few months as inflation has intensified. Thats a sharp shift from just a few month ago: After the Fed met in January, Powell said, It is not possible to predict with much confidence exactly what path for our policy rate is going to prove appropriate.

Jon Steinsson, an economics professor at the University of California, Berkeley, thinks the Fed should provide more formal guidance, given how fast the economy is changing in the aftermath of the pandemic recession and Russias war against Ukraine, which has exacerbated supply shortages across the world. The Feds most recent formal forecast, in March, had projected seven quarter-point rate hikes this year  a pace that is already hopelessly out of date.

Steinsson, who in early January had called for a quarter-point increase at every meeting this year, said last week, It is appropriate to do things fast to send the signal that a pretty significant amount of tightening is needed.

One challenge the Fed faces is that the neutral rate is even more uncertain now than usual. When the Feds key rate reached 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent in 2018, it triggered a drop-off in home sales and financial markets fell. The Powell Fed responded by doing a U-turn: It cut rates three times in 2019. That experience suggested that the neutral rate might be lower than the Fed thinks.

But given how much prices have since spiked, thereby reducing inflation-adjusted interest rates, whatever Fed rate would actually slow growth might be far above 2.4 percent.

Shrinking the Feds balance sheet adds another uncertainty. That is particularly true given that the Fed is expected to let $95 billion of securities roll off each month as they mature. Thats nearly double the $50 billion pace it maintained before the pandemic, the last time it reduced its bond holdings.

Turning two knobs at the same time does make it a bit more complicated, said Ellen Gaske, lead economist at PGIM Fixed Income.

Brett Ryan, an economist at Deutsche Bank, said the balance-sheet reduction will be roughly equivalent to three quarter-point increases through next year. When added to the expected rate hikes, that would translate into about 4 percentage points of tightening through 2023. Such a dramatic step-up in borrowing costs would send the economy into recession by late next year, Deutsche Bank forecasts.

Yet Powell is counting on the robust job market and solid consumer spending to spare the U.S. such a fate. Though the economy shrank in the January-March quarter by a 1.4 percent annual rate, businesses and consumers increased their spending at a solid pace.

If sustained, that spending could keep the economy expanding in the coming months and perhaps beyond.
Highlights



Specialist technical studies towards the Twin Hills Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) being completed, based on a simple flowsheet of 3-stage crushing, gravity separation and carbon-in-leach (CIL)

Extensive met testwork, trade-off analyses, detailed cost estimation and surface infrastructure design underway or nearing completion

Significant progress made with securing bulk grid power and mine water supply

Surface rights acquisition advancing with 2 of 3 necessary government waivers secured





9 drill rigs currently active to complete additional infill & step-out drilling in addition to ~20,000m of drilling completed since 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) cut-off date (19 Feb 2022)

Additional project improvement opportunities identified and in progress, namely:



potential conversion of Inferred to Indicated resources to allow for inclusion into the PFS further processing plant refinements and capacity improvements enhanced geological modelling to allow for selective mining



Intended PFS release date has been updated to mid-Q3 2022 to capture this potential upside

Investors are invited to participate in a live webinar today, 20 April 2022 at 11am ET (8am PT) at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5857855327493794571



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV:OSI) (FSE:RSR1) (OTCQX:OSIIF) ("Osino or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on progress made with the various development studies underway towards a PFS on the Companys Twin Hills Gold Project (Twin Hills or the Project) in Namibia.

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 published a preliminary economic analysis (PEA) on Twin Hills in August 2020 and is in the process of working towards a PFS on Twin Hills based on the recently published updated MRE.

Heye Daun, Osinos President & CEO commented: We have never been more excited about the Twin Hills gold project, and we believe that especially with the recent resource upgrade and the associated project optimization opportunities identified, Twin Hills is on its way to become one of Namibias most significant gold projects. We have thus decided to give ourselves some additional time to fine-tune and grow the project scope to a higher production level than was previously planned. We are confident that Twin Hills mineral resource endowment will continue to grow, and we have already commenced with Indicated resource conversion drilling at Clouds and Twin Hills West, and follow-up drilling of the recently discovered high-grade shoots at Twin Hills Central and Clouds. We are also planning additional down-dip step-outs along the spine of all of the deposits and we believe that once completed, all of this drilling should result in another significant resource upgrade.

Drilling Update

Of the 186,826m of RC and DD drilling completed at Twin Hills since the discovery of the deposit approximately 167,597m was included in the recent MRE update up to the data cut-off date of 19 February 2022. Since then, more than 19,229m of additional RC and DD drilling was completed, and Osino expects to complete some additional infill and step-out drilling before the end of May 2022, aiming to convert more of the current Inferred resources to the Indicated category which would enable this material to be added to the PFS mine plan.

During March 2022 Osino also completed approximately 3,000m of grade control orientation drilling (12.5m x 12.5m drill spacing) at Twin Hills Central (THC) aiming to better define the short-range variability of the THC mineralization. This grade control exercise may potentially enable more advanced geostatistical resource estimation techniques to be applied (uniform conditioning versus ordinary kriging) to the Twin Hills mineral resource. The aim of this exercise is to model the effects of selective mining with the aim of potentially improving the processing head grade.

Drilling is ongoing with 6 DD and 3 RC rigs. Assay results for most of this drilling are outstanding. It is expected that this drilling will be completed during May 2022 with all assays received within 4-6 weeks of completion of drilling.

Development Study Update

Several studies to complete the PFS are underway with many at an advanced stage. These studies include but are not limited to the following:

Metallurgical Testwork and Trade-off Analyses

Tailings Disposal Strategy & Design

Process Plant & Engineering Design

Infrastructure & Site Layout

Securing Major Utilities (Water and Power)

Geotech and Mine Planning

Permitting



Lycopodium Minerals Canada Ltd (Lycopodium) were retained by Osino with responsibility for the overall management of the Twin Hills Project PFS. This comprises study management, cost estimating, management of metallurgical testwork and coordination and preparation of the Technical Report.

Metallurgical Testwork Update

Metallurgical tests were conducted on composite core samples from various locations in the mineral deposit. The tests included sample characterisation including chemical and mineralogical analysis, fire assay by size fraction, bulk leach extractable gold tests and diagnostic leaches. After this, the following potential metallurgical process steps or control parameters were tested on each sample:

Crushing and milling tests and development of milling curves

Extended gravity recovery tests and modelling

Grind size, CIL and oxygen pre-oxidation leach evaluation

Lead nitrate and shear reactor/Aachen leach evaluation

Whole leach, flotation and site water leach tests

Oxygen uptake rate, cyanide detoxification and carbon loading tests

Several trade-off studies were carried out including:

Modelling of alternative crushing and milling circuits

Oxidation - oxygen/Aachen reactor versus lead nitrate addition

Comparison of vacuum filtration versus pressure filtration of tailings

Gravity/flotation gold recovery followed by leaching compared with the base-case gravity/CIL circuit

Comparison of dry-stack tailings deposition versus conventional pumped slurry tailings disposal



The metallurgical testwork and comminution studies indicate that Twin Hills mineralized material can be characterized as being moderately hard, with excellent amenability for conventional CIL processing. Optimization work completed since the PEA (especially pre-oxidation) has resulted in an improvement in the potential overall gold recovery from the 90.9% achieved in the PEA.

Process Plant and Engineering Design

The results of this testwork suggest that the optimal process flow sheet will comprise three-stage crushing followed by ball milling. Gravity concentration will then be applied to a selected size fraction, with the gravity-recovered gold (GRG) concentrate being processed in an intensive leach reactor followed by electrowinning.

GRG tailings will be recycled to mill classification and the hydro-cyclone overflow will report to pre-leach thickening and pre-oxidation. Thickener underflow will be pumped to a six-stage carbon-in-leach circuit. Gold will be eluted from loaded carbon with eluate being processed by electrowinning. Finally, electrowon gold from the intensive and main leach circuits will be combined and smelted to final product.

Tailings Disposal/Storage Strategy

The Company is conducting a trade-off study to determine the optimal Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) strategy for the project. More specifically, a dry-stack tailings deposition strategy is being considered versus a more conventional system of pumped slurry tailings. Dry-stacked tailings deposition has obvious advantages in terms of lower water consumption and associated environmental benefits, although this comes at the cost of likely higher total Life-of-Mine (LOM) capex.

However, owing to the modular deposition strategy which grows in line with production, not all of the capital expenditure has to be incurred upfront, with the flexibility to defer some of the dry-stack capital requirements until later years of the LOM.

With the expected ongoing growth in mineral resources and likely higher future processing plant throughput Osino expects the Twin Hills projects water demand to continue to grow. In the context of Namibias generally constrained water supply situation, owing to its dry climate and seasonal rainfall variation, it is therefore important that the Company make every attempt to minimize the Projects unit water consumption. For this reason, dry-stack tailings is favoured despite its expected higher capital cost. A thorough trade-off analysis is underway to determine the most cost-effective and appropriate tailings deposition strategy for the project.

Site and Infrastructure Layout

The general site layout has remained largely unchanged as the individual infrastructure elements continue to take advantage of the flat lying terrain on the northern side of the pits.

To minimize haulage costs over the LOM, it is important to place the processing plant as close as possible to the centre of the various open pits, close to Bulge and THC, which will contribute most mineralized material. The offices and stores are laid out immediately to the north of this pit, and logistically adjacent to the main access route from the north. The power supply line linking with the planned Erongo substation is designed to enter the project area from the west to access the plant.

The base case dry-stacked tailings facility is positioned to the west of the plant and linked through fixed overland conveyor to a facility which is planned to be built in three phases. Grasshopper conveyors are expected to provide flexibility to the phasing approach to the disposal strategy for distribution of tailings.

Waste rock dump volumes have been created and appropriate footprints have been designated for the approximately 5km2 area required for the projected waste volumes to a dump height of 40m. Engineered waste rock dump designs will be created following the updated mine schedule.

A graphic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6c3f6b8-ac40-4d3f-8890-775b01736cae

Grid Power Supply



The Twin Hills project is located in an infrastructure-dense area of Namibia, only 20 km from the existing substation and grid power supply to the neighbouring Navachab gold mine. Namibias parastatal bulk power utility, Nampower, also has plans to construct a new substation in Karibib (the Erongo substation) which will enable the supply of sufficient grid power to Osinos Twin Hills project and other consumers in the region.

In March 2022 Osino signed a power-supply agreement with Nampower for a 16MW grid connection to the planned Erongo substation. Depending on the final processing plant capacity, Twin Hills maximum power demand is expected to grow to approximately 20MW, and discussions with Nampower have commenced to amend the power-supply agreement to cater for the additional expected demand.

Under the terms of the contract the grid power supply is subject to a 36 to 48-month Nampower procurement and construction lead time from signature (i.e. from March 2022). Discussions are currently underway to shorten this procurement period. In addition, investigations are ongoing to procure contingency power sources to bridge any potential supply gaps. Osino expects to have the required power available when full production commences.

Osino has also engaged a local Namibian electrical engineering consultancy to assist in designing & procuring large-scale photovoltaic power supply in addition to grid power. Various attractive proposals have been received and are being investigated further.

Mine Water Supply

The Twin Hills project is located only 25km from the local town of Karibib, and the neighbouring Navachab Gold mine, both of which are supplied with bulk water by Namibias water parastatal, Namwater, via pipeline from Swakoppoort dam. Supplies from this source are however limited due to seasonal rainfall.

Osino thus commissioned two specialist Namibian consultants, Knight Piesold and SLR Consulting, to carry out the necessary hydrological studies and drill programs to develop our own water sources for the Twin Hills project, based primarily on three sources:

Ground water abstraction from existing, nearby marble aquifers on a sustainable yield basis The development of sand aquifers using ground weirs in the nearby, ephemeral Khan river system Additional augmentation using piped water (effluent and fresh) from the nearby town of Karibib



A total of 40 hydrological assessment and water abstraction boreholes have been drilled within the Twin Hills mining area since 2019, with a demonstrated combined water yield of 168m3/hr or 1.49m m3/year. Total mine make-up water demand at an assumed 4.5mtpa processing capacity is approximately 1.5m m3/year which will be supplied from the boreholes indicated in green dots in Figure 2 below.

A graphic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a7f71b3f-043f-41e5-9414-5984685b3dc0

Further water will be obtained from pit dewatering and, thus mine water supply has been secured from ground water only. A new phase of borehole drilling of 17 positions is now underway in previously untested areas to explore additional aquifer potential (Figure 2 blue dots).

Additional technical studies are under way to develop additional water sources a) from developing ground weirs and associated Khan River sand aquifers and b) from piped bulk water from the local town of Karibib (untreated effluent water from the town of Karibib or fresh make-up water from Swakoppoort dam).

These additional waters sources are being developed to diversify the supply base and to allow for a planned further increase in processing plant capacity.

It is anticipated that these additional water sources could supply up to 30-40% of total mine water demand, depending on final processing plant production rate and TSF strategy chosen. Trade-off studies are underway to determine the optimal solution.

Geotech and Mine Planning

A phase two geotechnical drill program was completed during Q1 2022. This program consisted of four additional geotechnical assessment holes in the THC-Bulge pit and three holes in the previously untested Clouds pit, designed to provide a level of confidence to the pit design suitable for future work towards a Bankable Feasibility Study and to allow for the determination of mineral reserves as part of the upcoming PFS.

This geotechnical drilling plus the associated testwork and analysis was completed under the direction of SRK Consulting (Pty) Ltd. and has resulted in improved confidence and slightly steeper pit slopes in some areas of the Twin Hills pits.

Mine planning is currently underway to incorporate the upsized mineral resource and to reflect the improved metallurgical testwork results and design parameters in an updated mine plan. The mine planning objective is to maximize annual gold production and project NPV.

Once the additional Inferred mineral resources have been converted to Indicated status and all project planning assumptions have been confirmed, the mine plan will be updated accordingly.

Permitting Process and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)

Under Namibias regulatory environment several steps are required toward approval of the mining license which the Company applied for in August 2021.

The most important of these steps are the completion and approval of the Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), including public consultation, and the compilation of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Once these are approved, the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Tourism (MEFT) issues an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) which is generally the precursor to the granting of a mining license by the Ministry of Mines & Energy (MME).

There are a range of additional, secondary approvals, most of which are usually obtained subsequent to the granting of a mining license. There are no prescribed timelines, but mining licenses are commonly granted after the completion of the ESIA process.

The following tasks have been completed to-date:

Project registration and baseline specialist study compilation (2021)

Public participation meetings and stakeholder feedback documentation (2021)

Public review of the ESIA and EMP (2022)

Final submission of the ESIA and EMP to government for approval (2022)

The final step of the approval process is now underway as the completed ESIA is under review by the MEFT. The submission was accompanied by a successful presentation in March. No significant risks were identified and MEFT is expected to make a positive recommendation to issue an ECC within a reasonable time period, generally between three to six months of submission of the ESIA.

Live Webinar

Investors are invited to participate in a live webinar with Osinos management to discuss the significantly upsized resource, progress with development studies and the Companys plans to continue to grow and fast-track the project. There will be a Q&A period following the presentation.

Date: April 20, 2022 at 11am ET (8am PT) Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5857855327493794571

The presentation and webinar playback will be available on the Companys website following the webinar.



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.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V: AQS, OTCQB: AQSZF) (Aequus or the Company) announces that the filing of its audited annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and its managements discussion and analysis relating to the Annual Financial Statements (collectively, the Annual Disclosure) will be delayed beyond the filing deadline of May 2, 2022.



The Companys late filing of the Annual Disclosure is due to delays in its audit procedure and receiving timely responses to its audit requests from third parties. The Companys management is diligently working through the various issues in order to expedite the finalization of the Annual Disclosure.

The Company fully expects to file the Annual Disclosure on or before Friday, May 6, 2022, and intends to provide updates on further developments in respect of this matter promptly following their occurrence.

About Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V: AQS, OTCQB: AQSZF) is a growing specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing high quality, differentiated products. Aequus has grown its sales and marketing efforts to include several commercial products in ophthalmology and transplant. Aequus plans to build on its Canadian commercial platform through the launch of additional products that are either created internally or brought in through an acquisition or license; remaining focused on highly specialized therapeutic areas. For further information, please visit www.aequuspharma.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words believe, may, plan, will, estimate, continue, anticipate, intend, expect, potential and similar expressions. Forward- looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as the factors we believe are appropriate. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating to: the completion of the Companys audit; the completion and anticipated filing date of the Annual Disclosure; the ability of the Company to obtain audit responses from third parties; and the Companys issuance of biweekly default status reports. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Aequus, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In making the forward looking statements included in this release, the Company has made various material assumptions. In evaluating forward looking statements, current and prospective shareholders should specifically consider various factors set out herein and under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys final short-form prospectus dated November 5, 2021, and annual information form dated April 30, 2021, copies of which are available on Aequus profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, and as otherwise disclosed from time to time on Aequus SEDAR profile. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties, or a risk that is not currently known to us materialize, or should assumptions underlying those forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward looking statements.

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.

Contact Information:

Aequus Investor Relations

Email: investors@aequuspharma.ca

Phone: 604-336-7906
TORONTO, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red White & Bloom Brands Inc. (CSE: RWB and OTC: RWBYF) (the Company or RWB) announces that it has postponed the 2021 Yearend Earnings Call scheduled for May 3rd. The Company will provide further updates on May 3, 2022.



About Red White & Bloom Brands Inc.

Red White & Bloom is a multi-state cannabis operator and house of premium brands in the U.S. legal cannabis and hemp sector. RWB is predominantly focusing its investments on the major U.S. markets, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Michigan with respect to cannabis, and the U.S. and internationally for hemp-based CBD products. For more information, visit website: www.RedWhiteBloom.com, or follow RWB on social media:

Twitter: @rwbbrands;

Facebook: @redwhitebloombrands;

Instagram: @redwhitebloombrands

For more information about Red White & Bloom Brands Inc., please contact:

Tyler Troup, Managing Director. Circadian Group IR, IR@RedWhiteBloom.com

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Companys current expectations. When used in this press release, the words estimate, project, belief, anticipate, intend, expect, plan, predict, may or should and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. There is no assurance that these transactions will yield results in line with management expectations. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

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. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: risks associated with the implementation of the Companys business plan and matters relating thereto, risks associated with the cannabis industry, competition, regulatory change, the need for additional financing, reliance on key personnel, market size, and the volatility of the Companys common share price and volume. Forward-looking statements are made based on managements beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

There are several important factors that could cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the Companys proposed business, such as failure of the business strategy and government regulation; risks related to the Companys operations, such as additional financing requirements and access to capital, reliance on key and qualified personnel, insurance, competition, intellectual property, and reliable supply chains; risks related to the Company and its business generally; risks related to regulatory approvals. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Companys forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed a certain progression, which may not be realized. It has also assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any time.

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.
English French

QUEBEC, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LeddarTech, a global leader in providing the most flexible, robust and accurate ADAS and AD sensing technology, is pleased to announce its Gold Sponsorship of EcoMotion Week 2022, where the company will demonstrate its technology and LeddarTechs President and COO, Frantz Saintellemy, will deliver a keynote presentation.



EcoMotion is a significant mobility event held yearly in Israel, and LeddarTech is proud to be a key contributor, stated Charles Boulanger, CEO of LeddarTech. The event recognizes innovative technology companies and is supported by industry sponsors, such as LeddarTech, the Israel Innovation Institute, the Israel Prime Ministers Office Smart Mobility Initiative and the Ministry of Economy. Our Israel-based Sensor Fusion and Perception Development Center team and Frantz Saintellemy, LeddarTechs President and COO, are excited to participate in this event and present our unique sensor fusion and perception platform and digital beam steering technology, Mr. Boulanger concluded.

LeddarTech will be participating in the following events:

Main Stage: May 11, 12:15 p.m.

Keynote presentation by Frantz Saintellemy, LeddarTech President and COO  Sensing and Perception Technology  Critical Challenges and Solutions for ADAS and AD

The LeddarTech Tech Hub: May 11, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

LeddarTech will be showcasing its groundbreaking innovations:

LeddarVision, the sensor fusion and perception solution for automotive and off-road industrial vehicles ADAS and autonomous driving applications developed for automotive Tier 1-2 suppliers and OEMs.

LeddarSteer, a new automotive-grade, customizable solid-state beam-steering technology for LiDAR manufacturers, Tier 1-2 suppliers and vision system developers.

About LeddarTech

Founded in 2007, LeddarTech is a comprehensive end-to-end environmental sensing company that enables customers to solve critical sensing, fusion and perception challenges across the entire value chain. LeddarTech provides cost-effective perception solutions scalable from Level 2 ADAS to Level 5 full autonomy with LeddarVision, a raw-data sensor fusion and perception platform that generates a comprehensive 3D environmental model from a variety of sensor types and configurations. LeddarTech also supports LiDAR manufacturers and Tier 1-2 automotive suppliers with key technology building blocks such as LeddarSteer digital beam steering and the LeddarEngine, which is built on LeddarTechs Leddar technology employing patented signal acquisition and processing techniques to generate a richer and cleaner return signal at a lower cost. The LeddarEngine comprises a highly integrated, scalable LiDAR SoC and software combination that enables LiDAR developers and Tier 1-2 automotive suppliers to design their own LiDAR solutions. The company is responsible for several innovations in cutting-edge automotive and mobility remote-sensing applications, with over 120 patented technologies (granted or pending) enhancing ADAS and autonomous driving capabilities.

Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Contact:

Daniel Aitken, Vice-President, Global Marketing, Communications and Investor Relations, LeddarTech Inc.

Tel.: + 1-418-653-9000 ext. 232 daniel.aitken@leddartech.com

Investor relations contact: InvestorRelations@leddartech.com

https://investors.leddartech.com/

Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarSteer, LeddarEngine, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, LeddarCore, LeddarEcho, VAYADrive, VayaVision, XLRator and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.
Selbyville, Delaware, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report by Global Market Insights Inc., the Africa Food Ingredients Market was estimated at USD 1.70 billion in 2021 and is likely to be valued at more than USD 2.30 billion by 2028, progressing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2022 to 2028. The report provides a detailed assessment of the competitive scenario, market size & estimations, drivers & opportunities, top winning strategies, wavering market trends, and major investment pockets.

Food ingredients are convenient and help food makers product a wide range of foods that are appetizing, safe, nutritious, uniform, and tasty. They are used in small quantities and are considered beneficial in supporting nutrition delivery, maintaining product quality & freshness, extend shelf-life of food products, reduce food wastage, and so forth. High usage of food ingredients across the food & beverage sector in Africa is likely to augment market growth over the forecast period.

Request for Sample Report: https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/5257





Acidulants are utilized in food & beverage items as they offer various functional benefits as a preservative for microbial control, chelating agent, gelling, buffers, flavoring agent, and coagulating agent. It mainly serves as a pH stabilizer in food products and extends the products shelf life. Growing emphasis of food & beverage products on increasing the shelf life and quality of products would bolster product adoption. Owing to these factors, the acidulants product segment, which surpassed USD 98.0 million in revenue in 2021, is projected to grow at a rate of approximately 5.5% through the assessment timeframe.

Meanwhile, the Africa food ingredients industry share from the flavors & enhancers product segment is anticipated to depict a CAGR of around 5.0% over the review timeline. Escalating product usage in non-alcoholic beverages and innovative food products is set to boost segmental growth in the coming years.

Key reasons for Africa food ingredients market growth:

High utilization in bakery & confectionary items. Growing uptake of acidulants in food & beverage sector. Increased product usage in dairy & frozen dairy products. Rising application of flavors & enhancers in non-alcoholic beverages.

2028 forecasts show bakery & confectionery segment retaining its dominance:

From the application perspective, the Africa food ingredients industry share from the bakery & confectionery segment was valued at over USD 352 million in 2021 and is estimated to exhibit robust expansion at a rate of around 5% through the study timespan. Food ingredients are extensively utilized in bakery & confectionary products as they offer enhanced taste and texture, better quality, and increased shelf life. Rising consumption of baked products, such as bread, toast, cakes, and cupcakes, on account of growing demand for ready-to-eat food and mounting interest in confectionary items by millennials is slated to foster segmental outlook.

Ethiopia to maintain top status in terms of revenue:

By country, the Ethiopia food ingredients market exceeded a valuation of USD 163.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to progress at above 5% CAGR between 2022 and 2028. Increased consumption and production of dairy products in Ethiopia is propelling the demand for food ingredients, such as antioxidants, thickeners, and emulsifiers, to enhance the flavor and shelf life of these products. In addition, shifting preferences towards wheat- & flour-products like pizzas, pasta, biscuits, and cereals, are impelling the uptake of food ingredients, which is likely to fuel regional market development.

Request for the customization of this report: https://www.gminsights.com/roc/5257

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Africa food ingredients market:

The onset of COVID-19 adversely affected Africa, which was already struggling with poverty as well as food insecurity. COVID-associated mortality, supply chain disruptions, unemployment, and depreciation of currency value were some major factors that compounded food shortage in Africa. However, prevalent vaccination drives, along with formulation of effective strategies to improve food security across the continent, have been helping the market regain its pre-pandemic growth momentum in recent years.

Leading market players:

Some prominent players in the Africa food ingredients market are Koninklijke DSM N.V., Givaudan S.A., Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Kerry Group, and Ajinomoto Co., Inc., among others.

About Global Market Insights Inc.

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider. Offering syndicated and custom research reports, growth consulting and business intelligence services, Global Market Insights Inc. aims to help clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data that aid in strategic decision making.




Vast Resources plc / Ticker: VAST / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining

3 May 2022

Vast Resources plc

(Vast or the Company)

Company Update  Tajikistan

Vast Resources plc, the AIM-listed mining company is pleased to announce its participation as one of a collective group of partners in a new joint venture project (the Project) in Tajikistan with Open Joint Stock Company Korkhonai Boygardonii Takob (Takob).

Highlights

Near term revenue opportunity which will provide a further revenue stream alongside concentrate sales from the Companys Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine in Romania

The Project is 100% financed

Vast will receive a 12.25 percent royalty over all sales of non-ferrous concentrate and any other metals produced at Takobs operating fluoride and galena mine in Tajikistan

Processing of stockpiled ore on site will commence in Q2 2022

Transaction Details

The interest in the Project has been acquired as a result of the acquisition by a recently incorporated UK company, Central Asia Investments Ltd, in which Vast has a 49 percent interest of a 50 percent interest in Central Asia Minerals and Metals Ore Trading FZCO (CAMM) which has an agreement with Takob (the Master Agreement). Vast has an effective 24.5 percent indirect interest in the Project.

Takob, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Tajikistan Open Joint Stock Company TALCO, the countrys largest group of companies that represents a major part of the countrys GDP, is the owner of the operating Takob fluoride and galena mine (the Mine) in Tajikistan where the strategic fluoride concentrate is sold to TALCOs chemical division (TALCO Chemical LLC), for the production of essential raw materials required for primary aluminium production.

Under the Master Agreement the Mine is to produce approximately 7,000 tonnes per month of ore containing no less than 1.5-2% lead, 1.2-1.4% zinc and 27% fluoride of which two months production has been stockpiled on site ready for processing to commence in Q2 2022. It is for note that it is reported that historically the Mine contained 30g/t silver and 1-2g/t gold in situ.

Under the Master Agreement CAMM is to provide equipment, technology and technical expertise to upgrade and optimise the processing plant at the Mine, and will undertake the responsibility for the management and execution of the Project.

Takob will continue to mine ore at the Mine and produce fluoride concentrate. Takob has undertaken to supply no less than 1,000,000 tonnes of ore to be processed in line with the Project that is anticipated to run with the current Resource statement for 12 years.

CAMM has also under the Master Agreement been appointed as exclusive agent for Takob to market and sell all non ferrous concentrates and precious metals from Takobs Mine including but not limited to lead, zinc, gold and silver.

CAMM has secured financing and is fully funded for the Project. In consideration for CAMMs financing obligations and provision of services under the Master Agreement CAMM will be entitled to receive 50 percent of net revenue from the sale of non ferrous concentrate and precious metals.

In order for CAMM to provide the expertise required to fulfil its services and marketing obligations under the Master Agreement CAMM has entered a services agreement with Vast to provide the services required. Under this agreement Vast is entitled to charge for the services provided on the basis that 24.5 percent of the fees earned therefor will be left outstanding until they can be financed from revenue arising from the Project.

In addition to fees receiveable under the services agreement with CAMM Vast will effectively receive 12.25 percent royalty of all sales of the non-ferrous concentrate and any other metals produced for its participation in the collective group.

Andrew Prelea, Chief Executive Officer of Vast Resources, commented:

His Excelency Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Rahmon declared that the years 2022 to 2026 would be the years of industrial development for Tajikistan and further declared acceleration of industrialisation to be a national strategic goal. The Tajikistan Government has demonstrated its efficiency and willingness to attract Foreign Direct Investment in industrial projects and in particular in the Mining Sector. I have no doubt that the success of our project will attract further foreign investment in Country.

I wish to thank the Minister of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan, together with the Chairman and Executive Team of Open Joint Stock Company TALCO for their assistance in closing this transaction.

I would also to thank all the stakeholders and our strategic partners in Central Asia Minerals and Metals Ore Trading FZCO for giving Vast the opportunity to participate in this exciting venture that opens the door to further opportunities together in Tajikistan.

**ENDS**

For further information, visit www.vastplc.com or please contact:

Vast Resources plc

Andrew Prelea (CEO)

Andrew Hall (CCO)



www.vastplc.com

+44 (0) 20 7846 0974 Beaumont Cornish  Financial & Nominated Advisor

Roland Cornish

James Biddle



www.beaumontcornish.com

+44 (0) 20 7628 3396 Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited  Joint Broker

Toby Gibbs / James Thomas (Corporate Advisory)



www.shorecapmarkets.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7408 4050 Axis Capital Markets Limited  Joint Broker

Kamran Hussain



www.axcap247.com

+44 (0) 20 3206 0320 St Brides Partners Limited

Susie Geliher / Charlotte Page www.stbridespartners.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7236 1177

ABOUT VAST RESOURCES PLC

Vast Resources plc is a United Kingdom AIM listed mining company with mines and projects in Romania and Zimbabwe.

In Romania, the Company is focused on the rapid advancement of high-quality projects by recommencing production at previously producing mines.

The Company's Romanian portfolio includes 100% interest in the producing Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine, located in the Apuseni Mountains, Transylvania, an area which hosts Romania's largest polymetallic mines. The mine has a JORC compliant Reserve & Resource Report which underpins the initial mine production life of approximately 3-4 years with an in-situ total mineral resource of 15,695 tonnes copper equivalent with a further 1.8M-3M tonnes exploration target. The Company is now working on confirming an enlarged exploration target of up to 5.8M tonnes.

The Company also owns the Manaila Polymetallic Mine in Romania, which was commissioned in 2015, currently on care and maintenance. The Company has been granted the Manaila Carlibaba Extended Exploitation Licence that will allow the Company to re-examine the exploitation of the mineral resources within the larger Manaila Carlibaba licence area.

In Zimbabwe, the Company is focused on the commencement of the joint venture mining agreement on the Community Diamond Concession, Chiadzwa, in the Marange Diamond Fields.
English French



















Vallourec announces investment in Closed Loop Geothermal Company GreenFire Energy

Meudon (France), May 3, 2022  Vallourec, a world leader in premium tubular solutions, announces an investment in GreenFire Energy Inc., an American start-up developing Advanced Geothermal Systems based on its innovative technology called GreenFires GreenLoop . This transaction was carried out as part of a "Series A" funding alongside other major investors, Baker Hughes and Helmerich & Payne.

Vallourec and GreenFire Energy have been working together since 2019 on several successful Closed- Loop Geothermal demonstrators in various fields. This investment will further strengthen the relationship between the two companies.

Vallourec THERMOCASE Vacuum Insulated Tubing (VIT) is a key enabler of closed loop geothermal systems: these thermally insulated pipes allow the harvesting of underground heat and bring it to the surface (as hot water or steam) with minimal losses. Thanks to its leading edge in VIT with its THERMOCASE product range, Vallourec will be able to support GFE by designing and manufacturing bespoke solutions for their downhole heat exchanger.

Geothermal energy is expected to play a major role in the energy transition and the decarbonization of our economies, as it is the only renewable source that can always be on, provide low carbon, and versatile energy. While conventional systems rely on the exploitation of geothermal resources in very specific areas, Advanced Geothermal Systems  such as the one developed by GreenFire Energy - could unlock the possibility of producing energy virtually anywhere.

Through this investment in GreenFire Energy, Vallourec is once again demonstrating its ambition to be a long-term player in the energy transition to prepare for the future, said Philippe Guillemot, Chairman of the Board of Directors & Chief Executive Officer. Innovation is in Vallourec's DNA and is one of the key levers to accelerate our transformation. We are proud to support GreenFire Energy's efforts to develop these innovative closed-loop geothermal technologies. Customer focus is also of the utmost importance for us: by working alongside Baker Hughes and Helmerich & Payne, we will have the opportunity to further refine our solutions to meet the challenges of geothermal operators.

The investment of Industry leaders such as Vallourec, Baker Hughes and Helmerich & Payne is a further endorsement of our technology, the promise for its global scalability, and the commercial opportunities we have in our pipeline, said Joseph Scherer, CEO of GreenFire Energy. The Vallourec team has a deep understanding of our technology needs and projects and is committed to continuing its support of GreenFire.

Vallourec has for decades been involved in major conventional geothermal projects all over the world (Indonesia, Germany, USA, East-Africa, Netherlands) supplying casings meeting the harshest requirements in terms of operating conditions. Thanks to its THERMOCASE VIT solution, Vallourec is also at the forefront in the development of closed loop geothermal technology and systems.

About GreenFire Energy

GreenFire Energy develops and implements innovative geothermal technology to accelerate the worlds transition to clean, continuous renewable energy. GreenFires GreenLoop is closed-loop geothermal technology that extracts and transports heat from deep in the earth to be used for geothermal power generation. GreenFire Energy delivers fast, low-cost, and high ROI geothermal retrofit, expansion, and greenfield projects. This scalable business model has led to commercial relationships with many of the worlds premier geothermal operators.

GreenFire Energys technology has been developed with grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, and research conducted with U.S. National Laboratories, major universities, and eminent experts. The company has extensive international patents. GreenFire Energy is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, USA.

www.greenfireenergy.com

About Vallourec

Vallourec is a world leader in premium tubular solutions for the energy markets and for demanding industrial applications such as oil & gas wells in harsh environments, new generation power plants, challenging architectural projects, and high-performance mechanical equipment. Vallourecs pioneering spirit and cutting-edge R&D open new technological frontiers. With close to 17,000 dedicated and passionate employees in more than 20 countries, Vallourec works hand-in-hand with its customers to offer more than just tubes: Vallourec delivers innovative, safe, competitive and smart tubular solutions, to make every project possible.

Listed on Euronext in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013506730, Ticker VK), Vallourec is part of the CAC Mid 60, SBF 120 and Next 150 indices and is eligible for Deferred Settlement Service.

In the United States, Vallourec has established a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program (ISIN code: US92023R4074, Ticker: VLOWY). Parity between ADR and a Vallourec ordinary share has been set at 5:1.

For further information, please contact:

Investor relations

Jerome Friboulet

Tel : +33 (0)1 49 09 39 77

Investor.relations@vallourec.com



Press relations

Heloise Rothenbuhler

Tel: +33 (0)1 41 03 77 50

heloise.rothenbuhler@vallourec.com



Individual shareholders

Toll Free Number (from France): 0 800 505 110

actionnaires@vallourec.com





Attachment
Dublin, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Virtual Router Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global virtual router market reached a value of US$ 176.6 million in 2021. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach a value of US$ 614.6 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 22.30% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, the analyst is continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



A virtual router is a scalable and flexible software-based routing framework that enables the host machine to operate as a conventional hardware router over a local area network. It is identified with a unique virtual router identifier (VRID) that is present at the last byte of the address. As it can lower hardware costs and help develop new applications rapidly and process packets in real-time, a virtual router finds extensive applications in the telecommunications industry across the globe.



Virtual Router Market Trends

At present, there is a considerable increase in the adoption of virtual routers by communication service providers (CSPs). This, in confluence with the rising popularity of software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV), represents one of the key factors bolstering the market growth. Moreover, virtual routers assist in developing, prototyping, and testing new communication subsystems. These routers can also aid in distance learning and are consequently utilized as tools that enable students to perform virtual experiments. This, coupled with the rapid expansion of data centers, is catalyzing the demand for virtual routers around the world.

Apart from this, these routers provide increased network speed, faster acquisition of data, and safer storage networks. In addition, they help reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) by lowering capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operating expenses (OPEX) of businesses from different industry verticals. These product benefits, along with technological advancements, including the implementation of virtual router redundancy protocol (VRRP) to separate traffic and improve network security, are strengthening the market growth. Other factors, such as improving 5G infrastructure and the increasing requirement for cloud-based services worldwide, are creating a positive outlook for the market.



Key Market Segmentation

This report provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global virtual router market, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2022-2027. The report has categorized the market based on component, type and End-user.



Breakup by Component:

Solution

Service

Breakup by Type:

Pre-defined

Custom

Breakup by End-user:

Service Provider

Enterprise

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being 6WIND, Allied Telesis Inc., Arista Networks Inc., Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corporation, Juniper Networks Inc., Nokia Corporation, Palo Alto Networks Inc. and ZTE Corporation.



Key Questions Answered in This Report

How has the global virtual router market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global virtual router market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the component?

What is the breakup of the market based on the type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the End-user?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global virtual router market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Virtual Router Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Component

6.1 Solution

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Service

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Type

7.1 Pre-defined

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Custom

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by End User

8.1 Service Provider

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Enterprise

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Region



10 SWOT Analysis



11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porters Five Forces Analysis



13 Price Analysis



14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

14.3.1 6WIND

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2 Allied Telesis Inc.

14.3.2.1 Company Overview

14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2.3 Financials

14.3.3 Arista Networks Inc.

14.3.3.1 Company Overview

14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.3.3 Financials

14.3.4 Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.4.3 Financials

14.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.5 Cisco Systems Inc.

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.5.3 Financials

14.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.6 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6.3 Financials

14.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.7 Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8 International Business Machines Corporation

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8.3 Financials

14.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.9 Juniper Networks Inc.

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.9.3 Financials

14.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.10 Nokia Corporation

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10.3 Financials

14.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.11 Palo Alto Networks Inc.

14.3.11.1 Company Overview

14.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.11.3 Financials

14.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.12 ZTE Corporation

14.3.12.1 Company Overview

14.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.12.3 Financials

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pi6f7k

Attachment
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yooma Wellness Inc. ("Yooma" or the "Company") (CSE: YOOM, AQSE: YOOM), a Toronto-based vertically-integrated global wellness platform that develops and markets a portfolio of wellness brands, announced today that due to unexpected delays to its audit, it has been unable to file the following periodic disclosure documents (the Annual Filings) by their filing deadline of May 2, 2022:



Annual audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021;

Managements discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2021; and

CEO and CFO certifications of the annual filings for the year ended December 31, 2021.





As a consequence of the Companys inability to file the Annual Filings by the deadline, the Company anticipates that it will be issued a failure-to-file cease trade order (CTO) by the Ontario Securities Commission.

The Companys 2021 audit remains ongoing due to the Companys growth and acquisition activity in 2021. Although the audit continues to progress well, it has taken longer than anticipated due in large part to the six significant acquisitions completed by the Company in 2021, which have transitioned the Company into a global wellness platform with substantial operations in five different countries, and the additional time required by the auditor to complete the audit procedures associated with those acquisitions.

Notwithstanding the delay, the Company continues to operate normally without disruption and is working diligently with its auditor and a variety of professional advisors to complete the Annual Filings as expeditiously as possible. The Company confirms that it is not currently subject to any insolvency proceedings and 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 anticipates that it will complete the Annual Filings on or before May 24, 2022, and the revocation of any CTO is expected to occur within a few days after the Annual Filings are made.

A copy of any CTO that is issued will be posted on the Ontario Securities Commission website once issued. The Company expects that the CTO will provide that 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 any CTO.

There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to remedy its filing default and have any CTO lifted in a timely manner or at all.

About Yooma Wellness Inc.

Yooma's mission is to build a vertically-integrated global leader in the manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and sale of wellness products including hemp seed oil and hemp-derived and cannabinoid (CBD) ingredients. The company leverages strategically curated sales channels and ecommerce networks to deliver a diverse mix of wellness products through operating subsidiaries in the United States, United Kingdom, France and Japan. Learn more at www.yooma.ca.

Issuer Contact:

Jordan Greenberg, CEO

Email: jgreenberg@yooma.ca

Phone: 1-512-823-1678

Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements

All information included in this press release, including any information as to future financial or operating performance and other statements of Yooma that express managements expectations or estimates of future performance or activities, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are included for the purpose of providing information about managements current expectations and plans relating to the future. Wherever possible, words such as will, intend, believe, future, go forward, to become, pursuit, pursuing, potential, plan, to enter, continues to, expects, anticipates or the negative of these words or other variations thereof, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all disclosure regarding future results of operations, economic conditions and anticipated courses of action, including statements about the issuance of any cease trade orders and the contents of those orders, the Companys ability to file its Annual Filings on the timelines described above, and the subsequent revocation of any cease trade orders.

There are many risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements including, among others, regulatory risk in each jurisdiction in which Yooma does or intends to operate; the uncertainties, effects of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; reliance on licenses; competition; dependence on senior management and key personnel; general business risk and liability; regulation of the CBD industry; changes in laws, regulations and guidelines; compliance with laws; limited operating history; unfavourable publicity or consumer perception; product liability, risks related to intellectual property; product recalls; difficulties with forecasts; management of growth; litigation; Yoomas ability to effectively integrate existing and future acquisition targets into its platform; the effects of competition in the industry; the requirement for increasingly innovative product solutions and service offerings; trends in customer growth; sufficiency of current working capital to support future operating and working capital requirements; Yoomas ability to prepare and file its Annual Filings before the date specified herein; and other matters which are beyond the control of Yooma. Although the forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management's current beliefs and reasonable assumptions based upon information available to management as of the date hereof, Yooma cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Yooma cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. Yooma 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 applicable law. Nothing herein should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell securities of Yooma.
Press Release

May 3, 2022 Establishment of OFW Hospital -- a fulfillment of PRRD's commitment to improve healthcare, promote welfare of migrant workers, says Bong Go Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said that the establishment of the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga demonstrates the government's commitment to improving the country's healthcare system and promoting the welfare of Filipino migrant workers and their families The hospital, which is the first of its kind in the country, opened as a polyclinic for OFWs and their dependents on May 2, with full operations expected to start by the end of next month. "Masakit makitang iniiwan ng mga kababayan natin ang mga pamilya at mahal nila sa buhay upang makapagtrabaho lamang sa mga malalayong lugar. Sa tulong ng OFW Hospital, masusuklian man lang natin ang kanilang sakripisyo sa pamamagitan ng mas maayos na serbisyo para sa kanila at kanilang mga pamilya," said Go, who is also chair of the Senate Committee on Health. "Paraan din natin ito upang mapasalamatan sila sa kanilang kontribusyon sa ating bansa, lalo na ngayong may pandemya," he added. Apart from supporting OFW welfare, the senator stated that the OFW Hospital is in line with the government's initiatives to improve, capacitate, and construct more health facilities across the country. "Dapat patuloy nating palakasin ang ating healthcare capacity, magdagdag ng mga kama, magtatag ng mga dagdag na ospital at palakasin ang serbisyo na maaaring maibigay ng ating healthcare system," he said. On Labor Day, May 1, Go joined President Rodrigo Duterte in the inspection of the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga. They were also joined by other officials, including former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III. The senator also led the groundbreaking ceremony of the hospital on February 18 last year. Apart from medical care, the facility will carry out research on the prevention, care and treatment of occupational diseases that are common among OFWs as well as provision of specialized training for health workers on the implementation of OFW-specific occupational health services. Meanwhile, Go said that he is coordinating with the Department of Health and other concerned agencies to study the possibility of establishing a Malasakit Center in the hospital. The Malasakit Centers Act was likewise primarily authored and sponsored by Go and was signed into law in December 2019. It establishes a one-stop shop in all hospitals run by the Department of Health, where poor and indigent patients can conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government. To date, there are 151 Malasakit Centers that have helped over three million Filipinos and are fully operating in various parts of the country. "I am glad that we are taking the right steps to improve our healthcare system so that we can be better prepared for any future public health emergencies that may come. Basta kapakanan ng mahihirap at nangangailangan, ipaglalaban ko po kayo," said Go.
NEW YORK, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acreage Holdings, Inc. (Acreage or the Company) (CSE: ACRG.A.U, ACRG.B.U), (OTC: ACRHF, ACRDF), a multi-state operator of cannabis cultivation and retailing facilities in the U.S., today announced it has completed the sale of its cultivation and processing facility in Medford, Oregon, and in conjunction with the sale, closed its dispensary in Powell, Oregon. Total consideration for the sale of the Medford cultivation and processing facility was $2.0 million, including $0.75 million paid to Acreage in February 2021, $0.5 million due August 1, 2022, and the remaining balance of $0.75 million due May 1, 2023. Additionally, the Company also announced that it has completed the consolidation and conversion of its dispensary in Brewer, Maine to adult-use.



We are thrilled to convert our Brewer dispensary in Maine to adult-use, further solidifying our leading retail market share position in the state, said Peter Caldini, CEO of Acreage. We look forward to expanding access to Maine residents as we continue to grow our footprint in this market. We are also pleased to have closed the sale of the facility in Oregon, as we work to complete our wind-down of operations in the state and focus on growing our presence in our core markets.

About Acreage Holdings, Inc.

Acreage is a multi-state operator of cannabis cultivation and retailing facilities in the U.S., including the Companys national retail store brand, The Botanist. With its principal address in New York City, Acreages wide range of national and regionally available cannabis products include the award-winning The Botanist brand, craft brand Superflux, the Tweed brand, the Prime medical brand in Pennsylvania, the Innocent brand in Illinois and others. Acreage also owns Universal Hemp, LLC, a hemp subsidiary dedicated to the distribution, marketing and sale of CBD products throughout the U.S. Since its founding in 2011, Acreage has focused on building and scaling operations to create a seamless, consumer-focused, branded experience. Learn more at www.acreageholdings.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release and each of the documents referred to herein contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, respectively. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information, including, for greater certainty, statements regarding the New Jersey cannabis market. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified using words such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, estimates, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events, or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. 

Although Acreage believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Acreage does not undertake any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws.

For more information, contact:

Steve Goertz

Chief Financial Officer

investors@acreageholdings.com

Courtney Van Alstyne

MATTIO Communications

acreage@mattio.com
New York, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Military Aircraft Avionics Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272885/?utm_source=GNW



In 2020, the deliveries of military aircraft decreased significantly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the supply chain of certain aircraft programs. Nevertheless, the situation improved in 2021 for several military aircraft manufacturers worldwide. On the other hand, no visible impact was noted on the orders placed by various armed forces worldwide.



With the growth in defense spending by several nations across the globe, the industry has witnessed several procurement and development activities for military aircraft in the last few years. This factor is currently driving the growth of the associated avionics market.



The development of new and advanced avionics is generating the need to replace the old avionics systems in the older generation military aircraft. These new avionics suites support the aircraft to meet the newer generation battlefield requirements like long distance target detection and tracking, stealth and electronic warfare defense. Therefore, to stay abreast of adversaries and allied military forces are devising modernization plans to upgrade the avionics suites in the military aircraft.



Furthermore, several countries are developing and procuring next generation military aircraft to modernize and expand their fleets. This is also expected to drive the investments towards next generation avionics and mission computers.



Key Market Trends



Flight Control System is Expected to Register Highest Growth During Forecast Period



The flight control systems (FCS) of the military aircraft include various hardware and software systems for primary and secondary cockpit flight controls such as autopilot, data acquisition systems, flight recorders, aircraft management computers, active inceptor systems, and Electrohydrostatic Actuation (EHA) systems, among others. Currently, all the military aircraft flight control systems are developed based on the Fly-by-Wire (FBW) technology. The aircraft OEMs are partnering with the avionics manufacturers to develop and integrate advanced flight control systems onboard the new-generation aircraft, which are planned to be inducted into service in the coming years. Also, currently, the companies are focusing on integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and big data into computers to enhance the autonomous operations of manned and unmanned aircraft. For instance, in June 2019, Airbus Defense and Space entered into a partnership with Ansys to develop a new flight-control solution with sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The aircraft OEM plans to introduce autonomous flight capabilities onboard the aircraft by 2030. Such partnerships further enhance the capabilities of aircraft is expected to accelerate the growth of the market in the coming years.



North America Accounts for Major Market Share in 2021



North America is dominating the military aircraft avionics market in terms of revenue in 2021, owing to the large-scale procurement of military aircraft by the United States. The United States is the largest military spender in the world with USD 801 billion in military expenditure in 2021. The US Air Force has spent the past four years improving the fleet mission-capable rates which reached its lowest point (below 70%) in 2018. However, the rate is still around 72% as of December 2021. This has raised concerns and has pushed the government to fill the gaps through new aircraft procurement as well as to upgrade mission-related systems in the existing fleet. The US Air Force operates one of the oldest aircraft fleets compared to its adversary Russia and China. Fielding of new aircraft has slowed the increase in fleet age, but the US Air Force is not buying enough new aircraft to sustain its force structure at its current size. The average age of some fleets is high, at 45 years for bombers, 49 years for tankers, and 29 years for fighter/attack aircraft. Also, the US armed forces are upgrading its existing fleet with advanced avionics to support a wide range of missions. For instance, In February 2022, the USAF finally announced its plan to upgrade its 608 F-16 Block 40 and 50 in one of the largest modernization initiatives in history. The F-16 Fighter jets will get up to 22 modifications that will increase the lethality of aircraft and ensure that the fourth-generation fighter can confront current and future threats. The 22 modifications include an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, new cockpit displays, a new mission computer, and a new database. Such investments of the countries in North America to enhance their aerial capabilities is anticipated to propel the growth of the market.



Competitive Landscape



Some of the prominent players in the military aircraft avionics market are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Thales Group, BAE Systems plc, and Northrop Grumman Corporation. The aforementioned players have long-term contracts with various aircraft OEMs to provide avionic systems to their major aircraft programs. For instance, Thales Group is a major head-up display (HUD) provider that supports rotary-wing aircraft programs such as AH-1Z Viper, NH90, T129, Tiger, UH-1Y Venom, and Rooivalk helicopters. Similarly, BAE Systems provides an electronic warfare suite, active inceptor systems, vehicle management computer, and electronic components for communication, identification, and navigation systems onboard F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. To further enhance their presence in the market, the companies and adopting innovation as a key strategy that will allow them to capture new contracts with aircraft OEMs. For instance, Honeywell demonstrated various alternative navigation technologies for military aircraft in GPS-denied locations in April 2021, which will information like position, velocity, and heading of the aircraft. These technologies include Vision-Aided Navigation, Celestial-Aided Navigation, and Magnetic Anomaly-Aided Navigation. The prototypes of alternative navigation technologies are expected to be available in 2022 and initial deliveries are planned to begin in 2023. Such innovations are anticipated to help the companies increase their market share in the market in the future.



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272885/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
HARRISONBURG, Va., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farmer Focus , the only 100% USDA organic and Humane Certified chicken company with a mission to promote and protect generational family farms, is proud to announce that it has been named one of Fast Companys 2022 World Changing Ideas in the General Excellence category. The Awards, which were announced today, honor clean technology, innovative corporate initiatives, brave new designs for cities and buildings, and other creative works that are supporting the growth of positive social innovation, tackling social inequality, climate change and public health crises.



With a vision to build a more sustainable and resilient poultry supply chain, Farmer Focus unique business model was recognized as a World Changing Idea by Fast Company. The Farmer Focus business model, which was developed in partnership with farmers themselves, disrupts the incumbent integrator system by shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers. The model allows farmers to drive innovation and significantly improve financial viability of the farm. Farmer Focus individual growers report that they make 25% to 35% more gross profit farming with Farmer Focus than with their previous companies. They also report that the value of working with Farmer Focus goes far beyond profit. Farmer Focus farmers can reinvest in on-farm innovation while strengthening their communities.

It is a great honor to be recognized by Fast Company for the work we are doing to build resiliency and equity in the food system, and impact the livelihood of American farmers. As a sixth-generation farmer myself, our model was inspired by my fellow farmers who shared my struggle to make our farms financially viable for the next generation, said Corwin Heatwole, Farmer Focus founding farmer and CEO. Our journey began with just 300 chickens. Due to the scaleability of our model, we now partner with over 70 farmers, with over 100 on the waiting list, and our chicken is available in over 2,800 stores. It is unbelievably humbling to me that in addition to impacting the lives of the farmers who partner with us, we are changing what is possible for farmers across the US.

A panel of preeminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 2,997 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, health, social justice, and more. The 2022 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Switzerland to Hong Kong to Australia.

This news is just the most recent validation of Farmer Focus' impact and commitment to its mission. Other noteworthy metrics include:

Farmer Focus is the #1 fastest growing organic chicken brand*

Farmer Focus is the #1 distributed organic chicken brand*

Farmer Focus is the #2 organic chicken brand*

The company was recognized by the White House in January 2022, when CEO Corwin Heatwole was invited to join President Biden at a roundtable to discuss competition in the meat industry. During this conversation, he advocated for independent farmers and explained how Farmer Focus is creating a new and equitable business model for the poultry industry.

Farmer Focus recieved an Impact Award from Progressive Grocer in recognition of outstanding environmental, social and governance leadership.

Farmer Focuss pre-seasoned organic chicken line earned two NEXTY Awards in September 2021 and was nominated for a third in March 2022. NEXTY Awards are bestowed upon products that display outstanding innovation, inspiration and integrity.

*All data references organic chicken brands in grocery stores over the 52-week period ending 4.17.2022 as indicated by IRI data.

We are consistently inspired by the novelty and creativity that people are applying to solve some of our societys most pressing problems, from shelter to the climate crisis. Fast Company relishes its role in amplifying important, innovative work to address big challenges, said David Lidsky, interim editor-in-chief of Fast Company. Our journalists have identified some of the most ingenious initiatives to launch since the start of 2021, which we hope will both have a meaningful impact and lead others to join in being part of the solution.

About the World Changing Ideas Awards: World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Companys major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.

About Farmer Focus

Founded by sixth-generation farmer Corwin Heatwole in 2014, Farmer Focus is the only 100% USDA organic and Humane Certified chicken company with a mission to promote and protect generational family farms. By shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best, Farmer Focus significantly improves the financial viability of the farm and farmer profit. Available in 2,800 stores throughout the East Coast and Midwest, including major retailers like Publix, Kroger, Harris Teeter and more, Farmer Focus is committed to consistently producing exceedingly delicious, 100% USDA organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet and animals.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7583bf3e-965c-4369-82cf-ba805885d25f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1f78ca8-78bb-427a-890e-849d7204d966
Dublin, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Automotive Flooring Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global automotive flooring market reached a value of US$ 686.1 million in 2021. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach a value of US$ 950.3 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.40% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, the analyst is continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different End-use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Automotive flooring refers to carpets and mats installed on the bottom surface of automobiles for providing protection against dust, wear, tear, dirt, and corrosion. It is manufactured using low density, lightweight materials, such as nylon, rubber, polyurethane, vinyl, fiber, polypropylene, and rayon materials that provide chemical and thermal stability. They are commercially available in varying shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. Automotive flooring assists in keeping the interior clean, improving performance, reducing vibration transmission and increasing durability. Apart from this, they are widely installed in passenger cars (PCs), light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) to improve their aesthetics.



Automotive Flooring Market Trends

The increasing production and sales of vehicles across the globe is creating a positive outlook for the market. Automotive flooring is widely used to enhance the appearance of the vehicle interior and provide protection to the floor. In line with this, the increasing awareness regarding the benefits offered by the product, such as easy maintenance, ease of availability, durability, customization and protection from water, dirt, and grime, is further facilitating their widespread adoption in automobiles.

Moreover, various product innovations, such as the utilization of eco-friendly materials for the manufacturing of carpets and mats that provide improved performance and thermal stability, are providing an impetus to the market growth. Additionally, the widespread adoption of polypropylene material due to its chemical stability, low density, cost-effectiveness and resistance to corrosion and chemical leaking is also contributing to the market growth. Apart from this, the increasing consumer expenditure capacities, the rising need for customization and the implementation of various government initiatives to provide safe and economical automotive floorings are anticipated to drive the market further toward growth.



Key Market Segmentation

This report provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global automotive flooring market, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2022-2027. The report has categorized the market based on product, material, vehicle type and distribution channel.



Breakup by Product:

Carpets

Mats

Breakup by Material:

Polyurethane

Polypropylene

Nylon

Rubber

Others

Breakup by Vehicle Type:

Passenger Cars

Light Commercial Vehicles

Heavy Commercial Vehicles

Breakup by Distribution Channel:

OEM

Aftermarket

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being 3M Company, Auria Solutions (Shanghai Shenda Co. Ltd.), Auto Custom Carpets Inc., Autoneum Holding AG, Borgers SE & Co. KGaA, Conform Automotive, Foss Performance Materials LLC (AstenJohnson Inc.), German Auto Tops Inc., Hyosung Corporation, Suminoe Textile Co. Ltd., Toyota Boshoku Corporation and Walser GmbH.



Key Questions Answered in This Report

How has the global automotive flooring market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global automotive flooring market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the product?

What is the breakup of the market based on the material?

What is the breakup of the market based on the vehicle type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the distribution channel?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global automotive flooring market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Automotive Flooring Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Product

6.1 Carpets

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Mats

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Material

7.1 Polyurethane

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Polypropylene

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Nylon

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Rubber

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast

7.5 Others

7.5.1 Market Trends

7.5.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Vehicle Type

8.1 Passenger Cars

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Light Commercial Vehicles

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Heavy Commercial Vehicles

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

9.1 OEM

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Aftermarket

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region



11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Price Analysis



15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 3M Company

15.3.1.1 Company Overview

15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.1.3 Financials

15.3.1.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.2 Auria Solutions (Shanghai Shenda Co. Ltd.)

15.3.2.1 Company Overview

15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3 Auto Custom Carpets Inc.

15.3.3.1 Company Overview

15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.4 Autoneum Holding AG

15.3.4.1 Company Overview

15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.4.3 Financials

15.3.5 Borgers SE & Co. KGaA

15.3.5.1 Company Overview

15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6 Conform Automotive

15.3.6.1 Company Overview

15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.7 Foss Performance Materials LLC (AstenJohnson Inc.)

15.3.7.1 Company Overview

15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8 German Auto Tops Inc.

15.3.8.1 Company Overview

15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9 Hyosung Corporation

15.3.9.1 Company Overview

15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9.3 Financials

15.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.10 Suminoe Textile Co. Ltd.

15.3.10.1 Company Overview

15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.10.3 Financials

15.3.11 Toyota Boshoku Corporation

15.3.11.1 Company Overview

15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11.3 Financials

15.3.12 Walser GmbH

15.3.12.1 Company Overview

15.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/55gyhx

Attachment
San Francisco, Cali, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Change.org, the worlds largest tech platform for social change, today announced their recognition as a finalist for Fast Companys 2022 World Changing Company of the Year. This prestigious honor is part of Fast Companys annual World Changing Ideas Awards, which honors products, concepts, companies, policies, and designs that are driving change, tackling issues from public health crises to climate change to inequality, and pursuing innovation for the good of society and the planet.



Change.org accepts this honor along with the additional honor of being named a finalist in the Employee Size: Midsize (100-999 employees) category. The organization is also receiving an honorable mention for the Change.org Racial Justice Fund in the General Excellence and Corporate Social Responsibility categories following its distribution of 5 million dollars in funding to Black-led organizations across the United States and abroad to empower African-American communities.



Change.org was founded on a vision of using cutting edge technology to make collective action more accessible and more effective than ever before, said Nick Allardice, CEO of Change.org. Recognition by Fast Company as a finalist for the 2022 World Changing Company of the Year is an incredible honorbut the true champions are the tens of millions of people using Change.org every month to make a difference and improve their communities. We're honored to help lift them up.



Since Change.org launched in 2007, approximately half a billion users from around the world have come to the platform, starting more than 4 million petitions to address the worlds most pressing political, societal and economic issues. From the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, to the veteran suicide crisis in Australia to achieving Juneteenth National Holiday legislation in the United States, fighting the burning of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and ending the Tampon Tax in Great Britain, Change.org has been a quiet but powerful force behind the most compelling globally recognized campaigns and most passionate activists in the world.



We are consistently inspired by the novelty and creativity that people are applying to solve some of our societys most pressing problems, from shelter to the climate crisis. Fast Company relishes its role in amplifying important, innovative work to address big challenges, says David Lidsky, interim editor-in-chief of Fast Company. Our journalists have identified some of the most ingenious initiatives to launch since the start of 2021, which we hope will both have a meaningful impact and lead others to join in being part of the solution.



The World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 39 winners, 350 finalists, and more than 600 honorable mentionswith climate, social justice, and AI and data among the most popular categories. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 2,997 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, health, social justice, climate, nature, water, workplace and more. Now in its sixth year, the 2022 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Switzerland to Hong Kong to Australia. The full list of winners, finalists and honorees will be included in the Fast Companys Summer 2022 issue on newsstands May 10, 2022.



The Fast Company World Changing Company of the Year recognition follows Change.orgs historic transition to a nonprofit-owned governance structure that establishes the permanent independence of the platform and secures the long-term stewardship of the organization as a digital public utility committed to the public interest. This new structure also positions the organization for its next phase of growth: from a single product company focused on petitions to a civic infrastructure platform that empowers people everywhere to use their voice, money, and time to build healthier, more participatory and responsive societies.



About Fast Company

Fast Company is the worlds leading business media brand, with an editorial focus on innovation in technology, leadership, world changing ideas, creativity, and design. Written for and about the most progressive business leaders, Fast Company inspires readers to think expansively, lead with purpose, embrace change, and shape the future of business.



About the World Changing Ideas Awards

World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Companys major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.



About Change.org

Change.org is the worlds largest tech platform for people-powered, social change. More than half a billion people across 196 countries use our technology-driven petition and campaign tools to speak up on issues theyre passionate about. Approximately 70,000 petitions are created and supported on our platform every month, with 1.5 million new people joining our global network of users every week. People on Change.org have powered tens of thousands of campaign victories worldwide, and more are winning every week.



Every day, our users collaborate to organize on local, national and global issues; hold corporations to account; and demand action from decision makers at the highest levels of government and business. Our platform is free to use, open to all, and completely independent because its funded by the people who use it. Our independence makes us a trusted resource for decision makers, who turn to the platform to hear from and respond to the communities they represent.



The nonprofit Change.org Foundation oversees both the Change.org Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), a wholly owned corporate subsidiary focused on technology, innovation and growth; and the Change.org charitable programs focused on empowering the most marginalized people and communities globally. This hybrid structure of two mutually supporting organizations enables us to combine the ambition and growth trajectory of a tech company with the mission-focused stewardship of a nonprofit.



Change.org is committed to providing the tools, resources and support needed to empower anyone, anywhere to create the change they want to see in the world.
New York, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Colombia Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2022-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272728/?utm_source=GNW

The study includes the demand and supply aspects of the market.



KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT



 Some of the major colocation operators in Colombia include InterNexa, HostDime, ODATA, and Equinix. According to the Uptime Institute, around 17 data center facilities are certified as Tier III in Colombia.

 Local businesses, BFSI institutions, and foreign firms are among the customers hosting their data in colocation data centers in Colombia. In terms of location, Bogota dominated the colocation services market.

 Colombia is a growing gaming market in Latin America after Brazil and Mexico, with the gaming population expected to increase significantly over the forecast period. This will increase the data generated by this industry, which in turn will be driving data center demand.

 The deployment of 5G networks will boost the digital economy of the region and will lead to higher demand for high-bandwidth networking infrastructure and edge data centers. For instance, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced AWS outposts in Colombia in May 2021.

 In January 2022, the ICT Ministry and the administrative department of the public function (DAFP) announced a law for the digitalization and automation of government procedures.

 In Colombia, renewable energy sources include hydropower, solar energy, biomass, geothermal, and wind energy. Colombia is working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by the 2030 from 2014 levels.

 Colombia has over ten Free Trade Zones, including Rionegro (Medellin), Pacific (Cali), La Candelaria (Cartagena), Quindio, Santa Marta, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Palmaseca (Cali) and Arauca, which expect to attract data center facilities in the coming years.



MARKET TRENDS



 Growing Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Colombia

 Increased Adoption of Growing Cloud Services

 5G Deployment increasing Edge Data Center Investment

 Procurement of Renewable Energy in Colombia



COLOMBIA DATA CENTER MARKET SEGMENTATION

The report includes the following segments:



 IT Infrastructure

o Servers

o Storage Systems

o Network Infrastructure



 Electrical Infrastructure

o UPS Systems

o Generators

o Switches & Switchgears

o PDUs

o Other Electrical Infrastructure



 Mechanical Infrastructure

o Cooling Systems

o Rack Cabinets

o Other Mechanical Infrastructure



 General Construction

o Core & Shell Development

o Installation & commissioning Services

o Building & Engineering Design

o Fire Detection and Suppression

o Physical Security

o Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)



 Tier Standard

o Tier I & Tier II

o Tier III

o Tier IV



VENDOR ANALYSIS

 Some of the key investors in the Colombia data center market in 2021 included HostDime, Scala Data Centers, GlobeNet, and Equinix.

 In Colombia, GlobeNet and AngloGold Ashanti Colombia are some telecom operators working towards deploying commercial 5G services.



IT Infrastructure Providers



 Arista Networks

 Broadcom

 Cisco Systems

 Dell Technologies

 Hewlett Packard Enterprise

 Huawei Technologies

 IBM

 Lenovo



Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors



 ACOM

 Fluor Corporation

 ZFB Group

 Quark



Support Infrastructure Providers



 ABB

 ALFA LAVAL

 Armstrong Ceiling Solutions

 Assa Abloy

 Caterpillar

 Cummins

 Delta Electronics

 Daikin Applied (Daikin Industries)

 Eaton

 Flex

 Generac Power Systems

 Johnson Controls

 Legrand

 Mitsubishi Electric

 Piller Power Systems

 Rittal

 Schneider Electric

 STULZ

 Siemens

 Vertiv



Data Center Investors

 Equinix

 GlobeNet

 HostDime

 IPXON Networks



WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH?



 Market size available in the investment, area, power capacity, and the Colombia colocation market revenue.

 An assessment of the data center investment in Colombia by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators.

 Data center investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities.

 A detailed study of the existing Colombia data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about the Colombia data center market size during the forecast period.

 Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Colombia

o Facilities Covered (Existing): 05

o Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 03

o Coverage:

Bogota

Other Cities

 Existing vs Upcoming (Area)

 Existing vs Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

 Data center colocation market in Colombia

o Market Revenue & Forecast (2021-2027)

o Retail Colocation Pricing

 The Colombia data center landscape market investments are classified as IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecasting.

 A comprehensive analysis of the Colombia data center market growth, latest trends, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

 Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry.

 A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspect of the market.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272728/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
WICHITA, Kan., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE American: UAVS) (AgEagle or the Company), a leading provider of a unified line of industry trusted drones, sensors and software, announced that demand for its NDAA-compliant, award-winning eBee TAC Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) has been increasing with shipments to and training of U.S. and NATO forces in the United States and Europe currently underway.



The eBee TAC was the first approved drone to be added to the Department of Defenses Defense Innovation Units Blue UAS Cleared List as part of the Blue sUAS 2.0 project. Since the announcement in March 2022, demand for the eBee TAC has been climbing. senseFly, an AgEagle company and pioneer of the proprietary eBee line of fixed wing drones, along with its partners, have been actively demonstrating the eBee TACs powerful capabilities at recent industry trade shows and special events, amplifying awareness of the eBee TAC and fueling dynamic growth of government sales.

eBee TAC is available for purchase by U.S. government agencies and all branches of the military on GSA Schedule Contract #47QTCA18D003G, supplied by Hexagon US Federal and partner Tough Stump Technologies as a standalone solution or as part of the Aerial Reconnaissance Tactical Edge Mapping Imagery System (ARTEMIS). Tough Stump is currently actively training military ground forces based in the U.S. and in Central Europe on the use of eBee TAC for mid-range tactical mapping and reconnaissance missions.

According to Tough Stump CEO Jarrett Heavenston, With 133 eBees now in active service and dozens more scheduled to be deployed in coming months, real world applications of the eBee-enabled ARTEMIS platform are providing military ground forces with vital, high resolution geographical intelligence right at the tactical edge. As a result, demand for eBee TAC drones and the ARTEMIS platform is gaining notable momentum and should result in accelerating sales to both U.S. and NATO forces as we advance through the year.

Last week, the eBee TAC was showcased at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) annual XPONENTIAL conference in Orlando, Florida. In addition to the eBee TAC receiving an XCELLENCE in Technology award in the Hardware and Systems Design category, AgEagle representatives hosted numerous meetings and product discussions with key officials from several U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Innovation Unit and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, among others. The eBee TAC also took centerstage at the USGIF GEOINT Symposium 2022, held in Aurora, Colorado last week, as part of a featured presentation by Director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Vice Admiral Robert D. Sharp.

Barrett Mooney, Chairman and CEO of AgEagle, stated, Participation in industry events such as AUVSI and GEOINT are fueling notable sales interest in the eBee TAC, as well as AgEagles full line of industry leading drones, sensors and software solutions for both commercial and government use. Moreover, our in-market growth drivers continue to perform well across geographies worldwide. Looking ahead, we intend to remain focused on converting leads into customers and on continued investing in innovation to meet the needs of our expanding global customer base spanning a broad range of industries. All things considered, 2022 could prove to be a watershed year for AgEagle.



Designed for stealth and collection of high precision imagery and data analysis, the rugged, lightweight eBee TAC is a hand-launched fixed wing tactical mapping UAS, is easily transportable, can be safely deployed in under three minutes by a single person, has a maximum flight time of approximately 90 minutes, over 34 miles in range, can fly in silent mission mode, and be operated without waiver. Each eBee TAC system features a NDAA-compliant drone, range of sensors and active components, Blue sUAS registration, Secure Extension, Endurance Activation, AES256-bit encryption, pixel camouflage and comes in an IP67 hard transport case. Government sales inquiries regarding the eBee TAC should be directed to gov@sensefly.com.

About AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc.

AgEagle and its wholly owned subsidiaries are actively engaged in designing and delivering best-in-class drones, sensors and software that solve important problems for our customers. Founded in 2010, AgEagle was originally formed to pioneer proprietary, professional-grade, fixed-winged drones and aerial imagery-based data collection and analytics solutions for the agriculture industry. Today, AgEagle is a leading provider of full stack drone solutions for commercial and government customers worldwide. For additional information, please visit our website at www.ageagle.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from managements current expectations include those risks and uncertainties relating to our competitive position, the industry environment, potential growth opportunities, and the effects of regulation and events outside of our control, such as natural disasters, wars, or health epidemics. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

AgEagle Aerial Systems Contacts: Investor Relations: Media Inquiries: Gateway Investor Relations media@ageagle.com Matt Glover or Cody Cree Phone: 949-574-3860 Email: UAVS@gatewayIR.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e03dbd44-0d9c-48d1-ae13-9a65cd5781eb
English French

ACHESON, Alberta, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has awarded Copper Mountain Mining Corporation, leaders in Canadas mining sector, with this years Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Excellence Award in recognition of their innovative Electric Trolley-Assist Project focused on reducing carbon intensity and minimizing environmental impact.

Although trolley has been around since the 1980s, this pilot is a first of its kind for North America, requiring a massive commitment from Copper Mountain Mine. In partnership with SMS Equipment, Komatsu, ABB, Clean BC, and B.C Hydro, Copper Mountain installed an approximately 1km trolley-assist section where pantograph-equipped electric haul trucks support material transport. The project aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30%, paving a solid foundation to achieve Copper Mountains net-zero goals. Experience the future of haulage with Komatsu

This project stemmed from our desire to reduce our carbon emissions and make a meaningful change while managing our costs, said Don Strickland, EVP  Sustainability for Copper Mountain Mining Corporation. Diesel is the largest source of GHG emissions at the mine and between our second and third largest cost for the site. With clean electricity available in B.C., the best way to achieve both objectives was to consider trolley-assist technology when we went out for the tender on new trucks. We have now successfully commissioned five trolley-assist haul trucks.

Copper Mountain Mine is targeting to reduce historical carbon intensity by over 50% in 5 to 7 years through electrification and capacity increases.

As mining technology leaders and program deployment specialists, we are collaborating closely with Copper Mountain and key partners to ensure successful implementation of the trolley-assist electric haul trucks at the mine, said Dennis Chmielewski, EVP  Mining for SMS Equipment.

SMS Equipment is a global leader in supporting comprehensive green innovations to ensure our sustainable solution offerings make a positive environmental impact.

About Copper Mountain Mining Corporation

Copper Mountains flagship asset is the 75% owned Copper Mountain mine located in southern British Columbia near the town of Princeton. The Copper Mountain mine produces approximately 100 million pounds of copper equivalent per year with a large resource that remains open laterally and at depth. Copper Mountain also has the development stage Eva Copper Project in Queensland, Australia, which is expected to add approximately 100 million pounds of copper annually and an extensive 210,000 hectare highly prospective land package in the Mount Isa area.

To learn more, visit https://cumtn.com/



About SMS Equipment Inc.

SMS Equipment Inc. is the largest independent Komatsu dealer globally, selling, renting and providing full-service support for the most advanced earthmoving equipment for the mining, construction, road construction, and forestry industries. With over 2,200 employees across 40+ locations in Canada, Alaska and Mongolia, we partner with Komatsu, BOMAG, Takeuchi, Cemen Tech, NPK, Genesis, and other manufacturers to deliver premier equipment, advanced digital technologies, and product support solutions.

To learn more, visit www.smsequipment.com



CONTACTS:

Copper Mountain Mining Corporation

Contact: Letitia Wong, EVP, Strategy & Corporate Development

Phone: 647-927-1112

Email: Letitia.Wong@CuMtn.com

SMS Equipment Inc.

Contact:  Roy Lapa, Director, Marketing and Communications

Phone: 780-948-2200

Email: smsonline@smsequip.com

The advantage of trolley-power is that the electrical power drawn to move the haul truck is generated from a cleaner source than that of the diesel engine while also improving fleet productivity.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/70a0ff92-e3a3-4c6a-99b0-510c338bdb9f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5dec0875-7520-4296-bacc-cc406bf92fcc
MIAMI, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Romacorp, Inc., the parent company of Tony Romas announced its partnership with REEF, the worlds largest ghost kitchen operator, to bring the family-friendly brand to new urban centers across the U.S. Tony Romas first REEF-operated location will launch on May 3, 2022 and begin serving customers in Miami through online orders and delivery apps.



We look forward to serving new and existing Tony Romas fans in Miami and continue growing the brand with many future delivery-only locations on the REEF platform, said Ramon Bourgeois, CEO of Tony Romas. We are thrilled to celebrate the companys 50th anniversary through this innovative partnership that will connect us with new guests and introduce more convenient access to our world-famous ribs and BBQ.

Through this partnership, the casual BBQ ribs franchise offers a wide range of customer favorites from the menu, including its signature Baby Back Ribs, Kickin Shrimp and Onion Loaf.

Tony Romas will introduce a neighborhood favorite to the REEF ecosystem, said Michael Beacham, President of REEF Kitchens. We welcome Tony Romas to the REEF family and look forward to growing the brand together one rack of Baby Back Ribs at a time.

Customers will have access to fast delivery without fees through getREEF.com, as well as their favorite delivery service platforms, as available in their respective cities.

ABOUT REEF:

REEF transforms urban spaces into community hubs that create jobs and bring new goods, services and experiences to the neighborhood. With a proximity ecosystem of over 8,000 locations and a team thats over 15,000 strong, REEF is the largest operator of parking real estate and delivery restaurants in North America. By connecting the world to your block, were making the place you live, the place you love to be.

ABOUT TONY ROMAS:

Tony Romas is one of the most globally recognizable 50-year-old brand names in the industry with restaurant locations in more than 20 countries on 5 continents. From Winnipeg and Kuala Lumpur to Los Angeles, and Tokyo to Madrid, Tony Romas serves its signature ribs, burgers, steak, chicken and seafood entrees to thousands of guests every day.

Contact:

Monica McShaffrey

Uproar PR for Romacorp, Inc.

863-797-9962

mmcshaffrey@uproarpr.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4493ae85-e4b5-4769-98dc-8e72d3047a34
New York, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Bioherbicide Market Research Report by Source, Formulation, Mode of Application, Mode of Action, Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06260857/?utm_source=GNW



The Global Bioherbicide Market size was estimated at USD 1,140.18 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 1,284.38 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 12.82% to reach USD 2,351.67 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 Bioherbicide to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Source, the market was studied across Biochemical and Microbial.



Based on Formulation, the market was studied across Granular and Liquid.



Based on Mode of Application, the market was studied across Foliar, Post-Harvest, Seed Treatment, and Soil Application.



Based on Mode of Action, the market was studied across MOA Involving Photosynthesis and MOA Targeting Enzymes.



Based on Application, the market was studied across Agricultural Crop Type and Non-Agricultural Crop Type. The Agricultural Crop Type is further studied across Cereal & Grain, Fruit & Vegetable, and Oilseed & Pulse. The Non-Agricultural Crop Type is further studied across Plantation Crop and Turf & Ornamental.



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 Bioherbicide 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 Bioherbicide 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 Bioherbicide Market, including Bioherbicides Australia PTY Ltd., Certified Organics Australia PTY Ltd, Deer Creek Holdings, Ecopesticides International, Inc., Emery Oleochemicals, Hindustan Bio-Tech, Marrone Bio Innovations Inc., Mycologic Inc. Innovative Biologicals, Special Biochem Pvt. Ltd, and Verdesian Life Sciences.



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 Bioherbicide Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Bioherbicide Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Bioherbicide Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Bioherbicide Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Bioherbicide Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Bioherbicide Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Bioherbicide Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06260857/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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CHICAGO, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yolk, the brunch restaurant popular amongst locals and tourists alike, is announcing the opening of their ninth Illinois location, Yolk - Burr Ridge, bringing the total number of Yolk locations to 16. Located in the upscale Burr Ridge Village Center at 595 Village Center Drive, the new 4,500-sq.-ft. space will seat 175 people inside and 45 people outside. Patrons of Yolk - Burr Ridge will also be able to enjoy a state-of-the-art walk-up coffee bar, accessible from both the interior and exterior of the new restaurant. Ramzi Hassan, President of Edwards Realty Company, which co-owns and manages the Burr Ridge Village Center, noted, "Yolk is the ideal fit for Burr Ridge Village Center, and we are thrilled to welcome them. Taki and his team run a great business, he is community-oriented and committed to the Burr Ridge area, which is a real win-win-win."

Constantly pushing the envelope with new and creative brunch dishes, specialty juices and its own private-label premium coffee in urban, upscale settings, Yolk is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch fare. Yolk's menu includes signature specialty dishes like eggs benedict, gourmet five-egg rolled omelets, a wide range of skillets and scramblers, pancakes, frittatas, crepes and many more scrumptious options, like the Breakfast Mac & Cheese, from the brand's inventive Test Kitchen, joining the menu on a regular basis.

"After powering through two years of pandemic-related disruptions, I could not be more excited to continue our expansion plans," said Taki Kastanis, CEO and Founder of Yolk. "Growing up in Oak Brook, it means a lot that our newest Yolk location will be opening so close to home," Taki continued. This year, Yolk expects to open two more locations in South Florida and one location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as part of its 2022 expansion plans.

During opening week, Yolk will be offering free Yolk-branded coffee mugs to all dine-in customers with the purchase of a cup of coffee.

For more information about Yolk, visit www.eatyolk.com, download the Yolk app, or connect with Yolk on Instagram and Facebook.

###

ABOUT YOLK

Founded by Taki Kastanis in 2006, Yolk has rapidly expanded to 16 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Texas and South Florida. Each one beloved by locals and tourists alike, Yolk is continuously expanding to be able to serve each and every community possible. Rated "Best Breakfast" by Zagat, Yolk's menu features a balanced mix of upscale breakfast and lunch items guests would expect to find on the menu, as well as a range of deliciously innovative creations. The Yolk experience goes far beyond what's on the plate - bringing creativity to the kitchen. Yolk's team is dedicated to making each guest's experience unique, personable and one that makes them hungry for more.

Media Contact:

Gianluca Pesce

Director of Marketing & Communications

gianluca.pesce@eatyolk.com

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Image 1: Yolk





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New York, US, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Military Actuators Market Overview:

According to a Comprehensive Research Report by Market Research Future (MRFR),  Military Actuators Market Information by Type, System, Component, and Region - Forecast till 2027, the market is predicted to thrive at a healthy CAGR of over 5.9% during the review timeframe.

Market Scope:

Military and defense applications necessitate a large amount of force in confined locations, as well as more precise control over position, speed, and force. Pressurized liquids, such as hydraulic fluids, are used to power hydraulic actuators. These actuators are tough enough to be used in gun and armored plate placement applications. Actuators are devices that assist in meeting all of the requirements of defense and military applications, and their increased use in these areas would be beneficial to the global market.

Competitive Landscape:

The notable players of the market are

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (US)

Triumph Group (US)

Moog, Inc. (US)

Meggitt plc (UK)

Venture Mfg. Co. (US)

Parker-Hannifin Corporation (US)

Kyntronics (US)

NOOK Industries, INC. (US)

AMETEK, Inc. (US)

Ultra Motion (US)

Elektro-Metall Export GmbH (Germany)

Honeywell International Inc. (US)

Safran (France)

Arkwin Industries, Inc. (US)

Hunt Valve Company (US)

Get Free Sample PDF Brochure @ h ttps://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/10705

Market USP:

Market Drivers

Military operations have seen a steady increase in the use of automated technologies over the last decade. To improve military equipment functionality, all three key domains of the military industryland, sea, and airbornehave been substantially investing in the design and development of advanced automated technologies and implementing automation in their operations. The major manufacturers in the military actuators market have been working closely with the military to produce improved military-grade actuators that take into account the constraints they must overcome as well as potential applications of automated military equipment. Furthermore, the military's use of advanced automated technology can assist the military in dealing with issues relating to military personnel, such as improving safety levels for military personnel on dangerous missions and reducing personnel involvement on the battlefield in the future, thereby saving personnel lives.

Navigation, communications, detection, surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance are just a few of the applications where automated technology is used in military systems. Currently, military automation ranges from remote-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to fully automated military systems. Because actuators are such an important part of automated systems, demand for military actuators is projected to increase as military automation advances. As a result, the worldwide military actuators market is likely to grow at a rapid pace over the forecast period, owing to increasing advancements in military automation.

Terrorist assaults on a global scale, rising security concerns, and political turmoil, combined with the introduction of new military programs, are all driving increasing the deployment rate of military actuators. As technology advances, more high-performance and high-quality items are being used in a variety of military applications.

Browse In-depth Market Research Report (100 Pages) on Military Actuators Market : https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/military-actuators-market-10705

Market Restraints:

Although technical advances have made it easier for end users to meet the need for actuators in military applications, there are still concerns about operational capabilities and environmental considerations for the various actuators on the market. Each type of military actuator has its own set of benefits and downsides. The main disadvantages of pneumatic actuators are their high noise levels and low efficiency. Hydraulic actuators, on the other hand, have hydraulic fluid leaks and disposal concerns, as well as limited efficiency. Electrical actuators have gained popularity in the military actuators industry over pneumatic and hydraulic actuators in recent years due to their minimal maintenance requirements. Electrical actuators, on the other hand, have limited shock load carrying capabilities. Market expansion has been stifled as a result of these restrictions.

COVID-19 Analysis

The current expectations for worldwide military actuators market growth till 2027, according to MRFR, are likely to be lower than pre-COVID-19 estimations. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the aviation, defense, and maritime industries all across the world. In the military industry, the need for new aircraft, naval vessels, ground vehicles, and related systems for defense applications is predicted to decline in the coming years as a result of lower tax revenues as a result of lower GDP. The need for military actuators is also projected to fall as a result of this.

Many governments throughout the world are concentrating their efforts on limiting COVID-19 outbreaks in their own countries. As a result, they are increasing their investments in healthcare equipment and vaccine development. As a result, defense spending on new systems is projected to be reduced in the coming years. After the epidemic has passed, defense spending is predicted to progressively rise over the forecast period.

Market Segmentation

The global military actuators market has been divided into two types: linear and rotary.

The market is divided into four categories: mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic.

Share your Queries @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/10705

Regional Insights:

The military actuators market in North America is dominated by two major countries: the United States and Canada. Over time, the US military has been the world's largest military spender. The majority of this military spending went into military modernization and long-term programs, such as modernizing the US nuclear weapons and procuring large-scale armaments.

The APAC market, according to MRFR, would develop at the quickest rate during the forecasted period, owing to rising defense spending in key economies. Due to increased investments in military actuators, key countries like as China, Japan, India, and Australia are driving market expansion in Asia-Pacific. China has long dominated the regional market. This dominance can be attributed to China's military spending, which is second only to the United States in the world.

Discover more research Reports on Aerospace & Defense Industry , by Market Research Future:

Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit Market report information by Aircraft Type (Fixed Wing (Wide body, Narrow body, others), Rotary Wing, UAV), Platform (Commercial, Military), by Product (Battery, Electric Ground Power), Region - Forecast till 2027

Small Satellite Market by Type (Mini-satellite, Micro-satellite, Nano-satellite), Purpose (Earth Observation & Meteorology, Scientific Research & Exploration, Communication, Surveillance & Security, Mapping & Navigation), End-User (Commercial, Military, Civil/ Government), & Region  Forecast till 2027

5G in Aviation Market Research Report: By Connectivity Type (Ground-to-Ground Communication, Air-to-Ground Communication), By Communication Infrastructure (Small Cells, DAS), By Application (Airport Operations, Airline Operations) and By End-Use (Airports, Aircraft)  Forecast to 2030

About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.
MENLO PARK, Calif., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FeelitLIVE, Inc., the creators of FeelitLIVE, the world's first all-in-one choir tech platform, and INTERKULTUR, the world's leading organizer of international choir competitions and festivals, announced a new strategic partnership designed to benefit all choirs while also accelerating growth of both companies.

INTERKULTUR will promote FeelitLIVE as a preferred technology platform for the delivery of hybrid and virtual choral performances to its vast network of choirs and FeelitLIVE will promote the choir competitions and festivals organized by INTERKULTUR.

"This partnership is highly complementary for both companies," said Neetu Bhatia, Co-Founder of FeelitLIVE. "The team at INTERKULTUR are true experts in the organization of live choral competitions. Whereas, our strength at FeelitLIVE is in the delivery of hybrid and virtual choral performances. By partnering, we're able to promote each other's respective offerings in a way that will benefit all choirs globally."

INTERKULTUR will promote FeelitLive via its website, at its choral events, and through direct communication with its subscribers. FeelitLIVE will work with INTERKULTUR to drive awareness for its global events including the World Choir Games, which will take place in Gangneung, South Korea in July 2023.

"FeeliLIVE's vision to combine the power of technology and choirs to elevate the human experience maps perfectly to the mission of INTERKULTUR to bring together people of all countries, cultures and world views in peaceful competitions. This strategic partnership is a great fit for both of us," said Hans-Robert Dapprich, Director, Communications, Marketing and Sales at INTERKULTUR.

This is the first phase of a strategic partnership that holds great promise. Additional points of collaboration will be explored as the alliance evolves in coming years.

"We've long admired INTERKULTUR as pioneers in the choral music industry and we couldn't be more excited to join forces with them to elevate choral music globally," Ms. Bhatia said.

About FeelitLIVE (www.feelitlive.com)

FeelitLIVE is the world's first all-in-one choir tech platform, empowering choral groups to host events, engage audiences, monetize content, and build lasting relationships with their communities. Built by MIT alums, FeelitLIVE is fast becoming home to choirs across North America. FeelitLIVE provides every choir the platform to deliver the beautiful and uplifting experiences they have always imagined. The company is also the creator of the rapidly growing Top ChoirsTM franchise that has found great success in the U.S. and Canada. FeelitLIVE is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA, with passionate and talented team members on four continents.

About INTERKULTUR (www.interkultur.com)

INTERKULTUR is the world's leading organizer of international choir competitions and festivals. Since 1988, INTERKULTUR has pursued its mission of bringing together people of all countries, cultures and world views in peaceful competitions. INTERKULTUR will host the 12th World Choir Games July 3 - 23, 2023 in Gangneung, South Korea.

Contact Information

Robert Martindale

+1.858.864.8600

press@feelitlive.com

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FeelitLIVE + Interkultur Tech Partnership for Choirs









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ARLINGTON, VA, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new white paper released today by the Aluminum Association  Targeted Trade Enforcement in Action: Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet AD/CVD One Year Later  highlights progress made in the U.S. common alloy aluminum sheet market one year after the Commerce Departments publication of antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on imports of certain common alloy sheet imports from 16 countries. The combined AD and CVD margins calculated by the Commerce Department range from 3.2 to 242.8%, reflecting the substantial magnitude of unfair trade that had been occurring in the market. The report found a two-thirds drop in imports of common alloy sheet from the targeted countries between 2019 and 2021 and more than $300 million in investment in the domestic market.

We are gratified to see  once again  that targeted trade enforcement works, said Charles Johnson, president & CEO of the Aluminum Association. One year after the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission took strong action against unfair trade in the U.S. market, the domestic common alloy aluminum sheet market is showing signs of significant recovery.

Among key findings from the white paper:

While imports of unfairly-traded sheet from the 16 countries now subject to AD/CVD orders accounted for 62.7% of total U.S. imports in 2019, imports from those countries accounted for just 25.2% of total U.S. imports in 2021;

Based on Aluminum Association data, U.S. producer shipments of common alloy sheet increased by 24.4% from 2.69 billion pounds in 2020 to 3.34 billion pounds in 2021;

Recent investments in the common alloy sheet market include a $207 million upgrade of JW Aluminums mill in Mt. Holly, SC and Arconics $100 million investment in its operations in Knoxville, TN.

In March of 2020, the Aluminum Associations Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet Trade Enforcement Working Group filed an AD/CVD action against 18 countries importing common alloy sheet into the United States at less than fair value and that were benefitting from actionable government subsidies. In April of last year, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) issued a unanimous finding that imports from 16 countries had materially injured US. producers, and the Commerce Department issued AD/CVD orders resulting in the application of duties on imports from those countries.

This action followed a prior AD/CVD case against common alloy sheet imported from China. Common alloy aluminum sheet is a flat-rolled aluminum product that is used in a variety of applications, including transportation, building and construction, infrastructure, electrical, and marine applications.

Earlier this year, the Aluminum Association released a new economic impact study showing that the industry supports 164,000 direct jobs and $73 billion in direct economic impact. Further, the industry has committed or invested more than $4 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the past decade, including nearly $1 billion in the last year alone.

To learn more, visit www.aluminum.org/economy.

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About The Aluminum Association

The Aluminum Association represents aluminum production and jobs in the United States, ranging from primary production to value added products to recycling, as well as suppliers to the industry. The association is the industrys leading voice, representing companies that make 70 percent of the aluminum and aluminum products shipped in North America. The association develops global standards, business intelligence, sustainability research and industry expertise for member companies, policymakers and the general public. The aluminum industry helps manufacturers produce sustainable and innovative products, including more fuel-efficient vehicles, recyclable packaging, greener buildings and modern electronics. In the U.S., the aluminum industry supports $176 billion in economic activity and more than 634,000 jobs. For more information visit https://www.aluminum.org or find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.
Unique global collaboration to prepare health systems for a future with new Alzheimers treatments

Pioneering use of blood-based biomarkers with digital cognitive assessments in primary care

Innovative, culturally relevant methods that can scale in high, low-and middle-income countries

New York, NY, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

The Davos Alzheimers Collaborative (DAC) today announced that people with or at risk of Alzheimers in six countries will soon have an opportunity to participate in a pilot program designed to increase access to early detection and diagnosis of the disease through the use of innovative new screening tools, which is an essential step to provide better care today, and to prepare for the future availability of treatments. DAC is launching seven pilot sites beginning this month in the US, Scotland, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico and Brazil.

We are finding enormous appetite from healthcare systems around the world to prepare for future Alzheimers treatments, but first we must help healthcare systems adapt to early detection, said George Vradenburg, Founding Chairman of the Board, Davos Alzheimers Collaborative, and Convener, The Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimers Disease. By working directly with medical professionals, researchers, people at risk, and patients, these sites will utilize cutting-edge technology to change the way we deliver care, and help prepare healthcare systems to get the right treatments to the right patients at every stage of the disease.

The pilot sites will use simple digital cognitive assessment tools to detect the signs of the disease early, and innovative blood biomarkers to help evaluate the cause of identified symptoms. The goal is to measurably increase rates of timely and accurate diagnosis to put people on the correct person-centered care pathways and mitigate the impact of Alzheimers disease on the individual and their family.

Digital cognitive assessments such as Linus Health's Core Cognitive Evaluation, Cogstates Cognigram, and Cognivues Clarity will be made available to the pilot sites, reducing the need for broad neuropsychological testing, which is time consuming for patients and requires specialized physicians for administration. Digital cognitive assessments also mark a significant technological advance over paper-and-pencil tests in terms of reliability and objectivity. DAC program sites are training other healthcare professionals to administer the digital cognitive assessments. In some cases, it can be administered via a tablet in the patients home, marking a dramatic step forward in terms of access and ease-of-use.

The blood-based biomarker, known as the PrecivityAD test, is a technology developed by specialty diagnostics company, C2N (St. Louis, MO). The test will aid in the accurate diagnosis of Alzheimers disease, and reduce the need for expensive, hard-to-access, more advanced tests.

Were proud and excited to play a key role in DACs groundbreaking work to enable Alzheimers early detection on a global scale, said Dr. Joel Braunstein, Co-Founder and CEO of C2N Diagnostics. Harnessing the power of advanced diagnostics like our PrecivityAD test at DACs pilot sites will accelerate the fight to end Alzheimers.

DAC and the flagship pilot sites are driving new tools into the front lines of care. This is important to help patients today, and develop the data we need to better detect, treat and ultimately prevent this devastating disease, said Stephen Friend, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Sage Bionetworks, Visiting Professor of Connected Medicine, and President 4YouandMe.

The pilot sites will provide localized care and treatment for individuals and develop models for broader healthcare systems to study and adopt. DAC Learning Labs, a network of governments, public health and healthcare system leaders, will provide a forum for sharing best practices that can be scaled globally.

About the Davos Alzheimers Collaborative

Launched at the World Economic Forums 2021 meeting on The Davos Agenda, The Davos Alzheimers Collaborative is a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to aligning stakeholders with a new vision for our collective global response against the challenges Alzheimers presents to patients, caregivers and healthcare infrastructures. Convened by The World Economic Forum and The Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimers Disease (CEOi) and fueled by a mission of service to the estimated 150 million families and half a billion people inevitably impacted by this disease by 2050, DAC is a collaborative for the benefit of all people, in all places.

About DACs Healthcare System Preparedness Project

DACs Healthcare System Preparedness Project is funding innovative approaches that measurably increase rates of cognitive screening, early detection and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimers. The pilot projects are: AdventHealth Central Florida, FL, USA; Municipality of Volta Redonda, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Alzheimer Scotland; University of the West Indies (UWI), Caribbean Institute for Health Research, Jamaica; Kobe University, Japan; INGER/National Institute of Geriatrics, Mexico; and, Indiana University School of Medicine/Indiana University Health, IN, USA. These initiatives are incorporated into DAC Learning Labs, a network of governments and public health and healthcare system leaders, to share best practices that can be scaled globally.

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NOTE: To join an upcoming Learning Lab such as Meeting of the DAC Learning Laboratory: Driving Early Detection Across Aging Societies, planned for May 17, 2022, click here. This Lab will feature DAC healthcare system pilot sites and demonstrate the first of many collaborative exchanges championed through DACs initiatives.

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LA HABRA, Calif., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Howards, Southern California's premier independent appliance retailer, is celebrating three years under the leadership of President, CEO and Chairman of the Board John Riddle. A recognized retail and manufacturing growth expert and industry veteran, Riddle joined the company at a time of crisis. Under his tenure, the company has experienced a drastic transformation from an underperforming organization on the brink of collapse to a company on an aggressive growth trajectory.



When Riddle started at Howards, he brought with him a bold vision: to become the number one retailer in the U.S. for customer experience. No small feat for a company that was facing a bleak future, on shaky financial ground. In three short years, Howards has doubled revenue and been named one of the fastest-growing midsize private companies by the Orange County Business Journal.

Riddles goal at Howards has been to put the customer at the center of all its efforts. This has manifested in the roll-out of several key customer-centric initiatives that have led directly to the companys current success.

Experience Centers  In 2020 Howards introduced the Experience Center concept, an interactive appliance playground for shoppers who like to see, touch and test products before they make a purchasing decision. These locations are significantly larger than a typical retail store and designed to allow customers to drive their own experience, engaging directly with appliances by pushing buttons, turning on the gas or even doing a load of laundry.



 In 2020 Howards introduced the Experience Center concept, an interactive appliance playground for shoppers who like to see, touch and test products before they make a purchasing decision. These locations are significantly larger than a typical retail store and designed to allow customers to drive their own experience, engaging directly with appliances by pushing buttons, turning on the gas or even doing a load of laundry. Revolutionizing the Retail Experience (RARE)  RARE encourages a straightforward, friction-free shopping experience with as much or as little sales interaction as customers desire. Upending the traditional sales experience, Howards has invested in innovative digital technologies in all their stores, introducing new and creative ways for customers to make purchasing decisions.



 RARE encourages a straightforward, friction-free shopping experience with as much or as little sales interaction as customers desire. Upending the traditional sales experience, Howards has invested in innovative digital technologies in all their stores, introducing new and creative ways for customers to make purchasing decisions. Strategic Growth  Howards is poised to capture 10-15% of the $2.7 billion retail appliance market share through regional and national expansion. The launch of the companys Mergers and Acquisitions program earlier this year resulted in the successful acquisition of independent retailers, expanding its Southern California footprint. Today, the company boasts 15 locations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Plans for expansion into San Diego are expected later this year as well as across the Western United States into new underserved markets such as Las Vegas, Arizona, Texas and beyond.

 Howards is poised to capture 10-15% of the $2.7 billion retail appliance market share through regional and national expansion. The launch of the companys Mergers and Acquisitions program earlier this year resulted in the successful acquisition of independent retailers, expanding its Southern California footprint. Today, the company boasts 15 locations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Plans for expansion into San Diego are expected later this year as well as across the Western United States into new underserved markets such as Las Vegas, Arizona, Texas and beyond. Financial Stability  Howards revenues doubled from 2019 to 2021 and are expected to triple in 2022. Thanks to a series of key financial moves, the retailer is projected to report a 26% CAGR through the fall quarter of 2022 with expected revenue growth from $60M in 2019 to a forecasted $380M in the fall quarter of 2025. The sale of its distribution center, acquisition strategy and same-store growth in the range of 60% to 150% per location have further solidified Howards financial position.



 Howards revenues doubled from 2019 to 2021 and are expected to triple in 2022. Thanks to a series of key financial moves, the retailer is projected to report a 26% CAGR through the fall quarter of 2022 with expected revenue growth from $60M in 2019 to a forecasted $380M in the fall quarter of 2025. The sale of its distribution center, acquisition strategy and same-store growth in the range of 60% to 150% per location have further solidified Howards financial position. Expanded Customer Base  Howards has seen a shift in its core demographic to younger, more affluent customers, particularly Millennials and Generation X. These are the fastest-growing consumer segments that will account for a significant amount of luxury spending over the next decade. To cater to the needs of these audiences, Howards is embracing seamless customer experiences, Smart home tech, digital commerce options, and the latest technologies in-store and online.



Riddle came to Howards in March of 2019 after retiring from LG as the Senior Vice President of Home Appliances & Air Solutions USA in 2018, where he led the company during a period of unprecedented growth and market share. Riddle also worked at Maytag for more than 20 years, as well as Philips, Fleetwood Homes, Electrolux, and Hisense USA.

To learn more about Howards, watch the following video: https://bit.ly/3vtGrWL

ABOUT HOWARDS

Howards is Southern Californias premier independent appliance retailer, committed to the customer experience. Through the RARE (Revolutionizing the Appliance Retail Experience) customer service initiative Howards has revolutionized the traditional sales model, placing the customer at its center and guaranteeing a friction-free shopping experience. The introduction of the Experience Center concept gives customers a personalized and interactive shopping alternative with immersive demonstration and display centers designed to encourage informed purchasing.

There are currently 15 Southern California Howards locations throughout Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties in the companys portfolio, with plans to expand throughout the Western U.S., focusing on reshaping the retail experience. For more information, visit howards.com or connect on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kat Moore (714-573-0899 x230)

kat@echomediateam.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/00fa607a-1cb7-44cd-bfee-ac6379370fd0
SAN FRANCISCO, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Galileo emerged from stealth with the first machine learning (ML) data intelligence platform for unstructured data that gives data scientists the ability to inspect, discover and fix critical ML data errors 10x faster across the entire ML lifecycle  from pre-training to post-training to post-production. The platform is currently in private beta with the Fortune 500 and startups across multiple industries.



There are many MLOps platforms available on the market today, each fully capable of orchestrating the model lifecycle, said Bradley Shimmin, Chief Analyst of AI Platforms, Analytics and Data Management. However, when it comes to addressing the complex problem of inspecting and fixing the data -- especially for unstructured data -- many platforms still presume that enterprise practitioners work with data they already know and trust across the ML lifecycle. This couldn't be further from the truth and is one of the biggest bottlenecks for ML adoption today. What they need are tools that elevate the importance of data from the outset, putting data with a capital D back into Data Science. Galileo is tackling this critical need head on.

More than 80% of the worlds data today is unstructured (text, image, speech, etc.) and historically has been vastly untapped for ML. Recent advancements have made it easy for any data scientist to plug and play complex models for unstructured data, leading to a surge in their adoption across industries.

It is common for data scientists to use spreadsheets and Python scripts to inspect and fix their training unstructured data. Doing this data detective work consumes more than 50% of a data scientists time, is ad-hoc, manual, error prone and leads to poor data transparency across the organization, causing avoidable mispredictions and biases in production models.

Galileo takes a unique approach to this problem  with just a few lines of code added by the data scientist while training a model, Galileo auto-logs the data, leverages some advanced statistical algorithms the team has created and then intelligently surfaces the models failure points with actions and integrations to immediately fix them, all within one platform. This short circuits the time taken to proactively find critical errors in ML data across training and production models from weeks today to minutes with Galileo.

Galileo goes a step further by acting as a collaborative system of record for the data scientist's training runs, bringing transparency towards how specific data and model parameter changes impact overall performance  this is key for ML teams to truly be data-driven.

The motivation for Galileo came from our personal experiences at Apple, Google and Uber AI and from conversations with hundreds of ML teams working with unstructured data where we noticed that, while they have a long list of model-focused MLOps tools to choose from, the biggest bottleneck and time sink for high quality ML is always around fixing the data they work with. This is critical, but prohibitively manual, ad-hoc and slow, leading to poor model predictions and avoidable model biases creeping into production for the business, said Vikram Chatterji, co-founder and CEO of Galileo. With unstructured data across the enterprise being generated at an unprecedented scale and now rapidly leveraged for ML, we are building Galileo with the goal of being the intelligent data bench for data scientists to systematically and quickly inspect, fix and track their ML data in one place.

Galileo Founded by Engineering Leaders from Apple Google and Uber AI

The co-founding team at Galileo spent more than a decade building ML products where they faced the huge challenges that ML with unstructured data present first-hand.

Vikram Chatterji (CEO) led product management at Google AI where his team worked on building models with unstructured data but spent weeks analyzing the data across the ML workflow, often using Google sheets and scripts. This was a massive under-utilization of an expensive resource (the data scientist) and led to poor model outcomes due to ad-hoc tooling.

Atindriyo Sanyal (CTO) led engineering at Uber AI (Michelangelo) where he was a co-architect of Uber's feature store and spearheaded company-wide ML data quality tooling, leading to huge prediction performance improvements across thousands of production models. He was also an early member of the Siri team at Apple where he built foundational infrastructure for better ML data management.

Yash Sheth (VP of Engineering) led the speech recognition platform team at Google. He was instrumental in growing speech recognition 800x across more than 20 consumer products at Google and across thousands of businesses globally through their cloud speech API.



Galileo Focused on Data-Driven ML Research

Half of the Galileo team comprises researchers from Apple, Google and Stanford AI who are focused on pushing the envelope of data-centric research that is then baked into the Galileo platform for any ML team to leverage. The other half of the team is focused on building novel systems that can perform extremely low latency in-memory computations on millions of data points using minimal system resources. This combination allows Galileo customers to get quick, intelligent data insights throughout the entire ML workflow.

Galileo Raises $5.1 Million in Seed Funding

Today Galileo also announced that it has raised $5.1 million in seed funding. The Factory led the round and Anthony Goldbloom (co-founder and CEO at Kaggle) and other angel investors also participated. Company advisers include Amy Chang (Disney, P&G board member) and Pete Warden (one of the creators of TensorFlow).

Finding and fixing data errors is one of the biggest impediments for effective ML across the enterprise. The founders of Galileo felt this pain themselves while leading ML products at Apple, Google and Uber, said Andy Jacques, investor at The Factory and Galileo board member. Galileo has built an incredible team, made product innovations across the stack and created a first of its kind ML data intelligence platform. It has been exciting to see rapid market adoption and positive reactions with one of the customers even calling the product magic!

The company plans to use the funding to hire across all departments and accelerate research and development to meet the demand of the industry for a purpose-built product to find and fix ML data blind spots across the workflow while working with unstructured data.

To read Chatterji, Sanyal and Sheths blog on ML data intelligence, simply go to: https://www.rungalileo.io/blog/introducing-ml-data-intelligence

About Galileo

Galileos mission is to create data intelligence tools for unstructured data ML practitioners. With more than 80% of the world's data being unstructured and recent model advancements massively lowering the barrier to utilizing the data for enterprise ML, there is an urgent need for the right data-focused tools to build high performing models fast. Galileo is based in San Francisco and backed by The Factory. For more information, visit https://www.rungalileo.io or follow @rungalileo .

Media and Analyst Contact:

Amber Rowland

amber@therowlandagency.com

+1-650-814-4560

A graphic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a19d5c35-ff52-45e7-ba5f-ec29992ceb29
RADNOR, Pa., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that the firm has filed a securities class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against AbbVie, Inc. (AbbVie) (NYSE: ABBV) on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired AbbVie securities between April 30, 2021, and August 31, 2021, inclusive (the Class Period).



CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ABBVIE LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/abbvie-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=abbvie&mktm=r

CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERE

TO VIEW OUR COMPLAINT, PLEASE CLICK HERE

LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: JUNE 6, 2022

CLASS PERIOD: APRIL 30, 2021 through AUGUST 31, 2021

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:

James Maro, Esq. (484) 270-1453 or Email at info@ktmc.com

Kessler Topaz is one of the worlds foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.

ABBVIES ALLEGED MISCONDUCT

AbbVie is one of the worlds largest pharmaceutical companies. The companys revenues will come under significant pressure in the coming years when its best-selling drug, Humira, will lose patent protection in 2023. Accordingly, AbbVies future revenue and earnings depend in large part on its ability to develop new sources of revenue to offset Humiras lost sales. Rinvoqan anti-inflammatory drug manufactured by AbbVie and used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other diseases by inhibiting Janus kinase (JAK) enzymeswas touted as one such drug. Rinvoq was initially approved in the United States to treat only moderate to severe RA. However, AbbVie was actively pursuing additional treatment indications and, in 2020, asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve Rinvoq for the treatment of several other diseases.

As is relevant here, Rinvoq is similar to other JAK inhibitor drugs, including Xeljanz, manufactured by Pfizer Inc. When the FDA approved Xeljanz in 2012 for the treatment of RA, it required an additional safety trial to evaluate Xeljanzs risk of triggering certain serious side effects. Beginning in February 2019, the FDA repeatedly warned the public that the safety trial indicated that Xeljanzs use could lead to serious heart-related issue, cancer, and other adverse events. Notwithstanding the similarities between Rinvoq and Xeljanz, during the Class Period, Defendants assured investors that Rinvoq was far safer than Xeljanz and not subject to the same regulatory risks.

However, investors began to learn the truth about Rinvoqs significant risks on June 25, 2021, when AbbVie revealed that the FDA was delaying its review of expanded treatment applications for Rinvoq due to the safety concerns associated with Xeljanz. On this news, the price of AbbVie common stock declined $1.76 per share, or approximately 1.5%, from a close of $114.74 per share on June 24, 2021, to close at $112.98 per share on June 25, 2021.

Then, on September 1, 2021, the FDA announced that final results from the Xeljanz safety trial established an increased risk of serious adverse events, even with low doses of Xeljanz. As a result, the FDA determined that it would require new and updated warnings for Xeljanz and Rinvoq because Rinvoq share[s] similar mechanisms of action with Xeljanz and may have similar risks as seen in the Xeljanz safety trial. The FDA also indicated that it would further limit approved indications for Rinvoq as a result of these safety concerns. On this news, the price of AbbVie common stock declined $8.51 per share, or more than 7%, from a close of $120.78 per share on August 31, 2021, to close at $112.27 per share on September 1, 2021.

After the Class Period, on December 3, 2021, AbbVie announced that the FDA had updated Rinvoqs label to require additional safety warnings and limit marketing of Rinvoq to only its use after treatment with other drugs has failed. On January 11, 2022, Defendants admitted that these changes to Rinvoqs label would negatively impact sales, forcing the Company to reduce its long-term guidance for Rinvoqs sales in 2025.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, the Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, about the companys business and operations. Specifically, Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) safety concerns about Xeljanz extended to Rinvoq and other JAK inhibitors; (2) as a result, it was likely that the FDA would require additional safety warnings for Rinvoq and would delay the approval of additional treatment indications for Rinvoq; and (3) therefore, Defendants statements about the companys business, operations, and prospects lacked a reasonable basis, As a result of the Defendants wrongful acts and omissions, and the significant decline in the market value of AbbVies securities, AbbVie investors have suffered significant damages.

WHAT CAN I DO?

AbbVie investors may, no later than June 6, 2022 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages AbbVie investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE

WHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?

A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

James Maro, Jr., Esq.

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

(484) 270-1453

info@ktmc.com

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69bd5665-5b65-4b76-b422-b8cdc3b1be2d
EL DORADO, Ark., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Standard Lithium Ltd. (Standard Lithium or the Company) (TSXV: SLI) (NYSE: SLI) (FRA: S5L), an innovative technology and lithium project development company, and South Arkansas Community College hosted Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday May 2, 2022 to officially unveil six new EV charging stations. Standard Lithium partnered with Entergy, Adopt a Charger, and South Arkansas Community College on the installation of the six Level 2  240 volt EVCS charging stations, free for public use, located near the Murphy Arts District in downtown El Dorado, AR.

Its a privilege for us to sponsor this project along with our partners and South Arkansas Community College, said Robert Mintak, CEO and Director at Standard Lithium. Access to EV charging helps build local economies by attracting tourism and encouraging people to spend more time at local businesses and city facilities while they charge their vehicles.

SouthArk is very pleased to partner with Standard Lithium to bring free-to-use EV charging stations to downtown El Dorado, said Dr. Bentley Wallace, President, South Arkansas Community College. This new amenity will bring additional visitors to our area, driving tourism, business travel, and economic development that wouldnt have occurred without this investment.

When people spot an EV driving down the road, they dont automatically notice that the vehicle runs on electricity, said Kitty Adams, Executive Director of Adopt a Charger. They do see, however, when electric vehicles are plugged into charging stations at places they like to go, and have the opportunity to ask drivers about their EV experience. We are grateful to Entergy and Standard Lithium for sponsoring and funding these new EV charging stations in El Dorado.

About Standard Lithium Ltd.

Standard Lithium is an innovative technology and lithium development company. The Companys flagship project is located in southern Arkansas, where it is engaged in the testing and proving of the commercial viability of lithium extraction from over 150,000 acres of permitted brine operations. The Company has commissioned its first-of-a-kind industrial-scale direct lithium extraction demonstration plant at Lanxesss south plant facility in southern Arkansas. The demonstration plant utilizes the Companys proprietary LiSTR technology to selectively extract lithium from Lanxesss tail brine. The demonstration plant is being used for proof-of-concept and commercial feasibility studies. The scalable, environmentally friendly process eliminates the use of evaporation ponds, reduces processing time from months to hours and greatly increases the effective recovery of lithium. The Company is also pursuing the resource development of over 30,000 acres of separate brine leases located in southwest Arkansas, referred to as the South West Arkansas Lithium Project, and approximately 45,000 acres of mineral leases located in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California.

Standard Lithium is jointly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American Exchanges under the trading symbol SLI; and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol S5L. Please visit the Companys website at https://www.standardlithium.com.

About Adopt a Charger

Adopt a Charger is a nonprofit organization founded in March 2011 to accelerate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles by broadening charging infrastructure. Our unique approach matches a sponsor with a host site located at a popular public destination: state and national parks, universities, museums, beaches and the like. Since placing its first charger at San Francisco's Crissy Field in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Adopt a Charger has installed over 400 charging stations in 11 states.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 700,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of $11 billion and approximately 13,500 employees.

About South Arkansas Community College

South Arkansas Community College is a comprehensive public community college located in El Dorado, Arkansas, offering credit-based instruction leading to degrees and certificates of completion in more than 60 different areas of study falling into three academic divisions, and non-credit-based instruction including corporate education, community education, adult basic education and specialized training. It is one of the areas leading employers, with nearly 200 full- and part-time employees. The college noted the 30th year of its existence in March of 2022.

On behalf of the Board of Standard Lithium Ltd.

Robert Mintak, CEO & Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain Forward-Looking Statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, target, plan, forecast, may, schedule and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Companys current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Encinitas, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Encinitas, California -

Online crystal and gemstone jewelry store Tiny Rituals is making available several statues of the Indian deity Ganesh made of crystal and other materials.

Ganesha is one of the most revered and worshipped deities in the Hindu religion. He lives in the hearts and minds of many devout Hindus from countries with a large Hindu population such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia (Java and Bali), Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, and Bangladesh. His presence is also felt in the processions and celebrations of followers in countries with large ethnic Indian populations including Fiji, Guyana, Mauritius, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The deity has an elephant head and is thought to be the remover of obstacles and harbinger of good luck. He is also known as the god of beginnings and as such many Hindu rites and ceremonies begin with prayers dedicated to him. He is also known to be very well-read and intelligent and is given the denomination of being the Lord of letters and learning. According to Kundalini yoga, Ganesha resides in the first chakra, called Muladhara. Ganesha holds, supports, and guides all other chakras, thereby "governing the forces that propel the wheel of life".

According to Hindu mythology, he is the restored son of Parvati and Shiva. In the most popular belief regarding his origin, Ganesha was Parvatis son who was beheaded by Shiva in a fit of rage. Finding out later that he was the son of his beloved and being overcome with remorse, Shiva asked his followers to bring him the head of the first living creature they saw. Shiva then attached the head of a dead elephant to the young boys torso and he came back to life, bringing joy back to Parvati.

Ganeshas visage is also well recognized all around the world and is one of the most prominent images in Hinduism. His form has made its way to western countries through cultural osmosis and is today prominently associated with the age-old set of beliefs and customs of Hinduism that have endured for millennia. The presence of Ganesh is often in weddings, important undertakings, religious ceremonies, and especially during the start of ventures such as opening a business or buying a vehicle.

Tiny Rituals mini Ganesh statues are available in a range of crystals and brass. The crystal Ganesh statues are available in crystals such as Amethyst, Black Obsidian, Amazonite, Tiger Eye, Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz, Red Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Howlite, and Labradorite. The pocket baby Ganesh is carved from antiqued brass and stands just above an inch in size. A verified buyer of the brass statue says, These are as pictured on the front. They are curved on the back and almost fit your thumb. They are a good weight in your hand and soothing to rub. They make great gifts. Another review from a verified buyer says, This little Ganesh is such an amazing addition to my spiritual team! Love the size, color, and design!

A spokesperson for the company talks about the several different crystals that the deity is available in by saying, When the form of the Hindu god of intellect and wisdom is combined with the healing power of crystals, you get to experience the power of incredible forces that will get to work to remove the obstacles stopping you from enjoying a long and fulfilling life. You can pick the crystal Ganesh that matches your energy and your mood. You can bask in His glory while you are meditating, while you are working with the chakras, or you can slip it in your purse or pocket to carry luck everywhere you go. Our crystal Ganesh statues have a glorious capacity to chase out negative energy and to infuse your space with sacred, soft, and sublime energy.

Readers can save 20% on their order when they bundle any three items together from the crystal Ganesh collection. Readers can also head over to the companys website to stay updated with new products or follow its media room for all Tiny Rituals news.

###

For more information about Tiny Rituals, contact the company here:



Tiny Rituals

+1 760-389-8244

info@tinyrituals.co

Encinitas, CA
London, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Online Blockchain plc, administrator, co-ordinator and adviser to Umbria Network, is pleased to report on the excellent progress of the platforms cross-chain asset bridge Narni.





Since its beta launch on August 16th, 2021, Narni has quickly expanded its scope from an Ethereum to Polygon bidirectional bridge - supporting the transfer of $ETH, $USDC, $USDT, $MATIC, $WBTC, $GHST and Umbrias native token $UMBR - to a multichain bridge, which also includes the Avalanche, Fantom, Binance Smart Chain (BNB) and Arbitrum networks. Transaction volume has consistently risen on Narni with average transactions per day now totalling 600, and transaction values ranging anywhere between $3 and $50,000.

By using a novel liquidity-provision protocol, Narni enables users to transfer crypto funds between chains at fractional cost compared with traditional validator-driven bridges (approximately a 90% discount to other solutions). This has led to its adoption by many NFT and DeFi platforms that have deployed their decentralised applications (dApps) on Layer 2 networks and other Ethereum scaling solutions and who wish to onboard communities quickly and easily. It has also resulted in Umbria partnering with over 50 projects in the space.

In addition to benefitting from incredibly fast and cheap transactions, users of Narni can put their crypto assets to work by staking them to the bridge to earn fees that produce a high ROCE on their crypto. With Narnis pool and earn feature, liquidity providers receive fees when other participants bridge that specific asset between networks. Theres further incentive for those staking $UMBR; these liquidity providers earn their share of a 0.3% fee whenever anyone transfers any asset supported by the bridge cross-chain. The rewards earned are paid in the assets used to bridge between networks. For example, if someone bridges ETH, fees are paid in ETH not some secondary token and are added to the stakers balance on their respective network to compound their fees. There is no impermanent loss when staking on Narni as only one asset is provided as liquidity. There are now almost 2000 unique liquidity providers who have collectively earned over $500,000 in fees (on Ether pairs) since Narni launched.

Coinciding with the bridge going live, Umbria launched its Connect Portal. This enables anyone to connect their Metamask wallet very quickly and easily to any EVM compatible chain. With the Connect Portal, users can configure their wallet to interact with their assets on the desired network at the click of a button instead of having to manually configure RPC connections.

With a nominal marketing budget, transaction volume on the Narni bridge has accelerated considerably. The product is gaining a growing following of loyal fans across the spectrum ranging from those bridging small amounts to interact with Play-to-Earn games and mint NFTs to crypto whales who are shifting large sums to take advantage of arbitrage and investment opportunities on DeFi platforms, said Clem Chambers, CEO of Online Blockchain. Narni, in delivering the cheapest and fastest bridging, helps solve the liquidity fragmentation issues that have been blighting alternative networks. We have a compelling roadmap and look forward to adding to Umbrias suite of products and services.

To view the Whitepaper, please go to: https://umbria.network/assets/Umbria_Network_Whitepaper.pdf

- Ends -

See the latest data on UMBR on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko:

https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/umbria-network/news/

https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/umbria-network

About Umbria

https://umbria.network/

https://bridge.umbria.network/

Operating within the DeFi and NFT space, Umbria Network enables anyone to migrate cryptocurrency assets across chain cheaply and quickly and earn high ROCE on those assets with no impermanent loss.

Umbrias flagship Narni cross-chain bridge is solving current blockchain interoperability issues. Narni removes the difficulty and expense of moving assets between blockchains and is the fastest and cheapest cross-chain liquidity bridge between the Ethereum and Polygon networks. Narni eliminates the barriers to entry for engaging with DeFi applications and NFTs making them much more accessible to a wider audience.

The Umbria ecosystem, built on Polygon, has three major protocols:

A Cross-chain Asset Bridge: enables the fast and cheap transfer of assets between otherwise incompatible blockchains and cryptocurrency networks. A Staking Pool: users can earn fees on their crypto assets by providing liquidity to the Narni bridge A Decentralised Exchange (DEX): an automated liquidity protocol powered by a constant product formula, deployed using smart contracts and governed entirely on-chain. Provides fast and cheap token swapping

UK-publicly listed Online Blockchain plc (LSE: OBC) acts as Umbria's coordinator, administrator and advisor. This provides a level of transparency rare in the DeFi space.




CHANTILLY, Va., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wounded Warriors Family Support recently presented Jack Williams of Woodburn, Kentucky, with a 2022 Ford F-150 mobility-equipped vehicle as part of its Mobility is Freedom program. Williams is medically retired from the U.S. Army, where he served active duty from 2006 to 2012.



While on patrol in southern Afghanistan, Williams stepped on an improvised explosive device in early October 2010. It was a plate bomb designed to take out Humvees and other heavy military vehicles.

The explosions full force severely impacted Williams, who lost both of his legs above the knee and an arm above the elbow. His left limb was severely mangled, while both lungs collapsed. Williams remained conscious until he reached the hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Later, Williams was told that he was clinically dead for 15 minutes. The doctors performed a cardiac massage to bring Williams back to life.

Williams lives with his daughter. Williams biggest goal was to shoot a compound bow again. After trying many techniques, Williams can shoot a 70-pound bow with his teeth without any complications.

Driving has been an issue for Jack since his injuries, said Martin Duarte, Wounded Warriors Family Supports program outreach coordinator. This properly equipped vehicle will enhance Jacks quality of life and provide him with independence.

Wounded Warriors Family Support launched Mobility is Freedom in 2015 to provide grants and modified vehicles for combat-wounded veterans. Williams received the third Mobility is Freedom vehicle donation in 2022. Wounded Warriors Family Support provided nine vehicles to veterans last year.

About Wounded Warriors Family Support

Wounded Warriors Family Support is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured, or killed during combat operations. This organization is run by combat veterans for combat veterans. Rated a four-star nonprofit by Charity Navigator, Wounded Warriors Family Support aids veterans and their families in healing the wounds that medicine cannot. For more information about Wounded Warriors Family Support, visit www.wwfs.org .



Media Contacts:

Kevin Schuster, PR Counsel

Cell: 402.917.6001

Email: kschuster@lukaspartners.com

Martin Duarte, WWFS Program Outreach Coordinator

760.405.7777

Martin.Duarte@wwfs.org



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f4bba40-e241-4301-9d64-fc507ab493c3
SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GRAID Technology is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with DiGiCOR, the leading provider of flexible IT Infrastructure solutions for enterprise IT-related needs and challenges throughout Australia and New Zealand.

DiGiCOR, a major player in the Australian and New Zealand niche ICT Infrastructure market since 1997, provides server, data storage, workstation, networking, edge computing, and IoT solutions for Supermicro, Intel, Seagate, DDN, Western Digital, Chenbro, IX Systems and ASUS systems.

"DiGiCOR is proud to partner with GRAID Technology in our mission to optimize and improve the lives of our customers through innovative technology," said Richard Huang, CEO of DiGiCOR. "Known for disrupting the storage industry as the most powerful and flexible NVMe SSD RAID card in the world, GRAID's credibility, enthusiasm, and forward-thinking approach is a welcome addition to the DiGiCOR family."

The extreme flexibility and scalability of DiGiCOR's solutions provide the ideal platform to leverage the simplicity and performance capabilities of GRAID's SupremeRAID SR-1000 offering. GRAID is proud to partner with DiGiCOR to offer flexible, easy-to-configure IT Infrastructure solutions that drive a lower cost of deployment along with improved customer satisfaction.

"We are extremely pleased to announce this new relationship," said Leander Yu, CEO and President of GRAID Technology. "DiGiCOR has long been known for providing businesses with the latest and most innovative infrastructure technologies at highly competitive prices; our partnership will be an unbeatable combination."

To learn more about DiGiCOR and GRAID, visit https://digicor.com.au/partner/graid.

About DiGiCOR

Established in 1997, DiGiCOR Is an enterprise IT Infrastructure solutions provider. Our purpose is to provide a range of Industry-Leading enterprise IT Infrastructure solutions by customizing servers, storage, workstations, networking and IoT systems to meet the demands of different industries and to enable businesses to achieve their objectives. Over the years, we have expanded in Australia and New Zealand and have offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland. With our team of specialists in our niche focus, we continue to work towards using technology to optimize various businesses. You can learn more about us or get into contact with us through our website, LinkedIn or Twitter.

About GRAID

GRAID Technology is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California with an office in Ontario, CA, and an R&D center in Taipei, Taiwan. Named one of the Ten Hottest Data Storage Startups of 2021 by CRN, GRAID SupremeRAID performance is breaking world records as the first NVMe and NVMeoF RAID card to unlock the full potential of your SSD performance: a single SupremeRAID card delivers 16 million IOPS and 110GB/s of throughput. For more information on GRAID Technology, visit graidtech.com or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Additional Resources

GRAID featured by StorageReview.com

Contact

Andrea Eaken

andrea.eaken@graidtech.com

1-800-GRAID-10

Related Images











Image 1: GRAID Technology and DiGiCOR









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Antofagasta, Chile, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pampa Metals Corp. (Pampa Metals or the Company) (CSE: PM / FSE: FIRA / OTCQX: PMMCF) is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities at its 6,800-hectare Block 4 project in northern Chile, and announces the start of a geochemical soil sampling program and advances plans for drill testing of the Buenavista target.



Block 4 is located along the principal porphyry copper belt of northern Chile, about 110 km south of the giant La Escondida copper mine. Buenavista comprises a poorly exposed quartz-veinlet stockwork zone hosted within a dacite porphyry intrusion, which is spatially coincident with a magnetic high and anomalous molybdenum geochemistry. Copper oxide occurrences and anomalous gold values are zoned around the central stockwork zone (see news release dated March 15, 2022).

Key takeaways:

 Follow-up geological fieldwork at the Companys Block 4 property led to the discovery of the stockwork veined porphyry intrusion spatially coincident with a magnetic anomaly detected by Pampa Metals ground magnetics survey (see news release date November 18, 2021), with the new target being named Buenavista.

 The Company completed a trenching program at Buenavista in November-December 2021 (see news release dated February 8, 2022), with assay results returning up to 0.26% copper, including 24m @ 0.14% Cu  and up to 0.64g/t gold, including 24m @ 0.25g/t (see news release dated March 15, 2022).

 Buenavista is a priority follow-up target for Pampa Metals and the company continues to advance plans for a maiden drill test once the rapidly encroaching southern hemisphere winter is over.

Block 4  Exploration Activities and Planning

The Buenavista target at Block 4 is a priority follow-up target for Pampa Metals. Results to date have revealed a central porphyritic intrusion, associated with an intense quartz-veinlet stockwork, a discrete magnetic anomaly, and highly anomalous Cu-Mo-Au geochemistry from limited trenching, all supporting the possible presence of a productive Tertiary porphyry copper style system.

Pampa Metals intends to test the Buenavista target with diamond drilling. Although access to the project is relatively easy with a good quality dirt road extending from the paved Pan American Highway, the project is somewhat remote, and the rapidly encroaching southern hemisphere winter season will make for difficult work conditions. Consequently, plans are underway, including preliminary environmental studies and permitting, for a drill program to start in the southern hemisphere springtime, around September of this year. In the meantime, further surface studies are being implemented and considered, as follows:

 Given the lack of large rock outcrops at Buenavista and the presence of shallow (<5m) post-mineral soil cover, the area presents ideal conditions for soil geochemical surveys that will help to delineate the pathfinder geochemical signature and zonation patterns of the copper-molybdenum-gold anomalies identified in trenching at the Buenavista target. This, in turn, will help to delineate new objectives for drill hole locations and refine the planned diamond drill program.

o An approximately 2,500 soil sample program on a 100m x 50m grid, covering an area of approximately 3.5 km x 3.5 km centred on the Buenavista target and stockwork zone, will be initiated immediately, with sampling in the field expected to be completed before any potential winter storms.

o Based on the soil sampling geochemical results, and subject to weather conditions, additional trenching to expose more bedrock for sampling, may be considered.

 Several magnetic anomalies, with similar features to the magnetic anomaly centred on the Buenavista target, occur under thicker post mineral cover materials to the east and north of Buenavista. Consideration is being given to exploring through the thicker cover using induced polarisation (IP) geophysical methods to test for the presence of possible porphyry-type sulphide mineralisation associated with one or more of the magnetic anomalies.

o Contractor quotes and contractor availabilities are being sought.

Pampa Metals  Other Activities

In addition to its focus at its Block 4 project, Pampa Metals continues to evaluate a follow-up drill program at the Cerro Chiquitin target on its wholly owned Cerro Buenos Aires project (see latest news release dated April 6, 2022), as well as two follow-up drill targets at its Redondo-Veronica project (see latest news release dated September 28, 2021). In addition, the company continues to evaluate the prospective potential of the Block 3 project and has started a 1:5000 geological reconnaissance on the Block 2 property.

Pampa Metals is also active with field follow-up of eight target areas in northern Chile generated by VerAI Discoveries using Artificial Intelligence technologies, over which the Company has option rights (see news release dated February 1, 2022).

Additionally, the Company rounds off its very active exploration programs with two projects at Morros Blancos and Cerro Blanco under option to Austral Gold Ltd, where a variety of exploration activities, including drill testing, have been underway since August 2021 (see latest news release dated January 11, 2022).



ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is a Canadian company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE: PM) as well as the Frankfurt (FSE: FIRA) and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCF) exchanges. Pampa Metals owns a highly prospective, wholly owned, 62,000-hectare portfolio of eight projects for copper and gold located along proven mineral belts in Chile, one of the world's top mining jurisdictions. The Company is actively progressing four of its projects, including completed and planned drill tests, and has two additional projects optioned to Austral Gold Ltd., with Austral already drill testing its first target on Pampa Metals ground. The Company has also signed an agreement with VerAI Discoveries Inc. giving Pampa Metals access to the latest in artificial intelligence technologies in relation to mineral exploration, as well as a further 18,700 hectares of highly prospective terrain in the core of the highly productive mineral belts of northern Chile.

The Company has a vision to create value for shareholders and all other stakeholders by making a major copper or gold discovery along the prime mineral belts of Chile, using the best geological and technological methods. For more information, please visit Pampa Metals website www.pampametals.com.

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G, Geologist and a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego is a consultant to the Company.

Note: The reader is cautioned that Pampa Metals projects are early-stage exploration projects, and reference to existing mines and deposits, or mineralization hosted on adjacent or nearby properties, is not necessarily indicative of any mineralization on Pampa Metals properties.



ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Paul Gill | CEO & Director

www.pampametals.com

INVESTOR CONTACT

Ioannis (Yannis) Tsitos | Director

investors@pampametals.com



The CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, which address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "indicate" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

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Newark, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per the report published by The Brainy Insights, the global airless packaging market is expected to grow from USD 5.89 billion in 2021 to USD 10.02 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.09% during the forecast period 2022-2030.

The international demand for premium cosmetics products such as natural skincare creams, serums, foundations, and others is anticipated to expand the demand for the airless packaging industry during the projection period.



Avail Report Sample (210+ Pages PDF with Insights) at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/12727



Further, the increasing awareness about safe & superior-quality food packaging solutions in developing nations is the driving factor of market growth. Moreover, the growing demand for premium range products and reduced wastage of products are also helping to drive the market growth. However, the high initial investment price of airless packing is the restraining factor of the market growth. Furthermore, the rapid technological improvements and rising R&D activities to underestimate the overall production & machinery price are opportunities for market growth. The higher installation prices & frequent maintenance of packaging machines are challenging factors for market growth.



Competitive Strategy



To enhance their market position in the global airless packaging market, the key players are now focusing on adopting the strategies such as product innovations, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, joint ventures, collaborations, and partnerships.



 For example, in September 2019, Quadpack Industries acquired the patent for the BIBM process for cosmetics packaging and commercial rights.

 For example, in November 2020, East Hill Industries introduced high-end double wall airless bottles. The bottles come in different sizes and colors, and the pump permits localized application and raised shelf life. This product launch has additionallyaided grow the company's revenue & sales.

For more information about this report visit: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/airless-packaging-market-12727



Market Growth & Trends



The growth of the airless packaging market is driven by the increasing adoption of strategy among vendors, rising disposable income, and the growing demand for packed & ready-to-eat food helps to drive the market growth. Moreover, the manufacturers' growing focus on introducing innovation in an airless packaging solution is the market growth trend. However, the different product innovations, such as developing sustainable airless packaging solutions fabricated utilizing recyclable materials, also drive the market growth during the forecast period. Furthermore, the shifting preferences of the manufacturer from rigid to flexible airless packaging due to superior properties like extending product shelf life, exceptional barrier properties, convenience at softness, usage, and flexibility also help drive the market growth during the forecast period.



For Report Purchase Enquiry: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/buying-inquiry/12727



Key Findings



 In 2021, the plastic material type segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 40.23% and market revenue of 2.36 billion.



The material type segment is divided into glass, plastic, and others. In 2021, the plastic material type segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 40.23% and market revenue of 2.36 billion. This growth is attributed to the improved demand for plastics in packaging solutions in enterprises like food, chemicals, and personal care goods.



 In 2021, the bottle & jars packaging type segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 31.11% and market revenue of 1.83 billion.



The packaging type segment is divided into bottles & jars, tubes, bags & pouches, and others. In 2021, the bottle & jars packaging type segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 31.11% and market revenue of 1.83 billion. Plastic materials are gaining high demand over the different end-user enterprises as plastic provides more prolonged storage life than other packaging materials. This factor helps to drive the market segment's growth. Further, by 2030, the bags & pouches packaging type segment will likely dominate the market due to the rising demand for portable, flexible, and pocket-friendly products.



 In 2021, the personal care end user segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 30.16% and market revenue of 1.77 billion.



The end user segment is divided into healthcare, food & beverages, personal care, and home care. In 2021, the personal care end user segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 30.16% and market revenue of 1.77 billion. Airless or vacuum tubes, bottles & jars, and pouches are utilized in the personal care sector to package semisolid forms like pastes, lotions, ointments, creams, and gels. This factor helps to drive the segments growth.



Regional Segment Analysis of the Airless Packaging Market:



 North America (U.S. Canada, Mexico)

 Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of the Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan India, Rest of APAC)

 South America (Brazil and Rest of South America)

 Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)



The Europe region occurred as the largest market for the global airless packaging industry, with a market share of 45.21% and a market value of around 2.66 billion in 2021. Europe currently dominates the airless packaging market due to the rising demand in personal care enterprises. Additionally, the increasing awareness about eco-friendly products also helps drive the region's market growth. Furthermore, the Asia Pacific region is expected to show the fastest CAGR of 10.02% over the projection period. This growth is attributed to the upsurge in demand in food & beverage enterprises and the rise in income levels. Also, the rising business expansion and the increasing urbanization in emerging economies like China & India are helping to boost the market growth during the forecast period.



Schedule Consultation Call with Our Analysts to Find Solutions for Your Business at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/12727



Key players operating in the global airless packaging market are



 ALBEA

 Sonoco Products Company

 O.Berk Company LLC,

 HCT Group,

 Cospack America Corp

 LUMSON SpA

 Silgan Holdings Inc.

 Viva Group

 AptarGroup, Inc.

 Rieke

 FUSIONPKG

 TricorBraun

 East Hill Industries, LLC

 WWP

 Amcor plc

 RPC Group Plc

 HCP Packaging

 Ningbo Gidea Packaging Co., Ltd

 BALL CORPORATION

 RAEPAK LTD



This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2019 to 2030. The Brainy Insights has segmented the global airless packaging market based on below mentioned segments:



Global Airless Packaging Market by Material Type:



 Glass

 Plastic

 Others



Global Airless Packaging Market by Packaging Type:



 Bottles & Jars

 Tubes

 Bags & Pouches

 Others



Global Airless Packaging Market by End User:



 Healthcare

 Food & Beverages

 Personal Care

 Home Care



About the report:



The global airless packaging market is analysed based on value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analysed on global, regional and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each segment. The report offers in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining the key insight of the market. The study includes porters five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, supply, demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution and marketing channels analysis.



About The Brainy Insights:



The Brainy Insights is a market research company, aimed at providing actionable insights through data analytics to companies to improve their business acumen. We have a robust forecasting and estimation model to meet the clients' objectives of high-quality output within a short span of time. We provide both customized (clients' specific) and syndicate reports. Our repository of syndicate reports is diverse across all the categories and sub-categories across domains. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the clients' requirement whether they are looking to expand or planning to launch a new product in the global market.



Contact Us



Avinash D

Head of Business Development

Phone: +1-315-215-1633

Email: sales@thebrainyinsights.com

Web: http://www.thebrainyinsights.com
Oslo, 3 May 2022  DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today announced that the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 25 May 2022 will be held at 10:00 am Norwegian time at Felix konferansesenter, Bryggetorget 3, 0250 Oslo. Remote participation is possible. Shareholders can also vote electronically in advance or submit a proxy.

The formal notice of the Annual General Meeting is attached and provides further information on the proceedings.

The electronic system for notification of attendance and for registration of advance votes is available at the following link: Electronic registration



For further information, please contact:

Media: media@dno.no

Investors: investor.relations@dno.no





DNO ASA is a Norwegian oil and gas operator focused on the Middle East and the North Sea. Founded in 1971 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the Company holds stakes in onshore and offshore licenses at various stages of exploration, development and production in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Norway, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Ireland and Yemen.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

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SEATTLE, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Miller Mendel, Inc. (MMI) filed an appeal to an Eastern District of Texas judges decision to grant a motion to dismiss MMIs patent infringement lawsuit against the City of Anna (Texas). MMIs patent remains in full effect until the appeal has been decided, likely sometime in or after 2025.



On December 2, 2021, MMI filed a patent infringement complaint in the federal court for the Eastern District of Texas against the City of Anna. The complaint came about after MMI became aware the City of Anna was likely infringing on MMIs patent through their police departments use of the Guardian Alliance Technologies software. MMI respectfully requested the City of Anna cease their use of the infringing software. The City of Anna did not respond and continued to use the Guardian Alliance Technologies software and therefore continued to infringe the MMI 10043188 patent issued by the USPTO.

On April 14, 2022, an Eastern District of Texas judge granted a motion to dismiss MMIs patent infringement lawsuit against the City of Anna. This decision was passed down despite the indisputable fact that in a similar patent infringement complaint filed by MMI against the City of Oklahoma City in 2019, an Oklahoma Western District Court judge denied the City of Oklahoma Citys motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which was based on the same grounds later used by the City of Anna when they brought forth their Motion to Dismiss.

MMI determined that appealing the Eastern District of Texas courts decision was the prudent next step based on the indisputable fact that two federal judges made opposite, conflicting decisions regarding motions to dismiss made on the same grounds filed by counsel for Guardian Alliance Technologies; one judge granted the Motion to Dismiss and the other judge denied the Motion to Dismiss in MMIs favor. Additionally, three USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) judges have reviewed Guardian Alliance Technologies multiple attempts to invalidate MMls patent at the USPTO PTAB level and denied Guardian each time, maintaining MMIs patent in full effect.

The Eastern District of Texas judges decision does not invalidate MMIs patent. A small number of claims (three of fifteen) within the overall patent are in question. All claims and the entire patent remain valid and enforceable until the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit renders a decision. MMI can continue to enforce its intellectual property rights under the patent until the Court of Appeals hears and renders a decision.

ABOUT MILLER MENDEL, INC.

Miller Mendel, Inc. (MMI) creates, sells, and supports its software technology solutions for local, state, and federal public safety agencies and is the holder of two patents (U.S. Patent No. 9070098 and U.S. Patent No. 10043188) related to the features of its flagship product, eSOPH. Our primary focus is to turn past practices used by city, county, and state governments into efficient and cost-effective electronic solutions. MMI is known for creating category-leading systems and providing responsive, exceptional support to all our clients. We place great pride in straightforward and transparent operational practices that foster a high level of respect and praise from our government clients.
DENVER, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NBHC) announced today that its Board of Directors approved a cash dividend to shareholders. The quarterly cash dividend of twenty-three cents ($0.23) per share of common stock will be payable on June 15, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 27, 2022.



About National Bank Holdings Corporation

National Bank Holdings Corporation is a bank holding company created to build a leading community bank franchise delivering high quality client service and committed to stakeholder results. Through its bank subsidiary, NBH Bank, National Bank Holdings Corporation operates a network of 81 banking centers, serving individual consumers, small, medium and large businesses, and government and non-profit entities. Its banking centers are located in its core footprint of Colorado, the greater Kansas City region, Texas, Utah and New Mexico. Its comprehensive residential mortgage banking group primarily serves the banks core footprint. NBH Bank operates under a single state charter through the following brand names as divisions of NBH Bank: in Colorado, Community Banks of Colorado and Community Banks Mortgage; in Kansas and Missouri, Bank Midwest and Bank Midwest Mortgage; and in Texas, Utah and New Mexico, Hillcrest Bank and Hillcrest Bank Mortgage. Additional information about National Bank Holdings Corporation can be found at www.nationalbankholdings.com.

For more information visit: cobnks.com, bankmw.com, hillcrestbank.com or nbhbank.com. Or, follow us on any of our social media sites:

Community Banks of Colorado: facebook.com/cobnks, twitter.com/cobnks, instagram.com/cobnks;

Bank Midwest: facebook.com/bankmw, twitter.com/bank_mw, instagram.com/bankmw;

Hillcrest Bank: facebook.com/hillcrestbank, twitter.com/hillcrest_bank;

NBH Bank: twitter.com/nbhbank;

or connect with any of our brands on LinkedIn.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements contain words such as anticipate, believe, can, would, should, could, may, predict, seek, potential, will, estimate, target, plan, project, continuing, ongoing, expect, intend or similar expressions that relate to the Companys strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements involve certain important risks, uncertainties and other factors, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Such factors include, without limitation, the Risk Factors referenced in our most recent Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our reports and documents filed with the SEC. The Company can give no assurance that any goal or plan or expectation set forth in forward-looking statements can be achieved and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law.

Contact:

Analysts/Institutional Investors:

Aldis Birkans, 720-554-6640

Chief Financial Officer

ir@nationalbankholdings.com



or

Media:

Jody Soper, 303-784-5925

Chief Marketing Officer

Jody.Soper@nbhbank.com



Source: National Bank Holdings Corporation
EDMONTON, Alberta, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EPCOR has released its 2021 Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Performance Update. The report, available online at www.epcor.com/ESG, demonstrates the companys progress against 25 measures and 17 targets that were introduced last year.



For some of the priorities within our sustainability agenda, we are already more than half way toward achieving our targets, said Stuart Lee, President and CEO, EPCOR. At the same time, we have set many ambitious goals and there are areas where were still early in our journey. Our 2021 performance update presents a balanced account of our progress, and includes information on our goals, risks and priorities.

The past year we advanced a number of EPCORs multi-year ESG goals, including projects that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the companys electricity supply, and implementation of Edmontons lead mitigation strategy. Substantial investments in water reclamation were also made in drought-challenged areas where EPCOR operates, helping drive toward the target of at least 90% reuse or recharging of treated effluent in the companys U.S. operations.

EPCORs ESG reporting describes how the organization is led, how we operate, and our dedication to high ethical standards, said Jennifer Addison, SVP, Sustainability, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for EPCOR. It details the focus on reducing our environmental footprint and mitigating the impacts of climate change. And it demonstrates the priority we place on the health and safety of our employees and the communities we serve, along with our commitment to delivering reliable and affordable utility services.

To better protect Edmontons drinking water from river flooding events, EPCOR engaged with a number of community stakeholders in 2021, including representatives from 11 Indigenous Nations. The result was the development of shared outcomes and design principles that will inform key upgrades at Edmontons two water treatment plants. Community consultation also helped advance the implementation of EPCORs award-winning Stormwater Integrated Resource Plan, which is working to better protect Edmonton neighbourhoods from flooding through green infrastructure projects, such as dry ponds and improvements to drainage infrastructure that are reducing the inflow and infiltration of groundwater into the system.

A number of additional social commitments were also realized in 2021, including continued strong performance on team safety and utility reliability, keeping costs affordable for consumers, and donating more than $3 million to organizations that are working to ensure the health and vibrancy of our communities. Efforts to foster a diverse, supportive and inclusive workplace saw the introduction of four new employee resource groups.

EPCORs 2021 ESG Performance Update is a multi-media experience featuring the faces and voices of members of Team EPCOR and community partners who are driving change and innovation. Through feature stories and videos, the report covers:

how creativity and collaboration created a unique community park in the southwestern U.S.;

how a public-private partnership is improving the quality of Reginas Wascana Creek;

how the COVID-19 pandemic became a moment of both responsibility and opportunity in supporting teams and evolving the way we work;

how support for a University of Alberta program is removing barriers to learning for Indigenous students; and

how EPCOR and Enoch Cree Nation are working together to help the Maskekosihk people meaningfully reclaim their connection to former reserve lands; and much more.



Multimedia Quick Links

Quick facts

EPCOR released its 2020 ESG Report, Leading for the Future in August 2021.

The report launched 25 measures and 17 targets that reflect the ESG factors rated most material to the company and its stakeholders.

EPCOR will continue to report against these measures and targets in its 2022 performance update next spring, prior to a new materiality assessment occurring before the release of the 2023 ESG report.



About EPCOR



EPCOR, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, builds, owns and operates electrical, natural gas and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems, and infrastructure in Canada and the United States. The company also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. EPCOR, headquartered in Edmonton, is committed to conducting its business and operations safely and responsibly. Environmental stewardship, public health and community well-being are at the heart of EPCORs mission to provide clean water and safe, reliable energy. EPCOR is an Alberta Top 75 employer, and is ranked among Corporate Knights 2021 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada.

For more information, contact:

Laura Ehrkamp,

EPCOR Media Relations

(780) 721-9001 | epcormedia@epcor.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b66078a3-9a64-4164-96ea-f588792541f7
SAN FRANCISCO, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (NYSE: LICY) investors who suffered significant losses to submit your losses now. A securities fraud class action has been filed and certain investors have the opportunity to lead the case.



Class Period: Feb. 16, 2021  Mar. 23, 2022 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 20, 2022 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/LICY Contact An Attorney Now:

LICY@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (NYSE: LICY) Securities Fraud Class Action:

Li-Cycle has assured investors that its SPAC merger with Peridot in Aug. 2021 would enable it to fully fund its growth plans and has touted its robust customer network as supportive of 2021  2025 cumulative $985 million EBITDA (inclusive of off-take agreements with Traxys North America, which would generate $300 million/year of revenue).

The complaint alleges Defendants made misleading statements or failed to disclose: (1) Traxys, Li-Cycles largest customer is merely a broker that tries to sell Li-Cycles product to end customers; (2) Li-Cycle engaged in highly questionable related party transactions; (3) Li-Cycles mark-to-model accounting gave a false impression of growth; (4) a significant portion of the Companys revenues were derived from simply marking up receivables on products that had not been sold; (5) Li-Cycles gross margins have likely been negative since inception; and, (6) the Company will likely require an additional $1 billion of funding to support its planned growth.

According to the complaint, Defendants statements were brought into question when Blue Orca Capital published a scathing report on Mar. 24, 2022, likening Li-Cycles accounting to Enrons and concluding the Company improperly recognized up to 45% of the Companys recent reported quarterly revenues because they were derived from inflating receivables for unsold products. Blue Orca also observed that Traxys is not really a customer, the Companys cash burn is so severe that it requires about $1 billion additional funding, and the Company diverted $529,902 to its founders family through questionable related party transactions.

Were focused on investors losses and proving Li-Cycle cooked its books, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Li-Cycle and have significant losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Li-Cycle should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email LICY@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
MCLEAN, Va., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today the selection of its Australian sales partner, BlueZone Group, as an authorized REMUS autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) service center. The Newcastle-based company will provide local support to REMUS AUVs for the Royal Australian Navy and other regional customers.



HII and BlueZone Group will host an official agreement signing on May 10, 2022, during the Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, Australia. The signing will take place in the HII booth, #1J1 at 2:00 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Were excited to provide this increased capability for Australia through our partner BlueZone Group, said Duane Fotheringham, president of the Unmanned Systems business group at HIIs Mission Technologies division. This depot-level support is essential for the expanded use of AUVs in the region and will allow for increased operational availability of systems for critical defense missions.





A photo accompanying this news release is available at: https://newsroom.hii.com/releases/hii-bluezone-remus-service-center.

As a REMUS service center, BlueZone can perform level three depot support, maintenance, and repair of REMUS AUVs at its facility. Services will include regularly scheduled maintenance, repair of modules and components, upgrades, battery conditioning and replacement, and sensor integration. BlueZone will also be equipped to fully test systems and train end users on their operations.

Elizabeth Karpiel, BlueZone Group CEO, said that a BlueZone Group Depot Level Maintenance and Sustainment Facility will maximise up-time for REMUS users in the Asia-Pacific region and build capability in Remote and Autonomous System (RAS) support. An Australian based BlueZone facility will provide a regional capability in experienced, efficient, and highly responsive sustainment. BlueZones 22 years sustaining Australias maritime RAS make us the ideal partner for HII in the region.

REMUS first entered the Australia market in 2007 when the Royal Australian Navy acquired REMUS 600. HII has since deployed hundreds of AUVs across the globe.

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

gregory.J.mccarthy@hii-co.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/540063d8-1ea2-4b44-9c33-5bc5d1e48fee
HOUSTON, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (the Company) (NYSE: KYN) announced that it reached a conditional agreement with institutional investors relating to a private placement of $90 million of senior unsecured notes (Notes) and $20 million of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares (MRP Shares). The private placement is expected to close on or about May 18, 2022, and there will be two fundings in connection with the transaction: (a) $45 million of Series RR Notes will be issued on May 18, 2022, and (b) $45 million of Series SS Notes and $20 million of Series T MRP Shares will be issued on August 2, 2022.



Net proceeds will be used to refinance existing leverage and for general corporate purposes. The table below sets forth the key terms of the Notes and MRP Shares to be issued:

Security Amount

($ in millions) Rate Maturity Series RR Notes $45 4.57% 5/18/2032 Series SS Notes $45 4.67% 8/2/2034 Total Notes $90 Series T MRP Shares $20 5.07% 8/2/2032

Closing of this transaction is subject to investor due diligence, legal documentation, and other standard closing conditions. Neither the Notes nor the MRP Shares issued in connection with this private placement will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.

Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE: KYN) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, whose common stock is traded on the NYSE. The Companys investment objective is to provide a high after-tax total return with an emphasis on making cash distributions to stockholders. KYN intends to achieve this objective by investing at least 80% of its total assets in securities of Energy Infrastructure Companies. See Glossary of Key Terms in the Companys most recent quarterly report for a description of these investment categories and the meaning of capitalized terms.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or sale is not permitted. Nothing contained in this press release is intended to recommend any investment policy or investment strategy or consider any investors specific objectives or circumstances. Before investing, please consult with your investment, tax, or legal adviser regarding your individual circumstances.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This communication contains statements reflecting assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions, or beliefs about future events. These and other statements not relating strictly to historical or current facts constitute forward-looking statements as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties. These risks include but are not limited to changes in economic and political conditions; regulatory and legal changes; energy industry risk; leverage risk; valuation risk; interest rate risk; tax risk; and other risks discussed in detail in the Companys filings with the SEC, available at www.kaynefunds.com or www.sec.gov. Actual events could differ materially from these statements or our present expectations or projections. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Kayne Anderson undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Companys investment objectives will be attained.




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McLaren had a difficult season start in Bahrain, with both Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo finishing well outside the top ten. CEO Zak Brown admits that the result strongly reminded him of a low point he thought was behind him.

"I left Bahrain with the same feeling as in 2017 all over again," Brown says on the F1 Nation podcast. In doing so, he is referring to the difficult time McLaren went through in the three seasons it raced with Honda engines, a collaboration that ultimately did not pay off.

Brown hopes for more results like in Imola

He continued: "Then I thought: we've spent four, five years making improvements since 2017, how did we end up back here?" However, with the Bahrain Grand Prix still fresh in the memory, the following races showed an upward trend for the British racing stable. Brown is therefore hoping that the disappointing result of the opening race was a one-off.

So far, that indeed seems to be the case, as Norris and Ricciardo have since shown a pace that allows them to finish well within the top ten. A highlight came in the form of a podium finish for Norris at Imola, where he had been looking good all weekend.

Brown believes that Norris has now raised the bar even higher. He refers to the small number of mistakes the driver makes, on top of the necessary dose of talent he has. "He is definitely ready to win, now we just need to put him in a position to win," concludes the McLaren boss.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is launching the US most comprehensive end-to-end hydrogen study and demonstration facility, which will examine the future potential of the zero-carbon fuel hydrogen as a renewable energy source for not only PG&E customers but the entire global natural gas industry.

The centerpiece of the study, known as Hydrogen to Infinity (H 2 ), is a large-scale project that will blend hydrogen and natural gas in a stand-alone transmission pipeline system. H 2  will enable PG&E and its partners (Northern California Power Agency [NCPA], Siemens Energy, the City of Lodi, GHD Inc., and University of California at Riverside) to conduct a complete study of different levels of hydrogen blends in a multi-feed, multi-directional natural gas pipeline system that is independent from its current natural gas transmission system.

The dedicated facility will allow for a controlled and safe study of hydrogen injection, storage, and combustion of different hydrogen blends in a variety of end uses. NCPAs Lodi Energy Center power plant is located adjacent to H 2  and will accept a hydrogen-natural gas blend for electric generation in the Siemens Energy 5000F4 Gas Turbine.

H 2  will include a new 130-acre facility located in Lodi, Calif. that will serve as a study laboratory that incorporates production, pipeline transportation, storage, and combustion.

Areas of focus within the pilot include:

Technical, operational, and safety needs

Market development

Energy resiliency and flexibility

Commercial and government partnerships

Unprecedented functional test environment for on-going research

Training environment for new technology

In addition, PG&E is contemplating this facility being the centerpiece for a potential Northern California Hydrogen Hub.
Stellantis 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 Center (ARDC) to accelerate the companys move to a sustainable future. This announcement also supports the companys Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan and its long-term electrification strategy to invest $45 billion CAD ($35 billion USD) through 2025 in electrification and software globally.

The announcement increases the companys overall investment in Ontario to $8.6 billion CAD (US$6.7 billion) 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 (US$1.2 billion) made during the 2020 contract talks.

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 companys 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 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 Stellantis battery lab in North America, following the companys announcement to establish a similar center in Turin, Italy. The Battery Lab will be a technology center 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 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 companys 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 lithium-ion battery cells and modules to meet a significant portion of Stellantis vehicle production requirements in North America.
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Taprock Beer Bar, a popular Farmington pub known for its creative American fare and beer selection, will close May 21, its owner announced Tuesday.

"Our Taprock family has grown so much over the last 5+ years and we are so thankful for all of the support we have received from the community especially through these last two years," owner Ankit Harpaldas posted on the restaurant's Facebook page. "Aside from having the opportunity to serve great food, cocktails and the best beer lineup, we will never forget the friends made and laughs shared with so many."

Harpaldas, who also owns Sherkaan Indian Street Food in New Haven, is selling the business to a new restaurateur, he said. Luis Vazquez and his wife, Kerry, plan to open Puente American-Latino Pub in the Taprock space at 81 South Main Street in Farmington's Unionville section.

Harpaldas opened the restaurant in late 2016, offering a menu of comfort fare like wings, chicken and waffle sliders, burgers, smoked chicken nachos and shrimp and grits. Taprock also became a Farmington Valley destination for craft beer and cocktails.

The choice to sell "was a personal decision," Harpaldas said.

"This isn't because of the business's performance or labor shortage, or anything like that," he said. "Both restaurants made it through COVID and came out on top."

At Sherkaan, things are "business as usual," Harpaldas said. "I hope one day to expand that concept, but right now, I'm just focusing on what I have."

Vazquez hopes to open Puente by mid-June, he said. A longtime chef who helped open Farmington's Butchers & Bakers restaurant in 2017, he grew up in Puerto Rico and attended culinary school there.

Puente will offer a mix of Latin American cuisines, with dishes featuring Puerto Rican, Spanish, Mexican, Argentinian, Cuban and Venezuelan flavors. The menu will also have classic American preparations using Latin ingredients, and vice versa, he said.

Vazquez named potential menu items like a twist on chili fries, with yuca, picadillo, cheddar curds and pickled cherry peppers, and "margherita pizza" empanadas inspired by the tomato sauce and cheese-stuffed empanadas he ate growing up. Other dishes include hush puppies with roasted corn, Serrano ham and saffron, and provoleta, an Argentinian dish of molten provolone cheese served with crostini and chimichurri.

This is Vazquez's first ownership experience, which has been a dream of his for "a long time," he said.

"We were driving by when we saw the place was for sale, and Kerry said, 'We've got to call it Puente,'" he said. "It just clicked in our brain, because 'puente' means 'bridge' in Spanish."

"...There's a little metaphor there about what this bridge symbolizes as far as connecting people with the food and connecting people with each other, you know, and and just try to enjoy the restaurant experience again after a very rough couple of years."



He has plans for Saturday and Sunday brunch with Latin and Spanish flavors, like breakfast tacos and a Spanish dish of "crashed eggs" with home fries and Serrano ham. With his butchering experience, he also plans barbecued meats and house-cured sausages and bacon.

"After we open and we get rolling...people are going to be like, 'It's not about Latin food over there; everything they make is good,'" he said.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Connie L. Schaffer, University of Nebraska Omaha; Martha Graham Viator, Rowan University, and Meg White, Stockton University

(THE CONVERSATION) They were known as the McDonogh Three, and unlike many stories of the tumultuous civil rights era, this one has a hopeful ending.

On May 4, 2022, Leona Tate, Gail Etienne and Tessie Prevost are scheduled to cut the ribbons around the front door of the former McDonogh 19 Elementary School.

Located in New Orleans Lower 9th Ward, the school was the scene of some of the nations fiercest anti-integration school battles in the early 1960s.

At the time, Tate, Etienne and Prevost were 6-year-old Black girls who wanted to attend first grade.

White protesters, mostly women, heckled and spat and shouted racist slurs at them as they tried to enter the school. Threats of violence were intense, and when local police could not keep the peace, federal marshals were called in.

Now named after the three women, the school has been transformed into the TEP Center, whose name consists of the first letters of each womans last name. It has been redesigned to include affordable housing and exhibition space focused on the civil rights era and the three womens stories.

As co-author of William Frantz Public School: A Story of Race, Resistance, Resiliency, and Recovery in New Orleans I, along with research colleagues Meg White and Martha Viator, spent four years combing through archives researching school desegregation in New Orleans.

What we learned is that the story of the McDonogh Three has been mostly overlooked. But through sheer determination, they were able to restore a building that now bears their names and celebrates their contributions to the civil rights movement.

In our view, their story further challenges society to end the racism that once engulfed a New Orleans community  and still lingers today.

Anti-integrationist protests

The story of the McDonogh Three could not have had an uglier beginning.

In its landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1954 that segregated public schools were unconstitutional. Several Southern states refused to comply and sometimes violently resisted the ruling to desegregate their schools.

Louisiana was one of them. Six years after the Brown decision, protesters vehemently opposed the Orleans Parish School Boards desegregation plan and targeted the all-white McDonogh 19 school, which the three Black girls aimed to attend.

I remember riding in the car, coming up to the school, looking out the window and seeing these mobs of people, Etienne said in an interview.  I felt like if they could get to me, theyd want to kill me, and I didnt know why.

Political resistance to desegregation delayed the girls enrollment from September until mid-November. When they finally were permitted to go to classes, protesters still did their best to intimidate them and their families.

Not understanding the intentions of the protesters, one of the girls said in later interviews that they thought the police were there to prevent the cars they were riding in from hurting the bystanders.

I thought a parade was coming, Tate recalls before wondering, And why did I have to go to school on Mardi Gras.

The girls spent much of that first day sitting in the hallway outside the principals office.

In an interview years later, Tate said when they were finally brought to their classroom, white students got up and left.

By the end of their first day, most of the white students had been withdrawn from the school. Within days, all the white students had left McDonogh 19.

The protesters also left, having achieved their goal of preventing white and Black children from attending classes together. The only students were the three Black girls.

But the threat of violence remained, and throughout the school year, U.S. Marshals escorted the girls to and from school.

The three girls at McDonogh were not the only ones requiring armed protection.

During the same time, at the William Frantz Elementary School, Ruby Bridges faced a similar fate when trying to integrate an all-white school. Though Bridges story is more widely known, all four girls are credited with desegregating New Orleans Public Schools.

From tragedy to triumph

Named after the wealthy slave owner John McDonogh, the school struggled in the decades following 1960.

White flight from the city of New Orleans and its public schools resulted in a resegregation of the school almost immediately, only this time it became an all-Black school. High rates of poverty and crime affected the surrounding neighborhood in the 1970s and 80s.

One sign of progress occurred in the mid-1990s when the school was renamed after jazz legend and New Orleans native Louis Armstrong.

But at the end of the 2004-05 school year, the district decided to close the school, due in part to low test scores and also because inadequate funding had caused the building to fall into significant disrepair.

The facility was further damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, and the Orleans Parish School Board planned to sell the historic building, deeming it too expensive to repair.

The building sat vacant for over 10 years.

Born and raised in the neighborhood, Tates roots run deep, as did her connection to the history that happened at McDonogh.

Like Prevost and Etienne, Tate graduated from New Orleans public schools. She remained in New Orleans and following Katrina chose to stay in the city despite the mass exodus of many residents.

She never gave up on the Lower 9th Ward, the school building or her commitment to telling the story of events that took place on what she considered the hallowed ground of the school.

In 2009, Tate founded the Leona Tate Foundation for Change. Over the years, the fledgling foundation raised US$725,000 to purchase the building.

Tate also led efforts to place the building on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2016, Tate achieved her goal. The designation formally recognized the contributions of Tate, Etienne and Prevost for their role in the civil rights movement.

Now, Tates efforts have transformed the building from an abandoned school to a community anchor.

The building provides a new home for the Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum, which displays photographs and offers oral histories from those who lived in the community during the civil rights and post-Katrina eras.

In addition, the TEP Center provides office space for two community groups. One of them, Ringing the Bell, provides support for teachers who want to incorporate the history of the civil rights movement into their curriculum.

The other group, Voices of Resistance and Hope, is a partnership with the National Museum of African American History and Culture that collects contemporary stories of African Americans.

Both Etienne and Prevost praised Tate and her determination.

Im just glad that we are being given an opportunity to remind those who have forgotten, Etienne said. "That the true and full story gets out there. Thats all weve ever wanted, really. Thank God it is finally happening.

Describing Tate and Etienne as her sisters for life, Prevost explained in an interview that she sees the project as a step toward healing larger racial divisions.

We have to come together and forget all of this foolishness, Prevost said. Thats what we need to do.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/a-new-orleans-community-center-rises-from-its-ugly-history-as-a-segregated-school-181687.
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GREENWICH  Lisa Tebbe, whose own parents were refugees in World War II, is committed to a local humanitarian effort to help feed the refugees who have left war-torn Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February.

Tebbe has joined hundreds of her fellow parishioners from Christ Church Greenwich and other volunteers in working to pack meals to send to Poland, which has taken in an estimated 2.9 million of the more than 5 million Ukrainians who have fled their homeland.

To know that were feeding people and that there are people who really dont know when their next meal is coming, or from where, were going to meet that need, Tebbe said.

Christ Church has now hosted two sessions of the Emergency Packathons, with 425 volunteers packing 75,000 meals and raising $27,200 for the effort.

Everyones been so aggrieved by the Russian invasion, said the Rev. Marek Zabriskie, in recent statement on the food drive. Someone once said, Look for the angels. Well, the angels are here.

This past Friday evening, about 200 people from around the region went to the Episcopal church on East Putnam Avenue to load up starchy dried food, as well as dehydrated vegetables, vitamin powder and bean protein, into sealed boxes. Volunteers weighed the packages, sealed them and boxed them for distribution.

The volunteers assembled a total of about 35,000 meals in the Parish Hall during the shift.

The packages are a simple and cost-effective way to feed children and families, who are taking refuge in Poland as the war in Ukraine rages since the Russian invasion about 10 weeks ago, organizers said.

At the previous Packathon at Christ Church on March 26, about 250 volunteers packed 36,000 meals for the Ukrainian refugees. Those meals were scheduled to arrive in Poland on Tuesday. The shipping company, which picked up the container at the docks in New Jersey, shipped the food to Poland for free. Church members raised the funds to purchase the food.

An extensive amount of preparation went into the Emergency Packathon event, the second such operation that the church has carried out in recent weeks. Co-chairs and parishioners Dan Broderick and Melissa Redmond organized the volunteers and gave them training after they arrived for the packaging work, also working out the logistics and delivery system.

Additionally, a team of Christ church parishioners and clergy are working to help refugee families to resettle in the United States. The Ukraine situation is enormously significant, Zabriskie said. It is hard to watch the news and sit still. We pray for the people who are suffering, and we want to help in any way that we can."

To contribute to the efforts at Christ Church to help Ukrainian refugees or for more information, visit christchurchgreenwich.org or https://onrealm.org/ParishChristChu/-/form/give/now.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com
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The host of WTNH News 8s Capitol Report is taking a break after his two sons were killed in a car crash last week.

Jodi Latina, News 8s chief political correspondent, will fill in for longtime politico Tom Dudchik after this weekend, according to Rich Graziano, WNTH News 8s vice president and general manager.

Dudchik called Latina a journalistic and political pro.

There is no one that I would rather see hosting Capitol Report than Jodi Latina, he said in an email Monday evening. While we mourn the loss of our two boys, I know that Capitol Report is in good hands with Jodi.

Graziano said he isnt sure how long Latina will host the show.

On Sunday, the station will do a one-hour, live special called PowerHour, which will focus on political conventions next weekend. Dudchik will not be part of the special, but We will tribute him and the boys in the show, Graziano said.

The five-time Emmy nominated Capitol Report moved to the news station in 2017 after a three-year hiatus. The show runs at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays on WTNH News 8.

Dudchiks sons, 22-year-old Robert and 19-year-old Anthony Dudchik, and 17-year-old Megan Nicole Povilaitis were found dead in a car crash off of Hosley Avenue in Branford Thursday morning, according to the Branford Police Department.

Our entire staff was shocked with sadness and compassion for Tom, his wife Nora and the Dudchik family, Graziano said in a statement to Hearst Connecticut Media. There is no possible way to come to terms with such sudden and inexplicable loss. We cant understand the pain Tom and Nora are feeling as they struggle through the range of sadness, confusion, anger, guilt and more in ways words cannot articulate.

Tom Dudchik said he and his wife adopted Robert and Anthony in 2007 from the state Department of Children and Families. Upon meeting Robert, a protective older brother at 7 years old, and Anthony, then 4, Dudchik knew they would be special young men.

They created a family, Graziano said.

Graziano said he and Tom Dudchick have talked for years about parenting their sons.

As creative and passionate as Tom is with business, I could see and feel Toms pride and love when his eyes lit up speaking about his boys, Graziano said. This was Tom and Noras greatest love, passion, and responsibility. Tom and Nora have been so proud as both Robert and Anthony were maturing, becoming fine young men, and settling into a nice rhythm and path forward.

Robert became a flight attendant with Avelo Airlines at Tweed New Haven Airport. Tom Dudchik said his son found his calling, according to previous reports.

Robert was an empathetic loving person his whole life, always willing to offer a hand in need, Graziano said.

Anthony was a skilled photographer and finished his first year of college at Southern Connecticut State University, according to Graziano and previous reports.

My sons made us better people, Tom Dudchik, a former state lawmaker and the editor of news aggregation site CTCapitolReport.com, said in a previous report.

In the wake of his sons deaths, Tom Dudchik has encouraged people to adopt.

Every child should have a forever home. Every child should be loved, Dudchik said. If this tragedy in some small way ... (compels a person to adopt), then their lives wouldnt be gone for nothing. Thats what Id like people to know about their lives  theyre good boys.

Graziano said his goal is to increase awareness, education and information around adoption. He said he will work with Tom Dudchik, News 8 and the state to make a difference in the lives of children in need.

We will help create new homes and new families and do whatever we can to ensure that all children are loved in this state, all in the name of Robert and Anthony Dudchik, Graziano added.

For more information on adoption in Connecticut, visit https://portal.ct.gov/DCF/CTFosterAdopt/adoption.
GREENWICH  A Greenwich man was sentenced to three years in prison Tuesday for defrauding investors of nearly $1.5 million, according to federal prosecutors.

Prosecutors said that Samuel Klein, now 66, made false representations to four investors.

In 2018, Klein told one investor that their funds would be invested in distressed debt into one of his entities, Visual Group LLC, according to Leonard Boyle, the United States attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Klein knew that all of the investment funds would not be used for the stated purposes, Boyles office added.

The investor wrote a $200,000 check for Visual Group LLC. Klein got the check transported from New York to Connecticut and deposited into a bank account in the name of the LLC. He then solicited and received about $50,000 more from this investor, according to Boyles office.

Investigators also found that from July 2016 through at least June 2019 Klein defrauded three additional investors of more than $1.2 million by making false statements and misrepresentations, Boyles office said.

Klein then did not use these funds for his stated purposes. Instead, he used them for personal and other expenditures, Boyles office added.

Klein was charged in December 2020 after a federal investigation. He pleaded guilty in August 2021 to interstate transportation of property taken by fraud and money laundering. He was out on bond until his sentencing Tuesday when he was remanded to custody, Boyles office said.

After his three-year prison sentence, Klein will serve three years of supervised release. A federal judge in New Haven also ordered him to pay almost $1.5 million in restitution.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  An Oklahoma man claiming to be a film financier was convicted Tuesday in South Florida of participating in a scheme to steal more than $60 million from investors and producers seeking financing for movies and Broadway shows.

A federal jury in Fort Lauderdale found Jason Van Eman, 44, guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering, according to court records. His sentencing is scheduled for July 21.
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GREENWICH  Consultants have poked and prodded Western Middle Schools sports fields for six years, delivering diagnostics to officials at the federal Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

And now the construction is approaching for remediation of the contaminated site, said Ryan Wohlstrom, a senior project engineer at Langan, stirring skeptical responses from members of the Board of Education during last weeks meeting.

Wohlstrom estimated optimistically that crews could start clearing the top 2 feet of contaminated soil at the end of the year  or next year. As he suggested the lack of action continuing to 2023, board member Karen Hirsh shook her head slightly.

I know you guys have worked with many other districts and other projects in the state, Hirsh said Thursday evening. But have you ever had another one that has had continued sampling like this? For over six years?

Wohlstrom and Jane Warren, a partner with McCarter & English handling the legal considerations, paused.

Its an incredibly unique project. Six years of assessment is not normal, Wohlstrom said.

Using cheap fill

Greenwich Public Schools discovered synthetic chemicals known as PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls, in the soil of the playing fields at Western Middle School in the summer of 2016. The initial samples exceeded residential standards, and the town of Greenwich and the state Department of Public Health consulted with the district, leading to the fields closures.

In November 2016, crews probed the soil again and unearthed PCB concentrations above Connecticuts significant environmental hazard threshold.

The source of the toxicity is cheap soil that filled the site decades ago, Wohlstrom said. The same type of fill was discovered in 2011 at Greenwich High at the beginning of the Music Instructional Space and Auditorium project.

As of spring 2022, consultants have tracked over 550 soil samples and monitored groundwater on multiple occasions at Western, according to the districts website.

Wohlstrom displayed a map of the samples during the meeting, showing chronologically his work and the consultations with the EPA and DEEP.

The map resembled a game of Battleship, an array of hits and misses along the fields grid. Where high concentrations of PCBs were detected, more tests flanked to determine the extent of the contamination. About half of the tests revealed contaminated soil.

The lands heterogeneity, or lack of consistency, contributed to the many rounds of tests, Wohlstrom said.

Early on in this project, it was the non-uniform nature of the site impacts that, at times, led us to believe or lead us to draw somewhat misleading conclusions about the nature and extent of contamination, he said.

Additionally, he said, regulators were contemplating solutions for the property line  which was not an issue at the high school.

Adding a layer

The method used to make Greenwich High Schools fields safe, adding an impermeable layer buried under the turf, is the proposed solution for Westerns fields as well.

Once consultants receive the EPA and DEEPs feedback on the latest samples, they can submit the remedial action plan for approval, Warren said, which details the installation of the impermeable layer.

The plan involves excavating 2 feet of soil and leaving PCBs at greater depths in place, though the EPA and DEEP deems it safe because the toxins would be sealed off, Wohlstrom said.

These types of projects take longer than others because prior to the high schools approved remedy for a part of their fields, there has been no precedent in Connecticut for leaving PCBs in place at a school project above 1 parts per million  thats the state residential standard, he said.

With GHS setting a precedent for the middle schools approval, Warren said she feels confident the pace will pick up.

We didnt want to propose things that were going to get bounced at the high school and spend an awful lot of time and money chasing it down the rabbit hole for something that ultimately wasnt going to be approved. And the high school started sooner than the middle school did, five years sooner, so we could afford to learn from what the regulators were not going to accept there, she said.

Board chair Kathleen Stowe asked whether the project would take 10 years, which is how long it took at Greenwich High School.

No, Warren said, but the work at Western was slowed to see regulators reactions to the work at GHS.

We spent a lot of time and did a lot of health studies and risk studies at the high school to get them comfortable, both federal and state agencies, with the fact that impermeable caps could make the field safe for use. So, we have the benefit of that now with the middle school, she said.

She said she hopes the plans approval is months away.

Six years

The idle fields  which usually host parks department games, gym classes and Westerns teams  were a topic of concern among parents at the meeting.

Hirsh said the fields were closed when her oldest, who is now in college, was enrolled at the middle school. Her daughter graduated from Western without setting foot on her home turf.

The fact that six years have passed with students never playing on their school field is simply sad, Western Middle School PTA member Kerrie Huxta said. It has caused our students and families to shuttle across town to access available fields and sometimes only learning the location of a game hours before it begins.

Others said the districts communication on the project had been disappointing. The board said it would work in updates on the WMS project in its meetings regularly.

Although Wohlstrom could not say when construction would begin, he said the work would take about 100 days once crews start digging.

annelise.hanshaw@hearstmediact.com
It seems Honor's Magic4 Pro is due to launch in Europe soon as the companys French and UK online shops have listed the device. The French site reveals an early bird sales event taking place from May 1  30 with 100 coupons off the phones final price. The actual price was not detailed on the site but the phone was initially announced with a 1,099 asking price back in February during MWC so we can assume the early-bird coupon will bring it down to 999.

Honor France is listing the Magic4 Pro in black and cyan colors but it remains to be seen if the Gold, White and Orange vegan leather variants will also make their way to Europe. Honor Magic4 Pro brings a quad-curved 6.81-inch LTPO OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 100W fast charging. Theres no word if the regular Magic4 or the top-tier Magic4 Ultimate will also make their way to Europe. You can check out our brief hands-on impressions of the Magic4 Pro here.

Source (in French)
Its Mental Health Awareness Month, and theres no time like the present to check in on yourself. Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center is partnering with GuamTime on the 8 For Mental Health event series to help you do just that, offering Guam residents the chance to engage with every aspect of your well-being.

GuamTime founder Matt Sgro says that because he and his team at GuamTime rely so much on the community and their events to keep their enterprise going, they found themselves wanting to balance the scales.

I feel like we owe it to the community to do something at least once a year where we give back. I think its no secret that through the pandemic, a lot of us in the community on and off island experienced a lot, especially in mental health, Sgro said.

Last year, GuamTime partnered with Frank The Crank Camacho on a 24-hour Run/Walk that raised over $16,000 for the Guam Homeless Coalition. With that success under their belt, they chose to focus their 2022 efforts on the pervasive but often overlooked issue of mental health.

When you see some of these figures, youd be shocked  whether it be one out of four people struggle for mental health  I mean, pre-COVID, you go to a fiesta, you look around at your family and friends, you could just kind of do the math right there, how many people struggle.

And given that were very much a culture that likes to be social, we feel like the mental health part  if were helping each other in our highest of highs, we should be supporting each other during our darkest times as well, Sgro said.

According to Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Director Theresa Arriola, there are eight dimensions of wellness, including emotional, physical, spiritual, social, environmental, financial, occupational and intellectual.

We need to be able to take care of our holistic well being as individuals, and have that balance.  It sometimes takes some help. And so heres Guam Behavioral Health, with a lot of activities in the month of May to help highlight the importance of that balance in our well being, Arriola said

The event line up throughout the month of May touches on various aspects of these dimensions, offering a chance for members of the community to familiarize themselves with the services GBHWC offers and their communities in both virtual and physical spaces.

Most of the events are free, though some come with a registration fee.

The dimensions of wellbeing are inextricably linked  for example, social well-being can positively impact emotional well-being  so each event can be helpful to participants on multiple levels. Several of the events use physical wellness as a launchpad to improve wellbeing in a host of other categories.

Throughout the month, community members will be able to register for the Minds Matter 5K/10K Virtual Walk/Run. This event requires a registration fee of $25 w,hich will go toward local mental health programs at GBHWC.

More Than Sports: A Clutch Series will premiere a new episode online on GuamTimes YouTube channel each week, featuring personal stories of Guams most accomplished athletes. On May 6, their YouTube channel will also feature a live stream of The 8 Hour Burpee Challenge.

Were going to do something a little, it sounds crazy, but it should be fun  an eight hour burpee challenge. So we will be doing burpees for eight hours straight along with other organizations, fitness groups and whatnot, in order to raise $8,000 for mental health, Sgro said.

GBHWC and GuamTime are taking full advantage of the virtual space by offering three remaining opportunities at noon on May 10, 17 and 24 to take part in an Emotional IQ Workshop.

The events will focus on how to create an environment for kids and young adults to safely and effectively manage emotions and translate them into respectful actions.

They are also offering community members a chance to revisit Breaking Wave Theatre Companys Unspoken series, a collection of local performances that explore mental health, suicide prevention, and substance abuse.

Featuring works written and performed by local artists over the last three years, BWTC Unspoken: Highlights From the Heart will be available on GuamTimes YouTube channel from May 17-31.

Slowly but surely, we as a community are finding our ways back to in person events and this lineup is no exception. GBHWC will host their youth-focused Jamboree Fair from 4-7 p.m. on May 6 at Ypao Beach Park, which will features resource booths and mental health inspired games and activities.

They will also host their annual GBHWC Fair from 10 a.m-2 p.m. on May 14 at Agana Shopping Center, where they will showcase their various programs and services as well as mental health inspired art, film, and writing submissions.

Mental Health Awareness Month will close out with some spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness thanks to the Ina Well Fest Warm Up: Beginner Yoga Workshop taught by Ina Wellness Collective founder Livia Marati on May 28, outdoors at Two Lovers Point.

By the end of the month, Arriola and Sgro hope to have not only raised money for programming, but to have fostered connections between community members and to have welcomed new faces through the doors of GBHWC.

If you have a mental health illness, or substance abuse illness, there is no shame in getting help, the shame is not getting help.

We all are people, we are individuals, we are flawed as we are created. And so everyone needs somebody to talk to to help navigate the troubles and the concerns that they have that they cannot handle themselves, Arriola said.
Three of the 18 culinary students given a grant from the Department of Interior shared the benefits of the grant paying for their first year in the Guam Community College Culinary program.

It really helped me a lot. Within the year I was able to get those 30 credits and I dont have to worry about paying for anything, said Aira Andrea Basilio.

Basilio thought she wouldnt qualify for the grant as she was getting financial assistance from Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and paying for 50% of her tuition.

One of the requirements of the grant was that students cannot be receiving any other type of tuition or financial aid assistance, according to Kennylyn Miranda, Culinary Food Service Department chair.

However, at the last minute, she was informed that even though FAFSA was paying for 50% of her tuition, she would still qualify, so she applied.

To apply, students had to be a graduate of a local high school and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident onGuam.

Students were also given money for 30 college credits and books for free.

Culinary arts is a very expensive program because there are lab fees that are included, tools and materials that they need in order to meet the learning outcomes of the program, Miranda said.

Rovilyn Umagat was worried about not being able to go to college because of finances.

Because COVID started at the time, I felt like my senior year got cut off and I wasnt aware on how to do my FAFSA, so that was another problem for me to get into college, she said. This DOI grant gave me the opportunity to go to college and fulfill my dreams.

Naedine Simeon also wasnt about sure about going to college.

When she heard about the grant, she applied.

The fact that I was accepted, I felt really good about myself, she said. When I graduate, I hope to continue baking and open a pastry shop in the future.

All three students work in the food industry as part of their culinary internship and felt their current working experience is helping them for the future.

They will also be graduating from the program this semester.

Here at the college, our mission is to provide quality education, no matter what mode of learning, Miranda said. Although our program is really hands-on, weve identified ways to really be a lot more flexible for any situation. Weve polished our instruction, our ways, and methods and its only going to get better from here.

Miranda hopes that more grant opportunities like this will come up for students in the future.

We will take whatever assistance that they want to give to us and we are open and willing to fund, said Miranda. If ever this opportunity were to present itself again and they want to extend not just for the first year, but for the whole two and a half years of their program, we would gladly take it.
Katner Herry was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison for the 2020 death of Luciana Polly.

He was sentenced in the Superior Court of Guam, where he went in with hopes of receiving a 10-year sentence with the help of his attorney, William Pole.

Pole started his argument first by showing a series of videos that captured Herry cooperating with the police a day after Pollys body was found on the side of the road in Toto.

In the videos, Herry explained to police that on Jan. 25, 2020, he and Polly had sex, and later Polly went to a gas station and asked Herry to wait for her. However, Herry fell asleep and was woken up by Polly pouring a beer on his face.

Herry then punched Polly.

Herry further said he could not remember much about hitting Polly, but knew he ran away, jumped a gate nearby and woke up in his apartment.

Argument

Pole played the videos to the court to demonstrate Herrys willingness to cooperate with the police, although he was not required to. He argued that Herry be sentenced to 10 years in prison.

We would argue that 10 years is a very long time, and is more than sufficient to deter future action of somebody who might be in the situation, and at the same time the seriousness of the crime, Pole said.

Assistant Attorney General Jeremiah Luther, however, argued Herry be sentenced to 20 years and cited his cooperation came a day after Pollys body was found by residents in the area.

He did not report Pollys death or injury at the time he inflicted it upon her, Luther said. He didnt try to help locate her, he didnt try to call emergency services to help her.

Sentence

Judge Alberto E. Tolentino decided to split the two sentences proposed by each lawyer and send Herry to the Department of Corrections for 15 years.

Tolentino explained to Herry how serious it was that Polly lost her life, as well as the manner in which her body was left.

The fact of the matter remains she was treated like an animal, beaten like an animal, Tolentino said as he referenced photos of Pollys body when she was found being half-naked, beaten and bruised.

Herry previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which carried a sentencing range of five to 20 years.
Letter: Community must step up to the plate for SSI




Haiti - FLASH : DR deploys an impressive military device at the border





Following the kidnapping Friday, of the Dominican diplomat Carlos Guillen Tatis, in Croix-des-Bouquets, by the gang "400 Mawozo" https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36562-haiti-dr-a-kidnapped-dominican-diplomat-the-400-mawozogang-demands-500-000-us$-for-his-release.html the Dominican Government [which seems exasperated by the situation of armed gangs in Haiti] has deployed an impressive military force along of the border.



The army mobilized soldiers from the hunter corps in Dajabon; militares of the "special commandos" in Jimani; soldiers of the elite corps "Los Cimarrones" in Pedernales.



3 helicopters and a surveillance aircraft were deployed to carry out aerial patrols at the four main border points with Haiti, as well as V150 armored assault vehicles, RM tanks. 105/26 Reynosa guns were seen in Jimani...



One do not know the objective of such a device which seems to be more a message addressed to gangs in Haiti, not to try to venture into Dominican territory.



A high-level Dominican Government source assures that contact with the Haitian Government is maintained and that the Dominican Government is ready to work in coordination with the Haitian authorities for the release of Guillen Tatis.



However, there is nothing that suggest that the Dominicans are considering a military operation to free the diplomat, especially since it is unlikely that the Haitian government will authorize the Dominican armed forces to intervene on Haitian territory.



Moreover, the Dominican authorities neither confirm nor deny the ransom demand of US$500,000 from the "400 Wawoso" gang for the release of Guillen Tatis.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36562-haiti-dr-a-kidnapped-dominican-diplomat-the-400-mawozogang-demands-500-000-us$-for-his-release.html



SL/ HaitiLibre


















Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - Despite a wave of liberalisation in the 1990s in Africa, there are still, too often, cases of arbitrary censorship, especially on the internet, with occasional network shutdowns in some countries, arrests of journalists and violent attacks, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Tuesday




Haiti - FLASH : Hundreds of people flee the combat zones





According to Civil Protection, Monday May 2nd, 2022, several hundred people from the Cite Soleil, Drouillard, Brooklyn, Boston, Carrefour Vincent, Butte Boyer, Croix des Missions, Marecage, Mapou, Clercine, Shada and Santo neighborhoods were forced to leave their homes, because of the intensity of the clashes between the "400 Mawozo" and "Chen Mechan" gangs who are fighting for control of the northern entrance to Port-au-Prince.



In the early hours of the morning, women, children and men, some barefoot carrying a few things, terrified at the sound of bursts of automatic weapons abandoned their homes and all their belongings to take refuge, among other places, in Bon Repos and Marine. While thousands more remain stranded at home in combat zones.



In the different neighborhoods of clashes, schools, public markets and all commercial activities are paralyzed. More than a dozen houses have been burned down in the Marecage and Butte Boyer districts.



No official human toll has been communicated since that of the Civil Protection which mentioned more than 20 civilian deaths between April 24 and 26.



Last week, hundreds of families left areas near Tabarre to take refuge in schools and public places.



If nearly half of the displaced people find refuge with a relative or friend, the other half take refuge in informal camps erected in public places, exposed to all dangers and without any health services...



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36545-icihaiti-anti-gang-operations3-police-officers-injured-in-the-combats.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36536-haiti-gang-war-the-pnh-in-the-combat-zone.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36528-haiti-flash-at-least-20-civilians-killed-in-gang-fighting-zones.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36512-haiti-flash-gang-war-the-plaine-du-cul-de-sac-transformed-into-a-battlefield.html



SL/ S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Tourism : All is not yet lost dixit Minister Francois





Luz Kurta Cassandra Francois, the Minister of Tourism, is convinced that despite the turbulence of all kinds that Haiti is experiencing today, all is not yet lost and that Haiti can still sell the assets of the country to foreign tourists and compatriots of diapsoras who wish to recharge their batteries at the "Alma mater".



"Haiti, thanks among other things to its idyllic climate, its thrilling history, its culture, its cuisine, its 1,535 km of beaches, has always potentially established itself as one of the best tourist destinations in the Caribbean. Despite the political upheavals and natural disasters it has experienced in recent decades, it still abounds in enough ecological, cultural and magical riches to attract curious eyes."



Recently, the Minister of Tourism, Luz Kurta Cassandra Francois, welcomed the partnership between Air Caraibes and Sunrise Airways allowing their customers to book their trip end to end, to and from the cities of Cap-Haitien, Les Cayes and Jeremie. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36511-haiti-news-zapping.html . Emphasizing "These provinces are full of extraordinary natural sites and intense cultural activities, particularly during the country festivals this summer, which will now be easily accessible from Paris-Orly."



"The serious problem of insecurity, which is still an annoying thorn in the side, cannot prevent government authorities from allowing all those who wish to discover or rediscover Haiti. "Estimates the Minister (very optimistic), stressing that "the National Police of Haiti (PNH) is hard at work, particularly in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince to circumscribe and fight armed gangs, other actions are planned to promote the safe movement of citizens across the country."



Luz Kurta Cassandra Francois recalls that on April 14, on the occasion of the Easter period and the traditional week of pilgrimage to the Citadelle Laferriere, the Politour Directorate put its Equestrian Brigade into operation at the National Historical Park in Milot https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36430-haiti-politour-launch-of-its-first-brigade-on-horseback.html aimed at strengthening the level of security of the tourist destination of the North.



Still with the aim of strengthening the tourism sector and allowing the country to regain its place in the regional market, a launch ceremony for the "Chair of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture" which will be hosted in the premises of the Higher Institute of Studies and Research in Social Sciences (ISERSS) took place on April 6, 2022 at the rectorate of the State University of Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36362-haiti-news-zapping.html , an element towards the establishment of the future Hotel School of Haiti at the Limonade campus (north)



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36430-haiti-politour-launch-of-its-first-brigade-on-horseback.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36362-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34890-icihaiti-tourism-signature-of-an-agreement-between-the-ueh-and-the-ministry-of-tourism.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





A worker and 2 merchants injured by bullets

At least one worker was seriously injured by bullets inside the SHODECOSA industrial park (near the OFATMA Hospital). In addition, two food vendors were injured by bullets in front of the "Haiti Premier Apparel S.A." factory (airport road).



War scene front of Barbancourt

Monday, May 2, 2022 Delphine Gardere, CEO of Barbancourt addressing the Prime Minister wrote on her Twitter account "Scene of war in front of Barbancourt this morning... The inhabitants of our community in Damien, they are women and children from the area who are fleeing under the bullets, Ariel Henry what are you doing ?"



63 Haitians intercepted off Key Largo

Monday, May 2, 2022, US Coast Guard air and surface crews spotted and intercepted about 75 miles southeast of Key Largo a small overloaded sailboat with 63 Haitians, 50 men and 13 women on board, including children.



Dept. Center : Orphanages dramatic situation

Me Peterson Saint-Fleur, Coordinator of the office of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (IBESR) in the Center department, makes a worrying assessment of the situation of orphanages. In the Center department, out of 31 ophelinats identified and inspected, 18 are in red "+", 7 in red, 5 in yellow and 1 in green.



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-28008-icihaiti-social-only-38-of-orphanages-meet-government-standards.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23569-haiti-social-every-month-the-government-closes-orphanages.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-17728-icihaiti-social-closures-of-120-children-s-homes.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7685-haiti-social-80-of-children-in-orphanages-are-not-orphans.html



Italy : The University "Di Casino" opens to Haitians

Monday, May 2nd, Emmanuel Charles, the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Haiti in Italy, signed an agreement for a renewable period of five years with the University "Di Casino". This agreement will allow Haitian students to integrate this University. Haiti is the 31st country to integrate Di Casino University.



Sports, cooperation with Mexico

Monday, May 2, 2022, as part of the process of reviving cooperation between Haiti and Mexico in the field of youth and sports, Me Jean Tholbert Alexis, Chief of Staff of the Minister of Youth and Sports Raymonde Rival, met the new Ambassador of Mexico accredited to Haiti, Daniel Camara Avalos. The "Generation of young community leaders" project for the benefit of young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods was at the center of the discussions.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















By William Schwartz | Published on 2022/05/02

When Disney+ first announced their expansion into the field of South Korean dramas, many fans were overjoyed. South Korean dramas had long lacked decent official distribution outside of South Korea. Netflix had demonstrated excellent service in terms of providing quick subtitled versions of such popular dramas as "Crash Landing on You" to international fans. But Disney+ branding has quickly proven obnoxious to South Korean drama fans outside of Asia who still lack access.

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The story of Disney+ starts with "Snowdrop" which was licensed from the domestic South Korean network JTBC. "Snowdrop" had long been a source of controversy due to its premise, of a North Korean spy accidentally infiltrating a pro-democracy movement in the late twentieth century. Real life politicians in South Korea often used such accusations to justify clamping down on student movements. While "Snowdrop" appeared to be using the premise satirically, many were not amused.

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This was also true in the United States, where academics in South Korean adjacent fields of study protested "Snowdrop" officially. Many fans believed that this protest was the reason behind the unusually late release of "Snowdrop" in non-Asian markets, when on Netflix new episodes of South Korean dramas are typically made available mere hours after the episodes premiere on South Korean television. Even in Asia, Disney+ premieres new episodes with an English language option.

Subsequent Disney+ releases of South Korean dramas simply haven't appeared outside of Asia at all. "Rookie Cops" as well as "Grid" and "Soundtrack #1" haven't been given any release windows or even acknowledgement of interest in countries such as the United States, Canada, or the Netherlands despite all three of these countries being inaugural members to the service. The arbitrary region locking has greatly frustrated fans, as there is no obvious reason for Disney+ to restrict access.

Services like Netflix, KOCOWA, Rakuten Viki, iQiyi, and OnDemandKorea also impose region locks. However, this is typically because of contractual arrangements where these companies are in conflict with one another. Rights to the "The Penthouse" and "Happiness - Drama" are held in part by Rakuten Viki, for example. However, recent Netflix deals have allowed these dramas to be streamed by Netflix in certain regions. The point being, there is typically some legal distributor somewhere for popular shows.

Disney+, by contrast, is the exclusive international rights holder for any drama associated with their name. While Viu has annoyed some fans by licensing dramas such as "One Ordinary Day" and "Tracer" only to not give them worldwide releases, Viu does not offer any services at all in most regions. Disney+ does not have this excuse. The opportunity cost for Disney+ to allow Korean dramas it has licensed to air in, say, Australia, is quite literally nonexistent.

It is very unclear why Disney+ is antagonizing its own potential user base in such a way. With big upcoming titles like "Kiss Sixth Sense", "Big Mouth", "Moving", "Casino", and "The Worst Boy in the World" also left in limbo, fans are reluctantly being forced to regress to the bad old days of piracy to watch highly anticipated shows with their favorite stars. For many, Disney+ should either distribute South Korean dramas properly and fairly, or not be involved in the market at all.

Written by William Schwartz
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
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May 3, 2022 Bong Go lauds approved implementation of targeted cash transfer program for poorest Filipino families while urging authorities to spare program from politics Senator Christopher "Bong" Go lauded the recent approval by President Rodrigo Duterte of the Targeted Cash Transfer Program for vulnerable households affected by the recent increases in fuel prices. Go also appealed to the implementing agencies, including the local government units, to spare the program from partisan politics given that the same will be implemented during the campaign period for the 2022 national and local elections. "Taus-puso akong nagpapasalamat kay Pangulong Duterte sa pag-apruba ng panukalang programang ito. Bilang ama ng bansa, nakikita mo talaga ang kanyang malasakit para sa sambayang Pilipino, lalo na 'yung pinaka-nangangailangang kababayan natin," Go said. "Nasa kalagitnaan tayo ng pangangampanya para sa halalan. Huwag na nating haluan ng pulitika ang programang ito," warned the senator. The ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict led to a series of oil price increases, on top of humanitarian crisis involving refugees in Eastern Europe. The Philippines, which imports all of its oil supplies, is particularly vulnerable to fuel price hikes in the world market. Increase in oil prices also led to increased prices of goods and services, particularly some basic commodities. Earlier, the government's Economic Development Cluster proposed a P200 monthly cash grant for one year to the bottom 50% of Filipino households. Last March, President Duterte increased the same to P500 per month to be given for six months beginning April this year. The cash grant seeks to benefit a total of 12.4 million households nationwide where 4.4 million of them are existing beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); 5.6 million as belonging to the non-4Ps, low income beneficiaries under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Unconditional Cash Transfer Program; and the remaining 2.4 million households, not included in the first two groups, being classified as essentially poor. "Ibigay sa lahat ng mga nararapat bigyan. Huwag nang patagalin pa. Marami ang apektado ng krisis sa langis. Para sa mga mahihirap nating kapwa Pilipino, bawat piso ay mahalaga," appealed Go who, at the height of the pandemic, had been at the forefront urging the Executive branch to roll out various assistance programs to help cushion the socio-economic impacts of the ongoing global health crisis. These include the series of Social Amelioration Program and Supplemental Amelioration Program for the poorest of the poor, and the Small Wage Subsidy Program for displaced workers employed by micro, small and medium enterprises, among others. To ensure the seamless implementation of the program, the Department of Finance, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Budget and Management will jointly formulate and issue guidelines. They shall also seek prior clearances from the Commission on Elections and other relevant bodies given the existing election spending ban. The budget department, in coordination with the Bureau of Treasury and other concerned agencies, will identify possible funding sources. The social welfare department and the Land Bank of the Philippines shall lead in the distribution of the said grants in the most timely, efficient and secure manner. "Kailangang ramdam ng mga kababayan natin ang tulong na ito. Maliit na halaga kung tutuusin pero hangad natin na sana ay makatulong din ito sa mga gastusin ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Bilang senador, andito ako palagi, handang tumulong po sa inyo upang mapagaan ang bigat at hirap na dinadala ng mga kababayan nating pinakaapektado ng iba't ibang krisis na hinaharap natin," Go assured. "At para naman sa mga kababayan nating merong problema sa kalusugan at nag-aalangan pang magpa-ospital dahil sa posibleng gastusin, lapitan lang po ninyo ang mga 151 na mga ospital sa buong bansa na merong Malasakit Center. Huwag na nating hintayin na lumala pa ang inyong nararamdaman," added Go who also chairs the Senate Committee on Health and is considered the Father of the Malasakit Centers Program. The Malasakit Centers program started in 2018 when Go opened its first center at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. The program has now since assisted more than three million Filipinos nationwide with such centers established and operating in every region---from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.
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The growing partnership between IHG Hotels & Resorts and the Pelligra Group has accelerated today with an Adelaide ground-breaking ceremony marking the announcement of the signing of Holiday Inn & Suites Mawson Lakes.

Heralding ambitious growth plans for the partnership, the two groups announced the signing of the new-build hotel on the eve of the Australia's Australasian Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE), which is also being held in Adelaide for the second consecutive year.

To mark the occasion, and to signal the great progress already being made, the Mawson Lakes project was officially unveiled at a ground-breaking ceremony in Adelaide, attended by SA Premier Peter Malinauskas, City of Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge, hotel owner Ross Pelligra, IHG's CEO EMEAA, Kenneth Macpherson, and SVP Managing Director - Japan, Australasia and Pacific, Leanne Harwood, as well other dignitaries in attendance.

Holiday Inn & Suites Mawson Lakes,which is owned by a joint venture between the Pelligra Group and Bruno Muscatello, is due to openin 2024. Located in Adelaide's northern suburbs, just 20 mins from the CBD, the 130-room hotel will feature all the Holiday Inn brand hallmarks, including an Open Lobby, as well as all-day dining restaurant and lobby bar, conferencing facilities and gymnasium.

With six hotels now open or signed, the Pelligra Group is one of IHG's largest partners in Australasia, and there are ambitions to grow the partnership significantly. Already the Group, along with its joint venture partners, has welcomed the brand-new Holiday Inn Werribee in 2021, boasting Australia's first Open Lobby, and took on the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport lease in 2019, with plans to completely refurbish the property to bring it to world-class Holiday Inn standard. By the end of 2023, it will also open Holiday Inn Melbourne Richmond, Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton and Holiday Inn Dandenong.

The hotel will be located adjacent to the University of South Australia Mawson Lakes campus, Mawson Central Shopping Centre and the Parafield Airport and within close proximity to the Edinburgh RAAF Base, Lyell McEwin Hospital, several major manufacturing and logistics centres, making it a perfect base for those in town for business or leisure.

Holiday Inn & Suites Mawson Lakes will be IHG's fifth hotel in Adelaide, making it one of Adelaide's largest hotel operators. It complements IHGs portfolio that includes InterContinental Adelaide, Holiday Inn Express Adelaide City Centre, and the brand new Crowne Plaza Adelaide and Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, both of which opened in the past 18 months.

IHG has enjoyed one of its biggest years of hotel signings and openings on record over the past few years and with almost 150 open or signed hotels in Australasia alone, it is considered one of the region's leading hotel operators.

Hotel website
Hollywood star Johnny Depp's agent testified that the actor was to receive $22.5 million to star in the sixth 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film, but Disney decided to go "in a different direction" after Amber Heard published an op-ed reviving her domestic abuse allegations.

Jack Whigham, who represented Depp at Creative Artists Agency and later at Range Media Partners, testified that the December 2018 piece in the Washington Post had a "catastrophic" impact on Depp's career, reports 'Variety'.

"After the op-ed it was impossible to get him a studio film," Whigham testified.

Depp is suing Heard for $50 million, alleging that she destroyed his career with false allegations of domestic violence. The trial entered its fourth week on Monday, as Depp's team continued to call witnesses to support his claims.

Heard's side has yet to begin offering evidence, and she is expected to tell her own side of the story later in the trial.

Depp's attorneys are seeking to prove that it was the op-ed that damaged Depp's employment prospects and not Heard's prior abuse allegations in 2016, which concluded in a divorce settlement.

Whigham testified Monday that he started working with Depp in October 2016 and that Depp worked steadily in 2017. He said Depp earned $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 were shot in 2017.

In the fall of 2018, he made $1 million for 'Waiting for the Barbarians', an independent film, and he was set to receive $3 million for 'Minamata', another independent film, to shoot in early 2019.

Whigham testified that the op-ed brought Depp's career success to a halt.

"It was a first-person account coming from the victim," he said.

"It became a death-knell catastrophic thing for Mr Depp in the Hollywood community."

After it was published, he said, the financing on 'Minamata' became shaky, and Depp had to give up some of his compensation to salvage the project.

Depp has not appeared in a film since then.

In early 2019, Whigham said he learned that Depp would not star in the sixth 'Pirates' film.

"It became clear they were going in a different direction," he said.

On cross-examination, Heard's attorney Elaine Bredehoft pointed out that Depp never had a contract for $22.5 million for the film and in fact, the number was never committed to writing. Bredehoft also pointed to prior testimony suggesting that Disney was not likely to cast Depp in the film as early as the fall of 2018.

Whigham testified that while Disney might have been hesitant at that point, producer Jerry Bruckheimer was advocating on Depp's behalf.

"It was trending badly in the late fall on behalf of Disney," Whigham testified.

"But Jerry Bruckheimer and I were lobbying to make it happen, and so we had hope. And it became clear to me in early 2019 that it was over."

Depp's attorneys called Richard Marks, a transactional attorney, who testified that Heard's op-ed served to put Hollywood on notice for sustaining Depp's career.

In the piece, Heard wrote that she had first-hand experience of how "institutions protect men accused of abuse."

"Amber Heard was calling out Hollywood for supporting her abuser and she felt the wrath of Hollywood," Marks said.

He noted that the piece was timed to the release 'Aquaman', in which Heard starred.
Daniel Padilla has been named Director of Sales and Marketing for the 575-room JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa. The resort's General Manager Dean Callahan made the announcement. Padilla launched his career in 2007 at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa where he was hired as an event manager until 2011. From there, he held management positions in housekeeping, guest services and catering. In 2017 he accepted a position as Director of Catering & Events management at the W Austin, in Austin, TX., and in 2019 was promoted to Director of Sales & Marketing prior to returning to JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa.

Padilla received his Bachelor of Science in Hotel & Restaurant Management from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He and his wife and two children will be relocating to Tucson.
Prior to joining Travelodge Sukhumvit 11, Phenrudee worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, and brings valuable leadership experience and knowledge in all areas of hospitality to her new role. Most recently, she was the General Manager at Golden Tulip Pattaya Beach Resort & Golden Tulip Essential Pattaya from 2019-2020, and has also worked at Modena by Fraser Buriram as Director of Sales and Marketing, and Hotel Icon Bangkok as Hotel Manager. As the new General Manager of Travelodge Sukhumvit 11, Phenrudee will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the hotel including day to day operations and staff management.

Travelodge Sukhumvit 11 is a prominent hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 11, one of Bangkok's most vibrant streets. Located in the heart of the city, this hotel offers guests an affordable stay with easy access to the city's liveliest parts. Rooms are beautifully designed and feature all the amenities required for a comfortable stay in Bangkok.
Los Angeles - The Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) is returning to the live stage with the 10th annual Boutique Hotel Investment Conference on June 8, 2022. The boutique community will congregate in New York Citys Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom to be immersed in the evolving world of boutique hotel investment. Top experts and visionaries will come together to share tools and strategies that will help the boutique sector flourish within a multi-faceted era of travel and hospitality.

Taking the stage are icons like Ian Schrager - The Ian Schrager Company, Arash Azarbarzin - Highgate, Gilda Perez-Alvarado - JLL Hotels & Hospitality, James Bermingham - Virgin Hotels, and Amanda Hite - STR. The roster of leaders includes forward-thinking owners, investors, and developers who will spark discussion about why boutique hotels are the most lucrative investment in hospitality.

Being back in New York for our first in-person event since 2020 is truly a blessing, stated Frances Kiradjian, Founder & CEO of BLLA. Our team and Program Planning Committee did an outstanding job at organizing a stellar and relevant agenda. We are grateful to our sponsors and speakers for their continuing support of the global BLLA community through thick and thin over the past 2 years. We cant wait to welcome you back to the city for 2022 and raise a toast to our resilience and hospitality passion.

This one-day event (register now) packed with the most engaging sessions includes various content and networking opportunities categorized into segments that embody the going-forward strategy for the most coveted sector in hospitality:

Meet the Industrys Top Companies in the Trade Show Hall

Opening Remarks - Boutique v. Lifestyle - Recovery Outlook - Investing Authentically

The Foundations - Operations - Development - Branded Boutique - Equity - Debt

Lunch and Trade Show Hall

The Framework - Labor - Investment Strategies + Structuring a Deal - Valuations + Capital Markets - Food & Beverage - Investor Relations - Technology Innovation - The Future of Crypto and the Metaverse in Hospitality

Closing Remarks - Keynote with Ian Schrager - The After-Party

By gathering top minds in the boutique hospitality space, this event empowers the independent and boutique sectors and supports a future of growth and prosperity. The days curriculum is particularly engaging with session formats such as case studies, keynotes, debates, think tanks, in-person networking, and more.

Headline Sponsors include Greenberg Traurig, Lutron Electronics, Nestle Premium Waters, Curator Hotel & Resort Collection, Stayntouch, Olympia Hotel Management, Jurny, Marsh McLennan, EV Hotel Group, StayBoutique, and Boutique Money Group. Boutique and Lifestyle Sponsors include A1 American and Mews, and Supporting Sponsors include Hotel Business, The Company Dime, The Lodging Conference, Hospitality Design, Boutique Hotelier, Hotel Online, Hotel Management, Boutique Design, LODGING, Todays Hotelier, Hotel News Now, Hotel Executive, and Travel Daily News. The lanyards are being sponsored by World Cinema, and the goodie bag sponsor is RENWIL Hospitality.

Companies speaking include: Highgate, Virgin Hotels, STR, Viceroy Hotel Group, Ian Schrager Company, BLLA, Greenberg Traurig, Nestle Premium Waters, World Cinema, JLL Hotels & Hospitality, Accor, Dream Hotel Group, EDITION Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Stayntouch, Aethos Hotels, citizenM, Bridgeton Holdings, Curator Hotel & Resort Collection, JF Capital Advisors, Selina, Marcus Hotels & Resorts, HEI Hotels & Resorts, Baker Hostetler, The Vonne Group, EOS Hospitality, She Has a Deal, KHP Capital Partners, Jurny, Marsh McLennan, edyn, Dovetail + Co, Montage International, HVS, Sage Hospitality Group, Ten Five Hospitality, Hodges Ward Elliott, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Prospect Ridge.

About the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA)

Founded in 2009, the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) is the official association for the world's top visionaries in the boutique lifestyle industry. Membership with the BLLA includes not just a strengthened sense of communityit offers all the resources necessary for small and independent businesses to thrive in this growing sector, including access to distribution channels, marketing tools, webinars, white papers, reports about the evolving boutique landscape, and more. The organization promotes connection, education, and advocacy. As a pioneer in forecasting the boutique movement, the BLLA's network has grown beyond its hotel foundation to welcome more passionate entrepreneurs, businesses, and purveyors that amplify the boutique lifestyle. BLLA is a catalyst for trends and the future of boutique. blla.org

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AP Webinar - The Hotel Operator Landscape in Asia Pacific: findings from our most recent publication.

Join us on Friday, May 6 at 3:00 pm (Hong Kong/ Beijing time) for the webinar covering the hotel operator landscape in Asia Pacific presented by Dan Voellm, MRICS, CEO & Founder at AP Hospitality Advisors. This webinar presents the update of the hotel operators in Asia Pacific from AP's most recent publication - Hotel Operator Guide 2022. A Q&A is set to follow the presentation. Register the event here.

Deal Watch

Hotel assets in Hong Kong have been attracting more attention from investors, and it is reported that several deals are under negotiation. Located in Hong Kong Island, the 214-room Grand City Hotel in Sai Wan is under negation for an HKD 950 million ( USD 121 million ) or the equivalent of HKD 4.4 million ( USD 565,000 ) per key for sale; on the other side of the island, the 317-key Ramada Hong Kong Grand View in North Point also received a price offer of HKD 1.1 billion ( USD 140 million ) or the equivalent of HKD 3.5 million ( USD 440,000 ) per key . According to local media, both properties are owned by Hong Kong-listed Magnificent Hotel Investments Limited and operated as government appointed quarantine facilities at this moment. The buyer is reported to be one fund manager that is actively looking into deals for conversion to serviced residences or co-living in the future.

in Sai Wan is under negation for an ( ) or the equivalent of ( ) for sale; on the other side of the island, the 317-key in North Point also received a price offer of ( ) or the equivalent of ( ) . According to local media, both properties are owned by Hong Kong-listed and operated as government appointed quarantine facilities at this moment. The buyer is reported to be one fund manager that is actively looking into deals for conversion to serviced residences or co-living in the future. Property developers in mainland China continue looking for exit opportunities of their existing assets. Yunnan Metropolitan Real Estate Development announced that it would sell its 289-room Waldorf Astoria Chengdu in a official announcement, and the book value of the property is at approximately RMB 643 million (USD 98 million) according to its latest financial report.

announced that it would sell its in a official announcement, and the book value of the property is at approximately RMB 643 million (USD 98 million) according to its latest financial report. In Japan, Odakyu Electric Railway is considering the sale of the 746-room Hyatt Regency Tokyo with partial ownership of the neighboring office building according to local news. The deal is expected to come to 100 billion yen (USD 867 million); several funds have shown their interests after the announcement.

Transactions that matter.

1. So/ Singapore

The 134-key So/ Singapore is being sold to Singapore-based Viva Land by Singapore-based developer Royal Group for approximately SGD 240 million (USD 173 million) or the equivalent of SGD 1.8 million (USD 1.3 million) per key . The price per key has set a new record in the hotel market in Singapore. The hotel has over 49 years remaining in its leasehold.

So/ Singapore is being sold to Singapore-based Viva Land by Singapore-based developer Royal Group for approximately or the equivalent of . The price per key has set a new record in the hotel market in Singapore. The hotel has over 49 years remaining in its leasehold. The property sits in a key location in the Central Business District (CBD) area and currently has two F&B outlets, a wedding venue and other supporting facilities. Opened in 2014 as Sofitel Singapore, the hotel was a 60-year leasehold conservation building formally known as Ogilvy Centre back in 2011, and later was rebranded as So/ Singapore by the Royal Group, who owns Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort, Raffles Sentosa Resort and other hospitality assets across Singapore and Malaysia.

The sale of So/ Singapore is potentially the start for a new integrated development in the CBD area, as Viva Land acquired the adjacent office tower, Robinson Point, in 2020. After the transaction, Viva Land would own a combined 3,260 square meters (35,000 square feet) of commercial sites in the heart of the city. It is likely that Viva Land would opt for redeveloping a mixed-use project with at least 60 percent residential space under the CBD Incentive Scheme introduced by the government in 2019.

2. Fortuna Hotel, Singapore

The 106-key Fortuna Hotel in Singapore would soon change hands at SGD 86 million (USD 62 million) or SGD 809,000 (USD 585,000) per key. The buyer, reported by local media, is an entity equally owned by JMD Holdings and an associate of TCRE Partners. The property would be sold by the Chng family who also owns Fortuna Hotel Hanoi, and the hotel was firstly put on the market for sale at SDG 99.8 million in 2020.

Fortuna Hotel in Singapore would soon change hands at or per key. The buyer, reported by local media, is an entity equally owned by JMD Holdings and an associate of TCRE Partners. The property would be sold by the Chng family who also owns Fortuna Hotel Hanoi, and the hotel was firstly put on the market for sale at SDG 99.8 million in 2020. The hotel was initially developed by HCA Holdings after the previous building, Hotel New World collapsed in 1986 and subsequent acquisition. The Chng family took over the hotel in 1993 and completed an extension of the hotel in 2010. The hotel currently has one F&B outlet, some retail space on the ground floor, and a carpark at the basement.

The hotel could potentially undergo redevelopment in the future and is expected to benefit from active development projects in the neighboring areas. However, the site is zoned for hotel use under the governments Master Plan in 2019, and it is likely to have either an upgrade on its current building or a demolition for a new hotel building.

3. Maafushivaru Resort, Maldives

Hawaii-based Outrigger Hospitality Group announced its acquisition of the newly renovated Maafushivaru Resort on a private island in South Ari Atoll region, Maldives. The resort is a 25-min seaplane flight from Male, capital of the country, and compromised of 81 luxury villas and seven F&B outlets.

announced its acquisition of the newly renovated Maafushivaru Resort on a private island in South Ari Atoll region, Maldives. The resort is a 25-min seaplane flight from Male, capital of the country, and compromised of and seven F&B outlets. The newly acquired resort would be the sixth properties under Outrigger Hospitality Group's portfolio in Asia Pacific after its resorts in Thailand and Fiji. Prior to the deal, the resort was operated under the branding of LTI Hotels, and it was developed by Paradise Resorts Development and Management Private Limited. The resort closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was reopened in July 2020 after major renovations.

COVID news that matter.

Malaysia

Malaysia reopened its international border to all travelers on 1 April, and travelers are welcome without mandatory quarantine. The government further announced that vaccinated travelers would not require a COVID-19 test result and related insurance coverage to enter the country starting from 1 May. The relaxed measures are expected to attract foreign visitors from neighboring countries particularly, and life in Malaysia is returning to pre-pandemic with the optional outdoor mask order and reopening of nightclubs in mid-May.

Tourism Malaysia unveiled its strategic and marketing plan for 2022 to 2026, and it is targeted to attract 2 million tourist arrivals with a contribution of RM 8.6 billion this year. The country also recognized the importance of the domestic tourism where the authorities would continue the development for sustainable growth. Before the reopening in April, Malaysia has been testing a Domestic Travel Bubble where Langkawi firstly opened its doors to domestic travelers in mid-September of 2021. The pilot was successful attracting over 720,000 domestic tourists contributing no less than revenues of RM 750 million (USD 172 million) in just three months.

New Zealand

As the step of the reopening plan, New Zealand is welcoming international travelers from visa-waiver countries/ territories or holders of a valid visitor visa starting 2 May. The country already opened its doors to Australian citizen or permanent visa holders before the Easter break, and it is expected that the country would reopen and resume normal visa processing in October.

The tourism industry in New Zealand is going to take a few years to recover, and the government is planning to transform its tourism from high volume to high value in the coming years. The new vision would come with the legislative and regulatory frameworks towards more sustainable tourism in the country, including greater respect for the environment and communities.

South Korea

South Korea has lifted its quarantine requirements for vaccinated visitors starting 1 April, and social distancing measures are gradually removed in the country. The government also slowly loosened the flight bans which limit the number of flights arriving at Incheon Airport and announced the expansion of the numbers of international flights in May; the target is to resume overseas flights to at least 50% of the 2019 level by the end of 2022.

The relaxed quarantine measures also apply to the travelers returning to Korea, and it has effectively boosted the outbound travel in Korea. The surging flight demands of Korean travelers are observed at destinations in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Ocean. For example, Hawaii was the first reviving destination since the flight ban in March 2020, and the first flight to Hawaii recorded a seat occupancy of 80%.

Reopening status in Asia Pacific

Most countries in Southeast Asia reopened their borders, and the flights between cities are resuming gradually. However, destinations in Greater China still require quarantine for all visitors regardless the vaccination status, and Japan is the only country that does not release a clear reopening plan of leisure visitors and quarantine-free travel in the region outside Greater China.

Anchi Liu

Analyst

+85236283870

AP Hospitality Advisors

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Toronto, Canada  Sustainability has moved to the front of the agenda for economies, companies and the world at large. It is also a priority for the business travel industry, as revealed in new research from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) where almost 9 in 10 industry respondents say sustainability is already a priority for their company.

The topic of creating a greener future for business travel took center stage for the first time at the GBTA Canada Conference in Toronto, May 2-3, where nearly 600 Canadian leaders, professionals and other stakeholders gathered from a cross-section of the travel industry including airlines, hotel companies and corporate travel agency leaders.

The GBTA Canada event features expert discussions and research including the newly released GBTA study, "The State of Sustainability in the Global Business Travel Sector, presented by Delphine Millot, Senior Vice President, Sustainability, for GBTA. The 21-page benchmarking study provides in-depth data and commentary from both global business travel buyers and travel suppliers as well as external policy makers, think tanks and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to reveal top priorities and opportunities for the business travel industry.

GBTA Canada also announced today a new partnership with the Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (C-SAF).

GBTA is focused on sustainability across its global regions and including here in Canada. One of our goals is to help raise awareness across our industry and help guide actionable and achievable outcomes. Our partnership with C-SAF will help accelerate the journey toward a more sustainable future for the business travel industry in Canada, said Nancy Tudorache, Regional Vice President, Canada for GBTA.

GBTA and C-SAF will work together along with their partners, the industry at large, and government to raise awareness, show support, and take action toward increasing sustainable initiatives in the travel industry to help Canada accomplish its goal of being net zero by 2050.

Air travel is important for Canada, but we need to find ways of flying more sustainably and SAF is a solution that can be deployed now for aviation to accelerate its transition to net-zero. Given very little SAF is being made in Canada today, C-SAF will bring together industry and government to put in place the winning conditions to build a SAF market in Canada. Through our partnership with GBTA Canada, together well be able to do even more to help sustainable travel overall in Canada and including the business travel sector, said Geoff Tauvette, Executive Director, C-SAF.

C-SAF is a federal not-for-profit company launched in February 2022. It currently has about 100 members representing the key stakeholders from a the SAF value chain. This includes 60 airlines flying in and out of Canada (domestic, international, cargo, charters) and 40 SAF stakeholders including suppliers, airports, OEMs, SAF innovators and academia.

About the C-SAF

The Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (C-SAF) is a not-for-profit organization that aims to accelerate the commercial production and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in Canada by catalyzing the ecosystem and value chains, promoting public policy, strategies and a roadmap, acting as a neutral and balanced technical expert, and serving as the voice of its members to government and non-government stakeholders on SAF issues.

C-SAF was created by a consortium of 60 domestic, international and cargo airlines operating in Canada who own and operate aviation fuel storage and distribution facilities at 11 major airports across Canada. C-SAF is comprised of 100 members who represent key industry leaders that are committed to advancing SAF production and use in Canada. www.c-saf.ca

About the Global Business Travel Association

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world"s largest business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations across four continents. GBTA"s members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA delivers world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, visit www.gbta.org.

Debbie Iannaci

GBTA Global Communications, PR & Research

+1 305 301 7057

GBTA
Today, Conde Nast Traveller announces the winners of its annual Hot List revealing the best new hotels from around the world. This is the first year editors at all seven editions worldwide had a hand in scouting and selecting the entries. And because (almost) no hotel is an island, weve widened the lens in 2022 to include the restaurants, culture, transportation, and cruises you need to know, and the destinations that are reinventing themselves. The full list of winners can be found online here and celebrated in the June issue, on newsstands now.

Five British hotels were among this years global award winners: Glebe House, Devon; NoMad London; The Harper Norfolk; Beaverbrook Townhouse, London; The Pig in the South Downs, East Sussex. Sessions Art Club in London was also named as one of the best new restaurants.

The full list and additional information on each winner can be found online at: cntraveller.com/article/hot-list-winners-2022

Conde Nast Traveller Announces The First Ever Global Hot List For 2022 Source: cntraveler.com

Other highlights from this years list include:

Cruises which are back in a big way. Feel a bit of magic when you set sail on Enchanted Princess, one of Princesss Medallion Class ships. New expedition line Atlas Ocean Voyages is dedicated to preserving the hard-to-reach parts of the planet it brings passengers so close to.

As we continue the conversation on sustainability Charcoal Fish in Sydney is a top restaurant well worth mentioning. Guests dine on line-caught yellow tuna and sustainably farmed native Australian Murray cod served as burgers, wings, and classic fillets with chips. Other notable restaurants include Sapiens in Lima and Potong in Bangkok which each serve as an homage to vital ancestral cooking and cultural influences.

Becoming immersed in different cultures around the globe is one of the best parts about travelling, which is why culture was incorporated into the 2022 Hot List. Experience the rich history of Kyoto, Japan while staying at the tranquil Shinsho-an, or become immersed in the heart of a major city like Dubai or Los Angeles. 25hours Hotel One Central is one of Dubais more intriguing hotels and enjoy learning about select items from memorable films at L.A.s Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

The CNT editors went above and beyond with our 27th annual Hot List which contains all you need to plan the perfect trip for 2022 and beyond.

About Conde Nast Traveler

Conde Nast Traveller is the world's most distinguished travel title providing inspiration and advice for discerning travellers. Authoritative and influential, Conde Nast Traveller features destinations in the UK and around the world, whilst offering their award-winning expertise in luxury travel. The title assembles four major hotel lists every year: Hot List, Spa Guide, Readers' Choice Awards and The Gold List. Conde Nast Traveller has a combined print and digital circulation of 76,048 (ABC January to December 2021) and unique users to cntraveller.com total 2,112,916 (Google Analytics November 2021 to January 2022). In addition to the print, digital edition and the website, Conde Nast Traveller also hosts a number of events including the annual Readers' Choice Awards and the Hot List. https://www.cntraveller.com/
The 20th Annual American Business Awards named M3 as the winner of a Gold Stevie Award. The Gold Stevie was awarded for Company of the Year in the Hospitality & Leisure - Medium category.

The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations  public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.

Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning crowned, the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Monday, June 13.

More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and every industry, were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories. The categories included Startup of the Year, Executive of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Thought Leader of the Year, and App of the Year, among others.

M3 is the leading provider of back-office accounting, business intelligence, and labor management solutions in the hospitality industry. With 7,000 individual hotel properties online, representing over 1,000 customers, M3 provides hoteliers and management groups of all portfolio sizes the ability to drive financial performance, save time on manual processes, and focus on what is important: hotel guests.

More than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this years Stevie Award winners.

M3 is honored to be recognized as Company of the Year in this years American Business Awards. The hospitality industry has many vendors that are critical to hoteliers' success, and we are fortunate that we get to play a role in bettering the processes within the industry. We would also like to congratulate all the winners this year; a job well done to everyone. Said President of M3, Allen Read.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2022 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.

About M3

Built by hoteliers, exclusively for hoteliers, M3 is a powerful cloud-based financial platform and services company serving nearly 7,000 properties across North America's hospitality industry by driving cost savings, revenue enhancement and business insight. After 24 years in business without increasing prices, M3 touts a 95 percent customer retention rate without contracts. Used by over 950 management groups and owner operators and hotels of all sizes, the platform works seamlessly with other key systems and tools in the hospitality industry and offers robust accounting and financial analysis across entire portfolios with optional operations and time management features. M3's Professional Services team provides on-demand support for hotels of any size by offering a full range of customized accounting solutions to scale with a hotel's needs. Privately held and employee owned, M3 continues to enhance products and services at no additional charge to its customers.

Haley Wolf

Public Relations Coordinator

+1 770 533 0545

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Q. I once read an article where you told someone how to get Texas legal forms online, and I need that info now. I have been trying to get a form for a power of attorney and for an executor of an estate, but I have been unsuccessful. I would appreciate your help.

A. The website with the free Texas forms is texaslawhelp.org.

They have a set of estate planning forms you can create for yourself without having to hire an attorney. The documents they offer include a durable power of attorney, medical power of attorney, directive to physicians (also called a living will), and a HIPAA Release. You can also draft transfer on death deeds.

It is not clear from your question what type of form you are trying to find for an executor of an estate, but it appears you are looking for "letters testamentary." However, you can't obtain letters testamentary online. You need to go to court and probate the deceased person's will, and that almost always requires hiring an attorney. You might be able to find a few of the forms needed in a probate, but using them correctly and going to court to appear before a judge is not simple.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Answers to your legal questions

When a person dies and that person's will names someone to serve as executor, that person needs to file certain paperwork with the appropriate court, attend a hearing, and do many other things to properly administer the estate.

The court will issue "letters testamentary" once the will has been admitted to probate, and that is the form the executor will use to close out accounts and sell properties.

Q. My will was damaged by a flood in our house caused by a busted water pipe. The words on the pages are still readable in parts, but the page where the witnesses, notary and I all signed is washed out and almost impossible to read. Is my will still valid, or must I sign another one? I have a scanned copy of the will from before the flood. Is this copy as good as the original?

A. Your will is still valid even though it has been damaged. The digital copy can also be printed and probated after your death, if necessary.

Without an undamaged original will, however, probating the will may be more difficult following your death. For example, the judge may require extra witnesses to testify in court, or someone who does not like the provisions in your will may have an easier time contesting it.

Therefore, it would be a good idea for you to re-sign the will so that you have a clean original. If you hired a lawyer to prepare the will, see if he or she can reprint the form so that you can sign it again.

The information in this column is intended to provide a general understanding of the law, not legal advice. Ronald Lipman of the Houston law firm Lipman & Associates is board-certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Email questions to stateyourcase@lipmanpc.com.
Its called the greatest two minutes in sports, but the Kentucky Derby provides hours of fun for those who appreciate the traditions of dressing up (fascinators, hats, seersucker) and drinking icy, mint-lavished bourbon cocktails.

This years Derby Day festivities will play out throughout town on May 7 with Julep-drenched parties, many offering best-dressed prizes, drink specials, entertainment, and live broadcasting from Louisville, KY. Here are just some of Houstons top parties on run for the roses day.

Julep:

Emily Jaschke

Julep brings back its annual Kentucky Derby Day party with plenty of southern flair (appropriate for a bar named for the famous southern cocktail). From noon to 7 p.m., Julep will serve mint juleps, house cocktails and champagne from two bars, as well as a whiskey bar, and tacos from Cochinita & Co. Theres a deejay and live streams from the Kentucky Derby. Dress suggestion is spring lawn party chic; derby hats and bowties are encouraged. Tickets are $10 in advance, $20 at the door; the bar will stay open until 2 a.m. 1919 Washington; julephouston.com

Eight Row Flint:

The Heights icehouse will hold a Derby Day party with drink specials including Makers Mark 46 Juleps ($10), Eight Row Julep made with Makers Mark single barrel ($14) and Makers Mark 90 smash cocktail ($10). There will be a best hat contest and free samples of Julep cocktails while watching the race. The party is 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. 1039 Yale; agricolehospitality.com

Loch Bar:

Alex Montoya

The River Oaks District seafood restaurant will mark Derby Day with a Big Hat Weekend party. Festivities include a best hat contest, raffle prizes, and a Kentucky Turtle Derby (turtle racing) at 3 p.m. Mint Juleps ($12) will be offered until 10 p.m. 4444 Westheimer; lochbar.com/houston/

Heights & Co.:

Barrett Doke

The new Heights restaurant and patio bar from the owners of Savoir will hold a Kentucky Derby party beginning at 1:30 p.m. with Julep cocktails and a large projector screen broadcasting the race. 1343 Yale; heightsandco.com

The Rustic:

The Rustic

Downtown Houstons The Rustic will hold its annual Talk Derby to Me party beginning at 10 a.m. A Jam and Toast Brunch will be offered until 3 p.m. (full kitchen menu from 3 p.m. to closing). There will be drink specials in partnership with Woodford Reserve; live music; contests for Best Dressed Couple, Best Dressed Female, Best Dressed Male ($50 gift card prizes); RSVP here. 1836 Polk; therustic.com

Brasserie 19:

Shannon Smith Waiter

The River Oaks restaurant will hold its annual Kentucky Derby Hat Party beginning at noon. Mint Juleps will flow and there will be a best hat contest with a prize of champagne brunch for six. Reservations can be made by calling 713-524-1919. 1962 W. Gray; brasserie19.com

Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House:

The San Leon restaurant will hold its Kentucky Derby party 4 to 7 p.m. with wine basket prizes for best dressed. Drink specials all day including Woodford Reserve Mint Julep ($8). Wear your fascinators and seersucker jackets. 113 6th, San Leon; pier6seafood.com

Bayou & Bottle:

The lobby bar at Four Seasons Hotel Houston will mark Derby Day with food specials and Juleps featuring Wild Turkey 101 ($12) and Wild Turkey Longbranch ($14) in keepsake cups. There will be a best-dressed competition. 1300 Lamar; bayouandbottle.com

Kenny & Ziggys:

The New York deli will hold a Runyon for the Roses party (named for newspaper columnist Damon Ruynon whose writings inspired the musical Guys and Dolls). The deli has created a special Derby Day menu including cocktails to be enjoyed during daylong television coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. 1743 Post Oak Blvd.; kennyandziggys.com

Rare Restaurant & Lounge:

JRMH Photos

Washington Corridors new steakhouse will mark Derby Day with a classic Mint Julep made with Envy bourbon and fresh mint ($15) and the 4105 Julep made with spiced rum, reposado tequila, passion fruit syrup, mint and bitters. 4105 Washington; rarehtx.com

Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Hear him on our BBQ State of Mind podcast to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture.
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Contemporary Arts Museum Houston hosted a rager April 30 in the Museum District. Or was it Berlin?

The gritty and industrial nightclubs favored by talented German creatives inspired CAMHs 2022 gala, appropriately dubbed Secret Underground. A fleet of black cars pulled around back, behind the museums main entrance, all evening long  and truthfully, into the wee hours of Sunday morning. Early on, black-tie collector types spilled onto the sidewalk and were directed down a dark, bulb-lit tunnel toward the party. Later, the tuxedos gave way to mesh shirts, wide brim hats and miniskirts  true clubbing attire.

By nights end, CAMHs gala and after-party raised roughly $425,000. Heavy hitters bought enough art to push the bottom line pasted its fundraising goal. Young artists and their entourages made it cool.

Our co-chairs Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl were really responding, not just to our space but also the iconic architecture of the CAMH, which turns 50 this year, said executive director Hesse McGraw. They looked to art spaces in Berlin and translated that experience into the gala. The concept of an underground club is unexpected and a little raw. Its really about giving people an experience of contemporary art and its impact on the city.

Carrie, dressed in head-to-toe Rick Owens, swanned around the reception-area alcove lined by three walls of silent auction art on one side and a floor-to-ceiling panel of black fabric on the other. Her husband, Sverre, bid and won of the auctions most substantial works, Sonora A260 (2019) by Eduardo Portillo.

The artist explained that his method, stretching and manipulating white canvas over its frame, is simple yet dicey: Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt.

Steven Evans neon sign Gimme Danger (2016) proved another impulse purchase. Upon her return from the ladies room, Katherine Smith discovered her husband bought the conversation-starting piece for the couples home bar.

Nothing opens wallets like a premium spirits selection. Moet, a gala sponsor, Casamigos, and the occasional espresso martini clearly prompted $185,000 worth of auction bids.

McGraw rarely permits red wine into CAMHs main gallery. On Saturday, he made an exception.

Theres one NFT work by Eric Calderon, one of the pioneers of this field. His web 3.0 work has become absolutely iconic, McGraw said. Im truly honored to be able to present it.

Attendees were also privy to an exclusive operatic performance by Los Angeles-based artist and filmmaker Mariah Garnett, whose upcoming exhibition Mariah Garnett: Dreamed This Gateway opens at CAMH on June 10.

Garnett invited two friends and fellow California Institute of the Arts alums along for the ride: vocalists Christopher Paul Craig and Breanna Sinclaire, a prominent transgender soprano.

I was supposed to do a show here in November 2020 and had never shown my work before in Texas or the South, Garnett shared. I was able to push the show and present a new body of work. Then (CAMH curator) Rebecca Matalon wrote to me with the idea of bringing Breanna out.

Before the program officially transitioned from gala dinner to dance club, Sverre noted that he and his four co-conspirators  co-chairs Adrian Duenas and Marcelo Saenz and after-party chair Adel Sadek  were immigrants who now call Houston home.

With that, revelers and party animals descended to CAMHs Secret Underground, where Duenas and Saenz, owners of BeDESIGN, partnered with Sadeks team at Ciel Restaurant + Lounge to create, basically, a rave.

More than 175 after-party guests trickled in for DJ Wassus late-night set and a special birthday surprise. Sadeks fiance, Desiree Jacobs, orchestrated bottle service, confetti, sparklers and cake to ring in his 32nd year.

Austrian artists Richard Hoeck and Paul Renner transformed a VIP space into an intergalactic experience, complete with designer bean bags and french fries, because when in Berlin, do as the club kids do.

amber.elliott@chron.com
Social unrest and tense situation prevailing in Karnataka marred the celebrations of Eid, Basava Jayanthi and Akshay Tritiya on Tuesday.

Though the festivals are being celebrated with fervour and grandeur, police is on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents in the state.

Security has been beefed up in capital Bengaluru, Shivamogga district where a Bajrang Dal activist was killed and prohibitory orders were clamped for more than eight days and Hubballi city, which witnessed large scale violence following the surface of an objectionable post.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his programme in Bengaluru by garlanding the statue of Lord Basaveshwar to mark the occasion of Basava Jayanthi festival.

Lakhs of people offered prayers at mosques on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr across the state.

Similarly, lakhs of Hindus queued up before jewellery shops to make gold purchases as buying gold is considered auspicious on Akshay Tritiya.

With Hindu organisations giving out an open call to make gold purchases only from Hindu jewellers, the festivities have taken communal colour for the first time in the history of state.

Several people defying the call by Hindutva forces, have queued up before all jewellery shops to make their purchases.
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Katy ISD has announced the valedictorians and salutatorians from each high school for the graduating class of 2022. On Monday, the district released the names, GPAs and college plans for the top two students in their respective schools.

Christine Alexa Wu, valedictorian, graduates with a 4.8696 GPA. She will attend Rice University and study biochemistry.

Jiyeon Irene Jeon, salutatorian, graduates with a 4.8636 GPA. Jeon will study biology at Pepperdine University.

Katy High School

Arman Joshua Saxena, valedictorian, graduates with a GPA of 4.8525. Saxena will study statistics and business at Rice University.

Ronak Aaron Saxena, salutatorian, graduates with a 4.8525 and will study bio-engineering at Rice University.

Mayde Creek High School

Valedictorian Jonathan Huang graduates with a 4.8082. He will attend Harvard University and study molecular and cellular biology.

Grace Lee, salutatorian, graduates with a GPA of 4.7963. Lee will attend the University of Texas at Austin and study biology.

Morton Ranch High School

Valedictorian Logan Eric Greenland graduates with a GPA of 4.7547. He will study music education at Texas State University.

Tyler Scott Specksgoor, salutatorian, graduates with a 4.6885 GPA.Specksgoor will study psychology at University of Houston.

Paetow High School

Valedictorian Michael Jiang Liu graduates with a 4.7667 GPA. He will attend the University of Texas at Austin where he will study chemical engineering.

Fabian Zuluaga Zuluaga, salutatorian, graduates with a 4.7241 GPA. Zuluaga Zuluaga will study electrical engineering at Columbia University.

Seven Lakes High School

Samitha Vijay Nemirajaiayh, valedictorian, graduates with a 4.8971 GPA. Nemirajaiayh will attend Rice University and study health services.

Joshua J. Zhou, salutatorian, graduates with a GPA of 4.8939. He will attend the University of Texas at Austin and study computer science and business.

Taylor High School

Valedictorian Matthew Enping Xu graduates with a 4.9057 GPA. He will study electrical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.

Lucy Heather Zeng, salutatorian, graduates with a 4.8533 GPA. Zeng will enroll in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research dual degree program, majoring in both science and engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.

Tompkins High School

Pranav Srinivasa Akkaraju, valedictorian, graduates with a GPA of 4.8592. Akkaraju will attend the University of Texas Austin, double majoring in computer science and business in the CSB Honors Program.

Salutatorian Shieun Lee graduates with a GPA of 4.8448 . Lee will attend Rice University and study sociology.

Graduation commencement ceremonies begin May 19 at Legacy Stadium.
Canadian company Ver-Mac has purchased a 71,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Conroe Park North and moved its United States operations from Houston to Conroe in December.

According to information from the Greater Conroe Economic Development Council, Ver-Mac will utilize its Conroe facility to continue creating innovative work zone safety solutions that make roads safer for drivers and construction workers.

A third-generation family business, Ver-Mac has evolved from a drill equipment conversion shop in 1957 to a global manufacturer and supplier of electronic traffic safety equipment. The company produces electronic road equipment such as arrow boards, speed signs, and traffic cameras.

When we went to see the shop in Conroe, we knew it was a fit right away. We said, This place is awesome. The choice was made before we even left the parking lot, said Adam Chelo, director of Ver-Macs Conroe operations, added the company occupied its Houston location for about two and a half years.

On yourcouriernews.com: Firm plans $17M expansion in Conroe business park

Ver-Mac closed on the facility in October 2021 and began operating in Conroe in mid-December. Chelo praised the capable workforce in the Conroe area and the ability to operate in an ecosystem that promotes collaboration.

The location is prime for us. We found that the workforce were getting in Conroe are qualified individuals, Chelo said. Theres also the benefit of access to suppliers. Instead of having to wait hours for somebody to drop off parts, a lot of the time we know a company who is right around the corner.

Ver-Mac currently employs 75 people at their Conroe facility.

Its a good marriage of culture between what we had already cultivated in Quebec and what were able to find down here. The employees we hire quickly get on board, and everyone feels like theyre part of the family, added Chelo.

Chelo said the company is already looking at expanding.

There is so much more open room to move in Conroe, he said. Well be able to expand and continue to improve our facility in a way we werent able to previously.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com
Brazos River Park will soon be home to an exciting obstacle and aerial adventure course.

Sugar Land City Council recently approved agreements with Go Ape Tree Top Adventures and American Ramp Company for new recreational amenities at Brazos River Park.

These include zip lines, climbing nets, ax throwing, a ropes course in the tree canopy and a pump track with facilities for bikers of all ages and skill levels.

It gets people up in the treetops, gets them out in nature, its an environmentally friendly development of the site, said Joe Chesser, the citys parks and recreation department director.

A $486,400 agreement with American Ramp Company will fund a nearby pump track - like a skate park but for bikes - on property the city leases from the University of Houston-Sugar Land. The 22,426 square-foot area will include a beginner track separated from a larger and more advanced track to accommodate users of all abilities and national tournaments. It is being funded by the Sugar Land 4B Corporation.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Ahead of Mothers Day, Fort Bend County moms talk gifts and gratitude

Construction is expected to begin this summer, with completion anticipated by the end of the year.

The Go Ape course will be located on 19 acres of undeveloped land, an area where no future development is planned, the city said. It will be close to existing parking lots and restrooms, and the new amenities will not affect the hike and bike trails or detract from the natural enjoyment of the park. Its aimed to be open sometime between late 2022 and early 2023.



In a city that already has things to do such as watching the local Triple-A baseball team  the Space Cowboys  and opportunities to watch performances at the Smart Financial Centre, Mayor Joe Zimmerman said the project is an opportunity to take advantage of some area in the park that probably was underutilized.



There's a trail system running through there, he said, but this project would give people a chance to go up into towers or platforms in the trees and zipline.



Itll be a really fun kind of an event, I think, for both young and old, and to help people get outdoors, get some exercise, Zimmerman said.



Go Ape will cover the costs associated with their operation and pay rent which will cover any city maintenance costs for the impacted area. The city will receive a share of revenue generated by Go Ape based on a sliding scale as their revenue increases  it starts at 4 percent of the gross revenue, and can go as high as 10 percent.

Concerns from residents

When the City of Sugar Land put a post from its official blog on Facebook about the Go Ape project, hundreds liked that post, and several residents shared their excitement for the project in the comments. Others weighed in with questions or concerns, such as worries about the potential environmental impact.



The city said in one of its comments back that this part of the park was formerly prison farmland that was cleared and farmed for many years, meaning the quality of the forested area on this property was low. It also asserted its confidence that the company wouldnt negatively impact this environment.



According to the city, an environmental site assessment was done as part of the Master Planning process for Brazos River Park which included consideration for birds and wildlife habitat as well as vegetation.



The report noted that due to previous uses (farming/grazing) and the introduction of exotic vegetation that this area was poor quality habitat, the city wrote in the comment. That being said, staff will continue its extensive efforts at reforestation and pollinator seeding in an effort to enhance the nature and wildlife habitat in that area.



On HoustonChronicle.com: Sugar Land-area calendar of events



Other commenters wondered about admission fees, or were concerned with the possible costs of habitat destruction, or lawsuits if people were to fall.



These facilities have excellent safety records (participants are always tethered), and will neither impact trails nor negatively impact the trees/surrounding nature, part of the citys response addressing the latter concerns read.



Regarding admissions costs or when they would be decided, Chesser said in an interview it would be up to Go Ape. Pricing information for other Go Ape locations  which number at least 14 in the U.S., the nearest of which is in Plano  can be found on the companys website.



Vernon West, Go Ape USAs CEO, said in an email that the company is very excited to be coming to the area and added that it is planning some unique elements including a near-1000ft zipline and some high and unique elements on the beautiful mature trees on the banks of the Brazos.
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Jazz lunch: The 24th annual Pizzazz with Jazz Luncheon honoring Betty Griffin is set for 11 a.m. on May 5 at Shirley Acres. Advance tickets are $80.

Betty Griffin, who owns Scruples Boutique, has been active in the northwest Houston community since 1979. Flamenco artist MercyFlamenca will perform. The event benefits Cypress Creek Foundation for the Arts and Community Enrichment and its scholarships and programs.

Shirley Acres is located at 217 Woerner Road in Houston. Learn more at www.cypresscreekface.org.

May 7

Mudbug festival: The City of Tomball presents its annual Rails and Tails Mudbug Festival from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 7 at the citys Downtown Depot. Admission and parking is free.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Rails & Tails Mudbug Festival returns to Tomball after two-year hiatus

The event features live music starting at noon from Kelly McGuire, The Gary Michael Dahl Band, The Posse and The Tejas Brothers. The event features crawfish and other food vendors, merchandise and art vendors and a Cajun Kids Zone with bounce houses and games.

The Tomball Depot is located at 201 South Elm Street in Tomball. Learn more at www.facebook.com/tomballtexanforfun or call 281-351-5484.

Space Cowboys: A trip to see the Sugar Land Space Cowboys play the El Paso Chihuahuas will be on May 7 from the Steve Radack Community Center.

Transportation will be provided for individuals 50 and older through Harris County Pct. 4 for those who sign up in advance.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Space Cowboys announce Houston Methodist as teams new official health care provider

Steve Radack Community Center is located at 18650 Clay Road in Houston. For more information, call 832-927-3000.

Pop musical: Playhouse 1960 presents Emma! A Pop Musical, with performances May 7-8 and May 14-15. Tickets start at $10.

Based on the Jane Austen novel, Emma! is set in a modern high school and features music from groups like The Supremes and Katy Perry. Performances are at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays May 7 and 14 and at 3 p.m. on Sundays May 8 and 15.

Playhouse 1960 is located at 6814 Gant Road in Houston. Learn more at www.playhouse1960.com.

Derby soiree: The Loved Ones Left Behind charity presents its inaugural Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby Soiree fundraising event from 3 to 8 p.m. on May 7 at The Clubs at Houston Oaks. Tickets start at $75.

The event features drinks, hors doeuvres, casino games, horse betting and of course, the big race. The Loved Ones Left Behind is a new local charity raising money and awareness to suicide prevention.

The Clubs at Houston Oaks is located at 22602 Hegar Road in Hockley. Learn more at www.thelovedonesleftbehind.com.

May 9

Republican women: Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar will be the guest speaker during the regular second Monday meeting of the Northwest Forest Republican Women at 11 a.m. on May 9 at Shirley Acres. Lunch is $25 with reservations, $40 walk-in, or $5 without lunch but with a beverage.

A sixth generation Texas, Hegar is an advocate for job growth and greater diversification of the Texas economy. He was elected in November 2014. For lunch at the meeting, reservations are due by May 6 by emailing reservations@northwestforestrepublicanwomen.org.

Shirley Acres is located at 217 Woerner Road in Houston. Learn more at www.northwestforestrepublicanwomen.org.

May 10

Social painting: A group of artists meets weekly at the Weekley Community Center in Cypress every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. to work on their craft in a social setting with no instructor.

Interested newcomers are encouraged to bring their own work in progress or pieces ready to show off to the group.

The Richard & Meg Weekley Community Center is located at 8440 Greenhouse Road in Cypress. Learn more at www.hcp4.net.

May 12

Cultural concert: The Apollo Chamber Players and the Harris County Public Library celebrates Asian pacific Heritage Month with a cultural concert at 6 p.m. on May 12 at the Barbara Bush Branch Library in Spring. Admission is free.

The classical quartet will perform music by Regan, Komatsu and Shih-Hui Chen during the concert. The event is titled Apollo Chamber Players Present Library Voyage, Chapter 6.

Barbara Bush Branch Library is located at 6817 Cypresswood Drive in Spring. Learn more at www.hcpl.net.

May 14

Forever Motown: Tribute band Forever Motown will perform at 8 p.m. on May 14 at The Centrum in Spring. Tickets start at $35.

The band performs Motown hits like My Girl, I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Aint Nothing Like the Real Thing and Uptight from artists including The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye. The concert is presented by the Cypress Creek Foundation for the Arts and Community Enrichment and is part of its Star-Lit! series.

The Centrum is located at 6823 Cypresswood Drive in Spring. Learn more at www.cypresscreekface.org.

Genealogy workshop: West Houston Area Genealogy Society presents one of its largest events, the Beginners Genealogy Workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 14 at Westlake VFD Community Center. Early registration before April 30 is $20, after it is $25.

The event is an all-encompassing primer of information about getting started on your family search process. Knowledgeable presenters will speak and demonstrate how to start your search, what software to use, how to trace your DNA and more.

Westlake VFD Community Center is located at 19636 Saums Road in Houston. Learn more at www.whags.org/bgw.

May 16

Democrat club: The Cypress-Tomball Democrats will meet virtually at 6:30 p.m. on May 16 via Zoom.

This months scheduled featured speaker is Kate Dentler, who is the president of Harris County Young Democrats. Dentler formerly served as the president of the group College Democrats at University of Houston, where she graduated in 2020 with a political science degree.

For more information visit www.cytomdemocrats.org or email cytomdems@yahoo.com.

May 17

Graphic novel: A Thousand Words, the interactive book club for ages 8-12, will meet at the Tomball library at 5 p.m. on May 17 to discuss the graphic novel Great White Shark Adventure written by Fabian Cousteau and James O. Fraioli and illustrated by Joe St. Pierre.

Copies of the book are available for checkout at the childrens desk. Registration is required for the event by calling 832-559-4235.

The Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library is located at 30555 Tomball Parkway in Tomball. Learn more at www.lonestar.edu.

Entertainment roundup is a weekly feature compiled by freelance writer Brandon Moeller. Send entertainment submissions to Brandon at moellerbrandon@gmail.com .
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)  A Florida woman was convicted Tuesday for her part in a 2016 Florida nightclub shooting that left two teenagers dead and 14 other people injured.

A Lee County jury found Kierra Kashayla Russ, 24, guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit crime, according to court records. She faces a possible life sentence at a hearing scheduled for June 6.
HONOLULU (AP)  Hawaiis Kilauea Volcano is now erupting a steady stream of lava after a period of intermittent pulsing.

The latest eruption began in September but until recently had been stopping and starting every few days, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Monday.

Now the pulsing nature of the eruption has ended and a steady flow of lava is once again filling the volcanos crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The flow has been nonstop for more than two weeks.

Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey said that while the volcano is ultimately unpredictable, the current activity shows no signs of slowing and some historic eruptions have lasted decades.

It could go on for quite some time, said Ken Hon, scientist in charge of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. For now it is reestablishing its conduits in the summit area.

A lava lake more than 300 feet deep (91.44 meters) has formed in Halemaumau Crater since the start of the latest eruption.

There was another brief eruption in the crater that began in 2020 and lasted for several months. It was the first since a major 2018 eruption caused parts of the summit to collapse and massive amounts of lava to flow into Big Island neighborhoods.

Halemaumau Crater has long been home to massive eruptions. The 2018 eruption drained all the lava from the summit lake that had been active there for years.

Its an exciting time for volcano watchers, said Ken Rubin, University of Hawaii professor of earth sciences.

Its interesting to watch the pulse of the volcano, Rubin said, because although most of it is predictable or understandable by us after the fact, it doesnt mean were able to fully explain every aspect thats happening there in real time.

The eruption is within view from some areas of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but officials say weather and time of day can change the visibility.

There are more visitors, and the active volcano is one of the reasons, said Jody Anastasio, acting public information officer for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

To avoid crowds, Anastasio suggests visiting during late night or early morning hours when the glow of the lava lake can be seen from afar and fewer people are in the park.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  Minnesota could become a destination for abortion services for women from other states if the U.S. Supreme Court throws out the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, and the state's abortion providers said Tuesday that they're preparing for the anticipated surge.

That's because abortion would remain legal, at least for now, under a 1995 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling known as Doe v. Gomez, which effectively established a right to abortion under the state constitution, said Laura Hermer, a professor at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Minnesota has some significant restrictions in place, including a 24-hour waiting period, a requirement that minors notify both parents before they can get an abortion, and a requirement that only doctors can perform abortions. But a lawsuit by abortion rights advocates thats due to go to trial next month seeks to remove those barriers. Hermer said it stands a good chance of success.

Minnesota abortion providers are concerned about meeting demand from nonresidents. But Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said her organization has been fortifying its delivery systems, including telemedicine, in preparation.

"It is important to underscore that an abortion ban is not an abortion ban for all people, Stoesz said at a news conference. It is only an abortion ban for those who lack the means to travel to a state where abortion is safe and accessible. And that is one of the true moral outrages of this situation.

Stoesz's unit of Planned Parenthood also includes the Dakotas, Iowa and Nebraska. Abortion is expected to become illegal immediately in the Dakotas if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Meeting the demand will pose a staffing challenge in the short term in states where it remains legal because so many health care workers have quit due to the pandemic, she said.

Dr. Sarah Traxler, the group's medical director, said demand in Minnesota is expected to rise by up to 25%, depending on exactly what the high court rules and what happens in states such as Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.

Whole Women's Health of Minnesota recently opened a clinic in Bloomington, near the airport. Around 30% of its patients are already from out of state, some from as far away as Texas, said Sean Mehl, associate director of clinical services.

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz vowed in an email to supporters Tuesday that no abortion ban will ever become law as long as he's governor. His major GOP challengers all support a ban.

Governor Walz has said hes going to veto anything we do. The election this fall is crystal clear. A Republican is going to be pro-life and Walz is not," said Scott Fischbach, executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life.

Minnesota governors also appoint judges, Fischbach noted. Five of the seven justices on the Minnesota Supreme Court were appointed by Democratic governors.

Abortion also will be important in certain legislative races. Fischbach said there's an anti-abortion majority in the GOP-controlled state Senate but that it's very tight in the Democratic-controlled House.

On the House floor Tuesday, two anti-abortion amendments offered during a debate over a health and human services bill very narrowly failed on procedural votes. Too few members were willing to overrule the speaker's decision that the amendments were out of order.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Tuesday blasted a radical Supreme Court draft opinion that would throw out the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling t hat has stood for a half century. The court cautioned no final decision had been made, but Biden warned that other privacy rights including same-sex marriage and birth control are at risk if the justices follow through.

Chief Justice John Roberts said he had ordered an investigation into what he called the egregious breach of trust" in leaking the draft document, which was dated to February. Opinions often change in ways big and small in the drafting process, and a final ruling has not been expected until the end of the courts term in late June or early July.

Across the nation, Americans grappled with what might come next. The Democratic-controlled Congress and White House both vowed to try to blunt the impact of such a ruling, but their prospects looked dim.

A decision to overrule Roe would have sweeping ramifications, leading to abortion bans in roughly half the states, sparking new efforts in Democratic-leaning states to protect access to abortion, and potentially reshaping the contours of this years hotly contested midterm elections.

The draft was published by the news outlet Politico late Monday.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Biden said he hoped the draft wouldn't be finalized by justices, contending it reflects a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence" that threatens other basic rights like access to birth control and marriage.

If this decision holds, its really quite a radical decision," he added.

If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose, Biden said. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.

Though past efforts have failed, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he intended to hold a vote.

This is as urgent and real as it gets, Schumer said on the Senate floor Tuesday. Every American is going to see on which side every senator stands.

Speaking at the EMILYs List political action committee conference Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris said the draft opinion showed womens rights in America are under attack."

Womens issues are Americas issues and democracies cannot be strong if the rights of women are under attack," she added. Let us fight with everything weve got.

Leaders in New York and California rolled out the welcome mat to their states for women seeking abortions, and other Democratic states moved to protect access to abortion in their laws.

The courts ruling would be most acutely felt by women who dont have the means or ability to travel from states that have or stand poised to pass stiff abortion restrictions or outright bans

Whatever the outcome, the Politico report late Monday represented an extremely rare breach of the courts secretive deliberation process, and on a case of surpassing importance.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, the draft opinion states. It was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the courts 6-3 conservative majority who was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

The document was labeled a 1st Draft of the Opinion of the Court in a case challenging Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks. The draft opinion in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services. It would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, it states, referencing the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey that affirmed Roes finding of a constitutional right to abortion services but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

The draft opinion strongly suggests that when the justices met in private shortly after arguments in the case on Dec. 1, at least five  all the conservatives except perhaps Chief Justice Roberts  voted to overrule Roe and Casey, and Alito was assigned the task of writing the court's majority opinion.

Votes and opinions in a case aren't final until a decision is announced or, in a change wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, posted on the court's website.

Politico said only that it received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

The report comes amid a legislative push to restrict abortion in several Republican-led states  Oklahoma being the most recent  even before the court issues its decision. Critics of those measures have said low-income and minority women will disproportionately bear the burden of the new restrictions.

The leak jumpstarted the intense political reverberations that the high courts ultimate decision was expected to have in the midterm election year. Already, politicians on both sides of the aisle were seizing on the report to fundraise and energize their supporters on both sides of the issue.

Democrats contended that several conservative justices misled senators about their feelings.

And Maine Republican Susan Collins, who supports abortion rights but was a pivotal GOP vote for the confirmations of Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, said if the draft reflects the final opinion of the court, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, told reporters on Capitol Hill that my confidence in the court has been rocked," and said her proposal with Collins to legislate abortion rights should be reinvigorated.

Polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In general, AP-NORC polling finds a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases. Few say abortion should be illegal in all cases.

Still, Americans have nuanced attitudes on the issue. In an AP-NORC poll conducted last June, 61% said abortion should be legal in most or all circumstances in the first trimester of a pregnancy. However, 65% said abortion should usually be illegal in the second trimester, and 80% said that about the third trimester, though many Americans believe that the procedure should be allowable under at least some circumstances even during the second or third trimesters.

Alito, in the draft, said the court can't predict how the public might react and shouldn't try. We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the publics reaction to our work, Alito wrote in the draft opinion, according to Politico.

Outside, the Supreme Court building, anti-abortion rights protesters carried signs that said Ignore Roe and In God We Trust while their pro-abortion-rights counterparts held placards declaring Bans off our Bodies and Impeach Kavanaugh." Crowds built as the day wore on.

Jessica Fendryk, 39, who drove an hour from Bel Air, Maryland, spoke of generations of demonstrators.

I cant believe how many women I have met that did this in their lifetime already. And so I feel like I owe it to them to be here because they already did this, she said. And now we have to be fighting for them all over again.

Outside Washington, the reaction among conservatives was muted, ranging from cautious celebration over the anticipated ruling to sharp criticism of the source of the leaked draft.

We will let the Supreme Court speak for itself and wait for the courts official opinion," Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said in a statement.

At Supreme Court arguments in December, all six conservative justices signaled that they would uphold the Mississippi law, and five asked questions that suggested that overruling Roe and Casey was a possibility.

Only Roberts seemed prepared to take the smaller step of upholding the 15-week ban, though that, too, would be a significant weakening of abortion rights.

Until now, the court has allowed states to regulate but not ban abortion before the point of viability, around 24 weeks.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas. The Texas law banning it after six weeks has been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have protected access to abortion in state law.

___

Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Ashraf Khalil, Fatima Hussein and Farnoush Amiri in Washington and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
The phones inside an Alabama abortion clinic were ringing off the hook: the callers wanted to know if abortion remains legal. And, if so, for how long?

A leaked Supreme Court draft opinion was ricocheting around the world.

As Dalton Johnson, the clinics owner, read it Monday night, he was struck by the bluntness of the language that would end the constitutional right to an abortion, closing clinics in about half of American states, including his.

Im still in shock, Johnson said Tuesday as he scrambled to reassure his staff and patients they would continue providing abortions as long as theyre allowed in Alabama.

People on both sides of the abortion divide have been expecting the Supreme Court this summer to reverse the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade cas e that legalized abortion nationwide. But many said the draft opinion was nevertheless stunning, forcing them to reckon with the reality the nation is likely to enter soon.

I cant stop crying, said an elated Mississippi state Rep. Becky Currie, who sponsored the 2018 law that is the basis for the Supreme Court case. I am not quite sure I have the words to express how I feel right now, but God has had his hands on that bill since the beginning.

The leaked draft, published late Monday by Politico, is a 98-page opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which challenged the constitutionality of the Mississippi bill that banned abortion after 15 weeks. If the decision stands as written, it would also overturn Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a 1992 decision that protected abortion services even though it allowed states to add some limitations.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, the draft opinion states. It was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the courts 6-3 conservative majority. According to Politico, four other justices  Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  have agreed with the opinion.

The draft opinion was written in February, and the language could change before the court issues its final ruling. As written, it would give states the power to decide the legality of abortion. Roughly half, largely in the South and Midwest, are likely to quickly ban abortion.

Abortion clinics in those states opened Tuesday morning, still seeing patients but uncertain about the future.

The daily rituals unfolded as they always do: some protesters screamed at people walking inside while other abortion opponents prayed, clinic escorts tried to shield patients and hustle them in the doors.

Please overturn Roe v. Wade, said Barbara Beavers, who stood outside the clinic in Jackson, Mississippi, on Tuesday, gently trying to persuade people against going inside. Have mercy on our unborn children. Were destroying our future, killing our babies.

Inside clinics, the news prompted frantic phone calls, and abortion providers across America rushed to tell their patients that the clinics remained open.

I immediately felt sick to my stomach, said Tammi Kromenaker, who owns a clinic in Fargo, North Dakota. And 20 million thoughts started going through my head about what can we do? What does my staff need to hear? What do our patients need to hear?

She posted a notice on their website: If you have an appointment at Red River Womens Clinic, your appointment is safe.

In Charleston, West Virginia, Katie Quinonez had barely slept the night before; she was having nightmares about the Supreme Court. She rushed into the clinic Tuesday morning, terrified that her patients would misunderstand the news and think that abortion was immediately outlawed. They posted on social media that abortion remains legal and the clinic is open, but they dont know for how much longer.

She had been bracing for this news.

But there was still this visceral reaction, this very devastating feeling, Quinonez said. This is a red alert moment. This is beyond a red alert moment. The building is on fire.

At Johnsons clinic in Huntsville, women called to ask whether they can still get an abortion. Johnson said his first call of the morning was from a woman who had an abortion scheduled for Friday and wanted to come in Tuesday instead.

The staff held a meeting, and Johnson says he asked them to focus on those still coming for abortions who need their help. The opinion was just a draft, he told them, and cautioned that it wasnt the final decision.

Dr. Cheryl Hamlin, an OB-GYN from Boston, travels South about once a month to do abortions at Mississippis only abortion clinic. She said a lot of her patients won't be able to afford the costs of going out of state to have an abortion, including paying for hotels and taking time off work.

Meanwhile, states that continue to allow abortions are going to be overflowing with patients, she said.

Some anti-abortion activists were skeptical that the draft would become reality, fixating instead on the fact that it was leaked the press and whether that implied political posturing.

Im hopeful, said Dennis Westover, a 72-year-old retired electrical engineer, a regular protester outside the clinic in Charleston, West Virginia. But he was suspicious that someone leaked it as ammunition in the countrys intractable culture wars.

When our Supreme Court stuff starts to be leaked, its egregious, he said. One side or the other did it for a political motive to stir up some kind of stink.

In Louisville, Kentucky, protester Angela Minter said she prayed the draft opinion will be the final one.

Im excited today, Minter said. I believe its an indication of whats to come.

Minter thinks thats God answering her prayers: Shes been coming to the clinic most mornings since 2004. Patients tried to dodge her and the other protesters screaming outside. Dont murder your baby, one man shouted at a young woman. Clinic escorts in orange vests helped her into the building.

The Louisville clinic was closed for a week last month after the legislature banned abortion, until a court intervened. But if Roe falls, it will likely be shuttered again.

I do anticipate a day with no abortion clinics in Kentucky, said Meg Stern, who runs the Kentucky Health Justice Network and escorts at the clinic. Abortion access will now be an issue of privilege: People with the means to travel will be able to end their pregnancies.

Its the family that only has one vehicle and is already struggling to make ends meet. Maybe theyre in the city, maybe theyre in the rural parts of the state. But if they dont have access to travel, lodging, gas money, food money, babysitters while theyre gone, time off work, she said. Do you have the car that will make it?

For months now, the nation has had a glimpse of what that looks like. Texas banned abortion after six weeks in September. Planned Parenthood clinics in the surrounding states saw a 2,500% increase in patients, said Dr. Iman Alsaden, medical director for Planned Parenthood Great Plains.

Some Texans have arrived in Jackson, Mississippi, where Derenda Hancock volunteers as an escort.

Its only the people who can afford to get here that were seeing. It makes you think about all the people left behind at home that cant afford to get here, that cant make the trip. How are they faring? she wondered. Theyre going to be forced to be mothers.

Some groups are working to try to circumvent the law the best they can: mobile abortion units, fundraising for travel assistance, mail-order medications. One online womens health provider reported a significant spike in requests for emergency contraception Tuesday. Democrat-leaning states like New York, California and Illinois are rushing to pass laws to protect abortion access, both for their residents and people coming from out of state.

If abortion is outlawed in North Dakota, Kromenaker is planning to open a clinic just across the river in Minnesota. She hopes the leaked draft shakes people enough to take action, right away.

She texted her husband Tuesday: Weve got to move forward very quickly now, she wrote. The urgency is there.

___

Santana reported from New Orleans, Wagster Pettus from Jackson and Galofaro from Louisville. Leah Willingham contributed from Charleston, West Virginia, and Dylan Lovan from Louisville.

___

Follow more of APs coverage on abortion: https://apnews.com/hub/abortion
BJP chief J.P. Nadda said on Tuesday that the safe evacuation of 23,000 Indian nationals from war-hit Ukraine under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows that India is changing.

Nadda was addressing party workers in the national capital after inaugurating the South Delhi district BJP office on Tuesday.

"An empowered India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi safely evacuated 23,000 Indians from war-hit Ukraine, which shows that India is changing. Not just Indian students, but people from other countries were also evacuated by India from Ukraine, when other nations failed to evacuate their citizens," Nadda said.

He told the party workers that when the Indian government was ensuring the safe evacuation of students from Ukraine, the BJP workers kept in touch with their parents and visited them multiple times to offer support.

"Not just this. Didn't Modiji talk to (Ukraine President Volodymyr) Zelensky? Didn't he talk to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin? Didn't he arrange for the safe evacuation of our people," Nadda asked the gathering.

He also said that the officials of the External Affairs Ministry had reached the borders of Ukraine and arranged visas overnight to bring back the stranded Indians.

"This is the changing India. Modiji has empowered India," the BJP chief said.

He also talked about Covid vaccination and other welfare measures of the Modi government like free ration, Kisan Samman Nidhi etc.

Taking a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party, Nadda said, "The AAP contested 377 seats in Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls where all its candidates lost deposits. Similarly, in Uttarakhand it lost deposits in 68 seats it contested."

Nadda informed the gathering that so far, 215 district offices of BJP have been built out of a total 512 planned across the country, and work is in progress in the 165 offices.

"In Delhi, 14 offices were to be built of which the 10th one is being inaugurated today," Nadda added.
SEATTLE (AP)  Months into a complex trial over their role in flooding Washington with highly addictive painkillers, the nation's three largest opioid distributors agreed Tuesday to pay the state $518 million, with the vast majority being directed toward easing the addiction epidemic.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the deal, noting that it's worth tens of millions of dollars more than Washington would have received from the companies if it had signed onto a national settlement reached last summer involving the distributors and Johnson & Johnson.

The agreement still requires approval from a judge and from dozens of Washington cities that pursued their own cases against the distributors  McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Corp.

Under the settlement, the state would have to spend $476 million of the total to address the opioid crisis, including on substance abuse treatment; expanding access to overdose-reversal drugs; and providing housing, job placement and other services for those struggling with addiction. The rest of the money would go toward litigation costs.

We could have joined the overwhelming majority of states and settled with the the largest opioid distributors, but we chose to fight them in court instead, Ferguson said. That decision to take them to court will result in significant additional resources for Washington to combat the opioid epidemic."

The three companies announced earlier this year that 46 states had signed onto the national settlement, under which they will pay nearly $20 billion over 18 years.

Ferguson, a Democrat, declined to join, calling what would have been the state's $418 million share from the distributors insufficient. Instead, he decided to go to trial against the three distributors and separately against Johnson & Johnson.

The case against the distributors went to trial last November in King County Superior Court in Seattle, alleging violations of consumer protection and public nuisance laws, while the lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson is scheduled to go to trial in September.

The attorney general argued that the three companies shipped such a vast amount of drugs to Washington that it was obvious they were fueling addiction: Opioid sales in the state rose more than 500% between 1997 and 2011. In 2011, more than 112 million daily doses of all prescription opioids were dispensed in the state  enough for a 16-day supply for every resident. In 2015, eight of Washingtons 39 counties had more prescriptions than residents.

The companies rejected the accusations. They said they merely supplied opioids that had been prescribed by doctors, and it wasnt their role to second-guess the prescriptions or interfere in the doctor-patient relationship.

Further, the companies argued, Washington state itself played a large role in the epidemic. In the 1990s, concerned that people in chronic pain were being undertreated, lawmakers passed the Intractable Pain Act, which made it easier to prescribe opioids.

In a written statement Tuesday, the distributors said the settlement will further the companies goal of achieving broad resolution of governmental opioid claims while delivering meaningful relief to communities across the United States that have been impacted by the opioid epidemic.

Over the last two decades, the deaths of more than 500,000 Americans have been linked to overdoses of opioids, including both prescription pain kills and illicit drugs such as heroin and illegally produced fentanyl.

Across the U.S., many lawsuits filed by governments over the toll of the drugs have been resolved in recent years  most with settlements, and some with judgments or verdicts in trials. So far, drug makers, distributors and pharmacies have agreed to settlements totaling well over $40 billion, according to an Associated Press tally.

The new Washington state settlement stands as the largest between a single state and a company or group of companies, topping a $484 million deal announced in March between CVS and Florida.

Trials are underway in courts in West Virginia, Florida and California. A decision has not yet been issued after another trial last year in West Virginia.

___

AP reporter Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed.
A man was shot and killed early Tuesday at a southwest Houston apartment complex, police said.

The man was shot about 1 a.m. at the 10900 block of South Gessner Road, north of Bellfort, Houston police said. Police found him lying on stairs at an apartment and firefighters pronounced him dead.

More on HoustonChronicle.com: Early voting ends Tuesday for May local and constitutional amendment elections

Witnesses at the apartment complex told investigators what time they heard the gunshots but no one saw anything, according to HPD. Homicide investigators found shell casings at the scene.

No other information is available as authorities gather video surveillance from the scene.

This scene is breaking and updates will be added.

Joel.Umanzor@chron.com
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East Bernard ISD's controversial code of conduct is no longer available on the district's website, days after the mother of a Houston-area teen publicly denounced the policy, saying she couldn't enroll her son in the local high school unless he cut his dreadlocks.

The policy, which was available last week but no longer online Tuesday afternoon, prohibited male students from having hair that extends "below the eyebrows, below the tops of the ears or below a conventional standup shirt collar."

It also outlined that hair "must not be more than one inch difference in the length of the hair on the side to the length of the hair on top, and explicitly forbid "braided hair or twisted rows/strands."

Below, you can view the policy, which the Chronicle downloaded and uploaded to Scribd on Wednesday, April 27.

Desiree Bullock reportedly moved to East Bernard  a city in Wharton County located 45 miles southwest of Houston  in February, and tried to enroll her son in East Bernard High School, but said she couldn't after a guidance counselor informed her of the district's dress code.

"It's not right. My child should be able to keep his locks in his hair," Bullock previously told Click2Houston. She reportedly said she eventually reached the district superintendent, Courtney Hudgins, in hopes of getting an exception, but that request was not granted.

It is unclear whether Bullock plans to pursue legal action.

RELATED: Parents sue Pearland ISD officials who colored boys head with Sharpie

Such hair policies have drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups and activists, parents and community members who say they are discriminatory and they target trans, nonbinary and Black kids.

Brian Klosterboer, an attorney at the ACLU of Texas who has effectively litigated in federal court to halt the Magnolia ISD policy flagging it as unconstitutional and discriminatory, previously said that he believes East Bernard may have the most egregious language among the policies he has examined.

"This is one of the worst and most discriminatory policies weve seen," he said last week. "This hair policy goes a bit further and even though that section doesnt explicitly talk about race, other courts have found that that particular language can be a proxy for racial discrimination."

In September 2020, the ACLU of Texas sent a lengthy letter to hundreds of school districts throughout Texas demanding that they reexamine dress and grooming code policies it said were unconstitutional and discriminatory.

East Bernard ISD was not included on that original list but will be included in future ACLU messages to school districts, according to Klosterboer. He added that he's aware many districts update their policies over the summer.

"Im not sure if they are making changes," Klosterboer said Tuesday. "It could mean that they're updating and changing it or maybe they just took it down and they're still enforcing it."

In three separate letters shared with the Chronicle, the Texas Legislative Black Caucus called on TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, Rep. Harold Dutton and State Sen. Brandon Creighton to investigate the East Bernard ISD case and "issue guidance" to local education agencies across the state.

It is believed to be the first time an organization has demanded action from the Texas Legislature.

RELATED: Barbers Hill ISD suspends 36 students on first day of school for violating hair policy

"Why must students of color continuously have to endure discriminatory policies implemented by Texas public school districts because of their natural hairstyle?" the letters signed from the Black Caucus Chair, Nicole Collier, read.

Collier went a step further in letters to the House and Senate education committees, asking them to make recommendations on how the legislature could improve dress code policies at Texas schools. In the letter to Morath, she said that investigating this issue will "ensure no more Black students lose out on educational and extracurricular opportunities because of discriminatory and outdated dress code policies."

"Our public schools' dress code policies should be reflective of the rich cultural diversity of our state and we must do our collective part to make that happen," Collier wrote at the end of each letter.

After multiple attempts, Hudgins and the district's Assistant Superintendent Doug Grigar, did not immediately return requests for comment on removing the code of conduct or future plans to change the controversial policy.

Hudgins previously told Click2Houston that officials were aware of Bullock's allegations, but she focused on a technicality when she addressed the station's question.

"East Bernard ISD has not denied enrollment to the individual involved in this situation, as no enrollment or registration documents have been filed, she said last week.
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Nearly every school board race in the Houston region includes at least one candidate campaigning to keep critical race theory and books about LGBTQ+ matters out of their districts, following nationwide trends.

Candidates vying for seats in the May 7 election in Clear Creek, Fort Bend, Katy and Spring Branch ISDs have leaned into talking about the hot-button issues, as have Republicans across the country, to drum up voters.

This will be a huge trend from here on out, said Jeronimo Cortina, a political science professor at University of Houston. Its a new battleground in terms of these views on what schools should and should not be teaching our kids.

This election cycle, as more attention has been drawn to board positions, campaign contributions have poured into races, often with money from out-of-state, with some candidates spending up to $30,000, a large amount for a suburban school board race, Cortina said.

In the past, these elections mostly have been privately funded, with no significant endorsements or money, Cortina said. Significant contributions show there is now a peaked interest from certain groups advancing a very particular agenda.

In the long term, Rice University political science Professor Bob Stein said, the effort to win low-turnout board races could produce scores of early career Republican elected officials who may go on to enter city, county, state and national politics.

(Focusing on school boards) is clearly a strategy for Republicans to make a come back in Harris County, he said. After pulling off these victories, you may see these candidates go on to run for commissioners court or city council.

By April, school board candidates in at least 535 school districts in 38 states had taken stances on race in education, according to an analysis by Ballotpedia.

Locally, several candidates in Houston, Klein and Cypress Fairbanks ISDs, won school board seats, in some cases ousting longtime trustees, last November while decrying critical race theory.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Conservative Houston area school board candidates win by campaigning against critical race theory

Wanalee Romero, a clinical associate professor in humanities at University of Houston-Clear Lake, said the term has come to have a new meaning due to its as a political wedge.

Its not really possible for CRT to be taught in grade schools. Its too advanced of a topic based in legal theory, she said. It seems like what people are actually opposed to is a full understanding of American history, and thats disturbing.

Teach the basics

In Spring Branch ISD, three candidates in the May election  Lisa Alpe, John Perez and Caroline H. Bennett  have been endorsed by the 1776 project, a national political action committee, which according to its website, is fighting the agendas of supporters of critical race theory. All three said they were called to run in part because of concerns about what kind of learning material their their children are exposed to.

Alpe, a 49-year-old lawyer and Position 5 candidate who has two children in the district, said the school systems newly updated library guidelines make some changes she supports, but do not go far enough to ensure inappropriate material is banned.

Photo courtesy Lisa Alpe

They need to be teaching my kid how to read and write and do math and prepare him for graduation, she said. Discussions about sex and other issues are for parents to have with their children when they deem appropriate.

Perez, a 49-year-old engineer, said he does not want to be called a book banner, but said it is tough to say when students are old enough to learn about such issues. Therefore, he said he is inclined to think books covering those topics should stay out of schools.

When I look at my 14-year-old daughters, thats not content I want them exposed to without my direct interaction, he said. If a student doesnt have that nuclear family support, I dont think we should abdicate parental rights to schools to be instructors of gender identity or to combat Judeo Christian ideals.

Bennett, 49, said as a former teacher in the district, she believes parents should have more control in selecting curriculum.

I think parents should be able to see what is being taught, she said. I think that schools and teachers should have say in what curriculum we are purchasing and make sure it aligns with everyones views.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas has seen a surge in requests to pull books from schools. Here are Houston's numbers so far

In Katy ISD, two community members who are vocal about supporting the district in banning books about race, sex and gender are vying for board seats.

Victor Perez, a 69-year-old retired energy industry executive who has two grandchildren enrolled in the district and is running against four other candidates for Position 1 trustee, said he appreciated the work the district has done to pull books from libraries and urged the board to do more.

I want to encourage you to be relentless in your follow-up to get these pornographic books out of schools, he said during a Jan. 24 board meeting. ...This is about a war on children to sexualize our children at an early age and glamorize transgenderism.

Perez did not respond to requests for comment.

Parental control

Running for Position 2 in Katy ISD, Bonnie Anderson, a 44-year-old mother of three, accused a candidate for another seat of pushing for porn in schools.

Courtesy photo

...Can you explain why were not calling Katy ISD police on an adult who is handing out porn in our schools to children? an April 25 Facebook post read. Why is our school district allowing a local politician to run after-school clubs inside our schools whose sole purpose is to hand out books to CHILDREN which have been removed from school libraries for being pervasively vulgar.

Anderson was referring to a student-led effort to distribute books about race and LGBTQ+ issues. None of the books handed out were banned by the district at the time.

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Anderson did not respond to requests for comment.

Anderson made headlines last year when she launched a petition to cancel a speaking event by an acclaimed Black author because she said his graphic novels promote critical race theory and Marxism. The books were pulled from all district libraries temporarily during a formal review process and the speaking event was postponed. The event later was rescheduled and the books returned to shelves.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Cy-Fair ISD board members apologize for trustee Scott Henry's remarks on Black teachers

In Clear Creek ISD, which has seen many contentious board meetings with combative parents, two candidates publicly have decried critical race theory.

Scott Bowen, a sitting Clear Creek board member first was elected in 2019, said he is proud of his work helping to pass a district policy that banned critical race theory in February 2021, well before Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a statewide bill that did the same.

Courtesy

I think that schools should be teaching students how to think, not what to think, he said this week. We should offer a diverse array of perspectives that, at the same time, aren't biased toward any side of any issue.

Bowen, 31, added that parents should have more control over curriculum because schools work for the parents, not the other way around. He also said learning material that includes information about gender and sexuality should be left to parents and age-appropriate.

Misty Dawson, a 41-year-old parent and PTA member, said in campaign material that she is against indoctrination, and is morally-minded. She also has accused current board members of lying to the public about proposed property tax rates.

Courtesy

(Students) are in class to learn, not to be divided, and divisive curriculum such as Critical Race Theory (CRT) should be kept out of CCISD, reads a statement posted to her campaign social media. We should be bringing people together, not finding ways to split children apart for political reasons.

Dawson did not respond to requests for comment.

David Hamilton, an insurance agent running for the Fort Bend ISD board, made waves earlier this month after some extremely concerning, "racist and divisive" social media posts linked to him surfaced. Hamiltons campaign claimed his social media was hacked at the time.

Hamilton, 38, told the Fort Bend Star he thought there should be a focus on some national conservative issues, such as opposition to critical race theory. He did not respond to requests for comment.

Editors note: An earlier version of this story suggested that all of the local anti-CRT candidates who won last November ousted incumbents. Dustin Creager in Klein ISD won an open seat.

hannah.dellinger@chron.com
Missouri City leaders on Tuesday voted unanimously to terminate a top administrator in the wake of allegations that he acted unprofessionally and unethically in hiring staff.

Charles Tink Jackson was terminated by the city council less than five months after he was hired as city manager through a high-dollar, months-long search process, marking the latest upheaval for an administration troubled with frequent turnover.

Jackson is the third city manager to be fired since February 2020.

The termination comes after a former Missouri City employee wrote the council that Jackson shared sensitive information about executive-level firings, provided questions ahead of an interview for a job within his department and made unprofessional comments, according to a 27-page letter obtained by the Chronicle.

The Chronicle spoke with the person who wrote the letter but is not identifying that individual because of her concern that it could affect job opportunities within local government.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Missouri Citys top executive placed on paid administrative leave pending investigation

The letter, which is addressed to Mayor Robin Elackatt and the six council members, is dated April 4. The city council voted that same day to place Jackson on paid administrative leave after reviewing evidence showing that he had violated ethical rules related to hiring or firing people in his office, according to a recording of that meeting.

The city would not confirm whether the letter prompted the dismissal.

Reached by phone on Tuesday, Jackson said he did not violate any rules or laws and said hes never seen the letter.

City Council members have my statements in response to the claims that were made against me, Jackson added. Im not going to make any other comments.

Tara Powdrill Crain, Missouri Citys communications director, declined to comment on the allegations in the letter and said only that the council found there was cause for termination following an investigation by DeDe Church & Associates. The city paid the investigative group $315 per hour. A final invoice was not yet available.

The City Council made its decision with Missouri City residents as their top priority, said Sedrick Cole, interim city manager, in a statement released Tuesday. The Council and city staff are dedicated to making our city great, and we believe working together to serve our city is important  now more than ever.

The woman who lodged the complaint is a career public servant who reported reaching out to Jackson last year to establish a mentoring relationship.

As the two corresponded, Jackson said he planned to conduct a complete reorganization of the city government and told her which positions he planned to eliminate, according to the complainants letter, which included screenshots of text messages.

Heads start rolling this week, Jackson reportedly texted.

Jackson claimed to have fired one longtime employee whom he said tried to sabotage him, according to screenshots of text messages.

Meanwhile, the woman said, Jackson made multiple remarks implying that he would hire her to fill a new deputy city manager position.

Jackson said he would write the job description to meet her qualifications and suggested that he would more than double her salary, according to text messages. He asked her to attend a city council meeting and a local parade with him.

After the woman applied for two open positions with the city, Jackson sent her the questions that would be asked in both interviews, she said. He implied that he wanted his disclosure kept secret, including zipper-face and winking emojis in text messages, according to screenshots.

The woman said she did not ask for the questions and thought about declining them, but assumed he wanted to hire me to the deputy city manager position so bad that he was willing to bend the rules to tip the scales in my favor in the hiring process.

However, she was not hired for either position. She said she had already spoken to a real estate agent about relocating to Missouri City.

The applicant felt that Jackson lied to gain a footing with her former colleagues in Missouri City, according to the letter.

While I have witnessed unethical behavior in local government, this experience is the most egregious example of unfair treatment, she wrote. How someone could exploit another person's career goals, especially while dangling an extremely competitive salary during hard times is beyond me.

The woman said she wrote the letter in hopes that the council will understand questionable practices that occurred behind the scenes, and to hopefully intercept the impending termination of employment of other department heads.

I feel reporting the information that has been shared with me is the right thing to do, she wrote.

The city council on Tuesday authorized Cole, the interim city manager, to work with GovHR USA, an executive recruiting firm, to begin the search for a new city manager.

The city used the same firm last year to recruit Jackson. GovHR said it would waive the recruitment fee for a new city manager if the selected candidate did not stay for a year, according to the city. The city paid $23,000 for the firms services last year.

The city council approved Jacksons hiring last November. He previously worked as a city manager in La Marque and Pearsall, a small city near San Antonio, and as a county manager in New Mexico.

Jacksons predecessor, Odis Jones, was fired by city council for unknown reasons in April 2021. He had served in the position for 10 months.

In February 2020, a divided city council voted to fire then-City Manager Anthony Snipes, too. Members cited concerns about his management style and the allocation of city funds. Snipes denied any allegations of wrongdoing.



anna.bauman@chron.com
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After performing to a capacity crowd at NRG Arena last Friday night, comedian and singer Lil Duval headed uptown to another Houston stage: an outdoor patio at Bar 5015 on the Almeda thoroughfare abutting the Museum District.

Less than a block away, Kevin Scott Craig wore construction-grade earplugs for the singers booming set and braced for the raucous party and police presence that recently has come to dominate weekends outside his Houston home of two decades.

Its just unbearable, Craig said.

Prompted by a flood of noise complaints  many generated by inner Loop residents near Washington, Main or Almeda  the city is recalibrating its noise ordinance for the second time in little more than a decade. The move is aimed at placating fed-up residents while maintaining Houstons boisterous nightlife scene in a compromise city officials say is necessary in the absence of zoning.

The proposed amendments, set for City Council consideration Wednesday, would set new limits on nighttime noise.

Businesses within 300 feet of a home would be required to obtain a newly created commercial sound permit to play amplified music up to 75 decibels until 10 p.m. on weeknights or 11 p.m. on weekends. Sound above 75 decibels  about as loud as landscaping equipment heard from inside a house  has been shown to cause hearing damage over time.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

After those cutoffs, music would have to stay below 58 decibels until 2 a.m., as measured from the property of any resident who calls the Houston Police Department to complain.

The amended ordinance also would create a new administrative hearing process for businesses found in violation of noise limits. Rather than routing violators through the municipal court system, bar and nightclub owners would have the option of crafting a noise mitigation plan, with the help of a city administrator, within 10 days of the violation.

Fines for subsequent violations would increase from $1,000 to $2,000, and businesses with two or more violations could lose their commercial sound permit for up to a year.

At-Large Councilmember Sallie Alcorn said the revamped measure is about helping bars and nightclubs coexist with residential neighborhoods as peacefully as possible and is not meant to demonize businesses. Alcorn has overseen the proposed rule changes in her role as chair of the councils Regulatory Affairs Committee.

We are not trying to shut anybody down, Alcorn said last week. We need a good nightlife here. We are not interested in doing away with that. But if you are close to residences, you have to follow the rules and keep it down late at night.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

While Alcorn and others have been eyeing noise ordinance changes since 2020, police data showing that noise complaints against bars and clubs were up 44 percent in the first three months of 2022 has given their efforts new urgency. It is unclear why complaints are on the rise, but officials suggest people working from home grew accustomed to quiet during the pandemic, or bars became rowdier after emerging from pandemic restrictions.

Experts pointed to another possible culprit: the citys rapidly shifting demographics.

The rise in noise complaints coincides with what sociologist Kevin Smiley called the return to the city movement, a nationwide trend in which young professionals and retirees eschew suburban homes in favor of urban dwellings. Smiley, a Louisiana State University professor whose book Market Cities, People Cities compared the urban design of Houston and Copenhagen, said the disruptions are emblematic of the citys gentrification, particularly within the Loop.

People want a quiet neighborhood, but they want to live in the city, Smiley said. But cities are dense places full of many mixed uses. There is an inherent tension there.

William Fulton, director of Rice Universitys Kinder Institute for Urban Research, called noise a legacy problem for many big cities that developed with bars in close proximity to residences. While loud music and crowds can be unpleasant, noise simply is not a very high priority for law enforcement, Fulton said, given the number of violent crimes requiring police attention.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Rather than having police enforce the noise ordinance, Houstons management districts instead could work noise mitigation into their service plans and hire contractors to carry out enforcement, said Fulton, who is a member of the Midtown Management District board.

An inherent flaw in the citys proposed noise ordinance amendment, Fulton said, is that it relies on nonemergency calls for service or 311 complaints, which tend to favor affluent people who have more time and paint an inaccurate portrait of neighborhood nuisances.

If you are operating on a complaint response system, everyone needs to understand how to complain, he said Saturday. People in poor neighborhoods may not know how or may be afraid to.

That is not the only potential snag. Another barrier is the lack of equipment and training among Houston police officers, who must take a decibel reading with a certified sound meter to cite any business suspected of violating the citys noise limits.

Councilmember Abbie Kamin allocated $50,000 in District C funds last year to pay for overtime expenditures for officers on the Houston Police Departments specialized loud noise units. Councilmember Carolyn Evans-Shabazz used District D funds to buy the department 10 additional sound meters, which require some training to use.

Alcorn acknowledged the surge in violent crime has complicated enforcement.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Its a manpower issue, she said, adding, We have had some success with loud noise units doing what they can.

Facing pushback from neighbors, Bar 5015 owner Steven Rogers said he supports the amended ordinance. He said he does not expect it to undercut his bars success or prevent the outdoor concerts  featuring well-known artists such as Lil Kim and Ja Rule, among others  for which his business has become known.

We want to be good neighbors, Rogers said. If youre in the middle of the city and theres a bar, youre going to have these problems. You deal and manage it the best way you can, putting things in place to make sure youre not getting flooded with tickets.

But Craig, whose home borders Bar 5015, was less blase about the situation. Donning industrial-strength earplugs multiple nights a week isnt sustainable, he said, because he is afraid he will not be able to hear if his husband, who is diabetic, requires medical attention.

We dont need (nightclubs) to go away, he said, echoing Alcorn. We just need them to be more responsible.

nora.mishanec@chron.com
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Six years ago, the stabbing death of 11-year-old Josue Flores, killed in an apparently random attack as he walked home after school, outraged not only his Northside neighborhood but all of Houston.

The case frustrated many as police initially arrested an innocent man and then prosecutors dismissed charges against a second suspect, Andre Jackson, because of inconclusive DNA evidence and blood analysis. Jackson would be charged again after a second look found small traces of Josues DNA on his green jacket.

That analysis, along with evidence that included statements Jackson made in a police interrogation, was enough for a Harris County jury to convict Jackson of murder in the boys death. The 12 jurors did so Tuesday following a week and a half of testimony and three hours of deliberations.

Jackson, who appeared calm with the occasional smile throughout the trial, was reduced to tears as the jury stepped into the courtroom.

Oh, God, he sobbed after the jury foreman read the verdict.

His exasperation continued as bailiffs led him out of the courtroom. The judge, rather than the jury, will decide Jacksons punishment on Wednesday.

Josues parents left the courtroom without comment  promising to address the verdict further at punishment.

The verdict followed seven days of exhaustive testimony from law enforcement, DNA experts and witnesses who recollected years-old memories of what they saw unfold in their neighborhood. Jurors heard the 911 call from one neighbor as he rushed to help the mortally wounded child. The attacker, meanwhile, was fleeing on foot and more residents gave chase, authorities said.

Earlier Tuesday, closing arguments from prosecutors and defense attorneys drew a packed courtroom, leaving standing room only in the back. A handful of curious attorneys peeked through a door behind Judge Denise Collins bench to listen until 11:45 a.m., shortly before the case was handed over to the jurors.

Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Defense attorneys questioned the Houston Police Department investigation, the lack of DNA and blood evidence  and argued that what evidence did exist was not be enough to convict their client.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, argued that no other explanation exists for why Josues DNA was discovered on the defendants green jacket  with letters emblazoned on the back  other than that Jackson encountered the boy as he walked home from school and killed him during a random attack.

I think we can all agree that this is the most unique jacket in all of Houston, prosecutor John Jordan said in his final remarks.

Police found the distinctive jacket in Jacksons room at Salvation Army.

Everything points to one person, he continued.

Another prosecutor, Chris Condon, said although many of the neighbors testified inconsistencies about what they saw on that May 17 afternoon, he said it was indicative of their truthfulness.

They didnt attempt to get their story straight, Condon said.

Jackson watched the closing arguments in a powder blue suit and pink tie. He at one point shook his head to disagree when Condon referred to him as a killer to the jury.

The verdict follows two pivitol moments in the years-long investigation. Police arrested the wrong man at first and determined days later that he had an air-tight alibi in Pearland. That man was released and Jackson was apprehended two weeks later.

The Harris County District Attorneys Office in 2017 made the decision to dismiss the charge because of inconclusive DNA evidence and blood analysis at the time. Former prosecutor Tom Berg, who watched closing arguments, said he delivered news of the dismissal to the Flores family on their front porch. Jackson never stopped being a suspect.

It always left kind of an incomplete feeling with me even after I left the DAs office, said Berg, now a federal defense attorney.

He elaborated on his decision to drop the charge, saying that DNA technology then was not quite up to the task in securing a conviction. Prosecutors had only one shot to convict because of double jeopardy, he said.

We felt like he was the one, Berg said, then the countys first assistant district attorney. We had to make the difficult and risky decision to let him go and give the case time to develop, which it did. The science progressed and the science is what brought us to the courtroom today.

In this case, with no witnesses to the crime, prosecutors relied on building a chain of evidence, Berg continued. Prosecutors, he pointed out, dwelled on Jacksons behavior during the interrogation, which he believed showed a consciousness of guilt.

Jordan inferred that guilt when replaying moments from Jacksons interrogation, when the defendant repeatedly asked the detective to show him videos or photos of him stabbing the child  an attempt, he said, to learn what evidence, if any, the investigators had linking him to the crime.

In another clip, Jordan showed the jurors footage of Jackson putting on the green jacket after the attack and suggested that he did so to change his appearance. He played another clip from the interrogation in which Jackson posed a question to the detective as an attempt to explain why nearby cameras showed him running with a jacket in Houstons sweltering heat.

Wouldnt you run if you saw someone getting stabbed, Jackson asked.

Jordan turned to Jackson in the courtroom and answered his question: No, you wouldnt.

Defense attorney Justin Keiter jumped from his seat to object to the comment. The judge shook her head. He moved for a mistrial  a tactic Keiter attempted repeatedly during the past week to no avail.

Prosecutors rested their side of the case Monday after hearing testimony from Josues mother, Maria Flores, about her sons final moments and his routines about walking to-and-from Marshall Middle School.

She used to walk him until Josue asked her to stop. He felt embarrassed when his mother would kiss him goodbye in front of his school friends, Flores told the court.

Surveillance footage showed Josue walking home by himself after a school science club party, moments before he encountered a man. Seven blocks separated his home from the school. He was then stabbed nearly 20 times about three blocks from home, where his mother was waiting.

Jackson, a Marine veteran discharged in 2011, has been held since 2019 in the Harris County Jail, on $500,000 bail, since his re-indictment on the murder charge. He was living in transitional housing at the time of the killing and had been arrested twice before in Harris County. Both were misdemeanor offenses.

The motive in Josues death remains unknown.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
Victor Hugo Cuevas, the man connected last year to the case of the missing tiger in Houston, was convicted on Tuesday on an unrelated murder charge in Fort Bend County, according to court records.

Following a trial in the 240th District Court, a jury found Cuevas, 27, guilty of first-degree murder in the July 2017 shooting death of Osiekhuemen Omobhude, according to Fort Bend County court records.

INDIA THE TIGER: This Houston neighborhood is full of eagle-eyed gossips. How'd they miss a tiger and a beauty queen?

The shooting happened outside of a popular sushi restaurant in the Shops at Bella Terra on Texas 99. Witnesses said they saw two men on motorcycles approach the victim as he was getting into his vehicle in the parking lot.

An attorney representing Cuevas was not immediately available for comment.

Cuevas was indicted last August in Harris County on a felony charge of evading arrest in connection with the tiger incident, court records show.

Police were dispatched to a west Houston neighborhood last May in response to calls about a vicious animal, according to the criminal complaint.

An off-duty Waller County sheriffs deputy who lived in the neighborhood spotted a Bengal tiger sitting on the front lawn of his neighbors home.

According to the complaint, Cuevas ran out of the residence yelling, Dont shoot my cat!

WHERE'S INDIA? How a missing tiger revealed Houston's underground exotic animal trafficking ring

He then put the tiger in the backseat of a white Jeep Grand Cherokee and sped away from Houston police officers with their emergency lights activated, eventually losing them, records show.

Authorities soon arrested Cuevas but did not find the tiger with him, launching a widely publicized hunt for the missing wild animal.

A week later, Cuevas wife surrendered India, the 9-month-old tiger, to BARC. The animal was in good condition and was transported to a tiger sanctuary in Henderson County.

anna.bauman@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
Some parents of transgender children are expressing fear and disappointment after the sudden resignation of Texas Childrens Hospitals chief pediatrician, who has been a vocal advocate for continuing care for transgender patients being targeted by a recent statewide order.

Dr. Catherine Gordon, who served as the hospitals chief pediatrician for seven months, has been aligned with the broader medical community in supporting care that helps children transition from their assigned sex at birth to their affirmed gender.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Families of trans kids are living in fear of CPS investigations, some leaving Texas altogether

In a journal article published March 31, she spoke out against Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts recent directive to investigate the families of transgender children who seek out hormone therapy as child abusers. She touched on her extensive experience caring for transgender youth and said the states involvement undermines the trusting relationship among patients, families and physicians.

So when the hospital on Thursday announced that Gordon had been replaced by Dr. Lara S. Shekerdemian, some parents of transgender children felt they had lost a powerful voice. Gordon previously served as a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and chief of adolescent medicine at Boston Children's Hospital.

I knew she was an advocate and ally for us, someone in our corner, said one mother who has sought care for her transgender child at Texas Childrens. The mother asked only to be identified by her first name, Lisa.

Gordons article was published at a sensitive time for the wider transgender community and the hospital, which one month earlier revealed that it had halted hormone therapy for transgender children to safeguard providers and families from possible criminal penalties.

The hospital has said Gordon resigned and that her departure was not related to transgender medicine or the articles publication, which was fully supported by the organization, a hospital spokesperson said Monday. The hospital, the spokesperson said, has continued to care for transgender patients in light of a recent statewide injunction by a Texas appeals court that blocks investigations triggered by the governors order.

On HoustonChronicle.com: 'I finally feel right in my body': Houston kids confront anti-trans legislation that targets them

We are excited about our new leadership team who shares our deep commitment to our transgender and gender-diverse patients, the spokesperson said.

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But as questions linger about Gordons sudden exit, the leadership change sends a very disheartening message, said Lou Weaver, a transgender man in Houston and community advocate for transgender children and adults.

Gordon has not responded to a request for comment.

Lisa said she first learned of Gordon through her physicians at the nonprofit hospital, who assured her that the head of pediatrics was displeased both with the statewide directive and the hospitals decision to stop care. In her article, Gordon said the governors order put the hospital and healthcare professionals in an extremely difficult position.

However, and importantly, we continued to offer as many services as we could, including psychological and medical counseling, and never closed our clinic, she said. We have had to make adjustments to ensure we are providing care while understanding the ongoing government actions that evolve on a nearly daily basis, but continued care for our patients has remained our priority.

When talking to patients, Texas Childrens physicians in the transgender medicine program sought to distance themselves from the hospitals temporary stoppage of hormone therapy by explaining that the decision was made by its legal department, according to Lisa and a Dallas-area mother who also sought care at the hospital, for her transgender child.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Meet the Houston 8-year-old standing up to Abbott, for trans kids, at Biden's State of the Union

Lisa was grateful to hear that Gordon and the medical staff supported continuing transgender healthcare. At the same time, she was disappointed Texas Childrens would halt care in spite of the medical communitys stance on the issue.

At the slightest hiccup or threat, rather than standing up for the families and saying We will not be intimidated and This is not a law and standing with the larger medical community and using whatever power they have as a very powerful institution within the Texas Medical Center, they sort of just abandoned the patients, Lisa said.

Abbotts directive is based on a nonbinding legal opinion by Attorney General Ken Paxton, a fellow social conservative who is also seeking reelection this year. Abbott has staked out far-right positions in the past year amid speculation that he might seek higher office.

Meanwhile, the directive continues to create an environment of fear and uncertainty around transgender healthcare in Texas. The Dallas-area mother, who asked to remain anonymous, turned to Texas Childrens when GENECIS, a prominent gender youth clinic in North Texas, stopped accepting new patients late last year.

For her, the political pressure around the issue makes Gordons departure alarming, she said.

Its also alarming on a larger level for me, as a native Texan and taxpayer, watching the trend of whats going on, she said. Every physician is going to have to look in the mirror and decide if theyre going to be an instrument of the state.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Trans kids are loved: Supporters rally in Austin as Abbott challenges gender-affirming care

Another mother of a transgender child, Rebekah Bryant, worries that Gordons exit signals growing momentum within the broader political effort to cut off options for transgender healthcare in the next legislative session.

Bryant noted that her daughter is currently too young to seek medical interventions, thought she hopes to have that option in the future.

Its a little scary, especially with Texas Childrens being so monumental, she said. Because were all sort of feeling access to care for our kids might go away.

julian.gill@chron.com
A minor change has been made in the schedule of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to West Bengal at the last moment.

Shah was scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Wednesday night. As per the revised schedule, the Home Minister will reach Kolkata on Thursday morning (May 5).

However, the rest of his schedule will remain the same. On Thursday morning, he will first go to Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas district to attend a function organised by the Border Security Force (BSF).

From there, Shah will head to Siliguri in Darjeeling district where he will address a public rally at the Railway Institute Ground. There is also a possibility of the Home Minister holding a meeting with the representatives of different political and non-political organisations based out of Darjeeling on the same day.

On May 6 morning, he will go to the adjacent Cooch Behar district to attend a government programme in Tinbigha. He will return to Kolkata on May 6 afternoon and is expected to hold meetings with the top BJP leaders from the state.

Shah will then attend a government programme at the Victoria Memorial, which will also be attended by Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar. He will fly back to Delhi on May 6 night.

"This is the changed and tentative schedule as of now. There might be some minor changes in the schedule later also," a state committee member of the BJP said.
Its been 75 years since Virgil Starks was killed and his wife Katie was injured in a double shooting that marked the end of a murder spree by one of Texas most prolific and still unidentified serial killers.

In spring 1946, people in the Texarkana area lived in fear as multiple young couples were slaughtered in what is now known as the number one unsolved murder case in Texas history, according to Texas Monthly.

During his 10-week period of terror, the assailant, known as the Phantom Slayer or Phantom Killer depending on whom you ask, is credited with attacking eight people  all male-female pairs. Five victims died from their injuries.

The murder spree, dubbed the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, started with the attack on 25-year-old Jimmy Hollis and his girlfriend, 19-year-old Mary Jeanne Larey, just before midnight on Feb. 22. The two were parked on a secluded road when a man in a white cloth mask, resembling a pillowcase with eyes cut out, appeared at the drivers side door and shined a flashlight in the window.

On HoustonChronicle.com: After 40 years, a murdered Houston couple has finally been identified. Where is their missing baby?

According to media reports, the killer told Hollis that he wouldnt kill him if he did as told, instructing him to the take off his pants. The killer assaulted Hollis first, pistol whipping him with a firearm and fracturing his skull in multiple places.

The killer then told Larey to run before catching up to her and sexually assaulting her. She managed to escape and run to a nearby house to call for help. By the time police arrived, the man had vanished.

The first murder came a month later when the bodies of 29-year-old Richard Griffin and 17-year-old Polly Ann Moore were found dead in Griffins car on the morning of March 24. A passing motorist saw the vehicle on a lovers lane and found the two blood-soaked figures inside.

Evidence suggested that the two were killed outside the vehicle with a .32-caliber Colt pistol before their bodies were put in the car.

Over the next several weeks, two more people died allegedly at the hands of the Phantom Killer. Paul Martin, 17, and Betty Jo Booker, 15, were killed on April 14 on another secluded road.

Media reports said the deaths paralyzed the town, striking fear in nearly every person who lived in the area.

A 2014 article from Texas Monthly described the chaos in the town: Women of means packed up their clothes and children and checked into downtowns Hotel Grim when their husbands were away on business. Others rigged Rube Goldbergesque security systems, attaching pots and pans to wire that was strung around their property. People who had never owned guns slept with loaded pistols on both sides of the bed and made pallets on the floor so their children could sleep beside them.

On May 3, 1946, the Phantom Killer struck for the last time, killing 37-year-old Virgil Starks and his 36-year-old wife, Katie Starks, in their Arkansas farmhouse.

Virgil was shot twice in the back of the head through a closed window while sitting in an armchair reading the newspaper. Upon hearing the sound of broken glass, Katie rushed into the room and found her dead husband.

As she attempted to call the police, she was shot twice in the face from the same window. She fled through the front door and ran to a neighbors house.

On HoustonChronicle.com: DNA testing puts cold cases in the spotlight. But in Houston, hundreds of the dead remain unidentified.

In total, three attacks occurred on youngsters parked on lovers lanes on the Texas side of town and one at a rural farmhouse on the Arkansas side, according to Texas Monthly. Every attack occurred late at night on a weekend.

Police identified several suspects in the case, including a petty criminal named Youell Swinney, based on statements his wife made to police and circumstantial evidence found at some of the scenes. But after his wife recanted her statement and refused to testify against him, the murder charges against Swinney were dropped.

Now, 75 years later, the murders remain a mystery. The horrors that happened in Texarkana spurred several movies and television shows, including the famous 1976 movie  and its 2014 remake  The Town that Dreaded Sundown.

In 2020, the FBI released hundreds of pages related to the Phantom Killer case, including reports, media clippings and photographic evidence of fingerprints, maps and other items.
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In the midst of a testy Harris County Commissioners Court meeting last Tuesday debating the partisan turn of Crime Stoppers of Houston, April Aguirres words pierced through the tension like a band saw.

In February, Aguirres 9-year-old niece, Arlene Alvarez, was murdered in southeast Houston while sitting in the back seat of her familys truck, an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of an armed robbery. Fighting back tears, and flanked by a relative holding up a photograph of Alvarez in her hospital bed, Aguirre offered a moving defense of the longtime nonprofit.

Crime Stoppers has given a voice back to our darling Arlene, Aguirre said. To this day, no one but Crime Stoppers has given a dime in efforts to capture the person in my nieces murder still at large.

What happened to Alvarez is the exact type of heart-wrenching tragedy Crime Stoppers is uniquely equipped to handle: providing comfort, counsel, resources and tireless advocacy for a grieving family still grasping for any semblance of closure months after this senseless killing.

Yet recent reporting from the Chronicles St. John Barned-Smith, as well as an investigation from the New York Times and Marshall Project, suggests that Crime Stoppers has, in some ways, strayed from that mission. In recent years, Crime Stoppers has behaved less like a law enforcement partner and more like a partisan organization hellbent on driving home a misleading narrative on what, or more precisely, who, is fueling the areas violent crime surge.

County commissioners put Crime Stoppers under a microscope, owing in part to a resolution introduced by Republican Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle seeking to honor TV station Fox 26 for its work with the organization on the recent Breaking Bond series. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a Democrat, moved to delay the resolution, accusing Crime Stoppers of politicizing public safety, particularly bail reform, in a manner that strained its credibility, and demanded the county conduct an audit of the organizations financial entanglements.

I am concerned there has been a turn of late towards more focusing on politics and oftentimes in a partisan way as opposed to the great things this organization was founded to do, Ellis said.

He has a point.

The Chronicle and Times investigations found that since 2018, Democratic judges elected in Harris County have cut into the organizations revenue stream by curbing a practice of requiring people sentenced to probation to pay a $50 fee to Crime Stoppers. Funding plummeted from a high of about $630,000 in 2017 to a pandemic-suppressed low of $85,000 in 2020.

As Crime Stoppers began running annual deficits, it became increasingly reliant on funding from elected officials, raising significant questions about the organizations impartiality. In the past five years alone, Crime Stoppers has received more than $6 million in state grants backed by Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, $4 million of which was never even publicized and was issued around the time $5 million in loan payments came due on the organizations gleaming new downtown headquarters.

The organization also received $500,000 from Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, a moderate Democrat who formerly led Crime Stoppers and has drawn Republican support for her strident criticisms of bail reforms she once seemed to support.

As homicides rose across the region in 2020 and 2021, Crime Stoppers began to focus on cases in which people already on bond were charged with additional violence. Andy Kahan, director of victim services and advocacy for Crime Stoppers, appeared regularly on Breaking Bond, highlighting such crimes, and accusing judges of leniency. Crime Stoppers claims that, since 2018, roughly 170 people have been killed because of poor bail decisions by judges and other failures in the bail system, amounting to roughly 8 percent of homicides during that period.

Certainly, as weve written, some felony judges have been too lenient. Even though the Texas Constitution guarantees bail initially in nearly all cases, some judges and magistrates set low bail or failed to revoke bail upon re-offense. But at times, it seems that Crime Stoppers representatives have intentionally conflated that issue in decrying bail reform, which, in Harris County, has affected only nonviolent misdemeanor cases. And they seem uninterested in mentioning other contributing factors to crime: most importantly, a years-long courthouse backlog dating back to Hurricane Harvey.

During the Commissioners Court meeting, Ellis questioned why Crime Stoppers, a nonprofit prohibited from engaging in explicitly political activity, has of late wielded its considerable influence like a political club for people they disagree with, sullying the reputation of an organization that, in 2010, helped close 962 cases and paid out $589,000 in rewards.

In response, Kahan rattled off a list of Democratic politicians and public officials who have supported Crime Stoppers in the past, defiantly countering the claim that the organization has taken an explicitly rightward turn. He added, with a straight face, that community safety is no longer a common goal among Harris County and Houston officials.

The goal of this new political machine is not to keep the concerns of the community but to target anyone in its way, Kahan said.

For her part, Crime Stoppers Executive Director Rania Mankarious followed Kahan by accusing the Chronicle and Times reporters of biased and agenda-driven reporting.

Those comments alone are indicative of the problem. Crime affects all of us, but we wont solve the problem with an us against them mentality.

For all of the important work Crime Stoppers has done as a national organization since its inception in 1976  from removing weapons from schools to protecting victims of domestic violence to speaking out against animal cruelty and illegal dumping  no nonprofit is immune to criticism.

Indeed, its precisely because of Crime Stoppers hard-earned reputation in the community that we should all be concerned if its credibility is being compromised by targeting individual judges before an election and intentionally obscuring its funding sources.

We support Ellis call for the county to audit Crime Stoppers use of county funding.

Crimes Stoppers leaders should err on the side of transparency regarding funding sources. Theres nothing inherently wrong with accepting a grant from the governor, but it should be disclosed.

April Aguirres powerful statement at Commissioners Court underscores Houston and Harris Countys need for a strong victim rights advocacy group, particularly at a time when violent crime is spiking. Sure, there are politicians and TV pundits and others in our midst who find it expedient to politicize something as serious as public safety.

A successful, respected nonprofit should never stoop to that level. Crime Stoppers of Houston has been effective for decades because people trust it. That trust  more than any politicians fat check  is the currency that should matter above all.
Women across this nation, many of whom have never known an America without constitutionally protected reproductive rights, awoke Tuesday to the realization that their ability to control their own bodies, their own family planning decisions and career trajectories, indeed, their own destinies, may soon teeter precariously on factors such as geography and household income.

A leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, first reported by Politico, would overturn a nearly 50-year-old precedent that guaranteed abortion rights nationwide and instead return the issue back to the states to decide for themselves. In states such as Texas, where a so-called trigger law sits ready on the books to ban abortion outright, a nightmare scenario is hurtling toward reality, and a frightful era that seemed to exist only in books or in our grandmothers memories  one of coat hangers and back alleys  seems inconceivably near.

These are the consequences of Donald Trumps disastrous one term in office, during which he was able to push through three appointees who have now joined together with the Supreme Courts two most radically conservative members to throw the country into a democratic crisis. They are effectively imposing a fate on women in Republican-controlled states  an outright ban on abortion  that the majority of American adults do not condone. While attitudes on abortion are varied and entrenched, most Americans support some access to the procedure with restrictions. Even in Texas, only 26 percent believe abortion should be illegal in all instances.

The impact will be harshest on low-income women who wont have the funds to travel to another state to escape the prohibition. The societal consequences of banning abortions and forcing women to carry unplanned pregnancies to term, especially in families already struggling to provide for other children, are well-documented. In Texas, where health care is regarded as a luxury for some and not all, and birth control is harder to access as family planning clinics dwindle, the cruelty of outlawing abortion is hard to overstate.

In Alitos opinion, the majority strikes down the seminal 1973 Texas decision, Roe v Wade, in its entirety, finding that it was egregiously wrong when it was decided. Planned Parenthood v Casey, a 1992 opinion upholding the constitutional right to an abortion even as it allowed some new restrictions, is also overturned in the draft opinion.

Though his opinion spills over 98 pages, counting appendices, Alitos reasoning is simple. Since the Constitution doesnt mention the word abortion, any claim that there is a constitutional right to one must show that legal abortions have been deeply rooted in our nations history and traditions.

Alito concludes they have not. On the contrary, he writes, an unbroken tradition of prohibiting abortion on pain of criminal punishment persisted from the earliest days of our common law.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas poised to outlaw nearly all abortions if Roe is overturned.

Thats not as clear-cut as he makes it, however. In Roe, Justice Harry Blackmun also reviewed the history of abortion, from ancient times to the present. He concluded that American statutes making abortion a crime were relatively recent, dating only to the mid-19th century. Abortion in the earliest stages of pregnancy was not an indictable offense under the English common law, he wrote, and schools of thought in ancient Greece and Rome differed on whether it was permissible.

But even if Alito is right that legal abortion is not deeply rooted in our culture, he leaves out the fact that for much of history women were denied nearly all rights we now take for granted  women were unable to vote, to own property, to run for office, even to decide whom they will marry or which schools their children would attend. Surely Alito has not forgotten that even in this country, founded amid the high tide of the Enlightenment, women were denied the right to vote until 1920, 131 years after our Constitution was adopted.

The opinion circulated Monday evening is a nonbinding draft, subject to change. That it was leaked at all is disturbing  no such leak of a draft opinion has ever occurred in the modern history of the court. Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday that the court would investigate the breach, which he called a betrayal. The scandal will certainly strain trust within the court and wont help shore up Americans trust in the institution itself.

More damaging, though, is the revelation that Trumps conservative appointees misled the American public when they testified in congressional hearings that they considered Roe settled law and respected the 40-year precedent even if they personally disagreed with the decision itself or regarded abortion as immoral.

The draft opinion now shows five votes in favor of overturning Roe. Its unclear how Roberts plans to vote and it wouldnt be unheard of for one of the four other conservatives signing onto Alitos draft opinion  Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett  to reconsider between now and when the final decision is issued, probably in June.

Such a shift is obviously unlikely. This is the court that conservative abortion opponents have longed for, and finally achieved through Trump.

Washington Post columnist Paul Waldman recounted in a column last year a telling conversation from December between talk show host Laura Ingraham and her guest, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. She was furious at even the prospect of the court not overturning Roe. If we have six Republican appointees on this court, after all the money thats been raised, the Federalist Society, all these big fat-cat dinners  Im sorry, Im pissed about this  if this court with six justices cannot do the right thing here, she said, then Congress should blow it up and limit the courts authority.

Not missing a beat, Cruz immediately pledged to do his part. I would do that in a heartbeat, Cruz responded.

Alitos opinion would decide a case out of Mississippi, where lawmakers made abortion illegal after 15 weeks. That law, two federal courts have ruled, flagrantly violates the Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court in Roe and in Casey.

Overturning Roe could also undermine other rights to which Americans have grown accustomed, such as access to contraceptives and gay marriage, that likewise hinge on a right to privacy. Even though the word privacy, like the word abortion, does not appear in the Constitution, justices have held for a century that it can be extrapolated from the text and precedent.

This right of privacy ... is broad enough to encompass a woman's decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy. The detriment that the State would impose upon the pregnant woman by denying this choice altogether is apparent. Specific and direct harm medically diagnosable even in early pregnancy may be involved, Blackmun wrote for the court in Roe.

In upholding the core of Roe in 1991, a newly conservative majority ruled 5-4 that the right to abortion had become so ingrained into American life that overturning the decision would be a mistake. It was a decision built on the kind of judicial restraint that conservatives usually applaud.

Men and women of good conscience can disagree, and we suppose some always shall disagree, about the profound moral and spiritual implications of terminating a pregnancy, even in its earliest stage, wrote Justice Sandra Day OConnor for the court. Some of us as individuals find abortion offensive to our most basic principles of morality, but that cannot control our decision. Our obligation is to define the liberty of all, not to mandate our own moral code.

In the past, the court moved cautiously when overturning a precedent, and usually only after public attitudes toward the conduct in question had changed. That hasnt happened with abortion, as public support for abortion rights has grown  albeit slowly  in the years since the decision. While it remains highly controversial, a poll conducted last week confirmed that most Americans  58 percent  favor keeping Roe.

We might not know what the courts final word on abortion is for another month or more. In the meantime, Americans used to the idea that women should make the decisions about their bodies should get angry  and then they should vote.

We in Texas can no longer rely on a group of learned people in black robes 1,000 miles away to ensure our basic rights  at least not this one. If women want reproductive rights, they must vote for them. Only then will lawmakers  either in the states or in Congress  hear their call.

Correction: This article was updated on May 4 to correct the year in which the U.S. Supreme Court decided Planned Parenthood v Casey. It was 1992, not 1991.
Regarding Abbott, Patrick urge Texas Supreme Court to take up Paxtons challenge to whistleblower law, (April 26): This piece of news was so rich it made me sick to my stomach. I forced myself to read it because Ken Paxton seems to be protected by some sort of Teflon. With all the different accusations and lawsuits against him, one would think something would stick. Nevertheless, Paxtons far-from-impeccable record of years of litigations apparently has inspired Lt. Gov. Patrick to endorse him and say, Texans cant find a more ardent defender of the peoples rights. I ask, what people  other than his cronies?

Toy Brando Halsey, Houston

Regarding Hidalgos aides, (May 1): I just read a letter to the editor from David Jones about his position on Judge Hidalgos aides being kept in their positions while being investigated. I immediately thought about Attorney General Paxton who was indicted 7 years ago and never tried and I just laughed and laughed.

Dean Osborne, Spring

Teacher appreciation week

Regarding It's Teacher Appreciation Week. Here's what Houston teachers say they really want. (May 2): You know, every year when teacher appreciation comes around, I see all these amazing gifts that teachers receive. Then I think about those of us who do the dirty work in education. The ones who work with students who experience significant behavioral challenges. Were less likely to win a teacher of the year award or to be recognized for having superb changes in our data. There is no standardized test that measures how effective the behavior teacher has been in keeping the student everyone fears from tearing up the school.

These are the teachers who are implementing countless interventions to change a students thought pattern and build their problem-solving skills in the hopes that they wont go out and turn their misunderstood disability into a life of crime. Its always rewarding when a kid says, Somebody came at me sideways today, but I walked away. I walked away because I remembered what you told me.

When I decided to fulfill my purpose and become an adaptive behavior teacher, I knew the rewards I would receive would be worth so much more than monetary value. It was a difficult decision to join a profession that gets such a black eye in a capitalist country that measures value based on the ability to generate revenue. Yet, nothing compares to the comfort I can give a parent who feels their childs path will inevitably lead through a courtroom and, if they are lucky, prison instead of the morgue. Its not easy to do what we do but I just want you to know that you are appreciated way more than is shown.

Harold L. Runnels, Jr., Cypress

Tagdemic

Regarding Harris County says tagdemic has cost it $80 million as lawmakers lament pace of fixes, (April 26): I keep reading in the Chronicle that there is progress in getting rid of fake paper car license tags in Houston. And I keep seeing the same vehicle in my condos covered parking area, for three years now, with what seems like a new paper tag on it every so many months, and of course, no inspection sticker on the windshield. I once called in to the proper authority, the number on the tag on this car, and was told that number tag was issued to a completely different make and year of vehicle. So, it seems like they know, and nobody does anything. I am sure these folks could be a link to a fake paper tag seller, but no one does anything.

So dont tell me the crackdown on fake paper tags is working, because I do not see the proof. Since this is a crime, how about the city institutes a call-in campaign with a small reward, like from some of that Crime Stoppers money? Just a suggestion that might move two things along: more fake paper tags off the streets, and more Crime Stoppers funds being distributed.

Rusti Stover, Houston

The continuing fiasco of paper license plates which has been festering for years with  until now  little to no action on the part of the Department of Motor Vehicles, can be easily explained: Pure incompetence. According to the Texas DMV website, "The nine-member Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) Board is appointed by the governor with the advice of the senate, who also designates one board member to serve as chair." Everything Governor Abbott touches seems to suffer.

Alan Jackson, Houston

Musk-owned Twitter

Regarding Texas man offers Elon Musk free land to move Twitter to Lone Star State, (April 28): I am bemused by all the hand-wringing and angst by the left over Musks purchase of Twitter. Since when are they afraid of free speech? The real issue, of course, is they fear a Musk-owned Twitter will no longer serve as a propaganda vehicle for their agenda.

Jon Elmendorf, Houston
Tuesday is the last day to cast an early ballot at one of 52 polling locations across Harris County, where voters are deciding the fate of two statewide constitutional amendments, dozens of local bond measures and a host of elections for school board and suburban city council seats.

The polls will reopen Saturday, Election Day, at 465 locations throughout the county. On both days  Tuesday and Saturday  polling locations are scheduled to open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

A full list of early voting and Election Day polling sites can be found on the Harris County Elections Administrators website, along with a sample ballot. Voters can cast their ballots at any location in the county, including those outside their home precincts.

Appearing on ballots across Texas are a pair of proposed amendments to the state constitution, both related to property taxes. One would provide property tax relief to seniors and disabled homeowners, and the other would raise the states homestead exemption for school property taxes.

Collectively, Harris County voters will decide about $4.3 billion worth of bond measures proposed by school districts, municipal utility districts, improvement districts and a water authority. Among the proposals is a $1.1 billion Klein ISD package that would fund a new intermediate school, security improvements, renovations across eight campuses and the construction of a new events center.

Huffman, Humble, Pasadena and Sheldon ISDs also have called bond elections on May 7.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Pasadena ISD voters to consider $305M bond package

Also up for consideration are more than $1 billion in bond measures for 10 municipal utility, improvement and water districts across Harris County, largely for sewer, drainage, road and parks improvements. Additionally, 29 municipal utility and improvement districts have contested elections for their boards of directors.

Meanwhile, voters in Friendswood, Humble, Jersey Village, La Porte, Nassau Bay, Pearland and Webster will elect multiple city council members in the May 7 election. Ballots in Friendswood, Humble and La Porte also include proposed charter amendments, while Nassau Bay voters will decide a mayoral race.

There also are contested elections for the Houston Community College System and Waller ISD boards of trustees.

Two candidates are running to succeed Rep. Garnet Coleman in the Texas House: Jolanda Jones, a former member of Houston city council and the Houston ISD board of trustees, and realtor Danielle Keys Bess. The winner will represent the deeply blue House District 147 until the current two-year term ends in January.

Jones and Bess, both Democrats, also are running for the seat next term. They finished first and second, respectively, in the March 1 primary, and are competing in a May 24 runoff to decide the Democratic nominee for November.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Jolanda Jones, Danielle Bess headed for runoff in race to replace Houston state Rep. Coleman

The district, one of the most diverse in the state, covers Midtown, Third Ward, a majority of Montrose and other parts of Houstons urban core. It also takes in the University of Houston and a large chunk of southeast Houston along Interstate 45.

Coleman, citing health reasons, retired from the Legislature after more than 30 years in the state House.

The constitutional amendments, meanwhile, are expected to pass with overwhelming support, likely cementing two key property tax measures passed by state lawmakers last year.

One proposal would allow property owners to shave $40,000 off the taxable value of their home, an increase of $15,000 from the existing school district homestead exemption. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, the Houston Republican who authored the amendment, has estimated homeowners would save about $176 a year by raising the homestead exemption.

The other amendment would extend the Legislatures 2019 cuts on school property tax rates to elderly and disabled homeowners, providing a rare decrease in their annual bills.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas Legislature votes to raise homestead exemption, spend billions in COVID relief

Under the Texas Constitution, school property taxes for most property owners are frozen at the amount they paid upon turning 65, while homeowners with disabilities receive the same benefit when they buy a new property. Though that provision leaves many senior and disabled homeowners with lower tax bills than some of their neighbors, it also means they did not directly benefit from the tax relief provided by the 2019 measure, as their tax bills were already frozen.

The 2019 property tax measure caps the amount of year-to-year revenue school districts can collect. With home values skyrocketing across Texas, most districts have had to reduce their tax rates each year to remain within the revenue cap.

If the constitutional amendment passes, those whose taxable property values are locked in place by existing laws would have their taxes unfrozen each year, allowing them to benefit from the lower property tax rates. The taxes would then be refrozen, Bettencourt said, leading to a decrease in their bill.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
Texans seeking to end pregnancies will have fewer options available to them if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, automatically triggering a state law in Texas that would go into effect outlawing nearly all abortions.

Texas law currently bans abortions after six weeks  even in cases of rape, incest or severe fetal abnormalities  but under the trigger law passed in 2021, abortions would be banned beginning at conception. Here's what to know.

Legal risks of at-home abortions

If the trigger law does go into effect in Texas, the state could see more people turning to self-managed abortions. Safe abortion medications are available, and requests for abortion pills have increased threefold since the state's latest restrictions went into effect in September, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in February.

However, a Texas law went into effect in December restricting the use of abortion-inducing medications to the first seven weeks of pregnancy. Just last month, a 26-year-old woman faced murder charges in Starr County over a self-induced abortion, though county officials later dismissed the case after receiving considerable national attention.

The law, SB4, also outlaws sending abortion-inducing medications by mail. Violation of the law can be prosecuted as a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in jail an a fine of $10,000.

Travel out of state

Texans still would have the option to travel out of state for an abortion if the state's trigger law is implemented. The number of people leaving Texas for abortion procedures has surged tenfold since September, according to research published in March from The University of Texas at Austin. Many of those trips have been to Oklahoma, another state with a trigger law that would go into effect if Roe is overturned.

This map shows where abortions would still be protected if Roe v. Wade were overturned.

Leaked opinion is preliminary

As of now, the Supreme Court has not overturned Roe v. Wade, so some abortions are currently legal in Texas. Despite the narrowing options, numerous abortion support organizations in Texas are still available to help fund and coordinate abortions, like the Texas Equal Access Fund, Frontera Fund and the Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity.

"For most Texans, Roe has been practically meaningless for 245 days and that has meant our clients have had to leave home to get basic medical care," Lilith Fund executive director Amanda Beatriz Williams said in a statement. "If SCOTUS overturns Roe entirely, things will only get worse, especially for anyone struggling to make ends meet. We only have one option and that is to fight back."

Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception such as Plan B is not considered an abortion in Texas. The medication is still legal and accessible.
Texas is set to impose a blanket ban on abortions under a so-called trigger law that takes effect if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade  as the court is poised to do, according to a draft opinion published Monday evening by Politico.

The Texas law, passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott last spring, would prohibit abortions within 30 days of a court decision granting states authority to outlaw the procedure. The ban would apply to abortions beginning with conception, extending beyond the six-week threshold established by Texas more widely known abortion law, Senate Bill 8.
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Hontiveros visits hometown Capiz few days before the 2022 elections

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday visited her hometown Capiz as part of her campaign for the 2022 elections.

During the town hall meeting in Panit-an, she said that Capiznons are like her extended family as the Hontiveros clan were originally from Panay Island.

"A piece of my heart has always stayed here in Capiz dahil kaming mga Hontiveros, ay mga anak talaga ng Panay. I feel like we are all one extended family. At home po talaga ako dito," she said.

Her late father Ramon Pardo Hontiveros was from Roxas City and her grandfather, Jose, was born in Tangalan.

She then vowed to continue to push for legislation that will uphold the best interest of the Filipino workers, especially the Capiznons, at this crucial time of economic recovery.


After Lok Sabha member Parvesh Sahib Singh, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta has also urged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to remove the loudspeakers from religious and other places as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court. Late Monday evening, Gupta wrote a letter to the chief minister in this regard. Talking to the media on Tuesday, Gupta said, "People of Delhi are suffering due to noise pollution caused by loudspeakers. When on the order of the Supreme Court loudspeakers are removed in many states then why Delhi government is not doing anything on it. We demand from chief minister Kejriwal to remove loudspeakers." Sharing the letter written to Kejriwal on his Twitter, Gupta said, "Today wrote a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and urged the removal of loudspeakers from all religious and other places as per the order of the Supreme Court. Due to noise pollution, children, elderly people, patients, and people working in offices have to face difficulties every day." Earlier, Lok Sabha member from West Delhi Parvesh Sahib Singh wrote to Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G), municipal commissioners and police commissioner to take action against loudspeakers at religious places in the city violating the Supreme Court order. "As per order of the Supreme Court the loudspeakers at all religious places should be either removed or the volume should be kept at permissible level so that the sound is heard within the premises and there is no disruption of peace especially for students, seriously ill patients and people in neighbourhood," Verma wrote. He noted that the Uttar Pradesh government has properly followed the Supreme Court order and the same needs to be done by other states as well. "It is requested of you that necessary instruction is given to the officials concerned, on the line of Uttar Pradesh government, so that people can have a peaceful atmosphere," Verma wrote in the letter.




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Planning a surprise proposal can be stressful yet exhilarating, but for one man in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, it turned out to be a night he would like to forget. In a video that has now gone viral, a man's proposal to a woman in the middle of a busy McDonald's ended in a humiliating rejection.

The woman who can be seen in the video talking to the McDonald's cashier behind the counter, looks back to see the man with a ring in his hand.

She can then be seen looking back at the employee in disbelief before turning to him again and shaking her head.

While other customers can be seen cheering the man on, the woman was having none of it and after a few words walks away.

The man clearly embarrassed takes the trolley and wheels it through the crowd among dozens of cameras recording.
Soundcloud acquires Musiio to enhance music discovery, artist data

SoundCloud has acquired artificial intelligence startup Musiio, whose AI can listen and tag, search and playlist large catalogs of music.

SoundCloud will use Musiio to expand its existing music intelligence capabilities and allow the company to further leverage its vast data to identify whats next in music trends and talent.

That meams better music disovery for Soundcloud users and more data available for artists and their teams.

Based in Singapore and founded by British CEO Hazel Savage and Swedish CTO Aron Pettersson, Musiio was founded in June 2018 and named one of Fast Company Most Innovative Companies for 2022. Savage and Pettersson will join Soundcloud as VP, Music Intelligence and VP, AI and Machine Learning, respectively.

SoundCloud is not only a legendary household name but also an artist forward business that I believe is the future of the new, holistic music industry, said Hazel Savage, CEO of Musiio. I am incredibly proud that after 4 years of building Musiio we are now part of SoundCloud.

SoundCloud hosts more music from more creators than any platform on the planet. Acquiring Musiio accelerates our strategy to better understand how that music is moving in a proprietary way, which is critical to our success, says Eliah Seton, President of SoundCloud.

Bruce Houghton is Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank and serves as a Senior Advisor to Bandsintown which acquired both publications in 2019. He is the Founder and President of the Skyline Artists Agency and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.

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Pittsfield Education Foundation raises funds to provide resources for students in the Pittsfield Public Schools, including more books to promote reading.

Pittsfield Education Foundation's 'Food for Thought' Features BBQ



PEF volunteers will continue the curbside delivery offered last year during the 'Food for Thought' fundraiser. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Pittsfield Education Foundation is again offering "Food for Thought" as a way to raise funds to expand educational opportunities in the Pittsfield Public Schools.

The foundation hopes to exceed last year's goal of $10,000. The non-profit has partnered with Smokey Diva's at 239 Onota St. creating dinners that cost $46 to $54 per box. Participants will have a choice of a BBQ Box and a Vegetarian Box prepared by the Smokey Diva's owner Lorraine Jones. All orders have to be placed by Friday, May 13, on the PEF Eventbrite page Participants can pick up their meal up curbside at Smokey Diva's on May 20 during the hours of 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. The BBQ Box will consist of ribs, chicken, pulled pork sampler, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and a pineapple upside-down cake. The Vegetarian Box will consist of collard greens, smoked lentils, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and a pineapple upside-down cake. They decided to work with Smokey Diva's after seeing the eatery represented at farmers markets. The restaurant's fare was often sold out demonstrating the restaurant's popularity. PEF is involving and promoting local businesses in the area while getting donations through the fundraising event. "So the number one thing that we make sure with this is that these businesses are not losing money helping us to do something else," Appleget said, "What the breakdown looks like is, they tell us what they would ordinarily charge for that meal in their restaurant. And then our donation is added on top of that." The fundraiser has evolved from a wine tasting that had to be curtailed because of the pandemic. Organizers are hoping to restore the wine tasting in the future but also keep the dinner takeout. "I don't think that we'll let Food for Thought go. It had such a great turnout. I don't want to call it a silver lining, it still feels weird to call anything with COVID as having a silver lining," Leslie Appleget, a member of the foundation's board, said. "But it did open up a new pathway for us. And I think we'll keep it if only to continue to partner with various Pittsfield businesses, it also just winds up being I think, easier on everyone. ...

"I think hopefully, in the future, and I'm speaking here with a little bit of speculation, I think we'd like to do both. I think we'd like to have the Wine Tasting and Food for Thought to just spread the word, engage more donors, and engage more people. But because we are all volunteers, and we only meet once a month, it's hard to plan."

PEF was formed in 2017 by supporters of the Pittsfield Public Schools to improve literacy and

educational outcomes for students and since then has expanded its goals to provide resources to teachers and students while encouraging cultural equity and supporting innovative ideas and creativity in teaching and learning.

"We're important because there are things that are not always priorities for schools or priorities for districts that might not make it into a district improvement plan or might not make it into a school improvement plan," Appleget said, "And they're still important, we all recognize that those things are important, but there just isn't the money for that."

Currently, there are eight board members who volunteer for the foundation and they are looking for someone to fill the ninth seat.

The foundation is always looking for applicants of all ages who are seeking funding for an idea that is in line with the foundation's mission.

"We do always have a really heavy influx of teachers and students asking for grants, we would obviously love to see that increase because we're just sitting on all this money," Appleget said.

Students in the past have been able to fund a variety of initiatives such as the Summer Writers' Workshop, Digital Escape Rooms for high schools, and Shirley Edgerton's social justice program.

Each of these programs provided strategies and strengthened students' confidence in a variety of areas. For instance, Edgerton's social justice program teaches young men strategies to overcome adversity. The Summer Writers' Workshop helps middle schoolers build confidence in writing and the Digital Escape Rooms are designed support students in collaborative problem-solving skills.

"I can't stress this enough, no idea is too small. As long as it's aligned with our values, which are stated on the website, and our mission. We're more than happy to consider it," Appleget said. "We absolutely love funding students, which we've done in the past, to go on projects to conferences or presentations or something."

This year, the foundation worked with Cynthia Grauman, a reading specialist at Reid Middle School, to provide books for her students.

It also provided funds to Taconic High media arts teacher Jamie Choquette so that he could purchase much-needed video equipment to better the education of his students in a technology-driven world.

This April, the foundation collaborated with the local NAACP chapter, Pittsfield Public Schools, and North Adams Public Schools to fund the "Hard Conversations in Safe Spaces" event.

This event was done in two parts. Earlier in April, teachers attended an online workshop organized by Edgerton to learn techniques on ways to confront and respond to racism and racial inequities. This was followed up with a debrief session for teachers to discuss how to integrate these practices in the context of their classrooms.

A foundation also funds a scholarship program for graduating students.
Dalton holds its annual town meeting on Monday at Wahconah Regional High School, passing most of its 30-article warrant.

Dalton Passes Budgets, ADU Bylaw But Rejects Drive-Throughs



The 3 1/2-hour town meeting was sparsely attended, with barely 100 voters showing up. DALTON, Mass.  An amended accessory dwelling bylaw passed narrowly at Monday's town meeting but a measure to allow more drive-throughs failed.

Fewer than 100 voters attended the nearly 3 1/2 hour annual town meeting at Wahconah Regional High School.

Approved with little discussion was a town budget of $19,963,774, an increase of 2.2 percent over this year, and an assessment to the Central Berkshire Regional School District of $10,183,947, up 2.3 percent, that includes operating costs of $8,521,913, transportation at $363,721, and capital costs of $1,298,313.

A petition to support the Fair Share Amendment, a ballot initiative to impose a 4 percent surtax on earned income above $1 million, generated some discussion but was endorsed.

The ADU bylaw had been in process since October 2020 and developed in part as a way to increase affordable housing. There were, however, concerns that the bylaw would allow investors to lock up units for short-term rentals and that it only required a simple majority to pass.

"My neighbor, a close member of my community, down in our neighborhood who just recently sold her home, the three highest bidders included two who are rental agencies," said resident Al Nadeau. "She chose to sell to the individual who was buying a home and is now living there. But then all this opens up the opportunity for companies outside of our area that come in and buys a single-family home goes through this process and has at least two rents coming off of it."

A motion was made to amend the bylaw to only allow ADUs in owner-occupied properties. Timothy Zessin, of town counsel KP Law, said it could pass constitutional muster if phrased correctly but that it may be difficult to enforce.

"In my opinion, if it was phrased correctly, it's enforceable," Zessin said. "It may be difficult to enforce, to ensure that somebody is a resident of the town of Dalton is living there, but in my opinion, it would be constitutional if worded correctly."

Zack R. McCain III, Planning Board vice chairman, argued that the town should approve the bylaw as written because the amendment is not practical to enforce especially, when it comes to a resident selling their home to a company.

He believed that the ADU bylaw would not clutter the town because of the limitations in the number of houses and property setbacks.

"As far as cluttering up the neighborhood. If it's a detached ADU it has to have all the same setbacks that you currently have on a lot," McCain said. "So a lot of lots, especially in the center of town, that are the small 60 by 100, or whatever lots, you're not going to be able to build an ADU because you don't have the room for setbacks."

Despite his arguments, voters passed the amendment 46-42 and then the bylaw by 56-31.

The drive-through bylaw failed 44-32 because it required a two-thirds vote to pass.

The current bylaw passed in 2008 allows for drive-throughs at banks, financial institutions, and car washes only.

The updated bylaw would have allowed them for other primary business uses for the purpose of economic development but not in residential districts.

Many of the voters present were concerned that this bylaw would effect the design and integrity of the town and open the way for fast-food chains.

Historical Commissioner Debora D.S. Kovacs was concerned that the absence of stipulation to prevent drive-throughs in two proposed historic districts would risk tampering with their integrity.

"The reason that we're trying to do this is not to limit anything in town it is more to protect and preserve our historic buildings and places and having things like commercial drive throughs would really interfere with with Dalton center," said Kovacs.

McCain said the bylaw only effects a small portion of the town and that a drive-through in a business/industrial area would not effect the traffic patterns because if it did, it would not be approved for permitting.

Voters were not convinced and the bylaw did not draw enough votes for its passage.

Voters approved Article 17 to transfer the former Bardin property from the tax title custodian to the Select Board so that it can decide to sell or lease the land. But they rejected authorizing $20,000 to implement a forest stewardship plan for the property 38-14.

The land is in both Dalton and Windsor, which led to issues on ownership and an agricultural preservation restriction violation.

Some residents argued that the only way to resolve the APR violation would be to sell the land in Dalton and Windors to the same person making it whole.

However, town officials cannot guarantee that the Dalton parcel be sold to the same person as the Windsor parcel because they have to put the land up for bid.

Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson argued that the best way to get the land to agricultural production would be to lease it.

Article 16 passed with a simple majority vote to extend the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission over water resource areas.

Also approved were articles to remove the Police Department from Civil Service, an action taken by a number of communities to increase their ability to hire police officers; to raise and appropriate equipment funds for the Forest Wardens; to provide matching grants for establishing the two remaining historic districts; to revoke the establishment of the Development and Industrial Commission; to borrow $200,000 for the fiber optic system; and to accept River Street Extension as a public way.
MCLA Art Exhibition: 'Stigmas and Stories: Changing the Narrative'

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' (MCLA) Gallery 51 will host "Stigmas and Stories: Changing the Narrative," featuring artwork from students in the Classes of 2020, 2021, 2022, with an in-person opening reception at the gallery from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022.

This event free and is open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

This exhibition will feature three graduating senior artists: Kennedy Sobon, Nhi Lam, and Ana Sheehy, all from the Class of 2022, as well as the work from from the 2020 and 2021 classes.

According to a press release, the artists explore how art can re-tell and re-shape common narratives. From mental illness to fairytales and culture, this exhibition shows how artists use their mediums to explore the different facets of storytelling by telling their own personal stories or the stories from their cultures.

About the Artists

Kennedy Sobon '22 is an artist who uses fashion as a vehicle to explore her relationship with mental illness and self-love. She states that "my artwork is an extension of myself. It gives meaning to what my words cannot."

Nhi Lam '22 works primarily in digital art, and through her large poster illustrations she explores her Vietnamese culture and the experiences that come from growing up with both American and Vietnamese influences.

Ana Sheehy '22 uses an array of traditional mediums. Through the image of the unicorn, they explore how different mediums affect the ways that we experience art, stating that "every medium has its own baggage that comes from the social biases we impose on it, and we cannot look at a piece of art without acknowledging that social baggage."

This exhibition will also serve as a celebration of returning to in-person exhibitions.

"The past two years have really taken a toll on our art students. It's hard to make art in a remote situation! As a result, the class of '22 will be inviting alumni from the past two years to join the show to re-exhibit their student artwork, or some of their most recent endeavors," said Professor of Art Melanie Mowinski, advisor to art students, along with Professor of Art Greg Scheckler.
Community Bancorp of the Berkshires Announces a Year of Strong Financial Performance

ADAMS, Mass.  The annual meeting of the Community Bancorp of the Berkshires, MHC, the newly formed parent company of Adams Community Bank, was held on April 13, 2022, at Charles H. McCann Technical School in North Adams.

The meeting included a review of the 2021 financial statements for the Bank, highlighting record-breaking growth in assets, loans, deposits, and net income.

Charles O'Brien, President and CEO of Adams Community Bank, presented an overview of the year's strong results during his remarks.

"Adams Community Bank reached record levels in many key areas including growth in assets, loans, and deposits to $891 million, $663 million, and $792 million, respectively," he said. "Plus, we achieved record net income levels in 2021 as earnings totaled $4.2 million."

He noted that the catalyst for these results are the staff's strong connections with customers. These strong connections enhanced customers' trust in the Bank even during the pandemic. O'Brien also praised the mortgage lending team for achieving the #1 ranking for mortgage lending in Berkshire County.

O'Brien, along with Senior Vice President Kathy Luczynski, also recognized the efforts of a team of employees who refined and updated the Bank's culture benchmarks during 2021. The Bank's culture of positivity has been in place for more than a decade and is credited as a driving force in our sustained growth.

O'Brien also thanked the corporators for voting to form the new mutual holding company, Community Bancorp of the Berkshires, MHC.

"Your confidence in voting to create this new corporate structure will allow us to continue growing and further deepening trusted relationships with our customers and broaden our footprint in Berkshire County," he said. "The new mutual holding company was formed on January 1, 2022, with Adams Community Bank being a subsidiary. The Bank will be opening branches in Pittsfield later in 2022 and Great Barrington in 2023."
North Adams School Administrator to Lead Sutton School District

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The Sutton School District offered the position of superintendent on Monday night to Kimberly Roberts-Morandi, assistant superintendent in the North Adams Public Schools.

Roberts-Morandi was one of four finalists to lead the 1,200-student K-12 district in the south central part of the state. She had her interview with the School Committee on Thursday.

"I am excited to be entering into negotiations for the Sutton superintendency," Roberts-Morandi said on Tuesday. "This is a community that is strong in support of their schools, which have a history of academic and civic success. My years in educational leadership, and especially those under the leadership of Dr. Barbara Malkas and within the community of North Adams, have provided me with experiences and the confidence to take this next step in my service to others."

She has been with the North Adams schools as director of curriculum, instruction and assessment since 2016, when then new Superintendent Barbara Malkas brought her on board as part of her new team. She was elevated to assistant superintendent several years ago.

Roberts-Morandi was a principal at the former Adams Memorial Middle School and, after its closing, became a data specialist with the state's Berkshire District and School Assistance Center. She has been an adjunct instructor with Massachusetts College of Liberal Art's Leadership Academy and a team leader with SchoolWorks, which provides consulting for underperforming schools. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from MCLA and her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of New England.

The Millbury-Sutton Chronicle reported that Sutton School Committee Chairman Bruce Edwards had visited North Adams and found that Roberts-Morandi was a problem-solver with extensive experience in writing grants and overseeing grants.

The committee members voted their top candidates and then voted for Roberts-Morandi as their choice.

Her start date is July 1, pending contract negotiations. Sutton began its search for a new superintendent in January; the current superintendent of 12 years, Theodore Friend, announced in November 2021 his decision to retire on Aug. 1.
The IBGE will release the 'Ecosystems Accounts: Results of NCAVES Project in Brazil' publication, showing the results of the Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (NCAVES) in Brazil, which aimed at improving the knowledge in environmental-economic accounting, especially the ecosystems accounting. The publication describes the major results achieved by the IBGE in the ecosystems accounts under the scope of this Project in Brazil, as well as it encompasses the Extension Accounts, Condition Accounts and Provision and Use of Ecosystem Services (in physical and monetary terms), released in the 2017-2021 period. The results of the second edition of the Water Environmental-Economic Accounts are also included.



Directorate of Geosciences

April 20, 2022
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country may put the issue of neutral status on a nationwide referendum, the Ukrinform news agency reported.

Russia's desire for Ukraine's neutral status is one of the provisions of the agreements on ending the conflict, "we are ready to consider this neutral status for Ukraine," Zelensky was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

However, the referendum would be possible only after Ukraine receives security guarantees from "specific countries," he added.

At the peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, Turkey in March, Kiev proposed to sign a new international treaty on security guarantees, which enshrines obligations for the guarantor countries to provide Ukraine with military assistance in the event of an attack.

In 2014, the Ukrainian parliament renounced Ukraine's "non-aligned" status with the aim of deepening cooperation with NATO.
Cancer diagnostics company Pacific Edge Limited (NZX: PEB ) advises that its full year results for the 12 months to 31 March 2022 (FY22) will be released on Thursday 26 May 2022, prior to 10am.

This will be followed by an Investor and Analyst conference call at 11.30am (NZST). This investor briefing will be available via webcast (presentation slides and audio only) or audio only service. Please follow the instructions outlined below to access the event.

Webcast Instructions

To join the investor briefing online, click on the link below to view, listen to and ask written questions on the Investor presentation directly from your laptop, tablet or mobile device. Please note if you are using the Webcast option, it is not necessary to dial into the audio conference as well. Audio will stream through your selected device, so be sure to have headphones or your volume turned up. If you have technical difficulties, please click the Listen by Phone button on the webcast player and dial the number provided.

To attend the webcast, please register at the following link:

https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1543589&tp_key=6e86aa4eb9

Audio only  Participant Access Instructions

For the audio only option, you can access the investor briefing from your phone. Please join the briefing 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. Please provide your details when prompted and the event passcode: 704484. It is not necessary to dial into the audio conference, unless you are unable to join the webcast URL.

New Zealand, toll free: 0800 423 972

New Zealand, Auckland: +64 (0)9 9133 624

Australia, toll free: 1800 590 693

Australia, Brisbane: +61 (0)7 3105 0937

Australia, Melbourne: +61 (0)3 8317 0929

Australia, Sydney: +61 (0)2 7250 5438

USA/Canada, toll free: 800 289 0462

USA, Los Angeles: +1 323 794 2442

Singapore, toll free: 800 120 7297

Singapore, local: +65 6703 6913

Hong Kong, toll free: 800 961 113

Hong Kong, local: +852 3008 1533

Questions

Questions can be submitted online in writing via the Webcast platform or verbally via the audio call system when prompted.

The webcast will be available at the above link for 12 months following the event.

If you have any queries regarding the results announcement or the conference call, please contact Stacey Stanley on 03 479 5807 or stacey.stanley@pelnz.com.

ENDS

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Name: Simen Teigre

Company: Neat

Job Title: Founder and CEO

Location: Oslo, Norway

Norwegian-born Simen Teigre is the Founder and CEO of Neat. The two-year old start-up pioneering elegant video devices for Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Studying computer science at the University of Oslo and industrial economics at NTNU, Teigre knew exactly where he wanted to land a career. Before founding Neat, Teigre has been a director and VP at Tandberg, a senior director at Cisco, but recollects his first role as a strawberry picker in a farm just outside of Oslo. Realising his niche skills in technology, Teigre is a leading voice for telecommunications technology- advising McKinsey & Co. clients as an associate in 2003, and co-founding Pexip before it was listed on the Oslo stock exchange in 2020.

What was the most valuable piece of career advice that you received? Never burn bridges - make sure to maintain working relationships as you never know who may lend a hand to make ambitions into something of tangible value.

What was the worst piece of business advice that you received? The worst piece of advice I received was to never trust salespeople. A vital role at Neat is our salespeople, who are critical to the growth of a business. Harbour and foster those talented individuals who commit to the purpose.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career in IT/tech? Keep an open mind, stay positive. Find ways to help other people and they will pay you back in dividends.

Did you always want to work in IT/tech? Ive always been gravitated to tech. I knew it would be a part of our every day, and I wanted to find out how.

What was your first job in IT/tech? My first job in tech was in TANDBERG, but my first ever job was strawberry picking for a local farm in my hometown thats north of Oslo.

What are some common misconceptions about working in IT/tech? Films depict the industry to be all fun and glory. Its only with investing the time and experimenting with creativity do you realise its also thrilling and rewarding crafting the future of technology

What tips would you give to someone aiming for a c-level position? Dont aim for a C-level position, focus on how you need to develop and what you need to learn to set yourself up to potentially earn a C-level position.

What are your career ambitions and have you reached them yet? I love building stuff and creating value while having fun. I am fortunate enough to be able to do that every day. I dont think Ill ever be done with that.

Do you have a good work life balance in your current role? Yes. One great thing from flexible working is being able to spend that time I would use to commute to the office to spend some quality time with my family, making sure the five of us have breakfast together.

What, if anything, would you change about the route your career path has taken? Nothing. And I dont know why I would even ask myself that question... You cant change the past, but you can influence the future, so keep your focus on that.

Which would you recommend: A coding bootcamp or a computer science degree? Both are fun and rewarding, so do them both.

How important are specific certifications? Some certifications are really important. Like having the CE certification when you want to ship a product to the EU. Or if you want to pilot a jumbo jet, I would recommend having the pilot certification required. Im sure there are other certifications out there you can do without.

What are the three skills or abilities you look for in prospective candidates? I look for more than just three things. Some of the most important are humility, passion, drive, curiosity, a good heart and integrity.

What would put you off a candidate? Were all well aware theres a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Cockiness is a tell-tale sign of either immaturity or insecurity. But sometimes they may just be very nervous. Im intrigued by the candidates who balance their humility and confidence when presenting.

What are the most common mistakes made by candidates in an interview? How can those mistakes be avoided? Trying to be someone else than themselves. Be yourself, and try to be the true version of yourself- I know interviews can be very daunting.

Do you think it is better to have technical or business skills  or a mix of both? There is no universal answer to that. It all depends on what your passion is. For me, I love the mix. But you should always pursue what you love, not what some random CEO would suggest to you in a career advice column!
To mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) has been awarded the Difference Day Honorary Title for its vital work in Belarus in times of repression. BAJ was established in 1995 as a non-governmental association of media workers with the aim of promoting freedom of expression and independent journalism in Belarus. It brings together more than 1300 journalists and media workers. As part of the crackdown following Lukashenkos fraudulent election, the Supreme Court ordered the dissolution of the association in August 2021, forcing it to cease its activities in the country and relocate offices abroad. Most Belarusian journalists are also in exile, working from Lithuania, Poland, Georgia, and Ukraine. We interviewed Barys Haretski, Deputy President of BAJ, in Brussels, minutes before receiving the award.

What does this award mean for Belarusian journalists and for BAJ?

This is a very high appreciation of our work and an opportunity to pay more attention to the situation in Belarus again. For the last two years, we have been working in an emergency situation. And unfortunately, until now, we do not see any progress. Our colleagues are still in prison. This award is one more opportunity to remind the world of this.

Today, BAJ also received the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize from UNESCO in Uruguay. What do you expect from this international visibility?

Our main hope is that Lukashenko will finally accept some change, such as the release of imprisoned journalists. Today, Belarus is in a difficult situation that it cannot resolve, due to sanctions and pressure from Russia. There is a small hope that the authorities will agree to free some of the imprisoned people. That is why we have to talk about the imprisoned people wherever we can.

Can you tell us about the situation of Belarusian journalists today?

Unfortunately, the situation is very difficult. Five editors are in prison. As the authorities have destroyed almost all independent newsrooms, most independent media work outside Belarus. It is important to understand that almost all independent media are blocked in Belarus, which means that people cannot access information easily. But despite this situation, independent media continue to inform their audience through Telegram, VPNs, proxy servers, etc. This is all the more important that the Belarusian population can still get independent information, as Russian propaganda is getting stronger.

How does the situation in Ukraine affect your work?

Before the war, there were more than 100 Belarusian journalists in Ukraine and I was there myself, it was a good country for us. But now there are probably only 15 colleagues left. For us it means a second exile, because when you are under bullets you cant do quality journalism, you just have to hide. Some are still working there, some are volunteering. This is how I see the future: I hope that Ukraine will win the war, as it will lead to changes in the whole region. We are doing a lot for Ukraine, so that we can go back to Belarus.

What keeps you going on your mission?

We have more than 1300 members, every day someone needs our help. I cant say I wont help you. Everything we can do, we will continue to do with the help of our partners.
To mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), on behalf of the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN), launches its 20th annual South Asia Press Freedom Report entitled Solidarity and Survival: The Story of South Asia.

The IFJs South Asia Press Freedom Report for 2021-2022 (SAPFR21-22) includes analysis on the situation of press freedom and freedom of expression in each country in the South Asian region. With support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), European Union (EU), Norsk Journalistlag (NJ) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the report highlights the stories of journalists in exile and the battle being waged to maintain digital freedom in South Asia as the media landscape transforms in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 210 cases of media rights violations were recorded in the period covered by the report, including 23 journalist lives lost. 131 media workers were detained or jailed in South Asia, a dramatic increase on the 63 arrests recorded this time last year, evidence of authorities increasing propensity to silence critical reportage through intimidation, interrogation, and detention.

The SAPFR21-22 captures a period of major political and economic upheaval, from the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021 to the massive democratic protests against the Sri Lankan government in April 2022. The reports country chapters highlight rising issues of impunity for crimes against journalists, the introduction of stringent media laws, media sustainability, digitalisation and gender-based violence in the media.

Despite these challenges, the strong and consistent work of unions and press freedom organisations across South Asia have resulted in a number of positive achievements that have worked to better protect the safety of journalists and their rights at work.

The reports 20th edition features interactive data visualisation for the first time, displaying trends in the numbers and types of media rights violations from 2016 to 2022, categorised by UNESCOs Journalists Safety Indicators (JSIs).

The SAPFR21-22 will be formally launched on May 4 at UNESCOs 2022 World Press Freedom Day celebration for South Asia in Colombo, Sri Lanka, by representatives from the IFJ and its Sri Lankan affiliates.

The release of the report coincides with the launch of the IFJs global campaign to combat journalist surveillance. On May 3, the IFJ and its affiliates urged international governments and bodies to work together with journalists unions to develop strict regulations that ban surveillance of journalists and recognise the inviolability of journalists' communications.

The SAPFR21-22 is now available online: Solidarity and Survival: The Story of South Asia

Individual country chapters are also available to download below:
Police officers walk in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on May 3, 2022. Photo: Getty Images

The U.S. is facing a huge decision regarding abortion rights, and business owners are speaking out.

On Tuesday, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of a leaked draft of a Court decision suggesting that the Court will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that established the right for women to have an abortion.

"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the document, referring to a second decision that reaffirmed Roe. "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

Alito is referring to power in regard to legal abortions shifting from federal to state legislatures. In more than two dozen conservative states, lawmakers have prepared bills that would effectively outlaw abortion if the decision is overturned. If the Court embraces the opinion in the draft, it would clear the way for those bills to quickly become law.

It's an important moment for employers, as many support their female employees' decisions regarding their health care, including reproductive rights. Companies including Yelp, Salesforce, Citigroup, and Bumble have already announced plans to help employees, covering expenses for them or their spouses to travel out of state for abortion care. It's likely that if the ruling is overturned, other companies may follow suit.

Here's how entrepreneurs and other business leaders are reacting on Twitter and elsewhere to the developing story:

Bill Gates

Billionaire Bill Gates, founder of the Redmond, Washington-based software giant Microsoft, was "shocked" by the news and says he supports a woman's right to health care.

Reshma Saujani

Founder of Girls Who Code, a New York City organization seeking to increase the numbers of women in computer science, Reshma Saujani notes that businesses should get involved in the decision. She also offers advice to companies looking to help their female employees.

Arlan Hamilton

The outspoken founder of Los Angeles-based venture firm Backstage Capital reshared a video of a valedictorian from her high school alma mater taking a stand on women's rights and sharing her own personal experience. Hamilton says she still can't believe how brave this teenager was and is helping her pay for college.

Amanda Daering

The founder and CEO of Milwaukee-based recruiting firm Newance told Inc. that she's trying to figure out the best way to provide space and support for those who are grieving this news.

"Working through grief and burnout only builds up what I consider to be energy debt, the kind of debt we pay for later in momentum and morale," says Daering. She also says her company asked employees not to use Slack as a news channel about the events, because she wants teams to be "respectful of each other's boundaries in how we each consume and process information as individuals."

Rashmi Sinha

The founder of San Francisco-based SlideShare, a maker of professional content such as presentations, infographics, and documents, shared the decision and predicted that it was just the beginning of the fight for abortion rights.

Joanna Pena-Bickley

The founder and CEO of New York City-based Designed By Us, a civic media and public service design cooperative, Joanna Pena-Bickley is urging people to focus on the midterm elections. She also called for people to sign up to vote in order to pass the Women's Health Protection Act, federal legislation that, if passed, will protect the right to access abortion care throughout the U.S.

Shannon Watts
Entrepreneur and founder Marcela Sapone is changing the way that we live--literally. She was in business school at Harvard when the genesis-idea for her company, Alfred came to her. Named after Bruce Wayne (Batman's) butler, Alfred is not a service, it's not an app, it's a technology-based way of living where tech meets real estate. Sapone thought about how wonderful it would be to have a technology-based butler for lack of a better word. Someone to save you time. Pick up your dry cleaning, stock your refrigerator, groom your dog, cook your meals etc... In the same breath she also began to notice that more and more her generation was shying away from buying a home and were continuing to rent and renting, to put it bluntly, can really suck.

"More and more of us are renting," she says. "We're renting for longer. Right now 40% of Americans are renting their home. This is the biggest consumer product on the planet, [and] this dynamic has existed for a very long time where the renter feels like they're not getting a lot of value. You feel like you're throwing your money down the toilet."

Sapone's interest in how we live and spend our time came from living abroad during her childhood. She spent much of her early years living oversees due to her father's work and for a while she lived in Denmark. She tells me that living in a Scandinavian country taught her a lot about sustainability and efficiency. After Denmark, the family moved to France where she finished high school and that's where she developed a certain type of wanderlust where she wanted to discover different cultures and how people lived.

"That became the thing that kind of pulled me around the world, so I studied Urban Planning," she says. "I lived in Argentina, I lived in China, I lived in India... I moved to different cities in the US... I've lived in like, fifty different places in a short period of time and so what I'm most fascinated about is how people live and there's so much power in starting to compare different geographies and say, what's the best part of living in Denmark? What's the best part of living in France? How can you start to combine those and design the life of your dreams?"

Sapone took all the things she'd gleaned from her travels and started trying to figure out how to assemble them into her picture-perfect living experience here at home in the states. She had her own frustrations with the rental market and quickly figured out that it needed some overhaul. She also knew that life was heading into a more technology-based space, where home devices would help provide conveniences to consumers. Why not combine these ideas?

"What if we could say, you're going to get max convenience, max flexibility; you're going to have a perfectly designed home," she says. "We're going to really pay attention to how you use your space and what's important to you and we're going to be here to design your lifestyle, get you back your time, and optimize for what you want to be spending your time on."

Prior to starting Alfred, Sapone also noticed that the relationships between renters and landlords were often quite tense and that usually both parties felt like they were losing. Landlords hated dealing with turnover and renters hated having their rent increased, or living in a place that wasn't in perfect working order to save money. The majority of property managers and owners were using outdated technologies to service their buildings and practically none of them were using newer tech to make their lives or the lives of their renters easier. The industry clearly needed to be disrupted and who better to do that than her team?

Alfred's philosophy was simple: help people become part of a community, incentivize them to stay in their building and help them with all the minutia of life so that they can thrive in their personal and professional lives. On the side of the landlord or property managers they wanted to help them modernize their technology and save them money by preventing high turnover rates on their units.

"We've been doing this now for seven years and it's just a stone-hard fact that an Alfred-powered building is a more valuable asset. We help landlords refinance, we help landlords lease up buildings faster, and we have some of the longest tenured residents in the business. [In] an average building 50% of the building leaves every single year. That's the standard. What we're saying to the landlord is, we're taking over your building, we're putting technology in...we're going to make it feel like it's 2022. We're also going to treat the consumer completely differently. Which is they aren't a rent check. This is a community. If you make people happy this will feel different...and it makes their investment be better."

Sapone tells me that as it stands now just less than half of Americans are renters and that for nearly all of them, their rent check is the biggest check they write each month, and as she sees it their most powerful bargaining chip. Why live in a crumby building and have your rent increase each year when you could live in an Alfred building that offers all the modern-day conveniences and incentivizes you financially to stay longer?

Sapone explains that an Alfred-powered building allows for renters to feel like they're investing in themselves and incentivizes them to feel like they are part of a bigger community. They have concierge services that can take care of everything from grocery shopping and package delivery to dog grooming. They have gym and spa facilities on property. In addition to that they facilitate community by hosting events and activities for their community members and they have a rewards program that gives renters money back when they've lived in their unit long enough.

"We had this crazy idea at Alfred, and we call it, A-Life. Every dollar of rent that you pay to your landlord, you should be getting rewarded for. The longer you stay at the property, the cheaper your rent should be. A loyalty program that's giving you more and not treating you like a second-class citizen. It's a big part of your income and it should feel like you're building something."

Sapone explains that Alfred buildings are powered by a super app that she describes as a remote control to manage everything in your life. Tenants can sign their lease on the app with their finger, they can access a list of Alfred-approved movers in the area. Tenants can also rent furniture, open a renters insurance policy, set up wi-fi and more using the app. Alfred has found the best rates and gives their tenants options. She says it's their goal to be the advocates of the renter. "The thing that really disrupted [the industry] was the idea of earning the trust of the consumer enough to be a part of every aspect of their life," she says. "And earn the right to walk past the front door and just help them with everything and get their time back."

Not only are residents getting their time back, but property owners are as well. Sapone tells me that the time that most building owners spend leasing and re-leasing their buildings each year can really affect their bottom line and that resident retention is one of the keys to staying profitable for the owners and landlords in the industry. By adding the Alfred technology to the building the building owners need fewer full-time staffers and don't need to hire them since the Alfred team already has management companies that they partner with that are trained in hospitality.

"All of the staff on site will know your name, they'll know your pet's name, they know what your goal is. They're inviting you to events," she says. "We have some of the coolest events and programing out there, whether it's learning to cave dive, or henna tattoos, learning actual interesting skills that are unique... doing a tour of a vertical farm... we're not talking about wine and cheese. We're giving you access to experiences that you can't get anywhere else. And what we find is that that yields real community, and a sense of place."

There is a feeling in our society that owning a home is superior to renting one and Sapone and her team are trying to change that perspective. She believes that it's an outdated perspective and for many people, homeownership is not the best option. Especially if you own a property that needs a lot of upkeep.

For younger generations like Millennials, (Sapone is one) who graduated into the recession, there was a huge shift in ideology as they had to pivot to fit into this new landscape of the recession era job-market. The idea of getting a corporate job, climbing the ladder, saving for a home and having a family went right out the window for many. And that trend has bled down into older generations as well over the last fourteen years. These days, people are opting to spend their money on experiential living rather than building a nest egg, so it's a nice option that those people can now feel a sense of ownership, community and accomplishment even if their home is a rental.

"The most fun part about what we do is when people move from thinking about renting as a transitory thing to being really proud to be a resident in an Alfred building," she says.
The Madras High Court has summoned actor Dhanush in an old paternity case that had made headlines a few years ago. The actor has been embroiled in a controversy after an elderly couple claimed that the actor is their third biological son.

The case began in 2016 after an elderly couple - Kathiresan and Meenakshi - filed a petition in the magistrates court in Melur in Madurai district in Tamil Nadu, claiming that the actor was their son.

Twitter

In their petition, they added that he ran away when he was in class 11 to pursue a career in acting.



Timeline of the case:

Twitter

The couple has alleged that Dhanush, their third son, had left their home to go to Chennai to pursue a career in the film industry. The couple has claimed in the Melur court that Dhanush was their third son and sought a monthly maintenance of Rs 65,000 as they were in a very poor financial position.

They had submitted that Dhanush was a schoolboy when he ran away to Chennai to get into the film world. They could not trace him then and recognized him while watching movies. Their efforts to meet him in Chennai did not succeed, they said.

Twitter

In April 2017, Dhanush won the case against the couple. The Madras High Court had dismissed the petition.



Kathiresan, who claims to be Dhanushs birth father, filed an appeal asking the court to quash the 2020 order, which dismissed the case stating that there were no supporting documents to prove that his paternity test was forged.

The notice was issued after the Madurai Court rejected the plea and went to Madras High Court. This parentage controversy involved a DNA test which the court suggested. However, Dhanush and his team of lawyers refused the same.

Dhanush did take a medical examination for identification marks, which proved inconclusive.

Opposing the actor's petition, the couple also claimed that the documents filed by his parents, such as birth and transfer certificates and ID marks, were fake and fabricated.

Dhanush has addressed the case in the media and has turned down and squashed all the reports. Dhanush has argued that he was born to Tamil filmmaker Kasthuri Raja and his wife, Vijayalakshmi.

(To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.)
Setting an example of sheer humanity, District Voluntary Force (DVF) Jawans in Malangiri district of Odisha saved the life of an elderly man by carrying him on a cot for around two kilometres to reach the hospital. This humanitarian gesture and timely action of Jawans have earned appreciation from all quarters.

What happened

The DVF Jawans were engaged in a public awareness camp at Kamarpalli village under Mathili block at Malkangiri when they came to know about the condition of the ailing old man. The old man has been identified as Apu Padiami.

IT

As soon as the jawans received the information, they rushed to the house of the old man. The absence of a motorable road prompted the jawans to arrange a cot and then they carried him for nearly 2 kilometres to come to the main road.

Later on, Padiami was rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Mathili and his condition is said to be normal.

A kind act

This comes days after a woman cop was seen carrying an elderly woman on her shoulders in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch desert. The newly recruited constable did not think twice before picking up an 86-year-old woman and carrying her on her back for five kilometres straight to safety.

27-year-old Varsha Parmar from Rapar police station in the Kutch district of Gujarat won hearts on the internet, with her presence of mind and a kind heart.

varsha-parmar

Rapar police station marks Parmars first posting as a cop. While on duty, she came across a woman lying unconscious in the unforgiving arid white desert of Kutch. She volunteered to carry the old woman to safety as no vehicle was available and she chose not to wait for help to arrive, as it could cost precious time.

A video of Parmar carrying the woman on her back went viral on social media. The video even prompted senior officials in the Gujarat police force to recommend her name for an award.



For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.


In Ukraine, Russia is involved in a war, the worst Europe has seen in decades and there is no end in sight for it.

But the one man who micromanaged the war so far might not be able to do it, at least for the near future.

US media reports, citing Kremlin insiders claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin may have to give up control war in Ukraine at least temporarily as he is set to go under the knife.

AFP

Putin's health has come under scrutiny for some time and multiple unconfirmed reports had claimed that the Russian strongman was suffering from Cancer.

Forced to go under the knife

Now new reports have claimed that Putin has been left with no option, but to undergo surgery.

He has reportedly nominated hardline former FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev to take temporary control of the invasion while he is under the knife, a Kremlin insider has claimed.

File Image

General SVR, a popular Telegram channel reported that Putin has abdominal cancer and Parkinson's 18 months ago.

He has reportedly delayed surgery which the doctors had advised for the second week of April, which will now not take place before the Victory Day commemoration of Russia's World War Two victory in Red Square on May 9.

"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."

Not giving up full control

He also suffers from "Parkinson's disease and schizoaffective disorder", which carries symptoms of schizophrenia including hallucinations and mania.

"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.

AFP

Such a move would be surprising since, under the Russian constitution, power should pass solely to the Prime Minister.

Future of the war

It is unclear how the change of guard will affect the war in Ukraine that has entered its 68th day.

When Putin announced the launch of the war on February 24, it is believed that the estimated to be an easy victory.

But things have not gone to plan and according to Ukrainian authorities, Russia has so far lost more than 23,000 men in the war.

This included at least nine Russian generals, and many have blamed Putin's micromanagement of the war for the unprecedented fatalities the army has suffered.

For more on news, sports and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
The government of India is looking to offer more incentives for companies that are willing to invest in semiconductor manufacturing in the nation in an attempt to tempt global companies along the way.

Unsplash

Also Read: Five Companies Want To Start Chip And Display Manufacturing Plants In India

Reported first by Reuters, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Indias IT and telecom minister revealed on Friday, that after the first batch of incentives get utilised, they plan on going for more. We have appetite for more, we have need for more.



According to the government, the Indian semiconductor market thats currently valued at $15 billion is expected to reach 63 billion by 2026.

In a conference at Bengaluru, PM Narendra Modi announced that he wanted the nation to emerge as a key player in global semiconductor supply chains while requesting companies from across the globe to consider setting up their facilities in the nation. The push is part of Narendra Modis Make In India initiative.

India wishes to attract major investments from global semiconductor giants like Intel, TSMC and Micron Technology. In recent reports, junior IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar revealed that global semiconductor companies were actively engaging in exploring opportunities in India.

Vedanta to become the first Indian chip maker in the race, has sought incentives such as 1,000 acres of free land as part of its $20 billion investment into the semiconductors and display segment.

Also Read: Foxconn And Vedanta To Make Semiconductor Chips In India With 900 Crore Investment

Unsplash

Just yesterday, ISMC, a joint venture between Abu-Dhabi-based Next Orbit Ventures and Israels Tower Semiconductor, announced a signed MoU with the Karnataka government to set up a semiconductor chip planet. The company plans to invest $3 billion in the state for the facility. Tower Semiconductor is expected to soon be acquired by Intel.



Do you think India could be the next leader in semiconductor manufacturing? Tell us in the comments below and keep visiting Indiatimes.com for the latest science and technology news.
Three people were injured in a windswept fire that ripped through a landmark North Conway, New Hampshire hotel Saturday afternoon.

Two were firefighters who were battling the blaze at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort in North Conway. None of the injuries were life-threatening according to the New Hampshire Department of Safety. There were no reports of any guests who were unaccounted for, officials said.

Guests could be seen fleeing the hotel with some jumping from upper-level to lower-level balconies and then to the ground to escape the flames and smoke, officials said.

Seventy-five rooms were burned off of the hotel and part of the structure was in danger of collapsing, Conway Fire Chief Steve Solomon told WMUR-TV.

Its a calculated risk, Solomon said of the dangers faced by firefighters trying to extinguish the fire and save lives. More than two dozen agencies, including many firefighting companies from nearby communities, aided North Conway in fighting the fire.

A section of Route 16 in North Conway was shut down Saturday as emergency crews worked to extinguish the fire. The first report of the fire came in at about 2:47 p.m.

The road was reopened Saturday night, but safety officials urged motorists to avoid the area if possible.

In a statement hotel officials said the safety of their guests remained their top concern.

The resort is a large family retreat in New Hampshires White Mountains and is home to Kahuna Laguna, an indoor water park. On its website, the hotel also advertises itself as an ideal location for weddings.

The New Hampshire State Fire Marshals Office is aiding in the investigation. Officials have not said what might have caused the fire.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New Hampshire
The leader of a veterans care center in Massachusetts where 76 veterans died after contracting the coronavirus in the spring of 2020 lacked both the leadership skills and the temperament to run such a facility when he was hired in 2016, according to a blistering state Inspector Generals report released last Friday.

The 91-page report, which covers the period from May 2016 until February 2020  just before the pandemic struck with full force  was also highly critical of the process that led to the hiring of Bennett Walsh as superintendent of the Holyoke Soldiers Home and of state oversight of the home.

The investigation that led to the report started in 2019 in response to pre-pandemic complaints about Walsh, who resigned in October 2020 as he faced criminal charges over his handling of one of the deadliest known COVID-19 outbreaks at a long-term care facility in the U.S. Those charges were dismissed last year.

Superintendent Walsh did not have and did not develop the leadership capacity or temperament for the role of superintendent, a summary of the report said. He created an unprofessional and negative work environment, retaliated against employees he deemed disloyal, demonstrated a lack of engagement in the homes operations and circumvented his chain of command.

He sometimes became visibly angry at employees, yelled at them, and in one case said publicly that he wanted to hit and belt a worker, according to the report. He also said that he wanted to hurt a veteran who had spoken out against him, the report said.

Walsh was also frequently absent during regular business hours and staff did not always know where he was.

Walsh, a former Marine, had no supervisory experience in a health care setting or skilled nursing facility when he was hired, although according to state law, that was not required of the homes superintendent at the time. His appointment also did not properly comply with state law.

The report acknowledges that Walsh inherited some problems with the 240-bed facility when he was appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker in 2016, including ongoing staffing issues, tension with employee unions and key leadership vacancies.

Even with these management challenges, the office found that Superintendent Walsh was not engaged in the broad range of leadership duties required to manage the home, the report said.

Walsh declined to answer questions from the Inspector Generals office and instead invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination, the report said.

One of Walshs attorneys, Michael Jennings, said in a statement that his legal team is solely focused on a response to the state attorney generals appeal of the dismissal of the criminal charges.

We have no comment at this time relating to the newly released Inspector Generals investigation report which has no relevance to our work responding to that appeal, he wrote.

Another attorney for Walsh has in the past defended the way he ran the home, and blamed the state for failing to respond to requests for help.

The report also criticized the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the state Department of Veterans Services for not adequately addressing complaints about Walsh. The state twice investigated Walsh during his four years at the facility, but those investigations were flawed, unnecessarily restricted in scope and biased in Superintendent Walshs favor, the report said.

Many of the issues in the Inspector Generals report have already been resolved, according to a statement from the office of Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders.

The administration is reviewing the report from the Inspector General, which identified several recommendations that have already been addressed by the Department of Veterans Services and the Soldiers Home. The administration filed legislation almost two years ago to strengthen oversight of the soldiers homes and looks forward to addressing these issues with the Legislature, the statement said.

In addition, an August survey by the Joint Commission, an independent organization that runs a health care accreditation process, found no deficiencies at Holyoke, while the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has inspected and certified the facility, the state said.

In addition to those who died, dozens of other residents as well as staff members fell ill with the disease.

An investigation by a former federal prosecutor hired by Baker found that management made several utterly baffling decisions that allowed the virus to run amok, such as combining two locked dementia units, both of which already housed some residents with the virus.

The Inspector Generals report released Friday also makes several recommendations to improve oversight and management not just in Holyoke but at its sister facility in Chelsea.

They include requiring superintendents to be a licensed nursing home administrator with extensive management experience; giving the state Department of Public Health the authority to provide independent clinical oversight and support; and the establishment of an ombudsperson and a hotline so residents, their families and staff can confidentially report problems.

The state has announced plans to build a new $400 million home to replace the current Holyoke facility that was built in the early 1950s.

Photo: Flags and wreaths honor veterans on the grounds of the Soldiers Home in Holyoke, Mass., April 28, 2020, where a number of people died due to COVID-19. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, shes seeking to reverse the dismissal of criminal neglect charges against two former leaders of the veterans home where nearly 80 veterans died after contracting the coronavirus, in one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in a long-term care facility in the nation. (AP Photo/Rodrique Ngowi)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics COVID-19 Massachusetts
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co., Chinas largest insurer by market value, said profit fell 24% and warned that outbreaks of COVID in the worlds second-biggest economy pose a threat to near-term growth.

Net income dropped to 20.7 billion yuan ($3.1 billion) in the three months ended March 31, from 27.2 billion yuan a year earlier, the Shenzhen-based company said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange Friday.

Sporadic COVID-19 breakouts will weigh on domestic economic recovery in the short run, posing challenges to Ping Ans business growth, the company said.

Chinas economic slowdown has dented consumer confidence, weighing on the business of the nations insurers just as lockdowns and rising cases of the virus hinder sales meetings. That adds to challenges for Ping An as it seeks to boost the productivity of its life insurance agents and move on from a troubled property investment which wiped out 24.3 billion yuan in profit last year.

Operating profit, which the company says better reflects performance by stripping out short-term investment volatility and one-time items, rose 10%.

The firm joins insurers with business in China that are feeling the slowdown. Rival China Life Insurance Co. reported a 47% slump in profit for the period this week, while New China Life Insurance Co.s net income also plunged and AIA Group Ltd. reported a decline in new business value.

The firm booked 22.2 billion yuan in investment losses, reversing a 14.8 billion yuan gain a year earlier, according to the filing.

Widening credit spreads and significant declines in stock markets put Ping Ans investment portfolio under pressure, the company said.

New business value, which gauges the future profitability of new life policies sold, fell 34% in the quarter. That compares to a 24% decline last year.

Photo credit: Signage for Ping An Insurance Group Co. at the Ping An Finance Building in Shanghai, China, on Monday, March 14, 2022. Photo credit: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics COVID-19 Profit Loss China
The business opportunities provided by the global transition to net zero is potentially large enough to double the size of the London insurance market, according to the London and International Insurance Brokers Association (LIIBA).

An analysis by the UK broker trade body revealed that the global insurance opportunity created by the transition is estimated to be in the region of $125 billion, said LIIBA CEO Christopher Croft, in a presentation last week before the UK parliaments All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance and Financial Services.

This compares with the London insurance markets current estimated value of $110 billion from the 2020 London Matters Report.

The analysis, conducted by LIIBA working alongside its members, is based on data from international management consultancy Oliver Wyman that achieving Net Zero will necessitate $5 trillion of global investment in green energy annually by 2030.

LIIBA then worked with its members to establish the average ratio between insurance premium and total investment for relevant capital projects. This suggests an annual total of $125 billion of additional insurance-related spend by 2030 for the costs of transition alone, said LIIBA.

Mitigating risk associated with the transition to net zero will entail investment in and adoption of new technology, management of stranded assets as well as insurance expenditure.

For the first time, LIIBA and its members have been able to quantify the level of insurance growth produced by the race to achieve net zero  and its a huge sum, said Croft. If a significant proportion of that $125 billion came to London, it would transform our market and Londons standing for decades to come. It will also help deliver growth in UK export earnings, UK GDP and employment.

He said the London market is well-placed to be at the forefront of this transformative process.

Londons brokers have a unique combination of skills and expertise that will enable their clients to make the changes necessary to achieve the net reduction in carbon emissions required, Croft added.

The key for London is to ensure we seize upon this once-in-a-century opportunity by brokers and risk carriers working together to give clients the guidance and the capital backing they need to embark on this transformational journey.

As the largest global centre for speciality and commercial risk, the London market has continued to attract international investment for decades. So its great that Londons role in building climate resilience in the race to net zero could significantly see an increase in our markets opportunities, and in turn boost jobs and benefit the UK economy, said Minister for Investment Gerry Grimstone.

Member of Parliament Craig Tracey, who is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance and Financial Services, said: This new LIIBA analysis shows the huge potential opportunity net zero is creating for the British economy. As a world leader in risk transfer and risk mitigation, there is a unique space for UK use this expertise and be at the forefront of enabling the global drive towards low carbon and no-carbon technologies.

The meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance and Financial Services took place on Monday, April 25.

London & International Insurance Brokers Association (LIIBA) is the trade association representing the interests of Lloyds insurance and reinsurance brokers operating in the London and international markets, accounting for more than 95% of the markets business.

Source: London & International Insurance Brokers Association (LIIBA)

Photograph: The Lloyds headquarters building in the heart of Londons financial district.

Topics Trends Market London
The board of Generali on Monday reappointed Philippe Donnet as chief executive with 10 votes in favor out of 13, two sources said, after a group of rebel Italian investors seeking to oust him lost out in a shareholder vote last week.

The two sources with knowledge of the matter said Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, who led the opposition to Donnet and is Generalis No.2 investor with a 9.95% stake, voted against his reappointment. Generali declined to comment.

Update: Generalis CEO Survives Leadership Challenge, but Rebels Take Board Seats

Another of the three directors that Caltagirone has managed to appoint to Generalis board also voted against, while the third one abstained. Academic Andrea Sironi got unanimously appointed as chairman, one of the sources said.

Mondays board vote over Donnets third term as CEO at Generali was seen as the first test of whether investor tensions at the heart of Europes third-largest insurer would subside after Fridays shareholder verdict.

(Reporting by Gianluca Semeraro and Stefano Bernabei; writing by Valentina Za)

Topics Generali Life Assurance (Thailand) Plc.
Aston Lark, the London-based broker, announced UKGlobal Broking Group as its 50th acquisition since launching in 2018, less than two weeks after officially becoming part of the Howden Broking Group.

Manchester, England-based UKGlobal arranges insurance for a broad range of commercial sectors, including via a number of specialist schemes and association partnerships, and also private clients. It is a national business, supporting clients from a network of 10 regional offices, and in addition have extensive international capability.

UKGlobals Healthcare division offers private medical insurance solutions to businesses to protect their employees, and UKGlobal Group Risk offers group risk insurances and business protection insurance.

The management and team members will all remain with the business, and the UKGlobal brand will also remain for the foreseeable future as the company continues its impressive growth trajectory, further bolstered by the scale and resources of Aston Lark and the wider Howden group.

Ive known Nic, Matt, Phil and of course Philip Hodson for many years. They are first class insurance brokers and have a true client-first ethos. They have bult an outstanding business and we now have an opportunity to partner together to more than double the business again over the coming few years, commented Peter Blanc, Aston Lark Group CEO.

We have enjoyed fast growth in the last five years and when Peter approached us, it became apparent that a link-up would accelerate our plans and enable us to offer even more to our clients and team, said Matthew Bray, group CEO of UKGlobal.

Finding the right cultural match has been imperative and in Aston Lark we have found an organisation that shares the same fundamental values that underpin our business and the way we care for our people, clients and insurer partners, he added.

Source: Aston Lark

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions
At least two twisters reportedly touched down briefly as part of a storm system that rolled across northeastern Illinois.

One EF-0 tornado snapped tree branches and uprooted some trees as it traveled about two miles (3.2 kilometers) on the ground before 5 p.m. Saturday west of Chicago in Oak Brook, WLS-TV reported.

The second EF-0 tornado was confirmed about 5:50 p.m. Saturday in Candlewick Lake in northern Boone County, northwest of Chicago.

The Oak Brook tornado damaged part of a roof. Peak winds upwards of 75 mph were reported. The National Weather Service says it had a maximum width of about 60 yards (54 meters).

No injuries have been reported from either tornado.

It passed through the area just as students from a local high school were arriving at a hotel for their prom.

They were arriving when this started to happen and thank goodness that they stayed in their cars and nobody was injured, Westmont Fire Chief Steve Riley said.

Brenda Easter and her husband waited out the storm in their basement.

We just saw a lot of wind, she told the television station. We looked out the window and then our TV was buzzing to get in the basement. Its kind of scary on how close it was but we felt safe the whole time.

On Friday, a tornado barreled through parts of Kansas, destroying or damaging hundreds of homes and buildings. Several people were injured and more than 15,000 were left without power.

Three University of Oklahoma meteorology students traveling back from storm chasing in Kansas also were killed in a crash Friday evening with a tractor-trailer rig about 85 miles (137 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City, according to officials.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Illinois Nebraska
The U.S. solar industry is warning of a big slowdown in project installations this year as global supply chain disruptions and the threat of new U.S. tariffs on panel imports from Southeast Asia hit home.

U.S. power company Southern Co. on Thursday said nearly a gigawatt of its planned solar energy projects would be delayed by a year, the latest in a string of warnings from companies and industry representatives citing the two issues.

A slowdown in the solar industrys growth could pose a threat to the Biden administrations climate goals, which include decarbonizing the U.S. power sector by 2035 through the widespread adoption of wind and solar energy.

I share your deep concern about this, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Thursday while testifying at a congressional budget hearing. She was responding to a lawmakers question about the threat of new tariffs on solar installations.

On a conference call to discuss the companys quarterly results, Southern Chief Financial Officer Daniel Tucker said the companys Georgia Power utility had received regulatory approval last week to delay several solar projects by a year.

The delay to November 2024 applies to five planned solar facilities in Georgia that add up to 970 megawatts of capacity, according to a regulatory document. Thats enough capacity to power 184,000 homes.

The projects are being developed by Nextera, EDF Renewables and Consolidated Edison, according to regulatory documents. Georgia Power has 30-year contracts to buy the power from those facilities. Southern has committed to reducing its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, in part by procuring large amounts of solar energy.

Last week, NextEra said it expected about 2.1 to 2.8 GW of its solar and energy storage projects to shift from 2022 to 2023. The company largely blamed the U.S. Commerce Departments trade probe into alleged tariff dodging by Chinese panel makers, launched last month, that could result in tariffs on solar panels from four Southeast Asian nations that account for about 80% of imports into the United States.

The investigation, which will not be finished for months, has brought uncertainty to the solar market because the tariffs could be implemented retroactively.

Earlier this week, the largest solar trade group said it was cutting its solar installation forecasts for this year and next by 46% due to the threat of new tariffs. More than 315 projects are being canceled or delayed, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

The tariff concerns have added to an array of headaches for U.S. solar developers that include surging costs for components, labor and freight as the global economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

Topics USA Tech
There wasnt a lot of talk about auto insurance at this years annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, but when the subject came up, Warren Buffett acknowledged the continued dominance of one competitora mutual insurer.

The largest auto insurance company in the United States was started over in Illinois by a guy who didnt know anything about insurance particularly. And its a mutual company. Its not supposed to succeed in capitalism, said Berkshire Hathaways chair and chief executive officer, referring to State Farm.

Saturdays six-hour event wasnt the first one that featured Buffett referring to State Farms dominance when asked to comment on the competition between Berkshires GEICO and Progressive Insurance. We will see five years from now or 10 years from now which one of us passes State Farm first, he said as recently as the 2019 annual meeting. (Related article, I Worry Much More About Progressive Than Tesla, Buffett Says)

This time around, however, when CNBC Journalist Becky Quick read a question from a shareholder who wanted to know why GEICO is lagging Progressive in terms of top-line growth and underwriting profitability, Buffett did not talk about ever moving ahead of State Farm. To his mind, the auto insurance industry and the success of State Farm should be studied in business schools.

If you go to business school, they teach you that only because you have incentives and compensation, all kinds of things, can companies succeed. [But] nobodys really gotten rich off State Farm. Theyve sat there, and they are the largest insurance company, he asserted. When Leo Goodwin started GEICO 80 some years ago, he probably wanted to get rich, he said, referring to GEICOs founder. And probably at Progressive, I know people wanted to get rich. And at Travelers and Aetna. You can name them off, dozens and dozens of companies. (See related article, Scoop, There It Is: GEICO Drives Up Berkshire 2020 Underwriting Profit for more about Goodwin.)

And who wins? A mutual company, Buffett concluded.

In terms of presence, of size, they still are the largest company. If you leave out Berkshire, they have the largest net worth by far. Theyve got $140 billion or something like that in net worth, Buffett said, speculating that Progressives net worth is roughly one-sixth of State Farms.

We spend $2 billion a year telling people the same thing weve been telling them for 70 or 80 years. But when all is said and done, State Farm is still doing more business than anybody, and it shouldnt exist under capitalism.

If you [had] a plan to start a State Farm today and had to compete with Progressive, who would put up the capital [for] a mutual company that youre not going get the profits from? It doesnt make any sense at all, he said.

Progressive Still Crushing It

Ajit Jain, who chairs Berkshires insurance operations, spoke before Buffett to give a direct response to the original question of Progressives outperformance of GEICO, conceding as he did at last years meeting that GEICO needs to catch up to Progressive on telematics. (Related article: Progressive Crushing It on Profit: Berkshires Jain and Buffett, May 6, 2021)

Theres no question that personal automobile insurance business is very competitive business. Having said that, both GEICO and Progressive are two very successful competitors. Each one of them have their pluses and minuses, Jain said.

Theres no question that more recently, Progressive has done a much better job than GEICOin terms of margin and in terms of growth rate. There are a number of causes for that, but I think the biggest culprit as far as GEICO is concernedis telematics.

Progressive has been on the telematics bandwagon for, I dont know, more than 10 years, 20 years. GEICO until recently wasnt involved in telematics. Its been only the last two years that we made a very serious effort in terms of using telematics for segmentation and trying to match rate and risk.

Its a long journey, but the journey has started, and the initial results are promising. It will take a while, but my hope and expectation is that hopefully in the next year or two, GEICO will be in a position to catch up with Progressive in terms of telematics, and hopefully that will then translate into both growth rate and margin, Jain said, drawing applause from shareholders who attended the Omaha meeting in person.

A Blind Spot?

At an early point in the meeting, Buffett briefly reviewed first-quarter 2022 results for all of Berkshires operations, noting that $7.0 billion in operating income was essentially unchanged from first-quarter 2021. Net income, which includes the impact of unrealized losses on investment holdings and realized losses on sales of investments, fell to $5.5 billion compared to $11.7 billion for the comparable quarter in 2021.

For just the insurance and reinsurance operations, after-tax operating income fell 38.3 percent to $1.2 billion. While investment income dropped less than 4 percent to $1.4 billion, Berkshire Hathaways primary insurance operations suffered on the underwriting side.

Underwriting profit fell 55 percent to $92 million for the commercial primary insurance operations. GEICO did worse, reporting $178 million in pretax underwriting losses, translating into a 101.9 combined ratio.

Progressive again outdistanced GEICO on growth and profitability measures in the first quarter. While Progressive reported a 12 percent jump in written premiums and a combined ratio of 94.5up 5.2 points from first-quarter 2021GEICOs combined ratio deteriorated more than 13 points with premiums growing less than 3 percent.

They are very, very, very disciplined in underwriting, Buffett said of Progressive, following Jains assessment of the auto insurance competitor. Of course, on the investment side, their net worth dropped in the first quarter because they own a lot of bonds, he added, suggesting that Progressive and probably everybody in the insurance business would say that well, we own bonds because thats what people do.

Theres half of the business where you do what people do, and the other half of the business you spend all kinds of time trying to analyze in every county and every single way [how] you can segregate, properly rate business and all of that, Buffett said.

Progressive, which reports earnings publicly each month, reported March and first-quarter 2022 results on April 14. The figures shown in that report include $388.6 million of losses on securities held and $54.5 million of realized losses on sales, which fueled a 79 percent drop in net income to $313.9 million compared to nearly $1.5 billion in first-quarter 2021.

The earnings statement did not provide any commentary on the drivers of income changes. An Investor Relations call is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3.

Said Buffett, Ajit is responsible for adding more value to Berkshire than the total net worth of Progressive. Thats not to knock Progressive. Im just saying, [its] one guy, he said, drawing applause from the crowd in attendance.

At Progressive, shareholders equity stood at $17.1 billion at the end of the quarter, according to Progressives March 31, 2022 balance sheet, and $18.2 billion at year-end 2021.

Shareholders equity for the conglomerate of insurance and non-insurance businesses of Berkshire Hathaway exceeds $500 billion, according to the annual report.

Buffett spent a few minutes of his remarks recalling his first meeting 40 years ago with Peter Lewis, one of the legendary past CEOs of Progressive. He was smart as hell, and you knew this guy was clearly going to be a major competitor of Berkshires. He knew insurance backwards and forwardsvery bright and everything. But he just ignored the investment side and that was as important the underwriting side.

Also praising subsequent leaders of Progressive for their underwriting skills, Buffett remarked, It is interesting how organizations function and then have what I would say are to some extent blind spots. Charlie and I know weve got all kinds of blind spots ourselves, he said, referring to Vice Chair Charlie Munger. So, we have to be kind of careful criticizing other people for having them, he said.

At a later point in the meeting, just before the lunch break, after Buffett offered some philosophical thoughts about apperceptive masses and life lessons about how the human brain can suddenly perceive something its been looking at for years in a different way (like an optical illusion), he mused with Munger about the pairs own blind spots throughout the years.

Part of the trick is to get so you correct your own mistakes, and weve done a lot of thatfrequently way too late, Munger said, without offering specific examples.

Is it wise to criticize people at all? Buffett asked.

Probably not. But I cant help it, Munger said, having offered several biting comments during the meeting about bitcoin investors and the Robinhood trading platform.

While neither Elon Musk nor Tesla Insurance came up for criticism at this years meetingin contrast to years pastBuffett did offer some general criticism of technology companies operating as insurance companies during his own discussion of bitcoin.

Right after he explained that U.S. dollars are the only real currency in the United States in his own discussion of the problems of cryptocurrency, Buffett observed that people attach magic to lots of things on Wall Street.

We are not an insurance company. Were a tech company, he said, seemingly paraphrasing the remarks of an unnamed InsurTech executive. Well, theyre an insurance companyA dozen people or so have raised a lot of money. They just dont pay any attention to the fact that [they] sell insurance In the end, they wrote insurance and overwhelmingly lost a lot of money since then, he said.

More highlights captured by Carrier Management from the Berkshire annual meeting, including details for Berkshires $11.6B deal for Alleghany, Buffett and Jains thoughts on nuclear war risk and Buffetts comments on tribalism, will be included in the related article, Dealmaking 101: When Opportunity Comes, You Move, Buffett Says, publishing April 3.

Topics Auto
As in other states that have legalized medical marijuana, Florida has seen a huge increase in doctors, users and dispensary businesses in the last few years, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cannabis is one of the few industries in the world that grew during the pandemic, Javier Hasse, of Benzinga, which tracks business trends, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel last week.

Home deliveries and the fact that it was declared essential in the U.S. really helped, but deep down people were looking for something to deal with stress, he said.

Since Floridians voted to legalize medicinal THC in late 2019, the numbers have soared. The states medical marijuana registry shows 710,000 people were approved for their cannabis card as of late April. Thats more than double the number in early 2020, and pot business owners predict the number will continue rising, the newspaper reported.

Hundreds of doctors have become licensed to dispense the products and some 22 companies have opened about 420 dispensary locations. In the Edible Sunshine State, operating companies must own and control the growing, manufacturing and retail sectors of their business.

That quickly produced some major players in the space, including Trulieve, which has the most dispensaries, with 114. The firm offers 600 different products for sale, the newspaper noted.

My goal is to get to the patient population in Florida to 1 million patients. I do expect that to happen, hopefully by the end of next year, said Claucous Alfaro, engagement manager for Trulieve in Florida.

Medical marijuana sales in Florida are projected to reach as high as $1.5 billion this year, according to the MJBIZ Factbook, an industry publication.

Compliance with varying state laws can be a painstaking task, experts have said.

What youre required to put on in a packaging in Florida is much different than Illinois, is much different than Massachusetts, David Vaillencourt, a regulatory policy and standards expert and consultant to cannabis producers said in a recent webinar.

The marijuana insurance business has grown as well. A recent survey of cannabis insurance brokers found that for 20% of the respondents, securing cannabis-business insurance is now a full-time job. About half said its at least half of their business. Most brokers said that the vast majority of their clients have said they want more insurance options.

Topics Florida Cannabis
Residents of a Black neighborhood in north Georgia lost more than $5 million on their properties when their homes were destroyed and replaced with university dorms and parking lots more than 50 years ago, according to an analysis by University of Georgia professors.

The study of the loss to homeowners in the Linnentown section of Athens, Georgia, was reported last week by the Athens Banner-Herald.

The city of Athens used eminent domain to force Black families out of Linnentown in the 1960s as part of an urban renewal plan. It sold the land to the state Board of Regents, and dorms and parking lots for the University of Georgia went up after the homes were razed.

The UGA experts looked at what the lost properties would be worth today and what residents received for them, according to the Banner-Herald. They also assessed the amount of appreciation lost by the displacement to other properties.

They were not able to capture the impact on employment or education or the emotional trauma of being forced to move, said Jerry Shannon, an associate professor in the Department of Geography and the Department of Financial Planning, Housing, and Consumer Economics.

Shannon recently presented the report to a group tasked with redressing the neighborhoods destruction. The Athens-Clarke County mayor and commission are also expected to review it, and it could be used to allocate funds for projects such as affordable housing.

Photo: Hattie Whitehead Thomas on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, where a Black neighborhood was razed in the 1960s to make room for dorms. The 72-year-old Athens resident grew up in the now-destroyed Linnentown neighborhood. UGA has got to do more. Its got to come to the table and acknowledge what it did, she said. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Georgia
Two insurance company rating firms have joined the call for Florida lawmakers to approve decisive measures to stave off financial disaster for more property insurers.

Legislation passed in 2019 and 2021, designed to deter assignment-of-benefits claims and reduce litigation, has not achieved the desired effect. Further action is essential to stabilize the market, AM Best wrote in a white paper published Monday.

At a Fort Lauderdale conference last week, the president of the Demotech rating firm also urged legislators, when they meet this month, to adopt specific reforms that could help reduce loss costs and loss adjustment expenses for struggling Florida carriers.

We believe that certain meaningful and significant legislative reform, if enacted during a special session prior to the most common renewal date for reinsurance treaties, June 1, may create circumstances permitting us to maintain ratings for some of those insurers currently expected to be downgraded, Demotech President Joe Petrelli said at the Demotech / Intermediaries & Reinsurance Underwriters Association conference.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session for May 23-27 to tackle a number of issues facing the property insurance market in the state, including reinsurance, changes to building codes, litigation reform, and changes in appropriations and changes to the Office of Insurance Regulation.

Petrelli outlined three key ingredients needed right away:

Changes to statutes that allow contingency fee multipliers for attorneys who represent policyholders;

Suspension of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Funds rapid cash build-up requirement;

Lowering the cat funds retention amount, or the attachment point for industry losses, which would allow insurers to access the state fund and purchase less reinsurance on the open market.

We believe the sustainability of the Florida property insurance marketplace and the financial stability of the insurers operating in Florida depend upon immediate, meaningful legislative action, Petrelli said.

AM Bests report, which included contributions from AM Best analysts Chris Draghi and David Blades, is titled, Troubled Florida Property Market Participants Under Immense Pressure. It echoed insurers arguments that underwriting losses are not necessarily the result of major storms in the hurricane-prone state.

Contrary to conventional perception, hurricane losses were not the primary culprit  results continue to erode despite the last major landfall occurring in 2018 (Hurricane Michael), the commentary noted. The deterioration in performance is a by-product of the greater frequency of secondary perils (severe thunderstorms, wind, hail), higher reinsurance costs, escalating litigation costs, and building codes/laws that have been flouted by parties looking to profit.

Despite double-digit rate increases by a number of insurers in Florida, conditions remain unsustainable, the AM Best report said. Some improvements were seen after the Legislature approved the AOB reform law in 2019, House Bill 337, and after Senate Bill 76 was passed in 2021. But more legislative work is critical as litigated claims appear to be creeping up again.

The Demotech and the AM Best reports cited actions by Florida regulators and insurers in recent months, including insolvencies, suspension of new business, non-renewals and a pull-back from some areas of the state and some types of properties.

As a result of observed challenges, the ratings and outlooks, particularly for those entities not part of larger groups, remain under pressure, the AM Best paper noted.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation Florida
San Diego County lawyers are seeking to wipe out an $85 million jury award to the family of man who died after being restrained by sheriffs deputies in 2015, or get a new trial in the lawsuit that generated the case.

County lawyers contend the verdict stemming from the negligence and wrongful death lawsuit was incurably infected with error and that the trial was riddled with rulings that hurt the countys case.

The request is detailed in motions filed in U.S. District Court in San Diego earlier this month by county lawyers. They are the first moves in what will likely be a protracted fight to reduce or completely overturn the verdict returned March 15 in favor of the family of Lucky Phounsy.

One motion asks U.S. District Court Judge Marilyn Huff to set aside the verdict, contending the evidence was not sufficient to support the jurys conclusion, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. A second seeks a new trial, or a reduction in the award, arguing there were a series of trial errors and that the amount awarded was excessive.

Phounsy, 32, died after being hogtied, shocked him with a stun gun and restrained by San Diego Sheriffs Department deputies at the Santee home of a relative on April 13, 2015. Phounsys heart stopped on the way to the hospital. He was resuscitated, but died several days later.

The county medical examiner concluded his death was accidental and the result of the long struggle with deputies, combined with the effects of the drug ecstasy he had taken several days before.

But lawyers for the family disputed that conclusion and argued that the conduct of the deputies caused him to suffocate to death.

They pointed to deputies binding Phounsys hands and ankles in restraints, failing to monitor his vital signs and continuing to restrain him when one deputy forcibly held his head down while he was in an ambulance.

The case was tried twice in federal court. In September a jury deadlocked and could not reach a verdict. At a second trial held in March, after only a day of deliberation, the jury found the county liable and awarded Phounsys family $85 million.

Lawyers for the family must still file their arguments opposing the county motions. In a statement, attorneys Mark Fleming and Timothy Scott said the county is still evading responsibility for Phounsys death.

The rehashed arguments raised by the County have already been rejected by courts several times, said Scott. Fleming said that the bid to cut the money award disrespects both the value of Luckys life and the enormity of his loss to his family, as well as the hard work and careful consideration of the jury.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California
Answers

Global Zirconium disilicide zrsi2 powder market trend 2025-2030 Zirconium silicide (ZrSi2) is an inorganic compound by Newsintegra927

U.S. natural gas futures rose about 5 percent to a near nine-week high as global energy prices surged on concerns over a pricing plan for energy exports, keeping U.S. LNG export demand near record highs. U.S. natural gas prices have risen despite forecasts of mild weather and lower-than-expected demand, which will allow utilities to fill up storage facilities next week. On Wednesday, Germany launched an emergency plan to manage gas supplies in Europe's largest economy. If natural gas supplies are interrupted or stopped, the German government could take unprecedented steps to limit electricity supply.

Affected by the increase in the price of natural gas, the price of the Zirconium disilicide zrsi2 powder will also increase.



Overview of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 powder

Zirconium silicide ZrSi2 powder is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula ZrSi2, which is composed of zirconium and silicon atoms.

Zirconium disilicide, also known as zirconium silicide, is a gray square crystalline powder. Zirconium silicide is used as raw material powder for fine ceramics. Zirconium disilicide zrsi2, molecular weight 147.39, density 4.88, melting point 1620  (1790 ), lattice constant: a = 0.372nm, B = 1.476nm, C = 0.367nm. Microhardness (mol / mm2): 62.8 kJ / mm2. Gray square crystalline powder, stable under normal temperature and pressure. Refractory metal silicide. Low resistivity (about 10-7  m) and high hardness. The preparation method is mainly made by sintering the mixture of deposited metal and silicon. The deposition methods mainly include evaporation, sputtering, electroplating, chemical vapor deposition and so on.

Application of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 powder

Zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 powder can be used in metal ceramics, high temperature oxide coatings, high temperature structural materials, aerospace and other fields. It is used as fine ceramic raw material powder, crucible and semiconductor film.

It is mostly used in VLSI circuits, such as metal grid, Schottky contact, ohmic contact, etc.

1. Used for manufacturing refractory materials

2. It is also used in the production of some ceramics, enamel and ceramic glaze.

3. In enamel and glaze, it is used as shading agent.

4. For grinding bead.

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As a global supplier of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products,Tanki new materials Co.,Ltd. has rich experience in the performance, application and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced engineering materials. The company has successfully developed a series of high-purity targets of powder materials (titanium silicide, molybdenum silicide, silicide, etc.), functional ceramics and structural devices, and provided OEM services.

Technical parameters of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 powder





Product Name MF Purity Particle Size Melting Point Density Color zirconium silicide ZrSi2 99% 5-10um 1620 4.88 g/cm3 gray





The chemical composition of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 powder

ZrSi2 Zr Si C P Fe S Hf 99% 60.8% balance 0.2% 0.02% 0.2% 0.005% 1.5%





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An Post has been accused of selling private information about householders, including economic and marital details, to private companies.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has complained to the Data Protection Commissioner about the sale by GeoDirectory, a subsidiary of An Post, of the data, which is filtered by individual address and Eircode.

A typical entry on the GeoDirectory database includes records of an address, Eircode, type of building, year of build, electoral division, and GPS co-ordinates.

The company's GeoPeople database categorises residents of an address by socioeconomic and marital status, with labels such as "affluent city singles", "struggling older families", or "deprived urban families".

Marketing material from GeoDirectory recommends combining the different data sets to build a full profile.

The source of the socioeconomic information is unclear. GeoDirectorys website states it is backed by An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, and combine the manpower of the former, with the cutting-edge technology of the latter to provide you with the most exhaustive data available in the market.

The firms website says GeoPeople categorises every address in Ireland into five broad neighbourhood clusters, these being "affluent", "advantaged", "striving", "struggling", and "deprived". It then breaks those categories down further to include family information such as "affluent empty nesters" or "struggling families".

It adds that each dimension of the dataset for sale is based on data points from the national Census. Census data is bound as confidential, and is generally withheld for 100 years.

GeoDirectory said it only uses publicly available information. was unaware of a complaint to the DPC but is happy to engage if required.

A spokesperson said it has been corresponding with the ICCL for some months on the matter and denied that the records in question constitute personal data as, they said, no one is identifiable.

UCD law professor and chair of Digital Rights Ireland TJ McIntyre said of GeoDirectorys activity: The most obvious question is what is the source of the data.

To say it is not personal data is hogwash. Personal data includes inferred data about someone, not just data directly or indirectly supplied by that person.

There are a few different issues  maybe 80% of it is looking at An Post, the other is at the entities whore giving that data, he added.

The Census suggestion is huge as it has huge confidentiality statutes.

The information sold by GeoDirectory is used by insurance and healthcare companies, although anyone can purchase a dataset, at a cost of 150 for 1,000 records.

'Incredibly personal information'

Ahead of making the complaint, the ICCLs human rights officer Olga Cronin said she had been able to buy data about each of my neighbours, how much money they have, and whether they are single or not, adding that such incredibly personal information is specially protected under EU law.

In its complaint, seen by the Irish Examiner, the ICCL argues that in selling that data, GeoDirectory has infringed Article 5 of the GDPR in numerous ways, including in terms of lawfulness and transparency, accuracy, purpose limitation, and accountability.

The human rights body also points out that the GDPR states that profiling peoples' "economic situation" creates a high risk to them.

Ms Cronin said the sale of the data in question is deeply problematic.

Weve no idea who is buying this data. I did, anyone else could. Whats to stop people finding out about struggling rural families throughout Ireland?

EU data protection law defines any data that can single out a person 'directly or indirectly' as protected personal data. The law is clear. GeoDirectory, An Post, and OSI are infringing the GDPR, she said.

GeoDirectory is jointly owned by An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, with An Post being the majority partner with 51% of the companys ownership.

The company was first formed in 1995 with a remit to carry on the business as developers of databases containing mapping co-ordinates, address information and other information, and to act as wholesalers for those databases, according to the companys constitution.

Socioeconomic data is not mentioned in that description.

A spokesperson for the Data Protection Commission acknowledged the complaint had been received and "is currently being assessed.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has blamed the Russian Federation for very sinister and intimidatory reports on Russian state TV simulating a devastating nuclear attack on Britain and Ireland.

He said an apology should be forthcoming for the reports, which showed Ireland and Britain being completely submerged by an underwater nuclear bomb off the Donegal coast.

Mr Martin said the reports were "very sinister, intimidatory-type tactics by the Russian Federation".

However, he added he did not think anybody was going to be intimidated by them.

I think it reflects the mindset that is worrying and not in touch with reality and I think an apology should be forthcoming, he said.

Asked who should apologise  the TV station or the Russian ambassador to Ireland  Mr Martin replied: Whoever instigated this.

Defence minister Simon Coveney urged the public not to be distracted "from the real atrocities being committed by Russian Forces."

Theres been a lot of understandable comment in relation to this trash video on Russian State TV.

Lets not allow ourselves be distracted from the real atrocities being committed by Russian Forces in #Ukraine by disinformation like this. #StandWithUkrainepic.twitter.com/gM3mgkNF6M  Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) May 3, 2022

The Russian embassy in Dublin told the Irish Examiner on Monday: 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.

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said: "There can be no justification for threatening use of nuclear weapons. Ireland continues to urge maximum restraint, de-escalation and the avoidance of any nuclear rhetoric."
The lease for the new 800m National Maternity Hospital at St Vincents will now be 299 years, not 149 as previously agreed, under plans to be approved by Cabinet today.

The memorandum to be tabled by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will also see increased State representation on the hospital's board.

The Government has repeatedly said that the Sisters of Charity will have no input into the running or ethos of the hospital, and it is hoped that the lease timescale will ease critics' concerns.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has repeatedly said there can be no semblance or even perception of religious influence in the new hospital.

The proposed governance arrangement would appear to end speculation that the Government would use a compulsory purchase order to take full ownership of the site.

Mr Donnellys memorandum will formally set out the legal framework under which the hospital will operate.

It will say that, on foot of an agreement with the St Vincents Hospital Group, the new hospital board will now include three independent directors selected by the minister, alongside three nominated by St Vincents, and three nominated by the National Maternity Hospital.

It had been envisaged that St Vincent's and the National Maternity Hospital would have four board positions each, but it has been agreed to reduce these down to increase the State's presence on the board.

St Vincents Healthcare Group, owner of the Elm Park site in south Dublin, last year said agreements had been reached with the public authorities to change the terms on which the new hospital will be governed.

The plan to move the National Maternity Hospital from Holles Street in central Dublin to the St Vincents campus has been in train since 2013 but the project has been mired in controversy for years.

The Religious Sisters of Charity are due to transfer the ownership of lands at St Vincents to an independent entity, which was to lease the new maternity hospital site to the State for 99 years with a 50-year extension. However, critics claimed a Catholic religious ethos would live on, possibly compromising the hospitals power to carry out services such as pregnancy termination.

Before Christmas, the National Maternity Hospital board gave its approval for a proposal which will in effect double the duration of the original lease that was on offer.

The Health Service Executive will own the building on a ground lease of 299 years and there will be a change to the board composition, said a source.

The prolonged lease duration and board changes were confirmed by a second source briefed on the talks but it is understood that the HSE board has yet to sign off on the plan.

In the new arrangement there will be three public-interest directors on the board which will run the hospital, a change from the original proposal to have only one such director.

Last month, a petition with 10,000 signatures, calling for the new National Maternity Hospital to be publicly owned, was presented to Mr Martins office in Cork.
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said further sanctions on Russian oil and gas would be agreed by the EU in the coming days.

An outright ban on Russian oil could negatively affect a number of European countries who are reliant on the fuel, he said. Putins regime shut off Bulgaria and Polands access to gas after the countries refused to pay for the fuel in Russian roubles last week, sparking an emergency meeting of ministers in Brussels.

Mr Ryan, who is attending the meeting, said he wished a total ban could be called on Russian oil by the bloc immediately.

Weve been calling for much stronger sanctions, he said.

But it is coming, in the next day or so, I know the Ukrainian ambassador has called or us to turn off the tap, we need to do that in a way that brings Europe together, and make sure they dont damage Europe more than Russia, he told Newstalk.

Mr Ryan said Putin was using oil as a weapon against the European bloc. Sanctions on oil will be brought in next, Mr Ryan said, however, gas is more difficult.

Putin will look to divide Europe, he said.

The reason for the emergency meeting in Brussels was because Bulgaria and Poland have refused rouble contracts, and it is expected other countries will follow, such as Finland.

The exact legal mechanisms for the sanctions is something the legal advisers for the commission has to advise on, Mr Ryan added.

Ukraine also needs access to gas and diesel.

Fortunately, we have synchronised the Ukrainian grid to the European grid.

From the start, Ireland has been saying we should go for the strongest possible sanctions.

The high energy prices were seeing are a direct consequence of the war.

Mr Ryan added that Europe needed to be able to stand behind Ukraine and we wont do that well if were divided.

When asked about images on Russian state television of a simulated nuclear attack on the UK and Ireland, Mr Ryan said it was shocking and that Irish diplomats in Moscow would respond.

He also expressed concern that May 9, the anniversary of the end of the Second World War, could lead to a step-up in warmongering by Russia.

On domestic issues, Mr Ryan said the ban on the commercial sale of turf was likely to go ahead in autumn after the government leaders agree on a way forward.

This goes back to 2015, everyone recognises this is a problem, he said.

This was agreed last September and everyone said this is not to hit people with rights to their own bog and sharing peat with neighbours, a lot of people were scaremongering.

We have to do this in a way that is legally sound.
If Fine Gael is to address sliding public support, it would do well to get its own house in order first by truly welcoming women and young people in.

The resignation of Cork councillor Karen Coakley amid accusations of bullying and "skullduggery" did not come as a shock to many within Fine Gael.

"There isn't a woman in our party that isn't surprised by what's happened, because there isn't a woman in our party, with the exception of a very small, small few who haven't experienced exactly what Karen and Katie have gone through already. None of us," one senior member said, referring the fellow Cork councillor Katie Murphy, who left just six months ago.

Ms Coakley, who ran for Fine Gael in Cork South-West constituency in the 2020 general election, last week announced she would be leaving the party with immediate effect and claimed reports of "bullying", "character assassination" and "intimation" had not been acted upon.

One grassroots member said her resignation was "unsurprising" given the "way things have gone in recent years".

"Definitely a pattern has emerged of women with any sort of opinions being pushed out," he said.

Stressing her experience was part of a wider issue in the party, Ms Coakley said: "The negativity in Cork South-West, created by a few, is spreading like a toxic virus and it has damaged the party beyond repair.

Karen Coakley

"I am beyond disillusioned by Fine Gael, I believe they are not listening to the people, the party is out of touch with the electorate and not interested in change," she told the constituency AGM.

Some party members have pointed out that there had been considerable engagement with Ms Coakley, but no formal written bullying complaint had been received.

However, others say this attitude is actually the problem, and by failing to recognise issues just because formal procedures have not been utilised, Fine Gael is effectively saying it is doesn't care when people are forced out.

Senator Regina Doherty, who raised significant concerns about the latest resignation at the Fine Gael parliamentary party last week, has now requested that a review be carried out into every resignation over the past five years to dig into the reasons as to why councillors and area reps are leaving.

"It's not a small problem, we've also lost a significant number of councillors under the age of 30. So not only are we losing women we are losing young people," she said.

If Fine Gael is to attract a new, fresh generation of politicians, then it must become an attractive and relevant proposition, starting with the Young Fine Gael (YFG) organisation.

A recently completed internal report into the party's youth wing stressed the need for greater gender equality and recommended that Fine Gael should run at least one candidate under 30 in every local authority area in the next local elections.

This could become a tall order if those who do show an interest are forced out before they get a proper chance.

"There's a lot of work being done by the party around the country to identify and encourage more female candidates. But yes, I think there are difficulties in recruiting women in Fine Gael," said councillor Eileen Lynch, who stressed this was not a problem unique to Leo Varadkar's party.

The review, headed up by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris, found YFG as a brand was "tarnished", a description that could equally be applied to the main party.

Mr Harris also concluded the organisation has been "excessively internally focused" and concerned with "niche issues of interest to few young people" adding YFG has become "ideologically obsessed with a conservative/liberal discourse" which does not reflect the wider Irish public.

Among the recommendations put forward by Mr Harris and his Youth Commission is that all future Fine Gael recruitment campaigns have a specific focus to attract female and diverse members for under 25s.

But as one member said:

We're trying to find out why young people don't like us. Well, you know what, start with the obvious problems that we have as to why we're losing the ones that we've already got."

Another recommendation, which appeared almost as a footnote in the report seen by the Irish Examiner, is that the YFG National Forum on Facebook be discontinued immediately.

The private Facebook page has been described as a "cesspit" by some members who have access to it, with disputes over policy positions often becoming heated and nasty.

"I've seen this stuff, some of it is toxic," said one female YFG member. She said the youth wing had a number of "conservative males" who "shout the loudest" on social media, but who do not reflect the silent majority.

Asked about this recommendation, one person who contributed to the work of the Youth Forum said: "I think people were kind of feeling as though these type of forums just weren't helpful.

"It's probably not a great place to be a woman on those kinds of those forums," the source said before adding that "there's definitely a big gender issue" within the party in general.

"Is it a party for women at the moment? Probably not, but I think that this is the start of a becoming one."

If Fine Gael, which recently plummeted below 20% in one opinion poll, is to regain and rebuild public support, it needs to make extra efforts to put out the welcome mat for women, who up until now have seen the rug pulled from under them when they try to progress up through the party.

This week in years gone by...

1918

May 5: John Dillon and Eamon de Valera addressed a 15,000-strong anti-conscription gathering in Mayo. The Cork Examiner reported that Mr Dillon said it was an atrocious form of oppression to try to compel people to fight for a country not their own. He was "convinced" that this question would destroy the Government.

On the Plinth May 4

1949

May 3: The British government passed an act guaranteeing that Northern Ireland would remain within the United Kingdom as long as the majority of its citizens want it to be. It was reported that the changes also meant that "Eire thus becomes neither British nor foreign territory, but has a kind of intermediate status of her own".

1973

May 7: Controversy erupted when former Department of Justice secretary general Peter Berry claimed he had been forced to retire six years prior after he "took the rap" and was made a "scapegoat" for his line minister. Jack Lynch denied Mr Berry had been promised money to compensate him for stepping aside early, with the Cork Examiner reporting that: "Mr Berry at the time was an active man and the Government had though it possible that a vacancy might arise on a State body for which he would be suitable. But no such vacancy had arisen."

On the Plinth May 4

2014

May 8: "After 6 reports, 2 resignations and 1 apology... Shatter finally quits," read the front page headline on a report on a damning 300-page review outlining Department of Justice failures in adequately dealing with allegations of malpractice, corruption and falsification of records within the gardai, which forced Alan Shatter to step aside. Two years later, then Taoiseach Enda Kenny corrected the Dail record in relation to the resignation of the former Justice Minister.

What to look out for this week

Tuesday

TDs who usually gather for Leaders' Questions each Tuesday afternoon have taken an extended bank holiday with the Dail not returning until Wednesday this week.

However, a number of Oireachtas committees will sit, including the Committee on Environment on Climate Action which is due to get an update on the circular economy from Environment Minister Eamon Ryan. Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman will discuss the Institutional Burials Bill which is currently being scrutinised by the Children's Committee.

Wednesday

The Health Committee kicks off at 9.30am with the much anticipated appearance of both Department of Health secretary-general Robert Watt and Dr Tony Holohan on the now-aborted Trinity College professorship.

With average rents now at 1,415 a month for new tenants, Sinn Fein is bringing forward a motion on rising costs for those searching for a place to live.

Over in the Seanad, a motion supporting the right of Ukraine to exist as a sovereign, independent state that is free to choose its own political and military alliances following its own legal and constitutional provision will be debated.

Did you know? On top of their salaries, TDs and senators are entitled to a number of allowances. One of the most talked about allowances over the years has been the Travel and Accommodation Allowance (TAA) which is based on the distance from a politician's normal place of residence to Leinster House by the shortest practicable route. Oireachtas members, excluding the Ceann Comhairle, are paid a travel allowance ranging from 6,300 a year for Dublin-based politicians to 32,535 per annum for those 360km or more from Leinster House. The Ceann Comhairle may avail of an annual overnight allowance of up to 14,715.

Thursday

Arts Minister Catherine Martin and Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien are in the hot seat as they take Dail questions in the morning.

There will be statements on the Government's response on accommodation needs for those fleeing Ukraine in the afternoon.

And if you thought the turf war had ended after last week's shenanigans around a Sinn Fein vote, think again  the Independent Group is bringing forward another motion on the sale and supply of the humble sod, which is due to kick off after 5pm.

The Public Accounts Committee will hear from Department of Finance officials and will examine the C&AG's report on the Apple escrow fund.

Friday

Congratulations in advance to Irish Examiner Political Correspondent, Paul Hosford, who is due to marry Patrice Sheridan in a Covid-delayed celebration.
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 British prime minister will echo the words of Winston Churchill as he sets out a new 300m (357m) 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 Zelenskyy.

'Ukraines finest hour'

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 British people 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 Zelenskyy 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 the British parliament last week on plans to send sophisticated long-range Brimstone missiles and Stormer air defence vehicles.

In addition, Britain 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 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.
A manhunt continues for an extremely dangerous murder suspect  and the jail boss believed to have 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 Centre in Florence, Alabama, on Friday morning.

They have not been seen since  with the patrol vehicle they were using found in the car park at a nearby shopping centre.

Authorities have no idea where they are.

Anyone seeing the pair should not approach them, authorities warned.

The pair are considered dangerous and should not be approached by the public (US Marshals Service/AP)

US marshal Marty Keely said at a press conference on Monday: We consider both of them dangerous and, in all probability, both individuals are armed.

He said Casey White will stand out even if he has changed his appearance because he is 6ft9ins and around 18-and-a-half stone.

Vicky White is wanted on suspicion of permitting or allowing an escape, local sheriff Rick Singleton said on Monday.

She is not related to Casey White, who was serving a 75-year prison sentence and awaiting trial for murder.

She told co-workers she was taking him to the courthouse for a mental health evaluation.

No evaluation was scheduled, Mr Singleton said.

Vicky White also broke a policy that required more than one official to be involved in transporting inmates  a rule officials emphasised for Casey White because of a previous escape attempt, Mr Singleton added.

The sheriff said video footage showed the pair leaving the jail and going straight to the car park.

He said: We know she participated. Whether she did that willingly or if she was coerced, threatened somehow to participate, (Im) not really sure.

We know for sure she did participate.

Assistant director of corrections Vicky White (Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office/AP)

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.

Casey White was serving time for a string of crimes that included attempted murder, robbery and burglary.

While in prison, he allegedly confessed to stabbing a 58-year-old woman to death in 2015, causing him to be brought to the Lauderdale County jail for court proceedings.

The sheriff said authorities believe Casey White plotted an earlier escape in 2020, when they found a makeshift knife.

He could face the death penalty if convicted of murder.

The US Marshals Service is offering up to $10,000 (about 8,000) for information.

Mr 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.

Shes never done anything. I bet shes never even had a speeding ticket

Vicky White had planned to retire and Friday was to be her last day.

Mr Singleton said she sold her home about a month ago and talked about going to the beach.

As an assistant director for corrections, Vicky White moved throughout the jail and had multiple opportunities every day to be in contact with any inmate, the sheriff said.

Her job duties also included co-ordinating the 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, she said.

She told the station 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, Ms 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, Mr Connolly said.
Burma ASEAN Chair Urges Myanmar Regime Leader to Let Envoy Meet Suu Kyi

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Myanmar regime leader Min Aung Hlaing during a teleconference on Monday / Hun Sen Facebook

The chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday urged the Myanmar regime leader to let the blocs envoy meet with the countrys detained democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint to create a conducive environment to start an inclusive political dialogue in the country, which has been badly affected by a military coup last year.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who currently holds ASEANs rotating chair, and regime leader Min Aung Hlaing held a teleconference on Monday to discuss the implementation of the regional groupings five-point peace plan for Myanmar.

[Hun Sen] re-emphasized the importance of the ability of the special envoy to meet all parties concerned in Myanmar, including Aung San Suu Kyi and former President Win Myint, to create a conducive environment in which to start an inclusive political dialogue, Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a press release.

In response, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing pledged to facilitate meetings with other parties concerned, the ministry said, meaning the ASEAN Special Envoy on Myanmar will not have access to either during his forthcoming second visit to country at the end of this month.

Myanmar has been in social and political turmoil since the military seized power from the countrys democratically elected government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. ASEAN adopted a five-point peace plan for Myanmar in April 2021 urging the junta to immediately end the violence in the country and to hold an inclusive political dialogue, among other steps. The regime, which has killed more than 1,700 civilians so far, has failed to implement the plan.

Hun Sens push for Min Aung Hlaing to let the blocs envoy meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myintboth of whom have been detained since the coup and are on trialcomes after ASEANs peace plan for the country was condemned for failing to fulfill its pledges or take meaningful steps toward pressing the regime to end its human rights violations.

During Mondays meeting, Hun Sen reminded Min Aung Hlaing of the importance of avoiding excessive use of force in maintaining law and order. The regime has been using air and artillery strikes, raids and the burning of villages in the countrys anti-regime stronghold areas in Myanmars northwest and southeast, causing tens of thousands of civilian displacements.

In March, ASEANs Special Envoy for Myanmar, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, visited the country and met with Min Aung Hlaing and some of his cabinet members, among others, but not with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

During the visit, the junta arranged for him to meet with a lawmaker from Daw Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) in an attempt to deceive the international community that it was complying with its request that the junta allow envoys to meet with all political stakeholders in Myanmar. The junta said a meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was impossible as the countrys laws prohibit meetings with anyone on trial. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has faced a series of charges filed by the regime. However, the lawmaker declined the meeting, citing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upon his return from Myanmar, Prak Sokhonn said the countrys problems were complicated and would take a long time to solve, as the stakeholders were not ready to cooperate and still insist on fighting and eliminating one another.

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Burma Myanmar Junta Issues Another Corruption Charge Against Suu Kyi

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in 2017. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars military regime on Monday filed two more charges of corruption against detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after handing her a five-year prison sentence for corruption last week.

An officer from the Anti-Corruption Commission filed a complaint against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the court hearing on Monday in Naypyitaw, alleging that property developer Maung Weik had given her about U$550,000 in illegal payments between 2018 and 2020 to protect his businesses.

The charge is based on Maung Weiks comments, made during a regime press conference in March last year.

The owner of Sae Paing Construction Co, Maung Weik, said he had given Daw Aung San Suu Kyi four payments, US$100,000 in 2018 to her Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, US$150,000 in 2019, US$50,000 in February 2020 and US$250,000 in April 2020.

Junta-controlled broadcasters reported Maung Weik as saying he made the first payment in front of witnesses but the three other payments in private.

Observers said Maung Weik made the three other payments up while under junta detention.

The Evidence Act forbids using statements given while in detention, Daw Aung San Suu Kyis lawyers argued in a previous corruption case.

Last week, she was given five years in prison 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.

The verdict was based only on the testimony of U Phyo Min Thein and there is no evidence of the gold or dollars.

The latest corruption charge is also based on one mans allegations.

It is the 13th corruption charge against the 76-year-old. They each carry up to 15 years in prison.

The regime has filed 20 charges against her and handed down 11 years in jail for six charges.

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Pregnant Woman Miscarries, 4 Detained as Myanmar Regime Cracks Down on Six Twos Protest

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Burma Myanmar Regime Detains Child Relatives of Student Protester

Junta forces seen during a crackdown on an anti-regime protest in Yangon 2021. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmar junta forces abducted seven relatives of wanted student protester Ko Nyan Win Htet, including two children, on Sunday night.

At around 11pm on Sunday, junta troops raided the home of Ko Nyan Win Htet, a second year psychology student at East Yangon University, in Yangons Dawbon Township for the second time in search of him.

During the raid, regime soldiers fired a warning shot and then detained all seven of Ko Nyan Win Htets relatives who were at home, including his parents and a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old, as hostages, according to a member of the East Yangon University Students Union. Ko Nyan Win Htet is in hiding.

As far as we know, his family members are being held at Dawbon Police Station, the Students Union member told The Irrawaddy.

He denounced the military regime for taking the family members of wanted anti-coup activists as hostages.

It is an unacceptable and inhumane act of the junta. These acts push us to continue to rebel against the regime as much as we can, he said.

East Yangon University Students Union said that it will notify western embassies and international organizations of the arrests and closely monitor the situation, according to a statement released on Monday.

The junta has been seizing the relatives and friends of those opposed to its rule as a way of both coercing activists to turn themselves in and terrorizing the Myanmar people.

On April 23, junta forces arrested six relatives of ousted National League for Democracy lawmaker U Thet Paing Soe, including his wife, 10-month-old daughter and 13-year-old cousin, in Ayeyarwady Regions Ngapudaw Township.

Over 250 minors have been detained by the junta since last years coup, while more than 1,800 people have been killed by regime forces attempting to crush opposition to military dictatorship, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

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Burma Myanmars Shadow Govt Dismisses Suu Kyi Corruption Conviction as Farce

Anti-regime protesters flash three-finger salutes while holding posters featuring detained civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon in April 2021. / AFP

The Ministry of Justice of Myanmars parallel National Unity Government (NUG) has slammed the fresh jail sentence handed by the junta to State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyia figure known for her moral integrityon a corruption charge as clearly ridiculous.

On Wednesday, a special court set up by the junta in Naypyitaw handed down a five-year prison sentence against the detained leader. The sentence will be added to the six years she is already serving for other cases brought against her by the regime.

The verdict was for a corruption case in which she was accused of accepting a bribe in the form of gold bars from the former chief minister of Yangon. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was ousted in the military takeover in February last year, denied the allegations as completely false.

In response to the latest sentence, NUG Minister of Justice and renowned lawyer U Thein Oo said in a statement released on Monday that the junta pretended to have evidence that the nations most respected leader had accepted US$600,000 worth of gold bars as bribes.

Knowing her entire life has been devoted to fighting for the freedom of the people of Myanmar, including decades in prison and under house arrest, such a claim is clearly ridiculous, he responded.

The 76-year-old leader is widely respected among Myanmar people at home and abroad for her moral values, and beloved for standing with the people; they reject the juntas corruption accusation against her.

NUG Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs U Moe Zaw Oo, who is also executive director of a charity founded by the ousted leader, told The Irrawaddy in an interview that the detained leader had given so much of her own money to charity, she no longer has a place of her own or any financial possessions.

I dont understand how they could charge such a person with corruption, he said, adding that he believed the case is the result of a personal grudge.

The Daw Aung San Suu Kyi-chaired National League for Democracy (NLD) won a repeat landslide victory in the 2020 general election, defeating the militarys proxy party and allied parties. Just a few hours before the newly elected lawmakers were due to take their seats, the military staged a coup on Feb. 1 last year, arresting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and others, claiming electoral fraud despite the fact that independent election observers said they found no irregularities in the election.

Since then, she has been detained at an undisclosed location and faced a barrage of 20 nonsensical legal cases. Of those, 13 are corruption cases.

NUG Minister of Justice U Thein Oo denounced the juntas so-called trials of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as unjust, lacking in credibility, a farce and a propaganda stunt in Mondays statement.

This propaganda stunt reveals two things about this murderous junta, once again. First, that they are shameless about the farce of a legal system they have inflicted on the people of Myanmar. Second, that they are still terrified of the power Daw Aung San Suu Kyi still has as a symbol of courage in defense of democracy, the minister added.

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Burma Sagaing Resistance Claims to Have Killed 35 Myanmar Junta Troops

PDF fighters are welcomed by residents in Myaung after fighting regime forces on Monday.

Anti-regime resistance fighters in Sagaing Region killed at least 35 junta soldiers during a firefight that lasted around three hours on Monday.

The Civilian Defence and Security Organization of Myaung (CDSO) said in a statement that fighters from 38 peoples defense forces (PDFs) in the region attacked more than 100 regime troops in Myaung Township.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

During the three-hour fight, from 35 to 40 regime soldiers were killed and around 70 retreated to nearby villages, said the statement, adding that two resistance fighters were wounded.

The resistance forces were welcomed by residents, according to pictures posted by the CDSO on Facebook.

Sagaing is Myanmars largest region and an anti-regime stronghold. The regimes spokesman recently admitted that the junta does not control the region, especially rural areas, where residents took up arms last year.

In response, the junta retaliates using airstrikes and artillery during clearance operations in the region. Apart from extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests, troops raided villages and looted property before torching whole villages, claiming they are harboring PDF fighters.

Junta forces burned down at least 11,417 civilian houses across the country by the end of April with Sagaing Region suffering the heaviest damage with around 7,503 houses torched by regime forces, according to independent research group Data for Myanmar.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its latest humanitarian update on Myanmar that by April 11, 346,000 of the 566,100 people displaced since the military takeover are from Chin State and Sagaing and Magwe regions.

The UN office said the number of displaced by fighting in Chin State, Magwe and Sagaing regions has now exceeded 300,000.

Despite violent crackdowns, Sagaing Region reports daily protests and resistance attacks against military rule.

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Analysis Myanmar Coup Leader Reveals His Desperation by Proposing Peace Talks With EAOs

Protesters step on photos of Min Aung Hlaing during an anti-coup protest in Yangon in February 2021. / AFP

Coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is increasingly worried that he might lose his position as Myanmar dictator, said observers, after the junta chief recently invited leaders of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) to peace talks.

In a televised address on April 22, Min Aung Hlaing called for face-to-face talks with EAO leaders.

Typically, military leaders carefully prepare any speech they are to deliver publicly. Normally, the speech is drafted first by a Major General from the Psychological Warfare and Public Relations Department or the chief of military security affairs. The speech is then typically delivered on state anniversaries or significant days.

But observers said that Min Aung Hlaing did not prepare carefully for his April 22 speech, and that it seemed to be an almost impromptu address.

Even ordinary citizens know that powerful EAOs would not agree to hold talks with the military regime leader in the Myanmar capital Naypyitaw. Everyone knows that Min Aung Hlaing has been saying one thing and doing another ever since he became the military chief.

Min Aung Hlaing has never before demonstrated any will or desire to end the armed conflicts in Myanmars borderlands.

As military chief he prevented the Arakan Army (AA), the Taang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army from signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), despite the fact that the three armed groups participated in peace talks under U Thein Seins quasi-civilian government and wanted to join the peace process, and despite the fact that U Thein Seins government wanted them to sign the NCA.

U Thein Sein could not go against the army chief. And because of the restrictions Min Aung Hlaing imposed, the powerful Kachin Independence Army, which was considering signing the agreement, chose not to sign the NCA.

As a result, clashes ensued in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan states throughout the time the National League for Democracy (NLD) Party was in government. And the military also suffered heavy casualties.

Since the coup, resistance groups collectively known as Peoples Defense Forces (PDF) have sprung up across the country. Currently, there are around 100,000 PDF members and local PDFs control the majority of Sagaing Region.

However, Min Aung Hlaing excluded the PDFs in his April 22 offer of peace talks. If he has a real desire to end the armed conflicts in Myanmar, he cant exclude the PDFs.

Despite his proposal for peace talks, the regime is continuing with its attacks in the borderlands, said EAO leaders. If Min Aung Hlaing really wants to end the armed conflicts, he should have instructed a halt to military operations since his proposal for talks, added some EAO leaders.

Some EAO leaders believe that Min Aung Hlaing just wants to reduce the pressure on him and the Myanmar military, and does not have any real intention of ending the border conflicts.

Thousands of anti-coup activists flocked to the borderlands to undergo military training with EAOs, following the juntas lethal crackdowns on anti-regime protests in February and March last year. Now, PDFs are especially active in Sagaing and Magwe regions, which traditionally provide the largest number of recruits for the Myanmar military. With the exception of Naypyitaw, Ayeyarwady Region and Rakhine State, which is largely under the control of the AA, much of the country has become a war zone.

Since June last year, all 30 divisions of the army have been engaged in non-stop military and security operations, something which is unprecedented in the Myanmar militarys history.

There are ten battalions in a division, and seven of them have to go to the front line in a military operation. After four months on operations, three of the battalions at the front are replaced with the three in the rear. Now, though, the battalions are increasingly exhausted as they are unable to take a break due to fighting conflicts on so many fronts.

Regime forces are also significantly depleted because of casualties and a growing number of defections. Min Aung Hlaing has been forced to extend the retirement age of troops by two more years to compensate for the dwindling number of soldiers.

Due to the shortages, the regime has had to bring retired personnel back into service. It has also formed groups like the Pyu Saw Htee militia to assist its operations. The junta does not fund them, but battalion commanders in the areas they operate in have to cover their costs.

At the same time, the military has seen a steep decline in its revenues as people boycott military-linked products. Normally, dividends from the military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings conglomerate are distributed among active and retired personnel every six months. But battalions have not yet received their annual dividend of 15 million kyats and thus have not been able to carry out social welfare works for their personnel and their families.

Due to the increasing pressures, some army subordinates have started to criticize Min Aung Hlaing. Active and retired military personnel are now questioning the militarys leadership. There are many so-called watermelon soldiers, named because they wear green uniforms but secretly support the NLD, who tip important military information to the resistance forces.

Some commanders might now be considering scapegoating Min Aung Hlaing for their future safety.

While the regimes battalions are increasingly tired and cash-starved, the PDFs are growing in terms of manpower and weapons. Resistance fighters who once used rudimentary hunting rifles now have modern assault rifles. As well as using landmines, they are now conducting drone attacks. They have gained military experience while defending themselves and attacking the regime forces.

It is only one month until the onset of the monsoon. When the rainy season comes, regime troops will lose their air support and the PDFs and EAOs will gain the upper hand.

Min Aung Hlaing needs to give his soldiers, who are increasingly tired and disobedient, a rest. He wants to keep the EAOs at bay under the guise of peace talks, at least for the duration of the rainy season when his soldiers will struggle to fight without air support. That is why he suddenly proposed dialogue with the EAOs.

If the EAOs and PDFs can maintain the current level of military, economic and political pressure on the regime, Min Aung Hlaing will surely be driven to despair.

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Guest Column Fear Rising Among Myanmar Military Elite

Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in February 2020, one year before becoming coup leader. / The Irrawaddy

No one has seen such fear among the Myanmar military since it launched its first coup in 1962 under the late General Ne Win. Although it is the normal psychology of any dictator and their followers who have taken power by force to have irrational fears and anxiety, the current, growing fear among the Myanmar military elite and their families is both very real and rational. The army and its followers have very good reasons to fear losing control of the country as the anti-coup resistance movement gains ground.

Crucially, the militarys takeover on February 1, 2021 has created a political convergence point among the people that no one has seen since the 1947 Panglong Agreement. The militarys violent response to the peaceful anti-coup protests nationwide has resulted in it waging war against its own people, creating terror and chaos.

Previously, Buddhist Burmar people in inland Myanmar had only heard of the juntas atrocities against the ethnic minorities in the borderlands. But now the militarys slaughter of Bamar civilians has led to the people not wanting to return to the pre-coup years where the military retained an effective constitutional veto thanks to its holding a quarter of all seats in parliament. A political convergence point has been reached that has brought stakeholders together in the National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) to form a national political alliance. Even though the alliance is still in its early stages, the military regime can be surrounded politically in the near future. At the same time, the military is struggling to cope with increasing armed resistance across the country.

Junta threatened by armed resistance groups

In the early 1990s, there was a prophecy that if the armed forces of the pro-democracy movement could open a military front in the northwest of Burma along the Chindwin River, in Sagaing Region which borders Chin State to the west and Kachin State in the northeast, that would be the beginning of the end of military dictatorship.

I believed in the prophecy. Soon after the then junta refused to honor the results of the 1990 election, and fearing arrest because of my participation in the pro-democracy movement, I fled to the Myanmar-India border to join a student-led camp training people for armed resistance. Now, over 30 years later, the prophecy of the early 1990s may be coming true.

In March, the Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar reported almost 300 clashes between the NUGs Peoples Defense Forces (PDF) and the Myanmar military in Sagaing Region from July 2021 through March 2022. Over 20,000 Bamar people were displaced by the fighting and junta raids and arson attacks.

Five years after I joined the students army, I was assigned to a communication office to assist [with encrypted email messages] a few commanders who were in charge of transferring an All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) battalion from an area under the control of the Kachin Independence Army to the Myanmar-India border in Sagaing Region. If successful, the transfer could have enabled us to smuggle much-needed weaponry into the region of the prophecy. Now, local PDFs have made the dream come true.

From Putao in the far north to Kawthoung in the far south, the regime is facing an unprecedented level of armed opposition. At the same time, there are increasing clashes with ethnic armed organizations in Kayah, Karen, Kachin and Chin states. Armed resistance against the illegitimate Myanmar military is growing across the country.

Rising number of regime casualties and relocation of junta families to Naypyitaw

On April 22, Myanmar Now reported that families of people working for the State Administration Council (SAC) are relocating to the junta stronghold of Naypyitaw as attacks by urban resistance forces increase in Yangon. The report stated how fear was growing among the Yangon-based family members of junta personnel that the SAC may not be able to protect them from the increasing presence of guerilla groups in the city.

Over 500 family members of army personnel have applied for long-stay visas in Thailand, according to a source close to a Myanmar military family in Yangon. Meanwhile, elite pro-military supporters such as Aye Ne Win, the grandson of former dictator Ne Win, seem to spend more time in Dubai than Myanmar.

The recent shooting of the Deputy Governor of the junta-controlled Central Bank of Myanmar, Than Than Swe, is the most high-profile example of the over 1,000 junta personnel who have been targeted by Yangon resistance groups. Former navy lieutenant commander Thein Aung, the Chief Financial Officer of the military-owned Mytel Telecommunications Co, was gunned down in Yangon in late 2021, while more than 80 Mytel towers across the country have been bombed by PDFs.

The rising number of casualties among the military elite has created cracks in the military, while the SACs ongoing purge of tycoons such as Khin Shwe, a prominent member of the military-business establishment, highlights the tensions within the regime.

Resistance movement funding and technology

At the end of 1990, I had to sell my bike to finance my one-month long trip to join the opposition forces on the border. In contrast, current anti-coup activists are funded by the Myanmar diaspora to fly to Thailand in a day to work for the NUG.

It took the ABSDF about four to five years to raise US$500,000 in the 1990s. But the NUGs Ministry of Defense in its March 2022 report revealed that the NUG had spent US$30 million to support PDFs. While that is a small amount in comparison to the SACs military budget of around US$3 billion for 2022-23, the resistance movement has the technology and the sustained support of a public that believes that dictatorship can be ended in Myanmar. Those are important elements in the war against the junta.

Organized by Helping Hands for Burma, the Myanmar diaspora in New Jersey, United States, raised nearly $150,000 on April 24 this year alone from the sale of NUG bonds and a fund-raising fair.

As well as funds being raised in a short period of time, the resistance is being innovative in producing its own weapons. A homemade rifle made by some PDFs costs less than $100. Resistance fighters have been posting photos of them with guns made with 3D printers. Other PDFs use cutting-edge technology such as drones and remotely-controlled bombs.

Conclusion

The Spring Revolution led by Burmese youths born after 1988 is quite different from the anti-dictatorship movements led by former premier U Nu in 1970s and the student-led uprising of 1988 and the subsequent armed resistance movement of the 1990s. Previous resistance movements lacked the conducive environment we are currently seeing in Myanmar. If the political progress encapsulated by the NUG and NUCC can create an even more favorable environment, a commitment for a new federal structure for Myanmar can emerge. Although many challenges remain before the opposition forces can put an end to military dictatorship, the junta is definitely weakened. The Myanmar military elite and their families have very good reasons to be scared.

Zaw Tuseng, a former pro-democracy activist, is founder and president of the Myanmar Policy Initiative (MPI). The MPI was formed recently to mobilize Myanmar researchers to formulate policies and institutionalize the policymaking process for Myanmar. He holds an executive Master of Public Administration from Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs.

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The health of Biscayne Bay is showing signs of improvements, but more work is needed to keep it from deteriorating, according to the recently released Report Card on the health of Biscayne Bay.

Miami Dade County Mayor Danielle Levin Cava said the Report Card, compiled by the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources and the Department of Environmental Resources Management, helps the county pinpoint problems and direct resources.

The report came out ahead of Cava's trip to the United Nations in New York to discuss climate change.

Ideas to protect the Bay have been pitched by the Biscayne Bay Task Force and environmentalist groups. One of the projects was the recent Baynanza Beach Clean-up in which volunteers collected over 500 pounds of debris from coastline water.

Our economy and quality of life here in Miami-Dade depend on the health of our beloved bay, Cava said. Protecting our clean water is a key priority for my administration.

Im proud of the great work of our community during (Baynanza), and Im looking forward to joining the global conversation about how to adapt and protect our natural environment from the threats of climate change before the United Nations."

Cava said the Report Card details three areas critical to the ecological health of Biscayne Bay: water quality, habitat and fisheries.

The Report concluded that six of the bays 12 regions showed improvement, while the others did not deteriorate further.

The report utilizes red, yellow, and green categories to make the data more accessible to Miami-Dade residents.

The county has adopted policies from the Biscayne Bay Task Force and its Chief Bay Officer, Irela Bague, including the adoption of a strong fertilizer ordinance that restricts excessive use by homes and businesses; kicking off the Connect 2 Protect septic tank-to-sewer program; creating a permanent Advisory board; and piloting stormwater innovation projects.

Bague said the massive fish kill two years ago and deaths of large swaths of seagrass meadows became the catalyst for renewed attention on the health of Biscayne Bay.

The task force was formed late last year to develop a plan for Cava and county commissioners to adopt that would resolve the pollution issue and enhance the water quality for Biscayne Bay.

That tragedy centered the importance of water quality for residents and businesses across the county, Bague said. Aging water infrastructure, as well as nutrient pollution flowing from our streets into our stormwater systems and canals, have contributed to the decline of the watershed.

Being a coastline community, Miami-Dade County is on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Cava attended several United Nations events last week to discuss strategies the county is using to combat sea levels rise. She said the county will share best practices with representatives from around the world.

Continuing efforts to preserve the health of Biscayne Bay has piqued the interest of environmentalists, such as Key Biscaynes Andrew Otazo, who regularly volunteers to clean-up Key Biscayne's Crandon Park.

These environments, the mangroves, the seagrass beds, theyre a part of me, he said. I grew up in Miami, and  its something I have a compulsion to do. I cant help myself. It brings me peace to do it.

In February, 14 middle school students from KIPP Liberty Academy participated in one of Otazo's clean-up projects at Virginia Key Beach.They collected over 105 pound of trash from Virginia Key Beach's North Point.

Otazo said he has collected over 16,350 pounds of trash and debris since he started his crusade four years ago.

Alberto Aran, a local citizen scientist is also doing his part to help clean up Biscayne Bay.

Aran owns Watershed Action Lab, a non-profit organization that recruits citizen scientists to help bring health back to their watershed.

Biscayne Bay is a big mountain to climb, he said.
Enghouse Interactive - thats Eng as in Engineering - is hosting a free, customer-driven webinar on May 11 with genuine experiences in enabling Microsoft Teams for the contact centre. Heres why thats a big deal.

If you're using Microsoft Teams - and if you have Office 365 then chances are good you are - and you have a contact centre, finally the twain shall meet.

It's also likely much of your enterprise workloads have moved from on-premises applications to cloud-based solutions - Office 365 or Google GSuite for email instead of running and managing Microsoft Exchange, ERP and CRM solutions like Microsoft Dynamics or Netsuite, file sharing solutions like OneDrive or Dropbox, and many more. Yet, for a lot of enterprise contact centres, their key operations still rely on a risky, ageing, expensive, maintenance-required PABX sitting in a server room.

If you've recognised the need to bring your contact centre into the cloud - making it available anywhere your business operates, de-risking maintenance, security and backups - or youve wondered if you can bring the experience and power you have in Microsoft Teams to your contact centre experience then, well, this webinar is for you.

The webinar runs on 11 May 2022 at 12 pm AEST, 2 pm NZST, and 10 am SGT and is facilitated by Enghouse Interactive and Microsoft with two customer panellists from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers in Australia and Whangarei District Council in New Zealand who will speak about their own real experiences with modernising their contact centres by integrating them with Microsoft Teams.

Enghouse Interactive's Tony Athanasiou explained to iTWire that the company is a part of Enghouse Systems, a Canadian-listed company thats been around since the early 80s. We have over 35 years of experience in customer interaction, CX, and contact centre, and produce tech for every touchpoint.

Enghouse has over 2000 staff worldwide, thousands of customers around the globe who use its contact centre product, and numerous partnerships. These partnerships include Microsoft where Enghouse is in the top 1% of the Microsoft ecosystem and has worked closely with Microsoft in its Technology Adoption Program (TAP), and the partnerships also include companies like British Telecom and Telefonica who resell Enghouse Interactive solutions in a white-labelling arrangement.

The benefits of enabling Microsoft Teams for your contact centre are many, Athanasiou explained. For example, if youre using Microsoft Teams across your organisation for telephony and also want your contact centre to be on the same telephony collaboration platform, or if you get a customer enquiry and you want to be able to connect with anyone across your organisation to provide better customer service, he said. You might get a billing enquiry and want to reach out to a Finance or Accounts person in real-time and provide first-call resolution.

Enghouse Interactive's contact centre solution is certified by Microsoft for Microsoft Teams - one of only a handful worldwide that is.

"Since the pandemic, the uptake of Microsoft Teams has exploded, Athanasiou said, especially among people working from home who need to collaborate. As a result a lot of businesses now want to extend Teams into the contact centre.

In this webinar, Whangarei District Council IT project manager Roxanne Manlangit and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers service delivery manager Jasmine Lim will share their learnings in setting up Microsoft Teams for their contact centre and in using it. They will share what their adoption was like, the benefits theyve gained, and what their next steps are. You can hear from your peers about their real-world lived experiences. Its a straightforward practical webinar.

Enghouse Interactives solutions can work with any size company too - no matter if your company has five users or many, many more Enghouse Interactive can help you.

You can register for the free webinar here.
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Technology platform Marketplacer has inked a deal with digital commerce agency Overdose to expand both of their customer offerings and drive e-commerce growth.

Overdose offers re-platforming, strategy, design, search, marketing, data and technical maintenance.

This agreement will support clients in the rapidly evolving e-commerce sector.

We can now scale up the number of projects we are undertaking for our clients by working with a global agency with considerable knowledge and experience in the online marketing and fulfilment sector, comments Marketplacer chief alliance officer John Mullins.

Shopify integration

Overdose Group CEO Paul Pritchard says a particular focus for both companies are assisting clients to achieve tight integration between the Marketplacer platform and existing Shopify frontends.

This integration ensures e-commerce customers can enjoy a fully-featured online experience including the rich product and vendor discovery delivered by Shopify, while Marketplacer handles backend functions such as order processing, payments, and fulfilment.

Mutual benefits

Overdose is currently working with many different businesses in their 11 offices. This positions them to understand organisations' local and cultural needs alongside their opportunities for accelerated growth, which can be a perfect fit for a marketplace strategy with Marketplacer.

Overdoses Complete Commerce model focused on transformational strategy is vital when an e-commerce company is growing quickly and is keen to take full advantage of new opportunities, says Pritchard. These businesses trust Overdose. as their partner so are open to discussions around why a marketplace strategy makes sense for them.

Both companies have closely aligned values and challenger brands. The agreement will see their continued growth, Mullins says.

Overdose has physical representation in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland, Singapore, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Berlin, Vienna, Sao Paolo and Kyiv along with new locations on the horizon. This means we are well placed to work with clients who have a global footprint and are looking for support both locally and in multiple markets.

Target market

Marketplacer will make it easier for businesses to launch their own third-party marketplaces under the agreement.

The partnership will provide businesses with an offering that can help them to establish their marketplace strategy, says Mullins. It will enable them to onboard new suppliers, scale their range, and provide a personalised and integrated shopping experience.

As businesses that have an online presence look to add a marketplace to their existing website using Marketplacer, they can also rely on support from Overdose to assist with other areas to fully execute and launch their strategy.

Pritchard says many business owners who are considering introducing a marketplace strategy and growing their range have a hard time trying to understand how they will achieve this goal.

Many have tried to manage this in house and have seen projects drawn out extensively. Its important that we provide the best possible value to our customers and its through partnerships such as this that we can help our business customers achieve their goals.

Marketplacer and Overdose will conduct joint ecosystem events, joint brand awareness and positioning activations, client networking, masterclasses, workshops and webinars as part of the agreement.

I am looking forward to seeing what both companies can achieve as they work together in the future, says Mullins. The e-commerce space is evolving rapidly, and we are now perfectly positioned to help our clients achieve their goals.
Superloop announced the successful completion of the sale of Superloop (Hong Kong) and select assets from Superloop (Singapore) to Columbia Capital and DigitalBridge Investment Management. The sale was first announced in October 2021. The gross sale price, before the cost of the Indefeasible Right of Use ('IRU') purchased by Superloop, remained unchanged at A$140 million, with cash settlement proceeds of approximately A$125 million.

Superloop CEO and managing director Paul Tyler said, "This successful sale is a significant next step in our three-year turnaround plan aimed at simplifying the business to focus on core markets of scale.

"This divestment, at a 30% premium to the carrying value of the associated assets, strengthens our balance sheet and opens up new pathways for growth.

"Our intent remains to deploy this capital to grow the business aggressively, across all three market segments as a challenger.

"Our focus remains on consumers looking for better service and value, businesses seeking to move away from underperforming and uncompetitive legacy arrangements, and new wholesale partners seeking access to automated, high-quality infrastructure on much more flexible terms.

"Our significant net cash position enables us to consider further investment in organic growth, and on strategically-aligned M&A opportunities.

Superloop said that completion of the sale comes on the back of a strong Q3 with continuing organic growth momentum in all of Superloops customer segments. Particularly pleasing is the traction now being seen in the business segment with demand for mid-market and enterprise connectivity. Demand for Superloops business solutions, including SD-WAN, managed WiFi and security products such as SASE, is now returning post the Covid period headwinds as demonstrated by recent new contract wins including Ixom, Coates, ATB Morton, Cedar Pacific, KordaMentha, and Penske.

The company stated that momentum in the other segments was similarly pleasing with Q3 seeing the consumer segment deliver its strongest-ever net subscriber growth and wholesale connect customers, ending the quarter with over 16,000 subscribers.

The Exetel acquisition also continues to perform well with all targeted synergies now exceeded and the customer base now stabilised, they commented.

Based on the growth momentum in each of Superloops three customer segments, the Company says it re-affirms full-year EBITDA guidance of $23 million to $25 million.
Cevo says that in the role Asprey-Sharman will drive Cevos relationship with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and, as an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner, he will be responsible for helping Cevo to leverage the programs, expertise and resources to continue to drive value for customers and accelerate their journeys to the cloud.

Prior to joining Cevo, Asprey-Sharman was most recently the partner development manager for VMware Cloud on AWS, responsible for developing the partner ecosystem in Australia and New Zealand.

Im excited to join Cevo during this period of rapid growth, said Asprey-Sharman.

The combination of Cevos excellent technical and engineering talent, and a customer-focused culture, has created a significant opportunity for us to work closely with AWS to help support, transform and propel Australias most innovative companies on their cloud journeys. I look forward to working closely with AWS to deliver continuous innovation to our customers.

Cevo says the appointment comes as the company continues to invest in its relationship with AWS, including the recently attained AWS DevOps Competency status, while strengthening the foundations for ongoing growth.

Cevo says that with a focus on hiring top talent in all capability areas, the compay continues to invest into the growth of its Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra operations, including the hiring of more than 30 staff since the beginning of 2022.

Garry will be an excellent asset to the Cevo team and were thrilled to have him on board, commented Cevo CEO James Lewis.

With more than 30 years of industry, technical and sales experience, we will all benefit from Garrys extensive knowledge. Together with Garry, the broader leadership team and the wider Cevo staff, we look forward to investing in our partner relationships to meet the needs of Australias most innovative companies, and ultimately support our customers to accelerate their cloud journey.
Fester joined Hitachi Vantara in 2011 as an account representative, and for the last seven years has been working as strategic partner manager for Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.

In addition to his new regional duties, he will continue to work with existing and new partners in those states.

Fester previously worked as an account manager at Sundata, and as a business development manager at Surety IT.

Hitachi Vantara congratulated Fester on this promotion.

"Australian and New Zealand businesses have so much choice when it comes to digital solutions, cloud services and as-a-service options and a constant drive for digital transformation just to keep up, let alone remain competitive. This has created a need for IT infrastructure to support not simply cloud strategies, but hybrid cloud environments. It's more important than ever that we work as a business partner for our customers to apply our hybrid cloud expertise in response to this need, and we are increasingly partnering with IT integrators, managed service providers and others in the Channel to do just that," said Hitachi Vantara senior director, strategic partners and alliances Anupam Nagar.

"In recent years, weve seen a strong business momentum in the ANZ market. We are committed to driving mutual success for both the company and our partners. Jonathan has been with the company for over ten years and he has demonstrated strong leadership and deep expertise. I am confident that he can guide the ANZ channel team and bring even more success to our partner ecosystem."
COMPANY NEWS: Aussie Broadband has released its trading update for the quarter ended 31 March 2022 (3Q FY22).

The figures above exclude any contribution from Over the Wire (OTW), other than those services already with ABB.

Aussie Broadband says the company continues to strategically invest in growth to drive the longer-term value of the business with an increase in broadband connections of 11% in 3Q FY22.

The company has delivered consistent broadband services growth over the last three quarters, and this financial year is on track to be our largest ever for net broadband service additions, claims Aussie Broadband managing director Phillip Britt.

This growth is extremely pleasing in a market which is no longer growing and is reliant on customers choosing Aussie and switching from other providers to win market share, Britt says.

The third quarter remained strong for new white label services, assisted by the largely complete migration for our white label customer. We expect to see continued organic growth in this segment as our white label customer secures ongoing sales driven by industry leading customer service.

We welcomed the Over the Wire team into the Aussie Broadband family at the end of the quarter and there is excitement across the whole organisation at the opportunities this will bring. Both teams are already working closely to unlock the full potential of this acquisition.

Services

Total broadband services for 3Q increased by 54,108 or 11%. The companys NBN market share (excluding satellite) is expected to be 6.19% at 31 March 2022, up from 5.66% at 31 December 2021.

Total services increased in 3Q by 60,637 or 10%.

Residential broadband

Net residential broadband additions for 3Q were 24,780.

Promotional offers were reduced during the quarter which decreased the cost to acquire in this segment.

Aussie Broadband reduced above the line marketing during the federal election campaign based on advice from media buying partners that marketing efficiency will be affected during this period, reducing new sales.

Call centre wait times increased during late February and March due to increased call volume as a result of white label migration work, some network outages generating large call volume and challenges in recruiting additional call centre staff. This has resulted in increased churn late in the quarter.

NBN Co has recently released its Fibre Connect program which is focused on moving customers from copper-based fibre to the node services (FTTN) and fibre to the curb (FTTC) services to fibre to the premises (FTTP).

Business broadband

Business broadband net additions were 4,489, a 10% increase over the previous quarter.

Demand for Aussies NBN enterprise ethernet services grew and Aussie took more than 18% of all Enterprise Ethernet orders in March.

At the beginning of 4Q, Over the Wire moved new orders for NBN business services to Aussie and migration of its existing services from other providers onto the Aussie network will commence over the next couple of months.

Wholesale and white label broadband

Wholesale and white label net additions for 3Q were 24,839, made up of 16,736 migrated white label services in addition to growth of 8,103 services during the quarter.

The total number of services migrated was lower than expected due to organic churn in the existing customer base prior to migration. A further 800 services have been migrated in 4Q.

Aussie Broadband anticipates growth in the wholesale and white label. The company also intends to explore wholesale broadband opportunities with Over the Wires partners and wholesale customers in the voice and data segments.

Mobile services

Mobile net additions for 3Q were 2,778, a 9% increase over the previous quarter.

Online mobile sign up is now available for both new and existing customers and dedicated mobile advertising has commenced.

Mobile uptake from existing customers is positive, however gaining mobile-only customers is challenging. Issues regarding the supply of mobile handsets to customers is continuing, with our current handset vendor impacted by ongoing global supply chain issues.

Aussie Fibre Project update

Construction is nearing completion and the following sites in each state are now complete:

The company expects the remaining 21 sites will be completed in 4Q FY22. The project remains on time and on budget.

The migration off existing Telstra backhaul agreements onto the Aussie fibre network is moving at pace and will be completed in early 1Q FY23. Over 55 of the 121 POIs have been migrated to the new network, unlocking the planned savings, offset by transitional costs in establishing the new links.

The migration work is complex and involves teams from Aussie and NBN working through the very early hours of the morning to complete each migration with minimal disruption to customers.

NBN CVC and pricing update

Total CVC expense for the quarter was $4.9m (2Q: $1.8m), and 18% higher than forecast driven by increased peak time customer usage.

Separately from the current ACCC/NBN pricing consultation, NBN committed to increasing CVC inclusions from 1 May 2022 under a previous consultation. As a result, Aussie Broadband expects 4Q FY22 CVC expense to be modestly lower than 3Q.

On 29 March 2022, NBN provided its latest version of the Special Access Undertaking (SAU) to the ACCC. The process continues to drag on and the ACCC has advised it will publish the latest version on 23 May 2022 after the election.



Aussie believes the process is likely to continue throughout 2022, with extensive ACCC involvement being likely.

Over The Wire acquisition

Last 15 March 2022, Aussie Broadband completed the acquisition of Over the Wire and has now started integrating the two companies.

Early synergy wins have been achieved with Aussie moving a portion of its voice traffic onto the Over the Wire tier one voice network.

Both companies are presently working through a co-creation process to define what Aussie 2.0 will look like. This work includes defining its goals and ambitions, as well as its fully merged organisational and go-to-market strategy. Aussie Broadband anticipates providing more information to the market in August 2022.



Aussie Broadbands full year FY22 results will include consolidated financials for Over the Wire for the contribution made since acquisition which are expected to be published on 29 August 2022.
RTHK: Russia launching 'powerful assault' on Azovstal plant

The Ukrainian military said on Tuesday that Russian forces had launched an offensive on the besieged Azovstal steel plant where Kyiv's forces are holed up in the southern city of Mariupol.

"A powerful assault on the territory of the Azovstal plant is underway with support from armoured vehicles and tanks," Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of Ukraine's Azov military unit said in a statement on social media.

Russian forces are also attempting "to land a large number of infantry by boat," he said.

"We will do everything we can to repel this assault, but we call for immediate measures to evacuate civilians who are on the territory of the plant," he said.

The Russian army said earlier on Tuesday that its forces and pro-Moscow separatists were using artillery and planes to target Azovstal where Ukrainian fighters are making their last stand.

The Russian defence ministry accused members of the Azov battalion and other Ukrainian troops of using a pause in fighting to once again take up their combat positions at the plant.

"Using artillery and aircraft, units of the Russian army and the Donetsk People's Republic are beginning to destroy" the "firing positions" of the Ukrainian troops, the defence ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.

Mariupol is among the most battered cities in Ukraine.

The United Nations announced on Tuesday that 101 civilians had been successfully evacuated from the tunnels of the Azovstal plant in a joint operation with the Red Cross. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-05-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Pangilinan: Hello food security training, goodbye mandatory military service for PH youth

BAGUIO CITY -- Vice-presidential aspirant Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan reiterates that mandatory military service is unnecessary and that young Filipinos should instead be encouraged to farm.

In a radio interview with a Baguio radio station, Pangilinan said that the funds that would otherwise be spent on mandatory military service should instead go to food security training.

"Tutol tayo sa military service. Hindi naman po military service ang priority ngayon at malaking halaga ang igugol diyan. Sa ngayon pa lang about P2 million to P9 million. Ang laking pondo niyan. Sa halip na dalhin sa military training, bakit di na lang dalhin sa food security training?" he said.

When asked about the possibility of war in the West Philippine Sea because of China's continued intrusion, Pangilinan said that the key to resolve this is through diplomacy and exercising sovereign rights.

"Sa West Philippine Sea, hindi kailangan mauwi sa gera. Ang mga nagsasabing gegerahin natin sila ay hindi tama," said Pangilinan.

"Yung Indonesia nga pinapasabog pa yung mga illegal Chinese vessels doon, hindi naman nauuwi sa gera. Diplomasya at pagpupursigi ng ating karapatan ang solusyon," he added.

Baguio City is home to Saint Louis University, University of the Philippines-Baguio, University of Cordilleras, and University of Baguio. It is home to many college students who are potential candidates for mandatory military service training. In a 2018 census, 155,225 students were enrolled in city schools.

"Ang training ng ating kabataan, 2 million of them, dahil baka magkagera is not right. Hindi ito consistent sa mga nagyayari and obviously ginagamit lamang para majustify na wag tayong gumawa ng ano mang bagay na makagalit sa China," said Pangilinan.

"Kalokohan yun. Hindi tayo nagsusunod-sunuran sa kanila. Atin ang West Philippine Sea," he added.

Davao City Mayor and vice-presidential aspirant Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of President Duterte with close ties with the Chinese government, is persuading Congress to make military service mandatory for all sexes who are at least 18 years old -- just as her father originally planned.

In a survey among the youth, 34 out of 35 students or 97.1% disagreed to enter mandatory military service.

In his first year as senator, Pangilinan was among those who replaced the Reserved Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) with National Service Training Program (NSTP) after the program became a source of rampant corruption and abuses which led to the death of a cadet officer in 2001.
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This photo taken Monday, April 25, 2022, by the Southern Nevada Water Authority shows the top of Lake Mead drinking water Intake No. 1 above the surface level of the Colorado River reservoir behind Hoover Dam. The intake is the uppermost of three in the deep, drought-stricken lake that provides Las Vegas with 90% of its drinking water supply.
Tiffany Crutcher, left, and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee speak to the media before a hearing at Tulsa County Courthouse, Monday, May 2, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. A judge ruled Monday that a lawsuit can proceed that seeks reparations for survivors and descendants of victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
First lady Jill Biden speaks at the unveiling of the Met Museum Costume Institutes exhibit In America: A Lexicon of Fashion on Monday in New York.
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The suggestion by Russias foreign minister that Adolf Hitler had Jewish blood is just the latest version of a conspiracy theory exploiting a gap in the dictators ancestry.

Sergei Lavrovs remarks at the weekend, which have sparked a diplomatic row with Israel, reheats rumours over the identity of Hitlers paternal grandfather dating as far back as the 1920s.

Hitlers father, Alois, was an illegitimate child whose own father was unknown, Austrian historian Roman Sandgruber told AFP.

Sandgruber, who last year published the first biography of Alois Hitler, explained that the rumours first began circulating in the 1920s, as Adolf Hitler began his rise to power.

The theory was encouraged by Hitlers political rivals as the Nazi leader took control of Germany in 1933.

Then after World War II, the memoirs of Nazi war criminal Hans Frank, who governed occupied Poland during the war, revived the story.

In his memoirs, published after his 1946 execution for war crimes, Frank said he had secretly researched Hitlers ancestry at the request of the Nazi leader himself.

This must have been towards the end of the 1930s, wrote Frank, in an extract published by Germanys Der Spiegel magazine at the time.

Hitler, he said, had told him he was being blackmailed by a nephew over the matter.

 No evidence 

Hitlers paternal grandmother Maria Anna Schicklgruber gave birth to Alois in 1837.

Frank claimed to have discovered that, at the time, she was employed as a cook for a Jewish family by the name of Frankenberger, in the Austrian city of Graz.

Her employer had paid her maintenance until Alois reached the age of 14, wrote Frank, claiming that an exchange of letters between her and the family proved this.

Frank said Hitler had told him that actually his grandmother and her future husband had let the Jewish man think he was the father in order to get the money out of him.

But historians remain sceptical.

There is no solid evidence to support Franks claims, says Sandgruber. One problem is that, at the time in question, Jews did not have the right to live in Graz, he adds.

So who was Hitlers grandfather? This is a question without an answer, historian Ofer Aderet wrote in Israels Haaretz newspaper Monday.

Some Nazis still aired this theory as an attempt to provide an explanation for their defeat in World War II, he argued.

Other reports claimed that Hitlers persecution of the Jews resulted from feelings of shame about his partial Jewish ancestry, he added.

The bottom line, though, is that there is no historical proof for any of this.

Israels Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Monday condemned Lavrovs remarks as an unforgivable and outrageous statement as well as a terrible historical error.

Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust, Lapid added. This kind of claim was the worst kind of anti-Semitism, he said.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett denounced Lavrovs comments as lies, and the foreign ministry has summoned Russias ambassador for an explanation.

Russia has repeatedly justified what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine as a mission to demilitarise and denazify the country.
For any informed observer, the April 29 not guilty verdict by a Finnish court in the trial of Gibril Massaquoi, a Sierra Leonean former Revolutionary United Front (RUF) spokesman who had long taken residence in Finland, was an anticlimax. Thats because the prosecutions case all but collapsed during the courts first sittings in Monrovia, Liberia, from February to April last year. I briefly attended one of those sittings, held at a small resort hotel at the outskirts of Monrovia.

One of Massaquois Finnish lawyers had called to ask me whether I could support Massaquois claim to her that I knew he could not have fought in the chaotic battles in Monrovia in 2003  which grandiloquent Liberian vanity had cast as World Wars 1, 2 and 3  since I had met him several times during that period at the safe house that the Special Court for Sierra Leone had secured for him as a highly valued witness. I had indeed met Massaquoi there during my research for a book on the war, but my interactions with him had been intermittent. All the same, I decided out of curiosity to observe, however briefly, the trial in Monrovia. One yearns to read the entire verdict, but it is rendered only in Finnish, a language to which I, and almost every Liberian and Sierra Leonean, have no access.

There was, one felt, a purity about this dedication, something exalted and noble: Finland had granted asylum to Massaquoi and was now spending hundreds of thousands of euros to examine allegations made against him by two NGOs

Improbable evidence

The Finns had converted the conference hall of the hotel into a courtroom with four judges, two prosecutors, a defence lawyer, a veteran war crimes investigator, interpreters and court administration officials from the District Court of Pirkanmaa in Tampere, a small city in southern Finland. COVID-19 cases were negligible in Liberia, so the 14 Finns at the court seemed relaxed and unhurried. A few weeks earlier, they had conducted crime scene visits in Liberias Lofa County. There was, one felt, a purity about this dedication, something exalted and noble: Finland had granted asylum to Massaquoi as part of an extended witness protection scheme and was now spending hundreds of thousands of euros to examine heinous allegations made against him by two non-Finnish NGOs. Yet the whole effort was steeped in bathos.

Witness after prosecution witness provided what appeared to be carefully choreographed testimonies that had no probative value: that were indeed so improbable that anyone with some familiarity of the events would dismiss them out of hand. Absent from the scene was Massaquoi himself, left in detention in Finland and watching the hearings via video link with one of his defence lawyers. Almost all the witnesses were ex-combatants who had been loyal to Charles Taylor, on whom Massaquoi had provided damning information for the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Each one claimed that Massaquoi had played a leadership role during the Monrovia battles of 2003, had been excessively brutal, and had been known as Angel Gabriel. In fact, Massaquoi had never been referred to as Angel Gabriel, and it was highly unlikely that he could have sneaked out of his safe house in Freetown where he was already providing vital information on Taylor and his former comrades in the RUF, travel to Liberia, lead a bunch of fighters loyal to Taylor, persecute Taylors enemies, and sneak back unnoticed to his safe house in Freetown.

A former Taylor combatant who appeared on 2 April walked with a limp  the result, he said, of getting shot in the leg at Lofa Bridge, some 370 km from Monrovia, in 2003 on the orders of Massaquoi/Angel Gabriel. The witness testified to witnessing massacres in Monrovia only a few weeks later, in June-July 2003, though he was surely seriously injured and even disabled from the attack at Lofa. The witness was not cross-examined on why Massaquoi, who was allegedly fighting in support of Taylor, would have turned his guns against him  a Taylor fighter  except to make a general point about the brutality of the Sierra Leonean forces in Taylors command. He said he recognised Angel Gabriel to be non-Liberian because he spoke with a Sierra Leonean accent. Like him, other witnesses testified that Angel Gabriel was so brutal that Taylors most notorious enforcers, Benjamin Yeaten and Zigzag Marzah, had to intervene to restrain him. It was the first time ever that anyone suggested that Yeaten and Marzah had been a restraining influence: the records of Liberias Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Special Court for Sierra Leone, not to mention research by human rights organisations and academics, all overwhelmingly cast these characters as demented murderers and merciless enforcers for Taylor.

The not guilty verdict would probably have the opposite effect (of that expected by pro-justice activists): one fears that such trials would now be deemed to be an expensive and risky waste of time.

Good intentions defeated by arrogance and ignorance

Clearly, the Finnish investigator, Thomas Elgren, who singlehandedly built this case  a voluminous file running to thousands of pages  had not consulted any expert in Liberia or Sierra Leone. I had a beer with him at the hotel that April, and he seemed loftily unaware that this would have been helpful. He trusted the information he had gathered, doubtless with the help of those who had instigated the case in the first place, from ex-combatants, though the events they described happened nearly 20 years ago. Some of his informants had been child fighters, often drugged, at the time that the events happened.

There was, I felt, something melancholic about what this provincial Finnish court had wrought in West Africa, the pathos of good intentions defeated by a combination of arrogance and ignorance. This has been doubly tragic.

Chief investigator Thomas Elfgren appeared very confident in front of members of the Finnish court during their visit to Liberia, as the people of the village of Kamatahun Hassala looked on, 18 February 2021.  Thierry Cruvellier

The few Liberian supporters of the Massaquoi trial that I know  transitional justice activists  had hoped that it would give traction to their own quest for criminal prosecutions of perpetrators of atrocities in Liberias sanguinary civil wars. No retributive justice mechanism has been initiated in Liberia, in contrast to Sierra Leone. The not guilty verdict would probably have the opposite effect: one fears that such trials would now be deemed to be an expensive and risky waste of time. Indeed, Liberian officials who agreed to the courts sittings in Monrovia long made sure there would be no such collateral effect. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Frank Musah Dean, probably only agreed to the proposal from the Finns because Massaquoi is Sierra Leonean, not Liberian. Moreover, he rejected a request by the Finns and justice activists for the hearings to be broadcast live. Instead, a large video screen in a room adjacent to the courtroom in the hotel was set up for interested Liberians. But since the venue was outside Monrovia and the location publicly unknown, interest was so low that the room was often empty. That effectively limited the trials potential impact on debate in Liberia about wider war crimes prosecutions.

In all of this, one potential collateral effect must be firmly resisted: that the verdict may somewhat be seen as exculpating Massaquoi from the heinous crimes he committed in both Sierra Leone and Liberia

An act of decency

For Liberian victims of the immense atrocities committed during the civil war, the coordinated attempt  as it seemed from the ex-combatant witness testimonies in the Massaquoi trial  to both reduce Liberian guilt of crimes committed during the war by blaming atrocities on the few Sierra Leoneans who partook of that war, must have been traumatising. To reflect that this was perhaps done in order to undermine calls for war crimes trials in Liberia  and possibly to punish Massaquoi for having testified against Taylor  is to compound the harm that this misguided trial may have wrought.

In all of this, one potential collateral effect must be firmly resisted: that the verdict may somewhat be seen as exculpating Massaquoi from the heinous crimes he committed in both Sierra Leone and Liberia before the alleged crimes for which he was charged were committed.

During my interactions with him before his relocation to Finland, Massaquoi sent me via email a very rough draft of a manuscript he claimed was his personal record of the rebel wars in which he played a prominent role. It was unpublishable. Later, after his relocation, he sent me an email saying that he was writing from a Scandinavian country and that his manuscript had found a publisher. I requested a copy, but he never responded. I tried but couldnt find the book for purchase. Going through the voluminous pile of evidence that the Finnish prosecutors put together, I at last was able to find the book, running to around 370 pages. It is poorly written and misleading in many parts, with important facts elided, but it is illuminating all the same. Massaquoi describes numerous atrocities committed by the RUF, including countless rapes and horrid accounts of the lives of bush wives  it seems all the rebel leaders were, in his felicitous formulation, womanisers  and recreational and revenge or pointless killings. In his account, he himself partook of none of these, of course.

I understand that because of the not guilty verdict, Finland is legally bound to provide Massaquoi compensation for his two-year detention. This could amount to hundreds of thousands of euros. One hopes that he has acquired a rag of decency during all these years of his residence in Finland, including after his arrest and detention, during which time he has been treated with extraordinary generosity and civility. He should demonstrate this by donating that financial compensation to his many victims in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Someone, perhaps his gallant legal defence team, should whisper this into his ears.

Recommended reading Massaquoi trial: Finnish court goes to deepest Liberia
On a medical ship off the Italian coast, rescued migrants are colouring in a map of Africa, where many started their perilous journeys toward Europe.

The countries are brightly coloured in yellow, green, purple and red. Libya however, a common transit country from sub-Saharan Africa into Italy, is black.

For many of the migrants, the country evokes painful memories: abuse, torture and trafficking.

Libya has been singled out as a dangerous country for migrants, and a UN report last year revealed crimes against humanity inflicted on the most vulnerable.

For some aboard the Geo Barents ship run by medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the dangers are all too familiar.

I was tied up, beaten, electrocuted, said 25-year-old Eritrean refugee John, who gave only one name.

He explained how he fled authoritarian Eritrea in 2018, crossing through Ethiopia and Sudan before arriving in the southeastern Libyan city of Al Kufra four years ago.

I was abducted from Al Kufra and sold to traffickers. And then to others, he told AFP.

He eventually escaped, boarding a dinghy headed for Italy, from which he was rescued in April by the Geo Barents.

He like others has received medical care on board the ship, where migrants also spend time doing activities like the map colouring exercise.

John colours Libya in black to signify the pain he experienced during his time there.

There is no government in this country, he said. No laws.

 Lots of beatings 

John is one of the tens of thousands of migrants who attempt the dangerous and often deadly crossing from Libya to Italy every year. More than 31,000 made the journey by sea last year, according to UN figures.

Many stream to Libya from elsewhere in Africa, boarding precarious vessels to cross the Mediterranean toward Italy.

AFP could not independently verify details of Johns account, but MSF doctors on the Geo Barents say many migrants arrive with chilling reminders of their time in Libya.

We see a lot of them with actual physical evidence of violence, injuries that cause long-term problems, MSF doctor Mohammed Fadlalla told AFP.

We commonly see bullet wounds, burns, evidence of electrocution, lots of beatings.

Many migrants land in the hands of traffickers in Libya who demand hefty sums in exchange for their freedom. Attempts to escape can be a death sentence.

The Geo Barents helps those lucky enough to flee, trawling the waters of the central Mediterranean near Italy and Libya in search of migrant boats.

It stops in Italian or international waters  never Libyan waters  and takes in migrants in need, sometimes for as long as two weeks, before they are sent to Italy.

Fadlalla said medics on the ship often use scars or bruises to piece together what happened to the migrants  a kaleidoscope of trauma used to compile accounts of human rights violations.

Others need extensive mental and emotional support.

A lot of these survivors who have suffered this torture have psychological difficulties as well, said Fadlalla.

Fear, difficulty sleeping, flashbacks, anxiety, depression.

 Robbed, beaten 

Libya, wracked by conflict since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, has gained a notorious reputation for migrants on the dangerous route to Europe.

A UN fact-finding mission last year found some of the abuses faced by migrants there could be classified as crimes against humanity.

Violations against migrants are committed on a large scale by state and non-state actors, with a high level of organisation and with the encouragement of the state, one of the UN experts, Chaloka Beyani, wrote.

Lawyer Jelia Sane, who specialises in refugee law and human rights, condemned European governments for intercepting migrant boats coming from Libya, urging them to offer safe and legal routes.

The evidence of the plight of refugees and migrants in Libya can no longer be ignored, said Sane, from Londons Doughty Street Chambers.

And for those who have been tortured, access to full rehabilitation services, as required by international law, should be offered, she said.

Senegalese migrant Eladj Ndiaye still bears the evidence of such abuse.

The 19-year-old has scars on his scalp and under his lip from when he was beaten with a glass bottle by his captors. They held him for several weeks in Libya, he said.

Everywhere in Libya you are robbed, you are beaten, he added.

Despite the known risks  and mounting evidence of abuses  migrants continue to trek toward Europe.

Eritrean refugee John knew what he could face, but went anyway.

We know its dangerous. But we want to join Italy, he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told French counterpart Emmanuel Macron Tuesday the West must stop supplying weapons tao Ukraine and accused Kyiv of not taking talks to end the conflict seriously, the Kremlin said.

Accusing Ukrainian forces of committing war crimes and claiming the EU was ignoring them, Putin told Macron the West could help stop these atrocities by putting relevant pressure on the Kyiv authorities, as well as halting the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

Putin also said Kyiv was not being consistent or ready for serious work on ending the conflict.

The Russian side is still open to dialogue, the Russian leader told Macron, according to the Kremlin readout.

Macrons Elysee Palace office said that beyond reiterating calls on Russia to end the assault on its neighbour with a ceasefire and peace talks, he had urged Putin to allow evacuations from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in port city Mariupol to continue.

He also offered to work with the relevant international organisations to help lift the Russian blockade on Ukrainian food exports via the Black Sea, given its consequences for global food security.

For his part, Putin linked the food situation to Western sanctions against Russia and noted the importance of the unimpeded functioning of the global logistics and transport infrastructure, the Kremlin said.

Macron is one of the few Western leaders to speak to Putin since Moscow moved troops into Ukraine on February 24, spending hours on telephone calls trying to negotiate a resolution to the conflict.

The conflict has killed thousands of people and displaced more than 13 million, creating the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.
Ukrainian civilians fleeing Russian-occupied parts of the country allege violence, extortion and theft at the hands of Russian troops, not to mention daily humiliation at checkpoints.

We suffered and suffered and suffered, said Igor Kydryavtsev, one of 10 Ukrainians who spoke to AFP about living under Russian control in southern Ukraines Kherson region for around two months.

If you say a single word in Ukrainian and someone hears you and tells them, they come to your house and take you away, he said.

Some come back, others dont. You cant live like that.

Kydryavtsev, 35, is with his wife and daughter in Zaporizhzhia, a major southern industrial city still in Ukrainian hands and a gateway for those fleeing the war.

With the frontline only a few dozen kilometres away and Russian troops advancing, hundreds of people arrive in Zaporizhzhia every day from Russian-occupied territory, some just passing through, but others to stay.

Among them is Natacha Borch who, with her two children, two and six, fled the Orikhiv region, south of Zaporizhzhia.

They were constantly drunk, she said, referring to Russian troops.

 Shot them in the legs 

They went down the streets shining their torches at windows and sometimes opening fire.

She said she knew some people taken prisoner in their own cellars, bound hand and foot.

The mother of one of her friends was abducted. Nobody knows what happened to her.

She accused the Russians of wanting money and cars. And if someone wasnt ready to give their car, they shot them in the legs.

Several of the people who talked to AFP did so only on condition of anonymity.

None of them referenced anything like the atrocities being investigated in the commuter town of Bucha near Kyiv, where the discovery of bodies in civilian clothes, on the street or buried in shallow graves shocked the world and prompted accusations of war crimes.

We had a quiet life, said Kydryavtsev. Then they arrived and destroyed everything.

They take your stuff. They take your cars. They take the crops from the farm workers.

 A great many collaborate 

The question of land is particularly sensitive in Ukraine, which before the war was an agricultural giant exporting its crops around the world.

In late April, the prosecutors office in Zaporizhzhia accused Russian soldiers of stealing 61 tonnes of corn from the region.

For many of the refugees, checkpoints were the most ubiquitous of the humiliations inflicted by the Russians.

One farmer, speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP that on three occasions he was forced to strip to his underpants after Russian soldiers insisted on checking that he had no pro-Ukraine tattoos.

That was almost standard procedure, said Sergui Pochinok, who with his wife and four children fled Tokmak, a town south of Zaporizhzhia, after it fell to the Russians at the beginning of the invasion.

We saw people in their underwear at every checkpoint, he recalled.

Not every Ukrainian got the same treatment, however. For while some endured and some resisted, others simply collaborated with the invaders.

Tokmak had 30,000 inhabitants before the war. A great many people collaborate with the Russians, said Olesya Pochinok.

 Watch out 

She was particularly outraged at one Ukrainian officer, whose job it was to find new recruits. It took him barely two days before he defected to the Russian side, she said.

The criminals are now working with the Russians, she said.

The city is under their protection, they hand out the humanitarian aid, she said, just leaving it in a heap so people had to fight for their food.

Russia has justified its invasion of Ukraine as a means of stopping Russian-speaking people being oppressed, particularly in the southern and eastern parts of the country where their offensive is now concentrated.

Borch remembers an armoured car parked at the corner of her street.

People were bringing fruits to the soldiers, she said, outraged. There were girls who were giving themselves to them.

All those who spoke to AFP described empty shops and pharmacies in Russian-controlled territories, as daily goods became unaffordable for anyone on a tight budget.

Sugar tripled in price, said the farmer accusing collaborators of looking to turn a profit.

Of Polohys 20,000 inhabitants, around 500 were actively collaborating with the occupiers, he claimed.

We have a group on Viber, he said. Sometimes there is a message with a surname, which says: We know who you are. Watch out..
Changes in number of radio amateurs around the world This Ham Radio DX video shows changing amateur radio numbers in a selection of countries between 2000 and 2022



This data has been collected from multiple data sources. Some records only go up to 2018, so data to 2022 has been filled in with growth trend data.



Watch Worldwide Ham Radio Operators (2000-2022)





Some sources for national amateur radio call sign totals are:



Document PTD(17)20 "Number of Amateur Licenses in CEPT countries" from the CEPT ECC CPG19 PTD #2 meeting held in Helsinki, Finland, January 10-12, 2017. Compares figures of CEPT member countries for 2010 and 2016. PDF is available at

https://cept.org/ecc/groups/ecc/closed-groups/cpg19-pt-d/client/meeting-documents/?flid=5823



UK's Ofcom releases the number of individual license holders when request to do so. On August 1, 2018, there were 75,660 individual UK radio amateurs. Since then the number has likely increased by over 6,000.

https://whatdotheyknow.com/request/amateur_radio_licence_statistics_4



Germanys regulator BNetzA makes available the amateur radio license and exam totals on their website. On December 31, 2021 there were 61,453 individual radio amateurs.

Previous years back to 2000 are available by changing the year in this URL

https://bundesnetzagentur.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Sachgebiete/Telekommunikation/Unternehmen_Institutionen/Frequenzen/Amateurfunk/Statistiken/2021.pdf



Japan's total is tweeted weekly in English by @JH3XCU

On April 30, 2022, it was 377,919

https://twitter.com/JH3XCU/status/1520119723757039616



Canada makes available a text file of all amateur radio call signs, there were 85,487 in April 2022. Amateur radio in Canada is license exempt and call signs are issued for 125 years from a persons date of birth. The database text file is at

https://ic.gc.ca/eic/site/025.nsf/eng/h_00004.html



Totals for some countries in the Pacific-Asia region are available from the conference input papers on the IARU Region 3 site.

In 2021 Taiwan reported 7,773, Thailand 82,771 and China 174,700. Papers are at

https://www.iarur3conf2021.org/documents/



Historic IARU figures for each country in the year 2000

https://web.archive.org/web/20020612083455/http:/www.iaru.org/statsum00.html Some sources for national amateur radio call sign totals are:Document PTD(17)20 "Number of Amateur Licenses in CEPT countries" from the CEPT ECC CPG19 PTD #2 meeting held in Helsinki, Finland, January 10-12, 2017. Compares figures of CEPT member countries for 2010 and 2016. PDF is available atUK's Ofcom releases the number of individual license holders when request to do so. On August 1, 2018, there were 75,660 individual UK radio amateurs. Since then the number has likely increased by over 6,000.Germanys regulator BNetzA makes available the amateur radio license and exam totals on their website. On December 31, 2021 there were 61,453 individual radio amateurs.Previous years back to 2000 are available by changing the year in this URLJapan's total is tweeted weekly in English by @JH3XCUOn April 30, 2022, it was 377,919Canada makes available a text file of all amateur radio call signs, there were 85,487 in April 2022. Amateur radio in Canada is license exempt and call signs are issued for 125 years from a persons date of birth. The database text file is atTotals for some countries in the Pacific-Asia region are available from the conference input papers on the IARU Region 3 site.In 2021 Taiwan reported 7,773, Thailand 82,771 and China 174,700. Papers are atHistoric IARU figures for each country in the year 2000
Russian forces launched a major assault Tuesday on the Azovstal steel plant, the last holdout of Ukrainian forces in the devastated southern port city of Mariupol, as 101 civilians who had been trapped in the site for weeks were finally brought to safety.

We are so thankful for everyone who helped us. There was a moment we lost hope, we thought everyone forgot about us, evacuee Anna Zaitseva told AFP after arriving in the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia, her six-month-old baby in her arms.

The United Nations and Red Cross said 101 people were evacuated from the maze of Soviet-era tunnels underneath the sprawling Azovstal plant as part of a five-day operation.

Without a doubt, we will continue doing everything we can to get all our people out of Mariupol, out of Azovstal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address.

Its hard, but we need everyone, everyone who remains there  civilian and military.

Another 58 people joined their convoy to Zaporizhzhia from the city of Mangush, outside Mariupol, said Osnat Lubrani, the UNs Humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine.

She warned there may be more civilians who remain trapped in Azovstal, saying the UN was ready to return to bring them to safety.

But Russian forces on Tuesday resumed attacks on the steel plant, where the Ukrainian fighters are making their last stand in Mariupol after almost constant bombardment since Moscows invasion on February 24.

It was one of a series of assaults Tuesday across Ukraine, where authorities said 21 civilians were killed in the eastern Donetsk region.

 We dont live, we survive 

Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of Ukraines Azov military unit, said Russia was assaulting the Azovstal plant with armoured vehicles and tanks and was also attempting to bring a large number of infantry by boat.

Zelensky said that the Russians latest strikes showed that they dont have some kind of military goal.

They cannot overpower Ukraine. But what is within their power still is to set fire to a childrens amusement park or to blow up a bridge or a grain storage, Zelensky said.

The Russian army confirmed its forces and pro-Moscow separatists were targeting Azovstal with artillery and planes, accusing Azov members and other Ukrainian troops of using a pause in fighting to take up combat positions.

The residents of Mariupol, a strategic port in southern Ukraine, have been living in desperate conditions without food, water and cut off from communications from the outside world.

The city is now largely calm, AFP journalists saw on a recent press tour organised by Russian forces, with the remaining locals emerging from hiding to a ruined city.

Daily life is dominated by the hunt for the most basic of essentials, they say.

We dont live, we survive, said Irina, a 30-year-old video game designer, as she gathered food and water from an aid distribution point.

 Ukraines finest hour 

The war in Ukraine has killed thousands of people and displaced more than 13 million, creating the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

Western countries have backed Ukraine with cash and weapons while imposing unprecedented sanctions against Russia in a so far failed bid to make President Vladimir Putin pull back.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday pledged another 300 million ($376 million, 358 million euros) in military aid, as he became the first foreign leader to address Ukraines parliament since the conflict began.

Speaking via videolink, the premier evoked Britains fight against the Nazis in World War II in hailing Kyivs resistence as its finest hour, and vowed to help ensure no one will ever dare to attack you again.

The European Commission was meanwhile set Tuesday to put to member states a new package of measures, including a phased-out ban on Russian oil, officials said.

The package will also target Russias largest bank, Sberbank, which will be excluded from the global banking communications system SWIFT.

 Deadly factory strike 

In the early weeks of the invasion, Russian forces encircled Ukraines capital Kyiv but they have shifted to the east, including largely Russian-speaking areas, and the south.

In Donetsk, the regional governor said that 10 of the 21 dead Tuesday were killed in shelling of the Avdiivka coke plant, one of the largest in Europe.

In the town of Lyman, Ukrainian soldiers told AFP they have rigged with explosives a railway bridge over the Donets river and were waiting for orders to blow it up.

Its never easy to destroy one of your own pieces of infrastructure. But between saving a bridge or protecting a city, theres no question at all, said one, going by the nom de guerre of The Engineer.

Russias defence ministry meanwhile said its forces had struck a logistics centre at a military airfield in the region around the Black Sea port of Odessa, used for the delivery of foreign-made weapons.

Storage facilities containing Turkeys Bayraktar drones as well as missiles and ammunition from the United States and Europe have been destroyed, it said.

A rocket strike also knocked out power in part of Lviv, the western city near Poland that has turned into a haven due to its comparative calm, Mayor Andriy Sadovy said on Twitter.

Ukrainian prosecutors say they have pinpointed more than 8,000 war crimes carried out by Russian troops and are investigating 10 Russian soldiers for suspected atrocities in the town of Bucha, near Kyiv.

But in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, Putin accused Ukrainian forces of committing war crimes and claimed the EU was ignoring them, according to the Kremlin.

The United States warned on Monday that Moscow was preparing imminently to annex the eastern regions of Lugansk and Donetsk, planning to engineer referenda to join Russia sometime in mid-May.

Pro-Russian separatists in the two regions declared independence in 2014, but Moscow has so far stopped short of formally incorporating them as it did that year with the Crimean peninsula.

burs-ar-sct/bfm
So Ji Sub returns to the small screen, and transforms into a reputable surgeon in the upcoming medical legal drama "Dr. Lawyer" with Im Soo Hyang.

So Ji Sub To Play Surgeon-Turned-Lawyer in Upcoming Drama 'Dr. Lawyer'

Four years after his last television drama, So Ji Sub is back with a new promising series!

The actor works along with Im Soo Hyang in the upcoming MBC drama "Dr. Lawyer." It depicts the story of a surgeon who became a lawyer after losing everything due to a malpractice.

In the drama, So Ji Sub takes on the role of Han Yi Han, a medical malpractice lawyer who was a victim of an alleged mistake when he was still a surgeon. He's determined to catch the culprit behind the failure of his career.

On Monday, May 2, broadcast network MBC unveils the first ever stills of "Dr. Lawyer," featuring the total transformation of So Ji Sub.

In the newly released photos, So Ji Sub steals attention with his overflowing presence as the reputable surgeon Han Yi Han.

Clad in his surgical gown, Han Yi Han shows off his skills and expressive power as he operates on a patient. His eyes are filled with care and nervousness, capturing the doctor's nature and sympathy.

In another photo, Han Yi Han stares at a distance with shock written all over his face, raising curiosity about what happened to him that coaxed such reactions from the doctor.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Im Soo Hyang, So Ji Sub Flaunt Flawless Chemistry in 'Dr Lawyer' Script Reading

In particular, the actor's excellent skills and impressive acting chops are expected to justify his new major acting role.

Fans and viewers are looking forward to see what kind of acting performance the veteran star will show in the new drama.

What To Expect From So Ji Sub in 'Dr. Lawyer'

So Ji Sub is without a doubt a household name in the industry, appearing in many popular series such as "What Happened in Bali," "I'm Sorry, I Love You," "Master's Sun," and "Oh My Venus."

With his diverse filmography, he certainly boasted his versatility and engrossing acting chops. Because of this, many fans and viewers are excited to see him in a new acting role.

With that said, the production unit of "Dr. Lawyer" promises to capture So Ji Sub's three dimensional acting, coupled with his charismatic presence.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: 4 Korean Stars Who Once Dated Foreigners: Bae Doona, Son Seung Heon, More

The actor is also expected to show the contrasting side of humanity as a doctor and his sharpness as a lawyer. Don't miss So Ji Sub's "Dr. Lawyer" on MBC this May 27 at 9:50 p.m. KST!

So Ji Sub in Upcoming Film 'Alien'

Besides his new drama, So Ji Sub joins the upcoming star-studded film "Alien" which includes Kim Tae Ri, Kim Woo Bi, and Ryu Jun Yeol.

The sci-fi action film is directed by Choi Dong Hoon, the director of blockbuster films "The Swindle," "Tazza: The High Rollers," and "The Thieves."

"Alien" depicts the non-linear story of Goryeo and modern Seoul where aliens appear out of nowhere.

The filming of the drama concluded in April 2021, and it is scheduled to hit the screens nationwide on July 20, 2022.











KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
As the annual celebration draws nearer, all stars Park Bo Gum, Suzy and Shin Dong Yup work together to host the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards!

Park Bo Gum, Suzy, Shin Dong Yup Reunite To Host Annual Prestigious Celebration

Multi Talented artists Park Bo Gum, Suzy and Shin Dong Yup will work once again to lead the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards!

On Monday, May 2, it was confirmed that the three stars will reunite for the first time in two long years to lead the nearing 58th Baeksang Arts Awards.

Earlier, Park Bo Gum confirmed that he will host the award ceremony as his first activity since his military discharge.

Furthermore, Shin Dong Yup and Suzy also confirmed their appearance as the masters of ceremonies of the prestigious event for the fifth and seventh time, respectively.

The three proved that they are not only talented in front of the cameras, but they also possess great chemistry as co-hosts who can lead the prestigious event seamlessly.

In 2021, Shin Dong Yup and Suzy expressed their regrets as they were unable to reunite with Park Bo Gum who was then serving his military duty.

Thankfully, Park Bo Gum fulfills his promise to return to the limelight, and rejoins Shin Dong Yup and Suzy on the stage.

58th Baeksang Arts Awards To Take Play This May

The celebration of talents is an annual event held to recognize excellence in film, television and theater that graced the media over the past year.

Due to COVID-19, the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards will be held with no public audience at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, and will be broadcasted on JTBC on May 6 at 7:45 p.m. KST.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 58th Baeksang Arts Awards Announces Ceremony Date

The theme of this year's award ceremony is "Spring Again," depicting how spring comes again to the South Korean culture that has been destroyed by the threat of the COVID-19 virus.

58th Baeksang Arts Awards Nominees

The nominees in the annual awards ceremony were named, which was done with rigorous judging and evaluations.

For the Best Actor Award in the Television Division, actors Im Si Wan, Jung Hae In, Kim Nam Gil, Lee Jung Jae, and Lee Junho are all competing.

Meanwhile, Kim Tae Ri, Kim Hye Soo, Lee Se Young, Han So Hee and Park Eun Bin compete for the female counterpart.

For the Film Division, actresses Jeon Jong Seo, Go Doo Shim, Park So Dam and more all vye for the prestigious award.

Furthermore, Seol Kyung Gu, Jung Woo and more are all competing for the Best Actor Award.

On the other hand, "Twenty Five, Twenty One," "D.P.," "Squid Game," "Going to the Blue House Like This," and "The Red Sleeve Cuff" are all nominated for the Best Drama Award and this year's Daesang (Grand Prize).

Which is your pick? Tell us in the comments below!

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
First United Church in downtown Kelowna is now known as Central Okanagan United Church. The name change is a result of an amalgamation of three local United Church congregations.
Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure

INDEXA is supporting the Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure -- INDEXA is proud to announce its support of the 2022 Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure (YDXA)!

The INDEXA Board of Directors is honored to be sponsoring this project which encourages youth to experience DXing from the other side of the pileups. This year their DX operation will be conducted at the PJ2T super

station in Curacao.

President Bob Schenck, N2OO, says, "INDEXA has gotten behind this worthwhile project because we realize it can only create a better understanding of DXpeditioning for the youth in our hobby. We see this as a great opportunity for them to gain first-hand experience from the DXing point of view and perhaps spur interest with our future generation of DXpeditioners."

The YDXA was founded in 2009 by Dave Kalter, KB8OCP (SK); Don DuBon, N6JRL, and Jim Storms, AB8YK, with the purpose of introducing young amateur radio operators, between the age of 11 to 17, to the excitement of operating as a team at DX locations. Over the years, YDXA has taken young DX teams to Costa Rica, Saba Island and Curacao.

The name of the activity was changed to the "Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure" when Dave, KB8OCP, became a Silent Key in 2013.

Young hams who participate with the YDXA team are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Through extensive fund raising efforts, with raffles and donations as well as sponsorship such as INDEXA, YDXA covers all expenses for the participating youth as well as their accompanying adults. These expenses include travel, lodging, and meals with the exception of travel to and from the embarkation point.

The pandemic curtailed the trip in 2020 and 2021. This year however, the team returns to contest super station at PJ2T and will be QRV from 14-19th July 2022. The team will operate all bands and modes with the callsign PJ2Y.

INDEXA encourages everybody to consider supporting this worthwhile youth DX activity and look for them when they are on the air!

Please visit www.qsl.net/n6jrl for more information.

###

See ya' in the Pileups!

Bob Schenck, N2OO

President, INDEXA

www.indexa.org

OPDX
A crowd of people gather outside the Supreme Court, Monday night, May 2, 2022 in Washington. A draft opinion circulated among Supreme Court justices suggests that earlier this year a majority of them had thrown support behind overturning the 1973 case Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide, according to a report published Monday night in Politico. It's unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter. The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the draft Politico posted, which if verified marks a shocking revelation of the high court's secretive deliberation process, particularly before a case is formally decided. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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The Kenosha Unified School Board has selected a non-profit school board association to assist the district in its search for a new superintendent.

The board voted 7-0 Monday night during a special meeting to hire consultants Daniel Nerad, a Kenosha native, and George Steffen, search and governance services consultants, with the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to help the district select its next administrative leader. The board reviewed the consultants proposals and deliberated for about half an hour in closed session, before voting on its choice in open session. Nerad attended the meeting virtually and Steffen in person.

The boards decision came following a two-hour interview in which trustees also heard from consultants Ken Arndt and Glenn Schilling of the firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates of Schaumburg, Ill. The firms were interviewed separately and in public during Monday nights special meeting. Both Arndt and Schilling presented in person.

According to WASBs tentative schedule, activities in the superintendent search process would take place over a three-to-five-month period.

It includes a planning meeting with the board as early as May 25. The district would then post the superintendent position before the end of the month. In addition, a community survey and focus groups would take place in early June before applicants for the job would be interview over the summer with final interview rounds and selection by the first week of September. An estimated start date for the new superintendent has yet to be determined.

Cost makes the difference

While consultants answered a number of questions from their commitment in providing a diverse candidate pool to when they would be able to name finalists for the job, in the end, the board selection of the search firm came down to costs.

The base bid for WASBs consulting services was $14,400, while Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates fee was for $29,250, or more than twice the amount, according to the request for proposals submitted by both firms. School Board member Mary Modder motioned to approve WASBs proposal, which was then seconded by board member Rebecca Stevens.

Board member Eric Meadows expressed support for the firm saying the community was also concerned initially about how much the district would be spending on consultants.

The bid came in way lower than, I think, a lot of us expected it to. And, based on some feedback from the community that there are large number of superintendents vacancies in the state, I think we need some help, he said. And, I think the WASB search firm is a realistically cheap option and will give us bigger benefit than what we could do before and so I support this.

According to consultants presentations, the field has significantly narrowed from 25 to as few as eight to 10 candidates over the last two years.

Board member Todd Price said he was encouraged that the associations consultants were casting out to a national networking and keeping in mind diversity of candidates.

And making sure that its  well known that we have opening, Price said. I also was impressed by that.

Modder said the reason she felt the school board association was the best choice was because Unified is a member of the organization.

We have worked with the people before and I feel very comfortable having them as our search firm because of the familiarity, Modder said. Theyve done excellent work with us in the past.

The School Board received requests for proposals from search firms in December, with the board originally scheduled to review and select the consultant in February.

School Board President Yolanda Santos Adams said, at the time, however that deciding on consultants would be left until after the spring election and a new board seated. A third firm, Libertyville, Illinois-based BWP & Associates, which also initially under consideration, did not make a presentation Monday night.

The district has been without a permanent superintendent since the retirement of Sue Savaglio-Jarvis at the end of June last year. Savaglio-Jarvis is now the principal at St. Rita Catholic School in Caledonia.

Interim Superintendent Bethany Ormseth, former principal of LakeView Technology Academy, said earlier this year that she would not be a candidate for the permanent position. Ormseth has been serving as the interim superintendent the last 10 months.

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There's a very special collection of guitars on display at the Anderson Arts Center this month.

They aren't making music, however, but have been transformed into works of art.

It's all part of Operation Art Strings, a fundraiser for Guitars for Vets.

The organization -- with chapters across the country, including in Kenosha -- provides veterans with free guitar lessons and, when they complete those lessons, a free guitar.

"We also offer support to the veterans," said Tori Einhorn, director of the Operation Art Strings program. "They get therapy through the music lessons and a sense of community."

Einhorn, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 2018 with a degree in art, was "always interested in working with unusual art mediums," she said while showing off the guitars at Anderson. Also, "my dad was a veteran, and this is a way I can give back to that community."

Guitars for Vets, Einhorn said, "is always growing and is always open to adding new chapters. We have more than 100 chapters in 40 states and are even international now, with chapters in Australia and Great Britain."

Einhorn not only coordinates the art guitar shows around the country, but she also has two pieces in the local exhibit: "Alien Invasion" and "Ethereal Resonance."

New life for guitars

The guitars at Anderson -- which are done in different styles and include acoustic and electric guitars -- were created by artists in Wisconsin and from across the country.

Operation Art Strings started "as a way to use donated guitars that weren't suitable for playing," Einhorn said. "Some guitars had cracks in their necks or other issues and work better as artwork than as instruments."

The artists get creative even with guitars in poor condition, she said.

"We have a guitar that is almost totally smashed in front, and I'm working with an artist who will create a miniature village inside of it. We also have an artist doing a felting technique on a guitar. I try to get as many different art mediums involved as possible."

Working on Operation Art Strings "has been a really cool experience," Einhorn said. "We transformed more than 80 guitars in 2021, and we're hoping to do more this year. It's been really busy."

Madeline Marzec, the Anderson Arts Center's administrator, said the guitars -- on display in the first-floor library -- "have drawn lots of interest from people. They're exquisite."

Marzec said Operation Art Strings "is good for the veterans, and it's good for the artists involved, too. They're happy to get a chance to help out this organization."

Having the guitars at Anderson "is a much better way to see them," Marzec said. "There are photos of the guitars on the Guitars For Vets website, but you really should see them in person. The pictures don't do them justice.

"We're thrilled to have the guitars here," she added. "It's something unique, and we're happy to be involved."

At Civil War Museum

Coming up: On May 21, to celebrate Armed Forces Day, Operation Art Strings will have a program at Kenosha's Civil War Museum, 5400 First Ave. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., art guitars will be on display at the museum, and from noon to 4 p.m., veterans from the Guitars for Vets program will perform throughout the afternoon.

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Sri Lanka need to have a progressive and forward looking policy with stress and focus on international cooperation to promote rapid industrial and technological growth.

by N.S.Venkataraman

Most people in the world , whether Sri Lankans or otherwise , are concerned about the present plight of Sri Lanka due to what appears to be a sort of economic collapse and consequent unrest amongst the people.

Several experts and observers have commented liberally as to how this country with beautiful landscape and glorious culture have been reduced to this state. The diagnosis is complete. But , it appears that the process of evolving prescription to overcome the crisis is yet to be convincingly evolved and crystallized.

At present, the focus is on getting loan or aid from abroad ,as if this by itself could sort out the grim issues facing Sri Lanka in short term or long term.

Sri Lanka already has huge debt to service and repay and Sri Lankan government has said that it cannot pay the debt or interest at the present stage and admitted that it is a defaulter.

With a huge debt on its head and with more loan being availed now , it is urgently necessary that a credible roadmap to overcome the present crisis has to be prepared, discussed knowledgeably and firm decision should be taken , which should be implemented in a time bound manner efficiently.

While there is lot of news about mass agitation and the demand by the opposition parties and some activists that both the brothers, namely the President and the Prime Minister, should quit office and the brothers not obliging , what is conspicuous by absence is that neither the government nor the opposition parties nor the activists have suggested a credible , time bound roadmap to bring the focus of debate on economic and industrial revival plans rather than change of political leadership.

The ground reality today in Sri Lanka is that the present ruling Rajapaksa brothers have mismanaged the economy and brought it to a seriously damaged level. I t appears that the leaders in the opposition parties , some of whom have already been tested in government leadership position and failed and others too do not command widespread public confidence that they have the capability and expertise to lead Sri Lanka to restore its glory anytime soon,-.

In such circumstances, the emerging view appears to be that mere change of President or Prime Minister would not bring about any change for the better.

The suggestion of the President of Sri Lanka that a national government should be formed ( perhaps, without the present Prime Minister), appears to be an appropriate solution at this critical stage. After one year of governance by such national government , that would evolve and commence implementation of the roadmap and restore confidence amongst the people and the world , national election can take place to have a popular government.

While Sri Lanka does not have resources such as crude oil and natural gas which are now considered as very valuable asset for any country, there are many other strength the country has and the options for revival of the national economy are many.

The agriculture sector contributes about 7.4 percent to the national GDP, out of which the fisheries sector contributes around 1.3 percent, and the livestock sector accounts for 0.9 percent. With regard to tea and rubber, Sri Lanka is a significant exporter and its product enjoy considerable world reputation. Although Sri Lanka is a fertile tropical land with the potential for the cultivation and processing of a variety of crops, issues such as productivity hamper the growth of the sector. With focussed agricultural management adopting modern technologies, Sri Lanka can be made nearly self sufficient in food production. Technology inputs from developed countries would be much needed.

Sri Lanka is endowed with a variety of mineral resources, such as feldspar, clays (including ball clay and kaolin), dolomite, graphite, limestone, mica, mineral sands (including ilmenite, rutile, and zircon), phosphate rock, quartzite, and salt. There are many exciting opportunities in this area , where overseas investment and technology can be invited for mutual benefit.

For example, from ilmenite , valuable titanium dioxide pigment can be produced , which has huge global demand of nearly 7 million tonne. From natural graphite, anode can be produced for use in lithium ion battery , where the demand is steadily increasing in the world due to the rapid growth of electric vehicles, where lithium ion battery is used.

In Sri Lanka, due to its vast coastal area, there could be many opportunities in the production of marine chemicals and launching research efforts in marine biology . Many multinational players would be interested in participating in such ventures due to Sri Lankas unique advantages in such fields.

Of course, tourism is a big thrust area for Sri Lanka where it has already made a mark. There are several innovative projects possible to boost tourism.

Many similar examples of growth opportunities can be readily pointed out.

Sri Lanka need to have a progressive and forward looking policy with stress and focus on international cooperation to promote rapid industrial and technological growth.

Today, Sri Lanka needs Singapore model of governance where stick and carrot policy is elegantly used , with citizens living with confidence in the government about maintaining law and order and fair play.

One problem for Sri Lanka like other nearby countries is an excessive level of democracy without adequate check and control, which is doing more harm than good. People of Sri Lanka and the politicians should realise that liberty to state their views and indulge in protests cannot be a mere personal affair but it has to be a part of social contract coupled with responsible attitude.

The sad fact is that there have been lot of corruption allegations in Sri Lanka for which Rajapaksa government is responsible to some extent and particularly since Rajapaksa has made the government virtually a family affair. Perhaps, the national government should evolve some policy approach with regard to the place of family interest in the government and permissive level of liberty and freedom.
The CEO at Port of Waterford Frank Ronan will reach the end of his seven-year term this September and the company is currently seeking a new CEO.

The Chair of the Port Company Des Whelan said: Frank has achieved an incredible amount during his time with Port of Waterford and the board is very sorry to lose him as Chief Executive. He oversaw substantial growth during his tenure with us. He led the workforce and management team extremely well and has set down a considerable roadmap for the future leaving the business set to flourish, serving the economy in the Southeast region.

As well as driving the business forward Frank played a pivotal role in re-establishing the port with the region's business community and with communities living on both sides of the estuary.

We are grateful to Frank for his leadership and considered insights and we wish him the very best on his return to the private sector.

Frank Ronan commented My time with Port of Waterford has been a pleasure and a privilege. I will now work closely with the Board and my fantastic colleagues on the management team to ensure the best possible handover to the next CEO'.

The Port of Waterford recruitment process for a new Chief Executive is currently live, details on the application process can be viewed at recruitireland.ie.
Press Release

May 3, 2022 Tolentino lauds termination of e-sabong operations MANILA - Senator Francis 'Tol' N. Tolentino lauded President Rodrigo Duterte following his decision over the termination of online cockfighting operations in the country. "It's a strong statement. The President's decision to finally put an end over the operations of e-sabong is a testament of his political will in ensuring the welfare of the public," said Tolentino. In his pre-recorded 'Talk to the Nation' that was aired on Tuesday, the chief executive announced that the operations of e-sabong will cease by evening of May 3 following the recommendation made by Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano amid the ongoing investigation over the reported mysterious disappearances of more or less 40 cock fighting aficionados in the last 18 months. Tolentino together with Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chair Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa earlier spearheaded a series of parallel inquiry over the missing 'sabongeros,' in which the Senate investigation bared various loopholes in the operations of online sabong. The senator is firm with his observation that a law must be legislated first before allowing e-sabong operators to conduct business and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has no authority to regulate e-sabong, despite securing separate legal opinions from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General. "The bases of PAGCOR are mere opinions of the Secretary of Justice and the Solicitor General--a mere executive opinion--given by the Executive Department. Now the head of the Executive Department--the chief executive, the President himself has decided--in effect is an implied reversal of these legal opinions," said Tolentino. Tolentino earlier stressed that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and PAGCOR also failed to withhold the 20-percent tax from the winning profits of online sabong operations since the virtual cockfighting industry began sometime during the second quarter of 2020, unlike those being collected from other number games like sweepstakes, horse racing, and lotto.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High near 85F. SSW winds shifting to N at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 68F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the draft Tuesday morning, and says the court will investigate the leak.
Note: North Carolina also has a ban that was in place before Roe, but according to the Guttmacher Institute, it is unclear if the states law would be implemented quickly. Data as of May 2, 2022.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 81F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 58F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 58F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
On May 2, LE SSERAFIM made their much-anticipated debut. During their debut showcase, the members were asked about Kim Garam's school violence allegations.

Keep on reading to learn what happened.

LE SSERAFIM Responds to Question About Kim Garam's School Bullying Scandal

On May 2, LE SSERAFIM made their debut with their first mini-album, "FEARLESS," and a title track of the same name. The group has received a lot of attention from the public as they are Source Music's first girl group after GFRIEND and were heavily invested in by HYBE Labels.

On the day of their debut, LE SSERAFIM held a showcase to promote their mini-album. In addition to performance, LE SSERAFIM was interviewed by representatives from media outlets.

There, Kim Garam's school violence allegations were brought to attention.

Leader Kim Chaewon quickly shut down the question, responding:

"We are currently discussing the situation with the company. We are responding in accordance with the procedures, so there are parts that we are cautious about speaking directly here. We will have the opportunity to clarify more in the future."

Kim Garam appeared to struggle with the question but also responded to the reporter's question. She said:

"As Chaewon unnie said, it is hard for me to say anything about this. I hope everyone understands. I will work hard as a person and as a member of LE SSERAFIM."

ALSO READ: LE SSERAFIM Sakura Opens Up About Struggles of Debuting in Korea

Kim Chaewon also asked people to look forward to them.

Many took this as Kim Chaewon supporting Kim Garam amidst the sensitive question. However, many South Koreans were upset over the situation. Some brought up how Kim Chaewon's rank in IZ*ONE was manipulated, meaning she should not have debuted with the project group.

ALSO READ: LE SSERAFIM Latest Concept Photos Attract Attention for Two Different Reasons

Some people wondered if Kim Chaewon spoke for Kim Garam to cover up her scandal with "Produce 48."

Some comments concerning the situation read:

"Is it difficult to explain? If you are not guilty of school violence, why avoid the question?" "Is it difficult to explain the problem? Kim Chaewon's rank was manipulated, and she understood, but why is Kim Garam saying her scandal is difficult to explain?" "A cheater answers on behalf of a school violence perpetrator?"

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

LE SSERAFIM Recent Activities

LE SSERAFIM released their first mini-album, "FEARLESS," on May 2. This marks the group's debut.

During the pre-order period, it was announced that "FEARLESS" sold 270,000 copies in seven days. In 16 days, "FEARLESS" sold 360,000 copies in pre-order sales.

For more K-Pop news, follow and subscribe to KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Alexa Lewis wrote this.
Two local women, including one from Genoa City, have been charged in connection to the concealment of a body found in a conservation area near Richmond, just over the Illinois state line.

Theresa M. Stoen, 43, of Genoa City and Mikalah M. Stoen, 24, of Richmond, Illinois, have been arrested and charged in connection with felony criminal charges of concealment of a death/moving a body. The charges were filed in McHenry County, Illinois.

According to their criminal complaints, the two reportedly, concealed the death when they knowingly moved the body of a dead person from its place of death, with the intent of concealing information regarding the place or manner of death of that person.

The two were in court on Monday, May 2 and have since been released on bonds.

A staff member from the McHenry County Conservation District Police Department responded to a conservation area in Richmond, Illinois on Friday morning, April 29, where the deceased man was found, according to media reports.

The man was later identified as 32-year-old Alexander Oleston.

A representative of the family, Gina Gramly, said they are still waiting toxicology results and couldnt say anything else about what happened.

She said, the two women charged with dumping Olestons body had only known him a few weeks.

According to online Wisconsin Circuit Court records, Oleston was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child in 2012 in Walworth County. His previous address is listed as Elkhorn and Delavan.

According to his criminal complaint from 2012, Oleston reportedly had sexual contact with two girls both age 14 when he was 21 at an apartment in Delavan. While he was convicted of one count of second-degree sexual assault of a child, an additional sexual assault and child enticement charge were dismissed.

His most recent address was listed in Richmond, Illinois at the Drake Motel, 8613 Highway 12.

Gramly said Olestons death had nothing to do with the 2012 crime and said the focus should be on the two who are charged, not something that happened 10 years ago.

They murdered our son, Olestons father said in a phone call to the Lake Geneva Regional News on Tuesday, May 3.

No apparent injuries were immediately discovered on the body during the investigation, which was done by the McHenry County Sheriffs Office, the Richmond Police Department, Richmond Town Fire Protection District as well as the McHenry County Coroners Office.

His cause of death is pending while the investigation is done by the McHenry County Coroners Office, according to media reports.

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Walworth County, in partnership with the United Way of Walworth County, have awarded approximately $100,000 to 16 area nonprofits through an American Rescue Act grant-funding program.

Announced in December 2021, the grant-funding program is intended to offset the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic incurred by local nonprofit agencies.

The services provided by these nonprofits are critical to the well-being of our communities, Tammy Dunn, executive director for United Way of Walworth County, said in a news release. They have faced tremendous financial and operational challenges as a result of the pandemic, and we are ecstatic to partner with Walworth County to provide funds at a time when they are most needed.

The grant recipients include Walworth County Literacy Council, New Beginnings APFV, Spirit of Hope Homeless Shelter, Open Arms Free Clinic, Smiles, Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Wisconsin, Safe Families for Children Southeastern Wisconsin, Inspiration Ministries, Seeds of Hope, Circle of Friends, Boys & Girls Club of Walworth County, Geneva Lakes Conservancy, Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County, Walworth County Food Pantry, and Join the Movement.

The agencies received between $1,000 and $9,000 and may use the grant funding for assistance implementing COVID-19 prevention or mitigation tactics; technical assistance, consulting, or other services for business planning; assistance with payroll support, costs to retain employees or other operating costs; or outreach efforts for qualifying populations impacted by COVID-19.

A board comprised of United Way of Walworth County committee members selected the grant recipients based on their application, submission of required documentation and by using a scoring rubric. Only nonprofit organizations were eligible to apply.

United Way of Walworth County recently issued $120,550 to 43 nonprofit agencies in Walworth County, and the ARPA funds were awarded separately and in addition to those grants.
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.
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], May 3 (ANI): After resigning from the Gujarat assembly on Tuesday, former Congress MLA Ashwin Kotwal has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, on the same day.

Addressing a press conference, Kotwal said, "I was very upset with the party I was working for. The society I come from. The Congress pretends to be within the tribal society."

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Asserting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'development man', he said "Modi is a development man and the country could never get such a development-oriented man. He has travelled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and has made development in Gujarat's Umargam village to Ambaji."

"When Modi Saheb talked to me in 2007, he said that all the tribal brothers should have a house in the tribal area," he added.

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He asserted that the BJP needs good men in politics and the ones who would stay and perform good deeds for society.

Kotwal had accused Congress of working by deceiving the Congress and refuted the allegations of the Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal that stated that Gujarat has a failed Education system. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ahmedabad, May 3 (PTI) Gujarat on Tuesday reported 12 COVID-19 cases, taking its tally to 12,24,386, while there was no addition to the death toll, which stood at 10,943, a state health department official said.

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The recovery count increased by 15 to touch 12,13,335, leaving the state with an active caseload of 108, he said.

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The new cases comprised 10 in Ahmedabad and two in Vadodara, the official added.

A government release said 19,648 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 during the day, taking the overall number of doses administered so far to 10.79 crore.

The adjoining Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu continued to be coronavirus-free, a local official informed.

Gujarat's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 12,24,386, new cases 12, death toll 10,943, discharged 12,13,335, active cases 108, people tested so far - figures not released.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kochi, May 3 (PTI) Director General of Indian Coast Guard V S Pathania on Tuesday inaugurated the first-ever coast guard jetty at the ICG headquarters at Fort Kochi, near here.

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The coast guard has increased its assets in Kochi as maritime activities were growing manifold in the city.

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"The ICG jetty would ensure seamless ICG operations in the sea areas of Kerala and Lakshadweep Islands," Pathania said while addressing the gathering.

Indian Coast Guard has made a significant presence all along the Indian coastline and plays a dominant and effective role in internal security and maritime law enforcement.

"Kochi is one of the major port of India in the southern region and the Coast Guard District Headquarters No.4 (Kerala and Mahe) at Kochi plays a paramount role in providing safety and security in sea areas of Kerala and Lakshadweep Islands," the Navy said in a release.

Port of Kochi being strategically located, demands ICG presence for safeguarding Indian maritime interest. Accordingly, Cochin Port Trust has constructed the ICG Jetty in the harbour with a maintained depth of seven metres and the same would facilitate swift deployment of Indian Coast Guard ships, the release said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Baramulla (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 3 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir police along with the Indian army busted an inter-district narco terror module and arrested two terrorist associates with heroin worth Rs 1.5 crore and arms and ammunition in the Baramulla district.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the UAP Act, NDPS Act, and Arms Act at Baramulla Police Station.

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"Inter-district Narco-Terror module busted by Baramulla Police and Army 52RR. A total of two terrorist associates were arrested and heroin worth Rs 1.5 crore along with arms and ammunition were recovered. A case under relevant sections of UAP Act, NDPS Act, and Arms Act registered in Baramulla PS," informed the Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday.

In another incident, the security forces also nabbed an associate of the proscribed terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba/The Resistance Front while he was trying to flee from a checkpoint in Rabitar village of Pulwama district.

Also Read | Maharashtra: Religious Issues Being Created To Hide Centres Failures, Says Congress Leader Nana Patole.

"During joint Naka by Ganderbal Police along with Army's 24 Rashtriya Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force was laid at village Rabitar during checking a white Scorpio has been spotted coming from Dab Wakoora tried to take a U-turn and run away," said the police.

The security forces nabbed the driver and searched the vehicle from which a huge quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered.

A case has been registered in Ganderbal Police Station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A probe into the matter has begun. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], May 3 (ANI): After Monday's clashes in Rajasthan's Jodhpur, stones were again hurled by the two communities at Jalori Gate, compelling the police to resort to lathi-charge in the area following the Eid prayers.

In the visuals, people can be heard raising slogans while also indulging in stone-pelting. The police tried to disperse the crowd.

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The situation is reported to be under control at present in the area, according to the police.

"The situation is under control, and the flag march will be held. Action will be taken according to the law. Police personnel received minor injuries. We're looking into it (on flag hoisting incident)," Navjyoti Gogoi, Police Commissioner, Jodhpur told media persons.

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On Monday, a dispute started over replacing one community's religious flag at Balmukand Bissa at the Jalori Gate intersection circle with that of another. People from the other community objected to this move, which resulted in clashes.

Several people were also injured in stone-pelting between the two communities on Monday night following the flag replacement incident. During this, the crowd also uprooted loudspeakers installed in the area for the Eid prayers.

Jodhpur district administration has also temporarily suspended internet services in the district on Tuesday as a precautionary measure after clashes on Monday night.

According to an order issued by Jodhpur Divisional Commissioner Himanshu Gupta, all internet services have been suspended in Jodhpur beginning from 1 am today. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], May 3 (ANI): Slamming the Congress-led Rajasthan government over the recent violence, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajyavardhan Rathore on Tuesday said Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot resorted to appeasement politics and adopted double standards.

Strongly condemning the violence in Jodhpur, Rathore said, "The law and order situation in Rajasthan is completely bad. A dirty appeasement politics is being done there. The Chief Minister holds the Home Department portfolio. It means the police administration directly comes under his control. Despite that such appeasement is happening.

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"Violence took place in Karauli. There was previous information about it. But no steps were taken to prevent it. Gehlot sahib said Jai Shri Ram slogan was raised and DJ was played. But the SHO's report is that a completely peaceful Rath Yatra was going on. So this is total appeasement politics," said the BJP leader.

Rathore alleged that Chief Minister Gehlot has adopted double standards.

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Section 144 was imposed. Ram Darbar was demolished. Rajasthan government issued a separate order that there will be no power cut inside the Muslim-dominated area. At that time Ram Navami was also going on. Why did you adopt this double standard?"

Clashes broke out at the Jalori gate circle in Jodhpur, the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's home district, following Eid prayers. Police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the mob.

This followed the tense atmosphere which prevailed here on Monday after stone-pelting between two groups over objections raised over the raising of a flag at Balmukand Bissa at the Jalori Gate intersection circle. After stone-pelting started, police tried to control the situation and disperse the crowd.

Following the incidents, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to the people to maintain peace in the area.

"I want to appeal to people to maintain peace. I've also instructed police to deal strictly with anti-social elements. Everyone should understand that we've to maintain brotherhood," Gehlot told ANI.

Jodhpur district administration also suspended all mobile internet services in Jodhpur district from 1 am today, as a precautionary measure.

According to an order issued by Jodhpur Divisional Commissioner Himanshu Gupta, all internet services have been suspended in Jodhpur beginning from 1 am till further notice. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
            
Thiruvananthapuram, May 3 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the issue of substantial hike in air fares in the domestic and international sector which was affecting non-resident Keralites in the vacation period.

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Vijayan, in his letter dated May 1, said the tourism sector which has started functioning in Kerala normally after being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is facing challenges due to "exorbitant air fares."

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"One of the key sectors affected by COVID-19 was the hospitality industry, including travel and tourism. Though this sector has been opened and has started functioning normally, the new challenge which can be the reason for a setback to return to normalcy is the exorbitant air fares prevailing in both domestic and international sectors," Vijayan said.

In his letter, Vijayan has also given an illustrative comparison of the air fares before and after COVID-19 pandemic in key domestic and international flight routes from Kerala.

The chart shows that the airfare from Cochin to Delhi was Rs 4,000 in the pre-COVID era which has now become Rs 10,000. Similarly, the cost of a ticket from Cochin to Dubai has gone up to Rs 40,000 which was Rs 12,000 earlier. The price of the ticket from Cochin to New York, which was Rs 65,000 earlier has now gone up to Rs 1,30,000.

"I request urgent intervention by your goodself to alleviate the hardship faced by our pravasis and domestic and international tourists by taking necessary initiatives to bring down the exorbitant air fares," Vijayan said.

The Chief Minister said Kerala was very much affected due to the rising air fare as a state with a substantial diaspora in many countries of the world and as an important tourist destination.

Vijayan said tourists have started visiting the state after the decline of incidence of COVID-19 pandemic.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Seoni (MP), May 3 (PTI) Two tribal men died after they were allegedly assaulted by a group of 15-20 people over suspicion of cow slaughter in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district, police said on Tuesday.

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Another person was injured in the incident, they said.

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The complainant in the case and the opposition Congress in the BJP-ruled state have alleged the attackers belong to the Bajrang Dal.

Some 20 people have been booked in connection with the incident, which took place at Simaria under Kurai police station limits between 2:30 am and 3 am on Monday, including six on charges of murder, an official said.

After the incident, a group led by Congress legislator Arjun Singh Kakodia started a protest on the Jabalpur-Nagpur highway. The Seoni Superintendent of Police and other officials visited the protest site.

"Two tribal men have died. It was alleged a group of 15-20 people went to the victims' house, accused them of killing a cow and assaulted them. The two men died while being taken to hospital and another sustained minor injuries. A postmortem is yet to be conducted," Additional Superintendent of Police SK Maravi told PTI.

"A case of murder has been registered at the Kuarai police station and police teams are searching for the accused. Some of the accused are named (in the complaint) and others are unidentified. We have taken 2-3 suspects into custody. Some 12 kilograms of meat has been found in the victims' house," Maravi said.

The complainant Brajesh Batti, who was injured in the incident, said the mob was hitting Sampat Batti, a resident of Sagar, and Simaria resident Dhansa with sticks when he arrived at the spot, and he, too, was assaulted.

Congress MLA Kakodia, who has been sitting on a 'dharna' to protest the incident, claimed the attackers comprised Bajrang Dal members and called for a ban on the right-wing outfit.

He said the kin of the victims should be given Rs 1 crore each as well as government jobs.

Meanwhile, the Congress has demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident and swift action against the culprits.

MP Congress president Kamal Nath tweeted, "I demand from the government that strict action be taken against the culprits by announcing a high-level inquiry into this incident. All possible help should be given to the families of the victims and arrangements for treatment of the injured man at government expense."

Nath said the kin of the deceased and local residents have claimed the Bajrang Dal was involved in the incident.

The former CM said NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data showed MP was number one among states in crimes against tribals.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], May 3 (ANI): More than 50 persons have been arrested in the Jodhpur violence, said Rajasthan Minister Rajendra Singh Yadav on Tuesday.

"The kind of incident that took place on Parshuram Jayanti, Akha Teej and Eid is shameful. We inspected the spots wherever the incident occurred and wherever the motorcycles were set ablaze. Patience is needed. There is no time for blame game now," said the Minister.

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"More than 50 people have been arrested. If some negligence by the administration is found, strict action will be taken," added Yadav.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot held a high-level meeting on Tuesday over the violence in Jodhpur.

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Clashes broke out at the Jalori gate circle in Jodhpur, the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's home district, following Eid prayers. Police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the mob.

This followed the tense atmosphere which prevailed here on Monday after stone-pelting between two groups over objections raised over the raising of a flag at Balmukand Bissa at the Jalori Gate intersection circle.

After stone-pelting started, police tried to control the situation and disperse the crowd. Following the incidents, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to the people to maintain peace in the area.

"I want to appeal to people to maintain peace. I've also instructed police to deal strictly with anti-social elements. Everyone should understand that we've to maintain brotherhood," Gehlot told ANI.

Jodhpur district administration also suspended all mobile internet services in Jodhpur district, as a precautionary measure.

According to an order issued by Jodhpur Divisional Commissioner Himanshu Gupta, all internet services have been suspended in Jodhpur beginning from 1 am till further notice. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jodhpur, May 3 (PTI) Communal tension broke out in Jalori Gate area here, which led to stone pelting, leaving at least four policemen injured in the early hours of Tuesday.

The police lobbed tear gas shells to control the situation hours before Eid in the hometown of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who appealed to the people to maintain peace.

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The two sides clashed with each other over installing a religious flag in connection with Eid, police said.

"Four policemen were injured in the stone pelting. Heavy police force was deployed in the area to control the situation," a source in the police control room said.

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The chief minister asked the people to uphold brotherhood and called the incident unfortunate.

"While respecting the tradition of love and brotherhood of Jodhpur, Marwar, I make a touching appeal to all the parties to maintain peace and cooperate in restoring law and order," he said in a tweet.

Gehlot said he has instructed the administration to maintain peace and order.

(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 3 (PTI) Diversified entity ITC Ltd on Tuesday said it has entered into a partnership with IIT Delhi to support research in identified STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) areas.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed to this effect with the institute with an aim to accelerate India's journey towards achieving its sustainable development goals (SDGs), ITC said in a statement.

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Currently, the areas identified for research are energy storage, low carbon cold transportation, and plastic biodegradation to name a few and will further pave the way for more research in the areas of mutual interest, it added.

"It is ITC's objective to leverage the technical expertise of institutions such as IITs and support R&D activities in identified areas, which will accelerate India's journey towards achieving its SDGs," ITC Executive Vice President and Head - Social Investments Prabhakar Lingareddy said.

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He said ITC has embarked on the next horizon of sustainable excellence with a comprehensive Sustainability 2.0 vision with ambitious targets that call for inclusive strategies that can support even more livelihoods, pursue newer pathways to fight climate change, support circular economy and enable transition to a net-zero ecosystem.

IIT Delhi Dean, Research & Development Sunil Khare said,"The collaboration will combine the cutting-edge research at IIT Delhi with application know-how of ITC to accelerate innovation and develop solutions for a variety of end-use applications of our customers and society at large."

The industry is undergoing massive transformation with an ever-increasing need for sustainable and functional products that are driving new innovations, he added.

Stating that the institute has made significant contributions in many areas including academic activities, research, innovation and technology development, IIT Delhi Dean, Corporate Relations Anurag Rathore said,"Collaboration between the industry and academia will help us in our pursuit of excellence and also further strengthen the public research and innovation ecosystem of India."

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, May 3: Global fashion event Met Gala 2022 got a dash of desi tadka with the stunning presence of India's businesswoman Natasha Poonawalla. Natasha, the wife of Serum Institute of India's CEO Aadar Poonawalla, marked her presence at the latest edition of Met Gala wearing an exquisite Sabyasachi saree. She paired a Sabyasachi couture sari with a Schiaparelli hand-forged metal bustier. Jared Leto Twins With Gucci's Alessandro Michele in Matching Cream Tweed Tuxes at Met Gala 2022 Red Carpet.

Designer Sabyasachi took to Instagram to share Natasha's photos in the all-golden ensemble that she wore for the biggest fashion night held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sabyasachi (@sabyasachiofficial)

Decoding the Indian twist that Natasha Poonawalla brought to Met Gala 2022's theme 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion', Sabyasachi wrote: "Sabyasachi contributed to Natasha's vision by celebrating Indian craftsmanship with a gold handcrafted printed tulle sari and trail embroidered with silk floss thread and embellished with bevel beads, semi-precious stones, crystals, sequins and applique printed velvet."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sabyasachi (@sabyasachiofficial)

"The jewellery is a curation of custom pieces from Sabyasachi Fine Jewellery and limited edition collectibles from Sabyasachi's Curiosity Art and Antiquity Project-crafted using traditional techniques with precious and semi-precious stones," the post read.

Credits also go to ace fashion stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania for styling Natasha for Met Gala 2022. Previously, Natasha was spotted walking the Met Gala 2018 red carpet in a white off-shoulder gown.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, May 4 (AP) The US has learned a great deal about Russian military shortfalls and capabilities in the first two months of the war in Ukraine, top Pentagon leaders told Congress. But they warned that Moscow is learning from its mistakes as the war shifts to a new phase, and that will shape the artillery and other weapons systems the U.S. will provide.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday that if Congress approves funding, the most critical things that Ukraine needs are anti-tank, anti-aircraft and shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles. Milley added that with the fighting now concentrated in the eastern Donbas region, Ukrainian forces also need more tanks and other mechanised vehicles, which the US and other nations are providing.

Also Read | Pentagon, US Companies Involved in Ukraine Military Biolabs, Says Russia.

The coming weeks, they said, will be crucial.

Prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February, the US had provided about USD 1 billion in weapons and gear to the Ukrainian military, and had been training troops for years. Since the invasion, the US has committed another USD 3.7 billion in weapons and other aid, and is seeking a USD 33 billion supplemental appropriation from Congress that includes a wide range of military and other support.

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Senators, including Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., pressed Austin and Milley on whether weapons are actually getting out to the troops on the front lines, or if they are being diverted or hoarded. Austin said it's difficult to know since there are no US personnel on the ground in Ukraine to monitor the weapons flow. But he said they talk to their counterparts in Ukraine regularly, and stress the need for accountability in weapons distribution.

Austin pointed to early failures by Russia, including almost immediate struggles with logistics, and difficulties getting food, water and supplies to troops.

"As we saw things unfold on the ground, we saw them not able to support themselves logistically, we saw them make some bad assumptions at the beginning of this, we saw them fail to integrate aerial fires with their ground maneuver, and just a number of missteps," Austin said. "I attribute a lot of that to lack of leadership at the lower level."

The leadership problems, he said, forced Russia to send higher ranking generals to the battlefront, where "many" have been killed.

Austin said the US expects to see some of the same mistakes as the fighting in the Donbas and across southern Ukraine escalates, as Russia tries to wrest control of a solid stretch of land from the east, through Mariupol, along the Sea of Azov to Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula seized by Russian and annexed in March 2014.

But, he said, "they will learn from what they did in the early stages of this fight. And we'll see them improve their logistical efforts. And we'll see them improve their massing of fires and that sort of business. But some things they won't be able to correct."

Austin and Milley said that Russia's failure to train young commanders to make decisions, has led to a very top-heavy organisation that hasn't been as nimble and effective as the Ukrainian forces. Milley said the US and other Western nations taught Ukrainian forces about mission command and decentralised control and tactics, which are more successful on a dynamic battlefield.

He also said the US "opened up the pipes" and sent a "significant amount of intelligence" to Ukraine both before the invasion, and as the fight has gone on.

In a related matter, President Joe Biden has nominated Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli to be the next top general for Europe, and to serve as the Supreme Allied Commander for NATO. Cavoli is currently serving as commander of US Army Europe-Africa. His nomination now goes to the US Senate for confirmation. He would replace Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Copenhagen, May 3 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen at her scenic 18th century official residence Marienborg which is perched upon a hilltop and surrounded by meadows, woods and lakes.

Marienborg provided the perfect setting for productive discussions with PM Frederiksen. We had extensive deliberations on how to enhance India-Denmark relations, Modi said on Twitter.

Also Read | NEW  DHS Did Not Adequately Follow Its Internal Processes when Editing and Disseminating   Latest Tweet by Disclose.tv.

Frederiksen and Modi took a stroll on the meadows surrounding the 18th century mansion overlooking the Bagsvaerd Lake.

Marienborg has served as the official residence of Denmark's prime ministers since 1962.

Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: Vladimir Putin Could Officially Declare War on Ukraine As Soon as May 9, Say US and Western Officials.

At Marienborg, Frederiksen gave a tour of her official residence to Modi, who spotted a Pattachitra painting from Odisha depicting Ram Durbar' which was gifted by him when she had visited India last year.

Earlier, Frederiksen received Modi at the airport here where members of the Indian diaspora had turned up in traditional attire to welcome the prime minister.

The Danish Prime Minister was also present when Modi interacted with the Indian community here.

I have to say you really know how to welcome a politician. Please teach the Danish population how to do it, Frederiksen said, amid a rapturous applause by the Indian community.

She also introduced Modi as her friend as she invited him to address the gathering.

(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 3 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the New India doesn't think only of a secure future alone but takes risks.

Addressing members of the Indian diaspora in Berlin, the Prime Minister said 'Make in India' has become a driving force of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: Blasts Rock Moldova As Fears Rise That Vladimir Putin Could Be Eyeing Next Target for Invasion.

He said the way technology is being included in governance in India, it shows country's new political will as also the delivery-capability of democracy.

PM Modi said after independence, India decided on a direction but the country lagged behind due to one or the other reason.

Also Read | Imran Khan Calls Out Joe Bidens Administration for Regime Change Conspiracy in Pakistan.

"But the numerous changes that should have taken place with time, the speed with which it should have been done, the extensive manner in which it should have been done, we lagged behind due to one or the other reason," he said.

During his address, the Prime Minister laid emphasis on minimum government and maximum governance. "There should not be the absence of government wherever it is needed but it should also not be wherever it is not needed."

"Before 2014, wherever you used to see, everything would be a work in progress. I'm not criticising anyone but if a road was made, then it's dug up for electricity, then for water," he said.

Talking about the new India, PM Modi stated that the new India doesn't think of a secure future alone.

"It takes risks, it innovates, it incubates. I remember that around 2014, our country had only 200-400 startups. Today, the country has more than 68,000 startups," he said.

"Today the way technology is being included in governance in India, it shows the political will of New India...Now no PM will have to say that I send Re 1 from Delhi but only 15 paise reaches (people)," the prime minister added.

PM Modi highlighted the low price of Internet data in India and said it is unbelievable for many nations. He also noted that the government isn't chaining down the innovators but rather it's pushing them forward by pumping vigour in them.

"If you want to innovate in geospatial area, or build new kinds of drones or rockets or satellites - today India offers the most open and nurturing environment for this," he said.

"Today, all global parameters say that several dozens of these startups have become unicorns. It's not restricted to unicorns alone, today I can proudly say that numerous unicorns in my country are becoming decacorns too. It means they are crossing the level of USD 10 Billion," he added.

The Prime Minister addressed the Indian community meeting after co-chairing the sixth edition of India-Germany intergovernmental consultations (IGC) with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. (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 [Germany], May 3 (ANI): PM Narendra Modi and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday interacted with top CEOs of India and Denmark and during the meeting, PM Modi invited Danish businesses to invest in India, said newly appointed Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.

Kwatra was addressing a press briefing at the conclusion of the second leg of Prime Minister Modi's Europe visit on Tuesday (local time).

Also Read | Pentagon, US Companies Involved in Ukraine Military Biolabs, Says Russia.

"In the high profile business event, two PMs (PM Modi and Danish PM) also interacted with top CEOs of India and Denmark. During this interaction, PM Modi invited Danish businesses to associate with and invest in India's economic growth story," Kwatra said.

He said that 17 Danish CEOs and 13 Indian CEOs were also present at this business event.

Also Read | Inclusiveness, Cultural Diversity Power of Indian Community, Says PM Narendra Modi in Denmark.

"It was also clearly recognised at the event that India and Denmark and the private sector stakeholders need to highlight and project the success and strength of commercial partnerships between both the countries to the whole world," Kwatra added.

Foreign Secretary gave further details about PM Modi's visit to Denmark. He said that after the business event, PM Modi interacted with the Indian diaspora with great energy and enthusiasm.

Kwatra informed that tomorrow, PM Modi will participate in the second India-Nordic summit with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway. However, prior to the start of the summit, PM Modi will also hold bilateral summit meetings with the leaders of Norway, Iceland, Finland and Sweden. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Sir,



Thank you for allowing me space to voice my concerns regarding the much talked about era, the fourth Industrial Revolution. I wont dwell much on what this revolution is about; I would like to re-assure emaSwati that we have already reached the time where everyone says this is the fourth Industrial Revolution. To explain; this is the time where everyones life is controlled or affected by technology. But my biggest worry is how far is the country ready for such a revolution?

Example

Let me make an example, which might seem silly; one day I was perusing through the classified section looking for vacancies that might meet my requirements and fortunately for me I did get one which simply needed me. As someone living in a country where service delivery is not slow but not there altogether, I was involuntarily compelled to miss such an opportunity because it needed one to send his application via an email. As we all know that a copy of a newspaper we usually see them after three or more days after its publication and there are no internet cafes in our Tinkhundla centres where I might have sourced that kind of assistance, if they were put into good use.

Worry

Moreover, my biggest worry centres around the issue of educators. Is government aware that about 80 per cent of teachers do not have adequate knowledge to meet todays requirements? For instance, most teachers cant send emails and let alone owning the accounts because I believe that teachers are the ones who should always be given first priority when it comes to issues of development as they play a pivotal role when it comes to transferring and imparting knowledge to the younger generation. So how do you expect them to share such paramount information even if themselves are ignorant?

If you can take an instance of the english syllabus both at junior and senior levels, it does incorporate technology but the relevant stakeholders are afraid to ask pupils to write emails in their final examinations. That is why every year children will always be examined on how to write a friendly letter which is now outdated.

Afraid

Why are they afraid? Its because they know that teachers cant competently teach them these tasks, except with the aid of Information Technology (IT) teachers. Lastly, Id like to appeal to government, to quickly come up with tangible possible solutions in an attempt to curb this disease. We need a well detailed roadmap on how you plan to re-skill educators. Remember, Helen Hayes once said; If you rest, you rust.
London [UK], May 3 (ANI/Sputnik): The United Kingdom will hand over 13 armored vehicles to Ukraine for safe evacuation of civilians, the UK Foreign Office said on Tuesday.

"The UK is sending a fleet of 13 protective armoured vehicles to Ukraine, to safely evacuate people from the shelled areas in east of the country," the office said in a statement, adding that the vehicles will be sent at the request from Kiev.

Also Read | Pentagon, US Companies Involved in Ukraine Military Biolabs, Says Russia.

The specialized 4x4 vehicles are said to be capable of withstanding high velocity bullets, anti-personnel mines and improvised explosives devices.

"The vehicles, donated from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office's fleet, will start to arrive in the east of Ukraine in the coming days with UK government logistics teams working with partners on the ground to dispatch them as quickly as possible," the statement read.

Also Read | Inclusiveness, Cultural Diversity Power of Indian Community, Says PM Narendra Modi in Denmark.

On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces. More than 5.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine since then, while around 7.7 million people had been displaced within the country, according to the United Nations. (ANI/Sputnik)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Akshaya Tritiya also known as Akti or Akha Teej is a Hindu and Jain spring festival celebrated every year. This year it will be observed on Tuesday, May 3. According to the Hindu calendar, Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third lunar day of the bright half of the Vaisakh month. It signifies the third day of unending prosperity. According to the Gregorian calendar, it falls in the month of April or May every year. As you celebrate Akshaya Tritiya 2022, we at LatestLY, have curated messages that you can download and send to one and all to wish them with WhatsApp stickers, GIF Images, HD wallpapers and SMS. Facebook Greetings, GIF Messages, SMS, HD Wallpapers & Quotes To Celebrate Akha Teej.

Akshaya Tritiya is derived from two Sanskrit words "Akshaya" meaning "never" decreasing in the sense of prosperity, hope, joy, and success and "Tritiya" meaning "third" phase of the moon. It was named after the day when it falls which is the third lunar day of the spring month of Vaisakh in the Hindu calendar. Here are messages saying Happy Akshaya Tritiya 2022, that you can download and send to all your near and dear ones to wish them with WhatsApp stickers, GIF Images, HD wallpapers and SMS.

Akha Teej 2022 (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: Heres Wishing You a Spiritually-Blessed Year Ahead. Happy Akha Teej 2022.

Akha Teej 2022 (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: Happy Akshaya Tritiya 2022. Let This Festive Season Bring With It Endless Happiness and Joy.

Akha Teej 2022 (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: Aapko Akshaya Tritiya Ki Dher Saari Shubh Kamnaye. Maa Lakshmi Aap Pe Hamesha Apni Krupa Banaye Rahkhee.

Akha Teej 2022 (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: May This Akshaya Tritiya Bless You With Joy, Opulence and Prosperity. Wishing a Bright Future in Your Life.

Akha Teej 2022 (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: Buy Gold This Akshaya Tritiya and Wealth and Prosperity Will Walk to Your Home. Happy Akha Teej 2022.

Akshaya Tritiya 2022 Greetings: WhatsApp Messages, HD Images & Wishes To Observe the Pious Occasion

It is a very auspicious day for Hindus and Jains in many regions of India. This day is considered great for new ventures, marriages, expensive investments such as gold or property or any other new beginnings. If Akshaya Tritiya falls on a Monday, then it is considered to be even more auspicious. People send messages and wishes to their friends and families on this auspicious day. Here are messages that you can download and send to your friends and family to wish them Happy Akshaya Tritiya 2022.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2022 07:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Washington, May 3: Russian President Vladimir Putin could formally declare war on Ukraine as soon as May 9, a move that would enable the full mobilisation of Moscow's reserve forces as invasion efforts continue to falter, US and Western officials believe.

May 9, known as "Victory Day" in Russia, commemorates the country's defeat of the Nazis in 1945, reports CNN. Russia-Ukraine War: Blasts Rock Moldova As Fears Rise That Vladimir Putin Could Be Eyeing Next Target for Invasion.

Western officials have long believed that Putin would leverage the symbolic significance and propaganda value of that day to announce either a military achievement in Ukraine, a major escalation of hostilities, or both.

Officials have begun to hone in on one scenario, which is that Putin formally declares war on Ukraine on May 9.

To date, Putin has insisted on referring to the brutal months long conflict as a "special military operation", effectively banning words such as invasion and war.

"I think he will try to move from his 'special operation'," UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told LBC Radio last week.

"He's been rolling the pitch, laying the ground for being able to say 'look, this is now a war against Nazis, and what I need is more people. I need more Russian cannon fodder.'"

Throughout the conflict, Putin has continuously framed his invasion of Ukraine, a country with a Jewish president, as a campaign of supposed "denazification", a description dismissed by historians and political observers alike, CNN reported.

Wallace added that he "would not be surprised, and I don't have any information about this, that he is probably going to declare on this May Day that 'we are now at war with the world's Nazis and we need to mass mobilize the Russian people".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2022 05:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
A 100-year-old man from Brazil became one of the Guinness World Records title holders after working for a single company for over 84 years. The man from Brazil was identified as Walter Orthmann, according to USA Today.

Walter Orthmann started working at the company when he was 15 years old. https://t.co/JjcJqg0QOS  KTVU (@KTVU) May 3, 2022

The Guinness World Records verified in January this year that Orthmann worked for the same company for exactly 84 years and nine days.

"His passion, discipline, and commitment motivated him to keep doing what he loves and, eventually, become an official Guinness World Records title holder for the longest career in the same company," the organization underscored.

Orthmann attributed his triumph to focusing on the present and his work.

"I don't do much planning, nor care much about tomorrow. All I care about is that tomorrow will be another day in which I will wake up, get up, exercise, and go to work," the 100-year-old man from Brazil said.

Orthmann broke his record in 2019, with 81 years and 85 days. The man from Brazil noted that he considers being the titleholder for the longest career in the same company as his greatest achievement.

READ NEXT: 'Remove Amber Heard From Aquaman 2' Petition Breaks Through 3 Million Signatures as Internet Folks Side With Johnny Depp

Brazil: Walter Orthmann's Career Throughout the Years

Orthmann was born in the town of Brusque, Brazil on April 19, 1922.

FOX 6 noted that the town located in the Santa Catarina region of Brazil was home to a large German population.

The Brazilian man shared with GWR that when he was young, he would walk to school barefooted. He also noted that he was described as an "exceptional student" with a brilliant memory and attention to detail. However, financial problems at home made him help his family at an early age.

Guinness World Records noted that Orthmann began working on January 17, 1938. He was 15 years old at that time.

"Back in 1938, kids were expected to work to help support the family. As the oldest son of five, my mother took me to find a job at the age of 14," Orthmann noted.

The Brazilian man applied for a job at ReneauxView, now called Renaux S.A. He was hired as a shipping assistant all because he was proficient in the German language.

Soon after, Orthmann was promoted to a position in sales. He later became a sales manager.

USA Today mentioned that sales manager was the position Orthmann held ever since.

When Orthmann reached his fifties, he began traveling across Brazil, prompting him to meet people from different cultures and places. Guinness noted in their release that this experience made Orthmann fall in love with being on the move and establishing a good relationship with clients.

"When we do what we like, we don't see the time go by," Orthmann stressed.

Brazil: Walter Orthmann Celebrates His 100th Birthday

Last week, Orthmann celebrated his 100th birthday with his friends, co-workers, and family, per USA Today.

Guinness World Records noted that man from Brazil is in good health and still has his mental clarity and memory. He also exercises daily, making him able to drive to the office every day.

READ NEXT: Texas: The Real Reason Gov. Greg Abbott Is Considering Declaring 'Invasion'

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: 100-Year-Old Sets Guinness World Record After 84 Years at Same Company - From Inside Edition
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has shared his thoughts regarding meeting Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier accused of child sex crimes who committed suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial. Gates opened up that he did not realize at the time that having those meetings would be seen as "giving him credibility," according to a Newsmax report.

He added that it was almost implied that he forgives "that type of behavior," noting that he made a huge mistake not understanding that.

Gates said in an interview last August that he regretted meeting with Epstein, adding that it was a "huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there." He noted that he only met with Epstein, hoping to raise more money to deal with global health issues.

READ NEXT: Bill and Melinda Gates' Relationship: A Timeline of Their Marriage, Life Post-Divorce

Bill Gates Meeting Jeffrey Epstein

In previous interview, Bill Gates has said he stopped the meetings with Epstein when he found that the meetings would not be helpful for his philanthropic foundation, according to a Business Insider report.

Gates' dinner with Epstein has caused friction between him and his now ex-wife and business partner, Melinda French Gates, who has described Epstein as "evil personified."

In an interview with Sunday Times, Gates admitted that there was an error of judgment. Gates addressed the state of the billionaire's life after the end of his 27-year marriage in the same interview.

Meanwhile, French Gates said that she just met Epstein one time and "regretted it from the second" she stepped in the door, according to New York Post report. She noted that her heart breaks for the young women who were victimized by Epstein.

In addition, she also acknowledged that the meetings between Gates and Epstein played a role in their separation and divorce.

Melinda French Gates

Melinda French Gates said she did not like that her then-husband had meetings with Epstein, which she made clear to Gates, according to a Vanity Fair report.

Aside from meeting the convicted sex offender, she also noted how Gates had an affair with a staffer 20 years ago, which a spokesperson for the Microsoft co-founder confirmed last May.

The philanthropist said she never thought that she would get divorced. However, she noted that their relationship got to a point where she felt she could no longer carry on.

French Gates said that she was committed to the marriage from the day they got engaged until the day she got out of it.

Meanwhile, Gates declined to answer a question about whether he had been unfaithful before his divorce from French Gates. It was reported that Gates had inappropriate relationships with subordinates at Microsoft, which caused an investigation on the tech tycoon.

Gates said that he still sees his ex-wife as a "friend." However, French Gates refused to use the same word to describe their current relationship. French Gates said that she and Gates were on "friendly" terms, but they were definitely not "friends."

READ MORE: Bill Gates Turned a Blind Eye to Jeffrey Epstein's Reputation for a Nobel Peace Prize

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Bill And Melinda Gates Divorce Reportedly Linked To Jeffrey Epstein Connection -from TODAY






Lake Mead in Las Vegas has shown a barrel containing human remains over the weekend due to the historic drought spreading in the West.

Officials told a local news station that Las Vegas Metro Police is scared that they will find more bodies, according to a Los Angeles Times report. Police think the barrel has been at the bottom of the lake since the 1980s based on personal items found in the barrel.

Lt. Ray Spencer with the Las Vegas Metro Police said that the person was probably killed four decades ago. It was found around 3 p.m. on Sunday by boaters.

Meanwhile, Spencer did not add details about the person's identity or how the remains ended up in a barrel at the bottom of Lake Mead. Spencer said that it will take an extensive amount of work, adding that there is a good chance that they would find additional remains as the water level drops.

READ NEXT: Water Shortage in Hoover Dam Seen To Fall Below the Federal Threshold This Summer

Barrel of Body in Lake Mead

The National Park Service said in a statement that rangers searched an area near Hemenway Harbor and found the barrel with skeletal remains, adding that they are working with Las Vegas police. Meanwhile, the Clark County coroner's office will determine the person's identity, according to a USA Today News report.

Spencer said that it will be a very difficult case. He added that investigators are examining growth on the barrel, hoping to trace when it was placed in the lake and started to erode.

One resident, Shawna Hollister, and her husband said they were docking their boat when they heard a woman scream. They then saw the body, which also had a shirt and belt visible. The barrel was partially lodged in the mud.

Las Vegas' Lake Mead Drought

Lake Mead and Lake Powell upstream are the largest human-made reservoirs in the U.S., which is part of a system that provides water to more than 40 million people, tribes, agriculture, and industry in several states. These states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and across the southern border in Mexico, according to an Associated Press News report.

The lake's level has dropped significantly, resulting in the uppermost water intake at drought-stricken Lake Mead becoming visible last week.

Water levels at Lake Mead have dropped to an elevation of 1,055 feet, the lowest level since 1937, a year after Hoover Dam became operational and created the reservoir.

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California spokesperson Rebecca Kimitch said that they do not have enough water supplies right now to meet normal demand, Fox 10 Phoenix News reported.

The agency has advised some six million people in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Bernardino counties to decrease their outdoor watering to one day a week, effective on June 1, or they could face stiff lines.

In March, the surface level of Lake Powell dipped below a critical threshold, which caused concerns about whether Glen Canyon Dam can generate power for around five million customers across the U.S. West.

READ MORE: California Could Face Mandatory Water Restrictions Sooner Than Expected As Drought Worsens, Gov. Gavin Newsom Says

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Barrel containing human remains discovered in Lake Mead - from FOX 10 Phoenix






Texas Governor Greg Abbott was slammed by Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, calling the official's truck inspection in April an act of "extortion" against the South American country.

Ebrard made his comments during an interview on Sunday with Milenio, opening up about the mandate Abbott issued last month to pressure the governors of Mexico to tighten their security on Mexico's side of the border, according to an Al Jazeera news report.

It can be recalled that the mandate was made effective at Texas' almost 2,000-kilometer border with Mexico, prompting authorities to conduct more thorough checks to detect drugs and migrants trying to enter the United States illegally, Mexico News Daily reported.

"It's extortion. Closing the border and forcing you to sign whatever I say. That's not an agreement, an agreement is when you and I agree on something," Ebrard said in the interview.

Several Governors from Mexico, including those from Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, and Chihuahua, negotiated with Abbott to lift the restrictions affecting the trucks.

Ebrard said that he respects the decisions of the governor to do what they can, citing that they have no other alternatives. However, Mexico's foreign minister underscored that they are not going to allow a governor to extort their country.

"I will never allow that," Ebrard added.

READ NEXT: Brazil: 100-Year-Old Man Sets Guinness World Record for 84-Year Tenure in 1 Company

Criticism on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's Truck Inspections

It was not the first time that Greg Abbott received a backlash over his truck inspections. Several entities blasted Abbott for his mandate, including Democratic Gubernatorial hopeful Beto O'Rourke, calling the mandate "unnecessary inspections."

The American Trucking Association also noted that Abbott's truck inspection was flawed and redundant. The group also furthered that the inspections added considerable weight to the strained supply chain in the country.

The truck inspection caused several problems, including hundreds of millions of lost dollars from spoiled produce and shipping, Insider reported, citing CNN.

President Lance Jungmeyer of Fresh Produce Association of the Americas shared in an interview in April that fruit and vegetable losses added up to over $240 million. Jungmeyer also said that consumers across the country should expect rising prices as producers try to regain some of the losses.

Texas Truck Inspections

Texas Governor Greg Abbott in March instructed his state police to increase inspections following a surge of border crossings of undocumented migrants.

Abbott then ended the truck inspection on April 15, after a week of backlash and fears of deepening economic losses. The move was also made after Mexican states also promised to do more security checks in Mexico.

Despite the inspections, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw said that troopers were not able to find drug or human trafficking activities.

However, Abbott pointed out that the DPS manages to remove about 25 percent of the vehicles inspected for safety violations that made them unsafe to operate based on state laws.

READ NEXT: Bill Gates on Meeting Jeffrey Epstein: 'It Was a Huge Mistake to Spend Time With Him'

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: How the Truck Inspections at the Border Will Cost Consumers - From KENS 5: Your San Antonio News Source
Haiti's 400 Mawozo gang was behind the kidnapping of a Dominican Republic diplomat on Friday, Dominican officials said.

The Dominican Republic urged Haiti to do everything to ensure the safe release of Carlos Guillen, the trade attache at the Dominican embassy in Port-au-Prince.

According to BBC, Guillen was seized by the 400 Mawozo gang members while traveling to the neighboring Dominican Republic. The 400 Mawozo gang is infamous for kidnapping foreigners and demanding high ransom in exchange for their release.

Guillen was believed kidnapped while traveling from Port-au-Prince by road to Jimani, a city across the border in the Dominican Republic.

In a statement, the Dominican government said contact with Guillen was lost while he was in the Croix-des-Bouquets area on his way to the city of Jimani.

Faruk Miguel Castillo, the Dominican ambassador to Haiti, reportedly sent screenshots of the last calls from Guillen's phone to Haitian authorities at their request.

Washington Post reported that the Dominican Foreign Ministry refused to elaborate on the statement. A Dominican official tweeted on Sunday that the 400 Mawozo gang asked for $500,000 for the release of Guillen.

READ NEXT: Haiti President Jovenel Moise's Assassination Suspect Reportedly Has Connection With Prime Minister Ariel Henry

400 Mawozo Gang in Haiti

According to Haiti's security experts, the 400 Mawozo gang in Haiti is one of the largest criminal gangs in the country. Washington Examiner reported that the gang is believed to be behind several other kidnappings in the region, including those involving Satanists, film crews, and officials.

In October, the Haitian gang kidnapped 16 U.S. citizens and a Canadian who were in Haiti for the NGO Christian Aid Ministries. They held them in custody for about two months while some missionaries were slowly released.

The gang reportedly demanded a ransom of $1 million for each of them. The remaining members of the group escaped last December 2021.

No group has been exempted from abduction. It includes priests delivering sermons, entire busloads of Haitians, foreigners, and even police officers have been swept up.

The Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights reported in March that police in recent months do not have the human, material, technological, and other means to execute their mission. The center added that Haiti is on the edge of an unprecedented "catastrophe if nothing is done."

The Haitian gang had earlier warned to "put a bullet" in the 17 missionaries with Christian Aid Ministries if its demand for a $1 million ransom for each victim was not met. A ransom was paid to free some of its members.

Haiti Faces Instability

Haitians have been facing more violence and instability since Haiti President Jovenel Moise's assassination. Opponents have demanded that Prime Minister Ariel Henry step down after taking office less than two weeks after Moise was killed.

They were arguing that his administration is unconstitutional, Al Jazeera reported. Bocchit Edmond, Haiti's ambassador to the United States, told the Associated Press earlier that they were in a situation wherein fear was taking over peace, adding that Haiti cannot continue to live that way.

Aside from an ongoing political crisis, gang violence is worsening, causing thousands of people to stay home.

READ MORE: 4 of Haiti President Jovenel Moise's 'Presumed Assassins' Killed, 2 Arrested by Police

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: 400 Mawozo Gang Kidnapped the Missionaries: Haiti Police - From Al Jazeera English
The Supreme Court has voted to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that legalized abortion in the U.S., according to a leaked draft majority opinion.

Mediaite reported that Politico obtained the draft written by Justice Samuel Alito. Also referring to Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Alito wrote that "Roe and Casey must be overruled." He said: "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start."

Alito added that it was "time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

It was unclear if the legal draft represents the court's final decision on the matter. NPR reported that the draft was labeled as "1st Draft" of the "Opinion of the Court" in a case challenging the ban on abortion after 15 weeks in Mississippi.

The case is known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Alito is a member of the court's 6-3 conservative majority and was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

READ NEXT: California Gov. Gavin Newsom OKs New Bill Allowing Residents to Sue Gun Makers, Citing Texas Abortion Law As Its Blueprint

Supreme Court's Opinion on Roe v. Wade

Justice Samuel Alito said in the legal draft that Roe's reasoning was "exceptionally weak," adding that the decision has had damaging consequences, The Guardian reported.

Alito noted that Roe and Casey have caused a debate and "deepened division." Other Republican-appointed justices that voted with Alito were Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.

After an initial vote among the justices, one is assigned the majority opinion and writes a draft. The draft is then passed around among the justices.

A Supreme Court ruling can only be final once the court has published it.

In an emailed statement to Washington Post, Supreme Court public information officer Patricia McCabe said that "the Court has no comment."

Neal Katyal, a former acting solicitor general who was a law clerk to Justice Stephen G. Breyer, said the draft opinion appears legitimate and suggests that there was a preliminary vote after oral argument in favor of fully striking down Roe.

According to Politico, it received the draft opinion's copy "from a person familiar with the court's proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document."

If adopted, the decision would reportedly rule in favor of Mississippi in a case about that state's attempt to ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Roe v. Wade

The Roe v. Wade case started in 1970 when "Jane Roe," an alias used to protect the plaintiff's identity, Norma McCorvey, instituted federal action against Henry Wade.

According to Britannica, Wade was the district attorney of Dallas County, Texas, where Roe resided.

The Supreme Court disagreed with Roe's claims of an absolute right to terminate a pregnancy in any way and at any time. In January 1973, the high court ruled that unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion was unconstitutional.

In May last year, the Supreme Court has agreed to review in its October 2021 term a lower court's decision to strike down the 2018 Mississippi state law that banned most abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy.

READ MORE: Texas Judge Drops Murder Charge Against Woman in 'Self-Induced' Abortion Case; District Attorney Cites Insufficient Evidence

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: BREAKING: Roe V. Wade Overturned According To SCOTUS Draft Opinion Says Politico - From MSNBC
The Mexican navy has arrested "El Senoron," an alleged cell leader of the Jalisco cartel, in the resort city of Mazatlan in Mexico's state of Sinaloa.

According to Daily Mail, Francisco Javier Rodriguez Hernandez, alias "El Senoron," was captured in front of the Torres Veleros condominium Friday without a single shot.

Excelsior reported that El Senoron is the leader of the criminal group "Los Colombianos," who is working for the Jalisco cartel. He allegedly oversaw the Jalisco cartel's operations in Mexico's central state of Morelos.

The Morelos Attorney General's Office said El Senoron is one of the main generators of violence in the state, engaging in different activities "in the metropolitan area and south of the entity."

READ NEXT: El Chapo Sons' Hitman Shot Dead by Rival Gang of Sinaloa Cartel While Eating His Last Taco in Mexico

Jalisco Cartel Cell Leader El Senoron Arrested in Mexico

Francisco Javier Rodriguez Hernandez was reportedly wanted for aggravated homicide and was accused of being behind the murders of three doctors, who were shot dead in the city of Puente de Ixtla in Morelos on April 12, 2020.

Two other suspects linked to the killings were already arrested on June 16, 2020. A $25,000 reward for any information leading to El Senoron's capture was offered in July 2021.

The Attorney General's Office has also accused El Senoron of extortion and organized crime. According to Borderland Beat, El Senoron was flown out to the state of Guanajuato following his arrest to be presented before a federal judge.

Apart from carrying out extortions and running drug dealing spots, El Senoron was also allegedly involved in distributing drugs in the municipalities of Amacuzac, Cuernavaca, Jiutepec, Puente de Ixtla, Emiliano Zapata, Cuautla, and Cocoyoc in Morelos.

He was also reportedly involved with a Jalisco cartel smuggling route transporting drugs from Mexico to the United States.

Before taking up criminal activities, El Senoron reportedly enlisted as a member of the National Action Party's youth wing, handing out flyers between 2012 and 2015.

El Mencho and the Jalisco Cartel

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel or Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) is considered one of Mexico's most dangerous and powerful drug cartels.

It reportedly had more than 5,000 members and was allegedly involved in mass graves, kidnappings, acid baths, and video recording beheadings.

The Jalisco cartel had risen to power after Mexican security forces killed former Sinaloa Cartel capo Ignacio Coronel, known as "Nacho," in July 2010.

Nacho's death resulted in the split of the Sinaloa Cartel into two factions - "La Resistencia" and "Torcidos." The "Torcidos" became what is now the Jalisco cartel, which has since expanded rapidly in Mexico.

The Jalisco cartel is currently being led by Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes.

El Mencho continues to evade capture, and the U.S. government offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest. He remains to be the most elusive criminal and is reportedly hiding in Mexico.

READ MORE: Jalisco Cartel Boss El Mencho's Daughter, La Negra, Freed After More Than 2 Years in U.S. Prison

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Detienen en Sinaloa a 'El SenorOn', Presunto Lider Del CJNG en Morelos - From MILENIO






EMVEMBILI  When police officers were questioning a man who had stolen from a diplomats house, the alleged thief dropped a bombshell.

*Jomo, who is alleged to have broken into the house of a diplomat based in Mozambique, made a confession that turned the housebreaking interrogation into a murder investigation. He told the police officers that he had killed his friend and cut off his private parts. The incident is said to have happened around Emvembili. Police officers learnt about the break-in on Saturday and tracked down Jomo after he was suspected to have broken into the house of the diplomat. It was gathered that the police officers were interrogating him after the break-in where a laptop, television sets and other items were stolen when he said something bigger had happened and offered to show them what he was referring to.

He is alleged to have disclosed that he had killed his friend and cut off his private parts and placed them next to his body. He had left the body near Emvembili Umphakatsi and led police officers to the place. It is alleged that Jomo had initially stabbed Jack about 16 times before cutting off his private parts.

Police

Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the incident. Meanwhile, Jomo claimed that he stabbed his friend because he wanted to prove that he was Shaka Zulu. He alleged that Jack did not show him respect and that he often undermined him. He said that it was for this reason that he wanted to show him that he was not a walkover. Jomo also revealed that about a week before the murder, he had broken into the house of the diplomat where he stole electronic items and some beer. He said because the items were many and he could not carry them alone, he called Jack to assist him. He said Jack was not aware that the items had been stolen. However, Jack is said to have started asking Jomo many questions and this angered him despite warning him to stop. Jomo said he then decided to stab him.

Jomo was arrested and he is expected to appear at the Piggs Peak Magistrates Court today. *Not real names pending his appearance in court as he had not been charged.
Police found the body of a missing 93-year-old Florida mom inside a large freezer following a welfare check at her home last week.

According to The Daily Mail, cops identified the elderly mom as Marie Hoskins of Sebastian, Florida. CBS News reported that the discovery of Hoskins' body came after her neighbors got concerned about not seeing her for "an extended period of time."

The Sebastian Police Department said a concerned neighbor called the police after the Florida mom had not been seen for several days. However, the officers could not contact the elderly woman as her home phone number was disconnected.

READ NEXT: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Accused of 'Extortion' by Mexico Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Over Truck Inspections

Florida Mom's Daughter Becomes a Suspect

After failing to get in touch with the Florida mom, Sebastian police said officers were able to get a key to her house along Paddock Street off Schumann Drive from a relative who lives out of town.

When police arrived at her home on Thursday, New York Post reported that no one answered the door despite several attempts.

Once inside the home, police found the Florida mom's 64-year-old daughter, Michelle Hoskins, who told them she had not seen her mom in some time. Police said Michelle was also living in the house.

Unsatisfied with Michelle's answer, the cops checked the rest of the house in an attempt to locate the elderly mom. Police found Hoskins' body "inside a large freezer in the garage."

The cops said the daughter voluntarily went to the police station for questioning. Police then obtained a warrant, removed the elderly woman's body, and collected "other evidence."

According to reports, Michelle Hoskins has yet to be charged as of Monday night. A cause of death has also not yet been released.

The Sebastian Police Department said detectives were actively working with the medical examiner and the state attorney's office on this case which is still active at this time.

In an interview with Sebastian Daily, Captain Timothy Wood described the Florida mom's daughter as a "suspect" in the case.

In a separate interview, Wood told WPTV that police officers investigating the case had an "odd feeling" about the elderly woman's disappearance.

Who Is Florida Mom Marie Hoskins?

Marie Hoskins worked as a supervisor at the Kennedy Space Center during the 1960s, according to a neighbor's Facebook page.

The elderly woman reportedly bought the home in Sebastian, Florida in 2006 and lived there with professional musician George Vannoy, who died in March 2019 at 86 years old.

Records show that Hoskins brought thew Florida home in 2006 and lived there with professional musician George Vannoy, who died at the age of 86 in March 2019.

It was unclear what relationship Hoskins and Vannoy share. According to reports, the Florida mom previously lived in Cocoa Beach, Florida, before moving to Sebastian.

READ MORE: Supreme Court to Overturn Roe v. Wade Abortion Law, a Leaked Draft Opinion Shows

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Elderly Woman's Body Found Inside Freezer In Florida Home - From NBC News
NHLANGANO  Despite being away for the past three weeks, textile workers in Nhlangano have vowed not to return to work until they get the E15 per hour increment.

Yesterday afternoon, the workers convened a meeting organised by their union, the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA), to deliberate on a way forward regarding their strike. The meeting was held at Tfokotani Community Hall in Nhlangano. About 15 workers were given the platform to share their thoughts on the strike and all of them were adamant that they would not return to work until their demands were met. The workers said going back to work would mean they were agreeing to continue earning the little they had been earning in the past. The workers earn about E11 per hour.

Prices

They lamented on the increased prices of food, fuel, bus fares and school fees, among other things. The workers further urged their colleagues who often reportedly went to work despite their collective decision to strike, to consider their stance. It was stated that those workers who were referred to as traitors or rats, should join them or else they might suffer the wrath of the other workers.

Other workers who were able to voice out their concerns during the meeting urged government, through the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo and the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, in particular to stop going to the media to speak about issues affecting the employees but they should rather come to the employees themselves. This comes after the two ministers called press conferences where they urged the workers to return to work. It was further gathered from the meeting that some workers from one of the textile firms, being HOs Enterprise (Pty) Ltd, had not received their April salaries and they were further served with contract termination letters. When sought for comment on the matter, the firm Human Resources Manager Gabsile Vilakati declined to comment.

When addressing the workers, ATUSWA Secretary General (SG) Wonder Mkhonza said the union had been asked by the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Dlamini, to urge the employees to return to work. He said the same plea was also made by the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) in a meeting held early yesterday.

Pleas

Mkhonza told the workers that despite these pleas, they told the NATCOM and the LAB that the powers to recall workers were with the workers themselves. He said the powers of the union ended when the workers decided to stay away from work. Mkhonza said it was for that reason they called the workers to a meeting yesterday to get their views if indeed they wanted to return to work.

He further stated that the struggle had come too far to just end now, hence whatever decision the workers took should be the right one. Meanwhile, Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) President Mlungisi Makhanya said from now on, his party would support the textile workers in their struggle. Makhanya said this when addressing the workers in Nhlangano yesterday in their meeting held at Tfokotani Community Hall. He arrived at the meeting along with other PUDEMO members, including Sakhile Awuviva Nxumalo who is SWAYOCO President.

Apologising

Makhanya started off by apologising to the workers for not being with them in the past three weeks when they were striking. He said from today, the party would support them throughout. He said when his party and its youth league, SWAYOCO intervened there would be a difference. He urged those workers who often went behind the others backs by reporting for work to stop doing so because as PUDEMO, they would not allow that. He said the struggle was not for Facebook but should be pushed on the ground.

At the height of the ongoing labour disputes in the textile firms in Nhlangano, another firm was petrol-bombed in the wee hours of yesterday. HOs Enterprise (Pty) Ltd was petrol-bombed by unknown people who threw a petrol bomb in one of the staff houses located within the firms premises. The affected house is located close to the fence. This reporter was denied access to the firm to view the extent of the damage. The security guard found at the gate asked to call the firms general manager (GM) first before allowing the reporter to get inside the firm. However, the general manager informed the security guard not to open the gate for the reporter as she (GM) was busy to attend to the reporter. However, it was possible to view the damaged house from the fence. It was observed that the petrol bomb was thrown through a window.

When sought for comment, the firms Human Resources Manager Gabsile Vilakati declined to comment on the matter. She simply brushed off the questions by saying no comment.

Mkhonza, ATUSWA Secretary General, said if employers continued being irresponsible, they were fuelling this predicament in the textile firms in Nhlangano.
A money mule admitted he received a few pound for allowing over 20,000 to be lodged in his account, a sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told.

Adam Quigley 22, of 4 Willow Park, Athlone, Co Westmeath appeared in court charged with money laundering in relation to the deposit of 21,475.12 into his AIB account at Lyster Square in Portlaoise on June 10, 2019.

Sgt JJ Kirby said gardai were alerted to the transaction but by the time they acted the money had been distributed to other bank accounts. He described the defendant as an alleged money mule and explained, he had admitted during questioning that he had received a few pound for letting his account be used as a mule" account. Sgt Kirby said the detective investigating the case said he was co-operative with gardai.

Barrister Louise Troy said there was a guilty plea in the case. These types of offence are all too common these days, she told the court. She explained that her client had only just completed his leaving certificate at the time of the offence. Ms Troy said he had been doing a culinary arts course in Athlone and was working while at college. She said he has no previous convictions and was co-operative with gardai.

She claimed her client had been very naive and may have thought he wasnt doing any harm. She said he was willing to engage with probation services and that he had no addiction or other issues. He comes across as a gentleman who is very anxious to put this matter in the past, she added. Ms Troy said her client now recognises the position he has put himself in and is very apologetic.

Judge Patricia Cronin noted the defendant has no previous convictions. However, she said, a conviction is going to have far reaching consequences, probably more than he would have thought. Judge Cronin ordered a probation report and put the matter back to June 23.
One of the oldest private housing estates in Portlaoise needs urgent footpath repairs, say local councillors.

Some of the footpaths in Newpark are "decades old", all installed at different times, says Cllr Thomasina Connell.

She tabled a motion to the April meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, asking Laois County Council to repair paths in the estate which is on the Mountmellick road.

"I walked through it and some are really deteriorated. It appears that the work was done in different stages. Some of them are decades old, some are quite dangerous," she reported.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley in seconding the motion, guessed that Newpark was older than her.

"For years patch jobs were done," she said.

In answer, the council said that repairs can be done using money from the Councillors Discretionary Footpath budget.

"Outside of our discretionary funding is there any funding for paths? It can go very quick on ramps and lights," Cllr Dwane Stanley commented.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald agreed, describing their discretionary fund as "a drop in the ocean".

The Town Manager Simon Walton said that there is "a huge length of paths" in the county.

"To restore and repair them is going to take a multi-annual investment programme. When Town Councils were abolished that source of income dissipated," Mr Walton said.

The councillors went on to agree to write to the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland and request that footpath budgets be reinstated for Municipal Districts.

Engineer Wes Wilkinson said that other funding can be sought from the Active Travel scheme, and the IPB public insurance refund.
Stradbally has capacity to welcome Ireland's biggest music festival Electric Picnic with 70,000 revellers and world reknowned artists, but there is no space for more babies.

There are no more spaces in creches in the growing Laois town but Laois County Council said evidence must be provided before a community creche can be planned.

Resident Cllr Paschal McEvoy is from the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District and he raised the space shortage at the April full council meeting.

He wants the council to add a creche to the new site for 26 council houses which are in planning stage.

"I had a motion for a creche for Carraig Glas, it is absolutely necessary. Childcare providers in the town have no spaces. They are confined by numbers. This new estate is on seven acres, there needs to be a creche," he said.

Angela McEvoy is the Director of Services for Housing, and a senior planner.

"In the planning process it is normally one creche per 75 units, that's the general guidance. In a town like Stradbally, you have to have the justification and be careful not to displace other businesses. Obviously if it was a community run creche it would be dependent on community funding and be evidence based," she said.

Cllr McEvoy told her that the town is to get 31 turnkey houses, 36 social houses and 43 private houses.

"There is no creche planned anywhere. I am getting this from the creche in Stradbally. They would take it off the council, it's just the building they want.

"There are no real solid plans for a community centre yet. I am asking that you have a look. With more houses coming to Stradbally there is a definite need for a creche," he said.
Irish Rail has insisted that a 30m radio mast hastily erected near Caragh is essential for safe communications between drivers and a control centre in Dublin.

Caragh Tidy Towns group was concerned at the scale of the structure  for which there was no prior public consultation.

Mayor of the local Municipal District Cllr Rob Power said he had received plenty of messages about the mast which he said went up under cover of darkness.

Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer also expressed concerns about the development and sought urgent clarification from Iarnrod Eireann.

Iarnrod Eireann said in a statement that the radio mast is critical to allow secure communication between staff and a control centre in Dublin.

It added: Iarnrod Eireanns existing train radio system dates from the early 1980s and is obsolete. This system provides for vital safety- critical communications between train drivers and signalmen located at our Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) Centre at Connolly Station.

Continuous secure radio communications with train drivers is a prerequisite for CTC and essential for the safety and efficiency of rail operations. The provision of train radio is mandated by the Commission for Rail Regulation. Iarnrod Eireann is currently upgrading this train radio system to a modern digital radio system, known as GSM-R, in line with EU Railway Technical Directives.

"This system is widely adopted by rail administrations throughout Europe.

"In order to provide the required 100% radio coverage along this area of the railway network a radio mast is required at Caragh (near Railway Bridge OBC30). This is an engineering requirement to ensure continuous radio operation over the route.

"This is an exempted development under Class 23 of Schedule 2 Part 1 of the 2001 Planning and Development Regulations."
Sinn Fein remains on course to emerge as the largest party in Northern Ireland.

That's according to the latest Institute of Irish Studies/University of Liverpool/Irish News poll, conducted ahead of the Stormont election on Thursday (May 5).

The survey of voter intentions has Sinn Fein on 26.6%, slightly down from the previous University of Liverpool poll when it was on 27%.

However, broadly in line with other recent surveys, it retains a significant gap ahead of the DUP.

The DUP and Alliance Party are neck and neck in second place among voters.

The latest poll of decided voters has Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons party on 18.2%, down from 20.2%.

If polling data is borne out at the May 5 Assembly election, Sinn Fein would displace the DUP as the regions largest party  a position it has occupied for almost 20 years  and it would be entitled to take the role of First Minister, with Michelle ONeill the partys likely choice for the job.

However, there is uncertainty over whether a functioning Executive will be formed post-election.

The Executive collapsed in February when DUP First Minister Paul Givan quit in protest over Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol and the barriers it has created on the movement of goods between Great Britain and the region.

The DUP has made clear it will not be returning to an Executive before major changes are secured to the contentious Irish Sea trading arrangements.

However, the poll has also indicated a surge in support for the cross-community Alliance Party, headed by Naomi Long, which has risen from 14.6% to 18.2%, level with the DUP.

The survey indicates that the Ulster Unionist Party has fallen back slightly to 12.1%, while the SDLP has seen a slight increase at 10.5%. Other parties account for 14.4% of decided voters.

The poll indicates that 54% of voters for Jim Allisters TUV party plan to give the DUP their second preference, with 24% of DUP voters stating they will do the same for the TUV. Almost two-thirds of DUP voters (62.8%) will instead give their second preference to the UUP.

More than half of Sinn Fein voters (52.2%) said they will transfer their second preference to the SDLP, but only 24.3% of SDLP voters said they will transfer immediately to Sinn Fein, with a higher number poised to give their second preference to the Alliance Party.

The Assembly election uses the single transferable vote system of proportional representation, which gives voters the opportunity to rank other parties in order of preference after selecting their first choice.

 The poll was based on the responses of 1,270 people surveyed between April 16 and 26. It was conducted by Social Market Research Belfast and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1.
Horse racing trainer and commentator Ted Walsh has been forced to apologise for comments he made during RTE's coverage of Punchestown last week.

Minister of State within the Department of Agriculture, Pippa Hackett, criticised Walsh for the comments over the weekend.

This is completely unacceptable commentary from Ted Walsh on @RTEsport. I dont think anyone in racing or bloodstock could condone the use of this sort of language in relation to a horse. It does nothing for Irish racing. https://t.co/F2STtXsPtr  Pippa Hackett (@pippa_hackett) May 2, 2022

Ted Walsh, who trains Aintree Grand National runner-up Any Second Now, called the horse who refused to jump a "dirty rotten so and so." He later called the horse "chicken-hearted," adding that "a hiding wouldn't be good enough for him."

The comments caused outrage among animal welfare groups, including the My Lovely Horse charity who said: "How can anyone who knows horses & is fortunate enough to spend their life with them not have anything but complete admiration & love for them?"

They also said: "We love horses, they inspire us each & every day with their beauty, their elegance, their strength & their resilience.

"They have been with us through our history. They carried early explorers over miles of rocky terrain. They stood faithfully by our side in war, carrying us through bombs & shelling, then dying beside us in the destruction we created.

"They run their hearts out for us, not for themselves, & they give the best they can. We must always remember that we never asked them whether they wanted to be a part of our human world & yet here they are, still carrying us & still doing their very best to serve us.

"At MLHR, we always remember that we are not their masters & that when they allow us near them, it is a privilege & when they choose to serve us, it is an honour.

"Horses dont ever deserve to be treated with derision or disrespect & we should never forget how lucky we truly are that such powerful & intelligent creatures are humble enough to be our friends."

Ted Walsh has since come out and apologised for his comments, telling Independent.ie that he would never condone the use of physical force on any animal."

He said his reference to a hiding not being good enough for the horse was an "unfortunate turn of phrase" and that it does not reflect his views on animal welfare. He said he sincerely apologises for any offence that his words caused.
The Russian war in Ukraine is a reminder that Ireland urgently requires a fit-for-purpose military, the Defence Forces Chief of Staff has said.

Lieutenant General Sean Clancy was speaking at a ceremony at Baldonnel Aerodrome in Co Dublin, marking 100 years since the handover of Baldonnel from the RAF to the Irish air service.

The ceremony was also attended by representatives from the RAF and the British Army.

As part of the event, Irish Air Corps personnel marched through the original main gate of the aerodrome.

We're kicking off the ceremony for the 100 year anniversary of the handover of Baldonnell from the RAF to the Irish Air Service. Stay tuned for more!@defenceforces #IAC100 pic.twitter.com/4CHsiql4hZ  Irish Air Corps (@IrishAirCorps) May 3, 2022

The handover ceremony comes during a pivotal moment for the Irish Defence Forces after a commission recommended major upgrades and reforms.

The Commission on the Defence Forces earlier this year warned that continuing business as usual will leave Ireland without a credible military capability to protect the country, its people and its resources for any sustained period.

The war in Ukraine has focused minds on Irish investment in national security and renewed debates about the policy of military neutrality.

Mr Clancy told those in attendance today (May 3) that the world is witnessing the shattering of peace in Europe.

The people and the state of Ukraine have been subjected to an illegal, unjustified, unprovoked and immoral attack.

The top defence official spoke of the complex set of challenges that the world faces.

This is characterised by overt and more common breaches of what we regard as a rule-based international order.

All of this points to the necessity today more than ever to have a fit-for-purpose military here in this state.

Mr Clancy directly addressed the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which the Government has largely accepted.

Continuing the status quo is simply not credible. It is not an option, he said.

We will not be found wanting in preparing the Defence Forces and the Air Corps for the future in a manner that maximises the potential of this report.

During the ceremony, a wreath was also laid to commemorate all those who lost their lives in service to the Air Corps.
A 20-year mystery surrounding a famous Dublin cake has been solved thanks to a meeting between two granddaughters.

The Mary Cake was a staple of Bewleys Cafe in Grafton Street since its introduction in 1956 by a Hungarian refugee  but the recipe was lost during extensive renovations two decades ago.

The cakes are mini towers consisting of chocolate filling on top of a sponge base, all encased in chocolate and topped with a disc of marzipan.

Since the recipe was lost, numerous attempts have been made to recreate its taste from memory, but none succeeded until food detective Hazel Carmichael, granddaughter of Bewleys owner Victor Bewley, traced Carolina Malagon on the internet.

Carolinas grandfather Henry Spelter was a confectioner who fled Budapest on foot following the Hungarian uprising in 1956.

He was among a number of refugees offered training and employment by Bewleys when they arrived in Ireland.

Hazel, who lives in Rickmansworth, north-west of London, and New York-based Carolina, met for the first time in Dublin this weekend to relaunch the Mary Cake.

The original cakes will now be sold in aid of the Irish Red Cross, with one euro from every purchase going to support the charity.

Hazel had discovered that the Mary Cake was an after-work collaboration between Mr Spelter and her great uncle Alfred, based on a Hungarian Marika Cake recipe but adapted to suit the Irish palate.

Anxious to find this recipe, Hazel went in search of Mr Spelter and found that he had emigrated to the US, but had died just a week previously at the age of 95.

Hazel left an online message of condolence, while continuing to experiment with recipes to recreate the cake.

A month later she was contacted by Carolina, who was also fascinated by the cake, which Mr Spelter had continued to make in the US using local ingredients.

The two have become friends, Carolina searching Henrys notes and Hazel working on further trials, without finally cracking a mystery around the use of cream in the cake.

However, during a trial workshop day, Hazel discovered a Bewleys bakery cost ledger from the 1970s which listed the ingredients in large quantities.

From that, she followed the clues that her uncle Alfred had replaced the original Hungarian cream with butter, and added good quality chocolate, and the Mary Cake was reborn.

I feel like I have been treading in the footsteps of my great uncle as I have researched, tested and redeveloped the Mary Cake recipe, said Hazel.

I have repeated what Alfred and Henry did 65 years ago  taken a Hungarian Marika recipe and adapted it for the Irish palate of the day.

This is a story about refugees fleeing war and coming to Ireland, bringing with them their skills and heritage, and what can happen when these skills are recognised and given a chance to flourish.

The story of the Mary Cake can teach us a lot about welcome, respect and opportunity for all.

We are both thrilled that Bewleys have pledged to support current refugees by donating proceeds from Mary Cake sales to the Red Cross, to help with their work supporting Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.
MBABANE  ENPF is among the companies that have made offers for the purchase of Swazi Spa Holdings.

Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) is a retirement savings scheme and its main purpose is to provide benefit for employed persons when they retire from regular employment.

The list of the companies which have shown an interest in purchasing the hotels under Swazi Spa Holdings, which is currently under liquidation, has been provided to the master of the High Court by lawyers representing the liquidator of the companies under Sun International Management limited.

In total, there are four companies which have made offers to purchase the hotels situated in Ezulwini. However, the amounts put forth by each bidder have not been included in the court documents. Some of the companies which had reportedly made offers as per the list are; Africa Orbit Holding (PTY) Limited, Africa Harvest (PTY) Limited and VZN Investment Limited. The amount of money which was being offered by each of the interested buyers was, however, not disclosed on the list which had been forwarded to the master of the High Court.

On the list compiled by lawyers from Dynasty Attorneys, the master was informed that it was for offers received so far. In June 2021; the High Court of Eswatini issued a final order for the liquidation of five companies under Sun International Management Limited. The affected companies include Swazi Spa Holdings, which was operating Swazi Spa Hotel and Casino, Lugogo Sun and the Ezulwini Sun. It was recently disclosed that there was a bid of E1 billion which was, however, being doubted by the master of the High Court. Sun International Management Limited on the other hand informed the court that the identity of the bidder for the amount of E1 billion was currently confidential.

In her answering papers, Deputy Master of the High Court, Lindelwa Magagula, averred that the story of the E1 billion in bids for the purchase of the Swazi Spa Holdings was one that was colourful without any meat. The contention by the deputy master is contained in an affidavit she deposed to, in the matter where the appointment of Paul Mulindwa as co-liquidator is being challenged. Mulindwa, who is the second respondent in the matter, was appointed by the master to work together with Marissa Boxshall Smith, the third respondent.

The Sun International Management Limited, which is the first applicant in the matter, is challenging the appointment, together with four other applicants which are Nedbank Swaziland Limited, Former Employees of Swazi Spa, Eswatini National Provident Fund (enpf) and Chick-Fil-A Swaziland (Pty) Limited. In the affidavit, Magagula submitted that the liquidator had claimed that she had received financing for E1 billion, and the same was deposited into a bank and that the deposit was to be verified by the creditors committee. The deputy master said upon further investigation and enquiry, the story changed to the effect that the interested bidders only showed their bank statement but had either refused and or failed to file bank guarantees.
THE jury in the trial of two US army veterans accused of trespass and criminal damage offences at Shannon Airport is due to resume its deliberations this morning.

The jurors in the trial, which is being taking place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, had been deliberating for two hours and 20 minutes when they were sent home on Friday afternoon.

Ken Mayers, aged 85, of Monte Alte Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Tarak Kauff, aged 80, of Arnold Drive, Woodstock, New York have each pleaded not guilty to trespass, criminal damage and interfering with the operation, safety or management of Shannon Airport on March 17, 2019.

The jury has heard evidence that both men served in the United States military before becoming anti-war activists in the 1960s. They are members of a US-based group called Veterans for Peace.

Both defendants have acknowledged cutting a hole in the fence and walking onto the airport runway. They said they did so to protest against the United States' military use of Shannon as a stop-over, en route to and from areas such as the Middle East, where the military is involved.

In his closing speech to the jury Tony McGillicuddy BL, prosecuting, acknowledged the jury might have sympathy for the two defendants.

They are sincere and honourable persons, he said telling the jurors they must put sympathy aside and have regard to the law in the case.

Michael Hourigan BL, defending Mr Mayers, told the jury that the issue was the lawfulness of the actions of the two men and the honest and reasonable beliefs that they held.

He said the prosecution's description of the man as sincere and honourable was a tacit concession that what they tell you they believe, is a sincere and honestly-held position on their part.

In her closing speech, Carol Doherty BL, defending Mr Kauff, said "the best thing about the law in Ireland is that there is a built-in mechanism to ensure that in the right circumstances, a person cannot be convicted of criminal damage, provided they can show they honestly believed their actions were lawful.

She said no airlines lost any money as a result of the airport closure and delays were minimal.
TWO US army veterans have been convicted of interfering with the operation of Shannon Airport as part of an anti-war protest three years ago.

However, a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court acquitted Ken Mayers (85) and Tarak Kauff (80) of causing criminal damage to a perimeter fence at the airport and of trespassing with the intent to commit an offence or interfere with property.

The verdicts came were handed down this Tuesday afternoon after just over five-and-a half hours of deliberations.

The jury returned a majority guilty verdict on the charge of interfering with the operation, safety or management of an airport by entering the runway area and causing the airport to close. The majority verdict was 10 to two, the court heard.

After the verdicts were handed down, defence counsel asked that the men be allowed to return to the US and come back in a fortnight for sentence. This was opposed by the prosecution.

Judge Patricia Ryan noted the men had been found guilty of a serious charge. "They have lost the presumption of innocence," she commented as she ordered that they return their passports.

The five-day trial heard that at around 10am on St Patricks Day 2019 the two men cut a hole in the airport perimeter fence with a pair of bolt cutters - causing 590 worth of damage - before walking on to airport lands.

They were met on a taxiway by an airport police officer after staff were alerted to a security breach.

When asked what they were doing, the pair said they were peace protesters who were there to inspect US military aircraft. They had a folded-up banner with them.

The airport was shut down for about 40 minutes, the trial heard, with two planes delayed in departing and one cargo plane forced to stay in the air until given the all-clear.

The court heard both men served in the United States military before becoming anti-war activists in the 1960s. They are members of a US-based group called Veterans for Peace.

From the outset, they both admitted cutting the hole in the fence and entering the airport lands.

Giving evidence to the jury, they said they did so to protest against the United States' military use of Shannon as a stop-over en route to places such as the Middle East.

Mayers, of Monte Alte Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Kauff, of Arnold Drive, Woodstock, New York had both pleaded not guilty to trespass, causing criminal damage and interfering with the operation, safety or management of Shannon Airport on March 17, 2019.

The atmosphere during the trial was, at times, congenial, with every airport official and garda who dealt with the men describing them as courteous and respectful.

Airport and fire officer Richard Moloney said they were the nicest and most courteous protesters he had ever met in his 19 years at Shannon Airport.

In turn, Mayers and Kauff praised the officials they dealt with for their respect and professionalism, saying they had never been treated better in their years of protesting.

The two pensioners spent 13 days in Limerick Prison in 2019, after bail was denied in the District Court amid garda fears they would flee the jurisdiction.

This decision was later overturned in the High Court, but they remained in Ireland for a further nine months until their passports were returned. They returned from the US to stand trial in Dublin.

At the heart of the defence case in relation to the criminal damage charge was the assertion that the accused men held an honestly-held belief that their action in cutting the fence was justified in order to protect other persons.

The jury was told it was not necessary for this belief to be justified, but that the belief had to be honestly held. In her directions, Judge Patricia Ryan told the jury it was being asked to get into the minds of the two accused.

In his closing speech, before the weekend, Tony McGillicuddy BL, prosecuting, acknowledged the jury might have sympathy for the two defendants.

They are sincere and honourable persons, he said. That can't be disputed and is not disputed.

But Mr McGillicuddy said the jury must put sympathy aside and have regard to the law in the case.

The prosecution case was that the men did not have any lawful excuse to damage the perimeter fence. He said there was no evidence there were any munitions on board the plane. He said there was no evidence in relation to there being a need to protect any persons.

They were there for education purposes and the education of law enforcement personnel, Mr McGillicuddy said. He said they were making a political statement, drawing attention to matters, highlighting matters.

He added: That may be very understandable but it is not a lawful excuse under the Criminal Damage Act."

In relation to the charge of interfering with the operation, safety and management of an airport, Mr McGillicuddy submitted that the men's presence on the taxiway at Shannon Airport caused the closure of the airport.

In relation to the charge of trespassing with intent to cause damage or interfere with property, the prosecution case was that the men had admitted to entering the airport grounds and had told officials that they were there to inspect a plane.

Michael Hourigan BL, defending Mayers, told the jury that the men were not engaged in some kind of political posturing, but had an honestly-held belief that the actions they did on that day could save lives.

Mayers had an ethical and moral obligation he felt, on the basis of all he had experienced and all that he knew, Mr Hourigan said.

In relation to the prosecution assertion that there were no arms on board the plane that day, Mr Huorigan noted that no airport official inspected the plane, nor was there a practice of inspecting US military planes at Shannon Airport.

You do not have to determine whether or not there were arms on that plane or a breach of Irish neutrality, Mr Hourigan said. It is whether these sincere and honourable men are being sincere and honourable when they tell you: 'This is what I believe, and this is what I did'.

He put it to the jury members that when they reach the age of 83, they may be doing something different than standing in the mud in a wet field in Clare.

But that is what he (Mayers) felt he had to do to protect human life.

Mr Hourigan said there was a lot more to constitutional democracy than the letter of the law.

The jury is the lamp that shows that freedom lives, he said, quoting on old legal saying. Be the lamp and show that freedom lives. The only way you can do that is by delivering verdicts of not guilty.

In her closing speech, Carol Doherty BL, defending Kauff, told the jury the best thing about the law in Ireland was that there is a built-in mechanism to ensure that in the right circumstances, a person cannot be convicted of criminal damage, provided they can show they honestly believed their actions were lawful.

She recalled her client's evidence to the jury that he believed the plane at Shannon was a US war machine en route to war-torn Yemen.

In relation to the charge of interfering with the operation of the airport, Ms Doherty said the airfield was closed to ensure no one else was on the airfield, not because her client was walking along the taxiway.

In relation to the allegation the men trespassed with the intent to carry out criminal damage or interfere with property, Ms Doherty said that when he was met by the airport officer, Kauff had a phone, his wallet and a folded-up banner on his person and nothing else.

Ms Doherty said Kauff had dedicated his life to peaceful protest.

People who go against the great can make a difference, she said.

It's reasonable to assume Mr Kauff and Mr Mayers might have made a difference. Hope is a powerful thing. The fact that hope wasn't realised on this occasion doesn't mean this action wasn't justified.

Both men are due to be sentenced this Wednesday.
LIMERICK City and County Councils fire authority raised more than 2.5m from fire brigade call out charges across the last three years.

The information came to light following a question from Labour councillor Conor Sheehan at this months metropolitan district meeting.

He was told, in total, some 2.6m was collected in the years between 2019 and 2021 inclusive.

In 2019, the amount collected was 949,071.88, in 2020, it was 749,199.19, while last year, the total was 899,709.25.

In the past some councillors have highlighted instances where people have been afraid to contact the emergency services due to the cost of its call-out.

In Limerick, the costs vary, but it can range from between 550 per hour for a house fire and 1,100 for a commercial fire.

Councillor Sheehan believes there is a debate to be had around the removal of charges in Limerick  with many authorities around the country not charging for fire service call-outs.

He said: I put this question in as I wanted to get a sense as to how much of a revenue generator this is for the council. Ive had people onto me who have had to call the fire brigade, and it costs a significant amount of money to do it.

The City North councillor acknowledged if the charge was removed, it could blow a hole in the local authority budget.

But, he added: The cost is a concern. Ive had it from elderly people who have phoned the fire service in a panic and when the bill comes, they dont know how to pay it. I have to say in a lot of cases, the council does show clemency and leniency to people in individual circumstances. Its not at all ideal when you have people being charged to call the fire service in such a way that it may deter them from using it. If this was the case, its something Id be concerned about.

Last January, Kilmallock-based councillor PJ Carey sought a breakdown of how much the fire service costs.

He was told that in this years budget, the total cost of running the facility is estimated at 16.8m.

Of this, 531,844 is received from other local authorities, and 685,734 is estimated to be received from fire charges. Other income relating to fire charges is estimated at 145,813. The remainder, 15,487,499, is funded from the councils own resources which include commercial rates and local property tax, read the reply.
A leaked document that states there is no constitutional right to abortion services in the United States could threaten to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade case from 1973.

The case in question involved 'Jane Roe', a pseudonym for single mother Norma McCorvey, who was pregnant for a third time and was seeking an abortion in Texas.

Roe sued Dallas Attorney General, Henry Wade, over the Texas law that made it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except in cases of incest, rape or when the mother's life was in danger.

But a document labelled 'Opinion of the Court' has been reportedly circulated among US Supreme Court Justices suggesting the historic case could yet be overturned.

Political news organisation Politico who published the document shows the court voted to overturn the case although it is unclear if the document shows the courts final decision on the matter.

The draft opinion states:

"Roe was egregiously wrong from the start.

"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

Casey is in reference to another historic case in 1992 which saw Planned Parenthood v Casey affirm Roe's findings of a constitutional right to abortion services but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice.

Women's reproductive rights have been under extreme threat in recent months in the US and if the case is overturned, it will mean each state in the US can decide whether or not to place more heavy regulations or completely ban abortions, which according to pro-choice research group The Guttmacher Institute, 26 states are 'certain or likely' to do so in this event.

Planned Parenthood which operates abortion clinics around the US has slammed the draft opinion as 'outrageous' but cautioned that it 'is not final'.

Elizabeth Warren, Senator of Massachusetts, opposed the draft opinion on twitter saying:

"An extremist Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v Wade and impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Europe, today met with members of the Indian community while concluding his visit to Germany. The prime minister shared a light moment with an Indian child in Berlin.

In a video shared by news agency ANI, PM Modi is seen greeted by the members of the Indian diaspora with Modi ji humari jaan hain, Bharat ki shaan hain " slogans. The prime minister then came to the child held by his mother in her lap, shake hands with him, and asked his name as the cheers continue.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a light moment with a child in Berlin, Germany earlier today pic.twitter.com/C4dH9S8CQB  ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2022

The prime minister received a rousing welcome from the Indian community in Germany, with people from all age groups, seen cheering as he met them.

Members of the Indian community raised '2024: Modi once more' slogan as they waited for PM Modi's address at the community event in Berlin. The slogan '2024, Modi Once More' resonated as people in the gathering at an auditorium cheered and waved flags.

#WATCH | India community members chant, "2024, Modi Once More" in Berlin, Germany.



PM Narendra Modi will address the community programme shortly pic.twitter.com/MaUclwQ0Oy  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," PM Modi tweeted.

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

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.

As part of his Germany visit, the prime minister met German chancellor Olaf Scholz. The two leaders jointly chaired the India-Germany inter-governmental consultations. The two sides signed seven agreements during the meeting including a Green and Sustainable Development Partnership that will see Berlin providing 10 billion until 2030 to help implement Delhi's climate transition plans.

I had wide-ranging discussions with Chancellor Scholz. Todays talks covered trade, commerce, innovation, culture and people-to-people linkages. India and Germany are working together on several subjects. This partnership will benefit our entire planet," PM Modi tweeted.

I had wide-ranging discussions with Chancellor Scholz. Todays talks covered trade, commerce, innovation, culture and people-to-people linkages. India and Germany are working together on several subjects. This partnership will benefit our entire planet. @Bundeskanzler pic.twitter.com/bNQWtESzmv  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

Before leaving Germany, the prime minister took to Twitter to thank the German government for their hospitality and hailed his visit as 'very productive'.
ZAPORIZHZHIA (UKRAINE) : Civilians trapped for weeks in the rubble of Mariupol and other towns occupied by Russian forces are trickling into Ukrainian-controlled territory after sometimes long and traumatic journeys, while Russia continues its offensive in Ukraines east and targets the strategic port city of Odessa.

A group of civilians from Mariupol, including around 100 who were trapped in the besieged Azovstal steel plant, were due to arrive at a processing center in Zaporizhzhia, a Ukrainian-held city in the countrys southeast, on Tuesday morning after a two-day journey through territory held by Russian forces.

Many of the evacuees are traveling in buses overseen by the United Nations and the Red Cross, which are trying to broker safe passage out of Mariupol for remaining civilians.

The convoy from Mariupol had been stopped en route to Zaporizhzhia on Monday evening at a Russian filtration camp in the town of Manhush, a U.N. official said. Civilians who have made it through Manhush to Zaporizhzhia in recent weeks said Russian forces at such camps check evacuees phones for evidence of any connection to the Ukrainian military or of efforts to pass information to Ukrainian forces. Evacuees report that many men are being detained at the filtration camps.

The evacuation effort from one of Ukraines worst-affected cities came amid continued Russian strikes elsewhere in the country. Russia on Monday repeatedly fired cruise missiles at Odessa. An afternoon strike, which hit a Russian Orthodox church, killed a number of civilians, including a 13-year-old child, according to the local authorities.

Earlier in the day, a Russian strike targeted a strategic bridge near Odessa, the third such attack on the crossing in recent days. The bridge provides the only internal connection to the western part of the Odessa region that faces Snake Island, a position held by Russian forces since February. The area is also reachable over land via Moldova.

On Tuesday, Russias Defense Ministry said it had launched cruise missiles at a military airfield in Odessa that was holding foreign weapons. It also said it had destroyed an S-300 air-defense system in the nearby Mykolayiv region and an ammunition depot near the northern city of Kharkiv. The claims couldnt be independently verified.

Russias offensive to seize swaths of Ukraines east has largely stalled amid fierce Ukrainian resistance and heavy Russian losses, military experts say. The General Staff of Ukraines armed forces on Tuesday said Russian forces had suffered 23,200 combat deaths since the start of the invasion on Feb. 24. Russia on March 25 said 1,351 service members had been killed. It hasnt released a death toll since.

Western officials say Russian President Vladimir Putin is under pressure to announce some kind of battlefield victory on May 9, when Russia celebrates Victory Day to commemorate Soviet forces victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

But apparent strikes against targets on Russian territory in recent weeks signal an escalation in the war, with explosions ripping through Russian ammunition depots, fuel facilities and railway bridges in the border regions of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk that serve as logistics bases for Russian forces attacking Ukraine. There has also been a series of unexplained fires at military installations deep inside Russia, raising questions among local residents who have posted videos of the conflagrations to social media.

The column of buses from Mariupol that was expected in Zaporizhzhia has been joined on its route northwest by residents leaving other Russian-occupied towns, including Tokmak and Vasylivka. Many other civilians trying to escape have joined the column in private cars or other buses arranged by local authorities, said a Ukrainian police officer who is helping organize their arrival and processing in Zaporizhzhia.

Anyone who wants to and is able to evacuate can now step outside and await the column," Zaporizhzhia regional governor Oleksandr Starukh wrote on his Telegram channel on Tuesday morning, addressing residents of Tokmak and Vasylivka. Were waiting for you!"

In Zaporizhzhia, Mariupol residents who have evacuated their city, largely taken over by Russian forces after weeks of intense bombardment, have recounted harrowing efforts to survive amid dwindling food and water supplies, as well as perilous, multi-day trips to the relative safety of Zaporizhzhia. The trips require passing multiple Russian checkpoints, where male evacuees are instructed to strip off all clothing except for their underwear and pants, which Russian soldiers roll up to the knee checking for tattoos suggestive of pro-Ukrainian sentiment.

They told us to get out of our cars, lined the men up and shouted at us to take off our clothes," said Alexey Miroshnichenko, a construction worker who left Mariupol with his wife, Sevel, and 3-year-old son, Lev, and traveled with six other people in a minivan driven by a local volunteer. They rifled through our bags at every checkpoint we passed."

Each day in Zaporizhzhia, a Ukrainian city on the edge of Russian-occupied territory that serves as a waypoint for people fleeing the violence, families who managed to escape occupied territory stop off at the large parking lot of a shopping mall on the citys outskirts. There they are processed and registered as refugees. Police officers check their documents before ushering them to a tent where volunteers offer free food and advice on how to reach other Ukrainian cities and find accommodation there. One half of the tent is taken up by stalls handing out items of second-hand clothing and childrens toys.

The majority of the cars pulling up at the parking lot are filled with families, often with pets in tow. Often there are minivans driven by volunteers, like Kseniya Safonova, a 24-year-old Mariupol resident who spent the first weeks of the war bringing aid to Ukrainian soldiers fighting off the Russian advance and later helped fleeing families to find transport connections out of the city.

I felt that we have to help those who defend us and ensure that we can live in a free country," Ms. Safonova said. On April 26, she left Mariupol, pledging to return to the city when it has been liberated from Russian troops. It took her almost a week to reach Zaporizhzhia.

The Mariupol evacuees described a city subsisting on scant Russian aid deliveries after weeks of bombardment that left its residents cooking scraps of food on makeshift stoves in the courtyards of accommodation blocks gutted by tank and artillery fire.

Korneliusz Wieteska, a Polish businessman who hired a bus and drove from Opole in Poland to help transport Mariupol evacuees, said many Ukrainians coming from Russian-occupied territory are so traumatized by their experiences that they decline free accommodation arranged in hotels en route and ask him to drive through the night to Poland because they are desperate to leave Ukraine.

Valentina Portyanchenko, 75, arrived in Zaporizhzhia on Monday after being persuaded by her daughter to leave Mariupol despite her desire to stay. Ms. Portyanchenko said that when she was four years old her mother, who survived a Nazi concentration camp, brought the family to live in Mariupol several years after the end of World War II. Ms. Portyanchenko said the hardships she endured as a child paled in comparison with the desperate shortages of food, water and power caused by the citys recent destruction by Russian forces.

Everything is destroyed," she said. She began weeping when she said she wasnt even able to pack clothes in her rush to leave, and those she had traveled ina tattered shirt and cardiganhad been donated by volunteers like Ms. Safonova, who helped spirit her out.

Mariupol is now under the control of Russian forces, evacuees said, with a strict system of permits in place for anyone wanting to move around the city and reliable cellphone connection restored only for owners of a Feniks SIM card. The network operator is based in the pro-Russian breakaway states of eastern Ukraine and the only carrier now allowed to register clients in Mariupol.

The Azovstal steel plant is the final holdout in Mariupol for Ukrainian soldiers who have spent weeks defending the city. According to accounts from those who have fled, the plant is being hit daily by Russian airstrikes and artillery, causing reverberations throughout the compound that register even several levels below ground, where most of the roughly 900 civilians remaining at the plant are taking refuge.

Evan Gershkovich contributed to this article.
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The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a busy place. With its crisscrossing sequels, superheroes who dart in and out of each others movies, and labyrinth of laws and totems and over-the-cosmos-and-far-away lands, its become a metastatic playground, the kind of place that even the most ardent comic-book fans have to dedicate themselves to keeping up with. But if youre the kind of viewer who surveys the Marvel landscape and thinks, Nope. Sorry. Not busy enough, the MCU has good news for you: Its going to get even busier. Last years mega-hit Spider-Man: No Way Home was a multiverse fantasia that felt like a Rubiks Cube, though if you ignored the plot gyrations (which were triggered by Doctor Strange), you could sit back and enjoy it as a glorified SNL sketch featuring all three of the actors who had played Spider-Man. (How could they occupy the same universe? Thats a comic-book mystery best explained by studio accountants.)

Now comes Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, an entire film about the interface of parallel universes. In the first Doctor Strange, a compact and debonair origin story released back in 2016 (time flies when youre getting busy), Benedict Cumberbatchs mordantly witty and self-obsessed Stephen Strange started off as a playboy surgeon, then lost the use of his hands in a car crash, then underwent a kind of Karate Kid training under the mystic eye of Tilda Swintons Ancient One. He then went out into the world, armed with his new gift for creating weaponized circles of light, and faced down a team of Zealots whose central threat seemed to be their ability to turn a metropolis intersection into an erupting, folding-in-on-itself M.C. Escher-meets-Inception dreamscape.

What they did to the physical world Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness does to storytelling. Its a movie set in several universes at once, and it keeps shooting off into ever more insane dimensions of alternate reality. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is a ride, a head trip, a CGI horror jam, a what-is-reality Marvel brainteaser and, at moments, a bit of an ordeal. Its a somewhat engaging mess, but a mess all the same.

Early on, theres a bit of good old-fashioned comic-book overkill, as Strange, now with a full dagger goatee and a shock of white hair along the sides, attends the wedding of Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams), the colleague he has never stopped regretting jilting, and is draw into defending New York against a giant-monster attack. A rampaging eye with octopus tentacles, looking like The Eyeball From 20,000 Fathoms, is tossing vehicles this way and that. Strange, assisted by the stoic Sorcerer Supreme Wong (Benedict Wong), has little trouble slaying this walking creature feature, but the monster was only a messenger. It had been sent to capture America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), a teenager who possesses the singular ability to leap between universes.

Thats her only gift, but its a transcendent one, and its a power coveted by Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), aka the Scarlet Witch, who has been featured in several MCU films, like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Age of Ultron, sometimes on the side of good. Now, after the 2021 miniseries WandaVision, shes a villain who will destroy worlds to become the person she was and still most wants to be: a mom.

Were shown one of the multiverse versions of Wanda, where shes a single mother of two adorable boys. Thats the identity she covets. But she needs the power of multiverse-hopping to fuse with it. And Doctor Strange, now fully at home in his role as red-caped savior, cant allow her to have that power; it would wreak havoc on the entire multiverse. So after taking his young charge to Kamar-Taj, which turns out to be a failed fortress once Wanda lays siege to its defending army of warrior monks (in other words: their golden light circles prove less powerful than her red fireballs), Strange and America escape to a different universe  a New York City in which the buildings are overgrown with flowery vines, a red light means go and a green light means stop, and pizza comes in balls.

They wind up trapped in giant cubes overseen by Christine, who in this universe is a brilliant multiverse researcher. Its a slightly different Christine, who had a relationship with a slightly different Stephen Strange, but theyre still variations on the same people, which may get you asking: How is it that everyone in one universe is just a slightly different version of who they are in another universe? Doesnt that fracture the essential idea of one detail having the ability to knock huge chains of events off course? (What if X didnt marry Y?) If Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness proves anything, its that multiverse movies hold even less water than time-travel movies  which sounds like nitpicking, but when youre building an entire movie around this stuff, threadbare logic starts to balloon into chaos. As it turns out, having alternate versions of the characters mostly sands down their appeal  a key case in point being Chiwetel Ejiofors Mordo, who has gone from Shakespearean rock-star sorcerer to blunted antagonist.

The film was directed by Sam Raimi, making his first movie in nine years (after the mediocre 2013 smash Oz the Great and Powerful), and in a number of scenes you feel the companionable spirit and shifting imagistic flair he showed in the first two Spider-Man films. Its amusing to see him feature the Illuminati as a kind of skewed-reality superhero team, or stage a duel fought with literal musical notes (a scene in which Danny Elfmans Night on Bald Mountain-meets-doom-rock score excels). Olsens performance generates an operatic fire even as shes styled like a barefoot mom soaked in Carrie Whites blood.

But Cumberbatchs Strange winds up playing addled master of ceremonies to a loopy psychedelic chase movie that never settles down enough to locate its emotional core. Raimi has a gonzo side, which emerges when one of the three Stephen Stranges on hand turns out to be a rotting-zombie Strange accompanied by feral beasties. Even if you dig the anything-goes Raimi of the Evil Dead films and Drag Me to Hell, it feels a little incongruous in a movie that sometimes threatens to turn into a stoic primer on the MCU rules of engagement. Dreamwalking, the Darkhold, the Book of Vishanti  by the time the end credits roll, you may expect a pop quiz along with the traditional teaser sequence. Is this the future of comic-book cinema? Lets hope not. For just because you followed it all doesnt mean that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness earns every one of its elaborate and at times exhausting convolutions.

Reviewed at AMC Lincoln Square, May 2, 2022. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 126 MIN.

Production

A Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures release of a Marvel Studios production. Producer: Kevin Feige. Executive producers: Victoria Alonso, Eric Hauserman Carroll, Jamie Christopher, Louis DEsposito, Scott Derrickson.

Crew

Director: Sam Raimi. Screenplay: Michael Waldron. Camera: John Mathieson. Editors: Bob Murawski, Tia Nolan. Music: Danny Elfman.

With

Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofir, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Xochiti Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, Patrick Stewart.

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Kim Kardashian, her mom Kris Jenner and sisters Kylie Jenner and Khloe Kardashian had reason to celebrate at the Met Gala in Manhattan Monday night after a Los Angeles jury found the women owed no damages to Rob Kardashians former fiance Blac Chyna for her $100 million defamation and contract interference lawsuit.

The jury of five men and seven women deliberated 10 hours before deciding Kris and her daughters Khloe and Kylie had reasonable grounds to believe the allegedly defamatory statements they made about Chyna, even if some ultimately were false. In the case of Kris, for instance, the jurors found she was wrong when she texted at TV executive that Chyna had beat the shit out of her son Robs face. Still, the jury found Kris had reason to believe her statement was true when she wrote it.

Kris, as a mother, probably had a gut reaction and blew it up before she could see reality. In the beginning she said face and later changed it (in a subsequent text). I agree that when you get more information, after a few days, you can clarify, Rajiv Ghosh, the jurys 35-year-old foreman from Arcadia, tells Rolling Stone.

The jurors further found that while Kris, Kim and Khloe were not necessarily justified in some of their actions related to Chynas relationship with the E! Network, their conduct did not prevent performance of Chynas contract or make it more expensive or difficult.

They did find that Kylies conduct rose to the level of interfering with Chynas contract, but they decided her meddling was not a substantial factor in causing harm to Chyna.

Ghosh says he personally didnt believe Kylie interfered with Chynas contract, but nine other members on the jury disagreed. (Each cause of action required nine of 12 votes for a verdict in the civil case.)

Even if she was the closest to [interfering], I also felt like Kylie was the most empathetic towards her brother. Most of her testimony, and her email, involved her caring deeply about her brother. In my head, if its 51 perecnt caring about her brother, then I felt like she wasnt interfering, but the majority ruled the other way, Ghosh says. Overall, the jury wasnt swayed by the trials blinding star power, he says.

We totally put the celebrity aside. We lucked out in that we werent really starstruck. I personally was not. I could keep it fair. I respected both parties, Ghosh says. Most people, if not everybody, did not watch either show.

Kardashian-Jenner lawyer Michael Rhodes said his clients, who were in New York to attend the Met Gala, were very pleased with the outcome. They were exuberant, he said of his post-verdict phone call with his clients.

On behalf of Kris, Kim, Khloe, and Kylie, I want to express our appreciation to the jury. We are also grateful for the steady hand of Judge [Gregory] Alarcon in making sure that this was a fair trial. The jury sent a clear message to Ms. White and her lawyer  I hope they are listening. Justice has prevailed, lawyers Michael Rhodes and Michelle Doolin said in a statement to Rolling Stone.

Chynas lawyer, Lynne Ciani, said her reading of the outcome was that jurors determined Chyna did not batter Rob and that the Kardashian-Jenner women intentionally meddled with her clients contract. She vowed to appeal the verdicts that went the other way.

Chyna, 33, had accused the Kardashian-Jenner women of conspiring to kill Season Two of her E! reality series Rob & Chyna just as she was reaching the height of her fame and inking lucrative deals with top brands like MAC Cosmetics. She claimed the women carried out a secret campaign behind her back that falsely accused her of physically abusing her former fiance, Rob Kardashian  the sole Kardashian brother  during a blowout fight on Dec. 15, 2016.

The model and influencer, whose legal name is Angela White, testified that while it was true she smashed a gingerbread house, destroyed a TV, and damaged a door inside the Kylie Jenner-owned home where she was living with Rob and their four-week-old daughter Dream that Dec. 15, she never battered Rob. White, who filed her lawsuit in late 2017, claimed she was only making silly bids for Robs attention when she waved an unloaded gun and put an iPhone charging cord around his neck while they were celebrating the Dec. 14, 2016 press announcement that E! was moving forward with a second season of their show.

According to Chyna, it was Rob who crossed the line that morning when he stole her phone in a fit of jealousy, locked himself in a closet, and started going through the device, refusing to return it. And she said Kris, Kim, Kylie, and Khloe used defamatory statements along with a threat to stop shooting their Keeping Up With the Kardashians show for the E! Network to make sure Rob & Chyna got the boot.

The famous family members, meanwhile, stood their ground, fighting the lawsuit at every turn over the last four years. At least two  but often all four  of the Kardashian-Jenner women attended each day of the eight-day trial in Los Angeles, presenting a united front in the courtroom gallery. All four took the witness stand.

Kris Jenner testified for the family first, claiming she felt no ill will when White hooked up with her son in 2016 after allegedly threatening Kylie. If [Chyna] made Rob happy, then I was happy, Kris said. We were just in it for them to win. I really wanted Chyna to grow and be the best version of herself and be happy.

Kylie, 24, was the next family member to take the stand. She claimed it wasnt a big deal when White allegedly threatened her via text while she was dating the rapper Tyga, who shares a son with White. Kylie added that while Tyga allegedly told her White once slashed his arm with a knife, she wasnt opposed to her joining the family

Did I welcome her? Yeah. I think that we had an OK relationship for a while. I actually wanted to be cool with Chyna. I felt like I spent a lot of time with her son and despite everything, I actually did want it to work out for my brother, Kylie testified.

The makeup mogul, like her sisters Kim and Khloe, told jurors she was legitimately concerned about Robs well-being when she sent an email to former E! executive Jeff Olde on Dec. 20, 2016, saying she felt very strongly about canceling Season 2 of Rob & Chyna. In the email, Kylie alleged White was using drugs and physically abusing her brother.

In a follow-up email in the same chain later that day, Khloe wrote that the sisters are clearly concerned and uncomfortable for our brothers safety and the credibility of the brand at this point due to how they are both tarnishing it. In her testimony on the witness stand, Khloe said she blamed both White and her brother Rob for bad behavior that made their show untenable. What I do know is that there was such volatile behavior from both of them, and we wanted to protect our brand and voice our concerns as to how outrageous and violent and chaotic it was. And we could not sleep at night without saying something. Because if, God forbid, something more happened, I mean, that would be absolutely terrible to live with that on our souls, she testified.

Speaking to the jury during his closing statement Wednesday, Rhodes said that whatever the women said was out of familial protectiveness. He further argued none of it stopped E! and its parent company, NBC Universal, from continuing to weigh a possible Season Two of Rob & Chyna. Rhodes said network executives were still trying to pave a path forward for the show months after Rob and Whites big fight, going as far as extending the option pickup deadline on Whites contract from March 1, 2017, to Aug. 1, 2017. Rhodes said the five-month extension, ratified in late February 2017, also granted White a new, $100,000 kill fee on her Rob & Chyna deal, whereas before there was no safety net at all, and a $370,000 filming deal to shoot scenes for the familys mother-ship show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

The central theory of her case is that my clients killed her show. Its not true. Dont believe it. Dont buy it, Rhodes said. This is a really bad conspiracy, folks. Its bad. It doesnt work very well. The conspiracy to kill the show is, Lets kill the show, and lets pay her a bunch of money. Does that make any sense?

Kim was effectively let off the hook for the defamation claim last week when the final version of jury instructions  read to jurors on Thursday  failed to spell out how Kim allegedly defamed White. Whites lawyer had proposed a jury instruction back on April 1 stating that jurors could find Kim liable if they believed she generally stated at some point that White had physically abused Rob. The judge later ruled that the instruction was too vague and had to be modified to include the actual sentences, not paraphrased statements.

When Ciani protested Thursday about how the final instruction ended up, the judge overruled her objection. Ciani later asked the court to add a new instruction after the fact stating that White need only establish that Kim took a responsible part in the defamation. The judge rejected her request Friday and granted a defense motion to officially drop the defamation claim related to Kim only.

In perhaps the most crucial testimony during the eight-day trial, Kris boyfriend, Corey Gamble, said he rushed to the house the morning of the December 2016 fight and witnessed White throw a metal rod to the floor before she picked up a cord that she whipped at Rob seconds before she started wailing on him. He also testified that he saw her hurl a metal chair at Robs car.

The eyewitness testimony not only backed up Robs claims of physical battery but gave a pretext for the four defendants to find credibility in the claims that Chyna had turned physically abusive.

Rhodes called the case a sad and very personal family drama.

Its grim, Rhodes told the jury, referring to Robs agitated demeanor on the witness stand as he claimed White allegedly tried to kill him. Is that where we are in our country? This show has to go on? Were going to put this on no matter what? What was it doing to him emotionally? You could see it in his face. Is that what this is about? Fame, celebrity, at any cost? They cant express their concerns? And if they express it in somewhat colorful language, they have to come to court and defend themselves against someone who says they owe millions of dollars?

White had been asking $44,761,098 for loss of earning damages and $64,873,923 in loss of future earning capacity, court filings show. She said each season of Rob & Chyna was worth $740,000 to her, and she could have filmed two per year over the last five years. She further claimed she was earning $25,000 per sponsored social media post at the height of her fame and $20,000 for club appearances.

Rhodes urged jurors to send White away empty-handed, harping on the fact that she admitted on the stand that she failed to file her tax returns for 2019, 2020, and 2021.

You cant give her a nickel. Youre going to reward that behavior? You cheated the government, but were going to give you millions of dollars? Rhodes asked rhetorically.

Ciani told jurors her client was the victim of an unscrupulous accountant. She was never told by the IRS she was doing anything wrong. And she will get right with that. Dont let that distract you from the facts of this case, Ciani said in some of her last words to the jury late Wednesday.

One juror tells Rolling Stone that the missing financial records were an issue. We thought it was kind of weird that she didnt submit the taxes. That was something we had in the back of our minds, the 19-year-old juror who only wanted to be identified by his first name, Eron, says.

We didnt feel like they interfered with the contract because the relationship was already breaking up. They were already broken up. There would be no Season Two if there was no Rob and Chyna.

Now that the defamation trial is over, Rob Kardashian, 35, will face a separate but related trial over Whites revenge porn claims related to naked photos of her that he posted online in July 2017.
MANZINI  All managers in the civil service will from now be represented by the Eswatini Principals Association (EPA) in negotiations with the employer.

This development was confirmed by the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Public Service, Sipho Tsabedze, yesterday. The PS was sought for comment following allegations that there were two negotiations running concurrently, which sought to address the welfare of civil servants. Tsabedze said the EPA had constituents in management and would be negotiating for them. In light of this, the PS was asked what had changed from the normal circumstances, wherein the management of the civil service, inclusive of politicians, benefitted from the joint negotiation forum (JNF), and also if this was a new strategy by government.

The JNF is constituted the government negotiation forum (GNT), which represents the employer (government) and representatives of civil servants, who are public sector union (PSUs) of Swaziland. Tsabedze said this was not a new strategy; but the EPA had registered through the office of the Labour Commissioner and subsequent to that, had sought recognition from the Ministry of Public Service. The PS said the entity met the requirements and were hence recognised by government. He also acknowledged that when the EPA registered, they were doing so to be recognised as an entity that represented principals (head teachers).

Its new that we have a staff association and given that they represent managers, they do not negotiate in the same table as unions (PSUs). This is allowed in law and it happens in many organisations wherein junior staff is represented by unions and management is represented by staff associations, Tsabedze said. Following this, the PS was asked if this meant that EPA would represent all managers in the civil service or more staff associations would be formed to represent their constituents. Tsabedze said: It is not possible for PSUs to form a staff association just like politicians do not negotiate with government on their welfare. He said at the moment, other managers could seek to form staff associations. The PS said: I think when a staff association represents management, all other managers if there is an agreement concluded between the pair, it would not be exclusive to the former.

Managers



Tsabedze said all the other managers would benefit; however, it became cumbersome to extend the benefits to other managers who were not eligible to being part of the staff association.

He said for now, because there were no other staff associations, those in management would get the benefits of what was concluded upon by the employer and EPA. It is worth noting that from time immemorial, decisions taken during the JNF were binding to all civil servants, inclusive of politicians, judges, Boards and commission members. This is despite that there are legal documents addressing the remuneration of politicians.

Meanwhile, following this development, EPA President Welcome Mhlanga said they were set to meet the GNT to discuss the modalities of their engagement and further present the agenda of their members. He said: We are a principals association. On the other hand, the President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), Mbongwa Dlamini, said this was taboo to them. He said what they were aware of was that all negotiations regarding the welfare of civil servants were dealt with in the JNF. Head teachers are supervisors and not managers, which is why we also have them in our national executive committee (NEC). What is special about the separate negotiations by the head teachers to have their own JNF? he asked.

It is a known fact that SNAT also has within it an association representing deputies and head teachers known as Swaziland Association of Schools Administrators (SASA).

Concerns

It is worth noting that in recent months, the PSUs have been raising concerns of union bashing by the employer such that during the 2022 mid-term conference of NAPSAWU, it was said the employer was writing letters to workers demanding that they resign from the organisation, as they were not supposed to be members. This was said to have been done without even being considerate of the provisions of the law. However, the PS in the Ministry of Public Service had been adamant in stating that there was a recognition agreement with PSUs, which also listed civil servants who cannot be part of unions. Tsabedze said there were public service employees who joined unions while they were still junior but as they were promoted, they reached a level wherein they could not be part of unions anymore. He said those that were in this predicament were informed.
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Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is requesting an investigation into the leak of a draft opinion that, if finalized, would overturn Roe vs. Wade and unleash anti-abortion rights laws on millions of Americans.

On Monday night, Politico obtained the draft opinion  penned by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito  that reported has the support of the four other conservative justices it would need to become final. The votes arent final, but Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh all allegedly voted in concurrence with Alito after oral arguments in December. Together, the five justices have the majority needed to overturn Roe, which since 1973 has been the principal federal bulwark protecting abortion rights. (Were Kavanaugh to indeed side with the majority, it would go against Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) 2018 claim that Kavanaugh would honor the precedent set by Roe.)

The document is a draft and the votes are not final. As Politico notes: Justices can and sometimes do change their votes as draft opinions circulate and major decisions can be subject to multiple drafts and vote-trading. The courts final decision is expected to be officially published by summer.

In the meantime, Roberts wants to know who leaked draft, and said in a statement Monday that: I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak.

The issue here is that the Supreme Court is deliberating about an extremely important decision with massive ramifications, and it doesnt want an outside entity meddling in its choice.

The 98-page draft is unequivocal that the Supreme Court should not have made the broad ruling protecting abortion rights, and that if the government wants to compel a person to carry a pregnancy to term and give birth, the Constitution shouldnt stand in its way.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, Alito writes. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.

Republican lawmakers across the country have passed  or are preparing to pass  laws that criminalize, invalidate, or radically limit a womans right to choose whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term. Those laws for decades have been struck down in the federal judiciary, but with Roe gone, abortion rights and access for millions of women in the United States would quickly be sharply curtailed, if not eliminated altogether.

At the center of the upcoming ruling is Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, a Mississippi court case that challenges the states Gestational Age Act, which seeks to ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions granted for medical emergencies or severe fetal abnormalities  but controversially excludes incest and rape. According to CNN, sources indicate that while Chief Justice John Roberts is willing to uphold the Mississippi law, he has no desire to overturn Roe.

In addition to Mississippi, overturning Roe has the potential to completely eliminate abortion access in numerous conservative-leaning states  many of which have embraced the ideology of states rights for over a century to uphold a litany of discriminatory and religiously-motivated legislative practices, ranging from slavery and segregation to the prohibition of same-sex marriage. In 13 states  including Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas  so-called trigger laws enacted pre-Roe would allow ultra-restrictive abortion legislation to resume automatically. The trigger law states of Arkansas, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming all have near-total abortion bans on the books, meaning abortion would immediately become illegal in these locations in the event of a Roe overturn. (While not trigger law states, Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin also maintain near-total abortion bans  most of which are currently on pause by court order.)

Throughout the draft ruling, Alito claims abortion is not deeply rooted in the Nations history and traditions  an assertion he disturbingly applies to other landmark Supreme Court decisions such as Loving v. Virginia, which struck down laws banning interracial marriage; Lawrence v. Texas, which decriminalized private and consensual sexual acts; and Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage. However, unlike these cases, Alito writes, Roe and its companion ruling Planned Parenthood v. Casey, [appeal] to a broader right to autonomy that is not conferred under the Constitution. Alitos words echo a statement delivered by Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart during oral arguments last December: When an issue affects everyone and when the Constitution does not take sides on it, it belongs to the people.

Politicians quickly took to social media to share their reactions to the leaked draft Monday evening.

If tonights news is true, Michigans 1931 state law banning abortion would snap back into effect, making any abortion illegal in our state  even if the mom will die, or if she was raped by a family member, wrote Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) on Twitter. No exceptions. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) also weighed in, using the threat of Roes repeal to speak out against the Senate filibuster: Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there arent 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes.

Republicans remained mostly silent on the issue  but the few who did issue statements were predictably gleeful at the prospect of Roes possible demise. I will say, if this is the Courts opinion, its a heck of an opinion, wrote Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). Voluminously researched, tightly argued, and morally powerful. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) was simultaneously enraged and delighted by the draft decision, writing in the same tweet that the Department of Justice must get to the bottom of this leak immediately and that he prays the Supreme Court would [allow] the states to once again protect unborn life. Writing that the Supreme Court is not a political body, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) took a more measured approach, saying he hopes the well-written and well-reasoned draft in fact reflects the majority view of the Court.
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Electric bikes solve a lot of problems: they dont require (expensive) gas, they can be parked anywhere, and they can move faster than traffic. Plus, the best electric bikes can take you much further than a regular bike and you wont arrive at your destination sweaty, tired, or late.

The downside with electric bikes is that theyre pricey. Youll likely recuperate the investment by saving on gas and parking money, but many of us cant spare thousands on a fancy new e-bike. Luckily, you dont need to spend thousands: We combed online bike shops for the best electric bikes under $1,000, and realized that you can buy an e-bike on a budget.

If youve been considering an electric bike  whether for saving on gas money, skipping traffic, or just enjoying leisure cruises on the weekend  read on. Below are the best electric bikes under $1,000, as well as some buying tips for picking up your first e-bike.

Electric Bike Buying Guide

Electric bikes have some unique features, compared to regular bikes, that youll need to look at while shopping. Here are a few key specs to consider while shopping.

Range: First and foremost, your electric bike needs to get you from A to B without running out of battery. The best electric bikes under $1,000 typically have a range between 20 and 40 miles, but be aware that range depends on terrain and rider weight (i.e. a heavy rider on an incline will get less mileage than advertised).

Power: Wattage can give a rough idea of an electric bikes power, with the best electric bikes under $1,000 putting out 250 to 750 watts. Lower-wattage motors are actually OK for most riders, giving a little boost to your normal peddling, but most high-wattage e-bikes dont even require pedaling to move.

Style: Most electric bikes are either commuter e-bikes (a.k.a. city or hybrid bikes), mountain bikes, or cruiser bikes. Commuter electric bikes are the best bet for most people, offering comfort as well as agility in traffic.

Another term youll see is step-thru. This just means the bike has a lowered top tube (the upper bar in the frame), allowing you to easily step through the frame instead of swinging your leg around the back, making it easier to get on and off the bike.

Size: Youll want to pick a properly-sized bike for optimal power transfer and comfort. Most brands list the suggested rider height for each bike, so be sure to check that before purchasing.

The Best Electric Bikes Under $1,000

Its not too easy to find a sub-$1,000 electric bike, but they are out there. Below are some of the best electric bikes under $1,000 that we could find online. All can be shipped right to your doorstep and require minimal assembly  if any.

Note: If most electric bikes are out of your budget, also consider an electric scooter. Theyre affordable, fun, and offer advantages similar to an e-bike. See our favorite electric scooters here.

1. Lectric Bikes XP 2.0

EDITORS PICK

Lectric Bikes

This XP 2.0 from Lectric is shockingly good for its $999 price tag, easily beating out more expensive e-bikes to be the best electric bike under $1,000.

Right off the bat, youll notice that the XP bike is foldable. This is hugely convenient for storage, and for bringing your bike indoors (say, at the office or a restaurant). But the foldability is also very handy for shipping: While many electric bikes require up to an hour of assembly, the XP comes fully assembled. Just pump the tires and its ready to go.

In terms of specs, the XP punches way above its price class. Boasting up to 45 miles of range, you can easily commute or go for long cruises without running out of juice. This long-lasting battery powers an 850-watt motor, propelling the bike to a top speed of 28 miles per hour. 160-millimeter mechanical disc brakes ensure a safe stop, even when blasting at top speed.

Buy: Lectric Bikes XP 2.0 at $999

2. Ancheer Electric Mountain Bike

BEST ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN BIKE

Amazon

If you plan on taking your electric bike off-roading, check out this Ancheer. With a 350-watt motor, it lends a welcome push up steep hills or a more leisurely cruise. Range is solid too with a battery that lasts 22 to 40 miles on a single charge. The battery and motor are also water-resistant, meaning you can rip through mud, puddles, or rain without worry.

Motor aside, the Ancheer is very similar to your typical mountain bike with a durable frame, rugged carbon steel front shocks, and a capable 21-speed gearbox. The bike also features mechanical disc brakes, ensuring plenty of stopping power on steep declines.

Buy: Ancheer Electric Mountain Bike $699.99

3. Heybike Cityscape Electric Bike

BEST ELECTRIC CRUISER BIKE

Amazon

Cruiser e-bikes are great for easier pleasure rides (think, to the beach, the park, or brunch), but they also work well for commuting. This Heybike Cityscape is the best electric cruiser bike under $1,000, delivering plenty of boost from a 350-watt motor, up to 40 miles of range, and a comfortable frame.

Despite its sub-$1,000 price tag, the Cityscape has surprisingly solid components besides the motor and battery. A Shimano seven-Speed gearbox ensures smooth shifts, disc brakes offer safe stopping power, and front and rear lights let you ride in the dark. The bike also has an integrated rear rack that can be used for cargo space.

Overall, the Heybike is exactly what we want from a cruiser: comfortable, convenient, and good-looking enough to be seen around town.

Buy: Heybike Cityscape Electric Bike $899.99

4. Ride1Up Core-5

BEST UPGRADED PICK

Ride1Up

This Core-5 bike from Ride1Up does cost $1,095, as of writing, so we cheated a little by including it in our roundup. But it offers too much added value for so little extra cash to ignore.

For starters, the build quality is very impressive. Ride1Up uses a lightweight alloy that not only makes the bike faster and more agile, but also easier to maneuver around tight garages or storage spaces. Other components, such as the Shimano 7-speed transmission and Tektro 160-millimeter mechanical disc brakes, are equally well built.

The bikes 750-watt motor is also very good, effortlessly launching the bike to 28 miles per hour with pedal assist. Without any pedaling, the bike can still reach 20 miles per hour with a thumb throttle. The battery, meantime, lasts 20 to 40 miles depending on rider weight and terrain.

If you can spare the extra ~$100, the Core-5 is well worth it.

Buy: Ride1Up Core-5 at $1,095
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Today, abortion is still legal everywhere in the country. However, it appears that wont be true for long.

Last night, Politico published an explosive leak of the draft opinion of Dobbs v. Jackson Womans Health, the abortion case before the Supreme Court this term. This virtually unprecedented publication of a Supreme Court opinion before final publication indicates that at least five of the courts conservative justices have voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision recognizing the right to abortion, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 decision reaffirming the right.

The draft opinion, apparently written by Justice Samuel Alito and presumably agreed to by Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, states in no uncertain terms that Roe and Casey must be overruled. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

This bombshell news raises all sorts of important questions, chief among them whether this draft opinion, indicated to have been written in February, will eventually be the majority opinion of the court. This is a full-throated rejection of Roe, one that is as disruptive to the status quo as possible. It remains to be seen whether, in the justices private deliberations, which occur at all stages before publication of the final decision (before voting, during writing, after exchanging drafts, while finalizing), any of them have changed their minds or altered their positions. Just last week, The Wall Street Journal indicated there may be some vote changes happening behind closed doors on this case. And there is precedent for dramatic switches in abortion cases  the justices famously switched their votes at the last minute in the Casey case to ultimately save Roe (the full dramatic story of that switch is here and worth reading).

But, if this opinion, or something very close to it, ultimately becomes the courts decision, what exactly does it mean for this country? The very straightforward answer to this question comes from the draft opinions statement that it would return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives. Heres what that will mean.

This opinion is not banning abortion everywhere in the country. In fact, the court itself is not banning abortion anywhere. That being said, by saying that there is no constitutional right to abortion, the court is allowing legislatures to ban abortion. More than half the states in this country have announced their intention to do just that, outlawing almost all abortions or restricting them in ways that will make it virtually impossible to access. These states can move this quickly because many have laws already on the books that will accomplish this goal. Some states have abortion bans from before Roe that they never repealed. Those laws might spring back into effect once Roe is no longer good law. Other states have new restrictions on abortion that have been stopped by courts on the basis of Roe. Yet other states have trigger laws saying that abortion in the state will be banned once Roe is overturned. And some states will call emergency legislative sessions to pass new laws banning or restricting abortion. Many of these laws are likely to be challenged in state court, possibly delaying their implementation, but most will take effect in the near future (or sooner).

On the other hand, in the other half of the states, abortion will remain legal. Those will range from states that proactively protect abortion rights, like California, Oregon, and New York, where advocates and politicians have gotten rid of almost all abortion restrictions and have passed affirmative laws to make abortion as accessible as possible, to states like Pennsylvania and Minnesota, where abortion will remain legal but restrictions will remain on the books. Regardless of the specifics, though, in these states, barring a major political change, abortion remains legal, and people in those states will still be able to access abortion.

But if Justice Alitos opinion becomes the law of the land, state differences in abortion law will create an incredibly complicated patchwork of laws. For that reason, abortion travel is going to skyrocket, flooding the states where abortion remains legal with more patients than theyve ever seen, delaying abortion care for everyone. Weve already witnessed this with the aftereffects of SB8 in Texas  the Texas law that effectively banned abortion after six weeks. Patients were forced to travel to states surrounding Texas, pushing providers to the brink of their capacity. As a result, clinics in those states have expanded to meet the demand, but they have also had increased wait times for all patients because of the surge. What weve seen as a result of Texas is now going to happen across the country. And the mass migration of patients will have ripple effects for everyone.

There will also be people who cannot travel and will choose to self-manage their abortions by having medication abortion sent to them by mail. Abortion pills are an ever-increasing percentage of abortions in this country, but for the most part those are people obtaining abortion medication through abortion clinics. That is going to change, with pills becoming more and more accessible online. Even people in states where abortion will be banned will have access to pills through various services, though there will be legal risks. Just last month, Lizelle Herrera was arrested for self-managing her abortion in Texas.

But not everyone will be able to gain access to abortion, and there are likely to be large numbers of people each year who carry their pregnancies to term who would otherwise have had an abortion. This comes with devastating effects to their lives.

In the short and long term, the decision will have both predictable and unpredictable effects on our national political landscape. We know that the Republicans in Congress will, once Roe is overturned, push for a national ban on abortion. Right now, with a pro-choice president and the Democrats holding majorities in both the House and the Senate, that isnt going to be successful. But, if the Democrats lose those chambers in the midterms and then lose the presidency in 2024, a national ban on abortion could have a fighting chance. What we dont know is whether the court overturning Roe would motivate Democratic voters and even move some otherwise-moderate anti-abortion voters away from the Republican Party. After all, people have long hypothesized that without the promise of overturning Roe, the Republican party would lose voters. But one thing is clear: Returning Roe to the states will inflame rather than answer the countrys abortion debate.

There is much more to unpack about what would happen if this leaked opinion becomes the law of the land. But one certainty is that the court will have bent the moral arc of the universe backward by telling people who are pregnant in this country that they are not equal because government can control what they do with their body.

David S. Cohen is a professor at Drexel Universitys Thomas R. Kline School of Law. Greer Donley is an assistant professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh Law School. Rachel Rebouche is a professor of law and the interim dean of Temple Universitys Beasley School of Law.
Two of the most ambitious projects that the Laredo area has in the works right now are the United Nations' construction of the Binational River Park on both sides of the Rio Grande for the Sister Cities as well as the expansion of the World Trade Bridge for the area which is crucial for international trade.

Officials from both cities will be taking these initiatives to United States' capital to discuss the importance of each on Tuesday.

The trip will feature a delegation from both Laredo and Nuevo Laredo as they will travel Washington D.C. for meetings with their national counterparts to get permits for the projects, look at potential funding options and meet with several senators on what these projects mean for the cities.

Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz said Monday that the promotion of these projects and emphasizing why they should be done is the aim of the visit.

We leave on Tuesday and come back Thursday evening for a two-fold reason, he said. One is to promote the binational park. We will be meeting with (United States Ambassador to Mexico Ken) Salazar. The other is to see the status of the extension of the World Trade Bridge, as we will be meeting with the State Department.

Saenz stated that the Nuevo Laredo delegation will also be spearheaded by Nuevo Laredo Mayor Mayor Carmen Lilia Canturosas.

Carmen Lilia Canturosas is going to join us as well to promote both projects and also talk about the expansion, Saenz said.

The only officials traveling for these meetings will be the two mayors, some officials from Nuevo Laredo and Laredo District III Councilmember Mercurio Martinez III.

Saenz states that city officials who will be traveling will also have meetings with Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz during their visit. A meeting with the Secretary of the Interior will also be had by city officials regarding the Binational River Park.

I hope that these meetings are very positive, Saenz said. Its a matter of us doing our part and promoting the projects that we have. These are big projects, as the funding for the World Trade Bridge will come through the bridge, but we are hoping that through the infrastructure bill that we may be able to tap into some federal monies so we can save ourselves from using local bridge revenues for the financing of the extension on the U.S. side.

According to the mayor, Tamaulipas Gov. Francisco Javier Garcia Cabeza de Vaca has committed that his administration will pay for all the expansion efforts on the Mexican side for the project.

The mayor's formal agenda has him with a 6:30 p.m. informal prep meeting on Tuesday with Consul Deanna Kim at the Capitol Hilton Lobby, where all the stakeholders involved will be present.

On Wednesday, the bulk of the meetings will be completed as the mayors agenda shows a 10 a.m. meeting with Rep. Henry Cuellar's Staff at the Congressman Office Rayburn House Building. It is there where all the stakeholders from the city and Nuevo Laredo will be present as the meeting will focus on the Binational River Park.

Another meeting focusing on the Binational River Park will follow that meeting at 11:30 a.m., and then there will be a 2 p.m. meeting with the City of Laredo delegation focusing on the RAISE World Trade Bridge Application and Bridge Expansion. The last two meetings for the day will focus on the bridge and submitting the formal president permit for the Binational River Park.

On Thursday -- the final day before the delegations return -- there will be a 10:15 a.m. meeting regarding the Binational River Park and World Trade Bridge Expansion with Cruzs Office, and the last meeting of the day will be with Cornyn at 11 a.m.

Some of the other members of both delegations that will be traveling aside from those mentioned include:

Laredo officials

Samuel Keith Selman, Interim City Manager.

Karen Garza, Executive Assistant to the City Manager.

Jose Ollervides, Mayors Assistant.

Alicia Seagraves, Legislative Assistant/Grants Coordinator.

Nuevo Laredo officials

Carlos de Anda, Public Works Secretary.

Marco Antonio Martinez, Public Affairs.

Laura Medellin, Personal Assistant to the Mayor.

Elia Guevara, Binational Coordinator on the Project.

Jose Arturo Ortega, Chief of Binational Affairs.

Others

Frank Rotnofsky, Able City-Architect.

Ric Archer, Overland Partners Architect.

Martin Castro, Watershed Director for the Rio Grande International Study Center.

Gerry Schwebel, IBC Bank.

The mayor did not mention if his meetings will focus on the recent news that the Mexican government has decided to change the rail line projects scheduled to be done in Texas through the Laredo area instead to the state of New Mexico.

Mexico's decision to change the route was made in response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts enhanced inspection policy which saw wait times increase significantly for commercial trucks in the land ports and saw the supply chain and economy affected. Abbott's order reportedly cost Texas alone $4.2 billion as inspections did not turn up a single drug or migrant.

Saenz said that he will have more information and a formal response soon on the issue.
A railway project worth billions that was planned to travel through Laredo to boost trade and economic development in both the city and Texas as a whole has been moved to another state. The decision was made as Mexico retaliates against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's enhanced inspections which cost Texas $4.2 billion over a little more than a week despite turning up no migrants or narcotics.

The planned railway was known as the T-MEC Corridor project. It was to connect the Mexican port of Mazatlan to the Canadian city of Winnipeg, and it was to have new logistics centers along its route. Instead, the project will now go through New Mexico, routed along the edge of West Texas through Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

Abbott's enhanced safety inspections began April 6 and lasted 10 days for trucks crossing the border. He stated the move was in response to the Biden administration allowing the CDC to end the Title 42 public health order.

It's important to note that these trucks were already being inspected by federal authorities such as Border Patrol, Customs & Border Protection and the U.S. Transportation Motor Carriers, along with inspections on the Mexican side as well. Thus these were additional inspections done by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Rep. Henry Cuellar also confirmed that these inspections were mechanical in nature only, so while Abbott stated they were for stopping migrants and narcotics, DPS could not physically check these trucks' cargo even if it wanted to.

Due to the measures, traffic into the country was slowed considerably with some truckers even reporting they had to wait days to cross. Others stated that in addition to the long waits, some refrigerated trucks ran out of gas. Overall, produce companies lost an estimated $240 million due to spoiled products.

Abbott stated that the enhanced inspections would stop for the impacted areas once Mexican leaders from each area agreed to increase border security, and he held press conferences at each location once they did. He also threatened afterwards that he could bring the measure back at any time if he deemed they were not living up to their agreement.

Following Abbott's order, Mexico Economy Minister Tatiana Clouthier expressed reservation in doing further business with the state. She criticized Abbott for using the countries' trade for political reasons and didn't wish to expand business with Texas considering what happened.

Were now not going to use Texas, Clouthier said. We cant leave all the eggs in one basket and be hostages to someone who wants to use trade as a political tool. We are going to look for that connectivity because we can't live through what we just lived through a couple of weeks ago."

Meanwhile, Mexicos Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard accused Abbott of extortion for the decision in an interview with Milenio.

Its an extortion scheme. Rather it is extortion  I close the border and you have to sign what I say, Ebrard said. Thats not a deal. A deal is when you and I agree on something.

Texas largest trading partner is Mexico. Bloomberg estimates more than $400 billion of goods cross annually, and exports from the state are equivalent to 17% of its economy -- with about one-third of Texas exports going to Mexico.

Its not just necessarily (Mexico) being hostile, but them taking a concrete step, said Nitya Pandalai-Nayar, an economics professor at University of Texas at Austin, to Bloomberg. Firms all over the country trade with Mexico, and many of them use Texas as the base for shipping to Mexico.

Not surprisingly, New Mexico was excited by the recent news as it is now set to receive an economic boost that was meant for Texas.

The actions of Texas Gov. Abbott to upend international trade and create economic uncertainty emphasizes the urgent need for a more resilient international border, said Alicia J. Keyes, the chief of New Mexicos Economic Development Department, to Bloomberg. New Mexico would support efforts for a new cross-border rail line that can ease commercial trade bottlenecks.

Meanwhile, Jerry Pacheco -- president of the Santa Teresa-based Border Industrial Association where the railway will now travel -- told the Dallas Morning News that he's already seen significant change from the Mexico business community in the wake of Abbott's order including higher traffic numbers from northbound cargo shipments. But while the area is now going to benefit from the order, he still was critical of the decision occurring in the first place.

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 said.

Laredo officials and economic development officials did not want to comment on the situation Monday as Mexico's decision is still fresh, but they did hope to expand soon once they have more insight on the impact it had on the Laredo area.

Following the policy coming to an end in mid-April, Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz credited Abbott for his "bold move" while suggesting the question going forward was "were the border security measures obtained worth more than the time-delay losses incurred by the industry along with the added costs to the consumer?

"Only time will tell," he added.
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.
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Frustrated Indiana conservatives fell short in most primary races Tuesday in their drive to push the Republican-controlled state Legislature further to the right, and two of the movements leaders lost their reelection bids.

The roughly two dozen so-called liberty candidates saw only a few victories in Republican legislative races across the state, with one defeating a 10-term incumbent in northern Indiana and two others winning nominations for GOP-leaning open seats.

A few races remained uncalled late Tuesday, but more than 10 incumbent lawmakers overcame challenges from candidates who argued that the Legislature hasnt been aggressive enough in attempting to ban abortion, enhancing gun rights and overturning COVID-19 restrictions that were ordered by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Republican legislative leaders argued the no compromise stances adopted by many challengers arent practical. They tout the states low taxes and unemployment and broad private school voucher program among its conservative successes.

Unlike in other GOP races across the country  including Ohio, which also had a statewide primary Tuesday  the Indiana legislative contests focused on state issues, rather than which candidate is closest to former President Donald Trump or has his support.

The challengers said they were trying to tap into a deep resentment among voters  and even winning a few seats could nudge the Legislature further to the right.

It was unclear whether the leak of a draft opinion suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn a 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide had any impact in the primary. Indiana lawmakers didn't pursue major anti-abortion action during this year's session as they waited for a decision from the Supreme Court. If the court overturns Roe v Wade, those lawmakers could ask Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb to call the Legislature into a special session so they can act without having to wait until 2023.

The vast majority of House Republicans, including myself, have been abundantly clear that we want to take action to further protect life should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn, in full or in part, Roe, Republican House Speaker Todd Huston said in a statement Tuesday. We will continue to await the courts final decision.

Indiana law generally prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with 99% of abortions in the state occurring at 13 weeks or earlier, according to a state Health Department report.

The state House GOP campaign operation gave more than $1 million to candidates for the primary  including Craig Snow, who defeated hard-right Republican Rep. Curt Nisly of Milford, and Julie McGuire, who beat Rep. John Jacob of Indianapolis. Nisly and Jacob have been heroes of the liberty candidate challengers for proposals blocked by legislative leaders, including a total abortion ban and seeking to void all state COVID-19 restrictions as far back as late 2020.

Meanwhile, the Liberty Defense PAC, which has worked to rally support for its endorsed candidates, had raised a total of about $95,000 by the end of March.

Some of our incumbents are facing very, very engaged opponents, Huston said. You cant take any chances. Our team has been doing everything they need to do, knocking on doors, lots of voter contacts, those types of things. Nobody should take it lightly.

Some challengers say their movement grew from protests against COVID-19 shutdowns and complaints that GOP legislators didnt take action to end Holcombs executive orders, including a mask mandate.

Lorissa Sweet, a County Council member from rural northern Indiana, defeated Rep. Dan Leonard of Huntington. Leonard, a top Huston lieutenant, drew the wrath of social conservatives for his frequent role in blocking proposals from Nisly and Jacob  either by raising procedural objections or not taking up bills assigned to the House committee he leads.

The challengers were unsuccessful against several other top Republicans, including House Majority Leader Matthew Lehman of Berne and several committee chairmen appointed by Huston. Meanwhile, Rep. John Young of Franklin lost his bid for a fourth term to a challenger who wasn't among the Liberty Defense candidates.

The liberty candidates predominantly ran in heavily Republican districts, so even primary wins by far-right challengers would likely provide few opportunities for Democrats to dent the GOPs current 71-29 House majority.

One voter favoring Jacob said he believed more legislators like him would better ensure personal freedoms and increase the push to restrict access to abortions in Indiana.

I'm a conservative Christian, and I can see that in our culture today, there is so much moving in directions that are not Biblical, and I'm thinking that might be part of the pushback" against many current lawmakers, said Mike Teipen, 73, of Indianapolis. It maybe rubs people too much the wrong way  they don't want to take a strong stand on certain issues. But that's what I think makes a good lawmaker.

___

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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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
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MADRID (AP)  Spains government said Tuesday it had nothing to hide amid mounting unease over national security controversies involving Pegasus spyware, including the hacking of the prime minister's cellphone and spying on Catalan separatists by unknown agents.

Cabinet spokeswoman Isabel Rodriguez promised that the Socialist-led coalition government will engage in the utmost collaboration with the legal authorities, including declassifying relevant documents if it proves necessary.

Rodriguez faced a barrage of questions about the extraordinary security breaches after the weekly Cabinet meeting, when she failed to mention them in her opening remarks as the government tries to contain the political damage from the recent spying revelations.

On Monday, the government revealed that the cellphones of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Defense Minister Margarita Robles were infected last year with Pegasus spyware, which is available only to countries government agencies.

The government was already under pressure to explain why the cellphones of dozens of people connected to the separatist movement in Spains northeastern Catalonia region were infected with Pegasus between 2017 and 2020.

Covert spying operations in Spain require judicial consent.

The revelations came amid growing concerns in Europe about the misuse of cyber tools. The European Parliament launched an investigation last month into Pegasus spyware activities, including alleged cases of spying against Hungary, Poland and Greece.

Rodriguez, the Cabinet spokeswoman, said the government found out only last weekend that the cellphones of Sanchez and Robles had been targeted last year.

The powerful and controversial spyware silently infiltrates phones or other devices to harvest data and potentially spy on their owners.

Unanswered questions have swirled in Spain: why has the top-level breach become public only a year later? Who is behind the attacks and who is to blame for the security shortcomings? Are security protocols in Spain, which is a member of the European Union and NATO, inadequate?

The government has refused to speculate on who might be behind the spying, both of top government officials and of Catalan separatists. Spains ombudsman and National Court have opened investigations.

In this case, as in many others, we have nothing to hide, Rodriguez said.

Robles and the head of Spains intelligence service, known by its acronym CNI, are due to testify behind closed doors later this week at parliaments intelligence affairs committee.

Suspicion about who hacked into the government cellphones has fallen on Morocco, which was in a diplomatic spat with Spain at the time.

Catalans pressing for the wealthy region to break away from Spain were targeted with the software of two Israeli companies, Candiru and NSO Group, the developer of Pegasus. The regional Catalan government has accused the Spanish national intelligence agency of spying on separatists.

Rodriguez said the government wont take any action until the investigations reach conclusions.

When weve figured out what happened, well have to look at what can be improved, what needs changing, because its clear that (cyber)attacks have taken place and so there has to be an improvement, Rodriguez told reporters.

Even so, she announced the government is investing 1 billion euros ($1.05 billion) in cybersecurity.
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MILFORD, Conn. (AP)  A white Connecticut state trooper who fatally shot a Black man, Mubarak Soulemane, following a high-speed chase in 2020 was arraigned Tuesday on a manslaughter charge.

Trooper Brian North, who is free on bail, said nothing during or after the brief appearance in Milford Superior Court and did not enter a plea. His next court date was scheduled for June 2.

North fired seven gunshots into the drivers-side window of a stolen car after a chase on Jan. 15, 2020, that ended in West Haven. Soulemane, 19, was killed. An investigation showed Soulemane had a knife but was boxed in by police and unable to drive away.

North was arrested last month after state Inspector General Robert Devlin found the shooting was not justified.

About nine relatives and supporters of Soulemane were in the courtroom, including his mother, Omo Mohammed. Following the hearing, they chanted, Justice for Mubarak outside the courthouse.

We are here today for justice, justice for my son, Mubarak Soulemane, who has been massacred by a state trooper, Brian North," Mohammed said. I hope justice will be served to convict Brian North to go to jail, to convict Brian North of being accountable for killing my son.

Dozens of police officers, some from as far as Pennsylvania and New Jersey, showed up in plain clothes outside the courthouse before the hearing to show their support for North. They later took up most of the seats in the courtroom, surrounding Soulemane's family and supporters.

Regardless of who it is, when our troopers are what believe to be prosecuted for doing their job, we will defend them, said Andrew Matthews, the executive director of the Connecticut State Police Union.

Mohammed said she believed the police officers who went to court Tuesday were there to intimidate her and her family, something the police union denied. She said she and her relatives will not be intimidated.

Soulemanes family, the NAACP and other groups said North should not have opened fire because police had Soulemane surrounded and he could not get away. They said North and other officers should have tried to deescalate the situation. Soulemane's mother has a pending wrongful death lawsuit against North and other officers who were at the scene.

A timeline of the events included in Devlin's report says North began firing about 43 seconds after Soulemane crashed and officers boxed him in. Before the shooting, police body cam videos show a West Haven officer smashing out the passenger door window of the stolen car and another trooper shooting Soulemane with a stun gun, which didn't work.

The chase, which reached speeds of up to 100 mph (161 kph) on Interstate 95, had begun nearly 30 miles away in Norwalk after Soulemane tried to steal a cellphone at a store and stole a Lyft driver's vehicle, police said.

Soulemane's family said that he had schizophrenia and that his mental health appeared to be deteriorating in the days before the shooting.

The state police union has criticized Devlin's findings, saying in a statement that North was forced to make a split-second decision during these dangerous and rapidly evolving circumstances."

We believe Trooper North acted objectively reasonable during this violent encounter and we believe a jury will find reasonable doubt and acquit him of these serious charges, the union said.

North and his lawyer did not comment outside the courthouse. North is on paid administrative leave and his police powers are suspended pending the outcome of the criminal case.

North is the third Connecticut police officer to be arrested for fatal shootings dating back to 1998.

____

This story has been corrected to show Trooper Brian North's next court day is June 2, not Jan. 2.
Leading automotive finance provider, JBR Capital, has launched into 2022 with a record-setting 80 million ($100 million) lending in a four-month period  the most successful since the company was founded in 2015.

Based in London, JBR Capital has lent the amount from January 1 to April 30, enabling an ever-growing number of clients to fund their passion for high-end vehicles.

JBR Capital is the UKs only independent finance lender dedicated solely to prestige vehicle finance and has lent over 800 million in tailored loans to date. As the company continues to build upon its long-standing relationships with dealers, brokers, and clients, JBR Capital is poised for significant growth throughout 2022.

Porsche tops the list

Over the past four months, Porsche proved to be the most popular marque with clients, followed by Land Rover/Range Rover and Audi respectively. The most in-demand model of Q1 2022 was the Porsche 911 (All variations), with the Range Rover Sport and Audi R8 taking second and third place.

The most popular location for the provision of finance has proven to be South East, followed by London and West Midlands.

JBR Capital also now leads the automotive finance sector on sustainability too, recently launching a new initiative that will greatly reduce the environmental impact of its clients cars under its progressive environmental, social and governance strategy.

Carbon-offsetting programme

Via the establishment of a new carbon-offsetting programme, JBR Capital now offsets 5,000 miles of carbon emissions for each car financed by its clients, effective January 1, 2022, through the purchase of carbon credits. With a new exclusive partnership with Carbon Neutral Britain, JBR Capital will enable its customers to continue to enjoy driving, but to do so in as environment-friendly a manner as possible.

In addition, JBR Capital has been shortlisted for a trio of awards at the prestigious Car Finance Awards 2022. Named among the finalists in categories including Best Independent Lender (Non-Bank Owned), Best Specialist Car Finance Provider and Company Award for Sustainability, winners are set to be announced on May 19.

Through a highly personalised approach, JBR Capital has been able to serve and rapidly grow its loyal introducer and customer base. The company's holistic underwriting approach assists clients with a range of financial circumstances achieve an agreement with highly competitive monthly payments using a risk-based pricing model. Through its partnership with Supercar Driver, JBR Capital immerses itself in the high-performance automotive community, attending key events throughout the year as one way of staying in touch with its customers.

Bespoke solutions

Darren Selig, Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at JBR Capital, said: "We are thrilled to begin 2022 with a record-setting four-month period for the business. Demand for high-end cars continues to be strong and JBR Capital is devoted to providing its clients with truly bespoke financial solutions to enable them to enjoy their automotive passions. We are proud to welcome new fellow automotive enthusiasts to our business each day.

Nayan V Kisnadwala, Chief Executive Officer, said: JBR Capital provides an unrivalled level of expertise and knowledge of the high-end car market. We are continuing to grow our expert team to ensure that we meet demand, provide the personalised service we are renowned for, and capitalise on an exciting year ahead of highly anticipated new model releases. All the while, we are leading the sector with our ground-breaking carbon offsetting programme, enabling clients to fund their passions in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way.-- TradeArabia News Service
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LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico's governor on Tuesday asked President Joe Biden to declare a disaster as firefighters scrambled to clear brush, build fire lines and spray water to keep the largest blaze burning in the U.S. from destroying more homes in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

During a briefing on the fire burning across the state's northeast, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a request for a presidential disaster declaration that will be sent to the White House in hopes of freeing up financial assistance for recovery efforts. She said it was important that the declaration be made on the front end rather than waiting until the fire is out.

Im unwilling to wait, said Lujan Grisham, a first-term Democrat who is running for reelection. I have families who dont know what the next day looks like, I have families who are trying to navigate their children and health care resources, figure out their livelihoods and theyre in every single little community and it must feel to them like they are out there on their own.

In the small northeastern New Mexico city of Las Vegas, residents were already voicing concerns about grocery stores being closed as some people chose to leave ahead of the flames even though evacuations had not been ordered.

Fire managers told an evening briefing at the local community college that the spread slowed a bit on Tuesday, and put the amount of newly charred land up slightly, to about 231 square miles (598 square kilometers) of mountainsides, towering ponderosa pines and meadows.

Officials have reported about 170 homes destroyed, about 15,500 homes under mandatory evacuation and said the states psychiatric hospital in Las Vegas remained evacuated. Schools in the community canceled classes at least through Wednesday.

Dan Pearson, a U.S. Forest Service fire behavior analyst, called Tuesday a brief reprieve from the extreme conditions we have been experiencing," but warned that winds are expected to increase and shift on Wednesday, pushing fire and smoke toward Las Vegas.

Tomorrow, we're back to red-flag criteria, Pearson said, adding that forecasts called for better firefighting conditions on Thursday and Friday before winds increase and gusts whip to 50 mph (80 kph) or more during the weekend.

A battery of fire engines and their crews were busy Tuesday working to protect homes and other structures on the edge of Las Vegas while bulldozers cleared more fire lines on the outskirts. Air tanker and helicopter pilots took advantage of a break in the thick smoke and falling ash to drop fire retardant and water.

New Mexico was in the bull's eye for the nation's latest wave of hot, dry and windy weather. Forecasters also issued warnings for parts of Arizona and Colorado, and authorities in Texas urged people there to be careful after crews in that state had to respond to several new fires Monday.

Authorities in northeastern New Mexico said the flames were a couple of miles from Las Vegas, which serves as an economic hub for most of northeastern New Mexico and the ranching and farming families who have called the rural region home for generations. It's home to the United World College and New Mexico Highlands University.

The governor said during her briefing that the number of homes destroyed would likely go much higher given the ground that the fire has covered and the villages that it moved through over the past week.

San Miguel County officials said Tuesday they have been unable to get back into burned areas to continue assessments since conditions were too dangerous.

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. Fire officials also have said that many forested areas have become overgrown and unhealthy and that the buildup of vegetation can worsen wildfire conditions.

Nationally, the National Interagency Fire Center reported Tuesday that a dozen uncontained large fires have burned about 400 square miles (1,000 square kilometers) in five states, including New Mexico. Nearly 3,500 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to fires burning across the country.

On the northern flank of the big New Mexico fire, crews were trying to keep the flames from reaching the town of Mora as the winds shifted. Bulldozed fire lines were holding, but state officials urged those residents who have refused to leave the area to reconsider, saying it's a dangerous situation.

Northeast of Las Vegas, on the other side of an interstate, is the Zamora Ranch. Owner Kenny Zamora has opened up his corrals and stables for livestock refugees, including 160 cattle, 50 horses, 70 sheep, 10 goats and a couple of pigs.

Jose Griego and wife Casey Taylor brought 10 horses and a small donkey to the ranch. Each has its own story: One was a wedding gift to the couple. Another is Griegos go-to horse for rounding up cattle.

Everything thats breathing is out, and thats what matters, said Taylor, who teaches science in a nearby community.

State livestock inspectors said green flags are flying at the entrances of ranches where livestock are left behind during evacuations so that responders know later.

The fire merged last week with another blaze that was sparked in early April when a prescribed fire set by land managers escaped containment. The cause of the other fire remains under investigation.

Lujan Grisham said Tuesday that the federal government bears some responsibility.

Another New Mexico wildfire burning through forested areas to the northeast has forced the evacuations of about 800 homes while charring 92 square miles (238 square kilometers).

A separate fire burning in the mountains near Los Alamos National Laboratory prompted the evacuation of about 200 homes. It has charred more than 39 square miles (101 square kilometers) and destroyed at least three homes.

___

Associated Press writers Paul Davenport in Phoenix and Ken Ritter in Las Vegas, Nevada, contributed to this report. Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.
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.

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.
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.
Interconsult Bulgaria Ltd (ICB), a software developer and supplier of process modelling, software architecture design, quality assurance and 3D modelling and design, has been acquired by Kongsberg Digital (KDI).

KDI is experiencing significant commercial traction across its three digital divisions Digital Energy, Digital Wells, and Digital Ocean. To support the roll-out of its leading digital positions in Energy and Maritime and to support the growth into Renewables, KDI is ramping-up the development capacity.

The acquisition agreements were signed April 26, 2022. The full acquisition is completed after 2 years, with KDI effectively acquiring 65% of the company now.

ICB will serve as KDIs European development hub for software development to attract and develop key talent to deliver into existing projects and support KDIs vision to accelerate the green shift by digitalising the worlds industries.

Skilled developers

ICB has proven solid delivery and highly skilled developers through the long-lasting relationship with Kongsberg Group starting already in 2004 supporting on a range of products.

ICB has delivered high value into a wide range of products for KDI, and they are an important and trusted partner. Their ability to solve problems and deliver efficiently with high quality will be crucial going forward. ICB has also shown that they can attract and retail real talent in a highly competitive market, which is key to establishing ICB as a European location for growth. Bringing ICB onboard as a KDI company will strengthen our team and support our journey ahead, says Hege Skryseth, President Kongsberg Digital.

Kongsberg Digital has been an important partner for ICB through many years and represents the natural way forward for our company. This will bring opportunities to continue innovation and together we will strengthen our product development for the future, says Stoyan B. Boev, CEO of ICB.

Skilled personnel

ICB offers highly innovative and skilled personnel complementary to KDI, with focus on IoT, visualisation, AI and machine learning within the maritime and energy domain. ICB is also considered a good platform for future recruitments and ramp-up, with high standard office premises, a people-first culture. Bulgaria is considered attractive as it is close-to-home and offers access to highly talented people with a high ranking on Software Engineering Statistics.

Through the acquisition of ICB, KDI expands and strengthens its long-lasting partnership going back to 2004 for developing Kongsberg Digital SaaS products. ICB represents developers and technologists with deep software knowledge and extensive experience in industrial business domains.

The company is technology and developer-driven, with a curious and dedicated mindset. The expertise in the latest technologies such as AI/ML, industrial IoT, Cloud, and VR/AR is a perfect fit with the Kongsberg Digital software culture.

Expand and develop

The acquisition enables KDI to expand and develop its Kongsberg Digital SaaS products such as the Kognitwin Energy digital twin product, the SiteCom drilling solutions, the maritime simulators, and the Vessel Insight ecosystem.

ICBs head quarter is located in Sofia, Bulgaria, with smaller offices in Plovdiv, Kyustendil and Blagoevgrad mainly to broaden recruitment footprint and increase attractiveness as an employer.

ICB consists of about 150 employees serving mainly Scandinavian customers and will be a great extension to the growing KDI team now consisting of more than 760 employees globally. The company was founded in 1996 and owned by founder and CEO Stoyan B. Boevand Technical Director Atanas Golev.-- TradeArabia News Service
Two men have appeared in court charged in connection to a violent street brawl in Longford town on Sunday evening which left a man with head injuries.

Ben Curry (21), St Marthas Hostel, Knocknahaw, Dublin Road, Longford and David Nevin (18), 8 Camlin Meadows, Farneyhoogan, Longford were both brought before a sitting of Longford District Court today following an incident less than 48 hours earlier.

Mr Nevin was charged with assaulting two men at Tesco Car Park, Longford Shopping Centre.

He was further charged with producing a clawhammer during the course of an alleged assault.

Mr Curry, meanwhile, was charged with the possession of a knife at Five Star Pizza Shop, Main Street, Longford contrary to Section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.

Both men were arrested and detained at Longford garda station after gardai were alerted to reports of an unruly incident in the centre of town shortly before 8pm.

Mr Nevin, who was accompanied by his mother, stood with his hands clasped behind his back in the custody suite of the court as Garda Anthony Scanlon gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He said both men made no reply when details of the charges were relayed to them before 11pm last night.

Garda Scanlon told the court the incident both men had been charged with began in the car park of the county towns shopping centre before spilling out onto its main street moments later.

He said gardai had no objection to bail being granted to Mr Curry subject to certain conditions being imposed.

They included orders that the accused observe a 10pm to 8am curfew, to sign at Longford garda station three times a week, refrain from entering Longford Shopping Centre while also providing a mobile phone number to gardai and remaining contactable at all times.

Defence solicitor for Mr Nevin, Frank Gearty said his client would be consenting to a short remand in custody after Judge Bernadette Owens was informed gardai would be objecting to bail being granted to the teenager.

He also revealed Mr Nevin was an individual who suffered from ADHD and asked the court to ensure his client be medically examined while in custody.

Judge Owens said, in those circumstances, she would be granting a psychiatric report to be carried out on Mr Nevin.

Legal aid was also granted to both men with Mr Nevin due to reappear next Tuesday (May 10) while Mr Curry is set to return before Longford District Court on July 5.
(Alliance News) - Avation PLC on Tuesday said it has pressed for a prompt payment of the settlement agreed with the administrators of collapsed airline Virgin Australia.

The Singapore-based passenger aircraft leasing company is still awaiting the receipt of its share of AUD101.4 million, around GBP57.5 million, of funds from the creditors' trust, which was acting as the administrator of Virgin Australia and associated entities.

The claims came from a group of nine lessors, including Avation, and concerned the administrator's rental payment obligations, and costs associated with returning aircraft to airworthiness, "potentially as priority claims".

The litigation now is concluded, with no adjustments to the claims and no priority claim allowed, Avation said.

"Avation has a view that there should be no further time delay by the trustees and they should now pay out the claims proportionately," it said.

Shares in Avation were down 3.7% to 76.60 pence each in London on Tuesday shortly after midday.

By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Sharecast News) - Aquaculture biotechnology company Benchmark has been granted a variation to its marketing authorisation for 'Ectosan Vet' from the Norwegian Medicines Agency, it announced on Tuesday.

The AIM-traded firm said the variation would enable the re-use of the treatment water for a second batch of fish, subject to water quality being maintained "to the satisfaction of the prescribing veterinarian", increasing the efficiency of treatments.

It said that would allow a producer to treat a salmon farm more efficiently and drive sustainability in the industry.

The company said the variation to the marketing authorisation represented a "further important step" towards its goal of optimising the efficiency of its sea lice solution, and further trials were ongoing to support multiple re-use of treatment water.

"We are very pleased to have been granted a variation to the marketing authorisation from the Norwegian Medicines Agency," said chief executive officer Trond Williksen.

"This represents an important milestone for the Company and for the industry."

Trond Williksen said Ectosan Vet and 'CleanTreat' were "much-needed" solutions for the industry.

"It is the first medicinal solution brought to the Norwegian market in over 10 years, which addresses one of the biggest challenges in salmon production, while improving animal welfare, reducing mortality and protecting the environment."

At 0900 BST, shares in Benchmark Holdings were up 3.19% at 46.44p.
Orosur Mining Inc - Toronto-based mineral exploration and development company focused on South America - Announces the results from its first reconnaissance geochemical soil sampling programme at the La Esfinge prospect in Argentina. Returns "highly anomalous" results in gold and several other pathfinder elements.

Gold anomalism in soil samples have returned results in excess of 100 parts per billion gold across the western half of the La Esfinge target, with highly significant anomalies from other elements such as arsenic, silver, bismuth, indium and copper.

Says these results are "highly encouraging" from a first pass programme. As a result, the company's geological teams have returned to El Pantano to carry out a short in-fill programme to better define the scale and nature of the key anomalies before winter.

Current stock price: 11.70 pence, down 0.4% in London

12-month change: down 28%

By Heather Rydings; heatherrydings@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Indivior PLC on Tuesday said it has commenced a share buyback programme for up to USD100 million, signing a non-discretionary agreement with Stifel Nicolaus Europe Ltd in relation to the programme.

The maximum number of share that can be repurchased under the programme is 39.7 million shares, and will be cancelled once bought back as the purpose of the programme is to reduce the Richmond, Virginia-based pharmaceutical company's share capital.

The drugmaker had first announced its intent to repurchase up to USD100 million in shares alongside its results on Thursday last week, as well as its intent of a possible listing of Indivior shares in the US.

Shares in Indivior were down 2.8% at 304.55 pence on Tuesday in London.

By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Sharecast News) - East Europe-focused budget airline Wizz Air reported a 542% annual rise in April passenger traffic and said it had added new routes from Cardiff and Luton in the UK.

The carrier flew more than 3.6 million passenger last month against 564,634 in April 2021, with a load factor of 83.4% compared with 59.2% a year earlier.

Wizz said it had expanded its network by starting services from Wales and acquiring two daily slot pairs from Spanish rival Vueling at Luton, adding 167,000 seats.

New routes were also announced across its network from Italy, Romania, Poland, Lithuania and Bosnia and Hercegovina to destinations including Greece, Germany, Denmark and Croatia.
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.
Travis McGivern, security for Johnny Depp, is seen on a monitor as he testifies remotely in the courtroom

Travis McGivern, security for Johnny Depp, is seen on a monitor as he testifies remotely in the courtroom AP

Travis McGivern,Johnny Depp's security guard, testified in the former couple's defamation trial about the actor's surprise when Amber Heard punched him in the face during a fight.

McGivern, who appeared in court via video link from Los Angeles on Monday, said the fight occurred on March 23, 2015. During an argument, Amber Heard left and returned with her sister Whitney. Depp's bodyguard testified that it was time to get him out of the situation.

He claimed he "heard and saw a closed fist contact Mr Depp in the left side of his face," claiming it was Heard's fist. The guard described Depp's initial expression as "shock," adding that he moved him and informed him that they were leaving.

"It wasn't up to him anymore," he said, adding that it was "my time to do my job".

He claimed Johnny Depp was upset with him and pulled down his glasses, pointing to the left side of his face and saying, "That's your fault." McGivern agreed, adding that Johnny Depp's face had "a nice little shiner" on it. It wasn't "yet" black and blue, but it was "swollen and red," he said.

McGivern's relationship with Johnny Depp and Amber Heard

McGivern met Amber Heard for the first time in the summer of 2013. In March of that year, he began working for Johnny Depp.

The relationship became more "volatile" over time, according to the guard. When the couple returned from their trip to Australia in March 2015, he noticed a difference, he said, which was heavily discussed during the trial.

McGivern predicted that fights would occur "every other night... several times a week." He said he'd get a text from Depp inviting him to the penthouse and that he'd wait outside the door or in the kitchen.

He claimed that the fights were "just verbal... yelling" at the time, and that Depp just wanted to "get out of there."

There was "a lot of name-calling" and "f-bombs," according to the guard. McGivern responded with a "oh dear" when asked what Heard would say. "F****** deadbeat dad," he said. "F****** washed up" and "f****** c***".

"You name it, she spewed it," he added. Mr McGivern said Ms Heard sometimes grew irate at him for removing Mr Depp from "a situation", calling him a "yes man" and demeaning his "career choice".
Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican celebration known as the Battle of Puebla, a holiday that in the United States has been adopted by Mexicans living there and by some Americans. Many think it is Mexico's Independence Day, but nothing could be further from the truth.

On May 5, 1862 (52 years after the war of independence, September 16, 1810) French troops invaded Mexico, that day the French attacked the City of Puebla, 6000 French soldiers confronted 2000 Mexican soldiers.

The French were led by General Charles de Lorencez, the Mexican army by General Ignacio Zaragoza. The battle took place in the forts of Loreto and Guadalupe, the Mexicans were less and lost the battle, the Zacapoaxtlas Indians arrived to the place and it was when the tricolor army won the battle. General Zaragoza's message to the President of Mexico, Benito Juarez was: "The national arms have covered themselves with glory".

It is an important date in the United States

In 1860 there was a migration of Mexicans to Southern California, many of them joined the American Civil War and took as inspiration the battle of May 5th. When the Civil War ended, Mexicans began to celebrate the date with dances, carnivals, parades and bullfighting.

It was not until the early 1980s that 5 de Mayo began to be commercialized and grew with people of Mexican blood. Companies that sell alcohol were the main ones to take advantage of the festivity. Cinco de Mayo is one of the five dates in the United States where most alcohol is consumed. The parties feature mariachis, charro hats, tequila, margaritas, beer and dancing.

In Mexico it is not celebrated

Contrary to what one might think, in Mexico Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated, it is not an official day in the calendar and is only remembered in school ceremonies. The president in office gives a message in the morning and everything goes on as a normal day.

In Puebla, where the battle took place, it is an official day of rest. There are parades, parties and lots of food. Mole, enchiladas and chicken are sold; there is mariachi music and a reenactment of the battle against the French.
From 26 to 27 April 2022, the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) team held a follow-up mission in Lima, Peru, aiming to monitor the progress achieved by the Customs Administration of Peru (SUNAT, for its Spanish acronym), after 3 years of the Programmes implementation.

Through a series of meetings with SUNATs top management, the SECO Country Office in Peru and other important stakeholders, including the National Committee on Trade Facilitation, this mission provided the GTFP the opportunity not only to verify the countrys progress on trade facilitation and organizational development, but also to review the scheduled activities for the years 2022 and 2023.

SUNAT has achieved important progress, most specifically in enhancing its risk management system and procedures, allowing the Customs Administration to best allocate its resources and considerably reducing its clearance processing times.

For the remaining 2 years of assistance, in addition to enhancing coordinated border management, the GTFP will be working intensely with SUNAT to continue supporting their digitalization process and the countrys priorities.

For further review, a Mercator follow-up mission is being planned to assess their progress with regards to Perus compliance with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

For more information on the GTFP, please, contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
From 25 to 28 April 2022 the WCO COVID-19 Project, financially supported by the Government of Japan, held a four-day capacity-building workshop to support the Dominican Republic Customs in facilitating the clearance of international humanitarian aid in the event of natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks. The initiative, organized in cooperation with the Importation and Customs Clearance Together group (IMPACCT), was particularly helpful in paving the way for the implementation of an Action plan to efficiently respond to disruptive situations and to improve existing protocols and simplified procedures for the processing of relief consignments.

The workshop brought together more than 100 participants representing Customs, disaster management and border authorities, competent ministries, international organizations and humanitarian partners. They discussed the challenges encountered in the clearance of relief consignments and analyzed and reviewed the legal framework and protocols in force in the light of the latest WCO and international tools and instruments.

During the opening ceremony, the Director-General of the Dominican Republic Customs, Mr. Eduardo Sanz Lovaton, thanked the WCO for the support provided with this activity and underlined the commitment of the Administration in fostering synergies with the stakeholders involved in the humanitarian supply chain. The United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Dominican Republic, Mr. Mauricio Ramirez, underlined the importance of aligning the national legislation to international conventions for effective relief assistance. On behalf of the WCO Secretariat, the Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Ricardo Trevino Chapa, commended the country for the efforts carried out to improve the efficiency of emergency operations and encouraged the national Administration to reach out to the Secretariat for additional assistance.

High-level experts and WCO staff supported the meeting in identifying challenges and potential solutions to expedite the clearance of humanitarian aid. Customs will be able to rely on and make use of the most appropriate tools to streamline their procedures for humanitarian aid and stakeholders involved in relief operations will be able to provide border authorities with the correct shipping documents and deliver items that match the needs and legislative requirements of the Dominican Republic, thus avoiding supply disruptions and delays.

The work produced will be further analyzed during specific meetings with the WCO and international experts and a simulation exercise may be organized to practically test existing procedures and protocols.
The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Harriet Tubman was barely 5 feet tall and didnt have a dime to her name.

What she did have was a deep faith and powerful passion for justice that was fueled by a network of Black and white abolitionists determined to end slavery in America.

"I had reasoned this out in my mind," Tubman once told an interviewer. "There was one of two things I had a right to, liberty, or death. If I could not have one, I would have the other; for no man should take me alive."

Though Tubman is most famous for her successes along the Underground Railroad, her activities as a Civil War spy are less well known.

As a biographer of Tubman, I think this is a shame. Her devotion to America and its promise of freedom endured despite suffering decades of enslavement and second class citizenship.

It is only in modern times that her life is receiving the renown it deserves, most notably her likeness appearing on a US$20 bill in 2030. The Harriet Tubman $20 bill will replace the current one featuring a portrait of U.S. President Andrew Jackson.

In another recognition, Tubman was accepted in June 2021 to the United States Army Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. She is one of 278 members, 17 of whom are women, honored for their special operations leadership and intelligence work.

Though traditional accolades escaped Tubman for most of her life, she did achieve an honor usually reserved for white officers on the Civil War battlefield.

After she led a successful raid of a Confederate outpost in South Carolina that saw 750 Black people rescued from slavery, a white commanding officer fetched a pitcher of water for Tubman as she remained seated at a table.

A different education

Believed to have been born in March 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, Tubman was named Araminta by her enslaved parents, Rit and Ben Ross.

"Minty" was the fifth of nine Ross children. She was frequently separated from her family by her white enslaver, Edward Brodess, who started leasing her to white neighbors when she was just 6 years old.

At their hands, she endured physical abuse, harsh labor, poor nutrition and intense loneliness.

As I learned during my research into Tubmans life, her education did not happen in a traditional classroom, but instead was crafted from the dirt. She learned to read the natural world  forests and fields, rivers and marshes, the clouds and stars.

She learned to walk silently across fields and through the woods at night with no lights to guide her. She foraged for food and learned a botanists and chemists knowledge of edible and poisonous plants  and those most useful for ingredients in medical treatments.

She could not swim, and that forced her to learn the ways of rivers and streams  their depths, currents and traps.

She studied people, learned their habits, watched their movements  all without being noticed. Most important, she also figured out how to distinguish character. Her survival depended on her ability to remember every detail.

After a brain injury left her with recurring seizures, she was still able to work at jobs often reserved for men. She toiled on the shipping docks and learned the secret communication and transportation networks of Black mariners.

Known as Black Jacks, these men traveled throughout the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic seaboard. With them, she studied the night sky and the placement and movement of the constellations.

She used all those skills to navigate on the water and land.

" and I prayed to God," she told one friend, "to make me strong and able to fight, and thats what Ive always prayed for ever since."

Tubman was clear on her mission. "I should fight for my liberty," she told an admirer, "as long as my strength lasted."

The Moses of the Underground Railroad

In the fall of 1849, when she was about to be sold away from her family and free husband John Tubman, she fled Maryland to freedom in Philadelphia.

Between 1850 and 1860, she returned to the Eastern Shore of Maryland about 13 times and successfully rescued nearly 70 friends and family members, all of whom were enslaved. It was an extraordinary feat given the perils of the 1850 Slave Fugitive Act, which enabled anyone to capture and return any Black man or woman, regardless of legal status, to slavery.

Those leadership qualities and survival skills earned her the nickname "Moses" because of her work on the Underground Railroad, the interracial network of abolitionists who enabled Black people to escape from slavery in the South to freedom in the North and Canada.

As a result, she attracted influential abolitionists and politicians who were struck by her courage and resolve  men like William Lloyd Garrison, John Brown and Frederick Douglass. Susan B. Anthony, one of the worlds leading activists for womens equal rights, also knew of Tubman, as did abolitionist Lucretia Mott and womens rights activist Amy Post.

"I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years," Tubman once said. "and I can say what most conductors cant say; I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger."

Battlefield soldier

When the Civil War started in the spring of 1861, Tubman put aside her fight against slavery to conduct combat as a soldier and spy for the United States Army. She offered her services to a powerful politician.

Known for his campaign to form the all-Black 54th and 55th regiments, Massachusetts Gov. John Andrew admired Tubman and thought she would be a great intelligence asset for the Union forces.

He arranged for her to go to Beaufort, South Carolina, to work with Army officers in charge of the recently captured Hilton Head District.

There, she provided nursing care to soldiers and hundreds of newly liberated people who crowded Union camps. Tubmans skill curing soldiers stricken by a variety of diseases became legendary.

But it was her military service of spying and scouting behind Confederate lines that earned her the highest praise.

She recruited eight men and together they skillfully infiltrated enemy territory. Tubman made contact with local enslaved people who secretly shared their knowledge of Confederate movements and plans.

Wary of white Union soldiers, many local African Americans trusted and respected Tubman.

According to George Garrison, a second lieutenant with the 55th Massachusetts Regiment, Tubman secured "more intelligence from them than anybody else."

In early June 1863, she became the first woman in U.S. history to command an armed military raid when she guided Col. James Montgomery and his 2nd South Carolina Colored Volunteers Regiment along the Combahee River.

While there, they routed Confederate outposts, destroyed stores of cotton, food and weapons  and liberated over 750 enslaved people.

The Union victory was widely celebrated. Newspapers from Boston to Wisconsin reported on the river assault by Montgomery and his Black regiment, noting Tubmans important role as the "Black she Moses  who led the raid, and under whose inspiration it was originated and conducted."

Ten days after the successful attack, radical abolitionist and soldier Francis Jackson Merriam witnessed Maj. Gen. David Hunter, commander of the Hilton Head district, "go and fetch a pitcher of water and stand waiting with it in his hand while a black woman drank, as if he had been one of his own servants."

In that letter to Gov. Andrew, Merriam added, "that woman was Harriet Tubman."

Lifelong struggle

Despite earning commendations as a valuable scout and soldier, Tubman still faced the racism and sexism of America after the Civil War.

When she sought payment for her service as a spy, the U.S. Congress denied her claim. It paid the eight Black male scouts, but not her.

Unlike the Union officers who knew her, the congressmen did not believe  they could not imagine  that she had served her country like the men under her command, because she was a woman.

Gen. Rufus Saxton wrote that he bore "witness to the value of her services She was employed in the Hospitals and as a spy [and] made many a raid inside the enemys lines displaying remarkable courage, zeal and fidelity."

Thirty years later, in 1899, Congress awarded her a pension for her service as a Civil War nurse, but not as a soldier spy.

When she died from pneumonia on March 10, 1913, she was believed to have been 91 years old and had been fighting for gender equality and the right to vote as a free Black woman for more than 50 years after her work during the Civil War.

Surrounded by friends and family, the deeply religious Tubman showed one last sign of leadership, telling them: "I go to prepare a place for you."

Kate Clifford Larson, Visiting Scholar Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University
OFFRE DEMPLOI N 001/SB-RDC/KIN/2022

TITRE DU POSTE Data Scientist DEPARTEMENT Data & Analytics LIEU DAFFECTATION Kinshasa TYPE DE CONTRAT CDI assorti dune periode dessai de 6 mois

A PROPOS DE STANDARD BANK

Standard Bank RDC fait partie du plus grand groupe bancaire de lAfrique en termes de capitalisation boursiere dont le siege se situe a Johannesburg. Presente dans 38 pays dont 18 en Afrique, cest depuis 1992 quelle opere au Congo a la suite de lacquisition dANZ Grindlays Zaire qui existait dans le pays depuis 1973.

Standard Bank RDC offre une gamme variee de produits et services par le truchement de ses diverses branches a travers la RDC via un reseau des intermediaires (banques correspondantes). Nous avons developpe une expertise dans la prestation des services lies aux besoins des entreprises minieres, multinationales, Nations-Unies et autres organisations internationales operant en Republique Democratique du Congo.

Nos equipes allient leur connaissance approfondie sur les conditions et determinants du marche en RDC a lexpertise du Groupe Standard Bank operant dans les marches emergeants aux fins de developpement des solutions sur mesure repondant aux besoins de la clientele.

I. JOB DESCRIPTION

Links to structures

Job function* Data & Analytics Job Cluster Data Monetisation Job reports to* Head, Data & Analytics

Contribution

Job purpose description* Assist in applying data mining techniques and conduct statistical

analysis to large, structured and unstructured data sets to understand and analyses phenomena. Model business problems, discovering insights and opportunities through statistical, algorithmic, machine learning and visualization techniques, working closely with clients, data and technology teams to turn data into critical information used to make sound business decisions.

Key responsibilities*

Output group 1* Client Outputs and measures* Supports business integration through integrating model outputs into end-point production systems, incorporating business requirements and knowledge of best practices. Output group 2* Data Outputs and measures* Assist the gathering of data for use in Data Science models, ensuring that chosen datasets best reflect the organizations goals. Performs data pre-processing including data manipulation, transformation, normalization, standardization, visualization and derivation of new variables/features. Utilizes advanced data analytics and mining techniques to analyses data, assessing data validity and usability; reviews data results to ensure accuracy; and communicates results and insights to stakeholders.

Assists various mathematical, statistical, and simulation techniques to typically large and unstructured data sets in order to answer critical business questions and create predictive solutions which drive improvement in business outcomes. Assists analytics and insights across the organization by developing advanced statistical models and computational algorithms based on business initiatives.

Codes, tests and maintains scientific models and algorithms and identifies trends, patterns, and discrepancies in data and determines additional data needed to support insight. Processes, cleanses, and verifies the integrity of data used for analysis.

Use data profiling and visualization techniques using tools to understand and explain data characteristics that will inform modelling approaches. Communicate data information to business with respective stakeholders, presenting trends, correlations and patterns found in complicated datasets in a manner that clearly and concisely conveys meaningful insights and defend recommendations under the supervision of data scientists.

Utilizes the appropriate data storage and data mining tools to ensure value can be extracted from the sourced data. Mines data using state-of-the-art methods and enhances data collection procedures to include information that is relevant for building models. Output group 3* People Outputs and measures* Liaise and collaborate with the Data Science Guild providing support to stakeholders in the department for its data centric needs. Collaborate with subject matter experts to select the relevant sources of information and translates the business requirements into data mining/science outcomes. Presents findings and observations to team for development of recommendations. Output group 4* Product Outputs and measures* Supports various mathematical, statistical, and simulation techniques to answer business questions within specific areas of focus. Develops modelling solutions that enable the forecast of quality data outcomes. Ensures that volumetric predictions are modelled so that resource requirements are optimally considered. Supporting reporting production ensuring sustainable and effective modelling solutions.

Supports and implements operational IA plan, rules, methodologies and coding initiatives in order to ensure IA for remediation efforts. Support and implements the strategy for productionalising automation software so that it is accurate and well maintained. Output group 5* Technology & Architecture Outputs and measures* Supports various mathematical, statistical, and simulation techniques to answer business questions within specific areas of focus. Develops modelling solutions that enable the forecast of quality data outcomes. Ensures that volumetric predictions are modelled so that resource requirements are optimally considered. Supporting reporting production ensuring sustainable and effective modelling solutions.

Assists in building machine learning models from and utilizes distributed data processing and analysis methodologies. Competent in Machine Learning programming in R or Python, with supplementary still in Matlab, Java, etc. Familiar with the Hadoop distributed computational platform, including broader ecosystem of tools such as HDFS / Spark / Kafka.

II. REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

Minimum qualification 1* Type of qualification: First Degree

Field of study: Information Studies Minimum qualification 2 Type of qualification: First Degree

Field of study: IT and Computer Sciences

Other Minimum Qualifications, certifications or professional memberships

Proficiency in application and web development. Structured and Unstructured Query languages e.g. SQL, Qlikview; Tableau, Python, C#, Java, C++, HTML

Preferred qualification 1* Type of qualification: Post Graduate Diploma

Field of study: Information Studies Preferred qualification 2 Type of qualification: Post Graduate Diploma

Field of study: IT and Computer Sciences

Other Preferred Qualifications, certifications or professional memberships

Completion of online coursework in Data Science through Udemy, Coursera, Udacity, etc.

Experience

Job Function Job Cluster Years Experience Description Technology Technology Business Partnering 3-4 years Proven development experience in software and software engineering. Understanding of financial services data processes, systems, and products.

Experience in technical business intelligence.

Knowledge of IT infrastructure and data principles.

Project management experience.

Experience in building models (credit scoring, propensity models, churns, etc.) Data & Analytics Data Monetization 3-4 years Experience in working with unstructured data (e.g. Streams, images)

Understanding of data flows, data architecture, ETL and processing of structured and unstructured data.

Using data mining to discover new patterns from large datasets.

Implement standard and proprietary algorithms for handling and processing data.

Experience with common data science toolkits, such as SAS, R, SPSS, etc.

Experience with data visualization tools, such as Power BI, Tableau, etc.

Total number of years experience: 3 years

Behavioural Competencies

Behavioural competency 1* Competency Label: Adopting Practical Approaches

Competency Description: Adopting practical solutions with an emphasis on learning by doing. This competency requires individuals to utilize common sense when required. Ultimately, this competency is important in order to ensure that organizations implement feasible solutions. Behavioural competency 2 Competency Label: Articulating Information

Competency Description: This competency is about effectively expressing ideas and concerns, giving presentations, explaining things to others as well as showing confidence in the interaction with other people, both strangers and acquaintances alike. Behavioural competency 3 Competency Label: Challenging Ideas

Competency Description: This competency is about an individual facilitating or catalyzing change in an organization. Challenging Ideas emphasizes individual behaviors associated with questioning assumptions, challenging established views and arguing personal perspectives. Behavioural competency 4 Competency Label: Checking Details

Competency Description: This competency is concerned with the careful checking and confirmation of details in a task. Another behaviour associated with the Checking Details competency is being accurate. Being accurate requires individuals to have a strong quality orientation as well as to be thorough and detailed in their approach when completing tasks in order to avoid making mistakes. Behavioural competency 5 Competency Label: Examining Information

Competency Description: This competency serves to aid effective problem solving and requires being effective at probing and analyzing situations efficiently and accurately. This competency is important because without sufficient analysis, effective solutions become less probable. In addition, poor analysis makes it more likely that individuals become confused and anxious, bored, error prone or overwhelmed by detail, which also impacts negatively on successful problem solving. Behavioural competency 6 Competency Label: Exploring Possibilities

Competency Description: Exploring possibilities is about individuals being effective at displaying behaviors associated with different situations or problems. Individuals are required to look at a problem and define it in an abstract manner. Unpacking a problem in terms of its underlying principles and basing the problem on sound theory typically allows for deeper insight into the true nature of the problem. This makes the nature of the problem more complete, more meaningful and therefore longer-term sustainable solutions more likely. Behavioural competency 7 Competency Label: Interacting with People

Competency Description: This competency is about fostering relationships that benefit the organization as well as an individual effectiveness and efficiency. More specifically, it includes personal networking behaviors, making contact with others and strengthening relationships. Behavioural competency 8 Competency Label: Interpreting Data

Competency Description: This competency is about interpreting data accurately with an emphasis on the processing and interpretation of numbers. This competency also includes the utilization of technology. Behavioural competency 9 Competency Label: Meeting Timescales

Competency Description: This competency involves individuals adhering to time scales and meeting deadlines. The focus is therefore on being reliable at completing tasks and being punctual. Behavioural competency 10 Competency Label: Producing Outputs

Competency Description: This competency is about ensuring that tasks are completed within the given timeframe. Behaviors that are emphasized in this competency include working at a fast pace, maintaining productivity and multi-tasking. Behavioural competency 11 Competency Label: Providing Insights

Competency Description: This dimension is about providing insight with regards to aspects that are likely to have an impact on the organization. It is about making it clear to others what the implications of internal and external organizational environmental factors and processes are on the competitive position of the organization. Providing Insights should be done with a focus on improving the situation. Behavioural competency 12 Competency Label: Team Working

Competency Description: This competency is about working well in a team. In order to develop this competency, individuals are encouraged to acknowledge the views and contributions of others, and to involve others indecision-making.

Technical Competencies

Technical competency 1* Competency Label: Data Analysis

Competency Description: Ability to analyses statistics and other data, interpret and evaluate results, and create reports and presentations for use by others.

Proficiency Level: SEASONED - Applies concepts without requiring supervision, able to provide technical guidance when required Technical competency 2 Competency Label: Data Integrity

Competency Description: The ability to ensure the accuracy and consistency of data for the duration that the data is stored as well as preventing unintentional alterations or loss of data.

Proficiency Level: SEASONED - Applies concepts without requiring supervision, able to provide technical guidance when required Technical competency 3 Competency Label: Database Administration

Competency Description: Refers to the knowledge and experience required to manage the installation, configuration, upgrade, administration, monitoring and maintenance of physical databases.

Proficiency Level: SEASONED - Applies concepts without requiring supervision, able to provide technical guidance when required Technical competency 4 Competency Label: Diagramming & Modeling

Competency Description: Measures proficiency in using the diagramming and modelling techniques vital for requirements

analyses.

Proficiency Level: SEASONED - Applies concepts without requiring supervision, able to provide technical guidance when required Technical competency 5 Competency Label: Knowledge Classification

Competency Description: The ability to apply metadata to information to make it easy for other people to find.

Proficiency Level: SEASONED - Applies concepts without requiring supervision, able to provide technical guidance when required

Additional Job Dimensions

Typical number of direct reports for this job None Typical number of indirect reports for this job None Financial accountability* Type of Budget: No Budget Managed Internal relationships* Nature of Relationship: Provide a service to them

Description or examples: Provide Data science guidance, information services and ensure an effective data science capability, works closely with data analysts and data engineers to ensure an effective data management team. Collaborate with Technology and Project teams. External relationships* Role type of external contact: Vendors

Nature of relationship: Manage the relationship

Description or examples: Manage technical service delivery of technology vendors in the development, implementation, and customer service requirements for all data science requirements. Work environment* Physical Requirements: Open plan office

Working conditions:  Africa region travel may be required

 Domestic / local travel may be required

Regulatory Requirements: None

III. COMMENT POSTULER ?

Les personnes interessees sont priees dadresser leurs candidatures par e-mail a ladresse electronique info@standardbank.cd en reprenant lintitule du poste en objet de leur e-mail. Les dossiers comprendront uniquement une lettre de motivation ainsi quun Curriculum Vitae detaille a jour (en Francais et en Anglais) renseignant les numeros de telephone et adresses e-mails dau moins trois personnes de reference.

Seuls les candidats de nationalite congolaise remplissant les criteres susmentionnes seront consideres pour la suite du processus. Les candidatures feminines sont vivement encouragees.

La date de cloture pour la reception des candidatures est fixee au lundi 23 mai 2022 a 17h00.

La Direction des Ressources Humaines
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

Matthias Clauss

Irina Petrache

Indiana University

Thomas Eichholtz

Douglas W.P. Hay

/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,, PhD and, MD, and their colleagues atand 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 injury. 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 adults. 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, 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, 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.Allinaire unpublished data on file.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.Hoeper MM, et al. Review. A global view of pulmonary hypertension. The Lancet, Respir. Med., 2016; 4 (4): 306-322.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chiesi-acquires-pioneering-therapeutic-monoclonal-antibodies-portfolio-against-emap-ii-as-potential-treatment-for-pah-301536753.html



SOURCE Chiesi




ROGERS HEIGHTS  Arbor Day and Earth Day have come and gone but caring for the environment never ends and Big Rapids area scouts spent the weekend doing just that.

Members of Cub Scouts Pack 3114, Boy Scouts Troop 114 and Ventures Crew 2714, accompanied by members of the Ferris State University Trap Team and scout leaders, spent the weekend planting 1,600 trees of different varieties on several acres of privately owned land in Rogers Heights.

Property owner Mike Maile told the Pioneer the scouts would be camping out and planting trees as part of a habitat improvement program. He explained that he is part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture land and habitat management program, which involves replanting native trees and replenishing natural habitats.

Forester Rick Lucas and Jennifer Taylor with the Conservation District went to a scout meeting and showed them how to plant trees and talked to them about why they plant different trees and about habitat improvements, Maile said. They gave them a good education about why we do things to improve the woods.

I made a donation to the scouts to have them come out and plant trees on my property, he continued. I have a trout stream and five miles of hiking trails, so they will also be doing activities to work on merit badges.

Maile said the scouts covered about 6 acres of planting, with several different varieties of trees and plants.

There are three 3-acres areas that are dry and sandy, where they are planting certain varieties of trees, he said. The other three areas are swamp type areas. In the wet areas the USDA requires different plants, such as pussy willows and plants that produce berries for habitat maintenance.

Assistant troop leader Cody Thomas said that when they werent busy planting trees, the scouts would be participating in different activities to work toward merit badges.

The whole weekend we will be cooking all of our food, Thomas said during the weekend event. One of the opportunities we are giving them this weekend is to cook the meals for us, while working toward their cooking merit badge. Other activities will go toward earning their forestry badge. The younger scouts have to learn to identify 10 types of trees and some poisonous plants to work toward their scout rank and tenderfoot rank."

In addition, scouts had the opportunity to do some trout fishing. Thomas said they have several scouts who are really into trout fishing and gave up opening day of Michigan's statewide trout fishing season, which was Saturday.

We have at least five scouts that really into trout fishing and this is the first trout opening they have missed, just so they could be here with us for this project, he said.

Scout leaders said the campout was not intended as a replacement for the traditional White Pine Valley Recreation Area campouts and cooking events that scouts have traditionally participated in over the years.

This is not something we normally do, Thomas said. Mr. Maile donated to the scouts for us to come and plant these trees, and this was just an opportunity to do some other activities. He was kind enough to open the trout stream up to us.

Troop leader Mike Monahan said the scouts typically do at least one campout every month and often use property owned by the scout leaders, family members or friends.

We try not to do official campgrounds because the boys can get pretty noisy, he said. We like to try to keep it as rustic as possible.
MANISTEE COUNTY  A Cadillac woman who was being charged with the murder of a Wellston man and killing his dogs was found not guilty by reason of insanity on Thursday.

Angelee Ross, 42, appeared for an evidentiary hearing in Manistee Countys 19th Circuit Court on April 27-28; a list of witnesses gave testimony including first responders and forensic psychologists.

Manistee County Prosecutor Jason Haag explained in an email that Michigan law and the court rules allow a defendant to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

It must be first be shown that a defendant committed the offenses charged and then that the person was legally insane at the time they committed the offense. In this case, there was witness testimony  including expert testimony  over the course of last Wednesday and Thursday, Haag said. At the end of the hearing, the court found that the defendant had committed the offenses charged and also that she was legally insane (NGRI) at the time that she committed them.

Haag said that since one of the charges was open murder, the court was also required to determine the degree of the charge.

In this instance, the court found that she had committed first degree murder, Haag said.

Ross charges stem from a March 16-17, 2021 incident when Ross killed 56-year-old William Joseph Johnson and his two dogs, on Aspen Road in Wellston, according to a previous news release from the Michigan State Police.

The release states that Johnson sustained multiple acts of violence to his head and body resulting in his death. Johnsons dogs both showed signs of significant trauma caused by multiple stab wounds to their bodies.

Johnson and Ross were previously in a dating relationship and were still acquaintances, the release stated.

According to court documents, Ross was found by the court to be not guilty by reason of insanity on the following charges:

 Homicide  open murder;

 Two counts of killing/torturing animals; and

 Three felony firearms charges.

Ross was ordered to be transported to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Washtenaw County for an evaluation period, court documents show.

After Ross evaluation period at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry, her case is expected to be brought to circuit court again for a hearing on the results of the evaluation, he said.
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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The Midland County Board of Commissioners voted 4-2 on Tuesday to support a resolution advocating for local residents impacted by the Michigan Auto Insurance Reform Act.

The resolution urges the state legislature to amend the auto insurance reform act to address a "sustainable" reimbursement cap for survivors of catastrophic vehicle crashes and their families. This item and all other items on the Tuesday agenda were approved by the commission.

For roughly a month, several care providers have made an effort, including advocating for Midland County residents, to encourage the resolution. Commissioners Jeanette Snyder and James Geisler voted against it; Chair Mark Bone abstained from the vote, citing his ownership of an insurance agency.

The 2019 law, among other things, repealed Michigan's no-fault auto insurance law and eliminated the requirement that mandated that coverage include a Personal Injury Protection provision that pays unlimited personal injury costs.

That means Michiganders who have suffered catastrophic injuries in traffic crashes and require lifelong medical assistance can no longer pay for their healthcare. The law took effect last July and has become a topic of concern for the local board, as 20 other Michigan counties have approved similar resolutions.

Tess DeGayner/tess.degayner@hearstnp.com

Hope resident Terri Lee spoke before the board about her mother's October 2020 accident, which left Lee to be her mother's care provider.

"My mom is a victim of this (Michigan) law," she told the board on Tuesday.

"There's something with the law that is not right," Lee continued. "I thought when I brought her home, we would have 24/7 care and that's not the case. This is her caregiver and the result of the battles we've been through ..."

In other business, the board approved 2022 millage renewals for roads, Senior Services, School Resource Officers and Emergency Medical Services. Meanwhile, the Spongy Moth Suppression Program is proposing an increase in millage rate after an unprecedented cycle last year. The name of the moth was changed by entomologists in early March.

The millage renewals and the individual program increase have been requested to be placed on the August and/or November ballot this year.

A roughly $31,500 grant agreement for marijuana education, communication and outreach was also approved Tuesday, as part of an effort to spread awareness to Midland County residents. The grant comes from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for the term of Jan. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2023.

The proposal regarding a 2023 budget calendar was recommended for approval by Midland County's finance director. It was approved as follows:

In June, the elected officials/department heads will submit budget requests to the County administrator/controller.

By Sept. 12, the administrator/controller's recommended budget is assembled and transmitted to elected officials, including the board of commissioners, and department heads.

On Nov. 1, the board of commissioners adopts a general appropriations resolution and budget.

The board also proclaimed May 1-7 as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week on Tuesday.

April 19 was the filing deadline for candidates to formally enter Midland County commission races along with Midland City Council. This list is unofficial because there is still the possibility of write-in candidates and ineligibility.

The following are residents seeking a position on the county board:

District 1: Republican Jeanette Snyder (incumbent)

District 2: Republican Mark Bone (incumbent)

District 3: Republican Steve Glaser (incumbent)

District 4: Republican Gaye Terwillegar (incumbent); Democrat Connie Glave

District 5: Republican James Geisler (incumbent); Republican Kari Atkinson; Democrat Allison Wilcox

District 6: Republican Eric Dorrien (incumbent); Democrat Sarah Schulz

District 7: Republican Scott Noesen (incumbent); Democrat Elayne Smith
ELKHART, Ind. (AP)  A recreational vehicle show will return this year to Elkhart in northern Indiana after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three of the largest RV manufacturers  Thor Industries, Forest River and Winnebago Industries  confirmed they will proceed with the four-day show beginning Sept. 26, the South Bend Tribune reported Wednesday.
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MANISTEE  Hundreds are set to gather later this month in Manistee for a day designed to salute U.S. military veterans.

After a two-year hiatus, Tight Lines for Troops is set to make its return  with some changes in store.

The annual fishing tournament and dinner spans over two days, while veterans are invited to enjoy a free fishing trip on Lake Michigan.

The tournament began in 2009 when Bob Guenhardt, an Army veteran and former ogema of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, organized a group of volunteers to show appreciation for veterans. For 10 years, veterans gathered each May, before the coronavirus pandemic led to the event being canceled in 2020 and 2021.

Guenhardt said he would have never expected Tight Lines for Troops to become as popular as it has become.

I was just (going to) take a few veterans out fishing  I had a charter boat at the time, Guenhardt said. I mentioned it to a couple of friends and they said, that sounds like something we'd want to do.  We ended the first year a lot better than what we thought it was going to be and it just snowballed from there.

Courtesy map/Amor Sign Studios, Inc.

The tournament is slated to return May 20-21 and event organizers say they are looking to enlist as much help as they can to make it a truly special outing for local and visiting veterans.

More volunteers are needed to help with things like meals, event set-up, registration and clean-up. Volunteers can still register through signup.com/go/yvXzxcr or contact organizers through the groups Facebook page.

The two-day event begins at 5 p.m. on May 20 with a mandatory meeting, where participating veterans are assigned their boats, meet the captains and enjoy a complimentary dinner.

For the first time, organizers will be holding the tournament at the Manistee Iron Works. This year, the registration, meeting, event staging, post tournament awards, meal and activities are planned to take place at 254 River St.

The tournament is scheduled to start at 6:30 a.m. on May 21, following a send-off. Veterans ar scheduled to fish for six hours, then gather in the harbor before proceeding up the Manistee River.

A highlight of the day is when community members line the Manistee River channel to welcome veterans back to shore, typically with American flags in hand.

Organizers encourage residents to come out and show their support by lining the riverwalk area starting at 12:30 p.m. Members of Rolling Thunder Michigan are expected to be on hand to provide loaner flags at several distribution points along the Manistee Riverwalk.

For event organizer and veteran John Stocki, Tight Lines is about more than providing veterans with a free fishing excursion  it's a chance for people to show their gratitude for those who served in the armed forces.

For some of these vets, this is the only welcome they got, Stocki said. The Vietnam vets, when they came back  those guys never got a welcome home ever. It brings tears to a lot of these guys that havent done this before just to see the welcome home they get coming back.

A weigh-in is set for 1 p.m. at the fish cleaning station near First Street boat launch. A dinner and awards ceremony are scheduled to take place immediately following the weigh-in.

Money raised from the event is also given back to charitable veterans organizations.

While the tournament was canceled during the pandemic, the Tight Lines committee was still able to donate $15,000 to support veterans charities in 2021, including the Manistee Veterans Memorial Park Fund, Northern Michigan Blue to Gold Star Mothers and the Northern Michigan Veterans Coalition, Region 3.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  U.S. officials announced what they called extraordinary steps on Tuesday to keep hundreds of billions of gallons of water stored in a reservoir on the Utah-Arizona line to prevent it from shrinking more amid prolonged drought and climate change.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation plans to hold back about 480,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Powell to maintain Glen Canyon Dam's ability to produce hydropower for millions of homes and businesses in the region. That's roughly enough water to serve 1 million to 1.5 million average households annually.

Tanya Trujillo, the bureau's assistant secretary of water and science, said keeping the water stored in the reservoir would stave off hydropower concerns for at least 12 months, giving officials time to strategize for how to operate the dam at a lower water elevation. The lake currently holds less than one-fourth of its full capacity and the dam produces electricity for about 5 million customers in seven U.S. states.

We have never taken this step before in the Colorado River basin, but conditions we see today and the potential risks we see on the horizon demand that we take prompt action, Trujillo said.

The decision will not have any immediate impacts on the amount of water allocated for the region's cities. And it won't affect farms that rely on the Colorado River, which already face mandatory cuts in central Arizona.

But it illustrates the compounding challenges facing Mexico and the seven U.S. states that rely on the Colorado River, which supplies water to about 40 million people and a $5 billion-a-year agricultural sector.

There is less water flowing through the river than is consumed by cities and farms throughout the region. And the water levels in the river's two primary storage reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, have plummeted substantially over the past two decades  to such an extent that boaters found a decades-old dead body in a barrel exposed on Sunday.

The action announced Tuesday is one of several that have been taken to shore up Lake Powell. The Bureau of Reclamation has also ordered releases from other reservoirs upstream from Lake Powell, including 500,000 acre-feet of water from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir on the Utah-Wyoming border announced last month. Releases from Flaming Gorge as well as Blue Mesa reservoir in Colorado and the Navajo reservoir in New Mexico were ordered last year.

Shoring up Lake Powell may allow water to continue flowing through the turbines at Glen Canyon Dam and keep its hydropower-generating capacity intact, but that's only one of several interests that officials are juggling in managing reservoir levels.

The decision injects uncertainty into the boating and recreation industries that rely on consistent reservoir levels to operate infrastructure like docks. And it forces officials to confront that without drastic conservation measures, demand for water in growing regions will likely come up against supply constraints in a hotter, drier future.

The Bureau of Reclamation announcement followed months of talks between upper basin states  Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming  and their lower basin counterparts in Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico, which are already taking mandatory and voluntary cuts.

Federal officials first floated the proposal last month in a letter to the seven states, which responded with a joint letter in support of the move in which they asked the bureau to adjust water accounting and how it reports lake levels when deciding on future cuts.

The request centered on the fact that keeping water stored in Lake Powell will decrease the amount of water flowing downstream to Lake Mead, the Colorado Rivers other main storage reservoir.

In response to concerns that less for Lake Mead would require lower basin states to take additional cuts, the bureau agreed to act as if the water had flowed downstream in calculating Lake Meads elevation. That compromise alters the implementation of agreements reached over the past 15 years triggering cuts to water users in the lower basin once Lake Mead falls to certain thresholds.

It means moving forward, U.S. officials will credit Lake Mead and act as if the water kept to preserve Lake Powell had been delivered downstream when deciding how to enforce agreements  effectively splintering the lakes actual levels from the levels used to determine cuts.

We are going to account for the water as if it had been released. And we will do it in a way so that it will not trigger additional releases from the upper basin or additional layers of shortage in the lower basin, Trujillo said.
One day after Politico reported that the Supreme Court voted in December to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision which guaranteed federal constitutional protections of abortion rights, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer took to Twitter.

"The Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade," she wrote, adding that "I promise you this: I will fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible in our state."

Whitmer, who is up for reelection in November, is also using the issue to raise money. She tweeted Monday: "Abortion access is at stake this November. Contribute $5 to our campaign to help safeguard reproductive rights in Michigan."

Additionally, Whitmer noted on Twitter she brought a lawsuit to the Michigan Supreme Court last month to overturn the state's abortion ban from 1931.

The current version of Michigans law criminalizing abortion without exceptions for rape or incest was enacted in 1931. In 1973, the passage of Roe v. Wade rendered Michigans 1931 ban unconstitutional and abortion became legal in the state of Michigan. This year, Roe could be overturned in the Dobbs v. Jackson case, triggering Michigans 1931 abortion ban.

The Supreme Court draft opinion becoming public is the first in the modern history of the court to be disclosed publicly while a case was still pending. The ruling will not be final until it is published, and the document was noted as being dated Feb. 10, Politico reported. No other news organization has been able to verify the authenticity of the document.

"Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," a leaked draft of the majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, obtained by Politico, read. The ruling also overturns Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a decision that cemented Roe.

"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," Alito wrote in the draft. "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

The draft effectively states that there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or ban the medical procedure.

Four of the other justices on the Supreme Court voted in December with Alito, including Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, Politico reported.

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the "basic fairness and the stability of our law demand" the court does not overturn Roe. While emphasizing that he couldnt speak to the authenticity of the draft, Biden said his administration is preparing for all eventualities for when the court ultimately rules.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term ends in late June or early July.

In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of votes in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as it is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. AP-NORC polling finds that generally, the majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases.

A sizeable majority of Michiganders agree that abortion is a decision for a woman to make in consultation with a medical professional she trusts. According to a poll from January 2022, 67.3% of Michiganders support Roe, and 65.7% support repealing Michigans 1931 trigger ban on abortion. Over 77%, believe abortion should be a womans decision.

Attorney General Dana Nessel has said she will not prosecute physicians for providing abortions or women for seeking them, but Republican candidates seeking to replace her this fall are opposed to abortion.

A decision to overrule Roe would lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states and could have huge ramifications for this year's elections. But it's unclear if the draft represents the courts final word on the matter  opinions often change in ways big and small in the drafting process, according to reporting by the Associated Press.

Watch AP explain more about the report of the Supreme Court abortion leak below.
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MEXICO CITY  Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are camping out in Mexico City and waiting for the U.S. government to allow them into the country.

About 500 evacuees were waiting Tuesday in large tents under a searing sun on a dusty field on the east side of Mexicos sprawling capital. The camp has been open only a week and from 50 to 100 people are arriving every day.

Some refugees have already been to the U.S. border in Tijuana where they were told they would no longer be admitted. Others arrived at airports in Mexico City or Cancun.

The U.S. government announced in late March that it would accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Hundreds entered Mexico daily as tourists in Mexico City or Cancun and flew to Tijuana to wait for a few days to be admitted to the U.S. at a San Diego border crossing on humanitarian parole.

Giorgi Mikaberidze, 19, arrived in Tijuana April 25 and found the U.S. border closed. He went from being just yards from the United States to some 600 miles (966 kilometers) away in the Mexico City area. He said he traveled to Mexico alone.

Its very difficult to wait. We dont know how the program will work, he said.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russia storms Mariupol steel plant as some evacuees reach safety

 Debt drama far from over for Russia even though it dodges default

 Biden visit highlights strain on US weapons stockpile

 Pope Francis offers to meet Putin, but hasn't heard back

 German opposition leader visits Ukraine; chancellor refuses to go

Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden's national security adviser met Tuesday with a Swedish foreign affairs officials and committed to continuing close coordination on security issues, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said.

NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Oscar Stenstrom, state secretary for foreign affairs to Sweden's prime minister, discussed the security situation in Europe in light of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The topics included ongoing efforts to support Ukraine and impose costs on Russia, Watson said.

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WASHINGTON  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the war in Ukraine has worsened problems in the Western Hemisphere caused by the coronavirus pandemic, such as rising poverty.

Concerns about the war decreasing the availability of food and increasing prices have sparked fears of increasing hunger and starvation in other nations. Blinken told the annual Conference of the Americas Luncheon on Tuesday that the effects of the war are being felt after the pandemic inflicted massive economic harm throughout the region.

Giving the luncheons keynote address in Washington, Blinken said: Now, with the Russian governments brutal war of aggression on Ukraine, many of these preexisting problems, these preexisting conditions, have been made worse, raising the price of essential commodities throughout the Americas, from fertilizer to wheat to petroleum, cutting off key export markets for many industries in the Americas, and forcing households across the region to make very wrenching choices as the cost of living skyrockets.

Blinken plans to chair two United Nations meetings later this month aimed at spotlighting how the war in Ukraine and other conflicts is affecting the availability of food and prices.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian officials say the Russian military has struck railroad infrastructure across the country.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, the head of the Ukrainian railways, said the Russian strikes on Tuesday hit six railway stations in the countrys central and western regions, inflicting heavy damage.

Kamyshin said at least 14 trains were delayed because of the attacks.

Dnipro region Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said Russian missiles struck railway infrastructure in the area, leaving one person wounded and disrupting train movement.

The Ukrainian military also reported strikes on railways in the Kirovohrad region, saying there were unspecified casualties.

Ukraines railroads have played an important role in moving people, goods and military supplies during the war as roads and bridges have been damaged.

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TROY, Ala.  President Joe Biden on Tuesday credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant for doing life-saving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine to stifle Russias invasion as he made a pitch for Congress to approve $33 billion so the U.S. can continue hustle aid to the front lines.

Youre allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves, Biden told the workers, his podium flanked by Javelin missile launchers and shipping containers. And, quite frankly, theyre making fools of the Russian military in many instances.

The presidents visit to the Lockheed Martin factory in Alabama also drew attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, 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 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.

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.

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UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. humanitarian chief in Ukraine says about 30 people who came out of the besieged Avostal steel plant in Mariupol chose not to leave the city, saying they were horrified at its total devastation and first wanted to find out if their loved ones were still alive.

Osnat Lubrani told a virtual press conference from the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia soon after the arrival Tuesday of 127 people evacuated from the plant and the town of Manhush on Mariupols outskirts that she wants to believe the successful operation will be a stepping stone to more such operations from Avostal and other towns and cities being shelled and bombarded by the Russians.

She said there is knowledge that there are civilians still trapped in the Avostal plant, but the U.N. has no numbers.

Some of them may have been afraid to come out, some of them probably couldnt make it, Lubrani said. Its a huge area and some of the elderly people could hardly walk and a broken bus with flat tires was used to help some of them leave.

Speaking of the people who wanted to stay in Mariupol, she said, These are people that have lived their lives and worked in Mariupol and so it was difficult for them to just leave without knowing what the fate of their loved ones is.

Lubrani said the people still trapped underground in the Avostal plant will hear about the safe evacuation to Zaporizhzhia which is very important, so if we do another operation, I think hopefully more will come out.

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The Russian military says its artillery has hit over 400 Ukrainian targets during the last day.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Tuesday that the targets included Ukrainian artillery positions, troops strongholds and two fuel depots.

Konashenkov said Russian aircrafts have hit 39 other targets, including concentrations of troops and weapons and two command posts.

He charged that a U.S.-supplied artillery radar, four air defense radars and six ammunition depots were among the targets destroyed with precision-guided weapons over the last day.

Konashenkovs claims couldnt be independently verified.

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LVIV, Ukraine  Russian strikes have apparently targeted the western Ukraine city of Lviv.

The strikes happened in multiple directions just before 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday  about about an hour and a half after air raid sirens sounded in the city and reportedly went off across the entire country. At least four distinct explosions could be heard from downtown Lviv.

Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the strikes damaged three power substations, knocking electricity off in parts of Lviv. Two pump stations were also without power, affecting water supply in the city. Two people were injured in the attack, according to the mayor.

Sadovyi wrote on a social message app that those in the city should take shelter. Trains coming out of Lviv stopped service. Car alarms went off after the blasts, and emergency sirens could be heard.

The mayor on Monday had a news conference with the countrys top U.S. diplomat, discussing how America planned to reopen its diplomatic presence in the city located near the Polish border.

The last major attack targeting the city came April 18, which killed at least seven people. Lviv has become a haven for those fleeing the wars front line in the east.

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PARIS  French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call Tuesday with Vladimir Putin, stressed the extreme gravity of the consequences of Russias war of aggression in Ukraine, and called on the Russian leader to allow evacuations from the Mariupol steel mill to continue, the Elysee Palace said.

Macron urged Russia to rise to the level of its responsibility as a permanent member of the U.S. Security Council by ending this devastating aggression, an Elysee statement said.

Macron asked Putin to restart evacuations at the Azovstal plant, which has served as a refuge for Ukrainians, in coordination with humanitarian units, while allowing evacuees to choose their destination, as called for under international law.

It was the first time that the French president has had a conversation with Putin since March 29  before the discovery of the exactions in the Ukrainian town of Bucha  after multiple telephone talks. The call came three days after Macron last spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Concerned about world food security, Macron said he was willing to work with international organizations to try to help seek a lifting of the Russian blockade on exports of food goods via the Black Sea, according to the statement.

He also restated his willingness to work on conditions for a negotiated solution to the war, for peace and for full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and reiterated his oft-stated demand for a cease-fire, the statement said.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The Donetsk regional governor said the Russian troops on Tuesday shelled a chemical plant in Avdiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine, killing at least 10 people and wounding 15 more.

The Russians knew exactly where to aim  the workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home, Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. Another cynical crime by Russians on our land.

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GENEVA  A top Red Cross official helping oversee a dramatic, five-day effort that led to the evacuation of dozens of civilians from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to a government-held city said he remains extremely concerned about new clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces there  with some other civilians still inside.

Pascal Hundt, who heads the Ukraine office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the humanitarian agency and the United Nations carried out the evacuation after Russia and Ukraine agreed that it would only include civilians. He said some people simply chose not to leave, and he didnt know why  but suspected fear about continued fighting played a part.

A total of 127 people were evacuated from Azovstal and the Mariupol area in buses that arrived in government-controlled Zaporizhzia on Tuesday.

We are today with a mixed feeling. We have done everything to help these people to basically leave the place where they were  to leave hell, Hundt said in a call with reporters from Kyiv. But we would have hoped that much more people would be able to join the convoy and to get out of hell.

Hundt said about a dozen people taken out in the convoy were sick or injured, but none were in critical condition.

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Latvia has summoned Russias ambassador to the Baltic country over Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs anti-Semitic statements, the Latvian foreign minister said Tuesday.

The ambassador was to provide explanations on May 5 and receive a protest, Edgars Rinkevics wrote on Twitter.

In an interview with an Italian news channel, Lavrov said that Ukraine could still have Nazi elements even if some figures  including the countrys president  were Jewish, claiming that Hitler also had Jewish origins.

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BRUSSELS  The European Unions top diplomat says the blocs executive branch is on the cusp of proposing a new raft of sanctions against Russia, including on oil.

EU policy commissioners have been discussing the new sanctions and are set to send their proposals later Tuesday to the 27 member countries for debate.

The unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a tweet that the executive is working on the 6th package of sanctions which aims to de-swift more banks, list disinformation actors and tackle oil imports. Swift is the most widely used international system for bank transfers.

Member countries have been involved in drawing up the proposals, but they routinely take days to endorse them. The sanctions can only enter force once they are published in the EUs Official Journal. Hungary and Slovakia have already expressed reservations about signing on.

EU ambassadors are scheduled to meet on Wednesday. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also likely to explain the proposals early Wednesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

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MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin has told French President Emmanuel Macron that Moscow is ready for talks with Ukraine.

The Kremlin said in its readout of Tuesdays call that despite Kyivs inconsistency and its lack of readiness for serious work, the Russian side is still ready for dialogue.

The Kremlin added that Putin also informed Macron about the course of Russias special military operation. It added that the two leaders also discussed the global food security and Putin underlined that Western sanctions have exacerbated the situation.

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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  The U.N.s aid coordinator for Ukraine says 127 people have been evacuated from the besieged Azovstal plant in Mariupol and nearby areas to a government-controlled city, in an operation carried out along with the international Red Cross.

Osnat Lubrani, the humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said Tuesday that those evacuated included 101 people who could finally leave the bunkers below the Azovstal steelworks and see the daylight after two months.

Another 58 people joined the convoy in Manhush, a town on the outskirts of Mariupol.

Today, we brought people safely to Zaporizhzhia, Lubriani said. However, I worry that there may be more civilians who remain trapped.

The evacuees were receiving humanitarian assistance, including health and psychological care, from the U.N, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and partner agencies after arriving in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday.

Some of the evacuees opted to be dropped off before arriving in the city, which is in government-controlled territory, Lubriani said in a statement.

 This item has been corrected to fix the spelling of Osnat Lubranis last name.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The deputy commander of the Azov Regiment that is holed up in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol has confirmed to The Associated Press that Russian forces have started to storm the plant on Tuesday.

The move comes almost two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered its military not to storm the plant, but rather block it off.

Asked about the reports in Ukrainian media that the huge steelworks  the last holdout of Ukrainian resistance in a city otherwise controlled by Moscows forces  was being stormed, Sviatoslav Palamar told the AP that it is true.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mariupol patrol police chief Mykhailo Vershinin was quoted by Ukrainian television as saying that the Russian military have started to storm the plant in several places.

The reports come amid a U.N. effort to evacuate civilians from the plant, which helped scores of people escape the sprawling facility.

According to Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard who is also currently at Azovstal, 200 civilians including children remain at the plant.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk told reporters Tuesday that about 150 civilians have been taken from Azovstal and a few hundred remain at the plant. We need a few more days to continue this operation, Vereshchuk said.

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged her visiting Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, to try to influence Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Putin has to stop this war, Frederiksen said Tuesday, adding immediately, I hope that India will influence Russia.

Indias neutral stance in the war has raised concerns in the West and earned praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who lauded India for judging the situation in its entirety, not just in a one-sided way.

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LONDON  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told Ukraines parliament that their country has achieved the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century by repelling Russias attempt to capture Kyiv.

Johnson addressed lawmakers in Ukraines legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, by video link on Tuesday. He is the first world leader to do so since Ukraine was invaded on Feb. 24.

Johnson, one of Ukraines most prominent international supporters, announced a new 300 million pound ($375 million) package of military aid to Ukraine, including radar, drones and armored vehicles.

Johnson said Ukraine had exploded the myth of (Russian President Vladimir) Putins invincibility, and expressed confidence Ukraine would win the war.

The British leader said Western allies had not done enough to stop Russia after it annexed Crimea and triggered a conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014, and said Ukraines allies should not press it to give up territory to make peace.

He said you are the masters of your fate, and no-one can or should impose anything on Ukrainians. We in the U.K. will be guided by you and we are proud to be your friends.
Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

A Hartford man will serve 27 years in prison after he distributed images of him sexually abusing a young girl, federal prosecutors said Monday.

A federal judge in Bridgeport sentenced Ronald Daniel, 52, to 324 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, according to Leonard Boyle, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
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MIDDLETOWN  Members of the Middletown High School class of 2022 gathered outside on the football field April 29 to celebrate National Signing Day.

This uniquely MHS celebration expands the idea of signing day, traditionally celebrated by top students who will be playing either football or basketball during their post-secondary experience, according to a press release.

In 2015, Michelle Obama created the organization Better Make Room to engage with young people about the importance of a college education, the news release said. Better Make Room launched College Signing Day that same year, urging high schools around the country to celebrate along with them.

Michelle Obama wanted all students pursuing a college education to be celebrated in the same way that college athletes are, Middletown Public Schools said.

At Middletown High School, National Signing Day removes the word college, the news release said.

This means that no matter where the students are headed after they graduate, their postsecondary plans (four-year college, two-year college, trade school, military and the workforce) are celebrated. It takes hard work to get here and all students deserve to participate in this recognition celebration, the news release said.

Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim and Acting Superintendent Alberto Vazquez Matos spoke to the soon-to-be graduates about the importance of what lies beyond high school, the statement said. Students had the opportunity to win raffle prizes, such as iPads, Macbook, loaded book bags, a TV, mini fridge and gift cards.

All students received their MHS alumni T-shirt after they signed a banner titled Committed with PRIDE, which will be displayed at the school.

The ceremony included students walking across a stage after each announcing their post-secondary plans. Also, a few recognized the teachers who helped them get to this point. It truly takes a village to get here, and it is important that teachers know how their guidance and support has helped, the statement said.

High school counselor Bobbi-Jo Wathen coordinated the days event.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Tuesday blasted a radical Supreme Court draft opinion that would throw out the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling t hat has stood for a half century. The court cautioned no final decision had been made, but Biden warned that other privacy rights including same-sex marriage and birth control are at risk if the justices follow through.

Chief Justice John Roberts said he had ordered an investigation into what he called the egregious breach of trust" in leaking the draft document, which was dated to February. Opinions often change in ways big and small in the drafting process, and a final ruling has not been expected until the end of the courts term in late June or early July.

Across the nation, Americans grappled with what might come next. The Democratic-controlled Congress and White House both vowed to try to blunt the impact of such a ruling, but their prospects looked dim.

A decision to overrule Roe would have sweeping ramifications, leading to abortion bans in roughly half the states, sparking new efforts in Democratic-leaning states to protect access to abortion, and potentially reshaping the contours of this years hotly contested midterm elections.

The draft was published by the news outlet Politico late Monday.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Biden said he hoped the draft wouldn't be finalized by justices, contending it reflects a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence" that threatens other basic rights like access to birth control and marriage.

If this decision holds, its really quite a radical decision," he added.

If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose, Biden said. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.

Though past efforts have failed, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he intended to hold a vote.

This is as urgent and real as it gets, Schumer said on the Senate floor Tuesday. Every American is going to see on which side every senator stands.

Speaking at the EMILYs List political action committee conference Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris said the draft opinion showed womens rights in America are under attack."

Womens issues are Americas issues and democracies cannot be strong if the rights of women are under attack," she added. Let us fight with everything weve got.

Leaders in New York and California rolled out the welcome mat to their states for women seeking abortions, and other Democratic states moved to protect access to abortion in their laws.

The courts ruling would be most acutely felt by women who dont have the means or ability to travel from states that have or stand poised to pass stiff abortion restrictions or outright bans

Whatever the outcome, the Politico report late Monday represented an extremely rare breach of the courts secretive deliberation process, and on a case of surpassing importance.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, the draft opinion states. It was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the courts 6-3 conservative majority who was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

The document was labeled a 1st Draft of the Opinion of the Court in a case challenging Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks. The draft opinion in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services. It would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, it states, referencing the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey that affirmed Roes finding of a constitutional right to abortion services but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

The draft opinion strongly suggests that when the justices met in private shortly after arguments in the case on Dec. 1, at least five  all the conservatives except perhaps Chief Justice Roberts  voted to overrule Roe and Casey, and Alito was assigned the task of writing the court's majority opinion.

Votes and opinions in a case aren't final until a decision is announced or, in a change wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, posted on the court's website.

Politico said only that it received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

The report comes amid a legislative push to restrict abortion in several Republican-led states  Oklahoma being the most recent  even before the court issues its decision. Critics of those measures have said low-income and minority women will disproportionately bear the burden of the new restrictions.

The leak jumpstarted the intense political reverberations that the high courts ultimate decision was expected to have in the midterm election year. Already, politicians on both sides of the aisle were seizing on the report to fundraise and energize their supporters on both sides of the issue.

Democrats contended that several conservative justices misled senators about their feelings.

And Maine Republican Susan Collins, who supports abortion rights but was a pivotal GOP vote for the confirmations of Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, said if the draft reflects the final opinion of the court, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, told reporters on Capitol Hill that my confidence in the court has been rocked," and said her proposal with Collins to legislate abortion rights should be reinvigorated.

Polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In general, AP-NORC polling finds a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases. Few say abortion should be illegal in all cases.

Still, Americans have nuanced attitudes on the issue. In an AP-NORC poll conducted last June, 61% said abortion should be legal in most or all circumstances in the first trimester of a pregnancy. However, 65% said abortion should usually be illegal in the second trimester, and 80% said that about the third trimester, though many Americans believe that the procedure should be allowable under at least some circumstances even during the second or third trimesters.

Alito, in the draft, said the court can't predict how the public might react and shouldn't try. We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the publics reaction to our work, Alito wrote in the draft opinion, according to Politico.

Outside, the Supreme Court building, anti-abortion rights protesters carried signs that said Ignore Roe and In God We Trust while their pro-abortion-rights counterparts held placards declaring Bans off our Bodies and Impeach Kavanaugh." Crowds built as the day wore on.

Jessica Fendryk, 39, who drove an hour from Bel Air, Maryland, spoke of generations of demonstrators.

I cant believe how many women I have met that did this in their lifetime already. And so I feel like I owe it to them to be here because they already did this, she said. And now we have to be fighting for them all over again.

Outside Washington, the reaction among conservatives was muted, ranging from cautious celebration over the anticipated ruling to sharp criticism of the source of the leaked draft.

We will let the Supreme Court speak for itself and wait for the courts official opinion," Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said in a statement.

At Supreme Court arguments in December, all six conservative justices signaled that they would uphold the Mississippi law, and five asked questions that suggested that overruling Roe and Casey was a possibility.

Only Roberts seemed prepared to take the smaller step of upholding the 15-week ban, though that, too, would be a significant weakening of abortion rights.

Until now, the court has allowed states to regulate but not ban abortion before the point of viability, around 24 weeks.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas. The Texas law banning it after six weeks has been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have protected access to abortion in state law.

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Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Ashraf Khalil, Fatima Hussein and Farnoush Amiri in Washington and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
SAN DIEGO  Leonard Glenn Francis, the military contractor better known as "Fat Leonard," will not be called by the prosecution to testify against five former naval officers charged with accepting bribes from him, it was revealed in court Monday.

Prosecutors did not address why they are forgoing testimony from Francis, the mastermind of the long-running conspiracy who has already pleaded guilty and been cooperating with the government for years. Nor do they have to.

Francis, nicknamed for his immense physique, has billed himself as the prosecution's star witness and has been biding his time under house arrest in San Diego waiting for a moment that is now unlikely to happen.

The five naval officers currently on trial are accused of accepting bribes  including the services of prostitutes, high-end hotel suites and lavish dinners  from Francis while in Southeast Asian ports. Francis' Singapore-based business serviced visiting Navy ships, and he depended on certain officers' influence and access to military intelligence to continue earning millions of dollars from Navy contracts.

Before the trial began on Feb. 28, Francis' name appeared on the prosecution's list of 63 potential witnesses to call.

On Monday, prosecutors were asked by the judge to provide a list of their remaining witness to call  a list that was not disclosed publicly in court. But in unrelated oral legal arguments, the defense asserted that Francis' name was not among culled list of witnesses.

Francis' attorney could not be immediately reached for comment Monday.

Francis pleaded guilty in 2015, and his sentencing hearing has been continued to be postponed, pending the trial. He has been allowed to remain under house arrest while he is treated for cancer.

Francis has always been anticipated to be a bit of a loose cannon on the stand because of his intimate knowledge of events, his ax to grind with the Navy and his braggadocios air. That was on full display late last year, when he recorded a secret podcast with a former Wall Street Journal reporter that had him for the first time publicly speaking freely of the long-running scheme.

Francis dropped several scintillating details in the podcast  including that he still has sex tapes of Navy officers locked away somewhere  which defense attorneys have said they would use to impeach him on the stand if called to testify. Francis' reliability as a witness was hammered in the defense's opening statements to the jury.

Monday's latest witness list disclosure confirmed growing suspicion by defense attorneys that prosecutors were going to nix Francis from the lineup.

In a three-day evidentiary hearing on a separate issue last week  to determine if prosecutors improperly withheld exculpatory evidence  defense attorneys repeatedly asked prosecutors why there was a last-minute effort in the weeks before trial to track down prostitutes who would be willing to come to San Diego to testify. The implication was that securing prostitutes' testimony was a kind of Plan B to putting Francis on the stand.

In one heated exchange, Joseph Mancano, an attorney for the lead defendant, former Capt. David Newland, pressed the lead investigative agent as to whether Francis would be testifying.

"You're telling me, as you sit here today, that you don't know whether Leonard Francis is going to be called to testify?" Mancano asked. The agent repeated that he did not know.

Ten prosecution witnesses have already been called during the first 10 weeks of trial. The prosecution estimates it will take another two weeks to present their side of the case. Witnesses coming up include former Navy Cmdrs. Stephen Shedd and Jose Sanchez, who have already pleaded guilty to bribery.

Francis' testimony would have arguably tacked several more days onto the trial.

U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino has urged attorneys to quicken the pace of the trial, which was already anticipated to be long but has lagged.

"Sharpen your pencils, both sides. You can do this in half the time, absolutely," Sammartino said Friday.

Once the prosecution rests, attorneys for the five defendants anticipate another four weeks roughly of trial, then a few days of closing arguments.

The judge has yet to rule on forthcoming motions regarding the allegations of evidence mishandling and has ordered the trial to continue in the meantime while she waits for them to be filed and she takes time to consider them. A defense attorney said he anticipates filing a motion for a mistrial later Monday, and prosecutors will have one week to respond.



2022 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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 at 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.

Dave Ress, 757 247 4535, dress@dailypress.com

2022 Daily Press. Visit dailypress.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Biden administration is pushing for a pathway to permanent U.S. residency for Afghan refugees as the number of visas granted to former interpreters and others who worked with the military dipped dramatically after the August withdrawal.

The drop-off in Afghan visa approvals has left tens of thousands of former allies in limbo after the Taliban takeover, as Americans now focus on the plight of Ukrainians caught in a new European war.

The number of special immigrant visas, or SIVs, granted to those Afghans fell from 1,292 in July through September to just 117 over the following three months -- a 91% drop, according to the latest figures released last month. The large decrease came as the number of remaining visa applications that the State Department has to process stays steady at about 16,500, which is likely only a fraction of the Afghans still awaiting a visa.

(Military.com graphic)

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The White House sent a request to Congress on Friday for legislation giving Afghan refugees a path to legal permanent residence after being in the U.S. for a year, according to a White House spokesperson. Advocates say it could also ease the major backlog of visa applicants.

"This sends a message to our Afghan friends that they have not been forgotten," Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and president of the #AfghanEvac coalition, said in a statement, adding that he hopes to see a "quiet passage" of the legislation, which he and other advocates call the Afghan Adjustment Act.

VanDiver told Military.com that he hopes to see Republicans and Democrats expand the proposal and negotiate final legislation that could "vastly improve the efficiency and effectiveness" of the current SIV system.

The new report on Afghan visa approvals covers the first quarter of fiscal 2022 after the country came under full control of the Taliban. Compared to the last quarter of 2021 -- the time period when the military was helping evacuate 124,000 from Afghanistan -- the new numbers show glacial progress. The report was jointly released by the State Department and Department of Homeland Security.

Additionally, the agencies found that the SIV processing time between the two quarters went from 435 days to 743 days -- nearly doubling -- while actual approvals dropped off. Afghan special immigrant visas are issued to those who served the U.S. government for at least one year during the war. Many Afghans eligible for the benefit were interpreters assigned to military units and served alongside U.S. troops.

The Association of Wartime Allies, a non-governmental organization, estimated that 78,000 SIV applicants "remain left behind" in Afghanistan in its February report.

"We continue, as much as possible, to expedite processing of SIV applications at all other stages of the process that can be performed remotely," according to a State Department spokesperson.

Many believe surging staff and resources for processing could be the solution. The State Department said it has hired an additional 58 National Visa Center officers for approvals.

"There are a lot of people who are in different stages of their application, and they're kind of losing hope," said Khalil Arab, an Afghan who successfully navigated the SIV process and is now living in Houston. "It's been over seven months since the Taliban took over, and there's hardly any window of opportunity for those guys."

Arab is working full-time as a program manager for Combined Arms SIVs and Allies, a nonprofit helping Afghans come to the U.S.

Others, such as VanDiver, say improvements must come from Congress as the request from the White House makes its way through Capitol Hill.

"Lawmakers all across this country need to hear from their constituents, and current and former members of the military," he said. "Speak really loudly. There's nothing wrong with an active-duty member or veteran or anybody that's reading this to pick up the phone, call their representative in their personal capacity and say, 'Hey, I believe in this, please do this.'"

Both the proposal to Congress and the SIV slog come as the Biden administration also announces plans to welcome another war-displaced population -- 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.

The administration's new efforts to accommodate Ukrainian refugees have left many Afghans and their allies feeling frustrated and forgotten.

"It seems like they are just delaying our cases," said Zee, an interpreter who agreed to speak with Military.com under a pseudonym. "All the people think over here is that they are left behind and that they are only taking Ukrainian refugees to the U.S."

Advocates, veterans and service members now want to remind Congress that Americans have a moral responsibility to Afghans in addition to the rightful focus on Ukraine.

Biden on Thursday asked Congress for $33 billion in aid to Ukraine. A brief section of the nearly 70-page request proposed allowing eligible Afghans a chance to apply for permanent residence.

The White House provision requests a "pathway to permanent residence to Afghan evacuees who came here through Operation Allies Welcome," the name for the military evacuation effort, according to a White House spokesperson, who said the full package was sent to Congress on Friday.

"What it does is it takes a group that is a little bit in limbo," said Jack McCain, a reserve naval aviator who flew alongside Afghan pilots in Afghanistan and son of the late Sen. John McCain, "and institutionalizes them as Americans."

The provision specifically requests policy changes that affect Afghans who have already been evacuated to the U.S., leaving some advocates to hope it can be expanded to those left behind inside Afghanistan after the evacuation and total military withdrawal.

The visa application process is particularly dangerous and complicated for those still outside the U.S.

The American embassy in Kabul closed eight months ago as the Taliban took over, and now Afghans must travel to an open embassy outside of Afghanistan to complete part of their visa application.

Zee said that he is living in fear from the Taliban and uncertainty about his SIV case, for which he originally applied in 2018. He was originally denied a visa due to a human resources error by the U.S. contractor who employed him.

"Things are getting strict here," he said. "[The Taliban] threaten reporters; all the coffee shops are closed, as well as other stuff like [preventing] barbers from shaving beards."

Still, he said he wanted to stay in Afghanistan until getting a visa. Money to move a family out of the country and to safety from the Taliban, especially without a guarantee of a green card from the U.S., was not a risk he could afford.

The State Department spokesperson acknowledged the "extremely difficult" circumstances for Afghans hoping to be granted an SIV, but had no ready solution for those who cannot make it to another country with a U.S. embassy.

"It's not feasible for most Afghans," said Matt Zeller, an Army veteran and co-founder of No One Left Behind, an SIV support organization, citing outrageous costs the Taliban have allegedly implemented for so-called exit visas allowing Afghans to travel to other countries.

"It's an insult to their circumstances to somehow tout this as a viable option," he said.

Editor's Note: The reporter who wrote this article has made efforts to assist Afghans after the fall of Kabul, to include "Zee" who is quoted in this story. The reporter's efforts were made prior to Zee's statements in this story, which were not given under any quid pro quo agreement.

-- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence.

Related: Afghans Wait and Worry at US Bases After Frantic Evacuation
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden met with the parents of Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in Syria in 2012, at the White House on Monday after journalists encouraged him over the weekend to prioritize Tices case.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed the meeting took place, noting the presidents national security team has been in frequent contact with the Tice family since December of last year.

The president reiterated his commitment to continue to work through all available avenues to secure Austins long overdue return to his family, Psaki said in a statement, and 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.

Todays meeting built on multiple meetings and conversations between the Tice family and the presidents national security team, she added, which will remain in regular contact with the Tices and other families of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

Both Biden and Tices mother, Debra, attended the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents Association on Saturday where Tices story was told. Biden said over the weekend that he hoped to meet with the Tices, prompting his aides to set up the meeting, Psaki said.

A Texas native and former officer of the U.S. Marine Corps, Tice was 31 when he traveled to Syria in 2012 as a freelance journalist for McClatchy, The Washington Post and CBS News.

He was detained at a checkpoint in a suburb of Damascus. Five weeks later, a video was released showing him held by unidentified armed men. No one has claimed responsibility for his disappearance.

Debra and Marc Tice, Austins father, have since pushed three presidents to identify his whereabouts and secure his release.

Debra criticized Biden late last year for not paying attention to the case, stating the president has never said Austins name publicly.

I wonder if hes allowed himself to forget about Austin, she told reporters. I dont have any indication otherwise.

She later met with Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, who assured her that Tices case is a top priority for the administration.

The United States does not recognize the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and the Biden administration will not say whether it is willing to engage with it directly to secure Tices freedom.

But the administration has made a push to free Americans unjustly detained abroad in recent months, granting its special envoy for hostage affairs, Roger Carstens, the freedom to engage with hostile foreign governments, such as the regime of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

We have an entire apparatus and effort through the interagency to work to do everything we can to engage with leaders, with countries, even some we certainly do not have diplomatic relations with, to bring Americans home, Psaki said.

While the Assad government has never acknowledged Tices capture, the Biden administration is working towards his release on the belief that he is alive.

Officials from the Trump administration made a push for Tices release in 2020, meeting with Syrian officials to discuss potential terms for his release.

Debra and Marc Tice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.



2022 McClatchy Washington Bureau. Visit mcclatchydc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Ukrainian military will soon begin tracking and attacking Russian forces with a secret new "suicide drone" produced by Aevex Aerospace, a little-known Solana Beach company that has considerable experience with unmanned aerial systems.

The Biden administration is sending 121 of the company's Phoenix Ghost drones to Ukraine, where they will are expected to get heavy use in the eastern part of the country. Russian forces have regrouped there and are somewhat exposed in flat, open territory similar to California's Central Valley.

Defense analysts say it appears the Phoenix Ghost will loiter in the sky, quietly looking for targets. Once it finds one, the drone goes into a dive and rams the object, setting off its explosive warhead. Analysts speculate that it is a comparatively small weapon that could be hard to see against the cloud cover that shrouds much of Ukraine in late April and in May.

The vehicle's specific size, shape, payloads and capabilities haven't be disclosed. Nor has any one explained the origin of the drone's name.

The Pentagon did disclose that it began developing the vehicle before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Such weapons can be developed quickly because some countries, notably the U.S., have deep experience with drone technology, and many of these weapons can use off-the-shelf equipment.

"We can't talk about details," said Brian Raduenz, the retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who serves as chief executive officer of Aevex Aerospace. "I have to refer you to the remarks that John Kirby made about this.

Kirby, chief spokesman for the Pentagon, told reporters on April 21, "This unmanned aerial system is designed for tactical operations. In other words, largely, but not exclusively, to attack targets. ... It can also be used to give you a site picture of what it is seeing, of course. But it's principal focus is attack. ...

"Its purpose is akin to that of the Switchblade, which we have been talking about in the past, which is basically a one-way drone and attack drone. And that's essentially what this is designed to do."

Switchblade is a quiet, lightweight, all-electric drone made by AeroVironment, a company based in Arlington, Va. Popular Mechanics describes it as a "flying camera robot with an explosive inside ... that will help find or attack nearby enemies, not far-away ones."

The 5.5-pound 300 version of Switchblade can be carried in a soldier's backpack and quickly launched  making it highly useful for Ukrainian soldiers who are trying to maneuver around Russian troop and vehicles. The larger 600 version of Switchblade is being used to destroy Russian tanks and armored vehicles, many which litter roads in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

The Biden administration says it has provided at least 1,000 Switchblades to Ukraine. The country also is using the much larger Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones, which pack laser-guided missiles.

Although Raduenz declined to discuss Phoenix Ghost in detail, it appears that Aevex Aerospace has considerable technical expertise. It works with the San Diego County division of General Atomics, the maker of some famous unmanned  and much larger  aerial vehicles as the Predator and Reaper drones.

Aevex has about 600 workers, some of whom deploy overseas to help the company's military and commercial customers.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.

2022 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
As the old saying goes, the only two constants in life are death and taxes. The government will ensure taxes keep being collected, no doubt. Caring for the dead, however, is left to the private sector -- a sector that is running out of skilled workers.

The businesses and professionals who handle America's mortuary work are now looking to the estimated 200,000 military veterans who will separate annually to consider joining them and have launched a "Journey to Serve" initiative to help get vets started.

For most of us, a funeral means paying our last respects to the deceased. Douglas "Dutch" Nie, a funeral home director in Ann Arbor, Michigan, wants us to know that those in the funeral services industry see a funeral as caring for the living relatives left behind.

"When someone dies, the grief is physical and mental," Nie tells Military.com. "Our work is in helping someone in grief go through the mourning process, to accept the grief. The satisfaction comes when you see that family months or a year later, and they thank you for walking them through that."

Nie is also the spokesman for the U.S. National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), a network of funeral services professionals that provides education, resources and more to those in their industry.

Like most sectors of the American economy lately, funeral services are suffering from the same staffing shortages as anyone else. The association says local funeral homes are undermanned and sometimes overwhelmed by the demand for their services. To remedy this, the NFDA is calling on military veterans to consider joining the industry.

Nie is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served for eight years as what we today would call Security Forces. When he left the Air Force, he returned to Michigan, went to mortuary school and began working alongside his family until they retired.

He says that families and their funeral home businesses used to make up much of the workforce in the funeral services industry. These days, those numbers have dwindled, and the shortage versus demand situation is only getting worse.

"It wasn't just the pandemic," Nie says. "The labor shortages have been ongoing for the last couple of decades. There have been fewer family businesses handed down to family members. When I went to mortuary school in 1992, about 50% of students were from those family businesses. Today, maybe 20% come from those businesses."

A U.S. Air Force Mortuary funeral specialist demonstrates the proper wear of protective gear needed during the embalming processes at the U.S. Air Force Mortuary on Camp Kinser, Japan. (U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Doyle)

With the losses of family businesses, and the current rate at which funeral home directors are retiring, mortuary services businesses are increasingly unable to keep up with the demand. Launched in 2021, the Journey to Serve program is designed to recruit veterans while helping them find training and certification anywhere in the country they might want to go. Those working in the funeral services industry had a median annual income of more than $48,000 in 2021.

Separating veterans can apply for the program, which utilizes their GI Bill benefits, to find them a place in a mortuary school program, often a four-year degree. The NFDA will then find a funeral home where their skills are needed, one in an area of the country of their choosing. The separating member can use their last relocation shipment to move to an area where their new job is waiting. Online classes are available, too.

"It's a resource to connect all the dots for separating service members," Nie says. "It uses a lot of the benefits military members get to help them find a new career in funeral service nationwide. The Journey to Serve website has all the resources to show where the schools are and the states that are looking for help."

Those who have qualms about working in mortuary services should know that there is more to the industry than working with the deceased. Funeral directors and embalmers are just a clinical aspect. Many supporting roles, both at the funeral home and the cemetery, mean you might never be exposed to the person in the casket.

"The military is a natural fit [for funeral services]," Nie says. "There are a lot of parallels with not just funeral directors, but cemetery workers and support staff. A lot of the traditions we are taught, along with military bearing, just brings a lot to the ceremony.

"When I was growing up, we lived above the funeral home, and my dad would be missing Christmas and birthdays, because he was serving families in the community. I realized in the military, I missed a lot of those because I was deployed -- so now I know instead of serving globally, we serve locally."

Those interested in pursuing a career in funeral services should start at the Journey to Serve website to see what schools are open and what parts of the country need your help. Scholarships are available for those veterans who qualify.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

Want to Know More About Veteran Jobs?

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According to a report from National Public Radio (NPR) on December 17, the Biden transition team revealed that the U.S. Congressman Cedric Richmond tested positive for the new crown virus. He also served as Deng consultant has a close relationship.

According to reports, a spokesperson for Richmond said in a statement that Richmond has not had close contact with Biden. He will be quarantined for 14 days and be tested for the new coronavirus twice. He will not return to work until he has fully recovered post.

The spokesperson said that Richmond went to Georgia alone on the 15th local time to participate in activities related to the states Senate election. At that time, Biden and Richmond had interacted in the open arena, but both of them wore masks for no more than 15 minutes.

The spokesperson also revealed that Biden had been tested for the new coronavirus on the 17th local time, and the test result was negative.

According to information published by the Biden camp government transition website (buildbackbetter.com), Richmond is a Democratic congressman from Louisiana. He served as the national co-chair of the Biden campaign team and was Biden earliest support.

After Biden wins the election, Richmond will resign his position in the House of Representatives and become Biden senior adviser and director of the White House Office of Public Participation. It is generally believed that joining Biden White House staff will bring the deep relationships established in Congress to the White House.

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Frontrunner Vaccine Will Affact the Price of Manganese Ditelluride (MnTe2)-Pieces - Market Trend

CEO of Pfizer partner BioNTech says coming winter will be hard but by April, 300 million immunization units should be ready, which will have an impact on the global pandemic.

If coronavirus vaccinations are rolled out widely, life could return to normal by next winter, one of the scientists behind the front-running coronavirus vaccine told British television on Sunday.

Ugur Sahin, the Turkish co-founder of the German firm BioNTech, told the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show that this winter will be hard, without any major impact from vaccinations.

Together with US giant Pfizer, BioNTech is developing the leading candidate in the worldwide chase for a vaccine. Israel has ordered millions of units of the vaccine, hoping that the first deliveries will arrive in the country by January.

Affected by the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, the Manganese Ditelluride (MnTe2)-Pieces market is changing rapidly. These changes are indicators of market growth. This year-on-year upward trend in the market indicates that the next November 2020-2026 will show an oval but steady growth.

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Frontrunner Vaccine Will Affact the Price of Tungsten Lanthanum Alloy (W-La)-Sputtering Target - Market Trend

CEO of Pfizer partner BioNTech says coming winter will be hard but by April, 300 million immunization units should be ready, which will have an impact on the global pandemic.

If coronavirus vaccinations are rolled out widely, life could return to normal by next winter, one of the scientists behind the front-running coronavirus vaccine told British television on Sunday.

Ugur Sahin, the Turkish co-founder of the German firm BioNTech, told the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show that this winter will be hard, without any major impact from vaccinations.

Together with US giant Pfizer, BioNTech is developing the leading candidate in the worldwide chase for a vaccine. Israel has ordered millions of units of the vaccine, hoping that the first deliveries will arrive in the country by January.

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The Cubs are selecting righty Robert Gsellman onto the big league roster, as Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune was among those to relay (on Twitter). Drew Smyly, who had been scheduled to start this evenings game against the White Sox, has been placed on the bereavement list to open active roster space. Southpaw Locke St. John has been designated for assignment in a corresponding 40-man roster move.

Gsellman inked a minor league deal with Chicago during Spring Training. Hed been non-tendered by the Mets, with whom he had spent his entire career. The Southern California native broke into the majors late in the 2016 season and flashed some potential as a starter during his rookie campaign. He struggled over 119 2/3 innings the following year, though, and he spent the next few seasons working out of the bullpen.

In the four years since moving to relief, Gsellman has tossed 186 1/3 innings of 4.73 ERA ball. His 19.2% strikeout rate was below-average, but he had a solid 8.1% walk percentage and induced ground-balls at an above-average 47% clip. Gsellman missed a good portion of last season because of a lat injury, and his strikeout rate dipped to 14.3% in 28 2/3 frames.

Assigned to Triple-A Iowa to start this season, Gsellman has started four of his five appearances. Hes tossed 15 1/3 innings with a tiny 1.17 ERA, albeit again with subpar swing-and-miss numbers. The Cubs will hope that Gsellmans ground-ball approach can carry over against big league hitters. Hell give them a multi-inning arm for an impromptu bullpen game tonight in Smylys absence, which will be opened by Scott Effross.

Chicago selected St. John onto the 40-man roster last month. He made one appearance, tossing two innings of three-run ball against Milwaukee on Saturday before being optioned out. The 29-year-old has tossed seven innings with Iowa, allowing four runs. He has fanned eight but also issued six walks and hit a trio of batters. The Cubs will have a week to trade him or place him on waivers.

In other news, starting pitcher Wade Miley is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday, tweets Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Claimed off waivers from the Reds over the offseason, the veteran southpaw has yet to make his team debut on account of inflammation in his throwing elbow.
Some popular artistes have been billed for the 23rd Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, slated for 6th and 7th May 2022.

The programme which promises to exude pure class, glamour and valour will be held at the Grand Arena at 8 pm each night.

Award show performances have seen a new high in the last couple of years. Last year, the VGMA stage was lit with spectacular performances never experienced in Ghana.

This years edition promises to turn the notch higher as it readies to provide some mind-blowing and thrilling LIVE performances.

Artistes billed to perform over the 2-day festival include KiDi, Black Sherif, Mr. Drew, Cina Soul, Ohemaa Mercy, Joe Mettle, Akwaboah, Kelvynboy, and S3fa.

Others are Gyakie, Camidoh, Samini, Kofi Kinaata, Celestine Donkor, Wendy Shay, Amerado, and Surprise acts.

The weekend will seek to Celebrate Ghanaian Excellence in Music, music content, and music commerce as the toppers in 33 categories will be awarded based on votes from, the schemes Board, Academy, and the public.

Day 1 will see 14 award presentations, these will mainly be Technical Categories. Day 2 will see 19 other prestigious trophies handed to deserving winners.

The 23rd Vodafone Ghana Music Awards; for the people, the culture, the musicproduced by Charterhouse, with support from TV3, DSTV, Twitter, MTV Base, Media Partners, and sponsored by VODAFONE.

---citinewsroom
03.05.2022 LISTEN

Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kojo Kyerematen joined HE the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to inaugurate the Atlantics Lifesciences Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company at Larkpleku in the Ningo Prampram District of Greater Accra.

In his remarks at the inauguration of the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, Mr. Kyerematen noted that 11 out of 13 pharmaceutical companies under the 1D1F initiative have received support to the tune of GHC415.3M for expansion, retooling, working capital or building entirely new manufacturing facilities in the country.

The partnership between the Ministry of Trade and Industry and some financial institutions in the country has provided long term competitive financing to support the pharmaceutical sector.

A recent report on Ghanas Pharmaceutical Industry indicates that Ghana would soon become the hub of pharmaceutical production in Sub Saharan Africa

The acceptance of Atlantic Lifesciences Limited into the 1D1F programme makes it the 107th company to operate under the programme.

According to the Minister, the decision of the Promoter and Management to locate this facility in Ghana underscores the confidence that the private sector continues to show in the Governments programme of industrial transformation, especially the 1D1F Initiative.

The report on Ghanas Pharmaceutical Industry further indicated that pharmaceutical sales in Ghana reached US$462 Million in 2020 and US$468 Million in 2021 and it is expected to reach US$544 Million in 2025 with sales expected to peak at US$896M by 2030. This positive outlook will obviously position Ghana as a hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing in the West Africa subregion.

Mr. Kyerematen said his sector and other MDAs, will fully support the pharmaceutical sector to take full advantage of the emerging opportunities by; upgrading pharmaceutical companies to achieve the WHO Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standard, Provide Management and Technical Assistance to enhance operational efficiency and establish a Bioequivalence Centre to support the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

The Minister was excited that the One District One Factory (1D1F) Initiative, which has become the bedrock of the countrys economy continues to signup more companies to expand the industrial base of the country. .

Hon. Alan Kyerematen reiterated that his outfit will continue to support the pharmaceutical sector to become more competitive and produce for both local and foreign markets.
The National Democratic Congress ( NDC) National Chairman hopeful, hon. Nii Armah Ashietey has donated some assorted food items to the National Chief Imam, Sheikh, Dr. Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu, in Accra on Friday.

According to the Aspirant, the donation was to support Muslim fraternity through the Imam in the holy month of Ramadan and the Eidul Fitr celebration.

The items donated by the former Korle Klottey MP included bags of rice, bottles of oil and a cloth.

He said Ramadan is a month of blessings and prayers and therefore it is appropriate that he supports the Imam in order to get the blessings of the month.

He used the opportunity to officially informed the Imam about his intentions to contest for his party's National Chairman position during the next coming national primaries.

Hon. Nii Armah Ashietey said this donation wasn't his first time. He said he has been doing such donations to the Chief Imam since his time as the Mayor of Tema in the 1990s.

The former Greater Accra Regional Minister advised the youth to celebrate the occassion in peace.

He also used the opportunity to wished Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu a happy 103 birthday and asked Allah to preserve his life for a longer period for the benefit of the entire Ghanaian community.

In his response , Dr. Osuman Nuhu Sharubutu expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the former Parliamentarian for the kind gesture.He said the items presented shall be used for the purpose for which they were donated which is to feed the poor and needy during and after the holy month of Ramadan.

The National Imam prayed for Nii Armah Ashietey in his bid to become the NDC's national chairman. He urged him to lead by example and selflessly if he is given the nod as the party's chairman.

"Leadership is a devine calling and if you are chosen as the chairman, do not be rude to the people but with respect and dedication. Respect them and be ready to serve well to the satisfaction of the people".

On his part, the Public Relations officer to the Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdul Latif added his voice on the need for the people especially the youth to celebrate the Eid celebrations in moderation and with caution.
Wisdom Gbedzo

02.05.2022 LISTEN

Last Saturday, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the two major political parties in the Akatsi South Constituency, put their political differences aside and mourned the death of Mr. Wisdom Gbedzo, a driver at Avenor Rural Bank and a card-carrying member of the largest opposition party, the NDC.

Hundreds of NDC and NPP members and supporters attended the funeral of the late Wisdom Gbedzo, which took place at his official residence on the Akatsi-Bata route.

Mr. Anthony Kwadzo Owusu, the party's constituency chairman, and Hon. Daniel Dagba, the party's secretary, respectively, led the NDC team.

Relatives, residents, and mourners from far and near swamped the town to show their last respect to the deceased.

Some Assembly members from the Akatsi South attended the funeral.

Mr. Wisdom Gbedzo's death was a pain to the NDC fraternity and the entire Akatsi South constituency, according to Hon. Anthony-Solo Adoteivi, but his life was worth celebrating.

According to him, the late Wisdom was known for his hard work and selflessness, comradeship, and justice, all of which helped him find gainful employment at a reputable bank.

The late Mr. Wisdom Gbedzo's final burial ceremonies were well attended by people from all walks of life.
A 400 kilowatt-hybrid waste to energy power plant to treat municipal solid waste in Ghana has been officially commissioned at Gyankobaa in Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality in Ashanti.

The over-all aim of the project is to undertake research and development and capacity building, develop concepts for waste segregation and conversion of various fractions of municipal solid waste into energy by using hybrid biogas, pyrolysis and solar PV technologies.

Additionally, the project also seeks to create business models to successfully replicate and propagate this model in ten different regions in Ghana and will have different plants for RDF, a direct biogas steam reformation, methanation as well as CO2 gas capture.

About the Project

The German government through the Federal Ministry of Education and Research signed a 6.2 million euros contract with four institutions in Germany and one institution in Ghana comprising three academic institutions, one research and development institution and a medium-scale industry to design and construct a hybrid waste to energy power plant to treat municipal solid waste in Ghana.

The completion of the 48-month project will help to ensure the conversion of waste to energy in Kumasi and later extended to other parts of the country.

Expected results

The project seeks to improve sanitation, which is a major environmental challenge in the country, by converting the ever-increasing municipal solid waste into energy for productive uses and contribute to sustainable industrial development.

It will also train high-level local experts in waste treatment technologies in use in Germany to Ghana as well as build the capacity of local experts to design, construct and maintain a hybrid waste to energy facility.

Besides, the project would install a novel hybrid waste to energy treatment facility in Ghana that combines solar PV, biogas and pyrolysis technologies to treat to treat waste and generate power and further provide a blueprint for the propagation of ten additional waste to energy facilities in Ghana.

The project will be training 17 students pursuing Masters degrees at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), KNUST and Kumasi Technical University and four PhD students.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako explained that the main focus of the project is to convert municipal solid waste, mainly plastics and organic waste, to electricity and compost.

On this project UENR led the design of the sorting and size reduction equipment as well as their technical specifications, and also designed their layout in the factory.

He also said UENR is providing capacity building by training students funded by the project, which include three MSc students on sustainable energy engineering with a focus on waste to energy research, adding that two more students will be admitted and trained.

Also, one PhD student from UENR is being trained in Germany on waste to energy engineering, and UENR is co-supervising her work, Prof Asare-Bediako said.

According to him, UENR is the only university accredited to train manpower and deliver services on energy and natural resources in West Africa, although other universities also run programmes related to energy.

Collaboration

UENR is collaborating with 28 other universities, research institutions and municipalities in Europe and Africa on a waste to energy project funded by the European Commission. This is a 5-year project, which is aimed at converting agricultural waste to electricity and organic fertiliser.

On the project; UENR is the scientific leader for all the research and engineering activities being executed by all universities on the project, the focal institution for all partners from West Africa and the lead for the design and installation of the different equipment that will be installed at the project site in Ghana

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that UENR has received funding from Zoomlion Ghana Limited, waste management experts, to conduct research on converting waste into energy for use in various parts of the country.

To this end, UENR will conduct research in a bid to provide practical solutions to sustainably managing municipal solid waste; focusing on developing systems for managing solid wastes, especially in the Bono region.
Police staged protests in dozens of cities across France on Monday in support of a colleague who was charged with "voluntary manslaughter" following the death of two men during an intervention on the Pont-Neuf bridge in Paris.

The 24-year-old officer used his assault rifle to stop a car as it hurtled towards police on Sunday, 24 April. Both the driver and a passenger were shot dead. A third passenger was wounded. The officer says he acted in self defence.

Under a banner of "be convicted or be killed, police unions are calling for the "presumption of self defence" in the event of a fatal outcome during a police response.

"How can we think that a police officer gets up in the morning and says to themselves 'I'm going to kill someone'?" Fabien Vanhemelryck, secretary general of the Alliance police union, told France Info radio.

"Our colleague saved a person from drowning. Yesterday he was a hero, today he is under investigation.

'Guilty of saving colleagues'

The unions argue the officer in question is guilty of having saved his colleagues, and called for rallies to take place in front of French courthouses and police stations.

In Paris, more than a hundred police gathered in front of the Saint-Michel fountain, a few metres from the scene of the event.

Large rallies were also held in Marseille, Nantes, Lyon, Lille, Toulouse and many other cities.

Laws including a presumption of self defence for police officers and gendarmes were among the proposals of far-right party candidates in last week's presidential election.

Rudy Manna, Alliance secretary in the Bouches-du-Rhone department, told France 3 TV that it was unbearable that a police officer should be indicted for manslaughter when he acted in the course of his work, to protect himself and his colleagues.

Amandine, a policewoman in the northern Hauts-de-Seine department told Le Parisien: "We do not ask for a license to kill. Shooting is not harmless, it has a huge psychological impact.

"What is acceptable? To let yourself be run over?"

Meanwhile Eric Moulin of the Unsa police union, which helped to organise Monday's protests, told BFMTV: "What we are asking today is that police officers who have exceptional constraints can benefit from exceptional jurisdiction and exceptional protection.

However during a hearing last Wednesday, judges found the police officer's response to be disproportionate because it was unclear if the officers were facing an immediate danger of death.

The officer was released under judicial supervision.
A frontline Rivers State governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Amechi Obuah has promised to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in the state, if given the mandate to fly the partys flag at the forthcoming PDP state primaries.

Addressing journalists and a horde of supporters at the South-South Zonal office of the PDP along Aba Road, Port Harcourt shortly after he was screened by the Screening Committee on Friday, Bro. Obuah said governance is all about the welfare of the people and striving to provide their basic needs.

Bro. Obuah who was the immediate Chairman of the PDP in the state, pledged to live by his philosophy of Go Round.

In his words, You know my name is Go Round. I want to make sure that at least, I reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, so that the wealth can go round.

He disclosed that the screening exercise was straightforward and very successful, adding We are expecting nothing but success all the way. We have all been screened and by the grace of God, it is confirmed.

The best candidate will carry the day. We are going to showcase our democratic credentials and what we intend to do for our people. The delegates will have to select among the 15 of us who they feel is best suitable for the job.

Mba Anabara Agu, as Bro. Obuah is traditionally titled, reiterated that he has the requisite capacity to govern the state, if given the partys ticket, even as he expressed confidence in the ability of the Screening Committee Members to do a good job.

The members of the committee are well respected citizens and the governor of Bayelsa State is the Chairman of the Screening Committee. Almost everybody there is a well respected and disciplined personality in the party. I am very confident because I have the capacity to lead the state, he echoed.

Rivers people should expect good governance. They should expect continuity. I am very sure that by the special grace of God, Insha Allah, I will make it, he said.
The European Union and the British Council have trained about 40 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Rivers State on compliance requirements on regulatory frameworks to make them more efficient in monitoring ills in society.

Lead Facilitator of the training, Prof Adedeji Adekunle, said the training would make CSOs good corporate citizens, better equipped to comply with the law, thereby positioning them to challenge wrongs in the society.

Adekunle, who is a professor of law, stated this at the weekend in Port Harcourt, during a two-day training for CSOs, stressing that if the CSOs were not strong in complying with the law, it would be difficult for them to challenge misdeeds in the society and correct them.

He said: If the organisations are better equipped to comply with the law, it makes them more efficient in monitoring ills in the society. A fully compliant CSO can stand tall and challenge wrong things.

Adekunle reiterated that the training would bolster the courage of CSOs and enhance their operations.

He added: The Nigerian state will get better, the job of regulators, like the Pension Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Corporate Affairs Commission, will become easier and I expect a stronger cooperation between the CSOs and the regulators, which, I believe, will rob more positively in the country because it will help to tackle corruption also.

Also speaking, the Component 2 Manager of the European Union Agent for Citizens-driven Transformation (EU-ACT), Idem Udoekong, said it was expedient to be on the good side of the law, be accountable to tackle corruption.

He said: A situation where the CSOs are not following the law, some persons can take advantage and abuse the law too, thats why we decided to train them to become compliant to existing civil society regulations.

He attributed poor compliance among CSOs to a lack of requisite knowledge and information about regulations and provisions of tax law and how to go about it.

He maintained that compliance with the regulatory framework was key to sustaining and strengthening civil society organisations.

EU-ACT had earlier stressed the issue of poor compliance of CSOs on regulatory framework, attributing this to a lack of the requisite knowledge and information on regulations.

This was stated at a two-day training for CSOs Regulatory Framework and Compliance held in Abuja, by the British Council National Technical Committee on Civil Society Self Regulation on Monday.

This assertion was reinforced by the outcome of a survey conducted by the EU-ACT programme in March 2021 to establish the current levels of compliance with legal frameworks amongst its supported CSOs/Networks/CBOs in the FCT, Lagos, Sokoto, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Adamawa, Enugu, Plateau and Borno States.

According to EU-ACT, the survey findings indicated that out of the 119 CSOs responses that were processed, less than a third of the CSOs were compliant with the Company Allied Matters Act, less than 10% of the CSOs were fully tax compliant and only 14% of the CSOs were SCUML compliant.

Udoekong noted that compliance with the regulatory framework is Paramount to sustaining and strengthening CSOs and keeping them out of trouble.

"This helps to sustain the organisation as if you do not comply with the law, it may create room for abuse of the system. So regulations help credibility in the organisation as they always advocate for change and reform. They also need to be credible enough to fight the cause as research shows low compliance of CSOs to be relevant.

"This low compliance is because they do not understand what they have to do. For example, filing annual returns for companies in allied matters act. We expect them to have better knowledge of the law and comply more, we want to see the level of compliance go up as a result of this training, which will be ten rounds of training around marked states, then the state's networks," he said.

On his part, Prof. Adedeji Adekunle in his address reiterated that compliance with regulation is knowledge-driven, as sometimes organisations do not know what to do per time and people are scared of meeting regulations which sometimes indicates they have something to hide.

"These regulations if not adhered to have penalties as these documents and resolutions are not on paper. It looks fishy as this also helps the government to know the organisation is still in practice and not extinct.

On his part, Terver Ayuda, Special Assistant Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), stated the need to deepen the knowledge on compliance and how it will benefit the regulator and those who are regulated.

While noting that, so far the compliance level is encouraging even though cannot be rated in percentage but more education needs to be done.

"Some of these CSOs are not shying from compliance but sometimes they have issues on how best it can be achieved so the office of the CAC I'd here to throw more light on how it can be done seamlessly. Registration is two-way traffic, we expect that entities should comply with requirements of the registration as this is the way the commission can regulate CSO."

One of the participants, James Ugochukwu of the African Centre for Entrepreneurship Information and Development, said the CSOs complement activities of the government, and over-regulation of the space will be shutting the door to more people engaging in Civil activities.

According to him, persons come into CSOs to help solve a concern that people suffer. "What we expect the government to do is to make the space safer for more people to engage, not to create stringent laws like these as these laws are shrinking the CSO's space, these laws most times do not work positively. They are over-regulating the activities of the CSOs," he said.
Ghanaian politician, Jacob Osei Yeboah is advocating for Ghana to lead Africa to carve a working democracy that will inspire development for the people of the continent.

This is contained in his message to Muslims on the occasion of the celebration of this years Eid-ul-Fitr.

In his statement, Jacob Osei Yeboah stresses that the time has come for Ghana to be a pioneer for Africa and lead the way as often regarded as the continents beacon of democracy.

The time has come for Ghanaians to lead Africa to carve her own democracy from the originality and purpose.

Let Ghana lead Africa to carve our own working democracy to build a cohesive society poised for real development in peace. Peace be upon us all, parts of the statement from the former Presidential candidate of Ghana reads

For starters, Jacob Osei Yeboah has called for research into the history of democracy and Multiparty Democracy a term which is oxymoron, contradiction, and pointedly foolish to pursue in democracy after the Ramadan.

Read more from the statement below:

To All Noble Muslims especially, the youth in Ghana, Eid Mubarak.

Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu,

On behalf of the office of JOY2012 and my own behalf, we wish our compatriots Muslims a blessing Eid Mubarak.

The 2022 has been a year of great phenomenon of roller coaster political environment that keeps the whole nation in Constance dizziness and near fainting after 30 years of defending what has come to be known as multiparty democracy.

The time has come for Ghanaians to lead Africa to carve her own democracy from the originality and purpose.

Paul Johnson, a British Catholic Journalist wrote, The study of history is a very powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great cost, wholly false.

We need after Ramadan to research into history of democracy and Multiparty Democracy a term which is oxymoron, contradiction and pointedly foolish to pursue in democracy. We can then agree with Paul Johnson that our discovery is at great cost, wholly false. We do not need to destroy ourselves for only a few Machiavellians in the political parties. We need to practice majoritarian democracy without political parties inclinations or alignment which are all part of divide and rule tactics. We need to boycott multiparty democracy to save the future generations after us.

Allah ta'aalaa will never change His blessings and the fortunes of a people unless the people take the initiative to change themselves. "For surely Allah will never change the grace which He hath bestowed on a people until they change what is in their (own) souls; and verily Allaah is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things)." (Qur'aan: Al-Anfaal, 8:53)

Let Ghana leads Africa to carve our own working democracy to build a cohesive society poised for real development in peace. Peace be upon us all. Aameen.

Jacob Osei Yeboah (JOY2012)

2012 & 2016 Independent Presidential Candidate

Sent from my iPad

Thanks and Regards

Jacob Yeboah

No.7 Senchi Street

Airport Residential Area, Accra
The United States on Monday urged a credible investigation into the death of an Egyptian economist as it denounced certain "shocking" setbacks in the country's human rights record.

"We are deeply disturbed by reports surrounding the death in custody of Egyptian researcher Ayman Hadhoud and allegations of his torture while in detention," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

"The circumstances of his detention, of his treatment, of his death, we think, require a thorough, transparent and credible investigation without delay," Price said.

Price said the United States would raise human rights concerns with Egypt, including "significant and shocking setbacks as in this case," although he also welcomed the recent release of 41 political prisoners.

Hadhoud was a member of the liberal Reform and Development Party, whose founder Mohamed Sadat -- the nephew of former president Anwar Sadat -- has served as an unofficial negotiator on behalf of prisoners.

Egyptian prosecutors insisted last month there was no criminal suspicion in the death of Hadhoud, saying that doctors believed he suffered mental health issues.

His brother Omar Hadhoud rejected the finding and said his brother's face and skull had fractures, although he was unsure of the cause.

Rights groups say Egypt is holding some 60,000 political prisoners, while President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi insists there are none.

US President Joe Biden took office vowing a firmer line on human rights with Sisi, a close partner of previous US president Donald Trump, including conditioning some aid on progress.

But the Biden administration also turned to Sisi last year for assistance in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
Former President John Dramani Mahama is accusing Nana Akufo-Addo of engaging in cronyism and nepotism amidst the harsh economic situation of most Ghanaians.

He said President Akufo-Addo has largely failed to honour the many promises he made to Ghanaians before the 2016 election, and currently lacks ideas on how to govern the country.

Speaking at the NDCs Ghana at a crossroads event in Accra, John Mahama said, the NPP government came into office in January 2017 on the back of mouthwatering promises of an almost instant transformation of our country An assessment of our current conditions shows that what is happening bears very little or no resemblance to what was promised.

Over the last several months, our political space and societal reactions have been dominated by discussion on the challenges of introducing even more taxes. These conversations have taken place against the backdrop of unparalleled cronyism, nepotism and breaches on the basic tenets of conflict of interest, transparency and accountable government and misplaced spending by the president and his inner circle, he added.

John Mahama also said the current state of the country under the Akufo-Addo government does not engender hope for citizens.

The painful epiphany is that, in Ghana today, the frustrations of the Ghanaian people are at an all-time high. We are at a crossroads that is acutely complicated by the doubts and fears of our next generations in the face of a future that carries no expectations of success in their lives. For most Ghanaians, the feeling of despondency and hopelessness is real and personal. It is exacerbated by the growing trend of inequality and lack of upwards social mobility, he further said.

citinewsroom
The 2020 flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama is calling for the removal of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as the chairman of the Economic Management Team.

According to him, the state of the countrys economy requires that he steps aside, for a fresh face to be employed to take over the job.

The former president made the remarks at the NDCs Ghana at a crossroads lecture in Accra on Monday.

He said the economic management team under the leadership of Dr. Bawumia has led the country to its worst international credit rating downgrade, diminished confidence in the local economy and resulted in the poor performance of the cedi on the international market, among other things.

In addition to Bawumia, Mr. Mahama said the entire membership of the economic management team must be revised.

The economic management team has failed and must be reconstituted immediately with fresh ideas and perspectives having supervised the worst public debt build-up, worst budget deficit, worst debt to GDP ratio, worst credit rating downgrade, worst-performing currency in the world, worst crisis of confidence in the economy The current head of the economic management team [Dr. Bawumia] has clearly fallen from his ivory tower as a self-styled economic messiah to a poster boy for economic mismanagement and his leadership of the economic management team is no longer tenable, Mahama said.

He also called on President Akufo-Addo to relieve the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta of his job since he believes that he has failed to act in the national interest and rather seeks his personal interest.

According to him, the current state of the economy must be blamed directly on the Finance Minister as well as the Vice President and the economic management.

Those directly responsible for the economic crisis must bear responsibility, and it is inconceivable that the Minister of Finance [Ken Ofori-Atta] remains at post. Having presided over the worst economic meltdown in Ghanas recent history, the president must, as a matter of urgency and without further delay relive the Minister of Finance of his position, he said.

He added that the government must bring in a replacement who is focused on national rather than self-interest.

citinewsroom
An National Democratic Congress (NDC) government when it comes to power, will abolish the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy).

This was announced by former President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, 2 May 2022.

According to Mr Mahama, the opposition NDC is not opposed to taxation, however, the party is against taxes that burden the Ghanaian people.

The former President said: We in the NDC do not oppose taxation as a principle. We will not be pretentious and couch fanciful slogans to condemn the principle of taxation like the NPP did in the past.

We are, however, implacably opposed to distortionary and burdensome taxes like the e-levy that only force Ghanaians to endure more suffering.

He added: A new National Democratic Congress Government, God willing and with the votes of the sovereign people of Ghana  in 2025  will repeal the E-Levy Act.

The 1.5percent E-Levy kicked off on Sunday, 1 May 2022 despite public objection.

The 5 transactions affected by the E-levy include: Momo transfers between users on same network, Momo transfers between users on different networks, Transfers from bank accounts to Momo accounts, Transfers from Momo accounts to bank accounts and Inter-bank transfers using digital platforms including mobile applications.

Meanwhile the NDC on Tuesday, 19 April 2020, petitioned the Supreme Court for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the Akufo-Addo-led government through the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from commencing the implementation of the E-Levy on the 1st of May 2022.

The plaintiffs are Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu, MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga.

The three have filed an earlier suit at the apex court challenging the passage of the e-levy bill by a one-sided parliament.

Source: classfmonline.com
Reverend Gabriel Dzigbordi Komla Opeku (retired), a former Volta Regional Pastor of the Great Commission Church International (GCCI), has been laid to rest at Liati Odumase in the Afadjato South District of the Volta Region.

He died on 26th of January, 2022, at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, after a short illness at the age of 71.

Apostle Joseph Felix Kwesi Mensah, the Chairman of the International Executive Council of GCCI and Apostle Professor Samuel Asuming-Brempong, the Chairman of the Ghana National Council of the GCCI jointly led hundreds of mourners including other apostles and bishops from across Ghana; alongside with dozens of priests, elders, deacons and deaconesses of the Church, to pay their last respect to the late Rev Opeku at Liati Odumase in the Afadjato South District of the Volta Region.

The late Rev Opeku was survived by his wife, Mrs Vinolia Pearl Opeku, with whom he had five children, of which one has already gone to be with the Lord.

He was born on 30th May, 1950 at Liati Agbonyra in the Afadzato South District of the Volta Region, to Mr Frederick Korkutse Opeku and Mrs Florence Opeku, both of blessed memory.

The late Rev Opeku, who was ordained as Reverend Minister on 9th October, 1983, pastored churches at Abutia, Peki Blengo, Kpando and Ho all in the Volta Region.

He also pastored in Wa in the Upper West Region and Tamale in the Northern Region.

The late Rev Opeku served on the Executive Council of the GCCI as the Director of Personnel and Director of Church Life, as well as the Volta Regional Pastor.

During his retirement period, he planted the Liati Odumase branch of GCCI.

He also served as Acting Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Volta Regional Chapter of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council.

Prior to entering the Pastoral Ministry, the late Rev Opeku worked at the Ameyi Chambers/Volta Lines from 1970 to 1971.

He also worked with the Civil Aviation Department, now Ghana Civil Aviation Authority from 1971 to 1978, where he rose through the ranks from Technical Officer in Training to Senior Technical Officer.

Apostle Joseph Felix Kwesi Mensah, the Chairman of the International Executive Council of the GCCI, in his homily said he was excited that Rev Opeku had finished well and that he had gone home to be with his maker; saying "I also want to finish well."

He said the fact Christ had risen from the dead was a prove that there was hope for the Christian after death.

He advised Christians to prefer going to heaven, because in heaven there would be no more pain and no more sin; saying "a time is coming when there will be no more pain, no more tears. Heaven is better than this place (earth) because you are a stranger here."

Mrs Vinolia Pearl Opeku in her a tribute said: "Indeed, you have been my rock, you have been a great irreplaceable pillar for me, for our children, grandchildren and our children-in-laws."

"You showed much love to me and the kids and you were always at their beck and call."

Madam Oforiwa Alorwu-Tay, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Afadjato South, in her tribute, said the late Rev Opeku was the prayer pillar behind her during the election campaign period.

She recounted that on one of her campaign rounds, a community became very hostile towards her and that when she got Liati Odumase, the late Rev Opeku gave her a word of encouragement that "my daughter, this is a divine calling, pursue and God will give you victory".

Other key personalities of GCCI who were at the funeral include Apostle Professor Samuel Asuming-Brempong, the Chairman of the Ghana National Council of the GCCI, and his wife, Professor Stella Asuming-Brempong.

Others were Apostle Joseph Kwabena Antwi, a former Chairman of GCCI Ghana; Apostle Samuel Vincent Ansah, a former Vice Chairman, Finance and Administration; Apostle Komla Ebenezer Hagan, a former Director of Personnel, and Apostle Richard Kwame Adanu, Volta Regional Pastor.

Other Members of the Ghana National Council of the GCCI, who were also at the funeral include Rev Godson Gbloe, Vice Chairman Finance and Administration; Rev Larry Nayo; Director of Finance; Rev Charles Akasreku, Director of Ministries; Reverend Alexander Obeng Oguamenah, Director of Personnel; Rev Alex Boakye-Yiadom, Director of Church Life and Rev Samuel Arthur, Director of Evangelism.
Former President John Dramani Mahama says the Akufo-Addo government is unable to remove taxes on petroleum products because it has collateralized the taxes to contract new loans.

Speaking at the NDCs Ghana at a crossroads event on Monday, he said the government has, for instance, collateralized the Energy Sector Levy popularly known as ESLA, making it impossible to remove it as a component of fuel prices in Ghana until 2035.

Mahama added that the practise of collateralizing taxes for new loans must be curtailed to save the countrys economy from plunging into huge debts.

What he did not tell the workers is that some of those taxes cannot be removed because they have been collateralised, and the money has already been spent. Today, ESLA cannot be removed as part of our petroleum price build-up because this government spent the money upfront and has collateralised it till 2035. This entirely unwholesome practice of concealing debts through the collateralization of statutory funds for the contraction of loans must be curtailed, he said.

President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Sunday, May 1, 2022, dismissed calls on the government to reduce taxes on petroleum products.

He said taking such an action would significantly affect the government's 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.

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 said it would not be sustainable for the government to take such an action.

However, John Mahama in stating a contrary view, said keeping such taxes and continuing to collateralize them for new loans will lead to a false sense of security and make the country worse off.

Hidden debts will catch up with you, as it has the effect of increasing the public debt while creating a false sense of security because those debts sit on the books of state-owned enterprises and special purpose vehicles.

citinewsroom
Former Ghana President, John Dramani Mahama has started another war with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia over the management of the economy.

Delivering an address to the nation on Monday, May 2, 2022, the leading member of the NDC described the vice president as a self-styled economic messiah who has now become a poster boy for economic mismanagement.

The economic management team has failed and must be reconstituted immediately with fresh ideas and perspectives having supervised the worst public debt build-up, worst budget deficit, worst debt to GDP ratio, worst credit rating downgrade, worst-performing currency in the world, worst crisis of confidence in the economy

The current head of the economic management team [Dr. Bawumia] has clearly fallen from his ivory tower as a self-styled economic messiah to a poster boy for economic mismanagement and his leadership of the economic management team is no longer tenable, John Mahama said.

According to the former President, it is time those who have mismanaged the Ghanaian economy are held to account.

In his speech, he said Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta must be immediately sacked.

Those directly responsible for the economic crisis must bear responsibility, and it is inconceivable that the Minister of Finance [Ken Ofori-Atta] remains at post. Having presided over the worst economic meltdown in Ghanas recent history, the president must, as a matter of urgency and without further delay relive the Minister of Finance of his position, the 2020 presidential candidate of the opposition NDC said.
Former President John Dramani Mahama

03.05.2022 LISTEN

The 2020 presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has challenged the government over claims that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has contributed to the hardships in the country.

The President, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and his Vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have on different occasions apportioned blame on the conflict, insisting that its impact together with the Covid-19 pandemic are responsible for the economic crisis.

Addressing the nation on Monday, May 2, 2022, former President John Dramani Mahama insisted that those claims are inaccurate.

According to him, Ghanaians were subjected to hardships and suffering by the ruling government even before Russia - Ukraine war.

The Russian-Ukrainian conflict cannot possibly be responsible for the suffering Ghanaians are going through. The suffering predates the war. Before this conflict, our currency had been depreciating and was impacting negatively on fuel and commodity prices in our markets.

Fuel prices had gone up on more than forty different occasions since 2017 before the Russian-Ukrainian conflict started, John Dramani Mahama said.

In his speech, the former President accused Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of failing to lead his Economic Management Team to help the government manage the economy properly.

Dragging Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta into the conversation, the leading member of the opposition NDC demanded his removal from office.

Those directly responsible for the economic crisis must bear responsibility and it is inconceivable that the Minister of Finance [Ken Ofori-Atta] remains at post, having presided over the worst economic meltdown in Ghanas recent history. The President must, without further delay, relieve the finance minister of his position and appoint someone who is focused on national rather than self-interest and who has the requisite skill, experience, and knowledge of public financial management in his stead.

The personal benefit that the current minister and his cronies derives from borrowing on our behalf through the commissions taken by his companies who serve as transaction advisers raises an unacceptable conflict of interest situation which must end immediately, Mahama said.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency has said he is elated by assurances from former president John Mahama that a future NDC government will cancel the E-levy.

Mr Mahama speaking at the NDCs Ghana at a crossroads event held in Accra on Monday, May 2, 2022 said the opposition party is not opposed to taxation, however, the party is against taxes that burden the Ghanaian people.

The former President said: We in the NDC do not oppose taxation as a principle. We will not be pretentious and couch fanciful slogans to condemn the principle of taxation like the NPP did in the past.

We are, however, implacably opposed to distortionary and burdensome taxes like the e-levy that only force Ghanaians to endure more suffering.

He added: A new National Democratic Congress Government, God willing and with the votes of the sovereign people of Ghana  in 2025  will repeal the E-Levy Act.

Reacting to this, Mr Ablakwa who is one of three plaintiffs fighting the E-levy in court in a Facebook post said I am absolutely elated to hear former President Mahamas firm assurance that a future NDC government will repeal the abhorrent and detestable E-Levy.

This gives me great hope that even if we do not get the justice we deserve in the Supreme Court and on the streets, E-Levy will go!

Source: Classfmonline.com
Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, says he had to petition the Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police to get the interdiction on his personal bodyguard lifted.

On the 31st of October 2021, the Ghana Police Service suspended the bodyguard, Inspector Daniel Agbavor, for allegedly driving into a crowd recklessly during a protest, endangering the lives of two senior Police officers and the public.

Reports were that the driver, did that to prevent the Police from arresting the MP for his role in the chaotic protest against bad road network in parts of his constituency.

Speaking to Citi News, the Madina MP said the Police failed to hear the case internally to confirm the truth or otherwise of the claim.

The rule is that when you interdict an officer you try the officer within 90 days. if it is not done, the interdiction would have to be lifted. This was however not done. The trial didnt happen within 90 days and we petitioned the IGP and Attorney General against it.

We were glad to finally hear that the interdiction has been lifted. We are waiting to see the Polices next action, and know what legal action to take.

citinewsroom
03.05.2022 LISTEN

The National Chief Imam, Sheik Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, has advised Muslims across the country to be measured in the Eid ul Fitr celebrations in order not to lose the essence of the 30-day fasting.

Muslims ended the fasting period on Monday and are to crown it with the Eid celebrations today, Tuesday.

In a Citi News interview, the Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheik Aremeyaw, said Muslims should mark the day in accordance with the law and their religion.

Each year, billions of Muslims around the world fast during the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It begins with the sighting of the moon.

Fasting in Ramadan involves abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn to sunset.

Ramadan for Muslims is a month of reflection, and self-improvement in relation to one's behaviour towards other people, oneself, and Allah.

It is also a way to show solidarity with millions of poor people who cannot afford a four-square meal.

Muslims begin the fast before the call to the Fajr prayer after they are done with suhoor and fast till the setting of the sun after the call of Maghrib evening prayer.

Children, the elderly, travelers, pregnant women, and people who are suffering from chronic illness are, however, excused from fasting, but they are required to make up the fasting later or compensate by feeding the hungry in proportion to the fast they had missed.

citinewsroom
Nairobi, May 2, 2022  Ethiopian authorities should immediately release journalists Dessu Dulla and Bikila Amenu, drop all charges against them, and stop targeting members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday.

On April 7, authorities in the Ethiopian region of Oromia charged Dessu and Bikila, both journalists with the social media-based broadcaster Oromia News Network, under Article 238 of the countrys criminal code, which bars outrages against the constitution, according to news reports and Gudane Fekadu, a lawyer representing the journalists, who spoke to CPJ in a phone interview.

If convicted, the journalists could face three years to life in prison, or the death penalty, according to the criminal code. Prosecutors have also invoked Article 258, which compels courts to issue death sentences in cases of outrages against the constitution under aggravating conditions, including if the alleged offenses were committed during a civil war or with the support of foreign actors, Gudane said.

Authorities arrested Dessu, ONNs editor-in-chief and the host of its Under the Shadow of Democracy program, and Bikila, a reporter and news presenter, on November 18, 2021.

The journalists are being held at Daleti Prison in Oromia Regional States Finfinne Surrounding Special Zone, according to Gudane and those reports; hearings in their cases have been repeatedly adjourned, and they are next due in court on Tuesday, May 3.

After months of arbitrary detention, the anti-state charges filed against Ethiopian journalists Dessu Dulla and Bikila Amenu, potentially carrying the death penalty, are outrageous. Authorities had months to bring credible charges against the journalists, and the fact they did not only exposes the retaliatory nature of the proceedings, said CPJs Africa program coordinator, Angela Quintal, in New York. Dessu and Bikila should be freed immediately and unconditionally, and those who abused the justice system to keep them behind bars should be held to account.

Dessu and Bikila are facing trial alongside 15 co-defendants, all of whom are accused of connections to the Oromia Regional National Transitional Government, a regional body established by the Oromo Liberation Front and Oromo Federalist Congress opposition parties, according to Gudane and those news reports.

Gudane said that authorities chargesheet does not specify exactly what offenses the defendants are alleged to have committed.

On Under the Shadow of Democracy, Dessu covered threats to democracy in Ethiopia and specifically in Oromia. Bikila hosted daily and weekly news roundups on issues including the wars in the countrys Tigray and Oromia regions and human rights violations in Oromia.

Gudane told CPJ that the chargesheet did not mention either ONN or the Oromo Liberation Front by name, but said that Dessu and Bikila told him they could not think of any reason they would be targeted for arrest other than their journalistic work.

Dessu and Bikila were detained in a crackdown following authorities declaration of a state of emergency in late 2021, according to CPJs reporting from the time. Other journalists arrested at the time were released between January and April 2022, and the state of emergency was lifted in February, but Dessu and Bikila remained behind bars, according to media reports and CPJ research.

Police previously arrested Bikila in 2019 and held him for weeks without charge; authorities detained Dessu in March and September 2020, according to CPJ reporting and other news reports.

When CPJ called Oromia Police Commissioner Arasa Merdasa in November 2021, he said he was not aware of Bikila and Dessu s detentions and promised to investigate. When CPJ called again last week and sent questions via messaging app, he did not respond.

CPJ also emailed and called the Oromia Communications Bureau, a government communications office, for comment, but did not receive any replies. When CPJ called Hailu Adugna, a spokesperson for the bureau, the call did not connect.

Gemechis Bekele, the bureaus vice spokesperson, told CPJ in a phone interview that he was not authorized to speak about Dessu and Bikilas detentions.
03.05.2022 LISTEN

The Wisconsin International University College, Ghana chapter of the Tertiary Education Students Confederacy of New Patriotic Party (NPP)  (WIUC-TESCON) wishes to express our warmest congratulations to all the newly elected SRC Executives.

It is indeed a moment pride for us all as members of the Youth (Student) wing of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition for the electoral success at the just ended SRC elections.

We also wish to express our heart-felt gratitude to all students, the various Campaign Teams, and all our Members. Your names will be plated with gold in the history of student politics in Wisconsin University. Indeed, this is a clear indication that our human resource capacity is firm and solid.

To the new executives, H. E. Batiah Semi-Ulah Santi (President - Elect), H. E. Michael Hudo (Vice President - Elect), Melvine Gogan (General Secretary - Elect), H. E. Dora Goodhead (External Affairs President - Elect), Josita Gnonlonfoun (Financial Controller - Elect), Salamatu Fuseini (Womens' Commissioner - Elect), Olaide Badmus (External Affairs Secretary - Elect); as you embark upon your new responsibilities as SRC Executives, we wish to assure you and the entire student body of the continued friendship, support and collective interest which has existed between us over the years.

To the other aspirants who could make it, Emmanuel Kwasi Gyebi, Gifty Afenyo and Madina Adams, we wish you a better luck next time. You have demonstrated good sportsmanship and maturity in the aftermath of the elections. And to the Electoral Commission, we say kudos. Organising such a crucial elections despite such tight time constraints is no mean an achievement. You have been one of the best electoral commissions in our recent history.

We look forward to working with you (executives  elect) not only to develop closer relations with the SRC, but also to concert our efforts in the cause of peace and the brotherhood of all students.

It is our prayer that the almighty God grant you the wisdom of King Solomon to lead the SRC so us to vindicate our trust in you. Congratulations once again. Shalom!!

God Bless Ghana!!!

God Bless NPP!!!

God Bless Wisconsin!!!

God Bless TESCON!!!

God Bless us All!!!

Thank You.

Issued by: Communication Directorate
Vice President, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

03.05.2022 LISTEN

Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has admonished Muslims to continue to uphold the spirit of selflessness and compassion as they celebrate this years Eid-ul-Fitr.

After the annual 30-day fasting, Muslims in Ghana are joining their brothers and sisters from around the world to celebrate Eid.

In a video message on his social media platform today, H.E Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia has prayed for Allahs grace for all Muslims and their families.

As we rejoice with our families and loved ones, let us remain thankful for his mercies and grace and continue to pray for our family, loved ones, and our dear country, the Vice President said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has called on Muslims to endeavour to at all times display selflessness and generosity.

Let us continue to uphold our beautiful spirit of selflessness, generosity, and compassion we showed towards humanity during the month of Ramadan, the Vice President stresses.

Listen to H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia below:
03.05.2022 LISTEN

The New Patriotic Party, (NPP) has described former President John Dramani Mahama's promise to repeal the e-levy act should he win the 2024 elections as a desperate attempt to gain credibility.

The former President at his 'Ghana at the crossroads' address reiterated his position that the tax policy is regressive.

He promised to stop Ghanaians from paying the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) if his party wins power in 2024.

But the governing New Patriotic Party believes this position is at variance with policy measures contained in the 2020 manifesto of the NDC.

In an interview with Citi News, the Director of Communications at the NPP, urged the former president to abandon his re-election bid as Ghanaians will not vote for him.

So John Mahama is saying he will repeal E-Levy when voted back into power. How is he going to reconcile his manifesto promise to push for uniform electronic transactions? His desperation is showing seriously. You had imposed a 17.5% tax on all electronic financial transfers, the NPP repealed that. The E-levy is 1.5% percent, a difference of 15%.

The entire speech was not about shoring up even the NDC, it was about shoring up John Mahama who is wilting under the heat. This is a desperate measure. He is fighting for credibility within the NDC itself. All in all, I dont think John Mahamas performance has been taken seriously enough to warrant him victory in the 2022 elections.

Government commenced the implementation of the controversial levy on May 1, 2022, despite widespread condemnation of the tax policy.

The levy was reduced from 1.75% to 1.5% after several protests led by the opposition party, its Members in Parliament, and some civil society groups.

Government had hoped to rake in about GH7 billion from the collection of the 1.5% levy on mobile money and other electronic transactions, but the figure was revised downwards to about GH4 billion recently.

The opposition NDC had tagged the levy as double taxation and counterproductive, but the government had insisted that it was a burden-sharing initiative adopted to shore up the country's internal revenue instead of depending on foreign aid.

By Citi Newsroom
03.05.2022 LISTEN

There is currently a keen contest in the ongoing New Patriotic Party(NPP) constituency elections in the Ashanti Region.

The second batch of the elections held from Thursday 28th April to Monday 2nd May 2022 across the country pulled a lot of surprises and shocks as some persons alleged to be from the incumbent regional Chairman, Wontumi's camp lost their positions with fresh entrants making their way to represent the party at the constituency level ahead of 2024 general elections.

Over 70 percent of Wontumi's candidates have lost seats to new entrants.

The contest which appears to be between Wontumi and contender, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah has gathered momentum as party people are seen in jubilant mood when results are declared in favour of persons perceived to be Odeneho Kwaku Appiah candidates at the various polling centres.

A team from this portal visits to over 38 constituencies indicate a resounding victory for COKA candidates whereas the incumbent regional Chairman's candidates lost.

Out of the 41 constituencies, Wontumi's candidates, both incumbent and new entrants who contested in the region, unfortunately lost to the chagrin of some party members gathered at the polling centres.

Strangely, in his(Wontumi) own backyard, Bosomtwi constituency, he lost 6:4 to COKA's team respectively.

Also in COKA's constituency, Afigya Kwabre South, he was given a resounding victory of 10:0 as persons perceived to be Wontumi's candidates lost.

During our visit to the election centres, there were cheers from the crowd(COKA b3ba), meaning literally as COKA will come, as winning teams are announced in their favour.

With the exception of Manhyia North, Fomena, Atwima Kwawoma, Mampong and Kumawu that are yet to vote because of pending court cases, the remaining constituencies fell for COKA which makes it quite difficult or almost impossible for the incumbent chairman to retain his seat.

Data available to this website indicates out of a total of 47 Constituencies, 42 have conducted elections. With 225 incumbent elected officers and 193 newly elected officers representing a total of 53.84% and 46.17% respectively.

The party is supposed to elect a total of 420 officers. However, 418 have been elected with 2 positions currently suspended.

Further Explanation

What this means is that about 82% of the newly elected officers are from areas strongly dominated by the incumbent regional chairman-Wontumi, whereas 8% of the incumbent who retained their position are also believed to be on the side of his contender, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah.

Some of the newly elected executives who spoke with the media indicated that the regional Chairmanship contest was between Odeneho Kwaku Appiah and Bernard Antwi Boasiako. When asked why they arrived at such a conclusion they said, "The party must reorganize early enough for the 2024 General elections. Involving all the new regional chairman contestants is a complete waste of everyone's time. Our focus right now is the two contestants, and that's what we're going to decide on."

The Regional executives elections is scheduled for May 27, 2022 barring any last minute changes.
03.05.2022 LISTEN

Dear Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources

Good day Sir,

Sir, as a constructive senior citizens, I consider have a duty to perform to the following;

Firstly, to Almighty God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth and the maker of all living things including Animals and especially Human beings and Has bestowed (blessed) this great Nation called Ghana, with rich deposits of gold, Bauxite, Manganese, Diamond, Iron, Industrial Minerals like Salt, limestone etc and other Natural Resources like Timber, Rivers, and abundant arable land for the utilization by the Nation for the wellbeing of the Citizenry. As such he gave the human species with brains to be utilized for the benefits of Mankind. So, the proponents of our 1992 Constitution, especially Dr SKB Asante, the Asokorehene or the Paramount Chief of Asokore Asante and 8 others utilized their fine brain and proposed for the inclusion in the 1992 Constitution which anchored the Fourth Republic that all public lands and all minerals etc in Ghana are vested in the President on behalf of and in trust for, the people of Ghana.

Secondly, to Mankind especially my fellow brave and great Compatriots especially the blood of the fallen and missing heroes who together with the living patriots (including Mr Kwesi Pratt, Mr Paul Afoko, Madam Bolico who was one time my godmother, the then Lawyer Nana Addo now President of Ghana, Kwesi Aidoo, Kofi Baako Junior and others who fearlessly combated the PNDC and forced the PNDC to return this great Nation from era of Military Dictatorship to Democratic Republic under the 1992 Constitution. This 1992 Constitution which brought about this glorious Fourth Republic which anchor has held for the past 30 years despite the pervasive corruption and mismanagement by all previous Administrations and the current Administration.

Thirdly, to the 93% of the Voters, who together, we all came out in our numbers and voted Yes on 28 April 1992 in the Referendum and approved or accepted the 1992 Constitution as the embodiment of Popular Sovereignty of the People of Ghana. And among other provisions in the 1992 Constitution, we the People of Ghana vested in the President of Ghana on behalf of, and in trust for us, the people of Ghana at Article 257 (1) all Public Lands and Article 275 (6) Every mineral in its natural state in under or upon any land in Ghana, rivers, streams, water course throughout Ghana, the exclusive zone and above. Fourthly to the History of this great nation especially on matters pertaining to the Mining Sector.

So, I write as a follow up to my submissions to you on matters pertaining to the Minerals and Mining Law to re-brief you on the Mining industry especially the Small Scale Mining Sector with the view to presenting the way forward to ensure the good wellbeing of the Citizenry by effective and efficient compliance of the requirements of Article 275 (6) of the 1992 Constitution by His Excellency, the President.

Hon, Minister before I proffer my submission, it is proper for you to know the author of this mail especially his connection with and relevance in the Mining Sector under your watch. So, Sir, I got the interest to support the Mining Industry as well as the growth of Small Scale Mining, when I was privileged to be the Rep of the Ghana Army (through 2BN Takoradi) at the Western Regional Security Council (the current CEO of COCOBOD, Hon Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, was then the Western Regional Minister and Chairman of the REGSEC). The Region had serious security issues especially banditry activities and violent crimes especially armed robbery and Galamsey operations outside and within Registered and Mining Companies Concessions.

So I came out with a submission to the Western Regional Security Council for the re-introduction of OPERATIONS CALM LIFE, this was accepted. Luckily, we were able to secure funding from Alhaji Asoma Banda and others as well as from the then Seat of Government, Osu Castle through my friends including the late Atiemo, then Chief Director. With some vehicles made available by COCOBOD to 2BN and troops supplied by the Western Regional Police Command, Ghana Airforce Base Takoradi, Naval Base Sekondi and 2BN Takoradi, I caused the re-launching of OPERATION CALM LIFE in the Western Region in the early parts of 2001. We were able to stabilize the situation.

Hon, Minister in 2001, the Mining Companies in the Western Region had serious security challenges especially labour crisis at the current Gold Fields Tarkwa, (the Mining Concession was initially owned by an Australian Company, which sold the Concessions to Goldfields and failed to pay severance award to the Worker so the REGSEC went and resolved the impasse to allow the operations of Goldfields, Tarkwa), raping of a wife of expatriate and robbery at Ghana Manganese, Tarkwa, armed robbery at AngloGold Ashanti Iduamprim Tarkwa, Community/illegal mining and denial of Golden Star Resources (Bogoso Mine) access to operation at Prestea, illegal mining activities at St Jude Gold Resources Concession near Benso which later became the Concession of Golden Star Wassa Mine Akyeampim and illegal mining activities at general areas in the Region.

So the affected Mining Companies led by Mr YB Amponsah (now Labour Consultant) but then Head of HR/Administration Department with now Hon Adjei Mensah MP for Daboasi area but then Head of HR/Administration at Bogoso Mine, Bogoso and others made a case and through the REGSEC, I deployed the elements of OPERATION CALM LIFE in the locations of the affected Mining Companies and they troops dominated their areas with mobile patrols that helped and reduced the associated risk hazards within their operational areas.

Hon, Minister as stated above, in 2001 Golden Star Resources and Barnex signed a purchase deal involving $20Million Dollars and some shareholding for the Prestea Concession including the Prestea Underground Mine. But Golden Star met a stiff opposition both legal (injunction) and physical action by the people of Prestea due to the alleged illegal mining activities by the Ex-staff who wrongly re-invested their severance award cash into the operations of mining activities both in the Concession and the Underground Mining assets of Barnex and want to recoup their investments. So, the REGSEC organized several futile meetings with the people of Prestea. Due

to my combat effectiveness (Officer from 2Bn imbued with fighting spirits), a team from Golden Star Resources led by Col Amadu Disu (rtd) at a REGSEC Meeting to resolve the impasse, saw the Chairman of the REGSEC and convinced me to resign from the Ghana Army to take up an appointment of a Security Superintendent at Bogoso Mine to help the Golden Star to gain access to the Prestea Concession. So, I resigned and joined the Bogoso Mine and with the support of the then Lt Opoku Agyemang of 2BN (now Colonel Opoku Agyemang) then with troops from Ghana Police and 2Bn Takoradi, we battled the people of Prestea and managed to secure the Prestea Concession. We also succeeded in providing security for the successful completion of the Public Hearing at the Prestea Stadium, after which we were seriously attacked by some of the people of Prestea. So we had to provide firing cover for the escape of officials of EPA, the Bogoso Mine, the Media (especially GBC) which had its vehicle destroyed by our assailants. With the support of the Chairman of the REGSEC, through the Western Regional Police Command and 2BN we ejected the Galamsey operators in the Concession and secured the operations of Golden Star in Prestea, the rest is history.

Hon Minister, to further deal with the security problems at the Mining Areas of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, I caused the formation of the Security Committee of the Ghana Chamber of Mines by Dr Joyce Aryee, then CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines with the current CEO, then a Departmental Head and was made the Member/Security. I had to host the maiden and the subsequent years meeting before member Companies and the Security Agencies within the areas bought my idea. This saw the collaboration within the Mining Companies and between them and the State Security Agencies (especially then BNI, the Police, the Military) to deal with related security issues and sometimes held seminars with the judicial during which proposals were made which he resulted in the amendment of some of the Mining Laws.

Hon Minister, at Bogoso Mine together with other Managers, we tried to relocate over 5,000 Galamsey operators from the Bogoso Catchment area especially Bogoso/Prestea and some Galamsey operators from AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi through the Consultancy services of GEOMAN Consult Ghana to the area of Ayanfuri area with funding from Golden Star but that did not work due to technical issues. So Perseus Mining Company took over the Concession. With the approval of the MD, I caused the Galamsey operators in Prestea etc to form the Prestea Mining Group which they did. So, I encouraged the Mining Company and we ceded a portion of the Concession through Minerals Commission for Small Scale Mining activities to help sustain the economy and development of Prestea and that helped in the effective management of the Galamsey operators in a doctrine of Live and Let us Live which I introduced at the Bogoso Mine.

Hon Minister, during the campaign for the second term for the President Kofours Administration, the late His Excellency Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama (my late father in-law because the son Hon Farouk, the Hon MP for Yendi is married to a daughter of one of my sisters or a member of the Bogobiri Family of Navrongo) and his entourage which included Hon Harunah Majid, then a Deputy Minister for Mines (my senior in Navrongo Secondary School) were hosted by the Bogoso Mine on their request. So I briefed them about the good collaboration between the Mine and the

people of the catchment area especially Prestea and the intention of the Bogoso Mine and AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi to resettle Galamsey operators in their concession at Ayanfuri and the formation of the Prestea Mining Group.

Hon Minister, it was part of this briefing that made the then VP, declared at that Prestea is Galamsey and Galamsey is Prestea, when he went to campaign in Prestea. It was based on this among others, that contributed to the His Excellency Ex-President Kofours Administration to send over 300 Small Scale Miners together with National Security Operators including the late Justice Tsar (he later became Executive Director of Serious Fraud Office during the era of His Excellency Ex-President JDM Mahama) to China to learn about mining activities as part of President Kofours bid for Ghanaians to capture the Commanding Heights in the Mining Sector. This saw the amalgamation of all the separate Mining Laws before 2006 into the Minerals and Mining Law 2006 (Act703).

Lastly, I supported the operations of Mining Companies at Prestea including Prestea Sankofa Gold and that of Mr Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) in Prestea and beyond Kotokorum which is beyond Prestea and so I understand very well what is happening in the Mining Sector. I hope these details should make you appreciate my experiences in your sector and my little contribution to the Nation.

Mr Hon Minister, past Administrations have worked hard and the current Administration seemed to be working very hard to maximize revenue for the running of the State but the youth of this great nation are seriously looking for jobs for survival from the harsh economic condition which has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, the RussiaUkraine War, eviction/control of small scale miners (they were source of employment, local revenue and foreign exchange) and also mismanagement by all Regimes (previous and current) in the Fourth Republic cannot be ruled out.

Mr Hon Minister, the suffering we are going through should be regarded as a game changer for us to change our attitude by collaborating with each other, reducing our taste for foreign goods and working hard to restore the economy, thus this may help to reduce the suffering.

Thanks one of the Holy Books, the Bible which at Romans 13:1 states that: Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Also, 1 Peter 2:13-14 declares : Submit yourselves for the Lords sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.. Hence God, one is right to say that the Almighty God, nominated His Excellency President Nana Addo and his Deputy His Excellency VP Dr Muhamadu Bawumia to lead us through these difficulties. So, our dear President really acknowledged the possibility of economic downturn or a great depression since the last 100 years or so and he indicated in his first Fellow Ghanaian National Address on the COVID-19 pandemic that he cannot revive a dead person but he can restore or resuscitate or fix a bad economy after the causal effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, the President and his Deputy should be very thankful to the proponents of the 1992 Constitution who vested all Minerals in the President on behalf of and in trust for the people at Article 257(6), which can be used to help restore the economy as well as create millions of jobs for the youth, through the effort in the fixing of the economy beyond Aid with a new Template in replace of the Goggisburg economics template.

Hon Minister, Small Scale Mining is globally known as a poverty driven informal economic activity conducted mainly by Artisanal Mining methods hence labour intensive and thus acknowledged globally to be a source of employment for over 100 million operators. In Ghana, previous researches conducted into the sector revealed that about one (1) million artisanal miners operated in the Upstream. Research indicated that about four (4) million people were also involved in both the Side Stream (Supply Chain or supported services) and the Downstream (distribution or sales, beautification or value addition by blacksmiths, makers of jewelries).

Hon Minister, the total of 5 million combined workforce in the three stages in the small scale mining industry in Ghana as stated above, was reported to support about two million dependents for sustenance or financial support thus making a total of 7 million or about 25% of Ghanas population of about 28million as at 2015 depending on the Small Scale Mining industry. Hence, the Artisanal Mining sector provided the next highest employment numbers in Ghana after Agriculture, therefore it had both huge economic, political or socio-economic constituencies.

For these reasons, no Leader (Politician, Tradional, Social) or a political party that understands the demographic dynamics in the sector with complex Economic, Social and Political undertones would joke with this sector which must be given the necessary interventions to create and sustain jobs in the Small Scale Mining Sector and generate revenue for the Country as well as make Small Scale Mining to halt migration to the Cities and rather serves as a pull effect to the rural areas.

Hon Minister, the Economy Recovery Programe which was launched in 1980s by the PNDC, made the PNDC with the support of the World Bank to come out with the Structural Adjustment Programe and this led to the passage of the Mining and Minerals Law 1986 (PNDC153) to attract Direct Foreign Investment into the Mining Sector. At the time of the Structural Adjustment Programe, the Chairman of the PNDC (herein as the Late Papa J) and the World Bank detected widespread activities of Artisanal Miners including the participation of retrenched staff of Mining and other Companies due to the Structural Adjustment Programme.

Hon Minister, the affected Artisanal Miners who saw their mining activities as God-given answer to their miseries or an answer from God for their survival in such harsh living conditions, maintained the name of their activity as Galamsey operations which was coined during the Colonial rule era. So the Late Papa J, in his policy of if you cannot beat them find a way for a win

-win solution worked together with the World Bank and came out with Section 77 of the Mining and Minerals Law 1986 (PNDCL153) on Small Scale Mining and regularized their operation. You may wish for confirmation then please contact my good friend Mr Ben Aryee, a former CEO of Minerals Commission who is one of your Technical Advisers or please Google for it.

Hon Minister, the Legalization process which was started by the PNDC, was just a Destination or a Target or the Objective, for the initiation of the Formalization process through legislations and policies for the trip to the Objective or Destination or Target (Legalization).

So Hon Minister, after able to buy the support of the artisanal miners and in order to kill two birds with one stone (bird number one the associated risks or hazards and bird number two restrict Small Scale mining to only the locals so as to prevent Ghanaian tycoons solely or with foreign collaborators to capture Small Scale Mining to the detrimental of the youth or the people of the rural areas), the PNDC came out with the Small Scale Gold Mining Law 1989 (PNDCL215), when the law restricted it to only Ghanaians of not less than 18 years and that an area will be designated for Small Scale Mining if and only if it is in or for the interest of the affected areas and the law placed caveats (limitations) which included not more than 4 acres for one person, and not more than 25 acres for Cooperative of 10 or more people, no use of excavators (or sophisticated equipment and Technology), no use of substantial amount of money and no use of Explosives etc. Thus Small Scale Mining is not for business tycoons with excavators and or with substantial amount.

For effective regulations, control, monitoring and inspections, the PNDC also came out with the Headquarters of the Small Scale Mining at Tarkwa and established District Mining Committees at all affected mining areas to support and control the activities of Small Scale Miners.

Hon Minister, before 1989, there was lack of legal and credible market avenue for gold and diamond, so smuggling of gold and diamond was then the order of the day, so to deal with this associated economic Risk, the PNDC enacted the Precious Minerals Marketing Company Law 1989 (PNDCL218) for the Company to buy gold from the operators as well support them and initially to be responsible for the backfilling of the spent out mining pits of the Galamsey operators. A certain percentage of earnings was deducted from gold sales for that.

Hon Minister, the PNDC Law on Small Scale Gold Mining law 218 of 1989 was applied in 1996 by the Minerals Commission for the legalization and formalization (regularization) of Galamsey Mining Communities namely Kejetia Mining Community and Obuasi Mining Community established in Gbane in the Talensi District initially in 1994 by some people from the Kingdom of His Royal Majesty the Ashantehene. You may wish to read the organization set up of the miners at the site, so please see Appendix 1 to my submission.

Hon Minister pardon me to reiterate that Small Scale Mining is a global poverty driven phenomenon by over 100 millions of people, who mostly do so in an irresponsible manner, especially without care to the environment, and very disturbing social and economy concerns. It is done mainly by rural folks in most countries including China, Columbia, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, Tanzania, DR Congo, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, Mongolia, and Burkina Faso so Ghana is no exception and therefore fair share of the hazard since 1471 before the arrival of the Portuguese. It is done as a subsistence economy activity, hence an informal economy thus with illegal undertone.

Hence, International Communities/Institutions like the USAID, UNDP, the World Bank and some Large Scale Mining Companies are supporting with funding to some of the affected Countries to help make Small Scale Mining, a responsible sustainable livelihood and Sustainable Development through compliance with legal frameworks with view to getting the miners operate Alternative Livelihood Projects for final settlement into these projects. Example in Ivory Coast, USAID is supporting some of them to invest their revenue in farming of Avocado etc crops so as to stop them from mining. So with proper definitions of Small Scale Mining, Ghana should be able to attract the support from the International Communities/Institutions to deal with the menace.

Hon Minister, So, Ghana must go along with other affected countries and the International Communities with the proper or the same global definition of Small Scale Mining. It is therefore recommended that Ghana should adopt the global definition, so as to divorce Small Scale Mining basically Artisanal Mining from semi-mechanized/full-mechanized mining methods by revisiting the laws enacted by the PNDC for Small Scale Mining and maintain them separately with the caveats as stipulated in the law which restricted it to Cooperative Mining now Community mining mainly for Ghanaians not less than 18 years after acquisition of the Right to Mine.

Hon Minister, the Community or Cooperative Mining should not be initiated by the State (normally, this is seen with political colour or lens), but rather the affected people should come together as a Cooperative and through their Chief and the District Small Scale Mining Committee to obtain Small Scale Mining licenses from the Minerals Commission same as what was done at Gbane in 1996. The Precious Marketing Company, EPA and Minerals Commission to collaborate to provide training in technical and managerial activities or simply extension services to the affected persons.

Hon Minister, like the Chinese Ambassador once said it was and is still the Ghanaians who brought and bring the Chinese to Ghana, so I hereby confirm that it was the fault of Ghana Government (especially your Ministry and to some extent the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,) that caused the Chinese to invade the Small Scale Mining Sector since 2007.

Hon Minister, proper thinking or efficient risk analysis was not done by your Ministry and the Attorney General Office in coming out with the Small Scale Mining Law 81 to 99 within the Minerals and Mining Law 2006 (Act703). This so because, the definition into the law is problematic or ambiguous, so after the declaration of the late His Excellency VP Aliu Mahama that Prestea is Galamsey and Galammsey is Prestea before 2006, so when President Kofour won the second term and he came out with a policy to get Ghanaians to be in the commanding heights in Mining. Minerals Commission should come out with a proper law to divorce small scale mining from mechanized mining or mining with sophisticated equipment and substantial amount.

Also when from 2006 to 2008, the President Kofour Administration sent over 300 Ghanaians allegedly Small Scale Miners with personnel of the then BNI Officers or National Security Operators including my good friend the late Justice Tsar, (who later rose to become the Executive Director of Serious Fraud Office in His Excellency Ex-President JD Mahamas administration) to

China to go and learn about mining, the intelligence revealed that the Ghanaians with our usual attitude of collaborating with foreigners to transact business on the blind side of the authorities, exhibited their brand and made a deal with some Chinese to come and support or collaborate with them to conduct mining in Ghana. But the Authorities failed to act to deal with the likely risks or were corrupt since they knew the law and failed or refused to act. Hence, the coming of the Chinese with excavators in drones and their destruction of our environment was/is self- inflicted due to bad governance in the Mining Sector.

Hon Minister, knowing the character or attitude of Ghanaians, so when the Ghana Government sent the Ghanaians to China to study mining, the wiser thing your Ministry and the Attorney General should have done then in 2006 or as at date was or is to come out with proper law for small scale mining and a new nomenclature in the Mining Industry as Medium Scale Mining for Junior Mining Companies in addition to the Large Scale Mining activities of member Companies of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Small Scale Mining for local Cooperatives as defined in PNDC Law 218 for Small Scale Gold Mining or after doing the right thing with the proper definition of Small Scale Mining should be made same as accepted globally.

Hon Minister, a cursory study has shown that the Chinese may be God send to this Country but only the state Official could not or cannot think outside the box otherwise corrupt officials.

Hon Minister, the Chinese may be God sent because they helped in the growth of the economy of this Country through revenue generation at least VAT and employment for the youth and the development of the Country. Sir, just take trips within Kumasi and other mining towns like Obuasi, Dunkwa, Anhiakwanta and area of the then Shaanxi Mining Company at the Talensi District and you will see visible investments by the illegal Small Scale Miners from China or the change in the landscapes of these areas by the Chinese. It is wrong to say their operation was illegal because they Chinese were brought to Ghana by Ghanaians in collaboration of State Officials even with the knowledge of some Officials at the Presidency.

Hon Minister, I envisaged that the Chinese do not save most of their revenue from the Gold in the Banks in the County that is why we do not have a Chinese bank in Ghana nor sell their gold in Ghana. So a relevant State officials should have asked since 2007 how the Chinese bring their cash into Ghana and repatriate their revenue or investments or cash, the answer would be simple, some of them through smuggling.

Hon Minister in 2013, the Daily News published in www.hurriyetdailynews.com dated 08 January 2013 of a mystery on an A300 Cargo plane with 1.5tons of gold worth US$65million from Ghana to Dubai which was held at Istanbuls Ataturk Airport due to underhand dealings or was it missing documents at the Airport. Also Myjoyonline published in www.myjonline.com on 26 January 2022, ) a story with the title Ghana loses US$2Billion in taxes due to undervaluation of gold exports, reportedly as findings in a research by the Institute for Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) which was conducted within the era between 2011 and 2017.

Hon Minister, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) in www.gepaghana.orrg dated 18 January 2018 indicated that the Precious Minerals Marketing Company could not trace most of the Small Scale Mining Companies involved in the export of 2 billion worth of gold in 2016.

Hon Minister, our President lamented (reported) in 2018 that over 5 Billion Dollars of illegal or smuggled Gold from Ghana was reported as sold in United Emirates and it was also reported that over 2 Billion Dollars was the average yearly loss of gold through smuggling. Since 2018 no action by the people of full of lamentation for action to maximize revenue and generate employment for Ghanaians. I envisaged God has been weeping for his people failing to think outside the box otherwise He is waiting for the affected persons for their corrupt actions.

Hon Minister, the Chinese have been in Ghana in large numbers for mining activities with excavators since 2007. For instance they were in Talensi since 2008 in a then illegal collaboration with local Ghanaian small scale miners with the clear knowledge of State Officials including Officials at Minerals Commission and the Presidency. Google for the Impact of Chinese Involvement in Small-scale Gold Mining in Ghana Professor Gordon Crawford, Coleman Agyeyomah, Gabriel Botchwey and Atinga Mba dated May 2015 and footnotes at page 15 which stated that the companys Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wei Xin, reported in May 2012 that the company held discussions with the Presidency, Minerals Commission, Regional Minister, District Chief Executive, traditional rulers before starting operations.

Hon Minister, we all know that mining requires the injection of massive capital (cash, equipment and Technology), so the invitation by the Ghanaian businessmen for their Chinese or foreign partners as intelligence shows should not be a problem but the problem was that our Officials failed to think outside the Box and come out with a separate law as Medium Scale Mining law for Ghanaian tycoons to operate solely or with foreigners, which is their trademark as research has revealed that the illegal Small Scale Miners (tycoons) collaborated with Chinese in the Small Scale Mining sector. The story which alleged the NPP Women Organizer collaborated with some Canadians provides documentary evidence. Google for Task force destroy NPP Women Organizers 20 excavators in the Eastern Region reported 17 May 2021.

Hon Minister It is disturbing to note that since 2016, Dr Tony Aubin, then CEO of the Minerals Commission agreed with the idea of separating small scale mining with a logically definition so as to divorce it from Small Scale mechanized mining. So Small Scale mechanized mining will be termed as Medium Scale Mining or Junior Mining to be backed by legislation. He did so in 2021. You may read this at Lets redefine small scale mining on Current Affairs programme dated 18 April 2021 on Asaase Radio with Dr Kwaku Agyeman-Budu. Yet as at date nothing has been done. And the collaboration with the Chinese is ongoing whilst our Hon Minister for Finance is fighting for more revenues and sees the obnoxious E-Wallet or MoMo levy as an answer and we left out efficient operation of Article 257 (6) as the answer. No proper action to arrest the loss of billions of dollars or revenue through sales, tax, SSNIT, PAYE etc.

Hon Minister it is high time, we get Parliament of Ghana to repeal the current ambiguous or bad Small Scale Mining Law and come out with two different nomenclatures namely Medium Scale Mining and Small Scale Mining in the Mining Sector in addition to large scale mining and to be backed by laws, namely Medium Scale Mining Law and Small Scale Mining Law.

Hon Minister some aspects on how to operate the Medium Scale Mining as well as to arrest smuggling, maximize revenue and generate employment will be communicated to you in part two to this mail.

Major Bogobiri (rtd)

Appendix 1 -Kejetia and Obuasi artisanal mining (Galamsey) village at Gbane, near Bolga.

In 1994, two different groups of people from Kejetia or Kumasi and Obuasi travelled to Gbane in the Talensi District in the North and occupied two viable mineral (mineable) areas in the area and created the Kejetia Galamsey Mining Village and the Obuasi Mining village in 1994. Their operations was discovered and legalized/regularized by the Minerals Commission and EPA in 1996. First, the indigenes of the area acquired the Mining Rights from Minerals Commission and permits from EPA for cooperative mining. Hence, the area was thus brought under both National Governance system under the Sector Minister/Minerals Commission and Minister for Environment and the EPA and Local Governance system under the District Mining Committee/District Assembly.

The two Mining Communities also instituted governance systems, as the Gbane Chief appointed his Representative (sub-Chief) for each of these two artisanal mining communities. Each tribal group also nominated its leader or sub-Chief to help the appointed Reps of the Gbane Chief to dominate the areas with delegated authority. All persons respected the Tindanaa as the Spiritual Leader of the area and consulted him whenever an incident especially a fatal one occurred or when they needed to step up gold production.

The Individual well do (rich) miners termed as barons acquired mineable areas from the Owner of the Mining Right (owner of the Concession) and together with a mining team or staff of six to nine members, the barons constructed pits or mining Adith within their Mining Rights. As stated the miners operated in a grouping system consisting of a leader who may double as the baron owner of the Pits (Ghetto) and the financier, other members of a group or team includes, diggers, blast man, hauling team/processing team, security and local boy (loco) as liaison officer etc. The members contributed and undertook self-help community projects or construction of infrastructure such as a school.
He who does not wish to speak of capitalism should remain forever silent about Nazism  I quoted West Germanys Max Horkheimer some two years ago while discussing the disastrous, cynical and absolutely unnecessary attempts towards the equation of communism with Nazism, of fascism and anti-fascism. Many dismissed that finding, labelling it routinely as yet another intellectual alarmism. But, look at us now: Only one step from the nuclear obliteration. Totalitarian order of destruction

Right than  in that text  I also borrowed from yet another Frankfurter, Herbert Marcuse on the self-entrapment of Western society (discussing the capitalisms totalitarian order of destruction in each of its forms). Back in 1960s, it was him labelling as repressive tolerance if someone in future ever considers a dangerous and ahistorical equitation between Nazism and anything else, least with Communism. Regrettably enough, that future of de-evolution started pouring in by 1990s: It was manifested in the decontextualization coupled with psychologization which eventually culminated in the current Covid-19 iron fist and the binary categorisations over Ukraine. Lavenir est comme le reste: il nest plus ce quil etait (the future is no longer what it used to be), as Paul Valery ironically remarked.

Umberto Eco  in his ur-fascism of 1995  of course, didnt see the entire world arrested on one pathogen, one narrative about it, one solution mandated for all (like the mantra of escalation as the only solution for Ukraine), along with suppression of any debate about it. To say; depolitization as the shortest way to dictatorship. Back then in mid-1990s, Eco didnt visualise it but he well sensed where it might, but should never go: Trivialisation of our important contents will brutally hit us back  for instance funning the emotional charge in lieu of provable facts. See the rapid deterio-ration of an elaborate, hundred years-old, commonly agreed humanitarian law and a living culture of human rights into a legalisation and institutionalisation of racism  firstly in labour and migration affairs, and by now in refugee management matters, too.

(Immunisation of herd  as tirelessly agitated via media, inevitable ends up in herd loyalty: From pandemia to plundermia, from discussion to binarization. The 1930s are powerful reminder: From Reichstags Fire to Kristallnacht and on, and on, and on.)

Here we are today; 77 years after the glorious Victory Day, fighting (again) invisible enemy within. Therefore, the antifascist fundaments of modern Europe and its best living edifices:  Nurnberg principles, the UN Charter and Helsinki spirit, are today relevant more than ever. This is not our (political) choice, it is the only way to survive. Surely, any equitation attempt is a beginning of infection. And the (decontextualising, aculturalizing, hence dehumanising) immuno-fascism, be it one of 1930s or of 2020s always starts with a silence. Silence, which is both an acceptance and accomplice. In vain is a self-comforting excuse of othering; Wir wussten nicht (it was others, not us).

To prevent it, revisiting the most relevant chapters of our near history is worth of doing. Or as the grand Wiz of the EU, Jean Monnet used to say: if you have an unsolvable dilemma  enlarge the context.

No llores porque ya se termino, sonrie porque sucedio[1]

In fact, the 1930s were full of public admirations of and frequent official visits to an Austrian-born Hitler. It was not only reserved for the British royal family (e.g. Edward VIII), but for many more prominents from both sides of the Atlantic (e.g. Henry Ford). By 1938 in Munich, this spirit of Locarno has been confirmed in practice when French President Daladier and British PM Chamberlain (Atlantic Europe) jointly paid a visit to Germany and gave concessions  practically a free hand  to Hitler and Mussolini (Central Europe) on gains in Eastern Europe (Istria, Czechoslovakia and beyond). Neither Atlantic Europe objected to the pre-Munich solidification of Central Europe: HitlerMussolini pact and absorption of Austria, following a massive domestic Austrian support to Nazism of its well-educated and well-informed 719,000 members of the Nazi party (nearly a third of a that-time total Austrian electorate), as well as a huge ring of sympathizers. In a referendum organised by the Austro-Nazis a month after the Anschluss, 99.7% of Austrians voted Yes to annexation.[2]

By brokering the Ribbentrop-Molotov non-aggression deal between Berlin and Moscow, but only a year after the Munich-shame  in 1939 (incl. the stipulations on Finland, Baltic states, as well as Poland that already participated in the partition of Czechoslovakia), Stalin desperately tried to preempt the imminent. That was a horror of an uncontrolled expansion of Central onto Eastern Europe and closer to Russia  something already largely blessed and encouraged by Atlantic Europe.

However, it should be kept in mind that for the very objective of lebensraum policy (character and size of space needed for Germanophones to unhindered, live and prosper), the Jews, Roma and behavioristic minorities were the non-territorial obstacle. However, Slavs and their respective Slavic states in Eastern Europe were the prime territorial target of Hitler-led Central Europes final solution. Therefore, no wonder why so much fifth column crop among Slavs. For the speeding and smoothening of the lebensraum objective, Quisling was needed as PM in Norway, but Slavic quisling-elites were cattled in each and every of that time major Slavic states  useful idiots in Poland, in Ukraine, in Czechoslovakia, in Yugoslavia, in Bulgaria, etc.

This chapter would be definitely one of the possible spots for a thorough examination, if we only wish to diligently elaborate why Atlantic and Scandinavian Europe scored so much of Nazi-collaboration while Eastern and Russophone Europe opposed and fiercely resisted.[3]

For some 300 years, Russia and the Ottomans  like no other European belligerents  have fought series of bitter wars over the control of the Black Sea plateau and Caucasus  sectors, which both sides (especially the Ottomans) have considered as geopolitically pivotal for their posture. Still, neither party has ever progressed at the battlefield as to seriously jeopardize the existence of the other. However, Russia has experienced such moves several times from within Europe. Three of them were critical for the very survival of Russia, and the forth was rather instructive: the Napoleonic wars, Hitlers Drang nach Osten, the so-called contra-revolutionary intervention,[4] and finally the brief but deeply humiliating war with Poland (1919-21).

In absence of acceptance, quest for the strategic depth

Small wonder, that in 1945, when Russians suffering over 20 millions of mostly civilian casualties (practically, an extermination of the entire population in many parts of the western Soviet Union), and by far the heaviest continental burden of the war against Nazism  arrived on wings of their tanks and ideology to Central Europe, they decided to stay.[5] Extending their strategic depth westwardssouthwestwards, and fortifying their presence in the heart of Europe,[6] was morally an occupation. Still, it was geopolitically the single option left, which Stalin as a ruthless person but an excellent geo-strategist perfectly understood.

Just a quick look at the geographic map of Europe would show that the low-laying areas of western Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine and Eastern Europe are practically non-fortifiable and indefensible. Their topography exposes the metropolitan area and city of Moscow to an extreme vulnerability. So, the geostrategic dictatum is that in absence of any deep canyon, serious ridge or mountain chain, the only protection is either a huge standing army (expensive and badly needed in other corners of this vast country) and/or an extension of the strategic depth.

Indeed, if we truly want to elaborate on why Atlantic and Scandinavian Europe bred so much obedience and Nazi-collaboration (with Central Europe) and largely passively stood by, while Eastern and Russophone Europe (solely) fiercely resisted and fought, we should advisably examine the financial, moral, demographic and politico-military cost-benefit ratio of the WWII, too. The subsequent, sudden and lasting Cold War era has prevented any comprehensive scientific consensus. The unbiased, de-ideologized and objective view on the WWII was systematically discouraged. Soviets consistently equated Nazism and imperialism while the US, for its part, equated fascism and communism. Until this very day, we do not have a full accord on causes and consequences of events in years before, during and after the WWII.[7] Therefore the paradox  the holocaust denial is a criminal offense, but all other important things surrounding Nazism and its principal European victims; Slavs and their states, are tentative and negotiable, elastic and eligible for a periodic political re-engineering.

The same applies to the comparative analysis of the economic performance of East and West.[8] E.g. was the much-celebrated Trumans Marshall aid to the post-WWII western Europe, originally meant to be the US reimbursement to the Soviets for the enormous burden they took throughout the WWII  the financial assistance that was repeatedly promised by Roosevelt to Stalin, but never delivered past his death in spring 1945? Saturated by the Nazi Germany beyond comprehension, the Soviet Union was rebuilding alone itself and Eastern Europe, while the moderately damaged Western Europe got  including Germany  a massive, ideologically conditioned, financial help.

In a nutshell; if we disaggregate Europe into its compounding historical components, it is safe to say the following: The very epilogue of both WWs in Europe was a defeat of the Central (status quo challenger) against Atlantic Europe (status quo defender). All this with the relatively absent, neutral Scandinavian Europe, of Eastern Europe being more an object than a subject of these mega-confrontations, and finally with a variable success of Russophone Europe.

Finally, back to Franco-German post-WWII re-rapprochement.

Obviously, that was far more than just a story about the two countries signing daccord. It truly marked a final decisive reconciliation of two Europes, the Atlantic and Central one. The status quo Europe has won on the continent but has soon lost its overseas colonies. Once realizing it, the road for unification of the equally weakened protagonists in a close proximity was wide open. This is the full meaning of the 1961Elysee.

Why does the de-trivialization, de-psychologization, re-historization and re-contextualization matters today? Because, our further simplification breads binarization, and that is a road for escalation beyond the point of return. What is at stake are not anymore (only) the principles, but our very survival.

(End of the last, 3rd Part)

Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic

Vienna, 04 IV 2022

[email protected]

Author is professor in international law and global political studies, based in Vienna, Austria. His 9th book The European Union: Genesis, Institutions, Instruments is just released in March 2022.

[1] Much quoted line of Gabriel Garcia Marquez; from Spanish: 'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened'.

[2] In his luminary piece, Rolf Soderlind states: unlike other countries occupied by the Nazis in the ensuing WWII, Austria embraced the March 12, 1938 invasion with an enthusiasm that surprised the Germans and which still affects the country. The role as victim-turned-accomplice in Hitler's crimes against humanity was a taboo for decades after the war in Austria After all, Hitler was born in Austria, which historians say was the cradle of Nazism at the start of the century. Hitler merely took the ideas with him to Munich and, later, Berlin. No wonder that a disproportionately high number of Austrians, including war criminals such as (Adolf) Eichmann and (Ernst) Kaltenbrunner, took active part in the systematic exterminations of Slavic peoples, Jews, Romas and other racially or politically impure segments, manly from the Europes East. Austrian Nazis, quickly proving to be even more brutal than their ruthless German masters, hit the streets after the invasion to intimidate, beat up and rob mainly Jews but also to settle the account with Social Democrats and Communists -- their political opponents.  describes Soderlind. This was not on Hitler's orders. It was a spontaneous pogrom. It was popular among Austrians to go after the Jews,'' says Gerhard Botz, professor of contemporary history at the University of Vienna. On the account, American journalist Shirer reported: For the first few weeks the behavior of the Vienna Nazis was worse than anything I had seen in Germany,'' and concludes: there was an orgy of sadism.'' A day after, already by March 13, 1938, Jews and other racial or political inappropriates were forced to scrub the pavements and clean the gutters of the Austrian capital, the elegant cafe society that was world-wide admired as a stage for classical music, wise humanity and a shining example of Baroque architecture. As they worked on their hands and knees with jeering storm troopers standing over them, crowds gathered to taunt them,'' Shirer wrote. While the Nazi Party was banned in post-war Austria, most veteran Nazis were highly educated people who found a new career in politics and government. Professor Wolfgang Neugebauer says: They could not remove the entire leadership, because then the state would no longer be able to function. Even in the first government of Social Democratic (and Jewish) Chancellor Bruno Kreisky in 1970s, four ministers were former Nazis Chancellor Franz Vranitzky in a speech to parliament in 1991 became the first Austrian leader to admit that his country was a servant of Nazism. Interestingly, German and Austrian leaders apologized to Israel (or generally to Jews) repeatedly, but not really to the peoples of Eastern Europe who were by far the largest Nazi victim. Illuminating the origins of wealth of Central Europe, Neugebauer admits: ''It was not until 1995 (time when all three Slavic multinational states have undergone the dissolution, and disappeared from the map, rem. aut.) that Austria started paying compensation to surviving victims of Austrian Nazi aggression. In the same fashion, Germany  considered as the Europes economic miracle  in essence an overbearing Mitteleuropear that dragged world into the two devastating world wars, is a serial defaulter which received debt relief four times in the 20th century (1924, 1929, 1932 and 1953). E.g. by the letter of London Agreement on German External Debts (Londoner Schuldenabkommen) over 60% of German reparations for the colossal atrocities committed in both WW were forgiven (or generously reprogramed) by their former European victims (incl. devastated Greece and Yugoslavia).

[3] One of the possible reasons was a fact that the Atlanstist nobility, wealth-clans and dynasties were mingled and intermarried with those same from Central and Scandinavian Europe. That was only sporadic in case of Eastern Europe, and totally absent in case of Russophone Europe.

[4] The 6-year-long insurgencies was largely financed and inspired by Western Europe as an overt regime change intervention. It came at the time of the young Bolshevik Russia, and it subsequently saturated the country, bringing the unbearable levels of starvation and hunger up to cases of cannibalism, especially in Ukraine. It took away 5 million mostly civilian lives, and eventually set the stage for a red terror.

[5] The same applies to the Atlantic (Anglo-French and American) lasting occupation of Central Europe, which along with the Soviet one was the only guaranty for the full and decisive de-Nazification of the core sectors of continental Europe.

[6] With the politico-military settlement of the Teheran and Yalta Conference (1943), and finally by the accord of the Potsdam Conference (1945), the US, UK and the SU unanimously agreed to reduce the size of Germany by 25% (comparable to its size of 1937), to recreate Austria, and to divide both of them on four occupation zones. The European sections of the Soviet borders were extended westwards (as far as to Kaliningrad), and Poland was compensated by territorial gains in former Eastern Prussia/Germany. The Americans and Britons in Potsdam unanimously confirmed the pre-WWII inclusion of the three Baltic republics into the Soviet Union, too. Practically, Russians managed to eliminate Germany from Eastern Europe (and of its access to central and eastern portions of Baltic, too), and to place it closer to the Atlantic Europes proper.

[7] Sadly enough, most of the popular Atlantist literature or movies elaborating on topics of the WWII are biased and misleading on the role of the Red Army, and are generally disrespectful towards the enormous suffering of the Soviet and Yugoslav peoples at that time.

[8] Comparing and contrasting the economic performance of East and West, many western scholars in 1950s and 1960s argued that the Soviet socio-economic model is superior to that of its western archrival. The superpowers space-race was usually the most quoted argument for this claim. Indeed, some dozens of Soviet space-race victories were so magnificent that it was impossible to hide them, as the ideological dictum would suggested. E.g. the first orbiting satellite (Sputnik 1, 1957); the first animal, the first man, and the first women in orbit (Laika 1957, Gagarin 1961, Tereshkova 1963); the first over-24 hours stay in space (Titov, 1961); first images of the dark side of moon (1959); the first man-made device to enter the atmosphere of another planet, and to achieve the soft landing on Venus and images sent from there (Venera 4, 1967; Venera 7, 1970); the first space-walk (Leonov,1965); the first space station (Salyut, 1971); the first probe to ever land on Mars (Mars 3, 1971); the first permanently manned space station including the longest stays in space (Mir, 1989-99), etc.
The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani is collaborating with 28 other universities, research institutions and municipalities in Europe and Africa on a waste to energy project funded by the European Commission.

The five-year project is aimed at converting agricultural waste to electricity and organic fertilizer. It is expected to bring a great relief to the country as it would in the long term improve sanitation in communities.

The Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, who disclosed this, also announced that the University has received funding from Zoomlion Ghana Limited, waste management experts, to conduct research on converting waste into energy for use in various parts of the country.

To this end, UENR will conduct research in a bid to provide practical solutions to sustainably managing municipal solid waste; focusing on developing systems for managing solid wastes, especially in the Bono region.

Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako was speaking at Gyankobaa in Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality in Ashanti on the side-lines of the official commissioning of a 400 kilowatt-hybrid waste to energy power plant to treat municipal solid waste.

About the Project

The German government through the Federal Ministry of Education and Research signed a 6.2 million euros contract with four institutions in Germany and one institution in Ghana comprising three academic institutions, one research and development institution and a medium-scale industry to design and construct a hybrid waste to energy power plant to treat municipal solid waste in Ghana.

The completion of the 48-month project will help to ensure the conversion of waste to energy in Kumasi and later extended to other parts of the country.

Expected outcomes

The project seeks to improve sanitation, which is a major environmental challenge in the country, by converting the ever-increasing municipal solid waste into energy for productive uses and contribute to sustainable industrial development.

It will also train high-level local experts in waste treatment technologies in use in Germany to Ghana as well as build the capacity of local experts to design, construct and maintain a hybrid waste to energy facility.

Besides, the project would install a novel hybrid waste to energy treatment facility in Ghana that combines solar PV, biogas and pyrolysis technologies to treat to treat waste and generate power and further provide a blueprint for the propagation of ten additional waste to energy facilities in Ghana.

The project will be training 17 students pursuing Masters degrees at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), KNUST and Kumasi Technical University and four PhD students.
The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has extended his best wishes to Ghanaian Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

Muslims in the country have today joined the world to celebrate the annual Eid-ul-Fitr after completing the 30-day fasting in the month of Ramadan.

In a message from President Akufo-Addo to Muslims, he has prayed for the protection and blessings of Allah for all.

On behalf of government and the people of Ghana, I send best wishes to all Muslims on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr.

May Allah be with us all, and may he continue to protect and bless us, President Akufo-Addo said in a post on his Twitter page.
On a medical ship off the Italian coast, rescued migrants are colouring in a map of Africa, where many started their perilous journeys toward Europe.

The countries are brightly coloured in yellow, green, purple and red. Libya however, a common transit country from sub-Saharan Africa into Italy, is black.

For many of the migrants, the country evokes painful memories: abuse, torture and trafficking.

Libya has been singled out as a dangerous country for migrants, and a UN report last year revealed "crimes against humanity" inflicted on the most vulnerable.

For some aboard the Geo Barents ship run by medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the dangers are all too familiar.

"I was tied up, beaten, electrocuted," said 25-year-old Eritrean refugee John, who gave only one name.

He explained how he fled authoritarian Eritrea in 2018, crossing through Ethiopia and Sudan before arriving in the southeastern Libyan city of Al Kufra four years ago.

"I was abducted from Al Kufra and sold to traffickers. And then to others," he told AFP.

He eventually escaped, boarding a dinghy headed for Italy, from which he was rescued in April by the Geo Barents.

He like others has received medical care on board the ship, where migrants also spend time doing activities like the map colouring exercise.

John colours Libya in black to signify the pain he experienced during his time there.

"There is no government in this country," he said. "No laws."

'Lots of beatings'

John is one of the tens of thousands of migrants who attempt the dangerous and often deadly crossing from Libya to Italy every year. More than 31,000 made the journey by sea last year, according to UN figures.

Many stream to Libya from elsewhere in Africa, boarding precarious vessels to cross the Mediterranean toward Italy.

Doctors use the scars to piece together what happened to the migrants. By Alexandros Kottis AFP

AFP could not independently verify details of John's account, but MSF doctors on the Geo Barents say many migrants arrive with chilling reminders of their time in Libya.

"We see a lot of them with actual physical evidence of violence, injuries that cause long-term problems," MSF doctor Mohammed Fadlalla told AFP.

"We commonly see bullet wounds, burns, evidence of electrocution, lots of beatings."

Many migrants land in the hands of traffickers in Libya who demand hefty sums in exchange for their freedom. Attempts to escape can be a death sentence.

The Geo Barents helps those lucky enough to flee, trawling the waters of the central Mediterranean near Italy and Libya in search of migrant boats.

It stops in Italian or international waters -- never Libyan waters -- and takes in migrants in need, sometimes for as long as two weeks, before they are sent to Italy.

Fadlalla said medics on the ship often use scars or bruises to piece together what happened to the migrants -- a kaleidoscope of trauma used to compile accounts of human rights violations.

Others need extensive mental and emotional support.

"A lot of these survivors who have suffered this torture have psychological difficulties as well," said Fadlalla.

"Fear, difficulty sleeping, flashbacks, anxiety, depression."

'Robbed, beaten'

Libya, wracked by conflict since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, has gained a notorious reputation for migrants on the dangerous route to Europe.

A UN fact-finding mission last year found some of the abuses faced by migrants there could be classified as "crimes against humanity".

"Violations against migrants are committed on a large scale by state and non-state actors, with a high level of organisation and with the encouragement of the state," one of the UN experts, Chaloka Beyani, wrote.

Lawyer Jelia Sane, who specialises in refugee law and human rights, condemned European governments for intercepting migrant boats coming from Libya, urging them to offer safe and legal routes.

"The evidence of the plight of refugees and migrants in Libya can no longer be ignored," said Sane, from London's Doughty Street Chambers.

And for those who have been tortured, access to "full rehabilitation services, as required by international law", should be offered, she said.

Senegalese migrant Eladj Ndiaye still bears the evidence of such abuse.

The 19-year-old has scars on his scalp and under his lip from when he was beaten with a glass bottle by his captors. They held him for several weeks in Libya, he said.

"Everywhere in Libya you are robbed, you are beaten," he added.

Despite the known risks -- and mounting evidence of abuses -- migrants continue to trek toward Europe.

Eritrean refugee John knew what he could face, but went anyway.

"We know it's dangerous. But we want to join Italy," he said.
Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, is suggesting that the Free Senior High School programme should be targeted at persons with genuine need.

She said the programme should not benefit everyone.

Speaking at a Leadership Dialogue Series by the Centre of Social Justice themed Ghana's education system, current state, and future aspirations, the former University of Ghana Vice-Chancellor proposed that some Senior High Schools should be allowed to demand fees whereas others are made free.

This, he believes will create a fair playing field for students from all walks of life.

I believe strongly that we need to target people, and the most appropriate way is by means-testing. Means testing by the government will reduce the cost of tuition to the government and the monies saved channeled to improving the facilities and providing quality service. We have to find ways of pursuing what best works in our environment. Instead of making SHSs free, why dont we make some free and others payable.

With that parents get to make a decision based on their strength. Even with the schools that are not free, scholarship opportunities could be created to allow people who are not financially strong to compete for them. That way, we can drag everyone along, poor or rich.

There have been calls on government to review the Free SHS policy, as it takes a chunk of the countrys resources, and poses a threat to quality, although access has drastically improved.

But the government insists the programme will remain as it is, despite the challenges in the release of funds to the various Senior High Schools.

The tenth edition of the Leadership Dialogue Series held via Zoom under the auspices of the Centre for Social Justice, CSJ, was moderated by Journalist, Mrs. Dzifa Gbeho-Bampoh of TV3.

Aside from the guest speaker, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, a parent, Dr. Foster Kwawu, and a graduate of the governments Free Senior High School policy, Ruby Charlene Opoku, participated in the discussion.

By Citi Newsroom
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr celebration, has acknowledged the admirable mutual respect, religious tolerance and harmony existing between Muslims and Christians across the country.

He said such religious tolerance and harmony had placed Ghana on an enviable position on the Global Peace Index, which ranked her first in West Africa and second in Africa as the most peaceful country.

"Elsewhere, faith-based groups are at each other's throats and being destructive element to the peace of their communities.

"Here in Ghana, we're blessed with tolerance and progressive religious leadership and groups which are contributing meaningful to the national development.

"Let's continue to strengthen our ties regardless of our different religious identity so that we can continue to positively influence our communities and the nation,' Dr Bawumia said this at the Eid Prayers held at the Black Star Square in Accra, to climax the month-long Ramadan fast.

The Eid prayers was held collectively in large numbers for the first time in two years following the imposition of COVID-19 restrictions by the government.

The celebrants adorned in their white outfits prayed to Allah for his grace and mercies throughout the period of Holy Ramadan and ensuring a successful fast.

The Vice President acknowledged the contributions of religious organisations, especially Christian and Muslim groups towards the country's development efforts in areas of education and health infrastructure.

He urged them to venture into other areas such as agriculture and small-scale production to help create jobs for the teeming youth and ensure sustainable development.

Dr Bawumia enumerated various government policies and interventions to alleviate the plight of Ghanaians, especially during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He mentioned the free distribution of water and electricity as well as food to the less privileged people in the society.

"Government feels the plight of the people and has not turned its back on them in times of crisis.

"We showed it during the banking crisis and paid about 25 billion Ghana cedis to save 4.5 million funds of Depositors.

"We also showed it during the COVID-19 pandemic through free distribution of water, electricity and supported businesses, households, traders and entrepreneurs," the Vice-President pointed out.

The government, he said, was undertaking various development programmes in the areas of education such as school blocks, dormitories, ICT centres, strengthening the Free Senior High School Policy, paid examination fees of BECE and WASSCE candidates, Planting for Food and Jobs and other infrastructure like roads, bridges, drainage systems and interchanges, Dr Bawumia added.

He said the Government's commitment to the health needs of the people had been upheld through the payment of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) claims, recruitment of thousands of health workers and the implementation of 'Agenda 111' initiative.

On support to Muslim Communities, the Vice-President indicated that about 200 infrastructure projects had been completed including roads, Astro-turf, bridges, school blocks and drainage systems while 40 Zongo students had received scholarships to study medicine in Cuba.

On his part, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, in a message read on his behalf by Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaib, his Spokesperson, commended Muslims for a successful Ramadan and urged them to continue exhibiting the Islamic virtues of sympathy, compassion, tolerance, care, forgiveness, love and be each others keeper.

The Chief Imam thanked government for allowing both Muslims and Christians to hold prayer sessions at the Jubilee House, the seat of government, during the Ramadan period.

He believed that the mutual respect and religious tolerance between Muslims and Christians had strengthened religious harmony and peace in the country and urged them to continue the peaceful co-existence.

He lauded government's social interventions and development programmes, especially in Zongo and inner cities such as roads, school blocks, ICT centres, recruitment of Arabic teachers to teach in Islamic schools and plans to construct model Zongo senior high schools across the country.

He prayed for the peace of the nation, the President and the Vice President so that Allah would continue to guide their steps and grant them knowledge and wisdom to govern this country.

The Chief Imam admonished Muslim youth to exercise precaution in the celebration and desist from reckless riding on the street that could endanger the lives of other road users.

GNA
Times are hard and the government is devising every possible means to cut down expenditure. The president had already announced a 30% cut in the salary of his appointees as well budgets of most state institutions. It's important to note that in these dire times, we expect every well meaningful Ghanaian to be disciplined as well amidst economic woes.

Unfortunately, in Ghana, we believe in politics of convenience and that failure of the incumbent is a political capital for the opposition party. It has been the norm that the incumbent should fail to enable Ghanaians to usher in a new government. For this reason, our political system is full of fault findings, acrimony, dissensions and gloomy painting of the economy. Once the opposition is willing to come to power, there's nothing like let's us put our legs into the shoes of the government. If they did, power will elude them.

This cyclical mundane has eaten deep into the fibre of our moral conscience, even if it is good, we will find another way or every possible means of making it look gloomy for political expediency.

One would have thought that NDC calling on Akuffo Addo to reduce opulence lifestyle and profligate spending, would have also known better and begin to assume a posture that's nationalistic enough to prove that they stand with Ghanaians in all these things.

Surprisingly, the response that greeted the call for parliamentarians to sacrifice some percentage of their salary was negative. NDC objected to the idea and claimed Akuffo Addo must carry his own cross. Whilst NDC is busily accusing NPP of chattering about private jet flights for the president, they are also busily riding land cruisers and big cars around even the time fuel prices are on a record high. NDC is able to organize conferences in the best hotels and is comfortable sitting in opposition claiming Ghanaians are suffering.

Does this look like NDC care about Ghanaians? They are already full in opposition counting their blessings and waiting for Ghanaians to return them to the booty land. Opposition cruising in luxury and refusing to behave as suffering Ghanaians is shooting themselves in the foot and cannot be considered for power or another mandate. Ghanaians want a better Ghana with honest and sincere political entities, as it stands NDC has failed this measure with their FIRST-CLASS LIFESTYLE ON THE STREET claiming Ghanaians are suffering.

Isaac Ofori
03.05.2022 LISTEN

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region, Miss Louisa Iris Arde has presented food items to Muslim community in the area to celebrate this year's Eid-ul-Fitr.

The food items donated include; bags of rice, bags of sugar, gallons of cooking oil, among other items to the Jomoro Municipal Chief Imam on behalf of Muslims in the Municipal for onward distribution.

The gesture formed part of the Assembly's solidarity to the Muslims as they climax the month of Ramadan with the Eid-ul-Fitr, the feast of giving alms to the poor and needy.

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims around the globe to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan 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.

Making the presentation, the Jomoro MCE, Miss Louisa Iris Arde thanked the Muslims for remaining faithful to Allah till date.

She also thanked them for fasting and praying for the Jomoro Municipality and Ghana at large.

The MCE urged Muslims to strive to live by these values and cloak the month of Ramadan in Sanctity and holiness.

She called on them to celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr in moderate manner also live in peace with other religious believers in the Municipality to accelerate development.

"Do not use this festival to engage in any act of immortality, the celebration should be done in moderate manner and also I will urge you to continue to live in peace with other religious people", she urged.

She took the opportunity to appeal to them to rally behind President Akufo-Addo government and pray for the President and his appointees.

She said she would continue to show love to Muslims in her Municipality.

Receiving the food items on behalf of the Muslims, the Jomoro Municipal Chief Imam, Alhaji Sheikh Mohammed Osman Suleman commended the MCE and the Jomoro Municipal Assembly for the kind gesture and promised to distribute the items evenly.

He called on the government to support Zongo communities with developmental projects.

The Chief Imam took the opportunity to urge the Muslim youth to be law-abiding and also take their education seriously.

He said Islamic religion means peace and underscored the need to see the religion as disciplined and peaceful.
A Midland man was arrested Saturday for alleged sexual assault, according to court documents.

Herman E. Snellenberger, 37, is being charged with sexual assault, a second-degree felony charge.

Midland Police Department officers were dispatched Saturday to Chaparral Center at Midland College by a Midland ISD officer in reference to an outcry of sexual abuse.

MPD officer met with the woman who told them Snellenberger had been sexually assaulting her since she was in the eighth grade, according to the arrest affidavit.

Snellenberger is currently being held at Midland County Jail on a $50,000.
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Last week, the Midland Memorial Hospital Endoscopy team alongside Dr. Indira Donepudi performed the first MiVu procedure in the state of Texas, according to a news release from Midland Health.

Diversatek Healthcare developed the MiVU Mucosal Integrity Testing System. MiVU is the only system available to doctors that provides real-time data of mucosal integrity during routine endoscopy, according to Midland Health. That shows if a patient has gastroesophageal reflux disease, EoE or NON-GERD in just two minutes. This procedure could prevent the need for multiple follow up visits/tests.
Midland Development Corp. received a positive independent auditors report for the fiscal year 20920-2021, board members learned Monday.

Christy Weakland, director of finance for the City of Midland, presented the audit report, which had been conducted by BKD LLP and issued March 11.

She told board members at their monthly board meeting that MDCs financial reports were correct and showed no weaknesses or significant deficiencies or management issues.

She highlighted the growth in sales tax, saying sales tax collections are already above what the city had budgeted.

We hope at years end sales tax collections will be 8 percent over what was budgeted, she said.

Also noted was the $11 million decline in expenses during the year. Weakland explained that in the previous fiscal year, the MDC had made $10 million in payments on projects it had partnered with the city on, and those projects were completed, and the expenses were not repeated in the most recent fiscal year.

Board members also approved the execution of a second amendment to an economic development agreement between the MDC and Kepler Aerospace.

Sara Harris, MDC executive director, explained that the one-year extension pertained to private property and inventory investment rather than payroll requirements. She said the extension stemmed from pandemic-related lockdowns in the United Kingdom in 2020 and 2021 that prevented Kepler from making the necessary repairs to their VC10 aircraft in Wales that would make them ready to fly to Midland. She added that work on the aircraft has already resumed.

Harris also announced the MDC will host two familiarization trips for businesses interested in Midland. One will be held toward the end of May and a second, larger one is scheduled for September. The MDC hosts such trips several times a year. The trips are industry-specific and usually include executive leadership of the companies and representatives from the MDC and/or City Council.
On Monday night, the website Politico reported that the Supreme Court was set to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision protecting the constitutional right to abortion.

It didnt take long for both sides of the abortion argument to begin fighting over the repercussions of a reversal of the landmark case.

As Bloomberg reported Tuesday, A ruling overturning Roe would be transformational -- legally, politically and socially. Twenty-six states would be likely to ban most abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that backs abortion rights. That shift would come even as countries elsewhere liberalize their abortion laws.

But former Republican National Committee man Ernest Angelo said Tuesday what a majority on the court has allegedly decided is secondary right now to the issue that someone leaked a draft opinion.

This is horrendous, Angelo said.

Bloomberg even noted the that the disclosure of the draft opinion also marks an extraordinary breach of protocol for an institution that has long prided itself for being almost leak-proof. In the Supreme Courts modern history, no draft decision has been disclosed publicly while a case was pending.

A new precedent has been set, and Angelo said it destroys the reputation of the court and he worried That is not getting the attention.  The issue of abortion is huge but that is not the story in my mind. It is sad.

Cathy Broadrick is the chair of the Midland County Democratic Party. She stated in an email to the Reporter-Telegram on Tuesday that ignoring the content of the draft opinion and talking about the leak is not the story. Broadrick talked about Texas abortion laws that she said allows bounties on the head of anyone who assists someone wanting an abortion is wrong.

I honestly dont know what to expect from the court if they are willing to overturn 50 years of precedent, Broadrick wrote. I have volunteered as a Victims Service advocate and as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for many years. There is nothing easy about being a pregnant 13-year-old who doesnt know whether her brother or her father is the father of her child. There are women who have an IUD because their husband will throw away her birth control pills. I know many people who have had tubal pregnancies or had to make medical choices while pregnant. These health care choices are not our business.

Broadrick said provisions of the Affordable Care Act that made birth controls free would have lowered the number of abortions and that promotion of sex education would do more to reduce teen pregnancy than shaming young people with moral opinions.

Preaching abstinence only will not stop unplanned pregnancies, Broadrick wrote. Reversing Roe will not stop abortions.

Congressman August Pfluger had a different opinion about the apparent victory coming for the pro-life movement. The San Angelo Republican stated, Overturning Roe v. Wade would be a momentous victory for the fight to protect unborn life.

However, Pfluger also called for an investigation of the Supreme Court leak. Even another Bloomberg report stated that Mondays leak of the draft opinion shocked legal experts, former clerks, and the court itself.

It also reported that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other lawmakers called on the Justice Department to investigate the leak and Chief Justice John Roberts directed the Marshal of the Court to do likewise.

There must be severe consequences for any attempt to intimidate the Judiciary, Pfluger said. We cannot let this go unanswered.
Verve Aus Names Leader for New Quant / Analytics Arm

In Australia, culture, community panels and smart digital insight specialist Verve has appointed Rikki Pearce as Managing Director and Head of its new 'Global Advanced Quant and Analytics' practice.



Headquartered in London, Verve also has offices in Manchester, Chicago and Iasi, Romania, and a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Sydney, Australia office was its first overseas location, in 2009, and it has recently added an Australian CoRE.



Pearce joins from News Corp, where she served as Head of Audience Intelligence; prior to which she served as Senior Manager, Member Strategy & Program Design at airline Qantas, having previously been the latter's Strategic Research & Insights Lead. Earlier, she was a Quant/Qual Researcher at Ergo Strategy, and a Senior Consultant, Customer Strategy at Deloitte Australia.



In her new role Pearce (pictured) will work alongside Dan Alexander-Head, who joined Verve's partner company Potentiate in autumn 2020 as Director of Innovation; and Jason Buchanan, who recently set up the firm's consumer interaction business unit, Verve Collaborations. These three will form the core management team, and the firm is planning to build the Australian operation to a headcount of ten by mid-year.



Verve founder and CEO Andrew Cooper comments: 'Rikki is a rising star who, alongside Dan and Jason, will help us build a dynamic and disruptive business. Verve Australia will provide clients with a new choice which is stimulating, joined-up and above all delivered with passion by a team who really care about great client service'.



Web site: www.addverve.com .




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COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday urged her visiting Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, to try to influence Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Putin has to stop this war, Frederiksen said, adding immediately, I hope that India will influence Russia.

Indias neutral stance in the war has raised concerns in the West and earned praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who lauded India for judging the situation in its entirety, not just in a one-sided way.

Frederiksen later said that the West should offer India an alternative to Russia.

In fact, it is quite obvious that we in the West have a completely unequivocal interest in getting India as close to us as at all possible, Frederiksen told reporters.

(We need) to strengthen our cooperation with other democracies and it does not matter where those democracies are located, she said. We need to strengthen our cooperation, especially because there are obviously some very big players who do not recognize democracy at home or globally.

At the start of Modi's two-day visit to the Scandinavian country, Denmark and India signed several bilateral agreements focused on green energy and clean water.

Later Tuesday, Modi is to attend a banquet in his honor with Queen Margrethe, Denmarks figurehead monarch, at the downtown Amalienborg Palace. On Wednesday, Modi will attend an Indo-Nordic Summit in Copenhagen and also hold separate bilateral talks with the leaders of Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Finland.

It was the first visit by an Indian leader to Denmark in 20 years.

Modi came to Denmark from Berlin, where Germany and India on Monday signed a series of bilateral agreements 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.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
The legacy of Ulysses S. Grant isn't getting any less complicated 200 years after his birth.

Grant battered the slave-owning South into surrender as President Abraham Lincoln's top Union general, yet he owned at least one enslaved person before the war.

A Native American man was among Grant's best friends and Grant was sympathetic toward Indigenous people but, as president, he let white settlers overrun their lands.

A relentless attacker on the battlefield, Grant failed to prevent corruption in his own administration.

Once widely viewed as a battlefield butcher and a drunk, Grant's life has undergone a reassessment in recent years. Grant now is considered by some to be Americas first civil rights president, a troubled leader who did his best to protect freed slaves during Reconstruction after the Civil War.

In the current memory wars, and boy are they raging, it seems particularly relevant that we revisit, revise and recast Ulysses S. Grant as a general who saved the Union and as a steadfast and essential president who both championed civil rights and made sure that the United States stayed together, said historian Joan Waugh, who wrote U. S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth.

But Grant also tried to expel Jewish people from a Southern military district he oversaw in an ill-fated attempt to crack down on illegal cotton trading. And he favored a policy of assimilating Native Americans into white culture rather than letting them maintain their own traditions  a practice some now view as cultural genocide.

Similar to Lincoln, who didn't view Black people as fully equal to white people yet issued the Emancipation Proclamation, its difficult to judge Grant based on today's norms, said Edna Greene Medford, a history professor at historically Black Howard University.

These are 19th century men and they were more progressive than average men during that period, but theyre still struggling with some very basic issues, Medford said.

Medford's and Waugh's comments came at a symposium last month to kick off a series of events marking the 200th anniversary of Grants birth on April 27, 1822. It was held at the Grant presidential library  located, oddly enough, in Mississippi, the scene of Grant's epic, war-altering victory at Vicksburg.

Other bicentennial events included a living history weekend at the Grant historic site in St. Louis, where he lived before the war; a Grant birthday party in Clermont County, Ohio, where he was born; a weekend celebration in Georgetown, Ohio, where he lived as a child; and a ceremony at Grant's tomb on the Hudson River in New York.

After serving in the Mexican War and failing repeatedly at business, Grant rejoined the U.S. Army and rose to become its top commander, a general whom Lincoln prized for his aggressiveness. Grant was elected to the first of two terms as president as a Republican in 1868, three years after Lincoln's assassination and the end of the war. He died in New York in 1885.

A reassessment of Grant that began more than 20 years ago has gained steam as the nation grapples with statues and monuments erected after the Civil War by Confederate descendants who tried to portray Southern leaders as noble, and the war's cause as something other than slavery.

While Grant was widely revered at the time of this death and is pictured on the $50 bill, promoters of the Lost Cause version of history reinforced the view that Grant sent troops to slaughter indiscriminately in a war that claimed 620,000 lives, and was a heavy-drinking dullard.

Grant's standing has risen as Confederate statues have come down, historian Anne E. Marshall said.

"I dont think these monuments coming down causes people to reassess Grant. But its part of the same process, said Marshall, executive director of the Ulysses S. Grant Association and the Grant presidential library at Mississippi State University.

As the nation's values changed, other parts of Grant's life have gotten more attention, Marshall said. That includes his work to guarantee the civil and voting rights of freed slaves and his fight against the Ku Klux Klan, which murderously imposed white control in the South after the Civil War.

So has Grant's fight against what likely was alcoholism, considered a moral failing at the time but now recognized as a disease. Ron Chernow's best-selling 2017 biography, Grant, detailed the way Grant largely overcame an addiction to alcohol that threatened to derail his early military career.

I think now, on many different levels, people are willing to rethink these things," Marshall said.

Still, Grant doesn't get a pass on other troubling parts of his record, including his own ties to slavery.

Grant's father was an abolitionist, and the general came to see the necessity of eliminating the ownership of people through war. Yet he also was the last slave-owning president. Grant acquired a man named William Jones from his father-in-law and freed Jones two years before the war. He is given some credit for granting Jones freedom rather than selling him, particularly since Grant was all but broke at the time.

Despite that, some say Grant doesn't deserve a second chance, given the way he benefited from enslavement, his treatment of Native Americans or his order that attempted to ban Jewish people from part of the South. Some suggested removing Grants tomb from beside the Hudson River in Manhattan because of the wartime order, later rescinded by Lincoln. Protesters in San Francisco tore down a Grant monument in 2020.

Similar to Lincoln, Grant also worried about whether Black men who weren't educated while in bondage should be allowed to vote  women didn't have suffrage at the time  and it's difficult to judge his views in today's cultural climate, said Medford, who spoke at the symposium.

But Grant gets credit for the 1875 Civil Rights Act, she said, and he favored the 15th Amendment, which outlawed using race and past enslavement as a disqualification for voting.

Despite a policy to civilize Native Americans and the era's ongoing Indian wars, Grant also appointed a Native American aide, Ely Parker, to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He opposed outright extermination of tribes, even as he let white settlers move on to Native lands despite treaties, and then deployed the Army to protect the interlopers.

Medford said that, when it comes to Grant, there's a disconnect between the 1800s and 2022 that's difficult to bridge.

But I think we always have to remember the times, she said.
More than 50 Jacksonville gymnasts will be flipping and tumbling their way to Florida next month as they head to the national competition for the United States Tumbling and Trampoline Association.

Sara's Studio of Dance, Llaina's Dance and Gym, and Legacy Dance and Tumbling Complex are each sending local gymnasts to Florida in June to compete in tumbling, double mini and trampoline.

Sara's Studio of Dance has six girls attending the national conference, though they had 20 qualify for at least one event.

"We attended five meets this year, but you only have to qualify at one to go to state," Roegge said. "The top 15 in each event make it to nationals."

The nationals will take place in Lakeland, Florida.

Roegge said the girls have worked hard to make it to the level to go to nationals and she is proud of the work they've done.

She said she's excited to see what they do in Florida.

"Our biggest goals if for our girls to learn hard work," Roegge said. "This is an individual sport, so they are judged on their individual skills. We watch to see what they fix meet to meet."

Roegge said it also helps for the girls to see others performing.

"They can see what other girls are able to do and it helps inspire them to keep working hard," Roegge said.

Llaina Groves said she has 36 athletes that qualified for the national event, 16 of whom are first year students.

"Some of them have done well all year and I think they will be shocked because this is a big competition," Groves said. "I just want them to keep doing what they've been doing all year. I want them to get a better score than they did last time."

Though she said she hopes her students place, she wants them to improve more individually.

She said she hopes the students that go to the national events see some of the things she's been trying to teach them.

"We will tell them how to do something, but sometimes it helps to see it," Groves said. "It clicks in their mind. They can hear it, but seeing it in competition makes it click."

Claire Kaufmann with Legacy said there were 50 gymnasts from Legacy that qualified for nationals.

"Our number one goal was met," Kaufmann said. "We wanted everyone to qualify for nationals and everyone qualified on at least one event."

The team took third overall out of 43 teams during the state competition.

Kaufmann said she hopes the kids take the time to watch their competition and learn from them.

"It's an awesome opportunity to compete against teams from other states that we don't see," Kaufmann said.

She said she really wants her students to watch the Elite and USA team gymnasts.

"I hope it inspires them to get to a higher level," Kaufmann said. "It takes a lot of time and determination to get to those advanced levels and I hope it motivates them to hone their skills."

Qualified for nationals

Sara's School of Dance: Laykin Sullivan  state champion in tumbling, qualified in double-mini and trampoline; Brynn Evans  qualified in tumbling, double-mini and trampoline; Brianna Wagner  qualified in tumbling, double-mini and trampoline; Chelsea Devlin  qualified in tumbling, double-mini and trampoline; Caitlyn Renner  qualified in tumbling, double-mini and trampoline; and Alessa McCollum  qualified in tumbling, double-mini and trampoline.

Legacy Dance & Tumbling Complex: Adelynn Alexander; Jayden Batty  state champion trampoline; Hannah Beckmann; Corbin Beck; Olivia Bingeman; Kya Brant; Eady Brickey; Elly Bumgarner; Kenley Coats; Ava Cors; Saydee Crafton; Claire Darr; Lydia Dean; Taylor Deweese; Madilynn Doerr  state champion trampoline; Rorie Dunham; Gracee Geer  state champion trampoline; Paislee Geer; Parker Geer; Adey Griffitts; Elizabeth Guidish  three-time state champion trampoline, double-mini and tumbling; Kenadee Hasten; Elianna Haxhinasto; Becklynn Hill; Camryn Hoyt; Addie Hudson; Cora Keefe; Felicity Lepper; Whitney Little; Calla Lonergan; Alex Lowry; Taylor Lowry; Norah Mackey; Leah Meyer; Beckham Oldenettal  three-time state champion trampoline, double-mini and tumbling; Layla Prather; Collins Reed; Lucy Rives; Wynter Robeen; Marley Schlieker; Alaina Shillings; Charlotte Sturgeon  state champion double-mini; Ava Sweeten  state champion trampoline; Alivia Swift; Milee Vega; Maddy Vortman; Kendall Whicker; Riley White; Nadia Williams; Charlie Winningham; and Channing Winningham.

Llaina's Dance and Gym: Julia Adams; Adelea Anderson; James Anstedt; Sandra Anstedt  state champion tumbling; Jaxon Brogdon; Cooper Dermody  state champion in tumbling; Madison Fortado; William Pennock; Stella Robertson; Kylee Turner  state champion in tumbling; Alyvia Adams; Kiley Coats; Emma Coumbes; Ashlynn Culbertsonn; Makenna Hill; Lux Horton; Kenyon Matthews; Nevaeh Matthews; Kensley Miller; Jadin Morton; Isablella Newble; Kynlee Price; Arianna Smith; Aleigha Suggs; Ella Cors; Emma Dermody; Kenzie Hembrough; Arryana Kitson; Annaka Parker; Kylee Poole; Lily Robison; Alli Roodhouse; Paisley Smith; Jada Stephan; Ellie Whitehead; and Norriale Williams.
The countdown is on for Morgan County Health Department's move to a new location.

The agency announced Monday that it will begin offering services at 425 E. State St. on June 1.

Its existing facility at 345 W. State St. will be closed May 25-31 to allow for the move, according to the health department.

The agency had been looking for a new home for some time and, in 2016, bought about 2 acres of land at Westgate and West Lafayette avenues.

It didn't have a timetable for construction, but health department administrator Dale Bainter told the Journal-Courier at that time that space was becoming a premium.

The existing site in the Morgan County Center has about 6,000 square feet. It shares the space with other county departments.

The closing of MacMurray College in May 2020 presented an unexpected opportunity. When the college's buildings were sold at auction, Morgan County Health Department was able to buy the former Putnam Center for Fine Arts building at East State Street and North Clay Avenue.

Bainter said the $375,000 cost was far less than what would have been needed for a new building.

Its got a wonderful size and layout and it was built to a standard and quality that would be hard for the health department to afford in todays construction climate, Bainter told the Journal-Courier in April 2021. Im excited to bring access to needed essential services east of the downtown area.

The health department will make the move in time to mark its centennial.

Morgan County Health Department was organized in May 1922 and opened its offices July 3, 1922. It was the first full-time county health department in Illinois and was established with a $10,000 budget through contributions from the Rockefeller Foundation, the state, county and city, according to the agency's history.
Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Michael A. Clayton, 36, of 2404 Fry Road, Ashland, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 8:10 a.m. Sunday on a domestic battery charge.

 Joshua K. Woods, 32, of 323 Anna St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 2:03 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of cannabis, aggravated fleeing or eluding, reckless driving, two counts of disregarding a stop sign, improper lane use and driving a motorcycle without headlights.

 Neil W. Grover, 45, of 303 SW Cross St., Mount Sterling, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:32 a.m. Saturday on a charge of leaving the scene of or failing to report an accident.

 Trevor E. Grover, 18, of 303 SW Cross St., Mount Sterling, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:22 a.m. Saturday on a charge of driving under the influence.

 Lucas J. Mitchell, 29, of 817 W. Dorlan St., Springfield, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 10:42 p.m. April 22 on charges of driving while license is suspended and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

 Ramiero M. Mejia, 22, of Houston was booked into the Morgan County jail at 10:14 p.m. April 22 on charges of speeding, having no valid driver's license and possession of a controlled substance.

Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Sarah R. Parker, 33, of 114 Hardin Ave. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 9:05 a.m. Monday on a charge of criminal damage to property.

 Dwonette L. Armstrong, 32, of 832 N. Clay Ave. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 10:25 p.m. Sunday on a battery charge.

 Charles A. Ruble, 23, of Jacksonville and Dylan M. Elliott, 26, of Jacksonville were cited on charges of disorderly conduct after police said they were fighting about 7:10 p.m. Sunday in the 300 block of Walnut Court.

 Samantha S. Sampson, 53, of 511 E. Chambers St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 3:34 p.m. Thursday on a retail theft charge.

 Zackery M. Harms, 32, of 408 E. Third St., Beardstown, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 1:13 p.m. Thursday on charges of retail theft and criminal trespassing.

 Russell W. Armstrong, 56, of 404 S. West St., Mount Sterling, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 10:09 a.m. April 26 on a retail theft charge.

 George T. Hodge, 37, of 455 S. East St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 10:20 p.m. April 23 on a domestic battery charge.

 Nathan R. Meyer, 19, of 120 E. Vandalia Road was booked into the Morgan County jail at 9:39 p.m. April 22 on a charge of possession of adult-use cannabis by a driver.

Meredosia Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 A 12-year-old Meredosia girl was arrested at 11:09 a.m. Thursday on two counts of domestic battery.

Waverly police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 William M. Patton, 42, of Bethalto was cited on charges of illegal transportation of liquor and driving while license is revoked after being stopped at 3:40 p.m. April 24 on Elm Street.

Pike County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Tyler M. Davis, 25, of New Canton was booked into Pike County Jail at 10:14 p.m. Thursday on a domestic battery charge.

 John L. Coultas, 28, of Pleasant Hill was booked into Pike County Jail at 11:13 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and criminal sexual assault.

 Tabatha Lee Mulford, 45, of Nebo was booked into Pike County Jail at 5:19 p.m. April 26 on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

 Thomas J. Wallace, 39, of Barry was booked into Pike County Jail at 9:37 a.m. April 26 on a petition to revoke.

 Dustin L. Henderson, 38, of Louisiana, Missouri, was booked into Pike County Jail at 8:57 p.m. April 25 on charges of possession of methamphetamine, having no valid driver's license, driving under the influence and operating an uninsured vehicle.
A Home, Health & Garden Show is coming this weekend to the Morgan County Fairgrounds.

The free inaugural event, which will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, is being hosted by WJVO-FM.

Seasonal essentials, including flowers, will be available at the show. More than 20 local businesses, ranging from asphalt contractor VICC to beeswax food wrap maker Nothing Fancy Supply Co., will sell their wares and give visitors ideas for their next spring project.

Radio station owner Sarah Shellhammer said she is hoping to make it an annual event.

The fairgrounds is at 110 N. Westgate Ave.
Late last month, President Biden ratcheted up the rhetoric and called for a wartime trial of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The presidents comments followed Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning atrocities by Kremlin forces in Bucha and across Ukraine and stressing that the United States was pursuing accountability using every tool available.

All this tough talk is a facade  a superficial exterior masking the hollowness within. In terms of Blinkens analogy, the U.S. war crimes toolbox is empty, and willfully so. Thats because for more than 70 years, the United States has doggedly refused to meet its obligation under the 1949 Geneva Conventions to enact legislation to hold accountable those who commit serious law of war violations.

The obligation is part of whats called the grave breach provisions, which are clearly laid out in the Geneva Conventions. The United States (and every country in the world) has signed and agreed to follow the Conventions. Yet the United States, like much of the world, has failed to live up to its obligations with respect to the grave breach provisions.

Perhaps sufficient awareness of Americas fecklessness could prompt a legislative correction, and one is to be introduced in the Senate. But Congress already has tried and failed to do the right thing once before.

In 1996, Congress was considering legislation that eventually became the War Crimes Act. This was an opportunity finally to do what the United States had said it would do in signing the Geneva Conventions after World War II  enact war crimes legislation with actual teeth. Despite the Department of Defense pointing out that the United States was not meeting its Geneva Convention obligations with respect to the grave breach provisions and suggesting a legislative fix, Congress managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of what could have been a belated victory.

The War Crimes Act is an important law, but it doesnt come close to meeting Americas Geneva Convention obligations. True enough, the act enables the United States to prosecute those who commit serious violations of the Geneva Conventions  but only if the offender and/or a victim is a U.S. national. Absent that nationality connection, the United States cannot prosecute a foreign war criminal.

As bad as that may sound, its actually worse. Presently the United States is a potential safe haven for most war criminals. Imagine a notorious Russian national war criminal was physically present in the United States and boldly walking on the National Mall in Washington. Unless one of his victims was a U.S. national, under the War Crimes Act, the United States lacks jurisdiction to take any criminal action. The most the U.S. could do is detain and transfer such a suspect to a country or tribunal with the legal mechanisms to hold him accountable. If there was no such country or tribunal, the U.S. could potentially be stuck with the individual, war crimes and all.

It doesnt have to be this way. Recently Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said on the Senate floor that he would introduce The War Crimes Accountability Act in the coming days. This legislation would extend jurisdiction of the War Crimes Act to include those who committed or ordered to be committed serious violations of the Geneva Conventions and who are in the United States.

Durbins proposal would allow the United States to at least meet the spirit of the grave breach provisions of the Geneva Conventions and prevent the U.S. from being a safe haven for foreign war criminals

The United States can play a pivotal role in the eventual accountability processes resulting from the war between Russia and Ukraine. But America cannot credibly ask other countries to do that which we refuse to do ourselves  enact legislation to ensure the ability to hold war criminals accountable when they are inside our borders.
The Biden administration  which repeatedly asserts that it has adopted tough policies on Russias war of aggression in Ukraine  plans to allow Moscow to receive a major economic windfall under a revived Iran nuclear deal.

The new accord reportedly contains terms that would grant Vladimir Putins regime more than $10 billion to aid the development of Irans nuclear projects, even as Putins army kills and maims innocent Ukrainians. President Biden must reverse course and block Russia from gaining financially under a renewed nuclear accord.

Team Biden is attempting to resurrect the nuclear deal with Iran, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, that President Barack Obama concluded in 2015 and that President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018. That agreement will expire within the next decade and will allow Iran to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels, thereby reducing the regimes breakout time  that is, the amount of time it takes to develop enough fissile material for one nuclear weapon  to near zero.

Under the 2015 accord, the Obama administration permitted Russia the lead in carrying out several plan of action nuclear projects in Iran related to Tehrans civil nuclear program. Russias state-run nuclear agency, Rosatom, and its subsidiaries seek to resume such work in Iran, including a $10 billion project to complete two new units of Tehrans nuclear power plant at Bushehr. Moscow could also recoup a $500 million debt for past work on the plant.

Four Rosatom entities  Rusatom Energy International, Atomstroyexport, TVEL Fuel Co., and Techsnabexport  stand to gain from supplying fuel to Bushehr and another small Iranian research reactor, removing used reactor fuel, overseeing operations, and carrying out new construction. TVEL Fuel Co. may also resume work at Irans underground uranium enrichment plant at Fordow, originally built by Tehran to make weapons-grade fuel for nuclear bombs.

Washington may also acquiesce to Russias Novosibersk Chemical Concentrates Plant  another Rosatom subsidiary  as well as TVEL Fuel Co. purchasing Tehrans enriched uranium stockpile in exchange for a third-party nations natural uranium. Allowing Iran to import natural uranium ensures that Tehran can resume enrichment to higher levels and violate the nuclear accord at a time of its choosing.

In May 2019, as part of its maximum pressure campaign against Iran, the Trump administration announced it had ended special waivers from U.S. sanctions that permitted Russias Iran-related projects to move forward. Washington prohibited both the Russian Bushehr expansion project and the purchase of natural uranium. The Trump administration stated that any expansion of Bushehr beyond an existing unit and any transfers of enriched uranium out of Iran in exchange for natural uranium would be exposed to sanctions.

When Tehran quickly resumed  and then expanded  uranium enrichment at the Fordow plant in November 2019, the Trump administration also swiftly terminated the waiver for Russias work at Fordow. The Trump administration ended another sanctions waiver for Irans small reactor in May 2020, citing Irans continuing nuclear brinkmanship and Tehrans expanding proliferation activities.

When the Trump administration announced that Russian entities would face sanctions for continued Iran nuclear work, those entities reportedly halted their efforts. Yet in February, as part of its Iran deal diplomacy, the Biden administration unilaterally restored the sanctions waivers.

Last month, Russia abruptly forced a pause in the Iran nuclear talks, underway for more than a year, and demanded that the Biden administration provide Moscow with written guarantees that it wont sanction Russian nuclear projects in Iran  projects that come with an anticipated price tag reaching into the billions.

Around March 15, the State Department reportedly provided the Kremlin with such guarantees. A week later, a State Department representative acknowledged that the Biden administration would be willing to entertain exempting Moscows work in Iran from U.S. sanctions over Ukraine.

Given the situation in Ukraine, Team Biden must change this policy. The Kremlin must not financially benefit from a restored Iran deal while Washington and its allies are attempting to pressure Moscow to halt its unprovoked invasion.

A wiser policy is for Washington to restore a campaign of economic pressure on Iran and persuade the regime to halt its growing nuclear provocations. Yet if the Biden administration insists on pursuing the plan of action and helping Tehran refine its nuclear capabilities, there is no technical reason that Russia must be the party to perform such work.

America and Europe should be making every effort to close Russias revenue streams. President Biden ought to recognize that this means not providing avenues via Iran to fund Putins war machine.
France recently held its election, which resulted in a repudiation of authoritarianism and the politics of Russian President Vladamir Putin. Given that France is like the United States, a presidential system, I examine what lessons we might pick up from Paris and elsewhere about party politics and the public.

Despite dire predictions that Putin ally Marine Le Pen might prevail, incumbent President Emmanuel Macron held her off to win the runoff comfortably by an estimated 58%-42% margin, despite having an approval rating of 44% and a disapproval rating of 54% a month ago. The lesson for U.S. politics is that voters are capable of distinguishing whether democracy is to blame and whether a less democratic solution would be better.

Some journalists have harped on the argument this margin was closer than Macrons last victory, signaling potential trouble down the road, even hinting at a moral victory for Le Pen, according to the New York Times. But its a faulty argument. Such writers failed to point out that Macron has had to wrestle with the chaos of those who refuse to accept election results, the pandemic, the economic collapse that followed, and the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine and the potential for fuel price pressures.

Any one of these four Horsemen of the Apocalypse events would be enough to topple a political leader in the past, but Macron still won by double-digits. Articles from The Atlantic and AP, calling Le Pens showing a victory for the far-right, didnt mention a single one of these challenges to the Macron administration.

Like Americas Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists, France had to contend with some yellow-vested hotheads who tried to disrupt the countrys politics in the wake of the prior election. Moreover, with one of the deadliest pandemics in history, the economic hardships it brought, and fuel costs from Putins gambit, it would destroy anyones reelection bid. France has had its share of one-term presidents, failed prime ministers bids, and those who opt to avoid running for another term.

Why did Macron wind up with a whopping 58% in France, given all of those struggles? Voters in democratic countries are becoming smarter about seeing through authoritarian propaganda emanating from abroad, amplified and even echoed or parroted by domestic sources. You cant promise stability and security and when youve played a role in fomenting the trouble. Autocrats and those who emulate their style failed to contain COVID-19, and then sought to blame democracy and its freedoms for the coronavirus and subsequent economic devastation.

Perhaps Putin and the Russians felt that he would not only roll over Ukraine quickly, but win over Europe and North America as well, counting on us to be easily duped by authoritarian propaganda on the war. Or he and his allies abroad would knuckle under, chucking principles and the lives of the Ukrainian people for slightly cheaper gas.

But the French appear to have resisted the siren call of some who promise to wave a magic wand and make it all better. Americans may well do the same, enduring sacrifices for strangers that a self-absorbed despot just wouldnt understand.

States like Georgia will cast their votes in primaries next month, facing every single challenge that Frances leaders have dealt with. The U.S. has had its political disruptors, coronavirus cases, economic hardships, and higher costs, a combination of higher fuel prices and government spending necessitated by the need to take unprecedent steps to battle a tiny but lethal enemy.

What these results across the Atlantic show is that many in America can resist the hype and see the truth behind what got us into the fix, and what can help us continue our recovery. The 2022 French election showed that incumbents who face some of the worst times to come before an electorate can still prevail in the polls.
Sonora, CA  While California saw a net population loss for the second year in a row, Tuolumne County gained residents.

Only 24 of Californias 58 counties reported population growth over the past year, and Tuolumne County recorded the fourth-highest rate at 0.9-percent. The population in the county as of January 1 of 2021 was 54,791, and at the start of this year was up to 55,291. Also of note, the City of Sonoras population grew (0.4-percent) from 5,121 to 5,144.

Neighboring Calaveras County reported a population decline (0.4-percent) from 45,250 last year to 45,049 this year. Angels Camp also lost population (0.5-percent) going from 3,641 to 3,623.

The State of California saw a population decline in each of the past two years, the first two times in the states recorded history. Over the past year, California lost 117,552 residents (0.3-percent decline) to bring the overall population to 39,185,605 on January 1st.

Fewer people are moving to California from other states. California officials also cite a declining birth rate and more deaths related to the pandemic as reasons for the overall state decrease.
Sydney man gets 12 years for murdering gay American in 1988 View Photo

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

By ROD McGUIRK

Associated Press
Indiana GOP lawmakers hold off most hard-right challengers View Photo

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Frustrated Indiana conservatives fell short in most primary races Tuesday in their drive to push the Republican-controlled state Legislature further to the right, and two of the movements leaders lost their reelection bids.

The roughly two dozen so-called liberty candidates saw only a few victories in Republican legislative races across the state, with one defeating a 10-term incumbent in northern Indiana and two others winning nominations for GOP-leaning open seats.

A few races remained uncalled late Tuesday, but more than 10 incumbent lawmakers overcame challenges from candidates who argued that the Legislature hasnt been aggressive enough in attempting to ban abortion, enhancing gun rights and overturning COVID-19 restrictions that were ordered by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Republican legislative leaders argued the no compromise stances adopted by many challengers arent practical. They tout the states low taxes and unemployment and broad private school voucher program among its conservative successes.

Unlike in other GOP races across the country  including Ohio, which also had a statewide primary Tuesday  the Indiana legislative contests focused on state issues, rather than which candidate is closest to former President Donald Trump or has his support.

The challengers said they were trying to tap into a deep resentment among voters  and even winning a few seats could nudge the Legislature further to the right.

It was unclear whether the leak of a draft opinion suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn a 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide had any impact in the primary. Indiana lawmakers didnt pursue major anti-abortion action during this years session as they waited for a decision from the Supreme Court. If the court overturns Roe v Wade, those lawmakers could ask Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb to call the Legislature into a special session so they can act without having to wait until 2023.

The vast majority of House Republicans, including myself, have been abundantly clear that we want to take action to further protect life should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn, in full or in part, Roe, Republican House Speaker Todd Huston said in a statement Tuesday. We will continue to await the courts final decision.

Indiana law generally prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with 99% of abortions in the state occurring at 13 weeks or earlier, according to a state Health Department report.

The state House GOP campaign operation gave more than $1 million to candidates for the primary  including Craig Snow, who defeated hard-right Republican Rep. Curt Nisly of Milford, and Julie McGuire, who beat Rep. John Jacob of Indianapolis. Nisly and Jacob have been heroes of the liberty candidate challengers for proposals blocked by legislative leaders, including a total abortion ban and seeking to void all state COVID-19 restrictions as far back as late 2020.

Meanwhile, the Liberty Defense PAC, which has worked to rally support for its endorsed candidates, had raised a total of about $95,000 by the end of March.

Some of our incumbents are facing very, very engaged opponents, Huston said. You cant take any chances. Our team has been doing everything they need to do, knocking on doors, lots of voter contacts, those types of things. Nobody should take it lightly.

Some challengers say their movement grew from protests against COVID-19 shutdowns and complaints that GOP legislators didnt take action to end Holcombs executive orders, including a mask mandate.

Lorissa Sweet, a County Council member from rural northern Indiana, defeated Rep. Dan Leonard of Huntington. Leonard, a top Huston lieutenant, drew the wrath of social conservatives for his frequent role in blocking proposals from Nisly and Jacob  either by raising procedural objections or not taking up bills assigned to the House committee he leads.

The challengers were unsuccessful against several other top Republicans, including House Majority Leader Matthew Lehman of Berne and several committee chairmen appointed by Huston. Meanwhile, Rep. John Young of Franklin lost his bid for a fourth term to a challenger who wasnt among the Liberty Defense candidates.

The liberty candidates predominantly ran in heavily Republican districts, so even primary wins by far-right challengers would likely provide few opportunities for Democrats to dent the GOPs current 71-29 House majority.

One voter favoring Jacob said he believed more legislators like him would better ensure personal freedoms and increase the push to restrict access to abortions in Indiana.

Im a conservative Christian, and I can see that in our culture today, there is so much moving in directions that are not Biblical, and Im thinking that might be part of the pushback against many current lawmakers, said Mike Teipen, 73, of Indianapolis. It maybe rubs people too much the wrong way  they dont want to take a strong stand on certain issues. But thats what I think makes a good lawmaker.

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Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics

By TOM DAVIES and CASEY SMITH

Associated Press
Live updates | LA abortion rights protest turns violent View Photo

A Los Angeles protest over the leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that would throw out Roe v. Wade briefly turned into a skirmish with police, who say one officer was injured.

A citywide police tactical alert was declared after a Tuesday night confrontation near downtowns Pershing Square.

Authorities say about 250 people had been marching peacefully for abortion rights before the clash. LAPD Chief Michel Moore says some demonstrators threw rocks and bottles at officers. One officer was struck with a baton.

There was no immediate word of any arrests and the crowd mostly dispersed after a large police presence was called in.

It was the only violence reported among demonstrations held around the country. About 1,000 people gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington D.C. Smaller gatherings were held in Atlanta; Austin, Texas and in Manhattan, where New York state Attorney General Letitia James announced that nearly two decades ago, she walked proudly into Planned Parenthood and had an abortion.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ABORTION STORY:

 Biden says if Roe v. Wade is overturned, other rights could be next

 Chief Justice John Roberts launches an investigation into the leak

 Several state abortion bans would kick in if Roe is overturned

 The leak of the draft opinion came as a shock to Supreme Court watchers

 Senate Democrats fume, say theyll take the fight to the campaign trail

Find all AP stories on abortion: https://apnews.com/hub/abortion

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

WASHINGTON  Vice President Kamala Harris is blasting the draft U.S. Supreme Court decision that would overturn federal abortion rights.

How dare they, she said Tuesday in a speech at the EMILYS List political action committee national conference. How dare they try to deny women their rights and their freedoms.

The draft decision, which was leaked Monday night, would overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

Womens rights in America are under attack, Harris said. Today we know our purpose, we also know what we are up against.

Let us fight with everything weve got, she said.

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LAREDO, Texas  U.S Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, one of the last Democrats in Congress to oppose abortion, said Tuesday that the draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade goes too far and would divide the country.

The 17-year incumbent is in the midst of the toughest reelection fight of his career against progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros. She is backed by abortion rights groups ahead of their May 24 primary runoff, which could become the first test of whether the court leak will galvanize voters, as many Democrats are predicting.

In a statement, Cuellar reiterated his opposition to abortion but said the draft is not based on precedent and is not incremental in nature.

As a Catholic, I do not support abortion, however, we cannot have an outright ban, Cuellar said. There must be exceptions in cases of rape, incest and danger to the life of the mother.

Cisneros trailed Cuellar by about 1,000 votes in the March primary. She criticized him again Tuesday for being the only House Democrat who didnt support a bill earlier this year to protect abortion rights.

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RENO, Nev.  Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat who supports abortion rights, said Tuesday that the states residents are among those who wouldnt immediately be affected by a Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. Thats because voters passed a referendum in 1990 guaranteeing a right to a legal abortion until 24 weeks of pregnancy.

But Ford said he shared concerns voiced by President Joe Biden and others that other privacy rights could be at risk if the justices follow through, including same-sex marriage and birth control.

Former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, an anti-abortion Republican seeking the GOP nomination to try to unseat Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto in November, praised the reasoning in the draft opinion.

If the leaked decision reflects the Supreme Courts ultimate decision, it would constitute an historic victory for the sanctity of life and the principles of democratic self-determination, he said in a statement.

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TOPEKA, Kan.  Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat and strong abortion-rights supporter in a Republican-dominated state, vowed Tuesday to continue to oppose all regressive legislation which interferes with individual rights or freedoms.

Kansas voters will decide in the August primary whether to add language to the state constitution sought by abortion opponents saying that nothing in the charter grants a right to an abortion.

The ballot initiative is designed to overturn a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision declaring access to abortion a fundamental right, which abortion foes fear could lead the court to overturn existing restrictions. But if Roe v. Wade is overturned, the change would allow the Republican-controlled Legislature to ban abortion.

While I dont want to jump to conclusions based on a leaked draft, I want to reiterate that Ive always believed that every womans reproductive decisions should be left to her and her physician, Kelly said in a statement.

Kellys presumed Republican opponent in the governors race, Attorney General Derek Schmidt, says that however the U.S. Supreme Court rules, Kansas voters still need to pass the state ballot initiative.

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AUSTIN, Texas  Karina Munoz, who works at a clinic in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, that specializes in womens health services, said Tuesday that she receives about 100-150 calls per day regarding abortion services.

She said at least half of the callers are from the U.S. and most call from Texas, which shares a roughly 230-mile-long (370-kilometer-long) border with Tamaulipas, Mexicos northeasternmost state.

When they call, she said she clarifies to clients that though Mexicos high court set a legal precedent by decriminalizing abortion in a case from Coahuila, a state that also shares a long border with Texas, abortion is still not allowed in Tamaulipas.

She said the U.S. clients that her clinic does treat can only be seen for health and prenatal exams, and that abortion-seekers are advised to seek them where it is legal.

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WASHINGTON  Furious Senate Democrats are vowing to vote on legislation to protect abortion access for millions of Americans.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday angrily denounced the Supreme Courts leaked draft decision that would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, is holding firm to his refusal to end the filibuster, saying Tuesday that The filibuster is the only protection we have for democracy.

So without Republican support, Congress is essentially powerless to prevent the unraveling of the abortion access.

Schumer stopped short of promising to change Senate filibuster rules to overcome Republican obstruction to salvage the abortion law.

Key Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said if the draft holds, it rocks my confidence in the court.

Democrats signaled they will fight it out on the campaign trail this fall.

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SANTA FE, N.M.  New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who signed a law last year that overturned the states long-dormant ban on most abortion procedures, took to Twitter on Tuesday and promised to safeguard local access to abortion services.

Grisham, a Democrat who signed that law in anticipation of a new approach from the U.S. Supreme Court, wrote that The moment so many of us feared is upon us.

New Mexico voters in 2020 ousted several socially conservative Democratic legislators who were supportive of the states 1969 ban.

New Mexico already receives many patients from neighboring states such as Texas that have tightened restrictions on abortion procedures. Albuquerque is home to one of only a few independent clinics in the country that perform abortions in the third trimester.

Republicans in the legislative minority vowed to revisit the states abortion laws, while Democratic activists scheduled an evening womens march in support of abortion rights outside a federal courthouse in the state capital, Santa Fe.

Democratic state House Speaker Brian Egolf said Tuesday on Twitter that the trend in this country is dangerous. Today, its loss of access to care; next its contraception.

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OVERLAND PARK, Kan.  Dr. Iman Alsaden, the medical director for Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said her organization has already had a glimpse of what a post-Roe v. Wade landscape would look like.

Texas ban on abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy took effect in September, resulting in a 2500% increase in the number of patients from Texas at her groups clinics in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Since that day, my colleagues and I have regularly treated patients who are fleeing their communities to seek care, Alsaden, who is based in Overland Park, Kansas, told reporters during a conference call on Tuesday.

She said many of these patients are forced to drive hours to make appointments on time and to scramble to make travel and childcare arrangements.

Theyre taking time off of work, taking time out of school and taking time away from their family responsibilities to get the care that until September 2021 they were able to get safely and readily in their communities, Alsaden said.

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FARGO, N.D.  North Dakotas only abortion clinic is reassuring patients that their appointments will stand, for now.

Tammi Kromenaker, who owns and operates the Red River Womens Clinic in Fargo, said Tuesday that she posted a notice on the clinics website letting women know that abortion is still legal and that their appointments at the clinic are safe.

Politico published a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion late Monday showing that a majority of the court is prepared to overrule the landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide.

Kromenaker says she also talked to staff about the draft opinion, emphasizing that this is not yet the final ruling. Its a message shes seen from abortion providers across the country.

She says she already had a plan to open a clinic just across the river in Minnesota if a 2007 North Dakota law outlawing abortion was triggered by any Supreme Court decision, and the leak just made that move all the more urgent.

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AUSTIN, Texas  A Texas Republican who authored the most restrictive abortion law in the U.S. says he looks forward to Roe v. Wade ending up on the ash heap of history.

State Sen. Bryan Hughes carried Senate Bill 8, which bans abortions in Texas after roughly six weeks of pregnancy. The law is enforced solely through private lawsuits and the guarantee of at least $10,000 for successfully suing a doctor or anyone else who helps a woman obtain an abortion.

State data shows abortions in Texas roughly two dozen clinics plummeted by about 50% in the three months after the law took effect in September, compared to a year earlier.

Hughes told the Associated Press in a text message: When the travesty of Roe v. Wade is finally on the ash heap of history, more little lives can be saved, and more mothers can be helped.

Amy Hagstrom Miller, president of Whole Womans Health, says her four clinics in Texas have spent months preparing for Roe to be overturned. She says her staff is telling patients and callers that abortion is still legal, for now.

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JACKSON, Miss.  Abortion rights opponent Barbara Beavers stood outside Mississippis only abortion clinic Tuesday next to two signs with the slogans: Ask me about free pregnancy tests & ultrasounds and You dont have to do this today.

Beavers, who retired from a crisis pregnancy center, which tries to persuade women not to have abortions, prayed and tried to talk to people as they got out of cars to go inside.

Im offering help and alternatives to abortion, said Beavers, who lives in Jackson. Abortion hurts women as well as unborn children, and so I want to offer them kind of a last  before they go in  place of respite, help and hope.

Asked if she thought she would ever see Roe v. Wade overturned, Beavers said: Dred Scott was overturned. It was a bad law. Roe v. Wades bad law. We need to be defending our children, unborn or born. We need to be defending them. We need to be supporting them. We dont need to be killing them.

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WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Tuesday blasted as radical the draft Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that protected abortion rights.

It concerns me a great deal that after 50 years were going to decide that a woman doesnt have the right to choose, Biden told reporters before boarding Air Force One for a trip to Alabama.

If the decision is issued, he said, a whole range of rights that are based on the presumption of privacy will be in question, including access to contraception and same sex marriage.

Its a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence, Biden said.

Biden said he wanted Congress to pass legislation codifying Roe v. Wade, but he wasnt prepared to say whether the Senate should sidestep the filibuster to do so.

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WASHINGTON  Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday confirmed the authenticity of a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court may be be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

Roberts also ordered an investigation into what he called an egregious breach of trust.

In the high courts first public comment since the draft was published late Monday, Roberts said, Although the document described in yesterdays reports is authentic, it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.

To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed, he said in a written statement.

He added: I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak.

By The Associated Press
Republicans look to surrogates for boost in Ohio Senate race View Photo

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  High-profile surrogates for Republicans running in Ohios hotly contested Senate primary are fanning out across the state or holding other events to give their endorsed candidates a last-minute boost ahead of Tuesdays election.

Sens. Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, along with Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene, were among the conservative emissaries making final pitches in the critical Senate race. Former President Donald Trump, who held a rally in Ohio late last month to boost candidate JD Vance, botched Vances name at an event in Nebraska over the weekend while trying to tout his endorsements nationwide  but he got it right as he held a final tele-rally to bolster Vance Monday night.

The involvement of prominent surrogates in the primary shows the high stakes of Tuesdays election, when seven candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for the seat held by retiring GOP Sen. Rob Portman. Democrats see the race as one of their best chances nationally to flip a seat in the midterm elections, while Republicans remain optimistic about their chances of holding a seat in a state that has swung to the right under Trumps influence.

The primary has been heated from the start, with nearly all the Republicans in the race competing for Trumps endorsement  a prize that eventually went to Vance, the author of Hillbilly Elegy. At the time of the endorsement, Vance was trailing in the polls, and the race is seen as one of the first big tests of Trumps enduring influence among Republican voters.

But at a rally in Nebraska on Sunday, Trump seemed to undercut his support for Vance by mixing up his name with that of another candidate in the race.

Weve endorsed Dr. (Mehmet) Oz. Weve endorsed J.P., right  J.D. Mandel. And hes doing great, Trump told the crowd. Theyre all doing good. Theyre all doing good. And lets see what happens.

Mandel is the last name of one of Vances most bitter rivals, former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, another candidate who had courted Trumps support. For voters inclined to follow Trumps endorsement, the gaffe risked muddling in their minds which candidate has the former presidents backing.

But Trump didnt have the same issue Monday evening when he urged supporters on a call with Vance to vote Tuesday for a man he repeatedly called a winner and said had his complete and total endorsement.

He said some negative thing about me but hes made up for it in spades, Trump said of Vances past criticism, adding that he had studied the debates and studied everybody, and determined that JDs the one whose going to win.

Cleveland investment banker Mike Gibbons, a GOP contender in Ohio, had seized on Trumps mistake as an opportunity to disparage Vance.

Quite a ringing endorsement, eh? he said in an email blast Sunday night, saying Vance is clearly irrelevant to Trump.

Gibbons final push included an online event featuring Paul, the senator from Kentucky, while Mandel campaigned with Texas Cruz on Friday and Saturday, and with fellow military veterans Monday.

Meanwhile, Portman continued to campaign for Jane Timken, a former chair of the Ohio Republican Party, who has pointed to the strength of her grassroots network headed into Tuesdays vote.

Vance campaigned over the weekend with Hawley, Gaetz and Greene, a trio of strident Trump allies who are among the partys most hard-right lawmakers. They portrayed Vance as a Washington outsider who will take on the establishment and stand up for average working Ohioans.

Vance was slammed for his decision to appear with Gaetz, who is embroiled in a federal sex trafficking investigation, although he has not been charged and denies wrongdoing. Vance said that being accused of a crime these days is very often more about corrupt law enforcement than it is about anything anybodys actually done.

Rival candidate Matt Dolan, a state senator and former assistant state attorney general, rebuked Vance for the statement, as did one of Dolans top supporters, former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery.

The fact that JD is more inclined to defend a man being investigated for sex trafficking than our brave police officers and sheriffs, clearly proves he is unfit to serve as Ohios next U.S. senator, Montgomery, a four-time state officeholder, said in a statement.

Dolan is the only prominent GOP candidate in the race who didnt jockey for Trumps endorsement.

In the states Democratic Senate primary, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan was campaigning before union groups and teachers, while his progressive rival Morgan Harper, a former consumer protection attorney and community organizer, was knocking doors and visiting polling places. The winners of the Republican and Democratic contests will face off in November.

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Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report from Washington. Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics

By JULIE CARR SMYTH

Associated Press
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP)  Authorities recovered the body of a hiker a day after people reported hearing someone yelling for help near a mountain trail in Southern California.

The family of Robert Carey Jr. reported Saturday that he had not returned from a hike to San Gorgonio Mountain in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Relatives said Carey, 33, was an experienced hiker but had not hiked the peak before, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department.

A helicopter crew was dispatched and spotted an unresponsive man at the base of a waterfall. A rescue operation was postponed Saturday night because of darkness.

Careys body was recovered Sunday morning.

Investigators determined Carey, of Calimesa, fell around 80 feet (24 meters) and succumbed to his injuries, according to the sheriffs department.

Careys family thanked rescue personnel, sheriffs officials said.
MEXICO CITY  Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are camping out in Mexico City and waiting for the U.S. government to allow them into the country.

About 500 evacuees were waiting Tuesday in large tents under a searing sun on a dusty field on the east side of Mexicos sprawling capital. The camp has been open only a week and from 50 to 100 people are arriving every day.

Some refugees have already been to the U.S. border in Tijuana where they were told they would no longer be admitted. Others arrived at airports in Mexico City or Cancun.

The U.S. government announced in late March that it would accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Hundreds entered Mexico daily as tourists in Mexico City or Cancun and flew to Tijuana to wait for a few days to be admitted to the U.S. at a San Diego border crossing on humanitarian parole.

Giorgi Mikaberidze, 19, arrived in Tijuana April 25 and found the U.S. border closed. He went from being just yards from the United States to some 600 miles (966 kilometers) away in the Mexico City area. He said he traveled to Mexico alone.

Its very difficult to wait. We dont know how the program will work, he said.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russia storms Mariupol steel plant as some evacuees reach safety

 Debt drama far from over for Russia even though it dodges default

 Biden visit highlights strain on US weapons stockpile

 Pope Francis offers to meet Putin, but hasn't heard back

 German opposition leader visits Ukraine; chancellor refuses to go

Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden's national security adviser met Tuesday with a Swedish foreign affairs officials and committed to continuing close coordination on security issues, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said.

NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Oscar Stenstrom, state secretary for foreign affairs to Sweden's prime minister, discussed the security situation in Europe in light of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The topics included ongoing efforts to support Ukraine and impose costs on Russia, Watson said.

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WASHINGTON  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the war in Ukraine has worsened problems in the Western Hemisphere caused by the coronavirus pandemic, such as rising poverty.

Concerns about the war decreasing the availability of food and increasing prices have sparked fears of increasing hunger and starvation in other nations. Blinken told the annual Conference of the Americas Luncheon on Tuesday that the effects of the war are being felt after the pandemic inflicted massive economic harm throughout the region.

Giving the luncheons keynote address in Washington, Blinken said: Now, with the Russian governments brutal war of aggression on Ukraine, many of these preexisting problems, these preexisting conditions, have been made worse, raising the price of essential commodities throughout the Americas, from fertilizer to wheat to petroleum, cutting off key export markets for many industries in the Americas, and forcing households across the region to make very wrenching choices as the cost of living skyrockets.

Blinken plans to chair two United Nations meetings later this month aimed at spotlighting how the war in Ukraine and other conflicts is affecting the availability of food and prices.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian officials say the Russian military has struck railroad infrastructure across the country.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, the head of the Ukrainian railways, said the Russian strikes on Tuesday hit six railway stations in the countrys central and western regions, inflicting heavy damage.

Kamyshin said at least 14 trains were delayed because of the attacks.

Dnipro region Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said Russian missiles struck railway infrastructure in the area, leaving one person wounded and disrupting train movement.

The Ukrainian military also reported strikes on railways in the Kirovohrad region, saying there were unspecified casualties.

Ukraines railroads have played an important role in moving people, goods and military supplies during the war as roads and bridges have been damaged.

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TROY, Ala.  President Joe Biden on Tuesday credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant for doing life-saving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine to stifle Russias invasion as he made a pitch for Congress to approve $33 billion so the U.S. can continue hustle aid to the front lines.

Youre allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves, Biden told the workers, his podium flanked by Javelin missile launchers and shipping containers. And, quite frankly, theyre making fools of the Russian military in many instances.

The presidents visit to the Lockheed Martin factory in Alabama also drew attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, 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 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.

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.

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UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. humanitarian chief in Ukraine says about 30 people who came out of the besieged Avostal steel plant in Mariupol chose not to leave the city, saying they were horrified at its total devastation and first wanted to find out if their loved ones were still alive.

Osnat Lubrani told a virtual press conference from the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia soon after the arrival Tuesday of 127 people evacuated from the plant and the town of Manhush on Mariupols outskirts that she wants to believe the successful operation will be a stepping stone to more such operations from Avostal and other towns and cities being shelled and bombarded by the Russians.

She said there is knowledge that there are civilians still trapped in the Avostal plant, but the U.N. has no numbers.

Some of them may have been afraid to come out, some of them probably couldnt make it, Lubrani said. Its a huge area and some of the elderly people could hardly walk and a broken bus with flat tires was used to help some of them leave.

Speaking of the people who wanted to stay in Mariupol, she said, These are people that have lived their lives and worked in Mariupol and so it was difficult for them to just leave without knowing what the fate of their loved ones is.

Lubrani said the people still trapped underground in the Avostal plant will hear about the safe evacuation to Zaporizhzhia which is very important, so if we do another operation, I think hopefully more will come out.

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The Russian military says its artillery has hit over 400 Ukrainian targets during the last day.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Tuesday that the targets included Ukrainian artillery positions, troops strongholds and two fuel depots.

Konashenkov said Russian aircrafts have hit 39 other targets, including concentrations of troops and weapons and two command posts.

He charged that a U.S.-supplied artillery radar, four air defense radars and six ammunition depots were among the targets destroyed with precision-guided weapons over the last day.

Konashenkovs claims couldnt be independently verified.

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LVIV, Ukraine  Russian strikes have apparently targeted the western Ukraine city of Lviv.

The strikes happened in multiple directions just before 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday  about about an hour and a half after air raid sirens sounded in the city and reportedly went off across the entire country. At least four distinct explosions could be heard from downtown Lviv.

Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the strikes damaged three power substations, knocking electricity off in parts of Lviv. Two pump stations were also without power, affecting water supply in the city. Two people were injured in the attack, according to the mayor.

Sadovyi wrote on a social message app that those in the city should take shelter. Trains coming out of Lviv stopped service. Car alarms went off after the blasts, and emergency sirens could be heard.

The mayor on Monday had a news conference with the countrys top U.S. diplomat, discussing how America planned to reopen its diplomatic presence in the city located near the Polish border.

The last major attack targeting the city came April 18, which killed at least seven people. Lviv has become a haven for those fleeing the wars front line in the east.

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PARIS  French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call Tuesday with Vladimir Putin, stressed the extreme gravity of the consequences of Russias war of aggression in Ukraine, and called on the Russian leader to allow evacuations from the Mariupol steel mill to continue, the Elysee Palace said.

Macron urged Russia to rise to the level of its responsibility as a permanent member of the U.S. Security Council by ending this devastating aggression, an Elysee statement said.

Macron asked Putin to restart evacuations at the Azovstal plant, which has served as a refuge for Ukrainians, in coordination with humanitarian units, while allowing evacuees to choose their destination, as called for under international law.

It was the first time that the French president has had a conversation with Putin since March 29  before the discovery of the exactions in the Ukrainian town of Bucha  after multiple telephone talks. The call came three days after Macron last spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Concerned about world food security, Macron said he was willing to work with international organizations to try to help seek a lifting of the Russian blockade on exports of food goods via the Black Sea, according to the statement.

He also restated his willingness to work on conditions for a negotiated solution to the war, for peace and for full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and reiterated his oft-stated demand for a cease-fire, the statement said.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The Donetsk regional governor said the Russian troops on Tuesday shelled a chemical plant in Avdiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine, killing at least 10 people and wounding 15 more.

The Russians knew exactly where to aim  the workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home, Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. Another cynical crime by Russians on our land.

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GENEVA  A top Red Cross official helping oversee a dramatic, five-day effort that led to the evacuation of dozens of civilians from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to a government-held city said he remains extremely concerned about new clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces there  with some other civilians still inside.

Pascal Hundt, who heads the Ukraine office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the humanitarian agency and the United Nations carried out the evacuation after Russia and Ukraine agreed that it would only include civilians. He said some people simply chose not to leave, and he didnt know why  but suspected fear about continued fighting played a part.

A total of 127 people were evacuated from Azovstal and the Mariupol area in buses that arrived in government-controlled Zaporizhzia on Tuesday.

We are today with a mixed feeling. We have done everything to help these people to basically leave the place where they were  to leave hell, Hundt said in a call with reporters from Kyiv. But we would have hoped that much more people would be able to join the convoy and to get out of hell.

Hundt said about a dozen people taken out in the convoy were sick or injured, but none were in critical condition.

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Latvia has summoned Russias ambassador to the Baltic country over Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs anti-Semitic statements, the Latvian foreign minister said Tuesday.

The ambassador was to provide explanations on May 5 and receive a protest, Edgars Rinkevics wrote on Twitter.

In an interview with an Italian news channel, Lavrov said that Ukraine could still have Nazi elements even if some figures  including the countrys president  were Jewish, claiming that Hitler also had Jewish origins.

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BRUSSELS  The European Unions top diplomat says the blocs executive branch is on the cusp of proposing a new raft of sanctions against Russia, including on oil.

EU policy commissioners have been discussing the new sanctions and are set to send their proposals later Tuesday to the 27 member countries for debate.

The unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a tweet that the executive is working on the 6th package of sanctions which aims to de-swift more banks, list disinformation actors and tackle oil imports. Swift is the most widely used international system for bank transfers.

Member countries have been involved in drawing up the proposals, but they routinely take days to endorse them. The sanctions can only enter force once they are published in the EUs Official Journal. Hungary and Slovakia have already expressed reservations about signing on.

EU ambassadors are scheduled to meet on Wednesday. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also likely to explain the proposals early Wednesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

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MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin has told French President Emmanuel Macron that Moscow is ready for talks with Ukraine.

The Kremlin said in its readout of Tuesdays call that despite Kyivs inconsistency and its lack of readiness for serious work, the Russian side is still ready for dialogue.

The Kremlin added that Putin also informed Macron about the course of Russias special military operation. It added that the two leaders also discussed the global food security and Putin underlined that Western sanctions have exacerbated the situation.

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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  The U.N.s aid coordinator for Ukraine says 127 people have been evacuated from the besieged Azovstal plant in Mariupol and nearby areas to a government-controlled city, in an operation carried out along with the international Red Cross.

Osnat Lubrani, the humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said Tuesday that those evacuated included 101 people who could finally leave the bunkers below the Azovstal steelworks and see the daylight after two months.

Another 58 people joined the convoy in Manhush, a town on the outskirts of Mariupol.

Today, we brought people safely to Zaporizhzhia, Lubriani said. However, I worry that there may be more civilians who remain trapped.

The evacuees were receiving humanitarian assistance, including health and psychological care, from the U.N, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and partner agencies after arriving in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday.

Some of the evacuees opted to be dropped off before arriving in the city, which is in government-controlled territory, Lubriani said in a statement.

 This item has been corrected to fix the spelling of Osnat Lubranis last name.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The deputy commander of the Azov Regiment that is holed up in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol has confirmed to The Associated Press that Russian forces have started to storm the plant on Tuesday.

The move comes almost two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered its military not to storm the plant, but rather block it off.

Asked about the reports in Ukrainian media that the huge steelworks  the last holdout of Ukrainian resistance in a city otherwise controlled by Moscows forces  was being stormed, Sviatoslav Palamar told the AP that it is true.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mariupol patrol police chief Mykhailo Vershinin was quoted by Ukrainian television as saying that the Russian military have started to storm the plant in several places.

The reports come amid a U.N. effort to evacuate civilians from the plant, which helped scores of people escape the sprawling facility.

According to Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard who is also currently at Azovstal, 200 civilians including children remain at the plant.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk told reporters Tuesday that about 150 civilians have been taken from Azovstal and a few hundred remain at the plant. We need a few more days to continue this operation, Vereshchuk said.

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged her visiting Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, to try to influence Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Putin has to stop this war, Frederiksen said Tuesday, adding immediately, I hope that India will influence Russia.

Indias neutral stance in the war has raised concerns in the West and earned praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who lauded India for judging the situation in its entirety, not just in a one-sided way.

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LONDON  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told Ukraines parliament that their country has achieved the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century by repelling Russias attempt to capture Kyiv.

Johnson addressed lawmakers in Ukraines legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, by video link on Tuesday. He is the first world leader to do so since Ukraine was invaded on Feb. 24.

Johnson, one of Ukraines most prominent international supporters, announced a new 300 million pound ($375 million) package of military aid to Ukraine, including radar, drones and armored vehicles.

Johnson said Ukraine had exploded the myth of (Russian President Vladimir) Putins invincibility, and expressed confidence Ukraine would win the war.

The British leader said Western allies had not done enough to stop Russia after it annexed Crimea and triggered a conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014, and said Ukraines allies should not press it to give up territory to make peace.

He said you are the masters of your fate, and no-one can or should impose anything on Ukrainians. We in the U.K. will be guided by you and we are proud to be your friends.
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.

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Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report.
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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.
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico's governor on Tuesday asked President Joe Biden to declare a disaster as firefighters scrambled to clear brush, build fire lines and spray water to keep the largest blaze burning in the U.S. from destroying more homes in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

During a briefing on the fire burning across the state's northeast, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a request for a presidential disaster declaration that will be sent to the White House in hopes of freeing up financial assistance for recovery efforts. She said it was important that the declaration be made on the front end rather than waiting until the fire is out.

Im unwilling to wait, said Lujan Grisham, a first-term Democrat who is running for reelection. I have families who dont know what the next day looks like, I have families who are trying to navigate their children and health care resources, figure out their livelihoods and theyre in every single little community and it must feel to them like they are out there on their own.

In the small northeastern New Mexico city of Las Vegas, residents were already voicing concerns about grocery stores being closed as some people chose to leave ahead of the flames even though evacuations had not been ordered.

Fire managers told an evening briefing at the local community college that the spread slowed a bit on Tuesday, and put the amount of newly charred land up slightly, to about 231 square miles (598 square kilometers) of mountainsides, towering ponderosa pines and meadows.

Officials have reported about 170 homes destroyed, about 15,500 homes under mandatory evacuation and said the states psychiatric hospital in Las Vegas remained evacuated. Schools in the community canceled classes at least through Wednesday.

Dan Pearson, a U.S. Forest Service fire behavior analyst, called Tuesday a brief reprieve from the extreme conditions we have been experiencing," but warned that winds are expected to increase and shift on Wednesday, pushing fire and smoke toward Las Vegas.

Tomorrow, we're back to red-flag criteria, Pearson said, adding that forecasts called for better firefighting conditions on Thursday and Friday before winds increase and gusts whip to 50 mph (80 kph) or more during the weekend.

A battery of fire engines and their crews were busy Tuesday working to protect homes and other structures on the edge of Las Vegas while bulldozers cleared more fire lines on the outskirts. Air tanker and helicopter pilots took advantage of a break in the thick smoke and falling ash to drop fire retardant and water.

New Mexico was in the bull's eye for the nation's latest wave of hot, dry and windy weather. Forecasters also issued warnings for parts of Arizona and Colorado, and authorities in Texas urged people there to be careful after crews in that state had to respond to several new fires Monday.

Authorities in northeastern New Mexico said the flames were a couple of miles from Las Vegas, which serves as an economic hub for most of northeastern New Mexico and the ranching and farming families who have called the rural region home for generations. It's home to the United World College and New Mexico Highlands University.

The governor said during her briefing that the number of homes destroyed would likely go much higher given the ground that the fire has covered and the villages that it moved through over the past week.

San Miguel County officials said Tuesday they have been unable to get back into burned areas to continue assessments since conditions were too dangerous.

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. Fire officials also have said that many forested areas have become overgrown and unhealthy and that the buildup of vegetation can worsen wildfire conditions.

Nationally, the National Interagency Fire Center reported Tuesday that a dozen uncontained large fires have burned about 400 square miles (1,000 square kilometers) in five states, including New Mexico. Nearly 3,500 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to fires burning across the country.

On the northern flank of the big New Mexico fire, crews were trying to keep the flames from reaching the town of Mora as the winds shifted. Bulldozed fire lines were holding, but state officials urged those residents who have refused to leave the area to reconsider, saying it's a dangerous situation.

Northeast of Las Vegas, on the other side of an interstate, is the Zamora Ranch. Owner Kenny Zamora has opened up his corrals and stables for livestock refugees, including 160 cattle, 50 horses, 70 sheep, 10 goats and a couple of pigs.

Jose Griego and wife Casey Taylor brought 10 horses and a small donkey to the ranch. Each has its own story: One was a wedding gift to the couple. Another is Griegos go-to horse for rounding up cattle.

Everything thats breathing is out, and thats what matters, said Taylor, who teaches science in a nearby community.

State livestock inspectors said green flags are flying at the entrances of ranches where livestock are left behind during evacuations so that responders know later.

The fire merged last week with another blaze that was sparked in early April when a prescribed fire set by land managers escaped containment. The cause of the other fire remains under investigation.

Lujan Grisham said Tuesday that the federal government bears some responsibility.

Another New Mexico wildfire burning through forested areas to the northeast has forced the evacuations of about 800 homes while charring 92 square miles (238 square kilometers).

A separate fire burning in the mountains near Los Alamos National Laboratory prompted the evacuation of about 200 homes. It has charred more than 39 square miles (101 square kilometers) and destroyed at least three homes.

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Associated Press writers Paul Davenport in Phoenix and Ken Ritter in Las Vegas, Nevada, contributed to this report. Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.
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BUCHAREST, Romania (AP)  Elena Trofimchuk fled Ukraine to Romania more than a month ago. She now sees Bucharests North Railway Station as a second home.

She doesnt live there, but its where she spends most of her day welcoming fellow Ukrainian refugees escaping from Russia's war and helping them sort out tickets, accommodation and onward destinations.

The 26-year-old said that keeping herself busy and useful keeps her from dwelling on Russias shelling of her hometown, Odesa, where many of her friends remain.

If you sit and do nothing, you can just become crazy because youre always searching for news. Its very hard. So here I can help people buy tickets and find accommodations. I even help Romanians in the kitchen, Trofimchuk said.

Before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, she worked as a photographer.

Trofimchuk is just one of many orange-vested Ukrainian volunteers working at the station.

Ukrainian volunteer Vitalii Ivanchuk flew all the way from Sri Lanka where he lived with his Ukrainian girlfriend to help refugees coming into Romania.

The 29-year-old IT developer said that many Ukrainians have a tough time communicating with Romanians, and volunteers who can speak both Ukrainian and English are in high demand.

His girlfriend, Anastasiia Haiduk, quit her investment job shortly after the war started and decided to volunteer at the station until the war ends and she can be reunited with her family in Ukraine.

The Romanian government is currently giving away free train tickets to Ukrainian refugees arriving in Romania that they can use to travel on to Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia and Bulgaria.

Trofimchuk said she was moved by the warm welcome and the Romanians show of solidarity with Ukraine.

Every Romanian person wants to help. Theyre very friendly. And I was shocked about this. Im so happy that everyone wants to help, Trofimchuk said.

Nearly 5.5 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of Russia's war on Feb. 24, according to data from the U.N. refugee agency.

Most have entered countries on Ukraines western border: more than 3 million people have fled to Poland, while more than 817,000 others have fled to Romania and around 520,000 have crossed into Hungary, UNHCR statistics show.

For some Ukrainian volunteers, their Saturday evening ritual is to join a weekly demonstration at the Russian Embassy in Bucharest along with Ukrainian residents and Romanians.

Station volunteers in Bucharest say they are now seeing an increasing number of arrivals from Odesa following Russian missile attacks on the southern Ukrainian port city on the Black Sea.

But Trofimchuk skipped a recent protest, saying she expected people to arrive from her hometown.

I will stay at the station as late as I can, because there might be people who need my help, Trofimchuk said.

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More AP coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine and migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
The stars aligned for a couple who originally planned to elope to Las Vegas but couldn't because their flight was canceled after several delays. Instead, Pam Patterson and Jeremy Salda found themselves in an impromptu inflight wedding with Southwest Airlines while at the Dallas Love Field Airport on April 24.

Southwest Airlines shared the unique love story on social media last week. The airline told MySA that the Oklahoma couple has been dating since August 2020. The pair hoped to surprise their family and friends with a secret elopement. The love birds even wore their full wedding attire the day of their flight, as their appointment for the wedding chapel was later that evening, according to Southwest Airlines.

Kaitlyn Manzer

Their itinerary took them to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, where their flight (booked with a competitor) was later canceled. In the gate area at DFW Airport, the Saldas met Chris, who was also booked on their canceled flight. His last name was not shared.

It turns out Chris was an ordained minister, Southwest Airlines said. After overhearing their story, Chris offered to marry Pam and Jeremy in Vegas himself. The three of them quickly found a flight to LAS on Southwest and shared an Uber across town to Dallas Love Field Airport, which is a city-owned public airport about six miles northwest of downtown Dallas. It was Dallas's main airport until 1974 when DFW opened.

Once on board, the Captain of their flight asked Pam about her wedding dress. She explained their story to him and joked that maybe they should just get married on this Southwest flight instead. To her surprise, the Captain said, "Let's do it!"

Kaitlyn Manzer

Southwest Airlines said their flight crew hung toilet paper streamers, made Chris a sash out of snack bags, and cued up the wedding march. Customers onboard also turned on their call buttons to light the aircraft as Pam walked down the aisle. Julie, one of the flight attendants, even stood in as the impromptu Maid of Honor.

Additionally, a professional photographer who happened to be on the flight volunteered to capture wedding photos. One passenger offered up a leftover powdered donut as a makeshift wedding cake, while another passed around an old notebook so customers could sign it as a "guest book."

Kaitlyn Manzer

Once the scene was set, the couple got married.

"Southwest has been the love airline for nearly 51 years, and we always enjoy an opportunity to celebrate our customers in special ways," Southwest Airlines said. "Pam and Jeremy's impromptu inflight wedding is the latest example of our employees' hearts for creating special moments for our customers."

The airline continued, "We were thrilled to play host to Pam and Jeremy's special day. Our employees are famous for their heart and hospitality, and we know our crew, our customers, and the couple will remember this flight for a long time to come. We offer our congratulations to the newlyweds and well wishes on their new life together."
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BOISE, Idaho (AP)  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 Ehlinger's 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 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 can't do this.

Fourth District Judge Michael Reardon instructed the jury to disregard her statements since the defense couldn't 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 hasn't 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 Ehlinger's 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 don't 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 can't do this," and rushing out of the courtroom.

It's 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 Doe's 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 didn't come forward, or are thinking of coming forward  to help them know that people believe them."
Patrick Semansky/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris tested negative on Monday for COVID-19, six days after she tested positive for the virus, and has been cleared to return to the White House on Tuesday.

Harris press secretary Kirsten Allen said Harris, who was prescribed the antiviral treatment Paxlovid last week, was negative on a rapid antigen test. Allen said Harris would continue to wear a well-fitting mask while around others in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines until through her tenth day after her positive test.
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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.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  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 Norths official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday.

KCNA said Kim called his military officials to praise their work during Mondays 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 Kim's 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 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.

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 his country's 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 this month in which she blasted 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 Korea's 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.
A Missouri man who killed a couple during a robbery at their rural home more than a quarter of a century ago was put to death Tuesday, becoming just the fifth person executed in the United States this year.

Carman Deck, 56, died by injection at the state prison in Bonne Terre. He was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m. His fate was sealed a day earlier when neither the U.S. Supreme Court nor Republican Gov. Mike Parson stepped in to halt the execution. Decks death sentence was overturned three times before for procedural issues.

Deck mouthed a few inaudible words as the 5 grams of pentobarbital were administered, then puffed out a couple of breaths before all movement stopped, the process lasting just a few seconds.

My hope is that one day the world will find peace and that we all will learn to be kind and loving to one another, Deck said in a written final statement. We all are a part of this journey through life, connected in every way. Please give love, show love, BE LOVE!

Parson, in a statement, said the couple killed, James and Zelma Long, were innocent victims of Carman Decks heinous violence. Tonight, justice was served.

Just four other people have been executed in the U.S. in 2022  Donald Anthony Grant and Gilbert Ray Postelle in Oklahoma, Matthew Reeves in Alabama and Carl Wayne Buntio n last month in Texas. Eleven people were executed in the U.S. last year, the fewest since 1988.

Court records show that Deck, of the St. Louis area, was a friend of the grandson of the Longs, who lived in De Soto, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of St. Louis. He knew the couple, in their late 60s, kept a safe in their home.

In July 1996, Deck and his sister stopped at the home under the guise of asking directions. Deck wasnt surprised the couple let them in.

Theyre country folks, Deck told a detective, according to court records. They always do.

Once inside, Deck pulled a gun from his waistband. At Decks command, Zelma Long opened the safe and removed jewelry, then got $200 from her purse and more money hidden in a canister.

Deck ordered the couple to lie on their stomachs on their bed. Court records said Deck stood there for 10 minutes deciding what to do, then shot James Long twice in the head before doing the same thing to Zelma Long.

A tip alerted police to Deck, and he was arrested later that night outside his sisters apartment building in St. Louis County. The decorative tin canister from the Long home was on the floorboard of his car.

Prosecutors said Deck later gave a full account of the killings in oral, written and audiotaped statements. He was sentenced to death in 1998, but the Missouri Supreme Court tossed the sentence due to errors by Decks trial lawyer.

The U.S. Supreme Court threw out his second sentence in 2005, citing the prejudice caused by Deck being shackled in front of the sentencing jury.

He was sentenced to death for a third time in 2008. Nine years later, U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry determined that substantial evidence arguing against the death penalty in Decks first two penalty phases was unavailable for the third because witnesses had died, couldnt be found or declined to cooperate.

In October 2020, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals restored the death penalty, ruling that Deck should have raised his concern first in state court, not federal court. Appeals of that ruling were unsuccessful.

The clemency petition on behalf of Deck cited abuse he suffered as a child, including beatings that left welts and sexual abuse. It said he and his siblings often were left alone without food. Deck's attorney, Elizabeth Unger Carlyle, said in a statement that Deck also was raped while in prison for theft at age 19.

This experience transformed him from a non-violent thief into the person who committed two terrible murders, Carlyle said. She called his execution unjust and immoral.

The number of executions in the U.S. has declined significantly since peaking at 98 in 1998. The drop has coincided with declining support, falling from a high of 80% in 1994 to 54% in 2021 according to Gallup polls. Since the mid-1990s, opposition has risen from under 20% to around 45%.

Use of the death penalty has become concentrated mostly in a few Southern and Plains states. Last year, Texas executed three inmates, Oklahoma executed two, and one each were put to death in Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri. Three federal inmates were executed in January 2021, toward the end of President Donald Trumps administration.

On Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee paused executions in his state for the rest of the year to enable a review of lethal injection procedures 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.
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.
A North Texas megachurch pastor mixed politics with religion after unveiling a list of endorsed church candidates in local elections during a Sunday service on May 1, according to NBC News reporter Mike Hixenbaugh.

Hixenbaugh tweeted a video of Gateway Church senior pastor Robert Morris asking his congregates to take a picture of the screen he showed of candidates who are church members running in the Saturday, May 7 election. The ballad includes city council and school board races across North Texas.

Morris stressed to the crowd about the school books that are in campus libraries, saying they are as "pornographic as anything you ever read." He gave an example of an upset parent reading a book to school board members, sharing how he felt like the excerpt she read was straight-up "a sex scene as much as you ever heard it."

"There is pornographic literature  are y'all hearing me? You don't sound like you're hearing me, and it's making me upset at you for not hearing this," Morris said while interpreting himself during his sermon. "It is pornographic in our schools...we need to vote."

All of the candidates the church unofficially endorsed are running on anti-Critical Race Theory platforms. Critical Race Theory has become a fixture in the fierce U.S. debate over how to teach children about the country's history and race relations.

In the North Texas area, the subject has especially been highlighted due to Carroll Independent School District in Southlake. In October, Gina Peddy, the school district's executive director of curriculum and instruction, was secretly recorded saying their teachers should have an opposing book regarding the Holocaust.

The U.S. Department of Education also opened three investigations into allegations of racial and gender discrimination at the school district in November.
Alex Brandon/AP

On Monday night, Politico dropped a bombshell report detailing a draft opinion Justice Samuel Alito saying the Supreme Court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade  a monumental court decision for abortion rights and women's health care. But if it is overturned, what does this mean for Texas, a state that is already teetering on a post-Roe reality with Senate Bill 8 in place?

If Roe is overturned, district attorneys in Texas will have the power to decide whether or not to pursue criminal charges against a person who underwent an abortion, the Texas Tribune reported late last month.
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.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente

Bird Song of the Day

Warbler Week Two at Naked Capitalism. From Dupage, IL. I am having fun with the warblers, so I thought I would continue. But readers, if you have other suggestions, please leave them in comments.

* * *

Politics

But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51

They had learned nothing, and forgotten nothing. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. Hunter Thompson

Capitol Seizure

Biden Adminstration

Looks like I was way too gentle on Bidens Test to Treat debacle (hat tip, alert reader Allan): This is what its like to get Paxlovid (if you're lucky) * as a privileged white lawyer who runs the largest Covid movement in the world A thread   Diana Zicklin Berrent (@dianaberrent) May 2, 2022 Theres a whole genre of getting Covid treated horror stories, just as theres a whole genre of medical billing horror stories. Why is that, one wonders. Kinzinger introduces AUMF to defend Ukraine if Russia uses chemical, biological, nuclear weapons [The Hill].  I dont know why The Hill didnt put the full name of the act in the headline: The Ukonazi False Flag Act of 2022. Biden heads to Alabama facility where Lockheed is making key Javelin weapon for Ukraine [CNBC]. In the 50 or so buildings that make up Lockheed Martins Pike County Operations in Troy, Alabama, the crown jewels of U.S. missile defense systems are built and bred for battle. Block that metaphor! More: President Joe Biden is slated to tour the facility responsible for assembling the Javelin, a portable anti-armor weapon, on Tuesday afternoon.  While in Troy, Biden will deliver remarks on U.S. security assistance to Ukraine thus far and will reiterate his request to Congress for more funding. Biden is seeking $33 billion in additional assistance. House Lawmakers Demand More Labor Board Funds As Workplace Organizing Spreads [HuffPo]. More than 140 members of Congress are calling on House leaders to end eight years of flat funding for the National Labor Relations Board, saying the agency isnt equipped to handle a surge in workplace organizing at companies like Starbucks and Amazon. In a letter to Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, the 149 lawmakers warned that a dramatic increase in labor activity could swamp the underfunded board, which has lost roughly 30% of its staff since 2010 due to attrition and a lack of money. All but four of the members who signed are Democrats. They called for a labor board budget of $368 million next fiscal year, a vast increase from the current level of $274 million, which hasnt budged since 2014. The stagnant funding in recent years means the agencys budget has gone down in real dollars. A similar letter with the same $368 million proposal has been circulating in the Senate, led by Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). A little late. More: The NLRB oversees private-sector union elections and referees disputes between labor groups and employers. The agencys general counsel says election petitions have increased 57% so far in fiscal year 2022 compared to the previous year. It has also seen a 17% jump in unfair labor practice charges, or allegations of lawbreaking. A sizable chunk of the swell in election petitions comes straight from Starbucks, where workers are waging one of the most notable organizing campaigns in decades. So far, 30 of the coffee chains stores have voted to unionize, and more than 200 overall have filed petitions to hold elections. And: A push for more board funding could set up a fight with GOP members in both chambers, who seem to have drawn a red line on giving the agency any more money. The labor board has a statutory mission to promote collective bargaining, and many Republican members seem happy to let it wither.  As were Democrats, until workers took action. * * * Biden says radical draft abortion opinion throws whole range of rights into question [Los Angeles Times]. In the short term, Biden and Democrats intend to seize on the apparent overturning of Roe to galvanize voters ahead of the November midterm elections. They are desperate to motivate a base thats been disappointed by the presidents inability to get much of his agenda through a narrowly divided Congress, and to appeal to swing voters given that a solid majority of Americans support maintaining abortion rights. But Bidens ability to rally his party on the issue ahead of the midterms is no sure thing. His restrained response to the possible overturning of Roe did not match the emotion of many women and reproductive rights activists. And his history on the issue of abortion is complicated. Though a devout Catholic, Biden has long supported abortion rights. But his reticence to weigh in over the last year as several states have restricted abortion rights  to say nothing of his reluctance to use the word abortion  has frustrated activists. Democrats, who have been far more eager than Republicans to weigh in on the draft opinion so far, are certain to emphasize the importance of retaining their Senate majority to have the ability to confirm future Biden Supreme Court nominees should a second vacancy arise before the end of his term. Theyll also underscore the importance of governorships, given that protecting abortion would fall to the states.  Frustrated activists. Since the NGOs have  based on outcomes  been completely ineffective on this issue for many years, with the sole exception of funding themselves off it, who cares what they think? Susan Collins isnt saying much in person about the Supreme Courts draft opinion overturning Roe. But her statement directly calls out Kavanaugh and Gorsuch. [Politico]. The Maine Republican voted for Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh in 2017 and 2018, confirmations that cemented the conservative majority on the high court. In a Tuesday statement following POLITICOs report on the draft opinion, she recalled interviews with the two now-justices in which she said she pressed them on their view of Roe. If this leaked draft opinion is the final decision and this reporting is accurate, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office, Collins said. Obviously, we wont know each Justices decision and reasoning until the Supreme Court officially announces its opinion in this case.' Manchin backs filibuster amid calls to codify abortion rights [The Hill].  Always check with President Manchin! Do we never learn? And meanwhile: On Wednesday, House Democratic leader @WhipClyburn will be working to turn out the vote for the last anti-abortion Democrat in the House. https://t.co/5fFmt8oJc6  Ian Thompson  #SWCA (@iantDC) May 3, 2022 Because naturally: Speaker Nancy Pelosi agrees; Pro-Life Democrats should be welcomed in the big tent! "Nancy Pelosi says that its absolutely possible for someone to be a member of the Democratic Party and also be against abortion. 'Of course,' she told Chuck Todd.https://t.co/XEyPZgh92g pic.twitter.com/qipktVLTpa  Democrats for Life (@demsforlife) August 14, 2020 Deploy the blame cannons! We warned you for years. But some of you with lofty lefty platforms told people not to vote for Democrats to send a message in 2010. You didnt heed our warnings in 2016. Now you are shocked that the Republican Supreme Court will overturn Roe  but you should be ashamed.  Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) May 3, 2022 Simple question: Why was Roe never codified as legislation? The Democrats had over 40 years to get it done. This Was Always The Plan [Lyz Lenz, Men Yell at Me]. My whole life, I knew the plan. Vote for politicians whod nominate justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade. Abortion was murder. I heard this preached in churches; at Sunday dinners over brisket. I heard the plan at rallies for homeschoolers in D.C., where wed lobby our senators for more rights for families  or so I was told. I heard about the plan when, as a teen, I read fundraising fliers for Christian schools that would turn out a whole new generation of lawyers, lawyers with a Godly worldview, whod overturn Roe v. Wade. I heard about it again in 2016, when a nice lady from church smiled at me at school drop-off the day after Trump was elected. I didnt want to vote for him, she whispered to me. I was hung over, and sick. But he will put good judges in place to overturn Roe v. Wade. Later, when I wrote a book about Christianity and the Midwest, and then another about mythology and motherhood, people at book events, journalists in interviews and editors looking for a hot take would all ask me why people would vote for a candidate like Trump. To overturn Roe, Id say. And theyd scoff. No, no. That cant be it. But it is. Its always been the plan. And its never been a secret. The plan has been shouted at rallies. Held up on signs. Its been plotted and spoken of and written about over and over.  Republicans were serious about their politics on abortion. Democrats were not.

2022

* * * 7 ways Tuesdays primaries could shake the 2022 election [Politico]. Rep. Shontel Browns victory over Nina Turner in a 2021 special election for Congress was widely seen as a victory for the Biden wing of the Democratic Party over the progressive left. But nine months later, the rematch in Ohios 11th District is taking place in a different political world. On Browns side of the ledger: Shes been an incumbent for about six months since winning the special election last November. Shes outraised Turner by about $150,000 since the first of the year, and she has the support of numerous outside groups, including a cryptocurrency-linked super PAC roiling Democratic politics lately. Turner, on the other hand, hasnt seen the kind of outside support that rallied to aid the former Sanders campaign co-chair had last summer, when she lost to Brown by 6 percentage points. But Browns enthusiastic embrace of Biden might not be the overwhelming asset it was in early August, when the last primary was held  and before Bidens tumble in the polls later that month. [A] Turner upset on Tuesday would suggest that Democratic dissatisfaction with Biden  and his inability (or unwillingness) to deliver on some of the lefts biggest priorities  is deeper than previously thought.

2024

Democrats en Deshabille

I have moved my standing remarks on the Democrat Party (the Democrat Party is a rotting corpse that cant bury itself) to a separate, back-dated post, to which I will periodically add material, summarizing the addition here in a live Water Cooler. (Hopefully, some Bourdieu.) It turns out that defining the Democrat Party is, in fact, a hard problem. I do think the paragraph that follows is on point all the way back to 2016, if not before: The Democrat Party is the political expression of the class power of PMC, their base (lucidly explained by Thomas Frank in Listen, Liberal!). It follows that the Democrat Party is as unreformable as the PMC is unreformable ; if the Democrat Party did not exist, the PMC would have to invent it. If the Democrat Party fails to govern, thats because the PMC lacks the capability to govern . (PMC modulo class expatriates, of course.) Second, all the working parts of the Party reinforce each other. Leave aside characterizing the relationships between elements of the Party (ka-ching, but not entirely) those elements comprise a network  a Flex Net? An iron octagon?  of funders, vendors, apparatchiks, electeds, NGOs, and miscellaneous mercenaries, with assets in the press and the intelligence community. Note, of course, that the class power of the PMC both expresses and is limited by other classes; oligarchs and American gentry (see industrial model of Ferguson, Jorgensen, and Jie) and the working class spring to mind. Suck up, kick down. * * * So we live in a world where @pmarca quotes Barbara Ehrenreich on the PMC. Extensively! "We define the Professional-Managerial Class as consisting of salaried mental workers who do not own the means of production." [But nevertheless control them through their managerial roles, per Burnham.]  Marc Andreessen (@pmarca) May 1, 2022 And: "All characteristics of the PMC professions are aimed at ensuring that the relationship between the individual PMC professional and his or her 'client' (student, patient) is one of benign domination."  Marc Andreessen (@pmarca) May 1, 2022 And: "The inner life of the PMC must be continuously shaped, updated, and revised byof courseever mounting numbers of experts in childraising, family living, sexual fulfillment, self-realization, etc. etc."  Marc Andreessen (@pmarca) May 1, 2022 Hence diversity training, and so forth. The danger here, and I do struggle with it (as I do not see Andreesen doing) is thinking of the PMC as an entity with a fixed essence, as opposed to being contradictory and dynamic like everything else. Different forms of social capital, I assume, accumulate at different rates. Some PMC  nurses, teachers, airline pilots, university adjunct professors  are being proletarianized, despite their credentials and training. Some PMC (many doctors, some of them known to us) retain the professional ethics that justify their class position. Other PMC, for example in the FIRE sector, engage in the grossest possible forms of fraud (as do the professional programmers and data coders who enable the frauds). Some of them, by virtue of wealth accumulated, move out of their class entirely. Synedoche  I was today years old when I learned this word was pronounced si-nek-duh-kee  or part for whole  is a prevalent and bad mental habit when dealing with classes. That psycho Leanna Wen, for example, is PMC through and through. And she is a member of the dominant faction in her field, and so we (indeed I) then to take her as representing that field. She doesnt (unless we choose to allow her to); thats synecdoche. The aerosol scientists who have been fighting the good fight on airborne transmission are also PMC through and through (although they do not dominate their field). PMC is, I think, a valid way to analyze a class of people according to their relation to the means of production. But I do think we (indeed I) need to make our moralizing a little bit more nuanced. Not every member of the PMC is eligible for a Sociopath of the Day award, after all. At a hazard, the closer the PMC gets to real (not social) capital, the more sociopathy comes into play, even out of the best motives (Of all the works of Sauron, the only fair). Discouraging that the Democrat left is nowhere on Ukraine. From Sanders foreign policy advisor: In March, Matt Duss said "a responsible progressive position on Ukraine is basically what Biden is doing right now." Apparently the current policy of abandoning any hint of diplomacy in favor of constant military escalation still remains the "responsible progressive position" https://t.co/9ZS85oDHUm  Michael Tracey (@mtracey) May 3, 2022 So whos making the running on Ukraine, er, resistance? Tucker Carlson, ffs.

Clinton Legacy

No: Hillary Clinton honors famous women from history with Met Gala dress https://t.co/JmFkmXB5t0 pic.twitter.com/FU8pCpUobB  The Hill (@thehill) May 3, 2022

Realignment and Legitimacy

Depoliticizing Social Murder in the COVID-19 Pandemic [Bill of Health]. The present pandemic nightmare is the most recent and an especially acute manifestation of capitalist societys tendency to kill many, regularly, a tendency that Friedrich Engels called social murder. Capitalism kills because destructive behaviors are, to an important extent, compulsory in this kind of society. Enough businesses must make enough money or serious social consequences follow  for them, their employees, and for government. In order for that to happen, the rest of us must continue the economic activities that are obligatory to maintain such a society. Depoliticization is an attempt by government to place at one remove the politically contested character of governing, in the words of the political scientist Peter Burnham. This might be called rule in denial: making decisions without seeming to make decisions, treating consequences as inevitable, and trying to displace authority elsewhere so as to avoid accountability for what occurs. Burnhams analysis is helpful for understanding the Biden administrations pandemic response, in several ways. First, he places depoliticization in a larger theoretical and social context by stressing that governments must manage the potential political consequences of problems that are fairly predictably generated by capitalism. Depoliticization helps withstand demands for government action by presenting some events as inevitable (as when President Biden said two days after taking office that theres nothing we can do to change the trajectory of the pandemic in the next several months) and others as impossible (as when Press Secretary Jen Psaki scoffed in a December press briefing, should we just send one [covid test] to every American?). Other depoliticization strategies deployed by the Biden administration trade on the abdication of decision-making power, such as delegating decisions to state and local authorities; and rhetorically scapegoating others (the list includes the Supreme Court, the unvaccinated, Republicans, coronavirus variants, and the supposed recalcitrance of the population in the face of largely non-existent mitigation measures). According to Burnhams analysis, these tactical choices should be understood in a context of social conflict. Social conflicts are sites of the potential eruption of politics from below. Governments depoliticize in part to retain control over who sets the terms for what is and is not political, and, above all, to prevent the politicization of what are ostensibly routine aspects of life in capitalist society. That kind of politicization always challenges the state, and depoliticization as a tactic is an attempt to defuse that challenge.  Interesting. The Ties that Blind: Misperceptions of the Opponent Fringe and the Miscalibration of Political Contempt (PDF) (accepted manuscript) [PsyRxiv]. The Abstract: Americans hostility toward political opponents has intensified to a degree not fully explained by actual ideological polarization. We propose that political animosity may be based particularly on partisans overestimation of the prevalence of extreme, egregious views held by only a minority of opponents but imagined to be widespread. Across five studies (N= 4993; three preregistered), we examine issue extremity as an antecedent of false polarization. Both liberals and conservatives report high agreement with their partys moderate issues but low agreement with the extreme issues associated with their side. As expected, false polarization did not occur for all issues. Partisans were fairly accurate in estimating opponents moderate issues (even underestimating agreement somewhat). In contrast, partisans consistently overestimated the prevalence of their opponents extreme, egregious political attitudes. (Over)estimation of political opponents agreement with extreme issues predicted cross-partisan dislike, which in turn predicted unwillingness to engage with opponents, foreclosing opportunities to correct misperceptions (Studies 2-4b). Participants explicitly attributed their dislike of political opponents to opponents views on extreme issues more than moderate issues (Study 3). Partisans also reported greater unwillingness to publicly voice their views on their sides extreme (relative to moderate) issues, a self-silencing which may perpetuate misconceptions (Studies 1, 2, 4a&b). Time spent watching partisan media (controlling political orientation) predicted greater overestimations of the prevalence of extreme views (Studies 2, 4a&b). Salience of opponents malevolence mattered: first reflecting on opponents (presumed nefarious) election tactics made partisans on both sides subsequently more accepting of unfair tactics from their own side (Studies 4a&b).  Synecdoche once more. True: If your internal organs are open to legislation you are, manifestly, not free.  Emily L. Hauser    (@emilylhauser) May 3, 2022 And generalizable. Why should members of Congress be allowed to trade at all? BREAKING NEWS I just analyzed how lobbying influences Congressional trading. Congress is more likely to trade if companies lobbied to them. And Congress made many unusual timed trades off lobbying info, resulting in huge gains/better returns Read: https://t.co/GQXHRunIhe pic.twitter.com/lLCVxfZBwN  unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) May 2, 2022 Mexico Shifts Trade Railway from Texas to New Mexico over Abbotts Enhanced Border Checks [National Review].  Mexico likes New Mexicos foreign policy better, I guess.

#COVID19

WHO boards the failboat for another cruise round the continent of Fail:

Handwashing isn't going to end, or even significantly slow, this pandemic. @WHO knows that now. They've acknowledged it. So why this theatre and still no meaningful attempt to educate the world about AIRBORNE transmission and how to protect yourself? https://t.co/yq50vU7l8g  Dr David Berger, aBsuRdiSTe cROnickLeR (@YouAreLobbyLud) May 2, 2022

I grant that handwashing is a good thing, for hepatitis and general. But no similar program for airborne transmission? Why is that, WHO?

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Lambert here: If some trusting, non-realist soul tells you that Covid is over, you can tell them that cases are up, transmission is up, test positivity is up, hospitalization is up, rapid riser counties are up, and wastewater is up, too. And this is all from data designed to support the narrative, and gamed within an inch of its life. So, if signals like that are flashing red, consider what the real signal must be like. (Note also this is all with BA.2 only, and with what the establishment considers an immune wall made from vaccination and prior infection. Since semper aliquid novi Africam adferre, and weve let er rip at the airports. Well, I just hope we get lucky with BA.4 and BA.5. God has a special providence for fools, drunkards, and the United States of America. Otto von Bismarck.

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If you missed it, heres a post on my queasiness with CDC numbers, especially case count, which I (still) consider most important, despite what Walenskys psychos at CDC who invented community levels think. But these are the numbers we have.

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Case count by United States regions:

First decisive upward turn. Remember, its 100% certain the cases numbers are significantly understated. Theyve always been gamed, but its worse than before. One source said they though cases might be undercounted by a factor of six. Gottlieb thinks we only pick up one in seven or eight. The Fauci Line is a counter to triumphalism, since it compares current levels to past crises. The Biden Line shows what the case count would be if it were 55,000 * 6 = 330,000, i.e. not gamed. (I changed the Biden Line from dotted to solid because the dotted line was too hard to draw properly in my crude tool.)

Here are the cases for the last four weeks:

These numbers dont seem like a runaway train, but its worth noting that cases have nearly doubled in four weeks.

NOTE I shall most certainly not be using the CDCs new Community Level metric. Because CDC has combined a leading indicator (cases) with a lagging one (hospitalization) their new metric is a poor warning sign of a surge, and a poor way to assess personal risk. In addition, Covid is a disease you dont want to get. Even if you are not hospitalized, you can suffer from Long Covid, vascular issues, and neurological issues. For these reasons, case counts  known to be underestimated, due to home test kits  deserve to stand alone as a number to be tracked, no matter how much the political operatives in CDC leadership would like to obfuscate it.

From the Walgreens test positivity tracker:

Im leaving the corporate logo on as a slap to the goons at CDC.

NOT UPDATED MWRA (Boston-area) wastewater detection:

Both North and South services have turned up. Lets see if it persists.

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) service area includes 43 municipalities in and around Boston, including not only multiple school systems but several large universities. Since Boston is so very education-heavy, then, I think it could be a good leading indicator for Covid spread in schools generally.

From Biobot Analytics:

Northeast unflattened, and  hat tip to readers for pointing to this  it looks like past aggregation in the Northeast was adjusted up, too.

Cases lag wastewater data.

From CDC Community Profile Reports (PDFs), Rapid Riser counties:

California slightly better. (Remember that these are rapid riser counties. A county that moves from red to green is not covid-free; the case count just isnt, well, rising rapidly.)

Well spotted by alert reader Lou Anton:

Rapid Riser Counties: As the COVID weather pattern moves NE to Midwest (and maybe West to SW in the future?), I can see the big metropolitan areas and college towns are getting hit: Illinois: NE Cluster is Chicagoland, central Illinois is college towns (University of Illinois, Illinois State, Illinois Wesleyan), SW is the Metro East of St. Louis. Wisco: Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay Indiana: Gary, South Bend, West Lafayette, Indianapolis Michigan: Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek Ohio: Youngstown and Akron, Cincinnati meeting soon, meet you in the middle Columbus. Let. er. rip.

Confirming: The one red county in Kansas is Sedgwick, home of Wichita State. But dont worry. All those kids will soon by traveling home for the summer! Oh, wait

The previous release:

Here is CDCs interactive map by county set to community transmission. This is the map CDC wants only hospitals to look at, not you.

The Northeast remains stubbornly and solidly red. Now California is red as well. The Upper Midwest is moving that way, too. (It looks like portions of Maine went from High (red) to Substantial (orange), but that part of Maine is the Unorganized Territories, where virtually nobody lives.

Hospitalization (CDC Community Profile):

Hospitalization is most definitely up in many places. (Note trend, whether up or down, is marked by the arrow, at top. Admissions are presented in the graph, at the bottom. So its possible to have an upward trend, but from a very low baseline.)

Death rate (Our World in Data):

Total: 1,021,089 1,020,854 . I have added an anti-triumphalist Fauci Line. Numbers still going down, still democidally high.

Covid cases in top us travel destinations (Statista):

Still a bumpy ride. (Note the quality of these numbers varies wildly. For example, the UK is cutting back on testing data.

Stats Watch

Employment Situation: United States Job Openings [Trading Economics]. The number of job openings in the US rose by 205,000 from a month earlier to a series high of 11.549 million in March of 2022, above market expectations of 11 million, as work shortages persisted. Job openings increased in retail trade (+155,000) and in durable goods manufacturing (+50,000). Job openings decreased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-69,000); state and local government education (-43,000); and federal government (-20,000). Job openings increased in the South region. Meanwhile, a record level of 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs with the so-called quits rate rising to 3%.

Manufacturing: United States Factory Orders [Trading Economics]. Factory orders in the US jumped 2.2% mom to $557.3 billion in March of 2022, the biggest rise since May last year and twice the market forecast of a 1.1% rise, signalling strong demand for goods despite soaring prices and supply constraints. Biggest increases were seen in orders for ships and boats (18.1%), metalworking machinery (13.4%) and defense search and navigation equipment (10.8%).

Supply Chain: United States LMI Logistics Managers Index Current [Trading Economics]. The Logistics Managers Index in the US fell to 69.7 in April of 2022, the lowest since January of 2021, from a record high of 76.2 in March as main metrics shifted. Transportation Capacity increased for the first time in nearly two years (+11.2 to 56.9) while Transportation Prices declined (-15.8 to 73.9). Despite the slowdown in transportation, respondents still indicate growth in the sector. 

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Commodities: BP plunges deep into red on pullout from Russia [Channel News Asia]. British energy giant BP said Tuesday (May 3) that its decision to pull out of Russia as a result of the war in Ukraine pushed it deep into the red in the first three months of this year. BP said in a statement it booked net loss of US$20.4 billion (19.4 billion) in the period from January to March compared with a bottom-line profit of $4.7 billion a year earlier. The huge loss was attributable to the groups decision in February to pull its 19.75 per cent stake in energy group Rosneft, ending more than three decades of investment in Russia, BP said.

Commodities: Enough nickel, lithium for 14 mln EVs in 2023  European climate group [Reuters]. In a study based on BloombergNEF data on global maximum volumes of EV battery-grade nickel and lithium, [Transport and Environment] said that in 2025 there would be enough to make 21 million EVs globally. Excluding Russian nickel, T&E said there should be sufficient raw materials for 19 million EVs in 2025. Global EV sales more than doubled to 4.2 million vehicles in 2021 from just over 2 million in 2020.

Commodities: This Russian Metals Giant Might Be Too Big to Sanction [Wall Street Journal]. From its base at a former Arctic gulag, Russias MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC digs up a large portion of two metals that are essential to greener transport and computer chips. So far the U.S. and its allies havent sanctioned the company, or its oligarch chief executive, underscoring the dilemma some analysts say governments face in seeking to punish Russia without hurting their own access to key commodities. The mining company is responsible for about 5% of the worlds annual production of nickel, a key component of electric-vehicle batteries, and some 40% of its palladium, which goes into catalytic converters and semiconductors. Nornickel, as the company is known, also supplies energy transition metals such as cobalt and copper.

Commodities: We Dont Need Nickel From Russia [CleanTechnica]. Theres another potential source of nickel, not as well known yet plentiful, lying at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. See my previous interviews with The Metals Company CEO, Gerard Barron, if you missed our pieces on this option. Formerly known as DeepGreen, the company is focused on literally scooping up nodules from the seafloor  in a manner that is far less environmentally impactful than other nickel mining methods. The company isnt Russian. Its Canadian, eh, and it has the largest undeveloped nickel project on the planet. The company offers a true alternative to both Russian and Chinese-controlled nickel supplies.  The ocean is already salted, heh heh.

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Todays Fear & Greed Index: 25 Fear (previous close: 27 Fear) [CNN]. One week ago: 40 (Fear). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated May 2 at 1:58 PM EDT.

The Gallery

Oh come on:

I prefer this:

Class Warfare

This must be putting some Stanford profs noses out of joint:

In an absolute LANDSLIDE, 1442 doctors in training (interns, residents, and fellows) at Stanford vote to join @cirseiu 835-214. Housestaff everywhere are done being exploited, and were on an absolute organizing tear right now. pic.twitter.com/v7wDfSu0rc  Andy Hyatt (@andy_hyatt_) May 2, 2022

News of the Wired

Massive study of pet dogs shows breed does not predict behaviour [Nature]. Dog enthusiasts have long assumed that a dogs breed shapes its temperament. But a sweeping study comparing the behaviour and ancestry of more than 18,000 dogs finds that although ancestry does affect behaviour, breed has much less to do with a dogs personality than is generally supposed. When you adopt a dog based on its breed, youre getting a dog that looks a certain way, says co-author Elinor Karlsson, a computational biologist at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester. But as far as behaviour goes, its kind of luck of the draw. Thats partly because breeds are something of a modern invention. Humans have been shaping how dogs look and behave since domestic dogs first evolved from wolves more than 10,000 years ago. But for most of that time, these efforts were focused on dogs working ability  how well they herded livestock, guarded against danger or pulled sledges, for example. Breeds as we think of them today  distinctive canines such as beagles, pugs and Labradors  are a by-product of more recent evolutionary meddling. Starting around 200 years ago, dog enthusiasts in Victorian England began inventing breeds by actively selecting for canine traits that they found aesthetically pleasing.  The Victorians have a lot to answer for.

How to Walk (12 miles a day) [Chris Arnade, Walking the World]. Walking twelve miles takes about three and a half hours. Most people dont have that time, not people with kids, commutes, and full time jobs. A more realistic goal is around seven miles, which takes about two hours.. My three mantras on clothing are: Comfort comfort comfort. Consistency consistency consistency. Simple simple simple. For long walks in new places, especially cities, I try not to be too flashy. So no watches, rings, necklaces, flags, horns, sparkles, or clothes with fancy logos. Nothing distinctive. Now that I am close to sixty, this is a really big deal, and partly why I walk. It is the least injury-prone exercise. Certainly less than running. I havent been injured from all this walking yet, which is pretty amazing. My rule of thumb is to try and aim for consistency, and never try to change my total miles walked in a week more than roughly 30% a week. Not up, or down.   Many interesting tips. Well worth a read. But two hours a day? Hmm.

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Contact information for plants: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. From Marku52:

Marku52 writes: The adequately named Redbud, pursued by Sasquatch.

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The plot keeps thickening. First, Spains Government was accused of spying on figures in Catalonias independence movement. Now, Madrid claims it too has been a victim of spying by external forces.

Spains fragile coalition government is beginning to show signs of strain following a succession of disagreements on major issues, from labor reform to providing arms to Ukraine, to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recent shock decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. From one day to the next he put an end to 47 years of political and social consensus on the former colonys status without even consulting certain members of his cabinet.

But one issue could end up raveling the frail threads holding the government together government: the extensive spying by Spains intelligence services on members of Catalonia and the Basque Countrys pro-independence movements, much of which appears to have taken place during Sanchezs tenure. Among the victims of the spying scandal, which has been dubbed Catalangate, are members of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (the Republican Left of Catalonia), which is helping to prop up Sanchezs coalition government.

They include the current president of Catalonias regional government, Pere Aragones, whose phone was infected with the Pegasus virus in late 2019, when his party was negotiating Pedro Sanchezs investiture. From that moment all of the messages, work and personal documents on his mobile as well as photos of his family were spied on, according to a joint investigation by The New Yorker and Citizen Lab, an interdisciplinary laboratory based at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, Canada.

In an interview this past weekend with the Spanish newspaper El Diario, Aragones said it will be very difficult for the ERC to continue supporting the government in Congress if Pedro Sanchezs executive does not respond robustly to the espionage of independence leaders, ideally with an internal government investigation with independent oversight. Parliamentary stability will be very difficult to maintain if responsibilities are not assumed, he said. In addition, he plans to file a lawsuit against the government in the coming weeks.

Pegasus Strikes Again

The Pegasus spyware was created and marketed by the Israeli cyber-arms company NSO Group, a company so secretive it didnt even have a website for its first few years of existence. Now that it does, it is worth a visit. On its About Us page, the company waxes lyrical on how its Pegasus software is used by its government clients to help carry out all sorts of heroic deeds such as prevent terrorism; break up pedophilia, sex- and drug-trafficking rings, and money-laundering operations; rescue kidnapped children; and locate survivors trapped under collapsed buildings in the wake of natural disasters or construction failures.

As many as 45 national governments, including Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and a host of other African countries, have hired NSOs services, and often not for good ends. In its Pegasus Project, a ground-breaking collaboration by more than 80 journalists from 17 media organizations in 10 countries, Amnesty International found that NSOs spyware was being used as a weapon of choice by repressive governments seeking to silence journalists, attack activists and crush dissent, placing countless lives in peril.

Similar findings were reported by Citizen Labs joint investigation with New Yorker, according to which some of the worst abuses have occurred at the hands of authoritarian regimes:

Most prominently, Pegasus was employed against family members of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi before and after he was murdered in Turkey. It has been used against journalists around the world, as well as human rights defenders, dissidents, and truth tellers. Still other abuses have happened at the hands of purported democracies like India, Poland, Hungary, and El Salvador

Unsurprisingly, Israel, too, has used the made-in-Israel spyware against domestic citizens, including opponents of former right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. So too have countries in Europe including Germany, Hungary, Poland and, as it now seems, Spain. In the latter case, most of the targets had no criminal record, including for their political activism, as Citizen Lab documents:

Peoples views on Catalan independence differ, but many of the hacking victims have never been charged or convicted of criminal activity for their political activism. They are advocates, politicians, nonprofit leaders, lawyers, journalists, and even open-source software developers working on democratic participation. They include Catalan Presidents, legislators, and Members of the European Parliament. In some cases, family members were also infected. The targeting occurred during political negotiations and debate over Catalan independence. Most would agree that spying on counterparts during a political negotiation process is an act of bad faith.

Long List of Targets

So far, a total of 65 members of Catalonias independence movement were been identified as targets of both Pegasus as well as Candiru, another spyware program that is designed to self-destruct and hide its traces. They include every Catalan Member of the European Parliament (MEP) that supported independence as well as some of their parliamentary staff, family members or close associates. Members of Catalan civil society associations such as Omnium Cultural and Assemblea Nacional Catalana, two organizations that support Catalan independence, were also targeted.

So too were lawyers representing prominent Catalans, in complete violation of lawyer-client privilege, as were several well-known open-source developers working on software projects related to democratic participation and decentralization. The list goes on and on:

Every Catalan president since 2010 has reportedly been targeted with Pegasus, either while serving their term, before they were elected, or after retiring. In addition, the leadership and members of Catalan legislative bodies were extensively targeted, including multiple presidents of the Catalan parliament either while in office, or prior to taking office. A wide range of legislators from Catalan political parties were also targeted.

Its worth recalling that Catalonias last three elected presidents  Artur Mas, Carles Puigdemont and Quim Torra  have all been banned from holding public office, either during their tenure or just after their time as presidents. Puigdemont, who organized the self-determination referendum of 2017, is in self-imposed exile, together with a number of his ministerial colleagues.

Citizen Lab has so far detected 65 infected phones, belonging to Catalan and Basque pro-independence leaders, but believes that at least another 150 more people may have been targeted.

The initial response of the Sanchez government, which depends on the support in Congress of ERC as well as the Basque National Party and EH Bildu, a left-wing, Basque nationalist, pro-independence political coalition, was to deny the allegations before finally agreeing to investigate them. Both the executive and the National Intelligence Center (CNI) have also downplayed the findings of the joint report by Citizen Lab and the New Yorker while also questioning the rigor of its underlying analysis. Spains Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, even claimed she had never heard of the New Yorker, which is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Although the CNI now acknowledges that it spied on pro-independence figures using Pegasus spyware, which it bought six or seven years ago, it claims that it did so only on an individual rather than collective basis, as claimed by Catalan government figures, and always with judicial authorization. That was according to a report by El Pais a week ago. Yet on the same day another Spanish newspaper, El Espanol, published a report that totally contradicted those claims:

The National Intelligence Center (CNI) has never requested authorization to carry out mass interceptions of communications such as those that would have been carried out through the Pegasus program. This is stated by different magistrates of the Supreme Court who have had been in charge of prior control of requests from the secret service to intercept communications.

The Plot Thickens

The PSOEs coalition partners, including the left-wing party Podemos, have warned that an internal investigation by the CNI, the same institution that ordered the spying in the first place, will not suffice.

The CNI should not investigate itself. The solution should go through Congress where we can ask all the questions, said Jaume Asens, the congressional president of Podemos, adding Spains international prestige is at stake, as is that of the CNI. Both ERC and Podemos are also calling for the head of Spanish Minister of Defense Margarita Robles after she melted down under grilling by pro-independence groups in Congress:

I ask you: what does a state have to do? What does a government have to do when someone violates the Constitution? When someone declares independence. When someone cuts off public roads. Makes public disorders. When someone is having relations with leaders politicians from a country that is invading Ukraine It is all very good for you to try to make out as victims now, but I have never seen you defend the basic principles of the rule of law or the rights and freedoms of all.

The tirade was celebrated by many on the right in Spain, who are vehemently opposed to Catalan independence, but has further poisoned relations between Sanchezs PSOE and its Catalan coalition partners.

Just when it looked as though Sanchez had no option but to bow to their demands and deliver Robles head on a platter, the plot thickened. In an emergency press conference on Monday, a public holiday in Madrid, the minister of the presidency, Felix Bolanos, announced that both Sanchez and Robles phones has also been targeted by Pegasus spyware. In May and June 2021 the phones has been intercepted by an external force, said Bolanos:

When we say external intrusions, we mean that they are alien to state agencies and do not have judicial authorization from any official agency. That is why we classify them as illegal and external.

The revelation has added a whole new twist to the plot. All of a sudden, much of the focus has shifted to the potential perpetrators of the spying. One possible candidate is Moroccos state security services, which are already alleged to have used Pegasus to spy not only on senior government figures in France including President Macron but also Spains former Foreign Minister Aranhca Gonzalez Laya. That was during a major diplomatic row between Spain and Morocco, in June 2021, over Madrids decision to let the president of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Brahim Ghali, be treated for COVID-19 in a Spanish hospital.

Interestingly, Sanchezs phone was intercepted twice during May 2021 when his government was in the process of deciding whether or not to pardon the leaders of Catalonias independence movement, many of whom were in jail at the time. It was a move that was fiercely opposed by many senior members of Spains so-called deep state.

Victims and Instigators

Both Sanchez and Robles can now paint themselves as victims rather than possible instigators of a spy operation. In stark contrast to their response to the allegations of internal spying on Catalan political figures, the Government has demanded an immediate investigation. But the latest revelations raise huge questions about the performance, or even loyalties, of Spains National Intelligence Center (CNI), for which Robles herself, as Minister of Defense, is ultimately responsible.

They certainly do not seem to have placated the demands of Sanchezs coalition partners from Catalonia. In the words of Oriol Junqueras, the ERC veteran who served as former vice president of Catalonia and spent almost four years in jail for his role in organizing the independence referendum in 2017, the Sanchez government is fast losing its credibility, having gone in the space of just a few days from denying espionage to admitting and justifying it, just as Minister Robles did in parliament. Now it turns out that themselves they have also been spied on.

At every twist and turn, the Government does everything it can to avoid assuming responsibility, Junqueras says:

[It] gives more credibility to an investigation carried out by and for themselves than an investigation carried out by a prestigious international entity and published by a prestigious international media  although the Minister [of Defense] may not know it. They generate very little confidence.

How this all ultimately plays out, it is hard to tell. On the one hand, it is hard to see how Sanchez will be able to resolve the differences with ERC without sacrificing his defense minister, which he clearly doesnt want to do. At the same time, members of the coalition government  including even ERC, which has expanded significant sums of political capital backing up the government  have every interest and motivation in trying to keep the sinking ship afloat, especially with support for the right gradually rising in the polls.

With relations between Catalonia and Spain still at an impasse, there is a huge amount at stake in what happens next, not just for the political parties involved but for people living in Catalonia as well as the rest of Spain. If this government were to fall and be replaced by a right-wing coalition consisting of the strongly unionist Peoples Party and Cuitadans as well as the far-right, anti-immigrant, fiercely nationalist party Vox, the fragile peace fire that has reigned between Madrid and Catalonia over the past couple of years will be very quickly shattered.
Yves here. Even though we provide links to germane stories on the leaked draft Supreme Court decision in Links today, we thought that there might be sufficient reader interest in the matter to warrant featuring a stand-alone post on it. This Common Dreams piece summaries some of the key points from Judge Alitos draft, which I confess I have not read but you can here.

Weve said it before, but it cant be said too often: NOW and its sister peak feminism organizations should hang their heads in shame for chasing the quixotic Equal Rights Amendment rather than nailing down concrete measures, above all abortion rights, that were a much easier lift.

Note also that this draft ruling questions the 2003 ruling Lawrence v. Texas, which made state anti-sodomy laws illegal. That could be the next target.

By Brett Wilkins. Originally published at Common Dreams

A leaked draft opinion published Monday by Politicostrongly suggests that the U.S. Supreme Courts right-wing supermajority will soon strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling enshrining the constitutional right to abortion.

This is the most alarming sign yet that our nations highest court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion as we know it and ripping away our freedom to decide if, when, and how to raise our families, NARAL Pro-Choice America president Mini Timmaraju said in a statement.

In a joint statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)who has supported anti-choice Democrats and in 2017 opined that focusing on reproductive rights helped elect former President Donald Trumpsaid that if the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past 50 years, not just on women but on all Americans.

The Republican-appointed justices reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history, they added.

Noting that the majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade, progressive Ohio congressional candidate Nina Turner tweeted that making abortions illegal wont make them go away. It will only make them more dangerous, more expensive, and lead to the criminalization of poor women and women of color and others who need abortions.

While abortion is still legal, tonights report makes clear that our deepest fears are coming true. We have reached a crisis moment for abortion access. We dont have a moment to spare  we must act now: https://t.co/8aJHDnobP1  Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) May 3, 2022

Asserting that Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, Alito wrote in the draft opinionin which he is reportedly joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrettthat we hold that Roeand Casey must be overturned, a reference to the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey that affirmed the constitutional right to abortion while allowing states to regulate the procedure.

We can only do our job, which is to interpret the law, apply longstanding principles of stare decisis, and decide this case accordingly, Alito contended, referring to the legal principle of deference to precedent. Abortion has been a constitutionally enshrined right since 1973or for a fifth of the nations history.

We therefore hold that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion, Alito added, and the authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people and their elected representatives.

Reproductive rights advocates say that if Roe is struck down, more than 20 states are certain or likely to outlaw abortion, many via so-called trigger laws.

What abortion laws would look like if Roe v. Wade were overturned (as of December) 21 states would ban or severely restrict abortion access: Nine have pre-Roe abortion bans that would become enforceable again; 12 have passed post-Roe trigger laws https://t.co/YsyuvOzyFO pic.twitter.com/st2u8Hvc54  claire tran (@clairevtran) May 3, 2022



While this is a draft opinion and abortion is still legal, we need to brace for a future where more and more people are punished and criminalized for seeking and providing abortion care, said Timmaraju. Now more than ever, we must support those working to provide abortion care and elect champions who will relentlessly fight for reproductive freedom and take bold action to safeguard abortion rights.

Following the draft opinions publication, hundreds of reproductive rights advocates staged a demonstration outside the Supreme Court, where barriers had already been erected in anticipation of protests.

Things are growing increasingly tense outside of the Supreme Court tonight. pic.twitter.com/od6OZkkz4o  Zachary Petrizzo (@ZTPetrizzo) May 3, 2022



The Politico articles authors, Josh Gerstein and Alexander Ward, noted that no draft decision in the modern history of the court has been disclosed publicly while a case was still pending.

Gerstein and Ward said Politico received a copy of the draft from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, a case challenging Mississippis 15-week abortion ban that reproductive rights advocates have warned could prove Roes death knell.

In addition to Roe, Alito also takes aim at Lawrence v. Texas, the 2003 ruling overturning the states sodomy ban, and Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, sparking fears that this could be but the beginning of a wider rollback of civil rights won in recent decades.

As weve warned, SCOTUS isnt just coming for abortion  theyre coming for the right to privacy Roe rests on, which includes gay marriage + civil rights. Manchin is blocking Congress codifying Roe. House has seemingly forgotten about Clarence Thomas. These 2 points must change https://t.co/5Isec0osV0  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 3, 2022



Advocates stressed the imperative for Congress to act immediately to shield reproductive freedom at the federal leveland for people to stand up and fight for their rights.

If SCOTUS is going to legislate from the bench and turn back the clock 50 years on Roe v. Wade, then the Senate needs to pass my Womens Health Protection Act, tweetedSen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), referring to legislation that would codify the right to abortion nationwide.

The House of Representatives approved the WHPA last September, but the measure failed to pass in the upper chamber after right-wing West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin voted with Republicans to filibuster it.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweeted: Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country now. And if there arent 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes.

DEFEND Roe v Wade! Abortion rights were won in the first place only through defiant mass protests by ordinary women, working people. Now's the time for socialists, the labor movement, the left to call for immediate mass protests, workplace actions against this egregious attack. pic.twitter.com/jeSXEgqk4l  Kshama Sawant (@cmkshama) May 3, 2022



Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) asserted that its time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard. Were not going backnot ever.
Lambert and I, and many readers, agree that Ukraine has prompted the worst informational environment ever. We hope readers will collaborate in mitigating the fog of war  both real fog and stage fog  in comments. None of us need more cheerleading and link-free repetition of memes; there are platforms for that. Low-value, link-free pom pom-wavers will be summarily whacked.

And for those who are new here, this is not a mere polite request. We have written site Policies and those who comment have accepted those terms. To prevent having to resort to the nuclear option of shutting comments down entirely until more sanity prevails, as we did during the 2015 Greek bailout negotiations and shortly after the 2020 election, we are going to be ruthless about moderating and blacklisting offenders.

Yves

P.S. Also, before further stressing our already stressed moderators, read our site policies:

Please do not write us to ask why a comment has not appeared. We do not have the bandwidth to investigate and reply. Using the comments section to complain about moderation decisions/tripwires earns that commenter troll points. Please dont do it. Those comments will also be removed if we encounter them.

* * *

Title: Strange Mars rock type points to extremely violent volcanic eruptions Space.com (Kevin W)

Can pee help feed the world? France24 (resilc)

Record-breaking camera keeps everything between 3 cm and 1.7 km in focus New Atlas (David L)

A Portable Wind Turbine About the Size of a 1-Liter Water Bottle Core77 (David L)

Darwin Was Wrong: Your Facial Expressions Do Not Reveal Your Emotions Scientific American (David L)

How to Stop Speeding Drivers? Scare Them. New York Times (resilc)

The Vandal LA Review of Books (Anthony L)

The musical note that can trigger cold sweats and sightings of the dead The Spectator (Anthony L)

#COVID-19

Weve not seen the WORST of Covid warns Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates Daily Mail (resilc)

Climate>/Environment

China?

India

Old Blighty

Would a Sinn Fein victory open the door to a united Ireland? Financial Times (furzy)

New Not-So-Cold War

Syraqistan

Imperial Collapse Watch

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

1/6

Ex-NYPD Officer Thomas Webster Convicted of Assault in Jan. 6 Case New York Times (furzy)

Trump

Will Trump Face a Legal Reckoning in Georgia? New York Times (furzy)

GOP Clown Car

In Republican Primaries, China is the Enemy Washington Monthly

Supremes. A court observer is tearing his hair over how this story is being reported. The huge scandal is that the draft opinion has been leaked. This is unprecedented and monstrously damaging to trust and proper deliberation (yes, per below, there have been past leaks, but not of actual documents). However, the existence of this document does not mean a decision has been made. This could be and even likely, Alito lobbying his fellow justices. But Team Dem has much to gain by presenting it this way.

St. Olaf ousts faculty director of institute dedicated to bringing controversial speakers to campus  because speakers caused controversy The Fire (Mark A)

Citis London Trading Desk Behind Rare European Flash Crash Bloomberg (David L)

Biden Administration Begins $3 Billion Plan for Electric Car Batteries New York Times

No One is Telling You the Truth About the Car Shortage, So I Have to YouTube. Resilc: 40% of cars metal comes from Russian companies

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (Wayne W)

And a bonus (furzy):

See yesterdays Antidote du Jour and Links here.
Yves here. Those of you who read Nicholas Shaxxons Treasure Islands may recall that one of his opening chapters discussed the extent of looting of Africa via the fact that its poor countries are capital exporters. It isnt due solely to corrupt leaders pilfering official coffers and sending their ill-gotten gains to tax havens. Its also due to multinational transfer pricing and tax games. A new book focuses on this topic, documenting even more of the mechanisms of wealth extraction.

By Anis Chowdhury, Adjunct Professor at Western Sydney University and University of New South Wales (Australia), who held senior United Nations positions in New York and Bangkok and Jomo Kwame Sundaram, a former economics professor, who was United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, and received the Wassily Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought. Originally published at Jomo Kwame Sundarams website

Capital flight from the global South is immense, with widespread adverse effects. A new book proposes measures to curb, even reverse capital flight from Africa. It also offers pragmatic lessons for many developing countries.

Out of Africa

On the trail of capital flight from Africa extends pioneering work begun much earlier. The editors  Leonce Ndikumana and James Boyce  estimate Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has lost more than US$2 trillion to capital flight in the last half century!

SSA currently loses US$65 billion annually  more than yearly official development assistance (ODA) inflows. The books studies carefully investigate natural resource exploitation  of South African minerals, Ivorian cocoa, and Angolan oil and diamonds.

Such forensic country analyses are crucial to more effectively check capital flight. Outflows since the 1980s from the three countries have been massive: US$103 billion from Angola, US$55 billion from Cote dIvoire, and US$329 billion from South Africa in 2018 dollars.

Capital flight has been much more than cumulative external debt. Annual outflows were between 3.3% and 5.3% of national income. Nigeria, South Africa and Angola account for the most capital outflows from SSA, with Cote dIvoire seventh.

Resource Booms

As governments get more revenue from natural resources, the fiscal social contract is eroded. When people pay taxes, they expect state spending to benefit the public. But with more revenue from resources  via state monopolies, royalties and taxes  governments become less accountable to their own citizens.

Gaining and maintaining access to foreign credit has similar effects. Developing country governments then focus on ingratiating themselves with friendly foreign donor governments to get ODA, and on enhancing their credit ratings.

Hence, such regimes have less political need to provide public goods, including services, let alone accelerate social progress. Thus, erosion of the fiscal social contract undermines not only public wellbeing, but also state legitimacy.

To secure power, ruling cliques often rely on clientelism  patronage or patron-client relations  typically on regional, ethnic, tribal, religious or sectarian lines. Their regimes inevitably provoke dissent  including oppositional ethno-populism and civil unrest, even armed insurgencies.

Unsurprisingly, such regimes believe their choices are limited. Another option is repression  which typically rises as the status quo is threatened. The resulting sense of insecurity spreads from the public to the elite, worsening capital flight.

Exploiting valuable natural resources not only generates export earnings, but also attracts foreign investments. One result is Dutch disease as the national currency rises in value  reducing other exports and jobs, inevitably hurting development prospects.

Thus, vast private fortunes have been made and illicitly transferred abroad. Ruling elites and their allies rarely only rely on either state or market to become richer. The book shows how both state and market strengthen private and personal power and influence.

Plundering Africa

The books case studies show how resource extraction has been central to capital flight. In all three countries, the efficacy of fiscal policy tools  especially to foster investments for development  has been undermined.

Outflows have increased with economic liberalization, as unrecorded financial outflows  via the current account  grow with freer trade. Thus, trade-related financial transactions enable corruption and capital flight.

In Cote dIvoire  the worlds top cocoa producer  rents initially came from supply chains connecting farmers to consumers. Corrupt partnerships  connecting domestic elites to foreign businesses  have been crucial to such arrangements.

Thus, natural resource primary commodity exports have enabled illicit capital flows. Ivorian cocoa exports have been consistently under-reported  with trade statistics of major importers showing massive under-invoicing by exporters.

Post-colonial political settlements have given a few privileged access to resource rents. With capital flight thus enabled, successive Ivorian regimes have been less obliged to spend more on development or public wellbeing.

Due to the cocoa boom, the post-colonial Ivorian miracle ended when prices fell. The bust triggered a political crisis, culminating in civil war. But the crunch also meant the country could no longer service its foreign debt.

In Angola too, natural resources worsened its protracted civil wars. After these ruinous conflicts, oil rents enriched the triumphant nepotistic regime. This enabled the control to gain control of more, even as most Angolans continued to live in destitution.

Angolas massive oil exports mainly benefited the small elite of cronies around the president. They failed to develop the economy or improve most lives. All this has been enabled by helpful professionals who have enriched themselves doing so.

While benefiting its elite and foreign transnationals, Angolas oil curse has blocked balanced and sustainable development of its economy. Despite rapidly depleting its oil reserves, Angola and most Angolans have benefited little.

South Africa  SSAs second largest economy after Nigeria  seems less reliant on natural resources. Post-apartheid economic liberalization has enabled capital flight as private corporate interests  especially the influential minerals-energy complex  quickly took advantage of the new dispensation.

By under-invoicing their exports, mineral interests have been engaged in massive capital flight and tax evasion. Meanwhile, business cronies have enriched themselves in new ways, e.g., in the states electric power sector. Such abuses were exposed by the Gupta family scandal, leading to then President Jacob Zumas downfall.

Stemming Capital Flight

State capture by politically influential nationals have undermined government regulatory capacities with help from transnational enablers. Ostensible good governance reforms have enabled capital flight and tax evasion  by undermining developmental governance, including prudential regulation.

Institutional environments, mechanisms and enablers facilitate capital flight, tax evasion and wealth accumulation offshore. With often complex, varied and changing facilitation, capital flight has shifted massive wealth abroad for elites.

Transnational financial networks have eased capital outflows  at the expense of productive investments, good jobs and social wellbeing. Capital flight has worsened financing, including budgetary gaps  aggravating related social deprivations.

Wealth creation enhances the economic pie, but distribution depends on who appropriates it. Improved understanding of such varied and ever-changing relations of appropriation is crucial to effectively curb this haemorrhage.

Greater awareness should inspire and inform better measures to check capital flight from the global South. Instead of the Washington Consensus good governance mantra, a developmental governance agenda is needed.

Hence, curbing capital flight is crucial for financing sustainable development. Checking capital flight and related abuses  such as trade mis-invoicing, money laundering, tax evasion and public asset acquisition by elites  requires well-coordinated efforts at both national and international levels.

All researchers, policymakers and regulators will gain from the books forensic analyses of financial, fiscal and other such abuses. International financial institutions now have little excuse for continuing to enable the capital flight and tax evasion still bleeding the global South.
KateLynn White graduated from Tennessee State University, where she was an editor of the student newspaper. She interned for The Tennessean and The Tennessee Tribune before joining the Nashville Post in 2022. She also contributes to the Nashville Scene.

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(Natural News) Depending on the color of your skin, you could be offered different rates and prices for financial products from American Express.

Thanks to the companys new Anti-Racism Initiative, people with black skin are slated to get better deals from American Express as part of its woke reparations plan.

Khalil Muhammad was brought in by the company to help it differentiate between privileged employees, meaning white employees, and marginalized groups, which include everyone else.

During his paid training session, Muhammad told American Express employees that they should charge their black customers lower premiums than their white customers.

Multiple employees have since accused the company of engaging in reverse discrimination by promoting non-white employees over white employees.

One of them was told by a supervisor: It would be advantageous and important for me to note that I am a minority when I apply for internal promotions.

American Express is a criminal operation

Company CEO Stephen Squeri is credited with being the brainchild behind many of these initiatives, having launched a 2020 program that involved spending $1 billion to promote Racial, Ethnic and Gender Equity.

Squeri often rambles on about climate change as well, and even participated in a corporate pile-on against the election integrity legislation that was passed in Georgia to try to prevent another 2020 election theft type of situation from occurring again.

Meanwhile, American Express is embroiled in numerous scandals that have prompted investigations from the likes of the Treasury Department, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Federal Reserve.

American Express has been accused of issuing phantom credit cards, as well as engaging in shady sales practices. The company had to pay $112 million in fines after it was caught deceptively strong-arming its customers into paying illegal late fees.

Ironically, American Express was also found by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau of discriminating against consumers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories by providing them with less-favorable financial products and services, despite supposedly having a strong commitment to diversity.

American Express was forced to pay the customers it discriminated against in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories $96 million in a settlement

Questions have also arisen as to American Expresss lax business practices that have enabled criminals to move their money through the company. In one instance, a subsidiary of American Express provided an engineer allegedly part of a black market nuclear network with credit cards.

In another case, the Department of Justice (DoJ) fined American Express $65 million after discovering that its money laundering detection program (had serious and systemic deficiencies). of them

The simple answer to all of this is to just not do business with American Express. The company hates you if you are white, and would rather cater to criminals than provide honest and fair financial products and services to its customers.

Im not happy to hear about the reverse discrimination, but its in every public company, wrote a Breitbart News commenter about how this type of thing plagues much of corporate America.

The CEOs are always cowards that are scared to death of making the boards angry. As a result, they fold to the woke pukes to avoid negative attention.

Another wrote that there are no conservative credit card companies, or really any type of companies. Most of them, it seems, have been infiltrated by the far-left mob, and are now being turned into anti-white activist organizations.

Theres no conservative: credit card company, amazon type service, cell phone maker, cable provider, car maker, Disneyland type competitor, etc., this person added. They are all WOKE to some degree, its maddening how we continue to support them.

More related news can be found at RaceRelations.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Tuesday fired off an attack on House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, calling the California Republican a puppet of the Democratic Party.

The comments were part of the fallout from a recent report in The New York Times based on an audio recording of a Jan. 10, 2021, call among House Republican leaders. The report said that McCarthy disparaged comments from Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Mo Brooks of Alabama in the aftermath of the Capitol incursion.

(Article by Jack Davis republished from WesternJournal.com)

Referencing actions of social media companies to ban former President Donald Trump, McCarthy mused about a similar action  seemingly with Gaetz and Brooks in mind.

Cant they take their Twitter accounts away, too? McCarthy said, according to the report. McCarthys spokesman has since denied McCarthy wanted any individual members removed from Twitter.

Carlson was incensed about the report.

Kevin McCarthy of California told his close friend Liz Cheney that he hoped the social media companies would censor more conservative Republicans in Congress, Carlson said.

Tucker Carlson turns on Kevin McCarthy pic.twitter.com/Io7K39mbju  Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) April 27, 2022

Donald Trump, the sitting president, had already been silenced by those companies. But McCarthy wanted the tech oligarchs to do more, to force disobedient lawmakers off the internet, he said.

After referencing the Times report about McCarthys comment, Carlson said, Those are the tape-recorded words of Congressman Kevin McCarthy; a man who in private, turns out, sounds like an MSNBC contributor.

Carlson said conservatives face danger, even if the GOP regains control of the House in the fall elections.

Unless conservatives get their act together right away, Kevin McCarthy or one of his highly liberal allies, like Elise Stefanik, is very likely to be Speaker of the House in January, he said, referring to Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York.

That would mean we would have a Republican Congress led by a puppet of the Democratic Party, he said.

Carlson had a banner during the show that read, Kevin McCarthy hates people like you and this show.

In the segment, Tucker Carlson added, Unless conservatives get their act together right away, Kevin McCarthy  is very likely to be speaker of the House in January. That would mean we will have a Republican congress led by a puppet of the Democratic Party  Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) April 27, 2022

Carlson did not stop there, according to Newsweek.

So you wouldnt know any of this unless it was leaked. And you can start to see why the people in charge oppose transparency and fervently support censorship, on both sides, Carlson said.

Why? Because the more you know about them, the less satisfied youre likely to become with their leadership, he said.

The report in The New York Times claimed McCarthy said comments by Gaetz at the time were putting people in jeopardy.

And he doesnt need to be doing this. We saw what people would do in the Capitol, you know, and these people came prepared with rope, with everything else, the report quoted McCarthy as saying, before indicating that Republican Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana also voiced concerns about Gaetz.

On Tuesday night, Gaetz called McCarthy and Scalise weak men.

While I was protecting President Trump from impeachment, they were protecting Liz Cheney from criticism, he said.

Read more at: WesternJournal.com
(Natural News) An arterial embolism is a deep blood clot that requires hospitalization and costs about $100,000 or more because it requires bypass surgery. There is an entirely NEW revenue model from blood clots caused by the COVID vaccines, and Big Pharma companies are not only taking advantage of the profit scheme, but may have known it was coming before the clot shots were even rushed out emergency style.

One company, for example, Royal Philips, has expanded significantly into the market of PMT devices (percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy) for removing clots from peripheral and coronary vessels, and their massive investments began in August of 2020, right before the pandemic hit, including the mad, mad rush to get vaccinated for Wuhan Flu. Coincidence?

Did Royal Philips, a global health tech company, know in advance that COVID vaccines cause blood clots when they invested heavily in PMT in 2020?

Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) devices are increasingly being used to treat blood clots caused by Pfizer, Moderna and J&J coronavirus vaccines. This type of blood clot removal is a faster treatment option than the traditional CDT (catheter-directed thrombolysis) or lytic (thrombolytic) procedures. Yes, the image-guided blood clot therapy business is skyrocketing, and certain companies are all over it, making a fortune, while buying out other companies and investing heavily in specific equipment and implantable devices, and thus expanding their portfolio.

Philips acquired Intact Vascular in the third quarter of 2020 with $275 million in cash and another $85 million after completion, expanding the companys blood clot tech business just in time for the apocalyptic rush of mysterious blood clot incidents following the mass (forced) vaccination program across the nation. Now, just like the pacemaker market, the blood clot tech market is taking off. Who knew about all the myocarditis and blood clot side effects of the vaccines before they even came out?

Blood clot implant devices leave less metal behind compared to stents when it comes to treating vaccine-induced blood clots

Theres big money in treating blood clots, so why not capitalize early on a wave of blood clots that come from getting gene therapy injections for Wuhan Virus? After all, America is built on capitalism. The patient population that needs blood clot therapy has exponentially expanded, including young healthy people, athletes, military members and even children, thanks to the Fauci Flu clot shots. There are aspiration pumps and catheters for those hard to reach clots in peripheral veins and arteries. Big Pharmas got you covered. They planned well for it. The FDA cleared the whole industry for pre-pandemic take off.

Has your doctor spoken to you about interventional imaging and guidance systems to find those nagging blood clots and spike protein deposits you got from the nanoparticle clot shots? Philips struck a $360 million dollar deal in the third quarter of 2020 to take care of these kinds of problems. All the pharma gurus seemed to know that blood clot machines and technology would be a skyrocketing business for the tech industry as COVID vaccine injuries took a grip on the world.

Cause and Effect: Vaccinate the world with clot shots, then treat expensive blood clots with new technology and make a fortune

Funeral directors and embalmers around the world have taken notice of the massive uptick in human bodies riddled with unnatural blood clot combinations with strange fibrous materials and rubbery blood clots that completely fill the vascular system and totally clog the arteries and veins of the deceased. Theyre screaming for the world to stop injecting everyone with these COVID-19 vaccines that appear to be the direct cause.

These are not typical blood clots either, they are described as compounded clots with long, stringy, white, elastic structures, where typically a blood clot is smooth. Are these blood clots manufactured by the Fauci Flu shots and engineered to make Big Pharma richer through new technology to treat the damage theyve created? Over 70 percent of newly embalmed bodies are riddled with these rubbery blood clots, and these are fully vaccinated people. Coincidence? We think not.

Bookmark Vaccines.news to your favorite independent websites for updates on experimental Covid vaccines that cause blood clots and other horrific side effects.

Sources for this article include:

Fiercebiotech.com

Pandemic.news

GatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com

Fiercebiotech.com
(Natural News) Rational, thinking Americans have for years suspected Joe Biden is as corrupt as his son, Hunter Biden, and brother, James Biden, but now smoking gun evidence has emerged that pretty much proves the point.

According to an exclusive report by the UKs Daily Mail, Joe Biden has millions of dollars unaccounted for according to discrepancies between his tax returns and government transparency disclosures.

In fact, as PJ Medias Matt Margolis notes, According to financial records, Joe Biden has $5.2 million in unexplained income that (by pure coincidence, of course) was acquired around the same time Hunter Biden was raking in big bucks from foreign business deals and earmarking 10 percent for the Big Guy.'

In addition, a separate report notes that the main business partner of Hunter Biden visited the Obama White House  when Joe Biden was vice president  several times, though Joe Biden has regularly claimed he did not know anything about his sons various business ventures.

Eric Schwerin, the president of Rosemont Seneca, an investment fund company, met with VP Biden in 2010, according to Obama White House visitor logs.

The Blaze notes further:

Rosemont Seneca was founded in 2009 by Hunter Biden, Christopher Heinz  stepson of former Secretary of State John Kerry, and Devon Archer  an American businessman who was classmates with Heinz at Yale University. Rosemont Seneca has conducted extensive business in China.

The New York Post reported that Schwerin met with Vice President Biden on November 17, 2010, in the West Wing, when he was the president of the since-dissolved investment fund Rosemont Seneca Partners.

The report added, The logs also reveal that Schwerin met with various close aides of both Joe and Jill Biden at key moments in Hunters life when he was striking multi-million dollar deals in foreign countries, including China.

Emails from Hunter Bidens discarded laptop show a series of exchanges between Hunter and his associates in Rosemont Senecas joint venture with Chinese investment firms Bohai Capital and BHR, Fox News noted further. In February 2017, Schwerin emailed the CEO of BHR, Jonathan Li. Previously, Li sent Hunter his sons resume with a list of colleges he planned to apply to, adding, It is unclear if Lis son was admitted to Brown University or, if so, whether he attended.

The Post also said that Schwerin made at least 19 visits to the White House and other official locations between 2009 and 2015.

In addition, reports said that then-President Barack Obama rewarded Schwerin by naming him a member of the Commission for the Preservation of Americas Heritage Abroad.

As for the unexplained cash, while some of the Bidens income was derived from speaking engagements and book deals, there is still a $7 million discrepancy between income the first couple declared on their federal income taxes and the income declared on government transparency documents.

Some of that difference can be accounted for with salaries earned by First Lady Jill Biden and other sums not required on his reports  but still leaves $5.2 million earned by Joes company and not listed on his transparency reports, the Daily Mails investigation noted. The missing millions  combined with emails on Hunters abandoned laptop suggesting Joe would have a 10% share in Hunters blockbuster deal with the Chinese  raise a troubling question: did Joe Biden receive money from the foreign venture?

And if he did, who exactly paid off the current president of the United States? Knowing that would provide a great deal of insight into whether a foreign government that could someday become an enemy has undue influence over the administration  like Russia, perhaps, or maybe even China.

The Bidens are a crime family, pure and simple. They embody the corruption that permeates Washington, D.C., and are emblematic of why so many Americans no longer trust their governing institutions but dont expect the Biden Justice Department to indict the president or his family anytime soon.

Sources include:

PJMedia.com

FoxNews.com

ConservativeBrief.com
(Natural News) Thirteen victims of sexual assault at the hands of former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar have filed claims against the FBI that total $130 million.

The claims allege that the agents involved in investigating Nassar chose to turn a blind eye to the sexual abuse that he was carrying out and accuse them of negligence and wrongful acts. The administrative tort claims amount to $10 million for each victim.

Nassar formerly served as a doctor for the USA Gymnastics team and Michigan State University. He is now serving a 60-year sentence in federal prison for child molestation. He was also sentenced to 40 to 175 years in state prison in Michigan after he pleaded guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct.

FBI field offices in Indianapolis and Los Angeles are targeted in the filing for their failure to act properly on the victims allegations of sexual abuse. Although the FBI declined to comment on the matter, they did refer to testimony made by Director Christopher Wray before the Senate Judiciary Committee last year. On that occasion, Wray said the agents actions and inaction were inexcusable and a discredit to this organization and the values we hold dear.

The legal claims are based on the findings of an Inspector Generals report that was released last year, indicating that senior officials at the FBIs field office failed to respond to the allegations and made numerous fundamental errors when they did respond. They also violated several FBI policies while carrying out their investigation.

The federal investigation found that the former head of the Indianapolis FBI field office, Jay Abbott, made false statements to investigators and violated FBI policy and exercised extremely poor judgment under federal ethics rules.

FBI director heartsick and furious over agencys failures in handling the investigation

In Senate testimony last September, Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and McKayla Maroney complained about the Justice Department and the FBIs mishandling of their abuse allegations and claimed they made false statements in the fallout of the investigation. Wray said at the time that he was heartsick and furious to find out about the agencys failures, but insisted that it came down to a few bad individuals rather than a systemic problem. He vowed to make damn sure that everybody at the FBI remembers what happened here in heartbreaking detail.

Maroney testified that she provided investigators with extreme details about Nassars abuse to Abbott in a traumatic three-hour phone interview. However, not only did the FBI fail to report the abuse, but she claims they made false statements about what she said when they did document her report 17 months after the fact.

She believes that Nassar should have been arrested immediately after the FBI heard her story. Instead, they allowed him to continue in his position, where he was able to molest dozens of other young girls for another year and a half.

Maroney asked the Judiciary Committee: What is the point of reporting abuse if our own FBI agents are going to take it upon themselves to bury that report in a drawer. They had legal, legitimate evidence of child abuse and did nothing. If theyre not going to protect me, I want to know who are they trying to protect.

Attorney General Merrick Garland apologized for the negligence shown by the FBI in handling the case in a Senate hearing on Tuesday. He characterized their handling of the situation as a horrible institutional failure, adding: It is unspeakable. What happened to those gymnasts and also the unspeakable way in which the investigation failed to proceed. We have created institutional changes in that regard to make sure it doesnt happen again.

Sources include:

AmGreatness.com

Edition.CNN.com

FoxNews.com
(Natural News) In a forthcoming article at the Harvard Journal of Law and Technology, three law professors propose a novel, legal tort theory of liability. This liability is referred to as reckless associations, and it has the effect of allowing a victim to sue a third-party for assuming a leadership position in an association if a member of the association intentionally caused harm to the victim.

(Article by Mitch Nemeth republished from Mises.org)

The professors proposed this secondary liability to crack down on social network agitators that have escaped legal punishment for their content, which they allege falls short of conspiracy and/or incitement. This theorys immediate effect would be to flood the judicial system with lawsuits purporting to hold wrongdoers accountable. The secondary effect would be to pressure social networking platforms to maintain key network surveillance data readily available for plaintiffs attorneys.

The obvious flaw in this legal theory is that it attempts to fix a problem that only affects a very small fraction of all social network users. Though these users make up a fraction of the entire network, they were central and active nodes in a dysfunctional networkone that has actually and foreseeably caused epistemic failure and resulted in conduct that harmed people outside the network before the platforms content moderators banned their accounts. For years, the platforms have maintained community standards and other policies to address content that may be illegal or objectionable. These policies exist to deter the types of content being addressed by the tort.

Progressives and many legal professionals claim that the existing social network environment is inadequate and does not address the real-world harms caused by a small fraction of highly engaged users. This secondary theory of tort liability was drafted to address this perspective and to work around the existing obstacles within the legal system. The First Amendment protects a wide range of speech and association, and section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects platforms from civil liability.

While individuals may already be prosecuted for conspiracy and incitement, these legal theories often fail when applied to group leaders who were not giving explicit orders in real time, or themselves committing crimes. This tort similarly targets the inherent challenges of imposing civil liability on platforms rather than on individuals. Section 230 was implemented, in part, as a response to the challenges of content moderation on platforms. Congresss intention was to allow online services to moderate content on their platforms in good faith, removing harmful or illegal content while still providing a forum for free speech and a diversity of opinions. Congress attempted to balance content moderation to deter civil liability and the fostering of an open, digital public square.

While the existing legal ecosystem is imperfect, it has allowed a wide range of perspectives to flourish. Institutions, individuals, and ideas that were once not notable now are given an equal playing field with more established institutions, individuals, and ideas. Of course, this can be problematic to established institutions, as it creates necessary competition in the battle of ideas. The article authors call out right-wing influencers like Alex Jones, Infowars, and members of QAnon, saying that platforms like Twitter essentially create an even playing field between them and legacy authority figures. Though this may be true, the marketplace of ideas is foundational to the First Amendment right to free speech.

Reckless association would cause two major externalities: 1) this secondary theory of liability would deter intensive participation and engagement in online networks and 2) the social networks would be required, under court order, to provide extensive metadata to plaintiffs lawyers.

Reckless Associations as a Deterrence Mechanism

The most obvious implication to free speech is that social network leaders will be less inclined to take or remain in a position of influence if leaders know that there is a chance that they will incur the costs of litigation and a possible damages award. As the authors state, The implicit logic of contemporary debate is that courts cannot reach central nodes of a radicalized network without causing a chilling effort. While this is truel[i]ability will cause individuals to avoid becoming authority figures in groups that aggressively traffic in zany theories. The authors intend to use tort liability to deter even a mere association with what they determine to be a radicalized network.

As an example, lets say that a prominent Austrian economist is a central node within a network that opposes central banks. There may be individuals within that network that oppose central banks to such a level that they discuss ways to dismantle the central banks. A small fraction of those individuals may even consider violent action or perform violent acts against prominent central bankers.

Under this theory of liability, victims of such violence may be able to sue that Austrian economist for speaking in devout terms against the continued existence of central banks. If this were allowed, it would have a chilling effect that would inhibit speech and free association. Central actors or nodes would have to individually vet nodes within their network to deter radicals; this is unlikely to happen, so the effect would be to deter association with controversial ideas entirely and thus stifle debate within a small Overton window.

Surveillance Powers Handed over to Plaintiffs Attorneys

As the authors acknowledge, this theory of liability is possible because of advancements in artificial intelligence and network analysis. The platforms would have to share metadata with the plaintiffs attorney through a court order. The attorney would have to prove each element (language bolded below) of the tort using that metadata.

The torts specific language is as follows: A defendant is subject to liability for a plaintiff if the defendant assumed a position of leadership within an association that recklessly caused a member of the association to intentionally harm the person of the plaintiff. Proving causation could present a challenge, but this problem could be overcome with the right sort of dataif plaintiffs lawyers are able to access and analyze a meta-network of the third-party actors communications across multiple media and platforms, write the authors. This analysis could prove technically and legally challenging, though it is likely that this same type of analysis is being done by intelligence agencies and law enforcement.

Social networks have been key actors in law enforcement investigations into terrorist activities and other illegal/illicit activity. As Lawfare notes, Platforms now collect and analyze intelligence on a variety of threats, often in cooperation with law enforcement. This partnership is strong, in part, because of constitutional and legal constraints, as well the fact that private companies are generally nimbler than government agencies. In a sense, these social networks are already captured as tools of the national security state. Expanding their surveillance capabilities to the domain of civil litigation should not present a challenge.

These platforms are well equipped to receive and share data in large quantities. As previously discussed, the platforms maintain processes to share relevant information with law enforcement. Platforms such as Metas Facebook have sought to partner with financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and US Bancorp. Public reporting has disclosed that these platforms have similarly cooperated with keyboard warrants and geofence warrants. These instances demonstrate that the platforms cooperate with law enforcement with minimal pushback. This level of cooperation raises concerns about the platforms willingness to share sensitive data with external actors.

Market Forces Have Handled the Issues Being Discussed

Aside from the two major consequences discussed above, this legal theory is unnecessary. The authors express a clear intention to target individuals like Infowars Alex Jones and former president Donald Trump. For years, both Jones and Trump have been under intense scrutiny and have undergone costly litigation. Separately, both individuals have been effectively blackballed from all prominent platforms. While one may disagree with the platforms rationale for banning these two individuals in lockstep, the market has proven to be responsive.

The platforms have responded to pressure from a wide variety of sources, ranging from elected officials to advertisers to special interest groups to their own employees. Unfortunately, the pressure has been to adopt increasingly censorious positions on content that does not conform to the mainstream narrative. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken note of this problem; Musk recently acquired a 9.2 percent stake in Twitter as a means to press the platform to adhere to fundamental free speech principles. Musk has previously stated, Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy.

Democracy requires individuals to be able to freely exchange ideas, which is why Congress drafted Section 230 as a shield against overreaching civil liability concerns. To address content that may pose a risk, the platforms already maintain community standards and other policies intended to moderate content. Facebook and Twitter employ thousands of content moderators, in conjunction with algorithms, to review content that may be in violation of policy.

The platforms partner with fact-checking outlets to assess the validity of viral claims made on the platforms. It became a necessary feature of the new journalistic industrial complex in order to inoculate large tech platforms from government regulatory pressure and the threat of private lawsuits from the NGO sector, writes Tablet. Content shared on these platforms that is flagged as false or misleading gets downgraded by the platforms algorithms. While fact-checking organizations are frequently (and appropriately) labeled as partisan, this partnership supports the market-oriented approach to moderating content on these platforms.

This series of imperfect practices is best encapsulated in Twitter CEO Parag Agrawals recent statement: Our role is not to be bound by the First Amendment, but our role is to serve a healthy public conversation and our moves are reflective of things that we believe lead to a healthier public conversation. The kinds of things that we do to work about this is to focus less on thinking about free speech but thinking about how the times have changed. While imperfect, these market-led practices are preferrable to civil litigation and the accompanying surveillance architecture.

Conclusion

Civil liberties advocates would be keen to oppose this legal theory of secondary liability for the three reasons stated above: 1) reckless associations would cause a chilling effect that would inhibit speech and free association, 2) the theory would require platforms to provide a significant amount of sensitive network data to plaintiffs attorneys (many of whom could be politically motivated), and 3) the market has already taken steps to address the challenges of radical actors who may cause real-life damage.

This new theory will likely never become law in the United States, but it presents a useful visual of how First Amendment protections could be limited without direct encroachment. Separately, it demonstrates the authoritarian urge to use surveillance mechanisms to punish those deemed to be radical by the progressive establishment. Reckless associations is another attempt to stifle arguments by people who believe they have a mandate of heaven, and the truth is whatever they say it is.

Read more at: Mises.org
(Natural News) Scientists in Iceland are planting hundreds of thousands of genetically engineered barley plants to create lab-grown meat.

This project is being led by Icelandic company ORF Genetics, which has already planted over 100,000 genetically engineered barley plants in a 2,000-square-meter greenhouse.

The company claims this cutting-edge approach to providing people with meat proteins from genetically modified barley can lower food prices, eliminate peoples reliance on live animals in the lab-grown meat industry and speed up the scaling-up process in the industry. (Related: Real meat for me, but not for thee: Globalists pushing lab-grown meat for the masses.)

The proponents of these engineered barley plants also point out how the meat industry accounts for nearly 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from food production, which suggests that growing meat proteins necessary for lab-grown meat from barley plants would help the environment.

ORF Genetics stands to make billions by providing the lab-grown meat industry with growth factor proteins

The genetically modified barley plants are grown using high-tech hydroponic cultivation methods. Once they are harvested, the barley plants are purified and the growth factor proteins are extracted.

These proteins are essential for the creation of lab-grown meat, as they stimulate the growth of tissues, muscles and fat cells in laboratory settings.

Currently, lab-grown meat producers rely on growth factor proteins extracted from live animals. If ORF Genetics can convince artificial meat companies that it can provide them with enough growth factor proteins without using live animals, it stands to profit immensely, especially given that there seems to be no other company in the industry that can provide this service.

We are confident that ORF Genetics has the perfect production platform to drastically reduce the cost of growth factors in your cell-cultured meat production and to provide the quantity of growth factors required, said Liv Bergorsdottir, the CEO of ORF Genetics.

It is unclear whether or not the Icelandic scientists at ORF Genetics have properly studied its genetically modified barley to make sure it does not cause any negative health effects in people who eat the artificial meat grown from its extracted growth factor proteins.

The only assurance ORF Genetics has given is that barley has a closed biological system, which means its pollen will not pollinate other plants and therefore its planting will not affect the growth of other crops. But even if this were true and the engineered barley does not affect the environment, that still does not provide people with enough information regarding its health effects upon consumption.

At what point can we start to admit that thats not food anymore? asked Holly Seeliger of Zoon Politikon, referring to genetically modified foods like the engineered barley strains made by ORF Genetics. Pretty much everything is tainted at this point. Its really sad to see how everything has been tainted I guess were all just a big global experiment to see how this will play out.

Read more stories about genetically engineered foods at GMO.news.

Watch this episode of Zoon Politikon as host Holly Seeliger goes into detail about the revelation that meat proteins are being inserted into genetically modified barley strains.

This video is from the Zoon Politikon channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

GMO HAMBURGERS? FDA approves genetically engineered cows for beef production.

Remember when we warned you about GMO tomatoes? Scientists say theyre probably not safe, let alone healthy.

Dont be fooled: GMO foods will now be labeled bioengineered under new rule taking effect.

GMOs are harmful, should be avoided at all costs  study.

Former Monsanto bioengineer comes clean, says GMO potatoes absorb MORE toxins  including those that arent even in regular potatoes.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

InterestingEngineering.com

Freethink.com
(Natural News) The United States is sending billions worth of military weapons to Ukraine, but the real concern is how much of them would end up in the hands of the Russians.

It can be recalled that during the disastrous American withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, the Biden administration left behind military equipment worth $83 billion, which can be considered the greatest loss of arms in history.

The list of military equipment left in the hands of the Taliban includes a total of 9,524 air-to-ground munitions made up of bombs, machine guns, air-to-surface missiles, rockets and air-launched cruise missiles valued at $6.54 million.

This time Washington has already acknowledged that they dont really know where the weapons sent to Ukraine would end up.

Military expert and retired U.S. Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor said in an April 21 interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson that the uncertainty surrounding the final destination of the military equipment is not enough to stop the hemorrhaging of material and money into Ukraine.

Weve had terrible problems in the past for accounting for where ammunition and weapons go. We saw that in Southeast Asia; weve seen it in Iraq and Afghanistan. And I think we can say with some certainty that many of these weapons will end up in the hands of people we would rather never see them in, the former senior advisor to the secretary of Defense said.

But that aside, if you listen to what Biden said today, he is conveying the impression that any of this will change the outcome. It will not. Whats happening right now in the Donbass is the final annihilation of what remains of Ukraines best forces down in the southeastern corner of the country. They cant change that.

Remember, the distance from Poland to the battlefront is roughly the same as the distance between St. Louis and New York City. They dont have the infrastructure to train people, they dont have the infrastructure to sustain the equipment, and then theyve got to move it. Im afraid the only thing we are doing is escalating tensions with Russia and turning western Ukraine into a large target set for Russian missiles, rockets and air strikes.

Macgregor went on to say that Bidens advisors may be driven by the belief that theyll be able to impose terms on Moscow in the upcoming negotiations, but thats not going to happen. What will happen, according to Macgregor, is that if the Russians see significant military equipment show up, theyll destroy it from a distance.

He also labeled NATOs Ukraine intervention a proxy war in which large numbers of Ukrainians will die for naught.

The retired U.S. Army colonel isnt alone in this belief as former Texas Rep. Ron Paul talked about the greedy ambitions behind the weapons dealing during the war in Ukraine.

U.S. military industrial complex earning big from the conflict

One group earning enormously from the war is the U.S. military-industrial complex.

Everything thats being shipped into Ukraine today, of course, is coming out of stockpiles, either at DOD or from our NATO allies, and thats all great news. Eventually well have to replenish it and we will see a benefit to the business, Raytheon CEO Greg Hayes said in a recent meeting of shareholders.

Hayes wasnt lying because Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and other weapons manufacturers are enjoying a bonanza they have not seen in years. The U.S. has already committed more than three billion dollars in military aid to Ukraine. This means that Washington is sending billions to arms manufacturers for weapons deployed overseas.

By numerous accounts, these shipments of weapons like the Javelin anti-tank missile, which is jointly made by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, are getting destroyed once they arrive in Ukraine. And this doesnt bother Raytheon at all since the more weapons destroyed by Russia in Ukraine, the more new orders will come from the Department of Defense. (Related: Russia vows to block transfer of S-300 missile defense system to Ukraine, threatens to target arms shipments.)

Former Warsaw Pact countries who are now members of NATO are also part of the scam. They have found how to dispose of their decades-old Soviet-made arms and gain new replacements from the U.S. and other western NATO countries.

While many who support Ukraine are cheering, the multi-billion dollar arms package will make minimal difference. I can say with absolute certainty that even if this aid makes it to the battlefield, it will have zero impact on the battle. And Joe Biden knows it, said former U.S. Marine intelligence officer Scott Ritter.

Follow MilitaryTechnology.news to know more about the U.S. military weapons being used in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Watch the video below to know why the US is giving Ukraine everything that they need to defeat Russia.

This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Some of the weapons delivered to Ukraine will be used against us.

US weapons package for Ukraine includes 100 KILLER DRONES.

U.S. military running out of key munitions including anti-tank Javelins by gifting them to Ukraine as production capacity falls.

Sources include:

TheNewAmerican.com

DailyMail.co.uk

DouglasMacgregor.com
(Natural News) Prevention is better than cure. For Dr. Eric Nepute, vitamin D supplementation is one of the best ways to prevent Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

Vitamin D supplementation can prevent COVID-19 without serious adverse events, regardless of the individuals vitamin D status, said Nepute, quoting a new peer-reviewed study published in the Archives of Medical Research.

According to Nepute, every cell in the human body has a vitamin D receptor. In fact, you have a genetic predisposition to absorb or not absorb vitamin D properly. And those people that have problems genetically with vitamin D receptors are more prone to sicknesses and diseases, Nepute explained during the April 26 episode of Real Talk with Dr. Eric Nepute on Brighteon.TV.

The Wellness Warrior brand founder added that the federal government even came after him when he talked about a study that was done about vitamin D and COVID-19. (Related: Dr. Holick: Having sufficient vitamin D could help reduce risk of getting COVID-19  Brighteon.TV.)

Nepute continued: Vitamin D is not just beneficial to reduce infections of all kinds. Its also important to reduce the risk factors for cancers and diabetes Type one and Type two. It reverses falls and prevents all kinds of bone problems and muscle issues. The St. Louis, Missouri-based chiropractor added that vitamin D deficiency is one of the top two causes of seasonal depression.

He also cited a study that showed a 64 percent reduction in sickness, hospitalization and death for people who supplemented with vitamin D. Nepute pointed out that every person should be taking vitamin D3 every day and supplementing it with zinc for a healthier body.

Children are having liver disease, hepatitis after getting COVID jab

The health and wellness speaker also talked about vaccinated children developing liver disease and hepatitis. He noted that the COVID vaccines that are based on mRNA technology can actually go into the liver and cause liver issues.

Nepute also shared a story of a college athlete who experienced chest pain and shortness of breath two weeks after getting vaccinated. He was diagnosed with myocarditis. He also mentioned the almost 800 athletes around the world who were caught on camera collapsing on the field or on the court.

To be more precise, 769 athletes have collapsed during a game from March 2021 to March 2022. The shocking statistic was revealed by One America News Network, which also found the average age of the athletes who suffered cardiac arrest is just 23 years old.

People in clinical practices are also seeing higher cases of myocarditis. Nepute said that normally there are about 2,000 cases of myocarditis per year within a particular age group. Dr. Peter McCullough, a well-known cardiologist and epidemiologist, said they have documentation of over 27,000 cases of myocarditis in the last 12 months.

Nepute slammed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for giving emergency use authorization to the vaccines that are associated to these horrifying figures. He also criticized the FDA for trying to withhold the documentation that they received from Pfizer for its COVID vaccine application.

He added that lawmakers are trying to get bills and legislation passed in every American state on the issue of Big Pharma transparency.

Follow VitaminD.news to know more about the benefits of Vitamin D.

Watch the full April 25 episode of Real Talk with Dr. Eric Nepute below. Catch new episodes of the program every Tuesday at 4-5 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

COVID vaccines found to increase risk of myocarditis in children by over 13,000 percent.

Vitamin D deficiency is the primary cause of covid hospitalizations and deaths.

Vitamin D found to help reduce COVID-19 risk and severity.

Study confirms that vitamin D significantly reduces risk of dying from COVID-19.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

LifeSiteNews.com
(Natural News) In 2005, former President Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, and former Secretary of State James Baker, a Republican, put out a report on how to improve election integrity that made one key point: The country should never adopt mass mail-in balloting because it is ripe for fraud.

Regarding the joint report, the Baker Institute For Public Policy noted recently:

Sixteen years later, many of the recommendations remain relevant. While the COVID-19 pandemic and record number of voters who cast absentee or mail-in ballots raised concerns about the security of the 2020 absentee process, the Carter-Baker report warned: Absentee ballots remain the largest source of potential voter fraud.

There is one party that not only favors widespread mail-in balloting to enhance democracy, but they also seem to benefit most from it: Democrats.

All of these points are being driven home anew following the recent discovery of ballots cast during the clean and secure 2020 election in Harris County, Texas, home to Houston, all of which were either cast on behalf of dead people or in the case of one ballot, a person who has not lived in Houston for decades.

According to Trash Talk Texas, one of the five ballots belonged to a woman who died decades ago.

The site noted that Kathleen Hooey allegedly filled out an application for an absentee ballot to vote in the 2020 election, but in fact, shes been deceased since 1991. And again, she requested a Democratic ballot.

That same day, the County Clerks Office received another annual application for ballot by mail, including the Democratic Primary, from voter Gloria Chambers who is registered to vote at 10525 Barnham Street in Houston, the site continued.

The voter was born in 1946 so she qualifies to vote by mail in Texas. Her application was signed and mailed on time  and was even signed by an assistant/witness named Tomar Bishop. So all looks good, the outlet noted further, adding: Except Gloria Chambers passed away in 2010  10 years BEFORE this application was signed and mailed.

On the same day, the county clerks office got another Democratic ballot application from one Jessie Burks, which was also co-signed by Tomar Bishop. But Burks, too, is deceased, having passed away in 2015.

Again that same day, the County Clerks Office received another annual application for ballot by mail, including the Democratic Primary, from voter Tommie Bookman who is registered to vote at 5102 Noldale Drive in Houston. The voter was born in 1932 so he qualifies to vote by mail in Texas, Texas Trash Talk reported, adding that Bookman, a U.S. Army vet who served in Korea, was buried at the Houston National Cemetery in 2016.

That brings us to a fifth voter, Sylvia Thomas who is allegedly registered to vote at 10441 Barnham Street in Houston. But Thomas is a resident of New Orleans and has been for around 20 years, the site notes, adding that she did not request an absentee ballot in the first place.

The site also went on to list other similarities involving these five voters:

 All five voters who had their identities stolen are voters of color.

 They were all mailed to the county clerks office in a single large package that contained 100 annual vote-by-mail applications, and all were for the Democratic primary.

 The packages return address was to Gloria Palmer, a convicted FORGER named in research concerning ballot harvesting in Harris County from both the 2016 and 2018 Primaries.

The outlet reported further that Palmer admitted on tape that she tries to get elderly voters to submit ballots by mail in support of candidates she works for (Democrats). She further stated on tape that she is a home health nurse, and that gives her access to older voters. And she also claimed that the voters she approaches are on a list that she is supplied, indicating that she is a cog in a far bigger vote fraud operation.

Others involved, including Tomar Bishop, are convicted felons. Texas Trash Talk went on to note that each application that is submitted without a voters permission is punishable with jail time, and that time is increased if the voter being defrauded is 65 years old or older. Plus, Palmer submitted more than 100 allegedly false applications in one batch alone; Bishop signed 14 of them.

Vote fraud is not only alive and well in the U.S., it is every bit as bad as the Carter-Baker Commission warned. And Democrats are the party of vote fraud.

Sources include:

TexasTrashTalk.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The beauty of the First Amendments religious freedom clause is that it also prohibits government entities from requiring Americans to believe in, observe, or practice a state-sanctioned religion.

That means, of course, that not only do Americans have freedom of religion, they also have freedom from religion if they so choose.

That includes public schools, in which federal courts, for years, have applied a doctrine of separation of church and state to forbid them from allowing students to pray if they want or to post and recite the Pledge of Allegiance because it contains the phrase under God.

So that concept should also apply to the Church of Satan, which teaches that Gods antithesis should rule the earth and that all should worship the Devil. And yet, in one Illinois elementary school district, it doesnt apply.

An Illinois elementary school is generating headlines after a flyer advertising an after-school Satan club surfaced online, BizPac Review reported this week, citing local outlets. The club meetings would be sponsored and hosted by the Satanic Temple and would take place after hours but on school property.

The flyer described the club meetings as being based on a uniform syllabus that emphasizes a scientific, nationalist, non-superstitious worldview and are set to be held over a period of five days at Jane Addams Elementary School in Moline, the news outlet continued.

Dr. Rachel Savage, superintendent of Moline-Coal Valley Schools, said that school officials and teachers are not involved in the club, according to Belleville News-Democrat. Also, she noted that the flyers were placed in the schools lobby and that parents are required to sign a permission slip so that their kids can attend, which is the same for Boys and Girls Scouts clubs and others. Plus, she noted further, the board of education offers its facilities for community use.

To illegally deny their organization to pay to rent our publicly-funded institution, after school hours, subjects the district to a discrimination lawsuit, which we will not win, likely taking thousands upon thousands of tax-payer dollars away from our teachers, staff and classrooms, Savage said in a statement Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Flyers and promotional materials for these types of groups are approved for lobby posting or display only, and not for mass distribution, a spokesperson added. Please note that the district must provide equal access to all groups and that students need parental permission to attend any after-school event. Our focus remains on student safety and student achievement.

But would it be an illegal denial, given that Satanism is considered a religion by those who observe and practice it? And according to subsequent federal court rulings, separation of church and state is currently the legal standard by which such decisions are made.

The founder of the Satanic Temple told a local outlet: We thought it would be nice to offer an alternative to that type of horrific indoctrination.

Social media users went back and forth on the issue of having the temple on school grounds.

If you can have a Christian club, why not? Satanism has good things in it. But I bet all you lot criticising it havent even studied it.  Steven Lornie (@Spud_Almighty) January 12, 2022

Bc you cant have a Christian club in public school. Its called separation of church and state and there have been several very public cases of Christians batting with school districts over prayer and other Christian ideologies. Literally like pay a single gram of attention.  a piece of god (@un_morceau_) January 12, 2022

If Fellowship of Christian Athletes is allowed, or a Muslim Student Association, etc., as an after-school club, the First Amendment protects this club too, distasteful though it may be  BSC (@BigSkyCountry8) January 12, 2022

The truly scary part about this is the comments section. Its unbelievable how many people actually AGREE with this! Folks, we are in the end of days. Find Jesus Christ before its too late!  Mike (@MaGiC_CiTy_305) January 12, 2022

Sources include:

BND.com

BizPacReview.com
(Natural News) Hosts Jeffrey Pedersen and Shannon Townsend paid tribute and gave encouragement to World War II veteran Leonard Crowl during the April 26 episode of the Matrixxx Grooove Show on Brighteon.TV.

He is in hospice. Hes the sweetest man. And hes with his family at home with terminal cancer. At 96 years old. His days are numbered, unfortunately, but hes lived a full life and has served our great country. Hes a strong patriot, loves his country. Just prayers up for Leonard. Leonard youre amazing. God bless you. Thank you for fighting for this country, said Pedersen about Crowl, who was a machinists mate on a Landing Ship Tank (LST) of the U.S. Navy during World War II.

We the American people also took an oath. And were gonna fight for this country as well against enemies both foreign and domestic.

Pedersen shared a brief historical background of the former U.S. Navyman, who had lost his left arm in a farming accident. (Related: Farm work scientifically shown to improve the mental health of veterans no drugs needed.)

They didnt give a ships name at that time as they didnt expect them to come home or come back. They gave it a number. When they left Hawaii, they picked up the First Marine Division and when they got to Okinawa, they were beached. And they left the Marines out and all the Marines artillery, the tanks, the weapons were all unloaded, Pedersen said.

Crowls ship became an emergency hospital ship. The wounded and injured were brought to their ship before being moved into a larger hospital ship. Pedersen said the ship had faced 21 kamikaze attacks, and Crowl had made sure it stayed afloat and working.

According to Pedersen, the former Navy man is saddened by what is happening in the nation. He wants to know that were going to win. And we need to pray for him and let him know that his fighting and his service to the country was not for nothing, said Pedersen.

American patriots are still standing for freedom in America

Townsend said that todays generation of Americans is much different than Crowls generation. He pointed out that if America were full of people like Crowl, Americans would have never gotten into the terrible situation that they are in to start with.

So our hearts and prayers go out to him and his family. And we are 100 percent with you. We are praying for you and we are all standing in solidarity for Leonard because we know that his fight was true just like we know that our fight was true, Townsend said.

Pedersen also shared that Lieutenant General Michael Flynn was introduced to the World War II veteran at a recent grassroots GOP gathering. Flynn spent time talking with the disabled veteran and his wife, Margaret.

The Brighteon.TV hosts showed a video clip of that meeting. According to Pedersen, Flynns meeting with Crowl was a very touching moment. He added that Crowl was so happy to meet the former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Pedersen also displayed Flynns challenge coin and asked for prayers for American veterans.

Townsend, on the other hand, asked their viewers to give themselves a moment to reflect and understand what others have sacrificed and what others have been willing to throw aside to stand up for the country. He also called on Americans to stand up, be a patriot and get in the gap where America has been lost, stolen and infiltrated.

And stay in there and be proud and be loud about America and what she means to you. Because this is the last bastion of freedom; we do not have any place to escape to. And thats why we fight every day because we know this to be true, Townsend said.

Read more stories like this at Patriot.news.

Watch the full April 26 episode of Matrixxx Grooove below. Catch news episodes of the program every weekday at 12-1 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

US veterans face financial ruin waiting for benefits from overburdened VA.

Nation in SHOCK after hidden camera captures nurses laughing like crazy as U.S. veteran gasps for air and dies in a hospital.

HOSPITAL HOMICIDE: American war veteran dies after hospital refuses to administer court-ordered ivermectin treatment.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

MSSDAR.org

GeneralFlynn.com
(Natural News) Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) fascism in the state of Michigan became so extreme throughout the plandemic that roving teams of medical fascists were targeting and snitching on people who refused to bow the knee to Tony Faucis dictates.

Hundreds of physicians and nurses, including a chief medical examiner, were also pegged for investigation after they were caught not following the rules decreed by Gretchen Whitmers regime.

In some cases, doctors were reported for warning trick-or-treaters not to take the vaccines. In other cases, entire weddings were reported for not being masked in accordance with the guidelines put forth by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While many of the complaints were ultimately dismissed, some are still pending. Others have now been referred for disciplinary action to the Michigan Attorney Generals officer for criminal prosecution.

In one of those complaints, an allergy and asthma specialist is being referred for prosecution for the crime of prescribing a lethal dose of ivermectin to a patient.

Copies of more than 500 such complaints were obtained by the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. PJI is representing some of the nurses and doctors who have been targeted by snitches.

College nursing professor who spoke out against mask mandate at public school board meeting almost lost her license

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is the agency responsible for investigating the complaints and deciding whether or not to refer them to either its enforcement division or to the AGs office for further disciplinary action.

Many of the cases are still listed as being under board review. The list includes cases procured by PJI and provided to the independent media is current as of Feb. 24, 2022.

One of the cases represented by PJI is that of Holly Austin, a college nursing professor who holds a doctorate in nursing. Austin could have lost her license over the crime of speaking as a parent at a public school board meeting in December of 2021 in opposition to the districts proposed reinstitution of a mask mandate.

Dave Peters, a staff attorney at PJI, says he was shocked to learn that the state would even consider revoking Austins license over such a thing, especially since she submitted a 100-page response to the accusations made against her that she was spreading misinformation.

I remember not long ago that such actions by government authorities or anybody else would have had the entire journalist community howling about suppression and chilling free speech, Peters, who also holds a masters degree in medicine, is quoted as saying.

The case against Austin was eventually dropped, but it took the state of Michigan almost a year to come to its senses. In a March 3, 2022, letter, the state concluded that following a thorough review and investigation, it was determined that a violation of the Public Health Code cannot be substantiated.

Austin was hardly alone. Some 200 other medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, were also probed by the state for similar phony infractions, including not wearing a mask or not actively promoting the wearing of masks like Fauci was doing.

In one of the cases, a doctor was reported to the state for shaking hands with someone who was not wearing a mask. In another case, a doctor was targeted simply for reporting that he had suffered a bad reaction to the injection.

Ljubisa Dragovic, Chief Medical Examiner for Oakland County, was reported for not wearing a mask while performing autopsies.

When you are working in an environment with deceased individuals there is no active sneezing or coughing on the part of the cadavers, Dragovic told The Epoch Times, adding that you cant get or give covid to a dead person.

It was nonsense.

More related news about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) American Journal host Harrison Smith has warned that direct control over the mind via remote control is soon coming. During a recent episode of his program, Smith played two video clips of a beetle with a brain implant that can be controlled by remote control.

Its not enough anymore to simply manipulate you through the information that you have access to through your hormonal receptions such as dopamine or adrenaline by invoking fear or giving you the pleasure of receiving a like on your posts. No longer is this pseudo-direct control of the mind being exploited. Theyve gone a step beyond now to direct control over minds using remote controls. Its really an astonishing thing, Smith said of the scientific advancement that scientists are now making.

Smith said the brain implant on the beetle allows the researcher to control the bug against its will. He also noted that the beetle was trying to fight the stimulation controls, but the researchers said they still had control over the insect. The researchers were using electricity that was being pumped into the beetle to keep it moving.

A lot of people are already talking about chip implants to pay for things, as well as palm scanning. Smith said brain control implants are coming next, and it may be mandated just like the masks and the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.

It will be an existential crisis that people are able to think the things that they think without oversight of the overlords and thats a problem for them. So theyll soon have direct access, subdermal brain access, to your physical functions, said Smith before showing a video clip of World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab bragging about it several years ago.

The video clip showed Schwab talking with Google co-founder Sergey Brin at the 2017 World Economic Forum about how people will have brain implants very soon.

Smith said Schwab and his fellow globalists are trying to live forever and that this brain implant is now being implemented.

He added that people still see this scientific advancement as some sort of fantasy conspiracy theory that is not worth paying attention to and they will not think about it until the order comes down that will force them to get an implant in their brain for safety and climate change.

Brain-computer interface device is coming soon

Meanwhile, people are now a step closer to being able to text or interface with personal devices using their thoughts, and its all thanks to the successful initial safety trial of an implantable device that can translate the electrical impulses from the brain into readable signals.

The new brain-computer interface (BCI) also called brain modem doesnt need a hole in your head but it does require a hole in your chest.

Brain modems are coming soon and they will be delivered by Elon Musks Neuralink company or another corporation that will invest in it. Big questions like how fast they will be ready, how well they will work and how many will want to use them have already been asked. (Related: Ethical questions raised after Elon Musks Neuralink company implants chip in monkeys brain.)

Last month, New York-based biotech company Synchron declared the results of a trial of its two-piece brain modem in four individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, which is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord and can cause paralysis. The BCI clinical trials were approved for the first time by the Food and Drug Administration.

Testers supervised the four volunteers for a year to search for any negative effects from the implants and the company stated that there were no serious adverse events that led to disability or death.

Synchrons team published the results in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgeries.

According to Synchron, the implants were safe and allowed participants to use a computer to communicate by text and perform daily tasks such as online shopping and banking.

More stories like this can be found at Transhumanism.news.

Watch the video below to know how a full remote control of the nervous system becomes possible via a brain implant.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Its not over: Globalists still using COVID-19 to MIND CONTROL people into submission.

The Dr. Hotze Report: Biotech company out to control peoples minds through neuromodulation  Brighteon.TV.

Neural implants can create a new breed of superhumans capable of TELEPATHY.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

WorldEconomicForum.org

News.Yahoo.com

TheDailyBeast.com

JNIS.BMJ.com
(Natural News) Channel One, a Russian state-run media outlet, ran a feature piece the other day outlining how easy it would supposedly be for Russia to drown the United Kingdom in a radioactive tsunami.

Aleksey Zhuravlyov, the chairman of Russias nationalist Rodina political party, explained during the segment that the Russian navys nuclear submarines could take out all of Great Britain with one single nuclear bomb.

One Sarmat missile and the British Isles will be no more, Zhuravlyov declared. (Related: Russia also says that the threat of nuclear war is very serious, real.)

Zhuravlyovs statements were delivered following the UK militarys announced decision to support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict as opposed to Russia. Great Britain was among the first to proudly announce that it will deliver planeloads of weapons to Ukraine, including anti-tank systems and munitions.

After Zhuravlyov spoke, the Channel One segment transitioned to news anchor Dmitry Kiselyov, who described in further detail what a Russian submarine nuke launch would look like:

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.

A clip of the segment is viewable below:

#Russias state TV explicitly threatens to drown UK with a nuclear strike, the Sarmat missile, which is called the Son of Satan. Or a thermonuclear torpedo, which top propagandist Kiselyov says on the air, will turn UK into a radioactive desert. pic.twitter.com/UDomlAVcON  Alexander Khrebet/????????? ?????? (@AlexKhrebet) May 2, 2022

Russian TV host says UK can easily be turned into a radioactive desert

During what is now being described as the most provocative moment of the segment, the host went on to reveal the extent to which Great Britain will be left in ruin following a nuclear missile attack.

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 panel began with a reaction to recent comments made by the UKs Armed Forces Minister, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who appeared to give his approval for Ukraine to strike Russian soil using UK-provided weapons if need be.

Part of defending itself in this type of invasion is obviously where Ukraine will go after the supply lines of the Russian army because without fuel and food and ammunition, the Russian army grinds to a halt and can no longer continue its invasion, he told BBC TV.

They currently dont have British weapons that could do that, so its unlikely that it is our weapons. Were very unlikely to supply that to anyone simply because of the technology and also the scarcity we have of those capabilities. So it is very unlikely.

The Western media is still promoting an anti-Russia narrative as well, claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin has crossed a line by threatening to go nuclear if necessary.

Without most people being aware of it, the world is entering its most dangerous period since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, writes Edward Luce for the Financial Times (FT).

The majority under the age of 50 have grown up thinking the nuclear spectre is a relic of the last century. In the past few weeks, the prospect of a nuclear exchange has become the most live threat to this centurys peace.

Several commenters over at Zero Hedge speculated that Ukraine could launch the first strike against Moscow, plunging the world into a third world war  this time nuclear.

More news about the escalating conflict in Ukraine can be found at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com

FT.com
(Natural News) Most Americans would have assumed that their best and brightest military commanders and national security experts were aware, some years ago, when Russia and China began serious efforts to develop next-generation hypersonic ballistic missiles, and then react by implementing a development program of our own.

But apparently, our military geniuses were more concerned about wasting trillions of dollars to convert tribal civilizations in Afghanistan and Iraq into miniaturized versions of the United States because they completely blew off what Russia and China were doing.

Now, some years later, both of those countries have not simply successfully tested these wonder weapons, they have deployed them  and the U.S. is still struggling to catch up. In fact, testing of hypersonic weapons by the Pentagon is not going well at all, putting Washington further behind and keeping America more vulnerable than ever to a lightning-quick sneak attack.

The first US hypersonic weapon will be delayed for as long as a year under a new schedule, even as lawmakers protest that the Pentagon is lagging behind in a new technology that Russia has already used in Ukraine and China has demonstrated in a space launch, Bloomberg News reports.

The goal to declare an early operational capability for the Lockheed Martin missile by Sept. 30 has been moved back to sometime in the next fiscal year, according to an Air Force statement, the report continued.

This, despite the fact that the U.S. spends nearly $800 billion a year on defense.

The Defense Department has also said that the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, will likely be the nations first operational hypersonic weapon, though again, at this point, there is no way of knowing when that will be  despite the fact that Russia has fielded an operational hypersonic weapon and has already used it in combat. And these weapons, by the way, are nuclear-capable.

Bloomberg continues:

Hypersonic weapons are hard to track and destroy because they fly five times the speed of sound and can be maneuvered. Last month, Russia debuted a hypersonic air-to-ground missile in its attack on Ukraine, and in July, China hit a demonstration target on Earth with a weapon in orbit.

Adversaries dont have to meet the rigorous standards set under the US defense acquisition system or face public scrutiny over delays and failure.

But then again, they also arent wasting money fighting endless brush fire wars in faraway lands for decades at a time, though Russia has certainly bit off a massive financial sinkhole in attacking its western neighbor.

According to Bloomberg, propulsion appears to be the setback for the U.S. weapon, as the Lockheed missile experienced booster motor failures for three tests in a row, which put the project behind in terms of passing two additional motor tests and at least one missile that is fully assembled.

And now, due to the recent flight test anomalies, the Air Force says, the very first test of a complete missile has been moved to between Oct. 1 and Dec. 30 this year, with additional testing already planned for next year as well.

Continuing, the Air Force statement said that the service branch will declare an early operational capability after successful demonstration of operational utility via tests of the fully assembled missile following successful booster motor demonstrations  meaning, the U.S. will remain vulnerable until the Air Force and Lockheed can figure out how to make a missile that Russia and China have already deployed work.

When the weapon has demonstrated at least some capability, remaining test missiles could theoretically be used in an emergency because for the time being, the Air Force has delayed a former production order.

The Army and the Navy are also working on a hypersonic missile design, but the Air Force was thought to be the furthest along. The latter two services are utilizing a shared two-stage booster rocket to launch the warhead into hypersonic flight, but it has yet to undergo testing.

With the delays, however, America remains vulnerable and thats unacceptable.

Sources include:

StraitsTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) There is a reason why the vast majority of Americans no longer trust their own government: Its because our government is no longer trustworthy.

While many Americans knew before Donald Trump was elected that there really is such a thing as a deep state  a cabal of government, intelligence community, Justice Department, and media insiders who call the shots and run things from the shadows  many more were aware of its existence after the former presidents term. The deep state literally cooked up a lie  Russian collusion  to keep him out of the Oval Office, then used that fake narrative as well as a series of leaks of false information throughout his presidency to keep him off-guard, on the defensive, and constantly preoccupied with manufactured scandals.

And make no mistake, if Trump wins in 2024, thats all going to happen again.

In the meantime, our intelligence agencies are busy meddling in the Russia-Ukraine war with manufactured narratives and outright lies, according to NBC News:

The report essentially notes that the U.S. government fibbed big time about Russia reportedly moving chemical weapons to Ukraines border, implying that Vladimir Putin was preparing to use them as a means of justifying U.S. and NATO involvement, risking World War III. In addition, the government lied about China providing Russia with arms (which is preposterous given that China copies a lot of Russian weapons systems and purchases many of Russias systems) and also lied about Putin being misled by his military and political advisers  all as part of an info war with Moscow:

It was an attention-grabbing assertion that made headlines around the world: U.S. 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 U.S. officials told NBC News this week there is no evidence Russia has brought any chemical weapons near Ukraine. They said the U.S. released the information to deter Russia from using the banned munitions.

The report noted further that it was one of a string of examples of the Biden administrations breaking with recent precedent in revealing declassified intel as part of an information war against Moscow (meaning that the Trump administration did not engage in this kind of deceit).

The administration has done so even when the intelligence wasnt rock solid, officials said, to keep Russian President Vladimir Putin off balance, NBC News continued, adding that the unprecedented effort is being coordinated by the National Security Council. The fake intel releases are coming so frequently and in such heavy amounts, said officials, that U.S. intelligence agencies are being forced to devote more staffers to work on the process of declassifying and scrubbing information so as not to betray methods and sources.

So, what is the real purpose behind this operation? Well, if past behavior is any indication, it is to keep the American people off-balance as well and eventually justify becoming more heavily involved in the war in Ukraine.

Keep in mind that the Bush administration lied about weapons of mass destruction to justify attacking Iraq (after already having invaded Afghanistan), lied about the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein working with al-Qaeda to plan attacks on our country, and then lied about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad gassing his own people as well.

To add a domestic wrinkle to that fake narrative, the same deep state lied about Trump and Russia and also about Jan. 6 being an insurrection  so Jan. 6 Committee could be justified and so that its recommendations about cracking down on his MAGA movement could become codified in law.

To suggest our intelligence community putting out phony intel is a break from the past is just comical. Its also comical to suggest this propaganda was to target Putin and not con the war-weary general public into supporting the war effort, Information Liberation reported.

Spot-on.

Sources include:

InformationLiberation.com

NewsTarget.com
(Natural News) One of Americas most well-known pharmacy chains has inadvertently admitted that Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are a farce in terms of protecting against COVID disease.

Positivity Rate by Vaccination Status data covering the time period from April 23, 2022, to April 29, 2022, shows that the demographic with the least amount of positive test results for the Fauci Flu is the unvaccinated. The worst-off group, as you might expect, consists of people who received two main doses of the shot followed by a booster shot.

The Walgreens COVID-19 Variant Tracker claims that ever since January of this year, the predominant strain of Fauci Flu in circulation is omicron (moronic). Before that, it was delta that was supposedly in circulation.

How they know this is anyones guess, seeing as how SARS-CoV-2 has never actually been isolated and proven to exist, let alone its many alleged variants and subvariants.

People are testing positive for something fictitious, in other words, not to mention the fact that the PCR test is inherently fraudulent. It was never designed as a diagnosis tool, and is actually just an amplification tool that magnifies whatever it is pointed at, so to speak.

PCR revolutionized molecular biology but its most notable application was in genetic fingerprinting, where its ability to magnify even the smallest traces of DNA became a major weapon in the fight against crime, revealed a paper put together by the Brownstone Institute.

But, like a powerful magnifying glass or zoom lens, if its powerful enough to find a needle in a haystack its powerful enough to make mountains out of molehills.

Do the injections contain COVID?

Whatever is being magnified with these tests is most prominent among the fully vaccinated, according to Walgreens. Only 14.1 percent of unvaccinated people are testing positive, while 19 percent of those who received one dose of a Fauci Flu injection are testing positive.

The positivity rate only goes up from there, with 24.3 percent of people who received two injections more than five months ago are testing positive. The figure is even higher at 27.8 percent among those who received three injections more than five months ago.

This data would suggest that the vials contain the disease, whatever that disease is. It is clear from the figures that getting jabbed increases ones risk of testing positive, so what are people actually getting injected with?

Most actuaries know this, wrote someone in response to the news that the fully jabbed are seeing the worst health outcomes. But math isnt science.'

Another joked that the Walgreens data must first be run by government doctor Tony Fauci, who will decide for all of us whether or not it is true.

Six months to the November election to flatten the stupidity, joked another.

Another asked if COVID tests are capable of sequencing the test samples. If not, then how is the variant type being determined, this person wants to know?

Walgreens will probably face an investigation for releasing the data, said another.

Still another pointed out something that many seem to have forgotten: COVID injections were never touted as being able to prevent infection or spread. All the government claims they do is lessen the severity of an infection, though this remains an unproven hearsay that conflicts with the data.

If people would have paid attention, this person added, then they would also know that the stuff is not a vaccine in the first place, its a selection of individually distinct experimental mRNA-based drugs, and nobody actually has a scientifically precise description of COVID anyway.

The latest news about Fauci Flu shots can be found at Immunization.news.

Sources include:

CitizenFreePress.com

NaturalNews.com 1

NaturalNews.com 2
Temperatures surged across India in April, with the country experiencing an unusual heat wave towards the end of the month. Over the last week, the country's record-breaking heat has led to a spike in wildfires and decreasing air quality.

Hotter than Usual

While India is no stranger to heat, the previous month has been particularly scorching, with analysts claiming that two parts of the country have recently had their warmest April on record.

Mrutyunjay Mohaptra, Director General of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), told Reuters that the average maximum temperatures in the northwest and central India were 96.6 F (35.9 C) and 100 F (37.78 C) correspondingly in April. Since historical records began in 1900, each region has the highest recorded figures.

New Delhi was one of the cities hit, with temperatures around 9 degrees F (5 degrees C) above normal at the end of the month. Only two days out of the month did not hit or exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 C).

Severe Temperatures

The most severe temperatures were recorded on the last three days of April when thermometer readings hit or above 110 degrees F. On Saturday, April 30, New Delhi recorded 112 degrees Fahrenheit, the hottest temperature of the month, but narrowly missing the city's April record. According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Lead International Forecaster Jason Nicholls, the all-time high temperature for April in New Delhi is 114.1 F (45.6 C).

This data comes after a hot March, which IMD meteorologists described as India's warmest since 1901. The average high temperature in March 2022 was 3.35 degrees F (1.86 degrees Celsius), which was 3.35 degrees F (1.86 degrees Celsius) higher than the climatological average.

Also Read: Climate Change One of the Reasons Why Major Ocean Current In Its Lowest In 1000 Years

Power Shortages

Electricity shortages have also been caused by heat, which has increased the demand for electricity across India as people strive to stay cool. According to Reuters, power outages have been enforced in three Indian states.

Increased Wildfire

Last week, Modi also warned that the number of wildfires in the country had increased. A fire at the Bhalswa dump in New Delhi on Tuesday, April 26, was one of the most significant. According to the Times of India, the waste was still burning on Sunday, although it was under control. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

On Tuesday, a local school was forced to close due to the fire. On Wednesday, the Gyan Sarovar School announced that it would be shuttered for at least a week. According to Father Santhosh, the organization's director that oversees the school, the dense layer of smoke made it impossible for the students to breathe. According to sources, the heat of the fire also caused the class of the window panes to melt.

Worsening Air Quality

Residents also filed an official complaint with the local police department, requesting that they take action. Poisonous gases from the fire were infiltrating homes, endangering individuals who lived nearby, deteriorating the air quality to the point that many people had respiratory problems.

Over the last week, forest fires have raged in the surrounding states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. More than 7,800 hotspots where forest fires originated in only three days throughout India, according to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), including 277 big fires on Friday.

Until When

The severe heat has continued to dry off any undergrowth, making it more combustible should a fire break out, especially in the last few days of April.

According to FSI statistics, there have been a record number of fires reported since January, compared to the previous two years. In April, the majority of the fires started.

While the scorching heat wave is projected to cease by the middle of the first week of May, enough damage has been done due to the excessive temperatures to allow for continued poor air quality and increased fire danger.

Related Article: California Cools Down After Experiencing a Period of Intense Heat

For more news about the environment , don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Because of their small stature, harbor seals may make a different sound than imagined.

Is this connected to their vocal abilities or the result of an anatomical adaptation?

An international team has now studied the vocal tracts of harbor seals, which are the same size as their bodies.

This suggested that harbor seals can learn new sounds using their minds rather than their bodies.

Harbor seals' learning in calls

The majority of animals make sounds that are proportional to their bodily size. Because a larger animal's vocal tract, the air-filled pipe that makes and screens sounds, is longer, it will sound lower-pitched.

However, harbor seals may not always sound as they seem.

They may sound larger perhaps to impress a rival or smaller perhaps to get attention from their mothers.

According to ScienceDaily, Koen de Reus, a Ph.D. student, and senior scientist Andrea Ravignani from the MPI partnered with researchers from Sealcentre Pieterburen.

The scientists examined the vocal tracts and body size of juvenile harbor seals.

The measurements were collected from 68 dead juvenile seals (up to twelve months old).

The researchers also re-analyzed previously collected harbor seal vocalizations to validate the animals' amazing vocal versatility.

The overall thickness of harbor seal vocal tracts matched to their body size, according to De Reus and Ravignani.

Their vocal abilities have no physical explanation. Rather, the researchers contend that only voice memory can describe why harbor seals may not always sound the same way they appear.

Vocal learners will sound vary depending on their physical size, but their vocal tracts will be the same size.

The results from auditory and anatomic data, as per de Reus, might allow researchers to discover greater vocal learners.

The study of various vocal learners may aid in the discovery of the biological foundation of vocal learning as well as give information on the evolution of complicated communication systems such as speech.

Also Read: Wind Turbines: Hearing of UK Harbor Seals May be At Risk

Harbor seals

Harbor seals are among the most numerous marine animals in the United States.

They are frequently spotted resting on rocks and beaches along the coast, as well as on floating ice in glacial fjords, with their head and rear flippers lifted in a "banana-like" stance.

Harbor seals were historically pursued by state-funded bounty hunters in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Maine because they have been considered rivals of fishermen.

This hunting campaign came to an end in 1960.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects harbor seals, as well as all other marine animals.

NOAA Fisheries has documented 16 harbor seal populations in the United States.

Twelve of such populations are in Alaska, while the remaining four are in California, Oregon-Washington coastal waters, Washington interior waters, and the western North Atlantic.

The Aleutian Islands, Pribilof Islands, Bristol Bay, North Kodiak, South Kodiak, Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet/Shelikof Strait, Glacier Bay/Icy Strait, Lynn Canal/Stephens Passage, Sitka/Chatham Strait, Dixon/Cape Decision, and Clarence Strait stocks are all located in Alaska.

A tiny population of freshwater harbor seals lives in Iliamna Lake in Southcentral Alaska, which is part of the Bristol Bay stock.

Related article: Thriving Seal Population Shows How Much Thames Have Improved Since it was Declared Dead
Scientists have discovered that various corals and habitats alter their chances of survival as ocean temperatures increase.

The findings also showed that improved remote sensing technologies enable unprecedented scale-up of reef monitoring.

Mapping corals in the past

As ocean temperatures rise, more occurrences of coral bleaching will occur.

When corals bleach, organisms remained much more exposed to additional stresses such as water pollution.

Many reefs, however, are home to corals that have survived amid warmer waters.

Unraveling the complicated issue of coral bleaching and its influence on their survival or death may be critical to maintaining coastal and marine ecosystems on which more than half a billion people worldwide rely for food, jobs, recreation, and shoreline security.

Scientists have traced the position of live corals before and after a large marine heatwave for the first time.

The latest study demonstrates where coral reefs are thriving despite the rising sea surface temperatures driven by climate change.

The study also discovered that coastal growth and water pollution had a detrimental impact on coral reefs.

Arizona State University scientists with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory explain in a study published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that various corals and surroundings alter the chance of their survivability as ocean temperature increases.

The findings also show that improved remote sensing technologies enable unprecedented scale-up of reef monitoring.

According to Greg Asner, principal author of the study and director of the ASU Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, repeat coral mapping with the GAO revealed how Hawaii's coral reefs responded to the 2019 catastrophic bleaching event.

"We identified coral 'winners' and 'losers,' and these winning corals are connected with usable water and less coastal development, despite rising sea temperatures," he added, as per ScienceDaily.

When the Hawaiian Islands experienced widespread bleaching in 2019, the GAO surveyed living coral cover along with eight islands before the arrival of the maritime heatwave.

Using this information, the researchers discovered more than 10 possible coral refugia ecosystems that may provide a safe refuge for corals threatened by climate change.

Despite identical heat stress, there has been up to 40% less coral mortality in possible refugia than on nearby reefs.

The findings also revealed that reefs along densely populated coastlines are more vulnerable to death during heat waves.

When land development happens, the quantity of pollution entering the reef ecosystem rises, producing an adverse condition for coral reefs that are already struggling to thrive in warmer waters.

Also Read: Scientists are Weeding Coral Reefs to Help Lessen the Impacts of Climate Change

Status of coral reefs around the world

Coral reefs may be found in over 100 nations and territories, and while they comprise just 0.2% of the seabed, they support at least 25% of marine species and provide safety, coastal protection, well-being, food, and economic independence to hundreds of millions of people, as per UN Environmental Programme.

Coral reefs, on the other hand, are among the most susceptible ecosystems on earth to anthropogenic sources, including environmental challenges from climate change and acidification of the oceans, as well as local effects from soil pollution, such as agricultural input of nutrients and sediments, marine pollution, and overexploitation and catastrophic fisheries management.

The Holomua 30x30 plan intends to create marine management zones in 30% of Hawaii's nearshore seas.

Coral reefs are an important part of life in the Hawaiian islands, as they are linked to cultures and economy.

Understanding which corals are surviving is critical to ensuring focused and effective protection.

ASU's Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science worked with the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center on this project.

Related article: Strange Fish Songs Reveal That Indonesia's Coral Reefs Are Rapidly Recovering
Cisco is encouraging users of its popular Catalyst 2960X/2960XR switches to upgrade their IOS operating systems in an effort to combat counterfeiting.

Because of the pervasiveness of these switches on the gray market, its imperative that customers enable the latest software release  IOS release 15.2(7)E4 or later  to validate the authenticity, security, and performance of their Catalyst 2960X/2960XR 24/48 port Gigabit Ethernet switches, Cisco stated in a notice to customers.

Read more: How to choose an edge gateway

Cisco uses a combination of security products  such as its Hardware Trust Anchor, Secure Unique Device Identifier (SUDI), digitally signed software images, and secure boot  to verify the authenticity of its equipment. These technologies run automated checks of hardware and software integrity and can shut down the boot process if a compromise is detected. The newer IOS includes this SUDI verification process and is based on public key infrastructure (PKI) and associated cryptography, Cisco stated.

The counterfeit warning comes as Cisco says it has seen an increase in gray market and counterfeit activity, likely due to industry-wide supply chain issues, according to Al Palladin, Ciscos brand protection chief.

Material shortages across the semiconductor industry, as well as logistics challenges, continue to impact supply chains globally, slowing output across multiple industries, Palladin wrote in a recent blog. This has resulted in extended lead-times across almost all products, and extended delivery dates.

Products sourced from outside Ciscos authorized channels may not come with a valid Cisco warranty and license, Palladin stated. In addition, they may pass through many hands before they are delivered to you, making it possible that equipment and software have been altered to make them vulnerable to attack or premature failure.

Supply chain issues are causing a backlog of orders across the networking industry. Arista stated earlier this year that some of the lead times on its sales are 50-70 weeks out. Cisco, in its most recent disclosure, said its current product backlog is nearly $14 billion. Juniper has reported more than $1.8 billion in backlog orders, and Extreme Networks said its total backlog is $425 million.

In addition to the counterfeit-related notice, Cisco has announced end-of-life dates for the Catalyst 2960X product family. The last day to order 2690X products is October 31, 2022. Customers should look to migrate to newer models such as the Catalyst 9200 family, Cisco stated. Customers may be able to use the Cisco Technology Migration Program (TMP) where applicable, the vendor stated.
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.
LeConte Nix: We have to normalize that going to therapy is great and is needed  just like going to a movie or your regular doctors appointment. We all have stuff that we hide mentally or avoid. Now, think about a young adult who only knows how to deal with anger by violence of some sort, because he or she has never been taught how to handle certain situations."
Kristian Philpotts, 29, of Chicago, who was driving for a ride-hailing service while earning money toward getting his doctorate in veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois, became Champaign-Urbanas latest victim of gun violence when he was fatally shot Wednesday night while driving some customers in Urbana in what authorities said was a robbery gone bad.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 89F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
Our County Editor

Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com.
College Football Reporter/Columnist

Bob Asmussen is a college football reporter and columnist for The News-Gazette. His email is asmussen@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@BobAsmussen).
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) scientists working on CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing technology have developed a method to increase efficiency of editing while minimizing DNA deletion sizes, a key step toward developing gene editing therapies to treat genetic diseases.

CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technology is used to alter DNA sequences and modify gene function. CRISPR/Cas9 is an enzyme that is used like a pair of scissors to cut two strands of DNA at a specific location to add, remove or repair bits of DNA. By modifying gene function, scientists hope to treat genetic diseases by halting a diseased cell's ability to continue replicating the defective DNA.

CRISPR/Cas9 is the most versatile genetic manipulation available and has a wide range of potential applications. While CRISPR/Cas9 mainly generates short insertions or deletions at the target site, it may also make large DNA deletions around the specific target site. These large deletions cause safety concerns and may decrease functional editing efficiency. The WFIRM team is looking for ways to reduce the chances of this happening.

The research described in their recent paper, published recently by Nucleic Acids Research [wfirm.us3.list-manage.com], sought to address the generation of unpredictable on-target long DNA deletions and find a way to guard against them, said lead author Baisong Lu, PhD, of WFIRM.

"Considering that a lack of methods to avoid generating long deletions by CRISPR/Cas9 is a challenge to the field, we are developing new counter strategies," Lu said. "We developed a method to refine the mutations  to increase small deletions and decrease large deletions."

The team evaluated a variety of human cells and genes of interest and found that fusing DNA polymerase I or the Klenow fragment to the Cas9 enzyme minimized unforeseen large genomic DNA deletions without sacrificing genome editing efficiency. On the contrary, doing so even increased editing efficiency in human primary cells.

This technique increased genome editing efficiency in primary cells and did not increase DNA substitution rates or off-target rates. It also decreased large deletions, thus increasing safety. We can increase the percentage of desirable types of mutations. This improves the efficiency of disrupting disease-causing genes or restoring disrupted genes." Anthony Atala, MD, co-author of the paper, WFIRM Director

The U.S. Department of Defense and State of North Carolina funded this research. Wake Forest University Health Sciences has filed a patent application based on work reported in this paper.
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. 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." Brendan Inglis, Graduate Student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University

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."
In a busy downtown coffee shop, a drawing of a ski lift with intrauterine devices for chairs draws the eyes of sleepy customers getting their morning underway with a caffeine jolt.

The flyer touts the services of Bridgercare, a nonprofit reproductive health clinic a few miles up the road. The clinic offers wellness exams, birth control, and LGBTQ+ services  and, starting in April, it oversees the state's multimillion-dollar share of federal family planning program funding.

In March, Bridgercare beat out the state health department to become administrator of Montana's $2.3 million Title X program, which helps pay for family planning and preventive health services. The organization applied for the grant because its leaders were concerned about a new state law that sought to restrict which local providers are funded.

What is happening in Montana is the latest example of an ongoing power struggle between nonprofits and conservative-leaning states over who receives federal family planning money. That has intensified in recent years as the Title X program has increasingly become entangled with the politics of abortion.

This year, the federal government set aside $257 million for family planning and preventive care. The providers that get that funding often serve families with low incomes, and Title X is one of the few federal programs in which people without legal permission to be in the U.S. can participate.

"The program permeates into communities that otherwise would be unreached by public health efforts," said Rebecca Kreitzer, an associate professor of public policy at the University of North Carolina.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services controlled the distribution of the state's Title X funds for decades. Bridgercare sought the administrator role to circumvent a Republican-sponsored law passed last year that required the state to prioritize the money for local health departments and federally qualified health centers. That would have put the nonprofit  which doesn't provide abortion procedures  and similar organizations at the bottom of the list. The law also banned clinics that perform abortions from receiving Title X funds from the state health department.

Bridgercare Executive Director Stephanie McDowell said the group applied for the grant to try to protect the program from decisions coming out of the state Capitol. "Because of the politicization of Title X, were seeing how its run, swinging back and forth based on partisan leadership," McDowell said.

A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson, Tara Broido, didn't answer a question about whether the agency intentionally awarded grants to nonprofits to avoid state politics. Instead, she said in a statement that applicants were evaluated in a competitive process by a panel of independent reviewers based on criteria to deliver high-quality, client-centered services.

Federal law prohibits the money from being used to perform abortions. But it can cover other services provided by groups that offer abortions  the largest and best-known by far is Planned Parenthood. In recent years, conservative politicians have tried to keep such providers from receiving Title X funding.

In some cases, contraception has entered the debate around which family planning services government should help fund. Some abortion opponents have raised concerns that long-lasting forms of birth control, such as IUDs, lead to abortions. Those claims are disputed by reproductive health experts.

In 2019, the Trump administration introduced several new rules for Title X, including disqualifying from receiving the funding family planning clinics that also offered abortion services or referrals. Many clinics across the nation left the program instead of conforming to the rules. Simultaneously, the spread of covid-19 interrupted routine care. The number of patients served by Title X plummeted.

The Biden administration reversed most of those rules, including allowing providers with abortion services back into the Title X program. States also try to influence the funding's reach, either through legislation or budget rules.

The current Title X funding cycle is five years, and the amount of money available each year could shift based on the state's network of providers or federal budget changes. Jon Ebelt, a spokesperson for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, didn't answer when asked whether the state planned to reapply to administer the funding in 2027. He said the department was disappointed with the Biden administrations "refusal" to renew the state's funding.

"We recognize, however, that recent pro-abortion federal rule changes have distorted Title X and conflict with Montana law," he said.

Conservative states have been tangling with nonprofits and the federal government over Title X funding for more than a decade. In 2011, during the Obama administration, Texas whittled down the state's family planning spending and prioritized sending the federal money to general primary care providers over reproductive health clinics. As a result, 25% of family planning clinics in Texas closed. In 2013, a nonprofit now called Every Body Texas joined the competition to distribute the state's Title X dollars and won.

"Filling and rebuilding those holes have taken this last decade, essentially," said Berna Mason, director of service delivery improvement for Every Body Texas.

In 2019, the governor of Nebraska proposed a budget that would have prohibited the money from going to any organization that provided abortions or referred patients for abortions outside of an emergency. It also would have required that funding recipients be legally and financially separate from such clinics, a restriction that would have gone further than the Trump administration's rules. Afterward, a family planning council won the right to administer Title X money.

In 2017, the nonprofit Arizona Family Health Partnership lost its status as that state's only Title X administrator when the state health department was given 25% of the funding to deliver to providers. That came after Arizona lawmakers ordered the department to apply for the funds and distribute them first to state- or county-owned clinics, with the remaining money going to primary care facilities. The change was backed by anti-abortion groups, and reproductive health care providers saw it as an attempt to weaken clinics that offer abortion services.

However, the state left nearly all the money it received untouched, and although it's still required by law to apply for Title X funding, it hasn't received a portion of the grant since.

Bre Thomas, CEO of Arizona Family Health Partnership, said that even though the nonprofit is the sole administrator of the Title X funding again, the threat remains that some or all could be taken away because of politics. "We're at the will of whos in charge," Thomas said.

Nonprofits say they have an advantage over state agencies in expanding services because they have more flexibility in fundraising and fewer administrative hurdles.

In April, Mississippi nonprofit Converge took over administration of Title X funds, a role the state had held for decades. The organization's founders said they weren't worried that conservative politicians would restrict access to services but simply believed they could do a better job. "Service quality was very low, and it was very hard to get appointments," said co-founder Danielle Lampton.

A Mississippi State Department of Health spokesperson, Liz Sharlot, said the agency looks forward to working with Converge.

In Montana, Bridgercare plans to restore funding to Planned Parenthood clinics that have been cut off from the program since 2019, recruit more health centers to participate, and expand the program's reach in rural, frontier, and tribal communities using telehealth services, McDowell said.

The organization's goal is to increase the number of patients benefiting from the federal program by at least 10% in each year of the five-year grant cycle. The clinic also plans to apply to keep its Title X role beyond this grant.

"In five years, our grant application should be a clear front-runner for funding," she said. "Its less about 'How do we beat someone in five years?' And more about 'How do we grow this program to serve patients?'"
A recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server demonstrated the efficacy of the Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA)-incorporated affinity resin against various severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants.

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been persistent for more than two years. SARS-CoV-2 infections have resulted in over 511 million cases and 6.2 million deaths globally as of May 2022. The pandemic has been marked by the emergence of a series of SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in the spike (S) protein, boosting the virulence and infectiousness and hampering the effectiveness of COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies and vaccines.

Resistance to COVID-19 vaccination and restrictions in currently available treatments necessitate continued research and development, particularly for patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Existing reports show that the Aethlon Hemopurifier device harboring an affinity resin comprising GNA, a plant lectin, attaches to alpha 1,3 mannose units in enveloped viruses. Further, previous studies depicted that the Aethlon Hemopurifier extracorporeal equipment containing the GNA affinity resin linked and eradicated SARS-CoV-2 from the blood in vivo.

About the study

In the present study, the investigators hypothesized that the GNA affinity resin would have comparable binding to the main SARS-CoV-2 variants producing clinical illness during the previous two years since the SARS-CoV-2 mutations should not impact mannosylation inside the viral envelope. Known titers of seven clinically significant SARS-CoV-2 variants were seeded in medium and processed over three columns harboring 1gm of GNA affinity resin, and percent binding was determined. Additionally, the percent decline in viral concentrations was contrasted against a control lot.

Seven SARS-CoV-2 variants (Delta B.1.672 and AY.1 variants, Omicron, Lambda, United Kingdom (UK), Brazil, and South Africa) were propagated on cultured human airway epithelial 3 (Calu-3) cells and Vero E6 cells (CRL-1586). Supernatants from cell cultures were collected, purified by centrifugation, fractionated, and kept at -80C until used.

Each column received a total of 1gm of affinity resin. Four columns were produced for each SARS-CoV-2 variant examined (three with affinity resin and one without resin control). The resin was rinsed initially with 10 ml and then 5 ml phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The existence of viable viruses was determined by utilizing a plaque assay on the viral concentration of each challenge solution and the samples acquired after three passages.

The resin effectiveness was determined by the number of viable organisms in suspension following crossings over the resin bed. Viral capture efficiency was calculated by comparing the captured live virus concentrations to the column control.

Results

The study results showed that the GNA affinity resin in the Aethlon Hemopurifier device could engage with the seven SARS-CoV-2 variants analyzed with viral capture efficiency varying from 53.2% to 89.9%. The resin columns eliminated more than 70% of the SARS-COV-2 load in a single cycle for four out of the seven SARS-CoV-2 variants. The highest binding was found for the SARS-CoV-2 Brazilian P.1 and contemporary Omicron variants, whereas the lowest adherence was found for the Delta AY.1 variant.

During the South African SARS-CoV-2 variant analysis, among the three test samples, sample 2's 5-mL challenge aliquot went through the column with almost half the time relative to samples 1 and 3. While there were no visible air pockets in the resin bed, it was likely that some of the challenge suspension was channeled, possibly explaining why sample 2 had a lower virus capture efficiency.

Each column received a total viral challenge of about 5x 104 plaque-forming units (PFU) in vitro. Prior assessments depicted that the ratio of PFUs/ml to viral RNA copies/ml was about 1:3400, indicating a viral challenge of nearly 1.7x 108. The investigators calculated that 1gm of GNA affinity resin would remove 90,440,000 viral copies using the most cautious data point of 53.2% viral eradication. They stated that the GNA affinity resin in the Hemopurifier might offer an alternate strategy for regulating the coagulopathic and immune response to COVID-19. This was by eliminating micro ribonucleic acid (microRNA)-containing exosomes linked with acute lung damage and coagulopathy.

Conclusions

On the whole, the study findings demonstrated that a column harboring a GNA affinity resin could attach all the main SARS-CoV-2 mutants inducing clinical illness. According to extrapolation, an adult Aethlon Hemopurifier would exhibit more than enough binding ability to adhere to SARS-CoV-2 loads seen in adult severe COVID-19 patients.

This technique will most likely continue to work against potential SARS-CoV-2 variants that alter COVID-19 vaccination and treatment efficacy. The authors also mentioned that the Aethlon Hemopurifier incorporating this affinity resin is underway in critically sick and severe SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.

*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.
CDC will hold its annual Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Conference May 2-5, 2022, via a virtual platform that is free and open to the public. This conference highlights CDC's disease detectives' outbreak investigations, innovative analyses, and unity in service.

The Epidemic Intelligence Service is one of our most import pathways to develop the public health leaders of tomorrow. These dedicated, tireless and impeccably trained professionals stand ready to deploy at a moment's notice to investigate whenever and wherever a public health threat arises." Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, CDC Director

Dr. Walensky will open the conference with remarks on Monday morning, May 2. On Wednesday, May 4, Mary Bassett, MD, MPH, the 17th Health Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health will deliver this year's Alexander D. Langmuir lecture, Undoing the Racial Patterning of Health.

CDC's EIS disease detectives and their laboratory counterparts from the Laboratory Leadership Service (LLS) have been essential to CDC's COVID-19 response while continuing critical work to address other important public health threats.

Examples of some of their work that will be presented at this years conference include:

Childhood blood lead testing in Chicago before the COVID-19 pandemic, during a peak surge, and in recent monthsBlood lead level (BLL) screening is an essential activity of pediatric primary care, as early childhood lead exposure can cause serious harm, but disruption in primary care was reported during the COVID-19 pandemic onset. Across Chicagos 77 community areas, BLL testing dropped an average of 33% at the onset of the pandemic (March-September 2020) compared with the same months in 2017-2019. Although testing volume has increased in recent months, it remains an average of 21% lower than pre-pandemic, which means children in Chicago are at increased risk for undetected elevated BLLs.

Homicides of Black males across the lifespanIn 2019, homicide was the 15th leading cause of death among all males, but 5th among Non-Hispanic Black males. During 20032019, CDCs National Violent Death Reporting System captured 50,803 homicides among Black males. Homicides of Black males most often occurred among victims aged 1834 years, in community settings, and resulted from firearm injuries. Child homicides were most often the result of child abuse and neglect. Homicide circumstances across the lifespan can inform strategies that address proximal risks and the underlying structural (e.g., income, education, and employment) inequities and racism experienced by Black males.

Strong father-child relationships moderate the association between adverse childhood experiences and HIV acquisition risk among young women in NamibiaExposure to violence and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased HIV acquisition risk among young women in high HIV-incidence sub-Saharan African countries. Among young women in Namibia, 26% have experienced three or more ACEs. Among women without strong father-child relationships, experiencing three or more ACEs was positively associated with not knowing a partners HIV status in the past year, infrequently using condoms in the past year, and ever having an STI. Conversely, among women with strong father-child relationships, experiencing three or more ACEs was either not significantly, or inversely, associated with these three HIV risk factors. These findings indicate that strong father-child relationships may mitigate the effect of childhood adversity on HIV risk among young women in Namibia.

Health outcomes after hospital discharge and response to COVID-19 vaccination in children with a history of multisystem inflammatory syndromeMultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but serious condition following SARS-CoV-2 infection. As of March 28, 2022, 7,880 MIS-C cases were reported to CDC national surveillance. A follow-up study was conducted on children under 21 years old who were hospitalized with MIS-C at three childrens hospitals from March 2020February 2021. Preliminary results indicate that about two-thirds of children with MIS-C had recovered physical and mental health by the follow-up interview (an average of 12 months post-discharge). None of the 12 children in the study who were vaccinated after MIS-C reported an adverse event requiring medical attention.

Elevated respirable crystalline silica exposure among engineered stone fabrication workers in CaliforniaSilicosis is an irreversible occupational lung disease that is preventable by controlling exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). Recent studies have reported high prevalence of silicosis among workers fabricating engineered stone, a material with high silica content. Personal air sampling results for 152 employees at 47 engineered stone fabrication worksites throughout California in 2019 and 2020 found that 38 employees (25%) had RCS exposures above the permissible exposure limit (PEL). Thirty-four (72%) of the worksites were cited for one or more Cal/OSHA RCS regulation violations, most commonly for failure to perform exposure assessment, communicate RCS hazards to employees, or perform employee medical surveillance.

Media resources are available at: https://www.cdc.gov/eis/conference/at-a-glance/media-resources.html . These resources include searchable outlines of all of the work that will be presented at the conference, as well as photos of the disease detectives working in the field. Members of the media who are interested in attending the conference must register at https://www.cdc.gov/eis/conference/index.html. Registration will remain open throughout the conference.
A recent article posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server analyzed multivalent messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine constructs against certain -coronaviruses (-CoVs).

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), the Middle East respiratory syndrome-related CoV (MERS-CoV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) are all -CoVs with significant fatality rates across the world. The experience with the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines based on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA and authorized in 2020/2021 emphasizes the need for the quick deployment of better vaccines for successful control measures.

The advent of highly pathogenic and infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants with improved immune escape has underlined the demand for multivalent vaccines that boost immunity to numerous SARS-CoV-2 variants for the present pandemic and for various members of the -CoV family more generally.

mRNA vaccines have various benefits relative to inactivated virus or protein-based vaccines, such as the ability to manufacture at a minimal price, speedy design and synthesis, and the provision of real-time clinical data demonstrating the mRNA platform's safety in humans. Multivalent vaccinations harboring broad reactivity are necessary to prevent immune escape and impart immunity against quickly evolving viral variants. According to recent research, the homodimerization of -CoV receptor-binding domains (RBDs) boosts their immunogenicity and stability. These findings imply that heterodimers or homodimers of distinct -CoV RBDs may improve their potential to induce cross-reactive cellular and humoral immune responses.

About the study

In the current work, the researchers aimed to develop multivalent Coronaviridae vaccines that could be quickly produced and manufactured. The team evaluated the immunogenicity of mice to the SARS-CoV-2 original strain, multiple variants of concern (VOCs), and SARS-CoV following immunization with four RBD mRNA-LNP vaccine candidates. These vaccination candidates harbored heterodimers or homodimers of SARS-CoV-2/SARS-CoV RBDs encoded by mRNA. The researchers examined how well the vaccinations elicited cross-reactive antibodies against the donor SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV strains and the recently discovered SARS-CoV-2 Beta (B.1.351) and Delta (B.1.617.2) VOCs exhibiting improved immune evasion.

The researchers designed five mRNA frameworks encoding 1) green fluorescent protein (control), 2) SARS-CoV CUHK-W1 RBD (R306 K523), 3) SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-1 reference strain RBD (R319-K537), 4) SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 RBD heterodimer, and 5) SARS-CoV-2 RBD homodimer. RBD-encoding mRNAs were transfected to human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells and were combined with a lipid mixture tailored to yield LNPs. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to quantify the diameters of various RBD mRNA-LNP batches.

On days 0 and 14, groups of male C57BL/6J mice were inoculated intramuscularly with 10 g of each vaccine in 80 L phosphate-buffered saline to assess the immunogenicity of the RBD mRNA-LNPs. Mice were bled two weeks following boosting, and sera were tested for antibody generation utilizing SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 pure spike (S) protein-coated plates in direct binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

Results and conclusion

The study results indicated that the transfection of HEK293T cells with RBD-encoding mRNAs contributed to the high production of each recombinant RBD, as verified by western blot assessment with a cross-reactive anti-SARS-CoV-2/SARS-CoV RBD antibody. This inference indicated that the mRNAs were capable of being translated in vivo. DLS demonstrated minimal batch-to-batch diameter fluctuation and a particle diameter of 120 nm on average, a size that allows for effective cellular absorption and tissue penetration.

Notably, substantial immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers reactive against both S proteins were elicited by the four RBD mRNA-LNP vaccinations. The monomer mRNA-LNPs reacted preferentially against the immunizing S protein as predicted, but the variance in titers was not significant. There was no significant difference in the mean anti-S protein IgG concentrations induced by the SARS-CoV-2 homodimer and monomer mRNA-LNPs. This indicated that dimerization did not boost the SARS-CoV-2 RBD immunogenicity in the setting of these mRNA-LNP vaccines.

Compared to the other three vaccines, the heterodimer mRNA LNP generated a greater anti-SARS-CoV-2 S protein IgG titer and successfully induced antibodies against SARS-CoV S protein. Robust and equivalent IgG1 and IgG2a responses to SARS-CoV-2 S protein were evoked by the heterodimeric mRNA-LNP, indicating balanced type 2 T helper (Th2)/Th1 immune responses.

In mRNA-LNP-immunized animals, the profile of neutralizing antibody generation was identical to that seen with S protein-binding antibodies. As a result, all four RBD mRNA vaccines produced antibodies that efficiently neutralized SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-based pseudovirus infection in Vero cells. Although the heterodimeric and monomeric SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-LNPs elicited similar S protein-binding IgG responses, the heterodimeric vaccination was more effective at inducing neutralizing antibodies towards both strains.

The neutralizing potential of sera samples from SARS-CoV-2 heterodimeric RBD mRNA-immunized mice decreased by 5.4, 14.5, and 2.3 times against the Beta, Wuhan-E484K, and Wuhan-N501Y pseudoviruses, respectively, relative to the Wuhan pseudovirus. Likewise, neutralizing efficacy against Delta was reduced by 11.7 times in heterodimeric RBD mRNA-induced mouse sera.

To recapitulate, the present study demonstrated that all analyzed vaccine constructs elicited a significant anti-viral antibody response, and the heterodimeric vaccine induced an IgG response adequate for cross-neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-1, Beta, Delta variants, and SARS-CoV.

*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.
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* pre-print server, researchers evaluated whether neutralizing immunity elicited against Omicron sub-variant BA.1 in unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals adequately protected against infection by Omicron sub-variants, BA.4 and BA.5.

The BA.1 sub-lineage was the first to emerge from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern (VOC). It had a remarkable potential to escape neutralizing immunity elicited by the previous infection from other SARS-CoV-2 variants, vaccines, or both.

Later, Omicrons two new sub-variants, BA.4 and BA.5, emerged in South Africa, which differed from the BA.1 sub-lineage due to the F486V and L452R mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein.

About the study

In the present study, researchers recruited Omicron/BA.1-infected individuals between November and December 2021. Of these, 24 individuals were unvaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and 15 were vaccinated. More specifically, eight and seven participants had received the BNT162b2 and Ad26.CoV.2S COVID-19 vaccine, respectively.

The team collected the blood samples from all the study participants at a median of 23 days after symptoms onset, when neutralizing immunity developed to Omicron/BA.1 had plateaued. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed that Omicron/BA.1 sub-variant infected all the study participants.

All the experiments with the live BA.4 and BA.5 viruses were performed in biosafety level 3 containment, adhering to protocols approved by the Africa Health Research Institute Biosafety Committee. The researchers used the H1299-E3 cell line for viral expansion and infecting the Vero E6 cells.

The team used viral supernatant from the co-culture of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-expressing H1299-E3 and Vero E6 cells for all the study experiments. They used an in vitro, live-virus focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT). Notably, FRNT 50 is the reciprocal dilution of serum that neutralizes 50% of the inoculated virus or the infective dose (ID 50 ).

The authors diluted virus stocks with plasma and attained the most concentrated plasma dilution of 1:25, which were extrapolated to FRNT 50 values <25. Further, they log-transformed FRNT 50 or fold-change in FRNT 50 per participant to calculate confidence intervals (CIs). The team exponentiated CIs to obtain the upper and lower 95% CIs on the geometric mean FRNT 50 .

Study findings and conclusion

In the unvaccinated BA.1 infected participants, FRNT 50 declined from 275 to 36 and 37 for BA.1, BA.4, and BA.5, respectively. Conversely, in the vaccinated group infected with BA.1, FRNT 50 declined from 507 to 158 and 198 for BA.1, BA.4, and BA.5, respectively.

The aggregate BA.4- and BA.5-neutralization levels were about five-fold higher in the vaccinated group compared to the unvaccinated group. Thus, they appeared to be more protected, although waning immunity might decrease the conferred protection again among the vaccinated population.

The neutralizing immunity elicited in response to Omicron/BA.1 infection in unvaccinated participants was low. Hence the BA.4 and BA.5 fold-drops led to low residual neutralization levels. Presumably, the low immunity to BA.1 reflected this variants lower immunogenicity.

Since the sequence differences between BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants nested outside SARS-CoV-2 S, they both showed similar immune evading capabilities. However, the observed immunity escape was strikingly higher than the non-substantial escape detected for BA.2.

Vaccination increased neutralization capacity against emerging Omicron sub-variants and would likely offer good protection against severe COVID-19. However, it is possible that a BA.4/BA.5 infection wave could hit the unvaccinated population since the findings showed low residual virus neutralization and higher immune escape.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
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 PhD 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." Conor McCafferty, Researcher, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

"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 per cent 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.

Researchers from the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility in Sydney also contributed to the study.
Globally, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has disrupted people's daily lives due to restrictions such as frequent lockdowns and social distancing guidelines. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are especially vulnerable to emotional and behavioral changes during a pandemic.

Study: CRISIS AFAR: An International Collaborative Study of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Youth with Autism and Neurodevelopmental Conditions. Image Credit: Da Antipina / Shutterstock

The study

A study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server assessed the effects and outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic on children suffering from neurodevelopmental disorders, with an emphasis on patients of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The data for the analysis was derived from parents' responses to the Coronavirus Health and Impact Survey Initiative (CRISIS), which was adapted to assess Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Conditions (AFAR). CRISIS predicted the risks among the general population by determining the perceived risks, worries, and life changes amidst the pandemic. It also considered the mental health pre and post COVID-19 pandemic. Investigators from across the globe collected the survey data for this study.

The purpose of the study was to quantify changes in aspects impacting the daily lives of patients with NDD/ASD, including therapeutic services. In addition, subgroups and predictors of impact were identified.

A cohort of 1,275 individuals was included  1,004 individuals had ASD, 214 were patients of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) without ASD, and 57 individuals suffered from other types of NDD, but not ASD.

Intelligence estimates were available for 938 patients  624 patients scored average or above average; 141 patients were borderline intelligent, and 173 patients suffering from varying degrees of intellectual disability.

While 64% of the caregivers had a college or higher degree, 30% had a high school degree, and 6% had elementary education. More than half of the literate population hailed from European/British ancestry.

The changing symptoms and access to therapeutic services during the early stages of the pandemic were assessed. Four ASD/NDD subgroups were identified with distinctive patterns of symptom or service changes  53% with average changes in symptom or service; 23% with primarily modified services; 20% comprising only broad symptom worsening cases; and 6% with primarily lost services.

Prediction of COVID-19 Impact

a) The Venn diagram shows the 20 features selected for the Random Forest analysis across three partially overlapping domains: Child (socio demographics, clinical characteristics before and during the pandemic; in red); COVID-19 pandemic factors (COVID-19 rates and related restrictions, and time since pandemic started; in yellow); and Family/Household factors (urbanicity, household composition and respondent education; blue). b) Feature ranking by mean OOBE importance plot across the 20 features included in the Random Forest model shown in descendent order. Abbreviations: OOBE, average out-of-bag error.

Individuals with stable symptoms were divided into three subgroups, which helped identify the risk and protective factors. These symbolized the different pathways leading to stabilization or worsening of clinical situations.

Other predictors were found to be specific to ASD/NDD patients and age. The impact of the pandemic on young individuals with ASD/NDD was thereby a result of a combination of ASD/NDD specific and universal context related to service changes, pre-and post-pandemic.

The results revealed a significant worsening of sleeping problems from pre- to post-COVID 19. Of note, 20% of the cohort showed worsening symptoms that impacted their daily living skills, internalizing, externalizing symptoms, restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB), and sleep. In addition, a number of disruptions in health services were encountered by patients, like switching to telemedicine or loss of services.

The difference in access to the services formed three subgroups among clinically stable patients based on symptom changes and clustering services, enabling the precise identification of the resilience and risk factors.

The most relevant predictors of the impact of the pandemic remained common risk factors that were comparable among the general population and those specific to ASD/NDD and age.

It was noted the importance of understanding how a crisis impacts different clinical groups. It was also found that older children experienced the least pandemic-associated changes.

The study revealed that maintaining even a modified form of therapeutic services during the COVID-19-associated restrictions can render a more clinically stable situation. This was evident through the observation that the subgroup with a vast range of lost services experienced greater impairment.

Conclusion

A concurrent assessment of both symptoms and service access is critical to understanding the heterogeneous impact of the pandemic on ASD/NDD youth. Using the data, it was possible to define pathways to risk and resilience that included both universal and ASD/NDD-specific contributors.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic impact on ASD/NDD youth varies as in the general population. During pre- and pandemic situations, service disruptions are contextualized by risk and resilience. In preparation for and during disasters, providing mental healthcare is critical for ASD/NDD youth - further motivating efforts to assess the effectiveness of telehealth and/or hybrid treatment programs. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of international data sharing and collaboration in addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.
Youth movements for social justice are growing across the U.S. and worldwide, tackling important issues from climate change, to racial justice, to education access and gun control. In the realm of health care, youth participation can lead to greater patient understanding, engagement in services and enhanced trust in services. It can also promote patient and community empowerment.

Recognizing the benefits of youth engagement and leadership, a novel study by researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Social Work, presents the perspectives and experiences of youth on the issue of individual and community health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our research describes the work of Youth Advisory Board members, supported by a team of adults to uplift the experiences of youth of color who have been historically marginalized by the healthcare system." Katherine Gergen Barnett, Study Senior Author, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine

The researchers used Photovoice, an established methodology that incorporates the use of cameras to capture images that are later reviewed and reflected upon. In this case the goal was to explore youths of color individual and community perceptions of health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The youth researchers were asked to take a series of photos over three weeks focused on what health or healthiness meant to them and their community. They then selected five photos and shared them with the group. Questions were asked to encourage deeper reflection on how social, cultural and contextual factors impact how youth of color conceptualize what health means to them.

The youth researchers then were asked to share their reactions to seeing the photos as a group, including what they found interesting and what stood out to them. Photos were captioned and five photos that reflected the larger story were selected. Using thematic analysis, the youth researchers then brainstormed themes from the individual photos and across the photos, considering how the photos connected with the research question. Through in-depth discussion and drawing from the identified themes, youth researchers reached consensus on the larger narrative represented in the photos.

The youth researchers identified four themes related to individual and community health through the digital images and discussions, including: 1) Taking health into our own hands; 2) Toxic productivity culture; 3) High cost of personal health resources; and 4) Inequitable health policies and services.

According to the researchers, these themes are a powerful demonstration of both the inequitable impact of COVID-19 on communities of color as well as the historic medical mistrust (of government, policy makers, and health care) in communities of color. "Our findings show the need to change this narrative of distrust," said Gergen Barnett who also is Vice Chair of Primary Care Innovation and Transformation at Boston Medical Center.

"First, we want to create a tangible change in the structure of health resources in Boston's communities of color. Secondly, we hope that the impact of our research demonstrates the resilience of communities of color during the quarantine period of the COVID-19 pandemic," said youth researcher and co-author Osasenaga Idahor.

The researchers believe this study shows the importance of creating spaces to elevate the voices and leadership of youth of color in health care decision making. "Community engagement is critical to developing and implementing relevant and racially responsive health care practices," added corresponding author Astraea Augsberger, PhD, assistant professor at BU School of Social Work.

These findings appear online in the Journal of Community Psychology.

The youth researchers in this study were members of a pilot Youth Advisory Board for Boston Medical Center Family Medicine Department-funded through National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Boston University-Clinical & Transitional Science Institute, Pilot Grant 1UL1TR001430 (PI's Drs. Augsberger and Gergen Barnett).
(Newser)  When police in the Dutch city of Utrecht found a barefoot 4-year-boy in pajamas walking down a street Saturday morning, they took him to the station and gave him hot chocolate. Soon afterward, a report came in of a vehicle that had been abandoned after hitting two parked carsand officers realized the culprit was already at the station. In an Instagram post, police said the boy had taken his mother's keys and "decided to go for a drive" after he was woken up early by his father leaving for work, the Guardian reports. Police say that when they called the boy's mother, the car's registered owner, she "spoke to the child on the phone, and we saw him imitate a collision and make a steering movement with his hands," reports the BBC.

Police say they took the boy to meet his parents at the vehicle and asked him if he could show them how it worked. "He opened the car, and put the key in the ignition," police said. "He started the car, moved his left foot to the clutch, and hit the accelerator." The boy's mother described him as "highly resourceful." Nobody was injured in the crash, and the "mini boy-racers adventure ended with a fizzle," said police, who advised parents to keep their car keys hidden. (Read more Netherlands stories.)
(Newser)  The 2005 disappearance of Georgia teacher Tara Grinstead triggered what Fox News calls "the largest case in the history of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation." Seventeen years later, a murder trial is finally beginning. Ryan Duke, 36, who graduated from Irwin County High School in rural Oscilla three years before the 11th-grade history teacher vanished in October 2005, is charged with killing the 30-year-old during a burglary at her home. Prosecutors allege that he entered through a window, climbed into bed with Grinstead, strangled her with his bare hands, then disposed of her body. Authorities, who found no sign of forced entry at the home, arrested Duke in 2017.

Since then, some have questioned whether investigators could have identified the suspect more quickly. In an interview with 48 Hours last year, John McCullough said he reached out to authorities in 2007 after his friend, Bo Dukes, told him a buddy had "accidentally strangled" the former Miss Georgia contestant, but investigators never followed up, per CBS News. Dukes later confessed to authorities that he helped Duke burn Grinstead's body until "it looked like it was all ash," per Fox. Only bone fragments were found at a pecan grove in 2017. Dukes was sentenced to 25 years in prison for helping conceal Grinstead's death in 2019, per WAGA.

GBI agents say Duke and Grinstead's DNA was found on a latex glove in her yard, per WAGA. At a pretrial hearing, an agent testified that Duke confessed to killing Grinstead after breaking into her home to steal money for drugs. However, Duke's attorneys say it was a false confession made under the influence of drugs, per WMAZ. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, burglary, and concealing a body. Jury selection began Monday and is expected to last a little over a week. The trial itself, previously delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, is expected to stretch on for at least a month. (Read more murder stories.)
(Newser)  No sooner does one late-night TV host return from a bout with COVID-19 than another has to take his leave. Jimmy Kimmel announced Monday that he's got the coronavirus, Deadline reports. "Our daughter brought us covid (even though we specifically asked her not to)," he tweeted, adding that everyone feels fine. Mike Birbiglia, a comedian who was scheduled to be a guest Monday on the ABC show, instead will host beginning Tuesday, until Kimmel, who said he's vaccinated and boosted, returns.

Birbiglia may have been the last to know of his temporary job. "I must be the first person to ever deplane a Southwest Airlines flight and find out theyre guest-hosting a late night talk show," he tweeted. Over on CBS, Stephen Colbert was scheduled to return Monday as host of The Late Show after testing positive and missing shows, per the Hill. Seth Meyers missed a week of NBC's Late Night in January because of the virus. COVID-19 also temporarily knocked out the host of The Late Late Show with James Corden. (Read more Jimmy Kimmel stories.)
(Newser)  A draft opinion in the closely-watched Mississippi abortion case that was leaked to Politico shows that the Supreme Court has voted to side with Mississippi and overturn abortion rights. Politico notes that nothing is final until the opinion is published, which will likely happen sometime in the next two months, and that justices could potentially change their votes during deliberations. However, the draft opinion written by Samuel Alito in February and circulated among the justices Feb. 10 minces no words in stating that, according to the majority of the justices, both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which largely maintained the abortion rights established by Roe, should be overturned. If that happens, federal protection of abortion rights would end, and it would be up to each state to decide.

"Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," it states. "We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives." In a separate piece, Politico looks at 10 key passages from the draft opinion here; the site says there's an almost "mocking tone" to some portions of the draft opinion, as well as Alito's signature "caustic rhetorical flourishes." A source says Alito and the four other conservative justices (Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett) stand behind the draft opinion, while the three left-leaning justices (Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan) are working on dissents. It's not clear how Chief Justice John Roberts will vote.

In a third piece, Politico looks at the exceptional rarity of a leak from the Supreme Court. For more on that, click here; for the 10 key passages, click here; for the Politico exclusive in full, click here. Hours before Politico published its piece, the Washington Post was out with a piece looking at "the next frontier for the anti-abortion movement." According to the paper's sources, if SCOTUS does in fact roll back abortion rights in the Mississippi case and Republicans take power in Washington, anti-abortion groups and their congressional allies are working on federal legislation that would ban abortion nationwide after the 6-week mark of pregnancy. Per AZFamily, Arizona will be the state most affected if Roe is overturned, followed by Michigan and South Carolina. In December, NPR looked at the 21 states likely to ban or significantly restrict abortions if Roe falls. (Read more US Supreme Court stories.)
(Newser)  A rattlesnake handler with more than 20 years of experience was showing off his skills at a festival in Texas over the weekend when he suffered a fatal bite. Eugene De Leon Sr. was bitten on the shoulder around 1pm Saturday as he handled a western diamondback rattlesnake in front of a crowd at the Freer Rattlesnake Roundup, the city's largest festival, per KIII-TV and People. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Corpus Christi but died approximately eight hours later, according to Freer Police Chief Hector Doria. "My brother has gained his wings today doing what he loved doing," Monica Dimas wrote on Facebook.

"After many years of handling these things today was not your day with them," Dimas added. Congressional candidate Sandra Whitten said she and her family enjoyed "watching [De Leon] 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," per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "The love and dedication he displayed for his community was witnessed everyday 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," the Freer Chamber of Commerce wrote in a statement. "He was always ready to help." (Read more snake handling stories.)
(Newser)  Politico's Supreme Court bombshell looks to be legit: A leaked draft opinion shows that the court's majority will overturn Roe v. Wade in the coming weeks. All coverage is quick to point out that a draft opinion is not a final opinion, and that things could change before the official ruling is released in June or July. But advocates on both sides of the abortion debate now see the landmark 1973 ruling as doomed. Reaction has been swift:

24 states: If Roe is overturned, it will be up to individual states to decide whether abortions will be allowed within their borders, per the New York Times. The Center for Reproductive Rights projects that 24 states will outlaw abortion after the ruling, some of them almost immediately: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

If Roe is overturned, it will be up to individual states to decide whether abortions will be allowed within their borders, per the New York Times. The Center for Reproductive Rights projects that 24 states will outlaw abortion after the ruling, some of them almost immediately: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Or maybe 26: Another group, the Guttmacher Institute, has the total at 26 states: Its list includes Florida, Iowa, Montana, and Wyoming, but does not have North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Many states already have enacted laws putting restrictions on when abortions are allowed. Others have "trigger laws" that go into effect to ban abortion once the Supreme Court rules.

Another group, the Guttmacher Institute, has the total at 26 states: Its list includes Florida, Iowa, Montana, and Wyoming, but does not have North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Many states already have enacted laws putting restrictions on when abortions are allowed. Others have "trigger laws" that go into effect to ban abortion once the Supreme Court rules. The votes: As of now, justices Samuel Alito (author of the draft opinion), Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett are on track to overturn Roe. But CNN reports that Chief Justice John Roberts isn't willing to go that far and would likely dissent from the majority opinion. Roberts favors a smaller-scale move to uphold the Mississippi law in question that bans abortion at 15 weeks, per CNN.

Governors in favor: Given the focus on the states, NPR has compiled quick reactions from governors on both sides. In South Dakota, for example: "If this report is true and Roe v. Wade is overturned, I will immediately call for a special session to save lives and guarantee that every unborn child has a right to life in South Dakota," said Republican Gov. Kristi Noem.

Given the focus on the states, NPR has compiled quick reactions from governors on both sides. In South Dakota, for example: "If this report is true and Roe v. Wade is overturned, I will immediately call for a special session to save lives and guarantee that every unborn child has a right to life in South Dakota," said Republican Gov. Kristi Noem. Governors opposed: "Our state continues to take the steps necessary to protect and expand reproductive rights," said Democratic Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont. "Tonight [Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz] and I say it louder and with more resolve than ever before, we will do everything in our power to defend abortion rights in Connecticut."

"Our state continues to take the steps necessary to protect and expand reproductive rights," said Democratic Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont. "Tonight [Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz] and I say it louder and with more resolve than ever before, we will do everything in our power to defend abortion rights in Connecticut." Barricades up: Protesters converged on the Supreme Court building soon after the Politico story emerged, and police quickly erected barricades around the building, reports Mediaite. The Daily Beast reports that some minor scuffles among protesters broke out.

Protesters converged on the Supreme Court building soon after the Politico story emerged, and police quickly erected barricades around the building, reports Mediaite. The Daily Beast reports that some minor scuffles among protesters broke out. Nothing final: Here is how SCOTUSblog sums things up: "Initial votes on the outcome of a case can changeand the wording of opinions frequently doesas the justices deliberate and circulate draft opinions." And Axios predicts the leak "will unleash months of intense public and political pressure on the justices to take a narrower tack."

Here is how SCOTUSblog sums things up: "Initial votes on the outcome of a case can changeand the wording of opinions frequently doesas the justices deliberate and circulate draft opinions." And Axios predicts the leak "will unleash months of intense public and political pressure on the justices to take a narrower tack." The leak: Read the original Politico story, including 10 key passages from the draft opinion written by Alito.

(The focus on the states could become irrelevant if a national law is enacted to outlaw abortion, and that push already is underway .)
(Newser)  Pope Francis has told an Italian newspaper that he has offered to travel to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin to try to end Russia's war in Ukraine, but that he hasn't yet heard back. Francis said he made the offer about three weeks into Russia's invasion, via the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Popes for decades have sought to visit Moscow as part of the long-standing effort to heal relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, which split with Rome more than 1,000 years ago. But an invitation has never been forthcoming, per the AP.

"Of course, it would be necessary for the leader of the Kremlin to make available some window of opportunity," Francis was quoted as saying by the Corriere della Sera newspaper. "But we still have not had a response and we are still pushing, even if I fear that Putin cannot and does not want to have this meeting at this moment." Francis recalled that he spoke in March with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, for 40 minutes by videoconference, and for the first half, with paper in hand, Kirill read all of the justifications for the war. Francis told Corriere, "I listened and told him: 'I don't understand any of this. Brother, we are not clerics of the state, we cannot use language of politics, but that of Jesus. ... For this we need to find the paths of peace, to stop the firing of arms.'"

Francis has given a handful of interviews of late to friendly media emphasizing his call for an end to the war, as well as initiatives to provide humanitarian relief to Ukrainians. He has defended his decision to not call out Putin or Russia publicly, saying popes don't do so. But he freely named Putin in his remarks to Corriere, and seemed to equate the carnage in Ukraine with the genocide in Rwanda a quarter-century ago. "Such brutality, how can you not try to to stop it? Twenty-five years ago in Rwanda we saw the same thing," he was quoted as saying.

(Read more Pope Francis stories.)
(Newser)  President Biden has weighed in on the extraordinary leak at the Supreme Court, arguing that a woman's right to abortion should be codified into law, reports Axios. "At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law," Biden said in a statement Tuesday morning. It came after Politico published a draft opinion showing that the court's conservative majority is poised to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision in a matter of weeks.

"I believe that a woman's right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned," Biden said in the statement. Should the court rule otherwise, however, as now seems likely, the president said federal lawmakers must act. Assuming Roe is overturned, abortion is expected to become illegal relatively quickly in about half the states. Previous research has suggested the number of abortions in the US would fall by at least 14%, per the New York Times.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post notes that the pending ruling has renewed criticism on the left toward two female GOP senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, in regard to their public predictions about Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. "I do not think that Judge Kavanaugh will be a vote to overturn Roe v. Wade," Murkowski said on the Senate floor during his confirmation hearing. Earlier that day, Collins had said the same in a speech of her own. Kavanaugh, however, is among the five justices who back the draft opinion to overturn Roe. (Anti-abortion groups want to do the opposite of what Biden says and codify the banning of the procedure into federal law.)
(Newser)  If everything goes right when Ukrainian troops deploy a secretive new drone from the US, the device will not return. Instead, the Phoenix Ghost drone will hover stealthily in the air, detect a Russian target below, then attack in a kamikaze-like strike. The Pentagon is being relatively tight-lipped about the new weapon. Some details:

Similar: A different US military drone already deployed in Ukraine is the Switchblade, and the Pentagon says the Phoenix Ghost is in the ballpark, reports Task & Purpose. The Switchblade is small and light, able to be carried in a soldier's backpack, and has an explosive built in.

A different US military drone already deployed in Ukraine is the Switchblade, and the Pentagon says the Phoenix Ghost is in the ballpark, reports Task & Purpose. The Switchblade is small and light, able to be carried in a soldier's backpack, and has an explosive built in. Differences: The Phoenix Ghost, however, has differences "in scope of capability" from the Switchblade, says Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. A safe bet is that the Phoenix Ghost can stay in the air longer, go faster, and pack a bigger punch, perhaps with multiple explosives, according to CNN.

Landscape: The drone was in development before the Russian invasion, but it's said to be perfectly suited for what Ukraine needs as it tries to fend off troops in the eastern Donbas region, per Tribune News Service. This is "flat, open territory similar to California's Central Valley," meaning terrain tailor-made for drone use. The device was made by Aevex Aerospace of Solana Beach, Calif.

The drone was in development before the Russian invasion, but it's said to be perfectly suited for what Ukraine needs as it tries to fend off troops in the eastern Donbas region, per Tribune News Service. This is "flat, open territory similar to California's Central Valley," meaning terrain tailor-made for drone use. The device was made by Aevex Aerospace of Solana Beach, Calif. The name: So why is it called the Phoenix Ghost? "I have no idea," says Kirby, per the Drive. "I do not know." However, the "ghost" part might be because the relatively small weapon should be difficult to see in cloud cover typically found in Ukraine at this time of year, notes TNS. The drone can be used for reconnaissance only, but its primary mission is not just to find targets but to attack them.

So why is it called the Phoenix Ghost? "I have no idea," says Kirby, per the Drive. "I do not know." However, the "ghost" part might be because the relatively small weapon should be difficult to see in cloud cover typically found in Ukraine at this time of year, notes TNS. The drone can be used for reconnaissance only, but its primary mission is not just to find targets but to attack them. Numbers: The US is sending 121 of the drones to Ukraine, "an oddly specific, yet mysteriously vague number," per the Drive, which also digs in to these types of "loitering munition" devices. The US has sent 400 Switchblades as well.

(Read more Russia-Ukraine conflict stories.)
(Newser)  Who's the leaker? The Supreme Court is launching an investigation to figure that out after Monday's bombshell disclosure regarding a monumental abortion decision. "This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the Court," said Chief Justice John Roberts in a statement Tuesday. It comes after Politico obtained a draft opinion suggesting the court will overturn Roe v. Wade when the decision is formally released in a matter of weeks. Roberts confirmed the draft opinion is authentic, but he added that "it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case," reports the AP.



Roberts: To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed, Roberts said. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way.

One theory: Was it one of the justices? One of the clerks? Speculation has been swirling since the story emerged. At the Washington Post, columnist Ruth Marcus thinks the most likely scenario is "that the leak came from the conservative side, possibly from a clerk for a conservative justice concerned that the seeming majority, ready to do away with the constitutional right to abortion, might be unraveling."

Was it one of the justices? One of the clerks? Speculation has been swirling since the story emerged. At the Washington Post, columnist Ruth Marcus thinks the most likely scenario is "that the leak came from the conservative side, possibly from a clerk for a conservative justice concerned that the seeming majority, ready to do away with the constitutional right to abortion, might be unraveling." Or maybe: Another common theory is that an angry liberal clerk is behind the breach. Brian Fallon of the progressive Demand Justice, for example: "Is a brave clerk taking this (unprecedented) step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?" he tweeted.

Another common theory is that an angry liberal clerk is behind the breach. Brian Fallon of the progressive Demand Justice, for example: "Is a brave clerk taking this (unprecedented) step of leaking a draft opinion to warn the country what's coming in a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to see if the public response might cause the Court to reconsider?" he tweeted. McConnell: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell wants a criminal prosecution by the Justice Department, reports the Hill. "Somebody, likely somebody inside the court itself, leaked a confidential internal draft to the press, almost certainly in an effort to stir up an inappropriate pressure campaign," McConnell said on the Senate floor, suggesting the left was behind the leak. This lawless action should be investigated and punished to the fullest extent possible, the fullest extent possible."

(Read more US Supreme Court stories.)
(Newser)  In an interview with the London Times published Sunday, Bill Gates answered "no" when asked if he would discuss allegations of affairs during his 27-year marriage to Melinda French Gates. He opened up a little more in a Today interview on Tuesday, exactly one year after the couple announced their divorce. "I certainly made mistakes and I take responsibility," he said when asked if he had been unfaithful. "I have responsibility for causing a lot of pain to my family," he added, per the Guardian. "It was a tough year. I feel good that all of us are moving forward now."

"I dont think delving into the particulars at this point is constructive, but yes, I caused pain and I feel terrible about that," Gates said. In a March interview, French Gates said reports of numerous affairs were "questions Bill needs to answer." In the Times interview, Gates said that like his ex-wife, he has been "grieving" their relationship. "Every marriage as the kids leave the house will go through a transition," he said. "Mine sadly went through this transition called divorce. But from my point of view it was a great marriage. I wouldnt have changed it. You know, I wouldnt choose to marry someone else."

Asked by the Times if he would marry again, Gates said, "Yes. Im talking about would I marry Melinda all over again. In terms of my future, I dont have any plans, but I highly recommend marriage." Gates, who recently released new book How to Prevent the Next Pandemic, said he has spent more of the last two years trying to find ways to defeat COVID. He said he's glad that he still gets to work with his ex-wife at their foundation. "I'm lucky that a part of it continues," he said. "Which I think is super." (Read more Bill Gates stories.)
(Newser)  Russian forces began storming the steel mill containing the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol on Tuesday, Ukrainian defenders said, just as scores of civilians evacuated from the bombed-out plant over the weekend reached safer territory and recounted days and nights filled with dread from constant shelling. Osnat Lubrani, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said that thanks to the evacuation effort, "101 women, men, children, and older persons could finally leave the bunkers below the Azovstal steelworks and see the daylight after two months," the AP reports.

The news for those left behind was more grim. Ukrainian commanders said Russian forces backed by tanks began storming the sprawling plant, which includes a maze of tunnels and bunkers spread out over 4 square miles. How many Ukrainian fighters were holed up inside was unclear, but the Russians put the number at about 2,000 in recent weeks, and 500 were reported to be wounded. A few hundred civilians also remained there, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

"Well do everything thats possible to repel the assault, but were calling for urgent measures to evacuate the civilians that remain inside the plant and to bring them out safely," Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of Ukraines Azov Regiment, said on the messaging app Telegram. He added that throughout the night, the plant was hit with naval artillery fire and airstrikes. Two civilian women were killed and 10 civilians wounded, he said. In other battlefield developments, Russian troops shelled a chemical plant in the eastern city of Avdiivka, killing at least 10 people, Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said. "The Russians knew exactly where to aimthe workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home, Kyrylenko said.

(Read more Russia-Ukraine conflict stories.)
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Snow will taper off and end this morning but skies will remain cloudy this afternoon. High around 45F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 28F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Rain and snow in the morning. A few rain showers in the afternoon - otherwise, mostly cloudy. High near 45F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 28F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

The new commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) visited US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain to see firsthand how the Navy is integrating unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into fleet operations in the Middle East, according to Defence Visual Information Distribution Service.

During his first visit to Bahrain since assuming command of CENTCOM on April 1, US Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla met with Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), US 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.

Kurilla was also briefed by staff from NAVCENTs Task Force 59 on various advanced unmanned surface vessels, aerial platforms, and artificial intelligence systems.

NAVCENT established Task Force 59 in September 2021. Since its launch, it has introduced a suite of new unmanned systems based at operational hubs in Bahrain and Aqaba, Jordan.

The task force partners with industry and international forces for operational evaluation and employment. Task Force 59 recently conducted the largest unmanned maritime training event in the world. More than 80 unmanned systems from 10 nations participated in International Maritime Exercise 2022 in February.

The Middle East regions unique geography, climate, and strategic importance offer an ideal environment for unmanned innovation. The area hosts the worlds largest standing maritime partnership and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.

Gen. Kurilla assumed command of CENTCOM on April 1, 2022. Kurilla previously commanded the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, N.C. and served as the CENTCOM chief of staff from August 2018 to September 2019.

The event, officiated by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, brought together senior defense leaders from around the world, CENTCOMs component commanders, elected officials and other distinguished visitors.

US Central Command will continue to thrive under the steadfast leadership of General Kurilla during a critical time in a region that remains dangerous and complex, said Austin, who himself commanded CENTCOM from March 2013 to April 2016.

Im honoured to serve alongside the soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardians, marines, coast guardsmen and civilians of this command, said Kurilla.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The High Criminal Court has upheld a 10-year jail sentence issued against an Asian man who was also fined BD2,000 for being involved in forcing a woman into prostitution.

The defendant is accused of luring an Asian woman to Bahrain with a fake job offer.

He reportedly locked her up when she arrived in the Kingdom of Bahrain in his apartment and bear her up to force her into prostitution.

He told her that she had to pay BD1,300 in order to be released. She was able to flee, though, and filed a complaint against him.

I came to Bahrain to work. I was shocked to learn that I was brought to become a prostitute. I directly refused. However, I was forced, the woman told prosecutors.

The Asian man was charged with human trafficking, fraud, kidnap, and forcing a woman into prostitution.
Agencies | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

In a message marking the World Press Freedom Day, which is observed on May 3, His Majesty King Hamad praised the enlightening role of the responsible press. He lauded Bahrains press and media institutions, thanking all their affiliates for their constructive efforts in promoting the role of journalism in enhancing awareness and enlightened thought and conveying the civilizational image of the Kingdom of Bahrain as an advanced model in protecting rights and freedom.

HM the King described the media and press as an inherent part in the kingdoms democratic and development march and the communitys cultural legacy which is based on diversity, pluralism and openness. HM affirmed the significant role of the national press and media in boosting the recovery pace at all levels and achieving the national development goals with the return of life to normalcy in Bahrain and across the world after the COVID-19 pandemic experience. He pointed out the efforts being made by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister in this respect.

HM the King commended the professional response of the national media and press to the technological developments in this sector. He praised the adoption of a contemporary and advanced message to upgrade various platforms and cope with the modern digital development in the world. He stressed commitment at the same time to values and criteria that reflect the kingdoms identity, deep-rooted values and commitment to tolerance and coexistence, being indispensable common humanitarian values for the development of mankind.

HM the King reiterated continuous support to the press and media community to keep abreast of the ongoing developments in this field and further upgrade the sector. He expressed keenness on more accomplishments by the national media and press establishments, wishing them every success in attaining the desired goals.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wrapped up a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia Monday with an announcement of a new defense agreement with Thailand and plans to improve economic relations between the countries.

The pact, reported by CNN, means a greater transfer of defense technology and firepower from Japan to Thailand. Both nations have a long history of military ties with the United States and large, well-equipped armies.

This will help improve national defense and support investment from Japan in this activity which is an important goal for Thailand, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha said in a joint statement, CNN reported.

The U.S. has courted Japan and Thailand in its campaign against Chinese economic and military expansion. Officials in Washington regularly refer to China as Americas primary pacing challenge.
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Russia appeared to dodge default on its foreign debt by dipping into its scarce dollar reserves. But Moscow's debt drama is far from over.

Russia's finance ministry abandoned its proposal to use rubles instead of dollars to make overdue payments on two government bonds, saying Friday that it had transferred the money to an account at Citigroup: $564.4 million for a bond due in 2022, and $84.4 million for another due in 2042. A 30-day grace period on making the overdue payments was to expire Wednesday.

The government had claimed that U.S. sanctions freezing its massive currency reserves held abroad meant it couldn't pay and that Russia wasn't to blame for any default, the first on foreign debt since the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.

Even if Russia is found to have made the most recent payments, others are coming due. Plus, U.S. permission for American bondholders to accept payment on Russian bonds is set to expire May 25, so even if Russia tries to pay, investors would not legally be able to take the money.

Here are some of the issues surrounding Russian debt:

WHY ARE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT A POSSIBLE RUSSIAN DEFAULT?

Ratings agencies have said that if bonds specify payment in dollars, then paying in rubles amounts to a failure to pay as promised. One reason Russia would want to pay in rubles instead of its reserves of foreign currency is that a large part of them have been frozen abroad. It made Friday's payment by dipping into scarce internal reserves that sanctions could not touch.

Russia has not definitively avoided default unless the money made its way from Citigroup through the banking system to bondholders ahead of Wednesday's deadline.

Bondholders don't get paid until Citigroup processes the payments and pass them on to clearinghouses that distribute payment to bondholders, said Jay S. Auslander, a top sovereign debt lawyer at the firm of Wilk Auslander in New York.

Banks are being extremely cautious about any transactions with Russia and may want to check with U.S. and UK authorities first. But I think it's likely is that the funds will make it to the bondholders, in which case, they will not be in default this time," Auslander said.

HOW MUCH DOES RUSSIA OWE?

About $40 billion in foreign bonds, about half of that to foreigners. Before the start of the war, Russia had around $640 billion in foreign currency and gold reserves, much of which was held overseas and is now frozen.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A COUNTRY IS IN DEFAULT?

Ratings agencies can lower the rating to default or a court can decide the issue. Bondholders who have credit default swaps  contracts that act like insurance policies against default  can ask a committee of financial firm representatives to decide whether a failure to pay debt should trigger a payout, which still isnt a formal declaration of default.

The Credit Default Determination Committee  an industry group of 14 banks and investors that determines whether or not to pay on these swaps  said Friday that they continue to monitor the situation after Russias payment. After another meeting Tuesday, the committee said it would continue to monitor the situation and defer publication of an Initial List of Deliverable Obligations.

WHAT CAN INVESTORS DO?

The formal way to declare default is if 25% or more of bondholders say they didn't get their money. Once that happens, provisions say all Russias other foreign bonds are also in default, and bondholders could then seek a court judgment to enforce payment.

In normal circumstances, investors and the defaulting government typically negotiate a settlement in which bondholders are given new bonds that are worth less but that at least give them some partial compensation.

But sanctions bar dealings with Russia's finance ministry. And no one knows when the war will end or how much defaulted bonds could wind up being worth.

In this case, declaring default and suing might not be the wisest choice, Auslander said. You can't negotiate with Russia right now. You're wading into a world where sanctions are constantly changing, where there are a lot of unknowns. So you may see creditors decide at this point to keep their intentions close to their vest and hang tight for now."

Popular sentiment is a consideration for investors, especially any who may have bought bonds at knocked-down prices in hopes of profiting from a settlement.

Right now is maybe not a good time to rush in and show that you were profiting off distressed debt in Russian bonds, Auslander said. Will that time come in the future? I suspect it will.

Once a country defaults, it can be cut off from bond-market borrowing until the default is sorted out and investors regain confidence in the governments ability and willingness to pay. But Russia has already been cut off from Western capital markets, so any return to borrowing is a long way off anyway.

The Kremlin can still borrow rubles at home, where it mostly relies on Russian banks to buy its bonds.

WHAT IMPACT COULD A RUSSIAN DEFAULT HAVE?

The country is already suffering substantial economic impact from Western sanctions, which have sent foreign companies fleeing and disrupted trade and financial ties with the rest of the world. Default would be one more symptom of that isolation and disruption.

Investment analysts are cautiously reckoning that a Russia default would not have the kind of impact on global financial markets and institutions that came from an earlier default in 1998. Back then, Russias default on domestic ruble bonds led the U.S. government to step in and get banks to bail out Long-Term Capital Management, a large U.S. hedge fund whose collapse, it was feared, could have shaken the wider financial and banking system.

Holders of the bonds  for instance, funds that invest in emerging market bonds  could take serious losses. Russia, however, played only a small role in emerging market bond indexes, limiting the losses to fund investors.

While the war itself is having devastating consequences in terms of human suffering and higher food and energy prices worldwide, default on government bonds would be definitely not systemically relevant, Kristalina Georgieva, head of the International Monetary Fund, has said.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  The New Hampshire Senate has blocked an attempt to eliminate a registration system created to prevent widespread hepatitis C outbreak years ago.

New Hampshire created the Board of Registration for Medical Technicians in response to David Kwiatkowski, who is serving 39 years in prison for replacing painkillers with saline-filled syringes tainted with his blood.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Paul B. Stephan, University of Virginia

(THE CONVERSATION) The Biden administration wants to sell off the yachts, homes and other luxury assets it has seized from Russian oligarchs and use those proceeds to support reparations for Ukraine.

As part of his proposal for the latest aid package to Ukraine, President Joe Biden is asking lawmakers for the authority to formally confiscate the assets of sanctioned oligarchs to pay to remedy the harm Russia caused  and help build Ukraine. The House has already passed a bill urging Biden to sell the assets, but it didnt specifically give him the authority to do so.

Others have encouraged the administration to sell off the tens of billions of dollars in Russian central bank assets it has frozen. Its not clear from the White House statement whether Biden plans to go after state-owned assets too.

That he has gone to Congress to get permission indicates that his lawyers believe, as do I, that current law permits only freezing, and not selling, foreign property in the course of an international crisis.

Ive studied and practiced international law for several decades and advised the departments of State and Defense on issues like this one. The idea of forcing Russia to pay reparations for the harm to Ukraine has obvious appeal. But the U.S. needs to comply with constitutional and international law when it does so.

Freezing vs. confiscating

You might ask what the difference is between seizing or freezing property  forbidding anyone to dispose of or use an asset or take income from it  and confiscating it.

Freezing destroys the economic benefits of ownership. But the owner at least retains the hope that, when the conflict is over and the freeze order ends, the property  or its equivalent in money  will return. Confiscation means selling off the property and giving the proceeds, along with any cash seized, to a designated beneficiary  in this case, people acting on behalf of Ukraine.

The International Economic Emergency Powers Act of 1977 permits only freezing, and not selling, foreign property in the course of an international crisis. Congress adopted this law to replace the Trading With the Enemy Act of 1917, which gave the president much broader power to take action against U.S. adversaries in and out of war.

Since then, the U.S. has frequently used the power to seize assets belonging to foreign individuals or nations as an economic sanction to punish what it considers bad behavior. For example, after Iran stormed and seized the American embassy in Tehran, the U.S. government seized billions of dollars in Iranian assets in the U.S, including cash and property. The U.S. has also frozen assets of Venezuela and the Taliban over ties to terrorism and Russian individuals considered responsible for human rights violations, thanks to the Magnitsky Act.

In all these cases, the United States held on to the foreign property rather than sell it off. In some cases, it used the seized property as a bargaining chip toward a future settlement. In 2016, the Obama administration famously returned US$400 million to Iran that the U.S. had seized after the embassy siege in 1979  delivering stacks of Swiss francs stuffed inside a Boeing 737. In other cases, the assets remain under government control, administered by an office of the U.S. Treasury, in hope that eventually some compromise can be reached.

The Patriot Act, adopted in the wake of 9/11, created a limited exception to the confiscation ban in instances in which the United States is at war. The U.S. never has used this authority. And despite the increasingly heated rhetoric, stepped-up sanctions and growing aid for Ukraine, the U.S. is not at war with Russia.

Redressing gross violations

A fundamental principle of justice says those who cause harm while breaking the law should pay.

In international law, we call this reparations. As the United Nations puts it, Adequate, effective and prompt reparation is intended to promote justice by redressing gross violations of international human rights law or serious violations of international humanitarian law.

In recent history, victors have often forced reparations on the losers of war  as was the case following both World War I and World War II  especially when they are deemed responsible for massive death and ruin.

Russia has wrought terrible destruction in Ukraine. Several cities, including Mariupol, are all but destroyed, and evidence of war crimes in places like Bucha is mounting.

So it makes sense that so many scholars, lawmakers and others would argue that the regime of Vladimir Putin and those who benefit from his rule should help pay for it.

Some, such as Harvard legal scholar Laurence Tribe, argue U.S. law already allows the president to use any seized or frozen asset as reparations. But, as other experts have pointed out, doing so has serious problems. The legal issues noted above are one major hurdle and open this up to being challenged in court.

Another is political. Confiscating assets takes away important bargaining chips in any future negotiations, as they have been with Iran and other countries.

Specialists in sanctions law  including me  agree with Biden that Congress needs to pass a new law.

Punishing Russia while preserving the rule of law

The question then becomes what that legislation should look like to avoid running afoul of international law and the U.S. Constitution. There still seem to be several limitations on what Congress can do.

For example, the Constitutions Fifth Amendment guarantees due process before the government can confiscate a private citizens property. But does this apply to property in the U.S. that belongs to a foreign citizen? The answer seems to be yes, at least according to two SupremeCourt cases.

Selling off Russian state property such as central bank assets, creates other problems. International law provides a certain degree of immunity from confiscation to foreign nations and their assets overseas. Outside of wartime, confiscation of state property, including U.S. deposits of Russias central bank, runs up against these challenges.

A case currently before the International Court of Justice will decide whether the United States violated this rule when it used funds from frozen Iranian central bank deposits to compensate people who had won a default judgment from Iran for supporting terrorists.

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So, yes, I believe that Russias invasion of Ukraine is outrageous and demands a response. But that doesnt mean the U.S. and other countries should ride roughshod over international law and the U.S. Constitution to do so. Congress should be able to craft a law that allows some assets to be confiscated without violating due process or international law.

I predict that disregarding these issues will likely produce embarrassing judicial setbacks that will make it harder to help Ukraine down the road.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/no-biden-cant-just-sell-off-seized-russian-yachts-and-central-bank-assets-to-help-aid-ukraine-international-law-and-the-us-constitution-forbid-it-182214.
Each Masterclass will be led by Jacy Blisson, Master of Wine, and will highlight the campaign as well as Abruzzo wines and its territory

MONTREAL, May 2, 2022 /CNW/ -- " The Charming Taste of Europe " continues to support its initiatives in Canada by promoting The Abruzzo Wine Consortium with two events hosted by Master of Wine Jacky Blisson throughout May.

The Consorzio di Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo has been protecting one of the most authentic resources of the region for years, helping to develop the Abruzzo viticulture in terms of quality, thanks to a new generation of producers who are focused on the enhancement of the territory and its most important native grape varieties.

Jacky Blisson , Master of Wine based in Montreal, Canada, works as a wine writer, educator and consultant. After spending 10 years in France, studying and selling the wines of Burgundy and the Rhone Valley, Blisson returned to her hometown of Montreal to share her adventures in wine tasting, travel and education with others.

On May 2nd, starting at 6pm EST, Blisson will host two classroom sessions for 25 students each at the ITHQ (Institut de tourisme et d'hotellerie du Quebec). The ITHQ is the foremost sommellerie school in Quebec, and one of the best institutions in Canada. In 2010, the ITHQ became the first institution in Quebec to be accredited by the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) of London to offer the exclusive intermediate level WSET training and related diploma.

During these sessions ITHQ students will be introduced to the campaign and then focus on the wines of Abruzzo followed by a wine tasting.

Following the events on May 2nd, Blisson will also hold a webinar on May 11th at 7pm for Wine Enthusiast. For those who participate in the in-person activities, communication materials and gadgets will be provided. For webinar participants a postcard with a QR code will be given to access the website.

The Charming Taste of Europe is a three-year campaign promoted by the Vini d' Abruzzo consortium and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines, along with fruit producers in Greece's Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP) and Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria ("Agios Loukas"), co-financed by the European Union. This campaign focuses on raising awareness of these high-quality products in the American and Canadian market.

About the Charming Taste of Europe:

Europe, a place with timeless charm, is the birthplace of some of the highest-quality products in the world. The Charming Taste of Europe is a special project that introduces exquisite specialties to the United States and Canada, such as Italian and French wines, and fresh fruits from Greece, that showcase Europe's charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes. The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP), the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria "Agios Loukas" and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals. For more information visit charmingtasteof e urope.eu

To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign:

Website: charmingtasteofeurope.eu

Facebook: @CharmingTasteofEU

Instagram: @charmeu_usa

YouTube: The Charming Taste of Europe

Hashtags: #thecharmingtasteofeu and #charmeu

The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains

SOURCE Charming Taste of Europe
MONTREAL, May 3, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Angelcare (Le Holding Angelcare Inc.), a market leader in baby and pet care products, today announces the launch of Angelcare Germany located in Ratingen, Germany.

Funny Handel GmbH and HabaPet GmbH, leading distributors of infant and pet products, and the exclusive distributors of Angelcare products in the region, have transitioned their business operations to Angelcare Germany GmbH effective May 1st, 2022. Angelcare is pleased to welcome Funny Handel and HabaPet's employees into the group and to continue seamless functions with an existing sales office location and distribution facility. This will also allow the company to grow its presence in Europe with the support of the Angelcare Group.

"We are very pleased with our growth in Europe the last few years," affirms Maurice Pinsonnault, Founder and Owner of Angelcare. "We had a long-standing and successful collaboration with our distribution partners. We expect continuity in terms of established retail channels and our team will focus their efforts on servicing retail, eCommerce and distribution partners in the region."

Angelcare already has European satellite office locations in the UK and France. The company continues to see opportunities for market penetration in various areas of Europe, particularly in the pet category. This new entity will expand Angelcare's brands in Europe and will contribute to the organization's growth plans in Germany, as well as in neighbouring countries.

"We have made significant inroads in Europe with our Angelcare, Pabobo and Kids'Sleep brands," maintains Bonnie Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Angelcare. "We will continue to innovate in our other product categories, as well as invest in R&D, so that we are bringing exciting new products to our business partners as well as to European consumers."

Available products in Europe include Angelcare monitors, Angelcare nappy disposal systems, all Pabobo and Kids'Sleep collections, as well as LitterLocker cat litter disposal systems, and related accessories.

About Angelcare

Angelcare was founded in 1997 by Maurice Pinsonnault, a visionary thinker and doer who never met an idea he couldn't improve upon. As a first-time father who understood how worrying it could be to care for a newborn and being dissatisfied with the selection of baby monitors available, he chose to revolutionize the category, and this is how the Angelcare story began. He then turned his attention and talent to bringing innovation to various products in the baby care and pet industries such as diaper disposal systems, and cat litter disposal systems. From then on, this constant devotion to innovation has made the Angelcare Group a benchmark and leader in its categories, with recognized global brands such as Angelcare, Diaper Genie, Litter Genie, LitterLocker, Pabobo and Kids'Sleep. Today, our products are sold in more than 50 countries, and address consumer needs for peace of mind, quality of children's sleep and pet wellness. Learn more at www.angelcarefamily.com

SOURCE Le Holding Angelcare Inc.

For further information: Lina Racaniello, Vice President, Marketing, [email protected], (579) 990-2166
Founded with the belief that everyone should have access to wholesome food and an understanding of its origins, Three Farmers products are made using sustainable practices on Canadian soil. The company currently has five product lines which are sold in retailers across North America including national chains such as Loblaws, Sobeys, Whole Foods and Walmart.

"Canada continues to demonstrate its enormous agricultural and health expertise and resources. Investments in vertically integrated companies like Three Farmers are what will create generational opportunity for our country," said Arlene Dickinson, General Partner of District Ventures Capital. "As leading producers for lentil and green pea production in the world, Canada is missing out by not participating in the commercialization of these resources into products  a gap Three Farmers is able to help fill."

"Three Farmers is a shining example of a Canadian-made brand with Canadian made sustainable products, and EDC is proud to be a part of their continued growth," said Lissa Bjerkelund, Vice-President Investments and Mid-Marketing Lending at EDC. "Through EDC's investment, we've been able to support this women-led company and their commitment to sustainable growing practices and aspirations to have a positive impact on the future of farming in Canada. They are a Canadian success story and one that we're delighted to be a part of."

Three Farmers is proud to locally source its pulse ingredients from the Canadian prairies along with processing and packaging locally. The company's better-for-you plant-based products are high in protein and fibre, gluten-free, nut and peanut free and vegan. Using a proprietary dry roasting technique, Three Farmers products have a lower level of fat when compared to competing brands.

"We are very excited to welcome District Ventures as a partner in Three Farmers Foods. Armed with the resources required to build our brand and distribution across Canada and the USA and expand our manufacturing in Saskatchewan, we will be able to continue to push towards our goal of making whole bean snacking a staple in all households across North America," said Natasha Vandenhurk, CEO of Three Farmers Foods. "Now, more than ever, consumers are relying on brands like us to provide them with healthy, wholesome foods that truly deliver on the promise of nutrition while still satisfying the need for big crunch and flavour."

The new investment will support Three Farmers' continued growth in Canada with strategic marketing efforts, along with providing sales and business development support for the company's US expansion efforts.

About District Ventures Capital

District Ventures Capital is a venture capital fund investing in innovative companies in the food & beverage and health & wellness sectors. The fund is led by General Partner, Arlene Dickinson. District Ventures is the leading ecosystem in Canada that focuses on the CPG space and brings capital, marketing support, programming, and commercialization as support to the companies it invests in.

For more information, visit www.districtventurescapital.com.

About Three Farmers Foods Inc.

Three Farmers Foods Inc. is a privately held corporation based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Three Farmers is a trusted brand and provider of foods with natural goodness. They are an integrated organization that delivers nourishing food the way it was meant to be  sustainably grown on Canadian farms and minimally processed to reveal its natural goodness. It's delicious food with real substance; so you can feel good about the food you eat. Their current product lines include camelina oil and roasted snacks consisting of roasted chickpeas, roasted peas, roasted lentils and their latest product launch, whole roasted fava beans.

SOURCE District Ventures Capital

For further information: Media Contact: Jerry Nasr, District Ventures Capital, [email protected], 416.585.2090
TSX: DIAM

SASKATOON, SK, May 2, 2022 /CNW/ - Star Diamond Corporation ("Star Diamond or the Corporation") is pleased to announce that the Corporation has completed a major study into the abundance of Type IIa diamonds in the diamond parcels recovered from the Early Joli Fou ("EJF") Geological Units at Orion North (K120, K147 & K148) and Taurus Kimberlites (K118, K122 & K150) located within the Fort a la Corne diamond district of central Saskatchewan, Canada (which contains the Star - Orion South Diamond Project), on mineral dispositions held in a joint venture with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada. These diamonds were recovered by Star Diamond between 2006 and 2008 from 48-inch large diameter drilling ("LDD") programs. This study confirms that unusually high proportions of Type IIa diamonds are present in both the Orion North and Taurus Kimberlites. Of particular note is the remarkably high proportion of Type IIa diamonds in the Orion North 147/148 EJF (52%) of which 66% of the 24 stones, 3 grainer (0.66 carats) and above are Type IIa. This study also confirms and augments an earlier study of Type IIa diamonds being present in the Fort a la Corne kimberlites with Star at (26.5 percent) and Orion South Kimberlite (12.5 percent) (see News Releases dated June 09, 2010 & March 04, 2019). Type IIa diamonds are very rare and account for less than 2 percent of all natural rough diamonds mined from kimberlites. Many high-value, top colour, large specials (greater than 10.8 carats) are Type IIa diamonds, which include all ten of the largest known rough diamonds recovered worldwide.

A Target For Further Exploration ("TFFE") completed by Star Diamond in 2014 (see news Release dated March 06, 2014) estimated that between 881 million and 1.04 billion tonnes of the major EJF units, containing between 46 and 79 million carats, occur within the Orion North and Taurus kimberlite clusters. Orion North (K147, K148 & K220) alone is estimated to contain between 340-410 million tonnes of EJF kimberlite with an estimated range of grade of 2.75 to 8.37 cpht.

The number and the percentage of Type IIa diamonds for the major EJF units at Orion North and Taurus are documented in the table below.

Orion North Kimberlite (Diamonds +7 DTC (0.05 carats) to 7 carats) Geological Unit Number of

Diamonds Typed Number of Type IIa

Diamonds Percentage Type IIa

Diamonds Early Joli Fou K147/K148 (LDD) 1,019 531 52.11 Early Joli Fou K120 (LDD) 1,545 167 10.81 Taurus Kimberlite (Diamonds +7 DTC (0.05 carats) to 8 carats) Geological Unit Number of

Diamonds Typed Number of Type IIa

Diamonds Percentage Type IIa

Diamonds Early Joli Fou K118 (LDD) 565 256 45.31 Early Joli Fou K122 (LDD) 292 69 23.63 Early Joli Fou K150 (LDD) 394 76 19.29

As summarized in the table above, a significant number of diamonds from the EJF Units at Orion North (K120, K147 & K148) and Taurus Kimberlites (K118, K122 & K150) have been analysed and typed. The diamonds analysed represent a spectrum of diamond sizes from +7 DTC (+0.05 carats) through to all of the large stones recovered, up to diamonds of 8 carats. The largest Type IIa diamond identified was a 6.88 carat stone from Orion North (K147/K148 EJF).

The largest stones from the EJF in each kimberlite, all of which are also the highest value stones, are listed in the table below. Diamond descriptions and valuations were completed by Mr. Nelson Karun, Diamond Specialist, Saskatchewan Research Council's ("SRC") Diamond Services.:

Kimberlite (Geological Unit) Size

(carats) Type Colour Model Estimated

Price

US$/Carat Estimated

Stone

Value US$ Ealy Joli Fou K147/K148 LDD) 6.88 IIa VTLB (H)* Makeable 3,544 24,404 Early Joli Fou K120 (LDD) 7.50 I H Makeable 4,051 30,391 Early Joli Fou K118 (LDD) 3.42 IIa VTLB (H)* Makeable 2,734 9,350 Early Joli Fou K122 (LDD) 7.90 I J Sawable 2,420 19,120 Early Joli Fou K150 (LDD) 2.84 I J Sawable 3,000 8,544

*VTLB Very Top Light Brown Polishes to the equivalent of H colour

Type IIa diamonds are very rare and account for less than 2 percent of all natural rough diamonds mined from kimberlites. Only a small number of active diamond mines regularly produce Type IIa diamonds with the most important of these mines being Letseng-la-Terae (Letseng Mine) in the Kingdom of Lesotho and more recently Karowe in Botswana. While Letseng is a low grade (1.5-3 cpht) kimberlite and Karowe approximately (15 cpht), they are probably the most prolific source of large high-value Type IIa diamonds, which contribute to making Letseng and Karowe highly economic deposits. Type IIa diamonds contain no nitrogen or boron impurities and are frequently either top white colours (D, E, F or G) or any shade of brown. Many pink and brownish-pink diamonds are also Type IIa. Type IIa diamonds usually have anhedral crystal shape and exhibit a range of elongated, distorted or irregular morphologies. Most importantly, many high-value, top colour, large specials (greater than 10.8 carats) are Type IIa diamonds, which include all ten of the largest known rough diamonds recovered worldwide, from the 726 carat Jonker to the 3,106 carat Cullinan.

Statistics on the proportions of Type IIa diamonds produced by diamonds mines are not freely available. However, Bowen et al (2009) published Type IIa FTIR measurements for 484 plus two carat diamonds from the Letseng Diamond Mine. The Letseng Mine has a low grade of some 1.5 to 3 cpht but is highly economic as a result of its unusually high average diamond price (US$2,131 per carat in 2018). Letseng accounts for some 30 percent of the world market share of diamonds greater than 25 carats and has produced some of the biggest gem quality diamonds recovered in the past number of years including the 910 carat Lesotho Legend, 603 carat Lesotho Promise, the 550 carat Letseng Star, the 493 carat Letseng Legacy and the 478 carat Light of Letseng. These are all Type IIa diamonds. The Karowe Mine of Lucara Diamond Corp. has also produced some record Type IIa diamonds in the past few years, notably 1,758 carat Sewelo, which is the second largest gem diamond ever recovered, the 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona, which is the third largest gem diamond ever recovered and sold for US$53 million, and the 813 carat Constellation, which was sold for the record price of US$63.1 million.

Fourier Transform Infrared ("FTIR") Spectrometry is used to determine the concentration and aggregation state of nitrogen within the diamonds using industry standard methods. All analyses of nitrogen content and aggregation state were carried out at the SRC high security diamond facility, with 24-hour video surveillance. The SRC's Geoanalytical Laboratories is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard by the Standards Council of Canada as a testing laboratory.

Senior Technical Advisor, George Read, states: "The presence of a significant proportion of Type IIa diamonds in the Orion North and Taurus Kimberlites greatly increases the potential for the recovery of large (plus 100 carat), high-value diamonds. Analysis of the Orion North and Taurus diamond parcels indicated a significant proportion of Type IIa diamonds, some of which are top white in colour with high value Type IIa and Type I stones and exhibit high diamond prices. The presence of high-value diamond groups (Type IIa) greatly strengthens the future potential diamond pricing from the Orion North and Taurus Kimberlites."

Star Diamond Corporation is a Canadian based corporation engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Exchange under the trading symbol "DIAM". Star Diamond holds, through a joint venture arrangement with RTEC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto), a 25% interest in certain Fort a la Corne kimberlites (including the Star  Orion South Diamond Project). These properties are located in central Saskatchewan, in close proximity to established infrastructure, including paved highways and the electrical power grid, which provide significant advantages for future mine development. Rio Tinto refers to their Fort a la Corne mineral properties as "Project FalCon". During 2018, Star Diamond announced the positive results of an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA") on the Project. The PEA (on a 100% basis) estimated that 66 million carats of diamonds could be recovered in a surface mine over a 38-year Project life, with a Net Present Value ("NPV") (7%) of $2.0 billion after tax, an Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 19% and an after-tax payback period of 3.4 years after the commencement of diamond production (see news release dated April 16, 2018).

All technical information in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of George Read, Senior Technical Advisor, a registered Professional Geoscientist in the Provinces of Saskatchewan and British Columbia and Mark Shimell, Project Manager, a registered Professional Geoscientist in the Province of Saskatchewan, who are the Corporation's "Qualified Persons" under the definition of NI 43-101.

References (Available on Corporation's website)

Bowen, D.C. Ferraris, R.D. Palmer, C.E. and Ward, J.D. (2009) On the unusual characteristics of the diamonds from Letseng-la-Terae kimberlites, Lesotho. Lithos Vol. 112S pp.767  774.

Breeding, C.M. and Shigley, J.E. (2009) The "Type" classification system of diamonds and its importance in gemology. Gems & Gemology Vol. 45 No. 2 pp. 96  111

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by certain securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "forecast", "target", "project", "guidance", "may", "will", "should", "could", "estimate", "predict" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or language suggesting an outlook. In particular, statements regarding the Corporation's future operations, future exploration and development activities or other development plans constitute forward-looking statements. By their nature, statements referring to mineral reserves, mineral resources, PEA or TFFE constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release include, but are not limited to, the potential proportion of Type IIa diamonds in kimberlites located in the Fort a la Corne diamond district of central Saskatchewan, Canada (which includes the Star, Orion South, Orion North and Taurus Kimberlites) and the potential for the recovery of large high quality diamonds.

These forward-looking statements are based on the Corporation's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific. Risks exist that forward-looking statements will not be achieved due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, developments in world diamond markets, changes in diamond prices, risks relating to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar and other currencies relative to the US dollar, changes in exploration, development or mining plans due to exploration results and changing budget priorities of RTEC or Star Diamond, the impact of changes in the laws and regulations regulating mining exploration, development, closure, judicial or regulatory judgments and legal proceedings, operational and infrastructure risks and the additional risks described in Star Diamond's most recently filed Annual Information Form, annual and interim MD&A.

Although the management of Star Diamond consider the assumptions contained in forward-looking statements to be reasonable based on information currently available to them, those assumptions may prove to be incorrect. When making decisions with respect to Star Diamond, investors and others should not place undue reliance on these statements and should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Star Diamond does not undertake any obligation to release publicly revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued forward-looking statement constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement. Continued reliance on forward-looking statements is at investors' own risk.

SOURCE Star Diamond Corporation

For further information: [email protected] or (306) 664-2202, www.stardiamondcorp.com
The Canadian QSR brand is providing employment, flights, funds for accommodations  and most importantly  the opportunity to make a fresh start in a place of safety

TORONTO, May 3, 2022 /CNW/ - A short time ago, Alper Hos was one of the millions of Ukrainians taking refuge in Poland from the devastation in his homeland. But on May 9, 2022, Mr. Hos will leave Poland and fly to Newfoundland & Labrador to start a new life.

What brings Alper all the way to Newfoundland?

The answer is perhaps unexpected  Mary Brown's Chicken.

The 100 per cent Canadian brand has launched an initiative to bring as many Ukrainians as they can to Canada  to safety, employment, and an opportunity to begin the healing process. It's the brainchild of Greg Roberts, Owner and CEO of Mary Brown's Chicken.

When the Government of Canada recently opened pathways to help Ukrainians find new homes and jobs in this country, Roberts quickly brought the Mary Brown's team to action. Both corporately-owned Mary Brown's stores and franchisee-operated locations right across Canada are jumping on board  and Greg Roberts couldn't be happier.

Roberts explains, "Our goal with this program is simple  to help as many people as we can get out of a crisis. The accommodations and setup in Poland are undoubtedly overwhelmed. If we can offer a safe environment and an opportunity for people to work and rebuild, we're thrilled to do that."

Prior to coming to Canada, candidates will be interviewed for a position at Mary Brown's Chicken. If they qualify, the process begins to move those individuals and their families. Much more than just providing a job, Mary Brown's Chicken will pay for the flights of families from Poland and give them 3,000 CAD to help get settled in Canada.

Hadi Chahin, President and COO of Mary Brown's Chicken, comments, "We're very proud of this initiative and hope to make it a huge success."

Mary Brown's Chicken is also a national sponsor of BGC Canada (formerly Boys and Girls Club) as well as a supporter of local causes within communities across Canada. It's part of the brand's DNA  and clearly  Roberts wouldn't have it any other way.

"We want to set an example for other employers and brands," states Roberts. "I challenge other Canadian brands to get involved today. Time is of the essence with the crisis in Ukraine, and we all need to do what we can, as soon as we can."

About Mary Brown's Chicken

Mary Brown's Chicken has over 200 locations across Canada and growing. The brand is 100 per cent Canadian-owned and operated since 1969. Mary Brown's is renowned for its Big Mary chicken sandwich, named Canada's Best Chicken Sandwich, and made-fresh methodology including hand cutting and hand breading its Signature Chicken & Taters from farm-fresh Canadian ingredients. Mary Brown's has been awarded one of Canada's Best Managed Companies in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and boasts 17 years of consecutive same-store sales growth.

Instagram: @marybrownsofficial

Facebook: @MaryBrowns

New! TikTok: @marybrownschicken

For brands wanting to help Ukrainians resettle in Canada, please see the links below:

Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel

Open Work Permits

Jobs for Ukraine job board

For additional information, please contact:

Jillian Starkie, rock-it promotions, [email protected]

Sinead Breen, rock-it promotions, [email protected]

SOURCE Mary Brown's Chicken
GATINEAU, QC, May 2, 2022 /CNW/ - This past year, the Government of Canada has continued to make significant progress implementing the Accessible Canada Act (the Act), reinforcing its commitment to advance accessibility and the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Today, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, welcomed Stephanie Cadieux on her first day as Canada's first Chief Accessibility Officer (CAO). With the appointment of Ms. Cadieux and the recent appointment of Michael Gottheil as Canada's first Accessibility Commissioner to the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), the Government has moved closer to the full implementation of the Act and the realization of a barrier-free Canada.

Over the course of Ms. Cadieux's four-year term, she will serve as an independent special advisor to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion providing advice on a wide range of accessibility issues. As CAO, Ms. Cadieux will monitor and report on systemic and emerging accessibility issues, and will produce an annual report to the Minister detailing progress and outcomes achieved under the Act.

A key objective for Ms. Cadieux and her team, will be to establish the Office of the CAO as a trusted source of information on accessibility, promoting a positive and productive dialogue between the federal government, disability stakeholders, and national and international organizations.

Stephanie Cadieux is a long-time advocate for accessibility, disability inclusion and diversity, with more than 15 years of experience in planning and leadership roles. A former elected member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, she is a member of the disability community, possessing extensive lived experience in government and as person with a disability.

Quotes

"As Canada's first Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux will help identify and address issues related to accessibility and disability inclusion, working with the disability community. She brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the role, and I look forward to working with her to improve the lives of all Canadians with disabilities."

 Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough

"I am honoured to become the first Chief Accessibility Officer today, and be part of the effort to create a barrier-free Canada. As an independent advisor, I will have a vital duty to provide a clear and candid view of the Government's commitment to the inclusion of persons with disabilities. My office will report about achievements made under the Accessible Canada Act, but we will also help draw and keep attention on important concerns in regards to accessibility. My greatest strengths are as a catalyst and convener and that is what I hope to bring to the role because the work ahead to foster a culture of inclusion will be dependent upon collaboration with partners and stakeholders in the federal government, the disability sector, and the Indigenous community. I am fully committed to support the meaningful change needed to achieve the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in Canada."

 Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux

Quick Facts

According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, there are 6.2 million Canadians aged 15 and older who have a disability. More than 1 in 10 youth in Canada have one or more disabilities.





have one or more disabilities. The Accessible Canada Act came into force on July 11, 2019 and focuses on proactively identifying, removing and preventing barriers to accessibility. A major milestone of the Act was realized on December 13, 2021 , with the coming into force of Accessible Canada Regulations, which require federally regulated organizations to report to the public on their policies and practices to identify and remove existing barriers.





came into force on and focuses on proactively identifying, removing and preventing barriers to accessibility. A major milestone of the Act was realized on , with the coming into force of Accessible Canada Regulations, which require federally regulated organizations to report to the public on their policies and practices to identify and remove existing barriers. The Act also established new structures and positions, including:



a Chief Accessibility Officer;



an Accessibility Commissioner, to spearhead compliance and enforcement activities under the legislation.

The appointment of Michael Gottheil for a five-year term as Accessibility Commissioner to the CHRC, will come into effect on May 9, 2022 .





for a five-year term as Accessibility Commissioner to the CHRC, will come into effect on . The Chief Accessibility Officer and Accessibility Commissioner were appointed through the Governor in Council (GIC) process. The Government is committed to open, transparent and merit-based processes for selecting GIC appointees, who play a fundamental role in Canadian democracy.





To meet the Act's objective of realizing a barrier-free Canada , the Government is developing a Disability Inclusion Action Plan. It will focus on reducing poverty among persons with disabilities, getting them into good quality jobs and making it easier to access federal programs and services while fostering a culture of inclusion.

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information: Jane Deeks, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, [email protected], Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
Heffel's highly-anticipated auction will take place in real time, through the firm's unparalleled Digital Saleroom, the first of its kind in Canada. Broadcast from three connected auction rooms in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, participation will be entirely remote, allowing collectors to "raise their paddles" from anywhere in the world, by means of telephone, absentee and online bidding.

Heffel is honoured to offer a group of nine works from the collection of Joan Stewart Clarke, a visionary art enthusiast who, over her decades of collecting, built lasting relationships with industry-greats and shared her passion with those who were fortunate to know her. Leading the group is an outstanding 1972 canvas by Robert Motherwell, August Sea #5. Commanding in every way, it is the first major work by the American Abstract Expressionist icon to ever be offered at auction in Canada.

Next year marks the centenary of the iconic Jean Paul Riopelle, and the market for his works parallels his enduring legacy. As Canada prepares to celebrate his artistic genius, Riopelle is once again in the auction spotlight with six works on offer. Sans titre, a 1953 masterpiece canvas shines bright in the sale, and will undoubtedly excite collectors across the world. The palette-knife with drip showstopper, fresh to the auction market, features a rainbow of colours and all of the qualities of the most sought-after works by the artist.

"We are incredibly proud to share these masterworks with eager and passionate collectors globally," said David Heffel, President of Heffel Fine Art Auction House. "The strength of Heffel's offering this spring is a product of lasting relationships with our consignors, who have entrusted us to find proud new homes for artworks they have treasured and enjoyed for many years."

Highlights from the Heffel Auction

A superb canvas, August Sea #5, by American powerhouse Robert Motherwell tops the Heffel sale by estimate. The abstract masterpeice, commanding in scale and rich in colour, is the first major work by Motherwell ever offered at auction in Canada (est. $2,000,000  2,500,000).

by American powerhouse tops the Heffel sale by estimate. The abstract masterpeice, commanding in scale and rich in colour, is the first major work by Motherwell ever offered at auction in (est.  2,500,000). A striking canvas by Jean Paul Riopelle leads a group of six works on offer by the artist in the spring sale. Sans titre is a masterpiece canvas, painted in 1953 at the highpoint in Riopelle's incredible career (est. $1,000,000  1,500,000).

leads a group of six works on offer by the artist in the spring sale. is a masterpiece canvas, painted in 1953 at the highpoint in Riopelle's incredible career (est.  1,500,000). Rita Letendre's Reflet d'Eden is absolutely monumental, and without a doubt one of the finest works by the artist to ever come to market (est. $100,000  150,000). Letendre sadly passed away in the fall of 2021, marking the end of her incredible artistic career, which made her Officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Governor General's Award.

is absolutely monumental, and without a doubt one of the finest works by the artist to ever come to market (est.  150,000). Letendre sadly passed away in the fall of 2021, marking the end of her incredible artistic career, which made her Officer of the Order of and a recipient of the Governor General's Award. As the market for works by the Group of Seven soars, four examples by Lawren Harris highlight an exceptional offering by artists from the collective. Mountain Sketch, a glowing Group-period depiction of the Rocky Mountains, is among the finest paintings by Harris outside of museum walls (est. $500,000  700,000).

highlight an exceptional offering by artists from the collective. a glowing Group-period depiction of the Rocky Mountains, is among the finest paintings by Harris outside of museum walls (est.  700,000). Trinidad -based contemporary artist, Chris Ofili shines in the Heffel sale with Saint Lucian Blue , a largescale, monochromatic canvas from his important series, The Blue Rider (est. $350,000  450,000). Ofili is internationally represented, collected and admired, having been awarded the Turner Prize and later representing Britain at the Venice Biennale.

-based contemporary artist, shines in the Heffel sale with , a largescale, monochromatic canvas from his important series, (est.  450,000). Ofili is internationally represented, collected and admired, having been awarded the Turner Prize and later representing at the Venice Biennale. Alex Colville's Coastal Figure is a standout in the auction catalogue. The 55-inch painting was painted in 1951, shortly after Colville's return from World War II, and is a peaceful and profoundly contemplative image (est. $650,000  850,000).

is a standout in the auction catalogue. The 55-inch painting was painted in 1951, shortly after Colville's return from World War II, and is a peaceful and profoundly contemplative image (est.  850,000). Swirling forest scenes by Emily Carr are highly sought-after, and Singing Trees is a fantastic example, dynamic and full of life (est. $500,000  700,000). Also on offer is the incredibly rare, painted ceramic Klee Wyck Orca Platter , one of a few ceramic works produced and sold by Carr, to get through a particularly turbulent economic period (est. $10,000  15,000).

are highly sought-after, and is a fantastic example, dynamic and full of life (est.  700,000). Also on offer is the incredibly rare, painted ceramic , one of a few ceramic works produced and sold by Carr, to get through a particularly turbulent economic period (est.  15,000). Paintings by renowned international artists Helen Frankthaler and Sam Francis round out The Joan Stewart Clarke Collection, and will be presented alongside works by Canadian greats like Jean Paul Lemieux and Paul-Emile Borduas. The grouping beautifully illustrates Clarke's keen eye and impeccable taste.

round out The Collection, and will be presented alongside works by Canadian greats like and Paul-Emile Borduas. The grouping beautifully illustrates Clarke's keen eye and impeccable taste. Alongside Frankenthaler, Carr and Letendre, remarkable works by other key women artists spanning significant periods in art history strengthen the Heffel spring auction, including Doris McCarthy , Molly Lamb Bobak , Prudence Heward , Kathleen Morris and Marian Dale Scott .

, , , and . Cornelius Krieghoff was acclaimed to be Canada's first professional artist collected internationally during his career. Following Heffel's record-breaking sale last year, Krieghoff's important canvas The Sleigh Race comes to market with sterling provenance and exhibition history (est. $300,000  400,000).

Heffel Spring Auction Schedule

To give interested buyers from across Canada an opportunity to view these works, the collection is being previewed in three cities leading up to the auction (by appointment) and through virtual gallery tours.

Vancouver : Saturday, April 16 to Monday, April 25, 11 am  6 pm, Heffel Gallery (2247 Granville Street)

Saturday, April 16 to Monday, April 25, 11 am  6 pm, Heffel Gallery (2247 Granville Street) Montreal : Friday, May 6 to Wednesday, May 11 , 11 am  6 pm, Galerie Heffel (1840 rue Sherbrooke Ouest)

Friday, May 6 to , 11 am  6 pm, (1840 rue Sherbrooke Ouest) Toronto : Friday, May 20 to Tuesday, May 31, 11 am  6 pm, Heffel Gallery (13 Hazelton Avenue)

The three-session auction will take place on Wednesday, June 1. The sale will be broadcast live at Heffel.com and several remote bidding options will be available.

4:30 pm ET  Video Presentation

5:00 pm ET  Post-War & Contemporary Art

7:00 pm ET  Canadian, Impressionist & Modern Art

8:30 pm ET  The Joan Stewart Clarke Collection

For details on the previews and auction, and to access the online catalogues, please visit www.heffel.com .

About Heffel Fine Art Auction House

Since 1978, Heffel has connected passionate collectors across the world with outstanding works of art, with sales totaling three quarters of a billion dollars. With offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary, Heffel has the most experienced team of fine art specialists in Canada and provides superior client service to both sellers and buyers internationally.

SOURCE Heffel Fine Art Auction House

For further information: For additional information, to schedule an interview or media viewing, or for high-resolution images, please contact: Rebecca Rykiss, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, [email protected], 416-961-6505 ext. 323
CALGARY, AB, April 29, 2022 /CNW/ - RocketFrac Services Ltd. ("RocketFrac" or "the Company"), an innovative Cleantech Energy Services Company, is pleased to announce that it has signed an exclusive representative agreement with Amran Establishment LLC ("Amran") for the territory of the Sultanate of Oman.

The two-year agreement, effective April 1, 2022, provides Amran exclusive rights to market RocketFrac in the Sultanate of Oman. The agreement includes an option to renew for an additional two-year period, subject to a formal review within 90 days, prior to the agreement's end date.

"This collaboration between RocketFrac and Amran, an industry leader in Oman, is an exciting opportunity for RocketFrac going forward," says RocketFrac CEO, Tom Whalen. "Amran's established presence in the region provides RocketFrac immediate access to an important market that is especially suited to the Company's waterless well stimulation solution."

About RocketFrac

RocketFrac is an innovative Energy Service Company with proprietary technology that unlocks tight reservoirs with a lower environmental footprint than alternatives. By eliminating the need to use water in the fracking process, RocketFrac's patent-pending technology conserves this important resource, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and improving operational efficiency. This approach respects Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments, while contributing to critical energy independence needs around the world.

Founded in 2017, and headquartered in Canada, RocketFrac is working with international representatives in multiple markets to bring its unique fracking technology to a global customer base. RocketFrac is guided by experienced energy sector experts. Leadership includes CEO Tom Whalen, former President and Managing Director of Baker Hughes Canada, CTO Pavan Elapavuluri, formerly of Schlumberger, and The Honorable Ronald R. Spoehel, Chairman, formerly of NASA.

About Amran

Amran was established in 1978, by Mr. Said Amran Al Harthy, with the aim of providing the oil and gas industry in the Sultanate of Oman with the latest technology and expertise. From a modest beginning, the company has grown to be one of the largest contractors of oil and gas field equipment and services in the Sultanate, and today represents some of the best-known manufacturers and service providers in the industry.

For further information, please contact:

Mike Bowerman

Director of Communications +1 (403) 461.6079

[email protected]

Tom Whalen

President and CEO +1 (403) 615.7829

[email protected]

Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding RocketFrac's future, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the engagement and activities of Amran pursuant to the representative agreement.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

SOURCE RocketFrac Services Ltd.
Two Spicejet personnel who authorised the plane to fly from Durgapur to Kolkata have been de-registered by the aviation authorities.

The Director General of Civil Aviation announced today that two of the passengers wounded in the turbulence experienced by a Spicejet flight from Mumbai during its landing in Bengals Durgapur on Sunday have been taken to the Intensive Care Unit. Two Spicejet personnel were de-registered by the aviation authorities, who then allowed the plane to fly from Durgapur to Kolkata pending a formal investigation.

Following an examination, the carrier positioned the plane in Kolkata. The DGCA has taken the following actions: DGCA has off rostered the involved crew, including the AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) who released the aircraft from Durgapur and was in charge of M/s Spice Jets Maintenance Control Center, pending investigation In a statement released today, the DGCA stated.

During the landing on Sunday, fourteen passengers and three crew members were hurt. According to the DGCA, the injuries were to the head, spine, shoulder, forehead, and face.

At Durgapur, two of the passengers are in intensive care. One of the passengers was sent to Diamond Hospital with a head injury, while the other was taken to Mission Hospital with a spine injury The note continued.

Patients with head injuries had to get stitches.

The DGCA, which is investigating the event, has released disturbing details about the landing, including how the autopilot failed and the aeroplane had to be managed manually for several minutes.

The following events occurred as a result of the aircrafts extreme turbulence The oxygen panels detach and the oxygen masks fall away. The overhead ornamental panel and a couple seat hand rests have been damaged. The lock on one cabin overhead bin (hat rack) was found to be damaged. The objects from the galley were thrown across the floor. The same was true in the aisle The note continued.
The primary goal of the gathering on Sunday is to highlight India's secular identity. In Maharashtra, people dressed in white gathered near statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Mahatma Gandhi and paid silent tributes.

On Sunday, people from all walks of life gathered near the statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj across Maharashtra to protest the states ongoing communal politics. The crowd supported community brotherhood and believed that communal politics endangers the nations harmony and secular fabric.

Tushar Gandhi, author and Mahatma Gandhis great-grandson, stated that the gathering was spontaneous and that the crowd came voluntarily. The primary goal of Sundays gathering is to highlight Indias secular identity. In Maharashtra, people dressed in white gathered near statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Mahatma Gandhi and paid silent tributes. I went to Juhu myself on Sunday morning and saw citizens from Shivaji Park, Borivli, and other parts of Maharashtra paying their respects to Shivaji Maharajs statues, Gandhi said on Sunday.

He went on to say that the gathering was not planned in advance in order to mobilise the crowd.

At present, there is Hanuman Chalisa v/s Namaz row that is ongoing in the state. Besides this, there is so much communal tension in the country. Considering these factors, citizens from various walks of life came out together on Sunday morning as a sign of togetherness. Those who were unable to go out clicked selfies in white clothes and posted on social media, he quoted.

Since last week, a signature campaign on social media has been running in which authors and activists have signed to show their support for this movement. The primary signatories included Gandhi, veteran actor Amol Palekar, writer Ashok Shahane, Marathi playwright Vasant Abaji Dahake, painter Sudhir Patwardhan, and his wife Shanta.

According to Gandhi, the signature movement gained traction on social media, prompting citizens to gather outside Shivaji Maharajs statue on Sunday morning.
Thirty years is a long time for any business, but in the risky restaurant business  where years count for more (like dog years)  it's an impressive stretch of time. To last that long, the restaurant has to be exceptional, consistent, and beloved by customers across generations.

Via Sforza Trattoria in Westport is one rare restaurant that has evolved and succeeded for 30 years. Family-run with an emphasis on quality and community, it's celebrating the three-decade mark this year.

Were a destination for authentic Italian food, owner Gianni Rizzi told me. As we chatted in the airy enclosed dining patio, uniformed kitchen staff were unloading a truckload of supplies from a shopping at the New York wholesale markets that morning. Were picky about some things, he shared, and like to choose our own produce, cheese and fish.

Rizzi, low key with a charming smile and a soothing voice, explained the restaurant's long-term success. You have to appreciate your people, he said. As he went on, I realized he was talking about all the people: staff, customers, suppliers, as well as the larger community. He kept returning to this idea as we talked.

On a recent Saturday night at dinner, Marsha and I marveled at the plentiful service staff: friendly, helpful, professional and eager to please. At the beginning, it was just family,'' Rizzi said. Now, when hiring, he looks for people who will maintain that family atmosphere and work for the customers.

Chef Chris Malagise has been with the restaurant since it opened. Hes thinking about easing back and has been bringing along George Campoverde to take over. You can see them working shoulder to shoulder in the open kitchen. Theyve been a team for 25 years, a span of longevity unheard of in the restaurant business. The extensive menu goes well beyond the usual Italian restaurant offerings. The focus is on the cuisine of Puglia and the Sforza/Rizzi home-city of Bari located just up from the heel of the boot on the Adriatic coast. Lots of seafood in addition to house-made pasta, seldom-seen veal, pizza from the wood-fired oven, and a long list of daily specials make choosing a challenge.

Marshas butterflied trout ($33) was generously dusted with toasted almonds and bathed in a light lemon-herb sauce. The pasta del giorno included shrimp, mussels, and swordfish ($27) tossed with fresh fettuccine, peas, fresh tomato, basil and garlic. Rustic round loaves and focaccia for the bread basket are baked daily in the brick oven. Wines by the glass include well-chosen regional Italian varieties, each authentic, true to type and fairly-priced.

As the restaurant filled that evening, the customers seemed familiar and comfortable with the surroundings. Groups of four, six, and even a birthday party of 12 all settled in for a relaxing meal. In the meantime, a steady flow of takeout customers picked up dinner-to-go.

Dino and Maria Sforza (Giannis uncle and aunt) started Via Sforza in Norwalk as a mom and pop pizza restaurant. After 13 years they built the unique stone trattoria at 243 Post Road West in Westport. It must be the most distinctive building in the town, and thats saying something. Dino designed the building with its stone exterior, barrel vaulted ceilings, ocher walls, and scrolling ironwork. It could easily be in an Italian village.

Rizzi began his restaurant career at 13 in the European apprentice tradition. Working across Italy, he moved up the professional ladder to top jobs in fine restaurants and hotels. His leadership style is collegial and collaborative, but make no mistake! He knows every job from top to bottom.

As he talked about Via Sforza, Rizzi kept returning to the same themes: a focus on customers, staff, and quality; being a good neighbor to the community; appreciating people; and fairness. Its easy to see how the restaurant has thrived through two generations.

In the next ten years dozens of restaurants will come and go in Westport following a trend, filling a need, or realizing a dream. But in 2032 Ill bet the Via Sforza family will be celebrating their 40th.

Frank Whitman writes a weekly food column called "Not bread Alone." He can be reached at NotBreadAloneFW@gmail.com.
HAMDEN  The Police Department requested and was granted permission to destroy records that a police commissioner had asked to review weeks before, according to state and town records.

Some of the documents, which Mayor Lauren Garrett said have been shredded, also may have been responsive to a pending Freedom of Information request.

It is possible they were preserved in electronic form, she said.

On March 3, Chief of Police John Sullivan signed a form seeking authorization to destroy nearly two years worth of records documenting unsubstantiated internal affairs investigations, according to a records disposition authorization request filed with the Connecticut State Library.

Garrett, who has advocated for the release of certain records, signed the request on March 9; she said she was not aware of a possible overlap with a pending FOI request.

On March 17, the town received the states go-ahead to destroy 100 records, the form shows.

The destruction request came roughly a week after Daniel Dunn, a member of Hamdens Police Commission, asked for civilian complaints dating back to 2016, under the Freedom of Information Act.

It also came less than a month after Dunn made a separate request for internal affairs files at a Feb. 9 Police Commission meeting, meeting minutes show.

Both requests were discussed during an April 13 commission meeting.

It is unclear whether civilian complaints were among the destroyed records. Hamdens request to the state library proposes the destruction of M7-710 records, which (document) internal affairs investigations where (the) complaint is unsubstantiated, according to the retention schedule on the state librarys website.

Such records have a minimum retention period of two years, the schedule says.

But records subject to a pending FOI request are not supposed to be destroyed, according to LeAnn Burbank, the states public records administrator.

Burbank only learned last week that the records Hamden police asked to destroy might pertain to a records request, she said. It is the purview of municipal officials to determine whether records are subject to a pending action, she said.

On Friday, Dunn told the state library about the issue, according to email correspondence he shared with the Register.

He did so just after coincidentally finding out about the possible destruction of records, he said.

It is disappointing that the (Police Commission) wasnt immediately notified of this, said Dunn. I found out accidentally.

After receiving word from Dunn, Burbanks office put a hold on all disposition requests from the Hamden Police Department.

We were just notified on Friday, so if anything comes into our office for disposition we would not approve the destruction, Burbank said.

The records disposition authorization request form, which town officials must sign when seeking to destroy records, includes a statement affirming those records are not subject to any known pending action.

I hereby certify that the records listed below have met the retention requirements established by the Office of the Public Records Administrator in the form of approved records retention schedules, the statement reads. No records listed, in our opinion, pertain to any pending case, claim, or action.

Both Sullivan and Garrett signed their names to that statement.

Garrett says she only became aware of a possible connection between the FOI request and the destroyed records last week.

Weeks after she signed the records disposition authorization request, Garrett told the chief the civilian complaints were public records and asked him to release them, according to an April 14 email obtained by the Register.

The FOIA requests go through (Town Attorney) Sue Gruens office, she said. I certainly didnt realize that those documents were  requested as part of (a FOIA request).

The mayor was uncertain whether civilian complaints, which would have been responsive to Dunns request, were included in the internal affairs files, she said.

Certainly internal affairs handles the investigation of civilian complaints, Garrett said.

While some documents have been shredded, Garrett said, they may be preserved in electronic form.

Burbank was told (officials) are able to recreate 90 percent of these records that were destroyed, she said. They are available electronically.

The town is investigating who at the Police Department initiated the request to destroy the records, Garrett said.

Obviously we take this all very seriously and we are looking into the entire situation, she said.

Asked whether there would be consequences for any employees deemed responsible, the mayor declined to comment on personnel matters.

When asked for comment, Sullivan referred a reporter to Gruen, the town attorney. Gruen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
WASHINGTON - Advocates on both sides of the abortion debate reacted Monday night with shock and emotion as they reviewed Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito's draft decision to strike down Roe v. Wade.

Even as leaders of major abortion rights groups promised action, they offered dark predictions of what a post-Roe world would mean for reproductive health. While many expected the Supreme Court to roll back the long-standing precedent in the next few months, most were blindsided by Politico's leak of the draft decision, nearly unprecedented for the high court.

Abortion opponents, meanwhile, were jubilant, celebrating the draft as a decisive victory after a 50-year fight to overturn the long-standing precedent.

A top leader at Planned Parenthood left open the possibility that coordinated grass-roots mobilization could change the decision before it's finalized by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, antiabortion leaders quickly suggested the leak was part of a left-wing attempt to "bully" the Supreme Court into changing its mind.

Many abortion rights advocates struggled to find words as they contemplated the potential ruling's implications. If the final decision released by the court is as far-reaching as Alito's draft, "trigger laws" will activate in 13 states, banning the procedure entirely. An additional 13 states are expected to ban or strictly limit the procedure in the near future.

"What can you say?" said Alan Braid, an abortion provider in Texas and Oklahoma who chose his profession after caring for several women who died from botched abortions before Roe.

"Life in this country will be noticeably different. There will be, every day, some story on some local news channel about somebody dying. I guarantee it."

Antiabortion advocates also struggled to find words as they read through the 98-page document.

"This is beyond anything I dreamed possible," said Missouri state Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R, who has helmed much of her state's antiabortion legislation. "I am speechless."

When Coleman and her Republican colleagues proposed Missouri's trigger ban in 2019, she said, they added the measure to a sweeping package of bills "almost as an afterthought," never imagining that the Supreme Court could soon overturn Roe.

They added the trigger ban to the legislation because other states had proposed the measure, she said - "not because we had any hope this would become law."

Now, it seems likely the state may be able to ban abortions by the summer.

The abortion rights movement started mobilizing as soon as the draft decision came out. Within an hour, advocates started gathering at the Supreme Court. Leading abortion rights organizations, including Planned Parenthood and NARAL, are planning to continue the protests at the high court through at least Tuesday and probably much longer.

Planned Parenthood is also coordinating a nationwide demonstration in towns and cities throughout the country, said Kelley Robinson, executive director of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. The organization is encouraging supporters to turn up at courthouses, federal buildings and town squares at 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Robinson said, to show the full extent of the opposition to a decision that would strike down Roe.

"I think everything is possible with the will of the people," Robinson said. "By mobilizing and making our voices heard, we will show this is an untenable situation."

"This is not the end," she added.

Mini Timmaraju, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, a leading abortion rights organization, said she will be traveling to Washington, D.C., early Tuesday morning to participate in mobilization efforts.

"Everybody is in conversation," Timmaraju said. "Beyond the reproductive rights movement, the progressive movement is mobilizing, already working on strategies and plans."

Braid suggested that the leak might be a positive development for the abortion rights movement, spurring abortion rights supporters to action.

"Maybe it's a good thing this draft came out," said Braid, a physician who made headlines in September for publicly violating the restrictive Texas abortion law. "I just don't know."

Several antiabortion leaders condemned the leak. Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins called it a "desperate act," suggesting without evidence that the breach may have been orchestrated by abortion rights supporters trying to reverse an unfavorable decision.

"It's very sobering to realize the depths the left will go to bully the Supreme Court," Hawkins said.

Coleman called the leak "astounding." While thrilled about the decision, she said she is not yet taking it as a settled fact.

"It's important to note that opinions can change," she said. "I hope this one sticks."

In Tennessee, another state with a trigger ban, abortion providers immediately started making plans for an official Supreme Court decision day, eager to make use of the extra time they had been afforded by the leak.

Leilah Zahedi, a high-risk obstetrician who provides abortions, said she would try to spend as much time as possible working at a Tennessee abortion clinic in case it was forced to close its doors.

"I think we're going to be providing abortions until midnight on June 30 and then anyone who's not done will have to go somewhere else," said Zahedi, anticipating that the official decision will come down at the end of June.

After the expected decision overturning Roe, Zahedi plans to provide abortions in Illinois or Colorado, some of the closest Democrat-led states to a wide swath of the South and Midwest where abortion will be banned or severely restricted. Zahedi could be prosecuted if she were to continue providing abortions in Tennessee after the trigger ban takes effect.

Many abortion rights advocates have been planning their response to this possibility for months. Amy Hagstrom Miller, chief executive of Whole Woman's Health, a network of independent abortion clinics with locations across the country, said she wasn't surprised by the draft decision's full-throated retraction of Roe.

"Everybody I know in [the independent] provider community has been talking about this for a long time," she said.

Hawkins was in Texas when she learned of the draft decision Monday night. While Texas has banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy since September, a Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe, and a subsequent trigger ban, would wipe out the procedure there entirely.

As the reality set in, Hawkins said, she started to cry.

"I'm right here at Ground Zero," she said. "To think about the lives that will be saved . . . per day, every day. It's an overwhelming number to think about."

Hawkins emphasized that Roe v. Wade being overturned would only be the beginning for the antiabortion movement. On Monday morning, her organization circulated a letter to every Republican member of Congress, urging them to back a nationwide "heartbeat bill," banning abortions at six weeks of pregnancy. Along with nine other antiabortion leaders, she argued that a 15-week ban, like the Mississippi law at the heart of the case before the Supreme Court, did not go far enough.

"If we are not focusing on limiting early abortions, we are not really addressing the violence of abortion at all," Hawkins wrote in the letter.

With this Supreme Court draft decision, she said Monday night, "we are on the precipice of a whole new America."
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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.
State lawmakers are poised to enact a number of reforms to Connecticuts school construction office as a federal investigation continues into the multibillion-dollar grant program.

Legislators in the House folded several changes to the program into the states annual budget bill, which they passed early Tuesday morning. The Senate is expected to take up the legislation Tuesday night.

The reforms tighten the bidding procedures for school construction contracts and set stricter deadlines for completing audits of school building projects.

The state Office of School Construction Grants and Review has been in the spotlight since February, when state officials revealed that a federal grand jury subpoenaed records related to the school grant program.

That subpoena  and similar summons that were sent to at least five municipalities  suggest that federal prosecutors are focused on investigating the work of former Office of Policy and Management deputy secretary Konstantinos Diamantis, who ran the school construction office for more than six years.

Diamantis, who previously served as a state Democratic lawmaker, was removed from both his state jobs last October.

Since then, Gov. Ned Lamonts administration has been reviewing the school construction office in an attempt to foster confidence in the grant program and the financial assistance it provides to municipalities.

The legislation that lawmakers are poised to pass this week came out of that review. Leadership at the state Department of Administrative Services, where the school construction office is housed, asked lawmakers to take up several reform measures at the beginning of this years legislative session.

One of the biggest changes requested by the state agency involves so-called construction management companies, which often oversee the budgets, schedules and bidding processes for school construction projects in the state.

In 2019, Diamantis convinced state lawmakers to pass a bill that would enable those construction firms to manage a construction project and simultaneously build part of the schools they were overseeing. The bill referred to that as self performance.

That law has remained on the books despite several industry groups complaining that the setup threatened to upend the normal bidding procedures for school construction projects by giving construction management firms an unfair advantage.

Noel Petra, the interim director for the school construction office, told lawmakers earlier this year that the language that was introduced in 2019 could allow a construction manager to perform work on a project without seeking bids from other companies.

They actually wouldnt be required to bid it, Petra said.

Those concerns should be alleviated by the legislation currently wending its way through the General Assembly.

The bill bans construction management firms from performing any of the physical construction work on future school projects. Instead, all of that work will need to be put out to bid to subcontractors.

Prohibiting self-performance helps ensure consistency between state and municipal projects, promotes competitive bidding along with opportunity and competition in the trades industry and creates a more level playing field between construction managers and subcontractors, said Lora Rae Anderson, a spokeswoman for DAS.

We are grateful for the collaboration of our legislators, municipalities, and industry leaders in this process and are hopeful this provision, along with others will help further strengthen the integrity of the school construction grants program, she added.

The other legislative fix that lawmakers are pursuing involves the financial audits that are performed once a school construction project is complete.

Recent reports have shown that the state is extremely slow in completing those audits, which determine whether municipalities properly used the grant funding they received.

The Connecticut Mirror obtained several recent audits showing the school construction office reviewed projects that were completed more than a decade ago.

To fix that problem, lawmakers plan to implement new deadlines for each construction project. Under the new rules, the state will have five years to complete the audit once students are in the building.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Dane County officials are suing dozens of firefighting foam manufacturers alleging their products contaminated the area around the county' airport.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported Tuesday that the county is seeking unspecified damages from dozens of companies, including DuPont, 3M and Johnson Controls. The county alleges the manufacturers sold foam for decades despite knowing it contained PFAS and failed to warn consumers and the public of the chemicals dangers. Court records indicate the county filed the lawsuit on April 26.
DERBY  City Hall has partially reopened after a one-day shutdown Monday due to three confirmed cases of COVID-19.

This was the first time the building closed for normal operations due to COVID infections since November 2020. The latest closure comes as restrictions on social gatherings and mask wearing have long since ended across the state.

We asked employees (Monday), whoever could, to work from home, the city has sterilized the entire building today, said chief of staff Walter Mayhew.

The three employees who tested positive, Mayhew said, will quarantine for five days then come back to work if they show no symptoms although he said they will have to wear a mask. While City Hall did reopened Tuesday, the tax collecting department, the WPCA office and the building department will all be closed until May 9.

Infected employees, Mayhew said, came from departments that normally interact with the public. Mayor Rich Dziekan, he said, was not in contact with any infected employees and was in his office Monday.

Mayhew said there was no particular cause for the infections.

Its not related to anything specific that we can tell. We think its just the normal cost of business in dealing with the public. The three offices have cross pollination, if you will. Theyre in the same general open area, Mayhew said.

Mayhew said masks are still not required at City Hall but that could change.

I dont know. Well have to talk with the mayor about that, he said.
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.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  The Michigan Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a spending bill that would fund new college scholarship program for high school graduates and increase operations funding for state universities by 11% overall.

The legislation, one of 14 budget bills to clear the chamber, was passed 31-4 with broad bipartisan support and will be further negotiated in talks with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the House, which is expected to advance its own budget plan starting Wednesday. It would be the largest higher education increase and budget in decades, at a time the state has surplus tax revenue.

Republicans who control the Senate also set aside $2 billion for tax cuts in hopes that an agreement can be reached between GOP legislators and the Democratic governor, who have been at odds over the size and breadth of tax reductions. Senators split along party lines on many other spending bills Tuesday and will pass a K-12 measure Wednesday.

The Senate did overwhelmingly agree to propose awarding achievement scholarships to 2022 high school graduates, with a goal of continuing the new program in future years. Students attending in-state four-year colleges could get up to $6,000 a year, while those at in-state community colleges could qualify for up to $3,000 annually. More than three-quarters of this year's graduating class would be eligible.

The aid would cover tuition or mandatory fees not already offset by need-based federal Pell Grants or Michigans tuition program for Medicaid recipients. The state has previously launched tuition-free community college assistance for adults ages 25 and older and frontline pandemic workers.

When our young people put in the work and demonstrate they are capable of being successful, we should ensure they have the freedom to pursue a postsecondary degree that fits their career paths, said Sen. Kim LaSata, a Niles Republican who chairs the Senate's higher education budget subcommittee.

The Democratic governor had proposed a 10% boost to operations funds for 15 universities.

The Senate bill includes an 11% hike along with $361 million for the scholarships and $562 million from the school aid fund to pay down pension liabilities of seven universities that are part of the Michigan Public Employees Retirement System.

Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. of East Lansing, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the investments are are incredibly important. For 30 years, Republicans and Democrats have failed our students.

The current $1.8 billion higher education budget is lower than it was 20 years ago and was gradually cut to below $1.4 billion as of 10 years ago. It would jump by nearly $1 billion in the next fiscal year.

Democrats unsuccessfully tried to amend various spending bills to align with Whitmer's proposal. They sought, for instance, to use $500 million of federal rescue aid to give hero" bonus pay to essential pandemic workers.

___

Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
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WALLINGFORD  Three 18-year-olds and a juvenile were charged with stealing a car and fleeing from police early Monday, according to the Wallingford Police Department.

The East Windsor Police Department called for assistance from the Wallingford Police around 1:45 a.m. to help find a 2021 Ford Explorer Sport Limited that was stolen from East Windsor. The towns police said they believed the car was at a home on Durham Road in Wallingford, according to Wallingford Police Sgt. Stephen Jaques.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The nation's capital has a long tradition of stunning leaks, from national security secrets to political scandals, but this week's disclosure of a draft Supreme Court decision is one for the history books. The document obtained by Politico shows a majority of justices could be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that created a constitutional right to abortion.

Its authenticity was confirmed by the court on Tuesday. The draft was written by Samuel Alito, one of the most conservative justices. According to Politico, four other justices  Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  have agreed with the opinion, enough for a majority.

If the decision stands as written, it would also overturn Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a 1992 decision that protected abortion services even though it allowed states to add some limitations.

Its not surprising that the court, which has a strong conservative majority after former President Donald Trump appointed three justices during his single term in office, would seek to curb abortion rights. However, the breadth of the draft opinion startled advocates and sent shockwaves through American politics.

Here's a look at where things stand right now.

IS THE SUPREME COURT DECISION FINAL?

No opinion is final until its issued by the court. The draft could evolve before it is formally released. The court is expected to rule on the case before its term ends in late June or early July.

The leaked version was dated Feb. 10, and any revisions could modify the scope of the decision and its potential impact on other constitutional issues.

But Politico reported that there were enough votes within the court to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the two key decisions that have protected abortion rights.

HOW WOULD SUCH A DECISION AFFECT ABORTION RIGHTS?

The draft opinion is related to Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, a case involving Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks.

But the decision would have ripple effects around the country, giving a green light for other states to enact their own restrictions on abortion. Some states have already passed trigger laws that would automatically ban or severely limit abortion in the event that Roe is overturned.

The most likely outcome would be a patchwork of laws around the country. States run by Democrats could be expected to protect access to abortion, while states run by Republicans would not.

CAN I READ THE DRAFT OPINION FOR MYSELF?

You can see all 98 pages here.

WHERE IS PUBLIC SENTIMENT ON ABORTION?

Only a minority of Americans want to overturn Roe vs. Wade. In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of those surveyed wanted the Supreme Court to leave the decision intact.

A more recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, released last June, said 57% of Americans believed abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Another 43% said it should be illegal in all or most cases.

When it comes to limitations on abortion, public opinion is more mixed. Support for the procedure is strongest when the pregnancy is in the first trimester, and declines after that.

It's worth remembering that three of the justices who appear poised to overturn Roe were appointed by former President Donald Trump, who did not win the popular vote when he was elected in 2016. A sweeping decision would invite new questions about how the nation's highest court reflects  or conflicts with  public sentiment.

HOW IS CONGRESS LIKELY TO RESPOND?

Alitos draft said control over abortion should be left to the people and their elected representatives." Theoretically, Congress could move swiftly to enshrine a national right to abortion, but that's unlikely. Such an effort has previously stalled in the Senate, where Democrats have only a slim majority.

If there's no legislative path to protecting abortion, it could take decades for the Supreme Court's decision to be undone. Justices receive a lifetime appointment to the bench, and conservatives have a strong majority that will be difficult to dislodge.

WHAT COULD PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DO?

Biden said hes asked administration officials to prepare a response to the continued attack on abortion and reproductive rights, adding that we will be ready when any ruling is issued.

But without congressional action, his options are limited. Although he said he wants legislation to pass on Capitol Hill, he hasn't said whether Democratic senators should sidestep the filibuster to do so. There's unlikely to be enough support within the caucus for such a step anyway.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL RIPPLE EFFECTS?

Democrats and liberals fear that a sweeping decision on abortion could undermine the right to privacy, a concept that has provided the foundation for other Supreme Court rulings over the years. Biden singled out same sex marriage and birth control as facing potential threat. Its a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence, he told reporters Tuesday.

WHO LEAKED THE DRAFT OPINION?

Chief Justice John Roberts called the leak a singular and egregious breach," and he's asked officials to investigate.

People familiar with the internal workings of the court could identify around 70 people who might have access to a draft. First, of course, are the nine justices themselves. Then, there is the small group of staff that work for each justice. Finally, there are the justices clerks, young lawyers who work with the justices for a year in a highly-prized position. Each justice has four clerks  and secrecy is part of their job.

Politico said it received the copy from a person familiar with the courts proceedings, leading to speculation that a dissenter among the justices or their staff wanted to make it public. However, it's also possible that someone who liked the draft hoped that releasing the document would harden support for it.
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HARTFORD  Republicans and Democrats on Monday were in negotiations over possibly raising the $28,000 base pay of state lawmakers who last had a salary adjustment more than 20 years ago.

In an election year, it could be a politically fraught issue, but both sides seem more amenable to a late-session agreement to bring base pay up to about $44,000.

But Gov. Ned Lamont, during an early afternoon news conference in the Capitol to discuss the new state budget numbers, said if a pay-raise bill can get support from both sides of the aisle, he would support it.

The two caucuses in the House and Senate scheduled closed-door afternoon caucuses on the proposal, which would also realign the pay of constitutional officers  governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of the state, attorney general, comptroller and state treasurer  to the nearly $200,000 made by Superior Court judges.

It was unlikely to reach the House floor for debate on Monday night, as the evenings business focused on the $24.2 state budget to take effect on July 1..

Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, House Majority Leader Jason Rojas and House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora said there was support for the raises, since in recent years the part-time legislature has become more of a full-time job.

Most people think were making over $100,000 a year, Candelora, R-North Branford, told reporters outside the House chamber. Were seeing a lot of retirements this year. People cant afford to be up here. I dont think legislators should have to take a vow of poverty when they choose to be a public servant, so I think were going to have that conversation.

In recent weeks, lawmakers have announced they would not seek reelection because of the low salary, including 10-year veteran Rep. David Arconti, D-Danbury, and fourth-term Rep. Joe De la Cruz, D-Groton.

Its amazing sometimes what can spark a consideration of things, Ritter told reporters before the start of the legislative work day. Future pay hikes would be linked to the biennial cost-of-living.

At the start of the session in February, Rep. Bob Godfrey, D-Danbury, who was first elected to the House in 1988, filed a bill that would raise the base pay of lawmakers to $44,079.37, but the bill died after a public hearing, an apparent victim of election-year politics. But Ritter, D-Hartford, and Rojas, D-East Hartford, said if a deal is reached, it would become a standalone bill.

The pay for constitutional officers is $110,000, while the governor receives $150,000, although Gov. Ned Lamont has not taken a paycheck since taking office in January 2019.

I think theres a real case to be made that what the attorney general makes, compared to a Superior Court judge, doesnt make sense, Ritter said. I got back to what Ive always said: We need Republican votes and if I do not have those, we would probably not run it.

Lawmakers also receive health insurance and unvouchered expenses of $5,500 a year for senators and $4,500 for House members. Committee members are paid $30,403; House majority and Senate minority leaders make $36,835; and House speaker and Senate president pro tempore make $38,689.

Lamont said he would favor a bipartisan agreement on salary adjustments. If you believe that given the $28,000 or $32,000 base thats for legislators is beginning to disqualify a number of people whod otherwise love to be able to serve their state and they cant because they cant afford it, its something I would sign if it comes to my desk.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
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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LAS VEGAS (AP)  The body found inside a barrel on the newly exposed bottom of Lake Mead after the lake's level was depleted amid drought is that of a man who was shot, police said Tuesday.

The killing probably happened between the mid-1970s and the early 1980s because the victim was wearing shoes that were manufactured during that period, said homicide Lt. Ray Spencer, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
NEW HAVEN  Yale New Haven Health ranked ninth in a nationwide ranking of hospitals that compared the amount they spend on charity care and community investment to the value of their nonprofit tax exemption.

The Lown Institute Hospitals Index ranked more than 275 nonprofit hospital systems, composed of more than 1,800 hospitals, and found 48 spent more on such things as free care for low-income patients and donations to other charities, which the institute called a fair share surplus.

Were very pleased to be among the top 10 in the country because I think that recognition continues to reflect the emphasis we continue to place on our patients and our communities, said Vincent Petrini, senior vice president for public affairs for the health system.

The institute calculated that Yale New Haven Healths surplus was $56 million. Yale New Haven Health includes five hospitals: Yale New Haven, Greenwich and Bridgeport hospitals, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London and Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island.

The health system plans to buy three for-profit hospitals  Waterbury, Manchester Memorial and Rockville General in Vernon  and will make them nonprofit hospitals, but the data the Lown Institute used was from 2019, so they were not included.

The institute also included CARES Act grants, which Congress passed to provide COVID assistance, and excess revenue, based on audited financial statements.

In calculating whether hospitals have a surplus or a deficit, they look at financial-assistance policies, support for those that need access to care who are uninsured or underinsured, he said. Both Yale New Haven and Bridgeport hospitals in particular are safety net hospitals.

Petrini said patients who earn up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level receive free care and the cost is discounted for those who earn up to 400 percent of the poverty level.

Petrini said Yale New Haven Health also makes contributions to ConnCAT, New Haven Promise, which provides college scholarships to high school seniors in New Haven, and United Way.

Petrini said the study itself has some serious omissions, which American Hospital Association President Rick Pollack wrote pointed out in a blog post. Petrini said these include reimbursement for Medicaid and Medicare and investment in basic research and teaching.

Petrini said it would amplify the investments we make if you add those in. He said Medicaid reimburses the hospitals 40 percent of its costs, while Medicare reimburses 90 percent. It relieves the government burden, but its a challenge for us, he said.

Pollack also wrote, many of the hospitals that Lown claims fall short on providing community benefits cared for an enormous number of COVID-19 patients and stepped up to meet other community needs because they were in the hardest hit hot spot communities during the height of the pandemic. Hospitals also set up vaccine clinics and developed COVID tests, he wrote.

The 227 hospital systems fair share deficit totaled $18.4 billion, according to Lown, with the 10 systems with the largest deficits making up 30 percent of the total.

In Connecticut, there was an overall deficit of $221 million. Hospitals with deficits totaled $294 million, while those with surpluses totaled $73 million.

edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382
GREENWICH  Another 55 cases of COVID-19 were reported Tuesday in the Greenwich Public Schools, according to the districts online tracker, as the number of new cases rises again.

The number of COVID-19 positive cases reported since classes began Sept. 1, 2021, for this school year now totals 2,664, nearly quadruple the 700 cases reported in the entire 2020-21 school year, according to the tracker.

The 55 cases reported Tuesday is an increase from the 44 cases reported last Friday; the district reported 339 cases of COVID-19 for all of April.

Those 339 cases for April are more than double the 167 cases reported in the district in March, according to the tracker. And the district was closed for six school days for Spring Recess in April.

As of Tuesday, the district was reporting 49 active cases, up from the 45 active cases reported last Friday. Those 49 active cases impacted 38 students, eight teachers and two service providers, according to the district.

Active cases of COVID-19 were reported in 13 schools, with the most at Greenwich High School, with 10 cases. That was followed by Eastern Middle and Riverside, with six active cases each; Julian Curtiss and Western Middle, with five active cases each; International School at Dundee, with four active cases each; Cos Cob, with three active cases; Central Middle, Glenville, New Lebanon and North Mianus, with two active cases each; and Hamilton Avenue and North Street, with one active case each.

A number of families in the Greenwich Public Schools have been hit hard by COVID-19 this school year, with 444 families reporting 959 cases.

The school district updates its online tracker twice each week to keep the community informed on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trending up

On April 26, the district had reported 63 cases of COVID-19 in the first report made after Spring Recess, which closed schools from April 15 to April 24. The total cases reported since students and staff returned from recess is 162, according to the tracker.

In Greenwich schools, April ranks as third for the most cases of COVID-19 reported with 339. And it also saw some of the largest daily reports since January, when the omicron variant hit and the district reported 1,422 cases for the whole month.

Since March 1, when the Greenwich school district moved to a mask-optional policy, a total of 561 cases of COVID-19 have been reported among students and staff.

According to the tracker, the monthly totals for new cases of COVID-19 reported in the Greenwich school district have varied widely, with: 339 cases in April; 167 cases in March; 137 cases in February; 1,422 cases in January; 392 cases in December; 65 cases in November; 29 cases in October; and 58 cases in September.

As COVID-19 infections persist across Connecticut, the state's seven-day positivity rate hit 9.42 percent on Friday, the latest data shows. The state reported 5,700 new COVID-19 cases among 60,527 tests in the past week.

The state has designated 131 municipalities with a red zone alert, which means there has been 15 or more cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks. That includes Greenwich, which had a 10.8 percent positivity rate as of April 23, with 42.4 new cases per 100,000 residents, according to the tracker.

The rise in COVID-19 infections has largely been attributed to the omicron subvariant BA.2. As of last week, it accounted for 70 percent of new cases across New England, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Previous reporting by Assistant Managing Editor Nicholas Rondinone is included in this story.
The founder of the Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Apostle John Okoriko, who was recently kidnapped by gunmen in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area...





The founder of the Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Apostle John Okoriko, who was recently kidnapped by gunmen in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State says he was severely tortured by his abductors while in captivity.





Recall that the clergy was abducted on April 20 when the gunmen numbering about five stormed the churchs premises with heavy weapons.





The abductors subsequently demanded N100 million from the church as the only condition for the release of the man of God.





He, however, spent four days in captivity before he was released.





Narrating his ordeal during church service on Sunday, the General Overseer revealed that his abductors named him Adeboye, saying he is a rich pastor and must produce the ransom.





According to him, two of the abductors knelt down and asked him for prayers before he was finally released.





He said, The torture was much. They did terrible things to my body to force me to bring money to them. I told them that I had not seen such money in my entire life. They told me I am Adeboye the richest pastor close to them in Akwa Ibom State.





Out of the five-man gang that abducted me, two of them knelt and asked me to pray for them before they released me in the evening and I prayed for those that needed my prayers.
The Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, condemned the brutal murder of two about-to-wed soldiers and noted that the action was perpetrated by membe...

The Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, condemned the brutal murder of two about-to-wed soldiers and noted that the action was perpetrated by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network.

The Army described as gruesome, barbaric and most despicable, the beheading of Master Warrant Officer Audu Linus (retired) and Private Gloria Matthew, who were on transit to Imo State for their traditional wedding when they were killed on April 30, 2022.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Tuesday, said the act was terrorism taken too far.

Matthew was first r@ped before she was shot dead along with her lover, Linus

The duo were later beheaded and the criminals made a video of the incident and circulated it online.

Reacting in the statement titled, Gruesome Murder Of Two Soldiers By IPOB/ESN, Callous And Despicable, the Army vowed that the assailants would not go unpunished.

The statement partly read, Ironically, the fact that one of the soldiers, Pte Gloria Matthew who hails from Nkwerre LGA of Imo state, has an ethnic affiliation with the good people of South-East Nigeria did not prevail on the sensibility of the dissidents.

This dastardly act, one too many, clearly portends the deep-seated hate, desperation and lawlessness with which foot soldiers of IPOB/ESN have been unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claim they are on a mission to protect and emancipate, as well as other innocent Nigerians who are resident or transiting the South East.





This gruesome murder, in which they did not spare even their own child, clearly depicts callousness, impenitence and is indisputable, a brazen act of terrorism perpetrated by IPOB/ESN.

Though the dissident groups have continued to live in denial while masquerading as unknown gunmen in their criminal violent campaign in the region, the NA will ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act unleashed on its personnel do not go unpunished.

While we deeply condole with the families, relations and close associates of the victims, the NA has commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.

The Federal Government had outlawed IPOB and designated the group a terrorist organisation in September 2017.

IPOBs leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services and is facing terrorism-related charges before Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the President, testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 11, in Washington, D.C. Shawn Thew/Pool/Getty Images
A visit to Alzinas Kitchen down the bayou in Galliano, Louisiana, was no ordinary dinner outing.

People would make reservations far in advance and often travel great distances for meals that played out like family suppers, served in a one-time welding shed by Bayou Lafourche.

Perhaps most memorable was the host, Alzina Toups, who for decades gave her visitors a taste of Louisiana cooking and something more.

I wanted my guests to know how the Cajuns live, Toups said during what proved to be her final interview, in December 2021. They saw Cajun life on the front burner, not on the back burner.

Toups died Monday, May 2, at age 94, confirmed her granddaughter, Jenny Stevens. She had suffered congestive heart failure and died surrounded by family at home, a small house next to Alzinas Kitchen.

She was born in a clapboard cottage just steps away from the home in which she died nearly a century later, and she spent her entire life in this tight-knit community. Her life revolved around her family and her Catholic faith. She and her late husband David had two sons, Anthony Toups and the late Joey Toups, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren all live nearby.

It was her skills in the kitchen, and the way that she could convey the stories of Louisiana food and family, that carried her reputation far and wide.

'God gave me this gift'

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Toups never ran a traditional restaurant and always called herself a cook, not a chef. One of her proudest skills was her ability to debone a chicken in four minutes flat.

She cooked breakfasts for clergy at her church, and when priests visited from other parishes, she would put on big, home-style spreads for them. This set the stage for Alzinas Kitchen, which started in 1977, as Toups approach to community meals continued to gain devotees.

More like a dinner club than a conventional restaurant, visitors arrived to find a metal building with no windows, no sign over the door and no separation between the cafeteria-like dinner tables and the kitchen. Toups would serve one meal for one group per night, with dishes like shrimp gumbo, smothered pork loin, black eyed pea jambalaya, chicken and shrimp fricassee and walnut tart.

Many of her recipes were passed down to her from prior generations, and much of her cooking drew from ingredients she could procure from local farms or pull straight from the bayou.

"God gave me this gift, to really think about what to put in food," Toups said in a 2006 interview. "Life is a mystery. We don't know the future, or what's going to happen. We know the past."

Toups had retired and was passing the reins over to Stevens when Hurricane Ida hit, causing major damage to Alzinas Kitchen. Repairs are ongoing, and Stevens now says she plans to reopen Alzinas Kitchen in the fall.

A funeral mass was held at Toups' home parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Galliano, May 4.

+22 Alzina's Kitchen, a legend of Cajun cooking, will return with the next generation Alzina Toups, 94, sat at the head of a long lunch table at her great-grandsons restaurant, Kajun Twist & Grill in Lockport. It was filled
Two people killed in shootings over the weekend were identified Tuesday by the Orleans Parish coroner's office.

Kelly Bennett, 34, was shot to death in Bywater on Saturday, in the 4400 block of Dauphine Street. The shooting, reported to New Orleans police just after 8:15 p.m., also wounded an unidentified man. Emergency Medical Services took both victims to a hospital, but Bennett died within an hour.

Jebrian Williams, 27, was fatally shot in Algiers on Sunday, in the 3600 block of MacArthur Boulevard. Police were called to the shooting at 9:35 p.m., and said Williams had been shot multiple times and died at the scene.

Police have not disclosed arrests in either case.
Susan Hutson took office Monday as the new sheriff of Orleans Parish and the first Black female sheriff in Louisiana, pledging during her inauguration ceremony to enact the reforms she said were badly needed and asking the city's people to hold her accountable for bringing the change she has promised.

Were making history tonight, said Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Nandi Campbell, who welcomed hundreds to the ceremonies in downtown New Orleans that began with a parade and culminated in Hutson, who is also the first female sheriff in New Orleans, swearing to protect and serve the parish as the new head of the city's jail.

From a stage crowded with fellow reformers, including Campbell and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, Hutson thanked the people who had helped assure her victory, and said in remarks speckled with references to "Star Wars" that, "Now, we have a new hope."

Hutson won the December election with 53% of the vote, taking the seat from longtime Sheriff Marlin Gusman, who served in the role for 17 years. She ran as an avowed progressive  and now, Hutson must work to honor her campaign promises, including meeting the requirements that will free the jail from a federal consent decree and prioritizing quality mental health care.

In recent interviews, Hutson had already announced some of her plans to improve mental health care and ensure people the criminal-justice system operates efficiently.

She said she is creating a new executive level of positions, one between herself and the deputy chief, that includes assistant sheriffs for external affairs, custody, governance and administration, and information and technology, and a handful of legal and special advisors. Some of those employees will work to increase the jails efficiency, including one who has marching orders to work with court officials and attorneys to create a more seamless system for releasing inmates from jail custody.

Today, that process can reportedly take several hours, according to Colin Reingold, director of strategic litigation for advocacy group the Promise of Justice Initiative.

And I think its hard to overstate how much every hour that a person is incarcerated is harmful, Reingold said.

In other areas, the new sheriff has said she would be slow to act. Shes organized a transition team of more than 100 people  made up of heavy hitters such as Norris Henderson; the head of VOTE; Will Snowden, director of the Vera Institute; and Calvin Johnson, a former chief judge for Orleans Parish Criminal District Court  who have been conducting assessments and working with the community to compose reports and recommendations for Hutsons administration.

Hutson has also quashed internal rumors that she would fire any Sheriffs Office employees on day one. Only a fool would come in and not know the lay of the land and make changes, she has said.

Among the most pressing issues Hutson faces upon taking over as Orleans Parish sheriff is a decrease in the number of deputies employed by the Sheriffs Office.

The jails security staff dropped from 586 employees in February 2020 to 542 in October 2021. The departments most recent hiring report shows it gained 23 new workers between January and March  but lost 45 others.

Ahead of her inauguration, Sheriffs Office employees expressed concerns their jobs were in jeopardy, said Sean Bruno, the departments chief administrative officer. Theyre just not sure what's going to happen, he explained. Should they be looking for new jobs? They dont know.

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Others worry that Hutsons promises on health care may be impossible to keep: Hutson, for example, has promised to fight the construction of the federally mandated jail expansion known as Phase III, a new 89-bed facility that would house inmates in need of mental health and other care. A federal judge, however, has said it must be built.

Hutson has already faced setbacks on one campaign promise: to rip up the contract with Wellpath, the health care provider for the jail. Despite her vocal opposition to the Nashville-based company, the city signed a new, one-year contract with it last month, weeks before Hutson took office.

The timing on this has just been horrible for me, Hutson recently said.

During her inauguration speech Monday, Hutson said she recognized the challenges she will face.

People are going to throw up challenges in our path, Hutson said.

But she implored the crowd to meet those challenges with her, asking them to join a fight to right the wrongs of past administrations and to keep her office accountable as honorary Jedi  a nod to Hutsons favorite movie series and her campaign theme of a new hope.

Together, the crowd stood and took an oath to become or remain a part of the change I want to see in my community, value all persons and all lives, to put on the honor of justice, to wear the belt of truth, and take up the shield of faith in our quest for true justice and equity.

She said to laughter, Welcome aboard, Jedi knights. Today, we are making our start, each of us together, fighting for change in this community.

The inauguration speech, which took place at The Fillmore event space, came after Hutson arrived at the ceremony via a parade led by a marching band and trailed by dancing Zulu Tramps.

Hutson rode on a house-like float surrounded by family and supporters and tossed T-shirts and plastic cups bearing her name to spectators gathered on the Canal Street sidewalk.

I promised that we would bring progressive change to the sheriffs office," Hutson later said, "and we will.
Two days after St. Tammany Parish voters shot down a sales tax to fund criminal prosecutions, District Attorney Warren Montgomery filed suit against St. Tammany Parish government, which cut his budget in half for 2022.

The lawsuit, filed in 22nd Judicial District Court, seeks nearly $8.8 million from St. Tammany Parish government and names Parish President Mike Cooper and all 14 of the Parish Council members as defendants. It says the DA's office has been using various funds to cover the shortfall that developed in 2018 when a quarter-cent sales tax collected by the parish expired, but it no longer has the money to do so.

The lawsuit says that Montgomery regrets having to file the petition but is compelled to for his office to function.

The filing was not unexpected. While campaigning for a 1/7th cent sales tax that would have generated $7.9 million annually for criminal prosecutions, Montgomery said that he would have no choice but to go to court if the measure failed.

Voters nevertheless rejected the tax by 54% in an election that drew only 8.6% of those registered to vote.

It's unclear how long it will take for the suit to be resolved. Montgomery filed it in 22nd Judicial District Court, and he said it will be a judge trial. But the court itself has had its funding cut by the parish, so it's possible that the entire bench could recuse itself.

Montgomery had campaigned for the tax by making personal appeals at government meetings and civic and business group functions, saying his office had been defunded and public safety was at risk.

Disappointed but not shocked

But antipathy for taxes seems to have overcome concerns about crime. Montgomery said Monday that he is disappointed but not shocked.

"I couldn't tell you all the reasons that it didn't pass," he said. "I'm sure there's more than one reason."

There is one thing that surely played a role: "People on the the north shore don't like taxes," he said.

Indeed, the defeat marked the fifth time that voters rejected a tax to pay state-mandated criminal justice costs, although the other four were sought by the parish government and were not targeted to one agency.

Montgomery is not the first 22nd Judicial District attorney to sue over funding. His predecessor, Walter Reed, sued Washington Parish in 1986 after the police jury there decreased his funding from the $145,000 he had sought to about $42,000.

The 22nd Judicial District includes both St. Tammany and Washington parishes.

Reed argued then that state law requires local parish governments to pay district attorneys' costs. Eventually, the Louisiana Supreme Court agreed in a 1988 ruling.

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Montgomery said the situation in that case is similar, though not identical, to this one.

Funds are depleted

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper would not comment on the lawsuit, which he said parish attorneys would review and respond to in a subsequent filing.

Since the loss of revenue to fund our justice system four years ago, Parish Government has reached into reserve funds to pay for the District Attorney, judges, and Parish Jail," he said in a written statement. "Those funds are now depleted, and the voters have continued to reject any and all efforts to restore the funding lost under the previous administration and Parish Council."

In the meantime, Cooper said he "will continue to seek ways to fund these vital services, which are essential to our quality of life."

The lawsuit says that the DAs office had to ask for more money as recently as last August to cover costs from October through the end of 2021.

When the Parish Council adopted its budget for 2022, only $3.1 million was allocated to the criminal side of the DA's office, the suit notes, less than half of what had been requested and "wholly insufficient for the District Attorney to perform his regular duties."

The civil division of the office, which provides legal representation to the parish government, was cut only slightly, the suit says.

State law requires the parish to fund its statutory obligations first, the suit says, but St. Tammany failed to use excess revenue from previous years or the $51 million in stimulus money it received from the American Rescue Plan to pay for the DA's costs.

No immediate staff cuts

Montgomery said that he does not foresee any immediate changes in staffing, but he noted that the office has a large docket, and the suit says number of cases is double that of previous years due to the pandemic.

He's already decreased staffing by 10% over the last seven and a half years, he said.

If the lawsuit fails  or if it succeeds but the parish doesn't have the money to pay the judgment  Montgomery said he will have to make some further changes.

"If at the end of the day I don't have the money to pay my salary and my co-workers salary, we'll cross that bridge, but I'm hopeful that we'll be able to resolve this, unfortunately through litigation."
Carmel-based developer Hageman Group is working to finalize the design for the new Linc development in downtown Valparaiso that will replace the Round the Clock restaurant that closed Sunday after 43 years.

Round the Clock sold the property to the private real estate investor, which is looking to build 121 apartments with ground-level retail and restaurants along Lincolnway.

Demolition of the Round the Clock building will likely begin in August or September.

The developer plans to invest $27.5 million in the project, Valparaiso Director of Development George Douglas said. The city initially announced it would be a $37 million project but that estimate includes a parking garage the city will build in conjunction with it, the actual final cost of which is not yet known.

"At this point, the developer's design team is finalizing the overall building design," Douglas said. "What we are doing as a redevelopment commission is working with a design consultant for the parking garage for the project."

The new development will help pay for the partly-public parking garage, which would likely have four to four-and-a-half decks and be partly subterranean. It will likely end up with 320 to 360 spaces.

"The biggest thing is for the consultants on The Linc to coordinate with the design of the parking garage to have synergies," Douglas said. "We ultimately want the design of the parking garage to fit in with the historic downtown."

The top decks of the parking garage would be reserved for Linc residents, and Hageman Group will pay for the maintenance and operation of those spaces, Douglas said. The lower decks would have free public parking where people would be able to park for about two hours.

"In a big city, they can charge for parking garages," he said. "In our case, it's more to promote the use of public parking downtown."

The final cost of the parking garage is not known because no final decisions have been made regarding the size, number of spaces, facade or other features, Douglas said.

The biggest design issue that's being worked out is the 13-foot difference in elevation between Michigan Avenue and Morgan Boulevard as the property slopes significantly.

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VALPARAISO  Customers grabbed the provided markers and scrawled many heartfelt tributes on the wall in the entrance to the downtown Valparaiso Round the Clock: "thank you for all the years of service," "I loved working here in the 1990s," "lemon rice soup forever," "RIP to hungover breakies" and "you will be missed."

On the last day of business Sunday, they left messages about how they dined there for years, how it was the first place they ate after moving to Valpo and how it's where they decided to quit drinking 11 months ago.

Customers filed in Sunday to dine at the Round the Clock at 217 E. Lincolnway one last time before it closed after 43 years. They hugged restaurant staff, shared memories and ordered their favorite meals one last time with many taking containers of the chicken lemon rice soup home with them.

"It's sad," owner John Christodoulakis said. "I grew up here."

His father bought the diner that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in 1979, building the distinctive storage shed in the corner of the parking lot so he could have a sign on Lincolnway. Christodoulakis has spent most of his life running the place.

"You meet a lot of people," he said. "Now you're not going to see them every day anymore."

There's been a massive outpouring of public support since Round the Clock announced it would close to make room for The Linc development that will bring housing, shops and a parking garage to Lincolnway.

"It's been humbling," he said. "People are really connected with this place. Some people have been coming here since the day we opened until the last day."

Many customers have started migrating over to the Chesterton Round the Clock restaurant Christodoulakis also owns. Diners from Valparaiso started visiting there after 3 p.m. when the Valpo Round the Clock started to close then every day as it wound down operations.

Most of the staff will work at the Chesterton Round the Clock. Almost all are transferring but not all have cars to make the commute. They've forged close bonds with many of the customers over the years, getting to know them by name and learn about their lives.

"A lot of these people have been coming for years and years and years," Christodoulakis said. "We know them pretty good. They're here day in and day out. We see them every day, sometimes twice a day. We have a lot of loyal followers."

Many of the employees have worked there for years  in some cases 10, 20 or 40 years.

"If it weren't for all their hard work, this place wouldn't be what it was," Christodoulakis said.

Chef Vui Tran has cooked there almost the entire time it's been open. He was behind all the soups and daily specials so many diners enjoyed.

"Without him, it wouldn't be the same," Christodoulakis said.

The staff gathered after the Round the Clock closed at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon for a final group photo. As it was shutting down, the restaurant encouraged customers to scribble their thoughts on the walls in the lobby "since it's going to be torn down anyway," Christodoulakis said. He planned to photograph all the comments to have a record of how much people cared about the place.

"I would like to thank them for their continued support and loyalty and invite them to come to Chesterton," he said.

In the final few weeks, longtime customers said they would visit the Chesterton diner and expressed wishes it would come back to a new location somewhere else in town.

"We've already seen a bunch of people going to Chesterton. It's really not that far away. We're not closing the door on the idea of coming back. If something comes up, maybe we'll come back," he said. "But for the time being, there really isn't anything. We're going to take a little break and then reevaluate and see where we can go and what we can do."

Part of the local Round the Clock chain that started in Gary in the 1960s, the Valparaiso diner long was open 24/7, catering to night owls, college students and third-shift workers. It hasn't been open 24/7 for at least a decade though.

The expansive menu shrunk over the years as items became harder to procure at a reasonable price, but still "tried to offer a little of everything." It often freshened up its look inside, even doing an extensive remodeling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For all the changes over the years, Round the Clock remained a constant in downtown Valpo, where the soup was always warm and the coffee pot always full.

"Downtown used to be a ghost town when it opened but it's changed," he said. "It's busy here and everywhere. Valpo is growing."

He attributes Round the Clock's longevity to a "good family atmosphere, good food and good service."

"People come here it feels like their second home," he said. "They're comfortable here. There aren't places like this anymore. Our food has a value to it. You're not spending $20 per person to come in here. People are just comfortable. You want pancakes, you can get pancakes. You want steak, you can get a steak. You want a hamburger or a Reuben you can get that. It's homemade. It's like eating at home. We have like stuffed cabbage and all that stuff."

Jill Rosenbaum worked there for 21 years.

"It doesn't even feel like work. It feels like home," he said. "The owners, the employees, the customers have become like family. I've gotten close with a lot of regulars. It will continue as we move to Chesterton. We've got a great following."

People flocked there in the final weeks to get one last slice of cheesecake or cream pie.

"Customers have been very thankful for the time that we've been here and hope we will be in Valpo again at some point," she said. "There's been a few points already today that have been sad as customers say they're here for one last time."

Bob Burns visited sometimes two or three times a day for the chicken stir fry, orange shrimp or breakfast dishes like ham, eggs, hash browns and waffles. He had a lot of friends he regularly saw there, such as to grab coffee in the morning.

"They make really good food," he said. "You can't beat the quality of the food. It's excellent. They got a really good chef."

He went twice on the final day Sunday, once to eat there with his grandkids one final time in the morning and then to come back for dessert at the counter.

"It was sad this morning because I had my whole family, great-grandkids and everything," he said. "They've been coming here since they were little. They love the lemon rice soup. We'll have to find a new place. The family's going to miss this."

Rosalie Schmidt from Hammond didn't realize it was the last day for the Valpo location but often visits Round the Clock restaurants across the Region.

"I come to Valpo a lot and now I'm going to have to find somewhere new to eat," she said. "I know why they'd want to put an apartment building here. Valpo is growing and there's not a lot of housing, so that's a problem. I get it. I get it, but it's sad."

Her colleague Mary Kostner joked she was glad they stopped there Sunday instead of next week.

"I've been coming to Round the Clocks for years," she said. "You can get breakfast anytime you want."

Peggy Brant dined there for 16 years, usually at least once a week. She was a regular on Sundays after church and often stopped in for breakfast or lunch during the week as well.

"It's like a family," she said. "This is going to be so missed. This is Valpo. This is the core of Valpo."

She got a chicken breast salad and soup because "she had to take something home to remind me of them." She gave Rosenbaum a warm hug on her way out the door.

"It's like a funeral dinner," she said. "We're not going to see them on a regular basis like we usually do. It's a change we're all sad about."

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GARY  An infant died last week as a result of "inflicted trauma" after medics rushed him from his apartment in the city's Miller section to a hospital, authorities said.

Devon Howard Jr., who was 22 days old, died Thursday at University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital from closed head injuries, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The baby's death was ruled a homicide.

Gary medics and police responded about 2:30 p.m. Thursday to the infant's apartment in the 5800 block of Cypress Avenue for reports that a child was choking and not breathing, police Cmdr. Jack Hamady said.

Medics already were leaving with the infant when officers arrived, he said.

The baby was transferred from a local hospital to Comer Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 11:54 p.m. Thursday.

Devon is the second Gary child to die as a result of abuse in April.

Xoey Glenn, 3, died April 15 at Comer Children's Hospital after she became unresponsive during an alleged beating April 12 by her mother and the mother's boyfriend.

Her mother, Tiarra Glenn, 28, of Gary, and the mother's boyfriend, Devan L. Allen, 29, of East Chicago, each pleaded not guilty to murder, five counts of battery and three counts of neglect.

Anyone with information about Devon Howard Jr.'s homicide is asked to call Detective Sgt. Daryl Gordon, of the Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit, at 219-755-3855. To remain anonymous, call 866-CRIME-GP.

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HAMMOND  The last of 19 members or associates of the Latin Dragons street gang indicted since 2017 in U.S. District Court pleaded guilty last week and admitted he was responsible for a 2012 homicide in Chicago, court records showed.

Gustavo Mata, 30, agreed to a sentence of 35 years in prison, his plea agreement states.

Mata pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, admitting he worked with other Latin Dragons members beginning in 2009 to shoot rival gang members and engage in drug and firearms trafficking.

Mata was with two other Latin Dragons members July 1, 2012, on a back porch in Chicago when he shot and killed 49-year-old Kelly Vann, whom he thought was a rival gang member, according to the plea agreement.

In July 2015, Mata shot at someone he suspected was a rival gang member and attempted to assault a person the following day, records state.

Mata also admitted he discussed distribution of illegal drugs in 2017 with other Latin Dragons members using social media messaging.

Mata's defense attorney, John Cantrell, said jurors in a racketeering case typically hear a few days' worth of evidence about a defendant's role in a gang.

"Then the murder case begins," he said. "Convincing jurors to be merciful to gang members is often a very difficult task. We felt as though this resolution was in Gustavo's best interest."

Mata was among 19 gang members or associates indicted since 2017 following an investigation into the Latin Dragons, a Chicago-based gang that operates in Northwest Indiana, Chicago's southeast side and its southeast suburbs.

Ralph "Lil Devious" Mendez Jr., who has lived in Hammond and Chicago, was sentenced in October 2020 to 42 1/2 years in prison for killing two men in Chicago and shooting or helping other gang members shoot 11 other people from 2014 to 2017.

Mendez's father, Ralph "Devious" Mendez Sr., of Chicago, was sentenced in October 2021 to 17 years in prison for crimes committed during his three decades in the gang.

Manuel Diaz was sentenced in June 2020 to 35 years in prison for killing 50-year-old Charles Berrios in 2017 in Hammond and playing a role in two other homicides and three shootings between 2011 and 2017.

Mata's sentencing had not yet been scheduled. Another nine defendants also were awaiting sentencing in the case.

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VALPARAISO  When a member of a large trauma team working on 6-month-old Braxson Jones yelled out that a bruise had been located, the boy's mother, Susan Jones, suddenly stopped crying, a jury was told late Monday morning.

"There's no bruise," the mother blurted out, according to Ashli McMiller, a social worker at Advocate Children's Hospital in Illinois.

Susan then looked over to her husband at the time, Curtis Jones, and said, "You need to tell me right now what happened."

Curtis Jones shrugged and said he did nothing, McMiller said.

The testimony came as the second week of trial began for Curtis Jones, who is accused of battering Braxson while alone with his son the morning of July 24, 2016, at their Lakes of the Four Seasons home and leaving the boy disabled and with a much shorter life expectancy.

Jones, 52, who is a former Porter County police officer now living in Florida, is on trial on felony counts of battery resulting in serious bodily injury to a person less than 14 years of age and two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury. Each of the felony counts carries a potential sentence of three to 16 years behind bars.

McMiller said Susan Jones also said to her husband at one point during the trauma response: "You need to tell me what's going on. What happened? What happened?"

Defense attorney John Vouga attacked the testimony, arguing that McMiller had not put at least some of those details in her narrative report at the time.

Vouga asked if McMiller had been aware that the parents had taken young Braxson to three emergency rooms during a 48-hour period just a couple months earlier.

He then asked McMiller if she was aware there is controversy over shaken baby syndrome. She replied that she would not call it a "great controversy" and said it was backed up by science.

Earlier in the morning, Steven Nanini, an emergency room doctor at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn said he saw Braxson during the early morning hours of May 29, 2016, when he was brought in with congestion, vomiting and trouble drinking.

It turned out the child had a cold but otherwise appeared to be in good health, he said.

"He appeared to be a happy child," Nanini said.

In response to questioning from Vouga, the doctor said he did not measure the circumference of the child's head but would not typically do that anyway in the emergency room.

He said all the child's symptoms were consistent with a cold and were not uncommon.

While the defense has portrayed Braxson as having health problems prior to the alleged abuse, Susan Jones testified last week that there was nothing but bouts of congestion, an incident of vomiting and dehydration, and hiccuping, which turned out to be nothing unusual.

She said Braxson was hitting all his developmental "milestones," including earlier on the day of the alleged abuse.

Jurors were shown a video taken by Curtis Jones of Braxson's birth and shown photos updating his normal development up to the alleged abuse.

Braxson, who is now 6, survived, but needs of constant care, Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Kristen Klink has said.

He is blind, needs diaper changing, is fed through a tube, must be moved by others and no longer communicates on his own, she said.

The trial is before Porter Superior Court Judge Mike Fish.

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ST. JOHN  Several high school seniors found themselves back in elementary school Friday as they listened to first grade students read books and encouraged their literacy skills.

Emily Lopez, president of the National Honor Society at Lake Central High School, said she wanted to organize an event that showed young people they are skilled and successful writers.

Each student has a voice, and what they say matters, Lopez said. She emphasized that programs like this helped her figure out what she wanted to do: STEM.

First grade students at Kolling Elementary each wrote books in several different genres, such as opinion writing, realistic fiction and series.

For the opinion writers, they wrote about why a specific animal was the best, regardless of if it was their favorite. The first grade students were able to ask the NHS students questions about high school and writing, with one asking if they write for fun or just for school? and another asking if they have to type papers or write with pencil and paper.

There were 67 NHS students total, and each then got paired with a few students who would then read their short book. NHS students asked questions to help encourage the students to engage with literacy and indicate they were strong writers.

Lopez said this has been in the works for months. She is a senior at Lake Central but has been considering this as a service opportunity since she was a junior and was applying for the president position.

She got the idea from her sister, who was in a sorority in New York. One of the sororitys service projects involved reading to younger students, giving them compliments and asking questions to encourage writing at a young age.

However, the program did not exist in Indiana. Lopez said she wanted to bring it to a more local level and went to Kolling herself, so it was perfect.

Overall, Lopez said the event went a lot smoother than anticipated. A lot of the young students were excited, yet nervous, to read to the high school students.

It means more when compliments come from older kids, Lopez said, emphasizing how first graders may look up to high school students and value their opinions.

Rhonda York, NHS advisor, said that it was entirely planned by students and that she loved the idea.

I think its a lot of fun for little students to connect with the big kids, York said.

Many of the high school students got to read with their original first grade teacher, and several even shed tears due to the nostalgia.

Everybody was really excited to be back here and give back to people who have been in your shoes, Lopez said.

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It took two years longer than he expected but Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. now has an actual shot at serving in Congress.

The five-term leader of Lake County's most populous city won Indiana's Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate Tuesday. He will face U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Libertarian James Sceniak in the Nov. 8 general election for a six-year term.

Both McDermott and Young were unopposed in their party's primary contest after their potential opponents were denied ballot slots by the Indiana Election Commission in March for failing to obtain the 500 signatures needed in each of the state's nine congressional districts to qualify for the race.

Despite his guaranteed primary victory, McDermott hasn't been taking it easy. He and his team already have campaigned in 67 of the state's 92 counties, including repeat trips to many of Indiana's largest cities and towns.

McDermott also attracted national attention last month by smoking marijuana, on video, in a campaign ad recorded in Illinois, where marijuana is legal, in an effort to cut across party lines and reach Hoosier voters who value freedom over Republican social policies.

Federal campaign finance records show Young has a commanding lead over McDermott in terms of fundraising with more than $5 million in the bank compared to less than $1 million for the Democrat.

That huge pile of money so far has enabled Young to largely ignore McDermott, instead of responding to McDermott's repeated condemnation of Young's decisions to vote against billions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief and infrastructure funding for Indiana, its communities and schools.

At the same time, Young lacks the endorsement of Republican former President Donald Trump, which could depress GOP turnout in the fall election, though Young's campaign suggested Monday they don't need Trump to win.

McDermott is not so sure. He's confident Young's expected strategy of relying on high-priced television ads to sell himself to voters, instead of holding town hall meetings and speaking to Hoosiers where they are, ultimately will backfire.

"I tell you what, if I'm your senator I'm going to go to every district  I don't care if it's a Republican district or a Democratic district  and I'm going to work hard there, and if I don't win that district in 2022 when I become your senator, I'm going to win it six years later because they're going to respect me because I'm not afraid to tell you the truth," McDermott said.

McDermott last competed in 2020 for Northwest Indiana's Democratic U.S. House nomination. He lost by 4,149 votes in a 14-candidate field to now-U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland.

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Today is Election Day.

Polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Northwest Indiana Democrats and Republicans to pick the candidates they want representing their preferred political party on this year's general election ballot.

In Lake and LaPorte counties, voters can find their designated polling place and view a sample ballot by logging into their registration record at IndianaVoters.com.

In Porter County, registered voters can go to any of the nearly four dozen polling sites in the county to mark their party's primary ballot following the county's switch to vote centers in place of precinct polling sites.

A shared electronic voter check-in system used at Porter County vote centers ensures no voter casts more than one ballot.

Under Indiana law, all voters are required to show photo identification to obtain a ballot on Election Day. Individuals also must have registered to vote by April 4 to participate in the primary election.

"Exercising the right to vote is foundational to our nations democracy. I hope all Hoosiers who have not had the opportunity to vote early cast their ballots on Primary Election Day," said Holli Sullivan, Indiana secretary of state.

"Hoosiers can go to the polls with confidence thanks to the work of election administrators in each of Indianas 92 counties to ensure safe and secure elections."

Voters who have any kind of difficulties at the polls should speak with a poll worker before leaving the voting site, contact their county's elections office, or call the national, nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

State data show more than 155,000 Hoosiers already have cast their ballots, including 35,000 by mail and 120,000 people who voted during Indianas 28-day in-person early voting period.

News articles on prominent races and complete election results will be posted to nwi.com after the polls close Tuesday night.

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SCHERERVILLE  The popular Portillo's restaurant is moving forward with a Schererville location.

The chain  best known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Maxwell Street Polish sausage, Italian beef and chocolate cake  has been discussing the possibility of a Schererville location for decades. Currently the closest Portillo's is in Merrillville off U.S. 30, west of the Southlake Mall.

During a Monday night meeting, the Schererville Plan Commission gave final approval to Portillo's development plan. Located at 67th Avenue and U.S. 41, the new restaurant would be the third-ever Portillo's to have a triple-lane drive-thru. The third lane will be reserved for online orders.

Were excited to bring our innovative three-lane drive-thru prototype to the great community of Schererville, Portillo's CEO Michael Osanloo said in a news release. The people of Schererville have been asking for a Portillos for a long time. With this third lane in our already-fast drive-thru, we have the ability to offer an even more convenient experience for our loyal guests who order directly from us.

The 7,780-square-foot restaurant is expected to open in the second half of 2022. Sitting on just over three acres of land, the casual dining spot will be able to seat around 175 guests inside and will have a seasonal outdoor patio with seating for 48.

According to the news release, the interior will be diner-themed, drawing inspiration from the 1950s and 1960s.

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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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Many pandemic restrictions in the United States and Canada have been relaxed, but that has not stopped protesters from gathering outside some government officials homes and badgering them.

Though vaccination and masking rules have generally eased in the last few months, protests have continued outside officials residences in Massachusetts and other places in the United States, and in Nova Scotia and Alberta in Canada. Demonstrators have disrupted traffic, disturbed neighbors and, in some cases, addressed officials with racist and sexist language.

Protesters have targeted the mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, since she took office in November. Many of them oppose her vaccination requirements for city workers and some people in indoor settings, although one of the mandates has been held up by a court ruling. They have pestered her for weeks outside her home, calling her Hitler and shouting at her children that she was going to prison, she said on Twitter in January.

Ms. Wu lifted the citys universal indoor mask requirement earlier this month, but the protests have not stopped.
On a recent spring evening, the pair invited friends and neighbors over to enjoy an Easter meal that represented them both. Aciar is from Argentina and worked for six years with the renowned chef Francis Mallmann before spending time in Californias Bay Area at Zuni Cafe and Chez Panisse. Polonsky is a born and bred Parisian, whose seven years at the French restaurant and events guide Le Fooding inform both the spirit of the Deligram, the bimonthly food newsletter she produces with the photographer Teddy Wolff, and her own creative agency. Aciar was also preparing for the opening of OCafe, which will feature cooking from monthly chefs-in-residence (as well as a wine bar, beginning this May) adjacent to OStudio, a co-working space for artists, architects, glassblowers, illustrators and others that he opened in 2019 on the border of Bed-Stuy and Bushwick. Since moving in, the couple have hosted several lunches, dinners and small parties in their inviting home. It feels natural to us. We cook a lot, Aciar says. A lot. But were different. Anna does all the things that take longer, the bigger and more elaborate concoctions. I always cook in 20 minutes. It cant take more time than that. Otherwise I get bored.

Polonsky, pregnant with the couples first child, threw on a floral-print Casa Velasquez apron over a Simone Rocha dress that she had picked up at a friends charity clothing swap. Aciar, in cropped 1/8 Takamura pants and a Nimes jacket, started a fire in a latticed iron fire pit in their backyard. A bit later, just before sunset, guests including the fashion stylist and shop owner Beverly Nguyen, the chef Woldy Reyes, the designer and artist Sarah Nsikak, and Diors head of e-commerce, Zohar Benjelloun, began to arrive. Afterward, Aciar and Polonsky shared tips for hosting a spring dinner with unexpected touches.
To Hood, the romance and glamour of worldwide travel were irresistible. The book recounting her modest adventures is as airy and insubstantial as cotton candy, and sweet enough to give you a toothache. Hood emphasizes how selective the process of admission was  I lost track of how many times she mentioned that it was harder to get into stewardess school than Harvard  and how rigorous the training. But the overall focus stays fixed on the apparent goal of this memoir, which seems to be convincing readers of how much fun the author had and what a challenging job it was to be a stewardess.

If that was her experience, she leaves out an awful lot. Reading Fly Girl is like watching a vintage Doris Day movie in which the clueless heroine mistakenly wanders out of the 1950s and into the sex, drugs and rock and roll that followed while remaining blissfully oblivious to the political and social turmoil swirling around her, let alone what it represented, how it happened and why it mattered.

For the real story of those years  including all the context cited above  one can turn to The Great Stewardess Rebellion: How Women Launched a Workplace Revolution at 30,000 Feet, a meticulously detailed history by the travel writer Nell McShane Wulfhart, who has performed a valuable public service by providing this reality check. Hood may mention a tearful stewardess who gets fired for gaining a couple of pounds, but Wulfhart tells you about the boxes of methedrine handed out by company doctors, the stewardesses growing reliance on black mollies and the amphetamine dependencies that resulted. If Hood glosses over the impact of the age limit for stewardesses, Wulfhart gives you the haunting life and death of Ann Davis, who killed herself after losing her job and sinking into despair about being old and useless.

As gut-wrenching as such stories may be, the overall saga is inspiring; who could remain unmoved by the ways in which a generation of increasingly determined activists won better pay, improved working conditions and other badly needed reforms? The jacket copy of Wulfharts book promises the rollicking unknown story of how they took action, harnessing the power of the feminist movement and the labor movement, and changed history.
Season 6, Episode 4: Hit and Run

Gus Fring is getting nervous.

We get a de facto tour of his psyche in this weeks episode, by way of the elaborate surveillance system designed to spot Lalo Salamanca, the man Gus tried to kill, before Lalo can kill him. Its a no-expense-spared operation. Seven cameras are pointed at Guss house; someone keeps an eye on nearby cars when he drives; a hired gun is working the fryolator at the Los Pollos Hermanos where Gus has an office; and two guys are trailing Kim, in case Lalo goes looking for her first.

Also, hes wearing a bullet proof vest and has a firearm strapped to his ankle. This guy is expecting the worst.

Two weeks and we havent had a tickle, says Mike, toward the episodes end.

Nonsense, says Gus, in so many words. Hes in a game where your instincts get to fail you only once, and he will not be swayed from his conviction that Lalo is alive. As viewers, we know that hes right, but were in the dark about everything else Lalo-related. He hasnt been seen for the last two episodes, and spotting Tony Daltons name in the opening credits doesnt count. The effect is to put the audience in the same mind space as Gus. We, too, know that Lao is on his way. Exactly when is a total mystery.

If he arrives. When last seen, the suavest member of the Salamanca clan  not a competitive category, true  was on the hunt for proof that Gus was behind the failed, very bloody home invasion of Casa Lalo. He isnt going to show that proof to Gus, of course. Hes going to show it to the cartel. Which may mean Gus will face a whole organization with many reasonably capable assailants in its employ.
10. And finally, its time for the party of the year.

The Met Gala is tonight. Weve got early photos from the event (above), and Times fashion director Vanessa Friedman has answered some pressing questions about it. Tonights dress code: gilded glamour. Think gold, corsets and bustles, Vanessa says. Think excess!

The powerful Conde Nast editor, Anna Wintour, who transformed this local philanthropic event into the ultimate celebrity-power cocktail, still has a say over every single invite. Rumor has it that Lin-Manuel Miranda, one of tonights special co-hosts, may entertain. Will former attendees Elon Musk, or Rihanna, be there tonight? Watch our red carpet slide show, produced in real time.

Have a trendsetting evening.

Eve Edelheit compiled photos for this briefing.

Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Want to catch up on past briefings? You can browse them here.

What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com.

Here are todays Mini Crossword, Spelling Bee and Wordle. If youre in the mood to play more, find all our games here.
For the second time in less than a week, New York City canceled plans on Monday for a shelter in Chinatown, where community opposition has complicated Mayor Eric Adamss efforts to move homeless New Yorkers off the streets.

The 94-bed shelter would have been in a closed hotel at the busy intersection of Grand Street and Bowery. The location is near where an Asian American woman was murdered in February in an attack for which a homeless man has been charged. The shelters would-be operator, Housing Works, had planned to allow illegal drugs in the building, a move that drew fierce condemnation from local residents.

Both canceled shelters are of a specialized type known as safe havens or stabilization hotels, which offer more privacy and social services and fewer restrictions than traditional shelters. Mr. Adams announced plans last week to open at least 900 rooms in such shelters by mid-2023.

The city Department of Homeless Services, which had previously said that the large street-homeless population in the neighborhood made it a crucial place to add shelter capacity, said on Monday that it would instead open a facility in an area with fewer services for the homeless.
Nina Jankowiczs new book, How to Be a Woman Online, chronicles the vitriol she and other women have faced from trolls and other malign actors. Shes now at the center of a new firestorm of criticism, this time over her appointment to lead an advisory board at the Department of Homeland Security on the threat of disinformation.

The creation of a board, announced last week, has turned into a partisan fight over disinformation itself  and what role, if any, the government should have in policing false, at times toxic, and even violent content online.

Within hours of the announcement, Republican lawmakers began railing against the board as Orwellian, accusing the Biden administration of creating a Ministry of Truth to police peoples thoughts. Two professors writing an opinion column in The Wall Street Journal noted that the abbreviation for the new Disinformation Governance Board was only one letter off from K.G.B., the Soviet Unions security service.

Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, has found himself on the defensive. In a television interview on CNN on Sunday, he insisted that the new board was a small group, that it had no operational authority or capability and that it would not spy on Americans.
Follow our live coverage of Tuesdays primaries in Ohio and Indiana.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, one of the nations most prominent left-wing officials, endorsed Nina Turners congressional bid in the final hours of a divisive Ohio contest that has increasingly attracted national Democratic attention.

Ms. Turner, a former state senator who was a co-chair of Senator Bernie Sanderss 2020 presidential campaign, is challenging Representative Shontel Brown from the left in Tuesdays primary election, a rematch after Ms. Brown won a bitterly fought special election last year in what was widely seen as a victory for the institutional Democratic Party.

Nina is exactly the kind of progressive leader we need more of in Congress, read a fund-raising email from Ms. Ocasio-Cortezs team that was released widely Monday evening, on the eve of the primary, and was first reported by The New York Times. She will be a powerful voice for policies that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of working people across this country  like Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, and a Green New Deal.

For her part, Ms. Brown has been endorsed by President Biden and has campaigned in recent days with high-ranking party officials including Representatives James E. Clyburn and Hakeem Jeffries.
The March for Life rally in Washington in January. A decision along the lines of the one in the leaked Supreme Court draft could open new political battles over abortion.

WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that has guaranteed the right to abortion for nearly a half-century, according to a leaked draft opinion from February published online Monday night by Politico.

In the draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., a majority of the court voted to overturn Roe, according to Politico. Justice Alito called it wrongly decided and said the contentious issue, which has animated political debates in the United States for more than a generation, should be decided by politicians, not the courts.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, Justice Alito writes in the document, labeled the Opinion of the Court, referring to a second decision that reaffirmed Roe. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

The draft posted by Politico is consistent with the Supreme Courts published opinions in ways large and small, including structure, length, typography and how legal citations are rendered. Its assertive and sometimes slashing tone reads very much like other major opinions from Justice Alito.

The release of the 98-page document is unprecedented in the courts modern history: Early drafts of opinions have virtually never leaked before the final decision is announced, and never in such a consequential case. And early drafts of opinions often change by the time the decision from the court is announced.

Shortly after the article was published Monday night, Politicos editor in chief, Matthew Kaminski, and its executive editor, Dafna Linzer, sent an email to newsroom employees emphasizing its authenticity. In the memo, Mr. Kaminski and Ms. Linzer said that the article underwent an extensive review process, describing it as plainly news of great public interest.

Asked for reaction to the apparent leak, a Supreme Court spokeswoman said the court had no comment.

If the justices announce a decision along the lines of the early, leaked draft, it would be a seismic change in American law and politics, coming just months before congressional midterm elections that will decide who controls power on Capitol Hill.

Abortion has long split the two parties  and the country  though it had receded as a central issue in presidential elections even while remaining a galvanizing issue for many. A court decision along the lines of the one in the early draft could incite new political battles in Congress and in states across the country about whether and how the procedure should be limited.

The Politico report said the justices voting to support Justice Alitos opinion were Clarence Thomas, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. The news organization said Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan were working on dissents. It was not clear how Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. planned to vote.

Roe v. Wade, which established a constitutional right to abortion in a landmark 1973 case, has been a centerpiece of American jurisprudence ever since. In the language of the court, it has been a precedent that cemented the basic rights of women to have access to a legal abortion. Over the years, the court has accepted restrictions on that right, but has not wavered from the basic legal standard set out by Roe.

The current court  which has six conservative justices and three liberal ones  has provided indications over the past year that it may be willing to reconsider that position.

During Supreme Court arguments in December, conservative justices indicated a willingness to scale back, if not undo, the federal abortion protections and leave most of the regulation up to individual states.

In more than two dozen conservative states, lawmakers have prepared bills that would effectively outlaw abortion if the court overturns Roe v. Wade. If the court embraces Justice Alitos draft opinion as its final position, it would clear the way for those bills to quickly become law.

The draft opinion makes familiar arguments against Roe. It says that the Constitution is silent about abortion and that nothing in its text or structure supports a constitutional right to abortion. Roe, the draft continues, is so egregiously wrong that it does not deserve to be retained as a precedent. The proper approach, the draft says, is to return the question to the states.

The Mississippi law challenged in the case bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, and Justice Alito could have adopted a middle-ground approach advocated by Chief Justice Roberts when the case was argued in December: to sustain the law and leave questions about the fate of Roe for another day.

According to Justice Alitos draft, a majority rejected that approach.

If the draft opinion or something like it is ultimately issued, it will produce rifts at the court that could test its legitimacy.

At the argument, the courts three liberal members said that overruling Roe soon after a change in the courts membership would damage the courts authority. Indeed, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said, doing so would pose an existential threat.

Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception that the Constitution and its reading are just political acts? she asked.

If people actually believe that its all political, how will we survive? she asked. How will the court survive?

The leak of the draft opinion sent a jolt through Washington Monday night. The revelations from the draft opinion once again place the nine justices at the center of one of the most contentious issues in American life.

But the leak may also be the starting gun on a fierce, new political debate even before the justices issue a final ruling.

Conservatives who oppose abortion rights quickly hailed Justice Alitos conclusions as the correct ones for the country, praising him for legal reasoning that they have been arguing for decades in the court of public opinion.

We dont know whether rumors of the end of Roe are accurate yet, but we know that ending Roe is the right decision, returning the issue to we the people from a few judges with an agenda, said Kristan Hawkins, the president of Students for Life of America. You wont find abortion written in invisible ink in the Constitution, undiscovered until seven men saw it in 1973. Ending preborn human life is and has always been a judicial error.

Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, tweeted Monday night that Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life.

But he also assailed the leak of the draft opinion, saying the Supreme Court and the Justice Department must get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary.

Democratic lawmakers and liberal activists also criticized the leak. But many quickly seized on the news as a prime reason that voters should support Democrats in the fall elections.

If this report is true, this Republican attack on abortion access, birth control and womens health care has dramatically escalated the stakes of the 2022 election, said Christie Roberts, the executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. At this critical moment, we must protect and expand Democrats Senate majority with the power to confirm or reject Supreme Court justices.

Cecile Richards, who served as president of Planned Parenthood from 2006 to 2018, as Congress and state legislatures ramped up restrictions on reproductive health, said that ending legal abortion will not end abortion. It simply will mean that women are no longer safe in this country, and that lies at the feet of the Republican Party.

On Twitter Monday night, the news generated a debate about which political party might benefit from the early revelation of the courts possible decision. Many argued that Democrats would use the report to energize their core voters.

Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington and a member of her partys leadership in the Senate, promised to do just that.

After ringing these alarms for years now, its time to break the glass, she wrote in a statement. We need to fight back with everything weve got right now. The right to abortion is on the line, and Ill never stop fighting to protect it.

Reporting was contributed by Carl Hulse , Emily Cochrane , Elizabeth Dias from Washington, and Kate Zernike , Benjamin Mullin and Katie Robertson from New York.
WASHINGTON  Just hours after reports emerged that a majority of justices had voted to strike down Roe v. Wade and the abortion protections it enshrines, scores of protesters began to assemble outside the Supreme Court, flowing into the area well into the early morning hours on Tuesday.

The mood outside the court was a mix of anger and mourning, with some demonstrators sitting silently in front of a long line of candles, while others formed a roving circle, shouting defiant chants about the news.

The scene on early Tuesday echoed the hastily assembled late-night vigil held after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2020, which even then seemed to cast doubt on the future of abortion rights.

But many who arrived at the court said the leaked document proved that a showdown over abortion rights was imminent.
In an interview, Israel said he wrote the initial musical sketches soon after finding the manuscript. He quoted the poem  Name day and birthday/Guests, noise and animation/Get drunk on Grand Marnier/Dont forget a glass for me  and explained that the first letter of each line spelled Igor in the original Russian. Balanchines melody for the poem was beautiful, he said. I thought, This cant just sit here.

He returned to New York, where he was working as an editor for the Bernstein estate, and composed many snippets that were variations on the original theme. Over the years, as talks with choreographers and ballet companies failed to bear fruit, he continued to work on the piece. I thought, Some day someone is going to want this, he said.

That day came in 2019 when Whelan called Israel to commission the score for the coming Stravinsky Festival. I blacked out! Israel said.

He and Farley worked together over Zoom, going through the musical sketches, and choosing which to develop. Then Farley listened to the score over and over again. I mapped out which sections would be solos, pas de deux or group dances, and the counts for the dancers, but the real movement invention was very visceral and in the moment in the studio, he said.
The Smithsonian Institution announced Tuesday that it has adopted a policy that will formally authorize its constituent museums to return items from their collections that were looted or were otherwise once acquired unethically.

The institutions leaders said the policy, which took effect Friday, represents a shift away from the stance long taken by it and other museums, who had held the view that the legal right to own an item was sufficient justification to keep it.

My goal was very simple: Smithsonian will be the place people point to, to say This is how we should share our collections and think about ethical returns, Lonnie G. Bunch III, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, said in an interview. The Smithsonian is this amazing wonder  this gift not just to the country but to the world. Its really important that we provide leadership.

In recent years, as conversations about racism and the legacy of colonialism have proliferated, the discussion about the repatriation of the artworks that were stolen, taken under duress or removed without the consent of their owners has intensified at cultural centers across the globe.
Mr. Johnson said Sondra Hines, who died in 2013, would have appreciated that her husbands work was gaining new recognition. In one catalog of his work, Mr. Hines wrote a dedication to Sondra: Without her talents and devoted work much of what I am about would never see the light of day.

Mr. Johnson said Mr. Whipple was an ideal guardian of his friends art because he approaches projects with a practical, hands-on style in keeping with Mr. Hiness philosophy that art is solving problems.

Jonathan Hines, Mr. Hiness son, said in a statement provided by Mr. Whipple that it was fate that a figure outside the art world discovered his fathers art and that it would not have happened if he had decided to keep the art, instead of throwing it away.

The bottom line is that my father receive the recognition that he deserves, Mr. Hines said.

The new attention to Mr. Hiness art has drawn comparisons to the works of Christo, the Bulgarian-born artist, who with his wife and collaborator, Jeanne-Claude, used fabric to cover and create structures including the Arc de Triomphe. Christo  who used only his first name  died in 2020.

The Connecticut gallery that will be exhibiting Mr. Hiness work starting this week specializes in bringing attention to lost and forgotten art. The gallerys owner, Hollis Taggart, was introduced to the Hines collection by the art historian Peter Hastings Falk.
Starter episode: Introduction to QAnon

Last summer, a high-rise condo suddenly collapsed in the town of Surfside, just north of Miami Beach. It was an unthinkable catastrophe that left 98 people dead and countless others traumatized. It also raised a number of unresolved questions  Buildings like this dont fall down in America, said Charles Burkett, the mayor of Surfside at the time. This harrowing series from The Miami Herald traces the events of that night minute by minute, before zooming out to explore the aftermath and ongoing investigation. Through interviews and on-the-ground audio clips, the voices of survivors, emergency medical workers, reporters and local officials combine to create a haunting and evocative portrait of what happened.

Starter episode: No Warning

Its been more than two months since Russia began its military invasion of Ukraine, escalating an eight-year-old conflict into a devastating war that has left civilians dead, cities destroyed and the world on edge. Given both the scale of the story and the reality of whats happening, staying up-to-date on the latest developments can be a challenge. This NPR show launched in early March and operates more like a radio bulletin than a traditional podcast, with multiple new on-the-ground episodes released every weekday, each running for less than 10 minutes. Featuring reporters, aid workers, military personnel and civilians, the series explores the conflict from every angle, while also digging into the historical context.

Starter episode: What Is Russias Plan B?

The Sept. 11 attacks fall into the category of what some psychologists call flashbulb memories: moments of collective trauma about which people have unusually vivid recollections. Its the reason many people can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. But this series from Pineapple Street Studios focuses on what came after the flashbulb moment, and the losses that arent memorialized. Hosted by the filmmaker Dan Taberski (Missing Richard Simmons), 9/12 explores the ways America changed after the attacks, from seven very different perspectives. Among the voices: the creator of a film that helped spread a conspiracy theory; a Brooklyn business owner whose Muslim neighbors began vanishing in droves; and the staff of The Onion who found themselves tasked with writing jokes about the news in a post-9/11 world.

Starter episode: Too Soon

Despite being one of the deadliest episodes of racist violence in American history, the Tulsa race massacre of 1921 has remained a largely unknown story until recently. A vicious white mob (supported by law enforcement) descended on a thriving Black neighborhood in Oklahoma, killing residents, burning homes and businesses and damaging a community that symbolized Black prosperity and success. Since the event has generally remained overlooked in schools, many people learned about it for the first time last year, when the combination of Americas racial reckoning and the 100th anniversary of the massacre propelled a wave of new documentaries about it. The second season of Blindspot, a series from the History Channel and WNYC, is an exhaustive and gripping chronicle of the long-hidden atrocity, and the ripple effects it had in Oklahoma and beyond.

Starter episode: The Past Is Present

More than a year after a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, much about the story feels incomprehensible. Investigators are still working to understand how the riot snowballed out of President Trumps failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election and how rioters were able to go so far unimpeded. In the meantime, this MSNBC show offers an incisive glimpse into the mind of one person in that crowd  Rosanne Boyland, who was crushed to death by the mob. She had little interest in politics until mid-2020 and wasnt much of a Trump fan. In just a few months, her friends and family believe, she was radicalized. Over the course of five episodes, the host, Ayman Mohyeldin, tries to uncover exactly how.
Irving Rosenthal wasnt famous like the Beat figures he associated with  Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg and others. But he was an integral part of their scene. In fact, he propelled it forward at a crucial time.

In the late 1950s Mr. Rosenthal was a graduate student at the University of Chicago and the editor of its affiliated journal, Chicago Review. He and his poetry editor, Paul Carroll, were fond of the Beat writers who had emerged on the West Coast and elsewhere and began publishing them. The spring 1958 issue featured Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Michael McClure, Ginsberg, Kerouac and others who had been making an impression on the San Francisco poetry scene, as well as an excerpt from Burroughss shocking (but not yet published) novel Naked Lunch.

Another Naked Lunch excerpt appeared in the autumn 1958 issue, garnering considerable attention  not all of it positive. Filthy Writing on the Midway, read the headline of a scalding October column by Jack Mabley of The Chicago Daily News. Mr. Rosenthal quickly felt pressure from university officials; he was told that the next issue needed to be completely innocuous, something he could not guarantee.

As weve got it planned, he wrote to the universitys chancellor, it wont be innocuous.

Rather than give the university an excuse to kill the journal, Mr. Rosenthal resigned, taking the galleys for the suppressed issue with him.
If a decision against Roe throws the issue to states, about half of them, located mostly in the South, Midwest or Great Plains, would probably ban or limit abortion. In 13 states, trigger laws would make abortion illegal immediately or very quickly after Roe is overturned. Fourteen more would be likely to ban or restrict it heavily.

In states that have already moved to ban or restrict abortion, medical abortions, using pills ordered online, have been a workaround  and the new focus in the nations five-decade debate over abortion rights.

In polls, Americans generally support abortion rights. Right now, around one in four American women is expected to obtain an abortion in her lifetime. If Roe were overturned, legal abortions would fall by at least 13 percent, according to one estimate. For a view of life before Roe, The Timess Opinion section interviewed women who remembered it.
The draft says that the Constitution is silent about abortion and that nothing in its text or structure supports a right to abortion. Roe, the draft continues, is so egregiously wrong that it does not deserve to be retained as a precedent; the proper approach is to return the question to the states.

The drafts assertive and sometimes slashing tone reads very much like other major opinions from Alito, The Timess Michael Shear and Adam Liptak note.

Politico apparently did not obtain a draft of the dissent. But during oral arguments, the liberal justices argued that such a radical change coming so soon after a change in the courts membership would undermine its claims of nonpartisanship.

Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception that the Constitution and its reading are just political acts? Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked. If people actually believe that its all political, how will we survive?

How we got here

Roe has been law for almost 50 years, and Democrats  who almost universally support it  have won five of the past eight presidential elections. How, then, did an anti-Roe Supreme Court majority happen?

Circumstance plays a role. Donald Trump was able to appoint three justices, because of retirement or death  the most appointments in a single term in decades. But two specific decisions also loom over the potential repeal of Roe:

In 2016, after Justice Antonin Scalia died, Mitch McConnell and other Senate Republicans refused to allow Barack Obama to appoint a replacement during his final year in office. It was an aggressive power grab with little precedent, and it worked, after Trump won that years election.

In 2013 and 2014, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg decided not to retire, even though Obama could have appointed her replacement and Democrats controlled the Senate. She was enjoying her job as a justice, and she ignored pleas from other progressives, who specifically warned that she could be threatening abortion access.

Barrett now occupies Ginsburgs old seat, and Gorsuch occupies Scalias. Without both of those votes, Roe would probably not fall. During oral arguments, Roberts appeared to prefer a compromise that would have allowed states to ban abortion at 15 weeks; such a decision would have outlawed only a small percentage of abortions.

The politics

Public opinion on abortion is complicated. Most Americans support at least some access to abortion, and most support at least some restrictions. (A previous edition of The Morning goes through the details.)
The end of Roe v. Wade?

The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed the authenticity of a leaked draft ruling that would overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, which established a constitutional right to abortion almost 50 years ago.

The court stressed that the draft opinion, which indicated that the court would let individual states determine abortions legality, could change before it is finalized. On Monday night, after Politico broke the news, protesters gathered outside the court.

The disclosure set off a political earthquake. Chief Justice John Roberts ordered an investigation of the leak, which he called a betrayal of the confidences of the court. The final decision is not expected for at least a month.

Resources: Follow live updates and read key passages from the leaked opinion.

Whats next: If Roe is overturned, the U.S. could see a patchwork of different laws in different states. One estimate suggests that the number of legal abortions would decline by about 13 percent.
A street hawker squatted on the sidewalk and struggled for breath. A construction worker moved slowly, careful not to pass out. A house painter was home sick, losing out on several days wages.

I met them all on a reporting trip to India in the summer of 2018. I had gone to report on the effects of a warming planet on what is soon to be the worlds most populous country. Extreme heat, I learned, was destroying the health and livelihoods of Indias working poor. And if global greenhouse gas emissions continued to grow, the scientific models were telling us at the time, the combination of heat and humidity could be literally unbearable.

Nearly every year since then, India has witnessed extraordinary spikes in temperatures. This year, though, the heat is unrelenting across a vast swath of the country, and its raising an urgent question: Is it even possible to protect people for a future of such extreme heat?

Parts of northern and central India recorded their highest average temperatures for April.

For more than a month now, across much of the country (and in next door Pakistan), temperatures have soared and stayed there. The capital, Delhi, topped 46 degrees Celsius (114 degrees Fahrenheit) last week. West Bengal, in the muggy east of the country, where my family is from, is among those regions where the combination of heat and humidity could rise to a threshold where the human body is in fact at risk of cooking itself. That theoretical limit is a wet bulb temperature  when a thermometer is wrapped in a wet cloth, accounting for both heat and humidity  of 35 degrees Celsius.
With long-term severe drought continuing to take a toll on the Colorado River, the federal government announced on Tuesday that it will retain some water in one of the rivers major reservoirs, describing it as an extraordinary action to temporarily stave off increased uncertainty in water and electricity supplies in the West.

The decision to keep more water in Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border, rather than releasing it downstream to the other major reservoir, Lake Mead near Las Vegas, comes as both are at record-low levels after 20 years of drought made worse by climate change. Powell, behind Glen Canyon Dam, currently holds less than one-fourth of the amount it held when it filled after the dam was built in the 1960s.

We have never taken this step before in the Colorado River basin, said Tanya Trujillo, an Interior Department assistant secretary. But the conditions we see today, and the potential risks we see on the horizon, demand that we take prompt action.

Together with the release of more water into Lake Powell from an upstream dam, the decision will keep the lake at a level at which it can continue generating hydropower for the next 12 months. Beyond that, Ms. Trujillo said, the situation will be re-evaluated.
Walk into any pizzeria in New York City, with a few well-known exceptions, and you can order with your eyes closed: A thin-crust cheese slice is inevitable, a Sicilian or grandma slice is likely, an all-cheese white pie is probable. There will definitely be pepperoni, and because many owners buy from the same suppliers, the pepperoni you get in the Bronx this week will not be noticeably different from the pepperoni you had in Queens last week.

Most pizzerias are like cover bands. Some rock harder than others, but they play the same standards. Every so often, though, one of those bands begins to write its own songs.

That was the story of Di Fara Pizza in Midwood, which appeared to be a street-corner slice joint but was so punctilious about ingredients and proportions that it kicked off a slice-joint renaissance around New York City. Now it seems to be the story of Lucia Pizza of Avenue X, a four-month-old shop in Sheepshead Bay.
When I began thrifting and scrounging my way to some semblance of personal style, there was still something shameful about admitting that your clothes had a past, unknowable-to-you life. Ive spent a decade and a half covering fashion (Im Elles fashion features director now), and over that time Ive seen the industry awakening to sustainability and reuse. Luxury brands that once destroyed and even burned unsold merchandise are now thinking of ways to reinvent it. Salvage and resale have become antidotes to the conveyor belt of fast fashion, wherein clothing behemoths like Shein offer thousands of new styles every week, social media users display their latest avalanche of purchases in haul videos and Instagram influencers post themselves in new outfits multiple times a day. When some have so little and others are drowning in a surfeit of options, the flaunting of abundance  so long the central driver of our screen-based existence  starts to feel like bad manners.

Making new things out of others castoffs is something small-town America has done for decades, in a sort of municipal precursor to Freecycle or Buy Nothing groups. The importance of sharing resources became increasingly clear as the Covid-19 pandemic raged. For more and more people, getting free stuff from neighbors went from being a quirk, or a fun excuse for a days outing, to being a necessary form of mutual aid.

Covid taught its lessons about mutual aid, but of course it also challenged every community that tried to live by them, and its not yet clear what any of us are taking away from the last two years. During the pandemic, the Swap Shop closed, leaving the area without its social escape valve. When it reopened last summer, it might as well have been a hot new downtown club. Indeed, my first trip back felt like somewhat of a velvet-rope experience  the town had begun more vigorously enforcing its $100 access permit. I went with a friend, and to my relief, the place was still a dump  full of water-damaged paperbacks on past-life regression, back issues of defunct magazines, baby shoes often worn. We helped a family lug several boxes marked garage into the Swap Shop, and our reward was taking the first run at their contents. I walked away with a bracelet and necklace that must have belonged to a kooky aunt. The bracelet had split in two, but I figured that with a little superglue it could be restored to its midcentury splendor.

The social slippage that has led the world to become a macrocosm of the Swap Shop  so many of us free-diving for usable ephemera, pooling our limited resources with one another  is not something to celebrate. The division between the haves and the have-nots seems more sharply drawn every day, and the fact that the former can bestow a designer item on the latter when they tire of it is hardly a balm, especially when even that slight gesture is available only to those have-nots who have enough to pay the price of admission. But still, there are small joys to be snatched in those moments of coming together, a vision of something better amid the refuse.

Veronique Hyland is the fashion features director of Elle. Her debut essay collection is Dress Code: Unlocking Fashion From the New Look to Millennial Pink (HarperCollins, 2022).
This is a family, and by extension a film, that seriously contemplates suicide  and what is felt by the loved ones they leave behind. The director Michael McGowan allows their gray Canadian malaise to extend into wan cinematography and drab scenery. The washed-out images leave the characters little opportunity for expression outside their words, and the dialogue is sometimes stilted and overly literary.

Whats fortunate then for this chamber drama is the commitment shown by Pill, Gadon and Winningham as the struggling family at the films heart. The ensemble builds believable chemistry as intimate family members, and when their characters deliver their arguments for life or death, the stakes feel appropriately high.

All My Puny Sorrows

Rated R for language and references to sex and suicide. Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes. Rent or buy on Apple TV, Google Play and other streaming platforms and pay TV operators.
Perhaps the most depressing thing about Sophia Bankss Black Site  a dreary, underwritten thriller  is an ending that suggests a sequel might already be in the works. For the sake of its beleaguered star, Michelle Monaghan, I can only hope not.

Playing the bereaved C.I.A. Agent Abby Trent, Monaghan strives to add depth and humanity to a character that, like almost everyone else onscreen, is barely more than a margin note. Assigned to a secret underground facility in the Jordanian desert known as the Citadel (the collective brainchild, we learn, of five English-speaking democracies), Abby oversees the enthusiastic interrogation of suspected terrorists. Just as shes about to be recalled to D.C., a team arrives with a high-value prisoner named Hatchet (Jason Clarke), a man whose questioning Abby has reason to take very personally.
Angie Chen (Emma Galbraith) trudges through multiple gray areas in Inbetween Girl, an intelligent teenage drama by the writer and director Mei Makino.

Half-Asian and half-white, Angie, 16, is the token minority student at her high school in Galveston, Texas, though she has never felt particularly Asian. Her identity crisis is exacerbated when her parents announce their divorce, and her father  who is originally from China  moves in with a Chinese woman and her Stanford-bound daughter.

Then Angies crush, Liam (William Magnuson)  the school heartthrob  appears outside her bedroom window. Liams girlfriend, Sheryl (Emily Garrett), is an Instagram model, but her Catholic beliefs frustrate his desire for physical intimacy. Liam turns to Angie instead, and though their first romp is predictably awful, they begin to carry on regular trysts in secret. The two fall into something like love.
Gov. Kathy Hochul selected Representative Antonio Delgado as her new lieutenant governor on Tuesday, elevating a fellow moderate from outside New York City to be her second-in-command and running mate in Junes Democratic primary.

Mr. Delgado will take the oath of office in the coming weeks, replacing former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who resigned last month in the face of federal public corruption charges. A special state committee also moved swiftly Tuesday morning to add his name to the primary ballot as the favored Democratic candidate in place of Mr. Benjamin.

The swift selection comes as Ms. Hochul and her allies undertake remarkable steps to try to stabilize her young administration from the aftershocks of Mr. Benjamins arrest, and reset her campaign less than two months before she will face primary voters.

It comes just one day after state lawmakers passed legislation, pushed by Ms. Hochul at considerable political cost, to allow Mr. Benjamin to be removed from the state Democratic primary ballot and replaced with another candidate. Republicans, and even some members of Ms. Hochuls own party, decried the legal change as underhanded.
A sommelier charged last year with arson has reached an agreement with the Manhattan district attorneys office that will require him to pay thousands of dollars to two downtown restaurants whose outdoor dining structures he set on fire.

The sommelier, Caleb Ganzer, who was a managing partner at a popular Lower Manhattan wine bar, will pay $3,050 to the Forsythia restaurant, $2,250 to Prince Street Pizza and undergo a course of treatment to be determined by the Center for Court Innovation, a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the state courts system.

Under the conditions of the agreement reached last month, Mr. Ganzer, 36, is subject to regular drug testing, and must complete recommended vocational and educational training and find full-time employment, among other requirements. If he meets its terms to prosecutors satisfaction after at least 15 months, the charges against him will be dismissed.

A lawyer for Mr. Ganzer, Thomas Rotko, said in a statement that Mr. Ganzer understood the seriousness of his actions and was deeply sorry for the pain and suffering he caused these individuals and their businesses.
New York Universitys Grossman School of Medicine will no longer consider Dr. David Sabatini, a biologist facing accusations of sexual harassment, for a faculty position after news that he was in the running prompted a backlash among students and faculty members last week.

Lisa Greiner, a spokeswoman for N.Y.U. Langone Health, said in a statement Tuesday that the administration and Dr. Sabatini had agreed that he should withdraw from consideration after the medical school reviewed a wide range of responses from its community.

We heard voices of support from many dozens of Dr. Sabatinis colleagues, lab alumni, and peers who described their firsthand experiences working with him, Ms. Greiner said. But we also heard clearly the deep concern from our own faculty, staff, and trainees.

In his own statement, Dr. Sabatini cited the outcry against his potential hiring, which was first reported in Science magazine, and the mounting public pressure on the medical schools administration. He maintained that allegations against him were false.
How important is publishing to the citys economy? Parrott told me by email that as an industry, book publishing has far greater significance for the N.Y.C. economy than how many people it directly employs or what their total pay is. He also said that book publishing is inseparable from the citys standing as an international cultural capital and the tremendous activity associated with that.

So New York City is still where most book business is done. But once books are written, edited, printed and bound, they have to be sold. I asked my colleague Elizabeth A. Harris about a bookseller that has a unique place in the publishing ecosystem but has closed several stores in New York City in the last decade  Barnes & Noble.

Barnes & Noble was once a villain to publishers, but now the publishing industry seems to be on its side. What happened?

Amazon!

Barnes & Noble used to be known for squeezing publishers for more favorable terms and was considered by many to be an existential threat to independent bookstores. But now, Amazon is by far the most dominant player in book selling  it sells more than half of the physical books in the United States. That doesnt include e-books and audiobooks, which Amazon dominates.

So Barnes & Nobles position in the business has shifted. Today, it is seen by independent stores as helping to keep publishers invested in distributing physical books to shops around the country. Publishers see its 600 stores as a crucial way to get physical books in front of customers.

When readers shop online, they tend to buy what theyre looking for. But when theyre in a bookstore, they might walk in looking for a novel and come out with two or three other titles as well, which they hadnt planned to buy. That kind of accidental discovery is hugely important to publishers.

[How Barnes & Noble Went From Villain to Hero]

Barnes & Nobles sales of books were up 14 percent last year. How did Barnes & Noble pull that off? Has the company changed the way it decides what books to sell?
A breach of such magnitude suggests a breakdown of internal norms that tracks with the broader erosion of American institutions in recent years and the further conversion of the court into a hyperpartisan political body not meaningfully different from Congress. Its not hard to see how that could have happened. Senate Republicans have worked overtime to politicize and polarize the justices, first by stealing a seat from President Barack Obama with nearly a year left in his term and then hustling Justice Barrett through confirmation even as millions of Americans had already cast ballots in the election that would oust her disgraced patron, Mr. Trump. If presidents, senators and nominees act as if anything is fair game in the quest for power, why shouldnt others involved with the institution?

The second takeaway from Mondays leak: Listen to them. Republicans have been saying for decades that they planned to overturn Roe v. Wade the first chance they got. Now that they finally have the chance, they appear to be running with it.

Keep in mind that five of the six justices in the right-wing majority were appointed by presidents who took office after losing the popular vote. This doesnt mean they are less legitimate than the other four justices. But it might counsel at least a modicum of moderation and humility when approaching hot-button social and political issues that divide the country, as Justice Alito acknowledges is the case with abortion.

Instead the justices are grabbing everything off the shelves while they can. In the process, they are running roughshod over decades of Supreme Court standards regarding the conditions for overturning longstanding precedent. For example, has the world changed significantly since the original ruling? An overwhelming majority of Americans still support a womans right to terminate her pregnancy in at least some circumstances, so no. What has changed? Nothing except the makeup of the courts majority itself, the most nakedly partisan crop of justices in memory.

Recall that when Roe was decided in 1973, the vote was 7 to 2, with five justices appointed by Republican presidents joining in the majority. That Republican Party, as it turns out, was not long for this world. Its successors are also telling us what they plan to do. A journalist recently pointed out that in the corners of what constitutes intellectual Trumpism, far-right writers are being open about the need for an American Caesar who will take power and smash dissent using all force available. Sounds crazy, right? So did the idea that a sitting president would incite a deadly insurrection at the Capitol to try to block the certification of an election he lost.

J.D. Vance, the Trump-endorsed Senate candidate in Ohio, recently said he believes Mr. Trump will run again in 2024 and offered him a piece of advice: Fire every single midlevel bureaucrat, every civil servant in the administrative state, replace them with our people. When the Supreme Court calls that illegal, he suggested, Mr. Trump can pull an Andrew Jackson  that is, defy the courts ruling and dare the justices to enforce it.

The right-wing justices may be feeling on top of the world right now, but they would do well to remember that when absolute power is the objective, even the rule of law is no match.

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After closing that September and getting to take a closer look, there were plenty of details they didnt like  which was exactly what they had hoped. For us, thats better than if someone has gone and put money into it, because youre paying for that, Ben said.

In addition to 1970s styling and wall-to-wall blue carpeting that ran into the bathrooms, it was very choppy, with small spaces and eight-foot ceilings, he said. They wanted the opposite: an airy, open space with high ceilings.

For help realizing their vision, they turned to their friend, Raul Baeza, an architect in Austin who had been a guest in the couples houses and was familiar with their sense of style and the way they liked to live. Working mostly by videoconference, they planned a complete overhaul, including an addition that expanded the home from about 2,500 to 4,300 square feet.

Just inside the front door, they blew out interior walls and vaulted the ceiling, positioning the living and dining rooms on either side of a central fireplace.

They enlarged openings in the brick facade to make space for enormous bay windows that extend to the floor. They just bring the outside in, so you get natural daylight and an extension into the front yard, Ben said.

One side of the living room is open to the new kitchen, which has a more intimate feel with a lower, beamed ceiling and a keeping room furnished with four Bridget swivel chairs from Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams.
Her husband drove her to an emergency room, where she was erroneously diagnosed with viral gastritis. Back home, the diarrhea continued, causing her to rush to the bathroom as often as 15 times a day.

A couple of times, it felt like labor, Ms. Hilliard said. I was just screaming from the pain.

Her doctor provided stool testing kits. Soon after, she received a call from the DuPage County Health Department, saying that she had salmonella poisoning. When she was asked if she had eaten BrightFarms lettuce, the puzzle pieces clicked together.

Even now, she said, she does not feel completely healed. She reached a lawsuit settlement with BrightFarms for an amount she could not disclose based on the agreement, according to her lawyer, William Marler.

She rarely eats salads anymore, she said.

Asked about the lawsuit, Mr. Platt said: We were saddened to learn Ms. Hilliard became ill. And while the root cause was not found in our farm, our insurers were able to reach a compassionate resolution.

The C.D.C. estimates that salmonella bacteria  from many sources  cause about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths in the United States every year.

While the F.D.A. has not issued any new rules to date in response to the 2021 outbreak, Veronika Pfaeffle, a spokeswoman, said that the agency was aware of the growth of the hydroponic industry and would take any steps necessary to protect human health.

C.E.A. practices, such as those used in hydroponic greenhouse operations, differ in important ways from practices used in open-field growing, and those unique differences must be addressed from a food safety perspective, Ms. Pfaeffle said.
Mayor Eric Adams of New York was one of the first guests to arrive at this years Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute benefit, accompanied by his girlfriend, Tracey Collins, whom he introduced as his other half.

The self-proclaimed Swagger Mayor wore a jacket by the Nigerian designer Laolu Senbanjo to match the theme of gilded glamour. The custom-designed tuxedo jacket, embroidered on the lapels and down the length of the back with motifs of New York City, included an image of the Chrysler Building and the arches of the Brooklyn Bridge. The words End Gun Violence, mingled with African-style masks, represented the many Black lives that have been cut short by gun violence, the mayor, a former New York City police officer, said.

We need to keep that at the forefront as we enjoy the financial ecosystem, he added.

Ms. Collins wore a Grecian-style white Oscar de la Renta gown, adorned with black sequin leaves at the shoulders. Entering the museum, the couple walked past a Statue of Liberty-inspired torch that reached all the way to the ceiling, surrounded by walls of red roses shaped into a star.
There are some tech stars that are also (arguably) great businesses, including Facebook, Airbnb and Zoom Video. But how did so many companies with transformative technologies break the rule that a business dies if it cant balance its checkbook?

The optimistic view is that we want companies like Uber and Robinhood to have time and money to hone their products, grab as many customers as possible and work out the money kinks later. And some of these digital stars are profitable, depending on how you define profits.

The bummer view is that we may be living in a technology mirage and the persistence of businesses that shouldnt survive has robbed us of true, lasting innovation. Lets hash it out:

Perhaps this is what a revolution looks like.

Last year, Uber spent nearly half a billion dollars more cash than it generated  and that was a big improvement. If Uber were a family business, it would probably be long gone. Faith that technology disruption is just getting started, and investors hopes to cash in from that, has kept Uber going.

The companys supporters say that Uber is a leaky canoe by choice. Uber expanded into many cities and countries at once rather than going slowly and capitalized on its popularity by expanding into a hub for transportation and delivering meals, groceries, booze and other goods to our door.

The hope is that this is Step 1 on Ubers journey to something grander, better for everyone and profitable. A similar transformation is happening at Spotify, which is trying to overcome the ugly math of music streaming by expanding into potentially lucrative podcasts. Instacart wants to pivot from being a grocery-delivery go-between to also selling software to supermarkets to manage their businesses. (Software tends to be very profitable. Grocery delivery is not.)
Im positive! Do I need to self-isolate or quarantine?

If you test positive, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you should isolate and delay travel for 10 days, regardless of symptoms or a negative test taken within the isolation period. The country where you are staying may have its own rules for quarantine and isolation. The rules differ from country to country and isolation periods may be longer than the 10 days recommended by the C.D.C. Across Europe, many countries follow guidance from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, which recommends that fully vaccinated people should self-isolate after testing positive. If their symptoms improve and they feel better for at least 24 hours and they test negative for the virus twice within a 24-hour period, they can stop isolating. Or, if after six days they test negative once, they can stop isolating. Unvaccinated people are advised to self-isolate for 10 days, but can leave isolation if they meet the same requirements for negative tests.

Some other destinations, particularly in Asia, may require mandatory quarantine or isolation in a government facility or designated hotel for 14 days or more.

Am I required to tell government officials that Im positive?

This will depend on the regulations in the country you are visiting, so be sure to check what they say on local health ministry websites. In most places, tourists are not required to officially report a positive test result to the government, although if you took your test in person at a local health facility, the results are often sent to the regional or national health authority.

Where can I stay if I have to isolate?

Most countries, including popular European destinations like Greece, Italy and France, allow visitors testing positive to choose their own accommodation for the recommended period of self-isolation. You can find this information on U.S. embassy websites. If you have booked a hotel or Airbnb for your trip, it is worth calling ahead of time and seeing what their policy is for isolation and whether they have availability should you need to extend your stay.

Some lodging facilities will require you to isolate alone in a separate room, even if your family members or travel companions test negative. You should also ask about access to food and medical facilities, particularly if you are staying in a remote area.

Its useful to have a plan B in place in case your hotel or rental cannot accommodate you, or to have a cheaper option available if you do have to self-isolate for 10 days. Many countries have designated quarantine hotels or apartments and some resorts in popular tourist destinations like Spain, Portugal and Mexico allow guests to quarantine at a discounted rate.

Feeling fine, yet still positive. What now?

While most people are likely to test negative within 10 days of a positive coronavirus test, for some it can take weeks or even months, according to the global health partnership Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. If you find yourself in that position, and feel well enough to travel, you can return to the United States but will need to obtain documentation of recovery.
WASHINGTON  In May 1987, Attorney General Edwin Meese III traveled to St. Louis and spoke before a group of clergy members opposed to abortion. Denouncing Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Courts 1973 ruling on abortion rights, he told them that he saw reason to hope that in our lifetimes it would be thrown on the ash heap of legal history.

Thirty-five years later, a leaked draft opinion suggests that the Supreme Courts conservative majority is poised to overturn Roe, permitting states to outlaw abortion. Liberals may be aghast, but for the conservative legal movement, of which Mr. Meese was a key early figure, a long-sought moment of triumph appears to be at hand.

This will feel like a tremendous vindication for the conservative legal movement, said Mary Ziegler, a Harvard Law School visiting professor and the author of several books about the anti-abortion movement and legal politics. The movement goes beyond Roe v. Wade, but overruling it has become the preoccupation for the movement and the test of its success.

If the Supreme Court does issue a final opinion that looks much like the leaked draft, one question the moment will raise is what the conservative bloc does next with its control over the judiciary. Already, for example, the court has decided to hear a case in its next term that will give it an opportunity to curtail race-based affirmative action in college admissions.
May 24: Georgia

Georgia, which helped Democrats flip the Senate in 2021 and delivered a victory to Joseph R. Biden Jr. in 2020, features marquee contests for governor and Senate. Stacey Abrams, a Democrat running for governor, is back. And the secretary of states race is notable, too.

June 14: Nevada

The last time Catherine Cortez Masto, the first Latina senator, was on the ballot, outside groups flooded Nevada with more than $90 million. Now, she is up for re-election.

Adam Laxalt, a former Nevada attorney general who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018, must get past the G.O.P. primary to challenge her.

Aug. 2: Arizona and Michigan

Arizona has emerged as one of the top prizes this year, with an open seat for governor and a fiercely contested Senate race. The Senate seat is held by Mark Kelly, a Democrat who won a special election in 2020 to fill the seat once held by John McCain.

In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat and focus of conservatives ire over pandemic restrictions, is running for re-election. In addition to selecting a nominee for governor, Republicans have been grappling with internal tensions and the influence of former President Donald J. Trump, who made a string of endorsements in House races.
When a curator of the bird collection at Smithsonians National Zoo in Washington came to work on Monday morning, she was startled to see a wild fox leaving the flamingo habitat.

By then, it was too late.

The fox had killed 25 American flamingos and one northern pintail duck, apparently after gnawing a softball-size hole in the metal mesh surrounding the birds outdoor yard.

I cant even imagine the effort, Brandie Smith, director of the National Zoo and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, said in an interview, adding that it was most likely the work of a very determined fox that may have been trying to provide for its young, known as kits.

Now, the zoo is toughening the security measures around its bird exhibits in case the fox, which escaped, strikes again.
Norman Y. Mineta, who as a boy was interned with his family and thousands of other Japanese Americans during World War II, then rose in government to become a 10-term Democratic congressman from California and a cabinet official under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, died on Tuesday at his home in Edgewater, Md. He was 90.

John Flaherty, his former chief of staff, said the cause was a heart ailment.

Four decades after Mr. Minetas childhood-scarring experiences in an American internment camp, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which he co-sponsored, was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. It authorized $20,000 payments and formal apologies to the survivors and heirs of 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry who had been incarcerated as potential saboteurs or spies after Japans surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Many victims could not be found, but $1.6 billion in reparations were eventually paid to 82,200 people.

The measure was an emotional high point, if not a political one, for Mr. Mineta, who served nearly 21 years in the House of Representatives, from 1975 to 1995, representing the San Jose, Calif., area in technology-rich Silicon Valley. He was credited with helping to advance hundreds of bills for transportation improvements, economic development, trade, the environment, civil rights and science and technology projects.

After Republicans regained control of the House in 1994, Mr. Mineta resigned his seat in midterm to become an executive with the aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, a major government contractor for transportation and defense projects. He also served as chairman of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission, which Congress established to investigate the crisis created by a rising volume of air traffic.
Rob Stein, a Democratic strategist who helped reshape American politics by pioneering new ways for wealthy liberals to influence policy debates and elections, died on Monday at a hospice facility in Washington. He was 78.

His son Gideon said the cause was metastatic prostate cancer.

After a varied career in which he worked as a public interest lawyer and a top adviser to the Democratic Party and the Clinton administration and created nonprofit groups and a venture capital fund, Mr. Stein found perhaps his true calling in the wake of the 2002 elections.

The presidents party usually fares poorly in midterm elections, but Republicans, with George W. Bush in the White House, captured the Senate that year, giving them control of both chambers of Congress as well as the presidency. They also held a majority of governorships and state legislative seats. This left Mr. Stein concerned that Republicans could be headed for long-term dominance if Democrats failed to understand and counter their rivals tactics and political machinery, which he felt were superior.

He spent months obsessing over the advocacy groups and think tanks that collectively constituted the conservative movement. He routinely stayed awake past midnight studying tax filings to map the flow of cash to these groups.
WASHINGTON  Sources have motives, and the leaked draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade raises a question as old as the Roman Empire. Cui bono? Who benefits?

Not the Supreme Court as an institution. Its reputation was in decline even before the extraordinary breach of its norms of confidentiality, with much of the nation persuaded that it is little different from the political branches of the government. The internal disarray the leak suggests, wholly at odds with the decorum prized by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., was a blow to the legitimacy of the court.

Relations among the justices, too, on the evidence of questioning at arguments and statements in opinions, have turned fraught and frosty. Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception that the Constitution and its reading are just political acts? Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked when the challenge to Roe was argued in December, as it became clear that five justices could be ready to overrule the decision.

The fact of the leak cannot be separated from its substance. Only a move as extraordinary as eliminating a constitutional right in place for half a century could transform the court into an institution like any other in Washington, where rival factions disclose secrets in the hope of obtaining advantage.
WASHINGTON  Scores of protesters took to the steps in front of the Supreme Court on Tuesday hours after a draft opinion overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision leaked. Armed with megaphones, signs, buttons and at least one letterpress for speedy poster production, groups supporting and opposing abortion rights demonstrated and occasionally confronted one another in front of the barricaded court.

Pro-choice is a lie, babies dont choose to die, a throng of anti-abortion activists chanted.

Bans off our bodies and my body, my choice, their counterparts replied.

The size of the crowd grew gradually during the day. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, delivered a short speech denouncing the extremist Supreme Court.

The New York Times spoke to a few of the protesters. Heres how they described the moment.
Negotiations to settle the suit intensified earlier this year after a Superior Court judge in Washington set a trial date for September and rejected an effort by the Trump Organization to be removed from the lawsuit, making it likely that members of Mr. Trumps family were going to be called in open court to testify.

After he was elected, one of the first actions Donald Trump took was illegally using his own inauguration to enrich his family, Mr. Racine said in a statement announcing the settlement on Tuesday. Nonprofit funds cannot be used to line the pockets of individuals, no matter how powerful they are.

Mr. Trump issued his own statement Tuesday morning, disputing the allegations.

Given the impending sale of The Trump International Hotel, Washington D.C., and with absolutely no admission of liability or guilt, we have reached a settlement to end all litigation with Democrat Attorney General Racine, Mr. Trumps statement said. This was yet another example of weaponizing Law Enforcement against the Republican Party and, in particular, the former President of the United States. So bad for our Country!

Lee Blalack, a lawyer for the Trump inaugural committee, said the $750,000 payment was being split equally between the committee and the Trump family companies, a cost the inaugural committee decided was worth it given an estimate that the trial would have generated legal bills twice as high.

Settlement was prudent simply to avoid the significant costs of litigating these baseless allegations through trial, he said in the statement, adding that the inaugural committees payment was being covered by its insurance company.
The coronavirus is surging in Puerto Rico, with new cases being reported at a per-capita rate more than six times the national average. The spike began just five days after the island lifted all its pandemic restrictions.

Puerto Rico has reached a seven-day average of 4,000 reported cases a day, more than 3,700 of them first-time infections  up from fewer than 200 new cases a day in early March. Though the island accounts for less than 1 percent of the United States population, it is reporting 7 percent of the nations new cases.

It was doubling every week for a couple of weeks, said Rafael A. Irizarry, a Harvard statistician who keeps a dashboard on Puerto Ricos Covid-19 data.

The increase in cases is no longer quite so steep, but it has been going on long enough now to show as well in a dreaded lag effect: hospitalizations are rising. Though only 245 people on the island are currently hospitalized with coronavirus infections, thats nearly three times the number from two months ago, according to Department of Health data.
But the researchers found that suspensions were predicted just as consistently by the accounts sharing of what survey participants from both parties agreed to be misinformation. In other words, Republican users were suspended more often because they were more likely to share misinformation.

Twitter, like other social platforms, also makes spot decisions to suppress content and accounts that share it, a practice that has often fueled paranoia among users  Mr. Trump among them. Conservatives have complained that the opacity of the companys decision-making masks what they contend is a bias against them, noting that nearly all of the companys employees political donations in recent elections have gone to Democrats.

Its somewhat of a platform that lost its way, Mr. Cameron said, citing in particular its October 2020 decision to limit distribution of a New York Post article about Hunter Bidens business dealings in Ukraine, which was sourced to files purportedly found on a laptop Mr. Biden abandoned at a repair shop. Jack Dorsey, then the companys chief executive, later told a congressional committee the companys action was a mistake. Mr. Musk tweeted this week that he believed the move was obviously incredibly inappropriate.

Prominent right-wing figures, meanwhile, have worn their suspensions from the platform as a badge of honor. Twitter is an enemy to America and cant handle the truth, Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on the messaging platform Telegram. Ms. Greene became the first sitting member of Congress to have a Twitter account permanently suspended, after repeatedly violating the companys Covid-19 misinformation policies.

Some prominent suspended users have since endorsed alternative platforms like Parler, Gab and Gettr that have marketed themselves as havens for speech no longer tolerated on Twitter  which has placed them in a tricky position as others on the right have celebrated the prospect of Mr. Musks overturning the companys rules. Mr. Trump started his own Twitter alternative, Truth Social, this year, though its rollout has been rocky.

Mr. Bannon, the former Trump adviser, was banned from Twitter in November 2020 for suggesting on his talk show that Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the governments top infectious disease specialist, and Christopher Wray, the F.B.I. director, should be beheaded. He has since promoted Gettr, a platform helmed by Jason Miller, a former Trump spokesman.
There is a lot of work left, he said. But we take any small victory we can get.

The lawsuit names seven defendants, including the city, the Tulsa County sheriff and the Oklahoma National Guard. The city and others had asked to dismiss the lawsuit, which, under the states public nuisance law, said the devastation caused by the mob continued to affect the Greenwood community, which was home to the business district, today.

Mr. Solomon-Simmons said his team had to prove that the nuisance was created and that the harm continued. Then we have to show what is specifically needed to abate the harm that we show, he said. The court will decide the abatement plan.

Michelle Brooks, a city spokeswoman, said on Tuesday that the city did not have a comment on the pending litigation. According to The Associated Press, John Tucker, the lawyer for the Chamber of Commerce, another defendant, said the nuisance was not ongoing: What happened in 1921 was a really bad deal, and those people did not get a fair shake, adding, but that was 100 years ago. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In 2020, survivors of the massacre and descendants of the victims filed the lawsuit, saying they must be compensated for the losses they endured.

Greenwood was once a booming district known as Black Wall Street, composed of some 40 blocks of restaurants, hotels and theaters owned and run by Black entrepreneurs. In 1921, it was destroyed by a white mob and decades later is now only half a block, according to lawyers for the plaintiffs.
Nearly 50 years ago, the Supreme Court legalized abortion in the United States with its decision in Roe v. Wade, reshaping the nations social and political landscape.

On Monday night, Politico published a leaked draft opinion that said the Supreme Court had privately voted to strike down the decision, setting the stage for abortion-rights battles across the nation and prompting a wave of protests at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

Here are some quick facts you should know about the case.

When was Roe v. Wade decided?

The 7-2 ruling was announced on Jan. 22, 1973. Justice Harry A. Blackmun, a modest Midwestern Republican and a defender of the right to abortion, wrote the majority opinion.

What the case was about.

In short, it is a landmark Supreme Court decision that established a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling struck down laws in many states that had barred abortion, declaring that they could not ban the procedure before the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb.
SYDNEY, Australia  An Australian man who in January was convicted of killing a gay American doctoral student more than three decades ago by pushing him off a cliff received a sentence on Tuesday of 12 years.

In 1988, the American, Scott Johnson, 27, was a graduate student in mathematics who had moved to Australia to be with his partner. On Dec. 8 of that year, Mr. Johnson met an Australian man, Scott White, at a pub in Sydney, and the two went to an open cliff face frequented by gay men. Mr. Johnsons body was discovered at the bottom of the cliff two days later.

The original inquest into Mr. Johnsons death ruled it a suicide.

His brother Steve was skeptical. After he became aware of a 2005 inquest into the deaths of three men from the same period under similar circumstances, he hired an investigative journalist to look into his brothers death.

Former Australian officials have said the police at that time were often hostile toward gay men and did not properly investigate their deaths.
WASHINGTON  President Biden made a forceful call on Tuesday for ramping up American military support for Ukraine as his administration rapidly dispenses artillery, antitank weapons and other hardware, raising questions about the surge in spending at a time when his domestic agenda is stalled.

Speaking at a Lockheed Martin plant in Troy, Ala., that manufactures Javelin antitank missiles, Mr. Biden said the transfer of the weapons has been crucial to Ukraines defense against the Russian invasion.

We know that the United States is leading our allies and partners around the world to make sure the Ukrainians who are fighting for the future of their nation have the weapons and the capacity, and ammunition and equipment to defend themselves against Putins brutal war, Mr. Biden said, referring to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

Mr. Bidens embrace of the military assistance comes amid widespread bipartisan support for helping Ukraine in the fight, which he described as part of the ongoing battle in the world between autocracy and democracy around the world.
LONDON  Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain told Ukrainian lawmakers on Tuesday that their heroic defense against Russias invasion would rank as Ukraines finest hour, invoking Winston Churchills famous declaration about Britons as they faced the Nazi onslaught at the beginning of World War II.

In the first address by a foreign leader to Ukraines Parliament, Mr. Johnson burnished his credentials as a stalwart supporter of Ukraine and a close ally of its president, Volodymyr Zelensky. In tone and themes, Mr. Johnsons speech mirrored one that Mr. Zelensky gave to the British Parliament in March.

You have exploded the myth of Putins invincibility and you have written one of the most glorious chapters in military history and in the life of your country, Mr. Johnson said, referring to the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin. The so-called irresistible force of Putins war machine has broken on the immovable object of Ukrainian patriotism and love of country.

This is Ukraines finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come, he said in a video address recorded from Downing Street that was broadcast in the Parliaments chamber.
LONDON  The resignation of a lawmaker who viewed pornography in Parliament. Another lawmakers claim that a female colleague crossed and uncrossed her legs to distract the prime minister. Dozens of lawmakers referred to a watchdog over sexual misconduct allegations.

A series of incidents of misogyny and sexual harassment in the halls of Westminster have laid bare in recent weeks a pervasive problem in Britains Parliament, raising broader questions about the need for institutional change in a body sometimes likened to an unruly boys club.

While the episodes and allegations are new, the problems they spotlight are longstanding, the subject of many embarrassments and reports over the years.

Weve always known that this culture and these norms are damaging, and that these things are happening in Parliament, said Jessica C. Smith, a lecturer in politics at the University of Southampton, but that it often takes a particularly bad event for them to come into the light. These incidents show that its still not a place that women can fully participate in as equals, she said.
LVIV, Ukraine  Russian missiles struck power plants in Lviv on Tuesday night, knocking out electricity in much of the western Ukrainian city near the Polish border where tens of thousands of civilians fleeing fighting in the east have sought refuge.

The attacks were the most widespread strikes inside the city since the war began, and came as the Russian military pressed its attacks on Ukraines railway system, the countrys lifeline to Poland, carrying both humanitarian aid and supplies for the military.

Altogether, Russian forces hit six electrical substations along the railway system in central and western Ukraine, said Oleksandr Kamyshin, the head of the Ukrainian Railway.

The mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, said two power stations had been hit in the city, adding that there was serious damage to the municipal infrastructure. The head of the Lviv regional administration, Maksym Kozytskyy, later said that three power stations had been hit. Two people were reported injured.
I was in Azovstal for two and a half months and they slammed us from all sides, said Olga Savina, an elderly woman, as she emerged from a white city bus provided by the Zaporizhzhia authorities for the evacuation.

As she spoke, she repeatedly cast her gaze down to the pavement, explaining that the sun burned her eyes after so many days underground.

From the evacuees a picture began to emerge of life in Azovstal. The steel mill was like a small city, with roads and buildings dating to the post-World War II era, when any big Soviet construction project included reinforced bomb shelters equipped with everything needed for long-term survival.

Evacuees described bunkers, most housing 30 to 50 people, with kitchens, bathhouses and sleeping areas. The shelters were spread out around the grounds of the complex, so there was little contact between groups hiding in different places.

There in the dark, a semblance of day-to-day life took shape.

We got used to it being very dark. We had to economize food, said Dasha Papush. The soldiers brought us what they could: water, food, oatmeal.

We didnt eat like we did at home, she added.

Many of the evacuees had been underground since the earliest days of the war. For a woman named Anna, 29, who placated her young son, Ivan, with a lollipop, it was 57 days. While there, she was separated from her husband, a fighter in the National Guard, by a brisk, 15-minute walk through the factory ruins, though visits were rare because of the shelling and constant fighting.

Leaving the safety of the underground shelter was treacherous, but necessary for survival.

The guys who are with us went out under fire and tried to find us a generator and fuel, so that we had electricity to charge our flashlights, she said. We of course had to search for water.
Other officials have argued that Moscow is eager to avoid destroying Ukraines infrastructure too severely, in the possibly misguided hope that it can still take control of the country. Russia would be stuck with a huge rebuilding job if it took over cities devastated by its own bombing.

A senior American defense official said that Mr. Putin may have avoided destroying Ukraines rail network because he did not want to hurt his own ability to move equipment and troops around the country. The Russians have been more focused on destroying weapon storage areas than the rail network.

American officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private military and intelligence assessments.

Then there is the question of why Russia hasnt hit back harder against the West. The Kremlin narrative is of an existential war with NATO being fought on Ukrainian soil, but Russia is the one taking military losses while the West keeps a safe distance and supplies weapons that kill Russian soldiers.

A lot of people in this town are asking why they havent retaliated yet, said Samuel Charap, a former U.S. State Department official in Washington and a Russia analyst with the RAND Corporation. It seems low probability that the U.S. and its allies will experience no blowback from having put this many Russian soldiers in their graves.

Russia has the tools to do widespread damage to the West. The gas shortages caused by the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline last year showed the disruption that Russian hacking can inflict on American infrastructure. Berlin has warned that a cutoff of Russian gas could throw the German economy into a recession.

And then there is Moscows world-leading nuclear arsenal, with an estimated 5,977 warheads: Their catastrophic capability is being hyped in ever-shriller terms in the Russian media.
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  President Biden spoke in an Alabama factory that built the Javelin missiles Ukrainian soldiers used against Russian tanks. Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain addressed members of Ukraines Parliament, extolling their finest hour. President Emmanuel Macron of France pressed Russias Vladimir V. Putin by phone to end his devastating aggression. Germany helped Finland and Sweden  Russias Nordic neighbors once wary of provoking Mr. Putin  inch closer to joining NATO.

On Tuesday, the leaders of the West sought to capitalize on Russias apparent lack of battlefield momentum to show Ukraine support and strengthen its resolve  and its arsenal.

You have exploded the myth of Putins invincibility and you have written one of the most glorious chapters in military history and in the life of your country, Mr. Johnson told President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and the countrys lawmakers in a video address, the first by a foreign leader to Ukraines Parliament.
Leer en espanol

By Lyubko Deresh Mr. Deresh is a Ukrainian novelist.

I heard the first sounds of sirens in Kyiv on Feb. 24 around 7 in the morning.

At 5:35 a.m. that day, my mom called me from a small town near Lviv and told me war had broken out. Outside, there was one explosion and then another; they sounded like the volleys of distant fireworks. I woke up my wife, and we started frantically scrolling through Facebook, looking for information about what was going on until we finally figured out that the explosions we were hearing were from Kyivs antiaircraft guns.

When the gray started creeping across the sky, I heard the next explosion. The panes in the windows rattled, car alarms on the street went off, and clouds of frightened ravens lifted into the air. Right then, I heard an air raid siren from the neighboring district. Drawn out and monotone, it echoed over the city for miles around, heralding the start of a new reality.

Today these sirens have become part of a daily routine for life in Kyiv. You hear them in the morning, evening and even Easter night. The initial sense of the irrationality, the impossibility of this war has gradually been extinguished. After two months of resistance, Ukrainians are getting used to the fact that the world will no longer be as it was. For me, the always unexpected, piercing sound of the sirens amid seemingly peaceful life in the capital has become the irrational symbol of this new way of being, which we must react to not only to preserve our lives but also to understand and examine.

Sirens were going off somewhere in Ukraine ... 12 6 18 hours of the day February S M T W T F S No data Russian invasion March S M T W T F S April S M T W T F S Sirens were going off somewhere in Ukraine ... 6 12 18 hours of the day February March April S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S No data Russian invasion Sirens were going off somewhere in Ukraine ... 6 12 18 hours of the day February March April S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S No data Russian invasion Source: Vadym Klimenko.

But on that first morning of the war, we had no time to think about symbolism. My wife and I, like millions of Ukrainians across the country, were asking a series of basic questions of a simultaneously practical and existential character that we all had to quickly answer: What next? Go or stay? Stock up on food or join the army?

We stayed. First, we taped Xs across all the windows in our apartment to reduce the potential spray of broken glass if there was an explosion nearby. The government asked us to seek cover in the case of additional air raids, but when I walked around the neighborhood looking for a hiding place, I discovered that the shelter at the school next door was already overcrowded with women and children and that the basement of our nine-story building left something to be desired.

After weighing our options, we decided to remain in our apartment during the sirens and put our faith in the rule of two walls: the idea is that while under threat, you need to hide somewhere that is protected by at least two barriers. The first wall takes the full force of the blast, and the second protects you from fragments of the wall, glass, etc. Hallways and bathrooms, as many Kyivans discovered, are wonderful places to set up a dining room, office or bedroom set.

Still, plenty of Kyivans did as the city administration recommended and sought shelter from every air raid  for example, in the metro. On the first day of the war, my buddy Stanislav, a successful Ukrainian graphic designer, and his wife, Olena, packed their emergency bags and got ready to go into the metro at the next siren. That night, they decided to sleep in their apartment but dressed in their winter coats and boots, with their legs hanging off the side of the couch, so they could get to safety as quickly as possible.

When the sirens started up again in the middle of the night, they went down into the station near their building. When we left home with two small suitcases and backpacks, I had a strong sense of detachment and understanding that we might never return, Stanislav told me. Despite the fact that we left all our belongings, we werent hysterical. We were calm and full of acceptance. There was a sense of the scale and universality of these events that had begun taking place in Ukraine.

That first day, I remember that the sirens went off in Kyiv twice. But, as quickly became clear, they couldnt be heard equally well in all districts. Kyivs air raid notification system was built decades ago, under the Soviets. Before the war, the city government had planned to replace the old analog system with a digital one but wasnt fast enough. There are about 150 sirens in Kyiv, but they dont nearly cover the entire city.

To better inform the citizens about air raids, a few additional sources of information popped up in the first days of the full-scale invasion. Notifications of air raids in Kyiv are now posted on the official Telegram channel of the Kyiv City State Administration and sent via text message from State Emergency Services. Just a few days after the war started, an app was developed for smartphones called Air Alarm, which imitates the sound of a siren very accurately (and very loudly) if youre in danger.

The neighborhood where my wife and I live is on the edge of Kyiv, and the sirens there arent very loud, so I tried downloading this app. However, the first time it went off, it scared my wife so badly  it was basically like installing a siren in our apartment  that I immediately deleted Air Alarm from my phone.

Smoke rises across the Kyiv skyline from the site of a missile strike on April 28. Daniel Berehulak for The New York Times

The far-off sounds of sirens that you cant always be sure you heard have probably contributed to the phantom siren syndrome that many urban Ukrainians now suffer from. This is the strange effect (exacerbated by the nighttime quiet) when you cannot say for certain whether you hear a siren or its just in your imagination.

As the air attack on Kyiv let up last month, a new type of adaptation to the sirens emerged. Since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, the air raid sirens in Kyiv have gone off more than 300 times. In this time, Ukrainians, Kyivans especially, have undergone serious changes in how they perceive the sirens: Our psyches, in losing the ability to react quickly to stress, have acquired their own armor, and the acuity of perceiving danger has been dulled.

After living in the metro for almost a week without once emerging, Stanislav and Olena finally decided to go home. Then they went down into the metro only during the extended curfews, and they eventually stopped doing even this, limiting themselves to taking chairs and stepping into their buildings hallway when the sirens went off.

A few brave souls have taken deliberate risks to protest the brutal reality of Russian aggression. Scenes of Alex Pian performing fragments of Hans Zimmers composition Time to the wail of sirens at an unprotected, outdoor piano in front of Lvivs central train station have become famous. Ignoring sirens in cities farther from the front line  Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk or Vinnytsia, say  has become practically normal. Despite the sounds of an air raid, people continue on their walks, often with children and strollers. However, the missile attack on Lviv on April 18, which resulted in the deaths of seven people, proves that ignoring the sirens is still extremely risky.

Every morning that an air raid is announced in the city, it is impossible to rid yourself of a feeling of dread, as though you are waiting for the results of some evil lottery. The Ukrainian notification system is incapable of identifying in advance just where the enemys ballistic missiles are headed; it can only guess at their direction. In other words, everyone is under threat. This feeling of Russian roulette was perfectly captured by the Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina in these lines: An air raid across the country / each time like going to everyones / execution / yet they aim at only one.

Stanislav told me he has a favorite anonymous artwork that gives him strength during this Russian invasion. It is a collage that includes a World War II photo of a column of teary-eyed Jewish women being led to a concentration camp. Also in the collage is a contemporary photo showing smiling Israeli women in full battle gear with helmets and weapons. The history lesson has been learned, he said.

When I asked Stanislav what he thinks of the Kyiv sirens, he said that they remind him of contemporary Israel and then of those pictures that show historys lessons being learned. The sirens in our cities are no less than a school bell calling all of Ukraine to todays lesson.

I thought about this strange metaphor for a long time. I believe it captures the essence of what it means to hear an air raid siren in the capital of a European city in the 21st century. This is the bell for our history lesson. Ukrainians are learning this lesson now, but perhaps soon well share our blood-earned knowledge with others.
Shannon Watkins

Nikes Jordan Brand hires Aflac chief brand and marketing officer Shannon Watkins as global CMO. At Aflac, Watkins helped develop the companys partnership with ESPNs College GameDay, with a focus on historically Black colleges and universities. Before joining Aflac in 2018, she held several senior marketing positions at the Coca-Cola Company, PepsiAmericas and ConAgra. We need innovative leadership, someone who can lead us into the future by pushing creativity, championing diversity, and bringing our purpose to life, Jordan Brand president Craig Williams told Sportico. Shannons experience across multiple industries and business sectors will do just that.

Brittany Richter

NP Digital brings on Brittany Richter as COO. Richter most recently served as chief of business strategy and transformation at Dentsu Media. She was previously chief solutions officer at iProspect, which is part of Dentsu. In her new position, Richter will lead operations for NP Digital across all facets of product and service offerings, as well as employee management. Brittany is passionate and skilled redefining operations talent and deriving value beyond cost, said NP Digital chief executive officer Mike Gullaksen.

Jorge Narvaez-Aranjo

George P. Johnson promotes Jorge Narvaez-Arango to SVP head of creative, EMEA. He was previously VP, executive creative director in GPJ's New York and San Francisco offices, leading the IBM and Salesforce creative teams. As SVP, Narvaez-Arango will be tasked with setting the agencys creative vision and delivery. Jorge has long been a creative visionary on some of the worlds most high-profile brand events and we look forward to his leadership of what is already an impressive and seasoned design team," said GPJ chief executive officer Chris Meyer.
Irfaan Ali

BGR Government Affairs has inked a $35K monthly retainer pact to provide strategic counsel and US outreach to Guyana, the worlds fastest growing economy.

The International Monetary Fund forecasts the economy of the former British colony in South America will grow 47 percent this year. That follows a 20 percent growth in 2021.

Until ExxonMobil discovered oil off the coast of Guyana in 2015, it had ranked among the poorest of South American countries. Hess and China's CNOOC are ExxonMobil partners.

Guyana president Irfaan Ali told the Financial Times that his country is trying to avoid the oil curse by investing in healthcare, education and transportation to develop a sustainable economy.

BGRs one-year contract kicked off April 6.

Lester Munson, who was deputy assistant administrator for the US Agency for International Development during the Bush administration, is working on Guyana business.
Vladimir Putin

Its time for Donald Trump to play his trump card.

As rumors swirl about the possible ill health of his dear friend, Vladimir Putin, the former Apprentice host should make a pilgrimage to Moscow to convince the Russian leader to end his disastrous special military operation in Ukraine.

He could serve as Joe Biden's special envoy to Putin. Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson played "private humanitarian" roles for the US on missions to North Korea and Myanamar.

Time may be running short for Putin.

By withdrawing Russian troops from Ukraine, the Russian strongman would kill two birds with one stone.

He would stop the senseless slaughter of Russian soldiers that he dispatched to Ukraine on a fools mission that has unified NATO and tanked Russias economy.

More important to Vlad, crediting Trump as peace-maker would pave the way for him to return to the White House.

A Trump restoration is more than Putin could have ever asked for.

Carl Icahn, the corporate raider whose activities resulted in the loss of jobs for many American workers, has recast himself as friend of labor.

The 86-year-old Icahn is waging a fight against McDonalds and supermarket giant Kroger for sourcing pork raised in gestation crates on industrialized family farms.



In a letter to Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen, Icahn lumps animal welfare together with providing a living wage to workers as key issues ignored by the supermarket giant.

Citing his new mission as doing whatever he can to to remedy glaring corporate injustices, Icahn wrote: Your company is conducting itself in ways which are unconscionable with regards to animal cruelty and flagrantly side-stepping financial obligations to workers who dont make a fair wage (while you received $22.4M in 2020).

What is totally reprehensible is that you managed to personally profit from the extremely high margins caused by the pandemic while at the same time reining in your Hero Bonus promise to front-line workers.

Heroes they are indeed, and while those workers risked their lives to keep America fed and Krogers business alive, the board allowed you to give yourself a staggering pay package while inexplicably removing the workers meager $2 an hour raise.

This mockery of meritocracy is the quintessential example of why capitalism and business get a bad rap and people are disillusioned with the American dream.

Through the Barberry Corp investment vehicle, Icahn owns 100 shares of Kroger. He is getting plenty of mileage from that investment.

Weber Shandwick wants to be known as the in-culture communications agency. The goal of the Interpublic unit is to help clients create brave ideas that connect with people and shape culture.

The firm promises a proprietary analytics method to drive impact and a cultural intelligence engine driven by its 250 in-house culture creators.

Working with members of the Weber Shandwick Collective (e.g., United Minds management consultancy, Resolute digital arm, KRC Research), the firm promises an earned-first point-of-view backed by a broad range of expertise built for the convergence of media, policy, society and technology.

Weber Shandwick describes the in-culture communications push as a new articulation of the agencys mission, its something weve done for many years.

William Brangham, the ever so serious reporter of the PBS Newshour, gave a nice plug to Amazon during his May 2 appearance.

He covered news of a facility in Staten Island voting against joining the newly formed Amazon Labor Union. That tally came on the heels of a vote last month at a larger SI warehouse to join the ALU.

Maximilian Alverez, editor in chief at Real News Network who does a Working People podcast, told Brangham that employees at the smaller warehouse were largely part-timers and already living close to the edge.

The thought of losing this election, of facing more retaliation may actually scare you more than it did the workers at the first facility, said Alvarez.

Brangham then summed up Amazons pitch that it pays workers well and offers benefits so theres no need to unionize.

He then delivered a big PR plug for Amazon: And I know people, I have interviewed people who have gone to Amazon and found good jobs and benefits there.

Brangham deserves a free year of Amazon Prime service.
NEW EDITION PUBLISHED ON 3 MAY 2022

Tax Transparency in Latin America is a key output of the Punta del Este Declaration, a Latin American initiative established in 2018 to tackle tax evasion, corruption and other financial crimes through transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes.



The 2022 edition covers 16 Latin American countries and aims to inform decision makers and citizens on the latest progress and remaining challenges in the region.



The launch was part of the 6th meeting of the Punta del Este Declaration, which was held in San Jose, Costa Rica, on 3-4 May 2022. The event included a presentation of the report and two panel discussions with experts from various organisations and jurisdictions.

 DOWNLOAD THE REPORT | VERSION EN ESPANOL

 READ THE PRESS RELEASE | VERSION EN ESPANOL

Key documents from the 6th meeting of the Punta del Este Declaration, 3-4 May 2022

 Agenda | version en espanol

 Statement of outcomes | version en espanol

 Building Effective Beneficial Ownership Frameworks - A joint Global Forum and IDB Toolkit | version en espanol



Replay of the launch event (the presentation of the report's key findings starts at 00:46:50)





Partners

The 6th meeting of the Punta del Este Declaration was jointly organised by the Global Forum and the Minister of Finance of Costa Rica, with the financial support of the Inter-American Developmant Bank (IDB). Partners included the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations (CIAT) and the World Bank Group (WBG).

Social media

Join the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn using the hashtag #ttila2022.
An incident where Gardai were called to a domestic disturbance in Clara was outlined during the recent sitting of Tullamore District Court.

The case had previously been before the court and on that occasion Brendan Egan, 29 Cluain Fia, Clara pled guilty to threatening behaviour and intoxication in a public place.

The defending solicitor told last week's court that there was a positive Probation Report before the court.

Judge John King asked to hear the facts of the case again. Sgt James O'Sullivan said that on September 3, 2020 two Gardai attended in response to a domestic disturbance, during which they witnessed the defendant being abusive and threatening to his partner.

Defending solicitor Marc Bairead said, at the time he was breaking up with his partner after ten and a half years and he was mentally in a bad place. He has given up alcohol since and has managed to rekindle a civil relationship with his partner. He is very sorry for what happened. He knows he shouldn't have acted in this way. He was very upset by the break-up of his relationship and he lashed out after drinking.

Judge King convicted and fined 400, three months to pay.
A man was handed down a suspended sentence and disqualified from driving for eight years when he came before Tullamore District Court on summonses for drink driving and dangerous driving.

Patrick Walsh, 31, Askea Lawns, Tullow Road, Carlow, was stopped by Garda Dominick Fanning at Pound Street , Birr on August 6, 2021.

A blood specimen revealed 235 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Mr Walsh had 11 previous convictions, five for drink driving. He had been disqualified from driving for six years in 2021.

Donal Farrelly, defending solicitor, described it as a sad case. He said Mr Walsh was a 40 year old retired army man who had served the country in Chad and Libya. He said his brother had died from an overdose and he had taken it badly. He has spent time in Cuan Mhuire treatment centre and is six months clean. He asked Judge Patricia Cronin not to jail him as he is getting over the death of his brother. ''I would ask you to give him that chance,'' said Mr Farrelly.

Judge Cronin said this was a very serious offence. She noted there were six charges, two within the last six months and this was his third. She remarked that every time Mr Walsh gets behind the wheel he is putting every driver at risk. She said it warrants a prison sentence. But having listened to the mitigation on his behalf she disqualified him from driving for eight years. She imposed a four month prison term which she suspended. She told him if he comes back before the court within the next 24 months he will be sentenced. She said she was giving him this opportunity on the basis that he had been in Cuan Mhuire and was trying to get his life back on track.
The Met Gala, or Met Ball, formally called the Costume Institute Gala or the Costume Institute Benefit, is an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. It is popularly regarded as the world's most prestigious fashion event, and an invitation is highly sought after. Celebrities from various professional spheres, such as fashion, film, television, theater, music, business, sports, social media, and politics, are invited to the gala, organized by American fashion magazine Vogue.
A Queensland grandma forced to sleep in a caravan after flooding destroyed her home is one of many facing the threat of rising insurance costs.
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The 'Friends' star first sparked concern over his appearance last year ahead of the beloved sitcom's HBO special.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hopes an emergency aid package can go for a floor vote next week. Russia has rerouted internet in occupied Kherson through Russia, a watchdog says. Follow DW for the latest.
A meeting of Germany's Cabinet is to focus on political strategy amid the Ukraine conflict. The presence of the Swedish and Finnish premiers comes as their countries mull joining NATO in response to Moscow's invasion.
In a fresh attack, Russian forces fired rockets at the Azovstal steel plant in Ukraine's port city of Mariupol. Meanwhile, Slovakia said it wants to be exempt from an EU embargo on Russian oil. Follow DW for the latest.
German opposition leader Friedrich Merz has traveled to Ukraine's capital  a trip Chancellor Olaf Scholz so far has no plans to make. The Social Democrats see Merz's move as a PR stunt ahead of crucial state elections.
A top German court has quashed an appeal by an ex-member of Syria's secret police convicted on torture-related charges. His conviction on charges of being an accessory to crimes against humanity was a landmark verdict.
Boris Johnson will address the Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday, becoming the first world leader to do so since the outbreak of war in February.
The European bloc is moving closer to banning Russian oil with Germany changing course to support the embargo. But many questions remain open.
American photojournalist Tice disappeared in Syria in 2012. The US president assured his parents that he would work "relentlessly" to secure his return.
FactCheck.org 09 May 2022

In the wake of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that indicates the court could overturn Roe v. Wade, some lawmakers have..
Zee News 04 May 2022

During a short halt at Paris while en route to India, PM Modi will meet Emmanuel Macron. He will be the first world leader to have..
Russia's ranking on the World Press Freedom Index has fallen again over the Kremlin's wartime censorship of the Ukraine conflict. From Myanmar to Mexico, journalists continue to risk their lives to deliver the news.
German opposition leader Friedrich Merz is set to visit Ukraine's capital  a trip Chancellor Olaf Scholz so far has no plans to make. The Social Democrats see Merz's move as a PR stunt ahead of crucial state elections.
The German public is divided on the issue of military support for Ukraine. Many fear the delivery of tanks and training of Ukrainian soldiers in Germany may drag the country into the war.
An intimate short documentary about the growing crisis of Americans held hostage by foreign governments, "Bring Them Home" follows one family's desperate effort to free their loved one from being used as a geopolitical pawn by Iran.
Since its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has claimed Kyiv is developing biological weapons with support from the US and Germany. Experts familiar with laboratories in Ukraine say the accusations are groundless.
The publication of a leaked document that could overturn a landmark abortion rights ruling in the US has sparked angry demonstrations in front of the Supreme Court. The decision would change a bedrock of American law.
India and Germany signed nine agreements on Monday, including one at the level of the leaders for green and sustainable development. PM Narendra Modi called it an article of faith for India as German Chancellor Scholz committed 10 billion euros to support Indias green growth plans.
"The first leg of PM @narendramodi's visit concludes. Has reinforced the India-Germany partnership. Next stop > Copenhagen," the ministry of external affairs tweeted. PM Modi, who arrived in Berlin on Monday morning, held bilateral talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and co-chaired the India-Germany inter-governmental consultations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis, even as his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen hoped that India will use its influence over Russia to end the war. The two leaders expressed serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Questions are being raised over whether a company in which Chancellor Rishi Sunak's wife has a reported 400m stake is continuing to operate in Russia.
Unvaccinated permanent residents can return to New Zealand from Friday.And Australian citizens who usually live in New Zealand will soon be able to have transtasman trips.Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced the...
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Cakes commemorating the Queens wedding and multicultural Britain are among those in the final of a nationwide competition to find a pudding fit to celebrate the monarchs Platinum Jubilee.
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First Lady Jill Biden addressed the power of style choices at the preview of the new costume exhibit opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," launches with the Met Gala May 2 and opens to the public May 7. (May 2)


United States Vice President Kamala Harris has tested negative for the coronavirus and is set to return to the White House on Tuesday, only a week after she was found positive of the disease. The Democrat isolated at her residence while being asymptomatic and taking the antiviral treatment Paxlovid.
Associated Press reporter Gary Fields explains what the leaked Supreme Court draft on abortion means and if it is the final decision, how could it effect the nation. (May 3)


President Biden met with the parents of American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria nearly 10 years ago. He has not been heard from since. Syria has never acknowledged holding him.
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Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia:

The life science real estate development company Breakthrough Properties has reached the final closings for its Breakthrough Life Science Property Fund, which raised $3 billion in direct capital and co-investments.

A joint venture of Tishman Speyer and Bellco Capital, Breakthrough will use the fund "to scale a global portfolio of best-in-class ecosystems for dynamic early-, mid-, and late-stage life science companies."

According to a press release, the $3 billion raised in fund and co-investment capital surpassed Breakthrough's initial $1.5 billion target. It is the largest real estate fund dedicated exclusively to the life sciences sector, excluding recapitalizations of existing portfolios, according to CBRE and JLL Research.

The Fund was raised from a diverse group of institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and high net worth individuals spanning four continents, said the release.

"Founded in 2019, Breakthrough has established itself as one of the most active players in the life science sector with 4.6 million square feet of projects in the pipeline across San Diego, Boston/Cambridge, Philadelphia, Amsterdam, Oxford, and Cambridge, UK. 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," the release said.

"Breakthrough was f......................

To view our full article Click here
PR Lab, LBH Media, & Rob Ryan Digital are excited to announce MASHUP LA's (http://www.mashupla.com/) 5th anniversary with a return to their iconic in-person celebration taking place on May 12th in Beverly Hills. Mashup LA is a leading networking and gifting event exclusively for the influencer community. Presented by LEDVANCE (http://www.ledvanceus.com/), the makers of SYLVANIA General Lighting in the US and Canada, this one-night only event will include 150 digital, 
Formerly SMi Group Ltd., the business provides customers with solutions through industry knowledge and collaboration. SAE Media Group, a leader in delivering global conferences, is pleased to announce the launch of its new brand effective immediately. The new brand, post-transition, will continue to deliver value to customers by gathering senior market leaders from across the globe to shape the future direction of the industry's it serves. SAE Media Group Conferences (SMG Conferences), 
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  An outspoken critic of Cambodias government dressed up as Lady Justice, complete with scale and blindfold, to bring attention to her case as lawyers in her trial for treason presented their final arguments Tuesday.

Theary Seng, a Cambodian American lawyer, is charged with conspiracy to commit treason and incitement to commit a felony, which together carry a maximum jail sentence of 12 years. The charges arose from a failed attempt by leading opposition figure Sam Rainsy to return to Cambodia in November 2019, after a period of self-exile. Cambodian authorities, who opposed his return, alleged Theary Seng was involved in organizing the trip, which she denies.

Four other defendants being tried on the same charges are former members and activists of the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, of which Sam Rainsy was co-founder. Theary Seng denies belonging to the party.

I am not afraid of prison. I am ready. I am prepared to go to prison if this dictatorial, autocratic regime continues with its injustice against justice itself. So I am not afraid of prison, Theary Seng told journalists outside the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Cambodias Supreme Court in 2017 ordered the Cambodia National Rescue Party to be dissolved for allegedly plotting to seize power, but it is widely believed the action was taken to help ensure that Prime Minister Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party would win the 2018 general election. His ruling party made a clean sweep of the National Assembly seats.

Opponents of Hun Sen, who has been in power for 37 years, criticize him for acting in an autocratic manner and keeping the opposition on a tight leash. He has said he intends to stay in office until 2028 and has endorsed one of his sons to be his successor.

To publicize her case, Theary Seng dressed on Tuesday as Lady Justice, a symbol of law who is traditionally depicted as a Roman goddess bearing a sword and a balancing scale and wearing a blindfold and flowers in her hair. On previous trial days, she had dressed up in a prison-style orange outfit with ankle shackles and as a classical Cambodian Apsara dancer, telling reporters she was expressing her belief that the trial was political theater.

She did not attend Tuesdays court hearing when a security guard refused to let her in unless she removed the flowers from her hair and left the sword and scale outside the courtroom. She stayed outside with supporters and reporters and let her lawyer represent her.

I am Lady Justice. This autocratic regime is putting justice itself on trial. This autocratic regime uses the court as its weapon, said Theary Seng, who graduated from University of Michigan Law School in the United States. It is unjust when the law is not based on justice. My weapon is truth. Truth is eternal.  Truth is freedom.

Her lawyer, Choung Chou Ngy, said the court is expected to deliver its verdict on June 14.

In a related case in March, the court convicted 21 people of treason and related charges for their nonviolent political opposition to Cambodias government. Seven exiled leaders of the disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party received 10-year prison terms in absentia, including Sam Rainsy, who has been in exile since 2016. Another 13 defendants were ordinary party supporters whom the court ordered to serve more than three years.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  The Mexican government is snubbing Texas and moving a proposed border rail link to New Mexico after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott backed up border crossings with state inspections in April.

Mexican diplomats met Tuesday with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and touted a rail line linking Mexican seaports on the Pacific with the San Jeronimo-Santa Teresa crossing in New Mexico, about 20 miles (36 kilometers) west of El Paso, Texas.

Mexico had considered a route through Texas, but in recent days officials have said they can no longer rely on that state. Abbott had required all commercial trucks from Mexico to undergo extra inspections, tying up traffic and causing millions in losses.

Roberto Velasco Alvarez, Mexico's director for North American affairs, wrote in his Twitter account about the meeting in Washington.

There is a regional vision and management of migration, legal pathways and more development options, as well as advances in infrastructure with New Mexico that will allow us to develop immediate alternatives to commercial traffic that currently passes through Texas, Velasco Alvarez wrote.

Mexico's Economy Secretary Tatiana Clouthier was more forceful last week on the fate of a proposed rail line linking the Pacific coast port of Mazatlan in Mexico's Sinaloa state with the U.S. and Canada.

There is a very important project that will hopefully be finished soon that will connect Sinaloa and, we used to say Texas, but I don't think we're going to use Texas anymore because we cannot put all our eggs in one basket and be held hostage to those who want to use trade as a political issue, Clouthier told a business conference.

So we are going to look for another connection point because we cannot go through again what we went through a few weeks ago, she said.

Some truckers reported waiting more than 30 hours to cross during the state inspections. Others blocked one of the worlds busiest trade bridges in protest.

Abbott, who is up for reelection in November and has made the border his top issue, fully lifted the inspections after reaching agreements with neighboring Mexican states that outline new commitments to border security.

But those Mexican states have little authority or manpower to intercept drugs or migrant smuggling  the two issues Abbott cited in implementing the inspections, though state officials found little of either  so the agreements were seen as a way of pressuring Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to act.

Lopez Obrador, has described Abbott's actions as vile." But Abbott hasn't backed down, and has said he is considering invoking defense powers by declaring that Texas is being invaded."

On Monday, Lopez Obrador brushed it off, saying, Now that there are elections, some politicians in the United States are making accusations.

But how are they going to talk about an invasion? Lopz Obrador said, referring to the fact that Texas  like much of the rest of the U.S. Southwest  once belonged to Mexico.

Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said Mayorkas had expressed concerns regarding the scheduled May 23 lifting of Title 42, the pandemic-era health rule that denies migrants a chance to seek asylum.

His perspective is just that there could be a problem with increased (migrant) flows, and for that reason we are going to work regionally on the issue, Ebrard said.

Ebrard also said Mexico continued to argue for Cuba and Venezuela to attend the upcoming Summit of the Americas in June in Los Angeles. The Biden administration has suggested that Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua are unlikely to be invited.
There will be at least one new face on the Huron County Board Commissioners when 2023 comes around, with one new candidate declaring a run.

Donald Musser will be running for the District 5 commissioner seat, which represents the city of Bad Axe and Verona and Sigel townships.

John Bodis, the current District 5 commissioner, announced his plans to retire from the board back in January.

An Indiana native, Donald spent 30 years working in Flint as a resident care aide for the Michigan School for the Deaf. It was there that he met his wife Stephanie, who worked at the Genesee County prosecutors office.

The two moved to Georgia in 1990 after Stephanie suffered from a hemorrhage. After another 30 years of living there, they decided it was time to come back to Michigan and were first looking in the Indian River and Cheboygan areas before coming to Bad Axe.

We picked the right place to come to, Donald said. For the first time in my life, I feel like Im home.

The Mussers have lived in Bad Axe since August 2021. Since arriving, Donald has been involved with the Huron County Senior Center, mainly managing a billiards group and calling bingo games on Thursdays. He also a member of ABATE of Michigan, recently started a three-year-term on the Huron Behavioral Health board of directors, and tries to attend as many government meetings as he can around the area.

I feel a real sense of community here, Donald said. I feel like being a part of taking care of the community since there seems to be a lack of people getting involved since I arrived here.

Dondald has never held a government position before as he never felt the desire or urgency to participate but he felt it now since he said Bad Axe feels like home to him.

While he acknowledged that being elected to the commissioners would be a huge learning process for him, Musser did notice that Hellems Road to the east of Bad Axe between M-142 and Pitt Road is paved and then stops.

I would like to see Pitt Road paved, Musser said. I know everyone that lives there would like to see it paved.

The Michigan primary election takes place on Aug. 2, with the filing deadline for running for partisan and nonpartisan offices having passed. The six incumbent commissioners will be running again for their seats.

All the candidates running for commissioner seats are running as Republicans and running unopposed.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims.

Monday, May 2

10:38 p.m. - A deputy conducted a traffic stop at a Jerome Township location. A 51-year-old woman driver was subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated and operating under the influence of drugs. The woman was lodged at the Midland County Jail. A report is being sent to the prosecuting attorneys office.

9:26 p.m.  Police responded to the 6100 block of Jefferson Ave. for a drug overdose.

4:26 p.m. - A 34-year-old Clare man was arrested on a Friend of the Court warrant out of St. Clair County following a traffic stop in the Village of Sanford. The male was transported to the Midland County Jail where he was to be picked up by St. Clair County.

4:06 p.m. - Report of a man and woman walking down the road in Midland Township. The man had pushed the female. It was discovered the man was a special needs subject who was trying to walk away from his care giver. The subjects had returned home where the deputies located them.

2:37 p.m. - Deputies assisted the Beaverton Police Department to locate a 45-year-old male in Hope Township.

1:59 p.m.  Officers were called to the 700 block of Village East for a general assist.

12:43 p.m. - Police responded to the 4200 block of Moorland Drive for a larceny.

12:39 p.m. - Officers were called to the 900 block of Joe Mann Blvd. for a trespassing complaint.

7:55 a.m. - Animal Control Deputy dispatched to the area of W. Blakely and W. River Roads regarding a dog running loose in the roadway at that intersection. Checked the area and no loose dogs were located.

4:03 a.m. - Deputies responded to a Coleman residence to attempt contact with a 30-year-old man regarding an investigation in Mt. Pleasant. It was discovered that the house was vacant, and the man resides in Mount Pleasant.

1:03 a.m. - Officers were called to the 7300 block of Lilac St. to assist the fire department.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  A Kentucky school bus hydroplaned in rainy weather and overturned on Interstate 64 Tuesday morning, injuring some students and shutting down westbound lanes of the roadway, officials said.

Jefferson County Public Schools spokeswoman Carolyn Callahan told news outlets that 21 students were on the bus and some were injured, though how many wasn't clear. Students were taken to area hospitals to get checked out, but there had been no reports of serious injuries, she said.
Photo: (Photo : Getty images )

A sperm donor from California with almost 50 biological children feared that his chosen vocation may lose his chance of finding "the one."

He shared that women are not interested in dating him due to his devotion to sperm donation.

Kyle Gordy, 30, said that an estimated 1,000 women had requested his semen, and he has fathered 47 children in different countries, NYPost reports.

A sperm donor's life

Gordy said that he first started donating his swimmers when he was 22 years old as he felt that traditional sperm banks were "cold and clinical." He also wanted to know where his sperm would end up.

He eventually started promoting his free service on Instagram, and soon aspiring mothers began calling him.

After two years of donating, he got more women's attention, contributing more. He said he had a few successful pregnancies, so he started receiving messages on Instagram from women.

He now has 47 children, and ten are on their way. The sperm donor said he feels excellent, having helped many women start their families.

He gets joy from what he does, he says. He meets his children and regularly receives their pictures. He feels great knowing that they are doing well.

At first, he said he did not think that women would be interested as many had money and could quickly go to any sperm bank. Most women would ask for sperm from him because they wanted the option to see him one day.

Although based in the US, Gordy's Instagram account says he is currently on a sperm donation world tour", Mirror says.

He also had an experience donating his sperm "naturally." He recalled that at first, she was nervous, but after talking for a bit, she told him how happy she was. They realized they had a lot in common and talked about staying in contact.

Read also: Single Dad Recognizes Woman's Hand Signal to Alert Alleged Kidnapping

Finding love

He said that despite women vying for his sperm, the surrogate dad said he had trouble finding that special someone.

He admits that he had a few women interested in possible relationships. It does not go anywhere. Gordy admits he just had an average dating life even before his career. He said he has come to terms with his decision to donate sperm, but he realized that dating might never be the same for him after his life-changing decision.

However, when the special lady comes along, he would be happy to indulge in something more. Settling down and starting a family of his own might be possible, but it would take a special someone to accept him for who he is. He said he would discuss his sperm donating vocation early in the relationship.

He said he keeps his swimmers viable by leading a healthy lifestyle: going organic, consuming 18 different herbs and supplements a day, and cutting his caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, as per TMZ.

Meanwhile, authorities warn against accessing sperm from unlicensed donors as it increases the medical and legal risks as there are no proper consents in place.

Related Article: Britney Spears: Doubting Motherhood Abilities Due to Bad Publicity in the Past
Photo: (Photo : Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Friday, April 29, that it plans to convene its vaccine advisory committee over several days in June to discuss authorization of the COVID-19 vaccines for the nation's youngest kids.

The agency has set aside the dates of June 8, June 21, and June 22 for the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee to review Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna's vaccines for young children, the FDA said in a statement.

NBC News reported that the meeting dates set by the FDA are tentative, meaning they are still subject to change. Once the federal agency has finalized the dates of the June meetings, it intends to make additional materials available to the public.

Parents eagerly awaiting news on COVID jabs for young kids

The tentative dates released by the FDA are still important, though, as they can help gauge when the agency could make a final decision on the COVID vaccines for children. The FDA typically waits for a recommendation from its vaccine advisory committee before deciding on a particular jab and usually follows that recommendation.

Parents have been keenly awaiting news on COVID vaccines for young children. Kids under the age of 5 are the only group in the United States unable to get COVID vaccines. Moderna asked the FDA on Thursday, April 28, to authorize a lower dose of its two-dose COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages six months to 5 years.

Dr. Paul Burton, Moderna's chief medical officer, told VOA that there is an important unmet medical need here with these youngest children and that two shots for kids will safely protect them. Burton added that he thinks it is likely that children will need additional doses over time.

Read Also: Mom of Murdered Quebec Boys Seeking $2 Million Compensation Over Alleged Youth Protection Failures

FDA urged to review COVID vaccine of Moderna ASAP due to omicron surge

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement shortly after, urging the FDA to review the COVID vaccine of Moderna as soon as possible, noting that coronavirus cases in children have started to rise again in the United States after a decline following the omicron variant surge.

Pfizer has not yet submitted an application to the FDA on its three-dose vaccine for children under 5, but the pharmaceutical giant is expected to do so in the coming weeks. The FDA also announced on Friday that it plans to convene its advisers on June 7 to discuss the application of Novavax for its COVID vaccine for adults.

Novavax's COVID vaccine, which uses proteins to kick-start the body's immune system, is already available for use in at least 170 nations, according to Reuters. If cleared for emergency use in the United States, it would provide an alternative to the popular mRNA-based shots from Moderna and Pfizer. The FDA is also planning a June 28 meeting to discuss what virus strain or strains should be included in COVID booster shots for this coming fall.

Related Article: CDC Finds 75 Percent of Children and Teens in the United States Had COVID-19 by February 2022
Photo: (Photo : OLIVIER TOURON/AFP via Getty Images)

A judge in Phoenix sentenced Tracey Kay McKee to two years of felony probation, fines, and community service on Friday, April 29, for casting her dead mother's ballot in Arizona during the 2020 election.

The judge rejected a request by the prosecutor that McKee serves at least 30 days in jail because she lied to investigators and demanded that they hold accountable those committing voter fraud, according to NBC News.

The case against McKee is one of just a handful of voter fraud cases from the 2020 election in Arizona that have led to charges, despite the widespread belief among former President Donald Trump's many supporters that there was extensive voter fraud that led to his defeat in Arizona and other battleground states in the U.S.

Emotional McKee apologizes to judge before sentencing

McKee, who once lived in the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale but now resides in California, sobbed as she apologized to Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Margaret LaBianca before the judge handed down the 64-year-old's sentence. According to McKee, she was grieving over the loss of her mom, and she had no intention of impacting the outcome of the national election.

McKee told LaBianca in her apology that she did not want to make an excuse for her behavior. McKee admitted that what she did was wrong, and she is prepared to accept the consequences handed down by the court.

Both McKee and her deceased mother, Mary Arendt, were registered Republicans, although she was not asked if she voted for Trump in the trial. The Arizona Republic reported that Arendt died on October 5, 2020, two days before early ballots were mailed to voters in the state.

Assistant Attorney General Todd Lawson played a tape of McKee being interviewed by an investigator in his office during the trial. McKee said in the recording that there was rampant voter fraud and denied accusations that she had signed and returned her mother's ballot.

Read Also: Texas Teen Girl Lauren Juma Shot Dead By Her Mom's Boyfriend

McKee said there was a lot of voter fraud in recording

McKee told the investigator that the only way to prevent voter fraud is to physically go in and punch a ballot. She added that voter fraud would be prevalent as long as there is mail-in voting, telling the investigator that there is no way to ensure a fair election. Mckee also said during the recording that she does not believe that this was a fair election and that she believes there was a lot of voter fraud.

McKee's attorney, Tom Henze, pointed out in his argument that no one got jail time in the dozens of cases of voter fraud prosecuted over the past decade in Arizona. Henze said that many of those cases were for similar violations of voting on someone else's ballot. Henze added that agreeing with Lawson that McKee should serve 30 days of jail time for this offense would raise constitutional issues of fairness, according to a report by the New York Daily News.

Related Article: LaDonna Williams Found Buried in Florida Backyard 7 Years After Escaping Domestic Abuse Stabbing
Photo: (Photo : MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Two Social Studies teachers from separate schools in San Francisco and Rochester, New York, had come under fire for a controversial slavery lesson and were believed to be placed on administrative leaves and investigations.

In San Francisco, an eight-grade teacher wanted to introduce the students to the hardships of slavery in America. So, the teacher brought raw cotton plants with sharp edges to class, which was used to demonstrate the ill-treatment of slaves during the Industrial Revolution.

According to The Grio, mom Rebecca Archer raised her concerns about the controversial slavery lessons with officials of the Creative Arts Charter School, a progressive institution. She found out that the teacher placed the cotton plants on the children's hands and likely evoked "many deeply hurtful feelings" instead of raising awareness or promoting empathy.

Read Also: 8 Middle School Students in Maryland, Florida Charged for Hate Crimes

No Firsthand Experience Needed, Says Mom

In an interview with The San Francisco Chronicle, Archer pointed out that the kids do not need a firsthand experience of what happened during the days of slavery. She felt that it was cruel to have the kids go through such an exercise.

The lesson occurred just before the Spring Break, and the school investigated the teacher within 24 hours. After a few weeks, the teacher was not seen in school, but the officials declined to comment if there were any suspensions.

The teacher came back in mid-April and sent letters to the outraged parents of the students admitting that the lesson was "not culturally responsive." The school's director, Fernando Aguilar, also issued a statement to indicate that the controversial slavery lesson did not fit their mission and vision.

Half of the student body of the Creative Arts Charter School are white, while the rest are Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American.

Parents in New York Highlight the Lesson's Real Problem

In late April, a similar incident also took place among seventh-graders at the School of the Arts in Rochester, where a teacher had students simulate a cotton-picking activity while handcuffed. The class was composed mostly of Black students, according to Fox News.

This led to Precious Morris's mom complaining that the teacher "made a mockery of slavery." Morris said that she does not have a problem with the lessons because teachers in the old days also taught about slavery. What became a problem was the teacher had to bring cotton plants and had the kids pick the cotton seeds.

Worse, the teacher allegedly allowed some white students to opt out of the exercise. However, students of color were discouraged from not participating because they would not get good grades.

As a result of the controversy, Kelly Nicastro, the principal, issued a statement indicating that the complaints had been taken seriously after parents called for the teacher to be sacked. The school board also expressed that the incident, which is under investigation, was "extremely troubling."

Related Article: Black Mom Who Gave Birth to Son With Red Hair Says Strangers Accuse Her of Kidnapping
Photo: (Photo : Christopher Pearce/Getty Images)

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an important statement, saying that Abbott Nutrition, a baby formula maker under investigation by federal agencies for reports of infant illness and consumer complaints, will consider distributing some of its products on a case-by-case basis soon.

The FDA and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently investigating the company's powdered infant formula products. Abbott Nutrition has recalled and held back Alimentum, EleCare, and Similac products produced at its facility in Sturgis, Michigan, while enhanced safety testing is being conducted.

The formula recalls have come at the worst possible time as it has compounded product shortages due to supply chain issues, according to CNN. The FDA said in its statement that it "has no objection" for Abbott Nutrition to immediately release products to individuals who are in urgent need of "life-sustaining supplies" of certain specialty and metabolic formulas on a case-by-case basis.

Baby formula products may carry risk of contamination

According to the FDA, the agency is concerned that the risk of not having certain specialty and metabolic products available could significantly worsen underlying medical conditions and in some cases present life-threatening risks for individuals and infants who rely on these powdered formula products.

The FDA added that in these circumstances, the benefit of allowing parents, in consultation with their healthcare providers, to access these baby formula products may outweigh the potential risk of bacterial infection.

The FDA made it clear that products produced at the Michigan facility from late January through early March, prior to the agency's inspection, may carry a risk of contamination. According to Food Safety News, parents who are seeking the baby formula should talk to their child's doctor about whether the benefit of consuming the infant formula outweighs the risk of a bacterial infection in the circumstances of their child.

Abbott issued a statement on Friday, April 29 regarding this development, saying it "is releasing limited quantities of metabolic nutrition formulas at the request of FDA that were previously on hold" following the company's recall of some powder infant formulas from its facility in Sturgis, Michigan.

Abbott said that these products have already been tested and comply with all product release requirements before their distribution. The infant formula maker said that the lots being released were not included in the recall.

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Abbott says products will be released free to patients

According to the FDA, parents seeking the product should directly contact Abbott to request it. Abbott Nutrition said that the products will be released free to patients, in coordination with healthcare professionals.

The specialty and metabolic formulas that may be released on a case-by-case basis by Abbott Nutrition are the following: Tyrex-1, Tyrex-2, Similac PM 60/40, Propimex-1, Propimex-2, ProViMin, Glutarex-1, Glutarex-2, Hominex-1, Hominex-2, Cyclinex-1, Cyclinex-2, I-Valex-1, I-Valex-2, Phenex-1, Phenex-2, Phenex-2 Vanilla, Ketonex-1, Ketonex-2, Pro-Phree, and Calcilo XD.

The formulas that were recalled earlier this year by Abbott have been linked to serious Salmonella and Cronobacter sakazakii infections in five infants. Two of the babies who had Cronobacter infections died, according to Politico.

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Photo: (Photo : John Moore/Getty Images)

The Lexington County Sheriff's Department revealed that three female day care workers at Windsor Academy, a Lexington childcare center, have been arrested in connection with an investigation into a child abuse case.

According to warrants issued by authorities, 36-year-old Sharna Nicole McKnight is charged with infliction of great bodily harm upon a child, while 49-year-old Jeannie H. Locklear and 38-year-old Amy Marie Grice are both charged with obstructing justice.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon told WIS that this particular case started last month with a call to a child's mother from Windsor Academy in Lexington. Koon said that the daycare told the mother her child's leg was hurt in the railing of a crib.

Video showed McKnight breaking child's leg

Doctors determined the child's leg was broken, according to investigators. Koon said that as part of their work on the investigation, detectives asked to review video from inside Windsor Academy to know more about the incident.

Koon said that Locklear and Grice told them that the camera system was not working when the child got injured. Koon told ABC Columbia that they eventually recovered the video and the sheriff's department determined both Locklear and Grice took steps to delete the video after they watched it. Koon said those actions prompted the obstructing justice charges that were filed against the two of them.

Recovered video from the childcare center shows McKnight folding the child's legs under them, holding onto the child's left leg and flipping the kid into a crib, according to the arrest warrant. Koon said that based on the detectives' review of the video, the child was crawling and playing without any visible pain before the incident.

Koon added that the child then cried as the kid was unable to put weight on the broken leg after the incident. McKnight, Grice and Locklear were all arrested on Friday morning with the day care workers taken to the Lexington County Detention Center. The South Carolina Department of Social Services is assisting the Lexington County Sheriff's Department in the investigation.

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South Carolina ranked 41st in U.S. in terms of child well-being

April happens to be Child Abuse Prevention Month and according to the Children's Trust of South Carolina, the state is ranked 41st in the U.S. in terms of child well-being. Charleston County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) displayed their support for child abuse prevention last April at a walk hosted by the Charleston County Department of Social Services.

Charleston County DSS hosted the Child Abuse Prevention Walk in Park Circle. CCSO is encouraging the community to learn more about red flags and resources when it comes to child abuse.

According to Children's Trust of South Carolina, Child Abuse Prevention Month is their opportunity to plant the seeds of support for what they know must happen all year round. The group said that the more they can show people how their actions can prevent child abuse and neglect, the more people will understand how prevention efforts can work in their respective communities.

Related Article: What Parents Need to Know About Medical Emergency Involving Kids
Amazon might be feeling the competition in the e-reader market for the first time sincewell, ever. Kindle e-readers use their own proprietary Amazon format to display e-books, AZW3, which keeps most users from loading up a bunch of copyright-free books in the most common ePub format. But thanks to a new software rollout, the under-utilized Kindle Documents Service now automatically converts ePub files to Kindle-friendly AZW3.

Combined with the Send to Kindle tool, that makes it much, much easier to shoot an ePub file over the local Wi-Fi network to your Kindle reader in a few short seconds, either via the desktop or uploaded on the web. The change was spotted by Good E-Reader. It was previously possible to convert ePub files to another format, like Mobi, then manually transfer them to Kindle via USB or the Documents Service, without too much difficulty. But the new change means that you can do all of that without any third-party software.

Kindle refusing to allow easy use of the most common open digital book standard was a glaring downside to Amazons mostly-closed system. An analogy might be the Sony-branded MP3 players from the early 2000s which didnt actually play MP3s, instead insisting users convert all their music to the proprietary ATRAC format. Amazon announced support for ePub files in the Send To Kindle and Kindle Documents Service earlier this year.

This is entirely speculative on my part, but it seems to me that the widening market of ebook readers is making Amazon sweat a little. Kindle models have iterated in teeny-tiny increments for years, only gaining USB-C charging support on the latest models. Meanwhile competitors like Onyx, Xiaomi, and Pocketbook have been offering tons of new tech and form factors. These more versatile devices generally run Android, meaning that they can access Kindle libraries via Amazons app on top of easily loading up DRM-free files. Thats saying nothing of innovations like color e-ink and stylus support.

In the small but dedicated niche of ebook power users, Amazon is often the very last choice. Hopefully this change signals that Amazon is ready to stop relying on its market position and actually compete on features. Our roundup of the best Kindles can help you find the perfect model for your needs.
Business activities at the Hamile Border in the Upper West Region are picking up slowly on Ghana's reopening of the borders with neighbouring countries.



Importers from Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania, who patronise the Hamile border had started coming in with goods and services.



Mr Clever AttuhNdro, Second in Command at the Customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority at Hamile border post, in an interview with the GNA, said revenue collection was also picking up sooner than expected.



He said sooner business would soon be at its peak, as vehicular movement had increased and importers had started bringing in cowhide, mostly from Guinea into the country.



Mr Attuh-Ndro, who is also the Assistant Revenue Officer, said, We are now experiencing increase import volumes and we are okay now.



He said smuggling across the border had reduced drastically and attributed it to the intensive education of the traders, especially agents and importers, on the need to avoid smuggling.



The Second in Command appealed to people who want to buy vehicles to always feel free and come to CEPS to assist them to get issues solved, saying Dont fear CEPS; we are there and ready to serve you.









Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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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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Deputy Energy Minister, Hon. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam says Ghanas oil investment climate has been touted as the most liberal not just in the West African sub-region but the whole of Africa.



Speaking on behalf of Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh at the official opening of the Ghana pavilion at this years Offshore Technology Conference underway in Houston, Texas, USA, he said Ghanas petroleum fiscal regime is investor-friendly offering higher returns to investors. He added that the licensing regime is transparent, provides investor certainty and flexibility, and also accommodates different financial products including risk capital as well as concessional facilities for the development of our oil and gas resources.



Our oil basins are largely derisked especially the Western Basin which contains about 80 prospects and 40 discoveries. This means that the potential to make a discovery when you invest in exploration in Ghana is very high he noted.



Dr. Amin Adam who also represents the people of Karaga in parliament expressed satisfaction at the increased participation of both the private and public sectors at the conference. In his view, this shows that the potential for growing Ghanas petroleum and energy industries is huge; and the prospects for accelerating the growth of the economy are much brighter in the future.



As already demonstrated by data from the Ghana Statistical Service, the real economic growth rate in 2021 is about 5.4% which outperformed what was projected at 4.4%, a strong indication of the return of our economy to pre-COVID times.



He continued The recovery of our economy means that we must position our oil and gas industry to play its strategic role of generating more revenue for the state, creating jobs for our people, adding value to the economy and improving on our trade balance. This calls for greater partnership between Ghanaian businesses and foreign investors



On the downstream petroleum front, the Deputy Minister said Ghana aspires to become a hub for refined petroleum products and petrochemicals in the West African sub-region and beyond by the year, 2030 and therefore Government has designated a free zone area for the development of petroleum and petrochemical refineries, storage and transportation facilities for the export of products to largely African markets.



He said this requires collaboration with the private sector to achieve the objectives of the Hub.



He further said in recognition of the global advocacy for energy transition whilst also ensuring that hydrocarbon assets are stranded, oil and gas activities will be undertaken in an environmentally friendly manner as the country leverages its oil and gas resources in pursuit of cleaner energy.



The 4-day OTC event will see the Deputy Minister as the leader of the Ghanaian delegation addressing strategic events all with the aim of positioning Ghana for investment.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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French President Emmanuel Macron will speak with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by telephone at around midday Paris time (1000 GMT), Macron's office said on Tuesday.



Although the two spoke regularly in the early weeks following Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Macron last talked to Putin on March 29.



Tuesday's call would take place at the initiative of Macron, and follows a call he held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Saturday, the Elysee Palace said.



The conflict in Ukraine has flattened cities, killed thousands of civilians and forced more than 5 million to flee the country.

Source: REUTERS









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The Right Reverend Stephen Kwaku Owusu, Kumasi Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana (MCG), has called for brainstorming to a lasting solution to the high rate of youth unemployment.



He said the problem threatened the security of the nation, adding there are some who left the university more than six years ago and are still unemployed.



The Rt. Rev. Owusu argued that the development and growth of any society depended on a vibrant youth, therefore, issues relating to their empowerment and welfare ought to be taken seriously.



He was speaking at a synod in Kumasi, organised by the Kumasi Diocese of the MCG, to discuss national issues and those concerning the accelerated growth of the church.



They ranged from education, economic development, security of the nation, employment, youth development issues to church projects.



The Methodist Bishop said the church was worried over the reported cases of suicide and crime amongst the youth.



This menace is largely borne out of frustration, he noted, emphasizing that the society ought to work together to tackle these unfortunate developments head on.



In furtherance of a stable society devoid of deviant behaviours, the Methodist Bishop suggested to corporate bodies and stakeholders to support the government in its quest to deepen the base of technical and vocational education and training (TVET).



He said, this was a step in the right direction given the critical role TVET played in equipping the youth with the requisite skills needed for productive lives.



The Rt. Rev. Owusu pointed out that promoting a disciplined society was a prerequisite for sustainable socio-economic progress, therefore, all hands must be on deck to find a lasting solution to youth delinquency, which could be a threat to the peace and harmony in the Ghanaian society.

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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Waste management expert, Zoomlion Ghana Limited a mother-subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies has donated several bags of rice, boxes of cooking oil and an undisclosed amount of Ghana cedis to the National Chief Imam, Dr. Shirk Osman Nuhu Sharabutu for the celebration of this year's Eid Ul Fitr.



Presenting the cash and items together, the Communications and Corporate Affairs Director of Zoomlion, Ms Emma Adwoa Appiaa Osei-Duah underscored the satisfactory relationship that exists between the Jospong Group, the National Chief Imam and the Muslim Community in Ghana.



She said the kind gesture from the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw

Agyepong, the management and the entire Zoomlion were to further strengthen the corporate relationship between the two sides.



Ms Osei-Duah particularly commended the Chief Imam for his unrelenting prayers for the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies and the management and staff of Zoomlion.



She disclosed that the company has no intention to end the relationship anytime soon and therefore assured strengthened collaborations towards keeping the Zongo communities clean at all times.



The Communications Director, however, appealed to the Chief Imam to use any available forum to inculcate into Ghanaians as a whole and Muslims, in particular, to subscribe to the Zoomlion "One Million Bin Project" and own a waste bin so as to end the regular haphazard waste disposal that is associated to the Zongo communities.



It is unfortunate that the hard-working Muslim women who feed the Ghanaian population with sumptuous meals such as waakye, kooko, emutuo and so on have to generate waste sometimes at the end of the day, therefore a waste bin for each of them should end the waste spilling into the streets and the Zongos.



"I know that the scriptures speak of cleanliness and Islam is no exception so therefore our father (Chief Imam) and his able representatives across Ghana will help in this direction for Zoomlion to distribute at least One Million Bins to various households in Ghana.



On his part, the National Chief Imam thanked the entourage of Zoomlion at his palace and encourage them to come more often not necessary to give but to pray with him.



He was full of praises to Dr. Agyepong for always keeping him (Chief Imam) in his prayers and endeavours and blessed him and his companies and staff with a prayer to climax the visit.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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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









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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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 asked Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament, Sam Nartey George to use his brains in advancing his views on E-levy taxation on payment of tithe.



Sam George has recently stated that the E-Levy will affect payment of tithe, a claim that government through the deputy finance minister, John Kumah has dismissed.



The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has, meanwhile, confirmed that payment of tithe via Mobile Money will attract the E-levy.



Currently as it is, your tithe, once you pay it via Mobile Money would attract the tax, its CEO Ken Ashigbey is quoted as saying by news portal myjoyonline.com.



Quoting the news article, Sam George asked John Kumah to keep quiet when IT deployment issues are being discussed.



In responding to the Ningo Prampram MP, the deputy minister who contended that E-levy applies when anyone uses the electronic transfer platform advised his colleague MP to use his brains.



@samgeorgegh you have brains use them. Whether E-levy affects tithe, or not is not an issue of IT deployment, it is common sense. I thought the IT community has cautioned you to tread cautiously when it comes to its operations & not to feign ignorance as you always do.



Your argument is that E-levy is a tax on tithe& offering , this is falsehood because we are not taxing people for paying tithe & offering. We are taxing people for using an online platform and if in the course of paying their tithe, they are taxed for using a platform, John Kumah said in a series of tweets.



If you drive to Parliament and you buy fuel which is taxed does that mean we are taxing your work as a parliamentarian? he further quizzed



John Kumah also urged Sam George to desist from making unpatriotic comments about the E-levy and to instead keep quiet and learn.



The Ghana Revenue Authority on May 1 began implementation of the E-levy amidst some reported challenges including taxes on the GH100 threshold which is supposed to be exempted.



The GRA has however pledged to refund all wrong deductions whiles it works to resolve all the challenges encountered in the implementation phase of the E-levy.





Source: Ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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1M Guaranteed IPO San Remo Million Kicks Off in Style

May 03, 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor

The Casino San Remo is the place to be between may 1 and May 10 because the Italian Poker Open (IPO) is in town and has brought with it a bustling schedule of exciting tournaments, including a 1 million guaranteed Main Event.

The550 buy-in IPO 1 Million features eight flights. Each sees players sit down with 40,000 chips and play to an incredible blind structure with a 45 minute clock (30 minutes on the turbo-charged Day 1G). Those blinds increase to 75 minutes on Day 2 onwards, giving players plenty of room to manoeuvre as the event approaches its business end.

There are 100 satellites running throughout the festival, each feeding into the IPO Million. At least two per day run from May 1 through May 6, giving players with lesser bankrolls a shot at playing in a prestigious tournament featuring a seven-figure guaranteed prize pool.

In addition to the IPO Million, there is a daily turbo tournament at 10:00 p.m. CET each night. These 120 buy-in events are perfect to blowing off some steam at the end of a days grind.

Other events include the 990 buy-in IPO Master, the 666 IPO Hell 666 KO Win the Button event, and a 440 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha tournament.

IPO San Remo Million Schedule

Date Time Event Buy-in Chips Clock (mins) Sun 1 May 3:00 p.m. IPO 1 Million Day 1A 550 40,000 45 4:00 p.m. Welcome Festival 150 50,000 25 Mon 2 May 3:00 p.m. IPO 1 Million Day 1B 550 40,000 45 Tue 3 May 3:00 p.m. Super Deep 330 60,000 30/40 10:00 p.m. Turbo Night 120 30,000 15 Wed 4 May 3:00 p.m. IPO 1 Million Day 1C 550 40,000 45 7:00 p.m. Special Knockout 6-Max Day 1 230 30,000 20 10:00 p.m. Turbo Night 120 30,000 15 Thu 5 May 1:00 p.m. Special Knockout 6-Max Final Day 30/40 3:00 p.m. IPO 1 Million Day 1D 550 40,000 45 10:00 p.m. Turbo Night 120 30,000 15 Fri 6 May 3:00 p.m. IPO 1 Million Day 1E 550 40,000 45 7:00 p.m. Pot Limit Omaha 8-Max 440 40,000 30 10:00 p.m. Turbo Night 120 30,000 15 Sat 7 May 12:00 p.m. IPO 1 Million Day 1F 550 40,000 45 6:00 p.m. IPO 1 Million Day 1G Turbo 550 40,000 30 10:00 p.m. Turbo Night 120 30,000 15 Sun 8 May 1:00 p.m. IPO 1 Million Day 2 60 4:00 p.m. IPO Hell 666 KO, Win the Button, 8-Max 666 66,600 30/40 6:00 p.m. Sunday Side 250 50,000 30 9:00 p.m. IPO Master Day 1 990 50,000 45 10:00 p.m. Turbo Night 120 30,000 15 Mon 9 May 1:00 p.m. IPO Million Day 3 75 1:00 p.m. IPO Master Day 2 990 50,000 60 5:00 p.m. Monday Side 150 40,000 30 10:00 p.m. Turbo Night 120 30,000 15 Tue 10 May 2:00 p.m. IPO Million Final Table TV 75 3:00 p.m. IPO Master Final Day 75 8:00 p.m. Closer Deep 120 50,000 20

Day 1A of the Main Event drew in a crowd of 226 players, and none of the surviving players bagged up more chips than Italian Alessandro Mattii, who turned his 40,000 starting stack into a tournament-leading 700,500. Matti has a string of live cashes behind him, but none weigh in at five-figures or more. That fact should change if he builds on his initial success. Day 1B also attracted a total of 180 entries for a total of 406.

Gianluca Cammarata and Nicola DAnselmo ended their flight in second and third place, respectively. Cammarata bagged up 635,000 chips while DAnselmo returns on Day 2 armed with 572,500.

IPO regular Cristian Viali also progressed to Day 2, doing so with 230,000 chips. Viali finished fifth in the 2015 IPO Campione Main Event and walked away with a career-best 30,335.

Also safely through to Day 2 are a trio of female poker players. French ladies Elena Chiper (444,000) and Valerie Lelouche (170,000) are joined by Ukraines Lyudmilla Rudova (232,000).

Good luck to everyone competing in the IPO Million Main Event in San Remo over the coming seven days.
Maimone and Leonard in Race For $1.17M Super MILLION$ Top Prize

May 03, 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor

The Main Event of the GGPoker Super MILLION$ Week has reached its nine-handed final table and what a fantastic bunch of players are seated there. Some 685 players bought in across the various flights and created a $6,850,000 prize pool, which blew the $5 million guarantee out of the water. The eventual champion of this prestigious tournament gets their hands on $1,179,576 of the pot.

Dutch grinder "WouldIlieToYou" is the player to catch going into the final table but seasoned pros Nick Maimone and Patrick Leonard are hot on their heels.

Super MILLION$ Main Event Final Table

Place Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1 WouldIlieToYOU Netherlands 14,250,024 89.1 2 Nick Maimone Canada 11,874,204 74.2 3 Patrick Leonard Hungary 10,349,510 64.7 4 Andrii Novak Ukraine 9,491,834 59.3 5 Dejan Kaladjurdjevic Montenegro 7,039,874 44 6 Aleks Shepel Armenia 6,282,812 39.3 7 spaise411 Russia 4,291,360 26.8 8 Simon Mattsson Norway 3,847,842 24 9 Chunlei Zhou Hong Kong 1,072,540 6.7

Watch All The Final Table Action Here Click here!

WouldIlieToYou sits down with 14,250,024 chips when the cards are back in the air at 6:00 p.m. BST on May 3. This is only the fourth time the Dutch player has bought into the Super MILLION$ and the first time they have cashed. They are guaranteed $147,446 even if the unthinkable happens and they bust out first, but are only eight eliminations away from a $1,179,576 score.

Nick Maimone is an establish household name in poker circles but not a familiar name in the Super MILLION$ events. Maimone has only competed in seven Super MILLION$ events and won $34,470 from those tournaments. His 11,874,204 stack, or 74.2 big blinds if you prefer, put Maimone in a position where he should be challenging for the title and that seven-figure top prize.

Super MILLION$ Main Event Final Table Payouts

1st - $1,179,576

2nd - $909,577

3rd - $701,380

4th - $540,838

5th - $417,043

6th - $321,584

7th - $247,975

8th - $191,215

9th - $147,446

Big Final table on Tuesday, 3/9, guaranteed $147k, $1.2m ftw, moving to Vancouver on Wednesday. LFG https://t.co/uFThhVYuql  Patrick Leonard (@padspoker)

Former world number one Patrick Leonard has given himself a fantastic chance of becoming this events champion by reaching his second-ever Super MILLION$ final table third in chips. Leonard goes into battle with 10,349,510 chips, or 64.7 big blinds. The Super MILLION$ has not exactly been kind to Leonard but he now has the perfect opportunity to boost his $88,032 earnings from this tournament.

Fourth place at the restart with 9,491,834 chips (59.3 big blinds) is Ukraines Andrii Novak. The Ukrainian is yet to win this tournament from 34 attempts but will fancy his chances thanks to sitting down with a healthy stack. Novak has almost $234,000 in Super MILLION$ earnings. No doubt hell be going all out to make that more than $1.4 million by the time this final table is done and dusted.

Like the chip leader, Dejan Kaladjurdjevic has a played three, failed to cash in three, record in Super MILLION$ tournaments. Reaching this massive final table means the man from Montenegro is guaranteed to show a massive profit in this event regardless of where he finishes tonight. Kaladjurdjevic is a relative unknown quantity and that could well work in his favour. His sits down with 7,039,874 chips, or 44 big blinds.

The next three shortest stacks have between 24 and 39.3 big blinds in their arsenal. Former Super MILLION$ champion Simon Mattsson is the shortest stack of this trio courtesy of him sitting behind 3,847,824 chips (24 big blinds) and Russias "spaise411" is sandwiched between Mattsson and Aleks Shepel. Spaise411 has earned $1,170,884 from the Super MILLION$.

Bringing up the rear is Hong Kongs Chunlei Zhou. They return to the fray armed with 1,072,540 chips, which is a meagre 6.7 big blinds. Zhou is in push-or-fold territory but that relives some of the pressure because it makes their decision making much simpler.
Vladimir Grechnikov Wins RunGood Poker Series Main Event At Seminole Casino Coconut Creek ($80,268)

May 03, 2022 Liam Gannon

After a heads-up deal and just under one hour of play, it was New Jersey-born recreational player Vladimir Grechnikov who outlasted a field of 608 runners in Event #6: $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Main Event in the RunGood Poker Series at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in Florida for a career best score of $80,268 from a total prize pool of $589,760.

I havent fully grasped it yet, said an elated Grechnikov in his post-win interview with PokerNews. His career best score prior to winning was $16,153 and with a career total of of $54,030. It has now more than doubled and Grechnikov will have more money to play more tournaments.

Grechnikov came into the final day second in chips and he overcame an early setback to double up and knock out two of his three opponents, including Jason Wandling in heads-up play.

2022 RGPS Coconut Creek $1,100 Main Event Results

Place Name Prize 1 Vladimir Grechnikov $80,268* 2 Jason Wandling $65,000* 3 Denys Shafikov $65,000* 4 Matthew Bretzfield $65,000* 5 Timothy Miles $27,607 6 Matthew Lambrecht $22,600 7 Kevin Blewitt $18,595 8 Leroy Grant $14,827 9 Jacob Ristich $11,117

* - denotes final table deal

Final Table Recap

The first casualty of the final table was Jacob Ristich when he four-bet moved all-in with pocket queens only to get snapped by the pocket aces of Timothy T.K. Miles. Ristich collected $11,117 for his ninth-place finish.

The next player to be eliminated was Leroy Grant who moved all-in with ace-queen from the cutoff and was snap-called by Gretzfield with pocket tens. No ace or queen could be found on the runout and Grant collected his eighth-place winnings of $14,827.

Chip leader Kevin Blewitt could not get much going at the final table and he found himself all-in and at risk against Jason Wandling with nine-seven against ace-ten. No improvement was given and Blewitt was ousted in seventh-place for $18,595.

Runner-up Jason Wandling

Day 1a chip leader Matthew Lambrecht was eliminated in sixth-place for $22,600 when he got it in with ace-jack versus Miles ace-ten, only for Miles to hit three tens on the runout, giving him the chip lead.

Miles chip lead was not to last though, and after a series of double ups and massive chip exchanges Miles found himself all in with ace-king of hearts against the pocket queens of Wandling. No ace, king, or heart flush was able to appear on the ten-high runout and last year's runner-up finisher found his run coming to an end in fifth-place for $27,607.

The remaining four players came back on Monday at 2 p.m. with blinds at 150,000/300,000 and a deal was made rather quickly to guarantee everyone $65,000, leaving the winner to take home $80,268 and the RGPS Pro-Am seat.

Check out the rungood poker series live reporting hub

Chip leader Matthew Bretzfield saw his hopes dashed when he suffered a setback after doubling up Grechnikov, and he moved in his remaining five big blinds from the button with eight-five suited against Grechnikov in the small blind and his suited queen-jack. The board ran out jack-high and Bretzfield took home $65,000.

WPT Sochi Champion Denys Shafikov saw an early double to put himself at the top of the chip counts, but he lost a big pot against Grechnikov when his ace-queen lost to ace-two. He was left with two big blinds and could not improve his eight-seven against Jason Wandlings ace-six and Shafikov finished in third place for $65,000.

Heads-up saw Grechnikov come in with the lead, but Wandling doubled up quickly when Grechnikovs open-ended straight draw did not improve against the top pair of Wandling. The big moment came when Grechnikov held pocket tens and Wandling held ace-queen. The board ran out seven-high and Wandling shook hands as the runner-up finisher.

Best Free to Play Slots

2022 RGPS Coconut Creek Series Results

Tournament Winner Prize Event #1 $400 Super Stack No-Limit Holdem Christopher Barnes $30,954* Event #2 $250 Seniors No-Limit Hold'em David Feigenbaum $6,437* Event #3 $200 Double Green Bounty Larry Klur $5,713* Event #4 $250 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold'em Sean Shah $12,079 Event #5 $150 RunGood Ambassador Bounty Kevin Dubrocq $5,857* Event #6 $1,100 Main Event No-Limit Hold'em Vladimir Grechnikov $80,268* Event #7 $200 Pot-Limit Omaha Millie Barnum $4,000*

* - denotes final table deal

Congratulations to the newest RunGood champion Vladimir Grechnikov!

2022 RGPS Coconut Creek Main Event Champion Vladimir Grechnikov

Be sure to join the PokerNews team for live updates from the next RunGood Poker Series Main Event at Downstream Casino in Joplin, MO from May 20-22, 2022

Sharelines Check out the results from the RunGood Poker Series stop in Coconut Creek, Florida
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COLUMBIA  Charged with several state ethics violations, Lexington-Richland School District Five board chairwoman Jan Hammond agreed to pay a $2,000 fine.

Hammond was accused of withholding specifics of her income on financial disclosure forms and using her school district-issued email to promote candidates running for school board.

Hammond was scheduled to have a hearing before the S.C. Ethics Commission in April, but the hearing was called off after she agreed to a settlement.

Efforts to reach Hammond were unsuccessful May 2, but in a letter to the Lake Murray News last week, the chairwoman of the 17,000-student district covering Chapin and Irmo said she made technical errors in her income reports on a "confusing" web page.

"Honest mistakes were easy to make," Hammond said in the letter. "Many times over the past few years, I went in person to the Ethics Commission and had help from their staff."

As for pushing the election of new school board members on her district account, she said was responding to emails on her phone and believed "since I did not initiate the contact and that I was not on my (district) computer, I was not in violation of the ethic rules."

She added that newspapers "chose to sensationalize this story to cast doubt on my integrity and to hurt our great district" and the "attacks appear to be motivated by poor losers" after the school board's leaders were voted out of office in 2020.

Public officials in South Carolina are required to file statements every year disclosing their sources of income, including immediate family members. Hammond failed to report her spouse's income for the past four years, but amended the statements in 2021 to include it, according to the settlement with the Ethics Commission.

In 2019, Hammond also failed to report her income from the district and from Lexington County School District Two, where she is a teacher.

Hammond said this was a result of a lack of technological savvy on her part, according to the settlement. She said her husband often files the economic interest statements on her behalf, as her technological skills "are not the best."

Before school board elections in 2020, Hammond used her district email address to ask that voter to choose for three candidates who won seats: Rebecca Hines, Catherine Huddle and Matt Hogan.

When she was asked in an email for her recommendation on candidates, Hammond responded: "Please vote for 3 Hs. In Lexington, please vote for Rebecca Hines and Catherine Huddle. In Richland, please spread the word for Matt Hogan."

In her settlement, Hammond pointed to instances like this one in which people asked her directly for her opinion on the election, and she said she was not paying attention to which of her emails  personal or public  at the time.

When one constituent emailed Hammond asking that the district get students back to in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hammond blamed some board members for preventing that. She replied: "Thank you for your support! I truly hope we can vote (Robert) Gantt and (Michael) Cates out." Gantt and Cates lost their re-election bids.

In the settlement, the State Ethics Commission said they do not fault the chairwoman for what she said in her emails, only that she used her public account.

Hammond said she was flooded with emails from concerned parents in 2020 and wanted to be responsive to as many people as possible, leading to her mixing up her email addresses.

"(COVID-19) brought an unusual climate of fear, stress and anxiety for everyone, especially to parents who were concerned about the learning loss of students," Hammond said in the settlement documents, "as well as the social and mental consequences of closing our schools."

In the Lake Murray News letter, Hammond said she was not trying to hide anything from the public and she believes she was obligated to answer emails honestly.

The chairwoman titled her letter to the editor, "The Whole Truth."

"I accepted their offer and paid a fine," Hammond said. "The matter is resolved."
COLUMBIA  A federal judge has rejected a request by a South Carolina defendant in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to travel to Estonia this summer for a three-week study-abroad trip, saying Citadel sophomore Elias Irizarry needs to face the consequences of his participation in the mob that stormed the nation's seat of democracy.

In a contentious teleconference hearing May 3, Judge Tanya Chutkan also accused Irizarry, 20, of dragging out negotiations over a plea deal so he could keep his case pending and remain a student at the Charleston military school.

She noted Elliot Bishai, a co-defendant who went to high school with Irizarry and joined him in climbing into the Capitol through a broken window, pleaded guilty last month. Irizarry, meanwhile, hasn't responded to a plea offer from prosecutors.

"I think Mr. Irizarry needs to refocus his priorities," Chutkan told Irizarry's attorney, federal public defender Eugene Ohm. "Your motion to reconsider is denied."

Irizarry, who did not speak during the hearing, is one of 11 South Carolinians and nearly 800 Americans to face criminal charges in connection with the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The mob of then-President Donald Trump supporters marched on the complex after a nearby rally protesting Democrat Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. Rioters battered police with fists and clubs and swept into the building, prompting members of Congress to flee to safety.

Irizarry was kicked out of The Citadel's Republican club shortly after his March 2021 arrest. The school has allowed him to remain a student while his federal charges are pending.

In a plea to the judge, Ohm noted his client has been a stellar student, earning a 3.79 grade-point average in his sophomore year and a place on the dean's list. Irizarry was recently inducted into the National Political Science Honor Society and has become vice president of the Citadel's Russian-Area Studies Club, Ohm wrote.

Ohm said The Citadel had awarded Irizarry a scholarship to earn six credit hours from an academic program at Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia. There, he would take classes on Russia and cybersecurity in the Baltic region and go on excursions to the U.S. embassy and a NATO cybersecurity center.

Ohm said Irizarry wanted to complete the course in order to graduate as quickly as possible from The Citadel and limit his student loan debt.

Judge Chutkan had previously allowed Irizarry to travel to Germany for Christmas with his family. But she put her foot down this time.

Calling Irizarry privileged, Chutkan said most federal defendants don't get the opportunity to travel abroad while awaiting trial and described his summer study abroad trip as "a want, not a need."

Ohm urged the judge to reconsider, saying Irizarry actually grew up in poverty and was homeless at times. He indicated that Irizarry no longer holds the political views that led him to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6. And he said Irizarry needs to graduate as quickly as possible in order to avoid falling deeper into student loan debt.

"The urgency in this case should not be for Mr. Irizarry to graduate from college early," the judge retorted. "The urgency should be for Mr. Irizarry to move his case forward."

A Citadel spokesman declined to comment on Irizarry's case.

"Certainly," Col. Sonny Leggett said, "The Citadel takes all relevant information, including legal determinations, into account during discipline proceedings.
GOOSE CREEK  State authorities are investigating a former school resource officer for Stratford High School who was fired earlier this year over allegations of "inappropriate behavior" involving a student.

Renee Wunderlich, spokeswoman for the State Law Enforcement Division, said agents are investigating former Goose Creek police officer Conrad Stayton. She said the investigation came at the request of the department's police chief, LJ Roscoe.

She declined to provide further details about the case May 3.

Goose Creek police Capt. James Brown said in a statement the department began an internal investigation March 18 after Berkeley County school officials raised concerns about an "alleged situation" involving Stayton and a high school student.

Stayton was placed on administrative leave during the investigation and later fired for violating department policies, Brown said.

A termination notice filed with the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy states Stayton was investigated after he was accused of displaying "inappropriate behavior" toward a Stratford High School student.

Stayton had been employed by the Goose Creek Police Department for more than 17 years, minus a brief stint working for the Charleston County Sheriff's Office in the mid-2000s, according to his state training file.

A May 2021 article on the Berkeley County School District's website says Stayton had been a school resource officer for Stratford High School for four years at that point. The article notes the officer served as a karate instructor and volunteered with the Boy Scouts outside his policing duties.
From the marina below, they look like pennants, little clusters of three or five dun-colored flags.

What they are is an answer to the hot-hot-hot Georgia and South Carolina summer, meant to filter the suns rays and temper its heat in pockets along the 1,202 feet of concrete that has, over the past two years, been evolving from vehicle conduit to pedestrian esplanade.

The 5th Street bridge linking downtown Augusta with North Augusta is expected to open at the end of the month. Those pennant-like shade structures are one of the most recent additions to the bridge.

The $11.05 million project has experienced supply-chain issues throughout its construction, which began early during the COVID-19 pandemic, in June of 2020. But now, only the at-deck items like benches plus a bit more painting is left to complete, said Hameed Malik, director of engineering for the city of Augusta.

We feel like its a very important project because it will hopefully bring some redevelopment to that end of Broad Street, said Margaret Woodard, executive director of DDA Augusta.

Both the Downtown Development Authority of Augusta and the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce have been involved in the project with the hope that its redesign will spur further economic development in that sparse area of lower Broad in downtown Augusta.

The idea when planning began in 2017 was to turn the 5th Street Bridge into a destination, said Woodard, something akin to the Augusta Riverwalk whose lower path runs up to meet the bridge. This would be something for residents and visitors to come down and explore.

Theres been talk of a zipline and food trucks and cornhole. The extra features are still only conceptual, but there is money in the budget for them with $1.75 million set aside through SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, approved by voters last March), and Woodard said shes happy with how things are shaping up so far.

We didnt want it to be necessarily just a bridge that you walk across, she added. We wanted it to be a bridge that offered amenities that were family-friendly.

Woodard said, too, that from a redevelopment standpoint she is hopeful the pedestrian bridge will help attract more business on lower Broad Street. Its certainly an economic development tool.

Across the Savannah River, in North Augusta, the city has been taking a wait-and-see approach on how to invest in that area where the bridge currently links only with open land and, a little farther on, with small residential neighborhoods.

Jim Clifford, city administrator for North Augusta, said that the city was open to partnering with its Georgia neighbor, but that he and other North Augusta officials wanted to see more fidelity in the plans and a more concrete direction for what, specifically, was to happen with the bridge.

Design of the pedestrian bridge had begun in 2017 after the city of Augusta had determined the repairs necessary for bringing the deteriorating brick-and-steel bridge back up to standard for vehicle traffic were beyond budget. Augustas Malik previously had earlier told Post and Courier North Augusta that the estimate was $16 million.
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Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
EDITORS' NOTE: An earlier version of this editorial incorrectly said that the Charter Institute at Erskine was in the process of closing Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Mount Pleasant and the Gates School in North Charleston. The institute has an upcoming hearing on the revocation of Gates School's charter and denied the schools requests to transfer to another charter sponsor because the charter schools were not in compliance.

We're glad to learn that two charter schools in Charleston County that refuse to follow the rules won't be able to escape those requirements by fleeing to a different regulator.

But S.C. law allows any public or private college to become a charter school authorizer, so theres no guarantee that another college wont go into the charter-authorizer business and challenge provisions of state law that are designed to prevent Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Mount Pleasant and the Gates School in North Charleston from escaping accountability for financial problems in the first instance and academic problems in the second.

This wouldnt be any of our business if charter schools were the private schools that some public school supporters like to pretend they are. Theyre not. They are funded entirely by taxpayers; in fact, under changes to the state budget approved by the S.C. House and Senate, the state is providing more money per student to charter schools than to traditional public schools. That extra money is given because charter schools that arent authorized by their local school district dont receive local funding, but its more state money nonetheless.

That makes some sense as long as the charter schools are doing a good job and following the rules. But the whole idea behind charter schools is that they get the freedom to experiment with creative teaching methods in return for an increased level of accountability: If they fail, they get shut down. Both flexibility and accountability are essential components.

Until a few years ago, charter schools could only open under the authorization of a local school district or the S.C. Public Charter School District. Then in 2017, a small private college in the Upstate declared itself an alternative charter-school authorizer  using a law that had been written to allow S.C. State University to open its own charter school  and rescued several schools that the state authorizer was about to shut down as failures. Last year, another small private college in the Upstate, Limestone, used that same law to declare itself an authorizer. And Oceanside and the Gates School applied to change authorizers  just as Erskine was raising troubling questions about their charters.

Although Limestone has said it is waiting to see what Erskine decides to do, the proliferation of independent authorizers is worrisome. As USC law professor Derek Black told a Post and Courier reporter, if charter schools are allowed to transfer over the objection of their current authorizers, It kind of begs the question of why you even bother having authorizers to begin with.

Without authorizers that can hold charter schools accountable, theyre private schools  except theyre funded entirely by taxpayers. And its not just a matter of money. Budget writers expect one out of 15 S.C. public school students  more than 47,000 kids  to attend a charter school next year. Thats a lot of students who could end up a lot worse off if the state isnt delivering on the accountability it promised.

The Senate added a proviso to the state budget last week that would strip a charter school of half of its funding if any of its board members work for an organization that provides services for the school. That would address one of the problems with Oceanside, which Erskine says hasnt done its job overseeing the for-profit company that operates the school. But it wouldnt address all of the problems. It wouldnt address any problems with charter schools that get into trouble for academic problems or internal mismanagement. And it wouldnt stop authorizer shopping.

The Senate Finance Committee attempted to put a stopgap solution in place for authorizer shopping, through a proviso to place a one-year moratorium on new charter authorizers and cut off state funding for any charter schools that transfer to a new authorizer without the permission of the current authorizer.

Unfortunately, the proviso was ruled out of order  a close call but one that likely stemmed from the committees attempt to put a whole new process in place for authorizing charter schools rather than simply freezing the status quo.

Fortunately, theres one more shot to address the problem before it spirals even further out of control, when the House amends the Senate budget before sending the bill to conference. We urge House leaders to include a scaled-back version of the charter-shopping proviso that simply places a moratorium on new authorizers and transfers by existing charters that are engaged in disputes with their authorizers.

That way lawmakers can spend the next few months working on a solution to adopt as stand-alone legislation next year.
SPARTANBURG  Former Vice President Mike Pence is coming back to South Carolina for his second appearance this week, this time to condemn abortion just as a leaked Supreme Court opinion says the justices are poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case.

On May 5, Pence will be in Spartanburg to deliver remarks "about protecting the right to life, restoring the sanctity of life" at the Carolina Pregnancy Centers Spring Gala, according to an updated news release on the visit.

The appearance had been previously announced, but the timing of the visit comes just as a draft opinion forecasting the court's thinking, as first reported by Politico, is sure to affect Pence's message.

Conservatives nationally and in state legislatures have anticipated the constitutional right to abortion is about to be struck down based on the court's shift to a right-leaning majority.

South Carolina lawmakers have already passed legislation banning the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy, but the measure is being challenged in federal court.

Pence will give the keynote address at the fundraising banquet for the Christian pregnancy center thats become a regular stop for GOP presidential hopefuls in the nation's "First in the South" presidential primary state.

The center has been described by its members as a pro-life ministry that offers Christian counseling and adoption services, and free supplies to women who opt to have babies following unplanned pregnancies.

Pence is considered a potential 2024 GOP presidential hopeful. This past weekend, he was also in the state, appearing with Republican figures and speaking at the graduation ceremony at Columbia International University, a small Christian college in the capital city.

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Pence is also founder of Advancing American Freedom, which filed an amicus brief in the Mississippi case now before the Supreme Court.

A decision to overrule Roe would lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states and could have huge ramifications for this year's elections. But it's unclear if the draft represents the courts final word on the matter  opinions often change in ways big and small in the drafting process.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, the draft opinion states. It was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the courts 6-3 conservative majority who was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

The document was labeled a 1st Draft of the Opinion of the Court in a case challenging Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks, a case known as Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term ends in late June or early July.

The draft opinion in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or ban the procedure outright.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
COLUMBIA  South Carolina is likely to be among the approximately three dozen states to ban abortions should the Supreme Court move ahead with a leaked ruling overturning the bedrock protections outlined in the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

The draft opinion, published May 2 by Washington, D.C., news outlet Politico, seemingly overturns the precedent set by the landmark abortion rights case by codifying a Mississippi law outlawing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

It would also likely invalidate an ongoing lawsuit seeking to overturn legislation the S.C. General Assembly passed during the 2021 legislative session reducing the 20-week ban established in 2016 to just six weeks.

"If they completely overturn Roe v. Wade, then the block on the law could easily be lifted," said Molly Rivera, communications director for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

"The legislature wouldn't have to pass a new law or anything  they'd just go through the court process to ask the judge to lift the injunction on the six-week ban and put the law immediately into effect," she added. "That could happen pretty quickly  weeks, maybe even days, after the decision comes down."

If the ruling proves to hold up, Gov. Henry McMaster told reporters May 3 he wants to impose an even stricter ban on abortions in South Carolina with "no exceptions," telling reporters he would attempt to call the General Assembly back into session to accomplish it.

"If it's necessary, I can and I will call them back into session to address the issue," McMaster told reporters.

Such a restriction would have significant implications on abortion access in the Palmetto State. According to a recent paper published in the reproductive health journal Contraception, South Carolina's abortion rate would fall by nearly 39 percent if its six-week abortion ban goes into effect, with the average woman's distance to an abortion clinic projected to increase by 790 percent.

"A reversal or weakening of Roe is likely to increase spatial disparities in abortion access," the paper's authors wrote. "This could translate to a reduction in abortion rates and an increase in unwanted births and self-managed abortions."

It's questionable whether new leadership in the House and Senate would pursue more aggressive legislation now with just a handful of days left in the legislative session that gavels to a close May 12. In the past, governors have had little success in compelling lawmakers to return once they've adjourned for the year, largely due to how lawmakers draft the resolution ending the session.

Senate President Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla, declined comment on whether his chamber would address abortion in its resolution.

In 2011, the S.C. Supreme Court ruled that Republican Gov. Nikki Haley lacked the authority to call legislators back to work after they'd issued their resolution to adjourn for the year, saying her order violated the separation of powers.

Some in the General Assembly now are planning to attempt an effort to insert language into the finale resolution that would allow lawmakers to return to debate a new abortion ban should the decision overturning Roe v. Wade prove to be valid.

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Rep. Josiah Magnuson, R-Campobello, who has led several anti-abortion efforts on the floor this session, told The Post and Courier May 3 he planned to bring an effort to include the concept of "personhood" in the Legislature's sine die resolution, which would effectively treat the act of abortion as murder.

"I think it'd be utterly unacceptable to wait until next year," Magnuson said. "Allowing even one child to be killed due to legislative inaction would be just a gross assault on human rights. I think that as soon as Roe is overturned, if that's what happens, we can immediately come back and deal with the issue. We should not wait till next year."

Most abortion bills to receive hearings this year  including legislation imposing an outright ban on abortion  failed to gain additional traction after a pair of senators threatened to walk out if it passed.

Another bill requiring doctors to push an unproven and potentially dangerous abortion "reversal" procedure on patients, has so far failed to receive a perfunctory third reading after passing the House of Representatives by a resounding 71-29 margin on April 27.

Magnuson pointed to several narrow votes on amendments to the bill to impose stricter bans on abortion as a sign an outright ban could pass the Legislature, citing a 49-40 defeat of an amendment to that bill outlawing all abortions in South Carolina.

"I think that shows that there is interest in the chamber and in passing that sort of a bill," Magnuson said. "I think the details need to be ironed out. But in general, I think the majority here will support a bill to end abortion in South Carolina."

National polling has shown the protections under Roe v. Wade to be highly popular. Historic polling by Gallup has shown less than one-fifth of all Americans believe abortion should be outlawed, while nearly one-third believe it should be legal under any circumstances.

While Republicans across South Carolina praised the news, Democrats like gubernatorial candidates Mia McLeod and Joe Cunningham issued communications fundraising off the possibility Roe v. Wade would be overturned.

"Make no mistake: Our race for governor just got even more critical," Cunningham's campaign wrote. "Reproductive health is now going to be up to states  and Henry McMaster has already pledged to fight like hell to put politicians in charge of women's reproductive rights."

The political ramifications of overturning access to abortion could help turn abortion into a flashpoint issue in the 2022 midterm elections, a representative for Planned Parenthood said.

"We have been saying for some time that this is what's coming down the pike and we could expect this. But we often hear from voters 'Well, I'm not a single-issue voter,'" said Vicki Ringer, director for South Carolina Public Affairs with Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

"But now I think you'll see those voters take a different stance," she added. "It will certainly be the hot debate for midterms, no doubt."
GREENVILLE  As the June primaries approach, and with them a test of former President Donald Trump's influence over the GOP, Upstate Republicans loyal to him will gather this weekend in Greenville.

The "Rock the Red" event May 6-7 comes a year after a successful takeover of the Greenville County Republican Party by Trump loyalists who felt the previous county leadership wasn't loyal enough.

The two-day event features keynote speakers Lara Trump, Roger Stone and Mike Lindell.

Lara Trump is a former tabloid producer and wife of the former president's son, Eric Trump.

Stone is a longtime GOP operative who served under Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. He was a key Trump ally pardoned by the former president following felony convictions related to tampering and false statements in the federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Lindell, CEO of the My Pillow bedding company, was a prominent voice and financier of Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

The second day of Rock the Red will also honor Pressley Stutts, the main orchestrator of the event who last year succumbed to COVID-19 during the delta variant surge.

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Prominently promoted at the event is Easley pastor Mark Burns, who is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. William Timmons, R-Greenville, in the June 14 GOP primary. Burns was a high-profile advisor to Trump during the "First in the South" presidential primary in 2016 that vaulted the New York developer's candidacy into frontrunner status.

Two weeks ago, Trump endorsed Timmons in the primary race. Timmons was among several dozen Republicans who refused to certify President Joe Biden's victory on Jan. 6, 2021.

The weekend event at the Embassy Suites on Verdae Boulevard will feature a host of Trump loyalist topics dealing with "election integrity," how the Bible and politics can coexist, and the correlation of COVID mandates to communism.

The cost to participate ranges from $25 for lunches and heavy hors d'oeuvres to $99-a-day passes for the keynote speakers to $20,000 for platinum access to have dinner with both Lara Trump and Lindell.

The Rock the Red organization is an offshoot that the South Carolina Tea Party Coalition established in 2012, a broader movement that coalesced in 2010 in the midterm push against former President Barack Obama following narrow passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Last year, the Rock the Red event followed a rally for local Trump supporters to hold in-person voting on county party posts. The Greenville County party conducted a virtual election of leadership. The results were challenged by those who claimed the local party leadership wasn't loyal enough to Trump.

The leadership shortly after resigned, handing over power to the orchestrators of Rock the Red. The county party's logo was subsequently altered to include a rendering of Trump's signature hairstyle.
The video below is not entirely self-explanatory. In it President Biden claims (White House transcript here, video below): [T]here have not been many of the senators from Delaware. Its a small state. As a matter of fact, there has never been one. ((Laughter.) And so I want to take advantage of making sure I introduce [a fellow Delaware native], Biden said at a White House event celebrating Eid.

The New York Posts Steve Nelson explains: Biden mixes up job title, says hes nations first senator from Delaware. Biden apparently meant to say hes the first president from Delaware, but hes a little confused.

The difference is significant. You might think that is a difficult mistake to make. The transcript leaves the confusion intact without correction. Perhaps Bidens meaning remained unclear even to the transcriber.

Bidens remarks are full of idiotic shibboleths regarding Islamophobia and related thoughts. At one point, however, he hit an important note and then descended to an abysmal low. The important note:

You know, were the only nation in all the history of the world thats been organized not based on a religion, race, ethnicity, geography, but on an idea. Think about that. An idea. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [and women] are created equalendowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rightslife, liberty, the pursuit of happiness  et cetera.

I love that et cetera and want to note the bracketed addition of and women in the transcribed text. That too is idiotic. Men is a generic term including women, but we understand that the idiots in the White House dont get it or need to display their presumed superiority to Thomas Jefferson, if not the rest of us.

Forget that. This seems to me an abysmal low:

Weve never met that goal, but weve never walked away from it  except one brief moment, and were back. And were back and making  (applause)  no, I really mean it.

It is a passage that will go unnoted, but it deserves attention. You comatose halfwit. I really mean it. I can only say the feeling is mutual.
Aside from Leakgate, the other big legal news from the Supreme Court yesterday was its unanimous ruling that the City of Boston exercised impermissible discrimination against religious freedom with its refusal to fly a Christian flag over city hall while allowing flags from some 200 other organizations. Justice Stephen Breyer wrote the opinion, saying 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. (Just a hunch, but Ill bet his confirmed replacement doesnt believe this.)

But a related opinion from the federal 11th Circuit Court of Appeals released yesterday to little media attention may be more significant. Speech First v. Cartwright dealt with a challenge to the University of Central Floridas bias incident response policy, and the 3  0 opinion is a savage beatdown of current campus orthodoxy.

UCF had imposed an anti-discrimination policy that included this vague definition of harassment:

Discriminatory harassment may take many forms, including verbal acts, name-calling, graphic or written statements (via the use of cell phones or the Internet), or other conduct that may be humiliating or physically threatening.

The policy further states that [i]n evaluating whether a hostile environment exists, the university will consider the totality of known circumstances, including, but not limited to several factors, which UCF admitted in court were hard to define clearly and were subjective in many cases.

But UCF didnt let it stand with just a declaration. It established a bias incidents reponse process that set loose something called the Just Knights Response Team (JKRT), which UCF describes as follows:

The purpose of the Just Knights Response Team (JKRT) is to act as a clearinghouse for any bias-related incidents that may occur on UCF campuses. In this role, the JKRT will receive, monitor, refer, and, as necessary, coordinate university resources to these incidents that impact the university community. The team, made up of UCF faculty, staff, and stu-dents, provides a safe space for students, who are wit-nesses to or targets of bias, to communicate experi-ences, to ensure comprehensive responses, and pro-actively address issues of civility and respect.

You dont need to be well-versed in Orwell to figure out the practical meaning of this. The opinion describes specific students at UCF who feared running afoul of the policy:

One student, for instanceidentified as Student A in Speech Firsts complaintsays that he wishes to express his views that abortion is immoral, that the government should not be able to force religious organizations to recognize marriages with which they disagree, that affirmative action is deeply unfair, that a man cannot become a woman because he feels like one, and that illegal immigration is dangerous. He asserts that he desires to speak passionately about those (and other) topics, that he wishes to engage in open and robust intellectual debate about them, and that he hopes to encourage [other students] to change their minds or, at a minimum, to understand his views. Finally, he says that he does not fully express himself or talk about certain issues because he fears that sharing his beliefs may subject him to the Universitys discriminatory-harassment policy, bias-related-in-cidents policy, or both. Two other UCF studentsidentified as Student B and Student Chave expressed similar desires and fears.

Much of the opinion has to deal with the usual problems of standing and then the legal threshold for likely success in claiming injury on the merits back in district court once standing is granted. But after clearing away those procedural matters, the judges come down very hard on UCF. Judge Kevin Newsom wrote that the UCF policy objectively chills speech because its operation would cause a reasonable student to fear expressing potentially unpopular beliefs. More:

The discriminatory-harassment policys imprecision exacerbates its chilling effect. To take just one example, what does it mean for one students speech to unreasonably . . . alter[] an-other students educational experience? Both termsunreasonably and alter[]are pretty amorphous, their application would likely vary from one student to another, and the Universitys totality-of-known-circumstances approach to determining whether particular speech crosses the line only makes matters worse. To be clear, these concerns arent speculative. At oral argument, we asked the Universitys lawyer a series of questions about whether particular statements would violate the discriminatory-harassment policy: (1) abortion is immoral; (2) unbridled open immigration is a danger to America on a variety of levels; and (3) the Palestinian movement is antisemitic. To his considerable creditbut to the policys considerable discredithe candidly acknowledged that while it d[id] not sound to [him] like the speech would be proscribed under the policy, he couldnt say for sure because the University will consider all the facts and circumstances there and because he couldnt prejudge everything. If UCFs own attorneyas one intimately familiar with the Universitys speech policiescant tell whether a particular statement would violate the policy, it seems eminently fair to conclude that the schools students cant either.

Hence the courts conclusion: The discriminatory-harassment policy is almost certainly unconstitutionally overbroad. . . The Universitys policy isnt just overbroad, its also an impermissible content- and viewpoint-based speech restrictionor, at the very least, likely so. . . the discriminatory-harassment policy likely goes beyond content-discrimination to discriminate on the basis of viewpoint.

The reason for the tentative-sounding language is purely procedural, as the case will be remanded back to the district court, though this kind of language is to instruct the district court on how it should rule.

Even more blunt is the concurrence from Judge Stanley Marcus, who was appointed to he appeals bench by President Clinton:

I write separately to underscore the grave peril posed by a policy that effectively polices adherence to intellectual dogma. History provides us with ample warning of those times and places when colleges and universities have stopped pursuing truth and have instead turned themselves into cathedrals for the worship of certain dogma. By depriving itself of academic institutions that pursue truth over any other concern, a society risks falling into the abyss of ignorance. Humans are not smart enough to have ideas that lie beyond challenge and debate. A discriminatory-harassment policy that assumes the most popular idea or the idea that least interferes with, limits, deprives, or alters the terms or conditions of education is the correct one is plainly at odds with the First Amendment and our notion of free speech. . . A university that has placed its highest premium on the protection of feelings or safe intellectual space has abandoned its core mission. The protection of feelings or the creation of safe space rightly might be the foremost goal in some settings, like at a family dinner, but it is not right for a university. A university that turns itself into an asylum from controversy has ceased to be a university; it has just become an asylum.

I herewith propose everyone begin referring to UCF (and similar institutions) as the Asylum of Central Florida.
Chief Justice Roberts has issued a statement on the leak:

P.S. For those of you available at noon Eastern time (about 10 minutes from this writing), Notre Dame is having a flash panel about the Alito draft opinion that includes my frequent partner in crime John Yoo. Heres the Zoom link: notredame.zoom.us/j/95877407086

SCOTT adds: It seems to me that the testimonial to the Courts employees is out of place in this context.
Global warming hysteria is lowering living standards around the world, but the real disasters are generally a ways off in the future. If countries actually try to meet their foolish carbon reduction pledges, the result will be a human disaster rarely paralleled in history.

A small preview of what is in store comes from Northern Ireland:

Northern Ireland will need to lose more than 1 million sheep and cattle to meet its new legally binding climate emissions targets, according to an industry-commissioned analysis seen by the Guardian. The large-scale reduction in farm animals comes after the passing of the jurisdictions first ever climate act, requiring the farming sector to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reduce methane emissions by almost 50% over the same period.  Analysis by KPMG, commissioned by industry representatives including the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), estimates more than 500,000 cattle and about 700,000 sheep would need to be lost in order for Northern Ireland to meet the new climate targets. Separate analysis by the UK governments climate advisers suggests chicken numbers would also need to be cut by 5 million by 2035.

Environmentalists suggest that farmers in Northern Ireland should switch from livestock to grains:

Chris Stark, CCC chief executive, told the Guardian that a switch to arable farming would probably be necessary if food production levels are to remain the same in Northern Ireland.

But where land is arable, pretty much anywhere in the world, people are already growing crops. Pastoral agricultural, raising livestock, typically predominates where land will not support crop growing. That is the case in Northern Ireland:

There is a reason why Ireland is dominated by pastoral rather than arable farming. It is because most of the land is unsuitable for growing of crops, certainly to a profitable extent. Much of the land is rocky and the climate is far too wet. That was why Ireland was so reliant on potatoes at the time of the Great Famine. Currently only 4% of N Irelands farmland is arable.

So if you do away with cows, sheep, chickens and pigs, you are basically doing away with agriculture in Northern Ireland. But people will still need to eat. The environmentalists dont care, of course. But others do:

Although farm labour only accounts for 7% of the countrys labour force, many more depend on the rural economy. Altogether the rural population makes up about 40% of the total in N Ireland. Destroying a large part of farming sector there would be catastrophic for the rural sector. Replacing the meat and dairy sector with, for instance, potatoes would decimate incomes and lead to mass migration out of the countryside.

My guess is that no democracy will actually go through with the idiotic green promises that governments have made. I hope not, anyway. As for the autocracies, they have been careful not to promise anything meaningful, and they wouldnt follow through in any event. This gives them a huge economic and human advantage to the extent that democracies fulfill their irrational commitments.
I was in law school when Roe v. Wade was decided. Pretty much everyone was shocked because it was such a terrible decision. Someone took a poll of law professors and, as I recall, 85% said they thought the decision was wrong.

Roe has had a negative impact on both the Supreme Court and on American politics. It set the precedent for regarding the Constitution not as a document, but as a distillation of liberal opinion. Thus we have seen a series of bogus constitutional rights created out of whole cloth, and the Court has come to be regarded as a political body, a kind of super-legislature.

At this point, the main argument for preserving Roe was stare decisis, fidelity to precedent; in particular, the idea that it and its successors were so firmly embedded in our law that it would be impractical to remove them. But this was never right. It is true, as Justice Brandeis memorably said, that there are some issues where it is more important that they be settled, than that they be settled right. The main reason for this is the reliance interest: when the courts announce a rule of law, private parties often make important arrangements in reliance on it. Thus, reversing the rule can cause injustice, even if the new rule is theoretically superior to the old.

But in the case of Roe, there is essentially no reliance interest. A young woman might engage in sexual activity without taking precautions to prevent pregnancy, relying on the easy availability of abortion. But that reliance, by its nature, is of short duration. Sexually active women have plenty of notice that laws relating to abortion may change in the jurisdiction where they live, and they can take precautions accordingly.

In the end, Roe is like Dred Scott: an appallingly bad decision that represents an affront to the Court and to this country until it is finally overturned. Assuming that happens when the case is actually decided, it will be an important step toward restoring the Constitution and the rule of law.

As to the leak, I find it puzzling. Maybe the leaker was trying to help the Democratic Party in the midterm elections by firing up the base. But the decision would have been released in June in any event. I dont see how leaking it a month or two early matters much. Alternatively, as many have suggested, the leaker may have been trying to pressure one of the anti-Roe justices to change his or her mind. But any Supreme Court clerk should understand that such a gambit can only backfire. Justices do occasionally change their votes, and that might have happened here, although it seems unlikely. But the leak, it seems to me, makes it virtually impossible for any justice to change course, so as to turn the draft majority opinion into a dissent. No justice can be perceived as yielding to partisan pressure in that way. And the leak perhaps makes it more likely that Chief Justice Roberts, whose position apparently is unknown and likely undetermined, will join the majority.

So I dont understand what the leaker had in mind. That said, I dont agree with those who think the leakers career is now destroyed. On the contrary, his or her identity will soon be known, and he or she will become a hero of the Left, perhaps bypassing the law altogether in favor of a lucrative career on CNN or MSNBC.
Commenting on the leak of Justice Alitos draft opinion in Dobbs necessarily involves drawing inferences that go beyond the facts. My comments restate Steve Haywards observations in the adjacent post. These are the facts and inferences as I see them:

 Justice Alitos opinion was leaked to Politicos Josh Gerstein. Alexander Wards byline is also on the Politico story, but Gerstein is the name I look to. He is a first-rate reporter on legal affairs. His story is to be taken at face value. His story is here. Justice Alitos draft opinion is here.

 No opinion of the Court has ever been leaked in the Courts history. The leak represents an incredible betrayal of trust of the Court as an institution.

 The key quote pulled from Justice Alitos opinion: Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.

 This is the key quote from Gersteins story: A person familiar with the courts deliberations said that four of the other Republican-appointed justices  Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  had voted with Alito in the conference held among the justices after hearing oral arguments in December, and that line-up remains unchanged as of this week. The three Democratic-appointed justices  Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan  are working on one or more dissents, according to the person. How Chief Justice John Roberts will ultimately vote, and whether he will join an already written opinion or draft his own, is unclear.

 When Roe itself was pending before the Court, as I recall (and I am writing from memory on this point), Chief Justice Burger originally opposed the result and reportedly joined the majority opinion to make it 7-2. He wanted the Courts majority to appear solid and unassailable. In such a momentous case, he gave priority to the Court as an institution.

 Burgers concurrence in Roe reflected both wishful thinking and an effort to limit its impact: I do not read the Courts holdings today as having the sweeping consequences attributed to them by the dissenting Justices; the dissenting views discount the reality that the vast majority of physicians observe the standards of their profession, and act only on the basis of carefully deliberated medical judgments relating to life and health. Plainly, the Court today rejects any claim that the Constitution requires abortions on demand.

 The Washington Post reminds us of a wrinkle in the current story. The result in Roe was leaked on background by a law clerk to a Time reporter shortly before the Courts opinions in the case were released. Gerstein writes on past Supreme Court breaches in this story. The breach involved in the current story is incomparable.

 Roe itself was an indefensible opinion that has done incalculable damage to the Court as an institution. Professor John Hart Elys classic Yale Law Review article The wages of crying wolf is the classic statement of Roes misbegotten nature.

 Overturning Roe would return the issue of abortion to the states. It would not itself outlaw abortion in the country or in any state.

 I cant imagine what political advantage is to be gained by leaking the opinion 60 days before it would have been released in due course. Whatever advantage is to be gained by the leak is de minimis, as lawyers say, in comparison with the damage it does.

 Whoever leaked the opinion and the related news of the Courts deliberations is seeking to affect the politics of the situation beyond the Court.

 Whoever leaked the opinion cares more about the politics than the Court. The leak is incredibly destructive of the Court as an institution. I should like to think that whoever is responsible for the leak is eyeless in Gaza, as Milton wrote of Samson.

 My first thought upon hearing the news was that the leak was attributable to Justice Sotomayor or a law clerk who works for her. I cannot believe a law clerk would leak the opinion on his own, but I cant believe a justice would leak it either. We are left in the realm of sheer speculation. Steves update 2 bears on the question and points toward a law clerk, but does not take us beyond sheer speculation in the current case.

 I wonder whether the leak will have an impact on Chief Justice Robertss vote in the case. Again, we are in the realm of sheer speculation.

 The leak of Justice Alitos opinion creates a crisis for the Court  i.e., for Chief Justice Roberts. Chief Justice Roberts will treat it with the appropriate seriousness and do what can be done, but what can be done will not undo the damage the leak will do to the Court.

 On a personal note, I agree with Professor Elys critique of Roe and with every word of Justice Alitos leaked draft opinion, whatever its fate.

 One more personal note. I served as a law clerk to a federal appellate judge for two years after I graduated from law school. At the time of his death he was the longest serving federal judge in the United States. My first week on the job he called his three new law clerks into his office and told us approximately, among other things: You owe me a duty of confidence. If you cant abide by it, get out of here now.
I have a simple theory about why Donald Trump ended up running and governing as a conservative, after a lifetime of inconsistent views that much of the time aligned him with liberal Democrats. Startled by the vicious reaction of the media and the left after he said some mean things about Obama and illegal immigrants, he decided to throw in fully with conservatives, who were willing to be (mostly) more loyal.

I wonder if the same thing is happening to Elon Musk. His ideological and political history is similarly murky and unsound at many points in the past (and present), but as he sees the hysterical reaction of the media and the left to his proposed takeover of Twitter, like Trump he appears to have started recognizing who his friends are (or could be), and why the left and the media are his implacable foes. Connect the dots accordingly.

Todays evidence for this hypothesis:

P.S. It would seem that Musk has already prompted some changes at Twitter. For most of the last two years I picked up about five new followers a week on Twitter. In the last five days Ive picked up 500. Im hearing widespread reports from other conservatives who are experiencing the same thing. Apparently someone at Twitter has dialed back the conservative-suppressing algorithms, and/or conservatives are coming back to Twitter really fast.

NB: I still mostly use Twitter just to tell jokes, but if you want to follow along, Im @stevenfhayward.

JOHN adds: Follow me too! I am building my account up from scratch after being bounced by Twitter a year or two ago, but you can find me at @HinderakerJohn.
Gunmen on Monday, killed four persons, including a police officer, in two communities in Anambra State, Nigerias South-east.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that two of the victims who were killed in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area, were brothers.

The duo, identified as Godwin Ikechukwu Modobi and Nnajiofor Modobi hailed from Umuhu village in the community.

Two other persons were killed near a church, along Udorji road, Ozubulu, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state.

The latest attacks were coming barely four days after about five persons were killed at a beer parlour in Osumenyi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

Nnajiofor was said to have been killed in their house, before his younger brother, Ikechukwu, was blindfolded and abducted by the gunmen.

Ikechukwu was later killed by the gunmen near Utuh Junction.

His corpse was dumped at the centre of the road.

In a viral video of the incident which was shared in various WhatsApp groups, about four fired bullets were seen close to his corpse as blood gushed out.

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incidents.

He said one of the victims of the attack at Utuh was a police officer, while the second victim was later identified as a former youth chairman in the area.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said a Toyota Camry reportedly belonging to one of the victims was recovered by the police.

We got information of two lifeless bodies along that Nnewi/Ozubulu road. Our operatives quickly went there and recovered the two bodies, he said.

Sit-at-home

In another development, gunmen, believed to be enforcing the suspended sit-at-home order, attacked a shop owner at a market in Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

The attack happened on Monday near Uli campus of the institution formerly known as Anambra State University.

A student of the institution, Lilian Anna, who said the incident happened close to her lodge, told PREMIUM TIMES, that the gunmen were angry that the shop owner opened for business on a sit-at-home day.

She said: They did not kill anybody. The man they attacked has a chemist shop. He opened his shop and at the same time switched on his generator. He was the only one who opened today.

So, they (gunmen) came there, beat him up and set his generator ablaze.

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.

IPOB, a secessionist group, is leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria.

Leader of the proscribed group, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently being detained in Abuja where he is facing trial for alleged treason.
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured families of those kidnapped by bandits in the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train service of March 28 that efforts were on-going to ensure their safe return.

The president gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja when he hosted residents of the FCT who paid him Sallah homage.

He directed security agencies and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to provide detailed information to families of the victims regularly saying government would explore every opportunity to secure their return alive and unhurt.

As we celebrate this occasion with joy amidst friends and family members, we are fully conscious of the fact that many families in our country are in a state of fear and anxiety.

This is on account of the many captives held by terrorists against their will; including those taken away in the tragic attack of the Abuja-Kaduna train service.

I have directed security agencies to ensure quick and safe recovery of all victims of kidnapping.

I urge the Railway management to immediately set up a situation room for the coordination of the rescue mission and for a minute-by-minute engagement with families of the captives.

This should ease their pain and anxiety as we push the military to ensure their safe return to their families. My aim is to see all those in captivity safely rescued.

Let me assure Nigerians that the bandits are just pushing their luck, but this is only for a while before they are finally crushed.

They are using civilians as human shields, thereby making it difficult to confront them directly, he said.

According to the president, bandits and terrorists, unlike professional soldiers, dont respect the rules of engagement and can resort to harming hostages when attacked.

They dont care about killing their hostages if they come under attack. Its a delicate situation that requires wisdom, caution and also patience.

Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success.

Government doesnt want this kind of tragic outcome. Its a complex situation that demands proper handling.

The primary objective of any rescue operation is to free the hostages safely, unharmed and alive.

Let me make it clear, however, that defeating the terrorists and bandits requires more than weapons; we also need human intelligence which is necessary to frustrate terrorists plans.

The people and community leaders should help our security officials with information about the activities or movements of criminal groups, Mr Buhari stressed.

The president urged Nigerians to create a hostile environment for criminals hiding in communities, admonishing that by protecting criminals from exposure, you are endangering your own security and the security of your own community.

No criminal can thrive in an environment where he faces the risks of exposure by the people.

Abuja safe

According to him, a stronger synergy between security agencies and communities will make a huge difference in defeating banditry and terrorism.

Mr Buhari allayed fears that bandits would grow to yet another big challenge as faced by the Boko Haram threat, assuring that the administration would not allow such to happen.

This administration has allocated huge resources to improve the capacity of our security forces by timely giving them adequate equipment and improving the welfare of personnel to boost their morale.

Abuja has witnessed remarkable improvement in terms of security.

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In the past, terrorists made it almost impossible to conduct our normal lives. Road barricades had overrun the capital city and people had to pray in fear because of the anxiety of terrorists attacks.

No place in the FCT was beyond the terrorists. Not even the United Nations building; not even the Police Headquarters.

Today, the situation is no longer so.

We have significantly weakened and crippled the capabilities of the Boko Haram terrorists so much that they no longer have the ability to seize, and occupy any Nigerian territory without being repelled by our gallant troops.

Of course, we cant say that the terrorists are 100 per cent destroyed, but we have destroyed their ability to seize our territory.

This improvement in terms of significantly weakening the enemy is necessary for finally defeating them.

The rate at which the terrorists are giving up their weapons and surrendering to our troops is a significant and welcome development, he told his visitors.

The president commended the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, for diligently ensuring the capital city stays safe and attractive.

He also thanked FCT residents for visiting the Presidential Villa.

Its my pleasure to welcome you all to the Presidential Villa. As is the tradition, people pay homage to the president as part of events to mark the Sallah celebrations.

I value these kinds of visits because they afford me the opportunity to interact directly with the people or with their representatives.

I commend FCT residents for living in peace and harmony for years since the capital officially came into being, the president said.

Mr Buhari stated that the welfare of the people of Abuja and that of all Nigerians would continue to remain paramount in governments agenda.

The physical development of Abuja and the provisions of infrastructure is our priority.

Since the coming of this administration, we have made the completion of abandoned and on-going projects our priority.

For Abuja to attract investors as its population expands exponentially, the provision of infrastructure is essential.

A federal capital should answer its name and it cannot do so if it lacks the necessary infrastructure to accommodate and accelerate development.

Abuja has expanded beyond the imagination of even its planners.

This expansion comes with great challenges. In line with its objectives to transform Abuja into a befitting modern city, the FCT administration under the minister, Mohammed Bello, has been doing a great job, he added.

According to him, the completion of the Abuja Light Rail is one of the major projects embarked upon by his administration for inhabitants as development of infrastructure remains essential to economic growth.

He said government would continue to pay serious attention to internal and arterial roads to other states, and to electricity.

Our priority is the welfare of the people.

The Second Niger Bridge which has dragged on for years is now to be completed by this government in October this year, Mr Buhari added.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who was also present, expressed his gratitude to the president on behalf of all the invited guests for hosting the homage.

He recalled the last time such gathering was possible was in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

We thank God Almighty for giving us back such opportunity. It also tells us that indeed everything and all belong to Almighty God.

If this programme had held at your residence, Mr President, it would not have taken this large people, I think that even COVID-19 has a silver lining; here we are with so many people who are able to come.

This is a perfect opportunity to thank God that our nation is together and united in spite of challenges faced which are not peculiar to our nation.

I want to thank Almighty God, Mr President, for giving you all that you have required and life to continue to tackle these challenges and surmount them.

I pray the Almighty God to help you and help our government to tackle every one of these challenges as we confront them, Mr Osinbajo said.

In his remarks, the Minister of the FCT, Mohammed Bello, expressed gratitude to God and to the president for the opportunity to pay the traditional Sallah homage at the State House.

He also noted that the last time such homage held was on June 4, 2019 when residents came during the Eid al-Fitr.

I want to thank you also for graciously agreeing to allow us to come in with a high number of people representing a very large spectrum of the FCT community.

Visitors here include religious leaders of various denominations, the Muslim and the Christian faith, community leaders, the Judiciary, members of the National Assembly representing the FCT as well as other stakeholders, Mr Bello said.

(NAN)
The Nigerian Army says the recent killing of two soldiers by suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has shown that the secessionist group does not work for the interest of the Igbo.

Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, stated this in a statement on Tuesday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that gunmen killed and then beheaded two soldiers at an unknown location in Imo State on Saturday.

Military authorities later confirmed that the victims, Linus Audu, a retired Master Warrant Officer, and his partner, Gloria Matthew, a Private, were travelling to Imo State for their traditional wedding when they were attacked and killed by the gunmen.

Mrs Matthew hailed from Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo state, Nigerias South-east, according to the army spokesperson.

Mr Nwachukwu expressed surprise that the outlawed group killed the female soldier despite being an indigene of the South-east, where the terror group claim they are on a mission to protect and liberate.

Ironically, the fact that one of the soldiers, Gloria Matthew who hails from Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State (and) has an ethnic affiliation with the good people of South-east Nigeria, did not prevail on the sensibility of the dissidents.

This dastardly act, one too many, clearly portends the deep seated hate, desperation and lawlessness with which foot soldiers of IPOB/ESN have been unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claim they are on a mission to protect and emancipate, as well as other innocent Nigerians who are resident or transiting the South-east.

This gruesome murder, in which they did not spare even their own child, clearly depicts callousness, impenitence and is indisputably, a brazen act of terrorism perpetrated by IPOB/ESN, he said.

The army spokesperson said the proscribed group has continued to live in denial, while masquerading as unknown gunmen in their criminal (and) violent campaign in the region.

He said the Nigerian Army will ensure that the gunmen who carried out the dastardly act on its personnel are punished.

Mr Nwachukwu, who condoled with the families and associates of the victims, said the army had commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.

He enjoined the public to provide security agencies with actionable information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects.

Attacks by gunmen have increased in the South-east in recent times. The attacks often target security agencies and government facilities.

Imo and Anambra states have recorded more of the gunmen attacks than other states in the region.

The Nigerian government has accused IPOB of being responsible for the attacks in the region. But the separatist group has repeatedly denied involvement in the attacks.

IPOB is leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria.

Leader of the separatist group, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently being detained in Abuja where he is facing trial for alleged treason.
The lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency II in the Lagos Assembly, Setonji David, has pleaded with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt Bola Tinubu as the partys consensus candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

Mr David told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, that if the APC and Nigerians give Mr Tinubu the opportunity to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, he will change Nigerias story for good.

Mr Tinubu, 70, is a former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the APC.

He (Tinubu) is the man that can deliver this country. He is in the best position to help us move forward, said Mr David.

He has done a lot in Lagos state as a former governor and this is quite visible to everybody to see and that is why we are praying that if given the opportunity, he will replicate it at the Federal level.

So, the best material as at today is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We believe that this country will give him the opportunity and he will change our story for good, he said.

According to him, if the party is using consensus arrangement to pick its presidential candidate, Tinubu should be the consensus candidate of APC.

We should all concede to Asiwaju to be President. I plead with my party leaders to concede the presidency ticket of APC to Tinubu.

If we go to the field for primaries, I plead with delegates that we all vote for Tinubu.

Obviously, Tinubu has the solution to some of the challenges facing this nation, he said.

Mr David said that Mr Tinubu revamped the Lagos State economy when he was governor and could do the same with Nigeria.

If he gets to the federal level, the man (TInubu) has ideas that can help this country, he has done a lot for us in Lagos, Mr David added.

NAN reports that Mr Tinubu is among many presidential aspirants jostling for the ruling APC ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

(NAN)
NASA and SpaceX managers continue to plan for the departure of four commercial crew astronauts aboard the International Space Station this week.

A change of command is also on tap as the 11 orbital residents transition to a seven-member crew before the end of the week.

NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, Raja Chari, and Kayla Barron, with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer are nearing the end of their space research mission that began in November. The quartet will first see Marshburn hand over station command to Roscosmos Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev who will lead Expedition 67 until late summer. The following day, the four astronauts will enter the SpaceX Dragon Endurance, undock from the Harmony module's forward port, then splashdown off the coast of Florida about 24 hours later.

The four departing astronauts have been handing over their responsibilities to the station's newest quartet that arrived on April 27 aboard the Dragon Freedom. NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines, and Jessica Watkins with Samantha Cristoforetti from ESA are in the first week of a four-and-a-half-month research mission on the orbiting lab.

Flight Engineers Hines and Watkins partnered once again inside the Columbus laboratory module exploring how microgravity affects their dexterous manipulation. Lindgren worked on cargo operations inside the Cygnus space freighter then took a robotics test that measures behavioral conditions during spaceflight. Cristoforetti worked on exercise machine components and spent time on station familiarization activities.

Over in the Russian segment of the station, Artemyev took turns with Flight Engineer Sergey Korsakov working out for a study exploring ways to maximize the effectiveness of exercise in weightlessness. Flight Engineer Denis Matveev worked on resupply activities inside the ISS Progress 80 cargo craft before cleaning ventilation systems.

On-Orbit Status Report

Payloads:

Behavioral Core Measures (BCM): The crew performed two BCM research sessions consisting of a set of 12 runs/tests each. The Standardized Behavioral Measures for Detecting Behavioral Health Risks during Exploration Missions (Behavioral Core Measures) experiment initially examined a suite of measurements to reliably assess the risk of adverse cognitive or behavioral conditions and psychiatric disorders during long-duration spaceflight, and evaluated the feasibility of those tests within the operational and time constraints of spaceflight for two crewmembers. Subsequent subjects perform a subset of the original activities to measure the performance capabilities of deconditioned crew members to complete either individual or crew telerobotic operations within the first 24 hours after landing. This information could help characterize what tasks a crewmember who has spent months in weightlessness can reasonably be expected to perform after landing on the surface of Mars.

Grip: The crew participated in the Grip supine science-3 sessions. These sessions have same experiment tasks as the seated science-2 sessions, but in the supine position. 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.

Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG)/Transparent Alloys: The science sample cartridge and full data disk were exchanged to allow the continuation of the experiment series. Transparent Alloys consists of numerous experiments including the study of various growth and solidification processes in alloys. Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Solidification Processing (CETSOL), the current experiment series, is designed to identify growth regimes (columnar or equiaxed or mixed) and physical mechanisms in dependence of the experimental parameters (solidification velocity, temperature gradient) for diffusive heat and mass transport and without gravity effects.

Photocatalyst: The crew checked that no items are blocking the intake fans of the Photocatalyst experiment hardware, which is set up in Node 3. Photocatalyst demonstrates the use of a photocatalyst device to clean the cabin air and remove odor caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The device converts VOCs into carbon dioxide and water. The device and a non-photocatalyst control device will operate for at least four weeks before returning to Earth for analysis of the photocatalyst device's effectiveness.

Standard Measures (SM): Multiple samples were collected, and post-sleep questionnaires filled out in support of the SM investigation. The aim of the investigation is to ensure consistent capture of an optimized, minimal set of measures from crewmembers until the end of the ISS Program in order to characterize the adaptive responses to and risks of living in space. Among other things, the ground teams perform analyses for metabolic and chemistry panels, immune function, microbiome, etc. These measures populate a data repository to enable high-level monitoring of countermeasure effectiveness and meaningful interpretation of health and performance outcomes and support future research on planetary missions.

Veggie/XROOTS (eXposed Root On-Orbit Test System): Big Picture words were reviewed and an XROOTS facility check was performed. Although some earlier difficulty was encountered with water migrating past the root area, the team believes they are making progress in resolving the issue. The XROOTS investigation uses hydroponic and aeroponic techniques to grow plants without soil or other growth media. Video and still images enable evaluation of multiple independent growth chambers for the entire plant life cycle from seed germination through maturity. Results could identify suitable methods to produce crops on a larger scale for future space missions.

Systems:

Resupply Air Tank (RST) Venting: Today, two Resupply Air Tanks were vented into the PMM module. Resupply Air Tanks are Commercial Off-The Shelf (COTS) standard scuba tanks pressurized with air that vent directly into the cabin to help support the ISS pressure profile. NG-17 brought up 12 Resupply Air Tanks.

Cygnus Cargo Operations: Crew performed cargo transfer operations for Cygnus NG-17. NG-17 is scheduled to unberth on May 29 after 98+ days attached to the Node 1 Nadir port. Cygnus arrived with 3797 kg of supplies and utilization to the ISS on February 21.

Completed Task List Activities:

ESA-NG17-TRASH GATHER

CST-IMV-DUCT-INSPECT

P/TV-D5 BATT-SWAMP

Today's Ground Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

ESA video system maintenance

PRO EXPRESS Rack Remote Desktop Commanding

BEAM (Bigelow Expandable Activity Module) LGU (Limited Ground User) Data Download

GNC-1 MDM swap to primary

Look Ahead Plan

Wednesday, May 4 (GMT 124)

Payloads:

Actiwatch doff

BCM ROBoT

Cold Stowage DCB pack

ER2 ELC BIOS update

Food Physiology Fecal processing

Grip camera move

Myotones

Photocatalyst filter check

Standard Measures blood, Saliva and Urine collect

Rhodium Crystal Preservation

Systems:

1B Solar Array Wing Blankets Photography

Crew-3 Dragon cargo operations and final stow

Change of Command ceremony/Crew Farewell

T2 monthly maintenance

Thursday, May 5 (GMT 125)

Payloads:

Food Physiology transfers

GRASP review/setup

Systems:

Crew-3 Dragon Undock

Friday, May 6 (GMT 126)

Payloads:

CAL MTL leak check

GLACIER1 hardware inspection

GRASP seated

Photocatalyst filter check (Ax-1/ISS)

XROOTS plant install 1

Photocatalyst filter check (Ax-1/ISS)

Wireless Compose-2 BCG and questionnaire

Systems:

ISS Emergency Simulation

Today's Planned Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Resupply Air Tank Setup and Initiation

Campout Sleeping Bag Deploy

Campout Sleeping Bag Stow

Food Physiology Fecal Sample Collection

Food Physiology Fecal Sample Collection Hardware Stow

Food Physiology Fecal Reference Material Review and Sample Collection Hardware Setup

Food Physiology MELFI Sample Insertion 1

HRF Generic MELFI Sample Insertion Operations

HRF Generic Saliva Collection 10 Minutes

HRF Generic Urine Collection Male

Handover of Increment 67 Crew

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The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development(CJID) is set to launch a press freedom training manual in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day.

The training manual is a knowledge product that highlights the constraints to a free and safe press as well as the policies and conditions that facilitate the production of diversified content but avoid the dangers thereof.

A statement by CJIDs Programme Officer, Stephanie O. Adams-Douglas, said the manual aims to deepen the publics understanding of press freedom and its challenges in Nigeria both under the military and democratic regimes.

The manual also explores the various historic attempts at restoring the dignity of the press in Nigeria and the newfound primacy of digital rights in the press freedom discourse for the 21st Century.

With contributions from six journalism professors from various journalism institutions, the statement said the manual extensively dissects the potentialities and challenges that stifle the press, including its regulation.

The event themed State Surveillance And Threats To Journalism Practice In The 21st Century will be held on May 5th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. prompt at Fraser Suites Abuja, in line with COVID-19 protocols.

It will also be streamed live here.

According to Tobi Oluwatola, the West African region in the last few years has witnessed a troubling decline into authoritarian regimes, including successful coup detats and a shrinking civic space even in ostensibly democratic states. The press freedom manual highlights the dangers of such repressive societies and provides tools for reversing the trend. CJID is humbled to lead this charge with the production of this piece which is sure to be required reading for all journalism education in the region.

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every May 3 to create awareness about the freedom of the press, challenges facing the media across the globe as well the safety of journalists, among other pertinent issues.
The Nigeria Political Summit Group and the National Consultative Front (NCFront) on Tuesday said arrangements had been concluded for a multi-stakeholder National Constitution Reform Dialogue on May 12.

Pat Utomi, Chairman, National Organising Committee of the group said at a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos that flaws in the nations constitution were responsible for some of its challenges.

Mr Utomi said the forthcoming confab on the Constitutional Future of Nigeria scheduled for Abuja, would involve eminent ethnic nationalities, religious leaders, political parties and the government.

Our country needs a path to go forward. We think at this time that reasonable people should know that we need something fresh that can strengthen us.

The journey to this dialogue began more than two years ago when we convened a dialogue to heal the wounds of Nigeria, and invited seventy accomplished elder statesmen.

In 2021, we set up a committee to go to work on drafting a new constitution to place in the public arena for debate.

With leadership from Olisa Agbakoba, Hakeem Baba Ahmed, and Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, we have hoped to provide a chance for more growth for the nation.

According to him, those warming up for the 2023 general elections do not seem to have their hands wrapped around the issues of how Nigerians can continue to live together in a way that advances the common good.

Mr Utomi said the challenge now was to stimulate rational public conversation by stakeholders on the issues that affected the constitutional future of the country.

He said Nigerias constitution was responsible for her numerous challenges.

According to him, it is imperative to carry out surgery on the document, saying the urgency of constitutional reform cannot be overstated.

According to him, only truth and a sense of justice and fairness can make sustainably positive change in the nations grand norm.

He decried that for a long time, those who arrived in power under the steam of the extant document and campaigned to reform it, had continued to turn a blind eye to the truth they earlier professed.

Mr Utomi called for restructuring of policing and local government systems as well as devolution of power, greater accountability and fairness in the nations electoral system.

So we plan to bring to the public view, work that has been ongoing, reviewing the output of the previous political reform conferences.

With inputs from eminent stakeholders, who have affirmed participation, we can get a draft to the Nigerian people to use to question candidates for public office in this election cycle, Mr Utomi said.

He said the group, made of up leaders of thoughts, elder statesmen and women, remained a non-partisan but committed to the sacrificial struggle for a better nation.

Mr Utomi said that his nearly 50 years of struggle to ensure that Nigeria truly became the dream of its founding fathers and a better society, started when he was 17 years without giving up.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event has in attendance, leaders of NCFront across some states.

(NAN)
The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council for Islamic Affairs, Hassan Sadauki, has accused Governor Udom Emmanuel of shutting Muslims and the Hausa community out of the government in Akwa Ibom State.

Mr Sadauki told PREMIUM TIMES, Wednesday, that Mr Emmanuel had not constituted the Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board in the state since he became governor in 2015.

The situation, Mr Sadauki said, forced Muslims in the state to resort to queuing behind fellow Muslims in Cross River and Rivers States, for an airlift to Saudi Arabia for their pilgrimage.

Cross River and Rivers States have their Muslim pilgrim boards.

Mr Saduaki said Governor Emmanuel had stopped since 2015 the Sallah homage that the Muslim community used to pay previous governors of the state.

The simple thing, the courtesy that we used to enjoy once a year, after one month fasting theres a celebration so during the celebration we used to pay a courtesy visit to the governor to celebrate Sallah with him, since the inception of this administration weve been cut-off, he said.

Mr Sadauki said he and other Muslims had contacted the special assistant to Governor Emmanuel on Religious Matters, Daniel Akwatang, over the issues but that no results had been recorded yet.

The spokesperson of the Islamic affairs council in the state, Ahmed Isa, corroborated Mr Sadaukis claim.

Mr Isa said Mr Emmanuels administration had neglected the Islamic community in the state.

Mr Emmanuels aide, Mr Akwatang, said he forwarded to the governor a letter he received from the group.

The governors aide, however, declined to answer further questions on the matter.

The chairman of the group, Mr Sadauki, said he has been in Akwa Ibom State all his life.

He said he attended schools, from primary to tertiary, in Akwa Ibom and married a woman who hails from the state. He and the wife have three children, he said.

Mr Sadauki said he was shocked when Governor Emmanuel, in one of his state-wide broadcasts, claimed that Akwa Ibom has a 100 per cent Christian population.

I dont think in Nigeria of today there is a state where you would say you dont have worshippers of other religions, the Muslim leader said.

Like my state of origin, Kano State, the governor cannot boast that the state is 100 per cent Muslim state.

He would rather say majority are Muslims, and not 100 per cent Muslim State as if theres not a single Christian in the state.

The Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom, Ini Ememobong, when contacted, referred our reporter to the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Emmanuel Ekuwem, whom he said is in charge of committees on government celebrations.

Mr Ekuwem did not respond to requests for comments.

No government presence

The Hausa population in Akwa Ibom live mainly within an area designated as an industrial layout on the outskirts of Uyo.

When our reporter visited the settlement popularly called Nasarawa on Wednesday, there were commercial activities amidst the Ramadan fasting.

Traders were busy with their livestock business, while others were seen loading red oil into trucks for transportation to northern Nigeria.

Mr Sadauki said the area was designated for the Hausa community by Governor Victor Attahs administration because of its proximity to the livestock market and a modern abattoir.

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We were relocated to this very place around 2006.

Theres no single government presence in this very place but we are paying tax. Every truck that comes in here is paying levies to the state, local government and the community.

Mr Sadauki complained about the bad road network in the area, lack of potable water and poor waste management system.

He said they are compelled to live with the offensive odour from a nearby waste dump.

The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental and Waste Management Agency, Prince Ikim, said the waste dump referred to by Mr Sadauki is an illegal one created by the residents.

He promised to get the waste evacuated within five days.

Theres peace

Mr Sadauki, who said the Hausa community has never been attacked before in the area, commended the state government for the peaceful atmosphere.

He also thanked the state government for the free education in the state in which he said their children are beneficiaries.

He appealed for assistance from the state government for the completion of the only mosque in the area and the installation of solar light in the area.
Ten brokerage firms facilitated transactions valued at N579.5 billion on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in the four months to April, according to the broker performance report obtained from the bourse.

That translates to 64.3 per cent of the cumulative trade executed on the exchange January through April.

Apt Securities & Funds, CardinalStone Securities and Meristem Stockbrokers led the pack within the period during which the market capitalisation of the NGX appreciated by 16.2 per cent or N4.93 trillion.

In volume terms, the top ten brokerage forms conducted transactions totalling 39.8 billion shares between them, accounting for 57.8 per cent of the entire trade executed on the exchange in that period.

CardinalStone Securities, Chapel Hill Denham and Apt Securities & Funds led the category.

The main stock index, which opened the year at 42,716.4 basis points had climbed to 49,638.8 at the end of April.

Top ten stockbrokers by value

 Apt Securities & Funds topped the ranking, transacting N143.8 billion worth of shares, which accounted for 20.3 per cent of total value.

 CardinalStone traded shares valued at N88 billion, representing 9.8 per cent of total transaction value.

 Meristem Stockbrokers conducted trade estimated at N76.7 billion, equivalent to 8.5 per cent of the entire transaction value.

 Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers facilitated transactions worth N73.8 billion translating to 8.2 per cent of total trade value.

 EFG Hermes transacted shares valued at N50.4 billion, accounting for 5.6 per cent of total value.

 Chapel Hill Denham Securities conducted trade worth N40 billion equivalent to 4.4 per cent of total transaction.

 Cordros Securities facilitated deals valued at N36.7 billion representing 4.1 per cent of the entire transaction value.

 Rencap Securities transacted shares worth N27.8 billion translating to 3.1 per cent of total transaction value.

 CSL Stockbrokers conducted trade estimated at N26.3 billion equivalent to 2.9 per cent of total trade value.

 Morgan Capital Securities executed deals valued at N16 billion representing 1.8 per cent of the entire transaction value.

Top ten stockbrokers by volume

 CardinalStone Securities topped the ranking, transacting 14 billion shares equivalent to 20.3 per cent of the entire trade volume.

 Chapel Hill Denham Securities traded 7 billion units accounting for 10.2 per cent of the whole trade.

 Apt Securities & Funds transacted 4.4 billion shares, representing 6.3 per cent of total trade volume.

 Morgan Capital Securities traded 3.6 billion units, translating to 5.3 per cent of the entire trade volume.

 Cordros Securities transacted 2.3 billion shares, accounting for 3.3 per cent of the whole trade volume.

 Meristem Stockbrokers traded 2.2 billion units, representing 3.2 per cent of total transaction size.

 Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers transacted 1.9 billion shares, translating to 2.8 per cent of the entire trade volume.

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 CSL Stockbrokers traded 1.7 billion units, equivalent to 2.5 per cent of total trade volume.

 EFG Hermes transacted 1.4 billion shares, accounting for 2 per cent of total transaction size.

 United Capital Securities traded 1.4 billion units, representing 2 per cent of trade volume.
Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Tuesday protested against the alleged imposition of delegates by a governorship aspirant in the state, Ladi Adebutu, ahead of the partys primaries.

The protesters, led by one Taiwo Olabode, stormed the party secretariat in Abeokuta, chanting protest songs and displaying placards against Mr Adebutu and some leaders of the party.

Some placards read Enough of Ladi Adebutu imposition in Ogun, Reject fabricated and fraudulent congress results, Recognize the congress monitored by INEC, Stand by your words, no imposition of candidates, Save Ogun PDP from extinction as a result of one man, Iyorcha Ayu: Save Ogun PDP from autocracy and dictatorship.

Mr Adebutu did not respond to phone calls and messages seeking comments.

Doctored delegates list

The leader of the protesters, who is from Abeokuta South Local Government, while speaking with journalists, alleged that Mr Adebutu connived with some executives and leaders of the party to upturn delegates list affirmed to be authentic, in efforts to sideline other contestants for the primaries.

On Saturday, elections were held around 20 local governments in Ogun State but the National Working Committee accepted the result of the local government whose chairmen are loyal to Ladipupo Adebutu and disregard the remaining; that is the main point.

Where the leadership of a party is unfair and unjust, it is very dangerous for the party.

Mr Olabode said the partys NWC are trying to disregard the result of the congress duly monitored by INEC and are trying to announce the result penned by a small group of people.

The implication is Ladipupo Adebutu is trying to impose unpopular candidates over popular candidates.

How would a man choose 40 elective posts in the party? Ladipupo Adebutu has imposed people in all local government, particularly unpopular candidates over popular candidates, it is happening in Abeokuta South, it is happening in Ifo, it is happening in other local governments, that is uncalled for.

Mr Olabode accused the guber aspirant of conniving with the NWC who, according to him, were lodged in his hotel in Abeokuta.

It is uncalled for, that is injustice, wining and dining with him, he said.

We are clamouring for our mandate to be accepted, the result of the election held which was duly monitored by INEC must be accepted.
As agitations on which region of the country produces the next president to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 rages a group, Concerned Nigeria Citizens says parties should zone their presidential slots to the South for the sake of justice and fairness.

Addressing a press conference at the NUJ Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, the convener of the group, Femi Osabinu, said the voting pattern of Nigerians may largely tilt towards where political parties zone their presidential candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

The group, led by Mr Osabinu as Convener and Sidi Ali as Secretary General, said the current political and security situation in the country required that power should shift to the South.

They group argued that since the North has had its fair share of the countrys leadership for the past seven years, its only fair to zone the Presidency to the Southern part of the country for the next political dispensation.

While finalising plans to stage a mass rally on Wednesday in Abuja, to drive home their position, the group noted that since the return to civil rule in 1999, there has been an unwritten conventional way for power rotation between the North and South, adding that it is worrisome how most political parties are playing down the zoning arrangement with a sentiment of selfishness.

Mr Osabinu said, we have watched with keen interest various agitations across the zones of our federating units, positions of our renowned ethnic nationalities on the need to zone the Presidency to Southern part of the country come 2023.

We have also noticed how unstable and highly political most of our political parties are responding to the call for power rotation, this has made us come together to lend our voice to the voice of reasoning, the voice of unified Nigeria and greater Nigeria by urging all concerned political parties to zone Presidency to the South.

There is no superior argument for this at times like this in the annal of our history because there is no doubt that the North has had its fair share of the country leadership for the past seven years and now it is time to zone the Presidency to the Southern part of Nigeria at this point of our history as a nation.

Since the return to civil rule in 1999, there has been an unwritten conventional way for power rotation between the North and South. It baffles us that as the debate intensifies and party national conventions draw nearer, most political parties are planning to play down the zoning arrangement with selfish excuses of population spread across the country.

Political gladiators across the divide have taken up arms and fight via exchange of words on power rotation. Some want it to remain in the North, while others want it back to the South for equalitys sake.

Presidential election in Nigeria is highly influential and powerful as we all confer the greatest sense of belonging to the federation on any ethnic or geopolitical zone that produces the President. This no doubt has deepened the agitation for power shift by various regions and we thus resolve to implore all major political parties to have a deep think ahead of their national conventions to ensure that power rotates to the south as this will ensure that the country remains united and sense of belonging is given to all by zoning the Presidential tickets to the Southern Part of the Country come 2023.

While we know power is not given on a platter of gold, we will deploy our structures across the country and within the various parties to further project the call and agitation to save the soul of the country. The northern region has been in power since 2015 and after exhausting the constitutional eight years by 2023, it is expected that power will rotate to the South. This is lawful and can guarantee peace and unity of the country not the contrary.

Speaking further, the Convener of the Group said there wont be either APC, PDP or any other political party if there is no country called Nigeria, stressing that national interest must override the personal interests of those pushing parties to jettison the conventional rotation agenda of Presidency.

We urge all political parties to follow what will retain the unity of the country and zone the presidency to southern states come 2023. Parties should stop playing politics with Nigerians, he appealed in his address.
Nigerias Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has distributed 30 exotic cars to his political associates and supporters in Kebbi State.

According to sources within his All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, the car gifts include 14 Mercedes-Benz (GLK) whom the minister gifted to dedicated social media influencers promoting his gubernatorial ambition.

The ministers also gifted other associates, eight Prado SUVs, four Toyota Hilux, and four Lexus LX 570 each, Premium Times learnt.

Some of the beneficiaries are executives members of Mr Malamis foundations, and Women Support groups.

The cars were distributed days after the countrys chief law officer, declared his intention to join the governorship race of his native Kebbi State.

In his declaration speech, he said he has been under pressure to contest the states governorship position in 2023.

Though Mr Malami did not announce the car gifts, an official in the State Government confirmed the distribution.

The official, Zaidu Bala, the new media aide to governor Atiku Bagudu, in a Facebook post, congratulated one of the beneficiaries.

Congratulation Abdulrahman Ibrahim Sahihi May God bless the car gifted to you by (AGF) Attorney General of the Federation Cika Malami, Mr Bala said in Hausa while posting the photo of the beneficiary with Mercedes Benz (GLK).

When reached for comment, the media aide of Mr Malami, Umar Gwandu, told PREMIUM TIMES the vehicles were donated by friends and associates of his boss to members of his foundation and not to APC delegates or stakeholders in the state.

He said the rumour that the AGF gifted the vehicles to his delegates and party members was mischievous and misconstrued.

It is abundantly clear that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has teaming supporters from home and beyond.

This has been demonstrated not only by the calls from far and near for him to vie for Kebbi gubernatorial seat in the forthcoming election but also by donations from friends, associates and supporters of N135m.

The recent donation of N135m has opened doors for donations and supports of many items including vehicles by well-wishers.

It was friends and associates of Malami who donated and distributed vehicles to long term workers in the Khadimiyya Foundation.

The occasion was not for the distribution of vehicles to any APC stakeholder. None of the APC stakeholders or delegates in Kebbi State was given any vehicle by Malami.

You can contact the National Secretariat of the APC, and get the lists of all the APC stakeholders and delegates in Kebbi State. Do an investigative story to reach out to them then you realised how fictitious is the claim.

Comparing the names of APC stakeholders and the beneficiaries of the vehicle will reveal to you that there is no connection between the two and the two are not connected whatsoever, Mr Gwandu said.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said Nigerian journalists deserve a better deal in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, said this in a statement commemorating this years World Press Freedom Day, which is marked globally on May 3 every year.

He said journalists deserve a better deal than they currently have, where many of them face poor working conditions as well as censorship, harassment, intimidation, and, sometimes, assassination.

According to him, the press, which battled hard to return Nigeria to its current democratic status and continues to struggle to sustain democracy and development, has to be supported in order to successfully execute its constitutional duties as the societys watchdog.

He reminded Nigerians to continue to see journalists as The oxygen of democracy and agents of change and development.

He added that their constitutional duty, which is enshrined in Section 22 of the Nigerian constitution, to hold the government accountable to the people distinguishes them as those who perform an essential duty to the nation.

He asked law enforcement officials, particularly the police, to step up their investigations into the circumstances of the deaths of several Nigerian journalists, including Tordue Salem of the Vanguard newspaper, whose body was purportedly discovered in Abuja in 2021.

The commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day is not an opportunity to witch-hunt any person or institution, but is a period to reminisce the fundamental principles of press freedom, guage the state of press freedom globally, defend the Media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who are either human rights defenders in custody or captivity or have lost their lives in the line of duty, he said.

He also said the World Press Freedom Day is meant to remind governments of the importance of upholding their commitment to press freedom, as well as journalists of the importance of upholding their professional ethics, defending democracy, justice, equity, and fairness, and being committed as human rights defenders.

According to him, the years theme for the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, Journalism under digital siege is apt as it seeks to bring to the fore, the impact of the digital era on the freedom of the press, the security of journalists and access to information and privacy.

Mr Ojukwu noted that while the internet and its associated surge in digital communication have unquestionably benefitted humanity in numerous ways, it has also challenged our right to privacy, because essentially nothing is concealed from the online radar.

He commended the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for championing the World Press Freedom Day Global Conference scheduled to hold between May 2 and 5, 2022 in Punta Del Este, Uruguay.

The conference would be a forum for key players in the internet related companies, legal experts, journalists etc to discuss the challenges of digital communications, the impact on press freedom and the way forward, Mr Ojukwu said.

Guild of Editors speaks

Confirming the concerns of the NHRC, the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) said on Monday that press freedom was still under attack in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its president, Mustapha Isah, and general Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the guild said, We need to remind governments at all levels in Nigeria that a free and independent media that can keep the people informed and hold leaders accountable, is essential for a strong and sustainable democracy, including free and fair elections.

It added that without an independent press, Nigerians cannot make informed decisions about how they are governed; and address human rights abuses, corruption and abuse of power.

Background

In March this year, the ECOWAS Court of Justice ordered the Nigerian government to amend the controversial section 24 of its cybercrime law which is widely viewed as authorities weapon for muzzling citizens rights to freedom of expression.

In the decision, the court ruled that the contested section 24 of Nigerias Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 is not in conformity with Articles 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) which instituted the suit, said the Section 24 of the law violates the rights to freedom of expression, information and other rights of human rights defenders, activists, bloggers, journalists, broadcasters and social media users through the repressive use, interpretation and by agents of the Nigerian, the same being vaguely worded and ambiguous.

The Nigerian government and influential Nigerians have also targeted journalists Terrorism Prevention Act 2013 over critical reports.

On August 22, 2019, Agba Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, was arrested over a report alleging that Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, diverted N500 million belonging to the state.

He was charged for terrorism, treasonable felony, and cybercrime, and incarcerated for about 179 days, despite global outrage against the governments action.

In March, the Federal High Court, Calabar, has dismissed the charges against Mr Jalingo, the publisher of an online newspaper, CrossRiverWatch, after the Cross River State Government withdrew the charges against him.

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World Press Freedom Day

The UN General Assembly proclaimed world Press Freedom Day in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCOs General Conference. Since then, on May 3, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

Organised annually for the last 30 years, the global conference provides an opportunity for journalists, civil society representatives, national authorities, academics and the broader public to discuss emerging challenges to press freedom and journalists safety, and to work together on identifying solutions.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has given more insight into how arrested drug baron, Afam Ukatu, imported drugs into Nigeria.

The agency, in a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday, said Mr Ukatu, who has links to the suspended police commissioner, Abba Kyari, imported containers of tramadol worth N22 billion in one month.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the agency arrested the billionaire drug baron, allegedly behind the N3 billion Tramadol deal involving Mr Kyari.

He was arrested on his way to Abuja at the Murtala Muhammed Airport after many months of surveillance and evading arrest.

The arrest of Mr Ukatu comes few months after the NDLEA took custody of the embattled deputy police commissioner who was earlier declared wanted by the agency.

The agency had declared Mr Kyari wanted for aiding and abetting drug pushing and running his transnational drug cartel.

A few months earlier, the former police intelligence unit commander was indicted in an internet fraud case by a U.S. court.

In the latest revelation on Mr Ukatu, the NDLEA said he had been a major importer of high dosages of tramadol and other substances.

The agency also said he has a pharmaceutical company which he uses to cover up his dirty acts.

Investigations reveal he has been a major importer of large consignments of different brands and high dosages of Tramadol Hydrochloride, ranging from 120mg, 200mg, 225mg and 250mg, all of which are illicit.

Ukatu owns pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria, the statement said.

Read the full statement:

NDLEA uncovers N22Billion worth of Tramadol imported by Ukatu

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said that ongoing investigation of a billionaire drug baron, Chief Afam Mallinson Ukatu, has led to the discovery of how the suspect imported into Nigeria in a single month, October 2019, two containers containing 1,284 cartons of Tramadol with market value of over N22billion.

The Agency stated this in a statement on Tuesday 3rd May to counter insinuations by some hirelings that NDLEA has no evidence to pin a crime on Ukatu, who is the Chairman/CEO of Mallinson Group of companies.

After months of surveillance, Ukatu was eventually arrested on board a flight to Abuja at the MM2 terminal of the Lagos airport, Ikeja on Wednesday 13th April.

Investigations reveal hes been a major importer of large consignments of different brands and high dosages of Tramadol Hydrochloride, ranging from 120mg, 200mg, 225mg and 250mg, all of which are illicit. Ukatu owns pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria.

The Agency said in the course of investigating the N3billion Tramadol saga between Ukatu and the Abba Kyaris IRT team, its operatives have unearthed more evidences establishing how Ukatu has been importing large quantities of Tramadol far above the approved threshold allowed into the country.

In one instance, Ukatu through his Mallinson Group of companies imported into the country two-conatiner loads of five different brands of Tramadol in October 2019 through the Apapa ports in Lagos. All the evidences so far gathered show that the imported Tramadol brands were far above the threshold permitted to be imported into Nigeria.

No doubt the suspect will soon have his day in court

Femi Babafemi

Director, Media & Advocacy

NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja

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Tuesday 3rd May 2022
The Director-General of the Hope 23 Yahaya Bello Campaign Council, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, says no candidate is better positioned for the 2023 Presidency than the Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

Mrs Abiola-Costello, who is also the daughter of the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election, the late Chief MKO Abiola, made this known on Tuesday in an interview with journalists in Abuja.

She rolled out reasons Mr Bello remained Nigerias best bet in the forth-coming 2023 presidential election.

She explained that 30 years after June 12, Mr Bello was in the presidential race to restore the truncated hope of Nigerians, especially that of the youth, women and the vulnerable.

The truth is, the people that are truly marginalised in Nigeria are the women and the young people. And, if there is any moral obligation, it is to them that it is owed.

Who led the fight against June 12, against the annulment? Was it not the students, the young people? Where were they in 1999 after the whole fight, where were they placed, can we say nowhere?

When I look at all these events, the kidnappings and all now, it is clear to me that this is a revolt of young people of Nigeria, that they have had enough.

Many of them are revolting in ways that we do not endorse because they have had enough of being marginalized in their own country.

If the country will not use them for good, they will use themselves for bad, she said.

According to Mrs Abiola-Costello, there is no candidate better positioned to harness the potential of young people in Nigeria than Mr Bello.

She said Mr Bello had signaled the youth that Nigeria is for them, that they are the ones that should be in charge and young people and women in Nigeria are ready to lead.

She said there were no longer room excuses.

The director-general, while further explaining reasons Mr Bello was the best choice for Nigerias Presidency, said he had demonstrated transparency, credibility and accountability as governor of Kogi, an action which had been recognised over and over again by the World Bank.

She noted that Kogi, being given such ranking by the World Bank, dismissed all other misinformation about finances being peddled by political opponents.

First the governor is an accountant, and he actually is one of the few state governors in Nigeria that the World Bank has certified his transparency in finances.

I do not know any other state that the World Bank has given his ranking.

So, we can safely say that if this kind of international agency has evaluated him, the work of the state in the management of resources and not found it to be wanting.

It means that there is really no credibility to the idea that he is mismanaging the state, she said.

Mrs Abiola-Costello added that Mr Bello was someone that did not like to take loans as he had been carefully managing the resources of the state by the IGR of the state he built .

When he came on board, it was N350 million, he has built it to N2billion. And his own intention is to build the capacity of the state to grow wealth, she added.

On boosting the economy, Mrs Abiola-Castello said Mr Bello also succeeded in making Kogi investment-friendly, which had wooed good investors to the state.

She explained that the governor, in a bid to achieve his aim, set up a business council made up some of the most successful businessmen in Nigeria, not just in Kogi.

She said the council had been guiding the government on policies and practices that would encourage business investments.

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Significantly, His Excellency has brought business to the state, you know Confluence Rice, and other significant investment he has been making in the Rice Value Chain.

He understands that one of the big assets in the state is agriculture. But he does not want us to just be restricted to farming but to look also at the value addition in farming. So significant resources in the state have been invested in that regard, she said.

Mrs Abiola-Costello said there was also the investment agency of the state to help potential investors to go through all the process so that everything is made easy for them.

She said those people had been guiding the government on policies and practices that would encourage business investments and it has been working.

She said it was with it that the states IGR grew to almost N2 billion before the pandemic,

Mr Bello will be jostling for APC ticket with over 10 more aspirants in the partys primary election scheduled to hold at the end of this month.

They include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu, former Ogun governor and serving senator, Ibikunle Amosun, former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

Others are Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and Ben Ayade of Cross River State.

There are indications that the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, will join the race.

(NAN)
From the collaborative effort and work of our internationally-endowed faculty, a very virile culture of learning and research thrived, leading to a string of various achievements. The atmosphere of those years was not just upbeat, it fuelled a healthy competition and a robust interest in research and learning. My own modest work as an academic is a product of those years.

By the time I came back two years ago, this time, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, that is, some forty years after I first set foot on that campus, I encountered a slightly different scenario! While much of the architectural beauty of the campus remained relatively intact, there was abundant evidence that the system was encountering severe difficulties. Those difficulties, which are not peculiar to Ife, is the sad story of higher education in our country today. I speak here of very scarce financial support, inadequate infrastructural facilities, acute shortage of skilled teaching facility, a bloated administrative arm of the system, lack of research interests, lack of motivation to compete and collaborate internationally, and an almost zero industry collaboration, etc.

Perhaps, the most fundamental of these problems is that of the inadequacy of funding. Mr President, I am reluctant to bore you with the history of higher education in our country. It is sufficient merely to state here that, in certain respects, that history is inextricably linked with the problems we face today. When the British invaded our shores in the middle of the nineteenth century and established the first set of mission schools in their trading posts in Lagos and Calabar, their interest was in commerce, not education. As we all now know, the idea was not to provide education for development, but to educate the elites that would assist them in administering the colonies.

So, when, following the recommendations of the Elliot Commission of 1943, the University College, Ibadan, was founded in 1948, it was conceived as an affiliate of the University of London, which was itself founded by Royal Charter in 1836 to function, like its brother institutions, Cambridge and Oxford, as a haven for the training of British professional elite to assist in propping up the Empire. Quite unlike the American model, for instance, where in 1862, the Morrill Act created a uniquely American model, one in which, in principle at least, universities were designed from the beginning to prepare the masses of young people in a participatory arrangement, the British model was something akin to the medieval concept of the university, where the Church and the State funded universities in full. The new University College of Ibadan inherited the University of Londons structure, its curriculum, its funding mechanism and its broad objectives, essentially, as I stated above, to enable it to cater to the elite class in Nigeria.
Access Bank PLC has announced the promotion of 800 employees following a transparent and robust performance management review in line with global best practices.

This announcement comes as the financial giant shores up its transition to a Holding Company (Holdco) starting May 1st, 2022. The Banks consistent growth over the years has been due to the immeasurable effort and sacrifice of its employees.

The beneficiaries of this wholescale performance review exercise spanned the Banks senior, middle, and junior management levels even as the management strives to continuously put employees in the best position to grow and be successful in todays highly competitive work environment.

Over the years, Access Bank has demonstrated that employee performance and rewards remain a critical pillar of the Banks business operations. The Bank has consistently provided adequate resources to deepen core job skills while entrenching a culture of high performance amongst employees.

The Banks penchant for rewarding high performance is particularly highlighted by the annual CEO Awards, one of the programs under its We Clap Initiative which is designed to support the development of a culture of excellence as well as motivate employees and teams for superior performance.

Recently, Access Bank was named the best institution to work in Nigeria by global professional network company, LinkedIn, having assessed data across seven pillars that serve as identifiers of career progression, namely: the ability to advance, skills growth, company stability, external opportunity, company affinity, gender diversity and spread of educational backgrounds.

SOURCE: ACCESS BANK PR UNIT.
The governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has commended President Muhammad Buhari and the Nigerian Army for establishing an army barrack in the eastern part of the state.

The army barrack, stationed in Isa local government area, will serve the eastern part of the state and will help to tackle the security challenges in areas such as Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Wurno, Rabah, Illela and Gwadabawa.

Sokoto, like in other areas in Nigerias North-west region, is convulsing under the attacks by gunmen locally called bandits, who attack mostly rural communities and travellers.

These bandits have been blamed for killing thousands of people. They have also abducted many more in what is shaping to become one of the worst kidnap-for-ransom syndicates in the history of the country.

In the face of the failure of the government to protect residents of the area, many communities have set up vigilante groups to protect residents from attacks by bandits but this has worsened the security challenges in the area as it has given rise to an explosion of tit-for-tat killings between the bandits (who are mostly of Fulani extraction) and the vigilante groups set up by the majority Hausa communities in the area.

The governors spokesperson, Muhammadu Bello, said Mr Tambuwal made the commendation Tuesday morning when he received the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Farouk Yahaya at the council chamber of the Government House, Sokoto.

According to the Governor, with the establishment of the barrack at the area the security challenges bedevilling the eastern flank of the state under the siege of marauders will be solved.

He assured that in order to complement the efforts of the Federal Government his administration will plough more resources to assisting the personnel that will be deployed in the area the statement added.

Mr Tambuwal said peace is gradually returning to troubled areas in the state following the efforts of the army and other security agents in clearing them of bandits.

In his address, Mr Yahaya said he was in the state for a routine operational visit to evaluate the activities of the army in the North-east and North-west zones.

He also said he will perform a groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of the army barrack. He said the state government donated the land for building the new barracks.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has expressed his administrations willingness to support a proposal by a British firm, HP Kapital Limited, to partner Adoration Ministry Enugu to build a 500-bed university hospital in the state.

Aside from the hospital facility, three factories, a waste management plant and other facilities will also be built within the premises of the Adoration Centre in Enugu.

The spiritual director of the ministry, Ejike Mbaka, led the Group Chairman of HP Kapital Limited, Nandishwar Kaushal and his team to visit the governor at the Government House, Enugu on Monday.

The visit was to formally inform the governor of their remodelling plan for the adoration centre to serve as a multifunctional facility to include a university hospital of international standard with specialised medical services.

Some of the services expected to be available at the facility include helipad and air ambulance, a five-star hotel, recreation facility and convention centre, among others.

The delegation also appealed to the governor to assist them with a piece of land for the project noting that they plan to build an energy plant to manage waste and convert it to wealth.

According to them, three factories would be built in the area which would employ about 600 people locally, who will be trained by 40 engineers outside the country, among other benefits to the state and the local community.

Responding, Mr Ugwuanyi expressed delight at the project action plan, saying it was in line with the accomplishments of his administration in creating jobs for the youth and providing qualitative and affordable healthcare services to both urban and rural residents of the state.

While noting that Mr Mbaka has done well, the governor stressed that his administration will continue to support and encourage any venture that would create jobs and add value to the economy of the state and the living standard of the people.

I want to assure and reassure you that the Enugu State Government will do all that is required, giving our limited resources, to assist you, he said.

Earlier in his speech, the group chairman of HP Kapital Limited, Nandishwar Kaushal, told Mr Ugwuanyi that the university hospital will be affiliated with your university here (ESUT) and AU University in Britain, adding that the degrees that will be issued will be in collaboration with your university and AU British University.

Mr Kaushal said the company hopes to have an initial strength of 7,500 students in a number of different curricula, aside from medicine, noting that the staff accommodation is going to be 2,500 people locally and internationally.

The chairperson said the company would help the needy and the less privileged as part of its corporate social responsibility to the host communities.

10 per cent of all beds, no matter the cost of the bill, we will treat those patients for free so far those persons are registered citizens of Enugu State, he revealed.

Mr Mbaka commended the governor for his fatherly support, pointing out that the project was coming to Enugu State because of the existing peace and the enabling environment provided by the governor.

The generation to come will know that this project came to be in Gburugburus (Governor Ugwuanyis) time, Mr Mbaka said.

He added: The HP Kapital Limited is not just coming as a mono entrepreneurial team; we are partnering with them. It is a holistic partnership between them and the adoration ministry.

All you have suggested are in tandem with our vision and mission. More so when you talked about the charitable dimension and how this will be beneficial to the inherent resident community; it is part and parcel of our dream.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, has met with two factional transport union leaders in the state.

Mr Alabi on Monday in a statement by the command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the commissioner met with Musiliu Mc Oluomo Akinsanya and Azeez Abiola also known as Istijaba.

The statement was titled, NURTW Imbroglio: CP Alabi Reads Riot Act To Mischief Makers.

While Mr Akinsanya was the chairman of the Lagos NURTW before he was sacked, Mr Abiola is the state Chairman of the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN).

The duo have been at loggerheads in recent years over personal and union issues.

Shortly after his suspension, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, appointed Mr Akinsanya as the parks management committee chairman.

State security

Meanwhile, the police commissioner said anyone found fomenting trouble anywhere within Lagos State would be promptly apprehended and made to face the law.

This warning has become imperative following incessant clashes, fracas and malicious damage to property recently experienced in some parts of Lagos State mostly linked to the issues surrounding the management of motor parks within the state, the statement read.

CP Alabi, who has met with the major contenders  Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo and Azeez Abiola aka Istijaba separately in his office, where he admonished them to prevail on their teeming followers to act within the confines of the law, is poised to ensure the security currently being enjoyed in Lagos State remains intact.

Mr Hundeyin said all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and tactical commanders have been directed to deal decisively with anyone found instigating or causing a breach of peace within their respective areas of responsibility (AoR).

Backstory

The activities of the transport groups, especially, NURTW have often led to a crisis in the state.

However, no lasting solution has been implemented by successive governments to forestall recurrence.

In January, members of the union clashed at the Lagos Island leading to the loss of lives.

Also, in February, factions within the union clashed in the Agbado area of Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos over ticket collection at the parks.

Witnesses said gunshots were heard in the area.
After months of speculations, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has finally joined the 2023 presidential race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Fayemi, who announced his entry into the race, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, on Tuesday, said he would formally declare to run for the position on Wednesday in Abuja.

He becomes the fourth sitting governor to declare to seek the presidential ticket of the ruling APC.

Governors Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Ben Ayade of Cross River and David Umahi of Ebonyi State have since declared their intentions to run for president on the partys ticket.

Others in the race include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu, former Ogun governor and serving senator, Ibikunle Amosun, former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige

There are indications that the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, will join the race, too.

The sale of the APC expression of interest and nomination forms is currently ongoing and will last till May 6 while the primary election will hold at the end of this month.

Despite the outrageous N100 million price, some of the aspirants have already picked up the forms.

Consultations

In the statement, Mr Fayemi, who will complete his tenure as governor in October, disclosed that he had been consulting with traditional rulers across the country for the past six weeks.

He said he commenced the consultations at the palace of the Olowo of Owo in Ondo State, Ajibade Ogunoye,

He also said he had already informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his decision to battle for the ticket of the party.

ALSO READ: Fayemi meets Buhari over 2023 presidential race

Mr Fayemi, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), also said he consulted the Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti (who was his Secondary School principal) and other leaders of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, including Olu Falae and Cornelius Adebayo.

The Afenifere leaders did a frank assessment of current trends in the country and concluded that the country needs a leader, a democrat with character, courage and compassion at this critical period. They scored Dr Fayemi high on these points and gave their blessings for his aspiration, the statement said.

It further stated that the aggregate opinion, counsel and goodwill received during the consultation period will form the crux of his declaration on Wednesday at the nations capital city.

The man Fayemi

Mr Fayemi, a doctorate holder, was governor of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014. He became governor after the Court of Appeal sacked the then governor, Olusegun Oni. He, however, lost his re-election bid in 2014 to Ayodele Fayose.

After the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Mr Fayemi was appointed Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

He resigned as minister to contest the governorship of Ekiti State for a second term in 2018. He won the election and was inaugurated for a second term as governor on October 16, 2018.
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beauty By Imagination ("BBI" or the "Company") announced today that its Board of Directors has formally appointed Francesca Raminella as CEO of the Company, effective immediately. Gary Dailey, who previously served as co-CEO with Raminella, will assume a new role as Chief Strategy and Administrative Officer. Both executives will continue as members of BBI's Board of Directors.

BBI is a majority-owned portfolio company of ACON Investments L.L.C. ("ACON"), whose innovative, category-leading hair care, tools and accessories brands  Wet Brush, Goody, Ouidad, Bio Ionic, Twist, and Curls  have made it a high-growth, omnichannel, industry star in recent years.

Anjali Jolly, Partner of ACON and a member of BBI's Board of Directors, said, "Together Francesca and Gary leveraged their complementary strengths to lead BBI through unprecedented times while achieving profitable growth that has consistently outperformed the market." ACON Partner and BBI Board of Directors member Suma Kulkami added, "Under Francesca's leadership, BBI embarks on the next phase of its growth. Gary will continue to be a valued partner in that journey, leveraging his operational acumen to spearhead BBI's business development, M&A, and value creation projects."

Raminella's extensive firsthand experience in growing high-performance global beauty brands makes her uniquely qualified to lead BBI's next chapter. A CPG and beauty industry executive with 25+ years of experience including Proctor & Gamble, Revlon, L'Oreal USA, and ghd North America, she has been the commercial force behind BBI, with a track record of best-in-class brand strategy and execution.

After joining the JD Beauty leadership team in 2018, she and Dailey, with the backing of ACON, oversaw the creation of the BBI platform and its evolution into the category's fastest-growing hair care multi-brand company. Raminella states, "BBI's portfolio of iconic, beloved, high-performance brands is second to none in the hair care industry. What sets us apart is our singular focus on making innovative, high-quality products designed for all hair types and textures, that delight hairdressers and consumers of all ages. This mission is achieved thanks to a dedicated, passionate, and talented team that I am deeply proud to lead. I am thankful to Gary for his great partnership which will continue as we strategize together to enhance BBI's results. I appreciate the support of ACON and the Board, and I am confident that in the coming years we will take BBI's business to new heights while continuing to support our retail customers by catalyzing strong category growth."

Dailey joined JD Beauty in 2016 and served as co-CEO with Raminella for almost three years. "I am proud of what Francesca and I  along with the entire BBI family  have achieved together in making this company the dynamic industry player it is today," he said. "As successful as our co-CEO partnership has been, all of us on the Board agree that the time is right to align under a singular leadership voice to best meet both the everyday challenges and significant opportunities ahead. I look forward to supporting Francesca's and BBI's continued success in my new role."

About BEAUTY BY IMAGINATION

Beauty by Imagination ("BBI") is one of the leading manufacturers and marketers of beauty products. Based in New York, BBI develops some of the industry's most recognizable and innovative brands and products such as Goody, WetBrush, Bio Ionic, Ouidad, Twist, Curls, Solano and Ace. These brands promise quality and innovation to provide beautiful results to professionals and consumers alike. For more information, visit www.bbicompany.com.

About ACON Investments, L.L.C.: ACON Investments, L.L.C. is a Washington, DC-based international private equity investment firm that manages private equity funds and special purpose partnerships that make investments in the United States, Latin America and Europe. Founded in 1996, ACON has responsibility for managing approximately $6.2 billion of capital. ACON has professionals in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Bogota and Madrid. For more information, visit www.aconinvestments.com.

SOURCE Beauty by Imagination
Brings in-depth R&D expertise in oncology, including ADCs, targeted radiotherapies, immuno-oncology and small molecules

Adcendo building a world class team of experienced biotech & pharma executives and renowned leaders in the ADC field

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Adcendo ApS ("Adcendo"), a biotech company focused on the development of breakthrough antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of underserved cancers, today announces the appointment of Dominik Mumberg, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).

Dominik has more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He joins Adcendo from Bayer AG, where he held several leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including Head of Therapeutic Research Area Oncology and VP, Targeted Alpha Therapies and most recently, Translational Innovation Lead. Dominik has a strong track record in delivering over a dozen innovative NMEs including ADCs, targeted radiotherapies, biologics and small molecules into pre-clinical and clinical development. Before his time at Bayer, Dominik was Director, Apoptosis & Signal Transduction Research at Schering AG. He holds a PhD degree in Molecular Biology from University of Marburg, Germany, and spent three years of postdoctoral research in tumor immunology at the University of Chicago. Dominik is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program and has published more than 70 peer-reviewed publications.

Michael Pehl, Chief Executive Officer of Adcendo, said: "We are very excited to welcome Dominik to the Adcendo team. Dominik's wealth of experience and knowledge in oncology, pre-clinical and clinical development and ADCs will be an invaluable addition to Adcendo, as we aim to exploit the full opportunity of our novel ADC target uPARAP in multiple high unmet need solid tumour indications, and build a pipeline of highly differentiated ADC assets, also including other targets. Throughout the past months, we have continued to build a world class team of experienced biotech executives and renowned leaders in the ADC field, which underscores our commitment to develop breakthrough ADCs for the treatment of patients with underserved cancers."

Dominik Mumberg, Chief Scientific Officer of Adcendo, commented: "I am very pleased to join Adcendo at this important stage of corporate development. I am extremely impressed by the compelling research and pre-clinical data of uPARAP ADCs for the treatment of mesenchymal tumors such as soft tissue sarcoma, osteosarcoma and mesothelioma. I look forward to working closely with the Adcendo team to maximise the potential of our lead development candidate also in epithelial cancers, and to advance our scientific understanding of endocytic receptors as well as our ADC pipeline."

This latest addition to Adcendo's leadership team follows the recent appointments of Carmel M. Lynch, PhD, as Chief Development Officer (CDO), Pernille Hyrup Hemmingsen, PhD, as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Dennis Benjamin, PhD as Research Fellow & Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

About Adcendo ApS:

Adcendo ApS, a spin-out from the Finsen Laboratory of The University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet, is developing breakthrough antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for treatment of underserved cancers. In 2021, the company raised its Series A round of EUR 51 million, investors include Novo Holdings, Ysios Capital, RA Capital Management, HealthCap and Gilde Healthcare.

About antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs):

ADCs are a class of highly potent biopharmaceutical drug composed of a targeting antibody linked to a biologically active drug or cytotoxic compound. ADCs combine the unique and very sensitive targeting capabilities of antibodies, with the potent effects of the conjugated cytotoxic drugs, allowing sensitive discrimination between healthy and cancer tissues.

About the uPARAP target:

uPARAP is a cell-surface receptor was originally identified, cloned and characterized by Adcendo's scientific founders. uPARAP is a cell-surface receptor, which is involved in collagen degradation and displays a differentiated expression profile between healthy tissue and cancer tissue, with several cancer types significantly overexpressing the receptor, including soft-tissue sarcoma, osteosarcoma, mesothelioma and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Additionally, uPARAP is found to be upregulated by cells in the stromal compartment in multiple indications, including breast-, colon-, pancreas- and prostate cancers. uPARAP is a recycling endocytic receptor with extremely rapid internalization kinetics, providing highly efficient entry for ADCs targeting uPARAP-expressing cells. Adcendo has realized the first demonstration of targeted drug delivery via uPARAP.

SOURCE Adcendo
"These students impressed us with the complex, real-world technical issues they worked through together here in Houston," said Sonia Phares, StellarXplorers board member and Vice President of Engineering & Technology at Lockheed Martin Space. "They displayed poise and enthusiasm, from calculating a complex budget to solving mass challenges through communication and conflict resolution. Lockheed Martin feels pride and confidence in the next generation of space professionals."

This season was the first time the StellarXplorers National Finals were held at Space Center Houston.

Teams had the opportunity to tour local space industry facilities at Nanoracks and Leidos, experiencing real-world examples of the same technology used in the orbital planning, satellite design, and launch programming components of the StellarXplorers competition. Finalists also toured Space Center Houston, where they learned about the remarkable history of manned space flight and were motivated by the exciting future of space exploration.

"Space Center Houston is an incredible venue. It embodies all the STEM opportunities our students have by competing where such historical and ongoing space endeavors take place," said Zachary Shelton, Director of StellarXplorers. "We extend our sincere gratitude to our presenting sponsor, Lockheed Martin, and our other generous supporters for investing in our nation's youth by developing a Space STEM educational and professional pipeline."

The other top finishers from the StellarXplorers VIII National Finals Competition included the 2nd place finisher, Flying Tigers from North Allegheny High School AFJROTC in Pittsburgh, Pa., and 3rd place finisher The Dunkelnauts from Valencia High School AFJROTC Team #1 in Valencia, Calif. The full list of competing and national finalist teams for StellarXplorers VIII can be found here: Congratulations to the StellarXplorers VIII National Champions!

"The Air & Space Forces Association is extremely proud of all of our national finalists and wishes a sincere congratulations to our new national champions," said AFA President Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, USAF (Ret.). "We also extend our thanks to USAF Brig. Gen. Leslie Maher, Commander of the Jeanne M. Holm Center, for inspiring our students this season and to Space Force Maj. Gen. Shawn Bratton, commander of the Space Training and Readiness Command, who as the Awards Banquet Keynote speaker assured our StellarXplorers competitors that although 'space is hard,' they have what it takes."

The StellarXplorers Space STEM Program is an education initiative established by AFA consisting of the National Space Design Competition and summer StellarCamps. The StellarXplorers National Space Design Competition involves all aspects of system development and operation with a spacecraft and payload focus.

The StellarXplorers National Space Design Competition is designed to inspire students toward futures in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and invites teams of students across the country to use space systems engineering principles to solve a problem remotely across four rounds of competition. Students involved in any youth organizationincluding high schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, scouting units, and home-schoolmay participate.

Supporters of StellarXplorers include the presenting sponsor, Lockheed Martin, as well as StellarDiamond sponsor, Air Force STEM, and StellarGold sponsors, L3Harris, ULA, and BAE Systems. StellarXplorers Education Alliance Partners supporting the program are Analyical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) with their STK software and Coyote Enterprises, Inc. with textbook assistance.

About AFA

An independent non-profit association, AFA is the single-largest professional military association dedicated to air and space power and to the advancement of aerospace education at every level. Founded in 1946, AFA is dedicated to promoting dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; honoring and supporting Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and remembering and respecting the enduring heritage of the Air and Space Forces.

SOURCE Air & Space Forces Association
Travelers can take advantage of $49* introductory fares in celebration

RENO, Nev., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- aha!, powered by veteran ExpressJet Airlines, announced nonstop service between Reno and Santa Rosa, Calif. beginning July 14, 2022  connecting the urban heart of the wine country and the "Biggest Little City in the World."

"Reno has been a long requested and sought-after market from STS, and we are looking forward to a great partnership connecting these two great destinations," said Charles M. SchulzSonoma County Airport Manager Jon Stout.

aha! will fly to the Charles M. SchulzSonoma County Airport two times a week with 50-seat Embraer ERJ145 regional jets. With the addition of Santa Rosa aha! will serve 10 cities with nonstop flights from its hub and home base at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

"We are excited to provide Sonoma County residents the opportunity to take short, spontaneous trips to Reno and Lake Tahoe without the hassle of airport layovers or driving," said Tim Sieber, head of ExpressJet's aha! business unit. "And travelers from Reno can use Santa Rosa as a jumping off point for all there is to see, do, eat, drink and explore in California's wine country."

Convenient Nonstop Flights + Less Travel Time = More Vacations and Trips

The quick 57-minute nonstop flight gives travelers more time for adventure and less time traveling. Flights will operate each Thursday and Sunday departing Reno Tahoe International Airport at 3:40 p.m. PT arriving at Charles M. SchulzSonoma County Airport at 4:37 p.m. PT. Return flights will depart Santa Rosa at 5:15 p.m. PT and arrive in Reno-Tahoe at 6:12 p.m. PT.

"Connecting these two recreational hot spots is a fantastic addition to our local airport," said James Gore, Chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and representative for District 4, which includes the airport. "This gives our residents the opportunity to enjoy all that the Reno-Tahoe area has to offer and gives the Northern Nevada residents an excuse for a hassle-free wine country getaway. An absolute win-win for both markets."

Presently aha! connects nine markets to its hub in Reno-Tahoe: Bakersfield, Fresno, Ontario and Palm Springs, Calif.; Eugene/Springfield, Medford/Ashland and Redmond/Bend, Ore.; and Pasco/Tri Cities and Spokane, Wash.

Special Introductory $49* Fares

aha! is offering an introductory, limited-time launch fare of $49 each way* available for purchase through May 31, 2022 for travel completed by August 15, 2022. Book at www.flyaha.com or through the aha! contact center 775-439-0888.

About aha!

aha! is a leisure brand of ExpressJet Airlines. aha! seeks to provide travelers in smaller communities, many who have seen air service reduced over the past decade through airline mergers, with convenient, short, nonstop flights to high-quality destinations like the Reno-Lake Tahoe region. In addition to offering value-priced, nonstop flights, aha! will soon partner with resorts, casinos and attractions to "bundle" value-priced vacation packages. www.flyaha.com

About ExpressJet Airlines

ExpressJet Airlines is the union of Atlantic Southeast Airlines and Continental Express and operates Embraer ERJ145 regional jet aircraft. Over its 35-year history, ExpressJet has operated most Embraer and Bombardier airplanes from bases across the continental United States to cities in North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. ExpressJet is majority owned by KAir Enterprises with United Airlines holding a minority interest. www.expressjet.com

Introductory Fare Sale

*Introductory, limited time $49 airfare is one-way and includes taxes, carrier charges & government fees. Must be purchased by May 31, 2022 and travel completed by August 15, 2022. Travel dates and fares are limited. Note that additional fees apply for call center bookings, baggage, etc. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply. Not valid on previously purchased itineraries. See www.flyaha.com for full details of fare, restrictions, and charges.

SOURCE aha!
The Global Leader in Security Services Continues Acquisition Strategy

SANTA ANA, Calif. and HONOLULU, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Universal, the leading global security and facility services company, today announced the acquisition of Star Protection Agency (Star), the largest locally-owned security firm in Hawaii.

Star Protection Agency has been in business since 1991, growing into the largest Hawaiian-owned and veteran-owned security company in the state. Although Star is primarily a guard patrol service, with workers at 125 sites throughout the state, it provides a range of security technology and consulting services.

"I'm pleased to welcome Star Protection Agency's dedicated employees to the Allied Universal team. Star's proven track record of providing quality security solutions will complement and enhance our business in Hawaii," said Steve Jones, Global Chairman & CEO of Allied Universal. "This is part of our continued acquisition strategy in North America and Internationally."

President and Owner of Star Protection Agency Robin Medeiros, along with Vice President Anderson Hee have agreed to join Allied Universal to ensure a seamless transition for customers and employees.

"Star takes seriously its kuleana, or responsibility, to the communities we serve. We know by joining Allied Universal, the industry leader with shared values, we will be able to serve our customers even better," said Robin Medeiros. "Because Allied Universal has a promote-from-within culture, our employees will have access to growth opportunities throughout the world."

About Allied Universal

Allied Universal, a leading security and facility services company, provides proactive security services and cutting-edge smart technology to deliver tailored, integrated security solutions that allow clients to focus on their core business. Through our vast global network of more than 800,000 employees, we leverage best practices in communities all over the world. With revenues at approximately $20 billion, we are supported by efficient processes and systems that can only come with scale to help deliver our promise locally: keeping people safe so our communities can thrive. We believe there is no greater purpose than serving and safeguarding customers, communities, and people in today's world. Allied Universal is There for you. For more information, please visit www.aus.com.

SOURCE Allied Universal
Both opportunities are in partnership with Teachers' Treasures and Crayons to Computers

INDIANAPOLIS, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to honor educators during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2nd through May 6th, American College of Education (ACE) unveiled two full scholarships for master's degrees in partnership with two charitable organizations, Teachers' Treasures and Crayons to Computers today. The recipients of the scholarships will be selected by each organization respectively.

"We are proud to offer two outstanding educators this scholarship to ACE," said Dr. Shawntel Landry, President of ACE. "Our partners at Teachers' Treasures and Crayons to Computers are helping transform and support the future of education."

Each scholarship covers all tuition, a savings of up to $10,500. With up to nineteen education master's programs to choose from, there are options for teachers at various stages in their careers who aspire to advance. ACE education programs are created by teachers for teachers through a flexible, fully online format with the schedule of a busy educator in mind.

Both scholarships are based on ACE's commitment to build educators nationwide through its programs and partnering with Teachers' Treasures and Crayons to Computers, two nonprofit organizations who prioritize supporting teachers.

"You can find no better partner than American College of Education. The leadership and partnership ACE offers allows us to do more for more teachers," said Margaret Sheehan, Executive Director of Teachers' Treasures.

Barbara Wilson, Director of Development for Crayons to Computers added, "By partnering with us, American College of Education enables Crayons to level the playing field in the classroom by ensuring that teachers can provide their students in need the tools to succeed in school."

About American College of Education

American College of Education is an accredited, 100% online university specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, leadership, healthcare and nursing. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, American College of Education offers more than 70 innovative and engaging programs for adult students to pursue a doctorate, master's or bachelor's degree, along with micro-credentials and graduate-level certificate programs. In addition to being a leader in online education, American College of Education is a Certified B Corporation. Certified B Corporations are leaders of a global movement to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

Media Inquiries:

Claire Deneen

[email protected]

312-255-3134

SOURCE American College of Education
Expands BPO Service Offerings in Energy, Telecom, Nonprofit and Financial Services

WILLOW GROVE, Pa., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AnswerNet, a full-service provider of inbound, outbound, automated, and global BPO contact center services, announces the completion of 11 call center-related company acquisitions between March 2021  February 2022.

At the onset of the pandemic in 2020 while many businesses faced stoppages or closures, AnswerNet was called upon to offer various Covid19-related services, including support and assistance with contact tracing, Emergency Rental Assistance Programs (ERAP), state unemployment claims, and others. As the vaccine was introduced, scheduling and other vaccine-related work expanded AnswerNet's Covid/BPO service portfolio further.

As this Covid-related work began to dissipate in 2021, several well-respected companies with strong operations and steady cash flows approached AnswerNet looking to sell their businesses. In the words of Founder & CEO, Gary Pudles, "The time came to make a choice; do we downsize or do we reinvest in the company? We chose the latter, and here we are."

The 11 Acquisitions:

A spinoff of a large Canadian contact center operator in Halifax, NS FineLine: Winnipeg, MB (nonprofit donor services including "keying and caging" operations) Mathews Answering Service: Great Falls, MT TPV.com (aka Data Exchange): Tulsa OK first of four third-party verification (TPV) companies TrainNow.net, Seattle-based learning management system (LMS) Ansercomm Telephone Answering Service: Hackensack, NJ , Maple Shade NJ , and N. Fort Lauderdale, FL Action 1 Answering Service: Mountain Top, PA VoiceLog: San Antonio, TX (TPV) Quality Contact Solutions: Aurora, NE (large dedicated BPO & telemarketing provider) TrustedTPV: Severn, MD Calibrus: Tempe, AZ (TPV & BPO)

Becoming a Leader in Third-Party Verification and Nonprofit Donor Services

With the purchase of these four leading TPV providers (Calibrus, TPV.com, TrustedTPV, VoiceLog), AnswerNet acquired businesses that have completed 115 million+ verifications and is now the largest provider of third-party verification services in North America.

With the FineLine acquisition, AnswerNet now supports 50+ internationally known nonprofits, including American & Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army, Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, and Doctors without Borders.

Pudles adds, "These acquisitions help us further our story that we started in 1998 as a single-location telephone answering service with roots back to 1929, and have emerged as a global BPO provider who continues to lead by delivering all forms of world-class telecommunications and technology services."

For more information, contact:

David Gerhardt

Director of Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE AnswerNet Network companies
Vulnerabilities found in widely-used network switches could allow attackers to bypass security features such as network segmentation to gain access to critical systems

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Armis , the leading unified asset visibility and security platform, today announced the disclosure of five critical vulnerabilities, known as TLStorm 2.0 , in the implementation of TLS communications in multiple models of network switches. The vulnerabilities stem from a similar design flaw identified in the TLStorm vulnerabilities (discovered earlier this year by Armis), expanding the reach of TLStorm to millions of additional enterprise-grade network infrastructure devices.

In March 2022, Armis first disclosed TLStormthree critical vulnerabilities in APC Smart-UPS devices. The vulnerabilities allow an attacker to gain control of Smart-UPS devices from the internet with no user interaction, resulting in the UPS overloading and eventually destroying itself in a cloud of smoke. The root cause for these vulnerabilities was a misuse of NanoSSL, a popular TLS library by Mocana. Using the Armis knowledgebasea database of more than two billion assetsour researchers identified dozens of devices using the Mocana NanoSSL library. The findings include not only the APC Smart-UPS devices but also two popular network switch vendors that are affected by a similar implementation flaw of the library. While UPS devices and network switches differ in function and levels of trust within the network, the underlying TLS implementation issues allow for devastating consequences.

The new TLStorm 2.0 research exposes vulnerabilities that could allow an attacker to take full control over network switches used in airports, hospitals, hotels, and other organizations worldwide. The affected vendors are Aruba (acquired by HPE) and Avaya Networking (acquired by ExtremeNetworks). We have found that both vendors have switches vulnerable to remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities that can be exploited over the network, leading to:

Breaking of network segmentation, allowing lateral movement to additional devices by changing the behavior of the switch

Data exfiltration of corporate network traffic or sensitive information from the internal network to the Internet

Captive portal escape

These research findings are significant as they highlight that the network infrastructure itself is at risk and exploitable by attackers, meaning that network segmentation alone is no longer sufficient as a security measure.

"Research at Armis is driven by one simple purpose: Identify emerging security threats to provide our customers with real-time and continuous protection," said Barak Hadad, Head of Research, Armis. "The TLStorm set of vulnerabilities are a prime example of threats to assets that were previously not visible to most security solutions, showing that network segmentation is no longer a sufficient mitigation and proactive network monitoring is essential. Armis researchers will continue to explore assets across all environments to make sure our knowledgebase of more than two billion assets is sharing the latest threat mitigations to all of our partners and customers."

Captive Portals

A captive portal is the web page displayed to newly-connected users of a Wi-Fi or wired network before they are granted broader access to network resources. Captive portals are commonly used to present a login page that may require authentication, payment, or other valid credentials that both the host and user agree upon. Captive portals provide access to a broad range of mobile and pedestrian broadband services, including cable and commercially provided Wi-Fi and home hotspots, and enterprise or residential wired networks, such as apartment complexes, hotel rooms, and business centers.

Using the TLStorm 2.0 vulnerabilities, an attacker can abuse the captive portal and gain remote code execution over the switch with no need for authentication. Once the attacker has control over the switch, they can disable the captive portal altogether and move laterally to the corporate network.

Vulnerability Details and Affected Devices

Aruba

CVE-2022 -23677 (9.0 CVSS score) - NanoSSL misuse on multiple interfaces (RCE)

- NanoSSL misuse on multiple interfaces (RCE) The NanoSSL library mentioned above is used throughout the firmware of Aruba switches for multiple purposes. The two main use cases for which the TLS connection made using the NanoSSL library is not secure and can lead to RCE:

switches for multiple purposes. The two main use cases for which the TLS connection made using the NanoSSL library is not secure and can lead to RCE:

Captive portal - A user of the captive portal can take control of the switch prior to authentication.





RADIUS authentication client - A vulnerability in the RADIUS connection handling could allow an attacker that is able to intercept the RADIUS connection via a man in the middle attack to gain RCE over the switch with no user interaction.

CVE-2022 -23676 (9.1 CVSS score) - RADIUS client memory corruption vulnerabilities

- RADIUS client memory corruption vulnerabilities RADIUS is an authentication, authorization, accounting (AAA) client/server protocol that allows central authentication for users who attempt to access a network service. The RADIUS server responds to access requests from network services that act as clients. The RADIUS server checks the information in the access request and responds with authorization of the access attempt, a rejection, or a challenge for more information.



There are two memory corruption vulnerabilities in the RADIUS client implementation of the switch; they lead to heap overflows of attacker-controlled data. This can allow a malicious RADIUS server, or an attacker with access to the RADIUS shared secret, to remotely execute code on the switch.

Aruba devices affected by TLStorm 2.0:

Aruba 5400R Series

5400R Series Aruba 3810 Series

3810 Series Aruba 2920 Series

2920 Series Aruba 2930F Series

2930F Series Aruba 2930M Series

Series Aruba 2530 Series

2530 Series Aruba 2540 Series

Avaya management interface pre-auth vulnerabilities

The attack surface for all three vulnerabilities of the Avaya switches is the web management portal and none of the vulnerabilities require any type of authentication, making it a zero-click vulnerability group.

CVE-2022 -29860 (CVSS 9.8) - TLS reassembly heap overflow

This is a similar vulnerability to CVE-2022 -22805 that Armis found in APC Smart-UPS devices. The process handling POST requests on the webserver does not properly validate the NanoSSL return values, resulting in a heap overflow that can lead to remote code execution.

-22805 that Armis found in APC Smart-UPS devices. The process handling POST requests on the webserver does not properly validate the NanoSSL return values, resulting in a heap overflow that can lead to remote code execution. CVE-2022 -29861 (CVSS 9.8) - HTTP header parsing stack overflow

An improper boundary check in the handling of multipart form data combined with a string that is not null-terminated leads to attacker-controlled stack overflow that may lead to RCE.

HTTP POST request handling heap overflow

A vulnerability in the handling of HTTP POST requests due to missing error checks of the Mocana NanoSSL library leads to a heap overflow of attacker-controlled length, which may lead to RCE. This vulnerability has no CVE because it was found in a discontinued product line of Avaya meaning no patch will be issued to fix this vulnerability, though Armis data shows these devices can still be found in the wild.

Avaya devices affected by TLStorm 2.0:

ERS3500 Series

ERS3600 Series

ERS4900 Series

ERS5900 Series

Updates and Mitigations

Aruba and Avaya collaborated with Armis on this matter, and customers were notified and issued patches to address most of the vulnerabilities. To the best of our knowledge, there is no indication the TLStorm 2.0 vulnerabilities have been exploited.

Organizations deploying impacted Aruba devices should patch impacted devices immediately with patches in the Aruba Support Portal here .

Organizations deploying impacted Avaya devices should check security advisories immediately in the Avaya Support Portal here .

Armis customers can immediately identify devices that are vulnerable in their environments and begin remediation. To speak with an Armis expert and experience our award-winning unified asset visibility and security platform, click here .

Research Presentations

Armis experts will discuss the TLStorm research during the following event:

Black Hat Asia 2022 ( May 10-13, 2022 ) - Like Lightning From the Cloud: Finding RCEs in an Embedded TLS Library and Toasting a Popular Cloud-connected UPS

Additional Resources

About Armis

Armis is the leading unified asset visibility and security platform designed to address the new threat landscape that connected devices create. Fortune 1000 companies trust our real-time and continuous protection to see with full context all managed, unmanaged assets across IT, Cloud, IoT devices, medical devices (IoMT), operational technology (OT), industrial control systems (ICS) and 5G. Armis provides passive and unparalleled cybersecurity asset management, risk management, and automated enforcement. Armis is a privately held company and headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Visit www.armis.com .

Media Contacts:

Dillon Townsel

Sr. Director, Public & Media Relations

[email protected]

512-571-3455

SOURCE Armis
Application - Passenger cars and commercial vehicles

Geography - North America , Europe , APAC, South America , and Middle East and Africa

For further insights on market overview and dynamic analysis, Read our latest Sample Report

Parent Market Analysis

Technavio categorizes the global automotive torque converter market as a part of the global automotive market within the global consumer discretionary market. External factors influencing the parent market's growth potential in the coming years have been thoroughly investigated in our research analysis, to know more about the levels of growth of the Automotive Torque Converter Market throughout the forecast period, Download Sample Report.

Automotive Torque Converter Market Value Chain Analysis

The end-to-end understanding of the value chain is essential in profit margin optimization and evaluation of business strategies. The data available in our value chain analysis segment can help vendors drive costs and enhance customer services during the forecast period.

To unlock information about vendor drive costs and customer service, download our exclusive sample report.

Vendor Insights

The Automotive Torque Converter Market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. To make the best of the opportunity, the market vendors should focus more on the fast-growing segment's growth prospect while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

We provide a detailed analysis of vendors operating in the Automotive Torque Converter Market including some the vendors such as Aisin Corp., BorgWarner Inc., Continental AG, Dynamic Manufacturing Inc., EXEDY Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Schaeffler AG, Sonnax Transmission Co. Inc., and SUBARU Corp among others.

Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the Automotive Torque Converter Market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile, and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

Product Insights and News

Aisin - The company offers automotive torque converter such as 1 motor hybrid transmission and RWD Multi Stage Hybrid Transmission.

The company offers automotive torque converter such as 1 motor hybrid transmission and RWD Multi Stage Hybrid Transmission. Borgwarner - The company offers automotive torque converter through its subsidiary, Delphi Automotive Plc.

The company offers automotive torque converter through its subsidiary, Delphi Automotive Plc. Continental - The company develops, produces, and integrates active and passive safety technologies and controls vehicle dynamics.

The Automotive Torque Converter Market forecast report offers in-depth insights into key vendor profiles and offerings  Download Sample Report

Key Market Dynamics-

Automotive Torque Converter Market Key Drivers:

Globalization of the auto industry to increase the demand for automatic transmission vehicles in APAC

With a well-established supply chain network, Asian countries are the leading manufacturers of raw materials such as rubber and bullion materials. In addition, this region is known for having one of the largest pools of skilled labor in the automobile sector. OEM profit margins are further increased by the region's cost-effective operational structures. OEMs are introducing modern technologies, like as CVTs and torque converters, into their vehicles as a result of these benefits. As a result of the globalization of the auto industry, demand for automatic transmission vehicles is predicted to rise, propelling the worldwide automotive torque converter market forward throughout the forecast period.

Download our sample Report for highlights on market Drivers & Trends affecting the Automotive Torque Converter Market.

Customize Your Report

Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak to our analyst and know more insights into this market report. Our analysts can also help you customize this report according to your needs. Our analysts and industry experts will work directly with you to understand your requirements and provide you with customized data in a short amount of time.

Do reach out to our analysts for more customized reports as per your requirements. Speak to our Analyst now!

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Automotive Torque Converter Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.3% Market growth 2022-2026 $ 1.52 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 5.11 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 43% Key consumer countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Aisin Corp., BorgWarner Inc., Continental AG, Dynamic Manufacturing Inc., EXEDY Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Schaeffler AG, Sonnax Transmission Co. Inc., SUBARU Corp., Transtar Industries Inc., Valeo SA, Voith GmbH and Co. KGaA, Yutaka Giken Co. Ltd., and ZF Friedrichshafen AG Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Application



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Application

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Application

5.3 Passenger cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Passenger cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Passenger cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Passenger cars - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Passenger cars - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Commercial vehicles - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Commercial vehicles - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Commercial vehicles - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Commercial vehicles - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Commercial vehicles - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Application ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 43: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 44: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 45: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 47: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 48: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 49: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 50: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 70: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 72: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 78: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 79: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 80: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 81: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 82: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 83: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 84: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Aisin Corp.

Exhibit 85: Aisin Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 86: Aisin Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 87: Aisin Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 88: Aisin Corp. - Segment focus

10.4 BorgWarner Inc.

Exhibit 89: BorgWarner Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 90: BorgWarner Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 91: BorgWarner Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 92: BorgWarner Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 93: BorgWarner Inc. - Segment focus

10.5 Schaeffler AG

Exhibit 94: Schaeffler AG - Overview



Exhibit 95: Schaeffler AG - Business segments



Exhibit 96: Schaeffler AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 97: Schaeffler AG - Segment focus

10.6 Sonnax Transmission Co. Inc.

Exhibit 98: Sonnax Transmission Co. Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 99: Sonnax Transmission Co. Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 100: Sonnax Transmission Co. Inc. - Key offerings

10.7 SUBARU Corp.

Exhibit 101: SUBARU Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 102: SUBARU Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 103: SUBARU Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 104: SUBARU Corp. - Segment focus

10.8 Transtar Industries Inc.

Exhibit 105: Transtar Industries Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 106: Transtar Industries Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 107: Transtar Industries Inc. - Key offerings

10.9 Valeo SA

Exhibit 108: Valeo SA - Overview



Exhibit 109: Valeo SA - Business segments



Exhibit 110: Valeo SA - Key news



Exhibit 111: Valeo SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 112: Valeo SA - Segment focus

10.10 Voith GmbH and Co. KGaA

Exhibit 113: Voith GmbH and Co. KGaA - Overview



Exhibit 114: Voith GmbH and Co. KGaA - Business segments



Exhibit 115: Voith GmbH and Co. KGaA - Key offerings



Exhibit 116: Voith GmbH and Co. KGaA - Segment focus

10.11 Yutaka Giken Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 117: Yutaka Giken Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 118: Yutaka Giken Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 119: Yutaka Giken Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.12 ZF Friedrichshafen AG

Exhibit 120: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Overview



Exhibit 121: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Business segments



Exhibit 122: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Key news



Exhibit 123: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 124: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 125: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 126: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 127: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 128: Research methodology



Exhibit 129: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 130: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 131: 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.

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NOV03 Met Primary Endpoints for Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease Associated with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Both Phase 3 Trials

VAUGHAN, ON and LAVAL, QC and HEIDELBERG, Germany, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health") and Novaliq GmbH, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics, today announced that data from the second pivotal Phase 3 trial (MOJAVE) of investigational treatment NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane) were presented virtually yesterday at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting. NOV03 is being investigated as a first-in-class treatment with a novel mechanism of action to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

"The findings show that NOV03 met both efficacy endpoints, which reinforces the results from the first pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial and builds upon the growing body of evidence in support of NOV03 as a potential first-in-class treatment for dry eye disease associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction," said Joseph C. Papa, chairman and CEO, Bausch Health. "If approved, NOV03 would be the first pharmaceutical therapy available in the United States with a novel mechanism of action designed to alleviate both signs and symptoms for those suffering with dry eye disease associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction."

DED is one of the most common ocular surface disorders, causing discomfort for approximately 18 million Americans.1,2 MGD is a major cause of the development and progression of evaporative DED, which is caused by a deficient tear film lipid layer that leads to increased tear evaporation.3 In one trial, it was found that approximately 86% of patients with DED had MGD involvement.4

The data presented from the second Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, hypotonic saline-controlled, double masked trial show NOV03 met both primary efficacy endpoints: total Corneal Fluorescein Staining (tCFS), a measure of assessing damage to the eye, and VAS eye dryness endpoints at day 57.

"We are excited to see consistent data on multiple fronts across both Phase 3 studies of NOV03. In addition to meeting each of the primary sign and symptom efficacy endpoints, NOV03 continues to appear to be well tolerated in this population," said John Sheppard, M.D., professor of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Va., EyeCare Partners Mid-Atlantic Medical Director and NOV03 trial investigator. "Treatment options for dry eye disease associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction in the United States are currently limited to mechanical methods, such as medical devices, warm compresses, lid scrubs and massage. If approved, NOV03 would offer eye care professionals a promising new therapeutic pharmaceutical approach for these patients."5

The data was based on results from 620 participants ages 18 years and older who were randomized to either receive treatment with NOV03 four times daily or hypotonic saline solution four times daily (n=311 NOV03; n=309 saline). Key points from the trial include:

On day 57, change from baseline in total Corneal Fluorescein Staining (tCFS) was statistically significant in the NOV03 arm compared to the control saline group (-2.3 [2.8] vs. -1.1 [2.9]) (P<0.001) (primary endpoint).

Additionally on day 57, VAS eye dryness score was statistically significantly improved in the NOV03 arm compared to control group (-29.5 [28.6] vs. -19.0 [27.2]) (P<0.001) (primary endpoint).

tCFS and VAS eye dryness score were also statistically significant at day 15 (secondary endpoints).

In the trial, NOV03 was well tolerated with few subjects experiencing ocular adverse events (AE) in the study eye (9.6% NOV03 group, 9.7% control group). Blepharitis, mostly mild, was the only AE that occurred in a >1% higher proportion of subjects treated with NOV03 versus control (1.6% vs 0.3%).

"These results reaffirm the safety and efficacy data of NOV03 as a potential treatment option for patients with dry eye disease associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction," said Christian Roesky, Ph.D., CEO, Novaliq. "In collaboration with Bausch Health and Bausch + Lomb, we look forward to submitting NOV03 for FDA approval during the second quarter of 2022 with the potential to bring a novel drug option for this condition to the United States."

About NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane) Ophthalmic Solution

NOV03 is an investigational, proprietary, water-free, single-component preservative-free eye drop.6 In 2019, Bausch Health and Bausch + Lomb acquired an exclusive license for the commercialization and development of NOV03 in the United States and Canada. In addition to data from the MOJAVE trial, data from the first pivotal Phase 3 trial (GOBI) was presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting in Washington, D.C. on April 24, 2022. Results from the pivotal Phase 2 trial (SEECASE) was published in Cornea: The Journal of Cornea and External Disease in September 2021.7 The clinical development program for NOV03 is expected to conclude with an ongoing multi-center, open-label, single-arm, 12-month safety extension trial (KALAHARI).

About Novaliq

Novaliq is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and commercialization of first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics based on EyeSol, the worldwide first water-free technology. Novaliq offers an industry-leading portfolio addressing today's unmet medical needs of millions of patients with eye diseases. Novaliq GmbH is headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany and Novaliq Inc. has an office in Cambridge, MA, USA. The long-term shareholder is dievini Hopp BioTech holding GmbH & Co. KG, an active investor in Life and Health Sciences companies. More on www.novaliq.com.

About Bausch + Lomb

Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business of Bausch Health Companies, Inc., is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the gift of sight for millions of people around the world  from the moment of birth through every phase of life. Its comprehensive portfolio of more than 400 products includes contact lenses, lens care products, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has a significant global research and development, manufacturing and commercial footprint with more than 12,000 employees and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Bausch + Lomb is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario with corporate offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.bausch.com and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

About Bausch Health

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. We are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health. For more information, visit www.bauschhealth.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn .

Forward-looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements, which may generally be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "hopes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes," "estimates," "potential," "target," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Bausch Health's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. They also include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties caused by or relating to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and the fear of that pandemic and its potential effects, the severity, duration and future impact of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, and which may have a material adverse impact on Bausch Health, including but not limited to its project development timelines, launches and costs (which may increase). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Bausch Health undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law.

References

Leonardi, A., Modugno, R. L., & Salami, E. (2021). Allergy and Dry Eye Disease. Ocular immunology and inflammation, 29(6), 11681176. https://doi.org/10.1080/09273948.2020.1841804. 2020 Dry Eye Products Market Report: A global Analysis for 2019 to 2025. Market Scope. Retrieved from https://www.market-scope.com/pages/reports/250/2020-ophthalmic-landscape-report-global-analysis-for-2019-to-2025-april-2021#reports. Findlay, Q., & Reid, K. (2018). Dry eye disease: when to treat and when to refer. Australian prescriber, 41(5), 160163. https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2018.048. Lemp, M. A., Crews, L. A., Bron, A. J., Foulks, G. N., & Sullivan, B. D. (2012). Distribution of aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye in a clinic-based patient cohort: a retrospective study. Cornea, 31(5), 472478. doi.org/10.1097/ICO.0b013e318225415a. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Treatment. American Association for Pediatric Opthalmology and Strabismus. Retrieved from https://aapos.org/glossary/meibomian-gland-dysfunction-and-treatment. Accessed 4/21/22 . In December 2019 , Bausch Health acquired the rights from Novaliq GmbH to pursue development and commercialization of NOV03 for DED and combination products based on NOV03 in additional ophthalmic indications in the United States and Canada . Tauber J, Wirta DL, Sall K, Majmudar PA, Willen D, Krosser S; SEECASE study group. A Randomized Clinical Study (SEECASE) to Assess Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of NOV03 for Treatment of Dry Eye Disease. Cornea. 2021; 40(9):1132-1140.

All product/brand names and/or logos are trademarks of the respective oweners.

 2022 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.

BLNP.0031.USA.22

Novaliq Media Contact: Bausch Health Investor Contact: Simone Angstmann-Mehr Arthur Shannon [email protected] [email protected]

(514) 865-3855

(877) 281-6642 (toll free)





Bausch Health Media Contact:

Lainie Keller

[email protected]

(908) 927-1198

SOURCE Bausch Health Companies Inc.
A leader in development and operations of life science workspaces, Breakthrough Properties creates purpose-built, Class A office and lab environments, promotes elevated user experiences and provides companies with access to its world renowned Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

St. John's Innovation Park, which sits on 21 acres, provides a campus-style setting close to both the Cambridge town center and major transportation routes. It and the adjacent Cambridge Science Park together form the Northern Cluster, Cambridge's premier life sciences and technology district. The Northern Cluster is already home to many of the UK's most dynamic life science companies, which are developing transformative drugs for patients around the world.

To help meet the growing demand for high-quality lab space in one of the U.K.'s most supply-constrained clusters, Breakthrough intends to work collaboratively with local stakeholders to reposition in a manner that respects and enhances the long-term plan for the St. John's Innovation Park.

"We have strong conviction in the future of the European life sciences market and are actively exploring opportunities to deliver best-in-class research and development facilities to support the continued advancement of life changing discoveries," said Daniel D'Orazi, EVP and Chief Investment Officer, Breakthrough Properties. "We are particularly excited about the prospects for continued growth throughout the Golden Triangle, where the majority of all U.K. life science investment occurs."

Added Tishman Speyer Managing Director Justin Woolf, "Backed by Tishman Speyer's global development expertise and Bellco's deep relationships with the world's leading life sciences research and development firms, Breakthrough Properties is uniquely positioned to conceive, create and maintain premier ecosystems throughout the world. We look forward to collaborating on a redevelopment of the Vitrum Building that aligns with the overall vision for St. John's Innovation Park."

This purchase marks Breakthrough's second U.K. acquisition in 2022. In late January, Breakthrough purchased the 1.7-acre Trinity House site in Oxford, where it intends to create a purpose-built, Class A office and lab environment. With its latest acquisition, Breakthrough now has 4.6 million square feet in its under-construction and near-term development pipeline across the United States and Europe.

Breakthrough puts sustainability at the forefront of all of its initiatives with a particular emphasis on increasing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and providing healthy workspaces for users. Breakthrough Properties targets BREEAM Outstanding certification in all of its projects across the United Kingdom and EU markets, as well as LEED Gold certification at its United States properties, which stretch from San Diego to Boston.

About Breakthrough Properties (www.btprop.com)

Formed in 2019 as a joint venture between global real estate owner, developer and investor Tishman Speyer and biotechnology investment firm Bellco Capital, Breakthrough Properties is a life science real estate development company that leverages cross-sector collaboration to deliver environments that foster innovation and scientific breakthroughs. Breakthrough Properties' mission is to acquire, develop and operate the best life science properties in leading urban technology centers around the world and support scientific innovation across biotechnology, agriculture and nutrition. Breakthrough combines Tishman Speyer's decades of global real estate development experience with Bellco Capital's industry-making biotechnology entrepreneurship to reimagine environments where companies can create life-changing therapies for patients.

SOURCE Breakthrough Properties
Throughout the Festival, Campari will offer an immersive lounge space that brings people into the world of Campari. The Campari Lounge, housed inside the prestigious Palais des Festivals, will act as a central point throughout the Festival, hosting a series of events. It will also offer the perfect venue to discover and taste Campari, the unforgettable ingredient sitting at the heart of some of the world's most famous and best-selling cocktails, such as the iconic Negroni , which recently ranked as the No. 1 best-selling international classic cocktail in Drinks International's 2022 report. The unique nature of Campari's vibrant red color and its multi-layered, inimitable taste stimulate the senses through a captivating and timeless cocktail-tasting experience.

Guests of the lounge will enjoy cocktails masterfully prepared and served by the distinguished bartenders of the Camparino in Galleria - the legendary bar opened by Davide Campari in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in 1915, which today proudly holds the position of #27 in the World's 50 Best Bars list.

Over the course of the Festival itself, Campari will host an array of exclusive events to inspire attendees in the pursuit of their own stories, culminating with a special, private evening for Campari guests on May 21 in the heart of La Croisette.

Since its creation, Campari itself has pushed the boundaries of cinema to go beyond the norm. The brand's relationship with cinema started in the 1920s as a platform to express its Red Passion and creativity in an intriguing and mysterious way, starting with unique collaborations with artists as well as a notable partnership with Federico Fellini on a TV advertisement in 1984. This rich history has continued in recent times with Campari Red Diaries, a series of short films with iconic acting and directing legends such as Paolo Sorrentino, Clive Owen, Zoe Saldana, Ana De Armas and many others, with the legacy set to continue this year. In addition to Red Diaries, Campari has demonstrated the brand's dedication to championing cinema and Red Passion among industry creatives in recent years with partnerships at top film festivals and award shows. Campari has celebrated film industry pioneers through its exclusive spirits partnership for the 57th, 58th and 59th New York Film Festivals; sponsorship at the 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th Costume Designers Guild Awards; and sponsorship at the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Campari Group's Head of Global Marketing, Julka Villa, comments, "Campari believes great stories are a timeless showcase of creativity and passion, coming together in a journey that goes beyond the expected. We are incredibly excited to take this journey with the Festival de Cannes, an iconic partner, in celebration of great storytelling. Given our heritage and long-standing appreciation for cinema, having a presence at Festival de Cannes is an exciting next step for us to continue our legacy in the world of film, and we look forward to welcoming our guests at the Campari Lounge beginning May 17."

Whether you'll be enjoying Campari at Festival de Cannes later this month or while watching a film from the comfort of your home, please remember to do so responsibly.

Please follow Campari's social media channels for further information @campariofficial @campariusa.

#Campari #FestivaldeCannes #Cannes2022 #RedPassion

www.campari.com

https://www.youtube.com/EnjoyCampari

https://www.facebook.com/CampariUS

https://www.instagram.com/campariusa /

http://twitter.com/campari

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information, please contact Morgan Warner at [email protected] .

ABOUT FESTIVAL DE CANNES

The Festival de Cannes is an event that brings together the world's film professionals around an official competition and an International Film Market, whose highly media-oriented aspect makes it one of the first annual international events, contributing to the world cinematic influence.

ABOUT CAMPARI

Campari, the iconic, unforgettable Italian red spirit sitting at the heart of some of the world's most famous cocktails. Campari was founded in Milan in 1860 by Gaspare Campari, and pioneered by his son, Davide, who created something so distinctive and revolutionary that its secret recipe has not been altered since. Vibrant red in color, Campari's unique and multi-layered taste is the result of the infusion of herbs, aromatic plants and fruit in alcohol and water. As well as being unique and distinctive, Campari is extremely versatile, offering boundless and unexpected possibilities. As a source of this passionate inspiration seen through its founders' creative genius, artists in different fields and the world's best bartenders, Campari stimulates your instincts to unlock your passions, inspiring limitless creations.

ABOUT CAMPARI GROUP

Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional and Local priorities. Global Priorities, the Group's key focus, includes Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey and Grand Marnier. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. It has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. Campari Group's growth strategy aims to combine organic growth through strong brand building and external growth via selective acquisitions of brands and businesses. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari Group owns 22 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 21 countries. Campari Group employs approximately 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM) have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com/en Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

ABOUT CAMPARI AMERICA

Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM). At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry. The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992. The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world's finest whiskies since the 1800's. Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Campari Group's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY Vodka, SKYY Infusions, Grand Marnier, Campari, Aperol, Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon, American Honey, Russell's Reserve, Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek Canadian Whisky, BULLDOG Gin, Cabo Wabo Tequila, Espolon Tequila, Montelobos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, Appleton Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew Rum, Coruba Rum, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Frangelico, Cynar, Averna, Braulio, Jean-Marc XO Vodka, Lallier and Bisquit & Dubouche

Campari America is headquartered in New York, New York. More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com , www.facebook.com/campariamerica , Twitter: @CampariAmerica , Instagram: @CampariAmerica , and www.camparigroup.com . Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

SOURCE Campari
This move follows a three-year series of strategic acquisitions*, most recently of clinical research provider, Pharm-Olam, that doubled the company's size, strengthened and deepened its capabilities, and expanded its global reach. Now, Allucent is a unified organization with more than 30 years of experience, built to support small and mid-sized biotech companies with achieving breakthrough science.

Currently, smaller companies hold approximately 70% of the biopharmaceutical industry's intellectual property and often benefit from third-party experts possessing clinical and regulatory experience and capabilities to ensure their innovations have the best chance of success. Allucent was formed to address this need, offering full-service clinical trial capabilities, deep therapeutic expertise, product development and consulting services.

Derived from the Latin verb alluceo, Allucent means to shine a light upon something or create an opportunity. The new name and branding unite the company and its people under one purpose  putting the spotlight on smaller, innovative biopharmaceutical companies and helping them deliver on their potential.

Mark A. Goldberg, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer, Allucent, said:

"In three short years, we've transformed our company to meet the unique needs of small and mid-sized biotechs. Our new name, Allucent, puts the focus on the clients we exist to serve and aligns our people under our shared passion of helping to bring new therapies to light. As we continue our growth journey, we're committed to making sure we remain big enough to deliver, but small enough to care."

Anchored by deep expertise and a high-touch partnership model, Allucent offers a breadth of specialized services and therapeutic experience geared toward small and mid-sized biotech companies, including:

Flexible clinical and regulatory solutions to successfully navigate the complexities of managing multi-national programs across early and late-stage development, including clinical trial operations; biometrics; decentralized trial capabilities; and clinical pharmacology, modeling and simulation.

A team of global consultants, focused on strategic product development, regulatory affairs and regulatory submissions with extensive health authority expertise in clinical, non-clinical, CMC and GxP compliance.

Robust scientific and drug development expertise in key and complex therapeutic areas and modalities with a focus on oncology, cell and gene therapy, rare disease and vaccines.

A global workforce of 1,200+ employees possessing deep clinical and technical experience with a passion for remaining close to breakthrough science.

Wide geographic coverage in 60+ countries across North America , Latin America , Europe , India and the Middle East.

*Recent acquisitions include Array Biostatistics in 2020, Nuventra in 2021, and Pharm-Olam in 2022

About Allucent

Allucent is on a mission to help bring new therapies to light by solving the distinct challenges of small and mid-sized biotech companies. The company is purpose-built through the convergence of leading providers to address this unmet need. Today, Allucent is a global provider of comprehensive drug development solutions, including consulting, clinical operations, biometrics and clinical pharmacology across a variety of therapeutic areas. With more than 30 years of experience in over 60 countries, Allucent's individualized partnership approach provides experience-driven insights and expertise to assist its clients in successfully navigating the complexities of delivering novel treatments to patients. Visit Allucent.com for more information.

SOURCE Allucent
ST. LOUIS, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today it will present at the Bank of America 2022 Healthcare Conference, to be held Monday, May 9-Friday, May 13, 2022, in Las Vegas.

Centene will present on Tuesday, May 10th at 8:40 a.m. Pacific Time (PT). A simultaneous live audio webcast is available at: https://bofa.veracast.com/webcasts/bofa/hc2022/idhB56LV.cfm.

A webcast replay will be available afterwards via the Company's website at www.centene.com, under the Investors section.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 25 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach  with local brands and local teams  to provide fully integrated, high-quality, and cost-effective services to government sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace, the TRICARE program, and individuals in correctional facilities. The Company also serves several international markets, and contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide a variety of specialty services focused on treating the whole person. Centene focuses on long-term growth and the development of its people, systems and capabilities so that it can better serve its members, providers, local communities, and government partners.

Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://investors.centene.com.

SOURCE Centene Corporation
Fast Casual Chicken Salad Concept's Franchisees Continue to Standout as Industry Leaders, Driving Brand Growth

ATLANTA, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, celebrates the recent naming of three outstanding franchisees as the International Franchise Association's notorious Franchisee of the Year award winners. The franchisee trio, known as 2 Chicks and a Magnet, is made up of Ashley Keever, Krista Rhymes and Matthew Miller, who own three Chicken Salad Chick locations in Louisiana. This award win adds to the recent success of the brand as it continues to grow  with four new states open for development and signing 23 new franchise partners this year.

The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA's partner Paychex, recognizes leading franchisees who exemplify at least one of IFA's "Open for Opportunity" core pillars: Community, Workforce, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Veterans. The winners were presented during the association's annual convention award ceremony earlier this year.

"We are incredibly honored to have received this award," said Miller. "Chicken Salad Chick took a chance on us when we started out with little restaurant experience, and we are grateful for the tremendous support and training that they offered us early on to set us up for success."

Each member of Two Chicks and a Magnet made major industry changes when they found Chicken Salad Chick  Matthew ran a carpet cleaning business for over 20 years, Krista was a CPA and Ashley was a nurse  and Ashley and Krista, who are sisters, co-own retail gift shops in Louisiana. The trio found the brand when franchising had not yet been open in the state, and when the opportunity presented itself in Monroe in 2018, their first location came to fruition. Their second location in Ruston followed in fall 2020 during the pandemic. They ramped up online ordering efforts and provided community drops of the product throughout both Monroe and Ruston communities during the pandemic, persistent to keep growing their businesses.

"We are a franchisor community that prides itself on finding franchisees who exemplify our value of community service and providing a quality product to those we serve, and the trio at 2 Chicks and a Magnet do exactly that," said Scott Deviney, CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. "Ashley, Krista and Matthew go above and beyond to put their community first, and they are a prime example of the franchisees who are helping move the needle for the brand. We are incredibly proud of them for this award win!"

The IFA award adds to a hefty list of brand award wins for 2 Chicks and a Magnet. Their leadership and operations success with their first restaurant in its first year earned them an award from Chicken Salad Chick referred to as 'New Chick on the Block,' and the trio continued to build on this success when they won two additional awards  Franchisee of the Year and 'Golden Scoop,' presented to them for their commitment to community involvement.

"We truly feel as if we're a part of a family with Chicken Salad Chick," continued Rhymes. "The value of community involvement is paramount to the brand, and as a result, it has continued to fuel our own involvement in the Monroe, Ruston and Slidell communities. Whether it's through employee support, donating to local causes or providing community chicken salad drops, we take our commitment to those we serve seriously, and it's at the center of everything we do."

Chicken Salad Chick is on the fast track for growth, having celebrated the opening of seven new locations so far this year and signing 23 franchise agreements in Q1. The brand is on track to open more than 50 locations in 2022 which will help propel it toward achieving its overall development goal to have 500 locations open and operating by the end of 2025.

Chicken Salad Chick continues to be recognized as a standout franchise system, being named one of QSR magazine's Best Franchise Deals for the second consecutive year, as well as being named #3 in Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers & Shakers in 2021 and #7 in the trade's Top 40 Smartest-Growing Franchises ranking for 2022, respectively. The brand was also highlighted as one of Entrepreneur magazine's Top Food Franchises of 2021 and has been listed in Franchise Times' Top 400 Ranking for 2021.

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Chicken Salad Chick, contact Carrie Evans, Vice President of Franchise Development, at [email protected], call 214-733-0048 or visit http://www.chickensaladchick.com/franchising.

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to 200 restaurants in 17 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in Franchise Times' Fast & Serious and Fast Casual.com 's top Movers and Shakers for the third consecutive year, QSR's Best Franchise Deals for the second consecutive year and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick
- Fast casual concept celebrates grand opening in North Little Rock on May 11th -

ATLANTA, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the grand opening of its newest restaurant in North Little Rock, Arkansas that will feature a drive-thru. This location marks Chicken Salad Chick's fifth restaurant in Arkansas and second in the Little Rock area. Following the North Little Rock opening, the brand will continue its development in the area with a restaurant slated for West Little Rock later this year. Located at 3901 Warden Road, Chicken Salad Chick North Little Rock will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, May 11, and will offer free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests.

During grand opening week, guests can expect to experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for with specials and giveaways that include:

Wednesday, May 11  Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week. * Guests can arrive starting at 7am for grand opening day only.

  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week. * Guests can arrive starting at for grand opening day only. Thursday, May 12  The first 50 guests at 10am and 6pm to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free Chick Special for their next visit.**

 The first 50 guests at and to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free Chick Special for their next visit.** Friday, May 13  All day long, guests can enjoy buy two large Quick Chicks, get one free.

 All day long, guests can enjoy buy two large Quick Chicks, get one free. Saturday, May 14  All day long, guests who purchase a Chick Special will receive a free scoop of Classic Carol.**

Spearheading the Little Rock-area development are multi-unit franchise owners Emily Gray and Hudson Sandefur of North Little Rocking Chick. LLC. The duo began their business journey together in 2020 after debuting the brand's first Little Rock restaurant in Benton. Quickly gaining the support and encouragement of their community, Gray and Sandefur made it their mission to continue spreading the joy that is Chicken Salad Chick by opening restaurants all throughout Little Rock, starting with their North Little Rock restaurant. The duo's commitment to bettering their community and providing excellent service continues to be an integral part of their business success, proven by their recent accolade of the Spirit of the Chick award presented by Chicken Salad Chick.

"We aim to be the bright spot in our guests' day," said Gray. "With so much going on in the world around us, we're committed to always serving guests with a smile, creating meals that suit a variety of palates and being a warm, inviting place to enjoy a meal. We constantly remind our teams that when they come to work, they're doing so much more than serving chicken salad- they're uplifting their community. We can't wait to continue growing our Little Rock Chick family and have them fall in love with CSC just as we did."

Chicken Salad Chick North Little Rock will also be hosting a Friends and Family event to kick off its grand opening celebrations. During the event, the restaurant will be accepting donations for the Arkansas Children's Hospital.

Chicken Salad Chick in North Little Rock will be open Monday  Saturday from 10:00 a.m.  8 p.m. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com . Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

*Eligible winners must be over 16 years of age and are required to download and create an account on the Craving Credits app. Once the restaurant opens, guests will receive a unique code to enter into their Craving Credits app to receive their reward. All first 100 guests must make a purchase of The Chick meal or greater value.

**Must download the CSC App and be 16 years or older to purchase. Not valid with any other offers. Limit 1 reward per guest present.

For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickNorthLittleRockAR/ .

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama by Stacy and Kevin Brown in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 205 restaurants in 17 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2022 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the second consecutive year, Fast Casual.com 's top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2021, QSR's Best Franchise Deals in 2019 and 2020, and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020 and 2021. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

Contact:

Paige Sclar

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick
BEIJING, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloopen Group Holding Limited (NYSE: RAAS) ("Cloopen" or the "Company") today announced that it has formed an independent special committee to investigate certain employee misconduct and transaction irregularities.

The Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") has formed an independent special committee (the "Special Committee") to oversee an internal investigation of the issues that were raised to the Board's attention by KPMG Huazhen LLP ("KPMG") as discussed below (the "Independent Investigation"). The Special Committee initially comprises three independent directors of the Board. The Special Committee has been empowered to retain independent advisors, including independent legal advisors and forensic accountants, in connection with the Independent Investigation.

During its audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, KPMG raised to the Company's management certain misconduct of several employees of the Company, including fabricating certain documents. In addition, KPMG advised the Company that they identified irregularities relating to certain customers' transactions for previous years. The Company currently expects that the impact from such employee misconduct and transaction irregularities would be 5%-10% of the revenue for the three-month period ended June 30, 2021 and 15%-20% of the revenue for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021. These figures have not been independently verified by the Special Committee or its advisors and are subject to change as the Independent Investigation proceeds. The Company has not concluded on the potential implications on its consolidated financial statements of previous years. The Company will release additional information concerning the Independent Investigation in due course and is committed to taking appropriate measures to improve its internal controls.

On April 29, 2022, KPMG notified the Board of its resignation as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. KPMG advised the Company, prior to its resignation, of the following material weaknesses:(1) insufficient accounting personnel with appropriate U.S. GAAP knowledge for accounting of complex transactions, presentation and disclosure of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements; (2) lack of sufficient documented financial closing policies and procedures; and (3) insufficient authorization or review controls in the revenue and the purchase processes.

About Cloopen Group Holding Limited

Cloopen Group Holding Limited is a leading multi-capability cloud-based communications solution provider in China offering a full suite of cloud-based communications solutions, covering communications platform as a service (CPaaS), cloud-based contact centers (cloud-based CC), and cloud-based unified communications and collaborations (cloud-based UC&C). The Company's mission is to enhance the daily communication experience and operational productivity for enterprises. The Company aspires to drive the transformation of enterprise communications industry by offering innovative marketing and operational tactics and SaaS-based tools.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The word "expects," "anticipates" and similar terms and phrases are used in this notification to identify forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect the Company's forward-looking statements include, among other things, any changes to the Company's preliminary assessment of the financial impact disclosed in this press release, any anticipated financial results as a result of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm to be engaged to complete its audit of the Company's financial statements, the ability of the Company and its auditors to be engaged to confirm information or data identified in the review, the Company's ability to complete and file future periodic filings with the SEC on a timely basis and other risks and uncertainties discussed more fully in the Company's filings with the SEC. Unless required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Cloopen Group Holding Limited

Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Cloopen Group Holding Limited
CMRG HONORED AS GOLD STEVIE AWARD WINNER IN HUMAN RESOURCES TEAM OF THE YEAR CATEGORY IN THE 2022 AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARDS

NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CMRG was named the winner of a Gold Stevie Award in the Human Resources Team of the Year category in The 20th Annual American Business Awards today.

The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.'s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations  public and private, for-profit and nonprofit, large and small.

Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Monday, June 13. Tickets are now on sale.

More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories.

This award went to CMRG's Marketing Recruitment Team, a group that has launched CMRG into an exciting period of growth and expansion. Judges stated, "Anyone would be lucky to work at CMRG. They present professionally, innovate cleverly, and keep employees engaged," and "CMRG is clearly making a difference helping to personalize the [recruiting] experience for those seeking help and opportunity."

"Our team works diligently each day to provide the best possible recruiting industry experience for our candidates and clients," shared CMRG Founder & CEO Crystal McKinsey, "It is an honor to be recognized by the American Business Awards for doing the work we love to do, for companies we admire."

More than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners. Bronze category winners included: Fazoli's Italian Restaurants, Lexington, KY: A Leader Never Follows Gateway First Bank, Jenks, OK: Gateway's 2022 Rock En Roll Benefits open Enrollment IBM, Armonk, New York, NY: PMO Brand-in Program.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2022 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.

About CMRG

CMRG (Creative Marketing + Recruitment Group), is an all-inclusive marketing and talent acquisition firm that brings C-level marketing recruitment and talent strategy consulting to businesses of all sizes. Recognized as a top employer branding and recruitment company, CMRG serves small, mid-market, and enterprise clients in the private equity, education, senior living, finance, technology, CPG, retail, and healthcare sectors (among others).

CMRG positions companies as employers of choice by sharing their brand stories and highlighting points of differentiation that matter in a competitive hiring market leading to: Remarkable Talent, Delivered.

About the Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

Sponsors of The 2022 American Business Awards include HCL America, John Hancock Financial Services, Melissa Sones Consulting, and SoftPro.

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12915692

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE CMRG
Optics Executive Dr. Neil Anderson Joins Global Quantum Ecosystem Leader

BOULDER, Colo., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ColdQuanta , the global quantum ecosystem leader, today announced the appointment of Dr. Neil Anderson, Ph.D. as General Manager of Quantum Components. Dr. Anderson will report to Chester Kennedy, President of Research and Security Solutions, and will be responsible for defining and executing the end-to-end strategy for the company's portfolio of quantum devices and machines. Dr. Anderson is taking over leadership of the division from Interim General Manager Sandi Mays.

"Dr. Anderson's passion for creating a better world through photonic technologies will be a valuable asset to ColdQuanta as we continue to commercialize our products and services," said Chester Kennedy, President of Research and Security Solutions. "His expertise will further our mission of providing quantum technologies that can unlock answers to some of the world's most complex problems. We are highly appreciative of Sandi for her work growing the quantum components division while we conducted an executive search for a permanent leader."

Dr. Anderson is skilled in translating business strategy into actionable plans that deliver on key business objectives. Previously, he has worked for leading optics and photonics companies in senior commercial sales and marketing roles, encompassing strategic marketing, product management, business development and key account sales, spanning multiple industries. His background encompasses a variety of product technologies, from optical components to complex optical subsystems, as well as engineering services.

"As an executive in the photonics field, I have long admired ColdQuanta for its leadership in the burgeoning quantum industry," Dr. Anderson said. "ColdQuanta's technologies have become the building blocks of the quantum ecosystem, and the company is extremely well positioned to usher in the next wave of quantum innovation."

About ColdQuanta

ColdQuanta is a global quantum technology company solving the world's most challenging problems. The company harnesses quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, sensors, and networks. From fundamental physics to leading edge commercial products, ColdQuanta enables "quantum everywhere" through our ecosystem of devices and platforms. Founded in 2007, ColdQuanta grew from decades of research in atomic physics and work at JILA, with intellectual property licensed through the University of Colorado and University of Wisconsin. ColdQuanta's scalable and versatile cold atom technology is used by world-class organizations around the globe and deployed by NASA on the International Space Station. ColdQuanta is based in Boulder, CO, with offices in Madison, WI and Oxford, UK. Find out how ColdQuanta is building the future at www.coldquanta.com.

The name ColdQuanta and the ColdQuanta logo are both registered trademarks of ColdQuanta, Inc.

SOURCE ColdQuanta
Bothell based firm to now operate as Corcoran Lifestyle Properties

NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Corcoran Group, LLC today announced its continued expansion by welcoming its newest affiliate and entrance into the state of Washington with the launch of Corcoran Lifestyle Properties, owned and led by Stephanie and Keoki McCarthy, based in Bothell, Washington. The announcement, made by Pamela Liebman, President and CEO of The Corcoran Group, marks another significant region for the firm, now serving the greater Seattle area from Snohomish to Thurston counties.

Uniquely set on the edge of Seattle's metropolitan area and the lush Washington wilderness, Bothell is home to a wonderful assortment of unique dining, whimsical shops, and craft breweries, and closely neighbors the state's finest wineries in Woodinville. Ranked as one of the best places to live in the state of Washington by Niche and straddling the best of both worlds with unparalleled nature and vibrant city environments, Bothell is an ideal match for the Corcoran brand's rapidly expanding affiliate network.

"Establishing the brand in Washington State is a pivotal moment in growing our west coast footprint, and I'm thrilled that we're sharing in this milestone with Stephanie, Keoki, and their very talented agents," said Liebman. "The decision to enter Bothell and the greater Seattle area was a very intentional and strategic one. With all that the region has to offer in both eager clientele and being a beautiful place to live, I'm confident that Corcoran Lifestyle Properties will exemplify the best of the brand as we make a name for ourselves in Washington."

Stephanie and Keoki McCarthy have been involved in the real estate industry for more than 20 years. Before starting their own firm in 2001, McCarthy Real Estate, Stephanie built her skillset in escrow, title, and even mergers and acquisitions. Today, the duo, formerly associated with Real Living Northwest Realtors, prides themselves on the special culture that has become the driving force of their strength in business. Furthermore, their focus on work/life balance for both themselves and their agents keeps them on a strong path of continued development.

"Corcoran's brand, particularly as a woman-run business, is completely in line with who we are and what we stand for. We are a boutique operation that invests a lot of time in our marketing and how the client feels  so we were incredibly excited to be the first firm to bring the Corcoran brand to the state of Washington," said Stephanie McCarthy. "We are based just minutes from Seattle  a metropolitan market with global appeal  and are thrilled to be joining forces with a group that will allow us to grow our brand in a way we haven't been able to do before," added Keoki McCarthy.

About The Corcoran Group

The Corcoran Group has been a leading residential real estate brand for nearly 50 years. Through its New York City, Hamptons, and South Florida brokerages, along with its rapidly growing affiliate network, the firm is home to more than 160 offices and more than 5,700 independent salespersons in key urban, suburban, and resort markets nationwide. Corcoran agents earn and keep their clients' trust with an unwavering commitment to white-glove service, expertise, and integrity. In every market served, Corcoran helps you find the home that's just right for you. The Corcoran brand comprises both offices owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices, which are independently owned and operated. For more information about The Corcoran Group, please visit www.corcoran.com.

SOURCE The Corcoran Group
"To Live Boricua is an experience like no other, and research has shown us that once a traveler gets a taste of it, they understand what truly makes Puerto Rico special and they crave more," said Leah Chandler, Chief Marketing Officer of Discover Puerto Rico. "Every detail of the brand campaign was intentionally and thoughtfully created by Puerto Ricans, who expressed a sense of pride in seeing the creative articulation of the destination's offerings celebrated as a way of life."

"The essence of Live Boricua means to 'live like us,' and promises a deeper and more meaningful experience for travelers," said Jean Paul Polo, Emmy-award-winning Director of Creative Strategy for Discover Puerto Rico. "It was incredible to work with fellow Boricuas, from renowned director Mariem Perez Riera and award-winning still photographer Steph Segarra to my colleagues at Discover Puerto Rico and the local talent we cast as this is our moment to define what it means to experience our way of life and have it become part of the everyday vernacular outside of the Island."

The 'Live Boricua' anthem video can be viewed here. Via the making of the 'Live Boricua' advertising spots, Island history was made with two females, Cinetrix Director Mariem Perez Riera and Young Collective photographer Steph Segarra directing all visual components of an on-Island tourism brand campaign. In addition, Puerto Rican influencers and local tastemakers will be supporting the roll-out and call to action for travelers to 'Live Boricua' while visiting by sharing personal anecdotes of their favorite #LiveBoricua moments and inviting others to do the same. 'Live Boricua' will also serve as a muse for local artists to design the 'Live Boricua' merchandise line to be introduced later this year.

For more information about the destination, follow Discover Puerto Rico's social channels on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com.

About Discover Puerto Rico:

Discover Puerto Rico is a newly established private, not-for-profit Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) whose mission is to make Puerto Rico visible to the world as a premier travel destination. The DMO brings prosperity to the people of Puerto Rico by collaboratively promoting the Island's diversity and uniqueness for leisure and business travel, and events. It is responsible for all global marketing, sales, and promotion of the destination and works collaboratively with key local governmental and non-governmental players throughout Puerto Rico's visitor economy and the community at large, to empower economic growth. To discover all the beauty the Island has to offer, visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com .

About Live Boricua brand campaign:

The creation of 'Live Boricua' was founded on research and consumer insights as Discover Puerto Rico explored several creative concepts and tested them via focus groups in eight markets in the U.S., including San Juan. Local focus group participants rated their favorite 'Live Boricua' moments and shared their own. Additionally, 300 Puerto Ricans were tapped to share their input, as well as Puerto Rican tastemakers and representatives from the local tourism industry. As the campaign is deeply rooted in the Puerto Rican way of life, Discover Puerto Rico enlisted three local companies  Cinetrix, Young Collective, and REAKTOR  to produce the campaign, and utilized local artisans for every costume detail, local musicians for the soundtrack, local tastemakers as Brandfluencers, and more. The brand campaign anthem and photography were also shot across multiple municipalities to spotlight the vast offerings of the Island from coast to coast including Cabo Rojo, Guanica, Lares, Maricao, Pinones, Rio Grande, San German, San Juan/Old San Juan, San Lorenzo, Santurce, Utuado, and Vieques.

SOURCE Discover Puerto Rico
Expert Educator Holly Schifsky with an Exclusive Online Offering of the Medically Complex Infant with Cardiopulmonary Compromise

BOSTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Education Resources, Inc., a leading continuing education provider for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists, is pleased to announce the online launch of "Baby Beats and Breaths: Therapeutic Interventions for the Premature Infant with Cardiopulmonary Compromise", taught by internationally renowned instructor, Holly Schifsky, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC, CBIS.

Participants can register for "Baby Beats and Breaths: Therapeutic Interventions for the Premature Infant with Cardiopulmonary Compromise" on ERI's website and review ERI's complete list of online and live webinar offerings.

This online course was previously recorded from a live webinar in January 2022. While the content remains the same, by repurposing to an online format, ERI is now able to offer this highly popular course to an even wider community of therapists who were unable to attend the original webinar. Participants can now access this exclusive online learning opportunity from the convenience or their home for $319/person. The online format includes access to the entire course and all downloadable handout materials for one year, earning 15.5 contact hours (1.55 CEUs) upon completion.

An engaging speaker and a leading expert in the field of neonatal therapy, Schifsky will guide the therapist through the cardiopulmonary implications for the premature or medically-complex infant as related to physiological stability, evolving motor control, sensory stability, and transition to oral motor skills that support feeding. Therapists will be given extensive instruction in handling and facilitation techniques by use of video demonstrations, and problem solving through case analysis.

Attendees of the January 2022 webinar had glowing reviews for Schifsky's "Baby Beats." Jennifer Tripoli from Illinois said, "Holly is a WEALTH of information. She provides evidenced-based information and gives therapy techniques that you can apply immediately when you return to working with patients! Highly recommend this class for anyone working with medically complex children." Whether your primary area of practice is working with neonatal infants, or your focus is with other patient populations but you wish to expand your knowledge of neonatal therapies, this online course will give clinicians the tools needed to maximize patient outcomes for the most complex premature and medically-fragile term infants.

About Education Resources, Inc.

Education Resources, Inc. (ERI) is an accredited provider of continuing education for PTs, OTs, and SLPs. Founded in 1985 by therapists Barbara Goldfarb and Carol Loria, ERI's mission is to provide continuing education that makes a difference for therapists and patients. Visit www.educationresourcesinc.com.

Media Contact: Kristin Reitz, ERI Marketing Coordinator  [email protected]

SOURCE Education Resources, Inc.
Financing co-led by Pureos Bioventures and Novo Holdings with incubation from BaseLaunch

Proceeds will be used to develop next-generation T-cell receptor-based therapies for cancer treatment

TCR therapy pioneer and industry veteran Dr Bent Jakobsen appointed as Chairman of the Board

BASEL, Switzerland, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Engimmune Therapeutics AG ("Engimmune"), a Swiss biotech company developing novel T-cell receptor (TCR)-based therapeutics, announced today the completion of a CHF 15.5 million (EUR 15.2 m / USD 16.7 m) seed financing round, co-led by Pureos Bioventures and Novo Holdings.

Engimmune is a platform company using cutting-edge technologies to engineer highly potent and specific TCR-based therapies for cancer treatment. By combining genome editing, functional screening, deep sequencing and machine learning, Engimmune addresses major efficacy and safety challenges that currently limit the full potential of TCR-T cell and soluble TCR therapies. Engimmune's lead products are focused on oncology, with potential to expand to autoimmune diseases in the future.

Engimmune is a spinout from the lab of Prof Sai Reddy at ETH Zurich and Dr Rodrigo Vazquez-Lombardi, co-inventor of the company's platform technologies, who is now its Chief Scientific Officer. The company was initially incubated and financed through BaseLaunch, a Switzerland-based incubator and accelerator. The seed round is funded by Pureos Bioventures, a Swiss venture capital fund investing in innovative drug development companies and Novo Seeds, the early-stage investment and company creation team of Novo Holdings.

Proceeds from the financing will be used to further build Engimmune's pipeline, expand the research team in Switzerland and build a foothold in Denmark, with a focus on GMP-certified manufacturing, clinical development, and regulatory affairs.

The Company also announces the appointment of TCR pioneer and industry veteran Dr Bent Jakobsen as Chairman of the Board. Former chief scientist and co-founder of Immunocore, a soluble TCR therapeutics company, and Adaptimmune, an adoptive TCR-T cell therapy company, Dr Jakobsen is a global expert in the field of T cell immunology. As part of the transaction, Dominik Escher and Jrgen Sberg Petersen join as Board Directors, and Ximing Ding and Joao Ribas join as Observers.

Sren Mouritsen, Chief Executive Officer at Engimmune, said: "We are very excited to welcome Pureos Bioventures and Novo Holdings to Engimmune, as well as Dr Bent Jakobsen to the Board with his unique track record in TCR therapeutics. The longstanding support from BaseLaunch together with these industry-leading investors and the in-depth expertise of Bent gives Engimmune the standing to become a leading contributor to this competitive yet promising space. Engimmune, with our groundbreaking technology platforms, is well-positioned to develop next-generation TCR therapeutics that are poised to become future breakthrough cancer treatments."

Dominik Escher, Managing Partner at Pureos Bioventures, said: "We have been following the company since inception, playing a key role in its founding, and were impressed with the progress achieved in such a short period of time. We are very glad to co-lead and support Engimmune and we believe its state-of-the-art technologies offer great promise to discover and develop safer, more potent and affordable TCR-T cell therapies, an increasingly important tool in the fight against cancer."

Jrgen Sberg Petersen, Partner at Novo Holdings, said: "We are truly excited about the prospect of Engimmune's innovative molecular and cellular engineering platforms to develop a new generation of pioneering TCR therapeutics against solid tumours and potentially also autoimmunity. Anchored around unique and powerful technology platforms, we want Engimmune to tap into the top biotech hubs to attract the best scientists, developers and investors to build a well-differentiated company with the potential to disrupt solid tumour therapy."

Stephan Emmerth, Director at BaseLaunch, said: "It was a real privilege to work alongside the team at Engimmune to help build the company from scratch. We are deeply impressed by their quality, speed and rigor in getting the company to this stage. And we are tremendously excited to see the company closing the seed financing with such a remarkable group of investors. This will enable them to continue developing their pioneering technology platforms to deliver truly differentiated TCR therapeutics."

About Engimmune Therapeutics AG

Engimmune Therapeutics is a technology platform and product-based company using cutting-edge technologies to engineer highly potent and specific T cell receptor (TCR) therapies. By applying proprietary platform technologies combining genome editing, functional high-throughput screening, deep sequencing and machine learning, Engimmune addresses key efficacy and safety challenges that currently limit the full potential of TCR-T cell and soluble TCR therapeutics. Spinning out from ETH Zurich and with support from BaseLaunch, the Swiss life sciences incubator, the Company raised a CHF 15.5 million seed series from leading biotech investors, Pureos Bioventures and Novo Holdings. For more information, please visit www.engimmune.com.

About Pureos Bioventures

Pureos Bioventures is a Swiss venture capital fund, which invests exclusively in private innovative drug development companies, with a special emphasis on the next generation of biological drugs and drug formats. The fund's portfolio companies are built on scientific excellence to develop therapies across a broad indication spectrum including oncology, immunology, ophthalmology, rare diseases, and neuroscience. Pureos has built a team with deep investment, operating and clinical expertise, that strives to impact patients' lives by advancing innovative treatments for devastating diseases. For more information visit www.pureosbio.com

About Novo Holdings A/S

Novo Holdings A/S is a private limited liability company wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. It is the holding company of the Novo Group, comprising Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S, and is responsible for managing the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets.



Novo Holdings is recognised as a leading international life science investor, with a focus on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets. Further information: www.novoholdings.dk.

About BaseLaunch

BaseLaunch is the Basel Area-based incubator and accelerator that helps scientists and entrepreneurs launch exceptional biotech companies. BaseLaunch helps build companies from inception through to Series A funding, providing financing and supporting all aspects of business development. Since 2018, BaseLaunch-supported ventures have raised in total over USD 450 million. BaseLaunch partners with Roche, Pureos Bioventures, Roivant Sciences, Bridge Bioventures, CSL Behring, Johnson & Johnson and CMS, which also feed into the pool out of which BaseLaunch funds ventures. Operationally run and financed by Basel Area Business & Innovation, its Domain partners include KPMG, SpiroChem, Vossius & Partner, Walder Wyss attorneys at law, WuXi AppTec, Alloy Therapeutics as well as the Technology Park Basel and the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area. Harnessing Basel Area's unique position as a global life sciences hub, as well as its rising popularity among investors, BaseLaunch is looking to attract the next generation of breakthrough companies and is now open for applications. Further information: www.baselaunch.ch

SOURCE Engimmune Therapeutics
Tiara welcomes the acquisition, allowing an expanded reach and presence in Connecticut

HOLLAND, Mich., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiara Yachts , a family-owned manufacturer of American-made luxury watercrafts, is pleased to announce the acquisition of one of its exclusive dealerships, Portland Boat Works , to Atlantic Outboard . Owned and operated by the Cusson family and located in Westbrook, Connecticut, Atlantic Outboard's acquisition of Portland Boat Works provides Tiara Yachts with an expanded reach and presence in Connecticut.

"Tiara is very excited to work with the Cusson family and the new Portland Boat Works team," said Josh Emmick, Business Development Manager for Tiara Yachts. "The Cussons have grown their Atlantic Outboard business tremendously over the years, and this is visible in their market share results as they are number one in retail units sold (30'-60') in their market. They are on track for a 50 percent increase in Tiara sales in their market for the upcoming 2023 model year."

Following the acquisition, Tiara can now be found at two dealerships and three marinas in Connecticut, including Atlantic Outboard and Westbrook Marine Center in Westbrook, Portland Boat Works dealership and marina in Portland, and Harbor One Marina in Old Saybrook on the Connecticut River.

"We are thrilled to be working with Tiara Yachts and the Slikkers family," said Evan Cusson, Sales Manager of Atlantic Outboard. "We have great things ahead for Portland Boat Works, including dealership events and growing Tiara's presence in Connecticut. The best part of this acquisition is that these two facilities will continue to be family-owned-and-operated businesses."

Exciting things are already underway for the Atlantic Outboard team. They are expecting the delivery of a retail sold 48 LS on May 6 and a retail sold 49 Coupe in June, which will be their first inboard Tiara Yacht delivery. Continuing the momentum, Atlantic Outboard will be welcoming a stock 48 LS to its inventory in May.

With tremendous interest around the 48 LS already, Atlantic Outboard is planning a demo and VIP event. The dealership also hosts nearly a dozen dealership events each year, including ladies at the helm courses and fishing seminars, with the most notable event being the Duck Island Raft Party. Last year, the dealership and marina hosted more than 300 boats with 1,000 attendees and raised over $5,000 for charity; an even larger turnout is expected this year.

For more information on Tiara Yachts, please visit tiarayachts.com .

About Tiara Yachts

Tiara Yachts, headquartered in Holland, Michigan, is one of the oldest privately held boat manufacturers in the United States. The Tiara Yachts model line includes inboard vessels from 39 to 60 feet in the Open, Coupe and EX lines. Outboard powered Tiara Yachts models range from 34 to 48 feet in three distinct Series: Luxury Sport (LS), Luxury Crossover (LX), and Luxury Express (LE). For more information, please visit tiarayachts.com.

Media Contact:

Abbey Leach

[email protected]

Lambert

321-626-4037

SOURCE Tiara Yachts
WASHINGTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) priced Connecticut Avenue Securities (CAS) Series 2022-R05, an approximately $952 million note offering that represents Fannie Mae's fifth CAS REMIC transaction of the year. CAS is Fannie Mae's benchmark issuance program designed to share credit risk on its single-family conventional guaranty book of business.

The reference pool for CAS Series 2022-R05 consists of approximately 127,000 single-family mortgage loans with an outstanding unpaid principal balance of approximately $38.5 billion. The reference pool includes collateral with loan-to-value ratios of 80.01 percent to 97.00 percent, which were acquired between May 2021 and July 2021. The loans included in this transaction are fixed-rate, generally 30-year term, fully amortizing mortgages and were underwritten using rigorous credit standards and enhanced risk controls.

Fannie Mae will retain a portion of the 2M-1, 2M-2, 2B-1, and 2B-2 tranches and will retain the full 2B-3H first-loss tranche.

Class Offered Amount ($MM) Pricing Level Expected Rating (Moody's/KBRA) 2M-1 $292.934 1-month average SOFR plus 190 bps Baa1 (sf) / BBB (sf) 2M-2 $219.699 1-month average SOFR plus 300 bps Baa3 (sf) / BBB- (sf) 2B-1 $146.466 1-month average SOFR plus 450 bps Ba2 (sf) / BB+ (sf) 2B-2 $292.934 1-month average SOFR plus 700 bps B3 / B+ (sf)

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC ("Wells Fargo") is the lead structuring manager and joint bookrunner. BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofA) is the co-lead manager and joint bookrunner. Co-managers are Barclays Capital Inc. ("Barclays"), Citigroup Global Markets Inc. ("Citigroup"), Morgan Stanley & Co, LLC ("Morgan Stanley"), and StoneX Financial Inc. ("StoneX"). Selling group members are service-disabled veteran-owned Academy Securities Inc. and African-American owned Blaylock Van, LLC.

With the completion of this transaction, Fannie Mae will have brought 49 CAS deals to market, issued over $56 billion in notes, and transferred a portion of the credit risk to private investors on over $1.8 trillion in single-family mortgage loans, measured at the time of the transaction.

To promote transparency and to help credit investors evaluate our securities and the CAS program, Fannie Mae provides ongoing, robust disclosure data, as well as access to news, resources, and analytics through its credit risk transfer webpages. This includes our innovative Data Dynamics tool that enables market participants to interact with and analyze CAS deals that are currently outstanding in the market and Fannie Mae's historical loan dataset. In addition, our EU Resources and UK Resources webpages help European Union and UK institutional investors, as well as those managing funds subject to EU/UK regulations comply with EU/UK securitization regulations.

In addition to our flagship CAS program, Fannie Mae continues to transfer mortgage credit risk through its Credit Insurance Risk Transfer (CIRT) reinsurance program.

About Connecticut Avenue Securities

CAS REMIC notes are issued by a bankruptcy-remote trust. The amount of periodic principal and ultimate principal paid by Fannie Mae is determined by the performance of a large and diverse reference pool. For more information on individual CAS transactions, visit our credit risk transfer webpage.

About Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae advances equitable and sustainable access to homeownership and quality, affordable rental housing for millions of people across America. We enable the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and drive responsible innovation to make homebuying and renting easier, fairer, and more accessible. To learn more, visit:

fanniemae.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Blog

Fannie Mae Newsroom

https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom

Photo of Fannie Mae

https://www.fanniemae.com/resources/img/about-fm/fm-building.tif

Fannie Mae Resource Center

1-800-2FANNIE

Statements in this release regarding the company's future CAS transactions are forward-looking. Actual results may be materially different as a result of market conditions or other factors listed in "Risk Factors" or "Forward-Looking Statements" in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. This release does not constitute an offer or sale of any security. Before investing in any Fannie Mae issued security, potential investors should review the disclosure for such security and consult their own investment advisors.

SOURCE Fannie Mae
The new better-for-you brands app is on a mission to democratize access to healthier everyday products, quickly earning recognition and accolades from health & wellness-minded consumers and now Fast Company

BOSTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The winners of Fast Company's 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards were announced today, honoring clean technology, innovative corporate initiatives, brave new designs for cities and buildings, and other creative works that are supporting the growth of positive social innovation, tackling social inequality, climate change, and public health crises. Merryfield PBC was named a finalist in the corporate social responsibility category of the awards.

The Merryfield Everyday Rewards App is a trusted authority, insights solution and rewards program for a collective of better-for-you brands including Stonyfield Organic, Applegate, Justin's, Califia Farms, Primal Kitchen and more. Merryfield has made it easier for people to save money and earn rewards every day on thousands of healthier products, available at thousands of stores, all together in one app.

"It's an honor for the Merryfield team and our growing collective of better-for-you member brands to have been named a finalist in the corporate responsibility category of Fast Company's 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards," says David Mayer, Founder and CEO of Merryfield.

Now in its sixth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 39 winners, 350 finalists, and more than 600 honorable mentionswith climate, social justice, and AI and data among the most popular categories. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 2,997 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, health, social justice, and more. In addition, several new categories have been added this year including climate, nature, water, and workplace. The 2022 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Switzerland to Hong Kong to Australia.

"People want products made from ingredients that don't harm people or the planet," says Joe Dickson, Co-Founder and Head of Standards and Policy of Merryfield. "Many people worry about potentially harmful ingredients or unnecessary chemicals, and often they don't trust companies to be transparent or put consumer health and safety ahead of company needs. We truly appreciate Fast Company's recognition of Merryfield's ability to help give consumers this much needed peace of mind."

Merryfield is the only rewards app with rigorous quality standards that all brands and products must meet to be on the platform. Created by the company's Clean Council , Merryfield's Standards filter out unwanted ingredients such as artificial color, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.

Even with this level of rigor, tens of thousands of products from both purpose-led brands like Partake, A Dozen Cousins, Earthbound Farm, Dave's Killer Bread and Harmless Harvest as well as new products and reformulations of familiar existing products from bigger companies like The Kraft Heinz Company, Hormel Foods, Barilla and others meet or exceed Merryfield Standards.

"We're on a mission to help erase access disparities to better-for-you products and healthier living for everyone," says Zooey Deschanel, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Merryfield. "Our team could not be more excited to be a finalist in the corporate responsibility category of this year's World Changing Ideas Awards. It acknowledges and recognizes Merryfield' potential to help democratize access to better-for-you options and improve information availability for people looking to make healthier choices all around."

While healthier products are now much more readily available at stores where many people shop, like Target and Kroger and Walmart, availability doesn't always translate to access. "I think the elephant in the room  that's rarely talked about  is the fact that most of the brands being discounted and most heavily promoted aren't necessarily the healthiest ones. And it's not a coincidence," says Mayer. "The big legacy brands that still use a lot of artificial stuff are very profitable products. Those high profit margins fund heavy couponing and deals that in effect subsidize the cost of those products, perpetuating the status quo of what you find in stores. And it's made harder by the fact that most existing rebate and rewards apps are largely supported by products with ingredients many people are trying to avoid."

By building collaboration among brands into its platform, Merryfield helps reduce marketing inefficiencies and duplicative expenses which helps both emerging and much bigger healthier brands pass more meaningful savings directly back to their customers. These rewards help people more regularly support brands that subscribe to a higher everyday quality standard, making better-for-you product options more accessible to everyone.

Merryfield is about saving but also rewarding choices that promote wellness. Merryfield's vision is to help make wellness less "aspirational" and more approachable and affordable. Watch soon for Merryfield rewards across many other dimensions of wellness including healthier eating out, home and club fitness, wellness-related apparel, mindfulness and more.

About the World Changing Ideas Awards: World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company's major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.

"We are consistently inspired by the novelty and creativity that people are applying to solve some of our society's most pressing problems, from shelter to the climate crisis. Fast Company relishes its role in amplifying important, innovative work to address big challenges," says David Lidsky, interim editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "Our journalists have identified some of the most ingenious initiatives to launch since the start of 2021, which we hope will both have a meaningful impact and lead others to join in being part of the solution."

To learn more, go to http://www.merryfield.com , and follow Merryfield @merryfieldxo.

Download the iOS app for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

About Merryfield: Merryfield, a privately-held Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) based in Boston, is a trusted authority, insights solution and rewards program for a collective of better-for-you, purpose-led brands like Stonyfield Organic, ECOS, Califia Farms, Suja, Rao's Homemade, Orgain, Alaffia, Uncle Matt's Organic and more. Merryfield helps take the guesswork out of knowing which brands to trust and rewards consumers for supporting products and brands that don't use any artificial junk or unnecessary chemicals  and are better for your family and the planet. With Merryfield Everyday Rewards, any time you buy products from our growing list of participating member brands you get rewarded. It doesn't matter where you shop, just take a picture of your receipt and you'll get rewarded at least 5% back and often more on 60+ better-for-you brands. Users can also connect their Merryfield account with some of the stores they shop at regularly for digital purchases and get rewards automatically.

Contact:

Sandrine Mangia Park/ Merryfield

[email protected]

Lauren Auslander/ LUNA

[email protected]

Related Links

https://www.merryfield.com/

SOURCE Merryfield
AUSTIN, Texas, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To assist with patient reimbursement solutions, Austin-based medical device manufacturer Genesys Spine is partnering with PRIA Healthcare. The partnership focuses on improving patient reimbursement for Genesys Spine's SIros and SIrten SI joint fusion systems.

"Genesys Spine enlisted PRIA Healthcare to ensure that patients who need SI treatment for pain relief will receive favorable medical coverage. Adding the Genesys Patient Access System (GPS) is a strategic maneuver that will be beneficial for all involved," said Genesys Spine's Chief Strategy Officer, SI Fusion, Meredith Gavlick.

"Knowing that Genesys Spine has engaged PRIA Healthcare to assist with patient access demonstrates this organization's commitment to patient and physician support," said Dr. Emmanuel Gage, MD. "I have worked with PRIA Healthcare and am familiar with the positive impact they make when applying for medical coverage. PRIA Healthcare offers a streamlined authorization process for both my patients and office. I look forward to working with the Genesys Spine GPS system for my SI Joint Fusion patients."

PRIA has 10 years of experience assisting Med Tech companies and their products with various payors to improve patient access to new medical devices. PRIA works with their clients to develop a patient-based prior authorization and appeals program that leverages clinical evidence and historical coverage decisions to best inform payors about the individual patient story. PRIA is a relentless advocate, dedicated to helping patients avoid the pitfalls of today's medical insurance systems and helping patients gain access to the care most likely to benefit them.

PRIA Healthcare Vice President of Business Development, Clay Schwabe said, "We are thrilled to advocate on behalf of patients seeking the innovative SI Joint therapy solutions which Genesys offers the spine and pain specialties. PRIA believes the physician should choose the right treatment for their patient, not the insurance company. With over 1,000 physician offices in this specialty currently utilizing PRIA for patient access, we are confident that SIros and SIrten will be readily available for indicated patients suffering from SI joint pain."

For more info on the Genesys Spine SI Joint Fusion System, Thoracolumbar, or Cervical suite of products please visit www.genesysspine.com. We can also be reached at (512) 381-7070 or by email at [email protected]

Media Contact:

Angel Skemp

512-381-7070

[email protected]

SOURCE Genesys Spine
Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices.

Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation on pros and cons of prevalent pricing models.

Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

Get a sample report for more information

Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Managed Services market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Managed Services pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfil their category objectives.

For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, www.spendedge.com/report/managed-services-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors. During the forecast period, the market expects a change of 3%-6%.

Identify favorable opportunities in Managed Services TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

SpendEdge presents a detailed picture of this procurement market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our Managed Services market procurement report covers the following areas:

Some of the top Managed Services suppliers listed in this report:

This report offers detailed insights and analysis of the major cost drivers, volume drivers, and innovations of the Managed Services procurement and sourcing market, which the global suppliers have been leveraging to gain a competitive edge across regions. Some of the leading Managed Services suppliers profiled extensively in this report include.

AT&T

Huawei Investment & Holding Co

Fujitsu

To get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment.

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Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

Contacts

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
Rewarding staff who demonstrate impeccable hospitality at GoTab-operated venues

ARLINGTON, Va., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Restaurant commerce platform GoTab is recognizing a new Grand Prize Winner of its Hospitality First Service Awards , a program launched in late 2021 and designed to reward staff who go above and beyond to provide a superlative hospitality experience.

Hospitality First Service Awards

After awarding the first Grand Prize to Santa Anita Park team member Chris Salazar, GoTab is now recognizing yet another outstanding staffer: Kyra Weinberger from Bier Station in Kansas City, Missouri. A dedicated server, Weinberger has mastered the art of blending superlative hospitality with the convenience of technology at the Midwest's first craft beer tasting bar/bottle shop concept. As the Grand Prize winner, she will receive a $2,000 cash prize along with recognition on the GoTab website, via a video testimonial , certificate and premium swag kit.

A longtime staple at Bier Station, Weinberger was quick to adopt GoTab and fully leverage the cloud-based solution's features to ensure guests have a tremendous experience at the craft beer tasting bar. "GoTab allows such an easy transition from bar service to table," said Weinberger. "I am able to chat with guests and guide them while they are ordering, but also quickly pour and bring them their drinks. If they move within the space - transition from the bar to a full-service table, I can easily make this change on the POS to avoid any confusion or ensure continuity of service," she added.

GoTab launched the Hospitality First Service Awards in November 2021, aiming to recognize staff that embrace smart technology and deliver an excellent dining experience. The second round of Hospitality First Service Awards recognized servers at GoTab-operated venues every week in February, March, and April, offering cash prizes and swag kits to staff nominated by their co-workers, guests or managers. The Grand Prize winner was selected among the program's recognized servers.

Nominations for the next GoTab Hospitality Service Awards will be accepted starting May 16, 2022, at https://gotab.io/en/hospitality-first-service-award/ .

About GoTab, Inc.

GoTab, Inc., a Restaurant Commerce Platform (RCP), is helping large- and mid-sized restaurants, breweries, bars, hotels and other venues run lean, profitable operations while making guests even more satisfied. It integrates with popular point-of-sale (POS) systems and allows patrons to order and pay through a server, order and pay directly from their own mobile phones, or blend the two experiences all on one tab, through its easy-to-use mobile POS, contactless ordering and payment features, and kitchen management systems (KMS). The guest never has to download a mobile app or create a password. Operators get flexible features that can be rapidly applied to access new revenue streams via dine-in, take-out and delivery, ghost kitchens, retail groceries, and more. Founded in 2016, GoTab processes over $250M transactions per year with operations across 35 U.S. states and growing. For more information, consult our media kit , request a demo here or learn more at https://gotab.io/en

Media contact:

Amelie Bruzat

[email protected]

347-653-9544

SOURCE GoTab
Modular hydroponic greenhouses can be deployed almost anywhere in the world and can help feed local populations

CORONA, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Container Technologies, Inc (Ticker: ACTX), announced that GrowPods  innovative modular hydroponic greenhouses  can help alleviate some of the food shortages caused by the war in Ukraine.

According to the CBS News program 60 Minutes, "Ukraine is the breadbasket of the world. They grow enough food to feed 400 million people." And now that's gone.

David Beasley, executive director of the U.N.'s World Food Programme, said half the wheat the WFP needs is stuck in Ukraine because the port in Odessa is closed.

"It's already creating havoc for the poorest of the poor around the world," Beasley told 60 Minutes. "But this is going to affect not just the poorest of the poor," he added. "It's going to affect everybody."

Doug Heldoorn, CEO of Advanced Container Technologies, said that GrowPods can be set up almost anywhere, and in a matter of days, even inexperienced people can start growing healthy food.

"GrowPods are complete growing systems so farming can get started quickly. Every farm-related task  from seeding to harvesting  is handled within the system," Heldoorn said. "These systems are perfect for relief organizations."

GrowPods are powered by automation software, which makes farming much less labor-intensive than any other growing techniques. The system controls the environment, nutrition and hydration levels; and enables farmers to remotely monitor the conditions.

According to CBS News, automated farms like GrowPods "can use up to 95% less water and yield 50% more produce than traditional farming," so they are not only efficient, but they are also an excellent solution for areas impacted by conflict or weather.

The New York Times reported that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has unleashed a new wave of protectionism as governments, desperate to secure food for their citizens, erect new barriers to stop exports at their borders. This has created worldwide shortages.

In a speech last week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the pandemic and the war had revealed that American supply chains, "were neither secure nor resilient."

"We urge policymakers, NGOs and Non-Profit Organizations to consider deploying GrowPods or equivalent systems around the world in areas where food is desperately needed," Heldoorn said. "This is not about selling more automated farms, it's about solving a worldwide crisis and feeding people in desperate need."

For more information on GrowPods or Advanced Container Technologies, call: (951) 381-2555 or visit: www.advancedcontainertechnologies.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about ACTX' beliefs and expectations. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and ACTX undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

SOURCE Advanced Container Technologies, Inc.
But why in the world is Hamlet doing all this? They haven't even broken ground on their first home in Idaho. Tami Ostmark, VP of Marketing & Owner had this to say, "Hamlet believes that we are bigger than the homes we build. We don't just want to build in a community, we want to build up a community. When we learned there was a need at City Hall, we wanted to help. There's no better place to start than Iona City Hall."

"We are very excited about developing new beautiful homes in Iona", continued Jon Southern, COO & Owner of Hamlet. "In 10 years, it would be great if we all recall 'that day in May' when Hamlet came to town to remodel City Hall and how we are still a major part of the community. We are excited to grow with the people of Iona and the many communities in Idaho."

"I am so excited about Thursday", said Keri West, Iona City Clerk/Treasurer. "We actually just took all the pictures down today. We are really excited that Hamlet is going to freshen up the first impression of the city. I'm also really impressed with how well they have listened to our requests. They have been great to work with and I'm excited that our community is going to have a wonderful new home builder."

Iona Mayor Dan Gubler concluded with; "I'm grateful to Hamlet Homes for stepping up and it's fantastic. There's been a lot of positive response to it. So often developers want to get in and get out. No one has ever volunteered to help with infrastructure. That's good. We are grateful."

Location: Iona City Hall 3548 N Main St, Iona, ID 83427

Schedule:

5/4 Demolition of front Steps

5/5 Pouring of new front steps

5/5 7a-7p: Remodel with 25 Hamlet employees, contractors, Iona volunteers and city officials

12:30-2:30p: Lunch Served from Jill's Chicken Shack, Meet and Greet and 'Stories From City Hall'

Contact:

Nate Di Palma 435-709-3765 [email protected]

Tami Ostmark 801-842-5360 [email protected]

About Hamlet Homes: Hamlet Homes (www.hamlethomes.com) crafts quality customer-oriented townhomes and single-family homes located in attractively designed neighborhoods in northern Utah and soon Idaho. Since the company's founding in 1995, Hamlet has built over 4,000 homes in 65 communities. The company is a proud recipient of many awards on Sustainable Business & Design, Quality Builder Awards recognized both locally and nationally and was awarded the Salt Lake Chamber's Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year, Best of State in Real Estate Development for the seventh time in 2021, 2019 Best of the West in both Real Estate Services and Architecture and named on the Housing Giants list again this year by Professional Builder Magazine and most recently, named as Utah Business Best Companies to Work For again in 2021. Hamlet Homes celebrates its 27th Anniversary this year.

SOURCE Hamlet Homes
Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Home Security System Market Analysis Report by Product (Video surveillance system, Alarm system, and Access control system) and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America), and the Segment Forecasts,2022-2026". Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders. Track key industry opportunities, trends, and threats. Information on marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales, and supply functions. https://www.technavio.com/report/report/home-security-system-market-industry-analysis

Home Security System Market - Drivers & Challenges

The key factors driving the global home security system industry are the growth of DIY home security systems owing to their low cost, ease of installation, and smartphone-enabled operation. Americas is one of the largest adopters of the DIY home security system, with the US in the lead. Factors such as the low cost of these systems compared to professional security systems will be driving the market growth in the forecast years. For instance, cameras used in DIY systems are cheaper when compared to those offered as part of a professional package. In addition, the flexibility associated with DIY security systems will help non-traditional security equipment providers to increase the overall penetration rate of homes with alarm systems.

However, the key challenge to the global home security system industry growth is the increasing instances of false alarms owing to the failure to assess properly. Due to such alarms, the operator may not respond to genuine alarm conditions. False alarms usually happen because of minor errors in the application programs, especially when the sensor is unable to read the object which is nearing the boundary. This not only leads to customer dissatisfaction but may also result in the misuse and loss of sensitive customer information and other fraudulent activities. This may challenge the growth of the market in focus during the forecast years.

To know about other drivers & challenges - Download a sample now!

Some of the key Home Security System Players:

The home security system market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as product innovation to compete in the market.

ABB Ltd.

ADT Inc.

ASSA ABLOY AB

Bay Alarm Co.

Frontpoint Security Solutions LLC

Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd.

Honeywell International Inc.

Johnson Controls International Plc

Link Interactive

Monitronics International Inc.

Nice SpA

Nortek Security and Control LLC

Panasonic Corp.

Robert Bosch GmbH

Schneider Electric SE

Scout Security Ltd.

SimpliSafe Inc.

Stanley Black and Decker Inc.

and Decker Inc. Vivint Smart Home Inc.

Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd.

Snap One LLC

Home Security System Market: Segmentation Analysis

Product Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2021-2026)

Video surveillance system - size and forecast 2021-2026

Alarm system - size and forecast 2021-2026

Access control system - size and forecast 2021-2026

Geography Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2021-2026)

North America - size and forecast 2021-2026

- size and forecast 2021-2026 Europe - size and forecast 2021-2026

- size and forecast 2021-2026 APAC - size and forecast 2021-2026

Middle East and Africa - size and forecast 2021-2026

and - size and forecast 2021-2026 South America - size and forecast 2021-2026

To know about the market contribution of each segment Grab an Exclusive Sample Report

Related Reports:

The smart home safety market share is expected to increase by USD 14.10 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 16.48%. Download a sample now!

share is expected to increase by USD 14.10 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 16.48%. The identity verification market share is expected to increase by USD 10.23 billion from 2021 to 2026, at a CAGR of 16.86%. Download a sample now!

Home Security System Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.8% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 21.53 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 6.8 Performing market contribution North America at 34% Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled ABB Ltd., ADT Inc., ASSA ABLOY AB, Bay Alarm Co., Frontpoint Security Solutions LLC, Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Johnson Controls International Plc, Link Interactive, Monitronics International Inc., Nice SpA, Nortek Security and Control LLC, Panasonic Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Schneider Electric SE, Scout Security Ltd., SimpliSafe Inc., Stanley Black and Decker Inc., Vivint Smart Home Inc., Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd., and Snap One LLC 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 Content

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Product

5.3 Video surveillance system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Video surveillance system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Video surveillance system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Video surveillance system - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Video surveillance system - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Alarm system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Alarm system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Alarm system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Alarm system - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Alarm system - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Access control system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 36: Chart on Access control system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Access control system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Chart on Access control system - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Access control system - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 40: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 41: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 42: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 44: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 47: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 48: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 49: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 51: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 53: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 54: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 63: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 64: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 65: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 66: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 67: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 68: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 73: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 82: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 83: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 84: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 85: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 86: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 87: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 88: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 89: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 90: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 91: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 92: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 ADT Inc.

Exhibit 93: ADT Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 94: ADT Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 95: ADT Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 96: ADT Inc. - Key offerings

10.4 Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 97: Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 98: Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 99: Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 100: Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

10.5 Honeywell International Inc.

Exhibit 101: Honeywell International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 102: Honeywell International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 103: Honeywell International Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 104: Honeywell International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 105: Honeywell International Inc. - Segment focus

10.6 Johnson Controls International Plc

Exhibit 106: Johnson Controls International Plc - Overview



Exhibit 107: Johnson Controls International Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 108: Johnson Controls International Plc - Key news



Exhibit 109: Johnson Controls International Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 110: Johnson Controls International Plc - Segment focus

10.7 Link Interactive

Exhibit 111: Link Interactive - Overview



Exhibit 112: Link Interactive - Product / Service



Exhibit 113: Link Interactive - Key offerings

10.8 Monitronics International Inc.

Exhibit 114: Monitronics International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 115: Monitronics International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 116: Monitronics International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 117: Monitronics International Inc. - Segment focus

10.9 Panasonic Corp.

Exhibit 118: Panasonic Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 119: Panasonic Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 120: Panasonic Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 121: Panasonic Corp. - Segment focus

10.10 Robert Bosch GmbH

Exhibit 122: Robert Bosch GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 123: Robert Bosch GmbH - Business segments



Exhibit 124: Robert Bosch GmbH - Key news



Exhibit 125: Robert Bosch GmbH - Key offerings



Exhibit 126: Robert Bosch GmbH - Segment focus

10.11 Schneider Electric SE

Exhibit 127: Schneider Electric SE - Overview



Exhibit 128: Schneider Electric SE - Business segments



Exhibit 129: Schneider Electric SE - Key news



Exhibit 130: Schneider Electric SE - Key offerings



Exhibit 131: Schneider Electric SE - Segment focus

10.12 Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 132: Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 133: Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 134: Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 136: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 137: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 138: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 139: Research methodology



Exhibit 140: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 141: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 142: List of abbreviations

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate Joins Title Insurance Underwriting JV with Centerbridge and Realogy

DALLAS, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Title Resources Group ("TRG" and the "JV"), one of the nation's leading title insurance underwriters, today announced that HomeServices of America ("HomeServices") is acquiring a minority stake in TRG. Financial terms were not disclosed. HomeServices, an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway, is the nation's largest residential real estate company, based on closed transactions.

HomeServices is joining TRG's other major shareholders, Centerbridge Partners, L.P. and Realogy Holdings Corp., in participating in the JV. The expanded roster of joint venture partners will be instrumental in accelerating TRG's mission and growth as the title underwriter built for the real estate industry.

"HomeServices of America is a long-time, valued customer of TRG, and we're thrilled to welcome them as a significant shareholder to our joint venture. We look forward to working with their team to expand our collaboration in the months and years ahead, further accelerating our growth," said Scott McCall, president and CEO, Title Resources Group.

"Our strengthened partnership with Title Resources Group further enhances the ability of HomeServices' sales associates to provide clients with a one-stop shopping approach to delivering the American dream of homeownership," said Gino Blefari, CEO, HomeServices. "We're excited to be a part of this joint venture with Scott McCall and his team, as well as our other partners at Centerbridge and Realogy."

"We are pleased to partner with HomeServices of America on this compelling JV," said Kevin Mahony, managing director at Centerbridge. "The investment in TRG by its long-time customer validates the bright prospects for the business, and we are excited about the strategic benefits of expanding the relationship. HomeServices' perspective and track record of success will be invaluable as we shape and execute TRG's growth and value creation plan together."

"The continued investment in TRG's future is a powerful endorsement of Realogy's strategy to unleash the underwriter's growth potential and reinforces our confidence in the exciting opportunity of this business," said Ryan Schneider, CEO and President, Realogy.

About Title Resources Group (TRG)

Title Resources Group  the underwriter built for the real estate industry  is one of the nation's largest title insurance underwriters, according to the American Land Title Association's 2021 market share data. A joint venture with Centerbridge Partners, L.P. and Realogy Holdings Corp., TRG serves title insurance agents in 37 states and the District of Columbia. With $163 million in liquid assets at year-end 2021, its financial strength and stability are rated A' (Unsurpassed) by Demotech, Inc., and B++ (Good) by AM Best Rating Services, and since its inception, the company has consistently operated profitably without a net operating loss in any fiscal year. With a mission to provide knowledgeable and responsive underwriting solutions, TRG is dedicated to growing lifelong relationships and maintaining quality through integrity and financial stability. For more information, please visit www.titleresources.com.

About HomeServices of America

HomeServices of America, Inc., through its operating companies, is the nation's largest residential real estate company based on closed transactions and is a premier provider of homeownership services, including brokerage, mortgage, franchising, settlement, property and casualty insurance, relocation services and more. HomeServices of America is the owner of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Real Living Real Estate residential real estate franchise networks. HomeServices is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy, a consolidated subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. For more information visit www.homeservices.com.

About Centerbridge Partners, L.P.

Centerbridge Partners, L.P. is a private investment management firm employing a flexible approach across investment disciplines  private equity, credit and real estate  in an effort to develop the most attractive opportunities for our investors. The Firm was founded in 2005 and as of February 28, 2022 has approximately $33 billion in capital under management with offices in New York and London. Centerbridge is dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams across targeted industry sectors and geographies. For more information, please visit www.centerbridge.com.

About Realogy Holdings Corp.

Realogy (NYSE: RLGY) is moving the real estate industry to what's next. As the leading and most integrated provider of U.S. residential real estate services encompassing franchise, brokerage, relocation, and title and settlement businesses as well as a mortgage joint venture, Realogy supported approximately 1.5 million home transactions in 2021. The company's diverse brand portfolio includes some of the most recognized names in real estate: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, CENTURY 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, Corcoran, ERA, and Sotheby's International Realty. Using innovative technology, data and marketing products, high-quality lead generation programs, and best-in-class learning and support services, Realogy fuels the productivity of its approximately 196,700 independent sales agents in the U.S. and approximately 136,700 independent sales agents in 118 other countries and territories, helping them build stronger businesses and best serve today's consumers. Recognized for eleven consecutive years as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies, Realogy has also been designated a Great Place to Work four years in a row, named one of LinkedIn's 2022 Top Companies in the U.S., and honored on the Forbes list of World's Best Employers 2021. For more information, please visit www.realogy.com.

SOURCE Title Resources Group
Founded in the UK, 1000heads provides a fully integrated, end-to-end Social Transformation proposition to blue-chip clients such as Alphabet, Snap Inc, Diageo, and Bimbo; this offering includes data and analytics, strategy, and social activation. 1000heads has a global footprint, employing over 170 people across seven offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Sydney, Melbourne, and Berlin.

This acquisition, the largest to date for Labelium, consolidates the Group's geographical footprint, particularly in the United States, Europe and Asia, and complements the technological solutions that have been integrated through other recent acquisitions.

This partnership aligns with Labelium's vision to become a global platform addressing the entire digital marketing value chain for its international clients. By combining their expertise and sharing their ambition, Labelium and 1000heads are now able to offer integrated and global solutions to clients in areas including social commerce, influencer marketing and the metaverse.

Above all, this partnership is a human adventure that will provide the Group's employees with unique and international career opportunities. Labelium estimates that, by the end of 2022, it will have more than 1000 employees worldwide.

Stephane Levy, President, and founder of Labelium, commented: "1000heads and Labelium are a natural fit and this landmark acquisition will generate significant opportunities for both businesses. Our talented teams share the same principles of transparency, innovation, and respect. This alignment will prove crucial in the years to come, allowing us to collaborate closely in pursuit of our ambitious growth strategy, while remaining true to our values."

Sylvain Bonnevide, CEO of Labelium, said: "Welcoming 1000heads into the Labelium Group is fantastic news. The skills and expertise of the 1000heads team will enable us to provide our clients with high quality services and a unique value proposition combining digital and social strategy, high-performance media activation and cutting-edge data expertise. The acquisition also further consolidates our geographical presence, our service offering, and our formidable, industry-leading talent, We look forward to working with Mike and his team to realize the exciting opportunities this partnership will create."

Mike Davison, CEO of 1000heads added: "The combination of 1000heads and Labelium represents a step change for both of our businesses, creating a global industry leader offering cutting edge services and solutions. By joining the Labelium Group we will become part of a dynamic team with a bold vision, and we are excited to begin working together to develop an integrated proposition. Our companies share the same approach to delivering continuous innovation and providing exceptional customer service, and our team looks forward to sharing insights with our new colleagues and collaborating to deliver continued growth."

ABOUT LABELIUM

Founded in 2001, Labelium is an independent digital group with 20 offices in 14 countries and more than 700 digital marketing experts worldwide. It relies on a strong international network to help support the digital acceleration of companies. The agency manages and optimises digital performance (media, commerce, intelligence) for brands such as L'Oreal, Coty, LVMH, Club Med, Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, OVH, MSC, Michelin, Christie's, LexmarkGrowing rapidly while retaining a personal approach, Labelium cultivates expertise, entrepreneurship, innovation and business ethics. The Labelium Group brings together Labelium, Footsprint, NXTLVL, tigrz, Feed Manager, Arcane, Spinnn, Ando Factory, StratNXT, Kiliagon, Klickkonzept, Labelium Play, M13h, SmartKeyword acquired in 2022, joined now by 1000heads.

ABOUT 1000HEADS

1000heads combines expertise in data & analytics, strategy, technology, and creativity to help the world's best businesses build Social Age brands. 1000heads provides a fully integrated, end-to-end Social Transformation proposition to blue-chip clients encompassing data & analytics, strategy, and implementation. 1000heads has a global footprint, employing over 170 people across seven offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Sydney, Melbourne, and Berlin. 1000heads' clients include Alphabet, The North Face, Snap Inc, Bimbo, Amazon, Cisco, and Diageo.

Labelium

1000heads

M13h

Ikom

Tigrz

Feed manager

Arcane

StratNXT

Kiliagon

Klickoncept

Labelium Play

SmartKeyword

NXTLVL

Footsprint

SOURCE Labelium
MEDFORD, Ore., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD) and Pfaff Automotive Partners today announced the first addition to their Canadian portfolio, Sisley Honda, based in Thornhill, Ontario. The addition of Sisley Honda, one of the highest-volume Honda dealerships in Canada, increases LAD's Canadian footprint with a strong, mainstream import brand.

"We are excited to welcome the Sisley Honda team to our Lithia & Driveway family," said Bryan DeBoer, Lithia & Driveway's President and CEO. "With this addition we are able to expand our omni-channel network in Canada, strengthening our position in one of the top Canadian markets."

Like LAD and Pfaff, Sisley is a multi-generational family business; it was founded in 1946 and has represented the Honda brand for 45 years. Sisley is also a green leader, recognized by Honda Canada in 2021 for having cut energy consumption by 30%.

The addition of Sisley Honda brings LAD's total expected annualized revenue acquired in 2022 to over $1.2 billion. The company is pacing to exceed its 2025 plan to reach $50 billion in revenue and more than $55 in EPS. This acquisition was financed using existing on-balance sheet capacity.

About Lithia & Driveway (LAD):

LAD is a growth company focused on profitably consolidating the largest retail sector in North America through providing personal transportation solutions wherever, whenever, and however consumers desire.

Sites

www.lithia.com

www.pfaffauto.com

www.investors.lithiadriveway.com

www.lithiacareers.com

www.driveway.com

www.greencars.com

www.drivewayfinancecorp.com

Lithia & Driveway on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/LithiaMotors

https://www.facebook.com/DrivewayHQ

Lithia & Driveway on Twitter

https://twitter.com/lithiamotors

https://twitter.com/DrivewayHQ

https://twitter.com/GreenCarsHQ

SOURCE Lithia Motors, Inc.
Liver Life Walks return in person this summer

NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Liver Foundation (ALF) will host its annual Liver Life Walk beginning on Monday, May 7, 2022. There will be 11 in-person walks across the country and one virtual walk.

Nearly 100 million people in the U.S. are affected by liver disease. Liver Life Walk has been a signature event of the American Liver Foundation (ALF) since 1999. It allows people affected by liver disease to come together to raise awareness and funds. It also gives them the opportunity to support each other in a festive and inspiring environment. Funds raised through the Liver Life Walk allow ALF to provide valuable resources to liver patients and their families. Together, we are moving closer to a world without liver disease.

"If you have ever been touched by liver disease, we invite you to join," said Lorraine Stiehl, Chief Executive Officer of American Liver Foundation (ALF). "American Liver Foundation continued Liver Life Walks virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But following local guidelines, we are proud to announce in-person walks are returning and we couldn't be more excited to connect with our patients, families and supporters in person this year."

Liver Life Walks currently have 11 confirmed locations, from Seacoast, New Hampshire to Salt Lake City, Utah starting on May 7 until October 22, 2022. ALF will also host a Virtual Walk for those unable to attend this Fall.

"I have participated in every Liver Life Walk since the first one in 1999," said Barbara Pitts, 2022 National LIVEr Life Walk Champion. "If I was too sick, I collected donations. If there wasn't a walk in DC, I held my own walk and got friends to do a 5k with me. I want to do everything I can to raise money for research and education. I have an incredible group of friends who support me emotionally and spiritually and as far as the walk goes, they're always there with donations."

Find a walk near you and start fundraising at liverlifewalk.org.

About the American Liver Foundation

The American Liver Foundation is the nation's largest non-profit organization focused solely on promoting liver health and disease prevention. The American Liver Foundation achieves its mission in the fight against liver disease by funding scientific research, education for medical professionals, advocacy, information and support programs for patients and their families as well as public awareness campaigns about liver wellness and disease prevention. The mission of the American Liver Foundation is to promote education, advocacy, support services and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease. For more information visit www.liverfoundation.org or call:1 800 GO LIVER (800-465-4837).

COVID-19 Alert

Your health and safety continue to be our number one priority. American Liver Foundation (ALF) staff, board of directors and healthcare advisors are closely monitoring the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. ALF will follow all local, state and federal guidelines. Absent any guidelines to the contrary, for ALF events held indoors or outdoors we recommend, but do not require, participants to wear masks and be appropriately vaccinated and boosted to best protect our patient population. If a change to the current event or program needs to be made, we will provide participants with detailed information on those changes regarding our COVID-19 safety policies.

Please Note: An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with underlying medical conditions and older adults are especially vulnerable and need to take the appropriate recommended steps and precautions to prevent infection.



By attending an ALF in-person event, you acknowledge and voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Contact : Julie Kimbrough

[email protected]

Direct dial: 646-737-9409

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

Instagram

SOURCE American Liver Foundation
Employees are using hundreds of SaaS apps to get their job done. But that convenience comes at a price. More apps plus more employees equals more security concerns for CISOs and more operational work for IT teams. With every app used by employees, the company inches closer to a disaster dubbed the 'APPocalypse' by Lumos co-founder Andrej Safundzic. The APPocalypse will bite companies in the SaaS: IT tickets, compliance breaches, unnecessarily high SaaS license costs, increased risks from compromised employee accounts, and insider threats.

The Lumos AppStore increases internal controls around access management while keeping workforce productivity high. By combining SaaS management and identity governance, IT and security teams can focus on strategic initiatives instead of dealing with operational headaches. The key to achieving that goal is self-service. Through self-service employees increase productivity, while making sure security is baked into the process.

"As the world has shifted from "bring your own device" to "bring your own app" and now "bring your own office" the challenge of shadow IT has only continued to compound. We're very excited to partner with the Lumos team as they build the tool that can bring light to this darkness," Peter Levine, General Partner at a16z.

Full release.

About Lumos

Lumos is the first internal AppStore for companies. With Lumos, employees are more productive and your enterprise more compliant with self-service app requests, access reviews, and license management.

The result: employees go to their Company AppStore and ask for app and permission access. IT and security can control who can request which apps, perform access reviews and automate access creation. Lumos makes companies productive and compliant at the same time. Learn more: lumos.com .

SOURCE Lumos
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings, LLC (NYSE: MIC) (the "Company") today announced its financial and operational results from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2022.

"Our financial results in the first quarter of 2022 reflect positive trends in the number of visitors to Hawaii which contributed to an increase in the volume of gas sold by Hawaii Gas," said Christopher Frost, chief executive officer of MIC.

In June 2021, the Company entered into a merger agreement with an entity managed by Argo Infrastructure Partners, LP.

"We have received all the approvals other than that from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission relating to completing the proposed merger. We continue to expect to receive the remaining approval and to conclude the transaction in the first half of 2022," Frost added. "If the merger is concluded on or prior to July 1, 2022, unitholders will receive consideration of $3.83 per unit in cash. If the merger is concluded after July 1, 2022, unitholders will receive $4.11 per unit in cash."

Financial and Operational Results

MIC's results from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2022 reflect improved operating conditions driven by the increase in the number of visitors to Hawaii relative to COVID-induced lows in 2020. The number of visitors to Hawaii in the first quarter increased to approximately 79% of pre-pandemic levels. The increase drove hotel occupancy and restaurant patronage higher and consequently gas sales by Hawaii Gas.

The volume of gas sold by Hawaii Gas in the first quarter increased 11% versus the first quarter in 2021 (the "prior corresponding period") but was 13% below the level recorded in the first quarter of 2019 prior to the pandemic. The financial impact of the increase in gas sales was partially offset by a higher average wholesale cost of Liquified Petroleum Gas distributed by the business.

MIC recorded net income from continuing operations of $11.4 million in the first quarter compared with a net loss of $6.3 million in the prior comparable period.

The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA excluding non-cash items from continuing operations of $9.3 million in the first quarter versus $12.1 million in the prior comparable period.

MIC used $4.5 million of cash in operating activities during the first quarter compared with use of $12.9 million in the prior comparable period.

The Company reported Adjusted Free Cash Flow from continuing operations of $3.4 million in the first quarter versus $9.6 million in the prior comparable period.

Summary Financial Information



Quarter Ended

March 31,

Change Favorable/ (Unfavorable)

2022

2021

$

%

($ In Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data) (Unaudited) GAAP Metrics













Continuing Operations













Net income (loss) $ 11,446

$ (6,270)

17,716

NM Net income (loss) per unit attributable to MIH 0.13

(0.08)

0.21

NM Cash used in operating activities (4,531)

(12,942)

8,411

65 Discontinued Operations













Net income $ 

$ 20,067

(20,067)

(100) Net income per unit attributable to MIH 

0.23

(0.23)

(100) Cash provided by operating activities 

52,935

(52,935)

(100) Weighted average number of units outstanding: basic 88,494,560

87,411,455

1,083,105

1 MIH Non-GAAP Metrics













EBITDA excluding non-cash items - continuing operations $ 10,420

$ 7,863

2,557

33 Investment and acquisition/disposition costs (1,072)

4,279

(5,351)

(125) Adjusted EBITDA excluding non-cash items  continuing operations 9,348

12,142

(2,794)

(23) Cash interest (486)

(3,288)

2,802

85 Cash taxes (2,960)

1,848

(4,808)

NM Maintenance capital expenditures (2,482)

(1,114)

(1,368)

(123) Adjusted Free Cash Flow - continuing operations $ 3,420

$ 9,588

(6,168)

(64)







NM  Not meaningful.

About MIC

MIC owns and operates businesses providing energy services, production and distribution in Hawaii. For additional information, please visit the MIC website at www.macquarie.com/mic.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") excluding non-cash items and Free Cash Flow

In addition to MIC's results under U.S. GAAP, the Company uses the non-GAAP measures EBITDA excluding non-cash items and Free Cash Flow to assess the performance and prospects of its business.

MIC measures EBITDA excluding non-cash items as a reflection of its ability to effectively manage the volume of products sold, the operating margin earned on those transactions and the management of operating expenses independent of its capitalization and tax position.

The Company believes investors use EBITDA excluding non-cash items primarily as a measure of its operating performance and to make comparisons with the operating performance of other businesses whose depreciation and amortization expense may vary from MIC's, particularly where acquisitions and other non-operating factors are involved. MIC defines EBITDA excluding non-cash items as net income (loss) or earnings  the most comparable GAAP measure  before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and non-cash items including impairments, unrealized derivative gains and losses, adjustments for other non-cash items and pension expense reflected in the statements of income (loss). Other non-cash items, net, excludes the adjustment to bad debt expense related to the specific reserve component, net of recoveries. EBITDA excluding non-cash items also excludes base management fees and performance fees, if any, whether paid in cash or units.

MIC defines Free Cash Flow as cash from operating activities  the most comparable GAAP measure  less maintenance capital expenditures and adjusted for changes in working capital.

Management uses Free Cash Flow as a measure of its ability to fund acquisitions, invest in growth projects, to reduce or repay indebtedness, and/or to return capital to unitholders. GAAP metrics such as net income (loss) do not provide MIC management with the same level of visibility into the performance and prospects of the business as a result of: (i) the capital intensive nature of its operations and the generation of non-cash depreciation and amortization; (ii) units issued to the Company's external manager under the Management Services Agreement, (iii) the Company's ability to defer all or a portion of current federal income taxes; (iv) non-cash mark-to-market adjustment of the value of derivative instruments; (v) gains (losses) related to the write-off or disposal of assets or liabilities, (vi) non-cash compensation expense incurred in relation to the incentive plans for senior management of the Company's operating business; and (vii) pension expense. Pension expenses primarily consist of interest expense, expected return on plan assets, and amortization of actuarial and performance gains and losses. Any cash contributions to pension plans are reflected as a reduction in Free Cash Flow and are not included in pension expense. Management believes that external consumers of its financial statements, including investors and research analysts, could use Free Cash Flow to assess the Company's ability to fund acquisitions, invest in growth projects, reduce or repay indebtedness, and/or return capital to unitholders.

Management believes that both EBITDA excluding non-cash items and Free Cash Flow support a more complete and accurate understanding of the financial and operating performance of its business than would otherwise be achieved using GAAP results alone.

Free Cash Flow does not take into consideration required payments on indebtedness and other fixed obligations or other cash items that are excluded from MIC's definition of Free Cash Flow. Management notes that Free Cash Flow may be calculated differently by other companies thereby limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. Free Cash Flow should be used as a supplemental measure to help understand MIC's financial performance and not in lieu of its financial results reported under GAAP.

See the tables below for a reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA excluding non-cash items from continuing operations and a reconciliation of cash used in operating activities from continuing operations to Free Cash Flow from continuing operations.

Classification of Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Growth Capital Expenditures

MIC categorizes capital expenditures as either maintenance capital expenditures or growth capital expenditures. As neither maintenance capital expenditure nor growth capital expenditure is a GAAP term, the Company has adopted a framework to categorize specific capital expenditures. In broad terms, maintenance capital expenditures primarily maintain MIC's current levels of operations, capability, profitability, or cash flow, while growth capital expenditures primarily provide new or enhanced levels of operations, capability, profitability, or cash flow. Management considers various factors in determining whether a specific capital expenditure will be classified as maintenance or growth.

MIC does not bifurcate specific capital expenditures into growth and maintenance components. Each discrete capital expenditure is considered within the above framework and the entire capital expenditure is classified as either maintenance or growth.

Disclaimer on Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements. The Company may, in some cases, use words such as "project," "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "should," "would," "could," "potentially," "may," or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning the Company's expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans, statements regarding the proposed sale of the Company and the anticipated uses of any proceeds therefrom, the completion of the sale of the Company or the termination of the sale effort, statements regarding the anticipated specific and overall impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions, or beliefs about future events. Forward-looking statements in this communication are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including, among other things: changes in general economic or business conditions; the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company's ability to complete the announced sale; uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed transaction; the risk that conditions to closing of the proposed transaction are not satisfied, including the failure to timely obtain the requisite approvals or regulatory clearances; the occurrence of any event giving rise to a termination of the proposed transaction; the Company's ability to service, comply with the terms of and refinance debt; its ability to retain or replace qualified employees; in the absence of a sale, its ability to complete growth projects, deploy growth capital and manage growth, make and finance future acquisitions and implement its strategy; the regulatory environment; demographic trends; the political environment; the economy, tourism, construction and transportation costs; air travel; environmental costs and risks; fuel and gas and other commodity costs; the Company's ability to recover increases in costs from customers; cybersecurity risks; work interruptions or other labor stoppages; risks associated with acquisitions or dispositions; litigation risks; reliance on sole or limited source suppliers, risks or conflicts of interests involving the Company's relationship with the Macquarie Group; and changes in U.S. federal tax law. These and other risks and uncertainties are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and in its other reports filed from time to time with the SEC.

The Company's actual results, performance, prospects, or opportunities could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Additional risks of which the Company is not currently aware could also cause its actual results to differ. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking events discussed in this press release may not occur. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

MACQUARIE INFRASTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS ($ in Thousands, Except Unit Data)



March 31,

December 31,

2022

2021

(Unaudited)



ASSETS





Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents $ 37,589

$ 47,259 Restricted cash 1,025

1,051 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts 27,422

27,824 Inventories 12,175

11,658 Prepaid expenses 7,491

1,813 Fair value of derivative instruments 8,344

909 Other current assets 5,547

2,255 Total current assets 99,593

92,769 Property, equipment, land, and leasehold improvements, net 298,746

297,190 Operating lease assets, net 12,186

12,591 Goodwill 120,193

120,193 Intangible assets, net 4,392

4,498 Fair value of derivative instruments 4,078

470 Other noncurrent assets 8,458

8,740 Total assets $ 547,646

$ 536,451 LIABILITIES AND UNITHOLDERS' EQUITY





Current liabilities:





Due to Manager-related party $ 274

$ 260 Accounts payable 7,214

6,169 Accrued expenses 13,476

18,449 Current portion of long-term debt 1,118

1,107 Operating lease liabilities - current 1,800

1,794 Other current liabilities 6,820

5,223 Total current liabilities 30,702

33,002 Long-term debt, net of current portion 97,443

97,655 Deferred income taxes 40,236

38,540 Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent 10,365

10,810 Other noncurrent liabilities 53,049

53,062 Total liabilities 231,795

233,069 Commitments and contingencies 

 Unitholders' equity(1):





Common units paid in capital (500,000,000 authorized; 88,805,519 units issued and outstanding on March 31, 2022 and 88,343,762 units issued and outstanding on December 31, 2021) 194,494

193,471 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (5,106)

(5,106) Retained earnings 117,681

106,539 Total unitholders' equity 307,069

294,904 Noncontrolling interests 8,782

8,478 Total equity 315,851

303,382 Total liabilities and equity $ 547,646

$ 536,451

















(1) The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 preferred units. On March 31, 2022 and December 2021, no preferred units were issued or outstanding. The Company had 100 special units issued and outstanding to its Manager on March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

MACQUARIE INFRASTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) ($ in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data)



Quarter ended March 31,

2022

2021 Revenue





Product revenue $ 68,681

$ 54,587 Total revenue 68,681

54,587 Costs and expenses





Cost of product sales 40,004

34,756 Selling, general and administrative 8,381

11,582 Disposition payment to Manager 

19 Total Selling, general and administrative 8,381

11,601 Fees to Manager - related party 800

5,552 Depreciation 3,675

3,642 Amortization of intangibles 106

106 Total operating expenses 52,966

55,657 Operating income (loss) 15,715

(1,070) Other income (expense)





Interest income 7

3 Interest expense(1) (38)

(7,049) Other income (expense), net 418

(336) Net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 16,102

(8,452) (Provision) benefit for income taxes (4,656)

2,182 Net income (loss) from continuing operations 11,446

(6,270) Discontinued Operations(2)





Net income from discontinued operations before income taxes 

27,615 Provision for income taxes 

(7,548) Net income from discontinued operations 

20,067 Net income 11,446

13,797







Net income (loss) from continuing operations 11,446

(6,270) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 304

597 Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MIH 11,142

(6,867) Net income from discontinued operations 

20,067 Net income from discontinued operations attributable to MIH 

20,067 Net income attributable to MIH $ 11,142

$ 13,200







Basic income (loss) per unit from continuing operations attributable to MIH $ 0.13

$ (0.08) Basic income per unit from discontinued operations attributable to MIH 

0.23 Basic income per unit attributable to MIH $ 0.13

$ 0.15 Weighted average number of units outstanding: basic 88,494,560

87,411,455







Diluted income (loss) per unit from continuing operations attributable to MIH $ 0.12

$ (0.08) Diluted income per unit from discontinued operations attributable to MIH 

0.23 Diluted income per unit attributable to MIH $ 0.12

$ 0.15 Weighted average number of units outstanding: diluted 89,860,394

87,411,455

















(1) Interest expense includes non-cash gains on derivative instruments of $489,000 and $283,000 for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. (2) See Note 4, "Discontinued Operations and Dispositions", in our Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements in Part I of Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, for further discussions on businesses classified as held for sale.

MACQUARIE INFRASTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) ($ in Thousands)



Quarter Ended March 31,

2022

2021 Operating activities





Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 11,446

$ (6,270) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations:





Depreciation 3,675

3,642 Amortization of intangibles 106

106 Amortization of debt financing costs 73

4,084 Adjustments to derivative instruments (11,164)

(1,459) Fees to Manager - related party 800

5,552 Deferred taxes 1,696

(334) Other non-cash expense, net 389

1,133 Changes in other assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:





Accounts receivable 192

(1,897) Inventories (347)

(1,497) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (9,058)

(2,653) Accounts payable and accrued expenses (4,068)

(7,507) Income taxes payable 2,878

(2,332) Other, net (1,149)

(3,510) Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations (4,531)

(12,942) Investing activities





Purchases of property and equipment (5,033)

(3,339) Other, net 142

15 Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations (4,891)

(3,324) Financing activities





Payment of long-term debt (274)

(358,843) Distributions paid to common unitholders 

(960,981) Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations (274)

(1,319,824) Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash from continuing operations (9,696)

(1,336,090)

MACQUARIE INFRASTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  (continued) (Unaudited) ($ in Thousands)





Quarter Ended March 31,

2022

2021 Cash flows provided by (used in) discontinued operations:





Net cash provided by operating activities $ 

$ 52,935 Net cash used in investing activities 

(12,515) Net cash used in financing activities 

(2,562) Net cash provided by discontinued operations 

37,858 Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (9,696)

(1,298,232) Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period 48,310

1,839,220 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period $ 38,614

$ 540,988







Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:





Non-cash investing and financing activities:





Accrued purchases of property and equipment from continuing operations $ 743

$ 237 Accrued purchases of property and equipment from discontinued operations 

3,665 Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities from discontinued operations 

787 Taxes received, net, from continuing operations 

(755) Taxes paid , net, from discontinued operations 

1,415 Interest paid, net, from continuing operations 471

6,761 Interest paid, net, from discontinued operations 

9,809

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash from both continuing and discontinued operations reported within the consolidated condensed balance sheets that is presented in the consolidated condensed statements of cash flows:



As of March 31,

2022

2021 Cash and cash equivalents $ 37,589

$ 192,842 Restricted cash - current 1,025

1,085 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash included in assets held for sale 

347,061 Total of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the consolidated condensed statements of cash flows $ 38,614

$ 540,988

MACQUARIE INFRASTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  MD&A



Quarter Ended

March 31,

Change Favorable/(Unfavorable)

2022

2021

$

%

($ In Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data) (Unaudited) Revenue













Product revenue $ 68,681

$ 54,587

14,094

26 Total revenue 68,681

54,587

14,094

26 Costs and expenses













Cost of product sales 40,004

34,756

(5,248)

(15) Selling, general and administrative 8,381

11,582

3,201

28 Disposition payment to Manager 

19

19

100 Total Selling, general and administrative 8,381

11,601

3,220

28 Fees to Manager - related party 800

5,552

4,752

86 Depreciation and amortization 3,781

3,748

(33)

(1) Total operating expenses 52,966

55,657

2,691

5 Operating income (loss) 15,715

(1,070)

16,785

NM Other income (expense)













Interest income 7

3

4

133 Interest expense(1) (38)

(7,049)

7,011

99 Other income (expense), net 418

(336)

754

NM Net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 16,102

(8,452)

24,554

NM (Provision) benefit for income taxes (4,656)

2,182

(6,838)

NM Net income (loss) from continuing operations 11,446

(6,270)

17,716

NM Discontinued Operations













Net income from discontinued operations before income taxes 

27,615

(27,615)

(100) Provision for income taxes 

(7,548)

7,548

100 Net income from discontinued operations 

20,067

(20,067)

(100) Net income 11,446

13,797

(2,351)

(17)















Net income (loss) from continuing operations 11,446

(6,270)

17,716

NM Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 304

597

293

49 Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MIH 11,142

(6,867)

18,009

NM Net income from discontinued operations 

20,067

(20,067)

(100) Net income from discontinued operations attributable to MIH 

20,067

(20,067)

(100) Net income attributable to MIH $ 11,142

$ 13,200

(2,058)

(16)















Basic income (loss) per unit from continuing operations attributable to MIH $ 0.13

$ (0.08)

0.21

NM Basic income per unit from discontinued operations attributable to MIH 

0.23

(0.23)

(100) Basic income per unit attributable to MIH $ 0.13

$ 0.15

(0.02)

(13) Weighted average number of units outstanding: basic 88,494,560

87,411,455

1,083,105

1

































































NM  Not meaningful. (1) Interest expense includes non-cash gains on derivative instruments of $489,000 and $283,000 for the quarters ended March 31, 2022, and 2021 respectively.

MACQUARIE INFRASTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, LLC

RECONCILIATION OF CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS) TO EBITDA EXCLUDING NON-CASH ITEMS AND A RECONCILIATION FROM CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOW



Quarter Ended March 31,

Change Favorable/(Unfavorable)

2022

2021

$

%

($ In Thousands) (Unaudited) Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 11,446

$ (6,270)







Interest expense, net(1) 31

7,046







Provision (benefit) for income taxes 4,656

(2,182)







Depreciation and amortization 3,781

3,748







Fees to Manager - related party 800

5,552







Other non-cash income, net(2) (10,294)

(31)







EBITDA excluding non-cash items - continuing operations $ 10,420

$ 7,863

2,557

33















EBITDA excluding non-cash items - continuing operations $ 10,420

$ 7,863







Interest expense, net(1) (31)

(7,046)







Non-cash interest expense, net(1) (455)

3,758







(Provision) benefit for current income taxes (2,960)

1,848







Changes in working capital (11,505)

(19,365)







Cash used in operating activities - continuing operations (4,531)

(12,942)







Changes in working capital 11,505

19,365







Maintenance capital expenditures (2,482)

(1,114)







Free cash flow - continuing operations $ 4,492

$ 5,309

(817)

(15)

















(1) Interest expense, net, includes non-cash adjustments to derivative instruments and non-cash amortization of debt financing costs. For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, interest expense also includes non-cash write-offs of debt financing costs related to the repurchase of our 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes.



(2) Other non-cash income, net, includes primarily non-cash mark-to-market adjustment of the value of the commodity hedge contracts, non-cash compensation expense incurred in relation to the incentive plans for senior management of our operating businesses, and non-cash gains (losses) related to the write-off or disposal of assets or liabilities. Other non-cash income, net, excludes the adjustment to bad debt expense related to the specific reserve component, net of recoveries, for which this adjustment is reported in working capital in the above table. See "Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") excluding non-cash items and Free Cash Flow" above for further discussion.

SOURCE Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings, LLC
Neosec API Security Platform Recognized for Ability to Discover and Monitor Business APIs for Fraud and Misuse

PALO ALTO, Calif. , May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Neosec has been named one of 10 finalists for the RSA Conference 2022 Innovation Sandbox Contest for its work in pioneering a platform that continually discovers and protects an organization's APIs using behavioral analytics to uncover fraud or misuse. On Monday, June 6, Neosec will present its technology to a panel of renowned industry judges and a live in-person audience at RSA Conference 2022 in San Francisco.

Since 2005, the RSAC Innovation Sandbox has served as a platform for the most promising young cybersecurity companies to showcase their groundbreaking technologies and compete for the title of "Most Innovative Startup." The competition is widely recognized as a catapult for success and the top 10 finalists have collectively celebrated 69 acquisitions and received $9.8 billion in investments over the last 17 years. Neosec will have three minutes to pitch the panel of judges before a question-and-answer round.

"While the cybersecurity industry contends with constant changes and challenges, these bold thinkers are the changemakers we need to protect the world against new threats," said Linda Gray Martin, vice president, RSA Conference. "For the last 17 years, RSAC Innovation Sandbox Contest finalists have gone on to make a significant impact, and there's no doubt that this year is any different. We're cheering on this year's finalists to carry on the competition's legacy with their game-changing ideas and I look forward to seeing the influence they make on the future."

Neosec is reinventing application security by bringing XDR techniques to prevent API abuse with a powerful platform that unifies security and development teams to protect modern applications. The foundation of the SaaS platform is built on data and analytics to manage API security at scale. Neosec prevents attackers from abusing the complex network of APIs that connect today's businesses. These APIs have the potential for fraud and misuse if not properly monitored. The platform enables organizations to discover every API and audit them for risk. Neosec has pioneered the use of behavioral analytics to understand normal versus abnormal API usage. It also delivers powerful threat hunting capabilities. Neosec stops hidden abuse taking place within APIs, bringing new intelligence to application security.

"Being selected for the RSAC Innovation Sandbox is a great honor and underscores the uniqueness of our platform for discovering, monitoring and assessing business APIs for fraud and misuse," said Giora Engel, co-founder and chief executive officer, Neosec. "APIs connect every business to its partners and customers while opening up a new world of potential fraud, theft and abuse. Enterprises must put new safeguards in place to enable digital business while protecting against substantial levels of risk."

The RSAC Innovation Sandbox Contest kicks off at 12:00 p.m. PT on June 6 and winners will be announced at 3:00 p.m. the same day. The panel of renowned expert judges includes Dorit Dor , Chief Product Officer at Check Point Software Technologies; Niloofar Howe , Sr. Operating Partner at Energy Impact Partners; Paul Kocher, Independent Researcher; Shlomo Kramer , Co-founder and CEO, Cato Networks; and Christopher Young, Executive Vice President of Business Development Strategy and Ventures at Microsoft. Hugh Thompson, Program Committee Chair of RSA Conference, will return to host the contest.

For more information regarding RSA Conference 2022, taking place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco from June 6-9, please visit https://www.rsaconference.com/usa .

About Neosec

Neosec is reinventing application security with a powerful platform that unifies security and development teams to protect modern applications from threats. The foundation of the SaaS platform is built on data and analytics to manage security at scale. Neosec prevents threats from abusing the complex network of APIs that connect today's businesses. The platform helps organizations discover every API and audit risk. Neosec has pioneered the use of behavioral analytics to understand normal versus abnormal API usage and delivers powerful threat hunting capabilities. Neosec prevents threats and stops abuse hiding within APIs and brings new intelligence to application security. Neosec is based in Palo Alto, California with R&D in Tel Aviv, Israel. To learn more, visit Neosec.com.

About RSA Conference

RSA Conference is the premier series of global events and year-round learning for the cybersecurity community. RSAC is where the security industry converges to discuss current and future concerns and have access to the experts, unbiased content and ideas that help enable individuals and companies advance their cybersecurity posture and build stronger and smarter teams. Both in-person and online, RSAC brings the cybersecurity industry together and empowers the collective "we" to stand against cyberthreats around the world. RSAC is the ultimate marketplace for the latest technologies and hands-on educational opportunities that help industry professionals discover how to make their companies more secure while showcasing the most enterprising, influential, and thought-provoking thinkers and leaders in cybersecurity today. For the most up-to-date news pertaining to the cybersecurity industry visit www.rsaconference.com. Where the world talks security.

SOURCE Neosec
"For more than 30 years, FedEx has proudly supported Orbis in the fight against avoidable blindness," said Justin Brownlee, SVP Aviation Safety, Technology & Business Operations, FedEx Express. "We are committed to helping local communities thrive. Our ongoing support for Orbis provides them with access to our unique capabilities. We aim to help bring visibility to Orbis's eye health expertise, and established footprint in the region, to improve access to quality eye care in Vietnam."

Glaucoma is the result of damage to the nerve connecting the eye to the brain caused by pressure from fluid buildup in the eye. The ten-week virtual Flying Eye Hospital project launched today will enable participating ophthalmology residents to focus on mastering each specific step in a procedure known as trabeculectomy  a surgery that creates a new pathway for that fluid inside the eye to be drained  and to discuss surgical case management for their patients.

Training will be carried out in Vietnamese through the completion of relevant pre-learning courses on Orbis's telemedicine platform, Cybersight; interactive live lectures delivered weekly by Orbis's Volunteer Faculty (medical experts); and simulation training. After each live session, course participants will practice the surgical step they learned that week on artificial eyes before submitting a video of themselves performing the simulated technique for review and feedback from Volunteer Faculty.

Simulation training uses devices such as artificial eyes to allow complex surgical procedures to be broken down into smaller parts, giving eye care professionals the opportunity to practice each step as many times as they need to get it right, something that is not possible with an actual patient. This reduces the learning curve for difficult techniques, accelerates skill acquisition and improves outcomes for patients.

Orbis's Flying Eye Hospital is the world's only fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Flying Eye Hospital has traveled the world delivering best-in-class training for eye care professionals in over 95 countries. In 2020, Orbis reimagined in-person Flying Eye Hospital trainings as virtual ones to ensure that eye care teams could still access critical training safely during the pandemic. Orbis reached nine countries in 2020 and 34 countries in 2021 through virtual Flying Eye Hospital projects.

"Virtual training projects enabled by our incredible volunteers and supporters have allowed us to digitally extend our impact and will continue to be a vital part of our programming, even as we eagerly anticipate a return to in-person training on the Flying Eye Hospital later this year," said Derek Hodkey, President & CEO of Orbis International. "The generous support of sponsors like FedEx has made it possible for us not only to continue, but to also enhance our ophthalmic training for eye care teams around the world that need it most."

FedEx has supported Orbis for more than 30 years in the fight against avoidable blindness through more than US$22 million in donations and in-kind shipping. Last year, FedEx announced its renewed commitment to Orbis's sight-saving mission with a US$3.5 million donation to help provide financial, logistics and operational support to the organization and its Flying Eye Hospital over the following five years. FedEx has played an indispensable role in helping Orbis achieve its mission by providing aircraft parts, maintenance and pilot training. In addition, FedEx donated the MD-10 aircraft that serves as the third-generation Flying Eye Hospital, and the aircraft is flown by FedEx pilots who volunteer their time to navigate the plane around the world on Orbis projects. The sponsorship of the virtual project launched today is part of the FedEx Cares 50 by 50 campaign to positively impact 50 million people around the world by the company's 50th anniversary in 2023.

Orbis began collaborating with Vietnam's ophthalmic communities through hospital-based projects in 1996 and established a permanent office in Hanoi in 2003. Orbis has been providing the highest level of expertise to support the development of eye care services and blindness prevention in Vietnam, especially in the areas of retinopathy of prematurity, pediatric care, cataract services and glaucoma treatments. In 2020, Orbis and partners educated over 174,000 people in Vietnam on how to protect their sight, completed over 41,000 community eye screenings and examinations, performed over 9,200 eye surgeries and trained 225 eye health professionals and community health workers.

About Orbis

Orbis is a leading global non-governmental organization that has been a pioneer in the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness for four decades. Orbis transforms lives by delivering the skills, resources and knowledge needed to deliver accessible quality eye care. Working in collaboration with local partners, including hospitals, universities, government agencies and ministries of health, Orbis provides hands-on ophthalmology training, strengthens healthcare infrastructure and advocates for the prioritization of eye health on public health agendas. Orbis operates the world's only Flying Eye Hospital , a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft, and an award-winning telemedicine platform, Cybersight . For the past ten consecutive years, Orbis has achieved Charity Navigator 's coveted four-star rating for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency, placing Orbis in the top 3% of U.S. charities. In 2021, Orbis earned GuideStar 's platinum Seal of Transparency. To learn more, please visit orbis.org.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of $92 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its nearly 600,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about

MEDIA CONTACT

Orbis International

Kristin Taylor

Head, Global Communications and Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE Orbis International
"We are absolutely delighted to be working with celebrated chef Martin Yan and give the community a fun, free way to stay active and enjoy time with family and friends," said Grace Li, CEO of On Lok. "Chef Yan is a respected Bay Area icon, with a passion for helping people embrace their health and heritage. We are so lucky to have his support in helping our community feel supported and connected."

On Lok and Chef Yan have come together to create "Yan Can Cook with On Lok" to create a fun activity that anyone can enjoy from the safety of home. Each segment features a lively cooking demonstration from Chef Yan's home kitchen, where he shares tips and stories, as well as fun product giveaways.

"It's a great honor for me to work with On Lok, an organization that has done so much for the senior community in Northern California," said Chef Yan. "Seniors these days are creative, energetic, and eager to meet new challenges, in life as well as in their kitchen. I know. I am one of them myself."

Chef Yan has helped On Lok celebrate its community and corporate milestones over the past year. During COVID-19 he delivered meals to participants and helped celebrate the organization's 50th anniversary with a fun segment during its annual Celebrates fundraiser and during the company's anniversary month.

In March, Chef Martin Yan received the James Beard Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022, which recognizes individuals whose lifetime body of work has had a positive and long-lasting impact on the way we eat, cook, and/or think about food in America. Additionally, the celebrated chef and food writer has shared his love of cooking with people around the world through dozens of appearances, cookbooks, special events, and TV segments, including the award-winning PBS-TV cooking show Yan Can Cook, which he has hosted since 1982.

The next "Yan Can Cook with On Lok" will celebrate mothers! Join us on May 5th from 4-5pm where Chef Yan will prepare delicious dishes in honor of mom.

About On Lok

On Lok is a nonprofit organization that empowers older adults to age with dignity and independence. With 50 years of experience, On Lok is a trusted resource in San Francisco, Santa Clara County, and the Tri-City area of Alameda County. On Lok founded and still operates the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which allows eligible seniors to live at home for as long as possible by providing comprehensive medical care and social services. On Lok 30th Street Senior Center, the largest multipurpose senior center in San Francisco, provides a second home, health programs, activities, and case management services to active seniors. The On Lok Mission Nutrition Program provides more than 250,000 meals annually to seniors through its dining locations and meal delivery program. For more information, please visit www.onlok.org.

About Martin Yan

For four decades, legendary chef Martin Yan has educated and entertained millions around the world. His Yan Can Cook series (3,500 shows and counting) is one of the longest running cooking programs from Singapore to San Francisco. Beyond public airwaves Chef Yan's business enterprise includes restaurant ventures, 30 plus cookbooks, countless public appearances, and consulting projects for Fortune 500 businesses. Always eager to lend a hand, Chef Yan is active in helping many charitable foundations fundraise. He's a frequent judge and panel member on national and international culinary competitions, including Iron Chef on Food Network (U.S. / Canada / Vietnam). Follow Chef Yan on Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE On Lok
WASHINGTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Manifest, a Washington DC-based business news website, conducts a survey among 1,003 small business owners and managers and finds that about a third of small businesses (32%) invested less than $10,000 building their mobile app.

Over half of small businesses (52%) said that they spent less than $30,000 and were satisfied with the results their app produced, implying that small businesses can create a quality app without spending enterprise prices.

52% of small businesses impressed with their mobile apps spent less than $30,000 building it. 32% of small businesses spent less than $10,000 on their mobile app.

In annual this report, The Manifest examines how much small businesses invest in app development and which mobile app features are popular in-demand among companies.

2022 Mobile App Trends and New Data

Our team found the following statistics and trends on app development costs:

About a third of small businesses (32%) spend less than $10,000 creating their mobile app.

creating their mobile app. Over half of small businesses (52%) that are satisfied with the performance of their app spent less than $30,000 on development.

on development. One in three apps (34%) with reported quality issues were made for less than $5,000 .

. The most popular features in small business mobile apps are mobile payments (49%), multi-tasking (38%), voice search capabilities (35%), personalization features (35%), social and community components (32%), mCommerce (32%), and location-based services (31%).

The features that were most satisfying to small businesses were wearable device compatibility (92%), voice search (90%), and machine learning (89%).

Gergo Vari is the CEO and founder of recruiting and talent acquisition platform Lensa . Vari sees the value in businesses working to achieve a balance between cost-effectiveness and high-quality functionality when creating an app.

"If a small business wants to compete with larger businesses in terms of features and quality, then it will need to expand its budget," Vari said. "However, if a small business is looking to create a basic app that meets the needs of its customers, it may be able to get by with a smaller budget."

Take a closer look at The Manifest's complete report to learn more about small business mobile app spending.

About The Manifest

The Manifest is a business news and how-to website that compiles and analyzes practical business wisdom for innovators, entrepreneurs, and small and mid-market businesses. Use The Manifest as an approachable tour guide through every stage of the buyer journey. With three main offerings  data-driven benchmarks, step-by-step guides, and agency shortlists  The Manifest strives to make your business goals a reality.

Media Contact

Morgan Flores

(202) 350-4344

Senior Manager of Content Strategy & SEO

[email protected]

SOURCE The Manifest
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The valuation of the operating room integration market was $1,345.9 million in 2021, which is predicted to propel at a CAGR of 11.1% and reach $3,464.7 million by the end of this decade, according to P&S Intelligence. In recent years, major players in the market have made a conscious effort to offer better integration solutions for ORs. For instance, Hill-Rom launched Helion Integrated Surgical System in July 2021, which aids surgical teams in communicating throughout a procedure.

Factors that play a major role in the growth of the market are the expanding volume of minimally invasive surgeries (MIS), rising crowding concerns in ORs, and technological developments in OR infrastructure, primarily due to the surging funding. MISs have been becoming popular due to various reasons, such as early recovery, brief hospitalization period, relatively small incisions, and affordability.

Get the sample pages of this report at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/operating-room-integration-market/report-sample

Key Findings of Operating Room Integration Market Report

 The operating room integration market of North America had the largest share, of more than 40%, in 2021. This is attributed to the rise in the number of patients preferring MISs, increase in the demand for quality care, and surge in the existence of major healthcare technology companies.

The APAC market is likely to have a growth rate of more than 12% in the coming years. The swift improvement in healthcare infrastructure and a sharp rise in the population of chronically ill patients are the key factors contributing to the growth of the regional market.

The swelling numbers of patients with breast cancer, liver cancer, and other chronic diseases are contributing to the rising volume of general surgeries around the world. Thus, general surgeries had a significant share of the operating room integration market in 2021.

Hip and knee replacement surgeries have also increased in number, because of which the application of operating room integration solutions for orthopedic surgeries is predicted to witness a significant increase.

The market share of software was the larger in 2021, based on component. The use of operating room integration software is significantly advantageous for the rationalization of surgical workflow, acting as a single source for all the information.

The number of ambulatory surgeries is rising, which is why the ambulatory surgical center category is likely to propel at a CAGR of over 11% in the years to come. The shortage of hospital beds and lack of funds on part of patients for hospital care are the main factors for the growth of the market in this end user category.

Browse detailed report on Global Operating Room Integration Market Trends and Demand Forecast Through 2030

The use of smart glasses and AR technology in ORs is creating opportunities for operating room integration solution providers to team up with technology companies to offer state-of-the-art and new solutions. For instance, Vuzix, a supplier of smart glasses and AR technology, in March 2022, partnered with Pixee Medical and Rods&Cones, to expedite the rollout of Vuzix-powered solutions.

The key players in the operating room integration market are Care Syntax GmbH, Getinge AB, Arthrex Inc., Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Olympus Corporation, Braiblab AG, Barco NV, Steris Plc, and Stryker Corporation. Apart from partnerships, all these companies are trying to improve their standing in the market through collaborations and acquisitions.

Operating Room Integration Market Segmentation Analysis

By Component

Software

Services

By System Type

Documentation Management Systems

Display Systems

Audio-Video Management Systems

By Application

General Surgery

Orthopedic Surgery

Neurosurgery

By End User

Hospitals

Ambulatory Surgical Centers

By Region

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

Germany



France



U.K.



Italy



Spain

Asia-Pacific

China



Japan



Singapore



Australia



India

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Argentina

Middle East and Africa

and South Africa



U.A.E.

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Global Medical Display Monitor Market Growth and Business Opportunities

About P&S Intelligence

P&S Intelligence is a provider of market research and consulting services catering to the market information needs of burgeoning industries across the world. Providing the plinth of market intelligence, P&S as an enterprising research and consulting company, believes in providing thorough landscape analyses on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness.

Contact:

Prajneesh Kumar

P&S Intelligence

Phone: +1-347-960-6455

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.psmarketresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn Twitter

SOURCE P&S Intelligence
NEW YORK and MIAMI, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Parkinson's Foundation has announced the expansion of PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson's Disease, a first-of-its-kind national initiative offering genetic testing and counseling for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) at no cost. The study has expanded to 23 actively enrolling participant sites  while still offering at-home testing  as part of the Foundation's commitment to reach new populations.

The goal of PD GENEration is to improve PD care by accelerating and supporting research to advance improved treatments and personalized medicine. The study aims to help people with PD and their physicians identify whether they qualify for enrollment in certain clinical trials based on their results. Currently at 23% of its 15,000-participant goal, the study's participants are enrolled from all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

"For nearly two decades, PD genetic research boomed, but testing was often done in research rather than clinical settings, and results were not shared with participants. In contrast, in PD GENEration, we aim to make testing accessible to all who live with PD, irrespective of their geographic location, primary language or any other barriers which would have previously excluded them from participating in research," said Roy Alcalay, MD, MS, PD GENEration Principal Investigator.

PD GENEration is working to expand its reach with the addition of new testing sites and by collaborating with clinicians in historically excluded communities. This includes a partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine, aiming to make the study more accessible for Black and African American persons in Atlanta. The study also extensively engages Hispanic and Latino persons and provides genetic testing and counseling in English and Spanish.

"Increasing access to PD GENEration helps ensure that anyone living with PD can participate and have easy access to their genetic data," said Chantale Branson, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Morehouse School of Medicine. "We want to encourage community members to take part in the study while letting them know that their experiences are impacting the advancement of research and development of targeted therapies for the entire Parkinson's community."

To meet the broader needs of the research community, the Foundation formed the Parkinson's Disease Gene Curation Expert Panel (GCEP), within the NIH-funded Clinical Genome (ClinGen) Resource. The Parkinson's Disease GCEP is the first-ever genetics working group focused on neurodegenerative diseases. Under the Foundation's leadership, the panel has convened more than 50 of the world's leading researchers, geneticists, neurologists and genetic counselors dedicated to analyzing PD GENEration and other genetic data to build centralized resources that define clinically relevant genes linked to PD  all in hopes of accelerating breakthrough discoveries.

All work done by this panel will help to determine which genes are important for PD which, in turn, helps guide drug approvals and inform drug companies to prioritize specific genetic targets. Future work will evolve to include curation of Parkinson's gene mutations, which will be significant given that the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized ClinGen's processes for variant interpretation. All work will be published and openly available as resources for researchers, clinicians and PD community members to promote a better understanding of the disease.

To learn more about PD GENEration, visit Parkinson.org/PDGENEration or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636). For questions about enrollment, email [email protected].

About the Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinson's Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson's disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson's community. Since 1957, the Parkinson's Foundation has invested more than $400 million in Parkinson's research and clinical care. Connect with us on Parkinson.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636).

About Parkinson's Disease

Affecting an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson's disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson's and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. alone.

SOURCE Parkinson's Foundation
"Maria joined Piva Capital in 2019 to help us realize our vision of investing in startups transforming industry for people and planet," said Ricardo Angel, CEO & Managing Partner of Piva Capital. "Since then, her commercial and technical experience across sectors, her international experience and background, her contagious energy and her motivation for working in solving hard problems have become an invaluable asset to our firm. As a result, we are excited to announce her well-deserved promotion to Principal."

Maria is passionate about working with entrepreneurs that share her vision for a more sustainable and resilient future. During her time at Piva she has been actively involved in multiple investments, including Boston Metal , Joywell , MenloMicro , and Velo3D .

Before joining Piva, Maria was part of the Business Development team at energy storage provider, Stem Inc., where she focused on expanding into international markets and creating new product offerings. Prior to that, she was with Accenture Strategy Energy in Mexico City where she helped clients address complex problems in the energy industry. Maria earned her MBA from the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business, and her BS, in Chemical Engineering from Tecnologico de Monterrey. In 2020, Maria was named as Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Energy and Immigrant categories.

About Piva Capital

Piva Capital is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm investing in visionary entrepreneurs who are solving the world's critical industrial challenges with breakthrough technologies and innovative business models. For more information, please visit us at Piva.vc , on LinkedIn and Medium .

Media Contact:

Mary Magnani

CodePR

[email protected]

SOURCE Piva Capital
Additional capital allows Point to invest in new products and its technology, empowering Americans to achieve their financial goals

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Point , a fintech company and home equity platform that provides homeowners access to equity financing in exchange for a fractional share of the future value of their homes, has secured $115 million in additional funding to accelerate company growth. Point's Series C fundraise was led by WestCap , with participation from other existing investors Andreessen Horowitz, Ribbit Capital, Redwood Trust, Atalaya Capital Management, and DAG Ventures. New investors include Deer Park Road Management, The Palisades Group, and Alpaca VC.

Point has experienced rapid growth, with Q1 2022 funding volume up more than 5x YoY. Last year, Point completed the first ever securitization backed entirely by residential Home Equity Investment (HEI) agreements and also announced over $1B in new capital commitments from leading real estate and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) investors.

"We've built strong momentum at Point and we welcome this vote of confidence from premier equity investors in our continued success," said Eddie Lim, CEO and Co-Founder of Point. "We expect this additional capital to accelerate our growth as we help cash-constrained homeowners and home buyers build financial stability and achieve their financial dreams."

The $115 million funding allows Point to scale its home equity platform while extending its execution and distribution advantages. The company plans to use the additional capital to:

Further invest in new products beyond its flagship HEI product

Drive exceptional customer experience and efficiency by continuing to enhance its industry-leading technology platform

Rapidly grow its ecosystem of customers, partners, and investors

Expand beyond its current presence in 16 states and the District of Columbia to 28 total geographies over the next year

"Most Americans have the majority of their wealth tied up in their home, limiting their ability to cover unforeseen expenses or diversify wealth," said Laurence Tosi, Founder and Managing Partner at WestCap. "Point has created an industry-first solution that empowers homeowners to utilize their home equity to eliminate debt, overcome periods of financial hardship and unlock new opportunities for wealth without taking the risk of traditional term loans."

While the home has long been a key part of building wealth in America, Point's home equity platform elevates the role of the home in people's finances. With Point, customers gain the freedom to dream  in the form of a new property or an investment  or the freedom to breathe  in the form of debt relief or a retirement cushion.

Point's suite of home equity products empowers both homeowners and home buyers to achieve their financial goals while also allowing institutional investors to share in the growth of the $25 trillion residential home equity market. Using the flagship HEI product, homeowners can unlock up to $500k with no monthly payments, no income requirements, and no need for perfect credit. In exchange for this access, homeowners share a piece of their future home price appreciation with investors. Alignment is the core of Point's business model  Point and their institutional investor partners do well when the homeowner does well.

"The strength and depth of the team that Eddie Lim has brought together at Point and its innovative approach to providing financing to homeowners has been apparent. It's clear that Point is building a home equity platform that will make homeownership more valuable for all existing and prospective homeowners," said Alex Rampell, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz. "After leading both their Seed round and Series A round, and investing in their Series B, we're excited to continue to invest in Point and help Eddie and the team build an industry-defining business."

For more information, please visit www.point.com .

About WestCap

WestCap is a strategic investor and operator in growth equity that partners with visionary leaders to build generational companies. WestCap's team is comprised of seasoned entrepreneurs and company builders who work side-by-side with founders to help companies scale. With $8 billion of assets under management and committed capital, WestCap has made notable investments like Airbnb, StubHub, Ipreo, Addepar, Hopper, iCapital, GoodLeap, Cerebral, Bolt, Celsius, and NYDIG. The firm has offices in New York, San Francisco and London. For more information, visit www.WestCap.com .

About Point

Point is a home equity platform that makes home wealth more valuable for everyone. With a Home Equity Investment (HEI) from Point, homeowners can unlock their home equity, enabling them to eliminate debt, get through periods of financial hardship, and diversify their wealth. For investors, Point provides access to a previously untapped asset class in the residential real estate space. Founded in 2015 by Eddie Lim, Eoin Matthews and Alex Rampell, Point is backed by top investors including Westcap, Andreessen Horowitz, Ribbit Capital, Greylock Partners, Bloomberg Beta, Redwood Trust, Atalaya Capital Management, Kingsbridge Wealth Management, Deer Park Road Management, The Palisades Group, Alpaca VC, and Prudential. To date, Point has raised over $170 million in equity capital. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA. For more information, please visit www.point.com .

Media Contact:

Tracy Rubin

JCUTLER media group

[email protected]

SOURCE Point
Pokemon GO Chief Scientist and 6waves Co-founder Join AnChain.AI In Launching the Next Generation of Web3 Innovation. Tweet this

Victor Fang, CEO & Co-founder of AnChain.AI comments: "I am thrilled to welcome more industry experts to join our Web3-enabling mission. Our A-Player team is fortunate to embrace this unparalleled opportunity to shape the Web3 future!"

AnChain.AI is redoubling its commitment to secure and sustainable growth of the Web3 ecosystem, offering the market's only fully compliant, secure, all-in-one solution for tapping into entirely new revenue streams and community-building capabilities through NFTs. The company reported Web3 enablement revenue growth of over 400% in 2022Q1, with plans to expand its offerings alongside Tenzing's official launch in May 2022.

"AnChain.AI is at the forefront of NFT-Enabled Solutions," said Rex Ng. "They have already built out the technological infrastructure and partnered with multiple brands, celebrities, influencers and more. With the rise of NFT games, AnChain.AI is poised to explore new synergistic opportunities with the next wave of NFT gaming companies."

"Digital goods, virtual economy, and security are pillars of online human co-existence and co-experience of the future," said Hansong Zhang, former executive at Pokemon GO creator Niantic. "AnChain.AI's virtual asset and security platforms are critical enabling technologies that usher in technological and societal transformations. It is so exciting to be involved with AnChain and participate in this future in a front-row seat."

Already trusted by the world's leading cryptocurrency businesses, financial institutions, and regulators including the U.S. SEC, AnChain.AI is now bringing their industry-defining smart contract intelligence, cryptography, and cloud infrastructure expertise to the Web3 space. Combining this with its patented bank-grade Web3 security with polished customer experience, AnChain.AI will usher a new era of digital innovation.

About Rex Ng

Rex is the President and Co-founder of 6waves, a global mobile game publisher with multiple Top Grossing games in the USA and APAC, where he manages all operational aspects of 6waves, including product development, users acquisition, analytics & business development. Rex began his Silicon Valley career by building HP's BI system and Data Warehouse, followed by the next decade in Yahoo Inc., leading the Yahoo Strategic Data Solution team.

About Hansong Zhong

Dr. Hansong Zhang is a scientist, entrepreneur, and investor based in Silicon Valley. He has helped build two multi-billion dollar companies in the U.S. He was Chief Scientist at Niantic Inc., maker of blockbuster AR game Pokemon Go, where he led technology initiatives in Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

He was the founding Vice President of Technology at Roblox Corporation, a leading Metaverse company listed on NYSE and the world's largest platform for user-created games and spaces. He co-founded Wearality Corporation, a company that brought defense-grade optics technology to consumer space. Prior to that, he served in technical leadership roles at Silicon Graphics (SGI) and Nvidia. At his first startup, he architected a graphics engine that, through acquisition, powered Google Earth. His consulting firm advised on emerging visual computing, computer vision, and AI technologies at some of the largest tech companies in the world, including Google, Microsoft, Intel, and AMD.

About AnChain.AI

AnChain.AI is an AI-powered cybersecurity company enhancing blockchain security, risk, and compliance strategies. AnChain.AI was founded in 2018 by cybersecurity and enterprise software veterans from FireEye and Mandiant. Backed by both Silicon Valley and Wall Street VCs, and selected in the Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator, the company is trusted by 100+ customers from over 10+ countries in these sectors: VASPs, financial institutions, and government, including the U.S. SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). Featured by CBS News, MIT Tech Review, Coindesk, and DEFCON, AnChain.AI's AML engine screens over $1 billion in daily crypto transactions.

SOURCE AnChain.AI
LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of this year's National Day of Prayer, a Congressionally sanctioned event held on the first Thursday in May, Pray.com announced the release of its first non-fungible token (NFT).

Pray.com is the first faith-based company into the metaverse, launching the original prayer NFT as part of its Web3, Crypto and Metaverse educational initiative, PRAY TEAM. This launch is for Christians who want to learn about cryptocurrency. Anyone who participates in the National Day of Prayer livestream will receive the NFT, a National Day of Prayer coin.

"This is a unique opportunity for the Christian community to be at the forefront of technology and help shape it for good," said Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder of Pray.com, Ryan Beck. "Crypto, Web3, NFTs and the Metaverse are reshaping the future of technology, and Pray.com is leading the charge for Christians around the world to be a part of it by building the first global community for Christians to learn about crypto, and by creating new technologies for faith-based content."

Pray.com is excited to work with the National Day of Prayer Task Force, Open3.com, POAP.xyz, and Polygon.technology to introduce Christians to the world of Crypto by offering a unique Proof of Attendance NFT for those attending the 2022 National Day of Prayer. Pray.com will be launching the NFT on the Polygon network while using the Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP). Dr. Malachi O'Brien, a leader in the NFT and POAP space, stated the significance of the event, "Pray.com is making Web3 history with its National Day of Prayer NFT."

"Web3 is growing at a rate of over 100% year-over-year and is expected to reach 1 billion users by 2027. This is exciting for Christians and the Church because these technologies bring power to communities and people rather than platforms," Beck added. "They enable communities and people to take back ownership of their data and protect themselves from censorship."

In fact, early adopters of the Christian community, such as James Lawrence and Matt Hayes at Engiven.com, have already started to explore the potential of Web3, developing a platform to make cryptocurrency donations accessible to 501c3 organizations.

According to Lawrence, Engiven's Co-founder and CEO, "Cryptocurrency is rapidly becoming a powerful new asset to spur on generosity and elevate Kingdom growth. We're seeing significant engagement from both givers and ministries as crypto and NFTs are leveraged to bring greater financial impact and ministry self-reliance."

"We believe in freedom of religion and the promise of Web3 technology to create a censorship-free future," said Steve Gatena, Founder and CEO of Pray.com. "This is the first step toward that future for the Church."

For more information about PRAY TEAM, visit www.prayteam.com.

About Pray.com

Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world's No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. Its new initiative, PRAY TEAM, is the first community for Christians in Crypto, involving leaders who can teach members about the future of finance, Web3, and how NFTs are changing the world. Reaching more than 10 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, Pray.com is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Pray.com founders are Steve Gatena, Mike Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.

Media Contact:

Melany Ethridge

[email protected]

214-912-8934

SOURCE Pray.com
Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Qantas is the flag carrier of Australia. The airline's history with Pratt & Whitney goes back more than 70 years to Wasp-powered Douglas DC-3 and DC-4 aircraft, followed by JT3D-powered Boeing 707 aircraft when the airline entered the jet age. Qantas Group currently operates several aircraft types with Pratt & Whitney engines, including more than 100 Airbus A320ceo family aircraft with V2500 engines at Jetstar, De Havilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft with PW100 and PW150 engines at QantasLink, and the world's first Airbus A321P2F at Qantas Freight, a passenger-to-freighter conversion powered by V2500 engines.

"We thank Qantas for selecting us to power not just one, but two of their next-generation fleets," said Rick Deurloo, chief commercial officer for Pratt & Whitney. "GTF engine technology will deliver unmatched economic and environmental performance, and for aircraft like the A321XLR, superior payload and range."

The Pratt & Whitney GTF engine is the only geared propulsion system delivering industry-leading sustainability benefits and dependable, world-class operating costs. The GTF engine family reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 16 to 20 percent and noise footprint by 75 percent, with NOx emissions 50 percent below the ICAO CAEP/6 regulation. The engine's revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for more sustainable aviation technologies in the decades ahead, with advancements like the Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage engine and beyond. Learn more at pwgtf.com.

About Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

# # #

[email protected]

+1 860 565 9600

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney
SKYPAD opens a second office in Paris' most advanced city of information and communication technologies. Tweet this

With the Paris office, Sky I.T. Group aims to assist their current portfolio of European and international partners, including such brands as; Balmain, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, The Row, and Rag & Bone. These companies, plus many more, who utilize SKYPAD, have headoffices located in Europe.

Having an office with closer proximity, to current and potential international clients, should be much more convenient for all parties. The new office will enable Sky I.T. Group to create a cohesive service network and further strengthen their SKYPAD service capabilities with this region.

Extremely excited about the opening of the Paris office, Gil Hakami, VP Business Development of Sky I.T. Group, had this to say, "We had such an amazing response with the launch of SKYPAD on the US market, we wanted to offer our expertise to the European market as well. Our focus has always been to help the relationship between retailers and brands evolve. SKYPAD has proven to do this in the US, so we are confident EU will follow."

About SKYPAD

The SKYPAD platform supports the collaboration of the world's most recognizable brands with the top retailers across the globe. Leveraging automation and self-serve reporting, SKYPAD provides insights into product and location level trends that drive planning, forecasting, and supply chain decisions, refining the consumer shopping experience.

Today, SKYPAD services over 4,000 users, from 2,000+ brands across several industry verticals and geographic regions. Our client portfolio of industry leaders includes Gucci, Prada, Tory Burch, Burberry, and L'Oreal. SKYPAD supports sell-through data in various source formats from 350+ of the world's top retailers, including Nordstrom, Saks, El Corte Ingles, Selfridges, Printemps, and Galeries Lafayette.

Visit: www.skyitgroup.com

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Sky I.T. Group
Canadian Regulators have approved Dermapose All-In-One fat sizing syringe

U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for a larger volume Amplifine PRP Gel Tube

SAN DIEGO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Suneva Medical, Inc. ("Suneva" or the "Company"), an innovative medical technology company using regenerative medicine to change the standard of care in aesthetic treatments, and partner Bimini Health Tech ("Bimini"), today announced that they have received approval from Canada's Medical Devices Directorate to market the Dermapose all-in-one fat sizing syringe in Canada. In the U.S., Suneva has also received an additional 510(K) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its larger volume 30 mL Amplifine PRP gel tube.

Dermapose is a cutting-edge fat transfer technology from the experts who created Puregraft, dedicated to volumization and rejuvenation. Dermapose is an all-in-one device designed to purify, size and reinject a patient's fat while maximizing revascularization.

Suneva has also received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for a larger volume 30 mL gel tube. Amplifine PRP gel tubes use a proprietary gel designed to capture a high concentration of platelets in a short processing time, delivering clinical benefits to the patient while also making the clinical practice more efficient with the ability to offer a wider array of regenerative treatments to their patients in the largest North American market.

PRP is a regenerative treatment that allows providers to access the patient's own growth factors that exist by taking a small amount of the patient's blood and spinning it through a centrifuge to separate out the red blood cells and white blood cells.

"These domestic and international regulatory approvals display the growing number of regenerative aesthetic treatment options, and Suneva is proud to add to those options," said Pat Altavilla, Chief Executive Officer of Suneva. "Dermapose and Amplifine offer innovative and minimally invasive solutions to patients seeking natural looking alternatives to help them look and feel their best."

On January 12, 2022 , Suneva Medical and Viveon Health Acquisition Corp. (NYSE American: VHAQ) ("Viveon Health" or "VHAQ"), a special purpose acquisition company, announced that they entered into a definitive merger agreement. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company's securities are expected to be traded on the NYSE American under the symbol "RNEW."

About Bimini Health Tech

Bimini Health Tech is a global leader in the medical aesthetics and regenerative market. The Bimini Health Tech portfolio includes Puregraft, Healeon, Dermapose and Kerastem. The company develops and commercializes products that are elegant in their simplicity, yet impactful and proven in their aesthetic and therapeutic benefit. Since 2013, they have been developing innovative products to provide premium aesthetic care options to consumers and physicians alike. Learn more about Bimini Health Tech at www.biminihealthtech.com.

About Dermapose Refresh

Dermapose Refresh is a Suction Lipoplasty system. The Dermapose Refresh is a sterile medical device intended for the closed-loop processing of lipoaspirate tissue in medical procedures involving the harvesting, concentrating and transferring of autologous adipose tissue harvested with a legally marketed lipoplasty system. The device is intended for use in the following surgical specialties when the transfer of harvested adipose tissue is desired: orthopedic surgery, arthroscopic surgery, neurosurgery, gastrointestinal and affiliated organ surgery, urological surgery, general surgery, gynecological surgery, thoracic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and plastic and reconstructive surgery when aesthetic body contouring is desired. Only legally marketed accessory items, such as syringes, should be used with the system. If harvested fat is to be transferred, the harvested fat is only to be used without any additional manipulation. See the Instructions for Use that accompanies the product for important Warnings, Precautions, and Directions. Learn more about Dermapose at www.Sunevamedical.com.

About Amplifine PRP Gel Tubes

Amplifine PRP Gel Tube is designed to be used for the safe and rapid preparation of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from a small sample of peripheral blood at the patient point-of-care. Each gel tube is provided sterile and non-pyrogenic and with a gel separator that contains a proprietary blend of anticoagulant citric acid, sodium citrate and dextrose solution (ACD-A) and is to be used only for the preparation of PRP with Amplifine PRP gel tube. The Amplifine gel tube must be processed via centrifuge at a designated speed and length of time following blood draw. The PRP must be used within 4 (four) hours after drawing blood. For more information or complete Instructions for Use, visit www.Sunevamedical.com

About Suneva Medical, Inc.

Suneva Medical, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, is a leader in regenerative aesthetics. It is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded products for providers and their patients. Suneva Medical offers a portfolio of products to address the impact of the aging process to deliver solutions that leverage the body's own restorative capacity. The product portfolio is composed of several "only" and "first to market" solutions with both FDA PMA approval and 510(k) clearance. For more information, visit https://www.sunevamedical.com/ .

Important Information About the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed business combination, Viveon Health will file a registration statement on Form S-4 containing a proxy statement/prospectus (the "Form S-4") with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Form S-4 will include a proxy statement to be distributed to holders of Viveon Health's common stock in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the vote by Viveon Health's stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction and other matters as described in the Form S-4, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of securities to be issued to Suneva's stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination. After the Form S-4 has been filed and declared effective, Viveon Health will mail a definitive proxy statement, when available, to its stockholders. Investors, security holders and other interested parties are urged to read the Form S-4, any amendments thereto and any other documents filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about Viveon Health, Suneva and the proposed business combination. Additionally, Viveon Health will file other relevant materials with the SEC in connection with the business combination. Copies may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov . Securityholders of Viveon Health are urged to read the Form S-4 and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting decision with respect to the proposed business combination because they will contain important information about the business combination and the parties to the business combination. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

Participants in the Solicitation

Viveon Health and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Viveon Health's stockholders with respect to the business combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in Viveon Health will be included in the Form S-4 for the proposed business combination and be available at www.sec.gov . Additional information regarding the interests of such participants will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed business combination when available. Information about Viveon Health's directors and executive officers and their ownership of Viveon Health's common stock is set forth in Viveon Health's prospectus, dated December 22, 2020, as modified or supplemented by any Form 3 or Form 4 filed with the SEC since the date of such filing. Other information regarding the direct and indirect interests of the participants in the proxy solicitation will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus pertaining to the proposed business combination when it becomes available. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov .

Suneva and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Viveon Health in connection with the proposed business combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed business combination will be included in the Form S-4 for the proposed business combination.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "will," "shall," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "would," "positioned," "future," "forecast," "intend," "plan," "project," "outlook" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements made in this press release regarding: the continued international growth of regenerative aesthetic treatment options; Dermapose's and Amplifine's ability to continue performing as designed; providers' ability to offer a wider array of regenerative treatments;; and the combined company's shares being traded on the NYSE. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on Viveon Health's and Suneva's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (1) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (2) the institution or outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Viveon Health and/or Suneva following the announcement of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability of the parties to complete the proposed business combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of Viveon Health or Suneva, certain regulatory approvals, or satisfy other conditions to closing in the merger agreement; (4) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement or could otherwise cause the transaction to fail to close; (5) the failure to meet the minimum cash requirements of the merger agreement due to Viveon Health stockholder redemptions and the failure to obtain replacement financing; (6) the inability to complete a concurrent PIPE; (7) the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Suneva's business and/or the ability of the parties to complete the proposed business combination; (8) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of Viveon Health's shares of common stock on the NYSE American following the proposed business combination; (9) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed business combination; (10) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of Suneva to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; (11) costs related to the proposed business combination; (12) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (13) the possibility that Suneva may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (14) the amount of redemption requests made by Viveon Health's stockholders; (15) decline in the international demand for regenerative aesthetic treatments; (16) decline in the supply of components necessary to make Dermapose and Amplifine or for them to perform as designed; (17) changes in the competitive landscape, including the introduction of competitive products or improvements in existing products; and (18) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the final prospectus of Viveon Health for its initial public offering dated December 22, 2020 filed with the SEC and the Form S-4 relating to the proposed business combination, including those under "Risk Factors" therein, and in Viveon Health's other filings with the SEC. Viveon Health and Suneva caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Viveon Health and Suneva caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Viveon Health and Suneva do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Neither Viveon Health nor Suneva gives any assurance that the combined company will achieve its expectations.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination. This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.

SOURCE Suneva Medical, Inc.
COATZACOALCOS, Mexico, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Located in the major port city of Coatzacoalcos, Colegio Pearson private school has been offering one of the best educations to K-12 students for over four decades now. Easily the leading bilingual educational institution in the City and the Region, Colegio Pearson helps students develop their individual potential so they can follow their dreams to college and beyond. With graduates who have gone on to study at Harvard, Boston, Columbia and Northwestern University, among others in Europe, Colegio Pearson offers students innovative educations from highly skilled instructors using cutting-edge pedagogical techniques  preparing students for a rapidly evolving and diverse workplace.

The outside of the school logo

"Language mastery is a core goal for us, so our students graduate speaking fluent English in addition to Spanish and French," said Lic. Enrique Chapuz, Languages Director. "When international companies and their executives arrive in the city, our school is always the first choice for their own children. This trend will only increase with the Trans-Isthmus Corridor, with Coatzacoalcos serving as a major hub: offering tax incentives as well as easy train access to Salina Cruz, enticing foreign companies like Braskem Idesa, Constellation Brands, and others to consider making significant investments here. We look forward to seeing an influx of new students from all over, and we welcome the opportunity to provide the same high-quality education to them as we give our local students."

About Colegio Pearson

Colegio Pearson places special emphasis on oral expression, giving children the security and confidence to express themselves clearly. Pearson is the only school of its kind in the area that guarantees the most complete and accredited study of the English language.

Kindergarten: Safe, warm, fun environment with experiential learning through interactive activities; personalized attention to meet individual needs; harmonious development of intellectual, emotional, and social skills; fostering neural connections through learning English.

Safe, warm, fun environment with experiential learning through interactive activities; personalized attention to meet individual needs; harmonious development of intellectual, emotional, and social skills; fostering neural connections through learning English. Primary: High command of English upon finishing; personalized attention and access to an education of excellence via experiential learning; preparing independent, responsible, and self-confident students.

High command of English upon finishing; personalized attention and access to an education of excellence via experiential learning; preparing independent, responsible, and self-confident students. High School: A total mastery of English and Spanish, with French fluency, finishing with a Microsoft Office Specialist certification; developing individual potential by promoting critical thinking and an evidence and science-based approach to research and learning; developing advanced skills of organization, collaboration, and communication in both Spanish and English to better process information, develop in a digital culture, reflect on issues, and express themselves in intelligent and positive interactions; fully prepares students for further college and university education on their way to becoming citizens of the world.

For the latest program information and event news, follow Pearson on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube.

Media Contact:

CP Liliana Cano

+52 921-228-1886

+52 921-212-5555

+52 921-212-6767

[email protected]

SOURCE Colegio Pearson
MIAMI, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC), the leading provider of people and technology solutions for the global retail market, announces the unveiling of its dynamic new corporate website and career portal, TROCglobal.com. The newly designed platform is a digital landscape that showcases the solutions and capabilities that T-ROC's Fortune 500 clients embrace for success. It also serves as a career portal, where those interested in joining the team of 7,000 T-ROCers and 20,000 gig force workers strong, can learn about new opportunities as well as the ethos of the company.

The retail leader boasts unparalleled technology, as seen with its introduction during the pandemic of the first omnichannel engagement solution, VIBA (Virtual Interactive Brand Ambassador). It turns stores, phones, computers, tablets, signage, billboards, displays and any other medium into a 24/7/365 sales force that connects customers instantly with a Live Agent or lifelike Virtual Brand Ambassador. The new website includes opportunities to schedule a demo of the solution.

"Our compelling new website brings the energy and emotion of T-ROC to the screen for our clients and the people we look forward to welcoming to the team. People are essential to our technology and we worked to convey that with our new website," said Brett Beveridge, CEO and Founder of T-ROC. "We've worked hard to create a powerful platform that illustrates our vision in an easy-to-navigate design. It informs while educating visitors about the success that can result from integrating the T-ROC solutions with any business."

To learn more about The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC), visit www.trocglobal.com. Follow T-ROC on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC)

T-ROC is a retail branding and consulting partner that supports companies in navigating through today's retail shopping experience, redefining the power of people and technology. T-ROC offers a unique combination of people-based services, applications, technology management, mystery shopping programs, actionable market research and competitive insights that support the complex needs of assisted selling. T-ROC's expertise and next-generation technology is delivered by a team that's all in to drive sales, optimize performance and deliver measurable ROI for businesses every single day.

Media Contact:

Tyler Sminkey,

(786) 390-8510,

[email protected]

SOURCE The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC)
TAMU System Member Will Drive Student Success with EduNav's Automated, Integrated, and Optimized Course-to-Career Planning Technology

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) today confirmed its next step toward achieving student success-centered strategic goals: launching EduNav's award-winning completion platform, including EduNav SmartPlan, EduNav Insights, and EduNav Summit.

"The course catalog can be an academic maze," reflected Dr. Lou Reinisch, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at TAMUK. "I see EduNav as the GPS of Academia, which students need to navigate that maze successfully! EduNav will give our students the fastest, shortest, and most certain route to graduation, providing not only multiple paths forward but also insights into how much each will cost both in dollars and time invested."

Dr. Reinisch continued, "Students aren't the only stakeholders who will benefit from EduNav. Faculty and department chairs will have more information than they've ever had before as they plan the course schedule. They'll know what courses they must offer, as well as what can be cancelled, giving faculty more time for scholarship even as our completion rates rise."

"TAMUK is an ideal partner for EduNav," added Andrew Brown, the EdTech provider's CEO. "First, their leadership is committed to a mission mantra of 'student success.' Most importantly, they recognize the integral role that smart technology will play in answering critical completion questions and optimizing every student's pathway to graduation. We are thrilled to amplify the student success outcomes this impressive institution is already driving."

Dr. Reinisch will be joining EduNav and Dr. Deborah Preston, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Raritan Valley Community College, for an online panel discussion on May 25th at 12:00 PM MT/1:00 PM CT to share more insight into his experience guiding students from course to career at TAMUK. Register for the webinar to hear more about the future of student success according to two higher ed leaders.

About Texas A&M University-Kingsville

The southernmost campus of the Texas A&M University system, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) is a public research university dedicated to serving an ethnically and culturally diverse population. TAMUK serves over 6,000 students through its world-renowned programs in music, agriculture, animal science, and engineering.

About EduNav

Backed by a range of venture investors focused on technology, education, and social responsibility, EduNav increases student access, equity, and affordability through automated, integrated, and optimized course-to-career planning technology. Colleges and universities that use our SmartPlan, Insights, and Summit solutions empower their students from all backgrounds to make informed decisions along their academic journeys. Working with us, these institutions remove scheduling complexities and financial barriers so everyone can seize the economic and social benefits of higher education. Learn more about EduNav by following us on LinkedIn, following us on Twitter, and bookmarking our blog, the Course-to-Career Chronicle.

SOURCE EduNav
Work includes trimming along nearly 2,000 miles of power lines in 2022

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is conducting tree trimming and other vegetation management work in communities across its northeast Ohio service area as part of its ongoing efforts to help enhance electric service reliability. This year's $16.5 million tree-trimming program will help keep power flowing to customers by helping to prevent tree-related outages, such as those that can occur during the spring and summer storm season.

On the ground, contractors have trimmed trees along more than 400 miles of power lines across The Illuminating Company's service area since the beginning of the year. The company's program remains on track to complete an additional 1,600 miles of tree-trimming work by the end of the year. Similar work is performed annually by FirstEnergy transmission companies along high-voltage power lines in the company's service territory.

"Trees are a leading cause of power outages, and we complete proactive tree-trimming work each year to prevent tree-related outages during severe weather," said Ed Shuttleworth, president of FirstEnergy's Ohio operations. "This work, paired with the vast upgrades we're making to our local power system, undoubtedly helps minimize the impact of weather-related outages to keep the power flowing safely and reliably to customers."

Tree trimming is done on a four-year cycle. The work includes inspecting vegetation near power lines to ensure trees are pruned to preserve the health of the tree while also maintaining safe clearances. Trees that present a danger or are diseased may be removed.

This year, the work is being conducted in the following counties and communities:

Ashtabula  Ashtabula City, Ashtabula Township , Austinburg , Conneaut , Geneva , Geneva Township , Harpersfield Township , Jefferson Township , Kingsville Township , Lenox Township, Morgan Township , North Kingsville , Orwell Township , Pierpont Township , Plymouth Township , Rome Township , Saybrook Township and Windsor

 City, , , , , , , , , Lenox Township, , , , , , , and Cuyahoga  Bay Village , Beachwood , Bedford , Bedford Heights , Berea , Bratenahl , Brecksville , Broadview Heights , Brook Park , Brooklyn , Brooklyn Heights , Chagrin Falls , Cleveland , Cleveland Heights , Cuyahoga Heights , East Cleveland , Eastlake , Euclid , Fairport Village , Fairview Park , Garfield Heights , Gates Mills , Highland Heights , Hunting Valley , Independence , Lakewood , Lyndhurst , Maple Heights , Mayfield Heights , Middleburgh Heights, Moreland Hills , Newburgh Heights , North Olmsted , North Royalton , Oakwood , Olmsted Falls , Olmsted Township, Orange , Parma , Parma Heights , Pepper Pike , Richmond Heights , Rocky River , Seven Hills , Shaker Heights , Solon , South Euclid , Strongsville , University Heights , Valley View , Walton Hills , Warrensville Heights , Westlake and Woodmere

 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Middleburgh Heights, , , , , , , Olmsted Township, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and Geauga  Aquilla Village, Auburn , Auburn Township , Bainbridge , Burton Township , Burton Village , Chardon Village , Chester Township , Claridon Township, Hambden Township , Hunting Valley , Huntsburg Township , Munson Township , Russell Township , South Russell and Thompson Township

 Aquilla Village, , , , , , , , Claridon Township, , , , , , and Lake  Concord Township , Grand River , Kirtland , Madison , Madison Township , Mentor , Painesville , Painesville Township , Perry Township , Perry Village , Wickliffe , Willoughby , Willoughby Hills and Willowick

 , , , , , , , , , , , , and Lorain  Avon and Avon Lake

As part of its notification process, The Illuminating Company works with municipalities to inform them of tree-trimming schedules. In addition, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way also are notified prior to vegetation management work being done.

The Illuminating Company's vegetation management work is conducted by certified forestry experts under the company's direction, including Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Davey Tree Expert Company, Penn Line Services and Townsend Tree Service.

In the air, helicopters equipped with aerial saws began trimming trees in April to maintain clearances along hard-to-access transmission and distribution corridors throughout The Illuminating Company's service area. The aerial saw is typically deployed along transmission and distribution lines in areas that may be environmentally sensitive or inaccessible to bucket trucks and other vehicles. This method typically covers more area in a day than a ground crew might complete in a week. The saw also eliminates the risk of injury to workers using bucket trucks or climbing trees to cut limbs near high voltage equipment.

The Illuminating Company serves more than 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Follow The Illuminating Company on Twitter @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IlluminatingCo .

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com .

Editor's Note: Photos of workers trimming trees near FirstEnergy power lines are available for download on Flickr . A video explaining and demonstrating tree-trimming work can be found on FirstEnergy's YouTube channel .

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
Morgan Polymer Seals' vision inspection technology ensures the safety of high-volume OEM filter plates delivered to Europe and Asia

SAN DIEGO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Morgan Polymer Seals announced today the innovation of its in-house vision inspection technology for a Volkswagen filter plate seal used in a vehicle's Transmission Electro-Hydraulic Control Module (TECHM).

Dubbed "MAGIC" (Morgan Automated Gasket Inspection Control), the machine utilizes 3-D scanning technology to check for aesthetic and dimensional defects in 5 million parts manufactured annually in Tijuana, Mexico, before shipping to the OEM in Germany and China.

Head of Automation Leonardo Meza explains, "We programmed this particular machine as a proactive measure to ensure the quality and safety of the product. Our MAGIC inspection machines are continuously improved to ensure the reliability of every part we manufacture because quality is the key to on-time delivery."

Morgan Polymer Seals is a 25-year-old, privately-owned automotive supplier that designs and manufactures custom gaskets and seals for powertrain, fuel system, and electrical applications.

To learn more, visit MorganPolymerSeals.com.

Sam Morgan

[email protected]

SOURCE Morgan Polymer Seals
Polling shows that voters are unified on urgent need for action

DENVER, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Department of Interior announced today it intends to reduce the previously scheduled amount of water released from Lake Powell to California, Arizona, and Nevada. This necessary reduction equates to the amount of water used in approximately 1 million U.S. households for a year. Without these and other actions, water levels in Lake Powell are at risk of falling below the minimum amount needed to maintain the hydropower electrical grid at Glen Canyon Dam, which provides power to millions. Shrinking water levels in Lake Powell also mean drinking water supplies for communities downstream, including Page, Arizona, and specific chapters of Navajo Nation, could be cut off.

These decisions come in response to historically low water levels in the reservoir. A recent national poll found 73% of Americans are worried about climate change and water scarcity, while one-quarter of voters believe their state will not have enough water during their grandchildren's lifetimes (the next 100 years).

The Walton Family Foundation issued the following statement from Ted Kowalski, who leads the foundation's Colorado River initiative:

"We appreciate the Bureau of Reclamation running an inclusive process with the states, tribal nations and the environmental community. This is an important step but there's still so much more to do."

"In the face of climate change, we know that people are unified around natural infrastructure projects that help ecosystems conserve water resources. We also need to empower local communities to reduce water usage and support the switch to sustainable and regenerative farming and ranching methods."

"As we tackle these issues, it is critical that we deliberately include those most impacted by water shortages, such as the tribes and rural communities, when developing strategies. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity through the bipartisan infrastructure law that was just passed to develop climate resilient water solutions. We need everyone at the table for this work."

About the Walton Family Foundation

The Walton Family Foundation is, at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders, Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas: improving K-12 education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in our home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta. To learn more, visit waltonfamilyfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE Walton Family Foundation
NASSAU, Bahamas, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the busy summer travel season fast approaching, The Bahamas is gearing up to welcome visitors with deals and promotions, the return of highly anticipated festivities and brand new cultural events. With increased airlift to the destination, visiting this summer is easier than ever.

NEWS

Grand Bahama Island Launches a New Cultural Experience  Catch the new Port Lucaya XPERIENCE at Port Lucaya Market Place in Grand Bahama from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday through 10 June of this year, which will feature Bahamian cooking demonstrations, Junkanoo performances, local music, and more.

The Walker's Cay Invitational Fishing Competition Returns  The state-of-the-art Walker's Cay Marina will host its second annual Walker's Cay Invitational from 18 to 21 May, a tournament in which up to 45 boats will compete for the biggest catch.

The Annual Backyard Festival Returns to Harbour Island  Locals and visitors are invited to attend the Annual Backyard Festival on 21 May, to be held on the historic Bay Steet in Harbour Island. Cultural festivities include Bahamian cuisine and a celebratory Junkanoo rushout.

Coral Vita Now Open to the Public  The Earthshot Prize winning coral restoration farm Coral Vita is now open to the public. Starting at $15, visitors can book an interactive tour to learn more about the importance of ocean conservation.

Tropic Ocean Airways Partners with Wheels Up  Tropic Ocean Airways and Wheels Up are providing travellers with a larger selection of bookable flights from Fort Lauderdale to destinations across The Bahamas, including Nassau, Bimini and The Berry Islands.

Western Air Launches New Daily Flights Between Fort Lauderdale and Nassau  Western Air will introduce a daily flight to Nassau from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, beginning 19 May 2022. Travellers can book now without facing any change fees.

The Bahamas Wins Big at HSMAI Adrian Awards  The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation received high honours at this year's HSMAI Adrian Awards, which spotlights excellence in hospitality advertising, digital marketing and public relations. It won two Silver Adrian Awards for its relaunched "Bahamas Agent Program" and "Andros Island" communication efforts within the Recovery Marketing and Integrated Marketing categories, respectively.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

For a complete list of promotions, deals and packages available now for a vacation in The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages.

Get 10% Off with Caerula Mar Club's Summer Special  Luxury resort Caerula Mar Club offers guests 10% off stays of four nights or more, if they book directly using the promo code CMGUEST through 31 May 2022. The offer is valid for travel until 8 August 2022.

Get a 5th Night Free at Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau  Guests who stay at Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau for four nights can get the fifth night free, plus a $500 food and beverage credit for on-site amenities and restaurants.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Anita Johnson-Patty

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

[email protected]

Weber Shandwick

Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
DUBLIN, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Automotive Plastics Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global automotive plastics market reached a value of US$ 38.7 billion in 2021. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach a value of US$ 51.65 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.60% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, the analyst is continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Automotive plastics include polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, polyethylene (PE), polyoxymethylene (POM) and polycarbonate (PC). These plastics assist in extending the life of automobiles, increasing design flexibility, reducing manufacturing costs and easing integration of components. Besides this, they also help reduce the weight of vehicles by replacing heavy materials, such as metal and glass, to save energy and improve fuel efficiency.



Automotive Plastics Market Trends

There is currently a rise in the sales of electric and hybrid vehicles (EVs/HVs) around the world. This represents one of the key factors propelling the growth of the market. Moreover, automotive plastics find applications in the production of fuel tanks, carpet fibers, wheel covers, suspension bushings, dashboards, headlamp lenses, truck bed liners, mud flaps, bumpers, and gears. In addition, there is an increase in the use of synthetic coatings on metal surfaces to minimize the risk of corrosion caused by salt damage, high heat and water exposure. Besides this, nylon is utilized for manufacturing seat belts and airbags on account of its tear-resistant properties. This, along with the escalating demand for lightweight and affordable vehicles, is positively influencing the market.

Apart from this, leading players are relying on bio-based plastics and polymers instead of fossil-based plastics to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability. Furthermore, they are using recycled plastics for manufacturing seat cushions, replacement bumpers, splash guards, and wheel liners. This, coupled with the burgeoning plastics industry, is augmenting the overall sales and profitability. Other factors facilitating the growth of the market include technological advancements and extensive research and development (R&D) activities financed by automobile manufacturers.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Asahi Kasei Corporation, BASF SE, Borealis AG, Covestro AG, Dow Inc., Koninklijke DSM N.V., Lanxess AG, Lear Corporation, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Solvay S.A and Teijin Limited.



Key Questions Answered in This Report

How has the global automotive plastics market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global automotive plastics market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the vehicle type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the material?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global automotive plastics market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology

3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Automotive Plastics Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Vehicle Type

6.1 Conventional and Traditional Vehicles

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Electric Vehicles

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Material

7.1 Polyethylene (PE)

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Polypropylene (PP)

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast

7.5 Polyurethane (PU)

7.5.1 Market Trends

7.5.2 Market Forecast

7.6 Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)

7.6.1 Market Trends

7.6.2 Market Forecast

7.7 Polycarbonate (PC)

7.7.1 Market Trends

7.7.2 Market Forecast

7.8 Polyamide

7.8.1 Market Trends

7.8.2 Market Forecast

7.9 Others

7.9.1 Market Trends

7.9.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Application

8.1 Powertrain

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Electrical Components

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Interior Furnishings

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 Exterior Furnishings

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast

8.5 Under the Hood

8.5.1 Market Trends

8.5.2 Market Forecast

8.6 Chassis

8.6.1 Market Trends

8.6.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Region

10 SWOT Analysis



11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porters Five Forces Analysis



13 Price Analysis



14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

14.3.1 Asahi Kasei Corporation

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.1.3 Financials

14.3.1.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.2 BASF SE

14.3.2.1 Company Overview

14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2.3 Financials

14.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.3 Borealis AG

14.3.3.1 Company Overview

14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.3.3 Financials

14.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.4 Covestro AG

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.4.3 Financials

14.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.5 Dow Inc.

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.5.3 Financials

14.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.6 Koninklijke DSM N.V.

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6.3 Financials

14.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.7 Lanxess AG

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7.3 Financials

14.3.7.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.8 Lear Corporation

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8.3 Financials

14.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.9 LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.9.3 Financials

14.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.10 Saudi Basic Industries Corporation

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10.3 Financials

14.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.11 Solvay S.A

14.3.11.1 Company Overview

14.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.11.3 Financials

14.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.12 Teijin Limited

14.3.12.1 Company Overview

14.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.12.3 Financials

14.3.12.4 SWOT Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mm3erz

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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SOURCE Research and Markets
SHANGHAI, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zhangmen Education Inc. ("Zhangmen" or the "Company") (NYSE: ZME), a leading online education company in China, today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2022. The annual report can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at ir.zhangmenedu.com.

The Company will provide a hard copy of its annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to Investor Relations Department, Zhangmen Education Inc., No.1666 North Sichuan Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China.

About Zhangmen Education Inc.

Zhangmen Education Inc. (NYSE: ZME) is a leading online education company in China providing quality-oriented education to students and on-campus education services to educational institutions. Over the years, the Company has successfully garnered wide recognition in the industry and established "Zhangmen" as a trusted online education brand. For more information, please visit ir.zhangmenedu.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Zhangmen Education Inc.

Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Emilie Wu

Tel: +86-21-6039-8363

E-mail: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Zhangmen Education Inc.
Currently available in 21 countries, the 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope is a first-of-its-kind smart stethoscope. Released in October 2020, it marries best-in-class 3M Littmann technology with advanced digital innovations from Eko, a digital health company advancing heart and lung disease detection. Benefits to clinicians include:

Sound amplification up to 40 times -- at peak frequency versus analog -- to help health care providers with different hearing abilities and identify hard to hear body noises.

Active noise cancellation to help reduce distracting background sounds for those working in noisy environments.

Easy one-button toggling between analog and digital amplification modes to suit the clinician's listening needs. Also includes two tunable diaphragms -- adult and pediatric  that allow users to listen for both high and low frequency sounds without repositioning the chest piece.

Visualization of sound data during auscultation. The ability to see the pathology is another tool to help clinicians with diagnoses.

HIPAA compliant means to save and annotate 15-, 30-, 60- or 120-second recordings in a secure dashboard. Also enables clinicians to create a library of heart sounds to monitor the progression of a disease, for education, or to securely share recordings with colleagues.

Analysis of heart sounds to aid in the detection of the presence of suspected heart murmurs in seconds with Eko's FDA-cleared and clinically-proven AI algorithm.

"3M Littmann is a pioneer and proven leader in auscultation innovation and quality. The 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope is our most advanced stethoscope yet and we believe it will help the world tackle heart disease, one preventative screening at a time," said Kristi Barnett, 3M medical devices senior director. "3M applies science to life. Our entire health care team is constantly exploring new and iterative technologies and partnerships that empower clinicians and improve patient outcomes worldwide and we are honored with this prestigious recognition from Fast Company,"

"The entire team at Eko is thrilled about this recognition from Fast Company," said Connor Landgraf, co-founder and CEO of Eko, which was also recognized by Fast Company earlier this year among the ten most innovative health companies of 2022 . "Our collaboration with 3M Littmann on the Littmann CORE Stethoscope has already put our heart disease screening technology into the hands of hundreds of thousands of clinicians globally, effectively screening over a million patients annually."

Now in its sixth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 39 winners, 350 finalists, and more than 600 honorable mentions, with climate, social justice, and AI and data among the most popular categories. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of almost 3,000 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, health, social justice, and more. The 2022 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Switzerland to Hong Kong to Australia.

"We are consistently inspired by the novelty and creativity that people are applying to society's most pressing problems, from shelter to the climate crisis," says David Lidsky, interim editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "Fast Company relishes its role in amplifying the important and innovative work being done to address big challenges. Our journalists have identified some of the most ingenious initiatives to launch since the start of 2021, and we can't wait to see the positive mark they leave on their respective industries."

About 3M

At 3M (NYSE: MMM), we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily as our employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M's creative solutions to global challenges at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.

About 3M Littmann Stethoscopes

3M Littmann Stethoscopes is a global leader in auscultation technology - providing innovative solutions to improve patient care. Littmann stethoscopes are trusted worldwide for precision, acoustic excellence, reliable design and exceptional performance, helping clinicians detect difficult-to-hear body sounds and improve patient outcomes.

About Eko

Eko, a digital health company, is advancing how healthcare professionals detect and monitor heart and lung disease with its innovative suite of digital tools, patient and provider software, and AI-powered analysis. Its FDA-cleared platform is used by hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide, allowing them to detect earlier and with higher accuracy, diagnose with more confidence, manage treatment effectively, and ultimately give their patients the best care possible. Eko is headquartered in Oakland, California, with over $125 million in funding from Highland Capital Partners, Questa Capital, Artis Ventures, DigiTx Partners, NTTVC, Morningside Technology Ventures Limited, Mayo Clinic, Sutter Health, and others. For more information visit www.ekohealth.com .

About the World Changing Ideas Awards

World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company's major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.

SOURCE 3M
High demand for abrasives to cut hard materials such as concrete or steel, as well as to remove paint or rust from the surface, is estimated to drive the market

Firms in the global abrasives market take advantage of substantial value-grab possibilities in Asia Pacific . Rapid urbanization and rise of the Industry 4.0 sector are likely to fuel regional market.

ALBANY, N.Y., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Transparency Market Research: The value of the global abrasives market stood over US$ 54 Bn in 2020. The global market is estimated to rise at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period, from 2021 to 2031. The global abrasives market is estimated to surpass valuation of US$ 97.7 Bn by the end of 2031. Firms in the global abrasives market is likely to benefit from the booming electronics and automotive industries, which provide steady revenue sources. Abrasive materials are in high demand due to applications such as sandblasting, transportation, and metal fabrication. Abrasives are used by professionals in the automotive and electronics industries to cut hard substances such as steel or concrete, to shape materials by grinding, and then polish finished items.

Firms in the global abrasives market ensure delivery of high-quality consumables, as the electronics and automotive industries are fiercely competitive marketplaces. In addition, the demand for high-quality abrasives is being fueled by high-ticket-priced autos and electronics, which play an important role in making manufacturing processes better for operators and technicians. The growth of the metal fabrication industry is presenting manufacturers with new revenue prospects.

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Data-driven research is becoming a more crucial technique for providing end consumers with new solutions. This study has a significant impact on expanding the abrasive product selection. As a result, producers of steel abrasives, coated abrasives, and bonded abrasives are ramping up output.

Key Findings of Market Report

In order to expand their product portfolio, companies are acknowledging the significance of R&D investments as well as operational effectiveness. To provide novel abrasive items to the market, companies are utilizing diamond for ceramic grinding and high tensile materials. Besides, the automotive sector, companies are unlocking revenue potential in various other industries, such as medical devices, cleaning and maintenance, and power generation to generate revenues.

Abrasive manufacturers are expanding their product lines by offering two-step grinding systems for angle grinders that allow for faster removal rates and smoother surfaces. In the manufacturing, automobile, and electronics businesses, such abrasive materials aid save time during production. The need for abrasive goods is being fueled by heavy-duty industrial applications.

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In the forthcoming years, the global abrasive market is predicted to rise steadily owing to rising sales of automotive as well as various electrical devices

The Asia Pacific region is now the biggest regional markets for abrasives, and it is likely to make a significant contribution to the global market. Abrasive materials and products are produced in large quantities in China , which is the world's top home market. As a result, Asia Pacific is likely to register strong growth during the forecast period.

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Global Abrasives Market: Growth Drivers

The global abrasives market has grown in lockstep with the industrial, metal fabric, and automotive industries. Following the global economic recovery after COVID-19, there has been a significant increase in the demand for machinery. The global abrasives market is likely to benefit from expanding urbanization as well as industrialization.

The global abrasives market is fragmented in terms of competitiveness, with a significant number of international as well as regional companies. Business alliances, mergers & acquisitions, and product innovation are only a few of the growth methods undertaken by firms to get an advantage over their competitors.

Global Abrasives Market: Key Competitors

Saint Gobain SA

TYROLIT Schleifmittelwerke Swarovski K.G.

The 3M Company

Company Robert Bosch GmbH

DuPont

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Global Abrasives Market: Segmentation

Product

Bonded Abrasives

Coated Abrasives

Raw Super Abrasives

Steel Abrasives

Loose Abrasive Grains

Others

End User

Machinery

Electrical & Electronic Equipment

Transportation

Metal Fabrication

Others

Chemicals & Materials Industry battles Tangible Impact of Economic and Cultural changes, Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Chemicals & Materials:

Steel Abrasives Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/steel-abrasives-market.html

Non-woven Abrasives Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/non-woven-abrasives-market.html

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyse information.



Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

For More Research Insights on Leading Industries, Visit our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8e-z-g23-TdDMuODiL8BKQ

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Transparency Market Research

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
Top range efficacy for ACR and PASI scores

Proportion of patients with resolution of enthesitis appears differentiating

Supports hypothesis that izokibep offers greater efficacy with high potency and small size

Supports strategy of evaluating IL-17A inhibition's potential for transformative efficacy across many disease states

Study results to be presented at EULAR in Copenhagen , on June 3, 2022

LOS ANGELES, SOLNA, Sweden, and SHANGHAI, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ACELYRIN, INC., Affibody AB, and Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., today announced that a 16-week, global, Phase 2 clinical trial of izokibep in 135 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) met its primary endpoint of ACR50. Izokibep also achieved secondary endpoints, including PASI response, enthesitis LEEDs improvement, and quality of life improvement on a clinically validated PsA-specific quality of life instrument, the Psoriatic Impact of Disease (PsAID) questionnaire.

The randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of izokibep dosed 80 mg every two weeks (Q2W) or 40 mg Q2W, versus placebo Q2W, in adult patients with active PsA. The primary endpoint of ACR50 and secondary endpoint of PASI responses were met and were at the top of the range of responses, compared to what has been reported for other medicines approved or in development for PsA. The proportion of patients with resolution of enthesitis appears to be differentiating. A clinically meaningful improvement in disease-specific quality of life was achieved with the patient-reported outcome measure, PsAID. No new safety issues were identified.

"The positive data generated in this Phase 2 trial supports our hypothesis that the high potency and small molecular size of izokibep results in potential for greater exposures and, therefore, greater efficacy. Enhanced drug penetration in dense, poorly vascularized entheseal tissues would be consistent with the differentially greater pain reductions seen with izokibep treatment," said Paul Peloso, MD, chief medical officer (CMO) of ACELYRIN.

"Residual entheseal pain is associated with more severe disease and poorer quality of life. It is exciting to see such improved resolution of enthesitis and patients' improved quality of life," he added.

"Psoriatic arthritis is a painful and debilitating inflammatory disease of the peripheral joints, skin, and nails, and it also can affect the spine. We are pleased this Phase 2 trial highlights the potential of izokibep to offer clinically differentiated efficacy in this area of continued unmet need," noted Prof. Nikolai Brun, MD, PhD, CMO of Affibody. "Importantly, an opportunity remains to continue to explore higher exposures to optimize response and still deliver izokibep as single SC injections."

Shao-Lee Lin, MD, PhD, co-founder and CEO of ACELYRIN, said, "These data underscore our confidence in the previously announced strategy of fully evaluating IL-17A inhibition's potential for transformative efficacy across many disease states."

"The PsA P2 data have positive implications in particular for axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) and psoriasis (PsO), given impact on enthesitis and PASI responses. Higher dosing (160mg QW) and Q2W dosing of izokibep will be studied in a PsA P2b/3 pivotal study as a next step in advancement of the program," she added.

David Bejker, CEO of Affibody, said, "These study results are important in demonstrating the opportunity to create best-in-class compounds based on the Affibody technology."

Details of the PsA Phase 2 trial data will be shared by podium presentation at the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) Congress in Copenhagen on June 3, 2022, at 11:05AM CET.

ACELYRIN holds worldwide rights to izokibep except development and commercialization rights by Inmagene in selected Asian countries, including China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan, and excluding Japan. Affibody holds commercialization rights in the Nordic countries.

About izokibep

Izokibep is a unique, antibody mimetic, interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor designed to overcome the limitations of monoclonal antibodies. With extraordinary potency and small molecular size, izokibep can reach high drug exposure levels through a single, subcutaneous injection that monoclonal antibodies require IV administration to achieve. In addition, the small size of izokibepabout a tenth the size of a monoclonal antibodyalso enables its potential to reach targeted tissues that may otherwise be inaccessible to the much larger monoclonal antibodies.

About Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory musculoskeletal condition affecting the peripheral joints, the skin (with psoriasis), the nails, and in approximately 30 percent of individuals, the spine. Left under-treated, PsA leads to chronic joint pain, swelling, and damage with a high potential for permanent disability. Psoriatic arthritis pathology is dominated by pro-inflammatory T-helper (Th-17) cells that lead to over expression of IL-17, IL-23, and TNF cytokines.

About ACELYRIN

ACELYRIN, INC. is a Los Angeles area-based biopharma company focused on providing patients life-changing new treatment options by identifying, acquiring, and accelerating development and commercialization of promising drug candidates and leveraging its expertise to rapidly advance these medicines to patients. For more information, please visit www.acelyrin.com

About Affibody AB

Affibody AB is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a broad product pipeline focused on developing innovative bi- and multi-specific next generation biopharmaceuticals based on its unique proprietary technology platforms: Affibody molecules and Albumod. Affibody AB is a holding of Patricia Industries. For more information, please visit www.affibody.com

About Inmagene Bio

Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd., with wholly owned subsidiaries in San Diego, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Wuhan, is a leading biotech company focused on immunology-related therapeutic areas. Believing in "borderless innovation", the Inmagene team integrates efficient resources worldwide to develop drugs for patients globally. Inmagene is operating twelve "Smart Innovation" programs to create and develop novel drug candidates for the global market. For more information, please visit www.inmagenebio.com.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements. While ACELYRIN, INC., Affibody AB, and Inmagene Bio consider the projections to be based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements may be called into question by numerous hazards and uncertainties, so that actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE ACELYRIN
SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Achronix Semiconductor Corporation, a leader in high-performance field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and embedded FPGA (eFPGA) IP, today announced that President and CEO, Robert Blake, will provide a business update on the Company's record 2021 performance and review its competitive position as the only pure-play provider of high-performance FPGA components and embedded FPGA cores in the industry today at the following upcoming conferences:

Oppenheimer Emerging Growth Conference - Tuesday, May 10 . Virtual investor meetings with management will be held throughout the day.

- Virtual investor meetings with management will be held throughout the day. Baird Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conferences - Monday, June 6 at the InterContinental Barclay Hotel in New York . Management is scheduled to host a fireside chat at 1:25 p.m. ET and meet with attending investors throughout the day.

- at the InterContinental Barclay Hotel in . Management is scheduled to host a fireside chat at and meet with attending investors throughout the day. Rosenblatt's Age of AI Scaling Summit - Thursday, June 9 . Management will host a virtual fireside chat at 2:00 p.m. ET , followed by group investor meetings.

Interested parties attending these events who would like to schedule a meeting with Achronix should contact the respective firm's equity sales representative.

About Achronix Semiconductor Corporation

Achronix Semiconductor Corporation is a fabless semiconductor corporation based in Santa Clara, California, offering high-end FPGA-based data acceleration solutions, designed to address high-performance, compute-intensive and real-time processing applications. Achronix is the only supplier to have both high-performance, high-density standalone FPGAs and licensed eFPGA IP solutions. Achronix Speedster7t FPGA and SpeedcoreTM eFPGA IP offerings are further enhanced by ready-to-use VectorPathTM accelerator cards targeting AI, machine learning, networking and data center applications. All Achronix products are fully supported by the Achronix Tool Suite which enables customers to quickly develop their own custom applications. Achronix has a global footprint, with sales and design teams across the U.S., Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.achronix.com.

For more information, please visit:

Website: www.achronix.com

The Achronix Blog: /blogs/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Achronixcorp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/57668/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/achronix/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AchronixCorp

Achronix, Speedster and VectorPath are registered trademarks, and Speedcore and Speedchip are trademarks of Achronix Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts

Joel Achramowicz, Managing Director

Shelton Group

T: 415-845-9964

[email protected]

SOURCE Achronix
Global Humanitarian Organizations Partner Together to Provide Safe Spaces and Services

MINNEAPOLIS, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Minneapolis-based global humanitarian organization Alight and Airbnb.org  an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in moments of crisis  have joined forces to aid refugees fleeing Ukraine. Since March, Alight has had teams on the ground acting as housing guides to meet and assist new arrivals at the Ukraine/Poland border, and providing essential resources including safe shelter and guidance for refugees on their journey.

"As we have entered into an ever changing crisis situation, it was not enough to provide just the immediate essentials that people in Ukraine needed as they fled, but receiving the initial grant from Airbnb.org has enabled our team members to guide these families and individuals to safe and comforting homes," stated Alight CEO and Airbnb.org Board Member Jocelyn Wyatt. "Having partners that are intrinsically aligned with our own core values brings a human touch to the work that makes displaced populations feel whole, and gives them hope for a brighter tomorrow."

Airbnb.org allows Hosts on Airbnb  as well as those who have never hosted before but want to step up in times of crisis  to provide free and discounted stays to people impacted by emergencies, as an alternative to other shelter options. Airbnb.org is proud to work with governments and trusted partners, including Alight, to reach the communities that most need assistance.

In late February, Airbnb.org announced that it would offer free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine  and to date, more than 16,000 guests have received this support. Through this vital partnership with Airbnb.org, Alight alone has booked hundreds of families directly into temporary housing  3,825 safe, secure nights so far.

"Our commitment to empowering like-minded organizations with resources and tools that advance equity in communities has made Airbnb.org's partnership with Alight a natural step in supporting those impacted by the crisis in Ukraine," said Airbnb co-founder and Airbnb.org Chairman Joe Gebbia. "I had the chance to witness first hand the work that Alight is doing to thoughtfully connect refugees fleeing Ukraine to safe housing and community  with Airbnb.org's infrastructure and support  and I am grateful for our partnership and for their dedication to providing these services."

In conjunction with Alight, Airbnb.org is also working with Alight partner ORAM (Organization for Refugee, Asylum and Migration) to provide safe shelter for LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing persecution in Ukraine.

Please visit Alight's Ukrainian Response page to learn more about this vital work.

About ALIGHT Established in 1978 by founder Neal Ball, Alight , formerly known as American Refugee Committee, provides health care, clean water, shelter, protection and economic opportunities to more than 3.5 million people in over 20 countries each year. Alight believes in the incredible creativity, potential and ingenuity of the displaced and works to shine a light on their humanity, the tremendous amount of good that's already happening and the possibilities to do more. In 2021, Alight received the prestigious 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the eleventh consecutive year, celebrating more than a decade of impactful work.

About AIRBNB.ORG Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org's charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows Hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.

SOURCE Alight
Device - Supraglottic devices, infraglottic devices, resuscitators, and others

- Geography - North America , Europe , Asia , and Rest of World (ROW)

For more insights on YOY and CAGR, Read our latest Sample Report

Vendor Insights

The Airway Management Tubes Market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market.

The growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies such as promotional activities and spending on advertisements to improve the visibility of their services. Some vendors are also adopting inorganic growth strategies such as M&As to remain competitive in the market.

The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including:

Ambu AS

ConvaTec Group Plc

Cook Medical LLC

Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

Flexicare (Group) Ltd.

Fuji Systems Co. Ltd.

Intersurgical Ltd.

KARL STORZ SE and Co. KG

Medis Medical (UK) Ltd

Medtronic Plc

Mercury Medical

Pulmodyne Inc.

Roper Technologies Inc.

Smiths Group Plc

SourceMark

SunMed LLC

Teleflex Inc.

Trudell Healthcare Solutions Inc.

Vyaire Medical Inc.

Find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by vendors and their product offerings, Read our Sample Report.

Geographical Market Analysis

North America will account for 43% of the market's growth. In North America, the United States and Canada are the most important markets for airway management tubes. The market in this region will grow faster than the markets in Europe and the rest of the world.

Over the forecast period, the airway management tubes market in North America will benefit from the introduction of innovative single-use devices as well as recommendations from regulatory bodies and government organisations to utilise such devices to lower the risk of HAIs.

Furthermore, countries such as US, Canada, Germany, France, and China are expected to emerge as prominent markets for the Airway Management Tubes Market during the forecast period.

Know more about this market's geographical distribution along with a detailed analysis of the top regions. Download Detailed Sample Report.

Key Segment Analysis

The market share of airway management tubes held by supraglottic airways (SGAs) would expand significantly. The materials and components used in laryngeal mask airways are inexpensive, which lowers the masks' overall maintenance costs. Furthermore, the European Resuscitation Council and the American Heart Association suggest these masks for emergency airway management. In the approaching years, such variables will fuel segment growth.

View Sample Report : to know additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their impact in coming years.

Key Market Drivers & Challenges:

The increased desire for single-use devices, as reusable goods provide a danger of cross-contamination, resulting in HAIs or nosocomial infections, is one of the important drivers driving the worldwide airway management tubes market expansion. Another market trend that is projected to favourably impact the industry in the forecast period is a growing emphasis on paediatric airway management. During the forecast period, however, the dangers and issues associated with airway management devices may hinder the worldwide airway management tubes market's growth.

Download Sample Report for highlights on market Drivers & Challenges affecting the Airway Management Tubes Market.

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Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak to our analyst and know more insights about this market report. Our analysts can also help you customize this report according to your needs. Our analysts and industry experts will work directly with you to understand your requirements and provide you with customized data in a short amount of time.

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Related Reports:

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Airway Management Tubes Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.72% Market growth 2022-2026 $ 255.98 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 4.69 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 43% Key consumer countries US, Canada, Germany, France, and China Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Ambu AS, ConvaTec Group Plc, Cook Medical LLC, Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd., Flexicare (Group) Ltd., Fuji Systems Co. Ltd., Intersurgical Ltd., KARL STORZ SE and Co. KG, Medis Medical (UK) Ltd, Medtronic Plc, Mercury Medical, Pulmodyne Inc., Roper Technologies Inc., Smiths Group Plc, SourceMark, SunMed LLC, Teleflex Inc., Trudell Healthcare Solutions Inc., and Vyaire Medical Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Device



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Device

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Device - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Device - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Device

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Device



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Device

5.3 Supraglottic devices - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Supraglottic devices - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Supraglottic devices - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Supraglottic devices - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Supraglottic devices - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Infraglottic devices - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Infraglottic devices - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Infraglottic devices - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Infraglottic devices - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Infraglottic devices - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Resuscitators - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 36: Chart on Resuscitators - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Resuscitators - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Chart on Resuscitators - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Resuscitators - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 40: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 42: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.7 Market opportunity by Device

Exhibit 44: Market opportunity by Device ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 45: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 46: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 48: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 51: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 53: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 66: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 67: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 68: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 73: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 86: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 87: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 88: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 89: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 90: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 91: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 92: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Ambu AS

Exhibit 93: Ambu AS - Overview



Exhibit 94: Ambu AS - Business segments



Exhibit 95: Ambu AS - Key offerings



Exhibit 96: Ambu AS - Segment focus

10.4 ConvaTec Group Plc

Exhibit 97: ConvaTec Group Plc - Overview



Exhibit 98: ConvaTec Group Plc - Product / Service



Exhibit 99: ConvaTec Group Plc - Key news



Exhibit 100: ConvaTec Group Plc - Key offerings

10.5 Flexicare (Group) Ltd.

Exhibit 101: Flexicare (Group) Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 102: Flexicare (Group) Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 103: Flexicare (Group) Ltd. - Key offerings

10.6 Intersurgical Ltd.

Exhibit 104: Intersurgical Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 105: Intersurgical Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 106: Intersurgical Ltd. - Key offerings

10.7 KARL STORZ SE and Co. KG

Exhibit 107: KARL STORZ SE and Co. KG - Overview



Exhibit 108: KARL STORZ SE and Co. KG - Product / Service



Exhibit 109: KARL STORZ SE and Co. KG - Key offerings

10.8 Medtronic Plc

Exhibit 110: Medtronic Plc - Overview



Exhibit 111: Medtronic Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 112: Medtronic Plc - Key news



Exhibit 113: Medtronic Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 114: Medtronic Plc - Segment focus

10.9 Smiths Group Plc

Exhibit 115: Smiths Group Plc - Overview



Exhibit 116: Smiths Group Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 117: Smiths Group Plc - Key news



Exhibit 118: Smiths Group Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 119: Smiths Group Plc - Segment focus

10.10 SunMed LLC

Exhibit 120: SunMed LLC - Overview



Exhibit 121: SunMed LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 122: SunMed LLC - Key offerings

10.11 Teleflex Inc.

Exhibit 123: Teleflex Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 124: Teleflex Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 125: Teleflex Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 126: Teleflex Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 127: Teleflex Inc. - Segment focus

10.12 Vyaire Medical Inc.

Exhibit 128: Vyaire Medical Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 129: Vyaire Medical Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 130: Vyaire Medical Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 131: Vyaire Medical Inc. - Key offerings

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 132: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 133: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 134: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 135: Research methodology



Exhibit 136: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 137: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 138: List of abbreviations

About Us:

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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SOURCE Technavio
Alan Barge, MD, Oncology and Biopharmaceutical Drug Development Expert, Former Head of Oncology at AstraZeneca, Recently Joined All Blue as Oncology Drug Development Advisor

Barge's Expertise and Focused Leadership to Foster Turnaround of Zymeworks' Operating Performance

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- All Blue Capital ("AB"), a global investment firm, today announced that biopharmaceutical industry leader and expert, Alan Barge, MD, has agreed to advise the firm as Oncology Drug Development Advisor. In this capacity, Dr. Barge is prepared to provide the expertise, focused leadership and business acumen necessary to support AB's recent proposal to acquire Zymeworks, Inc. (NYSE: ZYME), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, with the goal of reversing the value-destructive measures that Zymeworks and its board of directors implemented over the past 12 months. Following a successful completion of the transaction, Dr. Barge would serve on Zymeworks' board, adding additional value to AB's current offer.

"Alan's exceptional breadth and depth of expertise in oncology, drug development and commercialization has greatly expanded All Blue's capabilities in the biopharmaceutical industry," said Matt Novak, Managing Partner, All Blue Capital. "Alan has already made invaluable contributions during the short time he has been in consultation with the All Blue team, and I have the utmost confidence that he can deliver value to Zymeworks."

"All Blue Capital is a dynamic team, and has put together a world class scientific team with expertise in oncology and drug manufacturing, who are committed to the growth and development of the biopharmaceutical industry, and I am appreciative of the opportunity to become part of the firm. I have worked closely with the team in developing a business plan for Zymeworks that can create superior value. I look forward to contributing my expertise to help put Zymeworks back on track," said Dr. Barge.

Dr. Barge has unmatched expertise in oncology and biopharmaceutical drug development and commercialization. He joined AB after founding Carrick Therapeutics in the UK, which focused on early-stage oncology assets, and co-founding ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, a Singapore-based biopharmaceutical company that focuses on Asia-related cancers. Earlier in his career, Dr. Barge served as Vice President of Clinical and Head of Oncology and Infection at AstraZeneca, where he was responsible for building and managing a large development group and executing AstraZeneca's oncology portfolio globally. He also served as European Medical Director at Amgen. Dr. Barge trained in medicine at Oxford and London, and specialized in hematology and oncology, completing research and clinical fellowships in Seattle in 1990.

On April 28, AB submitted a proposal to acquire 100% of the outstanding common shares of Zymeworks for $10.50 per share in cash, representing approximately $773 million in total equity value. AB is confident that the all-cash proposal represents compelling and immediate value for Zymeworks stakeholders at a time of considerable macroeconomic uncertainty, especially given the company's significant and continued underperformance. All Blue looks forward to the opportunity to discuss its proposal with the Zymeworks board, which it hopes will engage in good faith and in a timely fashion.

About All Blue

AB is a global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, real estate, blockchain and hedge funds. Leveraging the strength of the team's global presence and through its strategic network of partners, AB is able to take advantage of differentiated investment opportunities across asset classes, industries and geographies. AB's focus on its core values of entrepreneurialism, innovation, and institutionalization has led to a history of delivering excellent risk-adjusted returns.

Media Contact

Jeremy Fielding / Richard Goldman

Kekst CNC

(646) 644-4825 / (646) 847-6102

[email protected]

SOURCE All Blue Capital
CALABASAS, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) (the "Company"), a leading provider of high-quality single-family homes for rent, today announced that the Board of Trustees declared a dividend of $0.18 per share on the Company's common shares for the second quarter of 2022. The distribution will be payable in cash on June 30, 2022 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2022.

The Board of Trustees also declared a per share quarterly distribution on the Company's cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred shares of $0.36719 per share on the 5.875% Series G shares and $0.39063 per share on the 6.250% Series H shares payable in cash on June 30, 2022 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2022.

About American Homes 4 Rent

American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and "American Homes 4 Rent" is a nationally recognized brand for rental homes, known for high-quality, good value and resident satisfaction. We are an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. As of December 31, 2021, we owned 57,024 single-family properties in selected submarkets in 22 states.

Additional information about American Homes 4 Rent is available on our website at www.americanhomes4rent.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that relate to beliefs, expectations or intentions and similar statements concerning matters that are not of historical fact and are generally accompanied by words such as "believe," "expect," "will," "intend," "anticipate" or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements include the payment and anticipated timing of the payment of distributions of the Company's common and preferred shares. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While the Company's management considers these expectations to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control and could adversely affect our cash flows and ability to pay distributions. Additional information about these and other important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from anticipated results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform to actual results or changes in expectations, except as required by applicable law.

Contacts:

American Homes 4 Rent

Investor Relations

Nicholas Fromm

Phone: (855) 794-2447

Email: [email protected]

American Homes 4 Rent

Media Relations

Megan Grabos

Phone: (805) 413-5088

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE American Homes 4 Rent
"Having owned this iconic hotel for a number of years, we find ourselves at a juncture having sought and received a shape-shifting DA that will positively transform the business for the next 50 years of its life," Luke Lazarus said in a recent interview. The high sale price of The Beach Hotel is also due to the growing pub market in the region. There have been several other recent property sales in the area, including The Carousel Inn, Pub at Rivo, and Vineyard Hotel. According to Andrew, "There are a large number of buyers in this incredibly hot market."

Lazarus also points out that the growing interest in local pubs and hotels is due to the rising population in these coastal towns. He also adds that people are willing to spend as the global pandemic is becoming less prevalent.

Locally known as The Beaches, the long-standing hotel is loved by guests and locals. It's situated on Merewether Beach and is home to Newcastle's only beachside pub. The property also includes a bistro, gaming room, and three areas for private events. Being a two-story property, the scenery is outstanding.

Andrew's path to success hasn't always been easyand location may have something to do with it. In his experience with Exchange Hotel, another one of his properties in Sydney, he learned things the hard way. "To be totally honest, I made that mistake with the Exchange Hotel and paid the price for it," Andrew said in a recent interview. "Newcastle is completely different from Sydney, so you can't employ the same strategies. We've now taken the time to understand the market at the Exchange Hotel."

As with all of his real estate ventures, Andrew and Luke Lazarus have learned from their mistakes and always try to do better. These lessons have carried over to their experience with The Beaches. The team really took the time to learn more about the property and dive deep into what locals and visitors look for in a beachside hotel. While Andrew and Luke Lazarus have stepped away from ownership, they've passed on their detailed renovation plans and have lessons they can carry over to their other real estate projects.

While Andrew loves real estate development and renovation, philanthropy is becoming a bigger priority in his life. As Andrew and Luke Lazarus are still working on numerous real estate projects, giving back to their community is now a stronger focus.

About Andrew and Luke Lazarus

As Andrew and Luke Lazarus are well-known for their ownership of The Beaches, their experience extends throughout the Australian real estate industry. Many people know Andrew Lazarus from his incredible renovation projects throughout Sydney and Newcastle. In recent years, he has partnered with his son, Luke Lazarus, who has also had a successful career. Luke Lazarus is a long-time entrepreneur who has spent the past 20 years starting and running various businesses. Andrew and Luke have formed an experienced real estate team with an entrepreneurial mindset.

With this leadership mindset and dedication to his craft, Andrew Lazarus has evolved into a top real estate specialist in Australia. And with Luke Lazarus now a part of his team, the sky's the limit for this father-son duo. The two have plans for a bright future in Newcastle, Sydney, and beyond.

Aside from Andrew's real estate success, he's also well-known for his charity work. He uses his hotel venues to hold events and community activities for locals. Looking towards the future, Andrew and Luke Lazarus plan to get their hospitality projects to a place where they can provide more hands-on charity work.

Some of Andrew's most notable acquisitions include:

Macquarie Hotel

Vaucluse Home

Shoal Bay Country Club

The Beach Hotel in Merewether

About The Beach Hotel

The Newcastle hotel, known locally as The Beaches became one of Lazarus' properties when the Eastern Hotels Group purchased it in late 2019. It was owned previously by the Twohill and Bale families. It is situated on the beach and is Newcastle's only beachside pub. The two-story hotel offers stunning views of the beach but the hotel's stellar reputation is the main attraction.

SOURCE The Beach Hotel
Experience the Brand's Newly Remodeled Cafes and Take Part in Celebration Week

MORRISVILLE, N.C., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Another Broken Egg Cafe is unveiling its newest cafe redesign on May 9, 2022, at its Morrisville location. The Morrisville Cafe is the latest Another Broken Egg Cafe location to adopt the brand's "New South" design. The cafe will host a celebration week full of daily giveaways to thank its loyal fans and show off the new look. In addition to the "New South" re-imaging, the award-winning brand is one of the fastest-growing, national breakfast and brunch concepts with a full bar producing hand-crafted cocktails.

New South Design Another Broken Egg Cafe Crab Cake Benedict

After the official reopening, the cafe will host a celebration week starting Monday, May 9 to Friday, May 13. Guests will have the opportunity to win prizes and merchandise among other giveaways while experiencing the fresh design. Each day of the week will feature a new special promotion, such as "free breakfast for a year" for the first 12 lucky guests. This event will help celebrate the "New South" re-imaging while giving back to the brands loyal fans as a thank you for all their support. To learn more about these events, please visit https://grandopening.newatabe.com/another-broken-egg-cafe-morrisville.htmlhttps://bit.ly/3BXigS3.

Another Broken Egg Cafe has recently introduced its "New South" design with the vision of a re-imagined brunch experience. Many cafes are in the process of being re-imaged and, moving forward, new cafes will feature this light, bright, modern design that honors the brand's Southern-inspired heritage while appealing to all who enjoy dining out for breakfast and brunch. Most importantly, the New South design significantly highlights the full bar, which drives incremental sales of Another Broken Egg Cafe's signature, hand-crafted cocktails  a must-have for many brunch consumers today.

Additionally, the design includes the opportunity to double a cafe's bar seating by providing bar access to on-patio diners.

The brand is one of the fastest-growing, franchised breakfast and brunch concepts in the nation  and the only franchised brand in the daytime cafe segment with a full bar producing signature, hand-crafted cocktails.

Another Broken Egg Cafe offers a Southern-inspired menu, featuring traditional options like Lemon Blueberry Goat Cheese Pancakes, Crab Cake Benedict, and Shrimp 'N Grits; a seasonal menu which currently features items such as the Louisiana Creole Benedict and Bloody Molly; as well as an abundance of signature cocktails, including the Spiked Spiced Rum Cold Brew, Pomegranate Mule, and ABE Famous Infused Mary.

About Another Broken Egg Cafe 

Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC is an upscale breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant that specializes in award-winning, Southern-inspired menu options with innovative twists and signature cocktails. Another Broken Egg Cafe is one of the fastest-growing daytime-only franchised concepts in the country, with more than 80 locations in 15 states and dozens more in development. With over 26-years' experience in the daytime cafe category, the company was honored by FSR magazine as its Breakout Franchise Brand of the Year for 2020, one of the most challenging years ever for the restaurant industry. The brand is well-positioned for expanded growth in 2022 with a new prototype, re-engineered menu and bar of the future initiatives designed to drive incremental sales and profits for the individual cafes. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit https://anotherbrokeneggfranchise.com

Media Contact:

Jan Barnett, Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC

[email protected]  720.280.6743

SOURCE Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC
All Guests Can Enjoy a Free Meal While Supporting Local Charities During the Award-Winning Restaurant's Friends and Family Weekend

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Another Broken Egg Cafe is expanding on May 9 to Guntersville, Alabama, by opening its ninth location in the state. In addition to being the only national daytime cafe with a bar producing hand-crafted cocktails, the award-winning cafe is one of the fastest-growing, national breakfast and brunch concepts.

Another Broken Egg Cafe has a full bar. Southern Inspired Upscale Brunch.

Prior to its official opening, the new cafe will host a "Friends & Family" day on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to support the local charity The Child Advocacy Center of Marshall County. This event will provide guests a preview of the new restaurant before the grand opening on Monday, May 9.

Patrons with reservations for "Friends & Family" weekend will receive a complimentary meal and are encouraged to donate to the featured charity.

Another Broken Egg Cafe hosts "Friends and Family" weekend events as part of its commitment to community involvement. Not only do guests of the event get to try the cafe offerings before its grand opening, but they get the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. To learn more about this event and cafe, please visit https://bit.ly/3uwLSUq.

The Guntersville Cafe will be owned and operated by Lori and Herbert Buckner. With locations spread across Alabama, this new cafe will bring the same fresh and exciting menu items to Guntersville. Opening in this popular town was an easy decision for the brand, which features Southern-inspired menu items.

The brand is one of the fastest-growing, franchised breakfast and brunch concepts in the nation  and the only franchised brand in the daytime cafe segment with a full bar producing signature, hand-crafted cocktails.

Another Broken Egg Cafe offers a Southern-inspired menu, featuring traditional options like Lemon Blueberry Goat Cheese Pancakes, Crab Cake Benedict, and Shrimp 'N Grits; a seasonal menu which currently features items such as the Louisiana Creole Benedict and Bloody Molly; as well as an abundance of signature cocktails, including the Spiked Spiced Rum Cold Brew, Pomegranate Mule, and ABE Famous Infused Mary.

The new restaurant is located at 2469 Paddlewheel Drive, Guntersville, AL 35976 and will be open daily 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting Monday, May 9.

About Another Broken Egg Cafe 

Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC is an upscale breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant that specializes in award-winning, Southern-inspired menu options with innovative twists and signature cocktails. Another Broken Egg Cafe is one of the fastest-growing, daytime-only franchised concepts in the country, with more than 80 locations in 15 states and dozens more in development. With over 26-years' experience in the daytime cafe category, the company was honored by FSR magazine as its Breakout Franchise Brand of the Year for 2020, one of the most challenging years ever for the restaurant industry. The brand is well-positioned for expanded growth in 2022 with a new prototype, re-engineered menu and bar of the future initiatives designed to drive incremental sales and profits for the individual cafes. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit https://anotherbrokeneggfranchise.com.

Media Contact:

Jan Barnett, Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC

[email protected]  720.280.6743

SOURCE Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC
Banko Design is rebranding Banko Design Midwest and naming them Midwest Interiors.

MARIETTA, Ga., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Banko Design is thrilled to announce the rebrand of Banko Design  Midwest to Midwest Interiors. Midwest Interiors is a full-service interior design firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializing in the senior living, active adult, and multifamily markets.

Because of the exponential growth of A BD Studio Collection, a portfolio consisting of design studios servicing different regions and markets, it became important that all locations carried their own name and portfolio.

A BD Studio Collection's Minnesota location will no longer fall under the brand name of Banko Design. Midwest Interiors is now its own entity that carries its own brand, leadership, and team like all other studios in A BD Studio Collection. With over 20 years of collective experience, this award-winning group of designers is thrilled to spearhead the growth of A BD Studio Collection's Minnesota location as Midwest Interiors.

Within the portfolio, there are four design studios and a purchasing agency  Banko Design in Marietta, Georgia, Warner Design Associates in San Mateo, California, Eleni Interiors in Naperville, Illinois, now Midwest Interiors in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and A BD Studio Collection's purchasing agency, Red Pen Procurement. Each design studio has its own niche and offers different skillsets, making a BD Studio Collection portfolio a one stop shop for all your interior design and procurement needs.

Red Pen Procurement, Banko Design's in-house purchasing agency, will manage Midwest Interiors' procurement like all other BD Studios, resulting in efficiencies including increased buying power, centralized warehousing and purchasing, and leveraging vendor partnerships to the benefit of all clients.

Banko Design is proud to have curated this family of studios providing excellent, boutique service and design to clients within the senior living, multifamily, and boutique hospitality spaces throughout the United States and Canada and is looking forward to their continued expansion.

Banko Design, a full-service commercial interior design firm located in Marietta, Georgia, specializes in mid-level to luxury senior living new builds, multifamily, and boutique hospitality and is the headquarters for all studios within the BD Studio collection.

Red Pen Procurement, the portfolio's in-house purchasing agency located in Marietta, Georgia, manages and processes all of the studios' procurement, warehousing, and installations. They also provide agent-only procurement services.

Midwest Interiors, a commercial interior design firm located in the Minneapolis, Minnesota that specializes in senior living, active adult, and multifamily.

Contact: Emily Haley

Company: Banko Design

Phone: (678) 202-4812

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://bankodesign.com/

SOURCE Banko Design
Experienced marketer and financial services veteran, tasked with accelerating growth for Banyan

NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Banyan , the infrastructure company for item-level receipt data, announced today that it has hired Andrea C. Gilman to be its chief marketing officer. Gilman will lead all aspects of Banyan's marketing and communications while partnering closely with the Senior Leadership Team.

Andrea Gilman, CMO of Banyan Jehan Luth, founder and CEO of Banyan

"I'm excited to announce this hire and to have Andrea join our incredibly talented C-level roster. She is an innovative and high-energy leader who has deep experience working with both banks and merchants," said Banyan Founder and CEO Jehan Luth. "Her expertise is broad, ranging from payments technology, go-to-market and commercialization, all the way to governance and standards."

Gilman brings more than 20 years of product management, product development, digital transformation and marketing expertise, with extensive experience building and leading high performing teams. She joins Banyan from Mastercard Worldwide where she most recently acted as Senior Vice President and Global Lead for the company's small & medium enterprise segment. Gilman led the development of Mastercard's innovation strategy for B2B as SVP of New Payment Flows, pairing information with payments to deliver smarter and more seamless customer experiences. As the Banyan leadership team grows, the startup continues to add world class leaders with backgrounds in some of the top financial services companies in the world.

"I'm thrilled to join Banyan, to advance the exciting work being done here, and to unlock item level data for retailers and financial services companies in a way that enriches commerce for today's digital consumer," Gilman said. "I have always been focused on delivering meaningful transformation through team collaboration and Banyan presents a fantastic opportunity to do just that."

A graduate of Bowdoin College and NYU's Stern School of Business, Gilman has held board positions with the U.S. Faster Payments Council and the not-for-profit Girls Inc., Westchester, and she advises a number of startups. Gilman resides in New York with her husband and two children.

About Banyan

Banyan , the global infrastructure company for item-level receipt data, allows its partners to enrich transactions to create incredible experiences for their customers. Powered by Banyan's APIs, merchants can seamlessly and securely share receipts, while unlocking powerful insights and unique marketing opportunities. Banyan provides its merchant partners complete transparency and control over who can access receipt data and Banyan's privacy-by-design approach requires consumers' permission before any enrichments take place. This new ecosystem allows financial institutions, fintechs, and consumer apps to enrich their data with item-level detail, unlocking a new wave of innovation to drive improved customer experiences, cost savings, and new revenue streams.

Press Contact: Shea Communications

Richard Shea, (917) 584-3542

SOURCE Banyan
Lone Wolf Transactions is the number-one transaction management solution for real estate agents and brokers in North America. Howard Hanna's brokerage solution comes with a complete set of tools for agents, brokers, and staff, including built-in eSignature, a mobile application, and real estate's most robust broker file review process. Lone Wolf's digital marketing solution, Boost, delivers fast, easy, and effective digital ads to Facebook and Instagram, as well as to the most popular sites on the internet; while Spacio and Connect provide mobile tools for open house/event lead capture and client collaboration, respectively. The final piece to Howard Hanna's technology suite from Lone Wolf is BrokerMetrics, which delivers real-time data analysis on market share and market dynamics.

These solutions combine to provide a complete experience from listing to close and beyond, putting leading technology in the hands of Howard Hanna's agents and brokers, so they have everything they need to run their business, improve profits, and deliver superior results to their buyers and sellers.

"We're thrilled to partner with Howard Hanna, one of the biggest and best real estate companies in the U.S.," said Kyle Hunter, GM of Franchise for Lone Wolf. "This partnership represents the best of the real estate and technology worlds coming together to significantly improve marketing, transactions, and business management for everyone involved. Combined, these solutions offer Howard Hanna's agents and brokers a real estate experience like no other, which in turn helps them do the same for their clients."

Howard Hanna is the largest privately held brokerage in the U.S. and the fifth-largest brokerage overall, with more than 125,000 transaction sides in 2021 and $36.5 billion in sales volume*. Since using Boost, Howard Hanna has seen over 337,000 leads generated a month, as well as a staggering 8.8% click-thru rate on their digital advertising efforts. In the last 30 days alone, Howard Hanna's advertising with Boost has netted over 15 million impressions and 94,000 total engagements from consumers.

"We're excited to expand our partnership with Lone Wolf and extend these amazing solutions to our company," said Howard W. "Hoby" Hanna, IV, President of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. "There are so many technology providers out there, but none can match the breadth of brokerage functionality of Lone Wolf. With Boost and Transactions already being used by our agents and brokers, the proof speaks for itself: Our partnership with Lone Wolf has already yielded significant results, and I'm confident it will continue to give our agents and brokerages a competitive edge in the marketplace in the years to come."

*As disclosed by the RISMedia Power Broker Report

Media Contact:

Nick Gaede | Industry Relations

E: [email protected]

About Lone Wolf Technologies

Lone Wolf Technologies is the North American leader in residential real estate software, serving over 1.5 million real estate professionals across Canada and the U.S. With cloud solutions for agents, brokers, franchises, MLSs and associations alike, the company provides the entire real estate industry with the tools they need to amaze clients, build their business, and improve profitsfrom transactions to back office, insights, and more, all in one place. Lone Wolf's head offices are located in Cambridge, ON, Dallas, TX, and Minneapolis, MN.

About Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is the largest privately held real estate broker in the United States. The full-service real estate company has nearly 500 real estate, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices across 13 states, including Allen Tate Realtors in the Carolinas and F.C. Tucker Company in Indiana, with more than 14,000 sales associates and staff, including many of the industry's top-producing real estate agents. For more information, visit www.HowardHanna.com.

SOURCE Lone Wolf Technologies
One of the renowned artist's works garnered $690k in late 2021

CLEARWATER, Fla., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackwell Auctions will be selling three paintings by important European watercolor artist Carl Friedrich Heinrich Werner (German, 1808-1894) on Saturday, May 7 at noon (Eastern time). The pieces, two of which appear to be among the largest Werner watercolors sold at auction, depict scenes from Venice and Rome.

"Admittedly, in terms of subject, Werner's sweet spot seems to be the Holy Land," said Edwin Bailey, Blackwell's owner. "But he became famous as a watercolor painter in Venice in the 1850s."

One of Werner's paintings of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem sold at auctions around Europe no fewer than six times from 2008 to 2021. Most recently, it sold in June 2021 in Germany for $62,445, only to be offered four months later at Sotheby's in London, where it realized a stunning $689,190, a ten-fold increase.

"The three Werner pieces in Saturday's sale haven't been on the market in a generation," said Bailey. "The consignor's family purchased them at a gallery in the early 1980s, and they've hung in their house since."

All forms of bidding will be available for the Saturday sale, including absentee, phone and live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, Bidsquare, HiBid and Proxibid. Phone and FaceTime previews available.

"The May auction has quite a lot of fine art besides the Werner pieces," Bailey said, "including paintings by Walter Emerson Baum and Boleslaw Szankowski, a fine KPM plaque, and some good sculpture." Other highlights include Sevres and Meissen porcelain, as well as a selection of fine estate jewelry and watches.

For additional information on any auction item, call Blackwell Auctions at 727-546-0200 or email [email protected]. Online: www.blackwellauctions.com .

SOURCE Blackwell Auctions LLC
WASHINGTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consulting firm Berkeley Research Group (BRG) today announced an investigative partner agreement between its Cyber Operations and Incident Response team and the blockchain data platform Chainalysis. The agreement provides clients of both companies expanded access to market-leading tools, data and experts who have extensive experience in investigating cryptocurrency-related activities.

"Our agreement with Chainalysis ensures BRG's clients not only have access to our deep technical understanding of cryptocurrency and expertise in navigating the legal system, but also will benefit from our deeper integration with Chainalysis' data, tools and training services," said Christopher Tarbell, a former FBI Special Agent and leader of BRG's Cyber Operations team. "Our partnership also ensures BRG's experts will be certified in the latest cryptocurrency investigative techniques as cryptocurrency-related litigation continues to increase."

Chainalysis and BRG each has an extensive background of successfully assisting law enforcement in some of the world's most renowned cases. BRG's experts led the initial investigation and takedown of the $1.2 billion underground market Silk Road and the arrest of its founder, Ross Ulbricht. They have spearheaded some of the most complex cyber cases ever pursued and have responded to and investigated over 600 cyber attacks against organizations across a range of industries. Chainalysis' groundbreaking technology has allowed law enforcement to identify and pursue numerous individuals involved with Silk Road and other darknet markets, as well as successful investigations into hacks, ransomware, child abuse and money-laundering operations. Their combined experience investigating, characterizing and containing complex cyber incidents across a range of initiatives has helped secure the cryptocurrency landscape and exemplify the transparency and traceability of blockchain transactions.

"Chainalysis' partnership with BRG's Cyber Operations team will offer advanced tools, capabilities and training to customers globally, further helping government agencies investigate illicit activity and help grow trust in the cryptocurrency industry," said Gurvais Grigg, Public Sector CTO for Chainalysis and former Assistant Director for the FBI Laboratory, one of the largest and most respected crime labs in the world. "As digital assets continue to see further adoption, the ability to understand and execute investigations utilizing crypto is of the utmost importance."

About BRG

Berkeley Research Group, LLC is a global consulting firm that helps leading organizations advance in three key areas: disputes and investigations, corporate finance, and performance improvement and advisory. Headquartered in California with offices around the world, we are an integrated group of experts, industry leaders, academics, data scientists and professionals working across borders and disciplines. We harness our collective expertise to deliver the inspired insights and practical strategies our clients need to stay ahead of what's next. Visit thinkbrg.com to learn more.

About Chainalysis

Chainalysis is the blockchain analysis company. We provide data, software, services, and research to government agencies, exchanges, financial institutions, and insurance and cybersecurity companies in over 70 countries. Our data platform powers investigation, compliance, and risk management tools that have been used to solve some of the world's most high-profile cyber criminal cases and grow consumer access to cryptocurrency safely. Backed by Accel, Addition, Benchmark, Ribbit, and other leading names in venture capital, Chainalysis builds trust in blockchains to promote more financial freedom with less risk. For more information, visit www.chainalysis.com.

SOURCE Berkeley Research Group, LLC
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank BRI (IDX: BBRI) has partnered with PT Telkom Indonesia Tbk. (IDX: TLKM) to provide access to financial services for 5 million people in Indonesia over the next two years. They synergize to expand the use of digital technology in the financial sector for reliable telecommunication infrastructures to accelerate digital economy.

According to a report by UOB, PwC, and Singapore Fintech Association (SFA), 50% of the population in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, do not have access to financial services or are unbanked. In Indonesia alone, 28 million people are unbanked.

"The synergy between BRI and Telkom pushes financial inclusion to remote areas in Indonesia. Telkom is here to support BRI's needs of internet network with their expertise," said Erick Thohir, Indonesian Minister of State-Owned Enterprises.

One of the priority agendas of Indonesia's Presidency on this year's G20 Summit is digital transformation that includes providing financial services to remote areas.

As Indonesia is predicted to become the fourth largest country in the world economy, the Ministry will continue to encourage digital transformation for Indonesia's economy in 2045. "Digital transformation carried out by the Ministry is very important for state-owned enterprises to continue to grow in the midst of technological developments," added Eric.

Sunarso, President Director of BRI explained, "BRI's aspires to efficiently serve as many people as possible. The most effective way to reach 17,000 islands in Indonesia is through digitalization. Thus, we collaborate with Telkom to develop the digital infrastructure."

The collaboration from 2020 to 2021 has provided banking access to around 5 million people in Indonesia, or 0.1 percent of the world's population.

Telkom's infrastructure has reached remote and disadvantaged areas in all regions of Indonesia, through their fiber optics, terrestrial networks, base transceiver station and satellites.

"Digital connectivity encourages access of information across all sectors, including the financial sector. Thus, Telkom supports BRI's commitment to providing digital-based banking services to remote areas in Indonesia," said Ririek Adriansyah, President Director of PT Telkom Indonesia.

This is expected to contribute to a larger economy because growth in access to banking finance in Indonesia can contribute to the economic growth Asian region as well.

More information about BRI can be accessed at www.bri.co.id .

SOURCE PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk (BRI)
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification, today announced Marissa Minardi has been appointed Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Environment for North America, effective immediately. Minardi will be responsible for positioning Bureau Veritas as a global leader in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices in the US.

Minardi will report directly to Shawn Till, EVP and CEO of Bureau Veritas North America.

"We are pleased to welcome Marissa to the Bureau Veritas family," said Shawn Till, EVP and CEO, Bureau Veritas, North America. "We believe what gets measured gets done, and we're holding ourselves accountable to ensure our CSR efforts make a meaningful and lasting impact on people and the planet. I'm confident that Marissa's experience and passion position her for success with Bureau Veritas' 2025 CSR targets and initiatives."

Bureau Veritas' 2025 CSR strategy lays out one essential ambition: to be the CSR leader in its business. Aligned with five of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, the Group's 2025 CSR strategy, "Shaping a Better World" covers Environment, Social and Governance topics through its three pillars: Shaping a Better Workplace, Shaping a Better Environment and Shaping Better Business Practices. Of 19 identified key performance indicators, five are non-financial indicators that represent the Group's 2025 commitment to its stakeholders:

35% females in executive leadership positions

35 training hours per employee per year

Reduce carbon footprint to 2.0 tons per employee

Have a total accident rate of 0.26

Achieve 99% in completion of the Group's Code of Ethics training

Minardi is a seasoned leader in the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) industry. A professional engineer, she comes to Bureau Veritas with nearly twenty-two years of experience working with clients to foster sustainable operations and portfolios that are compliant, and also embrace a culture where EHS responsibilities and care are integral to everyday business and value-add is realized. Her passion centers on business-oriented solutions that enable the protection of our environment, families, communities, employees, clients, service partners, and shareholders.

"I am proud to assume the role of vice president of corporate social responsibility and environment at Bureau Veritas North America," said Marissa Minardi, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Environment, Bureau Veritas, North America. "Doing the right thing is at the heart of who we are as a company, and I am looking forward to ensuring that this mission-driven approach guides the success of every employee, client, and community we serve."

Minardi holds a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Louisiana State University and a M.S.E.L. in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School.

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
Early optimisation for best results

Carbon Designer 3D can quickly calculate a building's carbon footprint based only on size and type of building. From there it is possible to visualize and compare the carbon performance of design alternatives and identify hotspots and reductions. This helps the right decisions to be made at the critical early project stages when opportunities to reduce impact are greatest.

Making carbon reduction understandable and accessible for all

Carbon Designer 3D does not require expert knowledge of life-cycle assessment (LCA) to assess and reduce carbon emissions. It uses powerful 3D visualisations to reveal carbon hotspots, making it easier to share findings with colleagues and clients to support buy-in.

The tool is compatible with a broad range of international methodologies, including the Level(s) method for the EU Taxonomy, LEED, BREEAM, and a host of embodied carbon regulations, such as France's RE2020 , the London Plan , and Sweden's Klimatdeklaration .

Carbon Designer 3D is an evolution of Carbon Designer, a previous tool developed by One Click LCA with the Norwegian government in 2018. As well as advanced visualisations, Carbon Designer 3D includes a wealth of user experience enhancements to boost productivity. A key new feature is the ability to create and save custom design templates for use across an entire company in current and future projects.

Panu Pasanen, CEO of One Click LCA Ltd, said, "When we asked industry experts about the barriers to decarbonising construction, three quarters reported a lack of LCA skills. With Carbon Designer 3D, non-experts can make a significant difference by optimising embodied carbon at the earliest project stages for maximum carbon reductions.

"Early phase carbon capability helps designers to get more work. Our data shows that companies with the precursor Carbon Designer tool worked on 75% more projects. With the new capabilities to create and evaluate designs faster and more flexibly, we are confident Carbon Designer 3D will increase our users' competitiveness even further."

Visit www.oneclicklca.com/carbon-designer-3D for more.

Contact

Panu Pasanen, CEO, One Click LCA

[email protected] ,

+358 44 2871 722

About One Click LCA

One Click LCA is the leading life-cycle assessment (LCA) platform for the construction industry. One Click LCA helps to decarbonize building and infrastructure projects, benchmark low-carbon products and projects, generate Environmental Product Declarations, and report corporate GHG emissions. It is used in more than 130 countries, includes the world's largest construction sector database and supports over 60 standards and certifications. Visit: www.oneclicklca.com .

Image

Credit: One Click LCA

Click here to download

SOURCE One Click LCA
The collective team announced the plan to give teachers free ice cream this week (May 2-6) at all three participating Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops in the greater Chicagoland area including Navy Pier, Glenview, and Naperville.

As hundreds and hundreds of Chance the Rapper fans queued up among the large group at Navy Pier, Chicago's son greeted the crowd who responded with tremendous energy. "There is no profession more important and responsible for every single person in our entire country than teachers. Today, we honor them," said Chance the Rapper. "Today, and this week, we're doing something really cool offering free Ben & Jerry's for teachers in Chicago."

Mint Chocolate Chance, Ben & Jerry's most exciting flavor of the year, is a cool mint base with fudgy chocolate brownies. It was inspired by Chance the Rapper's childhood memories when he would add his mother's homemade brownies to mint ice cream. Mint Chocolate Chance is available as both ice cream and as a sunflower butter-based Non-Dairy dessert. His flavor, and all Ben & Jerry's flavors, will be up for the choosing for teachers during the National Teacher Appreciation Week giveaway.

Chance the Rapper donates a percentage of his proceeds to his five-year-old non-profit, SocialWorks . SocialWorks aims to empower youth through the arts, education and civic engagement with programming that focuses on education, mental health, homelessness and performing and literary arts. SocialWorks directly impacts thousands of young people yearly while inspiring creativity, building dreams and advocating for youth success in all its forms.

To learn more about the partnership, visit benjerry.com.

About Ben & Jerry's

Ben & Jerry's is an aspiring social justice company that believes in a greater calling than simply making and selling the world's best ice cream. The company produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and Non-Dairy/vegan desserts using high-quality ingredients and lots of big chunks and swirls. As a certified B Corp, Ben & Jerry's incorporates its vision of Linked Prosperity into its business practices via values-led sourcing initiatives when purchasing ingredients. Ben & Jerry's is distributed in over 35 countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchised Scoop Shops, and via on-demand delivery services. Ben & Jerry's, a Vermont corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, a fair financial return, and addressing issues of social, racial, and environmental injustice around the globe. The Ben & Jerry's Foundation, guided by Ben & Jerry's employees, granted $3.4MM in 2020 to support progressive, justice focused grassroots organizing around the country. For up-to-date information visit benjerry.com.

About SocialWorks

SocialWorks, founded by Grammy-award-winning musician and humanitarian Chance the Rapper , aims to empower the youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement. Since 2016, SocialWorks has created 5 initiatives that present youth the opportunity to learn and act on their passions. SocialWorks' programming focuses on education, mental health, homelessness, and performing and literary arts  directly affecting thousands of youth yearly. Through the initiatives, OpenMike, Warmest Winter, Kids of the Kingdom, The New Chance: Arts & Literature Fund, and My State of Mind, SocialWorks hopes to inspire creativity, build dreams, and advocate for youth success in all its forms.

For more information on SocialWorks, please visit https://www.socialworkschi.org/

SOURCE Ben & Jerry's
Roe Overturned? All-Night Vigil at Supreme Court -- Operation Rescue Founder and Pro-Life Activists Gather at Supreme Court Tonight, Monday Night

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Randall Terry

May 2, 2022

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2022 /Standard Newswire/ -- Pro-Life activists from 8 states are gathering at the Supreme Court for an all-night vigil to celebrate the overturn of Roe vs. Wade. They will be present all night, and in the morning, to do interviews with the press.

Randall Terry, Founder of Operation Rescue States:

"We will dance on the grave of Roe vs. Wade. Thousands of us have been fighting for our entire lives to save babies from murder. This is a huge step toward making child-killing illegal in all 50 states. While the war for babies' lives is not over, this is our 'D-Day' for the pro-life movement. We have taken the beach, and we will 'take Berlin,' and make it a crime to kill an innocent human from conception until birth in all fifty states. There can be no compromise with child-killers."

Terrisa Bukovinac, Founder and executive director of Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising states:

"Roe v. Wade will soon be exactly where it belongs, on the ash heap of human history. We must continue to utilize every nonviolent tool in our toolbox to ensure that the majority opinion leaked today stands. I am profoundly grateful to all the activists who came before me who made this moment possible. The future of America is Pro-Life."

Randall Terry and Terrisa Bukonivac will be at the Supreme Court all night, and all morning, available for interviews and comments.

SOURCE Randall Terry

CONTACT: 202-731-1271, 909-961-6274
DUBLIN, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

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.

in infrastructure projects. In , the government issued 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.

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.

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.

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/lvj7j2

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "China Elevator and Escalator - Market Size & Growth Forecast 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report considers the present scenario of the China elevators & escalators 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 Elevator and Escalator market by new installations sales is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.45% during the forecast period (2022-2028).

Companies Mentioned

KONE

Mitsubishi Electric

TK Elevator

Hitachi

Hyundai Elevator

Otis

Fujitec

Schindler

CANNY Elevator Co., Ltd.

Kunshan Hualong Elevator

SJEC

Analogue Holdings (ATAL)

SUZHOU JIUDE ELECTRICAL & MECHANIC TECHNOLOGY

SHENYANG YUANDA INTELLECTUAL INDUSTRY

YUANDA INTELLECTUAL INDUSTRY IFE ELEVATORS

Key Highlights

In 2019, over 82% of all elevators installed in China were less than or equal to ten years old.

were less than or equal to ten years old. According to KONE, by 2025, 65% of all elevators installed would be less than ten years old, resulting in increased demand for new installations of elevators.

According to the World Economic Forum, more than 500 smart cities are built around China . For instance, the Cloud Valley project launched in April 2021 with a 13 million square feet area that uses Wi-Fi-connected devices and sensors to gather data on everything from people's food habits to pollution.

. For instance, the Cloud Valley project launched in with a 13 million square feet area that uses Wi-Fi-connected devices and sensors to gather data on everything from people's food habits to pollution. China remains a net exporter despite increasing domestic demand. China accounted for 63% of the total elevator new installations market in 2020, followed by Europe , Middle East & Africa .

remains a net exporter despite increasing domestic demand. accounted for 63% of the total elevator new installations market in 2020, followed by , & . Major regions in terms of residential development plus new rail lines & subways are three urban mega-clusters with a lot of growth in the satellite cities around the Beijing - Hebei region and the regions around Shanghai and the Pearl River Delta. Most Chinese provinces still have a very low elevator & escalator density ratio, including several relatively wealthy areas with dense populations. Hence, the pacing regions offer scope for overall density growth in the country.

Due to rapid urbanization, the demand for housing is bound to increase over the forecast period. Governmental initiatives of collaborating with financial institutions to roll out a rent-to-own program are one of the driving forces in demand for housing in the future.



The government started a "build, reconstruct, renovate, and revitalize" program to support lower-income class buyers. Government plans to build 300,000 affordable rental homes by 2025, with around 60,000 completed by 2022. The China government allocated USD 23.6 billion for housing development in the 2021 budget plan.

Key Topics Covered:



Section 1 Introduction

Section 2 China Elevators Market

Future Outlook: China Elevators Market, by Volume

China Elevators Market, by Volume

China Elevators Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units in Thousands)

China Elevators Market- by Segments

Elevators Market- by Segments China Elevators Market, by Type

Hydraulic and Pneumatic, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Machine Room Traction, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Machine Room Less Traction, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Others, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

China Elevators & Escalators Market by Carriage Type

Passenger, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Freight, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

China Elevators Market by Persons

2-15 Persons, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

16-24 Persons, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

25-33 Persons, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

34 Persons and Above, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

China Elevators Market by End-users

Commercial, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Residential, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Industrial, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Others, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Section 3 China Escalators Market

Future Outlook: China Escalators Market, by Volume

China Escalators Market, by Volume

China Escalators Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

China Escalators Market- by Segments

China Escalator Market by Type

Parallel, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Multi-Parallel, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Walkway, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Crisscross, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

China Escalator Market by End-users

Commercial, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Public Transit, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units) , 2019-2028

Others, Market Size and Forecast, Volume (Units), 2019-2028

Section 4 China Elevators & Escalators Market, by Service (Maintenance & Modernization)



Section 5 Geographic Analysis



Section 6 Advantages, Policies, Export & Import



Section 7 Market Dynamics



Section 8 Technological Development



Section 9 Competitive Landscape

1. Major Vendors

2. Other Prominent Vendors



Section 10 Report Summary

1. Key Insights

2. List of Abbreviations



Section 11 Appendix (Definition, Inclusions & Exclusions)



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3ock03

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Lawyers Association (CLA) congratulates its CEO and Executive Director Oyango A. Snell on his recognition as Association Executive of the Year by the California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE).

"Oyango Snell has been an incredible volunteer leader for CalSAE," said CalSAE Executive Director Jim Anderson. "He's made so many contributions in such short time, it's been a joy to work with him. Oyango has a clear passion for helping others, an amazing depth of knowledge and a terrific sense of humor!"

Oyango A. Snell, California Lawyers Association's CEO and Executive Director, accepts CalSAE's 2022 Association Executive of the Year award.

CalSAE's award recognizes association CEOs who have achieved success in overall contributions to CalSAE, service to professional, civic or charitable organizations, and achievements for their employing organization. "Snell is the first Black recipient in the award's 20-year history," Anderson said. Snell received the award at CalSAE's ELEVATE Annual Conference , which was held in Lake Tahoe on April 25. Among the reasons Snell was chosen was "his leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at CalSAE," Anderson said.

CLA President Jeremy M. Evans congratulated Snell on the recognition, saying: "Oyango is a wonderful person and leader! Everyone who meets him appreciates his energy and passion for the legal profession and association management. As a friend, I could not be more proud. The entire organization congratulates our CEO and Executive Director on being named the Association Executive of the Year. His work at the CLA and past organizational work is rightly being noticed."

In his short time at CLA, Snell has helped CLA adopt its first-ever strategic plan, led efforts to implement governance best practices, and successfully lead the association beyond a post-pandemic state.

Snell joined CLA in December 2021 after serving as senior vice president and the first in-house general counsel for the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), where he spearheaded the organization's first-ever diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, its human resources program, and a leadership initiative for women in energy.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

CLA's mission is to promote excellence, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Established in 2018 as a member-driven, mission-focused bar association dedicated to the professional advancement of attorneys practicing law in the State of California, CLA, through the work of its 18 experienced and innovative Sections, provides premier educational content, networking opportunities, and high-quality programs to its members, the legal community, and the public at-large.

SOURCE California Lawyers Association
CHICAGO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Climate Vault , an award-winning non-profit founded at the University of Chicago, was today named a finalist in the Climate category of Fast Company's 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards honoring products, concepts, companies, policies, and designs that innovate for the good of society and the planet. Fast Company is recognizing Climate Vault's innovative, market-based climate solution that negates carbon footprints while supporting technologies for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

"We're proud to join such a prestigious list of Fast Company honorees," said Michael Greenstone, Co-Founder of Climate Vault and Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, and former Chief Economist for President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers. "Climate Vault has pioneered a transparent, verifiable, and inexpensive market-based carbon offset solution that in one year has already reduced allowable CO2 emissions by over 730,000 tons in compliance markets. And we're preparing to use the financial value of those offsets to accelerate carbon dioxide removal technologies."

Climate Vault is a 501(c)(3) that works with organizations to reduce carbon emissions through a two-step, market-based approach. Climate Vault first purchases and "vaults" carbon pollution permits from government-regulated compliance markets. Because the number of permits is capped, keeping them off the market decreases CO2 emissions and provides a quantifiable, verifiable offset. Then, Climate Vault will use the value of vaulted permits to support breakthrough CDR enterprises, vetted by its world-class Technology Experts Chamber, to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Climate Vault's innovative climate solutions are trusted by leading organizations including Morningstar, TPG, Gemini and Vanderbilt among others. More information on Climate Vault's innovative approach can be found here.

"We are consistently inspired by the novelty and creativity that people are applying to solve some of our society's most pressing problems, from shelter to the climate crisis. Fast Company relishes its role in amplifying important, innovative work to address big challenges," says David Lidsky, interim editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "Our journalists have identified some of the most ingenious initiatives to launch since the start of 2021, which we hope will both have a meaningful impact and lead others to join in being part of the solution.

Now in its sixth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcases winners across a wide variety of categories, highlighting businesses, policies, projects, and concepts that are actively engaged in and deeply committed to pursuing innovation when it comes to solving health and climate crises, social injustice, or economic inequality. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected the winners and finalists from a pool of more than 4,000 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, and more. The award winners will be featured in the Summer 2022 issue of Fast Company magazine.

About Climate Vault

Founded at the University of Chicago, Climate Vault is a CDP-accredited 501(c)(3) that helps organizations and individuals neutralize their footprint by using government-regulated compliance markets to purchase and "vault" CO2 permits while supporting carbon removal technologies to remove pollution already in the atmosphere. Thanks to its supporters, Climate Vault has vaulted more than 730,000 metric tons of CO2 to-date. Visit www.ClimateVault.org to learn more, calculate your individual footprint , and help your organization or financial portfolio reach net zero . Join the climate conversation by following us on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn .

Contacts

Climate Vault

[email protected]

SOURCE Climate Vault
HONG KONG, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", SEHK: 00883, SSE: 600938) today announced that Mero 1 project has commenced production safely.

Mero field locates in the Santos Basin pre-salt in the sea area of southeastern Brazil, with an average water depth of 1,930 meters, more than 150 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro. Mero 1 Project will be developed by the traditional deep-water Pre-salt development mode, FPSO+Subsea. It has 6 producing wells and 7 injectors currently, and capacity to produce 180,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

The FPSO used in Mero field was completed in December 2021 and arrived in Brazil in January 2022. It will be able to store around 1.4 million barrels of crude oil and is one of the largest adapted FPSO in the world.

"Mero field, which contains extremely rich oil and gas resources, is the third-largest subsalt deep-water oilfield globally," said Xia Qinglong, president of the Company. "The production of Mero 1 will not only become a significant growth driver for CNOOC Limited's overseas oil and gas production. The Company will take this as an opportunity, to further enrich experience and strengthen key technology breakthroughs, and sincerely work with partners to co-create a world-class benchmarking collaboration project, thus to have a positive impact on both the sustainable economic and social development of Brazil."

CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 9.65% interest. Petrobras is the operator and has 38.6% interest, TotalEnergies holds 19.3% interest, Shell Brasil holds 19.3% interest, CNODC holds 9.65% interest, and Pre-Sal Petroleo S.A PPSA holds 3.5% as the Federal Union representative in non-contracted areas.

-End-

Notes to Editors:

More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com.

*** *** *** ***

This press release includes forward looking information, including statements regarding the likely future developments in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, such as expected future events, business prospects or financial results. The words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company as of this date in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company currently believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the current expectations and predictions of the Company is uncertain. Actual results, performance and financial condition may differ materially from the Company's expectations, including but not limited to those associated with fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, macro-political and economic factors, changes in the tax and fiscal regimes of the host countries in which we operate, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, environmental responsibility and compliance requirements, the Company's price forecast, the exploration and development activities, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, HSSE and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.

*** *** *** ***

For further enquiries, please contact:

Mr. Su Yuchi

Media & Public Relations

CNOOC Limited

Tel: +86-10-8452-5897

Fax: +86-10-8452-1441

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Bunny Lee

Porda Havas International Finance Communications Group

Tel: +852 3150 6707

Fax: +852 3150 6728

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE CNOOC Limited
Despite the rapid growth of the cultivated meat category, there has been little done to-date in the realm of real-world product immersion. Inspired by the glowing results of its recent blind tasting , where professional chefs found cultivated and traditional chicken to be indistinguishable, SuperMeat decided to take to the streets and see how its cultivated chicken sandwich would hold up in a traditional lunch setting  compared to a traditional chicken sandwich  with real consumers.

Immediate feedback saw that not only were consumers willing and interested to try cultivated meat, with many saying they would purchase it if given the opportunity, but also had a baseline awareness of the benefits, including being a more climate-friendly option. The overwhelming majority who chose to have the cultivated chicken also cited genuine curiosity in the new way of producing meat  and overall they really enjoyed the sandwich, with several saying they would have never known it was not traditional chicken.

"Seeing so many consumers choose, and enjoy, cultivated meat validates the work SuperMeat has been doing to set the stage for products to enter the market in the near future," says Ido Savir, CEO of SuperMeat. "With this milestone, SuperMeat, one of a select few companies nearing commercialization, demonstrated that consumers are ready for this more sustainable option."

The consumer test showcased the potential for adoption from a major set of purchasing power, including meat-eaters, reducetarians and vegetarians alike. Among the first to serve diners cultivated meat entrees in a restaurant-like setting, SuperMeat opened The Chicken Restaurant experience alongside its production plant to showcase the transparent plant-to-fork process, helping garner favor for the approachability of lab-grown meat options. SuperMeat plans to open its first US facility in 2023, pending regulatory approval.

For more information on the company, visit www.SuperMeat.com .

About SuperMeat

SuperMeat, headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, is a food-tech company working to supply the world with high-quality meat grown directly from animal cells. The company's products offer a delicious meat experience and a high-quality nutritional profile, while being manufactured in a sustainable, slaughter-free way. SuperMeat's proprietary cultivated meat platform allows food companies to be at the forefront of the emerging cultivated meat industry and manufacture a wide range of products containing cultivated meat inside. SuperMeat is the first B2B company to address the entire category of poultry meat from fat to muscle, providing a complete solution to cultivated meat production. The company has been showcasing the versatility of its meat platform in various events at its pilot production plant, The Chicken , the world's first farm-to-fork facility for local meat production, and is planning to host additional events in the near future.

SOURCE SuperMeat
VANCOUVER, BC, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Copper Mountain Mining Corporation (TSX: CMMC) (ASX: C6C) (the "Company" or "Copper Mountain") is pleased to announce that it has received the 2022 Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Environmental Excellence Award in recognition of its Electric Trolley Assist Project focused on reducing carbon intensity and minimizing environmental impact.

The Trolley Assist installation at the Copper Mountain Mine connects haul trucks to clean BC electricity and will displace approximately 400 liters of diesel and 1 tonne of carbon dioxide each hour per truck up the Copper Mountain Mine's main haulage ramp. The system covers a one kilometer incline from the main pit to the primary crusher, and can support four trucks at any time. Moving heavy rock up a steep incline is a highly energy intensive process and is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at Copper Mountain. This new technology is anticipated to reduce Copper Mountain's carbon emissions by at least 30% over the next five years and is a key contributor towards the Company's goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2035.

"We are honoured to receive this award as it recognizes our commitment to making a difference," commented Don Strickland, Copper Mountain's Executive Vice President of Sustainability. "We are one of the first open pit mines to commission electric Trolley Assist in North America. This is a huge achievement, and we are proud of our team for their efforts in successfully delivering this project. We also have many other projects underway to help us reduce our total environmental footprint. We have scaled up our progressive reclamation program to reclaim 25 hectares of land per year while focusing on minimizing the total disturbed area that requires reclamation. We are also collaborating with the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation to develop a digital carbon emissions certification system called Mines Digital Trust with the objective of building transparency by tracking responsible producers. Progressive environmental and community stewardship is a main pillar of Copper Mountain's growth strategy."

For more information about Copper Mountain's ESG initiatives, please visit the Company's website: https://cumtn.com/esg/overview/. In addition, the Company will be publishing its inaugural sustainability report this year.

About Copper Mountain Mining Corporation

Copper Mountain's flagship asset is the 75% owned Copper Mountain Mine located in southern British Columbia near the town of Princeton. The Copper Mountain Mine currently produces approximately 100 million pounds of copper equivalent per year. Copper Mountain also has the 100% owned development-stage Eva Copper Project, which is expected add approximately 100 million pounds of copper annually, in Queensland, Australia and an extensive 2,100 km2 highly prospective land package in the Mount Isa area. Copper Mountain trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CMMC" and Australian Stock Exchange under the symbol "C6C".

Additional information is available on the Company's web page at www.CuMtn.com.

On behalf of the Board of

COPPER MOUNTAIN MINING CORPORATION

"Gil Clausen"

Gil Clausen, P.Eng.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Website: www.CuMtn.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved". In this news release, certain forward-looking statements are identified, including the anticipated reduction of the Company's carbon emissions by at least 30% over the next five years due to the Trolley-Assist Project, the Company's goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2035 and anticipated production at the Copper Mountain Mine. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the risks set out in Copper Mountain's public documents, including in each management's discussion and analysis, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Copper Mountain believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Copper Mountain disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Copper Mountain Mining Corporation
Core Development Group (coredevusa.com) celebrates 10 years in business providing commercial solar, battery, EV chargers Tweet this

For the last decade, Core Development Group has been supporting businesses towards a clean energy future by tackling complex challenges with energy solutions that yield measurable savings and business impacts across the country.

"Our mission is to Power businesses into a new renewable era  by actively listening to our customers' needs and applying our expertise and positive energy to create clean energy projects that improve the lives of people and communities."  Core Development Group Mission Statement

The group is focused on inspiring clean energy. They strengthen and empower customers and the communities with renewable solar energy projects such as added resiliency of battery storage. Over the last ten years they built lasting partnerships based on transparency, integrity and trust. Their creative design and operational excellence provide forward thinking solutions that continue to drive business growth.

"We are more than a company that simply offers solar energy, storage, and EV charging," said CEO Henry Cortes. "The mission for each of us, through our jobs and daily responsibilities, is to convert our positive energy and use our knowledge to power the lives of people, communities, and businesses. We all help impact other lives and make Core Development Group the go-to, long-term renewable energy partner."

Core Development Group is rapidly growing as the market shifts and customer needs evolve. They plan to spend the next 10-plus years guiding businesses to a cleaner and more sustainable future with customizable commercial and utility scale solar development, all while energizing the lives of their customers and communities.

About: Core Development Group is a trusted and agile independent U.S. company that designs, develops, and constructs renewable clean energy projects and offers related consulting services to companies in the U.S. and abroad. The nationally ranked company helps organizations of all types and sizes transition to clean, renewable energy with solar energy, battery storage, microgrids, and EV charging installations. Core Development Group also partners with other leading companies in the renewable energy industry to provide world class engineering design, procurement, construction, and quality assurance construction management consulting services. Founded in 2012, Core Development Group is headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey. See more at www.coredevusa.com.

Peter Muzsi

Head of Marketing

203 952-3792

[email protected]

SOURCE Core Development Group
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Molding Technologies, Inc. (NYSE American: CMT) ("Core Molding", "Core" or the "Company"), a leading engineered materials company specializing in molded structural products, principally in building products, utilities, transportation and powersports industries across North America and Mexico, today announces that it will release its fiscal 2022 first quarter results on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, before the market opens. In conjunction with the release, the Company has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the internet the same day at 10:00am Eastern.

By Phone: Dial 1-844-881-0134 at least 10 minutes before the call and ask to be joined into the Core Molding Technologies call. A replay will be available through May 17th by dialing 1-877-344-7529 and using the conference ID: 4780180#.



By Webcast: Connect to the webcast via the Events and Presentations page of Core Molding's Investor Relations website at www.coremt.com/investor-relations/events-presentations/. Please log in at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software. A replay will be available shortly after the call.

About Core Molding Technologies, Inc.

Core Molding Technologies is a leading engineered materials company specializing in molded structural products, principally in building products, utilities, transportation and powersports industries across North America and Mexico. The Company operates in one operating segment as a molder of thermoplastic and thermoset structural products. The Company's operating segment consists of one reporting unit, Core Molding Technologies. The Company offers customers a wide range of manufacturing processes to fit various program volume and investment requirements. These processes include compression molding of sheet molding compound ("SMC"), resin transfer molding ("RTM"), liquid molding of dicyclopentadiene ("DCPD"), spray-up and hand-lay-up, direct long-fiber thermoplastics ("D-LFT") and structural foam and structural web injection molding ("SIM"). Core Molding Technologies serves a wide variety of markets, including the medium and heavy-duty truck, marine, automotive, agriculture, construction, and other commercial products. The demand for Core Molding Technologies' products is affected by economic conditions in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Core Molding Technologies' operations my change proportionately more than revenues from operations.

Company Contact:

Core Molding Technologies, Inc.

John Zimmer

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

614-870-5604

Investor Relations Contact:

Three Part Advisors, LLC

Sandy Martin or Steven Hooser

214-616-2207

SOURCE Core Molding Technologies
The sixth annual awards honor the products, concepts, companies, policies, and designs that are driving change, including Course Hero's marketplace for college educators.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The winners of Fast Company 's 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards were announced today, honoring equitable learning, innovative corporate initiatives, brave new designs for cities, and other creative works that are supporting the growth of positive social innovation, tackling social inequality, climate change, and public health crises.

Course Hero's Educator Exchange has won in the Education category, the first content-sharing marketplace available for college educators. The Educator Exchange enables educators to share and monetize the learning and teaching resources they've already developed and compensates them when students and fellow educators access them. To date, more than 6,000 educators have made earnings on their content and earners have made upwards of $5,000 USD from the educational materials they created.

Educator Exchange builds on the success of Course Hero's platform and educator community. This award comes as Course Hero surpasses a key milestone of over 100,000 faculty now using the platform to better prepare and develop innovative and inclusive course curriculum, and pedagogical tools to meet the needs of students.

"The Educator Exchange brings a community of faculty together to share best practices while navigating the evolving learning environment. We are thrilled to receive such highly regarded recognition from Fast Company alongside many other well-respected and innovative organizations," said Sean Michael Morris, VP Academics at Course Hero. "The profile of college professors has changed in recent years  more than 75 percent of all college instructors are not eligible for tenure, and adjunct and contingent faculty are under resourced and underpaid . As the workplace and demographics of faculty change, we are deeply committed to meeting the needs of today's educators by building modern tools to support them."

As part of its work to support and celebrate innovative digital learning and pedagogy, Course Hero recently launched its Teaching Grant program . The program offers higher education faculty in the United States up to $2,000USD to fund their dream class projects for the Fall 2022 term.

The World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 39 winners, 350 finalists, and more than 600 honorable mentions, including Course Hero's student facing upload for free access feature. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from more than 2,997 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, health, social justice, and more.

"We are consistently inspired by the novelty and creativity that people are applying to solve some of our society's most pressing problems, from shelter to the climate crisis. Fast Company relishes its role in amplifying important, innovative work to address big challenges," says David Lidsky, interim editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "Our journalists have identified some of the most ingenious initiatives to launch since the start of 2021, which we hope will both have a meaningful impact and lead others to join in being part of the solution."

About Course Hero: Course Hero is on a mission to help students graduate confident and prepared. The online learning platform now offers more than 100 million course-specific study resources created by and for students and educators, as well as 24/7 tutor help. More than 100,000 faculty across the U.S. and Canada use Course Hero to share their resources with the community, collaborate with other faculty, and hone new strategies for instruction. Everyday, students, educators and tutors on Course Hero help more than 20 million students make every study hour count.

About the World Changing Ideas Awards: World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company's major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.

SOURCE Course Hero
Despite the Great Resignation, O&G control room software company sees a 58% uptick in hires compared to Q1 2021

CALGARY, AB, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CruxOCM , the pioneer of robotic industrial process automation (RIPA) for oil and gas operations, announced today that it has recorded a 58% talent growth in Q1 2022 compared to Q1 2021, hiring new employees across the engineering (both software and process control engineers), product management, design, sales, operations and deployment departments.

Since the beginning of 2022, CruxOCM has seen an increase in inbounds looking to join the company, with offices in both Canada and US. With its strong product-market fit, competitive offerings, and great trajectory, CruxOCM has become attractive to those who want to make a difference and lead change across the industry.

"I'm impressed at the pace of our growing team and plan to carry the momentum forward into the next quarter," said Jay Hum, VP of Product at CruxOCM.

"Over the last quarter, we have tripled our sales team to handle the leads we have," Adam Marsden, Chief Revenue Officer at CruxOCM. "The pandemic and remote working initiative have not affected our hiring process, which not many companies can say. We have a strong belief in transparency on how much candidates can expect to make in salary and data used to determine what the best salary bands are. We have and will continue to hire people who genuinely care about the infrastructure we are building."

At CruxOCM, it is required to have high levels of trust, psychological safety, and open communication to build a high-performing team. Over the remainder of the year, CruxOCM plans to continue its rapid growth by expanding its search for experienced workers to join the team across different areas without having to commit long-term to a specific location.

About CruxOCM

Crux Operations Control Management Limited (CruxOCM) delivers innovative operations control management software that crushes the complexity and inefficiencies associated with standard operations control rooms. From maximizing & optimizing flow rates to streamlining critical start-up and shut-down procedures, CruxOCM helps energy companies achieve a step-change transformation of their operations control systems and delivers dramatic results that reduce risk and increase competitiveness, growth, and profitability. CruxOCM's RIPA software platform offers superior execution of control room operations and scalable architecture to help clients stay ahead of rapid change. For more information, visit cruxocm.com.

Contact: N6A on behalf of CruxOCM, [email protected]

SOURCE Crux OCM
WAKEFIELD, Mass., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA /OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf" or the "Company"), a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis, today announced that members of Curaleaf's executive management team will be participating in the following investor community conferences and events during May 2022.

AGP Virtual Spring Consumer Cannabis Conference

May 3, 2022

Joe Bayern , Chief Executive Officer of Curaleaf , will be participating in a panel titled, "Evaluating MSO Opportunities in The Northeast" hosted by Aaron Grey , AGP Equity Analyst, on May 3 at 12pm  1pm ET .

Canaccord Genuity 6th Annual Cannabis Conference

May 11, 2022

Boris Jordan , Executive Chairman of Curaleaf , will be participating in a fireside chat with Matt Bottomley , Canaccord Genuity Equity Analyst, on May 11 at 10:30am  10:55am ET .

Curaleaf management will also be hosting investor meetings.

Wolfe Research Virtual Consumer Conference

May 13, 2022

Joe Bayern , Chief Executive Officer of Curaleaf , will be participating in a panel titled, "Cannabis MSOs Panel" hosted by Greg Badishkanian , Wolfe Research Equity Analyst, on May 13 at 12:55pm  1:25pm ET .

Curaleaf management will also be hosting investor meetings.

For more information regarding upcoming Curaleaf financial community conference and event participation as well as details to access the webcasts please visit Curaleaf's IR website at https://ir.curaleaf.com/events.

About Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to improve lives by providing clarity around cannabis and confidence around consumption. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company and its brands, including Curaleaf and Select, provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult-use markets. In the United States, Curaleaf currently operates in 22 states with 130 dispensaries, 26 cultivation sites, and employs over 5,600 team members. Curaleaf International is the largest vertically integrated cannabis company in Europe with a unique supply and distribution network throughout the European market, bringing together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction and production. Curaleaf is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol CURA and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF. For more information, please visit https://ir.curaleaf.com.

Curaleaf IR Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/Curaleaf_IR

Investor Toolkit: https://ir.curaleaf.com/investor-toolkit

Investor Relations Website: https://ir.curaleaf.com/

INVESTOR CONTACT

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

[email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Tracy Brady, VP Corporate Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Divurgent, a nationally recognized healthcare IT consulting company, is proud to announce Ed Marx, a renowned leader with more than 30 years of experience, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Colin Konschak, company founder and CEO since 2007, will move to a new role as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Ed Marx, Chief Executive Officer, Divurgent

"Ed's vision of healthcare aligns perfectly with Divurgent's," Konschak said. "I believe his leadership will elevate our company to new heights as he amplifies our focus on advisory services, especially around digital transformation. We are looking forward to him taking the helm of our key operations, growth strategies, and client relationships. Ed shares our values, is aligned with our culture, and will be successful in strengthening a company culture that is best in the industry."

Marx is an influential, veteran IT leader with deep experience in healthcare. He was the former Chief Digital Officer (CDO) for Tech Mahindra Health & Life Sciences and former Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Cleveland Clinic. He was also the governor-appointed chairman of the Texas Health Services Authority for eight years.

In recent years, two major national healthcare information technology organizations, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) and the Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), named Marx the CIO of the year and listed him as one of the top 10 disruptive forces in healthcare. CIO and Computer World named Marx one of the "Top 100 Leaders," and the Dallas Business Journal named him "Newcomer of the Year."

Marx has won the coveted "People's Choice" HISsies Award for top healthcare CIO four years in a row, and Becker's Healthcare named him one of the "Top 25 Most Influential Executives in Healthcare," one of the "Top 26 Smartest Healthcare IT Professionals," and one of the "17 Most Influential Leaders in Healthcare." Under his leadership, Texas Health hospitals and Cleveland Clinic achieved the highest designation (Stage 7) of the HIMSS Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) and won the coveted "Davies Award" twice for best use of technology to enable business and clinical outcomes.

The chance to lead Divurgent was something he could not pass up, Marx said.

"Once, maybe twice, in your career, the stars align, and you're granted the opportunity of a lifetime," Marx said. "This is that moment. Divurgent is a well-run, client-centered organization with strong people and strong values."

Marx's experience in healthcare traces back to his high school days when he worked as a janitor mopping the floor of an emergency department. After high school, Marx served as a combat medic and later as an anesthesia tech.

"I never set out to be a CEO," Marx said, "but I knew I was called to healthcare. With Divurgent, I could not wish for a better organization to be on this journey with, and I look forward to all that we can accomplish, together."

Through its healthcare payer and provider partners, Divurgent's team has worked on projects that impacted 67 million patients, including 1.6 million unique Medicare patients, and over 700,000 health plan members.

When Divurgent's Executive Committee began its CEO search, they wanted to find someone who aligned with the culture and values set up by the company founders, Konschak and Philip Felt. The committee looked for a CEO who could lead with Excellence, Learning, Innovation, Trust, and Enthusiasm  Divurgent's corporate ELITE Values  and continue the company's laser-focus on leveraging technology to help client partners better service their patient communities.

With Marx, the committee found the perfect match.

Marx is a hands-on executive who focuses on mentorship and lifelong learning. He is a respected thought leader who is active with advisory boards, higher education institutions, and professional organizations, such as CHIME and HIMSS. Marx has a popular "CIO Unplugged" blog and hosts a podcast, "DGTL voices with Ed Marx," which has more than seventy episodes to date. Marx also has written three books, Extraordinary Tales of a Rather Ordinary Guy, Voices of Innovation, and Healthcare Digital Transformation. Marx is co-writing a new book with best friend Cris Ross of Mayo Clinic for consumers on enhancing patient experience.

Marx received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Design, Merchandising, and Consumer Sciences from Colorado State University.

"Divurgent embodies its vision and mission, lives up to its ELITE Values, and has a client and team satisfaction that vastly exceeds industry norms," Marx said. "I'm truly humbled by this opportunity to lead arguably one of the best healthcare consulting firms out there."

About Divurgent

Divurgent is a solutions provider focused on what matters most to our client partners. We disrupt the typical value equation by using data-infused, flexible, and scalable solutions that demonstrate and quantify value for our partners.

We are committed to IT evolution, deploying tailored solutions that help our client partners achieve improved operational effectiveness, financial performance, and quality of customer experience. Throughout Divurgent's nearly 15-year history, we have experienced year-over-year growth measured in both revenue and employee headcount.

Excellence, Learning, Innovation, Trust, Enthusiasmthese are the ELITE Values that drive us to be more and do moreto redefine consulting and transform healthcare for our clients and the communities they serve. We are passionate about providing innovative solutions that offer our clients the opportunity to improve customer experiences and enhance operational efficiencies. Staying true to our values, mission, and our vision of a passionate Team has given us the tools to be a successful firm both externally and internally, growing both as a company and as a Team. www.divurgent.com

Contact:

Brittany Williams

[email protected]

804.712.1524

SOURCE Divurgent
The Wellness Brand's Topicals Can Help Both Brand New and Veteran Moms Alike Rest and Relax This May

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Doug's Balms are created with three goals in mind: to help protect, heal, and restore the skin. All three of these objectives are highly applicable to a mothering lifestyle. Whether they're caring for their children or trying to tap into a little R&R themselves, there are many reasons for a mother to have a good skincare solution on hand at any given moment.

Dr. Dougs Gifts Are the Perfect Thank You for Mothers Day

What sets Dr. Doug's products apart as an elite skincare choice for so many mothers is the fact that all of the brand's formulas are natural, safe, and effective. "Dr. Doug" Strobel himself spoke to the elite nature of his products by pointing out some recent feedback he had received. "We got a review," Strobel explained, "that said 'I love using products where you actually recognize the ingredients.' That trust, right there, sums up everything we do. If you can't read the label  especially when you're putting something on your skin  how are you supposed to feel safe? We never add strange ingredients. Our formulas are made with organic, natural, and simple stuff. Everything in there has a purpose. If it doesn't, out it goes."

Along with clean ingredients, Dr. Doug's products are also tailored to address different needs. For instance, the brand's original Miracle Balm formula has been expanded to include organic Arnica Montana and magnesium chloride in the form of its " Recovery Balm ." Together, these can help reduce swelling, heal sore muscles, and address recurring concerns such as muscle cramps and restless leg, all of which are common ailments for an active mother.

In addition, the brand has multiple products that mothers can use to confidently help the children in their care. For example, its Bug Potion repels bothersome insects using the tried and true natural ingredient Lemongrass in its essential oil form. Dr. Doug's Miracle Balm + Clear Zinc is also an excellent option for scrapes and cuts.

Whether they're looking for a way to restore their own skin or care for their children's epidermises, mothers have been using Dr. Doug's Balms products to improve their lives for years. The combination of quality and efficacy (not to mention the brand's pre-selected, Mom-focused gift section ) make them a great option for mom at any time of the year, including the most important one of them all: Mother's Day.

About Dr. Doug's Balms: "Dr. Doug" Strobel and Natalie Gardner co-founded Dr. Doug's Balms in Carmel, Indiana in 2016 after finding smashing success with their original "Miracle Balm" solution. The brand's growing line of skincare products continues to wow customers as it faithfully delivers on its promise to "protect, heal, and restore." Learn more about the company's growing collection of skincare products at drdougsbalms.com .

Media Contact:

Natalie Gardner

President/Co-Owner

Dr. Doug's Balms

C: 219-613-8674

[email protected]

SOURCE Dr. Doug's Balms
LexisNexis Rooftop solution helps home insurance carriers price for roof risk more accurately by helping improve loss cost and claims rate relativity

ATLANTA, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a leading provider of data and analytics for the insurance industry, today announced that LexisNexis Rooftop, a risk assessment tool for home insurance carriers, has been approved for rating in a number of states in which wind and hail loss costs have traditionally been high. Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and South Dakota have recently been added to the growing list of states that have approved the model. LexisNexis Rooftop has been approved in each of the states where the model has been filed.

LexisNexis Rooftop provides a predictive model to help home insurance carriers segment properties based on roof risk. The score is created by combining aerial imagery insights with weather-related total loss experience, from auto and home insurance claims insights, that assess pre-existing damage and the likelihood of a future wind or hail claim. LexisNexis Rooftop's aerial imagery insights come from Arturo, an artificial intelligence analytics provider of property insights and predictive analytics.

Home insurance loss ratios have been increasing, with the average loss ratio now more than 89%, according to the latest report from S&P Global Market Intelligence, and the six states that have approved LexisNexis Rooftop represent close to one-fifth (19.2%) of all hail losses nationwide. According to the 2021 LexisNexis Home Trends Report, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana are three of the states with the highest loss cost wind claims between 2015 and 2020, and South Dakota has some of the highest loss costs for hail over that same six-year period.

"Roofs that are in poor condition are more loss prone in both catastrophic and non-catastrophic situations," said Erin Oswalt, director of home insurance at LexisNexis Risk Solutions. As the market continues to see rising levels of severity, frequency, and types of catastrophic losses, home insurers are grappling with how to get ahead of major weather events."

To help combat this, many home insurance carriers are evaluating their rating plans to determine how they can better manage their expense ratios. The LexisNexis Rooftop model shows up to a 20x lift in loss cost relativity and an 18x lift in claims rate relativity between the highest-risk properties and lowest-risk properties. Together with the accompanying data attributes, LexisNexis Rooftop can act as a tool for home insurers for faster, more cost-effective decision-making.

"As roof loss ratios continue to rise, home insurance carriers are consistently looking for ways to better segment properties as it relates to roof risk," said Oswalt. "With LexisNexis Rooftop now approved in six states, several of which have some of the highest loss cost wind and hail claims in the country, and additional state regulatory filings underway, home insurers serving these states can better manage their expense ratios and price policies more accurately."

To help insurers better assess risk, LexisNexis Rooftop:

Provides a predictive risk score from 1-100 that indicates the likelihood of a large weather claim within the next 12 months.

Returns a score even if a recent aerial image is not available.

Delivers up to 80 actionable attributes including recent weather events and related claims insights and dozens of imagery insights from Arturo.

Is available system-to-system in an automated process through a single point of access where LexisNexis Risk Solutions delivers industry leading data analytics solutions such as C.L.U.E. Property, LexisNexis Current Carrier Property, LexisNexis Property Data Prefill and others.

LexisNexis Rooftop will continue to be filed in additional states, and LexisNexis Risk Solutions has a filing support team available to support direct filings from carriers.

For more information about LexisNexis Rooftop, click here.

About LexisNexis Risk Solutions

LexisNexis Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data and advanced analytics to provide insights that help businesses and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. We provide data and technology solutions for a wide range of industries including insurance, financial services, healthcare and government. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit www.risk.lexisnexis.com and www.relx.com.

Contacts:

Chas Strong

Director, Communications

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

706.714.7083

[email protected]

Donna Armstrong

Brodeur Partners for LexisNexis Risk Solutions

[email protected]

SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions
"When it comes to skin cancer, prevention and early detection is everything." Tweet this

"Our commitment has always been to support physicians and the vital role they play in patient care and we do this not only by developing a wide array of wearable sunscreen formulations to choose from, but also through education," says Echo Sandburg, Chief Brand Officer, CP Skin Health. "This year for Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we are expanding our Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes campaign launched last year to include an effort that highlights the importance of early detection, encouraging everyone to look closely as they check their skin from head to toe. By paying attention to what can easily be missed, we can better protect our skin and help reduce the risk of developing skin cancer."

To help drive awareness on the importance of taking a proactive approach to sun safety, EltaMD has partnered with professional dancer and melanoma skin cancer survivor, Witney Carson of Dancing With The Stars."When I was diagnosed with melanoma nine years ago, it was a wakeup call," says Witney. "Until this experience, I didn't realize that people in their 20s could get skin cancer, or that I could get it on my foot! But the reality is everyone is at risk to the harmful effects of the sun, especially when skin is unprotected. Today, my family and I make it a priority to apply and reapply through the day a broad-spectrum sunscreen to all parts of the body, most especially the often-overlooked areas like ears, nose, lips, hands, and yes, even the tops of our feet!"

Starting May 2, Melanoma Monday, consumers can participate in the EltaMD Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes Sweepstakes hosted on the site, for a chance to win a complete Sun Prize Pack with sun protection from your head to your toes. Also starting in May, EltaMD will spread a sun safety message around the country by sponsoring mobile skin cancer education and screening programs, including the Skin Cancer Foundation Destination Healthy Skin Tour and the Colorado Melanoma Foundation Sun Bus Tour visiting more than 60 US cities. Follow @eltamdskincare on Instagram, watch the campaign video or visit eltamd.com/skincancerawareness to learn more.

About EltaMD Skin Care

EltaMD knows you're with your skin for life, so you need skincare that is too. At EltaMD, we make professional sun and skin care that's loved by skin and trusted by Dermatologists. In fact, EltaMD, isn't just the #1 Dermatologist-recommended professional sunscreen brand, it's the brand they most personally use. We've spent over 30 years developing safe and effective products designed to feel weightless and proven to protect, heal and renew skin. Because we're in it for life. For more information: www.eltamd.com.

SOURCE EltaMD
Developed by Stanford and MIT alumni, the new program teaches students the fundamentals of AI to build socially impactful projects to improve the world

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Empowerly , a data-driven education technology company that provides personalized college admissions counseling and career guidance to students and their families, today announced the launch of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scholar Program. Developed by Stanford and MIT alumni, the Program was created as a way to empower students from grades 7 through 12 to learn how to apply AI to build socially-impactful projects. Students can choose from a variety of research tracks, including healthcare and biology, sustainability, ethics and social sciences, media and politics, business and finance, and more.

With Empowerly's AI Scholar Program, students are not required to have any prior programming or computer science experience. Students that do have prior experience will be eligible to join an advanced cohort. The Program consists of 10 sessions (25 hours total) taught by a team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 5-to-1 for a more personalized learning experience. Course structure is broken down into three parts:

Machine Learning Talks: Students will study machine learning algorithms and techniques in an interactive format before applying that knowledge in live coding labs.

Hands-On Python Coding: In addition to machine learning, students will develop Python skills, using research to solve real-world problems like heart disease prediction, assistive technologies, and more.

Project-Based Learning: In this final capstone project, students will apply their newly acquired talents in a collaborative, challenging environment, applying AI to an in-depth, social-good project. Examples include allocating resources for disaster relief, sketch recognition, or creating a website to recommend healthcare options.

"With AI's growing impact in modern society, it was important for us to launch Empowerly's AI Scholar Program to encourage young students to understand and leverage this powerful technology to advance the world," said Denard Jones, Empowerly lead counselor and AI Scholar Program manager. "By exposing them to a variety of innovative use cases, our program offers guidance on initiating AI projects, pursuing AI ventures, and preparing for college while doing social good."

Empowerly's AI Scholar Program highlights the company's commitment to provide students with highly customized opportunities based on personal interests and career ambitions. The company also recently closed its Summer Internship Program, which has tripled in growth in participation over the past three years. To date, 94 percent of Empowerly students with above a 3.6 GPA have been accepted into a top 50 school, including all eight Ivy League colleges plus Stanford, MIT, UChicago, Duke, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, and many others.

To apply or learn more about Empowerly's AI Scholar Program, visit here . Applications are now open through May 20, 2022.

About Empowerly:

Empowerly is a data-driven education technology company that provides personalized college and career guidance to students and their families. The company's mission is to empower students to become the most successful version of themselves. From college preparation, landing internships, and beyond, we support students in achieving their academic goals.

Media Contact:

BAM for Empowerly

[email protected]

SOURCE Empowerly
Request for a sample of this research report at https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/701

The SCM segment in the enterprise application market is anticipated to witness a significant growth during the forecast period as supply chain analytics solutions & services have gained significant demand from industries amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A rise in demand for supply chain efficiencies and the need to improve operational processes is poised to fuel the industry growth. The rising volume & inclination toward data-based decision-making supports the acceptance of supply chain management solutions across industries.

The cloud enterprise application market is projected to garner substantial revenues, which is driven by its growing usage across SMEs. The increasing demand for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software supports the adoption of SaaS-based enterprise applications. Low subscription costs and hardware-independent operations have made cloud software a viable option for small & medium enterprises with limited financial resources. All software-related updates, security enhancements, and user addition are handled by SaaS providers, enabling enterprises to reduce their IT spending.

The enterprise application market for retail segment is slated to register exponential growth due to the increasing competition among e-commerce companies along with the growing need to provide a personalized shopping experience to customers. E-commerce companies are utilizing the capabilities of enterprise solutions to personalize the user's shopping experience by analyzing the browsing pattern & on-site content.

Asia Pacific enterprise application market is predicted to observe a 10% growth rate till 2028 owing to the extensive acceptance of digital technologies by regional business corporations. The region has a mature IT industry with several countries including China, India, Japan, and South Korea being regional leaders in the implementation of enterprise applications.

Some of the key participants operating in the enterprise application market are Epicor Software Corporation, Fiserv, Inc., Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., IBM Corporation, IFS AB, Infor, Inc., JDA Software (Blue Yonder), Microsoft Corporation, MicroStrategy Incorporated, NetSuite, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Qlik Technologies, Inc., SAGE Group Plc, Salesforce.com, Inc., QAD Inc., SAP SE, Tableau Software, LLC, Total Soft S.A., TIBCO Software, Inc., Adobe, Inc., and Zoho Corporation.

These companies are focusing on various business growth strategies including investments in new enterprise solutions, strengthening the partner network, and geographical expansion. Through such strategic moves, companies are trying to gain a broader market share and maintain their leadership in the market.

Request for customization of this research report at https://www.gminsights.com/roc/701

Some major findings of the enterprise application market report include:

The growing retail sector and widespread penetration of customer relationship management solutions are contributing to the demand for enterprise applications.

The IT & telecom sector is estimated to grow significantly during the forecast timeframe. The need to ensure remote accessibility and management of network infrastructure along with workforce productivity is accelerating the industry expansion.

APAC market is set to grow at a rapid pace from 2022 to 2028 on account of the improvements in the ICT landscape, an abundance of skilled software developers, and increasing awareness of enterprise applications amongst SMEs.

Amid the ongoing Russia - Ukraine crisis, there has been a halt in software-related developments and exports from Ukraine , which is expected to cause a slight dent in the market progression.

- crisis, there has been a halt in software-related developments and exports from , which is expected to cause a slight dent in the market progression. The industry players are focusing on product innovation & customization to provide unique solutions to existing & potential customers.

Table of Contents (ToC) of the report

Chapter 3 Enterprise Application Market Insights

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Impact of COVID-19 outbreak

3.2.1 Strategies by key players to achieve pre-COVID level growth

3.2.2 Impact on industry value chain

3.2.3 Impact on competitive landscape

3.3 Impact of Russia-Ukraine crisis

3.3.1 Impact on technology supply chain

3.3.2 Response of global enterprises

3.3.3 Region-wise impact of Russia-Ukraine crisis

3.4 Evolution of enterprise application

3.5 Enterprise application industry ecosystem analysis

3.5.1 Enterprise application vendors

3.5.2 Cloud service providers

3.5.3 System integrators

3.5.4 Third party service providers

3.5.5 Distributors and resellers

3.5.6 End-users

3.5.7 Shareholder profit margin analysis

3.5.8 Vendor matrix

3.6 Investment portfolio

3.7 Patent analysis

3.8 Technology & innovation landscape

3.8.1 AI powered customer support

3.8.2 Blockchain

3.8.3 Data integration

3.8.4 IoT-enabled enterprise assets

3.8.5 Machine learning

3.8.6 Predictive analytics

3.8.7 Process automation

3.8.8 Two-tier ERP

3.9 Regulatory landscape

3.10 Industry impact forces

3.10.1 Growth drivers

3.10.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.11 Growth potential analysis

3.12 Porter's analysis

3.13 PESTLE analysis

Browse Complete Table of Contents (ToC) at https://www.gminsights.com/toc/detail/enterprise-application-market

About Global Market Insights Inc.

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.

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Global Market Insights Inc.

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SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc.
VIENNA, Va., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than 24 million Americans living with asthma and 50+ million with allergies, it's vital they have greater access to medical care and insurance to help ensure successful health outcomes. A safe and expedited approval process for new medical treatments in the United States is also critical to support patients' needs.

These are among the top issues at Allergy & Asthma Network's 25th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH) on May 3-4 in Washington, DC. The event will be held both in person and virtually. The theme this year is "Access, Affordability and Innovation."

During AADCH, patients, families, advocates, healthcare professionals and industry partners canvas Capitol Hill to meet with federal legislators and their staff. The goal is to help raise awareness of and discuss legislation to end needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and related conditions.

This year, Allergy & Asthma Network has scheduled in-person and virtual visits with members of Congress and policymakers. The Network will also host its annual Congressional Lunch Briefing on May 4 at 12 noon ET. It will feature the Congressional Asthma & Allergy Caucus, presentations from leading allergists, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and patient testimonials.

"We're excited to head to Capitol Hill in person this year to advocate for legislation and policies that put patients' needs first," says Allergy & Asthma Network President and CEO Tonya Winders. "Expanding access to high-quality, affordable care will help ensure successful health outcomes, especially for those who live in underserved communities. Black, Hispanic/Latino and Native American patients with asthma or COVID-19 are at higher risk for hospitalization and death.

"We also need greater access to innovative therapies and health technologies, such as biologic medications, immunotherapy, telehealth and remote patient monitoring."

In addition to access to care, Allergy & Asthma Network urges Congress to support a host of bills under consideration. These include:

Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act  expands federal and state efforts to improve care nationwide for people living with asthma

 expands federal and state efforts to improve care nationwide for people living with asthma Food Labeling Modernization Act  improves food labeling for people living with food allergies.

 improves food labeling for people living with food allergies. Safe Step Act  requires health plans to provide an exception process for any medication considered for step therapy.

Allergy & Asthma Network advocates for federal funding in support of asthma and allergy programs at NIH, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and EPA, among others. For a complete list of AADCH issues and priorities, visit our Advocacy Center at https://advocacy.allergyasthmanetwork.org.

Virtual advocates are invited to tune into the Congressional Lunch Briefing livestream on May 4, starting at 12 noon ET. They are also asked to send letters and emails to members of Congress and post on social media throughout May 4 using #AADCH2020. Register for the livestream at AADCH.org.

"The more advocates who connect with legislators, the more powerful our voice and the greater our impact," Winders says.

About Allergy & Asthma Network

Allergy & Asthma Network is the leading nonprofit patient outreach, education, advocacy and research organization for people with asthma, allergies and related conditions. Our patient-centered network unites patients, families, caregivers, health professionals, industry partners and government decision makers to improve health and quality of life for all people with asthma and allergies. We specialize in making medically accurate health information understandable to all while promoting evidence-based standards of care. Learn more at AllergyAsthmaNetwork.org.

Contact: Gary Fitzgerald

Allergy & Asthma Network

703-641-9595

[email protected]

SOURCE Allergy & Asthma Network
WASHINGTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) today reported its first quarter financial results and filed its first quarter 2022 Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing provides condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The following documents are now available on Fannie Mae's website at www.fanniemae.com .

Fannie Mae will host a conference call to discuss the company's results today at 8:00 a.m., ET. Participants may join the conference call in listen-only mode via the webcast link below.

Listen-only webcast:

https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1542630&tp_key=b6d60ce976

Click on the link above to attend the presentation from your laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Audio will stream through your selected device. If you have difficulty accessing the webcast, please click the "Listen by Phone" button on the webcast player and dial the number provided.

About Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae advances equitable and sustainable access to homeownership and quality, affordable rental housing for millions of people across America. We enable the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and drive responsible innovation to make homebuying and renting easier, fairer, and more accessible. To learn more, visit:

fanniemae.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Blog

Fannie Mae Newsroom

https://www.fanniemae.com/news

Photo of Fannie Mae

https://www.fanniemae.com/resources/img/about-fm/fm-building.tif

Fannie Mae Resource Center

1-800-2FANNIE

SOURCE Fannie Mae
Los Angeles startup All American II launches during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with graphic apparel celebrating Asian Americans to combat Anti-Asian Violence

LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- All American II, the first ever brand for all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), announces the launch of its online store of apparel celebrating the All American spirit of Asian Americans to combat anti-Asian violence. The company's flagship design spells the brand's name from the letters in the 13 largest AAPI communities - Thai, Bangladeshi, Laotian, Taiwanese, Cambodian, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hmong, Indian, and Pakistani - to show that Asian Americans are All American too.

All American II Apparel on Founder Pierre Rivera

First conceived in 2019 to promote inclusion, the mission for All American II became clear as anti-Asian violence erupted in 2020 due to the pandemic. Its Filipino American founder realized there was a need for a brand focused on the Asian American and Pacific Islander movement for social equality. By revealing how Asian American ethnicities and cultures are All American too in its products, the brand fosters AAPI pride while combatting the growing problem of anti-Asian violence.

"We were here before the U.S. was even a country. Our railroad workers stitched the nation together in the 1800s. We have decorated soldiers, military units, astronauts and Olympic champions. Asian American history reflects the epitome of what it means to be All American, yet we're perpetually viewed as foreigners. All American II was made to show the truth: Asian Americans are All American too," says Pierre Rivera, its founder.

The need for this change has grown more urgent in the wake of increased anti-Asian hate. According to the American Psychological Association, the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated xenophobia and bigotry toward Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. This led to almost 11,000 hate incidents reported from March 2020 to Dec 2021 against AAPI persons, according to Stop AAPI Hate, ranging from verbal harassment to physical violence.

"Other countries are also experiencing a rise in anti-Asian hate. But the United States is uniquely positioned to solve this problem. We're a nation of immigrants. Unity and inclusion are in our DNA. We can set an example for other countries on how to deal with anti-Asian hate by living up to the ideals that allow any American to become an All American too."

ABOUT

All American II is a brand on a mission to transform the way Asian Americans are seen with apparel that showcases the All American spirit of Asian Americans.

CONTACT

Pierre Rivera, (213) 798-4650, [email protected]

SOURCE All American II
The 24/7 Automated Pizzeria Concept Hires Chief Marketing Officer to Spearhead U.S. Expansion, First Up San Diego, Houston and New Orleans

TORONTO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PizzaForno, one of North America's only automated pizzerias, appoints Jason Lowder, former Vice President of Local Store Marketing at Marco's Pizza, as Chief Marketing Officer. As U.S. expansion heats up, Lowder joins as the revolutionary brand with exclusive distribution rights, prepares to launch in San Diego, Houston and New Orleans by Q2.

Passionate for the lucrative pizza industry and focused on building strategic local marketing programs designed with the entrepreneur and community in mind, Lowder will help accelerate PizzaForno's U.S. footprint. Lowder brings years of sales, marketing and development experience, to the innovative brand. He and his team at Marco's Pizza, took the brand from 250 stores to over 900-plus.

"Jason joins our team with a proven track record of success when it comes to developing and growing pizza concepts," said Les Tomlin, Co-Founder and President of PizzaForno. "As we continue to break into major U.S. markets, we know that Jason's background in grand openings, franchising and multi-unit ownership will turn our easy-to-scale business model into the next fastest growing pizza brand."

The new CMO relates to the growth-minded investors who are seeking to scale with PizzaForno, as he too is an entrepreneur, owning his own marketing and consulting company for 17 years and a former Marco's Pizza franchisee.

"It's good to be in the pizza business as people will always enjoy the shareable food. In fact, I had first inquired about the licensee opportunity for myself with PizzaForno. Upon hearing more about the influx of leads and the accelerated U.S. expansion plans, the opportunity to be a part of it at the leadership level was a cultural fit," said Jason Lowder, CMO of PizzaForno. "I immediately felt the passion the existing corporate team and licensees have for what they do and when an organization loves what they do, the results will come."

PizzaForno projects to open a minimum of 50 units in the U.S. by yearend. As PizzaForno expands throughout California, Texas, and Louisiana, potential licensees now have the chance to be one of the first to break into the registered U.S. markets with the high-demand, turnkey business opportunity. PizzaForno not only offers a high ROI but has the ability to operate 24/7 with zero on-site labor costs, limited waste and gives the option for licensees to scale quickly.

To learn more about PizzaForno and their licensing opportunities, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/become-a-licensee/.

ABOUT PIZZAFORNO

Founded in 2018 by Canadian entrepreneurs William Moyer and Les Tomlin, PizzaForno is North America's only automated pizzeria which introduces gourmet artisanal pizzas in less than three minutes. Accessible 24/7 at the tap of a digital screen, PizzaForno offers a selection of innovative menu options, each made with high quality ingredients, with an authentic approach. In 2020, PizzaForno was honored with the Restaurants Canada 2020 Innovation Award. Utilizing technology made popular in France by ADIAL, PizzaForno exclusively owns all North American distribution rights for the technology. The brand is rapidly growing throughout North America and backed by a landmark partnership with one of the leading food service providers, Aramark. The agreement is set to bring cutting-edge food innovation and a quality meal solution to various facilities with technology, sustainability, safety, and convenience at the forefront. PizzaForno currently has 40 operating locations and over 100 additional locations committed  with the first U.S. locations already established in Michigan. To learn more about PizzaForno, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/. To inquire about the licensee opportunity, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/become-a-licensee/.

SOURCE Pizzaforno
DUBLIN, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Amniotic Membrane Market, Size, Forecast 2022-2027, Industry Trends, Growth, Insight, Impact of COVID-19, Company Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global Amniotic Membrane Market is expected to reach US$ 5.4 Billion by 2027 from US$ 2.5 Billion in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 13.7%

Globally, chronic burn wounds lead to trauma amongst patients. What adds to the patient's situation is the risk of sepsis, infection, joint problems, and scarring during the management of third-degree burns. Thus, healthcare industries are increasing awareness about amniotic membranes (AM) since these membranes have gained the approval of many health commissions across various countries.



The amniotic membrane is the deepest layer of fetal membrane extracted from women's placenta and harvested to be utilized as a transplant material for reconstructive surgery for cases such as severe trauma wounds, burnt skin, chronic wounds, and others. The use of an amniotic membrane is preferred due to its anti-scarring property, non-immunogenicity, antimicrobial property, and ability to reduce inflammation.



However, the amniotic membrane is expected to exhibit significant market growth during the forecast period, owing to technological innovations to develop cost-effective therapies. The rise in amniotic membrane transplantation, awareness and education about the benefits of amniotic membrane transplantation, and the growth of the geriatric population propel the market growth.

Implementation of the 21st-century cures act, emerging economies, and growing demand for stem cell research and regenerative medicine are anticipated to offer substantial growth opportunities for players in the market.

Further, rising government initiatives to improve the healthcare infrastructure result in an increase in demand for quality healthcare services delivered by hospitals, thereby aiding segment growth.



Impact of Covid-19 on Amniotic Membrane Market

The impact of COVID-19 remains negative on the amniotic membrane industry. Due to nationwide lockdowns, restricted wound care services, and canceled or delayed elective surgeries. Elective surgeries were being canceled to reserve or redirect the available limited capacities and resources (like patient care professionals and hospital beds) towards COVID-19 patient care.

Additionally, various countries enforced lockdowns and curfews to curb the rise in COVID-19 cases. Due to these lockdowns, patients could not visit OPDs, hospitals, or clinics. This temporary privation of non-emergent healthcare services limits the amniotic product's market growth.

Market Segmentation



Based on type, Amniotic Membrane includes Cryopreserved amniotic membranes and Dehydrated Amniotic Membranes. Dehydrated amniotic membranes are typically used to treat various surgical reconstruction procedures, wounds, and venous and pressure leg ulcers.

Usually, these applications are used as biological bandages to promote healing. PalinGen, AmbioDisk, FloGraft, and AmnioFix are some examples of commercially available dehydrated amniotic membranes. Therefore, the rising usage of dehydrated membranes is anticipated to fuel the segment growth.



The wound care applications segment commanded the biggest market of the amniotic product. The large share of the wound care segment is attributed to the growing incidence of traumatic ulcers, surgical wounds, burns, and the need for advanced technologies for treatment.



North America is anticipated to hold a Significant Market Share

Geographically, North America holds the market, owing to the well-established healthcare system and increased adoption of amniotic membranes for varied applications.

In addition to the significant infrastructure for developmental research, the availability of substantial research funds and growing government initiatives towards amniotic membrane transplantation are anticipated to drive market growth.



Similarly, the European region accounted for a considerable market. The healthcare scheme in the European region is publicly supported, and European countries have adopted universal health care systems, thereby developing the product demand.

A growing number of patients sorrowing from chronic illnesses are anticipated to boost the adoption of amniotic membranes among healthcare professionals.



Key Players:

The amniotic membrane industry is moderately competitive and consists of several prominent players like

Stryker Corporation

Smith & Nephew plc

Integra LifeSciences Holdings

Wright Medical Group Inc

MiMedx,

Organogenesis Net

Frequently Asked Questions about the Global Amniotic Membrane Market



What is the estimated value of the Global Amniotic Membrane Market?

The Global Amniotic Membrane Market was estimated to be valued at $2.5 Billion in 2021.

What is the growth rate of the Global Amniotic Membrane Market?

The growth rate of the Global Amniotic Membrane Market is 13.7%, with an estimated value of $5.4 Billion by 2027.

What is the forecasted size of the Global Amniotic Membrane Market?

The Global Amniotic Membrane Market is estimated to be worth $5.4 Billion by 2027.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Research & Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.2 Challenges



5. Amniotic Membrane Market



6. Market Share - Amniotic Membrane Analysis

6.1 By Type

6.2 By Application

6.3 By End User

6.4 By Region



7. Type - Amniotic Membrane Market

7.1 Cryopreserved amniotic membranes

7.2 Dehydrated Amniotic Membranes



8. Application - Amniotic Membrane Market

8.1 Orthopedics

8.2 Ophthalmology

8.3 Wound Care

8.4 Others



9. End User - Amniotic Membrane Market

9.1 Hospitals

9.2 Ambulatory Surgical Centers

9.3 Specialty Clinics

9.4 Research & Academic Institutes



10. Region - Amniotic Membrane Market

10.1 North America

10.2 Europe

10.3 Asia-Pacific

10.4 Latin America

10.5 Middle East & Africa



11. Porters Five Forces

11.1 Overview



12. Key Players

12.1 Overview

12.2 Recent Development

12.3 Revenue



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ur747e

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Autonomous Ships Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global autonomous ships market reached a value of US$ 89.6 billion in 2021. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach US$ 132.96 billion by 2027, exhibiting at a CAGR of 6.7% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, the analyst is continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.

Autonomous ships are technologically advanced watercrafts embedded with radio detection and ranging (RADAR), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), high-definition cameras, thermal imaging, and sonar. They assist the operating system in making decisions and reduce crew sizes to minimize the need for accommodation, simplify the design, increase cargo carrying capacity and lower building costs. As they make shipping safer by decreasing accidents, the demand for autonomous ships is escalating around the world.

Presently, there is a rise in cargo shipping as it finds extensive application in transporting different goods to distant geographical locations. This, in confluence with the increasing marine accidents on account of human errors, resulting in financial losses and harm to the marine ecosystem, represents one of the key factors catalyzing the demand for autonomous ships across the globe.

Apart from this, a high degree of isolation and the unattractive nature of the job is restricting millennials worldwide from becoming seafarers. This, along with the growing requirement of seagoing professionals for maritime trading, acts as another factor influencing the demand for unmanned ships positively.

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics with autonomous ships and advancements in sensor technologies for improved navigation systems is creating a favorable market outlook. Moreover, leading market players are focusing on incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT) and other innovative technologies to reduce the environmental footprint of maritime traffic and improve the efficiency of autonomous marine ventures.

Other major factors, including a significant rise in seaborne trade, increase in maritime tourism, and extensive investments in research and development (R&D) activities to develop reliable and cost-effective functioning of unmanned vessels, are anticipated to impel the market growth.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being ABB Ltd, BAE Systems plc, DNV AS, General Electric Company, Honeywell International Inc., Kongsberg Gruppen, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Rolls-Royce plc, Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Siemens AG, Ulstein Group ASA, Valmet Oyj and Wartsila.



Key Questions Answered in This Report

How has the global autonomous ships market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global autonomous ships market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the component?

What is the breakup of the market based on the level of autonomy?

What is the breakup of the market based on the fuel type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the installation?

What is the breakup of the market based on the ship type?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global autonomous ships market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology

3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Autonomous Ships Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Component

6.1 Hardware

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Software

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Level of Autonomy

7.1 Semi-Autonomous

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Fully-Autonomous

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Fuel Type

8.1 Carbon Neutral Fuel

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Liquefied Natural Gas

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Electric Batteries

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO)

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Installation

9.1 OEM

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Retrofit

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Ship Type

10.1 Commercial Ships

10.1.1 Market Trends

10.1.2 Market Forecast

10.2 Defense Ships

10.2.1 Market Trends

10.2.2 Market Forecast

10.3 Passenger Ships

10.3.1 Market Trends

10.3.2 Market Forecast



11 Market Breakup by Region



12 SWOT Analysis



13 Value Chain Analysis



14 Porters Five Forces Analysis



15 Price Analysis



16 Competitive Landscape

16.1 Market Structure

16.2 Key Players

16.3 Profiles of Key Players

16.3.1 ABB Ltd

16.3.1.1 Company Overview

16.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.1.3 Financials

16.3.1.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.2 BAE Systems plc

16.3.2.1 Company Overview

16.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.2.3 Financials

16.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.3 DNV AS

16.3.3.1 Company Overview

16.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.3.3 SWOT Analysis

16.3.4 General Electric Company

16.3.4.1 Company Overview

16.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.4.3 Financials

16.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.5 Honeywell International Inc.

16.3.5.1 Company Overview

16.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.5.3 Financials

16.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.6 Kongsberg Gruppen

16.3.6.1 Company Overview

16.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.6.3 Financials

16.3.7 L3Harris Technologies Inc.

16.3.7.1 Company Overview

16.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.7.3 Financials

16.3.8 Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

16.3.8.1 Company Overview

16.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.8.3 Financials

16.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.9 Rolls-Royce plc

16.3.9.1 Company Overview

16.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.9.3 Financials

16.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.10 Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.

16.3.10.1 Company Overview

16.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.10.3 Financials

16.3.11 Siemens AG

16.3.11.1 Company Overview

16.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.11.3 Financials

16.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.12 Ulstein Group ASA

16.3.12.1 Company Overview

16.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.13 Valmet Oyj

16.3.13.1 Company Overview

16.3.13.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.13.3 Financials

16.3.13.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.14 Wartsila

16.3.14.1 Company Overview

16.3.14.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.14.3 Financials

16.3.14.4 SWOT Analysis



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jfemzl

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716



SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per Zion Market Research study, The global Cancer Biomarkers market was worth around USD 12,419.50 million in 2021 and is estimated to grow to about USD 31695.03 million by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 16.90 percent over the forecast period. The report analyzes the Cancer Biomarkers 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 Cancer Biomarkers market.

Key Industry Insights & Finding of the Cancer Biomarkers Market Reports:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Cancer Biomarkers Market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 16.90% (2022-2028).

(2022-2028). Through the primary research, it was established that the Cancer Biomarkers Market was valued approximately USD 12,419.50 Million in 2021 and is projected to reach to roughly USD 31695.03 Million by 2028.

Million in 2021 and is projected to reach to roughly Million by 2028. North America dominates the cancer biomarkers market due to its strong base of healthcare facilities, rising investment from key players in the development of advanced devices, increasing number of processes pertaining to drug development, detection of specific tumors, monitoring biological response to cancer therapy, and rising number of research activities.

dominates the cancer biomarkers market due to its strong base of healthcare facilities, rising investment from key players in the development of advanced devices, increasing number of processes pertaining to drug development, detection of specific tumors, monitoring biological response to cancer therapy, and rising number of research activities. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow significantly between 2022 and 2028, owing to an increase in government initiatives to raise awareness, an increase in medical tourism, increased research activities in the region, rising cancer prevalence, and a growing demand for quality healthcare in the region.

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled as "Cancer Biomarkers Market By Biomarkers Type (Protein Biomarkers, Genetic Biomarkers and Other Cancer Biomarkers), By Cancer Type (Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Melanoma, Leukemia, Thyroid Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Kidney Cancer and Other Cancer Types), By Profiling Technologies (Omics Technologies, Imaging Technologies, Immunoassay, Bioinformatics and Cytogenetics), By Application (Diagnostics, Research & Development, Prognostics, Risk Assessment and Other Applications) and By Region  Global Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data and Forecasts 2022  2028." into their research database.

Cancer Biomarkers Market: Overview

Cancer biomarkers are biological molecules that are produced by tumor cells or human tissues in response to cancer and are then measured and evaluated as indicators of cancerous processes within the body. Cancer biomarkers are widely used in the detection and management of cancer patients. Biomarkers are used in the follow-up surveillance and early detection of possible recurrent disease in cancer patients who have undergone curative surgery. Furthermore, ongoing advancements in cancer diagnosis include the incorporation of molecular biomarkers into routine diagnostic tests. Various governments are focusing on investing in cancer prevention and early intervention in order to reduce the emotional and physical impact of cancer on patients and their families. Furthermore, national healthcare departments are actively involved in cancer research and treatment development. The rising cancer incidence is expected to spur innovation and development in the field of cancer diagnosis using biomarkers.

The rising prevalence of cancer, particularly lung cancer, around the world is one of the major factors driving market value growth. Rising R&D spending on medical instruments and devices, especially in developed and developing economies, will open up even more lucrative market growth opportunities. Research and development capabilities for drug discovery are also boosting market growth rates. The federal government's increased funding is expected to drive the market's growth rate. Furthermore, the growth and expansion of the healthcare industry, driven by both public and private players, will create lucrative personal health devices market growth opportunities, particularly in developing economies.

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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:

Cancer Biomarkers Market: Growth Dynamics

Drivers: Technological advancements on the rise In the creation of cancer biomarkers

Advances in array and proteomics technologies have addressed the difficulties in identifying and comprehending the functions and interactions of various proteins. These technological advancements have greatly simplified the process of discovering and developing novel cancer biomarkers.

Restraint: Sample collection-related technical issues

One of the most important issues for service providers is sample collection, which is followed by access to these samples. These samples must be subjected to strict quality control, and they must be stored in the proper conditions to avoid loss. Furthermore, various samples are required for risk detection, screening, diagnosis, and monitoring processes.

Opportunities: Personalized medicine

Personalized medicine determines the best course of treatment for individual patients. Cancer biomarkers are crucial in certain aspects of personalized medicine. Cancer biomarker testing consumables allow for the identification of these diseases. Cancer biomarker diagnostics are also used as companion diagnostics for a number of experimental therapies. As a result, the field of personalized medicine is expected to provide potential growth opportunities for cancer biomarkers market participants.

Challenges: Challenges associated with cancer biomarker validation

The process of cancer biomarker validation includes evaluating assays or measuring performance characteristics such as sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. Validation is essential for establishing cancer biomarkers as trustworthy tools to aid in development, medical care, and biopharma investment decisions.

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Recent Developments

In November 2020 , Agilent Technologies Inc. announced the launch of the Biomarker Pathologist Training Program, a global initiative designed to help pathologists precisely score biomarkers. The programme was initially available in Europe and North America , as well as China and Asia via a digital platform.

Global Cancer Biomarkers Market: Segmentation

The global Cancer Biomarkers market is segregated based on Biomarkers Type, Cancer Type, Profiling Technologies and application.

Based on Biomarkers Type, the market is segmented into Protein Biomarkers, Genetic Biomarkers and Other Cancer Biomarkers. Protein biomarkers accounted for the largest share of the cancer biomarker market, owing primarily to technological advancements. In the development of cancer biomarkers and the expansion of cancer biomarker research and development.

Based on application, the market is segmented into Diagnostics, Research & Development, Prognostics, Risk Assessment and Other Applications. The diagnostics segment held the lion's share of the cancer biomarkers market. The increasing use of cancer biomarkers in drug discovery and development, as well as increased cancer biomarker R&D, are driving the growth of this segment.

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List of Key Players of Cancer Biomarkers Market:

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. ( Switzerland )

) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US)

QIAGEN N.V. ( Netherlands )

) Illumina Inc. (US)

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. (US)

Abbott Laboratories (US)

bioMerieux SA (US)

Becton

Dickinson and Company (US)

Merck Millipore (US)

Agilent Technologies (US)

Myriad Genetics Inc. (US)

Sysmex Corporation ( Japan )

) Hologic Inc. (US)

Quest Diagnostics (US)

Centogene N.V. ( Germany )

) PerkinElmer Inc.(US)

Siemens Healthineers ( Germany )

) Exact Sciences (US)

R&D Systems Inc. (US)

BioVision Inc. (US)

Olink ( Sweden )

) Asuragen Inc. (US)

Meso Scale Diagnostics LLC (US)

Invivoscribe Inc. (US)

Seegene Technologies Inc. ( South Korea ).

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Cancer Biomarkers Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Cancer Biomarkers Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Cancer Biomarkers Market Industry?

What segments does the Cancer Biomarkers Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Cancer Biomarkers Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 12,419.50 Million Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 31695.03 Million Growth Rate CAGR of almost 16.90% 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 Million), 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 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US), QIAGEN N.V. (Netherlands), Illumina, Inc. (US), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (US), Abbott Laboratories (US), bioMerieux SA (US), Becton, Dickinson and Company (US), Merck Millipore (US), Agilent Technologies (US), Myriad Genetics, Inc. (US), Sysmex Corporation (Japan), Hologic, Inc. (US), Quest Diagnostics (US), Centogene N.V. (Germany), PerkinElmer, Inc. (US), Siemens Healthineers (Germany), Exact Sciences (US), R&D Systems, Inc. (US), BioVision, Inc. (US), Olink (Sweden), Asuragen, Inc. (US), Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC (US), Invivoscribe, Inc. (US), Seegene Technologies, Inc. (South Korea). 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/2641

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Regional Dominance:

North America dominates the cancer biomarkers market

North America dominates the cancer biomarkers market due to its strong base of healthcare facilities, rising investment from key players in the development of advanced devices, increasing number of processes pertaining to drug development, detection of specific tumors, monitoring biological response to cancer therapy, and rising number of research activities.

Asia-Pacific is expected to grow significantly between 2022 and 2028, owing to an increase in government initiatives to raise awareness, an increase in medical tourism, increased research activities in the region, rising cancer prevalence, and a growing demand for quality healthcare in the region.

Global Cancer Biomarkers Market is segmented as follows:

Cancer Biomarkers Market: By Biomarkers Type Outlook (2022-2028)

Protein Biomarkers

Genetic Biomarkers

Other Cancer Biomarkers

Cancer Biomarkers Market: By Cancer Type Outlook (2022-2028)

Breast Cancer

Lung Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Melanoma

Leukemia

Thyroid Cancer

Bladder Cancer

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Kidney Cancer

Other Cancer Types

Cancer Biomarkers Market: By Profiling Technologies Outlook (2022-2028)

Omics Technologies

Imaging Technologies

Immunoassay

Bioinformatics

Cytogenetics

Cancer Biomarkers Market: By Application Outlook (2022-2028)

Diagnostics

Research & Development

Prognostics

Risk Assessment

Other Applications

Cancer Biomarkers 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 Cancer Biomarkers Market: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/news/global-cancer-biomarkers-market

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SOURCE Zion Market Research
DUBLIN, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market, Size, Forecast 2022-2027, Industry Trends, Share, Growth, Insight, Impact of COVID-19, Company Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market is estimated to reach US$ 531.0 Million in 2027 from US$ 378.6 Million in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 5.8%

The rising number of patients suffering from cardiovascular disorders and the increasing use of wireless Holter monitors worldwide. Further, the government's increasing investment in research and development activities are some of the factors that will likely boost the growth of the cardiac Holter monitor market in the forecast period of 2021-2027.



On the other hand, technological advancements and the increased need for preventative and diagnostic healthcare will fuel different prospects for the cardiac Holter monitor market to develop over the forecast period. As per our analysis, Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market will expand with a CAGR of 5.8% during 2021-2027.



COVID-19 Influence on Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market:

Patients have reported a wide range of arrhythmias during the pandemic, complicating the course of COVID-19 due to the related therapies. According to recent findings released by the American College of Cardiology, in a group of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the United States, 16.7% of patients had arrhythmia, and 7.2 percent experienced acute cardiac damage, in addition to COVID-19-related problems. Demand for mobile monitoring devices has increased due to the rising disease load, propelling the ECG patch and Holter monitor market forward.



All four Channel Holters Market Studied in the Report

The global cardiac Holter monitor market is divided into four categories based on product type: 1 channel, 2 channel, 3 channel, and 12 channel.

The increased prevalence of cardiovascular illnesses, the growing elderly population, and improved reimbursement policies have helped expand the market for various product kinds throughout the years. Apart from that, the primary reasons driving their market growth include cardiologists' increased expectations for technologically compatible and effective diagnostic instruments and holters' better signal recording efficiency.



Market Growth for Wireless Holter Monitor and Holter Analysis Systems & Software Is Being Observed:

The Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market researches the wired Holter monitor, wireless Holter monitor, and Holter analysis systems & software markets by component. According to our findings, wired Holter monitors continue to be the most popular. However, wireless Holter monitors and Holter analysis systems and software have steadily increased over the study period.



Surprisingly, the wireless monitors send data to the healthcare provider via a cell phone. Furthermore, compared to ordinary wired Holter monitors, this sort of monitor has a longer recording time. Likewise, Holter analysis systems and software provide the clinical benefits of the EASI Lead system. Five EASI electrodes collect three channels of derived 12-Lead ECG, allowing for quick access to high-quality patient data and extending the market.



The Hospitals Segment Dominates the Market for Cardiac Holter Monitor:

In 2021 and beyond, the hospital's segment will dominate the market for cardiac Holter monitors. Hospitals' dominance can be ascribed to well-equipped infrastructure, the availability of technological equipment, an increase in the number of practitioners and patients, and a rise in collaborations to assist lessen the burden of diagnosis and treatment worldwide.



Furthermore, the availability of modern technology to monitor cardiac issues and a shift in attention toward ambulatory centers for treatment has increased the number of patients opting for diagnosis in mobile facilities. As a result, there is a link between the expansion of ambulatory centers and the increase of ambulatory centers.



Regional Realms of Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market:

North America will have the most significant market share in 2021 because of the increased incidence of AFib in the region, the aging population, technical improvements, and a shift in patient preference toward cardiac Holter monitoring. In addition, the market in the American area is being driven by the introduction of next-generation wireless devices to monitor ECG and technological collaborations between producers.



Furthermore, Europe has a considerable market share. It is expected to develop rapidly during the forecast period, owing to improved equipment to monitor ECG in ambulatory facilities and a rise in player investments in wearable monitors.



Key Players:

With multiple service providers, the market for cardiac Holter monitors is fragmented. The report also includes a competitive landscape and competitor details.

General Electric, NIHON KOHDEN, Hill-Rom Company, Inc, OSI Systems, Inc., Boston Scientific, Koninklijke Philips N.V., and Medtronic Plc are prominent competitors included in the cardiac Holter monitor market research.

Specific cardiac monitoring options, such as Holter monitors and ECG patches, are available from these well-known healthcare companies.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Research & Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.2 Challenges



5. Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market



6. Market Share - Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market

6.1 By Product

6.2 By Component

6.3 By End Use

6.4 By Region



7. Product - Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market

7.1 1-Channel

7.2 2-Channel

7.3 3-Channel

7.4 12-Channel

7.5 Others



8. Component - Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market

8.1 Wired Holter Monitor

8.2 Wireless Holter Monitor

8.3 Holter analysis systems & software



9. End Use - Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market

9.1 Hospitals

9.2 Ambulatory Centers

9.3 Home Healthcare

9.4 Others



10. Region - Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market

10.1 North America

10.2 Europe

10.3 Asia Pacific

10.4 Middle East & Africa



11. Porters Five Forces

11.1 Overview



12. Company Analysis

12.1 Overview

12.2 Recent Development

12.3 Financial Insights

General Electric

NIHON KOHDEN

Hill-Rom Company, Inc

OSI Systems, Inc.

Boston Scientific

Koninklijke Philips N.V

Medtronic Plc

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7ze6df

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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[email protected]

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SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW DELHI, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The study undertaken by Astute Analytica foresees a growth in revenue of the Global Technology Scouting Service Market from US$ 1,069.43 Mn in 2021 to US$ 1,813.36 Mn by 2030. The market is registering a CAGR of 6.25% over the projection period 2022-2030. The market is majorly driven by the rising demand from various end-use industries. Technology scouting is an element of technology management in which emerging technologies are identified and technology related information is channeled into an organization. Technology scouting combines expertise, research, and proven processes for road-mapping innovation that can impact businesses. It is a starting point of a long term and interactive matching process between external technologies and internal requirements of an existing organization for strategic purposes.

Request Sample Copy of Research Report @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/technology-scouting-service-market

The various segments considered to analyze the market are based on deployment, services, enterprise size, end users, industry and region. In terms of deployment, the cloud-based segment holds the highest market share in 2021. Based on enterprise size, the large enterprises have the highest market share in 2021. Furthermore, based on end users, corporates occupy the majority of the market share in 2021. North America is the highest shareholder region in the Global Technology Scouting Market in 2021.

Market Dynamics

The growing impetus of the market is attributed to the rising demand from various end-user industries. Technology scouting services are essential as even major organizations are at risk of being left behind by their competitors, startups, or scaleups, due to the rapid pace of technological advancement. Industries such as electronics & communication, packaging, architecture, computer science & IT, food & beverages, metallurgy & material science, agriculture, telecom, chemicals, and others are propelling the demand for technology scouting services. Moreover, many prominent firms such as IBM, BAE Systems, and so on are already utilizing technology scouting to address current difficulties such as market volatility, fast changing client expectations, and increased rivalry as a result of the rapid speed of technological advancement. Furthermore, the development of AI based technology in the technology scouting market is expected to present a lucrative opportunity for market growth during the forecast period. However, the number of players in the technology scouting market are significantly high, creating an intense rivalry among the players.

Regional Analysis:

North America dominates the Global Technology Scouting Service Market in 2021

North America is the highest shareholder region in the Global Technology Scouting Market in 2021 and is projected to continue its dominance over the projection period. The regional dominance of North America is attributed to the presence of key market players. The US is the highest shareholder country in North America technology scouting service market in 2021. Further, based on industry, computer science & IT holds the highest share in the North American market in 2021.

Germany leads the Europe technology scouting service market in 2021

Europe holds the second highest share in the Global Technology Scouting Market in 2021. Further, Germany is the highest shareholder country in the technology scouting service market of Europe in 2021 owing to the rising technology adoption in the region. In terms of end users, corporates have the highest market share in 2021. Based on enterprise size, the large enterprises have the highest share in the technology scouting service market of Europe in 2021.

Asia Pacific holds the highest CAGR in the Global Technology Scouting Service Market

Asia Pacific registers the highest CAGR in the Global Technology Scouting Service Market in 2021. This is due to growing businesses in the region and rising internet penetration. China holds the highest share in the technology scouting service market of APAC. Further, India registers the highest compound annual growth rate over the projection period. In terms of industry, computer science & IT holds the highest market share in 2021.

Saudi Arabia dominates the technology scouting service market of MEA

Middle East & Africa technology scouting service market is led by Saudi Arabia. Further, South Africa registers the highest CAGR over the forecast period 2022-2030. Based on enterprise size, the large enterprises hold the highest market share in 2021. In addition, based on deployment, the cloud-based segment holds the highest market share in 2021.

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Report Attribute Details Market Size Value in 2021 US$ 1,069.43 Million Market Outlook for 2030 US$ 1,813.36 Million Expected CAGR Growth 6.25% from 2022  2030 Base Year 2021 Forecast Period 2022-2030 Top Market Players Advanced Technology innovations, DAF Technologies, Darcy Partners, Erdyn, Fuelup, and Iceberg IP Group among others Segments Covered By Deployment, By Services, By Enterprise Size, By End-Users, By Industry, By Region Geographies Covered North America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, South America Customization Options Get your customized report as per your preference. Ask for customization

Competitive Landscape

The key players in the global technology scouting service market are Advanced Technology innovations, DAF Technologies, Darcy Partners, Erdyn, Fuelup, and Iceberg IP Group among others. Through extensive research, it is found that big players have adopted various competitive strategies such as mergers & acquisitions in order to have a grip of emerging market. Furthermore, leading companies are expanding their geographical boundaries by acquiring small brands and domestic companies.

A look at key competitors

Advanced Technology Innovation (ATI) has access to hundreds of the most comprehensive scientific, technical and business databases available. They also solicit pre-proposals from a highly fertile source of innovation -- hundreds of small technology-based firms and university scientists. They provide a succinct report which includes the best technology sources for specific need, a summary of their technology or approach, and background information.

DAF Technologies is a boutique technology advisory firm providing strategic consulting services to clients. DAF Technologies helps clients exceed their strategic goals through the use of emerging technology. They identify opportunities for innovation, research and identify recommended emerging technologies, and pilot and integrate new technologies into business processes.

FuelUp is the go-to for technology scouting. It provides a platform that allows a customer to quantitatively assess the uniqueness and performance of thousands of private technology companies. FUEL UP is a subscription-based digital platform that features new business ideas, products, and startups. Its in-house software and algorithm continuously scan and ranks startups to help its users to discover, track, and connect to the best-fit startups.

INNOSPOT is a Technology Company specialized on Startup Scouting around the globe by using an AI-based Search- and Crawling-Technology. They are passionate about inventions, new technologies and progress that affects their world in a positive way.

Segmentation Overview

The following are the different segments of the Global Technology Scouting Service Market:

By Deployment segment of the Global Technology Scouting Service Market is sub-segmented into:

Cloud



On-Premise

By Services segment of the Global Technology Scouting Service Market is sub-segmented into:

Professional Services



Platform Services



Innovation & Technology Services



Research Services



Search Services

Enterprise Size segment of the Global Technology Scouting Service Market is sub-segmented into:

Large Enterprises



Small and Medium Enterprises

By End Users segment of the Global Technology Scouting Service Market is sub-segmented into:

Corporates



Innovative Start-ups



Technology Companies



Others

By Industry segment of the Global Technology Scouting Service Market is sub-segmented into:

Electronics & Communication



Packaging



Architecture



Computer Science & IT



Food & Beverages



Metallurgy & Material Science



Agriculture



Telecom



Chemicals



Others

By Region segment of the Global Technology Scouting Service Market is sub-segmented into:

North America



The U.S.





Canada





Mexico



Western Europe



The UK





Germany





France





Italy





Spain





Rest of Western Europe



Eastern Europe



Poland





Russia





Rest of Eastern Europe



Asia Pacific



China





India





Japan





Australia & New Zealand

&



South Korea





ASEAN





Rest of Asia Pacific



Middle East & Africa (MEA)



UAE





Saudi Arabia





South Africa





Rest of MEA

Browse the Detail Report " Global Technology Scouting Service Market- (By Deployment  Cloud Based and On-premise; By Services - Professional Services, Platform Services, Innovation & Technology Services, and Others; By Enterprise Size - Large Enterprises and Small & Medium Enterprises; By End Users  Corporates, Innovative Start-ups, Technology Companies, and Others; By Industry - Electronics & Communication, Packaging, Architecture, Computer Science & IT, and Others; and By Region) - Industry Dynamics, Market Size and Opportunity Forecast, 2030" with in-depth TOC: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/technology-scouting-service-market

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Inspired by the brand's overarching commitment to make the world a healthier place, the Begin Within campaign will communicate the core mental and physical benefits of SYNERGY Raw Kombucha, including: SYNERGY's 9 billion living probiotics per bottle to support gut health, 100% organic and raw ingredients, authentic brewing practices for potency, and its positive impact on energy and mental well-being.

"The power of true transformation lives inside all of us  within our thoughts, perspectives, and actions. With our Begin Within campaign, we seek to share the message that we have the power to ignite the change we want in our lives," said GT Dave, Founder of GT's Living Foods. "It is our goal to inspire small changes that have big impact. That is why we remain committed to offering authentic, living foods with nutrients that can awaken the mind and body, from the inside out."

Throughout the 30-second spot, three people experience SYNERGY Raw Kombucha, which sparks a transformation from within that bursts into life in the world around them. The commercial is set to air across digital platforms beginning in May 2022.

Beyond the commercial, the campaign will come to life through several creative elements, including advertisements, social media strategy, in-store point of sale, and more. The fundamentals of the brand are featured throughout the campaign with vibrant pops of color and lotus architecture included in creative assets.

GT's Living Foods has remained committed to offering authentic fermented foods since inception in 1995, effectively revolutionizing how people think and feel about fermented foods in the Western World. Today, GT's Living Foods has grown into a robust profile, including the brand's COCOYO Living Coconut Yogurt, ALIVE Ancient Mushroom Elixirs, IMMORTAL Wellness Shots, and more. For more information, visit https://gtslivingfoods.com/.

About GT's Living Foods

We believe that Mother Nature is the World's greatest healer. Since 1995, GT's Living Foods has revolutionized how people think and feel about Kombucha and fermented foods in the Western World. From the womb, founder GT Dave was raised vegetarian and taught that food can be medicine. He continues to uphold that philosophy with always pure, potent, and plant-derived fermented offerings produced in their most authentic form, never compromised. The fiercely independent, family-owned, and operated company is available in over 55,000 retailers across North America and Europe. Today and beyond, GT's Living Foods' driving purpose is to spread a global message that food can be medicine and through proper nutrition one can heal thyself. For more information, please visit www.gtslivingfoods.com.

Follow GT's Living Foods on social:

Instagram @synergykombucha

Facebook @GTsLivingFoods

TikTok @GTsKombucha

Twitter @GTsKombucha

YouTube @gtskombucha

SOURCE GT's Living Foods
DENVER, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver-based healthtech leader Eon announced today it has achieved a 92 overall Crosslake TechIndicator score in a recent information technology assessment, outperforming the industry average score of 70. Eon's high score in three categories: Information Security, Infrastructure and Organization, ranked two standard deviations above the average, placing them among industry leaders for each of these areas.

Eon's overall information technology assessment score was 22 points higher than the industry average.

Crosslake's team used the company's patented platform and proprietary TechIndicators, based on data from thousands of prior tech investments, to assess the performance of Eon's cloud-based platform infrastructure against industry benchmarks for information security, business continuity, software architecture, and other technology operation assessments. The assessment is designed to help software companies mitigate risk and strengthen security, while allowing institutional investors to gauge the strength (or weakness) of a potential investment opportunity. Eon scored higher than industry-leading or industry-average scores in all six technology assessment tracks.

Eon, founded in 2015, was one of the first healthtech vendors to utilize the cloud, then considered cutting edge by an industry that fought to maintain on-premise software and hardware. By utilizing the cloud, Eon optimized different technologies to build a tech stack that ranked among best-in-class for infrastructure, flexibility to network in and universally translate disparate systems, and outperform the industry average for information security by 27 points.

"Overall, we found Eon to have a mature, robust information security program with strong administrative and technical controls, making them an industry leader in this assessment category," Crosslake stated in Eon's diligence report. Eon's uncompromising commitment to information security is underpinned by rigid annual SOC2 Type II compliance audits.

Eon began the evaluation with Crosslake when growth equity firm Integrity Growth Partners (IGP) was evaluating Eon for a recent investment. Ryan Anderson, Partner, IGP, said, "We've been working with Crosslake for close to a decade, and we use them to evaluate our potential partnerships. At the stage in which we typically invest, a good product, technology, and engineering organization will usually score close to industry average on TechIndicators, with a few tracks scoring into the 80s, and occasionally one creeping into the low 90s. Eon's performance in Crosslake's assessment is, across the board, the best report we've seen in any of our investments, and highlights the strength and capabilities of Eon's product, technology, and engineering team. It's incredibly impressive."

Eon continues to build upon its industry leading platform by expanding the Eon product portfolio and investing additional resources into its Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure to positively impact more patients. Now backed by industry leading assessment scores, Eon will continue to further its mission to make patients healthier and healthcare affordable.

About Eon

Eon is a data science company that reduces variation in care and ensures adherence through patient capture, engagement, management, and tracking. We are on a mission to ensure the right data reaches the right people at the right time to make patients healthier and healthcare affordable. We believe together we can defy disease.

About Crosslake

Crosslake was founded in 2008 by an original member of Microsoft's Engineering Excellence team with the intent to help changemakers buy, build and run technology that creates value. Crosslake's unmatched community of technical practitioners  former CTOs, CIOs, architects and engineers  are skilled at translating technology buzzwords into actionable, business-focused insight. Their seasoned judgement is supported by the proprietary Corsis platform, which leverages data from thousands of prior technology M&A transactions to define objective, measurable TechIndicators that private equity investors and management teams rely upon to deliver strategic value creation initiatives and inform diligence. Learn more at: www.crosslaketech.com

Media Contact:

Christine Spraker

303.870.4042

[email protected]

SOURCE Eon
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Key Hexafluorosilicic Acid Sourcing and Procurement Report Highlights:

1. Market growth 2022-2026: USD 170.15 Million

2. Growth momentum & CAGR: Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.55%

3. Top Pricing Models: Volume-based pricing model and Spot pricing model

4. Key consumer countries: North America, Europe, and APAC

5. Supplier Selection Scope: Sampling of products, Extent of automation at suppliers facilities, and GMP and GSP

6. Top Suppliers: The Mosaic, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Solvay

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Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Hexafluorosilicic Acid market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Hexafluorosilicic Acid pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as Unit-based pricing, and Bundled pricing, category management strategies and best practices to fulfil their category objectives.

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Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors.

Identify favorable opportunities in Hexafluorosilicic Acid TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

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Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

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Contacts

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
Hyundai Electrified Vehicle Retail Sales Increased 68% in April Led by the World Car of the Year IONIQ 5 Electric SUV

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America reported April retail sales of 61,668 units, its second-best April retail sales month in its history. Electrified vehicle year-over-year retail sales increased 68% in April. Hyundai had no fleet sales in April 2022. Elantra Hybrid, Santa Fe Hybrid, Palisade and Nexo set new April records, while it was the best month ever for Santa Cruz.

"This was our second-best retail April ever as we worked overtime to meet robust consumer demand," said Randy Parker, senior vice president, national sales, Hyundai Motor America. "Even with the challenges facing our industry, we were able to exceed the pre-pandemic total and retail sales of April 2019. Even more, our World Car of the Year IONIQ 5 and robust lineup of hybrid and plug-in hybrid models led to significantly increased electrified vehicle sales."

April Total Sales Summary



Apr-22 Apr-21 % Chg 2022 YTD 2021 YTD % Chg Hyundai 61,668 77,523 -20% 221,344 244,653 -10%

April Product and Corporate Activities

IONIQ 5 Swept World Car of the Year: The IONIQ 5 was named overall World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle of the Year and World Car Design of the Year

The IONIQ 5 was named overall World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle of the Year and World Car Design of the Year U.S. Electrified Vehicle Production: Hyundai announced plans to produce the electrified Santa Fe Hybrid at its Hyundai Motor Manufacturing plant in Alabama , the first U.S. production of an electrified Hyundai model

Hyundai announced plans to produce the electrified Santa Fe Hybrid at its Hyundai Motor Manufacturing plant in , the first U.S. production of an electrified Hyundai model Palisade Product Enhancement Reveal: Hyundai unveiled its significantly enhanced 2023 Palisade SUV in a global debut at the New York International Auto Show

Hyundai unveiled its significantly enhanced 2023 Palisade SUV in a global debut at the New York International Auto Show Newsweek Disruptors: Hyundai Motor Group's Executive Chair, Euisun Chung , was selected as the 'Visionary of the Year' by Newsweek and Hyundai was also awarded 'Research and Development Team of the Year' and 'Powertrain Evolution of the Year'

Hyundai Motor Group's Executive Chair, , was selected as the 'Visionary of the Year' by Newsweek and Hyundai was also awarded 'Research and Development Team of the Year' and 'Powertrain Evolution of the Year' Model Awards: The Santa Cruz Sport Adventure Vehicle was named Best Pickup Truck by the Northwest Automotive Press Association, while the Tucson was deemed the 2022 Best Compact SUV for Families by U.S. News & World Report

The Santa Cruz Sport Adventure Vehicle was named Best Pickup Truck by the Northwest Automotive Press Association, while the was deemed the 2022 Best Compact SUV for Families by U.S. News & World Report Hyundai Hope: Hyundai Motor America continued its corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, with a $15,000 donation to the Food Bank for Monterey County

Hyundai Motor America continued its corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, with a donation to the Food Bank for Hyundai Hope On Wheels : Hyundai Hope On Wheels surpassed $200 million in funding to pediatric cancer research

: Hyundai Hope On Wheels surpassed in funding to pediatric cancer research One Tree Planted: Hyundai donated $150,000 to help plant 150,000 trees across the U.S.

April Model Total Sales

Vehicles Apr-22 Apr-21 % Chg 2022 YTD 2021 YTD % Chg Accent 1,372 2,711 -49% 4,069 6,983 -42% Elantra 10,669 14,358 -26% 32,741 40,451 -19% Ioniq 104 1,364 -92% 3,648 5,489 -34% Ioniq 5 2,677 0 --- 8,921 0 --- Kona 5,485 10,267 -47% 21,021 32,877 -36% Nexo 47 18 +161% 213 96 +122% Palisade 8,351 8,278 +1% 29,376 29,485 0% Santa Cruz 3,150 0 --- 11,550 0 --- Santa Fe 11,074 10,470 +6% 36,656 39,040 -6% Sonata 2,062 10,216 -80% 9,806 30,773 -68% Tucson 14,616 16,901 -14% 54,271 50,048 +8% Veloster 279 322 -13% 741 1,009 -27% Venue 1,782 2,618 -32% 8,331 8,402 -1%

Note: Electrified vehicles are hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell models.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 820 dealers sold more than 738,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE: IBM) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: April 4, 2017 to October 20, 2021

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 6, 2022

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in IBM:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/international-business-machines-corporation-loss-submission-form?id=26594&from=4

International Business Machines Corporation NEWS - IBM NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that International Business Machines Corporation made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Strategic Imperatives Revenue and growth, CAMSS and CAMSS Components' revenue and growth, and the Company's Segments' revenue and growth were artificially inflated as a result of the wrongful reclassification of revenues from non-strategic to strategic to make those revenues eligible for treatment as Strategic Imperatives Revenue; (ii) the Company's present success and positive future growth prospects concerning its Strategic Imperative business strategy were being fueled by the wrongful reclassification of revenues from non-strategic to strategic to make those revenues eligible for treatment as Strategic Imperative Revenue and, as a result (iii) the Company misled the market by portraying the Company's Strategic Imperative's financial performance and future prospects more favorable than they actually were as a result of the wrongful reclassification of revenues from non-strategic to strategic to make those revenues eligible for treatment as Strategic Imperatives.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in IBM you have until June 6, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased IBM securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the IBM lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/international-business-machines-corporation-loss-submission-form?id=26594&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

Empire State Building

350 Fifth Avenue

59th Floor

New York, NY 10118

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE: IIPR) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: May 7, 2020 to April 13, 2022

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 24, 2022

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in IIPR:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/innovative-industrial-properties-inc-loss-submission-form?id=26602&from=4

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. NEWS - IIPR NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Innovative Industrial Properties' focus is to be a cannabis company lender rather than a REIT; (2) that the true values of the Company's properties are significantly lower than Innovative Industrial Properties represents; (3) there are existential issues in its top customers; (4) as a result, its top customers may not be able to continue making payments to Innovative Industrial Properties and the Company would face significant issues replacing these customers; and (5) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Innovative Industrial Properties you have until June 24, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Innovative Industrial Properties securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the IIPR lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/innovative-industrial-properties-inc-loss-submission-form?id=26602&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

Empire State Building

350 Fifth Avenue

59th Floor

New York, NY 10118

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
DUBLIN, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Automotive Adhesives Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global automotive adhesives market reached a value of US$ 5.53 billion in 2021. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach a value of US$ 7.63 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.20% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, the analyst is continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different End-use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Automotive adhesives refer to fluid substances used to bind composites, metals, plastic and materials together. They are commonly available in solvent-based, water-based and hot melt variants that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Automotive adhesives are manufactured of ethylene, amine-based resins, propylene, epoxide, acrylics, polyester resins, vinyl acetate monomer and synthetic materials. They are widely used to bond and seal interior and exterior components of an automobile, such as door panels, light covers, armrests, dashboards, lenses, chassis, headliners, consoles, and door skins. They aid in easing automation, ensuring strong bonds, minimizing drying time, and enhancing cohesive strength and corrosion resistance. Automotive adhesives also assist in improving crash performance, minimizing noise vibration, reducing vehicle mass, and increasing front and rear lateral body stiffness.



The significant growth in the automotive industry across the globe is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. Automotive adhesives are widely used to increase versatility, strength, prevent galvanic corrosion and maintain aesthetic appeal. In line with this, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) due to the rising environmental consciousness is favoring the market growth. Automotive adhesives are used as binding components that provide crash durability and thermal conductivity while keeping the battery at a safe temperature.

Moreover, various product innovation, such as the formulation of biodegradable automotive adhesives, are providing an impetus to the market growth. These eco-friendly automotive adhesives are widely used for automobile interiors and are manufactured using sustainable materials that aid in reducing the emission of harmful chemicals.

Additionally, the widespread adoption of polyurethane resin for producing automotive adhesives and sealants as it assists in increasing durability, scratch resistance and corrosion resistance of vehicles is positively impacting the market growth. Other factors, including the increasing demand for lightweight vehicles, introduction of high-performance adhesive tapes, and the implementation of several government initiatives to reduce the environmental footprint of vehicles, are anticipated to drive the market growth further.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being 3M Company, Avery Dennison Corporation, BASF SE, Bostik SA (Arkema S.A.), Covestro AG, Dow Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., H.B. Fuller Company, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Huntsman Corporation, Illinois Tool Works Inc., Nitto Denko Corporation, PPG Industries Inc., Sika AG and Solvay S.A.



Key Questions Answered in This Report

How has the global automotive adhesives market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global automotive adhesives market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the technology?

What is the breakup of the market based on the resin type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the vehicle type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global automotive adhesives market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Automotive Adhesives Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Technology

6.1 Hot Melt

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Solvent Based

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Water Based

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast

6.4 Pressure Sensitive

6.4.1 Market Trends

6.4.2 Market Forecast

6.5 Others

6.5.1 Market Trends

6.5.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Resin Type

7.1 Polyurethane

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Epoxy

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Acrylic

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Silicone

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast

7.5 SMP

7.5.1 Market Trends

7.5.2 Market Forecast

7.6 Polyamide

7.6.1 Market Trends

7.6.2 Market Forecast

7.7 Others

7.7.1 Market Trends

7.7.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Vehicle Type

8.1 Passenger Vehicles

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Light Commercial Vehicles

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Heavy Commercial Vehicles

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Application

9.1 Body in White (BIW)

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Powertrain

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Paint Shop

9.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.2 Market Forecast

9.4 Assembly

9.4.1 Market Trends

9.4.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region



11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Price Analysis



15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 3M Company

15.3.1.1 Company Overview

15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.1.3 Financials

15.3.1.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.2 Avery Dennison Corporation

15.3.2.1 Company Overview

15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.2.3 Financials

15.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.3 BASF SE

15.3.3.1 Company Overview

15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3.3 Financials

15.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.4 Bostik SA (Arkema S.A.)

15.3.4.1 Company Overview

15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5 Covestro AG

15.3.5.1 Company Overview

15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5.3 Financials

15.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.6 Dow Inc.

15.3.6.1 Company Overview

15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6.3 Financials

15.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.7 DuPont de Nemours Inc.

15.3.7.1 Company Overview

15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.7.3 Financials

15.3.7.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.8 H.B. Fuller Company

15.3.8.1 Company Overview

15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8.3 Financials

15.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.9 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

15.3.9.1 Company Overview

15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9.3 Financials

15.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.10 Huntsman Corporation

15.3.10.1 Company Overview

15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.10.3 Financials

15.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.11 Illinois Tool Works Inc.

15.3.11.1 Company Overview

15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11.3 Financials

15.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.12 Nitto Denko Corporation

15.3.12.1 Company Overview

15.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.12.3 Financials

15.3.12.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.13 PPG Industries Inc.

15.3.13.1 Company Overview

15.3.13.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.13.3 Financials

15.3.13.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.14 Sika AG

15.3.14.1 Company Overview

15.3.14.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.14.3 Financials

15.3.15 Solvay S.A.

15.3.15.1 Company Overview

15.3.15.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.15.3 Financials

15.3.15.4 SWOT Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/re4kgk

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TORONTO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Integracare Inc. a leader in private home healthcare in Toronto and Mississauga has acquired Guardian Home Care ("Guardian").

Guardian Home Care provides high quality senior home care services in Toronto and surrounding area. Guardian's main Senior care services are personal care and in-home nursing, including overnight care. Guardian's private Senior care can be delivered at home, in a retirement home, in long term care, and at bedside in the hospital.

"We are excited for our Clients and our Caregivers to be joining the Integracare Group of Companies." said Jill Aiken, founder of Guardian Home Care. "Integracare's reputation for providing the highest quality care and strong 24/7 Nursing Care Management is what attracted us to Integracare."

"Guardian has a great reputation and has been led by a dedicated advocate for better care for people living with Dementia in Toronto. We share Jill's passion and we are excited to help enhance Ontarians ability to receive high quality Dementia Care and personal support in the comfort and safety of their own homes." Lee Grunberg, CEO of Integracare.

About Integracare: lntegracare provides a wide range of private nursing care and personal support services for individuals in their homes, hospitals, retirement residences and long-term care facilities. Its services, while encompassing all levels of nursing care, have always included a wide range of related services that address the needs of their clients while promoting joyful living and helping Integracare Clients maintain their independence and dignity.

For more information about lntegracare, contact us at 396 Moore Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6C 3A8, (416) 421-4243, or visit https://integracare.on.ca

Related Links

https://integracare.on.ca

https://guardianhomecaretoronto.com/

SOURCE Integracare Inc
JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. announces the release of a market assessment report on the " Global iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market by (Applications (Research Products, Drug Development & Discovery, Cellular Therapy, Toxicology Screening, Personalized Medicine, Disease Modelling, Stem Cell Banking, and Emerging Applications), End-user (Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, Academic institutes, Research Laboratories & CROs, Hospitals & Surgical Centres, Cell & Tissue Banks, and Other End Users)) - Trends, Industry Competition Analysis, Revenue and Forecast To 2030."

According to the latest market research, the Global iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market is valued at US$ 1009.00 Million in 2021, and it is expected to reach US$ 2611.94 Million by 2030, with a CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period of 2022-2030.

Request for Sample Pages: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/request-sample/1223

Induced pluripotent stem cells are derived from skin or blood cells (iPSCs). They're cells that have been reprogrammed from somatic cells using various transcription factors. Such cells have the ability to self-renew and can develop into any of the 220+ distinct kinds of human cells. iPSC has certain advantages over other stem cell types. iPSCs are used to produce regenerative medicines, wound healing models and patient-specific cells, which can be transplanted to the site of injury or tissue degeneration due to various disease conditions. iPSC has several essential properties, including the ability to use ample donor somatic cells, eliminate histocompatibility issues with donor/recipient transplants, and its use in drug discovery and developmental investigations.

Personalized medicine research and production and extended application of regenerative medicines are prominent growth factors of the iPSCs manufacturing market. Rising research and development trials on cardiac syndromes and neuropathies will strengthen the market growth. iPSC manufacturing industry growth is boosted by the automated platform, reducing the cost and increasing production, and new expansions and strategic collaborations support it. Moreover, iPSC production will be aided by clinical trials and research on disorders such as Parkinson's disease, anaemia, and cardiac syndromes. The adoption of an automated platform in the production of iPS cells will improve the market by lowering costs and increasing productivity. Ncardia created CellisticTM in April 2022, with the goal of focusing Ncardia's induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) capabilities on cell therapy development and production.

However, expensive therapies and uncertainty in differentiated tissues will hamper the production of iPSCs soon. Also, mass production processes and methods are under continuous development, which may inhibit the growth in the forecasting period.

Regionally, North America is expected to lead the manufacturing services market in the forecast period, followed by Europe due to fast research on neuropathies, cardiac diseases, and personalized medicine production. Also, extensive funding for development in the manufacturing of iPSC will be responsible for the growth.

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Significant market key players are I Peace Inc., Lonza Group AG, Axol Bioscience Ltd., FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc., Ncardia, Cynata Therapeutics Limited, Evotec SE, Celogics Inc, Catalent, Inc, CCRM, Applied StemCell Inc. (ASC), RoslinCT, Takara Bio Inc, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc, Other Prominent Players

Key Developments in the market:

In April 2022 , Ncardia launched a new business, Cellistic, to focus Ncardia's induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) expertise on cell therapy development and manufacturing. The expansion is to focus dedicated resources and capabilities to address the growing need for iPSC cell therapy solutions, including developing robust cell-specific manufacturing platforms.

Ncardia launched a new business, Cellistic, to focus Ncardia's induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) expertise on cell therapy development and manufacturing. The expansion is to focus dedicated resources and capabilities to address the growing need for iPSC cell therapy solutions, including developing robust cell-specific manufacturing platforms. In Nov 2020 , FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics and Lonza signed an agreement that enables drug developers to leverage both companies' expertise and technologies to generate iPSCs through licensing agreements.

FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics and Lonza signed an agreement that enables drug developers to leverage both companies' expertise and technologies to generate iPSCs through licensing agreements. In May 2021 , BlueRock Therapeutics, FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, and Opsis Therapeutics announced a strategic R&D association to discover and develop cell therapies for eye diseases. The companies will merge their collective expertise to discover and develop off-the-shelf iPS cell therapies for ocular diseases.

BlueRock Therapeutics, FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, and Opsis Therapeutics announced a strategic R&D association to discover and develop cell therapies for eye diseases. The companies will merge their collective expertise to discover and develop off-the-shelf iPS cell therapies for ocular diseases. In Oct 2020 , Axol Biosciences announced the expansion of its service offering, with the introduction of multi-electrode array (MEA) screening for human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cells. This expansion supports pre-clinical research by optimizing human iPSC-derived cell culture while providing high-quality electrophysiological data acquisition and analysis from physiologically relevant human cell models.

Obtain Latest Published Report Details @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/report/global-ipscs-manufacturing-services-market/1223

Global iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market, by By Applications, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn)

Research Products

Drug Development & Discovery

Cellular Therapy

Toxicology Screening

Personalized Medicine

Disease Modelling

Stem Cell Banking

Emerging Applications

Global iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market, by End-user, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn)

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

Academic institutes, Research Laboratories & CROs

Hospitals & Surgical Centres

Cell & Tissue Banks

Other End Users

Global iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market, by Region, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn)

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

North America iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market, by Country, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn)

U.S.

Canada

Europe iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market, by Country, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn)

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

Russia

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market, by Country, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn)

India

China

Japan

South Korea

Australia & New Zealand

Latin America iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market, by Country, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn)

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market, by Country, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn)

GCC Countries

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Why should buy this report:

To receive a comprehensive analysis of the prospects for the global iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market

To receive an industry overview and future trends of the iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market

To analyze iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market drivers and challenges

To get information on the iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market size (Value US$ Mn) forecast to 2030

Significant investments, mergers & acquisitions in the iPSCs Manufacturing Services Market industry

For More Information @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/report/global-ipscs-manufacturing-services-market/1223

Other Related Reports Published by InsightAce Analytic:

Global Allogeneic Cell Therapy Manufacturing Market

Global Stem Cell Exosome Therapeutic Market

Global mRNA Synthesis and Manufacturing Services Market

Global Immuno-Oncology Cell Therapy Market

Global Allogeneic Cell Therapies Market

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SOURCE InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd.
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, JC2 Ventures, a purpose-driven venture capital firm founded and led by the former Executive Chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems John Chambers, announced that it has backed BigSpring, the category-defining work readiness platform. Chambers will be supporting BigSpring as a Strategic Partner and Advisor as the company grows and scales, similar to how he supports the other 20+ companies in the JC2 portfolio, which are all focused on leading market transitions in different digital-enabled categories.

John Chambers JC2 Ventures Bhakti Vithalani BigSpring Founder and CEO

"The skills shortage is the biggest disruption taking place for businesses today, and BigSpring is building a platform that has the power to solve this critical challenge at global scale," said Chambers. "Every company is becoming a technology company, yet getting people up to speed and productive on new innovations at work takes months. BigSpring equips companies to rapidly create skilled talent pools in a way that is meaningful and measurable to business. I look forward to working closely with founder and CEO Bhakti Vithalani and her entire team as a partner and mentor of digital innovation."

Vithalani continued: "The scarcity of work ready talent is the biggest constraint to business growth today and BigSpring solves that by equipping people with market relevant skills at pace with a rapidly accelerating world. John is a master at market transitions and our goal is to lead the new world of work transition that is happening in front of our eyes. What's more, the hands-on approach JC2 Ventures takes with its portfolio companies and the ecosystem of partners they have created will be invaluable to us. We are honored to have the support of John and the entire JC2 Ventures family as we gear up to scale."

This announcement comes at a time of rapid growth for BigSpring, which is the platform of choice for Meta, Amazon, Google, Uber, AXA and others. It is among a select group of Technology Pioneers that has been invited to participate at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos Switzerland, this year, because of its pioneering approach.

BigSpring is an AI-powered work readiness platform that focuses on getting people job ready, not test ready. The platform enables companies to rapidly create and retool talent for business growth, at pace with rapidly changing needs. BigSpring measures outcomes, not seats or hours. Google, Uber, Facebook, Sotheby's, AXA, Tata and others have adopted BigSpring across their ecosystem of teams, vendors, resellers and customers. BigSpring has been selected by the World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer 2020 (past recipients included Google, Twitter, Airbnb, Palantir)..

SOURCE BigSpring
COLUMBIA, S.C., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Term Limits announces that South Carolina entrepreneur and United States Marine veteran John Warren has agreed to be the South Carolina State Chair for U.S. Term Limits. He has seen first-hand the need for term limits and will work tirelessly in his role as South Carolina State Chair to see that the South Carolina legislature adopts a resolution for term limits on the federal level.

John Warren

"I am honored to serve as the South Carolina State Chair for U.S. Term Limits," said John Warren. "Now more than ever before, the need for term limits is crystal clear.

"Serving in Congress has become a lucrative lifelong job rather than a public service for far too many people," concluded Warren. "Term limits will help end career politicians and make Congress work better for all Americans."

"We are honored to have John leading our efforts in South Carolina," said Philip Blumel, President of U.S. Term Limits. "He is a strong leader who understands the need for term limits."

John Warren is CEO of GEM Mining - a privately held, institutional-grade Bitcoin (BTC) mining company.

He is the founder and former CEO of Lima One Capital, a specialty mortgage finance company that has grown into one of the largest lenders for residential real estate investors and homebuilders in the nation.

John served four years on active duty as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps. In March of 2006, he deployed with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines to Ramadi, Iraq where he spent seven months conducting combat operations against insurgent forces. While deployed, he was decorated for "valor" and "heroic achievement" as he "led a counter-attack against insurgents attacking Observation Post Virginia." In total, he led over 300 combat missions and left the Marine Corps with the Rank of Captain. He speaks regularly on U.S. foreign policy, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

In 2018, John ran for governor of South Carolina reaching the run-off in the Republican primary. John ran a, solutions-oriented campaign that focused on limited government, reforming broken government systems, and empowering taxpayers. He is honorary Chairman of South Carolina's Conservative Future.

He lives in Greenville with his wife Courtney and three children. John earned a B.A. from Washington and Lee University and an M.B.A. from New York University's Stern School of Business. He is former chairman of the SC's Young President's Organization (YPO) and is a member of Downtown Presbyterian Church with his wife and family. He is co-author of the upcoming Harper Collins book, Lead Like a Marine.

U.S. Term Limits is the largest grassroots term limits advocacy group in the country. We connect term limits supporters with their legislators and work to pass term limits at all levels of government, particularly on the U.S. Congress. Find out more at termlimits.org.

Media Contact: David Johnson, Strategic Vision PR Group

Ph: (404) 380-1079

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE U.S. Term Limits
Former FBI Special Agent & Senior Forensic uncovers evidence tampering leading to the filing of this motion

NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A motion seeking a new trial for Keith Raniere presents evidence of tampering with a hard drive and CF card and the digital photographs found on them. Three experts reviewed the evidence and conclude that "the most reasonable explanation for the plethora of anomalies on the WD HDD and the CF card  which all support the government's narrative  is that the government, acting with malfeasance, tampered with the evidence  destroying, constructing, and altering it."

The motion states, "In its prosecution of Keith Raniere, the government manufactured child pornography and planted it on a computer hard drive to tie it to him. Additionally, the government falsified, fabricated, and manipulated all the key evidence it used to convict Mr. Raniere of the most heinous crimes he was charged with, that is, possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child."

The plain evidence of tampering, in this case, is established by the findings of Dr. J. Richard Kiper, Ph.D., a retired FBI Special Agent of 20 years who served as a case agent, a supervisor, a computer forensic examiner, a Unit Chief of the FBI Academy in Quantico, a whistleblower who was lauded by the United States Senate and who was the "raison d'etre" of the FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2016. Dr. Kiper found that the evidence tampering at issue "definitely took place while the devices alleged to contain child pornography were in the custody of the FBI. Therefore, in the absence of any other plausible explanation, it is Dr. Kiper's expert opinion that the FBI must have been involved in such evidence tampering."

Keith Raniere's lawyer, Joseph M. Tully said of this motion, "This new evidence must be shown to a jury, as it provides extremely disturbing proof of FBI tampering. This conclusion was reached by multiple independent experts with decades of experience. The government should support this motion and a full airing of these issues."

Eduardo Asunsolo, a supporter of Raniere and one of the co-founders of Make Justice Blind, a criminal justice reform organization, said, "Everyone in America is entitled to due process. When there is proven government corruption, it cannot be seen as a fair trial."

Some of the experts' key findings alleged in the motion include:

Two FBI agents "broke protocol and checked the camera and CF card out of Evidence Control twice, for a total of 24 days."

"The backup folder [on the WD HDD] containing the alleged contraband has all the hallmarks of fraud" with dates and folder names being "manually altered to look autogenerated in a manner that comported with the government's narrative."

"While in FBI custody, the CF card was accessed improperly, without authorization, and was altered. It was undoubtedly tampered with, as the thumbnails of a brunette impossibly became thumbnails of a blonde."

Raniere is currently serving a 120-year sentence in federal prison. The case is 20-3520 -3789 in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The Rule 33 motion is available at https://www.scribd.com/document/572676968/Keith-Raniere-Rule-33-Motion-for-New-Trial-Based-on-Government-Criminal-Tampering

SOURCE Joseph Tully Law Firm
Grants Provide Youth Programs, Social Services, and Community Initiatives with Critical Financial Assistance and Educational Resources

PASO ROBLES, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery today announced its most recent class of Community Grants recipients includes 14 nonprofit organizations, plus additional schools in California's North San Luis Obispo County. JUSTIN, part of The Wonderful Company family of brands owned by Stewart and Lynda Resnick, will award a total of $252,500 in grants, of which $50,000 has been directed towards K12 schools in the community. Since its launch in 2013, JUSTIN Community Grants have funded over 232 projects and supported over 151 teachers and 39 schools, totaling nearly $1.2 million.

The Community Grants program is a central component of JUSTIN's mission to support its neighbors and employees in their efforts to make Paso Robles a better place to live, work, and play, now and for generations to come. JUSTIN has a long-standing commitment to the community and continues to foster sustainable farming in Paso Robles Wine Country.

"We're humbled by the quality of applications we receive every year and strive to help our neighbors make an even bigger impact by giving them the resources they need to accomplish their goals," said Molly Scott, director of grower and community relations at JUSTIN. "The Community Grants program was created to support grassroots, community-led nonprofit organizations and schools to help drive meaningful change. We're proud to be part of the great work taking place, and it's important to us to collaborate with others to make a difference here at home."

JUSTIN believes that investing in education is an investment in the future and has allocated a portion of the Community Grants to schools in order to provide wide-ranging support for teachers to fund projects and initiatives that help students to learn and thrive. From musical instruments and graphing calculators to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) materials and innovative virtual field trips, the grants help fund classroom supplies and educational opportunities for students in North San Luis Obispo County.

Grant recipients are focused on strengthening youth programs, social services, and strategic community investments. The funds help support organizations working tirelessly to provide lifelong opportunities and programs to empower youth and transitional social services. From job skills training and preventative dental care to mental wellness and therapy services, the Community Grants program is open to all focus areas. Organizations that receive grants are selected by a committee of employees who volunteer annually to identify organizations that provide projects and services directly benefiting local communities.

"With the support of the JUSTIN Community Grant, The Link Family Resource Center will continue to bring our highly valued Family Advocate services through the summer months," said Lisa Fraser, executive director, The Link Family Resource Center. "Historically, this time of year, families need extra support with basic needs, parent education resources, and help with meeting the costs of summer activities for their children and teens. Thank you, JUSTIN, for making your generous contribution possible."

Some of the 20212022 grant recipients include:

Affordable Housing Paso Robles: Provide interview skills, resume building, job application, college planning, computer skills, personal finance, and career exploration services through the YouthWorks program, supporting 225 youths ages 14 to 16 after school, five days a week.

Provide interview skills, resume building, job application, college planning, computer skills, personal finance, and career exploration services through the YouthWorks program, supporting 225 youths ages 14 to 16 after school, five days a week. Central Coast LINK: Reach an additional 51 monolingual Spanish-speaking and Mixteco families with children and support 149 current households.

Reach an additional 51 monolingual Spanish-speaking and Mixteco families with children and support 149 current households. Studios on the Park Inc.: Provide creative learning experiences to 3,000 elementary-grade students, supporting 50 classes per semester, 100 classes per year, and an average of 30 students per class.

Provide creative learning experiences to 3,000 elementary-grade students, supporting 50 classes per semester, 100 classes per year, and an average of 30 students per class. Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County : Provide mentoring and case management to an additional 20 at-risk youths.

Provide mentoring and case management to an additional 20 at-risk youths. Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Luis Obispo County , Inc. (CASA): Pair five foster children with their own CASA volunteer.

For more information, please visit www.justinwinegrants.com.

About JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery

Located in Paso Robles, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1981 and is known for crafting world-class wines using Bordeaux grape varieties, including the iconic ISOSCELES blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The vineyard estate, located at 11680 Chimney Rock Road, features a Tasting Room, luxury five-star accommodations at the JUST Inn, and a restaurant  making it one of the few wineries on the Central Coast to offer all three options. In September 2018, a new second location, the JUSTIN Downtown Tasting Room, opened, introducing an expansive wine-tasting bar, lounge, and a full dining room that's situated prominently on the square along Downtown City Park in the heart of Paso Robles. In addition to its stellar hospitality, JUSTIN consistently receives top honors around the world, establishing itself as a leader in new-world Bordeaux-style winemaking. JUSTIN wines are available through discerning fine-wine retailers and restaurants throughout the United States, or directly from the winery via JUSTIN's Tasting Rooms, online store, or to members of the exclusive JUSTIN Wine Society wine club. To discover more about JUSTIN, visit www.justinwine.com.

SOURCE JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery
Grants Provide Youth Programs, Social Services, and Community Initiatives with Critical Financial Assistance and Educational Resources

KENWOOD, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Landmark Vineyards today announced its most recent class of Community Grants recipients includes nine nonprofit organizations, plus additional schools in California's Russian River Valley and Sonoma Valley. Landmark, part of The Wonderful Company family of brands owned by Stewart and Lynda Resnick, will award a total of $90,960 in grants, of which $30,000 has been directed towards K12 schools in the community. Since its launch in 2014, Landmark Community Grants have funded over 156 projects and supported over 118 teachers and 39 schools, totaling nearly $650,000.

"We're humbled by the quality of applications we receive every year and strive to help our neighbors make an even bigger impact by giving them the resources they need to accomplish their goals," said Molly Scott, director of grower and community relations at Landmark. "The Community Grants program was created to support grassroots, community-led nonprofit organizations and schools to help drive meaningful change. We're proud to be part of the great work taking place, and it's important to us to collaborate with others to make a difference where our employees live, work, and play."

Landmark believes that investing in education is an investment in the future and has allocated a portion of the Community Grants to schools in order to provide wide-ranging support for teachers to fund projects and initiatives that help students to learn and thrive. From musical instruments and graphing calculators to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) materials and innovative virtual field trips, the grants help fund classroom supplies and educational opportunities for students in Sonoma County.

Grant recipients are focused on strengthening youth programs, social services, and strategic community investments. The funds help support organizations working tirelessly to provide lifelong opportunities and programs to empower youth and transitional social services. From job skills training and preventative dental care to mental wellness and therapy services, the Community Grants program is open to all focus areas. Organizations that receive grants are selected by a committee of employees who volunteer annually to identify organizations that provide projects and services directly benefiting local communities.

"Funding from Landmark Community Grants will make it possible for the Jewish Community Free Clinic to provide primary care and other medical and social services to low-income workers and their families, always in an atmosphere of respect and compassion," said Donna Waldman, executive director, Jewish Community Free Clinic. "Our clients come from diverse low-income backgrounds and are primarily farm, domestic, and service workers from Sonoma County. As a small grassroots organization that never charges a fee for service, this grant will go a long way to ensure free services including labs, vaccinations, and medications go to those most in need."

Some of the 20212022 grant recipients include:

Jewish Community Free Clinic: Provide free medical care to 750 non-denominational clients.

Provide free medical care to 750 non-denominational clients. Reach for Home: Provide 110 homeless individuals with free mental health services via a mobile health clinic.

Provide 110 homeless individuals with free mental health services via a mobile health clinic. Schell Vista Volunteer Firefighters Association: Provide explosion-proof flashlights to 50 volunteer firefighters and assist with search and rescue operations.

Provide explosion-proof flashlights to 50 volunteer firefighters and assist with search and rescue operations. Sonoma Community Center: Provide four months of Queer Art Club activities for 60 to 70 LGBTQIA identifying youths.

Provide four months of Queer Art Club activities for 60 to 70 LGBTQIA identifying youths. YWCA Sonoma County: Provide a new oven range and refrigerator to help serve 2,000 meals per year.

For more information, please visit www.landmarkwinegrants.com.

About Landmark Vineyards

Nestled at the base of the Mayacamas Mountain Range in the Sonoma Valley, Landmark Vineyards epitomizes the rustic grace and beauty of Sonoma County. Since 1974, Landmark has been dedicated to producing handcrafted, ultra-premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, sourcing grapes from unique vineyard sites throughout California to create rich, balanced wines. Its Hop Kiln Estate is a registered California Historical Landmark and expands Landmark Vineyards' presence with two tasting rooms and properties in Sonoma and the Russian River Valley. Their signature wine, the Overlook Chardonnay, has appeared on The Wine Spectator Top 100 list seven times. Landmark's wines may be purchased via select wine shops and restaurants, or directly from Landmark's Tasting Room, online store, or through membership in the Wine Society. To discover more about Landmark's remarkable approach to winemaking, visit www.landmarkwine.com.

SOURCE Landmark Vineyards
The American health insurance system is anything but simple to maneuver. By helping Americans become wiser, The Healthcare Labyrinth allows readers to navigate the maze with more confidence and certainty while also offering a necessary blueprint for fixing the system with convincing arguments for both sides of the aisle.

In new book The Healthcare Labyrinth, Marc S. Ryan demystifies the U.S. healthcare system and offers a path to reform.

According to Ryan, three conundrums have come together to put America in a dire situation: the most expensive healthcare system in the developed world with the lowest quality outcomes. He walks readers through how the current system operatestracing the dysfunction, high costs, and lack of quality to:

a lack of affordable universal access;

little focus on wellness, prevention, and care management; and

outrageous pricing, especially compared to other developed nations.

Using decades of experience as a health plan and policy expert, Ryan outlines a bipartisan plan to fix these issues and transform America's unique system without upending the current landscape. He relies on leading academic, research, and mainstream media sources from across the political spectrum to examine the U.S. healthcare system and compare it to those of other developed nations.

Marc S. Ryan is President of MHK, a fast-growing healthcare software technology firm that offers solutions for health plans and pharmacy benefits managers. He has also served as MHK's Chief Strategy and Compliance Officer and Chief Operating Officer, and as Connecticut's State Budget Director and Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. Within healthcare, Ryan has served in numerous executive-level policy, regulatory, compliance, business development, and operations roles.

The Healthcare Labyrinth is published by RealClear Publishing, an imprint of Amplify Publishing and a joint-venture with RealClear Media Group, the goal of which is to diversify and enrich the marketplace of ideas by offering a trusted platform for independent-minded thinkers and advocates to enhance the most pressing national debates.

The Healthcare Labyrinth is on sale now via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Amplify Publishing, and more. Learn more at www.healthcarelabyrinth.com

SOURCE RealClear Publishing
Carriers Choosing Lightpath for Network Density and Future-Proof Connectivity to Support a Wide Range of 5G Applications

NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightpath , an all-fiber, infrastructure-based connectivity provider that is revolutionizing how organizations connect to their digital destinations, today announced it has reached the milestone of 2,000 connected wireless towers. This milestone comes as Lightpath has more than doubled its number of on-net wireless sites in the last 12 months, including securing its first wireless customer in the Greater Boston region. Carriers continue to choose Lightpath as they densify their 5G site deployments in preparation for tomorrow's additional 5G applications.

Lightpath operates the densest all-fiber network in the New York Metro region among competitive fiber providers with over 18,000 route miles and is rapidly building out its footprint in Greater Boston. Carriers can choose flexible connectivity including 10G optical, dark fiber, or custom connectivity, with optical transport services now riding on Lightpath's state-of-the-art Ciena network. Additionally, Lightpath offers carriers geographically diverse routing options and unique POPs (points of presence) that enhance the reliability of network design.

"The Lightpath network aligns perfectly with carriers looking to deploy or densify their 5G networks. Lightpath offers carriers a unique combination of network density, customized connectivity options, reliability, and support," explained Phil Olivero, CTO of Lightpath. "We are willing investors and have partnered with each of the major wireless providers to extend our reach to deliver and meet their coverage requirements."

According to Accenture, "The full potential of Smart Cities will be unlocked by 5G networks and small cells, creating jobs as well as entire new industries. Communities that support 5G wireless technology will see significant economic and community benefits. This next generation of wireless technology is expected to create 3 million new jobs and boost annual GDP by $500 billion."1

As wireless carriers deploy 5G networks, small cell density and scalable bandwidth connectivity will be critical in their abilities to support applications beyond phone usage. From smart cities and self-driving cars, to IoT, and even 5G broadband services, wireless carriers need to future-proof their tower deployments with scalable connectivity that can support the robust bandwidth and latency demands of the future. Lightpath tower backhaul services can easily be upgraded in the future as wireless towers require it.

"5G is altering how current wireless applications are connected, and it opens the floodgates for a tremendous number of new types of connected devices. Only densely deployed fiber networks will be able to scale to the robust bandwidth levels that will be needed to support these applications," stated Chris Morley, Lightpath CEO. "Lightpath is uniquely positioned to support wireless carriers in our markets, which is why so many carriers are choosing us."

Follow Lightpath on LinkedIn . For more information, visit www.lightpathfiber.com .

About Lightpath

Lightpath is revolutionizing how customers connect to their digital destinations by combining our next-generation network with our next-generation customer service. Lightpath's advanced fiber-optic network offers a comprehensive portfolio of custom-engineered connectivity solutions with unparalleled performance, reliability, and security. Our consultative customer service means we work with you to design, deliver, and support the solution for your unique needs, faster and more easily than ever before. For over 30 years, thousands of enterprises, governments, and educators have trusted Lightpath to power their organization's innovation. Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS) owns a 50.01% controlling interest in Lightpath and Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners (MSIP) owns 49.99% of the Company.

Learn how Lightpath can connect you to your digital destinations: www.lightpathfiber.com

For media inquiries:

JSA for Lightpath

1-866-695-3629 ext. 13

[email protected]

1 https://api.ctia.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/how-5g-can-help-municipalities-become-vibrant-smart-cities-accenture.pdf

SOURCE Lightpath
Family-Owned Power Supplier Business Opens New Headquarters in Phoenix

PHOENIX, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Local power supplier Loftin Equipment Company is celebrating 45 years in business this summer with the opening of its new headquarters in Phoenix. The family-owned business has nearly doubled in size and revenue over the past few years and continues to grow throughout the Southwest.

Chuck Loftin, CEO of Loftin Equipment Company Loftin Equipment Company opens new headquarters in Phoenix

"It's an exciting time to be celebrating our 45th anniversary with such an experienced team and family," says Loftin CEO Chuck Loftin. "As the energy market continues to evolve, Loftin is ready to continue to develop products and services that provide power as a certainty. We realize that we have to earn and build trust every day. We do not allow ourselves to get complacent, our customers need us to be adaptable and resilient, so we do what it takes to get it done."

Founded in 1976, Loftin Equipment provides engine and generator solutions for life's power needs. Offering quality brands like KOHLER, Kubota, Scania, and Siemens Loftin Equipment provides solutions for hospitals, data centers, manufacturing and distribution facilities, and many other businesses in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada. Loftin technicians are experts at diagnosing, servicing, and maintaining the most advanced power systems available on the market.

Since 2018, the family-owned business has almost doubled in size to 200 employees and increased revenue by 53 percent to $98.5 million. Loftin credits its success to providing unrivaled expertise and being a single-source partner for its customers.

The company opened its new Phoenix headquarters located at 1220 N. 52nd Street in March. Loftin also has locations in Houston, San Antonio, Midland and Dallas where they offer sales, service, parts, and rentals. Loftin's remote service and sales teams can be found throughout the territory.

Loftin is currently hiring for dozens of positions in Arizona and Texas, including some remote opportunities. The company provides many career opportunities for veterans and those with disabilities. In 2021, they were honored with multiple prestigious awards for supporting the U.S. Military. Loftin was awarded the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) which is the highest recognition given by the U.S Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. They were also the small employer recipient of the Pro Patria Award and received the 2021 Al Schneider Memorial Award for Employer Excellence by the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States.

For more information on Loftin Equipment Company and its career opportunities, visit https://loftinequip.com.

About Loftin Equipment Company:

Founded in 1976, Loftin Equipment Company is the leading power solutions company, providing people with industrial engine and generator power they can count on. Loftin is a family-owned business that started in Phoenix and has grown throughout the Southwest region by offering sales, service, parts, and rentals. For more information on Loftin, visit https://loftinequip.com.

Media Contact:

Robyn Patterson

[email protected]

480-269-0140

SOURCE Loftin Equipment Company
OSLO, Norway, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lytix Biopharma is pleased to announce that it will host a Capital Markets Day for investors, analysts and media on Wednesday, June 1, 2022

The event will be open for physical attendance in Oslo, Norway , as well as a live webcast. It is scheduled to start at 14.00 CET, and is expected to last approximately two hours, including Q&A.

Speakers will be Ted White , CEO of Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Verrica"), Gary Goldenberg , CMO of Verrica, Aurelien Marabelle, visiting professor at Stanford University and an internationally recognized expert on intratumoral cancer treatment, and ystein Rekdal, CEO of Lytix Biopharma.

Verrica has an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Lytix to develop and commercialize its lead compound, LTX-315, for dermatologic oncology conditions, and the first patient has been dosed in Verrica's Phase II study evaluating LTX-315 for intratumoral treatment of basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer). At the CMD the focus will be on the rationale and current state-of-the-art regarding intratumoral treatment of cancer patients. Most of all, the agreement between Verrica and Lytix and the commercial opportunity for and clinical value of LTX-315 in treatment of cell carcinomas will be highlighted.

Further details of the agenda and registration details will follow.

Ole Peter Nordby, Head of IR & Communication Manager

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: +47 412 87 179

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/lytix-biopharma-as/r/lytix-biopharma-to-host-capital-markets-day---june-1--2022,c3559300

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/16482/3559300/1573855.pdf Save the date_CMD 2022

SOURCE Lytix Biopharma AS
Revenue of $104.1 million was down 5.7% sequentially and down 15.4% year-over-year (YoY). The decrease was mainly due to a 29.3% sequential decline in Display solutions revenue as a result of continued severe supply shortage of 28nm 12" OLED wafers, partially offset by record revenue in our Power solutions business, which was up 11.4% sequentially and 20.0% YoY on strong demand in premium products.

Gross profit margin was 37.5%, up 250 basis points from Q4 and up over 960 basis points from Q1 a year ago. The YoY increase was primarily attributable to an improved product mix, combined with an increase in average selling price under a favorable pricing environment. Sequentially, Q1 benefited by approximately 200 basis points from the timing mismatch of lower cost 12" wafers purchased in a prior period and sold in Q1.

GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.20 .

Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.28 .

SEOUL, South Korea, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Magnachip Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: MX) ("Magnachip" or the "Company") today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2022.

Commenting on the results for the first quarter of 2022, YJ Kim, Magnachip's chief executive officer stated, "In Q1, we reported revenue of $104.1 million and non-GAAP EPS of 28 cents, which was an increase of 27% year-over-year bolstered by a strong gross profit margin. As expected, OLED revenue remained severely impacted by the shortage of 28nm 12-inch wafer supply; however, this impact was somewhat offset by strength in our Power solutions business, which achieved yet another record quarterly revenue."

YJ Kim continued, "Looking forward, the ongoing lockdowns in China has added new challenges to an already stressed supply chain. Despite the current macro issues, which may limit our near-term growth, our recent design tractions with an existing OLED customer, broadening customer base, and new wafer capacity later this year give us confidence and optimism about our long-term growth."

Q1 2022 Financial Highlights































































In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data







GAAP







Q1 2022



Q4 2021



Q/Q change



Q1 2021



Y/Y change

Revenues





















































Standard Products Business





















































Display Solutions

29,185





41,298





down





29.3 %



58,895





down





50.4 % Power Solutions

64,825





58,212





up





11.4 %



54,011





up





20.0 % Transitional Fab 3 foundry services(1)

10,083





10,825





down





6.9 %



10,113





down





0.3 % Gross Profit Margin

37.5 %



35.0 %



up





2.5 % pts



27.9 %



up





9.6 % pts Operating Income (Loss)(2)

12,879





63,870





down





79.8 %



(2,091)





up





n/a

Net Income (Loss)

9,528





53,611





down





82.2 %



(7,473)





up





n/a

Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

0.21





1.16





down





81.9 %



(0.19)





up





n/a

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

0.20





1.12





down





82.1 %



(0.19)





up





n/a













In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data







Non-GAAP(3)







Q1 2022



Q4 2021



Q/Q change



Q1 2021



Y/Y change

Adjusted Operating Income

14,517





14,421





up





0.7 %



9,971





up





45.6 % Adjusted EBITDA

18,755





18,144





up





3.4 %



13,504





up





38.9 % Adjusted Net Income

12,936





14,606





down





11.4 %



9,346





up





38.4 % Adjusted Earnings per Common ShareDiluted

0.28





0.31





down





9.7 %



0.22





up





27.3 %



























































___________ (1) Following the consummation of the sale of the Foundry Services Group business and Fab 4 in Q3 2020, and for a period of up to three years, we will provide transitional foundry services to the buyer for foundry products manufactured in our fabrication facility located in Gumi ("Transitional Fab 3 Foundry Services"). Management believes that disclosing revenue of Transitional Fab 3 Foundry Services separately from the standard products business allows investors to better understand the results of our core standard products display solutions and power solutions businesses. (2) For the three months ended December 31, 2021, operating income of $63.9 million included net gain of $49.4 million that represented $70.2 million income from the recognition of a reverse termination fee, net of professional service fees and expenses of $20.8 million incurred in connection with the contemplated merger transaction. (3) Management believes that non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed in conjunction with GAAP results, can provide a meaningful understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business and operations and assist in evaluating our core operating performance. However, such non-GAAP financial measures have limitations and should not be considered as a substitute for net income (loss) or as a better indicator of our operating performance than measures that are presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of GAAP results to non-GAAP results is included in this press release.





Q2 2022 Financial Guidance

Our near-term outlook is still being challenged by persisting supply constraints, especially for 28nm 12" wafers. While actual results may vary, looking into the next quarter, Magnachip currently expects:

Revenue to be in the range of $100 million to $105 million , including about $9.5 million of Transitional Fab 3 Foundry Services.

to , including about of Transitional Fab 3 Foundry Services. Gross profit margin to be in the range of 33% to 35%.

Q1 2022 Earnings Conference Call

Magnachip will host a corresponding conference call at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET on May 3, 2022 to discuss its financial results. The conference call will be webcast live and also is available by dialing toll-free at 1-844-536-5472 in US/Canada. International call-in participants can dial 1-614-999-9318. The conference ID number is 2619959. Participants are encouraged to initiate their calls at least 10 minutes in advance of the start time to ensure a timely connection. A live and archived webcast of the conference call and a copy of earnings release will be accessible from the 'Investors' section of the company's website at www.magnachip.com. A replay of the conference call will be available until 8:00 p.m. ET on May 10, 2022. The replay dial-in numbers are 1-404-537-3406 or toll-free at 1-855-859-2056. The conference ID number is 2619959.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

Information in this release regarding Magnachip's forecasts, business outlook, expectations and beliefs are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include expectations about estimated historical or future operating results and financial performance, outlook and business plans, including second quarter 2022 revenue and gross profit margin expectations, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or the emergence of various variants of the virus, escalated trade tensions and supply constraints on Magnachip's second quarter 2022 and future operating results. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to Magnachip as of the date of this release, which may change, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: the impact of changes in macroeconomic and/or general economic conditions, including those caused by or related to the COVID-19 pandemic or the emergence of various variants of the virus and governmental lock-downs or other measures implemented in response thereto, other outbreaks of disease, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, recessions, economic instability or civil unrest; manufacturing capacity constraints or supply chain disruptions that may impact our ability to deliver our products or affect the price of components, which may lead to an increase in our costs, as well as impacting demand for our products from customers who are similarly affected by such capacity constraints or disruptions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; timely design acceptance by our customers; timely introduction of new products and technologies; ability to ramp new products into volume production; industry wide shifts in supply and demand for semiconductor products; industry and/or company overcapacity or supply constraints; effective and cost efficient utilization of manufacturing capacity; financial stability in foreign markets and the impact of foreign exchange rates; unanticipated costs and expenses or the inability to identify expenses which can be eliminated; compliance with U.S. and international trade and export laws and regulations by us, our customers and our distributors, including those related to the Russia-Ukraine crisis; change or ratification of local or international laws and regulations, including those related to environment, health and safety; public health issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic or the emergence of various variants of the virus; other business interruptions that could disrupt supply or delivery of, or demand for, Magnachip's products, including uncertainties regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic or the emergence of various variants of the virus that may result in factory closures, reduced workforces, scarcity of raw materials and goods produced in infected areas, as well as reduced consumer and business spending affecting demand for Magnachip's products due to government and private sector mandatory business closures, travel restrictions or the like to prevent the spread of disease; and other risks detailed from time to time in Magnachip's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including our Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2022 (including that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or the emergence of various variants of the virus, trade tensions and supply constraints may also exacerbate the risks discussed therein) and subsequent registration statements, amendments or other reports that we may file from time to time with the SEC and/or make available on our website. Magnachip assumes no obligation and does not intend to update the forward-looking statements provided, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Magnachip Semiconductor

Magnachip is a designer and manufacturer of analog and mixed-signal semiconductor platform solutions for communications, IoT, consumer, computing, industrial and automotive applications. The Company provides a broad range of standard products to customers worldwide. Magnachip, with more than 40 years of operating history, owns a portfolio of approximately 1,150 registered patents and pending applications, and has extensive engineering, design and manufacturing process expertise. For more information, please visit www.magnachip.com. Information on or accessible through Magnachip's website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this release.

CONTACTS:

Yujia Zhai

The Blueshirt Group

Tel. (860) 214-0809

[email protected]

MAGNACHIP SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data) (Unaudited)































Three Months Ended



March 31, December 31, March 31,

2022 2021 2021 Revenues:























Net sales  standard products business

$ 94,010



$ 99,510



$ 112,906

Net sales  transitional Fab 3 foundry services



10,083





10,825





10,113

Total revenues



104,093





110,335





123,019

Cost of sales:























Cost of sales  standard products business



56,080





62,206





79,247

Cost of sales  transitional Fab 3 foundry services



9,017





9,525





9,390

Total cost of sales



65,097





71,731





88,637

Gross profit



38,996





38,604





34,382

Gross profit as a percentage of standard products business net sales



40.3 %



37.5 %



29.8 % Gross profit as a percentage of total revenues



37.5 %



35.0 %



27.9 % Operating expenses:























Selling, general and administrative expenses



14,163





13,255





12,634

Research and development expenses



11,954





12,197





13,423

Merger-related costs (income), net









(49,369)





9,831

Other charges, net









(1,349)





585

Total operating expenses (income)



26,117





(25,266)





36,473

Operating income (loss)



12,879





63,870





(2,091)

Interest expense



(111)





(132)





(1,041)

Foreign currency gain (loss), net



(690)





147





(4,671)

Other income, net



933





947





620

Income (loss) before income tax expense



13,011





64,832





(7,183)

Income tax expense



3,483





11,221





290

Net income (loss)

$ 9,528



$ 53,611



$ (7,473)

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

$ 0.21



$ 1.16



$ (0.19)

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

$ 0.20



$ 1.12



$ (0.19)

Weighted average number of shares























Basic



45,603,208





46,369,520





40,292,838

Diluted



46,693,294





47,691,816





40,292,838



MAGNACHIP SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data) (Unaudited)















March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Assets









Current assets









Cash and cash equivalents

$ 284,921



$ 279,547 Accounts receivable, net

51,208



50,954 Inventories, net

36,947



39,370 Other receivables

26,121



25,895 Prepaid expenses

9,124



7,675 Hedge collateral

4,060



3,060 Other current assets

9,262



2,619 Total current assets

421,643



409,120 Property, plant and equipment, net

102,675



107,882 Operating lease right-of-use assets

3,719



4,275 Intangible assets, net

2,203



2,377 Long-term prepaid expenses

6,771



8,243 Deferred income taxes

40,246



41,095 Other non-current assets

10,608



10,662 Total assets

$ 587,865



$ 583,654 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity









Current liabilities









Accounts payable

$ 37,566



$ 37,593 Other accounts payable

7,707



6,289 Accrued expenses

20,573



20,071 Accrued income taxes

9,361



11,823 Operating lease liabilities

2,223



2,323 Other current liabilities

6,989



7,382 Total current liabilities

84,419



85,481 Accrued severance benefits, net

32,572



33,064 Non-current operating lease liabilities

1,496



1,952 Other non-current liabilities

8,216



10,395 Total liabilities

126,703



130,892 Commitments and contingencies









Stockholders' equity









Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 56,225,441 shares issued and

44,894,385 outstanding at March 31, 2022 and 55,905,320 shares issued and 45,659,304

outstanding at December 31, 2021

562



559 Additional paid-in capital

261,830



241,197 Retained earnings

353,070



343,542 Treasury stock, 11,331,056 shares at March 31, 2022 and 10,246,016 shares at December 31, 2021, respectively

(148,523 )



(130,306 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(5,777 )



(2,230 ) Total stockholders' equity

461,162



452,762 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 587,865



$ 583,654

MAGNACHIP SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited)











Three Months Ended

March 31,

2022

March 31,

2021 Cash flows from operating activities





Net income (loss) $ 9,528

$ (7,473 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities





Depreciation and amortization 3,891

3,448 Provision for severance benefits 1,670

1,771 Amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount 

261 Loss on foreign currency, net 6,380

14,873 Provision for inventory reserves 145

1,504 Stock-based compensation 1,638

1,646 Other, net 161

154 Changes in operating assets and liabilities





Accounts receivable, net (1,213 )

9,794 Inventories 1,456

6,071 Other receivables 667

(1,438 ) Other current assets (6,829 )

5,427 Accounts payable 538

(7,701 ) Other accounts payable (702 )

1,570 Accrued expenses 187

2,393 Accrued income taxes (2,346 )

(10,700 ) Other current liabilities (711 )

1,087 Other non-current liabilities (73 )

18 Payment of severance benefits (1,389 )

(1,493 ) Other, net (178 )

12 Net cash provided by operating activities 12,820

21,224 Cash flows from investing activities





Proceeds from settlement of hedge collateral 1,829

 Payment of hedge collateral (2,891 )

 Purchase of property, plant and equipment (944 )

(1,082 ) Payment for intellectual property registration (59 )

(171 ) Other, net (77 )

(111 ) Net cash used in investing activities (2,142 )

(1,364 ) Cash flows from financing activities





Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,781

2,538 Acquisition of treasury stock (830 )

(1,540 ) Repayment of financing related to water treatment facility arrangement (134 )

(144 ) Repayment of principal portion of finance lease liabilities (16 )

(16 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 801

838 Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (6,105 )

(10,444 ) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 5,374

10,254 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 279,547

279,940 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 284,921

$ 290,194









MAGNACHIP SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (In thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited)





Three Months Ended

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

2022

2021

2021 Operating income (loss)

$ 12,879



$ 63,870



$ (2,091) Adjustments:





















Equity-based compensation expense



1,638





1,648





1,646 Inventory reserve related to Huawei impact of downstream trade restrictions









(379)





 Merger-related costs (income), net









(49,369)





9,831 Other charges, net









(1,349)





585 Adjusted Operating Income

$ 14,517



$ 14,421



$ 9,971

























We present Adjusted Operating Income as a supplemental measure of our performance. We define Adjusted Operating Income for the periods indicated as operating income (loss) adjusted to exclude (i) Equity-based compensation expense, (ii) Inventory reserve related to Huawei impact of downstream trade restrictions, (iii) Merger-related costs (income), net and (iv) Other charges, net.

For the three months ended December 31, 2021, we recorded in our consolidated statement of operations net gain of $49,369 thousand that represented income of $70,200 thousand from the recognition of a reverse termination fee, net of professional service fees and expenses of $20,831 thousand incurred in connection with the contemplated merger transaction of the Company that was terminated in December 2021. For the same period, we also recorded $1,419 thousand gain on sale of certain legacy equipment of the closed back-end line in our fabrication facility in Gumi (which was closed during the year ended December 31, 2018), partially offset by $70 thousand of non-recurring expenses incurred in connection with the regulatory requests.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded $9,831 thousand non-recurring professional service fees and expenses incurred in connection with the contemplated merger transaction. For the same period, we also recorded $585 thousand non-recurring professional service fees and expenses incurred in connection with the regulatory requests.

MAGNACHIP SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA AND ADJUSTED NET INCOME (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data) (Unaudited)







Three Months Ended

March 31, December 31, March 31,

2022 2021 2021 Net income (loss) $ 9,528 $ 53,611 $ (7,473) Adjustments:











Interest expense (income), net

(604)

(726)

420 Income tax expense

3,483

11,221

290 Depreciation and amortization

3,891

3,663

3,448 EBITDA

16,298

67,769

(3,315) Equity-based compensation expense

1,638

1,648

1,646 Foreign currency loss (gain), net

690

(147)

4,671 Derivative valuation loss (gain), net

129

(29)

86 Inventory reserve related to Huawei impact of downstream trade restrictions



(379)

 Merger-related costs (income), net



(49,369)

9,831 Other charges, net



(1,349)

585 Adjusted EBITDA $ 18,755 $ 18,144 $ 13,504 Net income (loss) $ 9,528 $ 53,611 $ (7,473) Adjustments:











Equity-based compensation expense

1,638

1,648

1,646 Foreign currency loss (gain), net

690

(147)

4,671 Derivative valuation loss (gain), net

129

(29)

86 Inventory reserve related to Huawei impact of downstream trade restrictions



(379)

 Merger-related costs (income), net



(49,369)

9,831 Other charges, net



(1,349)

585 GAAP and cash tax expense difference



907

 Income tax effect on non-GAAP adjustments

951

9,713

 Adjusted Net Income $ 12,936 $ 14,606 $ 9,346 Adjusted Net Income per common share











- Basic $ 0.28 $ 0.31 $ 0.23 - Diluted $ 0.28 $ 0.31 $ 0.22 Weighted average number of shares  basic

45,603,208

46,369,520

40,292,838 Weighted average number of shares  diluted

46,693,294

47,691,816

47,470,416















We present Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income as supplemental measures of our performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated as EBITDA (as defined below), adjusted to exclude (i) Equity-based compensation expense, (ii) Foreign currency loss (gain), net, (iii) Derivative valuation loss (gain), net, (iv) Inventory reserve related to Huawei impact of downstream trade restrictions, (v) Merger-related costs (income), net and (vi) Other charges, net. EBITDA for the periods indicated is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense (income), net, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization.

We prepare Adjusted Net Income by adjusting net income (loss) to eliminate the impact of a number of non-cash expenses and other items that may be either one time or recurring that we do not consider to be indicative of our core ongoing operating performance. We believe that Adjusted Net Income is particularly useful because it reflects the impact of our asset base and capital structure on our operating performance. We define Adjusted Net Income for the periods as net income (loss), adjusted to exclude (i) Equity-based compensation expense, (ii) Foreign currency loss (gain), net, (iii) Derivative valuation loss (gain), net, (iv) Inventory reserve related to Huawei impact of downstream trade restrictions, (v) Merger-related costs (income), net, (vi) Other charges, net, (vii) GAAP and cash tax expense difference and (viii) Income tax effect on non-GAAP adjustments.

For the three months ended December 31, 2021, we recorded in our consolidated statement of operations net gain of $49,369 thousand that represented income of $70,200 thousand from the recognition of a reverse termination fee, net of professional service fees and expenses of $20,831 thousand incurred in connection with the contemplated merger transaction of the Company that was terminated in December 2021. For the same period, we also recorded $1,419 thousand gain on sale of certain legacy equipment of the closed back-end line in our fabrication facility in Gumi (which was closed during the year ended December 31, 2018), partially offset by $70 thousand of non-recurring expenses incurred in connection with the regulatory requests.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded $9,831 thousand non-recurring professional service fees and expenses incurred in connection with the contemplated merger transaction. For the same period, we also recorded $585 thousand non-recurring professional service fees and expenses incurred in connection with the regulatory requests.

SOURCE Magnachip Semiconductor Corporation
HOUSTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE: MAIN) ("Main Street") is pleased to announce that at its 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, it received approval from its stockholders to reduce its minimum asset coverage ratio to 150% from 200%. The change to Main Street's minimum asset coverage ratio is effective as of today. The reduction to Main Street's minimum asset coverage ratio is being made pursuant to Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

ABOUT MAIN STREET CAPITAL CORPORATION

Main Street (www.mainstcapital.com) is a principal investment firm that primarily provides long-term debt and equity capital to lower middle market companies and debt capital to middle market companies. Main Street's portfolio investments are typically made to support management buyouts, recapitalizations, growth financings, refinancings and acquisitions of companies that operate in diverse industry sectors. Main Street seeks to partner with entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams and generally provides "one stop" financing alternatives within its lower middle market investment strategy. Main Street's lower middle market companies generally have annual revenues between $10 million and $150 million. Main Street's middle market debt investments are made in businesses that are generally larger in size than its lower middle market portfolio companies.

Main Street, through its wholly owned portfolio company MSC Adviser I, LLC ("MSC Adviser"), also maintains an asset management business through which it manages investments for external parties. MSC Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements. Any such statements other than statements of historical fact are likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under Main Street's control, and that Main Street may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual performance and results could vary materially from these estimates and projections of the future as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in Main Street's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements speak only as of the time when made and are based on information available to Main Street as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Main Street assumes no obligation to revise or update any such statement now or in the future.

Contacts:

Main Street Capital Corporation

Dwayne L. Hyzak, CEO, [email protected]

Jesse E. Morris, CFO and COO, [email protected]

713-350-6000

Dennard Lascar Investor Relations

Ken Dennard | [email protected]

Zach Vaughan | [email protected]

713-529-6600

SOURCE Main Street Capital Corporation
ST. HELENA, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Meadowood Napa Valley is pleased to announce that the property has been honored with Five-Star awards for both the Hotel and Spa from Forbes Travel Guide ("FTG"), the world's only independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas.

This news arrives at a momentous time for Meadowood, which closed for several months following the Glass Fire of 2020. The estate reopened on August 1, 2021, offering guests an even more intimate immersion into the Napa Valley lifestyle. Today, Meadowood Napa Valley provides guests with an intimate and club-like experience in this cherished and heralded setting. With 36 lodge-style rooms and suites designed by notable architect Howard Backen, The Spa at Meadowood, poolside dining at the Terrace Cafe, The Wine Center, and an integrated host program for guests, Meadowood continues to provide unmatched hospitality in the Napa Valley. The Wine Center at Meadowood presents a unique opportunity for immersion into the culture of wine, inviting guests to participate in a variety of courses and experiences tailored to their specific desires by a team of celebrated and published educators.

Forbes Travel Guide is the world-renowned authority in genuine Five-Star service. As the global arbiter of luxury travel, Forbes Travel Guide's team of expert inspectors anonymously evaluated hundreds of the most luxurious properties in more than 70 countries around the world to establish the 2022 ratings. Rigorous standards focus on graciousness, thoughtfulness and a sense of personalized service, placing special emphasis on the importance of how guests feel and what they will remember most about their time spent on the property. To view the new Star Award winners, visit: ForbesTravelGuide.com.

For more than half a century, Meadowood Napa Valley has served as an exemplar of exceptional customer service, attention to detail, and dedication to creating memorable experiences for visitors looking to retreat to California wine country.

About Meadowood Napa Valley

Founded by H. William Harlan in 1979, Meadowood Napa Valley has been a beacon for exceptional customer service, attention to detail, and dedication in creating memorable experiences for visitors looking to retreat to California wine country for more than half a century. For more information about Meadowood Napa Valley, please visit www.meadowood.com.

SOURCE Meadowood Napa Valley
'It's an important project for me  being able to bring Black talent to a film that explores African themes. Black kids need to hear our voices  representation matters'

NEWARK, N.J., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Voiceover artist Bryant Barnett announced his work as the narrating voice for Nat Geo's new one-hour documentary: "Gorongosa: Paradise Reborn," airing as part of Nat Geo's recent Earth Day celebration. The documentary can be seen via Nat Geo and will eventually stream via Disney+ and Hulu.

Bryant Barnett

Once known as Africa's Eden before years of war tore the park apart and slaughtered many of its natural inhabitants, "Gorongosa: Paradise Reborn" explores the harrowing and heartbreaking story of this lush African paradise. Now one of the greatest wildlife restoration efforts in human history, Bryant Barnett reveals the park's current renewal through the eyes of a female elephant, Mwana Nzo  a survivor of the park's brutal past.

"Lisa wrote and produced this amazing piece," said Barnett. "And even though we were unable to meet face to face this go-round because of COVID precautions, working with her remotely was amazing. There was just this magic that happened during our sessions, this friendly synergy between the whole team. The first session started with us just doing small talk, getting to know each other. And even though I know my voice doesn't sound the same when I'm having a regular conversation, they didn't know that. My normal speaking voice is nothing like big 'Radio Man in the Sky' at all. So, when it came time for us to record, and everyone was quiet, I leaned into the mic  and my voice suddenly boomed and transformed into my Narrator voice! It must have surprised them because Lisa came through the headphones later and I could hear her smiling: 'Wow! You have an awesome voice!' And that was so gratifying to hear from her."

"Bryant had the perfect voice for our moving documentary about the animals and people of Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique," said Lisa Feit, writer and producer of the documentary. "He captured the emotion in the stories and his narration has received many compliments; not to mention he's a great guy to work with!"

Bryant Barnett's voice artistry puts him in an elite group of Black voiceover artists, with a vocal range and skill that distinguishes him as part of a new wave of inspiring Black American talent gracing the airwaves over the past few decades.

"A major part of being a voice actor is having range  being able to move through a wide variety of characters and breathe life into them  from voicing a child in a cartoon, or theatrical promos for new movies, to energetic radio brands. But even though I've worked on my craft for many years, I am a fairly new voice actor. And landing a narration with National Geographic is a major deal," said Barnett. "But also, being a Black voice actor is very big deal. Narration and storytelling are an art form that requires more than just talking into the mic. Usually when you have no proven experience, or are an unknown in the industry, you are denied a chance. So, it's a privilege to be among those I have grown up watching in movies, on television, and narrating other Nat Geo Specials. Actors whom I have admired such as Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, Angela Bassett, Denzel Washington, and Sterling K. Brown ... just to name a few."

"National Geographic is recognized for its amazing storytelling of nature and history," Barnett continued. "Representation means so much; even in this instance, it makes a huge difference. Many times, I hear non-Black voices telling our stories, or even voicing Black characters in animation. It's hurtful sometimes because the thought I have is: 'Are we not good enough to play ourselves?' For me to be able to tell a story about the land where my people are from, and a story that has greatly impacted both that land there and also Black people here  I felt a deep connection. I was able to tell the story from a deep, yet somewhat familiar place."

Speaking on his latest efforts, Barnett revealed: "I am currently working on some animation projects and looking into a few others as well; along with some commercials that are in production and will be voiced. I am enjoying the amazing creative process it takes to make these projects a success."

For news on his latest appearances and upcoming projects, follow Bryant Barnett on social media  Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, SoundCloud.

Media Contact:

Robin Steinfeld, Agent

1-212-634-8373

[email protected]

SOURCE Bryant Barnett
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National PTA is pleased to announce the winners of its 2021-2022 Reflections student art program. The awards honor creative interpretations of the theme "I Will Change the World By" in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts as well as a special artist division. Seven students have been honored with the Outstanding Interpretation Award, and over 200 students have been recognized with Awards of Excellence and Merit. Students representing 39 states were selected for national-level recognition.

The Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients are:

Arsal Shaur

Country Parkway PTA, New York

Photography: "I Can Change the World by Enlightening Others with Knowledge"

Dao Nguyen

Castillero Middle School PTA, California

Literature: "Dandelion"

James Jordan

Syracuse High PTSA, Utah

Special Artist/Music Composition: "Change the World Right"

Jasmine Roldan

Hicksville High School PTSA, New York

Visual Arts: "Say Their Names"

Oviya Gowder

James Clemens High School PTSA, Alabama

Dance Choreography: "Save The Children"

Sonia Singh

Acadia PTA, New York

Music Composition: "Rainbow"

Yasmeen Fahs

Rowan Elementary PTA, Pennsylvania

Film Production: "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle"

"Participating in the arts helps students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas; develop artistic literacy; increase confidence; and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life," said Anna King, president of National PTA. "We are thrilled to recognize the Outstanding Interpretation Award and Awards of Excellence and Merit recipients, and we applaud all of the students who participated in the Reflections program this school year."

The Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients will each receive an $800 scholarship to further their artistic talents, and their local PTA will be awarded $200 to support arts and culture in their community. Award of Excellence recipients will receive a $200 scholarship. All national award recipients receive celebration materials including a medallion and certificate and will be featured in virtual celebrations and exhibits.

Each year, the National PTA Reflections program encourages students of all ages to create and submit original works of art in the medium of their choice that reflect on the annual theme. Submissions are reviewed by arts experts, and students are recognized for their artistic technique and ingenuity in bringing the theme to life. Hundreds of thousands of students in pre-K through grade 12 from across the country and in U.S. schools overseas created original works of art as part of the 2021-2022 Reflections program.

The National PTA Reflections program is sponsored by Proud National PTA Sponsor BAND, a free group communication app used by PTAs to connect with members, plan in-person and virtual events, and increase family engagement.

"National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education, and it is a top priority of our association to ensure all children have access to arts programs and classes," added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. "The Reflections program provides opportunities for access to the arts, and we appreciate BAND's support of the program."

About National PTA

National PTA comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

SOURCE National PTA
CAPE CORAL, Fla., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Find Fishing Dates, a brand-new app that easily connects people who love fishing and outdoor pursuits, launched online recently. Those looking for love or simply someone to share their hobbies with can join the new platform and start meeting new, like-minded people right away.

Find the Catch of a Lifetime! Find Fishing Dates Is a dating platform for people who have adventurous minds, a passion for the water & tired of traditional boring dates. Why settle for movie and dinner when you can enjoy each other's company in a less stressful environment with someone with common interests? https://findfishingdates.com/ Get Hooked Up! Find Fishing Dates Is a dating platform for people who have adventurous minds, a passion for the water & tired of traditional boring dates. Why settle for movie and dinner when you can enjoy each other's company in a less stressful environment with someone with common interests? https://findfishingdates.com/

The app combines a safe platform to chat or arrange a fishing date with a huge database of nature lovers across the country. And it is not only fishing that can make someone a great catch  scuba divers, surfers, paddleboarders, swimmers, boaters, and those who simply love the outdoors are all welcome to join.

"We felt that it was about time the online dating and social community had a special hub for those who love fishing and outdoor hobbies!" Angelika Adams, CEO said.

"There has been a lot of chatter online for many years about how hard it can be to find love when people don't necessarily want to go on a conventional date but would much rather grab their fishing rods and head outside. So, we thought it was only natural to create Find Fishing Dates for people to meet a partner, a future spouse, or some new fishing buddies!"

New app users looking for dating in rural America, can create their free profile, with no credit card required, and the special algorithm takes their info to connect them with their perfect match. Then they can enjoy all the features of the app to their heart's content!

The site will also have a blog where people can get tips about rural dating and find some inspiration for romantic outdoor date ideas  from gentle waterside strolls and watching the sunset on the beach, to thrilling scuba diving sessions and mountain bike rides.

So that as many nature lovers as possible can enjoy the app, users can choose to set their language to English or Spanish, and people of any gender or sexual orientation can join in the fun.

Cast your rod for the catch of a lifetime at the Find Fishing Dates website: https://findfishingdates.com.

Media Contact:

Angelika Adams

(810) 397-6811

[email protected]

SOURCE Find Fishing Dates
"Johnson offers lucid explanations of a dazzling array of customs and beliefs." -- *Publishers Weekly* Tweet this

Post-scripts added to each chapter answer many perennial questions to broaden understanding of the Catholic Church in all of her complexity and spirit, her influence on cultural norms and her place in America today. "Most books about the Church focus on feelings," Johnson says. "But it's information  good, clear information  that's really empowering. Faith depends on knowledge, and knowledge enables you to make better decisions in life."

The book promises cultural enrichment, too, in its answers to questions about Catholic art, architecture, literature, music, devotional practices and all. "Understanding the meaning and purpose of the Church's intellectual contributions," Johnson says, "lets you connect your life to a meaningful past and get things organized for a positive future." Even apart from matters of doctrine, he says, that's how the Church offers stability and clarity in a world that's increasingly unstable and perplexing.

Johnson also points out lay Catholics' responsibility for correcting abuses. "We are the Church," he says: "the clergy work for us. You don't leave your Church because of some bad priests. You don't abandon Jesus because Judas did. You fix it."

Pope St. John Paul II simplified the Code of Canon Law specifically to help Americans sue wayward clergymen in the Church's courts, Johnson says. "It's like a business letter. Look to Canons 1501 through 1506 for guidance and send your letter to the Congregation for Divine Worship for liturgical irregularities, the Congregation for the Clergy for personal misconduct by priests and the Congregation for Bishops for failure to address these offenses. They're all at the Palazzo delle Congregazioni, Piazza Pio XII 10, 00120 Citta del Vaticano."

Why Do Catholics Do That? is available at bookstores nationwide and by direct order at whydocatholicsdothat.org.

SOURCE Pangaeus Companies
WASHINGTON, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement by Jen Judson, President of the National Press Club and Gil Klein, President of the National Press Club Journalism Institute on the news of a scheduled meeting this afternoon between the President of the United States and Debra and Marc Tice, the parents of award-winning journalist Austin Tice.

"We are so pleased that the President has decided to meet today with the Tice family in person at the White House. It was impressive to see President Biden react so positively to Mrs. Tice at the WHCA Dinner on Saturday night and heartwarming that the White House moved so quickly to establish a meeting today. This is a crucial step that is needed to bring Austin Tice home.

"The U.S. government has struggled through three administrations on how to proceed in this case but to see President Biden now fully engaged shows that something has changed and there is an opportunity at hand as never before.

"There are so many people and organizations that have done good work to bring this case to this point, but we especially want to note Fred Ryan, publisher of the Washington Post who starting last fall had the vision and leadership for an advertising campaign that saw dozens of full page ads produced that asked the President to meet with the Tices and prioritize Austin's case. Fred also invited Debra Tice to attend the White House Correspondents Dinner as his guest. Also special thanks to Steven Portnoy, this year's President of the White House Correspondents Association, for deciding to introduce Debra Tice to the room and to the President from the podium. His introduction could not have set a better frame for the President to say, in the most public of ways, he wanted to meet with the Tices.

"Debra and Marc Tice have shown over the years an incredible love for their son and commitment to his cause and his case They are an inspiration to us all."

Austin Tice is a 2015 John Aubuchon Press Freedom honoree at the National Press Club. He is an honorary member of the National Press Club. The Club annually recognizes Austin on the anniversary of his abduction with an event that has become the central event on that day. In the Club's lobby on the 13th floor of the National Press Building we have installed a Press Freedom Clock with a dynamic countdown of the seconds, minutes and days Austin Tice has been held hostage. The Club and the Journalism Institute have staged national calls to action such as Night Out For Austin Tice and a campaign to visit every congressional office on Austin's behalf as well as a Change.org petition with over 150,000 signatures.

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 journalism organization and is an outspoken voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement.

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club

SOURCE National Press Club
Brightview Becomes the Largest Addiction Treatment Provider in the State

CINCINNATI, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BrightView Health is serving a record number of patientsmore than 10,000 in Ohio. Since opening its doors in 2015, BrightView has expanded to serve nearly all of Ohio, with 84% of the state's residents living within 30 minutes of a BrightView center.

Every single one of BrightView's 10,000 Ohio patients has a unique story that has been rewritten because of their recovery. Overdoses have been avoided, parents have gotten children back, employment has been achieved, relapses have been prevented, and more. Further, this means a decrease in arrests and justice system involvement and reduced stress on emergency medical services throughout the state.

BrightView's medical, nursing, clinical, social services, and laboratory staff have provided more than 783,000 hours of clinical services and more than 436,000 hours of medical care to the states' most vulnerable populations. BrightView accepts more insurance plans than any other substance use disorder treatment provider in the state, including Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare (with referral), and commercial plans.

A patient at BrightView's Colerain center stated, "Before I came to BrightView, I didn't believe a place like it existed. I'm grateful I came here. They care about me as a person and treat me with respect. BrightView is the real deal."

"Ohio is seen nationally as the epicenter of the addiction epidemic in many ways," said Dr. Navdeep Kang, BrightView's Chief Clinical Officer, "It is encouraging to see the state become the epicenter of recovery. With BrightView's best-in-class care, published outcomes data, contributions to scientific research, and comprehensive care model, we are honored to lead the conversation on recovery as the state's largest addiction treatment provider."

BrightView plans to open four additional Ohio locations by the end of the year. The centers will serve patients in Willoughby, Elyria, Kent, and Dayton.

About BrightView

BrightView Health provides outpatient treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) with 57 centers throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, and Delaware. Patients and partners can call 833-510-HELP (4357) 24-hours per day to schedule an appointment or assessment at any BrightView location.

Because effective addiction treatment often requires immediate care, walk-ins are welcome on weekdays until 3 pm. Patients suffering from withdrawal take less than 4 hours on average from the time they walk in the door to receive the medication they need, complete their first counseling session, and begin lasting recovery.

BrightView's compassionate and professional staff creates an accessible and welcoming environment for physical and emotional healing. To learn more, please visit brightviewhealth.com .

SOURCE BrightView
GLENDALE, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lilit Davtyan, Chief Executive Officer for marketing automation company Phonexa, has been named a finalist for the San Fernando Valley Journal's 2022 Women's Leadership Awards, the publication announced.

Davtyan's nomination comes at a remarkable time for the executive and Phonexa, as the company continues acting on its dedication to female empowerment within the industry and its leadership teams with various female-centered initiatives.

Phonexa CEO Lilit Davtyan

"Female empowerment has been a chief mission of our organization since its inception. Every day, we come to work with the mindset to inspire and empower women to be leaders in their own crafts," said Davtyan. "I hope recognitions like this encourage all companies and female leaders to strive for success and reach extraordinary endeavors."

As one of the first hires of Phonexa  the all-in-one solution for calls, leads, clicks, email, SMS, and more  Davtyan's rise through the ranks within the company and industry was most recently highlighted by her appointment to CEO in October.

Davtyan's career has been marked by a growing and diverse portfolio of impressive recognition and honor from prestigious publications and awards organizations alike.

Over the last two years, Davtyan was named "CFO of the Year" by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2020, nominated again for the honors by the LABJ in 2021, and also nominated by Los Angeles Times for a CFO Leadership Award.

Davtyan also received the title of a Gold Winner for the "Woman Leadership of the Year" category by TITAN Business Awards. She was also named "Executive of the Year" for the 2021 Los Angeles Business Journal's Women's Leadership Series & Awards.

Davtyan's successful track record has spilled over into her contributions and current membership in the Forbes Business Council and CHIEF, a private network designed to promote female leaders.

"Lilit joined us at the earliest stage of our company's operations," said David Gasparyan, the Founder and President of Phonexa. "But her innovative leadership skills and ability to drive change in our industry and company have shaped her into a strong woman leader who inspires every team member across the company."

Davtyan currently oversees Phonexa's big-picture growth strategies as she works to bond Phonexa with other companies through meaningful partnerships.

Davtyan received her B.B.A. from Woodbury University and received her Masters of Business Taxation from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

The San Fernando Valley Business Journal will host a digital roundtable and awards event on May 18, with a discussion around "Leading Through Change" highlighting the importance of mentorship, opening opportunities for women to take on leadership roles, as well as the work and life balance in the workplace. The event will conclude with the unveiling of honorees in various awards categories.

For more information about Davtyan, connect with her on LinkedIn.

About Phonexa: Phonexa is an all-in-one marketing automation solution for calls, leads, clicks, email, SMS, accounting, and more. The software company powers direct advertisers and lead generators alike across all businesses and industries by optimizing inbound web and call campaigns, and outbound call, email, and SMS campaigns  all while having the ability to enhance the consumer journey along every step of the way. Complete with a suite of turnkey marketing products and solutions, Phonexa's customizable tools are uniquely designed to maximize workflow efficiency and revenue. Phonexa has the scalability, tools, and partnerships to serve clients across industries, especially those with high consumer demand products and services. For more information, please visit www.Phonexa.com.

Contact:

Manouk Akopyan

818-800-0000

[email protected]

SOURCE Phonexa
Police seeking to 'do no harm' may be the most powerful concept in policing today, that is The Peace Officer Promise. Tweet this

We, the members of the (insert name,) promise that while doing our best to control crime, we will do everything in our power to do no harm to the communities we serve and protect.

Police agencies are personalizing The Promise with their own language to reflect the uniqueness of their communities.

"NAWLEE is pleased to support Police2Peace as they launch the Peace Officer Promise," said Kym Craven, Executive Director. "Programs like these will help build community trust and create change in policing. The Promise upholds the values that our members and stakeholders exhibit on a daily basis as they ensure the nobility of policing remains a cornerstone of the profession."

"Police officers seeking to 'do no harm' may be the most powerful concept in policing today," said Jim Bueermann, a 40+ year veteran of policing, retired police chief and past president of the National Police Foundation, now called the National Policing Institute. "The Peace Officer Promise is policing's Hippocratic Oath. Like the oath which physicians take to do no harm, a similar oath is needed which acknowledges the notion of harm reduction by the police. This is simple, meaningful police reform that is not controversial."

"We are pleased that the Peace Officer Promise is being announced in May," said Marcia Ferranto, Chief Executive Officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. "This month we honor the officers who fulfilled the promise they made to their communities, including risking and ultimately giving their lives. It's fitting that the Peace Officer Promise is being made now."

The Peace Officer Promise gives police agencies a way to build trust and confidence by making a public reaffirmation of their 'do no harm' commitment. The Promise differs from the oath which law enforcement officers take about upholding the Constitution and protecting the public. Instead, the Peace Officer Promise implicitly acknowledges the harm that some policing strategies can unintentionally inflict on the very communities the police are paid to protect.

"The events of the last few years have made the delivery of public safety very challenging," said Chief Michael Thompson of Arizona State University. "The Peace Officer Promise is a fantastic way for us to repair strained relationships and build new ones by creating a shared vision for policing that works for everyone."

"This is about people, and the fact that only people count," said Chief Tighe O'Meara of the Ashland, OR Police Department. "We are looking to personalize The Peace Officer Promise with input from our own Ashland high school students".

Police2Peace addresses community dissatisfaction with the police to create "Peace Officer" cultural change that is fundamental to police reform. It is a trusted source of programs and policies for departments, municipalities and communities throughout the U.S.

For more information on the Peace Officer Promise, go to: https://police2peace.com/peace-officer-promise/

1 Contacts Between Police and the Public, 2018 , Bureau of Justice Statistics, Dec 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Police2Peace
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A private, non-profit organization made up of judges, attorneys, and law professors is about to set back decades of child safety laws.

On May 17, the American Law Institute, or ALI, will vote on sweeping revisions to the Model Penal Code which, if adopted by state legislatures, would roll back child safety laws championed by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children over the last 38 years.

Initial outrage from NCMEC, the Justice Department, state attorneys general and many others prompted some adjustments, but several egregious proposals remain unaddressed. Under ALI's recommendations:

The public would no longer have access to state sex-offender registry websites or any information about registered sex offenders.

Those convicted of sharing images and videos of children being sexually abused, exploited, even raped on the internet would no longer have to register as sex offenders.

People who purchase children for sex would be immune from state sex trafficking charges and wouldn't be listed on the sex offender registry.

"Buying kids for sex and trading images online of children being sexually abused and raped are 21st century forms of sexual assault of children," said Yiota Souras, general counsel of NCMEC. "ALI's efforts to diminish these laws ignore the reality of how these horrific sex crimes are perpetrated against children today."

ALI's recommendations also go against federal law in place since 2015 and would exclude buyers of children for sex from liability under state trafficking charges. As a rationale for these changes, ALI indicated it has difficulty treating a buyer as participating in the trafficking crime, because "the buyer's encounter with a victim is usually brief."

"No matter how they try to justify it, ALI's rationale is unacceptable and puts the perceived rights of criminals before children victimized by the atrocities of sexual abuse," John Walsh, co-founder of NCMEC and host of In Pursuit with John Walsh said. "We cannot allow this to go on."

Last year alone, NCMEC's CyberTipline received more than 29 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation, nearly all involving abusive images and videos. With the explosion of CSAM being shared on the internet and child sex trafficking occurring in every corner of America, why is ALI proposing changes to exclude these horrific crimes from the sex offender registry?

The authors of the revised Model Penal Code, which many states rely on to enact and update their criminal laws, have said these revisions are needed to correct the impact of the public's "emotions and intuitions" relating to sexual offenses. They also acknowledge that many of their recommendations represent a "major departure" from current U.S. law.

NCMEC, child advocacy organizations and others are imploring the public and state legislatures to be aware of this and to encourage ALI to reconsider these unnecessary changes to the Model Penal Code.

More information about ALI's proposed changes and a video message from John Walsh regarding the impact are available here:

statelaws.missingkids.org

SOURCE National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
MENLO PARK, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) has once again ranked first on Forbes' list of America's Best Professional Recruiting Firms and America's Best Temporary Staffing Firms. Robert Half also took the top spot on the annual ranking of America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms. This is the first time any company has placed first in all three categories.

Rankings are based on an independent survey of external recruiters, hiring managers and job candidates. The 22,400 respondents rated organizations based on their direct experiences.

"We are extremely proud to be recognized as the industry leader across the full continuum of talent solutions by those who know our industry best," said M. Keith Waddell, president and chief executive officer of Robert Half. "Securing the top spot on these prestigious lists is an honor and a testament to our employees and their dedication to delivering outstanding service to our clients and candidates."

He added: "Our talent solutions teams have embraced flexible and hybrid work models while helping our clients and candidates do the same. Our people are at the heart of everything we do and are the reason we continue to exceed customers' expectations in an ever-changing environment."

About Robert Half

Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm that connects opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers. Robert Half offers contract and permanent placement solutions and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Visit roberthalf.com and download our award-winning mobile app.

SOURCE Robert Half
COLUMBIA, S.C., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Nurses and Hospital Weeks (May 6  14), the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) is launching a multi-faceted campaign, "H is for Heroes," to show appreciation and generate public support for hospital employees.

The goal of the campaign is that when people see the "H" sign on the side of the highway, they don't just think of the hospital facility nearby, but all of the people who make that care possible. From the bedmakers and maintenance crews to the doctors and the nurses and the food service workers to the radiologists, it takes an army of dedicated healthcare heroes to keep our South Carolina communities healthy.

"SCHA wants to show hospital employees how much we appreciate the incredible work they do to improve healthcare, protect our communities and save lives," said SCHA President & CEO Thornton Kirby. "They have been the frontline heroes of the pandemic, and they are the everyday heroes of their communities."

The campaign includes:

Outdoor advertising, with a customized digital billboard design that allows participating hospitals to feature their own employees and branding;

A social media campaign to share photos and profiles of "heroes" submitted by hospitals;

A "thank a hero" program of promotional offers and discounts for healthcare workers from a host of partners including businesses, universities and state agencies.

The campaign comes on the heels of SCHA's "Hero Truck" tours of the past two years, which provided supportive messages and a moment of uplift at a time when visitation limits and social distancing prohibited in-person celebrations. While popular and appreciated, the "hero truck" could be enjoyed only by people who happened to be on shift during its brief visits as it traveled across the state.

"This year we're celebrating the fact that hospitals can have their own celebrations," said Lara Hewitt, Vice President of Workforce and Member Engagement for SCHA. "While we know the pandemic isn't over, we're in a much better place today thanks to the amazing work of our hospitals and healthcare workers. We're proud to be their representatives." Learn more about this effort at scha.org.

About the South Carolina Hospital Association

SCHA is committed to making South Carolina one of the nation's healthiest states by helping our hospitals and health systems provide the best care possible. We advocate for sound healthcare policies and legislation, facilitate collaboration to tackle problems that none of us could solve alone, find and share innovations and best practices, and provide data, education, and business solutions to help our members better serve their patients and communities. Together, we are leading South Carolina to a better state of health. Learn more about SCHA at www.scha.org.

Media Contact: Schipp Ames

Phone: 803.744.3543

Email : [email protected]

SOURCE South Carolina Hospital Association
FORT MILL, S.C., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global industrial and automotive supplier Schaeffler was honored by the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) with the 2021 "Bearing Manufacturer Excellence of Innovation in Product Design Award" for its breakthrough OPTIME condition monitoring device. This prestigious award recognizes BSA member companies for excellence in product design or technology, with the added objective of informing end-use customers about the innovative products, technologies and services that BSA member companies are continuously developing to support their businesses.

A condition monitoring breakthrough  powered by Schaeffler expertise

OPTIME is an easily scalable condition monitoring system that consists of wireless, battery-powered vibration sensors, a cellular gateway and an app to visualize the resulting data. Able to be installed and deployed without any prior condition monitoring expertise, OPTIME is designed to provide advance warning of potential damage to machines such as electric motors, fans and pumps. It also offers early notification of imbalance, misalignment and loose-fitting components.

Data captured by OPTIME's sensors is analyzed using proprietary algorithms that draw on Schaeffler's technical expertise, its extensive library of physical models developed and refined over many decades, and the experience in condition monitoring that Schaeffler has built up in the course of its bearing servicing operations.

"We greatly value our longstanding membership in the Bearing Specialists Association, and we very much appreciate the BSA's recognition of our OPTIME innovation that is already transforming the wireless condition monitoring landscape," said Kevin Kozlowski, vice president  Industrial Distribution Americas. "Finally  an intuitive, easy-to-use 'Plug. Play. Predict.' sensor that meets our customers' expectations for monitoring key assets within their manufacturing facilities. OPTIME is a key product from our portfolio of Schaeffler Lifetime Solutions, whose mission  to simplify maintenance with an excellent user experience and a full suite of industrial services and solutions for the machine's complete lifetime  drives our overall value proposition to our customers and distribution partners," explained Kozlowski.

Schaeffler received the award at the BSA's 2022 Convention, which took place April 30 - May 3 in Indian Wells, Calif. OPTIME's win represents the second Manufacturer Excellence Award for Schaeffler, which was honored by the BSA for its SmartCheck condition monitoring device in 2016.

More information on OPTIME is available here.

About Schaeffler

Schaeffler Group  We pioneer motion

As a leading global supplier to the automotive and industrial sectors, the Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the fields of motion and mobility for over 75 years. With innovative technologies, products and services for CO-efficient drives, electric mobility, Industry 4.0, digitalization and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion and mobility more efficient, intelligent and sustainable. The technology company manufactures high-precision components and systems for powertrain and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications. The Schaeffler Group generated sales of approximately EUR 13.9 billion in 2021. With around 83,000 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world's largest family companies. Moreover, with over 1,800 patent applications filed in 2021, Schaeffler is Germany's third-most innovative company according to the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA).

SOURCE Schaeffler
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of AbbVie Inc. ("AbbVie" or the "Company") (NYSE: ABBV). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether AbbVie and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On September 1, 2021, the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") announced that final results from the safety trial of Xeljanz, an anti-inflammatory drug manufactured Pfizer Inc., established an increased risk of serious adverse events, even with low doses of Xeljanz. As a result, the FDA determined that it would require new and updated warnings for Xeljanz and Rinvoq, an anti-inflammatory drug manufactured by AbbVie, because Rinvoq "share[s] similar mechanisms of action with Xeljanz" and "may have similar risks as seen in the Xeljanz safety trial." The FDA also indicated that it would further limit approved indications for Rinvoq as a result of these safety concerns.

On this news, AbbVie's stock price fell $8.51 per share, or 7.04%, to close at $112.27 per share on September 1, 2021.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. ("IIPR" or the "Company") (NYSE: IIPR). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether IIPR and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On April 14, 2022, Blue Orca Capital ("Blue Orca") published a short report on IIPR, which it described as "a marijuana bank masquerading as a REIT." The Blue Orca reported asserted, among other things, that "[i]n the last 17 months . . . IIPR's loan book appears to have degraded significantly as the sector has become more competitive and IIPR stretched for lower quality tenants in search of continuing growth", that "IIPR's largest tenant is a failed SPAC that appears to be in severe financial distress and was recently sued by investors", and that "[u]nlike with other REITs, IIPR cannot expect to recover the lost income from defaulting tenants because it appears that the actual values of its properties are substantially below their carrying value on IIPR's balance sheet."

On this news, IIPR's stock price fell $13.76, or 7.50% to close at $169.68 per share on April 15, 2022.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 9980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Twitter, Inc. ("Twitter" or the "Company") (NYSE: TWTR). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Twitter and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On April 4, 2022, Elon Musk ("Musk") disclosed in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filing that he owned 9.2% of Twitter stock. On this news, Twitter's stock price rose $10.66 per share, or 27.12%, to close at $49.97 per share on April 4, 2022.

Then, on April 5, 2022, in another SEC filing, Musk disclosed that he had purchased more than 5% of Twitter stock on March 14, 2022, which, per applicable SEC rules, should have been disclosed by March 24, 2022. The same April 5, 2022 filing also indicated that Musk had acquired approximately 13.1 million Twitter shares at an average price of $39.06 per share after March 24, 2022, and before Twitter's stock price rose to $49.97 per share on April 4, 2022, thereby potentially saving him millions of dollars at the expense of other investors that could have sold their Twitter stock at a higher price, had they been similarly and timely informed of Musk's large stake in the Company.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
New Foundation funded by Innovative Solar Energy Projects Begins Operations

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the private and public sectors prioritizing and accelerating efforts to reduce their carbon footprints by switching to clean energy technologies, companies with major interests in renewable energy have an opportunity to assist sectors of the population that cannot fully participate in this movement. The Sharing the Power Foundation (www.sharingthepower.org) has been established to offer financial assistance to organizations and causes that serve historically underserved urban and rural communities through programs that support their immediate needs and produce opportunities to participate in the benefits of the clean energy economy. The foundation is focused on two primary areas: environmental health and economic justice.

Volt Energy Utility, an African-American owned utility-scale solar development firm, created the concept of establishing the foundation through its unique Environmental Justice Power Purchase Agreement (EJPPA). Volt created a process through which the basic tool used to finance major utility  scale solar projects  the PPA  can produce a funding stream to support environmental justice causes that may be located in areas beyond the location of the projects. In 2021, Volt signed an agreement with Microsoft to supply the corporation with 250 megawatts of solar power. Microsoft was the first company to join with Volt to dedicate to the foundation a portion of revenue produced through an EJPPA. The foundation will operate as an independent entity.

"Major corporations realize that there is a segment of historically marginalized, low-income urban and rural populations, that have disproportionally borne the health and economic effects of pollution, inadequate access to healthy food and climate change," said Volt Energy Utility, CEO and Sharing the Power Foundation Chair, Gilbert Campbell. "These are the communities that the Sharing the Power Foundation serves."

The Environmental Justice Ambassador Fellowship

The foundation will make significant investments into Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) students with a passion for environmental health and justice through the Foundation's signature program, the Environmental Justice Ambassador Fellowship. The primary goal of the fellowship program is to create a pipeline of HBCU students into sustainability and clean energy careers by equipping them with the necessary skills, experience, and environmental justice knowledge to address environmental challenges. Through the fellowship, the foundation provides students with a ten-week summer internship at a local environmental non-profit and provide an academic scholarship to support their educational endeavors.

Aissa Dearing Dearing-Benton, a Howard University senior and Oxford-bound Marshall Scholar, is the foundation's first EJ Ambassador. The history and environmental sciences major from Durham, North Carolina co-founded and serves as the organizing director for the Durham Youth Climate Justice Initiative, an organization that seeks to advocate for young people of color in climate justice organizing through environmental justice education.

Yinka N. Bode-George will serve as the interim executive director of the Foundation. The Johns Hopkins educated environmental justice advocate will be on loan from her senior staff position at Volt Energy Utility until a permanent executive director is appointed.

About Sharing the Power Foundation

For more information, please visit www.sharingthepower.org

About Volt Energy Utility

Volt Energy Utility is a national minority-owned solar energy development firm that develops, finances, and operates utility-scale solar projects. Volt Energy Utility is an ESG driven renewable energy company that partners with public and private sector clients to assist with the convergence of carbon goals, diversity, equity and inclusion, and other ESG goals. Our mission is to uplift communities through opportunities and benefits provided by clean energy. For more information, please visit www.voltenergyutility.com

Media Contact:

Eric Grant

[email protected]

240.778.8121

SOURCE Sharing the Power Foundation
"Rob is a preeminent trial attorney who is well regarded by Shook's health, science and technology clients," said Shook Chair Madeleine McDonough. "Rob combines science-driven trial strategy with a commitment to serving the legal profession in a variety of leadership roles. He also brings aboard a talented team to help grow our next generation of litigators across the firm."

Simpson has served as first- or second-chair trial counsel in more than 30 cases that have gone to verdict, in addition to acting as lead counsel, national counsel and local counsel for many global manufacturers. His experience spans multiple areas of law, including product liability and commercial litigation, often in the context of multidistrict litigation, class actions and mass torts, and unfair competition and false advertising claims.

"I have collaborated with Shook's top-notch trial teams for many years," said Simpson. "It feels like I am coming home and teaming up with family I have known many years. Shook has built a unique culture that values innovation, collaboration and inclusivity. I am excited to continue my career as part of Shook's trial practice."

Simpson serves in leadership roles for the American Bar Association - Section of Litigation and the National Bar Association - Commercial Law Section. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and serves as a trial instructor for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and the ABA. Simpson is also passionate about the effective use of technology in the courtroom and leveraging technology and innovative approaches to help streamline case management in large-scale proceedings. Simpson advocates for some of the best-known global brands in very difficult and complicated liability cases and business litigation matters.

"We are simply thrilled to have Rob join the firm," stated Shook Partner Bill Geraghty, who has previously worked with Simpson on trial matters. "He is an outstanding trial lawyer and leader who will make an immediate impact. We know his skills will be in high demand by current and future clients."

Shook's litigators face some of the most aggressive plaintiffs' lawyers in the country, and companies rely on Shook when they face unwieldy class action and novel claims.

Fast Facts about Shook's Trial Practice:

Shook has tried 100+ trials in five years, including obtaining three defense verdicts in a one-month span in 2021;

Shook represents 75% of the Fortune 100;

Nearly 85% of Shook lawyers are litigators.

The expansion into Hartford follows the opening of Shook offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and St. Louis since 2019, allowing the firm to serve its health, science and technology clients from 18 distinct markets. Shook's Product Liability Litigation Practice is co-led by Alicia Donahue and Hildy Sastre, and the firm historically tries more than 25 cases to verdict each year.

About Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 18 offices in the United States and London, with attorneys and professional staff serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors in areas ranging from product liability defense and business litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security and regulatory counseling.

SOURCE Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
SMArtX Closes Series D Round with $30 million Investment; Morningstar's Daniel Needham and Michael Holt Join SMArtX Board

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SMArtX Advisory Solutions ('SMArtX'), a leading innovator in unified managed accounts ('UMA') technology and architect of the SMArtX turnkey asset management platform ('TAMP'), today announced the closure of their Series D round with a $30 million investment by Morningstar Investment Management, LLC , a subsidiary of independent investment research provider Morningstar, Inc. The announcement follows the previous press release sharing that SMArtX will power the Morningstar turnkey asset management platform.

The Morningstar Investment Management capital will assist in the build out of SMArtX's development capabilities, including those that will support Morningstar Investment Management's existing TAMP and its direct indexing solution launching later this year. SMArtX has been hosting direct indexing strategies for over four years and offers one of the largest direct indexing platforms in the industry with 133 strategies.

The investment will also be used to further expand SMArtX's technology and ability to deliver managed account technology to a wider range of firms. Specifically, it will help deepen existing product offerings, expand its API solutions to provide more comprehensive integrations, and expand implementation teams to support SMArtX's future growth. This will result in SMArtX's additional product offerings including fixed income strategies in a UMA, the client's ability to direct trades, improved manager analytics, and an expanded SMArtX Select list of investment strategies.

SMArtX will also welcome Daniel Needham, President of Morningstar's Wealth Management Solutions group, and Michael Holt, Chief Strategy Officer at Morningstar, to its Board of Directors immediately.

"Morningstar has already demonstrated their ability to be a strong collaborator as we work together to set the standard for managed account technology," said Evan Rapoport, CEO of SMArtX. "We continue to build the engine that will help grow Morningstar's TAMP by consolidating its data, research and analytics capabilities into a platform designed for today's advisor."

"We seek out companies like SMArtX that are breaking through the boundaries of traditional technology to bring innovative new solutions to market," said Daniel Needham. "SMArtX has a track record of building products that offer greater flexibility, advisor choice and personalization at scale, which aligns with our mission of empowering investor success."

SMArtX's industry leading, cloud-native, API-first managed account technology was previously chosen by Morningstar Investment Management to power their integrated wealth management solution. SMArtX continues to expand their client base across independent broker-dealers, turnkey asset management platforms, asset managers, and other wealthtech providers who find their respective legacy technologies do not operate efficiently in today's modern, fast-moving markets.

About SMArtX Advisory Solutions

SMArtX Advisory Solutions is the next generation managed accounts technology provider and manages SMArtX, a turnkey asset management platform that automates the investment management process and reduces the administrative burden of overseeing client investment portfolios. The firm also licenses its proprietary managed accounts technology to help firms replace legacy technology and powers several investment platforms for RIAs, broker-dealers, and asset managers. Learn more at www.smartxadvisory.com. Follow SMArtX on Twitter and LinkedIn @SMArtXAdvisory.

About Morningstar's Investment Management group

Morningstar's Investment Management group is a leading provider of discretionary investment management and advisory services. Guided by seven investment principles, the group is committed to focusing on its mission to design portfolios that help investors reach their financial goals. The group's global investment management team works as one to apply a disciplined investment process to its strategies and portfolios, bringing together core capabilities in asset allocation, investment selection, and portfolio construction. This robust process integrates proprietary research and leading investment techniques. As of June 30, 2021, Morningstar's Investment Management group was responsible for approximately $251 billion* in assets under advisement and management across North America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.

In addition to advisory services, the group's investment professionals build and manage model portfolios for financial advisors in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and India to create strategies that incorporate a wide variety of investment objectives.

*Includes assets under management and advisement for Morningstar Investment Management LLC, Morningstar Investment Services LLC, Morningstar Investment Management Europe Ltd., Morningstar Investment Management Australia Ltd., Ibbotson Associates Japan, Inc., Morningstar Investment Management South Africa (PTY) LTD, and Morningstar Associates Inc. all of which are subsidiaries of Morningstar, Inc. Advisory services listed are provided by one or more of these entities, which are authorized in the appropriate jurisdiction to provide such services.

SOURCE SMArtX Advisory Solutions
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Social Native , a leading global marketplace providing scalable content solutions for businesses, joins Google as one of four Premier Presenting Partners for Social Media Week North America 2022 (#SMW) taking place in New York May 9-11. Adweek's agenda shows Social Native will head discussion on social commerce, as the event's only end-to-end creator and UGC technology platform.

The company's notable presence at #SMW and the Creator Visionary Awards , coincides with its investment and mission to democratize the $100 billion creator economy. Creators are disrupting traditional branded content ads and elevating brand engagement through authentic storytelling. With 85% of consumers finding UGC more influential than brand-created content, traditional marketing agencies and paid ads alone will no longer be enough to captivate new audiences and capture Gen Z's rising buying power. In this new "era of the creator", brands are seeking scalable solutions to embrace creators and influencers to stay competitive and access the full-funnel value of social commerce, which is set to become a $1.2 trillion channel by 2025.

"Social Native's tech stack empowers brands to harness the authentic power of the creator economy. Together our partners are reinventing the next generation of branded content," says David Shapour, founder & CEO of Social Native.

Social Native set to unveil latest UGC solution at event: TikTok-optimized Shoppable Video Galleries

Consumers who end up on an e-commerce site through a user-generated video are 2X as likely to purchase and spend 45% more. That said, brands' biggest e-commerce challenge is fragmentationleaving substantial revenue on the table.

Social Native brings the persuasive power of social media to e-commerce, delivering a new e-commerce experience for brands and their customers. Building on the success of its existing shoppable galleries , utilized by top brands like IKEA and H&M, the tech platform will soon release a video optimized, no-code version to help brands leverage organic short-form video at scale.

The interactive shoppable video galleries feature a 9:16 vertical layout for seamless integration on e-commerce category and product pageseffectively shortening the sales funnel for a built-in social shopping experience.

The company plans to demo the breakthrough solution for brands attending the 3-day social media event in New York.

Media Contact

[email protected]

Investor Relations

[email protected]

About Social Native

Social Native is the leading global marketplace connecting brands to the creator economy - generating an unparalleled selection of branded content. Thousands of global brands like Adidas, Estee Lauder and Airbnb use Social Native to optimize ever-growing content demands across e-commerce and digital media.

Social Native is on a mission to grow and empower creator economies by building scalable content solutions.

SOURCE Social Native
DENVER, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sola Salons , the world's largest and fastest growing salon studios franchise, is pleased to announce the appointments of Liz Hartwell as Vice President of Operations and Rachel Vaughn as Vice President of Marketing. The new additions to the Sola executive team come on the heels of the tremendous success the brand achieved in 2021 where it opened 53 new locations, eclipsed 600 units systemwide and welcomed more than 6,900 beauty professionals to its community of independent salon owners.

"We are thrilled to have Liz and Rachel join our growing team," said Christina Russell, CEO of Sola Salons. "They are exemplary leaders, each possessing a wealth of experience in our industry and beyond and will undoubtedly make invaluable contributions to our rapidly-growing franchise system."

Liz Hartwell was brought up in franchising with her parents operating multiple Massage Envy franchises throughout Ohio. She began her career path managing three of her parents' locations during college where she learned the dedication and ambition it takes to run a franchise business. She pivoted to the food industry in 2015, spending three years with the Wendy's Company before being named as the director of franchise operations for Amazing Lash Studio. During her tenure, Hartwell worked directly with franchisees to create strategy and action planning to impact top-line revenue and bottom-line profit, upheld brand standards, and ensured operational excellence.

As Vice President of Operations at Sola Salons, Hartwell will plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee operations activities for the brand, ensuring development and implementation of efficient operations and cost-effective systems to meet current and future needs of the organization.

Rachel Vaughn brings over 15 years of marketing experience to Sola Salons. She spent 10 years at a traditional marketing agency where she built holistic marketing programs for large national consumer packaged goods and consumer brands such as Kraft Foods, Einstein's Bros. Bagels and PepsiCo. From there, she moved into the fast casual food industry and served as the director of marketing for Smashburger, Live Basil Pizza and Tom's Urban (now Tom's Watch Bar) where she fell in love with the franchise model. Finally, she found her niche in beauty and wellness franchising, serving as the director of marketing for Floyd's Barbershop before moving on to WellBiz Brands where she was the vice president of marketing for leading franchise concepts Amazing Lash Studio, Drybar, Elements Massage and more. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Vaughn has a deep appreciation for the successes and challenges faced by independent business owners, making her an invaluable asset to both Sola's franchisee network and community of beauty professionals.

In her new role as Vice President of Marketing, Vaughn will manage Sola's marketing efforts top-to-bottom, including the brand's digital presence, the Sola Blog, social media strategy, traditional and nontraditional marketing campaigns, media relations and innovative programs.

To learn more about Sola Salons visit www.solasalons.com or follow Sola Salons on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn for more information along with the latest news and trends.

ABOUT SOLA SALONS

In 2004, Sola Salons was established with the opening of its first location in Denver, Colorado. Now with more than 600 locations open in the U.S., Canada and Brazil, Sola is proud to offer 18,000+ independent beauty professionals the freedom and benefits of salon ownership without the risk and overhead of opening a traditional salon. Its innovative salon model empowers hairdressers, estheticians, nail techs, massage therapists and other like-minded professionals to take control of their lives and their careers. Sola provides beauty professionals with beautiful, fully equipped salon studios alongside the support and tools they need to launch their salon business in no time. For more information, please visit www.solasalons.com .

Contact:

Christina Rodriguez

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Sola Salons
Great American Hospitality, LLC. Implements DailyPay Benefits at its SONIC Drive-In Restaurants to Gain Competitive Edge on Hiring and Retention

NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Great American Hospitality, LLC, a SONIC licensee, has partnered with DailyPay to provide on-demand pay to its employees. Through this partnership, hundreds of SONIC employees can now access their pay immediately after completing a shift, providing financial flexibility. With the power of choice and control over their earned pay, employees can pay bills, spend, save, or invest on their own schedule, not on an arbitrary payday schedule.

"This is a great and needed benefit for our employees. It gives our employees flexibility to access their pay when and where they need it," said E. Rhett Smith, Managing Partner of Great American Hospitality, LLC. "We hope that with DailyPay we can ease a little of the burden that people feel making ends meet financially. We try and support our employees any way we can and we feel DailyPay is one more way we can support them."

This partnership comes at a critical time as quick-service restaurant (QSR) employers struggle to find talent amid the ongoing talent shortage sweeping the nation. According to DailyPay research , employers who offer DailyPay can fill open positions 2X faster than those who do not offer a daily pay benefit.

Great American Hospitality operates over 20 SONIC Drive-In locations across North Carolina and South Carolina. They are among the latest QSR employers to implement daily pay benefits for their hourly employees. Since launching earlier this month, 23% of Great American Hospitality's SONIC employees have enrolled in DailyPay.

About DailyPay

DailyPay, Inc., powered by its industry-leading technology platform, is on a mission to build a new financial system. Partnering with America's best-in-class employers, including Dollar Tree, Berkshire Hathaway, and Adecco. DailyPay is the recognized gold standard in on-demand pay. Through its massive data network, proprietary funding model, and connections into over 6,000 endpoints in the banking system, DailyPay works to ensure that money is always in the right place at the right time for employers, merchants, and financial institutions. DailyPay is building technology and the mindset to reimagine the way money moves, from the moment work starts. DailyPay is headquartered in New York City, with operations based in Minneapolis. For more information, visit www.dailypay.com/press.

Media Contacts

David Schwarz

Email: [email protected]

Adriana Ball

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE DailyPay
Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Stationary Lead-Acid (SLA) Battery Market Analysis Report by End-user (Telecom, UPS, and Others) and Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East, and Africa, and South America), and the Segment Forecasts,2022-2026". Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders. Track key industry opportunities, trends, and threats. Information on marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales, and supply functions. https://www.technavio.com/report/report/stationary-lead-acid-sla-battery-market-industry-analysis

Stationary Lead-Acid (SLA) Battery: Drivers, Trends & Challenges

The stationary lead-acid (SLA) Battery market is driven by the increased investment in green telecom. In addition, the development of advanced lead-acid batteries is anticipated to boost the growth of the Stationary Lead-Acid (SLA) Battery Market. However, factors such as shortfalls of lead-acid batteries may impede the market growth. The holistic analysis of the drivers, trends & challenges will help in deducing end goals and refining marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge.

For additional information on market dynamics - Download a sample report now!

Some of the key Stationary Lead-Acid (SLA) Battery Players with offerings:

The stationary lead-acid (SLA) Battery market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. The stationary lead-acid (SLA) battery market forecast report offers in-depth insights into key vendor profiles. The profiles include information on the production, sustainability, and prospects of the leading companies.

hoppecke.com - The company offers stationary lead-acid batteries that have a special feature which is the pocketing of the negative plates this protects the active mass and effectively prevents short circuits, which ensures maximum reliability

The company offers stationary lead-acid batteries that have a special feature which is the pocketing of the negative plates this protects the active mass and effectively prevents short circuits, which ensures maximum reliability Amara Raja Batteries Ltd. - The company offers stationary lead-acid batteries to aftermarket and top original equipment manufacturers.

The company offers stationary lead-acid batteries to aftermarket and top original equipment manufacturers. C and D Technologies Inc. - The company offers stationary lead-acid batteries that are sealed and emit no gas during normal operation, they contain potentially explosive gases, which may be released under abnormal operating conditions.

The company offers stationary lead-acid batteries that are sealed and emit no gas during normal operation, they contain potentially explosive gases, which may be released under abnormal operating conditions. EnerSys - The company offers stationary lead-acid batteries that deliver long life, high energy density, and superior shelf life for a wide range of wireless and fixed-line communication applications.

The company offers stationary lead-acid batteries that deliver long life, high energy density, and superior shelf life for a wide range of wireless and fixed-line communication applications. Exide Industries Ltd. - The company offers stationary lead-acid batteries that are designed for Home UPS to ensure the availability of uninterrupted and regulated power during mains failure or dip in input voltage.

The company offers stationary lead-acid batteries that are designed for Home UPS to ensure the availability of uninterrupted and regulated power during mains failure or dip in input voltage. To know about the offerings of all major vendors - Download a sample report now!

Stationary Lead-Acid (SLA) Battery Market - Segmentation Analysis

End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2021-2026)

Telecom - size and forecast 2021-2026

UPS - size and forecast 2021-2026

Others - size and forecast 2021-2026

Geography Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2021-2026)

APAC - size and forecast 2021-2026

Europe - size and forecast 2021-2026

- size and forecast 2021-2026 North America - size and forecast 2021-2026

- size and forecast 2021-2026 Middle East and Africa - size and forecast 2021-2026

and - size and forecast 2021-2026 South America - size and forecast 2021-2026

To know about the contribution of each segment - Grab an exclusive Report

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Stationary Lead-Acid (SLA) Battery Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.88% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 4.46 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 8.38 Performing market contribution APAC at 58% Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Accumulatorenwerke HOPPECKE Carl Zoellner and Sohn GmbH, Amara Raja Batteries Ltd., C and D Technologies Inc., Clarios, Coslight International Group, Crown Micro, East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc., EnerSys, Exide Industries Ltd., GS Yuasa Corp., Hankook and Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Leoch International Technology Ltd., MIDAC SpA, Zhejiang Narada Power Source Co. Ltd., Panasonic Corp., Rolls Battery, SEBANG GLOBAL BATTERY Co. Ltd., Shandong Sacred Sun Power Sources Co. Ltd., and Tianneng Battery 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 Content

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by End-user

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

5.3 Telecom - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Telecom - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Telecom - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Telecom - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Telecom - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 UPS - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on UPS - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on UPS - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on UPS - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on UPS - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 36: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 40: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 41: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 42: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 44: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 46: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 51: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 53: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 63: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 64: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 65: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 70: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 72: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 86: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 87: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 88: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 89: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 90: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 91: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 92: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Accumulatorenwerke HOPPECKE Carl Zoellner and Sohn GmbH

Exhibit 93: Accumulatorenwerke HOPPECKE Carl Zoellner and Sohn GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 94: Accumulatorenwerke HOPPECKE Carl Zoellner and Sohn GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 95: Accumulatorenwerke HOPPECKE Carl Zoellner and Sohn GmbH - Key offerings

10.4 Amara Raja Batteries Ltd.

Exhibit 96: Amara Raja Batteries Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 97: Amara Raja Batteries Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 98: Amara Raja Batteries Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 99: Amara Raja Batteries Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 100: Amara Raja Batteries Ltd. - Segment focus

10.5 C and D Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 101: C and D Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 102: C and D Technologies Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 103: C and D Technologies Inc. - Key offerings

10.6 Clarios

Exhibit 104: Clarios - Overview



Exhibit 105: Clarios - Product / Service



Exhibit 106: Clarios - Key offerings

10.7 Coslight International Group

Exhibit 107: Coslight International Group - Overview



Exhibit 108: Coslight International Group - Product / Service



Exhibit 109: Coslight International Group - Key offerings

10.8 Crown Micro

Exhibit 110: Crown Micro - Overview



Exhibit 111: Crown Micro - Product / Service



Exhibit 112: Crown Micro - Key offerings

10.9 East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc.

Exhibit 113: East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 114: East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 115: East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 116: East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc. - Key offerings

10.10 EnerSys

Exhibit 117: EnerSys - Overview



Exhibit 118: EnerSys - Business segments



Exhibit 119: EnerSys - Key news



Exhibit 120: EnerSys - Key offerings



Exhibit 121: EnerSys - Segment focus

10.11 Exide Industries Ltd.

Exhibit 122: Exide Industries Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 123: Exide Industries Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 124: Exide Industries Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 125: Exide Industries Ltd. - Segment focus

10.12 GS Yuasa Corp.

Exhibit 126: GS Yuasa Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 127: GS Yuasa Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 128: GS Yuasa Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 129: GS Yuasa Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 130: GS Yuasa Corp. - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 131: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 132: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 133: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 134: Research methodology



Exhibit 135: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 136: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 137: List of abbreviations

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Complementary product and technology offering at Carmanah expands the platform's offering into "away from intersection" pedestrian and traffic safety solutions.

LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vance Street Capital ("Vance Street"), a Los Angeles based private equity firm, today announced it has acquired Carmanah Technologies Corp ("Carmanah" or the "Company"), a leader in "away from intersection" solar LED pedestrian and traffic safety technology. Carmanah, along with Polara Enterprises ("Polara"), which Vance Street partnered with in December 2021, will together form Vance Street's traffic and pedestrian safety ITS platform. Vance Street plans to invest in both Carmanah and Polara's organic product development initiatives as well as complementary M&A in an effort to further support Vision Zero's movement to eliminate traffic-related fatalities by providing a holistic product and technology solution to municipalities and DoTs.

Carmanah acquired by Vance Street to form ITS platform with Polara

Based in Victoria, BC, Carmanah is a leading designer and manufacturer of compliant solar and AC powered systems for pedestrian and traffic safety across North America. Since 1999, Carmanah has been developing innovative, MUTCD-compliant "away from the intersection" safety solutions that offer cost savings while ensuring environmental sensitivities. The Company designs systems for a variety of applications including mid-block crosswalks, school zones, traffic-calming and general hazard marking.

"Polara is pleased to see Vance Street Capital adding another "Best in Class" company to their Traffic Platform," said John McGaffey, President of Polara. "For the past 10+ years Polara has enjoyed a strong vendor relationship with Carmanah, and now looks forward to working more closely with Carmanah in providing the best pedestrian safety and ITS solutions that will help achieve the goals of Vision Zero."

"This is an exciting day for Carmanah as we enter a new chapter," said Geoff Wilcox, President & CEO of Carmanah. "Vance Street's commitment to developing a traffic and pedestrian safety ITS platform aligns with our confidence in the growth of the pedestrian and driver safety market. It kickstarts a new and exciting phase for us that will propel greater opportunities and development of our critical safety products."

"We are excited to be partnering with the Carmanah team to support their next phase of growth in pedestrian and traffic safety," said Steve Sandbo, Partner at Vance Street. "The formation of this platform with Polara and Carmanah is a great example of Vance Street's strategy of supporting best-in-class management teams through investment to accelerate their technology and product innovation to provide best in class solution offerings for critical safety applications."

Harris Williams and Paul Hastings LLP acted as financial and legal advisors to Vance Street Capital and Polara. Fort Capital Partners served as financial advisor to Carmanah while Borden Ladner Gervais LLP served as legal advisor. Debt financing for the transaction was provided by Barings' Global Private Credit. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Vance Street Capital LLC

Vance Street Capital is a middle-market private equity firm focused on investing in highly engineered solutions businesses across the industrial technology, medical, life science, aerospace and defense sectors. For over two decades, Vance Street's partners have worked with management teams and family owners to accelerate revenue growth, improve operations and acquire strategic assets for the companies in their investment portfolio. For more information please visit: www.vancestreetcapital.com .

CONTACT:

Brian Martin

Managing Partner

[email protected]

Steve Sandbo

Partner

[email protected]

SOURCE Vance Street Capital
Family-Owned Employee Benefits Consulting Firm Shares Milestone Growth

PHOENIX, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Employee benefits consulting firm Strunk Insurance Group is celebrating its 40 year anniversary this summer. The Phoenix-based multi-generational, family-owned business has nearly doubled in size and revenue over the past few years and continues to grow throughout Arizona and across the country.

Casey Strunk, President of Strunk Insurance Group Strunk Insurance Group in Phoenix celebrates 40 years anniversary

"We have spent the last 40 years building a brand that we are very proud of," says President Casey Strunk. "It means a lot to us to have our last name on the front door. We do not take lightly the responsibility of carrying on a legacy that my father built and we go to work every day in an effort to better ourselves as an organization and find new ways to better serve our clients."

Phoenix native Casey Strunk and his wife Teresa purchased Strunk Insurance Group in 2018 from his father Greg Strunk who founded it in 1982. The award-winning employee benefits consulting firm offers corporate benefit services and human resources for small to large businesses throughout the country. Strunk provides the capacity and expertise of a national employee benefits agency with the one-on-one attention of a boutique firm. In addition, they offer technology, payroll and HR consulting and a multiple employer 401K plan which was launched in 2014.

Over the last 10 years, the family run business has doubled in size and more recently increased revenue by 42 percent. Strunk Insurance services approximately 225 clients which is up from 150 clients ten years ago. Strunk credits its success to providing unrivaled expertise and being a single-source partner for its customers.

"Our goal is to make employee benefits and human resources something you don't dread," says Casey Strunk. "We may have grown a lot since we started, but our commitment to our clients has never wavered. We're passionate about building long-lasting relationships with every client. Because we believe employee benefits advisors should serve their clients all year round  not just during renewal season."

Strunk Insurance Group works with organizations with 25 to 500 employees. When they are not serving their clients, they are serving their community. Strunk says they are philanthropists at heart and get to help others in every facet of their lives.

For more information on Strunk Insurance Group and its services, visit https://strunkgroup.com. Strunk is located at 14425 North 7th Street, Suite 102 in Phoenix.

About Strunk Insurance Group:

Founded in 1982, Strunk Insurance Group is the leading employee benefits and human resources consulting firm servicing clients across Arizona and the Southwest. The family-owned and operated business started in Phoenix and works with organizations with 25 to 500 employees. For more information on Strunk and its award-winning services, visit https://strunkgroup.com.

Media contact:

Robyn Patterson

[email protected]

480-269-0140

SOURCE Strunk Insurance Group
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Event Leadership Institute provides progressive online education, training and professional development programs for event & meeting industry professionals. ELI will be hosting a series of webinars hosted on Webex Events .

With the recent partnership announced with Webex Events, SyncWords takes on an active role in captioning for educational webinars, beginning with ELI's "Data & Analytics: What, Why & How to Measure Event Performance" happening on May 6, 2022.

SyncWords Cost-effective Live Translations vs. Quality

Extending SyncWords' Captioning Capabilities to Educational Webinars

For this event, SyncWords will be providing closed captioning and subtitling in English, French and Spanish.

In this video , Gio Galvez, SyncWords' VP of Business Development, tackles how to provide cost-effective live translations and dives into how we ensure the high accuracy of translations making live and hybrid events more accessible and inclusive. He explains the advantages of integrating SyncWords with streaming platforms and highlights the value of virtual events for international teams.

This video, captioned in English, has subtitles in several languages, including Spanish, French, Greek, Ukrainian, Chinese and Japanese, to name a few, made possible by SyncWords and its innovative, world-class captioning technologies.

More details about the ELI event

From the ELI event page : "Data (and corresponding actionable insights) make it possible for you, as the event professional, to gain buy-in from your stakeholders to continue the program, increase the event budget, hire more resources, and effectively secure your seat at the table as a strategic advisor.

Join our next webinar to learn insights from our panel on what metrics matter today, how to make a plan to capture data, and most importantly, how to turn that data into actionable insights that resonate with stakeholders and clients."

Sync with SyncWords at the Webinar

SyncWords is proud to be the captioning and subtitling partner for ELI's webinar on Data & Analytics, coming up on May 6, 2022. You can register for the live webinar here . SyncWords will have a virtual booth at the event, where the team will be available to answer any questions you may have about the world of captioning and live subtitling.

About SyncWords

Since 2000, SyncWords has been the trusted leader in closed captioning and translations for virtual events and meetings providing a comprehensive platform and services for both Live and Pre-Recorded delivery of captions and subtitles in over 100 languages. With integrations on Zoom , Webex Events , Hopin , PheedLoop , Hubilo and many more platforms, SyncWords is captioning and translating thousands of virtual events and broadcasts worldwide. Further, SyncWords' caption automation technology powers thousands of hours of captions and subtitles for broadcasters, OTT platforms and educational institutions worldwide.

About Event Leadership Institute

The Event Leadership Institute's core aim is to lead the growth and advancement of the events industry by facilitating thought leadership and being a trusted source of resources and education for event professionals at any stage of their career. With an extensive on-demand video class library (over 180 videos available and growing), as well as instructor-led professional development courses, group training, webinars and more, ELI strives to advance the industry by creating learning opportunities for industry professionals.

Media Contact:

Giovanni Galvez

+1 202-823-1696

[email protected]

SOURCE SyncWords
CINCINNATI, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tensure, a leading technology consulting rm today announced that it has achieved the Application Development Partner Specialization in Google Cloud Partner Advantage program. By earning this specialization, Tensure has proven its expertise and success in building customer solutions in the Application Development eld using Google Cloud technology.

The Google Cloud Partner Advantage program is designed to provide Google Cloud customers with qualied partners that have demonstrated technical prociency and proven success in specialized solutions and service areas.

Tensure, a Google Cloud Partner, achieved the Partner Specialization in Application Development by demonstrating deep knowledge and capabilities of Google Cloud infrastructure solutions architecture and development. Google Cloud products included in this specialization include Anthos, Apigee, App Engine, Cloud Build, Cloud CDN, Cloud Datastore, Cloud Endpoints, Cloud Functions, Cloud IAM, Cloud Pub/Sub, Cloud Spanner, Cloud SQL, Cloud Storage, Cloud Run, Cloud Scheduler, Cloud Source Repositories, Cloud Tasks, Compute Engine, Container Builder, Container Registry, Firebase, Kubernetes Engine, and Stackdriver (Cloud Operations Suite).

"This specialization provides our current and future customers with condence in our abilities to deliver quality work and successful cloud development projects (see here for examples)," said Dan Piening, Global Partner Manager. "Our team's hard work and dedication is evident in this achievement!"

About Tensure Consulting

Tensure is a technology consulting rm focused on Cloud, commerce, and Build-as-a-Service. Tensure's mission is to "create freedom": freedom to be who you are at work, freedom to pursue a career as a technologist, and freedom from the constraints that keep good products from becoming great ones.

To learn more about us, visit www.tensure.io or follow us @tensureio. For more information, contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Tensure Consulting
TONAWANDA, N.Y., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The battles in America are now being played out on the battlegrounds of our schools. Pushing Boundaries Consulting, LLC has provided their collective expertise including 13 authors and scholars in education in their newly released book entitled, Educational REHAB: An Unprecedented Opportunity to Restore K-12 Public Education. They aren't afraid to tackle the most controversial topics in education that are creating a divided and emotionally charged America. From leadership adversity in their first co-authored book, Escaping the School Leader's Dunk Tank to their latest release entitled, 100 No-Nonsense Things that ALL Teachers Should STOP Doing, Pushing Boundaries Co-Founders, Rebecca Coda & Dr. Rick Jetter, have the courage to shed light on status quo topics that many other organizations will not touch. Without a doubt, K-12 public education has been in crisis since the onset of the pandemic which has led to a systemic societal ripple effect of many other crises. Look at just a few of the most recent headlines as they pertain to the emergencies happening within our K-12 public education system right now:

Pushing Boundaries Consulting, LLC Educational REHAB: An Unprecedented Opportunity to Restore K-12 Public Education

"Middle school principal dies by suicide on Southern California campus, officials say."

-NBC News, March 14, 2022

"We have become medical directors, rather than instructional leaders."

-School Administrators Association of New York State, Annual Survey, March 10, 2022

"Video: Substitute Teacher Left Bloody After Chair-Throwing Fight with Middle Schoolers."

-Resist the Mainstream, March 11, 2022

"U.S. schools failing in fight against youth mental health crisis, new report card finds."

-USA Today, February 16, 2022

Any one of these headlines sound the alarm of concern for our educational institutions. We cannot afford to lose more teachers to the profession, more administrators to death, more students to mental illness and suicide, or more community members thrusted into an unprepared workforce after high school graduation. The U.S. Department of Education authorized $122 billion dollars to support an effort of rescue; yet, we are far worse off because rehabilitative efforts need to be spearheaded by local communities in conjunction with school staff. K-12 public education cannot be reformed with just money and without a community approach that values divergent contributions which is what Educational REHAB recommends.

An inside look on what has always worked in teaching and learning, questions we all need to ask, and practices or policies that no longer work, the authors conclude their book with a remarkable Call to Action which will engage communities to become involved in the grass roots rebuilding of our system.

The authors contend that schools CAN become thriving, safe, and risk-taking institutions of learningwhich will ultimately produce the world's happiest and brightest members of society. Progress is made when everybody does something in the name of Educational REHAB during this unprecedented opportunity of reform which affects us all.

"We are at the doorstep of a new chapter in American Education and must use this moment as a reset opportunity. We need ALL hands, on deck, to level up our system. We must involve teachers, school leaders, families, students, and entire communities. It's not going to be easy. It's not meant to be easy. I want you all to work together."

-Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education, ASCD Annual Conference, March 2022

More information and video book trailers can be found on www.pushboundconsulting.com. Educational REHAB has been released for purchase on Amazon and other major retailers. Bulk sales can be ordered through [email protected].

Contacts:

Rebecca Coda

480.221.8306

Dr. Rick Jetter

716.860.0380

www.pushboundconsulting.com,

[email protected]

SOURCE Pushing Boundaries Consulting, LLC
The annual conference will feature the best in employee perks and benefits and journey into the future with a virtual reality experience for attendees.

CHICAGO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PERKS , the employee experience company, announced today the agenda and event highlights of PERKSCon in Chicago, which will be held on May 11, 2022, at Revel Motor Row.

"This year, we're pulling out all of the stopsfrom our signature champagne toast to a full metaverse experience. Every year, we help HR professionals discover the best, most innovative benefits and services for remote, hybrid, and in-person teams," said PERKS founder and CEO Alexa Baggio. "We just had two great events in Boston and New York with over 1100 attendees and now we're super excited for PERKSCon Chicago because Chi-town really knows how to take care of their people and we're bringing them the best solutions for remote, hybrid, and in-person teams. HR and people ops pros of all levels will be able to shop for benefits, connect with their peers, and check out fun experiences like the world's first HR metaverse game 'HR Nightmare.' Come discover what's possible for the future of your team!"

PERKSCon is also introducing its own NFT "golden tickets" this year, where 20 randomly selected attendees will have their digital event ticket transformed into a valuable NFT offering lifetime attendance to PERKSCon.

The event will host panels with experts in human resources sharing their strategies for the biggest current challenges in the field and PERKS founder Alexa Baggio will record a live episode of the industry-beloved "People Problems" podcast.

Learn more about attending the event or learn more about exhibiting at the event.

About PERKSCon

Started in 2014, PERKSCon is the world's largest employee experience event that gives HR professionals at all levels and from across industries an opportunity to discover the best, most innovative benefits and services for remote, hybrid, and in-person teams. They can grow their careers, earn education credits, and connect with peers in-person. The convention is held in six cities starting in March beginning in Boston and traveling to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Toronto. For more information about attendee and vendor opportunities, visit the PERKSCon site .

Media contact: Jonny Clinkenbeard, [email protected]

SOURCE PERKS Convention LLC
TiDev, Inc. A Bibb County Alabama non-profit software foundation assumes control and future development of the Titanium cross-platform mobile app development software.

CENTREVILLE, Ala., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 7th, 2022, Alabama software nonprofit TiDev was assigned intellectual property trademark rights along with repository control of the open source Titanium framework by publicly traded Arizona corporation Axway.

Titanium, released in 2008, was developed with over $90 million of venture funding. TiDev Board Chair Josh Lambert said he is thrilled the foundation for maintaining Titanium will be based in his hometown of Centreville.

"As a long-time mobile developer here in Central Alabama building apps for iPhone and Android devices, it is a great joy and honor to see my favorite app development technology return to the Southern USA and locate in the community I call home," Lambert said.

The TiDev team has already started the process of merging bug-fixes/improvements into the source code. Lambert said plans are to ship the first community release of Titanium in May 2022.

"The Titanium SDK and related tooling has a long legacy of making app development a clean and streamlined process for both iPhone and Android devices," he said. "We have assembled an international board of directors with a depth of experience in working with the Titanium product and they are committed to ensuring that this software is maintained going forward as the next generation of apps are built on top of it."

Atlanta-founded startup Appcelerator under direction of CEO Jeff Haynie was the original developer for Titanium. Titanium allows a developer to build an app for Android/iOS devices using a single set of JavaScript code. In 2010, Titanium gained support for tablets like Apple's iPad and later for wearables such as the Apple Watch.

Titanium is one of the oldest app frameworks maintained today. In 2013 Business Insider reported 10% of smartphones worldwide were running apps built with Titanium.

In 2016, Appcelerator was acquired by Axway who continued developing Titanium for several years, adding features and improvements to the software.

On Feb. 24, 2021, Axway announced they would no longer maintain the Titanium software . Shortly after Axway's announcement, a working group of long-time Titanium developers Josh Lambert, Jason Kneen, Chris Barber, Sebastian Klaus, Ray Belisle, and Richard Lustemburg, laid plans for a community foundation to maintain Titanium. Shortly thereafter an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) tax-exempt software foundation emerged with a registered business address in Bibb County.

Lambert said plans are to keep Titanium maintained for iOS/Android and adapt the software to other platforms.

"In addition to maintenance of existing code, we're taking a long and hard look at other platforms Titanium could be useful on. As app-driven computers are integrated into more and more places such as smart TVs, VR tech, new wearable devices, and of course  electric vehicles  we see the need for systems like Titanium to grow in the future. If we can find funding to add support for these platforms, you better believe we're going to try to support those too!"

TiDev is currently funded by individual donations and relies on them to maintain the framework. Donations can be made via Github Sponsors or Liberapay.

Github Sponsors: https://github.com/sponsors/tidev

Liberapay: https://liberapay.com/tidev

About TiDev, Inc.

TiDev, Inc exists for the following purposes:

1.) To ensure the Titanium SDK is actively maintained and developed for years to come. This means rapid attention to bugs introduced with new iOS/Android updates, as well as addition of features to the SDK that enable full compatibility with new features added to the iOS and Android mobile operating systems.

2.) To actively grow the Titanium developer community. This means organization of paid and volunteer efforts to make our documentation for the SDK amazing, make the technical process for a new programmer to work with the platform as simple as possible, and to encourage/boost/market programmers doing things such as live-streams demonstrating the capabilities of the platform.

3.) To improve the reputation of the Titanium ecosystem. This means showing corporations and programmers alike that this platform is amazing, actively supported, and can be trusted for building new applications.

4.) To create a trusted channel for getting support around the platform. This means marketing the free support provided via TiSlack and StackOverflow, as well as creating a paid enterprise support channel enabling large corporations to purchase dedicated support for the SDK from our core engineers.

5.) To better communicate what modules built for Titanium are actively supported and can be trusted for development. This means keeping an active list somewhere, perhaps on the TiDev website, of what modules (and forks of modules) are actively maintained and useful. Aka, not abandonware.

PRESS CONTACT

NAME

Josh Lambert

PHONE

205.928.5046

WEBSITE

https://tidev.io

SOURCE TiDev, Inc.
MILTON, ON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - TRAFFIX has hired Scott Goodman to fill a new role in the company, Chief People Officer (CPO). Mr. Goodman will be responsible for maintaining employee satisfaction during explosive corporate expansion.

"We are thrilled to have Scott Goodman join our rapidly growing company. Scott's depth of experience and proven track record align perfectly with TRAFFIX' vision for growth. Having Scott as our CPO will ensure we continue to develop our exceptional team members who create our culture of High-Performance allowing for continued success", says Duane Coghlan, Managing Partner.

Mr. Goodman is tasked with maintaining and developing the people-focused culture that has been engrained in TRAFFIX since its inception in 1979. The company has added 350+ industry experts in the last ten months and now has a workforce exceeding 600 people employed at locations across North America.

"I'm very excited to continue TRAFFIX' tradition of prioritizing the human element in a field where it adds so much customer value", says Scott Goodman. "Other companies chose to develop technology solutions rather than their people. TRAFFIX is doing the opposite. Here we develop technology to support the people we invest in. This approach makes the company attractive to the industry talent we look forward to bringing onboard."

The TRAFFIX executive team created the role of Chief People Officer as part of its mission to become the best employer in the transportation industry. The company depends on its team of experts to manage the pickup and delivery of more than 300,000+ shipments annually.

Prior to his role at TRAFFIX, Mr. Goodman worked for 15 years as a Human Resources executive developing recruitment, team building, and competency programs. A member of the Ontario Bar since 2000, Scott practiced law prior to his entry into the Human Resources field and maintains his expertise in employment law. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University, an LLB from the University of Western Ontario, and an MBA from Royal Roads University.

About TRAFFIX

Founded in 1979, TRAFFIX has grown from a small Canadian freight broker to a leading third-party logistics solutions provider that is soon to exceed $1 billion-in-revenue.

Headquartered in Milton, Ontario, Canada, the company's workforce is comprised of 600+ fully trained people in 21 offices across North America. See www.traffix.com for more details.

SOURCE TRAFFIX
New highway name will recognize Troy McGill as Medal of Honor Recipient

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The stretch of Interstate 40 from Watt Road to the North Carolina state line will be renamed from the "Troy McGill Highway" to the "Troy McGill Medal of Honor Memorial Highway" with the dedication of a new sign on May 10 at 8:30 a.m. at the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial. Tennessee Senator Becky Massey and Medal of Honor Recipients Leroy Petry and Kyle White will be in attendance.

Im honored to have played a small role in letting the world know about a Medal of Honor Recipient right here in our backyard. Troy McGills courage and valor are representative of the Volunteer spirit. We are grateful for his service as we are to all Tennessee veterans and active-duty servicemembers, said Senator Becky Massey.

"I'm honored to have played a small role in letting the world know about a Medal of Honor Recipient right here in our backyard," said Sen. Massey. "Troy McGill's courage and valor are representative of the Volunteer spirit. We are grateful for his service as we are to all Tennessee veterans and active-duty servicemembers."

The new sign, which will recognize McGill as a Medal of Honor Recipient, will be located at the Watt Road exit. The legislation for the sign was sponsored by Sen. Massey.

Knoxville-native Sgt. Troy McGill served in the U.S. Army in World War II with Troop G, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his gallant actions on March 4, 1944 on Los Negros Island, Admiralty Group, where he courageously held his squad's position during an enemy attack and fought in hand-to-hand combat until he was killed. His actions inspired his comrades and served as a decisive factor in the defeat of the enemy. He is buried in the Knoxville National Cemetery.

Other Tennessee highways and bridges honoring Medal of Honor Recipients include the Lt. Alexander "Sandy" Bonnyman Memorial Bridge (Tennessee River at Blount County line), the James E. "Buck" Karnes Bridge (Tennessee River by Alcoa Highway) and the Mitchell Stout Bridge (Tennessee River at Loudon County line).

The rededication is happening in advance of this year's Medal of Honor Celebration, an annual gathering for recipients of the United States' highest military award for valor. September will mark the second time the event has been held in Knoxvillea two-time host city designation. Knoxville last welcomed Recipients in 2014.

"I want to personally thank Sen. Massey for her tireless efforts to make sure everyone traveling on I-40 knows that Troy McGill was a Medal of Honor Recipient," said Joe Thompson, president of the Medal of Honor Celebration Committee.

For more information about the Celebration visit mohknoxville2022.org .

About The Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 to create a brotherhood among the living Medal of Honor recipients; to protect and uphold the dignity and honor of the Medal; to promote patriotism and love of country; and to inspire our youth to become worthy and dedicated citizens of our nation. Its membership consists exclusively of those individuals who have received the Medal of Honor. Today, there are 65 living recipients of the Medal of Honor. The Society is unique in that its membership hopes that there will be no need to welcome new inductees. For more information, visit cmhos.org .

Media Contact:

Laura Mansfield, APR

Tombras

[email protected]

865.599.9968

SOURCE Medal of Honor Celebration Committee
After Years of Reduced In-Person Activity Due to Social Distancing, the U.S. Marketing and Distribution Agency Was Able to Attend the International Cosmetics Events

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna is an event that has operated as a crown jewel of the cosmetic industry for over half a century. 2022 marks the 53rd year of the annual gathering, which took place in the Exhibition Center in Bologna, Italy. Cosmoprof 2022 was rescheduled to its dates of April 28th to May 2nd specifically to facilitate the participation of international companies that wished to attend the in-person event  a group that included representatives from TruLife Distribution.

TruLife Distribution is a U.S.-based company that helps with the marketing and distribution of health and wellness manufacturers from around the globe. Attending Cosmoprof's event in the Exhibition Center in Bologna, Italy was a no-brainer for TruLife Distribution as it seeks to reignite face-to-face meetings with potential brands looking to enter the world's largest marketplace.

The trade show remains one of the premier international events for the cosmetic industry. The massive 3-in-1 fair covers over 2 million square feet and includes three different salons that represent specific distribution channels and sectors of the cosmetics supply chain.

This naturally makes it a crossroads for professionals from all across the industry. That means, along with offering a large selection of high-quality educational resources, Cosmoprof is also an excellent networking event  a factor that TruLife Distribution utilized during its time attending the Exhibition.

"Our team used our time at Cosmoprof to meet in person with potential health and wellness-focused cosmetic brands," says TruLife Distribution CEO and founder Brian Gould, "This was a great opportunity to get back out in person after being physically apart for the past couple of years thanks to the pandemic. Cosmoprof gave us a fresh chance to meet directly with brand manufacturers seeking to expand their business into the United States."

Gould goes on to explain that his company has created a robust network of retail buyers, many of whom have a strong demand for unique, high-quality skincare products from across the world. The TruLife Distribution team is hopeful that its time spent networking at Cosmoprof 2022 will ultimately help them find ambitious new brands that are ready to take the leap into the big leagues of the North American health and wellness cosmetic scene. For those that are prepared, TruLife Distribution's elite team of experienced marketing and distribution professionals will be ready to assist them every step of the way.

About TruLife Distribution: TruLife Distribution is the brainchild of Brian Gould, whose extensive industry knowledge comes from both personal experience and familial expertise stemming from three generations of manufacturing and retail distribution professionals. His company has a robust brick-and-mortar distribution network, is run by a team of veteran professionals, and offers a full-service experience that includes sales, marketing, and distribution. Learn more about TruLife Distribution at trulifedist.com .

Contact:

Danielle Krause

[email protected]

954-414-0380

SOURCE TruLife Distribution
BALTIMORE, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --The Urology Care Foundation, the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation and official foundation of the American Urological Association, is pleased to announce the 2022 Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grant recipients. As one of the world's largest urology-specific humanitarian-focused grant programs, the Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grant supports the efforts of individuals and projects providing direct urologic patient care to people and communities in underserved areas, either within the United States or abroad.

Congratulations to this year's grant recipients:

Victoria Y. Bird , MD  Dr. Bird works with the University of Florida's Equal Access Clinic Network (EACN) in Gainesville, Fla. As a Spanish-speaking urologist, Dr. Bird has formed a niche within EACN, seeing patients with urologic concerns.

 Dr. Bird works with the Equal Access Clinic Network (EACN) in As a Spanish-speaking urologist, Dr. Bird has formed a niche within EACN, seeing patients with urologic concerns. Stephanie J. Kielb , MD  Dr. Kielb, of Northwestern University , works with the International Organization for Women & Development (IOWD). In concert with the Rwandan Ministry of Health, IOWD conducts three missions per year to treat patients who have little or no access to fistula surgery and who cannot afford to travel to other fistula centers.

 Dr. Kielb, of , works with the International Organization for Women & Development (IOWD). In concert with the Rwandan Ministry of Health, IOWD conducts three missions per year to treat patients who have little or no access to fistula surgery and who cannot afford to travel to other fistula centers. Ian S. Metzler , MD  Dr. Metzler, of Oregon Health & Science University, works with IVUmed to coordinate projects in Trinidad & Tobago incorporating surgical simulation into surgical workshops to allow for a greater breadth of skills to be taught to more trainees at every level.

 Dr. Metzler, of Oregon Health & Science University, works with IVUmed to coordinate projects in incorporating surgical simulation into surgical workshops to allow for a greater breadth of skills to be taught to more trainees at every level. Timothy Schuster , MD, FACS  Dr. Schuster, from the Toledo Hospital, works with Global Surgical Expedition to bring urological surgical care to patients in Belize where the majority of citizens do not have access to private insurance and the public health system is poorly funded with limited urologic care.

 Dr. Schuster, from the Toledo Hospital, works with Global Surgical Expedition to bring urological surgical care to patients in where the majority of citizens do not have access to private insurance and the public health system is poorly funded with limited urologic care. Amar Singh , MD, FACS  Dr. Singh, of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, works with IVUmed in India providing basic urological care to one of the most underserved, poor, rural communities in the state, while also focusing on clinical education for the surgeons and their teams.

 Dr. Singh, of the College of Medicine Chattanooga, works with IVUmed in providing basic urological care to one of the most underserved, poor, rural communities in the state, while also focusing on clinical education for the surgeons and their teams. Alan J. Yaghoubian , MD  Dr. Yaghoubian, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , will work with the Jeev Sewa Santhan organization, traveling to rural hospitals in the Indian state of Gujarat, to perform endoscopic procedures for kidney stones.

 Dr. Yaghoubian, from the Icahn School of Medicine at , will work with the Jeev Sewa Santhan organization, traveling to rural hospitals in the Indian state of Gujarat, to perform endoscopic procedures for kidney stones. Kit Yuen , MD  Dr. Yuen works with the University of Rochester and the St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center, which for more than a decade has served a predominantly minority neighborhood in the heart of Rochester, N.Y.

"We can all be so proud of the many fine applications received for these grants and the fact that we have been able to increase the opportunities for these humanitarians," said Harris M. Nagler, MD, president of the Urology Care Foundation. "Each of the recipients reflect the spirit of true humanitarianism, as they give themselves without expectation of remuneration and provide services to those who are in need and underserved. We are so pleased to be able to support the work of those selected."

Grants were made possible through funds from the American Urological Association Humanitarian Endowment, the Amerson Family Humanitarian Endowment, the Richard J. Fox Foundation Humanitarian Endowment, the Nathirmal N. Lalchandani Humanitarian Endowment, the Endourological Society Raju and Ginny Thomas Humanitarian Endowment, the Indian American Urological Association Humanitarian Endowment and from an Exelixis grant.

Learn more about the Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grant Program and the work of the 2022 grant recipients.

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.

About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 23,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health care policy.

Contact: Caitlin Lukacs

410-689-4081

[email protected]

SOURCE Urology Care Foundation
New stamps salute the centennial of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz (19222000) whose "Peanuts" characters are some of the best known and most beloved in all of American culture. For five decades, Schulz alone wrote and drew nearly 18,000 strips, the last one published the day after he died. Each character reflects Schulz's rich imagination and great humanity. His resonant stories found humor in life's painful realities including rejection, insecurity and unrequited love.

In a celebratory mode, characters from "Peanuts" adorn 10 designs on this pane of 20 stamps and form a frame around a 1987 photograph of Schulz.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps from Schulz's artwork and an existing photograph by Douglas Kirkland.

James Webb Space Telescope

Celebrate NASA's remarkable James Webb Space Telescope, the largest and most complex telescope ever deployed in spacecapable of peering directly into the early cosmos and studying every phase of cosmic history. Launched on Dec. 25, 2021, Webb now orbits the Sun about a million miles away from Earth.

The image on the stamp is an artist's digitally created depiction of the telescope against a dazzling starscape. The selvage photograph of a star and distant space was taken by Webb early in its mission, brilliantly confirming the perfect alignment of the telescope's 18 mirror segments.

Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp using existing art by James Vaughan and an image provided by NASA/Space Telescope Science Institute.

Snowy Beauty

These stamps celebrate the warmth and cheer that flowers and berries bring to our natural landscapes, even after a surprise snow.

In these hand-sketched and painted designs, the artist uses light, shadow and luminous color to evoke the beauty of 10 species: camellia, winter aconite, crocus, hellebore, winterberry, pansy, plum blossom, grape hyacinth, daffodil and ranunculus.

Derry Noyes designed the stamps with original oil paintings by Gregory Manchess.

The Snowy Beauty stamps will be released in Guilford, IN, without a first-day-of-issue ceremony this fall.

Hanukkah

The Postal Service continues its tradition of celebrating the joyous Jewish holiday of Hanukkah with a stamp design that features an original wall-hanging.

The fiber art was hand-dyed, appliqued and quilted to form a colorful abstract image of a hanukiah, the nine-branch candelabra used only at Hanukkah.

Jeanette Kuvin Oren was the stamp designer and artist. Ethel Kessler was the art director.

Virgin and Child

This Christmas stamp features Virgin and Child, an oil-on-panel painting from the first half of the 16th century by a Florentine artist known as the Master of the Scandicci Lamentation.

Depicting the tenderness of a mother and child, interpretations of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child take innumerable forms in the Christian art of the Italian Renaissance. Imbued with a sense of dignity and grace, this stamp offers a traditional touch for cards and letters in a season of celebration, reflection and family. This painting is in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp.

Kwanzaa

This year the Postal Service issues its ninth stamp in celebration of Kwanzaa, a holiday with origins in ancient and modern first-harvest festivities from across the African continent. Kwanzaa incorporates and reimagines many communal traditions as a contemporary celebration and reaffirmation of African American culture.

The stamp design depicts a girl and a boy dressed in robes akin to spiritual garments, with a kinara (candleholder) and seven lit candles (mishumaa saba) in front of them. The kinara is the focal point around which friends and family gather and place meaningful objects.

Art director Antonio Alcala designed the stamp with original artwork by Erin Robinson.

Holiday Elves

The Postal Service evokes the holiday spirit with four new se-tenant stamps featuring a colorful digital illustration of elves preparing toys on a winding conveyor belt in a snow-laden forest.

Like many beloved Christmas traditionsincluding Santa Claus himselfelves did not become a well-established part of the holidays in America until the 19th century. In the 20th century, as elves became firmly rooted in American Christmas lore, they eventually took center stage in beloved holiday television specials, films and books.

Don Clark was the artist and stamp designer. Antonio Alcala was the art director.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1ounce price.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Please Note: For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

Contact: James McKean

(C) 202-258-6586

[email protected]

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AMPEL BioSolutions today announces a breakthrough in precision and personalized medicine that could revolutionize the way doctors treat inflammatory skin diseases, such as Lupus, Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis and Scleroderma. Revealed in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advance s, the paper details AMPEL's breakthrough machine learning approach to characterize disease activity from gene expression data obtained from patient skin biopsies. The lab test, only a concept for the last few years, is now ready for development for practical use. AMPEL's initial focus was Lupus, but the test can be used for many autoimmune or inflammatory skin diseases that affect more than 35 million Americans.

AMPEL's innovative machine learning approach, which is now ready to be developed as a decision support biomarker test, could greatly impact health care by allowing physicians to identify the cause of patient disease symptoms and select appropriate treatment more precisely. AMPEL's approach is sufficiently sensitive to detect changes in clinically uninvolved skin so that early intervention may prevent systemic flares and skin damage apparent in lesions. The application of AMPEL's machine learning approach could also assist pharmaceutical companies in drug development and clinical trials.

Patients with chronic skin diseases often suffer from unpredictable disease activity that impacts daily activities like work and family life. Since unpredictable symptoms often result in trips to the Emergency Room, the ability to predict worsening disease and systemic involvement with routine skin biopsies has important health care and health economics implications.

Paired with AMPEL's pipeline of tools to analyze very large and complex clinical datasets ("Big Data"), AMPEL's machine learning program is a significant step towards implementing a routine skin test for monitoring disease activity and providing decision support for treatment based on a patient's gene expression. This will transform the way doctors treat chronic skin diseases by using the information gathered by the lab test and analyzed by machine learning to diagnose, characterize the precise molecular abnormalities and treat skin diseases before damage begins, saving patients from pain and inconvenience of a disease that otherwise drastically affects their lives.

Pharmaceutical companies test drugs in clinical trials and face the challenge of enrolling patients that have the best potential to respond to the treatment being tested. Enrolling the "wrong" patients can result in trial failure, often leading to cancellation of a drug's development towards FDA approval that may have benefit in a sub-group of the overall patient population. AMPEL's skin test will help pharmaceutical companies identify the patients most likely to respond to specific treatments, thereby helping improve outcomes in clinical trials.

Dr. Peter Lipsky, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder, AMPEL BioSolutions: "There is currently no other application that can precisely predict disease activity and propose appropriate treatments, and we are very encouraged by this breakthrough reported in Science Advances. For those patients suffering with chronic skin diseases, meaningful innovation in treatments can't come soon enough. Following the development of our machine learning concept, we can now move forward in working with our partners to develop this skin test that could transform the way doctors can help patients with chronic skin disease manage their condition by offering better and more precise treatments based on individual patient data rather than a general approach."

Dr. Amrie Grammer, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder, AMPEL BioSolutions: ""Our team has developed a tool that can conceivably transform the way patients with skin conditions are treated. As a precision medicine company, AMPEL is changing the paradigm of treatment in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We are proud to be doing this work in Virginia and will continue to recruit talent and grow our business here."

Dr. Wright Caughman, Professor, Department of Dermatology, Emory School of Medicine, and Exec VP for Health Affairs (Emeritus), Emory University: "AMPEL's highly innovative skin biopsy test will provide an excellent new tool for the diagnosis and management of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases of the skin. AMPEL is presenting this work at the Society for Investigative Dermatology meeting later this month. Once AMPEL's clinical genomic test is CLIA certified, physicians will be able to quickly identify the best medications for each individual patient and obtain faster and safer control of their disease."

About AMPEL BioSolutions LLC (2013-present)

Harnessing Data to Improve Lives through Genomics

AMPEL BioSolutions is a technology company with CRO capabilities based in Charlottesville Virginia. AMPEL was founded to bring personalized precision medicine to patients with diseases involving the immune system and inflammation. AMPEL develops clinical genomic tests to predict flares and drug options for a patient based on machine learning of gene expression. Products expected to launch in 2022-2023 include LuGENE, a blood test for Lupus, and DermaGENE a skin biopsy test for Lupus, Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis and Scleroderma.

SOURCE AMPEL BioSolutions
National Travel and Tourism Week Spotlights the Collective Strength of the U.S. Travel Industry

HELENA, Mont., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Montana is joining tourism partners throughout the state to celebrate the travel and tourism industry  the state's second-largest industry  during National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) May 1-7, 2022.

"Tourism plays a critical role in Montana's economy," said Scott Osterman, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "This week celebrates the work of the hospitality industry throughout the state and the thousands of local Montanans employed in various sectors of travel."

Celebrated annually the first full week in May, this year's theme is Future of Travel and focuses on workforce, sustainability, creating connections and more as the industry looks ahead to future growth and success following the challenges of the past two years.

A critical driver of the state's economy, tourism has a far-reaching effect in Montana, with data from the Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research (ITRR) showing an impact that includes:

Montana welcomed an estimated 12.5 million nonresident visitors in 2021

welcomed an estimated in 2021 Nonresident visitors spent an estimated $5.22 billion in 2021

in 2021 That nonresident visitor spending supported $4.42 billion of economic activity in 2021

of economic activity in 2021 Travel, tourism and hospitality supported 68,630 jobs and contributed $2.038 billion in employee compensation

"Montana is a place that remains high on the bucket list of many travelers," said Jan Stoddard, Bureau Chief for the Montana Office of Tourism. "Year after year, we see the positive impacts of nonresident traveler spending as it touches every community in every corner of the state."

Destination Analysts reports that nearly 90% of Americans have a trip planned in 2022, with family trips, solo trips and reunion trips being a high priority.

"NTTW has special significance this year as the travel industry looks ahead to a bright future," said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. "This NTTW is an opportunity to recognize the collective strength of the U.S. travel industry and how we are rebuilding to be more dynamic, innovative, sustainable and inclusive in the months and years to come."

For more information on Montana's tourism industry and marketing efforts, visit MarketMT.com.

About Visit Montana

Visit Montana markets Montana's spectacular unspoiled nature, vibrant and charming small towns, breathtaking experiences, relaxing hospitality, and competitive business climate to promote the state as a place to visit and do business. For more information, go to VISITMT.COM.

SOURCE Visit Montana
Joe Maslizek, Previous VP of Sales of Manitowoc, and Beth Courtwright Join the Company to Scale the Sales of the Vita Lifting System for Crane Load Stabilization

BROOMFIELD, Colo., and WASHINGTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vita Inclinata (Vita), developer and producer of precision crane load stabilization, announced today the appointments of Joe Maslizek and Beth Courtwright as EVP of Industrial Business and Director of Industrial Sales respectively. The new positions underscore Vita's rapid growth in the industrial market as more construction organizations select the Vita Lifting System to give crane operators precision and control over load placements while elevating worker safety.

Joe Maslizek and Beth Courtwright join Vita as EVP of Industrial Business and Director of Industrial Sales respectively.

"As construction companies emphasize safe crane operations and the need for crane efficiencies, Vita is experiencing an increase in rapid sales demand for our Vita Lifting System," said Caleb Carr, CEO of Vita. "The additions of Courtwright and Maslizek will enhance our senior sales team to enable us to further penetrate the industrial markets and deploy our life-saving technology."

Beth Courtwright will assume the responsibility of Director of Industrial Sales. Before joining Vita, Courtwright held the position of Senior Director of Construction & Manufacturing Sales at Triax Technologies SaaS IoT Company, where she developed long-term strategic missions to drive growth within existing sales channels and new vertical marketsresulting in 12 percent month-over-month growth. Prior to Triax, she was employed by Guardair Corporation as Director of Sales, responsible for new business development and market expansion. In this position, Courtwright won the 2021 VPPA Safety Innovation Award for the OSHA Compliance Kit and helped advance the company to 15.95 percent growth. In addition, her industrial sales experience includes the National Sales Manager at Makita, the Sales Manager at NTN Bearing Corporation of America, and the Regional Sales Manager at Apex Tool Group.

Joe Maslizek will assume the responsibility of Executive Vice President of all Industrial Business. For most of Maslizek's four-decade career in the industrial industry, he was employed by the Manitowoc Company. At Manitowoc, Maslizek held the position of Senior Regional Business Executive and Vice President of Sales of Crawler and Hyd Cranes. Before these senior-level positions, he was the Director of major crane accounts for over a decade. Prior to joining Manitowoc, Maslizek held the position of Sales Manager at John Deere and Grove, where he led his sales team to the best results in the company's history to date and worked as the Crane Division Sales Manager, where he quadrupled sales and introduced the All Terrain cranes to the market.

About Vita Inclinata

A friend's death during a rescue operationwith a helicopter close but unable to stabilize due to weather and terrainwas the genesis of Vita Inclinata. Founded in 2015 as a way to solve a real problem, Vita today controls chaotic swinging and spin and adds safety and precision for rotor-wing and fixed-wing aircraft and cranes. With the mission of "Bring them home, every time," Vita's technology changes the narrative while saving lives, time, and money across industries, including search and rescue, military, firefighting, public safety, construction, wind energy, and oil and gas. The company is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, with offices in Washington, DC, and Huntsville, Alabama. For more information, please visit www.vitatech.co .

For more information, contact:

Betsey Rogers

BridgeView Marketing

603-821-0809

[email protected]

SOURCE Vita Inclinata
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Volta Inc. (NYSE: VLTA) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: August 2, 2021 to March 28, 2022

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 31, 2022

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in VLTA:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/volta-inc-loss-submission-form?id=26592&from=4

Volta Inc. NEWS - VLTA NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Volta Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Volta had improperly accounted for restricted stock units issued in connection with the business combination of Volta Industries, Inc. ("Legacy Volta") and Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II; (2) as a result, the Company had understated its net loss for third quarter 2021; (3) there were material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that resulted in a material error; (4) as a result of the foregoing, the Company would restate its financial statements; (5) as a result of the foregoing, Legacy Volta's founders would imminently exit the Company; (6) as a result, the Company's financial results would be adversely impacted; and (7) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Volta you have until May 31, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Volta securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the VLTA lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/volta-inc-loss-submission-form?id=26592&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

Empire State Building

350 Fifth Avenue

59th Floor

New York, NY 10118

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
DUBLIN, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Forklift Battery Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global forklift battery market reached a value of US$ 4.39 billion in 2021. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach a value of US$ 6.21 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.65% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, the analyst is continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different End-use industries. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



A forklift battery is the power source used in industrial forklift trucks to function adequately and lift heavy materials. The batteries are commonly available in lead-acid and lithium-ion variants. The lead-acid batteries are bulky, liquid-filled units with a removable top that generate electricity through a chemical reaction between electrolyte, water and sulfuric acid. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries are more compact, energy-dense and are sealed shut with no water maintenance requirements. Forklift batteries consist of a battery case, self-contained cells, circuit bars and gauge wire cables. They have a low energy-to-weight and energy-to-volume ratio and can provide relatively higher power despite having a lower volume of cells. As a result, they are widely used in warehouses, manufacturing units, construction sites and retail outlets.



Forklift Battery Market Trends

Significant growth in the manufacturing and construction industries is among the key factors creating a positive outlook for the market. With the proliferation of e-commerce platforms, there is an increasing requirement for material movement, transporting and lifting applications, which is providing a thrust to the market growth. Moreover, the widespread adoption of electric forklifts across industries is also favoring the growth of the market.

Additionally, various product innovations, such as the development of quick battery charging systems for minimal downtime and longer operational life of the forklifts`, are acting as other growth-inducing factors. In line with this, the utilization of forklift batteries for domestic applications is also contributing to the market growth. Lead-acid batteries are highly recyclable and can be used for powering off-grid energy and solar power systems. Other factors, including the widespread adoption of green logistics, along with the implementation of favorable government policies promoting sustainable infrastructural development, are anticipated to drive the market toward growth.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Accumulatorenwerke HOPPECKE Carl Zoellner & Sohn GmbH, Amara Raja Batteries Ltd., Camel Group Co. Ltd., Crown Equipment Corporation, East Penn Manufacturing Company, Enersys, Exide Industries Limited, Flux Power, Microtex Energy Private Limited, Northland Industrial Truck Co. Inc. (Alta Enterprises LLC), Storage Battery Systems LLC and Systems Sunlight S.A.



Key Questions Answered in This Report

How has the global forklift battery market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global forklift battery market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the sales channel?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global forklift battery market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Forklift Battery Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Type

6.1 Lithium-ion Battery

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Lead-Acid Battery

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Others

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Sales Channel

7.1 OEM

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Aftermarket

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Application

8.1 Warehouses

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Manufacturing

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Construction

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 Retail and Wholesale Stores

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast

8.5 Others

8.5.1 Market Trends

8.5.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Region



10 SWOT Analysis



11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porters Five Forces Analysis



13 Price Analysis



14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

14.3.1 Accumulatorenwerke HOPPECKE Carl Zoellner & Sohn GmbH

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2 Amara Raja Batteries Ltd.

14.3.2.1 Company Overview

14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2.3 Financials

14.3.3 Camel Group Co. Ltd.

14.3.3.1 Company Overview

14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.3.3 Financials

14.3.4 Crown Equipment Corporation

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.5 East Penn Manufacturing Company

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6 Enersys

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6.3 Financials

14.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.7 Exide Industries Limited

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7.3 Financials

14.3.8 Flux Power

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.9 Microtex Energy Private Limited

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10 Northland Industrial Truck Co. Inc. (Alta Enterprises LLC)

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.11 Storage Battery Systems LLC

14.3.11.1 Company Overview

14.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.12 Systems Sunlight S.A.

14.3.12.1 Company Overview

14.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u0mwyh

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Holding Company of Better-For-You Restaurant Concepts Fills New Leadership Role with Former WOWorks Chief People Officer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WOWorks, the holding company of better-for-you restaurant brands, Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek, announced that Jean Boland has been appointed as the company's Chief People and Culture Officer, effective April 11, 2022. Boland has more than 30 years of experience in multiple service-focused industries in a Human Resources and Leadership Development capacity and served as Chief People Officer and Vice President of Human Resources for WOWorks from 2019-2021. Most recently she served as Chief People Officer for OMS360.

"We created our new Chief People and Culture Officer role because culture is such an important part of every great company," said Kelly Roddy, CEO of WOWorks. "It is so important to have an experienced officer in the company responsible for bringing it to life every single day, and Jean is the best person for the job. She was instrumental in developing the mission, vision, and values that would create the foundation for the WOWorks family of brands. She had also established the Culture Committee and helped the organization transition to fully remote work when the pandemic changed the way the world does business."

Boland will report to Roddy and oversee all four of WOWorks' restaurants' culture development and growth; leadership development; talent acquisition; employee engagement and retention; human resources policies and HRIS systems. Boland has previously spent eleven years at FOCUS Brands, the franchisor of Carvel Ice Cream, Cinnabon, Schltozsky's, Moe's, Auntie Anne's and other quick service brands. She has also worked in multiple positions at RARE Hospitality International, prior owners of Longhorn Steakhouse, Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, and The Capital Grille.

"I'm looking forward to further developing the WOWorks' culture and tailoring each department's goals and strategies to unify their engagement," said Boland. "Infusing our values into everything we do and stand for is at the top of my mind. I want to reconnect with our mission and vision and realign our strategic efforts with those values for our restaurant franchise partners, employees and vendors."

WOWorks franchise owners come from different backgrounds, including existing franchise owners of different brands; varied business ownership backgrounds, such as construction, hotels, and fitness; former professional athletes; and military veterans. The company has franchising opportunities available in 49 states (all states excluding Hawaii) and offers 25 percent off franchise fees for veterans.

If you are interested in owning a WOWorks restaurant brand franchise, visit Saladworks, Frutta Bowls and Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh's franchising websites to learn more.

ABOUT WOWORKS:

WOWorks was formed in 2020 with a mission to help guests pursue their passions and live their best lives by serving healthy, nutritious and flavorful meals along with its Vow to "WOW!" guest hospitality. Fully owned by Centre Lane Partners, LLC, WOWorks' portfolio consists of: Saladworks, the nation's leading fast-casual salad brand; Frutta Bowls, a unique restaurant franchise serving a variety of superfood bowls, fresh fruit smoothies, protein bites and more; Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, a popular Mediterranean restaurant concept; and most recently, The Simple Greek, which offers a fresh and healthy take on traditional Greek recipes in a fast-casual setting. WOWorks seeks to drive explosive growth across all of its brands through a variety of channels, both traditional and non-traditional, including ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail and more.

SOURCE WOWorks
Billed as Zappa Meets the Dead , the concert features Connecticut natives The Z3 - a funky organ trio featuring Tim Palmieri (Lotus, The Breakfast) on Guitar and Vocals, Bill Carbone (Max Creek, Melvin Sparks) on Drums and Vocals, and Beau Sasser (Kung Fu) on Organ, Keys, and Vocals - performing some of Zappa's all-time classics, with the entire performance piped through a -scale replica of the Grateful Dead's legendary Wall of Sound.

While the Dead and Zappa never shared a stage, they did share the same desire to challenge the confines of traditional rock. Zappa Meets the Dead is designed to let audience members experience elements of both groundbreaking performers. Showtime is at 8:00 PM and all guests are invited to attend a Meet and Greet with Anthony Coscia at 7:00 PM to experience the power of the Mini Wall of Sound prior to the show.

SpreadMusicNow, a public charity that helps Connecticut's young people thrive, has created a concert series to benefit local nonprofits that provide music education and support creative youth development. The beneficiaries of this event will be SpreadMusicNow and TeachRock, the latter is an arts integration organization founded by legendary E-Street band guitarist "Little" Steven Van Zandt. TeachRock currently works with teachers in 15 Connecticut districts through a partnership with the Connecticut Department of Education.

According to Van Zandt, "I started Teachrock.org to keep the arts in the DNA of the public school system, to reach a generation of kids with the internet in their pockets, and to eventually lower the dropout rate. We don't tell kids to take out their headphones, we ask them what they're listening to and then we make connections between their favorite music and the core curricula they need to master to succeed in life. In TeachRock classrooms, kids feel safe, respected, and seen for who they are and who they imagine they might become."

Why Zappa? "This concert is a coming-together of everything important to me! As executive director of Teachrock.org, I work to weave music into school cultures to excite students and engage them in topics they thought they didn't care about. At the Bijou, I'll be performing the Zappa music that led teenaged me to intellectual places I never even considered at the time," said The Z3 drummer and vocalist, Bill Carbone.

The Z3 are and aren't a Zappa tribute band. They do play the music of Frank Zappa. But they don't try to recreate it exactly as it happened in the '60s, 70s, or 80s. They embrace the cynicism, sarcasm, and biting social criticism for which Zappa was famous, but they point it squarely at 2022. It's Funky Takes on Frank in the present tense.

The Z3 has tackled everything from Freak Out to Broadway the Hard Way with a playful and adventurous spirit that has thus far tickled the fancies of both diehard FZ fans as well as those that "never knew they liked him."

The Grateful Dead's 1974 "Wall of Sound" was a 600 speaker, 30+ foot tall pioneering feat in PA system technology and the largest and loudest mobile sound system in the world at that time. Dead bassist Phil Lesh described it as "Apocalyptic. Like the voice of God." The Wall of Sound toured with the Dead throughout 1974 and was never seen again--until now! Connecticut luthier Anthony Coscia has created a 1/4-scale version of the Wall of Sound, built exactly to the original specifications--right down to the tie-dye tapestries that hang from its rigging. The Z3 will perform through Coscia's Wall at the Bijou.

VIP ticket holders have boxed seating and are invited to a reception in WPKN's new studios, located directly above the Bijou Theatre. VIP ticket holders will also receive a free Z3 CD so you can bring their latest hits home.

"We are proud to produce this show with The Z3 and Anthony Coscia. It's wonderful to partner with Bill Carbone and TeachRock as fellow Connecticut nonprofit leaders supporting creative youth development," said Richard Wenning, co-founder of SpreadMusicNow. "Come on out for some great music and give back to the next generation of music makers."

Event Details

WHAT: Zappa Meets the Dead

WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 2022, 8:00 PM (6:30 PM Doors, 7:00 PM Meet & Greet)

WHERE: The Bijou Theatre, 275 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605

TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zappa-meets-the-dead-tickets-289907530227

LIVE STREAM: https://www.musae.me/bijou/experiences/1298/zappa-meets



100% of your in-person ticket price will support music education for Connecticut's students.

Media are invited to attend. Please contact Richard Wenning at [email protected] .

About SpreadMusicNow

SpreadMusicNow funds music education and creative youth development that centers equity in outcomes and access for students' educational, career, and life success. Since 2014, SpreadMusicNow has made grants of over $1,800,000 to music programs in Connecticut and beyond. For more information visit www.spreadmusicnow.org .

About TeachRock

TeachRock empowers teachers and engages students by using popular music to create interdisciplinary, culturally responsive education materials for all 21st-century classrooms. Launched by Stevie Van Zandt and the Founders Board of Bono, Jackson Browne, Martin Scorsese, and Bruce Springsteen, TeachRock.org provides free, standards-aligned resources that use music to help K-12 students succeed across disciplines. For more information visit teachrock.org .

SOURCE SpreadMusicNow
Expanded carrier data contributes to 144% increase in number of plans available over past year

MILWAUKEE, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading insurtech provider, Zywave, today announced enhancements to its CPQ for Employee Benefits solution, including the expansion of its carrier data with new lines of coverage added across the United States. Continued carrier expansion has contributed to a 144% increase in the number of plans available over the past year. To further that growth trajectory, Zywave is continually adding more carrier rating API's, additional carriers and more lines of coverage.

Zywave offers a complete suite of configure, price, quote (CPQ) solutions for insurance carriers and distributors, from rating and quoting through presentation to binding and issuance, across all lines of business. In the past year, more than 18,000 users have run over 30 million quotes using Zywave's CPQ technology for employee benefits, commercial and personal lines.

Zywave CPQ for Employee Benefits makes quoting seamless for small group clients and enables brokers to configure, price and quote benefit plans with a single census upload. Through increased utilization and adoption, the number of quotes created within the platform has increased year-over-year by 114%, making it the fastest growing quoting and proposal solution in Zywave's portfolio.

"As Zywave continues to grow, the expansion of Zywave CPQ for Employee Benefits was a natural development to enable us to better serve both brokers and carriers," said Eric Rentsch, Zywave's senior vice president of product management. "The evolution and growth of our quoting and proposal solutions play a key role in Zywave's mission to power digital transformation at every stage in the insurance lifecycle."

First in the market with a recent integration is United Healthcare's rating API, which allows users to access rates immediately and directly from the carrier quoting system. This ensures complete accuracy and quoting is mirrored within United Healthcare's quoting system, saving brokers additional time. In all, over 50% of the plan data within Zywave's platform is fed via carrier-direct API with the remaining plan data all being sourced through direct relationships with carriers.

"Zywave is working hard to expand our partnership with a number of new carriers," added Harrison Hahn, director of carrier relationships. "As we move through 2022 we are looking to build new relationships and add even more carriers to this already robust list."

Carriers in the recent expansion of Zywave CPQ for Employee Benefits include: United Healthcare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, Renaissance Benefits, VSP Vision Care, and Kansas City Life Insurance Company, among others.

To view Zywave's up-to-date list of carriers by state visit https://www.zywave.com/small-group-rates/. For more information on Zywave, visit www.zywave.com.

About Zywave

Zywave leads the insurtech industry, fueling business growth for its partners with cloud-based sales management, client delivery, content and analytics solutions. Zywave's all-in-one platform provides customizable, user-friendly options that enable insurance professionals to build a unique solution to fit their specific growth goalstheir own Modern RevOps Machine. More than 15,000 carriers, agencies and brokerages worldwideincluding all of the top 100 U.S. insurance brokeragesuse Zywave solutions to enhance client services, achieve business growth and promote greater health, wellness, risk management and safety. Additional information can be found at www.zywave.com.

Contact: Megan O'Shea

[email protected]

414-454-6117

SOURCE Zywave
By Trend

The growth of non-oil and gas exports will lead to an increase in the sovereign ratings of Azerbaijan and its transition to the investment category of issuers, Deputy Head of the Market Analysis Department of the Russian Gazprombank Gulnara Khaidarshina told Trend.

According to her, in context of disruption of Eurasian supply chains and global rise in food prices, the moment has come to increase non-oil and gas exports.

"Share of Azerbaijan's non-oil and gas exports in its total exports remains low (12 percent in 2021). Low diversification of exports is noted by leading rating agencies as a factor that hinders the prospects for raising Azerbaijan's sovereign ratings," she said.

"Aggravation of geopolitical risks created the prerequisites for strengthening the upward trend in world prices on food, which have already been driven up by the COVID-19 pandemic," Khaidarshina noted.

"According to the UN, food price increases accelerated to 33.6 percent year-on-year in March, a new all-time high," Khaidarshina added.

"We believe that Azerbaijan can benefit from high world food prices. Fruit and vegetable products were the largest component of Azerbaijan's non-oil and gas exports with a share of 23.2 percent in 2021," Khaidarshina said.

Importing countries may consider alternative suppliers with closer locations, in face of food shortages, including those with access to seaports, like Azerbaijan," Khaidarshina noted.

According to representative of Gazprombank, Azerbaijan creates prospects for increasing the production and export of fertilizers, in context of disruption of supply chains and the search for alternative suppliers by European countries, prices for which are also growing and have reached 29-year high for certain items.

"Development of new export markets is already underway. Urea plant of State Oil Company of Azerbaijan - SOCAR Carbamide Plant began exporting nitrogen fertilizers to India, which is one of the largest consumers, in early April," Khaidarshina added.

Given the continued need of Russia, largest Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) market and Azerbaijan's leading trading partner, for high-tech imports, there is potential for opening new production facilities in Azerbaijan, bank representative said.

"For example, earlier the Azerbaijani government announced plans to build new technoparks in countrys Karabakh region, which will produce high-tech products. This forms the potential for increasing its share in Azerbaijan's exports," Khaidarshina emphasized.
Lucknow, May 3 : The Uttar Pradesh unit of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) suffered a jolt after several members, including the state unit president, Neeraj Rai, resigned.

"Big leaders in the Trinamool Congress do not want the party to expand beyond West Bengal. The party's committed workforce in Uttar Pradesh is being side-lined and attempts are being made to disintegrate the state unit," Rai told reporters on Tuesday.

He, however, did not divulge his future plans.

The infighting within the party will hit Mamata Banerjee's plan to have a stronger presence in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The party had not contested the 2022 state elections but started ground level preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by raising a strong organisational setup in Uttar Pradesh.

The mass resignations, however, seem to have brought the party back to where it stood in Uttar Pradesh before May 2021, when Mamata won for the third time in West Bengal.

Mamata's win convinced the party workers that she is the only leader who can take on the saffron might. This emboldened Trinamool's workforce in Uttar Pradesh as well and it started making efforts to gain visibility.

The party's activities suddenly lost steam after October, when a team of senior leaders from the West Bengal unit of the party visited Lakhimpur Kheri to meet the families of the farmers who were mowed down by the vehicle of the son of Union minister of state for home.

Later, it was the West Bengal unit that took over the affairs. The Uttar Pradesh unit of the party was not even aware of Mamata's itinerary when she visited Lucknow to hold a joint virtual press conference with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Los Angeles, May 3 : Several severe hepatitis cases in children reported in the US have drawn great concern from health officials and parents, and the country's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ruled out Covid-19 as a factor in the those cases.

Nine severe hepatitis cases in children were reported in Alabama during October 2021 to February 2022, seven girls and two boys -- ranging in age from 1 month to 6 years old, Xinhua news agency reported.

Those cases were the first that drew attention to the liver illnesses in children in the US.

All of the nine children's whole blood specimens tested positive for adenovirus. None of them had a history of Covid-19 infection, nor had received a Covid-19 vaccine, according to a latest report of the CDC.

Before admission, some kids reported vomiting, diarrhea, and upper respiratory symptoms. Upon admission, some had scleral icterus, hepatomegaly, jaundice, and encephalopathy, according to the CDC.

Three of the kids suffered liver failure and two needed liver transplants. They have either recovered or are recovering.

All patients received negative test results for hepatitis viruses A, B, and C. Several other causes of pediatric hepatitis and infections were also ruled out including autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson disease, bacteremia, and urinary tract infections, according to the CDC.

The CDC said adenovirus may be the cause of these reported cases, but other potential environmental and situational factors are still being investigated.

Roughly a dozen other cases are now being investigated in eight other states: one in Delaware, another in Louisiana, three in Illinois, two in North Carolina and four in Wisconsin, according to NBC News report.

The Tennessee Department of Health said that it has six cases. State health departments in Georgia and New York also said they are investigating "a handful" of potential cases.

The cluster of cases, along with recently identified possible cases in Europe, suggests that the adenovirus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology among children, according to the CDC.

Adenovirus type 41 is primarily spread via the fecal-oral route and predominantly affects the gut. It is a common cause of pediatric acute gastroenteritis typically with diarrhea, vomiting and fever, often accompanied by respiratory symptoms, said the CDC.

Adenovirus is recognized as a cause of hepatitis among immunocompromised children, and might be an "underrecognised" contributor to liver injury among healthy children, said the CDC.

The agency is monitoring the situation closely to understand the possible cause of illness and identify potential efforts to prevent or mitigate illness.

The World Health Organization has alerted physicians worldwide to be on the lookout for such unusual cases of hepatitis.
Bengaluru, May 3 : The construction work of 108 feet tall Kempe Gowda statue in the premises of the Bengaluru International airport is expedited with the arrival of 4,000 kg of sword which is going to be fixed to the statue.

The statue is coming up in the 23-acre heritage park which is being developed in the premises of the airport named after the founder of Bengaluru city Kempe Gowda.

It is being planned to project the statue as the major attraction of the airport. The passengers who will arrive and depart from Bengaluru will have the experience of witnessing the "architectural marvel". The sword arrived in a special truck from New Delhi to Bengaluru on Monday.

C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Higher Education welcomed the sword and participated in the worshipping programme.

The statue is being built at a cost of Rs 85 crores. Padmabhushan awardee architect from Noida, Ram Wanar Ji Sutar is incharge of erecting the statue.
Seoul :Noh Kyu-duk (R), special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart, Liu Xiaoming, ahead of their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.(Yonhap/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Seoul :Noh Kyu-duk (R), special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart, Liu Xiaoming, ahead of their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.(Yonhap/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Seoul, May 3 : The top nuclear envoys of South Korea and China met here on Tuesday to discuss security situations on the Korean Peninsula amid concerns about North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.

Liu Xiaoming, Beijing's special representative on Korean Peninsula affairs, is on his first visit to Seoul since assuming the post in April 2021 at a time of heightened tensions over Pyongyang's recent spate of missile launches and reported signs of preparations for another nuclear test, reports Yonhap News Agency.

In his first public activity here, he had a meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Noh Kyu-duk, at the foreign ministry building, apparently to share their assessments of the regional security situation.

Liu expressed concerns over the rising tension on the peninsula and reaffirmed China's commitment to play a "positive role" but said the key to a resolution to the issue is in the hands of Pyongyang and Washington.

"China is concerned about the tense situation on the Peninsula. 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 wrote on his Twitter page Sunday.

China is ready to work with South Korea to push forward "the political settlement process" on the matter, he said, describing the two sides as "important cooperation partners." Last month, the chief South Korean and US nuclear envoys agreed to jointly push for a new UN Security Council resolution against the North for its recent missile launches. But its prospects remain dim, with China and Russia, both veto-wielding permanent members, having maintained a lukewarm stance toward imposing additional sanctions on the North.

On Tuesday afternoon, Liu will visit the Ministry of Unification, which handles inter-Korean affairs, for a meeting with Vice Minister Choi Young-joon, followed by a courtesy call on Unification Minister Lee In-young.
Bengaluru, May 3 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a visit to Bengaluru, is scheduled to hold several meetings on Tuesday before taking a final call on the cabinet expansion or reshuffle.

He is also chairing a core committee meeting at Jagannath Bhavan, the state BJP headquarters in Malleshwaram between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Amit Shah will finalise on the cabinet expansion and strategise for the party in the wake of the Assembly elections in 2023.

B.L. Santhosh, the National General Secretary has stirred a hornet's nest in the state by hinting at a massive change in the leadership of the state. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has maintained that the statements were made in the context of civic polls. However, party sources confirm that anything can happen.

Santhosh has further stated that the party will never back family politics, and its experiment to give representation to new faces has yielded results in other states. Sources in the party said that the comment was intended towards former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa who is looking forward to accommodating his son B.Y. Vijayendra in the cabinet.

Amit Shah will also take a call on giving cabinet post to Ramesh Jarkiholi, which is also crucial for BJP as it could have direct impact on 19 Assembly seats of Belagavi district and also consolidation of the Backward Class votes to the BJP across the state.

Jagadish Shettar, former Chief Minister, who rejected cabinet berth saying that Chief Minister Bommai is his junior, is also expected to talk about his role during the next Assembly elections with Amit Shah.

Shah was received by Chief Minister Bommai and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Mines, Pralhad Joshi at Bengaluru HAL airport.

Shah will garland the statue of Lord Basaveshwara at Basaveshwara Circle near Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru at 10 a.m. to mark the occasion of Basava Jayanthi.

Later he will lay the foundation stone for the Nrupatunga University on the Nrupatunga Road. He will also virtually inaugurate the Forensic Science Laboratory in Bellary from Bengaluru.

Amit Shah will reach NATGRID Campus in Yelahanka and inaugurate NATGRID Disaster Recovery Centre (DRC). The programme is organised by the Union Home Ministry.

He will be attending the luncheon hosted by the Chief Minister at his official residence between 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and then visit BJP headquarters in Malleshwaram. At 5.25 p.m., Amit Shah will attend the closing ceremony of Khelo India University Games at Sri Kanteerava Outdoor stadium.
Abuja, May 3 : The death toll from the collapse of a three-storey building in Nigeria's Lagos state has risen to nine after rescue workers recovered another body, an emergency management official said.

Ibrahim Farinloye, the coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency in the southwest region, told Xinhua news agency that the building in the Onyigbo area collapsed at about 11 p.m. on Sunday, and rescuers have so far found the bodies of nine victims.

"The body of a four-year-old boy was found in the rubble," Farinloye said.

He said 24 occupants of the building were rescued alive and are being treated in a hospital.

Rescue operations were ongoing at the site in search of people trapped under the rubble.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse, he said.

In November 2021, at least 45 people were killed after a 21-storey building collapsed in the city of Lagos.

The victims had also included the building's owner.

Cases of building collapses are not uncommon in Nigeria, and local experts blame them on aging structures, non-compliance with building planning and regulations, and the use of substandard materials during construction.
Mumbai, May 3 : The makers of the Tiger Shroff-starrer 'Heropanti 2', after a good start on its first weekend, especially on Sunday, when the movie saw its box-office collections go up, are confident that their production is headed for a joyful Eid.

'Heropanti 2' has been garnering good reviews and the word of mouth has also been encouraging. This has helped the film to consolidate its position at the ticket window and things are looking up for it.

Being an Eid release, it is expected that the film will pick up business as the day progresses. Given that the movie is a complete masala entertainer that families can enjoy together, trade pundits expect it to do brisk business on Tuesday. Footfalls are going to go up as people will be looking at an opportunity to celebrate Eid with friends and family.

Tiger Shroff is known for his mass action entertainers and with 'Heropanti 2' he has managed to recreate that magic and take the franchise a notch farther. After a good weekend, there seems to be another good day of business ahead for 'Heropanti 2'.
Chennai, May 3 : The garment units in Tirupur, widely known as the garment capital of South India, will down shutters from May 16 to 21 in protest against the hike in prices of cotton yarn.

The price of cotton yarn has increased by Rs 40 per kg after the Centre reduced the import duty on cotton.

The strike call was announced by the Tirupur garment owners association in a statement on Tuesday.

The garment units, mostly exporters, are worried that the hike in cotton yarn prices will adversely affect their business and, hence, as a mark of protest they will stage the six-day protest. The annual turnover of the Tirupur garment industry is around Rs 36,000 crore.

Tirupur garment owners association president, M.P. Muthuraman, while speaking to IANS, said, "The cotton mills increased the price of yarn by Rs 50 per kilogram in November 2021, and the yarn was sold at Rs 350 per kg. Now after the Government of India has reduced the import duty of cotton, we were expecting prices of yarn to fall, instead, mills have increased it by Rs 40 per kg with which we cannot survive. We have no other option but to shut our units as a mark of protest." Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) president, Raja Shanmugham while speaking to IANS said, "We request the Union government to effect a ban on the export of cotton yarn till the price stabilizes." He said that there are possibilities of cotton being hoarded by traders in North India leading to scarcity of product.

Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills Association (TNSMA) special advisor, Dr. K. Venkitachalam while speaking to IANS said, "The cotton traders in North India are hoarding the product creating scarcity and hence mills are increasing the prices. There seems to be no effect on the removal of import duty of cotton by the Government of India." He also said that when the removal of import duty for cotton was announced, there was an immediate drop in cotton candy prices, but now with less availability of cotton candy, the price has come up.
New Delhi, May 3 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday will inaugurate the NATGRID campus in Bengaluru along with the e-launch of a forensic lab in Karnataka's Bellari.

Shah arrived in Bengaluru on Monday evening for his day-long visit to the southern state which will go to polls next year.

After paying tribute to Sri Basavanna on Basava Jayanthi, he will lay the foundation stone of Nrupathunga University and will do e-inauguration of the Forensic Science Laboratory in Bellari. The Union Home Minister will also launch the e-Beat App.

At 5.30 p.m., Shah will participate in the closing ceremony of the 'Khelo India University Games -2021' at Sree Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru.

He will also be meeting the leaders of the BJP during his stay in the city amid speculation of cabinet expansion in Karnataka.
New Delhi, May 3 : A fresh Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) report says though on a decline, insurgency-related incidents still persist and in 2020, the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, NSCN-IM, remained the most active group with about 44 per cent of incidents perpetrated by it.

It further says in Arunachal Pradesh too, the NSCN-IM was involved in 11 incidents in 2020, while the NSCN/K-YK in five incidents and the NSCN/U and ENNG in two and one incidents, respectively.

As many as 21 cases of kidnapping were also reported in Arunachal Pradesh in 2020.

Peace is cool; and when you have 'peace', perhaps there is no much realisation of what life would be like in the absence of peace.

But some well meaning citizens and intellectuals have given unto themselves the task of making Naga militant groups and leaders of all factions understand the futility of confrontation either among themselves and or even 'others'. The apprehension of abrogation of ceasefire has risen as reports have suggested that the government of India could ensure deployment of additional forces and armoured men in some select pockets in Nagaland and in Manipur.

Although AFSPA has been relaxed in some pockets, the harsh law continues in other areas.

A number of leaders and well meaning personalities reportedly are meeting Naga underground leaders in various factions in the last one week or so and have tried to pursue them to see reason and give up obstinate stance wherever necessary.

The Naga peace talks, according to one version, were over by October 31, 2019. But hurdles and differences have remained and hence efforts are being made to end the deadlock.

A number of formal and informal interactions have taken place between Centre's new peace emissary A.K. Mishra and underground leaders including from NSCN-IM and Naga National Political Group (NNPG).

While the issues of Flag and a separate Naga Constitution were flagged off by NSCN-IM, the NNPG under the leadership of N Kitovi Zhimomi is keen to sign a final peace pact at the earliest.

There are pressures from all quarters on the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi too.

The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has lately written to Modi urging him to expedite the resolution of the Naga peace process, saying Nagas were "impatient now on the non-resolution and the extensive policy of negotiations for a solution to the Naga political issue".

In the meantime, one data has come out lately from the Union Home Ministry.

The NSCN-IM, was reportedly involved in 44 per cent of insurgency related incidents in Nagaland in 2020.

It, notably, never agreed to the argument that all parleys were over by October 31, 2019.

Thus more than the statistical data, the timing of the report is seen in some quarters as the most critical part. It suggests the NSCN-IM, which began talks formally in 1997, is still active on ground with boots and bullets.

Of course, there are some figures/data that suggest that the violence and other insurgency-related activities saw a significant drop between 2019 and 2020 in Nagaland. But it is also true, the incidents still persisted.

The MHA report says that in 2020, Nagaland witnessed a 45 per cent decline in the number of violent incidents compared to 2019. It actually came down to 23 in 2020 from 42 the previous year (2019).

Moreover, in 2020, the state of Nagaland witnessed no civilian and security forces' deaths though counter-insurgency operations led to neutralisation of two insurgents, arrest of 222 insurgents and recovery of 84 weapons.

The report is categorical: "Though steps have been taken by the government from time to time to control insurgency, the NSCN factions continue to indulge in factional violence and other violent/illegal activities affecting normal life in the state." The 2020-21 annual report said that, "presently, various factions of the NSCN viz. NSCN(NK), NSCN(R) and NSCN(K-Khango) are under ceasefire with the Government of India. Currently, only one faction of the NSCN/K-Yung Aung faction, largely based in Myanmar, remains active".

In 2020, the number of kidnapping/abduction cases also declined by 33 per cent compared to 2019 (2019 - 49, 2020 - 33).

Security analysts say the message should go to the other side that statistics suggest things often go out of hand and the authorities are well aware of the movement(s) of some underground leaders and their cadres.

Some Naga militant cadres could be still hiding in Myanmar or beyond, sources said.

Prime Minister Modi himself says: "Efforts are continuing, they are being pursued with all seriousness." The Prime Minister's emphasis on the word "ghambirta" (seriousness) at the Diphu rally on April 28 in Karbi Anglong adjoining Nagaland border has its own significance.

A.K. Mishra, the Centre's peace emissary, who returned to Delhi after a week-long stay in Nagaland, has been reportedly categorical to NSCN (IM) that there is no question of revisiting the contentious issues of Flag and a separate Naga Constitution.

Security experts are now trying to assess situations beyond "talks and solution". The source said: "All pros and cons are being examined. We do not wish it, but in case there is abrogation of ceasefire, security of life and properties ought to be ensured." While the Prime Minister is keen to ensure permanent withdrawal of AFSPA, there cannot be any compromise on safety and security measures too, sources said.

(Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also author of books, 'The Talking Guns: North East India' and 'Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth'. Views are personal.)
New Delhi, May 3: Amidst raging fires, triggered by unusually prolonged dry spell and early rise of high temperature this year, there is a heart-warming story about rural women trying to save the forest's wealth in their vicinity while authorities sleep over massive loss to the environment in Himachal Pradesh.

The 23- old Raveena Chauhan at village Dodli has set an example, fighting the blaze for five hours and standing as a human wall not letting the fire engulf her house, apart from nearing the village.

The video of Chauhan has already gone viral on social media showing her how she braved the raging fire at Chail forests risking her own life .

"The fire has been going on for the past three days .I informed the forest department and even made calls at control room numbers .No one turned -up for 48 hours .One morning ,I noticed the fire approaching our village ,my house too .I could not stop myself " she told India Narrative .

Noticing her struggle with the fire, the villagers also joined .The fire was eventually doused before the forest teams reached the spot.

Chauhan, is a post-graduate in political science and lost her father two -three years back. She lives with her mother and younger sister.Since, she hasn't got a job to sustain the family, she returned to her village to do farming.

"I can't see such an environmental loss .Though, no big harm is caused to tall deodar or chir pine trees but a lot of fauna and flora gets charred or get reduced to ashes .I have seen the birds crying in panic .Eggs laid in the nests get roasted .I tried to save a few but in vain " she explained .

An environmental activist, she had briefly worked with Major General (Rtd) Atul Kaushik , currently chairman HP ( private) educational institutions Regulatory Commission ,who also heads a NGO - Pahari Samaj Paryavaran Kawach .

"She is not only involved in saving the forests from fires ,but also wildlife protection and water conservation .The area faces frequent shortage of drinking water ,especially summers " Major General Kaushik informed .

Sometime back, when she noticed a rare wildlife animal - Yellow Pine Marten had fallen into a water tank built by the forest department, she struggled to save the animal, unfortunately it died as no one came to rescue. Yellow Pine Marten is a highly endangered species.

The water tank is unfenced. The wild animals die as they often fall into this tank.

As per Kaushik most of the forest fires are the result of negligence ,and majority of these are deliberate .There are villagers ,especially women, who make an effort to see that nobody does any mischief yet summers bring a lot of vulnerability to the forests.

The summer fires, admits Ajay Srivastav , Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) ,have caused extensive damage to the forests .This year, the fires have started quite early because of prolonged dry spell and sudden rise of the temperature .

The official data reveals that more than 700 cases of forest fires have already been reported till April 30 .Nearly 6,000 hectares of the forests ,mainly in the districts of Shimla,Kangra , Kullu ,Sirmaur and Mandi have been damaged . The loss is estimated to the tune of loss so far has been pegged at around ?1.50 crore.

Last week, forests around Shimla were on fire for almost five days resulting in the loss of 158 hectares of forests.

Senior police officials including Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) ,beside Ajay Srivastav ,also reached the spot to oversee measures to douse the fire .But, carrying fire fighting equipment remains always a challenge .

The statistics reveal that the state witnessed the highest number of fires in 2018-19 .There are 2,544 forest fire incidents during this year followed by 1,445 in 2019-20 .The number was slightly low in 2020-21 ,which was 1,045 .In 2021-22 as many as 1,275 fires were reported.

Srivastav admits that most of the forest fires are human-generated either accidental,or deliberate ones. There is a practice to burn the pasture lands to get rid of the dry leaf litter to ensure fresh grass growth for livestock. If there are rains,the fires do not go out of control but when there's a prolonged dry spell,the fires really create havoc as highly combustible stuff is always available in the forests.

Anand Sharma ,a retired meteorologist says " drought conditions prevailing in the north and rise of temperature is bound to have its serious impact on the human beings ,plants and animals .Thus, the forest fires are raging quite an early" Neighbouring state of Uttarakhand is considered sixth-highest vulnerable state in terms of fire counts during past some years.

But, there have been serious efforts from the communities to save the forests from the fires .One such instance was recently reported from the forests in the Almora belt.

In Sitlakhet and Sayahi area of Almora district people have saved their forests from fires .They don't allow any combustible material including wood or dry grass to be collected near the forests .Before the fire season ,they undertake a control burning of all inflammable materials and even keep a close eye on anyone going to the forests .

There were 21,487 incidents of fire in Uttarakhand's forests between November 2020 and June 2021. The figure for the same period in the previous year was 759.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Srinagar, May 3 : Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday thronged mosques and Eidgahs in large numbers to offer Eid prayers which passed off peacefully.

Large prayer gatherings were seen at Hazratbal shrine and other Eidgahs in Srinagar city while authorities disallowed Eid prayers at the Jamia Masjid in old city Nowhatta area because of law and order reasons.

Almost two years after the Covid-19 pandemic, locals had restrictions free Eid-ul-Fitr.

Men, women and children dressed in their best thronged mosques, shrines and Eidgahs across the Valley to participate in the special Eid prayers that mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Gusty wind and rain in Shopian, Baramulla and Kupwara towns forced the devotees to offer the Eid prayers inside the local mosques.

Former chief ministers, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah also offered Eid prayers in Srinagar.

After greeting each other, devotees dispersed peacefully and there has been no report of any untoward incident anywhere so far.

Authorities had made elaborate arrangements of security and sanitation around different prayer places in the Valley.

Security forces were deployed in sufficient strength at all law and order sensitive places in Srinagar city and other cities and towns of J&K.
New York, May 3 : New York City has adjusted up its Covid-19 alert level from low to medium, indicating the presence of medium community spread of the virus, according to the official data.

The accumulated new cases per 100,000 people in the city in the last seven days moved up to 209.02, which surpasses the threshold of 200 to enter the medium level, Xinhua news agency quoted official data as saying.

The seven-day average new cases have increased to nearly 2,500 by April 29 from over 600 in early March.

With the medium risk alert level, New Yorkers must exercise even greater caution than they have the last few weeks, said Dr. Ashwin Vasan, Health Commissioner of NYC in a statement.

New Yorkers are advised to upgrade to higher-quality masks while wearing a face mask in public indoor settings, according to the colour-coded alert system introduced in early March.

Led by Northeast, Midwest and Northwest regions, Covid-19 cases in the US are on a meaningful rebound in the last few weeks.

According to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University, the US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths 81,444,332 and 993,999.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Thiruvananthapuram, May 3 : The CBI officials on Tuesday arrived at the Cliff House -- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's official residence -- to probe a complaint of the prime accused in the infamous solar scam that she was sexually attacked by the previous resident of the house, Congress Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

While serving as the chief minister from 2011-16, Chandy, along with his family and staff, resided in the Cliff House.

The CBI has registered six cases based on the prime accused's complaint in the solar scam that she was sexually attacked by six top leaders which includes five top Congress leaders --Chandy, Lok Sabha member Adoor Prakash, AICC general secretary (Organisation) Hibi Eden, Rajya Sabha member K.C.Venugopal and former State Minister and Congress legislator A.P.Anil Kumar besides national BJP vice-president A.P. Abdulla Kutty.

In the presence of the complainant, the team will collect the evidence from the house.

She was called to the Cliff House in 2012 by the then security official of Chandy, the complaint reads. And she was sexually abused by Chandy there.

On April 5, the probing team, along with the 'victim' arrived at the high security Kerala Legislative quarters as part of evidence collection in the case against Eden.

Incidentally, the 'victim' had raised a complaint against Vijayan, who handed it over to the CBI.

Just before the April 2021 Assembly polls, Vijayan forwarded the petition to the CBI, which agreed to take up the probe.

Following this, the CBI by now has filed three cases at the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court, here and one case in the CJM Kochi court.

However, the Kerala Police probe had earlier found out that there was nothing to prove the crime that and Chandy all along have said he has done no wrong and does not fear anything and will fully cooperate with the probe.

One of the main reasons behind Chandy government not getting a second term in 2016 was the scams involving the 'victim' and few others of the Chandy's office, which the Left used widely in their election campaign in 2016.

The woman and her then live-in partner reportedly went around selling solar schemes and collected money from several people and cheated them. In between, her links with a few office staff of Chandy surfaced, which became the biggest campaign issue of the Left.

This was one reason why the Congress-led UDF government which was aiming for a second term in 2016, suffered a rout and for all practical purpose, after this shocker, the party has never been able to regain its lost glory and it continues to haunt the top leaders.
Kolkata, May 3 : On the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for unity between the Hindus and Muslims, and said "isolation policy" was not good.

While attending the special Namaz prayer at Kolkata's Red Road, the chief minister did not miss the opportunity to take jibes at the BJP. She said that West Bengal's culture of unity among different religions was a matter of envy for many and, especially, for those who are trying to divide the country on communal grounds.

"Many are jealous of the culture of unity in West Bengal. The spirit of unity that exists in West Bengal is rare. Politics to create division in the country is going on. This is not good for the country. But we will have to remain united and work together. Some people are spreading falsehood to create tension among Hindus and Muslims. We will have to resist them together," the chief minister said at the gathering.

She also said that she would not bow down to the attempts of creating rift among the different religions. "We have to remain united at this crucial juncture. I appeal to all of you not to become victims of communal instigation," the chief minister said.

Several times in the recent past, Mamata Banerjee, without naming the BJP, has alleged that a section of the people "are trying to disturb the culture of peace and harmony in the state by circulating fake videos".

"I request you to have faith in me. I am determined to remove those who are trying to destroy the culture of peace and harmony in the country," the chief minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister attacked the Centre directly for "interfering in the internal affairs of the state".

"An attempt is being made to destroy the federal and democratic structure of the country," she said.
Madrid, May 3 : Great Britain's Andy Murray, who returned to clay for the first time in nearly two years, defeated Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-3, 6-4 to secure a Round-of-32 clash against Denis Shapovalov at the Madrid Open here.

Murray was ranked world No. 1 in the ATP Rankings when he last took the court at the Madrid Open in 2017 and his performance against the Austrian on Monday night belied his current world ranking of No. 78.

It was the two-time Madrid champion's first victory on the surface since the 2017 French Open quarterfinals, when he beat Kei Nishikori of Japan.

"I enjoyed it. I prepared really hard before coming here," said Murray to atptour.com. The three-time Grand Slam champion was initially planning to skip this year's clay swing before accepting a wild card into the Spanish ATP Masters 1000 event.

"I worked hard and really wanted to go out and put a good performance out there. I feel like I did that. When I played a couple of years ago on the clay, I was struggling a little bit with my groin. My body felt really good in the last few weeks and tonight I felt like I moved well and I played a really good match," added Murray.

Murray, who has undergone a hip surgery, last played a clay-court game at Roland Garros in 2020. He had initially planned to continue his break from clay and compete in hard-court ATP Challenger Tour events during the European clay swing. But when the events got cancelled, he changed his plan.

Murray showed few signs of rust as he dished out a dominant display. Thiem, still seeking the first win of his comeback from a right-wrist injury, was only brilliant in patches.

"It's extremely difficult," Murray said of Thiem's comeback in the second set. "He obviously had the injury initially and has also had some setbacks along the way. Mentally, it will take time to feel confident, totally accelerating on the ball. I had a wrist injury when I was 20 years old and it was very difficult. It took me time before I started to feel comfortable on the forehand side again.

"He uses his wrist a lot when he plays. He plays with heavy topspin. It's obviously going to take him time, but he can still hit the ball great. He's serving well, moving well. It's just going to take time," added Murray.

Murray next faces 14th seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada, who got past lucky loser Ugo Humbert of France, 7-6(1), 6-3. The 23-year-old Shapovalov won his only previous meeting with Murray in straight sets one year ago in the Wimbledon third round.
Los Angeles, May 3 : Ahead of the release of the Tom Cruise-starrer action drama 'Top Gun: Maverick', Lady Gaga has released a new song titled 'Hold My Hand' from the film, which is set to bow in theatres on May 27, reports 'Variety'.

As per 'Variety', 'Hold My Hand', produced by Gaga and BloodPop, with additional production by Benjamin Rice, is a rock tune with violins and guitar licks that hark back to the power ballads of the '80s. The song, which plays over the end credits, has already stirred buzz as a possible best original song contender for Gaga following the film's CinemaCon screening in Las Vegas.

In her Instagram post, Gaga expressed her feelings for the track and its journey, "I didn't even realize the multiple layers it spanned across the film's heart, my own psyche, and the nature of the world we've been living in. I've been working on it for years, perfecting it, trying to make it ours. I wanted to make music into a song where we share our deep need to both be understood and try to understand each other, a longing to be close when we feel so far away and an ability to celebrate life's heroes." Gaga also thanked Tom Cruise and composer Hans Zimmer. She wrote, "I'm so grateful to Tom and Hans and Joe for this opportunity and it's been a beautiful experience working with them. Me, BloodPop, Ben Rice and everyone else who worked on it with us are so excited to share it with you." The film's score is a collaboration of composers including Harold Faltermeyer and Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer. Lorne Balfe who worked on 'Mission Impossible: Fallout' also worked on the film's score.
New Delhi, May 3 : Acting promptly on specific intelligence input, alert troops of the Border Security Force (BSF) have recovered narcotics worth over Rs one crore in Tripura's Sepahijala district, officials said here on Tuesday.

The recovery was made on Monday. According to the BSF officials, after specific input, the Force cordoned off the area and started a search operation and found signs of a big drum buried in the soil.

On digging at the spot, 13 plastic drums full of dry Ganja were taken out. During the operation, Tripura Police were also present at the place of seizure and recovered 474 kgs Ganja worth Rs 21,95,000 in the premises of a house in village Rangamati in Sepahijala district in Tripura.

The BSF and the Tripura Police also recovered 16,000 Yaba tablets worth Rs 80,00,000, 439 bottles of Eskuf syrup worth Rs 82,950, and the 2.6 gram of Brown Sugar worth Rs 78,000.

On May 1, the Force recovered 5,700 Yaba tablets worth Rs 28,50,000 in the area of responsibility of the Border Out Post Salpokar.

The officials said that the total seizure amount of narcotics in the last two days was worth Rs 1,32,05,950 They also said that the seized items were being handed over to the concerned agencies to do the needful according to applicable laws.

Similarly in Punjab, the BSF on Monday recovered three packets of narcotics suspected to be heroin ahead of the border fence in the farming area at the International Border. The recovery was made by the troops of the Kisan guards, who keep an eye on the famers who go to the field ahead of the border fence.

On May 1, the alert jawans of the border guarding force under Punjab Frontier apprehended a farmer, while he was trying to conceal suspicious narcotics weighing over one kg when he went ahead of the fence for farming. The farmer was later handed over to the local police for further legal actions against him.
Kanpur : , May 3 (IANS) On Tuesday morning, when devotees thronged the Hanuman temple to offer prayers, the neighbouring mosque had hundreds of Muslims offering 'namaaz' on Eid.

The Hanuman temple and mosque at Tatmill crossing in Kanpur share a common entrance and members of the two communities share an unmatched bonhomie.

"For years, 'aarti' and 'azaan' have been taking place with both the communities extending their full cooperation. We believe in inclusiveness and there has never been any problem or trouble," said Roshan Lal, a local businessman.

"The temple and mosque have a common entrance and we have to cross the temple and then enter the mosque. We are coming here to pray for the past several years and no one has ever demanded a separate entrance," said the priest.
Patna, May 3 : A day after political strategist Prashant Kishor hinted about launching a political party, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar maintained a studied silence on the development.

While interacting with media on the occasion of Eid on Tuesday, the chief minister initially ducked the question, but on being asked repeatedly, he stated that he has nothing to do with it.

On Monday, Prashant Kishor hinted at launching a political party from Bihar. Taking to his official Twitter handle, he 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 to path to Jan Suraj - People good governance starting from Bihar," he tweeted.

His tweets evoked sharp reactions by RJD and BJP, but JD-U chose not to react.

It is well known that Nitish Kumar has good relations with Prashant Kishor, which the former has admitted several times on public platforms.

Several, however, see it a political ploy of Nitish Kumar to indirectly promote PK in the state so that the parties can be merged.

Currently, JD-U is undergoing a deep crisis especially after the second expansion of the Narendra Modi government. In that expansion, R.C.P. Singh was given the charge to bargain with BJP but he opted otherwise and secured the cabinet berth for himself.

This led to other prominent leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh being upset with him. Nitish Kumar realised it and made him the party's national president.

At present, there is a RCP Singh group, Lalan Singh group, Upendra Kushwaha group, active in JD-U.

Taking this in view, the JD-U has issued an official notification directing that every poster and advertisement will have Kumar's photograph only. No other leaders are entitled to promote themselves through poster politics in Bihar.

It is well known that except Nitish Kumar, there is no political successor in JD-U who could hold the party together at present. Neither RCP Singh, nor Lalan Singh or Upendra Kushwaha.

In that context, the political capability of PK is well established across the country. Hence, Nitish Kumar could give ideal play ground in Bihar to grow as a party and then merge into JD-U so that it would be easy for Nitish Kumar to hand over the responsibility to hold his legacy.

Though, this is just an assumption of political analysts in Bihar, they also believe that no one, including his closest allies, know Kumar's take on it.
New Delhi, May 3 : The National Green Tribunal has asked the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), the state's urban planning body, to look into a plea alleging damage by it to a water body in the Jharsa village in Gurugram district within one month.

NGT Principal bench headed by chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel was dealing with a plea, in which the applicant Rohit Thakran contended that the water body was being used till 2019-20 but now, it has been proposed to be "covered by the HSVP illegally".

Referring to a matter pertaining to Lt. Col. Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi vs Union of India, the complainant said the action of the urban planning agency is contrary to the environmental norms laid down in the judgement of the Supreme Court and directions of the Tribunal in the order dated November 18, 2020.

On January 7, the Tribunal directed the District Magistrate, Gurugram to look into the matter and take action in accordance with the law.

In the present Execution Application, the petitioner stated that despite a representation to the District Magistrate on February 9 and subsequent direction to the HSVP, no decision is being taken in the matter.

"In view of above, let the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran, Panchkula take a decision in the matter and convey the same to the applicant within one month from today," said the NGT in the order dated April 29.

Accordingly, the application has been disposed of.

"A copy of this order be forwarded to the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran, Panchkula by email for compliance," it read.
New Delhi, May 3 : One of the two men accused of gang-raping and murdering a 14-year-old unsound girl, was arrested following a gun battle in which he suffered a bullet injury in leg in Outer North Delhi.

The accused was identified as Sunil. He, along with his aide Ram Sachche alias Sachin, sexually assaulted a minor girl and then murdered her. Sachin was held while he was on the run.

According to information, in February, a case was registered on the statement of one Santosh Tiwari regarding the kidnapping of his unsound minor daughter against unknown person.

On February 19, an information was received from one Rahul Rai that a foul smell was emanating from his work place in Sannoth village and that his labourer Sunil was missing. His Shop was searched where a partially decomposed body of the missing girl was found.

One Ram Sachhe, alias Sachin, was arrested from outskirts of Sannoth Village in the intervening night of February 20 and 21 while he was trying to flee to Mumbai. Sachhe told police that he, along with Sunil, raped the girl after consuming liquor and later killed her by using her clothes.

"On the intervening night of May 2 and 3, we got a tip-off that Sunil would come near Shahpur Garhi area. A team was formed and a trap laid. Sunil was asked to surrender but he tried to run away from the spot by opening fire. Police launched a counter attack in which he suffered a gun wound in his right knee and was caught," police said.

Further probe is the matter is on.
Mysuru : , May 3 (IANS) The Karnataka Forest department sleuths have arrested a gang of five persons in connection with the hunting of a leopard and selling its body parts, police said on Tuesday.

The sleuths seized leopard skin and severed legs from the accused persons. The sleuths have also taken a single-barrel gun and bike used to commit crime into custody.

One of the accused is a resident of Abbur near Hanagod town and the other four are tribals.

According to the sleuths, the accused hunted the leopard in Hunsur Wildlife Zone which falls under the jurisdiction of Nagarhole National Park.

The accused were arrested while trying to sell the skin and severed legs of the leopard near Kademanuganahalli. The accused have been sent to judicial custody.
San Francisco, May 3 : California's population declined for the second consecutive year, bringing the Golden State's total to 39,185,605 as of January 1, 2022, local authorities announced.

The population of the California, which is still the most populous state in the US, dipped slightly by 117,552 last year, Xinhua news agency quoted data released by the Department of Finance as saying.

The authority blamed the population loss on a declining birth rate coupled with an increase in deaths from the Covid-19 pandemic.

"As Baby Boomers age, and fertility declines among younger cohorts, the continuing slowdown in natural increase, births minus deaths, underlies the plateauing of the state's population growth," the Department said in a statement.

"The addition of Covid-19-related deaths, federal policies restricting immigration, and an increase in domestic out-migration further affected population totals," it added.

According to the latest data, a total of 89,582 residents died of the virus.
Washington, May 3 : Russian President Vladimir Putin could formally declare war on Ukraine as soon as May 9, a move that would enable the full mobilisation of Moscow's reserve forces as invasion efforts continue to falter, US and Western officials believe.

May 9, known as "Victory Day" in Russia, commemorates the country's defeat of the Nazis in 1945, reports CNN.

Western officials have long believed that Putin would leverage the symbolic significance and propaganda value of that day to announce either a military achievement in Ukraine, a major escalation of hostilities, or both.

Officials have begun to hone in on one scenario, which is that Putin formally declares war on Ukraine on May 9.

To date, Putin has insisted on referring to the brutal months long conflict as a "special military operation", effectively banning words such as invasion and war.

"I think he will try to move from his 'special operation'," UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told LBC Radio last week.

"He's been rolling the pitch, laying the ground for being able to say 'look, this is now a war against Nazis, and what I need is more people. I need more Russian cannon fodder.'" Throughout the conflict, Putin has continuously framed his invasion of Ukraine, a country with a Jewish president, as a campaign of supposed "denazification", a description dismissed by historians and political observers alike, CNN reported.

Wallace added that he "would not be surprised, and I don't have any information about this, that he is probably going to declare on this May Day that 'we are now at war with the world's Nazis and we need to mass mobilize the Russian people'".

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Phnom Penh, May 3 : Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday met 1,753 students who graduated the 2021 high school exit exam with Grade A, awarding each of them with an iPad and $500.

Hun Sen said the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines has allowed the top scored students from across the nation to gather in capital Phnom Penh for the first time after a hiatus since the pandemic hit the kingdom in January 2020, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Successful vaccinations have given us an opportunity to get together again," he said.

Cambodia launched a national vaccination campaign against the virus in February 2021.

"So far, almost 15 million, or 93.7 per cent of our (16 million) population have received at least one dose of vaccines," Hun Sen said.

Of them, 14.2 million, or 88.7 per cent, have been fully vaccinated with two required shots, according to the Health Ministry.

Also, some 8.6 million, or 53.7 per cent, have taken a third dose, and 1.75 million, or 11 per cent, have got a fourth dose.

With its high vaccination rates, the kingdom has resumed all socioeconomic activities and reopened its borders to vaccinated travellers without quarantine since last November.

Cambodia has reported a total of 136,257 Covid cases and 3,056 deaths.
Taipei, May 3 : Six people are under investigation in Shanghai after an elderly nursing home resident was mistakenly declared dead, put in a body bag and taken by coroners to a waiting van before mortuary workers noticed he was still alive, The Guardian reported.

The incident, which took place on Sunday afternoon, was filmed by onlookers and the footage quickly spread online, sparking a furious backlash in the city which has been under a gruelling lockdown for five weeks. It also prompted concerns over the city's overwhelmed medical system.

In the footage, workers wearing protective clothing are seen pulling a body bag out of the mortuary van on to a trolley. They look inside the bag before realising the person inside is alive.

"Alive! Did you see that? Alive!" said one. "Do not cover him again!" said another.

One worker goes to speak with people wearing protective suits outside the building, and the elderly patient is wheeled back inside, The Guardian reported.

The incident was confirmed by the Putuo district government, which said that an investigation has been initiated into the matter.

The Shanghai Supervisory Commission and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said that five officials, including the director of the care home and a doctor, have been put under investigation. Another local party official has been reprimanded.

The Shanghai Xinchangzheng Nursing Home has apologised, while the funeral home reportedly praised its employees for noticing the person was still alive, and rewarded them with 5,000 yuan (600 pound) each.

State media said the elderly patient had been transferred to the hospital and was receiving treatment.

The incident shocked people in China, where a wave of Omicron is challenging the government's commitment to zero-Covid measures, including strict lockdowns and mass testing. It is also testing the resolve and trust of residents, the report said.
Patna, May 3 : In a state where liquor is completely banned, a loco pilot stopped a passenger train for an hour at the Hasanpur railway station in Bihar's Samastipur district for the 'forbidden' drink.

The train, which normally has a two-minute halt in Hasanpur, on Monday evening remained stationed for an hour. It was only after the passengers protested that the railway officials came to know about the pilot's act.

The passenger train number 05278 started its journey from Samastipur railway station on Monday at 4.05 p.m. and reached Hasanpur at 5.45 p.m. The last destination of the train is Saharsa where normally it reaches by 8.30 p.m.

"As the passengers were protesting at the railway station, we went to the driver's cabin. The co-pilot Karamveer Yadav alias Munna was missing from the engine room," said Manoj Kumar Chaudhary, station master of Hasanpur Railway Station.

"We received information that a person was creating ruckus in the Hasanpur market in a drunken state. When we reached there, we arrested him. He was identified as Karamveer Yadav, loco pilot of the train stationed at Hasanpur. We also recovered half a bottle of liquor from his possession. Accordingly, we have arrested him and informed senior officials about it," he said.

Following the incident, Alok Agrawal, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Samastipur zone, called a high-level meeting with the senior officials.

After Karamveer Yadav was found in a drunken state, a loco pilot V.C. Rajkumar, who was on leave but was travelling in the same train and going to Saharsa was given the charge. The train finally left Hasanpur railway station at 6.45 p.m.
Chennai, May 3 : Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said on Tuesday that the school students will have sexual awareness sessions for a week from next academic year onwards.

While speaking to IANS, the minister said that the state education department has taken extensive measures to prevent sexual harassment cases in schools after the DMK government had assumed office. He said that the state education department has directed all schools, private, aided, and government schools to have mandatory complaint boxes for children to lodge complaints against sexual harassment in schools.

The district education officer will depute an officer of the state education department to check the complaint boxes once every 15 days.

There were several complaints against school teachers and headmasters for having sexually assaulted schoolchildren. The arrest of Shiv Shankar Baba, the self-styled godman who founded the Sushil Hari International School, Chennai was arrested for sexually assaulting school students.

Several students of the school and former students had leveled allegations against Shiv Shankar Baba and following such incidents, the government has directed all schools in the state to install complaint boxes for students to drop complaints against any sexual harassment.

The state school education department is also in the process of focusing more on a 'Illam Thedi Kalvi' scheme by taking education to the doorstep, the minister said. He also said that 25.45 lakh government school students, 3.96 lakh aided school students and 60,000 private school students benefitted from the scheme.

The state education department will also invest Rs 7000 crore for development of smart classes for the next five years. The budgetary allocation for education for 2022-23 is raised to 36,895 crore which is a 7.9 per cent increase from the 2021-22 budgetary allocation of Rs 34,181 crore.

Minsiter Poyyamozhi said that the state education department is focusing more on implementing the State Education Policy (SEP) and has appointed a high-level committee of educationists and experts to formulate a SEP model.
New Delhi, May 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Copenhagen on Tuesday for talks with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen on enhancing the bilateral relationship.

After reaching the Danish capital, on the second leg of his three nation European visit, Modi, in a tweet, said: "I am very grateful to PM Frederiksen for the warm welcome. This visit will go a long way in further cementing India-Denmark ties." Modi was received by Frederiksen at the airport and from there, they moved to Marienborg, the official residence of the Prime Minister.

Image Source: IANS News

After the talks, Modi will thereafter meet business community there. He will also meet Queen Margrethe II later in the day.

Image Source: IANS News

He will also participate in the Second India-Nordic Summit with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

At India-Nordic Summit, Modi will talk to the Nordic nations to strengthen the areas of climate change, renewable energy, and innovation and technology.

Modi will also hold bilateral talks with the counterparts Katrin Jacobsdottir (Iceland), Jonas Gahr Store (Norway), Sanna Marin (Finland), and Magdalena Andersson (Sweden).

On the first leg of his visit, Modi was in Germany where he held talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz over wide range of issues, including regional and global matters.

He was received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community and met several top business leaders.

On the last stretch, Modi will visit France and meet President Emmanuel Macron.

-- Syndicated from IANS
New Delhi, May 3 : Domestic mutual funds invested Rs 4,002 crore, accounting for a little over 71 per cent of the total anchor book portion of the much-awaited initial public offering (IPO) of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).

SBI Mutual Fund reportedly invested around Rs 1,007 crore, becoming the largest investor in the anchor book quota.

The insurance major mobilised a total of Rs 5,627 crore from anchor investors on Monday.

An anchor investor in an IPO is a qualified institutional buyer (QIB) which invests before the IPO is made available to the public, as per market regulator SEBI's regulations, in order to instill confidence among investors.

The long-awaited Initial Public Offering (IPO) will open for investors on May 4 and will remain open to subscription till May 9.

The government has brought down the issue size from 5 per cent to 3.5 per cent.

A landmark public issue in the history of the Indian capital market, it is poised to be India's biggest IPO till date.

The IPO values LIC at Rs 6 lakh crore.

The issue offer of the LIC will be in the price band of Rs 902 to Rs 949.

Also, the policyholders will be offered a Rs 60 discount, while for retail investors, the discount will be Rs 45.
New Delhi, May 3 : India and Germany on Tuesday agreed to work together with focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups as well as AI research and its application in sustainability and health care.

India's Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh and German Education and Research Minister, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, during their meeting in Berlin, expressed satisfaction on the ongoing science and technology Cooperation between the two countries, which is one of the strategic pillars of the bilateral relationship.

"There is a lot of scope to work together in Artificial Intelligence, for which experts on two sides have already met. An Indo-German call for proposals for this would be raised soon inviting proposals from researchers and industry," officials said.

On the third day of his official engagement in Berlin, Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned that both the countries are now working in frontier areas of science and technology, including electric mobility, cyber physical system, quantum technologies, future manufacturing, green hydrogen fuel, deep ocean research and proposed to develop joint cooperation in these areas.

The two countries have already started mapping each other's strength in areas such as application of Artificial Intelligence in Sustainability and Healthcare.

Both Ministers felt delighted that several initiatives for human capacity developments in science and engineering have recently been worked out, which includes Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) to facilitate lateral entry of women researchers into ongoing S&T projects and Paired Early Career Fellowships (PECF) creating an inclusive ecosystem for the Indo-German S&T cooperation with exchange of young researchers on both sides.

Stark-Watzinger supported the idea to further strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation by partnering in emerging science and technology areas where both Germany and India have strength to work together and serve two societies.
New Delhi, May 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday again appealed to Russia and Ukraine to have an immediate ceasefire and to take path of dialogue as his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen hoped that India will influence Russia to stop the crisis.

The appeal was made by Modi, while making a statement following talks with the Danish Prime Minister in Copenhagen, where he reached on the second leg of his three-nation European tour.

"We call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and take path of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the issue," he said.

Frederiksen said that as India is close partner, she and Modi discussed war in Ukraine. "We discussed consequences of horrible crimes committed against civilians and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine." She said that killings of civilians in Bucha are deeply shocking. Both the Prime Ministers condemned these killings and and stressed the need for an independent investigation.

Frederiksen said that Denmark and the entire European Union strongly condemn Russia's unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

"My message is very clear - (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has to stop this war and end the killings," she said. She also said that she hopes that India will influence Russia to stop the war.

Modi landed in Copenhagen on Tuesday and held talks with Frederiksen to enhance the bilateral relationship.

Delegation-level talks were also held and some MoUs signed.

Modi, in a statement, said that he delighted that there have been "important developments" in various areas, especially in renewable energy, health, ports, shipping, circular economy and water management.

He also pointed out that more than 200 Danish companies are working in different sectors in India. "These companies are benefiting from increased ease of doing business and economic reforms in India," he said.

According to the statement, both sides reviewed progress in the Green Strategic Partnership. "They also discussed our wide-ranging cooperation in areas of skill development, climate, renewable energy, Arctic, P2P ties and other issues." After reaching the Danish capital, Modi, in a tweet, said: "I am very grateful to PM Frederiksen for the warm welcome. This visit will go a long way in further cementing India-Denmark ties." Modi was received by Frederiksen at the airport and from there, they moved to Marienborg, the official residence of the Prime Minister.

He is also slated to participate in the Second India-Nordic Summit with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

At the India-Nordic Summit, Modi will talk to the Nordic nations to strengthen the areas of climate change, renewable energy, and innovation and technology.

Modi will also hold bilateral talks with his counterparts Katrin Jacobsdottir (Iceland), Jonas Gahr Store (Norway), Sanna Marin (Finland), and Magdalena Andersson (Sweden).

On the first leg of his visit, Modi was in Germany where he held talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz over wide range of issues, including regional and global matters.

He was received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community and met several top business leaders.

On the last stretch, Modi will visit France and meet President Emmanuel Macron.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visits Rizwanur RahmanAAAs house on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on Tuesday, May 03, 2022.(Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visits Rizwanur RahmanAAAs house on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on Tuesday, May 03, 2022.(Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, May 3 : On the occasion of Eid, West Bengal witnessed politics of compassion with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee meeting Kiswar Jahan, the mother of late graphic designer Rizwanur Rahman, who died mysteriously on September 21, 2007.

On the other hand, CPI(M) politburo member and the party's state secretary Md Salim met Salem Khan, the father of Anis Khan, the student leader who also died mysteriously on February 19, 2022.

There were too many similarities between the two deaths, except one. When Rizwanur died, the Left Front government led by Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was in power while Mamata Banerjee was the face of the opposition.

And Anis Khan died when Mamata Banerjee is the Chief Minister of West Bengal, while the Left Front does not have a single representative in the state Assembly.

Apart from this, the similarities are quite a few.

After Rizwanur's death, the alleged role of three top officers of Kolkata Police -- then Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee, then Deputy Commissioner (headquarters) Gyanwant Singh, and then Deputy Commissioner (detective department) Ajay Kumar -- came under scanner. It was alleged that they played a role in separating Rizwanur from his wife Priyanka Todi, daughter of industrialist Ashoke Todi.

All the three officers were removed from their chairs and shunted to insignificant posts.

In the case of Anis Khan, his family members have been alleging from the beginning that Khan was killed by policemen in uniform. A civic volunteer and a home guard have already been arrested in connection with the case. However, Khan's family members have described the arrests as eye-wash.

After Rizwanur's murder, the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led government ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police to probe the matter.

However, Rizwanur's family members and Mamata Banerjee at that time demanded a CBI investigation into the matter. The CBI later probed the matter and declared the cause of death as suicide.

And now after Anis Khan's death, the state government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the incident. Interestingly, this SIT is headed by Gyanwant Singh.

Khan's father Salem Khan has been maintaining since the beginning that he only wants the CBI to probe the death of his son.

He said if needed, he would go to the Supreme Court in support of his demand.
New Delhi, May 3 : Spotify on Tuesday became the first music streaming service to be available on popular virtual gaming platform Roblox.

The Swedish company launched 'Spotify Island,' a place where artists and fans will gather to play interactive quests, unlock exclusive content, and buy artist merchandise.

"'Spotify Island' is a paradise of sound where fans and artists from all over the world can hang out and explore a wonderland of sounds, quests, and exclusive merch," the company said in a statement.

The company said it is creating an opportunity for artists to connect with fans and to partner with Spotify on the creation of in-game virtual merchandise.

The portion of those sales will go directly back to the artists themselves, it added.

Players can also enjoy an immersive audio experience by creating music and exploring sounds at the virtual beat-maker stations powered by Soundtrap.

Spotify currently hosts over 2.2 million gaming-related playlists.

The company said that listeners will also notice some familiar shapes, colours and icons on Spotify Island.

The first themed experience fans can expect is K-Park, "an homage to all things K-Pop".

"We'll work with artists to create more opportunities like this in the months ahead," said the company.

Spotify's premium subscribers jumped 15 per cent (on-year) to reach 182 million in the first quarter (Q1) of 2022, up from 180 million in the previous quarter.
Kolkata, May 3 : Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra on Tuesday came out in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after BJP posted a video of the former Congress chief at a nightclub in Kathmandu.

Soon after the video went viral, Moitra issued a strongly-worded Twitter message where she launched a scathing attack on the saffron leadership and also questioned their authority to raise questions about anyone's presence in a nightclub.

"How on earth is it anybody's business whether Rahul Gandhi or anybody else is in nightclub or at a wedding in private time? Sick BJP trolls in-charge should stick to doing what they do best -- leading double lives with beer in teapots," Moitra tweeted.

In the video released by BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya, Rahul Gandhi could be seen in a dimly-lit nightclub along with a friend, with music playing in the background.

Malviya wrote: "Rahul Gandhi was at a nightclub when Mumbai was under siege. He is at a nightclub at a time when his party is exploding. He is consistent. Interestingly, soon after Congress refused to outsource their presidency, hit jobs have begun on their Prime Ministerial candidate." Law Minister Kiren Rijiju retweeted the video and said, "Regular Parties, Vacations, Holidays, Pleasure Trips, Private Foreign Visits etc. are nothing new to the nation now. As a private citizen there's no issue at all but when an MP, a permanent boss of a national political party who keeps preaching others..." As the barbs against Rahul Gandhi continued, the Congress responded by taking a jibe at the Prime Minister, saying that Rahul Gandhi was not an "uninvited guest like the Prime Minister when he visited Pakistan".

The Congress said Rahul Gandhi is in Nepal to attend the wedding of a journalist friend.

Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "Do let me know so that we can change our status & civilizational practices of attending marriages of our friends & family members. Rahul Gandhi hasn't gone to Pakistan as an uninvited guest like PM Modi to cut a cake with Nawaz Sharif, and we know what happened in Pathankot." "Rahul Gandhi has gone to Nepal, a friendly country, to attend a journalist's wedding. There is nothing wrong. It's a matter of our culture. It's not a crime. Maybe the PM and BJP will soon decide it's a crime to participate in weddings of friends and family members," he added.
Aurangabad/Mumbai, May 3 : The political temperature in Maharashtra soared as Aurangabad police on Tuesday filed a FIR against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray for alleged violations of police conditions at his mega-rally held in that city late on Sunday.

Simultaneously, a Mumbai Police team is likely to go and serve a prohibitory notice under CrPC's Section 149 on Raj Thackeray, even as senior MNS leaders expressed apprehensions of his possible arrest in the case.

On a complaint lodged by Sub Inspector Gajanan Ingle, the City Chowk Police Station lodged the case against Raj Thackeray and others who organised the May 1 rally for alleged utterances that could incite public passions and disturb peace, flouting police conditions permitting the rally at the MSC Grounds.

The developments came after the Aurangabad police teams went through Raj Thackeray's entire speech with a fine tooth-comb, saw CCTV footage, quizzed locals, etc. as all major parties like the ruling MVA (Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress), the Samajwadi Party, the Sambhaji Brigade, the Bhim Sena, the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, and others demanded stringent action against him, including arrest.

Earlier on Tuesday, Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil held meetings with Director General of Police Rajnish Seth, Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pande and other top officials, followed by a meeting with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

DGP Seth had said before that the Maharashtra Police would initiate action against Raj Thackeray "today itself" - a day ahead of his 'Now OR Never' ultimatum to the state government to remove loudspeakers from all mosques by Wednesday (May 4) failing which his workers would blare Hanuman Chalisa at double volumes.

The Maharashtra Police also launched a statewide crackdown against MNS workers, office-bearers and others with over 15,000 arrests, notices to 14,000, detaining a few leaders in some areas, and seizing loudspeakers stored for probable use from Wednesday.
Gurugram, May 3 : In a daring incident, three masked youth barged into the government senior secondary school at Abhaypur village in Sohna block and beat up several Class XII students with sticks.

Following the incident on Monday, angry villagers held a panchayat against the alleged attackers in the school premises on Tuesday.

The villagers decided that they will not send their children to the senior secondary school. Instead, the educated youth of the village will teach the students.

They have also identified a spot near a bus stop in the village which will be suitable for the classes.

"This was not the first time that such an incident took place in the village. We had demanded that the state government should convert the middle school of the village into a senior secondary school to avoid such incidents, but in vain," a villager said.

"All the injured students are residents of Damdama village. We are probing the matter. The accused will be nabbed soon," Jai Singh, SHO of Sohna Sadar police station, said.

On Monday, nine students were thrashed with sticks by some unknown youth. The victims included five girl students. Some of the victims suffered severe injuries in the attack and were admitted to the civil hospital in Sohna.
Moscow, May 3 : The head of Russia's Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin has said that his team is making progress in a criminal probe into Ukraine's alleged Pentagon-funded bioweapons programme.

"The analysis of the obtained documents allowed us to clearly identify the people involved in the military biological activities in Ukraine, including representatives of the US Department of Defense and American companies with ties to it," he said, RT reported.

Bastrykin added that the US had spent more than $224 million on biological programmes in Ukraine since 2005 and the foreign aid was used to equip and upgrade around 30 research centers governed by Ukraine's Defence, Health and Agriculture ministries.

"The results of said research had been evacuated to Kiev-controlled territory before the start of (Russia's) special military operation," he said, adding that his agency would continue to study the documents on the matter.

In March, Moscow claimed that it had found evidence that the US had been funding biological weapons research in Ukraine. Washington and Kiev denied this claim and accused Russia of waging a disinformation campaign, RT reported.

Senior US diplomat Victoria Nuland said at the time that Washington was working with Ukraine to prevent research materials from falling into the hands of Russian troops.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, meanwhile, urged the US to "give a full account of its biological military activities at home and abroad and subject itself to multilateral verification".

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Agartala, May 3 : At least 24 Rohingyas including 10 children and 8 women, coming from Jammu, were detained in Tripura's Unakoti district but subsequently released as they are holding UNHCR cards, the police said on Tuesday.

Unakoti district Superintendent Police Kishore Debbarma said that the Border Security Force personnel detained the Rohingyas travelling in three cars at Jiturdighipar check-gate on Monday evening.

Later, the BSF handed over the 24 Rohingyas to police, who after verification of their UNHCR (United Nations High Commission on Refugees) cards on Tuesday released them.

"The Rohingyas came to Kumarghat railway station by training via Kolkata and Guwahati from their refugee camp in Jammu. We can not arrest them as they have valid UNHCR cards," Debbarma told IANS over phone.

The foreign nationals have no specific plan where they ultimately would go. Intelligence officials suspect that they are likely to go to Bangladesh and that's why they came to bordering Kailashahar. On April 27, six Rohingya migrants, including one holding a UNHCR card, were held at Dharmanagar railway station in North Tripura district. Rohingya Muslims often enter the northeastern states illegally from Bangladesh in search of jobs and for other purposes.

During the past two years, over 200 Rohingyas, who are citizens of Myanmar, have been detained in different northeastern states by the Border Security Force and other security agencies.

Since 2016, over 860,000 Rohingyas fled from Myanmar to evade violence and sheltered in Cox's Bazar in southeast Bangladesh
New Delhi, May 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-nation Europe trip, and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday discussed a wide range of issues, including regional and global matters.

The two leaders held talks in a one-on-one format, followed by delegation-level talks, an official statement said.

Both the Prime Ministers reviewed progress of the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership. Discussions also covered cooperation in renewable energy, especially offshore wind energy and green hydrogen, as well as skill development, health, shipping, water, and the Arctic, among others.

"Prime Minister appreciated the positive contribution of Danish companies in India to our flagship programmes. Prime Minister Frederiksen highlighted the positive role of Indian companies in Denmark.

"Both leaders lauded the expanding people to people ties between the two countries, and welcomed the Declaration of Intent on a migration and mobility partnership," it said.

According to the statement, the Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the progress made in various areas since the visit of the Danish Prime Minister to India in October 2021 especially in the sectors of renewable energy, health, shipping, and water.

The two shared convergence of interest on the importance of climate action, green growth and energy diversification.

"The independence of energy supply based on fossil fuel is vital in this regard as well as security policy. Thus, the two leaders agreed to further strengthen their cooperation within the renewable energy sector and welcomed the work on a comprehensive Energy Policy Dialogue in India and Denmark, especially strengthening cooperation on cross-sectoral energy planning with a focus on green hydrogen, integration of renewable energy, energy storage and decarbonisation." In this regard, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the discussions towards an Energy Policy Dialogue at the ministerial level.

The two leaders took note of the progress in the work of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and welcomed planned Danish support to the work of ISA, including through strengthening its Secretariat.

They emphasised the importance of India-EU Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen this partnership. The two leaders appreciated the progress in restart of negotiations on the India-EU Trade, Investment and Geographical Indicators Agreements and called for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial approach and an early and simultaneous conclusion. They welcomed the launch of the Trade and Technology Council between EU and India underlining the importance of deep, strategic collaboration on cross-cutting issues related to trade, trusted technology and security.

The two leaders also recalled the India-EU Connectivity Partnership and agreed to support efforts towards its early implementation.

They reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based international order, and a strengthened and reformed multilateral system.

They also confirmed their commitment to work towards reforming the UN, including the UN Security Council, to make it more effective, transparent and accountable.

The Danish Prime Minister reiterated Denmark's support for India's permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Council. Prime Minister Modi confirmed India's support for Denmark's candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2025-2026.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
San Francisco, May 3 : A group of Apple employees have, in an open letter, slammed the company's new policy that only allows for two days of working from home.

Writing to the company's executive team, the group wrote that three fixed days in the office and the two days work from home "broken apart by an office day, is almost no flexibility at all".

Forcing everyone to work from office is "a huge waste of time as well as both mental and physical resources", "does not recognise flexible work", and will create a "younger, whiter, more male-dominated, more neuro-normative, more able-bodied" workforce.

While in-person offices had closed world over in the wake of Covid-19 spread, in March this year, Apple announced that corporate employees would be returning to the office, and need to be there two days a week at minimum by May 2.

Starting May 23, the company will shift to a hybrid model with mandatory office days on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. CEO Tim Cook called in-person collaboration benefits "irreplaceable", the Engadget reported.

The employees wrote that the hybrid working pilot "is only driven by fear. Fear of the future of work, fear of worker autonomy, fear of losing control".

The letter also stated that Apple's siloed office structure makes it difficult to bump into colleagues, adding that remote tools like Slack are better for collaboration. Further, Apple's open-plan offices limit the concentration "required for creativity and... deep thought", they said.

The employees said that the hybrid model is one of the most inefficient ways to enable everyone to be in one room. On the other hand, with everyone working "remotely", it was much easier to reach out to colleagues in other offices.

"This enabled a kind of international collaboration that we didn't see before, where especially colleagues from 'far away' locations could finally contribute as well as people in our major offices and no longer felt like second-class participants in meetings".

At the same time, the employees argued that they are not asking for everyone to be forced to work from home. Rather, they want employees to decide best arrangement for themselves.

"Stop treating us like school kids who need to be told when to be where and what homework to do."
Bengaluru, May 3 : Karnataka Youth Congress staged a protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday and urged him to go back, alleging that he encouraged corruption.

The agitators gathered near Congress Bhavan near Race Course Road, raised slogans such as 'Amit Shah go back', 'Kannada virodhi Amit Shah' (anti-Kannada Amit Shah) and 'Amit Shah supporting corruption'.

The agitators alleged that ruling BJP is protecting those involved in PSI scandal. They also slammed that Amit Shah is talking about Hindi imposition.

Manohar, a Congress leader, stated that Amit Shah should make it public on how much share he gets from the corruption practised in the state by the ruling BJP leaders.

"The BJP is indulging in all departments and in all recruitment process... the genuine candidates who appeared in exams have been betrayed by the BJP. The people of the state won't forgive them," said G. Janardhan, another Congress leader.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are not condemning the corruption practised in the state. It seems the central leaders are taking their share," he said.

"Amit Shah is trying to impose Hindi language in Karnataka. He should understand that if he proposes to neglect Kannada language, the people will teach a good lesson," stated L. Jayasimha, a Youth Congress leader.
Lucknow, May 3 : Aiman Jamaal, a 2019 batch IPS officer is role model for girls, particularly Muslim girls.

What makes her even more special is the fact that her success was appreciated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who not only appreciated her efforts but even met her family to congratulate them.

Aiman was born in Khoonipur locality in Gorakhpur and she did her schooling from Carmel Girls School and then went to St Andrews Inter College from where she did her graduation in science.

In 2006, Aiman did a diploma in human resources from Annamalai University through a correspondence course.

She was selected in Bihar Civil services but she did not join and went on to get selected in IPS.

Aiman's father is a businessman and her mother is a teacher.

Aiman has been quoted as saying that there is no shortcut in the UPSC examinations.

Her advice to aspirants is to study with a time table and write descriptive answers so that they can brush up their writing speed and correct grammatical and spelling mistakes.
Chandigarh, May 3 : Former Punjab Chief Minister and President of Punjab Lok Congress (PLC), Amarinder Singh, said on Tuesday that the 2024 general elections will be crucial for the country as there is a need for a stable and strong government.

Speaking at a meeting of the PLC candidates who contested the recent Assembly elections in Punjab, he said given the geopolitical situation previaling in the world in view of the Russia-Ukraine war, the country needs a stable, mature and strong leadership, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is providing.

State BJP General Secretary Subhash Sharma also attended the meeting.

Amarinder Singh also said that the PLC and the BJP will jointly fight the municipal corporations elections in Ludhiana, Patiala, Amritsar and Jalandhar.

The meeting took stock of the prevailing situation in the state and also reviewed the performance of the party candidates in the last Assembly elections.

Amarinder Singh said that while the people of Punjab voted overwhelmingly for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with great expectations, there is already a strong sense of disillusionment against the state government.

The former Chief Minister claimed that not only has the AAP government backed out on several promises and commitments, it is also hurting the pride of Punjabis by usurping their power and rights.

He said Punjabis would never tolerate an outsider like Arvind Kejriwal running the government from Delhi, pointing out how Kejriwal is conducting meetings of Punjab officials in Delhi and issuing commands to them.

It is unconstitutional and unacceptable, he said.

Addressing the meeting, Subhash Sharma said although the BJP-PLC alliance could not win many seats, a strong foundation has already been laid.

He said while the immediate focus will be on the municipal elections which are due within less than a year from now, the alliance will be a formidable force in the 2024 general elections.

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LUCKNOW :Muslims offer prayer on the occasion of Eid-Al- Fitr at Eidgah in Lucknow on Tuesday May 03,2022.(PHOTO:IANS/Phool Chandra) Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru:Childrens greet each other after Eid prayer on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr at Edga Maidan, in Bengaluru on Tuesday 3rd May 2022.(PHOTO:IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, May 3 : Muslims and Hindus on Tuesday celebrated Eid together in the national capital's Jahangirpuri area that witnessed communal violence last month during a Hanuman Jayanti procession.

People greeted each other on the occasion of Eid to spread the message of peace and harmony.

Last month, clashes broke out between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri.

After the violence on April 16, an anti-encroachment drive was undertaken in the area on April 20.

During the drive that was termed a "routine exercise", many shops and houses in the area were bulldozed.

Meanwhile, adequate security arrangements have been ensured in the area on the occasion of Eid to avoid any untoward incident. Heavy police deployment in the area was also seen.

"We all want to live here with each other with peace and harmony together. We hope the full normalcy returns soon in the area... and it has started to return in the area," said a person from the Muslim community who did not want to be named.

He also said that the situation is improving in the area now.

A week after violence erupted in the area, both communities took out a 'Tiranga Yatra' to send out the message of peace and harmony.
Srinagar, May 3 : Armies of India and Pakistan on Tuesday held a customary exchange of sweets in Teetwal and Uri sectors of the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K on Eid-ul-Fitr.

Defence sources said two armies exchanged sweets at Teetwal crossing on Kishanganga river in Tangdhar in Kupwara district and at Kaman Post (Aman Setu), Uri in Baramulla district.

"At Teetwal, a contingent of 6 JAK Rifles exchanged sweets with Pakistan Rangers, similarly a contingent of 11 Dogra held the exchange with its counterparts at Kaman Post (Aman Setu).

"Considering the ongoing ceasefire along the border, this gesture is aimed at further enhancing peace and harmony in the Union Territory," a defence official said.

The Indian and Pakistan armies agreed for a renewed ceasefire along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir in February last year, and despite minor violations, much to the respite of border residents and farmers, the agreement has been holding well.
Mumbai, May 3 : Urging all citizens to show the "strength of a Hindu", and "now or never", Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray late on Tuesday called upon the people to play "Hanuman Chalisa" outside those mosques where 'azans' (prayer calls) are sounded from Wednesday.

"I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, the 4th of May, if you hear the loudspeakers blaring with azans; in those very places, play the Hanuman Chalisa on the loudspeakers! That's when they will realise the hindrance of these loudspeakers!" he said.

In a statement released here, the MNS chief alleged that Hindu festivals are restricted by silence zones under the facade of schools or hospitals, but mosques are exempt from such restrictions.

"I appeal to all Hindus that, make them hear Hanuman Chalisa, all local mandals and vigilant citizens should start a signature drive against it and submit the appeal letter with signatures daily to the local police station, if one hears the masjids playing the loudspeakers, the citizens should dial 100 and lodge a complaint. One must complain everyday," he said.
Patna, May 3 : RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said that if the Bhumihars and the Yadavs become united in Bihar, no one has strength to defeat them.

Addressing an event organised by the Bhuhar-Brahmin Ekta Manch (BBEM) in Bapu Sabhagar Patna on the occasion of Parshuram Jayanti, the younger son of Lalu Prasad said that he believes in walking together.

"In the last MLC election for the 24 seats, we gave five tickets to Bhumihar candidates and three of them managed to win the election. It indicates that if you take initiative toward us for the betterment of society and state, we always support you.

"The relations cannot sour or improve suddenly. We are not here to take your vote or do the politics of vote bank. We came here to win your trust," Tejashwi Yadav said.

His statement assumes importance keeping in view that the Yadav community was almost "anti-Bhumihar" in Bihar during the governments of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. At that time, the slogan "Bhura Baal Saaf Karo", referring to the generally brownish hair of Bhumihar, was quite common.

Citing present conditions, Tejashwi Yadav said: "At present, unemployment is at a massive level in all castes or communities. Bhumihar is a learned, intellectual and conscious community in Bihar. You are capable of removing unemployment and price rise from the state." Tejashwi said.

About the 2020 Assembly election, he said that the Mahagathbandhan had obtained 1 crore 56 lakh votes, which was 44 per cent and it was just 12,000 votes less than the NDA's share. "They have stolen the mandate last time. I have promised to the people of Bihar that if I become the Chief Minister of Bihar, I would give 10 lakh jobs with my first signature," Tejashwi Yadav said.
Mumbai, May 3 : Setting the stage for a possible confrontation as he urged people to show the "strength of a Hindu now or never", Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray late on Tuesday called upon the people to play "Hanuman Chalisa" outside those mosques where "azaans' (prayer calls) are sounded from Wednesday.

"I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, the 4th of May, if you hear the loudspeakers blaring with azaans; in those very places, play the Hanuman Chalisa on the loudspeakers! That's when they will realise the hindrance of these loudspeakers!" he said.

In a statement released here, the MNS chief alleged that Hindu festivals are restricted by silence zones under the facade of schools or hospitals, but mosques are exempt from such restrictions.

"I appeal to all Hindus that, make them hear Hanuman Chalisa, all local mandals and vigilant citizens should start a signature drive against it and submit the appeal letter with signatures daily to the local police station, if one hears the masjids playing the loudspeakers, the citizens should dial 100 and lodge a complaint. One must complain everyday," he said.

The estranged cousin of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray called upon the police to show that the country is "governed by law and order, they should maintain and follow the law, and unauthorised mosques, loudspeakers and the prayers being held in the middle of the roads need to be addressed duly".

Reiterating to the Muslims that this was a social issue and not a religious one, Raj Thackeray said he wholeheartedly welcomed the decision of those mosques that have tried to stop the use of loudspeakers owing to the misuse and disturbances caused by it, and also directed the Hindus not to harass such mosques that have stopped using loudspeakers.

Acknowledging that the issue cannot be tackled in a day, he called upon all Hindus to take the call ahead of shutting down loudspeakers, become mentally prepared for it, all politicians should also work towards it, and "each citizen should show the strength of what it is to be a Hindu".

He referred to the Supreme Court guidelines on the timings, the decibel levels and other aspects for the use of loudspeakers by all religions for the duration of their festivals, but it is not supposed to be for 365 days, etc.

Targeting his cousin and Chief Minister, Raj Thackeray sought to remind him of the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray who wanted all loudspeakers to be silenced.

"Are you going to listen to this? Or are you going to follow what non-religious Sharad Pawar who is responsible to keep you in power? Let the people of Maharashtra witness what is going to happen," he said.

He added that the country doesn't have so many jails that can arrest the Hindus, and this fact should be recognised by the governments.

"My dear Hindu brothers, sisters and mothers come together, be one in bringing down these loudspeakers! If not now, then it will never happen!" he said.

Earlier, the Aurangabad police booked Raj for flouting the police conditions when permission was granted for his May 1 rally there, and the police launched a state-wide crackdown against MNS activists.

In order to avert any untoward situation, the Maharashtra Police went into a high-alert mode, cancelled all leaves of personnel for security duties, deployed 30,000 home guards and other measures to tackle Raj Thackeray's "ultimatum".
Chennai, May 3 : The Director of Medical Education, Tamil Nadu, Narayana Babu, said on Tuesday that the Madurai Medical College had violated two instructions in the medical oath row of fresh MBBS students at the institute.

Speaking to reporters after conducting an inquiry into the oath row at the Madurai Medical College, Narayana Babu said, "The Madurai Medical College violated two instructions regarding administering oath to the freshers. It violated instructions from the state health department and the Director of Medical Education (DME) to get clarification on any new/fake circular from the department and to follow a routine process of admission issued in February." The official said that the recommendation by the National Medical Commission to use 'Charak Shapath' while administering oath to medical students was only a circular, and not an order.

He also said that the Tamil Nadu health secretary had issued an instructions on February 10 to all the Deans asking them to get clarification on all the new circulars from the department, stating that some fake orders in the name of NMC were also getting circulated on social media.

Narayana Babu clarified that the Parliament had also clarified that 'Charak Shapath' cannot replace 'Hippocratic Oath'. He also said that the Madurai Medical College had failed to get clarification from the DME and health department on this issue.

He also said that a full inquiry would be conducted and appropriate action will be taken against other medical college Deans where students have alleged to have taken 'Charak Shapath'.

It is to be noted that the students' council of the Madurai Medical College has taken up the responsibility of the first year MBBS students taking the 'Charak Shapath' instead of the traditional 'Hippocratic Oath'.
New Delhi, May 3 : The National Green Tribunal has directed the District Magistrate of Uttar Pradesh's Banda to verify the value of the material illegally mined and asked to review the Rs 1.45 crore environmental fine imposed earlier.

The NGT's principal bench, headed by Chairperson, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, noted that according to the report, the fine amount includes the value of the illegally-mined material in terms of the 2017 judgment of the Supreme Court in Common Cause vs. Union if India & Ors.

"However, it is not clear how the value of the mined material is calculated when lease money is Rs 20 crore per year, as noted in the order of the Tribunal. The District Magistrate may thus look into this aspect and verify the value of the mined material. If the value of the mined material is found to be more, further action be taken as per the law," said the order dated April 29.

As per the complaint filed by applicant Haidar Khan, company, R.S.I. Stone World Ltd is involved in sand mining, violating environmental norms and without consent from the state PCB in Naraini tehsil of the district.

On the NGT's intervention, the state PCB had on September 22, 2020, found violation of norms by the company. The committee had found mining down to six metres against the maximum permitted depth up to three metres with the use of Pokland machines, use of lifter machines, part of which were found inside the Ken river.

Accordingly, the Banda District Magistrate cancelled the lease and blacklisted the project proponent and also slapped an environmental compensation of Rs 1.45 crore. An FIR was also lodged on March 15, 2020, apart from other action.
Kolkata, May 3 : A minor change has been made in the schedule of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to West Bengal at the last moment.

Shah was scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Wednesday night. As per the revised schedule, the Home Minister will reach Kolkata on Thursday morning (May 5).

However, the rest of his schedule will remain the same. On Thursday morning, he will first go to Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas district to attend a function organised by the Border Security Force (BSF).

From there, Shah will head to Siliguri in Darjeeling district where he will address a public rally at the Railway Institute Ground. There is also a possibility of the Home Minister holding a meeting with the representatives of different political and non-political organisations based out of Darjeeling on the same day.

On May 6 morning, he will go to the adjacent Cooch Behar district to attend a government programme in Tinbigha. He will return to Kolkata on May 6 afternoon and is expected to hold meetings with the top BJP leaders from the state.

Shah will then attend a government programme at the Victoria Memorial, which will also be attended by Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar. He will fly back to Delhi on May 6 night.

"This is the changed and tentative schedule as of now. There might be some minor changes in the schedule later also," a state committee member of the BJP said.
Jaipur, May 3 : At least 97 people have been arrested in connection with the clashes that broke out between two groups in Rajasthan's Jodhpur on Monday night and continued on Tuesday following which Internet services were suspended while curfew was clamped in 10 police station areas.

The Divisional Commissioner on Tuesday suspended Internet services in the entire Jodhpur district (including Jodhpur Commissionerate) with an aim to maintain peace and cordial atmosphere and curb rumours.

According to the order issued by the Divisional Commissioner Himanshu Gupta: "2G/3G/4G/data (mobile Internet), Bulk SMS, MMS/WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media (Voice calls, Broadband Internet, Lease through Internet Service Provider) Internet services, except lines, have been suspended. This restriction will continue till further orders." The clashes had first erupted late Monday night.

The violence began after some people were raising flags at the Jalori Gate intersection around 11.30 p.m. on Monday. A person making a video of this was beaten up by some youth. When some people came to his rescue, they beat them also. After this, the other group started throwing stones. Deputy Commissioner of Police East and Udaymandir SHO were injured in the stone pelting.

The violence erupted again on Tuesday morning at the Jalori Gate over the unfurling of a flag. The police cane-charged the miscreants, fired tear gas shells and dispersed the mob.

In view of the tense situation, curfew was imposed in 10 police station areas.

Meanwhile, the Police Commissionerate has issued a partially amended order which says that students appearing in various school examinations, competitive examinations, teachers and staff engaged in examination work will be allowed to move during the curfew.

Medical emergency services, medical staff, bank employees, officials related to judicial services, employees, journalists and media persons would require to show identity cards or documents.

If necessary in special circumstances, the concerned Assistant Commissioner of Police would be able to grant permission to go out in the curfew.

Rest of the orders will remain the same.

ADG Law and Order Hawa Singh Ghumaria told that strict adherence to curfew in Jodhpur is being maintained.

Around 1,000 police personnel have been deployed in the district and every incident -- small or big -- is being closely monitored, he added.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot directed the police and the administration to identify the anti-social elements responsible for the incidents that disturb communal harmony and brotherhood, and take stern action against them. He termed the incident in Jodhpur unfortunate.

Addressing a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister's Office on Tuesday, he said that a criminal, irrespective of religion, caste or class, must not be spared if found to be involved in criminal activities and appealed to the general public to maintain peace.

He directed Home Minister Rajendra Singh Yadav, Minister in-charge of Jodhpur Subhash Garg, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Abhay Kumar and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Hawa Singh Ghumaria to immediately rush to Jodhpur.
New Delhi, May 3 : BJP chief J.P. Nadda said on Tuesday that the safe evacuation of 23,000 Indian nationals from war-hit Ukraine under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows that India is changing.

Nadda was addressing party workers in the national capital after inaugurating the South Delhi district BJP office on Tuesday.

"An empowered India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi safely evacuated 23,000 Indians from war-hit Ukraine, which shows that India is changing. Not just Indian students, but people from other countries were also evacuated by India from Ukraine, when other nations failed to evacuate their citizens," Nadda said.

He told the party workers that when the Indian government was ensuring the safe evacuation of students from Ukraine, the BJP workers kept in touch with their parents and visited them multiple times to offer support.

"Not just this. Didn't Modiji talk to (Ukraine President Volodymyr) Zelensky? Didn't he talk to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin? Didn't he arrange for the safe evacuation of our people," Nadda asked the gathering.

He also said that the officials of the External Affairs Ministry had reached the borders of Ukraine and arranged visas overnight to bring back the stranded Indians.

"This is the changing India. Modiji has empowered India," the BJP chief said.

He also talked about Covid vaccination and other welfare measures of the Modi government like free ration, Kisan Samman Nidhi etc.

Taking a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party, Nadda said, "The AAP contested 377 seats in Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls where all its candidates lost deposits. Similarly, in Uttarakhand it lost deposits in 68 seats it contested." Nadda informed the gathering that so far, 215 district offices of BJP have been built out of a total 512 planned across the country, and work is in progress in the 165 offices.

"In Delhi, 14 offices were to be built of which the 10th one is being inaugurated today," Nadda added.

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Chennai, May 3 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has appealed to the people to contribute to the state government to buy food materials, and ship them to Sri Lanka to help the people of the island nation currently reeling under an economic crisis.

Stalin also announced that his party -- DMK -- would contribute Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister's public relief fund to support the people of Sri Lanka.

Stalin said that the Tamil Nadu government would be sending 40,000 tonnes of rice, milk powder of around 500 tonnes, and life-saving drugs to the island nation.

He called upon the people of Tamil Nadu to contribute well to supporting the people of the neighbouring country who are staring at an acute financial crisis.

The Chief Minister in his appeal called upon the people to visit https://ereceipt.tn.gov.in.cmprf/cmprf.html for sending contributions.

Sri Lanka has been under acute financial crisis for the past couple of months and people are in the streets against the policies of the government there.

India has already supported the neighbouring nation with money, oil, and other essentials.
Jaipur, May 3 : BJP leaders in Rajasthan have accused the Congress government of following appeasement policy as they targeted the state's ruling party over the violent clashes that broke out between two groups of people in Jodhpur on Monday night and continued on Tuesday.

They also questioned the absence of Congress MLAs when the 'crowd was attacking innocent people' in Jodhpur.

"Nero was fiddling when Rome was burning," said Union minister and Jodhpur MP Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, taking a dig at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who is from Jodhpur and has held the Sardarpura Assembly constituency since 1998.

Shekhawat alleged that when Gehlot's own city was burning, he was busy accepting wishes on his birthday.

"Why an innocent girl was attacked? Why common people sitting inside their shops were attacked? Why a BJP leader was attacked? And why there were delays in lodging FIRs?" BJP state unit chief Satish Poonia also wrote to Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra demanding a fair investigation into the violence in Jodhpur.

"Necessary guidelines should be issued to the state government so that peace can be established in the state and communal incidents do not recur in Rajasthan. Strict action should be taken against the chaotic elements involved in the above incidents," he said.

In a statement, Poonia said, "Law and order remains a big challenge in Rajasthan. Under the patronage of the Ashok Gehlot-run Congress government, the law and order situation has deteriorated in the state due to appeasement politics, which is indeed worrying.

"The way an Islamic flag was put up in Jodhpur, and the violence that ensued were attempts made to spread anarchy in the state. After Karauli, this incident proves that such violent acts are taking place under the patronage of the Congress government.

"Why such incidents take place only under the Congress government? This means the chaotic elements get protection, which is available because on one hand the PFI is allowed to take out rally in Kota, while on the other hand Ram Navami and Hindu New Year processions are banned." Ashok Gehlot should think of people's security instead of worrying about his chair, Poonia added.

At least 97 people have been arrested so far in connection with the clashes in Jodhpur, which forced the authorities to suspend Internet services in the district besides clamping curfew in areas under 10 police stations.
Tehran, May 4 : Iran will continue the path of diplomacy until achieving a final agreement in the Vienna nuke talks, the Iranian Foreign Minister has said.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a phone conversation with his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website.

In addition to developing and proposing political initiatives, Iran has shown that it has the necessary will to reach a "good", "strong" and "lasting" agreement in the Vienna talks, the Iranian top diplomat was quoted as saying.

"Now, it is the American side that has to, by adopting a realistic approach, modify (former US President) Trump's illegal behavior and takes steps in the direction of (developing) political initiatives," he noted.

Coveney described Iran's initiatives in the Vienna talks as commendable, highlighting the necessity of reaching a "good" agreement through the diplomatic process that would be capable of safeguarding the interests of Tehran as well as the other parties.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with the world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the US-led sanctions. However, Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed the sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA in retaliation.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital of Vienna between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, including China, the UK, France, Russia and Germany, to revive the pact. The US has been indirectly involved in the negotiations as it has quitted the deal.
Innovative Forensic Investigations, an investigative genetic genealogy firm providing services to law enforcement nationwide, today announced it has selected Othram as its partner for Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing. This partnership will allow Innovative Forensic Investigations to provide a streamlined service to law enforcement agencies who are looking for a full-service investigative genetic genealogy company to collaboratively work with to solve a challenging case.

At Innovative Forensic Investigations, our motto has always been to make the world better through team collaboration. Our new partnership with Othram solidifies this belief system, and allows us to provide the agencies we work with an even more comprehensive service, from start to finish, commented Jennifer Moore, Founder and CEO of Innovative Forensic Investigations. Moore is also an investigative genetic genealogist and licensed private investigator. We have built a great working relationship with Othram over the past year. Expanding our relationships with like-minded people who have the same goals of bringing answers to victims and families, while upholding the integrity of the case, is imperative when picking a partner. It has been our experience while building this working relationship with Othram that they hold the same values of professionalism and integrity that we do, and we look forward to developing our partnership further."

Innovative Forensic Investigations team members combine extensive law enforcement, legal, investigation, and investigative genetic genealogy backgrounds to deliver the expertise, tools, and guidance most needed by law enforcement investigators working cold cases, violent crimes, unidentified decedents, missing persons, living identification, and private investigation cases from its submission through its conclusion. The addition of Othrams services will help Innovative Forensic Investigations deliver a best-in-class, integrated solution for law enforcement agencies.

Othram, the leading forensic sequencing laboratory for law enforcement, offers a proprietary genetic testing service, Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing, that has been used to help law enforcement crack hundreds of cases at the local, state, and federal levels, many of which had been unsolved for decades. Evidence processing, from DNA extraction and enrichment to sequencing and analysis is performed in-house, with full chain-of-custody, by experienced forensic DNA analysts. Innovative Forensic Investigations will leverage this service for law enforcement agencies, to develop high-performing genealogical profiles from challenging forensic DNA evidence.

Othram technology enables forensic professionals to access genetic information from evidence that has previously failed with other labs and lab methods, said David Mittelman, CEO of Othram. We are thrilled to make this technology as accessible as possible, to everyone, so that we can help as many families get the answers they deserve.

To find out how Innovative Forensic Investigations can help your agency, visit http://www.innovativeforensic.com or contact them directly at info@innovativeforensic.com.

Visit Othram.com to learn how it can help your agency with your case. Visit dnasolves.com to learn how anyone can make a difference in helping solve the next cold case.

About Innovative Forensic Investigations:

Virginia-based Innovative Forensic Investigations is a full-service investigative genetic genealogy firm providing services to law enforcement agencies, working collaboratively through the entire lifecycle of the case, from submission to conclusion. Unique in the industry, Innovative Forensic Investigations combines years of expertise in the field of investigative genetic genealogy with deep expertise in legal, law enforcement, investigations, and family advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.innovativeforensic.com.

About Othram Inc.

Othram is the world's first private DNA laboratory built specifically to apply the power of modern parallel sequencing to forensic evidence. Othram's scientists are experts in the recovery, enrichment, and analysis of human DNA from trace quantities of degraded or contaminated materials. Founded in 2018, and located in The Woodlands, Texas, our team works with academic researchers, forensic scientists, medical examiners, and law enforcement agencies to achieve results when other approaches fail. Follow Othram on Twitter @OthramTech or visit Othram.com to learn how we can help you with your case. Visit dnasolves.com to learn how anyone can make a difference in helping solve the next cold case.
I believe in giving people time to talk and hearing them out. From there, Im able to tell them where their strengths and weaknesses lie and advise them on the best course of action. Im pleased to join Signature Resolution and continue my work helping parties resolve their disputes.

Signature Resolution, a leader in alternative dispute resolution, announced today that the Honorable Daniel Buckley (Ret.) is joining the team. Judge Buckley brings over 40 years of experience, innovative thinking and leadership skills to the company. His background as a litigator in private practice and a judge, including presiding judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, makes him the perfect choice for litigants in search of a balanced, insightful, and neutral facilitator and decision-maker.

I believe in giving people time to talk and hearing them out, said Buckley. I want them to feel they got their day in court. From there, Im able to tell them where their strengths and weaknesses lie and advise them on the best course of action. Im pleased to join Signature Resolution and continue my work helping parties resolve their disputes.

Judge Buckley brings tremendous experience to our Signature Resolution panel, particularly following his prestigious role as the presiding judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, the largest court in the country, said Dario Higuchi, Signature Resolution founding partner and managing member. In addition to his impressive background, Judge Buckley is well known for his ability to truly listen to both parties before making a more objective evaluation of the case. His uncanny knack for understanding a cases strengths and weaknesses and his extensive experience makes him an ideal neutral.

Before joining Signature Resolution, Judge Buckley spent his entire attorney career at the firm of Breidenbach, Buckley, Huchting, Halm & Hamblet, where he was a general civil litigation defense attorney with a focus in the areas of toxic torts, professional negligence, personal injury and insurance coverage. He litigated several landmark cases in the country, including Newman vs. Stringfellow, which was considered the largest toxic tort case in the early 1990s with over 4,000 plaintiffs. Judge Buckley was also a co-lead trial attorney for the State of California in a year-long trial with 17 bellwether plaintiffs.

Judge Buckley left private practice in 2002 after being appointed to the Superior Court. Over time, he served in many leadership positions at the courts, including supervising judge of the East District, supervising judge of the civil department, assistant presiding judge and most importantly, presiding judge of the Los Angeles courts in 2017 and 2018. His last assignment in the court was at the prestigious Complex Courts where he handled a wide range of case types, including complex and multidistrict litigation matters, mass tort, class actions, and construction cases. During his last year on the bench, he assisted in the settlement of a number of high-profile lawsuits including Riot Games, the USC Tyndall case and the UCLA Heaps case.

Judge Buckley is also devoted to teaching and advancing education. He has served as an adjunct professor at Notre Dame Law School, Loyola Law School and USC Gould School of Law, teaching trial advocacy and California Civil Procedure. He taught many courses to judges on evidence, civil law, judicial administration and ethics. Every year he was an instructor for New Judge Orientation which covered ethics and courtroom management for new judicial officers.

About Signature Resolution

Established in 2017 in the heart of Los Angeles, Signature Resolution comprises a panel of distinguished neutrals hailing from diverse backgrounds, including respected judges and trial attorneys specializing in virtually every civil practice area. The founding partners inaugurated the organization with a vision of providing the highest level of service and convenience for attorneys and their clients. Signature Resolutions panelists offer unrivaled expertise and commitment to resolve even the most challenging legal matters. For more information about the firms mediation, arbitration and other dispute resolution services, visit https://signatureresolution.com.
We are excited to work with DegreeLogix to make higher education even more accessible to degree-seeking students

National American University (NAU) is pleased to announce a new academic relationship with DegreeLogix, a training and education company committed to lifelong learning and the career success of individuals.

The relationship allows qualified DegreeLogix students to transition to National American Universitys Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Online degree programs in several exciting career fields. Students can participate in convenient, online classes in Strategic Security and Protection Management, Criminal Justice, Intelligence Management, Management, Nuclear Enterprise Security, and Terrorism and Counterterrorism bachelors degree programs regardless of geographic location.

National American University has a long history of working with community and technical institutions to help working adults and other non-traditional students take the next step in their career journey. We are excited to work with DegreeLogix to make higher education even more accessible to degree-seeking students, commented Dr. Ronald Shape, National American University President.

NAU works with dozens of institutions across North America, offering special tuition rates and generous transfer credit for prior education and training. Through NAU academic relationships, students are often able to earn degrees faster and at a lower cost.

For more information about NAUs many academic relationships or NAU Canada online, contact John Lund, Director of Strategic Partnerships at 605.394.4846.

About DegreeLogix

Founded over 20 years ago, DegreeLogix has been an innovator in certified and accredited educationmeeting the needs of learners in multiple industries and professions. DegreeLogixs mission is to change peoples lives through education and knowledge, teaching them new skills and preparing them for advancement in their professional careers.

About National American University

Institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, National American University has been preparing students for careers in technical and professional fields since 1941. Today, NAU offers online certificates, associate, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs, including healthcare management, business, accounting, information technology, paralegal, criminal justice and strategic security.
While there is a lot institutional capital seeking opportunities in these alternative sectors, weve created a unique platform where we can provide very flexible solutions for our partners, said Mr. Bodnar.

In a new joint-venture with the Denver-based Brue Baukol Capital Partners, healthcare and life sciences real estate industry veteran, Chris Bodnar, announced the launch of a private equity firm specializing in alternative real estate asset classes  Prescriptive Capital.

Prescriptive Capital, also headquartered in Denver, will offer investors opportunities in three primary sectors  Healthcare, Life Sciences and Senior Living. This is a natural progression for Mr. Bodnar, who previously served as Vice Chairman and co-founder of the Healthcare and Life Sciences Capital Markets division at CBRE, the worlds leading commercial real estate services firm. During his tenure at CBRE, he advised on some of the industrys most notable monetization and development assignments and was involved in over 50 million square feet of transactions, exceeding a total value of $20 billion.

In his new role as CEO and co-founder of Prescriptive Capital, Mr. Bodnar will leverage the teams 60 years of combined investing and transacting experience, as well as a data-driven investment approach backed by a unique understanding of market factors driving each asset class.

While there is a lot institutional capital seeking opportunities in these alternative sectors, weve created a unique platform where we can provide very flexible solutions for our partners, said Mr. Bodnar. Our goal is to be an alternative to traditional institutional capital  allowing our operating partners to run their business autonomously, while providing them the opportunity to leverage our teams relationships and experience.

Prescriptive Capital is seeking development and acquisition opportunities  in both general partner and limited partner positions  from $5 million to $200 million. The firms focus is on the most resilient alternative real estate investment opportunities, with limited correlation to greater economic trends, providing further diversification for their investors with favorable risk-adjusted returns across market cycles.

In its partnership with Brue Baukol Capital Partners, Prescriptive Capital gains a leadership team with a proven track record of delivering excellent returns to its investors via tailored strategies and ingrained market insights that enhance value. When it comes to funding power, the Prescriptive Capital leadership team has already invested more than $3.0 billion across a variety of asset classes with deals ranging in size from $5 million to $200 million. The firm prides itself on communicating with investors in real-time and takes a holistic approach to each opportunity.

Brue Baukol Capital Partners has enjoyed great success investing in traditional real estate asset classes, said Chad Brue, CEO and Founder of Brue Baukol Capital Partners. However, our investors continue to seek ways to diversify their portfolio with alternative real estate assets, necessitating a platform thats solely focused on these nuanced sectors. Chris is a proven leader in healthcare and life sciences, and were excited to partner with him under the Prescriptive Capital brand.

The Prescriptive Capital main office is located at 1144 15th Street, Suite 2650 Denver, CO 80202. Prospective investors can contact Chris Bodnar directly at Chris.Bodnar@prescriptivecap.com or 720.635.2653.

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About Prescriptive Capital

Prescriptive Capital is a private equity firm focused exclusively on investing in alternative real estate investment sectors. The principals of the firm have more than 60 years of combined experience in the commercial real estate market and have developed a distinct strategy rooted in data analytics, allowing investors to construct an investment approach with unrivaled precision. Prescriptive Capital sources the most resilient alternative real estate investment opportunities with limited correlation and maximum resistance to greater economic trends, allowing investors to further diversify their portfolio and enjoy favorable risk-adjusted returns across market cycles.

For more information on Prescriptive Capital, please visit

https://www.prescriptivecap.com

About Brue Baukol Capital Partners

Brue Baukol Capital Partners focuses on delivering excellent returns to equity partners through the creation of value-add strategies, which seek to maximize annual returns as well as long-term capital appreciation. The firm was founded by Chad Brue in 2011 as a private equity real estate investment firm to acquire commercial real estate, multi-family properties and operating businesses. Since then, Brue Baukol Capital Partners has acquired and developed more than $3.0 billion in real estate assets with more than 35 projects underway or completed. Geoff Baukol joined the firm in 2016, now Brue Baukol Capital Partners, providing additional investment expertise and strong relationships with institutional investors.

For more information on Brue Baukol Capital Partners, please visit https://www.bruebaukol.com
Laplink PCmover Professional "Including PCmover (with the new LG gram devices) further supports LGs commitment to providing customers the best possible product experience. - Young-jae Seo, Senior Vice President and head of LGs global IT business

Laplink Software, Inc., the global leader in PC migration and creator of the only software of its kind recommended by Microsoft, Intel, and all major PC manufacturers, today announced that global innovator LG Electronics (LG) has selected PCmover Professional to bundle with its 2022 LG gram laptop computers. PCmover will now be included free of charge to help streamline the move to a new LG gram by making it quick and easy for customers to transfer over all of their apps, data, and settings from their old PC.

Research shows that the transfer of existing apps, data and settings to a new PC is a big pain point for users. LG is addressing this by working with Laplink to include PCmover Professional with the new LG gram devices, said Young-jae Seo, Senior Vice President and head of LGs global IT business. With just a few clicks, everything the user wants is automatically transferred from their old PC to their new gram. Including PCmover further supports LGs commitment to providing customers the best possible product experience.

Laplinks collaboration with LG is in response to a significant customer need. Recently, Laplink conducted a customer survey which found that nearly 75% of survey participants would purchase a PC sooner if PCmover had been included with their purchase. Most respondents indicated that the complexity and hassle of setting up a new computer without the help of data transfer software makes them reluctant to purchase a new PC. In addition, an overwhelming majority appreciated the ease of use, speed, and accuracy of PCmover when transferring their programs, files, and settings from an old PC to a new one.

We are very pleased to partner with LG to provide PCmover Professional with new LG gram laptops. PCmover makes it quick and easy to transfer everything you want from an old PC to your new LG gram, said Thomas Koll, CEO of Laplink Software. Consumers and small businesses in particular face a significant barrier as part of the new PC experience  how to move everything from the old PC without a lot of hassle. And without an easy solution, the result is a delay of new PC purchases. By partnering with PC manufacturers like LG to provide PCmover at no charge, we can remove this barrier and accelerate PC sales.

According to Koll, since many of the new LG grams are 12th-generation Intel EVO devices, the data transfer process using PCmover is easier and faster than ever. Intels Alder Lake processors new hybrid architecture offers a mix of performance and speed cores that significantly increase PC performance, enabling users of all types to take a major step forward in productivity.

Supporting the PC buyers journey is important to Intel, and we understand the value to our customers of having a simple, reliable and cost-effective solution that moves a users data, apps, settings and more from their old PC to a new one, said Stephanie Hallford, Vice President and General Manager of Business Client Platforms at Intel Corp. Laplink is a long-time partner of Intels, and we see Laplinks PCmover as a great product to solve this problem for enterprise and consumer users alike. LGs decision to include PCmover Professional with their exciting new LG gram laptops demonstrates their commitment to giving users what they want most, the ability to use their new device in hours, not days.

To make it even easier for customers to transfer their data from an old PC to a new one, Laplink also offers complimentary 24/7 Free Transfer Assistance from certified migration experts. This support is available by phone, email, and live chat on the companys website at contact.laplink.com.

About Laplink Software, Inc.

For nearly 40 years, Laplink has been a global leader in consumer, SMB, and enterprise PC migration software, and has earned the loyalty and trust of millions of organizations and customers worldwide. The companys PCmover software saves time and budget, reduces migration risks, and increases efficiency. Only PCmovers proprietary technology includes full selectivity that transfers data, applications, and settings from an old PC to a new one, even if the two PCs run different versions of Windows. The privately held company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.
Midwest Industrial Supply Inc.

The SBA Small Business Exporter of the Year regional awards recognize small businesses engaged in exporting for at least three years. Winning businesses must demonstrate significant increases in export sales, profits and job growth. They must also deploy creative overseas marketing strategies, encourage other small businesses to export, and cooperate in the creation of export trading companies.

"Every year since 1963 under President Kennedy, the SBA has set aside a week in May to honor small businesses and the contributions they make to the economy," said Patricia Welsh, Public Affairs Specialist of the U.S. SBA's Northern Ohio District office in Cleveland.

As part of events to promote National Small Business Week (May 2-6), SBA Northern Ohio District Director Gil Goldberg will host a virtual National Small Business Week awards ceremony on May 6, when Midwest will receive the award.

Steve Vitale, President of Midwest commented, National Small Business Week gives us the opportunity to celebrate our amazing partnerships, including efforts of the SBA, that contribute to our technology and innovation leadership. We are honored to be given such a prestigious award."

Being named Northern Ohios Exporter of the Year is a competitive process in which companies are judged on four criteria:



Increased sales, profits and/or growth of employment because of exporting,

Creative overseas marketing strategies, exporting history, and current export markets,

Effective solutions to export-related problems, including trade financing, payment, currency issues, market-entry and logistical challenges, and cultural differences, and

Effective use of Federal and/or State government trade promotion or financing programs.

The winner is chosen by a panel of judges from outside of Ohio. Ohio has two SBA districts: one representing the 28 Northern Ohio counties, and the other representing the 60 counties in Central and Southern Ohio.

Follow Midwest on LinkedIn.

About Midwest

Midwest is a pioneer in the fields of dust control, soil stabilization, rail lubrication and anti-/deicing products, having helped to found the industry almost 50 years ago. Since then, Midwest has constantly innovated in the field, always staying ahead of the competition with new breakthrough technologies. More about Midwest can be found at MidwestInd.com.
We are committed to creating high performing, simple and smarter Internet solutions across our new Michigan region and excited to provide our customers with applications on how to manage, track and enhance their Internet connection through their various devices and electronics, said Mr. Wiseman.

Garrett Wiseman, Founder and Chief Executive of Mercury Broadband announced today the expansion of the companys services into the State of Michigan, beginning initially with the Kalamazoo, Michigan area. The companys initial launch will provide Broadband services to homes and businesses in the rural and surrounding areas across Kalamazoo County including the areas of Calhoun, St. Joseph, Berrien, Cass, Eaton, Counties in Michigan. Robert C. Dow II has been named the new General Manager for Mercury Broadband in this area and will lead the companys efforts in the new service center region.

The Mercury@Home packages will provide customers with an easy-to-use smartphone application, a customized home network installation, a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi 6 router, and additional mesh home network extenders as required to maximize Internet speeds and quality of service within the customers residence. Customers will be able to enjoy new features at their fingertips such as advanced service analytics, performance data, content and parental controls, device bandwidth consumption management, and enhanced security and privacy protection ---all from the convenience of their smartphone and the Mercury@Home application. Future enhancements will include smart appliance management, home security, and video surveillance, etc. The Mercury@Work packages will provide customized network and phone solutions to small and medium sized businesses and include options to purchase additional bandwidth.

We are committed to creating high performing, simple and smarter Internet solutions across our new Michigan region and excited to provide our customers with applications on how to manage, track and enhance their Internet connection through their various devices and electronics, said Mr. Wiseman.

Finally, the company also announced the celebration of their new 16,000 sq. ft. office facility at 610 East Eliza Street in Schoolcraft, Michigan. An official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held later today at the location which will house close to sixty future employees. Company executives, customers, local officials and representatives of The Mercury Broadband, LLC. 1100 Walnut St., Ste 2050 Kansas City, MO 64106 Southwest Michigan First Chamber will participate in todays celebration and tour the new facility.

Mercury@Home and Mercury @Work services are available immediately across all qualified company service areas in Michigan. Interested customers should visit http://www.mercurybroadband.com or call tollfree 1-800-354-4915 for more information.

About Mercury Broadband

Mercury Broadband is a leading provider of high-speed Internet and digital phone services for homes and business across select rural markets in the Midwest. The company was founded in Topeka, KS, after recognizing a need for broadband services in these underserved markets. A hybrid approach to serving these last mile customers was developed by extending high-capacity fiber optic networks with the range, reliability, and flexibility of carrier-class wireless technologies to provide next generation services to customers.

Media Relations Contact:

Greg Crosby

Chief Revenue Officer

Phone: 1-319-621-2424

Email: greg.crosby@mercurybroadband.com
Holly Tran, Director of Account Management, ALOM Holly Tran leads the front-line Account Management team responsible for assuring flawless performance of every ALOM client supply chain program around the world, -- ALOM CEO Hannah Kain

Holly Tran, Director of Account Management at ALOM, a global leader in supply chain management, was bestowed the 2022 STEP Ahead Award by the Manufacturing Institute (MI) for inspired leadership and lifetime achievement advancing supply chain industry service levels. Tran received this coveted national honor at the STEP Ahead Awards gala event on April 28 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

The STEP Ahead Awards recognize women in science, technology, engineering, and production careers for their contributions and impact within the manufacturing industry and their communities. It is part of the STEP Womens Initiative, a national marquee program to close the gender gap in manufacturing.

In being presented this award, Tran joins ALOM CEO Hannah Kain (2015), Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy Lisa Dolan (2016), and Vice President of Client Success Fiona Lowbridge (2020), as a Step Ahead Award recipient.

Holly Tran leads the front-line Account Management team responsible for assuring flawless performance of every ALOM client supply chain program around the world, Kain says. She brings innovative thinking, advanced problem solving, and skilled leadership to support and expand her team through a period of exciting growth for ALOM. She is an engaged mentor who develops the skills and expands career opportunities of her staff, which is 80 percent comprised of women professionals.

Kain adds: For 25 years, ALOM has built its culture on the foundational values of inclusion, diversity, and service-level innovation. Holly exemplifies the best of all we represent to bring success to our staff and our clients. We are extraordinarily proud of her!

Women comprise 57 percent of ALOMs national workforce. This compares to less than one third in the manufacturing industry, according to MI.

The manufacturing talent gap is the result of fewer workers joining the industry to replace retiring veterans. MI suggests that companies seeking to find qualified workers can close the gap by 50 percent simply by bringing 10 percent more women into the industry.

Kains vision for ALOM has long been to drive growth and attract top talent by supporting a diverse and inclusive values-based culture as a competitive differentiator. This cultural focus helped ALOM expand its North America operational capacity by 43 percent and grow its workforce by 70 percent in 2021.

During the nine years since Holly joined ALOM, she has continually personified our culture and ALOMs position as an Employer of Choice, Lowbridge says. Holly demonstrates the proficiency, engagement, and community-minded focus that we value as a company. Moreover, her leadership of a global team that plans and orchestrates successful, technology-driven client production and fulfillment programs embodies the STEP Womens Initiative.

Notably, Tran helped develop a real-time, data-driven business intelligence visibility system that has enabled ALOM and its clients to stay ahead of the supply chain challenges and shortages throughout the pandemic.

Aligning with ALOMs values, she implemented a peer-to-peer mentoring program that increased departmental staff promotions by 52 percent and reduced turnover by 40 percent.

Due to Trans committed advocacy, every ALOM client program undergoes a sustainability audit to reduce environmental impact. She also actively engages other employees in ALOMs year-end volunteer food and toy drives.

I am incredibly proud to recognize these 130 women who have made tremendous contributions and impact within the manufacturing industry and their communities. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the STEP Ahead Awards, we celebrate an industry that has continually been propelled through innovation, creativity and problem solvingthe very attributes we honor for these leaders, said MI President Carolyn Lee.

Launched in 2012, the STEP Womens Initiative consists of the STEP Ahead Awards and professional leadership development program as well as regional STEP Forward events throughout the year. The initiative works to foster a 21st-century manufacturing workforce by elevating and inspiring women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and leadership, as well as by motivating alumnae to pay it forward by mentoring the next generation.

About The Manufacturing Institute

The MI grows and supports the manufacturing industrys skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The MIs diverse initiatives support all workers in America, including women, veterans, and students, through skills training programs, community building and the advancement of their career in manufacturing. As the workforce development and education partner of the NAM, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industrys toughest challenges. For more information on the MI, please visit http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

About ALOM

ALOM is a global supply chain management services and solutions provider serving as a partner to its Fortune 100 clients in the technology, automotive, medical/life sciences, and other regulated industries. Headquartered in Fremont, CA, its expert team of strategists, technology engineers, and supply chain specialists operate globally from 19 locations. ALOM manages the physical supply chain from procurement, inventory management, contract assembly, digital media and print, as well as omnichannel fulfillment. ALOM also manages the digital supply chain with e-commerce solutions, visibility tools, digital delivery tools, data management, and strong back-end systems, as well as the financial supply chain. ALOM is proud to deliver its clients products and services impeccably, enrich the end-user experience, and uphold their brand reputations. http://www.alom.com
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the lawsuit against Lancaster Hospital Corporation, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a lawsuit against Lancaster Hospital Corporation alleging the company violated Labor Code  2699, et seq. seeking penalties for DEFENDANTs alleged violation of California Labor Code  201, 202, 203, 204 et seq., 210, 221, 226(a), 226.7, 227.3, 510, 512, 558(a)(1)(2), 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802. The lawsuit against Lancaster Hospital Corporation is currently pending in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 22AVCV00254. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here.

According to the lawsuit filed, Lancaster Hospital Corporation allegedly failed to fully relieve Plaintiff and other Aggrieved Employees for their legally required thirty (30) minute meals breaks. Employees were also allegedly required, from time to time, to work in excess of four (4) hours without being provided the legally required ten (10) minute rest periods. The California Supreme Court defines off-duty rest periods as time during which an employee is relieved from all work related duties and free from employer control.

PAGA is a mechanism by which the State of California itself can enforce state labor laws through the employee suing under the PAGA who do so as the proxy or agent of the state's labor law enforcement agencies. An action to recover civil penalties under PAGA is fundamentally a law enforcement action designed to protect the public and not to benefit private parties. The purpose of PAGA is not to recover damages or restitution, but to create a means of "deputizing" citizens as private attorneys general to enforce the Labor Code.

For more information about the lawsuit against Lancaster Hospital Corporation, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct.

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Drinking Water Week 2022 Tap water plays an integral role in our health, hygiene and hydration needs, said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. Water sector professionals, the infrastructure they work to design, create and maintain and the treatment process all work in harmony to ensure safe tap water is There When You Need It.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and partners throughout North America today kicked off Drinking Water Week celebrations by showcasing the different ways tap water is There When You Need It. Drinking Water Week is May 1-7 this year.

AWWA is observing Drinking Water Week by recognizing the vital role tap water plays in daily life, the infrastructure that is required to carry it to and from homes and businesses, and the critical work that water professionals accomplish around the clock to ensure the delivery of quality tap water.

Tap water plays an integral role in meeting our daily health, hygiene and hydration needs, said American Water Works Association CEO David LaFrance. Water sector professionals, the infrastructure they work to design, create and maintain and the treatment process all work in harmony to ensure safe tap water is There When You Need It.

To commemorate the week, water utilities, water organizations, government entities, environmental advocates, schools and others throughout North America and beyond are encouraging consumers to learn more about the importance of water services and water infrastructure, especially in times of crisis.

To help children learn about the importance of their drinking water, AWWA has just released an educational kids activity book, available in both English and Spanish, featuring a crossword puzzle, word scramble, Mad Libs, Eye Spy, maze and word find and coloring pages. Other Drinking Water Week materials are available to download through AWWAs website for this years Drinking Water Week celebration.

AWWA is sponsoring a Drinking Water Week photo contest to increase awareness of and appreciation for safe, sustainable and affordable drinking water. The contest, which spans the entirety of Drinking Water Week, ends May 7. Participants are encouraged to submit a photo of a moment when water is There When You Need It, to enter the online contest. Participants earn points with additional engagements with AWWAs social media platforms.

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About Drinking Water Week

For several decades, AWWA and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week, a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together in recognizing the vital role water plays in daily lives. Free materials for download and additional information about Drinking Water Week are available on the Drinking Water Week webpage.

About AWWA

Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the worlds most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.
Elyctis and CredenceID Alexandre Joly, Elyctis CEO, says: We are proud to have been selected by Credence ID after their extensive benchmarking process. Credence ID has a strong position on the government ID market thanks to its longstanding records in providing outstanding biometric ID and document reading solutions.

Credence ID, a worldwide leader in mobile identification, biometrics, and credential reading technology, is launching the ECO-Identifier, its new biometric and credential reading identity platform, which now includes the Elyctis ID Reader 021  OEM series contact and contactless reader.

During the design phase of the product, Credence ID benchmarked various solutions to include contact and contactless ID reading functions as an important feature in its ECO-Identifier terminal. As the terminal performs ID document reading, the integrated reader was critical to providing quick, reliable and secure reading functions for all types of contact or contactless ID documents.

During the benchmarking phase, it became apparent that many standard NFC readers were unable to read all potential ID documents. Since many common readers are not dedicated to ID, they do not support all protocols used in government identity schemes. Standing out from the pack, the Elyctis ID Reader 021  OEM series is dedicated to the ID document reading market and was developed, along with its antenna, by Elyctis ID document experts. As such, it is uniquely able to bring performance, reliability, user-friendliness and interoperability in reading all types of ID documents in both contactless and contact modes. In addition, the Elyctis ID reader and its SDK support all the protocols used in government ID environments including BAC, EAC, PACE, passive and active authentication.

Credence ID ECO-Identifier is a dedicated biometric ID terminal for secure identification aimed at government and commercial ID projects. In addition to the Elyctis reader, it includes a FAP20 500 DPI fingerprint scanner, a 5 MP camera with LED, 4G modem, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and GPS, all running on a secure Android 11 OS (Google GMS approved). The ECO-Identifier has already been selected for large scale ID projects, and tens of thousands of devices are currently being deployed to customers around the world.

Terminal delivery and deployment are secure as both Elyctis and Credence ID have set up strong purchase policies for their component supplies that ensure products are readily available, in spite of the ongoing shortages that affect component markets globally.

We have known that Elyctis is a leader in the secure document reading category and present best-of-bread technology, said Bruce Hanson, President and CEO of Credence ID. We are very pleased that the ECO-Identifier includes this advanced capability, which is an important feature driving large, early customer orders for this new product, he continued.

Alexandre Joly, CEO of Elyctis, added: We are very proud to have been selected by Credence ID after their extensive benchmarking process. Credence ID has a strong position on the commercial and government ID markets thanks to its longstanding records in providing outstanding biometric ID and document reading solutions.

About Credence ID

Credence ID, LLC is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area and focuses on mobile identification, biometrics and credential reading technology delivering an easy-to-use ID platform consisting of hardware, the CredenceSDK for developers and CredenceCONNECT for program administrators. The company delivers extensive technical expertise for projects involving mobile fingerprint, iris, facial recognition, and credential reading, and offers a broad line of products capable of enrollment, identification, verification, and software management tools through authorized partners worldwide.

For more information on Credence ID, please visit http://www.credenceid.com

About Elyctis

Created in 2008, Elyctis mission is to supply system integrators with mobile and fixed hardware to access data of eIDs (NICs, passports, resident permits, driving licenses). The company specializes in the development, industrialization, production and marketing of readers and terminals dedicated to Secure Identity Documents including e-passports, e-ID cards, e-driver licenses, ... The company, which now employs 25 people, has a longstanding expertise in eID projects, as well as hardware and software developments, especially in the combination of optics, antenna design, high security software and integration. Elyctis sells its products through its network of distributors and systems integrators, to whom it provides a development environment to facilitate the use of its readers. Elyctis is headquartered in Pertuis, France, and has a sales office in Hong Kong.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Alexandre Joly, Elyctis founder and CEO is a laureate of Reseau Entreprendre since 2011, and a laureate of the Reseau Entreprendre Ambition program in 2016.

More information at http://www.elyctis.com
Cushon logo

Today its been announced that fintech workplace pension and savings provider Cushon has won Fast Companys 2022 World Changing Ideas Award for its Net Zero Now pension.

Cushons Net Zero Now pension was selected as a winner from a pool of around 3,000 global entries from sectors including transportation, education, food, politics, technology, health, social justice.

Cushons research shows that the average UK pension finances 23 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to running nine family cars annually. While 99.5% of people are unaware of this impact, there is also a demand to make pensions more sustainable, over two thirds of employees (69%) are concerned about their company pension being invested in businesses that are contributing to climate change.

Cushon research showed that 62% of employees would engage more with their pension if they knew it was having a positive impact on climate change. The fintech connected these two issues - lack of engagement with pensions and the climate crisis - and launched the worlds first net-zero pension scheme to help create a future worth saving for.

Fast Companys 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards honour innovative initiatives and other creative works that are supporting the growth of positive social innovation, tackling social inequality, climate change, and public health crises.

Cushons impact-led investment strategy is at the heart of its Net Zero Now pension offering, diverting investments into companies that generate less carbon whilst also targeting higher potential returns for pension savers through green investments which should perform better in the long run as the focus on sustainability heightens around the world.

Ben Pollard, CEO Founder and CEO at Cushon said, Its an honour to be named as a winner of Fast Companys 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards and receive recognition for the vital role pensions can play in tackling climate change. Pensions should be a force for good, helping both people and the planet. We know that the vast majority of employees want their pensions to align with their values and benefit the planet, however, too many pension schemes make this almost impossible. Net Zero Now is our solution to create a pension with purpose.

Whilst other providers have set targets to become net zero in the next few decades, or offer simply greener options, we have not only already delivered this innovative product but through our latest investment strategy are reducing emissions and the environmental impact of our investments even further.

About Cushon:

Cushon is a fintech using its world-leading financial technology to engage savers and empower them to build a better financial future.

Cushon offers pension and savings products via an intuitive mobile app that provides a highly personalised experience and environmentally friendly investments, making it easy for customers to manage their money and invest in a way that aligns with their personal goals and beliefs.

With a solution that fully integrates with payroll and benefit platforms, Cushon's products are delivered via the workplace to reach as many savers as possible. Employers use Cushon to enhance the financial wellbeing of their workforce by providing employees with a simple and convenient way to save into pensions, ISAs and other products direct from pay.

Cushon currently has over 440,000 customers with 1.7 billion of assets under management. Its corporate clients include 250 well known blue-chip companies including many of the FTSE 100

To find out more please visit http://www.cushon.co.uk/

Follow us:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/wearecushon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cushon

About the World Changing Ideas Awards: World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Companys major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.
"Curios values are impressive, but even more importantly, how Curio brings those values to life is unparalleled...This made Far & Dotter a company that I wanted to lead, and instantly made me a believer in the brands vision and mission." - Greg Miller

Far & Dotter, a contemporary, inclusive dispensary model developed by the team at Curio Wellness, today announced that it has hired well-known retail industry veteran, Greg Miller, as the companys President. Far & Dotter is the retail subsidiary of Curio Wellness Corporation.

Miller will be responsible for developing a strong vision for the future of Far & Dotter, further raising its profile nationally as a curated dispensary and wellness center experience that emphasizes cannabis quality, patient education, and pharmacist-led patient counseling.

Miller brings decades of experience in retail operations, marketing, and strategic planning and execution. He spent 26 years of his career at McDonalds, working his way up from the crew room to the board room. Most recently, Miller served as the Chief Operating Officer of Taco Johns, leading operations, training and development, franchising, construction and real estate, and restaurant technology. Prior to Taco Johns, Miller held leadership roles at national fast food chains Jack in the Box and Whataburger.

As the President of Retail, Miller will drive the standard for operational excellence, superior customer delight, and industry leading returns. Under his leadership, Far & Dotter stores will build on Curios commitment to health and wellness, serving as medicinal dispensaries devoted to empowering local entrepreneurs and providing safe, effective, and reliable products and services that enhance quality of life.

At Far & Dotter, we are committed to living out Curio Wellness patient-first approach. Gregs career demonstrates that he too is intensely focused on delivering excellence for his customers, and building brand loyalty and trust, said Michael Bronfein, CEO and co-founder of Curio Wellness. Gregs extensive experience in franchise operations lends itself well to the growth of the Far & Dotter brand. I look forward to collaborating with him as he shapes the future of our innovative business model intended to increase diversity in the cannabis retail industry.

Curios values are impressive, but even more importantly, how Curio brings those values to life is unparalleled, said Miller. From its highly talented people, to its commitment to diversity and inclusion, to the keen attention to detail in the wellness center  excellence and commitment are abound everywhere. This made Far & Dotter a company that I wanted to lead, and instantly made me a believer in the brands vision and mission.

Miller will join Curio Wellness executive leadership team and report directly to the Chairman & CEO of Curio Wellness, Michael Bronfein.

###

About Curio Wellness

Founded in 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland, Curio Wellness is a cGMP certified, vertically integrated medical cannabis company and trusted healthcare partner. Recognized as the leading wellness brand in cannabis by BDS Analytics, Curio is committed to serving patients with targeted, effective, and reliable cannabis-based medicine. For more information visit https://curiowellness.com.

About Far & Dotter

Far & Dotter is a trusted expert and ally in the quest for innovative holistic healthcare and a personalized, unintimidating approach to cannabis education. We support consumers and franchisees through a contemporary, curated dispensary experience that emphasizes cannabis quality and pharmacist-led guidance. Our stores are holistic pharmacies and wellness hubs devoted to empowering local entrepreneurs and providing safe, effective, reliable products and services that enhance quality of life. Far & Dotter was founded by the team at Curio Wellness, a leading cannabis brand based in Maryland that established our proven, patient-first clinical approach and our inclusive franchise model. For more information visit fardotter.com.
We are very honored to be recognized by the Swiss Biotech Association and the timing could not be better. This month actually marks our 25th year in business and winning this prestigious award gives us even more reason to celebrate.

Genedata, the leading provider of enterprise software solutions for biopharmaceutical R&D, today announced that the company has won the Swiss Biotech Success Story Award in recognition of outstanding achievement and contribution to the global biotech industry.

We are very honored to be recognized by the Swiss Biotech Association and the timing could not be better. This month actually marks our 25th year in business and winning this prestigious award gives us even more reason to celebrate, said Othmar Pfannes, Ph.D., Founder & CEO of Genedata. Having roots in Basel, in the heart of the most important biopharmaceutical hub in Europe, has definitely helped us to grow our business globally. Today, the worlds leading biopharma R&D organizations are building their critical R&D operations on our software platform so they can efficiently process petabytes of data and bring precision medicines to patients faster and more efficiently. We are excited to drive this digital revolution here from Switzerland and from our offices around the world.

The Swiss Biotech Success Story Award recognizes Genedatas leadership role in creating enterprise software for biopharmaceutical and related industries. The Genedata Biopharma Platform is the market-leading solution to automate and industrialize biopharmaceutical R&D processes enabling a digital revolution to discover and develop novel therapeutic modalities such as cell and gene therapies (CGT) and innovative RNAs. Incorporating extensive biopharma R&D domain knowledge and artificial intelligence approaches, Genedata software helps biopharmaceutical organizations optimize workflows, increase research automation, improve experimental data quality, and maximize the ROI in R&D expenditure.

Founded in 1997, Genedata is privately owned and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Organic growth and a strong commitment to its employees are the cornerstones of Genedatas 25-year history. With more than 300 employees and offices strategically located throughout Europe, the USA, and Asia, Genedata works closely with the leading institutions in the industry to help them deliver innovative biotherapeutics, vaccines, and cell & gene therapies to patients more quickly. Today, over 200 R&D institutions rely on the Genedata Biopharma Platform, including all top-25 biopharma companies worldwide.

About Genedata

Genedata transforms data into intelligence with innovative software solutions that incorporate extensive biopharma R&D domain knowledge. Multinational biopharmaceutical organizations and cutting-edge biotechs around the globe rely on Genedata to digitalize and automate data-rich and complex R&D processes. From early discovery all the way to the clinic, Genedata solutions help maximize the ROI in R&D expenditure. Founded in 1997, Genedata is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland with additional offices in Boston, London, Munich, San Francisco, Singapore, and Tokyo.

http://www.genedata.com

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________________________________________

Contact

Allison Kurz

Genedata

Public Relations

pr@genedata.com

Disclaimer

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties related to contract cancellations, developing risks, competitive factors, uncertainties pertaining to customer orders, demand for products and services, development of markets for the Company's products and services. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

All product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
Information Technology World Awards by GLOBEE The Information Technology World Awards are open to all Information Technology and Cyber Security organizations from all over the world and end-users of their products and services.

The Globee Awards, organizers of the worlds premier business awards programs and business ranking lists, announced today that the last chance entry deadline for the Annual 2022 Information Technology World Awards has been extended till May 20 due to the numerous requests for deadline extensions.

Subscribe to the Globee weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to Globee Awards YouTube channel

Follow Globee Awards on twitter

Follow Globee Awards on LinkedIn

Watch the Globee video

IT industrys premier excellence awards program, the IT World Awards honors achievements in every facet of the information technology and cyber security industries. This annual industry and peers program now has several major sections making this one of the most and only complete IT recognitions and achievements award programs in the world. There are many categories for which your organization and the people behind its success can be nominated. Categories are classified under the following groups:

Learn more about the 2022 IT World Awards and how to nominate here: https://globeeawards.com/information-technology/



Company-Organization Awards categories

Corporate Communications and Public Relations Awards categories

Creative, Social and Traditional Media Awards categories

Customer Service & Support Awards categories

Best Deployments and Customer Success of the Year Awards categories

Executive & Professional Awards categories

Chief Technology Officers Awards categories

Human Resources Awards categories

Information Technology Users Awards categories

Marketing Information Technology Awards categories

New Product & Service Awards categories

Product Development and Engineering Awards categories

Sales and Business Development Awards categories

COVID-19 Business Response Awards categories

A special category group for startups of the year will include the achievements of new startups formed since 2018 in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, IT Cloud/SaaS, IT Hardware, IT Hybrid, IT Services, IT Software, Security Cloud/SaaS, Security Hardware, Security Hybrid, Security Services, Security Software, and Telecommunications.

A worldwide judging panel of executives and professionals representing a wide spectrum of industries will determine the winners. Winners will be presented and honored in a virtual ceremony attended by the finalists, winners, judges, and industry peers from all over the world. Industry experts and end-users of information technology products and services can participate in the judging process.

IT World Awards will also recognize Chief Technology Officers from all over the world for their achievements in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, IT Cloud/SaaS, IT Hardware, IT Hybrid, IT Services, IT Software, Security Cloud/SaaS, Security Hardware, Security Hybrid, Security Services, Security Software, and Telecommunications.

Product Development Executives, Leadership, Professionals, and Engineers from all over the world can be nominated in categories such as Artificial Intelligence, IT Cloud/SaaS, IT Hardware, IT Hybrid, IT Services, IT Software, Security Cloud/SaaS, Security Hardware, Security Hybrid, Security Services, Security Software, and Telecommunications.

Winners of previous years are listed here: https://globeeawards.com/information-technology/winners/

Apply here to participate as a judge and an industry expert to help decide the winners: https://globeeawards.com/information-technology/judges/

Stay posted and read success stories of organizations by subscribing to the Globee Newsletter: https://globeeawards.com/subscribe/

About the Globee Awards

Globee Awards are conferred in nine programs and competition: the American Best in Business Awards, Business Excellence Awards, CEO World Awards, Cyber Security Global Excellence Awards, Disruptor Company Awards, Golden Bridge Awards, Information Technology World Awards, Sales, Marketing, Service, & Operations Excellence Awards, and Women World Awards. Learn more about the Globee Awards at https://globeeawards.com

All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Information Technology World Awards by GLOBEE Chief Technology Officers from all over the world can be nominated for their achievements in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, IT Cloud/SaaS, IT Hardware, IT Hybrid, IT Services, IT Software, Cyber Security, and Telecommunications.

The Globee Awards, organizers of the worlds premier business awards programs and business ranking lists, announced today that the last chance entry deadline for the Annual 2022 Information Technology World Awards has been

extended till May 20 due to the numerous requests for deadline extensions.

IT World Awards will recognize Chief Technology Officers from all over the world for their achievements in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, IT Cloud/SaaS, IT Hardware, IT Hybrid, IT Services, IT Software, Security Cloud/SaaS, Security Hardware, Security Hybrid, Security Services, Security Software, and Telecommunications.

Learn more about the 2022 IT World Awards and how to nominate here: https://globeeawards.com/information-technology/

IT industrys premier excellence awards program, the IT World Awards honors achievements in every facet of the information technology and cyber security industries. This annual industry and peers program now has several major sections making this one of the most and only complete IT recognitions and achievements award programs in the world. There are many categories for which your organization and the people behind its success can be nominated.

A worldwide judging panel of executives and professionals representing a wide spectrum of industries will determine the winners. Winners will be presented and honored in a virtual ceremony attended by the finalists, winners, judges, and industry peers from all over the world. Industry experts and end-users of information technology products and services can participate in the judging process.

Subscribe to the Globee weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to Globee Awards YouTube channel

Follow Globee Awards on twitter

Follow Globee Awards on LinkedIn

Watch the Globee video

About the Globee Awards

Globee Awards are conferred in nine programs and competitions: the American Best in Business Awards, Business Excellence Awards, CEO World Awards, Cyber Security Global Excellence Awards, Disruptor Company Awards, Golden Bridge Awards, Information Technology World Awards, Sales, Marketing, Service, & Operations Excellence Awards, and Women World Awards. Learn more about the Globee Awards at https://globeeawards.com

All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Naylor Association Solutions, a leading provider of innovative association tools and services that strengthen member engagement and increase non-dues revenue, today announced Independent Agent magazine, produced by Naylor on behalf of the Big I, has won a 2022 Hermes Creative Award for excellence in print media.

Its exciting to see Independent Agent magazine recognized by industry peers in this years Hermes Creative Awards, and we congratulate our partners at Big I, said Alex DeBarr, president and CEO of Naylor. The award is a result of the strong partnership between our content team and the great team at Big I. We love bringing our partners publications to life through collaboration with our association partners and the markets they serve and this recognition reflects our dedication to helping our association partners engage and inform their members effectively.

The Gold 2022 Hermes Creative Award in the publications/magazine category recognizes the September 2021 issue of Independent Agent magazine. An authoritative source of information for independent insurance agency professionals, the monthly magazine features thought-leading analysis of industry trends and market conditions. It covers property-casualty coverage changes and new products, interprets legislative issues, and delivers the strategies managers need to grow their agencies organically.

The Hermes Creative Award win follows Naylors Silver 2022 TRENDY Award for the Winter 2021 issue of Solutions magazine, created and published on behalf of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association; three Platinum 2021 MarCom Awards for Naylors corporate print and digital media publications; and seven 2021 MarCom Awards won by Naylors association partners for excellence in print media.

About Naylor

Naylor Association Solutions is devoted to building stronger associations. As strategic partners to professional and trade associations in the U.S. and Canada, Naylor offers a comprehensive set of innovative association tools and services that strengthen member engagement and increase non-dues revenue. Our offerings include member communications, management of live and online meetings and events, online career centers, Association Management Software (AMS) and Member Data Platform (MDP), full-service association management, and online learning. Naylors team supports its clients with unmatched depth and breadth of expertise and an innovative spirit in solving the unique challenges faced by associations. Naylor also delivers valuable insights through its customized client portals that provide real-time feedback and advanced analytics. Naylor was founded in 1969 and today serves more than 1,600 associations across 80+ industries. Our headquarters are in McLean, Virginia with offices in Alpharetta, Georgia; Gainesville, Florida; Schaumburg, Illinois; Hunt Valley, Maryland; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. For more information, visit https://www.naylor.com.
"Students increase their ability to read by using Lexile measures to target their reading level and build skills."

ClouBot, a Korean edtech company, is partnering with MetaMetrics to accelerate English language learning for thousands of students in the Republic of Korea. By 2023, more than 20,000 students will receive MetaMetrics Lexile measures from assessments in ClouBots AI Tutor, a powerful educational tool that teaches students English. The ClouBot AI Tutor leads the class, answers questions, and corrects grammar and pronunciation errors in real time, just like a teacher sitting next to a student.

The new assessments reporting Lexile measures will be implemented in DYB Choisun Language Schools. DYB Choisun is a private English language institute devoted to teaching elementary and middle-school students all aspects of English. Students learn from both Korean and native speakers in intensive TOEFL/KSAT based courses that include reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Other than direct speaking and listening, the most important indirect approach to learning a language is reading, said SukHo Song, CEO, ClouBot. Students increase their ability to read by using Lexile measures to target their reading level and build skills. Lexile measures determined by these assessments are a globally accepted measurement of reading ability.

The Lexile Framework for Reading places both the student and instructional material on the same scale to match the learner with resources at their ability level. When students receive Lexile measures from an assessment, their test scores become more actionable, allowing ClouBots AI Tutor to link assessment to instruction.

We are excited to partner with ClouBot to provide the students at DYB Choisun Language Schools with Lexile scores to help them develop their English skills, said Malbert Smith, CEO and co-founder, MetaMetrics. ClouBot exemplifies the growing number of companies around the world that are continuing to adopt our measures to accelerate learning for students of all ages.

About DYB Choisun Language Schools

DYB Do Your Best- is a multi-campus English academy situated in and around Seoul. Within each branch are Elementary and Middle school levels, each having different grades  grade 3, 4, 5, and 6 or grades M1, M2 and M3 (7, 8, and 9). Song Oh Hyun, DYBs founder, is in charge of the companys direction and English curriculum.

The curriculum is based on the Circular System, which includes all aspects of English language; writing, speaking, reading and listening. Teaching is provided by Korean staff and non-Korean staff, the former being responsible mainly for reading and listening and the latter for speaking and writing. In each grade there are usually 4 English levels and sometimes a 5th highest level. Books and teaching material differ across levels ensuring that students are challenged but not beyond ability. Korean teachers will handle most of the testing elements and Native (English speakers) teachers will be involved in more creative and engaging tasks.

DYB began 26 years ago in a small classroom with six students and one teacher, growing to nearly 30,000 students today. Lesson creation is shared in DYB, teachers being responsible for making only one or two lessons and then uploading into a shared DYB DropBox account. Teachers will then be able to access pre-made lessons for their other classes whilst sharing their own.

About ClouBot

ClouBot's AI technology provides quality content to young students in the most effective way. The ClouBot AI Tutor program leads conversations, corrects students' errors in real time, and teaches until students fully understand. We believe that every child in the world should receive a quality education at an affordable price, no matter where they live or whatever their circumstances. Our AI tools make this possible. The ClouBot AI Tutor program provides students with ideal tutoring and guidance to learn and practice in any subject. For more information, visit https://www.cloubot.ai/#.

About MetaMetrics

MetaMetrics is an award-winning education technology organization that offers the only scientifically valid, universal scales for measuring silent and oral reading and listening (Lexile) and math (Quantile) with plans to develop measures for writing. The Lexile and Quantile Frameworks measure student ability and the complexity of the content they encounter. Lexile and Quantile measures and related technologies link assessment to instruction and provide next steps for students of all ages and abilities. The measures also provide valuable insights about students potential for growth. MetaMetrics measures, products and services are licensed to dozens of education product companies to help achieve that growth. For 35 years, MetaMetrics work is increasingly recognized for its research-based approach to improving learning. For more information, visit metametricsinc.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/.
More than 422,000 visitors vacationed in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. in 2021. The New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau is planning for a future that will continue to strengthen the areas tourism industry and economy, said Debbie Meihls, the president and CEO of the organization. In 2021, the total economic impact from visitors was $474,282,500."

National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight the critical role that travel will play in driving economic growth and building the path forward through the theme Future of Travel.

This years theme elevates how the travel industry can restore the workforce, help communities recover, foster sustainability, usher in new innovations and reconnect travelers in the U.S. and around the world.

Celebrated annually 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 (May 1-7) arrives as the industry looks ahead to future growth and success following the challenges of the past two years.

NTTW has special significance this year as the travel industry looks ahead to a bright future, said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. This NTTW is an opportunity to recognize the collective strength of the U.S. travel industry and how we are rebuilding to be more dynamic, innovative, sustainable and inclusive in the months and years to come. Before the pandemic, travel generated $2.6 trillion in economic output, supported 17 million American jobs and delivered a $51 billion trade surplus to the U.S.evidence of the outsized role the industry will play in driving Americas recovery and future economic growth.

The New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau is planning for a future that will continue to strengthen the areas tourism industry and economy, said Debbie Meihls, the president and CEO of the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau. In 2021, more than 422,000 visitors came to our area and the total economic impact from visitors was $474,282,500. The tourism industry accounts for 5,4000 jobs in our community. This National Travel and Tourism Week we are spotlighting how travel benefits our workforce, supports our local economy, fosters sustainability and innovations, and reconnects Americans to each other and the world.

To learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week, visit ustravel.org/NTTW .

About the New Smyrna Beach Area

The New Smyrna Beach area includes the communities of New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill, Osteen and Port Orange in east Central Florida. New Smyrna Beach is an eclectic mix of old and new; of subtle sophistication and bohemian soul that is as real as Florida gets. It occupies a notable place in history as the second oldest city in Florida, site of the largest single attempt at British colonization in the new world. The citys barrier island is recognized worldwide for its incredible surf with Surfer magazine recently touting it one of the Best Surf Towns in America and National Geographic magazine including it in its Worlds Top 20 Surf Towns.

Accommodations range from charming bed and breakfast inns to family-size condominium units and oceanfront hotels. Natural attractions include 17 miles of sandy beaches from Ponce de Leon Inlet to Canaveral National Seashore and North Americas most diverse estuary  the Indian River Lagoon.

Two distinct downtowns along Flagler Avenue and Canal Street and connected via the Waterfront Loop welcome visitors with independent restaurants, unique shops, artisanal coffee shops and art galleries.

For more information, please visit http://www.VisitNSBfl.com or call 386-428-1600. Follow @NewSmyrnaBeach1 on Twitter, Facebook.com/VisitNewSmyrnaBeach or @visitnewsmyrnabeach on Instagram for the latest news. Download the free New Smyrna Beach Mobile App for iPhone and Android to receive this information on-the-go.
The Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) today announced Mike Pompeo, 70th U.S. Secretary of State and former CIA Director, will serve as keynote speaker at the 11th annual Navy SEAL Foundation Midwest Evening of Tribute event happening Tuesday, September 14, 2022, in Chicago.

Pompeo has served as a politician, diplomat, and businessman throughout his career. In addition to his roles in the Cabinet, he also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Kansas' 4th Congressional District, and graduated first in his class at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he went on to serve with the 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry in the U.S. Armys Fourth Infantry Division and patrolled the Iron Curtain before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

At the event, Pompeo will join Navy SEAL Foundation Midwest Event Chairman, Greg Brown for an intimate discussion about his career, global affairs, and more.

Anna and I are honored to welcome Secretary Pompeo to this special evening and to once again chair this event for this exceptional organization, said Greg Brown, Navy SEAL Foundation Midwest Event Chairman. Given geopolitical conditions around the world, Secretary Pompeos global experience and insights should prove to be timely and illuminating.

The Navy SEAL Foundation's mission is to provide critical support for the warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare. It does this by delivering a comprehensive set of over thirty programs under five Pillars of Support: Strength, Resilience, Health, Education, and Community. Fundraising events like the Midwest Evening of Tribute provide vital funds in support of NSFs programs while increasing awareness for the organization and the community it supports.

Brown continued, The Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community is the most elite fighting force in the world. SEALs have executed some of the highest risk, no-fail operations in history. A few have been publicized, but the vast majority remain unknown to the public. Through these clandestine missions, NSW continues to sacrifice for our nation, maintaining its global presence and remaining at the ready. They are on the front line right nowand always.

To learn more about the Navy SEAL Foundation and its 2022 Midwest Evening of Tribute, please visit the event website or contact Lisa Wagner at Lwagner@navysealfoundation.org or 630-234-2279.

About the Navy SEAL Foundation:

The Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) provides critical support for the warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare (NSW) through a comprehensive set of over thirty programs under five Pillars of Support: Strength, Resilience, Health, Education, and Community.

NSF is a high-performing organization committed to excellence. Charity Navigator has awarded it a 4-star rating since 2009 and a perfect score of 100 since 2014 for financial health, accountability, and transparency. The Foundation ranks higher than 99.9% of over 195,000 charities nationwide, with ninety-three cents of every dollar donated directly funding its programs or being retained for future mission use.

NSF is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit charitable organization with TAX ID 31-1728910. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and has no official affiliation with any federal entities. To learn more, visit http://www.navysealfoundation.org.
Dr. Monteic A. Sizer "We are connecting more strategically and leveraging our assets to impact upstream or those systemic factors that cause higher rates of downstream outcomes like mental illness, addiction, primary health care challenges, and poverty," Dr. Sizer said.

Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) expands its efforts and commitment to improving population health through relationships with local government organizations and municipalities by providing training and resources to combat mental health and addiction disorders.

To influence the negative impact of social determinants, NEDHSA's Integrated Care model works to improve the lives of Northeast Louisiana's most vulnerable populations. The agency has created partnerships with local and state governments, higher educational institutions, and related organizations to help combat food insecurity, high unemployment, community instability, poor education, and inadequate housing options.

NEDHSA Executive Director Dr. Monteic A. Sizer said, "we can effectively help our citizens meet many of their physical and behavioral health needs; however, we cannot solve complex societal problems alone. We need a shared vision and a laser-like focus on solutions."

"We are connecting more strategically and leveraging our assets to impact upstream or those systemic factors that cause higher rates of downstream outcomes like mental illness, addiction, primary health care challenges, and poverty," Dr. Sizer said. "We understand the intersectionality between our work and the work of state and regional public policies and governance decisions."

An example of a partnership with other government agencies and municipals is its work with the Town of Farmerville and Union Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP). NEDHSA will provide Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), an evidence-based two-day face-to-face workshop featuring powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations. Because NEDHSA is providing this training, the Town of Farmerville and Union Parish OHSEP will learn how to identify and reduce suicide by recognizing signs, providing skilled interventions, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive. This program helps save lives and costs, yielding a return on investment of up to 50:1.

Farmerville Mayor John Crow said the town is "committed to providing the necessary resources for our citizens to live full, meaningful lives and enjoy the natural beauty that our parish offers."

"Partnering with Northeast Delta Human Services Authority allows us to train our first responders, law enforcement, and school personnel on how to respond to a citizen in crisis," Mayor Crow said. "Thank you, Dr. Sizer and Northeast Delta Human Services Authority, for providing such an important and much-needed service directly in our parish."

Union Parish OHSEP Director Shannon Futch, LEM-T, said, "this workshop in suicide first aid will be a vital training for our Law Enforcement, School Personnel, and Emergency Management."

"Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis," Futch said. "Learning risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help will allow Union Parish First Responders to help our residents during a chaotic time in their lives."

NEDHSA is also establishing relationships with downtown districts within other municipal governments to assist with blight mitigation and beautification efforts through mural art. As another layer of scaling its Integrated Care model within the 12-parish region, the agency is using its arts initiative to implement evidence-based prevention, communications, and treatment strategies. The agency currently has a mobile mural traveling through the region and a mural in downtown Monroe's Art Alley.

Dr. Sizer said, "we will continue to be intentional about scaling our Integrated Health model in Louisiana's Delta."

"We will be more focused on helping regional mayors, municipal leaders, school superintendents, business executives, and law enforcement officials better understand the connection between jobs, housing, municipal infrastructure, education, food deserts, poverty, and behavioral and primary health outcomes," Dr. Sizer said. "We must think and act systemically if we hope to see significant population health improvements and economic prosperity in our region."


"Plataine is committed to help advanced manufacturers in their digital transformation processes, as part of our commitment to spearhead Smart Factory initiatives worldwide. Our cloud-based software brings our customers an opportunity to test-drive AI capabilities at no cost.

Plataine, a leading provider of AI-based optimization solutions for advanced manufacturing, announced today a Try & Buy package for its Time Sensitive Material Management software solution. The cloud software automatically manages time sensitive material ensuring higher quality while avoiding rework and material waste. The application provides complete visibility of inventory and real-time tracking of time sensitive material properties such as remaining shelf-life and exposure times.

Plataines Time Sensitive Material Manager provides an easy-to-use cloud software to track and manage material and assets in real-time, eliminating the dependency on paper and manual processes. The Try & Buy package will provide advanced manufacturers a sneak peek into the future of digital manufacturing with zero risk or downtime.

The software simplifies and accelerates the way time and temperature sensitive materials are tracked and managed, allowing composite manufacturers full visibility and control over their inventory. The application automatically tracks remaining shelf-life and expiration, then optimally assigns the right material to the work order and leading to high material utilization including remnants. In addition, Plataines Digital Assistants send real-time alerts to the factory stuff, to prevent using materials that are about to expire, including AI-based recommendations.

Avner Ben-Bassat, President and CEO of Plataine, adds, Plataine is committed to help advanced manufacturers in their digital transformation processes, as part of our commitment to spearhead Smart Factory initiatives worldwide. Our cloud-based software brings our customers an opportunity to test-drive AI capabilities at no cost, nor disruption to their daily work. With our Free Trial, composites fabricators can now gain better control and visibility into time sensitive material management and have a direct impact on reducing manufacturing costs and bottom lines.

Come meet us at our JEC booth P70 in Hall 5 to discuss the Try & Buy free package. Also, this year you can play a Trivia game at our booth, for a chance to win cool gadgets.

About Plataine

Plataine is the leading provider of Industrial IoT and AI-based optimization solutions for advanced manufacturing. Plataines solutions provide intelligent, connected Digital Assistants for production floor management and staff, empowering manufacturers to make optimized decisions in real-time, every time. Plataines patent-protected technologies are used by leading manufacturers worldwide, including Airbus, GE, IAI, Triumph, MRAS, Alestis, Kanfit, TPI, Kineco-Kaman, IFS, Light & Strong and Ethan Allen. Plataine partners with SAP, Siemens PLM, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, and CTC GmbH (an Airbus Company), and is also a part of the UK National Composites Centre (NCC) membership network, to advance the Factory of the Future worldwide. For this work, Plataine has received Frost & Sullivans 2021 Global Technology Innovation Leadership Award for its AI-Based Digital Assistants for Manufacturing and Innovation Awards from the JEC, Plataine Receives SME 2021 Excellence in Composites Manufacturing Award and CompositesUK organizations. Plataine is ISO 27001 certified for compliance with information security management requirements. For more information, visit: http://www.plataine.com
In recent years, supporters of school choice have promoted school finance reforms sometimes called backpack funding, but also called money follows the child or student-based budgeting. Whatever the term used, the idea is facilitate choice by attaching a funded amount to each student, with that payment following the students to their chosen schools.

A recent version of this proposal is found in a new report from the Mackinac Center, which provides a six-part recommendation for changes to Michigans current approach to financing public and charter schools. The reports overarching theme, which is examined in a new review, is to move toward a system where more funding follows the student to either public, charter, or private schoolsor to other service providers.

Bruce Baker of Rutgers University reviewed From School Aid to Student Aid: Modernizing K-12 Funding in Michigan, and found it to provide some useful, albeit insufficiently researched, guidance on shifting categorical funding into core funding and modifying the states approach to financing programs for children with disabilities.

Yet Professor Baker also describes how the report mischaracterizes literature on whether school finance reforms matter for school quality, and on the benefits of school district consolidation. The report also fails to recognize the various factors that affect the costs of providing children equal educational opportunity. Further, it largely ignores the realities and constraints of how schools and school systems work and how annual budget planning and resource allocation work toward efficiently providing high-quality educational services to children, regardless of sector or location.

Accordingly, Professor Baker concludes, key elements of the report and its proposals are built on false promises and assumptions and are not helpful for policymakers.

Find the review, by Bruce D. Baker, at:

https://nepc.colorado.edu/thinktank/mi-funding

Find From School Aid to Student Aid: Modernizing K-12 Funding in Michigan, written by Ben DeGrow and published by the Mackinac Center, at:

https://www.mackinac.org/S2022-01

NEPC Reviews (http://thinktankreview.org) provide the public, policymakers, and the press with timely, academically sound reviews of selected publications. NEPC Reviews are made possible in part by support provided by the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice: http://www.greatlakescenter.org

The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), a university research center housed at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, produces and disseminates high-quality, peer-reviewed research to inform education policy discussions. Visit us at: https://nepc.colorado.edu
A professional education course on disaster response and assistance, hosted by Embry-Riddle, is coming this fall. This course will help participants plan prior to a crisis, know what to do during the response and equally as important, know how to recover and return to organizational functionality, - Sharon Bryson, NTSB veteran

In order to help guide managers and leaders through the preparation for and response to a transportation disaster involving the loss of a life, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Universitys Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety will host its inaugural course  Disaster Assistance and Response  later this year.

Set to run from Sept. 13-15, the course was developed by National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) veterans Sharon Bryson and Paul Sledzik, who between them have managed the NTSB response to every major transportation accident in the United States since 1997. Participants will gain valuable insight on laws that require aviation operators to ensure that victims or crashes are provided support as part of a coordinated response. Focusing specifically on the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 and associated legislation, the course will be relevant to workers throughout the transportation industry, including rail, pipeline, highway and marine workers.

Setting this course apart is the true expertise that the instructors bring to the classroom, said the Honorable Robert L. Sumwalt III, former NTSB chair who now serves as distinguished fellow in aviation safety and executive director of Embry-Riddles Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety. No one has more combined experience in this field than Sharon and Paul, and Embry-Riddle is pleased to have them share their vast experience and expertise.

After serving 40 years in federal service, Bryson recently retired from the NTSB where, in 2019, she was selected as the first female managing director and oversaw hundreds of accident investigations. In addition, she is credited with managing decisions that kept the agency personnel safe and working during the early phases of the pandemic. Prior to joining the NTSB, she served more than 12 years as a civilian with the U.S. Air Force. In her role as the director at Dover Air Force Base, she was responsible for providing critical support to the Dover Port Mortuary.

While Bryson has had many accomplishments and received numerous awards including the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award, she will be the first to tell you that "the single greatest honor of my career has been building the family assistance program at the NTSB and watching it grow."

This course will help participants plan prior to a crisis, know what to do during the response and equally as important, know how to recover and return to organizational functionality, she said. Doing the right things for the right reasons supports your overall emergency response/preparedness plan. It is important for your organization, but for those directly impacted, it means everything!

Sledzik served 35 years in federal government and, for the past 17 years, has held positions of increasing responsibility at the NTSB. His office directed the media communications, government affairs, safety advocacy and family assistance activities of several major accidents, including the sinking of the cargo ship El Faro in the Caribbean, an engine failure while airborne involving a Southwest Airlines flight, an attempted wrong runway landing in San Francisco, a New Jersey Transit commuter train derailment, school bus accidents in Baltimore and Chattanooga, and a gas explosion at an apartment complex in Silver Spring, Maryland. He also led the public communications efforts related to high-profile agency studies on motorcycle safety, pedestrian safety and speeding, which combined resulted in the issuance of 90 recommendations to federal agencies, safety organizations and states.

Trained as a forensic anthropologist, Sledzik has served as a consultant and advisor to several federal, international and non-governmental agencies on issues of human identification and disaster response. He has written extensively on the topic of mass fatality management for professional journals and textbooks. He participated in the victim identification and recovery efforts in over 30 mass fatality events and transportation accidents.

Effective disaster response for transportation operators is the furthest extension of customer service. This course will help operators understand the often overlooked complexities of a mass casualty/fatality event, Sledzik said.

Learn more or register online: https://www.enrole.com/erau/jsp/course.jsp?categoryId=557914E8&courseId=TDAR.
Our investment in Microsoft and our partnership with Spear Technologies will provide a strong foundation from which to achieve growth and innovation. We have the flexibility to chart our own course and a cloud-hosting vendor to help us navigate the way, said Chris Shaffer, COO at George Hills.

Spear Technologies, the first and only insurance solutions provider to develop applications using the Microsoft Power Platform, today announced that George Hills has gone live on SpearCloud, its cloud-hosting environment. George Hills provides the self-insured market with claims, litigation, and JPA management services for the property, liability, and medical malpractice lines of insurance.

Were excited to have this opportunity to work with George Hills. The organization is a true partner to public and private sector organizations. The leaders at George Hills are innovators, always striving to provide improved service and solutions to their customers. The organizations transparent approach makes it one of the most respected TPA and JPA management firms in the market, said Jose Tribuzio, CEO of Spear Technologies.

Chris Shaffer, COO at George Hills, commented on the steps leading up to his companys need to move to a new cloud-hosting environment: In 2021, we made the strategic decision to migrate our entire infrastructure to Azure, a cloud platform operated by Microsoft. We also made the commitment to leverage Microsoft products across our enterprise.

In sync with this strategy, the company decided to migrate its existing claims system to a new cloud-hosting vendor. SpearCloud met all of its requirements, particularly since it used Azure.

Many organizations like George Hills already have an existing insurance solution hosted on another cloud, said Brian Mack, CRO at Spear Technologies. By moving to our secure, reliable, and scalable cloud, companies can benefit from an improved experience. Within our hosted environment, they have the ability to make modifications. They may choose to make the changes themselves or have us perform the configurations for them.

A key advantage was being able to work with Jose and Brian, added Shaffer. They are known as thought leaders within the insurance and claims space, so we had a great deal of confidence in their team. With their background and experience, we knew we wouldnt have to explain our underlying challenges, as theyre already well acquainted with the business.

Once George Hills was signed up, the company began to work with the Spear team to lay out a project plan. We were very intentional about our timeframe. We didnt want the go-live date to cross into a reporting deadline or the end of a financial period. Instead, we carefully selected a Friday night to have the system go down, and the following Sunday morning, to come back up in the new cloud environment, said Shaffer.

The migration and go-live were seemingly effortless. Thats because we performed proper due diligence, said Shaffer. We performed a trial migration, testing, and quality assurance to ensure everything went smoothly. The Spear team did a lot of work as well. They familiarized themselves with our environment and helped us size up our requirements. For example, they assessed our user base, volume of transactions, and storage needs, which helped us define our specifications.

We believe our investment in Microsoft and our partnership with Spear will provide a strong foundation from which to achieve growth and innovation. We have the flexibility to chart our own course and a cloud-hosting vendor to help us navigate the way. Since Spear understands our business, they can help us execute changes quickly. Weve already begun to see the advantage of this type of flexibility and service, concluded Shaffer.

ABOUT GEORGE HILLS

George Hills is a well-respected TPA and JPA management firm. The organization strives to provide the best solutions to its clients and to serve as a true partner. George Hills serves over 300 public and private sector organizations, including cities, counties, school districts, joint powers authorities, transit, insurance carriers, and private sector organizations from a broad spectrum of industries. It strives to provide an unmatched level of service, to foster trusted relationships with customers, and to deliver quantifiable results. For more information, visit https://georgehills.com.

ABOUT SPEAR TECHNOLOGIES

Spear Technologies aims to provide property and casualty insurance companies with an enterprise claims management system for the future. Developed on the Microsoft Power Platform, SpearClaims delivers unparalleled control, speed, and results. By leveraging this top-rated low-code / no-code development platform, Spear Technologies empowers companies with the ability to easily and quickly configure and tailor SpearClaims to meet their unique needs. SpearClaims architecture provides the capabilities for using built-in AI and automation tools to extend capabilities for competitive differentiation and results. For more information, visit http://www.spear-tech.com/.
In Chris Van Dusens rhyming story Big Truck Little Island, a jack-knifed truck blocks a small islands single roadand that means that Barry, Meg, Pete, and Sue wont be able to get to their appointments. The adults who are driving them seem flummoxed, so the kids confer and come up with an ingenious solution: the families should just exchange cars. PW spoke with Van Dusen about the real-life inspiration for the book, what his story says about the power of community and the current state of our often uncivil society, and the ongoing inspiration of Maine and its tradition of picture book authors.

In your afterword, you write that the book was based on an actual incident that took place on Vinalhaven Island, in your home state of Maine. What elements from that story struck you as being right for a picture book?

Vinalhaven is right off Mid-Coast Maine, where I live. You can see the island from my town.

I cant remember who I heard the story from, but when I heard it I knew it was such a simple and ingenious solution to a real-life problemI couldnt believe they thought of something so perfect. When I mentioned it to people on the mainland, they said, What a brilliant solution. But when I mentioned it to people on Vinalhaven, they kind of scratched their heads and said, Why are you even writing a book about this? Thats what we do here. We leave our keys in the cars, and if you need a truck, you just borrow it. They have to work togetherthats how they survive and get by.

I wasnt sure there was enough for a childrens book with the original story, which happened when there was a big wind turbine construction project on Vinalhaven [a photo related to the project is included in the afterword]. I wanted to make it more kid-friendly, and friends of mine, Matt and Maya Myers [most recently, the authors of Dino-Gro and Not Little], suggested, You ought to have the kids come up with the solution.

My agent, Steve Malk, thought I should send it off, and it seemed like a Candlewick book to metheyve been really great to me and have published all the Mercy Watson books. Ive had the same editor there from day one, Joan Powers, and she said it was a good story, too.

How did the book take shape?

My first version was much more complexI was going to pull out all the stops. I liked the way Jon Klassen divided We Found a Hat into parts; I thought about having part one be The Truck Arrives and part two be Traffic Trouble. I even envisioned having a gatefold where youd see the truck, and the traffic and the kids. But I talked it over with my art director, Ann Stott, and we decided to keep [the format] pretty direct and minimal.

I do like writing in rhymeit actually comes easier to me, which makes some of my writer friends scratch their heads and think Im crazy. I like the structure and the limits rhyme places on mewhen I have unlimited words and sentences, it throws me. But I also wrote in rhyme because I was getting requests for rhyming books. Ive only written one non-rhyming book, Hattie and Hudson, and that was a more serious topic. I didnt want Big Truck, Little Island to be heavyI wanted an upbeat, lively, fun read.

While its got truck in the title, the storys themes run much deeper. Why did those themes resonate with you?

Id been receiving emails about, My son loves truck books, I hope youve got more truck books coming. But even though the title is Big Truck, Little Island, this book is really about problem-solving and ingenuityits the solutions that happen around the truck that are the basis of this story.

On the surface, its really a very simple storyits probably the slightest book, plot-wise, that Ive ever written. What I liked about it were the layers beneath, the themes of trust, cooperation, neighborlinesslayers to peel away like an onion as you started thinking them through.

It really couldnt have come at a better time, because we need that way of thinking: working together, solving problem, cooperating. Thats what you get on an island, that tight-knit work ethic. You get things done. You dont complainits lets solve this problem. I do think its really timely given the way that things are so divided in the country. Listening to the [Ketanji Brown] Jackson [Supreme Court confirmation] hearings and how nasty that got for no apparent reason, in my viewI just think if people saw that they have to work together, they could also see that if they run into a roadblock theres a way around it.

I love how these kids say, Look, were friends, we know each other. Lets just borrow each others cars. And thats what they do. That makes perfect sense.

Instead of focusing on the four kid protagonists from the very beginning, you open with two spreads of the barge making its way to the island, including one thats an expansive, detailed birds-eye view of the island and the bay. How did you make that choice?

Opening with the truck on the barge made it a more theatrical, like introducing a character: heres what happens when a huge truck comes onto the island and tries to make its way up these little roads.

That spread [where the island is revealed] was probably the hardest illustration in the book to doto paint all those fields and houses and rocks and birds. Im a huge fan of Robert McCloskey, and its the kind of detail hed put in his illustrations. And thats the kind of picture I would have loved when I was six: where does the road go, who lives in those houses? Barbara Cooney was also a big influence: I pulled out my copy of Miss Rumphius to see how she did the lupins that appear in the pages.

There really is a rich tradition of Maine picture book writers. A lot of my books look like theyre set in Maine, and Circus Ship mentions Maine by name. But the location of the island in Big Truck, Little Island isnt named in the story itself. And some of the elements on the island are not specific to Vinalhaven. Ive been to the island a number of times, but I specially didnt go out and take reference photos or do research. I didnt want people to say, Thats not where that is.

Whats next for you?

Another Mercy Watson book will be out late September, A Very Mercy Christmas. Im working on the last book in the Tales for Deckawoo Drive seriesits a spin-off of the Mercy Watson series, and since its the last book, it will be twice as long as the previous books and a little snazzier. Theres an If I Built book in the pipeline. There are definitely a lot of projects.

Big Truck Little Island by Chris Van Dusen. Candlewick, $19.99 May 3 ISBN 978-1-5362-0393-6
Azerbaijani and Armenian officials have met in Brussels, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar has said on his official Twitter page.

"Happy to have been able to host [Azerbaijani presidential aide] Hikmat Hajiyev and [Armenian Security Council secretary] Armen Grigoryan in Brussels for a second meeting in this format," he wrote.

The European Union hosted a meeting of the abovementioned high-level officials from Azerbaijan and Armenia in Brussels on March 31 to advance joint efforts to find solutions to a range of issues between both countries.

The meeting between Hajiyev and Grigoryan was earlier facilitated by Klaar.

It was followed by a meeting between EU Council President Charles Michel, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels on 6 April 2022.

The trilateral meeting was held for a continuation of the discussions on the situation in the South Caucasus region and the development of EU relations with both countries.

The leaders took stock of developments since their last meeting in Brussels in December 2021 and their videoconference, together with French President Emmanuel Macron, in February 2022. They reviewed progress on the implementation of undertaken commitments. The leaders discussed the recently reported tensions and reiterated the necessity of adhering fully to the provisions of the 9/10 November 2020 trilateral statement.

Both Aliyev and Pashinyan expressed a willingness to work quickly toward a peace agreement between their countries. To that end, it was decided to instruct foreign ministers to begin work on drafting a future peace treaty that would address all of the issues.

At the same time, it was also agreed to convene a Joint Border Commission by the end of April. The Joint Border Commission's mandate will be to: delimit the bilateral border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and ensure a stable security situation along and in the vicinity of the borderline.

In his speech at an international conference "South Caucasus: Development and Cooperation held at ADA University on April 29, President Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan has been actively advocating for the new era in the Caucasus, an era of peace and cooperation.

"And finally, we got a positive response from Armenia just recently, and their government accepted five basic principles which Azerbaijan put forward, the principles which should be a foundation for a peace agreement with Armenia. At the same time, also, based on the Azerbaijani proposal Armenia agreed finally to establish joint working groups with Azerbaijan to start the process of delimitation of our border," he said.

The president underlined that these are important signs of development.

"It also shows that now after a year and a half passed since the second Karabakh war, Armenian leadership and I hope population understands the necessity of peace. And if a peace agreement is signed and those basic principles are known, then, the peace in the Caucasus will be long-lasting and sustainable. This is what we want, and I think that what we demonstrate and what we announce is a clear example of our will to contribute to the peace in the Caucasus," he said.
Sandra Sydnor, associate professor of hospitality and tourism management, has been named the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellow in Purdue University's College of Health and Human Sciences. (Purdue University photo/Tim Brouk)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Sandra Sydnor, associate professor in the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, has been named the College of Health and Human Sciences' first Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellow.

"I am pleased to serve as the fellow in the College of Health and Human Sciences," Sydnor said. "Although Purdue has a great technology transfer process, there isn't as much entrepreneurship and innovation in areas not aligned with engineering and biomedical pursuits. But these other areas are equally vital to improve people's lives and can be just as innovative."

In this new role, Sydnor will find ways to engage her colleagues with the university's innovation and entrepreneurship resources.

"Purdue has a wonderful entrepreneurial ecosystem about which many faculty are unaware," Sydnor said. "They may have the ambition to enter through a touchpoint of that ecosystem, but they may not be aware of the multiple modes of entry. My goal has been to create mindful awareness and increase levels of faculty and even student entrepreneurial engagement."

Sydnor became an entrepreneur at a young age, starting as a franchisee for almost 20 years with Burger King Corp. She also founded a strategy consulting company and studied entrepreneurship from an academic perspective at her doctoral program at Ohio State University.

Sydnor and several of her colleagues teach a capstone course that all HTM seniors must complete before graduation. She teaches it through an entrepreneurship/intrapreneurship lens and oftentimes involves community and HTM alumnae entrepreneurs.

"At semester's end of the capstone class, students present their business idea in front of a panel of judges, in much the same way as you might view on ABCs hit show, 'Shark Tank,'" Sydnor said. "Based on the desirability, feasibility and sustainability of the idea and its likely implementation, students are rewarded with a Shark who wants to 'invest' or one that passes."

On the faculty side, Sydnor also graduated from the Faculty Entrepreneurial Learning Academy (ELA). Faculty with a particularly fervent interest in understanding the commercialization possibilities for their research, learning or engagement activities can write a proposal to study and research their idea for an academic year. Her acceptance to ELA at the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship led to her own presentation to a panel of judges who evaluate the desirability, feasibility and sustainability of an idea. Subsequently, Sydnor chose the route a number of ELA graduates pursue, enrolling in the Ignite program, an ideation program managed by the Purdue Foundry, which helps Purdue innovators create a startup company. Sydnor said these opportunities, and others like them, deserve wide dissemination, one of the activities she intends to pursue over the summer sessions and the fall semester.

Marion K. Underwood, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences and distinguished professor of psychological sciences, expressed support of the fellowship and Sydnor's skills.

"The College of Health and Human Sciences supports our researchers and students who are committed to finding solutions to challenges that face the world," Underwood said. "Sandra is a highly esteemed researcher and entrepreneur in her own right. She knows the paths entrepreneurs can take at Purdue so their innovations can impact human health and quality of life. She will bring that knowledge to her interactions with other researchers in the college to expedite their journey."

Sydnor becomes Purdue's fifth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellow following Christian Butzke in the College of Agriculture, Yung-Hsiang Lu in the College of Engineering, Zhan Pang in the School of Management and Nathalie Duval-Couetil in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. The campuswide program is coordinated through the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship. Faculty interested in learning more about this program may contact Arnold Chen at acchen@purdue.edu

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: Steve Martin, sgmartin@prf.org

Sources: Sandra Sydnor, ssydnorb@purdue.edu

Marion K. Underwood, underwm@purdue.edu
When: Wednesday, June 8, 2022, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Where: ArtsTwo Lecture Theatre, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS,

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The Centre for Law and Society in a Global Context is delighted to welcome Professor Lyndsey Stonebridge, Professor of Humanities and Human Rights at the University of Birmingham, to give the annual CLSGC lecture this year. Professor Stonebridges interdisciplinary work brings literary and psychoanalytical perspectives to the study of human rights and refugees, including Placeless People: Writing, Rights, and Refugees (2018) and Writing and Righting: Literature in the Age of Human Rights. She has written extensively on Hannah Arendt and her new book, What we are doing: Thinking with Hannah Arendt, will be published by Jonathan Cape in 2023.

The lecture, Hannah Arendt in Kafr-Qasim, will consider the following topic:

Hannah Arendts controversial reports from the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem are well known. But before then another atrocity trial caught her attention: the trial of soldiers accused of a massacre of Palestinians at Kafr-Qasim on the eve of the Suez crisis. This talk returns to that earlier trial to ask questions about the separation between legal and moral responsibility, and the responsibility of memory, today.

About the speaker

Professor Lyndsey Stonebridges work focuses on twentieth-century and contemporary literature, political theory, and history, Human Rights, and Refugee Studies, drawing on the interdisciplinary connections between literature, history, politics, law, and social policy. Her early work was concerned with the effects of modern violence on the mind in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries (The Destructive Element (1998), Reading Melanie Klein (1998) and The Writing of Anxiety (2007). Over the past ten years her research has focussed on the creative history of responses to that violence in two awarding-winning books, The Judicial Imagination: Writing after Nuremberg (2011), winner of the British Academy Rose Mary Crawshay Prize, 2014, and Placeless People: Writing, Rights, and Refugees (2018), winner of the Modernist Studies Association Best Book Prize 2018, and in her recent collection of essays, Writing and Righting: Literature in the Age of Human Rights (2020).

The work of the twentieth-century political theorist, Hannah Arendt, is central to Professor Stonebridges understanding of modern history, violence, statelessness, and judgement. She is currently writing a critical-creative account of the relevance Arendts thinking for today, Thinking Like Hannah Arendt, which will be published by Jonathan Cape in 2022.

The interdisciplinary focus of Professor Stonebridges work is key to her wider project to re-cast global histories of human rights and justice across a broad and comparative modern moral and political canvas, such, for example, as in the collaborative Global Challenges project with refugees and their host communities in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, Refugee Hosts, and with the University of Birminghams Rights4Time Global network.

She is a regular media commentator and broadcaster, and has written for The New Statesman, Prospect Magazine. She is co-editor of Oxford University Presss Mid-Century Series, and has held visiting positions at Cornell University and the University of Sydney. In 2017, she was elected as a Fellow of the English Association, and in 2019 was elected as a member of the Academia Europaea.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/02/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Memphis Smith has lamented about people coming in and out of your life after seemingly confirming her split from husband Hamza Moknii.Memphis, who recently called herself a "single mom" on social media, took to Instagram on Saturday, April 30 and wrote a "positivity post," which served as the caption to a painting of Memphis pregnant and dressed like a queen.The 35-year-old nurse practitioner from Muskegon, MI, wrote, "People come in and out of your life for various reason. Only God knows how important it is to send special people who show you such kindness no matter what else is going on."Memphis' "empowering" message appears to suggest she's in good spirits after her split from Hamza, with whom she welcomed a baby girl in late 2021."It isn't necessary how long you've known a person but the impact they have in that time they are in your life. Good and bad!" Memphis continued in her post."[ alum Alina Johnston] has been such a kind heart. And I wanted to say how much I appreciated this beautiful ART WORK! You are truly TALENTED!"Memphis revealed how she'll be making the painting into a canvas."I will be... putting it in my daughter's room!" Memphis shared."I can't wait! Let's keep supporting each other as women! Empowering each other and inspiring each other! Thank you again. #womenempowerment #mothersday #artist #artworkoftheday #maternityshoot."Memphis' inspiring post comes only several days after the reality TV star seemed to confirm her relationship with Hamza, a 28-year-old from Kairouan, Tunisia, is over.On Wednesday, April 27, Memphis uploaded a video of herself dancing while pumping breast milk for the baby she had with Hamza."Breastfeeding/breast pumping mamas!! It doesn't STOP because we work, it doesn't STOP so we can sleep and it definitely doesn't STOP so we can play!" Memphis wrote.She also added the following hashtags: #breastfeeding #breastfeedingmom #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingworkingmom #pumpingmom #breastpumping #allmoms #newmomlife #singlemomlife #healthyhabits #breastfeedingawareness and #postpartum.Memphis' "single mom life" led fans to believe she's single.Breakup rumors began to swirl in March when Memphis and Hamza stopped following each other on Instagram and Memphis also deleted all of the photos she had with him.And on March 13, Memphis posted an image that read, "Never love a man so much that you ignore the truth about him."In the caption, Memphis also vented, "Love is not only a word...but an action. Love shouldn't cause pain, hurt, stress, insecurities, anguish, trauma, or self-doubt. Real Authentic Love doesn't hurt...instead it is supposed to HEAL."Memphis enthusiastically reiterated -- and in capital letters -- how "love is healing" and "not conditional."And then Memphis began publicly feuding with Hamza's sister Rawia Moknii on social media in early April.Rawia told fans on her Instagram Story that Memphis doesn't treat Hamza well, and then Memphis lamented on her own Instagram account how she was "exhausted" by Rawia making "bad remarks" about her, according to In Touch Weekly.Rawia also posted screenshots of an alleged text-message thread she had with her sister-in-law on April 15, showing that Rawia and Hamza were upset about Memphis' close relationship with her ex-husband, Justin Sandoval, the father of her six-year-old son.Memphis reportedly explained to Rawia how she needed Justin to watch her kids sometimes and Hamza should "be happy" because without Justin's help, she never would have been able to travel to Tunisia to begin with.Rawia allegedly replied in support of her brother, "He [understands] your situation but he can't hide his [feelings] that he [feels] jealous when you be [sic] in your ex-husband house.""Well, he does not need to be with me then," Memphis countered, suggesting she and Hamza were maybe still together but fighting.Later that evening, Rawia reportedly unleashed her thoughts on the situation via Instagram Stories."I think it's time to talk about the truth and what my brother went through. Trying to make someone look bad and lying to them is inhumane. Every word I say I have proof," she claimed."The first thing I will explain is why Hamza wants to MOVE with his wife and the kids to another city, and you can find out the answer. I just want you to expose other people's lies."She reportedly added of Memphis, "You are just trying to show your good side (it doesn't exist) but your reality is worse. You want to play the victim but you are a cheat and your mask will fall soon."Hamza then took to his own Instagram Story after the argument, according to In Touch."When a person can no longer control you, they will try to control how [others] see you. These lies will feel unfair, but stay above it, trusting that other people will eventually see the truth just like you did," Hamza wrote.But Memphis fired back with the following: "I do not have to defend their lies anymore! I did not benefit from anything at all from them so."Memphis continued in her Instagram Story: "The problem is they will show what they think will keep their story line going and fill their pockets! After dealing with them NOTHING surprises me! Sad to say but true!!"Based on his other recent Instagram postings, Hamza appears to have been staying in Chicago, IL for at least the last several weeks.After being single for four years and dating around quite a bit, Memphis met Hamza, whom she thought was very "special" eight months prior to filming : Before the 90 Days.When Memphis met Hamza, she was a single mom to a 13-year-old daughter named Kennedi, whom she welcomed from a relationship that took place 14 years prior, as well as her son with ex-husband Justin.On the spinoff's fifth season, Memphis' trip to Tunisia was documented, and she and Hamza were shown meeting in-person and overcoming a language barrier as well as some adversity.It took some time for Memphis -- who grew up in the foster care system -- to win over Hamza's mother and sister on the series, and Hamza was angry to learn Memphis had spent four nights at her ex-husband's house towards the beginning of Memphis and Hamza's romance.Hamza also reluctantly agreed to sign a postnuptial agreement to make his new wife happy.But the couple relied on love to get them through challenges, and Memphis finally felt like she had become a part of Hamza's family, who welcomed her with open arms once she and Hamza tied the knot."In my heart, I do feel like I'm making the right decision. Hamza gives me a sense of family that I don't think I've ever really felt, and I deserve it," Memphis said on the series. "But ultimately, I don't know what to expect in the future. I just hope and pray I'm not making the wrong decision."During Memphis and Hamza's honeymoon, Memphis revealed she was pregnant.And on the Tell-All special that aired last month, Memphis said she had completed the CR-1 visa process and so Hamza had moved to the United States. He and Memphis were still together, and Hamza was thrilled to be in his baby's life, even though he had missed her birth.Memphis and Hamza were spotted filming -- presumably for a future season of a spinoff like : Happily Ever After? -- in Michigan with their new baby in March, but that's also when the split speculation sparked.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/03/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

ABC executive Robert Mills has hinted at who will host the new season of when it premieres this summer on ABC.has been renewed for an eighth season on ABC, but its Summer 2022 premiere date and new host have yet to be announced."We are still in the middle of planning the creative on ," Mills, who oversees all the network's reality programming, told Variety in a recent interview. Chris Harrison previously hosted the entire The Bachelor franchise, but he exited the show in early 2021 after a racism scandal.'s seventh season was hosted by a lineup of celebrity guest co-hosts last year, including former boyband member Lance Bass and rapper Lil Jon, but it's possible Jesse Palmer -- who hosted The Bachelor's most recent 26th season -- may continue his hosting role into the summer."I would be very surprised if Jesse wasn't a part of it," Mills said.Jesse is also set to host The Bachelorette's upcoming nineteenth season starring dual Bachelorette leads, Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia Jesse replaced Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams , who served as The Bachelorette co-hosts on Season 17 and Season 18 starring Katie Thurston and Michelle Young , respectively."We loved the idea of celebrities being involved, especially on because it is so much more fast and loose," Mills explained."I think it will be great to have guest stars there, but guest hosts? I don't think we need it."Producers are apparently thrilled with Jesse in the hosting role and could see celebrities coming and going from Mexico just as an added bonus."I think [the celebrities] can still do everything they did that was so great, and we can still have someone like Jesse in that host role," Mills noted.Many Paradise fans, however, were upset ABC decided to pass on Wells Adams as host. Wells has worn many hats for the franchise -- including contestant, bartender, and "Master of Ceremonies."Wells led every Rose Ceremony on 's seventh season, but the lineup of celebrities essentially got credit for hosting."You never say never," Mills said when asked if Wells may host Bachelor in Paradise or another spinoff down the road."If we can figure out other roles for Wells, absolutely. Just in terms of the Walt Disney family, he is actually hosting a food competition for us at Hulu. We love Wells. So whether it's within The Bachelor or just in the broader ABC, Disney, Hulu family, we are Wells' No. 1 fan."Mills also praised former The Bachelorette stars Kaitlyn and Tayshia on doing "an extraordinary job" with co-hosting The Bachelorette last year."I can't say enough about how great they were," Mills said."I thought they brought such a different style to it, which was really refreshing and people liked. Some people are still upset that they're not doing it, and I think that's a testament to how great they did."Season 8 of will air this summer and continue to feature The Bachelor and The Bachelorette alums looking to receive a second -- or maybe even a third -- chance at finding a committed relationship in a tropical location.Last year's season of premiered in early August 2021.While the cast of Season 8 of has yet to be unveiled, several women from Clayton Echard 's The Bachelor season are expected to participate.Suitors will also likely be heavily plucked from Katie and Michelle's The Bachelorette seasons.The new season is expected to feature shocking twists, surprises, unexpected guests, and some unlikely relationships, per usual.Season 7 of ended with three engagements, but the only couples who are still together are Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt as well as Kenny Braasch and Mari Pepin-Solis Riley Christian and Maurissa Gunn split not long after their engagement aired on ABC last year. Noah Erb and Abigail Heringer also reunited and became a couple after filming the summer spinoff's seventh season together, as did Becca Kufrin and Thomas Jacobs While last year's season aired twice weekly on Mondays and Tuesdays, this year's broadcast schedule will apparently be different given ABC has already announced Season 19 of The Bachelorette will premiere Monday, July 11 at 8PM ET/PT.The Bachelorette Season 19 premiere date is significantly later than the show's prior summer seasons, which have debuted in May or early June and concluded in time for to premiere and take over the Monday night timeslot by early August.After ABC announced The Bachelorette's Season 19 premiere, speculation that was being canceled and may not air this summer began circulating online, but franchise creator Mike Fleiss later set the record straight."Canceled??? No f-cking way!!! #BachelorinParadise forever!" Fleiss tweeted in response to a tweet that mentioned rumors might be canceled.However, Fleiss subsequently deleted his tweet, which muddled the show's status even further at the time.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Celebrity couples walked the red carpet Monday at the 2022 Met Gala.

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Lively, 34, and Reynolds, 45, co-hosted the event with Regina King, Lin-Manuel Miranda and co-chairs Anna Wintour, Tom Ford and Adam Mosseri. This year's dress code was "gilded glamour," a reference to the Gilded Age in American history.

Lively wore a copper-colored metallic Atelier Versace gown inspired by New York architecture. The dress featured an oversized bow at the back that was later let down to unveil a long blue train.

Versace said the look mirrored "the transformation of New York's Statue of Liberty from bronze to oxidized green."

Kardashian, 43, and Barker, 46, got close on the red carpet while wearing coordinating looks from Thom Browne . The pair both sported black skirts and white shirts, with Barker also wearing a black jacket.

Kardashian told Vogue that her outfit was "basically like a deconstructed version" of Barker's look.

Union, 49, attended the Met Gala with Wade, 40, while wearing a silver Versace gown with a feathered train and a red floral accent at her waist. The actress got "a little emotional" as she explained the significance of her look to Vogue.

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"Because when you think about the Gilded Age and Black and brown people in this country, this country is built off of our backs, our blood, sweat and tears. So we added these red crystals to represent the blood spilled during the accumulation of gross wealth by a few during the Gilded Age, off of the backs of Black people and people of color in this country," she said.

Other couples included Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian, who wore an iconic dress of Marilyn Monroe's, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, and Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness.
Hillary Clinton wore a meaningful look while making her return to the Met Gala.

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The former first lady and secretary of state attended her first Met Gala in 21 years Monday at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This year's dress code was "gilded glamour."

Clinton wore a berry-colored Altuzarra dress with a short train and off-shoulder neckline. The gown featured the names of 60 women embroidered along the neckline and hem.

The names included notable women from American history, including Rosa Parks and Lady Bird Johnson, along with other women who inspire Clinton, such as her mother, Dorothy Rodham.

Joseph Altuzarra told Vogue that he drew inspiration from friendship quilts, homemade quilts made by a community of women to mark a special occasion, from the 19th century.

"The quilt was an opportunity for women to get together and have this social interaction," the designer said. "They were often a kind of memory for women of their community and families, especially if they didn't stay in one place all their life."

The dress also pays homage to homemakers, quilters and seamstresses.

"I do think America has a very rich a long history of folk craftsmanship, which I thought was a really nice story to allude to," Altuzarra said.

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Other Met Gala attendees included Emma Stone , Lizzo, Nicki Minaj , and Kendall Jenner , along with Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds , and other celebrity couples.
Kim Kardashian channeled late Hollywood film star Marilyn Monroe at the 2022 Met Gala.

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Kardashian, 41, attended the event with her boyfriend, actor and comedian Pete Davidson , Monday at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The Kardashians star wore the exact dress that Monroe sported to sing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy on his 45th birthday in 1962.

The iconic gown is based on a sketch by Bob Mackie for costume designer Jean-Louis. The dress features over 6,000 crystals, which create a sparkling translucent look when worn.

"Nowadays everyone wears sheer dresses, but back then that was not the case," Kardashian told Vogue. "In a sense, it's the original naked dress. That's why it was so shocking."

Monroe, who died at age 36 in 1962, is said to have originally paid $1,440 for the custom gown. Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum acquired the dress for $4.8 million in 2016 and stores the outfit at one of its vaults in Orlando.

Kardashian said on the red carpet that she lost 16 pounds in three weeks to fit into the gown, which could not be altered. She completed her look with sleek platinum blonde hair and a white fur coat.

"Thank you Ripley's Believe It or Not! for giving me the opportunity to debut this evocative piece of fashion history for the first time since the late Marilyn Monroe wore it. I am forever grateful for this moment," the television personality said on Instagram.

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Kardashian's previous Met Gala looks include the waist-cinching dress she wore to the 2019 benefit and the all-black look that obscured her face, which she sported in 2021.
HOME > Selling Sunset 'Selling Sunset' star Christine Quinn has left the Oppenheim Group

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/02/2022



star Christine Quinn has left the Oppenheim Group real estate firm the Netflix reality series follows.



ADVERTISEMENT Season 5 of was released April 22 on Netflix, and its first-even reunion special filmed two days later and will be released for streaming on May 6.



's season ended with Christine's job at Oppenheim Group in jeopardy, and she didn't show up to the reunion taping due to an alleged positive COVID-19 test result.



There may have been more to Christine's absence from the reunion however, given Christine has left the real-estate brokerage firm, Us Weekly



"It was Christine's decision to leave the Oppenheim Group," a source told the magazine.



Christine's bio, including her work history, has been cut from the brokerage's website.



However, a group photo of the full real-estate team including Christine still appears on the company's webpage when a user clicks on the "Our Team" tab.



featured Christine, 33, appearing to bribe one of her fellow real estate agent Emma Hernan's clients.



Christine was accused of trying to steal one of Emma's clients with a $5,000 bribe, and Christine never showed up to a meeting at the Oppenheim Group to discuss the allegation.



But shortly before the show's fifth season premiered on Netflix late last month, Christine slammed producers for editing "fake storylines" into the show.



The Texas native wrote on Twitter at the time, "30 minutes till the launch of #SellingSunset. Enjoy the new season and all of it's 5,000 fake storylines!"



When one of Christine's followers asked why Christine had offered the alleged bribe, Christine responded, "Omg bless your heart you actually think the show is real."



star and realtor Mary Fitzgerald, 41, recently

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"If Emma had had the listing agreement signed already, which she was getting ready to, it would be illegal," Mary explained.



"So [Christine] would lose her license, she would lose everything. But the listing agreement for this particular property wasn't signed just yet, luckily. Otherwise, she would have legal issues."



Mary, who was promoted to a management position during the new season, also insisted that the firm "backed up the story" and found Christine's alleged behavior unacceptable.



"We pride ourselves on our integrity and the way we treat clients and the way we treat each other and we can't have this at our brokerage. It's just -- it's not okay," Mary said.



However, Christine reportedly denied the allegation on Episode 10 of 's fifth season and said, "There's absolutely no truth to this. I don't know why Emma is once again trying to make me look bad and stir the pot and make up lies about me."



Mary revealed on that a decision regarding the future of Christine's position at the Oppenheim Group and her potential firing would be announced at the reunion.



In addition to the alleged bribe, Christine also struggled to get along with her fellow cast members.



Christine even said at one point that she felt "bullied" by her Oppenheim Group co-workers after an argument with Amanza Smith. The former model, for example, wasn't invited to Heather Rae Young's bridal shower, although the women had once been close friends.



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"Producers offered her the opportunity to video chat, but she declined because she wasn't feeling well enough to do it."



The source added that "producers were scrambling with the positive COVID test result" and so a video chat was "a last-minute offer."



Amanza also missed the taping because of coronavirus, but producers were reportedly given a heads-up about her absence and Amanza had agreed to join the reunion via video chat from her home.



Even though two women were missing from the reunion, star



The reunion was apparently still dramatic, with Chrishell revealing, "Feel like I got spat out of a tornado. I love our crazy family though."



Chrishell was presumably asked about Christine as well as her off-camera split from Jason Oppenheim, a 45-year-old real estate broker who owns the Oppenheim Group and was able to decide if he wanted to fire Christine.



Chrishell and Jason announced in December 2021 they had decided to call it quits on their romance after dating for less than one year.



Jason and Chrishell, who also competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2020, split only five months after going public with their romance.



As for Christine's love life, she claims to be happily married, and she and her husband Christian Richard welcomed a son together, who is also named Christian, in May 2021.





About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS star Christine Quinn has left the Oppenheim Group real estate firm the Netflix reality series follows.Season 5 of was released April 22 on Netflix, and its first-even reunion special filmed two days later and will be released for streaming on May 6.'s season ended with Christine's job at Oppenheim Group in jeopardy, and she didn't show up to the reunion taping due to an alleged positive COVID-19 test result.There may have been more to Christine's absence from the reunion however, given Christine has left the real-estate brokerage firm, Us Weekly reported "It was Christine's decision to leave the Oppenheim Group," a source told the magazine.Christine's bio, including her work history, has been cut from the brokerage's website.However, a group photo of the full real-estate team including Christine still appears on the company's webpage when a user clicks on the "Our Team" tab.featured Christine, 33, appearing to bribe one of her fellow real estate agent Emma Hernan's clients.Christine was accused of trying to steal one of Emma's clients with a $5,000 bribe, and Christine never showed up to a meeting at the Oppenheim Group to discuss the allegation.But shortly before the show's fifth season premiered on Netflix late last month, Christine slammed producers for editing "fake storylines" into the show.The Texas native wrote on Twitter at the time, "30 minutes till the launch of #SellingSunset. Enjoy the new season and all of it's 5,000 fake storylines!"When one of Christine's followers asked why Christine had offered the alleged bribe, Christine responded, "Omg bless your heart you actually think the show is real."star and realtor Mary Fitzgerald, 41, recently told E! News that Christine's alleged bribe was "completely unethical" and bordered on "illegal" if a key document had been signed."If Emma had had the listing agreement signed already, which she was getting ready to, it would be illegal," Mary explained."So [Christine] would lose her license, she would lose everything. But the listing agreement for this particular property wasn't signed just yet, luckily. Otherwise, she would have legal issues."Mary, who was promoted to a management position during the new season, also insisted that the firm "backed up the story" and found Christine's alleged behavior unacceptable."We pride ourselves on our integrity and the way we treat clients and the way we treat each other and we can't have this at our brokerage. It's just -- it's not okay," Mary said.However, Christine reportedly denied the allegation on Episode 10 of 's fifth season and said, "There's absolutely no truth to this. I don't know why Emma is once again trying to make me look bad and stir the pot and make up lies about me."Mary revealed on that a decision regarding the future of Christine's position at the Oppenheim Group and her potential firing would be announced at the reunion.In addition to the alleged bribe, Christine also struggled to get along with her fellow cast members.Christine even said at one point that she felt "bullied" by her Oppenheim Group co-workers after an argument with Amanza Smith. The former model, for example, wasn't invited to Heather Rae Young's bridal shower, although the women had once been close friends.When Christine missed 's fifth-season reunion special, which filmed on April 24, her representative told Us, "Christine tested positive for COVID and out of abundance of caution for the cast and crew, she did not attend the reunion.""Producers offered her the opportunity to video chat, but she declined because she wasn't feeling well enough to do it."The source added that "producers were scrambling with the positive COVID test result" and so a video chat was "a last-minute offer."Amanza also missed the taping because of coronavirus, but producers were reportedly given a heads-up about her absence and Amanza had agreed to join the reunion via video chat from her home.Even though two women were missing from the reunion, star Chrishell Stause , 40, wrote on Instagram following the taping that she had the "longest day everrrrrr."The reunion was apparently still dramatic, with Chrishell revealing, "Feel like I got spat out of a tornado. I love our crazy family though."Chrishell was presumably asked about Christine as well as her off-camera split from Jason Oppenheim, a 45-year-old real estate broker who owns the Oppenheim Group and was able to decide if he wanted to fire Christine.Chrishell and Jason announced in December 2021 they had decided to call it quits on their romance after dating for less than one year.Jason and Chrishell, who also competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2020, split only five months after going public with their romance.As for Christine's love life, she claims to be happily married, and she and her husband Christian Richard welcomed a son together, who is also named Christian, in May 2021. SELLING SUNSET MORE SELLING SUNSET NEWS << PRIOR STORY

'90 Day Fiance' recap: Bilal is skeptical of Shaeeda, Mohamed has expectations, Ariela and Biniyam return, and Miona and Emily make demands NEXT STORY >>

'90 Day Fiance' alum Memphis Smith laments "people come in and out of your life" after apparent Hamza Moknii split

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Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz joined mayoral candidates Fred Moorman and Mara Zuniga in a debate hosted by The Red & Black on Monday evening. The candidates discussed Linnentown reparations, homelessness and affordable housing.

The debate was moderated by Dania Kalaji from The Red & Black, Blake Aued from Flagpole and D.J. Simmons from the Athens Banner-Herald.

Bennie Coleman III dropped out of the mayoral race earlier on Monday.

Pearl Hall and Mykeisha Ross, two other candidates, were not present at the debate. Both were offered the chance to provide a statement to be read before the debate.

I would like to thank everyone who have been supportive. Sorry I could not be there. I will continue doing my work in establishing a betterment for our city. We need to be the change we wish to see, Ross said in her statement. Start holding government accountable for the things they say/promise #votelikeaboss #votemykeishaross.

UGA and Athens relations

Kalajis questions for the candidates focused on issues surrounding the relationship between the University of Georgia and Athens.

The first of these questions asked about how each candidate would address reparations for Linnentown, following a report issued by the Linnentown project estimating the amount owed to be $5 million. The amount would be divided between the university and the Athens-Clarke County government, for payments of about $2.5 million each.

Zuniga said the residents of Linnentown should be given a voice in the debate.

Linnentown, as many other issues pertaining to the Black community, has been politicized, when in fact it is the voice of those that have been directly affected that should be heard, Zuniga said.

Moorman disagreed that the reparations were needed, saying that the issue is uncovering a past that doesnt need to be uncovered.

The candidates also debated how Athens can better serve UGA students seeking mental health services within the community.

Its such an important question right now for college-aged students, for older adults or younger teens as well, Girtz said. So Im proud of the work the commission and I have done to advance the needs for behavioral health services.

Public Services

D.J Simmons asked about each candidate's opinion on the government-sanctioned homeless encampment. The encampment, known as First Step, is located on Barber Street and opened in March.

The name of the camp on Barber Street is First Step, it's important to recognize that title. It is just the first step of many needed to combat some of the earlier, that very strategic case management, development of affordable housing, rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing, Girtz said.

Zuniga and Moorman both disagreed that the homeless encampment was an effective solution.

Housing

Blake Aued questioned the candidates on TSPLOST and housing availability.

TSPLOST will be on the ballot on May 24 along with the mayoral race. Fare-free transit brought differing opinions from the candidates.

Moorman said that he does not support fare-free transit. Girtz praised the initiative while Zuniga said she would wait for more data to decide her support.

I always see buses and they have covered up the glass window with black, actually, so you cant see theres only three people on that bus that can seat 40, Moorman said.

Aued also asked the candidates how they would provide affordable housing to the Athens community. Moorman said he did not believe there was an affordable housing problem, but rather an issue of too many houses.

Both Girtz and Zuniga agreed there was an issue and that higher wages can be used to combat this.

I definitely think that wages is one of the most important things, Zuniga said. People are not making living wages here.
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.
In 2020, the Vermont Legislature approved indoor and outdoor cultivation of cannabis, wholesale establishments, processing, manufacturing, and testing and research in certain zoning districts.
'The fight of our lives': Vermont reacts to possible overturn of Roe v. Wade
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Kathleen Hege is the corporate president/chair of Rescue Inc. Trustees. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.

State Rep. Carolyn Partridge , D-Windham-3, welcomes emails at cpartridge@leg.state.vt.us. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
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.
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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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.
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State police identified the victim who was found killed Sunday in Chaplin as 51-year-old Jeffrey Rawson.

A truck connected to the homicide, a light blue 1989 Ford F350, was found in Salisbury, Mass., state police said in a tweet around 10 p.m. Monday. Police believe the suspect, 46-year-old Matthew Candler, was driving the vehicle.

Candler has not been found, state police added.

Do not approach this individual, state police said in a tweet.

Troopers were called to a home on Miller Road in Chaplin around 6:15 a.m. Sunday for a reported assault. There, they found Rawson dead.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or State Police detectives 860-779-4900. All calls and texts will remain confidential, state police said.
Hun Sen uses a May 1 phone call with Min Aung Hlaing to push for progress in failed ASEAN peace bid.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has urged Myanmar's military junta to allow the ASEAN special envoy to visit and meet deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Cambodia's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

In a phone call Sunday, Hun Sen called on Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, to allow the meetings and take other steps to implement a five-point agreement the junta leader reached between ASEAN's foreign ministers in April 2021.

Cambodia is the current rotating chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Hun Sen visited Myanmar in January and met Min Aung Hlaing and urged steps to resolve the political crisis sparked by his Feb. 1, 2021 coup.

Hun Sen requested "further cooperation in facilitating the second visit to Myanmar by the ASEAN Chair's Special Envoy special chairs envoy, possibly at the end of May," the ministry said.

"He reemphasized the importance of access for the Special Envoy to meet all parties concerned in Myanmar, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and former President Win Myint, for creating (a) conducive environment to start an inclusive political dialogue," the ministry said.

Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint are in detention and undergoing trial in military courts for what supporters say are politically motivated charges.

The Cambodian leader also urged the junta chief to release political prisoners, "avoid excessive use of force in maintaining law and order" and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance particularly in conflict areas, it said.

There was no immediate comment from Myanmar, but the Cambodian statement said Min Aung Hlaing had "pledged to facilitate meetings with other parties concerned."

Hun Sen is set to attend a May 12-13 summit between the U.S. and leaders of ASEAN, where the White House is keen to advance its vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and discuss efforts to counter Chinese influence, but the Myanmar conflict is likely to be discussed.

No progress has been made on the five-point agreement, which included an end to violence, the provision of humanitarian assistance, an ASEAN envoys appointment, all-party dialogue, and mediation by the envoy.

Min Aung Hlaing has escalated the militarys attack on the people of Myanmar, and continued to target and detain political opponent. Nearly 1,800 people, mostly pro-democracy protesters, have been killed by Burmese security forces, since the coup.
Hun Sens government has attacked independent media in recent years to keep his party in power.

Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army Hun Manet smiles at the start of his meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 16, 2022.

The son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen defended press freedom at an event marking World Press Freedom Day in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, ignoring his fathers crackdown on journalists who have criticized his government.

Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, an army commander expected eventually to succeed his long-ruling father, glossed over increasing restrictions on press freedom and civil rights in the country Hun Sen has ruled since 1985.

As Prime Minister Hun Sen stated in his statement, the royal government is committed to protect freedom of expression, press freedom and promote cooperation between the government and press institutions that is vital for the countrys development, Hun Manet, 42, said as his fathers representative at the event, which was attended by more than 100 journalists, Cambodian news outlet VOD reported.

World Press Freedom Day was created by UNESCO in 1991 to highlight the importance a free press plays in society. This years theme, Journalism Under Digital Siege, is designed to spotlight how developments in monitoring and surveillance technologies affect journalism and freedom of expression.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a Paris-based group, ranked Cambodia 142 out of 180 countries and territories in its 2022 World Press Freedom Index released Tuesday.

Worried by the possibility that he might have to give up power after more than 30 years in office, Hun Sen went after the press mercilessly ahead of parliamentary elections in July 2018, RSF said.

Radio stations and newspapers were silenced, newsrooms purged, journalists prosecuted  leaving the independent media sector devastated. Since then, the few attempts to bring independent journalism back to life have drawn the wrath of ruling circles, the annual report said.

But in his speech, Hun Manet insisted that his fathers government views the press as an ally in creating a better-functioning society.

The government has prioritized its policy on the press to allow its participation in fighting corruption and promoting democracy and respect for human rights to create a just society, peace and development, Hun Manet said.

Of course, we have criticisms against the government that weve restricted press freedom, he said. The allegation is groundless and doesnt reflect the truth. Cambodia has a pluralistic government that respects freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said at the event that the government was disappointed with reports criticizing the government. He claimed that NGOs that are not registered as news organizations produce the negative reports based on the wishes of their donors. But he didnt provide evidence to support the claim.

Government pressure

Sun Narin, Voice of Americas reporter in Cambodia, told RFA on Tuesday that Hun Manet did not take questions at the event. He also said the press cannot write what they want, even though freedom of expression is enshrined in the countrys constitution.

There are pressures from the government, Sun Narin said. I have observed that [journalists] are afraid of the government.

He said that he and other journalists are advocating for a law that would make the government more transparent.

We dont have documents now, he said. It is difficult to get statistics. It is hard to find information.

Hun Manets speech came a day after two dozen organizations, press associations, journalists and NGOs held a conference in Phnom Penh to discuss the deteriorating situation of press freedom in Cambodia.

Nop Vy, executive director of the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association, said the government must ensure that Cambodians get the information they need to make informed decisions in the countrys local elections on June 5.

Receiving information is essential and getting real information is even more important to make improvements to the quality of life and to the democratic process that ensures the participation of the people, he said.

As Cambodia prepares for next months elections and the 2023 elections, the government should ensure that information flows to every citizen, and all the harassment against journalists must not continue.

In Cambodia, journalists still face persecution, intimidation, violence, arrests and pretrial detention for their work, Nop Vy said.

Free press advocates want Cambodias government to end impunity for crimes against journalists, including physical assaults and murder, by bringing the perpetrators and accomplices to justice. They also want the countrys Information Ministry to reissue revoked media licenses and to expedite the passage of a Right to Information Act, they said.

Meas Sophorn, secretary of state and Information Ministry spokesman, said the government was committed to ensuring further protections for respecting freedoms of the press and expression.

Translated by Samean Yun and Sok Ry Sum for RFAs Khmer Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Shanghai-based rights activist Ji Xiaolong, who was recently released on bail by police, vowed on to keep speaking out against rights abuses in the city, much of which remains under tight restrictions amid renewed rounds of mass testing.



Ji, who was incommunicado for two days after tweeting "The police are here looking for me" on . He told RFA late on that he had been taken to the local police station for questioning.



Police clad in full PPE started knocking on the door of his apartment in Yanlord Riverside City, Pudong New District at 3.00 p.m. on , before breaking down the door and grabbing him and his wife.



They gave no indication of their identity or purpose, but seized one of his laptops and two cell phones, as well as some letters he had exchanged with his wife in prison, Ji said.



They were "disinfected" and subjected to PCR tests before being taken to Meiyuan New Village police station and interrogated separately.



"I felt that something was up, because there were 10 of them this time, including two or three regular police officers from the local police station, some state security police from Pudong and also from the Shanghai municipal police department," Ji said. "There were maybe four or five high-ranking officers."



Repeated calls to the Meiyuan New Village police station rang unanswered on .



Ji, who has already served a three-and-a-half year jail term for writing political graffiti in a Shanghai public toilet, has been a vocal critic of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s zero-COVID policy of stringent lockdowns, mass isolation and quarantine facilities and wave upon wave of PCR testing that has sparked public anger over the "total chaos" of their implementation.

People in Shanghai have repeatedly complained of shortages of food and essential supplies and lack of access to life-saving medical treatment for those sick with something other than COVID-19, during the lockdown.



Policemen wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) stand on a street during a Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown in the Jing'an district in Shanghai, May 3, 2022. Credit: AFP Out on bond





"They confiscated by ID card, my passport and my cell phone, which has my Alipay account," Ji said. "I can't get a new SIM card because they took my ID," Ji said. "So now I can't go anywhere because you have to scan the [COVID-19] health code app to go anywhere."



"I can't go to the mall, I can't ride the subway, and I can't take the bus," he said.



His questioning came after he posted a petition to several social media platforms calling on the central government in Beijing and the municipal authorities in Shanghai to suspend the "zero-COVID" policy, and compensate Chinese citizens and businesses for the economic losses it incurred.



Ji had also posted a number of video clips and posts about Shanghai under lockdown.



During the interview, police confronted him with various comments he had made to overseas media organizations including RFA, the Epoch Times and New Tang Dynasty TV, as well as the petition he started, some video clips he reposted and some social media posts he made.



Ji said he had admitted to giving the interviews, and told them he had taken steps to verify the video clips before forwarding them.



His bail notice says he is currently under suspicion of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," a charge frequently used to target peaceful critics of the government.



He said none of his interrogators had identified themselves to him, nor had they signed a transcript of the interview.



"I firmly believe that I am innocent," Ji said. "I won't sit idly by and watch the people of Shanghai suffer, and I will continue [to speak out]."



An undated photo of award-winning citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who was sentenced in December 2020 to four years' imprisonment by the Shanghai Pudong New District People's Court after she reported from the front lines of the covid lockdown in Wuhan. Credit: Zhang Zhan. Citizen journalists in jail Ji was detained alongside his wife, who was released after a few hours, while he was released the following day on payment of a 1,000 yuan bond."They confiscated by ID card, my passport and my cell phone, which has my Alipay account," Ji said. "I can't get a new SIM card because they took my ID," Ji said. "So now I can't go anywhere because you have to scan the [COVID-19] health code app to go anywhere.""I can't go to the mall, I can't ride the subway, and I can't take the bus," he said.His questioning came after he posted a petition to several social media platforms calling on the central government in Beijing and the municipal authorities in Shanghai to suspend the "zero-COVID" policy, and compensate Chinese citizens and businesses for the economic losses it incurred.Ji had also posted a number of video clips and posts about Shanghai under lockdown.During the interview, police confronted him with various comments he had made to overseas media organizations including RFA, the Epoch Times and New Tang Dynasty TV, as well as the petition he started, some video clips he reposted and some social media posts he made.Ji said he had admitted to giving the interviews, and told them he had taken steps to verify the video clips before forwarding them.His bail notice says he is currently under suspicion of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," a charge frequently used to target peaceful critics of the government.He said none of his interrogators had identified themselves to him, nor had they signed a transcript of the interview."I firmly believe that I am innocent," Ji said. "I won't sit idly by and watch the people of Shanghai suffer, and I will continue [to speak out]."

Ji isn't the first to be targeted by the authorities anxious to prevent news from the front line of the zero-COVID policy reaching the internet.



Award-winning citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, whose family has said she is close to death in Shanghai Women's Prison, was sentenced in to four years' imprisonment by the Shanghai Pudong New District People's Court, which found her guilty of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," after she reported from the front lines of the lockdown in Wuhan.



Meanwhile, private businessman Fang Bin has been incommunicado for more than two years after he reported as a citizen journalist from the early days of the pandemic in Wuhan.



He is believed to be in Wuhan's Jiang'an Detention Center pending a trial at the Jiang'an District People's Court, according to an unconfirmed account shared with RFA in recent months.



U.S.-based constitutional scholar Wang Tiancheng said more pandemic dissidents will likely follow in Zhang, Fang and Ji's footsteps.



"The situation will get worse and worse, and more people will be arrested for different reasons ... some for criticizing the government, or accused by the authorities of spreading rumors when they were just telling the truth," Wang told RFA.



Six districts and five towns in Pudong were declared COVID-free by the Shanghai authorities on , but stringent lockdown conditions remain across nine other districts of the city.



Ji was initially jailed for scribbling "Down with the Communist Party!" in a Shanghai public toilet as well as some satirical graffiti taking aim at CCP leader Xi Jinping's removal of the two-term limit for China's highest-ranking leaders.



He was detained in after calling on rights activists and democracy campaigners to respond to Xi's call for a "toilet revolution" by penning political slogans on the walls of toilets in universities and hospitals that could be seen by thousands.



Ji was sentenced to three-and-a-half years' imprisonment by the Shanghai's Pudong District People's Court in , after it found him guilty of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble" on the same day.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The eight -vessel flotilla is the largest Liaoning carrier group in recent voyages, state media said.

A file photo showing China's aircraft carrier Liaoning taking part in a military drill of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in the western Pacific Ocean, April 18, 2018.

The Japanese and Taiwanese militaries have been put on alert after a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy flotilla led by the Liaoning aircraft carrier was spotted sailing from the East China Sea towards the Pacific Ocean.

Japan Self-Defense Forces' Joint Staff Office released a statement on Monday saying that the Liaoning, accompanied by seven destroyers and supply vessels, had left the East China Sea and passed through waters between Japan's Okinawa and Miyako islands before entering the West Pacific.

The Japanese defense ministry dispatched the Izumo light aircraft carrier, as well as P-1 maritime patrol aircraft and P-3C anti-submarine aircraft to monitor the activities of the Chinese ships, the statement said.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, Taiwanese military spokesman Sun Li-fang told reporters that Taiwan's military closely monitors Chinese military maneuvers in waters and airspace surrounding Taiwan, and would take "appropriate response measures.

According to the Japanese statement, among seven warships in the Liaoning carrier group were the Type 055 large guided missile destroyer Nanchang, the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Chengdu, and the Type 901 comprehensive supply ship Hulunhu.

With a total of eight vessels, this is the largest Liaoning carrier group in recent voyages, said the state-run Chinese newspaper Global Times.

The newspaper said it is likely that the Liaoning and other ships are to take part in a routine PLA Navy far-sea exercise.

It quoted an anonymous military analyst as predicting that the Chinese ships could go further east into the Pacific Ocean, or they could transit through the Bashi channel south of the island of Taiwan and conduct exercises in the South China Sea.

Combat training

In one of the photos released by the Japanese military, the Liaoning - Chinas first aircraft carrier - was seen carrying a number of J-15 fighter jets as well as Z-8 and Z-9 helicopters.

This is the first time this year the Liaoning carrier group passed the so-called First Island Chain that includes Taiwan and Japan to enter the Pacific Ocean.

Last December, the aircraft carrier and five other vessels conducted drills in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the West Pacific for 21 days in order to boost its combat capability.

Chinese naval movements in the close proximity of Taiwan have always been closely watched by the Taiwanese military, the islands ministry of defense said.

The ministrys spokesman Sun Li-fang said Taiwan has response plans based on possible actions by China.

The Liaoning regularly patrols the Taiwan Strait and may be deployed in the event of armed conflict with the self-governing island. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province that shall be united with the mainland.

It's no secret that the Taiwanese Navy is totally overmatched by the PLA Navy, said Gordon Arthur, a military analyst and Asia-Pacific editor of Shepherd, a defense news portal.

Last year, for example, China commissioned some combined 170,000 tonnage of new warships - this is more than the combined Taiwans fleet, and reflects Chinese additions in just one year.

Taiwan cannot hope to compete with this, so it has been concentrating on vessels that will give it some asymmetric advantages, Arthur said, adding that examples include the homemade Tuo Chiang-class corvette and the Indigenous Defense Submarine.

Yet its still some years till the islands Navy is fully capable to counter any blockade or invasion attempt by China, experts said.
Hong Kong has plummeted to 148th on a global press freedom index, as authorities in the city took the now-shuttered pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper to court for "fraud."



Paris-based press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said the city's fall down the index by 68 places was the biggest of the year, and comes amid an ongoing crackdown on the pro-democracy media under a draconian national security law imposed by Beijing from July 1, 2020.



"It is the biggest downfall of the year, but it is fully deserved due to the consistent attacks on freedom of the press and the slow disappearance of the rule of law in Hong Kong," Agence France-Presse quoted RSF's East Asia bureau chief Cedric Alviani as saying.



"In the past year we have seen a drastic, drastic move against journalists," he added.



The national security law was initially used to target the government's political opponents, but later turned its power onto independent media organizations, forcing the closure of Jimmy Lai's Apple Daily, parent company Next Media and Stand News.



"Once a bastion of press freedom, [Hong Kong] has seen an unprecedented setback since 2020 when Beijing adopted a National Security Law aimed at silencing independent voices," RSF's entry on Hong Kong reads.



"Since the 1997 handover to China, most media have fallen under the control of the government or pro-China groups," it said. "In 2021, two major independent news outlets, Apple Daily and Stand News, were forcefully shut down while numerous smaller-scale media outlets ceased operations, citing legal risks."



It said the Hong Kong government now takes orders directly from the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Beijing, and openly supports its propaganda effort.



"Public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), previously renowned for its fearless investigations, has been placed under a pro-government management which does not hesitate to censor the programmes it dislikes," RSF said.



Despite promises of freedom of speech, press and publication made under the terms of the handover to Chinese rule, the national security law could be used to target any journalist reporting on Hong Kong from anywhere in the world, it warned.



Jailed media mogul



As the RSF index was published on World Press Freedom Day, Lai -- who is currently serving time in jail for taking part in peaceful protests and awaiting trial under the national security law for "collusion with a foreign power" -- and former Next Media administrative director Wong Wai-keung were in court facing two charges of "fraud" linked to the use of the Next Media headquarters by a consultancy firm.



Lai stands accused of violating the terms of the building's lease and concealing the breach from the landlord, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, over two decades.



Lai, 74, appeared in court on the first day of the trial wearing headphones, leaning back with his eyes closed, appearing in good spirits as he blew a kiss to his wife.



Lai's legal team led by Caoilfhionn Gallagher at Doughty Street Chambers filed an urgent appeal at the United Nations over "legal harassment" against him in April, saying he has been jailed simply for exercising his right to freedom of expression and assembly and the right to peaceful protest.



His lawyers say he has been repeatedly targeted by the Hong Kong authorities with a "barrage" of legal cases, including four separate criminal prosecutions arising from his attendance at and participation in various protests in Hong Kong between 2019-2020, including most recently in relation to his participation in a vigil marking the 1989 Tiananmen massacre in Beijing, for which he received a 13-month prison sentence.



He is currently serving concurrent prison sentences in relation to all four protest cases, while awaiting trial for "collusion with foreign powers" and "sedition" in relation to editorials published in Apple Daily.



New host of press award



Meanwhile, a U.S. university has said it will take over the hosting of the Human Rights Press Awards after the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) withdrew from the event, citing legal risks under the national security law.



The awards will now be run by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.



"Recognizing exceptional reporting on human-rights issues is more important today than ever before, due to the many  and growing  threats to press freedom around the world," dean Battinto Batts said in a statement on the school's website.



A former reporter for Stand News, who gave only the pseudonym Miss Chan, said she had been notified she would win an award this year.



She said the relocation of the awards overseas didn't necessary help journalists in Hong Kong, however.



"If the awards are able to go ahead overseas, I think Hong Kong journalists will be more worried about whether to participate in the competition or serve as judges, because they may be accused of colluding with foreign forces or incitement and so on," Chan said.



"The situation in Hong Kong is changing too fast and it may be getting worse, so I don't know if I still have the guts to take part," she said.



A former winner who gave only the pseudonym Mr. Cheung said the relocation was better than nothing.



"Naturally, something is better than nothing, and there is some encouragement in that," Cheung said. "But the Human Rights Press Award can no longer exist in Hong Kong before of the huge retrograde steps being made there regarding human rights."



"Hong Kong journalists used to know they could report on human rights issues in Hong Kong, China or elsewhere in the region," he said. "Now there's no room [for that]."



Former Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) journalist professor To Yiu-ming said the awards had served as a bellwether for press freedom in the city.



"[They] served as a benchmark for the freeom of the press in Hong Kong, and also as a bulwark protecting some press freedoms," To told RFA. "Their disintegration is also the disintegration of another pillar of Hong Kong's [former] freedoms."



He said it is entirely possible that Hong Kong journalists will limit participation in such competitions in future, to avoid being targeted by the authorities.



Relocated press corps



Many of Hong Kong's former press corps have already relocated, changing jobs and country in a bid to escape the repercussions of the new regime.



"I've been here for three months," former Ming Pao journalist Leung Ming-hung told RFA in the northern English city of Manchester. "I now working as a self-employed traffic warden. It's my job to give out parking tickets."



"The work's not difficult and the salary isn't bad, but I feel that the work is ... completely meaningless compared with my previous life," Leung said. "I feel as if I no longer have any purpose in life: I'm just getting by."



Leung said he left Hong Kong after the authorities started targeting people under the national security law.



"I didn't expect that after I got here, my emotional state would be even worse than when I was in Hong Kong," he said. "I haven't been able to switch off who I was in Hong Kong ... for example, when the bank robbery happened yesterday, I kept thinking about how I would shoot it."



"I have so much nostalgia left for Hong Kong; it's like I have been unable to leave [that life] behind."



Leung said he thinks press freedom in Hong Kong will continue to deteriorate.



"The government is already talking about ... a fake news law, so there'll be a lot of things you can't report on, or which will carry consequences if you do report them," he said.

"I think we'll see a lot more immigrants when things get worse than they are now."



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Rail freight between Dandong and Sinuiju suspended less than 4 months after it resumed.

The Chinese city of Dandong, which lies across the Sino-Korean border from North Korea's Sinuiju in a file photo taken on April, 28, 2022. The normally bustling streets are empty as authorities on April 25 began enforcing a lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19.

North Korea and China are again suspending rail freight as Beijings zero-Covid policy spreads to cities on the Sino-Korean border, sources in both countries told RFA.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China announced at an April 29 news briefing that it would temporarily suspend all freight transportation between Chinas Dandong and North Koreas Sinuiju because of the COVID-19 situation in Dandong.

Dandong and Sinuiju lie on opposite sides of the Yalu River that separates the two countries, and are the key hubs in Sino-North Korean trade.

The Dandong-Sinuiju freight train  will operate until the end of this month and will be suspended again from May 1, a source from the North Korean province of North Pyongan told RFAs Korean Service last week.

Since COVID-19 is spreading in Dandong  the city government began to lock down the city from the 25th and restricted residents movement. Because Dandong is locked down, our side is also suspending freight trains to prevent COVID-19, said the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons.

The rail stoppage comes as tens of millions of residents of major Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are facing rigid lockdowns and strict testing regimens as the country tries to stop the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19 under the Communist Partys zero-COVID policy.

At the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020, Beijing and Pyongyang closed the border and suspended all trade, a move that was disastrous to the North Korean economy.

Rail freight finally resumed on a limited basis almost two years later in January 2022, only to be shut off again after less than four months due to the lockdowns

Days before the closure, traders made preparations for the last shipments, the source said.

The freight station is now filled with fertilizer, pesticide and food purchased by North Korean trading companies as national emergency goods. The last trains will be shipped to a quarantine facility in Uiju either tomorrow or the day after, he said.

RFA reported last year that North Korea had completed a new rail line between Sinuiju and a quarantine facility in Uiju, in anticipation of trade reopening prior to the end of the pandemic. The new facility allows entire trainloads of cargo to be sterilized prior to distribution to Pyongyang and the rest of the country.

A second source familiar with Sino-North Korean trade in Dandong confirmed that rail freight would stop at the beginning of May.

North Korea urgently needs farming materials and fertilizer, so the two sides have both agreed to bring the supplies to Sinuiju by the end of this month, he said. People expect that the freight train between Dandong and Sinuiju will resume only after COVID-19 disappears and the city lockdown is lifted throughout China.

The lockdown in Dandong forbids all 2.2 million residents from leaving their homes and requires them to submit to daily testing.

Translated by Claire Lee and Leejin J. Chung. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
The government says the displaced residents have received all the compensation they are due.

Resettlement village with popular traditional-style houses for villagers affected by the Namkhan-3 dam in Luang Prabang province, Laos in a 2019 file photo.

Developers who built Laos Nam Khan 3 dam have not compensated farmers who lost crops to rising water in the reservoir, sources living near the dam told RFA. A Lao government official said the displaced villagers were unlikely to get any more money.

The dam, which sits on the Nam Khan River, began operating in 2016, and the villagers were relocated downstream to a newly built resettlement village. While they received money for lost homes, they were never given any compensation or new plots of farmland. Instead, they were told that they could continue to work at their farms upstream from the dam.

But those farms are now flooded.

The dam owner recently made a survey. When they close the waterway, the water in the reservoir is on the rise and floods the villagers farmland, a villager living near the dam in the provinces Xieng Ngeun district in the northern part of the country told RFAs Lao Service on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

The villagers have not received compensation like a plot of new cultivated farmland in a resettlement village. It seems like the dam owner just got their land for free and they get nothing at all, the villager said.

According to the villager, the dam has negatively affected more than 650 people in 10 villages.

There are only a few parts of the farmland that are not completely flooded. The villagers have not received money for their lost farmland, but all of them want it. If we do not get the compensated, for our lost farmland, it will be so sad, a second villager said.

A Xiengngeun district official confirmed to RFA that the rising water in the reservoir has damaged farmland and trees and caused landslides.

The dam owner has to investigate and solve these problems, and the district has informed them they should do this, the official said.

An official at the provinces Energy and Mines Department, however, told RFA that the villagers were not entitled to compensation for flooded farms because the dam owned the land and had allowed the farmers to cultivate it.

The Nam Khan 3 Dam is a 60-megawat dam, designed and constructed by the Sinohydro Corporation of China and owned by the state-run Electricite du Laos, which financed the project by borrowing about $130 million from Chinas Exim Bank.

The Nam Khan River, where the dam was built, meets the Mekong River at the ancient city of Luang Prabang in the northern part of Laos. The project is one of dozens of dams that Lao has constructed on the Mekong River and its tributaries under its controversial economic strategy to become the Battery of Southeast Asia by selling electricity to neighboring countries.

But displaced villagers commonly complain that they are not sufficiently compensated for what they have lost in the name of development.

The energy official said the villagers would not be able to cultivate any of the land near the reservoir without permission.

Water is rising in the areas belonging to the dam owner, so there is no problem, the energy official said.

As there is no farmland left in the resettlement village, there will be no compensation to those villagers who are affected by the dam, said the energy official, who pointed out that the villagers already received compensation for their houses, as well as some of the trees on their property.

From the local governments point of view, the issue of compensation has already been settled, he said.

When villagers who said they were told they could continue to farm on land that has now been flooded complained to the National Assembly for relief, they were told that the issue of compensation had been resolved and they were not eligible for additional relief.

Reported and translated by RFA/Lao service. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Observers say the prison terms are designed to exclude representatives from the deposed government from elections.

A protester holds up a painting of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, June 19, 2021.

Military courts in Myanmar sentenced a total of 14 Cabinet ministers and senior officials from the deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) government to lengthy prison terms on corruption charges last month, according to data compiled by RFAs Myanmar Service.

On April 22, Deputy Minister for Construction Kyaw Lin was sentenced to 20 years in prison while directors-general Aung Mint Oo, Ye Min Zaw and Nay Aung Ye Myint were sentenced to two to four years in prison. That same day, Kachin State Chief Minister Khet Aung, Director of the State Municipal Authority Soe Naing, and ministers Wai Lin, Win Nyunt, La Sai, Naw Li, Zaw Win and Ne Win were also jailed on corruption charges.

Former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, the head of the NLD who was arrested on the day of the militarys Feb. 1, 2021, coup, was sentenced to five years in prison on April 27 in the first of 11 corruption cases against her. Yangon Region Social Affairs Minister Naing Lin was also handed a prison sentence for corruption the following day.

Naw Naw, the son of Khet Aung, told RFA that his father had worked tirelessly on behalf of the country only to end up jailed for 12 years on bogus corruption charges.

This sad development can be seen throughout the country, where all those who had worked in good faith are meeting the same fate, he said.

Mar La Myint, the wife of Ne Win, said her husbands sentence was a blow to him and his entire family.

He was imprisoned before for his political beliefs, but this time its worse, she said, adding that her husband was incapable of corruption.

Other notable NLD officials who were sentenced on corruption charges last month include Sagaing Region Chief Minister Myint Naing, Bago Region Chief Minister Win Thein, and Yangon Region Transport Minister Nilar Kyaw.

Plan to maintain power

When asked for comment on last months sentences, junta deputy minister of information, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, told RFA that only those who are guilty of the charges against them had been sentenced.

We have no reason to put [NLD officials] into prison if didnt do anything wrong, he said.

If it were not for [their acts of] corruption, we wouldnt have arrested them. No one is above the law. If you commit a crime, you will be punished accordingly.

But Win Myat Aye, minister for Humanitarian and Disaster Management for the shadow National Unity Government (NUG), told RFA the sentences were part of the juntas plan to hold onto power.

Theyll do whatever it takes to reach their goal. From the very beginning, they seized state power by force. Theyll keep on using force to hold on to power, he said. What they are doing is illegal and not in line with the wishes of the people.

Political analyst Than Soe Naing said he sees the prison terms as part of a bid by the junta to exclude the NLD and its key party leaders from upcoming military-sponsored elections.

They are carrying out these unfair actions under unfair laws by unfair tribunals so that the NLD and all the partys top leaders will not be able to run in the next election, he said.

This year has seen a lot of unjust imprisonment under unjust legal procedures. Im sure they are doing this to prevent the NLD taking part in the elections they are planning to hold.

Aung San Su Kyi, whose NLD ruled the country for five years and won re-election in November 2020 in a landslide vote that the army refused to honor, was sentenced in January to six years for violating export-import laws, the communications law and the natural disaster management law.

She had already been sentenced to six years in prison on five of 18 charges lodged against her since the junta overthrew and detained her. With last weeks five-year sentence, she faces 11 years imprisonment from six charges, with 12 more charges pending.

RFA records show that a total of 64 people, including NLD leaders and cabinet members, have been charged with corruption, in the 15 months since the military seized power.

Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
The threats come as the junta labels several media outlets as destructive to the state.

Police arrest Myanmar Now journalist Kay Zon Nwe in Yangon, as protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup, Feb. 27, 2021.

A pro-junta militia that recently claimed responsibility for the slaying of opposition party members is now openly threatening to kill journalists and their families over content the military regime has dubbed destructive to the state.

Last week, eight members of the deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) and their supporters were found brutally murdered with badges or cards on their bodies displaying the insignia of a group calling itself the Mandalay branch of the Thway Thauk, or Blood Comrades, militia.

A social media post on the groups Telegram account last week also called for the deaths of reporters and editors working for news outlets in Myanmar including The Irrawaddy, Mizzima, Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and The Irrawaddy Times  as well as their family members.

Khit Thit media editor Tha Lun Zaung Htet, who was among those named in the Thway Thauks list, said he believes the group is acting on the orders of authorities, despite junta claims to the contrary.

This group is surely linked to the military because the victims were taken away by police or military vehicles and the bodies were later dropped by these same vehicles, he said, adding that he is in possession of photos taken by witnesses.

Photographs obtained by RFA show leaflets or cards bearing the groups logo of crossed swords over the image of a man from Myanmars royal era left near the victims bodies  the same logo seen posted on the social media accounts of junta supporters and nationalist activists.

Junta deputy minister of information, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, said during a press conference last week in Naypyidaw that the military has no ties to the Thway Thauk, adding that the only pro-junta militias active in the country formed independent of the regime in rural areas.

At the same press conference, he accused seven media outlets of being destructive elements in Myanmar, including RFA, Khit Thit Media, The Irrawaddy, Mizzima, DVB and The Irrawaddy Times.

Ten local and foreign media outlets wrote around 55 inciting reports meant to disrupt Thingyan, he said, referring to Myanmars April 13-16 New Year Water Festival, he said.

We saw seven media outlets reporting possible bomb threats during the week of Thingyan, and also publishing articles telling people not to participate in the festivities as a way of protest.

Thingyan  normally a bustling and jubilant holiday  was eerily silent in Myanmars main cities of Yangon and Mandalay, as residents chose to boycott junta-led festivities and heed warnings by armed opposition forces that the areas could become the target of attacks.

An RFA investigation found that authorities arrested nearly 100 people in the two cities, as well as Myawaddy township in Kayin state, in the first 10 days of April as part of a pre-Thingyan crackdown. Some of those detained had joined anti-coup protests, while others were accused of being members of Yangon-based anti-junta paramilitary groups, including the Peoples Defense Force (PDF).

A new low for press freedom

Days ahead of International Press Freedom Day, veteran journalist Myint Kyaw said that the juntas calling out of media outlets, combined with threats by groups such as the Thway Thauk, constituted a new low for Myanmars media environment.

"We can say that [the junta and the Thway Thauk] have the same views because they think the media supports the opposition, he said.

Its not new that they would accuse us of such things when they think we are writing against them. But its unprecedented for them to threaten us and our families.

Sein Win, executive editor of Mizzima News, said the military and pro-junta armed groups are targeting and suppressing the media and journalists who report negatively on the junta, and expects the situation to continue while the military remains in power.

They dont want people who criticize the military, who seek the truth or who value freedom of the press, he said.

People will be arrested, imprisoned, and even killed. So long as there are military coups, democracy will remain dormant. Evil will reign if democracy cannot be given space to thrive.

An observer of the media, who declined to be named citing fear of reprisal, warned that a lack of legal protection for journalists in Myanmar will cripple the countrys development.

In short, freedom of the media is not protected in accordance with the law or international standards in current times, they said.

Some are threatened, some are arrested, and some have died. ... Journalists are seen as criminals and are constantly threatened. We are going back to the Dark Ages.

More than 50 journalists have been arrested on charges under Myanmars Penal Code since the militarys Feb. 1, 2021, coup, rather than for violations of the countrys media law.

The business licenses of outlets including Myanmar Now, DVB, Khit Thit, 7 Days, Mizzima, Myitkyina Journal, The 74 Media, Tachileik News Agency, Delta News Agency, Zeyar Times and Kamaryut Media were revoked shortly after the military seized power.

Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranks Myanmar 140th out of 180 countries in its annual Press Freedom Index and says the media environment is now at a danger level following last years coup.

Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
A Uyghur analyst says the directive is part of China's 'campaign of deception' to hide an ongoing genocide.

Uyghurs demonstrate against China outside the United Nations compound in Geneva, Switzerland, during the Universal Periodic Review of China by the UN Human Rights Council, Nov. 6, 2018.

Chinese officials in Xinjiang are warning Uyghurs not to divulge state secrets during a visit by United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet this month, officials in the western region said.

A Chinese government video instructing Uyghurs on 10 things not to do has been shared widely on Douyin, a Chinese version of the TikTok short video app, in Xinjiang, the sources said.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Committee of Yarkand (in Chinese, Shache) county in Kashgar (Kashi) prefecture recently uploaded the video to social media. It features 10 female CCP officials from the county reciting the 10 commandments and warning Uyghur residents not to disclose so-called state secrets.

Chinese officials in Xinjiang told RFA that a government notice with the same title had been issued two months ago.

Its been around two months since we received it, said a female police officer from Yarkand township.

When RFA pointed out that the same directive was previously in place, the officer said it was renewed because of the U.N. delegations visit.

A five-member advance team from the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) arrived in China last week to prepare for a visit by Bachelet expected in May, though the dates have not yet been disclosed.

The U.N. human rights chief and former Chilean president first announced that her office sought an unfettered access to Xinjiang in September 2018, shortly after she took over her current role. But the trip has been delayed over questions about her freedom of movement through the region.

Uyghur activists and other rights groups are pressing for Bachelet to have independent and unfettered access to Xinjiang to conduct a meaningful investigation of atrocities in the region.

Human rights activists say that by issuing such notices and promotional videos, China is threatening the regions residents not to disclose any information about the governments widely documented repression of Uyghurs.

A directive not to take calls

RFA contacted Chinese government offices in several cities in Xinjiang to ask officials about the preparations that were underway before Bachelets arrival. Most said that authorities have warned locals not to accept calls from unknown phone numbers and not to answer questions from the U.N. human rights team without approval from the government.

We have a directive to not answer phone calls starting with zero, said a female official from Yarkand countys Dongbagh village, referring to international calls in China.

A security chief from the No. 2 village of Imamlirim township in Aksu (Akesu) prefectures Uchturpan (Wushi) county said people were informed about the directive at a village meeting.

Dont talk to any foreigners and dont answer phone calls starting with zero. This was told to us at the village meeting, he said.

In the Yarkand county CCP video, authorities warned Uyghurs in sometimes threatening manner not to divulge, question or argue about state secrets.

A male police officer from the Dongbagh village police station said he was worried about answering questions from RFA because of the government directive.

We have a directive on not answering questions from unknown and strange phone calls and people, the officer said.

Zumret Dawut, a Uyghur who was held in an internment camp and says he was forced to undergo permanent sterilization surgery, said Chinese authorities have always required Uyghurs in Xinjiang to keep quiet whenever U.N. human rights commissioners have visited the region.

Similar directives existed when I was there, Dawut said. They asked us the same things before flag raising ceremonies in the morning. They would ask us not to speak to foreigners and not to talk to them about the [internment] camps, and so on.

Up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and others have been held in a vast network of internment camps operated by the Chinese government under the pretext of preventing religious extremism and terrorism among the mostly Muslim groups. China has said that the camps are vocational facilities for Uyghurs and meant to deter religious extremism and terrorism.

They would ask us to stay away from foreigners and if asked about China, they would say talk to them about positive things about the country, Dawut said.

'China is afraid'

Bachelet will be the first U.N. human rights commissioner to visit China since 2005. Her office has been under pressure from rights activists to issue an overdue report on rights violations by Chinese authorities targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic communities in the Xinjiang. Uyghur groups have demanded that office issue the report before her visit.

RFA previously reported that since 2009, Uyghurs arrested on charges of leaking state secrets have been sentenced to more than seven years in prison.

Uyghurs are sensitive to the consequences of saying too much, Dawut said.

Despite this, the authorities still felt it was necessary to continue such propaganda, Dawut told RFA. The need for this Chinese heightened alert on tightening the information leaks on of state secrets may have been the result of the forthcoming visit by a U.N. investigation team.

Ilshat Hassan Kokbore, a Uyghur political observer who lives in the United States, said a countrys state secrets should only be known by high-ranking officials or institutions that govern that country, and not the public.

If the Chinese government is urging the rural population of the Uyghur region not to divulge so-called state secrets, then what is being hidden here is not a secret, but all the policies and practices of the state  which is the Uyghur genocide, he told RFA.

China is afraid that the U.N.s Bachelet will discover the truth if Uyghurs speak out about the Chinese policy of genocide, Kokbore said. Thats why they have initiated this campaign of deception.

Translated by RFAs Uyghur Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
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.
President Vladimir Putin has justified Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine as a necessary move for "defending the motherland," a claim Britain said mirrored the fascism and tyranny that sparked World War II, as Russian forces pressed ahead with their offensive in the east and south of the country.

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy promised his war-ravaged nation that Ukraine will soon have two Victory Days, as the last Ukrainian defenders at the besieged Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol vowed to fight to the end against Russian troops who have surrounded them.

Putin, who presided over a military parade in Moscow's Red Square to mark the Soviet Union's role in the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, reiterated his accusation that NATO was creating threats right next to its borders and claimed that the invasion of Ukraine was a necessary preemptive action.

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.

He also addressed soldiers fighting in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, which Russia has pledged to "liberate" from Kyiv.

"Defending the motherland when its fate is being decided has always been sacred," he said.

In his own speech marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, Zelenskiy on May 9 likened the Allies' fight against Hitler with his country's struggle to repel Russia's aggression.

"We will never forget what our ancestors did in World War II, where more than 8 million Ukrainians died. Every fifth Ukrainian didn't return home," Zelenskiy said, adding, "Soon there will be two Victory Days in Ukraine. And someone will not have even one left. We won then. We will win now, too," he said.

Meanwhile, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace called out the "absurdity of Russian generals -- resplendent in their manicured parade uniforms and weighed down by their many medals," saying they were "utterly complicit in Putin's hijacking of their forebears' proud history of...repelling fascism."

"All professional soldiers should be appalled at the behavior of the Russian Army," as they not only have "engaged in an illegal invasion and war crimes, but their top brass have failed their own rank and file to the extent they should be court-martialed," he said in a speech at the British National Army Museum.

"Through the invasion of Ukraine, Putin and his inner circle of generals are now mirroring the fascism and tyranny of 77 years ago, repeating the errors of the last century's totalitarian regime," he added.

U.S. President Joe Biden on May 9 signed largely symbolic legislation to reboot the World War II-era lend-lease program that helped defeat Nazi Germany.



Before signing the bill, Biden said that "Putin's war" was "once more bringing wanton destruction of Europe," drawing a reference to the anniversary of the Allied victory in 1945.

Although there had been speculation that Putin might officially declare war on Ukraine, his 11-minute speech offered no assessment of progress in the war and gave no indication of how long it might continue.

Russian forces have so far failed to complete the occupation of the strategic Sea of Azov port of Mariupol, where an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters continue to resist in the sprawling network of underground tunnels and bunkers of the Azovstal steel mill.

Azovstal has achieved a symbolic value in the conflict, as Russian forces sought a celebratory win ahead of May 9. Zelenskiy warned of more intense attacks against the remaining defenders, who vowed to fight to the end.

The complete capture of Mariupol would also deprive Ukraine of a vital port, allow Russia to complete a land corridor to the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula, and free troops up for fighting elsewhere.

On the battlefield, intense fighting raged in Ukraine's east, the port of Odesa in the south came under missile attack, and Russian forces sought to finish off the Ukrainian defenders of the steel plant, who have vowed to fight to the end.



The Odesa city council said late on May 9 that three missiles were fired from an aircraft, destroying five buildings. Two people were injured and taken to hospital, a statement from the council said.



According to the city council, rescuers managed to save a dog from under the debris.



"This is how they celebrate their Victory Day. Apparently, the only thing the occupiers have won is common sense and humanity," said Maksym Marchenko, head of the Odesa regional military administration.



Russian troops earlier on May 9 fired four missiles into the Odesa region from occupied Crimea. The missile strike occurred as European Council President Charles Michel visited the city.



In Washington, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said there were indications that Ukrainians had been "taken against their will into Russia."



Asked about statements from Kyiv that more than 1 million Ukrainians were being sent to Russia and placed in camps, Kirby said, "I can't speak to how many camps or what they look like." He called these actions "unconscionable" and "not the behavior of a responsible power."

On May 8, the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) 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."

WATCH: Fighting continues to rage near Vuhledar, a city in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. Because of the ongoing, unpredictable shelling by Russian forces, many people are living in basements. The buildings have been cut off from electricity, water, and gas. Civilian casualties are buried in an improvised cemetery.

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.

Zelenskiy also told the G7 leaders that 60 civilians had 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.

British officials announced an extra $1.6 billion in military aid for Ukraine, while Britain's Defense Ministry said in its regular bulletin on May 9 that Moscow's invasion "has revealed shortcomings in its ability to conduct precision strikes" on a large scale and has shown utter disregard for the lives of civilians.

"Russia has subjected Ukraine's towns and cities to intense and indiscriminate bombardments with little or no regard to civilian casualties," the ministry said.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa
Lately, Belarusian journalist Andrey Kuznechyk, a freelance contributor to RFE/RL's Belarus Service who is in a Minsk jail facing criminal charges that the state is keeping secret from the public, has been writing for a very limited audience: his family.

"Andrey gives a lot of advice and reflections on raising children," his wife, Alesya, said, describing his letters from custody. "I joke that he used to work a lot and could only take an hour or so away from his computer to be with the children.

"Now he reads our letters and thinks about the children constantly. I think that, when he returns, he will pay more attention to them."

Kuznechyk has been in custody since December, after the authorities declined to release him upon completion of a 10-day sentence for alleged "hooliganism." The investigation against him was completed in March and his trial is expected to begin later this month. He and his lawyers have been barred from speaking publicly about the case and the charges have not been publicly announced.

Kuznechyk is one of two dozen Belarusian journalists currently in custody, as the government of strongman leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues its nearly two-year crackdown on civil society. Journalists have been in the government's crosshairs since mass pro-democracy protests broke out after Lukashenka, in power since 1994, claimed a landslide victory in an August 2020 presidential election that millions of voters believe was rigged.

In addition, virtually all nonstate media outlets in Belarus have been tagged as "extremist organizations" and shut down. Many independent journalists have fled the country and are now trying to cover developments there from abroad.

"Even though the authorities have done everything possible to destroy the independent media, driving them out of the country and jailing an enormous number of journalists and chief editors, the media have found ways to reset themselves and begin coverage from abroad," said Barys Haretski, the head of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAZh), which itself has been liquidated by the government and its website blocked.

Haretski noted the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was assisted by Lukashenka and his government, was a second hard blow to Belarusian journalism because many journalists had fled to Kyiv and had to relocate a second time.

"But thanks to the resilience of Belarusian media, the country has not been deprived of the ability to get information and the world has not been deprived of the opportunity to learn about events in Belarus," Haretski said ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3. Because of this, Lukashenka's government has not been able to conceal its repressions, he added.

Journalists who remain inside the country face a panoply of charges -- including treason, which could mean a prison sentence of up to 15 years. In addition, the relatives of many jailed journalists are being pressured by the government to sign nondisclosure agreements barring them from talking about the cases against their loved ones or the conditions under which they are being held. RFE/RL has identified four such cases.

News Site Labeled As 'Extremist'

RFE/RL journalist Aleh Hruzdzilovich was sentenced to 18 months in prison on March 4 for allegedly participating in a demonstration that he was actually covering. Hruzdzilovich's appeal is scheduled to be heard in Minsk on May 10.

Almost one year ago, in May 2021, 15 people connected with the Tut.by information website were arrested. The portal was declared "extremist" and blocked, while the detainees were charged with tax evasion.

The four main defendants -- Editor in Chief Maryna Zolatava, General Director Lyudmila Chekina, journalist Alena Talkachova, and IT Director Ala Lapatka -- remain in pretrial detention and almost no information has been released about the status of their cases.

"Judging from the fact that none of them has been allowed to meet with relatives, it would seem the investigation is still open," said a relative of one of the defendants who asked not to be identified for fear of repercussions. "The investigation is being conducted very slowly, if it is being conducted at all."

Zolatava's daughter, Nadzeya, said she receives letters from her mother virtually every week.

"She writes that she reads a lot," Nadzeya said. "Now she has taken on the Harry Potter books."

'Not Yet The Bottom'

BAZh Director Haretski says Belarusian journalists abroad are coping with the difficulties of reporting from afar, making use of social media and user-generated content.

"I think the journalists abroad have a good feel for what is going on in Belarus," he said. "I am very inspired by the work of my colleagues in the independent media and by the high level of their journalism. After all, under the pressure of war, of propaganda, of repressions, there is always the temptation to lower one's standards."

Belarusian journalists face additional pressures covering the war in Ukraine, because Kyiv considers Belarus -- which hosted Russian forces that drove across the border toward the Ukrainian capital before being repelled -- an aggressor country.

"Working in Ukraine with a Belarusian passport is very difficult," Haretski said. "But our colleagues have remained in Ukraine and continue covering events there."

In addition, he said, they have covered the impact of the war inside Belarus, reporting on protests against the war and the presence of Russian forces in the country.

"Much of what is written about Belarus in Ukrainian media is content originated by our colleagues in Belarus's independent media," Haretski said.

Despite the Lukashenka government's harsh repressions, Haretski fears the worst may still be ahead.

"This is not yet the bottom," he told RFE/RL. "Although in Europe, only Russia can compete with us in terms of harshness, even there the number of journalists behind bars is smaller."

Despite "enormous fatigue" following two years of repression, Belarusian journalists must still fight to maintain their audience inside the country, Haretski said.

"It is crucial not to lose the audience, to preserve media outlets and expand them, to try new formats in order to remain present inside Belarus  and eventually return there," he concluded.

RFE/RL senior correspondent Robert Coalson contributed to this report.
China has emerged as a potent outlet for Kremlin disinformation and propaganda for its February invasion of Ukraine, with Beijing officials and state media echoing the Kremlin's justification for the war and often parroting false claims about events while ignoring commentary from Kyiv.

But Chinese state news agency Xinhua made the rare move on April 30 of giving Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba uncensored space to criticize the Kremlin. It also let him push for China to play a larger role in bringing Russia to the negotiating table and warn about the global consequences for Beijing in sticking with Moscow amid mounting international pressure and fallout.

Russia is jeopardizing Chinese leaders Belt and Road Initiative, Kuleba said, referring to Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature foreign policy project. This war is not in line with Chinas interests. The global food crisis and economic problems...will pose a serious threat to the Chinese economy.

The interview with Kuleba appeared shortly after a similar one the same day with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in which he pushed familiar Russian talking points about Ukraine being run by far-right nationalists and engaging in a Western-led proxy war with Moscow.

But while the contrasting interviews do not suggest an imminent change in Chinese policy, publishing Kulebas words verbatim -- where he painted Russia as a threat to global stability and an unreliable ally for Beijing -- marks an evolving line for Chinese propaganda amid the Ukraine crisis that is slowly incorporating more Ukrainian viewpoints while taking aim at the United States as the instigator of the conflict.

Bolstered by nearly a decade of cooperation in international media -- including pledges signed by Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin dating back to 2013 -- and a deepening partnership against the West that both leaders characterized as a no-limits friendship in February, Chinese state-controlled outlets have helped spread Moscows narrative of the war to their massive audiences at home and abroad.

China's tightly controlled media do not refer to the war as a Russian invasion and have instead used the Kremlin terminology, calling it a special military operation. Elsewhere, Chinese channels have pushed a Russian false claim that the United States runs dangerous bioweapons labs in Ukraine, have asserted that the bombing of a childrens hospital in Mariupol and the extrajudicial killing of civilians in the town of Bucha were hoaxes, and have suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was being controlled by U.S. billionaire George Soros.

The speed with which the topic was seeded into the Chinese information environment shows the ease with which [Chinese and Russian] state-media cooperation can sow disinformation by citing each other as sources and expanding on each others angles, Jerry Yu, an analyst at Doublethink Lab, a Taiwan-based organization that tracks Chinese disinformation and propaganda, wrote in a recent report.

An Evolving Line

China has one of the worlds most restrictive media environments and is mostly made up of state-backed outlets, with its Internet and social media platforms monitored by a vast censorship apparatus that removes any information deemed sensitive.

Since Russias February 24 invasion, China has walked a careful diplomatic line and looked to distance itself from Moscows war while avoiding any criticism of its actions.

While experts say Beijing is highly unlikely to drop Moscow as a partner, they acknowledge that Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the economic and political blowback it has caused does not sit well with China and that Beijing may be looking to signal growing displeasure as the war shows no signs of ending.

But any speculation about the resiliency of Beijings support for Moscow appears misplaced when looking at the pro-Russian slant within Chinese reports.

Chinese state media still continue to lend their platforms to amplify Russian propaganda, often citing Kremlin officials and Russian-controlled media as their news sources, according to the China Digital Times, a U.S.-based group that tracks Chinese online censorship and discussion, which also notes that outlets receive regular state directives that guide their coverage.

Beijing has stayed consistent since early in the war with its line that NATO -- and the United States in particular -- are to blame for provoking Russia into attacking its neighbor.

But the nature of coverage has shifted during the 10 weeks of the conflict.

Some Chinese reports and social media posts have covered news much like that of Western media, pointing to the growing humanitarian cost of the war and efforts by international bodies like the United Nations to provide aid.

But this line has been adopted slowly. The state broadcaster CCTV, for example, didn't mention civilian casualties from Russian attacks until the third week of the war.

While criticism of Zelenskiy has been minimal, so, too, has coverage of the Ukrainian leader.

His regular speeches to Western parliaments and nightly addresses to his country have received scant coverage with state-run media instead only quoting Zelenskiy when he has criticized Western partners over the lack of energy sanctions or inconsistent military support.

Chinese media also began to focus more coverage on warnings about neo-Nazis in Ukraine, which has been a dominant part of the Kremlins justification for invading.

According to a database created by the Alliance for Securing Democracy, a group that tracks Chinese and Russian disinformation, Chinese diplomats and state media have tweeted about neo-Nazis more times since the war began than they did in the six months before.

In one notable example, Li Yang, an official with Chinas Foreign Affairs Ministry, tweeted a doctored photo in early April that alleged to show a group of neo-Nazis holding a banner with a swastika on it next to Ukrainian and American flags.

Surprisingly, the [the United States] stands with the neo-Nazis! Yang wrote above the image, which had a swastika flag inserted in place of a U.S. one that was in the original photo.

That focus on the United States amid the war in Ukraine has been a feature of Chinese coverage since the beginning, but also appears to be becoming a more dominant thread.

Amid reports of atrocities by Russian soldiers in the Ukrainian village of Bucha, the Global Times, a state-run nationalist tabloid, looked to absolve Russia of responsibility for the killings and instead putt the blame on Washington.

It is regrettable that after the exposure of the Bucha incident, the [United States], the initiator of the Ukraine crisis, has not shown any signs of urging peace and promoting talks, but is ready to exacerbate the Russia-Ukraine tensions, the editorial said.

Beyond The War Of Words

While the full extent of any direct collusion between China and Russia on propaganda over the Ukraine war is unclear, Beijings rhetorical backing of Moscow has left it facing pressure from the European Union and the United States, its two-largest trading partners.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman accused Chinese state media of parroting the Kremlins disinformation and spreading conspiracy theories in late April while the EU warned Xi and other high-ranking Chinese officials during a late March summit that its support for Russia could jeopardize economic ties with Brussels.

China so far shows no signs of circumventing Western sanctions or rushing in to fill the void left by the departure of Western companies from Russia and U.S. officials told Reuters recently they were relieved that Chinese economic and military support has not materialized amid the war.

Writing in the U.S. journal Foreign Affairs on May 2, Yan Xuetong, dean of the Institute of International Relations at Beijings elite Tsinghua University, wrote that Moscows war has created a strategic predicament for China due to heightened international tensions and the disruption of billions of dollars of Chinese trade, but that Beijing is still likely to remain in Russias camp.

China blames the United States for provoking Russia with its support for NATO expansion and worries that Washington will seek to prolong the conflict in Ukraine in order to bog down Russia, he wrote. Beijing sees little to gain from joining the international chorus condemning Moscow.
The bluntest assessment of how the Russian military offensive in Ukraines eastern Donbas region is going came from someone in a very good position to know.

"The general conclusion, unfortunately, is bleak, said Igor Girkin, a notorious Russian military commander and former intelligence officer who played an instrumental role when war first erupted in the Donbas in 2014.

In the best-case scenario, the enemy will be slowly pushed out of the Donbas with large losses (for both sides, of course) across many weeks and possibly many months, he wrote in a post on his Telegram channel on April 28. Overall, the enemy is defending competently, fiercely, it controls the situation and its troops.

Two weeks earlier, a well-known Russian special forces veteran had an even harsher assessment, addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin directly in a video: Vladimir Vladimirovich: are we fighting a war or are we just masturbating?

After suffering significant setbacks in the earliest weeks of the invasion of Ukraine, failing to seize Kyiv or other major cities, and incurring major casualties, Russian commanders and political leaders have recalibrated, shifting nearly all military units eastward for an offensive in the Donbas.

Parts of two Donbas provinces -- Donetsk and Luhansk -- have been under the control of Russia-backed separatists since 2014, and Putin declared Russia was recognizing them as independent days before he launched the invasion on February 24.

On April 18, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that a new Russian offensive had begun. A day later, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscows goal was the full liberation of the two provinces.

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.

So how is it going? By all accounts, slower than anticipated. Why? Thats a more complicated question.

Its not so clear that the offensive has faltered, that its not going to deliver results, said Konrad Muzyka, a defense analyst and director of the Polish-based Rochan Consulting.

My sources in Ukraine are very much concerned about Russian capabilities around Izyum, he said, referring to a strategically located city in eastern Ukraine and adding that its way too early to say the Donbas offensive has faltered.

Overall, the Russian militarys failures have surprised many experts, who had predicted its larger and better equipped armed forces would quickly seize major objectives, like Kyiv and port cities such as Mariupol.

Instead, Ukraines dogged defenders have inflicted unusually high casualties on Russian troops, as well as taking a severe toll on Russian weapons and equipment -- a fact due in large part to the massive supplies of weaponry being shipped from the West.

Russia has not released casualty figures since March 25, when it said that 1,351 of its soldiers had been killed. Western estimates, however, put Russian losses at well over 15,000, and Ukrainian authorities claim the Russian toll exceeds 20,000. Both of those figures surpass the toll among Soviet troops during the nearly 10-year war in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Russia is struggling with their pace of operations, its obvious, they have large losses, their tactics have proven unsuccessful, theyre facing a more determined defense, said Kostas Tigkos, an expert on the Russian military at Janes Group in London. It wasnt that they wanted this to be a slow movement in the Donbas.

Failing Or Merely Slow-Going?

The way the Americans and the British tell it, the offensive is progressing, albeit very slowly.

We would assess that Russian forces are making slow and uneven and, frankly, we would describe it as incremental progress in the Donbas, one U.S. defense official said on April 29. There's a lot of, still, back-and-forth in the Donbas in terms of territory gained and/or lost by, frankly, both sides. So not a huge difference in the picture on the ground in the Donbas.

Anemic is how another senior U.S. defense official described the offensive on May 2.

Russia still faces considerable challenges. It has been forced to merge and redeploy depleted and disparate units from the failed advances in northeast Ukraine, the British Defense Ministry said on May 2. Many of these units are likely suffering from weakened morale.

Western officials for weeks have pointed to morale and discipline problems as being a major contributing factor to the underperformance of Russias military. That is also believed to be a factor in the unusual number of generals being sent to frontline positions, and then exposed to Ukrainian attack.

The lull in fighting north of Kyiv was closely watched by observers, as Russian forces withdrew and began to reposition to the east as part of a new priority ordered by Putin. Putin also appointed a single commander, Army General Aleksandr Dvornikov, to take overall charge of the offensive, something that was absent earlier on.

Since then, however, Russian troops have made only limited gains. For example, around Izyum, reports show that Ukrainian forces have retaken other territory in the Kharkiv region, though its unclear whether it was merely due to Russian troops withdrawing. Other intelligence reports have suggested that Russian commanders were seeking a pincer movement from the south and the north, to try and encircle Ukrainian forces in the Donbas.

That hasnt happened. Not yet, anyway.

Theyre not committing everything at once, Muzyka said. It makes me think they are trying to do a piecemeal attack, not wage any substantial operations with these [units] but rather using them one-by-one.

So is the offensive faltering or merely slow-going?

Johan Norberg, a senior military analyst at the Swedish Defense Research Agency, a government-funded research organization, said those two terms werent mutually exclusive.

The vast majority of Russian power has been consumed by now -- after two months, theyve taken a pretty heavy beating in terms of fatalities, and theyve lost lots of equipment, Norberg told RFE/RL. They have very little choice but to do it more slowly and methodically.

They arent dragging out this for fun, he said.

The question of how the offensive is going opened further this weekend with the visit of Russias highest military officer, General Valery Gerasimov, to the frontline town of Izyum, just northwest of the Donbas.

Analysts say it is highly unusual for a senior commander or general to be in a contested frontline position in just about any war; its even more unusual given that at least seven Russian generals have been confirmed killed during the Ukraine war.

Oleksiy Arestovych, a top Zelenskiy adviser, said several senior Russian officers were killed on April 30, when Ukrainian forces used rockets and artillery to hit a command post near Izyum, and there were possibly scores of casualties.

Ukrainian forces also asserted that they had repelled a Russian attack there.

Gerasimov, who is chairman of Russias joint chiefs of staff, was also reportedly present at the post on April 30, though he had left prior to the Ukrainian barrage. Arsen Avakov, a former Ukrainian Interior Minister, asserted that Gerasimov had been slightly wounded by shrapnel.

Gerasimov may have been trying to establish why the Russian offensive has largely stalled out on the Izyum axis and whether it is worth continuing to invest in strengthening their offensive grouping in that area instead of switching forces toward Donetsk, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said in a May 1 report.

Gerasimovs visit may be less indicative of problems with leadership and discipline, Norberg said, than simply of Gerasimov not trusting overly rosy reports from frontline commanders, and wanting to see what was happening with his own eyes.

You want to see for yourself, you want to smell the war, thats a very much a military instinct, he said. I think its more like he wants to see what its like.

Take Your Best Shot

In the Donbas, Russian commanders are gluing together units, some heavily damaged, from the previous fronts near Kyiv, said Michael Kofman, a military analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses in Arlington, Virginia.

Their odds of success in my view [in the Donbas] are very indeterminate, very contingent, Kofman said in a podcast on the War On The Rocks website.

Kofman suggested another reason why Russian commanders were moving more slowly and methodically.

They want basically to take their [best] shot at this, because the truth is after this offensive, the Russian military is a spent force when it comes to their potential for future offensives, he said. However this offensive plays outthey do not have the capacity for another major offensive in Ukraine.

As for larger systemic issues, Norberg said Russia was nearing a major inflection point in the war: A decision on whether to commit more soldiers to the fight, which could entail declaring general mobilization.

Its the fog of war and all, but I think there are fewer soldiers in the Russian armed forces than we knew, Norberg said. If the pre-war figures were true, if you had more [soldiers], you would add them now.

But the Russians have not, they dont have the force to make a decisive move against the Ukrainians, he said. Russia doesnt have the conventional force to make a major move.

To bring in a major new influx of soldiers, experts said, would potentially require Putin declaring all-out war on Ukraine, possibly framing the fight as one against NATO, and general mobilization -- a major escalation.

There can be no larger movement of troops, or fresh troops in the next week or two, given simply the available troops on the ground, Tigkos told RFE/RL. It is unlikely there will be an intensification of operations, simply because there are not enough troops to cover that entire front.
Ukrainian troops southeast of Kharkiv survey heavy damage to a community cultural center, reflecting on the impact on locals, now all but gone. One soldier with experience fighting for both sides says he joined the Ukrainian defense forces after seeing what Russians did to noncombatants in Bucha.
Afghanistan is a US$1 trillion commodities and transit bank for Russian and Chinese supply chain needs

Eight months after US troops finally exited Afghanistan, and 20 years after a US invasion in which Washington spent US$2.3 trillion on being there, Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia wants to work directly with Kabul in the areas of agriculture, transit and energy.

We see promising areas for developing cooperation and direct contacts between business circles. Firstly, this is agriculture and energy, as well as transport, taking into account Afghanistans high transit potential. In general, the more than 140 enterprises built by the Soviet Union in Afghanistan remain the backbone of the Afghan economy, and this creates additional opportunities for increasing our cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, Lavrov said.

Officials in the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said they consider this step to be beneficial for the country in the current situation.

By doing so, our agriculture grows and our agriculture progresses. In addition, our domestic production includes non-alcoholic beverages, water, soft drinks, which have a very high capacity and will grow, said Khan Jan Alokozai, head of the ACCI.

Russian trade with Afghanistan has shot up since the ignominious US exit last August, with Russian exports now reaching US$10.3 million a month and imports worth US$584,000 from Afghanistan, increases of about 500% and 120% respectively since the end of the US occupation. Afghanistan exports to Russia are mainly fruits such as grapes, while Russias exports to the country are seed oils.

Russia has been Afghanistans trading partner for the past 20 years, exporting oil and iron to Afghanistan. The US era has resulted in a destroyed Afghani economy with very little energy, connectivity, or industrial infrastructure to show for the experience. Both Russia, and China have vested interests in assisting with the re-construction of the country, which is wealthy in terms of nonfuel minerals whose value has been estimated at more than US$1 trillion. The country also has the potential to become a Central Asian trading hub as it shares borders with Pakistan to the east and south, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, Tajikistan to the northeast, and China to the northeast and east.

As supply chains are shifting east as a result of the EU embargo on Russia interfering with Asias own supply chains, getting Afghanistan functional in Asia as part of a commodities and transit bank for both Russia and China has taken on new significance for Moscow and Beijing.

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The City has completed several important transport infrastructure projects, thereby creating a new and modern outlook to the cityscape. These days the Central Government is also considering promulgating a mechanism to accelerate a number of traffic projects that will affect not just Ho Chi Minh City but also the entire Southern economic region as well.

Works to complete in April

The Thu Thiem 2 bridge project is expected to be completed and in use before 30 April. This project was started in 2015, covering a length of 1.4 kms with six traffic lanes, and connecting the two banks of the Sai Gon River from Thu Thiem New Urban Area and Thu uc City to the center of District 1. The Thu Thiem 2 Bridge has an investment of nearly VND 3,100 bn, with the first intersection along Ton uc Thang and Le Duan streets in District 1. From there it will connect the Sai Gon River to the arc boulevard on Route R1 in Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

This project is being implemented under the model plan of Build-Transfer (BT), with investments by the ai Quang Minh Real Estate Joint Stock Company. Initially, the City expected the bridge to be complete in 2018 but it encountered many problems, and hence there was a delay. When complete, the project will help reduce traffic load at the intersection of many arterial roads in District 1, namely, Ton uc Thang, Nguyen Huu Canh, and Le Thanh Ton streets. It will also promote socio-economic development of Thu uc City in particular and Ho Chi Minh City in general.

The project to expand the ong Van Cong road and My Thuy 3 bridge will also be completed within April, and will help in reducing traffic jams and unfortunate accidents on this route. It will also increase the carrying capacity for the gateway of Cat Lai Port. The My Thuy 3 bridge, part of the My Thuy intersection project, has a total investment of nearly VND 57 bn, and covers a length of 325 meters. The bridge is 75 meters in length and divided into two sections with each section being 12 meters in width.

This year, Ho Chi Minh City will focus on developing transport infrastructure projects to help increase regional connectivity and reduce congestion. In particular, the parallel road construction project on Vo Van Kiet in District 1 is completing its last stages so as to be ready to open for traffic within April. This project has a total investment of VND 54 bn, starting 5 May 2021. The route covers a length of 615 meters with a width of 7 meters, located along Vo Van Kiet Boulevard, along the banks of the Tau Hu canal, and under the Calmette bridge. This is also an arterial road, linking Ho Chi Minh City with neighboring provinces.

The project of upgrading and renovating Nuoc en roads and canals was started in the first quarter of 2020 with a total investment of VND 629 bn and is also expected to be completed before 30 April. This project has been completed after two years, and will help people to commute more easily and also improve the environment in this area. Currently, both sides of the bank have embankments to make it more secure, and at the same time, a railing higher than 1.5 meters has been installed. The project has changed the outlook of Ho Chi Minh City in general and Binh Tan district in particular.

Le Loi street in District 1 is expected to reopen on the historic occasion of 30 April. Since mid-2014, most of Le Loi street and the section from ong Khoi street to Pasteur street, has been fenced off by contractors to complete the construction of the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House underground station. Currently, the contractor of Metro Line 1 is making efforts to fill the land and speed up the progress to promptly return the ground back to the Department of Planning and Architecture. Le Loi street will become a future highlight and a busy commercial street that will attract many tourists and residents.

Great projects underway

During the month of April, the Government has proposed to the National Assembly to approve a number of specific mechanisms for the Ring Road 3 project in Ho Chi Minh City to meet the completion schedule by 2026. On the basis of a pre-feasibility study report for the project under Ring Road 3 of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the National Assembly will consider and approve the project investment policy at the next meeting in May.

Ring Road 3 covers 76.34 kms with the starting point in Nhon Trach district in ong Nai province, and the endpoint in Ben Luc district in Long An province. The section through Ho Chi Minh City is 47.51 kms in length, in ong Nai it covers 11.26 kms, in Binh Duong it covers 10.76 kms, and in Long An it covers 6.81 kms. The total investment in phase 1 of Ring Road 3 will be VND 75,378 bn, in which land acquisition and resettlement costs account for VND 43,589 bn, and construction and equipment costs are around VND 25,945 bn.

The expected progress from 2022 until project preparation will be site clearance for resettlement until 2024, with the project starting at the end of 2023 and completing in 2026, with a final settlement in 2027. According to the Government, the investment in Ring Road 3 in Ho Chi Minh City is very necessary and urgent. Specifically, the project has the role of linking regions, promoting urbanization, creating momentum and spillover, and promoting socio-economic development of the localities, as well as the whole country. In particular, the project will also contribute to reducing pressure on the inner city of Ho Chi Minh City and will limit traffic congestion in the area to a great extent.

The Ring Road 3 project is located in Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh province, starting from Ring Road 3 in Cu Chi district which is the route parallel to the existing National Highway 22. The last section connects to National Highway 22, and the Moc Bai border gate area. The route will have eight lanes, and the remaining section in Tay Ninh province will have six lanes. The length of the entire expressway is 50 kms, of which the section through Ho Chi Minh City is 23.7 kms in length. In phase-1, the project cost will amount to around VND 15,900 bn.

According to the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the above project aims to meet travel and freight needs and reduce the load on National Highway 22. This will be a Trans-Asia traffic route, connecting economic centers, border-gate economic zones, and urban centers of the Southern key economic region with seaports, international airports, and the ASEAN economic region.

o Tra Giang
The Armenian armed forces have shelled Azerbaijani Army's positions in Kalbajar's Zeylik and Yellija settlements using small arms, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has reported.

The Ministry reported that Armenia shelled from the positions of the state border in the Basarkechar region on the evening of May 2.

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.



To recap, the truce violation was registered on the day when Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, European Council President Charles Michel and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Brussels. After the meeting, Michel said that Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to instruct the foreign ministries of the two countries to work on a future peace treaty.

Earlier Aliyev stated that peace will return to the Caucasus based on the five principles Baku recently proposed for normalizing relations with Armenia.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Polish Foreign Minister, OSCE Chairman-in-Office Zbigniew Rau on March 31.

The five principles we have initiated reflect the norms of international law and good international conduct... Reciprocal recognition of territorial integrity and inviolability of international borders, and then the delimitation of borders  I think that peace will come to the Caucasus on this basis. We want it, he said.

The president emphasized that these principles are fundamental to any country's interstate relations.

We are seeing the potential for active cooperation amongst the three countries of the South Caucasus, and I think that this will be important not only for these countries but also for the wider region, he said.

The trilateral ceasefire deal signed by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders on November 10, 2020, ended the three-decade conflict over Azerbaijans Karabakh region which along with the seven adjacent regions came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.

The deal also stipulated the return of Azerbaijan's Kalbajar, Aghdam and Lachin regions. Before the signing of the peace deal, Azerbaijan liberated 300 villages, settlements, city centers, and historic Shusha city that had been under Armenian occupation for about 30 years.

On January 11, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed the second statement since the end of the 44-day war. The newly-signed statement was set to implement clause 9 of the November 2020 statement related to the unblocking of all economic and transport communications in the region.

On November 26, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed a statement and agreed on a number of issues, including the demarcation and delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border by late 2021, some points related to humanitarian issues and the issue of unblocking of transport corridors which applies to the railway and to automobile communications.

On December 14, 2021, during the Brussels meeting, organized between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders at the initiative of European Council President Charles Michel, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the conditions agreed in the Sochi meeting.

Both sides agreed to establish a temporary working group on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The issue of demining the liberated territories of Azerbaijan was also brought up on the agenda, and the European Union's readiness to provide technical assistance to Azerbaijan in this regard was underlined at the meeting.
Thursday, May 26, noon1:30 p.m.

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Topic: The invasion of Ukraine stresses food insecurity, access to additional funding programs and sustained advocacy across the world.

Presenter: Rev. Dr. Scott Stearman leads NGO committees on human rights and freedom of religion, and represents the Baptist World Alliance to the United Nations. He will lead this virtual lunch on the topic with time for questions and conversation.

Stearman is active in civil society advocacy at the High-Level Political Forum around the UNs Agenda 2030, and the UN Sustainability Development Goals. He Stearman holds a Ph.D. in philosophy (Univ. of Oklahoma) and a Th.M. and M.Div (Princeton Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist, respectively).

Rooted in the Society of Jesus General Congregation 34 Decree 12 regarding a commitment to ecumenical wisdom, interreligious dialogue and religious literacy, CEIE curates conversations for our time, hosts scholars, clergy and activists on topics that address todays challenges, works with agencies from the Parliament of the Worlds Religions to the United Nations and amplifies the values of Seattle University.

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A bear sighting Monday in Vacaville complicated the situation on roads, including some used by parents for afternoon school pickups, police said.

A male black bear was first spotted Monday morning in the North Orchard area, according to the Vacaville Police Department.

Officers kept eyes on the bear while nearby schools safely assembled for class, officers said in a statement on Facebook.

The sighting led to road closures that later affected school pickups, police said. All three back entrances and exits on the Willis Jepson Middle School campus were closed, as well as Hemlock Street between North Orchard and Fir streets. Minimal traffic was allowed on North Orchard for entrances to schools.

At 4:40 p.m., officials posted an update saying all road were open and traffic restrictions had ended. Thank you to our schools, parents and students for finding alternative routes and pickup locations at Orchard, Hemlock and Jepson Schools! the post said.

In consultation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, officers said they would continue to monitor the bear until nightfall, in the hope that it would return to its natural habitat on its own.

More for you Do you know what to do if you encounter a bear?

While we dont find bears in Vacaville every day, this isnt an uncommon occurrence, police said. Remember the safest bear encounter is one we prevent - please do not seek out the bear for curiosity, photographs, or selfies. Residents were also urged to bring their trash cans in promptly after pickup.

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.

Anyone spotting any aggressive behavior by the bear was urged to get to a safe location and call the Vacaville Police Department immediately.

Quiz: Do you know what to do if you encounter a bear in California?

Annie Vainshtein (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avainshtein@sfchronicle.com
California hit a major clean energy milestone over the weekend when the states renewable power sources like solar and wind generated essentially as much electricity as the state needed.

The record occurred shortly before 3 p.m. on Saturday, as solar power production soared before late-afternoon power demand kicked in.

California achieved 100% renewable energy today. Very clear we can achieve clean energy everyday before 2030 if we cut the fossil fuel subsidies and political inertia, Daniel Kammen, an energy professor at UC Berkeley, wrote on Twitter.

The California Independent System Operator, which manages the states grid, said that the share of renewable energy peaked at 99.87%  marking a record for the state, albeit a fleeting one.

A short time period does not reflect the overall electricity picture in California. Spring is a time of relatively low power demand, because moderate temperatures outside mean less need for heating or cooling, and longer days bring high solar power production.

Michael Macor/The Chronicle 2015

Californians still rely heavily on natural gas throughout the year. Natural gas provided 37% of the energy in the state in 2020  more than the 33% of all renewable energy sources combined, the latest data from the California Energy Commission shows. Solar power provided 13% and wind 11% of the states electricity.

Still, clean power advocates viewed Saturdays marker as brief but stunning proof of the energy shift made over the past several decades. California must get 100% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2045 if it is to meet a goal signed into law nearly four years ago by then-Gov. Jerry Brown.

It wasnt all day, it wasnt all weekend and we have a long way to go before were not burning fossil fuels  but we definitely can get there, said Laura Deehan, state director with Environment California, a nonprofit renewable energy advocacy group.

The state has tripled its use of renewable power sources over the past 10 years, mostly with new wind and solar projects. Other renewable energy sources include geothermal, biomass from wood products, and biogas from food scraps and animal waste. Although nuclear is a carbon-free energy source, it is not included in the electric grid operators renewable energy calculator. Large hydroelectric dams are also not included as renewable energy sources because, although they do not generate greenhouse gases, they can cause other environmental problems like habitat destruction.

Mark Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford, noted that wind, hydropower and solar together met 80% of the states electricity demand for eight hours straight on Saturday.

Clean power advocates had been closely watching the percentage of renewable energy production inch closer to demand since April 14, when the state hit an earlier record of 97%. Californians have been using mostly renewable energy for much of the spring, aided by mild weather.

On Saturday, California reported its renewable energy sources rising above demand for the first time at 2:05 p.m., producing 17,636 megawatts compared with electricity demand, which was listed at 17,548 megawatts, according to operator data. That continued for about an hour until demand slipped above production at 5:05 p.m. At its peak, production exceeded demand by 623 megawatts at 2:40 p.m.

Those figures dont account for how much energy is lost when it is transmitted from the source, typically estimated at 5%, according to Mike OBoyle, director of electricity policy with Energy Innovation, a nonpartisan clean energy organization. And the states energy supply is much more complex.

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.

OBoyle noted that California was still burning natural gas during that record-breaking time because the state cannot completely turn off those systems for a variety of reasons. For one, solar power production plummets when the sun sets.

Excess renewable energy produced in California can be sold to other states, OBoyle said.

The data also doesnt include energy demand from about 10% of the state, including districts in Los Angeles and Sacramento. The system operator manages about 90% of the states electric grid.

OBoyle still considered Saturdays balance of renewable energy a really important and big milestone. And by his calculations, adding hydroelectric and nuclear power showed the state operated with 100% carbon-free electricity for six and a half hours Saturday, even with energy lost during transmission.

The puzzle now is, how do we keep building renewable energy resources in a way that we turn this one-time success into repeatable success? OBoyle said.

Julie Johnson (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: julie.johnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @juliejohnson
Gov. Gavin Newsom and other California leaders doubled down on efforts to defend abortion access and welcomed people from other states to have the procedure here after news broke Monday that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision protecting abortion rights nationwide.

The court has not yet acted to repeal Roe, but a draft opinion leaked to Politico revealed a majority of justices is preparing to do so. That would let individual states decide whether to ban the procedure within their borders.

California, a state dominated by Democrats who support abortion rights, will continue to allow abortions. California clinics will likely see a massive influx of tens of thousands of women traveling from other states to have the procedure.

Jodi Hicks, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, called the draft opinion a nightmare scenario. She warned that if the court adopts the draft opinion, most states will likely pass their own laws banning access to abortion.

To Californians, and people who may seek care here due to hostile bans in their home state, know this: Planned Parenthood health centers across California will remain open, she wrote in a statement. We will do all we can to continue to provide abortion services to all who need it or seek it here in California.

California has been bracing for these arrivals, in an effort that is now intensifying.

Late Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom and two top California lawmakers said they were preparing a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that, if approved by voters, would enshrine access to abortion in the state.

We know we cant trust the Supreme Court to protect reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state Constitution. Women will remain protected here, Newsoms office said in a statement announcing the legislation with Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

Newsom spokeswoman Erin Mellon said Tuesday morning that the governors office intends to put the amendment on the November ballot. That will require two-thirds of state lawmakers to vote to put the amendment on the ballot, a likely prospect in a state where Democrats control a supermajority of the Legislature.

Our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will not be silenced, Newsom wrote in a tweet. The world is about to hear their fury. California will not sit back. We are going to fight like hell.

Democratic lawmakers and abortions rights advocates highlighted a package of bills moving through the Legislature intended to shore up abortion access in California at a Tuesday morning news conference in the Capitol.

Overturning Roe v. Wade is not going to stop abortions, but rather will lead to unsafe and deadly abortions, said Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, a Bell Gardens Democrat who chairs the legislative Womens Caucus. This is a matter of life and death.

The bills include a measure to create a fund to pay for abortions for low-income people. The states health insurance program for low-income Californians, Medi-Cal, already covers abortion services, but lawmakers said the money could further expand access to low-income people and could fund abortions for women from other states.

Lawmakers said Tuesday they couldnt say how much their efforts to shore up abortion access would cost.

Sen. Nancy Skinner, a Berkeley Democrat who is co-authoring the legislation, said she wants the state to use some of its multibillion-dollar surplus to start the fund but that ultimately she anticipates private donations will provide most of the money.

Since Texas enacted a law last year banning most abortions, Hicks said more people have been traveling to California for the procedure. She said its unclear how many more people will come to California for abortions if Roe is overturned, but pointed to estimates from the nonprofit Guttmacher Institute that demand could increase by 3,000%.

If the Supreme Court allows states to totally ban abortion, there would be 1.4 million women between age 15 and 49 whose nearest clinic would be in California, up from 46,000, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

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.

Anticipating this increase, Atkins has introduced a bill to let nurse practitioners perform first-trimester abortions without being under a doctors supervision.

In December, The Chronicle reported, the newly created California Future of Abortion Council  a group of 40 organizations including Planned Parenthood, Black Women for Wellness Action Project and the ACLU  released 45 recommendations to prepare, including passing new legislation, funding out-of-state people who want to travel west and training more health providers.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, which advocates for abortion rights, California and 15 other states have laws protecting the right to abortion.

Californias future as a haven for those seeking abortions is not guaranteed, however.

Earlier Monday, the Washington Post reported that antiabortion groups and opponents of abortion rights in Congress have been meeting behind the scenes to plan a national strategy that would kick in if the Supreme Court rolls back abortion rights this summer, including a push for a strict nationwide ban on the procedure if Republicans retake power in Washington.

Polls show Californians overwhelmingly support preserving access to abortions.

Last year, a survey conducted by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found that 77% of adults did not want Roe overturned.

Sophia Bollag (she/her), Dominic Fracassa (he/him) and Demian Bulwa (he/him) are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: sophia.bollag@sfchronicle.com, dfracassa@sfchronicle.com, demian.bulwa@sfchronicle.com
Even as liberal Northern California residents agonized Tuesday over the likelihood that Roe v. Wade would be overturned, restricting abortion for millions of women across the country, their conservative neighbors in the region cheered the news.

Religious leaders, Republican organizations, conservative Christians and longtime abortion-rights foes said the draft legal decision leaked to the press Monday offered the first real hope in decades that the Supreme Court would abandon the 49-year-old ruling that has protected a womans right to choose without government interference.

Its a decision Peggy Porter has prayed and fought for across five decades, writing letters to the editor opposing abortion in the 90s as a San Lorenzo resident and more recently speaking out in the Central Valley town of Galt, where she now lives.

I am definitely celebrating with the thought, even the possibility, of abortion being overturned, she said Tuesday morning. I am for reproductive rights. A woman has the right to have unprotected sex, a woman has a right to birth control; I do not believe a woman has a right to take a life. Once she becomes pregnant, the baby inside of her also has rights.

In San Francisco, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, an outspoken opponent of abortion rights, responded within hours of the leaked Supreme Court document hitting social media, tweeting, Tonight I am thinking of all the years of hard work by pro life people of all faiths and none. Years and years of patient advocacy, help for unwed moms, political engagement and more.

Aptos resident Louise Johnson, 75, said that as a Christian, and someone who had a traumatic abortion in her 20s, she hopes Roe v. Wade is overturned.

I have never forgotten it, she said of the $150 abortion from an illegal provider. I always say I have a child in heaven.

She acknowledged that some women might resort to back-alley abortions as she had to do if the landmark legal decision is overturned, but she feels counseling options and other support programs could offer alternatives.

As somebody who had an abortion, it is terrible, she said.

A reversal of Roe v. Wade would push abortion rights to the states, and many states in the South and Midwest would wind up banning the procedure. California would be among those continuing to allow the termination of pregnancy for residents as well as for women in other states.

On Tuesday, Hayward resident Kevin McGary, founder of the antiabortion Every Black Life Matters, said the draft document was excellent news, but the fight would continue.

This is not going to change wholesale abortion across the entire map of the United States, said McGary, adding he believes Gov. Gavin Newsom and other politicians would double down on abortion, what he calls infanticide.

We got who we got as a government, he said referring to Newsom.

McGary said he believes life begins at conception and the abortion denies the fetus due process. He also argues that abortion is founded in racism and eugenics, with a disproportionate number of Black women seeking abortions compared with women of other ethnicities or races.

The highest share of abortions is by Black women at 38.4%, followed by white women at 33.4%, Hispanic women at 21% and other groups at 7.2%, according to 2019 data from the CDC.

We just want to be born at the same rate as other ethnicities, said McGary, who is Black. We are being targeted and exterminated.

Marlene Rodriguez of Concord, who volunteers with 40 Days for Life, an antiabortion group that holds vigils outside facilities that perform abortions, said that she would welcome a Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade but wouldnt consider it the end of the battle.

Independently of what happens in the Supreme Court, the fact is that abortion still exists, she said. A lot has to happen on the ground to end abortion. She said prayer vigils and discussions with people considering abortions will need to continue.

Rodriguez, who took a moment to pray before answering a reporters questions, said she was somewhat happy that things seem to be going toward speaking life into the ears of people, and it makes me hopeful that is a sign that love and mercy is arriving throughout the nation.

Rodriguez said that regardless of the court decision, she will continue to pray for those considering abortions and will work to spread the message that all people are loved and are not alone.

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.

What will end abortion, she said, is Gods love.

Ana Gonzalez, a 50-year-old activist with the antiabortion group 40 Days for Life, said she was very happy to learn about the Supreme Courts draft opinion and that she has been praying that the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade.

We do not agree with abortions because they have already ended many lives, said Gonzalez of El Cerrito. She added that people must support women who she said have suffered from depression after getting an abortion.

We are going to wait for the official ruling from the Supreme Court and we will continue to raise our voices in support of fetuses, she said.

Not all abortion-rights opponents, however, were happy about the leak, believing it was meant to incite protests prior to the final Supreme Court decision.

The leak of a drafted opinion is unprecedented in Supreme Court history, said Susan Arnall, of the California-based Right to Life League. It smacks of the worst sort of political designs, intended to disrupt the orderly operation of the court and perhaps designed to incite violence across a nation already divided along entrenched regional and ideological lines surrounding the issue of abortion.

The origin of the leak is unknown and there are liberals who believe conservatives leaked the draft.

As Americans wait to learn whether this leaked draft is indeed the true, final ruling of the high court, pro-life forces should double down on prayers for peace as we prepare to defend life in a post-Roe era, Arnall said.

Chronicle staff writer Jessica Flores contributed to this report.

Jill Tucker and Michael Cabanatuan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com, mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker, @ctuan
The Oakland As scored a win in their quest for a new ballpark Monday as a key state agencys staff recommended that Howard Terminal be approved for the teams $12 billion proposed waterfront project.

The staff of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission recommended Monday that the commission approve the As request to remove Howard Terminals 56 acres from port designation where the team hopes to build a new waterfront ballpark  a step toward opening the parcel to development.

The BCDC staff said in a report that it had determined that removing Howard Terminal from operating port functions would not detract from regions capability to meet the projected growth in cargo.

In March, a committee of the waterfront development oversight agency had voted against removing Howard Terminal from port functions. It was a major setback to the team that sent the issue to the full commission, which is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the issue on June 2 before voting on June 30.

To proceed with the ballpark project, the As need a two-thirds vote from the commission. Without it, the project could die. The As have said that if theyre not able to build a ballpark at Howard Terminal, they may move to Las Vegas, where they have been exploring potential stadium sites.

As President Dave Kaval said Monday the BCDC staff recommendation is a big step forward for the ballpark project.

I think we had momentum pushing away from us with that Seaport Advisory vote (in March). And this kind of halts that in its tracks and flips it around and gives us the momentum, he said. Its almost like we had maybe a five-run deficit and now we have a five-run lead. It flips it completely around. ... We were off-track and now were on track.

The As want to build a 35,000-seat waterfront ballpark, 3,000 units of housing, 1.5 million square feet of offices, 270,000 square feet of retail space, a 3,500-capacity performance venue, up to 400 hotel rooms and 8,900 parking spaces on the property. If the project gets final approvals  which the As are pushing for this year  it would be one of the largest developments in state history.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf cheered the BCDC recommendation.

Todays report is great news for Oakland and our region, she said in a statement. I appreciate the BCDC staffs due diligence and their preliminary recommendation to move this project forward and open Oaklands waterfront to the public.

I wholeheartedly agree: The best use of a dormant Howard Terminal is to convert it into a thriving waterfront ballpark neighborhood, with 18 acres of new public parks, 3,000 desperately needed housing units, and thousands of good union jobs for generations to come.

The Port of Oakland has supported the As waterfront ballpark plans. Danny Wan, the port of Oaklands executive director, said in the last BCDC meeting in April that the port and other ports in the Bay Area will be able to handle the projected cargo growth and therefore, Howard Terminal is not necessary for port uses.

Mike Jacob, the vice president of Pacific Merchant Shipping Association and spokesperson for port workers who have filed one of the lawsuits against the citys environmental analysis of the project, said he is disappointed with the staff recommendation.

Jacob has spoken in previous BCDC meetings urging the commission to maintain Howard Terminal for port uses. He said he is still going through the report and trying to understand why BCDC staff made the preliminary recommendation.

We have to go through all the data, we have to see what people are actually claiming and what backs that up and what doesnt, Jacob 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.

The BCDC vote in June is the next hurdle that the As must clear to move closer to getting a new ballpark. The As and the city are still negotiating the development agreement, which sets the terms of the development project. The team and city leaders are still negotiating terms on the projects infrastructure financing and community benefits.

The City Council will have to vote on the development agreement to move the project forward. A vote has not yet been scheduled as the As and city continue negotiations.

The As plan also relies on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors agreeing to join the city creating an infrastructure financing district over the Howard Terminal site. The county has hired a financial firm to analyze the project. A vote has not yet been scheduled.

The city has agreed to fund an estimated $352 million for offsite infrastructure and is currently in the process of vying for state and federal grants.

In addition, three separate lawsuits have been filed against the city and the As after the council voted to certify the environmental review of the project. Though the lawsuits were expected, the As and the city both need to make their case in court that the environmental analysis of the projects impacts are sufficient.

Chronicle staff writer Matthew Kawahara contributed to this report.

Sarah Ravani (she/her) and Michael Cabanatuan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com, mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani, @ctuan
A man who posted nude photos of his ex-girlfriend on social media refused to take them down unless she had sex with him again.

A woman who had switched cell providers was sent nude photos of herself after a mobile-phone store employee swiped them from her old phone.

Another woman found a video of herself posted on a porn site, with nearly 30,000 views. When she asked her ex why he uploaded it  in a call recorded by police  the man admitted he wanted to hurt her in the heat of the moment.

The cases are among the dozens prosecuted in the Bay Area since 2013, when California criminalized the sharing of private sexual images of a person without their consent.

Victims of the crime  referred to as revenge porn  speak of the shame they feel around friends and family and crushed career opportunities, court records show. In some cases, victims took their own lives.

But some victim advocates say that even when a perpetrator is convicted, the punishment rarely matches the harm caused. A Chronicle review of Bay Area revenge porn cases found that many charges are eventually dismissed, and most of those convicted face a few days in jail or probation.

In the process, victims must bare their souls and face the possibility of private, intimate pictures being made public again, as evidence in a trial.

Now, nearly a decade after the states move, congressional legislators have revived an effort to pass a similar law at the federal level. But Californias experience reveals that such measures can have limited impact, depending on how theyre written, according to some advocates and prosecutors.

A perpetrator can do this 1,000 times  to the same victim, to different victims  and it will always be a misdemeanor, said Oanh Tran, an assistant district attorney in Santa Clara County. I find that to be extraordinarily incongruent with the harm that is caused.

Yet boosting penalties for any type of crime may be a tough sell at a time when many voters are embracing criminal justice reforms. California has for years worked to unwind tough-on-crime laws that swelled prison populations.

The federal proposal, called the Shield Act, is championed by San Mateo Rep. Jackie Speier, a Democrat who has focused on advocating for victims of abuse and assault. Vice President Kamala Harris, who prosecuted the states first revenge porn case as Californias attorney general, previously sponsored the bill as a senator.

Speier said the legislation would improve a patchwork of laws in 48 states and D.C. and address deficiencies in Californias law. Nonconsensual pornography is an internet-enabled crime that transcends state boundaries, Speier said, making a federal statute all the more important.

The proposed text differs in important ways from the California law, including by not requiring proof of victims distress and by making the crime a felony.

Irfan Khan/Getty Images 2015

The federal proposal would ban the sharing of intimate photos with knowledge of or reckless disregard for a lack of consent and a reasonable expectation of privacy, with an exception for matters of public concern. Convicted perpetrators would face up to two years in prison per victim.

The law could also help victims get their images taken down or limit their spread, because internet companies must keep content that is illegal under federal law off their sites.

This is a hard bill not to appreciate, Speier told The Chronicle. We owe it to victims to protect them and to criminalize this conduct.

But the bills future is uncertain. Speier has been introducing it for years, and it previously passed the House as part of a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA. But the Senate did not take up that version, and the Shield Act was ultimately left out when VAWA was reauthorized this year.

While the bill has bipartisan support, its unclear whether a narrowly divided Congress will get to this legislation in a midterm election year. Speier is retiring at the end of the term.

To assess the California laws impact, The Chronicle requested statistics from all nine Bay Area counties on cases prosecuted since the law went into effect in October 2013. Those statistics showed prosecutors have leveled the revenge porn statute in at least 190 cases, with counties ranging from a single charge to several dozen.

Santa Clara County filed charges most often, in 66 cases. Alameda County said it had 25. San Francisco prosecutors said police had referred two cases to them, and that they charged the crime in those cases and five additional ones. Napa prosecutors said police had brought seven cases and that they filed the charge in one of those. There were 12 in Solano, 25 in Contra Costa, 41 in San Mateo and 13 in Sonoma counties. Marin County did not respond to the request for data.

Dozens of the cases are pending, and many ended without a conviction for revenge porn. Those found guilty of the charge were typically sentenced to a handful of days in jail or a period of supervised probation.

The man who attempted to extort his ex-girlfriend for sex was sentenced to 10 days in jail. The cell phone store employee got one day in jail and probation. The man who uploaded his exs video to a porn site pleaded no contest and has yet to be sentenced.

In 2013, then-California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the first-of-its kind bill. Since then, legislators have passed amendments intended to strengthen the law, including a 2021 bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, that extended the statute of limitations from one year after the image was posted to one year after the victim realized it was posted.

Still, some advocates and prosecutors say failings in Californias law made it less effective.

California was one of the first states to move during a new wave of reform, and that first law was awful, said Mary Anne Franks, a law professor at University of Miami and president of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, a nonprofit that works to combat non-consensual pornography and other online abuse. They were trying to do a good thing, but the first law didnt even apply to selfies.

The law, though revised, still requires that victims prove the sharing of their images caused them distress. That means standing up in court and speaking about how you were suicidal or cant get a job or cant sleep at night, and that risks re-traumatization, Franks said.

And it remains a misdemeanor, which limits the potential punishment and, prosecutors said, makes it more difficult for investigators to obtain search warrants for electronic communications that might prove the misconduct. Currently, first-time offenders can be sentenced to a maximum of six months in jail.

Franks, who favors a federal bill, said, I worry that theres a certain veneer to the evolution here, where it looks like weve made this tremendous progress, but if you look at the actual state statutes on this, theyre not that strong.

Franks concerns are echoed by some prosecutors. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said he will co-sponsor a state bill this year that would make revenge porn a wobbler offense  prosecutable as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

One thing that Ive noticed in the Legislature over the last several years, Rosen said, is that womens issues are sacrificed at the altar of criminal justice reform.

In Santa Clara County, two teenage victims of revenge porn took their own lives.

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In February, Ryan Last, a senior at Sobrato High in Morgan Hill, died by suicide after a scammer tried to blackmail him with a risque photo he sent, Lasts mother told KNTV. Rosens office said the case is under investigation.

In 2012, Saratoga High student Audrie Pott, 15, hanged herself after being sexually assaulted by three boys and discovering that nude photos of herself were posted online.

Her mother, Sheila Pott, supports the push for a federal law. Its educating everyone from when theyre very young that they dont engage in that type of behavior, and that they know theres consequences, she said in an interview.

Tran, the assistant district attorney in Santa Clara County, said that even though the crimes statute of limitations has been eased, the one-year window may still close before investigators can build a case. Sometimes, out of embarrassment, victims dont come forward right away.

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley, who sponsored the bill that expanded the laws statute of limitations, said the cases remain difficult to prosecute, and not because the facts arent good. If a victim chooses to move forward, she said, the same images that spurred the case can be entered into evidence and publicly viewed in a courtroom.

Its a real ask for victims to be brave enough to testify about that, OMalley said, noting that many cases are dismissed because a victim decided not to cooperate. You just want to become invisible to everybody.

Noah Berger/Special to The Chronicle 2016

And unlike Jane Doe victims of sexual assault, who are legally allowed to keep their name out of court filings, there are no such guarantees for victims of revenge porn, OMalley said.

She said evidentiary rules could be changed to, for instance, black out portions of an image or require anonymity for victims who want it. I do think that if we were more protective of the victim, we might see more victims coming forward, she said.

Few oppose criminalizing nonconsensual pornography. But aspects of the legal fight have raised concerns, including from free-speech advocates.

David Greene, a senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said the tech-focused civil liberties group wants to ensure there is an exception in nonconsensual pornography laws for matters of public interest.

Whenever theres a law thats going to restrict speech, we want to make sure that it does so consistent with the First Amendment, Greene said. We havent been dismissive and said there should never be a revenge porn law. Weve said they should satisfy strict scrutiny.

Another complicating factor is that the crime can skew young; many of the defendants are teenagers. With emerging science showing that juvenile brains havent developed enough to understand the full impact of their actions, many feel a felony charge is too severe.

Danielle Harris, a managing attorney at the San Francisco Public Defenders Office, said it is dangerous and foolhardy to increase penalties for harmful behavior without evidence that the punishment works to prevent it.

Systemic responses should instead take into account the needs of individual survivors of harm and look to educate offenders about the harm they have caused in order to promote true accountability, she said.

Franks, the University of Miami law professor, said the goal of such laws must be to deter the behavior in the first place.

Im very sensitive to critiques of the criminal justice system, the concerns about mass incarceration, Franks said. Its a question of whether or not this particular abuse deserves the protection of the criminal law.  What we have seen when it comes to these kinds of crimes, the fear of prosecution, particularly of federal prosecution, is a really powerful motivator.

Tal Kopan and Megan Cassidy are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com, megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan, @meganrcassidy
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Gov. Gavin Newsom and two top California lawmakers are preparing an amendment to the state Constitution that would protect access to abortion in the state, after the revelation Monday that the U.S. Supreme Court appeared poised to strike down Roe vs. Wade.

Though the language of the proposed amendment was not immediately made public, Newsoms office tweeted late Monday that the legislation was intended to leave no doubt as to the right to abortion in California.
This week, Aidan decided he is Black.

He announced this at the family dinner table, as we served mashed potatoes, green beans and meat loaf. Aidan used to like my meat loaf, but everything changes.

Aidans Black now. Partly because he feels more comfortable in his skin at Compass High, whereas I think he felt that he needed to be White while he was at Riordan. Partly because of teenage rebellion. If my husband Brian and I were Black, Im pretty sure hed say he was white.

When he was little, he used to insist on his whiteness. One afternoon, after kindergarten, he got into the front seat of the Griffin (our old family car) and announced, Zanes the only one who has to sit in the back of the car. Aidan had missed the nuances in his teachers lesson about Rosa Parks. It is one of the few times Ive ever seen Zane cry.

Aidan's Black now. Partly, I hope, because he knows that although he and Zane have challenges, underneath it all, they are brothers.

This is one of those third-rail conversations. When we fostered Aidan back in 2006, the social worker had little information about his health or family history. He appeared vaguely Latinx, but in our family the exact designation didnt matter.

Aidans Aunt Amanda is Jewish. His Uncle Ming is Asian. His Tita Ann is Filipina. So, we gave him the smorgasbord of culture, lighting the shabbat candles for the menorah on Hanukkah, and then again for the Kinara on Kwanzaa. He went straight from Dia de los Muertos through Lunar New Year and into Pride.

When we got to the race box on school applications, I wrote, Your guess is as good as ours. Only once. Brian stopped me after that

But then our fairy godsister sent us a 23andMe DNA testing kit. It involved a lot of spitting, and a few surprises. Zane turned out to be three-quarters Sub-Saharan African, a little bit Native American and just a teensy bit Celtic. My husband Brian turned out to be a lot less French Canadian than he claimed. Me, I turned out to be the whitest person in my family, a distinction I take no pride in, other than to say a little bit of French sneaked into my gene pool when no one was looking.

Aidan is roughly half British Isles/half Sub-Saharan African.

Much of the talk about race in this column has been about Zane. Zane is Black and will always be seen as Black. He embraces the music and the language. But he pays the price. Deputies in Sonoma County treated him differently than they would treat a white teenager. From Zane we learned that Black Lives Matter.

But Aidan is in a strange space. Although he is not socially adept, he could navigate either world if he chose to. And this week, he did make a choice.

According to the U.S. Census, in 2010, the multiracial population was measured as 9 million people. In 2020, it was counted as 33.8 million, a 266% increase, the fastest growing demographic.

This week, Aidan reminded me that we are who we choose to be.

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There is more than one truth to each individual. We choose which of these truths to reveal. I am, in full disclosure, half leprechaun, one-quarter Viking and one-quarter whatever mystery genes Grandpa Wise brought to Johnstown, Penn. (some of which may have been French), but I present as Irish. Culturally I am Irish. We celebrate Saint Patricks Day but not Midsommar. We cook farl but not lutfisk.

Brian danced with Sean Dorsey Dance for a very long time, and he brought home an understanding about the challenges of the transgender community. I came to believe gender was a construct, and that each of us is who we are, not who we are assigned at birth. More importantly, each of us is who we become.

Race may also be a construct, but as a white man I can see the argument only through my own lens of privilege. I am blessed to be a part of a family that challenges my own perceptions.

For Aidan, hes not passing as Black. He is who he has decided to be.

Aidans Black now. This week at least. And this is what hes taught me: Biracial lives matter.

Kevin Fisher-Paulsons column appears Wednesdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com
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A new late-night spot for natural wine and music is coming to downtown Oakland this summer from the owner of Temescals popular Snail Bar. The new bars tentative name: Slug.

Andres Giraldo Florez, who opened Snail Bar last year, signed a lease last week for the ground level at 102 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, currently home to the wine bar and restaurant Downtown Wine Merchants.

Florez, a chef who formerly worked at San Franciscos Saison and other fine-dining icons, envisions a late-night destination for live music, wine and food. Thats due largely to the fact that the space comes with a cabaret permit, which will allow Slug to host DJs, bands and other live performances. Florez and his team plan to touch up the space with a DJ booth and a new sound system.

As at Snail Bar, Florez will add his specially curated selection of natural wines made by small producers around the world. A menu of small bites will include some Snail Bar favorites like Florezs beloved ham and cheese sandwich made with stretchy Gruyere and nutty Comte in between buttered and seared Kings Hawaiian sweet bread (the cheese pull is well documented on Instagram).

Andria Lo/Special to The Chronicle 2021

The downtown area could use a late-night spot, Florez says. Downtown Wine Merchants primarily caters to an office lunch crowd, he says, closing by 8 p.m. on most days. He hopes Slug will be able to open doors by July and stay open past 1 a.m., hopefully marking a return to some semblance of late-night normalcy that existed pre-COVID.

Since opening last summer in Oaklands Temescal neighborhood, Snail Bar has quickly become popular with people both inside and outside the restaurant industry, both for its focus on creative and comforting foods (like the snails with kumquats and cashew miso) as well as a selection of affordable and accessible natural wines. Many pours cost $12 a glass, which can seem like a steal in this age.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2021

That popularity caused Snail Bar to outgrow its space quickly. Snail Bar is too small as it is  were finding ourselves with 3- to 4-hour wait times, Florez says. He never wanted to create an atmosphere of inaccessibility, he says, and wants to serve more people.

At Slug, Florez will continue to lean on specialty producers and purveyors, like Thistle Meats in Petaluma, which will provide specialty sausages like boudin noir and boudin blanc.

If Im going to offer more opportunities here, I might as well do it with people who have been with me from the beginning, says Florez, who is bringing on Snail Bar assistant general manager Jake Michahelles and general manager Peter Larue as partners.

Courtesy Andres Giraldo Florez

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Itll be cool to bring more energy to downtown Oakland, says Larue. The whole dynamic is changing and itll be exciting to be a part of revitalizing it.

When asked whether Florez would feature locally sourced banana slugs from the Santa Cruz mountains on his menu, he declined to comment.

Slug. Tentatively opening July 2022. 102 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. snailbaroakland.com

Omar Mamoon is a San Francisco writer and cookie dough professional. Instagram: @ommmar Email: food@sfchronicle.com
The rise in Bay Area COVID cases and hospitalizations is gathering steam, with new infections up 167% in a month. San Francisco and Santa Cruz counties have the highest infection rates in the state, each reporting an average of 38 cases per 100,000 residents. As the case rates again climb in San Francisco, wealthy neighborhoods are seeing higher case rates  a rare occurrence in a pandemic that has most deeply impacted lower-income people of color.

(For the May 4 live blog, click here.)

Latest updates:

Oakland implements mask mandate for large indoor gatherings

The Oakland City Council voted Tuesday to implement a mask mandate for indoor gatherings of 2,500 people or more. The council also voted to remove the city's proof of vaccination requirement at restaurants, bars, gyms and other businesses. Residents will still have to show a proof of vaccine to enter senior centers. Read about plans to implement the mask mandate.

Reporter who sat by Kardashian tests positive: ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, two days after sitting next to Kim Kardashian at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday and interacting with President Biden, Politico reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Karl shook hands with Biden and several other people when he received an award for deadline coverage of the president. Attendees at the dinner were required to be vaccinated and to test negative to enter.

FDA officials anticipate new normal with yearly COVID shots:: Coronavirus vaccination may become part of an annual routine, much like flu shots, according to a team of high-ranking officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is time to accept that the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is the new normal. It will likely circulate globally for the foreseeable future, taking its place alongside other common respiratory viruses such as influenza. And it likely will require similar annual consideration for vaccine composition updates, Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research; Principal Deputy Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock; and new FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf wrote in a paper published in the medical journal JAMA on Monday. An FDA advisory panel will meet in June to discuss the need and potential cadence for seasonal vaccines. By summer, decisions will need to be made for the 2022-2023 season about who should be eligible for vaccination with additional boosters and regarding vaccine composition, the group said.

S.F. and Santa Cruz top state in infection rates: San Francisco and Santa Cruz counties have the highest coronavirus infection rates in the state, as of Tuesday, each reporting an average of 38 cases per 100,000 residents. Thats up from about three per 100,000 a month ago. The numbers counts are likely undercounts since now-prevalent at-home tests do not typically get reported to the system. San Franciscos coronavirus test positive rate reached 7.9% on Tuesday, according to new city data. The rate is more than double the 3.2% 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. Read more here.

Pfizer says its OK to take more Paxlovid if symptoms return: Responding to reports that some patients who take the COVID-19 antiviral treatment Paxlovid are seeing renewed symptoms following their five-day treatment course, Pfizer executives on Monday said they should take more. Paxlovid does what it has to do: it reduces the viral load, CEO Albert Bourla said in an interview with Bloomberg. Then your body is supposed to do the job. Infectious disease experts say reports of viral load rebound are rare, but the FDA is evaluating the relapses. Paxlovid cut the risk of severe COVID-19 complications in high-risk patients by as much as 88% in a clinical trial. Bourla said he did not know why some patients did not recover with the initial course.

New Bay Area infections up 167% in a month: An upturn in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in the Bay Area is beginning to gather steam, as new COVID-19 infections in the region have risen 167% in the same month that saw the state dropping most mitigation measures, including vaccine verification and mask requirements for schools and public transit. Read the full story.

Bay Area expands test to treat sites: Starting Wednesday, College of San Mateo will be a test to treat location where people who test positive for COVID-19 can receive a telehealth appointment and get connected with treatments they may be eligible for, county health officials told supervisors Tuesday. President Biden in March announced the test to treat initiative to make prescription treatments available on the spot once someone has tested positive. San Mateo joins other local health departments in this push to make the public more aware of treatments, like the antiviral pill Paxlovid. Paxlovid must be taken within five days of the onset of symptoms, so its critical that people get the prescription soon after they test positive. Contra Costa County last week opened a phone line for patient consulations with doctors who can prescribe medication as appropriate. About 70 people have used it to get appointments, many receiving prescriptions, said Contra Costa County Health Director Anna Roth

San Mateo County officials not concerned about uptick in hospitalizations: COVID-19 transmission, test positivity and hospitalizations are increasing in San Mateo County, but county health officials said Tuesday that hospitalizations number fewer than during last summers delta surge, even though the level of viral transmission is similar. The level of COVID-19 hospitalizations is higher than it was in early April, San Mateo County Health Chief Louise Rogers told county supervisors Tuesday. But it is still relatively low, and were not concerned about the level of hospitalizations. As of Monday, there were 21 hospitalized COVID patients in the county.

Travelers still urged to wear masks, CDC says: U.S. health officials on Tuesday renewed a recommendation -- not a requirement -- that Americans wear masks on planes, trains and buses, despite a court ruling last month that struck down a national mask mandate on public transportation. In updated guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said everyone age 2 and older including passengers and workers should wear a well-fitting mask while in indoor areas of public transportation, as well as airports and stations, especially in locations that are crowded or poorly ventilated such as airport jetways. The guidance cited the increased spread of the virus and projected surges.

Impact of severe COVID on brain equivalent to 20 years of aging, study finds: Patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19 infection may suffer severe cognitive impairment, according to a new study by scientists from the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. The study followed a group of patients infected with the coronavirus during the first four months of the pandemic. It found that even 6 months after recovery, critical care patients exhibited signs of mental decline seen in normal aging and dementia and similar in magnitude to the effects of aging between 50 and 70 years of age.

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.

Hospitalizations climb in Bay Area and state: The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is continuing the steady rise that began in mid-April. As of Monday, 330 patients with COVID were in Bay Area hospitals, after falling as low as 217 on April 15. Throughout California, Monday saw 1,093 hospital patients with COVID, compared to the most recent low of 949 after the decline of the winter omicron surge. While the omicron subvariants now circulating generally cause less severe illness than earlier strains of the virus, the rise in hospitalizations has followed the upswing in cases again due to the highly infectious nature of these subvariants.

Vaccines for youngest children may arrive by June: The Food and Drug Administration has scheduled dates in June to review COVID-19 vaccine data for children 5 and under, the last remaining age group not yet cleared for the shots. The FDA meetings are typically the final step before authorizing the rollout of vaccines. The agencys outside panel of experts will meet on June 8, 21 and 22 to review applications from Moderna and Pfizer for child vaccines. The dates are tentative. We intend to move quickly with any authorizations that are appropriate once our work is completed, said Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

BA.2.12.1 spreading quickly as cases, hospitalizations rise in the U.S.: The highly contagious omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 was responsible for 36.5% of new coronavirus infections sequenced in the U.S. last week, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Thats a 924% increase since the first week in April, as the new strain crowds out its parent BA.2 and BA.1 mutations. The nation is averaging more than 57,020 new cases a day. Hospitalizations are also rising with an average of 1,840 new COVID-19 admissions per day last week, compared to 1,427 per day in the first week of April. While virus-related deaths continue to level off, there is growing concern from public health experts about long COVID and other virus-related complications, including long-term cardiovascular and neurological issues.

U.S. job market on a hot streak: Employers posted a record 11.5 million job openings in March, meaning the United States now has an unprecedented two job openings for every person who is unemployed, as the economy continues its roaring return from pandemic doldrums. Federal data Tuesday revealed an tight labor market that has emboldened millions to seek better paying jobs, while also contributing to the biggest inflation surge in four decades. A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in March  a sign that they are confident they can find better pay or improved working conditions. Layoffs, running around 1.8 million a month before the pandemic, ticked up to 1.4 million in March from 1.35 million in February.

UCSFs 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 citys 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 youve decided youre OK getting COVID ... then fine to keep mask off in crowded indoor spaces, he tweeted. If youd prefer to avoid COVID & have become less cautious, its time to re-think. Wachter cited his concerns about long COVID and other virus-related risks (heart/neuro/diabetes). For masking: Ill now do 100% N95 in crowded indoor spaces. People should keep their eyes open because theres a lot of COVID out there, he warned.

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 largest uptick in cases.

Airbnb nixes COVID-related refunds: Airbnb guests who cancel a reservation because of a COVID-19 infection soon wont 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.

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.

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.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  Oklahoma's Republican-led state Legislature passed several anti-abortion restrictions in recent weeks, part of a movement in conservative states to curtail women's reproductive rights.

Anti-abortion lawmakers are hopeful the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court, which already indicated in arguments it would uphold Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, might even overturn the nationwide right that has existed for nearly 50 years. A decision isn't expected before June.

Meanwhile, a new Texas law that bans most abortions and was designed to evade court challenges has been in effect nearly eight months, resulting in a major spike in abortions in Oklahoma as women in Texas head to surrounding states to receive services.

Here's a look at what's happening in Oklahoma and what experts say is expected in the coming months:

ARE OKLAHOMA'S ABORTION RESTRICTIONS EXPECTED TO STAND?

The first anti-abortion bill signed into law this year by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt would make performing an abortion a felony crime, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. That bill is scheduled to take effect in August, but it's likely to be struck down by the courts because the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion remains the law of the land and a state cannot make a felony something that SCOTUS says is a constitutional right," said Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law.

A lawsuit seeking to halt that measure was filed Thursday in district court, adding the challenge to an existing case in which five anti-abortion measures approved by lawmakers last year have been blocked from taking effect.

Abortion providers in Oklahoma say they are more concerned with two anti-abortion bills in the state that, like the Texas law, allow private citizens to sue doctors or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion for up to $10,000. Because that law empowers private parties, not the state, to enforce the ban, so far the U.S. Supreme Court has not determined that it is unconstitutional.

One Texas-style bill that prohibits abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy already is awaiting the governor's signature; another that bans essentially all abortions is still working through the Legislature.

We are more concerned at this point about these Texas-style bans because they have, at least recently, been able to continue and remain in effect, said Emily Wales, interim president and CEO at Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which operates two abortion clinics in Oklahoma.

Even though Oklahoma's governor has yet to sign the Texas-style ban, abortion rights activists are optimistic it could be halted by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which has blocked dozens of proposed anti-abortion laws in recent years.

HOW MANY ABORTIONS ARE PERFORMED IN OKLAHOMA?

The number of abortions performed each year in Oklahoma, which now has four abortion clinics, has declined steadily over the last two decades, from more than 6,200 in 2002 to 3,737 in 2020, the fewest in more than 20 years, according to data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health. In 2020, before the Texas law was passed, about 9% of the abortions performed in Oklahoma were women from Texas.

Those numbers are expected to spike dramatically because of the influx of Texas residents seeking abortions in Oklahoma. Before the Texas ban took effect on Sept. 1, about 40 women from Texas had abortions performed in Oklahoma each month, the data shows. That number jumped to 222 Texas women in September and 243 in October.

Were serving as many Texans as Oklahomans right now, in some cases more Texans than Oklahomans, Wales 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.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE GROUND IN OKLAHOMA?

Even though abortions are still legal in Oklahoma, Wales said many patients are uncertain because they've seen news stories about efforts to outlaw the practice. She said operators of the two clinics are slowing down scheduling appointments over concerns that there could be delays because of the new laws.

At this point we are being really cautious about opening new schedules, because we dont want patients to make travel arrangements, schedule time off work, get to Oklahoma and then find out the governor signed a bill and you can no longer access care here," she said.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

It's not clear how soon the courts in Oklahoma might act, although judges in the past have issued temporary injunctions within weeks of legal challenges being filed.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers in Oklahoma who have sought to restrict or outlaw abortion for decades are buoyed by the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court may allow states to regulate or ban the practice.

Combined with other Oklahoma statutes now on the books, it is hoped the practice of abortion will cease in our state for all time," said Rep. Todd Russ, a Republican from Cordell who wrote Oklahoma's Texas-style bill. We will continue our work until that is accomplished.

Oklahoma is one of 22 states that have laws in place that would immediately ban abortions if the high court were to overturn or fundamentally weaken its Roe v. Wade decision, according to the Guttmacher Institute in New York, a think tank that supports abortion rights.
MEXICO CITY  Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are camping out in Mexico City and waiting for the U.S. government to allow them into the country.

About 500 evacuees were waiting Tuesday in large tents under a searing sun on a dusty field on the east side of Mexicos sprawling capital. The camp has been open only a week and from 50 to 100 people are arriving every day.

Some refugees have already been to the U.S. border in Tijuana where they were told they would no longer be admitted. Others arrived at airports in Mexico City or Cancun.

The U.S. government announced in late March that it would accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Hundreds entered Mexico daily as tourists in Mexico City or Cancun and flew to Tijuana to wait for a few days to be admitted to the U.S. at a San Diego border crossing on humanitarian parole.

Giorgi Mikaberidze, 19, arrived in Tijuana April 25 and found the U.S. border closed. He went from being just yards from the United States to some 600 miles (966 kilometers) away in the Mexico City area. He said he traveled to Mexico alone.

Its very difficult to wait. We dont know how the program will work, he said.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russia storms Mariupol steel plant as some evacuees reach safety

 Debt drama far from over for Russia even though it dodges default

 Biden visit highlights strain on US weapons stockpile

 Pope Francis offers to meet Putin, but hasn't heard back

 German opposition leader visits Ukraine; chancellor refuses to go

Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden's national security adviser met Tuesday with a Swedish foreign affairs officials and committed to continuing close coordination on security issues, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said.

NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Oscar Stenstrom, state secretary for foreign affairs to Sweden's prime minister, discussed the security situation in Europe in light of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The topics included ongoing efforts to support Ukraine and impose costs on Russia, Watson said.

____

WASHINGTON  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the war in Ukraine has worsened problems in the Western Hemisphere caused by the coronavirus pandemic, such as rising poverty.

Concerns about the war decreasing the availability of food and increasing prices have sparked fears of increasing hunger and starvation in other nations. Blinken told the annual Conference of the Americas Luncheon on Tuesday that the effects of the war are being felt after the pandemic inflicted massive economic harm throughout the region.

Giving the luncheons keynote address in Washington, Blinken said: Now, with the Russian governments brutal war of aggression on Ukraine, many of these preexisting problems, these preexisting conditions, have been made worse, raising the price of essential commodities throughout the Americas, from fertilizer to wheat to petroleum, cutting off key export markets for many industries in the Americas, and forcing households across the region to make very wrenching choices as the cost of living skyrockets.

Blinken plans to chair two United Nations meetings later this month aimed at spotlighting how the war in Ukraine and other conflicts is affecting the availability of food and prices.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian officials say the Russian military has struck railroad infrastructure across the country.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, the head of the Ukrainian railways, said the Russian strikes on Tuesday hit six railway stations in the countrys central and western regions, inflicting heavy damage.

Kamyshin said at least 14 trains were delayed because of the attacks.

Dnipro region Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said Russian missiles struck railway infrastructure in the area, leaving one person wounded and disrupting train movement.

The Ukrainian military also reported strikes on railways in the Kirovohrad region, saying there were unspecified casualties.

Ukraines railroads have played an important role in moving people, goods and military supplies during the war as roads and bridges have been damaged.

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TROY, Ala.  President Joe Biden on Tuesday credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant for doing life-saving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine to stifle Russias invasion as he made a pitch for Congress to approve $33 billion so the U.S. can continue hustle aid to the front lines.

Youre allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves, Biden told the workers, his podium flanked by Javelin missile launchers and shipping containers. And, quite frankly, theyre making fools of the Russian military in many instances.

The presidents visit to the Lockheed Martin factory in Alabama also drew attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, 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 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.

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.

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UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. humanitarian chief in Ukraine says about 30 people who came out of the besieged Avostal steel plant in Mariupol chose not to leave the city, saying they were horrified at its total devastation and first wanted to find out if their loved ones were still alive.

Osnat Lubrani told a virtual press conference from the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia soon after the arrival Tuesday of 127 people evacuated from the plant and the town of Manhush on Mariupols outskirts that she wants to believe the successful operation will be a stepping stone to more such operations from Avostal and other towns and cities being shelled and bombarded by the Russians.

She said there is knowledge that there are civilians still trapped in the Avostal plant, but the U.N. has no numbers.

Some of them may have been afraid to come out, some of them probably couldnt make it, Lubrani said. Its a huge area and some of the elderly people could hardly walk and a broken bus with flat tires was used to help some of them leave.

Speaking of the people who wanted to stay in Mariupol, she said, These are people that have lived their lives and worked in Mariupol and so it was difficult for them to just leave without knowing what the fate of their loved ones is.

Lubrani said the people still trapped underground in the Avostal plant will hear about the safe evacuation to Zaporizhzhia which is very important, so if we do another operation, I think hopefully more will come out.

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The Russian military says its artillery has hit over 400 Ukrainian targets during the last day.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Tuesday that the targets included Ukrainian artillery positions, troops strongholds and two fuel depots.

Konashenkov said Russian aircrafts have hit 39 other targets, including concentrations of troops and weapons and two command posts.

He charged that a U.S.-supplied artillery radar, four air defense radars and six ammunition depots were among the targets destroyed with precision-guided weapons over the last day.

Konashenkovs claims couldnt be independently verified.

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LVIV, Ukraine  Russian strikes have apparently targeted the western Ukraine city of Lviv.

The strikes happened in multiple directions just before 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday  about about an hour and a half after air raid sirens sounded in the city and reportedly went off across the entire country. At least four distinct explosions could be heard from downtown Lviv.

Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the strikes damaged three power substations, knocking electricity off in parts of Lviv. Two pump stations were also without power, affecting water supply in the city. Two people were injured in the attack, according to the mayor.

Sadovyi wrote on a social message app that those in the city should take shelter. Trains coming out of Lviv stopped service. Car alarms went off after the blasts, and emergency sirens could be heard.

The mayor on Monday had a news conference with the countrys top U.S. diplomat, discussing how America planned to reopen its diplomatic presence in the city located near the Polish border.

The last major attack targeting the city came April 18, which killed at least seven people. Lviv has become a haven for those fleeing the wars front line in the east.

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PARIS  French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call Tuesday with Vladimir Putin, stressed the extreme gravity of the consequences of Russias war of aggression in Ukraine, and called on the Russian leader to allow evacuations from the Mariupol steel mill to continue, the Elysee Palace said.

Macron urged Russia to rise to the level of its responsibility as a permanent member of the U.S. Security Council by ending this devastating aggression, an Elysee statement said.

Macron asked Putin to restart evacuations at the Azovstal plant, which has served as a refuge for Ukrainians, in coordination with humanitarian units, while allowing evacuees to choose their destination, as called for under international law.

It was the first time that the French president has had a conversation with Putin since March 29  before the discovery of the exactions in the Ukrainian town of Bucha  after multiple telephone talks. The call came three days after Macron last spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Concerned about world food security, Macron said he was willing to work with international organizations to try to help seek a lifting of the Russian blockade on exports of food goods via the Black Sea, according to the statement.

He also restated his willingness to work on conditions for a negotiated solution to the war, for peace and for full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and reiterated his oft-stated demand for a cease-fire, the statement said.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The Donetsk regional governor said the Russian troops on Tuesday shelled a chemical plant in Avdiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine, killing at least 10 people and wounding 15 more.

The Russians knew exactly where to aim  the workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home, Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. Another cynical crime by Russians on our land.

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GENEVA  A top Red Cross official helping oversee a dramatic, five-day effort that led to the evacuation of dozens of civilians from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to a government-held city said he remains extremely concerned about new clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces there  with some other civilians still inside.

Pascal Hundt, who heads the Ukraine office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the humanitarian agency and the United Nations carried out the evacuation after Russia and Ukraine agreed that it would only include civilians. He said some people simply chose not to leave, and he didnt know why  but suspected fear about continued fighting played a part.

A total of 127 people were evacuated from Azovstal and the Mariupol area in buses that arrived in government-controlled Zaporizhzia on Tuesday.

We are today with a mixed feeling. We have done everything to help these people to basically leave the place where they were  to leave hell, Hundt said in a call with reporters from Kyiv. But we would have hoped that much more people would be able to join the convoy and to get out of hell.

Hundt said about a dozen people taken out in the convoy were sick or injured, but none were in critical condition.

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Latvia has summoned Russias ambassador to the Baltic country over Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs anti-Semitic statements, the Latvian foreign minister said Tuesday.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The ambassador was to provide explanations on May 5 and receive a protest, Edgars Rinkevics wrote on Twitter.

In an interview with an Italian news channel, Lavrov said that Ukraine could still have Nazi elements even if some figures  including the countrys president  were Jewish, claiming that Hitler also had Jewish origins.

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BRUSSELS  The European Unions top diplomat says the blocs executive branch is on the cusp of proposing a new raft of sanctions against Russia, including on oil.

EU policy commissioners have been discussing the new sanctions and are set to send their proposals later Tuesday to the 27 member countries for debate.

The unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a tweet that the executive is working on the 6th package of sanctions which aims to de-swift more banks, list disinformation actors and tackle oil imports. Swift is the most widely used international system for bank transfers.

Member countries have been involved in drawing up the proposals, but they routinely take days to endorse them. The sanctions can only enter force once they are published in the EUs Official Journal. Hungary and Slovakia have already expressed reservations about signing on.

EU ambassadors are scheduled to meet on Wednesday. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also likely to explain the proposals early Wednesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

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MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin has told French President Emmanuel Macron that Moscow is ready for talks with Ukraine.

The Kremlin said in its readout of Tuesdays call that despite Kyivs inconsistency and its lack of readiness for serious work, the Russian side is still ready for dialogue.

The Kremlin added that Putin also informed Macron about the course of Russias special military operation. It added that the two leaders also discussed the global food security and Putin underlined that Western sanctions have exacerbated the situation.

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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  The U.N.s aid coordinator for Ukraine says 127 people have been evacuated from the besieged Azovstal plant in Mariupol and nearby areas to a government-controlled city, in an operation carried out along with the international Red Cross.

Osnat Lubrani, the humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said Tuesday that those evacuated included 101 people who could finally leave the bunkers below the Azovstal steelworks and see the daylight after two months.

Another 58 people joined the convoy in Manhush, a town on the outskirts of Mariupol.

Today, we brought people safely to Zaporizhzhia, Lubriani said. However, I worry that there may be more civilians who remain trapped.

The evacuees were receiving humanitarian assistance, including health and psychological care, from the U.N, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and partner agencies after arriving in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday.

Some of the evacuees opted to be dropped off before arriving in the city, which is in government-controlled territory, Lubriani said in a statement.

 This item has been corrected to fix the spelling of Osnat Lubranis last name.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The deputy commander of the Azov Regiment that is holed up in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol has confirmed to The Associated Press that Russian forces have started to storm the plant on Tuesday.

The move comes almost two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered its military not to storm the plant, but rather block it off.

Asked about the reports in Ukrainian media that the huge steelworks  the last holdout of Ukrainian resistance in a city otherwise controlled by Moscows forces  was being stormed, Sviatoslav Palamar told the AP that it is true.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mariupol patrol police chief Mykhailo Vershinin was quoted by Ukrainian television as saying that the Russian military have started to storm the plant in several places.

The reports come amid a U.N. effort to evacuate civilians from the plant, which helped scores of people escape the sprawling facility.

According to Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard who is also currently at Azovstal, 200 civilians including children remain at the plant.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk told reporters Tuesday that about 150 civilians have been taken from Azovstal and a few hundred remain at the plant. We need a few more days to continue this operation, Vereshchuk said.

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged her visiting Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, to try to influence Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Putin has to stop this war, Frederiksen said Tuesday, adding immediately, I hope that India will influence Russia.

Indias neutral stance in the war has raised concerns in the West and earned praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who lauded India for judging the situation in its entirety, not just in a one-sided way.

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LONDON  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told Ukraines parliament that their country has achieved the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century by repelling Russias attempt to capture Kyiv.

Johnson addressed lawmakers in Ukraines legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, by video link on Tuesday. He is the first world leader to do so since Ukraine was invaded on Feb. 24.

Johnson, one of Ukraines most prominent international supporters, announced a new 300 million pound ($375 million) package of military aid to Ukraine, including radar, drones and armored vehicles.

Johnson said Ukraine had exploded the myth of (Russian President Vladimir) Putins invincibility, and expressed confidence Ukraine would win the war.

The British leader said Western allies had not done enough to stop Russia after it annexed Crimea and triggered a conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014, and said Ukraines allies should not press it to give up territory to make peace.

He said you are the masters of your fate, and no-one can or should impose anything on Ukrainians. We in the U.K. will be guided by you and we are proud to be your friends.
Regarding Protest, sue, lobby for access to JFK Drive (Letters to the Editor, May 2): People keep acting like they closed down all of Golden Gate Park to cars. This stretch of John F. Kennedy Drive that is closed to traffic is 9% of all roads in the park.

One can still drive there and park somewhere, such as the garage right underneath the museums. Please keep your suburban car brain off of my citys one retreat away from the steel and glass, gas-guzzling dinosaurs.

I thank the mayor, supervisors and everyone involved for this gift of peace and calm in a chaotic car-centered world.

James Farinacci, San Francisco

Uphold police standards

Twice in past weeks The Chronicle has run stories about San Francisco police nonfeasance: officers explaining to crime victims that they are too busy, its not important enough (to them!) and that the rest of the justice system wouldnt do its job following up.

The citys dissatisfaction with current crime levels is palpable. The petition to recall District Attorney Chesa Boudin is partly driven by the fact that no such action is possible to address police and judicial inaction and avoidance of responsibility.

News stories almost never name the judges who release repeat offenders despite prosecutorial recommendations to the contrary, although many of those judges are elected. If the rest of the justice system is failing to back the police, all the more reason for officers to do their jobs fully to demonstrate where the system is failing.

Police have a key job to do in our society. Holding all their members to the highest standards is the surest way to reclaim the respect they have lost to the cynicism and failure of duty of a sadly visible minority.

The officers who couldnt take the time to apprehend the thieves in Sundays column by Heather Knight (Dad solves thefts, but still no arrests) owe their fellow police better.

Miriam Mueller, San Francisco

More cops not answer

Regarding Recalling Boudin wont stop anti-Asian hate (Insight, May 1): Soleil Ho argues persuasively that policing and prisons can neither solve nor prevent violent crime in San Francisco.

Its naive to assume placing people in prisons will end the cycle of violence, they write. On the front of the Bay Area section, though, columnist Heather Knight tells the story of personal items stolen from the trunk of a car and demands justice in the form of, you guessed it, increased policing, penalties and imprisonment. Despite the fact that the victim in Knights column has recovered his possessions, as well as the fact that all available evidence shows harsh penalties not to deter crime, she presents it as a case of justice denied.

If Knight doesnt know that the way to decrease property crime in San Francisco is at its causes, rather than by punishing the poor people who commit it, maybe Ho can explain it to her.

Jacob Leland, Oakland

Give people a break

After projections that say California will have billions in surplus money, the Democratic-controlled state government has not uttered one word on cutting the vehicle registration tax, cutting bridge tolls, suspending gas tax or any other tax to help those that dont live in multimillion-dollar homes.

While gas prices are running out of control, what are the Democrats doing, debating, while our bank accounts are being drained? I hate to say it, but I believe we need more Republicans to stop the Democrats from killing this beautiful state.
News that the Supreme Court is set to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision on abortion rights, according to a leaked draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito and published by Politico, is reverberating across the country and California.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and two top California lawmakers are preparing an amendment to the state Constitution that would protect access to abortion in the state.

Such a decision had been expected since the Supreme Court acquired a majority of Republican-appointed justices, but a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion is unprecedented in modern history. If made official, the opinion as worded would likely mean the end of federally sanctioned abortion rights in the U.S., leaving it up to states to affirm or deny a womans right to terminate her pregnancy and under what circumstances.

Latest updates:

Hundreds gather in Oakland, S.F. to protest leaked decision

Hundreds of demonstrators protested the leaked Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in cities across the U.S. Protesters gathered in Oakland and San Francisco and vowed to fight to protect the rights of women to terminate unwanted pregnancies.

Breed calls potential high court decision on Roe horrific

Mayor London Breed, like other Democratic politicians, voiced horror at the reported Supreme Court readiness to overturn Roe v. Wade. "We cannot stand by while SCOTUS and those seeking to take us back assault women's rights. This horrific decision would not only inflict harm on women across our country but would threaten the fundamental rights of all Americans," she tweeted.

Congressional Republicans keep it general

Republican leaders in Congress on Tuesday generally avoided promising specific national restrictions on abortion if the Supreme Court throws out abortion protections, the Hill reports.

"All of this puts the cart before the horse, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters when asked if he would back legislation to federally restrict abortion if voters return the Senate to Republican control. He urged reporters to concentrate on what the news is today ... the fact that the draft was leaked."

In the House, GOP leaders expressed general support for restricting abortion, but did not call for specific restrictions on the national level.

"House Republicans are committed to upholding the sanctity of life, and we will continue to fight to be a voice for the truly voiceless. There is nothing more special, extraordinary, and worth fighting for than the miracle of life," said a joint statement from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and House GOP conference chair Elise Stefanik of New York.

The Bay Area reaction to Roe v. Wade: We will never stop fighting

In the wake of the leak of a Supreme Court draft decision striking down Roe v. Wade, we gathered reactions from Bay Area officials to the news that the court had voted privately to overturn the landmark legislation. This is what they had to say.

Overturning Roe v. Wade could make it harder to get abortions in rural California. Heres why

California residents have better access to abortion services than just about any other state in the country, but even here wide disparities exist based on geography and socioeconomic factors, and overturning Roe v. Wade could worsen their situation, according to experts in reproductive care and policy.

Read more on how abortions could become harder to get in some parts of California here.

Theyre coming for us next: Draft Roe v. Wade ruling sends panic through LGBTQ community

If the right to privacy that courts have ruled is provided by the U.S. Constitution was a home, Roe v. Wade would be the foundation and subsequent rulings enshrining LGBTQ rights would be akin to the floors built above.

LGBTQ activists and legal scholars say thats why the revelation that the Supreme Court is set to overturn Roe v. Wade, the historic case protecting abortion rights, has sent a wave of panic through the community as many question whether rulings protecting same-sex marriage could be targeted next.

Supreme Court leak was stunningly rare

The circle of people who would see a draft Supreme Court ruling like the one by Justice Samuel Alito that was leaked to Politico is not big: about 70 might see it at that draft stage, according to the Associated Press.

While a titanic breach, the leak was not completely unprecedented. Leaks of lesser magnitude have occurred in the past: In 1973, Time magazines David Beckwith reported on the outcome of Roe v. Wade before the decision was published. Since the magazine was a weekly, Beckwiths scoop arrived just hours before the decision was made public. In the late 1970s, ABCs Tim OBrien had a half a dozen scoops on rulings.

The reports both astonished and upset the justices, according to a book by Barrett McGurn, the courts former public information officer. Then-Chief Justice Warren Burger suspected someone in the courts print shop was the leaker.

Obamas decry news of high court's likely ruling

Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama on Tuesday called on people to fight for the guaranteed right to abortion by joining with activists in local protests, volunteering for campaigns and voting for candidates who support abortion rights. In a lengthy statement posted on Twitter, they wrote that if the Supreme Court overturns the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, "it will relegate the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues." Referring to the presidential duty to nominate Supreme Court nominees and the Senate's duty to confirm or reject them, the Obamas said people should remember that "elections have consequences." They also said a reversal of Roe "would be a blow not just to women, but to all of us who believe that in a free society, there are limits to how much the government can encroach on our personal lives."

Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approves $3 million Planned Parenthood expansion

On Tuesday, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved spending $3 million to expand medical services and training at Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, California's largest Planned Parenthood clinic, which anticipates serving an additional 200 to 500 patients from out of state each week once the Supreme Court ruling becomes law. The Mar Monte clinic saw an increase of 80 patients after Texas severely restricted abortions last year, and health workers expect the number to tick up dramatically once states have the latitude to enact their own bans. The leaked Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade has made real the fears of so many of us. If this opinion becomes final it will be a tragic day for America, for the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, and for personal liberty and freedom, Supervisor Cindy Chavez, who wrote the legislation to make the funds available, said in a statement.

This opinion says that we as a society do not trust doctors, and we do not trust women to make the best decisions for themselves and for their families.

Northern California conservatives cheer Roe v. Wade as liberals rage

Even as liberal-leaning Northern California residents agonized Tuesday over the likelihood that Roe v. Wade would be overturned, restricting abortion for millions of women across the country, their conservative neighbors in the region cheered the news. Read the full story here.

Rep. Barbara Lee says potential end of Roe v. Wade would be a shattering blow

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a Democrat from Oakland, urged the Senate to preemptively codify Roe into federal law by passing the Womens Health Protection Act  a bill introduced last year to preserve an individuals right to terminate a pregnancy  and abolishing the filibuster. We all knew the odds, but it is nonetheless shocking to see the Supreme Court move towards overturning 50 years of precedent in a stunning revocation of our right to have an abortion, Lee said in a statement. If accurate, this decision will deal a shattering blow to millions, especially low-income people and women of color.

S.F. supervisor considers legislation to give financial aid to women seeking abortions

In San Francisco, Supervisor Hillary Ronen said she planned to introduce two pieces of legislation at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday afternoon in response to the draft Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade.

The first is a resolution urging President Biden to offer federal lands to private entities seeking to open abortion clinics in states where abortion is banned.

Secondly, Ronen will request that the citys budget and legislative analyst determine the cost of a program to sponsor women seeking to fly to San Francisco, stay in a hotel and obtain an abortion. Ronen chairs the Board of Supervisors budget and finance committee, and told the Chronicle she intends to launch such a program in the coming fiscal year and accommodate as many women as we can.

A good starting place for a pilot program would be to sponsor 1,000 women, Ronen said, noting that the city could find ways to lower costs, for instance by procuring a block of hotel rooms at a reduced price. Once city officials have finished the financial analysis, she and other supporters will decide whether to create a program by legislation, or via an agreement with the Department of Public Health.

The idea would be not only to do it here, but to encourage other cities throughout the state to ... sponsor women across the country ... so that poor women arent required to seek dangerous, life-threatening operations as has happened prior to Roe v. Wade, Ronen said.

State Democratic parties urge Congress to codify abortion rights

Democratic parties representing territories and all 50 states are calling on Congress to codify abortion protections as they anticipate a possible Supreme Court ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade. In a joint statement reported by the Hill, the parties said they would work tirelessly to recruit, train, and support Democratic candidates for state and federal office who will fight for the right to abortion. We encourage our federal legislators to codify Roe immediately. We cannot and will not wait, the Democratic parties said. They said many Democrats live in areas where abortion access has been curtailed by actions supported by an extremist group of right wing primary voters and donors.

Senators vent fury at GOP abortion foes

Furious Senate Democrats stood on the Capitol steps Tuesday afternoon and lambasted Republicans over the possibility that the Supreme Court could overturn the Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision, They vowed to fight to codify the right to an abortion in the legislature, the Washington Post reports. The Supreme Courts leaked draft opinion is a five-alarm fire, said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. I am furious, furious that Republicans could be this cruel, that the Supreme Court could be this heartless, that in legislatures across the country, extreme Republicans are ready for their trigger bans to go into effect, she said. Sen. Debbie Stabenow predicted that if Roe v. Wade falls, her state, Michigan, would revert to a 1931 law that makes any abortion a felony, without exceptions for rape or incest.

Daughter of Jane Roe reacts to draft Supreme Court opinion

Melissa Mills, the first child of Roe v. Wade plaintiff Norma Leah Nelson McCorvey, a.k.a. Jane Roe, described feeling disbelief when she saw the Supreme Courts draft opinion leaked Monday night. Mills was 8 years old when the Court ruled to legalize abortion in 1973, a case triggered by her mothers unsuccessful attempts to terminate her third pregnancy. McCorvey ultimately gave birth to the Roe baby and placed the child for adoption. McCorvey worked for years as a low-profile pro-choice advocate, then shifted to join the anti-abortion movement in the 1990s, Mills said, adding that McCorvey was always passionate about helping women. I just cant believe that were going to step back 50 years, Mills, who is now a pediatric nurse in Texas, told The Chronicle.

Amazon to pay for employee travel to get abortions

Amazon told staff members Monday it will pay up to $4,000 a year for travel expenses to access non-life threatening medical treatments including abortions, Reuters reported. Reuters said that decision makes the online retailer the latest company after Citigroup, Yelp and others to help employees bypass Republican-backed state laws curbing abortion access. Amazons new benefit is retroactive to Jan. 1, and applies if an operation is not available within 100 miles of an employees home and virtual care is not possible, Reuters said citing a company message seen by the news organization.

Majority of Americans support upholding Roe v. Wade, poll shows

A majority of Americans said the U.S. Supreme Court should uphold Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll conducted last week. With the Supreme Court poised to overturn Roe, the survey found that 54% of Americans think the 1973 Roe decision should be upheld, while 28% believe it should be overturned  a roughly 2-to-1 margin.

VP Harris says rights of all Americans at risk from Roe draft ruling

Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement following the release of the U.S. Supreme Courts draft ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade, saying that the potential demise of the landmark ruling presented a grave risk to personal privacy. If the right to privacy is weakened, every person could face a future in which the government could potentially interfere in the personal decisions you make about your life, Harris said in the statement.

With Roe in jeopardy, concern mounts over fate of Obergefell decision

Now that the Roe v. Wade decision appears to be in jeopardy, legal observers have shifted their attention to a more recent landmark decision, Obergefell v. Hodges, which guaranteed same-sex couples the right to marry in 2015. Justice Alitos leaked draft opinion explicitly refers to the Obergefell civil rights case and another, Lawrence v. Texas, which grants the right to engage in private consensual sex acts, preventing states from criminally punishing people who commit sodomy. These attempts to justify abortion through appeals to a broader right to autonomy and to define ones concept of existence prove too much, the draft opinion states. Some commentators have interpreted this statement as a harbinger that later civil rights decisions, including Obergefell, could also be at risk.

Chief justice opens investigation into leaked draft opinion

Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion that appears poised to overturn Roe v. Wade and that was first published by Politico on Monday. The leak of the opinion was unprecedented in the modern history of the court. Roberts called it a singular and egregious breach of the trust necessary for the court to function. In a statement, Roberts said he had directed court officials to open an investigation into the source of the leak.

With Roe v. Wade set to fall, California readies constitutional amendment to protect abortion access

Gov. Gavin Newsom and two top California lawmakers are preparing an amendment to the state Constitution that would protect access to abortion in the state, after the revelation Monday that the U.S. Supreme Court appeared poised to strike down Roe v. Wade. Read more on Californias constitutional amendment.

Bay Area supervisors seek funding for out-of-state abortion patients

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. The newly created California Future of Abortion Council  a group of 40 organizations including Planned Parenthood, Black Women for Wellness Action Project and the ACLU  released a list of 45 recommendations to prepare for a seismic shift in abortion access, from a package of potential new legislation to funding for out-of-state people traveling west for help to a call to train more health providers to perform the procedure.

Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

This California doctor travels to perform abortions. Soon, it could be California that needs out-of-state doctors

Last year, we followed a California doctor who travels to Oklahoma to perform abortions. She goes at least once a month because the clinic cant find enough local doctors to perform abortions in a state where the procedure is culturally shunned  and demand is surging. Traditionally, most doctors have avoided politics. But to Taub this is work rooted in social justice and as urgent as ever, when the right to an abortion soon could virtually disappear in many states, even as 1 in 4 women terminates a pregnancy by the time she is 45, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Abortion is political, Taub said. Theres no way to uncouple providing this care from the political aspect of it. Politics have a direct impact on the work that we do every day. Read the full story on California doctors role in abortion rights across state lines.

Supreme Court has voted to strike down Roe v. Wade, leaked draft shows

The U.S. Supreme Court voted privately to strike down the Roe vs. Wade decision on abortion rights, according to a leaked draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito that Politico published Monday night. The Politico report is based on an unpublished draft majority high court decision to strike down the landmark 1973 law that legalized abortion, as well as the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey decision affirming the right. Read the full story here.
A black bear hanging out in a tree near a school in Vacaville, Calif., on Monday, temporarily shut down roads in the area as people were asked to give the animal space, officials said.

The Vacaville Police Department first posted an alert on Facebook early Monday warning the public of a black bear in the 200 block of North Orchard Avenue.

A video posted online showed the adorable-looking animal in a tree but police told people to stay away.

"If you see the bear, the safest course of action will be to avoid him, keep doors and windows closed, and consider bringing any pets inside," police said.

Officers guarded the bear while students entered the nearby Willis Jepson Middle School while the school's three back entrances were closed.

Some roads were also temporarily closed, including Hemlock Street between North Orchard and Fir Street. Also, only minimal traffic was allowed on North Orchard.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife told KCRA "the bear is relaxing and not showing any signs of aggression." Officials plan to let the bear remain in the area overnight in hopes that it will leave on its own. If not, officials will tranquilize and relocate it, KCRA reported.

At 4:40 p.m., police said all roads were reopened.

"While we dont find bears in Vacaville every day, this isnt an uncommon occurrence," police said. "Remember the safest bear encounter is one we prevent  please do not seek out the bear for curiosity, photographs, or selfies. Bring in those trash cans after pickup."
A man scaled San Francisco's 1,070-foot-tall Salesforce Tower on Tuesday morning without any ropes, and when he made it to the top after 10 a.m. he was met by police and arrested, officials said.

"Officers have developed [probable] cause to arrest the subject but charges are still pending," the San Francisco Police Department said in a statement. "At minimum he will be arrested for trespassing."

The man, who goes by Maison Des Champs on Instagram, calls himself a "pro life Spiderman."

"I am a rock climber that has recently started climbing Skyscrapers to end abortion," his website says.

Many people posted images and video on social media. Tom Metcalfe of Oakland was walking down Mission Street at 9:35 a.m. on his way to a conference when he saw the unusual sight.

"I noticed the police sealing off the area around Salesforce Tower," Metcalfe said. "A couple of people were looking up and so I glanced up and I saw a man climbing up the tower. He was a third of the way up the tower and making quick progress. It looked like he knew what he was doing. He was clambering up the outside."

The San Francisco Police Department said it received a report of an individual climbing the building at 9:21 a.m.

"Officers observed a male on the side of the building several floors up from the street ascending on his own power," police said.

San Francisco Fire Department

Police spokesperson Robert Rueca said at 10 a.m. that police blocked off streets in the area and were trying to make contact with the climber. Medics are on the scene.

The San Francisco Fire Department said on Twitter that the climber is placing firefighters' lives and the public's safety at risk.

"AVOID THE AREA and join us in condemning this action," the fire department wrote on Twitter.

"Incident resolved," the San Francisco Fire Department posted on Twitter at 10:56 a.m. "Climber is now with @SFPD."

Opened in 2018, the Salesforce Tower is the tallest building in San Francisco. The top of the building features a permanent multi-million-dollar art installation by San Francisco artist Jim Campbell. The installation consists of 11,000 LED lights that can display low-resolution moving color imagery.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available.
LATEST May 3, 1:15 p.m. Police said Tuesday afternoon that a 15-year-old girl reported missing in Fremont was located and reunited with her family.

The Fremont Police Department did not say where Magaly Belen Flores Marquez was found.
COVID-19 cases are rising in California and UCSF's Dr. Bob Wachter posted on Twitter Monday that he's returning to more cautious behavior and putting his mask back on in indoor public spaces where they may not be required.

Wachter made clear that it's an individual's choice whether to grow more cautious based on their personal risk tolerance, consistent with messaging from other Bay Area health experts post-omicron.

"In last month, SF has become far less mask-y," Wachter wrote on Twitter. "At this point, if you've decided you're OK getting Covid (which isn't crazy if vaxxed/boosted), then fine to keep mask off in crowded indoor spaces. If you'd prefer to avoid Covid & have become less cautious, it's time to re-think."

Wachter said he's covering his face again because he prefers to avoid COVID. He said he's mostly worried about long COVID symptoms and long-term risks including damage to the heart, neurological impacts and diabetes.

"I'll now do 100% N95 in crowded indoor spaces," Wachter wrote. "I'll strongly favor outdoor to indoor dining, though will eat indoors in small groups (recognizing it's a risk, but it seems worth it). You should make your own choice, but do it w/ eyes open: there's a lot of Covid out there."

Wachter is the chair of the department of medicine at UCSF and has been tweeting about COVID-19 for more than two years, sharing regular updates with his views on the state of the pandemic in San Francisco and worldwide.

After a January peak amid the omicron surge, San Francisco saw a significant drop in cases and the city eased the health mandate, no longer requiring masking in most indoor public spaces. Cases are going back upthough it's hard to know by just how much as state and city data is less reliable since there are fewer testing sites and more people are testing at home. Wachter said the asymptomatic test positive rate at UCSF, where patients must get tested before certain procedures or if they're staying overnight, is a good proxy for community prevalence. He said in the last week, the rate is up three-fold, rising to 3.4%, meaning 1 in 30 people in San Francisco are asymptomatic.

"I'd slipped a bit re: masking in non-crowded spaces, & gotten less careful re: restaurants," Wachter said. "I'm resuming more cautious behavior."
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.

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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
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ Extra Space Storage Inc. (EXR) on Tuesday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The results beat Wall Street expectations.

The real estate investment trust, based in Salt Lake City, said it had funds from operations of $286.5 million, or $2.01 per share, in the period.
The sounds of bilge pumps churning and industrial-sized engines trying to fire combine with Steely Dans "Deacon Blues" dripping out of a single crackly speaker to score a too-bright early spring afternoon in the tiny Central Coast fishing port of Morro Bay.

Jeff French, who  at least according to his neighbors in the slips  has been fishing these waters since he was two, steps out from inside the control room of his vessel. Blue baseball cap pulled low over sunglasses, French still has to shade his eyes and let himself adjust to the midday sun.

Commercial salmon fishing season opens in early May and, like his contemporaries, French is busy making last-minute adjustments. Eighteen- to 20-hour days and an uncertain haul await.

He surveys the harbor before focusing on me. He leans in. Now whats that you want to know about the stacks? he asks.

The lasting power of the Morro Bay stacks

All morning Ive been patrolling the shoreline trying to figure out what, if any, utility the Morro Bay smokestacks have today. There are three of them. They are massive, dormant, decaying and dangerous. And thanks to a Morro Bay City Council decision last November, theyre slated to come down sometime between now and 2028.

The smokestacks are one of Californias great architectural missteps of the 20th century. A pollution-spewing, permanent eyesore; ghastly and oversized monuments. A tribute to a postwar give-us-the-budget-and-well-build-it mentality stamped right on, and looming precariously over, one of the already more dramatic stretches of coastline in California.

The stacks, as theyre known to locals, also happen to be beloved.

The stacks subculture

The best-selling sweatshirt in Morro Bay surf shop Wavelengths is a logo with a silhouette of a power plant and three oversized smokestacks rising from it that says 3 Stacks and a Rock, the towns unofficial catchphrase.

Photo By Andrew Pridgen

A local microbrewery by the same name produces stacks-themed IPAs and pilsners.

Walk around any Morro Bay residential street and youre bound to see a crew from Pauls Precision Painting coating a home in white primer, the three stacks image slapped onto their trucks, trailers and T-shirts.

One of the most popular waterfront wine bars and bistros in town is, of course, named STAX.

Local surfers sometimes have the stacks outline tattooed on their forearms or on the inside of their wrists. Take a drive up and down the arterial Harbor Street and spy a handful of stacks-related display signs in stores or vanity plates on cars. Theres even a sign to flash with both your hands to declare your local legitimacy: throw your three middle fingers up to represent the stacks on your left and a fist to represent Morro Rock on the right.

The stacks are, quite literally, everywhere.

Were from from the Valley, from Fresno and to us  as kids coming from there to the beach  as soon as you see the stacks you know youre here, you know youre someplace special, says Johnny Fonseca, out for a walk on the wharf with his wife, Martha. Its not that bad on the eyes and I think its a part of Morro Bay.

People recognize us for the structure. It should stay, keep em.

'The blight is the point'

Fonseca is not in the minority. Somehow the stacks, so out of place, so massive and gray and foreboding that they couldnt help but quell a public into submission, have become the main ingredient in the towns identity. Maybe their grandeur is part of the reason they've been stitched from the sight line into the public consciousness to the extent that even in their decline, they inspire love and loyalty.

Photo By Andrew Pridgen

Maybe the blight is the point, laughs Tom Jamason, a Templeton resident on a recent visit to admire the old power plants footprint. I guess if you put something up for 70 years it becomes an icon. I should be an icon.

Parent company has ties to Enron

The Morro Bay Power Plant opened with a single smokestack in 1955. By the end of the decade, one became a trio. PG&E operated the plant from its opening until 1998, when it was sold to Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke Energy. Duke in turn sold to Houston, Texas-based Dynegy in 2007, which closed the plant in 2014 because of the expense to maintain it after nearly 60 years of operation. Dynegy, having run up a mountain of debt after acquiring corporate fraud behemoth Enrons pipelines in 2002 following that company's historic collapse, was eventually sold to Irving, Texas-based Vistra for $10.7 billion in 2017. Vistra assumed Dynegys assets, including the shuttered Morro Bay plant, along with its $9 billion in debt at the time of the sale.

And the 450-foot tall smokestacks, roughly 34 stories high, have been sleeping giants ever since.

Is there any possible way the stacks can stay?

The city of Morro Bay is moving forward with an agreement with Vistra, which promised last year to convert the old power plant into the worlds largest battery storage facility. Vistras $500 million proposed project would also cover the cost of taking down the stacks and removing the power plants existing turbine, both built using hazardous materials.

Photo By Andrew Pridgen

"The council has made a decision that Vistra can proceed with their battery project to potentially include the demolition of the power plant and stacks," says Morro Bay City Manager Scott Collins, noting if the stacks are not removed by the end of the calendar year 2027, Vistra would owe the city $3 million. "If you've ever toured the plant, it's like a time capsule. Don't know if you've ever watched the show 'Lost,' it's like that, just being in this industrial underground. It can't be repurposed for use. It's our interpretation that it's their best interest to remove the stacks.

"We know some of the city's residents and visitors do have an affinity for them, but it's ultimately not in the city's best interest to keep them up."

MONICA ALMEIDA/NYT

Last November, Collins told KCBX that Vistra had yet to give the city its plan on how the stacks will come down, emphasizing the project will be lengthy and costly and similar to the current removal of a similar 400-foot-tall smokestack in Carlsbad.

They dont implode with these kinds of facilities because of asbestos concerns, Collins said, noting work crews literally start from the top and just chip away.

The planned redevelopment of the site by Vistra must also undergo several rounds of planning and environmental impact reviews, city officials said.

'They let you know you're home'

Back at the marina standing on the dock talking to commercial fisher French as he shuffles through some paperwork, its clear the stacks provide some aesthetic value.

Photo By Andrew Pridgen

Not 10 yards away up a metal grate ramp, tourists stroll on Morro Bays commercial promenade, the Embarcadero, a lineup of saltwater taffy and last-minute souvenir T-shirt stands mixed in with fresh fish markets, restaurants and pottery and art sellers. Almost to a person the visitors stop to pose for a picture in front of the stacks watching over the shoreline in the near distance.

They are a landmark, French admits. For us fishermen, there is some purpose to it as a way to orient. We have other equipment, GPS plotters and the like, but when youre coming in from a long trip and seeing them on the horizon, it can be a relief. They let you know youre home.
PRAGUE (AP)  Meda Mladkova, a Czech arts collector, patron and historian who was an impassioned promoter of Frantisek Kupka and supported artists in communist Czechoslovakia while she was in exile behind the Iron Curtain, has died. She was 102.

The Kampa Museum, a modern arts gallery that Mladkova created in the heart of Prague, announced she died on Tuesday.

Meda, although she lived a large part of her long life abroad, was always a great patriot and loved the Czech nation, the museum said.

All her life she believed in the idea: If culture survives, the nation will survive, said Jiri Pospisil, the chairman of the museums board.

Mladkova, born on Sept. 8, 1919 in Zakupy, Czechoslovakia, as Marie Sokolova, was studying political science in Geneva in 1948 when the communists took over then-Czechoslovakia. She refused to return and moved to Paris instead after her graduation.

She met her husband-to-be, exiled Czech banker Jan Mladek, in the French capital and studied art at the Sorbonne. There, too, she fell in love with the work of Kupka, a Czech-born pioneer of abstract art, who was then an unknown painter. They became friends.

When Kupka was dying of cancer in 1957  still a virtually unknown artist  Mladek wanted to make him happy and told him she would arrange a big exhibition of his works.

After Mladkova and her husband moved to the United States in 1960, she helped organize a Kupka retrospective at New Yorks Guggenheim Museum in 1975.

Born in 1871, Kupka had studied in Prague and Vienna before moving to Paris in 1896. In 1912, Kupka put on display two works, Fugue and Warm Chromatics, which are now considered to be the first two entirely abstract paintings.

To afford to buy two Kupkas increasingly expensive oils, Mladek and her husband had to sell their house in Washington for $950,000.

Their efforts of many years have resulted in a collection of pencil studies, watercolors, color pastels and oils reflecting the development of Kupkas art from his student days to his late abstract pieces.

In the meantime, Mladkova travelled on a regular basis to her homeland after 1967, purchasing art pieces by artists who were banned by the totalitarian communist regime.

Following the death of her husband in 1989 and the fall of communism, Mladkova decided to move her collection of Kupkas works to Prague.

I thought its the right place for them, she told The Associated Press in a 2003 interview.

In the Czech capital, Mladkova opened the Museum Kampa, a complex of meticulously renovated historical buildings on Kampa island near Pragues iconic Charles Bridge. It houses a valuable collection of 215 works by Kupka, who has become one the countrys most celebrated painters.

The museum also displays sculptures by Czech cubist artist Otto Gutfreund and a collection of modern Central and East European art.

In 1999, Mladkova was awarded a state decoration by then President Vaclav Havel. In 2012, she became the commander of the French Order of Merit.

She had donated her art collections to the city of Prague.
Once a superhero franchise goes multiverse, its hard to go back.

No work of fiction ever needs permission to break the rules or push the boundaries of traditional storytelling, but the multiverse, at least as its been served up in recent Marvel movies, practically demands it. And for the moment that means a lot of cameo opportunities.  Spider-Man: No Way Home  opened the door to the concept, to mostly charming results, but now Benedict Cumberbatchs master of the mystic arts is flying through the interdimensional portal with the concept in  Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

This film is technically the sequel to Doctor Strange, a movie that came out six years ago. But so much has happened in Marvel land that involves Stephen Strange and his goatee  "Infinity War," Endgame and, yes, the most recent Spider-Man  that where it falls in the Doctor Strange standalone film continuity is entirely beside the point. One could not simply watch Doctor Strange and then Doctor Strange 2 and expect it to make sense.

Not only that, understanding, or at least being invested in Doctor Strange 2, also requires some passing knowledge of WandaVision, the nine-episode Disney+ series that runs almost six hours total. This is not a surprise or a burden to Marvel fans, but it does seem like quite a lot to ask of the average moviegoer (though perhaps at this point theyre one and the same).

So its especially interesting that Sam Raimi agreed to jump into this messy corporate multiverse at this point. His Spider-Man movies are still among the top of the crop of modern superhero franchises, after all. Raimi was able to put his own stamp on this endeavor, including but not limited to a Bruce Campbell cameo. There are horror elements, too, some so intense that families might think twice before bringing everyone to the multiplex, some interesting visuals not entirely dissimilar to the city-bending of Inception and some humor. But Raimi doesnt take Doctor Strange to an entirely new tonal place, like, say Taika Waititi did with Thor. He mostly sticks to the framework established by Scott Derrickson.

The main issue is that its a bit of a kitchen sink movie centered on an entirely new and underdeveloped character, America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), a teen who has the power to travel the multiverse but doesnt quite know how to control it. Shes being hunted by someone who wants her powers and Strange decides to help, possibly out of genuine altruism and possibly because it was a good excuse to literally jump off a balcony to get out of his old flame Christines (Rachel McAdams) wedding early.

Unfortunately, he asks the wrong Avenger for help: Elizbeth Olsens Wanda Maximoff is the one after the power to go multiverse jumping and has been dabbling in some dark arts to make it happen. Shes motivated by the idea that she has children out there in an idyllic suburban multiverse in which she wears yoga pants and loose cotton tops and tucks her boys in at night after ice cream and movies. Soon she and Strange are having a standoff in midair.

The script is inventive in the way it plays around with a jumble of big sci-fi concepts, which makes sense considering screenwriter Michael Waldron is a veteran of Rick & Morty. But it also underwhelms when it comes to the mishmash structure and the women. Olsen still sells Wandas pain like the best of them, even though shes been reduced to a stereotype of female hysteria. Christine is merely there to make Strange realize things about himself. And America, well, she never really earns our emotional investment.

After Infinity War and Endgame, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness feels a little bit like wheel spinning. Cumberbatch has fun with his character, but his limitless ego seems to have been a little muted here as he grapples with his own happiness. And that invites more questions, like do we ultimately care about whether or not Doctor Strange is happy? Does he? Could everyone just use some post blip therapy instead of these interdimensional bottle episodes?

Perhaps the Marvel universe is finally starting to feel like a long running comic book series. Or maybe Phase 4 just hasn't kicked into gear just yet.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a Disney release in theaters Thursday, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for, intense sequences of violence and action, frightening images and some language. Running time: 126 minutes. Two stars out of four.

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MPAA Definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  A second group attempting to expand Medicaid eligibility in South Dakota submitted petition signatures to the secretary of state Tuesday in a bid to place a proposed law on the November ballot and create a rival to a proposed constitutional amendment.

Dakotans for Health said it had submitted over 23,000 signatures to ask voters to approve a law requiring Medicaid health insurance to be made available to people who live below 133% of the federal poverty level, which is currently about $18,000 for an individual or $37,000 for a family of four.
DALLAS (AP)  A 2-year-old child has been hospitalized in critical condition after being mauled by a coyote Tuesday on the front porch of the childs Dallas home, police said.

The attack happened about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in a neighborhood just north of White Rock Lake in Dallas.

A police officer responding to the call spotted the coyote in a park near the childs home and opened fire on the animal, which retreated into nearby woods, according to a police statement.

It was unknown if the officer wounded the animal, but an active search with a game warden began, police said. Police are warning neighborhood residents that the coyote should be considered extremely dangerous.

The attack came less than a week after a coyote attacked a 2-year-old girl on Southern California's Huntington Beach. The coyote was later shot dead.

State wildlife experts said the coyote evidently had been fed by neighborhood residents, whether intentionally or not. Otherwise, the coyote would have shied away from human contact, said state urban wildlife biologist Sam Kieschnick. Such attacks are not just rare, they are exceedingly rare, he said.

The lack of fear of humans can be disastrous for the coyote, said Robert M. Timm, a retired wildlife biologist with the University of California's Hopland Research & Extension Center who has long studied the history of human contact with coyotes.

A report Timm co-authored for the Fall 2017 edition of the journal Human-Wildlife Interactions cited a 2009 study that tabulated 142 reported coyote attacks on humans in the United States and Canada over almost a half-century from 1960 to 2006. A 2011 study recorded 26 coyote attacks on humans in Canada between 1995-2010.

This is a difficult problem to manage, given the diversity of public attitudes toward coyotes, especially in suburban areas, he said in an email to The Associated Press. It quickly becomes a political nightmare for cities, counties, and public agencies, as many people oppose any lethal control of wildlife, which at times is the only solution when some individual coyotes become habituated to living in suburbia to the extent that they attack pets and humans.
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JERUSALEM (AP)  Nearly six years after Israel accused Mohammed el-Halabi of diverting tens of millions of dollars from an international charity to Gaza's militant Hamas rulers, he has yet to be convicted in an Israeli court and is still being held in detention.

World Vision  a major Christian charity that operates around the world  as well as independent auditors and the Australian government have found no evidence of any wrongdoing. El-Halabi's lawyer says he has rejected multiple plea bargains that would have allowed him to walk free years ago. Closing arguments ended in September.

The prosecution has requested another hearing Monday to extend his detention.

The explosive allegations resemble those made against six Palestinian rights groups last year. In each case, Israel publicly accused organizations of ties to militant groups without providing much evidence, sending shudders through their donors and partners and leading some to cut ties.

Critics say Israel often relies on questionable informants. They allege that Israel smears groups that provide aid or other support to Palestinians in order to shore up its nearly 55-year military occupation of lands the Palestinians want for a future state.

Lior Haiat, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, said Israel stands by the allegations against el-Halabi, which are well established and rely on concrete evidence. He said the defense had deliberately prolonged the trial after the prosecution rested in May 2018, allegations rejected by el-Halabi's lawyer.

Israel does not aim to intimidate (non-governmental organizations), nor to keep them from operating in Gaza, Haiat said. But we definitely aim to prevent transfer of NGO money that should be helping the people of Gaza in to the hands of a terror organization like Hamas.

After el-Halabi's arrest, World Vision suspended its activities in Gaza, where over 2 million Palestinians live under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade imposed when Hamas seized power nearly 15 years ago. Israel says the restrictions are needed to contain Hamas, while critics view them as a form of collective punishment.

World Vision said its entire Gaza budget over the previous 10 years was $22.5 million, making the alleged diversion of $50 million hard to reconcile. El-Halabi had been appointed manager of its Gaza operations in October 2014, less than two years before he was arrested.

World Vision worked with several Western donor countries to construct an independent audit. World Vision declined to name the auditors because of a non-disclosure agreement, but last year the Guardian reported that it was undertaken by the international accounting firm Deloitte and DLA Piper, a global law firm.

Brett Ingerman, a lawyer with DLA Piper who headed the investigation, confirmed its role in the audit. He said a team of around a dozen lawyers, including several former assistant U.S. attorneys, reviewed nearly 300,000 emails and conducted over 180 interviews. A forensic accounting firm scoured nearly every financial transaction at World Vision from 2010 until 2016, he said.

In July 2017, they submitted an over 400-page report of their findings to World Vision, which shared it with donor governments. World Vision said it offered the report to Israel, but Israeli authorities refused to sign the non-disclosure agreement. The Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the audit.

The report found no evidence that el-Halabi was affiliated with Hamas or had diverted any funds. In fact, Ingerman said it revealed the opposite.

We had story after story of el-Halabi enforcing controls at World Vision and encouraging employees not to interact or transact with organizations that were even suspected of being affiliated with Hamas, he said.

The Australian government conducted its own review, saying it found no evidence any of its funding to World Vision in the Palestinian territories was diverted to Hamas. Australia was the biggest single donor to World Visions humanitarian work in Gaza, providing some $4.4 million in the previous three fiscal years, according to its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

World Vision, which operates in nearly 100 countries and annually distributes some $2.5 billion in aid, said it fully supports el-Halabi. "Were waiting here for an acquittal because its the only logical outcome, said Sharon Marshall, a spokeswoman for the organization.

It's far past time for him to be home with his family.

Maher Hanna, el-Halabi's defense lawyer, said Israeli authorities have offered him multiple plea bargains that would have allowed him to walk free in exchange for pleading guilty to lesser charges, a routine tactic in trials of Palestinians.

He is not willing to admit to things he didnt do," Hanna said. The defense lawyer was allowed to see the classified evidence, which he declined to discuss, saying only that it was extremely unreliable and problematic, and does not prove anything.

Hanna also rejected any allegations of foot-dragging as beyond unfair, saying the court scheduled sessions months apart and made it difficult for him to call witnesses, including individuals named in the charge sheet.

He blamed Israel for the delay, saying it hoped to avoid the embarrassment of top officials having publicized explosive false allegations. Then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had released a video address repeating the charges at the time, saying they proved he cared more about the Palestinians than their own leaders.

If facts matter, he will be cleared. If facts dont matter, he will be convicted, Hanna said.

Closing arguments wrapped up last September. El-Halabi is still being held in a prison in southern Israel.

"It makes a mockery of due process and the most basic fair trial notions to hold someone for nearly six years in pretrial detention based largely on secret evidence, said Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at the New York-based Human Rights Watch.

Even if el-Halabi is acquitted, the ordeal may deter other aid organizations from operating in the Palestinian territories.

We havent been able to respond to major needs in Gaza, and thats where some of the worlds most vulnerable children are," said Marshall, the World Vision spokeswoman. Other organizations that dont have the organizational resources that we have to absorb a hit like this, they just cant risk that kind of problem.
PHOENIX (AP)  Two Arizona lawmakers face ethics complaints that one of their attorneys said was prompted by a bitter divorce involving the Scottsdale man who filed them and his apparent intent to get back at anyone connected with his former wife.

The complaints filed by Phillip Potter allege that Democratic Rep. Robert Meza engaged in fraud and public corruption schemes for the past decade, and that Democratic Sen. Lisa Otondo helped cover up for Meza.

The Senate Ethics Committee on Monday met to consider the complaint against Otondo but took no action other than extending the time it has to review the matter until its House counterpart has a chance to consider the Meza case. The House Ethics Committee has not scheduled any hearings on that complaint.

Meza's Phoenix lawyer, Tim Nelson, said the allegations against his client are false and have been shopped around by Potter for years as part of an effort to get back at anyone who had had anything to do with is ex-wife.

Those efforts included providing all the information in the complaint to federal investigators, who Nelson said took no action. He also raised them in a 135-page lawsuit accusing his former wife, Meza and more than a dozen other people of conspiring to support an order a protection his ex-wife obtained against him. The suit also named health care companies and a major utility for their alleged participation in the fraud.

Every allegation thats in the Ethics Committee complaints were also in the Superior Court litigation, and the Superior Court dismissed them all in their entirety, Nelson said. And we expect that the ethics committees will do the same.

Potter did not immediately return calls seeking comment. Otondo also did not immediately return calls and emails seeking comment.

At Monday's meeting of the Senate Ethics Committee, the panel's two Democrats complained that the case should be tossed immediately.

The Senate Ethics Committee has not and should not engage in a fishing expedition, Sen. Victoria Steele said.

If there is (alleged unethical conduct) and there is evidence sufficient to proceed, then they should proceed, Steele said. But not simply based on suggestions, innuendo, suspicions or conspiracy theories.

But Republican Sen. Sine Kerr, the committee chair, said the committee does have good reason to extend the time it has to weigh the complaint, and that is all we're doing here today.

___

This story has been updated to remove a photo that incorrectly identified then-state Sen. Andy Biggs as Rep. Robert Meza.
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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.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP)  A South Carolina judge has denied bond for a former American Idol contestant accused of killing a man by barreling into him with his pickup truck after using a marijuana vaping device.

Country music singer Caleb Kennedy will remain in jail after his February arrest on a charge of driving under the influence resulting in death. Police say Kennedy drove his truck up a private driveway in Spartanburg County and struck Larry Duane Parris, 54, driving Parris into a building.

Circuit Judge Grace Gilchrist Knie ruled Friday that Kennedy would present a danger to himself and the community if he was released from jail. Knie said she might reconsider bond for Kennedy following a psychiatric evaluation in 45 days, news outlets reported.

Prosecutors at a Thursday hearing sought the bond denial and referred to a toxicology report showing Kennedy had marijuana and Prozac in his system at the time of the crash.

Kennedys attorney, Ryan Beasley, had asked the judge to set a $20,000 bond, citing Kennedy's remorse and cooperation with law enforcement, according to the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.

Beasley told news outlets he was disappointed in the judge's decision.

A 17-year-olds mental health is much better at home than in a jail," Beasley said.

Beasley has said previously that his client had been placed on suicide watch at the jail.

Kennedy advanced into the Top 5 of the television talent show last year, but dropped out of the singing competition after a video circulated of him sitting next to someone wearing what appeared to be a Ku Klux Klan hood. Kennedy apologized at the time for the video, saying it displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way.

Kennedys mother, Anita Guy, told news outlets the video was filmed when Kennedy was 12 and had been taken out of context. She said Kennedy had been imitating characters from the film The Strangers: Prey at Night.

Kennedys hometown is listed as Roebuck, which is just south of Spartanburg.

He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  The Brazilian Senates Human Rights Committee is sending a team to Yanomami indigenous territory after reports that a 12-year-old Indigenous girl was sexually violated and murdered.

In a post to his Twitter account Tuesday, Sen. Humberto Costa, who leads the committee, said the purpose of the trip is to guarantee the inviolable rights of Indigenous people.

It is not yet clear how the Senate team will carry out its inquiry. The Associated Press tried to contact Senator Costa by phone and WhatsApp, but was not able to speak with him.

Reports of the crime have sparked outrage in Brazil, where many already were concerned about the treatment of Yanomami people, whose territory on Brazil's border with Venezuela has been overrun by thousands of illegal gold prospectors. During a Supreme Court session Friday, one justice demanded an investigation and the court president called the case very grave.

The alleged crime was first reported on April 25 by Junior Hekurari Yanomami, president of the Yanomami and Yekwana Indigenous District's Health Council. In a video posted to social media, he accused illegal gold miners of responsibility for the crime.

Two days later, Federal Police flew to the remote community of Aracaca. The department said in a statement afterward that they had found no evidence of a girl's murder. Yanomami leadership, however, said in its own statement that the miners had coerced residents into denying the murder.

Rape and death have become commonplace in the densely invaded areas of Yanomami Indigenous land, Carlos Fausto, an anthropologist from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, told The AP via text.

Fausto referenced a report Yanomami Under Attack, published last month by the Hutukara Yanomami Association. It cites an unnamed Yanomami woman as saying there have been three rapes and murders of Indigenous teens since 2020.

Environmental and Indigenous advocacy groups estimate there are some 20,000 illegal miners now in Yanomami territory, which is roughly the size of Portugal. The administration of President Jair Bolsonaro has claimed there are far fewer, only 3,500 invaders. The total Indigenous population there numbers about 29,000, according to the Hutukara association.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  A state appeals court on Tuesday overturned the conviction of a Virginia mother who was found guilty of assault and battery for striking her 12-year-old twins with a belt to discipline them.

WTOP-FM reports that a three-judge Court of Appeals panel said the trial judge overstepped her authority when she suggested in her ruling that the mother should have found a different way to punish her children.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Former President Donald Trumps businesses and inaugural committee have reached a deal to pay Washington, D.C., $750,000 to resolve a lawsuit that alleged the committee overpaid for events at his hotel and enriched the former presidents family in the process, according to the District of Columbias attorney general.

Attorney General Karl Racine announced the settlement agreement in the case against the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the Trump Organization and the Trump International Hotel in Washington in a tweet on Tuesday. The document had not yet been signed by a judge.

The agreement says the case is being resolved to avoid the cost, burden, and risks of further litigation and that the organizations dispute these allegations on numerous grounds and deny having engaged in any wrongdoing or unlawful conduct.

As part of the agreement, the defendants will pay the District of Columbia a total of $750,000, which will be used to benefit three nonprofit organizations, the settlement paperwork says.

Were resolving our lawsuit and sending the message that if you violate DC nonprofit lawno matter how powerful you areyoull pay, Racine said in a tweet.

In a statement, Trump blasted Racine and noted that the settlement includes no admission of guilt or liability.

As crime rates are soaring in our Nations Capital, it is necessary that the Attorney General focus on those issues rather than a further leg of the greatest Witch-Hunt in political history," Trump said. This was yet another example of weaponizing Law Enforcement against the Republican Party and, in particular, the former President of the United States.

Racine has said the committee misused nonprofit funds and coordinated with the hotels management and members of the Trump family to arrange the events. He said one of the events planners raised concerns about pricing with Trump, the presidents daughter Ivanka Trump and Rick Gates, a top campaign official at the time.

The committee has maintained that its finances were independently audited, and that all money was spent in accordance with the law. The committee raised an unprecedented $107 million to host events celebrating Trumps inauguration in January 2017. But the committees spending has drawn mounting scrutiny.

Gates, a former Trump campaign aide who cooperated in the special counsels Russia investigation, personally managed discussions with the hotel about using the space, including ballrooms and meeting rooms, the attorney generals office has said. In one instance, Gates contacted Ivanka Trump and told her that he was a bit worried about the optics of the committee paying such a high fee, Racine said.

Prosecutors say the committee could have hosted inaugural events at other venues either for free or for reduced costs but didnt consider those options.

___

Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP)  A diplomat from the Dominican Republic apparently has been kidnapped in neighboring Haiti, prompting Dominican authorities to call for his safe release.

The local newspaper El Dia reported Tuesday that the government also had beefed up its military presence on the border, though officials did not immediately have any comment on that.

The Dominican government said in a weekend statement that Carlos Guillen Tatis, the agriculture counselor at its embassy in Port-au-Prince, apparently was kidnapped on Friday while travelling toward a border crossing.

Ambassador Faruk Miguel Castillo said Guillen Tatis apparently was kidnapped in the Croix-des-Bouquets district of the Haitian capital. That area is a stronghold of the 400 Mawozo gang that kidnapped 17 people from a U.S. missionary group in October and held most of them until December.

Dominican authorities said they had given Haitian police evidence from the diplomat's mobile telephone that indicated he'd been kidnapped.

In what may have been an unrelated development, Haiti's National Police announced that one of the top leaders of the 400 Mawozo gang, Germine Joly, was extradited to the United States on Tuesday aboard an FBI plane.

It said he faces U.S. charges involving smuggling, import of weapons of war and kidnapping.

Joly, known as Yonyon, had been in a Haitian prison for several years.

The police statement noted that his gang was involved in bloody gang clashes that broke out late last month in the Croix-des-Bouquets area. At least 20 people were killed and thousands fled their homes.
The fire at a Perdue Farms soybean facility in Virginia on Saturday was relatively small. Firefighters had it under control about an hour after arriving and the plant remains fully operational.

It was an accidental fire, said Capt. Steven Bradley, a spokesperson for the Chesapeake Fire Department, attributing it to an equipment malfunction. Nothing suspicious.

Try telling that to the internet, where the incident became the latest fodder for an unfounded and growing conspiracy theory alleging that fires at various U.S. food processing plants and other facilities are part of a deliberate effort to undermine the food supply.

The baseless narrative has spread widely as Russias war on Ukraine has disrupted the global food supply, driving up prices for commodities such as grains and vegetable oils and threatening food security in some parts of the world.

Here's a look at the facts.

CLAIM: Suspicious fires at food processing plants in the U.S. are being used to create food shortages.

THE FACTS: Widely shared social media posts in recent weeks have featured lists, maps and headline montages about such fires to suggest a nefarious plot is at play  even though fire officials in many of the cases say the blazes were accidents, not the work of arsonists.

Chatter about food processing plant fires significantly increased in April, compared with March, according to an analysis of social media, traditional media and other channels by media intelligence firm Zignal Labs on behalf of The Associated Press.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson highlighted the theory in an April 21 segment in which his guest, radio host Jason Rantz, called the incidents obviously suspicious, adding that you've got some people speculating that this might be an intentional way to disrupt the food supply."

The segment began with the news of a plane crash near a General Mills facility in Covington, Georgia. A spokesperson for the company told the AP, however, that the plant, which manufactures cereal and snacks, did not experience any disruptions and it remains fully operational.

Asked for comment, Fox News pointed to a report on Carlson's show several days later in which a reporter noted that "we have found no evidence that these incidents are either intentional or connected but suggested incidents have been more frequent this year than in the past. It's unclear what criteria the report used when compiling its numbers.

The AP contacted officials in relation to 23 unique events, eight from 2021 and the rest from this year, that were referenced between two lists shared on Facebook and Twitter. Fire officials in nine instances said that the fires were determined or suspected to be accidental. In several others, officials would only say that the fires were still under investigation. In some other cases, local news reports also suggested the incidents were accidents.

On Monday, the National Fire Protection Association pushed back on the rumors in a story in its magazine titled Nothing to See Here.

Susan McKelvey, an NFPA spokesperson, noted in an email that national data show the country averaged more than 5,000 fires annually at manufacturing and processing facilities, not just food plants, between 2015 and 2019. She estimated that there have been approximately 20 fires in U.S. food processing facilities in the first 4 months of 2022, which is not extreme at all and does not signal anything out of the ordinary.

The recent inquiries around these fires appears to be a case of people suddenly paying attention to them and being surprised about how often they do occur, McKelvey said.

Lisa Fazio, an associate professor of psychology and human development at Vanderbilt University, said most Americans wouldnt know the frequency of such industrial accidents  which means that its relatively easy to create a panic over the issue.

With actual food shortages caused by the war, everything they hear gets filtered through that lens and people start noticing things that they hadnt paid attention to before, Fazio said in an email.

Food industry experts dont view the accidents as a crisis for Americans, either.

There doesnt appear to be any evidence connecting these fires in any way, and there is absolutely no danger to the US food supply because of a series of unrelated, unfortunate accidents, Sam Gazdziak, a spokesperson for the American Association of Meat Processors, said in an email.

Those who follow the food supply chain say while such fires can of course have an impact, they are not a major concern domestically or globally.

The fires were definitely not at the top of my list, said Phillip Coles, a professor of practice in supply chain management at Lehigh University.

Coles said labor shortages domestically and global issues such as the Russian war in Ukraine, lockdowns in China and shipping costs, are larger factors. He said while consumers in U.S. might not see certain items available, the issue isn't a shortage of food altogether.

David Ortega, a food economist and associate professor at Michigan State University, said it was extremely unlikely that the U.S. would experience food shortages from the Russia-Ukraine war.

While Russia and Ukraine are major grain suppliers, the U.S. produces enough domestically and isn't dependent on the region, Ortega said. Instead, he said, food shortages from the war would be felt in countries that depend heavily on the region for food imports, such as places in North Africa and the Middle East.

He added: Beliefs that the U.S. will soon be low on food are simply unfounded. ___

Associated Press writers Josh Kelety in Phoenix and Ali Swenson in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report.

___

This is part of APs effort to address widely shared misinformation, including work with outside companies and organizations to add factual context to misleading content that is circulating online. Learn more about fact-checking at AP.
BOSTON (AP)  A California man charged with embezzling more than $1.2 million from his Massachusetts-based employer over a 16-year period has agreed to plead guilty, federal prosecutors said.

Darrell Pike, 56, of Hesperia, California, embezzled the money from 2005 until 2021 while working as general manager of the California subsidiary of a Wilmington-based supply and service company, federal prosecutors in Boston said Monday.
HONOLULU (AP)  Hawaii lawmakers are on course to commit $600 million to a long-underfunded program providing housing and land leases to Native Hawaiians as they wrap up the current legislative session this week.

The allocations come after Hawaii tourism and state tax revenues rebounded from a COVID-19 pandemic crash. Lawmakers had a $2 billion general fund surplus this year instead of a massive revenue shortfall.

In accordance with Hawaii law, they're giving some of the bounty directly to taxpayers: $300 will go to individuals who earned less than $100,000 a year in 2021 and to couples who earned less than $200,000. Individuals and couples who earned more than those amounts will receive $100.

House and Senate lawmakers are expected to pass the refund legislation when it goes up for floor votes on Tuesday.

The $600 million for Native Hawaiian housing will help those eligible under The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920.

The century-old law was meant to help Hawaiians be economically self-sufficient by providing them with land. People with at least 50% Hawaiian blood quantum can apply for a 99-year lease for $1 a year.

But Hawaii has been slow to award leases, and the waitlist for properties has more than 28,000 names on it.

Surveys by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands indicated some on the waitlist could instead get help with a down payment to buy a home on the market instead of signing a lease, so some of the allocation will go toward this.

Rep. Sylvia Luke, the chairwoman of the House Finance Committee, said lawmakers had a moral obligation to make a large commitment to help Native Hawaiians this session.

If were not going to do it when we have a surplus, when are we ever going to do it? Luke said last month during a talk story session over Zoom with the Council on Native Hawaiian Advancement.

State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who is co-chair of the Native Hawaiian Caucus, called the funding historic.

People should expect to see significant home construction on Hawaiian home lands in the next five years, he said. Those who would prefer help with a down payment may be able to buy a home on the housing market right away instead of waiting for a home lands lease, he said.

Its going to be important for the next governor to put a team in place at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to make sure that that money doesnt go to waste, Keohokalole said.

Gov. David Ige's second term ends in December and he's not allowed to run for a third term.

Together with funding and legislation for other Native Hawaiian issues this session, Keohokalole said lawmakers took the most significant action in favor of the Hawaiian community in 100 years.

Lawmakers are also putting $500 million into the states rainy day fund for emergencies. Ige had proposed putting $1 billion into it at the beginning of the session, but lawmakers balked at that amount.

The fund had $395 million in May 2020, when lawmakers raided it to balance the budget during the pandemic.

This year, the budget also includes $115 million in federal coronavirus relief money to build broadband infrastructure statewide and $33 million in state money to further expand broadband.

Flush coffers also allowed lawmakers to fund programs that hadnt received money in years, like $26 million to pay for adult dental care for Medicaid patients. Lawmakers had to cut funding for this when revenues crashed during the Great Recession and havent been able to restore it since.

__

This story corrects that lawmakers restored adult dental care funding for Medicaid patients, not Medicare patients.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is urging Republican voters to stand against the extremes, saying the GOP is "desperately in need of a course correction, as the term-limited governor weighs a presidential run.

In prepared remarks for a speech Tuesday evening at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, Hogan cast himself as a politician with broad appeal like his political hero, Reagan.

The Republican criticized last year's rioting at the U.S. Capitol as an outrageous attack on our Democracy, incited by the losing candidates inflammatory false rhetoric.

We need to stand against the extremes and for the majority of Americans, Hogan says in the speech. We need a hopeful positive vision for America, and a message that appeals to a broader group of voters.

Hogan said the last four years were the worst for the GOP since the 1930s  "even worse than after Watergate when Ronald Reagan had to rebuild the party from the ashes.

The governor also criticized former President Donald Trump's denial of his loss in the 2020 campaign, saying the divide in the Republican Party is "more of a difference between those who know how to win, and those who only pretend that they won.

A party that lost the popular vote in seven out of the last eight presidential elections, and that couldnt even beat Joe Biden, is desperately in need of a course correction, Hogan said. The truth is the last election was not rigged and it wasnt stolen. We simply didnt offer the majority of voters what they were looking for.

The governor said the Democratic Party is dragging us in a far-left direction that America does not want and can not afford.

Joe Biden said he would govern from the center and unite the country, but instead he caters to the far-left extremes of his party and flails from crisis to crisis, showing weakness to the world, Hogan said.

The popular governor also highlighted his own political resume as one that appeals to Democrats as well as Republicans in a blue state, where he became only the second Republican governor ever reelected in Maryland's history. Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1 in the state.

In February, Hogan announced he would not run for the U.S. Senate, despite an aggressive recruitment push from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans. Hogan has positioned himself to run as a legitimate alternative to Trump.

We wont win back the White House by nominating Donald Trump or a cheap impersonation of him, Hogan said.

Still, Hogan would be an overwhelming underdog given Trumps dominant standing in the GOP.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP)  A 5-year-old boy was in critical condition after being shot last weekend by a relative in what South Bend police are calling a very tragic accident.

The shooting happened Saturday night in a home on the city's west side. South Bend police said Monday that the boy was shot by a 9-year-old relative and was hospitalized in critical condition.
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NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Lawmakers investigating the deadly arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene are preparing to hold the former head of the Louisiana State Police in contempt for refusing to turn over his journals after talks broke down Monday in a dispute over an entry mentioning police brutality and Gov. John Bel Edwards.

The bipartisan committee will move as soon as possible" to charge Kevin Reeves with contempt and begin legal proceedings to force him to turn over three handwritten journals he kept while leading the embattled agency, state Rep. Tanner Magee, who chairs the panel, told The Associated Press.

Holding the former head of the state's premier law enforcement agency in contempt would mark a drastic escalation by the committee, which already has elicited explosive testimony from current police officials that they believe Greene's 2019 death was covered up and that his beating by troopers after a high-speed chase amounted to torture and murder.

Reeves' lawyer, Lewis Unglesby, said he had prepared photocopies of nearly a dozen journal entries to give to Magee during a meeting but the lawmaker got excited and took off without the materials.

Col. Reeves isnt in contempt of anything, Unglesby told AP. He has done nothing but be cooperative.

The committee formed in February after an AP report that Edwards was informed within hours that troopers arresting Greene had engaged in a violent, lengthy struggle. Yet the Democrat stayed mostly silent on the case for two years as state troopers told Greenes family and wrote in reports that he died as the result of a car crash after a high-speed chase outside Monroe.

The governor has said that he held off on speaking out about the troopers actions  even after privately watching graphic body camera footage of the arrest  because of an ongoing federal investigation. He's since called the actions of the troopers involved criminal and racist.

AP last year obtained and published the long-withheld body-camera video that showed what really happened: troopers jolting Greene with stun guns, punching him in the face and dragging him by his ankle shackles as he wailed, Im your brother! Im scared! Im scared!

The eight-member legislative panel for weeks has been interviewing state police and other officials in a bid to reconstruct the agencys handling of the case. Last week, one senior state police official told lawmakers he was mystified that no troopers have yet faced criminal charges in Greene's death. Another ranking official offered an extraordinary apology to Greenes family, describing the 49-year-old's fatal arrest as a complete disregard for the sanctity of human life.

Lawmakers have said they intend to investigate what Edwards knew and when he knew it, but no one on his staff has yet been called to testify.

Reeves, who described Greenes death as awful but lawful and stepped down in late 2020 amid criticism, has sought to downplay his own involvement in the case. He told lawmakers in March that he had a follow-up conversation with Edwards about Greenes death  concerning the initial coroners findings  but said the two did not discuss the case in any depth until late 2020, when word of Greenes mistreatment and a federal civil rights investigation surfaced in media accounts.

In his testimony, Reeves also revealed he kept a journal with contemporaneous notes even after retiring as superintendent but would not commit to providing them to the committee.

My journal is my personal business, he said, and Im not here to discuss it.

Lawmakers issued a subpoena for the journals in April, days after Reeves lawyer declined by letter to turn them over voluntarily, citing privacy and security concerns.

Magee, a Republican, said he sat down at Unglesby's office Monday to discuss which portions of the three small, moleskin journals were relevant to the committees inquiry. During the meeting, the lawyer was willing to provide entries that mentioned Greene by name but resisted even showing Magee other portions without justification, the lawmaker said.

Talks broke down over a June 17, 2020, entry that Magee said mentioned the governor by name along with notes about how to handle body camera footage and police brutality in the future.

Magee said he thought the entry  which was made around the time protests over George Floyds killing were erupting across the country  could be related to Greenes death. But he said Unglesby denied this and refused to turn it over, describing it as just a random discussion on police brutality.

So I told him were going to proceed with going through with contempt charges, Magee said.

Unglesby said he later emailed and faxed the entries he initially prepared for release to Magee, but withheld certain entries that involve names and events not related to the scope of the committee. He declined to release the materials to AP.

A spokesperson for the governor said Edwards likely saw Reeves on June 17, 2020, but they did not discuss Greene. She noted that a legislative committee had a hearing on policing issues on that date and said the governor only learned of the serious allegations surrounding Mr. Greenes death in September 2020.

Magee said the way Reeves journal was written  like a to-do list  made it hard to say what the entries mean and that he only saw a fraction of them.

I think its premature to make any accusations, he said. "But I think its important we get the documents to put it into its proper context.

___

Bleiberg reported from Dallas.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court privately voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade case that has guaranteed the right to abortion for nearly a half-century, according to a leaked draft opinion from February published online Monday night by Politico.

In the draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, a majority of the court voted to overturn Roe, according to Politico. Alito called it wrongly decided and said the contentious issue, which has animated political debates in the United States for more than a generation, should be decided by politicians, not the courts.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, Alito writes in the document, labeled the Opinion of the Court, according to Politico. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

The release of the 98-page document is unprecedented in modern times. In the courts modern history, early drafts of opinions have never leaked before the final decision is announced. And early drafts of opinions often change by the time the decision from the court is announced.

But if the justices announce a decision along the lines of the early, leaked draft, it would be a seismic change in American law and politics, coming just months before congressional midterm elections that will decide who controls power on Capitol Hill.

Abortion has long split the two parties  and the country  although it had receded as a central issue in recent years. A court decision along the lines of the one in the early draft could spark new political battles in Congress and in states across the country about whether and how the procedure should be limited.

The Politico report said the justices voting to support Alitos opinion were Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. The news organization said Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan were working on dissents. It was not clear how Chief Justice John Roberts planned to vote.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
LEBANON, Mo. (AP)  A man from Maine who admitted that he intentionally hit a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper with his car has been sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison.

Galen Sailer, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, was sentenced Monday in Laclede County Court.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)  A Kansas City man has been charged in the shooting death of two teenagers in Kansas City, Kansas, authorities said.

Patrick Howard, 24, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Samuel Guess and Antonio Johnson, who were both 14.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A man who sexually assaulted three women at Northern California homeless encampments was convicted Monday of rape and other charges.

Layman McFadden, 40, was homeless when he attacked the women in encampments along the American River Parkway in Sacramento from September 2019 through July 2021, the county district attorney's office said in a statement.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)  Missouri is slated to ban most abortions if the U.S. Supreme Court undoes Roe v. Wade, as a draft opinion leaked late Monday suggests.

Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt on Tuesday said he will take immediate action to allow an abortion ban to take effect if the landmark ruling is overturned.
MORRISVILLE, N.C. (AP)  A passenger suffering from burns on a flight arriving at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Monday night was taken to a hospital for further evaluation, officials said.

Airport officials said they received a medical call that a passenger was suffering from burns on an arriving flight and an emergency response team was deployed, news outlets reported. The passenger was checked on-site and then taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation, officials said.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  The head of New Orleans juvenile jail has resigned amid investigations by the city and a TV station.

The city made a brief announcement Monday that Kyshun Webster had resigned Friday from the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center. He had been on leave since March 18.

The citys statement said the jails superintendent, Dichelle Williams, was named the centers interim director.

The statement was released hours before WWL-TV aired a report on its investigation. The station said Webster took over a jail that had been racked for years by scandal, violence and high turnover, but was often absent and may have made some problems worse.

After the escape of four youths who then hijacked a car in January, Webster said the center was budgeted for 103 employees but had only 47. The station reported that although turnover was high when Webster took over in October 2018, 50 employees were fired under Webster and 79 left voluntarily.

Former juvenile counselor Renell Lowe told the station the administration ran qualified people away.

WWL-TV reported that Webster was often away from the office.

The city said it could not provide written logs and electronic key card data that would indicate his presence, and for which WWL-TV made a public records request, the station reported. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell declined to be interviewed and Webster did not respond to a request for comment, according to WWL-TV.

The station reported that in June 2020, the city approved a request for Webster to spend three to five hours a week at a Kenner insurance company called Compassion Society Benefits, which Webster founded in 2016.

Websters LinkedIn page lists him as the company's founder and director. It also cites that he was CEO of the education nonprofit Operation Reach.

City Council President Helena Moreno and the council tried for weeks to get Webster to answer questions about the center and its staffing crisis, but eventually were told he was on leave with no return date.

The New Orleans Office of Inspector General is also investigating, the station reported. It said that in the office's monthly report for December, a line under Administrative Investigations, states, Issued a Request for Documents to the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center regarding building access records.
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP)  Dozens of passengers kidnapped five weeks ago from a train near Nigerias capital are being used as human shields by their abductors, President Muhammadu Buhari said.

More than 100 travelers were kidnapped in late March in Nigeria's troubled northern region when a passenger train was halted by an explosion and then attacked by gunmen who killed eight people on board.

The kidnappers are using civilians as human shields, thereby making it difficult to confront them directly, Buhari said in Abuja, the nations capital, on Monday. They dont care about killing their hostages if they come under attack.

The Nigerian president described the situation as a delicate one that requires wisdom and patience. Buhari was speaking at his offices to some residents of the capital and he appeared to be responding to distraught families who have been demanding that their loved ones be freed.

Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success, he said, insisting that his aim is "to see all those in captivity safely rescued.

The passengers were kidnapped by an armed gang, one of several that have been terrorizing remote communities in northwestern and central Nigeria.

In addition to the train hostages, hundreds of other Nigerians are being held captive across the troubled northern region, especially in the northwest where they are being held for kidnap ransoms, say authorities.

The attacks are often by large groups on motorcycles carried out by young men most of whom authorities have said are from the Fulani ethnic group caught up in the years-long conflict with Hausa and other ethnic groups over land.

The conflict over access to land and water has further worsened the sectarian division between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, Africas most populous nation with its 206 million people deeply divided along religious lines.

Those armed groups are now working with the jihadi extremists who have been waging a 10-year insurgency in the country's northeast, according to the Nigerian military.

More than 4,000 people were killed in Nigeria's armed violence last year, according to data from the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations which collates incidents reported by Nigerias media.

Buhari said the armed groups  who Nigerian authorities recently declared terrorist organizations  are "pushing their luck but added this is only for a while before they are finally crushed.
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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  Norman Mineta, who broke racial barriers for Asian Americans serving in high-profile government posts and ordered commercial flights grounded after the 9/11 terror attacks as the nation's federal transportation secretary, died Tuesday. He was 90.

John Flaherty, Minetas former chief of staff, said Mineta died peacefully at his home surrounded by family in Edgewater, Maryland, east of the nation's capital.

His cause of death was a heart ailment," Flaherty added. He was an extraordinary public servant and a very dear friend."

Mineta broke racial barriers for Asian Americans in becoming mayor of San Jose, California early in his political career. He later became the first Asian American to become a federal Cabinet secretary, serving under both Democratic President Bill Clinton and Republican George W. Bush.

Bush went on to award Mineta the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In a statement, the former president said Mineta was "a wonderful American story about someone who overcame hardship and prejudice to serve in the United States Army, Congress, and the Cabinet of two Presidents.

As my Secretary of Transportation, he showed great leadership in helping prevent further attacks on and after 9/11. As I said when presenting him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Norm has given his country a lifetime of service, and hes given his fellow citizens an example of leadership, devotion to duty, and personal character, the former president said.

The son of Japanese immigrants who spent two years of his childhood at a World War II internment camp, Mineta began his political career leading his hometown of San Jose before joining the Clinton administration as commerce secretary and then crossing party lines to serve in Bushs Cabinet.

As Bushs transportation secretary, Mineta led the department during the crisis of Sept. 11, 2001, as hijacked commercial airliners barreled toward U.S. landmarks. After a second plane crashed into the World Trade Center, Mineta ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to ground all civilian aircraft  more than 4,500 in flight at the time. It was the first such order given in U.S. aviation history.

Mineta was subsequently tasked with restoring confidence in air travel in the aftermath of the terror attacks. He oversaw the hasty creation of the Transportation Security Administration, which took over responsibility for aviation security from the airlines.

Within a year, the TSA had hired tens of thousands of airport screeners, put air marshals on commercial flights and installed high-tech equipment to screen air travelers and their luggage for bombs.

The effort was derided at the time for wasteful spending and causing long lines at airports. But Mineta, widely liked and respected in Washington for his deep knowledge of transportation issues, managed to escape the brunt of that criticism.

In 2006, he resigned at age 74 after 5 and 1/2 years in his post, making him the longest-serving transportation secretary since the agency was created in 1967.

Born on Nov. 12, 1931, Norman Yoshio Mineta was 10 and wearing his Cub Scouts uniform when he and his parents were transported to be incarcerated in Wyoming after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

He went on to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelors degree in business administration and served as an Army intelligence officer in Korea and Japan. After three years with the military, he returned to San Jose to run his fathers Mineta Insurance Agency.

Minetas foray into politics came in 1967, when San Joses mayor tapped him to fill a vacant seat on the city council. He won re-election and served four more years on the council before winning the citys top seat in 1971, making him the first Asian-American mayor of a major city. It now has an airport that bears his name.

Mineta was elected to Congress in 1974 and served 10 terms representing Silicon Valley. During his tenure, he pushed for more funding for the FAA and co-authored a landmark law that gave state and local governments control over highway and mass transit decisions.

The co-founder of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus also scored a personal victory when he helped win passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which required the U.S. government to apologize to the 120,000 Japanese Americans forced to live in wartime internment camps. Former internees also received reparations of $20,000 each.

In 1993, Mineta became chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee  another first  but he quickly lost that job after Republicans won control of the House in 1994.

Mineta resigned from Congress in 1995 to join Lockheed Martin Corp. as senior vice president of its transportation division, which built and operated electronic toll collection systems.

But Washington came calling again five years later when Clinton, in the final months of his presidency, appointed him to replace William Daley as commerce secretary.

Mineta then became the first cabinet secretary to make the switch directly from a Democratic to Republican administration. He was the only Democrat in Bushs cabinet.

As transportation secretary, Mineta successfully promoted private investment in roads and bridges such as the Chicago Skyway and Indiana Toll Road and helped secure passage of a $286 billion highway spending plan after almost two years of wrangling with Congress.

After overseeing the rapid launch of the TSA, Mineta had his department downsized by almost two-thirds when the TSA and Coast Guard were moved to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 in the biggest government reorganization in nearly six decades.

After retiring from public service, he joined the public relations firm Hill & Knowlton as vice chairman and settled with his wife, Danealia, in Maryland near the Chesapeake Bay.

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Chea reported from San Francisco.
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TOLEDO, Ohio (AP)  Republican Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday won his partys nomination for a second term in office and will face Democrat Nan Whaley this fall after he overcame conservative anger of his strict pandemic policies and notable rifts with former President Donald Trump.

Whaley, a former Dayton mayor, became the first woman in state history to receive a major partys backing for the governors office by defeating ex-Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley in a primary race that drew little attention.

DeWine fought off three far-right challengers in the GOP primary and will be a favorite again in November against Whaley, who has far less name recognition in a state that hasnt elected a Democratic governor since 2006.

Whaley thinks having a woman at the top of the ticket will be an advantage for Democrats this time, pointing out that the party has fared better with female voters in states that have nominated women for leadership roles.

She promised during the campaign to protect abortion rights, promote social justice and fight political corruption. She also wants the state to add a $15 minimum wage, universal preschool and better access to child care.

Ohio has elected just one Democrat to be governor in the past three decades. Since then, the state has shifted to the right, especially in recent years under Trumps hold.

The former president did not choose sides in the Republican contest for governor. Former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, who had hoped to win his endorsement, painted DeWine as a moderate whos out of step with Trump and governed like a blue-state liberal.

DeWine, who easily won the states top office four years ago, was careful to say hes still a supporter of Trumps but without fully embracing him. He also dismissed Trumps false claims of a stolen 2020 election.

The governor faced a revolt in some corners of Ohio after enraging the GOP faithful with aggressive stay-at-home mandates, business shutdowns and curfews during the pandemic.

But the four-way Republican primary played to DeWines advantage as voters upset with the governor split their support between Renacci and Joe Blystone, a farmer who jumped in the race early and built a following in rural Ohio, where he fared well in his first bid for office.

Many conservatives complained that DeWine's policies and actions during the pandemic ran counter to what they were hearing from Trump and GOP governors such as Floridas Ron DeSantis and South Dakotas Kristi Noem.

DeWine also lost the backing of some anti-abortion and conservative groups during the primary despite his longtime record of opposing abortion and calling himself the most pro-life governor in Ohio history.

In his first term, DeWine signed a bill banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected  at the time one of the most stringent restrictions in the nation. In the past year, he signed a stand your ground law and scored a major win when Intel announced it was investing $20 billion in two semiconductor factories near Columbus.
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.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  North Dakota has been poised for years to outlaw abortions if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark 1973 ruling that legalized the procedure.

A 2007 state law makes it a felony to perform an abortion unless necessary to prevent the womans death or in cases of rape or incest. Violations are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The law is to take effect 30 days after legislative council receives notice by the attorney general that it would be upheld as constitutional.

North Dakota is one of about a dozen states, including South Dakota, that have laws that would come into force if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, as a draft opinion leaked late Monday suggests.

North Dakotas Republican-led Legislature has routinely approved restrictive anti-abortion measures, including one that would have banned abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can happen before a woman knows she is pregnant.

The Supreme Courts 1973 ruling legalized abortion until a fetus is considered viable, usually at 22 to 24 weeks. The fetal heartbeat law never took effect because the states lone abortion clinic, the Red River Womens Clinic in Fargo, successfully challenged it in court.

Red River Womens Clinic Director Tammi Kromenaker called the leaked decision devastating.

I think we're looking at the final opinion, she said. The writing has been on the wall for some time. It's what we've all been bracing for.

The clinic, in downtown Fargo, serves patients from several nearby states. Fargo borders Minnesota, where theres more protection for abortions than in North Dakota and South Dakota. Kromenaker, who previously rejected the suggestion to move the clinic across the border, said she would now consider it.

I plan to do everything in my power to maintain a presence in the area, Kromenaker said. If that means moving over the river to Minnesota, that's what we're going to do.

North Dakota recorded 1,171 abortions in 2020, the latest figures available from the state Health Department.

Republican Sen. Janne Myrdal, who is one of the North Dakota Legislatures most ardent anti-abortion lawmakers, said overturning Roe v. Wade would be the biggest ruling of her lifetime and something Ive been hoping and praying for. But, she said, the draft opinion shouldn't have been leaked, calling the leak dangerous to the institution of the Supreme Court.

It was a malicious leak and whoever is responsible must be held accountable, she said.

___

This story has been corrected to show fines for violations have risen from $5,000 to $10,000.
PHOENIX (AP)  Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams announced Tuesday that she will retire this summer after nearly six years as head of the city's police department, which is the subject of an- ongoing federal civil rights investigation.

Williams, a 33-year law enforcement veteran, said in a statement she felt compelled to go in a new direction, citing the rare opportunity to prioritize family and explore future endeavors."

Williams joined the department in 1989 and worked her way up through the ranks to become an assistant chief before leaving in 2011 to become police chief in Oxnard, California. She returned to Phoenix as chief in 2016.

Mayor Kate Gallego praised Williams in a statement.

Together, we made important investments, from modernizing training to deploying body cameras. I thank the chief for her partnership with me and for her commitment to excellence, Gallego said.

In a statement released by the department, Williams cited other accomplishments such as a new process to release information about police shootings and the prevention of some police shootings by officers using less-lethal weapons instead of guns.

The department is the subject of a wide-ranging civil rights probe launched by the U.S. Justice Department into whether officers have used excessive force, abused disabled people and people experiencing homelessness, engaged in discriminatory policing practices and retaliated against people for activities protected by the First Amendment that protects free speech.

Within the department, Williams drew criticism for recent reassignments of detectives to fill vacant patrol slots because of a decline in the number of officers on the force and difficulty attracting new candidates.

Lou Manganiello, the Fraternal Order of Police Phoenix Lodge 2 president, thanked Williams for her service but said Phoenix needs a chief focused not merely on answering emergency calls, but on responding effectively to cut crime."

The department said Williams will continue leading the department until an interim chief from outside the department is selected. A nationwide search for a permanent replacement will take place later, the department said.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP)  Two children in central Kentucky were killed and one person has been charged with murder, police said Tuesday.

Officers responded to a report Monday evening of an injured person and arrived to find three injured people, who were taken to a local hospital, a statement from the Lexington Police Department said.
GREENBELT, Md. (AP)  Two Maryland police officers shot and wounded a man with a knife during a call for a person experiencing mental health issues on Monday, police said.

Greenbelt police spokeswoman Hannah Glasgow said officers were called to a home on Plateau Place for a report of a suicidal male, news outlets report. The man who was shot was the one who called officers to the house, she said.
DUNDALK, Md. (AP)  Detectives involved in a shooting that left a 19-year-old man wounded last month will not face charges, Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger announced Monday.

The grand jury heard evidence in the April 14 shooting in Dundalk on Monday and determined that the shooting was justified, Shellenberger said in a news release.

Shellenberger said that charges against the man who was wounded are being reviewed, The Baltimore Sun reported. The officers fired their weapons after a car began to ram a department vehicle as police tried to arrest two people wanted in a 2021 homicide, police said. The man who was shot was not one of those sought and charges against one of those two people were dropped when exculpatory evidence was discovered.

The detectives were not outfitted with body cameras, police said. Other footage that captured the incident has not been publicly released. Shellenberger said his office has advised police not to release the footage until a decision is made on whether to charge the man who was shot.
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Three alleged gang members were charged with murder Tuesday in the slayings of three women fatally shot in a gunbattle that rocked Californias capital city a month ago.

Prosecutors say the mass shooting that ultimately killed six people and erupted before dawn on April 3 in downtown Sacramento was a result of a feud between two rival gangs, the Garden Blocc Crips and G-Mobb, and their allies. G-Mobb is affiliated with the Bloods street gang.

Officials say at least five people opened fire. Six people were killed in the bloodshed, including three alleged gang members who were involved in the shootout. A dozen more people were wounded  two of whom are also alleged gang members and are now charged in the violence.

In court documents filed Tuesday, police described in minute-by-minute and frame-by-frame detail from multiple surveillance cameras a chaotic shootout with men flashing weapons tucked into their waistbands and bystanders running for cover as the suspects confronted each other outside a jewelry store in downtown Sacramento. Cars hurriedly backed away from the intersection, a vendor abandoned a food cart, and the suspects postured at each other before the shooting began.

An unidentified woman standing between the two groups was pulled back by one gunman, then another after she returned to her spot in the middle. One of the wounded victims  a member of the Del Paso Heights Bloods, an ally of G-Mobb  said a member of the 29th Street Crips confronted him: Dude was like, Whats you staring at? Is there a problem?

District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announced on Tuesday that Smiley Martin, Dandrae Martin and Mtula Payton have been charged with murder in the slayings, as well as weapons offenses. All three are eligible for death penalty but that decision has not been made yet.

Investigators offered no motive, but said in court documents that Smiley Martin and his companions recorded an online video hours before the shooting, flashing guns and talking trash from a location in rival gang territory. In it, they state their plans to head to the downtown area with the intent of opening fire.

The Martin brothers were wounded and remain in jail. Court documents say Dandrae Martin is allegedly a member of the Garden Blocc Crips, while Smiley Martin is affiliated with the 29th Street Crips, which is a subset of his brother's gang. Attorneys for the brothers did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Payton is a fugitive and an alleged member of G-Mobb. A trail of his spent casings measured 257 feet (78.33 meters).

The defendants were charged Tuesday with the slayings of Johntaya Alexander, Yamile Martinez-Andrade and Melinda Davis  three women who prosecutors say were innocent bystanders during the shootout that occurred as patrons of bars and nightclubs emptied out onto the streets in downtown Sacramento.

The three men killed in the bloodshed were Devazia Turner, Sergio Harris and Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi.

Turner was a reported G-Mobb member and Harris was a member of the Del Paso Heights Bloods, an ally of G-Mobb. Hoye-Lucchesi was a member of the 29th Street Crips, prosecutors said.

The district attorney's office on Tuesday did not charge Payton and the Martin brothers with the deaths of Turner, Harris and Hoye-Lucchesi. Authorities said Turner was one of the shooters and was seen firing multiple rounds at the Martins.

Police believe a handgun fell from Hoye-Lucchesi's wounded body as the brothers tried to drag him to safety, but court documents do not say whether he fired the gun. Harris was found with gunshot residue on his hands.

Rod Norgaard, chief deputy district attorney, said it is very difficult to charge someone in a victim's death if the victim was a participant in the crime.

Veteran defense attorney Mark Reichel, who is not involved in the case, said he believes that not charging the three suspects in the deaths of the three male victims was a tactical decision on the part of prosecutors.

Charging the murder count for shooting an alleged gang member who is at the same time actively shooting at you leads rise to a self-defense claim. But its going to be difficult to raise a defense of self-defense to bystanders, Reichel said. It makes it a lot cleaner.

___

This story has been updated to correct the first name of Sacramento County Chief Deputy District Attorney Rod Norgaard. It is Rod, not Ron.

___

Dazio reported from Los Angeles.
MIAMI (AP)  A former bank branch manager and two men with ties to a Miami-Dade County comissioner are accused of stealing $640,000 from the county, officials said.

They used their positions to apply for county grant money by using names of social service organizations, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said during a news conference on Monday afternoon.

With these arrests we are alleging that these three individuals appear to have fallen prey to a temptation to steal Miami-Dade County money and property, Rundle said. Its disappointing to see that there are still individuals who think that they can get away with stealing from the public.

One of the men had served as chief of staff for Commissioner Jean Monestime, another was an aide to the commissioner and the third person was a manager at a Hollywood bank. Charges against them include racketeering, organized fraud, grand theft, and unlawfully filing a false document.

These individuals leveraged a position of trust and position of authority to steal the publics money, said Miami-Dade Inspector General Felix Jimenez.

Rundle said there is no evidence that the commissioner knew about the scheme.

The two county employees defruaded the system for more than five years, applying for grants for cultural affairs, kids and seniors, Rundle said.

They received money through corporations and at least one foundation they set up for that purpose, their arrest reports said.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A federal appeals court on Tuesday questioned whether a lower court got it right when it blocked a challenge of North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorns candidacy by voters who cited a section of the Constitution addressing insurrection as disqualifying him.

Three judges on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, heard arguments in a lawsuit that the first-term Republican congressman filed to derail the formal challenge sent to the State Board of Elections from going forward.

U.S. District Judge Richard Myers ruled for Cawthorn in March and prevented the board from formally examining whether he should remain on ballots, and the voters appealed. Cawthorn is one of eight candidates on the May 17 primary ballot for the 11th Congressional District. There's no timetable on when the judicial panel will rule, but the court did accelerate the appeal process.

The challenge focused on Cawthorns involvement in the rally that preceded the U.S. Capitol riot in January 2021 at which the presidential election outcome was questioned. The voters cite Section 3 of the 14th Amendment ratified in 1868 that is designed to prevent congressmen who had fought on the Confederate side during the Civil War from returning to Congress.

Similar challenges have been filed against members of Congress in other states who have been strong supporters of former President Donald Trump, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. A Georgia state judge recently heard testimony from Greene but has yet to issue a finding. They will be passed on to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who will ultimately determine whether Greene is qualified.

Some circuit judges Tuesday raised doubts about Myers' logic and those of Cawthorn's attorney, who said an 1872 law that removed office-holding disqualifications from most ex-Confederates also exempt current members of Congress like Cawthorn today.

Why would Congress do this anyway? asked U.S. Circuit Judge Jim Wynn, a nominee of then-President Barack Obama, during oral arguments. Why would you rather take away a disability of an individual whos going against the United States?

The amendment says no one can serve in Congress who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress ... to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same. The amendment does allow Congress to pass laws that can remove such restrictions.

But any such law can't for all time prevent prohibitions against future insurrectionists, said Press Millen, a Raleigh attorney representing voters who filed formal challenges of Cawthorn.

You cannot simply amend the Constitution through a vote in Congress, Millen said. A federal judge in Georgia last month said she disagreed with Myers and ruled the 1872 Amnesty Act didnt apply to Greene.

James Bopp, Cawthorn's lawyer, said his client vigorous denies that he ever engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, the country he loves. But this is not about the facts. This is about the law. This is about whether there are valid claims that are being made under Section 3 against him.

Bopp, who also represents Greene in her case, told the judges that the Constitution leaves the decision on whether someone is disqualified to serve in the U.S. House with the elected body itself, not the states. That means a candidate's ultimate seating doesn't get settled until when each two-year session begins in January, he said. In the meantime, Bopp suggested, elections will work out potential conflict.

In a democracy ... where we have the right to vote and we have the First Amendment, we leave a lot of things to the voters, Bopp said. But Millen countered by saying the Constitution makes clear that insurrectionists can't be members of Congress, just like teenagers or citizens of other countries.

The tangled case began in January, when candidate challenges were initially brought against Cawthorn by voters in a district that he initially decided to run in this fall. But North Carolinas congressional map for the 2022 elections was altered twice since then because of redistricting litigation that changed the district that Cawthorn decided to run in this fall. That led to a second challenge by voters in the 11th Congressional District.

Myers refused to let voters from the new 11th District and the other district that Cawthorn had officially filed to run in earlier formally enter the lawsuit. Those denials also form part of the appeal argued Tuesday and also were heard by Circuit Judges Julius Richardson and Toby Heytens. Richardson was a Trump nominee, while Heytens was picked by President Joe Biden.
Alberto Pezzali/AP

LONDON (AP)  The British Army said Tuesday it has launched an urgent investigation after an intruder posing as a priest reportedly spent the night at the barracks of troops who guard Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle.

The Sun newspaper and broadcaster Talk TV reported that the man was admitted to Victoria Barracks last week after claiming to be a friend of the battalions padre. It said he spent the evening eating and drinking with senior officers before being offered a bed for the night, despite showing no identification or credentials.
Russias war against Ukraine has leveled cities, killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions of others from their homes.

But quietly, some military analysts and Western officials are asking why the onslaught has not been even worse.

Russia could be going after Ukrainian railways, roads and bridges more aggressively to try to stanch the flow of Western weapons to the front line. It could have bombed more of the infrastructure around the capital, Kyiv, to make it harder for Western leaders to visit President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in shows of unity and resolve. And it could be doing far more to inflict pain on the West, whether by cyberattack, sabotage or more cutoffs of energy exports to Europe.

Part of the reason appears to be sheer incompetence: The opening weeks of the war demonstrated vividly that Russias military was far less capable than believed before the invasion. But American and European officials also say that President Vladimir Putins tactics in recent weeks have appeared to be remarkably cautious, marked by a slow-moving offensive in eastern Ukraine, a restrained approach to taking out Ukrainian infrastructure and an avoidance of actions that could escalate the conflict with NATO.

The apparent restraint on the ground stands in contrast to the bombast on Russian state television, where Moscow is described as being locked in an existential fight against the West and where the use of nuclear weapons is openly discussed. The issue is whether, as the war grinds on, Putin will change tack and intensify the war.

That is a particularly urgent question ahead of the Victory Day holiday in Russia on May 9, when Putin traditionally presides over a grandiose parade marking the Soviet triumph over Nazi Germany and gives a militaristic speech. Ben Wallace, the British defense secretary, predicted last week that Putin would use the speech for an official declaration of war and a mass mobilization of the Russian people.

American and European officials say that they have not seen any on-the-ground movements that would show any much larger push with additional troops beginning on May 9 or soon after. Those officials now expect a slower, grinding campaign inside Ukraine. But they do not disagree that Putin could use the speech to declare a wider war and a deeper national effort to fight it.

For the moment, Putin appears to be in a military holding pattern, one that is allowing Ukraine to regroup and stock up on Western weaponry. On Monday, a senior Pentagon official called Russias latest offensive in eastern Ukraine very cautious, very tepid. In Russia, there is grumbling that the military is fighting with one hand tied behind its back, with the strategy and aims not understood by the public.

This is a strange, special kind of war, Dmitry Trenin, until recently the director of the Carnegie Moscow Center think tank, said in a phone interview from outside Moscow. Russia has set some rather strict limits for itself, and this is not being explained in any way  which raises a lot of questions, first of all, among Russian citizens.

Trenin is one of the few analysts from his think tank, shuttered last month by the Russian government, who chose to stay in Russia after the war began. He said that he was struggling to explain why the Kremlin was fighting at less than half strength.

Why isnt Russia bombing more bridges and railway networks, he asked, when they are allowing Ukraines military to receive more of the Wests increasingly lethal weapons deliveries with every passing day? Why are Western leaders  like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday  still able to visit Kyiv safely?

I find this strange, and I cant explain it, Trenin said.

To be sure, Russian missile strikes have targeted infrastructure across Ukraine, including an important bridge in the countrys southwest on Monday and the runway of the Odesa airport on Saturday. But across the Atlantic, officials and analysts are asking themselves similar questions as Trenin.

For weeks, officials in Washington have discussed why the Russian military has not been more aggressive in trying to destroy the supply lines that send Western arms shipments into Ukraine. Part of the answer, officials say, is that Ukrainian air defense continues to threaten Russian aircraft, and the deeper Russian planes go into Ukraine the greater the chance they are going to be shot down.

Russia has also struggled with its precision munitions  missiles or rockets with guidance systems. Many of those weapons have failed to work properly, and Russian supplies of the weapons are limited. Strikes on rail lines or moving convoys must be very precise to be effective.

Other officials have argued that Moscow is eager to avoid destroying Ukraines infrastructure too severely, in the possibly misguided hope that it can still take control of the country. Russia would be stuck with a huge rebuilding job if it took over cities devastated by its own bombing.

A senior American defense official said that Putin may have avoided destroying Ukraines rail network because he did not want to hurt his own ability to move equipment and troops around the country. The Russians have been more focused on destroying weapon storage areas than the rail network.

American officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private military and intelligence assessments.

Then there is the question of why Russia hasnt hit back harder against the West. The Kremlin narrative is of an existential war with NATO being fought on Ukrainian soil, but Russia is the one taking military losses while the West keeps a safe distance and supplies weapons that kill Russian soldiers.

A lot of people in this town are asking why they havent retaliated yet, said Samuel Charap, a former U.S. State Department official in Washington and a Russia analyst with the Rand Corp. It seems low probability that the U.S. and its allies will experience no blowback from having put this many Russian soldiers in their graves.

Russia has the tools to do widespread damage to the West. The gas shortages caused by the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline last year showed the disruption that Russian hacking can inflict on American infrastructure. Berlin has warned that a cutoff of Russian gas could throw the German economy into a recession.

And then there is Moscows world-leading nuclear arsenal, with an estimated 5,977 warheads: Their catastrophic capability is being hyped in ever-shriller terms in the Russian media.

You thought you could destroy us with other peoples hands and observe from the sidelines from a safe distance? Sergei Mironov, an outspoken hawk in Russias Parliament, said Saturday, claiming that his countrys new intercontinental ballistic missile could destroy Britain in a single strike. It wont work, gentlemen  youll have to pay for it all in full! he added.

Putin has also warned of retaliation, but he values ambiguity, too. Last year, he said that those crossing a red line would face an asymmetric, fast and tough response  an indication that the response would come at a time and place of Moscows choosing.

Nobody really knows where the red line is, Charap, the analyst, said. I dont even think the Russians know, because we are in such uncharted waters.

American and allied officials have debated why Putin hasnt tried widespread or more damaging cyberstrikes. Some say that Putin has been effectively deterred. The Russian military, struggling to make gains in Ukraine, cannot handle a wider war with NATO and does not want to give the alliance any excuse to enter the war more directly.

Others argue that a cyberstrike on a NATO country is one of the few cards Putin can play and that he may be waiting for a later stage in his campaign to do that.

While Putin has been unafraid of escalating the rhetoric, his actions have suggested he does not want to do anything that could prompt a wider war.

The general sense is that he wants to snatch some sort of victory out of this debacle of his, said the American defense official, suggesting that Putin was not interested in borrowing more trouble.

Before the invasion on Feb. 24, Trenin, of the Carnegie center, predicted that the Ukrainian military would put up a fierce resistance and that Putin would discover a lack of political support for Russia in Ukraine. On that, Trenin turned out to be right.

What he was wrong about, Trenin said, was the information that aides and commanders would provide to Putin about Russias capabilities, which turned out to be flawed.

Trenin says he still sees Putin as fundamentally rational, rather than someone willing to engage in a nuclear war, with a maniacal determination to destroy mankind.

That would not be a mistake  that would be a total departure from rationality, Trenin said. I hope that now I am not wrong.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Furious Senate Democrats vowed Tuesday to vote on legislation to protect abortion access for millions of Americans, but without broader support from Republicans, Congress is essentially powerless to prevent the unraveling of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.

Amid fallout from a leaked draft Supreme Court opinion, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the conservative justices lied to the Senate during confirmation hearings when they assured senators the case that since 1973 has allowed abortion access was settled law.

And two Republican senators who publicly support abortion access, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, but have voted to confirm conservative justices vented their frustrations at the court's draft document and pushed their own bill to turn the Roe v. Wade ruling into law.

"The Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past 50 years  not just on women, but on all Americans, Schumer said.

Murkowski told reporters on Capitol Hill that if the direction of the draft becomes the final opinion, I will just tell you that it rocks my confidence in the court right now.

The Congress, however, can do little to stop the court from undoing Roe v. Wade unless more Republicans join Democrats in voting to protect abortion access, which is almost certainly unlikely. Schumer said the Senate would vote next week on emerging legislation, but facing a certain filibuster by Republicans, the Democrats signaled they prefer to fight over the issue on the campaign trail this fall, rather than in Congress. The House is away this week.

Republicans have spent decades laser-focused on the high court, installing conservative justices intent on revisiting abortion and other social issues, including three ushered to confirmation by Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell during Donald Trump's presidency to build the court's solid 6-3 majority.

Typically reveling in his role as the architect of the conservative Supreme Court majority, McConnell demurred Tuesday when asked if he took credit for engineering a decision that would end the constitutional right to an abortion for millions of women.

Instead, McConnell, R-Ky., said the focus should be on getting to the bottom of the unusual leak of the draft document from the typically quiet court.

I think the story today is the effort by someone on the inside," McConnell said of the leak.

Schumer shot back that Republicans are afraid to own what they have brought because they are on the wrong side of history.

Passing an abortion access bill through the Senate remains a political longshot, especially under the rapid timeline that would be needed before the Supreme Court issues its final decisions in June.

Schumer stopped short of promising to change Senate filibuster rules to allow Democrats to overcome Republican obstruction and pass legislation that would salvage the landmark abortion law on their own, as some party advocates are demanding.

The Democratic leader does not have the votes within the Democrats' razor-thin 50-vote majority to muscle through a rules change in the Senate that would allow Democrats to push past what is typically a 60-vote threshold on big bills.

The political fallout in Congress is certain to be far-reaching and complicated, a gripping new phase in the partisan fights over abortion access, religious liberties and the fundamental aspects of womens reproductive health.

The Republican senators in particular, who helped turn the court into a solid 6-3 conservative majority, face deep scrutiny over their public beliefs at the time and the reality now confronting the country.

Collins pointed blame back to the justices themselves, personally singling out two of the three Trump-era judges, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, she had supported for confirmation.

The Maine Republican said if the leaked draft opinion on abortion becomes the ruling of the court, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office. She did not vote for another Trump-nominated justice, Amy Coney Barrett, because confirmation came so close to the 2020 election.

Murkowski, who is up for reelection this year, did not vote for Kavanaugh after his explosive confirmation hearings over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman acquaintance during high school. She did give her support to Gorsuch and Barrett.

Other Republican senators slammed the unusual leak of the high-profile draft opinion as an attempt to bully the court, even as they celebrated its contents. Chief Justice John Roberts, confirming the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion, on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the leak.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said the leaked draft from Justice Samuel Alito is a really good opinion.

Hawley said he looked forward to the campaign debate. The people will really get to weigh in," he said.

Crowds gathered at the Supreme Court, which sits across the street from the Capitol and can be seen from the House and Senate. Anti-abortion rights protesters carried signs that said Ignore Roe while their pro-abortion-rights counterparts held placards declaring Bans off our Bodies and Impeach Kavanaugh.

One pivotal Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who talks frequently with McConnell, declined to weigh into the debate  or whether he would be willing to rethink his opposition to changing filibuster rules. He has been a holdout denying Democrats of the 51 votes needed to change the rules.

Let's wait to see everything, Manchin said.

But Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., countered McConnell and the other Republicans who want to go after the leak. What should be investigated and prosecuted is the fact that people who were nominated to the Supreme Court stood up and said they believed in the rule of law and precedent, and then at first opportunity, changed direction by 180 degrees and are going for a full repeal of Roe, said Warren, a former Harvard law professor.

Trump was able to nominate and have the Senate confirm three justices, engineering a wholesale revamping of the high court, now with a solid conservative majority.

As GOP leader, McConnell stunned Washington at the start of the 2016 presidential campaign season when he refused to allow the Senate to consider then-president Barack Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, for a high court vacancy, holding the position open until Trump won election to become president that fall.

McConnell then marshalled into place a Senate rules change to enable Republicans to bypass a Democratic filibuster and approve Supreme Court nominees on a simple 51-vote threshold  going further than Democrats had done on their own earlier rules change to allow majority confirmation of lower-level posts.

___

Associated Press video journalists Padmananda Rama and Rick Gentilo and writers Farnoush Amiri, Kevin Freking, Alan Fram and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
SEATTLE (AP)  A Seattle police officer driving a patrol car struck a man crossing the street near Rainier Avenue South at South McClellan Street while the officer was responding to an armed robbery report in the area.

Seattle Police Detective Valerie Carson told The Seattle Times the officer was pulling out of a driveway and hit the man, who was crossing in an unmarked area.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP)  Somalia's al-Shabab Islamic extremist rebels have attacked a military base of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, witnesses told The Associated Press.

The attack started early Tuesday when a vehicle rammed into the fence surrounding the base and exploded in El-Baraf, a strategic town 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of the capital Mogadishu in the Middle Shabelle region, residents said.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  South Dakota's anti-abortion lawmakers and the state's only abortion provider are poised to turn their fight to accessing abortion over state lines if the U.S. Supreme Court follows through on a draft opinion that overturns the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

A decision to overrule Roe would trigger a 2005 law that outlaws abortions in the state.

That would not be enough for Gov. Kristi Noem. The Republican governor promised on Twitter late Monday that she would call a special legislative session if Roe is overturned. Noems spokesman Ian Fury declined to discuss her reasoning, saying only that her tweet speaks for itself.

However, Republican Rep. Jon Hansen suggested a special session could be used to bolster the state's trigger law, including helping make sure pregnant mothers are protected from being pressured or coerced across state lines to have their babies' lives terminated.

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood North Central States, which operates the state's only clinic that regularly provides abortions, had been preparing for months by planning how to help abortion seekers travel to states where the procedure is legal.

But Sarah Stoesz, president of the organization, worried that a state-by-state approach would disproportionately endanger some women.

"An abortion ban is not an abortion ban for all people. It is only an abortion ban for those who lack the means to travel to a state where abortion is safe and accessible," she said. And that is one of the true moral outrages of this situation.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Israel Isaac Herzog, Azertaj has reported.

Dear Mr. President,

It is with the best wishes that I convey my sincerest congratulations to you and through you, your entire people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the National Holiday of the State of Israel  the Independence Day.

It is indeed the will of our peoples living in the conditions of friendship, mutual understanding and respect that historically stand in the core of interstate relations successfully developing between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Israel.

Today, it is pleasant to see the expansion of coverage area of the Azerbaijani  Israeli relations and active collaboration of our countries in several important areas. Undoubtedly, the opening of Trade and Tourism Offices of our country in Tel-Aviv will contribute to the development of our collaboration and interpersonal contacts.

I wish to note in particular the participation of Israeli companies in recovery and reconstruction operations conducted in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from the occupation.

I think that our interaction in energy, high technologies, education, military-technical and other fields has good opportunities for further development. I am confident that we will continue to put joint efforts to further expand traditional friendly relations between our countries and fully benefit from the potential of our cooperation.

On this festive day, I wish you strong health, happiness, success in your work, and everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Israel.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  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.

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.

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.

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.

Younger sister Rebecca Johnson said she was satisfied with the sentence.

Today I feel like we've had answers and we've had justice, and that's for our brother and that's 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.

White's 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.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said Monday he plans to sign a bill that would would let a politically appointed panel remove books from public school libraries statewide through a new veto power over local school board decisions.

The Republican's comments to reporters come the week after GOP supermajorities in the legislature passed the bill. The proposal would give the politically appointed state textbook commission ultimate say in an appeals process over whether a book can or cant stay in school libraries.
Thomas Lohnes/AP

BERLIN (AP)  Germany's top court said Tuesday that it has rejected the appeal of a former member of Syria's secret police who was convicted last year of facilitating the torture of prisoners in his home country.

In a landmark ruling, a court in the western German city of Koblenz had convicted Eyad Al-Gharib of accessory to crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 4 1/2 years in prison. The verdict, which was the first time that a court outside Syria ruled in a case alleging Syrian government officials committed crimes against humanity, was welcomed by human rights activists and victims of President Bashar Assads repression.
NEW YORK (AP)  The federal government has indicted a seafood distributor and eight of its employees and associates on charges of smuggling valuable eels.

The company, American Eel Depot of Totowa, New Jersey, is the biggest importer and wholesale distributor of eel meat in the country. The Justice Department said on April 29 that the defendants in the case conspired to unlawfully smuggle large numbers of baby European eels out of Europe to a factory in China.
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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Russian forces Tuesday began storming the steel mill containing the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol, Ukrainian defenders said, just as scores of civilians evacuated from the bombed-out plant reached relative safety and told of days and nights filled with dread and despair from constant shelling.

Osnat Lubrani, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said that thanks to the evacuation effort over the weekend, 101 people  including women, the elderly, and 17 children, the youngest 6 months old  were able to emerge from the bunkers under the Azovstal steelworks and see the daylight after two months.

One evacuee said she went to sleep at the plant every night afraid she wouldnt wake up.

You cant imagine how scary it is when you sit in the bomb shelter, in a damp and wet basement, and it is bouncing and shaking, 54-year-old Elina Tsybulchenko said upon arriving in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Mariupol, in a convoy of buses and ambulances.

She said if the shelter were hit by a bomb like the ones that left the huge craters she saw on the two occasions she ventured outside, all of us would be done.

Evacuees, a few of whom were in tears, made their way from the buses into a tent offering some of the comforts long denied them during their weeks underground, including hot food, diapers and connections to the outside world. Mothers fed small children. Some of the evacuees browsed racks of donated clothing, including new underwear.

The news for those left behind was more grim. Ukrainian commanders said Russian forces backed by tanks began storming the sprawling plant, which includes a maze of tunnels and bunkers spread out over 11 square kilometers (4 square miles).

How many Ukrainian fighters were holed up inside was unclear, but the Russians put the number at about 2,000 in recent weeks, and 500 were reported to be wounded. A few hundred civilians also remained there, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

Well do everything thats possible to repel the assault, but were calling for urgent measures to evacuate the civilians that remain inside the plant and to bring them out safely, Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of Ukraines Azov Regiment, said on the messaging app Telegram.

He added that throughout the night, the plant was hit with naval artillery fire and airstrikes. Two civilian women were killed and 10 civilians wounded, he said.

The U.N.s Lubrani expressed hope for further evacuations but said none had been worked out.

In his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that by storming the steel mill, Russian forces violated agreements for safe evacuations. He said the prior evacuations are not a victory yet, but its already a result. I believe theres still a chance to save other people."

In other battlefield developments, Russian troops shelled a chemical plant in the eastern city of Avdiivka, killing at least 10 people, Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said.

The Russians knew exactly where to aim  the workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home, Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. Another cynical crime by Russians on our land.

Explosions were also heard in Lviv, in western Ukraine, near the Polish border. The strikes damaged three power substations, knocking out electricity in parts of the city and disrupting the water supply, and wounded two people, the mayor said. Lviv has been a gateway for NATO-supplied weapons and a haven for those fleeing the fighting in the east.

A rocket also struck an infrastructure facility in a mountainous area in Transcarpathia, a region in far western Ukraine that borders Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, authorities said. There was no immediate word of any casualties.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Russian aircraft and artillery hit hundreds of targets in the past day, including troop strongholds, command posts, artillery positions, fuel and ammunition depots and radar equipment.

Ukrainian authorities said the Russians also attacked at least a half-dozen railroad stations around the country.

The assault on the Azovstal steelworks began almost two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military not to storm the plant to finish off the defenders but to seal it off. The first  and so far only  civilians to be evacuated from the shattered plant got out during a brief cease-fire in an operation overseen by the U.N. and the Red Cross.

At a reception center in Zaporizhzhia, stretchers and wheelchairs were lined up, and children's shoes and toys awaited the convoy. Medical and psychological teams were on standby.

Some of the elderly evacuees appeared exhausted as they arrived. Some of the younger people, especially mothers comforting babies and other young children, appeared relieved.

Im very glad to be on Ukrainian soil, said a woman who gave only her first name, Anna, and arrived with two children, ages 1 and 9. We thought we wouldnt get out of there, frankly speaking.

A small group of women held up signs in English asking that fighters also be evacuated from the steel plant.

The arrival of the evacuees was a rare piece of good news in the nearly 10-week conflict that has killed thousands, forced millions to flee the country, laid waste to towns and cities, and shifted the post-Cold War balance of power in Eastern Europe.

Over the past days, traveling with the evacuees, I have heard mothers, children and frail grandparents speak about the trauma of living day after day under unrelenting heavy shelling and the fear of death, and with extreme lack of water, food and sanitation, Lubrani said. They spoke of the hell they have experienced."

In addition to the 101 people evacuated from the steelworks, 58 joined the convoy in a town on the outskirts of Mariupol, Lubrani said. About 30 people who left the plant decided to stay behind in Mariupol to try to find out whether their loved ones were alive, Lubrani said. A total of 127 evacuees arrived in Zaporizhzhia, she said.

The Russian military said earlier that some of the evacuees chose to stay in areas held by pro-Moscow separatists.

Tsybulchenko rejected Russian allegations that the Ukrainian fighters wouldnt allow civilians to leave the plant. She said the Ukrainian military told civilians that they were free to go but would be risking their lives if they did so.

We understood clearly that under these murder weapons, we wouldnt survive, we wouldnt manage to go anywhere, she said.

Mariupol has come to symbolize the human misery inflicted by the war. The Russians two-month siege of the strategic southern port has trapped civilians with little or no food, water, medicine or heat, as Moscows forces pounded the city into rubble. The plant in particular has transfixed the outside world.

After failing to take Kyiv in the early weeks of the war, Russia withdrew from around the capital and announced that its chief objective was the capture of Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, known as the Donbas.

Mariupol lies in the region, and its fall 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 Donbas.

But so far, Russias troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains in the eastern offensive.

Ukraines resistance has been significantly bolstered by Western arms, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced 300 million pounds ($375 million) in new military aid, including radar, drones and armored vehicles.

In a speech delivered remotely to Ukraines parliament, he pronounced the battle Ukraines finest hour, echoing the words of Winston Churchill during World War II.

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 said.

___

Associated Press journalists Inna Varenytsia and David Keyton in Kyiv, 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
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OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP)  Washington Gov. Jay Inslee decried a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion that would throw out the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling and said the state would provide sanctuary for women outside the state seeking abortions and would explore ways to codify abortion rights in the state's Constitution.

Inslee, joined by other Democratic leaders at a rally Tuesday in Seattle, also said he would work to ensure the state had adequate resources to provide abortion services to those traveling to the state for the procedure.

They will be welcome, and they will be safe, Inslee said.

The leaked draft of the U.S. Supreme Court opinion  which could change before the court is expected to officially rule next month  was published by the news outlet Politico late Monday.

Abortion has been legal in Washington state since a 1970 referendum. A 1991 ballot measure, also approved by voters, declared a womans right to choose physician-performed abortion prior to fetal viability and further expanded and protected access to abortion in the state if Roe v. Wade was overturned. And in 2018, the Democratic-led Legislature passed a measure that would require Washington insurers offering maternity care to also cover elective abortions and contraception.

Earlier this year, Inslee signed into law a measure that increases the number of providers who can provide abortions, granting specific statutory authorization for physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners and other providers acting within their scope of practice.

The measure also prohibited legal action against people seeking an abortion and those who aid them, a move designed to rebut recent actions by conservative states. Conservative legislatures in several states have either passed or proposed new abortion restrictions in anticipation of possible changes to the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.

Washingtons measure, which takes effect in June, prohibits the state from taking any action against an individual seeking to end their pregnancy or for assisting someone who is pregnant in obtaining an abortion.

The language is in response to a Texas law, which took effect last September, and which bans abortion after roughly six weeks of pregnancy and makes no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. The enforcement of the law is left up to private citizens, who can collect $10,000 or more if they bring a successful lawsuit against a provider or anyone who helps a patient obtain an abortion.

If Inslee pushes for a constitutional amendment, as Democratic leaders in California have announced they would do, Democratic leaders would need to secure bipartisan support since the Democratic majority in the Washington Legislature does not hold a supermajority in either chamber, and it takes a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Democratic Speaker Laurie Jinkins said in a phone interview that a constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution is hard to achieve but thats an option we would consider.

She said for now though, her focus was to protect the current protections in state law and to continue to make sure that everyone in this state has access.

Inslee also noted that the state Supreme Court could codify abortion rights in the state constitution, but said that would take litigation and time.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun said that the court opinion does not change much in our state.

Democrats have been quick to point out that the law here in Washington continues to provide opportunities for abortion procedures, he said in a written statement. Whatever the law, whatever your politics, fewer abortions should be a common goal.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas. The Texas law banning it after six weeks has been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A private burial and memorial service was scheduled Wednesday for a man known by many as the father of the Mississippi Republican Party.

Wirt Yerger Jr. died Monday at his home in Jackson, Wright and Ferguson Funeral Homes confirmed. He was 92.

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker described Yerger as a trailblazer for the modern Mississippi Republican Party, who had a vision for what principled, conservative leadership could mean for our state and nation.

In a statement, Wicker said he stood on Yerger's shoulders and has benefited from the foundation he helped to create.

I appreciate his good leadership and will miss his friendship. Gayle and I send our condolences to his family, including his wife, Mary, and their children, as they mourn his loss and celebrate a life well-lived, Wicker said.

Gov. Tate Reeves remembered Yerger as a visionary and as a friend, adding, We are terribly saddened to hear of his passing, but we are confident that his legacy will endure for many years to come.

Yerger, was named chairman emeritus of the Mississippi Republican Party in 2009 and was one of Mississippis six electors who cast an Electoral College vote during the 2016 presidential election. He voted for Donald Trump.

He was fiercely committed to both the party and the cause of conservatism, said Grant Callen, founder, and CEO of Empower Mississippi, a nonprofit advocacy organization. When Empower was only an idea, I went to Wirt to ask for his advice. Not only did he warmly encourage the idea for Empower, he wrote one of the very first checks to support the mission and volunteered to join our board of directors.

Over the last eight years, he and I would visit often, and he never stopped telling me how proud he was of the work we were doing.

Yerger, a Jackson native and a graduate of the University of Mississippi, served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Forces Strategic Air Command. He later joined Ross & Yerger, Inc., Mississippis first insurance agency, which had been founded in 1860. according to an obituary provided by the funeral home.

He served as state chair of the Republican Party from 1956 to 1966 and was also chairman of the Southern Association of Republican State Chairmen. In 2009, he was named chairman emeritus of the state GOP for his work in building a two-party political system in Mississippi.

Yerger is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons and a daughter and 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery at 10 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.
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ZAKHO, Iraq (AP)  Iraqis in a northern town still traumatized by memories of the Islamic State group feared more violence Tuesday after hostilities between the military and a local militia erupted, people internally displaced by the fighting said.

Tensions reached a fever pitch when Iraq's military launched an offensive in Sinjar district Sunday to clear out armed elements of the YBS, a local militia comprised largely of minority Yazidis.

The YBS has ties to the insurgent Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, a separatist movement banned in Turkey.

The heavy fighting prompted over 3,000 people, most of them Yazidis, to flee toward the Kurdish-run north. It wasn't clear if there were any dead or wounded in the fighting: Iraqi officials have released no figures and have not commented on casualties.

Fighting ceased Tuesday and the Iraqi army said it had re-established control of Sinjar. But the violence and subsequent displacement dealt a blow to Baghdad's efforts to encourage more Yazidis to return to their ancestral homeland after years of war.

An agreement was brokered by the United Nations in October 2020 between Baghdad and the Kurdish-run government to implement order in the area. Under that agreement, the federal police are the sole state authority.

The accord has not proven successful. Critics have said this is because it did not consult powerful local forces in Sinjar or even Yazidi leaders. Local residents, who also include Arab Sunnis, are also deeply divided.

Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir al-Shammari, deputy commander of Iraq's Joint Operations Command, told a news conference in Sinjar that Iraqi forces have imposed security and law and order and have opened all the roads in the district.

"The goal of these operations was to impose the (rule of) law and security to secure a safe environment so that we can rebuild Sinjar and return the displaced.

But Yazidis, many displaced now for a second time, are reluctant to return.

Most of the displaced fled north to the Kurdish-run region where they were distributed across different camps. Many first fled in 2014 after IS's brutal onslaught and returned in recent years to rebuild their homes.

The memories are still fresh in Sewes mind. His was among the dozens of families who made their way to the Chemishko camp in Zakho on Monday. He only gave The Associated Press his first name.

It is the second time that we escaped, he said. We dont know where to go, we dont have a place to go, and we dont know where we are going now.

The YBS was created in 2014 with assistance from the PKK. They proved instrumental in driving out IS elements from the area after the collapse of the Iraqi army. The YBS has since remained a powerful local force in the area, citing deep mistrust of the federal government forces deployed to protect the area.

The Iraqi army said the aim of the offensive has been to reassert state authority in response to the YBS erecting checkpoints and preventing citizens from returning to their homes.

But most residents expect more violence.

When we went back to our home we found it was impossible to live there, said Rashid Barakat, now displaced in the Chemishko camp. The army was attacking (the YBS) and the (YBS) was hitting them back, and we were stuck in between."

___

Kullab reported from Baghdad. Associated Press journalist Ali Abdul-Hassan contributed from Sinjar.
Nurses at Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital have ratified new three-year labor contracts one week after going on strike, the nurses' union announced Monday.

Roughly 83 percent of the nearly 5,000 nurses represented by the Committee for the Recognition of Nursing Achievement voted Sunday to ratify the contracts, which cover nurses at both hospitals.

According to union officials, the new contracts include 7 percent wage increases for all represented nurses, staffing based on the needs of patients, increased retirement and medical benefits, an additional week of paid time off and incentive payments for hard-to-staff hospital areas like critical care units.

The nurses went on strike April 25, arguing that Stanford management needed to improve working conditions, address low staff retention and high turnover rates and help prevent employee burnout.

Politico claims to have obtained a leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion overturning the landmark abortion ruling Roe v Wade and the news organization says it is "confident in its authenticity."

In a joint statement between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, the pair referred to the news as an "abomination."

California Assembly member Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, also decried any decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, also released a statement pledging to fight for abortion rights.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, had been tweeting about a possible overturning of Roe v. Wade in recent weeks.

Gov. Gavin Newsom also released a statement calling it an appalling attack on women's rights.

Jodi Hicks, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, called it a nightmare scenario."

Potter Handy, the law firm known for filing thousands of lawsuits in the Bay Area alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, appears to have largely stopped filing new cases after being sued last month by the district attorneys of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

A Bay City News analysis found that in 2021, the firm filed a total of 2,076 ADA lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, representing 85 percent of all ADA filings in the district that year.

The torrid pace of Potter Handy's ADA filings continued into 2022. Until April 11, Potter Handy was filing an average of three ADA lawsuits a day, seven days a week.

But then something changed. In the 21 days subsequent to April 11th, the firm has only filed three new cases in the district.

The sharp drop-off coincides with the date that the district attorneys filed a joint lawsuit against Potter Handy in the Superior Court of San Francisco County.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is investigating the death of a man found Monday morning near a public park.

The man, who appears to be middle-aged, had trauma to his torso and was discovered by a woman walking her dog on a path below Ocean View Park near East Cliff Drive, police said.

Officers arrived at the scene at 6:30 a.m. and detectives are determining whether foul play involved in his death.

The identity of the man and his cause of death are both pending verification from the coroner's office, SCPD said.

Public libraries have long been in the business of lifelong learning for people of all ages.

As different modes of learning have evolved for the community, so have the ways that libraries support residents' learning aspirations.

No longer just a repository for books, or even just a place to attend events or activities, libraries have become places for collaborative learning and shared experiences that build community while enhancing the knowledge and skills of visitors.

The most recent example of this shift at Redwood City Public Library is the recent opening of its Makerspace, which provides opportunities for people of all ages to create, experiment and collaborate in a self-directed hands-on learning environment.

A man charged with theft of labor, tax evasion and failure to maintain workers' compensation insurance for farm workers was sentenced to 364 days in jail, the San Mateo District Attorney's Office announced on Monday.

David Wayne Jenkins pleaded no contest to charges related to his failure to pay farm workers on his Half Moon Bay hemp farm from December 2020 to January 2021, prosecutors said. Jenkins also pleaded no contest to failing to transmit taxes withheld from his employees' wages and failing to maintain workers comp insurance.

The Santa Rosa Police are reporting a shooting on Monday afternoon that has left a victim in critical condition.

Officers responded to a call at 3:26 p.m. of a shooting at the intersection of Sunset and McMinn avenues. Officers arrived and found a male who had been shot at least once, police said. No other information about the victim is being released at this time.

The suspect was last seen running southbound on McMinn Ave. A 3:45 p.m., an officer made contact with a person that matched the suspect's description, police said. The suspect was arrested in the area of Gloria Drive and West Avenue.

No one was injured in a Monday morning house fire in Redwood City, which caused a temporary road closure along Middlefield Road.

The road was closed between Beech Street and Cassia Street near downtown for about two hours this morning between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., as fire crews investigated the incident.

Redwood City Fire Chief Ray Iverson said that at 8:54 a.m., crews responded to a fire at the 1400 block of Middlefield Road, Redwood City, where there was smoke coming from a two-story Victorian-style home.

Crews extinguished the fire, which caused some damage to the building.

The National Weather Service forecast for the greater San Francisco Bay Area calls for warmer conditions Tuesday, about 10 degrees warmer than Monday in most areas. Daytime highs will range from the 60s on the coast, the mid to high 70s around the bay, and reaching the high 70s to low 80s in the inland areas of the East Bay. Overnight lows will be in the high 40s to low 50s.

The warmer conditions are expected to continue through Thursday, with Wednesday being the peak of the heat, with temperatures expected in the 80s around the bay and into the low 90s inland. Expect to see a cooling towards next weekend with breezy conditions developing.

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In a New York Times article published Monday, several congressional lawmakers and political aides said the seeming decline of California Sen. Dianne Feinsteins mental acuity has become an open secret on Capitol Hill.

That piece comes just two weeks after a San Francisco Chronicle article detailed multiple instances in which interactions with the 88-year-old senator led her colleagues to doubt her ability to continue serving in the office shes held for nearly 40 years (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another).

While the two pieces detail similar accounts  including one in which a lawmaker had to reintroduce themselves to the senator multiple times  the New York Times article outlines new anecdotes not discussed in the Chronicle report.

In a statement provided to both the New York Times and SFGATE, Feinstein said her achievements in office should reassure voters that shes fit to continue serving California.

Its true the last year has been difficult caring for my dying husband and grieving over his passing, but Ive remained committed to achieving results and I would put my record up against anyones, she said. If the question is whether Im an effective senator for 40 million Californians, the record shows that I am.

In the New York Times article, lawmakers and aides said 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.

One Democratic lawmaker, who had an extended encounter with Feinstein in February, told the outlet that, the experience was akin to acting as a caregiver for a person in need of constant assistance. They said they had to reintroduce themselves to Feinstein several times, repeatedly help her find her purse, and answer the same set of small-talk questions over and over again.

The New York Times piece also revealed that Feinsteins late husband, financier Richard C. Blum  who passed away in February  did not think his wife needed to leave the Senate, going so far as to say she could seek reelection in 2024. When he was asked about Feinsteins ability to continue serving, the article said, he would shrug them off.



What else is she going to do? Blum would say, according to the article.



You can read the full New York Times report here.
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, May 3, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX

526 PM CDT Tue May 3 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Llano

and west central Burnet Counties through 615 PM CDT...

At 526 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over

Lone Grove, or 9 miles northwest of Buchanan Dam. This storm was

nearly stationary.

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...

Buchanan Dam, Buchanan Lake Village, Bluffton, Stolz, Lone Grove and

Tow.

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.

If on or near Lake Buchanan, get out of the water and move indoors

or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles

from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close

enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not

be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

LAT...LON 3085 9860 3090 9849 3079 9827 3069 9858

TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 320DEG 4KT 3082 9854

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN

MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, May 3, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Fort Worth TX

1142 PM CDT Mon May 2 2022

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northern Denton,

northwestern Collin, southern Cooke, Grayson and Fannin Counties

through 1215 AM CDT...

At 1141 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along

a line extending from near Bennington to near Kemp to 6 miles west of

Knollwood to 11 miles northwest of Sanger. Movement was south at 30

mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Denton, Sherman, Denison, Gainesville, Bonham, Sanger, Whitesboro,

Celina, Krum, Pilot Point, Van Alstyne, Howe, Aubrey, Pottsboro,

Krugerville, Collinsville, Whitewright, Cross Roads, Gunter and

Bells.

This includes the following highways...

Interstate 35 between mile markers 468 and 494.

Interstate 35W between mile markers 84 and 85.

Interstate 35E between mile markers 465 and 466.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for

north central Texas.

LAT...LON 3385 9586 3363 9586 3336 9661 3312 9739

3353 9739 3382 9652 3377 9650 3378 9643

3369 9634 3377 9629 3376 9619 3381 9616

3381 9618 3384 9615 3384 9605 3386 9603

3384 9602 3387 9600 3386 9595 3389 9594

TIME...MOT...LOC 0441Z 359DEG 24KT 3402 9600 3381 9630 3366 9673 3346

9733

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Western Wise County in north central Texas...

Eastern Jack County in north central Texas...

* Until 1245 AM CDT.

* At 1143 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Jacksboro,

moving south 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...

Bridgeport, Jacksboro, Boonsville, Runaway Bay and Lake Bridgeport.

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO NORMAN Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Jefferson County in southern Oklahoma...

Southeastern Cotton County in southwestern Oklahoma...

Northern Clay County in northern Texas...

Northeastern Archer County in northern Texas...

Southeastern Wichita County in northern Texas...

* Until 1030 PM CDT.

* At 925 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from 9 miles east of Addington to 4 miles east of Byers

to 5 miles west of Sheppard AFB, moving southeast 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...

Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Henrietta, Waurika, Ryan, Petrolia,

Byers, Dean, Terral, Jolly, Addington, Sugden, Sheppard AFB, Grady,

Oscar, northeastern Lake Arrowhead, Lakeside City, Pleasant Valley,

Petersburg and Charlie.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect for the warned area. Tornadoes can

develop quickly from severe thunderstorms.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO NORMAN Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Norman OK

1056 PM CDT Mon May 2 2022

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southern Clay and

southeastern Archer Counties through 1130 PM CDT...

At 1056 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along

a line extending from 3 miles east of Bellevue to 13 miles south of

Windthorst. Movement was southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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...

Windthorst, Bellevue, Bluegrove, Newport, Joy, Vashti and Shannon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

LAT...LON 3381 9806 3373 9798 3347 9798 3347 9842

3340 9842 3340 9873

TIME...MOT...LOC 0356Z 311DEG 20KT 3363 9795 3340 9851

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN

MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northeastern Cooke County in north central Texas...

Western Grayson County in north central Texas...

* Until midnight CDT.

* At 1058 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Callisburg,

or 10 miles northwest of Whitesboro, moving southeast 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...

Whitesboro, Pottsboro, Collinsville, Callisburg, Lake Kiowa,

southwestern Lake Texoma, Southmayd, Tioga and Sadler.

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Offshore wind power sees high development potential



During a recent online conference with localities on finalising the PDP VIII, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh said that calculations in the plan are optimal.

By 2030, total power capacity is forecast to reach 146,000 MW.

By 2045, coal-fueled power is expected to contribute only 9.6 percent of the countrys energy sector, while the contribution of solar power is set to reach 50.7 percent.

International organisations and experts said Vietnam has great advantages thanks to its long coastline and high potential for wind power, especially offshore wind power, which could reach a similar capacity to Vietnams hydropower projects.

Mark Hutchinson, Chair of the Southeast Asia Task Force at the Global Wind Energy Council, said that the target of 10GW from offshore wind power is reachable. This will help Vietnam become safer against risks of global fuel price fluctuations.

Tran Viet Ngai, Chairman of the Vietnam Energy Association, said that in the future, offshore wind power will develop strongly thanks to its advantages over onshore and solar power.

According to Mai Duy Thien, Chairman of the Vietnam Clean Energy Association, compared to onshore wind power, offshore wind power is more prominent in quality and stability.

Meanwhile, Stuart Livesey Country Director of Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP) in Vietnam and General Director of the La Gan offshore wind power project said that large-scale offshore wind power projects can generate a significant amount of electricity at a higher availability rate than other forms of onshore renewable energy. He underlined the necessity of upgrading transmission lines, along with specific plans as well as suitable funding for the development of the renewable energy sector.

Many banks and financial institutions have already prioritised funding of renewable energy projects, including offshore wind power plans, he noted.

Experts held that Vietnams commitment to net-zero emissions given at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) is ambitious but reachable if the country designs suitable legal frameworks and support policies.

VNA
18:00 | Lima, May. 3.

"The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches must start to work together, unified, and implement this Constituent Assembly or, if it is not deemed as suitable, implement the reforms required by the Constituent Assembly," Torres said during his participation at Congress' Constitution Commission.









"This way, we must dialogue, without insults, without abuse, respecting the opinion of others. There must be discrepancies. Those of us who are lawyers here know that discrepancy is very useful. Contradictory ideas come from discrepancy, and the best solutions emerge from contradictory ideas," Torres expressed.





"We must work together, unitedly, seeking what you have said here with which I perfectly agree: seek advancement, the progress of our country, and put an end to poverty because those social and economic differences that exist are not typical of the civilized world," he added.





Dynamic policy





In turn, Justice and Human Rights Minister Felix Chero explained that both politics and law are dynamic, so changes in the Magna Carta should be considered through the Assembly.





"A preliminary debate opens here. What the population, meaning the Peruvian people, wants: that academicians and politicians debate this issue," he indicated.





The minister assured that the results of recent surveys on the Constituent Assembly are not consistent with what was observed by the Cabinet during visits to provinces.





"I do not perceive that at the Decentralized Councils of Ministers; reality reflects a totally different position () A great debate is opened in the country. Let's not close our eyes to reality, to social demands, to the academic debate raised with respect and coherence," he pointed out.
So you are planning a trip to Mauritius and are wondering where to even start? Well, youve come to the right place. I recently spent a week in Mauritius and in this video I will share all my secrets about planning a trip to this paradise!

In this article well cover flights, visa, self-driving cars, food, drones and my detailed recommendations on the hotels in the end. So lets get started!





Lets start with the most obvious question - how many days should you plan your trip for?

Well, my recommendation is at least a week. Mauritius is an island country and its not that huge, but trust me theres so much to see and do there that even after a week, you wont be done with the island nation. I wont cover all that can be done in the country, but stay tuned for more videos on that on the channel in the next few days and weeks.

Visa?

This is the easiest part - the visa is on arrival and all that you need to do is fill up a simple form. Actually two forms - one online and another one in the flight. The link to the online one-in-all form is in the description below. The best part about visa? Its free!

Flight to Mauritius?

The flights to Mauritius arent back to the pre-pandemic levels, so right now there may not be flights everyday from India. The airline of choice is Air Mauritius and the best port of exit, in my opinion, would be Mumbai. I flew with them in economy and I was pleasantly surprised with the services.

SIM card

I would absolutely recommend taking a local SIM card. There are shops for buying these in the mall, but dont forget to carry your passport when you do that. I learnt it the hard way so please dont make that mistake. Here are some of the most recommended ones - My.t, Emtel & Chili. I took one from My.t with unlimited data and never had any problem during my week-long stay there. You get 4G almost everywhere, but it does drop to 3G in remote areas.

Languages in Mauritius

About 70% of the population in Mauritius is of Indian origin, so you might think you can get away with Indian languages, at least Hindi? Well, as it turns out, the language most Mauritians speak is French, and you can also easily get by with English. Some also speak Tamil but frankly I didnt meet anyone who spoke Hindi, besides a few dialogues from Bollywood movies.

Food in Mauritius

The culture in Mauritius is hugely influenced by two countries - France and India, and you can see their influence in everything, including food. Of course, everything has changed a little bit with time and now dishes from these countries have become their own. Also if you love your alcohol, do try their Rum - thats the speciality in Mauritius.

A quick pro tip too - many of the restaurants require men to wear pants and shirt for dinners. Make sure you car at least a couple of them, just in case you are in mood for a fancy dinner :)

How to travel around in Mauritius?

Well, there are many ways to move around the country but public transport isnt the best options - there are buses but their isnt as extensive. If you drive, I would recommend self-driving there - Indian passports work and the cars drive on the left had side of the road like India so its much easier. Links to where you can rent a car are down below in the description. The other option, and this is what we did, is to rent a taxi and use that to explore the country. Local drivers know their country well, and you can focus on having fun while they take you places.

Ebrahim Tours

Ola Mauritius

Car Rental Mauritius

Flying a drone in Mauritius

I know we all love flying our drones when visiting a new country. Like everywhere else, flying drones here also require permissions and those are hard to get. Since, I was doing a project with the Tourism Board, it wasnt hard, but please make sure that you fly only after youve done all the paperwork. Also if you are flying a drone in your hotel, please do take permission from them first before your flight.

Is it a safe country?

YES! Thats a BIG and resounding yes! It is a very safe country - its safe if you are travelling solo, with your partner or as a family. Dont worry about it!

Where to stay in Mauritius?

I love this section! I have three recommendations based on the kind of trip that you want to do.

If you are doing a luxury trip, and especially your honeymoon, I recommend staying at the Le Meridien - its right on the beach and the sunsets there are just stunning! Its a lovers paradise. This was the property I enjoyed the most in Mauritius - a detailed video coming soon!

- its right on the beach and the sunsets there are just stunning! Its a lovers paradise. This was the property I enjoyed the most in Mauritius - a detailed video coming soon! If you are in Mauritius for long term, a few weeks to a month or more, I would suggest staying at this place called Domaine de Grand Baie . The rooms here are like an apartment with a washing machine, dish washer, and everything you need to cook your meals daily.

. The rooms here are like an apartment with a washing machine, dish washer, and everything you need to cook your meals daily. And finally, if you are on a leisure trip without a high budget, and still want to be close to the ocean stay at Hotel Veranda Tamarin. Its a beautiful property just across the street from a beach popular with surfers. It has its own pool, very earthy rooms and a very relaxed vibe.

----------

Disclaimer: I did this trip with the Mauritius Tourism Board. However, all views and opinions are my own and based on my personal experiences and detailed online research.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on Monday, signed a green energy pact in Berlin as a major step toward climate action. Called the Green and Sustainable energy partnership, the agreement was made at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin at the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). Speaking at the IGC, Chancellor Scholz said, "When we look at the importance that India is going to have in the future, economically and also in regards with the population growth, it is clear that India plays a key role when it comes to global climate change and tackling the consequences".

"The cooperation that we are engaging in this area is broad and I look forward and I'm pleased that we've been able to sign a number of joint declarations", Scholz added. He even mentioned the severe heatwaves being experienced across several states in India and added that these events emphasise the importance of measures to tackle global warming. "It is a topic where we need to cooperate closely. We need to coordinate on this and other issues. And this is the purpose of our intergovernmental consultations".

Under the Indo-Germany pact, a green hydrogen task force will also be formed which would embolden Indias commitment toward green and sustainable growth. At the agreements launch at the IGC, PM Modi said, After announcing its climate ambition in Glasgow, India has shown the world that green and sustainable development is our article of faith. Under this new partnership, Germany has decided to pledge 10 billion euros to support Indias Green Go plant. I thank Germany and Chancellor Scholz for this.

We have also decided to form a green hydrogen task force. Green hydrogen will be crucial in enhancing infrastructure in both the countries. By combining our experience, we have also decided to commence joint projects in third countries, PM Modi added.

Earlier today, India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met with German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze to discuss topics such as climate action, resilient and reliable supply chains, third-country partnerships and the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

PM Modi, who is on his three-nation visit starting Germany, also held bilateral talks with Chancellor Scholz wherein both the leaders discussed the expansion of India-Germany cooperation. The duo also engaged in dialogue at the IGC which was chaired by PM Modi and Scholz and was attended by several ministers of both sides. On the other hand, PM Modi's bilateral meeting with Scholz was his first since the latter assumed office in December 2021.

Earlier today, PM Modi was accorded to the Guard of Honour at the Federal Chancellery in presence of Scholz and will next proceed for a private dinner with the German Chancellor. On May 3, the PM will head to Denmark and will end his trip in France where he would meet French President Emmanuel Macron and congratulate him on his historic re-election.
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She would no doubt have learned from her experiences, taken strength from overcoming gender stereotypes, suffered from rejection by traditional hierarchies, and yet somehow managed to bring the world together in celebration of inclusiveness by the end of season one.

A few princess-obsessed under-10s will, just possibly, be distraught that Pearl, the animated adventure series that was meant to be the first product to emerge from the Duchess of Sussexs mega-deal with Netflix, has been scrapped before it even got into production. Everyone else will probably be relieved, and get back to watching Sienna Miller furiously glower her way through Westminster in Anatomy of a Scandal.

The image of the Sussexes as global media and tech moguls is increasingly hard to sustain. Credit:AP

But a closer look suggests the tectonic plates might be shifting. Pearl may have been a hopelessly tragic idea for a series. But Meghans cancellation comes right on the back of Spotifys decision to quietly shuffle Michelle and Barack Obama off its roster of high-profile podcasters.

A coincidence? Not really. In truth, the streaming giants, like much of the rest of the media establishment, are starting to work out that sanctimonious woke programming doesnt pull in the viewers. It was easy enough to hide that during a credit bubble but now that cash is starting to get tighter it is becoming far, far harder. Market forces are finally starting to re-assert themselves - and preachy, dull-as-ditchwater shows should thankfully be consigned to the past.
Warren Buffett has simple advice for investors as they stare down the worst inflation in decades: invest in your own skills.

The best investment by far is anything that develops yourself, Buffett said at Berkshire Hathaways annual shareholder meeting in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, on the weekend, the first-time the famed finance event has been held in person since 2019.

Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett, left, with long-time business partner Charlie Munger have been long-term Bitcoin sceptics. Credit:AP

If youre the one they pick out to do any particular activity -- sing or play baseball or be their lawyer, whatever it may be -- whatever abilities you have cant be taken away from you. They cant actually be inflated away from you.

Buffett, the 91-year-old investment legend known as the Oracle of Omaha, has spent decades building a former textile business into a conglomerate valued at about $US700 billion ($993 billion), with footholds in the insurance market, transportation business and retail. His investing prowess has long attracted a flock of acolytes who hang on his every word for kernels of investing wisdom. Beyond the routine annual meeting protocol and the questions about Berkshires businesses, Buffett also used the more than five-hour event to share insights on investing and life.
Is junior burger an Australianism? The question arose after the first leaders debate, tweeted by ABCs own language pulse-checker, Tiger Webb. What did it mean? Who first cooked it? Anthony Albanese used the term during the showdown, deploring the Coalitions handling of the Solomon Islands issue.

After news of China signing a security pact with our neighbours, Albo aimed for the ScoMo schnoz: This isnt so much a Pacific step-up, its a Pacific stuff-up. Bang  a strong blow. Rhetorical. Vernacular. He then garnished the snub by calling Senator Zed Seselja, the Pacific Minister, a junior burger.

Kapow, I think. Was it a hit? Like Tiger, the audience wasnt sure. Evidently no compliment, the hamburger dig erred on the esoteric side. As for being a federal first, the phrase debuted as a homophone in 2021, where NSW Senator Tim Ayres described former WA Liberal Senator Ben Small as the junior burgher from Bunbury. Though arguably Ayres meant burger the snack, not burgher the citizen, Hansard had to take a punt.

Fighting words? Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison during their first election debate. Credit:Toby Zerna

One thing is clear, however. For linguists to mull over a single phrase after one whole month of campaigning, then the state of public oratory is not much steak with minimal sizzle. Amanda Laugesen, director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre (ANU), has been likewise underwhelmed.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Whether youre keen on Japanese literature, Hollywood, new writers or a campus coming-of-age, theres plenty to sink your teeth into in May. Highlights include Tina Browns highly anticipated book about the royal family The Palace Papers and Australian writer Steve Toltzs typically wry Here Goes Nothing. Below weve collated a list of 10 books - spanning genres and styles - that should be on this months reading pile. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday. Credit: Either/Or, Elif Batuman Jonathan Cape, $32.99, May 1

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American writer Elif Batuman burst onto the literary scene with her debut novel The Idiot, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2018. The coming-of-age campus novel, inspired by Batumans own Ivy League experience, follows the bookish Selin, the daughter of Turkish immigrants, as she starts at Harvard University and teaches English in the Hungarian countryside during a summer in Europe. Either/Or is a sequel that picks up after that summer, with Selin returning to Harvard for her second year. This time she spends her university break in Turkey after taking a job working for a student-run guidebook. Credit: The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor, the Truth and the Turmoil, Tina Brown Century, $35, May 3 Hate em or love em, journalist Tina Browns new book on the royal family is already causing a stir (in fact, Jezebel has declared that The Palace Papers is proof the royal family needs a reality show). The Daily Beast founder and Tatler, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair editor has form when it comes to wrangling royals, having written The Diana Chronicles and also a biography of Diana (her last book, The Vanity Fair Diaries: 1983-1992, was a delightful read). Browns trademark style sparkles as she follows the royal family after the death of Princess Diana, looking at the tumultuous relationship between members of the institution, and of course all the drama. Its a big read, so will at least tide you over until the next season of The Crown later this year. Credit: Here Goes Nothing, Steve Toltz

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Hamish Hamilton, $32.99, May 3 The Booker-shortlisted author of A Fraction of the Whole and Quicksand returns with what he calls the third in his trilogy of fear. The Australian writer, who has garnered comparisons to David Foster Wallace and John Kennedy Toole with his dark humour, takes us into the afterlife in Here Goes Nothing. The novel is narrated from the perspective of the deceased Angus Mooney as he watches over the life he left behind. In an interview with Jane Sullivan, Toltz, who is living in LA while he is working on television projects, said he doesnt see the darkness in his work and thinks of it all as fairly light and amusing. I was influenced by Russian literature, full of murder and suicide and plots, so I think anythings fair game, he said. I have a hard time with cruelty, I dont think crueltys funny. But other than that  as dark as the human experience on its darkest day. We have to live through all these dark things and its right to laugh at them. Credit: This All Come Back Now: An Anthology of First Nations Speculative Fiction, edited by Mykaela Saunders UQP, $32.99, May 3 Writer Mykaela Saunders edits the worlds first anthology of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speculative fiction. The collection has been written, curated, edited and designed by First Nations people. Contributors include two-time Miles Franklin Award winner and master of the speculative fiction form Alexis Wright, this years Stella Prize winner Evelyn Araluen, Ellen van Neerven, Alison Whittaker and Age journalist Jack Latimore. Credit:

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Heart Land, Jennifer Pinkerton Allen & Unwin, $32.99, May 3 Drawing on interviews with more than 100 Australians under 40, writer Jennifer Pinkerton explores love, lust, sex and dating for millennials and Generation Z. Blending her personal story with research and reportage, Pinkerton examines the current era of human relationships including the role of dating apps, constant online connection and fluid sexual identities. Credit: All the Lovers in the Night, Mieko Kawakami Picador, $32.99, May 10 It seems we cant get enough of Japanese literature in translation that features eccentric, usually socially withdrawn young women, often hampered by the pressures of routine or society. Kawakami has developed a cultish following and the author of the bestselling Breasts and Eggs (one of Times best 10 books of 2020) and Heaven returns with a novel about Tokyoite Fuyuko Irie, an isolated proofreader in her 30s whose one source of solace is light. She has a tradition of looking at the lights every Christmas Eve, and a chance encounter with a man sets the wheels in motion for change. Kawakami, who Haruki Murakami has called his favourite young writer, has been translated into more than 20 languages after making her literary debut with poetry in 2006.

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Credit: Abomination by Ashley Goldberg Vintage Australia, $32.99, May 3 On the new writing front, look out for Australian writer Ashley Goldberg whose novel follows two former best friends in Melbourne whose lives are changed when their ultra-Orthodox school is rocked by a sex abuse scandal. Twenty years later, the men are leading very different lives when they are reunited. The novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Kill Your Darlings Unpublished Manuscript Award. Credit: The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan HarperCollins, $32.99, May 4

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The arcane question of which Afghan soldier shot a dog in 2012 has been so thoroughly traversed in Ben Roberts-Smiths defamation case against Nine newspapers that its particulars are elongating this already complex matter into something that resembles a string of uncooked sausages.

Its worth explaining this in full because the upshot could discredit Roberts-Smiths witnesses or, in the worst case, potentially implicate his legal team in colluding to provide a false alibi.

Correspondence between Ben Roberts-Smiths legal team and witnesses has been produced under subpoena. Credit:Flavio Brancaleone

Lets call it the curious incident of the dog in the daytime.

On July 31, 2012, a group of Australian soldiers and their Afghan partners were questioning locals in the Chora Valley while a large hound barked on a chain nearby. One of the Afghan soldiers turned around and shot the dog and the bullet ricocheted off the ground and into the leg of an Australian team commander who was coming through the doorway.
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on May 11, 1942

JAPAN BEATEN BACK IN CORAL SEA

Delayed by Allied air hammerings in the New Guinea-New Britain area, Japans southward drive has now suffered a severe and costly repulse. That fact emerges clearly from the mists which still enshroud the series of battles fought last week on the broad blue waters of the Coral Sea and around the islands bounding it to the north-east.

A mushroom cloud rises after a heavy explosion on board USS Lexington, 8 May 1942. Credit:US Navy

The necessary refusal of the Allied High Command for the present to lift more of the curtain than is sufficient to disclose the shattering nature of the Japanese losses is, of course, being seized upon by Tokyo as an opportunity for propaganda.

These enemy excursions into the realm of wishful thinking can be disregarded. They bear no real relation either to the fateful events of last week or - in the whimsical claim that the Pacific Ocean has now become a Japanese sea - to the results which will flow from those events.
I am sure the commissioner will take comfort in the knowledge that every shrill criticism of the ICAC by politicians such as our PM, reassures many that ICAC is doing its job. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield The more that people are critical of Scott Morrison the more I want to vote for him and his party. Mary Julian, Glebe Mates here to stay but its not without complications Im with Peter FitzSimons  cancelling mate would be un-Australian (Cancelling mate would be a step too far, May 3). However, I think its always best to remember the word means different things to different people  from the mate wholl risk his life to save a comrade on the battlefield to a bloke on Parramatta Road years ago who sold me a second-hand car and used the word mate 10 times during our negotiations. The loud and persistent knocking sound that came from the engine a few weeks later signified there are some mates youre better off without. Nick Franklin, Katoomba The word mate deserves to retain its exalted position in the Australian vernacular. It is versatile, having become gender-neutral and can cover different levels of affection or disaffection depending on how it is presented. Consider the difference between a Bob Hawke mate and a Morrison I dont hold a hose, mate. Finally, its a great substitute when you forget the name of an acquaintance.

Max Redmayne, Drummoyne

FitzSimons defends mate as inclusive but his examples are exclusionary. By all means aspire to values like loyalty and resilience, but its a stretch to distil them into one little loaded word. In defence of mate he uses mostly historic male-dominated military examples. Sporting codes and prime ministers in need of the tradie vote all gravitate to mate. Thats not to say it should be censured, but its a stretch to try and update its fundamentally masculine meaning. Alison Stewart, Riverview In my experience of living in Australia since 1982, in general, women tend to make the effort and remember people by their given names. Greeting others with a constant barrage of mate covers up the fact that you havent really listened when people introduce themselves. Pauline McGinley, Drummoyne FitzSimons is spot on highlighting our traditional Australian values of mateship and a fair go. Its what makes this governments deliberate attempts to divide us on social, economic, religious and even sexual grounds for cheap political advantage so appalling and unforgivable. Alan Marel, North Curl Curl My father was a gentle, compassionate and non-judgmental man. He was a great scientist but a man of few words. Remembering names was not his strength. His children were all known as mate, long-term partners mate and when grandchildren arrived they too were mate. In my family mate was a very inclusive word. Robyn Willcock, Westleigh The term mate is important in our culture. I recall my grandmother, born in 1883, would tearfully say, at the recollection of her long-gone husband, Alec and me, we was great mates.

Gerry Foley, South Turramurra

Rates goal RBA kicks four basis goals and a behind (RBA lifts rates just weeks out from election, flags more to come, smh.com.au, May 3). Peter Fyfe, Enmore Carbon cost effective There is no denying that global warming is real and the world needs to take urgent action to mitigate against climate change (Voters say: were doing our bit on climate  government should too, May 3). However, prematurely shutting down fossil fuel use in Australia will simply benefit major emitters like China and India and will have a negligible effect on the global carbon level. Despite this, it is the responsibility of a prosperous member of the OECD to show some leadership on the issue or, at the very least, not be a laggard. If the referenced survey is correct in that half the electorate is also willing to pay a personal cost to reduce carbon emissions, surely it is time to introduce a bipartisan policy for a cost on carbon, either via a cap-and-trade system or flat tax. Like Europe, paying for the right to emit greenhouse gases will allow our industries to adapt to a lower-carbon world. John Kempler, Rose Bay

The time is now I am appalled that Scott Morrison has ruled out a referendum on enshrining an Indigenous Voice to parliament in our Constitution and I imagine many decent and thoughtful Liberal party voters are too (Morrison rules out holding a poll on Indigenous Voice, May 3). Raise your voices for our First Nations people and the enormous efforts, compromise and goodwill they have shown us through their work on the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Leslie Solar, Balmain Flights to go up Much detail on comfort, no detail on impending sky-high fares (Ultra-long haul Airbus most luxurious, May 3). Mustafa Erem, Terrigal

Fair pay for teachers The NSW government is planning to solve its teaching workforce problems by recruiting unqualified teachers rather than by addressing pay and conditions (Plan for unqualified to specialise, May 3). Good luck! The problem is in part that teachers, who 30 years ago earned average graduate salaries, now only earn about 83 per cent of the average, according to the Grattan Institute. And the missing thousands makes a big difference in a world where house prices are beyond the grasp of most young people. The conditions are an even bigger problem. After doing 50 hours of preparing, teaching and marking, schools now expect teachers to spend most of the rest of the weekend on pointless paperwork which no one will ever look at. Our public schools are now committed to mainstreaming every child, no matter how unsuitable. Rather than sending children with major behavioural problems to special classes designed to cater for their needs (with well-paid specialist teachers), our public schools now ensure that every class contains one or two children whose behaviour makes it impossible for the rest of the class to focus on learning. It is curious that governments seem unable to grasp the issues over pay and conditions. Governments which otherwise claim to believe in market forces seem to revert to some kind of command and control thinking when it comes to public sector employees like teachers and nurses, not to mention rural doctors and childcare and aged-care workers. Such governments seem to think that there is an official rate of pay, and that workers have some kind of duty to work for that sum. Nicholas Reid, Hughes (ACT)

Slow pitch Federal Labor has announced it will construct EV charging stations at around 150 kilometre intervals on major roads (Labors U-turn fuels electric vehicle funding, May 3). Excellent. In addition, perhaps some of that money could be used to fund the installation of outside ordinary power points in motel carparks. Most EV owners slow charge their cars from ordinary power points while at home. It would be very convenient to do the same while parked at a motel overnight. I guess the optics of a politician standing next to an EV charger is more impressive than gathering around a power point. By the way, there is no need to hold the charging lead while charging an EV. Dennis OHara Wanniassa (ACT) Language confusion We are becoming good at reassigning gender to the physical bodies of people who have been trapped in an erroneous identification. Im all for it (Genderqueer Australian in line for top literary prize, May 3). It is good to see the creativity of Shelley Parker-Chans genderqueer science-fiction novel recognised in their nomination for a prestigious literary prize. However, I wish we could use as much creativity in reassigning our pronouns as Parker-Chan has used in writing their book. The they/them pronouns are thoroughly entrenched in English as plural pronouns. Giving double meaning to words confuses and obscures meaning. Surely what genderqueer people  and all of us  need is not confusion, but clarity, understanding and respectful language. We need new purpose-designed pronouns to clearly and simply refer to those who do not identify as either end of the gender spectrum. I do not have a brilliant suggestion to better update our language, but one can be found so that male, female and all other people can all be respectfully recognised. Who will be the clever person to make this gift to our language and our people? Judith Wheeldon, Roseville Chase

Train delays Significant increased costs and delays in the Metro give the government a plausible reason for opening in two stages, initially to Sydenham, while committed to delivering the project in full (Metro faces chance of staggered start thanks to delays and costs, May 3). According to the premier, Whats a good idea is what works, and well take the advice from the experts in relation to that. The underlying reason for change in the governments position may be the realisation that extension beyond Sydenham is not a good idea, which is, in effect what the parliamentary inquiry found in its 2020 report, when it recommended termination at Sydenham. The Sydenham stage of the Metro is likely to be a good idea that works, and hopefully beyond Sydenham, will evolve quietly into something like stage two of the Parramatta Light rail, to be dealt with (maybe) further down the track. Geoffrey Williamson, Woollahra

Falling star The former chief executive of Star Casino blames his senior leaders for the failures besetting the place (Ex-Star boss says subculture let us down , May 3). Further proof that there is no I in team.

Tim Overland Castle Hill Wayward words Is versing a competition between poets (Letters, May 3)? John Massie, Rose Bay Punting would wither if the foreseeable future (Letters, May 3) were admitted to be the unforeseeable future, as Rumsfeld might have put it. Some politicians might struggle without the foreseeable/unforeseeable futures corollary. Gerard English, Waverton

Round in circles Office of Circumlocution: sounds like a Saturday morning at Ikea (Letters, May 3). Jenny Stephenson, Wollongong Quiet Australians Ordinary Australians (Battle for the burbs: The quiet Australians who could decide the election, smh.com.au, May 1). Some of us would like to think we are extraordinary, but we never get a mention. Stephen Lamy, Mosman
Temperatures are expected to plummet by about 10 degrees by the end of the week as the first wintry cold front of the year sweeps across the state.

With the official start of winter still weeks away, Victorians have been urged to enjoy the last of the warm weather on Tuesday, with a forecast maximum of 10 degrees in parts of the state by Thursday and Friday.

Theres a cold change coming for Melbourne. Credit:Paul Jeffers

In Melbourne, there is a high chance of rain and a predicted maximum of between 14 and 16 degrees until Sunday.

The Bureau of Meteorology said a cold front approaching the south-west of Victoria on Tuesday was forecast to cross the state on Wednesday.
Victorian universities have bounced back from the darkest days of the pandemic on the back of thousands of job cuts and better returns from property and shares.

Annual reports of the states biggest public universities show most improved their financial position last calendar year, despite border closures preventing international students from entering the country and on-campus learning being limited by lockdowns.

Dr Peter Hurley, education policy fellow at Victoria University, said the results highlighted large differences in universities resources and their dependence on international students. The federal government reopened the border to international students in December.

University of Melbourne higher education expert Professor Frank Larkins estimated Victorian universities had slashed more than 10,000 jobs over the first two years of the pandemic, but said 2020 should be the worst of it for the countrys fourth-biggest export industry.
An Irish couple who flew to Perth to meet their toddler grandchild for the first time have instead been sent home after a misunderstanding over the documents they needed to travel.

Anne and Audie Ryan-Murphy were greeted at the airport after a 19-hour flight, not by family as they had hoped, but by border force officials, before being questioned for a further 10 hours.

They were then sent to The Hyatt hotel to await their fate.

The pair were travelling to meet their granddaughter for the first time, and were also going to help look after her as their daughter-in-law Leanne Heaney is heavily pregnant with her second.
Both major parties election pitches are failing to address the biggest issue facing food production, according to the National Farmers Federation, which is demanding action to adapt to global warming that is already costing farmers tens of thousands of dollars in lost earnings.

NFF president Fiona Simson said there had been absolute radio silence from both parties on new commitments to help the agriculture sector adjust to climate change, which has raised average temperatures 1.4 degrees in Australia on pre-industrial levels.

National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson says shes disappointed that targeted climate adaptation investment has not been on the election agenda of either major party.

Climate change has cost Australian farms an average of nearly $30,000 a year in profits over the past 20 years compared to average earnings from 1950 to 2000, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).

Simson said the Coalition had developed several good initiatives to help farmers cope in tougher conditions such as the $5 billion Drought Future Fund and to trial the Biodiversity Stewardship Scheme.
Liberal senator Andrew Bragg has asked the charities regulator to urgently investigate whether the Simon Holmes a Court-linked Smart Energy Council should be deregistered for what he called clear, direct and repeated breaches of laws forbidding charities promoting political parties or candidates.

As part of the complaint, Bragg said the SEC had concerning links to political operatives who are active during the current federal election, noting Climate 200 founder Holmes a Court sits on its board. He also noted the councils government relations manager Wayne Smith once worked for Labor leader Anthony Albanese [as a climate change adviser before 2007].

Wayne Smith with Greens leader Adam Bandt and Ryan candidate Elizabeth Watson-Brown. Credit:Email

Bragg cited the appearance of the councils chief executive, John Grimes, at a function alongside independent candidate for Wentworth Allegra Spender on Tuesday, and Smiths presence at a Greens event in the Brisbane seat of Ryan last month.

Following the Greens policy announcement - grants for home and business owners to switch from gas to electricity - Grimes emailed supporters saying the SEC was pleased to have joined Greens leader Adam Bandt for the launch and backed the measures.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. For already 7 years, the USAID-funded Civic Engagement in Local Governance (CELoG) Program has been supporting the increase of civic engagement in decentralization and local self-government reform in Armenia.

It provides citizens with reliable information and strengthens civil societys capacity to promote effective, accountable and participatory local governance.

The program has been a platform for dialogue between government and residents of the communities.

USAID Project Management Specialist Arthur Drampian said during the ARMENPRESS Podcast program that the program has achieved all its original goals ever since its inception in 2014, and in 2018 additional goals were set.

Drampian said that the cooperation between 6 organizations as part of the program resulted in achieving rather tangible results.

The Program is implemented by a Consortium of local organizations led by the Communities Finance Officers Association (CFOA) in cooperation with the partner organizations: the Information Systems Development and Training Center (ISTDC), the Yerevan Press Club (YPC), the Asparez Journalists' Club (AJC), Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF), and the Caucasus Research Resource Center-Armenia (CRRC).

Drampian said that there was a need for a dialogue platform in 2014 when the territorial and administrative reforms were announced.

An open and simple conversation around all questions was much needed. There were several questions, concerns, and the residents of the communities had to be given the chance of engaging in an open dialogue with each other, with the community leadership, with representatives of the government and parliament, to collect all opinions and present them to the decision-makers, so that theyd be able to draft the reforms accordingly and implement the merging in a way that the risks get reduced with maximum benefits, Drampian said. He attached importance to the fact that the program prioritized the involvement of youth.

In 2014, four InfoTuns were already launched under previous programs of the USAID. The InfoTun is a resource center where the youth come together to discuss various issues concerning their communities, learn media-literacy, civic journalism, watch films, engage in discussions and learn about volunteerism.

Another 6 InfoTuns were opened during the 7 years of the CELoG program. Now, one InfoTun functions in every province across Armenia. CELoG program is completed, but the InfoTuns will continue functioning.

Another notable initiative of the program is the School of Local Democracy, a mobile school which is moving from province to province. Participants learn leadership skills, human rights, community service, local self-government and other subjects.

The School of Local Democracy is now registered as a foundation and will continue to work.

I want to say that weve had so many achievements during these 7 years that it is difficult to mention them all, but we can say that the CELoG program left a very serious legacy. I can confidently say that these programs developed a new culture in our communities. The residents and especially the youth in the communities understood and believed that it is possible to be involved in solving community issues, present clear demands and implement a number of reforms in their own communities, Drampian said.

Podcast host: Gayane Gaboyan

Photos: Hayk Badalyan
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has opened a new front in the debate over a national integrity commission, declaring Australia could become an unrecognisable public autocracy if such a body is given too much influence over government decision-making.

With Labor, the Greens and the teal independents campaigning hard on the need for a new integrity body, Morrison emphasised the risks of handing sweeping powers to unelected officials in an interview with the Herald and The Age.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Melbourne on Tuesday. Credit:James Brickwood

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet hit back at Morrisons repeated attacks on the states anti-corruption commission on Tuesday, warning debate should not damage public trust in the agency.

Perrottets intervention came after Independent Commission Against Corruption commissioner Stephen Rushton blasted buffoons who had labelled the commission a kangaroo court  a term the prime minister has used multiple times.
Former Star boss Matt Bekier has acknowledged the casino repeatedly failed to manage risk and regulation, describing it as a secretive and not transparent company that followed the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law.

In a second day of evidence to the inquiry examining The Stars casino licence, Bekier gave an unvarnished assessment of the conduct of senior staff, while denying he was made aware of reports of alleged money laundering or misleading correspondence being sent to banks.

Matt Bekier at The Star inquiry on Tuesday.

Bekier, who resigned as chief executive amid revelations at the inquiry, said there was a good culture at The Star broadly, but gave a frank assessment of its engagement with the gaming regulator.

We are secretive and not transparent, and we follow the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law.
Federal Labor will immediately review the $14.5 billion Inland Rail project between the Port of Melbourne and the Port of Brisbane if it wins government.

Labors infrastructure spokeswoman, Catherine King, said the party had real concerns about the escalating cost of the 1715-kilometre line, which promises to use double-decker trains to shift freight from highways to rail to save time and money.

Federal Labors infrastructure spokeswoman, Catherine King, with Labors Griffith MP, Terri Butler (left), state MP Peter Russo and Moreton MP Graham Perrett. Credit:Tony Moore

King made the comments after committing $133 million towards the cost of removing the Coopers Plains level crossing, in Labor MP Graham Perretts Moreton electorate, on the Beenleigh-Gold Coast line.

The Morrison government has also promised to fund the overpass and improve local road and rail journeys.
Tenants are facing tough competition for a rental across the country, with Australias vacancy rate remaining at an all-time low in April, new data shows, as rents rise at the same time.

The national vacancy rate remained at 1 per cent after reaching the record low in March, Domains latest Rental Vacancy Report revealed.

It is down by almost a percentage point since April last year, when tenants were kept out of the Australian rental market due to COVID-19 border closures.

But property managers, including those in Sydney and Melbourne, say the market has changed from night to day this year, as demand is added from international students returning to school and local workers returning to the office.
London: Police in England say they have found the body of New Zealander Joseph Day who went missing on Saturday.

They did not provide an explanation for his death but said inquiries were continuing.

Police in England say they have found the body of New Zealand man Joseph Day.

In the early hours of this morning police located and recovered the body of a man in Avon Gorge, Bristol, Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement.

While formal identification has not yet taken place, we have updated the family of missing 31-year-old Joseph Day.
Zaporizhzhia: European Union countries will stop importing Russian oil and refined products, the head of the blocs executive European Commission said, as she proposed a sixth round of sanctions against Moscow for waging a war on Ukraine.

We will phase out Russian supply of crude oil within six months and refined products by the end of the year, Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament, prompting applause from politicians. This will be a complete import ban on all Russian oil, seaborne and pipeline, crude and refined.

It will not be easy. Some member states are strongly dependent on Russian oil. But we simply have to work on it, von der Leyen said of the proposal, which requires approval from all 27 EU countries to take effect.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urges the 27 nations of the EU to cut off Russian oil imports during her speech at the European Parliament. Credit:AP

As well as oil, the sixth round of sanctions would also affect Sberbank, Russias top lender, diplomats told Reuters, adding it to several banks that have already been excluded from the SWIFT messaging system.
Washington: If the US Supreme Courts draft decision on Roe v Wade holds true, then the battleground for this years midterm elections has been well and truly set.

Make no mistake: todays leaked draft decision has the potential to completely reshape the social and political landscape in America.

For almost 50 years, Roe v Wade has guaranteed that women have a federal constitutional right to abortion in the US.

A Supreme Court repeal of Roe V Wade would reshape Americas political future around this issue. Credit:AP

But the draft ruling written by Justice Samuel Alito and leaked to Politico is an unflinching rebuke of that guarantee.
Since Federation, Australian national security policy has recognised the importance of ensuring no external, hostile power could dominate the South Pacific.

Even American General Dwight Eisenhower, working as a planner in the Pentagon in 1942, listed the security of the route to Australia as an important part of US strategy. This was highlighted by the sacrifices of the US military at Guadalcanal and the seas around the Solomon Islands in the Second World War. During the Cold War, Australia worked to limit Soviet expansion into the region.

Chinas ambassador to Solomon Islands Li Ming and Foreign Affairs Permanent Colin Beck initial the security treaty between the two countries.

For many, these are seen as historical but not contemporary concerns. But like Paul Dibb, Peter Hartcher and other analysts have described since the announcement of the secret China-Solomons compact, there are compelling reasons why denying the South Pacific to powers hostile to Australia must remain a central element of our national security policy.

The Solomon Islands, as a 2016 Sydney Morning Herald story highlights, sits astride very important shipping lanes from the Australian east coast. Australia derives massive incomes from exports such as coal and natural gas, among other commodities, which are shipped from our east coast ports to points further north. The ability to monitor and potentially interdict this shipping by naval and airborne assets out of the Solomon Islands would pose a significant threat to our security and prosperity.
A Fiji court has ruled that the United States can seize a Russian-owned superyacht, 21 days after the luxury vessel Amadea arrived in the Pacific island nation and was detained by police.

US authorities assert that the Amadea is ultimately owned by Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, who has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union.

The US Justice Departments Taskforce KleptoCapture has focused on seizing yachts and other luxury assets to put the finances of Russian oligarchs under strain in a bid to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to call off his invasion of Ukraine.

Boat captain Emosi Dawai looks at the superyacht Amadea where it is docked at the Queens Wharf in Lautoka, Fij. Credit:Fiji Sun

Fijis High Court ruled it would grant an order to register a US seizure warrant, but it also allowed the defence, acting for the Amadeas registered owners Millemarin Investment, time to appeal the law.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- On Wednesday, May 4, the Government of Sint Maarten will recognize National Remembrance Day, (Dodenherdenkingsdag) similar to the other countries within the Dutch Kingdom.



During this National Commemoration Day, all Dutch victims  civilians and soldiers  who have been killed or murdered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world in war situations or during peace-keeping operations since the outbreak of the Second World War are commemorated.



Between 1940 and 1945 more than 260.000 victims in the Kingdom of the Netherlands died, among which as many as 160 Antilleans (more new names are being discovered). Most perished in the sea in the Caribbean region but also in Europe.



This year, the solemn commemoration ceremony will be threefold. The ceremony will commence at 5:00 p.m. (arrival of guests no later than 4:30 p.m.) at the New Testament Baptist Church in Philipsburg.



This part of the program includes an invocation by Pastor Nanton, readings by the winners of the 2021 Governors Youth Award for Excellence, Jaime Lynch, and Faith Peterson, who will be reading on behalf of the late Gerard van Veen and Elsje Bosch, who each personally experienced the effects of World War II.



A segment of their personal life story will be shared. The importance of knowing your history is shared by the Director of the Philipsburg Jubilee Library, Glenderlin Holiday.



On a yearly basis the Caribbean Think Book for 4 and 5 May is shared by the Philipsburg Jubilee Library with all the schools on the island.



The National Committee for 4 and 5 May developed this special book for students of group 7 in the Caribbean to learn about the themes of commemorating and celebrating, freedom and democracy.



The Commander of the Marines, Arie Noordam, will share some of his personal experiences throughout his combat years at the Marines.



Individuals ranging from the preteens to our elderly will be reflecting on the meaning and significance of freedom through word or poetry.



One of these poets includes Ray Angel Boasman, winner of the Governors Youth Award for Excellence of the year 2020. The ceremony at the church to which the general public is invited is followed by a silent procession to the Captain Hodge Wharf.



At the War Memorial Monument on the Wharf, the official wreath-laying ceremony by His Excellency the Governor, the President of Parliament Hon. Grisha Heyliger Marten, and the Prime Minister Hon. Silveria Jacobs, will take place.



This is followed by two minutes of silence just before 6:00 p.m. Special and invited guests will also receive an opportunity to lay a single flower at the Memorial Monument, which carries the names of the World War II victims primarily born on Sint Maarten.



Tefari Prevoo Francisco, winner of the Governors Youth Award for Excellence, will play the Dutch Anthem the Wilhelmus and the Sint Maarten Song.



Business owners are reminded to fly their flags half-mast on May 4. Each citizen is encouraged to honor the silent procession from the Baptist Church via the Parliament Building to the Captain Hodge Wharf and the two minutes of silence around 6:00 p.m.



There will be limited access to the Captain Hodge Wharf during the solemn ceremony. The public is invited to attend taking COVID-19 protocols in consideration.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki on the occasion of the country's national holiday.



Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, and on my personal behalf I cordially congratulate you, the friendly people of Poland, on the national holiday of the Republic of Poland - Constitution Day.

This year we mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Poland. I am confident that the experience gained during this period provides an opportunity to discover the full potential of interstate cooperation based on the centuries-old friendship of our peoples, to supplement the bilateral agenda with multifaceted programs, raising the Armenian-Polish cooperation to a qualitatively new level in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

I reaffirm the readiness of the Armenian side to promote the development of the Armenia-EU partnership with joint efforts, which is expanding year by year.

Taking this opportunity, I wish you good health, and prosperity, progress to the friendly people of Poland.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration, Pashinyan said in the letter published by his office.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Department of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) which falls under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA) is hosting its Get Ready, Get Prepared information sessions on hurricane preparedness Tuesday, May 3-31, 2022, from 6:30 pm  8:00 pm.



Further, the objective of the project is to: (1) Increase community/residents awareness of the different aspects of hurricane preparedness; (2) empower residents with knowledge, tools, and skills to engage in advanced planning and effectively prepare and respond during or after an emergency or disaster.



The weekly sessions will take place in the following locations: (1) the Seventh-day Adventist School, Cole Bay (Tuesday, May 3, 2022); Government Administration Building, Great Bay (Tuesday, May 10, 2022); Belvedere Community Center (Tuesday, May 17, 2022) Dutch Quarter Community Center (Tuesday, May 24, 2022); St. Peters Community Center (Tuesday, May 31, 2022) from 6:00 pm-8:30 pm.



Each session consists of six (6) presentations that cover the following topics: Safety and security, preparing minors for hurricanes, Hurricane forecasting, Shelter management insurance, First aid/CPR, and Stories of resilience.



For more information, please feel free to send CDFHA an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or contact any of the following Help Desks: Cole Bay Help Desk 1721-5204315; St. Peters Community Help Desk 1721-5203418; Dutch Quarter Community Help Desk 1721-5207651.
Basseterre St. Kitts:--- Civil servants, pensioners, and employees of the Skills Training Empowerment Programme (STEP) received good news today, Monday, May 02  Labour Day 2022  as Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris announced a ten percent increase in salaries, wages, and pensions for all three categories.

Today, I am pleased to announce that my government has determined that our Civil Servants, Pensioners, and STEP workers will benefit from an increase in wages, salaries, and pensions at a rate of 10% retroactive to January 2022, Prime Minister Harris said in his 2022 Labour Day address to the nation.

Prime Minister Harris stated that this increase is another clear example of our investing in our people as we put more money in the pockets of a large number of our citizens and residents.

He added, These resources will translate to increased purchasing power for approximately 4,000 salaried Civil Servants, 1,064 Government Auxiliary Employees, 1,365 Pensioners, and 2,800 STEP workers. This also has the great potential to propel increased economic activities which will, in turn, contribute to the economic recovery and stimulate job creation across the Federation.

The 10 percent increase for all beneficiaries will be paid during the Governments next pay cycle in May 2022.
BVI NEWS:

TORTOLA BVI:--- Disgraced Premier Andrew Fahie has requested immediate release from United States detention claiming diplomatic immunity.

A representative from the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida confirmed with our news team that Fahie, accused of drug trafficking and money laundering, filed a Notice of Invocation of Immunity earlier today at federal court in Miami.

A copy of the document, which was seen by or news centre, read: Defendant, The Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, (Hon A. Fahie) Premier of the Virgin Islands, hereby notices his invocation of all rights of and to immunity under international and domestic law, as the duly elected and sitting head of government of the Virgin Islands, a British Overseas Territory, including but not limited to immunity from arrest and detention, entitling him to immediate and unconditional release from detention by the United States.

The court clerk said he could not confirm whether the invocation of immunity was accepted by the judge since it was filed a short time ago.

The document was filed by his lawyer Theresa Van Vliet of Genovese Joblove & Battista law firm.

Fahie has been in US Custody since April 28. He was arrested at Miami-Opa Locke Executive Airport after being criminally charged with one count of conspiracy to import five kilos or more of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to launder money.

He was arrested along with Managing Director of the Ports Authority Oleanvine Maynard and her son Kadeem Maynard who was detained in the US Virgin Islands.

Fahie is expected back in court for a bail hearing in the coming days.
PHILIPSBURG:--- From May 4 - 6, 2022, the Parliament of Sint Maarten will be hosting the Tripartite and Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO). This years Interparliamentary consultations were originally scheduled to be held from January 5-7, 2022, however, due to the spike in corona cases in the Netherlands it was decided to postpone the Tripartite and IPKO meetings till May 2022; and that the second IPKO will take place in October in the Netherlands.

Delegations from the Parliaments of Aruba, Curacao the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten will be meeting in Sint Maarten for the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO). The four parliamentary delegations will be discussing several topics that include presentations on Recent developments per country; Technical briefing on the proposal of the Consensus Kingdom Law Caribbean Reform and Development Agency; Consensus Kingdom Laws; Concerns on the COHO law, The country packages, and the implementation agendas/reports. The program also includes work visits to the Point Blanche Prison and to projects being carried out by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB). The Interparliamentary consultations will conclude on Friday, May 6, 2022, with the signing of an agreement list and a joint press conference of the four delegations. Prior to the start of the Interparliamentary consultations, May 3, 2022, the delegation of Sint Maarten will also be participating in the Tripartite meeting along with delegations from the sister islands of Aruba and Curacao. The goal of the meeting is to prepare for the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations as well as discuss topics of mutual interest.

The Sint Maarten delegation partaking in the IPKO and Tripartite meetings will consist of the following members: Mrs. Grisha S. Heyliger-Marten, President of Parliament; Mr. Rolando Brison; Mr. George C. Pantophlet; Ms. Melissa D. Gumbs; Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams; Mr. Chanel E. Brownbill; Mr. Christophe T. Emmanuel; Mr. Akeem E. Arrindell; and Mr. Garrick J. Richardson, LL.M., Secretary-General.

Attendance to the IPKO is strictly upon invitation. Other Members of the Parliament of Sint Maarten have been invited to be present as observers. The Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO) sessions can be followed live via Parliaments Website: www.sxmparliament.org; and Parliaments YouTube channel: sxmparliament.
PHILIPSBURG:--- As a foundational piece of its Islands 2030 initiative, the California Academy is proud to partner with the Nature Foundation on the hiring of Eudoxia Williams-James as the Islands 2030 Education Project Coordinator for Sint Maarten. Together, the two organizations will now work to conduct a large-scale, nature education gap analysis informed by wide-ranging community listening, resulting in the co-creation of new, nature and science education resources for use by school communities.

"We're thrilled to launch the Islands 2030 initiative on the island of Sint Maarten, in partnership with the Nature Foundation St. Maarten. The resiliency that this island has demonstrated over the past five years is inspirational, and I'm excited about what the future holds for the connection of humans and nature in this unique place." Dr. Lauren Esposito, Curator & Co-Director of Islands 2030, California Academy of Sciences



Starting in May 2022, teams from both the Nature Foundation and California Academy will be hosting listening sessions with educators, administrators, parents, students, and the Honorable Minister of Education drs. Rodolphe E. Samuel to gather information about the current level and opportunities surrounding nature education in St. Maarten. With this information, the teams will co-create educational resources featuring local species and environmental stewardship.



Were excited to work in collaboration with schools and communities in Sint Maarten to learn more about their strengths and priorities so that we can work alongside them to build programs that truly support their goals in science education and beyond.  Lindzy Bivings, Senior Manager of School & Community Programs, California Academy of Sciences.



Educating the youth of St. Maarten on the importance of preserving and protecting natural resources helps to create environmental ambassadors within the community and promotes transitions to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Awareness about the state of our environment instills a sense of responsibility to protect and preserve the natural resources found in St. Maarten.



This project will provide educators on St. Maarten with resources that have a focus on local species and habitats, as well as professional development opportunities regarding these new materials. Exposing students to local challenges will show them the unique role they can play in protecting our beautiful island. It is essential to our team that we speak to as many people in our communities as possible during our information-gathering period. This is the only way to ensure that the resources created will be suitable for teachers and educators with varying schools or organizations, explained Leslie Hickerson Educational Outreach Officer at the Nature Foundation St. Maarten.



If you are interested in taking part in a listening session or interview about nature education on St. Maarten please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
SABA:--- A delegation of 10 members of the First and Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament visited Saba on Monday, May 2. Besides the formal part meeting with the Executive Council and Island Council, the program included a presentation session on topics such as poverty, public health, tourism, and economic development, as well as a meet and greet and various site visits.

The delegation arrived with a Winair charter from St. Maarten in the morning and was welcomed by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, Island Secretary Tim Muller, and Government Advisor/Second Acting Island Secretary Gerald Simmons-de Jong.

Members of the management team of the Saba Electric Company (SEC) Dexter Johnson, Mark Zagers, and David Leonce met with the delegation right after arrival to give information on the investments in renewable energy, the Saba Energy Strategy 2020-2030, and the ambition of 100 percent sustainable energy, and the challenges such as the steep increase in the cost of importing fuel for the generators.

Continuous challenges

At the Eugenius Johnson Center, a meeting took place with the Executive Council where Commissioners Bruce Zagers and Rolando Wilson spoke about the continuous challenges that Saba faces, for example, the problematic referral of patients abroad, the high cost of living and doing business, governments difficult financial position, and the lacking connectivity. We have a lot of issues that require your attention. It is important for us that you take these back to The Hague, Wilson told the Members of Parliament (MPs). Decisions are taken for us, not with us, said Zagers, who noted that Sabas good financial reputation and having good relations with the Netherlands didnt necessarily reflect in a much-needed higher free allowance or the pledge to transfer more tasks to Saba.

Pressing matters

In the meeting with the Island Council, Members of the Island Council brought up pressing matters that have been on the table for years such as the lack of notarial services and the poor banking services that have an adverse effect on Saba, its population, and its development. These are basic needs of the people that are not met, said Island Council Member Carl Buncamper.

Councilman Vito Charles pointed out that after many letters to The Hague, these matters were still not solved. It is very cumbersome and expensive for residents to have to go to St. Maarten for banking and notary services, Councilman Eviton Heyliger explained. The gap between the banking system in the Netherlands and Saba is gigantic, said Councilman Hemmie van Xanten.

Powerful speech

Council Member Esmeralda gave a candid, powerful speech about paying the price for living in paradise, the lack of attention from The Hague, the room for more radicalized opinions because structural big problems are not solved, and the need for the Parliament to truly be the change that my community on Saba needs and deserves.

Thank you for receiving us. We noticed from the moment we landed here that Saba is truly special. It is about listening and explaining, and that is what we are here for, to listen and to engage in talks, said

Dutch delegation leader Marielle Paul. We appreciate and value your input and how you deal with the many challenges. Thank you for sharing so candidly.

Inspiring presentations

In the presence of the Executive Council and the Island Council, a group of young and dedicated civil servants gave inspiring presentations to provide the Dutch delegation background information about poverty alleviation, public health, the new harbor project, tourism, economic development, the school buildings, childcare and culture. The presentations were provided by Gideon Wilson, Jane OFlynn, Tedisha Gordon, Nicole Johnson, Malinda Hassell, Courtney Hassell, Evita Pronk, Rosa Johnson, and Elsa Peterson. Delegation leader Paul thanked the young, energetic team for their presentations. We heard a lot of ambition and hard work, we learned about your plans and concrete next steps.

Site visits

Next on the program was a meet and greet with the community, followed by three site visits: the location of the new harbor at Black Rocks with Nicole Johnson and Bruce Zagers, the Marine Lab of the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF) where SCF Director Kai Wulf and researcher Alwin Hylkema provided information and the hydroponics farm where Jim Garza of Gezondheid Farms and Policy Advisor Justin Simmons-de Jong talked about this agriculture project. The delegation left for St. Eustatius in the late afternoon.

The Dutch delegation consisted of Members of the Second Chamber Marielle Paul (delegation leader), Roelien Kamminga (VVD), Jorien Wuite (D66), Joba van den Berg (CDA), Don Ceder (CU) and Liane den Haan (Group Den Haan), and of Senators Boris Dittrich (D66), Joop Atsma (CDA), Peter Ester (CU) and Toine Beukering (Group Nanninga). The clerks of the Permanent Committees for Kingdom Relations in the First and Second Chamber Eva Meijers and Fred Bergman were also part of the delegation.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot Williams in a press statement on Tuesday: This policy is in complete contravention of universal principles and human rights.

MP Wescot reflected on the media policy with the opening statement: Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I would have to caution the government of our country of infringing on human rights and in this case, specifically on the universal right of the freedom of expression and that of the press.

To issue a policy, enforce it and at the same time admit that it is open for negotiation, input etc. etc. is even more astounding, given that it then can be enforced, amended, and suspended at the governments discretion at any moment. So today it can apply to me and tomorrow to you.

Freedom of the press is universal freedom precisely to reign in any governments potential rogue actions. That the government could even think of issuing the media policy like they did, leads me to no other conclusion than that below the flowery surface of the St. Maarten governments professed open government policy, is a concerted effort to be open on their terms only, was the MPs blunt conclusion.

Makes no sense to even critique the policy on its individual parts. The governments premises, both overt and covert are flawed, seriously flawed and on this International Day of Freedom of the Press, I want to call on the government of St. Maarten to retract this policy with immediate effect.

Deal with the security aspect, but do not use this aspect to curtail the freedom of the press, as enshrined in universal declarations.

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991.

At the core of UNESCO's mandate is freedom of the press and freedom of expression. UNESCO believes that these freedoms allow for mutual understanding to build a sustainable peace.

May 3rd acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story.(UNESCO)

It is also telling when the last IPKO declaration of August 2021 contains the following statement inter alia, agreed to by all delegations, including St. Maarten:

With regard to safeguarding the rule of law and parliamentary democracy in the countries, it is noted that this is the subject of continuous attention for all countries within the Kingdom and should be. The delegations see directors, representatives of the people, and the judiciary an exemplary role. Essential elements of the rule of law must be well maintained in order to prevent excesses that may threaten the rule of law. Independent journalism is of great importance here and should be anchored in media policy and legislation. The spread of fake news and subversion requires vigilance. The soundness of governance, transparency, and accountability, with the associated checks and balances, should contribute to the mutual trust between citizens and government.

In the meanwhile, an old draft of a media law is still pending in parliament. It was decided by the government of St. Maarten to maintain this draft following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. More than a decade later, this matter does not seem to have any urgency, yet government without any legislative foundation, sees it fit to come with a policyand what a policy.

In conclusion, I want to take this opportunity to extend to all media workers and media houses my congratulations on World Press Day and wish them fruitful reflections on their role in their respective communities and in the world at large at this critical time, MP Wescot concluded her statement.
Uranium and the Russia-Ukraine War

The European Parliament has voted in favor of an embargo on Russian imports, including uranium.

If there is an embargo against Russia, this will also include Russian uranium supplies for nuclear power plants in the EU. This involves around 20 percent of the uranium of the EU member states. Russia also has the largest enrichment capacity in the world. In the U.S., U.S. senators have introduced a bill on a potential ban on Russian uranium imports. It\-s not there yet, but presumably this is more a matter of time. So, it\-s clear that utilities are trying to reduce their dependence on Russia. So, uranium from the West is a commodity in demand.

Another issue that could drive uranium demand and therefore prices is the global energy crisis. And if oil and gas from Russia are no longer imported, this could give nuclear power additional appeal and thus ensure a higher share in the energy mix. Various countries have already responded, with France announcing the construction of at least six new nuclear reactors. Belgium has approved life extensions for two existing reactors. In the U.S., U.S. President Joe Biden has promised a six-billion-dollar program to support nuclear energy. Word from South Korea is that the nuclear phase-out is being reconsidered. Instead, they want to boost investments. Now could be the best time to bet on uranium companies like IsoEnergy or Consolidated Uranium.

Consolidated Uranium  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAZP4Xrc-0M  owns uranium projects in Australia, Argentina, Canada and a number of permitted and past producing mines in Utah and Colorado.

IsoEnergy  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMuiumbkAy4  is active in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. The Laroque East property is particularly promising.

Current corporate information and press releases from IsoEnergy a(- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/iso-energy-ltd/ -) and Consolidated Uranium (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/consolidated-uranium-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/
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan commented on the actions of the police during the opposition civil disobedience campaigns in Yerevan, describing the law enforcement agencys conduct as appropriate.

Simonyan thanked the police officers for protecting the rights of citizens.

I once again express gratitude that they are protecting the rights of the other citizens and are not allowing the various small activities that are taking place to disturb the rights of other citizens. But at the same time, I say this again, I am treating with respect all those citizens who are exercising their right to freely demonstrate and I think that their rights must be protected as well, Speaker Simonyan said.

Simonyan said that the opposition itself has noted that police are helping and supporting whenever any incidents take place.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. The U.S. Embassy to Armenia welcomed Major General David Weishaar on his first visit to Yerevan since he was appointed The Adjutant General (TAG) of the State of Kansas, the Embassy said in a statement.

Major General Weishaar, along with other leaders from the Kansas National Guard, will meet with senior officials from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the State Revenue Committee. He will visit the 12th Peacekeeping Brigade, the Military Hospital, the National Defense Research University, and the Military University.

The Republic of Armenia signed a bilateral affairs agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense and the State of Kansas in 2003 establishing the Kansas-Armenia State Partnership Program. Under the program, the Kansas National Guard works closely with the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Emergency Situations, and other governmental offices and agencies. Types of cooperation include military-to-military, military-to-civilian, and civilian-to-civilian events.

Since the beginning of the partnership in 2003, the Republic of Armenia and the State of Kansas have engaged in a number of military, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, business, medical, public health, educational, and humanitarian exchanges, the statement says.

I am very proud of the robust partnership between the State of Kansas and the Government of Armenia over the last 20 years. With every exchange and collaboration, the relationship between Kansas and Armenia grows stronger. It is always an honor working alongside our Armenian friends allowing both sides to learn and grow with each other, Major General Weishaar said.
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LISBON, Portugal (AP)  The parents of Madeleine McCann, a British toddler who vanished from an apartment during her familys vacation in Portugal 15 years ago and captured global interest, say they remain hopeful that efforts by police in three countries to solve the mystery will eventually bring answers.

Kate and Gerry McCann, both British doctors living in England, said in a statement to mark Tuesday's anniversary of their daughters disappearance that a truly horrific crime was committed on May 3, 2007.

They said on the website created to help find Madeleine that our need for answers, for the truth, is essential.

They thanked British, Portuguese and German police who continue to work on what happened when the 3-year-old disappeared from her bed in southern Portugals Algarve region. She was in the same room as her 2-year-old twin brother and sister while her parents had dinner with friends at a nearby restaurant.

Last month, Portuguese prosecutors formally accused the latest suspect in the investigation.

They didn't name the suspect, in line with Portuguese privacy laws, but said they were acting on a request by German authorities and in coordination with British investigators.

In mid-2020, Germanys police identified Christian Brueckner, a 45-year-old German citizen who was in the Algarve in 2007, as a suspect in the case. Brueckner has denied any involvement in Madeleines disappearance.

The Portuguese accusation prevents the statute of limitations expiring in the case. The expiry would have occurred 15 years after the alleged crime took place, but accusing a suspect halts that count.

Madeleines disappearance stirred worldwide interest, with public claims of having spotted her stretching as far away as Australia, and brought the publication of books and television documentaries about the case.

Rewards for finding Madeleine reached several million dollars.

The case involved sensational developments. In one dramatic twist, Madeleines parents were briefly named as official suspects after police found traces of blood in their vacation rental car.
STEPANAKERT, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan received today the delegation of the American University of Armenia (AUA) led by Vice President of Operations Ashot Ghazaryan, the Presidential Office said.

During the meeting issues relating to the development of education in Artsakh were discussed. In this context the mutual readiness on effectively utilizing the Universitys potential was highlighted.

President Arayik Harutyunyan thanked the AUA executives for assisting in the construction of the new building of the Artsakh university, as well as in acquiring necessary equipment.
Biogen will replace its CEO and largely abandon marketing of its controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm less than a year after the medication's launch triggered a backlash from experts, doctors and insurers.

CEO Michel Vounatsos will continue to lead the Biogen until a successor is found, the company announced Tuesday. Vounatsos joined the company in 2016 and was the chief architect of Biogen's strategy built around Aduhelm.

For now, Biogen said it is substantially eliminating spending on Aduhelm as part of a $1 billion dollar cost-saving plan designed to refocus the company's flagging biotech business.

The announcement represents a stark acknowledgement that the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company has failed to find a market for a drug that was expected to drive its business for years to come.

Aduhelm was the first new Alzheimers drug introduction in nearly two decades. Initially priced at $56,000 a year, analysts predicted it would quickly become a blockbuster drug that would generate billions for Biogen.

But doctors have been hesitant to prescribe it, given weak evidence that the drug slows the progression of Alzheimers. Insurers have blocked or restricted coverage over the drugs high price tag and uncertain benefit. Even the company's decision to slash the drug's price in half to $28,000 a year  did little to improve uptake.

The biggest setback came last month when the federal government's Medicare health plan imposed strict limits on who can get the drug, wiping out most of its potential U.S. market. The vast majority of U.S. Alzheimers patients are old enough to qualify for Medicare, which covers more than 60 million people, including those 65 and older.

The infused drug brought in just $2.8 million in sales in the first quarter, which ended March 31.

Biogen said Tuesday that it booked about $275 million in charges from Aduhelm inventory write-offs in the quarter, and it would essentially shutdown its sales and marketing infrastructure supporting the drug.

Aduhelm expenses dragged down the company's quarterly results and Biogen fell short of Wall Street projections, reporting adjusted net income of $535 million, or $3.62 per share. Analysts forecast earnings of $4.34 per share, according to FactSet.

Biogen executives said the restrictive Medicare decision essentially denied Aduhelm to most eligible U.S. patients. Last month the company announced it was pulling its marketing application for the drug in Europe.

Biogen will continue running a federally-mandated confirmatory trial designed to establish if the drug truly slows Alzheimer's.

The drugmaker's quarterly revenue fell 6% to $2.5 billion, pressured by lower sales of multiple sclerosis drugs in the U.S. due to cheaper, generic competition. The company also reported lower sales of its specialty drug Spinraza, which is used to treat a rare spinal disorder in children.

For the year, Biogen reaffirmed earnings guidance of between $14.25 and $16.00 per share.

Biogen executives said they will continue pursuing new Alzheimers treatments including a drug similar to Aduhelm. Researchers are awaiting last-stage testing results for the drug in the fall. But the company also highlighted other drugs in its pipeline, including potential treatments for depression and schizophrenia.

Vounatsos departure was expected given the many setbacks the company has faced, RBC Capital Markets analyst Brian Abrahams wrote Tuesday. The move and reorganization will be well received over the long term, and give the company a fresh start in refocusing R&D priorities.

Shares of Biogen Inc. rose less than 1%.
COVID cases and hospitalizations are rising in Connecticut, according to state data, but health experts say the infections are not as severe as they were earlier in the pandemic.

On Tuesday, the state reported the seven-day positivity rate was just shy of 10 percent, as high as its been since the omicron wave over the winter. COVID hospitalizations have now surpassed 200  nearly tripling over the past month.

Speaking at a Tuesday news conference, Yale New Haven Health Medical Director Tom Balcezak said COVID hospitalizations at his health system have more than doubled in the last month.

The number of cases we are seeing in our hospitals is just not translating into the number of ICU patients or ventilated patients that happened during the first one or two waves of COVID, he said.

The state reported Tuesday that 6,310 new COVID cases had been identified over the last seven days, out of 63,159 reported tests, a positivity rate of 9.99 percent.

We've seen an uptick in cases over the last couple of weeks, Balcezak said. You've seen the positivity rate across the state of Connecticut continue to increase as well.

Connecticut had a net increase of 45 COVID hospitalizations over the past seven days, increasing the statewide total to 236 patients  nearly triple the number of hospitalizations over the past month: On March 31, 88 patients were in Connecticut hospitals, according to state data.

Though the positivity rate and hospitalizations have increased, Balcezak said it is not translating into the number of hospitalizations that we've seen in the past.

I think that's great empiric evidence that the vaccinations and the boosters work, Balcezak said.

Though a federal court case ended a nationwide mask mandate on public transit, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement Tuesday, encouraging the use of masks on airplanes, buses and trains, and in transportation hubs.

At this time, CDC recommends that everyone aged 2 and older  including passengers and workers  properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over the nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation, the CDC wrote in its guidance.

Balcezak said some businesses, including all hospitals in Connecticut, have continued to require the use of masks.

That's really for the protection of our most vulnerable patients, he said. We have many patients that have immune systems that are not quite up to par, even if they've been vaccinated. They still may not be protected and we want to make sure that as always, safety is our primary concern for our patients in their families.
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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
A film debuting in over 270 theaters across the United States this week uses a flawed analysis of cellphone location data and ballot drop box surveillance footage to cast doubt on the results of the 2020 presidential election nearly 18 months after it ended.

Praised by former President Donald Trump as exposing great election fraud, the movie, called 2000 Mules," paints an ominous picture suggesting Democrat-aligned ballot mules were supposedly paid to illegally collect and drop off ballots in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

But that's based on faulty assumptions, anonymous accounts and improper analysis of cellphone location data, which is not precise enough to confirm that somebody deposited a ballot into a drop box, according to experts.

The movie was produced by conservative filmmaker Dinesh DSouza and uses research from the Texas-based nonprofit True the Vote, which has spent months lobbying states to use its findings to change voting laws. Neither responded to a request for comment.

Heres a closer look at the facts.

CLAIM: At least 2,000 mules were paid to illegally collect ballots and deliver them to drop boxes in key swing states ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

THE FACTS: True the Vote didnt prove this. The finding is based on false assumptions about the precision of cellphone tracking data and the reasons that someone might drop off multiple ballots, according to experts.

"Ballot harvesting is a pejorative term for dropping off completed ballots for people besides yourself. The practice is legal in several states but largely illegal in the states True the Vote focused on, with some exceptions for family, household members and people with disabilities.

True the Vote has said it found some 2,000 ballot harvesters by purchasing $2 million worth of anonymized cellphone geolocation data  the pings that track a persons location based on app activity  in various swing counties across five states. Then, by drawing a virtual boundary around a countys ballot drop boxes and various unnamed nonprofits, it identified cellphones that repeatedly went near both ahead of the 2020 election.

If a cellphone went near a drop box more than 10 times and a nonprofit more than five times from Oct. 1 to Election Day, True the Vote assumed its owner was a mule  its name for someone engaged in an illegal ballot collection scheme in cahoots with a nonprofit.

The groups claims of a paid ballot harvesting scheme are supported in the film only by one unidentified whistleblower said to be from San Luis, Arizona, who said she saw people picking up what she assumed to be payments for ballot collection. The film contains no evidence of such payments in other states in 2020.

Plus, experts say cellphone location data, even at its most advanced, can only reliably track a smartphone within a few meters  not close enough to know whether someone actually dropped off a ballot or just walked or drove nearby.

You could use cellular evidence to say this person was in that area, but to say they were at the ballot box, youre stretching it a lot, said Aaron Striegel, a professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Notre Dame. Theres always a pretty healthy amount of uncertainty that comes with this.

Whats more, ballot drop boxes are often intentionally placed in busy areas, such as college campuses, libraries, government buildings and apartment complexes  increasing the likelihood that innocent citizens got caught in the groups dragnet, Striegel said.

Similarly, there are plenty of legitimate reasons why someone might be visiting both a nonprofits office and one of those busy areas. Delivery drivers, postal workers, cab drivers, poll workers and elected officials all have legitimate reasons to cross paths with numerous drop boxes or nonprofits in a given day.

True the Vote has said it filtered out people whose pattern of life before the election season included frequenting nonprofit and drop box locations. But that strategy wouldn't filter out election workers who spend more time at drop boxes during the election season, cab drivers whose daily paths don't follow a pattern, or people whose routines recently changed.

In some states, in an attempt to bolster its claims, True the Vote also highlighted drop box surveillance footage that showed voters depositing multiple ballots into the boxes. However, there was no way to tell whether those voters were the same people as the ones whose cellphones were anonymously tracked.

A video of a voter dropping off a stack of ballots at a drop box is not itself proof of any wrongdoing, since most states have legal exceptions that let people drop off ballots on behalf of family members and household members.

For example, Larry Campbell, a voter in Michigan who was not featured in the film, told The Associated Press he legally dropped off six ballots in a local drop box in 2020  one for himself, his wife, and his four adult children. And in Georgia, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office investigated one of the surveillance videos circulated by True the Vote and said it found the man was dropping off ballots for himself and his family.

___

CLAIM: In Philadelphia alone, True the Vote identified 1,155 mules who illegally collected and dropped off ballots for money.

THE FACTS: No, it didnt. The group hasnt offered any evidence of any sort of paid ballot harvesting scheme in Philadelphia. And True the Vote did not get surveillance footage of drop boxes in Philadelphia, so the group based this claim solely on cellphone location data, its researcher Gregg Phillips said in March in testimony to Pennsylvania state senators.

Pennsylvania state Sen. Sharif Street, who was there for the groups testimony in March, told the AP he was confident he was counted as several of the groups 1,155 anonymous mules, even though he didnt deposit anything into a drop box in that time period.

Street said he based his assessment on the fact that he carries a cellphone, a watch with a cellular connection, a tablet with a cellular connection and a mobile hotspot  four devices whose locations can be tracked by private companies. He also said he typically travels with a staffer who carries two devices, bringing the total on his person to six.

During the 2020 election season, Street said, he brought those devices on trips to nonprofit offices and drop box rallies. He also drove by one drop box up to seven or eight times a day when traveling between his two political offices.

I did no ballot stuffing, but over the course of time, I literally probably account for hundreds and hundreds of their unique visits, even though Im a single actor in a single vehicle moving back and forth in my ordinary course of business, Street said.

City election commission spokesman Nick Custodio said the allegations matched others that had been debunked or disproven after the 2020 election.

The Trump campaign and others filed an unprecedented litany of cases challenging Philadelphias election with dubious and unsubstantiated allegations of fraud, all of which were quickly and resoundingly rejected by both state and federal courts, Custodio said.

___

CLAIM: Some of the mules True the Vote identified in Georgia were also geolocated at violent antifa riots in Atlanta in the summer of 2020, showing they were violent far left actors.

THE FACTS: Setting aside the fact that the film doesn't prove these individuals were collecting ballots at all, it also can't prove their political affiliations.

The anonymized data True the Vote tracked doesn't explain why someone might have been present at a protest demanding justice for Black deaths at the hands of police officers. The individuals who were tracked there could have been violent rioters, but they also could have been peaceful protesters, police or firefighters responding to the protests, or business owners in the area.

___

CLAIM: Alleged ballot harvesters were captured on surveillance video wearing gloves because they didnt want to leave their fingerprints on the ballots.

THE FACTS: This is pure speculation. It ignores far more likely reasons for glove-wearing in the fall and winter of 2020  cold weather or COVID-19.

True the Vote's researcher claimed in the movie that voters in Georgia started wearing gloves to prevent their fingerprints from touching ballot envelopes after two women in Yuma, Arizona, were indicted on Dec. 23, 2020 for alleged ballot harvesting in that states primary election. But the Arizona indictment didnt mention anything about fingerprints.

Voting in Georgias Jan. 5, 2021, Senate runoff election occurred during some of the coldest weeks of the year in the state, and when COVID-19 was surging.

In fact, the AP in 2020 documented multipleexamples of COVID-cautious voters wearing latex gloves and other personal protective equipment to vote.

In a similarly speculative allegation, the film claims its supposed mules took photographs of ballots before they dropped them into drop boxes in order to get paid. But across the U.S., voters frequently take photos of their ballot envelopes before submitting them.

___

CLAIM: If it weren't for this ballot collection scheme, former President Donald Trump would have had enough votes to win the 2020 election.

THE FACTS: This alleged scheme has not been proven, nor do these researchers have any way of knowing whether any ballots that were collected contained votes for Trump or for Biden.

There's no evidence a massive ballot harvesting scheme dumped a large amount of votes for one candidate into drop boxes, and if there were, it would likely be caught quickly, according to Derek Muller, a law professor at the University of Iowa.

Once you get just a few people involved, people start to reveal the scheme because it unravels pretty quickly," he said.

Absentee ballots are also verified by signature and tracked closely, often with an option for voters themselves to see where their ballot is at any given time. That process safeguards against anyone who tries to illegally cast extra ballots, according to Barry Burden, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor and the director of the Elections Research Project.

It seems impossible in that system for a nefarious actor to dump lots of ballots that were never requested by voters and were never issued by election officials, Burden said.

___

This is part of APs effort to address widely shared misinformation, including work with outside companies and organizations to add factual context to misleading content that is circulating online. Learn more about fact-checking at AP.
;ll IA leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion, which would overturn Roe v. Wade, has set off a flurry of speculation about a post-Roe America including warnings that other major rulings on same sex marriage and the right to contraception could be at risk.

Critics of the majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, which is not final and could change, said it cast doubt on other civil rights that Americans have come to expect, in some cases, for decades.

The theoretical basis that they seem to be taking in this opinion would be equally applicable to LGBTQ rights, interracial marriage, contraception, a whole host of other rights that have been established over the past 70 or so years, said state Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-Stamford, co-chair of the legislative Reproductive Rights Caucus.

In the 98-page opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization , which challenges the constitutionality of a Mississippi law banning abortion after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, Alito wrote that Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. But he also asserted that overturning the 1973 decision would not jeopardize other decisions by the courts based on the right to privacy.

Its impossible to see how those rights could be upheld consistently with his decision here, said Anne Dailey, a professor of law at the University of Connecticut.

Dailey compared the decision Roe to the Supreme Courts 2003 ruling in the case of Lawrence v. Texas, which established that criminalizing gay sex was unconstitutional.

They both draw on notions of individual liberty, and in some sense, privacy, and the ability of a person to choose how to lead their life, she said.

Those cases drew on a precedent established in Griswold v. Connecticut, in which the Supreme Court in 1965 struck down a state ban on contraceptives.

In the wake of the leaked opinion, many in the LGBTQ community expressed fear that their rights would soon be eroded. On social media, some same-sex couples said they were considering drafting a power of attorney and other documents to provide added protection against any potential future challenges.

We are afraid that things like marriage equality would be next on the target list, said Juancarlos Soto, deputy director of the New Haven Pride Center. Soto said he read the entirety of Alitos opinion, which he called a blatant attack on civil rights.

Dailey said conservative states would likely start challenging same-sex marriage and other major rulings, setting up test cases, similar to whats happened in the lead up to the Supreme Court decision with anti-abortion states moving to pass laws seeking to criminalize the procedure beyond their borders. Legal scholars expect inter-state conflicts to erupt if the federal right to abortion goes away.

A bill approved by the Connecticut General Assembly, which Gov. Ned Lamont has vowed to sign, seeks to combat actions by anti-abortion states by creating a legal safe harbor for abortion providers and patients. The measure also protects access to birth control and expands who can provide aspiration abortions in Connecticut.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
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MILFORD  A Connecticut State Police trooper briefly faced a judge Tuesday morning in connection with the 2020 shooting death of New Haven resident Mubarak Soulemane.

Trooper Brian North, arraigned on a first-degree manslaughter charge, had his case transferred to Part A proceedings, where more serious criminal matters are heard. The case was continued to June 2.

At least 30 troopers sat in the courtroom gallery in support of North. Across the aisle, five of Soulemanes family members were present for the hearing.

Afterward, Omo Mohammed, Soulemanes mother, called for justice in her sons death. She said the family would not be cowed, saying she believed in my heart that the police presence was meant to be intimidating.

We are here today for justice  justice for my son, Mubarak Soulemane, who has been massacred by State Trooper Brian North, Mohammed said. I hope justice will be served.

Ahead of the proceedings, dozens of state troopers gathered and marched from the nearby train station to the Milford courthouse.

Andrew Matthews, executive director of the Connecticut State Police union, said the march was a show of solidarity. Troopers were there to support North and other officers, he said, as they continue to bear the responsibility for wielding force.

We will defend them. We will defend their actions when we believe that they are justified in performing their duties to protect the public, Matthews said. We feel obligated because our troopers put their lives on the line everyday to protect the public.

North is the first Connecticut police officer to be charged in connection with a line-of-duty shooting in 17 years.

He turned himself in to the states inspector generals office on April 19. He was placed on administrative leave and his police powers were suspended pending the outcome of his case.

After a two-year investigation, Inspector General Richard Devlin completed the report and brought the manslaughter charge, determining Norths use of force was not justified.

Stated briefly, the investigation establishes that, at the time Trooper North fired his weapon, neither he nor any other person was in imminent danger of serious injury or death from a knife attack at the hands of Soulemane. Further, any belief that persons were in such danger was not reasonable, Devlin said in the report.

Stand up for our troopers

Matthews said Tuesday the union felt an obligation to support troopers they believe to be prosecuted for doing their job.

Matthews said troopers often feel compelled now to be reactive, rather than proactive, which he believes imperils the public.

We have to stand up for our troopers, Matthews said.

Cathleen Walsh and Amy Bourdon, residents of Oxford and Cheshire who started a Blue Lives Matter Connecticut Facebook page, were in attendance as North entered the courtroom to offer their support for law enforcement, waving a Thin Blue Line flag.

This war thats going on against our cops nationwide has to stop, just has to stop, Walsh said. Trooper North was protecting two other cops.  I want to make sure that he gets a fair trial, and I just back the blue. If a cop is bad, of course, we dont want that, but 99 percent of our cops are good and we need to support them.

After the proceedings, the Rev. Kevin McCall, a civil rights activist and founder of The Crisis Action Center, raised the call of Justice for Mubarak.

The Soulemane family joined the chant and continued to raise his name as North and the contingent of law enforcement members passed behind them and walked up the street.

Attorney Sanford Rubinstein, representing the family, said the case would be decided based on evidence, not shows of support.

We look forward to the jury trial and justice being done, Rubenstein said.

Attorney Mark Arons, also representing the family, said Soulemanes legacy would be borne out in changes to police procedure.

The police say policing is dead. We say Mubarak Soulemane is dead because of Trooper Brian North. Police training and tactics must change, Arons said. The use of deadly force must be the last resort, the very last resort, and not the first option. Mubaraks legacy will be real, lasting change, from coast to coast, that directly results in saving lives for years to come.

Norths attorney, Jeffrey Ment, declined to comment on Tuesday.

TIMELINE: The investigation into the CT state police shooting of Mubarak Soulemane

The two-year investigation

The incident unfolded on Jan. 15, 2020, when Soulemane went to Norwalk following an argument with his brother, according to Devlins report.

Soulemane, 19, suffered from schizophrenia, his mother told investigators. His girlfriend told the Department of Criminal Justice that Soulemane had become erratic, paranoid and disorganized in the days prior to the shooting.

Soulemane, who grew up in Norwalk, pulled a knife while at an AT&T store on Main Avenue, the report stated. Soulemane left the store and got into a Hyundai operated by a ride share driver, according to the report.

The driver got out of the car at a nearby gas station after a confrontation with Soulemane, the report stated. Soulemane then stole the car and headed up Interstate 95 where state police engaged in a high-speed pursuit, according to the report.

MAP: Tracing the police chase that ended in Mubarak Soulemanes death

The pursuit was captured on dashboard camera footage from responding troopers.

Soulemane exited the highway at Exit 43 in West Haven, striking a Chevy Trailblazer, according to the report.

Troopers Ross Dalling, Joshua Jackson and North effectively blocked-in the vehicle on Campbell Avenue, according to the report.

Jackson ordered the driver out of the car, but received no response. He later said that the driver seemed out of it. Jackson then proceeded to the passenger side. North took a position at the driver-side window and Dalling was to the rear. North directed Jackson to use his Taser. West Haven Police Officer Robert Rappa smashed the passenger side window using Jacksons police baton. Jackson then deployed his Taser through the broken out window toward Soulemane. Rappa yelled, hes reaching! Soulemane then moved his arm upward holding a knife pointed toward the ceiling of the car, Devlin wrote in the report.

North immediately fired his gun seven times through the driver side window into Soulemanes chest area. North then yelled, drop the knife! Devlin wrote. North was able to break away the shattered glass and retrieved a kitchen knife from the Hyundai that he placed on the hood of the car. Other police officers pulled Soulemane from the car and proceeded to provide medical aid. He was not responsive.

In a statement, North later told police he saw Soulemanes eyes open wide as Rappa shattered the passenger-side window. He said he believed Rappa was attempting to enter the vehicle at that time, the report stated. North said he saw Soulemane quickly move his right hand into his pocket and remove a knife, then abruptly move in the drivers seat, the report stated.

VIDEO: Body camera footage released by state police

I quickly took my eyes off the suspect and looked in the direction of (Trooper) Jackson and the West Haven officer. I saw (Trooper) Jackson quickly advancing toward the open passenger window and I could not see the West Haven officer anymore. This led me to believe that the West Haven officer had already begun to enter the suspect vehicle to take control of the suspect. I immediately looked back at the suspect and saw that he still had the knife in his hand, and was making furtive movements, North said in a statement.

The suspect was moving and holding the knife in an aggressive manner, and appeared to me to be preparing to attack either (Trooper) Jackson or the West Haven officer. Based on these circumstances, I believed that (Trooper) Jackson and the West Haven officer were at imminent risk of serious physical injury or death, and could have been stabbed in the neck or face as they attempted to enter the vehicle and remove the suspect. As a result, I discharged my duty firearm to eliminate the threat, North said.

Rappa later told investigators that he had broken the window to open a line of communication with Soulemane and allow for the use of a Taser. He said he had not intended to enter the vehicle, the report stated.

Jackson later told investigators that he had intended to enter the car and secure Soulemane, according to the report. The Taser appeared to have been ineffective, he said. Soulemane, holding the knife, turned his whole torso toward him and looked at him, the report stated.

However, Devlin determined that neither Rappa nor Jackson were in danger at the time.

Soulemane was in the drivers seat of the Hyundai and they were outside of the vehicle, Devlin stated in the report.

Although Soulemane held a knife, he was not using the knife against them nor presenting any imminent threat to do so, Devlin stated.

Devlin also said it was unreasonable to fire seven shots. One shot, he said, might have disabled Soulemane from attacking others yet not kill him.

The Soulemane family has filed a lawsuit and wrongful death claim in the wake of Mubaraks death, alleging negligence.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  The Connecticut Senate sent a revised, one-year $24.2 billion state budget to Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont's desk on Tuesday night that Democrats lauded as historic but Republicans derided as falling short for the taxpayers.

While the plan cuts taxes by an estimated $600 million and dedicates more money to some popular initiatives, including a major mental health care initiative, only two Republicans in the House and Senate  Sens. Kevin Witkos of Canton and Heather Somers of Groton  voted for the deal negotiated between Lamont and Democratic leaders of the General Assembly.

GOP leaders said the level of tax relief is a disappointment given the state's $4.8 billion projected surplus, and that lawmakers shouldve made systemic changes to Connecticut's tax system.

Six hundred million dollars is a drop in the bucket compared to the economic harm that has happened to Connecticut families under this majority, said Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, referring to the Democrats, who control the General Assembly. Republicans offered an amendment to cut taxes by about $1.2 billion, including reductions to the sales and income taxes, but it was defeated on party lines.

Only one Democrat in the General Assembly, Sen. Dennis Bradley of Bridgeport, voted against the package.

Democrats argued that federal rules for how states can spend pandemic relief funds have limited how much states can cut taxes. But Kelly, citing newly released data from the legislatures nonpartisan fiscal office, said Connecticut would be able to cut up to $1.4 billion in taxes. The budget bill includes more than $1 billion in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Democrats steadfastly defended the plan, which takes effect July 1. They said it's responsible, prudent and balanced, dedicating state resources to address major issues identified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those include mental health services for children, poor air quality in schools, various workforce shortages and financial struggles faced by day care programs.

This is a humane budget, a responsive budget, and meets the needs and aspirations of the people of the state of Connecticut, said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven. We are not people who shut our eyes to the needs of others.

The Senate vote came a little more than 24 hours before the legislative session ends Wednesday at midnight.

Here are some highlights of the bill, which revises the second year of the two-year budget passed last year:

TAX CUTS

The list of tax changes includes a continuation of the cut to the 25 cent-per-gallon gas tax and free bus service until Dec. 1; creation of a new, one-year $250 child care tax credit in the form of a rebate; the accelerated phase-out of taxes on pension, 401K and annuity income starting with the 2022 tax year; a lower limit 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.

Beginning with the 2023 tax year, the bill increases the state's Earned Income Tax Credit from 30.5% to 41.5% of the federal credit, which is available to working people of modest means. It also creates a new $2,500 personal income tax credit for taxpayers who've had a stillborn child that would have been claimed as a dependent, affecting an estimated more than 100 families a year.

The bill also eliminates the 6% admissions tax on movie tickets. Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford, said the industry has taken it on the chin" and noted that the number of movie theaters in Connecticut dropped from 61 to 50 during the pandemic.

PANDEMIC PREMIUM PAY

The bill creates a new Connecticut Premium Pay bonus program for private sector workers who were on the job during the entire period of Lamonts public health and civil preparedness emergency. Eligible workers are those included in phases 1a and 1b of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommended rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations. They'd receive a range of $200 to $1,000 depending on their income. Eligible part-time workers will receive $500 under the program, to be administered by the State Comptroller.

DEBT REDUCTION

The plan reduces the state's unfunded pension liability by $3.5 billion. Also, $40 million in federal pandemic funds are being used to reduce the estimated $493 million debt in the states unemployment trust fund. Thats 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.

MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER SPENDING

The proposal includes additional funding for various mental health and substance abuse treatment and support services, including money for 24/7 mobile crisis services across the state and services for children. There's also funding for school readiness programs and child care centers, including emergency stabilization grants; more than $220 million in new money for nonprofit social service agencies; free menstrual products in restrooms used by students in grades 3-12; and increased funding for special education and bilingual programs.
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.
By Trend

Iran's ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Irani has announced Tehran's readiness to resume talks with Kuwait over the Arash (al-Durra) gas field, Trend reports citing ILNA.

Irani said that the good bilateral relations between Iran and Kuwait will pave the way for further consultation on Arash/al-Durra gas field, to reach a solution.

Regarding the recent talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Baghdad, Irani said that the fifth round of these talks ended with very good results and he hopes that all the existing differences between the two countries, whether bilateral or regional, will be resolved.

Arash gas field is one of the gas fields in Iran, which is located in the north of the Persian Gulf and in Bushehr province.

This gas field is one of the joint fields of Iran with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The Arash gas field is called al-Durra by the two Arab countries.
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. On May 3, Special Representatives for the normalization process between Armenia and Turkey, respectively, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan and Ambassador Serdar Klc held their third meeting in Vienna, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reports.

The Special Representatives reaffirmed the declared goal of achieving full normalization between their respective countries through this process. In this sense, they had sincere and productive exchange of concrete views and discussed possible steps that can be undertaken for tangible progress in this direction.

They reiterated their agreement to continue the process without preconditions, the ministry said.
Fairfield County residents are aware of many important issues: social justice, the environment, animal rights, and much more.

But it takes a special group to actually be AWARE.

The name stands for Assisting Women through Action, Resources and Education. The clunky acronym belies a powerful, energetic force. Each year, the organization selects a womens cause, then partners with a charity to benefit it. Through a fundraiser, hands-on activities and educational events, AWARE shines a light all year long on a different meaningful womens cause.

Since its founding a decade ago AWARE has partnered with groups like Mercy Learning Center, which provides literacy and life skills to low-income women; Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes, a Bridgeport transitional home; Malta House, serving pregnant women and young homeless mothers in Norwalk; Caroline House, which assists women and children through English language and life skills classes; Cancer Couch, which funds breast cancer research; and the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI).

This year, AWARE is working with the Womens Mentoring Network. The Stamford-based nonprofit helps women pursue education and jobs, offering workshops and one-on-one assistance in areas like financial literacy and computers.

A Tapas @ Twilight fundraiser is set for 6 to 8 p.m. on May 14 at a private home. Members and friends have donated the food and beverages and auction items, so all proceeds can go to the Womens Mentoring Network. Visit www.awarect.org or email info@awarect.org for more information.

Amy Saperstein has been involved with AWARE since the 1990s. In fact, she helped found the organization, in New York City. A recent college graduate, she and her friends wanted to support womens causes. They could not raise huge sums of money, so they focused on direct work.

When Saperstein moved to Westport, she joined with other former AWARE members now living in Fairfield County. The Connecticut chapter was born.

Strong bonds form during the year that AWARE works with a partner organization through regular meetings, information sessions and dinners. We really learn about each group - what they do, and who their clients are, Saperstein says. They befriend the organizers, and also their clients.

When COVID made face-to-face meetings difficult, AWARE pivoted to Zoom. With the Womens Mentoring Network they focused on resume writing, job interview preparation, financial management, and what to wear to an interview.

We really learned what these women go through. Then we found experts to help, Saperstein says.

AWARE members also collected gently used professional work clothes. Armed with knowledge gained from the Zoom sessions, Mentoring Network clients headed to interviews with confidence.

The connections between AWARE and its partner organizations are strong. Leaders of non-profits have joined AWARE after their year-long association ended. Several are working on the upcoming fundraiser, aiding womens groups just as their own have already been helped.

Erica Davis met Saperstein when their children were little. Excited by the opportunities AWARE offered, she began volunteering. She was inspired to meet female veterans at Forgotten Heroes dinners in Bridgeport, and learned from homeless mothers at Malta House. This year, shes helping lead the fundraiser.

The most rewarding part of AWARE is meeting people we otherwise wouldnt know, Saperstein notes.

AWAREs impact continues well beyond the year in which they partner with a non-profit. A program they began for immigrant girls through CIRI still continues, for example.

The Westport community has rallied around AWARE. Greens Farms Spirit Shop auctioned off used whiskey barrels, and gave the proceeds to them. Kitt Shapiro hosted an event at WEST, her Post Road boutique. When the Cloud Nine consignment shop opened on Main Street, they gave a percentage of opening-day sales to AWARE.

Staples High School supports an active AWARE Club too. Students have organized their own projects, such as making welcome bags for CIRIs teenage refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Theyre assisting with the May 14 fundraiser too. Freshman Samantha Henske helped create AWAREs new website.

AWARE charges no membership fee. Every volunteer is encouraged to get involved as much as she can, and offer her own area of expertise. Many join because they want to help other women. As they gain awareness of poverty, immigration, the military, homelessness, teenage pregnancy and cancer - and get to know the women affected by issues like those - they realize that education is truly a two-way street.

Dan Woog is a Westport writer. His new column Calendar Close-up appears each Friday and dives into one of the upcoming community events in Westport. He can be reached at dwoog@optonline.net. His personal blog is danwoog06880.com.


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YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation, ARMENPRESS reports TASS informed, referring to BFM TV channel, according to which the conversation lasted more than two hours.

This is the first conversation of the presidents after Macron was elected for a second term on April 24. Macron also had a phone conversation with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to Le Figaro newspaper, before calling the Russian leader, the French President received former French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace.
The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Marcel Ciolacu, declared on Tuesday that he is honored to have taken over the leadership of the PRO-America group in Parliament at a time when the Strategic Partnership with the USA is at the highest level and on the same day the friendship groups with the Russian Federation and Belarus were disbanded.

"I am honored to have taken over the leadership of the PRO-America group in Parliament at a time when the Strategic Partnership with the United States is at its highest level and on the same day that we disbanded the friendship groups with the Russian Federation and Belarus. I will continue to share Romania's foreign and security policy vision, which is based on the three pillars: EU membership, its role in the NATO alliance and its Strategic Partnership with the United States," Ciolacu wrote on Facebook, Agerpres.ro informs.

He added that he would follow without hesitation the path chosen 30 years ago, "that of a strong member of the transatlantic community", which contributes significantly to its security and prosperity.

"My goals as Chairman of the PRO-America Group will be to create a business and investment-friendly environment by: enhancing the predictability and transparency of tax legislation, ensuring a stable and transparent legislative framework that benefits the national economy and investors, and identifying new opportunities for American investment (for example in energy)," Ciolacu added.
The dissolution of parliamentary friendship groups with the Russian Federation and Belarus will be on the joint agenda of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate on Tuesday.

In early March, the chairman of the Romanian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Senator Ioan Stan, coordinator of parliamentary friendship structures, proposed disbanding the groups with the Russian Federation and Belarus, after parliamentary parties withdrew their representatives.

At the same time, in the joint sitting on Tuesday, the MPs will take note of more information from President Klaus Iohannis regarding this year's approval of the forces and means of the Romanian Army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs that can be made available to participate in missions outside the national territory, the approval on the entry, stationing and operation of the US STRYKER Battalion in Romania, in order to fulfill the missions subsumed to NATO's deterrence and defense posture, as well as the approval, following NATO's requests, on the deployment of armed forces in Romania, as well as the entry, stationing and operation of the US F-35 detachment in Romania.

AGERPRES
On Tuesday, Romania's Attorney General (AG) Gabriela Scutea released a message in support of the activity of journalists and the freedom of the press, recalling the media's contribution to alerting investigative bodies about corruption involving public office holders.

"On World Press Freedom Day, I want to send a message of unconditional support for the work of journalists and the freedom of the press, a free, objective and responsible press, which is indispensable to the protection of our society and the protection of our rights and freedoms. We would like to emphasise on this occasion the contribution that the responsible and independent media had and will have in informing the public and alerting investigative bodies about corruption involving persons holding various public positions, as well as others instances of crime law violations. Not infrequently, as a result of such media stories, the Public Prosecution Service has acted and managed to prosecute the perpetrators," Scutea says in a message released on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, Agerpres.ro informs.

In her opinion, when journalistic activity is carried out with objectivity and in good faith, on the one hand, and in safe conditions for journalists, on the other hand, it becomes a pillar of the rule of law, a complementary component of the judiciary.
The joint plenary sitting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate approved on Tuesday the abolition of the friendship parliamentary groups with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

The proposal to dismantle the two friendship groups was made by the Romanian Group of the Inter-parliamentary Union (GRUI).

GRUI informed the Standing Bureau of Parliament that the parliamentary groups of PSD (Social Democratic Party) and AUR (Alliance for the Union of Romanians) withdrew their representatives from the Romania-Russian Federation Parliamentary Friendship Group and proposed the abolition of this group, Agerpres.ro informs.

"In the spirit of the Romanian Parliament's statement on the situation in Ukraine, we propose to the standing bureaus of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies the abolition of the Friendship Group with the Russian Federation, while showing thus, once again, our solidarity with the Ukrainian people, which is a victim of the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine," reads the GRUI press release.

The Romania-Belarus Friendship Group was also disbanded after PSD, PNL (National Liberal Party), USR (Save Romania Union) and UDMR (the Democratic Union of Hungarians of Romania) withdrew their members, but also as a result of the adoption at the EU level of an additional package of sanctions against this country, as a result of the support granted to the Russian Federation "in organizing the aggression against Ukraine."
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Tuesday, on the occasion of the signing of the assets takeover documents by Romgaz from Exxon for 50% of the Neptun Deep perimeter, that the gas will be extracted no later than 2026.

According to him, the estimates give guarantees that there are large enough quantities to be able to supply gas to our neighbours, both in the region and in the European Union, Agerpres.ro informs.

"It is the activity that has been prepared so that we can continue the steps taken by the Government in order to be able to develop everything that means the capacity of the Romanian state to fulfill its objective of becoming independent in terms of energy resources, and gas is one of them. By 2026 the gas will be extracted from the Neptun Deep perimeter in the Black Sea, together with Romgaz and OMV Petrom, and we will meet our goal so that we can provide the necessary gas for our own consumption. The estimates give us guarantees that there are large enough quantities to be able to supply gas to our neighbours, both in the region and in the European Union," the prime minister told the ceremony at the Victoria Palace.

Nicolae Ciuca requested that Romgaz, together with OMV Petrom, start the investments "as soon as possible", so that the gas extraction will take place "at least" by the assumed term, that is the end of 2026.

"Practically, through what will be achieved, we will ensure the development of our own capacities, so that we can be in line with what we have assumed through the offshore bill that we submitted last month to Parliament and we ensure this way also stability and predictability of the entire energy field in Romania," he mentioned.

The ceremony at Victoria Palace was attended by the Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, and David Muniz, US interim charge d'affaires in Romania.

Romgaz, the largest natural gas producer in Romania, has signed the sale-purchase contract of all shares issued (representing 100% of the share capital) by ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited (EMEPRL) which owns 50% of the acquired rights and from the obligations assumed by the Oil Agreement for the eastern area, the deep water area of the offshore perimeter XIX Neptun in the Black Sea.

According to a press release sent by the Government, the sale-purchase contract was approved at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Romgaz on April 28. The completion of the transaction is conditioned by the fulfillment of the pending conditions in the contract. The purchase price paid by Romgaz will be 1,060,000,000 dollars, and can be adjusted according to the mechanisms provided in the share sale-purchase contract. Earlier, on March 22, Romgaz's Board of Directors approved this sale-purchase agreement.
Informing the public is vital, especially in periods such as the pandemic or in the current context, created by the Russian invasion in Ukraine, mass-media having an increasing role in this sense, but also a major responsibility in the balanced dissemination of information to the wider audience, said Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, on Tuesday, in a message sent on World Press Freedom Day.

'The context in which we are marking World Press Freedom Day brings to the forefront the role of mass-media in the correct informing of the public and to combat disinformation, in close connection to the transformations and challenges that the development of digital technology brought to the sphere of journalism. Liberty and mass-media pluralism means guaranteeing freedom of expression and free access to information, fundamental rights of any citizen in a consolidated democracy and a functional rule of law. Respecting freedom of expression, the right to opinion and to information implies the responsibility of all state institutions and a coherent and sustained effort to protect rights guaranteed through the Constitution of Romania," the head of the Executive emphasizes.

"Together with the entire governmental team, I fully support the freedom of the press, right to opinion and the correct informing of citizens, position which I've expressed every time promptly and decidedly. In equal measure, we firmly condemn any attempt at intimidation or influencing the way in which a journalist or news desk in Romania exercises its constitutional rights for freedom of expression. To be a journalist means to be in the service of truth and public interest. I have full respect for the people in this profession, who do their jobs professionally, objectively and responsibly, many even in conflict areas, exposed to dangers, so that citizens are up to date with public interest developments. There are qualities I have always appreciated and I believe it's unacceptable that they would turn journalists into targets of threats or even attacks," the Prime Minister mentions.

Nicolae Ciuca shows that "informing the public is vital, especially in period such as the pandemic or the current context created by the Russian invasion in Ukraine, mass-media having an increased role in this sense, but also a major responsibility in the balanced dissemination of information to the wider audience."

"I support independent journalism and the safety of journalists. With good faith, involvement in the service of truth, professionalism and objectiveness, I am confident we can together succeed in combating attempts at disinformation, diversion, division and hate mongering fuelled on the backdrop of the post-pandemic and security crises. Many happy returns to all journalists," said Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca.

AGERPRES
On Tuesday, President Klaus Iohannis signed the decrees appointing Marcel Bolos as Minister of European Investments and Projects, and Sebastian-Ioan Burduja as Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitization.

The head of state also signed the decree dismissing Marcel Bolos from the office of Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitization, Agerpres.ro informs.

According to the Presidential Administration, the swearing-in ceremony will take place on Tuesday, at 6.00 pm, at the Cotroceni Palace.
Authorities in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have conducted a search at the address of a Romanian citizen, suspected of being involved in the cyberattacks in the past days on IT infrastructure in Romania.

"Following joint activities conducted, a person of interest was identified, a Romanian citizen, resident in the United Kingdom, who allegedly supported the activity of the criminal group, by offering support for translating from Russian to Romanian of the materials promoted by the crime group and by indicating websites in Romania that could be attacked through the same operating method," informs a release of the General Inspectorate of Romanian Police (IGPR) sent, on Tuesday, to AGERPRES.

Since April 29, several DDoS-type attacks (Distributed Denial of Service) affected websites that belong to public institutions and private organizations in Romania.

Furthermore, specialized officers with the IGPR - the Directorate to Combat Organized Crime - Service to Combat Computer Crime traveled to the United Kingdom to grant support in the investigation conducted by the National Crime Agency.

The attacks were claimed by a group called 'KillNet', of Russian origin, and its activity is promoted on various communication channels, being motivated by the context of the Russia - Ukraine military conflict.

AGERPRES
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. On May 3, Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan met the delegation led by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Honda Taro, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of MFA Armenia.

At the beginning of the meeting, the parties exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, noting the importance of the anniversary for further development of the bilateral agenda.

Mnatsakan Safaryan emphasized the importance of further development and strengthening of the Armenian-Japanese relations, the activation of economic cooperation valuing the official assistance programs implemented by the Government of Japan in Armenia.

The Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister presented the situation resulting from the blatant encroachments on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia by Azerbaijan, as well as the recent developments on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, reaffirming the urgency for a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue under the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs mandate.

Taro Honda noted that the aim of his visit is the promotion of the Armenian-Japanese dialogue and expressed his satisfaction with the confirmation of Armenia's participation in the "Osaka 2025" international Expo. He reiterated Japan's position that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be settled through peaceful negotiations, emphasizing the role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in the process of settlement.

During the meeting, the Armenian-Japanese collaboration on multilateral platforms, as well as further cultural exchanges and cooperation in the sphere of tourism were touched upon.
Even when you retire from the workforce for good, those bills keep rolling in. Most people will receive a Social Security benefit, but for the average worker, Social Security checks will only replace about 40% of income. Yet the rule of thumb is that retirees should plan to replace between 70% and 80%.

If you're retired or your golden years are fast approaching, don't panic. Here are some unexpected sources you could turn to for retirement income.

1. Your HSA

A health savings account (HSA) is designed to help you pay for medical expenses when you have a high-deductible health plan. But if you're relatively healthy and you can sock away extra money in the account, an HSA can also serve as a retirement account.

Before you turn 65, the penalties for taking distributions for non-health expenses are steep; you'll pay a 20% penalty, plus income taxes. But once you're 65, you can take HSA distributions for any reason without penalty, though you will owe taxes on the withdrawal.

2. A reverse mortgage

If you own your home outright or you have significant equity, a reverse mortgage may be an option. Essentially, it's a loan in reverse where the lender makes payments to you instead of you paying the lender. You'll need to be at least 62 to qualify.

When you move out of the home as your primary residence or you die, you or your estate are responsible for paying off the loan in full, plus interest. Your lender can sell the home if necessary to recoup the balance.

Reverse mortgages aren't for everyone. They're often complex, they come with fees, and your balance will grow higher each month as interest accrues. You also typically can't borrow the full value of the home. But if you're a homeowner who has a pressing need for retirement income, a reverse mortgage is worth considering.

3. Dividends and interest

When you're building a nest egg, you often reinvest dividends and any interest you earn on investments like bonds or CDs. But once you reach retirement, you may want to stop reinvesting that money and use it for income.

If dividends are an important part of your income strategy, consider dividend index funds instead of individual dividend-paying stocks. When times are tough, a company may be forced to cut its dividend. Because a dividend index fund invests your money across many different stocks, you're better protected from a dividend cut.

4. Your spouse's or ex's Social Security

If you're married or divorced, you may be able to squeeze more money out of Social Security by collecting spousal benefits instead of your own retirement benefit. To collect spousal benefits on a current spouse's work record, they'll need to be taking benefits already. To collect on an ex-spouse's record, they don't need to be taking benefits, but they need to be eligible. Your marriage must have lasted 10 years, and you'll need to have been divorced for at least two years.

Spousal benefits are capped at 50% of the amount your current or former spouse would be eligible for at full retirement age. So you'll only get extra money if your spouse or ex-spouse was a much higher earner.

When you apply for benefits, Social Security will calculate both your retirement benefit and your spousal benefit, then give you whichever is larger (but not both). But if your work history is limited or your earnings were low during much of your career, spousal benefits can provide more income than you may have expected.

5. A part-time job

If your retirement income sources are still coming up short, you may wish to consider working part-time to fill the gap. That could be disappointing if you were planning on a carefree retirement.

But keep in mind that work looks a lot different today than it did just a few years ago. Work-from-home jobs and freelance opportunities are abundant. You can also choose to work the gig economy on your own schedule, whether it's by driving for Uber Technologies or Lyft, delivering groceries through Instacart, or hosting guests in your spare room through Airbnb.

You don't need to go back to working 40 or more hours a week if you need some extra cash in your retirement. Even if you aren't hard-pressed for extra money, working just a few hours a week could provide the funds to pursue travel and other hobbies in your golden years.

The $18,984 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $18,984 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

Robin Hartill, CFP has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
TOWN AND COUNTRY  An Idaho firm has completed its acquisition of 137-year-old Huttig Building Products.

Fruitland, Idaho-based Woodgrain Inc. offered $10.70 per share, or roughly $300 million, for the suburban St. Louis seller of building materials and wood products, and said Tuesday that just over 70% of shares had been offered up by Mondays deadline.

Woodgrain, which makes wood doors, moldings and windows in the U.S. and Chile, said the acquisition would significantly increase its distribution network and product offerings. It was not clear on Tuesday what the deal means for Huttig. The company, which has its headquarters near Maryville University, employs more than 1,000 people, most of whom work at 25 distribution centers across the country.

A Woodgrain spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday morning.

The buyout brings an end to more than a year of takeover bids at Huttig, which was founded in St. Louis in 1885 and operated a plant on South Vandeventer Avenue until the 1950s.

Connecticut-based Mill Road Capital kicked off the public bidding in August 2020 with an offer of $73.9 million, or $2.75 per share. It argued that Huttig would be better off in private hands than as a very small public company, an increasingly rare breed amid rising regulatory costs and private equity ownership. Mill Road later upped the number to $107.6 million, or $4 per share.

Mill Road withdrew in early 2021. But by the end of the year, Huttig appeared to be taking its suitors advice.

Amid record profits driven by a pandemic-induced construction boom and rising prices, the company said in October it would begin the process of evaluating potential strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value  hinting at a possible sale. Huttig shares had been trading around $5.20 per share hours before Woodgrain went public with its offer in March.

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Anna Maria von Phul was no stranger to tragedy during her life. But her artwork of St. Louis  surviving 200 years to provide important images and information of life here  still conveys more charm than hardship.

Her drawings and watercolors show intimate family scenes along with landscapes of the famous mounds in St. Louis.

She was, to my knowledge, the first American or European artist to depict the Indigenous earthworks here, says Hattie Felton, director of curatorial affairs and curator of fine and decorative arts at the Missouri History Museum. Plus, von Phul is the first female artist known to work in the Missouri Territory.

Von Phuls legacy includes images of a decaying Creole home, newer brick construction and the wooden fences that kept animals contained. In one drawing, a man and woman stand awkwardly near their home: It looks like she has just walked up to them and started sketching, Felton says. You dont get the sense she made up any of her work, she says.

The Missouri History Museum is displaying reproductions of von Phuls work in the museums atrium gallery, where some images are blown up to mural size. The original drawings and paintings are too fragile to be shown in the atriums natural light, Felton says. But the enlarged images will help visitors see details of the work; other images will be reproduced at scale.

Feltons More Than Ordinary: Early St. Louis Artist Anna Maria von Phul is the first in a series of books to document aspects of the history museums collections.

The museum received von Phuls sketchbooks and letters from descendants of Henry von Phul, the artists brother who became a wealthy merchant and steamboat owner. Museum director Charles van Ravenswaay was awed in 1953 by the boxes turned over by John Richardson Thomas and Henry von Phul Thomas, Felton says.

Van Ravenswaay said of the artwork: These are not the prim and mannered efforts of an untrained schoolgirl, but the deft work of a trained artist.

In fact, von Phul received drawing instruction in Lexington, Kentucky, as early as 1805 and likely before. Her prosperous father, and two siblings, had died in Philadelphia, where the family first lived. The father, a German immigrant, left debts, however, so his widow moved with four children to Kentucky after settling his estate.

Von Phuls earliest dated artwork is from 1804, but the painting shows she likely had been drawing for years, Felton writes in More Than Ordinary. In Kentucky, von Phul studied at Mary Becks Young Ladies Academy. Mary and George Beck, who had also moved to Lexington from Philadelphia, were European-trained artists.

Von Phul copied work from George Becks large collection of prints, and from his own work. Her brother Graff encouraged her to use Becks figure studies of live models for practice (female art students then rarely had access to models or anatomy lessons).

In 1808, von Phuls mother died. The next year her sister married, and Anna Maria moved in with the couple. But the brother-in-law died four years later, and the sisters were essentially homeless after his estate was sold at auction.

They were definitely relying on the kindness of friends, Felton says.

Their brother Henry would move to St. Louis, and Graff would join the Army (in a few years, Graff would disappear, perhaps drowned while trying to ford a river).

For a decade, Anna Maria von Phul lived with friends or family while continuing to work on her art, although sometimes her motivation flagged. She traveled to St. Louis several times, including in 1818, when she stayed with Henrys family or with her again-married sister, who by then lived in Edwardsville.

Both families provided von Phul with nieces and nephews, who may have been the subjects of some of her drawings of children holding babies. In watercolor paintings, women dressed in high-waisted Regency-style gowns pose seated with flowers or books.

Others depicted include Creole women with headwraps and work clothes. Another woman is shown in moccasins, blanket and beads, a rare depiction of a Native American in the American West in the 1810s, Felton writes. Von Phuls work helps document not only early St. Louis, but a changing era in a bustling and growing town.

Her art and letters also provide important information about female artists of the time, Felton says, who emphasizes that many other women, often little-known, have worked in St. Louis since.

Von Phul moved permanently to St. Louis in 1821. She died of a fever in Edwardsville two years later at age 37. Her grave site is unknown, as is the location of many artworks that she sent to friends.

Still, Felton concludes in her book, von Phuls sketchbooks have cemented her relevance in perpetuity as the earliest known woman artist working in Missouri.

What Painting Creole St. Louis  When May 7-Jan. 8; hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday-Sunday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday  Where Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard, Forest Park  How much Free  More info 314-746-4599; mohistory.com

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New Zealand is allowing tourists in - for the first time in nearly two years. Travelers from about 60 countries can now visit, without having 
ST. LOUIS  Federal prosecutors have charged a St. Louis man involved in the citys Cure Violence program with destroying evidence in a homicide investigation.

Jerome Mujaa Williams, 49, was charged Friday with one count of destruction of evidence to obstruct a federal investigation.

The case was unsealed Monday after Williams appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Noelle Collins on one count of destroying evidence related to the April 21 homicide of Titus Armstead. Authorities said Armstead was shot about 9:30 p.m. in Penrose Park and found about 12:45 a.m. the next day face down with several gunshot wounds.

Specifically, Williams is charged with destroying Armsteads Social Security card and disposing of a cellphone that contained evidence in the homicide investigation  including a photo of Armsteads dead body.

Armstead had flown from Newark, New Jersey, and landed at St. Louis Lambert International Airport about 8:30 p.m. April 21, authorities said. He was killed about an hour later.

Two days before boarding his flight to St. Louis, Armstead sent someone a message on Facebook of two photos of spent bullet casings with messages saying, But I am still alive, and He missed and we are going to be on his ass, the affidavit said. The evening of his flight, he texted someone saying he was scared and heading to St. Louis for safety reasons.

After landing in St. Louis, Armstead made two calls to a cellphone with an Albany, New York, area code and arrived at Penrose Park about 9:15 p.m., the affidavit said. He was shot and killed 15 minutes later.

Shortly before 11 p.m., Williams was recorded on surveillance video leaving a parking garage in the 1500 block of Washington Avenue where Williams has an apartment, and then discarding something in a utility shaft/storm drain in the 1900 block of St. Charles Street, authorities said. FBI agents searched the shaft on April 28 and found pieces of Armsteads torn-up Social Security card.

Investigators said they also seized surveillance video from the Crown Mart/Phillips 66 gas station at 3700 Union Boulevard that showed Williams and someone else retrieve a cellphone from the store the night before Armsteads death.

It was that cellphone, authorities said in the affidavit, that Armstead had called after arriving in St. Louis and that was found April 22 discarded along Interstate 70 near Lucas and Hunt Road. Surveillance video also showed Williams Dodge Ram pickup truck leaving his Washington Avenue apartment and driving north on Grand Boulevard toward Interstate 70.

That discarded phone also had a short video of what investigators believe is the sound of a gunshot, the affidavit said.

A federal public defender who represented Williams in court for Williams first appearance declined to comment.

Williams, a brother of former Missouri Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, was featured on NBC News in November and was quoted in the Post-Dispatch in February about his work with Cure Violence, a national program aimed at reducing violent crime. In court Monday, Williams lawyer said he also works as a carpenter for a contracting company.

Nasheed declined to comment Monday.

Williams worked as a Cure Violence interrupter in Dutchtown.

The program has been lauded by public officials for reducing violent crime, though some criminologists have questioned its efficacy.

Violence interrupters are known in the community as reliable messengers who work to resolve conflicts, Charles Norris and La Tricia Clark said in a statement released by the city. Norris and Clark are co-chairs of the St. Louis Cure Violence Steering Committee.

The statement continued: The Cure Violence Steering Committee takes these allegations seriously and it is now in the hands of the courts to ensure accountability for the individual involved. It is imperative that as a community we continue to support the staff who are still on the ground and remain committed to neighborhood safety.

The citys interim public safety director, Dan Isom, said in a statement that violence interrupters are screened, provided support, and in rare cases, pulled from neighborhoods if they have not moved on from a life of violence.

Isom said, The City is reviewing this allegation with the program provider and monitoring the situation closely as they address it.

Williams was released on supervision in February 2021 from a 35-year prison sentence for convictions of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. In that case, Williams and two other men in June 1990 took Richard Lee Harris, 21, to East St. Louis where Harris was found handcuffed and shot to death.

Dana Rieck of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Women in Missouri would lose nearly all access to abortion under a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion that would reverse the 49-year-old decision that made access to the procedure a constitutionally protected right.

A 2019 state law includes a so-called trigger that would make abortion even more of a rarity in the state if the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision is negated by the high court.

The leaked decision, first reported Monday by Politico, set off alarm bells at groups such as Planned Parenthood, which operates a facility in St. Louis that is Missouris lone abortion clinic.

We knew this opinion was coming, and while its not official, it brings us one step closer to an impending public health crisis, Yamelsie Rodriguez, president of Planned Parenthoods Missouri operation, said in a statement. For now, patients seeking abortion care in Missouri and Illinois, can and should continue to show up for your appointments  abortion remains legal today.

As part of a sustained effort by Republicans who control Missouris House and Senate, laws and regulations have already made abortion a rarity in the state.

Since peaking at more than 20,000 a year in the 1980s, the number of abortions in Missouri dropped to fewer than 150 a year because of limited access. Many women now travel to out-of-state clinics, including two in the Metro East, for the procedure.

Republicans cheered the potential decision.

If this draft is accurate, Missouri will be an abortion free state! tweeted former House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, who presided over the House when the Legislature sent the 2019 trigger law to Gov. Mike Parsons desk.

The 2019 law sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer, a St. Charles County Republican, started out as a ban on most abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. But as part of national effort by anti-abortion forces, the bill was quickly loaded with amendments that would toughen the states already restrictive abortion laws in other ways.

The law prohibits abortion after eight weeks of gestation unless there is a critical medical reason. There are no exceptions for rape, incest or human trafficking.

The law also bans a woman from aborting a fetus that might have Down syndrome. It also requires both parents or guardians to be notified before minors can get an abortion, in most cases.

And it includes the trigger ban on abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Twelve other states have adopted trigger laws, including four of Missouris neighbors: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky.

The ban would become effective in one of three ways if Roe is overturned. Attorney General Eric Schmitt could issue an opinion. Parson could sign a proclamation. Or the Legislature could adopt a concurrent resolution declaring the Supreme Court had overruled the 1973 decision.

Schmitt, a Republican who is a candidate for U.S. Senate, pledged to move quickly if the court acts.

Im encouraged by the draft opinion, and it is consistent with the briefs weve submitted to the United States Supreme Court calling for Roe v. Wade to be overturned, Schmitt said in a statement. If were successful and Roe v. Wade is overturned, Im prepared to immediately issue the opinion that would protect the unborn in Missouri.

Parsons office didnt respond to a request for reaction from the Post-Dispatch.

If Governor Parson makes a statement, we will send it via a press release, said spokeswoman Kelli Jones.

House Bill 126 zoomed out of the House that year on a 117-39 vote, was approved by the Senate in the dwindling hours of the 2019 session and signed by Parson in a private ceremony in his office.

The law is under legal challenge, but an overturn of Roe v. Wade would change the legal precedent and make the 2019 Missouri law enforceable.

The fight has continued on other fronts.

Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, who was the Senate sponsor of the 2019 law, has led a charge to ensure public funds are not used to pay for abortions for low-income women.

Sen. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial, pushed for legislation that would have limited the availability of birth control drugs and devices.

Under Parson, the Department of Health and Senior Services tried to revoke the license of Planned Parenthoods clinic in St. Louis Central West End. That effort failed, and the state has had to pay over $150,000 in attorney fees to the organization.

Democrats say the looming decision should be a rallying cry for women in the upcoming elections.

We live in America, the leader of the free world  unless you are a woman. We must not forget the radical rights goals when we get to the ballot box at midterms, said Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Randy Dunn.

Planned Parenthood said it would not give up in attempting to keep abortion available as a health care procedure.

No matter what, with our partners, we will fight for what little is left of abortion access in Missouri and push forward to expand in Illinois where abortion access is protected beyond Roe, Rodriguez said.

Originally posted at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 3.

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YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. Croatian President Zoran Milanovic intends to use his veto power at the NATO summit in Madrid to block the entry of Finland and Sweden into the military-political alliance, ARMENPRESS reports, TASS reports referring to the statement of Milanovic.

"I, as the representative of Croatia at the NATO summit, will veto (the invitation of Finland and Sweden to join the alliance), if it is at this level," he said.

At the same time, the President expressed doubt that he will be able to influence the situation if the invitation to Helsinki and Stockholm is sent at a lower political level.

The NATO summit will be held on June 28-30 in Madrid.
Abortions in Missouri will become illegal in all but the rarest of circumstances, under a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion striking down Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that legalized the procedure nationwide.

Missouri passed a law in 2019 that makes abortion almost entirely illegal if Roe is overturned, part of a measure prohibiting abortion after eight weeks of pregnancy thats currently under legal challenge.

The leak of the Supreme Courts draft opinion  authored by Justice Samuel Alito  sent shockwaves across the country when Politico reported its contents on Monday night. The draft, which could change before the court publishes its opinion in June, nevertheless appears to show a majority of justices support returning the matter of abortion to the states.

The consequences in Missouri, where a single clinic in St. Louis performs abortion, would be swift. A Missouri law, under legal challenge, bans abortion in all cases except to save the life of the mother if Roe is struck down. It contains no exceptions for rape or incest.

The ban would go into effect upon proclamation by either Gov. Mike Parson, an opinion from Attorney General Eric Schmitt, or passage of a resolution by the General Assembly. Parson and Schmitt  both Republicans  would almost certainly issue the documents immediately.

The issue of abortion should ALWAYS have been an issue decided by the various state legislatures, and Im proud to say that Missouri with this ruling would immediately become one of the most pro-life states in the nation, Missouri state Rep. Brian Seitz, a Branson Republican, said on Twitter.

In Missouri, the draft opinion quickly turned the focus of the U.S. Senate race toward abortion. Democratic candidates Lucas Kunce and Trudy Busch Valentine called on Congress to pass federal protections for abortion access.

If they wont, we need to replace them, Kunce said in a statement.

Busch Valentine, tweeting that she remembered when the Roe decision was issued, said its heartbreaking that the Supreme Court is now on the brink of repealing it.

The House has already passed a measure that would codify Roe, but the legislation appears unlikely to pass the Senate.

Rep. Billy Long, a Republican candidate, said he hopes the opinion doesnt change.

I am optimistic that these reports are true, and that the Supreme Court will do the right thing, finally overturning this travesty of a decision, Long said. I have always stood up for the right to life, and will continue to do so.

Both Sen. Josh Hawley and Rep. Vicky Hartzler expressed concern that the draft opinion was leaked in an attempt to rally the left. Hawley said it was another assault on the Supreme Court while Hartzler said the court shouldnt be intimidated by the woke left.

I pray and remain hopeful the Supreme Court stays true to this potential decision, Hartzler said. But this unprecedented, intentional leak is malicious and threatens the independence of our highest court.

In St. Louis, the head of Planned Parenthood said the leaked opinion confirms what the organization had expected.

We knew this opinion was coming and while its not official, it brings us one step closer to an impending public health crisis, Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, said in a statement.

For now, patients seeking abortion care in Missouri and Illinois, can and should continue to show up for your appointments  abortion remains legal today. No matter what, with our partners, we will fight for what little is left of abortion access in Missouri and push forward to expand in Illinois where abortion access is protected beyond Roe.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, in a statement late Monday, said, If there was ever a time to hit the alarm and break the glass, this is it. Congress must take action to protect abortion rights and keep these bans off of our bodies.

The Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
JEFFERSON CITY  Gov. Mike Parsons administration is moving to launch a hotline for farmers facing mental health challenges.

In bidding documents issued Friday, the Missouri Department of Agriculture is seeking companies to operate a call center aimed at addressing concerns about suicide and stress that are unique to the farming industry.

The contractor must provide a Missouri Farmers Stress Hotline specializing in Missouri agriculture and geared toward Missouri farmers, ranchers and communities, the document notes.

The proposal comes after years of study by farm groups that have found high levels of stigma that center around stress and mental health when it comes to rural adults.

Opening up the conversation has been a key focus of the farming and ranching community, said Tyler Madsen, spokesman for the Missouri Farm Bureau.

That has changed the outlook for farmers.

According to a January 2022 report by the American Farm Bureau Federation, 92% of farmers and farm workers now say they would be open to talking to their friends and family about mental health solutions, which is up 22% from 2019.

In addition, the report found a majority of rural adults (52%) and farmers/farm workers (61%) are experiencing more stress and mental health challenges compared with a year ago, and they are seeking methods of care because of increased stress.

Farming is already among the most hazardous industries, with a high rate of fatal injury as well as a high rate of death due to stress-related conditions such as heart disease.

The pandemic added stress to farmers, many of whom saw their supply chains erased because of health and economic changes brought on by the global health crisis.

But even before the pandemic, farming was battling high rates of suicide. For example, men in rural Missouri had the highest rate of suicide deaths in the state, at 35.6 per 100,000 residents in 2017, according to the Missouri Hospital Association report. That is nearly double the statewide rate of 18.8. The U.S. rate at that time was 14.

Meantime, there also is a shortage of behavioral health professionals in rural America, leaving large swaths of Missouri and other states without resources to address the crisis.

In an essay written last year, Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins urged farmers and their families to reach out to people struggling with anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns.

As farmers and ranchers, we pride ourselves on being strong and independent. That doesnt mean we have to tackle every challenge, including mental health, on our own, Hawkins wrote. A healthy farm or ranch is nothing without a healthy you.

According to the bidding documents, officials believe there may be an estimated 12,000 hotline calls per year.

The contractor shall operate support services for the Missouri Farmers Stress Hotline 24 hours per day, seven days a week, including holidays and weekends, via telephone and text messaging, the documents note.

In addition, the contractors hotline must be staffed with trained mental health professionals trained to respond appropriately to callers and must strive to improve the health and safety of Missouri farmers, ranchers and communities.

Originally posted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 3.

U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline If you or someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK, text 741741 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

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MILFORD, Conn. (AP)  A white Connecticut state trooper who fatally shot a Black man, Mubarak Soulemane, following a high-speed chase in 2020 was arraigned Tuesday on a manslaughter charge.

Trooper Brian North, who is free on bail, said nothing during or after the brief appearance in Milford Superior Court and did not enter a plea. His next court date was scheduled for June 2.

North fired seven gunshots into the drivers-side window of a stolen car after a chase on Jan. 15, 2020, that ended in West Haven. Soulemane, 19, was killed. An investigation showed Soulemane had a knife but was boxed in by police and unable to drive away.

North was arrested last month after state Inspector General Robert Devlin found the shooting was not justified.

About nine relatives and supporters of Soulemane were in the courtroom, including his mother, Omo Mohammed. Following the hearing, they chanted, Justice for Mubarak outside the courthouse.

We are here today for justice, justice for my son, Mubarak Soulemane, who has been massacred by a state trooper, Brian North," Mohammed said. I hope justice will be served to convict Brian North to go to jail, to convict Brian North of being accountable for killing my son.

Dozens of police officers, some from as far as Pennsylvania and New Jersey, showed up in plain clothes outside the courthouse before the hearing to show their support for North. They later took up most of the seats in the courtroom, surrounding Soulemane's family and supporters.

Regardless of who it is, when our troopers are what believe to be prosecuted for doing their job, we will defend them, said Andrew Matthews, the executive director of the Connecticut State Police Union.

Mohammed said she believed the police officers who went to court Tuesday were there to intimidate her and her family, something the police union denied. She said she and her relatives will not be intimidated.

Soulemanes family, the NAACP and other groups said North should not have opened fire because police had Soulemane surrounded and he could not get away. They said North and other officers should have tried to deescalate the situation. Soulemane's mother has a pending wrongful death lawsuit against North and other officers who were at the scene.

A timeline of the events included in Devlin's report says North began firing about 43 seconds after Soulemane crashed and officers boxed him in. Before the shooting, police body cam videos show a West Haven officer smashing out the passenger door window of the stolen car and another trooper shooting Soulemane with a stun gun, which didn't work.

The chase, which reached speeds of up to 100 mph (161 kph) on Interstate 95, had begun nearly 30 miles away in Norwalk after Soulemane tried to steal a cellphone at a store and stole a Lyft driver's vehicle, police said.

Soulemane's family said that he had schizophrenia and that his mental health appeared to be deteriorating in the days before the shooting.

The state police union has criticized Devlin's findings, saying in a statement that North was forced to make a split-second decision during these dangerous and rapidly evolving circumstances."

We believe Trooper North acted objectively reasonable during this violent encounter and we believe a jury will find reasonable doubt and acquit him of these serious charges, the union said.

North and his lawyer did not comment outside the courthouse. North is on paid administrative leave and his police powers are suspended pending the outcome of the criminal case.

North is the third Connecticut police officer to be arrested for fatal shootings dating back to 1998.

This story has been corrected to show Trooper Brian North's next court day is June 2, not Jan. 2.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
I have a confession when it comes to the culture war our society is mired in: I consider myself a pacifist on this front. As the battles rage on between the woke left and the anti-woke right, it seems clear to me that there will be no winners, only losers. Those losers are the majority of Americans, in the middle, who want a government that actually governs.

James Davison Hunters 1991 book, Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America, focused on the convergence of Christian fundamentalists, Orthodox Jews and conservative Catholics in a battle against their progressive counterparts for control of American secular culture, the book cover states. The culture wars have certainly evolved in the 31 years since. But at its heart, as always, is a struggle for Americas cultural identity.

The culture wars are a response to the conflict between the secularization of society and the values many Americans still adhere to. Then there are those who inflame these grievances and resentments for political gain. The culture wars are used as a cudgel for both the right and the left, who typically portray the other side as an existential threat to their very survival.

In March, Floridas Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, signed the Parental Rights in Education Bill, which reinforces parents rights to make decisions regarding the upbringing of their children. The bill prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and prohibits instruction that is not age appropriate for students and requires school districts to adopt procedures for notifying parents if there is a change in services from the school regarding a childs mental, emotional or physical health or well-being. Critics of the bill started calling it the Dont Say Gay bill, even though there is no mention of the word gay in the bill. The bill is vague and would make it difficult for school districts and teachers to comply. As with most issues in our politics today, the bill came under a national spotlight.

After DeSantis signed the bill, woke employees of Disney World  the top employer in central Florida  demanded that the Walt Disney Corporation condemn the bill, and Disney Chief Executive Bob Chapek vowed to fight for its repeal. DeSantis retaliated by asking Florida lawmakers to repeal a provision, known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, that gives Disney the right to govern itself like a city since 1967. Disney can raise its own revenues to pay for municipal infrastructure expenses like roads, water, waste services, and fire safety and ambulance services at Disney World. Reedy Creek also issues bonds and levies taxes on properties within its boundaries effectively on behalf of Disney. Those bonds total $1 billion.

If its revoked, the state of Florida acknowledges it will not be able to cover the improvement districts bond obligations. The new bill is slated to take effect on July 1, although the changes wont become enforceable until June 2023.

The losers in this current battle are the improvement districts 300 employees, who could lose their jobs, and the taxpayers who were warned that their property taxes may jump by 20% to cover the cost of the districts services.

As an old-school conservative, I have a nuanced take on the Florida situation, which I am quite aware no longer fits into the current, populist Republican Partys beliefs. I believe in parental rights but think the conversations about curriculum should be taking place at the local, school district level. I am suspicious of a strong central government, so I think the Florida governor and legislature overreached. I also believe in free-markets, privatization, free-trade, deregulation, and minimal government debt. The bill passed to dismantle the improvement district is antithetical to all of those beliefs. I also prefer, probably unrealistically, that corporations stay out of political fights.

I am by no means suggesting that our society should not be debating how to deal with change, to decide what is important to our communities, and to decide the values we want to hold. I am proposing that the culture wars be removed from politics.

When politicians and elected officials spend their time engaging in culture war issues, they stop spending their time on the pragmatic tasks of governing. I imagine there are plenty of Floridians who could identify far more urgent issues worth addressing.

So how can political culture war pacifists give peace a chance? We can refuse to engage in culture war combat, we can work to build back our local communities, start to trust our institutions again, encourage that trust to grow, and reward politicians who refuse to engage in culture war battles with our votes.

Lynn Schmidt is a Post-Dispatch columnist and Editorial Board member. lynnschmidtrn@outlook.com On Twitter: @lynnschmidtrn
The next package of British military aid to Ukraine will include electronic warfare equipment, in particular GPS jamming equipment, a counter battery radar system, as well as night vision devices. This is according to a statement the office of the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued on Monday, Tass informs.

May 3, 2022, 13:20 London will send military aid worth $375 mln to Ukraine - Downing Street

STEPANAKERT, MAY 3, ARTSAKHPRESS: Speaking via video link to the parliament on Tuesday, the head of the British government will go into detail about what is included in the new $375 million package, 10 Downing Street said.

"The UK will also send in the coming weeks heavy lift systems to provide logistical support to isolated forces, and more than a dozen new specialized Toyota Landcruisers to help protect civilian officials in Eastern Ukraine and evacuate civilians from frontline areas, following a request from the Ukrainian government," the statement says.

On February 24, Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories. After that the US, the EU, the UK and a number of other states announced that they would impose sanctions against Russian legal entities and individuals. They also increased supplies of weapons to the Ukrainian authorities.
If Mondays leaked draft opinion is in fact the U.S. Supreme Courts final word on Roe v. Wade, then the constitutional right to abortion guaranteed to American women for almost half a century is doomed. Elected Democrats and the majority of Americans who recognize the urgency of keeping abortion safe and legal now see the consequences of failing to maintain disciplined focus on the issue, as anti-choice forces have done for decades.

The anticipated opinion comes as legislatures move to eviscerate abortion rights in more than half the states (including Missouri), while Republicans are poised to win Congress in the midterms, amid talk of outlawing abortion nationally. If this doesnt serve as a wakeup call to Democrats and other pro-choice Americans to finally get organized and engaged, its difficult to imagine what would.

The leaked draft, penned by Justice Samuel Alito and obtained by Politico, was written in February and could change before the court officially rules. But the sweeping language, with five conservative justices signing, indicates the final opinion will overturn Roe. Alitos draft goes far beyond the case at hand  Mississippis 15-week abortion ban  and instead forcefully rejects the very premise of any constitutional safeguard that would prevent any state from imposing any restrictions it wants. He calls Roe egregiously wrong from the start, and throws the whole issue to the legislatures and Congress.

Alitos opinion notes that the Constitution makes no reference to abortion. True enough. The Constitution also makes no reference to contraception, same-sex marriage or a host of other rights that have been interpreted into existence by the same implied constitutional right to privacy that undergirded Roe  a foundation Alitos opinion forcefully rejects. Intentional or not, he may be handing a dangerous new cudgel to right-wing culture warriors on issues that go far beyond abortion.

Republicans have already shown how brutally effective they can be at exploiting such openings. The currently lopsided conservative majority is only there because Republicans refused to allow Barack Obama to fill one court seat for 11 months, then quickly rammed through confirmation of another, changing the rules as they went along.

Democrats, meanwhile, go down radical rabbit holes like defund the police. They argue about which pronouns to use and watch in disarray as the minority party stymies their agenda at every turn.

In theory, congressional Democrats currently have the power to eliminate the Senate filibuster and codify the rights of Roe into federal law immediately. In theory, pro-choice moderates in the upcoming primaries and midterms could, finally, prioritize that issue in their voting patterns.

But both of these possibilities would require a sense of urgency and coherence that has so far eluded Democrats. If they want to avoid an American dystopia as this fight moves from the courts to the ballot box, now would be a good time to get their act together.
Slovakia agreed to donate its Russian made S300 air defense systems to Ukraine because other NATO members agreed to send Slovakia Patriot air defense systems, and 2,100 troops to operate them and maintain/upgrade Slovakian defenses against Russian attack. Slovakia borders Ukraine and Russia has threatened NATO members Poland, Romania and Slovakia because they border Ukraine and are supplying Ukraine with military aid as well as free passage for all aid into Ukraine. These NATO neighbors also serve as the first host for millions of Ukrainian refugees from the fighting. Other NATO members (Bulgaria and Greece) also have S300 systems and may be willing to undertake a similar deal. This would involve NATO as a whole paying for the Patriot systems, which improve the protection of all NATO nations from Russian attack.

Although Ukraine isnt a NATO member, NATO nations are acting like it is. This is especially true when it comes to cooperation among NATO members to get Ukraine the military aid it needs. Ukraine and East European NATO members all agree that mutual defense is the best way to deal with the Russian threat.

East European nations joined NATO after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the Soviet-backed communist government in Eastern Europe two years earlier. The new East Europe members saw NATO as an alliance still committed to mutual protection, especially against threats like Russia. Many of the original NATO members were dubious of that until Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 with the intention of absorbing Ukraine into a new Russian Empire. Russia had its own delusions, the most dangerous one being that NATO was dedicated to destroying Russia and not just mutual defense. Russia missed that point that NATO members are democracies and a majority of voters in NATO nations are never going to vote for a war of conquest.

Because Ukraine is not yet a NATO member, aid from NATO nations cannot include combat forces. Everything else is acceptable, which includes sending Ukrainian troops to NATO countries for training and NATO military personnel to Ukraine to carry out training and other specialist tasks. Ukraine sends damaged equipment and seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians to neighboring NATO states for repairs, and the latter for medical care that Russian attacks on Ukrainian hospitals makes difficult.

Post-Soviet Russia was a democracy that is now run by Vladimir Putin, a self-appointed president-for-life who still has to convince the majority of Russians that his Ukrainian Operation is not a war but an effort to save Ukraine from NATO and the West in general. Putin enacted a law that makes it a crime to call the Ukrainian Operation an invasion or a war. He had already revived state control of the mass media to ensure most Russians are exposed to nothing but his version of reality. Other interpretations are literally a crime and punishable by imprisonment. Putin was a junior KGB officer when the Soviet Union collapsed and admits he never got over that tragedy, as he describes it.

One thing Putin has not been able to revive is the Soviet-era ability to compel large numbers of men to serve in the military and combat. This was one of the Soviet-era practices that Russians will not tolerate reviving. The reason is simple; World War II killed about 18 percent of the population, most of them civilians but also about a quarter of all military-age males. Westerners have a hard time appreciating the long-term impact of these World War II losses on Russians. These losses were so bad that their extent was kept secret until the collapse of the Soviet Union opened the Soviet archives for a while. Details of the true World War II human losses were widely publicized inside Russia and some of the books were translated into English and other foreign languages.

World War II Russian leader Josef Stalin boasted that he could compel Russian soldiers to tolerate heavy losses to achieve goals. During World War II it was noted that in the Red Army it took a very brave man to be a coward. Those who did not fight could be killed on the spot by officers. Even with that motivation, there were 19,000 Russian soldiers executed for such cowardice during the Stalingrad campaign.

Since 1991 efforts to maintain conscription have been under constant attack as most potential conscripts and their families view conscription as an unnecessary evil that justifies widespread draft evasion. Putin has not been able to convince Russians that Russia is engaged in a life-or-death struggle similar to World War II. While Putin can silence most open dissent, he cannot motivate current troops or potential recruits and conscripts to cooperate.

In contrast Ukrainians see the Russian aggression as a threat to Ukrainian independence and freedoms. The Russians are invaders. Not exactly Nazis because the World War II German military was far more capable than the current Russian force. The Ukrainians are not operating as irregulars or partisans but as a better armed, organized and led military force. The Ukrainians rapidly incorporated civilian volunteers into this army. The Putin advisors who understand this have been unable to convince their boss of this reality and many of these advisors have resigned or been fired. Putins solution is to threaten the use of nuclear weapons, a practice even the Soviet-era leaders were deathly afraid of. Several NATO nations have nukes and all agree that if they tolerate surrendering territory because of nuclear threats, an aggressor can keep going. For many East European nations that means Russian conquest and becoming a part of a new Russian empire.

Proposals to achieve a negotiated peace do not inspire much confidence because Russia has agreed to such deals since the 1990s and then ignored the terms when they were ready to make another move.

What it comes down to is that if the Russians insist on behaving like ruthless aggressors, then a mutual defense alliance like NATO has to do what it was organized to do, even if its most recent member is not officially a member. Until 2014 Ukrainians and NATO were willing to trust Russia and most Ukrainians saw no reason to join NATO. After 2014 that changed and since early 2022 Ukraine has been treated as a NATO member whose survival is necessary for NATO to survive. When first created in the 1950s NATO accepted that the use of nuclear weapons was a possibility because the Russians had nukes but were never threatening their use as aggressively as Putin.

Given the current situation, the Russians are going to lose unless Putin can convince Russians that such a loss would be catastrophic for Russia. A growing number of Russians see their economic problems getting worse the longer Russians are fighting in Ukraine. The outcome of this war is certain, the extent of the losses is not and one man has the ability to make it all stop instantly, or literally blow up. The outcome of this is not just of interest to NATO and Russia but to the rest of the world as well. The economic sanctions imposed on Russia have had a worldwide impact and caused fundamental economic changes in many countries. The war in Ukraine has had a global impact and provides a useful reality check for many politicians and business leaders.
It was recently revealed (by Israeli media and an Iranian opposition group) that Mossad and Shin Bet (domestic intelligence) personnel had gone to Iran last year. There they seized and questioned Mansour Rasouli, a member of Quds Force Unit 840, which carries out assassinations overseas. Rasouli admitted that he had been assigned to arrange the assassination of an Israeli diplomat in Turkey, an American general officer stationed in Germany and a journalist in France. The IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) was providing him with $150,000 to plan the killings and another million dollars if all three subjects were killed. Rasouli planned to hire contract killers via his contacts in drug smuggling gangs.

Audio, and later video, of key portions of the interrogation were leaked. Rasouli confessed because his interrogators already knew a lot about the plot. He was released and the Israeli interrogators left Iran. Rasouli and his IRGC superiors called off the assassinations because they knew the interrogation had been recorded, the targets had been alerted, and had received additional security. There was an understanding that, if Iran backed off on these killings, the Israelis would remain silent about the interrogation. Why this evidence was leaked now may have something to do with the Israeli opposition to American willingness to revive the 2015 sanctions treaty, but also a modification of the terms to make it easier for Iran to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Billions of dollars in frozen accounts would be returned to Iran and, if the Americans went ahead with taking the Iranian IRGC and its Quds Force off the list of known terrorists, there would be a lot more violence in the Middle East. Iran saw the 2015 treaty suspended by the Americans in 2018 because of Iranian cheating. Then came the 2020 American presidential elections, which put into power a new president seemingly determined to change American policies towards Iran and ignore Arab Oil states complaints about Iranian threats and attacks on them. This has driven many Gulf oil states into an economic alliance with Russia to drive up the price of oil. This policy makes it easier for Iran to smuggle more of its heavily discounted oil to customers. That plan survived the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine and even more economic sanctions. Opposition from the Arabs and American voters is having an impact and the revival of the 2015 treaty may not happen. Otherwise Israel has made it clear it will carry out attacks on Iranian targets key to nuclear and ballistic missile development and production. The Arab Oil States will cooperate, and continue refusing to increase production to lower world oil prices.

Meanwhile Hamas, the Iran-backed Islamic terror group that runs Gaza complains that Turkey has expelled dozens of Hamas members in the last few months. These expulsions are part of the Turkish effort to repair their relations with Israel.

Jerusalem

A year ago Fatah once more encouraged major protests against imaginary Israeli threats to the al Aqsa mosque. Since then the protests have continued to become more violent. Fatah wanted protestors to get killed by the Israelis and that has not been happening near the Mosque. Palestinians measure and reward success differently than most. Fatah is enjoying some success in generating popular enthusiasm for widespread violence via false accusations of Israeli threats against the al Aqsa mosque, which is just above the Wailing Wall, a popular Jewish holy place and tourist attraction in Jerusalem. The current al Aqsa is in danger campaign began in 2014 and has to be periodically revived. Seeing an opportunity to grab more headlines , sympathy and, hopefully cash contributions from the Moslem world, the Palestinian leadership (Fatah in the West Bank) invested some effort and cash to get something going. This sort of thing has been tried before, actually it is attempted regularly but this time it caught on in a big way.

There are unpopular side effects to all this encouraging violence. Hamas and Fatah are under growing pressure because of the amount of foreign aid they spend on encouraging terrorism. These payments go to imprisoned terrorists or the families of dead ones. Hamas and Fatah spend over $200 million a year on this and payments on this scale would not be possible without using foreign aid funds. Recently, embarrassed by published details of how this works, many donor countries are cutting their aid in a show of opposition to this Pay For Slay policy. In the United States Palestinian charities are being sued for illegally soliciting money for needy Palestinians and using a lot of the contributions for supporting terrorism, either for Pay for Slay or to finance current and future attacks. The Pay for Slay program is very popular among Palestinians because it makes the losses they suffer for carrying out these attacks easier to tolerate. This makes it easier for Fatah and Hamas to continue avoiding restoring a united Palestinian government. The split occurred a decade ago when Hamas won local Gaza elections in 2007 and outlawed any future elections and declared itself the true leader of the Palestinians. Fatah and most Palestinians disagreed and a decade of negotiating has changed nothing.

Syria

In Syria, Arab states are willing to revive diplomatic and economic relationships with Syria, but only if the Assads break their ties with Iran. That can be announced but not enforced because the Iranian-backed militias in Syria, who are occupied with carrying out attacks against Israel, have thousands of fighters. If the Assad forces try to eject the Iranians, the Assad government will become an enemy of Iran and subjected to all sorts of military, economic and terrorist retaliation. The Assads want to avoid that until they have solid links with Arab countries and Israel. The Arabs are willing but the Israelis are already at war with the Iranians in Syria and are no longer interested in establishing diplomatic relations with Syria. That means Syria remains a battlefield for Islamic terrorists and Israeli, Turkish, Russian, Iranian, Syrian, and American forces fighting each other in a constantly changing web of alliances. For Syria peace will have to wait, possibly for a long time.

April 30, 2022: In Egypt (Northern Sinai) ISIL is believed responsible for another attack on a natural gas pipeline carrying Israeli natural gas to Egypt. The damage was quickly repaired and the customers did not notice any interruption for gas supply. ISIL has been attacking Sinai pipelines for years and the gas facilities in Sinai have been modified to resist these attacks.

There has been an increase in ISIL attacks this month and the reason appears to be ISIL anger at Egyptian cooperation with Israel to defeat ISIL. The Egypt. and Israel are the primary targets of ISIL anger at the moment because of a March Israeli airstrike in northern Sinai that killed a senior ISIL leader. Israel is suspected of providing UAV surveillance of ISIL for years and for carrying out the recent attack. Egypt and Israel do have an understanding on cooperation in border security to disrupt smuggling as well as Islamic terrorist operations. This arrangement allows Israeli surveillance to extend into Sinai until Egyptian air or ground forces can intervene.

April 29, 2022: In the West Bank two armed Palestinians killed the security guard at the entrance to the Jewish town of Ariel. Video surveillance showed the attackers and the vehicle they used. That was sufficient to identify and arrest two of the attackers within 24 hours. The two men still had the firearms they used in the attack. This is the fifteenth Israeli Jew killed by Palestinians in the last month. In response to this the military has called up six additional reserve battalions for security duty .

The current terror string of successful attacks began on March 22nd when four Israeli Jews were killed by a local Bedouin who was an ISIL supporter. The killer was also an Israeli citizen and used a knife to attack people before armed civilians shot him dead.

Most of these attacks on Israelis, usually with knives or vehicles, take place in the West Bank and began in 2015 when Palestinian leaders called for suicidal knife terrorism attacks. These attacks soon lost their popularity despite Fatah still pushing them energetically in all the Palestinian media. This can be seen in the number of Palestinian terror attacks disrupted each year. It was 217 in 2014, 187 in 2013 112 in 2012 and 88 in 2011. In the last decade knife attacks are less common and almost always occur in the West Bank or Jerusalem. Since 1948 some 2,600 Israelis have died from terror attacks inside Israel. Nearly five percent of those dead were foreigners. Palestinian terrorism efforts have never recovered from the defeat they suffered, when Israel adopted new tactics that largely shut down the terror campaign the Palestinians began in 2000. Fatah and Hamas have been trying to revive that effort ever since and have largely failed.

Meanwhile Hamas and Fatah have lost nearly all the financial support they once received from Arab oil states. A year ago The UAE (United Arab Emirates), cut its aid to Gaza ss it established diplomatic relations with Israel. Hamas was told that if they dont stop attacking Israel the UAE will not move forward with plans for massive economic and aid after a Palestinian-Israel peace deal was completed. That required Hamas and Fatah to carry out elections to determine which will run a united Palestinian government. Reluctance to proceed with those elections is one reason for the renewed violence against Israel. Most other Arab oil state donors are following the same policy, just not as openly as the UAE. Polls show both Hamas and Fatah (which runs the West Bank) are seen as unfit to rule by over 70 percent of Palestinians.

April 28, 2022: In the south (Nevatim air base) eight UAE Air Force C-17 military transports have landed and then taken off within an hour. Five different UAE C-17s were involved. It is believed these flights are to deliver Israeli security equipment the UAE has purchased from Israel since formal diplomatic and economic relations were established in 2020.

April 27, 2022: In southern Syria (Damascus) another Israeli air strike against Iranian targets left nine were killed and eight wounded, all the casualties belonged to Iran-backed militias or the Syrian army. These men are used to guard Iranian facilities in Syria. This was the tenth Israeli airstrike in Syria during 2022.

April 25, 2022: In the north, a rocket was fired from Lebanon into Israel, landing in an open field. Israeli artillery returned fire.

April 24, 2022: Israel had blocked the 12,000 Gaza Palestinians with Israeli work permits from entering Israel. This is an extreme measure but given the recent resumption of attacks on Israel from Gaza, and Hamas denying responsibility, Israel is using economic and political pressure as well as retaliatory attacks on Hamas military facilities after each new attack from Gaza. Hamas insists these attacks are the work of rouge Islamic terror groups. Thats a lie for foreign journalists because Gazans and Israelis know that Hamas runs a police state where rouge actions by armed groups are not allowed and Hamas will respond quickly, violently and aggressively against those who dare to ignore Hamas rules.

At the start of 2022 Israel agreed to issue work permits for up to 10,000 Gazans, in addition to several thousand permits already issued. When Gazans took part in a terrorist campaign against Israel in 2000 the number of work permits was reduced became some of the permit holders agreed to join terror groups and try to kill Israelis inside Israel. Hamas was already in Gaza and took control of Gaza in 2007 by promising less corruption and more attacks on Israel. Eventually only a handful of entry permits were provided to Gazans.

Hamas no longer wants to use a work permit system to organize terror attacks inside Israel because the unemployment rate in Gaza reached 50 percent in 2021 and many Hamas leaders realized that most unemployed Gazans blame Hamas for the lack of Israeli work permits. In response Israel agreed to take a chance and again issue more work permits. Since 2000 Israel has brought in West Bank and foreign workers to replace the Gazans. The foreigners were non-Moslems from distant countries and the West Bank workers knew that they could be replaced by the more expensive workers, who were also more difficult to work with because few understood Arabic or Hebrew, although many understood English. The foreign workers are in Israel for specified terms and as those contracts end and are not renewed more jobs can be offered to Gazans. The Gaza and West Bank economies have stagnated and more Palestinians have become dependent on foreign aid just to survive, all because of the Hamas and Fatah policy that Israel must be destroyed. By 2006 Israel had defeated the terror campaigns and kept subsequent terrorist efforts out of Israel, where the economy grew faster than any other in the region. Israel needs workers, Gazans want jobs and Hamas does not want a revolt led by the unemployed. Current unemployment in Israel has been between three and four percent.

The new attacks on Israel may have been ordered by Hamas, which is now the main financial and weapons supplier for Hamas. This arrangement is unpopular in Gaza, where nearly everyone is Sunni while Iran is militantly Shia.

April 20, 2022: In the south (Gaza) rockets were fired into Israel. In response an Israeli airstrike destroyed the entrance to an underground bunker where Hamas stored rocket components.

April 13, 2022: Egypt is hosting peace talks between the two rival Libyan factions; the eastern HoR (House of Representatives) and the western one based in Tripoli and surviving only because of the presence of Turkish troops. The HoR forces control most of the country and the oil production facilities. Most Libyans and Arab countries throughout the Middle East want the Turks out of Libya.

April 12, 2022: The war in Ukraine has caused several major NATO nations to increase their defense spending and change their weapons purchasing plans. Germany is considering purchasing the Israeli Arrow 3 ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks. Arrow 3 is comparable to the American THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system. The U.S. financed the research on Arrow 3 and U.S. firms built nearly half the Arrow system components.

Arrow 3 is a two-stage high-speed interceptor able to hit long-range ballistic missiles. Arrow 3 entered service in 2017, complementing and eventually replacing Arrow 2, which entered service in 2009. The original Arrow 1 entered service in 2000 and was then the worlds most advanced ABM system regularly involved in combat. Arrow 1 and 2 have been successfully used in combat while Arrow 3 has been successful in realistic tests against incoming ballistic missile warheads.

April 9, 2022: In northwestern Syria (Hama province) Israeli air-strikes hit five targets associated with Iranian missile assembly and storage operations. Structures were destroyed and some Iranians or Iranian mercenaries were killed. One of the targets was near the main Syrian research center for advanced weapons. This is the eighth day with Israeli airstrikes in 2022. These airstrikes have destroyed a lot of weapons and structures as well as twelve military personnel and wounded at least 19. The attacks are usually made at night to minimize casualties and enhance surprise.

April 6, 2022: Israel and the United States agreed that a sale of Arrow 3 ABM (anti-ballistic missile) systems to Germany could proceed. Germany is particularly concerned about the Russian Iskander missiles, which are designed to defeat most ABM systems. Germany would pay about $2,2 billion with deliveries beginning in 2025.

April 3, 2022: In central Syria (eastern Homs province) Iran took advantage of Russia withdrawing its forces from Mahan, where a major weapons storage complex has long existed. Providing some protection from surrounding hills, the Mahan complex consists of 25 underground bunkers where weapons and ammunition are stored. Until recently a few Russians troops and a lot of Russian backed Syrian mercenaries provided security. Initially some Assad forces, in the form of Lebanese Shia Hezbollah gunmen as well as some Syrian troops replaced the Russian force. Now several hundred Iran-backed mercenaries arrived to share the security duties, and exercise some control over how the Mahan complex would be used. The withdrawal, to Ukraine, of Russian troops and cash (for paying local mercenaries) provided several opportunities for Iran and Mahan was one of them. The Hezbollah forces took orders from Iran so now Mahan was controlled by Iran and the Assads lost exclusive control of a vital weapons and ammo storage site. Moreover, Mahan now becomes a major target for Israeli attacks, which can overcome the protection usually provided by the hills and underground bunkers. Until the departure of Russian forces the Mahan complex supplied Iranian, Assad and Russian attacks on ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) operations in central and eastern Syria.

March 31, 2022: In southern Syria (Daraa province) the violence continued with 45 incidents of violence in March leaving 39 dead. So far in 2022 there have been 117 attacks leaving 97 dead and many more wounded. been nearly twenty assassinations (of Syrian army officers) and related acts of violence so far this month. This level of violence remained fairly constant for three years until 2022. This is part of the undeclared war between Iranian and Syrian forces going on there since 2018. Anonymous assassins use pistols and hidden bombs to kill those who work, or worked for government forces or Russia and Syria backed local militias. There are also attacks against former members of ISIL and other militant groups. These victims had accepted amnesty. Russian and Assad forces openly force Iran-backed groups and individuals out of the area. There is no open violence because Iran, Syria and Russia are still officially allies. Israel sometimes fires on Iranian forces operating in Daraa, especially near the Israeli border. Israel also shares intel with Russia and Syria about Syrian officers who are secretly working for Iran. The Iranians pay well, and in dollars. Israel will sometimes release evidence of this to the media, so that Iranians back home have another reason to oppose Iranian foreign wars. Negotiations have been underway between Iran and Russia/Syria since 2020 but have not made much progress. The covert Iranian violence is just another incentive for Syria to get the Iranian agents out of the area. In 2022 much of the violence is from other groups, some of them criminal gangs retaliating against those who refuse to pay for protection from the violence.

March 29, 2022: Israel received its first Sky Dew aerostat (aerodynamic unpowered blimp) system recently and will use it to provide more protection from Iranian air attacks. Sky Dew carries radars and other sensors to monitor large land areas for low, slow intruders like fire balloons or UAV cruise missiles. The first Sky Dew is being installed along the northern border where Iranian armed UAVs are a growing problem. Another Sky Dew may be installed in the south, along the Gaza border, where fire balloons are less of a problem.

Hamas, which runs Gaza, has been relatively quiet so far this year as it tries to negotiate a cease fire that would improve the Gaza economy. Economics is something Hamas has ignored since it took control of Gaza in 2007. Polls show both Hamas and Fatah (which runs the West Bank) are seen as unfit to rule by over 70 percent of Palestinians.

March 29, 2022: Israel revealed that Iron Beam, a key component of its new Laser Wall air defense system, passed extensive tests in March demonstrating it could destroy rockets, mortar shells, ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles) and UAVs. A short video was released showing the intercepts of all these targets except the ATGM. Like all new Israeli air-defense systems, Iron Beam will soon be at work defending Israel from ongoing attacks by Islamic terrorists and Iran-backed groups in Syria as well as Gaza. This gives Israeli defense firms an edge because their new systems must not only pass realistic tests, as Iron Beam just did, but also immediately put into service against ongoing attacks. Thus, if the new system works, it is deemed combat proven and is easier to export. The Israeli military is not a large enough customer to buy as many new weapons as Israeli firms must sell to make a profit.

Iron Beam was developed by Israeli firm Raphael, with the Israeli Defense Ministry covering most of the development costs. Iron Beam uses a single HEL (High Energy Laser) which requires more power than similar systems, but those higher power requirements make it possible to achieve an effective range of up to 7,000 meters. An Iron Beam battery consists of a truck-mounted radar, another truck carrying the control center and two truck-mounted Iron Beam systems, which includes a generator to supply electricity. The key advantage is that it costs $3.50 worth of electricity to destroy a target with an Iron Beam versus $100,000 if you use an interceptor rocket like Iron Dome.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSX-V:AHR)(OTCQB: AXREF) is pleased to announce that Mark Rebagliati, Technical Advisor to Amarc and Executive Vice President Exploration for Hunter Dickinson Inc ("HDI"), has been selected as the 2022 recipient of the J.C. Sproule Northern Exploration Award from the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM"). The award ceremony took place on May 2, 2022.

"On behalf of the Amarc and HDI teams, I would like to congratulate Mark Rebagliati on being awarded the J.C. Sproule Northern Exploration Award by the CIM," said Robert Dickinson, Chair of Amarc and HDI. "Having known Mark since the 1970's and having had the pleasure of working directly with him since he joined HDI in 1988, I know first-hand that few modern-era geoscientists can match his prolific track record of discovery in Canada and abroad. Mining is a tough business but having Mark on the team makes it that little bit easier."

"I would like to add my personal congratulations to Mark," said Amarc President and CEO Diane Nicolson. "Until earlier this year, Mark had overseen on-the-ground exploration work for Amarc, most recently on Amarc's three district-scale porphyry copper-gold projects in British Columbia. He has exceptional and practical insights into the nature and characteristics of mineral systems and the ability to design exploration programs to successfully discover and develop deposits. His acumen assisted in the discovery of our IKE Deposit located within the IKE Cu-Au District in southern BC, and identification and advancement of the deposits and substantial deposit targets within the DUKE and JOY Districts."

Mr. Rebagliati's remarkable ability to identify significant mineral deposits includes an unusually large number of major discovery and project advancements. He led exploration efforts or was part of a team that discovered and advanced the Red Chris, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South and IKE deposits in British Columbia, the Pebble East zone in Alaska, the Xietongmen and Newtongmen deposits in China and several deposits at Campo Morado in Mexico. He was also involved in substantially expanding the resources at the Casino deposit in Yukon, and the Pebble West zone in Alaska.

Over a long and distinguished career, Mr. Rebagliati has been recognized on numerous occasions for his successful achievements in mineral exploration and development. He received the 1992 Spud Huestis Award from the Association of Mineral Exploration ("AME") in BC for excellence in exploration and the 1997 Bill Dennis Prospector of the Year Award from the Prospectors and Developers Association ("PDAC"). In 2007, he was co-recipient with the team for the Thayer Lindsley International Discovery Award from the PDAC. He also received the 2008 Robert M. Dreyer Award from the Society of Mining Metallurgy and Exploration for Outstanding achievements in Applied Economic Geology and the 2009 Colin Spence Award from AME for excellence in global exploration. In 2014, Mark was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements in mineral exploration.

About Amarc Resources Ltd.

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry copper-gold mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing its 100%-owned IKE, DUKE and JOY porphyry coppergold districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of southern, central and northern BC, respectively. Each district represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry coppergold deposits. Importantly each of the three districts is located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 30-year history of porphyry discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, IKE and PINE. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor any other regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, as well as risks relating to the uncertainties with respect to the effects of COVID-19. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: Amarc Resources Ltd.

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Torrid Holdings Inc. (Torrid or the Company) (NYSE: CURV), a direct-to-consumer apparel, intimates, and accessories brand in North America for women sizes 10 to 30, today announced changes to the senior leadership team and Board of Directors, including the appointment of Liz Munoz to a new role as Chief Creative Officer, the appointment of retail industry veteran Lisa Harper as Munozs successor as Chief Executive Officer, and the appointment of Tanner MacDiarmid as Interim Chief Financial Officer, all effective immediately. In conjunction with these organizational changes, Torrid announced that Michael Shaffer, former CFO of PVH Corp., has joined the Board of Directors as an independent member and chair of the Audit Committee. The Company also expects to exceed its previously stated sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

In her new role, Ms. Munoz will focus on product, design, product development, fabrication, sourcing, technical fit, creative marketing, and merchandising  all with the objective of applying her strategic approach to product to accelerate the Companys growth trajectory. I am really excited to be able to once again focus on providing outstanding product for our amazing customers, Ms. Munoz said.

Liz has done a terrific job leading Torrid, including playing an important role in the Companys successful initial public offering in 2021, said Stefan Kaluzny, chairman of Torrids Board of Directors. Liz is driven by her passion for product and Torrids customer, and we are thrilled to have her assume this critical new role at the Company.

In addition to serving as CEO, Ms. Harper will remain a member of the Torrid Board of Directors. She has previously served as CEO of Belk, Hot Topic and Gymboree, among other leadership roles in the retail industry.

Lisa brings tremendous direct-to-consumer experience to her new role at Torrid, Mr. Kaluzny said. Together Lisa and Liz will focus on driving strategic growth and value for all stakeholders. Lizs focus on product and the customer combined with Lisas operational expertise create an outstanding team.

Ms. Harper said, It has been exciting to contribute to the evolution and innovation that has made Torrid an industry leader over the last decade. I look forward to partnering with Liz and the Torrid team in my new role to continue to drive tremendous growth.

As previously announced, George Wehlitz retired from his role as CFO at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and is now serving as an advisor to ensure a smooth transition. Mr. MacDiarmid will serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer until the Company names a new Chief Financial Officer. His experience includes leadership roles as Partner at MERU, Senior Vice President at McKinsey & Company, and Senior Director at Alvarez & Marsal.

Chinwe Abaelu, Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, will serve as Principal Financial Officer from now until a new CFO joins Torrid.

Mr. Shaffer joins the Torrid Board of Directors Audit Committee as its Chair, serving alongside Theo Killion, the lead independent director, and Valeria Rico, also an independent director. Mr. Shaffer retired in September 2021 after serving 31 years with PVH in various leadership roles including CFO and Chief Operating Officer.

About Liz Munoz

Ms. Munoz served as Torrids CEO from August 2018 through April 2022. In connection with the transition to her new role, she has stepped down as a member of the Torrid Board of Directors. She previously served as Torrids President and before that as Senior Vice President of Product. Ms. Munoz served as the President of Lucky Brand from 2007 to 2010 and Senior Vice President of Design and Merchandising Lucky Brand from 1997 to 2007. From 1987 to 1997, she held various design-related positions with Bongo Jeans, including Head of Design and Merchandising. Ms. Munoz graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

About Lisa Harper

Lisa Harper has served as a member of Torrids board of directors and its predecessor since 2008. From July 2021 until May 2022, Ms. Harper served as Executive Chairperson of Belk, a privately-owned department store chain. Prior to that, Ms. Harper served as CEO of Belk from July 2016 through July 2021. Ms. Harper previously served as CEO of Torrid, its predecessor, and Hot Topic, from March 2011 until June 2016. From February 2001 to July 2006, she served in various capacities with The Gymboree Corporation, a publicly traded corporation operating a chain of specialty retail stores for children and women. Her roles at Gymboree included Chairman of the board of directors, from June 2002 to July 2006, Chief Creative Officer, from January 2006 to July 2006, Vice Chairman of the board of directors, from February 2001 to June 2002, and CEO, from February 2001 to January 2006. Ms. Harper has also held merchandising and design positions with several other clothing retailers, including Limited Too, Esprit, GapKids, Mervyns and Levi Strauss. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Harper currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Belk and Hot Topic as well as Torrid.

About Tanner MacDiarmid

Mr. MacDiarmid serves as a Partner at MERU since April 2019, specializing in interim management for clients. He has served in various interim management roles, including as Interim CFO for a $3B specialty apparel retailer from April 2021 to April 2022. Mr. MacDiarmid previously held roles as Senior Vice President at McKinsey & Company from March 2017 to April 2019 and Senior Director at Alvarez & Marsal from May 2007 to March 2017. He received a B.A. in Economics with a minor in Accounting from University of California at Los Angeles and is a Certified Public Accountant.

About Chinwe Abaelu

Chinwe Abaelu has served as our Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer since March 2022. Ms. Abaelus scope of responsibility includes Internal and External Financial Reporting, Internal Audit, Tax, and Accounting. Ms. Abaelu was Sr. Vice President, Finance from August 2021 to March 2022 and served as Vice President, Finance from April 2018 to July 2021. She was Sr. Director, Financial Reporting and Compliance between May 2016 and April 2018. Between 2006 and 2016, Ms. Abaelu served in various Finance leadership roles at Hot Topic. Prior to Hot Topic, Ms. Abaelu served in a Finance leadership role at Vendare Media Group and was an Audit and Business Advisory Services Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP prior to that. A Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor, Ms. Abaelu holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria.

About Michael Shaffer

Mr. Shaffer joined PVH in 1990 as a Financial Budget Manager and over the next 30 years worked his way up through the organization, gaining valuable experience and insights into both financial and business operations. He held various roles, including Director of Accounting Operations, Vice President and Controller, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. In addition, Mr. Shaffer took on the additional responsibility at PVH of guiding the Building Resources for African American Voices (BRAAVE) and served as the executive sponsor. He retired from PVH in September 2021. Mr. Shaffer completed his bachelor's degree in accounting from George Washington University and earned his CPA designation. He also served for five years on the Board of Directors of Build-A-Bear Workshop, where he was Chair of the Audit Committee.
Group revenue rises to EUR 22.6 billion in the first quarter; strong demand for transport services continued, while capacity remains constrained

Global B2B business major growth driver: EBIT improved to EUR 2.2 billion

Free cash flow adjusted for acquisitions with EUR 1.1 billion on prior year's record level

Balanced portfolio proves resilient despite economic uncertainty; financial targets for 2022 through 2024 confirmed

CEO Frank Appel: We had a good start to the year and once again demonstrated the strengths of our portfolio in a challenging environment.

BONN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Deutsche Post DHL Group, the worlds leading logistics company, continued its successful growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2022 despite global challenges. Revenue improved by 19.8 percent to EUR 22.6 billion. Following the significant jump in earnings in financial year 2021, the Group also recorded an excellent opening quarter 2022 with operating profit (EBIT) of EUR 2.2 billion (Q1 2021: EUR 1.9 billion). The Group successfully balanced higher energy prices and transport costs. At 9.6 percent, the EBIT margin was at a comparable level with the previous year (Q1 2021: 10.1 percent).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005992/en/

The global B2B business was the key growth driver in the first quarter of 2022. Global Forwarding, Freight and Supply Chain in particular, but also Express, benefited from a solid development in global trade and stronger B2B business. Earnings at Global Forwarding, Freight almost tripled thanks to an exceptionally positive performance in the air and ocean freight business. In the domestic and international parcel businesses, as expected, B2C shipment volumes normalized at the start of 2022 after an exceptionally high level in the previous year, due to the Covid related restrictions on public life in many geographies. Accordingly, earnings of eCommerce Solutions and Post & Parcel Germany were below the very strong level of 2021.

Broad and resilient logistics portfolio of Deutsche Post DHL Group pays off again

The first quarter saw the expected normalization in e-commerce. However, we were able to overcompensate that development with strong results in our global logistics activities. Once again, our portfolio  balanced by region and sector  proved to be a strong and resilient foundation for our success. Overall, we had a good start into the year and further increased our earnings, said Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group. With regard to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, Frank Appel added: Following the outbreak of war, global trade has so far proven resilient, yet we are closely monitoring the increasing challenges to global economic development.

Outlook: short- and medium-term targets confirmed

The Group continues to expect EBIT of EUR 8.0 billion (+ /  5 percent) in the current financial year. For 2024, the company continues to forecast an increase in EBIT to around EUR 8.5 billion. The short- and medium-term outlook for the development of free cash flow and gross capital expenditures (capex) was also confirmed. Excluding acquisitions, the Group expects free cash flow of EUR 3.6 billion (+ /  5 percent) in the current year, with a cumulative free cash flow forecast of around EUR 11 billion for the period 2022 to 2024. The outlook for capex in 2022 remains at around EUR 4.2 billion and for the period 2022 to 2024 at around EUR 12 billion.

Strong financial position enables high investment in profitable growth

The Groups excellent financial situation continues to be also reflected in its cash flow: in the first quarter of 2022, operating cash flow of the Group was almost at level with the prior year at EUR 2.4 billion (Q1 2021: EUR 2.5 billion). Free cash flow was around EUR 1.1 billion (Q1 2021: EUR 1.2 billion) excluding acquisitions, like the completed transaction of ocean freight specialist J.F. Hillebrand Group in the amount of EUR 1.4 billion. The record result from the previous year was thus almost achieved once again. The company invested EUR 564 million across all divisions in the first quarter of 2022 (Q1 2021: EUR 583 million).

Our strong and stable financial power allows us to invest heavily in our leading position and to strengthen our resilience. This enabled us to acquire Hillebrand in the first quarter of 2022 without having to raise outside capital, while at the same time continuing to invest in the development of our core businesses. With capital expenditure of around EUR 12 billion until 2024, we want to push forward sustainable investments to expand our transportation, warehousing and sorting capacities and support our customers with new, low-emission solutions to achieve their carbon reduction targets, said CFO Melanie Kreis.

Ultimately, Deutsche Post DHL Group generated net profit after non-controlling interests of EUR 1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2022 (Q1 2021: EUR 1.2 billion). Basic earnings per share increased accordingly to EUR 1.10, after EUR 0.96 in the prior-year quarter.

Express: networks continue to be very efficiently utilized; EBIT slightly up year-on-year

Thanks to the continued strong utilization of its crisis proof global networks, the Express division once again achieved an excellent EBIT of EUR 971 million (Q1 2021: EUR 961 million). This contains asset impairments of EUR -24 million in Russia. Revenue increased by 15.9 percent to EUR 6.4 billion. This was largely driven by heavier weight shipments and higher fuel surcharges. As expected, volumes of international time-definite express (TDI) shipments were moderately down versus the previous year. The EBIT margin remained strong at 15.2 percent (Q1 2021: 17.5 percent).

Global Forwarding, Freight: dynamic revenue and earnings growth

Global Forwarding, Freight achieved an outstanding quarterly result with EBIT of EUR 601 million (Q1 2021: EUR 216 million). The division achieved the highest quarterly revenue of all the Groups divisions for the first time, with revenue jumping 54.9 percent to EUR 7.4 billion. This was mainly due to further intensifying price and margin dynamics in the international transport markets and slightly higher volumes in air and ocean freight. As a market leader, the division was extremely successful in managing this volatile environment. The EBIT margin registered an exceptionally strong improvement to 8.2 percent (Q1 2021: 4.5 percent).

Supply Chain: double-digit-percentage growth rates

The Supply Chain division successfully continued its growth course and benefited from persisting strong revenue momentum. This dynamic resulted primarily from increased warehousing and distribution activities for customers in the stationary retail sector, but also in e-commerce. Overall, revenue increased by 17.7 percent to EUR 3.8 billion. EBIT rose by 22.8 percent to EUR 205 million. Through the targeted use of digitalization, automation and standardization, the division improved profitability and increased the EBIT margin to 5.4 percent (Q1 2021: 5.2 percent).

eCommerce Solutions: stable revenue and earnings development

Following the massive jump in revenue and earnings at eCommerce Solutions in the previous year, both key figures stabilized in line with the expected normalization of parcel volumes. EBIT again surpassed the triple digit million range with EUR 102 million (Q1 2021: EUR 117 million). At EUR 1.4 billion, revenue was 0.6 percent below the previous year. Pricing measures compensated the expected decline in shipment volumes. Depending on the respective corona restrictions, parcel volumes have developed differently from region to region. Levels returned to normal, particularly in the Netherlands and United States, with significantly higher volumes in India. Despite the normalization in online retailing and a slight increase in operating costs, the EBIT margin remained at a high level of 7.1 percent (Q1 2021: 8.0 percent).

Post & Parcel Germany: earnings expectations met

EBIT at Post & Parcel Germany amounted to EUR 355 million in the first quarter, as expected falling short of the exceptionally strong previous year (Q1 2021: EUR 556 million). In the Parcel business unit, shipment volumes normalized as anticipated. At the same time, the letter mail business achieved a stable development. Accordingly, revenue was moderately below the exceptionally high prior-year level at EUR 4.2 billion (Q1 2021: EUR 4.6 billion). Due to lower capacity utilization in the parcel business, the EBIT margin was also down year-on-year at 8.4 percent (Q1 2021: 12.2 percent). Measures to increase efficiency successfully countered the rising cost pressure, but could not fully compensate for it, because also additional pandemic related costs were recorded.

 End 

Note to editors: An interview with CFO Melanie Kreis can be found on our homepage. The Groups investor webcast can be viewed on our website starting at 10:00 a.m. This can be accessed at www.dpdhl.com/ir.

Deutsche Post DHL Group is the worlds leading logistics company. The Group connects people and markets and is an enabler of global trade. It aspires to be the first choice for customers, employees and investors worldwide. The Group contributes to the world through responsible business practice, corporate citizenship and environmental activities. By the year 2050, Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero emissions logistics.

Deutsche Post DHL Group is home to two strong brands: Deutsche Post is Europes leading postal service. DHL offers a comprehensive range of international express, freight transport, and supply chain management services as well as e-commerce logistics solutions. Deutsche Post DHL Group employs approximately 590,000 people in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. The Group generated revenues of more than EUR 81 billion in 2021.

THE logistics company for the world.

Group financial highlights for the first quarter

1st quarter 1st quarter Change in m 2021 2022 in % Revenue 18,860 22,593 19.8  of which international 13,388 17,123 27.9 Profit from operating activities (EBIT) 1,911 2,159 13.0 Consolidated net profit1) 1,190 1,351 13.5 Basic earnings per share (in ) 0.96 1.10 14.6 Diluted earnings per share (in ) 0.94 1.08 14.9

Divisional revenue in the first quarter

1st quarter 1st quarter Change in m 2021 2022 in % Express 5,499 6,373 15.9 Global Forwarding, Freight 4,752 7,359 54.9 Supply Chain 3,241 3,815 17.7 eCommerce Solutions 1,454 1,445 -0.6 Post & Parcel Germany 4,555 4,245 -6.8 Group Functions/Consolidation -641 -644 -0.5 Group 18,860 22,593 19.8

Divisional EBIT in the first quarter

1st quarter 1st quarter Change in m 2021 2022 in % DHL 1,461 1,879 28.6 - Express 961 971 1.0 - Global Forwarding, Freight 216 601 >100 - Supply Chain 167 205 22.8 - eCommerce Solutions 117 102 -12.8 Post & Parcel Germany 556 355 -36.2 Group Functions/Consolidation -106 -75 29.2 Group 1,911 2,159 13.0

1) After non-controlling interests

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005992/en/

Press

Deutsche Post DHL Group

Media Relations

Tobias Ender

Tel.: +49 228 182-9944

E-Mail: [email protected]

On the Internet: dpdhl.de/presse

Follow us: twitter.com/DeutschePostDHL

Source: Deutsche Post DHL Group
Disclosure in accordance with the AMF General Regulation

PARIS & LONDON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

The shareholders of Antin Infrastructure Partners (the Company) are invited to attend the Combined Annual Shareholders Meeting (the Meeting) to be held at 2:30 p.m. on 24 May 2022 at the Cloud Business Center, 10bis rue du Quatre-Septembre, 75002 Paris.

Organisational arrangements for the Meeting are subject to change depending on public health restrictions and/or legal requirements. Shareholders are therefore invited to regularly consult the Company's website https://shareholders.antin-ip.com/ under " Shareholders Meetings", which may be updated to specify final arrangements for Meeting attendance.

The Company has taken all measures to facilitate remote voting so that shareholders can vote without physically attending the Meeting, by internet on the VOTACCESS secure voting platform or by post using the form provided for this purpose and available on the Company's website (https://shareholders.antin-ip.com/shareholders-meeting/).

The Meeting will be broadcasted live and recorded in full on the Company's website. The registration link to access the broadcast of the Meeting will be available as of 9 May 2022 on the Company's website(https://shareholders.antin-ip.com/shareholders-meeting/).

The preliminary meeting notice including the agenda, draft resolutions and ways of participating in the Meeting was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) n45 on 15 April 2022. The convening notice was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) n52 and in Les Affiches Parisiennes on 2 May 2022.

Documents and information mentioned in Article R. 22-10-23 of the French commercial Code are available on the Companys website (https://shareholders.antin-ip.com/shareholders-meeting/).

Documents and information mentioned in Articles R. 225-81 and R. 225-83 of the French commercial Code can be sent to shareholders upon request to BNP Paribas Securities Services, Grands Moulins de Pantin, 9 rue du Debarcadere, 93500 Pantin, France (centralising institution appointed by the Company). They are also available on the Companys website (https://shareholders.antin-ip.com/shareholders-meeting/).

Shareholders may address their written questions to the Board of Directors, in accordance with the conditions specified in the preliminary meeting notice, until 18 May 2022 at midnight, Paris time. Written questions must be accompanied by a certificate of shareholder account registration, by email, to the following address: [email protected].

In addition, shareholders will have the opportunity to ask questions on 24 May 2022 during the Q&A session of the Meeting if they are present in the room.

For any enquiries, shareholders can contact the Company via the [email protected] email address.

About Antin Infrastructure Partners

Antin Infrastructure Partners is a leading private equity firm focused on infrastructure. With over 22bn in Assets Under Management across its Flagship, Mid Cap and NextGen investment strategies, Antin targets investments in the energy and environment, telecom, transport and social infrastructure sectors. With offices in Paris, London, New York, Singapore and Luxembourg, Antin employs over 175 professionals dedicated to growing, improving and transforming infrastructure businesses while delivering long-term value to portfolio companies and investors. Majority owned by its partners, Antin is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: ANTIN ISIN: FR0014005AL0)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006089/en/

Media

Nicolle Graugnard, Communication Director

Email: [email protected]

Shareholder Relations

Ludmilla Binet, Head of Shareholder Relations

Email: [email protected]

Brunswick

Email: [email protected]

Tristan Roquet Montegon +33 (0) 6 37 00 52 57

Gabriel Jabes +33 (0) 6 40 87 08 14

Source: Antin Infrastructure Partners
Abdul Javed appointed as Vice President of Sales in APAC

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clari, the revenue leader, today announced new investments to expand international growth to the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region with the appointment of Abdul Javed as Claris Vice President of Sales in APAC. Based in Sydney, Javed is tasked with growing Claris team in Australia as a stepping stone for further expansion in the broader APAC region.

In January, Clari closed on its Blackstone-led $225 million Series F investment round, raising the companys total valuation to more than $2.6 billion. This follows Claris $150 million Series E round in March 2021, bringing total funding in less than twelve months to $375 million while more than quadrupling the companys valuation in two years. Clari more than doubled its team to over 600 since the start of 2021 and plans to add 300 employees in 2022, with an emphasis on international expansion.

The last year has been a remarkable period of growth for Clari, unlike anything Ive experienced in my career, said Andy Byrne, co-founder and CEO of Clari. Clari is the only platform that runs the entire end-to-end revenue process, and skyrocketing demand has resulted in accelerated momentum that now positions us to enter a new phase of international expansion with Asia-Pacific as a cornerstone.

Javed joins Clari with nearly a decade of sales experience in APAC and deep expertise in regional expansion for US-based technology companies. Most recently, he was the Regional Sales Director for APAC at AppDynamics. During his four and a half years, Javed built the team from the ground up to include renewals, sales, and business development.

As a sales leader and Clari user for over four years, I know firsthand the power of Clari in delivering predictable revenue for businesses, said Javed. Our powerful data and insights are a game-changer for all revenue professionals. Over 500 companies around the world use Clari to run their end-to-end revenue process and Im excited to introduce this secret weapon to more companies in Australia and beyond.

Clari currently has over 4,000 users in APAC who use its purpose-built revenue platform to deliver world-class revenue performance for their businesses in China, Japan, Singapore, and India. Javed and the team in APAC will extend Clari to more companies in the region who want to transform their revenue process from an antiquated mess to a software- and data-driven business process. Australia is a natural jumping off point for Clari to begin its APAC expansion, as its economy consistently ranks in the top 15 globally and it has a strong and growing startup ecosystem with next generation companies that will scale even faster using Clari.

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) worked with Clari to facilitate the expansion, providing key local contacts, market insights, and advice. Australias Consul-General and Senior Trade Commissioner in San Francisco, Nick Nichles, welcomed the announcement and congratulated Clari on choosing Australia as its Asia-Pacific expansion launch pad. Australia remains a safe, stable destination for investment. We have a resilient economy and enjoy strong trade ties with the world, Nichles said. We look forward to continuing to work with Clari and wish the company every success as it begins its Asia-Pacific journey.

ABOUT CLARI

Claris revenue platform improves efficiency, predictability, and growth across the entire revenue process. Clari gives revenue teams total visibility into their business, to drive process rigor, spot risk and opportunity in the pipeline, increase forecast accuracy, and drive overall efficiency. Thousands of sales, marketing, and customer success teams at leading companies, including Okta, Adobe, Workday, Zoom, and Finastra use Claris execution insights to make their revenue process more connected, efficient, and predictable. Visit us at clari.com and follow us @clari on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005481/en/

Clari PR

Ben Veghte

Director, Corporate communications

[email protected]

Source: Clari
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE: DOUG) will conduct a conference call and webcast to discuss its first quarter 2022 results on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. (ET).

Investors can access the call by dialing 888-330-2506 and entering 46689 as the conference ID number. The call will also be available via live webcast at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/620066759. Webcast participants should allot extra time before the webcast begins to register.

A replay of the call will be available shortly after the call ends on May 10, 2022 through May 24, 2022. To access the replay, dial 800-770-2030 and enter 46689 as the conference ID number. The archived webcast will also be available at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/620066759.

About Douglas Elliman Inc.

Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE: DOUG, Douglas Elliman) owns Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, which is one of the largest residential brokerage companies in the New York metropolitan area, which includes New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, New Jersey and the Hamptons, and the sixth largest in the U.S., with operations in California, Colorado, Texas, Florida and Massachusetts. In addition, Douglas Elliman sources, uses and invests in early-stage, disruptive property technology (PropTech) solutions and companies and provides other real estate services, including development marketing, property management and settlement and escrow services in select markets. Additional information concerning Douglas Elliman is available on its website, www.elliman.com.

Investors and others should note that we may post information about Douglas Elliman on our website at www.elliman.com or, if applicable, on our accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube or other social media platforms. It is possible that the postings or releases could include information deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in Douglas Elliman to review the information we post on our website at www.elliman.com and on our social media accounts.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006315/en/

Emily Claffey/Benjamin Spicehandler/Columbia Clancy

Sard Verbinnen & Co.

212-687-8080

Source: Douglas Elliman Inc.
A former Philadelphia police officer has been charged with murder for fatally shooting a 12-year-old boy in the back during a chaotic foot chase in early March.

Authorities say that Edsaul Mendoza, 26, engaged in a "tactically unsound" pursuit of Thomas "TJ" Siderio and shot him despite knowing he was unarmed.

Police believed a friend of his was involved in the theft of a weapon.

Mr Mendoza was arrested on Sunday.

According to a presentment of facts released by Philadelphia's District Attorney, Mr Mendoza was part of a group of four plainclothes officers who confronted Thomas and a 17-year-old friend - identified in court documents as "NK" - on 1 March. The officers believed that NK was "tangentially connected" to a stolen firearm investigation.

When they attempted to stop the boys, "a shot went off" and broke a rear passenger window, the presentment added. When the boys attempted to flee, Mr Mendoza chased Thomas and fired at him three times.

The third shot, the document alleges, took place even though Mr Mendoza knew that Thomas' weapon had been discarded some 40ft (12m) away. Thomas had stopped running at the time the final shot was fired.

"Thus, when 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," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner told reporters on Monday.

"But he fired a shot through his back nonetheless, killing him."

Mr Mendoza was fired by the police force soon after the incident, with the police commissioner saying at the time that the department's use-of-force policies had been violated.

According to Mr Krasner, much of the evidence against Mr Mendoza stems from video footage of the shooting, which will not be released until authorised by a judge. He described the video as "disturbing to watch" and said that Thomas was "essentially facedown on the sidewalk" and possibly surrendering.

Story continues

Mr Mendoza was taken into custody on Sunday and is being held without bail. A preliminary hearing has been set for 16 May.

A public defender who represented him at a bail hearing on Monday could not be reached. A local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police has now said it will provide him with a lawyer.

Thomas' great-grandmother, Mary Siderio, was quoted by a local CBS affiliate as saying she was "happy" to hear of the charges against Mr Mendoza.

"I'm so heartbroken, I can't sleep," she said. "None of us can sleep. It's horrible."
Hayward actively hires, growing already strong foothold in the Tar Heel State

Olympian Rowdy Gaines on hand in support of Step Into Swim initiative to promote safe swimming

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) (Hayward or the Company), a global designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad portfolio of pool equipment and technology, celebrated the opening of its new corporate headquarters in Charlottes South End neighborhood with a ribbon cutting featuring three-time Olympic Gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, Hayward CEO Kevin Holleran, and a team of company employees.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006331/en/

Pictured left to right: Susan Canning, Eifion Jones, Rowdy Gaines, Kevin Holleran, Lesley Billow (Photo: Business Wire)

Hayward has deep connections to North Carolina. Since 1995, the company has had a manufacturing facility in Clemmons, which today employs more than 1,000 people. In October, Hayward furthered its commitment to North Carolina with the opening of a 324,000-square-foot distribution facility in Mocksville, North Carolina.

Last year, the company also announced its intention to relocate its New Jersey headquarters to North Carolina. The companys new 21,000 square foot office is located in the Vantage South End building and houses approximately 90 employees including Haywards senior management, human resources, finance, legal, information technology and sales and marketing teams. Hayward is hiring across the Charlotte-metropolitan area, with open positions posted on Haywards career website at www.hayward.com/careers.

Since 1995 Clemmons has served as our manufacturing hub, and I am excited that were adding to that presence by moving our headquarters here to the Queen City. We want to be a great neighbor and an active part of this community, Holleran said. Every day in Clemmons and now here in Charlotte we are using cutting-edge technology to develop products that save energy and help people make the most of their pools and backyards. We want to continue growing and developing our team here in North Carolina and look forward to taking advantage of the strong talent pool in the area.

Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines joined the Company to cut the ribbon. Hayward is a platinum-level sponsor of Step Into Swim, a 10-year initiative organized by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance to create one million more swimmers. In 2021, Step Into Swim awarded 22 grants to facilities across the country including in North Carolina.

Whether youre just learning to walk or youre using a walker, knowing how to swim safely can improve your life, Gaines said. Step Into Swims goal is to equip kids and adults with the skills they need to swim safely. To date, we have funded more than 280,000 swimming lessons nationwide, and weve been able to do it because of Haywards support and the support of its peers in the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. I am so excited to help Hayward open this new headquarters.

May is National Water Safety Month, an annual awareness campaign coordinated by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance with support from the American Red Cross, National Recreation and Park Association and the World Waterpark Association. Hayward is a member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and a sponsor of Step Into Swim.

About Hayward Holdings, Inc.

Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) is a leading global designer and manufacturer of pool equipment and technology all key to the SmartPad conversion strategy designed to provide a superior outdoor living experience. Hayward offers a full line of innovative, energy-efficient and sustainable residential and commercial pool equipment, including a complete line of advanced pumps, filters, heaters, automatic pool cleaners, LED lighting, internet of things (IoT) enabled controls, alternate sanitizers and water features.

About Step Into Swim

Step Into Swim, with support from founding partner Every Child A Swimmer, is an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance committed to safe swim education and drowning prevention. The initiative provides children with the education and learn-to-swim programming they need to be safer in the water.

Since 2012, the Step Into Swim program has provided more than 285,000 children with swimming lessons. The organizations goal is to raise $500,000 a year for Step Into Swim initiatives.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006331/en/

Media Relations:

Tanya McNabb

[email protected]



Investor Relations:

Hayward Investor Relations

908.288.9706

[email protected]

Source: Hayward Holdings, Inc.
Megaports agreement with Bechtle enables companies to accelerate their digital and network transformation.

BRISBANE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Megaport Limited (ASX: MP1) ("Megaport"), a global leading Network as a Service (NaaS) provider, announced it has entered into a distribution agreement with Bechtle, Germanys largest IT system house and a leading IT e-commerce provider in Europe. The agreement will make Megaports global, private Software Defined Network (SDN) platform available through Bechtle to companies looking to modernise their networks and accelerate digital transformation.

Bringing Megaports leading NaaS platform into the Bechtle portfolio makes it easier for customers to modernise their network connectivity and connect quickly to leading cloud service providers, said Rodney Foreman, Chief Revenue Officer at Megaport. Whether customers are addressing multicloud architectures, bridging SD-WAN to cloud, or enabling hybrid environments, Megaports platform makes it easy to securely and rapidly connect critical IT services. Bechtles European footprint and reach, combined with their expertise in IT solutions, makes them ideal to expand and deepen our channel relationships.

With Megaport, we are expanding our portfolio with innovative and scalable IaaS-solutions that are required by todays competitive companies, explained Ralf Beck, Director Software Product Management Infrastructure at Bechtle. The provision of services by German data centres and the connectivity to leading cloud providers round off Megaports range of service.

By using Megaport, Bechtle customers can enjoy the following benefits:

Improved network performance with reduced jitter and latency.

Reduced cloud egress costs to cloud on-ramps when compared to internet rates.

Point-and-click network provisioning to support interconnection between branch locations, data centres, cloud providers, and IT services without any hardware requirements.

Real-time provisioning of virtual network infrastructure and interconnections.

Secure, private hybrid cloud and multicloud connections to more than 360 service providers, 750+ enabled data centres, and 240+ cloud interconnect points.

With more than 80 IT system houses in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as well as e-commerce companies in 14 European countries, Bechtle offers a blend of direct IT product sales and extensive systems integration services to midsized business, large corporations, and public-sector organisations. Backed by extensive experience and expertise in future-proof IT architecture, Bechtle values traditional infrastructures as well as current trends in digitalisation, cloud computing, modern workplace, security, and IT-as-a-Service.

Megaport helps businesses deploy a global, high-availability network in minutes, not months. Megaports NaaS platform provides private, scalable, on-demand connectivity to the worlds leading cloud service providers, such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. The companys solutions enable agile, flexible, high-performance networking for a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.

About Megaport

Megaport is a leading provider of Network as a Service (NaaS) solutions. The companys global Software Defined Network (SDN) helps businesses rapidly connect their network to services via an easy-to-use portal or our open API. Megaport offers agile networking capabilities that reduce operating costs and increase speed to market compared to traditional networking solutions. Megaport partners with the worlds top cloud service providers, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as the largest data centre operators, systems integrators and managed service providers in the world. Megaport is an ISO/IEC 27001-certified company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005157/en/

Eric Troyer, Chief Marketing Officer, Megaport

Phone: +61 7 3088 7400

[email protected]

Source: Megaport Limited
Church Mutuals new Risk Radar Report  Child Care reveals insights, opportunities and challenges for todays providers

MERRILL, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Parents across the United States face the difficult challenge of selecting a child care facility for their children  and amidst the nations continuing child care crisis, the process isnt easy. In its new Risk Radar Report  Child Care1, Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. (a stock insurer)2, an insurer of child care providers, found that safety protocols and procedures (65%) was the most important factor for parents selecting a child-care facility, followed closely by staff experience and training (64%). These factors topped price (55%), programming/curriculum (55%) and staff turnover (45%), which came in last out of nine total factors.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006274/en/

Child Care Must Haves. Church Mutual Risk Radar Report -- Child Care 2022. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Child care is an essential service for todays working parents, said Rich Poirier, president and CEO of Church Mutual. In 2019, the U.S. child care crisis cost the nation an estimated $57 billion in lost earnings, productivity and revenue. Fast forward to today, our nation is emerging from a pandemic, and the challenges and costs facing child care providers only continue to rise.

We protect child care organizations and the children they serve by mitigating risk through education, training, insights and essential insurance coverage. Moreover, to better position themselves for success, its important for providers to prepare for the risks they face, as well as better understand whats driving parents decision-making process when it comes to choosing care for their children  thats where our new Risk Radar Report helps.

Risk Radar Report  Child Care is the first release of Church Mutuals new Risk Radar initiative that uses proprietary, primary research to gather key, forward-looking insights for child-care providers, other nonprofit organizations and houses of worship, helping them maximize opportunities and minimize risk. Risk Radar Report  Child Care surveyed approximately 500 Americans (18+) with one or more children currently in child care.

What child care means for parents

When asked what child care means to them, more than half (52%) of parents said it is an essential for me to work and provide for my family, slightly exceeding an important part of the social and emotional development of my child (51%). This contrasts with only 28% who indicated that child care is a service that is helpful, but not essential for my family life.

Said Nicole Jolley, Church Mutuals assistant vice president  Child Care, Nonprofit and Human Services, Todays parents consider child care essential to their family dynamic. More than half also indicated child care is an important part of the social and emotional development of their child. Its important that providers are able to remain open and create a safe environment using established safety protocols and checklists to guide their operations.

Child care challenges top of mind for coming year

Given the pandemics prominence over the last two years, its unsurprising that the Risk Radar Report  Child Care found that new pandemic variants/infectious disease impacts and procedures (49%) topped parents list of concerns for the biggest child care challenges in the coming year. This narrowly bested high care costs (47%) and being able to work while caring for my child(ren) (42%). Only 33% of parents reported that access, or finding a facility that has space to take my child was a challenge for the coming year  despite widely reported shortages of care workers.

Provider resources

Church Mutual offers a range of free, online resources specifically for child care, nonprofit and human services organizations. Visit Safety resources for child care and other nonprofit organizations to learn about and help reduce for common risks.

Understanding the vital role that child care plays, and the associated challenges and desires from parents perspectives, creates a unique opportunity for providers. We encourage them to use the insights from our Risk Radar Report to enhance and evolve their organizations, concluded Jolley.

About Church Mutual

Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I., founded in 1897, offers specialized insurance for religious organizations of all denominations, public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, senior living facilities, secular and non-secular camps and conference centers, and nonprofit and human services organizations throughout the United States. Church Mutual markets most lines of commercial property and liability insurance, including multi-peril, workers' compensation and commercial auto insurance. In addition to insurance, Church Mutual provides a spectrum of value-added solutions that benefit its customers. Church Mutual holds the following honors:

A.M. Best Company "A" (excellent) rating

Wisconsin 75 Top Private Company by Deloitte US, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021

Wisconsin 75 Distinguished Performer: Innovation by Deloitte US 2019

2021 Gallup Culture Transformation Award recipient

2020 Women and Diversity Award recipient from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association

Futuremakers Partner by Wisconsin Technical College System

Celent Model Insurer for innovation and emerging technologies

Award in Innovation for entrepreneurialism and innovation by National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies

2018-2019 Employer of the Year by Northcentral Technical College

1Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. conducted an online survey through SMS Research Advisors, The Church Mutual Risk Radar Report  Child Care, in March 2022, with a nationally representative sample of 500 adults aged 18+.

2Church Mutual is a stock insurer whose policyholders are members of the parent mutual holding company formed on 1/1/20. S.I. = a stock insurer.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006274/en/

Contact: Jennifer Johnson

Title: Corporate Communications Consultant

Phone: (715) 539-5797

Email: [email protected]

Source: Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.
Company brings awareness to programming and urgent need to cultivate talent pipeline

PELLA, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

National Skilled Trades Day is more than just a single day of celebration for Pella Corporations (Pella) 17 manufacturing facilities across the country: its an ongoing conversation. Job security at a company where I can grow is what really excited me about joining the tech trades, said Kate Vos, Pella Technical Trades Apprentice and 2021 high-school graduate. I also love that I dont need a four-year degree or to take-on thousands of dollars in student loan debt to get a job that pays well.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006168/en/

Pella recognizes National Skilled Trades Day and importance of elevating opportunities for professionals in the field. (Photo: Business Wire)

Pella is using this nationally recognized day tomorrow, May 4, to recognize the tremendous impact of their current workforce while also spreading awareness for the hundreds of open jobs in tech trades, production and operations available across the company.

Approximately 50 percent of Pellas skilled trade team members are nearing retirement. Encouraging the next generation to enter these important fields is a critical focus for the business. The company relies on key positions like machinists, tool and die operators, and maintenance technicians to maintain the equipment that makes their products, and National Skilled Trades Day is one way they get the word out.

Pella has introduced a placement and development program to help transition team members into technical trades. The company also provides the opportunity for training courses for team members wanting to learn about the skilled trades, including education and development classes. The courses are customized to meet Pellas business needs and are taught by the companys expert technicians.

Our programs create a pipeline of qualified technicians and show the next generation how rewarding a career in tech trades can be. Team members in the program gain required certifications so theyre ready to fill an open position and advance when it becomes available, said Kurtis Webb, Pellas Operations Manager.

For more information on current skilled trades-related openings at Pella, please visit Pellacareers.com to view available opportunities nationwide.

About Pella Corporation

Pella Corporation designs and manufacturers windows and doors for residential homes and commercial applications. The company is headquartered in Pella, Iowa, and employs more than 9,500 people across 17 manufacturing locations and more than 200 showrooms across the country. For more information, visit pressroom.pella.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006168/en/

Nicolle Picray

Public Relations and Brand Communications Manager

Pella Corporation

641-621-6859

Source: Pella Corporation
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Westaim Corporation (Westaim or the Company) (TSXV: WED) expects to release its unaudited Q1 2022 results before the markets open on Tuesday May 17, 2022.

As previously announced, Westaim will hold its Annual General and Special Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday May 18, 2022. The AGM will begin at 9:00 am ET and will be held in person at Vantage Venues, 150 King Street West, 27th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5H 1J9. The AGM materials are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Westaim is pleased to announce that it plans to host its Annual Investor Day on Thursday September 29, 2022 in person and virtually via a live stream from Toronto. The agenda will include a business overview and discussion with management from Westaim, Skyward Specialty, and Arena Investors followed by a question-and-answer session. Registration details will be announced prior to the event.

About Westaim

Westaim is a Canadian investment company specializing in providing long-term capital to businesses operating primarily within the global financial services industry. The Company invests, directly and indirectly, through acquisitions, joint ventures and other arrangements, with the objective of providing its shareholders with capital appreciation and real wealth preservation. Westaims strategy is to pursue investment opportunities with a focus towards the financial services industry and grow shareholder value over the long term. Westaims investments include significant interests in Skyward Specialty, Arena Investors and Arena FINCOs. Skyward Specialty, the HIIG Partnership, Arena FINCOs, and Arena Investors are defined in the notes to Westaims audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the related MD&A. Westaim's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol WED. For more information about Westaim, please visit www.westaim.com.

About Skyward Specialty

Skyward Specialty is a growing specialty insurance company, delivering commercial property and casualty products and solutions on a non-admitted and admitted basis. For its most recent fiscal year, Skyward Specialty had nearly US$1 billion dollars in gross written premium and over US$2 billion in assets. Skyward Specialty has eight underwriting divisions -- Accident & Health, Captives, Global Property, Industry Solutions, Professional Lines, Programs, Surety and Transactional E&S.

Skyward Specialty's subsidiary insurance companies consist of Houston Specialty Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company, Great Midwest Insurance Company, and Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company. These insurance companies are rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. For more information about Skyward Specialty, please visit www.skywardinsurance.com.

About Arena Investors

Arena Investors is an institutional asset manager, founded in partnership with Westaim. With US$3.4 billion of invested and committed assets under management as of March 1, 2022, and a team of 100+ full-time employees and consultants in offices globally, Arena Investors provides creative solutions for those seeking capital in special situations. The firm brings individuals with decades of experience, a track record of comfort with complexity, and the flexibility to engage in transactions not typically addressed by conventional financial institutions. For more information about Arena Investors, please visit www.arenaco.com.

Cautionary Note and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements), including with respect to the timing of the Investor Day and AGM, and the release of the Companys 2022 first quarter results. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release and thus are subject to change thereafter. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and assumptions. As a consequence, actual results in the future may differ materially from any forward-looking statement, forecast or projection, whether expressed or implied. Therefore, forward-looking statements should be considered carefully and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Westaim 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. Factors that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, matters identified in the Risk Factors section and elsewhere in the most recent annual information form of Westaim, which is available under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006282/en/

J. Cameron MacDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer or

Robert T. Kittel, Chief Operating Officer

The Westaim Corporation

[email protected]

(416) 969-3333

Source: The Westaim Corporation
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) will release its first quarter 2022 financial results on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 4:00 a.m. Pacific Time (7:00 a.m. Eastern Time). The company will then hold its quarterly conference call at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time (8:00 a.m. Eastern Time).

The call was originally scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time), but was rescheduled to provide a more timely update on the companys performance and guidance before the market opens.

A live webcast of the conference call and earnings release materials can be found on Ubers Investor Relations website at investor.uber.com. A replay of the conference call will be accessible for at least 90 days.

Disclosure Information

Uber uses and intends to continue to use its Investor Relations website as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the companys Investor Relations website, in addition to following the companys press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations, and webcasts.

About Uber

Ubers mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 25 billion trips later, were building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503006365/en/

Investors and Analysts:

[email protected]

Press:

[email protected]

Source: Uber Technologies, Inc.
FILE PHOTO: A section of the BP Eastern Trough Area Project (ETAP) oil platform is seen in the North Sea, around 100 miles east of Aberdeen in Scotland February 24, 2014. REUTERS/Andy Buchanan/pool

By Nia Williams

(Reuters) -Oil prices fell by more than 2% on Tuesday as demand worries stemming from China's prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns outweighed the prospect of a European embargo on Russian crude.

Beijing is mass-testing residents to avert a lockdown similar to Shanghai's over the past month. The capital's restaurants were closed for dining in while some apartment blocks were sealed shut.

Brent crude settled down $2.61, or 2.4%, at $104.97 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude ended $2.76, or 2.6%, lower at $102.41.

"There are real concerns about whether Chinese demand, which is a huge factor in global demand, will remain strong in 2022," said Gary Cunningham, director at Tradition Energy.

Prices remain high, however, with Brent crude having reached $139 in March for its highest since 2008 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine exacerbated supply concerns that were already driving a rally.

The European Union is working on a sixth round of sanctions against Russia, with officials saying that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to spell out the plans on Wednesday, including a ban on imports of Russian oil by the end of this year.

Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures group, said price action is likely to remain volatile as traders weigh the impact of China's lockdowns against the West's oil sanctions and ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday.

"We have a market that's in flux and reacting from headline to headline in a very choppy trading range," Flynn said.

Also in focus will be the latest round of U.S. inventory and supply reports. Nine analysts polled by Reuters estimated on average that crude inventories decreased by 800,000 barrels last week. [EIA/S]

The American Petroleum Institute industry group issues its inventory report at 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 GMT), followed by government figures on Wednesday. [API/S]

(Additional reporting by Alex Lawler and Sonali PaulEditing by Marguerita Choy, David Gregorio and David Goodman)
Armstrong Flooring (NYSE: AFI)

On May 1, 2022, Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (the Company) entered into an ABL Amendment (as defined below) and a Term Loan Amendment (as defined below) for the purpose of amending the milestone covenant contained in each of the Amended ABL Credit Facility (as defined below) and the Amended Term Loan Facility (as defined below) that requires the Company to enter into a definitive binding purchase agreement, merger agreement or other similar agreement by no later than May 2, 2022 (the Definitive Agreement Milestone) which provides for an aggregate purchase price in an amount sufficient to repay in full the outstanding loans under the Amended ABL Credit Facility and the Amended Term Loan Facility and is otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the ABL Agent (as defined below) and the Term Loan Agent (as defined below). As amended, the Definitive Agreement Milestone now requires that the Company enter into a definitive binding purchase agreement, merger agreement or other similar agreement by no later than May 8, 2022 (the Extended Definitive Agreement Milestone).

As previously announced, the Company retained Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. (Houlihan) to assist with a process for the sale of the Company and with the consideration of other strategic alternatives (the Sale Process), and the Company received confidential, non-binding expressions of interest from several parties in connection with such Sale Process. As previously disclosed on March 31, 2022, after careful review and consideration, the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) instructed the Companys management and advisors to pursue implementation of those expressions of interest which the Board believed were most likely to maximize the value to be realized by the Companys stakeholders, subject to further negotiation and documentation, while simultaneously continuing to seek additional expressions of interest.

The Company sought the extension of the Definitive Agreement Milestone to allow more time to pursue implementation of one or more such expressions of interest. While the Companys management and advisors have continued to engage with interested third parties and their advisors to pursue a potential transaction and there continues to be interest from a number of parties in pursuing a transaction with the Company involving the purchase of all, substantially all or a material portion of the Companys assets, at this time it appears unlikely that any of the parties expressing interest in a transaction with the Company would be in a position to sign a definitive binding purchase agreement, merger agreement or other similar agreement on or before the Extended Definitive Agreement Milestone. The failure to comply with the Extended Definitive Agreement Milestone would constitute a default under the terms of the Amended ABL Credit Facility and/or the Amended Term Loan Facility, as applicable, and there can be no assurance that the lenders under either facility will agree to any further extensions. Although no definitive decision has been made, and no course of action has been approved by the Companys Board of Directors, based on the state of discussions with the Companys lenders, the liquidity needs of the Company and the requirements of the Amended ABL Credit Facility and the Amended Term Loan Facility, it is likely that the Company will seek bankruptcy protection under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and will seek to implement one or more such transactions through a competitive sale process in bankruptcy. There can be no assurances that any expressions of interest, or the related discussions with third-parties and their advisors will be successful or that an agreement on the terms of a transaction will be obtained. Moreover, the Company continues to face certain risks and uncertainties that have been affecting its business and operations, and these risks and uncertainties may affect the Companys ability to enter into a transaction and could impact the outcome of any bankruptcy proceeding. In the event the Company seeks bankruptcy protection, holders of our equity securities would likely be entitled to little or no recovery on their investment and recoveries to other stakeholders cannot be determined at this time.

The Company undertakes no obligation to provide further disclosure regarding the status of the Sale Process, the Companys efforts to pursue implementation of a potential transaction or the possibility that the Company will seek bankruptcy protection under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and does not presently intend to make such disclosure unless and until a definitive agreement is reached or a final decision has been made regarding a bankruptcy filing.

Amended ABL Credit Facility

The Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2022 (the ABL Amendment), by and among the Company, as borrower, the guarantors named therein, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the ABL Agent), as Australian security trustee and as letter of credit issuer and as swingline lender, amends that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2018, by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein, the lenders party thereto, the letter of credit issuer, the swingline lender and the ABL Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the ABL Amendment, the Amended ABL Credit Facility).

Under the terms of the Amended ABL Credit Facility, the Company agreed to appoint a chief transformation officer reasonably satisfactory to the ABL Agent and Required Lenders (as defined in the Amended ABL Credit Facility) pursuant to a scope of engagement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Required Lenders, and thereafter shall retain such chief transformation officer, or any replacement thereof from time to time that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Required Lenders. Any such successor chief transformation officer must be engaged promptly after the resignation or dismissal of the prior chief transformation officer and must be engaged pursuant to a scope of engagement that is substantially similar to the existing scope of engagement or that is otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.

Amended Term Loan Facility

The Fourth Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2022 (the Term Loan Amendment), by and among the Company and Armstrong Flooring Pty Ltd, as borrowers, the guarantors named therein, the lenders party thereto and Pathlight Capital LP, as administrative agent, collateral agent and Australian security trustee (in such capacities, the Term Loan Agent), amends that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2020, by and among the Company and Armstrong Flooring Pty Ltd, as borrowers, the guarantors named therein, the lenders party thereto and the Term Loan Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the Term Loan Amendment, the Amended Term Loan Facility).

Under the terms of the Amended Term Loan Facility, the Company also agreed to appoint a chief transformation officer reasonably satisfactory to the Term Loan Agent and Required Lenders (as defined in the Amended Term Loan Facility) pursuant to a scope of engagement reasonably satisfactory to the Term Loan Agent and Required Lenders, and thereafter shall retain such chief transformation officer, or any replacement thereof from time to time that is reasonably satisfactory to the Term Loan Agent and Required Lenders. Any such successor chief transformation officer must be engaged promptly after the resignation or dismissal of the prior chief transformation officer and must be engaged pursuant to a scope of engagement that is substantially similar to the existing scope of engagement or that is otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Term Loan Agent and the Required Lenders.

In connection with the Term Loan Amendment, the Company was required to advance the date of payment of certain fees with respect to the Term Loans (as defined in the Amended Term Loan Facility). These fees, in the amount of approximately $10.1 million, were capitalized and added to the principal amount of the Term Loans on the effective date of the Term Loan Amendment. Interest on the capitalized fee amount will be capitalized and added to the principal amount of Term Loans.

* * * * *

The foregoing summaries of the ABL Amendment and the Term Loan Amendment do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the ABL Amendment and the Term Loan Amendment, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item. 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

As disclosed above, under the terms of the ABL Amendment and the Term Loan Amendment, the Company agreed to appoint a chief transformation officer (CTO), and Dalton Edgecomb was appointed by the Board effective as of the May 1, 2022 effective date of the ABL Amendment and the Term Loan Amendment. As CTO, Mr. Edgecomb will serve under the supervision of the Board, and will report directly to the Board. In his capacity as CTO, Mr. Edgecomb will (i) assist with the Companys cash management processes, (ii) report financial information of the Company to the Board and to the lenders under the Amended ABL Credit Facility and the Amended Term Loan Facility, (iii) advise the Company throughout any bankruptcy proceedings, and (iv) assist the Company in its exploration of strategic alternatives. The Company believes that Mr. Edgecombs significant restructuring and credit analysis experience make him well qualified to serve as the Companys CTO and as an officer of the Company.

Mr. Edgecomb, age 58, has been a senior managing director of Riveron Consulting, LLC (Riveron), a national business advisory firm specializing in accounting, finance, and operations, since November of 2020. From January of 2012 through November of 2020, Mr. Edgecomb was a member and managing director of Winter Harbor, LLC, a provider of restructuring and turnaround services. Mr. Edgecomb specializes in advising companies and their officers and directors in restructuring situations, as well as serving in interim management roles such as chief transformation officer, chief restructuring officer, chief executive officer, and chief financial officer.

The terms of Mr. Edgecombs retention as CTO are governed by an engagement letter with Riveron (the CTO Engagement Letter) pursuant to which, among other things, the Company has agreed to pay Riveron $815 per hour for Mr. Edgecombs services as CTO. In addition to receiving fees for Mr. Edgecombs services, Riveron will also be entitled to compensation at specified hourly rates for the services of other Riveron personnel, as well as reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the engagement. The Company has also agreed to indemnify Riveron, Mr. Edgecomb and the other Riveron personnel in connection with the engagement, subject to customary terms and conditions. As a result, Mr. Edgecomb may have a direct or indirect material interest in Riverons continued service, as defined in Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Mr. Edgecomb does not have any family relationship with any director, executive officer, or person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer.
Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) announced today that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering and Support Center selected the company for a position on the Facility Repair & Renewal Multiple Award Task Order (MATOC) VI contract. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has a combined value not to exceed $450 million during the 5-year period of performance.

With this selection, Fluor is eligible to compete for task orders throughout the United States, its territories and other global locations.

It is an honor to support USACE with this new opportunity, said Tom DAgostino, group president of Fluors Mission Solutions business. This award fits well with what we do best  provide efficient and high-quality contingency construction and renovations, humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery around the world. From helping to restore power to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to having a position on the USACE Europe Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility MATOC contract, Fluor has a history of supporting the Army Corps of Engineers with important missions.

The Facilities Repair and Renewal program offers a fast-track, efficient method for design and execution of all types of facility repairs, renovations and construction services.
An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.  Dr. Maria Montessori

At Creative Minds Montessori School, empathy it is built into our very fabric. We do not teach empathy so much as we model empathy. It is inherent in all our classrooms as a foundational piece of our Montessori curriculum. Modeling empathy for our children is a worthwhile investment, not only for their own futures, but for the world they will inherit.

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that it is the duty of every person to work toward and be part of something great. This not only serves our individual interests but those of all humanity. Her belief, that the understanding of others emotions is necessary for building and maintaining relationships, is a core value at Creative Minds Montessori. Empathy, or the ability to see and appreciate what another person is feeling or experiencing, is also an important part of being a friend and getting along with others.

The teachers at Creative Minds Montessori model empathy to the students, as well as other teachers and parents. Children observe empathy in this way and absorb it into their own behaviors. When empathy is repeatedly demonstrated by our teachers in the classroom, it helps to set the culture of the learning environment and it sets an expectation for the way one treats others.

This past February, when our elementary students heard about the war in Ukraine, we saw their empathy in action. Our students were confused and upset that people could hurt other people so badly. The thought of it was difficult to wrap their heads around. They quickly decided to focus on a solution, not the problem. They knew they had to help the people of Ukraine somehow.

After some brainstorming, they came up with "Coins for Ukraine." The children would ask people to donate their spare change, since they figured this would be something most people could participate in. But they didn't stop there! They also started to think it would be helpful to gather donations of medical supplies, so they rolled up their sleeves and went to work!

One thing led to another, and we decided to approach our neighbors Lindsay Nocilly, Phil Bauso and Susan Dwyer from the Cayuga County Office Building with our ideas. They graciously decided to partner with us and immediately went to work gathering donations. We were blown away by their generosity!

And just when we thought we had done all we could, one of our youngest elementary students, Josephine Kloiber, decided to do something special in her own way to help raise money. She designed, made and sold bracelets (with the help of her friends at Creative Minds Montessori). More than 100 bracelets were made, raising over $1,000.00.

With Josephine's effort and donations from Creative Minds Montessori and Cayuga County offices, the children have to date raised $1,379.08. Josephine and her family visited SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, where they presented a check (with more to come!) to the Rev. Vasile Colopelnic and delivered more than 15 bags of medical supplies  and they aren't stopping yet.

Good things happen when people come together!

Diane M. Bauso is head of school for Creative Minds Montessori School, 169 Genesee St., Auburn. She can be reached at (315) 406-9495 or auburncmms.com.

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Suneva Medical, Inc. ("Suneva" or the "Company"), an innovative medical technology company using regenerative medicine to change the standard of care in aesthetic treatments, and partner Bimini Health Tech ("Bimini"), today announced that they have received approval from Canada's Medical Devices Directorate to market the Dermapose all-in-one fat sizing syringe in Canada. In the U.S., Suneva has also received an additional 510(K) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its larger volume 30 mL Amplifine PRP gel tube.

Dermapose is a cutting-edge fat transfer technology from the experts who created Puregraft, dedicated to volumization and rejuvenation. Dermapose is an all-in-one device designed to purify, size and reinject a patient's fat while maximizing revascularization.

Suneva has also received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for a larger volume 30 mL gel tube. Amplifine PRP gel tubes use a proprietary gel designed to capture a high concentration of platelets in a short processing time, delivering clinical benefits to the patient while also making the clinical practice more efficient with the ability to offer a wider array of regenerative treatments to their patients in the largest North American market.

PRP is a regenerative treatment that allows providers to access the patient's own growth factors that exist by taking a small amount of the patient's blood and spinning it through a centrifuge to separate out the red blood cells and white blood cells.

"These domestic and international regulatory approvals display the growing number of regenerative aesthetic treatment options, and Suneva is proud to add to those options," said Pat Altavilla, Chief Executive Officer of Suneva. "Dermapose and Amplifine offer innovative and minimally invasive solutions to patients seeking natural looking alternatives to help them look and feel their best."

On January 12, 2022, Suneva Medical and Viveon Health Acquisition Corp. (NYSE American: VHAQ) ("Viveon Health" or "VHAQ"), a special purpose acquisition company, announced that they entered into a definitive merger agreement. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company's securities are expected to be traded on the NYSE American under the symbol "RNEW."
Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) today announced it has acquired Long Game, the award-winning gamified finance mobile app that is changing the way people save, learn and engage with their finances. Long Game transforms how users engage with their bank by using prize-linked savings and casual gaming to motivate smart financial behaviors and driving new account growth and client retention for banks. Truist will leverage Long Game's innovative technology to help its clients build long-term financial wellness and advance its purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities.

"At Truist, we are laser focused on shaping the future of finance with innovative people and products  and democratizing entrepreneurial opportunity while we do it," said Vanessa Indriolo Vreeland, head of corporate development and Truist Ventures. "Long Game is a female-led business with a diverse team of incredibly talented innovators creating unique solutions to help people achieve financial confidence."

As part of the acquisition, Long Game's engineers, designers and business leaders will join Truist's growing Innovation team. Long Game Co-founder and CEO Lindsay Holden will lead a team of engineers, product managers and designers responsible for technology innovation and development of new client-centric solutions. The team will be based in San Francisco, CA.

"This acquisition is a critical component of a broader innovation strategy at Truist that will future-proof our core businesses and attract inventive and entrepreneurial talent to help deliver new and groundbreaking solutions," said Ken Meyer, CIO for Consumer Technology and Innovation at Truist. "We're incredibly excited to welcome Lindsay and the Long Game team as we roll out this strategy and create new and distinctive experiences for our clients."

Long Game's modern architecture is aligned with Truist's existing technology stack, which will increase client engagement, savings, and financial education, particularly among millennial and Gen Z populations. The technology is also complementary to Truist Momentum, a workplace financial wellness program that educates, equips and inspires employees to manage their money based on what matters most to them.

"Truist's commitment to help people build financial wellness is exactly what we are about at Long Game," said Holden. "We've revolutionized bank engagement and are eager to apply ourselves to creating disruptive technologies that help Truist deliver a human touch in new ways."

About Truist Ventures

Truist Ventures is the corporate venture capital division of Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC), a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspire and build better lives and communities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist Ventures delivers unprecedented touch and technology to Truist clients through partnerships with, and investments in, innovative companies and exceptional management teams with novel solutions to help Truist shape the future of finance. Truist Ventures' investment focus stretches beyond traditional financial technology into adjacent, disruptive technologies that enable Truist to deliver a human touch in new ways. Leveraging Truist's extensive network of executive-level talent and industry experts in technology, investment banking, capital markets and innovation, the Truist Ventures team helps portfolio companies fulfill growth opportunities through unparalleled access to exceptional support. Alston & Bird LLP in Atlanta, Georgia represented Truist in this transaction.
Biogen logo is seen displayed in this illustration taken, May 3, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

(Reuters) - Biogen said on Tuesday its Chief Executive Michel Vounatsos will step down, with the drugmaker adding it would scale down its sales infrastructure for the controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm.

Below are the events to the drug's long-winding, controversial approval last June and developments since:

2007: University of Zurich spin-off Neurimmune Therapeutics licensed exclusive rights of aducanumab to Biogen. (https://bit.ly/3g3MlFm)

March, 2014: Eisai Co Ltd agrees to collaborate with Biogen to develop treatments for Alzheimer's disease, including an option for the Tokyo-based company to jointly develop and commercialize aducanumab. (https://bit.ly/3JgMGRu)

March, 2015: The first sign aducanamab could work is seen when Biogen released interim data from a small study that showed reduced brain-destroying amyloid plaque and slowed clinical decline in patients with mild disease. (https://reut.rs/3g1HHHM)

July, 2015: Biogen's trial of 6 milligrams of aducanumab, a dose it hoped would be effective without producing the brain swelling seen in higher doses, failed to significantly slow mental decline. (https://reut.rs/37xO1Gx)

September, 2015: Biogen started to test aducanumab in people with early Alzheimer's disease in its two global, late-stage studies known as ENGAGE and EMERGE. (https://bwnews.pr/34IyKhd)

March, 2019: Aducanamab found unlikely to be successful by an independent committee monitoring its large trials. Biogen ended the studies and lost $18 billion in market value. (https://reut.rs/3cax98b)

October, 2019: A new analysis of two discontinued studies showed the drug slowed progression of Alzheimer's and Biogen revived plans to seek U.S. approval. (https://reut.rs/3pgD8gZ)

July, 2020: Biogen completed the submission of a biologics license application to the U.S. FDA for the approval of aducanumab. (https://bit.ly/3E1aHLu)

November, 2020: FDA staff said Biogen showed "exceptionally persuasive" evidence that aducanumab is effective in documents released ahead of a meeting of outside experts who considered whether to recommend approval. (https://reut.rs/3ujL4Cj)

November, 2020: The panel of outside advisers to the FDA disagreed with the agency's staff and voted that aducanumab had not been proven to slow progression of the disease. (https://reut.rs/3rd58nN)

June, 2021: The U.S. health regulator approved aducanumab, branded as Aduhelm, saying that the reduction in amyloid plaque is likely to slow the rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. The agency turned to an accelerated pathway designed to bring promising drugs to market quickly to enable the move.

June, 2021: Biogen priced the drug at $56,000 per year for an average weight person.

June, 2021: FDA released documents that revealed disagreements within the agency over the decision to approve the drug. At least three members from a panel of outside advisers to the regulator resigned in protest.

July, 2021: FDA changed its initial broad decision on Aduhelm's use to restrict the drug to patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of Alzheimer's. The agency called for an independent federal probe into its interactions with Biogen.

July, 2021: Biogen recorded second-quarter sales of about $2 million from Aduhelm. The company said a "big chunk" of that revenue reflected inventory buildup and had not yet been administered to patients.

August-September, 2021: U.S. lawmakers launched an investigation on the accelerated approval of the drug and requested documents from the FDA related to the decision.

October, 2021: Aduhelm brought in much lower-than-expected sales of $300,000 in its first full quarter as doctors held back on using the drug.

December, 2021: The European Medicines Agency rejected Aduhelm, saying the link between the drug's reduction of amyloid beta and a clinical improvement in the disease had not been established.

December, 2021: The company cut the U.S. price of the drug by about half to $28,200.

January, 2022: U.S. Medicare announced plans to cover Aduhelm only for patients enrolled in a clinical trial, limiting access to the drug.

February, 2022: The Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission began investigating Biogen over the drug.

March, 2022: Tokyo-based partner Eisai cuts its role to a royalty agreement, giving up right to share profit from Aduhelm.

March, 2022: Biogen published data from its long-term studies in the lesser-known Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease.

April, 2022: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued its final coverage policy for Aduhelm.

April, 2022: Biogen said it will withdraw the marketing application for the drug in Europe after failing to convince the European regulator of the treatment's benefits.

May, 2022: Biogen said Chief Executive Officer Michel Vounatsos will step down after a successor is appointed and that it plans to "substantially" eliminate commercial infrastructure related to Aduhelm.

(Reporting by Bhanvi Satija and Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Bill Berkrot, Peter Henderson, Sriraj Kalluvila and Krishna Chandra Eluri)
(Reuters) -Elliott Management on Tuesday disclosed it held a stake of nearly $1 billion in Western Digital and pushed the company to conduct a strategic review and split off its flash-memory business.

New York-based Elliott, one of the world's most prominent activist investors, argued in a letter to the board that Western Digital's acquisition of SanDisk is not working well and the company would be better off separating the flash and hard drives business. It owns roughly 6% of the company.

Six years ago Western Digital paid $19 billion to buy SanDisk, boosting its ability to make flash memory storage chips used in smartphones and tablets. But operating two very different businesses as part of the same company has held it back, operationally, financially and strategically, Elliott wrote.

"When a strategy has so clearly failed to meet its objectives, we believe it is time to consider other alternatives," the letter said.

Western Digital makes hard drives, USB drives and memory cards. If it reverts to concentrate on its hard drives businesses, its stock price could surge to at least $100 a share by the end of next year, Elliott forecast. A "full separation of the Flash business can allow both HDD and Flash to be more successful and unlock significant value," the letter said.

San Jose, California-based Western Digital is valued at $16.8 billion and its shares rose nearly 12% to $60.12 in early trading. In the last 52 weeks, Western Digital's shares have fallen 23.7%, while the index is down 15%.

Western Digital said it would "carefully" consider Elliott's ideas and agrees that it is an "excellent, yet undervalued, company." The company also said it has "explored a range of options to unlock and deliver long-term value and we will continue our ongoing dialogue" with shareholders.

The HDD business can be valued at roughly $17 billion Elliott said, adding "the implications are extraordinary for investors."

Elliott also wrote that it offered over $1 billion of incremental equity capital into the Flash business at an enterprise value of $17 billion to $20 billion which could be used in a spinoff transaction or as equity financing in a sale or merger.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss in Boston, Akash Sriram and Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and David Gregorio)
FILE PHOTO: Tesla China-made Model 3 vehicles are seen during a delivery event at the carmaker's factory in Shanghai, China January 7, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Shanghai authorities helped Tesla transport over 6,000 workers and carry out necessary disinfection work to reopen its factory last month amid the city's lockdown, according to a letter that Tesla sent to local officials and seen by Reuters.

The letter, dated May 1 and addressed to local authorities in Shanghai's Lingang Special Area, outlined the lengths to which the city went to help Tesla, indicating the U.S. automaker's importance to Shanghai as the city tries to restart business while curbing the spread of COVID-19.

Tesla reopened its factory in Shanghai on April 19 after a 22-day stoppage, with state media widely covering the event.

In its letter, Tesla thanked Lingang officials for their support, and described how a company run by the Lingang Group had arranged buses to transport 6,000 workers of Tesla and its suppliers to the factory, and carried out disinfection work needed for the company to enter "closed loop" production.

"They fought for three consecutive days, working round the clock and non-stop to guarantee our company's workers could return to the factory," Tesla said in the letter.

The letter also outlined how Tesla planned to further expand its plant in Shanghai, confirming a Reuters report in February.

The company will build a new plant on nearby land in the same area, which is poised to add an annual capacity of 450,000 cars, including Model 3s and Model Ys, becoming "the world's largest vehicle export hub", the letter said.

The Shanghai plant delivered 484,100 vehicles throughout 2021, Tesla has said previously.

Tesla and the Shanghai government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Numerous factories were shut after Shanghai went into lockdown from March to combat the spread of COVID. While some have started reopening, getting workers back has proven difficult as some restrictions remain for others.

The 22-day shutdown of Tesla's Shanghai factory was its longest since it began production in late 2019, and caused an output loss of more than 50,000 vehicles, according to calculations based on Tesla's output plans seen by Reuters.

Tesla makes its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Shanghai, serving the Chinese market and acting as an export hub to Germany and Japan.

The strong show of support from Shanghai also comes after Tesla had a difficult period with authorities last year, when it came under scrutiny over data security and product quality issues.

(Reporting by Zhang Yan and Brenda Goh; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Vancouver, B.C., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- De Beers Group and Mountain Province Diamonds, Gahcho Kue Mine joint venture partners, are honoured to receive the 2022 TSM Community Engagement Excellence Award from the Mining Association of Canada (MAC). This is in recognition of the collaborative relationship between the mine and the Indigenous community members of Ni Hadi Xa (NHX).

Representatives from both companies and NHX were in Vancouver on May 2 to accept the award, as part of MACs Towards Sustainable Mining Program (TSM). TSM is a globally recognized sustainability program that supports mining companies in managing key environmental and social risks.

Moses Madondo, Managing Director of De Beers Group Managed Operations, said: We recognize our responsibility to treasure nature and work with our host community partners to preserve and protect the land, air, water and wildlife around Gahcho Kue. Since 2014, Gahcho Kue and Ni Hadi Xa have collaborated to deliver world-class environmental management programs at the mine.

Mark Wall, President and CEO, Mountain Province Diamonds, said: The open, transparent relationship between Gahcho Kue and local Indigenous communities is the foundation for how we work at the mine. We want to thank Ni Hadi Xa and its community members for their contributions.

Tom Unka, NHX Governance Committee Chair, said: Gahcho Kue presented an opportunity to build a new kind of relationship with the mining companies and a new way of working together. Ni Hadi Xa means people watching the land together in our local Chipewyan language and that is what we are doing at Gahcho Kue.

As part of the NHX Agreement, Gahcho Kue provides annual funding to the organization to enable it to review environmental monitoring and management plans and reports, participate in adaptive environmental management, and conduct independent environmental and traditional knowledge monitoring. NHXs indigenous signatory parties are Deninu Kue First Nation, North Slave Metis Alliance, Northwest Territory Metis Nation, Tcho Government, utsel K'e Dene First Nation, and Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

The organization also has an environmental monitor who works alongside Gahcho Kues environment team. In addition, the group manages a remote cabin north of the mine site where traditional knowledge monitors carry out on-the-land monitoring activities and host community members who use the cabin for an On-the-Land Travel Program.

Gahcho Kue Mine also achieved AAA standing in six key areas during the 2021 TSM Performance Report published by MAC. AAA is the highest standard in the TSM rating system.

Gahcho Kue Mine is a joint venture between De Beers Group (51% - the Operator) and Mountain Province Diamonds (49%). The mine is located 280 km northeast of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. The mine opened in 2016 and has a life of mine until 203

Attachment

Terry Kruger De Beers Canada 4038355875 [email protected]

Source: De Beers Group - Canada
California cannabis leader to welcome guests into the Lowell Lounge

SALINAS, Calif., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lowell Farms Inc. (CSE:LOWL; OTCQX: LOWLF), a California-born innovator in cannabis cultivation and maker of the legendary brand Lowell Smokes, will showcase its exciting new line of Lowell Farms-branded Zippo windproof lighters during this years Hall of Flowers tradeshow event being held on May 4 and 5.

Lowell Farms collaborated with Zippo Manufacturing Co. to create a line of bespoke windproof lighter designs especially for Lowell Farms customers. These exciting new designs pair especially well with Zippos new lighter insert accessory, the Yellow Flame Butane Lighter Insert, which fits into most Zippo windproof lighter cases and provides a soft-flame, cleaner-burning experience. Lowell Farms is proud to offer a robust range of Zippo lighters, accessories, and fuel, and will feature Zippo products prominently in this years event space as part of this new collaboration.

Cannabis enthusiasts will also be invited to experience the Lowell Farms lifestyle at The High on Life event following the tradeshow on May 4 at the outdoor Lowell Lounge terrace overlooking The Saguaro Palm Springs courtyard. The lounge will feature a flower bar stocked with Lowells premier products, complimentary Zippo windproof lighters, exclusive giveaways, as well as a photo booth and seating area for conversation and consumption.

We look forward to every opportunity to connect with our industry peers, but the products and collaborations were featuring around this years Hall of Flowers will be something truly special, says Lowell Farms Chairman of the Board George Allen.

Hall of Flowers is the premier, industry-only B2B tradeshow, facilitating commerce between a growing network of premium licensed cannabis brands and retailers. On the show floor, Lowell Farms and other participating brands are able to showcase products across multiple categories, including flower, concentrates, edibles, topicals, accessories, and technology.

Lowell Farms previously made a splash at the 2021 Hall of Flowers event in Santa Rosa, where it debuted a limited edition, all-natural Hash Wrap pre-roll smoke product. The single gram Hash Wrap proved to be so popular among consumers and industry insiders that Lowell Farms recently announced it would become a permanent fixture in the companys portfolio. The Hash Wrap pre-roll is now available at licensed retailers throughout California.

Lowell Farms return to Hall of Flowers comes on the heels of the companys groundbreaking relationship with Zippo. The two recently expanded the presence and product selection of both brands in Californias licensed cannabis dispensaries; with Lowell Farms serving as the preferred distributor of Zippo products at California dispensaries.

More information about Lowell Farms Inc. brands can be found at lowellfarms.com.

ABOUT LOWELL FARMS INC.Lowell Farms Inc. (CSE:LOWL; OTCQX: LOWLF) (the Company) is a California-based cannabis company with advanced production capabilities supporting every step of the supply chain, including cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, brand sales, marketing, and distribution. Lowell Farms grows artisan craft cannabis with a deep love and respect for the plant, and prides itself on using sustainable materials  from seed to sale  to produce an extensive portfolio of award-winning originals, including Lowell Herb Co, House Weed, MOON, and Kaizen, for licensed retailers statewide.

Lowell Farms Inc. Media Contact[email protected]

Lowell Farms Inc. Investor Relations ContactBill Mitoulas416.479.9547[email protected]

Lowell Farms Inc. Company ContactMark Ainsworth[email protected]

Forward-Looking Information and StatementsThis news release contains certain "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. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Companys beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Companys control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements 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 may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives, including as a result of the described acquisition, and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information and statements. This forward-looking information and statements reflect the Companys current beliefs and are based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions the Company believes are reasonable.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; operating and development costs; competition; changes in legislation or regulations affecting the Company; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; the available funds of the Company and the anticipated use of such funds; favorable production levels and outputs; the stability of pricing of cannabis products; the level of demand for cannabis product; the availability of third-party service providers and other inputs for the Companys operations; lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals; and risks and delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. A description of additional assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Companys disclosure documents, such as the Companys annual information form filed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. However, the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider has reviewed, or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of, the content of this news release.

Source: Lowell Farms Inc.
TORONTO, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O2Gold Inc. (TSX-V: OTGO) (O2Gold or the Company) is pleased to announce that Peter Michel has been appointed as the chief financial officer of O2Gold, effective immediately.

Peter Michel is a CPA, CA and obtained a Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management from the University of Waterloo. Mr. Michel formerly served in leadership roles in both public and private companies with most recent focus in healthcare. Additionally, he worked as a Senior Manager at BDO Canada LLP where he worked in its audit and assurance practice. He has expertise in strategic planning, financial reporting, budgeting, acquisitions, cash management and audit.

The appointment of Mr. Michel follows Ryan Ptolemys resignation. The board and management of the Company express their gratitude to Mr. Ptolemy for his efforts and wish him well in his future endeavours.

About O2Gold

O2Gold is a mineral exploration company with activities in Colombia. The Companys contiguous 30,000-ha land package includes several brownfields and largely under-explored greenfields.

For additional information, please contact:

Jaime Lalinde, President and CEOPhone: (57) 312 350 5864Email: [email protected]

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Source: O2Gold Inc.
May 3, 2022

Suite of solutions across the stroke care pathway are aimed at improving diagnostic confidence and time to treatment, helping reduce the risk of a second stroke

New results on health economic benefits of the Direct to Angio Suite approach presented at ESOC

Amsterdam, the Netherlands  Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, will showcase its latest advances in its integrated suite of solutions for the treatment of stroke patients at the 2022 European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC 2022, May 4-6, Lyon, France). With its suite of solutions, Philips is connecting information, technologies and people across the stroke care pathway, enabling care teams to work quickly and act decisively - a key factor in providing the best patient treatment.

Every second counts for someone suffering a stroke, so optimizing the workflow across the entire care pathway offers the best chance of improving outcomes, said Bert van Meurs, Chief Business Leader for Image Guided Therapy at Philips. With our integrated suites, and by using validated AI and cloud technologies, we can facilitate collaborative care to optimize the stroke care pathway from diagnosis to treatment.

Stroke remains the leading cause of disability Globally, one in four adults over the age of 25 will suffer a stroke in their lifetime [1]. Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide [2]. 40% of stroke victims experience moderate to severe impairments , with another 25% continuing to suffer minor impairments [3].

The key to improving outcomes for stroke patients is to provide treatment as quickly as possible. Physicians in an emergency stroke setting are fighting the clock and are under intense pressure to make optimal treatment decisions. Despite the imperative for speed, care teams currently lose valuable time due to gaps in communication, information and access to stroke expertise.

Solutions across the stroke care pathwayPhilips comprehensive stroke suite includes solutions for stroke monitoring and communication in ambulances, tele-stroke patient assessment, diagnostic imaging and analysis, image-guided therapy, neurological monitoring and assessment, and more. These solutions are aimed at improving diagnostic confidence, improving time to treatment, and helping reduce the risk of a second stroke.

In the case of ischemic stroke, CT angiography (CTA) is used for vessel analysis and CT perfusion (CTP) for the assessment of ischemic tissue in terms of that which is salvageable (penumbra) and unsalvageable (infarct core). Spectral CT 7500 can improve diagnostic capabilities for radiologists. It offers enhanced gray and white matter differentiation [4], improved image quality for detection of subtle hemorrhage [5] and may help in detection of ischemic stroke through enhanced visualization of vascular anatomy.

Philips Neuro suite is based on the companys Image Guided Therapy System  Azurion. It is delivering the latest advancements in interventional neuroradiology, such as the companys industry-leading CT-like SmartCT which provides a 3D visualization and measurement tool to assist interventional neuroradiologists with diagnosis and treatment, enabling them to get stroke patients into treatment quickly.Philips is also integrating cloud-based, end-to-end artificial intelligence-based [6] stroke triage and management through StrokeViewer  for which it collaborates with Nico.lab  aiming to improve patient outcomes by optimizing the stroke workflow.

WE-TRUST global multicenter stroke study To help accelerate stroke diagnosis and treatment, Philips is sponsoring the WE-TRUST trial (Workflow optimization to rEduce Time to endovascular Reperfusion for Ultra-fast Stroke Treatment). In this trial, a new angio suite imaging protocol, called the Direct to Angio Suite approach, is implemented to allow for stroke diagnosis and treatment to occur in the same place. The study will compare this approach with the conventional workflow of diagnosing patients for treatment in the CT or MRI suite and then treating them in a separate angio suite.

A direct transfer to angiosuite protocol not only minimizes workflow times and reduces the long term disability in our patients, but also substantially reduces the associated costs, said Dr. Marc Ribo, WE-TRUST Co-Principal Investigator, Interventional Neurologist at the Vall dHebron University Hospital and Researcher at the Stroke Research Group at the Vall dHebron Research Institute. The model which we created based on our single center randomized clinical study data from the ANGIOCAT study and the cost related data per mRS shows a fast return of investment on a dedicated angiosuite treating patients in a Direct-To-AngioSuite workflow.

Dr. Marc Ribo will present the results of the health economics of the Direct to Angio Suite approach during the symposium on Wednesday, May 4 which begins at 13:15 in Salon Pasteur at ESOC. You can find more information on his presentation here.

Post-stroke remote telemetryHeart rhythm irregularities can lead to blood clots and increase the risk of stroke. It can increase the risk of stroke by more than five times [7], but it often goes undetected since it can be asymptomatic and may occur infrequently. Therefore, it is important to record the details of the irregularities especially in the days and weeks after therapy.

Philips ePatch offers a small unobtrusive sensor and patch adhered to the patients sternum for up to 14 days of continuous, high-quality ECG recording for reliable diagnosis [8]. Philips also provides an end-to-end service to support practices to deploy ePatch, enabling efficient workflows, enhancing the patient experience and providing robust data analysis using the companys cloud-based AI-enabled Cardiologs software.

New research evaluating mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry (MCOT) as a first-line diagnostic home monitoring solution with post-cryptogenic stroke patients determined that a 30-day continuous monitoring program using Philips BioTel Heart MCOT patch [9], followed by an implantable loop recorder (ILR), reduced the total cost per patient with detected AF by approximately $198,909 [10] compared to monitoring with ILR only. The model also demonstrated improving AF detection rates while reducing the risk of secondary stroke. This research strengthens recommendations for prolonged ECG monitoring for this patient population.

[1] World Stroke Organization[2] Global Burden of Stroke, PubMed.[3] U.S. National Stroke Association[4] Neuhaus V, et al. Improvement of image quality in unenhanced dual-layer CT of the head using virtual monoenergetic images compared with polyenergetic single-energy CT. Invest Radiol. 2017;52(8):1. DOI: 10.1097/RLI.0000000000000367.[5] Gulko E, et al. Differentiation of hemorrhage from contrast enhancement using dual-layer spectral CT in patients transferred for acute stroke. Clin Imaging. 2021;69:7578. DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2020.06.046. [6] We embrace the following formal definition of AI (source: HLEG definition AI)[7] Virani SS, Alonso A, Aparicio HJ, et al. American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics-2021 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33501848/[8] Patient will need to replace patch on day 5 of wear, or sooner as required[9] Philips BioTel Heart MCOT patch is only for sale in the U.S.[10] Difference in cost per patient with detected AF monitored with ILR ($228,507) minus cost per patient with detected AF patients using the MCOT patch ($29,598). Medic G, Kotsopoulos N, Connolly MP, Lavelle J, Norlock V, Wadhwa M, Mohr BA, Derkac WM. Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry Patch vs Implantable Loop Recorder in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients in the US - Cost-Minimization Model. Med Devices (Auckl). 2021 Dec 18;14:445-458. doi: 10.2147/MDER.S337142. PMID: 34955658; PMCID: PMC8694406.

For further information, please contact:

Joost MalthaPhilips Global Press OfficeTel: +31 610 558 116Email: [email protected]

Fabienne van der FeerPhilips Image Guided TherapyTel: +31 622 698 001Email: [email protected]

About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum  from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2021 sales of EUR 17.2 billion and employs approximately 79,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Attachments

Source: Royal Philips
LAVAL, Quebec, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Savaria Corporation (Savaria) (TSX: SIS) a global leader in the accessibility industry, announced today an update relative to its shareholders annual general meeting scheduled for May 12, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. (EDT). The location of Savarias 2022 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (including any adjournments or postponements, the Meeting) has been changed to a virtual format only due to the health and safety risks associated with the evolution of COVID-19 in the Province of Quebec.

Participants who wish to attend the Meeting will be able to join the webcast at https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1547543&tp_key=a82aecf732 or by phone in listen-only mode at 416-764-8651 or 514-225-7344 (conference number 44664939). All the details to access the Meeting are also available on our website.

Shareholders will be able to submit questions to management of the Corporation through the webcast at the conclusion of the Meeting. In order to exercise such right, Shareholders will need to register one hour before the start of the Meeting by using the control number they have on their proxy voting card.

Whether or not a shareholder plans to attend the Meeting, Savaria urges all shareholders to vote and submit their proxy in advance of the Meeting by one of the methods described in the proxy materials provided to shareholders for the Meeting. The proxy card included with the proxy materials will not be updated to reflect the change in location and may continue to be used to vote shareholder shares in connection with the Meeting.

A notice regarding this change to a virtual meeting format is being filed as additional proxy materials with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

Savaria Corporation would like to thank its shareholders and other stakeholders for their understanding.

About Savaria Corporation

Savaria Corporation (savaria.com) is a global leader in the accessibility industry. It provides accessibility solutions for the physically challenged to increase their comfort, their mobility and their independence. Its product line is one of the most comprehensive on the market. Savaria designs, manufactures, distributes and installs accessibility equipment, such as stairlifts for straight and curved stairs, vertical and inclined wheelchair lifts and elevators for home and commercial use. It also manufactures and markets a comprehensive selection of pressure management products for the medical market, medical beds for the long-term care market, as well as an extensive line of medical equipment and solutions for the safe handling of patients, including ceiling lifts and slings. In addition, Savaria converts and adapts vehicles for personal and commercial uses. The Corporation operates a sales network of dealers worldwide and direct sales offices in North America, Europe (UK, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Poland and Czech Republic), Australia and China. Savaria employs approximately 2,250 people globally and its plants are located across Canada, the United States, Europe and China.

For further information: Marcel BourassaChairman, President and Chief Executive Officer1.800.661.5112 [email protected] Stephen Reitknecht, CPA, CAChief Financial Officer1.800.661.5112, ext. 3370 [email protected]

www.savaria.cofacebook.com/savariabettermobilitytwitter.com/Mobilityforlife

Source: Savaria Corporation
Onondaga Community College will have a new leader.

The State University of New York Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved Dr. Warren Hilton to succeed Dr. Casey Crabill as OCC president. Crabill, who announced her retirement at the beginning of the academic year, has served as the college's president since 2013.

Hilton, who will be the school's ninth president and its first Black leader, will take office on July 1. He will visit OCC for a welcome ceremony on May 10.

"Everyone with whom I have met has demonstrated that OCC is a student-centered institution and poised to have an even greater impact upon current and future students and economic growth in the region," Hilton said in a statement. "I look forward to collaboratively planning for and working toward OCC's bright future."

Hilton most recently served as vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. His prior experience includes administrative positions at several colleges and universities, including Drexel University in Philadelphia, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore and the University of Maryland-College Park.

He earned his doctorate at Drexel and holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

John Sindoni, chair of the OCC Board of Trustees, praised Crabill for her work as president. He said those efforts and the support of state and local officials have helped OCC develop "an amazing reputation nationally." After the search commenced for Crabill's successor, Sindoni said there were "exceptional administrators" who sought the position.

"We look forward to working with Dr. Hilton to serve students as central New York's partner in education for success," he added.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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VANCOUVER, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wellbeing Digital Sciences Inc. (Wellbeing or the Company) (NEO: MEDI) (OTC: KONEF) (FRA: SQ2), an evidence-based mental healthcare company focused on the development and implementation of innovative clinical solutions, such as psychedelic medicine and digital therapeutics supported by clinical research, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michael Ho as the new Medical Director of the MindScape Ketamine & Infusion Therapy Clinic (MindScape or the Clinic) in Houston, Texas, effective May 2, 2022. MindScapes former medical director, Dr. Quang Henderson, is retiring after his tenure since founding the Clinic in 2018.

Dr. Michael Ho serves as the director of Safe Sleep Anesthesia in Houston, Texas. He is also the course director of Anesthesiology Consultants in Houston, Texas, with an accumulation of over 20,000 hours of anesthesia instruction to his credit. Dr. Ho was Staff Physician at the University of Texas in the Department of Anesthesiology at Memorial-Hermann Hospital for 10 years and has over 20 years of teaching and working as an anesthesiologist. He has received many awards for excellence in teaching at the Baylor College of Medicine and The University of Texas Medical Branch. Dr. Ho graduated from Cornell University with B.A. in Biochemistry and went on to attain an M.D. at Washington University School of Medicine, with his postgraduate training in pediatrics and anesthesiology. Adding to his impressive resume of education, teaching, and medical practice of anesthesiology, Dr. Ho also has amassed 15 publications, 7 onsite courses and 17 webinars.

Since MindScape was purchased by Wellbeing on April 21, 2021, the Clinic has administered over 600 low-dose ketamine infusions to patients, which the Company views as a significant milestone. Wellbeing is in the process of evaluating the addition of complementary mental health services being provided to patients at the Clinic. The Company has also recently implemented a new marketing strategy and intends to grow the local patient base by establishing connections with mental health practitioners in the area that have recognized the potential of the off-label use of ketamine in the treatment of mood disorders. Ketamine appears to have anti-depressant and anti-suicidal effects and, according to recent studies, the possibility of ketamine treating mood disorders like bipolar is thought to be quite promising.1

Management Commentary

We are excited to welcome Dr. Ho to the Mindscape facility and to Wellbeing overall, especially based on his impressive set of qualifications. I would like to thank Dr. Henderson for establishing Mindscape and for his service to the Company over the past year. I wish him well in his retirement and that he enjoys the next chapter of his life knowing that the Clinic is in Dr. Hos good hands, said Najla Guthrie, Chief Executive Officer of Wellbeing.

ABOUT MINDSCAPE

Mindscape Ketamine & Infusions Therapy, PLLC is a clinic in Houston, Texas, offering affordable delivery of concierge IV ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant mood disorders, mental health disorders, and chronic pain conditions. Operated by Dr. Quang Henderson, a licensed Board-Certified Emergency Physician with over 20 years of experience with ketamine, Mindscape assists people dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and other mood disorders using the medical procedure of IV ketamine treatments in low dose, high dose, or private sessions. Mindscape Ketamine & Infusion Therapy, PLLC is the only IV ketamine clinic in Houston to offer virtual reality-based guided meditation to complement IV ketamine infusions in the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and other mood disorders. For more information on MindScape and its service offerings, please visit: https://www.mindscapeketamine.com

ABOUT WELLBEING DIGITAL SCIENCES

Wellbeing Digital Sciences Inc. is an evidence-based mental healthcare company focused on the development and implementation of innovative clinical solutions, including psychedelic medicine and digital therapeutics, as supported by clinical research. Its mission is supported by a network of North American clinics that provide forward-thinking therapies and other types of treatment to patients as well as through a contract research organization that offers clinical trials services to clients pursuing drug development. In essence, the Company exists to make breakthrough treatments more accessible and to offer patients transformational experiences.

On behalf of:

WELLBEING DIGITAL SCIENCES INC.

"Najla GuthrieNajla Guthrie, CEO

For further information, please contact:

Nick Kuzyk, Investor RelationsTel: 1-844-746-6351Email: [email protected] Web: www.wellbeingdigital.coTwitter: @Wellbeing_IR

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains forward-looking statements including but not limited to statements regarding the Companys business, assets or investments, as well other statements that are not historical facts. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, investor interest in the business and prospects of the Company.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made, by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

ENDNOTES

Ketamine in Bipolar Disorder: A Review, Alina Wilkowska et al, National Library of Medicine: National Center for Biotechnology Information, November 12, 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7670087/

Source: Wellbeing Digital Sciences Inc.
FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk's Twitter profile is seen on a smartphone placed on printed Twitter logos in this picture illustration taken April 28, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

(Reuters) -Elon Musk plans to take Twitter Inc public again in as little as three years of buying the social media company, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Musk has told potential investors he plans to stage an initial public offering to return Twitter to public markets, the report said https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-plans-to-take-twitter-public-again-later-sources-say-11651609707?mod=latest_headlines.

Twitter did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while Musk could not be reached for comment.

Reuters reported earlier this week that Musk is in talks with large investment firms and high net-worth individuals about taking on more financing for his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter and tying up less of his wealth in the deal.

(Reporting by Ankur Banerjee and Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Aditya Soni)
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: [email protected]

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
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) ("Forum" or "Company") is pleased to announce that an extensive resistivity survey has commenced on the Fir Island Uranium project under option to Orano Canada Inc. Orano is funding this $495,000 survey as part of its option to earn up to 70% of the Fir Island project by spending up to $6 million. Orano has funded two drill programs with Forum as Operator and upon completion of this program, Orano will have spent $3 million on the project to earn a 51% interest.

Drilling by Forum in 2020 and 2021 identified the 'Cathy Fault' that exhibits strong alteration, elevated geochemical indicators, and an abundance of dravite; a boron-rich clay that is present around most uranium deposits on the eastern side of the Athabasca Basin. A resistivity survey was completed on the project in 2019 and has proven to be an excellent tool for defining areas of alteration in the sandstone and basement lithologies. Resistivity lows typically indicate alteration and has worked well on the Fir Island project locating the strong alteration associated with the Cathy Fault. The current survey follows the northern strike extension of the Cathy Fault, locally defined by an EM conductor and a series of gravity lows (Figure 1). The gravity lows and conductor continue to the mainland where they intersect the major Black Lake Fault and a series of related large gravity lows. This survey should define a number of excellent drill targets for future programs.

Ken Wheatley, VP Exploration, stated, "The results from this survey should give Forum and Orano excellent drill targets in an area of the project with the most potential for a uranium deposit. These targets will be located right on the edge of the Athabasca sandstone basin, with sandstone cover ranging from 100m to 0m. The intersection of the Cathy Fault and the Black Lake Fault should provide some interesting drill targets, especially as the Black Lake Fault hosts the mined out Nisto showing, a small uranium deposit that was mined in 1959 and taken to Uranium City for processing."

Approximately 25 lines, spaced 200m apart, will be completed for the survey by Patterson Geophysics of La Ronge, SK. The program should take 4 to 6 weeks to complete.

Ken Wheatley, P.Geo., Forum's VP, Exploration and Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

About Forum Energy Metals

Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) is a diversified energy metal company with uranium, copper, nickel, and cobalt projects in Saskatchewan, Canada's Number One Rated mining province for exploration and development, a strategic uranium land position in Nunavut and a strategic cobalt land position in the Idaho Cobalt Belt. For further information: www.forumenergymetals.com





Figure 1: Resistivity Survey Outline.The 2022 resistivity survey is shown in yellow shading, extending the historic survey to the north. The blue area on the historic survey is the strong zone of alteration detected by the historic surveys.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/122459_89829b4f44cd794e_003full.jpg

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Richard J. Mazur, P.Geo.

President & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information contact:

Rick Mazur, P.Geo., President & CEO

[email protected]

Tel: 604-630-1585

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122459
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2022) - Northstar Gold Corp. (CSE: NSG) (OTCQB: NSGCF) ("Northstar" or the "Company"), announces the Company has signed an Option Agreement (or "the Agreement") to acquire 100% interest in the 161 hectare Britcanna Property Mining Lease (or "the Property") situated 47 km south of Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

"The Britcanna Mining Lease Option Agreement provides for the strategic acquisition of a number of porphyry-hosted, historic high-grade gold zones and occurrences that compliment Northstar's Bryce Gold Property," states Brian Fowler, P.Geo., President, CEO and Director of Northstar. "This Agreement further consolidates Northstar's ownership of the Britcanna Porphyry, which is highly prospective for high-grade and low-grade bulk tonnage gold mineralization. Northstar is formulating plans to advance the Britcanna and Bryce Gold Properties by way of surface mapping, trenching, sampling and diamond drilling."

Britcanna Property

The historic Britcanna Property is encompassed by Northstar's Bryce Gold Property and is host to lode gold, volcanogenic polymetallic sulphides and porphyry-related Au-Cu stockwork-type mineralization within the Britcanna Porphyry intrusive stock (Figure 1). The Britcanna Porphyry is cut by several late-stage lamprophyric alkaline dikes which are typically associated with deep seated crustal scale regional structures such as the PVE break that transects the northern portion of Northstar's Bryce Gold Property and hosts numerous gold showings. Approximately 4,400 metres of shallow drilling in 69 historic drill holes was completed on the Property by several operators between 1936 and 1998.

Multiple gold zones have been explored on the Property as early as 1937, with historic high grade drill intercepts in the No.1 Zone of 170 g/t Au over 1.1 metres and 45.9 g/t Au over 1.5 metres in Britcana Gold Mines Hole No.3 and 30.2 g/t Au over 1.5 metres and 38.7 g/t Au over 1.5 metres in Britcanna Gold Mines Hole No.5.** The No.1 Zone is a porphyry-hosted silicified shear zone containing pyrite and chalcopyrite mineralization over a strike length of 50 to 75 metres and a vertical depth of 40 metres. Remnants of a nearby two-compartment shaft sunk to explore the No. 1 Zone underground are still evident (Figure 2).

The No.2 Zone, located 900 metres southwest of the No.1 Zone is comprised of heavy disseminated sulphides (including chalcopyrite) within a 2 metre-wide shear zone along a contact between mafic volcanic flows and intermediate tuff. Historic drilling intercepts in No.2 Zone include 10.4 g/t Au over 1.5 metres and 15.1 g/t Au over 0.6 metres at a vertical depth of 90 metres,** with the Zone apparently expanding at depth. A 20 tonne bulk sample collected in 1937 by Britcanna Gold Mines from a surface trench on the No.2 Zone and shipped to Noranda reportedly graded 41 g/t Au* (Figure 2). More recent sampling of massive pyrite collected by Norite Exploration from a surface trench on the No.2 Zone assayed 40.7 g/t Au over 0.3 metres with a grab sample by E.E. Campbell from the same trench grading 123g/t Au.***

Drilling on the No.5 Zone, located 250 metres southeast of the No.1 Zone by Novawest Resources in 1998 produced broad low-grade gold intercepts in a porphyry hosted quartz stockwork that includes 1.85 g/t Au over 5.83 metres from 43.22 metres to 49.05 metres, including 7.04 g/t Au over 1.03 metres in hole GV98-03.****

Sampling by Gold Fields Canadian Mining in 1990 on the nearby No.6 Zone yielded a sample assaying 98.4 g/t Au over 0.15 metres. Follow up Novawest drill hole GV98-04 reportedly intersected 3.54 g/t Au over 1.1 metres from 36.57 metres to 37.67 metres with reported visible gold.**** Novawest drill hole GV-98-07, drilled northward towards the No.6 Zone intersected a previously unidentified, thick cherty exhalite with the presence of banded/bedded sulphides (pyrite-pyrrhotite-sphalerite and minor chalcopyrite) within the hanging wall volcanics south of the No.6 Zone.****

* Johns, G.W. 1986: Geology of the Hill Lake Area, District of Timiskaming; Ontario Geological Survey Report 250, 100p.

** Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines Assessment Report #CO-0193: "Britcanna Gold Mines - International Bulletin, February 1, 1937" by J.C Houston M.E., Consulting Mining Engineer. Resident Geologist's Files, Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, Kirkland Lake, Ontario

*** Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Mines Assessment Report #CO-0195: Report on Norite Explorations Limited Bryce Township District of Temiskaming, Ontario, June 3, 1965, by L.J. Cunningham, BSc. P.Eng, Mining Engineer

****Novawest Resources Press Release dated June 26, 1998.





Figure 1. Bryce Gold Property Compilation Map with Britcanna Property

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6839/122466_6d85a4b5b4153b2d_002full.jpg





Figure 2. Britcanna Property Compilation Map

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6839/122466_6d85a4b5b4153b2d_003full.jpg

Britcanna Property Agreement Terms

To earn a 100% interest in the Britcanna Property, Northstar has agreed to the following option terms (All dollar amounts in CAD unless specified otherwise):

Cash payment of $18,000 and issuance of $15,000 in Northstar common shares upon signing.

On the first anniversary date of the Agreement, issue $20,000 of Common Shares of Northstar to the Vendors and pay to the Vendors $20,000;

On the second anniversary date of the Agreement, issue $35,000 of Common Shares to the Vendors and pay to the Vendors $22,000; and

On the third anniversary date of the Agreement, issue $30,000 of Common Shares to the Vendors and pay to the Vendors $25,000 for a 100% interest in the Property.

Northstar shall pay to the Vendors an annual advance minimum royalty ("AMR") payment of $5,000 per year for a period of 10 years once 100% of the Option has been exercised. The Parties acknowledge that any AMR payments shall be credited in favour of Northstar against any future Royalty payments to the Vendors.

The Vendors retain a 2.0% Net Smelter Return (NSR). Northstar has the right to purchase 1% of the NSR for $1.0 million and retains a standard right of first refusal on any proposed sale or transfer by Vendors of the remaining 1% of the NSR.

Bryce 43-101 Technical Report

The Company has recently completed an Independent NI43-101 Technical Report for its Bryce Gold Property ("Property") located 47 kilometres south of Kirkland Lake in Northeastern Ontario. Northstar commissioned Ronacher McKenzie Geoscience ("Ronacher McKenzie") to complete the report for the purpose of review and voluntary disclosure of relevant information about the Property following a recent airborne LiDAR survey and Fall 2021 surface exploration program covering the Bryce Gold Property (Northstar Gold Corp.- News Release dated April 26, 2022).

Bryce Gold Property Highlights

100% owned, 4,650-hectare property situated on the western extension of the Ridout Break, 65 km east of the Juby Gold Project and 35 kilometres south of Northstar's flagship Miller Gold Property.

Property hosts a variety of deposit types including porphyry related Au-Cu (Sunday Creek Porphyry) , Au-rich Cu-Pb-Zn volcanogenic massive sulphides (Pike Lake Zone) and lode gold systems within an Abitibi multi-stage Archean porphyry / volcanic centre environment.

22,382 metres drilled by Northstar in 68 diamond drill holes from 5 phases of drilling between 2009 and 2013, covering only a small fraction of the total Property area.

300 metre x 1500 metre Au-Cu Sunday Creek Porphyry (Figure 1) discovery hosts a large scale stockwork-type Au-Cu porphyry system with widespread stringers and veins of high-grade gold mineralization open in all directions and expanding towards surface. Drill holes BG10-41 and BG12-65 returned 3.95 g/t Au over 5.5m, including 12.91 g/t Au over 1.5m and 0.86 g/t Au over 80 metres (including 2.09 g/t Au over 25.5 metres), respectively and drill hole BG13-68 averaged 1.08 g/t Au over 56 metres (including 25.13 g/t Au over 2.0 metres) .

The nearby Pike Lake Zone (Figure 1) hosts a series of stacked lenses of gold-bearing semi-massive pyrite and sphalerite along a volcanogenic sedimentary exhalite horizon. Drill hole intercepts include 2.36 g/t Au, 3.37 g/t Ag and 1.87% Zn over 15.9 metres, including 7.89 g/t Au, 11.18 g/t Ag and 3.77% Zn over 2.4 metres (DDH BG11-47).

Regional fault structures such as the Palmer-Vaughn-Estival "PVE" break hosting anomalous gold have been identified on surface, which could represent the eastern extension of the Ridout deformation zone.

Several large IP targets and conductors remain untested.

Potential for substantial near surface bulk tonnage gold resources around felsic intrusive centers.

Several major, northeast-trending structures were interpreted from a 2021 LiDAR survey and magnetic survey in the northern and western part of the Property. Follow-up prospecting, sampling and mapping along the major northeast-trending fault ("PVE Fault") and splays is warranted.

A $528,500 exploration program including geological modeling, incorporating property-wide historic and Northstar geological data, and diamond drilling on the Sunday Creek and Pike Lake areas to further assess gold-bearing zones is recommended by Technical Report QP Trevor Boyd, PhD., P.Geo.

Northstar is considering opportunities to advance the Bryce Gold Property by way of earn-in agreement or spin-out transaction.

The Bryce Gold Property NI 43-101 Technical Report can be viewed on Northstar's website and SEDAR.

Qualified Person

Trevor Boyd, PhD, P.Geo., a 'Qualified Person' (Q.P.) as defined under Canadian National Instrument NI 43-101, has reviewed technical aspects of this news release.

About Northstar Gold Corp

Northstar's primary exploration focus is the advancement of the Company's flagship, 100%-owned Miller Gold Property, situated 18 km southeast of Kirkland Lake and Agnico Eagle Mine's Macassa SMC gold mine. The Company's strategy is to develop a material (+1 million ounce) mineral resource base to support a stand-alone mining operation at the Miller Gold Property.

The Miller Gold Property shares several important geological similarities with Kirkland Lake District gold deposits, including a similar style and age of gold-telluride mineralization, similar aged rocks and interconnected First Order controlling structures (Catharine Fault at Miller) off the Kirkland / Cadillac Larder Breaks. The premise is that gold-telluride mineralization at the Miller Gold Property is tapping the same magmatic gold source as the Kirkland gold deposits, which have produced over 25 million ounces of gold from 7 mines over the past 100 years.

Since going public by IPO in late 2020, Northstar has spent >$4 million in exploration at Miller, resulting in the discovery of a series of broad, shallow dipping sheeted quartz-gold-telluride vein structures in the Allied Syenite (Allied Syenite Gold Zone) and Planet Syenites and numerous +100 gram/metre drill hole intercepts.

During the period of August 7th - November 4th, 2021, Northstar completed an enhanced surface stripping, mapping and sampling program targeting near-surface gold mineralization over the Allied Syenite, No. 1 Vein and other areas on the Miller and recently acquired adjoining Searles Patent. In November, 2021 the Company announced the completion of a 14-hole, 2,495 metre Phase IIB diamond drill program at Miller targeting expansions of the Allied Gold Zone, twinning a number of historic No. 1 Vein drill holes on the Searles Patent and drill testing the newly discovered Area E mineralized zone 450 metres west of the Allied Syenite.

Recent 2021 drilling has more than doubled the surface expression (>350m X 200m) of the Allied Syenite Gold Zone, which remains open along strike and at depth. As a precursor to a Mineral Resource Estimate and for reporting purposes, the Company has commenced work to formally document the Allied Syenite Gold Zone as an Exploration Target in Q2 2022. This will provide the Company and investors a conceptual tonnage and gold grade range at the Allied Syenite Gold Zone and provide basis for continued expansion drilling and mineral resource development.

Northstar has 3 additional 100%-owned exploration projects in northern Ontario, including the recently acquired 1,200 ha Rosegrove Property situated 0.5 km from the Miller Gold Property, the 4,650 ha Bryce Gold Property, an intrusive-gold / PME VMS project located along the projected east extension of the Ridout Break, and the recently expanded Temagami-Milestone Cu-Ni-Co Property located in Strathcona Township. Northstar recently filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Bryce Gold Property and is advancing all 3 properties to enhance geological understanding and optimize monetization opportunities.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Mr. Brian P. Fowler, P.Geo.

President, CEO and Director

(604) 617-8191

[email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, delays, and uncertainties not under the control of Northstar Gold Corp. which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Northstar Gold Corp to be materially different from the results, performance or expectation implied by these forward looking statements. By their nature, forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on factors that will or may occur in the future. Actual results may vary depending upon exploration activities, industry production, commodity demand and pricing, currency exchange rates, and, but not limited to, general economic factors.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122466
Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2022) - Tower One Wireless (OTCQB: TOWTF) today announced that Alejandro Ochoa, CEO will be attending The Q2 Investor Summit Group -In-Person. Tower One Wireless Corp is a public company founded in 2015 with the mission to build, own, develop, and operate high quality build-to-suit multitenant communications infrastructure across South American markets in Colombia, Mexico, and Ecuador facilitating mobile communication coverage for nearly 198 million people across Latin America.

The company is focused on the Build-to-Suit (BTS) strategy for Mobile Network Operators (MNO) whereby a long-term non-negotiable lease is secured with a tenant prior to building a tower. Our primary focus is building towers for municipalities with limited or no cellular coverage using an elite cellular team that has built a combined total of over 2,000 towers. Tower One Wireless Corp also provides tower-related services, including site acquisition, zoning, and permitting, structural analysis, and construction.

Event: The Q2 Investor Summit Group

Date: May 3-4, 2022

Location: The Westin New York Grand Central

212 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

Presentation: May 3, 9:30 AM EST

View webcast presentation: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tju_I4GDSE2tqG0YOeI-rQ

1x1s will be available for qualified investors

The conference is completely complementary to qualified investors.

Please register at Complimentary Investor Registration

Company Description

Tower One Wireless Corp. owns, develops, and operates build-to-suit multi-tenant communications structures in Canada, Colombia, Mexico, the United States, and

Ecuador. Tower One Wireless focuses primarily on the construction of towers in municipalities where cellular coverage is limited or non-existent and engages in the

leasing of space on communications sites to mobile network operators. The company also provides tower-related services, including site acquisition, zoning, and permitting, structural analysis, and construction. Tower One Wireless Corp. was founded in 2015 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

About The Investor Summit Group

The Investor Summit Group (formerly MicroCap Conference) is an exclusive, independent conference dedicated to connecting smallcap and microcap companies with qualified investors. The Q2 Investor Summit Group will take place in-person, featuring 65+ companies and over 300 investors comprising institutional investors, family offices, and high net worth investors. Sectors Participating: Biotech, Communication Services, Consumer, Energy, Energy/Tech, Financial, Healthcare, Industrials, Materials, Real Estate, Technology, and Tech/Crypt.

Contact: [email protected]

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which include regulatory approvals and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the Company's expectation of obtaining the acceptance of new towers by the Company's customers. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific that contributes to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections, and other forward-looking statements will not occur. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a few factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements express or implied by such statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, present and future business strategies, the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, and regulatory uncertainties, and risks. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information referenced herein, whether as a result of new information events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122455
NOV03 Met Primary Endpoints for Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease Associated with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Both Phase 3 Trials

VAUGHAN, ON and LAVAL, QC and HEIDELBERG, Germany, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health") and Novaliq GmbH, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics, today announced that data from the second pivotal Phase 3 trial (MOJAVE) of investigational treatment NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane) were presented virtually yesterday at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting. NOV03 is being investigated as a first-in-class treatment with a novel mechanism of action to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

"The findings show that NOV03 met both efficacy endpoints, which reinforces the results from the first pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial and builds upon the growing body of evidence in support of NOV03 as a potential first-in-class treatment for dry eye disease associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction," said Joseph C. Papa, chairman and CEO, Bausch Health. "If approved, NOV03 would be the first pharmaceutical therapy available in the United States with a novel mechanism of action designed to alleviate both signs and symptoms for those suffering with dry eye disease associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction."

DED is one of the most common ocular surface disorders, causing discomfort for approximately 18 million Americans.1,2 MGD is a major cause of the development and progression of evaporative DED, which is caused by a deficient tear film lipid layer that leads to increased tear evaporation.3 In one trial, it was found that approximately 86% of patients with DED had MGD involvement.4

The data presented from the second Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, hypotonic saline-controlled, double masked trial show NOV03 met both primary efficacy endpoints: total Corneal Fluorescein Staining (tCFS), a measure of assessing damage to the eye, and VAS eye dryness endpoints at day 57.

"We are excited to see consistent data on multiple fronts across both Phase 3 studies of NOV03. In addition to meeting each of the primary sign and symptom efficacy endpoints, NOV03 continues to appear to be well tolerated in this population," said John Sheppard, M.D., professor of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Va., EyeCare Partners Mid-Atlantic Medical Director and NOV03 trial investigator. "Treatment options for dry eye disease associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction in the United States are currently limited to mechanical methods, such as medical devices, warm compresses, lid scrubs and massage. If approved, NOV03 would offer eye care professionals a promising new therapeutic pharmaceutical approach for these patients."5

The data was based on results from 620 participants ages 18 years and older who were randomized to either receive treatment with NOV03 four times daily or hypotonic saline solution four times daily (n=311 NOV03; n=309 saline). Key points from the trial include:

On day 57, change from baseline in total Corneal Fluorescein Staining (tCFS) was statistically significant in the NOV03 arm compared to the control saline group (-2.3 [2.8] vs. -1.1 [2.9]) (P

Additionally on day 57, VAS eye dryness score was statistically significantly improved in the NOV03 arm compared to control group (-29.5 [28.6] vs. -19.0 [27.2]) (P

tCFS and VAS eye dryness score were also statistically significant at day 15 (secondary endpoints).

In the trial, NOV03 was well tolerated with few subjects experiencing ocular adverse events (AE) in the study eye (9.6% NOV03 group, 9.7% control group). Blepharitis, mostly mild, was the only AE that occurred in a >1% higher proportion of subjects treated with NOV03 versus control (1.6% vs 0.3%).

"These results reaffirm the safety and efficacy data of NOV03 as a potential treatment option for patients with dry eye disease associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction," said Christian Roesky, Ph.D., CEO, Novaliq. "In collaboration with Bausch Health and Bausch + Lomb, we look forward to submitting NOV03 for FDA approval during the second quarter of 2022 with the potential to bring a novel drug option for this condition to the United States."

About NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane) Ophthalmic SolutionNOV03 is an investigational, proprietary, water-free, single-component preservative-free eye drop.6 In 2019, Bausch Health and Bausch + Lomb acquired an exclusive license for the commercialization and development of NOV03 in the United States and Canada. In addition to data from the MOJAVE trial, data from the first pivotal Phase 3 trial (GOBI) was presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting in Washington, D.C. on April 24, 2022. Results from the pivotal Phase 2 trial (SEECASE) was published in Cornea: The Journal of Cornea and External Disease in September 2021.7 The clinical development program for NOV03 is expected to conclude with an ongoing multi-center, open-label, single-arm, 12-month safety extension trial (KALAHARI).

About NovaliqNovaliq is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and commercialization of first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics based on EyeSol, the worldwide first water-free technology. Novaliq offers an industry-leading portfolio addressing today's unmet medical needs of millions of patients with eye diseases. Novaliq GmbH is headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany and Novaliq Inc. has an office in Cambridge, MA, USA. The long-term shareholder is dievini Hopp BioTech holding GmbH & Co. KG, an active investor in Life and Health Sciences companies. More on www.novaliq.com.

About Bausch + LombBausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business of Bausch Health Companies, Inc., is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the gift of sight for millions of people around the world  from the moment of birth through every phase of life. Its comprehensive portfolio of more than 400 products includes contact lenses, lens care products, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has a significant global research and development, manufacturing and commercial footprint with more than 12,000 employees and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Bausch + Lomb is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario with corporate offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.bausch.com and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

About Bausch HealthBausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. We are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health. For more information, visit www.bauschhealth.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-looking StatementsThis news release may contain forward-looking statements, which may generally be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "hopes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes," "estimates," "potential," "target," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Bausch Health's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. They also include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties caused by or relating to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and the fear of that pandemic and its potential effects, the severity, duration and future impact of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, and which may have a material adverse impact on Bausch Health, including but not limited to its project development timelines, launches and costs (which may increase). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Bausch Health undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law.

References

Leonardi, A., Modugno, R. L., & Salami, E. (2021). Allergy and Dry Eye Disease. Ocular immunology and inflammation, 29(6), 11681176. https://doi.org/10.1080/09273948.2020.1841804. 2020 Dry Eye Products Market Report: A global Analysis for 2019 to 2025. Market Scope. Retrieved from https://www.market-scope.com/pages/reports/250/2020-ophthalmic-landscape-report-global-analysis-for-2019-to-2025-april-2021#reports. Findlay, Q., & Reid, K. (2018). Dry eye disease: when to treat and when to refer. Australian prescriber, 41(5), 160163. https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2018.048. Lemp, M. A., Crews, L. A., Bron, A. J., Foulks, G. N., & Sullivan, B. D. (2012). Distribution of aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye in a clinic-based patient cohort: a retrospective study. Cornea, 31(5), 472478. doi.org/10.1097/ICO.0b013e318225415a. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Treatment. American Association for Pediatric Opthalmology and Strabismus. Retrieved from https://aapos.org/glossary/meibomian-gland-dysfunction-and-treatment. Accessed 4/21/22. In December 2019, Bausch Health acquired the rights from Novaliq GmbH to pursue development and commercialization of NOV03 for DED and combination products based on NOV03 in additional ophthalmic indications in the United States and Canada. Tauber J, Wirta DL, Sall K, Majmudar PA, Willen D, Krosser S; SEECASE study group. A Randomized Clinical Study (SEECASE) to Assess Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of NOV03 for Treatment of Dry Eye Disease. Cornea. 2021; 40(9):1132-1140.

All product/brand names and/or logos are trademarks of the respective oweners. 2022 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.BLNP.0031.USA.22

Novaliq Media Contact: Bausch Health Investor Contact: Simone Angstmann-Mehr Arthur Shannon [email protected] [email protected] (514) 865-3855 (877) 281-6642 (toll free) Bausch Health Media Contact: Lainie Keller [email protected] (908) 927-1198

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SOURCE Bausch Health Companies Inc.
HOUSTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Capstreet Group ("Capstreet"), a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm, announced today that it was recognized for Technology Deal of the Year by The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Houston. The award, announced at ACG's 5th Annual Deal of the Year ceremony on April 19th at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston, recognizes Capstreet portfolio company HungerRush's acquisition of online food ordering platform Menufy.

HungerRush, a Houston-based cloud software provider for the restaurant industry, acquired Menufy in October 2021 to create an all-in-one integrated restaurant solution. The combination allows HungerRush to further expand its technology and market reach through the addition of a fast-growing, established online ordering platform that scales easily and allows for swift onboarding of new restaurants. Menufy's customers gain access to HungerRush's cloud POS system and additional integrated cloud solutions, including AI-driven text ordering, marketing, and delivery. As one company, HungerRush plans to help thousands of restaurants grow their businesses, expand capabilities, and improve profit margins.

Adrian Guerra, Partner at Capstreet, said, "We are honored to be recognized by ACG. The transaction's goal is to build on HungerRush's digital ordering platform to address rapid changes in the restaurant industry and expand its market reach. The combined company has the potential to help thousands of restaurants in Texas and throughout the U.S. grow their business and improve their profit margins."

ACG Houston's annual Deal of the Year event celebrates Houston's booming middle-market deal community, honoring the deals and deal makers who drive middle-market growth and their success in generating job-growth, capital formation and the advancement of meaningful business relationships in the Houston community.

About ACG

Founded in 1954, ACG is a global organization with 59 chapters and over 14,500 members. Doing business is at the heart of the ACG membership experience. Chapters in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia bring dealmakers together to help them achieve their business and professional goals. To learn more or become a member visit www.acg.org/houston.

About The Capstreet Group

Founded in 1990, Capstreet invests in lower middle market software, tech-enabled services and industrial business services companies. With over 45 platform investments and over 200 add-on acquisitions since inception, Capstreet's investment strategy is focused on utilizing its Capvalue FrameworkTM to accelerate growth and profitability and creating long term sustainable businesses. The majority of Capstreet's investments have been with founder or entrepreneur-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Capstreet website, www.capstreet.com.

Contact:

LambertJennifer Hurson, 845-507-0571, [email protected]orCaroline Luz, 203-656-2829, [email protected]

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SOURCE Capstreet Group
Representing a diverse portfolio of water and land-based experiences in top global cities including Barcelona, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City, Paris, Rome and San Francisco, among others, City Experiences delivers guests unmatched experiential journeys that can only be delivered through its renowned Crew and expert Tour Guides

Supported by a new campaign, website and rewards program, City Experiences further builds its brand connectivity and enhances the user journey

NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- City Experiences, a leading provider of world-class experiential travel offerings, is redefining how guests see the world with its expanded one-of-a-kind experiences across major global destinations. Part of Hornblower Group, a global leader in experiences and transportation, City Experiences delivers a vast array of water and land-based experiences in top cities around the world including Barcelona, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City, Paris, Rome and San Francisco, among others. Through its vibrant, exclusively curated offerings and personal connectivity, City Experiences delivers its guests with an amazing experience, all provided through its own unmatched Crew and expert Tour Guides. Supported by a refreshed website, a new brand campaign and introducing a rewards program, these initiatives will further build brand connectivity and enhance the user journey for its guests

City Experiences redefines how travelers see the world with one-of-a-kind experiences across major global destinations.

In early 2021, City Experiences became the new brand name for Hornblower Group's growing portfolio of world-class water- and land-based offerings, seamlessly collecting multiple brands under one umbrella. Since then, new land-based companies joined City Experiences, including WALKS, Devour Tours and the launch of Venture Ashore. With these acquisitions, City Experiences further developed its portfolio outside its maritime roots, now providing a total experiential travel itinerary for its guests.

"City Experiences has built a collection of world-renowned land-based experiences, growing our portfolio outside of our maritime foundation and into a more holistic global experiential organization," said Kristina Heney, chief marketing and revenue officer, City Experiences. "To support our growth, we have dialed up the emotional engagement of our brands and are leaning heavily into digital technology to drive personalized communications. We are focused on what sets us apart, our own Tour Guides and Crew. It is through their passion and engagement that bridge that deeper connection with our guest and share the commitment we have in bringing people together through our unforgettable experiences."

City Experiences' refreshed portfolio features some of the most unique experiences in major travel destinations around the world, providing a personalized journey for guests who are either already at their destination and looking for a hidden local gem, or those booking ahead with wanderlust. Whether planning that long-overdue weekend sightseeing getaway with friends, organizing a family excursion through New York City with an exclusive first access visit to the Statue of Liberty, spending a dream honeymoon adventuring through Paris's most chic locales, or experiencing a bucket-list solo journey through Barcelona's best off-the-beaten-path food and wine spots, City Experiences helps people travel smarter and experience more. For a full list of the global city experiential offerings, visit www.CityExperiences.com.

To further support the guest digital journey, City Experiences launched a refreshed website, aimed to streamline the guest booking experience by offering a centralized booking location that features the company's full portfolio of unique water- and land-based offerings across its major travel destinations worldwide. It will also rollout with a new branding campaign, celebrating both its unique offerings as well as paying homage to its unmatched Crew and Expert Guides that make tours even more memorable.

Additionally, City Experiences launched a new rewards program for its guests. Designed to allow for more experiential travel opportunities within its portfolio, City Experiences Rewards is completely free and easily accessible through www.CityExperiences.com/rewards .Guests can collect travel points through their confirmed bookings that can be used to save on future purchases. Full details on the program's exclusive experience benefits will be announced soon.

Please click HERE for City Experiences press assets.

About City ExperiencesCity Experiences represents Hornblower Group's expansive portfolio of water- and land-based experience companies and includes two sub-brands: City Cruises and City Ferry. City Cruises companies operate dining, sightseeing and private events across 22 destinations in the U.S., Canada and the UK. City Cruises companies also operate cruises on behalf of the National Park Service and the Niagara Parks Commission and currently hold service contracts to provide ferry service to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, Alcatraz Island and Niagara Falls. City Ferry companies offer specialized knowledge and expertise required to transport passengers, vehicles and other cargo safely across inland and coastal waterways, serving as operator of NYC Ferry and Puerto Rico ferry system, among others. City Experiences' portfolio of companies also offers a range of water- and land-based experiences including shore excursions, partner-offered experiences, multi-port packages, with companies including Venture Ashore, Niagara Jet City Cruises, Walks and Devour Tours. For more information visit CityExperiences.com.

About Hornblower GroupHornblower Group is a global leader in experiences and transportation. Hornblower Group's corporate entity is comprised of three premier experience divisions: American Queen Voyages, its overnight cruising division; City Experiences, its land and water-based experiences as well as ferry and transportation services and Journey Beyond, Australia's leading experiential travel group. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group's portfolio of international offerings includes water-based experiences (dining and sightseeing cruises), land-based experiences (walking tours, food tours and excursions), overnight experiences (cruises and railways) and ferry and transportation services, including full-service vessel support via Hornblower Shipyard. Today, Hornblower Group's global portfolio covers 112 countries and territories, 125 U.S. cities and serves more than 22 million guests annually. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Hornblower Group's additional corporate offices reside in Adelaide, Australia; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; London, United Kingdom; New Albany, Indiana; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information visit hornblowercorp.com.

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SOURCE City Experiences by Hornblower
Labelium's eighth acquisition reinforces the French-headquartered Group's global ambition and strengthens its position in the digital performance market

PARIS, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Labelium Group ("Labelium" or "the Group"), a leading global digital marketing performance consulting agency with 700 skilled experts, working in 20 offices across 14 countries worldwide, has completed its eighth acquisition, the second this year, through a combination with 1000heads, a leading provider of social media-led data & insights, strategic consultancy and creative services.

Founded in the UK, 1000heads provides a fully integrated, end-to-end Social Transformation proposition to blue-chip clients such as Alphabet, Snap Inc, Diageo, and Bimbo; this offering includes data and analytics, strategy, and social activation. 1000heads has a global footprint, employing over 170 people across seven offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Sydney, Melbourne, and Berlin.

This acquisition, the largest to date for Labelium, consolidates the Group's geographical footprint, particularly in the United States, Europe and Asia, and complements the technological solutions that have been integrated through other recent acquisitions.

This partnership aligns with Labelium's vision to become a global platform addressing the entire digital marketing value chain for its international clients. By combining their expertise and sharing their ambition, Labelium and 1000heads are now able to offer integrated and global solutions to clients in areas including social commerce, influencer marketing and the metaverse.

Above all, this partnership is a human adventure that will provide the Group's employees with unique and international career opportunities. Labelium estimates that, by the end of 2022, it will have more than 1000 employees worldwide.

Stephane Levy, President, and founder of Labelium, commented: "1000heads and Labelium are a natural fit and this landmark acquisition will generate significant opportunities for both businesses. Our talented teams share the same principles of transparency, innovation, and respect. This alignment will prove crucial in the years to come, allowing us to collaborate closely in pursuit of our ambitious growth strategy, while remaining true to our values."

Sylvain Bonnevide, CEO of Labelium, said: "Welcoming 1000heads into the Labelium Group is fantastic news. The skills and expertise of the 1000heads team will enable us to provide our clients with high quality services and a unique value proposition combining digital and social strategy, high-performance media activation and cutting-edge data expertise. The acquisition also further consolidates our geographical presence, our service offering, and our formidable, industry-leading talent, We look forward to working with Mike and his team to realize the exciting opportunities this partnership will create."

Mike Davison, CEO of 1000heads added: "The combination of 1000heads and Labelium represents a step change for both of our businesses, creating a global industry leader offering cutting edge services and solutions. By joining the Labelium Group we will become part of a dynamic team with a bold vision, and we are excited to begin working together to develop an integrated proposition. Our companies share the same approach to delivering continuous innovation and providing exceptional customer service, and our team looks forward to sharing insights with our new colleagues and collaborating to deliver continued growth."

ABOUT LABELIUM

Founded in 2001, Labelium is an independent digital group with 20 offices in 14 countries and more than 700 digital marketing experts worldwide. It relies on a strong international network to help support the digital acceleration of companies. The agency manages and optimises digital performance (media, commerce, intelligence) for brands such as L'Oreal, Coty, LVMH, Club Med, Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, OVH, MSC, Michelin, Christie's, LexmarkGrowing rapidly while retaining a personal approach, Labelium cultivates expertise, entrepreneurship, innovation and business ethics. The Labelium Group brings together Labelium, Footsprint, NXTLVL, tigrz, Feed Manager, Arcane, Spinnn, Ando Factory, StratNXT, Kiliagon, Klickkonzept, Labelium Play, M13h, SmartKeyword acquired in 2022, joined now by 1000heads.

ABOUT 1000HEADS

1000heads combines expertise in data & analytics, strategy, technology, and creativity to help the world's best businesses build Social Age brands. 1000heads provides a fully integrated, end-to-end Social Transformation proposition to blue-chip clients encompassing data & analytics, strategy, and implementation. 1000heads has a global footprint, employing over 170 people across seven offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Sydney, Melbourne, and Berlin. 1000heads' clients include Alphabet, The North Face, Snap Inc, Bimbo, Amazon, Cisco, and Diageo.

Labelium1000headsM13hIkomTigrzFeed managerArcaneStratNXTKiliagonKlickonceptLabelium PlaySmartKeywordNXTLVLFootsprint

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SOURCE Labelium
Jane Corwin could soon be out as U.S. section chair of the International Joint Commission.

President Joe Biden has nominated Gerald Acker, a Michigan attorney, to succeed Corwin, a former western New York state assemblywoman. Corwin has served as U.S. section chair of the six-member commission since 2019.

Acker has experience serving on various boards in Michigan, including an appointment to the board of directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and a stint as chair of the Michigan state bar's attorney grievance commission.

The International Joint Commission's tasks include managing boundary water disputes between the U.S. and Canada. The commission consists of three members from each country. For now, Biden hasn't nominated replacements for two other U.S. commissioners, Rob Sisson and Lance Yohe.

The commission was criticized for its handling of high Lake Ontario water levels beginning in 2017 after the adoption of Plan 2014, a water management strategy for the lake and St. Lawrence River. Corwin, along with Sisson and Yohe, successfully pushed for a review of the plan as communities along the lake, including Fair Haven in Cayuga County, dealt with flooding due to the high water levels.

Ed Virden, a spokesman for the commission, told The Citizen that Biden's nomination was expected since members of the IJC are presidential appointees and serve at the pleasure of the president.

"We look forward to assisting with the intended transition to the commission and will provide additional information to the public as it becomes available to us," Virden said.

Corwin can remain on the commission until Acker is confirmed by the Senate. Anyone nominated to serve as a U.S. commissioner must go through the Senate confirmation process.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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INDIANAPOLIS, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) will attend the Bank of America Securities 2022 Healthcare Conference, May 10-11, 2022. Daniel Skovronsky, M.D., Ph.D., Lilly's chief scientific and medical officer, and president of Lilly Research Laboratories, will participate in a fireside chat on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:40 p.m., Eastern time.

A live audio webcast will be available on the "Webcasts & Presentations" section of Lilly's Investor website at https://investor.lilly.com/webcasts-and-presentations. A replay of the presentation will be available on this same website for approximately 90 days.

About Lilly

Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 47 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. F-LLY

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
The two science-backed brands are teaming up to bring consumers next-level results from their haircare routines

NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Living Proof, Inc, the high-performance, science-backed haircare company, has teamed up with P2 Science, an equally high-performance green chemistry ingredient company. Both rooted in academia and leading with innovation-first approaches, the duo has announced the establishment of a long-term strategic partnership.

Partnering was natural for both companies as they both come from rich academic backgrounds. Living Proof's origin story begins in 2005, when an unlikely combination of biotech scientists from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and renowned hair stylists came together to create inventive technologies designed to solve real-world hair problems. P2 Science started in 2009 at the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale University, with the vision to make green chemistry synonymous with performance by designing, developing, and bringing sustainable chemistry to leading value creators and innovators in their markets.

Today, both brands prioritize not just leading with science, but doing so with a forward-minded approach. "When we met with Living Proof who was seeking this sort of next level performance and with a holistic approach to ingredient incorporation, there was an obvious synergy there to make high purity, beautiful materials with innovative and elegant chemistry," says Dr. Patrick Foley, P2 Science's Founder and Chief Innovation Officer.

Similarly, Living Proof's mission is 'Science in Action'meaning the brand is committed to remaining at the forefront of scientific discovery and improving existing technologies for best-in-class products with real-world results that you can see and feel.

"Living Proof is proud to partner with P2 Science," says Ron McLaughlin, Senior VP of R&D at Living Proof. "We will be collaborating with P2 Science to further leverage their technologies and outside-in approach to cosmetic chemistry in the coming months. We expect that the partnership will enable us to continue to lead the haircare industry with science-backed solutions that deliver proven performance."

"We're thrilled to be partnering with Living Proof," says Neil Burns, CEO of P2 Science. "Both companies value honoring the beauty of natural chemistry. We're looking forward to utilizing Living Proof's deep and unique knowledge of the high-performance haircare space to further grow our footprint."

Living Proof plans to introduce new products in early 2023 based on formulation technology engineered through the partnership with P2 Science.

About Living Proof

In 2005, an unlikely combination of biotech scientists and renowned hair stylists came together to pioneer a first-of-its-kind haircare philosophy based in science. Our mission was to create inventive solutions designed to solve real-world hair problems, not conceal them. 120 global patents, 450+ formulas, 44 products, 100+ awards, and 16 years later, we continue to put research at the forefront of our formulations. Today, Living Proof is Science in Action, utilizing in-house scientific discovery and invention to develop the latest innovations in haircare that deliver game-changing results for all hair types and textures. For more information, visit livingproof.com.

About P2 Science

P2 Science is a green chemistry company, co-founded by Professor Paul Anastas, head of the Yale Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering and Dr. Patrick Foley. P2 has developed and patented technologies for converting renewable feedstocks into high-value specialty products. Investors in P2 include BASF Venture Capital, Xeraya Capital, Elm Street Ventures, Connecticut Innovations, Ironwood Capital, HG Ventures, and Chanel. The company started up its first manufacturing plant in September of 2018 which produces novel renewable aroma chemicals and cosmetic ingredients. For more information, visit p2science.com.

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SOURCE Living Proof
Tamir brings a wealth of experience from the energy, automotive and technology sectors

Has a skillset in leading and building global operations and supply chains for rapid growth

Appointment will enable StoreDot to forge further relationships with key partners, vendors, and customers, to induce production scale up and consequently shorten time to market

StoreDot is on track to mass-produce silicon-dominant lithium-ion cells delivering 100 miles of range in five minutes of charging by 2024

'100in5' battery cells currently in real-world testing by leading automotive manufacturers

HERZELIYA, Israel, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- StoreDot, the pioneer of extreme fast charging (XFC) technologies for electric vehicles, announces the appointment of Tamir Ben-Moshe as its VP Operations effective as of today.

Tamir brings an abundance of experience from a broad spectrum of sectors and a passion for the fast-track development of sustainable solutions. He joins StoreDot having spent ten years working across numerous industries including pharmaceutical, digital technology, automotive, energy and aerospace. He will report directly to Dr Doron Myersdorf, StoreDot CEO and co-founder. Commenting on the appointment, Dr Myersdorf said:

"I am delighted to welcome Tamir to StoreDot as VP of Operations. He is highly accomplished in building global operations and supply chains for fast-growing companies and is adept at forging successful relationships with global partners, vendors, and customers. Tamir will further bolster StoreDot's already strong management team as well, as an invaluable asset as we continue our strategic drive to mass EV adoption delivered by industry-transforming extreme-fast charging (XFC) battery technology."

Tamir joins StoreDot from his most recent role of Head of Supply Chain Management at Landa Digital Printing, a company in the digital printing industry using nanotechnology. Commenting on his new position at StoreDot, Tamir said:

"I have long admired StoreDot and been fascinated by how it has revolutionized the conventional lithium-ion battery. I am excited to accept the challenge of building the global supply chain to enable StoreDot to deliver its ground-breaking battery solution to the automotive market. The ability of the company's cells to charge for a 100-mile range in just five minutes breaks the restraints of what is known to be possible in energy storage and points to a bright future of rapid EV adoption worldwide that I am honored to be part of."

About StoreDot:

StoreDot is a pioneer and leader of extreme fast charging (XFC) batteries that overcome the critical barrier to mainstream EV adoption  range and charging anxiety. The company has revolutionized the conventional Li-ion battery by designing and synthesizing proprietary organic and inorganic compounds, making it possible to charge an EV in just five minutes  the same time it takes to refuel a conventional combustion engine vehicle. Through its '100inX' strategic roadmap, StoreDot's battery technology is optimized for best driver experience with XFC in Li-ion batteries, as well as future technologies for extreme energy-density (XED). StoreDot's strategic investors and partners include Volvo, VinFast, BP, Daimler, Ola Electric, Samsung, TDK and EVE Energy. In 2019, the company achieved a world first by demonstrating the live full charge of a two-wheeled EV in just five minutes. In 2020, the company demonstrated the scalability of its XFC batteries and is on target for Electric Vehicle battery production at scale by 2024. For more information see: www.store-dot.com.

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SOURCE StoreDot
Work includes trimming along nearly 1,300 miles of power lines in 2022

TOLEDO, Ohio, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Toledo Edison, a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric company, is conducting tree trimming and other vegetation management work in communities across its northwest Ohio service area to help enhance service reliability for customers. This year's $5.5 million tree-trimming program will help keep power flowing to customers by helping to prevent tree-related outages, such as those that can occur during the spring and summer storm season.

Since the beginning of the year, tree contractors have trimmed trees along more than 150 miles of electric lines across the greater Toledo area. The company's program remains on track to complete an additional 1,100 miles of tree-trimming work by the end of the year. Similar work is performed annually by FirstEnergy transmission companies along high-voltage power lines in the company's service territory.

Tree trimming is done on a four-year cycle. The program includes inspecting vegetation near the lines to ensure the trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree while also maintaining safety near electric facilities. Trees that present a danger or are diseased may be removed.

"Trees are a leading cause of power outages, and we complete proactive tree-trimming work each year to prevent tree-related outages during severe weather," said Ed Shuttleworth, president of FirstEnergy's Ohio operations. "This work, paired with the vast upgrades we're making to our local power system, undoubtedly helps minimize the impact of weather-related outages to keep the power flowing safely and reliably to customers."

Tree trimming will be conducted in the following counties and communities this year:

Defiance  Ayersville, Defiance and Ney

Ayersville, Defiance and Ney Fulton  Archbold, Delta, Fayette, Lyons, Metamora, Pettsville and Wauseon

Archbold, Delta, Fayette, Lyons, Metamora, Pettsville and Wauseon Henry  Deshler, Holgate, Hamler, Liberty Center and McClure

Deshler, Holgate, Hamler, Liberty Center and McClure Lucas  Holland, Maumee, Oregon, Ottawa Hills, Swanton, Sylvania and Toledo

Holland, Maumee, Oregon, Ottawa Hills, Swanton, Sylvania and Toledo Ottawa  Curtice, Genoa and Oak Harbor

Curtice, Genoa and Oak Harbor Sandusky  Lindsey

Lindsey Williams  Bryan, Edgerton, Edon, Stryker, West Unity and Williams Center

Bryan, Edgerton, Edon, Stryker, West Unity and Williams Center Wood  Grand Rapids, Northwood, Perrysburg, Rossford and Weston

As part of its notification process, Toledo Edison works with municipalities to inform them of tree-trimming schedules. In addition, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way are notified prior to vegetation management work being done.

The vegetation management work is conducted by certified forestry experts under the company's direction, including Arbormetics Solutions, Jaflo Inc., Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Nelson Tree Service Inc. and Penn Line Service.

In the air, helicopters equipped with aerial saws began trimming trees in April to maintain proper clearances along hard-to-access transmission and distribution corridors throughout Toledo Edison's service area. The aerial saw is typically deployed along transmission and distribution lines in areas that may be environmentally sensitive or inaccessible to bucket trucks and other vehicles. This method typically covers more area in a day than a ground crew might complete in a week. The saw also eliminates the risk of injury to workers using bucket trucks or climbing trees to cut limbs near high voltage equipment.

Toledo Edison serves nearly 315,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Editor's Note: Photos of utility personnel trimming trees near FirstEnergy power lines are available for download on Flickr. A video explaining FirstEnergy's vegetation management techniques can also be found on YouTube.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  U.S. combat jets from New England will soon fly the skies of Eastern Europe.

Eight F-35 Lightning II aircraft from the Vermont Air National Guard arrived Monday at Spangdahlem Air Base to bolster NATO and support its air policing mission, U.S. Air Forces in EuropeAir Forces Africa said in a statement Tuesday.

The jets and about 100 support personnel from the 158th Fighter Wing in Burlington, Vt., will replace F-35 units from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, that have been deployed to Germany since February. The F-35s are expected to patrol NATOs eastern borders.

All but four F-35s from Hill are scheduled to return home later this week, USAFE-AFAFRICA said in the statement.

Vermont Air National Guard crews will operate and maintain the Utah-based F-35s as well as their own, for a total of 12 jets at Spangdahlem in support of NATO missions, USAFE-AFAFRICA said.

Thats the same number that deployed from Hill about a week before Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The rotation comes as the war in Ukraine shows no signs of abating. After failing to capture Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, Russian forces have shifted mostly to the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

While in Germany, some of the Utah-based F-35s deployed to NATO bases in Estonia, Lithuania and Romania, protecting allied airspace in the Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions.

The command would not say how long the Guards F-35s will remain in Europe, citing operational security.

The commander of the 158th Fighter Wing said the deployment comes only four months after the unit converted to an operational F-35 fighter wing.

The Green Mountain Boys are ready and proud to answer this call, and were grateful for the support of our families, employers and communities, Col. David Shevchik said last week in a statement.

In September 2019, the wing became the first Air National Guard unit to receive F-35s.

In another swap of combat aircraft in Europe, six F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Bases 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived at Fetesti Air Base, Romania, on Friday to replace members of Spangdahlems 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, USAFE-AFAFRICA announced Saturday.

The 480th deployed aircraft and personnel for three months to support air policing missions, with aid from Romania, Italy and the United Kingdom.
The militarys suicide prevention effort is failing, and we must find out why, said Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., at a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing on the issue.

Each year, the Department of Defense spends millions of dollars combating military suicide. Despite these valiant efforts, we are still not winning this silent war. The major problem is that, while there is an array of effective support programs and resources, the burden is too often placed on the service member to ask for help. More than half of military members who could benefit from mental health or command assistance do not seek it on their own.

A new intervention approach is needed  one that must leverage existing technology and privacy protections and help detect evidence-based warning signs of troubling behavior, especially within the wire, long before its too late to support individuals course corrections.

One study found that more active-duty personnel and veterans who fought in the Global War on Terrorism (30,177) have died as a result of suicide than all of the service members (7,057) killed in post 9/11 war operations, a rate that even outpaces average Americans. And, according to the Department of Defenses 2020 Annual Suicide report, suicide rates of active-duty military personnel rose more than 40% between 2015-2020.

Military suicides rose 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Department of Veterans Affairs crisis line received more than 35,000 calls during the U.S. troop withdrawal in Afghanistan.

Suicide rates among our service members are still too high, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently in response to the crisis.

So, whats not working? I would argue that its our current response model, which is anchored on training, increasing awareness, population-based outreach, and improving ease of access. But the underlying fact remains, we place the burden of seeking help on those who struggle. We have maintenance alert systems in our aircraft and ground vehicles that tell us when they need service or repair, ahead of a full-system breakdown. We should be monitoring our people in a similar way.

The government provides a litany of suicide prevention support services, including counseling and intervention focused programs. The Defense Department has an office solely dedicated to prevention. Congress spends hundreds of millions to fund DOD suicide prevention programs each year, and President Joe Bidens fiscal year 2023 budget for the VA includes close to $500 million to support prevention initiatives.

But we cannot keep throwing money at the same prevention models that have continually proven ineffective for the last decade. Its time for a new strategy: We must own the responsibility of connecting service members with help before they need it. We must empower commanding officers with real-time insights into those who are struggling.

By intervening sooner, an officer, chaplain or mental health professional can change a negative trajectory. This early detection and mitigation will help not only those who may be headed down the dark path of suicide, but also those who are struggling from other negative outcomes.

There are often warning signs in all suicides  and the DOD should implement solutions to identify them and prevent untimely deaths of our military members. According to the DODs 2020 annual report on suicide, problems related to failed or failing relationships (42%), administrative or legal trouble (26%), drugs/alcohol use (15%), and excessive debt/bankruptcy (7%) were reported 90 days prior to death. This data  which is already being collected  can serve as the foundation for a new approach to help military decision makers intervene at the first signs of team member distress.

To be clear, just because a service member has excessive debt does not necessarily mean they will die by suicide. But it does mean that a commander should be engaging today, and sadly they may not if they are blind to this struggle. We must replace this reactionary approach with proactive leadership and a focus on individual resilience, unit readiness and organizational capability.

Coupled with existing data and processes, the advancements in todays technology can further protect our military members from harm. In the civilian space, companies that deal with sensitive information are increasingly incorporating several measures into their risk management programs to improve threats discovery of both cyber and insider risk. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency created a guide to help companies identify unusual online behavior with technology that engages individual insiders who are potentially on the path to a hostile, negligent, or damaging act, a part of a successful insider threat mitigation program.

These same safeguards can also be deployed in a risk model to help detect triggers of suicidal or destructive behavior in accordance with all privacy laws and safeguards against discrimination or bias. This can not only save the life of someone in danger but also prevents an individual from potentially harming others.

In addition to the militarys existing approaches to detect suicide warning signs, mental health disorders and substance abuse as part of an annual Periodic Health Assessment, a continuous employee visibility and alert system can be one more tool in the commanders toolbox.

The brave men and women of our armed forces voluntarily risk their own safety and sometimes sacrifice their lives in defense of our country. They should be assured that we will take care of each and every one of them, whether they are forward deployed or at home. Preventing military suicide is a complicated task; in large part because for many, their challenges are lifelong.

Collectively, we all have a responsibility to do our part as their new band of brothers to help service members and their families navigate a new and unfamiliar battlefield. By leveraging existing data and technology, coupled with our great treatment and prevention programs, we can meet them at the point of struggle more quickly, which in turn can create better outcomes.
The nuclear talks in Vienna, where leaders of the most powerful nations  and, yes, Russia included  are trying to stop another rogue state from acquiring nuclear weapons and taking the planet hostage, have stalled again. Western powers have the Russian aggression in Ukraine on their plate and there is a serious economic crisis looming on the horizon, making the very rogue state in question, Iran, think that it can get away with it.

Though the Iranian regime keeps blaming everyone else for the stalemate, it might not be annoyed by this after all. For those old enough to remember the two decades history of nuclear negotiations of the E3 and P5+1 with Iran, whether under the so-called reformist Mohammad Khatami administration, the hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the alleged moderate Hassan Rouhani, Iran has always been a master of procrastinating and tiptoeing at the bargaining table.

Nowadays, it cannot be moreover surprising that Tehran had been using the talks to buy more time to advance its nuclear know-how, and how they got this regime to bow under the United Nations Security Councils resolutions. The national security team laid out by the Biden administration was already involved in the original deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. They know all too well with whom they are dealing.

Ever since the major movement of the Iranian Resistance  the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK/PMOI)  told the world in 2002 that Iran has been secretly enriching uranium for 18 years and the International Atomic Energy Agency started to act on their revelations , Tehran has stubbornly defied the U.N. watchdog and the world powers with political games and deceitful tactics.

As the international sanctions continued to take their toll on Irans economy and consequently the momentum of Tehrans regional expansion through proxy militant groups, by late 2013, serious cracks became evident in the great wall of heroic resistance in Tehran.

On Sept. 17, 2013, in a meeting with the Revolutionary Guard commanders, the Iranian regimes Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said: I am not against proper political moves in diplomacy. I believe in what was named many years ago as  heroic flexibility . 

Whether true or false, no one in Tehran questioned the precedent, but the regime did indeed get back to the negotiating table on their bleeding knees, as described in the Resalat daily that year.

After the JCPOA was signed and endorsed by the UNSC Resolution 2231, the milestone was celebrated in many capitals, including Tehran, but for varied reasons. The Iranian regime kept advancing its ballistic missile program in violation of UNSCR 2231 and used the released cash to enhance its regional agenda.

When U.S. President Donald Trump nixed the nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions in 2018, the Iranian economy took another downturn and even though Trumps successor, President Joe Biden, vowed to restore the deal, foreign investment appetite had already deeply dropped.

Despite harsh rhetoric and increased hostility in the Middle East, Tehran was feeling the pain. Its cash reserves had dropped from $104 billion in 2018 to less than $10 billion by the end of 2020.

The political reshape in Washington brought a change of policies. Biden was determined to revive the nuclear deal but said he sought a stronger and longer one. Ahead of the talks, Robert Malley, the U.S. special envoy for Iran, told the BBC that if Iran wanted to use the talks as a cover to speed up its nuclear program, the U.S. and its allies would increase pressure on Tehran.

According to the U.S.-based Persian language website Zeitoon , a few weeks before the announcement that Iran would join the talks, Khamenei summoned current and former diplomats and officials of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, declaring that the regime has no intention of reversing its nuclear progress and asked them whether Iran had any chance succeeding at the talks.

The source claims to be told by an official that Ali Akbar Salehi, the former head of the AEOI, had told Khamenei that Irans nuclear progress is irreversible, and the West is aware of this, adding, If the West does not come to terms with the progress of Irans nuclear program, the talks will give us more time to develop nuclear advancements. With these words, the decision to start negotiations was made.

On this basis, the regime felt itself in a position to set the pace for discussions ahead.

Briefly, as easily predictable, the nuclear talks were destined to fail. The regime always was opting for a win-or-win situation. Either the world would resign and cave in, or they just keep dragging their feet by advancing the uranium enrichment from 3.5% to 20% and from 60% to 90%. Who knows where they stand with the warheads?

There is no doubt that the best approach to prevent the regime from obtaining a nuclear armament still remains a strict and severe system of sanctions, especially to halt any revenues from the oil products smuggling.

On this, the U.S. nonprofit organization United Against a Nuclear IranUANI is leading a pressure campaign, toward the U.S. and its allies, to keep the guard up on the regimes escamotage to circumvent the sanctions, also due to a certain appeasement showed by Western countries.

Thus, UANI has recently announced that its work to identify and detect rogue vessel operators engaged in Iranian regime oil and gas smuggling has resulted in 100 vessels being stripped of their flags by authorities worldwide.

Until the West starts acting united and strong, rather than asking flagging foreign authorities to fend for themselves, we can expect that Iran will take advantage of their lagging capabilities to continue to enrich itself through smuggled energy resources.

Adversaries including China, Russia and Venezuela will become increasingly brazen in their disregard for sanctions. As an example, in March 2020, UANI reported that Iran exported 825,000 barrels of oil per day in violation of U.S. sanctions. That figure has soared in the last 15 months. In March 2022 , UANI estimated that Iran exported 1.34 million barrels per day  including just under 900,000 barrels per day to China.

Citing UANI research, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., noted in February that China paid $10 billion for Iranian oil in 2021 alone. A big chunk of these proceeds will end up being disbursed for regime terrorist funding, Iranian proxy wars, and Irans malign intelligence activities.

Since the world has engaged Tehran over the nuclear dossier, we have been sitting and chatting with the mullahs representatives, sometimes smiling, sometimes frowning, but always beardy.

Throughout the lifespan of Irans nuclear dossier, governments, think tanks and professional proliferation institutes have wrongly been questioning when Iran will get a nuclear bomb. Instead, we should ask ourselves, when will we finally get to grasp that it takes our own iron will, on both sides of the Atlantic, preventing them from getting one.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic  A diplomat from the Dominican Republic apparently has been kidnapped in neighboring Haiti, prompting Dominican authorities to call for his safe release.

The local newspaper El Dia reported Tuesday that the government also had beefed up its military presence on the border, though officials did not immediately have any comment on that.

The Dominican government said in a weekend statement that Carlos Guillen Tatis, the agriculture counselor at its embassy in Port-au-Prince, apparently was kidnapped on Friday while travelling toward a border crossing.

Ambassador Faruk Miguel Castillo said Guillen Tatis apparently was kidnapped in the Croix-des-Bouquets district of the Haitian capital. That area is a stronghold of the 400 Mawozo gang that kidnapped 17 people from a U.S. missionary group in October and held most of them until December.

Dominican authorities said they had given Haitian police evidence from the diplomat's mobile telephone that indicated he'd been kidnapped.

In what may have been an unrelated development, Haiti's National Police announced that one of the top leaders of the 400 Mawozo gang, Germine Joly, was extradited to the United States on Tuesday aboard an FBI plane.

It said he faces U.S. charges involving smuggling, import of weapons of war and kidnapping.

Joly, known as "Yonyon," had been in a Haitian prison for several years.

The police statement noted that his gang was involved in bloody gang clashes that broke out late last month in the Croix-des-Bouquets area. At least 20 people were killed and thousands fled their homes.
MEXICO CITY  Mexican authorities said Tuesday they have relocated a migrant camp that sprung up in a park in the border city of Reynosa, moving about 2,000 people from Central America and Haiti to a shelter in the city, across the border from McAllen, Texas.

The camp of migrants mainly from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Haiti sprung up after U.S. officials, citing the pandemic, invoked a health rule that denies migrants a chance to seek asylum.

Mexico's National Immigration Institute said the migrants were taken near midnight Monday to the shelter, which it said will have better hygiene and food services.

But on Monday, people in another border city, Nuevo Laredo, said hundreds of migrants, mainly Haitians, have streamed into the city, which is across the border from Laredo, Texas.

The rush apparently started after the U.S. began processing some asylum seekers there.

The Catholic bishop of Nuevo Laredo said Monday that migrant shelters there are already overcrowded, with some migrants sleeping outside in tents.

Bishop Enrique Sanchez Martinez said migrants started streaming into Nuevo Laredo in late April, though the city isn't usually popular among migrants, in part because it is dominated by the violent Northeast drug cartel.

"It is new for us because this is the last place they come, due to the conditions of our border, of our city, which are sometimes adverse for migrants," the bishop said. "But since they opened the door in the United States to asylum requests, a lot of them came in large groups."

Marvin Ajic, the director of the Casa Nazareth shelter, said that around April 16, Mexican authorities notified the shelters that the United States would resume processing asylum claims for humanitarian reasons.

The U.S. had begun allowing more people in, especially Central American adults, to prepare for lifting Title 42  a pandemic-era health rule that denies migrants a chance to enter the U.S. seek asylum  on May 23. But a federal judge in Louisiana ruled last week that the government could not unwind the rule before the end date.

"The (Mexican) immigration officials organized things with the shelters, and the plan was to send people who had been waiting a long time, without any checks, basically anyone," Ajic.

That apparently drew the attention of other migrants, including Haitians.

In September, similar rumors sparked a rush by about 15,000 mostly Haitian refugees to the Texas border, where they camped under a bridge. U.S. officials began large scale deportations of Haitians while also allowing thousands to remain in the U.S.

Ajic warned migrants against coming to the border, noting the risks. On Monday, Mexico's National Immigration Institute said that so far this year, it has hauled the bodies of 19 immigrants from the Rio Grande, also known as the Rio Bravo.
TOKYO  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, Japan's 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 boat's 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 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.
State Sen. John Mannion joined other Democrats in the state Legislature in voting for a bill on Monday that allows former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin to decline his nomination, clearing the way for Gov. Kathy Hochul to select a new running mate.

Hochul signed the bill Monday evening and Benjamin announced earlier in the day that he would use the new law to file the necessary paperwork to decline his ballot spot. Hochul would then choose a new running mate who will run in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor on June 28. There are two other Democrats in the race  Ana Maria Archila and Diana Reyna.

Mannion, D-Geddes, told The Citizen on Monday that the situation was not ideal, but that "these are really extraordinary circumstances."

"If you take the current governor and the former lieutenant governor out of the equation, I just think it's in the best interests of the people of the state of New York for governors to be able to choose their ticket and present that ticket to voters," he said. "I just don't think it's in anybody's interests to have somebody on the ballot who is no longer seeking the seat and who, if elected, would resign immediately."

The measure approved by state lawmakers allows candidates who have been arrested or charged with misdemeanors or felony crimes to decline a nomination. This would allow them to be replaced on the ballot by another candidate.

Prior to the bill's enactment, there were only three ways to remove a candidate from the ballot: If they moved out of state, were nominated for another office, or died.

Benjamin, a Democrat, resigned in April after being charged in a public corruption case. Hochul, who became governor in August after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation, picked Benjamin to be her running mate. One of the charges Benjamin faces is related to his background check prior to being appointed lieutenant governor.

Hochul, who pushed for the change allowing her to choose a new running mate, has been criticized by members of both parties. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Suozzi and Reyna, his running mate, held a press conference Monday to pan the legislation. In a statement, Suozzi said the measure covers up that Hochul "put a known-corrupt LG on her ticket."

Reyna added that it's "another example of Albany's culture of corruption where elected officials can bend the laws when it's politically expedient."

Republicans also opposed the bill. Mannion was the only member of Cayuga County's state legislative delegation who voted for the bill in the state Assembly or Senate. Four Republicans  state Sens. Pam Helming and Peter Oberacker, along with Assembly members John Lemondes and Brian Manktelow  voted against it.

The state Assembly passed the bill, but it came after a close 33-29 vote in the Senate. Some Democratic senators opposed the bill, including state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, who heads the Senate Ethics and Internal Governance Committee.

But Mannion thinks the legislation will make the law less archaic when it comes to situations where candidates are hoping to be removed from the ballot.

"My preference would be that this isn't necessary, particularly right now," he said. "But sometimes it takes a crisis to make some meaningful reforms."

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  A Chinese aircraft carrier sailed through the Miyako Strait, between two islands in Japans Okinawa prefecture, on Monday for the first time this year, according to Japans Ministry of Defense.

The Liaoning and its five-ship strike group were spotted around noon Sunday approximately 220 miles west of the uninhabited Danjo islands of Nagasaki prefecture, the Joint Staff announced in a news release Monday.

The ships sailed south and were joined at 6 p.m. by a Chinese frigate. Another missile destroyer joined them at 6 a.m. the next day.

The eight ships sailed together and passed between Okinawa and Miyako Island, about 155 miles to the southwest, then made their way to the Pacific Ocean, according to the release.

The Miyako Strait, the widest in the Ryukyu island chain, is an international waterway and one of several important passages, or chokepoints, through the first island chain that separates the Pacific Ocean from the East and South China Seas.

The Liaoning was last tracked by Japans Maritime Self-Defense Force while passing between Okinawa and Miyako on Dec. 25, according to the Joint Staffs website. The carrier was traveling with four other warships at the time.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  A fifth-grade teacher at Daegu Elementary School on Camp George, named the Department of Defense Education Activitys 2022 Teacher of the Year, was honored recently at the White House.

Rachel Guilfoyle, who has taught in South Korea for the past 12 years, was among the teachers from across the United States and its territories that President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden recognized on Thursday.

It was humbling to have been nominated, Guilfoyle told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday. I was surprised because like most teachers, you do what you do, and you enjoy what you do.

Im not the only one, obviously; I just happened to be the one that gets this recognition, she added. I work with some outstanding teachers.

As the daughter of parents who immigrated from Trinidad and served in the Air Force, Guilfoyle grew up and received her education through the militarys school system in Japan and Europe.

Guilfoyle cited an influential teacher as her inspiration for becoming one herself, along with her desire to give back to the military community.

One of my favorite, memorable teachers  really made an impression on me, she said. She always stressed the importance of education and growing  and growing into a whole person. I just had that stuck with me.

Guilfoyle said that children raised in military households face unique challenges in their lives, including moving to new schools and parents who deploy frequently.

I can definitely understand that, she said. I feel like that gives me insight into understanding some of the unique challenges that military children face.

The DODEA system consists of 160 schools and serves nearly 67,000 students worldwide.

Daegu, population 2.5 million, experienced the first wave of the coronavirus in South Korea in February 2020. Army Col. Michael Tremblay, the former commander of Camp Humphreys, in 2021 described Daegu Garrison as ground zero for the U.S. militarys coronavirus cases.

As COVID-19 cases mounted and schools transitioned to distance learning, teachers were faced with an unfamiliar challenge.

You have to find that anchor to each child to pull them in and help them grow  that itself is a balancing act, Guilfoyle said. When COVID-19 happened, that was another dimension that we never thought about or even considered.

Distance learning, or online classes, lacked the same energy as in-person schooling, but Guilfoyle and her colleagues were able to work through it, she said.

It wasnt always easy, but we did it, she said. We have a rhythm now."

In a speech at the White House on Thursday, Jill Biden, who is also an educator, thanked the national and state Teachers of the Year.

What makes your work so special is you  the love and the joy that you bring to it, the empathy and the understanding, the sheer power of your presence, she said. You do this work because its a part of who you are, because you have a calling.

Teacher Appreciation Week concludes Friday.
A $750 million arms sale to Taiwan is significantly delayed due to U.S. production issues, the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense said Monday.

On Aug. 4, President Joe Bidens administration approved the sale of 40 M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and approximately 1,700 kits to convert projectiles into GPS-guided munitions. The first eight howitzers were to be delivered in 2023, followed by 16 in 2024 and the final 16 in 2025, according to a Sept. 3 report from Taiwan News.

However, the U.S. is experiencing crowded production lines that are causing significant delays, the Defense Ministry said in a Monday news release. The earliest delivery date will be 2026, Taiwan News reported the same day.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby, asked on Monday whether the U.S. providing howitzers to Ukraine was behind the delay in shipping guns to Taiwan, referred questions to the State Department.

However, the howitzers provided to Ukraine are from existing stocks that Biden transferred under his presidential drawdown authority, Kirby said.

That is a different method of providing military articles than what is being provided to Taiwan, and thats all being done through the State Department, Kirby said.

The Taiwan Defense Ministry is also evaluating other more precise and remote alternative options because it considers precision firepower essential for its defense, it said in the release.

China considers Taiwan, a functioning democracy, a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland, possibly by force.

Beijing has denounced the arms deal as a provocative move that damages China-U.S. relations and peace and stability.

It sends wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces, and severely jeopardizes China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Aug. 5. China is firmly opposed to this and has lodged solemn representations with the US side.

The A6-model howitzers are an upgrade to Taiwans aging arsenal. The islands military is equipped with the M109A2 and M109A5 models, which were introduced in 1971 and 1984, respectively, according to a 2017 report from the Defense Ministry.

The M109A6 Paladin, an armored vehicle with a 155 mm turret, is a long-range artillery piece capable of firing precision-guided rounds. The Paladin features a variety of improvements over its predecessors, including better armor, firing rate, munition capacity and range, according to the 2005 U.S. Army Weapons System Handbook.
STUTTGART, Germany  The U.S. Armys top general in Europe was nominated Tuesday by President Joe Biden to serve as NATOs next supreme allied commander, a two-pronged job that also involves command of American troops in Europe.

Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, who has led U.S. Army Europe and Africa for the past four years, will replace U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, if confirmed.

NATOs North Atlantic Council, the alliances highest decision-making body, backed the decision Tuesday. The alliance said Cavoli is expected to take command during the summer upon approval by the U.S. Senate.

The change comes at a critical time for NATO and overall security in Europe because of Russias war in Ukraine, which is expected to have long-term implications for U.S. military missions on the Continent.

Cavoli would be instrumental in any future changes to the militarys force design in Europe as NATOs top military commander and leader of U.S. European Command, which is based in Stuttgart, Germany.

The Pentagon is now assessing how the miliary might be required to adapt along NATOs eastern flank given Russias aggressive moves and unpredictability.

As the Armys top commander in Europe, Cavoli has overseen a mission that was expanding before Russias invasion of Ukraine in February.

Multiple new Army units have taken up positions in Europe in recent years, marking a reversal of the steady downward trend in troops on the Continent that happened during a decadeslong, post-Cold War drawdown. The amount of U.S. forces has continued to increase since Russias attack on Ukraine.

There are now more than 100,000 U.S. troops in Europe, the highest number in nearly two decades.

Cavoli, a Russian speaker and foreign-area officer by training, was born to an Army family in Wuerzburg, Germany, during the Cold War and grew up at various military bases throughout Europe.

A graduate of Princeton University, he served multiple tours in Afghanistan. He also was director for Russia on the Joint Staff in a previous posting.

A replacement for Cavoli at Army headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, has not yet been announced.
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  Authorities have elevated their investigation into who threw fence posts onto an autobahn near Mehlingen late last month, severely injuring an American riding a motorcycle.

Kaiserslautern police spokesman Bernhard Christian Erfort said Monday that prosecutors are treating the case as an attempted murder. It was initially investigated as dangerous traffic interference.

The act was not a prank to begin with, Erfort said.

An unidentified 37-year-old was riding his Harley-Davidson on A63 toward Kaiserslautern around 10:30 p.m. on April 27, when about 20 large pieces of wood were thrown from a bridge onto the roadway.

Four vehicles drove over or around the logs, but the motorcyclist lost control and slid along the pavement. He broke multiple bones and was hospitalized for emergency treatment.

Investigators said they view the crime as especially heinous because the logs could have endangered many motorists. They believe that the wood came from a nearby fence intended to keep wildlife off the road.

Under German law, murder can carry up to a life sentence, while an attempted murder charge can result in lesser sentences between three and 15 years.

The crash caused more than $31,000 in damage to vehicles.

While the motive in this case remains unclear, similar events have occurred on that section of the highway, police said.

In the past nine years, items including rocks and pieces of wood have been hurled from bridges. In July 2021, a park bench was placed onto the highway, officials reported.

But until now, no one had been injured as a result.

Kaiserslautern police are asking anyone with information on the incident to call 0632-3692620.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged his support for a potential bid from Sweden and Finland to join the NATO defense alliance as a response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Scholz hosted the prime ministers of the two Nordic nations at a cabinet retreat near Berlin Tuesday and said his government is closely following their debate on membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

For us its clear, Scholz told reporters in a joint appearance with Swedish Premier Magdalena Andersson and their Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin. If these two countries should decide they want to belong to NATO then they can count on our support.

He sought to calm fears about the security risk on the path to membership, saying that as fellow Europeans, Sweden and Finland can in any case always count on Germanys support, independently of NATO membership and also during the period before its decided within NATO.

Finland and Sweden are poised to choose whether to apply to join the defense bloc, after Russias invasion of Ukraine in late February caused a major shift in public opinion in favor of NATO in both countries. Finland is expected to take the step before May 17 -- and as soon as next week -- while Swedens stance is less clear.

Speaking alongside Scholz and Andersson, Marin said that Russias aggression against its neighbor has changed our security environment completely and there was no going back.

Russia has made it very clear that it is not committed to the fundamental principles of European security, nor international law, she added. As Russia wrongly claimed the right to dictate the choices of others, NATOs Open Door policy is even more important for us all.

Andersson was more circumspect, outlining that her government and parties represented in the Swedish parliament were in the process of analyzing the nations security policy, the results of which will be presented on May 13.

The analysis includes future international defense partnerships for Sweden, including a discussion on NATO, and all options are on the table, she said. Sweden is, as other countries, adapting to the new circumstances.

Before full membership brings the two countries under the umbrella of collective security, the interim period between putting in their bid and being accepted by lawmakers in NATOs 30 member countries is fraught with dangers, policymakers have warned.

Sweden has observed that Russia uses two contrasting narratives on the two nations aspirations, Foreign Minister Ann Linde said last month.

On the one hand Russia repeatedly warns that they face consequences if they join, but on the other Moscow downplays the importance of whether NATO has 30 or 32 members, she said.
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  Russian forces Tuesday began storming the steel mill containing the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol, Ukrainian defenders said, just as scores of civilians evacuated from the bombed-out plant reached relative safety and told of days and nights filled with dread and despair from constant shelling.

Osnat Lubrani, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said that thanks to the evacuation effort over the weekend, 101 people  including women, the elderly, and 17 children, the youngest 6 months old  were able to emerge from the bunkers under the Azovstal steelworks and "see the daylight after two months."

One evacuee said she went to sleep at the plant every night afraid she wouldn't wake up.

"You can't imagine how scary it is when you sit in the shelter, in a wet and damp basement which is bouncing, shaking," 54-year-old Elina Tsybulchenko said upon arriving in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Mariupol, in a convoy of buses and ambulances.

She added: "We were praying to God that missiles fly over our shelter, because if it hit the shelter, all of us would be done."

Evacuees, a few of whom were in tears, made their way from the buses into a tent offering some of the comforts long denied them during their weeks underground, including hot food, diapers and connections to the outside world. Mothers fed small children. Some of the evacuees browsed racks of donated clothing, including new underwear.

The news for those left behind was more grim. Ukrainian commanders said Russian forces backed by tanks began storming the sprawling plant, which includes a maze of tunnels and bunkers spread out over 11 square kilometers (4 square miles).

How many Ukrainian fighters were holed up inside was unclear, but the Russians put the number at about 2,000 in recent weeks, and 500 were reported to be wounded. A few hundred civilians also remained there, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

"We'll do everything that's possible to repel the assault, but we're calling for urgent measures to evacuate the civilians that remain inside the plant and to bring them out safely," Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of Ukraine's Azov Regiment, said on the messaging app Telegram.

He added that throughout the night, the plant was hit with naval artillery fire and airstrikes. Two civilian women were killed and 10 civilians wounded, he said.

The U.N.'s Lubrani expressed hope for further evacuations but said none had been worked out.

In other battlefield developments, Russian troops shelled a chemical plant in the eastern city of Avdiivka, killing at least 10 people, Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said.

"The Russians knew exactly where to aim  the workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home," Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. "Another cynical crime by Russians on our land."

Explosions were also heard in Lviv, in western Ukraine, near the Polish border. The strikes damaged three power substations, knocking out electricity in parts of the city and disrupting the water supply, and wounded two people, the mayor said. Lviv has been a gateway for NATO-supplied weapons and a haven for those fleeing the fighting in the east.

A rocket also struck an infrastructure facility in a mountainous area in Transcarpathia, a region in far western Ukraine that borders Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, authorities said. There was no immediate word of any casualties.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Russian aircraft and artillery hit hundreds of targets in the past day, including troop strongholds, command posts, artillery positions, fuel and ammunition depots and radar equipment.

Ukrainian authorities said the Russians also attacked at least a half-dozen railroad stations around the country.

The assault on the Azovstal steelworks began almost two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military not to storm the plant to finish off the defenders but to seal it off. The first  and so far only  civilians to be evacuated from the shattered plant got out during a brief cease-fire in an operation overseen by the U.N. and the Red Cross.

At a reception center in Zaporizhzhia, stretchers and wheelchairs were lined up, and children's shoes and toys awaited the convoy. Medical and psychological teams were on standby.

Some of the elderly evacuees appeared exhausted as they arrived. Some of the younger people, especially mothers comforting babies and other young children, appeared relieved.

"I'm very glad to be on Ukrainian soil," said a woman who gave only her first name, Anna, and arrived with two children, ages 1 and 9. "We thought we wouldn't get out of there, frankly speaking."

A small group of women held up signs in English asking that fighters also be evacuated from the steel plant.

The arrival of the evacuees was a rare piece of good news in the nearly 10-week conflict that has killed thousands, forced millions to flee the country, laid waste to towns and cities, and shifted the post-Cold War balance of power in Eastern Europe.

"Over the past days, traveling with the evacuees, I have heard mothers, children and frail grandparents speak about the trauma of living day after day under unrelenting heavy shelling and the fear of death, and with extreme lack of water, food and sanitation," Lubrani said. "They spoke of the hell they have experienced."

In addition to the 101 people evacuated from the steelworks, 58 joined the convoy in a town on the outskirts of Mariupol, Lubrani said. About 30 people who left the plant decided to stay behind in Mariupol to try to find out whether their loved ones were alive, Lubrani said. A total of 127 evacuees arrived in Zaporizhzhia, she said.

The Russian military said earlier that some of the evacuees chose to stay in areas held by pro-Moscow separatists.

About a dozen people taken out in the convoy were sick or injured, none of them critically, according to Pascal Hundt, head of the Ukraine office of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Tsybulchenko rejected Russian allegations that the Ukrainian fighters wouldn't allow civilians to leave the plant. She said the Ukrainian military told civilians that they were free to go but would be risking their lives if they did so.

"We understood clearly that under these murder weapons, we wouldn't survive, we wouldn't manage to go anywhere," she said.

Mariupol has come to symbolize the human misery inflicted by the war. The Russians' two-month siege of the strategic southern port has trapped civilians with little or no food, water, medicine or heat, as Moscow's forces pounded the city into rubble. The plant in particular has transfixed the outside world.

After failing to take Kyiv in the early weeks of the war, Russia withdrew from around the capital and announced that its chief objective was the capture of Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, known as the Donbas.

Mariupol lies in the region, and its fall 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 Donbas.

But so far, Russia's troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains in the eastern offensive.

Ukraine's resistance has been significantly bolstered by Western arms, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced 300 million pounds ($375 million) in new military aid, including radar, drones and armored vehicles.

In a speech delivered remotely to Ukraine's parliament, he pronounced the battle Ukraine's "finest hour," echoing the words of Winston Churchill during World War II.

"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 said.

Associated Press journalists Inna Varenytsia and David Keyton in Kyiv, Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report.
BERLIN  Germany's top court said Tuesday that it has rejected the appeal of a former member of Syria's secret police who was convicted last year of facilitating the torture of prisoners in his home country.

In a landmark ruling, a court in the western German city of Koblenz had convicted Eyad Al-Gharib of accessory to crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 4 1/2 years in prison. The verdict, which was the first time that a court outside Syria ruled in a case alleging Syrian government officials committed crimes against humanity, was welcomed by human rights activists and victims of President Bashar Assad's repression.

Al-Gharib, 45, had appealed the sentence, noting that his testimony to German investigators provided significant evidence for the subsequent conviction of a second, more senior Syrian former official.

The Federal Court of Justice said it found no legal errors in the verdict or sentence imposed by the Koblenz court, meaning that ruling cannot now be challenged.
The Biden administration agreed to change U.S. Park Police and Secret Service policies to settle four lawsuits over the violent removal of Black Lives Matter protesters from a park near the White House when former President Donald Trump was in office.

The Department of Justice settlement bars the agencies from revoking protest permits absent clear and present danger to the public safety or rampant lawbreaking that could lead to widespread injuries or property damage, the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups said in a statement Wednesday.

The use of tear gas and rubber bullets will never be enough to silence our voices or diminish our duty to demand an end to police violence against Black communities, April Goggans, lead organizer of Black Lives Matter for the District of Columbia, said in the ACLU statement. Today marks a win for the ongoing resistance against all attempts to subvert dissent.

The accord resolves claims filed after hundreds of peaceful protesters were pushed out of Lafayette Square by police on June 1, 2020. The crowd was disbursed shortly before Trump crossed the park to pose in front of a historic church holding a Bible. The removal of people drew widespread condemnation from Democrats and some Republicans, including Trumps former Defense Secretary James Mattis, who said the incident made a mockery of our Constitution.

As part of the deal, Park Police will be barred from displaying gas masks and shields at protests unless approved by a high-ranking officer, and police will be required to enable the safe withdrawal of demonstrators if a protest is being dispersed, to provide audible warnings ahead of time, and wear clearly visible identification.

The settlement reduces the opportunity for guilt-by-association policing by modifying Secret Service policy to make clear that uses of force and dispersals are not normally justified by the unlawful conduct of some individuals in a crowd, the ACLU said.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in June 2021 dismissed the protesters claims against Trump, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper and former Attorney General Bill Barr due to a lack of evidence that they coordinated the incident.

The settlement does not resolve the plaintiffs claims against other individuals, including police commanders and officers, the ACLU said.

Those responsible for giving the order and carrying out this injustice still need to be held accountable, Yvonne Slosarski, a spokeswoman for the ACLU in Washington, D.C., said in an email. We will continue fighting for damages for the clients and all the protesters involved in this horrific assault on unprovoked protesters.

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TROY, Ala.  President Joe Biden on Tuesday credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant for doing life-saving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine to stifle Russia's invasion as he made a pitch for Congress to approve $33 billion so the U.S. can continue to hustle aid to the front lines.

"You're allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves," Biden told the workers, his podium flanked by Javelin missile launchers and shipping containers. "And, quite frankly, they're making fools of the Russian military in many instances."

The president toured the Lockheed Martin factory in Alabama and said Ukrainian parents are naming their children "Javelin" or "Javelina" because of the weapons' successes.

"Every worker in this facility and every American taxpayer is directly contributing to the case for freedom," Biden said.

The president's visit also drew attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, 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 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.

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, wouldn't 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 Office of Management and Budget specialist on Pentagon budget strategy, war funding and procurement programs.

He added that Stingers and Javelins were where "we're seeing the most significant inventory issues" and that 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.

Biden noted that each Javelin produced requires 200 computer chips, but semiconductors are in short supply and limiting the availability of everything from autos to kitchen appliances. Biden is urging that legislation be approved to fund the manufacturing of computer chips in the U.S., though that is a longer-term fix to immediate pressures that militaries, businesses and consumers face now.

The war will mean increased sales for some defense contractors, including Raytheon, which makes the Stinger missiles that 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.

Lockheed Martin's facility in Troy, Ala., has the capacity to manufacture about 2,100 Javelins per year. Biden's trip overlapped with his push for an additional $33 billion in security and economic assistance for Kyiv. 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."

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday that America's military readiness is not dependent on one system. He said that every time the Pentagon develops a package of weapons and systems to send to Ukraine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the department do an assessment on what the impact will be on readiness.

"It's 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 what's our ability to meet this particular mission set, realizing that a Javelin isn't the only capability you have against armor."

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, which is based in Bethesda, Md., said in a statement.
By Trend

The Serbian government decided to lift all COVID measures for anyone entering the country as of Tuesday, May 3, 2022, a press release said, Trend reports citing N1.

It said that Serbian and foreign nationals will not be obliged to have a negative PCR or other test, proof of recovery from COVID or proof of vaccination regardless of where they are travelling from.

The decision to allow free entry into the country to Serbian and foreign citizens was taken on the basis of the current epidemiological situation in the country and is in line with the decisions of a majority of countries in Europe and the region. The competent institutions will continue to monitor the development of the epidemiological situation on an hourly basis and will inform the public on time, the press release said.

It added that the decision does not mean that the coronavirus pandemic is over nor that people should not take care of their health.

The recommendation to wear masks indoors remains in effect and wearing masks in health care institutions remains mandatory. COVID medical centers, COVID-19 virus testing stations and vaccination posts continue operating as usual, the government press release said.
May 4, 1997

(No paper May 3, 1997)

AUBURN  SL Auburn employees are trying to keep their heads up in the wake of news their jobs will be eliminated within the next six months.

Company officials dropped a bomb in the laps of the nearly 104 workers Thursday afternoon, telling them its parent company, SL Industries, had sold the 87-year-old Auburn company's assets to Cooper Industries of Houston, Texas.

"We had no idea of this," said Kim Grimm, a machinist. "They pulled the rug right out from underneath us."

SL Auburn makes aircraft spark plugs, aircraft ignition and screw machine products, industrial igniters, liquid level electrodes and motor terminals.

Cooper Industries plans to integrate SL Auburn's product lines into the Cooper Automotive Division in St. Louis, makers of the Champion spark plugs.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

The move will take place at an unspecified time within the next six months and will leave all employees out of work.

 Compiled by David Wilcox

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(Tribune News Service)  SpaceX may shine when it comes to reusable rocket plans, but the launch services provider Rocket Lab is the first to catch one of its boosters with a helicopter.

The Long Beach, Calif.-based company founded in 2006 that launches its small Electron rockets from New Zealand, was able to pull off the feat during a launch dubbed There and Back Again on Tuesday.

Bringing a rocket back from space and catching it with a helicopter is something of a supersonic ballet, said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck in a press release. A tremendous number of factors have to align and many systems have to work together flawlessly, so I am incredibly proud of the stellar efforts of our recovery team and all of our engineers who made this mission and our first catch a success.

Its the 26th successful launch for the company since 2018 with the primary goal of deploying 34 satellites to orbit. Electron rockets have now sent 146 satellites total into space. It took off from Pad A at Rocket Labs Launch Complex 1 on New Zealands Mahia Peninsula at 10:49 a.m. local time deploying satellites for Alba Orbital, Astrix Astronautics, Aurora Propulsion Technologies, E-Space, Spaceflight, and Unseenlabs.

The secondary goal was a midair capture of the Electron booster, which used a parachute to slow its descent. A Sikorsky S-92 helicopter rendezvoused with the floating stage at 6,500 feet altitude using a hook on a long line to snag the parachute line.

While the initial catch of the Electron booster was a success, the helicopter pilot decided to offload the stage for safety reasons, but it still made what the company called a successful splashdown. It was then loaded onto a recovery vessel to determine if it can be used for reflight as planned.

Rocket Lab had previously recovered boosters on three other missions through parachute assist landings in the ocean. Future missions will continue efforts to capture the stage via helicopter, thus avoiding the water landing.

From here well assess the stage and determine what changes we might want to make to the system and procedures for the next helicopter catch and eventual reflight, Beck said.

The goal just like SpaceX, is to reuse its boosters to reduce costs and increase the frequency of launches.

Since the first successful Falcon 1 launch in 2008, the Elon Musk company has had 155 launches and been able to recover 117 of its boosters among Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches. Its also recycled boosters 94 times, some used on more than 10 launches. Its current record set on March 19 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is 12 launches for one booster.

Jeff Bezos Blue Origin is also embraced reusability, first with its space tourism New Shepard rockets, but also for its massive New Glenn rockets in production on the Space Coast that could see their first launch in 2023.

2022 Orlando Sentinel.

Visit orlandosentinel.com .
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tribune News Service)  A federal judge has denied a request by a Citadel cadet who was charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to participate in a three-week study abroad program this summer in Estonia that included visits to sensitive government installations, including a NATO cybersecurity station.

He is facing federal charges in one of the most serious and consequential actions in this country over 100 years, U.S. Judge Tanya Chutkan said Tuesday of Elias Irizarry, a sophomore at South Carolinas military college, The Citadel.

Your motion ... is denied, Chutkan told Eugene Ohm, Irizarrys lawyer, who had urged the judge to let Irizarry travel to Estonia for a three-week study abroad program.

Irizarry did not speak in the hearing held by teleconference. Irizarry has been on federal bail since his arrest in March 2021.

He has pleaded not guilty.

In court Tuesday, Chutkan said Irizarry has so far rejected a plea offer and has not sought to move the case forward by saying he wanted to go to trial or offering to plead guilty.

I think Mr. Irizarry needs to reexamine his priorities, Chutkan said.

Ohm argued Irizarry would be supervised while on the trip, but Chutkan was unmoved. Estonia borders Russia, and the study abroad program would involve visiting NATO sites, the judge said.

Ohm also argued that Irizarry should face no sanction in his pending case as he has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent.

What if he wanders into Russia? the judge asked during the hearing. I dont need a lecture on the presumption of innocence.

Chutkan further added that study abroad programs are a benefit, not a requirement. And, Chutkan added, Irizarry is on pre-trial supervision for allegations in a serious riot that attempted to stop the peaceful transition of power on the United States.

Irizarry, 20, and a friend, Elliot Bishai, another Nation Ford High graduate in Fort Mill, had been offered plea bargains in mid-December by the prosecution.

Bishai pleaded guilty in late April to entering a restricted Capitol area. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29.

Irizarry and Bishai were arrested by the FBI in March 2021 and were arraigned in federal court in Columbia, where assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott Daniels told a magistrate judge that evidence in the case showed they entered the Capitol through a broken window with a mob numbering in the hundreds

Videos show both men entering the Capitol through a window that others in the mob had broken out, court documents alleged. Bishai shouted Lets go! and Civil War 2! as the pair ambled through the Capitol, taking selfies and sitting on statues, according to evidence in his case. Irizarry, a Trump supporter, wore a Make America Great Again cap during the riot.

Both were charged with knowingly disrupting a session of Congress, disorderly conduct in a federal building, demonstrating in a Capitol building and entering and remaining in a Capitol building.

Chutkan has already allowed Irizarry to go to Europe one time.

In December, she allowed Irizarry to travel to Germany over the Christmas holiday on a three-day family trip with his mother.

That trip  a personal trip  was different from the privileged study abroad program that Irizarry had requested to take, the judge said.

Under the conditions of being allowed on bond pending trial, Irizarry had to request permission from the judge in his case to travel out of the country.

2022 The State. Columbia, S.C.

Visit at thestate.com .

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WASHINGTON  Top U.S. military leaders reassured senators on Tuesday that they will not allow weapon stockpiles to fall to critical shortages as the U.S. continues to arm Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a subpanel of the Senate Appropriations Committee that the Pentagon is closely watching its inventories and working with the defense industry to replenish weapons such as Javelin and Stinger missiles as soon as possible. The reassurance came amid President Joe Bidens visit Tuesday to a Lockheed Martin facility in Alabama that manufactures the anti-tank Javelins.

Its very critical to maintain what we consider to be minimum-required stockage levels, and you can rest assured that I will not allow us to go below that in critical munitions, Austin said. At this point, I think were in pretty good shape, and industry is responding.

Austin did not expand on what those minimum levels are, but Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., noted the U.S. has sent roughly 5,000 Javelins and 1,400 Stingers to Ukraine, comprising 33% and 25% of their respective stockpiles. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., described the state of the missile inventory as very thin.

Blunt and Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said they were concerned that supply chain issues and cold production lines could limit the pace of replenishment. They pressed Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on how quickly the weapons could be restocked.

Austin told senators that it was not only possible to replace some of the stockpiles within a year, but we will do that.

Well see production lines operate at different speeds, he said. Were optimistic about the Javelin, and industry being able to increase the production rate in a very meaningful way and there are decisions to be made on the Stinger going forward.

Defense industry experts told the Senate Armed Services Committee last month that pandemic-related issues with hiring and supply chains as well as the long-term neglect of production capacity could delay replenishment of some weaponry by up to five years.

Raytheon, the manufacturer of the anti-aircraft Stinger, told analysts during a call last week that it would not be able to ramp up output until 2023 due to lack of available parts. The Pentagon has not purchased a Stinger in about 18 years, according to the company.

Defense Department officials have been meeting with industry partners since the war in Ukraine began in February, Austin said. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks held discussions with executives from eight major defense contractors last month on boosting production.

We have encouraged industry to work with us to open up production lines, to increase their production and they are doing that, theyre leaning forward. In some cases, its a little bit more difficult to do that than others, but industry has been very supportive, Austin said.

Funding the restocking effort will require the passage of the $33 billion supplemental Ukraine aid package that the White House sent Congress last week, he said. About $16 billion of the requested funding would go to the Defense Department, including $6 billion to procure additional weapons and systems for Ukraine and another $5 billion for drawing more weapons from U.S. inventories.

This will help us to not only replenish our stockpiles but also replace some of the capability weve asked our partners and allies to provide, Austin said.

Javelins and Stingers, as well as other anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, will remain in high demand as Ukraines troops beat back Russian forces attempting to conquer the countrys south and eastern Donbas region, Milley said. Other crucial weaponry includes long-range cannons and rocket artillery, tanks and infantry vehicles, he said.

Austin added Russia does not have any weapon that resembles the Javelin, which the Ukrainians used with great success during the failed siege of Ukraines capital Kyiv.

Several senators called for the Pentagon to be more transparent and watchful as it steps up its weapons deliveries to ensure that equipment is moving to Ukraines front lines. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said she repeatedly heard from those involved in logistics that diversion and hoarding issues have kept weapons, ammunition and armor from reaching some front-line units.

Are we making sure that none of these weapons are falling into the wrong hands? Is there any way to even do that? Tester asked.

Austin stressed it was difficult to track weapons once they were moved into Ukraine but said he is confident that equipment is getting to the right places. During a visit to Kyiv last week, Austin said he spoke to senior Ukrainian leaders about accountability and will continue to emphasize its importance.

We have to depend on the Ukrainians at this point to do the right thing and make sure that they are prudent and careful about how they issue these weapons out and account for these weapons, he said.
A twice-convicted sex offender from the Moravia area who was wanted for absconding parole was captured on Tuesday.

According to the New York State Police on its Facebook page, Keith A. Hilliard, 43, was taken into custody by the US Marshals Task Force which is comprised of US Marshals, state police, NYS Parole and the Onondaga County Sheriff's office.

No other information about the capture was given. He was last seen last week running into a wooded area in the town of Moravia. Hilliard, with an address at the time of 4258 Route 38A, Moravia, was sentenced July 11, 2017, in Cayuga County Court to three years in prison and 10 years of post-release supervision for having sex with a 13-year-old girl; violating his status as a registered sex offender by failing to disclose a Facebook account; and assaulting another inmate while being held in the Cayuga County Jail.

Following his most recent conviction, Hilliard's sex offender status was escalated to Level 3, the highest risk for re-offending, and he was sent to prison. He was released from Great Meadow Correctional Facility under parole supervision on Jan. 13 with a maximum post-release supervision expiration of Dec. 1, 2029.

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The Ministry of Health is reporting 9,109 new community cases of Covid-19, 481 hospitalisations, 10 people in ICU, and 20 deaths.

Two people in the Bay of Plenty District Health Board region have died with Covid-19.

Of the 9,109 new cases, 280 are in the Bay of Plenty DHB region and 167 in Lakes.

There are 10 people in ICU across New Zealand. Two people are in Lakes hospitals and 27 in Bay of Plenty DHB hospitals.

Covid-19 deaths

Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of 20 people with Covid-19, says a Ministry of Health spokesperson. The deaths being reported today include people who have died over the previous eight days.

These deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 to 777 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 13.

Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today, one person was from Northland, one from Auckland, two from Waikato, two from Bay of Plenty, four from Tairawhiti, four from the Greater Wellington region, five from Canterbury and one from Southern.

One person was in their 50s; three in their 60s; three in their 70s; eight in their 80s and five were aged over 90. Of these people, 12 were women and eight were men.

This is a very sad time for whanau and friends and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this time. Out of respect, we will be making no further comment.

Todays seven-day rolling average of community case numbers is 7,943  last Tuesday it was 8,085.

"With the new school term underway, its a timely reminder for people to continue to follow public health advice to stay at home and stay away from school or work if youre feeling unwell," says a Ministry of Health spokesperson. "Another way to protect you and your whanau is to get vaccinated if you havent already done so.

"Vaccination remains our best defence against Covid-19 and getting boosted is an important way people can protect themselves, their whanau and their friends from the virus.

"Please if you are due for a vaccination, whether it be a second shot or booster, make an appointment today."

Vaccinations administered in New Zealand

Vaccines administered to date: 4,026,660 first doses; 3,978,057 second doses; 31,811 third primary doses; 2,632,058 booster doses: 261,663 paediatric first doses and 116,823 paediatric second doses

Vaccines administered yesterday: 19 first doses; 51 second doses; 16 third primary doses; 1,209 booster doses; 45 paediatric first doses and 312 paediatric second doses

People vaccinated

All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,056,295 first dose (96.4%); 4,007,076 second dose (95.2%), 2,627,965 boosted (70.9% of those eligible)

Maori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 521,032 first dose (91.2%); 504,066 second dose (88.3%), 234,718 boosted (54.5% of those eligible)

Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,877 first dose (98.3%); 276,992 second dose (96.6%), 139,997 boosted (56.9% of those eligible)

5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 258,864 first dose (54.3%); 114,062 second dose (23.9%)

5 to 11-year-olds - Maori: 40,815 first dose (35.3%); 12,956 second dose (11.2%)

5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 23,499 first dose (47.6%); 6,536 second dose (13.2%)

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 (93.5%); 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 (90.9%); 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 (97.5%); 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 481: Northland: 30; Waitemata: 75; Counties Manukau: 70; Auckland: 90; Waikato: 33; Bay of Plenty: 27; Lakes: 2; Tairawhiti: 0; Hawkes Bay: 11; Taranaki: 4; Whanganui: 1; MidCentral: 8; Wairarapa: 1; Hutt Valley: 5; Capital and Coast: 13; Nelson Marlborough: 9; Canterbury: 70; South Canterbury: 3; West Coast: 1; Southern: 28

*Average age of current hospitalisations: 59

Cases in ICU or HDU: 10

Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (40 cases / 16%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (5 cases / 2%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (77 cases / 30%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (128 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: 7,943

Seven day rolling average (as at same day last week): 8,085

Number of new community cases: 9,109

Number of new community cases (PCR): 194

Number of new community cases (RAT): 8,915

Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (266), Auckland (2,678), Waikato (547), Bay of Plenty (280), Lakes (167), Hawkes Bay (283), MidCentral (365), Whanganui (121), Taranaki (249), Tairawhiti (88), Wairarapa (89), Capital and Coast (437), Hutt Valley (433), Nelson Marlborough (332), Canterbury (1,586), South Canterbury (161), Southern (947), West Coast (78), Unknown (2)

Number of new cases identified at the border: 128

Number of active community cases (total): 55,588 (cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered)

Confirmed cases (total): 949,323

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
The exclusion zone around Ruapehu will be extended if needed, as the Department of Conservation keeps a close eye on safety in the Tongariro National Park.

And, while a big eruption such as the mid-1990s with wider ashfall impacts is considered unlikely at the moment, planning is ongoing for managing the very serious impacts this could have on infrastructure, peoples health and animal welfare as volcanic unrest continues.

The Department of Conservation, the lead agency on visitor safety in the park, put in place a two-kilometre exclusion zone around Ruapehus crater lake six weeks ago.

A map provided by the department shows three and four kilometre exclusion zones that can be introduced as needed.

A senior DOC ranger at Tongariro, Anna Atchley, says the department will be advised by GNS Science on whether the exclusion zone should be bigger.

We use our volcanic risk management plan to make management decisions with the information provided by GNS.

We are also working closely with local, regional and national government organisations, as well as key stakeholders and partners...to prepare for an eruption should one occur.

GNS says ashfall impacts will not occur until the crater lake is removed and this is very unlikely.

The chances of a prolonged eruptive episode or a larger eruption, such as occurred in 1995-96 with wider ashfall impacts, is higher than it was two months ago, but also remains very unlikely, the agency says.

Such an eruption will most likely only follow a sequence of smaller eruptions.

Information in the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group plan says an eruption of any volcano in the national park, coupled with strong winds from the south, could result in ashfall across parts of the Waikato region.

Lifeline infrastructure  such as electricity generation and transmission, roads and water supplies  could be hit, along with agriculture.

In a sign of the seriousness of the risks, Tom Wilson, a professor of disaster risk and resilience at University of Canterbury, is helping lead a group of experts looking at volcanic ashfall impact scenarios.

We are working closely with a lot of critical infrastructure companies, he says, including on being well-prepared for volcanic ashfall.

Ash could potentially short-circuit power transmission and slow transport on roads, for example.

He also says that in the case of planning for eruptions from the central plateau volcanoes... one of the things were always interested in is the physical and chemical composition of ash.

Samples will need to be collected to help determine the best human and animal health advice in the circumstances, Wilson says.

-Stuff/Stephen Ward.
The number of people waiting longer than four months for their first appointments with hospital specialists had doubled because of the pandemic, says the country's Health Minister.

And the number of people waiting longer than four months for treatment had more than trebled.

With that in mind, the government is announcing a plan to tackle hospital waiting lists around the country.

Health Minister Andrew Little says hospital waiting lists will be managed nationally under the governments plan to cut the time people who need operations and appointments have to wait.

A taskforce has been set up to over see this and includes Bay of Plenty DHB clinical director Linda Chalmers.

Covid-19 has been hugely disruptive to hospital systems all over the world.

In England, for example, there was a 200-fold increase in the number of people waiting for planned care for more than a year, from just over 1600 in February 2020, to more than 300,000 in November 2021.

New Zealand has done better than most countries. Our elimination strategy not only prevented tens of thousands of deaths, it also protected our health system from being over-run, as we saw happen in countries like Italy and the United States.

In fact, for most of the past two years, our hospitals have been free of Covid-19 and were able to keep functioning normally for long periods of time.

The Delta variant and Omicron wave had, however, put pressure on hospitals, says Little.

The number of people waiting longer than four months for their first appointments with hospital specialists had doubled because of the pandemic, and the number of people waiting longer than four months for treatment had more than trebled.

For people who need these procedures and appointments, having to wait is distressing.

Now, with the benefit of having one of the most highly vaccinated populations in the world, and with a suite of new medicines available to treat Covid-19 patients and keep many of them out of hospital, we can start managing on a more business-as-usual basis.

The Governments waiting list response is being led by interim Health New Zealand and the interim Maori Health Authority.

These organisations will become permanent entities when the Governments health reforms come into effect July 1.

Health Minister Andrew Little.

We have an opportunity right up-front to harness one of the principal benefits of the reforms  a truly nationwide approach to the health problems that affect us all, says Little.

With one public health system, we have the opportunity to work together to make sure people get the treatment they need, no matter which part of the country they live in.

The work will be overseen by a high-powered taskforce led by Counties Manukau chief medical officer and colorectal surgeon Andrew Connolly.

The taskforce will help hospitals take whatever short-term measures they can to reduce waiting times, and will be responsible for delivering a national plan by September.

I expect a national review of all waiting lists and a reassessment of the situation of everyone on it.

I also expect the taskforce to make full use of all health resources, including those in the private sector.

I have been told that if we try to approach this problem in the ways we have before, it could take between three to five years to clear the planned-care backlog.

It is my expectation that we can clear the backlog in considerably less time than that.

Other members of the taskforce are:
WARNING: This story contains details of child abuse which readers may find distressing.

Childrens Minister Kelvin Davis says he will get to the bottom of what could have prevented the murder of five-year-old boy Malachi Subecz.

Malachi died in November 2021, following prolonged and horrific abuse at the hands of a woman appointed as his caregiver.

Michaela Barriball, 27, pleaded guilty to four charges related to his death at the High Court in Tauranga on Wednesday.

The summary of facts state she had interim custody of Malachi, from June 2021, after his biological mother was imprisoned.

Davis, who is the minister responsible for Oranga Tamariki, says he wants to know what involvement his ministry had in the boys life.

Davis says he has personally moved to get more information from Oranga Tamariki about what it did, or didn't do, to keep Subecz safe. He expects the agency to brief him this week.

Childrens Minister Kelvin Davis has addressed the murder of Malachi Subecz, a 5-year-old killed by his interim caregiver. Photo: ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff.

There has been some involvement of Oranga Tamariki, I want to get the bottom of it and make sure we know what was done and what  if anything  could be done better, he says.

My heart goes out to the young fella. I want to get to the bottom of this.

While tasked with his care, Barriball subjected the five-year-old boy to daily assaults which included throwing him into walls, holding his head underwater, and picking him up off the ground by his hair.

He died on November 12, at Starship Hospital, after being found injured in Tauranga on November 1.

Stuff has also asked Oranga Tamariki what involvement it had in Malachis life, and is awaiting a response.

Child Matter chief executive Jane Searle: It sounds like there were plenty of opportunities for [the other adults in Malachis life] to step up and protect him. Why did they not do that? Photo: Christel Yardley/Stuff.

Ministry of Education Operations and Integration/Te Pae Aronui leader Sean Teddy, says the ministry will not comment while the case was still before the courts.

Where a school or early learning service suspects abuse or neglect they are legally required to report this to the relevant agency. For criminal matters this is police.

When we are made aware of concerns about childs safety or wellbeing, we act, including coordinating with other agencies where needed.

Child Matters chief executive Jane Searle says the case is just another suddenly visible tip of an iceberg of abuse.

Everyone talks about the case of Moko [Rangitoheriri] being the worst this country has ever had, but the reality is there are many cases that are just as tragic. There are hundreds of children in New Zealand who are suffering abuse like this every week, some with life-changing injuries.

While she did not have enough detail on the specifics of Malachis case, Seale says it appeared symptomatic of a three-pronged failure on the part of Government agencies, staff at kindergartens and schools, and  perhaps most significantly  of the adults in the childrens lives.

Those are the three main things that can protect children ... With the Government agencies, it could be that they were simply too slow. There was not enough prioritisation. But it seems there are so many factors in play, it is hard to know for sure.

Assistant Maori Children's Commissioner Glenis Philip-Barbara: I really hope young people get a greater say in who they are placed with. Photo: Monique Ford/Stuff.

A lack of mandatory training for staff at kindergartens and childcare centres on how to identify signs of abuse and how to respond to it appropriately is also needed, she says.

At many countries overseas it is mandatory, yet here it is not. You have to wonder why that is.

The main factor is the other adults who were living in the home where this boy was. It sounds like there were plenty of opportunities for them to step up and protect him. Why did they not do that?

And it was not those people who had to ask themselves that question.

The last few years, we have averaged the death of a child at the hands of his or her parent or caregiver every four of five weeks.

Everyone needs to stop and think about that for a second.

Glenis Philip-Barbara, the Assistant Maori Commissioner for Children, says while she can't talk about Malachis situation specifically, when it comes to the vetting of caregivers there is one important voice that is regularly not being heard: The children themselves.

I really hope young people get a greater say in who they are placed with. Children have a great instinct and know who they are comfortable being around.

Their feedback needs to have a greater bearing on the decisions being made. And so it should, because children have their rights guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

While there was a constellation of factors such as drug abuse and social deprivation that led to situations of family violence and neglect of children, there were also plenty of agencies, particularly in smaller communities, dedicated to preventing such situations.

One of the questions we need to ask families living with family violence is who do they trust most to support them assist them out of those situations.

-Stuff/Mike Mather.
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A Russian carmaker has reportedly asked Iran to supply it with key components it cannot access due to sanctions imposed by Western countries after the invasion of Ukraine, reports AP.

(Watch: Porsche Taycan sets Guinness World Record for doing 69 consecutive donuts)

The report claims that a Russian automaker had enquired about purchasing parts, without specifying the company by name. The components in demand included brake systems, seat belts, airbags, alternators, air conditioners, thermostats and power window systems.

The report also claims that given the Russian automaker's demand for cooperation with Iranian equipment manufacturers, companies that have the capacity to supply Russia, in terms of quality and quantity of production, can try their luck for a presence in the market of this northern neighbour. Some Iranian car components, including engine cooling and suspension systems, have already been exported to Russia in recent years.

Western carmakers have ventured into Russia to assemble cars over the past two decades as the country's economy expanded. However, since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February, numerous car makers have stopped sales of their cars or parts to Russia, including Audi, Honda, Jaguar and Porsche. Automakers that have halted Russian production include BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Production by automaker AvtoVAZ, the largest carmaker in Russia with the country's top brand Lada, a company majority-owned by France's Nissan-Renault group, is almost at a standstill due to a shortage of imported components. The Renault Group is under intense pressure to boycott Russia over Ukraine and considering whether to withdraw from AvtoVAZ.

First Published Date:
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The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo has set a Guinness World Record of performing 69 consecutive donuts on the ice in Sweden. This record achieved by Porsche Taycan is for the most number of consecutive donuts done on ice in an electric vehicle. The all-electric Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo was driven by stunt driver Terry Grant. This attempt was done in February this year on a frozen sea at the 2022 Race Of Champions in Sweden's Pite Havsbad.

In order to qualify for the record, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo had to perform the spins with any break within a circular area which was double the length of the electric vehicle. According to a report by Motor1, a standard production Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo was used to perform the stunt. The electric car sported winter tires during the event.

(Also read | Porsche, Audi to enter Formula One, informs Volkswagen CEO)

In the video, one can note that the Taycan Cross Turismo was stopping mid-way while the driver was performing the donuts. This was due to the ice that was being thrown around that covered one of the electric vehicle's sensors. Grant mentioned this made the Porsche EV assume that it was in some kind of crash situation which prompted the EV's system to stop.

(Also read | Porsche configurator gets over 160 colour options with a paint-to-sample feature)

This is the second Guinness World Record that Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo achieved. Earlier this year, the Porsche electric vehicle set the record for the greatest altitude change ever achieved by an electric car. In this, the Taycan Cross Turismo went through six states over a vertical distance of over 4,842.967 meters and covered over 2,253 km between Eagle Mine in Michigan and Pikes Peak in Colorado. During this record attempt, the team had to endure all kinds of weather including sun, rain, snow and ice. Three groups of drivers worked in coordination to take on the driving duties.

First Published Date:
In brief: We're used to hearing about lawsuits being launched against Apple, but Cupertino isn't averse to sending its own lawyers after entities it feels have wronged the company. One of these is Rivos, a "stealth-mode" startup based out of Mountain View, California, that Apple accuses of poaching Cupertino engineers to steal trade secrets for use in rival chip designs.

Last year brought reports of some senior Apple engineers leaving the company to join a mysterious startup called Rivos, which was reportedly working on a high-performance RISC-V CPU design.

But according to a lawsuit filed by Apple, at least two of the engineers that joined Rivos took gigabytes of confidential information with them, part of a "coordinated campaign" launched in June 2021 that has targeted Apple employees.

The suit also alleges that other ex-Apple employees took confidential documents with them when they left to join Rivos, and that they tried to hide these actions by wiping their Apple-issued devices. The information is said to have included presentations covering current and unreleased chip designs, writes Bloomberg.

"Apple has reason to believe that Rivos instructed at least some Apple employees to download and install apps for encrypted communications (e.g., the Signal app) before communicating with them further," Apple wrote in the complaint.

Some of the proprietary and trade secrets allegedly stolen by the engineers covered information about Apple's M1 and A15 chips. Apple said it has spent billions of dollars and more than a decade of research on its SoC designs, which have "revolutionized the personal and mobile computing worlds," writes Reuters.

Two defendants named in the suit Bhasi Kaithamana and Ricky Wenare accused of breaching intellectual property agreements they signed while at Apple that prohibited them from copying confidential proprietary information during their time at the company and to return any related materials before they left.

Apple wants the court to block Rivos from using its trade secrets, order its former employees to return its property, and award it an undisclosed amount of money damages.

Apple is still in the process of suing former high-level chip designer Gerard Williams III for allegedly violating his contract and exploiting Apple technology in his venture, Nuvia.
A hot potato: Apple recently amended its developer policies to appease Dutch regulators and allow local dating apps to use external payment systems. However, the consumer authority doesn't believe the company did enough and rejected its proposed changes.

The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) in the Netherlands told Apple that its efforts to meet its March mandate to allow dating app developers to use external payment platforms weren't good enough. It said that the company's proposal was an "improvement" but was not sufficient to comply with European and Dutch regulations.

"The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has come to the conclusion that the changes that Apple on March 30 made to its conditions for dating apps in the Netherlands are insufficient," said the ACM in a statement posted by a Dutch journalist. "ACM does see improvements in the proposals that Apple has put forward, but these still fall short of meeting European and Dutch rules."

Update in Apple-zaak van de ACM:



Toezichthouder bereidt nieuwe last onder dwangsom voor. ACM ziet wel "verbetering in de voorstellen", maar die zijn nog "onvoldoende".



Details en bedrag nieuwe dwangsom volgen laten. pic.twitter.com/dncKOj51H6  Nando Kasteleijn (@nandokasteleijn) May 2, 2022

To recap: Apple submitted a proposal allowing Dutch dating apps (and oddly, only Dutch dating apps) to either use third-party payment systems or Apple's in-app platform, but not both. Regardless of what devs went with, Apple would still take 27 percent of app sales for studios making less than $1 million per year.

This proposal was Apple's second. The first was the same, except that it also required developers to make two separate apps  one for Dutch customers and one for everyone else. Regulators flatly rejected that suggestion in January, calling it "unreasonable."

The ACM has already fined Apple 5 million euros per week up to its maximum penalty of 50 million (about $55 million). It is now considering bringing additional fines since the initial penalties did not compel Apple to comply with the authority's expectations.

"As the previous order subject to periodic penalty payments failed to deliver the desired outcome, ACM is currently preparing a new order subject to periodic penalty payments," said the regulator. "Once we have published this new order subject to periodic penalty payments, we can comment on the contents thereof as well as on the points on which Apple is still in non-compliance. That may take several weeks."
(Photo : Square Enix)

Arguably among the biggest names in the media publishing industry, Embracer Group announced on Monday, May 2nd, the purchase of several key Square Enix properties and video game licenses. While still subject to regulatory approval, the $300 million deal would see Embracer acquiring some of Square's biggest Western experiences, from the likes of Tomb Raider to the Legacy of Kain series.

The acquisition includes major studios, as well, some of which still even have game sequels in the pipeline, such as Crystal Dynamics and its own forthcoming Tomb Raider outing. In addition to Crystal Dynamics, Embracer will also receive Square Enix Montreal and Eidos-Montreal, which includes, according to the press release, "1,100 employees across three studios and eight global locations."

Gaming IP that Embracer has now acquired, per regulatory approvals, consists in a total of Deus Ex, Thief, Legacy of Kain, Tomb Raider, and "continued sales and operations of the studios' more than 50 back-catalog games," which gives Embracer some hefty legs to work with. The deal between Square Enix and Embracer is set to close by September 2022 officially but could be finalized as early as July.

Embracer, home to among the biggest catalog of video game IPs, has been quite busy over the past several years, gobbling up talent, including the likes of 4A Games Limited, Metro developer, and Gearbox, the studio behind the highly beloved Borderlands. Embracer likewise owns THQ Nordic, Saber Interactive, and even comic book publisher Dark Horse.

Related Article: Square Enix Jumps Into Blockchain Game Market! New NFT Games to Arrive

Despite its seeming liquidation, Square Enix retains somewhat of a foothold within the Western games scene, as evidenced via Outriders, Life is Strange, and even Just Cause, all games the company will continue to publish moving forward. The company hasn't exactly been in the green as of late, expressed most prominently in backlash received following the debut of a Square Enix NFT.

On top of the bad press is a mountain of additional relatively poorly met video game releases, such as the recently released Babylon's Fall, as well as Marvel's Avengers and Balan Wonderland. Square is at the point where it needs to seriously consider righting the ship in a time wherein consolidation is at its most extreme.

Some of the biggest entities in gaming are preparing their pocketbooks for major acquisitions, seen more recently with the likes of Sony and Bungie, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, and even Take-Two and Zynga. Only a week ago, rumors were floating around that Ubisoft was being touted out on the market as acquisition talks were heating up.

Following the agreement's close, the $300 million acquisition will put Embracer at the top of the US charts and second in Canada in terms of led game developers with a total of 124 internal studios, 10,000 engaged game developers, and 14,000 employees per the announcement. The press release also voiced "more than 230 games with more than 30 AAA games" as being currently in active development.

Adds Embracer, "There are compelling opportunities to organically grow the studios to maximize their commercial opportunities."

Read Also: Square Enix and Qualcomm Join Forces to Develop More Immersive XR Experiences

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The next generation of graphics processing units (GPUs) is coming soon, and it will bring the new computer component with the capabilities to do better than current features in public. Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) are two of the companies that lead the charge, and they will be focusing on the new releases coming soon, say reports.

Nvidia and AMD to Soon Bring Next-Generation GPUs

(Photo : Olly Curtis/Maximum PC Magazine/Future via Getty Images)

A group of PC graphics cards, including (L-R) a Zotac GeForce GTX 1060 AMP Edition, MSI Radeon RX 470 Gaming X 8G and an AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB, taken on July 22, 2016.

There are many reports now, and these two reports say that Nvidia and AMD are preparing themselves for their next-generation, the latest GPUs for its releases. The computer components initially saw a shortage in the industry for its parts, resulting in massive stock unavailability in stores and partner retailers.

The industry also saw many scalpers and hoarders for the processing units.

According to Digital Trends, Nvidia and AMD will release a new GPU for their lineup, bringing an update to their latest devices available in the market.

Nvidia is coming in with the GeForce's RTX series, particularly the 40-series lineup with its top-of-the-line card, the 4090.

On the other hand, a report from Tech Radar points out AMD's new releases with the top-spec AD102 and the Navi 33's continuation from the American company.

Read Also: AMD's New RX 6650 XT Will Not Be Much Of An Upgrade Over The 6600 XT

Nvidia vs. AMD: Next-Generation GPU War Coming?

According to both reports, there will be a next-generation GPU war coming for the world, and it will fill them with the graphics card that they aim to receive in the coming future. Digital Trends predict that Nvidia will reign supreme in the GPU wars. At the same time, Tech Radar presented an argument regarding AMD's early and strong start, but something that Nvidia will also dominate later.

What GPUs to Come Soon from Nvidia and AMD?

Early in 2022, there were many speculations regarding the normalizing stocks of GPUs after several years of difficulty in bringing the computer components to sell in retailers and other shops. Many reports show that it is finally getting regular stock availability among retailers. Still, some claims focus on the UK and EU regions only, but not as much on the rest of the world.

There are no notable releases from famous GPU companies like AMD and Nvidia, especially with confirming the new graphics card from its lineup. Its previous release includes the Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti, and rumors say it will soon transition to the GeForce RTX 40-series, following last year's 30-series releases.

The Radeon also sees rumors regarding its releases that will continue its line.

Both companies will compete against each other in the upcoming GPU wars for the next-generation releases of the top manufacturers and designers for computer components. However, as much as the news regarding this brings massive technology for all, it is not confirmed by the companies, and it may see a later release than the speculation for 2022.

Related Article: Nvidia's Cloud Gaming Service GeForce Now Acquires Support for Apple Silicon in New Update

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NAPA, Calif.  Vibratex, the sole North American importer of the Magic Wand brand, has designated May 20th as "Magic Wand Day."

In honor of Magic Wand Day, Vibratex is celebrating with contests and giveaways.

The company said since its debut on May 20, 1968, millions of people from every walk of life have enjoyed the Magic Wand  and theyve shared their love for the device with others. From simply telling friends to creating artistic tributes, these gestures of appreciation have transformed a humble product into a symbol of pleasure and individuality.

Magic Wand Day is an opportunity to celebrate that community.

Our goal is for Magic Wand Day to be a giant thank you to everyone who supports and loves the brand, explained Vibratex CEO Ken Herskovitz. While the product itself is what brings the community together, its the community that keeps the product alive.

Consumers can join the celebration through Vibratexs #MagicWandInk giveaway on Twitter and Instagram  both @truemagicwand  in honor of individuals whove opted to honor Magic Wand with an equally permanent expression of pleasure and joy: a Magic Wand tattoo.

Friends and fans can send along images of their magical ink for a chance to receive a Magic Wand of their choice by Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 5 p.m. PT. Submission details and more information are available at magicwandoriginal.com/ magicwandink.

Further, Vibratex is giving away cash and products to the winners of the Magic Wand Day Display Contest. Further recognizing countless friends and fans who have shown their love with ink, this years display contest theme is Magic Wand Tattoos. Vibratex has even printed temporary tattoos (designed by prominent artist Gentle Jaz!) to apply and/or give to customers.

Heres how to enter:

*Click here for downloadable graphics to post or print

*Use this form to request a supply of temporary tattoos. Or, order from your distributor

*Set up your most creative Magic Wand Day display or online promotion

*Take photos of your display and click here to submit your entry by May 20, 2022

The Vibratex team will announce the winners on June 2, 2022 and award the following prizes:

First Place

-24 Magic Wands (6 of each SKU) for resale

-$1,000 to be shared among store staff

Second Place

-12 Magic Wands (3 of each SKU) for resale

-$750 to be shared among store staff

Third Place

-8 Magic Wands (2 of each SKU) for resale

-$500 to be shared among store staff

Retailers with questions and/or interested in offering the all-new Magic Wand Mini should contact Director of Business Development Eddie Romero ([email protected]) for more information.

To learn more about Magic Wand, visit magicwandoriginal.com. Join Magic Wand on Instagram at @truemagicwand.
Apple filed a lawsuit and issued a chip startup known as Rivos, with the Big Tech claiming that its trade secrets were taken from them, alongside employees that transition. The Cupertino company focuses on a new lawsuit that it files against other companies, with supporting documents that bring a case against the startup company.

Apple Sues Rivos, a Chip Startup that Allegedly Stole From Them

(Photo : Unsplash/Niccolo Chiamori)

Apple

Bloomberg reported that Apple brought a lawsuit against a chip startup company called Rivos, as it allegedly stole trade secrets from them and got employees to transfer to their team. The report claims that Apple has several pieces of evidence and information regarding this, mainly as the dispute focuses on the stolen data on chips.

Apple is famous for developing its chips and other components. It means that this information is not widely available to other companies easily. Known chips from the company include the M1 Silicon Chip, A-series for the iPhones and iPods, and more.

Furthermore, Reuters also brought a report that talks about the same lawsuit, with Rivos allegedly stealing the engineers concerned with Apple's chip production. Through these engineers, Apple's trade secrets are also seeing a leak, and this information may be used against the company to compete with them.

Read Also: Apple Is Rumored To Be Testing New M2-Equipped Macs Right Now

Apple's Employees and Trade Secrets Got Poached by Startup

Apple's employees were the targets, and these people that transferred over to Rivos would bring information that is illegal to reveal to other companies. The trade secrets were allegedly taken away from the Cupertino giant.

Apple is not backing down on this issue, especially since it believes and has evidence regarding the theft done against them.

Apple Lawsuits and Issues

Apple is not shy to lawsuits and the many disputes from different companies and even government agencies and other entities that go against the company for their actions and decisions. One of the significant issues that the Cupertino giant is facing now is the Digital Markets Act from the European Union and its many requirements for the company.

There are a lot of requirements for the EU's DMA, and one of them focuses on the changes for Siri and its applications.

However, it is not Apple that receives lawsuits for its products and technology, as the company is also strict on the many actions that are done to misuse the services they bring. One suit focused on the case that stole as much as $1.5 million worth of goods from the company via gift cards from the Cupertino giant's offers here.

Now, Apple launched a new lawsuit against a company that they allegedly claim to be stealing from them, focusing on the many insider secrets they own. The Cupertino giant reportedly claimed that the company did not only poach information from them but also employees of massive importance and had access to these trade secrets.

Related Article: Apple's First Modem Without Qualcomm is Reportedly Debuting in 2023! Here's What to Expect

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
After almost six months of working and living in space, NASA's SpaceX Crew 3 mission is finally ready to end its mission and land back on Earth.

(Photo : Aubrey Gemignani/NASA via Getty Images)

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - APRIL 26: In this handout provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), NASA astronaut Robert Hines gestures to family and friends as he and crew mates NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Jessica Watkins, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations.

NASA's head of human spaceflight, Kathy Lueders, posted on Twitter on Monday that the space agency will be having their Crew-3 astronauts unload from the International Space Station (ISS) in their Crew Dragon spacecraft around 5:05 pm ET on Wednesday, May 4.

The splashdown off the Florida coast will consequently follow on May 5.

SpaceX Crew-3 was launched to the ISS in November 2021. The mission team is composed of NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Thomas Mashburn, Kayla Barron, and European astronaut Matthias Maurer.

All of the four members will be undergoing tests before their departure, and they are expected to be officially home by May 5, but this date is still subject to change depending on the state of the weather.

Last month, the Crew-4 launch was delayed since the crew of Axiom-1, which is the first all private mission to the ISS, failed to return from the station as scheduled because of the rough weather experienced on the Florida coast.

Crew-3 and Crew-4 are part of the missions of NASA's Commercial Crew program, which has contracts with private space launch companies to assist astronauts to travel to and from the space station.

It is worth noting that all of the four missions launched have been flown in SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft powered by SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets.

A crucial orbital test flight will be conducted on May 19, which will determine if crew missions will possibly fly in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

Read Also: NASA Expresses Concern of SpaceX's 30,000 Satellites Over Risk of Collisions

"Excited to be Back Home"

In a report by Space.com, the only veteran astronaut on the mission team, Marshburn expressed his excitement to be finally coming home and see his wife and kids once again.

"I get goosebumps just thinking about actually that moment of getting to see them. To see the pictures of my kids, how much they've grown in six months - they're younger, it's pretty amazing and makes you realize how much you missed."

He also expressed wanting a "hot bath" since he has been living in space for so long.

Barron added, "I think we're all really looking forward to seeing our loved ones, our family and friends on the ground who were so instrumental in supporting us throughout our lives and getting us to this point."

Meanwhile, European Space Agency's (ESA) astronaut Maurer shared glimpses on what their lives look like in the ISS on Twitter. He said that the astronauts have completed the suit checkouts to ensure that there will be no leakage that could expose the team to outer space conditions during the landing.

Completing Dragon suit checkouts & a view of our @SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Endurance  Soon it's time to head back to Earth & I'm looking forward to home, but also getting a bit wistful that it'll soon be time to say goodbye. #Crew3 #CosmicKiss pic.twitter.com/HTLA2J44uo  Matthias Maurer (@astro_matthias) May 1, 2022

Maurer also posted on Twitter a picture of Endurance, the Dragon capsule that was named for the "tenacity of the human spirit."

The mission crew was launched to the ISS to conduct a number of science experiments. Maurer alone was responsible for carrying out 35 European experiments under the mission named "cosmic kiss."

ESA said that this was Maurer's first space mission and his experiments could advance existing knowledge ranging from human health to materials science, which could benefit life on Earth and the prospects of space exploration.

Related Article: Mars Plants To Be Cultivated Even Without Soil! NASA Crew-4 To Conduct Series of Tests

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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
VPN companies in India are now the subject of a new government order. This time, they're required to collect user data and store it for five years or more.

(Photo : Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 02: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the World Leaders' Summit "Accelerating Clean Technology Innovation and Deployment" session on day three of COP26 on November 02, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland.

The new order comes from the country's Computer Emergency Response Team, otherwise called CERT-in. According to CNET, this policy is likely to make using VPNs more difficult there. But it's not just VPN companies covered by this new directive: it also includes data centers and cloud service providers.

As for the type of user data that these companies are ordered to store for at least half a decade, it includes customer names, validated IP and home addresses, personal usage patterns, and all other information that could be used to identify people. Anybody who doesn't comply with the law will serve up to a year of prison time.

Here's another kicker: even if the customer cancels their subscription or deletes their account, their information will still be stored in the company's servers as per the directive. This definitely goes against the "no logging" policies of several well-known VPN providers, which is part of what they mostly do as a whole.

The original report comes from Entracker, who also mentioned that the directive was to help "coordinate response activities as well as emergency measures with respect to cyber security incidents." But with people who use VPNs no longer being anonymous online, a handful of critics of the directive are worried about its implications on cryptocurrency - which relies a lot on anonymity.

According to CoinTelegraph, it actually also covers crypto exchanges. While several users received it negatively, some crypto exchange owners were actually fine with it. Among these is Sathvik Vishwanath, CEO of Unocoin, who says that the directive will help prosecute tax evaders quicker.

It is also not made clear whether the directive will only apply to companies in India, or also to external companies who serve the Indian market. Either way, it is scheduled to be enforced starting late June of this year, unless CERT-in extends the compliance window for the companies covered by the law.

Read Also: WhatsApp Sues Indian Government for Alleged Privacy Violation in New Internet Rules

India's History Of Heavy-Handed Acts Against Internet Usage

Forcing VPN providers to collect and store critical user data can easily be chalked up by anyone as an attack on user privacy. And they'd be right. However, this isn't even new to India considering its history of heavy-handed sanctions over using the web.

Back in 2019, the Indian government actually proposed some sort of a Chinese-style internet censorship, as reported by The New York Times. If it pushes through, the censorship will give Indian government officials the power to order the likes of Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, or even Google to take down content which they might deem libelous, hateful, or deceptive, to name a few. Aside from that, Indian users could also be blocked from consuming "unlawful content."

(Photo : INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)

A teacher conducts an online class at a school in Mumbai on January 24, 2022, after schools were reopened that were closed as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Two years later, the critics sounded the alarm over this proposal. In a report by AlJazeera, they reported fearing that putting social media platforms under direct government oversight can lead to outright internet censorship, as well as a direct attack on user privacy and online free speech.

Related Article: This VPN Can Now Protect Against Hackers Who Use Quantum Computers

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Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ford's F-150 Lightning EV released good news for everyone who had already preordered the electric pickup truck or those planning to buy the vehicle. Initially, the numbers brought by the American car manufacturer were estimates. The company releases actual numbers from the produced cars from its factories, getting a better performance for the electric vehicle.

Ford F-150 Lightning EV Reports Better Performance, Range

The famous American car manufacturer released a new report from its production, focusing on the latest numbers for the Ford F-150 Lightning Evs' capabilities. Ford said that it brings more range and payload capacity on its electric pickup, and these are the actual numbers of the company, coming from its better batteries and systems.

Ford reports that the standard range delivers 452 horsepower now, based on the company's previous estimate of 426 ponies only. Additionally, its lineup can haul an additional 235 pounds of cargo, having 2,235 lbs. of cargo capacity.

On the other hand, the extended range in the F-150 Lightning EV's option can output 580 horsepower from the previous 563 hp in its initial spec sheet.

Both options from Ford can output up to 775 lbs.-ft. of torque.

Read Also: Ford Recalled Around 400,000 Trucks Due to Failed Brake System

Ford F-150 Lightning EV: New Numbers from Actual Car

The F-150 Lightning EVs' capabilities now add up to the car's capabilities, and it is comparable to Ford's famous Super Duty lineup, which is notable for its cargo capacity and power.

Predicting the numbers from having an actual vehicle to scale and measure would provide different numbers. Still, it took a turn for the better for the American car manufacturer.

Ford F-150 Lightning vs. the World

Ford's F-150 Lightning EV is one of the most famous electric pickups in the world, and it is because it takes on the name of America's favorite pickup line, the F-150. Since then, the F-150 has been a staple name in the pickup industry, being one of the most affordable and accessible cargo haulers in the market. It also brings an impressive performance for its drivers.

The electric pickup's specs in the market are notable, and it moves away from the competition with its new features.

Many companies aim to "steal the thunder" from Ford, and that is RAM's 1500 EV, from the impressive lineup of Stellantis and its many subsidiary companies. RAM's 1500 is one of the many direct competitors of Ford in the pickup industry, and it also sees GM's Chevrolet, Hummer, and more for their takes on the type.

It seems that Ford F-150 Lightning is stepping up its game in the EV industry. Especially as there were previous disappointments to their electric pickup as it got comparison from others in that released their cars as well.

The company releases its latest spec sheet that is up to date with its current releases in the production coming from the famous company.

Related Article: Ford's F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup Starts Shipping! Plans Production of 150,000 Units in 2023?

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Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
On Tuesday, May 3, Workers at an Apple store in Maryland has begun holding a union drive. This is the third store that launched the campaign, setting up a potential labor battle with Apple.

Apple Workers in Maryland Unionized

According to CNBC, the organizers at the Townson Mall near Baltimore, Maryland, have been coordinating with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers or IAMAW.

The group has signatures from more than 65% of employees who would be eligible to vote, according to a report from The Washington Post.

The group would organize as the Coalition of Organized Retail Employees, also called AppleCore. They notified Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, of their plans and their intention to file the paperwork with the National Labor Relations Board or NLRB in the next few days.

Worker activism has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States in 2020, leading to a strained labor market. Workers have seized the moment to demand higher wages and improved benefits.

Also Read: Tim Cook: Apple Hybrid Work Setup to Resume Office Three Days a Week, Starting September

In April, the Apple retail store located in Cumberland Mall in Atlanta, Georgia, became the first to file for a union election.

The workers at Apple's flagship store in Grand Central Terminal in New York City are also taking steps to unionize.

AppleCore demands greater bargaining power over the COVID-19 precautions, pay, and work hours. The official said that while the tech giant's revenue has grown rapidly, the company has been slow to increase pay.

An Apple spokesperson reiterated an earlier statement given for prior unionization efforts in New York and Atlanta.

The earlier statement said that Apple would offer strong compensation and benefits for full-time and part-time employees, including tuition reimbursement, health care, new parental leave, paid family leave, annual stock grants, and other benefits.

Apple Workers Returning to the Office

The unionization news of Apple workers came after the tech giant announced that it will now welcome its employees back into the office after months of letting them work remotely, according to Fox News.

However, several employees are pushing back against Apple's plans to have them come back to the office, saying that the new hybrid plans will make the company "younger, whiter, and more male-dominated."

The group that calls itself "Apple Together" and comprises 200 employees released an open letter to the tech giant's executive team titled "Thoughts on Office-bound Work."

The group wrote that the employees and executives have a different vision of how the future of work in the company ought to be. They said that being forced to return to the office will just deplete both their time and resources.

They said that even though in-person collaboration was important for the creative process, it is not something that is needed weekly.

Apple Together said that the hybrid working pilot is one of the most inefficient ways to enable everyone to be in one room, should the need arise every now and then.

The group added that what is needed for creativity and excellent work is time for deep thought, but being in an office usually does not enable this, especially not many newer offices with open floor plans.

Related Article: Apple Hybrid Back to Office to Start Feb 1, 2022 | Few Allowed to Work at Home

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A car GPS allegedly led a woman driver to a police station's stairs. But, authorities said that she could be DUI (Driving Under Influence).

Various drivers experience issues with the Global Position System since it is still an imperfect innovation. One of the common issues with GPS models is the wrong navigation.

There are instances when drivers are led to dead-ends, one-way roads, and other troublesome paths. This is what a 26-year-old woman experienced.

Car GPS Allegedly Leads Woman To Police Station Stairs

The Portland Maine Police Department confirmed the incident via its official Facebook account. Officials said that the woman tried to drive down their stairs to reach Middle Street.

Also Read: Ford Explorer SUV Park Gear Shift Issue Leads To Massive Recall; Why is This Hardware Problem Happens?

"She said she was following her GPS instructions but responding officers felt it was her excessive blood alcohol level. She was issued a summons for OUI," they explained.

Police officials said that no one was injured by accident. However, their garage suffered from a small amount of damage.

They also reminded the public to avoid drinking and driving at the same time. Of course, many people shared their opinion regarding the viral incident.

A Facebook user explained that even if her GPS guided her to the police station's stairs, she could still avoid driving down there herself, as reported by News 18.

He added that having a driver's license needs common sense. Based on the photos, the car really looked like it tried to drive down the stairs slowly since its position is perfectly aligned with the stairs.

You can view the FB post below if you want to see the actual images.

Incorrect GPS Navigation Issue

GPS Gov reported that Global Position System models sometimes show incorrect navigation information because they rely on satellite signals.

Issues may appear on your car GPS when you are in the following situations:

Driving in places with lots of trees, as well as on bridges and cities with very tall buildings.

Driving in a tunnel.

Driving underground.

If you want to see more details about the problems with GPS models, you can visit this link.

Recently, a coal millionaire claimed that EV tax credits are not needed.

Meanwhile, a new report revealed that U.S. EV sales achieved a record-breaking profit.

For more news updates about car GPS and other similar vehicle technologies, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Tesla FSD Update: Wide Release Coming Next Week, But Elon Musk Says There's a Catch

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Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
SpaceX Starbase's Texas expansion is now uncertain after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the business enhancement activity could harm many endangered animals in the area.

(Photo : Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

SpaceX's Starhopper rocket is seen at the company's Texas launch facility on September 28, 2019 in Boca Chica near Brownsville, Texas. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is using the Texas facility as part of his efforts to make space travel accessible to the public.

In 2020, the independent space agency announced its plan to move its launch site. SpaceX said it wants to build a new launch structure in Texas, Boca Chica.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been reviewing the business enhancement proposal of Elon Musk's aerospace firm. FAA was supposed to have a conclusion in December 2021.

But, because of its effects on nature, the FAA approval has been delayed. Now, another problem arose after FWS shared its findings.

SpaceX Starbase Texas Expansion May Harm Endangered Animals!

According to CNBC's latest report, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released documents claiming that Texas's Starbase expansion can affect endangered species.

Also Read: Starlink Satellites Help Ukrainians Get Internet Connection After the Country Lost Service During the War

This is not the first time that the business enhancement of SpaceX has concerned various government departments and organizations.

Business Insider recently reported that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also want the space agency to prove that its Starbase expansion will not harm the animals in the area.

The new FWS draft BCO (biological and conference opinion) document determined that the Starbase enhancement activities of SpaceX in Texas violate the Endangered Species Act.

Officials said that they are most concerned regarding the impacts of Starbase Texas expansion on the populations of the red knot, ocelot, piping plover, and jaguarundi (endangered animals in Texas).

What SpaceX Needs To Do

The Fish and Wildlife Service said that it wants SpaceX to check the effects of Starbase Texas expansion. Aside from this, the agency suggested that the space agency limit its construction activities in the area.

"This is a company with a very deep pocket. The least they could do is address these harms in a meaningful way," said Jared Margolis, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity.

Since FAA considers the studies made by federal and state agencies regarding construction environment effects, SpaceX needs to get the trust of FWS if it wants to have FAA's approval.

Meanwhile, Pentagon's cybersecurity suggestion said that the U.S. needs to learn from SpaceX Starlink's anti-Russian cyberattack efforts.

On the other hand, SpaceX Starlink space debris alarmed Inmarsat.

For more news updates about SpaceX and its other business enhancements, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: SpaceX Starship Environmental Review: FAA is Taking Another Month, Delays Process

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Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The United Kingdom is set to abandon its plans to regulate Apple and other massive tech companies using a new competition authority.

UK to Abandon Plans to Regulate Tech Companies

According to the Financial Times, the British government's new legislative agenda will not include a bill to empower the Digital Markets Unit or DMU because of the set out in the Queen's Speech next week.

The UK government announced plans to set up the DMU back in 2020, stating that it would grant powers to the body to create a code of conduct that massive tech companies have to abide by in the UK or face fines of up to 10% of its annual turnover, according to MacRumors.

An interim report published by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in early 2022 was intended to focus the DMU's attention. It was met with an aggressive response from Apple and other tech giants.

Also Read: EU To Force Apple to Make Major Changes on Apps, Other Services?

Although the DMU has more than 60 members of staff, it has no control and power beyond the CMA's capabilities.

The DMU is currently working on several investigations, including into the terms of Apple's App Store and Apple and Google's "duopoly" over mobile ecosystems.

Julian Knight, Conservative chair of the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said that the legislation is not included in the Queen's Speech, it would affect the credibility of the enterprise and it would also affect the capability of the U.K. to regulate the tech sector.

A statement from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) to the Financial Times suggested that powers to change the conduct of the most influential tech firms and protect businesses and consumers are still on the way, but it could not comment on timelines for legislation in the future.

Apple's ecosystem has faced criticism from governments around the world, including Japan, South Korea, the United States, and the European Union.

In 2021, the U.K. watchdog questioned Apple on how it gets the data of its users.

EU's Accusations

Even though the UK government has backed out of monitoring Apple and other tech companies, the EU is still pushing for strict laws against the tech giants.

Europe's antitrust regulator recently accused Apple of restricting rivals' access to its payment technology, forcing it to change how the tech giant's system works and open it up to a hefty fine.

The European Commission said in a press release on Tuesday, May 3, that it had informed Apple of its preliminary view that it abused its dominant position in markets for mobile wallets on iOS devices.

According to CNBC News, the statement of objections the commission delivered to Apple outlines the suspected violations of Europe's antitrust rules, but it does not necessarily determine the outcome of the investigation. Apple will still have the chance to review and respond to the commission's findings.

Related Article: EU to Apple: You can do better to stop unauthorized app activity

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
LOS ANGELESCybersocket.com will host live a video Q&A podcast with Next Door Studios exclusive Dakota Payne at 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET today, May 3.

Payne will discuss his work, his new single "S.A.D." and sex tips while he answers in real-time, live in-studio. Fans will be able to log on to www.Cybersocket.com/Live and register as a user or as a guest and watch the performer answer their questions. The live session will be hosted by Cybersocket director and on-air personality Alexander Rodriguez.

Originally from Texas, the Los Angeles-based Payne is also a costume designer and stylisthaving created custom looks and styled videos for RuPaul's Drag Race stars Kylie Sonique Love, Eureka O'Hara and Yvie Oddlyas well as a dancer, most recently appearing in Manila Luzon's Hot Couture 10 Year Anniversary Edition series of music videos. Payne made his debut in 2017, working for multiple studios before joining Next Door Studios as an exclusive contract star. He is nominated in this year's Cybersocket Awards for Power Vers of the Year and Best Group Scene with the cast of Last Course Act 2.

Archived live chats will be available for viewing on the site, on YouTube, and will be released as part of Cybersockets new podcast lineup also featuring Silvia Saiges "Sexy Funny Raw" and Teddy Bears "Bear With Us, Gurrrl."

For more information or to watch the podcast, visit Cybersocket.com/Live.
Flagstaff's mayoral race is heating up as one candidate drops out and another is called into question amidst signature concerns.

Four mayoral candidates -- incumbent Paul Deasy, former Vice Mayor Becky Daggett, Councilmember Regina Salas and Daniel Williamson -- all turned in enough signatures by the April 4 deadline to qualify for the upcoming ballot.

However, challengers called into question the validity of both Williamson and Salas' signatures in two separate complaints filed on April 18. The challenges went to the offices of the Coconino County attorney and recorder for an internal audit to determine the validity of the complaint. Williamson had 412 signatures challenged, which put him 12 signatures below the threshold at 1,590. It's not clear how many of Salas' signatures were called into question.

Candidates had a tough time with signature gathering this year. They needed a record-high number of signatures to even qualify, which some called "prohibitive."

Williamson, a Republican, received 34 signatures back in the audit  enough to keep him on the ballot. Independent Salas said she lost 354 signatures, putting her 120 signatures short of officially qualifying for the ballot. She officially announced her withdrawal from the race last week.

"I remain grateful for everyone who signed my nomination petition with pure intention; for my family and friends who gave me their love and support; for supporters who helped me gather signatures even during extreme weather conditions; and for everyone who made financial contributions to my campaign," Salas said in her announcement.

Williamson told the Arizona Daily Sun he was surprised by the challenge.

"(It) certainly caught me off guard due to the amount of work that was put into gathering the signatures," Williamson said. "You know, that was just a whole lot of work."

The challenge against Salas was filed by John Propster, while Marilyn Weissman filed against Williamson. Both have ties to the Coconino County Democratic Party with Propster serving as a member-at-large. Public records show Weissman has a long affiliation with the organization, having previously donated to them multiple times in recent years. Both Deasy and Daggett are Democrats.

"I have reason to believe that the challenge to my nomination was instigated by my opponents and their supporters who have gone out of their way to inject partisan politics in a supposedly nonpartisan civic engagement," Salas said.

Williamson voiced similar concerns.

"...to try to take a person's name off the ballot, and not allow Flagstaff voters to even have an option, felt like that was a strategy to monopolize a ballot," he said.

Weissman was quick to confirm the issue was not with Williamson himself, but his affiliation with the Republican Party. She would have filed the challenge for any Republican candidate as she felt the party platform doesn't represent Flagstaff's values.

"Any person now registered as a Republican is supportive of the policies that led to the January 6 (Capitol) insurrection and that are anti-gay, anti-choice and anti-voting rights," Weissman said. "These aren't the values of most Americans, but they seem to be the platforms of the Republican Party."

She also noted Williamsons campaign was "ripe" for duplicate signatures as he didn't start collecting until February, whereas most other candidates began their efforts last year.

Prosper did not respond to a request for comment Monday from the Arizona Daily Sun.

With three candidates remaining, the primary to determine the final two mayoral candidates will take place on Aug. 2 ahead of the Nov. 8 general election.

Reporter Bree Burkitt can be reached at 928-556-2250 or bburkitt@azdailysun.com.

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Blue House into the arms of the people after 74 years... On the first day of opening, what is the site?
Seals typically breed in large colonies with thousands of individuals crowded together on rocky shores or sandy beaches. They must deal with pounding waves, changing tides, and foul weather. The confusion and rough conditions easily account for the many separations between mothers and pups. Sometimes they find one another after a brief time apart, but permanent failures to reunite are common, too.

All is not lost for these young seals who find themselves motherless, though, because many orphaned young are fostered or adopted by other adults, almost always other females, who take care of them. Nursing unrelated pups is considered fostering, while adoption is permanently caring for an unrelated pup.

In a study of elephant seals on Californias Ano Nuevo Island, researchers found that anywhere from a quarter to nearly half of pups became separated from their mothers at least temporarily. Over five breeding seasons, the scientists identified nearly 600 pups who lost contact with their mother at some point. Of these, 5 percent rejoined their mother, 27 percent were fostered or adopted by another adult, and the remaining 68 percent were left without care. Most often, the adoptive mom was a young mother who had lost her own pup. The benefit to the pup of being adopted is obvious, as those who remain on their own almost always die by the age of 6 weeks.

For the adoptive mom, the biological benefit is the experience she gains, making it more likely she will successfully raise a pup in the future. That benefit may be mediated by her desire to nurse and care for a pup even after being separated from her own offspring. Its definitely a win-win situation.

Hawaiian monk seals also show high rates of fostering and adoption. In a study in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, over half the females on Laysan Island nursed an unrelated pup at some point during the time they were lactating. On East Island, over 90 percent of females did so. East Island had a far denser population of breeding females than Laysan Island. The high density of females increases the chance of fostering because it is more likely that a lost pup and a foster mom will encounter each other before the mom and the pup reunite.

Like other seals, harbor seals foster and adopt pups. Members of this species spend more time in the water during the lactation period than other seals, and that may account for the high rates of separation and fostering observed in this species.

Storms are associated with mother-pup separations. Over two-thirds of the separations observed by researchers on Nova Scotias Sable Island occurred the day of or the day after a storm. As in other species, fostering and adopting are most common in females who have become separated from their offspring. Younger and less experienced mothers are more likely to lose pups and subsequently become foster moms.

Wishing a Happy Mothers Day to everyone, and sending extra special love to all the foster and adoptive moms!

Karen B. London, Ph.D. is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and an author of six books on canine training and behavior, including her most recent, Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainers World View Can Improve Your Life.

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Fifteen property owners in the Willow Ridge subdivision have filed annexation petitions with the city-parish, asking to be included in the Baton Rouge city limits.

Bill Benedetto, one of the Willow Ridge residents seeking annexation, said the people who filed the petition dont particularly want to live in St. George.
Australian shares opened higher and looked set to post their first gains this week before losing momentum as mining stocks like Fortescue and BHP pulled it into the red for a third straight day.

The ASX 200 has surrendered its early gains to close 0.2% lower, down11.5 points to 7,304.7 with miners, consumer discretionary, tech stocks and property the worst performers.

The property sector has now dropped more than 5 per cent over the past week as the prospect of rate rises hits the market.

The ASX 200 fell for a third straight day. Credit:Louise Kennerley

UBS equity strategist, Richard Schellbach, said rising interest rates do not pose a threat to local stocks just yet.

Given we still see market pricing of a 3.5 per cent cash rate by end 2023 as way too high, we believe that Australian equities can keep delivering solid earnings growth this year on the back of, 1) a record low unemployment rate, 2) elevated household and business deposits, 3) a re-opened domestic economy, and 4) tight global commodity markets, he said.

Schellbach pointed out that Australia is late to this rate hiking cycle, and we can already see the share market impact in the US, Canada, the UK and New Zealand.

This illustrates how the trajectory of mining and energy stocks can remain detached from domestic rate cycles in a late-cycle economic environment of high inflation and decelerating growth.

JB Hi-Fi reported sales for the first four months of the new year rose 11.9 per cent while Flight Centre said travel bookings bounced back to 59 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. But their shares fell 4.8 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively.

AVZ Minerals plunged more than 20 per cent despite announcing that its Congo subsidiary was awarded a mining licence for its lithium and tin project.

ANZ Bank posted a slight dip in cash profits to $3.2 billion and kept its dividend flat for the half-year, but chief executive Shayne Elliott says the bank is positioned for growth as the economy enters a new phase with the rise in official interest rates.
Teenager Charlton Howard  better known as The Kid Laroi  became the youngest ever winner of APRAs song of the year award when his hit Stay, co-written with Justin Bieber, collected the countrys top prize for songwriters and publishers in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

The 18-year-old Kamilaroi man, who hails from Waterloo, near Redfern, in Sydney, was the big winner at the annual Australian Performing Rights Associations awards, also collecting prizes for songwriter of the year and most-performed hip hop/rap work for Without You.

The Wiggles were popular recipients of the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at last nights APRA Awards, held at Melbourne Town Hall. Credit:Tony Mott

Howard was in Los Angeles, ahead of an Australian tour that will bring him home later this month. I really appreciate the support, he said while accepting the awards via video link. And I want to give a quick shout out to the fans back home.

Though primarily a celebration of Australian songwriting and recording, the awards this year found room for two major international artists on the winners lists: Canadian Justin Bieber, Howards co-writer on Stay; and Englishman Ed Sheeran, who shared the award for most-performed country work with Amy Shark, for her track Love Songs Aint For Us.
Two of Ben Roberts-Smiths friends have admitted they were mistaken about a key point in the war veterans defamation case, with an elite soldier conceding he knew more than two years ago about a factual error in an outline of his proposed evidence.

Person 35, a former Special Air Service soldier, and Person 27, who is still serving in the SAS, have both given evidence backing Roberts-Smith in his long-running defamation case against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times. Both men have now conceded that some of the evidence they gave in court, or that they proposed to give, was wrong.

Ben Roberts-Smith outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Tuesday. Credit:Peter Rae

Roberts-Smith is suing the newspapers 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. He denies all wrongdoing. The media outlets are seeking to rely on a defence of truth and allege Roberts-Smith was involved in six unlawful killings.

One of the killings alleged is that he directed an Afghan Partner Force soldier, dubbed Person 12, to get one of his subordinates to kill an unarmed prisoner in October 2012. Roberts-Smith has denied the alleged incident took place and said Person 12 was not there on the day in question.
The company behind the Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point hotels has unveiled plans for a new music festival site in south-east Queensland.

As live music emerges from the dark days of the pandemic, the Comiskey Group wants to create a 150-hectare festival site at Coochin Creek, about 35 minutes south of Maroochydore and one hour and 20 minutes north of Brisbane.

Coochin Fields will be the newest festival site in south-east Queensland.

The site, to be named Coochin Fields, is currently home to turf and strawberry farms, which the Comiskey Group expects will remain when the site welcomes festivals and performances from top-tier artists.

Director Rob Comiskey said Coochin Fields would expand on the major events the company already hosts at Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point.
The opposition and the Property Council have criticised the lack of spending on Melbournes CBD recovery in this years state government budget.

Last year, $107 million was provided for city centre rejuvenation but no new money was set aside in Tuesdays budget. Previous state government funding was used for initiatives such as the popular Melbourne Midweek Money scheme, which gave a boost to city restaurants and cafes.

City traders continue to struggle with empty shopfronts and office occupancy rates were 32 per cent in March, but no assistance was provided for them in the budget, nor was there cash for incentive programs.

Instead, the government has allocated $14.8 million to support trade programs, including a trade and investment office in Paris.
Victorias planning tribunal has rejected a contentious waterfront redevelopment in Lorne, in a decision that sets a precedent about what projects are considered appropriate for the coast.

The case is likely to influence future decisions because it sets a benchmark for whether a coastal location is necessary for a development to proceed.

Community groups had railed against plans to demolish a long-standing restaurant and former fishing co-operative building in a $10 million overhaul of a 1.7-hectare site beside Lornes pier.

The proposed development at Point Grey in Lorne, which has been knocked back by VCAT.

Planning consultant Rod Duncan  who has previously provided advice to the state government, as well as initial guidance to the Lorne development opponents  said the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal had applied a threshold test that if a future project did not need to be on the coast, then it should not be there.
Scott Morrison should stop the blame game with states over hospital funding, the peak body for doctors says after the prime minister claimed any federal increase would be met by states cutting their funding.

As Victorias budget on Tuesday included $12 billion for public hospitals, both the Victorian and NSW health ministers rejected Morrisons claim that states would fail to meet their part of the bargain.

Scott Morrison is refusing to lift the cap on hospital spending. Credit:James Brickwood

NSW would certainly not be seeking to reduce its contribution, because costs just keep escalating, NSW health minister Brad Hazzard told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on Tuesday after Morrison made the comment in a radio interview.

Hazzard said the cost of delivering healthcare is forever increasing but the current hospital funding model calculated price rises based on data thats already three years old.
By Trend

The European Commission considers the payment for Russian gas in rubles a breach of sanctions, though it will provide detailed explanations on possible further actions and payment ways to the European Unions companies in coming days, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson told a press briefing following an extraordinary council of the EUs energy ministers in Brussels, Trend reports citing TASS.

The European Commission considers Gazproms decision to suspend supplies to Poland and Bulgaria a breach of Russias contracts, she said, adding that there are no immediate risks for gas supply to the European Union, though the European Commission believes EU states should start getting prepared for suspension of Russian gas deliveries. The commissioner also admitted that the European Union cannot fully replace Russian gas.

According to Simson, the mechanism offered by Moscow of transfering euros to Gazprombank followed by the conversion of the payment into rubles is "a clear breach of sanctions as they provide assets for the operation of the Central Bank."

"Paying in rubles 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," she said, adding that "a more detailed guidance on what companies can and cannot do within the sanctions framework" would be provided.

Most European companies are to make their next gas payments in the middle or at the end of May, according to the commissioner.

All ministers condemned Gazproms decision to stop supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, Simson said, noting that this is considered a breach of contracts, as well as an attempt to divide the EU.

"At this stage there are no immediate risks for Europes security of supply," she said. Bulgaria and Poland that no longer receive any gas from Russia, are provided via alternative routes through Greece and Germany.



That said, the European Commission urges the EU nations to starting preparing a plan of action in case gas supplies from Russia are halted.

The European Union currently receives liquified natural gas in record volumes, with last weeks deliveries reaching 0.4 bln cubic meters per day, the commissioner said, adding that the level of storage in Europe stands at 32%, rising in all countries.

Meanwhile, Simson admitted that the EU cannot fully replace 155 bln cubic meters of Russian gas per year by supplies from other sources, and urged the EU countries to step up the development of alternative energy.
An annual summer fishing ban began on Sunday in China's major seas in the north, east and south to conserve the marine fishery.





The fishing ban covers the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the waters north of 12 degrees north latitude in the South China Sea.

The fishing moratorium in the South China Sea is expected to end on August 16. China has imposed the annual fishing ban in the South China Sea since 1999 as part of the country's efforts to promote sustainable marine fishery development and improve marine ecology.

The China Coast Guard's South China Sea branch and local authorities will patrol major fishing grounds and ports for the next three days to ensure the ban is observed.

After the middle term of the moratorium, they will hold three law enforcement activities to crack down on illegal fishing and protect marine fishery resources in the Beibu Bay, the Pearl River Estuary, and Fujian and Guangdong provinces' water border.

The fishing ban will end on September 1 for the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea waters north of 35 degrees north latitude. It will last until up to September 16 for the East China Sea based on the use of different fishing nets.



Boats in the bay area of Qingdao City in east China's Shandong Province. /VCG

According to the authorities in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province, the ban affects 17,000 fishermen. The city will, for the first time, hand out marine fishery resources conservation subsidies, which amount to some 70 million yuan (about $10.6 million).

The agriculture and rural affairs department in east China's Zhejiang Province said after May 8, the province would ban the sale of eight kinds of frozen or living marine products, including the hairtail, yellow croaker and pomfret.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security and the China Coast Guard jointly held a meeting on Friday about deploying special enforcement for this year's summer fishing ban.

The meeting strengthened the importance of patrolling and other law enforcement actions. It also noted that the authorities banned nearly 8,000 illegal fishing-related vessels in 2021, the order of the summer fishing ban improved and marine fishery resources continued to recover.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency
DAKOTA CITY -- Tyson Foods will spend $60 million to offer free education for all 120,000 of its employees.

Starting this summer, the nation's largest U.S. meat company will cover the cost of undergraduate, master's and associate degrees or career certificates for employees.

Tyson, metro Sioux City's largest employer, is partnering with social impact company Guild to expand its existing Upward Academy program to include access to more than 175 programs from over 35 of the nation's top universities and learning providers.

The four-year, $60 million investment will cover 100% of all tuition, books, and fees.

This commitment to our team members reinforces our belief that they are the lifeblood of our current and future success," said John R. Tyson, the company's executive vice president and chief sustainability officer. "Providing equity and opportunity to every single member of our team is part of our goal to make Tyson the most sought-after place to work."

Since 2016, Upward Academy, an onsite adult education program has provided free ESL, GED, citizenship, financial and digital literacy classes to frontline employees.

Upward Academy is currently offered at 46 Tyson locations, including its turkey plant in Storm Lake, Iowa.

With the addition of the online curriculum, all workers will now have access to nearly 200 learning programs provided by dozens of institutions of higher learning.

In metro Sioux City, Tyson employs over 4,500 people at its flagship beef plant in Dakota City, its fresh meats division headquarters in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota and its cold storage site in Sioux City, Iowa.

We are thrilled to partner with Tyson to further empower their team members to pursue career pathways that will help them open the doors to their dreams, Guild CEO Rachel Romer Carlson said. Tysons free education and upskilling program is enhancing its commitment to creating a top work environment and a workplace of growth.

An online portal will provide Tyson employees with access to curriculum and courses covering foundational skills, career certificates and academic degrees.

Tyson said free education is the latest example of the company's investment in its workforces. The company has spent more than $500 million in wage increases and bonuses for its hourly workforce last year. In addition, it is piloting subsidized and onsite childcare, as well as seven free, near-site health centers.

A growing number of Tyson production facilities also are offering more flexible work schedules.

Additionally, the company noted it recently committed more than $1 million to support its many immigrant team members. The Tyson Immigration Partnership, which serves 40 facilities in 14 states, helps provide team members with legal services needed to acquire U.S. citizenship.

Tyson's U.S.-based workforce is comprised of team members from more than 160 countries who collectively speak more than 50 languages.

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The Beatrice City Council met to discuss the establishment of a creative district and to name two recreational sites in town during its Monday meeting.

Michael Sothan, Main Street executive director, and Morgan Fox, marketing and events coordinator, talked to the Council about a program enabled under recent state law.

"Creative arts district was something created by the legislature in the session previous to the one that was just completed," Sothan said. "It's a way to leverage funding that really goes to a variety of things, from marketing of a community, to historic building rehab, to things like murals and different forms of art. The grants are going to be capped out at $250,000 a year, if we're successful in becoming a district."

Sothan talked about the location of the district.

The area that makes the most sense to be a district would be for the most part our downtown area because they want a concentration of restaurants, bars, arts based businesses, even creative manufacturing and things like that, Sothan said.

But Fox said the effects would extend to the entire community.

"Initially, our focus is going to be on marketing, not only for our downtown area but we can use it for the entire community, she said.

Fox said Beatrice would join other communities in a push for creative districts, including Omaha and Lincoln. Ashland went through the process, Fox said.

Fox mentioned suggestions from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate student led Downtown Revitalization Plan.

Another area that we really want to look into is lighting, she said. Not only updating our Christmas lights and expanding that program down there but also look at creative lighting in our alleyways and turning them into passageways, which was also a part of the University of Nebraska program with the downtown redevelopment plan."

The Council voted unanimously to support the development of a creative district.

The Council named field number one at Hannibal Park Kiwanis Field after the Kiwanis Club provided funds to the City. The Council also voted to name a trailhead on Chief Standing Bear Trail after the Gage County Foundation.

"Back in December, we had the Gage County Foundation here, and at that time they donated $50,000 to be used at that trailhead located at Sixth and Perkins, or near the Dempster area, City Administrator Tempelmeyer said. We've been trying to come up with a name, and we came up with the Gage County Foundation Trail Depot."

The next regular City Council meeting will be on Monday, May 16, at 7 p.m. in the Beatrice Public Schools Administration Building.

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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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OMAHA  Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center plan to identify the hottest spots in Omaha this summer using sensors to measure humidity and temperature at different locations around the city.

Omaha is among 14 communities nationwide, plus two international cities, selected to participate in a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration initiative to study the heat island effect.

Urban heat islands can register up to 20 degrees hotter than other neighborhoods. In the study, the researchers will focus on areas that were subject to redlining, meaning they faced historic segregation efforts such as race-based denial of home loans and generally received fewer resources and investments.

Those areas include parts of North and South Omaha. But Abdoulaziz Adily-Abdoulaye, a doctoral student in the UNMC College of Public Healths environmental, agricultural and occupational health department, said the researchers also intend to extend their campaign to non-redlined areas to gain an exhaustive understanding of heat distribution in Omaha.

Jesse Bell, a professor in the department, said historically redlined areas usually have less development, less green space and more concrete, all of which create hotter areas in a city.

Adily-Abdoulaye noted that houses were removed when U.S. 75 was built through a stretch of North Omaha, which added concrete and removed green space.

Bell said he hopes the information gathered through the study can be incorporated into the metrowide plan that Omaha officials are developing to address climate change. The aim is to help officials understand the threats heat poses to Omaha and its residents and figure out how to adapt now and prepare for the future.

Extreme heat, he said, likely kills more people in the United States than any other climate or weather-related disaster. Rather than a single storm, extreme heat happens time and again. Each time, it can have health effects such as heat-related illness. But it also stresses the body and has been associated with cardiovascular, respiratory and even mental health issues.

Cities involved in past campaigns have used their heat island maps to develop heat action plans, add cooling stations to bus shelters, educate residents and policymakers, and inform new research.

Extreme heat events already are becoming more frequent and more intense and are having an impact on human health, said Bell, who was an author of a scientific assessment of climate change released by the White House in 2016. As the climate changes, those effects will become more severe.

By doing these types of studies, he said, it helps us better prepare and adapt to the changes were currently facing and and that were also going to be facing in the future.

Being able to identify threats so people can begin to reduce the effects, Bell said, gives him hope.

To me, he said, thats where the rubber hits the road.

Adily-Abdoulaye said the researchers will work with the National Weather Service to identify a single day, likely in July or August, to conduct the study. They will be looking for a day thats hot with a clear sky and no rain.

Volunteers, led by the researchers, will travel through their neighborhoods in the morning, afternoon and evening with heat sensors mounted on their cars or bicycles. The sensors will record temperature and humidity, as well as the time and volunteers locations.

For more information about the project or to volunteer, contact Adily-Abdoulaye at abdoulaye.abdoulaziz@unmc.edu or Bell at jesse.bell@unmc.edu.

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Montanas congressional Republicans praised the likely end of abortion rights under the 14th Amendment on Tuesday following a leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion.

The state's only statewide elected Democrat, Sen. Jon Tester, said the ruling would have devastating consequences for women.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, the Montana Republican who founded the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, said the draft ruling indicates the end of an historic injustice. He issued a call to capture the person who leaked the ruling, saying the leak was an attempt to intimidate the court. Rep. Matt Rosendale echoed the sentiment.

With that said, if the draft opinion stands, the Court will have righted an historic injustice and returned the power to the American people and their elected officials to enact laws to protect unborn children and mothers, Daines said in a press release. He later discussed how Congress was likely to respond should the opinion bear out.

The opinion, authored by Justice Samuel Alito Jr., was published Monday night by Politico, which indicated five out of nine justices supported overturning the 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, which recognized the 14th Amendment as securing a womans privacy right to choose an abortion.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, issued a morning press release about the leaked opinion, but declined to discuss the issue further. For nearly 50 years, women have been able to make their own private healthcare decisions without interference from the federal government. If reports are accurate and this draft decision stands, the removal of that fundamental right will have devastating consequences for millions of women across this country.

Montanas at-large representative, Republican Matt Rosendale, called the opinion, if confirmed, a monumental victory for the sanctity of life, ending a half-century guarantee of federal constitutional protection of abortion.

Daines said he expects Senate Democrats will try to codify the abortion rights the Supreme Court previously determined in deciding Roe v. Wade in 1973. Its highly unlikely Democrats could persuade 10 Republicans to go along with such a vote, which they would need in order to hit the 60-vote threshold required to avoid a filibuster.

Without a doubt, Leader Schumer, Sen. Tester and the Democrats will try once again to pass their extreme abortion bill that allows abortion on demand up until birth, Daines said.

Theres already a bill to codify the rights recognized by the Supreme Court in Roe. The Womens Health Protection Act passed the U.S. House 218 to 211 on Sept. 24, 2021, without any Republican votes in favor. However, the House passes bills by simple majority and without the threshold of a filibuster.

It is possible that Democrats would try to pass a law under the guise of womens healthcare, but I dont see it passing in the Senate, Rosendale said in a texted response.

Tester indicated he supports the Womens Health Protection Act, which Senate Democrats attempted to bring to a vote on Feb. 28. That vote failed 46-48, with Tester voting to proceed with the vote and Daines voting against. Also voting with Republicans was Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat.

It would take all 50 Senate Democrats voting to end the filibuster to pass the Womens Health Protection Act by simple majority. Several legislative priorities for Democrats, including voting rights protections, have ended in stalemate because Senate Democrats did not vote in unison to end the filibuster.

As recently as April 3, Manchin in a livestreamed speech on the Senate floor, characterized changing the filibuster as a gimmick that allows the majority party to truly steal the power of debate and the power of the filibuster from individual senators.

I do not support blowing up the filibuster to further the lefts radical agenda and pass their extreme abortion bill that allows abortion on demand up until birth, Daines said.

If the Supreme Court moves ahead with overturning the rights previously recognized in the Roe decision, state legislatures will be empowered to set their own abortion laws, though in Montana that would involve amending privacy rights out of the state constitution.

The law of Montana should follow the will of the people which I believe is to protect unborn babies and their moms, Daines said.

The Guttmacher Institute, a global watchdog of reproductive rights, lists Montana among 26 states likely to ban abortion if the Supreme Court rules those rights are no longer secured by the 14th Amendment. Idaho, the Dakotas and Wyoming are also on the list. The states closest to Montana to continue providing abortions are Washington, Oregon and Nevada.

Because Montanas Legislature meets every other year, it is unlikely there will be any action on abortion before 2023.

Rosendale, a former state legislator, said he expects Montanas Republican leadership will act if given the chance.

I trust Gov. (Greg) Gianforte and the Legislature will do everything they can to protect and defend the sanctity of life, Rosendale said in a texted response.

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In this screengrab taken from a Senate Television webcast, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts speaks during impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 3, 2020. (Senate Television/via Getty Images)

With 63 Potential Leakers, Calls Grow to Figure Out Who Is Responsible for SCOTUS Leak

Supreme Court justices should immediately issue their official opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson following the bombshell leak of a draft opinion in the case that would overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a key figure in recent major congressional judicial battles.

The leaked draft indicates that five justices agreed, at least as of the February date of the draft, in deciding Dobbs v. Jackson to undo the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Doing so would return the power to decide abortion policy to state governments. The result would be that abortions would become generally available in some states and much less available, or perhaps not at all, in other states.

Over the past several years, we have watched the radical left become increasingly brazen in their attempts to delegitimize and bully our nations highest court, Article III Project (A3P) founder and President Mike Davis said. This unprecedented leak is a stunning, shameful, and likely illegal attempt to obstruct the courts deliberations on a pending case, and it puts the lives of the Justices in danger.

He said in a statement issued shortly after Politico published the draft opinion that to prevent any further harm, the Court must issue its decision immediately, and an investigation must be launched to determine who is responsible.

Davis was chief counsel for nominations for then-Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and led the Republican staff during the Senate confirmation battles for Justice Brett Kavanaugh and a record number of U.S. Circuit Court judges nominated by former President Donald Trump.

Davis founded A3P as a nonprofit advocate for constitutionalist judges and the rule of law.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts shouldnt hesitate to ask the FBI to investigate the leak and to help in an overall assessment of the third branchs internal security management capabilities, Heritage Foundation Senior Legal Fellow Hans von Spakovsky told The Epoch Times.

The Chief Justice should immediately ask the FBI to investigate this shocking breach of the confidentiality of the work done by the Court. It could not function without that confidentiality, any more than a law firm could function if it had law clerks who leaked the firms internal communications, work product, and privileged materials, von Spakovsky said.

Asked if the high court should establish a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), a safe room with limited and supervised access for the law clerks who do much of the research and opinion drafting for the nine justices, the Heritage constitutional law expert said that Roberts, as part of his investigation to find out who did this, needs to get recommendations from the Marshal of the Court and the FBI on anything that can be done to strengthen the security protocols of the court. I dont know if they need to go to a SCIF-like safe room, but they clearly need recommendations from their security people on what can be done to prevent this.

Von Spakovsky said he believes that the leak originated from a very radical, activist clerk who wants to stir up liberal hysteria to intimidate and pressure the justices to uphold the Roe decision and help progressives in the November elections.

Asked if he expects riots or other forms of violence, von Spakovsky said he hopes not, but when it comes to civil unrest and violence, our history shows that almost always comes from the radical left.

Roberts said in a May 3 statement that hes directing the Marshal of the Court to investigate the leak, but the chief justice provided no details on the scope of the effort, the resources that will be available to it, or if the FBI or other executive branch law enforcement agencies will be involved. The Marshal of the Court is separate from the U.S. Marshals Service and oversees the Courts 200 security officers.

Each of the nine Supreme Court justices has four law clerks and three administrative aides, all of whom would have some level of access to draft opinions and other internal documents related to decisions, for a total of 63 potential suspected leakers, as well as an unknown number of information technology people who might have access.

The core challenge posed by the leak is that it requires an internal focus, whereas the Courts security personnel are mainly concerned about external threats. And the separation of powers among the three branches must also be respected.

Davis said he has absolute confidence that Roberts will protect the integrity of the court, but that doing so requires that there be no congressional or executive branch investigative activity, except as requested.

No, you dont want them sticking their noses in this thing, regardless of which party controls Congress or the executive branch, Davis said. We have the first constitutionalist majority on the Supreme Court in 90 years. We have to protect that; we dont want either of the political branches to meddle in the internal proceedings of the Supreme Court.

Davis was also skeptical of the practicality of a court SCIF.

Its just not practical, you need to have back-and-forth on these decisions every day, he said. This is the first leaked opinion in the Courts history; this is not the norm.

By contrast, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told The Epoch Times that you should use every tool at your disposal to figure out who is responsible for the leak. Similarly, Congress should as well, because all of the branches of government have an interest in, and a duty to protect, the constitutional structure of our system, so this attack on the court is an attack on the rule of law.

Fitton said, depending on the specifics of the situation once the leaker is identified, there are several laws that may have been broken.

Its obviously an obstruction of justice, he said. Think of the laws that are being pursued against the Jan. 6 insurgents for trying to obstruct a congressional proceeding.

Fitton also suggested that the court can vindicate its own powers by pursuing criminal contempt proceedings against anyone who did this.

But determining what specifically the leaker might be charged with could be extremely complicated, according to another Heritage Foundation legal expert, senior legal fellow Sarah Marshall Perry.

Whether or not there are criminal penalties that might be attached to this is something we are researching, but, among other things, there might be a claim for theft of government property, she told The Epoch Times.

There is specifically no investigative protocol within the Supreme Court because this is an unprecedented situation. In the past, we have seen certain editorials or certain bits of information indicating someone had first-hand advance knowledge, but there has never before been a full release of a draft Supreme Court opinion.

Perry said separation of powers concerns are always justified, but she noted that there have been calls in Congress to hold the court to its own ethics rules and introduction of bills like the Judiciary Accountability Act to manage employment regulation within the federal judiciary.

The biggest issue now confronting the Court is whether the internal trust and confidence required to have honest and open legal debates in reaching a decision have been lost as a result of the leak, according to First Liberty Institute President Kelly Shackelford.

Im just not sure the Court can ever recover. I mean, you have this confidential discussion that goes on internally, Shackelford said. This is the ultimate betrayal of the Supreme Court, and I am not sure it will ever be the same.

Richard Manning, president of Americans for Limited Government (ALG), told The Epoch Times that leaking a first-draft opinion to the media destabilizes the Supreme Court with the goal of delegitimizing the decision. Chief Justice Roberts must root out the perpetrator and summarily dismiss that person. The court operates on a unique basis of mutual trust. Once this trust is breached, it is almost impossible to reestablish. And without it, the court is in danger of falling into the same trap of political rancor that besets the rest of Washington, D.C.

Seton Motley, head of LessGovernment.org, told The Epoch Times that he believes that it is well within Congresss oversight authority to investigate the leak. This is about how the court functions, not the decisions it renders. And Republicans should promise to do so if given the majority.
Here are 7 major causes of tinnitus and 3 effective remedies

Tinnitus, the ringing of the ears, is a vexing condition that can affect a patients daily life in severe cases. There are many causes of tinnitus, but no matter which one it is, once tinnitus occurs, it should be treated immediately.

In addition, there are some ways to alleviate and improve its symptoms.

According to Dr. Tenghong Xu, the attending physician at Huaiyuan Chinese Medicine Clinic in Pingtungshih, Taiwan, besides congenital factors, tinnitus can be caused by aging, the environment, psychology, illnesses, and many other factors.

1. Diseases in the Blood Vessels or Auditory Nerves

Arteries and veins may be abnormally enlarged or dilated and form hemangiomas (red bumps), and benign tumors may form on the auditory nerves (which are called acoustic neuromas). Both of these cases can cause tinnitus.

These types of tinnitus mostly occur in one ear and are often accompanied by other symptoms, such as headaches. Tumors in the head, auditory nerves, and blood vessels in the neck can be life-threatening. For instance, hemorrhagic brain strokes may be caused by hemangiomas in the brain.

2. Prolonged Exposure to High Noise Levels

Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause damage to the inner ear receptors, resulting in chronic tinnitus that might not be remedied.

3. Aging of the Auditory Receptors

The elderly are prone to tinnitus due to the natural aging of their auditory receptors. And for people who are exposed to high-decibel environments over a long period of time, their auditory receptors may also experience early degeneration.

4. Overworking and Staying Up Late for Long Periods of Time

When a person is overworked to a certain degree, tinnitus can occur, and its usually accompanied by ear congestion. One experiences a stuffy feeling in the ears, as if there were a layer of stuffiness between the ears and the environment.

In these cases, tinnitus occurs at certain times of the day.

My experience is that in patients who work shifts or stay up late for long periods of time, their tinnitus occurs in the afternoon, and it would get even worse in the evening, said Xu. When a persons physical strength decreases, and he or she starts feeling tired, tinnitus will appear. And its symptoms will need to be alleviated by rest.

5. Menieres Disease

For Menieres disease patients, tinnitus usually appears in one ear, with ear congestion. These patients typically experience abnormal hearing, dizziness, and vertigo, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

6. Nasal Allergies and Gastroesophageal Reflux

Xu said that because the eustachian tube and nasopharynx are connected, nasal allergies, sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux can all cause sudden tinnitus. For instance, gastric acid reflux into the pharynx can cause mild otitis media, and the pressure of fluid buildup can lead to tinnitus. When these conditions are treated, the tinnitus symptoms also improve.

7. Ear Strokes

An ear stroke, also known as sudden onset deafness or sudden sensorineural hearing loss, is a condition in which a patients hearing is suddenly and significantly reduced. Its often accompanied by tinnitus, ear congestion, and dizziness. Most ear strokes occur in only one ear, while a small number of patients experience them in both ears. Factors that can cause an ear stroke include blockage of small blood vessels in the ears, injuries to the eardrums, viral infections, and stress.

Other causes of tinnitus include sleep disorders, stress, and ototoxic drugs (such as antibiotics).

Can Tinnitus Be Cured?

Short-term sudden tinnitus caused by nasal allergies, gastroesophageal reflux, sleep disorders, or mental stress can be cured if the root cause is addressed with early treatment. Xu emphasizes that if this type of tinnitus isnt treated promptly, it could become chronic and even start affecting the patients hearing over time. For example, tinnitus could become more frequent, with its volume increasing, and hearing would become impaired.

If the loss is due to an ear stroke, most people can regain their hearing if they take advantage of the seven-day golden treatment period for ear strokes. However, if damage has already been done to the ear, then it can lead to long-term tinnitus.

Xu emphasizes that regardless of the cause of tinnitus, it should be treated as soon as possible, especially if the tinnitus is sudden and persistent. If the treatment is delayed for one or two years, the healing process will take longer.

Chronic tinnitus is difficult to cure completely, regardless of whether Chinese or Western medicine is used. The main goal in this case is to reduce the frequency of tinnitus and its volume.

One of Xus patients was an airplane mechanic before his retirement. He was exposed to loud noises often over a long period of time and developed tinnitus. His tinnitus was originally very loud, but after treatment, its volume was reduced and it would no longer affect his sleep or daily conversations. In another case, a patient in his 60s had severe tinnitus and had to wear hearing aids. However, after taking medication for a period of time, the volume of his tinnitus became reduced so he no longer needed the hearing aids.

3 Remedies to Tinnitus

Besides seeking medical treatment, there are three other ways to improve tinnitus.

1. Acupressure

Massage the following acupuncture points on hands and ears to increase circulation:

Hegu point: On the back of the hand, in the depression between the first and second metacarpal bones at the base of the thumb and index finger, and more toward the index finger.

Yifeng point: In the depression at the base of the ear behind the earlobe.

Ermen point: In the depression in front of the upper part of the antilobium, when opening the mouth.

Tinggong point: In the depression in front of the middle of the antilobium, when opening the mouth.

Tinghui point: In the depression in front of the lower part of the antilobium, when opening the mouth.

Xu said that when patients have time, they can also massage their entire ears, and rub and press around them.

For tinnitus caused by aging or fatigue, the patient can press the below acupuncture points to replenish the fluids in their kidneys, qi (vital energy), and blood.

Zusanli point: Four finger-breadths directly below the knee on the outer side of the leg.

Taixi point: In the depression between the tip of the medial malleolus and Achilles tendon.

Fuliu point: On the inner side of the calf, three horizontal finger-breadths above Taixi point.

Qihai point: About two finger-breadths below the navel.

Guanyuan point: About four finger-breadths below the navel.

2. Sleep at the right time

The time period between 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. is when the liver and bile meridians circulate. So this is an important time for the body to recover. It is best to go to bed at 10:30 p.m.

I always ask my patients to sleep at the right time first, and then sleep to the fullest, Dr. Xu said. According to him, sleeping at the right time is even more important than the number of hours one sleeps. Sleeping for seven to eight hours is also important to improve tinnitus, especially when it is caused by fatigue or sleep disorders. Sleeping at the right time and sleeping enough can also prevent organs from aging, and indirectly solve the problem of the hearing organ aging.

He stressed that sleep is very important, and nowadays many inexplicable diseases are related to lack of sleep and unreleased emotional stress.

3. Do appropriate exercises

Regularly exercising not only helps release stress but also promotes systematic circulation. When people are tired, their circulation becomes poor, and tinnitus begins to appear.

In addition, in the case where tinnitus is caused by gastroesophageal reflux, patients should avoid stimulating foods such as caffeinated beverages, tobacco, and alcohol.
A Shenzhen Father Would Rather Go to Jail Than Have His Child Vaccinated

A father in Shenzhen was summoned by police for his online post stating he would not allow his child to be vaccinated. He said, I would rather go to jail than have my child get the vaccine that has the purpose of a political mission.

Wang Yong, a resident in Pingshan District, Shenzhen, has a son who is in the first grade of Jintian Primary School. The school enforces the rule that students must receive the Covid vaccine.

Wang does not believe his child should accept a vaccine that is in the clinical experiment and double-blind study stage.

In view of this, he has repeatedly expressed his concern over the vaccination issue to the Education Bureau, the National Health Commission, and the Chinese CDC, but has not received a substantive answer.

Refusing A Vaccination with Political Agenda

Wang provided screenshots of the chat content of the parent group to the Chinese Epoch Times on April 28.

In his posts, he said his remarks were based on Chinese laws and official data, and he welcomed parents to consult the relevant departments for an explanation on why there are outbreaks despite nationwide vaccination.

Wang Yong, a father of a first grader in Shenzhen, communicates with a parent group on WeChat about his views on child vaccination. He would rather go to jail than have his child take the experimental vaccine. (Wang Yong/The Epoch Times)

Wang provided data about vaccination coverage in China. Vaccination of residents is 95 percent in Ruili, 99.38 percent in Xian, and 86 percent in Shanghai. Yet, after the nationwide vaccination, more than 92 cities across the country suffered strict lockdown measures to control the epidemic.

He stated, Without a reasonable answer and truthful information about vaccines based on science, infectious disease prevention and control, and medicine, I reject the idea of vaccination, even at the cost of my childs education. Id rather be imprisoned than have my child vaccinated when vaccination is enforced with a political agenda.

The head teacher asked him to stop the post because it could affect other parents and bring trouble for the teacher; otherwise, Wang should leave the chat room voluntarily.

A parent responded to Wang that in his company the employees who refuse the vaccine are laid off, with a severance package, according to the Labor Law. Wang responded, I wont die without making a noise. School is for education, not for slaves. Ill fight to the end.

Wangs online comments got him reported to the police by other parents. He was summoned by police twice.

On April 25, the school director of the political office called Wang and told him, If I were [one of the] the parents, I would have informed the police too. You cant spread your views in the parents chat room.

Wang said to the director, Its my basic right of expression. I wasnt targeting anyone, its only my own viewpoint. All of my conversations with the relevant departments were recorded.

The director reiterated that the school wont treat the child differently from others if he doesnt receive the vaccine, Its not mandatory. So, you can just tell the school instead of posting in the chat room. We are only following governmental policy, said the director.

Wang explained to The Chinese edition of The Epoch Times, On April 10, the police came to me at 9:30 pm. They wanted me to explain why I rejected the vaccination and had different views on the PCR tests, he said.

He was kept at the police station for four hours. The police questioned him, took mugshots, and took blood samples from him. He said, My questioning of vaccines and PCR tests is not a criminal act.

According to Wang, the police in his hometown in Shaanxi Province also visited his 73-year old mother at noon on April 27 to question her about Wangs activities.

In February this year, when the world was shocked by the story of the Xuzhou chained mother of eight, Wang also voiced his concern about the case online multiple times. He believes the police are trying to settle the score with him for doing that.

He said, I have a wife and child. I must speak out for the victimized chained woman.

Wangs friends circle on WeChat has been suspended.

The Chinese edition of The Epoch Times tried to call the local police station in Shenzhen, but the call could not go through.

After Wangs story was reported, many viewers posted their comments in support of his courageous acts.

One netizen wrote, The director of the political office is lying. If Wang Yong hadnt done this, it would have been impossible for his child to not be vaccinated.

Another netizen said, The true intention of the directors talk was his fear that the sentiment of refusing vaccination would spread. The officials claim about peoples willingness to be vaccinated is pure deceit. Its a political task.

Li Xi contributed to this report.
Christian Smalls, president of the Amazon Labor Union, speaks at a rally outside an Amazon facility on Staten Island, New York, on April 24, 2022. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)

Amazon Workers Reject Unionization at Second Staten Island Warehouse Election

Workers at a Staten Island Amazon Warehouse rejected a motion for unionization on Monday, just one month after a neighboring Amazon warehouse in Staten Island became the first in the United States to form a workers union.

In the recent union election at Amazons LDJ5 sort center in Staten Island, workers voted 680 to 318 against a measure to be represented by the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), a new workers union recently formed to bargain collectively on behalf of American workers at Amazons company warehouses.

Were glad that our team at LDJ5 were able to have their voices heard, Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said in a statement. We look forward to continuing to work directly together as we strive to make every day better for our employees.

The results at the LDJ5 election take on an ironic aspect in light of that warehouses location, directly across the street from Warehouse JFK8, which broke new ground on April 1 when its workers voted to be represented by the ALU, making it the first unionized Amazon warehouse in the United States with 2,654 votes in favor and 2,131 votes against.

The vote at JFK8 was the culmination of years of controversy between Amazon corporation and the incipient labor movement led by former Amazon supervisor Christian Smalls, who was fired from his position at the companys warehouse on March 30, 2020, after organizing a walkout in protest of the warehouses COVID-19 policies, which Smalls asserted were inadequate to protect workers from the virus.

In the ensuing months, Amazon was accused by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) of illegally interfering with organizing efforts by threatening, surveilling, and interrogating employeesallegations which the company vigorously denies.

In the months leading up to the vote, Amazons JFK8 Warehouse convened multiple mandatory meetings addressing matters related to unionization, which the ALU has condemned as thinly-veiled attempts at union-busting.

The company maintains a website titled Unpack JFK8 in which it argues for its position against unionization, claiming that collective bargaining interferes with the relationship between individual employees and Amazon corporation.

The varying outcomes in JFK8 and LDJ5 may be partially explained by different conditions at the two neighboring workplaces: JFK8 employs more full-time workers under more demanding conditions, whereas LDJ5 has a higher share of part-time employees and has lighter work than its larger neighbor.

The proximity and interconnectedness of the two warehouses makes LDJ5 a strategically important workplace for both the union and the employer, as the ALU would likely have greater leverage in negotiations with Amazon if it could unionize both sites.

For proponents of the Amazon labor movement, Mondays vote at LDJ5 was a disappointment that risks slowing the momentum of the new union.

Despite todays [sic] outcome Im proud of the worker/organizers of LDJ5[;] they had a tougher challenge after our victory at JFK8, Smalls wrote on Twitter. Our leads should be extremely proud to have given their coworkers a right to join a Union.

Simultaneously, Amazon has also contended with a separate labor movementthe Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Unionfollowing a unionization vote at an Amazon warehouse in Bessamer, Alabama, last March, in which 400 ballots remain contested. The union was trailing in the initial tally by 118 votes. The NLRB is alleging that Amazon illegally interefered with the unionization effort there, which again, Amazon denies.
Antonio Delgado Becomes 33rd Democrat to Retire from House

U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-N.Y.) will step down after 2022 to run for New York lieutenant governor under Gov. Kathy Hochul, marking the 33rd Democrat to retire in a season expected to see major Republican gains.

Delgado will join Hochul, who replaced disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in August 2021, on the campaign trail in the coming New York gubernatorial race as her running mate.

I am proud to announce I am appointing Congressman Antonio Delgado, an outstanding leader and public servant, as Lieutenant Governor of New York, Hochul said in a Twitter thread announcing the decision. I look forward to working with him to usher in a new era of fairness, equity, and prosperity for communities across the State.

With Antonio Delgado by my side serving as Lieutenant Governor, we will both make historyand make a difference, Hochuls thread concluded.

Having won competitive primary and general elections for Congress, Representative Antonio Delgado is a battle-tested campaigner who has the experience to serve New Yorkers and the work ethic to get our partys message out to voters, unite communities and lift up Democratic candidates statewide, Hochul added in a separate statement.

Delgado was first elected to Congress in 2018 amid a larger wave of blue victories that saw several GOP-held seats fall to Democrats. In 2020, Delgado managed to retain his seat as Republicans began to close the gap in votes, but redistricting from the census could have left him vulnerable to GOP incursion later this year.

According to data compiled by FiveThirtyEight, Delgado as of March 9 voted with President Joe Biden 100 percent of the time during the 117th Congress.

Following the announcement, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC)a top GOP electioneering and fundraising firmreleased a statement on the retirement, accusing Delgado of seeking a way to stay in politics ahead of Novembers rough-and-tumble election.

Antonio Delgado is the most recent House Democrat to call it quits, the statement said. Delgado is seeking the fastest exit from his doomed reelection bid to join Gov. Kathy Hochuls corrupt administration.

Samantha Bullock, spokeswoman for the NRCC, added, Antonio Delgado was smart and got a jump on the job market before he and the rest of his House Democrat colleagues lose this fall.

Delgados announcement makes him the 33rd Democrat in the House to announce that they will not seek reelection, including other prominent Democrats like House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.)the only Democrat in the U.S. Congresss current Kentucky delegation.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has continued to express the expectation that Democrats will hang onto the House in 2022. But several Republicans have taken the almost unprecedented string of retirements as an indicator that even Democrats know theyre in trouble come November.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), for his part, has maintained that he thinks the party will sweep the polls later this year, rejecting contentions by some that the party was becoming overconfident.
The Family Dollar logo is centered above one of its variety stores in Canton, Miss., on Nov. 12, 2020. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo)

Arkansas State Attorney General Sues Family Dollar Over Rodent Infestation in Distribution Facility

The Arkansas state attorney general is suing Family Dollar over its reckless and intentional actions of selling products to customers despite a rodent infestation and unsanitary conditions at its West Memphis distribution center.

Filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court on Thursday, the lawsuit (pdf) seeks actual and punitive damages, disgorgement, restitution, civil penalties, and injunctive relief against Family Dollar to protect the health, safety, and economic well-being of Arkansas consumers who purchased or used the potentially hazardous or contaminated products sold at the store.

It comes just months after the company temporarily closed more than 400 stores after a Food and Drug Administration inspection found unsanitary conditions at the Arkansas facility, including decomposing carcasses of dead rodents.

That inspection was prompted by a customer complaint, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a notice.

FDA officials said that more than 2,300 rodents had been found between March and September 2021 and that they observed conditions that included live rodents, dead rodents in various states of decay, rodent feces and urine, dead birds, products stored in conditions that did not protect against contamination, and more.

Thursdays suit filed by the Arkansas Attorney General, Leslie Rutledge, claims that Family Dollar showed willful and intentional neglect and deceptive and unconscionable business practices that compromised the health, safety, and well-being of Arkansas consumers.

During this time, Family Dollar made significant profits, while knowingly exposing Arkansas consumers to potentially hazardous or contaminated products by allowing and failing to prevent long-lasting and massive rodent infestations and other unsanitary conditions at its West Memphis Distribution Center, the lawsuit states.

It also alleges that the store continued to unfairly profit from sales despite the ongoing rodent infestation .

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 states.

The lawsuit further alleges that Family Dollar engaged in a conspiracy not only by being aware of the dire conditions at the facility but also by implementing policies, procedures, and business practices at the West Memphis Distribution Center, which knowingly caused the massive rat infestation and other unsanitary conditions.

These include knowingly failing to allocate specific funds that were needed to ensure the West Memphis Distribution Center was properly maintained, failing to implement written safety, quality control, and health procedures at the center, and failing to inspect facilities for safety, quality control, and health-related issues, among others.

The lawsuit also seeks the suspension or forfeiting of Family Dollars franchises, corporate charters, or other licenses, permits, or authorizations to do business in the state. The company has 85 stores in the state.

The Epoch Times has contacted a Family Dollar spokesperson for comment regarding the lawsuit.

Following the findings by health officials in February, a company spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement: We take situations like this very seriously and are committed to providing safe and quality products to our customers. We have been fully cooperating with all regulatory agencies in the resolution of this matter and are in the process of remediating the issue.

Rutledge told The New York Times that her office is seeking up to $10,000 for each violation of the states deceptive trade practices act. She also does not want the company to continue 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.
Police clash with demonstrators during a protest rally, in Yerevan, Armenia, on May 2, 2022. (Vahram Baghdasaryan/Photolure via AP)

Armenia Detains 180 Protesters Calling on Pashinyan to Quit

YEREVAN, ArmeniaPolice in Armenias 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 countrys 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 wouldnt 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.

Demonstratorsincluding opposition lawmakerschanted 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 in 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.
Police clash with demonstrators during a protest rally in Yerevan, Armenia, on May 2, 2022. (Vahram Baghdasaryan/Photolure via AP)

Armenia Detains 180 Protesters Calling on Pashinyan to Quit

YEREVAN, ArmeniaPolice in Armenias capital on Monday detained 180 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 countrys 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.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan speaks to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin (not pictured) during their talks in Moscow, Russia, on April 20, 2022. (Dmitry Astakhov, Sputnik, Government Pool Photo via AP)

On Sunday, demonstrators in the center of Yerevan set up tents for a round-the-clock protest and said they wouldnt 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.

Demonstratorsincluding opposition lawmakerschanted 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.
The committee evaluating qualifications for the two private companies interested in taking over management of MetraPark announced its findings on Monday.

"The committee members unanimously agreed and will be recommending, should the Board (of Yellowstone County Commissioners) wish to proceed, that it engage in possible agreement negotiations with ASM Global," said Kevan Bryant, the county's director of finance and budget.

The committee made its decision Friday and its announcement Monday afternoon during the commissioners discussion meeting was the first time county officials heard the decision.

It's a complicated pick for the county. ASM was competing with OVG, another L.A.-based events and venue management company, for the county's pick. Last year, OVG signed a five-year contract with the county to book shows for MetraPark.

With the announcement, Bryant followed up with his recommendations as finance director.

"My recommendation is to set aside the private management option for a period of three years and utilize Venue Solutions Group for nationwide recruiting services for senior management positions (at Metra) now vacant and add management consulting services over the coming year to really give public management its last best shake," Bryant told commissioners.

Bryant explained in his statement that placing Metra under a booking agreement from one company and a management agreement from another would "significantly diminish the countys ability to substantially benefit over the next four years."

The announcement caught commissioners off guard.

"You went well beyond the scope of what you were supposed to present," Commissioner Don Jones told Bryant.

He argued that until the county talks actual numbers and scenarios with the two companies it couldn't know what the best path forward would be.

"There's some other alternatives we need to look at," he said.

Frustrations over the process of seeking information about switching management at MetraPark have chafed the three commissioners since the summer and erupted into the public conversation in November.

Jones placed the issue on the agenda of an early November commissioners meeting, catching many in the community by surprise. Jones was seeking to go out to bid with management companies as a way to explore whether it would be a good fit for MetraPark.

Jones first struck on the idea of investigating privatized management earlier in the fall after visiting with officials in Casper, Wyoming, and Nampa, Idaho, two communities that have a publicly-owned and privately-run arena or events center. Both are operated by OVG.

Eventually, Jones' proposal to go out to bid was rolled back into a formal request for qualifications and information, which is what ASM and OVG submitted to the county at the end of March.

Commissioner John Ostlund has argued since November that the county should first seek out a third party, one with no financial stake in how Metra is managed, to evaluate the pros and cons of both public and private management of the facility before moving forward.

Jones and Commissioner Denis Pitman have repeatedly shot down the idea, arguing that all that information can be learned through the request for qualifications and information process. Eventually commissioners agreed to bring in Venue Solutions Group to help evaluate the proposals from OVG and ASM.

Tennessee-based Venue Solutions Group specializes in studying and evaluating the operations and procedures of event space; the group performed a study of Metra earlier this year.

Among other things, Venue Solutions Group's report dinged Metra for lack of preventive maintenance and having no clearly defined and written policies and procedures. Metra has since created a policies and procedures manual.

Venue Solutions Group was also part of the county's committee evaluating the qualifications submitted by ASM and OVG.

In all, the committee studied more than 300 pages of documents from the two companies and followed up with an additional 60 clarifying questions. They evaluated and scored the proposals along with the additional information.

"Let me say on behalf of the committee that both presentations were solid, and both firms are well experienced in what they do," Bryant said. "The results were clear as well."

In end, ASM was the more qualified company for Yellowstone County, he said.

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Australian Election Reveals the Weakness of Centrist Politics

Commentary

The Australian federal election has so far demonstrated just how much the political centre is weakening as voters shift further right and left.

It is all part of a worldwide trend that has seen growing discontent at the status quo from voters in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Canada. At the heart of this growing phenomenon have been several interconnected shifts.

First, voters no longer believe the two-party system offers enough options; while in the past, this may have satisfied the voting public, that is no longer the case as left- and right-wing minor parties look set to clean up.

On the left, the Greens have been the most successful, augmented by a new woke radicalism that continues to find victim groups that it can assist with heavy state-interventionist policy.

On the right, there has also been a veritable blossoming of new thinking ranging from nationalists to conservatives and traditionalists to right-libertarians.

The reawakening of the right, after decades of marginalisation, has changed the political landscape, as seen by the impact of Trump, Brexit, and Marine Le Pen in France. Additionally, a renewed nationalism has also flowered in eastern Europe in countries like Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine.

Polands Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaks during a news conference in Budapest, Hungary, on Oct. 12, 2021. (Bernadett Szabo/Reuters)

So, what is at the heart of this shift?

At its heart there is discontent over how mainstream parties have collaborated to build and share in the globalisation project, which involved building global trade, exporting jobs to China (at the expense of local industry), and promoting mass migration and multiculturalism (at the expense of local national identity).

Although power may alternate between centre-left and centre-right parties, it really was a case of Tweedledum and Tweedledee when it came to consensus on globalisation.

The new right and the left have opposed the project for different reasons. The right rejects the liberal dimensions of globalisationthat is, mass migration-multiculturalism; and state interventionism to assist victim groups (e.g., affirmative action policy and conflicts over human rights).

The left rejects the capitalist dimension of the project including major economic growth; inequality between rich and poor; and economic development at the cost of the environment.

Importantly, voters on the left and the right experienced a shared sense of not being consulted and being excluded from decision-making by the mainstream parties, which has led to a weakening of centrist politics we see now. This is proving to be a major challenge for party leaders.

The election of Donald Trump was the watershed moment that broke the spell of the old two-party globalisation movement and long-running centrism.

For Republicans it exposed the partys ongoing cooperation with the Democrats to support globalisation, while for the Democrats, it exposed how blue-collar workers had been left worse-off through the exporting of jobs to China.

A more recent example has been the French presidential election, which saw the two legacy parties, the centre-right Les Republicains and centre-left Socialists, together receive less than 10 percent of the vote. A devastating result.

Supporters react after the victory of French President and La Republique en Marche (LREM) party candidate for reelection Emmanuel Macron in Frances presidential election, at the Champ de Mars, in Paris, on April 24, 2022. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)

In the English-speaking world, the legacy parties have not (yet) died. They cling to life because much of the left-right shift has occurred within the parties, which is also causing political turmoil. That may be why politics in the West now appears so messy and dysfunctional.

In Australias 2022 election the turmoil caused by disgruntled voters is clear to see.

Both the centre-right Liberal Party and centre-left Labor Party have been divided into factions. The leaders of both parties have a huge job holding it all together and stopping the political bleeding to minor parties.

For the governing Liberal-National Coalition, its regional and outer-suburban seats have shifted right while their inner-city seats have shifted left, leaving Prime Minister Scott Morrison the unenviable job of trying to hold it together.

An example of how intense the splintering is can be seen by the actions of two political entrepreneurs who are spending millions to try pull voters from the flanks of the Coalition.

The left-wing breakaway group (created by millionaire Simon Holmes a Court) has pitted so-called independents against Coalition MPs in the key inner city electorates in Sydney and Melbourne.

These Climate 200 candidates are appealing to voters concerned about climate change action and hope to win over Liberal Party supporters who feel alienated by the governments realignment towards suburban and regional voters who are more socially conservative.

On its other flank, the Coalition must contend with mining billionaire Clive Palmer who is hoping to win over those socially conservative voters with his United Australia Party.

The Australian Labor Party (ALP) meanwhile, which has traditionally been the party of the working class (who are socially conservative), has bled considerably to the left-wing Greens Party.

The ALP must also stem the haemorrhaging on its right flank to the Coalition or to the right-wing One Nation, which also occurred in the 2019 federal election.

The polarisation of the voting base will likely see both major parties emerge from the May election bloodied and weakened, and Australia staring down the barrel of a hung Parliament.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Marc (L) and Debra Tice, parents of U.S. journalist Austin Tice who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012, hold portraits of him during a press conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut on July 20, 2017. (JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)

Biden to Meet With Parents of Abducted American Journalist Austin Tice

President Joe Biden told reporters on Monday he would meet today with the parents of American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria 10 years ago.

Austin Tice was covering the Syrian civil war when he vanished en route to Lebanon in 2012. Five weeks later, a video emerged showing him blindfolded and held by armed men. The meeting with his parents, Marc and Debra Tice, is expected to take place at the White House.

Debra Tice was introduced on Saturday night at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner during an address by CBS News reporter Steven Portnoy.

Mr. President, at table 48 tonight is a woman named Deborah Tice, Portnoy said. Mrs. Tice, would you please stand? Now, Mrs. Tices son, Austin, is a colleague of ours at The Washington Post at McClatchy and at CBS. And he should be here with us tonight, but hes been held captive in Syria since 2012.

Biden said at the event that he wanted to meet with the Tices.

After the president made those comments, obviously we went into action to work to set up the meeting on Sunday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at Mondays press briefing.

Psaki added that the White House has been very closely engaged with the family, noting three previous meetings with national security adviser Jake Sullivan, principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, and other National Security Council officials.

Biden spoke at the correspondents dinner saying of war journalists, We honor journalists killed, missing, imprisoned, detained, and tortured; covering war, exposing corruption, and holding leaders accountable.

Tice is from Houston. His work had been published by The Washington Post, McClatchy newspapers, The Associated Press, and other outlets.

In the final months of the Trump administration, two U.S. officialsincluding the governments top hostage negotiator, Roger Carstensmade 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 United States and the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, though Syrian officials offered no meaningful information on Tice.

Debra Tice has previously been critical of her lack of direct White House access, saying at a National Press Club event last December that she had never met with Biden since he became president and that he has never said Austins name publicly.

Joan Chang and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bitcoiners Criticize House Democrats Letter to EPA

'Sound money is produced by work, not brrr'

Jack Dorsey, Anthony Scaramucci, Michael Saylor, and other high-profile bitcoin industry advocates have cosigned a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging House Democrats claims that their cryptocurrency threatens the environment.

Peter St. Onge, an economist with the Heritage Foundation, voiced agreement with the letter in an interview with The Epoch Times.

Bitcoin is orders of magnitude, probably 100 times cleaner than the legacy financial system, St. Onge said.

Francis Suarez, the Republican mayor of Miami, praised the bitcoiners May 2 letter in a Twitter post.

As someone who is pro #bitcoin and cares about the environment, I urge you to read this letter that separates fact from fiction on bitcoin minings impact on the environment for U.S. miners, wrote Suarez, whose city has emerged as a burgeoning tech hub at a time when Silicon Valleys population is shrinking.

House Democrats, including Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), sent their bitcoin letter to the EPA on April 20.

The rapidly expanding cryptocurrency industry needs to be held accountable to ensure it operates in a sustainable and just manner to protect communities, they wrote.

They also praised President Joe Bidens recent cryptocurrency executive order.

The House Democrats warned that bitcoin mining is having an outsized contribution [sic] to greenhouse gas emissions, an assertion the bitcoiners strongly disputed.

The statement above unfortunately confuses datacenters with power generation facilities. Power generation facilities are not datacenters. Datacenters which contain miners are no different than datacenters owned and operated by Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, the bitcoiners wrote, later noting that bitcoin miners use more nuclear, wind, solar, and hydro energy than in the average U.S. energy mix.

Miners can operate from anywhere in the world, and datacenters are able to target stranded or abundant renewable sources of energy.

While Democrats have claimed that bitcoin mining generates more than 30,000 tons of electronic waste every year, the bitcoin advocates challenged the paper they cited, which assumed that the mining hardware bitcoiners use depreciates in a mere 1.3 years.

The claim that Bitcoin miners produce enormous quantities of e-waste is a purely academic fantasy, the bitcoiners wrote.

Democrats also took issue with the proof-of-work (PoW) method for validating transactions used by Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies because of its heavy energy use.

One source, the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, estimated bitcoin electricity consumption at 151.81 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year, within a possible range of 57.13 to 343.75 TWh annually. Thats on par with what the nation of Poland uses every year.

Less energy-intensive cryptocurrency mining technologies, such as Proof-of-Stake (PoS), are available and have 99.99 percent lower energy demands than PoW to validate transactions, the House Democrats wrote.

The bitcoiners claimed that direct comparisons between PoS and PoW are highly misleading, as the two systems are different in kindwhile PoW allows a miner to collect bitcoin if they solve a mathematical puzzle faster than all others attempting to solve it, PoS grants mining power based on how many coins a user can stake.

Systems like Paypal or Venmo also use very limited amounts of energy, but these are not more efficient than Bitcoin because they provide users with completely different assurances. Proof of Stake systems should be understood in the same way, they wrote.

The bitcoin advocates also said the risk of corporate capture is extreme in Proof of Stake systems, as such cryptocurrencies effectively favor miners who have more coinsa view shared by St. Onge.

You would not want to force the American public into using a PoS coin because almost certainly, it would be owned by one guy or a couple of guys. It would be a plutocracy, he told The Epoch Times.

St. Onge agreed that politicians could support such a system if it allowed them to reinsert themselves as the authorities responsible for redistributing digital assets.

This is an excellent way for the existing elite to transpose their domination into the next stage, he said.

Stephen Barbour, a signatory of the May 2 letter, told The Epoch Times that PoS is simply central banking-style governance; its dead out of the gate.

Barbour is president of Upstream Data, a Canadian company that captures methane emissions to power distributed bitcoin mining data centers.

He was equally dismissive of central bank digital currencies (CBDC), a class of digital asset that Biden contemplated in his recent cryptocurrency EO. Other countries around the world, including China, have been planning or piloting CBDCs.

CBDCs is social justice money. I support PoW only. Sound money is produced by work, not by brrr, Barbour told The Epoch Times.

Huffman declined to comment to The Epoch Times.
A Border Patrol agent apprehends a group of Cubans who just crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico into Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 19, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Border Patrol Arrests for April Hit Record High at Almost 212,000

DEL RIO, TexasBorder Patrol agents apprehended 211,972 illegal immigrants along the U.S. southern border in April, according to preliminary Customs and Border Protection (CBP) numbers obtained by The Epoch Times.

The number of apprehensions is markedly higher than any April on record, including during the past 10 years, when apprehensions ranged from a low of 11,000 in 2017 to 99,273 in 2019until last year when April hit 173,701.

CBP statistics also indicate that more than 58,000 illegal immigrants evaded apprehension in April, with Tucson, Arizona, and Del Rio, Texas, being the two busiest sectors for gotaways.

The April numbers show a continued increase in illegal crossings for each month this year. In total, Border Patrol has apprehended more than 728,000 illegal aliens along the southern border since January.

Most of those apprehensions have occurred in Texas, which has seen 448,285 Border Patrol arrests since January.

Agents are bracing for an even higher influx as the Biden administration prepares to end Title 42 expulsions on May 23. The Title 42 public health provision has allowed for the quick expulsion of non-essential travelers at U.S. borders to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned agents to expect up to 18,000 apprehensions per day in the coming months. Currently, agents are apprehending about 7,000 illegal aliens per day along the southern border.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended his handling of the border in congressional hearings last week. He told the House Judiciary Committee on April 28 that his department has been executing a comprehensive strategy to secure our borders and rebuild our immigration system.

Mayorkas said his agency has operational control of the border, despite reaching record-high numbers of illegal border crossings and releases of illegal immigrants into the United States.

Mayorkas confirmed on May 1 that about 1.4 million illegal border crossers have evaded capture or been released into the United States since Biden took office in 2021.

It is the objective of the Biden administration to make sure that we have safe, legal, and orderly pathways for individuals to be able to access our legal system, Mayrokas told Fox News Bret Baier when asked if the objective is to sharply reduce illegal immigration.

The highest number of apprehensions recorded in a fiscal year since the formation of the Border Patrol was 1.69 million in fiscal 1986. This year is on track to hit well above that record, with a current 1.2 million apprehensions and five months remaining in 2022.
Californias Population Shrunk in 2021, Officials and Citizens Disagree About the Cause

The population of California declined for the second straight year in 2021, with officials blaming lower birth rates, the pandemic, and other reasons for the drop, while outgoing citizens place the blame on violent crime numbers, property prices, and the states education system.

There were 117,552 fewer residents in California as of Jan. 1, 2022, when compared to the previous year, according to a May 2 press release by the states Department of Finance.

The total population of the state as of Jan. 1 was 39,185,605, which is 0.3 percent lower than in January 2021.

As Baby Boomers age and fertility declines among younger cohorts, the continuing slowdown in natural increasebirths minus deathsunderlies the plateauing of the states population growth. The addition of COVID-19-related deaths, federal policies restricting immigration, and an increase in domestic out-migration further affected population totals, the release states.

Overall growth was also affected by continuing federal delays in processing foreign migration: while last year saw positive immigration (43,300), the level was below the average annual rate of 140,000 before the pandemic.

A majority of counties saw population decline except in the interior counties of Inland Empire and Central Valley, which saw an increase in population. Only three counties in the state registered more than or equal to 1 percent population growth: Yolo at 1.8 percent, San Benito at 1.1 percent, and Modoc at 1 percent.

Out of the total 58 counties in the state, 34 saw their populations decrease. Plumas lost 3.2 percent of its population, followed by Lassen at 2.8 percent, Butte at 2.4 percent, Del Norte at 1.4 percent, and Napa at 1 percent. While 361 cities suffered a population loss, 118 cities experienced an increase in population.

Los Angeles remained the largest city in California with a population of 3.82 million people, followed by San Diego with 1.37 million, and San Jose with 976,482 million citizens.

The Peterson family stands on their Garden Grove property currently in escrow as they transition to their new home in Laughlin, Nevada on Feb. 07, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Californias population decreased for the first time in 2020. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Walter Schwarm, chief demographer with the states Department of Finance, dismissed the idea that California is seeing an exodus.

To a certain extent, we have two or three things happening herethe pandemic is there in the sense that natural increase, it really slowed down over these two years. Some of that is a lack of births because of delayed childbearing decisions, Schwarm said. Things are getting a little better, fertility is coming back after the pandemic.

Terry Gilliam, 62, who started the Leaving California Facebook page in 2018, moved to Florida in 2021 due to issues like high housing costs, traffic, exorbitant taxes, crime rates, politics, and homelessness.

California has the highest number of homeless people in the country, with current estimates at 161,548 people. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, property crime and violent crime rates rose in the state in 2021, with homicides rising in places like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Oakland.

California native Kathy Kean, 62, moved to Texas in 2021 due to the rising crime rate. Its not what we remembered our area to be, Kean told The Epoch Times. Some of the crime, like the gangs, were getting worse in our area from L.A. and Riverside coming in.

Another Californian woman, identified as Mrs. Lopez, bought a property in a red state in 2019 so that she and her husband at least have a safe and secure home in case things fall apart in California. She is drawn to Republican states that protect the constitutional rights of their citizens, have lower taxes, and respect life.

A conservative Christian, Lopez said she has lost faith in the states education system, disagreeing with the radical sex education and ideologies like critical race theory that are being promoted by the state administration.

In a report published in July 2021, Californias Legislative Analyst Office said that the states outmigration is increasingly concentrated among the more affluent, older people. An analysis of population data showed a persistent, long-term net outmigration. A key driver of migration between California and other states is living costs, particularly the cost of housing.

In 2021, the median cost of a home in California was over $800,000, which was an increase of 34.2 percent from the previous year. This is double the U.S. national average of about $400,000.

Jamie Joseph and Linda Jiang contributed to this report.
A sign promoting Taiwan's inclusion in the World Health Organization is seen next to the building of the United Nations Offices in Geneva on the opening day of the WHO's World Health Assembly on May 24, 2021. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Canadian MPs Pass Motion to Support Taiwans Inclusion in WHO

Canadian MPs on the House of Commons health committee unanimously passed a motion that supports Taiwans bid for membership in the World Health Organization (WHO).

Im seeking the unanimous consent of the committee that the following motion be adopted, said Conservative MP and motion sponsor Michael Barrett in an April 27 meeting of the committee.

The motion received unanimous support from members of all parties on the committee.

The motion, which states that the standing committee supports the full participation of Taiwan in the World Health Assembly and the World Health Organization, was presented in the House by Liberal MP Sean Casey, the chair of the committee, on April 29.

Taiwan has been excluded from the WHO due to Chinas objections on the grounds that it is a breakaway provincedespite the fact that Taiwan is a de facto independent country, with its own military, democratically elected government, and constitutionand the fact that it is not a member state at the United Nations, having been expelled and replaced by China in 1971.

The countrys exclusion from the organization has been a source of controversy on the world stage since the onset of the pandemic, as Taiwans management of the COVID-19 outbreak has been highly praised. As a result, the WHO has been accused of showing political bias toward Beijing, with the Taiwanese government accusing it of neglecting questions about the outbreak in China when its members asked about person-to-person transmission.

In a joint statement published with Health Minister Chen Shih-chung in May 2020, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu accused the WHO of indifference to the health rights of Taiwans 23.5 million people.

As a professional international health body, the World Health Organization should serve the health and welfare of all humanity and not capitulate to the political interests of a certain member, Chen said in the statement.

Accusations of pro-China bias against the WHO intensified after an interview with Bruce Aylward, WHOs assistant-director general, on the Hong Kong network RTHK, in which he appeared to avoid questions about Taiwans response to the virus.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen also attempted to make the case for Taiwans membership in the WHO, saying she hoped that all countries after experiencing this outbreak would better understand Taiwans capabilities and areas of contribution, to seriously consider Taiwans participation in the global response to the pandemic.

Canada, along with allies such as the United States, have in the past supported campaigns to help Taiwan attain observer status in the organization.

In May 2020, then-foreign minister Francois Philippe Champagne expressed that Canada supported Taiwans meaningful participation in international multilateral fora where its presence provides important contributions to the public good.

Canada encourages the WHO to engage with experts from Taiwan and to support Taiwans meaningful inclusion in global discussions on health.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 4, 2021. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

CDC Issues New Statement, Says Travelers Should Still Wear Masks on Planes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday said that it still recommends that people wear masks on planes, trains, airports, and other modes of public transportation, despite a court last month ruling against the agencys rule.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said last month, following the court ruling, that it will no longer enforce the CDCs masking order for airports and planes, meaning that Tuesdays recommendation from the CDC has no teeth.

Americans aged 2 and older should wear masks inside public transportation, including within airports and stations, said the CDC in its recommendation. It claimed that the current spread of COVID-19 is the reason why masks should be worn.

Data from the agency show that COVID-19 cases have trended slightly higher across the United States in recent days, but the numbers are still far, far lower than the recent peak in mid-January, when the 7-day average was about 800,000 cases per day. As of May 1, CDC data shows that the seven-day average stands at around 57,000 new cases reported per day nationwide.

CDC continues to recommend that all peoplepassengers and workers, alikeproperly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in indoor public transportation conveyances and transportation hubs to provide protection for themselves and other travelers in these high volume, mixed population settings, said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky in a statement Tuesday. We now have a range of tools we need to protect ourselves from the impact of COVID-19, including access to high-quality masks and respirators for all who need them.

Wearing a mask in public transportation settings, she added, will provide protection for the individual and the community.

The CDCs mandate, before the order was handed down, had been scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3 unless the CDC tried to obtain a new extension. The CDC had repeatedly extended the rule, although it was not clear whether it would allow it to expire before last months ruling.

In April, the Department of Justice filed a notice saying it will appeal U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelles earlier order that struck down the CDCs mask rule. The federal government has not made an effort so far to seek immediate action to bring back the mandate.

Mizelle, a Trump appointee based in Florida, had argued that the CDCs mandate, which was crafted in January 2021, violated several elements of federal administrative law. Hours after her order was issued, the TSA said it would no longer enforce the CDC mandate, and major airlines as well as Amtrak said they wouldnt require passengers or staff to wear masks.

In spite of the ruling, however, several major cities, including Los Angeles and New York, have kept their respective mask mandates for public transportation. On April 21, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a statement that masking continues to be required on public transportation, while the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City said on April 19 that passengers on subways, taxis, and buses still have to wear masks.
A bus with an advertisement for CFA Institute, featuring Hong Hao, head of research at Bocom International, in Hong Kong, on Oct. 6, 2016. (Bobby Yip/Reuters)

China Blocks Social Media Accounts of Prominent Market Strategist Hong Hao

China blocked the Weibo and WeChat accounts of Hong Hao, managing director and chief strategist of Bocom International Holdings, without specifying which Chinese social media regulation was violated.

Just recently, Hong Hao warned of the huge amount of capital leaving China and made bearish forecasts about the Chinese stock market.

Hong Haos WeChat account Hong Haos China Market Strategy was suspended around the evening of Saturday, April 30. A search of his account resulted in a message saying that the account violated the Regulations on the Management of Internet Users Public Account Information Services and all content was blocked.

His Weibo account, which has more than three million followers, also no longer existed.

Hong Hao was famous for his successful prediction of the 2015 stock boom and bust cycle.

In his financial report on March 21, Hong Hao predicted the Shanghai Composite Index could trade between 3,200 and 3,800, in the worst case scenario it could even slip below 3,000. His analysis was proven to be true when the index fell to as low as 2,863.6 on April 27, and closed at 3,047.06 on April 29.

Since the lockdown began in Shanghai, Beijing has cracked down on online arguments of a deteriorating Chinese economy. Hong Haos posts in recent months could have gotten him in trouble.

Earlier, on Feb. 20, the outspoken Hong stated on Twitter that Chinas crackdown on tech companies, which already wiped out more than $1.5 trillion from the sector, is not yet over.

On March 14, he stated on Twitter, Both institutional and individual investors dumping HK. Its a sign of [the] times. Bloodbath in HK today. The selling is brutal and relentless. >10 trillion yuan wiped out from Chinese tech, or 10% of China GDP  gone.

On March 15, he wrote, Tencent http://700.HK plunged another 10% today, after a brief rebound in the morning session jolting everyones heart. Yet it sank again after rumors of breaking up the firm whispered in the market. As a leading Chinese tech firm, Tencent is rapidly becoming five-cent.

On March 31, Hong Hao posted on Twitter, Shanghai: zero movement, zero GDP.

On April 2, his Twitter showed the following.

Shanghai standing still. A city of breakneck speed now in silent restraint. Morning.

Tankers outside Shanghai port. Traffic jam now is not on Shanghais roads, but on its sea.

Shanghai lockdown. But the heart wants what it wants.

Hong Hao was not the first person to have Beijing block access to Chinese social media. Last year, Tencent announced its clean financial website regulation resulted in removal of 23,124 illegal posts and a total of 1,463 WeChat accounts between Oct. 7 and Oct. 13; including the one run by Essence Securities Co.s chief strategist Chen Guo, banned from the website for seven days for unspecified violations.

Hong Haos profile on Twitters personal account has also recently been changed to Ex BoCom Intl. Some people believe that he has left Bocom.
U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall speaks at the National Press Club on April 19, 2022 in Washington. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

China is Studying How US Fights, Designing Systems Intended to Defeat America: Air Force Secretary

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seeks to displace the United States as the worlds premier power, and is building the military required to pursue that goal, according to the secretary of the Air Force and Space Force.

China has ambitions to be the great power on the face of the earth, said Frank Kendall. They have ambitions to be the global great power.

To do that, they basically have to displace the United States.

Kendall made the remarks during a May 2 talk on the future of American air and space power with the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. During the talk, Kendall clarified that, while Russia was currently diverting international resources and attention, the CCP remained the key threat to the United States across every domain.

Im much more concerned about China than about Russia, Kendall said.

Kendall explained that the Chinese military was rapidly expanding and modernizing its forces with the explicit purpose of ejecting the United States from the Western Pacific and gaining both regional hegemony and the ability to pursue global influence operations.

It was quite clear that [Chinas] desire was to deny us the ability to project power in the Western Pacific, Kendall said of Chinese military development.

Theyre not waiting to see what we do.

He said that the CCP was focusing resources on developing transformational capabilities and new rocket forces that would grant it the power to push the United States out of the region and allow it to effectively deter interference with its plans to conquer Taiwan, which it claims is a breakaway province of China.

To that end, Kendall said that the United States should believe the words of CCP leader Xi Jinping when he said that he sought to unite Taiwan with the mainland and would not rule out the use of force.

I made the mistake a few times during the Cold War of not believing what the Soviets were saying, Kendall said. Turns out they meant what they were saying. I think the same can be assumed of the Chinese right now.

I dont think that theyre interested in grand territorial expansion, but they are interested in having as much influence as possible so that they can set the rules for the economy, Kendall added.

Kendall also spoke on the issue at a May 3 hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on the posture of the Air Force and Space Force, where he said that China was explicitly studying the American way of war and investing in systems capable of undermining it.

They are studying how we fight  and designing systems that are intended to defeat us, Kendall said.

He noted that Chinas much-talked-about hypersonic weapons test in July was specifically invested in because of the capability of strategic hypersonic weapons to evade American defenses.

To that end, Kendall also presented a joint statement (PDF) to the Committee with Space Force Gen. John Raymond and Air Force Gen. Charles Brown, which underscored the importance of centering American strategy on combating China.

Tgreatest challenge to the Department of the Air Forces ability to perform its missions is the Peoples Republic of Chinas (PRC) long-standing and extensive military modernization program, the statement said, using the official name for communist China.

In addition to developing the ability to attack in space, the PRC has integrated space capabilities into its military operations in order to target maritime, air, and land forces and project power through space. The PRCs 2021 test of an orbital hypersonic glide vehicle constitutes a new challenge to strategic deterrence and stability.

Kendall said that he was focused therefore on developing resiliency among U.S. systems, as the American military relied heavily on small numbers of high value assets. As such, he said that the Department of the Air Force would double its research and development spending, with a particular focus on forging more resilient space systems and increasing force survivability in preparation for a potential conflict with China
Under-construction apartments are pictured from a building during sunset in the Shekou area of Shenzhen, in Guangdong province, China, on Nov. 7, 2021. (David Kirton/Reuters)

Chinas April New Home Prices See Slower Gains: Private Survey

BEIJINGChinas April new home prices grew at a slightly slower pace compared with March gains, a private survey showed on Sunday, with policy-easing moves by local authorities yet to significantly revive buying sentiment.

New home prices in 100 cities rose 0.02 percent from a month earlier, easing from the 0.03 percent gain in March, according to survey data from China Index Academy, one of the countrys largest independent real estate research firms.

More than 80 cities have taken steps to boost demand this year after the property market, a pillar of Chinas economic growth, slowed sharply in 2021 due to the Chinese regimes crackdown on high leverage in the sector.

Sentiment has also been dampened by COVID-19 outbreaks across China this year, especially in Shanghai, which has endured a month of lockdown to block local transmissions of the virus.

Measures to encourage buying include subsidies, smaller down payments, reductions in mortgage rates, and relaxation on rules for home purchases.

Some banks in the city of Zhangjiakou, 180 kilometers (110 miles) northwest of capital Beijing, cut minimum down payments from April 18, according to state-backed Securities Daily.

In April, banks in over 23 cities loosened limits on provident housing funds for certain home buyers.

Data from the China Index Academy survey showed 44 of the 100 cities surveyed reported gains in new home prices in April, compared with 37 cities in March.
Editor's note: Valley Credit Union and The Billings Gazette are featuring 32 seniors throughout the 2021-2022 school year. We want to help students who are not typically eligible for scholarships and financial aid awarded to those attending a 4-year program. At the end of the year, Valley will award one $5,000 grant to a deserving student.

To be considered for the grant, students must show a clear career path for their future after high school in the form of an industry certification, technical associates degree, City College, trade school or apprenticeship. Students are nominated by a teacher, counselor, or principal from their high school.

Justin Wiegand

Cody High School

What are your plans after high school?

My plans for after high school are to attend PIMA Medical Institute in Colorado Springs to obtain an Associate's Degree to become a Veterinarian Technician. After obtaining my degree, I plan on becoming certified to work in a zoo.

What is your favorite class in school and why?

My favorite class in school would have to be chemistry. While the course is difficult and it pushes me to work harder, I extremely enjoy the content of the course; I look forward to going to that class every day. On top of my enjoyment of the content, I thoroughly enjoy the teacher of the class as not only does he make the content easy to understand, but he makes it fun and interactive. Throughout my years of high school, I have taken 3 chemistry classes, all with the same teacher, and there has not been a single moment where I haven't enjoyed the class.

Who inspires you and why?

The person who inspires me the most would probably be my father. My father is nothing less than resilient, charismatic, and loving. He carries the weight of maintaining an entire restaurant, family, and personal life on his shoulders every day. At all times there are a million things running through his head, yet he never forgets to be kind to those around him. Throughout my life he has always been there for me. Even through hard and trying times, he has made time to help me through the struggles and successes of life. I hope in my future years that I will have the same attitude and outlook on life as he has. If I am ever to have children of my own, I would aspire to be as great of a father as he has been to me.

What are some things you enjoy outside of school?

Throughout my life, I have been an avid actor and I love participating in any and all kinds of theater. I jump at every opportunity I get to perform in front of a crowd because there is no better feeling than getting that standing ovation after Ive sung my heart out. Within my community, Ive been a part of many shows including The Music Man, Shrek the Musical, Annie, and so much more. Musical theater is something that I am extremely passionate about and it will always be something I hold near and dear to my heart and my love for it will never dwindle.

What would make you feel successful in your career/work after school?

What would make me feel successful in my career would be to bring aide to any animal in need of help that could save generations of animals. I earnestly believe that I can contribute a lot to animal conservation and help save animals throughout the world. I would feel successful even if I helped save one animal or even informed one person on what humans could do to help toward animal conservation.

If you win the $5,000 grant, how will you use the money to help you reach your goals?

I have wanted to be a Veterinarian Technician for as long as I can remember and your grant would help me turn that dream into a reality. I will be attending PIMA Medical Institute in the fall of 2022, and I am looking forward to working in the field as soon as possible. I have saved up money ever since I was a child, so that I can ensure that I live out my dream of saving animals, but I am still far from my goal. With this grant you wouldnt only be helping me but helping save all kinds of future generations of animals.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things, what three things would you bring and why?

The first thing I would bring would be a camera to document my journey and if something was ever to happen to me, someone could find the film and know what I went through. The second thing I would bring would be a desalination water filter so that I can turn any water around me into drinkable water no matter if it was salt water, germ infested water, or bug ridden water. The last thing I would bring would be a bow so that I would be able to hunt and have sustenance; I would make the arrows out of materials on the island.

Do you have personal motto or inspirational saying that motivates you that you would like to share?

"nil mortalibus ardui est" - which translates to nothing is impossible for humankind.

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A GSK employee is at work at the factory of British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in Wavre, Belguim, on Feb. 8, 2021. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese National Convicted of Conspiracy to Steal Cancer Drug Trade Secrets to Benefit China-Backed Company

A Swiss-based Chinese scientist was convicted for his role in a family conspiracy to steal trade secrets related to cancer drugs, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Xue Gongda, 52, a permanent resident of Switzerland with Chinese citizenship, was convicted in connection with a $10 billion scheme to steal cancer medications from his employer and rebrand them under his own biomedical company, U.S. Attorney Jennifer Williams announced on May 2.

According to a DOJ statement, Xue had worked as a scientist for the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI) in Switzerland, which is affiliated with Novartis. His sister, Xue Yu, worked as a scientist at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in Pennsylvania at the same time.

This defendant illegally stole trade secrets to benefit companies controlled by himself and his sister, one of which [was] financed by the Chinese government, Williams said.

The lifeblood of companies like GSK is its intellectual property, and when that property is stolen and transferred to a foreign country, it threatens thousands of American jobs and disincentivizes research and development. Such criminal behavior must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Both Gongda and Yu conducted confidential research into cancer for their prospective companies, and each signed confidentiality agreements as part of their employment, the DOJ stated. Gongda carried out research for publication in journals, and his sister Yu performed research for anti-cancer drugs that were then under development.

While working for their respective entities, Gongda and Yu shared confidential information for their own personal benefit, stealing and sending their companies information back and forth and creating new biopharmaceutical companies through which they could sell proprietary drugs under new names, prosecutors said.

Gongda created Abba Therapeutics in Switzerland, and Yu created Renopharma in China. Renopharma even received direct funding from the Chinese Communist Party.

Renopharmas internal projections show that the company could have been worth as much as $10 billion based on the stolen GSK data, the DOJ stated.

Gongda was charged in 2018 and extradited from Switzerland to the United States in December 2019. The FBI arrested Yu and her Renopharma associates in January 2016.

Yu pleaded guilty to the theft of trade secrets alongside GSK colleague Lucy Xi. Another sister, Xue Tian, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy designed to launder the substantial ill-gotten gains that Renopharma expected to receive. One of the directors of Renopharma, Li Tao, also pleaded guilty for his role in conspiring to steal GSK trade secrets. The other director of Renopharma, Mei Yan, is a fugitive who currently resides in mainland China, according to the DOJ.

When a company like GSK spends billions on research and development to bring new drugs to market, the theft of valuable trade secrets poses a significant operational threat, said Jacqueline Maguire, an FBI agent associated with the case. When those secrets are stolen on behalf of a global adversary, it also endangers the security of our nation and the stability of our economy.

The FBI will continue to bring all our investigative resources to bear to hold accountable criminals like Xue and his codefendants, who steal intellectual property to benefit themselves and the Government of China. Our relationships with private sector partners like GSK are critical to disrupting such costly activity and bringing those responsible to justice.
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Congressional Hopeful Sues Tennessee Republican Party Over Removal From Ballot

A filmmaker who hopes to represent Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives is suing the state GOP after it removed him from the primary ballot for the upcoming midterm elections.

Robby Starbuck, the congressional hopeful, sued Tennessee Republican Party (TRP) Chairman Scott Golden and two state officials on May 2 over the removal.

Starbuck says the April vote behind closed doors by party officials to kick him and two other candidates off the ballot violates federal and state law and the state GOPs own bylaws.

While the party can limit participation in primary elections to members of the GOP, Tennessee law does not allow it to covertly manipulate the outcome of federal primary elections by ordering the state to exclude bona fide Republican candidatessuch as Mr. Starbuckfrom the ballot, the 44-page legal challenge, which was filed in federal court, stated.

Yet that is exactly what the TRP and the state did to Mr. Starbuck and other duly qualified Republicans, and it did it through a secret vote in a non-public meeting in violation of Tennessee open government law.

The removal of Starbuck, former Trump administration official Morgan Ortagus, and businessman Baxter Lee clears the way for Beth Harwell, former chair of the Tennessee GOP, to win the primary, the suit added.

The Tennessee GOP has not responded to requests for comment and has not issued any statements on the removal of the candidates, though Golden has confirmed the votes while speaking with various news outlets.

Lawmakers in the state recently approved a law imposing additional requirements for congressional candidates but Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargetts office confirmed to The Epoch Times that the law would not apply to the 2022 elections.

Some Tennessee Republicans have suggested the removal votes were a way to impose the new requirements during the current election cycle.

The law, Senate Bill 2616, has already been challenged in court, with three voters who say they planned to support Ortagus arguing it violates the U.S. Constitution.

Ortagus and Lee hinted at possible suits in statements issued after the Tennessee GOPs vote but neither have yet filed cases. Neither campaign responded to requests for comment.

The votes took place after some Republicans reportedly said the trio of congressional hopefuls were not bona fide Republicans in part because they had recently moved to Tennessee. Party bylaws allow such challenges, defining bona fide Republicans as those who are actively involved in state or county Republican parties and who have voted in at least three of the four most recent statewide Republican primary elections or are vouched for by a state GOP member, or certain lower-level Republicans.

The final vote concerning the status of hopeful candidates shall be determined by a vote of a select committee of the state Republican party, the bylaws say.

Starbuck says he moved to the state in late 2018 and began voting soon after, though he has acknowledged he did not vote in the 2020 Tennessee primaries.

In the complaint, he notes that being vouched for is an alternative to the voting record and that he was vouched for by a number of Republicans.

This lawsuit is a testing pointand hopefully a turning pointthat could end this type of backroom politics that should have gone out of style decades ago, Starbuck said in a statement.

Starbuck, Ortagus, and Lee filed to represent Tennessees 5th Congressional District. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), who has represented the district since 2003, is retiring after the current Congress.
Protesters and counterprotesters gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington on May 3, 2022. (Emel Akan/The Epoch Times)

Court Watchers Urge Supreme Court to Quickly Release Opinion in Abortion Case

In the wake of a draft opinion being published, some Supreme Court watchers are urging the nations top court to quickly release the final opinion in the case.

I think that it behooves the court to issue their final opinion as soon as possible so that Americans can know what this ruling is and that we can react to the reality and not to a draft from February, Mallory Carroll, vice president of communications for Susan B. Anthony List, told The Epoch Times.

Because the draft was leaked, the court should go ahead and issue the majority opinion as soon as it is final, Ed Whelan, a senior fellow at the Ethics & Public Policy Center, wrote on Twitter. Dissenters can issue their opinions later.

The unprecedented leak calls for an unprecedented response: The court should release its majority opinion as soon as possible, Carrie Severino, president of the Judicial Crisis Network, said.

Politico late May 2 published a draft opinion in a case that challenges Roe v. Wade, which saw the Supreme Court establish access to abortion as a constitutional right. The Supreme Court later said the document is authentic but it remains unclear when the actual decision will be released.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, Justice Samuel Alito, a George W. Bush appointee, said in the draft, writing for what was described as the majority. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey is a follow-up decision to Roe that helped maintain the right to abortion access.

Both decisions have been cited by courts in pausing or striking down some laws curtailing abortion restrictions.

Other court watchers also said they hope the court releases the actual opinion soon.

If reports are true and a majority on the Supreme Court have ruled to rectify Roe, it is the correct decision, and I hope they release the majority opinion as soon as it is finalized, Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) said in a statement.

Justices heard oral arguments in the case in question, Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, in December 2021.

The Supreme Court does not have specific timelines for deciding on cases, but the court will issue a ruling in the case by the end of its current term.

The term, which began on Oct. 4, 2021, is expected to continue until late June or early July.

Oral arguments have wrapped up for the term; justices are only sitting now to announce orders and opinions.
COVID-19 Mask Mandate in Welsh Schools to Be Scrapped Next Week

The mask mandate in Welsh schools will come to an end next week, as the local government is set to scrap all remaining COVID-19 restrictions.

Currently school staff and secondary school pupils are required to wear face coverings when moving around school buildings and in communal areas.

But the Labour-led Welsh government announced on Tuesday that COVID-19 measures for schools will be brought into line with guidance for businesses and other organisations on May 9, meaning the current restrictions in schools will no longer apply.

The Welsh government said the move is in line with its long-term COVID-19 transition from pandemic to endemic.

The risk from the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus is now considered in the same context as other communicable diseases, such as flu, the government said.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that the remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be removed on May 9, if the public health situation remained stable. The changes to the guidance for schools will come into effect on the same day.

Jeremy Miles, the minister for education and Welsh language, told a press briefing on May 3 that the government had written to head teachers informing them of the impending changes, which he said will ensure school guidance is more closely aligned with the rest of society.

We all know that COVID-19 has not gone away. It remains vitally important we reduce the spread of the virus where we can; this includes, for example, following self-isolation guidance, and for education settings to continue to undertake robust risk assessments, he said.

Schools will still be advised to work with local authorities and public health advisers so that measures are appropriate and proportionate and reflect the levels of local risk.

Schools and other education settings will be given checklists to consider which local measures remain proportionate, while special schools will continue to follow guidance for children and young people who are clinically vulnerable.

The move comes three weeks after Scotland officially put an end to its mask mandates on April 18, marking the end of all legal COVID-19 virus restrictions in the region.

Under the Scottish governments new guidance, which came into effect this week, Scots who have COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive are no longer asked to self-isolate or to take a PCR test.

In England, all COVID-19 laws, including the legal requirement for people who test positive to isolate, had already expired on Feb. 24.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Dershowitz: FBI Is Going to Be Called to Deal With Supreme Court Leak

Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard Law professor emeritus, said that Monday nights leaked draft of the Supreme Courts ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade appears to be authentic and suggested that federal investigators will be called to investigate the incident.

This has the sign of authenticity, Dershowitz told Newsmax. It also to me, and this is just a theory, but I think its maybe correct: The leak was very deliberatelyperhaps by a law clerk who was very strongly opposed to reversing Roe v. Wadeseeking to make it public now so that pressure could be put on the Supreme Court, either by an act of Congress to pack the court, or an act of Congress making a federal legislative right of every woman to have an abortion based on the Commerce Clause.

And Dershowitz, who previously worked as a Supreme Court clerk, said that in all the years Ive been following the Supreme Court, theres never been a leak like this.

The leak of the draft to Politico on Monday evening, he added, likely was not inadvertent and was an act of civil disobedience engaged in by a determined law clerk who thought it was so serious that a womans right to abortion will be taken away that they were willing to risk their bar, their career, their heritage on this, because this is going to be investigated.

Meanwhile, the leaker may be gearing up to become a hero of the left, Dershowitz opined. However, that individual could face federal charges, he said, while adding: They wont be practicing law anymore.

The FBI is going to be called in, he continued. Theres going to be an attempt to break the journalist privilege. Theres going to be an attempt to call Politico and demand of them that they reveal the source.

Dershowitz continued: Politico wont do it, but the case may go all the way to the Supreme Court on that issue as well.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the alleged draft opinion, which is dated Feb. 10, according to Politico.

Based on Alitos opinion, the court would find that the Roe v. Wade decision that allowed abortions performed before a fetus would be viable outside the womb, or between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, was wrongly decided because the U.S. Constitution makes no specific mention of abortion rights.

Abortion presents a profound moral question. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each state from regulating or prohibiting abortion, continued Alito, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, according to the draft.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A scene in the movie "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" features a yellow newspaper box with the Chinese characters for The Epoch Times. (Screenshot/IMDb/YouTube)

Doctor Strange 2 Faces Censorship in China After Epoch Times Newspaper Box Appears in Clip: Hollywood Executive

Chinas ruling communist regime likely isnt going to allow Marvels new movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, to open in Chinas theaters, after an Epoch Times newspaper box made a brief appearance in a clip from the movie, according to a long-time Hollywood executive and film producer.

Chris Fenton, author of Feeding the Dragon: Inside the Trillion Dollar Dilemma Facing Hollywood, the NBA, and American Business, said it was already a bit of a long shot for the new Doctor Strange movie to be released in China after several Marvel movies didnt get into the Chinese market.

This recent development of The Epoch Times being seen as one of the major stars in the movie, is definitely throwing a wrench in any sort of shot that they did have of getting into that market, Fenton said in a recent interview with EpochTVs China Insider program.

The yellow newspaper box, bearing the Chinese characters  for the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times, appears for a few seconds in a clip from the movie. It sits in the background during a battle between Doctor Strange and a one-eyed monster named Gargantos on the streets of New York.

Seems like #DrStrange wont be showing in China. Why? Because of alleged LGBT dialogue and a newspaper box of @dajiyuan the Chinese lanaguage Epoch Times appearing in the shot. Absolutely hilarious time for the world to see the ridiculous censorship from China pic.twitter.com/4DdcK6mLnh  David Zhang (@DavidZhangEET) April 30, 2022

The Epoch Times is known for its uncensored coverage of current affairs in China, including political infighting within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the regimes human rights violations against ethnic minorities and religious groups, and Beijings propaganda and influence operations abroad. It was founded by Falun Gong practitioners who were facing persecution in China for their faith that teaches people to live according to the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The Chinese-language edition is the largest-circulating newspaper among overseas Chinese communities.

Like many Western media outlets and social media platforms, the English- and Chinese-language websites of The Epoch Times are banned in China.

The chance of the new movie being shown in China is probably now nonexistent, Fenton said, but people will not know why since China never [lets] you know for sure why theyre banning any particular movie. He said Beijing has a habit of being ambiguous, and not just in banning movies.

The Chinese government never fully tells you why theyre penalizing a company. In fact, a lot of it is speculation. And quite frankly, that speculation creates a wider net of self-censorship because youre never sure exactly what theyre mad at, he said.

Marvel

The bigger question is whether Marvel Studios was intentional in including the newspaper box in the scene. To that, Fenton said he could only speculate, but it was unlikely Marvel didnt know it was there.

He said his firsthand experience with the Iron Man 3 movie taught him that the script supervisors and people working on the movies post-production know exactly what props are used.

So the idea that the 200 to 300 people on set that day, and the 200 to 300 people in post-production over the course of post-production, didnt notice The Epoch Times vending stand in there, it seems very far-fetched, Fenton said.

The movie is currently scheduled to premiere in the United States on May 6. However, it remains to be seen whether the movie still has the newspaper box in the battle scene. Theres a chance Marvel could remove it, considering that Chinas hawkish state-run media Global Times has openly criticized Marvel in an opinion article.

(LR) Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sam Raimi attend the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness photocall at Ritz Carlton in Berlin on April 21, 2022. (Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images)

The article by the regimes mouthpiece, published on May 1, went to great lengths to slander The Epoch Times before accusing the new Doctor Strange movie of shaming U.S. and Hollywood for having included the newspaper box.

Fenton said he doubts Marvel will remove the newspaper box now.

So in the case of China actually being provoked in a way where Marvel feels like they have to remove something for the rest of the world to see, I think theyll say no to that, Fenton said.

And whether China actually asks them to do that, or whether they just assume that ask is there and they dont do that, I dont know. But Id like to believe Marvel does not remove it for the world to see.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Disney, Marvels parent company, for comment.

Censorship

Fenton said its a problem when Hollywood studios engage in self-censorship.

The problem with China is that weve been censoring ourselves with the content we make for the globe, in order to get access to that one market, he said. So when were doing that, were essentially placating China to take their narrative not just inside of their borders, but to spread it around the world.

He pointed to the 2012 remake of the 1984 cult classic Red Dawn and the Top Gun sequel as examples.

The producers of Red Dawn decided to depict villains invading the United States as North Korean rather than Chinese for fear of losing the Chinese market.

A 2019 trailer of Top Gun: Maverick, a movie scheduled to be released in the United States on May 27, shows that Taiwans flag was removed from the patch on the leather jacket worn by Tom Cruises character, naval aviator Pete Maverick Mitchell. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory and rejects any hint that might suggest the islands de facto independence.

Actor Tom Cruise makes a surprise appearance in Hall H to promote Top Gun: Maverick at the Convention Center during Comic-Con in San Diego, Calif., on July 18, 2019. (Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images)

One of Chinas censorship demands recently surfaced. Digital outlet Puck News, in a report published on May 1 citing multiple unnamed sources, said China regulators asked Sony Pictures to make some changes to Spider-Man: No Way Home, a Marvel film distributed by Sony.

First, the regulators asked that the Statue of Liberty be removed at the films ending. After Sony refused, the regulators requested that the statue be minimized, such as dimming the lighting on the sculpture. According to Puck News, Sony also turned down the second request.

Spider-Man: No Way Home was released in the United States in December 2021, but it hasnt been released in China.

So what Id like to see Hollywood do is simply protect freedom of speech and freedom of creative expression, Fenton said.

We should be making movies that cater to audiences around the world. But we should be doing it protecting the rights of the filmmakers themselves to be able to tell the stories completely unfettered by any sort of censorship, or by any sort of influence of propaganda objectives by China.

Frank Fang journalist Follow Frank Fang is a Taiwan-based journalist. He covers US, China, and Taiwan news. He holds a master's degree in materials science from Tsinghua University in Taiwan.
Other data also show that COVID mortality rates are far higher in areas with high vaccination rates, and risk-benefit analyses reveal the jabs do more harm than good in most age groups

U.K. government data show the all-cause mortality rate is between 100% and 300% greater among people who got their first COVID shot 21 days or more ago. The risk for all-cause death is also significantly elevated among those who got their second dose at least six months ago, and mildly elevated among those who got their third dose less than 21 days ago. As of January 2022, all who got one or more doses at least 21 days ago were dying at significantly elevated rates

According to Walgreens data, during the week of April 19 through 25, 2022, 13% of unvaccinated persons tested positive for COVID. Of those who received two doses five months or more ago, 23.1% tested positive, and of those who received a third dose five months or more ago, the positive rate was 26.3%. So, after the first booster shot (the third dose), people are at greatest risk of testing positive for COVID

Across the world, death rates have also risen in tandem with COVID shot administration, with the most-jabbed areas surpassing the least-jabbed in terms of excess mortality and COVID-related deaths

According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, more than 1 million excess deaths  that is, deaths in excess of the historical average  have been recorded since the COVID-19 pandemic began two years ago, and this cannot be explained by COVID-19. Deaths from heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia and many other illnesses rose during that time

Have you noticed the jabbed and boosted are testing positive for COVID more often than the unvaccinated? Is it pure coincidence or could there be a connection between the number of shots you receive and your risk for coming down with COVID? Heres what the latest data reveal.

According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data,[1] more than 1 million excess deaths  that is, deaths in excess of the historical average  have been recorded since the COVID-19 pandemic began two years ago, and this cannot be explained by COVID-19.

Deaths from heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia and many other illnesses rose during that time.[2] Weve never seen anything like it, Robert Anderson, CDCs head of mortality statistics, told The Washington Post in mid-February 2022.[3]

According to University of Warwick researchers, the scale of excess non-COVID deaths is large enough for it to be seen as its own pandemic.[4] A number of explanations have been offered, including the fact that lockdowns and other COVID restrictions discouraged or prevented people from seeking care. But another, less discussed factor may also be at play.

Across the world, death rates have risen in tandem with COVID shot administration, with the most-jabbed areas surpassing the least-jabbed in terms of excess mortality and COVID-related deaths. This flies in the face of official claims that the shots prevent severe COVID infection and lower your risk of death, be it from COVID or all causes.[5]

Boosted? Youre Now at Highest Risk of COVID

Ever since the announcement that the COVID vaccines would be using novel mRNA gene transfer technology, I and many others have warned that this appears to be a very bad idea.

Numerous potential mechanisms for harm have been identified and detailed in previous articles, and were now seeing some of our worst fears come to bear. Fully vaccinated individuals are both more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and more likely to die, whether from COVID or some other cause.

As reported by investigative journalist Jeffrey Jaxen in the April 22, 2022, Highwire video above, data from Walgreens COVID-19 tracker[6] reveal that COVID-jabbed individuals are testing positive for COVID at higher rates than the unjabbed. Whats more, people who got their last shot five months or more ago have the highest risk.

As you can see in the screenshot below, during the week of April 19 through 25, 2022, 13% of unvaccinated tested positive for COVID (with Omicron being the predominant variant). (The data reviewed by Jaxen are from the week of April 10 through 16.)

Of those who received two doses five months or more ago, 23.1% tested positive, and of those who received a third dose five months or more ago, the positive rate was 26.3%. So, after the first booster shot (the third dose), people are at greatest risk of testing positive for COVID.

A deeper dive into the data[7] reveals that two doses appear to have been protective for a short while, but after five months, it becomes net harmful. The group faring worst of all is the 12 to 17 cohort, where no one with one dose tested positive, but after the second dose, cases suddenly appear, and get higher still after five months. After the third dose, positive cases drop a bit, but then shoot up higher than ever after five months.[8]

Deaths by Vaccination Status in the UK

Data sets from the U.K. government reveal an equally disturbing trend. The raw data from the Office for National Statistics[9] is difficult to interpret, so Jaxen had data analysts create a bar graph to better illustrate what the data actually tell us. A screenshot from Jaxens report is below.

Bars going upward are a good thing, as it indicates the risk for all-cause mortality based on vaccination status is either normal or reduced. Bars that dip below zero percent are indicative of increased all-cause mortality, based on vaccination status.

As you can see, the all-cause mortality rate is between 100% and 300% greater among people who got their first dose 21 days or more ago. The risk for all-cause death is also significantly elevated among those who got their second dose at least six months ago, and mildly elevated among those who got their third dose less than 21 days ago. As of January 2022, all who got one or more doses at least 21 days ago were dying at significantly elevated rates.

More Jabs, More COVID Deaths

Everywhere we look, we find trends showing the COVID shots are resulting in higher death rates. Above is an animated illustration[10] from Our World In Data, first showing the vaccination rates of South America, North America, Europe and Africa, from mid-December 2020 through the third week of April 2022, followed by the cumulative confirmed COVID deaths per million in those countries during that same timeframe.

Africa has had a consistently low vaccination rate throughout, while North America, Europe and South America all have had rapidly rising vaccination rates. Africa has also had a consistently low COVID mortality rate, although a slight rise began around September 2021. Still, its nowhere near the COVID death rates of North America, South America and Europe, all of which saw dramatic increases.

Heres another one,[11] also sourced from Our World In Data, first showing the excess death rate in the U.S. (the cumulative number of deaths from all causes compared to projections based on previous years), between January 26, 2020, and January 30, 2022, followed by an illustration of the tandem rise of vaccine doses administered and the excess mortality rate. It clearly shows that as vaccination rates rose, so did the excess mortality rate.

Risk-Benefit Analysis Condemns the COVID Jabs

At this point, we also have the benefit of more than one risk-benefit analysis, and all show that, with very few exceptions, the COVID jabs do more harm than good. For example, a risk-benefit analysis[12] by Stephanie Seneff, Ph.D., and independent researcher Kathy Dopp, published in mid-February 2022, concluded that the COVID jab is deadlier than COVID-19 itself for anyone under the age of 80.

They looked at publicly available official data from the U.S. and U.K. for all age groups, and compared all-cause mortality to the risk of dying from COVID-19. All age groups under 50 years old are at greater risk of fatality after receiving a COVID-19 inoculation than an unvaccinated person is at risk of a COVID-19 death, Seneff and Dopp concluded. And for younger adults and children, theres no benefit, only risk.

This analysis is conservative, the authors note, because it ignores the fact that inoculation-induced adverse events such as thrombosis, myocarditis, Bells palsy, and other vaccine-induced injuries can lead to shortened life span.

When one takes into consideration the fact that there is approximately a 90% decrease in risk of COVID-19 death if early treatment is provided to all symptomatic high-risk persons, one can only conclude that mandates of COVID-19 inoculations are ill-advised.

Considering the emergence of antibody-resistant variants like Delta and Omicron, for most age groups COVID-19 vaccine inoculations result in higher death rates than COVID-19 does for the unvaccinated.

The analysis is also conservative in the sense that it only considers COVID jab fatalities that occur within one month of injection. As demonstrated by the U.K. data above, the risk of all-cause death is nearly 300% greater for those who got a second dose at least six months ago.

Teens Are at Dramatic Risk of Death From the Jabs

Similarly, an analysis[13] of data in the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) by researchers Spiro Pantazatos and Herve Seligmann suggests that in those under age 18, the shots only increase the risk of death from COVID, and theres no point at which the shot can prevent a single COVID death, no matter how many are vaccinated.

If youre under 18, youre 51 times more likely to die from the COVID jab than you are to die from COVID if not vaccinated.

If youre under 18, youre a whopping 51 times more likely to die from the jab than you are to die from COVID if not vaccinated. In the 18 to 29 age range, the shot will kill 16 for every person it saves from dying from COVID, and in the 30 to 39 age range, the expected number of vaccine fatalities to prevent a single COVID death is 15.

Only when you get into the 60 and older categories do the risks between the jab and COVID infection even out. In the 60 to 69 age group, the shot will kill one person for every person it saves from dying of COVID, so its a tossup as to whether it might be worth it for any given person.

How Many Are We Willing to Sacrifice?

We also have a risk-benefit analysis by researchers in Germany and The Netherlands. The analysis was initially published June 24, 2021, in the journal Vaccines.[14] The paper caused an uproar among the editorial board, with some of them resigning in protest.[15] In the end, the journal simply retracted it  a strategy that appears to have become norm.

After a thorough re-review, the paper was republished in the August 2021 issue of Science, Public Health Policy and the Law.[16] The analysis found that, very likely for three deaths prevented by vaccination we will have to accept that about two people die as a consequence of these vaccinations, the authors wrote in a Letter to the Editor[17] of Clinical and Translational Discovery. Defending their work, they went on to note that:[18]

The database we based our analysis on was a large naturalistic study of the BioNTech vaccine in Israel. This was the only study at the time that allowed for a direct estimation of an absolute risk reduction (ARR) in mortality.

Admittedly, the ARR estimate was only available for a short observation period of 4 weeks after the first vaccine dose, a point raised by critics. One might have wanted a longer observation period to bring out the benefit of vaccinations more clearly, and our estimate of a number needed to vaccinate (NNV) of 16 000 to prevent one death might have been overly conservative.

The recently published 6-month interim report of the BioNTech-regulatory clinical trial now covers a period long enough to let us look at this risk benefit ratio once again. In Table S4 of this publication, 14 deaths are reported in the placebo group (n = 21 921) and 15 in the vaccination group (n = 21 926).

Among them, two deaths in the placebo-group were attributed to COVID-19, and one in the vaccination group was attributed to COVID-19 pneumonia. This leads to an ARR = 4.56  105, and conversely to an NNV = 1/ARR = 21 916 to prevent one death by COVID-19. This shows that our original estimate was not so far off the mark.

The most recent safety report of the German Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) that covers all reported side effects since the vaccination campaign began (27 December 2020 until 30 November 2021[19]  reports 0.02 deaths per 1000 BioNTech vaccinations or 2 per 100 000 vaccinations.

We had gleaned four mortality cases per 100 000 vaccinations (all vaccines) from the Dutch pharmacovigilance database LAREB. Using the data of Thomas et al., a liberal NNV = 20 000, we can calculate that by 100 000 vaccinations we save five lives.

Using the PEI pharmacovigilance report for the same product, we see that these 100 000 vaccinations are associated with two deaths, while using the LAREB database back in June 2021, they were associated with four deaths across all vaccines and are associated with two deaths in the most recent reports concerning the BioNTech vaccine  In other words, as we vaccinate 100 000 persons, we might save five lives but risk two to four deaths.

The risk-benefit ratio may be even worse than that, though, as these calculations do not take into account the fact that passive pharmacovigilance data are notorious for underestimating casualties and side effects, the authors note, or the fact that severe side effects such as myocarditis are affecting young males at a staggering rate, which can reduce lifespan in the longer term.

We Do Not Have a Functioning Pharmacovigilance System

In an August 2021 editorial, editor-in-chief of Science, Public Health Policy and the Law, James Lyons-Weiler, Ph.D., wrote:[20]

There are two messages from those who hold appointed offices or other influential positions in Public Health on long-term vaccine safety.

The first message is that long-term randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trials are not necessary for the long-term study of vaccine safety because we have pharmacovigilance; i.e. long- term post-market safety surveillance that is supported by widely accessible, passive vaccine adverse events tracking systems.

The second message is that any use of those very same vaccine adverse events tracking systems that leads to the inference or conclusion that vaccines might cause serious adverse events or death is unsupported by such systems 

When those seeking support for public health initiatives, such as a new vaccination program, offer evidence that long-term vaccine safety studies are well in hand due to the possibility of detecting adverse events that happened following vaccination, they are either:

(a) unaware that the vaccine adverse events tracking systems upon which they are basing their confidence about societys ability to detect and track vaccine adverse events are alleged to be unable to be used to infer causal links between health outcomes and vaccination exposure, or:

(b) participating in a disinformation campaign to end scrutiny over the absence of properly controlled long-term randomized clinical trials to assess long- term vaccine safety. Neither of these is sufficient empirical basis for the knowledge claim of long- term safety 

There must be room for disagreement in science; otherwise, science does not exist. It is sad to bear witness to the fact that science has degenerated into a war against unwanted and inconvenient results, conclusions and interpretations via the process of post-publication retraction for issues other than fraud, grave error in execution, and plagiarism.

The weaponization of the process of retraction of scientific studies is well underway, and it induces a bias that could be called retraction bias, or, in the case in which a few persons haunt journals in search of studies that cast doubt on their commercial products, a ghouling bias, which leads to biased systematic reviews and warped meta-analyses.

In his editorial, Lyons-Weiler specifically criticized the Vaccine journal for its retraction of the risk-benefit analysis cited above, and mocked the editorial board members who quit in protest, noting that Rage-quitting is not science.

The resigning editorial board members knowledge claim is that no deaths have occurred due to the vaccination program. As helpful as that claim might be to a prescribed narrative, it is not based on empirical evidence, and it is, therefore, unwarranted, Lyons-Weiler wrote.[21]

From a Popperian view of science, one can see the fatal flaw in the editorial board members knowledge claim: if, as they insist, passive vaccine adverse events tracking systems cannot test the hypothesis of causality, then how can editorial board members, resigning or otherwise, know that the events were NOT caused by the vaccine? 

It is logical to conclude that since passive vaccine adverse event tracking systems do not lend themselves well to testing hypotheses of causality, they do not provide the opportunity to design and conduct sufficiently critical tests of causality, and therefore a replacement system is needed  one that is suitable to detect risk.

While we may indeed need better pharmacovigilance, theres really no doubt at this point that the COVID jabs are ill-advised for most people. I believe that in the years to come, people will look back at this time and vow to never repeat it. In the meantime, all we can do is look at and assess the data we do have, and make decisions accordingly.

Originally published May 03, 2022 on Mercola.com
DOJ Says States Cannot Ban Treatments to Change Childs Genderbut Just Fine With Bans on Treatments to Keep It

Commentary

The lefts hypocrisy has been spiraling out of control lately. As long as the left controls the speech on social media, they say nothing. When someone they perceive as being from the right threatens to take over one site, suddenly we need a Disinformation Governance Board to control it.

In a letter recently issued to all state attorney generals, sent on the new Transgender Day of Visibility, the Department of Justice (DOJ) asserted that minors have a constitutional right to what they call gender affirming care, and they will go after any state that attempts to limit those rights.

Gender affirming care, as most are aware by now, is actually gender-changing care. It involves hormone treatments and surgeries so a man can become a transwoman or a woman to become a transman. Or, more appropriately, for a boy to become a transgirl, or girl to become a transboy.

President Bidens DOJ, in a letter from the head of its Civil Rights Division, Kristin Clarke, expressed concern about states considering laws limiting minors access to such care. It says this could infringe on the 14th Amendments equal protection and due process clauses. Hypocritically, it expresses no concern about the twenty states and over a hundred cities which have already passed laws preventing minors from getting what would be actual gender affirming carethat being care designed to help children resolve their gender dysphoria in a way that allows them to accept and live comfortably within their biological sex.

In 2012, California became the first state to ban so-called conversion therapy. The law prohibits any practices by mental health providers that seek to change an individuals sexual orientation. Specifically, it includes efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.

In a sweeping statement, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law, noting that parents do not have a fundamental right to choose for children medical or mental health treatment that the state has deemed harmful.

Incredibly, these states have deemed harmful simple counseling to help a child resolve his or her gender dysphoria in order to avoid prescription drugs and surgeries. Yet the court had no problem with California banning it. Not harmful, according to California, is counseling to help convince children they were born in the wrong body.

In its letter, the DOJ states, State laws and policies that prevent parents or guardians from following the advice of a healthcare professional regarding what may be medically necessary or otherwise appropriate care for transgender minors may infringe on rights. But this concept does not apply to states banning counseling to maintain gender, only to states banning medications or surgeries to change gender! According to the DOJ, if a medical professional recommends counseling instead of drugs and surgeries, parents have no right to follow that advice.

The letter goes on to state, All persons should be free to access the services, programs, and activities supported by federal financial assistance without fear that they might face unlawful discrimination for doing so. Well said, but why does that not apply to counseling to resolve dysphoria?

Their position is based upon the phony premise that babies are born transgender. LGBT activists have successfully highjacked the major medical associations, coercing them to embrace their agenda or face scorn and ridicule. These institutions include the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) and the American Psychological Association.

Put succinctly, the agenda is that LGBT individuals are born this way. But it simply is not true. There have been numerous identical twin studies which reveal that the majority of time, when one twin is LGBT, the other is not. Same DNA, different outcome. Scientists have now mapped the entire human genome. No transgender gene has been found.

The most likely explanation is that it happens in early childhood due to some form of trauma, just like so many other conditions which manifest later in life. Gender dysphoria can be treated in the same way as other disorders through traditional psychological counseling. This is not shaming or pray away the gay as some seek to label it.

It is time to expose the lefts hypocrisy, phony science, and phony logic. And it is time to end their grand experiment with our childrens lives.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
John Durham speaks to reporters on the steps of U.S. District Court in New Haven, Conn., on April 25, 2006. (Bob Child/AP Photo)

Durham Alerts Judge to Federal Ruling Against Hillary Clinton, DNC

Special Counsel John Durham on May 2 alerted the judge presiding over the case against a former Hillary Clinton campaign lawyer of fines the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) paid after a federal body found probable cause that they violated election laws.

Durham filed the Federal Election Commission (FEC) opinion and conciliation agreements that the campaign and the DNC entered into with the FEC along with paying the fines for what the FEC described as probable violations of laws governing the reporting of political entity disbursements.

At issue is the Democrat entities ties to Fusion GPS, a firm that specializes in opposition research.

The entities primarily paid Fusion GPS through a law firm they tapped, Perkins Coie.

The payments were listed as funding legal services but actually were used by Fusion to perform opposition research on former President Donald Trump, at the time Clintons rival for the presidency, FEC lawyers said.

Specifically, the FEC found probable cause to believe that the DNC and [the Clinton campaign] improperly reported their payments to Perkins Coie for Fusion GPSs opposition research as legal and compliance consulting,' Durham told U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, an Obama appointee, in the new filing.

The special counsel attached the documents to a motion to compel the Clinton campaign, the DNC, Fusion, and Perkins to produce documents that the parties are withholding or producing in redacted forms based on claims they contain attorney-client communications or other privileged material.

Durham argues that Fusion did not provide legal services to the other parties, rendering the privilege claims moota position bolstered by the FECs findings.

The parties say Fusion was helping Perkins in its provision of legal advice to the campaign and the DNC.

The Clinton campaign and the DNC have not commented publicly on the FECs ruling.

Each paid fines and entered into conciliation agreements with the federal body, but did not admit wrongdoing.

Fusions services included helping create the dossier compiled by ex-British spy Christopher Steele. The dossiers allegations against Trump, which were salacious and unsubstantiated, were promoted heavily by the Clinton campaign and Democrats in their bid to get Clinton elected and, later, to impeach Trump.

Durham is prosecuting Michael Sussman, a lawyer who represented both the campaign and the DNC when he brought unverified information that allegedly showed a secret backchannel between the Trump Organization and a Russian bank in the months before the 2016 election.

Durham says Sussmann lied when he told an FBI lawyer, prior to handing over the information, that he was not bringing the data on behalf of a client.

Sussmanns lawyers have argued that he did not lie and, even if he did, the lie would have been immaterial to the legitimacy of the actual information.

Sussmann is set to go on trial later in May.
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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Elon Musk Ships Tesla Powerwalls to Ukraine for Ambulant Clinics, Draws Praise From Vice Premier

Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk shipped its rechargeable lithium-ion battery stationary energy storage equipment to war-ravaged Ukraine to power up to two ambulant clinics in Irpin and Borodyanka.

What Happened

Ukraines Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorovsaid in a Twitter post on Friday that the new solar panels and integrated battery systems from Tesla Energys Powerwall will use renewable energy and store it for backup protection.

Fedorov thanked Musk and Tesla for their continuous support.

Why It Matters

The billionaire entrepreneur was quick to offer Ukraine help in February after Russias invasion. Musk had then donated thousands of Starlink stations to Ukraine, which have been installed in hospitals and other critical infrastructure.

Starlink beams down high-speed internet via satellites in orbit to Earth, especially to remote areas, including those ravaged by war or natural calamity.

Musk was reportedly close to commercially launching Starlink in Ukraine months ahead of Russias invasion.

By Rachit Vats

 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Tesla head Elon Musk talks to the press as he arrives to have a look at the construction site of the new Tesla Gigafactory near Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 3, 2020. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Elon Musk Solves Twitter Problem the Old-Fashioned American Way

Commentary

In recent days, two iconic American public figures, Elon Musk and Barack Obamaeach in his own trademark fashionstruck a chord with wildly different audiences in the debate over freedom of speech and expression in this country.

On April 25, Elon Musk reached an agreement with Twitters board of directors to acquire and take the company private. He has pledged to pivot the platform toward respect for free speech principles, so that Twitter is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive.

Less noticed, a few days earlier, on April 21, former community organizer-turned-president Barack Obama addressed an audience at Stanford University. In a slick presentation, he challenged the relevancethe very worthof free speech by most people. Obama said that what drives typical dissension from liberal orthodoxy is hatred and bigotry, conspiracy theory, state-sponsored disinformation (Russia!), and corporate propaganda. Regulation has to be part of the answer to combating online disinformation. The subtext? If control of Twitter slips from progressive hands, then the government should censor information, opinions, and participation there.

Many commentators dismiss the notion that what happens on Twitter is any affair of government. Its a private business. Their platform, their rules. Nothing the company does challenges the First Amendment rights of users. That is the beginning and the end of it.

Its not that simple. The First Amendment is not the issue. Twitters carte blanche to act as thought police, even in its own realm, is the result of special exemptions from common-law legal liability granted by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, federal legislation that preempted a patch quilt of state tort laws.

Under common-law principles, a content distributor bears no responsibility when content creators (writers) commit torts such as libel or intentional infliction of emotional distress. The classic distributor is a newsstand, bookstore, or library. But a publisher, such as a newspaper, magazine, or book publishing house, which regularly exercises editorial judgment, bears the same responsibility and liability as content creators they publish. You can take the publisher to court for damages.

At the dawn of the Internet, a bipartisan coalition in Washington granted online platforms the best of both worlds: the freedom to exercise the editorial judgment of a publisher and the liability exemptions of a distributor. Both political parties bought into the idea that freedom to moderate content was essential for Internet platforms to blossom, uphold community standards, and secure decency online.

But we live in an age of Orwellian dominant platforms, artificial intelligence, and mobile surveillance. The government has, in effect, licensed the private sector to censor political speech. Section 230 is the origin of Twitters freedom to remove tweets, suspend users, delete accounts permanently, shadow ban, and subtly manipulate algorithms to highlight or suppress whatever voices it chooses, without legal consequences. Were it not for Section 230, under common-law principles and state tort statutes, Twitters editorial conduct would trigger treatment as a publisher, not a distributor. The company would be hauled into court and held responsible for the consequences of whatever content that it does permit on the platform. With Twitter as a potential deep pocket in civil litigation, we would see a flood of tort cases that also name ordinary users of the platform.

No one expects simple repeal of Section 230 more than 25 years after its enactment. (In December 2020, then-president Donald Trump triedhe demanded termination of Section 230 and vetoed the defense budget of the United States when he didnt get it. The veto override was swift and bipartisan.)

We should turn our focus, instead, to two realities: a small number of technology companies control the dominant platforms, and these companies were founded, or have been captured, by progressive ideologues. These are the most fundamental challenges right now to freedom of speech and expression.

There is little consensus about what might temper the stranglehold of Big Tech. The market will not necessarily self-correct: Some of these companies may be natural monopolies. Disruptive technology could knock these companies off their perch. Its fair to say, the federal government wont be of much helpBig Tech is too influential, savvy, connected, and supportive of political elites.

Elon Musk presents the first serious challenge to the domination of Big Tech progressives. And hes doing it the old-fashioned American way: Hes buying Twitter out from under them.

Musk will unshackle more than speech and expression. In the background, we see another great debate and battle unfolding with the acquisition of Twitterone keenly understood by Barack Obamaover our cherished value of freedom of association.

Barack Obama has a unique vantage point. He is still considered by many as the pinnacle of progressive power and prestige in this country. But we suspect Obama remains furious, to this day, about thunderous defeats at the hands of two grassroots movements. The Tea Party (Taxed Enough Already) installed a Republican Congress in the 2010 election, a knockout of the Democratic Party supermajority that passed Obamacare. The first Donald Trump presidential campaign derailed the so-called third term of the Obama Presidency under heir apparent Hillary Clinton.

Progressives were caught unawares in 2010 and 2016 because most of the so-called grassroots activism on the American Left is astroturfmovements created on-demand to affect public opinion, funded by wealthy elites at home, and sometimes interests abroad. Theyre manufactured for show and not very effective. Projecting, most progressives thought the Tea Party was merely a front for the Koch Brothers, and the Trump campaign just Russia hiding behind a clown car. Former president Obama understands the danger of genuine grassroots movements better than most.

Freedom of association is at least as threatening to the modern Left as freedom of speech, and this may be one of the keys Elon Musk unlocks at Twitter. Whats important is not simply to express yourself, but to witness others speaking freely (you are not alone), to connect with others who share your beliefs and points of view, and to build networks and communitiesall of this, progressives have actively suppressed for years.

Will Twitter, under Elon Musk, become the foundation for the next great grassroots movements that sweep our political system? Will progressives attempt to weaponize Section 230 to inflict censorship? Well be watching.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Tony Hall Follow Tony Hall is a former supervisor for San Francisco's District 7. He has held executive and administrative positions positions in seven different City departments in all three branches of government- Executive, Legislative, and Judicial over a 33 year period. He is also a highly regarded vocalist-entertainer in the Bay area.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) holds a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 5, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Embattled Dems Hope to Use SCOTUS Roe Decision to Galvanize Base in Midterms

After an unidentified source leaked a draft decision of a Supreme Court (SCOTUS) case that would overturn Roe v. Wade, several Democrats are hoping to use the issue to galvanize their base in the 2022 midterms.

The draft decision was first reported on May 2 by Politico, and showed that SCOTUS had decided to overrule the standards laid out in Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood that required all 50 states to allow abortion during the first trimester.

The text came as a political shock for Democrats, who have long championed the Roe standard.

The Republican-appointed Justices reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a joint statement on May 2. They said the decision would be the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), leader of the 96-strong Congressional Progressive Caucus, said in a May 2 tweet, As one of the 1 in 4 women in this country who have chosen to have an abortion, I am outraged & disgusted by the reported draft SCOTUS opinion.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) also blasted the decision.

If tonights news is true, Michigans 1931 state law banning abortion would snap back into effect, making any abortion illegal in our stateeven if the mom will die, or if she was raped by a family member. No exceptions, she wrote on Twitter. My poor mother is turning over in her grave.

Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) claimed that overturning Roe v. Wade would make the dystopian horrors of forced pregnancy a reality.

Now Democrats, who face grim prospects in upcoming midterms, are hoping that the issue may fire up enough support to help the partys chances.

Elections this November will have consequences, because the rights of 100 million women are now on the ballot, said Schumer on Tuesday. Most of all, cast your ballots this November.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said, This kind of outcome is exactly what Ive been ringing alarm bells aboutand this is a five alarm fire.

House Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), called the abortion issue the central choice in the 2022 election.

Democrat Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has been in the spotlight for her wide-reaching COVID measures, also weighed in.

Our work is more important than ever, Whitmer said. Ill fight like hell to protect abortion access in Michigan.

However, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he hadnt given much thought to how Democrats should change their tactics in light of the decision.

What does this mean for the midterms? A reporter asked Biden. What does this mean for the Democrats argument in the midterms?

I havent thought that through yet, Biden replied.

Even if Democrats were able to use the issue to galvanize their base, past experience has shown that the legislature is unlikely to be able to pass legislation reinstating the Roe and Casey standards.

Last fall, Democrats pushed the Womens Health Protection Act, which would have codified Roe into law, through the House in a largely party-line vote.

However, the bill floundered in the Senate, where Democrats were unable to meet the 60-vote filibuster threshold over objections from Senate Republicans and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who considered the bill far too radical.

Unless Democrats are able to hold the House and pick up a whopping 10 seats in the Senate, there is little they can do to undercut the SCOTUS decision.

Still, it remains to be seen how the decision will change voting dynamics as midterm season begins to truly get underway.

Republicans are widely expected to flip the House back after four years in the minority amid nearly record low approval ratings for the Biden administration. However, the Senate will be tougher, as both parties currently control 50 seats with only a handful of seats on either side up for grabs.
Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Md., on Aug. 29, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

FDA Declines to Approve 2 More China-Tested Drugs

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday declined to approve two cancer treatment drugs developed by drugmakers who tested their products mainly in China.

The federal agencys rejection is a sign of an increasingly tough U.S stance on drugs being tested solely in China, after some drugmakers moved to save costs by conducting clinical trials only in China.

The FDA sent Complete Response Letters (CRLs) to Hutchmed Inc. and Coherus BioSciences Inc. on Monday in response to the biotechnology companies New Drug Applications (NDAs) to sell their drugs in the U.S. market.

The rejection marks the second time the federal agency has rejected drugs tested in China this year.

According to the Code of Federal Regulations under Title 21, the FDA will send the applicant a complete response letter if the agency determines that we will not approve the application or abbreviated application in its present form.

In Hutchmeds case, the drugmaker developed a drug called surufatinib to treat pancreatic and extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The drugmaker conducted clinical trials in China and a bridging study in the United States before applying to the FDA to market the drug in the U.S., according to the Hong Kong-based companys May 2 statement.

However, the FDA declined Hutchmeds application, saying in the CRL that approval of the drug will require a [multi-regional clinical trial] that includes subjects more representative of the U.S. patient population and aligned to current U.S. medical practice.

The decision came shortly after the federal agency declined in March to approve a lung cancer drug made by U.S. drugmaker Eli Lilly and its Chinese partner, which was only clinically tested in China.

The patient population in ORIENT-11, as a single country trial, does not reflect the diversity of the American population, with both known and unknown differences in intrinsic and extrinsic factors, the FDAs Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee said in a February hearing on Eli Lillys application.

Data obtained from clinical trials, which were run in only a single foreign country, do not support the industry commitment to patient equity and inclusion of underrepresented populations, the summary report for the hearing reads.

The FDA also sent a CRL to Coherus BioSciences Inc. and its Chinese partner Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd., the California-based company said in a press release.

In the CRL, the FDA rejected the drugmakers Biologics License Application for a cancer-treatment product, requesting a quality process change that Coherus and Junshi Biosciences believe is readily addressable, it said.

For both the Hutchmed and Coherus/Shanghai Junshi treatments, the FDA also flagged issues concerning the inspection of facilities due to delayed travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coherus and Shanghai Junshi plan to re-submit their application for the drugs approval by mid-summer 2022, the companies said.

There are at least 25 applications from China in drug development phases, planned to be submitted or already under review by the FDA, that are predominantly or solely based on trial data from China, the regulator said in February.

Coherus shares were down 2.8 percent at $8.70 in early trading, while U.S.-listed shares of Hutchmed slumped 22 percent to $11.76.

Reuters contributed to this report.
DeSantis Calls Out Disney for Partnering With China, Making a Fortune There While Staying Silent on Atrocities

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lashed out again at Disney for profiting off of China while ignoring its long-existing human rights abuses.

Disney has done a lot to partner with the Chinese Communist Party and really has made a fortune over there without raising a peep about any of their atrocities, DeSantis said on May 2 at a press conference announcing a $30 million in funding for manatee protection.

China is the number one geopolitical threat that this country faces. Youve 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 its made our country weaker, its eroded our industrial base.

In 2020, Disney came under fire for partly filming the live-action movie Mulan in Chinas far west Xinjiang region, where more than 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are being detained in internment camps.

In the end credit, Disney also offered special thanks to the Chinese regimes agencies in Xinjiang, including local propaganda departments.

The U.S. government and other Western parliaments have labeled the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) actions in the region a genocide.

Late last year, Disneys newly-launched streaming channel in Hong Kong removed an episode of The Simpsons that makes reference to the CCPs 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

Despite the companys silence on human rights violations in China, Disney has spoken out against a parental rights law signed by DeSantis in late March.

Facing an outcry from LGBTQ communities and staff, CEO Bob Chapek alleged in a statement the new legislationwhich was to ban Florida educators from instructing very young children on gender ideologies and sexual orientationwould bring up another challenge to basic human rights. The company had also paused all political donations in Florida.

It was not long before DeSantis signed on April 22 a legislature-passed bill stripping Walt Disney Worlds decades-long self-governing status in central Florida since 1967.

Protestors rally in opposition to The Walt Disney Companys stance against a recently passed Florida law outside of the companys headquarters in Burbank Calif., on April 6, 2022. (Jill McLaughlin/The Epoch Times)

Disney didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Its theme parks division has suffered from COVID-related closures in both Hong Kong and mainland China, while North American parks and resorts delivered revenue above pre-pandemic levels.

We need to get real here and understand that Chinas a threat, DeSantis said during Mondays conference.

He noted that Chinas overseas influence is barely in the best interests of others. Theyre going to do whatever is in their immediate best interest and thats going to be the end of it, he said. But clearly, we dont want these toxic regimes to be flexing muscle in our hemisphere.

After being asked about how Washington could fix its image on the world stage, the Florida governor said President Joe Bidens floundering performance is allowing aggressive behavior from authoritarian regimes such as Beijing and Moscow. Referencing the RussiaUkraine crisis, he said the Kremlin would not have invaded Ukraine if Biden had taken a hard-line stance.

We need to have strong alliances with the Japanese, South Koreans, I think India needs to be in our orbit, to try to check Chinas influence around the world, he said, but particularly when you start talking about the Western Hemisphere, its a big problem. Its not just South America, you see them in the Caribbean flexing their muscle.
Florida Mom Files Lawsuit Against School District After Child Transitioned Without Her Consent

Sounding an alarm to parents across the United States, a Florida mother has filed a lawsuit against Leon County School District after her transgender child transitioned at school without her consent.

January Littlejohna stay-at-home mother of three and mental health professionalappeared on a television morning show on May 2 along with her attorney Vernadette Broyles and discussed the lawsuit and why she feels her parental rights were violated by the unnamed school and why parents all over the country need to take note.

This is happening all over the nation, Littlejohn warned other parents. This same protocol is in place in many, many schools across districts everywhere, and even the guides being used to dictate these transgender support plans that cut parents out even have the same language.

So this is a very systematic way that parents are being excluded from important decisions occurring with their children.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, April 2022 (Courtesy, The Florida Governors Office)

Social transition is a medical intervention that schools are grossly unqualified to be taking these steps without parental involvement, she continued.

Littlejohn said her daughter, who was 13 at the time of the incident, expressed confusion over her gender at the height of the pandemic after a few friends in her peer group had transitioned to the opposite sex.

She had suddenly started identifying as transgender, she said of her daughter. Unfortunately, this is becoming a common occurrence among teen girls especially.

She attended a press conference on March 28 alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis and told the crowd that she eventually found out that the school had formed a transgender support plan with her daughter without her knowledge or consent.

When Littlejohn confronted the school it declined to allow her involvement as a parent given the child was protected by a nondiscrimination law.

In other words, school officials asked my 13-year-old child her permission as to whether or not my parental rights would be honored, Littlejohn said during a press conference in Tampa on March 28.

After many weeks of going back and forth with the district we learned the middle school had created a transgender gender nonconforming support plan with our 13-year-old daughter without our knowledge or consent.

She said that eventually she did see the transgender support plan a six-page document that had been completed by school officials and her daughter behind closed doors.

They asked her questions that would have absolutely impacted her safety, and her physical and emotional well-being such as which restroom she preferred to use and which sex she preferred to room with on overnight field trips, Littlejohn said.

Other questions that were asked in the document were what pronouns her daughter wanted to identify with and which locker room she preferred to use.

During the press conference, she said the plan also directed school staff to use her daughters birth name when speaking to the parents and to use a different name in school with teachers, staff, and students.

This plan directed school staff to conceal from us that this meeting and plan had ever taken place when parents are excluded from critical decisions affecting their childs health and well-being at school, she said.

It sends the message to children that their parents input and authority are no longer important.

Littlejohn told those attending the press conference that this incident has created a huge wedge between them as mother and daughter. It sent the message that she needed to be protected from us.

She said that social transition is often the first step toward medical transitions for which schools are grossly unqualified.

Social transition is a medical and mental health intervention that can lead to significant decisions that will impact the childs mental and physical well-being, she said.

Unfortunately, she said what happened to her family is not an isolated incident.

I have been contacted by parents all over our state who [have] had their rights violated in the same manner, she said.

Yet schools have been systematically cutting parents out of critical decisions being made with their children, painting them as enemies to their children, with no due process.

Broyles said the lawsuit was filed at the end of December 2021 only to have the school district file a motion to dismiss.

We are waiting on a ruling from the judge. This is a national agenda, and parents need to recognize they have the right to direct the upbringing, education, care, medical decisions, mental health decisions of the child and they need to assert that right with their school.

For the safety of our children, these parental rights violations must stop and school districts must be held accountable when they break the law, Broyles said.

Littlejohn added, Parents know and love their children more than anyone in this world. I have always told my children my No.1 job is to keep them safe. And the school took that away from me.
Former Associate Professor of HK University To Be Sentenced for Alleged Violations of Election Laws

Legal scholar Tai Yiu-ting called on people to vote against political manipulation in Hong Kong

Hong Kongs District Court will sentence Benny Tai Yiu-ting, a renowned scholar in Hong Kong, on four charges of violating the election ordinance after he placed an advertisement calling on the public to vote strategically against political manipulation in the 2016 Legal Council election.

Tai Yiu-ting pleaded guilty on April 25 in the District Court. The verdict will be postponed to May 24, according to Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC.)

Two other defendants in the same case signed a 12-month binding-over order with a bail of HK$40,000 (about $5,095.)

ICAC earlier accused the three of posting six advertisements in Ming Pao and Apple DailyHong Kongs two influential local newspapersthat incurred illegal election expenses totaling over HK$253,000 (about $32,230) in the 2016 Legislative Council general election, citing that they were not candidates or election expense agents for candidates.

In 2016, Tai Yiu-ting, then associate professor at the University of Hong Kongs Law Department, proposed the ThunderGo initiative that aimed to reverse the situation of the Legislative Council being manipulated by the pro-Beijing camp.

Hong Kong was expected to achieve universal suffrage of one person, one vote, a goal set for The Basic Law by the Chief Executive and all members of the Legislative Council when its sovereignty was handed over to China in 1997.

But Hong Kong runs counter to the law. Half of the seats in the Legislative Council are elected by minority-controlled functional constituencies, most of which are in the saddle of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

In the hope of a democratic political environment, Tai planned, through the ThunderGo project, to enable the opposite camp or pan-democrats to attain over half of the seats in the election.

ThunderGo is programmed to concentrate votes by coordinating with the opposition camp and reducing the number of candidates, with the goal of securing half of the seats for the camp in the election. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy supporters could form the Thunderbolt rescue force making the vote count be based on consideration of ideal candidate and winning-out possibilities.

In order to promote the project and recruit staff, Tai placed advertisements in newspapers through Eggs Alliance Company, some titled Fight against political manipulation, participate in strategic voting and The ultimate confrontation, kick out the royalists, calling on voters to vote strategically, Radio Free Asia reported on April 25.

The efforts of Tai and pro-democracy supporters were likely rewarded, as the opposition camp gained an unprecedented 30 seats in the district direct election, out of a total of 70 seats. They retained the right to veto in the division and gained one more seat than the previous term.

The Pro-Beijing camp got 40 seats, 2 fewer than last term, according to Singapore-based media The Initium on Sept. 4, 2016.

However, five years after the election, ICAC filed a case against Tai Yiu-ting and two directors of the Eggs Alliance Company for allegedly violating the Elections Ordinance (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct).

On the morning of April 25, Tais lawyer claimed in the District Court that the case differs from ordinary election fraud cases, as the defendant merely appealed to voters to vote strategically in order to reverse the previous situation where the pan-democratic camp had more votes but fewer seats.

The defense also said that Tai did not personally benefit, the preparation process was transparent and open, the money was raised from the public, no fraud was involved, and the fairness of the election was not affected. The defendant could not report the election expenses just because he did not represent any candidate.

The judge responded that the prosecution has nothing to do with the ThunderGo project, nor was it a political prosecution, but rather a charge of unlawful incurrence of election expenses.

Notably, such allegations came after Tai had been detained for six months. Tai and 52 other prominent Hong Kong democrats were arrested on Jan. 6, 2021, for allegedly violating Hong Kongs version of the National Security Law in the 2020 Legislative Council primary election.

Forty-seven of them were later prosecuted for conspiracy to subvert state power, a case that has yet to reach the formal sentencing stage.

On June 30, 2020, Beijings congress passed the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law and incorporated it into the Hong Kong Basic Law in the form of an annex.

Umbrella Movement

As one of nine people who led the Umbrella Movement, Tai Yiu-ting received a 16-month prison sentence on 24 April, 2019 for alleged incitement to incite public nuisance.

(L-R) League of Social Democrats vice-chairmen Raphael Wong, Lawmaker Shiu Ka-Chan, lawmaker Tanya Chan, reverend Chu Yui-ming, academic Chan Kin-man, academic Benny Tai Yiu-ting, former lawmaker Lee Wing-tat, and former student leader Tommy Cheung Sau-yin stand outside the Eastern District Court on March 30, 2017. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images)

From September to December 2014, a slew of civil disobedience campaigns for genuine universal suffrage took place in Hong Kong. More than 100,000 protesters took to major thoroughfares and staged sit-ins and marches. The main symbol of this movement was the yellow umbrella, hence it was named the Umbrella Movement.

Although the Umbrella Movement was eventually suppressed by the police, it is credited with awakening the political consciousness of Hong Kong people.

The other eight initiators of this pro-democracy campaign are Chan Kin-man, a professor of sociology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Chu Yiu-ming, a minister at the Chai Wan Baptist Church; Raphael Wong Ho-ming, leader of the League of Social Democrats; Shiu Ka-chun, a social worker and member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong; Lee Wing-tat, a former member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong; Tanya Chan Suk-chong, a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong; Eason Chung Yiu-wa and Tommy Cheung Sau-yin, both former student union leaders, according to Front Line Defenders, Irish-based human rights organization on April 30, 2019.
Jan. 6 Defendant Seeks Change of Venue Due to Significant Prejudice of DC Jury Pool

Former Proud Boys national Chairman Enrique Tarrio filed a motion for a change of venue for his Jan. 6 criminal case to the Southern District of Florida from the District of Columbia due to significant prejudice that exists in the current jury pool.

Attorneys for Tarrio filed a 25-page change-of-venue motion on May 2 with U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly in Washington, D.C.

The motion came the same day the latest Jan. 6, 2021, defendantformer New York police officer Thomas Websterwas found guilty on all counts by a District of Columbia jury. Federal juries have convicted four Jan. 6 defendants tried before them since February.

In Washington D.C., the presumed prejudice against Tarrio is so great that a fair and impartial trial is impossible, according to the motion filed by attorney Sabino Jauregui of Hialeah, Florida.

The D.C. potential jury pool has been tainted without cure in a singular way that is unparalleled in legal history, Jauregui wrote. In D.C., the media coverage of the J6 events and the effects thereof saturate the public with prejudicial and inflammatory publicity.

This detrimental pretrial publicity has created widespread community prejudice against Tarrio and the Proud Boys. Specifically, Tarrio, as the very public face of the Proud Boys, is situated in a unique position where the prejudice to him is much greater than any other J6 defendant. 

Former Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio talks with a law enforcement officer in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 26, 2020. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)

On March 7, Tarrio was charged in an indictment with conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and aiding and abetting the following crimes: obstruction of an official proceeding, obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, destruction of government property, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. Tarrio wasnt present at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

If extraordinary local prejudice will prevent the defendant from obtaining a fair trial in the district of the offense, then due process requires transferring the trial to another appropriate alternative venue, the motion said.

Inflammatory Publicity

[The court must examine] whether there was a barrage of inflammatory publicity, whether news accounts were factual or opinionated, whether those accounts included material that would not be admissible, the size of the overall jury pool, and the availability of judicial tools to mitigate the prejudicial effect of pretrial publicity.

Jauregui wrote that potential jury members come from the most politically uniform community in the entire country, adding that in the last two presidential elections, the Democrat candidate won the District of Columbia with 92 and 91 percent of the vote, respectively.

There is an absolute lack of political diversity in D.C. that is sui generis in our political system, he wrote. While in most criminal cases, this unique political landscape would be irrelevant, in this case, it cuts to the heart of the characteristics of this community. This case has a political aspect that cannot be denied.

The jury pool of fewer than 500,000 residents has been bombarded with propaganda and negative publicity on a daily basis by the local media, local politicians, and national politicians that live in the local community, the motion states.

The negative publicity has programmed the potential D.C. jury pool to believe that an attack was committed by white supremacists intent on insurrection and their violent fanatical actions caused a curfew, a lockdown to be placed, and a military occupation and hold for their protection over a period of months.

Tarrio has been tagged as a white supremacist, even though hes a brown-skinned Cuban American, Jauregui said. As a former Proud Boys leader, he stands for the antithesis of leftist liberal ideology and must be crushed, destroyed and canceled by the left-leaning members of the jury pool in Washington D.C. There cannot be any other verdict in their minds but guilty.

President Joe Biden has stoked bias against Jan. 6 defendants, calling them a group of thugs, insurrectionists, political extremists, and white supremacists, Jauregui said. Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke of Jan. 6 and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing in the same breath. He suggested that a line connected it back to the battles of the original Justice Department against the Ku Klux Klan.

District judges in Washington have rejected every change-of-venue request from Jan. 6 defendants. Among the pending proposals is a motion filed on behalf of two Oath Keepers defendants, who backed up their bid with a survey they say shows substantial bias against Jan. 6 defendants.

Nearly three out of four District of Columbia residents are likely to find Jan. 6 defendants guilty in federal court, while 85 percent believe the events of Jan. 6 were criminal acts, including insurrection, an attack, or a riot, a survey done for defendants Thomas Caldwell and Connie Meggs found. Numerous other Oath Keepers defendants have joined the motion.

The survey by Inlux Research + Analytics is the third recent research project that alleges the pool of potential jurors in the District of Columbia is biased against defendants charged with crimes stemming from unrest at the U.S. Capitol.

The Oath Keepers motion concluded that the D.C. jury pool is saturated with prejudice.
Ada Salie heard a lot of complaints. Parents were upset about what was happening in their childrens schools last fall, and were reluctant to send their children back. Many of the parents she heard from had pulled their children out of a district school for homeschooling during the 2020/2021 academic yearsomething that millions of parents did that year, according to US Census Bureau data. They wanted a place to send their children in fall 2021, but many didnt want their kids masked all day or contending with various other school policies.

Ada decided to turn those complaints into an opportunity. The Massachusetts mother of three had been running playgroups and offering gatherings and activities for homeschooled children throughout the pandemic response. She decided to make these offerings more formal. So, last August she leased a building in central Massachusetts and launched Life Rediscovered, a homeschool learning center that attracted dozens of children, ages 5 to 13. The children can attend part-time or full-time, and engage in Montessori-inspired learning activities and plenty of play.

On this weeks LiberatED podcast, Ada Salie shares how she launched her program, including the ups and downs of education entrepreneurship and her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs who are dreaming of launching a similar microschool or schooling alternative.

Adas story is familiar. Other parents and educators who created informal pandemic pods and co-ops during school shutdowns evolved those programs into brick-and-mortar businesses as well. Ada thinks the parent demand for such programs is enormous.

I dont think theres going to be any shortage of kids and families looking for services, but right now I do see a shortage of services, says Ada. We have families that drive up to an hour to get to us because theres nothing in their area.

With the Associated Press recently reporting that homeschooling rates remain at record high levels this academic year despite school reopenings, and public school enrollment declines continuing, now is an ideal time for more parents, educators, and innovators to build new K-12 learning models.

Listen to the weekly LiberatED Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher, and sign up for Kerrys weekly LiberatED email newsletter to stay up-to-date on educational news and trends from a free-market perspective.

Kerry McDonald is a Senior Education Fellow at FEE and host of the weekly LiberatED podcast. She is also the author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom (Chicago Review Press, 2019), an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute, and a regular Forbes contributor. Kerry has a B.A. in economics from Bowdoin College and an M.Ed. in education policy from Harvard University. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with her husband and four children. You can sign up for her weekly newsletter on parenting and education here.

This article was originally published on FEE.org. Read the original article.
Germany Would Support Finland, Sweden NATO Bid: Scholz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany would support the admission of Finland and Sweden if they applied to join NATO.

He made a statement to the media along with the prime ministers of Sweden and Finland, Magdalena Andersson and Sanna Marin respectively.

If these two countries decide that they want to join NATO, they can count on our support. The members of the government made that clear here in the talks, and I think that is an important signal. In any case, both countries can always rely on Germanys support, regardless of NATO membership and in the period before a decision is made on such membership, he said.

The two leaders joined the German cabinet for the start of its two-day retreat in Schloss Meseberg just north of the capital to discuss Europes security situation.

Both countries have not decided to join NATO for now but are considering it as one option to guarantee their security, the prime ministers said.

That is the discussion we are having now in our national parliaments. Whether Finlands decision will be joining NATO or not, it will be based on our will to contribute to our common security, Marin said.

The Swedish government and parliament are carrying out a supplementary security policy analysis with a discussion of NATO membership on their agenda, Andersson stated.

Finlands Prime Minister Sanna Marin (front) and her Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson speak to the media outside the prime ministers official residence, Kesaranta, in Helsinki, Finland, on March 5, 2022. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via Reuters)

Finland has the EUs longest border with Russia, an 832-mile frontier. The ongoing war in Ukraine has triggered a surge in support for joining NATO in Finland and Sweden, two traditionally militarily nonaligned Nordic countries.

However, the admission of Finland and Sweden to NATO is likely to trigger retaliatory moves from the Kremlin.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on April 14 warned that the Baltic Sea region could no longer remain nuclear-free if Finland and Sweden join NATO.

Medvedev, one of President Vladimir Putins closest allies who now serves as the deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, made the nuclear threat one day after Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Helsinki is edging closer toward possibly joining NATO and will come to a conclusion within weeks.

In this case, it would not be possible to talk anymore about the Baltic non-nuclear status. The balance has to be restored, Medvedev said on his personal Telegram channel.

If Sweden and Finland join NATO, the length of the alliances land borders with the Russian Federation will more than double, Medvedev said, noting that Moscow would be forced to seriously strengthen ground, naval, and air defenses in the waters of the Gulf of Finland.

The Associated Press, Reuters, and Lorenz Duchamps contributed to this report.
It is understandable why we dont want to think about our current reality. Few of us have a good idea on how to resolve the human tragedy in Ukraine. The suffering is flashed into our minds by the ever-present media, even seeping up to us from our phones. The Ukraine crisis is so horrible we try not to think about it. That is apathy.

The polarized population around us repeats the talking points embedded in their political view -- completely disregarding the contradictory truth. Republican members of Congress seeking their partys endorsement are seeking support from former President Trump, even after a Trump-inspired mob threatened their lives. Trump continues to lie about the 2020 election contending that it was stolen from him. The House of Representatives is investigating Trumps role in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol attempting to block certification of the election results. Trump is under investigation also for bank fraud. Why would members of Congress who voted to certify the 2020 election results seek or accept the endorsement of the defeated candidate who denies the validity of that election? Political analysts dismiss this shocking incongruity as simply necessary politics to win the Republican nomination. Accepting the endorsement of Trump is endorsing a lie. Should voters be apathetic about that?

April 26, 2022, was Holocaust Remembrance Day. Speakers at Bismarck State College recounted how German apathy to Hitlers lies allowed the Nazis to murder 6 million people. A featured speaker was Dina Butcher, whose relatives were killed by the Nazis. Dina told how government laws were passed defining who a Jew was and forbidding Jews to marry anyone other than a Jew. She spoke of how her parents escaped Germany and resettled in Nebraska. She showed photos of her relatives killed in concentration camps, some of them children. Dina and other speakers urged attendees at this presentation to never forget so these atrocities could never happen again.

Dina said she is worried they will happen again. She spoke of the denial of the truth that is happening in America and gave examples. When Dina was introduced, it was noted that following retirement from public life she had lost her filter and found her voice. When she finished speaking the audience rose in a standing ovation. Not many who heard Dina Butcher speak remained apathetic.

Viktor Frankl wrote Mans Search for Meaning. Frankl, a psychiatrist, graphically describes daily life in a concentration camp. Frankl understood why apathy was emotionally necessary. Frankls wife was also in a concentration camp, and he didnt know if she was alive or dead. In that moment of suffering, he found his love for her greater than reality. Frankl writes, In a last violent protest against the hopelessness of imminent death, I sensed my spirit piercing through the enveloping gloom. I felt it transcend the hopeless, meaningless world, and from somewhere I heard a victorious 'Yes' in answer to my question of the existence of an ultimate purpose.

For many, the world does remain hopeless and meaningless. On April 2, about 20 people met in Carrington to discuss ways rural people could help refugees. The facilitated discussion asked people why they came. One lady said that she was tired of apathy and wanted to care about something again. The group is forming Communities Acting Together for Change and Hope (CATCH). The hope is for the safety of displaced persons like Dina Butchers mom and dad and the change is the revitalization of beloved rural communities. Would you like to care about something deeply again? Get involved with CATCH.

Bill Patrie has been recognized for his work as a cooperative developer by the National Farmers Union, the Association of Cooperative Educators and the National Cooperative Business Association.

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The logo for Google LLC is seen at their office in Manhattan, New York, on Nov. 17, 2021. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Google Urges Court to Scrap $1.6 Billion EU Antitrust Fine

BRUSSELSAlphabet unit Google on Monday urged Europes second-highest court to dismiss a 1.49-billion-euro ($1.6 billion) fine imposed by EU antitrust regulators 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 European Union antitrust fines on the worlds most popular internet search engine.

The European Commission in its 2019 decision said Google 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.

Google 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 enforcers assessment of Googles dominance and the Commissions 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 companys 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.

The AdSense case is T-334/19.

By Foo Yun Chee
A person in an Urban Alchemy jacket stands on a San Francisco street on Jan. 5, 2022. (Steve Ispas/The Epoch Times)

LA City Not Backtracking on Urban Alchemy, Despite Recent Violence Against Their Workers

An employee for a nonprofit homeless outreach group was shot in San Francisco Friday just two weeks after Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti proposed an $8 million contract extension with the group, which replaces law enforcement responding to homeless-related 911 calls with its unarmed street ambassadors.

An employee with Urban Alchemywhich hires formerly incarcerated or homeless individuals to respond to homeless incidentswas shot while on duty in San Franciscos Tenderloin District April 29.

This was the second instance of violence toward an Urban Alchemy employee this year.

Another street ambassador was shot outside of a safe sleeping tent encampment near San Franciscos City Hall in February.

The most recent shooting comes after Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti proposed $8 million in his upcoming 20222023 budget to extend the nonprofits contract with the city.

Last year, Garcetti launched a pilot program, called Crisis and Incident Response through Community-Led Engagement or CIRCLE, in Venice Beach and Hollywood and contracted Urban Alchemy to run the program for $2.2 million.

In November 2021, the program was extended through June 2022 for another $2.6 million.

It is unclear how long the program would run if Garcettis new Urban Alchemy contract is approved by the Los Angeles City Council.

Despite the two incidents in San Francisco, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said it supports Urban Alchemys efforts to address non-emergency homeless calls.

Homeless issues are often handled by police due to a lack of other available but more appropriate resources, a spokesperson for the LAPD told to The Epoch Times in a statement. LAPD remains available to assist in situations that change when outreach groups determine a need for law enforcement involvement.

Since Urban Alchemy was founded in 2017, San Francisco officials have contracted with the nonprofit for a total of more than $41 million, according to city data obtained by the San Francisco Examiner.

A request for comment from Garcetti was not returned. Urban Alchemy declined to comment on the matter.

The Urban Alchemy worker shot in February was not seriously hurt, Urban Alchemy CEO Lena Miller said in an ABC news report.

The worker who was shot last week was transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries the same day while the suspect fled the scene, according to a San Francisco Police Department spokesperson.
Hong Kong Civil Servants Resign, Recruits to be Tested on National Security Law

With the latest figures showing that the number of Hong Kong civil servant resignations at an all time high, the Hong Kong government is further strengthening its ideological control over civil servant with its announcement that starting July 1, 2022, a test on the National Security Law will be part of its recruitment of civil servants.

The Hong Kong Civil Service Bureau recently announced that more than 2,800 civil servants resigned in the nine-month period from April to December 2021, an increase of 50 percent over the full fiscal year from April 2020 to April 2021.

Figures show that 8,274 civil servants left their jobs, of them 2,809 resigned in the last financial year at the end of December. The resignation rate was 1.6 percent out of the total 178,000 civil servantsstatistics provided by the government in March 2021the highest since the handover of Hong Kongs sovereignty.

A total of 39 Administrative Officers left by December last year, of which 27 resigned, a record number in recent years. Among the 27 resigning Administrative Officers, 9 were at the directorate level and 18 at the non-directorate level.

Leung Chau-ting, chief executive of Hong Kong Federation of Civil Service Union, said this is not surprising at all. He told Hong Kong media Ming Pao that the working environment of Hong Kong civil servants has become uncertainthey have to face political pressures like taking oaths, and face increased work pressures. He worries that with the falling number of applicants for civil service jobs in recent years, the vacancies might not be filled.

The Information Service Department of Hong Kong announced on April 19 that candidates for civil service positions, published from July 1 this year, must pass a test on Hong Kong Basic Law and the National Security Law, and will be an entry requirement for all civil service positions.

After the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) implemented the Hong Kong National Security Law in 2020, the Hong Kong government compiled a list of civil servants who supported and participated in the Anti-extradition Movement, many of whom were suspended.

In early 2021, the authorities required all civil servants to swear or sign a declaration of allegiance to the Hong Kong government, and those who refused were fired. The harsh political environment and pressure have triggered a wave of resignations among civil servants. Official figures show that by the end of August last year, more than 650 people had refused or ignored oaths and declarations, including 129 civil servants, 149 full-time non-civil servant government employees, and about 380 part-time government employees.

Wong Luk-ha, director of the public affairs team for Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), resigned in March 2021. She told her colleagues that she cant work beyond the bottom line of value. Chiu Sin-yan, Chairman of the RTHK Programme Staff Union speaking on behalf of RTHK staff, said the reason for her resignation was that there were more and more political demands in her job. Seeing various institutionalized injustices, she decided people of different aspirations or principles cannot get along together.

On June 9, 2019, millions of Hong Kong people marched to protest the Hong Kong governments revision of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, marking the beginning of the Anti-extradition Movement. On August 2 of the same year, 40,000 Hong Kong civil servants held an anti-extradition rally. It was the first time in history that civil servants, as public officials, launched a rally to protest government policies.

The revised bill would allow Hong Kong criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China for trial. Opponents worried that extraditions to the mainland could lead to unfair trials due to distrust of mainland Chinas judicial system. The movement is the longest and largest anti-communist movement in the history of Hong Kong. The CCPs Foreign Ministry calls it a color revolution. The Hong Kong government suppressed the movement by force, and passed the Hong Kong National Security Law to further clamp down on freedoms and which ultimately lead to waves of people leaving the country.
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks to reporters in Washington on May 14, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

House Republicans Introduce Bill to Defund Biden Administrations Disinformation Board

Republicans in the House of Representatives on May 3 introduced legislation that would ax funding for the newly announced disinformation governance board.

The government has no role in determining what constitutes truth or acceptable speech, and this dystopian, unconstitutional board must be dissolved, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), who led the 50 Republicans backing the bill, said in a statement.

If President Joe Biden wont dissolve the board, then we will, he added.

The legislation states that no federal funds can be authorized to establish or fund the activities of the board.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chief Alejandro Mayorkas revealed the initiative during a congressional hearing in late April for the first time.

We have just established a disinformation governance board in the Department of Homeland Security to more effectively combat this threat, not only to election security but to our homeland security, Mayorkas told members of Congress in Washington.

The DHS later called the board an internal working group that aims to identify disinformation that threatens America while protecting Americans rights.

The working group also seeks to coordinate the Departments engagements on this subject with other federal agencies and a diverse range of external stakeholders. The working group does not have any operational authority or capability, the department said in a May 2 fact sheet.

Nina Jankowicz, until recently a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, was tapped to head the new group.

Jankowicz said shed been working on the initiative for two months.

It remains unclear who decided to form the board and when exactly it was formed.

The Epoch Times has filed Freedom of Information Act requests seeking more information on its origins.

Republicans have criticized the effort as overbroad, triggering the new legislation and plans from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) to introduce a similar bill in the upper chamber this week.

Taxpayer money should not go toward a federal mandate for the definition of truth.' Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), one of the House bills co-sponsors, said in a statement, adding that the legislation was meant to stop this bizarre and un-American program in its tracks.

The bills would require support from Democrats, who control both chambers of Congress, to be approved.

Both Mayorkas and the White House have defended the board, including describing it as nonpartisan despite Jankowiczs history of supporting Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Jankowicz also has a history of promoting dubious claims, including portions of the dossier compiled by ex-British spy Christopher Steele that was paid for in part by Clintons campaign.

Johnsons office described Jankowicz as a frequent purveyor of falsehoods and noted the Biden administration has pushed unsubstantiated claims during its time in office, including the allegation that Mayorkas has effectively managed the flood of illegal immigrants entering the United States.
How China Is Using Metal Barriers to Fight COVID-19

TAIPEI, TaiwanSeveral districts in Shanghai put up metal barriers recently as part of the citys battle against a COVID-19 outbreak, in a move that drew protests and anger from some residents.

Workers in white head-to-toe protective gear erected mesh wire fences and metal sheets to block off roads, residential communities and even the entrances of some apartment buildings. A majority of the citys 25 million residents had already been prevented from leaving their homes during a month-long lockdown, though some neighborhoods have since opened up.

The barriers are deployed to ensure control over movement and often leave only a small entrance that can be easily guarded.

A resident wearing a protective mask stands watch behind a barricaded fence of a locked-down residential complex in Beijing on April 28, 2022. (Andy Wong/AP Photo)

Is the Use of Metal Fencing or Barriers New?

The barriers are new to Shanghai but have been deployed throughout the pandemic in other cities across China. For example, early in 2020, some neighborhood committeesthe lowest rung of local authoritieserected metal sheets and fences in parts of Beijing to control access points to homes. Wuhan, where the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in December 2019, also erected metal barriers across the city.

How they have been deployed varies. Sometimes the authority sets up fencing around entire neighborhood blocks, leaving just one or two entrances. In other cases, they build fences in front of individual residential complexes.

The fencing has been widely deployed in border regions as well, including in Suifenhe, a city in the northeast that borders Russia. The metal barriers there block off entire streets.

Residents holding umbrellas line up in the rain along the barricaded fence for COVID-19 tests outside the locked-down apartment building in Beijing, on April 27, 2022. (Andy Wong/AP Photo)

Why Did People Protest In Shanghai?

Shanghai had not erected metal barriers on a wide scale during the past two years of the pandemic, priding itself on more targeted measures that did not rely on lockdowns. That changed in the latest outbreak, which is driven by the highly transmissible Omicron BA.2 variant. Central authorities enforced a lockdown for the entire city that prevented people from putting even one foot out the door, according to a widely propagated slogan.

Many Shanghai residents were upset about barriers blocking the entrances to their apartment buildings and some angry citizens circulated videos online showing protests. In one video verified by the AP, residents leaving a building in Shanghais Xuhui district broke down a mesh fence barricade at the front entrance and went angrily looking for the security guard they believed to be responsible for putting it up.

Shanghai is using a tiered system in which neighborhoods are divided into three categories based on the risk of transmission. Those in the first category face the strictest COVID-19 controls and are the main target of the barriers.

However, some neighborhood officials in Shanghai put up barriers in areas that arent part of the strictest category. One resident called the police to protest the sealing off of roads near his apartment building, saying his residence wasnt part of the first category. He and two other residents in his building complex tried to stop the workers from erecting the metal barriers, but they were stopped by a worker in the neighborhood committee. The police officer told the residents they had no right to leave the apartment, according to the mans account, which he posted on WeChat.

This deep, deep feeling of powerlessness. Who can tell me: Is there any hope for this place? he wrote. He declined to be named.

Will They Be Taken Down?

In some instances, residents have been successful in their protests.

At one apartment complex in Shanghais Putuo district, residents fiercely protested after the residential committee put a U-lock on the door to their building on April 16.

It was very sudden, without any notice, and it wasnt just the building. Every place was blocked off below. It blocked off any escape path, said one Shanghai resident who asked to be identified only by her last name, Zhang. If there was any accident or fire, everyones sure to die.

Residents in the building called the police as well as the citys hotline. The residential committee relented and put tape across the door instead, but warned residents that destruction of the tape would bring legal consequences, according to a notice the committee sent to residents that Zhang showed to the AP.

In Beijing, many barriers were removed after the city went without reports of any major outbreak during the past two years. Now, however, residential complexes with positive cases are once again being barricaded.

By Huizhong Wu
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are reported by an estimated 200,000 Americans a year, and studies around the world suggest NDEs are a common human experience. They have been recorded in the folklore of many cultures, and reported by people from diverse backgrounds and in widely varying circumstances.

Whatever the explanations behind them, NDEs have a significant impact on many people.

13 million Americans, or 5 percent of the nations population, had experienced an NDE as of 1992, according to a 1992 Gallup poll cited by the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation.

774 NDEs per day are experienced in the United States, according to the same poll. That means another 6 million or so Americans may have had NDEs since the 1992 poll, raising the number of Americans who have had an NDE from 13 million to 19 million.

-A survey of 2,000 people in Germany published in the Journal of Near-Death Studies in 2011 found 4 percent had experienced an NDE.

-A 1982 Gallup poll found that 15 percent of all Americans who had almost died (under widely varying circumstances) reported an NDE. About 9 percent reported the classic out-of-body experience, 11 percent said they entered another realm, 8 percent encountered spiritual beings, and only 1 percent had negative experiences. The findings were published in the book Adventures in Immortality, by pollsters George Gallup Jr. and William Proctor.

-Also published in this book was the finding that, among 100 NDE subjects, religious belief and prior knowledge of NDEs did not seem to have an impact on the likelihood of having an NDE.

 In the book Life After Death: The Evidence, Dinesh DSouza noted that terms such as verge of death, and unusual experience in the 1982 Gallup poll were perhaps not defined well-enough. Even so, wrote DSouza, replies to Gallups specific questions show that millions of Americans report having undergone at least some aspects of the classic NDE.

-In a 2005 survey of American doctors, it was shown that 59 percent believe in some form of afterlife, a much higher percentage than is found in other scientific professions, according to DSouza.

-Australian sociologist Cherie Sutherland interviewed 50 NDErs and found that 70 percent described their experience as spiritual, but none described it as religious. The NDEers were specifically asked to differentiate between changes in their spirituality and changes in their religiosity after the experience.

Bruce Greyson, M.D., of the University of Virginia wrote in a paper titled The Mystical Impact of Near-Death Experiences: In a cross-cultural study in the United States and India, for example, psychologists Karlsis Osis and Erlendur Haraldsson did not find any straightforward relationship between religiousness and deathbed visions, although they did find that an individuals belief system influenced the interpretation of the experience. Kevin Ring found the same in a study of 102 people with these experiences.

Greyson concluded: At the very least, near-death experiences should foster spiritual growth by leading us to question some of our basic assumptions about mind and brain, about our relationship to the divine, and about the universe and our role in it.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Illegal immigrants wait to be magistrated on trespassing charges in Kinney County outside the Sheriff's Office in Brackettville, Texas, on Aug. 6, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Illegal Aliens Sue Texas Officials After Arrests for Trespassing

KINNEY COUNTY, TexasA group of illegal aliens has filed a lawsuit against Texas officials for alleged constitutional violations within the governors Operation Lone Star criminal trespass program.

The lawyers for the 15 plaintiffs hope to turn the case into a class action lawsuit on behalf of more than 2,000 illegal immigrants whom they say have been over-incarcerated; arrested based on race, immigration status, or national origin; as well as denied due process.

In particular, the Plaintiffs and the Class Members have suffered a common cause of injury, namely the violation of their Fourth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment rights, the lawsuit states.

Using state criminal law, the state of Texas and participating counties have created, and are carrying out what is, in reality, a system of state immigration enforcement that targets Black and Brownprimarily Latinoindividuals for prosecution and enhanced punishment.

The lawyers are seeking $18,000 per day for each inmate that is found to have been unlawfully incarcerated or unlawfully reincarcerated. They also seek an injunction to discontinue the Operation Lone Star program.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin division.

Operation Lone Star (OLS) was launched in March 2021, and Gov. Greg Abbott beefed up the number of Texas state troopers on border roads to intercept smuggling operations and Texas National Guardsmen to augment security and observation along the border.

The program was expanded in June last year to allow for illegal immigrants trespassing on private or state land to be arrested and prosecuted. The OLS budget funded jail space for alleged illegal immigrant trespassers, defense counsel, and prosecution resources.

Kinney County and neighboring Val Verde County in south Texas were the first to begin the trespass prosecutions under OLS, and since then, seven more counties have joined, including Edwards, Frio, Jim Hogg, Kimble, Maverick, Uvalde, and Zavala.

Kinney County and its sheriff, Brad Coe, are listed as defendants in the lawsuit, along with Abbott, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw, and DPS Executive Director Bryan Collier.

Under the guise of state criminal trespass law but with the explicit, stated goal of punishing migrants based on their immigration status, Texas officials are targeting migrants, the lawsuit alleges. OLS targets only migrants, and only men of brown or black skin.

Hundreds of those arrested have waited in jail for weeks or months without a lawyer, or without charges, or without bond, or without a legitimate detention hold or without a court date.

County Attorney Brent Smith said his small county has struggled to keep up with the volume of prosecutionshe went from about six cases per month to more than 30 per day.

But, he said, the law has safeguards in place to protect alleged criminals.

For instance, a writ of habeas corpus hearing is triggered when more than 30 days elapses before theres a complaint filed. And when that occurs, theyre eligible to get a reduced bond or a PR bond, Smith said in an earlier interview.

Regarding the lawsuit, Smith told The Epoch Times on May 2 that it reads more like the liberal media propaganda than something based in actual law and fact.

He spurned the racial profiling allegation. Nowhere in the entire complaint can they point out where we didnt arrest someone because they were white or non-Hispanic or non-Latino. If youre breaking the law, you get arrested, he said.

Coe said hes heard about the lawsuit but hasnt been served or seen it yet.

Its kind of hard to profile when a) you cant see inside the vehicles, everybody has tinted windows. And b) its hard to profile when youre sitting there waiting for somebody to show up and a group of 10 shows up and theyre all Mexicans. So how is that profiling? Coe told The Epoch Times on April 29.

Were protecting citizens, were protecting landowners, so I dont really see it going anywhere, but well see what happens.

Lt. Christopher Olivarez, DPS spokesman for the south Texas region, told The Epoch Times via email that the department does not discuss pending litigation.

Border Security

The Texas legislature has approved nearly $3.5 billion for OLS since September last year.

Since its inception, the program has been condemned by state Democrats, organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and lawyer groups for illegal immigrants.

A group of 50 Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives wrote a letter in January urging the departments of Justice and Homeland Security to investigate the program. The ACLU filed its own 50-page complaint to the Department of Justice in December 2021.

Operation Lone Star uses state criminal law to target Black and Latino migrants for punishment, the Democrats Jan. 26 letter to the federal agencies alleges.

Anti-immigrant hate is on the rise in Texas, and state and local officials are fanning the flames, the ACLU stated in its complaint.

Abbott has defended the program, saying it continues to fill the dangerous gaps left by the Biden administrations refusal to secure the border.

Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Bidens open border policies, Abbott said in a statement on April 29.

Abbott, a Republican, declared a state of disaster on May 31, 2021, as the crisis escalated. This meant most misdemeanor charges of trespassing were elevated from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a higher penalty. The charge is also elevated if the individual has a deadly weapon or is found more than 100 feet past the property line on agricultural land.

The illegal aliens arrested on ranches in Kinney County arent turning themselves over to Border Patrol and seeking asylum, Smith said.

Theyre being smuggled across. And then whenever law enforcement locates them, theyre running. Theyre not trying to surrender at all, Smith told The Epoch Times in an earlier interview.

If they were trying to claim asylum, theyd be doing that at the port of entry, or the first law enforcement they come to. But instead, theyre evading law enforcementand theyre destroying property while they do it.

Kinney County has prosecuted more than 2,885 illegal aliens for trespassing and evading arrest since August last year, as well as several U.S. citizens.

The county only has 14 male-only jail spaces, which are perpetually full. So the aliens are booked and appear before a magistrate at a tent facility in neighboring Val Verde County.

From Val Verde, troopers transport them 100 miles away to the Briscoe Unit in Dilley, Texas, which has been repurposed to detain almost 1,000 illegal aliens who are waiting for their court cases and serving out their sentences. The Segovia Unit in Edinburg, Texas, has also been repurposed for OLS detainees.

Kinney Countys first jury trial is scheduled for May 9, after several aliens pleaded not guilty to their trespass charges.

Border Patrol agents made more than 1.3 million apprehensions of illegal aliens in Texas in 2021. An additional half million are estimated to have evaded capture.
Members of the Supreme Court pose for a group photo at the Supreme Court in Washington on April 23, 2021. Seated from left: Associate Justice Samuel Alito, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, and Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Standing from left: Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, and Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett. (Erin Schaff/Pool/Getty Images)

Chief Justice Roberts Calls Leak of Roe v. Wade Ruling a Betrayal, Orders Supreme Court to Investigate

The Supreme Court on Tuesday responded to the leak of a draft ruling and confirmed its authenticity, issuing a statement from Chief Justice John Roberts, who called the leak a betrayal of the confidences of the institution.

On Monday evening, Politico published a purported draft copy of the courts ruling, which suggested that the landmark abortion law Roe v. Wade would be overturned. The Supreme Court confirmed the documents authenticity but said the draft does not represent a final decision by the court or the final position of any member in the case.

To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, Roberts wrote, it will not succeed, adding that the work of the Court will not be affected in any way.

Roberts also said he directed the Marshal of the Supreme Court to carry out an investigation into the leak and the individual who leaked it to the press. Should the leaker be identified, its not clear what punitive actions will be taken against them, although Roberts said the leak could be considered a significant breach of trust.

We at the court are blessed to have a workforcepermanent employees and law clerks who are intensely loyal to the institution and dedicated to the rule of law, the George W. Bush-appointed chief justice added. Court employees have an exemplary and important tradition of respecting the confidentiality of the judicial process and upholding the trust of the Court.

According to the draft opinion, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, referring also to the 1992 ruling Planned Parenthood v. Casey. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

Later this year, the court is slated to issue a ruling in connection to a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Mississippis attorney generals office had urged the justices to use the case to overturn Roe v. Wade, which argued that a woman has a constitutional right to obtain an abortion.

We emphasize that our decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right, Alito, a George W. Bush appointee, also wrote, according to the draft published by Politico. Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion.

Alitos opinion, which Politico claimed was shared with the other justices in February, was labeled as a first draft. There was no suggestion that other members of the Supreme Court who may have voted to overturn Roe v. Wade agreed with Alitos arguments. There is also a history of Supreme Court members having sought revisions to their draft opinions or have even reversed their initial votes.

On Tuesday, Democrats did not address the apparent breach of the Supreme Courts protocols and instead focused on mobilizing their supporters into voting for politicians to pass pro-abortion bills. Republicans, meanwhile, called for an investigation into the leak and said the leaker should face punishment or even prosecution.

If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose, President Joe Biden said in a statement. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.

In response, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said in a statement that while he supports the opinion, leaking the draft is an appalling affront against a critical institution and should be fully investigated and those responsible should be punished.
John Robson: Military Chaplains Must Not Be Christian, Advisory Panels Recommendation Says in Effect

Commentary

If youre doing your bit as a Canadian by following the lumbering Conservative leadership race and the looming Ontario election, I cant blame you for missing other stories because you are sound asleep. But there is one about how our military chaplains must not be Christian that might wake you up thinking a hardcover copy of George Orwells Nineteen Eighty-Four just fell on your head.

I am not making it up. Including that Section 6 of Part III of the Minister of National Defence Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination  Final Report  January 2022 Aaargh. You nodded off again. I dont say they bore you into a coma on purpose; I firmly reject conspiracy theories. But the way they conduct themselves is soporific.

Still, if you manage to stay alert you encounter remarkable beliefs hidden in plain sight, most notably that uniformity is diversity and vice versa. For instance this passage, drawn to my attention by the good folks at Cardus: [S]ome chaplains represent or are affiliated with organized religions whose beliefs are not synonymous with those of a diverse and inclusive workplace. Some of the affiliated religions of these chaplains do not subscribe to an open attitude and the promotion of diversity. For example, some churches exclusion of women from their priesthoods violates principles of equality and social justice, as do sexist notions embedded in their religious dogmas. In addition, certain faiths have strict tenets requiring conversion of those they deem to be pagan, or who belong to polytheistic religions.

So no stinking Papists need apply. Though to be fair this diversity also targets Orthodox Jews and Muslims, if slightly more subtly. Catholics famously dont allow female priests. But many Islamic sects dont have female imams, and Orthodox Judaism doesnt really permit female rabbis even if Wikipedia claims, The status of women rabbis in contemporary Orthodox Judaism began to change in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. Heresy being orthodoxy.

As for sexist notions embedded in their religious dogmas, theres a well with no bottom into which to throw evangelical Protestants. And without wanting to trigger a religious war inside the military or outside, many Muslims mistake Christianity for polytheism based on a misunderstanding of the Trinity.

The panel by contrast mistakes hate for non-judgementality. It has observed that there are varying degrees of misogyny, sexism and discrimination woven into the philosophies and beliefs of some mainstream religions currently represented in the cadre of chaplains in the CAF. This Advisory Panel does not seek to evaluate or categorize these religions in this report. Heck no. Its just pointing out that the Defence Team cannot consider itself supportive of inclusivity when it employs as chaplains members of organizations whose values are not consistent with National Defences ethics and valueseven if those members express non-adherence to the policies of their chosen religion.

So not even heretical Catholic priests can stay. Since Recommendation 6.3 is Review the selection process for chaplains to ensure that, in addition to listening skills, empathy and emotional intelligence, there is an intrinsic appreciation for diversity and a willingness to challenge ones beliefs just possibly theyd let a priest in whos willing to be re-educated into not being a priest. But probably not.

Shamans, on the other hand, are welcome: Select chaplains representative of many faiths including forms of spirituality beyond the Abrahamic faiths.  Find ways to grant educational equivalencies, for example to knowledge keepers, rather than strictly adhering to the prerequisite that all chaplains must have a masters degree. So if you tell the chaplain youre struggling with your Christian beliefs, theyll say good, your religion stinks, get rid of it. Talk about inclusion that excludes, among others, a great many potential recruits. As I warned recently in another publication, wokism is hollowing out our military.

The reason I had Nineteen Eighty-Four fall on your head above is that its spectacular doublethink to demand that all chaplains hold the same woke beliefs in the name of a diverse and inclusive workplace. Exclusivity being inclusivity, you see. And if youre wondering how the Tory leadership race fell into this witches brew, Pierre Poilievre says he wants Canada to be the freest country in the world, though just in case he also supports agricultural marketing boards and other restrictive laws. So will any of these pretenders really stand for outmoded documents like Magna Carta, the American and English bills of rights, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that put freedom of religion front and centre, when today you get freedom from religion?

Since war is peace, you also get armed forces who cant fight. Since hate is love, you launch an inclusive crusade to crush heretics. And since ignorance is strength, you dont know religious liberty from an Inquisition.

In which case, um, slavery is freedom. There. Awake now?

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
JonBenet Ramseys Father Wants Another Agency to Test DNA

The father of JonBenet Ramsey, whose death in the 1990s has sparked countless theories, is backing a petition asking the governor of Colorado to intervene in an investigation into the girls death more than 25 years ago, adding that he has launched an initiative to find the girls killer.

JonBenet, 6, was found dead at her familys home in Colorado on the day after Christmas in 1996. Officials said that she was found strangled and beaten, and her death was ruled a homicide. No suspects have been prosecuted.

John Ramsey, the childs father, said that he wants DNA evidence that has never been tested to be transferred away from authorities in Boulder to a separate agency.

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 told Colorados 9News. Why thats never been done and will never be done by the police baffles me.

The elder Ramsey told the outlet that the case will never be solved if it remains in the hands of the Boulder Police Department.

Or at least get the crime scene material tested for DNA samples, Ramsey added. The technology has advanced so far in the DNA world from 20 years ago. To just not do that, it baffles me.

He added to the outlet: JonBenets death took away my desire to live for a while. The police actions took away my ability to live for a while; I lost my job. Victims of violent crime normally end up broke, and we pretty much got close to that  It affected not only my life but my childrens lives. Now my grandchildren will be impacted particularly if this is never resolved.

Patsy Ramsey, who died in 2006, and her husband, John, parents of JonBenet Ramsey, look on during a news conference in Atlanta on May 24, 2000. (Ric Feld/AP Photo)

During an interview with Fox News, Ramsey announced that the petition is part of a plan to find the childs murderer.

The office of Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, issued a response Sunday to the petition.

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 office said to local media.

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 Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mammoet, a global market leader in engineered heavy lifting and transport, has provided heavy lift solutions to disassemble the entire 4,500-tonne press of Carpenter Technology Corp in Pennsylvania, which had broken down.

As a maker of specialty metal alloys for multiple industries including aerospace, transportation, and defence markets, it was important for Carpenter Technology to complete repairs and return to full operations quickly, a Mammoet release said.

The press is a highly specialised piece of equipment which is critical to producing such materials; therefore, an emergency shut down for necessary repairs was required on short notice. The lower crosshead of the press, made of cast steel, cracked in half 20 metres (60 feet) below the surface of the warehouse, thus abruptly halting normal operations.

Offering a full solution

The customer reached out to a few local subcontractors for help. One local company proposed cranes as a possible solution; however, cranes alone would not provide sufficient lifting capabilities and a gantry was deemed necessary.

Mammoet was not only able to offer a full solution and equipment such as cranes, trailers, and a gantry system, but also the skilled labor of riggers, operators, and millwrights to get the press back up and running smoothly  all as one solution package. Based on a prior relationship with the customer, and because Mammoet could mobilise the required equipment and expertise quickly, Carpenter Technology chose Mammoet for the job.

Mammoet employed its 750-tonne gantry as well as a 500-tonne gantry to lift and stabilise the press for repairs and maintenance. The unit was lifted and held safe and steady to allow for component change out before the press was reassembled.

Forklift helps to lift heavy pieces

A 40-tonne forklift helped to lift and move heavy pieces during the disassembly and reassembly of the press, while a 500-tonne crane was used to remove the press guide columns through a hatch in the roof of the warehouse, because crane was too large to work from inside and the columns were too long to remove from inside.

Twelve axle-lines of Goldhofer PST trailers were used to move pieces out of the warehouse to the staging area during the disassembly phase, and then again to bring pieces back inside during the assembly phase.

Mammoet sourced equipment and personnel from its facilities in Texas, New Jersey, and Eastern Canada while working around the clock to cover 24 hours a day, with crews working seven twelve-hour days on rotation. Mammoet provided a multidisciplined team with varied expertise including riggers, millwrights, oilers, operators as well as engineering, safety, and project management.

Time-sensitive operational challenges

Over 42 total crew members were on site throughout the project which took nine weeks and over 28,000 working hours to cover both the lift operations and the customers commissioning activities. Mammoet was met with highly time-sensitive operational challenges, but still managed to meet the customers strict completion date.

Mammoets Industrial Services team based out of Swedesboro, New Jersey is particularly skillful and knowledgeable in millwrighting. For this project, the millwrights needed to guarantee precision alignment of all components of the hydraulic press to maintain required tolerances. As the press was commissioned and operational again, everything worked well and according to plan.

All repairs were completed within the company's target time allowing their staff to focus on satisfying customer demand once again in the aerospace supply chain. Carpenter Technology Corporation is a global leader in high-performance specialty alloy-based materials and process solutions for critical applications in the aerospace, transportation, defence, energy, industrial, medical, and consumer electronics markets.-- TradeArabia News Service
If you think Pinterest is just a place to find recipes and fine-tune wedding planning details, think again. With over 431 million users coming to Pinterest every month to look for inspiration, Pinterest is an effective platform for building your audience and getting your product in front of potential customers who are ready to buy.

According to a HubSpot Blogs survey of 310 marketing professionals, 39% of marketers said Pinterest generated a high return on investment.

With an effective Pinterest strategy in place, you can generate organic web traffic, create targeted ad campaigns to reach your ideal buyers, and sell directly from the platform. Gather inspiration from these brands who are yielding big results through Pinterest.

Table of Contents:

11 Best Brands on Pinterest

What we like: IKEAs innovative integration of its lead-generating quiz and Pinterest recommendations.

IKEA is a globally-recognized brand with countless product options and configurations. Shopping for new furniture and houseware can be an overwhelming experience, and IKEA is reducing customer overwhelm through creative Pinterest marketing.

Potential customers can take IKEAs Renocations quiz to unlock which IKEA items would best suit their home. At the end of the quiz, users are given a Pinterest board of IKEA products they make like, and can then pin the options to their personal boards for inspiration, or shop directly through Pinterest when theyre ready to buy.

This approach works because many customers turn to Pinterest for decorating ideas and to save potential product finds in one place. The integration of product recommendations and pre-populated Pinterest boards is creative and solves a real need for customers who are looking to streamline the furniture buying process.

What we like: Savvy keyword targeting.

According to Pinterest, 91% of beauty searches on the platform are unbranded. That means when users are typing beauty-related keywords in search, they arent searching for specific brands. Upon learning this statistic, IT Cosmetics implemented a keyword-first Pinterest strategy to reach users who were searching for CC cream on the platform.

This strategy gave the brand the opportunity to be found by users who were interested in learning more about CC cream and other cosmetic products but didnt yet have loyalty to any specific brand.

Looking through the IT Cosmetics Pinterest account, several pins are optimized to be found in CC cream-related. The brands Pinterest content shows its products in action through tutorial-based videos so users can see how the products work in real-time. This approach has helped IT Cosmetics expand its organic reach on Pinterest, and acquire new customers.

What we like: Clear ideal customer identification.

Eyewear brand Jonas Paul makes affordable, on-trend frames for kids and teens. Knowing the ideal potential customers for the brand are parents looking for eyewear for their children, Jonas Paul creates organic and paid Pinterest content specifically for parents.

Implementing this strategy has helped the brand increase web traffic from Pinterest, resulting in higher order value than web visitors from other channels.

What we like: Seasonal posts and use of Idea Pins.

Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration for your next creative project, so it makes sense that craft store Michaels would perform well on the platform.

The Michaels Pinterest account has a variety of beautiful search-driven posts that are aligned with what users are searching for each season. Content pinned to the Michaels Pinterest account often features videos of seasonal craft projects directly linking to items that can be purchased from Michaels.

The brand also runs keyword-focused holiday campaigns, targeting users who search for terms related to projects that can be executed with products from the store. In addition to driving online conversions, Michaels Pinterest efforts have also increased in-store traffic by 8%.

What we like: Educational content to nurture new customers.

Primally Pure is a natural beauty brand that makes non-toxic deodorant and body care products. The brands Pinterest account has been one of its key drivers of growth.

On Pinterest, the Primally Pure account is focused on holistic lifestyle education and captures users who want to learn more about skincare and the potential side-effects of conventional product options. With many pins leading back to the company blog where there are in-depth articles on various topics the brands ideal customer would be interested in, this inbound marketing approach is an effective way to build trust and educate an audience.

What we like: Video demonstrations of Mayvenns various products.

Mayvenn sells affordable hair extensions and related products to hairstylists and salon owners. With this ideal customer in mind, Mayvenns Pinterest content has a variety of tutorial-based posts to show stylists how they can use Mayvenns products on their clients. In addition to tutorials, Mayvenn shares pins related to hairstyle inspiration that are easily searchable.

The brand also features photos of their products fully styled so users can see exactly how the potential hairstyle they want to create will look.

What we like: Aspirational product content.

Samsung is a global brand that makes a range of products, but on Pinterest, the brands home appliance account truly shines.

Appliances and home inspiration are popular search topics on Pinterest, and Samsung has created an impressive brand account creating beautiful imagery with its products front and center. The brand stays at the forefront of Pinterests latest features using video and Idea Pins to showcase how its products work to users who are looking for pins to help them create their dream homes.

The Samsung Home Pinterest account also has boards related to key home-related search topics such as How to Clean and Kitchen Ideas. The content on these boards consists of organic and user-generated pins that subtly feature Samsungs products.

What we like: Cohesive brand identity and Pinterest-exclusive products.

Luxury skincare brand La Mer is known for having high-end products that are often deemed celebrity favorites. The brand leverages Pinterest as a key part of its marketing strategy.

Not only are the visuals on the La Mer account cohesive, but the brand has found creative ways to generate new business through Pinterest. La Mer launched a video ad campaign to showcase the benefits of its products. Users who engaged with the ads were sent product samples to increase engagement and customer reviews.

In addition to its ad strategy and sampling campaign, La Mer has created product sets that are exclusively available through Pinterest, enticing users who discover the brand through Pinterest to make a purchase that isnt available anywhere else.

What we like: Natural-looking videos showing the companys products in use.

Lavendaire is a personal development brand that sells journals and apparel. The Lavendaire Pinterest account organically garners three million monthly views to drive traffic to the brands products and other content channels.

A particular area where Lavendaire shines on Pinterest is through the creation of Idea Pins. The Idea Pins feature is a primary focus area for Pinterest, and the Lavendaire brand frequently shares new Idea Pins showcasing the companys journaling products.

With journaling being a high-traffic search term on Pinterest, pins shared by Lavendaire are optimized to show up in journaling-related search results helping Pinterest users find and connect with the brand and community.

What we like: Colorful visuals, and recipe-based content.

Wellness superfood brand Golde has an impressive Pinterest account that features its product line in a variety of ways. The account has video posts that are beautifully shot and feature Golde products used in recipes and tutorials.

In each of the brands educational and recipe videos, the pin is linked directly to the product featured helping the brand drive sales from users who are looking for recipe inspiration and new creative ways to use products such as matcha and cacao.

What we like: Organic traffic generation.

The Good Trade is an online publication that covers topics related to sustainability and slow living. The companys Pinterest account has almost 10 million organic monthly views, which is an impressive feat.

Though The Good Trade doesnt currently run Pinterest ads, the brand creates pins for all of its articles, generating traffic back to its website.

The brand relies on keywords and hashtags to create pins that can be found through search and has built an engaged audience on Pinterest to convert into readership.

If your company isnt on Pinterest yet, now is the perfect time to get started. Whether you have an eCommerce business, brick-and-mortar store, or your content is your product  users on Pinterest are likely searching for what you have to offer.
Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese (R) and Queensland deputy Premier Steven Miles take part in the 2021 Labour Day March in Brisbane, Australia, on May 3, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

Labour Day Should Be Removed in Australia

Commentary

Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, once said that A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.

I was reminded of these prophetic words when considering the relevance (or lack of it) of Labour Day, which is celebrated on different dates in the Australian states and territories. The public holiday is celebrated in Queensland and the Northern Territory on the first Monday in May. In 2022, Queenslanders thus enjoy this public holiday on May 2.

As Queenslanders relish their Labour Day public holiday, it is still possible to swim in the ocean and, hence, the beaches could be packed with people, wanting to take advantage of a long weekend.

Labour Day, regardless of its allocation on the public holiday calendar, is eagerly anticipated by Australians as providing yet another opportunity to take their families to the beach or the bush.

Nevertheless, it is fair to say that most people do not have any understanding anymore of the meaning and relevance of Labour Day, and they would have little or no knowledge of its rich and eventful history. Although the veracity of this statement is not supported by statistical surveys, anecdotal evidence reveals it to be true.

The reasons for celebrating Labour Day thus remain a mystery for many people in Australia. In this context, the question might be asked why Australia persists with a public holiday, the origins of which people may no longer appreciate.

In contrast, Christians know that the meaning and purpose of Christmas Day is to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Similarly, most Australians and New Zealanders know that Anzac Day, which happens on April 25, commemorates the gallantry, heroism, and ultimate sacrifice of our brave soldiers in horrible overseas conflicts. And everyone knows that on Jan. 1, people around the world welcome a new year. Yet the meaning of Labour Day is merely a clouded and foggy concoction of unions, workers, strikes, and parades.

Union members and their supporters take part in the 2021 Labour Day March in Brisbane, Australia, on May 3, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

The Labour Day movement grew out of the eight-hour day movement in the 19th century, when British socialist Robert Owen advocated, as early as 1817, eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

In Australia, the Labour Day public holiday celebrates the efforts of the labour union movement and the economic and social achievements of workers and their contribution to todays welfare state. The first Labour Day Parade was held in Melbourne on April 21, 1856.

Of course, the Labour Day movement is a worldwide movement. For example, it is also celebrated in the United States and Canada, where the public holiday occurs on Sept. 1 and is regarded informally as the end of the summer holidays. In the United States, the Labor Day holiday, first proposed by Peter J. McGuire, became an official federal holiday in 1894.

There is no doubt that the forces which led to Labour Day becoming a public holiday contributed, in manifold ways, to the introduction of better and safer working conditions for workers.

Sometimes, the movement was also supported by astute employers, who knew that, in treating workers well, they could increase their corporate profits. For example, in January 1914, Henry Ford doubled the wages of his workers and reduced the working day from nine hours to eight hours. This ensured a stable workforce and provided an impetus to an economy driven by consumer demand.

It is feasible to speculate that the Labour Day movement also facilitated the successful introduction of child labour legislation, both domestic and international, to prohibit the production or manufacturing of goods by children.

In this context, the International Labour Organization adopted the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention in 1999. These legislative developments prohibit practices that use exploited and underpaid children in the making of products. Such practices constitute examples of predatory trade behaviour because they result in undercutting the price at which legislation and Convention compliant companies can make the same or similar products. This legislation thus eradicates the undeserved trade advantages which these products otherwise would have.

Indian children work nearby to their parents at a construction project in front of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India, on Jan. 30, 2010. (Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

But the time has now come to remember that every movement has a beginning and a used by date.

As the importance of the meaning of Labour Day has dissipated, there is no compelling reason anymore to maintain it as a public holiday. Hence, Australian legislators should consider deleting this holiday from its public holiday calendar.

However, if this recommendation were to be implemented, it is likely that most people would be seriously dismayed, especially the unions, the role of which is constantly decreasing in prosperous societies.

It is, however, safe to speculate that the Labour Day public holiday is secure, for now, because once a privilege has been granted to people, they expect it to become a permanent arrangement.

This expectation, however, represents one of the true tragedies of our time, namely that societies have lost their ability to distinguish between a right and a privilege. Once a privilege is granted, those who have been accustomed to its benefits expect the privilege to become a permanent fixture.

But, from a legal point of view, there is an immense gulf between a right and a privilege. Only if people have an enforceable right would they be able to insist on permanency.

However, the Labour Day public holiday is a privilege granted by legislation. As such, it is merely a changeable benefit, characterised by its transitory nature.

Eisenhowers statement is a reminder of the fickleness of a system of legally sanctioned privileges. It is also a poignant reminder of the enduring importance of fundamental principles for the long-term survival of societies. These principles surely include the principle that workers should be treated with respect because their contributions to the development of a fair work culture, and their sacrifices, have facilitated the making of the prosperous society in which we live. The Labour Day public holiday has served its purpose well.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Laguna Beach Looks to Use Short-Term Rental Tax for Affordable Housing

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif.The City of Laguna Beach is considering using some of the citys tax revenue from short-term rental operations to create more affordable housing.

City councilors unanimously agreed at the April 26 council meeting to continue exploring the idea of reallocating 12 percent of the citys Transient Occupancy Tax collected from short-term rental units to a new affordable housing project.

Affordable housing is important to keep the diversity and fabric of Laguna Beach intact so that [living in the city] doesnt become completely unaffordable, Councilman George Weiss, who proposed the housing fund, told The Epoch Times.

Based on the proposed plan, Laguna Beach would extract about a half-million dollars annually from the transient occupancy tax, which currently goes into the citys General Fund.

Weiss said the affordable housing projects the council has in mind wouldnt target people of a particular range of income or age, but rather those who work in Laguna Beach but had to move from the city due to the rent increases in recent years, such as city employees, hospitality workers, and senior citizens.

According to rental platform Zumper.com, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Laguna Beach is around $3000 as of May 2a 13 percent increase compared to the previous year.

In two city-sponsored resident surveys, approximately three-fourths of the sampled support Laguna Beachs plan to create a permanent source of funding for affordable housing, according to the council meeting agenda (pdf).

Besides considering extracting the transient occupancy tax, city officials agreed to identify sources from independent groups or non-profits to contribute another 50 percent of the cost of an affordable housing project.

If we can get private funds in association with public funds, then we can control the destiny of that [affordable] housing, Weiss said.

The affordable housing proposal remains in the incubator, leaving some questions unanswered, such as where developers can break ground and how many units would be available.

If the tax reallocation of half a million a year is approved later by the council, it would still take about 510 years for an affordable housing project to come to fruition, Weiss said.

The council is set to take up the issue again at the next meeting on May 10.
By James Lileks

From Star Tribune

A new ad for Pop-Tarts has revealed the depths to which our once-proud civilization has fallen. It ran on Reddit.

Split it. Crust first. Straight from the foil. The only civilized way to eat Pop-Tarts.

Raw. In other words, Pop-Tartare.

Sophisticated? Really? Its one thing to say that cold Tarts are for people whove had a long day and dont feel like cooking, but dont pass this off as the equivalent of someone having high tea with a pinky extended.

If eating uncooked, processed-pastry shingles is sophisticated, it suggests there is an element of savagery involved in heating the confection. Imagine the opening sequence to 2001: A Space Odyssey, except the hooting, confused monkeys are capering around a toaster instead of a mute black monolith. One of them sticks his pastry in the slot, and they all stand in amazement as the machine heats up. Finally the Pop-Tart is flung from the slot into the sky, where it turns into a spaceship while The Blue Danube plays.

It is not uncivilized to eat your Pop-Tart raw, if you do it properly. with a napkin on the lap to collect the inevitable crumbs. But the idea that you go crust first, like its some sort of delicacy, makes you wonder whether the target market has the palate of an oven mitt. No. You fold it, sundering the tart, and work from the middle to the edges, and then you give the edges to the dog.

Its a matter of taste, I suppose. The crust of a Pop-Tart is the least appealing segment, to me; its like baked newspaper. In 1967 they added frosting because theyd discovered a new process that kept the frosting from melting in the toaster. I believe this process was later used to make the heat shields on the space shuttle.

Little did we know that there was an R&D facility where scientists in white coats worked for years with feverish dedication until they came up with the innovation that would upend the Pop-Tart paradigm once more. Sprinkles. That may have been the pinnacle of Pop-Tart innovation.

Truth be told, its been years since Ive had a Pop-Tart. I know actual adults who still love them. I wont judge you if you do  well, I will, but in that Minnesota way where you nod politely and change the subject and tell your partner all about it later and agree it really does say a lot about you. But other than that, no judging. I dont care if you cant muster the initiative to throw it in the microwave, what with all the work of having to open the door and push the buttons, and then you have to stand there for 30 seconds, looking at your phone.

Just dont tell me that eating it raw is sophisticated. If thats the case, then spraying an unwrapped Slim Jim with Pam and sliding it down your throat is fine dining. I think this is Kelloggs way of admitting that its target market doesnt even own toasters, because thats for people who have, like, mortgages.

I would also like to note that none of the above applies in any way to Toaster Strudels, which have a separate frosting packet that lets you drizzle the sugary spackle as you please. I like to make elegant zig-zag patterns.

Now thats sophisticated.

2022 StarTribune. Visit startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Ukrainians who fled Russia's invasion and are seeking for asylum in the United States rest at a temporary shelter in Mexico City on April 28, 2022. (Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images)

RussiaUkraine War (May 3): Ukrainians Wait in Mexico City for US Entry

The latest on the RussiaUkraine crisis, May 3. Click here for updates from May 2.

Ukrainians Wait in Mexico City for US Entry

Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are camping out in Mexico City and waiting for the U.S. government to allow them into the country.

About 500 evacuees were waiting Tuesday in large tents under a searing sun on a dusty field on the east side of Mexicos sprawling capital. The camp has been open only a week and 50 to 100 people are arriving every day.

Some refugees have already been to the U.S. border in Tijuana where they were told they would no longer be admitted. Others arrived at airports in Mexico City or Cancun.

The U.S. government announced in late March that it would accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Hundreds entered Mexico daily as tourists in Mexico City or Cancun and flew to Tijuana to wait for a few days to be admitted to the United States at a San Diego border crossing on humanitarian parole.

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Ukraine: Russia Hit Railroads Across Country

Ukrainian officials say the Russian military has struck railroad infrastructure across the country.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, head of the Ukrainian railways, said the Russian strikes on Tuesday hit six railway stations in the countrys central and western regions, inflicting heavy damage.

Kamyshin said at least 14 trains were delayed because of the attacks.

Dnipro region Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said Russian missiles struck railway infrastructure in the area, leaving one person wounded and disrupting train movement.

The Ukrainian military also reported strikes on railways in the Kirovohrad region, saying there were unspecified casualties.

Ukraines railroads have played an important role in moving people, goods, and military supplies during the war as roads and bridges have been damaged.

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Zelenskyy: 156 People Evacuated From Azovstal Steel Plant

Some 156 evacuees from the ruins of Mariupols Azovstal steelworks reached the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday after cowering in underground bunkers from Russian shelling for weeks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

In his address to the nation, Zelenskyy accused Russia of breaching agreements to pause fighting long enough to allow vulnerable civilians to be moved to safety.

Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the economic stakes for Kyivs Western backers on Tuesday by announcing plans to block the export of vital Russian raw materials.

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Slovakia, Hungary Wont Back EU Sanctions on Russian Energy

Slovakia and Hungary said Tuesday that they will not support sanctions against Russian energy that the European Union is preparing over the war in Ukraine, saying they are too reliant on those supplies and there are no immediate alternatives.

EU commissioners are debating new proposals for sanctions, which could include a phased-in embargo on Russian oil. The 27 member countries are likely to start discussing them Wednesday, but it could be several days before the measures take effect and its not clear if oil would be among them or Slovakia and Hungary would receive exemptions.

Slovak Economy Minister Richard Sulik said the countrys sole refiner, Slovnaft, cannot immediately switch from Russian crude to another kind of oil. Changing the technology would take several years, Sulik said.

So, we will insist on the exemption, for sure, Sulik told reporters.

Slovakia is almost fully dependent on Russian oil it receives through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline. Hungary is also heavily reliant, though other major energy importers like Germany said it could cope if the EU banned Russian oil, with officials still noting it is a heavy load to bear.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the country will not vote for any sanctions that will make the transport of natural gas or oil from Russia to Hungary impossible.

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Slovakia, Hungary Wont Back EU Sanctions on Russian Energy

Slovakia and Hungary said Tuesday that they will not support sanctions against Russian energy that the European Union is preparing over the war in Ukraine, saying they are too reliant on those supplies and there are no immediate alternatives.

EU commissioners are debating new proposals for sanctions, which could include a phased-in embargo on Russian oil. The 27 member countries are likely to start discussing them Wednesday, but it could be several days before the measures take effect and its not clear if oil would be among them or Slovakia and Hungary would receive exemptions.

Slovak Economy Minister Richard Sulik said the countrys sole refiner, Slovnaft, cannot immediately switch from Russian crude to another kind of oil. Changing the technology would take several years, Sulik said.

So, we will insist on the exemption, for sure, Sulik told reporters.

Slovakia is almost fully dependent on Russian oil it receives through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline. Hungary is also heavily reliant, though other major energy importers like Germany said it could cope if the EU banned Russian oil, with officials still noting it is a heavy load to bear.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the country will not vote for any sanctions that will make the transport of natural gas or oil from Russia to Hungary impossible.

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Macron Asks Putin to Allow Mill Evacuations

French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call Tuesday with Vladimir Putin, stressed the extreme gravity of the consequences of Russias war of aggression in Ukraine, and called on the Russian leader to allow evacuations from the Mariupol steel mill to continue, the Elysee Palace said.

Macron urged Russia to rise to the level of its responsibility as a permanent member of the U.S. Security Council by ending this aggression, an Elysee statement said.

Macron asked Putin to restart evacuations at the Azovstal plant, which has served as a refuge for Ukrainians, in coordination with humanitarian units, while allowing evacuees to choose their destination, as called for under international law.

It was the first time that the French president has had a conversation with Putin since March 29before the discovery of the exactions in the Ukrainian town of Buchaafter multiple telephone talks. The call came three days after Macron last spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Concerned about world food security, Macron said he was willing to work with international organizations to try to help seek a lifting of the Russian blockade on exports of food goods via the Black Sea, according to the statement.

He also restated his willingness to work on conditions for a negotiated solution to the war, for peace, and for full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and reiterated his oft-stated demand for a cease-fire, the statement said.

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Attack in Eastern Ukraine Kills 10, Wounds 15: Donetsk Governor

The Donetsk regional governor said the Russian troops on Tuesday shelled a chemical plant in Avdiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine, killing at least 10 people and wounding 15 more.

The Russians knew exactly where to aimthe workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home, Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. Another cynical crime by Russians on our land.

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Russia Says It Bombed US and European Weapons Near Ukraines Odesa

Russia has struck a military airfield near Ukraines southwestern city of Odesa with missiles, destroying drones, missiles and ammunition supplied to Ukraine by the United States and its European allies, the defense ministry said on Tuesday.

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Russia Says It Started Bombing Azovstal Plant After Ukraine Took Advantage of Ceasefire: RIA

Russian troops started shelling and bombing the Azovstal steel plant in Ukraines southern port city of Mariupol after Ukrainian soldiers used a ceasefire to take move into firing positions there, the RIA news agency quoted the Russian Defence Ministry as saying on Tuesday.

A ceasefire was declared, civilians had to be evacuated from Azovstal territory. Azov and Ukrainian servicemen, who are stationed on the plant, took advantage of it. They came out of the basement, they took up firing positions on the territory and in the factory buildings, RIA cited ministry as saying.

Now units of the Russian army and the Donetsk Peoples Republic, using artillery and aviation, are beginning to destroy these firing positions, the ministry said.

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Russia Unleashes Rockets in Mariupol

Russian forces fired rockets at an encircled steel works in Ukraines southern port city of Mariupol and thick smoke blackened the sky at the plant where officials on Tuesday said 200 civilians were trapped despite evacuations.

Russias offensive to capture the east and south has been met with commitments by Western powers to supply heavier weapons to Ukraine. On Tuesday, the European Commission is expected to finalise a ban on buying Russian oil in an effort to squeeze Moscows war chest.

The U.S. Congress is considering a $33 billion military aid package, and the United Kingdom this week vowed an additional $375 million in defence assistance.

Reuters images showed volleys of rockets fired from a Russian truck-mounted launcher towards the sprawling Soviet-era steel complex from the outskirts of Russian-occupied Mariupol on Monday.

The attack followed a UN-brokered ceasefire around the complex that allowed several groups of civilians to escape Mariupols last holdout of Ukrainian fighters in recent days. It was not immediately clear if new fighting was preventing more evacuations.

Mariupol mayor Vadym Boychenko said he hoped a first column of evacuees would reach the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday, adding that more civilians were trapped in bunkers and tunnels under the complex and some 100,000 remained in the rest of the city.

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Russia Says Israel Supports Neo-Nazis in Row Over Ukraine

Russias foreign ministry accused Israel on Tuesday of supporting neo-Nazis in Ukraine, further escalating a row that began when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Adolf Hitler had Jewish origins.

Israel lambasted Lavrov on Monday, saying his claimmade when talking about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who is Jewishwas an unforgivable falsehood that debased the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust.

Leaders from several Western nations denounced Lavrovs comments and Zelenskyy accused Russia of having forgotten the lessons of World War II.

The Russian ministry said in a statement that Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapids comments were anti-historical and explaining to a large extent why the current Israeli government supports the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv.

Moscow reiterated Lavrovs point that Zelenskyys Jewish origins did not preclude Ukraine from being run by neo-Nazis.

Antisemitism in everyday life and in politics is not stopped and is on the contrary nurtured (in Ukraine), it said in a statement.

Lavrov made the Hitler assertion on Italian television on Sunday when he was asked why Russia said it needed to denazify Ukraine if the countrys own president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was himself Jewish.

Israel has expressed support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February. But wary of damaging relations with Russia, a powerbroker in neighboring Syria, it initially avoided direct criticism of Moscow and has not enforced formal sanctions on Russian oligarchs.

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Dont Assume Putin Wont Attack Other Countries, Scholz Says

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday no one could assume that Russia would not attack other countries given its violation of international law in Ukraine and Germany would support Finland and Sweden if they decided to join NATO.

Russias invasion of Ukraine broke the post-World War II order and was forcing Europe to bolster its defense strategy, Scholz said in a statement to media flanked by the prime ministers of Sweden and Finland Magdalena Andersson and Sanna Marin.

The two leaders had joined the German cabinet for the start of its 2-day retreat in Schloss Meseberg just north of the capital to discuss Europes security situation.

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden have been considering applying for membership of the NATO Western military alliance, which would mark a major policy shift for the Nordic region.

No one can assume that the Russian president and government will not on other occasions break international law with violence, Scholz said.

In a separate interview with Stern magazine, Scholz was quoted as saying that Russian President Vladimir Putins policy was imperialistic and he regarded neighboring countries as Russias backyard.

He wants to expand his territory and push borders with violence, he claimed. He is desperately trying to re-establish Russias old significance in a world that has changed.

Putin appeared to want to capture a part of eastern and southern Ukraine, establishing a new contact line there that would eventually result in a ceasefire, he said.

That will not be a sustainable solution, he said. Putin must strike a deal with Ukraine.

Marin said that Finland had credible defense capabilities and a strong will to defend itself.

We have maintained a strong and modern conscript army that is able to operate and ready to act with NATO, she said.

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Want to Contact CIA From Russia? Agency Points to Darknet

The CIA says Russians disaffected by Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine may be trying to get in touch with U.S. intelligenceand 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.

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Russia Retaliates Against Unfriendly States

Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a package of economic measures on Tuesday to retaliate against international sanctions placed on Moscow.

The new decree seeks to protect Russias national interests, and was adopted in connection with the unfriendly actions of the United States and its allies that violate international law and aim to illegally deprive the Russian Federation and Russian legal entities of their property, the decree, published on the Kremlins website, states.

Putin gave the Cabinet of Ministers 10 days to determine the list of persons to be placed under the reciprocal sanctions.

The new measures prohibit government agencies, organizations, and individuals from carrying out transactions (including signing external trade contracts) with legal entities, individuals, and organizations on the new blacklist.

The decree also prohibits the export of products and raw materials if they are destined to sanctioned persons.

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German Chancellor Is Offended Liverwurst: Ukrainian Ambassador

Ukraines ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, has described the countrys chancellor, Olaf Scholz, as an offended liverwurst over his refusal to pay a visit to Kyiv after Ukrainian authorities snubbed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in mid-April.

To play an offended liverwurst doesnt sound very statesmanlike, Melnyk said, speaking to Germanys DPA news outlet on Tuesday, adding: Were talking about the most brutal war of extermination since the Nazi attack on Ukraine, it is no preschool.

The Ukrainian official noted, however, that his remark did not mean that Chancellor Scholz was not welcome in Kyiv. More than symbolic visits, however, Melnyk said, Ukraine would appreciate Germany implementing the Bundestags motion on the delivery of heavy weapons and fulfilling the earlier promises.

The diplomat also criticized Berlin for failing to provide ammunition for the Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which Germany pledged to ship to Ukraine in late April. The delivery would represent the first batch of heavy weaponry provided to Kyiv by Berlin since Russia launched its offensive on February 24.

Melnyks liverwurst comment came shortly after Chancellor Scholz told Germanys ZDF TV channel that Ukraines refusal to receive President Steinmeier on April 13 stood in the way of Scholzs own potential visit to Kyiv. Scholz described the snub as a remarkable instance, pointing out that Steinmeier was re-elected as president back in February and enjoyed support from the vast majority of German MPs at the time.

The German chancellor said it cannot be that Germany provided so much military assistance, so much financial assistance to Ukraine and then is told that the president cannot visit.

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Push to Arm Ukraine Putting Strain on US Weapons Stockpile

The planes take off almost daily from Dover Air Force Base in Delawarehulking 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 United States 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 United States 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 United States and the 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.

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 United States 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.

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Sanctions Will Not Be Lifted Until Russia Signs Peace Deal With Ukraine: Germanys Scholz

The sanctions imposed on Russia in response to 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 determine the peace terms.

Scholz, in an interview broadcast Monday on ZDF public television, said Russian President Vladimir Putin had miscalculated if he had anticipated he might be able to gain territory from Ukraine, declare an end to hostilities, and see Western countries drop sanctions.

He didnt think his entire Ukraine operation through, Scholz said. He didnt think Ukraine would resist like that. He didnt think we would support them to hold out for so long.  We wont withdraw the sanctions unless he reaches an agreement with Ukraine, and he wont get that with a dictated peace.

He also said Germany would not accept Russias annexation of Crimea. That was a breach of international law  that remains true, he said.

Scholz added that he had no plans to visit Kyiv after a planned trip by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was dropped due to Ukraines objections.

Scholz rejected criticism that he was at first too hesitant to send Ukraine heavy weapons, followed by criticism from pacifists after Germany last week announced the delivery of Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine.

Theres no point in doing something just because someone is shouting or not doing something because someone is shouting, Scholz said, adding that protecting the country and keeping peace was his duty as chancellor.

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Russia Planning to Annex Parts of Eastern Ukraine in Mid-May: US Official

Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning to annex much of eastern Ukraine later this month, a senior U.S. official warned on Monday, citing highly credible reports.

Michael Carpenter, U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said during a press briefing that the United States is concerned with Russias political intentions in Ukraine, particularly those focused in the south and east.

What we are seeing right now is that Russias forces are regrouping and refocusing their effort on Ukraines south and east, and as we look at Russian planning it is also being refocused on Ukraines south and east, Carpenter said.

Read the full article here

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Italian Companies Should Be Allowed to Buy Gas in Roubles: Green Minister

Italian Minister of Ecological Transition Roberto Cingolani told Politico on Monday that Italian companies should go ahead and pay in roubles for Russian gas, as Moscow has demanded. Although his ministry later said that it does not back such a move, 10 E.U. nations are reportedly planning to do the same.

I think it would be good for a few months, at least, to allow companies to go ahead and pay in roubles, while we understand the legal framework and implications, Cingolani said, adding that he wants a speedy and very clear pronouncement from the European Commission on whether such an arrangement would breach E.U. sanctions.

Shortly afterward, Cingolanis ministry issued a statement saying that the minister has never been open to a payment in roubles.

However, Italy depends on Russia for around 40 percent of its gas imports, and Cingolani said that while oil and gas companies cannot risk paying and breaking sanctions, they also cannot risk  not paying until recently-signed gas contracts with African countries come into effect.

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Ukraine Claims Hungary Wants Its Territory

Budapest was informed of the Russian attack in advance and hoped to seize a part of Ukraines territory for itself, a top official of the government in Kyiv claimed on Monday, adding there will be consequences for Hungary. This statement comes after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was added to the database listing enemies of the Ukrainian state.

Hungary openly talks about its cooperation with Russia. More than that, it was given early warning by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin that our country would be attacked, Alexey Danilov, the secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), said during a media appearance on Monday. He was answering if Hungary could block Ukraines admission to NATO.

Hungary thought it could take part of the territory, Danilov added. This will never happen. Victory will definitely be ours. And about Hungary, which behaved this way, we will see what the consequences will be for this country.

This was presumably a reference to Transcarpathiaa region in western Ukraine with some 150,000 ethnic Hungarian inhabitantsthat had been a matter of dispute between Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and the Soviet Union over the course of the 20th century.

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Borrell Says EU Aims to Pass New Russia Sanctions at Next Foreign Affairs Council Meeting

The European Union hopes to pass the sixth round of sanctions against Russia at the next meeting of the E.U. Foreign Affairs Council, the blocs chief diplomat said on Monday.

Josep Borrell told a news conference in Panama City, where he is on an official visit, the bloc hopes to curb Russias energy exports as part of its efforts to sanction Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

The European Commission, the executive branch of the union, is expected to propose the package of E.U. sanctions this week, including a potential embargo on buying Russian oil.

Borrell, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Council meetings, said he hopes the E.U. will be able to take measures to significantly limit these imports but conceded so far there is no agreement from all the members.

But I am confident that, at least with regard to oil imports, this agreement will be possible between now and the next Council meeting, he added.

The Council has meetings scheduled for May 10 and May 16 later this month.

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Three Civilians Killed in Russian Strikes of Vuhledar in East Ukraine, Presidents Office Says

At least three civilians were killed in Russian shelling of the city of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, the Ukrainian presidents office said.

Some other areas of Donetsk were under constant fire and regional authorities were trying to evacuate civilians from frontline areas, it said.

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Britain Promises Further $375 Million in Military Aid for Ukraine

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 ($250 million) of assistance so far.

Britain has sent Ukraine more than 5,000 anti-tank missiles and five air defense systems as well as other munitions and explosives since Russias invasion on Feb. 24.

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.

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons 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 armored cars for civilian officials.

Johnson intends to address Ukraines parliament on Tuesday morning via videolink.

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, Britains government said it had issued 86,100 visas to Ukrainians, of whom 27,100 had reached Britain.

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Ukraines Top Security Official Reveals Stance on Peace Talks

Ukraines top security official has said that, instead of a peace treaty, Kyiv could only sign a document with Moscow that would finalize Russias defeat.

During an interview on Ukrainian TV on Monday, Alexey Danilov, the head of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), was asked about international security assurances for Kyiv and possible peace with Russia.

Danilov replied: With Russia we can only sign an act of its capitulation. The sooner they do it, the better it will be for their country.

The official noted earlier in the interview that President Volodymyr Zelenskyys office handles the talks and not the NSDC. We have our own views. The president knows my stance on the issue, he said. He added that he believes Zelenskyy will not violate Ukraines constitution, which guarantees the countrys territorial integrity and aspirations to join NATO.

Later on Monday, Zelenskyys adviser Alexey Arestovich brought up Danilovs remarks during a chat with activist and YouTuber Mark Feygin. The statement is very simple: there will be no peace treaty with Russia. There will only be the capitulation of the Russian Federation, Arestovich said.

____

TASS: More Than 1 Million Ukrainians Taken to Russia

More than 1 million people, including nearly 200,000 children, have been taken from Ukraine to Russia since the Russian invasion began, 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.

Throughout the war, Ukraine has accused Moscows troops of taking civilians against their will to Russia or Russian-controlled areas, something the Kremlin has denied.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking Monday to Greek state TV ERT, said half a million Ukrainians have been illegally taken to Russia, or other places, against their will.

___

Moscow Says 1,847 Children Among Thousands Transported From Ukraine to Russia

More than 11,500 people, including 1,847 children, were transported from Ukraine into Russia on Monday without the participation of Kyivs authorities, Russias defense ministry said.

That number includes evacuations from Russian-backed breakaway regions of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples republics, which Russia recognized as independent just before launching its Feb. 24 invasion.

Russia says the people have been evacuated at their own request, while Ukraine has said Moscow has forcefully deported thousands of people to Russia since the wars beginning.

Moscow calls its actions in Ukraine a special operation to demilitarise and denazify its neighbor. Ukraine and the West say Russia launched an unprovoked war of aggression.

On Monday the first civilians to evacuate from a giant steel plant in the besieged port of Mariupol arrived in the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia, as part of a United Nations and International Committee of the Red Cross operation coordinated with Ukraine and Russia.

Since Feb. 24th, nearly 200,000 children and 1.1 million people have been evacuated from Ukraine into Russia, the defense ministry said.

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Governor: Russian Missile Attack Hits Odesa

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. Further details werent immediately available.

_____

Head of EU State Added to Ukraines Enemies List

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been added to the notorious online database pro-Kyiv activists use to blacklist people they consider enemies of Ukraine.

The Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) website was created in 2014 as a public database of pro-Russian terrorists, separatists, mercenaries, war criminals, and murderers. It contains links to social media accounts and personal information, such as home addresses, phones, and emails.

Orban is listed as an accomplice of Russian war criminals, and an anti-Ukrainian propagandist. The website mentioned that the Hungarian PM refused to back an embargo on Russian oil and gas, among other things. He also broke ranks in the EU by refusing to send weapons to Ukraine or allow the transit of foreign weapons to Ukraine through Hungarian territory.

Orban, who won reelection last month, built his campaign around promises to keep his country out of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and, in a victory speech, named Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as one of his opponents.

Zelenskyy singled out Hungary during a video chat with the European Council in March. You must decide for yourself whose side you are on  Listen, Viktor, do you know whats happening in Mariupol? Zelenskyy said.

Katabella Roberts, The Associated Press, and Reuters contributed to this report.
The Lordstown Motors factory where GM once operated, in Lordstown, Ohio on Oct. 16, 2020. (Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images)

Lordstown, Foxconn Postponed Ohio Factory Sale Deadline

Lordstown Motors Corp. agreed to push back the deadline to sell its Ohio factory to Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd., operating as Foxconn, Bloomberg reports.

The struggling EV startup needs to repay Foxconn if the deal does not close by May 14.

Foxconn acknowledged that the two sides were still negotiating in a positive and active manner.

The companies were yet to reach an agreement that lays out the details of Foxconn building Lordstowns Endurance EV pickup truck.

The Committee on Foreign Investment cleared the sale on April 9.

While Foxconn made a final $50 million down payment on the deal on April 15 under a prior agreement to advance $200 million, the transaction remains subject to further negotiation and execution of a contract manufacturing agreement.

In 2021, Lordstown agreed to sell the factory to Foxconn for $230 million.

By Anusuya Lahiri

 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Ohio is continuing its trend of low early voter turnout going into the May 3 primary election. Officials were predicting an 80 percent early turnout, but a day before the election it was only about 20 percent. (Courtesy of Ohio Secretary of State's Office)

Low Early Voter Turnout in Ohio Goes Against Predictions

The number of early and absentee voters who have cast their ballots in the Ohio primary elections is lower than at the same time four years ago.

Whether in urban areas or rural districts, it is believed that the majority of voters will cast their votes on May 3.

In addition to the voting for the U.S. House and Senate, there is the race for the governorship, and elections for attorney general, auditor of state, secretary of state, treasurer, and Ohio Supreme Court are also on the ballot.

Republicans lead Democrats by 25,099 to 19,789 votes in early in-person ballots, cast mostly in smaller and rural areas that are known to be more conservative areas, according to numbers from the Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRoses office.

But so far, Democrats have cast more in-person early ballots in the large urban counties with major inner cities.

They include Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) by 1,076 to 244 early in-person ballots cast, Franklin County (Columbus) by 1,036 to 812, Hamilton County (Cincinnati) by 1,350 to 565, and Montgomery County (Dayton) 801 ballots to 345, according to numbers from the secretary of states office.

There had been an 80 percent early voter turnout predicted, but it is only coming in at about 20 percent.

The low turnout for the primary, so far, has raised the concerns of at least one state legislator, who believes they are not drawing voters to the polls.

This primary really worries our caucus, especially for the amount of money that has been spent in the GOP race, State Sen. Steve Huffman (R) told The Epoch Times.

In August, theres nothing thats going to drive people to the ballot. The governors race should be driving more people to the primary. Its hard to say why there hasnt been a larger turnout.

Huffman serves Ohios 5th District that covers the Dayton area in Montgomery County, and parts of Miami, Darke, and Preble counties north and northwest of Dayton.

Im surprised that people arent turning out to vote for or against the governor, Huffman added. Mike DeWine hasnt been perfect, but he has done a good job. Hes pro-life, pro-gun, and supports a lot of other issues Ohio needs.

Huffman predicted a favorable outcome for DeWine.

Of the four Republican candidates for governorDeWine, Joe Blystone, Ron Hood, and Jim RenacciDeWine had led in four recent neutral polls from Emerson College, Fox News, and two by the Trafalgar Group.

On the Democratic ticket for governor in the primary, former Cincinnati mayor John Cranley and former Dayton mayor Nan Whaley are vying to advance to the November general election.

After those results are in, that wont be the end of the elections for Ohio.

The election for any office that has a districtthe Ohio House and Senate races likely will be held on Aug. 2 due to map redistricting issues. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected four proposed redistricted maps but ruled it will allow the third proposed map to be used if necessary.

The states high court ruled the maps submitted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission violated gerrymandering laws by favoring the Republican Party.

The cost of a second election to taxpayers is expected to be between $25 million and $30 million.

Of the 75,000 registered voters in the rural region of Miami County in Troy north of Dayton, there have been about 1,500 ballots cast at the end of the week of April 29. Of those, 1,052 were in person, and 421 were mail-in, according to information from the Miami County Board of Elections.

That tally equated to about 2 percent when the county predicted a 20 percent early turnout.

In Montgomery County, where Dayton is the county seat, early voting also has been low.

There were 1,969 absentee ballots cast as of the week ending on April 29 and an additional 1,152 in-person ballots cast.

This election season, Ohio voters will have had 200 hours of early voting in the primary21 percent longer than the national average. Ohio is one of 18 states that allows voting on a Saturday and one of just six states that allow early voting on a Sunday.
A flag of Samsung flutters next to the South Korean national flag outside of Samsung's Seocho office building in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 25, 2020. (Lee Jin-man/AP Photo)

Major South Korean Industries Face Production Cuts and Shutdowns Amid Chinas Lockdowns

Disruptions in the Chinese supply chain pose a crippling threat to the South Korean economy

South Koreas major industries are experiencing supply disruptions in core components as the pandemic lockdowns in China show no end in sight. With the countrys high dependence on Chinese imports, any disruption in the supply chain would threaten the South Korean economy, according to a recent study.

Under the severe disruptions to the Chinese supply chain, many South Korean industries have experienced partial production cuts and shutdowns, fearing it may lead to an economic crisis if the Chinese lockdowns persist.

Some 29.3 percent of South Koreas material parts imports came from China in 2020 and 27.3 percent in 2019, according to the Federation of Korean Industries, which represents South Koreas major conglomerates and associated members.

South Koreas import reliance is most pressing in the following four industries: the production of semiconductors, large-capacity batteries, rare earth metals, and medical supplies. Its dependence on China was highest in these four industries, exceeding its reliance on the United States and Japan.

In 2020, the country imported 93.3 percent of its large-capacity batteries, 52.7 percent of its medical supplies, 52.4 percent of its rare earth metals, and 39.5 percent of its semiconductors from China.

A 2021 study by the Korea International Trade Association found that South Korea is more than 80 percent dependent on China for 1,850 import items. Among them, 100 percent of South Koreas magnesium was imported from China, as well as 94.7 percent of its tungsten oxide, 86.2 percent of its neoprene adhesive, and 83.5 percent of its lithium hydroxide.

The study highlights the resource-poor countrys heavy reliance on Chinese imports for the essential items needed to maintain daily economic output. A single supply disruption with one of the critical materials can send South Koreas major sectors into chaos, including the automotive, semiconductors, appliances, and cosmetics industries.

Auto Industry

On top of the global chip shortage, South Korean automakers have faced a shortage of airbag control units (ACUs)a device that detects accidents and triggers the airbagas parts from China are delayed due to stringent lockdowns in the country.

Hyundai Motor couldnt procure enough ACUs since April 18, and had to leave the assembly lines for Genesis GV60s, 70s and 80s partially idle at its Ulsan plant, Korea JoongAng Daily reported on April 25, citing a source from an auto manufacturer.

According to the report, Gwangju Global Motors, which makes the Hyundai Casper, halted production from April 18 to 21 due to the ACU shortage. GM Korea, the Korean unit of General Motors, adjusted production output at one of its Bupyeong plants as its Chinese suppliers failed to meet orders for the brake system parts in time.

In March, Hyundai and Kia were unable to source wiring harnesses due to the lockdown in Shandong, which occurred before the Shanghai lockdown. The companies reportedly had to cut production for two to four weeks.

GM Korea was also reportedly running out of other parts from China on top of the auto chip shortage, according to the JoongAng Daily report. The company produced 60,408 vehicles during the first quarter, down 30 percent from the same period last year.

Electronics Industry

According to a report by South Koreas Business Post published on April 29, Samsung has been experiencing difficulties procuring its smartphone parts from China.

The integrated circuit chip supply for LCD panels in Samsungs Galaxy A23 and Galaxy A13 smartphones has reportedly been disrupted due to the lockdowns in China.

To ensure competitive pricing for its flagship entry-level smartphones, such as the Galaxy A series, Samsung uses a large number of Chinese-made parts. A supply disruption to its A-series smartphones may negatively impact Samsungs second-quarter earnings, the report said.

Meanwhile, LG Displays organic light-emitting diode panel manufacturing plant in Guangzhou faces production difficulties due to logistics and parts supply issues. The companys first-quarter sales saw a 26.51 percent decline from the previous quarter.

Amid the looming supply chain disruptions, the Korean business community has called on its government to assist with finding alternative supply chains to support domestic companies, Yonhap News reported on April 29.

South Koreas Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy said on April 29 that it plans to build a supply and cooperation network with core minerals and resource-owning countries through bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. A move to ensure the countrys stable supply of critical raw materials.

It added that economic cooperation and trade agreements, such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and Free Trade Agreement, would be promoted in order to strengthen its supply network partnerships.
A logo at the Toronto Police Services headquarters, in Toronto, on Aug. 9, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov)

Man on List of Canadas Most Wanted Arrested, Toronto Police Say

Toronto police say they have arrested a man who is on the list of Canadas most wanted.

Emmanuel Rawson, 22, was arrested by Toronto Police on April 29 and is facing seven charges, including two counts of robbery with a firearm, two counts of forcible confinement, and one count each of disguise with intent, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and possession of property obtained by crime.

The Toronto Police Service said in a May 2 news release that Rawsons arrest is part of a million-dollar retail robbery investigation dubbed Project Heavy Bag.

The robbery took place on April 1 last year at a retail location near the Toronto Pearson International Airport between Carlingview Drive and Dixon Road.

In a security video provided by police, two men with face coverings are seen forcing an employee at gunpoint to give them access to the location. Upon entry, the suspects assault a second victim, and force them to open the safes. The victims were ordered to the ground, while the two men loaded a garbage bag with over one million dollars in cash. The suspects then fled the scene in a waiting vehicle.

The police said a significant development in their investigation came roughly six weeks later.

On May 17, 2021, an attempted home invasion took place in the Kipling Avenue and Steeles Avenue area when armed suspects tried to gain access to a unit. The suspects failed in their attempt and fled before the police arrived.

A sum of money, identified to have been obtained during the robbery on April 1, 2021, was found within the unit, police said.

As a result of the investigation, members of the Toronto Police Hold Up Squad were able to identify several suspects involved in the robbery.

As the investigation proceeded, between Sept. 9, 2021 and Sept. 10, 2021, police executed four search warrants at various addresses and on two vehicles with the assistance of the Emergency Task Force, Major Crime Units, and Forensic Identification Services.

As a result, the police seized clothing, seven handguns, high-capacity firearm magazines, numerous rounds of ammunition, body armour, a large quantity of cocaine and cash.

Toronto Police previously announced seven arrests in relation to this investigation, including three men and four women. Rawson, who is one of the suspects, remained outstanding.

As part of a Canada-wide initiative, the Bolo Program issued a Top 25 list of Canadas most wanted fugitives on April 26 and the 22-year-old Toronto resident was listed Number 23.

Bolo, meaning be on the lookout, is a program launched in 2018 that allows Canadians to support police searches for fugitives through anonymous information sharing.

Rawson is the second person on the Canadas most wanted list to be arrested since it was released by Bolo last week. Abilaziz Mohamed, who was in the Number One spot on the list, was arrested just hours after the program was launched. An unprecedented reward of up to $250,000 was offered for information leading to the arrest of Mohamed, who is charged with first-degree murder as the result of an Oct. 13, 2021 shooting incident that resulted in the death of 43-year-old Craig MacDonald.
In sign of the times, Americas largest library association names Marxist as new president

With an announcement that may very well have real repercussions for parents and children across the United States, the countrys oldest and largest library associationwith over 57,000 membershas made it official: The American Library Associations new president is an avowed Marxist.

In a tweet that broke the news, Emily Drabinski, the ALAs new president-elect, declared:

I just cannot believe that a Marxist lesbian who believes that collective power is possible to build and can be wielded for a better world is the president-elect of @ALALibrary. I am so excited for what we will do together. Solidarity! And my mom is SO PROUD I love you mom.  Emily Drabinski (@edrabinski) April 13, 2022

The ALA confirmed the news in an official press release the same day, stating that Drabinski had won a majority of 5,410 votes as compared to 4,622 for her opponent, Kelvin Watson, who ran on a more moderate platform.

Drabinski has been serving as the interim chief librarian at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, while holding a number of library leadership and committee positions in recent years, according to the statement. She will begin her term as president in July 2023.

The ALA, which is a nonprofit organization, describes itself as the trusted voice of libraries  for more than 140 years.

The elections outcome, however, will likely only intensify national debates surrounding the political leanings of public library leadership, if not create a crisis of eroding trust.

The flurry of polarized responses to Drabinskis tweet suggests the likely tensions that will accompany her tenure.

Among the congratulatory replies were some that many Americans would find unsettling. Congratulations Emily, a leading socialist publisher wrote on Twitter. Were thrilled to have a comrade as president-elect of the American Library Association! (Notably, the same publisher counts among its achievements a new edition of the Communist Manifesto, on the 150th anniversary of its original publication, that quickly became a global bestseller.)

In another tweet, a public library administrator in California who oversees education and family services wrote: Im very excited to have a Marxist lesbian as our ALA President. Its about time.

Others were less laudatory, and echoed the likely sentiments of the many Americans who dont identify with the far-left.

Despicable, wrote one Twitter commentator.

Yes lets celebrate communism in our libraries, quipped another.

Others raised concerns in light of Marxisms bloody track record. The Marxist death toll is over 200 million and rising daily, responded one poster from Tennessee. Marxism is a great evil, and it should be as repugnant to call yourself a Marxist as it is to call yourself a Nazi.

(For a full expose on the legacy of Marx, readers will want to check out The Epoch Times exclusive series, How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World.)

Its not apparent whether those voting for Drabinski would have been aware of her Marxist identity. Her campaign platform never mentioned Marx or socialism. At most, voters would have had to have read intoor been on high alert forMarxist verbiage in Drabinskis campaign materials, such as calls for collective power and references to class war and imperialism.

What remains to be seen, and will likely be on the minds of liberty-loving parents and families, is whether these political commitments will translate into policy or advocacytrickling down, ultimately, to the local library.

Its also unclear whether the incoming president, or organization, endorses Marxism as historically practicedwhat with its towering legacy of political violence, silencing of opposition, and hostility to free markets, if not free thought.

Marxist rhetoric and theory are increasingly in vogue in academic circles, and often something the consequences of which are not considered. For the aspiring scholar, its often a ticket to publication and, in turn, career advancement. But as the bloody legacy of the 20th century reminds us, ideas matterand have consequences.

Given that the ALA and libraries everywhere are striving to create abundantly inclusive spaces for all patrons, its hard to square the overt politics of Marxism with the sensitivities of patrons of Americas library systems.

Did voting ALA constituents (or higher-ups) not consider just how uncomfortable, for instance, Marxism might make large segments of the population feel? These include refugees from communist North Korea, Cuba, and Chinamany of whom are plagued by post-traumatic stress disorder after suffering brutality and inhuman deprivations by Marxist regimes. Are their needs any less real or valuable than, say, the transgender student whom the association is working so extensively to accommodate (what with staff trainings on gender-neutral language and the refashioning of bathrooms)?

For many thousands of Americans who previously fled Cambodias Pol Pot or Stalins gulags, Marxism evokes only memories of unmitigated miseryon a scale most of us could never imagine, and will hopefully, let us pray, never experience.

Or for the younger generation, we might ask: What about the millions of American-born Christians and persons of faith toward whom Marxist doctrinewhich disavows all religionis expressly hostile?

(Karl Marxas detailed in Paul Kengors exceptional book, The Devil and Karl Marxenvisioned a secular utopia with no place for religion in it. He once declared, The idea of God is the keynote of a perverted civilization. It must be destroyed.)

It seems that, increasingly, the burden may fall upon family-oriented parents and people of faith to be proactive in ensuring that their voice, too, is heard, and that events and materials at their tax-funded local library serve and respect their needs and spiritual commitments.

While the natural knee-jerk reaction might be frustration, resentment, or to simply throw in the towel and hide your kids (as a popular meme of decades past had it)parents can also view it constructively. It could be considered an invitation to get engaged and make a difference. Maybe more than ever, its time to join the local library board and help ensure that wholesome, family-friendly choices are being made.

If nothing else, the ALAs announcement provides, perhaps more boldly than hoped for, validation of many Americans concerns about the very real presence of Marxism in America and its creeping influence.

One can only hope it doesnt play out in the town librarys childrens section, next to the fuzzy beanbag chair.
Mayor Sandy Stimpson and his wife Jean Stimpson at Mobile Civic Center Theater in Mobile, Alabama on April 30, 2022. (NTD)

MOBILE, Ala.Sandy Stimpson, mayor of the city of Mobile, and his wife Jean Stimpson were delighted by Shen Yun at Mobile Civic Center Theater in Alabama on April 30.

Its wonderful. Its very inspiring. The costumes are beautiful. The dancing is splendid. Its just a wonderful experience! said Mayor Stimpson.

In one word, he said, Shen Yun is Spectacular!

Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company. Along with Chinese folk and ethnic dance, the production presents story-based dances that depict the history and traditional culture of China from ancient times to today. Shen Yun also features a live orchestra with solo vocal and instrumental music performances.

From the moment the curtain rose in the first scene, Mayor Stimpson said it was breathtaking!

I was like, Wow, this is amazing! I mean, it was breathtaking, he said.

Mrs. Stimpson also said she thoroughly enjoyed the performance and appreciated the calm energy from Shen Yun.

I loved the peace and the harmony that it is all throughout, she said.

Shen Yun Performing Arts aims to revive Chinas 5,000-year-old traditional culture. The companys website says its performance this year demonstrates China before communism.

Mayor Stimpson said that he enjoyed Shen Yuns artistic presentation of the stories of ancient Chinese culture.

In our culture, theres so much we certainly dont understand about the Chinese culture  so its just been very, very enjoyable.

This was the first time they had attended a Shen Yun performance.

Mayor Stimpson said he was inspired to see the performance after reading a newspaper article about Shen Yun presenting story-based dances depicting the persecution of Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong), a meditation and spiritual practice based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a persecution against the practice in 1999, and adherents have since been subjected to unprecedented imprisonment, torture, and abuse.

Ive just seen the brochure, and read a little bit about it and I thought this would be something I think I would enjoy, Mayor Stimpson said.

And then I saw a newspaper article about it  about some of the persecution  and that inspired me also to want to come, he said.

I think theres political conflict all around the world and so I just like to see people that are not oppressed to be able to have their freedom  thats what I would be in support of.

As mayor of the city of Mobile, he wanted to express his gratitude and delight to Shen Yun for performing in the port city.

Congratulations on the splendid performance. And were delighted that youre in Mobile. And thank you for what youre doing. And God bless.

He said the city of Mobile welcomes the company with open arms.

Reporting by Frank Xie and Jennifer Schneider.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
For those that don't celebrate it, Ramadan must seem like a strange concept from the outside looking in. Before I converted to Islam, I didn't understand why so many Muslims looked forward to a month of conscripted fasting. Now that I'm on the other side of the belief fence, I totally understand why my fellow Muslims regard Ramadan so highly. The sense of community and the overwhelming feeling of presence that emerges during such an intentional act of worship is second to none. However, there's another reason why so many Muslims cherish Ramadan: once it's over, we get Eid al-Fitr, one of our few holidays.

The religious festival Eid al-Fitr, or the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. In the United States, Eid al-Fitr 2022 begins on the evening of Sunday, May 1 and ends on the evening of Monday, May 2. Also known as the "Lesser Eid," Eid al-Fitr commemorates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. An occasion for special prayers, family visits, gift-giving and charity, it takes place over one to three days, beginning on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar.

Due to the copious prohibitions in Islam- including, but not limited to, alcohol consumption and venerating imagery from other religions- most holidays are off-limits for practicing Muslims. Although the opinions on what holidays are permissible vary depending on the person and sect, Muslims usually avoid all major celebrations. As a result, Eid is our Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving rolled into one.

Eid Mubarak, everyone.
A dress worn by Mary Todd Lincoln is displayed as part of the Met Museum Costume Institute's exhibit "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" in New York on April 30, 2022. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Met Gala Exhibit Examines American Fashion, Frame by Frame

NEW YORKEven for a legendary film director like Martin Scorsese, the assignment was a daunting one.

Take one of the famous American period rooms at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and make essentially a one-frame movie with no camera: a tableau, not a film, but using your cinematic sensibility. Your actors are mannequins, and the costumes have been chosen for you.

Create a one-frame movie in a period room? A great opportunity and an intriguing challenge, the director writes in a statement next to his creation, a mysterious mix of characters, emotions, and fashion in the museums striking Frank Lloyd Wright Room.

Eight other directors, including Regina King and Chloe Zhao, are also putting their stamp on the period rooms, for In America: An Anthology of Fashion, the Mets spring Costume Institute exhibit thats being launched with Mondays Met Gala, and officially opening May 7. Guests at the gala, which raises millions for the self-funding institute and has become a major fashion and pop culture spectacle, will be among the first see the displays.

A scene staged by film director Chloe Zhao featuring fashions by designer Claire McCardell is displayed as part of the Met Museum Costume Institutes exhibit In America: A Lexicon of Fashion in New York on April 30, 2022. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Also among the first: Jill Biden. The first lady toured the exhibit at a preview Monday morning and spoke of how shes learned, in her current job, that language isnt the only means of communicationfashion is, too. We reveal and conceal who we are with symbols and shapes, colors, and cuts, and who creates them, Biden said.

The first lady spoke of how the history of American design is full of unsung heroessome of whom the new exhibit is now celebrating, especially women. She also recalled how she sent a message of solidarity with Ukraine by wearing a sunflower applique on the blue sleeve of her outfit at the State of the Union address. Sitting next to the Ukrainian ambassador, I knew that I was sending a message without saying a word, she said.

First Lady Jill Biden speaks at the unveiling of the Met Museum Costume Institutes exhibit In America: A Lexicon of Fashion in New York on May 2, 2022. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

The exhibit is the second part of a broader show on American fashion to mark the Costume Institutes 75th anniversary. Masterminded as usual by curator Andrew Bolton, the new installment is both sequel and precursor to In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, which opened last September and is focused more on contemporary designers and establishing what Bolton calls a vocabulary for fashion. (The shows will run concurrently and close together in September.)

If the new Anthology show is meant to provide crucial historical context, it also seeks to find untold stories and overlooked figures in early American fashion. Many of their stories, Bolton said when announcing the show, have been forgotten, overlooked, or relegated to a footnote in the annals of fashion history.

The nine directors were tapped to enliven the storytelling with their own varying aesthetics. In addition to Scorsese they include two of the Met Galas hosts Monday nightactor-director King and designer-director Tom Ford. Also contributing are Radha Blank, Janicza Bravo, Sofia Coppola, Julie Dash, Autumn de Wilde, and Zhao, last years Oscar winner.

A scene staged by film director Sofia Coppola featuring fashions by designer Franziska Noll Gross is displayed as part of the Met Museum Costume Institutes exhibit In America: A Lexicon of Fashion in New York on April 30, 2022. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Each filmmaker reached into their own bag of tricks. For Scorsese, the fashions he was given were designed by the brilliant couturier Charles Jamesthe subject of his own Costume Exhibit (and Met Gala) in 2014. Scorsese knew he needed to create a story that could be felt across the length of that room. He turned to 1940s Technicolor films and used John Stahs Leave Her to Heaven, what he calls a true Technicolor noir. As to what happens before and after the scene we seewhich includes a woman crying near a portrait of a man, and a Martini glass nearbymy hope is that people will come away with multiple possibilities unfolding in their minds eye.

Sure to be a talker is the display in the museums Versailles room, so known for its panoramic circular view of Versailles painted by John Vanderlyn between 1818 and 1819.

Ford transforms the room into a depiction of the Battle of Versaillesnot a military conflict but the name given to a major night for American fashion in 1973, when five American sportswear designers (including Oscar de la Renta and Anne Klein) faced off against five French couture designers at a show in Versailles and showed the world what American fashion was made of.

In his tableau, Ford decided to make it a real battle with warring mannequins, many dressed in ensembles from that pivotal show. The weapons have changed, Ford writes. In place of fans and feather boas are fencing foils and front kicks.

In America: An Anthology of Fashion opens to the public May 7. Part one, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, remains open at the Anna Wintour Costume Center. Both close in September.
Missing Alabama Guard and Escaped Inmate Had Special Relationship: Sheriff

Escaped Alabama murder suspect Casey Cole White had a special relationship with the Lauderdale County assistant director of corrections, Vicky White, according to the Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office in a statement Tuesday.

That relationship has been confirmed through our investigation with independent sources and means, the department said in a statement. The sheriffs office did not elaborate.

Cole White is believed to be traveling with Vicky White, and the two are not related, sheriffs officials said. On Monday, a felony arrest warrant was issued for Vicky White after the two went missing on Friday, April 29.

Authorities believe the pair may be in a gold or copper-colored 2007 Ford Edge with damage to the rear bumper, officials told WAFF.

When something like this happens in the jailhouse setting, inmates are coming forward with all kinds of information, and obviously some of that is if there was a relationship, Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton, whose office operates the lockup where White was imprisoned, told NBC News on Monday. Were certainly pursuing that and looking into it and trying to confirm if there was or was not a relationship.

Singleton said that inmates told officials that the two were romantically involved after they both vanished last week. Meanwhile, Vicky White had told co-workers that she was taking Casey White to a court evaluation shortly before they went missing last week, he said.

But Singleton added that instead, the two went to a shopping area parking lot. There was no such court evaluation scheduled at that time.

Casey White was serving time for attempted murder and burglary. He was scheduled to go on trial on a murder charge in connection to the stabbing death of a 58-year-old woman and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Officials have said that Casey White is 6 foot 9 and weighs about 260 pounds. Singleton told news outlets that he would be shocked if the two were still in Alabama, adding that officials at the Canadian and Mexican borders have been notified.

All of her co-workers are devastated. Weve never had any situation like this with Vicky White. She was a model employee, Singleton told CNN Monday, adding that she had an unblemished record and was described as an exemplary employee.

If she did this willingly, and all indications are that she did  I guess were trying to hold on to that last straw of hope that maybe for some reason she was threatened and did this under coercion, but absolutely youd feel betrayed, the sheriff added.
I had never seen a clause like this, and it basically stipulated that the Wuhan Institute of Virology could demand that the Galveston National Laboratoryagain, a taxpayer-funded U.S.-based labwould have to delete files, pathogens, materials.

We sit down with National Pulse investigative reporter Natalie Winters to discuss the Galveston National Laboratorys memorandum of understanding with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. And we also discuss her extensive research into Chinese Communist Party influence in America, from TikTok to compromised fact-checkers to serious conflicts of interest among the individuals that shaped Americas COVID-19 policy.

Even since COVID-19, millions of dollars have continued to pour out of this country, taxpayer funds, to Chinese Communist Party-run labs and to fund research in Chinawhen we know theres no transparency.

Editors Note: Our team reached out to Galveston National Laboratory for comment, and we have since received the following email statement from a spokesperson from the University of Texas Medical Branch, which runs Galveston National Laboratory: The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) takes responsibility for the oversight in allowing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to include a provision in conflict with applicable laws that guide UTMBs operations  Although MOUs are nonbinding and do not serve in any way as contractual agreements, upon learning of the error, the University of Texas System immediately directed UTMB to terminate any MOU that contained language that conflicts with law and policy. The University of Texas System recently launched a review of processes and practices at UTMB and is putting into place new levels of oversight for procedures. UTMB confirms no documents or confidential information has been destroyed, nor have requests been received to do so.

Below is a rush transcript of this American Thought Leaders episode from May 3, 2022. This transcript may not be in its final form and may be updated.

Mr. Jekielek: Natalie Winters, such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders.

Ms. Winters: Thank you so much for having me. Im so happy to be here.

Mr. Jekielek: So its high time actually to have you here. Ive been of course, following your work for some time. So first of all, congratulations on doing really good research and theres this one piece that basically came to my attention. Your headline is: Revealed: Faucis Texas lab signed a confidential deal with Wuhan colleagues, enabling, Destroying secret files and materials.

Now, this is a story that was actually done by a different organization than yours, but its actually done based on relationships that you uncovered a while back, so tell me about this.

Ms. Winters: Sure. Well, thank you so much for having me and theres so much to really uncover when it comes to the relationships between the United States and our agencies like the National Institutes of Health, and a lot of these Chinese Communist Party run scientific organizations and at face value, it sounds a little scary. The idea that US taxpayer dollars would, be being sent overseas to fund research in countries very, very far away, with little oversight on what exactly theyre doing, but when you really get your hands on the documents that detail the type of research going on, the confidentiality arrangements and agreements, its almost, I think more baffling in terms of how did we get here and this story that you just mentioned is really a perfect example of that.

So about a year ago, at The National Pulse, we first reported out that the Galveston National Laboratory, which is a project thats entirely funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, that is the agency led by Anthony Fauci, was engaged, since at least 2017 in a memorandum of understanding to boost cooperation, whether it be on research and pathogens or even personnel exchange with the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

So flash forward about a year after breaking that story, another organization actually obtained a hard copy of that contract, all the way back from 2017 detailing, specifically the confidentiality aspects of that arrangement and what was so I think enraging and just really as someone who has seen a lot of interesting arrangements, when it comes to the Chinese Communist Party and American scientific organizations. I had never seen a clause like this, and it basically stipulated that the Wuhan Institute of Virology could demand that the Galveston National Laboratory, again, a taxpayer funded US based lab, would have to delete files, pathogens, materials, these are some direct quotes from the actual contract at the request of Wuhan. They were not allowed to make any backups of any of the data contained and they would have to comply. So I think this is just a perfect example of just a lack of understanding coming from the National Institutes of Health who are signing and entering into these agreements with Chinese and Chinese Communist Party linked scientific organizations, and just giving them essentially a free for all and allowing them to dictate whats going on at American laboratories.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, okay. So lets backtrack a little bit, okay. Lets talk a little bit about the general things that youve uncovered over the last couple of years around the Wuhan Institute of Virology, right? And a little bit more also on, why these relationships are actually as problematic as youre describing here.

Ms. Winters: Sure. So I think when people hear the Wuhan Institute of Virology, their initial probably knee jerk reaction is to think of COVID-19, maybe Bat Woman, Shi Zhengli and the coronavirus research that was going on there. But thats really the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

This is a lab that has direct ties to the Peoples Liberation Army, not just through its leadership, but even through sort of rank and file researchers. And whats so interesting about that is that a lot of the researchers that they used to list on their website, both the Chinese language version and the English language version, you could see that the research institutions that they were affiliated with, and nine times out of 10, you could see it was a military linked entity oftentimes, military was in the institutions name, but flash forward after COVID-19 and after scrutiny was really, I think, increased in terms of looking at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, they started deleting these researchers names from their websites. Also in terms of the research that they were doing, specifically when it came to the bat coronavirus research and manipulating certain strains of coronaviruses, they also deleted those webpages.

So I think a lot of times you can kind of see, the crime or at least what went wrong in the cover up in the webpages that theyre choosing to delete. But I think what a lot of Americans fail to understand and comprehend about the Wuhan Institute of Virology is that this is not just a scientific lab, a scientific organization thats based in China. This is a lab that is run and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. Weve unearthed several, whether it be documents, web pages, press releases from the lab itself, documenting how they have basically Chinese Communist Party devotion sessions on lab ground.

Theyve pledged to implement the Chinese Communist Partys agenda and goals without compromise. Thats a direct quote from I think a press release, not too long ago, you see them taking researchers on field trips to sites that are dedicated to Mao Zedong. Its really, I think hard for Americans to understand how under the thumb of the Chinese Communist Party, the Wuhan Institute of Virology is.

This lab has a communist youth league affiliated with it. A lot of its researchers have received awards from the Chinese Communist Party. So its easy to just focus on the Wuhan Institute of Virology as the source of COVID-19 potentially, or its links to bat coronavirus research.

But I think its indicative of a larger problem in terms of the science or the China-based science that the United States decides to fund. Because oftentimes frankly, every time there is really no distinction between civilian used science and science for the sake of learning and understanding the world and military technologies, whether thats bio weapons or just any sort of scientific advancement that at the end of the day works to further the aims and objectives of the Peoples Liberation Army.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, okay. So why dont I ask this, natural origin or lab leak where do you stand? Of course, I know, but, but lets use that as a starting point.

Ms. Winters: Sure. Well, Im definitely a supporter of the lab leak theory, and I think at least my best way to evidence that, I still think its hard because a lot of the evidence has been destroyed. Obviously theres been a massive, massive campaign from mainstream media outlets in tandem with the Chinese Communist Party to kind of quash any discussion or debate over this.

But in terms of the evidence that Ive seen and some of the strongest evidence that Ive seen of that, is the web pages that the Wuhan Institute of Virology is deleting, specifically when it came to the bat Coronavirus research that they were doing. One story in particular, which mentions the national institutes of health as a partner on this form of research. They talked about how they were manipulating bat coronavirus strains that they had found in the wild, and they were sort of playing with the lethality, the virulence of the pathogens and the viruses to reach, Epidemic strains.

Now, thats certainly an interesting word when you look at the world who are living in today. But I think in, just in terms of the cover up that youve seen from the Chinese communist Party. Whether its deleting certain sequences of genomes and viruses, or just how intensely theyve tried to quash any discussion or debate about COVID-19 and its true origins. I think that to me is the tale.

I wish I could sit here and say, well, in my opinion sequence, and rattle off a long list of numbers is the progenitor to COVID-19. But unfortunately a lot of that evidence has been erased and destroyed. So I think were kind of left trying to put the pieces together, and unfortunately the organizations that we should have been able to entrust with getting to the bottom of COVID-19.

Whether that was the World Health Organization or even the National Institutes of Health, and a lot of these researchers who had been kind of on the receiving end of a lot of tax payer grants, these were some of the leading voices that were just taking the Chinese Communist partys line uncritically on where COVID-19 came from. They went to the lab and just asked some researchers, So did it come from your lab? And when they said no, they were totally okay with taking them at their word. And I think theres probably no better example of just the absolute absurdity that has kind of, I think at least dumbfounded me in terms of the hunt for the true origins of COVID-19.

Then when you get some of the big tech, social media platforms, their primary fact checking outlets that they used to censor a lot of stories, oftentimes critical of the Chinese Communist Party. Well, the voices that they were citing were researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. So as someone who has watched a lot of, I think, media hoaxes and fake news be perpetrated, not just on the American people, but really the entire world.

I think COVID-19 bears a lot of those hallmark signs in terms of the disinformation and really misinformation and just a calculated effort behind it to really suppress and obscure the true origins of COVID-19. And I think it probably goes back to a lot of, I think the outlook that a lot of people have when it comes to censorship of certain ideas. If these ideas had no merit, if they were so bogus, so ridiculous, why would you have to work so hard to suppress them.

Mr. Jekielek: To your point, the documentary that we did back in April 2020, about the origins, we didnt say this is what happened. We said, kind of like what the sorts of things you were saying. The evidence suggests that a lab leak is a very real possibility, right? And the documentary got something like a hundred million views across all these different battles on Facebook, a fact check popped up and Sharley Addison actually discovered that the person who was doing the factory, which she noticed was actually someone who was affiliated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which was, I mean, comically preposterous, but also terrible because there was this suppression of something, a very important information, which, a year later turned out to be well, much more plausible than was suggested.

Ms. Winters: Well and its really interesting too I think social media fact checkers really are, I think, kind of the next front in terms of the information warfare that we see going on right now in this country and frankly, the entire world, social media obviously transcends borders, right at basically everyones on some form of social media. But a lot of these back checkers have conflicts of interest too. And you know, theres one in particular group called Lead Stories. And one of their financial backers you can see on their website, they receive funding from TikTok.

And its really interesting TikTok, which is of course a Chinese Communist Party. I would say owned some might say linked company. You know, whether you look at who founded it to where it receives its funding. And I think thats just one of those, its sometimes its hard to articulate because its sort of ineffable in some ways, conflict and woven conflict of interest where you have so many moving parts from the financing of certain entities who are then running cover for the same foreign governments that are kind of supporting these companies, which are then in turn funding them.

And I just think its really interesting and its a really under reported story, just how a lot of these voices that you see pretending to be neutral arbiters of fact, and that goes all the way up to the World Health Organization and some of their COVID-19 investigators, people who pretend to be unbiased, which Im sure is a common phenomenon.

Anyone who watches mainstream media outlets, people pretend to not have any biases against a certain party or a certain position when in reality, we know they do. But I think fact checkers are I think probably the most kind of nefarious angle of that or aspect of that because people assume theyre fact checkers, right? They should know what theyre doing. Oh, no, they took down this story, sharing it. They flagged it as disinformation misinformation, and my account got suspended, but when you really dig into a lot of these groups, you see heavy, heavy partisanship.

And like I said, even funding from TikTok and no company thats receiving funding from TikTok could be a neutral arbiter in terms of the origins of COVID-19, right? An American based company thats receiving funds from TikTok knows most likely, if they come out in support of the lab leak theory, that TikTok check is probably not going to clear. So I think people really need to understand that these fact checkers are not fact checkers.

Thats not even a euphemism theyre the antithesis of fact checkers theyre narrative enforcers. And I think the most prime example that we saw of that was throughout the origins of COVID-19 and the sort of evidence that they were using to suppress a lot of these stories. And I think again, to go back to your question about, am I a lab league person, or do I think it developed naturally. The fact that theyre not even necessarily censoring people who are just saying, I believe its a lab leak, but people who are saying, what if it were a lab leak, lets just get to the bottom of it. That shows you how intense the campaign was to really quash, any appetite to get to the bottom of COVID-19.

And I think that just shows you again, the narrative enforcement that was kind of behind this push to really obscure any actual investigation into where COVID 19 came from, which seems to be a very valid and relevant question, given the I think damage that virus, that the pandemic has caused and continued to cause us.

Mr. Jekielek: The thing with the lab leak theory, its just like, theres this sort of element of also like basic logic, right? Theres an institute thats doing the exact research that would create by the worlds foremost expert on that specific type of virus. You can take this argument further, theres this just kind of, were often asked to kind of ignore the basic knowledge and focus on the facts, but the basic logic is actually important in trying to figure these things out, right. I mean, this is actually I get this sense from your work that you use this type of skill to do, to figure out where to put your focus, your targets, right?

Ms. Winters: Well, yeah I think when you dont have conflicts of interest, when youre not, funded by TikTok or any Chinese Communist Party identity or foreign country, it allows us to actually look independently at the situation, see reality for what it is, and base our reporting off of that, as opposed to some misconstrued version of reality taking the Chinese Communist Partys line on where COVID-19 came from, and then trying to run with that and trying to find facts that fit the case, but, Shi Zhengli, the Wuhan Institute of Virologys Bat Lady, she was doing not just a lot of research when it came to bat coronaviruses, but it was more than that. It was specifically bat coronaviruses and their ability to infect humans and toying around with that. And that was the variable, right?

How it would infect humans, how many people, it could kill, how easily it could spread the variable wasnt the virus or what type of that. It was specifically this type of at least gain a function inspired. Some might say it was gain a function, some might say otherwise, but gain a function, manipulation of pathogens to make it more deadly to humans. And we had uncovered old kind of annual reports from the Wuhan Institute of Virology documenting Shi Zhenglis work all the way back, even starting in 2012. And she was trying to find bat coronavirus strains that were capable of quote, direct human infection. So it just kind of makes you know, sit back, even taking the politics out of it, taking the fact that its a Chinese Communist Party controlled lab taking away the fact that the Chinese Communist Party has always strategically used science as kind of a tool as an arrow in the quiver to kind of try to take over the West.

If you take even all that out of it, you see someone whos been working on bat coronaviruses to infect humans, to maximum capability, and then all of a sudden, less than a mile down the road from that lab, which has repeatedly said on record, their deputy director has said, We dont have good bio safety regulation here. It makes you wonder, its probably more likely that a pathogen escaped either intentionally or by accident than a wet market where they werent even selling, these alleged pangolins or bats or whatever animal that the Chinese Communist Party wants us to believe it was.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, I was joking the other day with someone theres a recent paper. I dont know if youve seen about the fact that the virus was likely passed through tree shrews, right? And so my joke was that theyre going to discover that of course, there were tree shrews in the wet market, soon when its actually just a very common lab animal, right?

Ms. Winters: Well, totally. And I think this wet market theory is really, again, another perfect example of disinformation, but I think its really interesting. To not just sit and be up in arms. Oh, this wet market theory, its so preposterous, but to understand kind of how the laundering of information works, right? Like the Chinese Communist Party comes up with this theory, the wet market, I saw at least first kind of coming out a lot of these Chinese state run media outlets, and then they were citing evidently of different studies to kind of back it up.

But again, a study from a Chinese Communist Party run scientific organization to support the Chinese Communist Partys official line on an issue, not really much evidence going on there, more just finding facts to support a faulty narrative, but then the mainstream media outlets in the West totally picked up that narrative uncritically and shared it.

I remember, I think it was CBS was praising Chinas response to COVID-19 in the early days. And uncritically just stating that COVID-19 came from a wet market. And even if say, 10 years from now, we find out thats the case, which I highly am highly suspect that would be the case. The fact that these mainstream media outlets just ran with the line of the Chinese Communist Party, unwaveringly at that, and actually dismissed people who were criticizing them for doing so as conspiracy theorists, I think really should make us wonder, what exactly where exactly do the allegiances of the mainstream media lie, because it doesnt seem to be with truth or reality. It seems to be with, whatever the narrative, the Chinese Communist Party is supporting at that time on whatever the most relevant issue is.

Mr. Jekielek: This issue specifically of Western corporate media unquestionably following Chinese Communist Party narratives, thats actually not a new thing. Right? I mean, thats actually one of the reasons I started working for The Epoch Times. Was it seven? I think its like 17 years ago or something like I was precisely this issue. And it was just stunning to me always, right? Because, how could you And so, I want to take a little divergent, you mentioned TikTok, so why dont we, and I dont talk about TikTok enough. Im always shocked at how prevalent TikTok is. Its one of the most downloaded apps. It has a profound ability based on other research Ive seen from other, from people like Dr. Robert Epstein, for example, is the profound ability to influence Americans and all the people that are using it. Right. So tell me what you know factually about TikTok and why you see it so obviously as being such a concern.

Ms. Winters: Sure. So I think that there are two aspects or like two takes on TikTok. I think the more mainstream one is that it is, a Chinese Communist Party owned platform for the purposes of data harvesting, whether its biometric data. I think they just announced in a recent app update that they would be scanning user faces and seeing how they react taking their thumbprints. And of course, obviously concerns about it being a back door for ByteDance, the parent company, to get into the rest of peoples phone and steal other data. I know some independent research has confirmed those concerns, so thats obviously one part of it. And that of course, I think is a problem that goes all the way to the top of the company. Its former CEO in 20, I believe it was in 2018, had actually written sort of an apology letter.

One of his apps, another app had been taken off the Chinese app store because regulators and authorities thought it was allowing for lack of a better term, too much free speech was going on. Too much criticism of the Chinese Communist Party, so they deleted the app. And in response, fearing that he would maybe face a similar fate as Jack Ma some of these other types whove, been basically kind of unpersoned by the Chinese Communist Party. He issued an apology and said that going forward, and all of his endeavors, he would essentially support the Chinese Communist Party and use his platforms, his companies to, I believe it was called Promote socialist core values. That was, of course before TikTok was ever birthed or at least the American version of TikTok. So therefore it would fall under that kind of criteria in terms of what this man was doing with a lot of the platforms that he created.

So I think when you kind of understand TikTok through that lens, and you see it as a tool to expand socialist influence, but specifically Chinese communist party influence, I think a lot of the technological concerns that I was just speaking about kind of corroborate those fears. And I think one way you see that manifest is the censorship that goes on the app in terms of stories and videos that are critical of the Chinese Communist Parties, whether its about Tiananmen Square. I remember that there was a story about a lot of videos about, at least supporting that were getting taken off the platform. But what I think is more interesting and not talked about enough when it comes to TikTok. And again, this is one of these issues where, is there hard data evidence to necessarily support this, but this is just my personal take on it.

But I think the issue with TikTok beyond it being a massive kind of time suck and just waste of time and life and energy for a lot of these young children is a lot of the content on there. I think therere accounts like Libs of TikTok, that have exposed it recently. Now I remember reading a report, I believe it was from actually Teen Vogue talking about articles, kids writing, TikTok turned me gay, TikTok turned me bisexual, TikTok made me start looking at all these just sort of untraditional routes of living. And I think that to me is sort of the more concerning aspect of TikTok is how it undermines and sort of plays with American domestic politics, even when you take China out of the equation. And there are also a lot of reports and I saw the videos for myself, not as an app user but secondhand talking about how people were using TikTok to help illegal immigrants actually cross the border, the southern border at Mexico illegally, obviously how to kind of circumvent border patrol agents.

And then even people at least saying purporting to be lawyers, giving legal advice on how to avoid deportation, if you were undocumented and didnt have your papers. So, obviously Chinese Communist Party political warfare in the United States transcends just beyond trying to dictate narratives about China in the West, right. Its trying to dictate narratives about every issue. And I think you see TikTok as one of those platforms that sort of, is used to kind of play with the cultural and social issues going on in this country. And its totally reshaped the economy the way the world works. I mean, all these companies are pouring billions of dollars to use marketing on TikTok. Its totally reshaped, I think, kind of the world. And I think that its unfortunate that weve given this platform, designed by the Chinese communist party, such influence in this country and abroad.

But unfortunately they have a very well staffed lobbying team here in Washington, DC, former staffers for very high level officials all the way up to the speaker of the house are people who now work on behalf of TikTok as lobbyists. So I think thats kind of another example in a lot of the issues when it comes to, you know when you look at the policy, the outputs that come out of Washington, DC, youre left scratching your head, even when you get to tax payer dollars being sent to the Wuhan Institute of virology, I think its because a lot of times the policies that we see coming out are not meant to actually protect Americans, whether its children, young, impressionable minds on an app, or even Americans who dont want to be exposed to COVID-19, or that pandemic, that virus that never should have been created in the first place.

But unfortunately when you get lobbyists in the mix and just these conflicts of interest and a decades long as you were mentioning campaign on the hands of the Chinese communist party to influence the United States politics, both domestically and internally, how it exerts its influence, of course youre going to end up with crazy policies like allowing TikTok to exist in the United States and sending taxpayer dollars to fund research over in Wuhan. When putting, make sure you have contract clauses that allow you to delete pathogens and cant make any backups.

Mr. Jekielek: You mentioned something I want to touch on. You said the app was designed by the Chinese Communist Party. Now a lot of people would say, well, though, this is a separate its, its own company. Yes. You know, maybe the CCP can have some influence, but why would you say that? I mean, this is also a broader kind of question about how large Chinese companies operate within China.

Ms. Winters: Well, Ive always viewed any Chinese company, even if its not necessarily a state-owned enterprise as basically a dormant state owned enterprise, because Chinese law, I believe its article seven of their N`ational Intelligence Law allows any company thats based in China, Chinese company to effectively be requisitioned by the state to serve they, euphemized it as, intelligence purposes for the safety of the country. But allowing any of these companies, the data theyve collected any of the work theyre doing to be used for the ends of the Chinese Communist Party.

So I think this fantasy that Chinese companies can exist and not be under the control of the Chinese Communist Party is just that a fantasy, but even more precisely, or even if you take the legality out of it, you look, even though its law, you cant, but if you look aside on that issue, I think, like for instance, the case of Jack Ma you know, a lot of these people who run these companies right based in China, they know that they need to fall in line.

They need to not speak out against the Chinese communist party, not be too critical, or its not going to end well for them. I think weve seen a lot of regulation of big tech companies over there in terms of at least the ones listed on the stock market. And I just think there this narrative, and I think thats something too that a lot of Americans dont understand, its a Chinese company, its just based in China. Its not necessarily part of a branch of the Chinese Communist Party. And while that might be true temporarily, all it takes is one second, that switch to be flipped on in this company that used to be sure just, based in China is now effectively a defacto state owned enterprise. And I dont think many people understand that.

And also too, I think when you understand the way the Chinese communist party operates, they use everything at their disposal. And if they see a company like TikTok that has the reach, it does into, kids as young as nine and 10, even though they shouldnt be on the platform, theyre still on there, theyre going to use that to their advantage. If the Chinese Communist Party is toying around with bat coronaviruses to make them more deadly, Im pretty sure if they see an app like TikTok, just waiting to be requisitioned by them to fill the heads of everyone across the world, but especially young impressionable minds in America with curated version of China or a certain take on an issue. Theyre definitely going to weaponize that.

Mr. Jekielek: And it just something I want to kind of remind viewers of is that the Peoples Liberation Army, which of course, you made the case earlier about how connected it is with the Wuhan Institute of Virology is actually the army of the Communist Party, not of China. And thats just an interesting distinction. Im sure youre aware.

Ms. Winters: Yeah. I think that distinction is always important to make, because I think a lot of times the mainstream media, certain voices love to critique criticisms of the Chinese communist party and the Chinese system, as racist, right? Youre attacking the Chinese people, but its like, nothing could be further from the truth. The people who suffer the most at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party are the Chinese people. So I think that distinction is always, very, very, very important to make. And I think its very interesting too, that mainstream media outlets never really pay attention to that nuance, right the way they describe China is basically the Chinese Communist Party. Thats the only kind of group that they ever engage with and take the line of, for instance, with whats going on in Shanghai right now, theres not a lot of reporting on that.

At least truthfully from the mainstream media, in terms of the chaos thats going on there, what people are being forced to endure. And I think its interesting because you see the mainstream media so quickly rushing to take the Chinese Communist Party side on most issues, especially the origins of COVID-19, yet the Chinese people who of course lack a free and fair press, right. You know? China daily, China Global Television Network is probably never going to report truthfully on any of these issues.

So I think the Western media has a very, very special role to play in terms of helping the Chinese people kind of overtake the Chinese Communist Party and actually get the truth out because China lacks an actual free press. Right? So I think thats even more, I think, disheartening and just on a emotional human level, so saddening about what has become of mainstream media outlets, because, the Chinese people need them, need the truth, need actual information, need people to be sharing the horror stories of whats going on in Shanghai right now and across the entire country.

But the mainstream media, seems to be okay with it. Theyll take the Chinese Communist Party line, theyll ignore the Chinese people yet accuse, people like me who say, the Wuhan coronavirus or link COVID 19 to China, more precisely the Chinese communist party is racist which in my mind is really just crazy. And I think, weve seen a lot of discourse be kind of degraded into hormone attacks, right? Racist, sexist, homophobia, whatever. But I think its interesting when you see the mainstream media taking that, I think very, just basic simple line of attack on the issues to people who want to actually get to the bottom of what the Chinese Communist Party is doing. And they just dismiss those people as racist or some other silly word that obviously has no merit.

Mr. Jekielek: To your point, youve done a whole bunch of work around, just sort of looking at kind of connections between the CCP and different media. I saw you had a headline about a lot of like pretty high profile CNN people going to work for CGTN. I dont want to necessarily dig into that, but on another element, you have Google thats was funding EcoHealth at some levels as well. And then a recent headline you have is Google funding, a leading lab-leak denier, right? To again go back to our initial topic here. So tell me about this.

Ms. Winters: Sure. So this again is I think another perfect example of just a conflict of interest. So an individual named Charles Calisher, he was actually the first signatory on the Lancet letter on this came from the Lancet medical journal back in February 2020. And this was a statement, I think it was about two pages, basically dismissed even if you dared to say the word lab-leak, you are a conspiracy theorist.

Mr. Jekielek: And I just want to jump in here, has this been letter been retracted? I havent followed that, but it was, I remember when I saw this, having a background in evolutionary biology and genetics, I thought this is just a preposterous thing. How could Lancet had possibly published something like this? Because the suggestion was like, theres no way that this isnt natural. I mean, essentially it was the letter, right. Which was a preposterous thing to say with the evidence that was available at the time and you, at least you need to look at this, right?

Ms. Winters: Yes, so much for the scientific method, but they threw that out the window and wrote this paper basically saying anyone who even dares to utter the words lab-leak or conspiracy theorists. And I think they even used the word conclude, which is a pretty strong word saying that COVID-19 developed naturally. So since its publication in February 2020, the issue about this statement was that a lot of the authors on it, I think it was about around three dozen. A lot of these scientists, they all said unanimously, we have no conflicts of interest. And one of the other leading signatories, which freedom of information act requests had actually showed emails that this individual Peter Daszak was the leading orchestrator of this statement. While he had been a longtime collaborator, thats a direct quote using the words of Shi Zhengli of the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Shi Zhengli : Finally, I would like to thank all the collaborators, particularly my long term collaborator from Linfa Wang, Peter Daszak and Ralf Baric.

Ms. Winters: This is someone who has worked with Wuhan for a very long time. We had unearthed clips of him speaking actually in Washington, DC, I think back in 2016, talking about how he was working on killer viruses with his colleagues in Wuhan. So this is someone who is, knee deep in Wuhan Institute of Virology compromise. Yet, he said, I have no conflicts of interest, which was just an absolutely preposterous statement to make. So we had been reporting on that for a while. Peter Daszaks ties to Wuhan and ties to the Chinese Communist Party more broadly. But I would say about maybe a little over a year after the statements publication, what they did issue, now we would say it was basically a retraction, but technically I guess legally it wasnt, but what they put on there was an admission of conflicts of interest for Peter Daszak.

And subsequently Peter Daszak was actually removed from the Lancet COVID-19 origins investigative committee. The Lancet had several branches that were doing different aspects of COVID 19 work, but Peter was leading the origins team. So he was removed from that group. I think it was a resignation and infamy, but what was so interesting about this statement is that it wasnt just Peter Daszak who had a conflict of interest, another individual, Charles Calisher the first name listed on this statement. What we had revealed, like you said, that he had actually been taking money from Google funding, his research. So, and just to kind of tie it all together because there are a lot of moving parts here. This statement, the Lancet statement was probably, I would argue the most influential statement coming from a Western scientific organization that was used as evidence or at least falsified evidence, sort of a dossier type thing by the mainstream media outlets by big tech platforms to criticize and silence the voices of people who wanted to get to the bottom of the lab league theory or the origins of COVID 19.

And frankly, I think, and I said this from day one, of course, the mainstream medias going to take the side of the Chinese Communist Party and the origins of COVID-19, all the money theyve taken from their outlets to put advertisements in their papers, and just in general where their affinity lies, they have always uncritically taken the line of the Chinese communist party. But I think a lot of times they look for these kind of fake appeals to authority type, documents i.e, Coming from the prestigious Lancet medical journal, right. A statement that should have been in a perfect world written by experts, actually containing true fact-based evidence based information inside of it. But instead it was premature judgment, premature dismissal of the lab leak theory. But every major mainstream media outlet sort of used this document, they predicated their coverage of COVID-19.

They used it as an excuse to censor people who supported the COVID-19 lab leak theory. So I think its really interesting when you see both big tech having ties to a lot of the people who had signed that statement, but also the Chinese Communist Party, having ties to people who had signed that statement.

And of course those ties go all the way to the top. The actual, the chairman of the entire Lancet COVID-19 committees is an individual by the name of Jeffrey Sachs. And this is someone who routinely writes op-eds that are shared by Chinese state media and Chinese Communist Party officials on Twitter and someone whos even been involved with CEFC China Energy, and so I think that this is kind of a perfect example of how the Chinese Communist Party either directly or indirectly dictating what information is getting out there, what the statements are saying.

And I think another perfect example of that, going all the way to the top is the World Health Organization, right? There was just reports actually from a recent Vanity Fair article that a staffer at EcoHealth Alliance suggested that it was the Chinese Communist Party who selected Peter Daszak to serve in his role as a COVID-19 investigator. And remember Peter Daszak was the only American serving on that team. And I think even when you take a step back, its easy to get probably, mind boggled by all this data. But I just think, at least to me, when you see the world health organizations COVID-19 investigative team trying to get to the bottom of COVID-19 and you see the one American voice on there, the only person who could speak for all of the Americans whove lost a loved one to COVID-19, all of the Americans whove lost their businesses and lost their jobs from this virus and the one person who was supposed to represent us and actually tried to get to the bottom of this thing.

He was totally compromised by the Chinese Communist Party. And I think thats sort of metaphorically apt for what the situation is here in the United States that when really push comes to shove, when the time times of the essence, and its a really important mission to get to the bottom of this virus, which essentially wouldve helped with finding a cure to it, helping people, survive and make it past COVID-19, the best we can do is put up someone who received money to work with the same lab that is believed to have created the virus in the first place. And I think that is the perfect example of how deep corruption and specifically Chinese Communist Party corruption in this country goes.

Mr. Jekielek: I think this is the perfect time to discuss some research that you did a while back, I think mid 2021, basically looking at how the NIH was collaborating with another group, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the NSFC. And this is obviously a Chinese Communist Party organization. And its amazing that such collaborations exist. Tell me about that.

Ms. Winters: The National Natural Science Foundation of China is one of these stories that I think really shows you the fusion in terms of military and civilian science in China, and why its so concerning to be funding any form of research over there, because nine times out of 10, frankly, 10 times out of 10, those funds are going to be going to support military linked research. So I found this story and it was all the way back in 2010, when the first agreement was signed between the National Institutes of Health and their Chinese counterpart, and they agreed to work on research kind of a similar arrangement that you saw with the Galveston National Laboratory, but just trying to open channels of communication, but even more dangerously open, channels of sharing pathogens and viruses with these Chinese based labs, which of course are all controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.

So five years later after that initial agreement, Anthony Faucis deputy director actually went back to China and broadened the agreement to make sure that this collaboration would continue and be even deeper. And we did a lot of independent reporting and research into what exactly this foundation is. And you can see that a lot of the groups that theyre funding are branches of the Peoples Liberation Army. Im not even saying military linked entities, Im saying explicitly military entities.

So these sort of agreements, is it ignorance, right? Is there just a fundamental miscalculation of what the Chinese Communist Party is at the National Institutes of Health, or is there something more dangerous going on? Are we now getting into the territory of compromise and collusion and foreign influence groups that come out of China targeting some of the most powerful voices in the United States, are they going after the National Institutes of Health too?

And I think one anecdote that I would say to sort of lend, I think credence and at least corroborate the idea that there is something more nefarious going on there, and its not ignorance is the case of Francis Collins. So Francis Collins used to be the director of the NIH. He resigned recently, but he used to be on the advisory board of a conference, I believe it was called the International Genomics Conference. And this was a conference based in China that was put on by BGI Genomics. And people may know BGI Genomics, also their partner its China gene bank, that this has been flagged by those three letter agencies that should be briefing the NIH, as trying to seal Americans genetic information, harvest their DNA in order to sort of just, get to really embed themselves within the United States get personal information.

They were even using pregnancy tests and COVID-19 tests to get this personal information, this genetic information, which I think is really concerning in the hands of these Chinese Communist Party run labs. But again, this company that was flagged by the FBI, as not being usable by state governments for COVID-19 tests yet the NIH director is serving essentially on their advisory board. You know? That kind of leaves you scratching your head saying, Where is the disconnect there? How is this allowed to continue? But I think beyond that, and more to the heart of the issue, what does the NIH think of the Chinese Communist Party? I think the evidence there is also in the grant records in the NIH data registry in terms of where theyre sending their money. And even since COVID-19 millions of dollars have continued to pour out of this country, taxpayer funds to Chinese Communist Party run labs and to fund research in China, when we know theres no transparency going on there. And when crisis hits, when you have another COVID-19 situation, no transparency is going to magically happen overnight.

So I think its really curious that you still see these voices championing for increased research with the Chinese Communist Party and even another individual who worked at the national institutes of health. He actually, believing it or not starred in China Global Television Networks documentary about the origins of COVID-19. And to me, the fact that you have a CGTN film crew sitting in the National Institutes of Health, interviewing an NIH official on the origins of COVID-19. And they think what hes saying works in their documentary with their preformed narrative and conclusion that, coronavirus or COVID-19 either came.

They probably would say it came from America or at least, the wet market. I think that just kind of shows you how deep the rock goes, right? Something is very rotten at the NIH in terms of their just okay ness with sending taxpayer funds to fund Chinese Communist Party research. And I think part of the problem is a personnel problem. I think the Francis Collins example is an instance of that, but I think the problem is also a policy problem, too, in terms of those memorandums of understanding that we were talking about these agreements, but it just doesnt seem like theres anyone at the NIH, the fact that contract, the Galveston contract got through with that confidentiality clause on there, and there was not a single person in that entire agency who raised any red flags about that. And maybe there was, but maybe they were quashed and then you would say, well, whos the person whos basically trying to put clauses and contracts that are beneficial to the Chinese Communist Party. I think it just really makes you wonder that its both, a personnel problem and a policy problem

Mr. Jekielek: Well, beneficial to the Chinese Communist Party and obviously against science, against actual doing of science, right? By basically destroying things at the convenience of the CCP. Right? Well Natalie, we could keep talking about this, for many, many more hours, youve done some really remarkable research over the last few years. And I guess, I guess my question is, as we finish up is how did you possibly get into this? I mean, let me put it this way, there arent a lot of folks doing this level of basically fine grained, discovery of facts, especially at this level of sensitivity.

Ms. Winters: Well, people always ask me, you must have some amazing source, right? You must speak fluent Chinese, you must have something, and I always say, I wish I had a James Bond style story to tell people about how I got involved in this and how I do my research, but Ive just always been someone who I think Ive been fortunate the way I grew up to see that so many of the people in Americas ruling class, right? These, elite types and not even just politicians, but big business leaders, people who just wield influence in this country really have sold out to the Chinese Communist Party. And I know thats a cliche, but I think our reporting that weve done, allows me to say that. And I think unfortunately, the selling out of so much of America to the Chinese Communist Party compounded by the fact that the media class is also complicit in that means that no one is ever going to be reporting on whats going on with these elites and the deals theyre striking and just how theyve really been bought off by the Chinese Communist Party.

So Im someone who I think just as a person, I hate seeing people get away with bad things. And I know that probably oversimplifies the issue, but theres such a lack of accountability today, at least in media. And I think a lot of the people that the media choose to turn a blind eye to, they need scrutiny too. And thats sort of how I got interested in all this, because I saw these people getting off scot-free for selling out to, Americas most existential threat and mortal enemy, the Chinese Communist Party and nothing was happening to them. They were just signing their checks, getting whatever money they were getting. And it was totally okay. And I think I was also fortunate too. Ive gotten to work with some of the most brilliant minds in the field.

And I was fortunate too somehow, even though Im from California, but I was fortunate that the media I grew up reading was truth-based, fact based evidence based even the epic times, and I think given my age, Ive always had computers in the classroom from when I was really young. So Im fortunate that Im really good at doing online research. I call it opposition research. So Ive sort of been able, I think, to footnote a lot of the statements that some of the older China commentators or just older political commentators make, because theyve seen the world, they have their wisdom, but I think they kind of sell themselves short when they just say, Oh, so and so is compromised by the Chinese Communist Party or so, and so has sold, out because that oversimplifies the issue, I can read you a chapter and verse and give you receipt after receipt, documenting how this compromise actually happens.

And I think theres such an appetite for that because so much of what media has fallen into is just kind of opinion commentary and just kind of noise in the wind. So I think there are a lot of the timing was right and, I was lucky, but I think theres just an appetite for real journalism and real journalism into the people that have kind of been deemed the untouchable caste, although I guess paradoxically the inverse of that over here. So someone needs to hold them accountable. So if its us, I guess its us.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, Natalie Winters, its such a pleasure to have you on the show.

Ms. Winters: Thank you so much for having me.

Mr. Jekielek: Thank you all for joining Natalie Winters and me for this episode of American Thought Leaders. Im your host Jan Jekielek. If you havent subscribed already, you can now try a 14-day free trial and get access to all of our deep dive interviews, documentaries and exclusive content on Epoch TV from American thought leaders to the Larry Elder Show. Just go to ept.ms/freetrialtan.

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A schoolteacher collects library books from students who just graduated and but borrowed them before schools were shut down at a school in New York City on June 29, 2020. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

New Arizona Law Gives Parents More Oversight of School Library Book Collections

Arizonas Governor Doug Ducey signed into law on April 29 a Republican bill that gives parents greater transparency and oversight of books and materials found in K-12 school libraries.

On April 25, the Arizona House voted 31 Republicans for and 26 Democrats against the passage of HB2439, with three Democrats not voting.

A Senate version of the bill passed 16-12, also along partisan lines, on April 18.

There was a time when posting grades for every quiz and homework was considered burdensome, said Arizona Rep. Beverly Pingerelli (R), the bills lead sponsor.

Now, its simply the standard, and no one could imagine going backward. In a few years, this too will simply be the standard expectation.

The new law requires Arizona schools to release to parents lists of books and materials children borrow from the school library.

It also requires schools to post online a list of books available in a schools library collection and allows a 60-day public review period for new acquisitions beginning in 2023.

At a House Democratic minority caucus hearing on the bill on Feb. 1, Arizona Rep. Jennifer Pawlik (D) said the bills passage would be harmful to students by limiting access to school library materials.

Waiting Period Harmful

We feel that this is going to be harmful to our students. If we have a 60-day waiting period, its going to limit books getting into the hands of students.

In many big districts, parents already have access to the online catalog.

Arizona Rep. Judy Schwiebert (D), a retired librarian, said it would be virtually impossible for school libraries to order materials given all the hoops theyll need to jump through to get them approved.

Were already seeing book budgets cut drastically in recent years and a cut in education spending for libraries. This [HB2439] would be harmful to our children in they would not have access to any new materials that they look to their libraries to seek.

In January, South Carolina parents in the Midlands region voiced outrage after discovering what they saw as pornographic books on school library shelves.

Pingerelli said the new law in Arizona would give parents access to their childrens reading material before it reaches school library shelves.

There must be a process for parents to know what is in their childs school library. This law provides basic transparency and openness in education that parents deserve.
New Jersey Reverses Restrictions on Car Chases Amid Sharp Rise in Car Theft

To address a significant increase in car thefts, New Jersey Attorney General announced on Friday the reversal of a policy preventing police from pursuing stolen vehicles.

Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin revised New Jersey policies to permit police officers to chase stolen vehicles and vehicles involved in five other crimes including home burglaries. (pdf)

Specifically, we will permit pursuits based on the commission of several additional crimes, notably car theft and receiving a stolen vehicle, Platkin said at a press conference in Malboro, New Jersey, adding that the revision of the policy would address law enforcement concerns and provide them with necessary tools to protect communities.

The state has seen a serious spike in motor vehicle theft, an all-time high of more than 14,300 vehicles stolen in 2021 in comparison to the previous five years, according to a statement by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Increases in motor vehicle theft have occurred across the state, in both suburban and urban areas, the statement said, Stolen cars are frequently associated with other violent crimes, particularly shootings.

So far this year weve seen an increase in 37 percent auto thefts compared to last year at this time and a 53 percent when you compare us to 2020 at this time, Platkin said in Malboro, a town in Monmouth County which has been severely hit by car theft rise.

The directives that prevented law enforcement from pursuing stolen vehicles were issued by Platkins predecessor in December 2020 (pdf) as a part of New Jerseys initiative to reduce the use of force by law enforcement.

Lifting the limits on vehicular pursuit addresses one concern that two Republican state lawmakers Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger raised on behalf of their constituents.

Flynn and Scharfenberger, both representing the same district in Monmouth County, sent about 10 days ago a letter to Platkin, a Democrat, requesting an immediate revision of the directive that prevented police from pursuing stolen vehicles.

The prohibition of high-speed vehicular pursuit impairs police personnels ability to make arrests for stolen vehicles. as well as for other crimes such as home invasions, said the letter, seen by The Epoch Times.

Both lawmakers are being contacted daily by their constituents requesting help amid the crime surge, Flynn said in a statement. They know there have been changes to law enforcement protocols that prevent law enforcement from addressing these issues and they want their legislators to take action, Flynn explained.

The assembly members asked Platkin in the letter for a meeting to discuss the issue and to develop in a collaborative manner a solutioneither legislative or through AG directivesto address the surge in crime in the communities they represent, the letter said. So far they have not received any response from the AG, said Scharfenberger.

The second factor that significantly contributes to the recent crime surge in Monmouth County is the existing law known as bail reform which allows arrested criminals to be released almost immediately with little or no bail, Scharfenberger told The Epoch Times.

The New Jersey bail reform went into effect in 2017 with the goal of allowing low-risk suspects to be released pretrial on a range of conditions excluding money bail, Stuart Rabner, chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, wrote for NJ.com in 2017. (pdf)

In reality, there are people who are charged with some very serious crimes, or may have a long arrest record, who are now being let out under this new policy, Scharfenberger said.

The assemblyman added that he and Flynn spoke to police chiefs in their county who told them that the criminals are out on the street before the ink is dry on their police report. So even if they are arrested, theyre out on the street again.

Once they are released, they commit new crimes, for which they get arrested again only to be released again shortly after, the assemblyman said.

The impact of bail reform on the surge of criminal activity was exacerbated by the Murphy administrations early prisoner release policies due to COVID-19, he added.

In October 2020, Murphy, a Democrat, signed into law a bill reducing prisoners sentences due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in releasing thousands of inmates. This policy has reduced the prison population by 40 percent, said New Jersey Republican state Senator Michael Testa in a statement.

The crime surge is statewide but it is very bad in Monmouth County, Scharfenberger said. In broad daylight, there are home invasions. Its terrible. Theres weapons being pulled on people in their own driveway.

The assemblyman cited the county sheriff who told him that such a crime spike has not been seen in his county for 30 or 40 years. Criminals target towns that are fairly affluent, have a decent amount of wealth, and it is one reason why the county is flooded with crime, the lawmaker explained.

Monmouth is also easily accessible from a major New Jersey highway that crosses the county from north to south, so car thieves can quickly get on the highway and go back up north, he said. They can make a quick getaway.

How to Stop the Crime Surge

Scharfenberger and Flynn took quick actions to stop the crime rise. They talked to several of the mayors and several police chiefs to get their input on what theyre dealing with, and what they needed to rectify the situation, and the joint letter they sent to the state AG was based on the input from these consultations, Scharfenberger said.

They also wanted to inform New Jerseyans of the situation and ways to fix it, he said. We have to shine a light on it so the administration would listen to us, which appears to be whats happened.

The lawmakers are also drafting legislation that would revise the bail reform to prevent arrested criminals from getting back onto the street in record time, Scharfenberger said.

Murphy also announced on Friday at the press conference that the state will invest $10 million in automated license plate recognition technology. The funds will be used to purchase and expand existing high-speed, automated camera systems that will capture and store computer-readable images of license plates in a centralized database accessible to law enforcement, the governors statement said.

Scharfenberger said that Monmouth County already has the most advanced license plate readers but to remedy the crime surge, the root causes of it needed to be addressed. If the police know the license plate of a stolen car but can not pursue the criminal in the car, what good it is, Scharfenberger asked rhetorically.

The root causes are not incarcerating suspects who are caught in a stolen car  or in the process of a burglary.  What we need is a revision to the bail reform revolving door system that we have now, the assemblyman emphasized.

The assemblyman also plans to draft a sort of Stand Your Ground law that will allow residents to defend themselves in their homes against intruders threatening their life and property. New Jersey has very strict laws about what you can do [in terms of self-defense] even in your own home, he added.
Counsel Amanda Byrd presents information about the police paraphernalia used by Gabriel Wortman, at the Mass Casualty Commission inquiry into the mass murders in rural Nova Scotia on April 18/19, 2020, in Halifax on April 25, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Andrew Vaughan)

Nova Scotia Mass Shooting Gunman Drew Police Attention 10 Years Before Killings

A new document shows that the gunman who killed 22 people in rural Nova Scotia had been on the radar of police up to a decade before his two-day rampage in April 2020.

The report tabled Tuesday by the public inquiry into the killings says Gabriel Wortman was the subject of police investigations on at least two and possibly three occasions.

The first occurred in June 2010 when RCMP in Moncton, N.B., were contacted by the gunmans uncle. Glynn Wortman told RCMP Const. Len Vickers that his nephew, who lived in the Halifax area, had threatened to kill his parents. Later that day, Vickers informed Sgt. Cordell Poirier of Halifax Regional Police that he had also received a complaint from Wortmans father, Paul, about a death threat from his son.

Poiriers report on the incident says he and another officer went to the killers home in Dartmouth, N.S., where they spoke to his spouse, Lisa Banfield, at 3:25 a.m.

The document says Banfield told the officers that Wortman was asleep. She said he had been upset over a letter he had received the day before related to a lengthy legal battle with his parents over property. Poirier asked Banfield if there were any weapons in the home and she said no.

Poirier later checked with the Canadian Firearms Registry for any possible weapons and reported that If [the perpetrator] has any weapons they are not registered. The document states that Wortman had never applied for a firearms licence.

Poiriers report said he eventually spoke with Gabriel Wortman, who told him over the phone that he had a pellet gun and two inoperable antique muskets hanging on the wall of his cottage in Portapique, N.S.

The Halifax sergeant reported that he contacted RCMP Const. Greg Wiley, who said he was a friend of Wortmans and would attempt to meet him to discuss the complaint. The document states that Wiley, who worked out of the Bible Hill detachment near Portapique, had struck up a rapport with the killer after responding to a report of a tool theft from his cottage around 2007-08.

However, Poirier reported closing the file on Aug. 26, 2010 after he couldnt get in touch with Wortmans father. Meanwhile, the inquiry said Wiley told the inquirys investigators he couldnt recall speaking with Poirier in 2010, and RCMP lawyers later advised that Wiley couldnt find relevant notes after a search of his home following the mass shooting.

A second threat, this one against police, prompted a warning from the Truro, N.S., police department nearly a year later. On May 4, 2011 the Criminal Intelligence Service of Nova Scotia issued an officer safety bulletin to police agencies about Wortman written by Cpl. Greg Densmore, who warned that Wortman wants to kill a cop.

The bulletin was based on information from an unnamed person who told police that Wortman was in possession of at least one handgun and several long rifles that were stored in a compartment behind the flue in his Portapique cottage.

Poirier took note of the bulletin which he thought represented a viable threat.

He reported that he spoke to Densmore, the author of the bulletin, and to Wortmans father before contacting Bible Hill RCMP, where Const. John McMinn, the on-duty supervisor, said he was unaware of the bulletin. Poirier said he provided McMinn with his report from 2010, including information about Wortmans personal vehicle.

The document says McMinn conducted a database search, but it adds no further details.

The third incident involves a report filed to police on July 6, 2013 by an ex-neighbour of the gunman in Portapique. Brenda Forbes told the inquiry commission that she reported her belief about illegal weapons during a complaint about a domestic violence incident involving Lisa Banfield, the gunmans spouse.

However, RCMP record searches following the 2020 mass shooting indicate the responding officers took minimal notes at the time. Much of the information had since been purged, and RCMP investigators eventually concluded that the incident was outside the parameters of the homicide (mass shooting) investigation.

An RCMP email on June 9, 2020 also said there seems to be a discrepancy in Forbess memory of her call to police and added that there was no record of a domestic occurrence on the day Forbes described. Our member who spoke to her in 2013 says he believes that call was about Brendanot about a domestic against someone else, the email states.

Forbes subsequently told the inquiry in an Aug. 19, 2021 interview that police never called her back about her complaint, and they did not make a voice recording when she spoke with them.

Meanwhile, the inquirys foundational document also released details about the gunmans arsenal at his home in Portapique.

It shows that relatives on both sides of his family and others, including neighbours and people who had worked on his property, had been shown his guns. Several people were also shown where they were hidden in the Portapique cottage and in an adjacent warehouse.

All described weapons including high calibre pistols, assault rifles and shotguns, and the document makes it clear that Wortman wasnt shy about telling people that he had obtained some of the guns in the United States.

Lisa Banfield told the inquiry in an interview that he had Rambo and military-style guns and had purchased his handguns in the United States and brought them back to Canada hidden in the back of his truck.

When the gunman was killed by police as he stopped to refuel a stolen car north of Halifax, he had several weapons in his possession.

The document states police recovered a Glock 23 pistol, a Ruger P89 pistol, a Colt Carbine 5.56 semi-automatic rifle, a Ruger Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle and a Smith & Wesson Model 5947 handgun that belonged to RCMP Const. Heidi Stevenson, whom the gunman had killed shortly before.

By Keith Doucette
Former president Donald Trump gestures after speaking at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio on April 23, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Ohio Voters Heading to the Polls to Choose Republican Senate Candidate

On a rainy day with severe storms forecast across the state, Ohio voters are heading to the polls to determine who will prevail in the contentious U.S. Senate primary on May 3. The winners will advance to the November 8 general election to decide who will replace retiring GOP Sen. Rob Portman.

The Ohio GOP U.S. Senate primary represents the first test of Donald Trumps influence in the 2022 midterm election cycle.

Trump won Ohio by eight points in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. On April 15, he endorsed Hillbilly Elegy author and venture capitalist J.D. Vance.

It was a move that drew criticism from some conservative groups and supporters of opposing candidates in the race because of the widely publicized disparaging remarks Vance made about Trump in 2016.

The endorsement has made this Vances race to lose, University of Cincinnati political science professor David Niven said.

Vance is joined by the former state treasurer and state representative Josh Mandel, Cleveland investment banker Mike Gibbons, former Ohio Republican Party chairwoman Jane Timken, Ohio state senator Matt Dolan, central Ohio entrepreneur and activist Mark Pukita, and Columbus businessman Neil Patel, in a quest to earn the GOP nomination.

The winner will likely face Rep. Tim Ryan (DOhio) in the general election. Ryan is heavily favored to defeat Morgan Harper, an attorney, activist, and former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau senior adviser; and Columbus activist and tech executive Traci Johnson in the Democratic party primary.

Hayden Ferguson, a 19-year-old University of Dayton student, is the founder of an organization that supports the constitutional conservative platform. (Courtesy of Melissa Townsend)

Its been a bruising primary that has lasted for more than a year. I think many Ohioans are ready for it to be over, no matter who wins, and many conservatives are ready for a reunification of the Republican party, said Hayden Ferguson, a 19-year-old University of Dayton student who is the founder of Unapologetically Constitutionally Conservative.

Ferguson travels around Ohio attending GOP events promoting an America First platform.

There are seven candidates on the ballot, and people who usually agree on many topics are divided because of how tense this race has been, Ferguson added.

Though supporters of his opponents are upset, J.D. Vance will see a positive impact today because of [former] president Trumps endorsement, which carries weight in Ohio.

Uncertainty has defined the Senate primary race since last summer. Mandel led in the polls for several months. Gibbons spent a short time in first place. Vance started his surge after Gibbons and Mandel engaged in a heated on-stage altercation during a March 18 debate.

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.

The race is already the most expensive in state history with more than $66 million in TV and radio spending, Columbus-based Medium Buying firm reported.

Will we be the MAGA party, or will we go back to 2004 and weakly do nothing to defend our country? Vance said at his final campaign event on May 2.

While Vance has traversed the state accompanied by pro-Trump figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (RGa.) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (RFla.) at No BS Tour town halls, Mandel has conducted his campaign with dozens of Faith and Freedom rallies held in churches across Ohio.

Last weekend, Mandel was accompanied at campaign stops with Sen. Ted Cruz (RTexas).

Mandel is confident he will win the primary and said he will work with Trump to defeat Ryan in November and serve as a reinforcement for America First conservatives like Rep. Jim Jordan (ROhio), Cruz, and Trump.

T.J. Honerlaw, who is vice chair of the Warren County Republican Party Central Committee in southwest Ohio, is among the people who were displeased with Trumps endorsement of Vance.

I support and voted for Josh Mandel. He is the true conservative with a proven track record, Honerlaw said. I personally believe Trump wants to be associated with winners or candidates he thinks will win instead of conservatives.

T.J. Honerlaw, who is vice chair of the Warren County Republican Party Central Committee in southwest Ohio, was displeased with Donald Trumps endorsement of J.D. Vance and voted for Josh Mandel in the Ohio GOP U.S. Senate primary. (Courtesy of T.J. Honerlaw)

Gibbons has given more than $16 million, including $1 million since Trump endorsed Vance. During a bus tour stop in northwest Ohio last weekend, the suburban Cleveland native said he still believes there is a path to victory, even without Trumps stamp of approval.

Weve been everywhere in the state, 88 counties, in many counties we were the only ones that spent any time with them. Im hopeful it will pay off, Gibbons said on May 1. Were gonna see how smart the voters of Ohio are here in a few days.

Dolan has ascended in the polls since Trump endorsed Vance. Among the candidates who are consistently in the top five in surveys, he is the only one who has not centered his campaign around a pro-Trump message.

I was the last person into this race, so the undecideds have had multiple times to go with any other candidate, Dolan said on May 1. As theyre becoming aware of me, thats why Im rising in the polls.

As for the candidates who sought Trumps endorsement but were left disappointed, Dolan said, I dont know what they can offer to Ohioans now. I dont know what they can offer to Republicans who want someone to deliver on what Republicans stand for. Ive done that as a state senator. Thats what I offer Ohio voters.

Ferguson believes that candidates who received little mainstream media coverage will garner a surprising percentage of votes, referencing Pukita and Patel.

Laura, who lives in northeast Ohio, agrees.

I voted Mark Pukita. I almost voted Mike Gibbons. But I trust Mark most. I know hes for the people and has uncompromising principles, she explained.

I think Mike is a good guy too, but he is connected with wealthy businesspeople. Not that thats inherently negative, it just puts him at a higher risk of being compromised.

Some might say I threw away my vote for candidates who cant win. I think many of us are tired of repeating the definition of insanity and voting for the lesser of evils, Laura added.

The Ohio Republican Party has two factions. One is the establishment Republicans and the other includes patriots who are true conservatives, she said. The party needs to return to its true conservative roots.

The polls close in Ohio at 7:30 p.m.
Workers in protective suits keep watch on a street during a lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in Shanghai, on April 16, 2022. (Aly Song/Reuters)

Oil Prices Fall From China Worries, Support Comes From European Embargo

Crude oil prices declined on Tuesday trading due to demand worries from China and the countrys weak manufacturing activity data even though prices are getting support from a possible European Union ban on Russian oil.

Brent crude oil July futures were trading at $106.10 per barrel on May 3 as of 09:57 UTC after hitting a high of around $108.30 in the day. The current downward pressure on oil prices came due to concerns about Chinas COVID-19 situation. Several dozen Chinese cities continue to remain under partial or full lockdown due to COVID-19 cases and a strict zero-COVID policy by the Chinese regime.

With hundreds of millions of people being stuck in their homes, public consumption is getting negatively affected, forcing experts to scale down Chinas growth forecasts.

China is the biggest consumer of crude oil and any sign of weakening demand will negatively affect prices. The countrys capital Beijing is mass-testing citizens to avoid a lockdown similar to the one imposed in Shanghai during the past month.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the countrys April Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data on Saturday which turned out to be disappointing. Chinas April PMI fell to 47.7 in April from 49.5 in March, which is the second straight month of contraction.

This is also the lowest level since February 2020. PMI is a measure of the ongoing direction of economic trends in the manufacturing sector.

According to NBS, the COVID-19 disruption played a critical role in the decline of supply and demand in the manufacturing sector. Some companies face difficulties in key raw material and component supplies, finished products sales, and rising inventories, the NBS said, according to Reuters.

A survey of Chinese private businesses by media group Caixin showed that factory activity contracted at its steepest pace in 26 months. The export orders index slumped to its lowest level since June 2020.

Meanwhile, the European Commission is reportedly preparing a sixth package of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. This is lending support to oil prices. Expected to be proposed this week, the sanctions might potentially include an embargo on the purchase of Russian oil. Moscow accounts for 26 percent of the E.U.s oil imports.

The move to restrict Russian oil imports comes a week after the Kremlin cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria as the two nations refused to pay in Russian roubles.

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, E.U. energy commissioner Kadri Simson said during a news conference after a meeting of E.U. ministers on Monday, according to Reuters.

The European Commission might spare Slovakia and Hungary from the proposed Russian oil embargo as the nations are heavily reliant on Moscows fossil fuels. According to the International Energy Agency, Slovakia received 96 percent of its crude oil and oil products imports from Russia last year. For Hungary, the number was 58 percent.

Germany, the biggest purchaser of Russian oil in the Union has indicated that it might manage a Russian oil embargo. In 2021, Germany imported 35 percent of its crude oil from Moscow, a number that has fallen to 12 percent in recent weeks.
Tablets of the opioid-based Hydrocodone at a pharmacy in Portsmouth, Ohio, on June 21, 2017. (Bryan Woolston/Reuters)

Opioid Distributors Reach $518 Million Settlement With Washington State

Washington has reached a $518 million settlement with drug distributors McKesson Corp., AmerisourceBergen Corp., and Cardinal Health, ending a months-long trial over the companies alleged role in fueling the opioid epidemic in the state, the three companies announced on Tuesday.

McKesson will pay $197 million, while AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal will each pay $160.5 million.

Washington opted out of a $26 billion nationwide opioid settlement involving the three drug distributors and Johnson & Johnson (J&J). It would have received up to $417.9 million from McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen under that settlement, which was finalized in February.

The settlement is one of the largest in Washington State history, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a press release.

We could have joined the overwhelming majority of states and settled with the largest opioid distributors, but we chose to fight them in court instead, Ferguson said. That decision to take them to court will result in significant additional resources for Washington to combat the opioid epidemic. The state had accused the drug distributors of failing to prevent prescription pills from being diverted for illegal use during a trial which began in November before King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott in Seattle. Washington had sought $38.2 billion to fund treatment.

The distributors, who deny wrongdoing, said the settlement would provide meaningful relief to communities impacted by the opioid epidemic in the United States.

Opioid overdoses have caused more than 500,000 deaths in the United States over the past two decades, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Washington was among a handful of states to opt out of the $26 billion national opioid settlement, along with Alabama and Oklahoma. New Hampshire settled with the three drug distributors but not J&J, while West Virginia was not part of the national agreement because of a prior settlement between the state and the three drug distributors.

Alabama recently reached a separate $276 million settlement with McKesson, J&J, and Endo International Plc on April 18, avoiding a trial that was set to proceed against McKesson that day.

West Virginia settled the states opioid claims against J&J for $99 million on April 20. West Virginia counties are still pursuing lawsuits against McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Cardinal Health.

Florida and West Virginia are currently in the midst of opioid trials against other defendants. Florida is pursuing claims against Walgreens Boots Alliance, while West Virginia is pursuing claims against Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and AbbVies Allergan.

By Dietrich Knauth
The San Francisco skyline is seen from Treasure Island in San Francisco on March 31, 2006. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Pro-Life Spiderman Scales San Francisco Skyscraper in Abortion Protest

Maison Deschamps, a rock climber who goes by the name Pro-Life Spiderman, has free-climbed the 60-story, 1,070-foot Salesforce Tower in San Francisco to raise awareness of an abortion doctor accused by pro-life activists of conducting late-term abortions.

The mission is simple: destroy what is evil and protect what is innocent, the 22-year-old climber wrote on his Instagram account, in text accompanying a video from the tower.

Dr. Cesare Santangelo is the Washington, D.C., doctor who inspired the protest.

In March, D.C. police took five fetuses from the home of pro-life activist Lauren Handy, of the secular Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU).

In an interview with The Pillar, Handy claimed the fetuses came from the Washington Surgi-Clinic, operated by Santangelo.

Pro-life groups such as Live Action have asserted the fetuses may have been viable, making the abortions illegal.

D.C.s Metropolitan Police Department, however, has so far disagreed.

Those fetuses were aborted in accordance with D.C. law, so we are not investigating this incident along those lines. There doesnt seem to be anything criminal in nature right now about that, except for how they got into this house, and so well continue to look at that, said Ashan Benedict of the D.C. police at a press conference.

Dr. Cesare Santangelo is not in jail and there is currently no investigation, Deschamps wrote on his website.

The goal of this peaceful mission is to spread the word and get Dr. Santangelo put in jail.

Pro-Life Spiderman made his ascent just a day after the leak of a draft decision from the Supreme Court that could overturn Roe v. Wade.

It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives, Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the draft, which the Supreme Court has since confirmed to be authentic.

At approximately 9:21 a.m. officers were flagged down by citizens at a commercial building located on the 400 block of Mission St. regarding a person climbing the building. Officers observed a male on the side of the building several floors up from the street ascending on his own power, said SF Police Officer Robert Rueca in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times.

Rueca said Deschamps was arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest after he finished his climb at approximately 10:50 a.m.

Some in the media derided the feat, with the revived Gawker writing, Pro-Life Activist Tragically Survives Salesforce Tower Free Climb.

The May 3 event is not Deschamps first protest climb.

In 2021, he climbed the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas as a protest against Nevadas state mask mandate.

No more mandates, no more masks. People are suffering, he wrote in an Instagram post at the time.

According to his website, he is a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

UNLV has a record of a student by that name, who is a senior, said a UNLV spokesperson.
A recent proposed update to the Canada's Criminal Code will extend the Mounties' jurisdiction to the moon. As CBC reports:

In the Budget Implementation Act, under the subhead Lunar Gateway  Canadian crew members, the amendment reads: "A Canadian crew member who, during a space flight, commits an act or omission outside Canada that if committed in Canada would constitute an indictable offence is deemed to have committed that act or omission in Canada." That, according to the amendment, includes any act or omission committed on the [NASA-bakced orbiting space platform] Lunar Gateway, while being transported to or from the Lunar Gateway, or on the surface of the moon.

To be fair, there have only been 14 Canadian astronauts ever, period. But this law would have a potential impact beyond those 14 people, and their future country-brethren  it would also extend to citizens of other countries who commit crimes against Canadians, as Phys.org notes:

This would include crimes en route to or on the Lunar Gateway station currently in the works to orbit the moon, and also "on the surface of the moon," the document states. Foreign astronauts who "threaten the life or security of a Canadian crew member" on a Canadian-supported space mission could also be prosecuted, according to the ways and means motion.

The prospect that a nation-state could extend its legal jurisdiction to the bodies of any of its citizens even when they're literally not on the planet is deeply concerning, to say the least (though could certainly make for some fascinating sci-fi legal drama). The news comes as the Canadian space program is in the process of developing a robot arm for the Lunar Gateway, which is set to launch in May 2024.

At press time, Chairface Chippendale could not be reached for comment.

Canada wants to prosecute moon crimes [Rafi Schwartz / MIC]

Crimes on the moon could soon be added to Canada's Criminal Code [Mark Gollom / CBC]
Pro-abortion activists protest in response to the leaked Supreme Court draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, May 3, 2022. (Louis Chen/The Epoch Times)

Protesters Gather at Supreme Court After Leaked Abortion Ruling Draft

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Supreme Court building early Tuesday to voice their reactions to the leak of a draft ruling by the court, which signaled that the landmark abortion statue Roe v. Wade would be overturned.

One of the protestors, Patrick Mahoney, chief strategy officer for Stanton Public Policy Center, a pro-life organization, reacted to the leak of the draft opinion, calling it deplorable.

The Supreme Court should not be manipulated or politicized, he told The Epoch Times.

Patrick Mahoney, chief strategy officer for Stanton Public Policy Center, a pro-life organization speaks during the protests outside of the Supreme Court building in Washington, on May 3, 2022. (Emel Akan/The Epoch Times)

Regardless, he said, were thrilled about the decision.

We are thrilled that Roe v. Wade is coming to an end. We are thrilled that Roe will end up on the scrap piece of history, he added.

Abortion rights supporters, however, are upset by the ruling, which would put an end to federal protection of abortion rights and leave the decision to the states.

Tarah Demant, a director at Amnesty International, a global human rights group, reacted to the leaked decision, claiming that it will not stop abortion but instead lead to a significantly greater percentage of unsafe abortions.

Its an absolute travesty of human rights, she told The Epoch Times.

What this means is that theres going to be less access to safe abortion. Access to abortion is a human right, access to health care is a human right, she said.

Tarah Demant, a director at Amnesty International is among the protesters gathered outside of the Supreme Court building in Washington, on May 3, 2022. (Emel Akan/The Epoch Times)

Demant believes it is extremely unlikely that this decision will be drastically altered.

What the Supreme Court ultimately needs to know, she continued, is that the overwhelming majority of Americans support the right to abortion.

This isnt about the will of the people. This is about an extreme religious minority imposing their will on Americans, Demant said.

Americans are deeply divided about abortion, including its morality.

In May last year, the percentage of Americans who believe abortion is morally acceptable reached a new high of 47 percent, up from 36 percent in 2009, according to Gallup.

While popular support for legal abortion has risen and fallen over the last two decades, it has remained relatively stable in the last five years, according to Pew Research Center. A 2021 Pew survey found that 59 percent believed abortion should be allowed in all or most circumstances, while 39 percent said it should be outlawed in all or most circumstances.

Kate Hoeting, a member of Catholics for Choice, a nonprofit organization that advocates for abortion rights protests the court ruling outside of the Supreme Court building in Washington, on May 3, 2022. (Emel Akan/The Epoch Times)

Kate Hoeting, a member of Catholics for Choice, a nonprofit organization that advocates for abortion rights, stated that extreme Christians are attempting to erode fundamental human rights.

This is a case of a small number of white Christian men taking control of the government, she told The Epoch Times.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also spoke to pro-abortion protestors outside of the Supreme Court building.

We are going to fight back, Warren told her supporters.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) speaks to pro-abortion demonstrators outside of the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, on May 03, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Poor and young women, she said, would suffer the brunt of repealing Roe v. Wade.

I am here because I am angry. And I am here because the United States Congress can change all of this.

But not all progressives agree with Warren.

Kristen Turner, communications director for the group called Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising said many pro-life supporters are emerging among progressives.

Kristen Turner, communications director for the group called Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising during the protests outside of the Supreme Court building in Washington, on May 3, 2022. (Emel Akan/The Epoch Times)

There are millions of us not just progressive pro-lifers, but secular pro-life people as well who think that our progressive values must also include unborn people, Turner told The Epoch Times.

Turner, who resides in San Francisco, also stated that her own experience with sexual abuse influenced her decision about abortion.

Im really happy that I changed my mind. I think that our unborn human siblings deserve equal right to live.
Pelicans are released back into the wild at Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach, Calif., on June 22, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Red Tide Algae Bloom Off Coast of Newport Beach Harmful to Birds: Expert

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.A red tide algae bloom off the coast of Newport Beach is not particularly toxic to humans but can cause hypothermia and death in birds, according to a marine biologist studying the case.

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach alerted the public to the Newport Beach areas red tide April 25.

Red tides are dangerous for everything in the water, Debbie McGuire, executive director of the care center, said in a news release. If you see a bird or other animal in need of assistance, please contact Animal Control and notify a lifeguard nearby.

An algal bloom in Newport Beach, Calif. (Courtesy of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center)

The organization is on standby to receive and care for any animals affected by the red tide, McGuire said.

David Caron, an expert in marine sciences and University of Southern California professor at the Department of Biological Studies, told The Epoch Times algae blooms are fairly common along the California coast.

However, this bloom contains some materials that can affect bird feathers and cause harm.

The blooms come and go in their own timeframe and can last from a week to a few months. However, the red tide near Newport Beach has appeared much sooner than usual, according to Caron.

Were actually seeing this one fairly early now, Caron said. Its very difficult to predict the real details of when its going to show up which organism is going to bloom, and its not easy to predict how long it will stay.

One reason for the algae growth off the coast of Southern California could be coming from the human wastewater dumped into the ocean, according to a UCLA study released last year.

Cities along the coast continue to dump nitrogen-rich treated wastewater deep into the ocean. When the wastewater rises to the surface, it replaces ocean water that has been pushed away by wind, a process called coastal upwelling, according to the study.

This phenomenon allows algae to grow unnaturally fast, the study found.

Caron said the activity contributes to about 50 percent of the problem.

I would say that, yes, we are probably contributing to the issue but theres no direct and definite link that we are the only source of [the algae blooms], Caron said.

In late 2007, a similar massive red tide near Monterey, California, caused widespread seabird mortality. The same substance in that event, Akashiwo sanguinea, is also in the Newport Beach algae bloom, Caron said.

During the Monterrey event, birds were covered in a slimy yellow-green material on their feathers, which were saturated with water, causing them to become severely hypothermic, according to a USC study (pdf).
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) walks through the Senate subway during a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 16, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Republicans Demand Supreme Court Roe v. Wade Leaker Be Brought to Justice

Republican members of Congress on Tuesday demanded to know the individual who apparently leaked the draft Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, describing it as a violation of the law and a breach of the high courts process.

The breach of the Courts deliberative process  is an appalling affront against a critical institution and should be fully investigated and those responsible should be punished, said Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) in a statement, adding that he supports what was written in the leaked draft.

This entire kerfuffle has been brought about as a result of an unscrupulous person trying to subvert 235 years of tradition, trying to subvert the way the Supreme Court operates, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) told Fox News in an interview on Tuesday, releasing a statement Monday night that the Supreme Court decision is well-reasoned but described the leak as damaging and despicable.

I have questions about whether that person should ever be allowed to practice law. That something that will be worked out in due time. These are small circles. As a former Supreme Court clerk I can tell you there are very few people in the entire building who had access to the opinion, Lee added in his Fox interview.

And Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) wrote in a Twitter post that she has no doubt that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will attempt to root out the radical activist that betrayed the sacred tradition of the court, while adding that the leaker must be immediately removed from their position and exiled from the legal community.

A decision to overrule Roe v. Wade would lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states and could have huge ramifications for the 2022 elections. But its unclear if the draft represents the courts final word on the matteropinions often change in ways big and small in the drafting process.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, the draft opinion said. The draft was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush. The draft opinion in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

The Epoch Times could not immediately verify the authenticity of the draft report, which was published late Monday night by Politico.

We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the publics reaction to our work, Alito also allegedly wrote in the draft opinion, according to Politico.

A Supreme Court spokeswoman told AP the court had no comment. The Epoch Times has contacted the court.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Motorcycle riders of the Rolling Thunder Convoy parade through downtown Ottawa on April 30, 2022. (Dave Chan/AFP via Getty Images)

Rolling Thunder Event Cost $3M to Police, Says Board Chair

The Rolling Thunder motorcycle convoy that demonstrated in Ottawa over the last weekend cost an estimated $2.5 to $3 million to monitor, says the chair of Ottawas police services board.

Eli El-Chantry said that in light of costs to police the events, a sustainable plan is needed to deal with future protests, which he expects will continue.

We have to find a sustainable way to do this, El-Chantry said in an interview with CTV News. I will be working with the federal and provincial government to find a sustainable way for the future.

Rolling Thunder is a motorcycle rally supported by groups such as Veterans for Freedom and Freedom Fighters Canada, and many of the figures who played a key role in organizing the Freedom Convoy that protested in the capital earlier this year.

Organizers and participants said that one of the main motivations was to take back the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, around which a fence had been erected by authorities during the Freedom Convoy protests.

The events officially began on April 30 with a rally at the cenotaph, with speakers delivering speeches criticizing the way in which police managed the Freedom Convoy.

Drawing lessons from the Freedom Convoy protests, to prepare for the weekends events, Ottawa police called in more than 800 reinforcements from the RCMP and other police forces. They also blocked off highways and downtown streets to prevent any encampments.

By the end of the weekend, up to ten arrests were made, forty vehicles were towed and 760 tickets were issued, according to the Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa police said in a statement that the arrests pertained to various offences including breach of conditions and causing a disturbance. One woman was also arrested for assaulting police.

Tensions mounted between police and some protestors over the weekend but not on the same scale as the Freedom Convoy protests that rocked the capital in the winter.

For three weeks beginning Jan. 29, hundreds of trucks involved in the convoy parked around Parliament Hill to protest against the governments COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded by controversially invoking the Emergencies Act to remove them.

The costs associated with policing the Freedom Convoy were estimated at $35 million, which the federal government has said they would pay.
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the situation in the oil and gas sector at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, on April 14, 2022. (Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia Planning to Annex Parts of Eastern Ukraine in Mid-May: US Official

Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning to annex much of eastern Ukraine later this month, a senior U.S. official warned on Monday, citing highly credible reports.

Michael Carpenter, U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said during a press briefing that the United States is concerned with Russias political intentions in Ukraine, particularly those focused in the south and east.

What we are seeing right now is that Russias forces are regrouping and refocusing their effort on Ukraines south and east, and as we look at Russian planning it is also being refocused on Ukraines south and east, Carpenter said.

He added that U.S. officials have information that Russias initial planning included a plan for a forced capitulation of Ukraines democratically elected government as well as dissolution of local government structures. And that plan, to the best of our information, included plans not just for a new government in Ukraine but also for a new constitution.

Russian forces were unable to capture Ukraines capital city Kyiv and withdrew last month.

The ambassador said that the Kremlin would now likely stage sham referenda in the Russian-backed separatist territories of Donetsk and Luhansk sometime in mid-May to try to add a veneer of democratic or electoral legitimacy, something he said was straight out of the Kremlins playbook.

A similar referendum could follow in Kherson, southern Ukraine, where the Kremlin is reportedly attempting to organize a Kherson peoples republic, he said.

After the democratically elected leaders are removed, Russia would likely install the Kremlins puppets and proxies into those areas, he said.

Carpenter did not provide further details as to the origins of the reports but said that government officials are monitoring the situation very closely to see whether Putin may attempt to orchestrate such a move in the near future.

He also noted that the United States and its international allies would not recognize such a sham referendum, adding that fabricated votes will not be considered legitimate, nor will any attempts to annex additional Ukrainian territory.

Russia has not publicly commented on Mondays allegations.

Putin recognized the separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent of Ukraine just days before launching his special military operation on Feb. 24.

His decision came after the leaders of the two areas, which make up much of the Donbas, requested on Feb. 21 that he do so.

However, Russian-backed separatists in those regions have been fighting against the Ukrainian army since 2014, when they declared independence from Ukraine, at around the same time that Putin annexed the Crimean peninsula in a vote that has been widely condemned as fraudulent.

Elsewhere on Monday, Carpenter said that House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Ukraines capital where she met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent a clear message that the United States stands with Ukraine.

It underscores the strong bipartisan commitment of the American people to supporting the brave people of Ukraine who are standing up the Kremlins brutality, the ambassador said.

Pelosi and a delegation of U.S. lawmakers traveled to Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy while Congress works with the White House to pass a $33 billion aid package for Ukraine.
A Bitcoin sign is displayed outside a store where the cryptocurrency is accepted as a payment method in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Feb. 1, 2022. (Jose Cabezas/Reuters)

SEC Increases Size of Crypto Division to Protect Investors Against Fraud

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it has allocated 20 additional positions to the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit to protect investors in the cryptocurrency markets against fraud and related abuse.

As more investors access crypto markets, it becomes increasingly important to dedicate more resources to protect them, SEC chair Gary Gensler said in a May 3 press release. The addition of new positions takes the total number of posts at the crypto unit to 50 and will bolster ranks of its investigative staff attorneys, fraud analysts, trial counsels, and supervisors at the SECs headquarters in Washington as well as other regional offices.

The Division of Enforcements Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit has successfully brought dozens of cases against those seeking to take advantage of investors in crypto markets, Gensler said.

By nearly doubling the size of this key unit, the SEC will be better equipped to police wrongdoing in the crypto markets while continuing to identify disclosure and controls issues with respect to cybersecurity.

Since the unit was created in 2017, it has initiated over 80 enforcement actions related to fraudulent and unregistered crypto asset offerings and platforms. This has brought more than $2 billion in monetary relief.

The expanded Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit will focus on investigating violations of securities law in relation to crypto asset offerings, platforms, lending and staking products, stable coins, NFTs, and decentralized finance platforms.

According to Gurbir S. Grewal, Director of the SECs Division of Enforcement, retail investors are the ones who bear the brunt of abuses in the digital currency and blockchain niche. He expressed hope that the bolstered unit will be able to protect investors and ensure fair and orderly markets.

Expansion of staff at Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit comes almost eight months after Gensler told the Senate Banking Committee that the agency needed a lot more people to assess whether the 6,000 digital projects they identified can be categorized as securities under American law.

Currently, we just dont have enough investor protection in crypto finance, issuance, trading, or lending, Gensler told lawmakers in September. Frankly, at this time, its more like the Wild West or the old world of buyer beware that existed before the securities laws were enacted.

Among high-profile crypto fraud cases the agency has tackled, a recent one involved charging two siblings in March for defrauding retail investors out of over $124 million. The duo collected the funds through two unregistered fraudulent offerings of securities of a digital token called Ormeus Coin.

According to a Pew Research survey from September 2021, 16 percent of U.S. adults have personally invested in, traded, or used a cryptocurrency.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 3, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Senate to Vote Next Week on Codifying Roe v. Wade: Schumer

The Senate will vote during the week of May 9 on a bill that would codify a right to access to abortion into law if passed, the top Democrat in the chamber said May 3.

A vote on this legislation is no longer an abstract exercise. Its as urgent and real as it gets. We will vote to protect a womans right to choose. Every American is going to see where every senator stands. Which side are they on? Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

He was speaking hours after the Supreme Court confirmed that a published draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that ruled access to abortion was a constitutional right, was authentic, though the court also said it wasnt final.

The House of Representatives in September 2021 passed the bill, known as the Womens Health Protection Act.

All Democrats voted yes except for Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who joined all Republicans who cast votes in voting against the measure.

Senate Republicans and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) blocked the bill in the upper chamber in March.

Schumer said he has not spoken to Manchin. Asked why he would hold a vote on the bill when it would likely fail again, he said its a different world now.

The tectonic plates of our politics on womens choice and on rights in general are changing. Every senator now under the real glare of Roe v. Wade being repealed by the courts is going to have to show which side theyre on, and we will find the best way to go forward after that. But dont think that what happened two weeks ago will be exactly the same, he told reporters.

The legislation would need 60 votes to pass the filibuster. Republicans hold 50 seats in the Senate and few support any pro-abortion bills, much less one that would codify access to abortion in federal law.

I dont think he would have the votes, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told reporters on Capitol Hill, referring to Schumer.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), two of the few that do, introduced a separate bill earlier this year that would enshrine the right, while arguing their legislation did not go as far as the Democrat bill.

Schumer said he has not read the Republicans bill.

Manchin, meanwhile, told reporters that he still will not vote to get rid of the filibuster, which most Democrats support doing.

The filibuster is the only protection we have of democracy right now, he said. Ive always believed in protecting womens rights with the filibuster so you have to look at it, but the bottom line is we need checks and balances.
Workers in protective suits stand on a street during a lockdown in Shanghai on April 16, 2022. (Aly Song/Reuters)

Shanghai Lockdowns Used to Test Peoples Stress Tolerance Levels, Insider Says

Despite having Vice Premier Sun Chunlan overseeing the process of eliminating COVID from Shanghai, the situation has not been going as smoothly as Beijing would have expected.

With a population of 26 million people, Shanghai is now going into its fifth straight week of city-wide lockdown in accordance with Chinese leader Xi Jinpings Dynamic zero-COVID policy, an extreme and aggressive form of lockdown aimed to eliminate coronavirus transmission.

A resident behind barriers sealing off an area under lockdown in Shanghai on April 14, 2022. (Aly Song/Reuters)

However, with rising levels of public outrage and wide-scale tragedies caused by such extreme measures, some officials claim that the perplexing situation in Shanghai stems from its political significance to Xi.

The Epoch Times recently interviewed an anonymous official of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) who expressed the following views on the current situation in Shanghai, based on his knowledge of some inside information.

First, the extreme measures are to test peoples stress tolerance levels.

Beijing is preparing for an isolationist foreign policy, potential implementation of martial law, and epidemic concentration camps. The situation in Shanghai is to test the peoples reactions and the effectiveness of its policies in maintaining stability in China, the official said.

A general view shows a makeshift hospital that will be used for Covid-19 coronavirus patients in Shanghai on April 7, 2022. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Second, Lying flat officials (those who do nothing) could collapse the regime.

A declining economy causes less damage to the regime than CCP officials refusing to work more than the bare minimum required, which is what were seeing in Shanghai right now. Officials either refused to fully comply with Beijing, or they went far beyond what Beijing wanted.

Thirdly, Omicron cannot be eliminated, the official said.

Obviously, Omicron cannot be eliminated, just like how we never eliminated influenza. Its impossible, and everyone knows it wont happen. However, if we take the approach of coexisting with the virus, then it means Xis Dynamic zero-COVID policy was a failure. Thats the biggest problem.

A resident looks out behind a gate blocking an entrance to a residential area under COVID lockdown in Shanghai on April 13, 2022. (Aly Song/Reuters)

Fourth, Li Qiang, a member of the CCPs Politburo and current Party Committee Secretary of Shanghai, will have to bear the consequence.

The Shanghai municipal government did call the CCP State Council to set up an Epidemic Special Zone for the Shanghai outbreak. As the current Party Committee Secretary of Shanghai, Li would have to take the blame for all the extreme COVID-19 policies side effects, so he is trying to set up a special zone to enact a somewhat more flexible COVID-19 approach, the official said.
Straight out of 1984: NSW Ministers Criticize New Workplace Diversity Sessions

New South Wales government ministers have lambasted the new workplace behaviour advice, which banned the use of the word mate as straight out of 1984.

The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet conducted a series of Respect at Work training sessions this week, in which staff were advised not to consume alcohol in the office, yell at colleagues, banter, or gossip about co-workers.

Under the inclusion policy, the MPs were instructed to invite everyone in the office out for after-work drinks or lunch while work tasks must be fairly divided between senior and junior colleagues.

The training, which is led by an external diversity and inclusion consultant, will be run regularly to promote inclusive leadership, unconscious bias, cultural inclusion, and gender equity.

It also places emphasis on making sure the MPs know how to properly report allegations of sexual assault to the department.

The Respect at Work website, anticipated to be launched sometime this month, is predicted to have cost taxpayers over $260,000.

However, some ministers have described the Respect at Work seminars, which lasted three-and-a-half hours, as PC insanity and straight out of 1984, reported The Daily Telegraph.

Meanwhile, NSW Veterans Minister David Elliott told the Telegraph he was bothered by the alcohol ban as he kept a bottle of whisky in his office to placate my parliamentary colleagues.

The seminars were run by the Respect at Work Council, one of the government-funded programs to address sexual harassment in the workplace that has received $2.1 million in total funding.

The council was established after the Commonwealth Government released a Roadmap for Respect in March this year, which stated that the government will amend the Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) Act to require public sector organisations to report to the WGE Agency on gender equality initiatives.

The government also agreed to increase funding for Our Watch, which will lead a national campaign about sexual harassment and develop initiatives targeted young people that focus on sexual abuse as a form of gender-based violence.

According to the roadmap, the Workplace Sexual Harassment Council will be asked to work with the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Australian Press Council to support the victim-centred and gender-responsive responsive reporting on sexual harassment.

The Respect at Work training session comes after NSW treasurer Matt Kean pushed to implement gender quotas in NSW for corporations, including Sydney Water and Essential Energy.

The quotas, however, have been slammed by state party executive Alex Dore as an astounding betrayal of fundamental Liberal beliefs.

If the quota motions are successful, there will be no mainstream political party in Australia left to stand against the dehumanising instruments of collectivism. Who will remain to fight against identity politics when even the party of the individual has abandoned it? Dores said in an email obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger holds a press conference on the status of ballot counting in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 6, 2020. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

Subpoenas Issued in Georgia Ballot Trafficking Investigation

Georgia election officials last week issued subpoenas to obtain the identities of individuals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who may have engaged in the crime of ballot trafficking.

The offenses are alleged to have occurred in both the 2020 presidential election and the December 2020 U.S. Senate runoff election in Georgia.

Recipients of the subpoenas are the election watchdog organization True the Vote (TTV), the groups founder Catherine Engelbrecht, and the research contractors that worked on the 15-month investigation into illegal vote trafficking in Georgia and a half-dozen other swing states.

We presented our data a year ago to Governor Kemp (a Republican) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. They covered it up for seven months, alleged Engelbrecht in an April 30 television interview on Real Americas Voice.

The GBI told us they had no jurisdiction, Engelbrecht said.

We gave our data to the FBI in Atlanta. No response for seven months, she said.

We filed a full complaint with the Georgia Secretary of State in November of 2021. We heard nothing for six months. Finally, we got the subpoenas.

True The Vote founder Catherine Engelbrecht in an interview with Facts Matter, in April 2022, in a still from the video. (The Epoch Times)

In January 2022 Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, announced that an investigation into TTVs allegations was underway.

An investigative team from TTV used cell phone tracking, geo-fencing, and video footage to show that 242 mules collected thousands of absentee ballots from voters and made 5,668 stops at drop boxes in the metro Atlanta area in late 2020.

The data is supplemented by statements from a whistleblower who also shed light on a number of NGOs orchestrating and funding the unlawful effort.

Ballot harvesting was outlawed in Georgia in 2019.

The evidence provided by TTV is the basis of Dinesh DDsouzas new movie 2000 Mules, which is scheduled to debut the first week of May at theaters nationwide and on streaming services.

Ballot trafficking is the act of a third-party intermediary, called a mule, collecting an unlimited number of absentee ballots from voters and depositing them in ballot drop boxes for money.

Ballot trafficking and ballot harvesting eliminate any documented chain of custody for the ballots and the practice makes official oversight of the handling of the ballots impossible.

The elections in Georgia figure prominently in DSouzas latest documentary film, but the scope of the problem of ballot trafficking affects all of the battleground states.

OPSEC Groups Gregg Phillips conducted the geospatial investigation into ballot trafficking featured in Dinesh DSouzas 2000 Mules documentary to be released next week. (Screenshot/2000 Mules)

In addition to the 242 mules uncovered in Georgia, Engelbrecht said that TTV has documented the actions of 202 mules in Maricopa County, Arizona; more than 100 in Milwaukee, 500 in Wayne County, Michigan; and 1,000 in Philadelphia.

TTV recently announced that at least 137,500 absentee ballots were cast through unlawful vote trafficking throughout several of Wisconsins largest cities in the 2020 election.

Joe Biden won Wisconsin by 21,000 votes.

Gregg Phillips, a cyber expert working with TTV, estimates that 4.8 million votes were trafficked nationally based on studies conducted by his group in Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Michigan.

The numbers are staggering. In order to stay in power, officials in these states engaged in an absolute subversion of the election process. Fraud has been institutionalized, alleged Engelbrecht.

Engelbrecht believes politics may be playing a role in the recent issuing of the Georgia subpoenas.

It wasnt until the Trump rally held in Georgia (on March 26) that we saw some movement from the GBI, she said.

U.S. President Donald Trump at a rally at the Banks County Dragway in Commerce, Georgia, on March 26, 2022. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)

The subpoenas were issued just weeks ahead of the May 24 primary, where Raffensperger is facing a stiff challenge from Republican Congressman Jody Hice, a vocal critic of Raffenspergers conducting of the 2020 elections.

Raffensperger provoked the ire of some Georgia Republicans when he administered the mailing out of absentee ballot applications to every registered voter in the state of Georgia in 2020.

Raffensperger maintains the 2020 elections in Georgia were conducted legally and fairly.

He also has spoken against the suggested decertification of the states 2020 presidential election results due to alleged cheating by Democrats.

Hice has been an outspoken advocate for decertification and for more robust election reform in Georgia.

According to a recent poll by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the University of Georgia, Hice, who has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, is in a statistical tie with Raffensperger.

In the four-person race, Raffensperger is polling at 28 percent and Hice has 26 percent, with 37 percent undecided.

The remaining 8 percent is divided between the other two Republican candidates.

Mail-in Voting Bodes Ill for Republicans

One hundred fifty-nine million people voted in the 2020 presidential election.

According to the United States Elections Project, in that election, 101 million people voted early in some way35.8 million people voted early in person, and 65.6 million cast mail-in ballots.

As of November 23, 2020, there were 26.6 million absentee ballots that were still outstanding.

Across the country, the percentage of mail-in votes cast broke in favor of Democrats in 2020 by huge margins.

For example, in Georgia Biden got 65 percent of the absentee votes to 34 percent for Trump.

In Pennsylvania Biden received 76 percent of the absentee votes to 23 percent for Trump.

15.4 million, or 87 percent of the votes cast in California, were cast somewhere other than a traditional polling place, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Biden defeated Trump in California by over five million votes.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks during a press conference in Atlanta, Ga., on Aug. 10, 2020. (Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)

Through a process she calls lawfare, Engelbrecht said Democrat-dominated states have steadily worked to change state election laws in order to dramatically increase the use of mail-in voting even prior to the pandemic.

She voiced her displeasure with the incumbent Republicans seeking reelection that are presiding over the upcoming midterm elections in Georgia, including Kemp, Raffensperger, and Attorney General Chris Carr.

They have publicly torched our data. They have done whatever they could to delegitimize our work, alleged Engelbrecht.

A state official has tried to intimidate our contractors by warning them that there may be no more state contracts, she said.

Its either fix 2020 or we have no hope for 2022, she added.
Former twice-impeached president Donald Trump may have rushed his three SCOTUS picks, but he did manage to find poker-faced nominees who were as savvy in the disinformation department  especially on the topic of how they think  as the rest of the GOP.

Here's what they said, in part, when asked about Roe V. Wade during their confirmation hearings (as seen in video below):

Amy Coney Barrett: "How would you define super precedent?  Roe doesn't fall in that category, and scholars across the spectrum say that doesn't mean that Roe should be overruled"

Brett Kavanaugh: "It is an important precedent of the Supreme Court. By "it" I mean Roe V. Wade and Planned Parenthood vs. Casey, been reaffirmed many times. Casey is precedent on precedent, which itself is an important factor."

Neil Gorsuch: "The Supreme Court of the United States has held from Roe V. Wade that a fetus is not a person for purposes of the 14th amendment  That's the law of the land. I accept the law of the land. Yes!"

Of course these are the same three justices, along with Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas, who "voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision," as reported by Politico on Monday based on a leaked initial draft majority opinion written in February by Alito. And you can bet anti-freedoms rulings such as this are just getting started.
Supreme Court Has Decided to Overturn Roe v. Wade, Leaked Opinion Suggests

A newly published majority draft opinion penned by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito suggests the nations top court has decided to strike down Roe v. Wade, the seminal precedent that in 1973 wrested the regulation of abortion from the states and made the procedure lawful throughout the entire United States.

The 67-page opinion, along with a 31-page appendix, was published on May 2 by Politico.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, Alito states in the document.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, Alito writes in the document, which is labeled as the opinion of the Court. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

The draft begins: Abortion presents a profound moral issue on which Americans hold sharply conflicting views. Some believe fervently that a human person comes into being at conception and that abortion ends an innocent life. Others feel just as strongly that any regulation of abortion invades a womans right to control her own body and prevents women from achieving full equality. Still others in a third group think that abortions should be allowed under some but not all circumstances, and those within this group hold a variety of views about the particular restrictions that should be imposed.

Politico said it received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in a pending challenge to a Mississippi abortion law, along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

The Supreme Court later confirmed the authenticity of the document but said the leak was a betrayal and will be investigated. The court also said the draft does not represent a decision by the court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.

Justices often change their minds in deliberations as they attempt to win over other members of the court to their point of view.

The circulation of the document constitutes an unprecedented breach of Supreme Court protocol.

Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, who said he opposes Roe being reversed, told Fox News he couldnt recall a Supreme Court opinion ever being leaked to the media.

I have a theory, and its only a theory. I think this was leaked by a liberal law clerk who was trying to change the outcome of the case, either by putting pressure on some of the justices to change their mind, or by getting Congress to pack the court even before June, which is very unlikely, or to get Congress to pass a national right-to-abortion law, which would apply to all the states, Dershowitz said.

The influential SCOTUSblog website weighed in on Twitter, writing on May 2 at 9:07 p.m.: Its impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin.

The draft opinion is on the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, court file 19-1392, a challenge by the only state-licensed abortion clinic in Mississippi to the states Gestational Age Act, which allows abortions after 15 weeks gestation only for medical emergencies or severe fetal abnormality. Citing Roe, lower courts held the state statute was unconstitutional.

As The Epoch Times reported five months ago, during oral arguments Dec. 1, 2021, the Supreme Court seemed generally open to the possibility of answering Mississippis call to scuttle Roe v. Wade.

Roe v. Wade is an egregiously wrong decision, Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart said during oral arguments, appearing to foreshadow Alitos words in the draft document.

Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey haunt our country, Stewart said, referencing Roes companion ruling from 1992, which held states cant impose significant restrictions on abortion before a fetus becomes viable for life outside the womb, somewhere around the 24-week gestation mark.

They have no basis in the Constitution. They have no home in our history or traditions. Theyve damaged the democratic process. Theyve poisoned the law. Theyve choked off compromise. For 50 years, theyve kept this court at the center of a political battle that it can never resolve. And 50 years on, they stand alone. Nowhere else does this court recognize a right to end a human life.

The Dobbs case is the first direct challenge to Roe in the high court since Justice Amy Coney Barretts appointment on Oct. 26, 2020, gave the courts nominally conservative wing a 63 majority. Some conservative court observers argue the conservative-to-liberal split is more like 5-4 because they consider Chief Justice John Roberts to be a moderate or even a liberal because he frequently sides with liberal justices when the court seems on the verge of overturning a precedent disliked by conservatives. Barrett replaced the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died the previous Sept. 18.

Ginsburg was a defender of abortion but she spoke out about the problems she saw with the Roe decision. For example, at a May 11, 2013 appearance at University of Chicago Law School, she said her criticism of Roe is that it seemed to have stopped the momentum on the side of change. It would have been better if abortion rights had been brought about more gradually, preferably in a process that included state legislatures and courts, she said. Roe isnt really about the womans choice, is it? Ginsburg said. Its about the doctors freedom to practiceit wasnt woman-centered, it was physician-centered.
Supreme Court Leaker Should Be Found, Punished: McConnell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) decried the unknown leaker of a majority Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade, and demanded that the perpetrator be found and punished for the breach.

In a story first reported by Politico, it was revealed to the public that SCOTUS had decided by a 54 majority vote to overturn the standards for abortion laid out in Roe v. Wade, which has long been a cultural rallying point for both pro-life and pro-abortion activists.

Last nights stunning breach was an attack on the independence of the Supreme Court, McConnell wrote in a statement shared on Twitter. By every indication, this was yet another escalation in the radical lefts ongoing campaign to bully and intimidate federal judges and substitute mob rule for the rule of law.

Following the leak, President Joe Biden, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) decried the opinion.

We do not know whether this draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the Court, the White House said in a statement.

But assuming the statement is true, Biden continued, a womans right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.

[If] the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.

We will be ready when any ruling is issued.

Congressional Democrat leaders also blasted the decision, if accurate.

If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty yearsnot just on women but on all Americans, Schumer and Pelosi wrote in a joint statement. The Republican-appointed Justices reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.

In his own statement, McConnell decried Democrats focus on the content of the decision rather than on the unprecedented breach of confidence by the leaker, and demanded further investigation and punishment of the one responsible.

The disgraceful statements by President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer refuse to defend judicial independence and the rule of law and instead play into this toxic spectacle, McConnell said. Real leaders should defend the Courts independence unconditionally.

This lawless action should be investigated and punished as fully as possible, he continued. The Chief Justice must get to the bottom of it and the Department of Justice must pursue criminal charges if applicable.

All nine Justices should tune out the bad-faith noise and feel totally free to do their jobs, following the facts and the law where they lead, McConnell concluded.

Shortly after McConnells statement, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement calling the leak a betrayal and said that the matter would be investigated.

To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, Roberts wrote, it will not succeed, adding that the work of the Court will not be affected in any way.

Roberts also said he directed the Marshal of the Supreme Court to carry out an investigation into the leak and the individual who leaked it to the press. Should the leaker be identified, its not clear what punitive actions will be taken against them, although Roberts said the leak could be considered a significant breach of trust.

Minutes after the documents leaked on May 2, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) expressed similar sentiments to McConnells but went a step further, saying that the leak was part of a left-wing effort to pressure the court into changing course.

Although the court had not confirmed the authenticity of the draft opinion at the time, Hawley told Fox News during a May 2 appearance: I have to tell youit sounds real to me.

The leak, Hawley added, is plainly an attempt by the left to try and change the outcome in this case and corrupt the process, and the court must not allow that to happen.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Swiss National Bank Opposed to Holding Bitcoin as a Reserve Currency

ZURICHThe Swiss National Bank is against buying and holding bitcoin as a reserve currency, Chairman Thomas Jordan said at the central banks annual general meeting on Friday.

Buying bitcoin is not a problem for us, we can do that either directly or can buy investment products which are based on bitcoin, Jordan said. We can arrange the technical and operative conditions relatively quickly, when we are convinced we must have bitcoin in our balance sheet.

But from the current perspective we do not believe bitcoin meets the requirements of currency reserves, thats why we have until now decided not to have bitcoin on our balance sheet, he added.
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)

Tension Between Mandel, Vance Rises as Ohioans Head to the Polls

Ohio and Indiana kick off the primary season on May 3 in a year when all U.S. House seats and 35 U.S. Senate spots are open, and control of both chambers is on the line.

In Ohio, former President Donald Trump endorsed first-time political candidate J.D. Vance in the crowded GOP U.S. Senate primary on April 15. The stamp of approval propelled Vance into the lead in polling after his campaign had stalled behind former Ohio state treasurer and state representative Josh Mandel and Cleveland investment banker Mike Gibbons for several months.

Ohio State Sen. Matt Dolan, former Ohio Republican Party chairwoman Jane Timken, central Ohio entrepreneur and activist Mark Pukita, and Columbus businessman Neil Patel are also in the GOP pool.

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 poll conducted April 29 to May 1 showed Vance on top of 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.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Matt Gaetz joined J.D. Vance at a No BS Tour town hall in West Chester, Ohio on April 30. (Everitt Townsend)

Last weekend, Vance was joined on the campaign trail by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).

The three America First platform proponents and staunch Trump allies promoted Vance as a political outsider who will fight against the establishment and stand up for working Ohioans.

Gaetz reminded audience members at Vances town hall in West Chester, Ohio, on Saturday that Trump endorsed the Hillbilly Elegy author and venture capitalist partly because of his proficiency in debates.

J.D. Vance put on a clinic in the debates. Donald Trump saw those debates. He saw the way J.D. was aggressive and assertive, and he had vision and energy, Gaetz said. This is the type of leadership we need. This is the type of leadership that Marjorie and I seek in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Mandel at his rallies last weekend.

Im confident were going to win the primary, Mandel said at a rally at church in Kettering, Ohio, on April 29. Weve done something that no Senate candidate or governor candidate in Ohio has ever done before. Rather than running the campaign through traditional Republican Party groups, weve run our campaign through churches.

The mantra of our campaign is pastors over politicians, Mandel added. Weve got this army of Christian warriors throughout the state who are going to come out in droves and propel us to victory.

Mandels campaign has focused on a pro-God, pro-Trump, and pro-guns platform. When asked if he was disappointed about not getting Trumps endorsement, Mandel said he will work with President Trump in the general election.

Were going to be working together to beat Tim Ryan, beat the Democrats, but more importantly, were going to work together to advance the America First agenda, Mandel said. Were going to stand up, and were going to welcome every corner of the Republican Party and every corner of the state of Ohio to join our campaign.

Sen. Ted Cruz spent last weekend stumping for Ohio GOP U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel at Faith and Freedom rallies in Ohio. (Photo by Everitt Townsend)

Cruz said Mandel is a proven leader who has been elected multiple times, unlike Vance.

I think Republican primary voters are tired of rolling the dice and not knowing what theyre going to get, Cruz said. If you look at Joshs record, hes got the strongest conservative record of standing and fighting for conservative principles.

Vance has been widely criticized by opponents for harsh comments he made about Trump in 2016. Greene and Gaetz said that is in the past and Vance would be an ally for them in Congress.

This is the whole reason why I endorsed J.D. early on, because I know hes a business guy, hes a family guy, Greene said at the West Chester, Ohio, town hall. He cares about traditional values that Americans want desperately Congress to care about.

At campaign stops, Vance often explains how his viewpoint of Trump evolved over time.

You know what? Facts change, Vance said. I saw the corruption that exists in this country. I saw Donald Trump as the only person in either party fighting against it, and Ive been a huge supporter of Trump for the past several years.

I just think you have to tell the truth. Right? A lot of people change their mind on Donald Trump, and Im one of them, Vance added. A lot of our voters dont mind so long as youre just honest with them.

Backing from pro-Trump conservatives like Greene, Gaetz, and Hawley along with Donald Trump Jr. and former president himself sends a signal that Im not going to stab our voters in the back, Vance explained.

A lot of Republicans stabbed Donald Trump in the back on core issues like trade, immigration, and foreign policy, Vance added. We need to send senators and representatives who will fight for the America first agenda. When I get to Washington, I will be an ally to those advancing the America First platform.

Ohio GOP U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance answers a reporters question at a town hall stop in West Chester, Ohio on April 29. (Photo by Everitt Townsend)

Tension between Mandel and Vance escalated after Trumps April 15 endorsement.

Club for Growth, a PAC that is backing Mandel, aired a television ad incorporating clips of Vance bashing Trump and calling himself a never-Trump guy.

Trump is getting it wrong with J.D. Vance, a man in the ad says.

The same ad also claims Vance said that people who voted for Trump voted for him for racist reasons. A man adds, Where does he get off saying that?

The ad took Vances statement out of context and misrepresented his conclusion on the matter. In an appearance at the University of Chicagos Institute of Politics on February 3, 2017, Vance said:

Race definitely played a role in the 2016 election. I think that race will always play a role in our country. Its just sort of a constant fact of American life. And definitely some people who voted for Trump were racist, and they voted for him for racist reasons.

I always resist the idea that the real thing driving most Trump voters was racial anxiety or racial animus partially because I didnt see it, right. I mean, the thing that really motivated people to vote for Trump, first in the primary, and then in the general election was three words  jobs, jobs, jobs, right.

Its very easy for somebody like me to watch the sources of news that I watch and to only see the really offensive stuff that Trump did, replayed over and over again. But if you go to one of his rallies, its maybe 5 percent him being really outrageous and offensive, and 95 percent him talking about here are all the things that are wrong in your community, heres why theyre wrong.

And so, its just, it strikes me as a little bizarre to chalk it up to sort of racial animus because one, the country is less racist now than it was 15 years ago, and we werent electing Donald Trump 15 years ago, and two, thats just, that wasnt the core part of his message. And that wasnt what a lot of his voters were really connecting with.

Vance responded to the Club for Growth ad by proclaiming that Mandel and his allies have declared war on President Trump and the entire MAGA movement.

Mandel used to be a pro-China establishment hack, and then he was a Tea Party Patriot, and then he was America First, Vance said. Now, having been rejected by Trump after begging for his endorsement, Mandel has returned to his roots with millions of dollars from the pro-China Club for Growth propping up his failing campaign. There is a war for the soul of the Republican Party, and Im proud to be on the side of President Trump.
CHICAGOIts considered one of Shakespeares problem plays, which is why the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, always appreciating a challenge, decided to mount Alls Well That Ends Well.

Why is it considered a problem play? Because it presents characters who are seriously flawed, but that is also what makes it a comedy. In fact, if the characters werent as flawed as they are, the play wouldnt be as funny.

Those flaws, though, under Shana Coopers insightful direction, are happily overcome. Indeed, this revival is so entertaining and humorous that its problems can easily be discounted.

Flawed Characters

The plot, which was taken by Shakespeare from a tale in Boccaccios Decameron (13491353) and written by him around 1602, is a simple story in which the girl chases the boy.

Helen is a young woman madly in love with Bertram, an aristocrat. She is the daughter of a well-known doctor but thats not enough for Bertram to take an interest in her, especially since he believes that she belongs to a lower social class. Helen, though, is not deterred.

Indeed, maybe Bertrams rejection of her makes her want him more. Since Shakespeare was such a keen observer of human nature, he realized that one of the qualities of human frailty is that forbidden fruit is often more appealing than that which we can easily obtain.

Helen is so determined to marry Bertram that she follows him to the court of the King of France. She convinces the king, who is very sick, that she can cure him of his illness with one of her physician fathers potions.

She succeeds in restoring the king to health, and in return he allows Helen to choose any husband she wants. She picks Bertram, who refuses her, which angers the king, and has Bertram fleeing the court to join the military.

The Soldier Lords (visible, LR) Patrick Agada, Joseph Aaron Johnson, and Casey Hoekstra venture to the wars in Italy in Alls Well That Ends Well. (Liz Lauren)

Shakespeare gives the character of Helen one of the best lines in the play: Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie. She believes she is in control of her own fate and has the power over her destiny.

Bertram, however, is a more difficult personality. His father has died, and the young man is so lost that he makes one bad choice after another. Of course, since this is not a tragedy but a comedy, Bertram and Helen come together by plays end.

Alejandra Escalante as Helen administers a miraculous cure to Francis Guinan as the ailing King of France, under the watchful eyes of Jacob Mundell (R) as the Kings Attendant in Chicago Shakespeare Theaters production of Alls Well That Ends Well. (Liz Lauren)

Minimalist Backdrop

Its also a delightful show because of its enchanting stagecraft.

The action takes place against a minimalist backdrop of chandeliers, and lovely curtains of aqua and white by set designer Andrew Boyce. The lighting by Adam Honore bathes the show in a golden hue, and the music and sound by Paul James Prendergast give a fairytale feel to the production. Adding to that is Raquel Barretos modern-day costuming in which men wear tailored business suits and battle fatigues, and women are in gowns and dresses.

The most compelling moments of the show, though, are the energetic poetry-in-motion scenes. Choreographer Stephanie Martinez comes through with original dance sequences, representing an army drilling, marching, and in battle, which are riveting.

Another reason for the success of this revival is due to its ensemble of players. Alejandra Escalante is terrific as the plucky, determined Helen who is going to get her man no matter how much rejection she has to face. She has us on her side from the moment she looks up at Bertram with puppy-dog eyes and a wistful sigh in his presence.

Dante Jemmott as Bertram is believable, but its a bit more difficult to root for his character since he is a snob and a cad, until almost the end of the play when he finally gives in to Helen.

Young Bertram (Dante Jemmott, C) rejects a royal decree, as Helen (Alejandra Escalante) holds back the incensed King of France (Francis Guinan, R), and Rinaldo (Joseph Aaron Johnson, L) looks on, in Alls Well That Ends Well. (Liz Lauren)

Bertrams mother, the Countess of Rossillion, is given a wonderful turn by Ora Jones, who is always a treasure in every work she is in. She shines especially with the memorable Love all, trust a few, Do wrong to none.

In addition, theres the always charismatic Francis Guinan as the King; Mark Bedard as the fast-talking, flamboyant Parolles, a friend of Bertram; Elizabeth Ledo who is a hoot as Lavatch, the Countesss jokester; and William Dick, as a suffer-no-fools-gladly Lord.

By the time the curtain comes down you will have had such an enjoyable time that you will have forgotten that Alls Well That Ends Well is supposed to be a problem play.

Alls Well That Ends Well

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

800 E. Grand Ave. on Navy Pier, Chicago

For information: 312.595-5600 or visit ChicagoShakes.com

Runs: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Closes: May 29, 2022
These Mandates Are Wrong: Post-Secondary Students Lawsuits Challenging COVID-19 Mandates Make Way to Court

Legal challenges see setback with case against McMaster University dismissed

Cases are beginning to make their way into the courts from legal action initiated by college and university students across Canada after their schools started imposing COVID-19 policies, particularly those including mandatory vaccination.

But the court challenges just saw a setback in late April, when an Ontario court dismissed a case filed by four students at McMaster University in Hamilton after the school denied their requests for religious exemption from its vaccine mandate.

The four were among some believers in faith communities who oppose vaccines whose development involved the use of cell lines grown in a laboratory based on cells of aborted fetuses.

Their lawyer, Jorge Pineda of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, said in an earlier interview that the university decided that there is no connection between the vaccine and the religion, which in my view is patently false.

Following the cases dismissal, Pineda explained in an email that the core issue was whether the university was correct to take the position that objections to aborted fetal cell tissue in the vaccine testing process did not have a nexus with religion.

And because the court declined to exercise jurisdiction to rule on that core issue, he said that issue has not been resolved.

In its decision, the court said the cases underlying claim is that McMaster breached Ontarios Human Rights Code (HRC) by violating the students rights to be free from discrimination on the basis of creed. However, it said this claim should be made to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario [HRTO] at first instance, not to this court.

This dismissal followed the students move to amend their case by removing several of its original claims, including notably the claims that McMasters decision violated their rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Ontarios HRC. This turned the case into a narrow application for judicial review of the universitys decisions not to grant the exemption requests, the court said, adding that abandonment of those charter and HRC claims made much of the provided evidence irrelevant and inadmissible.

And while it said it has jurisdiction to do a judicial review (JR) of the schools decisions, it should decline to do so since there is another more appropriate process for ruling on the claim.

Pineda says that ultimately, I think our decision to bring a JR rather than a human rights complaint served our clients well for a number of reasons, some of which I cannot disclose due to confidentiality.

He said his clients could now appeal the court decision or pursue the case further at the HRTO. We have yet to make a determination with our clients, he said.

The Lawsuits Are Important

Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University, is also facing litigation. A group of at least 17 students has retained legal counsel to contest what they say has been unjust de-enrolment because of the schools COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

The Student Learning Centre at Ryerson University, renamed Toronto Metropolitan University in April 2022, on Yonge Street in Toronto in a file photo. (Colin Woods/Shutterstock)

Curtis Heinen was halfway through his four-year bachelors degree in urban and regional planning in October 2021 when he created ryersonaction.com, a website to recruit students like himself who could not or would not comply with the universitys approach to COVID protocol, including mandatory vaccination.

Im not going to disclose any status to any institution because these mandates are wrong, Heinen told The Epoch Times. I ended up having to live through a barrage of emails and harassment, and then ultimately a de-enrolment on Dec. 15.

The plaintiffs, Heinen said, have a variety of reasons for being part of the litigation. From being denied exemptions, to not taking a COVID vaccine, to protecting their privacy, they have all been removed from the university enrolment list.

Like McMaster, Toronto Metropolitan suspended the vaccine mandates on May 1.

According to a statement on the Toronto Metropolitan website, the school is continuing to monitor the impact of COVID-19 and will be nimble in responding to changes, and in planning for the future. The university may need to reinstate requirements for vaccinations and masks in indoor settings should public health indicators change.

Heinen doesnt believe the lifting of vaccine mandates will ultimately help students.

That doesnt mean theyre going to keep them lifted, he said. Its a temporary suspension, so thats why we think the lawsuits are important.

Small, Humble, Provocative Step

Another student who has joined the lawsuit at Toronto Metropolitan is Alexey Makarov. He feels he has done his research both on the schools vaccination mandate and its defence of its COVID policy. Makarov told The Epoch Times that he is eager to see the case go to court.

A building at Western University in London, Ont., in a file photo. (HnSCarbone/Shutterstock)

For me, I objected on a statistical basis because the vaccination is arguably more dangerous and the adverse events are more dangerous than the risks of COVID itself, he said.

Ill be very curious to see what the (schools) response will bewhat kind of evidence they bring to the table in terms of the whole lawsuit, because the statistics are not on their side, and the Human Rights Code is not on their side.

At Western University in London, Ont., the stance that engineering student Harry Wade took made headlines after two of his arrests on campus went viral. Getting arrested became necessary when his conscience compelled him to be vigilant against what he saw were clear breaches of his human rights, Wade said in an interview.

But his stance forced the school to address a situation it wasnt prepared for when he continued returning to the campus despite multiple arrests, he said.

I decided things were going to get worse before they got better as they started rolling out the vaccine mandate, he said. So I said, whatever may come, I have to go back and make my stand. They brought the line closer to infringe on my freedom, so much so that it became an issue of the vaccine. So I took my small, humble, provocative step across that line.

Still, with three civil charges for trespassing and one criminal charge for mischief, Wade said he suspects Western will force him to wait out the charges well into 2023, when his resistance will be forgotten and his only souvenir will have been a brief enrolment at the school.

My own view is that theyre going to sit on it, because in the 18 months they have to confront it, it will expire, he said. So many things are going to change in that time, that none of those charges are going to matter. There might be worse charges and maybe worse news to confront, I believe, so it doesnt really matter to them about prosecuting me. The important thing is that I stopped going to campus.

The Epoch Times requested comment from Western but did not hear back.

For the Rights and Freedoms of All Canadians

In New Westminster, B.C., business student Leo Hendriks made his first court appearance on April 26, facing charges of mischief and loitering after refusing to wear a mask at Douglas College as specified in the schools COVID-19 Safety Plan. A dozen strangers joined him at his hearing to lend support.

Hendrikss trial will be heard May 11. But the damage has already been done, he told The Epoch Times. The school has suspended him for a year and deregistered him past the eligibility date for tuition reimbursement. And if he wins his case, he doesnt want to go back.

Its just getting more and more corruptboth the school and the school system, he said.

Some of his supporters spoke to The Epoch Times about their fear of how COVID restrictions have moved the countrys dividing line between personal freedom and government overreach, and how overreach would encroach further if the court cases side with the schools.

Jasmine Piao, having recently completed university herself, managed to skirt most of the mandates she opposes. But she said her attendance at the court was necessary.

Were here for democracy, and I really think Leos here to stand up for the rights and freedoms of all Canadians, Piao said. I think what hes doing is not only noble, but he needs the support of people to know that we agree and were going to support him.

The Epoch Times sought comment from Douglas College but did not receive a reply.

Regardless of the court decisions in these cases, Pineda doesnt think society will fast-track toward strong, universal restrictions or completely abandon them. He believes the outlook on the issue remains uncertain.

I dont know if theres a strong enough connection between these university policies and what might happen in other institutions. Its probably too distant from what might happen to come to any conclusions, he said.

Editors Note: This story has been updated from the original version to reflect the decision by the Ontario court to dismiss the case filed by the McMaster University students against their school.
A top mathematics degree-holding genius student was found to actually have no brain according to doctors who examined him. Despite his lack of gray matter, he is able to live well and has an IQ of 126. This begs the question: how does the brain work?

In 1980, Science magazine published an article that described this shocking phenomenon. This was a genius student who graduated with honors, had an IQ of 126, and totally normal cognitive and social function.

His doctor noticed that his head was slightly larger than the average persons, and this prompted him to give the student a CAT scan, and the results made him do a double take.

A normal persons brain has a thickness of about 4.5 centimeters, and many studies correlate a thicker brain with higher intelligence. However, this students brain was found to be only 1 millimeter thick. He was essentially without a brain.

Actually, this students circumstances are not unique to him alone.

Inside a normal persons head, there is a left brain, right brain, as well as cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid is a transparent fluid that circulates around the cerebrum and spine. But for some people, their cerebrospinal fluid does not circulate normally, and it actually accrues in the brain, resulting in hydrocephalus, or fluid build-up in the brain. The brains other constituent parts, under the weight of the fluid, become thinner and thinner, resulting in 50 to 90 percent of the brains components to thus be replaced by the fluid. This makes it so such people appear to not actually have a brain.

The pediatrics department at University of Sheffield in England is one of the largest for spine care in the world. Professor of neuroscience John Lorber was an expert on hydrocephalus, and had conducted systematic research on an array of pathological cases. He has done research on over 600 hydrocephalic infants, some cases light, some heavy. In the heavy cases, 95 percent of the brain was occupied by water. But he discovered that in the most severe case of hydrocephalus, there was a surprising surplus over 50 percent of infants with IQ over 100. This of course meant that their lives and studies were not different from regular people. These so called no-brain people are really interesting.

Where Exactly Do Peoples Thoughts Come From?

These people afflicted with fluid build-up and acuity of brain size not only have normal social skills, but also incredible academic achievements. Even though Professor Lorbers research didnt prove that humans dont need a brain, it did prove that a person can function and live normally even when their brain is very small, or practically non-existent, and they can even have very high intellects.

Peoples thoughts, recognitive ability, and wisdom seemingly dont come from the brain. This really makes people think: where do peoples thoughts come from?

A lot of neuroscientists, upon seeing Lorbers work, have proposed there may be an unseen brain or a brain in a deeper realm or dimension, and that the functions of the brain originate from a place that is not limited to just the surface of the brain.

Professor of Anatomy at London University Patrick Wall said: For hundreds of years, neurologists have always considered peoples thoughts to originate from the brains surface level. But in actuality, a lot of these functions may originate from a deeper level, and not just from the surface.

Harvard Neuroscientist Norman Geschwind thinks that it is undeniable that the deeper structure of the brain is integral to many functions of the body.

Professor of Biology David Bowsher from the University of Liverpool posits that it is almost certain that the brain has some deeper structures and mechanisms that are advanced and important than those recognized today.

As for the no-brain cases, Professor of Biology and Chemistry Donald Forsdyke brought up in the year 2015 that thoughts are potentially able to exist in a very microscopic form that is smaller than atoms, but that this form that they exist in is still unknown to biologists and biochemists. Perhaps they are stored outside of our bodies. Of course, to speak of memories outside the body, we are touching upon a concept that is still a little abstract: The soul, or spirit.

The Unseen Body?

In 1963, the Nobel Health prize winner Australian neurophysiologist Sir John Carew Eccless considered peoples thoughts and brain itself to be two separate entities. There is an unseen and immaterial thought that exists within the brain, and that thought control the brain to initiate action. However, when the physical brain dies, this unseen body and unseen brain still continue to exist, and can perform action and show signs of life.

There are also some scientists who have done some research on some bodies that were near death, including those that were published in the about the massive earthquake event in Tangshan in China. The researchers all found, when some people were near death, and their brains were not active, they were able to clearly analyze and perceive everything that was happening around them, and were even able to observe their own bodies from outside of their bodies. This made them believe that humans, in addition to having a physical body that physical eyes can observe, also have a unseen body that exists. And that body which is not seen can extricate itself from the existing physical body.

Yet there were these recent cases: Some people afflicted with the coronavirus had 2 percent of their brains damaged, and as a result were unable to function or take care of themselves. But, when the people who had hydrocephalus were living with nonexistent brains, they were functioning quite normally, and were able to take care of themselves quite well. What is the reason for this?

The key in these studies could perhaps lie in whether the unseen body, or the deeper brain, was damaged.

Modern medicines research of disease can only observe the human body composed of cells and molecules. In the last 200 years, the school of physics has discovered that atoms are separable, and that electrons, atomic nuclei, neutrons, and neutrinos exist. But using modern day medical apparatuses, such as microscopes, CT scan machines, B ultrasound, and X-rays, we can still only detect the level of molecules in the human body. If, for instance, the future humankind could detect more microscopic matter with a more powerful microscope, perhaps we would be able to detect and observe deeper into the depths of human existence.

Humankinds understanding of the brain is still very limited, and its very possible that the brain is a mysterious and not-understood mechanism that simply has an effect when we are thinking.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
True The Vote founder Catherine Engelbrecht in an interview with Facts Matter in April 2022. (The Epoch Times)

To Ensure Trust in 2024 Election, Re-Register All Voters After Midterms, Says Fraud-Tracker

There's no reason we cant use blockchain

After the upcoming midterm elections, all 3,006 counties in the 50 states and territories across the United States should scrub their voter rolls clean and require voters to re-register in order to cast ballots in the next election, urges True the Votes Catherine Engelbrecht.

Doing so is a sure-fire way to enhance the integrity of the 2024 election result, Engelbrecht said, who has been advocating for election reform for more than a dozen years since founding True the Vote (TTV), a Texas-based nonprofit dedicated to exposing and remedying voter fraud.

Its totally realistic to have a reset of voter rolls in every state by the 2024 election, she said. Dirty voter rolls are the gateway to fraud. Clean voter rolls are the foundation of free and honest elections.

But dont hold your breath, Engelbrecht said: not only does every state have its own rules for when voters must re-register or update their registration, but they also have their own regulations regarding voter roll audits, as well as cadres of elections law attorneys who make a living keeping the system as complicated and convoluted as possible.

What will limit any reset (of registered voter rolls) is lawfare, she said. The tactic de jour is to bury these kinds of election integrity efforts in lawsuits, to bury organizations like ours in lawsuits.

That is unfortunate, Engelbrecht added. If we can get that done, the strength that will come from that will mitigate a lot of the other nonsense. All we can do is keep pressing on and reminding ourselves of what is at stake.

TTV is, indeed, pressing on. According to its recently published 15-month study of election results and voter rolls in Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Michigan, the group estimates that at least 4.8 million votes were illegally trafficked during the 2020 election.

Part of those projections is based on geospatial analyses of cell phone traffic developed by Gregg Phillips of OPSEC Group LLC, based in Birmingham, Alabama.

In Georgia, for instance, according to Phillips analysis, cell phone traffic showed that 242 individualslikely ballot-harvesting muleswere within 100 feet of a dropbox 5,668 times in the weeks before the January 2021 runoff election for both of the states U.S. Senate seats.

That TTV investigation is the topic of Dinesh DSouzas Mules documentary, which opens in 300 theaters on May 2 and May 4.

Filmmaker Dinesh Dsouza gives his perspective on election issues. (Screenshot from NTD News)

This investigation would never have seen the light of day without Catherine, Phillips said.

After coalescing in 2009 to challenge outdated voter registration rolls and train poll workers in Harris County, which includes the Houston metro area, TTV gained national recognition in 2012 when it joined Americans For Prosperity and other conservative groups in reviewing nearly one million signatures in Republican Gov. Scott Walkers recall election, claiming only 584,489 were valid. Walker survived the recall anyway.

As with Phillips development of an algorithm to analyze phone location and traffic in its 2021 ballot-harvesting investigations, TTV created its own proprietary software to audit registered voter databases for a decade ago.

Manned by volunteers, the group pours through voter rolls in states, matching them with drivers license records, property records, and other databases to streamline a verification system that resulted in 2012 lawsuits filed in Ohio and Indiana that forced officials to clean up voter rolls.

Nevertheless, Engelbrecht said, even after a decade of on-again, off-again election integrity efforts, especially in Republican-led legislatures, she knew the 2020 election was ripe for fraud.

The areas you have to watch are always the samedirty voter rolls, inaccurate voter rolls, she said, noting that all the election integrity bills mean little if you are putting bad data in motion.

Of course, there were other things that happened in 2020 to exacerbate issues related to the bad data in registered voter rolls, Engelbrecht said.

Residents drop mail-in ballots in a ballot box outside of the Tippecanoe branch library in Milwaukee, Wis., on Oct. 20, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

It is widely known and accepted that mail-in-ballots are the most vulnerable to fraud, and the new player on the field in 2020 were dropboxes on a mass scale, she said. And the infusion of private money that set in motion all manner of things, including drop boxes that were not well-regulated and not monitored, as officials said.

Toss in dirty voter rolls and that was a one, two, three knock-out punch, Engelbrecht said of transparency in the 2020 election results. The calculus was played out with precision and massive impact.

The nations future depends on how Americans restore faith in their electoral process before the next presidential election, she noted. She added that shes relieved there has been no violence in the wake of a stolen election.

Thank God America continues to be an example to the world in that groups like TTV are still pursuing the truth, and we will be a stronger nation as a result, sje said. That is what I am fired up about.

Election Integrity Efforts

Catherine Engelbrecht, founder of True the Vote. (Courtesy of Catherine Engelbrecht)

In the two years since the 2020 election, election integrity reform has been enacted in fits and starts in state legislatures, with Republican-led Georgia, Texas, and Florida taking action to address the illegality of ballot-harvesting, Engelbrecht said.

Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are trying to move forward through the courts or the Legislature to get rid of the drop boxes, which is great, she added. People are waking up. I am very encouraged.

A decade ago, Engelbrecht was known as the voter fraud lady from Texas, and not many, especially elected officials, were eager to hear from her.

Now, the voter fraud lady from Texas is very much in demandso much so that Engelbrecht no longer stages poll watcher training across the country or conducts seminars on elections law. Both programs are available on TTVs website and used by a constellation of volunteer-manned local grassroots groups.

She said that now, there are so many groups engaged in election integrity, with much focus on training.

If we helped create that template and other groups are now doing it, its awesome.

Learning the intricacies of state election laws is essential to understanding how fraud can be inherent in the process and how ballot harvesting has become a profitable business in some urban areas across the country, Engelbrecht said.

The challenges that we face are layered and deep and granular. There is a deep and twisted learning curve in understanding the election process. Things are not what they seem, she said. There are all sorts of alleys and trap doors.

She said it takes patience, triple-checking data, and always one-step-at-a-time reverse-engineering everything to gain traction.

You have to learn to be strategic and practical, Engelbrecht said. So to me, Im most grateful that America is now aware and asking tough questions. The most challenging question is, the most important point of all of this is, What do we do?

What Do We Do?

Engelbrecht encouraged her fellow Americans of all political persuasions who want transparent voting systems to continue lobbying for overhauls of voter registration rolls and urged voters to stay in contact with their state lawmakers.

The reality is, the key is activism  being part of the process. It will result in an engaged electorate, a united America, Engelbrecht said. We have to knead ourselves back together. We need two parties. We need parity and faith in the elections process.

And that is not a partisan issue, Engelbrecht said. I talk with kinds of people, and well collaborate with any group that supports free and fair elections. We need to stand up and remind ourselves that there are more of us than those who oppose election reform, she said.

Blockchain Solutions

A graphic rendering of the blockchain technology. (Nico El Nino/Shutterstock)

If she had her way, Engelbrecht said she would employ technology to enhance election integrity to a greater capacity than it is used now.

Blockchain, its transparent and still secure, Engelbrecht said, adding that the emerging technology affords individual anonymity, state sovereignty, and personal liberty.

If you move in that direction, you can employ more efficiencies, she said. There is no reason why we cant use technology. Blockchain can prove residency and citizenship in real-time. As a distributed ledger, you dont have to worry about being registered in more than one place.

However, Engelbrecht said she doesnt expect serious discussions about adopting such systems anytime soon.

As with purging voter rolls after each election cycle, cost and access are cited as prohibitive, but the real reason for rejecting innovation is that the status quo works for the incumbents who represent entrenched interests that sustain the system, she said.

If elections are really the cornerstone of our democracy, Engelbrecht said, no expense should be spared in ensuring the sanctity of the vote.
Conservative MP Karen Vecchio rises in the House of Commons in Ottawa on May 28, 2021. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Tory MPs Press Liberals on Travel Vaccine Mandate as Tourism Season Opens

Several Conservative MPs pressed the government Tuesday to lift its vaccine mandate in transportation as millions of Canadians currently arent allowed fly.

Argentina, Costa Rica, Denmark, Hungary, Jamaica, Thailand, Mexico, Norway, and Poland. These are a few of the many countries that have ended all their vaccine mandates. Even citizens of Cuba, a country with an interesting connection to the prime minister, have more freedom to travel than Canadians, said MP Arnold Viersen during question period.

However, the Liberal government maintains one of the most restrictive vaccine regimes around the world. On what day will 7 million Canadians get to fly again?

Cubas borders were closed during much of the pandemic but they reopened in December.

My honourable colleague never agreed with any of the public health measures we put in place, he never supported vaccine mandates, responded Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, who was interrupted by shouting.

How do you know that? an unidentified MP yelled out in the House.

Alghabra said the measures are temporary and the government always relies on public health experts for its decisions.

Let me just say to my honourable Conservative colleagues, they cant on the one hand agree that vaccines save lives and on the other hand call them vindictive measures. That doesnt add up, he said.

The acrimony surrounding this topic was notable during other exchanges, with one Conservative MP using a pun to call the NDP-Liberals liars.

Blaine Calkins said provincial governments in charge of health care have removed many restrictions, yet the federal government, which is not responsible for that sector, is still implementing workforce and travel restrictions.

Canada has virtually the only government in the world thats doing this. Why are these NDP-Liberals such out-liars, Calkins said, taking a deliberate pause between syllables.

Calkins was reprimanded by the Speaker and he had to reframe his statement.

Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos responded that Canada has achieved one of the lowest COVID-19 death rates in the world. If that is called an outlier, were very proud of that.

Duclos didnt specify what data he was using for his statement. COVID-19 deaths are reported differently by each country.

The website Our World in Data shows that in the category of total deaths per 1 million, Canada is bested by 46 out of 54 African countries. Canada ranks almost equally with Denmark, as a comparable Western country, and the death rate in the United States is three times higher.

Three other Conservative MPs raised the vaccine mandate in transportation issue during question period, with some focusing on the lifting of restrictions in many countries ahead of the tourism season, and another on the impact on families.

Canadians are unable to travel to see their ill relatives or attend funerals. Constituents continue to not being able to see their mothers or fathers or siblings or grandparents who are suffering from illnesses, said Karen Vecchio.

Duclos brought up the United States for comparison, saying how they incurred more deaths due to lower vaccine uptake: 135,000 lives lost because in the other country, they had a lower vaccination rate. That  is not only a personal but also a social tragedy.

The Canadian government is taking a slow and incremental approach to lifting restrictions on travel, announcing measures affecting mostly the vaccinated individuals in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, a number of cases will be heard in federal court in the coming weeks seeking to strike down the federal vaccine mandate in transport on the basis of lack of scientific justification and unconstitutionality.

Cases involve former Newfoundland Premier Brian Peckford and PPC Leader Maxime Bernier, and another involves businessmen Karl Harrison and Shaun Rickard of B.C. and Toronto respectively.
Trucker Convoy Files Lawsuit Against Washington for Blocking Access to City

Members of The Peoples Convoy trucker group that has protested against COVID-19 rules filed a lawsuit against officials in Washington, D.C., for what they said was a violation of their First Amendment rights.

Washingtons Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), they wrote in the suit, erected blockades to prevent them from entering the city. Sixteen members and organizers of the convoy joined the lawsuit, which was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

MPD formed the blockades for the sole purpose of preventing American citizens from entering our nations capital to exercise their constitutionally protected right to free speech, their lawsuit stated. Of course, such action under color of state law violates Plaintiffs First Amendment rights.

The lawsuit also said that the plaintiffs are hardworking Americans who went to Washington to lawfully exercise their First Amendment rights in protest of the current administrations continued state of emergency declaration and COVID-19-related policies.

But when they attempted to enter Washington, they discovered the MPD had formed blockades to deny them from entering the city, according to the suit.

The blockades were not the result of construction, auto accidents, or even scheduled road closures, the lawsuit said, adding that the move led to the deaths of two people who crashed a car into one of the blockades. Those deaths, the plaintiffs argued, were entirely avoidable and tragically, foreseeable.

After the convoy protesters demonstrated throughout March, an organizer announced the group would leave Washington and go to California to demonstrate against Californias COVID-19 rules. Their protest was inspired by a Canadian trucker movement known as the Freedom Convoy, which protested for weeks in Ottawa against COVID-19 mandates. In response, the Canadian government took unprecedented action against the truckers, including shutting down bank accounts as critics accused the government of engaging in draconian, tyrannical measures.

I think stopping those is more important at this point in time than getting the emergency declaration repealed because thats already in place, and we need to stop stuff like these bills from getting in place, convoy organizer Mike Landis told reporters in late March. Otherwise, the rest of us that dont live in California are going to end up subject to the same situation.

The lawsuit is asking the district court to make the local government grant the truckers access into the District of Columbia without interference so they can protest.

According to the suit, the plaintiffs are from California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nevada, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Arlington, Virginia-based attorney Michael Yoder is representing them.

The Epoch Times has contacted Mayor Muriel Bowsers office for comment.
BryLin Behavioral Health System is closing its outpatient clinic in Amherst amid financial struggles that worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic, pushing the longtime provider to focus on its core inpatient mental health treatment programs within its flagship Buffalo hospital.

The closure of the Behavioral Health Center, located across two suites at 531 Farber Lakes Drive, means the end of BryLin's outpatient mental health programs for children, adolescents and adults as well as its outpatient addiction clinic for adolescents and adults.

"It was not an easy decision to make," BryLin President and CEO Eric Pleskow said in a statement Tuesday, confirming an announcement circulated among staff last week.

The outpatient site serves hundreds of people, who are being notified and encouraged to attend all scheduled appointments. The outpatient clinic will not close until all patients have been linked to other community providers.

The move also will affect 35 employees. The company said it is working to find those employees jobs within BryLin or with other local organizations.

BryLin has not yet submitted a Prior Approval Review application to the state Office of Mental Health, which is legally required before an agency can close and transfer its outpatient mental health services to other community providers, Office of Mental Health spokesperson James Plastiras said.

The planned closure comes at a time when advocates and providers are calling for more resources to respond to a mental health crisis that worsened during the pandemic. For example, the pandemic has upended the experiences at home, school and in the community for children, leading the U.S. surgeon general in December to issue an advisory "to highlight the urgent need to address the nation's youth mental health crisis."

The need for addiction services also has increased. Opioid-related deaths in Erie County last year rivaled the all-time yearly high for overdoses reached in 2016, moving the opioid drug crisis back to the forefront of public health concerns after years of pre-pandemic declines.

Millions of dollars flow to WNY to fight addiction as overdose deaths rise at alarming rate Overdose deaths have risen sharply each year since the Covid-19 pandemic struck. The state and region will soon be receiving millions of dollars that will be earmarked toward addiction prevention and treatment as a result of a pharmaceutical lawsuit settlement

BryLin's closure of outpatient services is sure to affect the community, especially with the increased demand for services, said Melinda DuBois, executive director of Mental Health Advocates of Western New York. While it will be difficult and take time for patients to establish a new relationship with another provider, DuBois believes Western New York's lineup of providers will be able to step up and meet the need. Many, however, already are busy.

"More providers are needed, not less, and I just hope with more funding and more effort and more awareness on mental health and substance abuse, we'll be able to grow the number of providers," she said. "Luckily in Buffalo, we have a lot of resources."

A major issue, DuBois noted, is many providers are having difficulty finding workers, which is why she's confident the affected workers at BryLin will be able to land new jobs if they don't shift to new roles at the company's Delaware Avenue hospital.

BryLin is currently negotiating a new contract with its workers' union, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, and how those talks conclude could indicate how many outpatient employees move over to the hospital, said Mark Nowak, BryLin's marketing director.

BryLin, a for-profit operator owned by the Pleskow family, said it could not "keep up, on an outpatient basis, with the funding that other local nonprofit outpatient clinics receive." By that, Nowak explained, BryLin means that it does not receive the same kind of grant and deficit funding as other community providers.

During the pandemic, Nowak said the company's hospital revenue was increasingly covering the losses created by the outpatient clinic, which wasn't sustainable. BryLin Hospitals did, however, get some federal relief during the pandemic. Records show it received $437,638 from the Provider Relief Fund and about $2.4 million from the Paycheck Protection Program, which helped it retain 253 jobs early in the pandemic.

"Covid has kind of done a number on our operations, as you can imagine," Nowak said.

BryLin, founded in 1955, opened its Behavioral Health Center in 2013, with its first outpatient mental health program for adults. A year later, it consolidated by moving its outpatient addiction treatment clinic from the Georgetown Square Plaza to Farber Lakes Drive.

As the pandemic began in March 2020, BryLin announced it was opening its first outpatient child and adolescent mental health program at the Farber Lakes Drive site.

Once the outpatient site closes, BryLin will focus all of its efforts on its inpatient mental health programs at its hospital.

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByJonHarris.

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Former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally at the I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska on May 1, 2022. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Trump Appeals for Halt of Daily $10,000 Contempt of Court Fine

Former President Donald Trump has asked an appeals court to suspend his $10,000-a-day fine for contempt of court after New York judge Arthur Engoron last week denied a request to reverse it.

Engoron ruled in April that Trump violated a court order by missing a March 31 deadline to hand over documents in response to a subpoena served on him by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) as part of an ongoing investigation into the business practices of his family company, the Trump Organization.

Engoron kept in place the fine on April 29 despite a request from Trumps lawyers, stating it was due to his failure to comply with the subpoena issued by the state attorney general, Letitia James.

Trump, who has hinted that he might run for president again, is appealing the contempt finding.

In a phone interview with Bloomberg on Monday, the Republican branded the judge in the case unfair.

We have a judge that frankly has been unbelievably unfair, Trump said. Weve given millions and millions of pages and he says, give more, give more, always give more.

Engoron said on Friday that he was not satisfied with an affidavit provided by Trump attesting to his and others inability to locate documents sought by the OAG, CNBC reports.

Those affidavits, the judge said, were not sufficient to purge Trump of being held in contempt.

Trumps lawyer, Alina Habba, asked a New York appeals court to pause the fine, which she called patently improper and impermissible by law.

She also insisted that her client doesnt have any personal records that are responsive to the subpoena, which includes all of Trumps mobile phone records, documents from Trump Tower in Manhattan, and all electronic devices issued by the Trump Organization to Trumps executive assistants.

Trump did exactly what was required of him: Appellant (and his representatives on his behalf) performed a diligent, thorough and comprehensive search for all of the documents and items called for in the subpoena and provided complete and accurate responses to the OAG, Trumps lawyers said in a filing.

New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference in New York City on June 11, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

New York Attorney General Letitia James has previously said that her office has found significant evidence indicating that the Trump Organization used fraudulent and misleading asset valuations on multiple properties to obtain economic benefits, including loans, insurance coverage, and tax deductions for years.

James, a Democrat, also claimed that Trumps children, Donald Trump, Jr., and Ivanka Trump have all been closely involved in the transactions in question, adding that We wont tolerate their attempts to evade testifying in this investigation.

Trumps organization has already handed over more than 6 million pages of records as part of the subpoena, according to Bloomberg, however, the state has said he still needs to review his own records, including those of his cell phones among others.

Trump told Bloomberg in Mondays phone call that Jamess case against him was politically motivated.

The Epoch Times has contacted a spokesperson for James for comment.

Trumps lawyers last week filed a sworn affidavit in which he said he didnt turn over subpoenaed documents to the AOG because he doesnt have them. But the judge said that was insufficient.

Simply put, Appellant has made extraordinary efforts to comply with the OAGs subpoena which not only satisfy but far exceed his obligations by law, Habba said in Mondays filing.

Given these circumstances, it is unconscionable and indefensible for Appellant to be held in contempt in any manner, must less at the inordinate expense of $10,000 per day.
Russian submarines at a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus on September 26, 2019. (Maxime Popov/AFP via Getty)

UK Analyst Says Nuclear Tsunami Threat Could Be Propaganda Weapon

A British defence analyst says an underwater robot drone showcased on Russian state television on May 1 could just be a propaganda weapon and could even be a red herring.

Russian television presenter Dmitry Kiselyov, who is known to be close to President Vladimir Putin, showed a video of the Poseidon nuclear weapon and said it could create a tsunami that would destroy the British Isles.

Kiselyov said: What will happen after [Prime Minister] Boris Johnsons words about a retaliatory strike on Russia? Why do they threaten vast Russia with nuclear weapons while they are only a small island? A single launch, Boris, and there is no England anymore. Once and for all. Why do they play games?

Tim Ripley, a defence analyst and author of Little Green Men: The Inside Story of Russias New Military Power, said the video had first been shown before by Putin himself in 2018 when he revealed the Poseidon drone and a number of other super weapons.

Russias President Vladimir Putin, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Nikolai Yevmenov attend the Navy Day parade in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on July 25, 2021. (Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via Reuters)

He said satellite photographs from the White Sea port of Severodvinsk show a Russian submarine that has been modified in order to be able to carry the Poseidon drone.

Ripley told The Epoch Times: But its believed that this is just a test bed. There are other submarines in the sheds at Severodvinsk which are believed to be a class that could carry it but they have not even gone in the water. This is a weapon that appears to be an aspiration of the Russians.

Its In President Putins Dreams

He added: Its in President Putins dreams but whether it can sail across the Atlantic and blow up New York harbour we dont know. I would put it in the same class as the Nazi wonderweapons.'

Britains armed forces minister James Heappey said he was not rattled by the threats made on behalf of Putin and said NATO can outgun him and outnumber him.

Ripley said: Russia may be a superpower but it does not have a bottomless pit of money to spend on these things. They already have the Satan 2 missile. How much do you need?

Putin claimed the Sarmat (Satan 2) missile was tested last week and was capable of firing 12 warheads and he said it would provide food for thought for those who try to threaten Russia and interfere in the Ukraine conflict.

Kiselyov claimed a strike by the Poseidon drone could trigger a 1,600 foot (500 metre) high tidal wave and plunge Britain to the depths of the ocean and turn it into a radioactive desert.

He said the submarine carrying the weapon would approach the target at 200 kilometres per hour (124 miles per hour) and one kilometre (0.6 miles) under the surface.

The North Sea is on average around 700 metres deep, compared to the much deeper North Atlantic Ocean and the video shown on Russian state television indicated that it would be fired from off the Scottish and Irish coasts.

Theres No Way Of Stopping This Underwater Drone

Kiselyov said: Theres no way of stopping this underwater drone, which has a yield of 100 megatonnes.

That would make it 3,000 times as powerful as the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

A man looks over the expanse of ruins left by the explosion of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945. (AP Photo)

Ripley said: In theory, and this is schoolboy science, if you detonate a thermonuclear weapon under the ocean you will vaporise a vast area of water and cause the water to collapse into itself, creating a tsunami.

But he said: The thing that mystifies people is that they call it a robot or drone, which implies it can be controlled like a UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] but nobody has yet come up with a way of communicating with a device underwater so you cant interact with it. It just doesnt work. The science does not exist.

Ripley said the only way the Russians could control the drone and guide it to its final target was by putting a satellite above it and he said: That immediately gives away its location.

Threat Of Nuclear Conflict

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said recently the threat of a global nuclear conflict should not be underestimated.

The U.S. Navy is developing its own underwater drones but it is far more secretive about the programme.

In 2016 the Pentagon demanded the Chinese navy returned an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) which was seized in the South China Sea. The UUV belonged to the oceanographic survey vessel USNS Bowditch.

Ripley said since the end of the Cold War it had gone out of fashion to show off your nuclear weapons but Putin is bucking that trend.

A lot of it is pushing the boundaries of science, its deeply mysterious and it could just be a propaganda weapon or just something to send people off in the wrong direction. Are they trying to confuse us? said Ripley.
Ukrainians who are fleeing war-torn eastern cities wait at the Lviv train station for onward travel, in Lviv, Ukraine, on March 24, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

UK Government May Be Sued Over Delays for Ukrainian Refugees

The British government, in the shape of the Home Office, is facing a lawsuit over bureaucratic delays to arranging visas for refugees from the conflict in Ukraine.

In March the Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched by the government, which promised to take in thousands of Ukrainian refugees, who would be housed with British families who would be paid 350 a month.

But at least 800 Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Slovakia, and Romania are still waiting for their visas to be processed by the Home Office and a number of British sponsors who had offered their homes have threatened to bring a class action lawsuit for the inordinate and unreasonable delays.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, interviewed on ITVs Good Morning Britain programme, said: We have done a huge amount to help Ukrainian women and children in the area but were now seeing large numbers come to the UK. So far, 86,000 visas have been issued and 27,000 are already here and I want to say, thank you27,000 is a lot and its growing fast and I want to pay tribute to all those who are helping to look after Ukrainians.

Could we have done it faster? Yes, perhaps we could, he added.

Johnson said Britain had decided against offering visa-free travel to Ukrainians because some might be pretending to be refugees.

Its important to protect the system from those who might want to abuse it, he added.

Vigil 4 Visas and Taking Action Over the Homes for Ukraine Visa Delays, the groups representing the British sponsors, said the delays had put considerable pressure and strain on the hosts.

Amanda Jones, an immigration lawyer who is representing the group, said one refugee, who had been offered a home by Rebecca Lewis, a 44-year-old teacher from Marlow, Buckinghamshire, was made to wait until the Home Office granted visas to her children, who are aged 4 and 5.

A UK government spokesman said: In response to [Russian President Vladimir] Putins barbaric invasion we launched one of the fastest and biggest visa schemes in UK history. Over 86,000 visas have been issued so Ukrainians can live and work in the UK.

The changes the Home Office has made to streamline the visa system, including simplifying the forms and boosting staff numbers, are working and we are now processing visas as quickly as they come inenabling thousands more Ukrainians to come through our uncapped routes, he added.

PA Media contributed to this report.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the Ukrainian Parliament in Kyiv via video link on May 3, 2022. (PA Media)

UKs Johnson Hails Ukraines Finest Hour, Predicts Victory Against Russian Invasion

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed Ukraines resistance against the Russian invasion as the countrys finest hour and has expressed confidence that Ukraine will prevail in the war and be free.

In a speech to the Ukrainian Parliament delivered via video link on May 3, Johnson also confirmed the UK will send a package of support worth 300 million ($375 million) to Ukraine in the coming weeks.

This was the first address to the Ukrainian Parliament by a world leader since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion on Feb. 24.

Ukrainian MPs stand for the national anthem before UK Prime Minister Boris Johnsons address to the Ukrainian Parliament in Kyiv, on May 3, 2022. (Verkhovna Rada/PA Media)

Ukrainian MPs in the chamber could be seen holding Union Jack and Ukrainian flags, in a show of gratitude towards Britain, which has emerged as one of the countrys staunchest allies in its war effort.

Johnson told the lawmakers: I have one message for you today: Ukraine will win. Ukraine will be free.

He said the Ukrainians have exploded the myth of Putins invincibility and have written one of the most glorious chapters in military history.

The so-called irresistible force of Putins war machine has broken on the immovable object of Ukrainian patriotism and love of country, he said.

Echoing the words of Winston Churchill, Johnson said, This is Ukraines finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come.

He said the Ukrainian resistance has exposed Putins historic folly, the gigantic error that only an autocrat can make.

He said Putin is sowing the seeds of catastrophe, for himself and for his country.

Putins mistake was to invade Ukraine, and the carcasses of Russian armour littering your fields and streets are monuments not only to his folly, but to the dangers of autocracy itself, Johnson said, adding, What he has done is an advertisement for democracy.

Johnson expressed regret over Western leaders failure to protect Ukraine against Russia in the past.

He said that Ukraines allies must be humble about what happened in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and the conflict began in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

The truth is that we were too slow to grasp what was really happening, and we collectively failed to impose the sanctions then that we should have put on Vladimir Putin, he said.

He vowed that we cannot make the same mistake again.

The prime minister told Ukrainian lawmakers that the UK will supply the country with Brimstone anti-ship missiles and Stormer anti-aircraft systems in the coming weeks.

He said the UKs new package of support includes radars to pinpoint the artillery bombarding your cities, heavy lift drones to supply your forces, and thousands of night vision devices.

He added, We will carry on supplying Ukraine, alongside your other friends, with weapons, funding, and humanitarian aid, until we have achieved our long-term goal, which must be so to fortify Ukraine that no-one will ever dare to attack you again.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Union College Student Booted for Rejecting Vaccine Booster After Having Serious Side Effects

A pre-med biology and Spanish language student of Union College in Upstate New York was unenrolled and given 3 days to pack up and leave for refusing to get a COVID booster shot, after she experienced serious adverse reactions from a second Pfizer vaccine jab.

Diamond Puentes values her education a lot, she is a first-generation student who comes from a low-income household and was on an academic scholarship.

I had no prior health issues before the vaccine. After getting it, I had side effects immediately. I ended up in the ER and I continue to have symptoms since then. And so when the school mandated the booster, I was reluctant to get it. I sent the school out an email letting them know my concerns: I ended up in the ER, Im still sick from it. I sent my paperwork from the ER, they denied that. I talked to my doctor, my doctor told me it was ill-advised [to get the booster], nothing that I was saying was going to be accepted by the school, Puentes told The Epoch Times, audibly distressed.

Ive just been expelled. Ive been unrolled from classes, not permitted on campus anymore. I got kicked out of housing, she added.

Screenshot of Diamond Puentes email (courtesy of Diamond Puentes)

She is suffering to this day from constant nausea that sometimes leads her to vomiting, chest pains, and shortness of breath.

Puentes didnt know that there were going to be side effects from the vaccines.

It was mandated by my school, I had to get [the vaccine]. So it wasnt something that I had a choice in and at that point [since] I value my education. That is my goalto get back to college.

I got sick right away. It wasnt stopping and then sharp abdomen pain, Puentes said. I had no idea what was going on. I ended up in the emergency room. I was there for four, six hours at least. And doctors couldnt give me a diagnosis, [as to] why I got this sick.

They just diagnosed with gastritis but they had no idea why it came.

Puentes got her first Pfizer dose in August and then got a second dose in September of last year.

Just the other day I wake up randomly just puking and I dont know what the cause of that is, and then on top of that, I have shortness of breath. I cant work out like I used to. Im getting chest pains where this never happened prior to the vaccine. And I dont know whats going on!

She said she now has to deal with these health problems nearly every day.

The puking happens more often than I would say the diarrhea and the shortness of breath.  I get these sharp pains in my chest and even my immune system, I believe, has just gone down. Ive been more sick than Ive ever been.

Ive been doing a lot more research now. And I saw the nine pages of adverse reactions that Pfizer released, and the symptoms I have are written all over that.

At the beginning of January, the FDA was ordered to release its first large batch of documents related to Pfizers COVID jab trials, of which over 10,000 of about 450,000 pages have been made public so far.

From the first day of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine rollout on Dec. 1, 2020, through Feb. 28, 2021, 1,223 deaths and 42,086 adverse events were reported to Pfizer, including gastritis (pdf).

Puentes was told to pack up belongings that she had accumulated over two years, and asserts that the school administration evaded handling her situation in person.

Nobody was speaking to me about this in person, it was just being handled all over email.

I was sending emails saying can I speak to somebody in administration and it was always like an excuse.

It wasnt until I had to show up to somebodys office, unannounced, that someone in the administration finally saw me, and I was told just the same thing.

I was told [by a school nurse], get Moderna then if Pfizers not working for you, Puentes said.

Screenshot of Diamond Puentes email (courtesy of Diamond Puentes)

Puentes said that her friends started a GiveSendGo page for her since she has to pay for three weeks she had been on campus and to raise money for legal counsel.

Union College responded to a request for comment to The Epoch Times:

Being a vaccinated and boosted community has been critical to our ability to return to fully in-person learning and activities at Union College. Nearly 100 percent of our campus community is fully vaccinated and boosted.

While federal privacy laws prohibit us from commenting on a students medical or academic records, it is important to note that no student has been expelled for not complying with our vaccination or booster policy. We would welcome back this student tomorrow if she complied with our well-established policy regarding vaccinations.

The College has granted a small number of medical exemptions to students of all backgrounds and circumstances, while denying many other requests, over the past several months. In each case, the specific rationale for a medical exemption was reviewed thoroughly by a team of medical professionals before a decision was reached.

Those who are denied an exemption are given an opportunity to comply with the policy before any further action is taken, the statement reads.

Puentes also told The Epoch Times that she called Pfizer.

They confirmed that the symptoms Im having could be or are related to the vaccine because they have seen others with the same reactions.

The Epoch Times reached out to Pfizer for comment.
A U.S. Marine Corps C-130 Hercules aircraft leads a formation of F/A-18C Hornet strike fighters and A/V-8B Harrier jets over the aircraft carrier USS George Washington off the coast of South Korea on July 27, 2010. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charles Oki/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

US Navy Allows Sailors to Move Off USS George Washington After Suicides

The U.S. Navy will begin the process of allowing sailors to live off-ship following a number of deaths and complaints about conditions aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, including three suicides in the month of April alone.

Most of the ships around 2,700 crew already sleep off-ship, with 422 crew living aboard. From Monday, around 260 sailors were eligible to opt-out of living aboard, with an additional 50 beds per week opening up thereafter, a Naval Air Force Atlantic official told ABC News.

Lt. Cmdr. Rob Myers, a Naval Air Force Atlantic spokesperson, confirmed the move with The Hill, saying sailors had started to shift to naval barracks-like accommodations on Monday, and that the process would continue until all Sailors who wish to move off-ship have done so.

The Commanding Officer of USS George Washington has taken steps to provide an opportunity to every Sailor who is currently living on the ship to elect to move to off-ship accommodations at a local installation, Myers said.

Military.com first reported the plan after obtaining a recording of Capt. Brent Gaunt, the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier, making an announcement on April 28.

The move comes as the Navy acts to manage fallout after confirming the deaths of seven sailors from the aircraft carrier over the past year, including four in 2021 and three in mid-April.

The circumstances surrounding these incidents vary and it is premature to make assumptions, as some incidents remain under investigation, Naval Air Force Atlantic spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Robert Myers said in a statement, according to the United States Navy Institute News.

The Hill also reported the deaths by suicide of three additional sailors between November 2019 and October 2020, which have been confirmed by the Navy.

An investigation has been ordered to assess the deaths and examine command climate and culture issues aboard the ship.

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, has directed Rear Adm. John Meier, commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, to investigate and assess the reported deaths of sailors assigned to the USS George Washington, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Capt. Sarah Self-Kyler told The Hill in a statement Monday.

The admiral has instructed his staff to work with the Naval Air Force Atlantic, other Navy stakeholders, and the ship to assess the efficacy of the military wings Total Sailor Fitness programs, which is designed to help with operational stress control by encouraging psychological and emotional well-being.

Conditions Aboard Not Always Great: Navy Official

Issues about the habitability of the USS George Washington were raised with the navys top enlisted official during a visit on April 22.

During an all hands call with the aircraft carriers crew, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith told sailors that when it came to habitability aboard, he wasnt going to have an answer thats going to make you real happy.

Smith explained that due to the safety and logistics requirements of the refuelling and complex overhaul process (RCOH) the ship had been undertaking since 2017, sometimes food services were reduced and the hot water was shut down.

This is what happens on a carrier in RCOH, and at some point, youve got to shut some of the water down and shut some of the other hotel services down and theyre gonna have to move around whos living on the ship in order to make it work and meet the safety requirements, he said, adding that a certain number of crew had to remain aboard for safety reasons.

During the RCOH process, the ships crew undertakes some of the work while its in the dry dock, with Smith saying there was a necessity for sailors to have ownership in this process. He acknowledged that this meant the conditions are not always great.

Responding to a question from a sailor about the conditions not being up to par, Smith said that the Navy probably could have done better to manage your expectations of life on board while youre trying to fix a warship this size in the dry dock.

Smith encouraged sailors to always raise their concerns with leadership, but to do so with reasonable expectations and then understanding of what the RCOH process was like.

He compared the conditions that sailors endured aboard the aircraft carrier with that of Marines sleeping rough on the dirt without hot meals.

What youre not doing is sleeping in a foxhole like a marine might be doing. What you are doing is going home at night, most nights, unlike the [USS] Harry S. Truman, Smith said, referring to another Nimitz-class aircraft carrier currently stationed in the Mediterranean.

So when youre here, some of it is that you have some more stability in that youre here. The downside is some of the [expletive] that you have to go through logistically will drive you crazy.

He also told sailors that it was not easy to lure psychiatrists and psychologists to work for the Navy.

The USS George Washington, a Nimitz class aircraft carrier, has been dry docked for deep maintenance and a complex refuelling of its nuclear reactors at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia since 2017. The overhaul was due to be completed last year but works were extended due to labor shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are now expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The three most recent crew deaths took place between April 9 and 15. Retail Services Specialist 3rd Class Mikail Sharp was found dead off-base on April 9. This was followed by the off-base death of Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Natasha Huffman on April 10. Both have been determined to be suicides.

In an onboard death, Master-at-Arms Seaman Recruit Xavier Hunter Mitchell-Sandor has been found to have died from suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound on April 15. Sandors father blamed workplace conditions for his sons death, telling NBC he was otherwise such a happy, proud person.

The death of any sailor is one too many, and we will thoroughly investigate these incidents to ensure we are providing the appropriate support and resources to sailors at sea and in the shipyards, Naval Air Force Atlantic spokesperson Myers said.

A committee set up specifically in February by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for suicide prevention in the military will in May visit military installations and bases, and is expected to deliver a preliminary set of recommendations early next year.

The Epoch Times has contacted the Navy for comment.
The former Asia Group Chairman and CEO Kurt Campbell attends the China Development Forum in Beijing, China on March 23, 2019. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

US to Do More in the Pacific Amid Concerns Over Beijing-Solomons Security Deal

The Biden administration plans to invite leaders from the Pacific Island nations to the White House in an effort to shore up diplomatic ties in the South Pacific following the signing of a contentious security deal between Beijing and the Solomon Islands.

Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell told attendees of the U.S.-New Zealand Business Summit on May 2 that the United States would do more in areas that matter and are of significance to the Pacific Islanders, according to comments obtained by Reuters.

Campbell said the Biden administration would work with U.S. AID and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to fund projects in the region and also redeploy the Peace Corps.

There would also be more support for the Pacific Islands Forum, a trade bloc that covers many Pacific nations.

Campbell had recently visited the Solomon Islands in a last-ditch attempt to stop the Security Cooperation between the Solomon Islands and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) from going ahead.

According to a leaked draft, 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 warned full implementation of the agreement would lead to gradual militarization and geopolitical tensions akin to the South China Sea.

This picture taken shows flags from the Pacific Islands countries being displayed in Yaren on the last day of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) on Sept. 5, 2018. (Mike Leyral/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite assurances from Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to Campbell and Australian authorities that there would be no military base in the region, he has remained defiant in his decision to engage with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

When Australia signed up to AUKUS, we did not become theatrical or hysterical about the implications this would have for us, he told the Solomons Parliament on April 29. We respected Australias decision.

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.

Sogavare, who is deeply unpopular in the countrywhich has a history of civil strifeis due for an election next year, and there are concerns the prime minister could engineer a false-flag event to prevent this from going ahead (to avoid losing power).

South Pacific expert Cleo Paskal has called for Australia and other democratic nations to stop engaging with the prime minister in the hopes of changing his mind, and to instead, hold him to account for the implementation of the 2000 Townsville Peace Agreement, which ushered in an era of stability and national government for the country.

Retired U.S. Marine officer Grant Newsham, meanwhile, has called on democratic allies to shine a spotlight on bribery allegations perpetrated by the CCP.

Every deal signed with a Chinese or other foreign company in the Solomons should be exposed to public scrutiny, the senior fellow at the Yorktown Institute wrote in The Epoch Times. 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.
The Department of the Treasury in Washington on Aug. 30, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

US Treasury to Pay Down $26 Billion in Debt in Q2

NEW YORKThe U.S. Treasury said on Monday it expects to pay down $26 billion in debt the second quarter, down from a January borrowing estimate of $66 billion, primarily because of an increase in receipts.

The second-quarter estimate assumes an end-of-June cash balance of $800 billion.

The Treasury has been paring back debt auction sizes since November after ramping up debt issuance in 2020 to pay for pandemic-related spending.

It expects to borrow $182 billion in privately held net marketable debt in the July to September quarter, assuming an end-of-September cash balance of $650 billion.

It said it issued $668 billion in net debt in the first quarter this year, ending the three-month period with a cash balance of $652 billion.
Warrant Issued for Alabama Corrections Officer Accused of Helping Inmate Escape

Authorities issued a warrant on Monday for a female correctional officer in Alabama who disappeared together with a man jailed on a capital murder charge.

Vicky White is accused of permitting or facilitating the escape of 38-year-old Casey Cole White, Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said during a Monday news conference.

The 56-year-old assistant director of corrections was last seen leaving the Lauderdale County Detention Center on April 29 to bring White for a mental health evaluation at a nearby courthouse, the sheriffs office said. The two then disappeared and authorities later found that there was no evaluation scheduled that day.

The employee and inmatewho share the same last nameare not related.

Police said White is an extremely dangerous person and anyone who sees him is urged to call 911 and not approach. He was scheduled for a trial next month on a capital murder charge and is 6 foot 0.9 inches tall.

You shouldnt try to approach either one of these individuals. We consider both of them dangerous. And in all probability, both individuals are armed, U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said.

Part of a wanted poster for Casey Cole White. (U.S. Marshals Service via AP)

Singleton said Vicky has been an exemplary employee and had worked at the department for 16 years. She filed for retirement the day before she broke protocol and all her colleagues are devastated that she is now believed to be involved in Whites escape.

Vicky violated protocol the day she removed the inmate from the detention center by herself to bring him for a mental health evaluation at a nearby courthouse. The policy required White to be escorted by two sworn deputies.

This is not the Vicki White we know by any stretch of the imagination, Singleton said, adding that her colleagues are concerned for her, concerned for her safety.

A patrol vehicle the duo took from the jail early on April 29 was found abandoned at a nearby shopping centers parking lot. According to video evidence obtained from the car, there was not enough time for Vicky to try and reach the courthouse and it now appears she acted of her own free will.

What that tells us is that the patrol car left the detention center and went straight to the parking lot, Singleton told CNN in an interview. I guess were trying to hold on to that last straw of hope that maybe for some reason she was threatened and did this under coercion.

Vicky also told co-workers she had a doctors appointment scheduled, which was confirmed but the office said the deputy never showed. Officials said no one realized the two were missing until about six hours after they left the jail. Deputies tried to contact Vicky but her phone repeatedly went to voicemail.

Singleton said officials are aggressively investigating the incident and are also looking into previous interactions between the two to see if something else was going on.

The U.S. Marshals Service said on May 1 that it is offering up to $10,000 for information about the escaped inmate and missing correctional officer.

The Marshals Service said people 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro speaks during an event at Planalto Government Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on June 29, 2021. (Andressa Anholete/Getty Images)

Why Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Deserves to Be Re-elected: Part 2

Commentary

During the worst of the pandemic in Brazil, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, this brave political leader who has been the 38th President of Brazil since Jan. 1, 2019, fought really hard against far too many mayors and governors.

These politicians used their power to impose total bans on freedom of assembly and freedom of movement, which directly contravenes Article 5 of the Brazilian Constitution.

Bolsonaro has always been against these unconstitutional measures, and on April 17, he boldly announced that the federal government is now lifting all the public health measures that have been in place for more than two years, citing a drop in the number of deaths and infections.

The decision came after he requested his health minister a few weeks ago to decree an end to the pandemic and called for a return to democratic normality.

President Bolsonaro could have done far more to protect the people were it not for the Supreme Courts controversial ruling to knock down any of his attempts to overturn local restrictions, ruling that governors and mayors are entirely free to determine their own COVID restrictions.

Based on such a controversial decision, the countrys governors and mayors have been primarily responsible to combat the pandemic.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly asked the Court to reverse its decision, and, in March last year, he accused some mayors and governors of acting very much like dictators and starving Brazilians, by forcing them to stay at home. He also argues that federal lawmakers should investigate these actions of governors and mayors to whom the federal government has provided funds.

The President has, from the very beginning of the pandemic, been pressuring these local oligarchs to moderate their actions to avoid an economic collapse and the gross violation of fundamental human rights.

They are imposing a state of siege, which is unconstitutional. They cannot do this without the approval of Congress. They are humiliating the population while saying that they are saving lives. How can they be saving lives, theyre starving people, Bolsonaro said.

Although these local oligarchs have strongly opposed the presidents approach, Bolsonaro says he will continue serving the nation with faith in God despite the efforts of some very powerful groups, including the media and the Supreme Court, to delegitimise him and hinder governance.

In Brazil, former presidents, corrupt politicians, and an increasingly autocratic judiciary, as well as a notoriously biased media, have all lined up to fight against a democratically elected leader who opposes the international-socialist agenda promoted by the World Economic Forum and the Western global oligarchy.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attends the Brazilian Army Day celebration at the Army Headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 19, 2022. (Evaristo Sa/AFP via Getty Images)

Bolsonaros electoral motto, Brazil Above Everything, God Above Everyone, works as a combination of belief in God and full recognition of Brazils national sovereignty. He is an authentic conservative politician who openly opposes such things as sex education material promoting acceptance of gender fluidity in schools, abortion on demand, and drug-use decriminalisation.

We are signing a commitment defending the family, defending the innocence of children in the schools, defending the freedom of religion, against abortion and the legalisation of drugs, Bolsonaro said during his first presidential campaign in October 2018.

Bolsonaro is also a God-fearing man who is not ashamed to profess his faith in public. On April 4, he attended a special ceremony to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rio de Janeiros iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. There he stated: Brazil is a country where approximately 90 percent are Christian. This is a moment of happiness, peace, or reunion that demonstrates in practice that we are a government that helps, collaborates, and fears its God.

A few days later, on Good Friday April 15th, Bolsonaro participated in the Accelerate for Christ (Acelera Para Cristo) motorcade, where he passed with millions of motorcyclists through the main roads of Sao Paulo State. Organisers of the motorcade described this massive rally as an event to honour Christ the Lord and announced it on social media as The Apocalypse of Motor Bikes.

And Bolsonaro also happens to be a leader of great courage and moral integrity. He has never been involved in a single act of corruption and his tough stance on it has earned him enormous popular support.

By contrast, the socialist-oligarchical forces that oppose him and his conservative government are led by Lula da Silva, the notorious former president who is once again a presidential candidate in the forthcoming federal elections.

Lula was forced in 2018 to transfer his candidacy to another radical leftist because of the statutory prohibition of convicted criminals from running political campaigns while still servicing their criminal sentences.

His notorious presidency was responsible for the biggest series of corruption scandals in the entire nations history. Every single sector of his notorious left-wing government was implicated in acts of bribery, fraud, vote-buying, theft of public funds, failure to report illicit campaign financing, and a host of other felonious behaviour, which were revealed almost on a daily basis by the Brazilian newspapers.

For the reasons Ive discussed here and in Part one, one would expect that Brazilian citizens will be wise enough to re-elect Jair Messias Bolsonaro as their president in the upcoming federal elections in October this year.

I sincerely hope so.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Seeking to advance the development already underway along Main Street in Buffalo, city officials are hoping to turn the LaSalle Metro Rail station and seven acres of surrounding land into a mix of housing and first-floor retail, with an attractive streetscape and public area.

Following up on statements made in Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown's State of the City address, the city on Friday issued a "request for qualifications," seeking developers who are interested in such a project and who possess the expertise, financial capacity and background to take it on.

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The city and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority are not specifying any requirements for the exact nature of the project  or even the type or number of housing units that must be created. Instead, the request spells out their vision for "an equitable transit-oriented development" that would include "affordable and/or mixed-income housing units" and "an activated first floor."

"We wanted to find out who may be interested and qualified to complete a complex project like this on a combined site of seven acres," said Buffalo Director of Development Lisa Hicks. "Were partnering with NFTA because some of the parcels are owned by NFTA, as well as station itself. It's a very challenging and complicated site, based on its past use."

The Metro Rail station would remain and would be integrated into the development, much as the Allen Street station was incorporated within the University at Buffalo's new medical school.

The effort to revitalize the drab beige cement station and the land around it represents the latest attempt to encourage denser residential development around public transit infrastructure. The idea is to provide more housing and retail options for city residents without spurring a need for more cars and more pollution.

That's been happening in recent years along the Main Street spine, not only in downtown Buffalo, but also with projects such as Cedarland Development's The Grid, Sinatra & Co. Real Estate's Fenton Apartments, Ciminelli Real Estate Corp.'s Bethune Lofts and several other completed and ongoing ventures. That's all part of more than $8 billion in development investment in the city since 2012.

The city wants to encourage more, especially as the NFTA explores a Metro Rail extension to the North Campus in Amherst. At the same time, Brown has cited a goal of ensuring that 40% of the housing in Buffalo is considered "affordable," so that city residents aren't left behind by the growth.

"This is a perfect opportunity to be able to do that," Hicks said.

LaSalle is one of six Metro station areas that were selected for broader planning. Officials are targeting six parcels on Main and Beard Avenue  three owned by the city and three by NFTA  that make up the broader LaSalle Station property, including the station itself and the adjacent Park-and-Ride lot.

The parcels are located at 3000, 3010, 3018, 3030 and 3036 Main, along with 447 Beard.

The request notes that the site is near Shoshone and McCarthy parks, a Rails-to-Trails path running from North Buffalo to the City of Tonawanda and University at Buffalo's South Campus, as well as a host of restaurants, retail stores and a grocery.

"The site has the potential to significantly enhance the attractiveness and accessibility of the University Heights neighborhood," the city wrote in the request.

Hicks said the city and NFTA  together with Local Initiatives Support Corp. and GoBikeBuffalo  would work with potential developers to engage the community and "determine the highest and best use for development." While city officials would like to see mixed-income housing, the outcome will be shaped by community feedback and need, she said.

"We wanted to allow some flexibility because were not having any kind of expectation of the plan being submitted," she said.

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Public relations people around the world are always thinking up clever ideas for magazine and newspaper writers that will help the promoters sell the products theyre hired to hawk.

This spring, the PR folks who are hardest at work know that Mothers Day is May 8, so the pitches most writers see are for flowers, perfumes, chocolate, cars, jewelry and (yes, you guessed it) wine. I know  I get a lot of suggestions.

Why someone would honor a beloved mom with a quality wine only one day out of 365 is a mystery. If you know a mother who loves wine, a better idea is to share quality wines with her a lot more often.

There are many good reasons to share good wines with any wine lovers. But most of the wine suggestions I get for Mothers Day wines are difficult pairings with typical Mothers Day foods.

Perhaps the most common celebrations on Mothers Day are at brunch, and several PR people suggested to me that I recommend a specific red wine for mom. But since most brunch options rarely contain chargrilled steaks

So, what, you may ask, works best with a Mothers Day brunch? Bubbly!

Real French Champagne typically is the most authentic way to celebrate mom, but unless the participants are really experienced at understanding the subtleties of great Champagne, the exalted price we are asked to pay for this stuff ($40 is about as low as you can find) is wasted.

Less expensive alternatives would be any decent sparkling wine, and the level of sweetness that you choose should be determined by how sweet or dry mom wants her drink to be.

The term brut (pronounced broot) refers to a very dry wine, but these days it really refers to wines that are only relatively dry. And curiously enough, the phrase extra dry on a bubbly actually refers to wines that are a little bit sweeter than brut!

The Italian alternative sparkling wine called prosecco is not quite as dry as brut. Prosecco can come either as a white or a light rose. Prices range from around $9 to about $17.

Slightly drier than that would be Spanish cava, which can be extremely appealing when paired with typical brunch foods. Most are under $18. (See Wine of the Week.)

California sparkling wines also have great application with meals, and although prices tend to be a bit higher ($17 to roughly $30), the higher quality is obvious.

An important point: many people like to make the mimosa a toasting moment at festive brunches. But it makes little sense to use an expensive sparkling wine when youre mixing it with orange juice, which merely wipes out most of the flavors in a high-quality bubbly.

The mimosa doesnt rely on the wine quality to impart character. More important is the quality of the orange juice (i.e., fresh versus canned), so choose an inexpensive sparkling wine with which to make mimosas.

This year is the 114th Mothers Day, which was the idea of a woman named Anna Jarvis, who later in life deplored the holiday because of how it created such crass commercialization of her idea.

Jarvis, according to lore, tried to get Mothers Day removed from the calendar. She was unsuccessful, obviously.

Wine of the Week: NV Los Dos Brut Cava, Penedes ($12)

 This lovely bubbly comes from Spains Penedes, a cool wine district just outside Barcelona thats famed for its moderately priced sparkling cuvees. Unlike Champagne, which is made from chardonnay and pinot noir, this fine wine is a blend of local varieties Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. The fresh, brisk aroma of blossoms and a hint of brioche are supported in the aftertaste with a bit of citrus. It is dry but not austere.

To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com

COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM
A Taiwanese soldier throws a smoke bomb during a demonstration at an army base in Kaohsiung on Jan. 6, 2022. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

You Need a Plan: Former Defense Official Calls for End to US Strategic Ambiguity on Taiwan

The Russian invasion of Ukraine demonstrated the failure of strategic ambiguity, according to one former defense official, who said that the war would have profound implications for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) efforts to forcibly unify Taiwan with the mainland.

I think it should be the declarative policy, it should be a stated policy of the United States government that it will defend Taiwan if China attacks Taiwan, said former Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy Seth Cropsey during a recent interview with EpochTVs China Insider program.

And, after stating that, I think its important that the United States make good on its word.

Strategic ambiguity, the doctrine that the United States should not clarify whether it would or would not militarily defend Taiwan in the event of a conflict, has come under increasing fire of late, as fears have grown that the CCP is preparing to invade.

CCP leadership maintains that Taiwan is a breakaway province, though Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949 and has never been controlled by the CCP.

Cropsey said that ambiguity failed to deter Russia from invading Ukraine, and that a stronger stance was necessary to prevent the same from happening in Taiwan.

This so-called strategic ambiguity [that really means] we wont support Taiwan if its attacked, its not helpful, Cropsey said. It doesnt deter China. It risks the safety of Taiwan, and I think it would be a good idea if the United States were to rethink that.

Cropsey said that the Biden administration had plenty to be concerned about in crafting its China strategy. From IP theft to the arming of artificial islands to debt diplomacy and military modernization, the CCP is on the march. Unfortunately, he said, the United States policy on Taiwan was not adapting.

I dont think its changed a great deal since the Trump administration in fact, Cropsey said of Sino-American relations.

U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. Its been this way now [for] 41 years, theres no change there.

U.S.-China relations have continued to bottom out in recent months, as national leaders have expressed fears that the United States is ceding influence and power in the western Pacific. Some 82 percent of Americans now view China unfavorably, and the House of Representatives has gone so far as to pass legislation that would condemn the Chinese communist regime for complicity in Russias alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Indeed, the Sino-Russian bloc against the West has grown so tight now that one expert warned China would continue to support Russia even if the latter used nuclear weapons in Ukraine. It is a grim possibility, but one that Cropsey believed the West would respond to with sanctions.

If the Russians use tactical nuclear weapons or a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine, and China supports it or provides any kind of material or military support to Russia after such an event, I expect that there will be economic sanctions against China, Cropsey said.

In all, however, Cropsey said that one of the greatest threats to stability in the Pacific, and to Taiwan in particular, was the United States apparent lack of any coherent military strategy to contend with an invasion.

There is the larger question, which is, what would the strategy be if the United States found itself in a conflict with China, caused by a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, Cropsey said. You need a plan, some kind of plan. How do you respond to that? And the Navy doesnt have that in place. The United States doesnt have that in place or, if it does, its a secret.

The conflict in Ukraine has very important significance for our relationship, the United States relationship with Taiwan, Cropsey added. One of the clearest lessons from the Russian invasion of Ukraine is that you dont wait until the invasion actually happens to help deter it or prevent it or make sure that the friend, ally, or partner is able to defend themselves.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the Pentagon for comment.

Andrew Thornebrooke Reporter Follow Andrew Thornebrooke is a reporter for The Epoch Times covering China-related issues with a focus on defense, military affairs, and national security. He holds a master's in military history from Norwich University.
NORWALK  The school districts new communications structure will consist of three employees instead of the five recommended for the city that was mistakenly presented to the Board of Education last week.

Superintendent Alexandra Estrella intended to present the proposed communications department organizational chart for Norwalk Public Schools that was recommended in a recent efficiency study conducted by Evergreen Solutions LLC. Under the proposal, the organizational flow would be a director of communications, overseeing a digital communications specialist and another specialist yet to be defined.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance won Ohios contentious and hyper-competitive GOP Senate primary on Tuesday, buoyed by Donald Trumps endorsement in a race that was an early test of the former presidents hold on his party as the midterm season kicks into high gear.

A onetime staunch critic of Trump whose 2016 memoir about his Appalachian childhood lifted him to fame, Vance spent much of the campaign behind in the polls. But a late-stage endorsement from Trump pushed him to frontrunner status and the two men downplayed Vance's past scathing criticism of the former president, with Vance saying he was wrong.

In accepting the GOP nomination, Vance struck a unifying tone, complimenting his rivals  including silencing boos for his most bitter opponent, former state Treasurer Josh Mandel  and pledging to appeal to the state's many moderates headed into November after an exceptionally bitter campaign that, at one point, saw two candidates nearly come to blows on a debate stage

Now this campaign, I really think, was a referendum on what kind of a Republican Party we want, and what kind of a country we want, Vance told the crowd.

Tuesdays contests ushered in a more competitive phase of the midterm primary season, with closely watched races in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia scheduled for later this month. The election will culminate in November, when control of Congress, governors mansions and key elections offices are at stake.

Vance will face Democrat Tim Ryan in the general election race to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Rob Portman. The 10-term Democratic congressman, who easily won his three-way primary Tuesday night, will likely have an uphill climb in a state Trump won twice by an 8-point margin. In a potential warning sign for Ryan, roughly twice as many Republicans participated in the primary than Democrats.

President Joe Biden called Ryan late Tuesday to congratulate him on becoming the nominee, and Trump was also in touch with Vance.

Meanwhile, Ohio's Republican Gov. Mike DeWine secured his party's nomination for a second term and will take on Democrat Nan Whaley.

In neighboring Indiana, incumbent Republicans in the state House fended off primary challengers who wanted to push the Legislature further to the right. Among the roughly two dozen so-called liberty candidates in Republican legislative races, one defeated a 10-term incumbent in northern Indiana, while a leader of the movement lost his primary race.

The campaign is intensifying at a volatile moment in the nation's politics. On the eve of this week's primaries, a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion was leaked that suggests the court could overturn the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. While the Democrats decried the draft, they suddenly have a clear, unifying message they hope will offset an otherwise difficult political climate dominated by economic woes that include high inflation and gas prices.

Trump, meanwhile, is using the primaries to build his reputation as a GOP kingmaker as he mulls another presidential run a year after leaving office under the cloud of two impeachments and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. A Trump spokesperson Tuesday took credit for the outcome in the Ohio Senate contest, saying the former president's endorsement propelled (Vance) into a commanding first place finish."

While Vance is the GOP primary's undisputed winner, driving up support in Ohio's rural regions, there was notable support for Mandel and state Sen. Matt Dolan, the only major candidate who did not aggressively court Trump. His traction suggests there remains appetite in the party for non-Trump alternatives, especially in a state with a long history of electing moderates, including DeWine, Portman and former Ohio governor-turned-Trump critic John Kasich.

Dolan notched strong performances in Ohio's metropolitan communities, particularly around Cleveland and Columbus. Mandel, meanwhile, also found some rural support.

At the Strongsville library in suburban Cleveland, Joanne Mondak, 71, said she voted for Dolan because the rest of the candidates are nutcakes" who are too much Trump."

Ohio, once a bellwether state, is now decidedly Republican, posing a challenge for Ryan, who has distanced himself from the progressive wing of his party during the race. Campaigning in sweatshirts and baseball caps, he has fashioned himself as a blue-collar crusader fighting for working families.

During his acceptance speech, Ryan grew emotional as he spoke about the community his steelworker grandfather was able to build while holding a well-paying union job.

I am absolutely in my bones certain that we can do this if we come together, and its not about finding our differences. Its not about hate, he said.

Buoyed by historical trends and Biden's deep unpopularity, Republicans are optimistic about retaking the House and Senate come November. A new president's party almost always loses in seats in subsequent midterm elections and Republicans hope soaring inflation, high energy prices and lingering frustrations over the countrys handling of the COVID-19 pandemic will further boost their prospects.

Democrats, meanwhile, are banking the GOP  with Trumps help  will elect candidates so extreme they prove unelectable come November. Vance, in particular, has drawn fire for dismissing Russias invasion of Ukraine as none of the United States' business and accusing Biden of trying to intentionally kill Trump voters by allowing illegal drugs to cross the southern border.

By all rights, history tells us that the Democrats are going to lose control of the House, said Dale Butland, a Democratic strategist in Ohio. By all rights, we should lose control of the Senate, too. However, the only thing that could save us is if the Republicans nominate a bunch of far-right crazies that are unacceptable in a general election.

While DeWine is widely known in Ohio after a 40-year political career, he faced fierce backlash from conservatives over the COVID-19 shutdowns and mandates he imposed during the early months of the pandemic.

DeWines three opponents  former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, former state Rep. Ron Hood and farmer Joe Blystone  all tapped into that anger, but appear to have split the far-right vote. Still, DeWine didnt take any chances and poured millions into advertising during the races final weeks.

On the Democratic side, Whaley became the first woman in state history to receive a major partys backing. She defeated former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley in a race that drew relatively little attention as much of the state focused on the contentious Senate Republican primary and the ongoing redistricting legal battle. Whaley had the support of the states top Democrat, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a popular household name, while Cranley had the backing of feminist icon Gloria Steinem.

The two candidates saw eye-to-eye on most major issues  guns, abortion rights, social justice  but Whaley had repeatedly pointed out that Cranley only recently said he was pro-choice.

Trump-backed Secretary of State Frank LaRose also won his partys nomination for another term.

In the House, Republican Max Miller, a former Trump campaign and White House aide, won the GOP nomination in the sprawling new 7th District in northeast Ohio, despite allegations from his ex-girlfriend, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, that he grew violent with her as their relationship deteriorated. He has denied the charges.

Miller was initially recruited to challenge Republican Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, one of the 10 House Republicans who voted in favor of Trumps impeachment. But Gonzalez chose to retire instead.

___

Colvin reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Patrick Orsagas in Columbus, Steve Peoples in New York and Mark Gillispie in Strongsville, Ohio, contributed to this report.

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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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KYIV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy switched into Russian in his nightly video address to urge Russian soldiers not to fight in Ukraine, saying even their generals expected that thousands of them would die.

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.

He said Russian commanders fully understand that thousands of them will die and thousands more will be wounded in the coming weeks.

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 late Saturday.

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.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Ukrainian forces fight Russia's grinding advance in eastern Donbas region

 Wives of Mariupol defenders appeal for soldiers evacuation from final holdout

 Some Ukrainians go back across front line toward homes, despite dangers

 Ukrainian women learn how to clear land mines at course in Kosovo

 Angelina Jolie makes surprise Ukraine visit, meets children

Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

STOCKHOLM  Sweden says a Russian military plane has violated Swedish airspace.

The incident happened late Friday in the Baltic Sea near the island of Bornholm.

In a statement 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 Defense 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.

Sweden and neighboring Finland are both considering NATO membership following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has warned that such a move would have consequences, without giving specifics.

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LONDON  Britains Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed the progress of the U.N. effort to evacuate people from the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol and offered the U.K.s continued economic and humanitarian support during a talk Saturday with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskky.

The prime minister reiterated that he is more committed than ever to reinforcing Ukraine and ensuring (Russian President Vladimir) Putin fails, noting how hard the Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom, Johnsons Downing Street office said.

He confirmed that the UK will continue to provide additional military aid to give the Ukrainians the equipment they needed to defend themselves, the statement said.

The United Nations has been attempting to broker an evacuation in the port city where some 100,000 civilians remain. Up to 1,000 civilians are living beneath a Soviet-era steel plant in Mariupol, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukraine has not said how many fighters are also in the plant, but the Russians put the number at about 2,000.

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A Russian rocket attack destroyed an airport runway in Odesa, Ukraines third-largest city and a key Black Sea port, the Ukrainian army said Saturday.

In a Telegram post, Ukraines Operational Command South said there was no way that the Odesa runway could be used as a result of the rocket attack.

Local authorities urged residents of the area to shelter in place as Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, citing army sources, reported that several explosions were heard in Odesa.

Odesas regional governor said that the rocket was fired from Russian-occupied Crimea. Maksym Marchenko said there were no reports of any injuries.

Russian forces have embarked on a major military operation to seize significant parts of southern and eastern Ukraine, the countrys industrial heartland, and capture the countrys Black Sea and Sea of Azov coasts.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukraines national grid operator says it has has restored reliable power supply in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, around the site of the 1986 nuclear reactor disaster.

In the afternoon, the last necessary 330 kV power transmission line was put into operation, the state-owned Ukrenergo wrote in a Telegram post Saturday.

According to the same post, Ukrenergo also restored another 330 kV line in the northern Kyiv region last night, helping stabilize the energy supply in the capital. It said the reconstruction of further transmission lines in and around Kyiv remains underway.

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KYIV  The mayor of the eastern Ukrainian town of Popasna said in a video interview that two buses headed to the town to evacuate residents had been fired upon and that contact with the drivers had been lost.

Yesterday we evacuated 31 people from Popasna. Many more people were waiting; for that reason we dispatched two more buses to the evacuation point, Mayor Mykola Khanatov said in an interview posted on the Telegram channel of Serhiy Haidai, the Ukrainian governor of the eastern Luhansk region.

We know that (the buses) reached the town and then came under fire from an enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group, Khanatov said. There is no contact with people who were inside the vehicles and were organizing the evacuation.

Russian forces have embarked on a major military operation to seize significant parts of southern and eastern Ukraine, the country's industrial heartland.

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KYIV, Ukraine -- Another mass grave has been found in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, the scene of alleged mass executions of civilians before its recapture by Ukrainian forces in early March, the head of Kyivs regional police force said Saturday.

On April 29, a pit with the bodies of three men was found in the Bucha district, regional police chief Andriy Nebytov wrote on Facebook. The victims were tortured for a lengthy period of time. Bullet wounds were found on the extremities of their bodies. In the end, each of the men was shot through the ear.

This is another mass burial made by the occupiers in the Bucha district, the long-suffering district where more than a thousand civilians have been killed and tortured, Nebytov added.

According to Nebytovs post, the burial site was found in the forest near the village of Myrotske, 10 kilometers (6 miles) northwest of the town of Bucha. Nebytov said the three bodies were being sent for a forensic examination, following a preliminary inspection by the Kyiv regional police.

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KYIV, Ukraine -- Seven Ukrainian soldiers and seven civilians have been released in a prisoner swap Saturday with Russia, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on social media.

Were bringing home 14 of our people: seven military personnel and seven civilians,Vereshchuk wrote on Facebook and Telegram. To me, this exchange is special: one of the female soldiers is five months pregnant.

As of Saturday afternoon, the swap had not been confirmed by official Russian sources.

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NEW YORK  Prices for Russian credit default swaps  insurance contracts that protect an investor against a default  plunged sharply overnight after Moscow used its precious foreign currency reserves to make a last-minute debt payment on Friday.

The cost for a five-year credit default swap on Russian debt was $5.84 million to protect $10 million in debt. That price was just about half the price on Thursday, which at roughly $11 million for $10 million in debt protection was a signal that investors were certain of a Russian default.

Despite the insurance contract plunge, investors remain largely convinced that Russia will eventually default on its debts for the first time since 1917.

The major ratings agencies Standard & Poors and Moodys have declared Russia is in selective default on its obligations and earlier this week, the governing body over CDS contracts declared Russia in default.

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Ukraine evacuated more people Saturday in the eastern town of Lyman in the fiercely fought-over region of Donetsk, where at least half the residents have fled Russian shelling since the start of the war.

About 20 mostly elderly people boarded a minivan amid the sounds of outgoing artillery and explosions in the distance. All the shops in the almost-empty town were closed and those who decided to remain rely on aid distributed by groups including the Ukrainian Red Cross.

Those who remain say they are either too old, dont know where to go or dont want to leave their homes unattended. They seek shelter in their basements whenever the shelling starts.

Meanwhile, in Dobropillya, further to the west, Russian shelling hit the town on Saturday, damaging buildings and slightly injuring seven people including three children, according to authorities.

Ukraines deputy agriculture minister says Russian forces are seizing vast amounts of grain in territory they hold, while its president says the war-torn country is facing fuel shortages.

Today, there are confirmed facts that several hundred thousand tons of grain in total were taken out of the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, minister Taras Vysotsky told Ukrainian television on Saturday.

Ukraine is one of the worlds major grain producers and the Russian invasion has curtailed exports, pushing up world grain prices and raising concerns about severe grain shortages in importing countries.

Ukraine is also facing fuel shortages as Russia destroys its fuel infrastructure and blocks its ports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday night.

Fuel shortages have been reported in Kyiv, Dnipro and other cities. Vehicles can be seen lining up at gas stations and drivers in most places can purchase only 10 liters (2.6 gallons) of fuel at a time.

Zelenskyy promised that officials would find a fuel supply system within a week or two to prevent a deficit but called it a difficult task after the refinery at Kremenchuk was hit by a Russian missile.

But, Zelenskyy said, there are no immediate solutions.

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PARIS  French President Emmanuel Macron has conveyed to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy his wish to actively work to re-establish the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine during his second mandate, in coordination with allies, the presidential Elysee Palace says.

Macron assured Zelenskyy in their hourlong conversation Saturday that military material and humanitarian assistance would keep flowing to Ukraine, the Elysee said.

France has so far sent 615 tons of equipment and aid, including generators for hospitals, ambulances and food. France has been coy about its contribution in defensive weapons, but Macron recently mentioned Milan anti-tank missiles and a delivery of truck-mounted Caesar cannons among consequential equipment.

This support will continue to strengthen, the French president told Zelenskyy, according to the Elysee.

Macron was re-elected president of France six days ago. During his first term, Macron held numerous conversations with both Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin since Russias invasion Feb. 24.

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LVIV, Ukraine  Russias foreign minister says Moscow has evacuated over 1 million people from Ukraine since the war there began.

The comments Saturday by Sergey Lavrov in an interview with Chinese state news agency Xinhua come as Ukraine has accused Moscow of forcefully sending Ukrainians out of the country. Lavrov said that figure included more than 300 Chinese civilians.

Lavrov offered no evidence to support his claim in the interview.

Lavrov also said that negotiations continue between Russia and Ukraine almost every day. However, he cautioned that progress has not been easy.

Lavrov in part blamed the bellicose rhetoric and inflammatory actions of Western supporters of the Kyiv regime for disrupting the talks. However, Russian state TV nightly has had guests who suggest that Moscow use nuclear weapons in the conflict.

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LVIV, Ukraine  The British military believes Russian forces in Ukraine are likely suffering from weakened morale.

The British Defense Ministry made that assessment in a tweet Saturday as part of a daily report it provides on Russias war on Kyiv.

It says Russia still faces considerable challenges in fighting. The British military believes Russian forces have been forced to merge and redeploy depleted and disparate units from the failed advances in northeast Ukraine.

It offered no information on how it arrived at this assessment. However, analysts believe Russian forces that failed to take Kyiv at the start of the war have been redeployed without the time needed to properly rearm and restaff.

The British believe Russia hopes to reorganize its effort and shorten supply lines.

The ministry added: A lack of unit-level skills and inconsistent air support have left Russia unable to fully leverage its combat mass, despite localized improvements.

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WASHINGTON  A senior U.S. defense official said Friday the Russian offensive is going much slower than planned in part because of the strength of the Ukrainian resistance.

We also assess that because of this slow and uneven progress, again, without perfect knowledge of every aspect of the Russian plan, we do believe and assess that they are behind schedule in what they were trying to accomplish in the Donbas, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. militarys assessment.

He said the U.S. believes the Russians are at least several days behind where they wanted to be as they try to encircle Ukrainian troops in the east.

As the troops try to move north out of Mariupol so they can advance on Ukrainian forces from the south, their progress has been slow and uneven, and certainly not decisive, in any event, the official said.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of trying to destroy the Donbas and all who live there.

The constant brutal bombardments, the constant Russian strikes on infrastructure and residential areas show that Russia wants to empty this territory of all people. Therefore, the defense of our land, the defense of our people, is literally a fight for life, he said late Friday in his nightly video address to the nation.

He said the cities and towns of the Donbas will survive only if Ukraine remains standing. If the Russian invaders are able to realize their plans even partially, then they have enough artillery and aircraft to turn the entire Donbas into stones. As they did with Mariupol.

Zelenskyy said Mariupol, once one of the most developed cities in the region, was now a Russian concentration camp among the ruins.

In Kharkiv, a major city to the north, the situation was brutal but Ukrainian troops and intelligence agents have had important tactical successes, he said without elaborating.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said about 20% of the citys residential buildings have been so badly damaged that it will be impossible to restore them.

Zelenskyy said rescuers were still going through the rubble in Kyiv after Thursdays missile strikes. He expressed his condolences to the family of Vira Hyrych, who was killed in the bombardment. He said she was the 23rd journalist killed in the war.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appears to have dismissed the need for the United Nations to help secure humanitarian corridors out of Ukraines besieged cities, striking a tough line a day after the U.N. chief toured war-wracked Kyiv with that very aim.

As an interviewer at Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV tried to ask Lavrov about U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposals for humanitarian assistance and evacuation of civilians, Lavrov cut him off.

There is no need. I know, I know, an irritated Lavrov said. There is no need for anybody to provide help to open humanitarian corridors. There is only one problem  humanitarian corridors are being ignored by Ukrainian ultra-nationals, he said.

We appreciate the interest of the secretary-general to be helpful, he added. (We have) explained  what is the mechanism for them to monitor how the humanitarian corridors are announced.

During the hourlong interview, Lavrov also accused the West of sabotaging Russias peace talks with Ukraine. He claimed that thorny negotiations in Istanbul last month had been progressing on issues of Russian territorial claims and security guarantees until Ukrainian diplomats backtracked at the behest of the West.

We are stuck because of their desire to play games all the time, Lavrov said. Because of the instructions they get Washington, from London, from some other capitals, not to accelerate the negotiations.

When asked about the risks of war spilling into neighboring Moldova after a series of explosions rattled a breakaway border region within the country, Lavrov struck an ominous tone.

Moldova should worry about their own future, he said. Because theyre being pulled into NATO.
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NORWALK  Women dominated the bullhorn at a rally in support of protecting safe and legal abortions, but nearly everyone who addressed the crowd of about 100 people in front of the citys courthouse reminded them that a Supreme Court decision to overturn abortion rights wont be the last attempt to roll back guaranteed rights.

If this surprised you, youre not paying attention. Time to wake up, said Edson Rivas, executive director of the Triangle Community Center, who voiced additional concern for LGBTQ communities.

The Norwalk Roe Rally, organized by Common Council members Dominique Johnson and Nora Niedzielski-Eichner, came together less than 24 hours after a draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court was leaked, revealing its apparent intent to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The 1973 Supreme Court ruling made access to safe and legal abortion a constitutional right.

Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed on Tuesday the authenticity of the initial draft majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito in February. The opinion is not final and could change before it is released.

Niedzielski-Eichner, an attorney for Clarick Gueron Reisbaum in New York, referred to the draft opinion as a terrible piece of legal nonsense.

It was intended to destroy futures, to destroy lives, to take away rights that we have come to count on to send women and, lets be clear, gay people back to the closets, back to a place where they didnt have full autonomous control of their bodies, and we are not going back to that, Niedzielski-Eichner said.

In Connecticut, legal access to abortion would likely remain unchanged if the Supreme Court adopted the Alito opinion as final in its ruling on the Mississippi case. Connecticut codified the right to an abortion in state law in the early 1990s.

The text of that law states the decision to terminate a pregnancy prior to the viability of the fetus shall be solely that of the pregnant woman in consultation with her physician.

Niedzielski-Eicher cautioned the crowd that despite the laws passed by the state legislature, federal legislation could follow in the near future to codify restrictions on reproductive rights.

It leaves open the door for a national law banning abortion," Niedzielski-Eicher said.

Anna Keegan, chairwoman of the Norwalk Commission on the Status of Women, and others shined a light on women and other marginalized groups seeking reproductive health care who live outside Connecticut and may not have safe and convenient access to an abortion in the near future.

If you look in the South and the West ... these women would have to travel from as far as Texas to Maryland, Board of Education member Kara Nelson-Baekey said of the distance to the closest state in the eastern United States with legal access to abortion.

Rivas, Johnson and Colin Hosten, board president for the Triangle Community Center, highlighted how the Supreme Court decision could lay the groundwork to rollback rights gained recently by the LGBTQ community.

These are the people going around, selling these bills into state legislatures, anti-trans youth bills, that are attacking literally their ability to get health care, literally their ability to be who they are. These are the same people taking away our right to choose, Johnson said.

emily.morgan@hearstmediact.com
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COVID-19 vaccine and treatment sales helped Pfizer breeze past Wall Street's first-quarter expectations, as the drugmaker's profit grew 61%.

The coronavirus vaccine Comirnaty brought in more than $13 billion in sales in the quarter, and the company is still trying to expand the market for the preventive shots.

Pfizer leaders said Tuesday they expect to submit to regulators by early June data on the effectiveness of a smaller, three-shot combination of their vaccine in children under age 5.

Currently, only children ages 5 or older can be vaccinated in the U.S. with Pfizers vaccine.

The pill treatment Paxlovid, which launched late last year, added another $1.5 billion in the first quarter.

All that helped company revenue swell 77%, compared to last year's quarter, when vaccine sales were still ramping up.

Overall, Pfizer on Tuesday posted net income of $7.86 billion and adjusted earnings of $1.62 per share in the first quarter.

That easily topped the $1.49 per share projected by industry analysts, according to a survey by FactSet.

Revenue was $25.66 billion, also beating Wall Street expectations for $24.1 billion.

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine launched in late 2020 and became the drugmakers top selling product by last years second quarter.

Pfizer books the vast majority of revenue from Comirnaty and splits profit, as well as the cost to make and distribute the vaccine, with development partner BioNTech.

Sales of that vaccine topped analyst expectations for the quarter, but revenue from Paxlovid fell short.

However, sales of the treatment are expected to pick up later this year, and President Joe Biden's administration is pushing to expand access to Paxlovid.

We are seeing strong signs for increasing demand for Paxlovid, Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla told analysts Tuesday.

He added that Pfizer booked only a small portion of revenue in the first quarter from the roughly 6 million doses it has shipped so far. He noted that international sales will be booked in the second quarter.

Revenue from both products will likely wind up exceeding forecasts, Mizuho Securities USA analyst Dr. Vamil Divan said in a research note. He noted that current projections only include contracts the company signed as of mid April.

During a Tuesday conference call to discuss the quarter, another analyst asked Pfizer executives about reports of COVID-19 recurring in patients after they have completed a Paxlovid treatment course.

Company officials said early data from outside clinical trials shows that these recurrences have been reported in less than 1 in 3,000 patients. They noted that patients with compromised immune systems can carry the virus for long periods of time, and Pfizer will study whether extended treatment courses may be appropriate in some cases.

Pfizer on Tuesday also revised the 2022 earnings forecast it debuted in February to reflect an accounting policy change. It now expects adjusted earnings of $6.25 to $6.45 per share.

That's down a dime on both ends of the range from its previous forecast for $6.35 to $6.55 per share.

Analysts forecast earnings of $7.14 per share.

Shares of Pfizer Inc., based in New York, climbed nearly 2% to $49.19 Tuesday.

Pfizers stock hit an all-time high price of $61.71 on Dec. 20. But that price has fallen 18% so far this year, a steeper drop than the roughly 13% decline of the Standard & Poors 500 index.

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AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.

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Follow Tom Murphy on Twitter at @thpmurphy
From as near as Canada and Mexico and from as far as Belarus, Togo, Palau and the Phillippines, 75 immigrants from 32 nations took the Oath of Allegiance Monday and became United States Citizens in Collinsville High School's auditorium.

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois Judges Stephen McGlynn and David Dugan led different parts of the two-hour and 30-minute ceremony. Collinsville High School is the site of a Naturalization Oath Ceremony to welcome new citizens and celebrate with their families.

After the Collinsville VFW 5691 Color Guard emerged to start the ceremony, the Collinsville Wind Ensemble played "The Star-Spangled Banner." McGlynn then reminded everyone that this was a court proceeding, not a political event. No one swore oaths to a president, governor or king. The oath was to uphold the U.S. Constitution, he said.

Many of the citizens-to-be carried and waved tiny U.S. Flags. Judge Dugan led the group in the actual two-part Oath of Allegiance. Dugan told everyone assembled a story about a man named Joseph Cuellar, from Mexico, who was one of Dugan's grandfathers. He immigrated here with his wife and seven children. Cuellar died in 1960, the same year Dugan was born. Dugan's mother was one of those seven children. His decision to move the family here benefitted Dugan and his judgeship.

McGlynn then passed around a microphone so each immigrant could stand, introduce themselves and say where they came from originally. He later asked several of the immigrants to tell snippets of their stories about their journey to this moment. McGlynn said freedom and liberty topped the list of reasons the immigrants said drew them here.

At end of the ceremony, the judges handed out certificates of citizenship to the new citizens and allowed time for family members to take photographs.

Angelus took the mic first. He came from the Democratic Republic of Congo, in south-central Africa. The Congo is one of the continent's largest nations by area.

"We came here to the USA in 2016," he started but his story really began at age three months, when he and his family became refugees. They lived on the eastern border with neighboring Rwanda, a much smaller nation. He mentioned Rwandan Genocide, in which the Tutsi Tribe were victims.

"Even though we are Congolese, we are in the same group as the Tutsi," he said. "When the Hutu Rebels fled to Congo, they saw us and started killing us. We fled back to Rwanda and I was in a refugee camp for 20 years until 2016."

Angelus has earned his high school diploma and is currently enrolled as a nursing student at SIUE.

Many new citizens characterized the locals here as kind and welcoming.

A man from Iraq said he has been in the U.S. since 2015 after arriving via Turkey.

"We came here because it's a great country, it's safe and everybody gets a good chance," he said. He said he now works as an engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation while his wife is a dentist who graduated from school in Iraq in 2001 and worked in several other nations before coming here in 2015. She graduates from SIUE this month.

Juan Pablo Rosales, 24, said he moved here when he was three.

"I came to the United States because my parents wanted to give me a better chance of a good life," he said. "I was able to go to the University of Cincinnati, where I studied as a chemical engineer and now I practice that."

Monique Williams from Jamaica spoke next, with her son, Amir, 3. Her husband, other children and her aunt were in the gallery to support her.

"Moving to America to me, gave me hope. I moved here in 2016," she said. "Jamaica's a beautiful country but we don't have a lot of opportunities. Unfortunately, in my country, sometimes we don't get to reach our full potential because we don't get the opportunity."

She said in Jamaica, she was a stay-at-home mother with three kids but living in America gave her the opportunity to go to college. In 2018, while pregnant with Amir, she graduated from Lindenwood University in accounting in December and she is now enrolled in a master of science in accounting and data analytics program at the University of Illinois.

"At 33 years old, the dream I had for 15 years, I'm now a CPA candidate and a risk and financial advisory analyst going into Deloitte," she said as started to cry. "Thank you, America, for giving me hope!"

Anastasia Murato said she emigrated from Israel with her parents on a working visa.

"My dad got the opportunity to have a job here. I came here at the age of eight. Thanks to America, I had the opportunity to finish high school (Edwardsville High School) and I am now at Saint Louis University as a nursing student."

Katarina from Belarus said political expression is vastly different in her home nation.

"I came to America in 2015 with my mother," she said. She is a Centralia High School alumna and she currently attends Greenville University. She graduates in 2023 with a dual degree in biology and chemistry then it's on to medical school.

"The biggest difference is in Belarus, we have a president for 20 years," she said. "If you say something against him, you go to prison. I think the biggest freedom here is if you don't like the government, you can express your feelings about it."

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a lawful permanent resident after meeting requirements established by Congress. Ceremony participants have been completing the U.S. citizenship process, but were U.S. citizens until they took the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.

Collinsville High School is an Illinois Democracy School, which is designated by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition to recognize schools that have deep commitments to civic learning. The Naturalization Ceremony presents an opportunity for students to

experience civics and citizenship first-hand.

The ceremony has since been uploaded to YouTube. To view it, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gqn1Siifcw
Lorraine Capital, a Buffalo-based private equity firm, has acquired ICM Controls, a North Syracuse manufacturer of electronic controls.

Lorraine did not disclose the purchase price. But William Maggio, one of Lorraines partners, said it was the largest deal in the firms nine-year history.

ICM was founded in 1984 and has more than 300 employees, making products for the HVAC, recreational vehicle, mobile home, pool and spa markets.

Justin Reich, also a Lorraine partner, said manufacturing trends  including supply chain disruptions  point in favor of ICM's growth.

We all read about supply chain, the possibility of onshoring, domestic manufacturing thats likely to happen over the next five, 10 to 15 years for all the reasons that every person in America can see today, Reich said. All of these things are going to play out in the investment thesis. And theyre very well positioned to ride that wave.

ICM has been owned by an estate since its founder died, Reich said. Lorraine will keep ICMs management team and workforce intact.

"Were bringing not just capital from inside the region, but were bringing capital from national partners of ours," said Sam Russo, another Lorraine partner. "Were bringing resources and relationships from national and international partners of ours."

Lorraine focuses primarily on investment opportunities in the Great Lakes region. Maggio said the ICM deal reflects Lorraines growth as a private equity firm, with the ability to acquire larger companies.

Were just in a position based on our success up to this point where we can continue to evolve as an organization and have an impact on footprints that mean a lot to us, he said.

Matt Glynn

Buffalo Next Must-read local business coverage that exposes the trends, connects the dots and contextualizes the impact to Buffalo's economy. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
On Monday, Politico reported that the Supreme Court voted in December to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision which guaranteed federal constitutional protections of abortion rights.

"Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," a leaked draft of the majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, obtained by Politico, reads. The ruling also overturns Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a decision that cemented Roe.

"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," Alito wrote in the draft. "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

The draft effectively states that there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or ban the medical procedure.

The draft becoming public is the first in the modern history of the court to be disclosed publicly while a case was still pending. The ruling will not be final until it is published, and the document was noted as being dated Feb. 10, Politico reported. No pther news organization has been able to verify the authenticity of the document.

Four of the other justices on the Supreme Court voted in December with Alito, including Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, Politico reported.

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the "basic fairness and the stability of our law demand" that the court not overturn Roe. While emphasizing that he couldnt speak to the authenticity of the draft, Biden said his administration is preparing for all eventualities for when the court ultimately rules.

In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of votes in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as it is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. AP-NORC polling finds that generally, the majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases.

If Roe is overturned, and the issue of abortion is returned to "the people's elected representatives," Illinois residents may not be in for that much of a change in regards to abortion rights. The state last updated abortion laws in 2019, repealing state statutes and placing some restrictions on abortions through the Reproductive Health Act.

In 2021, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also signed the repeal of a state law that required health care providers to notify parents, grandparents or guardians of girls 17 and under before performing abortions in the state. Illinois Medicaid and most private health insurance plans are required to cover abortion care.

"In Illinois, we trust women," Pritzker tweeted Monday, following the Politico report. "We cannot let their most profound and personal rights be violated."

Illinois gives its residents the fundamental right to make decisions regarding reproductive health care regardless of age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, class, immigration status, race, ethnicity, language ability or disability status, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Illinois is one of 16 states and the District of Columbia to have protected access to abortion in state law. In January, the Chicago Tribune reported that there was a 29% increase in women traveling into the state for abortion access, with nearly 10,000 women doing so. This compromised about 21% of the state's total performed abortions. The Associated Press reported this figure could climb even higher.
Lagos, Tuesday, May 3, 2022: Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today called on governments at all levels in Nigeria to take urgent measures to create a safe and conducive environment for journalism practice in Nigeria, both online and offline, noting that the rising spate of uninvestigated attacks against journalists in recent years undermines the Governments obligation to protect media practitioners.

In a statement to commemorate this years World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), MRA urged the Federal Government to make a commitment to protect journalists and other media workers from various forms of attacks, including online, saying such a move would signal its appreciation of the importance of the theme of this years WPFD, which is Journalism Under Digital Siege.

MRA said in the statement signed by its Communications Officer, Mr. Idowu Adewale, that recent advancements in surveillance technologies all over the world and Nigerias acquisition of such technologies in recent years is having a significant negative impact media freedom and freedom of expression more broadly, the safety of journalists, access to information and the right to privacy, thereby putting all of these rights at risk. It is also putting journalists under siege.

Mr. Adewale argued: human safety and security as well as respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms should underpin any national cybersecurity effort. There can be no justification for the indiscriminate interception, monitoring or surveillance of peoples private communication, which leaves innocent citizens fearful for their safety and of their government.

According to him, where the Government or its security agencies plan to engage in targeted communication surveillance, such action may only be carried out within the framework of a law that conforms with international human rights law and standards, upon a specific and reasonable suspicion that a serious crime has been or is being carried out and after the prior authorisation of an independent judicial authority has been obtained.

Mr. Adewale called on the Government to put an end to practice by security agencies and regulatory bodies of interfering in different ways with the rights of individuals to seek, receive and impart information or to communicate with others through any means of communication and digital technologies, such as by blocking or otherwise intentionally disrupting access, saying actions constitute a violation of international human rights law and standards.

He said besides refraining from engaging in any such intentional disruption of access to the Internet and other digital technologies, the Governments international human rights commitments also impose an obligation on it not to condone any such action by other actors, including private companies and criminal groups.

For further information, please contact:

Idowu Adewale

Communications Officer

Media Rights Agenda, Lagos

E-mail: [email protected]


The Zamfara State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the circumstances that instigated fire at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission situated in the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by INECs National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, obtained today.

Okoye who decried the loss of valuable election materials that were not recoverable from the fire, noted that the inferno started at about 11pm on Monday, but had no casualties.

The statement read: The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Zamfara State, Professor Saidu Babura Ahmed, has reported that our office in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area was gutted by fire.

The tragic incident occurred around 11.00pm on Monday 2nd May 2022. No casualties were reported while critical materials such as Permanent Voters Cards and registration machines for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise stored in fireproof cabinets were saved.

However, the building was extensively damaged. A number of fixed and movable office furniture were destroyed in spite of the best effort of the Zamfara State Fire Service and the spirited efforts of good Samaritans to contain the inferno.

The attention of the Nigeria Police has been drawn to this incident. Together with the Fire Service, they have commenced an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire and advise the Commission for further action.
Cinco de Mayo calls to mind tacos, mariachis and margaritas, but the day is more than that.

The fifth of May marks a historical battle where poorly equipped Mexican forces, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, were victorious against French soldiers. Known as the Battle of Puebla, it was an important moment in the war to drive French occupiers out of Mexico and came to be a symbol of Mexican resistance and cultural pride.

While it is still celebrated in certain parts of Mexico with parades and re-enactments, it cant hold a candle  or a cocktail?  to the myriad festivities held across the United States. If you want to join the fiesta, here are some local events in honor of this cross-border phenomenon.

Cinco de Mayo celebration

11 a.m. to 2 a.m. May 5 at Andale 1 Mexican Restaurant (1402 French Road, Depew)

Mexican restaurant Andale 1 will have an indoor and outdoor celebration at its Depew location. Inside, the party runs from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. with food and margarita specials. An outside party tent hosts a large fiesta from 5 to 11 p.m. that includes a beer trailer, specialty Spanish tacos with a mix of meat and live music (from 5 to 9 p.m.). Rounds of free shots will be given away throughout the night.

Cinco de Mayo Street Festival

Noon to 11 p.m. May 5 at Deep South Taco (291 Ellicott St.)

Deep South Taco will hosts its seventh annual celebration at its downtown Buffalo location. There will be live music from local groups, including party band Nerds Gone Wild, XOXO Pop Band, Hazzard County and Strictly Hip, as well as plenty of food and drinks. General admission is $10; VIP admission starts at $60.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Noon to 8 p.m. May 5 at the Hard Rock Cafe (333 Prospect St, Niagara Falls)

Head to Hard Rock Cafe where a day-long party celebrates Cinco de Mayo. There will be margarita specials and tequila sampling, as well as music from DJ PNasty. Later during the festivities, you can also get your hair braided for free by braidbabes, a company that does hair braiding and teaches braiding hairstyle techniques.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration

2 to 11 p.m. May 5 at Don Juan Mexican Bar and Grill (484 Harlem Road, West Seneca)

Don Juan Mexican Bar and Grill will host its annual event with games and prizes, along with drink and food specials. Stick around until 8 p.m., when an evening dance party starts. Admission is free.

5 to 8 p.m. May 5 at Aloft Hotel, 500 Pearl St.

The Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce will be holding a happy hour for Cinco de Mayo at Patrick's Rooftop Bar at Aloft Hotel. There will be a cash bar and drawings, with prizes including an overnight stay at the hotel. It is also a chance to network with business members and the chamber of commerce. Admission is free.

Cinco de Mayo Summer Rooftop Party

Noon to 5 p.m. May 7 at Hombre y Lobo (149 Swan Street, Suite 1)

Cant make it to events on the fifth of May? The Buffalo restaurant Hombre y Lobo (Spanish for Man and Wolf) is hosting a party on the rooftop on May 7. There will be tacos and margaritas, and DJ Tatianna will provide the music. Beach party attire is recommended. Tickets are $30 and include a free cocktail.
If there is any global event which any Nigerian Journalist that knows his onions look forward to by each passing year, it is unarguably the World Press Freedom Day, and which is traditionally marked on May 3, by each calendar year. It is excitingly looked forward to by Journalists as it has a special meaning to them. Against the foregoing backdrop, one cannot hesitate in this context to say that press freedom means a lot to Nigerian Journalists, particularly as the country is approaching national elections that is scheduled to hold in 2023, and it is critically important for the press to provide fair and balanced coverage to educate and inform the electorates about the issues and the positions of the contesting parties. The media is often called the fourth branch of government (or the fourth estate). That is because it monitors the political process in order to ensure that political players do not abuse the democratic process. The responsibility of the press is daunting. Editors and television executives must weigh the publics right to know against the potential for inciting civil unrest by publishing or televising inflammatory news stories. This is responsible journalism.

This years World Press Freedom Day theme Journalism under digital siege, spotlights the multiple ways in which journalism is endangered by surveillance and digitally-mediated attacks on journalists, and the consequences of all this on public trust in digital communications.

Against the backdrop of the special day, President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the media against carrying sponsored political reports and stories ahead of the 2023 general election in the country.

In a message to mark the special day, President Buhari, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, rejoiced with the Nigerian media and recognized their role in strengthening democracy.

He charged the Nigerian Press to use the World Press Freedom Day to reflect on the need to embrace the best professional standards and practices, especially in the build-up to the forthcoming general election.

In as much as the president has spoken in favor of Journalists, it is equally expedient to tell him through our colleague, who we expect to come back home at the expiration of Buharis tenure to lend a voice to Nigerian Journalists that are being silenced around the country in the course of carrying out their news gathering duties on daily basis. In too many places, they are attacked, intimidated, and despised for trying to report the news or exercise their freedom of expression. The collective plight of Nigerian Journalists is inexorably pitiable as even most educated Nigerians that can unmistakably be assumed to be well informed about the dynamics of Journalism appear to have forgotten that freedom of the press is a form of liberty that must be pervasive throughout society.

Come 2023, voters will go to the polls to determine the political coalition that they believe is best suited to govern their nation till 2027. What must hold firm before and after the elections, regardless of the result, is a determination and an unwavering commitment by the press to accurate, fair, and equitable coverage of all leaders and parties contesting the polls. Print, radio, television, online news sources and all forms of press are therefore set to rededicate themselves to ensure the stories they write or air on radio or television are based on facts and that they provide equitable coverage to all sides points of view. Journalists, therefore, as they are wont to have never been relenting from one political dispensation to another as virtually every Nigerian Journalist I have come across is desirous to do his or her job diligently and professionally.

Given the myriad of hindrances which an average Nigerian Journalist faces, I am appealing that Nigerians, who are not in any way affiliated to the profession, should allow us to perform our duties as we were taught in the school, and on the job within the purview of the constitution as it is a profession that is boldly recognized by the constitution, and it is unarguably on that grounds it has been labelled to be Fourth Estate of the Realm, in the order of executive, legislative and judiciary.

However, the fact that Journalists are not let to be in the course of practice has ostensibly being authenticated in a Report just released as the world marks 2022 World Press Freedom Day. According to the Report, Nigeria dropped to 129 from 120 in the latest ranking of press freedom across 180 countries.

According to the ranking, which is compiled by Reporters without borders, Nigeria is one of West Africas most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, who are often watched, attacked, arbitrarily arrested and even killed.

It noted that while the country has a rich and diverse media landscape, the level of government interferences in the news media is significant.

It can involve pressure, harassment of journalists and media outlets, and even censorship, the report noted.

In 2021, the Peoples Gazette news site was blocked after it revealed that privileges were given to the son of a member of the presidents inner circle. Twitter was suspended for seven months after it deleted one of the presidents tweets. Media outlets were ordered to delete their Twitter accounts as a patriotic gesture.

While Nigerias constitution protects freedom of expression and opinion, there are many laws that make it possible to obstruct the work of journalists.

Several very dangerous laws regulating social media have been proposed in recent years, causing an outcry, the report said.

Meanwhile, Norway was ranked as the country with the most press freedom, while North Koreas press was regarded as the least free.

The ranking is calculated by tallying a quantitative tally of abuses against journalists in connection with their work, and against media outlets and a qualitative analysis of the situation in each country or territory based on the responses of press freedom specialists (including journalists, researchers, academics and human rights defenders) to an RSF questionnaire available in 23 languages.
Bites were caused by a shark, confirms PMBC Chief

PHUKET: Dr Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, Director of the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC), has supported the view that the 8-year-old boy injured at Kamala Beach on Sunday (May 1) was bitten by a shark.

tourismmarineSafety

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 3 May 2022, 10:00AM

Initially, we suspected that the injury was caused by one of two types of sharks found in the area: bull sharks and the blacktip sharks, which we find around Kamala Beach, Dr Kongkiat, a well-respected marine research biologist who was studied marine life in the Phuket region for decades, said yesterday (May 2).

But, in the opinion of David Martin, an underwater photographer and shark expert, its very unlikely to have been a blacktip shark due to the nature of the attack being very violent. The injuries are believed to be caused by a bull shark, he said.

However, we cannot confirm exactly which species it is, but the wounds were definitely caused by a shark, because the scene of the incident is not known for barracuda.

Specifically, the wound was caused by a shark as both upper and lower teeth were used in combination. It was a sharp wound on both sides and had both upper and lower teeth snapped at the same time. Therefore, it corresponds to the nature of the wound caused by sharks, Dr Kongkiat said.

In addition, the scene of the incident was a stationary zone where sharks were active. The incident was most likely caused by the movement of the injured [boy] in the cloudy water.

The shark then came in for food, and thought it was food, therefore biting the injured leg. But when it took a bite it found that it was not food and therefore did not attack again.

Also, its very rare that something like this happens, Dr Kongkiat said.

Dr Kongkiat explained his opinion to the press yesterday when David Martin and Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong met with the young boy, Naphat Chaiyarak Khrystenko, a Thai child with a Ukrainian father and Thai mother who all live together in Phuket.

Naphats injuries were serious wounds, requiring more than 30 stitches.

David Martin first gave his opinion yesterday that the bites were inflicted by a shark, dismissing initial claims that the bites were caused by a barracuda.

After speaking with Naphat at a restaurant opposite Mission Hospital Phuket in Rassada yesterday afternoon, Vice Governor Pichet explained that Naphat was bitten in the water in front of Kamala Police Station.

Naphat was some 100 metres from shore, but still in water only one metre deep, V/Gov Pichet said.

V/Gov Pichet highlighted that Naphat and his parents were not tourists. If they were, they would be entitled to some extra assistance, he noted.

But when it is a person in the province, that right has been lost. The mother of the child understands this very well, he said.

As for which marine animal attacked the child, academics and experts are the ones to make the best analysis, V/Gov Pichet added.

Beach guards have been instructed to pay particular attention when supervising tourists swimming in the sea. At the same time, warning signs and towers must be placed to watch over tourists.

Another thing might be the use of drones, but in the end the best method is warning signs for tourists, V/Gov Pichet said.
COVID-19 wards start to close

BANGKOK: Several hospitals have begun closing their COVID-19 wards as the number of virus-linked admissions has fallen, according to the Department of Medical Services.

CoronavirusCOVID-19health

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 3 May 2022, 08:53AM

Photo: Bangkok Post

That is because most COVID-19 patients are now receiving care at home for mild symptoms, said Dr Somsak Akksilp, director-general of the department, yesterday (May 2).

With this decreased workload in handling COVID-19 patients, its time for hospitals to return healthcare resources to other departments that need them more, he said.

Dr Naronglit Masaya-anon, deputy dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Mahidol University, meanwhile, said Ramathibodi Hospital is resuming its normal operation timetable after many were delayed while priority was given to COVID-19 patients, reports the Bangkok Post.

Lerdsin Hospital, too, is scaling back and will stop admitting COVID-19 cases to its field unit which currently only has 30-40 of its 200 beds filled, said Dr Somsak.

He noted that the field hospital was set up to treat up to 200 patients.

New COVID-19 patients who come to this field hospital are therefore transferred to a hospital where they actually have the right to free healthcare services, he said.

[Lerdsin Hospital] now expects to, in about a week or two, resume its normal operations as before [the COVID-19 pandemic began],

Moreover, he said the close monitoring of coronavirus strains will continue after recent detections of new sub-variants abroad.

Guidelines on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in the event the disease becomes recognised as endemic are currently being drafted, he said.

He also urged parents of children aged five and over to get their second shots before they return to school.

Thailand yesterday recorded 9,331 new COVID-19 infections and 84 deaths.
German tourist lost in Phuket jungle found safe

PHUKET: A 21-year-old German tourist lost in the jungle near Nai Thon Beach on his first day in Phuket was found by search teams last night and safely returned to his hotel.

tourismSafetypolice

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 3 May 2022, 05:42PM

German national Leon Samuels had arrived in Phuket on a flight from Frankfurt yesterday (May 2) and decided to go for a nature walk, explained Col Ekachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police.

However, he had become lost and called for help at 6:58pm, he said.

Luckily, Mr Samuels had a spare battery for his phone and his phone could access a phone signal and the internet, Col Ekachai said.

Mr Samuels had called the Tourist Police hotline 1155 for help, he added.

Officers from the Tourist Police, the Tourist Assistance Center [TAC] and from the Sakhu Police coordinated with Mr Samuels so they could find him. They also coordinated their search with officers from Sirinath National Park, Col Ekachai said.

Mr Samuels sent coordinates of his location via the WhatsApp application. He was about 1.1km from the Pullman Hotel, Col Ekachai noted.

He was reportedly stuck among some big rocks. He asked for the search party to bring drinking water, he added.

The officers informed him to stay in the same spot, not to move, and said that they would hurry to coordinate the relevant officers to start the search for him, Col Ekachai said.

The search began at 8pm, starting from rocks along the beach near the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Resort, whose staff helped lead the way past some difficult areas to navigate nearby.



By 9:10pm, Mr Samuels had been found. He was uninjured and escorted out of the jungle by 10:45pm, Col Ekachai noted.

A taxi was organised to take him back to his hotel, which he confirmed he reached safely at 00:25am, he added.

Mr Samuels thanked everyone involved, including the hotel staff, Col Ekachai said.
Taxi driver denies any intent of sex misconduct

PHUKET: The Phuket taxi driver accused of inappropriately touching a 15-year-old girl tourist from Australia has denied any intention of committing any indecent act, Phuket Provincial Police have announced through a statement.

tourismtransportSafetysexcrimepolice

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 3 May 2022, 02:23PM

The taxi at Cherng Talay Police Station on Sunday night (May 1). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The driver, who police named only as Mr Wimol, was summoned to Cherng Talay Police Station on Sunday night (May 1), explained the statement issued by Phuket Provincial Police yesterday.

The statement was issued in response to comments posted online, challenging police to investigate the report of the alleged sex assault to ensure Phuket Police were performing their duty to protect tourists, and for the sake of protecting Phukets image as a tourist destination.

The girls father filed a formal complaint with Cherng Talay Police last Saturday, the same day that the family flew home.

The taxi driver has been accused of inappropriately touching the girls thigh while she was a passenger in the taxi. The incident occurred at the parking lot of Central Festival shopping mall in Wichit on Friday (Apr 29), said the complaint.

The Phuket Provincial Police statement issued yesterday explained that the father had indicated that the family did not want to pursue prosecution as they were flying home.

The statement also explained that police were procedurally unable to press charges if the victim herself had not yet filed a complaint.

However, the statement noted that Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong had taken an immediate direct interest in the case, and had ordered the Cherng Talay Police Chief to ensure that the complaint was investigated.

Maj Gen Sermphan also presented himself directly to the Australian Consulate-General in Phuket to explain that the girl could still press charges if she chose to.

If the informant wishes to prosecute, we will proceed by receiving the complaint, investigating and pursuing legal proceedings, the statement read.

Police have issued a formal notice to the relevant agencies to ensure the acts of drivers of a public transport vehicle is appropriate.

If [the behaviour] is not appropriate, then officers are to proceed in accordance with their powers and duties, the statement concluded.
Except for a handful of aficionados, few remember the movie "Model Hunger."

But the low-budget 2015 horror film, most of which was shot in Buffalo, provides the connection among the three honorees at the Niagara County Community College Film & Animation Festival on May 7.

"Model Hunger" was the directorial debut for veteran horror actress Debbie Rochon, who will conduct a horror workshop and present the keynote speech May 7 on NCCC's Sanborn campus.

The movie offered a powerful lead role for another horror star, Lynn Lowry ("The Crazies," "Shivers"), who also will appear at the NCCC event.

And Sam Qualiana, the second assistant director on "Model Hunger," will be honored as Western New York Filmmaker of the Year, primarily for his local horror films.

Among the Ransomville resident's locally made films are "The Legend of Six Fingers," which included both Rochon and Lowry, and "Post Apocalyptic Commando Shark," in which Rochon appeared.

I was always a fan of her work to begin with, and after I met her by being her second assistant director on Model Hunger, we kind of formed a relationship from there. I put her in a lot of my movies afterward," Qualiana said.

Several of Rochon's 266 acting credits in the Internet Movie Database have Western New York connections.

"A lot of the independent directors that live in Buffalo, Ive worked with them, so its a home away from home," Rochon said. I did a few movies with Greg Lamberson: Slime City Massacre, Dry Bones, Killer Rack.' "

But for Rochon, "Model Hunger" stands apart. She and Lowry are scheduled to appear at a screening of the film at 9 p.m. May 5 in Dipson Amherst Theatre (3500 Main St.). Doors will open at 7:30 for photos and autographs.

Its a raw movie, not only because its my first one, but because the nature of the subject matter lends itself to sort of a very raw feel," Rochon said.

"Im very excited about seeing 'Model Hunger' in Buffalo, where we filmed it, and looking forward to the film festival as well," Lowry said in an email.

Rochon said "Model Hunger" was a huge career boost for Lowry, who starred as a former model who cannibalizes beautiful young models in her basement.

"It was an amazing role for Lynn and she just slayed it, literally," Rochon said. "And this is the most beautiful part for someone like me, as a director  when this happens, its a fantastic compliment  she was so good, she inspired a lot of people to hire her."

Tim Clark, commissioner of the Buffalo Niagara Film Office, recalls "Model Hunger" and Rochon's efforts.

She acted in a few things before that and she realized this is a place that will really support that level of filmmaking," Clark said. "She also knows Sam and Greg Lamberson and people who are local horror aficionados and directors, and realized that this was a good support system for her, too."

Clark's team spends a lot of its time on local horror movies.

Id say its a good 20% to 30%. Its a pretty good sector of what we do," Clark said. "We see a lot of movies that are shot here that are horror movies that actually get really heavy distribution in other parts of the world. Its a weird phenomenon, but in parts of Asia and certainly throughout Europe, horror seems to be something thats in demand.

Rochon said the indie-horror genre is shifting away from the exploitation movies that launched her career in the 1980s and 1990s  movies that always included what she called "the prerequisite topless scene."

Filmmakers are creating projects for women that are so great. People are emulating that, and that is fantastic. You actually get to act now," Rochon said. "The difference is just truly night and day from when I came up to whats available now. You dont have to do that stuff to get in front of a 16mm or 35mm camera. Theres so many projects you can cut your teeth on now. Its just far better today.

Qualiana said that as a crew member, he's worked on many types of films, but his own movies tend toward the horror genre.

I think I like it a lot because you can just kind of go anywhere with it and do things that you wouldnt normally see, just make up some kinds of scenarios that would never happen, that are kind of fun to be creative and just run away with the ideas," Qualiana said.

The festival will include the showing of a continuous loop of three Lowry shorts  "Ready For My Closeup," "Divination" and "Mindflip  The Prequel"  and a variety of other films.

This is really the first time were featuring horror as the festival theme," said Robert Borgatti, a professor of digital media and animation, and coordinator of the festival.

It will present $200 prizes for the best entry in each of seven different genres. Special "716" awards will go to the best films by local high school and college students, and the best overall film selected by attendees. Admission is free.

Preview

Niagara County Community College Film and Animation Festival: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7 at NCCC, 3111 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn. Features film competition, displays, exhibits, workshops and speakers. Free.

"Model Hunger": Special screening with Debbie Rochon and Lynn Lowry, 9 p.m. May 5 at the Dipson Amherst Theatre, 3500 Main St.; $10. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for autographs and photos.

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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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Zachary D. Clopton is a law professor at Northwestern University who has written frequently about the role of nationwide injunctions in federal courts.
Passover, Ramadan and Lent all came to an end during the past few weeks and Ive found myself thinking of the oddest thing: a cow.



When I was about 5, a life-size statue of a cow appeared in our neighbors front yard. The Hereford stood a silent sentinel on Academy Street in Galesburg and left many perplexed.



Where did it come from? Why was it there? And what was its meaning?



It was the subject of neighborhood discussions. Adults found the need to weigh in among themselves about the inappropriateness of the bovine edifice.



When Id walk to school, Id pass right by the creature and stop with friends to look at it. Our tiny hands would stroke its plastic side.



One day after school I asked my mother, Why is there a cow in front of Daveys house?



My mother was silent and contemplative for a moment. She said, Daveys family is a different religion than us. They are Jewish. The cow must be part of their religion. But dont mention it to Davey.



Of course, I did.



Davey, do you have a cow in your front yard because youre Jewish?



He gave me a perplexed look and said, No, my dad belongs to the Jaycees and his friends in the club thought it would be funny to stick a cow in our yard.



My 5-year-old curiosity was quenched, and I went about my day with an answer to my question. I would no longer be confused by the misguided notion that livestock statuary had something to do with modern Judaism.



How did my mother come up with the goofy idea that the cow was some sort of theological statement? It beats me. But her mistake is an all too common one in our society. Too often we make assumptions about those who in some way identify differently than ourselves.



Its a tiresome but all too common exercise.



For example, when I was a college student, my roommate was African American. We both had pictures of our nieces on our desks. Inevitably, when a white person would drop by our room, they would see the picture on his desk and they would say, Oh my, hes got a kid.



Strangely, no one ever asked my roommate the identity of the person in the photo or assumed that the image on my desk was anyone other than my niece.



They made a judgement about him based on a difference  in this case race  rather than facts. The false narrative didnt serve anyone particularly well  particularly if we are interested in mending divides -- rather than broadening them.



Wouldnt it have been better for someone to just ask my roommate, Hey, Danny, who is in that photo?



Im a 57-year-old. I have never tasted alcohol. And for decades Ive put up with people making assumptions about why that is. The most common thought expressed: Scott doesnt drink because its against his religion.



Nope. Im a Christian who recognizes that Jesus drank wine to celebrate, hydrate and commemorate. I dont drink because I had an alcoholic grandparent and have never seen much appealing about the custom. But to each their own.



Last year, my wife and I took a vacation in a nation where the state religion is Islam. A well-meaning friend, who watches a lot of Fox News, took me aside and begged us not to go. She said Muslims hate Americans and our lives would be in danger.



Despite her desperate pleadings we took the trip and found ourselves treated with kindness and hospitality. When we saw customs different than our own, we didnt make assumptions. Id make conversation and just ask.



I learned a lot not only by asking questions but by observing. For example, I saw a couple who appeared to be Iranian and on their honeymoon. The woman was wearing a black chador, a cloak that extends from head to toe.



For a person of my generation, the garb inevitably conjures memories of thousands of angry demonstrators outside the U.S. embassy in Tehran shouting Death to America. But I saw no anger or hatred.



In fact, it was fun to watch her flirt with her groom like honeymooners the world over. And when a wind came off the ocean she would stretch out and let the cool breeze fill her chador as a child might.



It would be easy to focus on the differences between our two cultures. But that small act served as a reminder of our shared humanity.



To quote that great American television philosopher Ted Lasso, Be curious, not judgmental.
CHAMPAIGN  April was colder than normal in Illinois, with freezing temperatures occurring into mid-month and as far south as St. Louis Metro East, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois Illinois State Water Survey.

The most recent Climate Prediction Center outlooks for May lean to below normal temperatures. However, the MayJuly outlooks begin to lean to warmer than normal temperatures to start summer, and these chances increase heading into JuneAugust.

On the precipitation side, the May outlooks lean a bit wetter than normal for western Illinois but show equal chances of wetter and drier than normal rainfall for the rest of the state. The MayJuly outlooks put Illinois between higher chances of drier conditions to our west and wetter conditions to our east.

Forecasts for JuneAugust begin to move to higher chances of dry conditions farther east into western Illinois.

Rainfall in April was frequent but averaged near normal statewide for the month. The preliminary statewide average April temperature was 49.6 degrees, 2.7 degrees below the 19912020 average. April average temperatures ranged from the low 40s in northern Illinois to the mid-50s in southern Illinois, between 1 and 6 degrees below normal.

The preliminary statewide average total March precipitation was 3.74 inches, 0.06 inches below the 19912020 average. For most of the state, the total amount of April precipitation was not excessive, and some areas were drier than normal. However, precipitation frequency was unusually high as most places recorded 12+ days with some measurable precipitation. Macomb had 22 days with measurable precipitation last month, Aurora had 20, Champaign had 19 and Cairo had 18.

Total April precipitation ranged from just under 3 inches in east-central Illinois to over 6 inches in far southern Illinois. Most areas north of Interstate 80 and south of Interstate 64 were 1 to 2 inches wetter than normal. Most of the central part of the state was near to slightly drier than normal.

The persistently wet and cool month did make quite an impact on drought conditions in northern Illinois. Soil moisture and streamflow across northern Illinois have recovered to pre-drought conditions, and in response the U.S. Drought Monitor eliminated all drought across the state on April 26.

That ended a 55-consecutive-week stretch of some drought in Illinois, the longest in the 20+ year Drought Monitor record.

Although the lack of extreme rainfall last month kept most serious flooding at bay, soils across the state remained wet due to frequent rain and cooler temperatures. This caused fieldwork and planting delays, especially in southern Illinois, where conditions remain wetter than normal for this time of the year.

Snow in April stayed mostly north of Interstate 80. April snowfall totals ranged from just over a tenth of an inch along and north of Interstate 74 to over 3 inches around the Rockford area.

Snowfall for the OctoberApril season ranged from just over 30 inches in northeast Illinois to less than 5 inches in far southern Illinois. Most of the state had snowfall that was 5 to 15 inches below normal this season, except for a narrow band from Calhoun County to Will County, which had 1 to 10 inches above normal.
John Badman

ALTON  Employees of Radcliff Masonry, Inc., on Monday work to remove loose bricks from the top of the Belle Street building that houses part of Mac's on 4th Street across from the Hayner Library.

Workers said they would be putting brick back up. The downtown building also shares common walls with Mac's Time Out.
Titan LNG, a leading independent alternative fuels supplier, has joined SEA-LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition established to demonstrate LNGs benets as a viable marine fuel.

SEA-LNG and Titan particularly recognised that together, and in combination with SEA-LNGs wider membership, they can expedite the decarbonisation of the maritime sector through impactful advocacy on the use of LNG and its bio and synthetic LNG cousins.

LNG offers a transition to net-zero GHG emissions based on incremental decarbonisation of existing assets as fuel production, transportation, storage and bunkering infrastructure, and engine technologies develop. These innovations will also not come about automatically.

Collaboration essential

Collaboration across the maritime value chain is essential to drive the required innovation and investment. SEA-LNG has the expertise spanning LNG production, bunkering, engine technology, ship owning, banking and port and ship operations from all around the world among its membership.

This combination of finance, operations and technical expertise in supply chains and infrastructure for LNG as a marine fuel will deliver for the LNG sector.

Steve Esau, chief operating officer at SEA-LNG commented: Titan has a strong track record of being at the cutting-edge of LNG as a marine fuel and, at the moment, this particularly involves scaling up the production of bioLNG. Its expertise fit in seamlessly with ours and those of our members. Were pleased that Titan is joining and were looking forward to working with its fantastic team on LNG bunkering, bioLNG supply and much more.

Michael Schaap, Titan LNGs commercial director marine said: Scaling up production is a key challenge for all alternative marine fuels. Therefore, its important to share knowledge and expertise. SEA-LNG has a strong network of industry experts and plays a critical role in outlining the benefits of LNG to the market and supporting innovation by facilitating collaboration. As Titan continues to expand the supply of bioLNG, despite challenging market conditions, we anticipate membership of SEA-LNG will bring real benefits to the business and our customers.

Innovator in the LNG sector

Titan has always been an innovator in the LNG sector. The companys recent announcement with partners of a 2,400 tonne per year bioLNG production plant demonstrates its pioneer status. The plant is backed by the EU and scheduled to come online in 2023, after which Titan has agreed on an exclusive long-term contract to be the project off-taker and supply the bioLNG to the maritime industry.

SEA-LNG continues to build an impressive roster of LNG stakeholders to support its commitment to develop and communicate independent, fact-based analysis of the commercial, environmental and operational benefits of LNG as a marine fuel. As an example, SEA-LNG recently analysed the effects of bioLNG on vessel compliance under the IMOs Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) system.

The analysis shows that LNG will allow vessels to meet their CII obligations until 2030, while thereafter, for every 10% increase in bioLNG or renewable synthetic LNG blended with traditional LNG, the vessel will gain two years of additional compliance.-- TradeArabia News Service
Jurors on Tuesday heard the same from both a prosecutor and a defense attorney: Bryam D. Bassett brutally attacked his girlfriend over the course of several days inside their Riverside apartment three years ago.

Bassett's beating left the victim's eyes swollen shut. He stomped on her back, leaving her with a fractured vertebra. He shaved her head.

Bassett's own attorney called the assault "horrific," "unjustified" and "stomach-churning."

But Bassett, whose trial started last week, isn't charged with assault. Instead, he faces two counts of first-degree rape and first-degree unlawful imprisonment.

During closing arguments delivered Tuesday, prosecutors said their evidence shows Bassett, 31, raped the woman twice inside a Shaffer Village apartment on Isabelle Street between May 5 and 7, 2019.

Man, 28, charged with twice raping woman in Riverside apartment A Buffalo man faces two first-degree rape charges after he was accused of attacking a woman in an apartment in the citys Riverside neighborhood. Bryam Bassett, 28, was accused of raping a woman twice Monday in a Shaffer Village apartment on Isabelle Street, according to a Buffalo police report. Bassett was accused of beating the woman and then raping

The victim suffered three days of physical and sexual abuse  "three days of dominance, three days of control," as prosecutors put it  from which she "did not think she was going to make it out," Assistant District Attorney Noha Elnakib said.

Bassett's attorneys called no witnesses and, on Tuesday afternoon, his fate was put in the hands of an Erie County jury.

Bassett's defense attorneys attempted to poke holes in the prosecution's case, arguing there are deficiencies in the DNA evidence that was presented. They asked the jurors to consider whether any sexual contact between Bassett and his girlfriend happened prior to the assault.

The case, in terms of the rape charges, "is filled with reasonable doubt," defense attorney Robert Cutting told jurors, calling it a case of "he said/she said."

At one point during the three days, according to prosecutors, Bassett made the victim get on the floor while naked and took video of her while on a video call. She was "humiliated and degraded," Elnakib told jurors.

Buffalo man indicted on sex assault, unlawful imprisonment charges A Buffalo man accused of sexually attacking a woman inside a Riverside apartment in the spring has been arraigned in Erie County Court, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office. Prosecutors said an indictment charged 28-year-old Bryam Bassett with two counts of predatory sexual assault and two counts of first-degree unlawful imprisonment, according to the District Attorneys Office.

Prosecutors contend the victim, because of her injuries from the assault, was prevented from leaving the apartment by Bassett.

In addition to the instances of sexual assault, prosecutors also accuse Bassett of tying up his girlfriend with rope and duct tape and putting her in a closet for several hours two weeks earlier.

According to prosecutors, Bassett had confronted the victim about alleged cheating around that time.

Bassett was indicted on first-degree predatory sexual assault charges, but last month, those charges  which carried with them the potential for life in prison, if convicted  were reduced to the first-degree rape counts.

Suspect challenges police search, statements in brutal sex assault case in Buffalo Bryam D. Bassett is accused of brutally attacking a woman, including raping her twice over a 30-minute period. He wants a judge to suppress a variety of evidence, arguing that police illegally entered an apartment and exceeded their authority once inside.

Before the trial, Erie County Judge Sheila A. DiTullio granted a defense motion to lower the charges based on minutes of grand jury proceedings, which prosecutors also conceded did not support the higher charges, a spokesperson for the District Attorney's Office has said.

As part of their deliberations, jurors will be able to consider a count of second-degree unlawful imprisonment in connection with the allegations the victim was bound and left in the bedroom closet, the judge said.

On May 7, 2019, Buffalo police, responding to a welfare check call made by the victim's boss, entered the Shaffer Village apartment without a warrant, entry DiTullio ruled was legal because police had a good-faith basis to believe someone was inside in imminent distress and needed help.

Reach Aaron at abesecker[at]buffnews.com or 716-849-4602.

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SRINAGAR, India (AP)  Muslims across India marked Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday by offering prayers outside mosques, with the celebrations this year following a series of attacks against the religious minority during the month of Ramadan.

We will not have the same kind of festivity this year, said Mohammad Habeeb ur Rehman, a civil engineer in India's financial capital, Mumbai. This is the most painful Eid with the worst memories for Indian Muslims.

Anti-Muslim sentiment and attacks have surged across the country in the last month, including stone throwing between Hindu and Muslim groups during religious processions and subsequent demolitions by authorities of a number of properties belonging mostly to Muslims.

The community, which makes up 14% of India's 1.4 billion population, is reeling from vilification by hard-line Hindu nationalists who have long espoused an anti-Muslim stance. Some leaders of India's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party have tacitly supported the violence, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has so far been silent about it.

Eid al-Fitr is typically marked with communal prayers, celebratory gatherings around festive meals, and new clothes, but celebrations in India for the past two years have been marred by COVID-19 restrictions.

In the Indian-controlled portion of disputed Kashmir, the Muslim festival has been subdued for the past three years because of an unprecedented military lockdown after India stripped the regions semi-autonomy in 2019, followed by the pandemic. The region also saw a rise in violence during Ramadan, with at least 20 militants, two civilians and five police and soldiers killed.

As we prepare to celebrate Eid, a strong sense of collective loss jars at us, said Bashir Ahmed, a businessman in Srinagar.

A violent insurgency against Indian rule in the Muslim-majority region and New Delhis brutal response have raged for over three decades. Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict.

In India's capital, New Delhi, hundreds assembled in the Jama Masjid, one of the country's largest mosques, to offer Eid prayers there for the first time in over two years due to pandemic restrictions. Families came together early Tuesday morning and many people shared hugs and wishes.

Mohammed Hamid, a software engineer, said he was grateful to be offering prayers at the mosque again.

"It's a good feeling because there was a lockdown for the past two years. With the grace of God, we are able to offer Eid prayers here with the children and we are thankful, Hamid said.

The mood was cheerful in neighboring Bangladesh as millions traveled from cities to towns and villages over the weekend to celebrate Eid. Huge crowds gathered in Dhaka's main Kamalapur Railway Station and bus terminals.

As in India, Eid celebrations in Bangladesh have been muted for the last two years due to the pandemic. This year, the government hasn't imposed restrictions, instead advising people to follow basic health protocols.

Khaleda Akter, a garment worker in Dhaka, said she is traveling to her village and is excited to celebrate with her parents.

I am very glad that this year we can travel without any trouble, she said.

___

AP journalists Rishi Lekhi in New Delhi and Julhas Alam in Dhaka, Bangladesh, contributed to this report.
The world's largest population of Africa's rarest falcon may have been discovered living in Mozambique's Niassa Special Reserve, a protected area not listed in the bird of prey's range, according to a news release Monday.

A team of conservationists from BirdLife South Africa found 37 Taita falcons living in an area of Miombo woodland, a landscape dotted with rocky outcroppings. Taita falcons nest on cliffs overlooking forests, from which they hunt small avian prey. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Peregrine Fund provided support for the surveys.

The group studied likely nesting sites to make their assessment using helicopters. The Taita falcon is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. They are one of Africa's rarest raptor species and occur sporadically from southern Ethiopia to northeastern South Africa.

There are scattered records of small populations in Uganda, Zimbabwe and South Africa. A known breeding population of Taita falcons recently disappeared from Zimbabwe's Bakota Gorge, showing the need for further research to accurately assess the risk of extinction for the species, WCS wrote.

The team recommends protecting the woodlands around the rocky outcroppings to protect the nesting population.

Niassa has been the site of other conservation success stories in recent years. WCS has worked closely with the government of Mozambique to reduce elephant poaching, as the country recovers from the elephant poaching crisis which hit the region hard in the 2010s, according to the press release.

The Niassa National Reserve in northern Mozambique is one of Africas largest (17,104 square miles or 42,300 km2), wildest, and most spectacular landscapes, comprising 28% of Mozambiques conservation areas. The area exhibits a very low human footprint, and although this is growing, it is likely to grow at a slower rate than surrounding areas. The reserve harbors some of Mozambiques most significant populations of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, sables, kudu, wildebeests and zebras.
EDWARDSVILLE  A Missouri man faces a Class X felony charge for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Frank J. Brodeur, 36, of Villa Ridge, Missouri, was charged May 2 with unlawful possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Class X felony.

The case was presented by the Bethalto Police Department.

According to court documents, on May 1 Brodeur allegedly had 15-100 grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

According to the Bethalto Police Department, the incident took place Sunday morning in the trailer park at 100 Wesley Drive, East Alton, where a possible residential burglary/home invasion was reported.

Bethalto officers were in the trailer part at the time of the call and took custody of Brodeur.

During the investigation officers seized about 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a digital scale, and baggies.

Bail was set at $100,000.

Other felony charges filed May 2 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 Travis J. Schaub, 28, of Belleville, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, both Class 3 felonies, and obstruction of identification, a Class A misdemeanor. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. On April 29 Schaub allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine and numerous rounds of .22 and .38 caliber ammunition. Schaub also allegedly gave false information to a Collinsville police officer. He has a 2016 conviction for residential burglary out of St. Clair County, making him ineligible to possess weapons or ammunition. Bail was set at $50,000.

 Brittany M. Hitch, 33, of Collinsville, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On May 1 Hitch allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Elizabeth K. Dauble, 44, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On April 30 Dauble allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Rebecca L. Vonburg, 28, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. On April 30 Vonburg allegedly had less than 15 grams of alprazolam. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Steven P. Pesavento, 36, of Staunton, was charged with driving while license revoked, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. On April 30 Pesavento allegedly was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer in Collinsville, with a revoked drivers license. His license was revoked for a 2011 conviction for DUE; he has a prior conviction for driving while license revoked in February 2021. Bail was set at $20,000.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  The New Hampshire Senate on Thursday rejected two marijuana legalization bills, one that wouldve created a state-run monopoly for retail sales and another more modest plan to allow small-scale personal use and home cultivation of the drug.

Both bills previously passed the House, but the Senate once again stood as a roadblock, ensuring New Hampshire for now will remain a holdout surrounded by states that have approved recreational legalization. But opponents said the fact that marijuana is legal in Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts meant nothing to them.

Im not ashamed of that, Im proud of that, said Sen. Bob Giuda, R-Warren.

He and other opponents said they were concerned that legalizing marijuana would lead to increases in teen marijuana use and traffic fatalities. And they rejected arguments that polling has shown that most adults in the state support legalization.

It may be what people want, but its not what we as a Senate should enable them to do because it will cause harm, he said.

The more elaborate bill would have given the state Liquor Commission authority to regulate and administer the cultivation and sale of marijuana in at least 10 retail stores. That plan was rejected without debate on a voice vote, while the other bill was defeated 15-9.

The second measure would have allowed adults to possess up to  of an ounce of marijuana and to grow up to six plants. It could be traded or given away but not sold.

Sen. Becky Whitley, D-Hopkinton, argued unsuccessfully that the bill was necessary to put the state more in line with its neighbors and with a more modern understanding of cannabis. She cast it as a racial justice issue, noting that Black people are disproportionately prosecuted for marijuana offenses.

The so-called war on marijuana has not worked, she said. It does not make us safer, it wastes taxpayer dollars and it has needlessly ruined lives.

Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, said passing the bills wouldve put constituents in the middle of a conflict between state and federal law.

In that fight, we know who is going to win, and its not going to be us. And people are the ones who are going to be hurt, she said. Maybe theyre all going to smoke so much pot they wont care  theyll be oblivious  but we care, and we should care about putting our constituents in difficult situations.

New Hampshire legalized medical marijuana in 2013. The House has approved recreational marijuana bills several times since then, but the Senate traditionally has opposed them, as has Gov. Chris Sununu.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  A draft opinion suggests the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide, according to a Politico report.

A decision to overrule Roe would lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states and could have huge ramifications for this year's elections. But it's unclear if the draft represents the courts final word on the matter  opinions often change in ways big and small in the drafting process.

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that the court not overturn Roe. While emphasizing that he couldnt speak to the authenticity of the draft, Biden said his administration is preparing for all eventualities for when the court ultimate rules and that a decision overturning Roe would raise the stakes for voters in Novembers heated midterm elections.

If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose, Biden said. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.

Whatever the outcome, the Politico report late Monday represented an extremely rare breach of the courts secretive deliberation process, and on a case of surpassing importance.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, the draft opinion states. It was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the courts 6-3 conservative majority who was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

The document was labeled a 1st Draft of the Opinion of the Court in a case challenging Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks, a case known as Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term ends in late June or early July.

The draft opinion in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, it states, referencing the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey that affirmed Roes finding of a constitutional right to abortion services but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

A Supreme Court spokeswoman said the court had no comment, and The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the draft Politico posted, which dates from February.

Politico said only that it received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

The draft opinion strongly suggests that when the justices met in private shortly after arguments in the case on Dec. 1, at least five voted to overrule Roe and Casey, and Alito was assigned the task of writing the court's majority opinion.

Votes and opinions in a case aren't final until a decision is announced or, in a change wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, posted on the court's website.

The report comes amid a legislative push to restrict abortion in several Republican-led states  Oklahoma being the most recent  even before the court issues its decision. Critics of those measures have said low-income and minority women will disproportionately bear the burden of the new restrictions.

The leak jumpstarted the intense political reverberations that the high courts ultimate decision was expected to have in the midterm election year. Already, politicians on both sides of the aisle were seizing on the report to fundraise and energize their supporters on either side of the hot-button issue.

An AP-NORC poll in December found that Democrats increasingly see protecting abortion rights as a high priority for the government.

Other polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of voters in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. In general, AP-NORC polling finds a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases.

Still, when asked about abortion policy generally, Americans have nuanced attitudes on the issue, and many dont think that abortion should be possible after the first trimester or that women should be able to obtain a legal abortion for any reason.

Alito, in the draft, said the court can't predict how the public might react and shouldn't try. We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the publics reaction to our work, Alito wrote in the draft opinion, according to Politico.

People on both sides of the issue quickly gathered outside the Supreme Court waving signs and chanting on a balmy spring night, following the release of the Politico report.

Reaction was swift from elected officials in Congress and across the country.

In a joint statement from Congress' top two Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years  not just on women but on all Americans.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, said people seeking abortions could head to New York. For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms. Abortion will always be safe & accessible in New York, Hochul said in a tweet.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said in a statement, We will let the Supreme Court speak for itself and wait for the Courts official opinion. But local officials were praising the draft.

This puts the decision making back into the hands of the states, which is where it should have always been, said Mississippi state Rep. Becky Currie.

Congress could act, too, though a bill that would write Roe's protections into federal law stalled in the Senate after passing the House last year with only Democratic votes.

At Supreme Court arguments in December, all six conservative justices signaled that they would uphold the Mississippi law, and five asked questions that suggested that overruling Roe and Casey was a possibility.

Only Chief Justice John Roberts seemed prepared to take the smaller step of upholding the 15-week ban, though that too would be a significant weakening of abortion rights.

Until now, the court has allowed states to regulate but not ban abortion before the point of viability, around 24 weeks.

The court's three liberal justices seemed likely to be in dissent.

It's impossible to know what efforts are taking place behind the scenes to influence any justice's vote. If Roberts is inclined to allow Roe to survive, he need only pick off one other conservative vote to deprive the court of a majority to overrule the abortion landmark.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas. The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.

This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights. Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion. Like many anti-abortion bills passed in GOP-led states this year, it does not have exceptions for rape or incest, only to save the life of the mother.

Eight Democratic-leaning states protected or expanded access to the procedure, including California, which has passed legislation making the procedure less expensive and is considering other bills to make itself an abortion sanctuary if Roe is overturned.

The draft looked legitimate to some followers of the court. Veteran Supreme Court lawyer Neal Katyal, who worked as a clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer and therefore has been in a position to see drafts, wrote on Twitter: There are lots of signals the opinion is legit. The length and depth of analysis, would be very hard to fake. It says it is written by Alito and definitely sounds like him.

___

Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko in Washington and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
Seeking to rebound following the indictment of her previous choice for lieutenant governor, Gov. Kathy Hochul Tuesday appointed Rep. Antonio Delgado of the Hudson Valley to the state's No. 2 post with an assurance for New Yorkers on her second try: "I feel we got it right."

Hochul introduced Delgado to reporters during a news conference in the Capitol's Red Room, just hours after the State Legislature passed an unprecedented law paving the way for his inclusion on this year's primary ballot. It marked an effort to put behind her the political fallout from the April arrest and indictment of former Lt. Gov. Brian A. Benjamin, and to rely on a rising Democratic congressman to work with her, politically and governmentally.

"I have no doubt, no doubt whatsoever, that when New Yorkers get to know their new lieutenant governor they will embrace him with the same enthusiasm I have," she said.

Hochul also insisted that the vetting process of her staff, which has attracted intense criticism from Republicans and Democratic primary rivals alike, resulted in a thorough investigation of Delgado's past.

"I truly understand the concern and wanted to make sure we got it right," she said, noting she is now served by a larger and more experienced staff than what supervised the flawed vetting process of Benjamin, missing signs that eventually led to his April resignation.

"It was a very, very thorough vetting process," the governor said Tuesday. "It was a deep dive into his background."

Delgado, a former semi-pro basketball player, is 6-feet-4-inches tall and towered over the diminutive governor during their first joint appearance.

"He really makes me feel short, but I'll get over that," the governor quipped.

Delgado told reporters he will give up his seat in the House of Representatives from a desire to "connect" with New Yorkers throughout the state.

"I look forward to connecting with the diverse communities all across New York," he said, "and to tap into the goodness of our collective power.

"We need to reconnect and restore our collective bond as New Yorkers," he added, referring to the crisis of Benjamin's resignation as well as the Covid-19 pandemic. "I want to be part of that healing process."

His selection ranks as a surprise, since most speculation centered around candidates from New York City in the traditional effort to achieve upstate-downstate balance. The nominee downplayed that aspect Tuesday.

"Upstate, downstate, doesn't matter," he said. "We all want the same things, security, family and opportunity. The key is to listen to New Yorkers from all walks of life and then be their voice to get the job done."

Though he now brings a Washington perspective to the post, he has no Albany experience.

Still, the new lieutenant governor points to a plethora of diversity. On Tuesday he described his background as African and Cape Verdian, acknowledging the accuracy of an "Afro-Latino" description, and emphasized his membership in Albany's Macedonian Baptist Church. His wife, Lacey, is Black and Jewish, he said, and his twin 8-year-old sons, Maxwell and Coltrane, are being raised in the Jewish religion.

"I am very much rooted in traditional Black culture," he added.

Raised in Schenectady, where his parents worked for General Electric Co., Delgado excelled on the basketball court for Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School. He later played for the Colgate University Red Raiders before joining a semi-pro team in Puerto Rico, and was named to the Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame. He earned a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford before receiving a law degree from Harvard Law School, and then practiced law in New York City for several years.

Delgado now lives in Rhinebeck, represents the 19th Congressional District in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, and is the first person of color to represent upstate New York in Congress after he defeated Republican incumbent John J. Faso in 2018. His departure from the House raises concerns among some Democrats, especially as Republican Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, is mounting a strong effort for the seat this year.

Nevertheless, Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised Delgado's congressional efforts in a number of areas.

"The people of New York will be well-served by his intellectual brilliance, tireless work ethic, strong values and his extraordinary talent for communicating with his constituents," Pelosi said in a statement. "He and Governor Kathy Hochul will make a terrific team.

Now Delgado will appear on the June 28 ballot in the Democratic primary after the Legislature changed state law to allow removal of a candidate's name in the event of arrest, indictment or other legal challenges. The move has been blasted by primary rivals like Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi of Nassau County, but the governor defended the action Tuesday as necessary to deal with the Benjamin case and similar situations in the future.

"I think the critics are wrong," she said.

The appointment was greeted with skepticism by the GOP and minor parties.

"All Democrats do is replace the names and faces of their disgraced politicians but the policies never change," said state Republican Chairman Nicholas A. Langworthy. "Antonio Delgado is just another radical leftist who wants to dismantle our criminal justice system and make New York a socialist state."

And the Working Families Party, which often aligns with the Democrats but is supporting New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams against Hochul, expressed concern about any Democrat leaving the House.

"This decision feels short-sighted at a time when we need to be doing everything in our power to preserve the House majority and hold back an increasingly ruthless and draconian Republican Party," said party Director Sochie Nnaemeka.

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Six Mile Regional Library District

GRANITE CITY  Six Mile Regional Library District, in partnership with the Granite City Park District, will host the grand opening of a StoryWalk at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, Worthen Park, 2599 Parkview Drive, in Granite City.

A StoryWalk gets people out walking while reading childrens picture books, combining nature and physical activity with literacy. Pages of a picture book are transformed into signs that are laid out on a trail. While reading along, participants will discover each of the 20 stations located throughout the park along the walking trail.
IVY GOODMAN, Stonington, Girls, Lacrosse, Senior; Goodman scored 12 goals and had 13 assists in three games. Her seven assists in the Bears win over Waterford established a school record. She surpassed the 50-goal mark for the season in Stoningtons victory over Ledyard.

DEAN PONS JR., Westerly, Baseball, Senior; Pons, a senior, struck out 14 batters in the Bulldogs five-inning win against Wheeler School/Rocky Hill. Pons had an assist on the remaining out, throwing out a runner on a groundout. Pons allowed just one hit and walked only two.

KATIE PIERCE, Wheeler, Girls, Lacrosse, Sophomore; Pierce scored five goals and the Lions beat Griswold to earn their first victory of the season. Wheeler avenged an earlier loss to the Wolverines this season with the 15-4 victory.

WEEKO THOMPSON, Chariho, Girls, Track Sophomore; Thompson, a sophomore, bettered her school record in the discus at the Classical Classic meet. She finished first in the event and also won the shot put.

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More than half a million retail investors hold shares in Aviva, one of Britain's best-known insurers.

Earlier this year, the FTSE stalwart announced that it planned to pay out an extra 3.75 billion to shareholders  cash that it had built up from the sale of some of its overseas businesses.

Aviva is proposing to pay this money through giving new 'B shares' (worth 1.01 each) to existing investors then buying these back again.

But the scheme has caused confusion, with some unsure how to vote on the proposal at Aviva's upcoming AGM on May 9. If you're a shareholder trying to make sense of Aviva's plan, here's our guide to what it might mean for you...

Windfalls: Earlier this year, the FTSE stalwart announced it planned to pay out an extra 3.75bn to shareholders  cash it had built up from the sale of some of its overseas businesses

Why has Aviva got so much cash?

Like most big businesses, the way Aviva operates is constantly evolving as it seeks to stay profitable in a changing market.

In recent years, its focus has been on streamlining its activities, selling off some parts of the business (particularly those outside the UK and Ireland) to focus on what it thinks it does best.

'Put simply, Aviva is a much simpler beast than it once was,' says Sophie Lund-Yates of Hargreaves Lansdown.

The company's new CEO, Amanda Blanc, says she wants to concentrate on growing Aviva's presence in the retirement and pensions market.

And having sold off most of its overseas businesses not relevant to that aim, Aviva has built up cash proceeds of some 7.5 billion.

It has decided to use the funds to pay down debt and return some capital to shareholders.

What does it plan to do?

The main part of Aviva's plan (which needs approval from shareholders) revolves around creating something called 'B shares'.

'Every ordinary shareholder will receive one temporary share known as a B share for each share they currently hold,' says an Aviva spokesperson. 'We will then pay a fixed amount to redeem each B share.'

The company plans to give these B shares a value of 101p. It will then immediately buy back those B shares in May, resulting in a capital gain for shareholders.

If you currently hold 2,000 Aviva shares, you will therefore receive approximately 2,020.

There's then a second part of the plan in which Aviva will 'consolidate' its ordinary shares (currently worth 438p each).

Under this plan, existing shareholders will receive 76 shares for every 100 they previously owned. Crucially, though, that doesn't mean investors end up with less than they had before.

Once 3.75 billion has been returned to shareholders, Aviva will be a smaller firm on paper.

The share consolidation will therefore reduce the total number of shares available so investors maintain an overall stake of the same value.

Why is it paying money this way?

After a strong year, Aviva has already boosted its dividend  the share of its profits passed on to investors.

Vote: If at least 75 per cent of shareholders back Aviva's plan, it will go ahead

However, it now wants to allocate this one-off capital from its business sales by issuing B shares.

There are significant advantages for retail shareholders in paying out capital this way.

Investors are currently entitled to an annual dividend allowance of 2,000, with anything above that taxed at a minimum of 8.75 per cent.

When it comes to capital gains, though, investors can register 12,300 per year before having to pay tax.

In theory, the B share scheme should mean that investors can protect more of their payout from the tax man.

Is it the first to do this?

Not at all. The issuing (and buying back) of B shares is an established way of returning capital to shareholders.

That said, it tends to be used in special circumstances where a company has suddenly come into a large sum of capital  typically following a big sale.

Standard Life did the same thing in 2018, when it returned 1 billion to shareholders after selling its UK and European insurance business.

Sainsbury's also issued B shares when it sold its share in a U.S. supermarket chain in 2004.

What will happen next?

The proposal will be put to a vote of Aviva's shareholders at the firm's AGM. If at least 75 per cent of shareholders back the plan, it will go ahead.

Shareholders should have been sent their voting forms and shareholder reference number by post or email.

You can vote by post or by attending the meeting online (web.lumiagm.com/171-925-637).

Should you vote for the proposal?

There is no 'catch' in the plan for retail investors. If it goes ahead, they will receive the money.

Aviva's future share price, meanwhile, will depend on its performance afterwards. Whether the plan will satisfy large investors remains to be seen.

The Anglo-Swedish activist investor Cevian Capital currently has a 5.3 per cent stake in Aviva and has criticised its management for not paying out more money to shareholders. Cevian has not said whether it will back the plan.

Have investors lost out before?

Investors may well remember the debacle in 2018 when Aviva announced plans to repurchase its 'preference shares'.

These gold-plated shares had been sold to retail investors with the promise of a higher dividend, and were trading at a premium on the market.

But suddenly the company said it wanted to buy them back at less than their valuation.

After an outcry from investors, Aviva was forced to change tack, with the fiasco contributing to the departure of its then chief executive.
BP is boosting payouts to investors through a fresh share buyback as profits soared above $6billion to the highest in a decade on the back of rising oil and gas prices.

The oil giant's bumper profit was partly overshadowed by the writing down of its 20 per cent stake in Rosneft, which pushed it into a headline loss of $20.4billion, below its estimates of $25billion.

But once the one-off charge is stripped out, cost replacement profit jumped 136 per cent to $6.2billion compared a year earlier, when it was $2.63billion.

BP shares surged almost 6 per cent to 414.3p towards market close. The stock has soared 18 per cent so far in 2022, and is over 33 per cent higher than a year ago.

Bumper profit: BP said it had benefited from 'exceptional' oil and gas trading and higher prices

It was the highest quarterly profit reported in more than a decade, according to Reuters, and well above analysts expectations of $4.5billion.

The oil giant said this was driven by 'exceptional' oil and gas trading, as well as higher oil and gas prices and strong refining margins.

Awash with cash - BP's surplus cashflow rose to more than $4billion - the group said it would return some to shareholders through a fresh $2.5billion share buyback.

Pre-empting criticism, BP said it expected to pay up to 1billion in taxes in Britain on its profits this year.

It also said it planned to invest up to 18billion until 2030 on producing oil and gas, wind power, electric car charging and other projects.

It comes just as households face massive energy bill hikes, prompting calls from opposition politicians for a windfall tax on oil giants like BP to help struggling families.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas tweeted: 'Soaring gas prices mean BP profits of $6.2bn in first 3 months of 2022, while millions struggle to make ends meet.

'Government refusal to levy #WindfallTax on obscene profits and support those with huge energy bills shows whose side they're on - it's grotesque.'

Trade Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan told the BBC today that a windfall tax would not be right, saying it would 'strip away profits which will be reinvested.'

'BP can lead the way in demonstrating how that investment will ensure security of supply for us,' she added.

The group ditched a stake in Russian energy giant Rosneft in February following the Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

BP chief executive Bernard Looney said the exit from Russia and resulting write down 'has not changed our strategy, our financial frame, or our expectations for shareholder distributions'.

'In a quarter dominated by the tragic events in Ukraine and volatility in energy markets, BP's focus has been on supplying the reliable energy our customers need,' he said.

'Our decision in February to exit our shareholding in Rosneft resulted in the material non-cash charges and headline loss we reported today.

'But it has not changed our strategy, our financial frame or our expectations for shareholder distributions.'

BP shares have risen by around 30% over the last year

What analysts say

Freetrade senior analyst Dan Lane pointed out that BP could have used more of its free cash to invest in renewables rather than giving it to shareholders.

'Another round of buybacks might look beneficial for shareholders on the surface but you always have to ask if there was anything the firm could have done with that cash to grow otherwise,' he says.

'The overwhelming answer here is BP could have further demonstrated its ESG credentials by pumping it into its green strategies.

BP could have further demonstrated its ESG credentials by pumping [the extra cash] into its green strategies Freetrade senior analyst Dan Lane

'Headline tie-ups with Volkswagen and Uber are a start but feel a bit on the nose in terms of targeting younger fans of sustainability. The worry is this keeps feeling purely tactical rather than garnering any real backing internally, from the old guard scared to rock the hydrocarbon boat.

'Shareholders might eye up a share price that sits at the same level it did in 1998 and think its a good time to be buying back stock. But if the shares are to be any higher in another 24 years, the transition to clean and green needs to be the focus now, not a footnote to the oil business with a few nods to EVs and hydro hubs.'

Overall, analysts agree that BP results have inevitably boosted talks of a windfall tax on energy giants.

Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK, said the numbers 'certainly serve to reinforce the argument that the industry has done well from the sharp moves higher in oil and gas prices'.

But he added: 'However this is just as well given that BP has had to take a $29.3bn write down in respect of its exposure Rosneft business.'

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'What feels like an achievement worth celebrating almost needs an apology by BP  and there may almost be an element of regret on its part that the numbers are so far ahead of forecasts.

'The argument for the windfall tax goes something like this  BPs profit and cash flow is being artificially inflated by the war in Ukraine and ordinary people are already paying the price through much higher household bills. Shouldnt BP, with its broader shoulders, share the burden? Particularly given it feels able to boost shareholder returns with an enhanced share buyback programme.

'It was no surprise to hear chief executive Bernard Looney talking about backing Britain and flagging billions of pounds worth of investment in projects to boost domestic energy security.'
Budget airline Wizz Air saw demand jump more than sixfold last month thanks to much weaker travel rules imposed by European governments.

Around 3.6 million people booked flights with the Hungarian air carrier in April, compared to 564,600 in the same period the previous year and just 78,400 in April 2020 during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

The firm's seat capacity also skyrocketed 355.7 per cent to around 4.3million, meaning its load factor - the proportion of seats filled by passengers - surged from 59.2 per cent in April 2021 to 83.4 per cent last month.

Demand recovery: Around 3.6m people booked flights with Wizz Air in April, compared to 564,600 in the same period last year and just 78,400 in April 2020

It means the number of passengers who have flown with the airline in the past 12 months has more than doubled year-on-year to 38million.

As well as benefiting from the loosening of international travel restrictions, the London-listed company has taken the opportunity to significantly expand its operations across Europe.

Wizz Air launched a new base at Cardiff Airport, its fourth in the UK, alongside London Luton, Gatwick and Doncaster Sheffield airports, which it predicts will increase capacity by over 330,000 seats.

Its customers can now travel from the Welsh capital to popular holiday destinations among Britons, including Lanzarote, Tenerife and Alicante, with the route to Sharm el-Sheikh due to open later in the year.

The business additionally expanded its existing routes to Romanian and Polish cities, such as Timisoara, Wroclaw and Bacau, by acquiring two daily slot pairs from Spanish low-cost airline Vueling at London Luton Airport.

This move is forecast to enhance the firm's seat capacity by another 167,000 and maintain its position as the Bedfordshire airport's biggest operator.

Expansion: Wizz Air acquired two daily slot pairs from Spanish low-cost airline Vueling at London Luton Airport last month, a move predicted to boost its seat capacity by 167,000

More routes originating from major European capitals were announced by the airline in April, including Rome, the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, Tirana in Albania, and Vilnius in Lithuania.

Under chief executive Joszef Varadi, Wizz Air has outlined a goal to boost its annual passenger numbers to 170 million and fleet to 500 aircraft within the next decade.

Yet while it is successfully expanding its customer reach, the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to massive financial harm for the FTSE 250 company and the wider airline industry.

Three weeks ago, Wizz Air declared that it was anticipating a net loss of between 632million and 652million for the 2022 financial year.

Aside from temporary bans on travelling overseas in some countries, losses have been compounded by strict quarantine and vaccination requirements, and people being far more reluctant to book flights due to uncertainty over future travel rules.

Demand for air travel was also hurt over the December to January period by the mild but more transmissible Omicron variant of Covid-19 leading to the renewal of international restrictions.

However, the group said last month that it was predicting a 'busy summer flying programme,' with the number of available seat kilometres between July and September forecast to be 40 per cent ahead of 2019 levels.

Today's update comes after rivals EasyJet and British Airways were hampered over the Easter getaway by a raft of flight cancellations, which were blamed on coronavirus-related staff absences and delays in processing security checks for new airline crew.

Wizz Air shares closed trading 1.3 per cent higher at 32.16 on Tuesday, although their value has plunged by over a quarter in the last three months.
Buffalo was at the center of the national debate over abortion in the 1990s.

The Spring of Life protests came here in 1992, while an anti-abortion extremist murdered Dr. Barnett A. Slepian, a provider of abortions, in his East Amherst home in 1998.

Now, news that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn its landmark 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in this country is sparking a strong response locally and nationally.

Supreme Court Set to Overturn Roe v. Wade, Leaked Draft Opinion Shows TUESDAY, May 3, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Supreme Court is on the verge of striking down the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, a leaked draft opinion shows.

Area veterans of the anti-abortion movement cheered the looming decision, arguing it corrects an egregious judicial error that led to the killing of tens of millions of unborn children in the decades since.

In contrast, pro-abortion rights activists and operators of clinics that provide abortion services here said it is a grave overreach that infringes on women's rights and health and could lead to further restrictions on personal freedoms.

Activists on both sides reacted to the report Monday night on the Politico website of a draft Supreme Court opinion in an abortion case. Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday confirmed the text's authenticity, decried the leak and ordered an investigation into how the document ended up in a reporter's hands.

Roberts emphasized it was a draft, not the final ruling. But it appears clear that a majority of conservative justices is ready to overturn Roe v. Wade.

"This decision is too long overdue, but should never have been" needed, said Stasia Zoladz Vogel, longtime president of the Buffalo Regional Right to Life Committee. "It has always been known that Roe v. Wade was not a legal decision but, rather, judicial legislation."

This would have the practical effect of granting the authority to regulate abortion to the states.

In New York, abortion would remain legal. But in as many as half the states in the nation, however, abortion would be severely restricted, if not outright banned.

"This is the worst possible scenario, and it's really difficult to take, especially when you think about the impact it's going to have for millions of people across the country," said Michelle Casey, president of Planned Parenthood of Central & Western New York, adding, "It's just a complete loss of bodily autonomy and control over one's individual self."

The battle over abortion rights in the late 1980s and 1990s featured protests outside clinics and even outside the homes of the doctors who worked at them. Buffalo was the scene for many demonstrations, including the Spring of Life event in April 1992.

Some organizers promised thousands would flock to the region and help to blockade local clinics that provide abortions. But no clinics were shut down, thanks in part to pro-abortion rights activists.

The assassination in October 1998 of Slepian, 52 and a married father of four, by James Kopp, drew national condemnation and prompted soul-searching within the anti-abortion movement, including the Rev. Rob Schenck. Kopp was tracked down and arrested in 2001 in France and is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

20 years later, Barnett Slepian's murder still haunts Twenty years after Dr. Barnett Slepians murder, figures on both sides of the abortion debate still grapple with its

It caused me to question what exactly we stood for," Schenck, formerly the local head of Operation Rescue, said in a 2018 Buffalo News article.

In the years since, the fight over abortion rights largely has shifted to state legislatures and courtrooms.

Republican lawmakers in southern and western states began passing laws that restricted abortion rights, prompting legal challenges in the federal courts.

The case in question, Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, addresses a Mississippi law banning abortions in the state after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

In the draft ruling, Justice Samuel Alito repudiates Roe v. Wade as "egregiously wrong from the start." A final decision is expected soon.

Vogel credited former President Trump with sticking to his vow to appoint anti-abortion justices to the court. And she said it is appropriate for the justices to throw out bad precedent, such as the court's notorious Dred Scott decision that held the descendants of American slaves were not citizens.

"As no one  no one  no one ever had a 'right' to own, buy or sell another human being, every life  every life  is a gift of almighty God and no one  no one  no one has any right to take innocent life," said Vogel, who wants to see a "human life" amendment to the Constitution.

Casey warned that other court rulings based on similar legal reasoning  such as those allowing same-sex marriage  also "are in danger."

She reassured that abortion would remain "safe and legal" in New York and said Planned Parenthood chapters here are prepared to welcome abortion patients from places where the practice is banned, including an estimated 4,000 from Ohio.

"We do expect a very large influx of patients from Ohio and other states once this decision is made final," Casey said.

In Washington, reaction broke down along party lines.

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat, promised a Senate floor vote on legislation that would make the abortion rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade the law of the land.

Such legislation is likely doomed from the start, given that it would need 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to clear a Republican filibuster unless Democrats voted to eliminate that requirement for a supermajority on major legislation.

Nevertheless, Schumer planned to move forward on a vote on legislation making abortion rights the law of the land.

"We will vote to protect a womens right to choose and every American is going to see which side every senator stands," he said on the Senate floor.

Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, a fellow New York Democrat, also called on Congress to vote on abortion rights legislation.

The Supreme Court's right-wing majority is poised to destroy the fundamental human and reproductive rights of millions of women, willfully disregarding public opinion and court precedent," she said.

Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, termed the draft decision "a gross backslide of a grueling fight for progress" said it "signals a forewarning that equal rights in America universally are in danger.

Some Republicans largely decried the leak of Alito's opinion, while praising its results.

"Whoever committed this leak has put the lives of every justice in danger and must be held accountable to fullest extent," tweeted Rep. Chris Jacobs, an Orchard Park Republican. "That being said, if this ruling should prove true it would be a major win in the fight to protect vulnerable unborn life in our nation. We must protect the right to life."

But Rep. Tom Reed, a Corning Republican who has long opposed abortion rights, stayed silent on the draft opinion's contents.

"This is an unprecedented and troubling leak looking to intimidate the Supreme Court," Reed said. "We respect the process and will await the official decision from the court."

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Stephen T. Watson News Staff Reporter I report on development, government, crime and schools in the northern Erie County suburbs. I grew up in the Town of Tonawanda and worked at the Post-Standard in Syracuse before joining The News in 2001. Email: swatson@buffnews.com Follow Stephen T. Watson 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
A decision could come this summer on what to do with the 3.6-mile Scajaquada Expressway (Route 198), with a range of options from keeping it to removing it altogether.

"This can affect the region for generations, as past decisions have," said Hal Morse, project manager for the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council.

Whatever plan emerges, the expected infusion of federal transportation dollars coming into New York State holds the promise of turning discussion into reality, Morse said.

"The timing is perfect," he said.

Keeping it intact or removing the expressway, which extends from the Niagara Thruway to Route 33 (the Kensington Expressway), are not the only options.

The section that passes Delaware Park could be removed instead of the entire expressway, or it could be reduced to an at-grade roadway.

Choosing among the four scenarios  or developing a fifth that combines aspects of each  is the latest step in what has been a 20-year, intermittent process to figure out the future of the expressway. This time, a broader, less car-centric approach has looked beyond the highway to the needs of the surrounding community in the hope for a community consensus that has so far proved elusive.

Plans for the four scenarios are still a work in progress.

Full expressway removal: This option relies on rerouting traffic through the existing street grid that was built for a city with a larger population and more car activity than today. It calls for realigning some city streets, adding a new intersection at Main Street, removing ramps and adding pedestrian and bike access across the creek for better north-south travel.

This option relies on rerouting traffic through the existing street grid that was built for a city with a larger population and more car activity than today. It calls for realigning some city streets, adding a new intersection at Main Street, removing ramps and adding pedestrian and bike access across the creek for better north-south travel. Partial removal: This plan calls for dismantling the expressway within the Delaware Park area with an at-grade road that begins near Lincoln Parkway and includes the removal of ramps. A new intersection would be built at Main Street.

This plan calls for dismantling the expressway within the Delaware Park area with an at-grade road that begins near Lincoln Parkway and includes the removal of ramps. A new intersection would be built at Main Street. At-grade boulevard: This scenario calls for more crossings and safety improvements to better integrate the roadway into surrounding neighborhoods. There would be several new intersections, the removal of ramps and a roundabout at Main Street.

This scenario calls for more crossings and safety improvements to better integrate the roadway into surrounding neighborhoods. There would be several new intersections, the removal of ramps and a roundabout at Main Street. Maintaining the expressway: To increase safety, the plan calls for overpass and Agassiz Circle intersection improvements and reconfiguring ramps.

A public meeting to consider the options and offer feedback will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the SUNY Buffalo State Alumni & Visitor Center, 663 Grant St.

"After more than 20 years of failed planning attempts, which led to plans that ended up in dead ends rejected by the community, this is the most inclusive, people-driven process to date," State Sen. Sean Ryan said. "It really starts with the question of, what does the community want these roadways to accomplish? And then you build a roadway based on that answer."

A preferred recommendation is expected in July or August, Morse said. The recommendation will go to the state Department of Transportation for design work, followed by additional public meetings. The Federal Highway Administration will ultimately sign off on a final plan.

Advocates push for Scajaquada Creek's resuscitation as part of expressway redesign The idea of revitalizing the Scajaquada Creek corridor is gaining traction as part of an expansive redesign of the Scajaquada Expressway (Route 198).

The regional transportation council, the metropolitan planning organization for Erie and Niagara counties, became involved in 2020 after an at-grade boulevard concept failed in 2018 to win public support. The state DOT turned to the council to restart the process as an impartial, data-driven organization.

The council began hiring consultants in mid-2021, but they didn't have to start from scratch because of past plans and studies for redoing the Scajaquada.

"There was a lot of good work and proposals developed that unfortunately couldn't get to consensus," Morse said.

The planners have considered a variety of factors on how the expressway affects the nearly one-third of the city's residents who live in the corridor Morse has dubbed "Region Central."

The area includes the Hamlin Park, Parkside, Elmwood Bidwell, Black Rock, Grant-Amherst and Upper West Side neighborhoods. It also includes educational and cultural institutions like SUNY Buffalo State and Albright-Knox Art Gallery and natural resources like Scajaquada Creek and Delaware Park.

Neighborhood accessibility for people with or without vehicles, employment opportunities, housing values and air quality are some of the factors being considered.

Each of the scenarios has been considered through the lens of three criteria identified in previous public meetings as priorities: effective local and regional mobility; replenished parks, parkways, waterways and place; and inclusive development and prosperity. Unlike past studies, there is less focus on traffic and driving efficiency.

Cellphone data has helped planners understand how and why people in "Region Central" move about and how the expressway is used.

"Some of this stuff was somewhat startling," Morse said. "It gave us a whole different indication from what you would traditionally do by counting vehicle movement."

Among the findings:

Since 2016, traffic has been lighter than at any time in the last two decades.

Only 8% of westbound vehicles entering from the east travel the full length of the expressway.

Just 19% of eastbound travelers entering from the west drive the full length of the expressway.

Only 18% of trips are work-related.

Planners also found the expressway is busier in the middle of the day than during morning rush hour.

The new information has led the regional transportation council to conclude the expressway "is outdated from a transportation and mobility perspective" and "hinders interaction, isolates areas and disconnects neighborhoods."

Some neighboring institutions and organizations favor the expressway's complete removal, which they see as a greener and healthier option that would help make the region less dependent on automobiles.

Without the expressway, Buffalo State would explore becoming a waterfront campus, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper would pursue its vision of resurrecting Scajaquada Creek into a healthy waterway and Restore Our Community Coalition would continue its quest to restore Humboldt Parkway as an at-grade, tree-lined boulevard.

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, with the expressway's partial removal, would be able to reconnect parts of Delaware Park the roadway severed 60 years ago.

Morse said because this stage of the planning process is still conceptual, it will still leave many design questions about the Scajaquada Corridor unanswered.

"People want to know what it will look like, but these are all concepts," he said. "This is challenging, but that's how you get to consensus."

He also believes the Scajaquada project and a planned project to cover a portion of the Kensington Expressway will need to be considered in conjunction. Both will affect how people move about and could overlap in their goals to reconnect neighborhoods and restore Humboldt Parkway.

For more information about Wednesday's public meeting, and to offer feedback online, go to: gbnrtc.org/regioncentral-events.

Mark Sommer covers preservation, development, the waterfront, culture and more. He's also a former arts editor at The News.

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A traffic sign on Highway 19-E near White Rocks Mountain warns motorists of heavy smoke ahead, but the fire is 75% contained and smoke is not as noticeable in the Roan Mountain community.
Peruvian indigenous communities occupying a key copper mine will agree to talks with officials and company representatives only if the government lifts its emergency order for the region, leaders of the groups told Reuters on Monday.

The conflict over the Las Bambas mine, one of the worlds biggest copper mines and a large contributor to government coffers, has stoked uncertainty over the South American countrys massive mining sector.https://9607e1b8201139649787047ad8706b47.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

The government declared a state of emergency in the area around the mine on April 27, which suspended civil liberties including the right to assembly and protest. The mine is owned by Chinas MMG Ltd (1208.HK),

Were not going to participate if the state of emergency persists, said Edison Vargas, a leader of the Fuerabamba community, one of two local communities protesting the mine along with the nearby Huancuire. Speaking via telephone, Vargas added that around 700 community members remain on the mine property.

Late last week, government officials proposed talks for this coming weekend and invited representatives from both Fuerabamba and Huancuire to attend.

On April 14, members of the Fuerabamba and Huancuire communities entered the mine and set up a protest camp, forcing the company to suspend operations a week later. Community leaders argue that the mine has not fully honored its past commitments.

Alexander Raul, a Huancuire community adviser, said on Monday the Huancuire protesters will not budge.

Were around 300 people still here who are sticking with the protest, he said in a telephone interview.

Peru is the worlds second-largest copper producer, and Las Bambas alone normally accounts for 2% of global output of the red metal.

The police tried to evict the Huancuire community last week but did not succeed. Fuerabamba community members had been evicted days earlier, but later re-entered, according to representatives of both communities.

Perus government and local company representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

SOURCE. REUTERS
The federal stimulus aid being spread to communities to improve the nation's infrastructure isn't just for roads, bridges and sewers.

The money is also key to jump-starting Erie County's plan to extend high-speed, broadband internet service to all corners of the county.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz first announced a $20 million ErieNET initiative in the spring of 2019, with hopes that the full, open-access network could be built by the end of 2021. But Covid-19 delayed business and design planning.

Now the county has finally released a draft business plan for a new, $29 million network that would lay hundreds of miles of fiber optic lines from as far north as Newstead and Grand Island to as far south as Collins and Concord.

"We are ahead of the curve on this, to a large extent, compared with most counties," said Deputy Budget Director Benjamin Swanekamp, who helps coordinate the ErieNET effort.

While wealthier suburban communities in the region have high-grade networks with fast download speeds, much of Buffalo and rural towns to the south and east do not. This digital divide became even more stark when schools switched to remote learning in 2020 due to Covid and found many students didn't have reliable internet access to participate in classes.

According to the draft business plan, developed by ECC Technologies in Rochester, ErieNET would offer:

 A "backbone" route that would lay about 400 miles of cable, connecting almost every town in Erie County.

 152 "anchor" locations, ranging from municipal facilities and sewer plants to libraries, business parks and public safety access points. Three downtown Buffalo locations would serve as main server and equipment hubs for the network.

 Marketing to private businesses and smaller internet providers, who would lease the network and bring in revenue.

 $7.7 million in federal stimulus funds to keep ErieNET financially afloat for the first five years, on top of the $29 million to build it.

Given supply chain issues and red tape in getting ErieNET off the ground  since many miles of fiber must be strung from existing utility poles  the network is not slated for completion until 2025, though the network should be "substantially complete" and ready for use by 2024, said Matt Crider, ECC Technologies partner and vice president.

Public corporation created to bring high-speed broadband to all of Erie County The goal is a new network that could level the economic development playing field by offering super-fast speeds to poorer cities and rural towns that currently suffer from a distinct connectivity disadvantage.

Since the concept for ErieNET was first rolled out, many have called it progressive, ambitious  and risky.

The ErieNET plan would make Erie County one of the largest municipalities in the country to operate this type of network, which relies on local internet providers to build out home connections and resell high-speed access to consumers. Local businesses would also be able to contract with the county to provide direct fiber connections for private, corporate use.

The draft network map has more than 400 public facilities within a half mile of the ErieNET backbone. ECC Technologies assumes 40% of these would subscribe to the network. The business plan assumes that every year 4% of new private businesses within a half mile of the ErieNET lines will subscribe to the county network. That's out of nearly 2,000 potential private-sector businesses.

Poloncarz wants to close county's digital divide with $20M high-speed network In the new Erie County, were not leaving anybody behind, said Mark Poloncarz, who will formally roll out his ErieNet initiative during Wednesdays State of the County address at the Albright-Knox Art

A key goal of ErieNET is to attract private internet service providers who would lease the open network and build out "last mile" service connections to homes.

Major, local internet providers like Spectrum, Charter and Verizon have expressed no interest in partnering with Erie County, but smaller providers like Empire, Greenlight and Armstrong have, officials said. Numerous towns have also signed letters of intent to hook into a county network.

The City of Buffalo and University at Buffalo have expressed interest in signing onto ErieNET but have not yet committed to participating. The current map has about a fourth of all ErieNET lines running within the city, Crider said.

The first phase would not reach all of Erie County's towns.

The Town of Wales, for instance, would not receive any open access internet connection as part of the initial network.

ErieNET officials said Wales and other southern Erie County communities would likely be part of a 54-mile expansion of the fiber network in a second phase of the plan as financing becomes available. Wales town officials also have not yet signed a letter of intent to participate in ErieNET, Swanekamp said.

As previously reported, other municipalities in the past have invested heavily in their fiber backbones only to find private providers arent interested in going the last mile. As many as 30 cities and counties have ended up building their own home connections, which can cost millions, when no providers stepped in to do it.

Big takeaways from the adopted $1.8 billion Erie County budget The $1.8 billion budget preserves and grows Erie County services, modestly increases property tax collections and maintains the county's financial shape overall.

Erie County's financial risk is mitigated, however, by the influx of American Rescue Plan funds, which should limit the county's out-of-pocket borrowing construction costs to $2.7 million.

The business plan also anticipates ErieNET will operate at a loss for its first five years of operation, as it covers legal, administrative, maintenance and marketing costs.

"We are confident about the model being sustainable," Crider said. "That's not to say there isn't risk. There's risk in every business venture."

ECC Technologies has experienced success with other projects.

About 12 years ago, ECC Technologies helped launch the Southern Tier Network that initially sent about 500 miles of fiber through Chemung, Schuyler and Stueben counties, Crider said. That network is not only self-sustaining, but has since expanded to comprise eight counties.

Swanekamp said that while the timeline for completing ErieNET is longer than first anticipated, the demand for high-speed data will only grow, especially as 5G ultra wideband technology comes online.

"As time goes on, people's data needs will continue to go up, up, up, up, up," he said. "We're in an information economy."

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Russian forces shelled Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, and devastated several towns in eastern Ukraine, while the European Union prepared sanctions on Russian oil sales after Germany said it was ready to back an embargo.

Russia launched a major offensive in eastern Ukraine focused on the Donetsk and Luhansk after abandoning an assault on Kyiv at the end of March. Parts of those provinces were already held by Russian-backed separatists before President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion on Feb. 24.

Ukraines First Lady Olena Zelenska asked the West to maintain its support.

Ukraine needs weapons so that Ukrainian refugees can return home and rebuild the economy. Therefore, we ask you not to stop, to accelerate the pace of heavy weapons provision, she told told British morning television.

The northeastern city of Kharkiv was under bombardment, as it has been since the early days of the invasion, the Ukrainian military said on Tuesday.

Giving an early update on battle front, Ukraines general staff said its forces were defending the approach to Kharkiv from Izyum, a town on the Donets river, some 120 km (75 miles) to the southeast, as the enemy left a trail of destruction in Luhansk province.

Ukraines military said Russian forces were trying to take 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 dont even want to speak about whats happening with the people living in Popasna, Rubizhne and Novotoshkivske right now. These cities simply dont exist anymore. They have completely destroyed them.

Russian troops are now trying to encircle a large Ukrainian force there, attacking from three directions with massive bombardment along the front.

At least three civilians were killed in Russian shelling of the city of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, the Ukrainian presidents office said.

Some other areas of Donetsk were under constant fire and regional authorities were trying to evacuate civilians from frontline areas, it said.

Reuters could not independently verify Ukraines battlefield accounts.

In Brussels, the European Commission is expected to propose a sixth package of EU sanctions this week against Russia, including a possible embargo on buying Russian oil.

Kyiv says Russias 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 Russias 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.

Ambassadors from EU countries will discuss the proposed oil sanctions when they meet on Wednesday.

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.

Ukraine says hundreds of civilians have been trapped inside the Azovstal plant along with the citys last Ukrainian defenders.

Captain Sviatoslav Palamar, 39, a deputy commander of Ukraines 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.

Pope Francis said in an interview published on Tuesday that he asked for a meeting in Moscow with Putin to try to stop the war in Ukraine but has not received a response.

The pope also told Italys Corriere Della Sera newspaper that Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has backed the war cannot become Putins altar boy.

The pope told the newspaper that Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban had told him Russia planned to end the war on May 9, which Russia celebrates as Victory Day marking Nazi Germanys surrender in 1945.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier this week that Moscow, would not rush to end its special military operation in Ukraine to meet that symbolic date.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Im like a floating butterfly, says D. Colin, whose work as an artist encompasses poetry, acting and improv, as well as visual art and community development. While her artistic practice alights on an impressive array of genres and disciplines, the floating Colin refers to is actually the range and number of venues and forums where she appears.

Ive traveled to perform my own poetry throughout the Capital Region and also done workshops where people work on their own poems, says Colin. Its always about creating space for folks who are new to making art and for people to feel heard. I hold space for voices we might not hear all the time.

Thanks to a six-month residency at The Fish Market in North Troy, Colin, 39, has done a little less floating lately. In January she became the second artist in residence at the storefront space at 2952 6th Avenue that serves as a satellite location and community engagement project of the Arts Center of the Capital Region, which is located in downtown.

I can do a workshop in the space and I hold my open mic here. Ive also expanded to do painting with people. Thats new for me. Usually my community engaged work is poetry centered, but here I can float between poetry and art, says Colin. Her popular open mic, known as Poetic Vibe, started pre-pandemic at the Troy Kitchen, then went to Zoom. It now takes place at The Fish Market on the second and fourth Monday evenings of every month. She also hosts weekly community hours (Tuesdays 5-8 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 3 p.m.) when the public can drop in, have a conversation and get acquainted with making art. Colins residency continues until mid-July. (For updated schedules go to: artscenteronline.org/fish-market-project.)

We end up having amazing conversations and creating something. One night people drew sketch books and we just drew and talked. People felt relaxed. Its very meditative to sit and draw or color, recalls Colin. Every single time people are in the space, they thank me for creating the opportunity to carve out time, to create and release. I dont know if we do enough of that for ourselves, to just play as adults. Im an advocate for letting your inner child have fun.

With plenty of natural light, wood floors and exposed brick, the modestly furnished space has also proved conducive to Colins own creative practice. Shes got a few completed paintings on display and is at work on several more, each of a scale larger than could be easily accommodated in the Lansingburgh apartment she shares with her fiance.

One of the canvases is a stylized portrait of Sojourner Truth. All of Colins work, including her two books of poetry, comes from her perspective as a Black woman artist. Carrying forward the message of Sojourner Truth is a more specific theme thats manifested in painting, performing and writing.

Colins first immersion in the 19th century human rights advocate was to portray her in The Stone that Started the Ripple, a play by local writer Patricia A. Nugent that was first presented in 2015 by the League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County and the Theatre Institute at Sage College. The script also conjures up the spirits of Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott and allows the four pioneering women to have a lively exchange about the current state of liberty and justice in America. They said, Yall still got work to do, recalls Colin with a laugh.

Since then Colin has been engaged to portray Truth in numerous solo appearances. I originally worked from a set script, but the more I studied her life a lot of it ends up being improv. I have markers for the direction that Im going. I know her pretty well, she explains. Sometimes Colins Sojourner Truth even fields questions from the audience. For Q&A in character, you have to be well versed in her life to be able to just answer without knowing the questions ahead of time, says Colin.

Colin also honored Truth with a birthday poem, though the date of the former slaves birth is unknown. Not knowing the day she came into the world is a typical part of slavery, but she could tell you how many sheep and how many dollars they paid for her, observes Colin.

Another prominent stage performance by Colin was in her original work Simone: A One Woman Show at Capital Rep in January 2019. Using poetry, music and movement, the piece paid tribute to her Haitian heritage. Raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Colin is a first generation American whose parents immigrated from the Caribbean. Her given name is Danielle.

Colin came to the Capital Region for graduate work at the University at Albany, where she earned her masters in Africana studies. On Saturday, April 30, she received the universitys alumni award for excellence in arts and letters. Paul Grondahl, director of the New York State Writers Institute, nominated her for the honor. Danielle is a brilliant poet, a gifted teacher and a multi-faceted artist. Her skills span the literary and visual arts, says Grondahl, who has called on Colins talents in numerous programs of the Institute. He further describes her as a wonderful collaborator on many levels.

The organization has also honored Colin by placing a draft of a book of her poetry and art work in a display case in the terminal at Albany International Airport, alongside Toni Morrisons chair and William Kennedys typewriter.

Upon arrival at UAlbany, Colin recalls her first observation about the region was the frigid temperatures, despite her having been brought up in nearby Connecticut. My first semester there was a big storm, three and a half feet, she says. Over time though, the cultural environment outweighed the northern climate. She observes: This area has been really good to me artistically. I say that I grew up literally in Connecticut, but as an artist I grew up here for sure.

Joseph Dalton is a freelance writer based in Troy.
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MALTA - GlobalFoundries has entered into a $117 million agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to supply semiconductor chips for the countrys national security systems.

The semiconductor manufacturer will transfer equipment from its recently sold East Fishkill facility to the newer fab in Malta to produce the 45-nanometer chips.

The transfer of this critical technology to Fab 8 will rely on existing tools at the Malta facility, new equipment purchases, and the transfer of unique tooling from East Fishkill to Malta, a GlobalFoundries spokesperson said.

The manufacturing will take place in Malta. The company declined to disclose equipment relocation costs.

GlobalFoundries announced the East Fishkill plant would be acquired by ON Semiconductors in April 2019 but only recently finalized the sale after having to wait three years for the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 to expire.

The company is working with the federal government to gain "trusted foundry" status for the Malta fab and expects to begin delivering chips to the Department of Defense in 2023. GlobalFoundries said the chips will be used in the nations most sensitive defense and aerospace applications.

While the Malta Fab does have some classifications under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations, it does not have the same "trusted foundry" status as its sister fab in Vermont or the former East Fishkill location.

The relationship between the Department of Defense and GlobalFoundries was bolstered last year after the department upped its contract to pay the semiconductor maker $1.1 billion for chips from its previous $400 million agreement. The relationship is essential to both parties as it puts GlobalFoundries on the map as a premier chip provider and secures a steady supply for the government.

The strong public-private partnership demonstrated with this new supply and tech transfer agreement is an excellent example of the impact federal collaboration and investment in semiconductor manufacturing can have on strengthening domestic supply chains, GlobalFoundries CEO Tom Caulfield said in a news release.

Our partnership boosts the national economy while also securing a strategic and reliable supply of chips needed by the U.S. government for aerospace, defense, and other mission-critical applications, he added.
Culture Exposure is a Creative Muse  Nina Manchev has a love for Bulgaria. Even more, she has a passion for sharing her culture with other people, which is the foundational inspiration for her restaurant, Forte Tapas in Las Vegas.

Food is a Love Language  As Nina Manchev states, food is an international language that we all can understand and feel the love that is put into every dish regardless of where we are or where it comes from.

Do What You Do and Do It Well  As a young 23-year-old woman starting a business, Nina Manchev felt the pressure to constantly prove herself. As time has gone on, she has embraced doing who she is and what she has to offer. That has made her a powerful force to be reckoned with.

***

I knew what I wanted to do. I knew that it wasnt going to be easy.

Any entrepreneur should relate to that sentiment by Nina Manchev, owner of a litany of business ventures including Forte Tapas Bar & Bistro in Las Vegas.

It is no secret that it is tough to find success in the restaurant industry. The degree of difficulty is increased when said restaurant is opened in a location where hospitality is the main industry of the region. Success becomes a bit more difficult to find when the person opening the restaurant is in their early 20s.

I was 23 years old when I started, Nina Manchev says of her remarkably early start to her career. Ive always been passionate about hospitality I didnt know where in the industry I would be.

Being born in Bulgaria, hospitality has been weaved into her character. Sharing that hospitality with others was her initial inspiration for creating something she could call her own.

Bulgarians are very hospitable people, Forte Tapas owner Nina Manchev tells Restaurant Influencers podcast host Shawn P. Walchef of CaliBBQ Media. It's a lot about pride in what you do and who you are and then relaying that to somebody else.

In a competitive world such as the hospitality industry in Las Vegas, creating that environment can be difficult. However, Manchev ensures that each customer at Forte feels the heart that goes into every meal. The attention to detail and labor of love that goes into cooking is an acceptable trade-off for the bit of extra time that a meal at the restaurant may take to arrive at the table.

That exceptional service is what led to a surprise email from and subsequent appearance on the extremely popular television show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives hosted by Guy Fieri.

We were recommended especially by someone that was on the same show even though we don't even know each other, Nina Manchev says of the serendipitous opportunity.

Though a naturally shy person, Manchev constantly presses on the edges of her comfort zone in order to grow. That was most apparent when she had to find a way to remain connected to the people during the pandemic shut down.

The most important thing was how do I still maintain the relationship with our customers? Like, how do we still interact with them even though theyre not in the restaurant?

The answer: live cooking on her YouTube channel. Not only did that bring the customers behind the proverbial curtain of the kitchen and allow them to see just what went into creating the dishes of Forte that they love so much, but it also provided Manchev the opportunity to employ the Bulgarian hospitality that means so much to her.

From the success of Forte Tapas, Manchev has been able to create other businesses that tie back to her initial wish to expose people to her culture and be the creative that she is at heart. She is the co-founder of a multilevel brand development company entitled Veritus Media Group, the owner of Epicurean Atelier, and the owner and Lifestyle Curator at NIMA Concepts, LLC, a consulting and development company. That push to create branches from one main tree is an attribute she credits to her father.

Through it all, Manchev says, I found the most connection with people through food because no matter where you go in the world, the common language is food. And its something that you give of yourself. It comes from the heart for me. Thats what we stick to here.

Here, being Forte. On a larger scale, Manchev has settled into the confidence that she can just be. Shes learned that she doesnt need to compete with others or try to prove herself. She understands that asking for help, leading with grace, and letting time and experience be a teacher is the only way to sustainable success.

Summing it up in one phrase, Nina Manchev poignantly states, Keep going.

***

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BLENHEIM  Nearly a dozen towns in Schoharie County are suing New York state over new rules governing how solar farms are taxed.

They contend a standardized method the state has ordered them to use, which includes a large discount, will shortchange them millions of dollars worth of school and property tax revenue over the years.

Solar developers, on the other hand, say that reversing the tax system at this point could bring lots of projects to a standstill since they need to know what their tax burdens will be to get financing. They also say the new template for assessment was devised to accommodate the unique qualities of solar farms which are cropping up across rural areas upstate.

Either way, the case in the State Supreme Court in Albany County highlights one of the unanswered questions regarding the rapid growth of solar power in New York: What is the extent to which these large multi-million-dollar projects will benefit the towns where they are located?

State Supreme Court Justice Christina Ryba last week granted a temporary restraining order to halt use of the new assessment method. Lawyers for the towns and the state Department of Taxation and Finance will be back in court later in May to present their arguments.

Im furious about the entire thing, said Stella Gittle, an assessor in Montgomery County.

While not a party to the suit, she like other assessors has objected to the states mandated assessment template for solar farms, which is different from the way other similar properties, such as power plants, factories or warehouses are assessed.

Hopefully it can be resolved soon, said Anne Reynolds, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy, which represents numerous solar farm developers.

If not, she said, many projects could grind to a halt as they await word on what their local property and school tax bills will be going forward.

The plaintiffs include the Schoharie County towns of Blenheim, Carlisle, Cobleskill, Conesville, Esperance, Jefferson, Middleburgh, Sharon and Summit.

They contend that the state Department of Taxation and Finance wrongfully avoided going through the standard rulemaking process, including public hearings, when it devised the system, which involves a standardized spreadsheet, to value solar farms.

The real crux of this lawsuit was that they didnt follow the State Administrative Procedures Act, said Dylan Harris, the lawyer representing the towns. He is with the Poughkeepsie-based Lewis & Greer law firm.

The new system uses a discounted cash flow methodology to assess solar farms. Basically, that means it projects the amount of money the solar farm will bring in going forward, with a discount, and sets taxes based on that amount.

Many local assessors wanted instead to use the traditional cost method that looks at the expense of building the facility, in this case, the solar farm, depreciated over time.

Many if not most solar farms work out payment in lieu of tax or PILOT agreements for their tax bills.

But the method for assessing what would be their regular tax bills plays a role in arriving at a PILOT agreement.

Questions about how to value and tax solar farms have been around for several years, noted Warren Wheeler, executive director of the state Assessors Association.

Some towns, he said, were good at negotiating PILOT agreements that helped their tax bases, and their taxpayers, while other towns were not.

Agreements for PILOT payments, for instance, ranged from $5 to $30 per kWh or kilowatt capacity of the solar farm.

Many planned and under-development solar farms upstate are large. The Montgomery County town of Glen, for instance, is looking at a total of 350 MW or megawatts, worth of solar development. A megawatt is 1,000 kilowatts.

Wheelers organization had initially offered input on how to devise a tax schedule but that wasnt adopted in the final plan.

The result, he says, is that many towns could get less tax revenue than they were hoping for.

Montgomery County's Gittle agrees. A solar farm planned for Montgomery County, for instance, could yield $361,000 for the Fonda-Fultonville school district there  if it were taxed on the traditional cost basis. But under the new mandated method, it will generate just about $11,800, which is far less than some of the warehouse/distribution centers in town.

Those warehouses, along with solar farms, are among the few real large-scale growth industries coming to much of rural upstate.

This has thrown a monkey wrench into values, Gittle said.

The Alliances for Clean Energy's Reynolds, however, said that school and property taxes that are too expensive would deter financing for many of the projects.

If the taxes are too high then the projects dont get built, she said.

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU
ALBANY  Tom Suozzi's late November announcement that he would run for governor was mostly met with confusion and indifference, in part because it was difficult to think of a rationale for the Democrat's campaign.

At the time, Gov. Kathy Hochul was riding high in polls and raising piles of money. The notion that Suozzi  or any other challenger not named Tish James  would poise a threat seemed farfetched. Why was the congressman from Long Island wasting his time and ours?

Five months later, the landscape has changed. Hochul no longer looks so formidable.

In a Siena College Research Institute poll released last week, only 36 percent of voters approved of Hochul's performance, and the governor scored especially poorly on the two issues  crime and the economy  that voters identified as their top concern.

Meanwhile, just 40 percent of voters said they would vote for Hochul if she's the Democratic nominee. Forty-five percent preferred "someone else."

Those poll numbers are the political equivalent of the warning signs that try to prevent trucks from crashing into the Glenridge Road rail bridge. At the moment, Hochul looks like she's driving an 18-wheeler right at it.

That gives Suozzi's challenge the rationale it once lacked.

"If the Democrats want to win in November, Kathy Hochul should not be the nominee, and I should," Suozzi, 59, told me. "They (the Republicans) are not going to beat me on Long Island. They're not going to beat me in the suburbs."

I imagine that if we gave Republican candidates such as Lee Zeldin and Harry Wilson doses of truth serum, they'd admit Suozzi isn't the candidate they want to face. After all, the issues he's emphasizing, including cutting crime and taxes, are the very same ones they'd like to highlight.

"Those are the issues people are concerned about, and we're in trouble as a party if we don't start talking about them," Suozzi said. "And I don't talk about these issues like I'm Fox News. I talk about them like a lifelong, common-sense Democrat."

Suozzi has pushed Hochul to more aggressively tackle concerns about bail reform, and says she treats rising crime like an afterthought. He wants to cut state income taxes by 10 percent "so people can afford to live here," and says Hochul's recently passed budget doesn't do nearly enough to prepare for looming fiscal crises.

And the congressman is another voice in the chorus singing against the governor's stadium giveaway to the Buffalo Bills.

"We're giving a billion dollars to her friends in Buffalo so that they wouldn't leave," Suozzi said. "What are we doing to keep people from leaving?"

Not enough, surely.

Since all readers of this column are astute observers of the political landscape, you've probably noticed that Suozzi is challenging Hochul from the right. Which raises a question: Is that what voters in the upcoming primary will want?

Progressives have a candidate in New York Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, which suggests that Suozzi and Hochul will be fighting for more moderate voters.

A problem for Suozzi is that Hochul remains popular among Democrats, who gave her 55 percent job approval in that Siena poll. It doesn't seem likely that primary voters would turn away from her, even if Suozzi could convince them that he offers the best protection against those dastardly Republicans.

Of course, every Democrat in deep-blue New York enters a general election as the heavy favorite. So you can understand if Democrats aren't particularly concerned about the threat.

The party would be wise, though, to avoid overconfidence, especially amid growing evidence of a gathering red tsunami that could wash away even blue-state Democrats this fall. Hochul, meanwhile, would be wise to stop shooting herself in the foot.

The indictment of the governor's handpicked lieutenant, the tossing of gerrymandered maps by the state's highest court and the Bills giveaway are together contributing to a narrative that makes the Hochul administration seem guilty of bad judgment, if not worse. Her poll numbers aren't sinking without reason.

In Suozzi's view, New Yorkers are responding to a pattern of incompetence.

"She just isn't doing the job," he said. "This is her mess. She has to take responsibility for it."

It's unlikely Suozzi will produce a shock upset. Hochul still has the power of incumbency and massive financial advantages. And with the primary scheduled for late June  assuming legal challenges related to the gerrymandering fiasco don't delay it  Suozzi has a dwindling number of days to make his case.

But that case is stronger than it once seemed.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
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SARATOGA SPRINGS  Honoring a committee recommendation, the City Council was expected to name Jason Golub to replace the late Commissioner of Public Works Anthony Skip Scirocco, Sr. Tuesday night, a historic move making Golub the first Black person to have a seat at the city's governing body table.

Search committee chair John Franck said Golub, interviewed with two other candidates on Friday night, got a unanimous nod from the five-member committee. His nomination beat out former city DPW director and Deputy Commissioner Bill McTygue, and Anthony Scirocco, Jr., a supervisor with Saratoga County DPW and Scirocco Sr.s son.

We thought all three candidates were excellent, Franck said. Anthony (Scirocco) came under tough circumstances. Billy did well. But Jason was just more prepared. He answered the questions more broadly.  It was pretty clear to the five of us that Jason fared the best.

After the unanimous backing, Franck said Mayor Ron Kim told him that there was no need to go into executive session with the committee on the appointment, which was expected to be announced at the City Council meeting. Golub said he was excited about the prospect and was planning to attend the City Council meeting.

The committee was formed after Scirocco Sr., who served on the council for 14 years, died after battling cancer on April 6. The bipartisan committee screened each applicant in public interviews on Friday evening. Franck said before the committee discussed each candidate, he polled the members and all voted for Golub.

Tim Holmes, a committee member and former Republican candidate for mayor, wrote up the recommendation that Franck said was delivered to the mayor on Sunday night.

Even though he didnt have a lot of the experience to know the inner workings of DPW, he had a lot of forward-thinking, Franck said. Like using technology to tell people when their leaves will be picked up or a pothole will be filled.

Franck also said that Golub, who is an attorney for General Electric and was co-chair of the citys Police Reform Task Force, was more in tune with the issues at hand.

For example, when asked about other issues in the city beyond DPW, Golub brought up civil rights and homelessness. He also said one of his priorities is the creation of a civilian review board to oversee police.

Golub will be the third attorney on City Council. Mayor Kim and Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino are also attorneys.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Golub's name was initially put forward days after Scirocco Sr.s death by members of the Black community, mainly president and CEO of Soteryx Sean Wiggins and Black Lives Matter leader Lexis Figuereo, who said it was time to have a Black person on the council.

At the time, Golub said he thought it was a great idea.

I think that would go a long way after what happened over the last few years," he said on April 11. "There would be a lot of bridge-building, trust-building if that were to happen."

If chosen, Golub will not be the first person of color, however. Kim is Asian American and the Commissioner of Finance Minita Sanghvi is from India.

While Scirocco, Jr., a Republican, was not selected by the committee, he said he will run for his fathers seat as it was his final wish for his son to succeed him. Golub, a Democrat, also said he would run. Only McTygue said he wouldnt run for the office, which pays $14,500 a year.

A special election will be called in November to fill the seat through the end of Scirocco, Sr.s term, which will end on Dec. 21, 2023.
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SCHENECTADY  A City Council committee has given the green light to put more school resource officers in city schools.

Their approval caps off a heated debate over their presence that has roiled the district this spring.

The issue has generated protests in the city school system as well as a fight between members of the school board who support or oppose the addition of more officers.

Lawmakers on the Public Safety Committee voted to enter into the agreement on Monday, paving the way for a vote next week thats all-but-sure to pass the full body.

While the City Council holds the purse strings, their approval is merely symbolic:

Mayor Gary McCarthy could have still signed the agreement that would expand the program even without lawmaker approval, city Police Chief Eric Clifford said.

Yet lawmaker approval makes budgeting easier and presents a unified front.

Were looking to work collectively as a city government to get on the same page with this, Clifford said ahead of the meeting. We want this to be a success and dont want it to be a disagreement We will earn (students) trust if they give us the opportunity.

Public Safety Committee Chairman Carl Williams moved the resolution, which was backed by city Councilman John Mootooveren.

The city School Board voted 4-3 in March to approve the expansion, prompting both a walkout by students and internal warfare among school board members.

Under the plan, city police will add four officers to the two existing staffers. The $600,000 cost will be split between the school district and police department over the next three academic years.

Each will split half of the $100,000 salary for each officer, as well as 2 percent annual increases.

The four new officers will be assigned to the middle schools and a supervising officer would visit all of the district's locations.

Clifford pitched lawmakers on the plan two weeks ago, but the Public Safety Committee tabled a vote, citing the need for further review.

The proposal, first floated by city school district Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr. earlier this winter, has cleaved the community and has focused largely on whether armed police bolster school safety or cause more trauma to Black and brown students already fearful of them.

Dozens have spoken out at forums, with proponents and police contending an expanded law enforcement presence will provide role models and better protect students.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Were providing a service to the school district that wed be providing anyways for calls for service, Clifford said. Its giving us the ability to engage with the school community more frequently.

One of the two officers at the high school previously said hes assisted both staff and students with issues related to eviction, domestic violence, community and social services as well as other life tasks and obstacles.

But critics  including many students, parents and activists  argue that students are already over-policed and that the funds should instead be used to boost the ranks of school guidance counselors and psychiatrists to better help struggling youngsters combat mental health and social issues resulting from the pandemic.

(The district has pointed out that it has already increased the number of school counselors and social workers in recent years.)

Officers will also patrol the high school perimeter to ensure students authorized to leave campus are not being disruptive in the surrounding neighborhoods, issues with which the district has previously grappled.

Soler has previously highlighted several high-profile violent incidents as evidence of the need for a bolstered law enforcement presence.

The role of the community engagement officers will not be to police students, Clifford said, and officers will only intercede if a student becomes violent.

The debate has also opened up a schism among school board members, exposing activist and first-term school board member Jamaica Miles to accusations by her colleagues that she has used students to further her agenda.

Miles has pushed back, calling the accusations defamatory, and has said that high schoolers solicited her input ahead of last months student-led demonstrations.

The yet-to-be-inked deal stipulates officer evaluations be done every June, giving both sides the flexibility to continue or cancel the arrangement if needed.
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MEXICO CITY  Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are camping out in Mexico City and waiting for the U.S. government to allow them into the country.

About 500 evacuees were waiting Tuesday in large tents under a searing sun on a dusty field on the east side of Mexicos sprawling capital. The camp has been open only a week and from 50 to 100 people are arriving every day.

Some refugees have already been to the U.S. border in Tijuana where they were told they would no longer be admitted. Others arrived at airports in Mexico City or Cancun.

The U.S. government announced in late March that it would accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Hundreds entered Mexico daily as tourists in Mexico City or Cancun and flew to Tijuana to wait for a few days to be admitted to the U.S. at a San Diego border crossing on humanitarian parole.

Giorgi Mikaberidze, 19, arrived in Tijuana April 25 and found the U.S. border closed. He went from being just yards from the United States to some 600 miles (966 kilometers) away in the Mexico City area. He said he traveled to Mexico alone.

Its very difficult to wait. We dont know how the program will work, he said.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russia storms Mariupol steel plant as some evacuees reach safety

 Debt drama far from over for Russia even though it dodges default

 Biden visit highlights strain on US weapons stockpile

 Pope Francis offers to meet Putin, but hasn't heard back

 German opposition leader visits Ukraine; chancellor refuses to go

Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden's national security adviser met Tuesday with a Swedish foreign affairs officials and committed to continuing close coordination on security issues, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said.

NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Oscar Stenstrom, state secretary for foreign affairs to Sweden's prime minister, discussed the security situation in Europe in light of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The topics included ongoing efforts to support Ukraine and impose costs on Russia, Watson said.

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WASHINGTON  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the war in Ukraine has worsened problems in the Western Hemisphere caused by the coronavirus pandemic, such as rising poverty.

Concerns about the war decreasing the availability of food and increasing prices have sparked fears of increasing hunger and starvation in other nations. Blinken told the annual Conference of the Americas Luncheon on Tuesday that the effects of the war are being felt after the pandemic inflicted massive economic harm throughout the region.

Giving the luncheons keynote address in Washington, Blinken said: Now, with the Russian governments brutal war of aggression on Ukraine, many of these preexisting problems, these preexisting conditions, have been made worse, raising the price of essential commodities throughout the Americas, from fertilizer to wheat to petroleum, cutting off key export markets for many industries in the Americas, and forcing households across the region to make very wrenching choices as the cost of living skyrockets.

Blinken plans to chair two United Nations meetings later this month aimed at spotlighting how the war in Ukraine and other conflicts is affecting the availability of food and prices.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian officials say the Russian military has struck railroad infrastructure across the country.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, the head of the Ukrainian railways, said the Russian strikes on Tuesday hit six railway stations in the countrys central and western regions, inflicting heavy damage.

Kamyshin said at least 14 trains were delayed because of the attacks.

Dnipro region Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said Russian missiles struck railway infrastructure in the area, leaving one person wounded and disrupting train movement.

The Ukrainian military also reported strikes on railways in the Kirovohrad region, saying there were unspecified casualties.

Ukraines railroads have played an important role in moving people, goods and military supplies during the war as roads and bridges have been damaged.

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TROY, Ala.  President Joe Biden on Tuesday credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant for doing life-saving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine to stifle Russias invasion as he made a pitch for Congress to approve $33 billion so the U.S. can continue hustle aid to the front lines.

Youre allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves, Biden told the workers, his podium flanked by Javelin missile launchers and shipping containers. And, quite frankly, theyre making fools of the Russian military in many instances.

The presidents visit to the Lockheed Martin factory in Alabama also drew attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, 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 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.

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.

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UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. humanitarian chief in Ukraine says about 30 people who came out of the besieged Avostal steel plant in Mariupol chose not to leave the city, saying they were horrified at its total devastation and first wanted to find out if their loved ones were still alive.

Osnat Lubrani told a virtual press conference from the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia soon after the arrival Tuesday of 127 people evacuated from the plant and the town of Manhush on Mariupols outskirts that she wants to believe the successful operation will be a stepping stone to more such operations from Avostal and other towns and cities being shelled and bombarded by the Russians.

She said there is knowledge that there are civilians still trapped in the Avostal plant, but the U.N. has no numbers.

Some of them may have been afraid to come out, some of them probably couldnt make it, Lubrani said. Its a huge area and some of the elderly people could hardly walk and a broken bus with flat tires was used to help some of them leave.

Speaking of the people who wanted to stay in Mariupol, she said, These are people that have lived their lives and worked in Mariupol and so it was difficult for them to just leave without knowing what the fate of their loved ones is.

Lubrani said the people still trapped underground in the Avostal plant will hear about the safe evacuation to Zaporizhzhia which is very important, so if we do another operation, I think hopefully more will come out.

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The Russian military says its artillery has hit over 400 Ukrainian targets during the last day.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Tuesday that the targets included Ukrainian artillery positions, troops strongholds and two fuel depots.

Konashenkov said Russian aircrafts have hit 39 other targets, including concentrations of troops and weapons and two command posts.

He charged that a U.S.-supplied artillery radar, four air defense radars and six ammunition depots were among the targets destroyed with precision-guided weapons over the last day.

Konashenkovs claims couldnt be independently verified.

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LVIV, Ukraine  Russian strikes have apparently targeted the western Ukraine city of Lviv.

The strikes happened in multiple directions just before 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday  about about an hour and a half after air raid sirens sounded in the city and reportedly went off across the entire country. At least four distinct explosions could be heard from downtown Lviv.

Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the strikes damaged three power substations, knocking electricity off in parts of Lviv. Two pump stations were also without power, affecting water supply in the city. Two people were injured in the attack, according to the mayor.

Sadovyi wrote on a social message app that those in the city should take shelter. Trains coming out of Lviv stopped service. Car alarms went off after the blasts, and emergency sirens could be heard.

The mayor on Monday had a news conference with the countrys top U.S. diplomat, discussing how America planned to reopen its diplomatic presence in the city located near the Polish border.

The last major attack targeting the city came April 18, which killed at least seven people. Lviv has become a haven for those fleeing the wars front line in the east.

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PARIS  French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call Tuesday with Vladimir Putin, stressed the extreme gravity of the consequences of Russias war of aggression in Ukraine, and called on the Russian leader to allow evacuations from the Mariupol steel mill to continue, the Elysee Palace said.

Macron urged Russia to rise to the level of its responsibility as a permanent member of the U.S. Security Council by ending this devastating aggression, an Elysee statement said.

Macron asked Putin to restart evacuations at the Azovstal plant, which has served as a refuge for Ukrainians, in coordination with humanitarian units, while allowing evacuees to choose their destination, as called for under international law.

It was the first time that the French president has had a conversation with Putin since March 29  before the discovery of the exactions in the Ukrainian town of Bucha  after multiple telephone talks. The call came three days after Macron last spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Concerned about world food security, Macron said he was willing to work with international organizations to try to help seek a lifting of the Russian blockade on exports of food goods via the Black Sea, according to the statement.

He also restated his willingness to work on conditions for a negotiated solution to the war, for peace and for full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and reiterated his oft-stated demand for a cease-fire, the statement said.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The Donetsk regional governor said the Russian troops on Tuesday shelled a chemical plant in Avdiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine, killing at least 10 people and wounding 15 more.

The Russians knew exactly where to aim  the workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home, Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. Another cynical crime by Russians on our land.

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GENEVA  A top Red Cross official helping oversee a dramatic, five-day effort that led to the evacuation of dozens of civilians from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to a government-held city said he remains extremely concerned about new clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces there  with some other civilians still inside.

Pascal Hundt, who heads the Ukraine office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the humanitarian agency and the United Nations carried out the evacuation after Russia and Ukraine agreed that it would only include civilians. He said some people simply chose not to leave, and he didnt know why  but suspected fear about continued fighting played a part.

A total of 127 people were evacuated from Azovstal and the Mariupol area in buses that arrived in government-controlled Zaporizhzia on Tuesday.

We are today with a mixed feeling. We have done everything to help these people to basically leave the place where they were  to leave hell, Hundt said in a call with reporters from Kyiv. But we would have hoped that much more people would be able to join the convoy and to get out of hell.

Hundt said about a dozen people taken out in the convoy were sick or injured, but none were in critical condition.

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Latvia has summoned Russias ambassador to the Baltic country over Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs anti-Semitic statements, the Latvian foreign minister said Tuesday.

The ambassador was to provide explanations on May 5 and receive a protest, Edgars Rinkevics wrote on Twitter.

In an interview with an Italian news channel, Lavrov said that Ukraine could still have Nazi elements even if some figures  including the countrys president  were Jewish, claiming that Hitler also had Jewish origins.

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BRUSSELS  The European Unions top diplomat says the blocs executive branch is on the cusp of proposing a new raft of sanctions against Russia, including on oil.

EU policy commissioners have been discussing the new sanctions and are set to send their proposals later Tuesday to the 27 member countries for debate.

The unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a tweet that the executive is working on the 6th package of sanctions which aims to de-swift more banks, list disinformation actors and tackle oil imports. Swift is the most widely used international system for bank transfers.

Member countries have been involved in drawing up the proposals, but they routinely take days to endorse them. The sanctions can only enter force once they are published in the EUs Official Journal. Hungary and Slovakia have already expressed reservations about signing on.

EU ambassadors are scheduled to meet on Wednesday. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also likely to explain the proposals early Wednesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

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MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin has told French President Emmanuel Macron that Moscow is ready for talks with Ukraine.

The Kremlin said in its readout of Tuesdays call that despite Kyivs inconsistency and its lack of readiness for serious work, the Russian side is still ready for dialogue.

The Kremlin added that Putin also informed Macron about the course of Russias special military operation. It added that the two leaders also discussed the global food security and Putin underlined that Western sanctions have exacerbated the situation.

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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  The U.N.s aid coordinator for Ukraine says 127 people have been evacuated from the besieged Azovstal plant in Mariupol and nearby areas to a government-controlled city, in an operation carried out along with the international Red Cross.

Osnat Lubrani, the humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said Tuesday that those evacuated included 101 people who could finally leave the bunkers below the Azovstal steelworks and see the daylight after two months.

Another 58 people joined the convoy in Manhush, a town on the outskirts of Mariupol.

Today, we brought people safely to Zaporizhzhia, Lubriani said. However, I worry that there may be more civilians who remain trapped.

The evacuees were receiving humanitarian assistance, including health and psychological care, from the U.N, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and partner agencies after arriving in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday.

Some of the evacuees opted to be dropped off before arriving in the city, which is in government-controlled territory, Lubriani said in a statement.

 This item has been corrected to fix the spelling of Osnat Lubranis last name.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The deputy commander of the Azov Regiment that is holed up in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol has confirmed to The Associated Press that Russian forces have started to storm the plant on Tuesday.

The move comes almost two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered its military not to storm the plant, but rather block it off.

Asked about the reports in Ukrainian media that the huge steelworks  the last holdout of Ukrainian resistance in a city otherwise controlled by Moscows forces  was being stormed, Sviatoslav Palamar told the AP that it is true.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mariupol patrol police chief Mykhailo Vershinin was quoted by Ukrainian television as saying that the Russian military have started to storm the plant in several places.

The reports come amid a U.N. effort to evacuate civilians from the plant, which helped scores of people escape the sprawling facility.

According to Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard who is also currently at Azovstal, 200 civilians including children remain at the plant.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk told reporters Tuesday that about 150 civilians have been taken from Azovstal and a few hundred remain at the plant. We need a few more days to continue this operation, Vereshchuk said.

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged her visiting Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, to try to influence Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Putin has to stop this war, Frederiksen said Tuesday, adding immediately, I hope that India will influence Russia.

Indias neutral stance in the war has raised concerns in the West and earned praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who lauded India for judging the situation in its entirety, not just in a one-sided way.

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LONDON  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told Ukraines parliament that their country has achieved the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century by repelling Russias attempt to capture Kyiv.

Johnson addressed lawmakers in Ukraines legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, by video link on Tuesday. He is the first world leader to do so since Ukraine was invaded on Feb. 24.

Johnson, one of Ukraines most prominent international supporters, announced a new 300 million pound ($375 million) package of military aid to Ukraine, including radar, drones and armored vehicles.

Johnson said Ukraine had exploded the myth of (Russian President Vladimir) Putins invincibility, and expressed confidence Ukraine would win the war.

The British leader said Western allies had not done enough to stop Russia after it annexed Crimea and triggered a conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014, and said Ukraines allies should not press it to give up territory to make peace.

He said you are the masters of your fate, and no-one can or should impose anything on Ukrainians. We in the U.K. will be guided by you and we are proud to be your friends.
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MALTA  Another farm  or at least half of one  in Malta is on track to disappear to development.

Chris Mitchell, owner of what is now open fields on Eastline Road, is seeking to build 119 homes on about half of what is also exactly a 119-acre farm. And in exchange for being allowed to develop densely, he has promised to preserve in perpetuity the Green Mountain viewshed seen from his property and an accompanying 69 acres of the land.

While Malta Open Space Committee Chair Barbara Conner said she looks favorably on the plan, mainly because its the only way to preserve at least some of the farm, nearly 200 residents of the abutting Avendale Community have signed a petition opposing the proposed Mountainview Meadows' connecting road.

The biggest concern is the connecting road that would put traffic from 119 homes into our existing neighborhood, said Ann Glackin who lives on Avendale Drive. Essentially, the way the plot is designed, the houses sit down behind our neighborhood, it just would make sense for them to shoot out through our neighborhood to get to Exit 11 and onto the Northway.

The Times Union visited the farm on Friday, leaving a message with a woman there to have Mitchell respond to a request for comment; he had not as of Monday afternoon.

The neighbors to Mitchells planned development are vocal, mainly concerning the connecting road at the intersection of Surrey and Avendale drives. Glackin said that Mitchell had a traffic study done indicating that about 60 percent of the traffic would go through the Avendale Community, but she said, they were also told it would only be 15 cars a day.

That math doesnt work, Glackin said of the road that would shave off a little more than a half mile of a commute to the Northway.

Tom McDermott, another resident of Avendale, told the town board last week that residents are also upset about the density, and that the differences between the two communities is dramatic.

The Mountview Meadows community is dense housing, he said at the meeting. The average lot size is .25 acres. The Avendale lot size is a third of an acre. (Mountainview) has no provision for walking trails, no park, no playground. When that community is completed, it will have no open space.

Therefore, he said, the preservation of the viewshed and 69 acres is done at the expense of our community.

Residents of Avendale are also concerned for wetlands. Glackin said that Avendale itself was built on a farm that was known for its soggy soil. Because the Mitchell farm slopes down into Avendale, there is concern that the existing community will be inundated with even more water during storms.

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"It's very wet on our properties," Glackin said. "When it's really wet, we just don't go back there." She added, when it rains "my neighbor has a pond in her backyard that ducks come and swim in."

The sogginess of the area where the road will go is also a concern for residents. Jamie ONeill, the building and planning coordinator for the town, said that area dips down. But she said, she doesnt know if there are designated wetlands there.

Yet Conner from the open space commitee said the problem is this: If Mitchell cant develop a portion of his farm, he will likely sell the whole 119 acres to a developer.

It will be either dense housing or all housing, Conner said. I dont think you can stop development of that land.

Glackin said she understands neighbors cant stop it. Still, she said, the neighbors do want to stop the road from going in.

If we can influence the number of cars coming through our neighborhood, I think that is the best we can do, Glackin said. We are looking for some kind of compromise, to allow that development to happen and have us exist as we are today.  The impact to the existing community is what we have concerns about.
The Appellate Division in Rochester backed a lower court decision that denied a request for a court order to force Buffalo Public Schools to offer more arts courses and to do so equitably.

State Supreme Court Justice Frank Sedita III ruled in December 2020 that the state affords school districts discretion over what arts courses to offer.

"While the regulations provide that the district must offer students the opportunity for an arts sequence, (the district) may exercise discretion in how to do so," according to appellate ruling Friday affirming Sedita's decision.

Two parents and five teachers asked for a finding that the district failed to provide all of its high school students with the opportunity to complete a three- to five-course arts sequence during the 2019-2020 school year.

Of 2,676 students in the freshman class that school year, 8.4% were offered the opportunity to complete a visual art, music, dance and theater sequence, according to the lawsuit.

The district contended it complies with state law, saying the state commissioner of education has never cited it for being out of compliance with arts requirements.
ALBANY  As omicron subvariants spread, the number of COVID-19 cases is continuing to rise in Albany County.

The county announced Tuesday that there have been over 700 confirmed new infections since their last update Friday, with 158 of those infections identified overnight. The county has now reached a total of 67,235 COVID-19 cases, and its seven-day average of new daily positives cases jumped up from 178.5 to 196.

The most recent seven-day average of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 has reached 43.7 in the county and 47.2 in the Capital Region, up from 41.3 and 42.3 Friday.

County Executive Dan McCoy's office warned in a press release that there is an unknown margin of error with positive case reporting because of "residency discrepancies," as well as the lack of reporting at-home test results. However, the county did emphasize that hospitalizations and deaths are the leading metrics health professionals use.

The hospitalization rate in the county is also rising, with 31 new overall hospitalizations since Friday, four of which took place overnight. A total of 34 county residents are hospitalized with COVID-19, and one is in the intensive care unit. There have not been any new reported deaths.

While the infection rate has been increasing significantly, the county's vaccination rate has not.

The percentage of residents who have received at least the first dose of the vaccine has not budged since Friday, standing at 81.7 percent. The number of fully vaccinated residents has increased slightly from 74.2 percent to 74.3 percent. And among the population eligible for the booster shot, 71.7 percent have received it  up from Friday's 70.8 percent.

Saratoga County

Saratoga Hospital announced Tuesday afternoon that it will be tightening visitation policies due to the increase of COVID-19 infections among patients and staff.

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Patients at the hospital can now designate just one visitor per day between 4 and 8 p.m., but the hospital will allow "compassionate exceptions" on a case-by-case basis.

"We are feeling the impact at Saratoga Hospital. Our COVID-related admissions are up dramatically, and more staff are sidelined because of positive test results," Richard Falivena, vice president and chief medical and physician integration officer, said in a press release. "As a hospital and a community, we must acknowledge that COVID-19 is not done with us yet. We have the tools to prevent and reduce the spread of this disease, and its time to deploy them again  together."

Saratoga County, in addition to most of upstate New York, is on the national list of communities with high levels of infection, reaching over 48,000 cases to date with 800 positive tests in the last seven days.

Falivena urged people to get vaccinated and boosted, and continue wearing masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
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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."

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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.
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TROY  Retired city police detective Aaron Collingtons five-year journey through the Rensselaer County courts - during which he was placed on interim probation for stealing from the city's police union - ended Monday when he was sentenced to one to three years in prison for violating that probation.

Collington was once considered to have a sterling reputation in the city, not only in Troys Black community but among the ranks of the Troy Police Department, whose patrol officers, detectives and sergeants had once elected him as president of the Troy Police Benevolent Association.

But Collington stood before Judge Jennifer Sober Monday dressed in the orange jumpsuit of an Albany County jail inmate, with his legs and arms shackled. Collington appeared before Sober after previously being sentenced Friday for stealing money by running up more than $25,000 in hotel bills on a friends credit card in 2020. He had previously pleaded guilty to the Albany County charge in March.

Collington had violated his Rensselaer County probation by not reporting his interaction with the Colonie Police Department when the town detectives were investigating the illicit use of the credit card. On Monday he was sentenced in Rensselaer County for the probation violation, which rescinded his previous plea deal that kept prison time at bay on the grand larceny charge involving Troy PBA monies. He will now serve concurrent prison sentences.

Offered an opportunity to speak during the hearing Monday, Collington declined to say anything.

Its sad to see where you landed Mr. Collington, Sober said. You had a great reputation in the community.

He just wants all of this behind him, said Art Frost, the defense attorney representing the retired detective.

Collingtons path toward prison began when he was first charged in October 2017 with stealing $6,200 from the Troy Police Benevolent Association.

The Troy PBA filed a complaint against Collington after finding discrepancies in its financial records.

Collington used the $6,200 to pay his rent, according to the police complaint. At the time he was charged, Collington earned $79,926 working for the city. Collington repaid the union.

Collington reached a plea deal with special prosecutors from the Albany County District Attorneys Office that allowed him to avoid prison time as long as he adhered to his probation terms.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

But then Collington stayed at The Homewood Suites on Wolf Road in Colonie for two nights - March 15 and 16, 2020. A friend was paying $262 for the two nights at the hotel, according to police and civil court records.

Collington told the friend he needed a place to stay temporarily due to a burst pipe in his home, according to records.

The hotel bill soared to $25,459 as Collington used the credit card 26 times over seven months at the hotel, according to court filings.

The mounting hotel bill led Colonie detectives to investigate. They arrested Collington in Dec. 2020 when he reported to the Rensselaer County Probation Department. An Albany County grand jury indicted him for third-degree grand larceny.

Collington would reach another plea deal with the Albany County District Attorneys Office on the Colonie hotel charge. On March 4, he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny. He was sentenced Friday to 1  to 3 years in prison on the Albany County charge and ordered to pay restitution of $25,459.
The Supreme Court may soon overturn federal abortion protections, according to a draft of an opinion published Monday by Politico. The court is expected to announce its ruling sometime before July.

But what would the ruling mean for New York and other states?

Two landmark court cases  Roe v. Wade in 1973 and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992  established a constitutional right to an abortion until about 24 weeks into a pregnancy. No federal law protects or prohibits abortion, so striking down Roe would leave abortion laws up to the states. And the states are sharply divided.

About half of U.S. states are expected to ban abortion if Roe falls, according to the abortion-rights think tank Guttmacher Institute. Twenty-two states, largely in the South and Midwest, already have total or near-total bans on the books. Aside from Texas, all are now blocked in court because of Roe.

The draft decision concludes that "if a state wishes to prohibit abortions, that does not violate the federal Constitution," said Vin Bonventre, Albany Law School professor and a constitutional law expert. "The Supreme Court can only say that laws that prohibit abortion do not offend the federal Constitution."

Bonventre discussed the issue Tuesday morning with Times Union editor Casey Seiler and health reporter Rachel Silberstein.

Thirteen states have so-called trigger laws that would immediately ban abortion if Roe is overturned and would presumably go into effect if the Supreme Court majority votes for the draft.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

In New York, abortion is protected by state law. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Twitter that people seeking abortions could come to the state.

"For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms. Abortion will always be safe & accessible in New York," she said in tweets. "New York will always be a place where abortion rights are protected."

On Wednesday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion, and ordered an investigation into what he called an "egregious breach of trust."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
State officials have long talked a good game about empowering women, cracking down on harassment and supporting victims of domestic violence. If only their actions matched their words.

Weve seen in recent days two more disturbing instances of the states failures when it comes to those promises, adding to a poor record over the years of officials seeming to be more concerned with who was blowing the whistle on harassers than on the harassment itself. And thats the executive branch. The Legislature has had its own shame in overlooking or covering up harassment, and dragging its feet on staff complaints.

It is somewhat encouraging that Gov. Kathy Hochuls administration took the initiative to talk publicly about one of the two most recent cases to come to light. That one involved Sarbjit Kaur Saran, an employee of the states office of Information Technology Services, who was strangled by her husband, Bhupinder S. Saran, in September 2020. Mr. Saran, who had worked for the Department of General Services, subsequently killed himself.

According to a state inspector generals report, Ms. Saran, of Bethlehem, had been documenting her husbands abuse on her work cellphone. When he found out, he turned her in for using state property for personal purposes. Rather than offer Ms. Saran support services for domestic violence as state policy requires, ITS and OGS confiscated her phone and disciplined her. When she asked for the photographic documentation shed collected so she could get an order of protection, they said her attorney would need to make the request.

Then theres James Jay Kiyonaga, whod been fired from his job as executive deputy commissioner at the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities in May 2018. The inspector generals office at the time said it had documented reprehensible and indefensible behavior toward multiple female employees. The Times Union also learned of years of complaints against him in multiple state agencies.

Under workplace rules, however, he returned to a job as financial director at the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. He was fired from that job in 2020.

But he sued, and the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court last week overturned his termination on a host of procedural errors and lack of due process. Hes now in line to get back his job, along with back pay.

Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter.

Ms. Hochuls administration seems to be taking all this seriously, releasing the report on Ms. Sarans tragedy and promising more training, especially of supervisors, in handling domestic violence situations. The follow-through also needs to include more emphasis on the need to handle harassment complaints better, to make clear that retaliation will be dealt with severely, and to handle cases meticulously. The state certainly has enough lawyers to not make sloppy technical mistakes. And the messaging and training need to be ongoing, as the state requires in the private sector.

Just as women deserve to know that blowing the whistle on harassment wont make them targets for retaliation, they also deserve reassurance that even a well-intentioned response wont be botched.
NASSAU  A casual waterfront eatery that was known as Jeanne's Place starting soon after World War II is readying for an opening on Sunday, May 8, as Jimmy's Lakeside Grill. It most recently was Trader's Ed and, before that, Pirates Lakeside Grill.

Located at 266 County Route 7, Jimmy's Lakeside Grill is the first venture as proprietor for Chey Harding, a veteran bartender mostly in Colonie who named the restaurant after her dog, a white Siberian husky who, for all his charms, is as "dumb as a rock," Harding says with a laugh.
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.
A new driverless and fully electric test vehicle has been unveiled by Continental to measure the braking performance of passenger car tires, with the aim of further reducing braking distances to improve safety.

Located at the companys Contidrom proving ground near Hanover, Germany, the fully automated AVA (Analytic Vehicle AIBA) enables the tire maker to conduct tests that precisely monitor the frictional properties of tires during braking maneuvers on dry and wet roads.

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The Continental AVA combines the advantages of a test method which is independent of the vehicle model, with the controlled and reproducible test environment of the Automated Indoor Braking Analyzer (AIBA). By utilizing the new system, tire testing experts at Continental can now perform tests regardless of vehicle specific characteristics.

Our analytic vehicle AVA helps us to analyze the performance of our premium tires in even greater detail and systematically develop them, said Dr Boris Mergell, head of research and development at Continentals Tires group sector. Transmission of forces between the tire and the road surface is decisive for tire braking performance. It is equally important for cornering characteristics or when changing direction. The performance of the tire during braking is essential for the safety of the vehicle. For this reason, we make great efforts to analyze our tires as precisely as possible.

When conducting tire braking tests, the AVA is accelerated to a speed of 65km/h, aided by an electromagnetic linear drive  based on modern roller coaster technology. Once up to speed, several fully automated braking tests can be conducted. The AVA drive system has two electrically driven axles which are powered by a high-performance battery. By producing a high maximum torque, the AVA can deliver a constant speed while the test tires on the third axle are systematically braked.

The integrated braking system is equipped with brake-by-wire technology from Continentals automotive business sector. By transferring the braking signal electronically, the braking response of the system is quick and precise, enabling repeatable, accurate tests and measurements.

Our AVA determines the transmission of forces between the tire and the road surface, while various slipping states, so-called -slip curves, are precisely reproducible, explained Meletis Xigakis, who is responsible for global tire testing at Continental. With the state-of-the-art measuring technology, we measure all of the forces which act between the tire and the road surface during braking. We can compare our tires and their various compound compositions even more precisely and optimize them for their special uses.

Continentals AVA is used within the Automated Indoor Braking Analyzer, a system which started operation in 2012. The test rig is capable of conducting brake tests on a range of road surfaces on a 75m-long test track. The test hall features five hydraulically interchangeable road surfaces and up to 100,000 braking tests can be performed each year on dry, wet or icy roads. The system is integrated into a 350m-long hall.

Continentals new tire models are run for the equivalent of 25,000,000km per year on the companys test beds and test tracks, equating to 625 times around the world.
The outcome of a union vote at a Starbucks store in Cheektowaga where the union had claimed victory is now up in the air.

The election involves a Starbucks store at Walden Avenue and Anderson Road, near the Walden Galleria. A March 9 vote count by the National Labor Relations Board gave Starbucks Workers United a victory by a tally of 8-7.

But Starbucks filed an objection, calling for the NLRB to include several ballots excluded from the count. An NLRB official sided with Starbucks, and after a supplemental count, the election is now tied 10-10.

The outcome of the vote could hinge on one ballot  which was challenged by Starbucks  that has not been opened. The NLRB is reviewing whether that ballot should be opened and counted. Under NLRB election rules, if a vote ends in a tie, the union loses the election.

Prior to the election, the store at Walden and Anderson drew attention when Starbucks closed it for a time and turned it into a training center, before converting the location back to a store.

Aside from the current tie at the Walden/Anderson store, Starbucks Workers United has won elections at five area Starbucks. Workers at a seventh store, on Camp Road in Hamburg, voted against union representation, but Starbucks Workers United has filed an objection.

Matt Glynn

The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Despite local homeowner rules, residents were jam packed into this Golden Ghetto residence before a devastating blaze earlier today . . .



Here's evidence that these folks needed help following burnout in their cramped location . . .



"The Red Cross is being called in to assist the ten occupants of the home with lodging."



Accordingly, this tragedy brings to mind resistance against new "co-living" rules in Shawnee that have meti with widespread resistance.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Firefighters and police help residents out of overnight house fire in Overland Park The Overland Park Fire Department says three officers were treated for minor smoke inhalation after helping with a fire near 87th and Conser.The department says there were no major injuries or burns sustained in the overnight house fire. Firefighters were called to the home just after 3:00 a.m.

10 displaced, no injuries in Overland Park fire OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - No one was hurt in an early Monday morning house fire in Overland Park, but 10 are displaced. Overland Park fire crews were called to the 8700 block of Conser Drive just after 3 a.m.

Developing . . .


One last check-in for our most dedicated readers . . . We share more than a bit of newsworthy reading material related community news, pop culture and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Money For The Mortgage

Grants available to help Kansas City homeowners with repairs KANSAS CITY, Mo. - There is new help for home improvement available for qualified Kansas City homeowners. The City Home Repair Program Application and the Paint Program Application both opened May 2. Selected homeowners can get help to pay for repairing roofing, plumbing, electrical, and furnace issues.

Building Meth Town Despite Complaints

Independence City Council approves controversial Northpoint Development project KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Independence City Council, after weeks of public comment, approved a large development plan Monday along Little Blue Parkway from Northpoint Development. The vote was 4-2. The EastGate Commerce Center project will sit on more than 1,200 acres near RD Mize Road to Truman Road, where it follows Route 78 to Missouri 7 Highway, according to an agenda item cover sheet.

South Side Earns Taxpayer Cash

From pickle ball courts to street repair to pocket parks-here are the PIAC projects approved for south KC Last summer south KC residents made formal requests for improvements in their neighborhood at Public Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) hearings. The requests ranged from pickleball courts to major road repair. Within the city budget approved in March is the list of funded PIAC projects for the upcoming year.

Home Team Skepticism Emerges

KC Royals Good, Meh, Bad: The Reality Check Edition Every single year, there is a series that shows what level a team is at compared to the rest of the league. It separates the contenders from the pretenders and the pretenders from the scrubs. The Kansas City Royals just found out what their level is, and it's nowhere near being close to a contender or a pretender.

Trashy Kansas City Update

Community working together to solve ongoing trash issue on KC streets KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The ongoing issue of trash littering Kansas City streets and highways may have met its match. Several different entities are working together to tackle the problem. While driving across Kansas City, Missouri, it doesn't take long to spot trash on the side of the road.

Panties Can Save The Planet

Kent's Sustainable Cotton Underwear Is 100% Compostable You're reading an On-Site Shopping story - meaning you can browse, add to cart, and actually purchase the product recommendations featured below without leaving Refinery29. To learn more about our new native checkout feature, click here. We take our coverage relating to the forces down under very seriously.

Prez Biden's Blunders Persist

Biden mixes up job title, says he's nation's first senator from Delaware President Biden on Monday mixed up his job title, telling a crowd at the White House that he was the nation's first senator from Delaware when he meant to say president. Biden, who turns 80 this year, is the oldest-ever US president and Republican critics routinely accuse him of being in mental decline, citing gaffes and instances where he appears to lose his train of thought.

Teflon Don?!?

Opinion: How real is the chance of criminally prosecuting Donald Trump? | CNN Editor's Note: Elie Honig is a CNN senior legal analyst and former federal and state prosecutor, and author of " Hatchet Man: How Bill Barr Broke the Prosecutor's Code and Corrupted the Justice Department." The views expressed here are his own. View more opinion on CNN.

Right-Wing NextGen Confronts Controversy

Rep. Madison Cawthorn is under mounting pressure from scandals ahead of midterms subscribe to The NPR Politics Podcast podcast Fresh accusations of ethics violations against North Carolina Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn are testing the inflammatory congressman's reelection run, adding to a list of scandals that have put the once-rising far-right star at odds with some members of his own party.

Skin Deep Dedication

'It symbolises resistance': Ukrainians get tattoos to back war effort krainians are inking the fight for their country on to their bodies, with artists getting requests for tattoos of molotov cocktails, anti-tank missiles and even a type of bread that has become an unlikely symbol of national identity because Russians struggle to pronounce it.

Pr0n Star Puts Back Side Into It

Adult star wants surgery to 'go big on bum' - despite boob exploding in shower A porn star has admitted that she hopes to get more plastic surgery - even though previous ops left her in hospital. Sophie Anderson is a British adult star who has starred in a number of adult films. She has also established a successful OnlyFans page, where her eye-catching features have earned her a regular fanbase.

ANOTHER PIT OUT AHEAD!!!

Children's Mercy Park to host Kansas City's first-ever BaKCon Fest on Saturday, October 8 | Sporting Kansas City Sporting Kansas City and Sporting Club Special Events, in conjunction with Brooks Reynolds of Blue Ribbon Bacon Fest, announced today a one-of-a-kind bacon festival coming to Kansas City on Saturday, October 8 at Children's Mercy Park. The first-ever BaKCon Fest will be held inside the world-class home of Sporting Kansas

Hipsters Share Metal Love

Photos: The Metal Tour of the Year's stop at T-Mobile proved its name correct Megdeth // photo credit Barry Meitler The Metal Tour of the Year with Megadeth, Lamb of God, In Flames, and Trivium T-Mobile Center Friday, April 29 On Friday, the Metal Tour of the Year came to the T-Mobile Center. It was aptly named, with the classic thrash of Megadeth, the Southern metal of Lamb of God, In Flames' melodic Swedish...

Another Forecast For Now . . .

Thunderstorms forecasted tonight Rain, rain, rain. You can expect an afternoon and evening full of rain with a few accompanying rumbles of thunder. Severe storms this evening will rock southern Kansas and Northern Oklahoma with all forms of severe weather including large tornadoes.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Across the metro homicides continue to spike . . . In KCK, the killing ALSO reaches crisis proportions.



In this quick link compilation we check police action, mugshots, recent crime news and, as always, try to finish with a bit of hope.





Check TKC news gathering . . .

Man dies in Monday shooting in Kansas City, Kansas KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police in Kansas City, Kansas, are investigating a shooting that left a man dead on Monday. According to KCKPD, the shooting happened in the 1900 block of N. 73rd Terrace. Officers responded to the are on reports of a shooting.

KCK man found guilty in 2018 death of woman, unborn child in Olathe A man charged in the death of a woman and her unborn baby in Olathe in 2018 was found guilty Monday.On Jan. 30, 2018, Ashley Harlan was found dead in a townhome in the 1200 block of East Westerfield Place.Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said Monday that the jury deliberated for three hours after a three-week trial and found Devonte Wash, of Kansas City, Kansas, guilty.

Man who killed elderly Missouri couple in 1996 to be executed Tuesday BONNE TERRE, Mo. - Carman Deck, who and killed an elderly De Soto during a home robbery in 1996, is set to be executed for his crime on Tuesday. Over the past 24 years, Deck's death sentence had been overturned and reinstated on three separate occasions.

Owner of SK Security in Kansas City accused of shooting man KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against the owner of SK Security for shooting a man. Sidney Kile, 24, faces assault in the first-degree and armed criminal action. SK Security has offices in downtown KCMO at McGee Street and east 12th Street where police got called to a shooting the night of March 31.

KMBC Investigates: Inside the Chicago DEA lab testing illegal drugs seized in Kansas and Missouri The federal Drug Enforcement Administration is seizing more fake prescription pain pills in both Kansas and Missouri. Those pills often end up inside a Chicago laboratory as evidence in federal court cases, with 30 forensic chemists working to support federal prosecutors and law enforcement to stop drug dealers.KMBC 9 Investigates recently received exclusive access to the lab to see the growing amount of fake prescription pills seized by federal agents.

Billboards in Kansas, Missouri feature Roman Yslas, father of 8 killed in shooting KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Five months after a man was shot and killed at a Northland apartment complex, his family still doesn't have answers about his death. KSHB 41 News first reported the death of 46-year-old Roman Yslas in December. Kansas City, Missouri, police said he was shot and killed in the parking lot of the Barrewoods Apartments.

Clay County driver charged after Narcan likely saved his life AVONDALE, Mo. - Clay County sheriff's deputies who were in the right place at the right time likely saved a man's life Sunday, but the man now faces charges. Officers responded to a call after a truck crashed into a mailbox in Avondale, northeast of North Kansas City.

'Divine 9' hosts KCPD Chief of Police listening session KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City doesn't know who its next Chief of Police will be, or when they will be hired, but many are sharing what they want to see from the new man or woman in charge of KCPD.

Daughter of Angela Green has hope in investigation, competing for Miss Kansas LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Prairie Village Police Department along with the FBI want to find Angela Green. Green, 51, was last seen in June 2019 but wasn't reported missing until months later when her daughter realized she wasn't dead.

KCK police chief calls on community to help after violent weekend It was a deadly weekend in Kansas City, Kansas. In two separate shootings, three people were shot to death and three others were injured. KCK police Chief Oakman is calling on everyone throughout the community to step up and help police solve these crimes."I think it's time for us to quit talking about, quit creating committees about it, and actually get down on the ground, in the streets.

Developing . . .
Here's a peek at the nice side of the bridge quickly building their community by way of an investment in jobs rather than funding future social justice protesters.

To be fair . . .

It's also important to be skeptical about the benefits of a glorified data mining operation in order to encourage suckers to run up their credit cards for junk they don't really need.



Here's their side of the story . . .



The tax incentive package for the data center results in an average of $5 million a year to the district in each of the next 25 years.



"They will be, immediately, even with the incentive terms, they will be our number one taxpayer in the school district," said Dr. Reik.



Meta's influence is also part of the benefits. Other companies could decide Platte County is a good place to make a large investment nearby to be close to the tech company's location.



One potential spot could be the KCI 29 Logistics Park, which is being marketed to companies across the nation as a potential mega site because it's 3,000+ acres of land and potential to one day hold roughly 9,000 jobs.



That could also spell more revenue for the Platte County School District in the future.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Our Kansas City 4th District council dude seemingly couldn't just live in the moment and enjoy his life . . . He felt the irresistible urge to slather his face on social media in order to SEEM like a nice guy.

Background . . .



TKC has actually enjoyed the coffee shop where this photo was taken . . .

It's a very nice place where coffee and doughnut costs no less than 15 bucks . . . Full disclosure: TKC probably enjoyed 3 donuts. It was a rare treat and something I did in order to garner a quick change of scenery for my constant brooding.

Meanwhile the council dude seems pretty happy and that's nice.

But more importantly for voters . . .

Kansas City Council dude has made life remarkably worse for his constituents by way of focusing most of his efforts on bike lanes whilst the city burned. Now he's running on reelection based social media images that make him SEEM like a nice dude.

This is a good strategy.

Most of us don't want to enjoy a craft beer with a politician but the idea that we COULD is more important.

Meanwhile . . .

Council dude Bunch is a NON-FACTOR on most development issues, he has been a consistent anti-police voice on the council AND this blog questions his myopic advocacy for Bike Supremacy.

And so we turn it over to our blog community . . .



Please caption our image of the council dude in this fancy Kansas City coffee shop.



Per ushe . . . 15K bonus points for the winner. Redeemable nowhere.

You decide . . .


Live debates are sometimes the only chance residents get to see political candidates answer questions in public before ballots are cast.
"The suspects used extreme violence towards the victims while committing these acts," Insp. Rich Harris said announcing the arrests of two suspects Tuesday.
You dont need to sit in traffic: your weekly roundup of Ontario highway closures for new and ongoing construction in Toronto, including North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke.
Whether you live in Niagara or North Bay, we've got you covered.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Furious Senate Democrats vowed Tuesday to vote on legislation to protect abortion access for millions of Americans, but without broader support from Republicans, Congress is essentially powerless to prevent the unraveling of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.

Amid fallout from a leaked draft Supreme Court opinion, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the conservative justices lied to the Senate during confirmation hearings when they assured senators the case that since 1973 has allowed abortion access was settled law.

And two Republican senators who publicly support abortion access, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, but have voted to confirm conservative justices vented their frustrations at the court's draft document and pushed their own bill to turn the Roe v. Wade ruling into law.

"The Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past 50 years  not just on women, but on all Americans, Schumer said.

Murkowski told reporters on Capitol Hill that if the direction of the draft becomes the final opinion, I will just tell you that it rocks my confidence in the court right now.

The Congress, however, can do little to stop the court from undoing Roe v. Wade unless more Republicans join Democrats in voting to protect abortion access, which is almost certainly unlikely. Schumer said the Senate would vote next week on emerging legislation, but facing a certain filibuster by Republicans, the Democrats signaled they prefer to fight over the issue on the campaign trail this fall, rather than in Congress. The House is away this week.

Republicans have spent decades laser-focused on the high court, installing conservative justices intent on revisiting abortion and other social issues, including three ushered to confirmation by Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell during Donald Trump's presidency to build the court's solid 6-3 majority.

Typically reveling in his role as the architect of the conservative Supreme Court majority, McConnell demurred Tuesday when asked if he took credit for engineering a decision that would end the constitutional right to an abortion for millions of women.

Instead, McConnell, R-Ky., said the focus should be on getting to the bottom of the unusual leak of the draft document from the typically quiet court.

I think the story today is the effort by someone on the inside," McConnell said of the leak.

Schumer shot back that Republicans are afraid to own what they have brought because they are on the wrong side of history.

Passing an abortion access bill through the Senate remains a political longshot, especially under the rapid timeline that would be needed before the Supreme Court issues its final decisions in June.

Schumer stopped short of promising to change Senate filibuster rules to allow Democrats to overcome Republican obstruction and pass legislation that would salvage the landmark abortion law on their own, as some party advocates are demanding.

The Democratic leader does not have the votes within the Democrats' razor-thin 50-vote majority to muscle through a rules change in the Senate that would allow Democrats to push past what is typically a 60-vote threshold on big bills.

The political fallout in Congress is certain to be far-reaching and complicated, a gripping new phase in the partisan fights over abortion access, religious liberties and the fundamental aspects of womens reproductive health.

The Republican senators in particular, who helped turn the court into a solid 6-3 conservative majority, face deep scrutiny over their public beliefs at the time and the reality now confronting the country.

Collins pointed blame back to the justices themselves, personally singling out two of the three Trump-era judges, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, she had supported for confirmation.

The Maine Republican said if the leaked draft opinion on abortion becomes the ruling of the court, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office. She did not vote for another Trump-nominated justice, Amy Coney Barrett, because confirmation came so close to the 2020 election.

Murkowski, who is up for reelection this year, did not vote for Kavanaugh after his explosive confirmation hearings over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman acquaintance during high school. She did give her support to Gorsuch and Barrett.

Other Republican senators slammed the unusual leak of the high-profile draft opinion as an attempt to bully the court, even as they celebrated its contents. Chief Justice John Roberts, confirming the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion, on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the leak.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said the leaked draft from Justice Samuel Alito is a really good opinion.

Hawley said he looked forward to the campaign debate. The people will really get to weigh in," he said.

Crowds gathered at the Supreme Court, which sits across the street from the Capitol and can be seen from the House and Senate. Anti-abortion rights protesters carried signs that said Ignore Roe while their pro-abortion-rights counterparts held placards declaring Bans off our Bodies and Impeach Kavanaugh.

One pivotal Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who talks frequently with McConnell, declined to weigh into the debate  or whether he would be willing to rethink his opposition to changing filibuster rules. He has been a holdout denying Democrats of the 51 votes needed to change the rules.

Let's wait to see everything, Manchin said.

But Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., countered McConnell and the other Republicans who want to go after the leak. What should be investigated and prosecuted is the fact that people who were nominated to the Supreme Court stood up and said they believed in the rule of law and precedent, and then at first opportunity, changed direction by 180 degrees and are going for a full repeal of Roe, said Warren, a former Harvard law professor.

Trump was able to nominate and have the Senate confirm three justices, engineering a wholesale revamping of the high court, now with a solid conservative majority.

As GOP leader, McConnell stunned Washington at the start of the 2016 presidential campaign season when he refused to allow the Senate to consider then-president Barack Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, for a high court vacancy, holding the position open until Trump won election to become president that fall.

McConnell then marshalled into place a Senate rules change to enable Republicans to bypass a Democratic filibuster and approve Supreme Court nominees on a simple 51-vote threshold  going further than Democrats had done on their own earlier rules change to allow majority confirmation of lower-level posts.

Associated Press video journalists Padmananda Rama and Rick Gentilo and writers Farnoush Amiri, Kevin Freking, Alan Fram and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Dafonte Miller, left, and Toronto police Const. Michael Theriault, right, are seen outside the Oshawa courthouse in a pair of file photos. Theriault was convicted of assault for a Dec. 28, 2016, beating that seriously injured Miller, then 19, and resulted in the loss of his left eye. - Andrew Francis Wallace/Metroland file photos
By Jeff Murphy, May 2, 2022



A University of Central Missouri graduate student with a passion for study abroad, Stephanie Krutz has the opportunity of a lifetime through her selection as a Finalist in the Fulbright Program.



WARRENSBURG, MO  Persistence and a never-give-up attitude have prevailed for University of Central Missouri graduate student from Kansas City, Stephanie Krutz. She has been named a Finalist in the prestigious Fulbright Program, making possible her dream to pursue an international study opportunity created through this federally funded initiative.



Krutz was one of four UCM students who were initially named Semi-Finalists in the program, which was a record for the university. Twelve UCM students applied for this opportunity during the fall 2021 semester, which was also a record. Krutz, however, is the only one of the group to reach Finalist status.



The Fulbright Program is the United States flagship international exchange program designed to increase mutual understanding between students in the U.S. and people in more than 160 other nations that are part of this program. Fulbright is made possible through an annual appropriation of funding by Congress to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and also benefits from direct and indirect support from participating governments, host institutions, corporations, and foundations in the U.S. and abroad. Students who receive Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement. They also must demonstrate leadership potential within their chosen fields.



I just want to give a big thank you to all of the people who supported me through this entire process, Krutz said.



Krutz, who received a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages  Spanish, with minors in International Studies and Leadership Studies in spring 2021, plans to graduate in May 2023 from UCM with a Master of Science in Education (MSE) in English Language Learners ((ELL) Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), a joint program of the College of Education and the School of English and Philosophy in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. As a Fulbright recipient she will travel to Uruguay, where she will spend March through November 2023 serving as an English Teaching Assistant. Her selection celebrates two attempts she has made since 2020 to be accepted into the Fulbright Program.



I applied in 2020 for Fulbright before I graduated from UCM as an undergraduate. Unfortunately, I wasnt selected as a Semi-Finalist then, so I decided to reapply as I was starting my masters program, and as I started teaching and solidified where I saw myself and my goals, Krutz said.

Krutz has divided her time at UCM by working in the English Language Institute and the Study Abroad office. There, she has found a group of supportive colleagues who have mentored and supported her efforts to pursue her passion for studying abroad, which has flourished at UCM.



"It has been a pleasure working with Stephanie in the MSE in ELL TESL program. She is a bright and diligent student that genuinely wants to make her students' lives better and is invested in learning from them as much as she is in teaching them," said Christina Kitson, Ph.D., associate professor and TESL coordinator in UCM's Department of English and Philosophy. "I have had the wonderful experience of watching Stephanie apply concepts to real-life situations and make realizations that helped her understand her own learning in the past. Stephanie has a lot of goals and ambition and is looking forward to her Fulbright experience and working on her Capstone project while in her Fulbright placement. This will be a wonderful opportunity for her to put her TESL coursework into immediate and practical application."



She said she was drawn to the university as a student at Barstow High School in Kansas City when she attended a foreign language film festival on campus at the same time she was learning to speak Spanish. Considering what her initial career plans were, attending UCM proved to be a life-changing choice.



Later, when I was doing college tours as a senior, I originally planned to enroll in the Professional Pilot program starting here at UCM. Then, about two weeks before the start of my freshman year in the fall, I had a huge eureka moment. I realized I want to travel, and if I do this, I wont have much time to do so. In order to study abroad, I switched to an International Studies major," she said.



While her high school and university experiences have already made it possible for Krutz to travel to places such as Japan, Israel, Jordan, and Spain, she plans to spend her summer participating in the Divided Cities Tour led by Michael Makara, Ph.D., an associate professor of political science and chair of the eight-member Fulbright Committee. This will take her from Kansas City to Germany to visit Berlin, then to Israel to visit Jerusalem.



Krutz spoke about the challenges that are entailed in applying for acceptance into the Fulbright Program. She said that in addition to completing an application, she also submitted a one-page Statement of Grant Purpose, and a Personal Statement. Realizing the tough competition she faced, and taking to heart the experience she gained from her first application process, she worked from May to October 2021 developing these statements, taking advantage of faculty members willingness to help her perfect these written materials.



It was definitely an exercise in dedication and motivation, she said in describing the process that landed her a Fulbright award, which will make travel abroad possible without a huge financial sacrifice.



According to Makara, the program covers pretty much everything you need to live abroad for a year. That includes airfaire to get to your country, start-up money to get you going, and a monthly stipend to help with living experiences.



Krutz said she is still waiting to learn where she will be placed once she arrives in Uruguay  whether she will be working with school children, at a university level, or a program with adult learners to help them with their English language skills. Part of her stay will include developing a curriculum project to help facilitate cultural understanding of the United States. While doing so, she is excited about her host country, which she described as a hidden gem not well known by many people outside that area of the world.



Its a small country, and a very beautiful country, and I like the values the people hold  just the attitude toward the immigrant populations particularly are something near and dear to my heart, said Krutz, whose father immigrated to the United States from Saint Petersburg, Russia.



Krutz said she still has a lot of questions that she hopes to answer before traveling abroad. While she waites, she is happily soaking in the recent news about her selection.



It still really hasnt hit me yet - the experience of being a Fulbrighter and what it is going to do for my life, and exactly what it will bring to my professional and personal experience, she said.



As a former Fulbright Award recipient, Makara said the program is life-altering for those who get to experience it. Individuals who want to learn more are encouraged to contact him at makara@ucmo.edu. They are also welcome to contact other Fulbright Committee members: Kristy Boney, Modern Languages: Darlene Budd, International Studies; Matt Chiesi, Center for Global Education: Nicole Freeman, Communication: Tom Goldstein, History; Melissa Petkovsek, Criminal Justice; and Julie Stephens-DeJonge, Modern Languages; or check out the Fulbright Program website at us.fulbrightonline.org.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, sees two scenarios for ending the war with Russia  the disintegration of the Russian Federation and a change of its leadership.

The top spy spoke in an interview with NV, Ukrinform reports.

The first is the disintegration of Russia into three or more parts. And the second option is the relative preservation of the territorial integrity of Russia with a change in the country's leadership.

According to Budanov, in the latter case, the new leader will have to state that Russia has nothing to do with the war and that it was designed by a sick dictator. Then Russia will withdraw from all the territories it has once occupied  from the islands of Japan to Konigsberg, which belongs to Germany.

"These are the two ways. Most of Russia's military-political leadership is aware of this. And that's why there are so many attempts at dialogue with the Western world, despite the official rhetoric they all apply. But the unofficial one is completely different: they are afraid of losing their wealth. And they understand how it will all end very quickly for them," Budanov said.

The head of the defense intelligence, the agency referred to as the GUR, expressed confidence that Ukraine will win the war, noting that "leaving Putin a way to retreat is one of the strategies, but it is almost unrealistic. He is a war criminal in the eyes of the whole world. This is his end, he has driven himself into a dead end."

Photo: spiegel.de
Stanton Healthcare Calls Upon Idaho Attorney General Wasden to Assure Idaho Residents that He will Treat Chemical Abortions in the Same Manner as Surgical Abortions When 'Roe v. Wade' is Overturned NEWS PROVIDED BY

Stanton Public Policy Center/Purple Sash Revolution

May 3, 2022



BOISE, Idaho, May 3, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- Below are portions of a letter written to General Wasden by Stanton Healthcare: There is a strong possibility that Roe v. Wade will be overturned with the Dobbs case decision due later in June from the U.S. Supreme Court.



In light of that, what assurances can you give the people of Idaho that chemical abortions (also known as the abortion pill) will be treated in the same manner as surgical abortions under Senate Bill 1385?



According to Chapter 6, Title 18, Idaho Code: 'Abortion means the use of any means to intentionally terminate the clinically diagnosable pregnancy of a woman with knowledge that the termination by those means will, with reasonable likelihood, cause the death of the unborn child...'



It is our understanding that this definition includes chemical abortions, which are intended to terminate the life of a preborn child.

Rev. Patrick Mahoney and Danielle Versluys, of Stanton Healthcare, drop off letter to Idaho Attorney General.



This effort is part of Stanton Public Policy Center's national campaign #BanChemicalAbortions and #ProLifeProGreen



It is critical for the pro-life community to address the growing issue of chemical abortions as they now account for 54% of all abortions  up from 39% in 2017.



Stanton Public Policy Center/Purple Sash Revolution is a women's advocacy and educational group that works on issues of human rights and justice which empower and inspire women. It is affiliated with Stanton Healthcare which has life-affirming women's health clinics in America and internationally.



Brandi Swindell, Founder and CEO of Stanton Healthcare, states: "Our goal is to end chemical abortions through public engagement, education, life-affirming public policy, and legislation. The pro-life community, and all who embrace human rights, must passionately stand against this barbaric practice which kills innocent children, harms women and damages our environment." Stanton's National Campaign of #BanChemicalAbortions will include: Ensuring all states with trigger laws in place to ban abortions when Roe v. Wade is overturned will treat chemical abortions in the same manner as surgical abortions.



Draft model legislation for states to ban chemical abortions.



Organize public rallies and demonstrations across the country calling for a ban of chemical abortions.



Work with legislators on environmental laws to prevent children who have been killed through chemical abortions from being flushed into local sewage and drainage systems.



Provide educational materials for pro-life organizations and churches regarding the harmful effects of chemical abortions.



Work with federal, state and local pro-life politicians on detailed public statements regarding banning chemical abortions. Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Stanton Public Policy Center's Chief Strategy Officer, comments: "With the dramatic increase of chemical abortions, we must hold our public officials accountable with respect to treating chemical abortions in the same way they would surgical abortions. We call upon Attorney General Wasden to publicly assure Idaho residents he will follow the law with respect to chemical abortions when Roe v. Wade is overturned." For more information or interviews call:

Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741



SOURCE Stanton Public Policy Center/Purple Sash Revolution



CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741



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With a single click, Lufthansa customers can now easily minimize carbon emissions of their flights. After flight selection, they can further choose one of three options to fly CO2-neutral.



The first option is to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that is currently produced from residual biogenic materials and directly reduces CO2 emissions. A second option is to using high quality carbon offset projects run by the non-profit organization myclimate in Germany and other countries worldwide. These promote measurable climate protection by not only reducing CO2 but also locally improving the quality of life and biodiversity.



The third option is a combination of the first two options. An option can be selected while booking. Payment is made when buying the flight ticket, thus making CO2-neutral flying for passengers significantly easier.



During the second quarter of 2022, the same service will also be available for other Lufthansa Group airlines: Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and SWISS. These options will become even more attractive by awarding additional status and award miles.



"We continue to invest more than ever in the quality and sustainability of our flights. We already are the largest buyer of SAF in Europe and offer the most comprehensive range of ways to fly CO2-neutral. And we have now integrated this into the booking process, said Christina Foerster, Member of the Lufthansa Group's Executive Board, responsible for Customer, IT & Corporate Responsibility.



We want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to save CO2. People not only want to fly and discover more of the world  they also want to protect it. We believe in this way an important contribution to do this can be made. I am convinced this will inspire more and more passengers to travel sustainably.



To date, less than one percent of passengers have taken advantage of Lufthansa's long-standing option to fly carbon neutral. This new offer, which will also be available for mobile devices when booking flights, is part of Lufthansa Groups product campaign for sustainable flying. In the coming years, the Group plans to offer customers significantly more sustainable travel options. The basis for this new service is the digital solution "Compensaid," developed in 2019 by Lufthansa Innovation Hub.



Sustainable strategy in the future



The Lufthansa Group is making effective climate protection a major goal with a clearly defined path toward carbon-neutrality: compared to 2019, Lufthansa Group plans to half its net-carbon emissions by 2030, and by 2050, the Lufthansa Group plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.



This will be done by accelerating fleet modernization, continually optimizing flight operations, using SAF, and using innovative procedures that make passenger and cargo flights more carbon neutral. Since 2019, Lufthansa Group has been offsetting carbon emissions of its employees' business-related air travel by using myclimate carbon offset projects.  TradeArabia News Service
State legislators got their act together long enough on Monday to pass a common-sense law that allows an indicted candidate to be removed from the state election ballot. It was a sensible move that will benefit all candidates and all voters. But more needs to be done.

Legislators passed the law because, without it, former lieutenant governor Brian Benjamin would have remained a candidate, even though he has been indicted on corruption charges  which he denies  and even though he didnt plan to serve. To have allowed that to stand would have counted as an insult to voters and to common sense. With the laws passage, Benjamin said he would take the necessary steps to remove himself from the ballot.

It was a wise move, but its too bad the Legislature didnt also act to fix a problem that could bedevil any governor of any party: While governors and lieutenant governors run as a ticket in the general election, they run independent primary election campaigns. The potential consequences are obvious.

For example, while former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ran with Kathy Hochul as his lieutenant governor in 2018, there was no guarantee that someone else wouldnt have won in the primary. Indeed, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams made it a real contest.

Its more than a theoretical problem. In 1982, Mario Cuomos chosen running mate, H. Carl McCall, lost the lieutenant governor nomination to Alfred DelBello, who was ultimately elected with the elder Cuomo. They didnt get along and, in 1985, DelBello resigned.

Instead, New York should pattern its gubernatorial election on the federal model, in which each partys nominee selects a running mate. Voters then can judge the ticket as a whole and, whoever wins governors race has a second-in-command in whom he or she can have confidence.

The change requires only a piece of legislation and a governors signature. Albany should get on that.

As to the law on removing a candidate from the ballot, the demagoguery has already begun. Republicans complain that its just meant to benefit Hochul, now the governor and seeking to win a full term. In truth, that was surely a motivation. Benjamin had become a problem.

But the reverse is also true and even worse: Republicans wanted to leave Benjamin on the ballot in order to hurt Hochul and didnt care that it would also have worked an injustice on the states voters.

This was the more honest approach.

  

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.
At least nine civilians have been killed by Russian invaders in Donetsk region on Tuesday, May 3.

"At least nine people have been killed by Russians in Donetsk region today  We record diligently all Russian war crimes on our land!" Head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko posted on Telegram.

He noted that Russian aircraft had been bombing Avdiivka since morning, hitting a residential area in the central part of the town. Last night, the occupiers opened fire from Grad launchers in the same direction.

"The consequences of shelling and bombing have yet to be established, but it is already known that at least three people were killed and two more were wounded, and eight houses were damaged," Kyrylenko added.

As a result of the morning shelling of Vuhledar, three people were killed as they were walking to get drinking water. Three more civilians were killed in the shelling of Lyman.

The Ocheretyn community is also under enemy fire. Information on victims and destruction is being clarified, the Administrations head noted.

On February 24, the Russian Federation launched a new phase of the eight-year war against Ukraine  a full-scale invasion. Russian invaders shell and bomb peaceful Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages, torturing and killing civilians.

Photo credit: Pavlo Kyrylenko

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Russias threats to use nuclear weapons in an ongoing conflict amid rising tensions are not worthy of a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Russia will not succeed in undermining international support for Ukraine with such intimidation efforts.

Thats according to a Bundestag lawmaker with the Greens, Robin Wagener, who spoke with Guildhall, Ukrinform reports.

Putin is a war criminal in his illegal attack on Ukraine. Putin is also the worst oppressor of the Russian-speaking community in Ukraine and Russia and a threat to global peace. The nuclear threatening gestures are not worthy of a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Wagener stressed.

The nuclear saber-rattling is part of a perfidious strategy. The Kremlin wants to stir up fears in order to break solidarity with Ukraine. This will not succeed, because once again it is clear that Putin is targeting our shared values of democracy, security and freedom said the German lawmaker.

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.

As reported previously, former Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, MEP, Lieutenant General Riho Terras believes the UN General Assembly should adopt a resolution that the use of nuclear weapons by Russia against Ukraine will be seen as a declaration of war on all mankind.

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.

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.
NNEGC Energoatom and the U.S.-based Westinghouse continue their joint work on the project of construction of new AR-1000 power units at Ukrainian NPPs.

This was stated in an interview with the Tyzhden newspaper by Energoatom CEO Petro Kotin, who commented on the prospects of nuclear energy in Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"We have signed really high-level documents with the American side, Westinghouse, on the construction of our five power units, and we are continuing this work. We will build five power units under the AR-1000 project," he said.

Kotin clarified that the plan is build two power units at the Khmelnitsky NPP, as well as one each at other NPPs.

"This is a modern Westinghouse project with a much higher level of security than the Soviet-designed power units we have today. And, of course, its many times better than the ones that Russia is currently building, the NNEGC CEO added.

As reported, in November 2021, NNEGC Energoatom and Westinghouse agreed to jointly complete the construction of two power units at the Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant (KhNPP).

The parties also signed a memorandum, which provides for the construction of additional power units at existing Ukrainian NPPs.
Italy aims to sever its dependence on Russian gas supplies by the second half of 2024.

This was stated by Italys Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani, Reuters reports, according to Ukrinform.

We should be autonomous by the second half of 2024, we could do without importing Russian gas, Cingolani said in an interview with La Repubblica.

Asked about the proposed rouble payment mechanism for Russian Gas, Cingolani said that the EU Commission needs to take a clear and unambiguous political decision to avoid responsibility being shifted to individual governments and oil and gas companies.

Read also: Turkey plans to start using Black Sea gas as early as 2023

As Ukrinform reported, Russia has been waging a large-scale war against Ukraine since February 24.

EU countries have imposed five packages of economic and individual sanctions against Russia. They are preparing a sixth package of restrictive measures, which could include a ban on imports of Russian energy.

The Finnish government and companies are preparing to cut off natural gas supplies from Russia as early as May.
On May 3, at 3:30 p.m., a briefing will be held on the topic: "The situation in the city, evacuation of citizens from the Azovstal plant, state aid to evacuated Mariupol residents."

Organizers: Media Center Ukraine - Ukrinform.

Speaker: Vadym Boychenko is the mayor of Mariupol. Event format - offline (Hall 1) - online (Zoom) Journalists will be able to ask questions offline (Hall 1) and online through ZOOM.

Journalists are asked to arrive half an hour before the event.

Accreditation of media representatives: ukraine.media.centre.kyiv@gmail.com

Accreditation will last until 15:00 on May 3, to confirm you need to specify the name, surname, title of the publication, after which you will be given access to the link to the event in Zoom.

The event will be broadcast on Ukrinform's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/UkrinformTV

Ukrinform address: Kyiv, 8/16 Bohdan Khmelnytsky Street.

Use of any materials from the official Ukrinform YouTube channel is possible only if the copyright established by the channel is respected. Demonstrating the video during the live broadcast, it is necessary to refer to the author - Ukrinform - to show its name on the screen and say it out loud.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi believes that all export and import operations with Russia will have to be blocked as part of the next round of sanctions.

The president touched upon the issue in a video address to the nation late Monday, Ukrinform reports.

"It is also worth preparing for the next sanctions steps. In any case, we will have to block all export-import operations with Russia. Because that's what Moscow profits off. And they don't even understand that international law and peace in Europe need to be respected," Zelensky said.

According to the president, Ukraine is currently working with international partners on new sanctions against Russia. A new package is expected from the European Union in the near future. The package should include clear steps to block Russia's energy revenues.

"We really believe this will be done, so that the terrorist state isnt given a billion euros a day for fuel," the president stressed.

Zelensky said that today the whole free world remains united to make sure no one justifies Nazism, so that no one kills children, so that no one destroys peaceful cities, as Russia does.

On May 2, Zelensky met with the Danish Foreign Minister in Kyiv. The parties discussed the whole range of issues of bilateral relations, including defense, financial, and political cooperation.

"I see progress in the implementation of the agreements reached during the talks with the Prime Minister of Denmark. I am grateful. I heard some good signals. Plans to rebuild Ukraine after the war were also discussed. As well as support for our movement towards the European Union. I am grateful that Denmark is reopening its embassy in our capital. This is the 29th foreign mission to return to Ukraine," the president said.

A large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has been going on since February 24. The aggressor has been shelling and destroying key infrastructure facilities and residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages. The invaders staged mass terror in the temporarily occupied territories.

Photo: Office of the President
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov said that Russian President Putin had warned Hungary about his plans to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Danilov spoke on the air of the all-Ukrainian telethon, Ukrinform reports.

" Hungary openly declares its cooperation with Russia. Moreover, Putin had warned them in advance that our country would be invaded... For some reason, they thought they could take part of their territory. This will never happen. The country that acted this way  let's see what the consequences will be for this country after the war ends," the NSDC secretary said.

It should be recalled that after the start of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban publicly refused to supply arms to Kyiv, banned the transit of Ukraine-bound weapons through his countrys territory, and spoke out against the embargo on Russian oil and gas.

As reported earlier, Ukraines MFA spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said that peace and security in Hungary cannot be guaranteed without peace and security in Ukraine. If Russia achieves its criminal goal in Ukraine, its neighbors will become the Kremlins next target.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine (February 24, 2022), Hungarian PM Viktor Orban campaigned mainly on preventing the participation of his country's forces and weapons in the conflict. At the same time, he supported most of the EU sanctions against Russia since the start of the latest invasion in Ukraine.

In an interview with Ukrainian journalists on April 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed confidence that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban feared the Russian Federation's influence on his country.
Britain will provide Ukraine with another GBP 300 million (US$375 million) worth of military aid, which includes the supply of electronic warfare and counter-battery radar systems.

This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to Reuters.

Earlier, London has already provided aid worth GBP 200 million. In particular, more than 5,000 anti-tank missiles, five air defense systems, and other munitions and explosives were sent to Ukraine.

The office of Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that, among other things, the United Kingdom will offer Ukraine night vision devices, means of jamming satellite navigation, heavy drones, and armored vehicles for civilian officials.

As Ukrinform reported, Johnson intends to address the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine by video link on Tuesday morning.
Sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine will not be lifted until Moscow concludes a peace agreement with Ukraine on terms determined by Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.

The chancellor said this in an interview with ZDF on Monday, according to Ukrinform, citing Reuters.

Scholz said Russian President Putin had miscalculated, assuming that he would be able to gain territory from Ukraine, declare an end to hostilities, and see the West drop sanctions.

"He didn't think his entire Ukraine operation through," Scholz said. "He didn't think Ukraine would resist like that. He didn't think we would support them to hold out for so long. ... We won't withdraw the sanctions unless he reaches an agreement with Ukraine, and he won't get that with a dictated peace."

He also said Germany would not accept Russia's annexation of Crimea. "That was a breach of international law ... that remains true," he said.

Scholz rebuffed critics on both sides: those who initially blamed him for delaying supply of heavy weapons to Ukraine, and pacifists who began criticizing him after Germany announced last week that it had supplied Gepard anti-aircraft guns to Kyiv.

"There's no point in doing something just because someone is shouting or not doing something because someone is shouting," Scholz said.

It was reported that during the vote in the Bundestag this week on a resolution allowing the supply of heavy weapons to Ukraine, the Left was one of two parties to vote against the move. Although the federal government led by Scholz supported the transfer of heavy weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the chancellor continued to hesitate, explaining his position by his unwillingness to become a party to the conflict.

The Greens, which has traditionally opposed arms supplies to the warring parties, have recently said that pacifist slogans should be abandoned in the current situation.

Photo: dpa
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the appeal to the House of Representatives and the Senate of the US Congress to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

"The Verkhovna Rada supported the Appeal No. 7341 to the House of Representatives and the Senate of the US Congress to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism," MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak posted on Telegram.

The appeal was supported by 344 MPs.

As reported, MPs registered a draft resolution No.7341 on the appeal of the Parliament of Ukraine to the House of Representatives and the Senate of the US Congress to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said that the recognition of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism would strengthen international sanctions against it and consolidate the world in support of Ukraine.

According to him, the Verkhovna Rada, in particular, calls on the US Congress to impose sanctions on government and business circles, Russian political parties that support the war.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the Republic of Albania to ban Russian ships from ports and impose restrictions on Russian tourists.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his speech in the Parliament of Albania, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

I ask you to ban Russian ships from ports and restrict the flow of Russian tourists, as you can never know who came to you: perhaps, they are the murderers who were in Bucha, or butchers from Mariupol, or those who are already working to undermine your state, Zelensky told.

The President of Ukraine stressed the importance of imposing an embargo on Russian oil and effectively blocking any schemes used by Russia to deceive the free world and ignore sanctions.

In addition, Russian banks should be disconnected from the global financial system completely, Zelensky noted.

No matter how difficult it may be, it is necessary to deliberately restrict trade with the Russian Federation. Even if not today, then tomorrow Russia will intentionally use trading ties to hit your market as well, when they want some political concessions from you. It is necessary to deprive Russia of this instrument on time, Zelensky added.

A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, starting a war.

EU countries have already endorsed five sanctions packages against Russia and are working to introduce the sixth package, which may ban the import of Russian energy resources.

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United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson believes Ukraine will win in the war unleashed by Russia, as the brute force of an aggressor counts for nothing against the moral force of a people determined to be free.

The relevant statement was made by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his online speech in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

According to Johnson, Putins troops are committing war crimes, and their atrocities emerge wherever they are forced to retreat  at Bucha, at Irpin, at Hostomel and many other places. The UK will do whatever they can to hold Russian invaders to account for these war crimes.

In this moment of uncertainty, of continuing fear and doubt, I have one message for you today: Ukraine will win, Ukraine will be free, Johnson told.

In his words, he believes in Ukraines victory, as he had been to Kyiv on previous visits, stood in the Maidan and seen the tributes to those who had given their lives to protect Ukraine against Russian aggression. Johnson had seen enough about Ukrainian freedom to know that the Kremlin was making a fundamental miscalculation, a terrible mistake, and that Ukraine would fight.

And today you have proved them completely wrong, every one of those military experts who said Ukraine would fall. Your farmers kidnapped Russian tanks with their tractors. Your pensioners told Russian soldiers to hop as we say, although they may have used more colourful language. Even in the parts of Ukraine that were temporarily captured, your populations, your indomitable populations turned out to protest, day after day. And though your soldiers were always outnumbered  three to one it is now  they fought with the energy and courage of lions, Johnson said.

In this regard, Johnson noted that Ukrainians had exploded the myth of Putins invincibility and had written one of the most glorious chapters in military history and in the life of Ukraine.

The so-called irresistible force of Putins war machine has broken on the immoveable object of Ukrainian patriotism and love of country. This is Ukraines finest hour 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. They will say that Ukrainians proved by their tenacity and sacrifice that tanks and guns cannot suppress a nation fighting for its independence, and that is why I believe that Ukraine will win, Johnson stressed.

A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, starting a war. Russian troops are shelling and destroying the key infrastructure facilities, launching air and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and villages, torturing and murdering civilians.

Photo: VR

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has delivered his first speech in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine since the war started and expressed gratitude to United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson for providing support to Ukraine.

Ukrinform is citing the full text of the speech delivered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Parliament and published by the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Just before the Presidents speech, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister! Dear Mr. Chairman! Dear people's deputies of Ukraine!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

First of all, I would like to thank the leader of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, and all the people of the United Kingdom. For the words we hear. For the actions we see. For the support we feel. For the help we actually receive. For the victory that we will definitely gain together!

On October 8, 2020, our countries became strategic partners. And on February 24, 2022, we proved that our partnership is not on paper. Our partnership is on the battlefield. In the battles for common ideals, battles for a common future.

It has been almost ten weeks since the Russian Federation declared full-scale war against them and invaded our beautiful Ukrainian land. During this time, Ukraine and Britain have gone a path from partners to friends and brothers. And the one who lied that he is a friend and a brother has gone a path from a neighbor to an occupier and a terrorist. Is it sad? Yes. Is it scary? No. Because these almost ten weeks have proved: it is not scary when such an evil enemy is against you if such a good friend is next to you. Such as Great Britain. And leader Boris Johnson.

And these words are not flattery, not courtesy, they are reality. We are together. Almost every day. We are in touch. Daily. If we don't have a conversation today, it means only one thing: we are busy with what we agreed on yesterday. And it is so almost all these weeks, all this difficult time. For the sake of one goal, one moment - the first second of victory. And for the sake of one epoch - the epoch where peace reigns. In Ukraine, and therefore in Europe, and therefore in the world.

I would like to thank the United Kingdom, which is bringing this moment closer with us and which is ready to guarantee our security. And this gratitude of mine is not a formality. Because I know that the guarantees of Great Britain will never be a formality for Ukraine. Because these almost ten weeks have proved that your word is solid and your actions are decisive. Without any "almost". I hate that word - "almost".

As well as our interaction and support of British allies. First of all, it is a weapon and equipment for our military, which protects both Ukraine, Europe and the whole world from the Russian occupiers. I will not voice all the details to the public - let it be an unpleasant surprise for the aggressor every day.

Instead, I can speak openly about all other forms of support. This is humanity. And help for our refugees and internally displaced persons. Medicines, food, ambulances and fire engines and other large humanitarian aid. This is justice. And assistance in the investigation of war crimes of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. This is resilience. Macro-financial assistance for our economy. This is the abolition of customs duties, the abolition of quotas for our bilateral trade. This is the reconstruction of our land, this is the reconstruction of Kyiv and the Kyiv region, which will be joined by Great Britain.

These are important global things. Sanctions against the Russian Federation, energy embargo, asset blocking. These are ordinary, very simple human, but no less important, symbolic things. Blue and yellow flags on Trafalgar Square and Downing Street. When we are supported by London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, supported by Liverpool, Manchester and hundreds of other cities in this great state.

When Ukraine is supported by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Sir Paul McCartney, Elton John and Sting. Richard Branson, Joanne Rowling, the Beckhams, Benedict Cumberbatch, Queen, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple. Ed Sheeran, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Daniel Radcliffe and, of course, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

It is also very important - the return of Melinda Simmons, and the recent visit of Prime Minister Johnson. At a very difficult time and at a very necessary moment. Our walk in the streets of Kyiv showed the world that the heart of Ukraine feels. Pain. But the people we met there, their words, their eyes, smiles and gifts - already famous roosters, the same as in Borodyanka - all this showed the world what our Ukrainian soul feels. Indomitability. Unbreakability. Therefore, hope for victory. Today, I, our parliament and the entire Ukrainian people can say one thing: thank you, Britain! Thank you, friends!

Dear people's deputies of Ukraine!

Please agree, when there is such unity in this hall, it is priceless! During these almost ten weeks, I have addressed the House of Commons, the US Congress, the European Parliament, the Bundestag, the Knesset, the Seimas, and many other parliamentarians and parliaments. But I did not address you. And this is not contempt, on the contrary - it is a great trust in you. You are here. And you know very well what is happening in our country. We are all citizens of this great state, and you know exactly what to do. I believe that has not changed in these almost ten weeks. I will be happy if the following becomes obvious and indisputable for you.

You are the people's deputies of the greatest state in the modern world! I'm sure of it! You are the people's deputies of Ukraine. Keywords are "people" and "Ukraine". I think we will abandon trifles, political speculation until peacetime, although it is better to abandon them forever. The agenda of the Verkhovna Rada is obvious. The keyword is "order". Because there is no time for spam, quarrels and PR - everyone already knows you. I think wise rationalism and sound nationalism are important. All this is very important for us today.

You are part of a large Ukrainian army. Your frontline is a legislative field in which you must work for our people, for each of us, for our state, for our victory. Like our army, like the whole country. Work 24/7. No days off, no unnecessary emotions, slogans, etc. Today we all have one party, and this party is Ukraine. One faction - Ukraine. One majority - Ukraine. One, strong, independent. And everything that does not help it or, God forbid, harms, weakens or splits, must be not in the minority, no. This must be a thing of the past.

Just like someone's hopes of sitting out somewhere. Currently, the absence of a deputy is justified by only two things: his work abroad or in the regions for the interests of our state or his death for the interests of the state. The rest is of no interest to Ukraine today. It doesn't need anything else, it won't have anything else! Anything else follows the Russian warship!

Please do not waste time on unnecessary laws. There are important priorities for the state. I know that you are professionals, you will do it. The state is waiting. Please do not waste your time, my time, the time of the people of Ukraine on minor initiatives and unimportant things. It seems to me that laws should be as timely as Lend-Lease. Accurate as our "Stugna" and "Bayraktar". And bring benefits like "Neptune". And glory like our army. And to be such that will go down in history like the people of Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!
The United Kingdom will provide a new package of military support for Ukraine, totalling 300 million.

The relevant statement was made by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his online speech in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to Johnson, the United Kingdom sent Ukraine planeloads of anti-tank missiles, the NLAWS, in January 2022.

And we have intensified that vital effort, working with dozens of countries, helping to coordinate this ever-bigger supply line, dispatching thousands of weapons of many kinds, including tanks now and armoured vehicles. In the coming weeks, we in the UK will send you Brimstone anti-ship missiles and Stormer anti-aircraft systems. We are providing armoured vehicles to evacuate civilians from areas under attack and protect officials []. And I can announce today from the UK government a new package of support totalling 300 million, Johnson told.

In his words, the new package will include radars to pinpoint the artillery bombarding Ukrainian cities, heavy lift drones to supply Ukrainian forces, and thousands of night vision devices.

According to Johnson, the UK is planning to fortify Ukraine so much that no one will ever dare to attack it again.

A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, starting a war. Russian troops are shelling and destroying the key infrastructure facilities, launching air and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and villages, torturing and murdering civilians.

Photo: VR

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The Austrian government has allocated $ 100,000 to support the work of independent journalists in Ukraine.

This is stated by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg, who spoke on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, Ukrinform reports.

"Protecting journalists has been a priority of Austria's foreign policy for years. Media representatives risk their lives for the sake of free, independent, and objective coverage of conflict and crisis regions such as Ukraine. Our contribution strengthens their resilience," he said.

The $100,000 was donated by UNESCO to the Austrian federal government in March to support the work of about 1,000 independent journalists in Ukraine.

"Through their independent research in Ukraine, journalists make a valuable contribution to documenting Russian war crimes and refuting false reports coming from Russia. This helps ensure that perpetrators of atrocities do not go unpunished," the Austrian Foreign Ministry said.

As reported today, May 3, the international community celebrates World Press Freedom Day.

This day has been celebrated since 1993, at the initiative of the UNESCO General Conference with the support of the UN General Assembly. It was on May 3, 1991, that the Windhoek Declaration was signed in the Namibian capital, calling on governments around the world to ensure freedom of the press and its democratic character.
| By Lou Cortina

Gregory F. Ball, PhD, has been part of the University of Maryland, Baltimores (UMB) extended community for years but in an informal role: faculty members spouse. Now Ball is tasked with managing the research marriage of UMB and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP).

Ball, who started his job as vice president for research of UMB/UMCP on Feb. 1, was the guest of honor at a UMB reception April 27 at Health Sciences Research Facility III. The event was hosted by President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, and attracted a crowd of 40 including four UMB deans, faculty members/researchers, and other University leaders.

Gregory F. Ball with Margaret McCarthy

Im very excited to have the opportunity to lead this impressive research enterprise, said Ball, whose wife is Margaret Peg McCarthy, PhD, MA, the James and Carolyn Frenkil Deans Professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Ive met a lot of people as a spouse over the years, and thats a very helpful start. Im looking forward to meeting more of you and working with you so that we can continue to make an impact for the state of Maryland.

In his introductory remarks, Jarrell noted that the vice presidents role was created in 2018 as a way to further leverage the complementary research activities of UMB and UMCP. It also allowed the universities to report their research and development (R&D) spending as one entity for the National Science Foundations (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey. In Fiscal Year 2020, the UMB/UMCP enterprise ranked 10th among public universities and 16th overall with $1.1 billion in R&D expenditures.

Creating the vice president for research position was critical to the success of the UMB/UMCP collaboration, said Jarrell, who joined with UMCP President Darryll J. Pines, PhD, MS, to appoint Ball to the job, which carries a three-year term. When I first saw that number in print  $1.1 billion  I said, Thats an impressive accomplishment! I was very happy and excited about it. Im also excited to welcome Dr. Ball. He is an experienced and accomplished investigator. He is a pleasure to work with and is already heavily involved in several research projects that I hope will come to fruition soon.

Ball replaced Laurie Locascio, PhD, MSc, who recently was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as undersecretary for standards and technology in the Department of Commerce and director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Amitabh Varshney, PhD, MS, dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences at UMCP, served as interim vice president for three months.

For the previous seven years, Ball was dean of UMCPs College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, a large and academically complex college with more than 5,000 undergraduate students and more than 800 masters and doctoral students across 10 departments and multiple centers. During his tenure, he focused on modernizing research training by promoting the adoption of new methods in data science and expanding experiential learning opportunities and career preparation services for all students in the college.

He also maintained an active research lab in the UMCP Department of Psychology. His research examines adult neuroplasticity by studying seasonal changes in brain and behavior in songbirds to understand how hormones and various environmental stimuli regulate these seasonal brain changes. At the April 27 event, he treated the attendees to his mimic of a laughing gull, a bird he said is commonly found on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, then discussed his new role.

Im delighted to be here, Ball said, noting that the UMB/UMCP research collaboration is an outgrowth of the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State initiative, which was launched in 2012 and formalized by the Maryland General Assembly in 2016. This is a great opportunity for the two universities to continue working together. There are many, many areas where we can work together productively, and work together much more effectively, to bring out the best at both campuses. And research is clearly one of those areas.

In addition to the HERD survey, Ball said NSF recently conducted a survey of all federal funding for research and development in the United States that showed two states alone at the top: California and Maryland.

No other states were even close, Ball said. What this shows is that we have an incredible research ecosystem in Maryland that is truly special. And that ecosystem has many different parts to it that we can leverage. So we need to be thinking about a wide range of possible research collaborations from the social sciences to the many aspects of biomedicine. The future of academic medicine is bright, allowing us to address clinical problems and translational problems and then harness new science to make new applications that can transform how medicine is experienced and delivered.
MISSOULA  Kyle Brekke admits feeling lost when he first found Missoula.

A Minnesota native, Brekke kicked off his senior year of high school by signing up for the U.S. Marines. During five subsequent years in the infantry, he was stationed in Hawaii and deployed to Hong Kong, the Philippines, Korea and Japan. Afterwards he bounced around colleges in California, becoming an unhappy economics major.

It was a weird stage in my life, the veteran said. I kind of dropped out. Then COVID hit.

Brekke decided to return to Minnesota. He had always found solace in the outdoors, so he and his pickup camper took a circuitous, soul-searching route home that passed through Missoula. A friend showed him around town, and he walked across the University of Montana campus beneath looming Mount Sentinel.

It felt right, he said. I was thinking about a forestry degree, and as soon as I got back to Minnesota, I applied.

Brekke isnt alone. More than 1,400 military-affiliated students attend UM, which this year earned a Gold ranking for being a Military Friendly School from MilitaryFriendly.com. He learned right away why UM earned the designation.

I applied to all the big forestry schools, and the communication process was really smooth for me here at UM, said Brekke, now a junior in the Universitys W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation. An adviser put me in touch with a veteran in the forestry school, and he told me all about things and sold me on it. I didnt get that from any other school I applied to.

That same adviser, Darryl Lee, helped Brekke land a job with UMs Military and Veteran Services Office. In that role he helps other veterans like himself transition to university life. This includes helping them process their benefits and getting them signed up for everything from health care and housing to email.

We even help them get to class and decide where they want to sit in class, he said. Some of them are older and getting back into all that can be a struggle. The main thing is we try to have other students helping them who have basically lived through the same experience.

The Military and Veterans Services Office is located in a house at 1000 E. Beckwith Ave. on the edge of campus. Its a base of operations where veterans can share experiences and support one another. Brekke said they offer a lounge, coffee station and television, and the basement has a bank of computers where veterans can study and work on assignments.

UM really provides a special learning environment for military and veteran students because we clearly understand where our students are coming from while empowering them to get where they want to go, said Patrick Beckwith, the West Point Military Academy graduate who directs UMs Military and Veterans Services Office. We earned the Military Friendly Gold designation because we recognize our military and veteran students are a core component of the UM identity.

Beckwith said his office actively works to recruit veterans and active-duty members of the military and their families. It also works to certify and process VA benefits and collaborates with UM academic departments to help improve credit transfer

Brekke has helped launch the Universitys new Student Veterans Organization, which is designed to help students with military connections succeed in higher education and navigate post-military life.

This includes an ambassador program where we try to match veterans with another student in their major, he said. We want to alert them to all the available resources at their disposal and help them plan for the classes they need to take.

Brekke said he felt supported as a veteran when he arrived on campus, and it doesnt hurt that UM is surrounded by mountains and nearby wilderness.

The school and the outdoor opportunities here are endless, he said. For a lot of veterans that was a lot of what the career was  you are outside, rucking and camping  and you can do a lot of that here as well. I try to get out a lot in our area.

Brekke plans to graduate in 2023. Does he feel like hes found his path?

It took me a long time to figure out where I need to be, he said. Im glad I didnt rush it, and Im happy where I am. I felt a little lost, but I found a home here.

###

Contact: Patrick Beckwith, director, UM Military and Veteran Services Office, 406-243-2744, patrick.beckwith@mso.umt.edu.
I share The News frustration with our tendency to make the challenges around development and preservation intractable. Shrill cries to save collapsing, insignificant structures enervate, and Douglas Jemals outsized investments in our city should be welcomed. But the history of our built environment is full of pain, and while there are thousands of Queen Annes in Buffalo, there is only one Richardson Complex in the world. Changes to it must be well-considered, which Jemals porte-chochere most certainly was not.

There has been an ebb-and-flow of control over American infrastructure, recently in favor of those who would save every existing structure and prevent every new one. It was a great thing that Jane Jacobs organized the West Village in Manhattan to stop Robert Moses plan to plow a freeway through that neighborhood. Moses disproportionate projects left scars all over the state and thank god another I-295 from New Jersey to Brooklyn wasnt added to the list. But one of the worst legacies of Moses was the reactionary restructuring of regulations to make even reasonable development difficult to achieve. That is not a healthy balance for a city that is growing and needs housing.

But in the desire to break out of the deadlock that pits preservationists against developers, lets not forget the very good reasons the preservationist movement exists. In Buffalo alone, consider the Kensington, the Larkin Building, the Lehigh Valley Terminal, the Iroquois Hotel, the Erie County Savings Bank and many others. The Richardson is a treasure and one of the remaining buildings that makes Buffalo a destination for lovers of architecture. No one should be allowed to change it without community input and oversight, no matter how deep their pockets are. That porte-chochere must come down.

Luke Cusack

Buffalo
The world is watching with horror the war in Ukraine. The senseless loss of lives, the destruction of communities and the fear of a greater conflict in Eastern Europe are on the minds of all. Everyone is hoping for an early resolution to the conflict.

All wars eventually end through peace talks and negotiated agreements. It is peace that is so elusive and hard to achieve. The world should invest more effort towards peace sooner than later.

Unfortunately the current popular belief is to send more military hardware to Ukraine. Some argue this will give the Ukrainian leadership more leverage in future negotiations, but at what cost? More destruction of the country will necessitate greater cost of rebuilding it.

The longer the conflict lasts, the greater the political instability in Europe and perhaps the world. The Ukrainian people, the United States and the world will bear the great cost of this war. It is a burden that will be carried on the shoulders of ordinary people for years to come. The only winners in this war are the armament producers.

Stop sending arms and start negotiating peace.

If we are the world leader, the United Sates should work to bring warring parties to the table. Perhaps achieving peace will be the greatest lesson for future generations.

W. John Kozinski

West Seneca
Mature financial advisor showing report to young couple for their investment

Written by Jed Lloren at The Motley Fool Canada

Taking control of your finances is one of the greatest things you can do. The sooner you get started, the sooner you could reach financial independence. However, now that youve begun your investment journey, you may be wondering Where do I even start? I believe new investors should stick to dividend stocks. Although these stocks wont produce life-changing returns over a short period, they could still beat the market in the long term. In addition, dividend stocks tend to be less volatile, which can be appealing to new investors.

Buy one of the banks

Investing in one of the Big Five banks could be a great place to start. These five companies have established very formidable moats, making it difficult for smaller competitors to displace them from their leadership positions. Although all five companies are great stocks to consider, I would pick Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) if only asked to pick one.

An excellent dividend stock, it has been paying shareholders a dividend in each of the past 189 years. Bank of Nova Scotia is also known as a Canadian Dividend Aristocrat, after having increased its dividend distribution over the past 11 years. Currently, it pays shareholders a dividend of $1 per share. That represents an 11% increase from its quarterly dividend in 2021.

Another financial institution for your consideration

The Canadian financial sector contains many strong and established companies. That may be why the financial sector represents the largest portion of the S&P/TSX Index. Within that broad sector, Canadians should consider investing in Brookfield Asset Management (TSX:BAM.A)(NYSE:BAM). This companys portfolio is composed of $690 billion in assets under management. That makes it one of the largest alternative asset management firms in the world.

Like Bank of Nova Scotia, Brookfield is listed as a Canadian Dividend Aristocrat. It has increased its dividend distribution in each of the past nine years. It should also be noted that Brookfields dividend-payout ratio is very low (21.8%). This suggests that the company could continue to comfortably increase its dividend in the coming years. Thats an important characteristic to keep in mind when looking for dividend stocks to add to your portfolio.

Story continues

This grocery stock is a great option

Investing in grocery companies would also be a good option. These companies are constantly relied upon by consumers. As a result, you could remain confident in the fact that these companies will continue to receive a steady source of revenue. Metro (TSX:MRU) is an excellent company to consider. The third largest grocer in Canada, it operates about 650 locations around the country. Grocery stores operated by this company include its namesake Metro stores, Super C, Food Basics, and Marche Richelieu.

Metro is also listed as a Canadian Dividend Aristocrat. It has increased its dividend in each of the past 26 years. That makes it one of nine Canadian companies to hold that distinction. Like Brookfield, Metros payout ratio is very low (22.2%). The company could continue to raise its dividend in the coming years.

The post New Investors: Buy These 3 Dividend Stocks Today appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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2022
(@FahadShabbir)

Prague, May 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd May, 2022 ) :Czech art collector Meda Mladkova, who supported artists in Communist-ruled Czechoslovakia from exile in Washington during the Cold War era, died aged 102 on Tuesday, her foundation said.

From the 1960s, Mladkova bought works by modern Czech artists suffering under Moscow's rule and organised exhibitions and scholarships for them.

"One of the most remarkable women of our modern history, an extraordinary personality... Meda Mladkova left us today," Jiri Pospisil, head of the Jan and Meda Mladek Foundation, said in a tweet on Tuesday.

Mladkova left Czechoslovakia for Switzerland after the Communists seized power in 1948.

From 1955 to 1960, she studied art history in Paris, where she founded a publishing house and started to collect paintings by her compatriot Frantisek Kupka, who also lived in France.

In 1960, Mladkova moved to Washington with her husband Jan Mladek, an economist working for the International Monetary Fund.

They bought more than 200 paintings by Kupka, a pioneer of abstract art.

In the late 1960s, Mladkova started travelling back to Czechoslovakia and collecting works by local artists to help them survive.

"All her life, she believed the idea that if culture survives, the nation will survive too," said Pospisil.

Mladkova returned to her native country after the totalitarian Communist rule was toppled in 1989.

She donated the entire collection to the city of Prague following her husband's death in the same year.

Mladkova then established the Jan and Meda Mladek Foundation and transformed a historic building in central Prague into the Kampa Museum with a permanent exhibition of Kupka's works.

For her work as an art collector and benefactor, Mladkova became a Commander of the French National Order of Merit in 2012.
London, May 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd May, 2022 ) :Pep Guardiola has urged his Manchester City stars to show their "personality" as the Spaniard plots yet another successful visit to Real Madrid in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg.

Guardiola's side head to Madrid with a slender 4-3 advantage after last week's thrilling first leg at the Etihad Stadium.

With a place in the Champions League final at stake, Guardiola can take comfort from his impressive record in Real's intimidating Bernabeu Stadium.

Many star-studded teams have folded when confronted by a European night under the lights in one of the sport's most hallowed cathedrals.

But Guardiola has never been cowed by the prospect of facing Real on their own turf, winning six times and losing just once in nine visits with City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Guardiola's Barcelona marked his first game as a visiting boss in the Bernabeu with a 6-2 demolition of Real in 2009.

He also masterminded a 2-0 Champions League semi-final first leg win at Real in 2011 that propelled Lionel Messi and company towards the second of their two Champions League titles during his reign.

Messi memorably scored a superb solo goal in that encounter and Guardiola would dearly love a similar contribution from one of City's array of attacking talents.

City have already won at the Bernabeu in the Guardiola era, securing a 2-1 triumph in the Champions League last 16 first leg two years ago on route to eliminating the Spanish club.

Overall, Guardiola has won 12 of his 20 managerial meetings with Real at home and away.

But Guardiola did suffer a Champions League semi-final exit against Real in 2014 when his Bayern Munich were crushed 5-0 on aggregate by Los Blancos.

And, fuelled by Karim Benzema's incredible goal blitz, Real have already staged two dramatic comebacks at the Bernabeu to knock out Paris Saint Germain and Chelsea in the previous two rounds.

While City were clearly the better side in the first leg against Real last week, they couldn't deliver the knockout blow due to a combination of poor finishing and sloppy defending.
Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka, May 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd May, 2022 ) :Farmers were once big supporters of the Rajapaksas, but a bungled fertiliser ban withered their crops along with their backing for Sri Lanka's previously powerful and popular political clan.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's government last year outlawed agricultural chemical imports in a desperate -- and ultimately doomed -- bid to conserve foreign Currency and avoid a debt default.

It was portrayed by Rajapaksa as a push for Sri Lanka to be the world's first fully organic farming nation.

But it was a disaster. Yields fell sharply, hitting growers' incomes just as essentials like fuel, food and medicines became scarce and expensive.

"This devastation was a result of policies made by people sitting in air-conditioned rooms who do not understand farming," said S Jaliyagoda, 66, the head of an association of rice farmers.

Calling it a "stupid" plan, he said experts had decried the move and farmers clearly voiced their disapproval.

"But despite the opposition, the government went ahead and imposed strict rules and forced it on us. And in the end, it failed," he told AFP.

"All prices of all goods have shot up. Living has became impossible for people. Hunger has become very common. So people have now rejected (the government)," he told AFP.

- Success to failure - More than a quarter of Sri Lanka's 22 million people rely on agriculture.

In past decades the sector was a success story, producing enough for the domestic market as well as exports -- in particular Ceylon tea, which fetched 1.3 billion Dollars annually for the island nation.

The agricultural chemicals ban was initiated with little warning or training for farmers on how to cultivate crops without them.

MM Jinasena, a farmer for almost all his adult life, always grew enough to feed his family and sell some excess.

Now, the 55-year-old has cut down on the food that he and his family consume.

"When we used chemical fertiliser, we were able to get a yield of about 3,000 kilos (6,600 Pounds) per acre... but since we switched to organic farming, we have received only about half that," Jinasena told AFP.

"Now, I regret taking up farming. I will tell everyone to avoid it if they can." - Unaffordable - The ban on imported fertilisers was reversed at the end of 2021, and Rajapaksa admitted it was a mistake. But now chemicals are expensive -- if they can be found at all.

"Fertiliser, fuel and pesticides are not available. What is available is unaffordable," said farmer Jinadasa Paranamana.

The 62-year-old has now, for the first time, taken up manual labour work to sustain his family.

The government announced last month that it would reintroduce subsidies for farmers but those in the community have little hope that they will be paid.

Farmers have joined the months of mass protests around Sri Lanka demanding that the Rajapaksas -- Gotabaya's brother Mahinda is prime minister -- quit.

"There is no harvest, we toil away all day long, but we have no revenue or harvest... The president's policies have failed," said Paranamana.

"Now we are just living day-to-day, trying to make ends meet."
RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd May, 2022 ) :Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated here on Tuesday like other parts of the country with religious zeal and fervor marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramazan.

Big Eid congregations were held across the Rawalpindi division at open places, mosques and Eidgahs.

The day dawned with special Eid sermons where Ulema stressed for unity of Muslim Ummah and prayed for the prosperity and well being of the country.

On this occasion, special prayers were also offered for the progress and prosperity of the country, unity of the 'Ummah', solution of their problems and liberation of Muslim territories, including occupied Kashmir.

All important public and private buildings, including shopping centres were decorated and illuminated.

Hundreds of thousands of believers thronged the mosques and Eidgahs to offer Eid prayers in the town. A number of big Eid congregations were held here where special arrangements were made to offer Eid prayer.

Ulema and khateebs from different schools of thought delivered special sermons and lectures to highlight the significance of the day.

Following the Eid prayers, the citizens spent their time feasting with family and friends and feeding those who are less fortunate. Sweets and other special dishes were prepared for serving the guests. People also exchanged gifts on the occasion.

Meanwhile foolproof security measures were adopted on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

According to police spokesman, Police were put on high alert to avoid any untoward incident on Eid-ul-Fitr. Police holidays were cancelled to augment Eid security in the city while additional force were deployed for sensitive areas, along busy roads, markets, shopping centers, graveyards, mosques, Eid Gahs, Imam Bargahs and picnic points as part of a special security plan for Eid.

The police spokesman said, over 2,800 personnel were deployed to Eid congregations, public places, shopping malls and other important buildings to prevent any suspicious activities.

Walk-through gates and scanners were also installed at main Eid congregations for the safety of the citizens, he said adding, hundreds of Mosques, Imambargahs and several other religious gatherings were covered by armed guards and policemen during Eid prayers.

Volunteers were also deployed to Eid congregations and special pickets were set up at all entry and exit points of the city to check suspicious vehicles, he added.

The City Traffic Police (CTP) had also finalised a plan to regulate the traffic on city roads during the Eid days. As many as 400 traffic wardens were deployed to check one wheeling on Chand Raat and during Eid days.

A special control room had been set up at Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner office which was working round-the-clock to cope with any emergency, he added.

He informed that Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Noor ul Amin Mengal had directed the departments concerned particularly police, City Traffic Police (CTP) and Rescue-1122 to remain alert during Eidul Fitr holidays to ensure security and provide maximum relief to the citizens.

The Commissioner had instructed the authorities to pay more attention to parks and other public places besides setting up special posts at various points by Rescue-1122 to avoid any untoward incident.

CTP had also formulated a comprehensive plan to regulate the traffic in Murree.

"Following the instructions of district government, the CTP will not allow entry of more than 8000 vehicles into Murree" said Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Navid Irshad, adding that Murree has parking spaces for only 3500 vehicles.

He said as many as 350 officers and traffic wardens were deployed in Murree to ease traffic flow during Eid holidays.

The CTO also said the drivers without driving licenses and motorcyclists sans safety helmets would not be allowed entry into Murree.

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(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd May, 2022) French President Emmanueal Macron told Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone conversation on Tuesday that he is concerned over emerging issues related to ensuring global food security, the Kremlin said.

"The French side expressed concern about the emerging problem of ensuring global food security. In this context, Vladimir Putin stressed that the situation in this matter is complicated primarily due to the sanctions of Western countries, and noted the importance of the unimpeded functioning of the global logistics and transport infrastructure," the Kremlin said in a statement.
ROME (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd May, 2022) Pope Francis has expressed readiness to travel to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to help the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.

In an interview with the Corriere della Sera newspaper, the pontiff said that on the first day of the operation in Ukraine, he had a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while abstained from calling Putin. Instead, he went to the Russian ambassador in Italy, asking for an explanation and calling for ending the operation.

"Then, after twenty days of war, I asked (Holy See Secretary of State) Cardinal (Pietro) Parolin to convey to Putin a message that I was ready to go to Moscow. Of course, it was necessary that the Kremlin leader provided several windows. We have not yet received an answer and we continue to insist, even if I am afraid that Putin cannot and does not want to hold this meeting right now," Pope Francis said.

The pontiff added that he is not going to visit Kiev yet, as before that, he must go to Moscow.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd May, 2022) Western sanctions against Russian diamond producer Alrosa will not affect projects involving the company in Angola, diamond production will increase, Russian Ambassador to Angola Vladimir Tararov told Sputnik.

The ambassador explained that the diamond industry began to develop in Angola with the participation of Russia, and over time, a local enterprise, Catoca, arose, whose shareholder is Alrosa.

"Now it has 41 percent of the shares. There are plans that the production and share of Alrosa will expand, this is being discussed ... (The introduction of Western sanctions) will not affect (joint projects with Russia) in any way," Tararov said.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd May, 2022) The Pentagon has denied that arms transfers to Ukraine have impacted America's military readiness amid concerns that the Pentagon's own stockpile of Javelin weapons might be dwindling.

"We are comfortable that our readiness has not been impacted by the series of presidential drawdown authorities that we've executed," a senior US Defense Department official told reporters on Monday.

The official also said that the US has delivered more than 5,000 of the 5,500 Javelin anti-tank weapons systems Washington has committed to Ukraine.

However, despite the Pentagon's assurances, the Biden administration is looking at alternative plans in case there are shortages.

"We're considering a range of options, if they're needed, to increase production capacity and improve production timelines of both... Javelins, as well as Stingers," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said later in the day.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden will visit a Lockheed Martin plant in Alabama that makes Javelins just as lawmakers and former officials are raising concerns about the US military stockpiles running low.

Psaki said the plant Biden is visiting currently can produce up to 2,100 Javelins per year.

However, the US has now distributed one-third of its available Javelin missiles, according to Senator Richard Blumenthal, who said it will take a year to ramp up to full production from the current annual purchasing level of 1,000 per year. He estimated that it could take up to 32 months to replenish the stocks. Raytheon, confirming this, said it will probably not be until 2023-2024 before they can fully replenish both Javelin and Stinger supplies.

Psaki pointed out the domestic benefits of the program to arm Ukraine.

"Each Javelin... missile requires more than 200 semiconductors to make. And boosting domestic chip manufacturing isn't just critical to making more in America or lowering prices, it's also a vital component of our national security," Psaki said on Monday.

The Biden administration since Russia's military operation began has committed over $3.4 billion in security aid to Ukraine. Biden last week asked Congress for another $33 billion in aid for Kiev, $20 billion of which would be allocated to security assistance.
David Shepherd, the NDP Opposition critic for health, criticized the provincial government for what he calls a 'deepening crisis' at the Red Deer Regional Hospital. (CBC - image credit)

The Opposition NDP's health critic said Monday he was calling for answers from the provincial government on a "deepening crisis" after a number of patients were diverted from the Red Deer Regional Hospital to other facilities in recent days.

"Patients who were expecting necessary surgeries were told they would be taking the highway to a different community," said David Shepherd during a media availability held outside the facility.

"Not only does this create anxiety and uncertainty, we never should have found ourselves here in this situation."

In a statement issued on Friday, a spokesperson with Alberta Health Services said that depending on their condition, patients would be diverted to other surgical sites in the Central Zone, including Camrose, Rocky Mountain House and Drumheller, or to facilities in Calgary and Edmonton.

"We acknowledge that this will cause some stress and anxiety to some of our surgical patients; however, we have exhausted all efforts to avoid this temporary diversion," reads the statement.

"This diversion is specific to the general surgery program only at this time. Procedures seen by the program can include conditions like appendicitis, bowel resections, laparotomies and gallbladder removals."

The spokesperson said the diversion measures were due to several factors, including a shortage of clinical assistants in the general surgery program. They added that the situation would be evaluated regularly as recruitment efforts continued, adding it would be lifted as soon as possible.

The hospital serves close to half a million people in central Alberta. Regularly operating above capacity, it has been plagued by bed shortages and backlogs for years, and regularly operates above capacity.

Those trouble have become more acute amid the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened by increased demand and staffing shortages.

Speaking during Question Period on Monday, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said there was "no doubt" that many Alberta hospitals are under stress.

Story continues

"[Both] as a legacy of the last COVID wave, but also we have had some increased pressure on the hospitals," he said. "That is particularly the case in central Alberta, where there's been a disproportionate number of new cases and hospitalizations in that region."

CBC

In February, the Alberta government promised to spend $1.8 billion to expand the hospital, with $193 million being invested over the next three years as part of Budget 2022.

Shepherd said he had heard from municipal leaders and hospital employees that they wanted to see specific plans tied to the funding.

"I think it's perfectly reasonable that people want to hold the government to account, that they want to see specific plans and timelines for the work that this government is promising to do," Shepherd said.

"Because as we can see, with the continuing crisis here, this is not something that we can afford to stall on any longer. This work needs to get underway."

At the time of the announcement of the expansion, Health Minister Jason Copping said the funding would add 200 beds, bringing the total from 370 to 570.

He said it would also add three more operating rooms, for a total of 14, as well as a long-awaited cardiac catheterization lab.
The Inti Raymi (Quechua for Inti festival) is an ancient religious ceremony celebrated by the Inca Empire thousands of years ago in honor of Inti (Quechua for sun), the Incan sun deity. To this day, this sacred festival is celebrated in Peru and is lauded as one of its most significant holy days. Inti Raymi is the celebration of the winter solstice and the Inca New Year, and features music, colorful clothing, the aya huma mask, and food. And for the first time in the festivals history, this sacred celebration was held outside of Peru.

The Utah Valley University Office for Global Engagement, in conjunction with the City of Cusco, Peru, celebrated the ancient Incan New Year celebration, Inti Raymi on April 28 in the UVU Grand Ballroom. The public event was livestreamed to Peru and to all Peruvian Embassies throughout the world, and featured actors, dancers, as well as Victor G. Boluarte Medina, the mayor of Cusco, Peru.

Dr. Baldomero Lago, Chief Officer of UVU International Academic Administration and the events emcee, said the process of getting this event to be performed at UVU has been in the works since January 2022, and that Utah was chosen by the Cusco City Council and embassies in Washington D.C. because of the Beehive States connections with Peru.

Everything that we do, from our perspective, from the Office for Global Engagement, is to allow our students to have this ability to connect with cultures from around the world, Lago said. It is such such a great honor to be able to host this event here at UVU. We are taking some of the lead to break the ice and make things happen historically, because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this festival outside Peru.

According to Lago, the festival perfectly represents UVUs core value to include. Visitors minds will be enhanced, more open to receive cultural awareness, and be better, more globally competent citizens, he said. It is vital for UVU to play that role. We are a very inclusive institution and bringing other peoples and other cultures into our campus. We need to be not only just citizens of the US, but also citizens of the world.

Israel Arellano, an attendee of the event with Peruvian-Venezuelan heritage, enjoyed the festival and dancing numbers.

It was so unique, Arellano said. It feels great to connect with my roots.

Watch footage of the evenings events below.

For news on upcoming Office for Global Engagement events, visit https://www.uvu.edu/global/events.html
Since the US-China Trade War began in January 2018, Vietnam has quickly established itself as a favorable alternative to China. As such, identifying local manufacturers that are qualified to make target components or products is one of the primary objectives of investors coming to Vietnam. Here, we will help investors understand Vietnams industrial landscape and how to approach the supplier network in the country.

Industrial clusters

Vietnams manufacturing industry is driven by several key sectors: textile and garment, electronics, and mechanical engineering.

Textile and garment

Vietnam has risen to become the third-largest manufacturing hub of textile and garments, just after China and India. Vietnamese textile and garment companies mainly focus on the garment processing stage, which accounts for 85 percent. The main manufacturing method is CMT, which means cut-make-trim.

The industry comprises of around 7,000 companies employing 2.7 million people. Large firms are surrounded and dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These firms are concentrated in the Red River Delta and the Southeastern region.

Electronics

The electronic cluster is non-resource and export-oriented. The industry consists of around 2,500 companies, employing about 800,000 people. Supply chains in this cluster consist of many tier-2 companies supplying components and parts to foreign companies. Investors come from South Korea and Japan and consist of companies such as Samsung and Nokia. We have seen large investments in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park with companies also in the Red River Delta region.

Mechanical engineering

Vietnams mechanical industry has strengths concentrated in three sub-sectors including motorcycles and motorcycle spare parts, household mechanics and tools, and auto and auto parts. The whole country has more than 24,000 metal processing and engineering companies. The Red River Delta region such as Hanoi and Hai Phong cater to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) suppliers. In the central region, Quang Nam province has seen an increase in auto parts production. In the south, mechanical clusters are concentrated in Dong Nai and Binh Duong provinces.

Raw materials

Despite the strong development of the supporting industries in recent years, Vietnam is yet to acquire the necessary resources. A large amount of raw materials is still imported.

Textile

Vietnam needs fiber import, as the domestic supply can only meet 1 percent of demand. In contrast, the total output of yarn is 2 million tons per year, which surpasses domestic demand. Two-thirds of this output is exported to other countries. However, due to Vietnams inefficiency in weaving and dyeing, under-developed technology, and sub-standard designs, 65-70 percent of textiles to supply the industry in Vietnam needs to be imported from China, Taiwan, and so on.

Plastic

Despite strong developments in recent years, Vietnamese plastic manufacturers still have to import a large portion of raw materials. In particular, the plastic industry imports about 4 million tons of plastic materials to serve domestic production. Plastic materials imported are plastic resins, plastic powder, and additives. Main imported materials include PE, PP, PET, PVC, PS, ABS, etc. Vietnam mainly imports plastic materials from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and China.

Steel

Vietnams steel industry is also dependent on imported inputs and unbalanced development between construction steel and mechanical steel. Production outputs are mainly construction steel, steel coil, and steel pipes.

Due to the fragmentation of the industry, poor investment in technology and production facilities, steel manufacturers, and even large corporations in Vietnam (Vietnam Steel Corporation, Hoa Phat Corporation, or Formosa Corporation) only focus on these products.

The domestic steel industry is unable to produce steel for mechanical engineering as those products have stricter technical requirements. Therefore, mechanical engineering companies still import a significant amount of steel from China, Japan, and South Korea as input for production.

Aluminum

Bauxite is the main source of aluminum. Currently, more than 40 countries possess bauxite resources, of which Vietnam possesses the third-largest national bauxite reserves with 2.1 billion tons. However, the country still counters a number of difficulties in bauxite extraction and aluminum smelting in terms of geographical features, infrastructure, and technology. Hence, materials for aluminum casting in Vietnam are mainly imported from other countries.

Supporting industrial companies

Supporting industrial companies can be divided into two main groups: domestic companies and FDI companies. Domestic companies account for a relatively small portion (16 percent) compared to FDI companies that dominate the market. Each group has its own strengths and weaknesses that may affect an investors decision when sourcing in Vietnam.

FDI manufacturers

FDI companies account for a very large portion of manufacturers in Vietnam. Such companies have a larger online presence and are easily searchable in online searches. Such companies tend to be larger suppliers, with a larger production scale, better infrastructure, and advanced technology. However, such large companies have little interest in working with small buyers.

Most FDI companies are proficient in English and typically come from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Vietnamese manufacturers

On the other hand, while Vietnamese companies account for a smaller portion they seem favorable to foreign buyers due to their reasonable prices compared to larger FDI companies. These companies are however not easy to find because of a small online footprint and poor English proficiency in communicating.

Many Vietnamese companies are small and medium-sized enterprises with medium production scale and capacity, lacking advanced technology. Their products are able to meet foreign buyers standards but either can not or are not willing to invest in audit programs such as the Walmart audit programs. However, Vietnamese companies are willing to accept smaller orders, are flexible, and have a willingness to learn and adapt to new technology. Vietnamese companies are therefore inexperienced rather than lacking funds or knowledge.

How to approach a supplier network in Vietnam?

Investors can approach supplier networks through local chambers of commerce and industry, which are active in large cities in Vietnam. Foreign investors can also attend various trade fairs and workshops. These are typically held every month in key economic cities, attracting significant Vietnamese manufacturing companies that have enough production capacity and are looking for new clients.

Investors can also attempt to source Vietnamese businesses directly, using sites such as Alibaba.com or even online searches. However, Vietnam-based sourcing companies or consulting companies would be able to provide more value in Vietnam, compared to more developed manufacturing countries like China.

Local sourcing companies use their local network and experts to match the investor with a qualified supplier. Investors should also due their due diligence in finding reliable sourcing companies, as there are some who are not actual sourcing companies but traders, which have different roles.

Sourcing companies provide all the required information about manufacturers, including the companys profile, production capacity, key contact person, sample cost, MOQ requirements, certifications, and so on while traders do not.

Further, sourcing companies can support you with a factory tour, supplier background check, or even testing and logistics via a third party. Some companies will offer these services as an all-inclusive package, while others charge based on project milestones or individual services.

Related Reading
PHNOM PENH  Cambodia's prime minister has urged Myanmar's top general to allow a special Southeast Asian envoy access to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in his strongest call so far for the junta chief to demonstrate commitment to a regional peace process.

Hun Sen, chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in a video call on Monday told Min Aung Hlaing it was crucial the envoy meets all stakeholders in Myanmar, including Suu Kyi, who in recent months has been convicted of corruption and incitement.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since Min Aung Hlaing led a coup against Suu Kyi's elected government 15 months ago.

ASEAN's five-point Myanmar peace "consensus," backed by the United Nations and major powers, remains the only formal diplomatic initiative in play, but regional leaders are frustrated at what they see as stonewalling by the junta.

"He re-emphasized the importance of access for the special envoy to meet all parties concerned in Myanmar ... for creating conducive environment to start an inclusive political dialog," a Cambodian foreign ministry statement said of Hun Sen's call.

Min Aung Hlaing in response "pledged to facilitate meetings with other parties concerned," it said, and that Myanmar authorities were facilitating humanitarian aid distribution.

A spokesman for Myanmar's military rulers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

ASEAN has barred Myanmar's generals from attending its key meetings, including an upcoming summit in the United States, until its military ends hostilities, allows dialog and humanitarian access.

The junta has said it is committed to the agreement, but has a duty to ensure security.

Hun Sen's call follows a trip to Myanmar in March by the envoy, his foreign minister, Prak Sokhonn, a visit that activists and a shadow government said favored the junta because he met no other parties to the conflict.

Prak Sokhonn after the trip said he sought access to Suu Kyi, but was denied. Two months earlier, he had criticized a previous envoy's insistence on Suu Kyi access as "unproductive."
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia  An outspoken critic of Cambodias government dressed up as Lady Justice, complete with scale and blindfold, to bring attention to her case as lawyers in her trial for treason presented their final arguments Tuesday.

Theary Seng, a Cambodian American lawyer, is charged with conspiracy to commit treason and incitement to commit a felony, which together carry a maximum jail sentence of 12 years. The charges arose from a failed attempt by leading opposition figure Sam Rainsy to return to Cambodia in November 2019, after a period of self-exile. Cambodian authorities, who opposed his return, alleged Theary Seng was involved in organizing the trip, which she denies.

Four other defendants being tried on the same charges are former members and activists of the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, of which Sam Rainsy was co-founder. Theary Seng denies belonging to the party.

I am not afraid of prison. I am ready. I am prepared to go to prison if this dictatorial, autocratic regime continues with its injustice against justice itself. So I am not afraid of prison, Theary Seng told journalists outside the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Cambodias Supreme Court in 2017 ordered the Cambodia National Rescue Party to be dissolved for allegedly plotting to seize power, but it is widely believed the action was taken to help ensure that Prime Minister Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party would win the 2018 general election. His ruling party made a clean sweep of the National Assembly seats.

Opponents of Hun Sen, who has been in power for 37 years, criticize him for acting in an autocratic manner and keeping the opposition on a tight leash. He has said he intends to stay in office until 2028 and has endorsed one of his sons to be his successor.

To publicize her case, Theary Seng dressed on Tuesday as Lady Justice, a symbol of law who is traditionally depicted as a Roman goddess bearing a sword and a balancing scale and wearing a blindfold and flowers in her hair. On previous trial days, she had dressed up in a prison-style orange outfit with ankle shackles and as a classical Cambodian Apsara dancer, telling reporters she was expressing her belief that the trial was political theater.

She did not attend Tuesdays court hearing when a security guard refused to let her in unless she removed the flowers from her hair and left the sword and scale outside the courtroom. She stayed outside with supporters and reporters and let her lawyer represent her.

I am Lady Justice. This autocratic regime is putting justice itself on trial. This autocratic regime uses the court as its weapon, said Theary Seng, who graduated from University of Michigan Law School in the United States. It is unjust when the law is not based on justice. My weapon is truth. Truth is eternal.  Truth is freedom.

Her lawyer, Choung Chou Ngy, said the court is expected to deliver its verdict on June 14.

In a related case in March, the court convicted 21 people of treason and related charges for their nonviolent political opposition to Cambodias government. Seven exiled leaders of the disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party received 10-year prison terms in absentia, including Sam Rainsy, who has been in exile since 2016. Another 13 defendants were ordinary party supporters whom the court ordered to serve more than three years.
BANGKOK, Thailand  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.
Led by the Kremlin's example, a global rise in disinformation and propaganda is having a disastrous effect on independent news around the world, a new report finds.

In its 2022 World Press Freedom Index released Tuesday, the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Russia's invasion of Ukraine has contributed vastly to the spread of fake news and propaganda.

The journalism watchdog group said its findings are worrying, as they show deep divisions among media within countries and between countries at the international level.

"In 2022, it's really undeniable that media polarization and information chaos are really fueling social divisions in ways that are pretty new," said Clayton Weimers, deputy director of RSF for the United States, told VOA. He said the prevalence of partisan news around the world has come at the expense of authentic journalism.

The group's annual report ranks 180 countries based on the environment for independent journalism. This year, however, RSF said it used a new method that blends each country's political, legal, economic, sociocultural and security conditions.

Now, the index classifies a record 28 countries as "having very bad media freedom." That group includes China, which is exporting censorship beyond its borders while also amplifying the Kremlin's propaganda on Russia's devastating war against Ukraine.

Russia, China among worst

Since its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Russia has sought total control over news coverage, passing a new law that carries 15-year prison terms for reporting "false news" on the military, and even forbids calling the conflict a "war."

That has forced most remaining independent news outlets, including the renowned Novaya Gazeta newspaper, Ekho Moskvy radio and Dozhd TV, to shut down or move outside Russia to continue operating.

With independent voices absent, experts say, the Russian government has been able to flood state-run airwaves with propaganda that downplays the war and spreads false or misleading justifications for the Kremlin's invasion.

Russia's media repression stands at 155 out of 180 countries included in RSF's index, where one is the most free and 180 the least.

"It's safe to say at this point that the free press is a thing of the past in Russia," Clayton said.

Throughout Russian President Vladimir Putin's 22 years in power, Moscow has been targeting journalists and the independent press, he said.

"But since the invasion of Ukraine, it seems that Putin has really finished off the independent media once and for all in Russia," Clayton said. "At this point, it is impossible to accurately report on the war in Ukraine."

China ranked 175th in the new report. And now that it is firmly under Beijing's influence, Hong Kong also registered a dramatic decline, ranking 148th out of 180 following a lengthy series of raids and arrests that shuttered pro-democracy news sites.

RSF's country file on China says it is the world's biggest jailer of journalists, with 120 in detention. The regime uses coercion, harassment, intimidation and surveillance to keep independent and foreign journalists from reporting on issues deemed "sensitive."

"President Xi Jinping, in power since 2013, has restored a media culture worthy of the Maoist era, in which freely accessing information has become a crime and to provide information an even greater crime," RSF's country file states.

Rising authoritarianism

North Korea remains the worst country in the rankings at 180th. Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region, political turmoil, conflict and rising authoritarianism have wiped out years of progress.

The 2021 coup in Myanmar marked a 10-year setback for media rights, with journalists detained, media licenses revoked, and many news outlets returning to exile. Under the military junta, Myanmar, ranking 176th, is one of the world's biggest jailers of journalists.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban insurgents pledged to uphold press freedom when they took power in August 2021. Instead, RSF said the "Taliban's seizure of power has further worsened conditions for reporters and news organizations, who are the targets of all forms of intimidation and violence." Afghanistan ranked 154th.

Across Africa, laws criminalizing online journalism have dealt a new blow to the right to information, RSF said, while the spread of rumors, propaganda, and disinformation has contributed to undermine access to quality information.

In Ethiopia, the war in the Tigray region, with its communication blackouts and restricted access, were the main factors that placed the country 114 on the index. Neighboring Eritrea and Djibouti are far worse, ranking near the bottom at 179 and 164, respectively.

African media continue to struggle economically, RSF said it its accompanying analysis.

"Despite a wave of liberalization in the 1990s, there are still, too often, cases of arbitrary censorship, especially on the internet, with occasional network shutdowns in some countries, arrests of journalists and violent attacks," the group said.

Clayton said the rising authoritarianism feeds on itself.

"When we allow a culture of impunity to exist where authoritarians are allowed to go after journalists, harass them, arrest them, beat them in the streets and kill them, it has a knock-on effect," he said. "It emboldens that same authoritarian to do it again next time, and it emboldens other authoritarians who are watching to do the same."

US not perfect

After a period of seeing its media attacked as "fake news" by former President Donald Trump, the United States retained a relatively high ranking of 42 in RSF's index. That is largely thanks to the return of regular White House and federal agency press briefings.

But RSF said problems persist, including "the disappearance of local newspapers, the systematic polarization of the media, and the erosion of journalism by digital platforms amid a climate of animosity and aggression toward journalists, among others."

Barriers exist, for instance, when it comes to covering state governments and protests.

"We typically find that this is either due to just a blatant disregard for the laws governing open records or meetings, or they're simply misinterpreting them. An individual is misinterpreting whether a journalist can be present at a particular event," said Beth Francesco, senior director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute.

A few bright spots

Despite an overall trend of decline, Clayton said there are positives.

Some governments provide funding for news media without interfering in their operations, to ensure independence from political influence.

"If you look at the top of our list, some of the things that stand out are these are countries that have robust public funding for media," he said, noting that "it's always important to separate state funding for media and state-controlled media."

Three Scandinavian countries  Norway, Denmark and Sweden  respectively come at the top of RSF's index. Estonia, a former Soviet Union republic, ranked 4th.

RSF said the free exercise of journalism plays a major role in emerging democracies such as East Timor, ranked 17, Bhutan, ranked 33, and Mongolia, ranked 90.

East Timor was one country whose ranking skyrocketed, rising 54 places. But RSF cautioned that because of its change in methodology this year, "care should be taken when comparing the 2022 rankings and scores with those from 2021."
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine.

Recap of May 3

FIGHTING

* The deputy commander of the Azov Regiment that is holed up in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol has confirmed to The Associated Press that Russian forces have started to storm the plant.

* Britain will donate 13 armored vehicles to help evacuate civilians from besieged areas in the east of Ukraine, the government said.

* Ukraines Parliament, meeting in Kyiv, passed a law banning the activities of pro-Russian political parties.

HUMANITARIAN

*A group of 20 children from an orphanage in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine, has safely arrived in Slovenia where they will stay until the end of the war.

* A World Health Organization spokesperson confirmed that its European region would hold a special meeting next week on the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on health and health care.

ECONOMY

* Ukrainian farmers are being forced to work at gunpoint and some have had their farms confiscated, according to reports from inside Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces.

* Millions of Ukrainian civilians likely face several weeks  possibly longer  of fuel disruptions due to Moscow's attacks on energy infrastructure, transportation bottlenecks and a supply cutoff by Russia and Belarus.

DIPLOMACY

* Russian President Vladimir Putin has told French President Emmanuel Macron that Moscow is ready for talks with Ukraine.

* British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Ukraine he believed it would defeat Russia and expose the "gigantic error" of the Kremlin's invasion as he invoked Britain's wartime leader Winston Churchill to underline his support for Kyiv.

* India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

SANCTIONS

* The European Unions top diplomat says the blocs executive branch is on the cusp of proposing a new raft of sanctions against Russia, including on oil.

* Russian President Vladimir Putin put the West on notice that he could terminate exports and deals, the Kremlin's toughest response yet to the sanctions burden imposed by the United States and allies over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

* A Fijian court has ruled that a Russian-owned superyacht can be seized under a U.S. warrant as part of the sanctions imposed by Washington on Moscow over its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

ECONOMY

* Mykhailo Federov, Ukraines vice prime minister of Ukraine and minister of digital transformation, tweeted photos of efforts to repair damaged communications infrastructure and restore internet connections for people living in the Kyiv region.

* Ukraine is forecast to have a significant shortage of grain storing facilities in the 2022-23 season due to a sharp fall in exports resulting from Russias invasion.

MEDIA

* The war waged by Russia against Ukraine is creating devastating consequences for press freedom in the region, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said as it released its annual World Press Freedom Index.

The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT:

9:04 p.m.: Ambassadors from the 27 European Union countries will meet on Wednesday to discuss a new package of sanctions to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, but some members are jockeying to opt out of an oil embargo. Slovakia, which like Hungary is almost 100% dependent for fuel on Russian crude coming through the Druzbha pipeline, said it would seek an exemption from any Russian oil embargo, AFP reported.

Ambassadors from the 27 EU countries are to meet Wednesday to give the plan a once-over, and it will need unanimous approval before going into effect, AFP reported.

8:28 p.m.: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address, told Ukrainians about the evacuation of some citizens from the besieged port city of Mariupol, saying it took a lot of effort, long negotiations. "

7:06 p.m.: U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will chair a U.N. ministerial meeting on food insecurity across the globe, impacted by the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, on May 18 to review current and future humanitarian needs, The Associated Press reported. The United States holds the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council this month and on May 19, Blinken will chair a meeting where its 15 members will consider how to make sure that food insecurity does not drive new conflicts, instability, particularly in fragile states, she said, according to the AP.

5:57 p.m.: U.S. President Joe Biden traveled to Troy, Alabama, to visit the plant where workers are making anti-tank missiles that are being shipped to Ukrainian fighters. He praised the workers, saying they were making it possible for the Ukrainian people to defend themselves.

Quite frankly, he said, the Ukrainians were making fools of the Russian military in many instances. ... The weapons manufactured by your hands are in the hands of Ukrainian heroes. Thank you for what you do."

5:07 p.m.: Every week, the Ukrainian diaspora in Los Angeles get together to support their home in Ukraine. VOAs Angelina Bagdasaryan has the story of the two women behind one unique show of support in this report.

4:23 p.m.: Washingtons Uniting for Ukraine program aims to streamline how Ukrainian refugees come to the United States. From the U.S.-Mexico border, Genia Dulot reports for VOA on what the plan means for Ukrainian refugees.

3:18 p.m.: Ukrainian troops southeast of Kharkiv survey heavy damage to a community cultural center, reflecting on the impact on locals, who are now all but gone. One soldier with experience fighting for both sides says he joined the Ukrainian defense forces after seeing what Russians did to non-combatants in the Ukrainian town of Bucha. Correspondent Maryan Kushnir with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report.

2:30 p.m.: VOAs Eastern Europe Bureau Chief, Myroslava Gongadze, spoke with U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as she and the rest of the U.S. congressional delegation laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Warsaw, Poland, on a trip to the region earlier this week.

2:26 p.m.: Dozens of evacuees who took refuge for weeks in the bunkers of a steel works in Russian-occupied Mariupol reached the safety of Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday. Exhausted-looking people, including young children and pensioners laden with bags, clambered off buses that pulled into a car park in southeastern Ukraine after escaping the ruins of their hometown where Russia now claims control, Reuters reported. We had said goodbye to life, we didnt think anyone knew we were there, said Valentina Sytnykova, 70, who said she sheltered in the Azovstal steel works for two months with her son and 10-year-old granddaughter.

2:23 p.m.: Russian strikes have apparently targeted the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, The Associated Press reported. The strikes happened Tuesday evening in multiple directions. At least four distinct explosions could be heard from downtown Lviv. It wasnt immediately clear what was targeted. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi wrote on a social message app that those in the city should take shelter. Trains coming out of Lviv stopped service. Car alarms went off after the blasts and emergency sirens could be heard. Electricity flickered momentarily in the city. Sadovyi acknowledged in another message the attacks had affected the power supply, without elaborating.

2:15 p.m.:

1:57 p.m.: The International Committee of the Red Cross is struggling with an image problem in Ukraine, The New Humanitarian said in a news feature t published Tuesday titled Evacuation challenges and bad optics: Why Ukrainians are losing faith in the ICRC. Since Russia launched its invasion February 24, the ICRC has found itself engulfed by a neutrality row, marked by unsubstantiated claims that it has been abetting the forced evacuation of civilians to Russia and broader perceptions that it hasnt done enough to assist Ukrainians, The New Humanitarian reported. The ICRC says both sets of allegations are false, and that they are part of a deliberate misinformation campaign, The New Humanitarian noted. But the fallout has affected not only the ICRC but also the Ukrainian Red Cross  a related but independent national organization.

1:19 p.m.:

1:08 p.m.: French President Emmanuel Macron told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Tuesday that he is willing to work with international organizations to help lift the Russian embargo on Ukrainian food exports via the Black Sea, Macron's office said. The Elysee office also said Macron had reiterated that a ceasefire was needed in Ukraine and that he had told Putin that he was deeply concerned about the situation in Donbas and Mariupol. "I have called on Russia to live up to its international responsibility as a UN Security Council member by putting an end to this devastating attack," a statement quoted Macron as saying, according to Reuters.

12:58 p.m.: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday. They both assured lawmakers that security aid to Ukraine is getting to where it needs to go. Austin said that there was no danger in depleting U.S. stockpiles of Javelins and Stinger missiles, saying we will never go below our minimum requirements for our stockpiles. Austin also assessed the weaknesses in Russias offensive so far, saying They will learn from the lessons, learn from what they did in the early stagesBut some things they wont be able to correct. VOAs National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin followed the testimony and shared more details on Twitter.

12:46 p.m.: Ukraines prosecutor general accused Russia on Tuesday of using rape as a tactic of war and described Russian President Vladimir Putin as the main war criminal of the 21st century, Reuters reported. Russia has previously denied targeting civilians and has rejected allegations that its forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine. The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the accusations and has dismissed previous suggestions that Putin is a war criminal.Visiting the devastated city of Irpin near Kyiv, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said Ukraine was collecting information on allegations of rape, torture and other suspected war crimes by Russian forces.

12:39 p.m.: U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the safe evacuation of dozens of people Tuesday from the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia, VOAs U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer reported. I am pleased that more than 100 civilians have successfully been evacuated from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, in an operation successfully coordinated by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Guterres said. I hope the continued coordination with Kyiv and Moscow will lead to more humanitarian pauses that will allow civilians safe passage away from the fighting and aid to reach people where the needs are greatest, he added.

Meanwhile, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani, speaking from Zaporizhzhia, said she doesnt know how many civilians remain inside Azovstal. She said its huge and many people just couldnt make it out, especially the elderly, because it involved lots of walking. She said some people were too afraid to leave, because they didnt know what would happen to them when they got out. Lubrani said todays operation was very important in building confidence, so that people still inside the plant will hear that the evacuees arrived safely in Zaporizhzhia. I want to believe this operation is a stepping stone to more operations that need to take place, Lubrani said.

12:35 p.m.: Ukrainian farmers are being forced to work at gunpoint and some have had their farms confiscated, according to reports from inside Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces. Meanwhile, farmers on Ukrainian-held land are wearing bulletproof vests and helmets to protect themselves as they work.

12:14 p.m.: U.S. President Joe Biden released a statement on the occasion of World Press Freedom day Tuesday. We live in perilous times for press freedom. At least eleven journalists have been killed in Ukraine in recent weeks. Another 11 have been wounded by gunfire. Others have been kidnapped and assaulted, and at least one remains missing, he said. In Russia, the Kremlin has tightened its vice-grip on civil society, including through passage of a disinformation law intended to silence those speaking the truth, he added. The free press is not the enemy of the people. Quite the opposite, when driven by a quest to illuminate and educate, not inflame or entertain, the free press is the guardian of truth, Biden said.

12:07 p.m.:

11:52 a.m.: The Mexican city of Tijuana has become the gateway for thousands of Ukrainians hoping to ask for asylum and enter the United States under humanitarian grounds. VOAs Celia Mendoza reports.



11:44 a.m.: The European Unions top diplomat says the blocs executive branch is on the cusp of proposing a new raft of sanctions against Russia, including on oil, The Associated Press reported. The unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter that the executive is working on the sixth package of sanctions. The sanctions can only enter force once they are published in the EUs Official Journal. EU ambassadors are scheduled to meet on Wednesday. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also likely to explain the proposals early Wednesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

11:36 a.m.: A coalition of 25 international human rights organizations has called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to condemn the arrest by Russian authorities of outspoken Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza. In a joint statement, the rights groups also urged UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, along with "all other relevant UN human rights mandate-holders and special procedures," to condemn the imprisonment of Kara-Murza and to demand his immediate release, along with all other prisoners of conscience detained for speaking out since the start of the war Russia has launched against Ukraine. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this story.

11:21 a.m.:

11:15 a.m.: A group of 20 children from an orphanage in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine, has safely arrived in Slovenia where they will stay until the end of the war, The Associated Press reported. Officials said Wednesday that the children are mostly toddlers who travelled together with orphanage staff, doctors, nurses, and their families. The group will be staying near the western town of Postojna and will be granted temporary protection status in the small European Union country. Local civil protection commander Sandi Curk says the arrival was quite emotional. Curk says there have been no problems along the route and that the trip lasted for 24 hours.

11:01 a.m.: Volunteers in Cape Town on Tuesday followed a tradition that took root in South Africa nearly 40 years ago at the height of apartheid, providing a plate of food to less fortunate families to celebrate the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. This time there is an added urgency to their gesture of humanity, as spiraling inflation driven by the Ukraine conflict has pushed up staple food prices, making it tougher for cash-strapped consumers in Africa's most advanced economy.

10:32 a.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin has told French President Emmanuel Macron that Moscow is ready for talks with Ukraine, The Associated Press reported. The Kremlin said in its readout of Tuesdays call that despite Kyivs inconsistency and its lack of readiness for serious work, the Russian side is still ready for dialogue. The Kremlin added that Putin also informed Macron about the course of Russias special military operation. It added that the two leaders also discussed the global food security and Putin underlined that Western sanctions have exacerbated the situation.



10:17 a.m.: Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden have been considering applying for membership of the NATO military alliance, which would mark a major policy shift for the Nordic region. Reuters provided the latest about the process and the key points under discussion.

10:06 a.m.: The International Committee of the Red Cross on Tuesday released a statement saying several dozen civilians left the Azovstal steel plant in Ukraines southern port city of Mariupol in a five-day safe passage operation that it coordinated along with the United Nations and parties to the conflict. A convoy of buses and ambulances, accompanied by the ICRC and UN, was joined by families and individuals in private vehicles. In all, over 100 people reached the city of Zaporizhzhia Tuesday. Other people who emerged from the steel plant went elsewhere, the ICRC said, noting that it did not accompany those civilians. Pascal Hundt, the ICRC head of delegation in Ukraine, said he had hoped more people would have been able to join this complex operation and he said similar agreements were urgently needed to evacuate more civilians trapped by the hostilities.

10:02 a.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin put the West on notice on Tuesday that he could terminate exports and deals, the Kremlin's toughest response yet to the sanctions burden imposed by the United States and allies over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported. Putin, Russia's paramount leader since 1999, signed a broad decree on Tuesday which forbade the export of products and raw materials to people and entities on a sanctions list that he instructed the government to draw up within 10 days. The decree, which came into force with its publication, gives Moscow the power to sow chaos across markets as it could at any moment halt exports or tear up contracts with an entity or individual it has sanctioned.

9:45 a.m.: Ukraines Parliament, meeting on Tuesday in Kyiv, passed a law banning the activities of pro-Russian political parties, according to an official statement shared on Twitter.

9:37 a.m.: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday no-one could assume that Russia would not attack other countries given its violation of international law in Ukraine and Germany would support Finland and Sweden if they decided to join NATO. Russias invasion of Ukraine broke the post World War Two order and was forcing Europe to bolster its defence strategy, Scholz said in a statement to media flanked by the prime ministers of Sweden and Finland Magdalena Andersson and Sanna Marin, Reuters reported.

9:32 a.m.: On Tuesday, Ukraines Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Federov, tweeted photos of efforts to repair damaged communications infrastructure and restore internet connections for people living in the Kyiv region.

9:29 a.m.: A U.N. humanitarian official said on Tuesday that it had successfully evacuated some 101 people from the Azovstal steel plant, saying that most of the evacuees were in Zaporizhzhia, where they are receiving humanitarian assistance, Reuters reported. Thanks to the operation, 101 women, men, children, and older persons could finally leave the bunkers below the Azovstal steelworks and see the daylight after two months, Osnat Lubrani, U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said in a statement sent to journalists. The International Committee of the Red Cross, which was also involved in the safe passage operation, released a parallel statement saying some 100 people from the Mariupol plant area had reached Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday. Among them were some wounded, it added.

9:12 a.m.: Olena Tregub, Ukraines Head of Defense Anti-Corruption Commission, on Tuesday shared a video on Twitter showing what she said were the bodies of two civilian women killed during Russian shelling at the Azovstal steel plant in the besieged port city of Mariupol.

9:04 a.m.: The deputy commander of the Azov Regiment that is holed up in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol has confirmed to The Associated Press that Russian forces have started to storm the plant on Tuesday. The move comes almost two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered its military not to storm the plant, but rather block it off. Asked about the reports in Ukrainian media that the huge steelworks  the last holdout of Ukrainian resistance in a city otherwise controlled by Moscows forces  was being stormed, Sviatoslav Palamar told the AP that it is true. The reports come amid a U.N. effort to evacuate civilians from the plant.

8:59 a.m.: Ukraines Parliament sent out messages on Twitter Tuesday thanking U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his support, and sharing a video of his speech which was delivered via videolink to parliamentarians meeting in Kyiv.

8:57 a.m.: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Ukraine on Tuesday he believed it would defeat Russia and expose the "gigantic error" of the Kremlin's invasion as he invoked Britain's wartime leader Winston Churchill to underline his support for Kyiv. Becoming the first Western leader to address Ukraine's parliament since the start of Russia's invasion on February 24, Johnson saluted the country's bravery in exploding "the myth of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's invincibility," Reuters reported. "I have one message for you today: Ukraine will win, Ukraine will be free," Johnson told the lawmakers via videolink, after standing for the Ukrainian national anthem and being introduced by the speaker.

8:52 a.m.:

8:41 a.m.: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, Reuters reported. "We appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and for the adoption of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the problem," Modi said at a press briefing in Copenhagen.

8:33 a.m.: BRINC, a company based in Seattle, Washington, is producing special drones to assist Ukraines armed forces. The drones are used in search and rescue missions and can provide eyes in places where its too dangerous to send people. VOAs Khrystyna Shevchenko has this story.

8:29 a.m.: Ukraines Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova on Tuesday said that the government, in cooperation with the International Commission on Missing Persons, had obtained the first DNA samples to identify victims of Russian aggression in the town of Makariv.

8:25 a.m.: Millions of Ukrainian civilians likely face several weeks  possibly longer  of fuel disruptions due to Moscow's attacks on energy infrastructure, transportation bottlenecks and a supply cutoff by Russia and Belarus, Reuters reported Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pledged to take steps by mid-May to end the shortages that have closed about half of the country's approximately 7,000 fuel stations and created long lines at those with limited supplies. Adding to the fuel crunch around Kyiv is an increase in demand due to large numbers of civilians returning to the region after fleeing the failed Russian onslaught on the capital, said Dmytro Mysko, who manages three BRSM Oil service stations.

8:21 a.m.: Ukraines First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emine Dzheppar, on Tuesday tweeted photos of bullet-riddled fences in the town of Hostomel, which residents had turned into artwork.

8:17 a.m.: Britain will donate 13 armoured vehicles to help evacuate civilians from besieged areas in the east of Ukraine, the government said on Tuesday. "This latest donation of armoured vehicles will help protect innocent Ukrainians attempting to flee Russian shelling and support Ukrainian officials carrying out vital work," Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement. Britain said the steel-plated vehicles, which can resist high velocity bullets, anti-personnel mines and improvised explosive devices, would also be used to transport officials to temporary command posts and to help workers rebuilding railway lines, Reuters reported. The vehicles were being donated from a foreign office fleet in response to a request from the Ukrainian government and would start arriving within days, the statement said.

8:04 a.m.:

7:59 a.m.: Russian troops started shelling and bombing the Azovstal steel plant in Ukraines southern port city of Mariupol after Ukrainian soldiers used a ceasefire to move into firing positions there, the RIA news agency quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying on Tuesday. A ceasefire was declared, civilians had to be evacuated from Azovstal territory. Azov and Ukrainian servicemen, who are stationed at the plant, took advantage of it. They came out of the basement, they took up firing positions on the territory and in the factory buildings, RIA cited the ministry as saying. Now units of the Russian army and the Donetsk Peoples Republic, using artillery and aviation, are beginning to destroy these firing positions, the ministry said, according to Reuters.

7:57 a.m.:

7:51 a.m.: Ukraine is forecast to have a significant shortage of grain storing facilities in the 2022/23 season due to a sharp fall in exports resulting from Russias invasion, analyst APK-Inform said. Since Moscow launched what it calls a special military operation in Ukraine in late February, the country has been forced to export grain by train over its western border or from its small Danube river ports rather than by sea, Reuters reported.Ukraine is usually a major global grain and oilseed grower, but its exports have fallen sharply. The agriculture ministry said last week it had exported 763,000 tonnes of grain in the first 29 days of April versus 2.8 million tonnes in April 2021.

7:48 a.m.: A Fijian court has ruled that a Russian-owned superyacht can be seized under a U.S. warrant as part of the sanctions imposed by Washington on Moscow over its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The Suva High Court said on Tuesday that it had granted the order to seize the superyacht Amadea, which U.S. authorities say is owned by Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, after an application was made last month by the director of public prosecutions to register a U.S. warrant to seize the vessel. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has the story.

7:41 a.m.:

7:33 a.m.: A World Health Organization spokesperson on Tuesday confirmed that its European region would hold a special meeting next week on the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on health and healthcare. "There will be a meeting on 10 May on the impact of war on Ukraine health system," said Tarik Jasarevic at a Geneva press briefing. Reuters reported last week that Kyiv had requested the meeting, citing a letter written by the Ukraine diplomatic mission in Geneva signed by some 38 other countries. Russia, one of the 53 members of WHO's Europe region, has not yet responded to a Reuters' request for comment on the event.

7:27 a.m.:

7:15 a.m.: Ukraine hoped a first column of evacuees from the ruins of a steel works in Russian-occupied Mariupol would reach the city of Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday, and hospitals prepared to treat people for anything from burns to malnutrition, Reuters reported.



Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said more than 200 civilians remain in the Azovstal steel plant in the Sea of Azov port city, which has been devastated by weeks of Russian bombardment, and that about 100,000 civilians were still in Mariupol. The column (of evacuees) is moving towards Zaporizhzhia. The evacuation continues, Boichenko said on national television.



The United Nations and International Committee of the Red Cross began an operation coordinated with Ukraine and Russia on April 29 to bring out women, children and the elderly from the steel works.

6:54 a.m.:

6:42 a.m.: Two months after warning that Beijing appeared poised to help Russia in its fight against Ukraine, senior U.S. officials say they have not detected overt Chinese military and economic support, a welcome development in the tense U.S.-China relationship. U.S. officials told Reuters in recent days they remain wary about Chinas long-standing support for Russia in general, but that the military and economic support that they worried about has not come to pass, at least for now. The relief comes at a pivotal time. U.S. President Joe Biden is preparing for a trip to Asia later this month dominated by how to deal with the rise of China and his administration is soon to release his first national security strategy about the emergence of China as a great power.

6:37 a.m.: U.S. President Joe Biden has strong bipartisan support in Congress for his latest $33 billion aid request for Ukraine, in addition to the $13.6 billion in economic, humanitarian and military assistance already sent earlier this year. In recent visits to Ukraine and Poland, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress was working quickly to pass Biden's request. But a handful of lawmakers on both the right and the left have raised concerns about the expansion of presidential authority to support a conflict in Europe. VOA's Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson has this story.

6:30 a.m.: On Tuesday U.S. President Joe Biden is visiting the state of Alabama where Lockheed Martin manufactures weapons including the Javelin anti-tank missiles that are among the arms the United States is sending to Ukraine. But Biden's 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 Associated Press has this report.

6:21 a.m.: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scheduled to announce further military aid for Ukraine on Tuesday in an address to the parliament in Kyiv -- the first by a foreign leader since Moscow's unprovoked invasion. Johnson, who is set to hail Ukraine's resistance as its "finest hour" when he speaks to the legislature by video link, will also announce another $376 million in military aid for Kyiv, his office said. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this story.

6:18 a.m.: Russia's foreign ministry accused Israel on Tuesday of supporting neo-Nazis in Ukraine, further escalating a row which began when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Adolf Hitler had Jewish origins, Reuters reported. Israel lambasted Lavrov on Monday, saying his claim - made when talking about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy who is Jewish - was an "unforgivable" falsehood that debased the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust. Leaders from several Western nations denounced Lavrov's comments and Zelenskiy accused Russia of having forgotten the lessons of World War Two. The Russian ministry said in a statement that Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's comments were "anti-historical" and "explaining to a large extent why the current Israeli government supports the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv."

6:13 a.m.: The outskirts of the Ukrainian city 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. Associated Press journalists saw bodies formed into a Z. They were found on a front line where fighting had been taking place for days. 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. It was a rare glimpse into the death and atrocities of the war, AP reported.

6:11 a.m.: Since Russia began its new invasion of Ukraine on February 24, journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Current Time, a co-production with VOA, have been in the thick of the action. From front-line combat, to the flood of refugees, casualty wards, and the grisly business of identifying corpses and gathering evidence of war crimes, the coverage provided has chronicled every aspect of the war. To mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, here is a look back at the reporting on the conflict in a new 36-minute documentary titled War in Ukraine: Unfiltered.

6:09 a.m.: Since Russias February 24 invasion of Ukraine, Roskomnadzor has ordered media not to use words like war and invasion and only to report information provided by official government sources. New laws against discrediting the armed forces by spreading false information have been hastily adopted, threatening violators with prison terms up to 15 years. Recently, some journalists came up with a new idea in their bid to circumvent Kremlin censorship -- a phenomenon known in Russian as samizdat, or self-publishing. The collective began publishing a weekly text edition in A4 format on their Telegram channel that could be printed out on any printer. Some say it is a modest effort to bring objective information to readers poisoned by propaganda. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this story.



6:06 a.m.:

6:02 a.m.: The war waged by Russia against Ukraine is creating devastating consequences for press freedom in the region, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Tuesday as it released its annual World Press Freedom Index. The Paris-based media freedom watchdog said reporters have been killed and injured while reporting on the war, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Vira Hyrych, who died in a Russian missile strike in Kyiv on April 28, and noted massive disinformation and a level of censorship not seen since the Soviet period. RFE/RL has this report.

6:00 a.m.: French President Emmanuel Macrons office said Tuesday that he is planning to speak with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin via the phone at around midday Paris time, Reuters reported. Putin and Macron last spoke on March 29.

5:00 a.m.: Reuters reported that Slovakia will seek an exemption from any embargo of Russian oil agreed by the European Union in its next set of sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, Slovakias Economy Ministry said on Tuesday.

The European Commission is preparing a sixth package of sanctions against Russia and is expected to finalize work on Tuesday, Reuters added.

4:30 a.m.: Russias war in Ukraine opened a battleground for disinformation. But how does propaganda impact media freedom? Reporters Without Borders 2022 Press Freedom Index has the answers. Sirwan Kajjo reports for VOA.

4:15 a.m.: The Russian defense ministry said Tuesday its high-precision missiles have hit a logistics center located at a military airfield near Ukraines Odesa which was used to deliver weaponry given to Kiev by the West, Reuters reported.

Hangars containing unmanned Bayraktar TB2 drones, as well as missile weapons and ammunition from the U.S. and European countries, were destroyed, the Russian ministrys statement said.

3:35 a.m.: Ukrainian army unit takes a break after two months on frontline in this video report by Agence France-Presse.

3 a.m.: The U.K. defense ministrys daily battleground intelligence report said on Tuesday that due to Russias failures both in strategic planning and operational execution its military is now significantly weaker, both materially and conceptually, as a result of its invasion of Ukraine.

The report added that Russia will have difficulty recovering, including because of sanctions, leaving the country with lasting impact on Russias ability to deploy conventional military force.

2:30 a.m.: Reuters reported that at least three civilians were killed in Russian shelling of the city of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, the Ukrainian presidents office said. Some other areas of Donetsk were under constant fire and regional authorities were trying to evacuate civilians from frontline areas, the office added.

2 a.m.: Pope Francis said he has requested for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to stop the war in Ukraine but hasnt heard back, Reuters reported. Speaking to Italys Corriere Della Sera newspaper, the pope also said that Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church cannot become Putins altar boy for supporting Russias invasion of Ukraine.

1:30 a.m.: Italy said that it plans end its dependence on Russian by the second half of 2024, Reuters reported. In an interview with daily La Repubblica published Tuesday, Italys Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani said, we should be autonomous by the second half of 2024, we could do without importing Russian gas.

12:47 a.m.: VOAs State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching tweets: U.S. diplomats have been making day trips into #Lviv from #Poland where they are currently based in the past week. It is not every day, but it has been consistent, said State Department spokesperson Ned Price Monday.

12:36 a.m.: Michael Carpenter, U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, warned that Russia plans to annex large portions of eastern Ukraine later this month, The Associated Press reported. Carpenter said the U.S. believes the Kremlin also plans to recognize the southern city of Kherson as an independent republic. Neither move would be recognized by the United States or its allies, he said, according to AP.

12:01 a.m.: The Associated Press reports that more than 1 million people, including 200,000 women, have been taken from Ukraine to Russia since the invasion began.
An Australian man who admitted to killing a gay American student in 1988 has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Scott White pleaded guilty in January to the murder of 27-year-old Scott Johnson, whose body was discovered in December 1988 at the bottom of a cliff in Sydneys North Head Beach district. The judge ordered the 51-year-old White to serve at least eight years and three months in prison before he can be eligible for parole.

Johnson, who was seeking his doctoral degree in mathematics, had moved to Australia in 1986 to live with his partner. He met White at a bar and went with him to the cliff top, which was a frequent meeting place for gay men.

An initial coroners inquest ruled that Johnsons death was a suicide, but his family urged authorities to continue investigating. The case took a turn after it was revealed that several gay men were specifically targeted by roaming gangs because of their sexuality during that time period, including a few who were killed.

The family petitioned for a second inquest in 2012, which ruled Scott Johnsons death as inconclusive. A third inquest in 2017 ruled that he fell from the clifftop as a result of actual or threatened violence because he was perceived to be gay. That inquest led to Whites arrest three years later.

But in her sentencing announcement, the judge said there was no evidence that Johnsons death was the result of an anti-gay hate crime.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press.
The head of Egypt's Suez Canal Authority says the canal received record high revenues of more than $620 million dollars during April. Analysts say thats partly due to Persian Gulf countries sending more oil and gas to Europe, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict reduces exports from those two countries.

Egypt's Suez Canal Authority reported record revenues of $629 million for April 2022 with 1,929 ships passing through the canal, representing a 6.3% rise in traffic over April of last year.

Canal Authority head Osama Rabieh told Egyptian TV Tuesday that the Russia-Ukraine conflict weighed on the canal's revenues in April, but that the "positive effects were more powerful than the negative."

He says that he knew that the Russia-Ukraine conflict would have both positive and negative repercussions on Suez Canal revenues after the conflict started, but that fortunately the positive outweighed the negative and an increase in oil and gas shipments from the Gulf to Europe has outweighed the decrease in traffic from Russia and Ukraine via the canal.

Egyptian political sociologist Said Sadek tells VOA that the Ukraine conflict had a clear "impact on gas supplies passing through the Suez Canal (as) Europe attempted to wean itself from Russian gas and the Gulf states  particularly Qatar  began pumping more liquified natural gas (LNG) via tankers crossing the canal.

Sadek also points out that with tensions rising across the world and food, fuel and insurance prices increasing, "it was natural Suez Canal tariffs would also rise." The Suez Canal Authority has raised rates, year-over-year, since 2021.

Paul Sullivan, a Washington-based Middle East analyst, notes that oil and gas traffic from the Gulf will be increasingly important as the conflict continues and Europe needs to diversify its oil and gas sources

"As the situation in Europe continues to play out, what I would expect is that more LNG traffic would be going through the (Suez) Canal from even farther locales, because right now there's a debate in Europe about cutting off gas (from Russia) entirely, and the Russians are constantly threatening to do that, and also oil coming in from the Gulf and elsewhere is obviously going to be increasingly important," he said.

Sullivan adds that both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have excess pumping capacity, and he thinks it is likely that they "will pump more oil as the market gets tighter due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, going forward." He thinks that Saudi Arabia is now holding off production increases for business reasons rather than political reasons, as some analysts suggest.

Khattar Abou Diab, who teaches political science at the University of Paris, tells VOA that the Russia-Ukraine conflict "has contributed to the increase of oil and gas flow through the Suez Canal to Europe, but also the gradual end of the COVID-19 crisis is also revitalizing many supply lines across the world, increasing container traffic through the canal, as well."

Abou Diab also points out that the U.S. has "succeeded in persuading countries like Qatar and Australia to increase gas production in the direction of Europe and away from Asia," further adding to Suez Canal traffic.
A member of Iran's syndicate of car parts manufacturers says Iranian producers have an opportunity to export their wares to a Russian carmaker, state media reported.

The late Monday report quoted Hossein Bahrainian as saying "a prominent Russian car maker" requested parts from Iran. He did not name the manufacturer. He said it requested brake parts, airbags, air-conditioner parts and other components.

Both Iran and Russia are under U.S. sanctions but the export of Iranian cars and car parts is not subject to sanctions.

The import of automobiles to Iran is also not subject to sanctions. However, Tehran has not imported cars since 2018, after the U.S. withdrew from a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and imposed oil and banking sanctions on Iran.

Western nations stopped exporting to Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.

Iran in recent years has exported car radiators and suspension systems to Russia. In the past it exported cars to Iraq, Syria and Venezuela.

Tehran and Moscow have had close relations in recent years, especially after Iran's sole nuclear power plant went online in 2011 with help from Russia.

Separately on Tuesday, Iran said it has played a mediatory role in the war in Ukraine.

"So far twice I have conveyed messages from the foreign minister of Ukraine to my Russian counterpart," said Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in a phone conversation with his Irish counterpart. He said Iran supports diplomatic solutions for restoring peace and stability.

Abdollahian did not elaborate but said Iran "opposes war and displacement of human beings in Ukraine," and other paces like Yemen, the Palestinian lands and Afghanistan.
Al-Shabab fighters stormed an African Union military base in the village of El-Baraf in Somalias Middle Shabelle region early Tuesday, local officials and security sources say.

Officials told VOA Somali that the militants briefly seized the base before withdrawing from it. State media said Burundian solders at the base repulsed the attack.

The Federal Government of Somalia condemns in the strongest possible terms the heinous attack targeting the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia forward operating base in Elbaraf, Middle Shabelle, the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on its official Facebook page.

We extend our deepest condolences to the victims of this terrorist attack and their families.

The Mayor of El-Baraf, Abdullahi Haji Muhumed, said the militants started their attack with two suicide truck bombs. He said the militants then fought their way onto the base.

Al-Shabab claimed the killing of 173 African Union forces. The group also claimed responsibility for capturing AU forces as prisoners-of-war. Both claims could not be independently verified. AU force headquarters and Somali military officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

In an interview with VOA, Muhumed, who was not at the village at the time of the attack, said he was told there were many deaths among Burundian forces but could not give an exact figure.

Fighting like this never happened in this area, he said. It was heavy fighting.

He said two civilians were also killed and more than 10 others injured.

Muhumed confirmed to VOA that al-Shabab militants withdrew from the base. He also reported airstrikes targeting the militants as they left the base but did not say who was responsible for the strikes.

El-Baraf, approximately 150 kilometers north of Mogadishu, is one of the forward operating bases of African Union forces from Burundi.

The incident marked the first major al-Shabab attack on AU forces since the mission changed its name and operational structures last month.

The U.N. Security Council, which authorized the new mission called the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), gives it a mandate to reduce the threat posed by al-Shabab, support the capacity-building of Somali security forces, and conduct a phased handover of security responsibilities to Somalia. The mission has until the end of 2024 to operate in the country.
Amazon warehouse workers 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 retail giant's 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 to the election. The ALU is already planning to object, said Seth Goldstein, a union attorney who provides pro bono legal assistance to the group.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement 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 Amazon in the U.S.

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 ALU 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 facility  roughly 10 compared with the nearly 30 employed at the other warehouse.

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 Amazon's 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 board's top prosecutor is currently trying to get them outlawed.

The union is also eyeing Amazon's pockets. It's currently circulating a petition that calls on New York Attorney General Letitia James to investigate Amazon's eligibility for tax credits in the state. On the national scene, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is asking President Joe Biden to cut off Amazon's contracts with the government for what the senator calls its "illegal anti-union activity." Smalls is expected to attend a Senate hearing on the issue, which is slated to be held on Thursday.

John Logan, director of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University, said he wasn't entirely surprised by the union's loss. He believed that the ALU was stretched thin. A second union victory would have solidified the union's 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 company's efforts to stop the organizing from spreading like wildfire, just as it has done at Starbucks," Logan said. But he noted there's no question that "the ALU's organizing campaign will continue and that labor activism at Amazon will continue to spread across the country."

Regardless of Monday's outcome, it was bound to be a tough road ahead for the ALU. Amazon has disputed the first election, arguing in a filing with the NLRB that the vote was tainted by organizers and by the board's regional office in Brooklyn that oversaw the election. The company says it wants a redo election, but pro-union experts believe it's 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 company's 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.
Despite Ethiopias declared humanitarian cease-fire with Tigrayan rebels, aid groups are struggling to get food and medicine to those in need. Even outside the worst affected areas in Tigray, which are cut off to reporters, providing aid is fraught with risks and challenges. For VOA, Henry Wilkins reports from Dessie, Ethiopia. Camera: Henry Wilkins
Despite Ethiopias declared humanitarian cease-fire with Tigrayan rebels, aid groups said they are struggling to get food and medicine to those in need. Even outside the worst affected areas in Tigray, which are off limits to reporters, providing aid is fraught with risks and challenges.

In Ethiopias northern Amhara region, burned tanks and other ruined military equipment lie at the roadside four months after occupying forces of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, or TPLF, left the area. As the region recovers from a brutal civil war, the U.N. said some 9.4 million people in the Amhara region and neighboring Afar and Tigray regions need humanitarian assistance. But aid has been slow to arrive.

Seventeen-year-old Ahmed Nuru was living in the Oromia region, but said he had to flee after facing persecution for his Amhara ethnicity. He lost his mother when he was young. Last year, his father died after being unable to get lifesaving treatment due to the wars impact on the local health care system.

Now, Nuru is left to take care of his sisters, ages 10 and 8. He said life is very difficult and doesnt know how he will be able to raise his sisters.

Daniel Tigabu, a public health officer based in the camp for the displaced where Ahmed lives, said there is not enough medical equipment or medicine. The center is running out of basic medical kits, as well as a shortage of kits for malaria, hepatitis and HIV testing.

Tens of thousands live in camps for the displaced in the Amhara region. Others live in host communities, like Tsgenet Tibebu, who lost her husband during the conflict with the TPLF.

Tibebu said she and her son rely on what her husbands friends provide as charity, which includes a room to stay in. As tears begin to flow, she said she is a housewife who has nothing and is waiting for support to help her raise her two children. She believes she should pay rent even though the owners have given her a place to stay. She wonders how she can plan for the future when she has nothing.

Mulugeta Kebede, an aid worker who works in the Hayk camp, spoke to VOA and said stories like Nurus and Tibebus are not uncommon across Amhara.

He said the situation makes aid workers cry day and night. He said if someone is hungry, they cant sleep because they think about their empty stomach. He said he has seen displaced people sell pans or mattresses to surved and added that the situation is at a critical stage.

About 30,000 people displaced by conflict live just north of Hayk, in Weldiya. A local government representative, Habtemariam Assefa, North Wollo Zone spokesperson, said there was a little support shortly after TPLF left, after the area had been a conflict zone for months. But, he said, aid has been distributed only twice since and the aid provided by the U.N. or the federal government is not enough.

North of the Amhara region, in Tigray where journalists are banned from entering, the U.N. said the situation is worse, with famine-like conditions. Tigray is under a de facto humanitarian blockade, according to the U.N.

For now, all Ahmed Nuru and his sisters can do is try to scrape by and hope more assistance arrives soon.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday praised workers making anti-tank missiles that are being shipped to Ukrainian fighters, saying the workers were making it possible for the Ukrainian people to defend themselves.



Quite frankly, he said, the Ukrainians were making fools of the Russian military in many instances. ... The weapons manufactured by your hands are in the hands of Ukrainian heroes. Thank you for what you do.



Biden praised the 265 workers at a Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant in the southern city of Troy, Alabama, comparing them to American munitions workers during World War II.



Were at an inflection point in history in the ongoing battle between autocracy and democracy, Biden said.



In an unnamed reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his 10-week invasion of Ukraine, Biden added, If you dont stand up to dictators, they keep coming.



The U.S. leader said the meter-long, shoulder-fired missiles have inflicted such heavy damage on Russian tanks that some Ukrainian parents are naming their new-born sons Javelin and their baby daughters Javelina.



Military analysts say that as many as 1,000 Russian tanks have been destroyed in the fighting, many of them hit by the Javelin missiles, which have a range of up to 2,500 meters.



Javelin missiles cost more than $200,000 apiece and Biden acknowledged that the ongoing U.S. support for Ukraines fight against Russia is not going to be cheap.



But he urged Congress to act quickly on his new $33 billion request for more military and economic assistance for Ukraine, which comes on top of $13.6 billion already approved and spent.



Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, claiming the Russian military was seeking the denazification but not occupation of its neighboring country. Ukraine and Western nations condemned the actions, with the EU and Western countries leveling harsh economic sanctions against Moscow and providing military, food and medical aid to Kyiv.
Journalists in Cameroon are marking World Press Freedom Day (May 3) with calls for government troops and rebels to stop abusing reporters covering the separatist conflict. Cameroonian media groups say at least 80 journalists have fled from the country's troubled western regions because of threats to their safety.

Lambert Kehven, 36, is a baker in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde.

But two years ago, he was a reporter in Cameroons Northwest region for Canal 2 International, one of the countrys top TV stations, reporting on the separatist conflict.

Kehven says he decided to leave the area and his career after covering an attack on a village that left scores of people dead, and homes burned.

But it wasnt reporting on the brutality or violence that pushed him to flee.

Kehven says he was ordered by both the anglophone rebels and government troops to report lies.

"After intimidation at gunpoint, the fighters instructed me to report that the houses were burnt by the military," he said. "When I finally got to the site where the houses were burnt, the military equally ordered me, they ordered me to report that the houses were torched by the separatists."

Kehven says both the separatists and government troops demanded to read his reports before publication and threatened to kill him if he said anything negative about them.

Both Cameroons military and rebel fighters deny threatening or abusing journalists.

But Cameroons Union of Journalists says since the conflict began in 2017, separatists have abducted 16 journalists and four of them died in their custody.

Cameroon authorities blame separatists for attacks on 12 community radio stations in the western regions and forcing eight newspapers to close.

Meanwhile, the Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) says government troops are holding nine journalists that were reporting in the regions.

CAMASEJ says at least 80 journalists have fled the western regions, most to the cities of Douala, Yaounde, and Bafoussam.

Ngah Christian Mbipgo is publisher of Cameroon's lone English daily newspaper The Guardian Post and president of the Cameroon Association of English Language Publishers.

He says his association assists journalists who flee threats from troops and the rebels, also known as Ambazonian or Amba fighters.

"The first thing you have to do is to talk to them, build them up psychologically, make them see the importance of regaining self-confidence and healing their minds," he said. "Sometimes we have gone to the extent of giving health assistance for those of them who may have suffered one or two attacks by either the military or Amba fighters. We offered some of them office space at the Guardian Post. They have access to the internet."

The Committee to Protect Journalists in February joined 26 groups in calling on Cameroons President Paul Biya to release all people detained for free expression, including four journalists.

Thomas Awah Junior, Mancho Bibixy, Tsi Conrad, and Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka were arrested between 2016 and 2020 and are being held at Yaoundes Kondengui Central Prison.

The four journalists were charged with terrorism and collaborating with separatists, charges they deny.

Despite the arrests, communication minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi claims the media is free in Cameroon but warns journalists against what he calls attempts to destroy the countrys image.

"Media men and women in Cameroon carry out their daily work in total freedom and independence. However, incitement to violence and hostility against the homeland is not tolerable in the rule of law and in a society of freedom and responsibility," he said.

The Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists on World Press Freedom Day called on both rebel fighters and government forces to stop attacking journalists.

The separatists have been fighting since 2017 to carve out an independent English-speaking state in Cameroons Northwest and Southwest regions.

Cameroons English speakers complain of second-class treatment by the countrys French-speaking majority.
In a 2021 report by Reporters Without Borders, RSF, it was documented that a record number of 488 journalists had been detained worldwide including 60 women. The study showed a 20 percent surge in the number of journalists being arbitrarily detained. RSF also chronicled a rise in the number female journalists in prison with a 33 percent increase from 2021. VOAs Simegnish Yekoye spoke to Ethiopian journalist Reeyot Alemu who was imprisoned for five years and branded a terrorist by the Ethiopian government. Reeyot shares her experience being arrested, interrogated, and threatened in her country. She continues to work as a journalist and fight for independent media and explains the difference between working in Ethiopia versus now here in the United States.
Across Africa, laws and customs respecting the media vary considerably. As the world marks World Press Freedom Day on Tuesday, heres a look at the brightest and darkest situations for the continents news media.

On the positive side is the southwest African nation of Namibia, ranked the continents most free country and 24th worldwide in an annual index by the Paris-based organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF). At the very bottom is Eritrea, considered the least free not only in Africa but also among all 180 countries in the ranking.

Namibias judiciary is very protective of media freedoms, something that is quite rare elsewhere in Africa, said Arnaud Froger, head of RSFs Africa desk. He added, Generally, it is quite safe to be a journalist in Namibia.

Namibia's stance on media freedom can be attributed to the countrys very violent history, said Zoe Titus, director of the Namibia Media Trust, which publishes The Namibian newspaper and also promotes free speech and information access within and beyond the countrys borders.

Namibia gained its independence from South Africa in 1990 following years of bloodshed in the apartheid era. Earlier, Namibia had been a colony of Germany, which last year officially acknowledged it committed genocide against ethnic Herero and Nama early in the 20th century.

''Colonialism and apartheid denied us the right to freedom of expression for so long, and so now that we have that right, we guard it very diligently,'' Titus said. She noted, Occasionally, you'll find that some strained ministers or other public officials will threaten something like social media regulation or talk about hate speech online or regulating media freedoms, but that is nipped in the bud very quickly.''

Acceptance of questioning

A bill promoting the publics free access to information held by public entities was reintroduced last fall to Namibias National Assembly, but COVID-19 lockdowns impeded parliamentary debate, The Namibian reported. It said the information minister resubmitted the bill with the intent of improving public access and government accountability. The measure would better enable journalists to probe government records and actions.

''The Access to Information Act has still not been approved, said Angela Quintal, the Committee to Protect Journalists Africa director. Speaking from Durban, South Africa, she told VOA, Media freedom is about the public's right to know  and we have seen delays with [the bill] in Namibia, and that's problematical.

Still, Quintal said, Namibia has been supportive of journalists.

We're not seeing the weaponization of technology against journalists  the sort of online harassment and violence against female journalists  nor are we getting a sense of the emergence of anti-social media laws, she said.

Titus said the southwestern nation of 2.6 million seems to understand that the relationship between the media and the state is one of questioning. There must be a push and pull all the time, she said. If we were too comfortable, that means the media is not doing its job.''

Resistance to scrutiny

In Eritrea, the state robustly suppresses media questioning.

Froger, of the RSFs Africa desk, said Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has waged one of the worlds worst assaults upon media freedom. While global attention was focused on terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, that year Isaias shut down the independent press. The Horn of Africa country now has roughly 3.7 million people, according to the United Nations Population Fund, with extremely limited outside news access.

"If a foreign journalist wants to report in Eritrea, you're not allowed to do so. And if you are, you'll be followed and the people you'll interview will be closely monitored by the regime, Froger said. There's absolutely no freedom of information and no access to information because journalists have been banned from doing their jobs.''

He added, There are no private media and all journalists have either fled the country or have been jailed while others face torture.''

Dawit Isaak, a Swedish-Eritrean journalist, was arrested and detained without trial in 2001. RSF said he was briefly released in 2005, but just two days later ''snatched'' from his family. Isaak has been held incommunicado by the regime.

According to a group of U.N. experts, citing credible sources, the journalist was alive as of September 2020.

The watchdog groups Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists reiterate their calls for the release of jailed journalists, who are labeled as ''prisoners of opinion/conscience'' in this East African nation.

CPJ would like to see all those journalists get away from the surveillance state that exists, Quintal told VOA.

Froger offered an Eritrean example that ties into the World Press Freedom Days 2022 theme, Journalism Under Digital Siege. Eritrea, incidentally, has one of the worlds lowest internet usage rates  for good reason.

To visit internet cafes, people must submit their ID cards, Froger said. And everything you do on the internet must be monitored by the authorities.
Raihanath Kappan, the wife of the jailed journalist Siddique Kappan, struggles to make ends meet with her three children in a small city in India. Her husband was arrested on his way to report a story about the rape and murder of a 19-year-old Dalit (lower caste) woman in India. With no finances or means of income, Raihanath is fighting a lone battle to secure her journalist husband a fair hearing.
When Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office four years ago, Reporters Without Borders, a Paris-based group that promotes press freedom, raised Ethiopia's ranking in its international press freedom index by 40 places.

It was a giant leap forward after decades of media repression by the state. But since the war between federal government forces and rebels in the Tigray region began in late 2020, Ethiopia has dropped in the rankings.

To mark World Press Freedom Day 2022, VOA spoke to Ethiopian journalists about how free they feel to carry out their work.

Elias Meseret, who worked with the Associated Press, told VOA that press freedom in Ethiopia is at a crossroads.

"Overall, I can say that lack of professionalism and also extreme views have become the hallmarks of the state of the media in Ethiopia, at this point in time," Elias said. "For this to change, I think the government has a responsibility to let media professionals do their job freely. This means without any harassment and intimidation."

Assegid Mulugeta, a radio presenter for the government-owned broadcaster, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, or EBC, thinks press freedom has improved in recent years. In 2018, the prime minister released all journalists from prison, However, that progress has since been reversed according to Ethiopian journalists, who documented that 46 journalists were detained in the country in 2021, making Ethiopia one of the worst jailers of journalists in Africa.

The state-backed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission released a statement Tuesday expressing concern for journalist Gobeze Sisay, whose whereabouts are unknown since plainclothes officers arrested him on Sunday.

Another journalist, Amir Aman Kiyaro, and his colleague Thomas Engida were arrested in November and released in March. But they still may face years in prison if convicted of violating the country's wartime state of emergency law and anti-terrorism law.

Still, radio presenter Assegid said he sees improvement.

Under the pre-2018 government where the Tigray People's Liberation Front political party dominated, he said, there were "lots of stifling systems, there was lots of censorship, there was beating of journalists, there was lots of pressures and censorship against journalists and now we are seeing the booming of YouTube and online media  this is a good thing to hear."

Sisay Sahlu, editor at The Reporter, a private newspaper based in Addis Ababa, said independent media often get stonewalled by the government.

"My experience and the experience of my friends from public media is totally different," he said. "As a private newspaper employee, it's tough to get information for me."

Sisay said that for a simple story, he might call 10 officials, who all may be unwilling to answer his questions.

"When you call them, they don't give us any clue," he said. "We write a letter to them, they are not talking. Finally, when we publish [the story], they are coming to our office. Sometimes they are on the phone and start a verbal fight. Either they are giving us information or not."

A government spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

In the latest World Press Freedom Index, Ethiopia is ranked 114th, down 13 places from its ranking in 2021.

Editor's note: The story has been updated with additional information about the arrests of journalists.
Fighting between armed groups in Congo's troubled east has left six dead, just days after a first round of peace talks ended, local sources and a researcher said on Monday.

Clashes in South Kivu province's Fizi territory on Saturday pitted groups from the Banyamulenge, a Congolese Tutsi community, against an ethnic militia called the Biloze Bishambuke Self-Defence Force, or FABB.

Scores of rebel groups are active in east Congo, many of them a legacy of two regional wars a quarter century ago.

Gady Mukiza, administrative head of Minembwe district, said, "FABB elements reacted to what they considered to be a provocation" by three groups of Banyamulenge forces accused of seizing two villages in a traditionally neutral zone.

In addition to the six killed, several people were wounded, Mukiza said.

Two of the three Banyamulenge groups  the Twirwaneho and Ngumino factions  attended peace talks in Nairobi, Kenya, last week.

Nearly 30 delegates representing a number of armed groups in Ituri and North and South Kivu provinces joined the parley, along with envoys sent by President Felix Tshisekedi.

The five-day session, which ended on Wednesday, is expected to be followed by more talks in the coming weeks.

"The Nairobi meetings unfortunately cannot put a stop to clashes between armed groups on Fizi territory," said Josaphat Musamba, a researcher at Bukavu's Institute of Higher Education. "The Congolese state is asking armed groups ... to join the disarmament and rehabilitation program," but in Fizi, groups are battling to "occupy territory."

Musamba added that FABB was apparently angry it had not been invited to the Nairobi talks.

Millions of people died from violence, disease or starvation in the 1996-1997 and 1998-2003 Congo wars.

The conflict enmeshed countries from around east and central Africa and spawned myriad rebel groups, which typically claim to defend the interests of ethnic communities.
If the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court overturns federal abortion protections, as a draft decision leaked on Monday night suggests, access to abortion in at least half of the U.S. states is likely to be sharply curtailed  in some cases, immediately  by so-called trigger laws that automatically go into effect in the event of such a decision.



Thirteen states have trigger laws that ban nearly all abortions if they go into effect. Nine more states have laws on the books that were invalidated by the Supreme Court's 1973 decision in the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights case, but can be enforced if Roe is overturned.



A number of states have some combination of trigger laws, old anti-abortion laws still on the books, and anti-abortion laws passed in the wake of the Roe decision despite being in clear conflict with the Supreme Court's ruling.



The Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research organization, estimates that 26 states are likely to significantly restrict abortion if the Supreme Court overturns Roe. The Center for Reproductive Rights, a group that supports access to abortions, estimates the number to be 25.



Draft opinion leaked



Late Monday, the news organization Politico released a leaked draft of a decision by the high court. Written by Associate Justice Samuel Alito, one of the court's most conservative members, it explicitly overturns two previous court rulings, Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which are the basis of the federal protection of abortion rights.



"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," Alito wrote. "The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment."



The case in question, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, is a challenge to a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, but Alito's draft ruling reaches beyond the specific questions raised by the Dobbs case to overturn 50 years of judicial precedent.



The draft decision was leaked on the same day The Washington Post reported that Republicans in Congress are uniting behind a plan to pass a bill that would ban abortions after fetal cardiac activity can be detected. That would set the ban around six weeks, a stage at which many women do not yet know they are pregnant. Any such bill would face a difficult road in the Senate, as Democrats are certain to use the filibuster to prevent it from passing.



Abortion rights groups react



In their public reaction to the news, some abortion rights organizations chose to stress that the opinion is only a draft and may not express the court's final decision.



"We don't know if the document as reported by Politico is legitimate, and we don't know if it represents the views of a majority of the Supreme Court," said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, in a statement. "What we do know is that if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade it will be an unjustified, unprecedented stripping away of a guaranteed right that has been in place for nearly five decades. It would represent the most damaging setback to the rights of women in the history of our country."



Others seemed more prepared to assume that the draft reflects the likely outcome of the case.



"This leaked opinion is horrifying and unprecedented, and it confirms our worst fears: that the Supreme Court is prepared to end the constitutional right to abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade," said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, in a statement.



"While we have seen the writing on the wall for decades, it is no less devastating, and comes just as anti-abortion rights groups unveil their ultimate plan to ban abortion nationwide."



Abortion opponents react



Groups in favor of more restrictions on abortion, or of outlawing the procedure altogether, were pleased with the direction of the draft ruling.



In a post on its website, Texas Right to Life, a group that last year spearheaded a law that effectively banned abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy in Texas, called the opinion "a clear, bold, categorical rejection of Roe."



"The atrocity of Roe v. Wade stained the moral fabric of our country for nearly 50 years. Today's encouraging news indicates that Roe soon may be gone. Yet, new attacks on Life will emerge," the group added.



"If the draft opinion made public tonight is the final opinion of the court, we wholeheartedly applaud the decision," said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List, in a statement. "The American people have the right to act through their elected officials to debate and enact laws that protect unborn children and honor women. If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature."



Patchwork of laws



By overturning the rulings in Roe and Casey, the Supreme Court would effectively make the federal government silent on the issue of abortion, leaving it up to individual states to determine the legality of the process.



The attitude of states toward abortion broadly mirrors their political leanings, with states supporting the Republican Party more likely to have bans in place, and states supporting the Democratic Party more likely to allow broad access to abortion.



During his term in office, President Donald Trump promised that he would appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe. Although none of his nominees  Associate Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  explicitly said that they would vote to overturn the ruling, their appointments to the court set off a flurry of legislation in the states.



Last year, more than 100 pieces of legislation restricting abortion access were passed in various states, some plainly in conflict with Roe.



At the same time, many states with Democratic-run legislatures passed laws codifying the right to an abortion.



If the draft ruling is finalized by the Supreme Court, the likely result is that in the U.S., women's access to abortion will be highly dependent on where they live. In the Northeast and on the West Coast, women will have relatively easy access to care, with abortion providers in multiple locations in every state.



However, in the Deep South and parts of the Midwest and Mountain West, women could be forced to travel hundreds of miles to get access to an abortion provider. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a woman in Louisiana would face a one-way drive of 1,071 kilometers (666 miles) to reach the nearest legal abortion clinic. In Florida, the average drive would be 925 kilometers (575 miles), and in Montana, it would be 617 kilometers (384 miles).
Cloud

U Tennessee System Unites Finance and HR Systems in the Cloud

The University of Tennessee System has embarked on a major ERP revamp, replacing its legacy on-premise finance, HR and payroll applications with the Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite. The move will combine its systemwide finance and HR operations on a single, cloud-based platform, helping streamline processes and improve data-driven decision-making, according to a news announcement.

The new system, branded DASH (Dynamic Administrative Systems for Higher Ed) will utilize Oracle's Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning and Human Capital Management platforms. Guiding principles for the project include greater transparency, simplification and standardization of operations and processes, measuring improvements by qualitative or quantitative standards, and adopting a culture of continuous improvement through technology.

"It's critical for universities to find ways to serve faculty and students more efficiently. Cloud-based systems can help campuses do that by improving and automating business functions," said UT System President Randy Boyd, in a statement. "We are confident that the DASH initiative, bolstered by Oracle Fusion Applications, will enhance operational efficiency and position the UT System for continued innovation."

The university has partnered with IT consultancy Accenture to assist with the migration. "Accenture's team will work side-by-side with UT System project team members to help employees transition to the new system, provide guidance on how the finance and human resource processes should flow, configure the processes and integrate with other applications," the announcement explained.

"With Oracle Fusion Applications, the University of Tennessee System will be able to centralize and simplify finance and HR processes to keep its operations nimble," commented Rajan Krishnan, group vice president of product development for Oracle. "Every bit of efficiency gained frees up resources to be dedicated back to universities' core purpose, serving students."
Malawis President Lazarus Chakwera vowed to protect press freedom in comments to journalists who were invited, for the first time, to the top leaders home for World Press Freedom Day.

In the event, broadcast on Malawis state TV, Chakwera said if his administration feels unjustly defamed by media, they will simply lodge a complaint to regulatory agencies or the courts.

But we must never seek to harm those who offend us in this way or try to deprive them of their freedom through illegal searches, seizures, arrest or invasive acts like hacking, harassment and Cyber bullying," Chakwera said. "These things have no place in free society and this is a free country.

Invited press freedom activists welcomed Chakweras words, but said more actions were needed to prevent journalists from being abused.

Teresa Ndanga is chairwoman of the Media Institute of Southern Africa in Malawi.

She told the president that Malawis politicians and police have harassed, arrested, and attacked journalists without consequence.

We have tried to enlighten the public, approach successive Inspector Generals of Police, secretary generals of political parties on the importance of safeguarding media freedom but it is sad to say, sir, that nobody has been prosecuted and there is a spirit on impunity that continues to grow," Ndanga said. "Your Excellency, we need arrests, we need prosecutions and people need to know that attacking a journalist is a crime.

Malawi police in April detained investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe, who said they seized his computer and smart phone and tried to pressure him to reveal sources on a government corruption story.

Gondwes detention came just after Malawis Attorney General Chakaka Nyirenda said he would take action against those who leaked a document used in his story.

Gondwes Platform for Investigative Journalism website was later hacked, raising suspicions about possible police involvement.

Social media posts have also come under scrutiny. Malawi police on Saturday arrested a nurse for insulting Chakwera during a WhatsApp debate on governance.

The nurse was charged with cyber harassment and faces up to five years in prison if found guilty.

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.

Press freedom activist Ndanga said the government should repeal laws that impinge on media freedom and are used to punish government critics.

Chakwera said his administration was working to reform such laws.

Having worked as legislator myself, I know that the process of changing our laws, can be painstaking and cumbersome, but I am determined to see it done, Chakwera said.

Malawis Minister of Information Gospel Kazako also urged journalists to be responsible and committed to professional standards if they want to continue enjoying the countrys press freedom.
Mali's ruling junta announced Monday it was breaking off from defense accords with its former colonial ruler France, condemning "flagrant violations" of its national sovereignty by the French troops there.

The announcement  threatened several times over the past few weeks  was the latest confirmation of deteriorating relations between the junta in Mali and France.

"For some time now, the government of the Republic of Mali notes with regret a profound deterioration in military cooperation with France," spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said in a televised statement.

Maiga cited multiple instances of French forces having violated the country's airspace.

He referred to the June 2021 decision by France to end joint operations with Malian forces.

And he mentioned France's decision taken in February to pull out its troops from Mali.

The Malian authorities said they had informed Paris of the decision Monday afternoon.

France has not so far issued an official reaction to the junta's announcement.

Tensions between France and the junta in Mali, which seized power in August 2020, had been rising for some time.

The agreements Mali has ended were those that set the framework for France's intervention in Mali in 2014.

They were signed a year after French troops deployed a large force to help Mali's armed forces stop a jihadist offensive there.

France's relationship with Mali cooled as the junta resisted international pressure to set a timetable for a swift return to democratic, civilian rule.

Paris has also objected to the regime's rapprochement with the Kremlin.

Both France and the United States have accused mercenaries from the Kremlin-linked security firm Wagner of deploying in Mali, where the junta claims the Russians are just military instructors helping to restore order.

Vast swathes of Mali lie beyond government control because of the jihadist insurgency, which began in 2012 before spreading three years later to neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger.

The military junta seized power in the impoverished and landlocked Sahel state following protests over the government's handling of the war against the jihadists.

The conflict led to thousands of military and civilian deaths and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.

The junta initially promised to restore civilian rule, but it failed to meet an earlier commitment to West African bloc ECOWAS to hold elections in February this year, prompting regional sanctions.

On Sunday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a swift return to civilian rule in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, all currently ruled by military regimes.
Russia renewed shelling Tuesday of Ukraine's besieged southern port city of Mariupol, where 200 civilians are trapped in the Azovstal steel plant even as the United Nations said that 101 people had been safely evacuated from the site.

Russia's RIA news agency reported that the country's defense ministry said its forces were destroying Ukrainian firing positions after Kyiv's troops "took advantage" of a U.N.-brokered ceasefire to create new redoubts while the evacuation of an initial group of civilians was occurring over the last few days.

A police official told the public broadcaster Suspine that Russian forces have begun trying to seize the plant with its labyrinth system of tunnels and bunkers, the last Ukrainian-held site in Mariupol. A deputy commander of the Azov regiment holed up in the steel works said Russian aircraft bombed the site overnight.

Meanwhile, Russia launched attacks on other parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, targeting advanced Western military hardware that the U.S. and its allies have shipped to Ukraine to help Kyiv's forces in their fight against Russia's 10-week invasion.

Osnat Lubrani, the U.N.'s humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said she was "pleased and relieved" that the 101 civilians, including older men and women and children, had been evacuated from Azovstal plant, and were joined by another 58 from Manhush, a town on the outskirts of Mariupol.

The U.N. official said 127 people had been transported to the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia, about 230 kilometers northwest of Mariupol, where they are receiving initial humanitarian assistance and health care.

"Over the past days, traveling with the evacuees, I have heard mothers, children and frail grandparents speak about the trauma of living day after day under unrelenting heavy shelling and the fear of death, and with extreme lack of water, food, and sanitation," Lubrani said.

"They spoke of the hell they have experienced since this war started, seeking refuge in the Azovstal plant, many being separated from family members whose fate they still don't know," she said. "I saw the tears of joy as family members trapped in different parts of the plant for two months were reunited."

As the war continues, the European Commission was moving to finalize a ban on buying Russian oil to squeeze Moscow financially.

"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."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, echoing praise for Ukraine from other Western leaders, told Ukraine's parliament via a video link, "This is Ukraine's finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come."

The Mariupol mayor said that overall, 100,000 people remained in the city, including 2,000 Ukrainian troops in the steel plant.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Monday 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 to Russia against their will, 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.

On Tuesday U.S. President Joe Biden is visiting the southern state of Alabama where Lockheed Martin manufactures weapons, including the Javelin anti-tank missiles that are among the arms the United States is sending to Ukraine.

The White House said Biden will also "deliver remarks highlighting his request to Congress to pass ($33 billion in new) funding quickly to help Ukraine continue to succeed against Russian aggression and make sure the United States and our allies can replenish our own stocks of weapons to replace what we have sent to Ukraine."

The CIA on Monday 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.'"

VOA's Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Press and Reuters.
Nigeria's government marked World Press Freedom Day by saying it remains committed to freedom of the press and protecting the rights of journalists, but the Nigerian Guild of Editors said the countrys independent press is under attack.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's statement advocating for press freedom was released by his media aide, Femi Adeshina, ahead of the May 3 World Press Freedom Day commemoration.

In the statement, Buhari said, "We must stay united in supporting media professionals who work hard to de-escalate violent conflict and promote peaceful society without compromising the responsibility to report."

The president urged government information managers to ensure journalists have easy access to government facts and figures. He also urged journalists to be conscious of their coverage ahead of Nigeria's elections next February.

But the president's message is strongly disputed by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, who released a statement Monday accusing authorities of stifling free reporting.

Guild President Mustapha Isa said authorities are being two-faced.

"Just go to any ministry and say you're applying for information," Isa said. "It will take days, even months, without getting that information from them except, 'You have to go to court.' So, it's not a matter of 'the environment is free.' No. But we're determined to do our jobs the way it should be done. We've always stood for truth, even at the risk of our lives."

Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders said most of Africas violent attacks and cases of arrests and detention of journalists were in Nigeria. The group also said journalists are often watched, attacked, arbitrarily arrested and even killed.

The guild said authorities greatly interfere with journalists right to access and to disseminate information. Omoyele Sowore, an investigative reporter and publisher of the Sahara Reporters website, said his reporting has put him in detention many times.

"I've prepared my mind for the consequences," he said, "so when they come around to arrest or detain me or torture or assault me ... I'm really sad that they'll do all these and then turn around to say that they believe in press freedom.

Nigerian authorities said their decisions to arrest or detain certain journalists are mostly in the greater interest of the Nigerian state.

Last year, authorities banned Twitter after the company deleted comments from Buhari. Officials accused the company of being biased and allowing possible unrest in Nigeria. Even though authorities lifted the Twitter ban seven months later, the president refrained from using his account until Monday.

"What they see as national interest is actually the government's interest, Isa said. "So, when we say no, they'll say we're not patriotic."

In March, a court of the West African bloc ECOWAS ordered Nigerian authorities to amend its cybercrime law. Rights groups say the law has been cited too often as a reason for arresting and punishing journalists.
Pope Francis said in an interview published on Tuesday that he has asked for a meeting in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try to stop the war in Ukraine but had not received a reply.

The pontiff also told the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera that Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has given the war his backing, "cannot become Putin's altar boy."

Francis told the newspaper that about three weeks into the war, he asked the Vatican's top diplomat to send a message to Putin about setting up a meeting.



"We have not yet received a response and we are still insisting," the pope said.



He added: "I fear that Putin cannot, and does not, want to have this meeting at this time. But how can you not stop so much brutality?"



Francis also said that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had told him that Putin planned to end the war on May 9, which Russia celebrates as Victory Day marking Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945.



The 85-year-old pontiff made an unprecedented visit to the Russian Embassy in Rome when the war started.

Information from Reuters and AFP was used in this report.
The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross accompanied 127 people Tuesday from the outskirts of Mariupol, Ukraine, to the town of Zaporizhzhia, about 230 kilometers northwest of the besieged city.

The evacuation is the latest success of the safe passage operation coordinated by the U.N. and ICRC, which began April 29. That operation liberated 101 women, men, children and elderly people who had been living in bunkers below the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol for more than two months, while their city was being bombed by Russian forces.

Dorit Nizan, a World Health Organization incident manager for Ukraine, said preparations have been made to care for the physical and psychological needs of the new arrivals. She said the hospitals are well-equipped with medical supplies, and are being supported by volunteers and health workers.

"As you know, many people left this region because they are close to the contact line, and they were under fights and shelling," she said from a reception center in Zaporizhzhia. "But many of the health workers stayed to deliver, to help. And those that left are replaced by other health care workers that came from the other areas that were occupied."

Nizan said a steady stream of people has been coming to Zaporizhzhia from Mariupol and the vicinity. She added that some people stuck at the contact line in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, where intense fighting has been taking place, have arrived in cars driven by volunteers.

While Nizan said she does not know the condition of the people who arrived by bus from Mariupol, there are health workers on hand to help.

"We are ready for all what you just mentioned  burns, fractures and wounds, as well as infections, diarrhea, respiratory infections," she said. "And we are also ready to see the pregnant women, children, malnutrition. We are all here, and the health system is well prepared."

Nizan said no major injuries have been found among the people who have arrived, but that mental health is a big concern.

Before Russia began its attack on Mariupol, around half a million people lived in the bustling port city. Today's population is believed to be around 100,000.


Spain said Monday that the mobile phones of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Defense 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 Sanchezs 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 other tapping after those dates.

Official phones targeted

The El Pais newspaper said the hackers extracted 2.6 gigabytes of information from Sanchezs phone and nine megabytes from Robless 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.
Like dozens of other Sudanese who were members of resistance committees, Mohammed Mustafa has been held in Soba prison for more than a month without being charged with an offense.

The 19-year-olds mother, Zahra Abduwahab, said she could not celebrate the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday Monday knowing her son was suffering in prison.

"We saw his name on the list of prisoners and we continued to take food and clothes for him, but they never allowed us to see him, Abduwahab told VOA. I tried to talk to them to allow me to just see him so I can be sure that he is safe and healthy, but they refused."

Resistance committees are informal, grassroots neighborhood networks of Sudanese residents that began organizing civil disobedience campaigns against the government of former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in 2013. They played a key role in the Sudanese revolution.

Security officers arrested Mustafa on March 31. Since then, the family has not been allowed to speak to him, Abdulwahab said. She said family members saw his name on a list of prisoners.

Since last Octobers military coup led by army commander Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, hundreds of pro-democracy activists and members of the resistance committee have been arrested and detained. So far, none has been charged in a court of law.

On Sunday, three detainees were released from the Taibat womens prison after being held for nearly a month. No explanation was given for their arrest or release.

Yasmin Mohammed Bashir, 23, a member of the Fetihab resistance committee in Omdurman, was among the three women to be released. Bashir said she was arrested on April 11, but that authorities never gave a reason for her arrest. They also prevented her from seeing a lawyer or doctor.

"When they arrested me, they were rough with me, and I was taken to a police station, Bashir told South Sudan in Focus. There was no case opened against me. The following day at around 11 a.m., we were relocated to the Taibat womens prison with other female colleagues without any proper legal procedures."

Bashirs arrest violates international human rights law, said Sudanese lawyer and human rights activist Abdulhameed Ibrahim.

"This is an arbitrary detention which violates the law. Normally when you arrest someone, within 24 hours you need to level a case against him regardless of the charges. In this case, we regard it as an arbitrary detention and is politically motivated," Ibrahim told VOA.

Sudan is unlikely to release most detainees anytime soon, said Jihad Mashamoun, a Sudanese political analyst and honorary research fellow at the University of Exeters Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies.

He predicted the authorities eventually would release detainees, but now, I dont see it happening, he told VOA. The military has released a few as a cosmetic approach, only to show to the international community that they are committed to dialogue. The military believes they could use this to buy time until the next election.

General elections had been scheduled for July 2023, but Mashamoun said coup leaders have thrown the timing into question.

Nahid Jabrallah, who heads the Sudanese nongovernmental organization SIMA that advocates for womens rights, said all detainees should be quickly released or charged.

Whatever happens next, pro-democracy activists will not be deterred, Jabrallah said.

"The resistance committee, families and the entire Sudanese people are not afraid of these detention activities. They will continue to persist on the path of the struggle, despite the aggression used against them."

Last week, a Sudanese court ordered the release of Khalid Omer Yousif, the former minister of cabinet affairs, and five other political detainees who were charged with different offenses, including dishonesty. The presiding judge said there was not enough evidence to convict the former Bashir-era officials.

Carol Van Dam contributed to this report.
Every week, the Ukrainian diaspora in Los Angeles get together to support their home in Ukraine. Angelina Bagdasaryan has the story of the two women behind one unique show of support in this report, narrated by Anna Rice.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at the start of a two-day visit to Nigeria, is in northeast Borno state, where the country has been struggling in its fight against Islamist militants.

The United Nations information center in Nigeria said the Secretary General is expected to meet with the Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri, the state capital before embarking on a field mission where he will meet families affected by the Boko Haram conflict ravaging the region for more than twelve years.

The center said he will also evaluate the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and assess progress made as well as the challenges to the COVID-19 recovery.

Guterres will then head to Nigerias capital to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osibanjo and other top cabinet officials.

In Abuja, Guterres is expected to officiate a wreath-laying ceremony for victims of the 2011 bombing at the U.N. house and will then meet with young peoples delegates, women, religious leaders and diplomatic communities and journalists.

It is the first visit by the U.N. secretary-general to Nigeria since his appointment. The visit is part of his annual Ramadan solidarity visits to nations.

But this year, Guterres is focusing on countries affected by terrorism and also highlighting the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the African continent.

Before arriving in Nigeria, Guterres already visited Senegal and Niger.
Emirates has landed in Bali, Indonesia for the first time since the suspension of flights in 2020 due to the pandemic.



Emirates flight EK398 landed in Denpasar International Airport (DPS) at 22:20 hrs on May 1, and was welcomed by a spectacular water cannon salute to inaugurate the airlines return. The operating cabin crew of the flight and the passengers were welcomed at the airport with the traditional joged bumbung dance performance, reflecting Balis unique culture and rich heritage, followed by a cake cutting ceremony in attendance of representatives from DPS Airport.



The resumption of Emirates services to Bali, comes with the easing of international travel restrictions, and ramping up of global operations.



Emirates flight EK398 departs Dubai at 09:10 hrs, landing in Bali at 21:29 hrs. The return flight EK399 departs Bali at 00:05 hrs, arriving Dubai at 05:00 hrs. The airline is currently operating five-weekly services, and will scale up its operations to the island with a daily service starting from July 1, 2022.  TradeArabia News Service
Central Armed Police Forces (AC) Exam 2022 https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/entrance/upsc/central-police-forces-exam-cpfe.htm Details of Central Armed Police Forces (AC) Exam 2022 2022-1-28 2022-5-10 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India Central Armed Police Forces (AC) Exam 2022 UPSC

UPSC Central Armed Police Forces Exam, 2020 - On 20th December, 2020

Category : UPSC Recruitment 2022 Published : On January 28, 2022 By Webindia123 Editor

Important Dates

Date of Notification August 18, 2020 Last Date for Receipt of Applications September 7, 2020 Date of Examination December 20, 2020

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has commenced the recruitment process for 323 posts in Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination, 2020. UPSC released the dates and the procedure for applying on its official website  upsc.gov.in on April 22, 2020. The last date for applying for UPSC CAPFs post is May 12, 2020 till 6:00 pm. The UPSC CAPF 2020 written examination will be conducted on August 9, 2020.

Out of the 323 UPSC CAPF vacancies, Border Security Force (BSF) will recruit 100 candidates, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will recruit 108 people, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will recruit 28 people, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will recruit 21 people and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will recruit 66 people. These vacancies will be filled up in accordance with the UPSC CAPF examination. The number of vacancies is currently tentative.

Before applying for UPSC CAPF examination, candidates should check the official website for eligibility conditions and other instructions at www.upsconline.nic.in

The eligible candidates will be issues an e-admission certificate three weeks before the examination date, which isDecember 20,, 2020. No admit card will be sent by post.

Eligibility Conditions

Nationality : No person who is not a citizen of India shall, except with the consent of the Central Government signified in writing be appointed or employed under these Rules.

Provided that nothing contained in these rules shall debar the appointment, enrolment or employment of a subject of Nepal or Bhutan under these Rules.

Sex : Both Male and Female candidates are eligible for appointment to the post of Assistant Commandants.

Age Limits :

(a) A candidate must have attained the age of 20 years and must not have attained the age of 25 years on 1st August, 2020, i.e. he/she must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1995 and not later than 1st August, 2000.

(b) The upper age limit prescribed above will be relaxable.

(i) upto a maximum of five years if a candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe.

(ii) upto a maximum of three years in the case of candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes who are eligible to avail of reservation applicable to such candidates.

(iii) upto a maximum of five years for Civilian Central Government Servants in accordance with the existing instructions of the Central Government. Ex-Servicemen will also be eligible for this relaxation. However the total relaxation claimed on account of Government Service will be limited to five years.

(iv) upto a maximum of five years if a candidate had ordinarily been domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from 1st January, 1982 to the 31st day of December, 1991.

Educational Qualifications :

A candidate must hold a Bachelors degree of a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification.

How to Apply :

Candidates are required to apply online only by using the website www.upsconline.nic.in

Brief instructions for filling up the online Application Form have been given in Appendix-II.

Detailed instructions are available on the above mentioned website.

Contact Details Address : Union Public Service Commission

Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi - 110069 Phone : 011-23098543 / 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098591 Fax : Mobile : E-mail : Contact I Website : www.upsc.gov.in

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President Joe Biden will invite the leaders of Pacific nations to visit the White House later this year, a senior official said Monday, and the United States will escalate efforts to increase ties with the region, sending more diplomats to engage directly with governments across the South Pacific and dedicating staff to work with the troubled Pacific Islands Forum.

The comments from Kurt Campbell, Indo-Pacific coordinator for the National Security Council, came as part of the United States Business Summit, held in New Zealand by the Auckland Business Chamber, and were reported by the Reuters news agency.

Appearing virtually, Campbell said, "For the United States to be effective in the Pacific, we must do more, and we must do more on areas that matter and are of significance to the Pacific Islanders."

Campbell told attendees that the U.S. was planning to send ambassadors to a number of Pacific island nations that have only a minimal U.S. diplomatic presence.

The remarks came just weeks after the Solomon Islands signed a secretive security agreement with China, raising concerns among the U.S. and its allies about Beijing's ability to project military power far east into the Pacific Ocean.

Though the terms of the security pact remain undisclosed, the draft deal allows Chinese warships to dock on the islands, if both sides are in agreement, and for Beijing to send forces to help maintain social order.

Solomon Islands as catalyst

The Biden administration has, in recent months, been working hard to engage more closely with governments in the South Pacific in an effort to counter what the U.S. sees as widening Chinese influence in the region.

In December 2021, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered extensive remarks on the administration's plans to expand its outreach to the region, which was characterized as promoting a "free and open Indo-Pacific." Blinken returned to the region in February for another round of talks with senior leaders.

But the Solomon Islands agreement seems to have accelerated U.S. efforts to reconnect with the region, both diplomatically and through legislative action. Multiple bills meant to strengthen the U.S. presence in the Pacific are now pending in Congress.

"This is a complete turnaround from the status quo," said Patricia O'Brien, an adjunct fellow in the Asia Program and Pacific Partners Initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "For the past 20 years, the United States has been very absent in the Pacific. This has allowed an entree into the Pacific for China, and they've taken that up with alacrity," she told VOA.

"It's taken the wake-up call of China's Solomon Islands deal to get people thinking, 'OK, we can't wait any longer. This is just too, too urgent,'" she said.

"It's not a secret that strategic competition is a driver of an awful lot of U.S. foreign policy these days," said Alan Tidwell, director of the Center for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies at the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service.

"And that's exactly where this comes from," he told VOA. "You know, oftentimes, the administration  both the preceding administration and the Biden administration  are at pains to say, 'It's not about China. We're really just doing this to engage.' But absolutely, this is very much about China's increased visibility across East Asia and the Pacific."

U.S. warnings

After the deal between China and the Solomon Islands was announced, Campbell led a high-ranking U.S. delegation to the Pacific island nation to discuss an expansion of diplomatic ties and U.S. aid programs.

According to a readout of the meeting provided by the White House, however, the delegation also warned Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare about his agreement with China  specifically about allowing Beijing to establish military facilities there.

"If steps are taken to establish a de facto permanent military presence, power-projection capabilities, or a military installation, the delegation noted that the United States would then have significant concerns and respond accordingly," the White House said.

Significant step

Tidwell said that the offer to host South Pacific leaders at the White House is a major step in the Biden administration's ongoing efforts to increase diplomatic ties with the region.

"This is very significant if, in fact, we do see Pacific island leaders coming to the White House," he said.

The last time any heads of state from the region came to the White House was in 2019, when the leaders of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau made the journey.

"The idea that we would expand that group to include South Pacific leaders is a big deal," said Tidwell.

Pacific Islands Forum addressed

In his remarks Monday, Campbell also addressed the status of the Pacific Islands Forum, an intragovernmental group promoting cooperation and security in the region.

Until recently, the forum was made up of 18 states: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

After a dispute over the leadership of the forum erupted in February 2021, five members  Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and Palau  announced that they would be leaving the organization. However, last month they announced that their departure has been "paused" indefinitely.

According to Reuters, Campbell told his audience in Auckland that the United States was "optimistic" about the future of the Pacific Islands Forum, and would increase the number of U.S. diplomats assigned to work with it.
As the world marks World Press Freedom Day on May 3, leaders and international organizations are stressing the importance of protecting journalists, who increasingly face threats around the world.

This years theme, Journalism Under Digital Siege, highlights the ways journalists are attacked by surveillance and digital tools.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said threats to journalists and media workers are growing by the day.

From global health to climate crisis, corruption and human rights abuses, they face increased politicization of their work and attempts to silence them from many sides, Guterres said in a video message published Tuesday.

In its 2022 World Press Freedom Index released Tuesday, Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF), said Russias invasion of Ukraine has contributed vastly to the spread of fake news and propaganda.

U.S. President Joe Biden said the world lives in perilous times for press freedom, referencing journalists killed and wounded in Russias war on Ukraine, as well as Moscows total control over the media inside Russia.

Journalists cover war, expose corruption, document environmental damage, lift up the marginalized, champion our communities, and hold the powerful to account, Biden said in a statement on Tuesday. And for this, too often, they are killed, jailed, raped, threatened and harassed. Women journalists, long a minority in the newsroom, are disproportionately targeted, on- and offline, in these attacks.

The U.S. president said the world collectively should do more to protect and sustain independent media, and to hold to account those that seek to silence voices essential to transparent, trustworthy, and responsive governance.

The United States remains committed to champion fact-based reporting and independent media globally, Biden said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also highlighted the sacrifices made by journalists reporting from conflict zones, referring to those killed in the Ukrainian conflict, including RFE/RL journalist Vira Hyrych, who was killed last week in a Russian airstrike that hit the residential building where she lived in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

The Kremlin's war of aggression on Ukraine is just one of many conflicts around the globe where journalists are putting their lives on the line right now, as we speak, as we gather, in order to report the news, Blinken said in remarks May 3 at the Foreign Press Center in Washington in recognition of World Press Freedom Day.

He said other governments use the threat of imprisonment and lawsuits to intimidate journalists.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban have systematically repressed the Afghan independent press, particularly women journalists, and those working in rural areas, Blinken said.

Congressional resolutions

In the U.S. House of Representatives, a bipartisan congressional caucus introduced a resolution highlighting the importance of an independent press, condemning threats against journalists, and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to promoting and defending freedom of the press at home and around the world.

In the U.S. Senate, a similar resolution was introduced by the Foreign Relations Committee, which is aimed at recognizing widening threats to press freedom and free expression around the world, and reaffirming the vital role that a free and independent press plays in combating the growing threat of authoritarianism, countering misinformation and disinformation, documenting human rights abuses.

Journalists safety

With threats growing against journalists in conflict zones and elsewhere around the world, news organizations and international bodies are calling for more steps to ensure the safety of journalists.

During a keynote address at the Academic Conference on the Safety of Journalists during the UNESCO World Press Freedom Global Conference at Punta del Este, Uruguay, acting VOA Director Yolanda Lopez on Tuesday stressed the importance of establishing safety protocols to protect journalists everywhere.

If we think that a free press truly is one of the pillars of a free society, then protecting our journalists to help them do their jobs is everybodys responsibility, she said.

During the academic conference, which meets each year to present new research into threats against journalists, a joint statement signed by Abdulla Shahid, president of the United Nations General Assembly; Santiago Irazabal Mourao, president of the General Conference of UNESCO; and Federico Villegas, president of the U.N. Human Rights Council, called on member states, regional bodies and civil society groups to join forces in furthering the objectives of a U.N. plan of action about protecting journalists.
Russia renewed shelling Tuesday of Ukraine's besieged southern port city of Mariupol, where 200 civilians are trapped in the Azovstal steel plant even as the United Nations said that 101 people had been safely evacuated from the site.

Russia's RIA news agency reported that the country's defense ministry said its forces were destroying Ukrainian firing positions after Kyiv's troops "took advantage" of a U.N.-brokered ceasefire to create new redoubts while the evacuation of an initial group of civilians was occurring over the last few days.

SEE ALSO:

A police official told the public broadcaster Suspine that Russian forces have begun trying to seize the plant with its labyrinth system of tunnels and bunkers, the last Ukrainian-held site in Mariupol. A deputy commander of the Azov regiment holed up in the steel works said Russian aircraft bombed the site overnight.

Meanwhile, Russia launched attacks on other parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, targeting advanced Western military hardware that the U.S. and its allies have shipped to Ukraine to help Kyiv's forces in their fight against Russia's 10-week invasion.

Osnat Lubrani, the U.N.'s humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said she was "pleased and relieved" that the 101 civilians, including older men and women and children, had been evacuated from Azovstal plant, and were joined by another 58 from Manhush, a town on the outskirts of Mariupol.

The U.N. official said 127 people had been transported to the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia, about 230 kilometers northwest of Mariupol, where they are receiving initial humanitarian assistance and health care.

"Over the past days, traveling with the evacuees, I have heard mothers, children and frail grandparents speak about the trauma of living day after day under unrelenting heavy shelling and the fear of death, and with extreme lack of water, food, and sanitation," Lubrani said.

"They spoke of the hell they have experienced since this war started, seeking refuge in the Azovstal plant, many being separated from family members whose fate they still don't know," she said. "I saw the tears of joy as family members trapped in different parts of the plant for two months were reunited."

As the war continues, the European Commission was moving to finalize a ban on buying Russian oil to squeeze Moscow financially.

"We have managed to reach a situation where Germany is able to bear an oil embargo," German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.

SEE ALSO:

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."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, echoing praise for Ukraine from other Western leaders, told Ukraine's parliament via a video link, "This is Ukraine's finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come."

The Mariupol mayor said that overall, 100,000 people remained in the city, including 2,000 Ukrainian troops in the steel plant.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Monday 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 to Russia against their will, a charge Moscow denies.

As Ukraine War Shifts, Families Flee or Try to Rebuild Devastated Lives

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.

On Tuesday U.S. President Joe Biden is visiting the southern state of Alabama where Lockheed Martin manufactures weapons, including the Javelin anti-tank missiles that are among the arms the United States is sending to Ukraine.

The White House said Biden will also "deliver remarks highlighting his request to Congress to pass ($33 billion in new) funding quickly to help Ukraine continue to succeed against Russian aggression and make sure the United States and our allies can replenish our own stocks of weapons to replace what we have sent to Ukraine."

The CIA on Monday 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.'"

VOA's Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Press and Reuters.
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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
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ATCC Instructor Tom Larson looks on at the outside Law Enforcement Memorial on the south side of the ATCC Law Enforcement Facility. Larson was an officer for nearly 30 years before becoming an instructor at the school.
The Columbus Area Future Fund's (CAFF) main goal is to Make Columbus more welcoming according to Coordinator Deb Loseke.

Eight initiatives by local nonprofits were recently awarded a collective $20,000 in funding from CAFF as part of the Welcoming and Belonging Community Challenge.

To make Columbus a more welcoming community, that was our main goal. We didnt really have any projects in mind when we started, Loseke added.

Among the grants approved were Spanish translations for materials for the Columbus Area United Way, the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and the Columbus Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

CAFF Chairperson Dee Hanson listed the inclusive playground at Lost Creek Elementary, various Columbus Area United Way, Kramer Education Center and Centro Hispano initiatives as projects the fund has helped in the past.

Were not stuck to one thing we put money into. Its really open and we like it that way, Hanson said.

Dawson Brunswick, president of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, said the grant will help a lot with Columbus Spanish-speaking community, which has needed this for some time.

We have a lot of people come in looking. This is a gateway, having resources available. We have more member, employees and employers looking for more languages, Brunswick said.

In addition to the bilingual support, the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce also received funding for its Columbus GO! Young Professionals Organization. Columbus GO!s goal is to attract and keep young professionals in the Columbus area.

I told the hiring committee and board that if were growing, we need to not only attract but retain people, Brunswick said. We have all these great jobs, now how do we integrate that 18-34 age group into the community?

Funding was also approved for Columbus Public Schools Believe It Or Not, I Care (B.I.O.N.I.C.) program, an initiative to make new students feel welcome.

The funds are awarded based on several committees. The first creates the forms for application. The second reviews the applications made and picks several to present to the final committee, which votes yes or no.

Over the past eight years, CAFF has allocated $882,000 to various community betterment projects this way.

Its making an investment into the future, Loseke said.

In a press release issued Sunday, CAFF said that recipients have been notified of their grants, and funds will be allocated through the month of May.

Jared Barton is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at jared.barton@lee.net.

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The Russian armed forces arrested Canadian General Trevor Cadieu in Mariupol on the night of 2-3 May 2022. He is currently in Moscow awaiting to stand trial.

General Trevor Kadier was apparently not on a mission for his government, but was in charge of biolaboratory No. 1, with 18 staff working under his command.

The National Pulse reported that Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, and Christopher Heinz, John Kerrys son-in-law, had organized subcontracting arrangements for Ukrainian research laboratories through their firm Rosemont Capital, on behalf of the Pentagons Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).

The Chinese Foreign Ministry revealed that the United States operates 336 biological and chemical weapons research laboratories abroad.

The Security Council held a meeting on this matter on March 11, 2022.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has challenged the Community definition of anti-Semitism, according to which it is impossible to be both Jewish and anti-Semitic.

In an interview on Italian television, he commented:

Zelensky says that they (the Ukraininan government) cannot be Nazis, since he is Jewish; maybe Im mistaken, but Hitler had Jewish ancestry, too; it means nothing.

Wise Jewish people say that most rabid antisemites tend to be Jews themselves.

No family is without a degenerate, as we (Russians) say.

The imputation that Hiltler had Jewish blood was common in the 1920s. However, it has never been proven.

Sergey Lavrov sparked a furious reaction from his Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid:

"Foreign Minister Lavrovs remarks are both unforgivable and outrageous but also a terrible historical error," he tweeted. The Jews did not kill each other during the Holocaust. The lowest level of racism against Jews is to accuse Jews themselves of anti-Semitism.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

After a nine-day trial, a jury deliberated for two days and ultimately ruled that Kris Jenner, 66, Kylie Jenner, 24, and Khloe Kardashian, 37, did not defame Blac Chyna and cost her a reality-TV series. The Kardashian crew was not in court when the verdict was read. Instead, Kris, Kylie, and Khloe  along with Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, and Kendall Jenner  were across the country walking the carpet at the Met Gala. On the long jury form, the foreperson of the jury noted that, while they found that some of the Kardashians acted to protect their own economic interests, their actions either did not prevent the performance of Chynas contract with E! regarding the reality show Rob & Chyna or were not a substantial factor in causing harm to Chyna. The jury declined to award Chyna any damages.

On behalf of Kris, Kim, Khloe, and Kylie, I want to express our appreciation to the jury. We are also grateful for the steady hand of Judge Alarcon in making sure that this was a fair trial. The jury sent a clear message to Ms. White and her lawyer  I hope they are listening. Justice has prevailed, Michael Rhodes and Michelle Doolin, trial counsel for the family said in a statement released to Vulture.

On April 29, Judge Gregory W. Alarcon dismissed Chynas defamation claims against Kim Kardashian, 41, after finding there wasnt enough evidence presented to substantiate the claims going to the jury. Kardashians legal team had argued that no supporting testimony by any witness presented at the trial said they heard Kim make any defamatory statements about Chynas alleged abuse of Kims brother, Rob, 35.

The trial, which featured many reality-TV-worthy moments itself, came five years after Chyna (real name Angela White), 33, filed her lawsuit against the Kardashian-Jenners. Chyna alleged in her initial complaint that Rob, then her fiance, was an abuser intent on destroying her life after she left him and that, in revenge, the Kardashian-Jenner family became a media predator, slut-shaming her on social media and killing her hit television show, according to her complaint. The E! reality series, Rob & Chyna, was reportedly already filming its second season.

Rhodes argued successfully to the jury that while family members expressed concern about Robs safety to others, no evidence was presented that the family believed the allegations they heard being made against Chyna were false, a key factor of a defamation case against a public figure.

I was told [Chyna] put a gun to his head, and she was drinking, and I dont think drinking and guns are ever good together, Kris said on the stand, describing an incident in which Chyna allegedly tried to harm Rob with a phone cord after drinking too much.

Chyna testified but became distraught on the stand after Rhodes presented her with leaked naked pictures of herself, which she alleges Rob posted without her permission as revenge. She later asked the judge to allow her to retestify, but it was denied. Chyna has already provided 11 hours of testimony on the stand, spanning three days of trial, Rhodes argued. For context, thats nearly twice the length of time that Ms. White even appeared on the Rob & Chyna show at the center of this lawsuit.

Rhodes ultimately convinced the jury that the Kardashians did not maliciously interfere with Chynas contractual relationship with E! and that they made those statements only out of concern for Robs safety. Furthermore, he said executives at E! testified they did not cancel the show based on statements or conduct by the Kardashians.

Chyna has a separate revenge-porn case against Rob that was set to start after the conclusion of this case. Chyna claims that Rob, in a fit of rage, distributed her private nude pictures to his Instagram account with more than 9 million followers. She alleges that the nude photos went viral and were seen by hundreds of million of people, causing her humiliation and emotional distress. Rob denies that he posted the images without Chynas consent and that the release of the images caused her any mental pain or emotional distress.
Gasp! Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

Perhaps in an effort to contend with Americas dark history of death and exploitation, the Mets Costume Institute has released some of the most cursed promotional images of the year. This years exhibition, In America: An Anthology of Fashion, has rooms staged by great American directors. What these rooms lack, however, are mannequins that dont make you want to claw your own eyes out. Nine directors  Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Regina King, Autumn de Wilde, Chloe Zhao, Janicza Bravo, Radha Blank, Julie Dash, and Tom Ford  were assigned rooms that vibed with their film work. It invites the audience in, Coppola told Vogue. Hopefully you get lost in the moment of each space. You could definitely get lost staring into the eyes of the fainting woman in de Wildes take on the Benkard Room.

Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Below, weve collected the most  lets say interesting images from this years Costume Institute exhibition.

The Baltimore Room, by Autumn de Wilde

Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

This puppy looks like a little gentleman, which is important. However, the fact that he will never get his cherry, that he is frozen in the moment right before getting the treat he so richly deserves, is criminal. The unfairness of it all distracts the viewer from the uncanny ostrich neck of Sir Puppingtons owner.

The Shaker Retiring Room, by Chloe Zhao

Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Its giving Wouldst thou like to live deliciously? Zhao decided to style the Shaker Retiring Room in golden hues and spooky Crucible-type shit. Her room has expressionless mannequins, as opposed to the highly expressive faces in de Wildes. It adds a layer of mystery to the room. Are the other women worried about their floating friend? Excited? They almost look bored. Goody Prentiss is floating again. YAWN. Let me know when she can do something truly miraculous, like make me horny for my old, old, old husband. If Dua Lipa doesnt take a selfie next to her levitating forerunner, Im suing.

Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Me watching the sex scene in Eternals.

The Worsham-Rockefeller Dressing Room, by Sofia Coppola

Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

Coppola has made a dark-ride version of Great Expectations, and we should all be grateful. Which theme park has the stones to create this Miss Havisham illusion, in which she looks pretty in the mirror, only to turn around and have her wizened old mug scare a bunch of 5-year-olds? Years from now, the Mets security guards will confirm that this mannequin could be heard whispering to itself late at night.

The Richmond Room, by Regina King

Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Kings Richmond Room display highlights the work of Black dressmakers, whose contributions to fashion were suppressed by the white population of Virginia. Very cool, very worthy of emphasizing. But why is that tray glowing? Is it to bring attention to domestic staffs labor? Is it to give Shining vibes?

The Frank Lloyd Wright Room, by Martin Scorsese

Photo: AFP via Getty Images

These mannequins are cheating on each other. The man is seeing a Helen Henny animatronic character from Munchs Make Believe Band, and the woman will soon be dating Pete Davidson.
Photo: HBO

Update, Monday, May 2 at 5:15 p.m.: In response to the Hollywood Reporter piece questioning the accuracy of his Tokyo Vice memoir, journalist Jake Adelstein has gone back to his No. 1 source: himself. Adelstein shared a folder of several emails and articles on Twitter, writing, Twitterdachi Please share. Here is an updated folder of source materials used in my work and #TOKYOVICE, he continued. So you can decide whats credible. It also has some files related to unscrupulous journalists. Because its true, a man without enemies is no man at all.

Original story published April 29, 2022, follows.

Tokyo Vice, HBO Maxs show about yakuza gangs and an expat journalist who investigated them, could possibly be based on some Tokyo lies. Per a report from The Hollywood Reporter, insiders have questioned the truthfulness of Jake Adelsteins 2009 memoir, Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan. I dont think half of that stuff in the book happened, its just in his imagination. Its fiction, said filmmaker Philip Day, who met Adelstein in 2010 while working on a documentary for National Geographic called Crime Lords of Tokyo. Day stated that his team grew suspicious of the credibility of the well-known journalist. Adelstein, of course, maintained in an interview with THR that he did not make any events up.

The journalist rose to prominence after reporting that four major figures in Japanese crime syndicates received liver transplants in the U.S. thanks to a deal with the FBI. He was the first Westerner to be hired at leading Japanese news outlet Yomiuri Shimbun, and developed a reputation as an expert who had extensive contacts and knowledge tied to Japans world of organized crime. Adelsteins former colleague Tsujii, who was the inspiration for a Francophile character named Tin Tin on the HBO show, said that Adelsteins book contained exaggerations. For example, Adelstein wrote that in his first year, Yomiuri superiors allowed him to embark on an undercover operation in which he impersonated the friend of a murder suspect. In Japan, even the police dont do real undercover operations, Tsujii said. Its basically illegal and evidence cant be gathered that way, though there have been some legal reforms recently.  The Yomiuri was very strict about that kind of thing.

Adelsteins book includes descriptions of him participating in martial-arts duels at a newspaper company party, beating up a yakuza bouncer with aikido skills, and running into female sources who said they wouldnt give him information unless he had sex with them. THR notes that there are people who affirm the veracity of Adelsteins drama-filled claims, including that Adelsteins life was threatened after he wrote about the head of a notorious gang. But as it turns out, the level of truth of the source material might not be of that much concern to the show anyway. After all, Tokyo Vice executive producer John Lesher reminded THR that the show is merely inspired by the journalists book. There were so many things that we embellished and created that had nothing to do with, lets call it the real Jake Adelstein story, he said. Whether the book is true or not, you should take it up with him and the people depicted in the book. I wasnt there.
Claires troubles are just beginning  (Just kidding, they never end!) Photo: Robert Wilson/Starz

If a season of Outlander doesnt end with resourceful time traveler Claire Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) and/or her broad-shouldered Highlander husband, Jamie (Sam Heughan), in a precarious situation, is it even a season of Outlander? Someones life has to be left dangling at some point on the danger scale; otherwise, what are we doing here? Season six follows the tradition: We left Claire in prison, wrongfully accused of murder (and of being a witch, but like, when isnt she being accused of that?), and Jamie racing to find her. What will happen next? Will Claire hang for a crime she didnt commit?

Good news, Outlander friends: The answers are already tucked away in Diana Gabaldons novel series. We dont have to wait to find out what happens! While Outlander the TV series doesnt strictly adhere to the novels its based on, sometimes moving story lines around or changing them completely, the show has thus far mostly followed the events of each novel in order. This most recent season pulled the majority of its plot from book six, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, which means the upcoming season seven will be based mostly on book seven, An Echo in the Bone.

Now, if you look at that stack of very long Outlander novels and are turned off because you subscribe to famed philosopher and Happy Endings character Penny Hartzs school of thought that readings stupid, TV rules!, youre in the right place! Below, find some predictions as to what Claire and Jamie might get up to in season seven based on all the intel we have from the seventh novel. You dont have to read a thing! Except for this post. Sorry, we cant do everything for you. Obviously, all of the spoilers to follow.

First, we have to wrap up the events of book six.

Ah, yes. Because of the pandemic and some other scheduling issues, Outlanders sixth season was a truncated one with just eight episodes. While the series left Claire alone in a jail cell facing a possible execution for a crime she didnt commit, all of the Malva Christie stuff gets wrapped up in A Breath of Snow and Ashes, and it seems likely the TV series will start season seven by finishing that story line. And, uh, its a doozy, folks. Tom Christie admits to having feelings for Claire and knows shes innocent, so he confesses to killing his daughter in order to spare Claires life. But Tom isnt guilty either  eventually Allan Christie confesses to Claire that he is both the father of his sisters child and that he murdered her to stop her from telling anyone. Yeah, it gets pretty dark. But unsettling as it all is, that should (mostly) be a wrap on the Christies, and honestly, good riddance.

Then we time travel.

Again, this will include some plot points that take place in book six that have yet to happen on the show: Once Bree has her daughter, Amanda, Claire realizes she has a heart murmur, and nothing can be done about it in 1776. Bree, Roger, and their two children return to the future and wind up in 1980, where they move into  surprise!  Lallybroch. Book seven, An Echo in the Bone, finds the MacKenzies rebuilding their lives in their new (old) time, but that doesnt mean the time travel hijinks end. They end up getting a visitor from the past: William Buccleigh MacKenzie. You know, the secret son of Dougal MacKenzie and Geillis Duncan, Rogers ancestor, who  had him sorta hanged that one time? Thats not awkward at all, right? Well, that guy accidentally goes through some stones, ends up in 1980, and makes his way to Roger and Bree for help. Im crossing my fingers for this to happen in season seven for two reasons: One, itll be fun to see a dude from the 1770s try to make sense of the 1980s, and two, you might recall that when we met Buck in season five, he was played by Graham McTavish (who also played Dougal), and its always a delight when he pops up on Outlander. Give us the Buck!

But thats not the only time travel happening in 1980: One of Brees colleagues, Rob Cameron, decides to kidnap Jemmy, and they believe hes taken him back in time. Toward the end of An Echo in the Bone, Roger and Buck travel back through the stones in an effort to save Jemmy. Sorry to say, but Jems not there  still, it sounds as though those two distant relatives will be going on a real adventure.

Speaking of Lallybroch, well get a long-awaited (and bittersweet) family reunion.

At the end of A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Wendigo Donner ransacks the Fraser house looking for gems in order to travel, a fight ensues, and the house burns down. Jamie and Claire dont die in that fire, but it does answer most of the questions about that pesky obituary. This hasnt happened in the show yet, but in season six we did get a peek at someone who looks like Donner at the jail in Wilmington, where, conveniently, Claire is being held. In the show, it looks as if Donner already has a gem, but regardless, it seems things are aligning for some version of this fire to happen soon. The fire is important because it is the impetus for Jamie, Claire, and Young Ian to travel back to Scotland so Jamie can get his printing press and bring it back to America. The trip to Scotland and the Frasers time in their homeland is a major part of the book, so I suspect well get some Scotland time within season sevens 16 episodes. Their time there is bittersweet, though: Yes, they get to have a long-(so long!)awaited reunion with Jenny and (old) Ian at Lallybroch, but they also learn that Ian is dying from consumption. Timing is everything, especially in Outlander, right?

And theres that other kind of family reunion, in which one participant doesnt realize hes a part of the family.

Im talking about Jamies son William, of course. Theres a lot of William in An Echo in the Bone. We havent seen him on the show since that time he and Lord John Grey visited and John got the measles in season four, but here we find him grown and a loyal member of the British Army. Does that make things confusing for our resident rebel Jamie Fraser? You bet. While William has his own adventures to go off on, the crux of his story has always been the secret about his true biological father. You knew eventually that secret would get out, right? Well, its not until the end of book seven that William learns the truth. Who knows if well get that far in Williams story just yet, but Jamies secret son should at least begin to play a bigger role in the overall narrative.

Then something really wild happens 

Seriously, if you want some surprises regarding Claire and Jamies future, stop reading right here. Youve made your choice!

So Claire and Ian leave Scotland without Jamie and later receive word that the boat Jamie was supposed to be traveling on to America sank, and they believe Jamie to be dead. Everyones really sad about it. Then, when Claire is about to be arrested for being a spy (she is constantly getting into trouble  we know this), someone offers to marry her in order to give her protection. Did you guess Lord John Grey? Because yes, Claire and Lord John end up married in book seven, and yes, they drunkenly (and full of grief for the loss of Jamie, whom they both love with all of their heart) consummate that marriage. And then Jamie shows up alive and well! Its a wild turn of events, so best start preparing yourself now in anticipation of whats sure to be a controversial story line come season seven.
Crypto Bills in Panama, Brazil Progressing Fast, but Argentina Province Sends Mining Warning

Source: Adobe/Val Thoermer

Crypto adoption is rising high on the political agenda in Latin America, where legislation is edging closer to promulgation  although Argentinean Bitcoin (BTC) and crypto miners have received a warning that if the chips are down, they could be ordered to power down their rigs.

In Panama, the Gabriel Silva (32), the MP who masterminded a draft law named Crypto Law: Making Panama compatible with the digital economy, blockchain, cryptoassets, and the internet, took to Twitter to fete the passing of his bill in a third reading in parliament. The bill will still need to be signed by President Nito Cortizo before it passes into law, but that process should now be a formality, and will likely be completed in the coming weeks.

Silva has previously argued that his bill seeks to open the door for other tokens, not just bitcoin (BTC), as is the case in El Salvador. At its heart, the bill spells out a system of taxation for crypto users, but perhaps, more importantly, legalizes the use of bitcoin (BTC), ethereum (ETH), and a group of altcoins as officially recognized means of payment.

The tokens are XDC, XRP, algorand (ALGO), stellar (XLM), IOTA, and elrond (EGLD).

Unlike El Salvador, where BTC has been made legal tender with the proviso that merchants are legally prohibited from refusing customers who wish to pay in bitcoin, merchants in Panama will be free to decide which  if any  coins they wish to accept.



Meanwhile in Brazil, Senado Noticias reported that the Senate has approved another private members crypto bill that seeks to create legal terminology for concepts such as cryptoassets and virtual asset service providers (VASPs, the terminology that is used by the Financial Action Task Force). The draft law also mandates the creation of a regulatory body for crypto, and seeks to purge scams with the creation of a new legal offense pertaining to fraud relating to the provision of services of virtual assets, securities, or financial assets. Violators would be punished with two to six years behind bars, as well as fines.

But the bill, which will now be slated for debate in the Brazilian Congress, also proposes a number of pro-crypto measures, including simplified VASP registration protocols, as well as tax breaks for crypto miners operations who use renewable energy sources.

Across the border in the southwest, however, crypto miners in Argentina have warned that they will be ordered to cease operations first in the event of power shortages, and told they will not receive subsidies from local government bodies.

Per the media outlet Continental, the government of Tierra del Fuego, the countrys southernmost province and a hotbed of crypto mining, has responded to accusations leveled at miners by the MP Luciano Laspina.

Laspina pointed to data he claimed was from Cammesa, the wholesale electricity market administrator, which showed that miners currently used 22% of the provinces energy. He added that the sector employed zero local people, paid no taxes, and made its money in crypto, which was transferred to overseas locations, contributing nothing to the local economy.

However, Tierra del Fuegos energy chief Moises Solorza took to Twitter to claim that crypto mining adoption policies had been put into place by the current local governments predecessors. Solorza stated that the government was now working to undo some of the work done on this front by the previous administration.

And Solorza claimed that Laspina was guilty of spreading misinformation and doing so maliciously.

Continental further reported that the provincial government had already restricted the use of electrical energy for cryptocurrency mining farms and warned miners that they would be the first to suffer if emergency cuts needed to be made during the winter months.

____

Learn more:

- UK Regulator Seeks International Crypto Regulation Coordination, Not Over-regulation - Official

- EU Decision-Makers Kick Off Negotiations On Controversial 'Unhosted Wallets' Regulation



- New Generation of Crypto Investors Takes Responsibility Back, Tech Investor Says

- Central African Republic Has Adopted Bitcoin as Legal Tender - Reports



- More Crypto Regulation May Be on the Way in Mexico, Suggests Central Bank Chief

- Argentina Launches Regulatory Sandbox for Crypto Innovators & Investors
Early in April, I started to hear that a long-rumored Egyptian restaurant had quietly opened downtown and the early feedback was that it was a welcome addition to the local scene.

On that, I cant disagree.

King Tut, located at 120 N. Hanover St., has been open about three weeks now. Any trace of the shop that formerly occupied the space is now deeply hidden under a bright mural depicting the sights of Egypt on one wall, a new paint job on the other, laminate flooring and brighter lighting. The front windows invite passersby in with Egyptian statuary and images.

As inviting as the transformation of the retail space is, the menu is what prompted plenty of discussion and has enticed diners to visit more than once in the short time the place has been open. The restaurant may well be the first halal establishment in downtown, if not in all of Carlisle.

A co-worker and I visited King Tut for lunch in early April. The owners have been tweaking the menu since then, but the focus on Mediterranean cuisine remains the same. Vegetarians will find plenty to enjoy here, as will those whose tastes run more to beef, chicken or lamb.

On the vegetarian side, falafel is available as both a sandwich and as a dinner plate with available sides of tabbouleh salad, hummus, grape leaves, rice and baba ghanoush (a dish made from eggplant, olive oil, lemon juice, tahini and seasonings). My coworker picked up a side of the baba ghanoush that was large enough not only for her to enjoy but also enough to take home after giving me a sample.

On the meatier side, there are sandwich and dinner plate versions of lamb or chicken kebabs, as well as beef liver plates and sandwiches. No establishment featuring Egyptian food would be complete without shawarma (available in both chicken and lamb). I didnt try the chicken shawarma myself, but my co-worker assured me it was delicious.

I picked the more than reasonably priced falafel plate, which came with a small cup of tahini and a side of green salad, which was sliced vegetables in a pickle dressing. It instantly became one of my favorite side dishes and served as a perfect complement to the generous serving of falafel.

In the weeks since I first visited, King Tut has added a couple of items to its menu that would be perfect for those who are unfamiliar with their dishes. The sampler plate gives visitors the chance to try a little bit of chicken and beef shawarma, chicken and beef kebabs, beef kofta and falafel  all on one plate and served over rice. I suspect the side sampler, which includes potato salad, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, hummus, tahini and garlic dip served with pita bread, would be enough for a full-on lunch for many.

The Mediterranean feel doesnt end with the main course. Desserts like baklava and drinks like Turkish coffee, tea and roselle juice, made from a plant in the hibiscus family, round out the experience.

Every once in a while, you visit a new restaurant for the first time and even as youre walking out the door you start planning what youre going to have the next time you go. King Tut is one of those restaurants. Its one that I hope will be in downtown Carlisle for a long time to come.

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The Cumberland County Coroner's Office reported Tuesday that Daniel Burkholder, 68, died after an accident at a farm in South Middleton Township Monday evening.

Coroner Charley Hall said in a news release that Burkholder died of asphyxiation complicated by a myocardial infarction and ruled his death accidental.

Hall said Burkholder was working on the silo when he entered an upper level of the structure and was overcome by gases inside caused by the fermentation of the contents.

Posted earlier on Cumberlink:

Rescue crews removed a man's body from a silo in South Middleton Township Monday evening, Cumberland County Public Information Officer John Bruetsch said.

He said firefighters were dispatched to the 1500 block of Rock Ledge Drive at approximately 6:30 p.m. for a reported silo rescue. ABC27 reported that the man had entered the silo to do maintenance.

"The first units arriving on the scene found the gentleman approximately 50 feet in the air in a silo full of silage," Bruetsch said.

He added that responders discovered the oxygen level inside the silo was "very low."

"They determined that the environment was not one that would support life," Bruetsch said.

In speaking about the South Middleton incident, Bruetsch said once they had determined that the man was no longer alive, crews took their time and removed his body from the silo at 9:50 p.m. where he was pronounced dead.

"You have to go slow in environments like that, you can't just run in," Bruetsch said. "If somebody else would have gotten in there, they could have suffered the same fate."

The man's identity has not yet been released, but Bruetsch said this information will come from the Cumberland County Coroner's Office.

Among those helping out at the scene were the Citizen's Fire Company out of Mount Holly Springs, Carlisle Fire & Rescue, Cumberland County Team 500 (a technical rescue team), Harrisburg Bureau of Fire and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

Maddie Seiler is a news reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com covering Carlisle and Newville. You can contact her at mseiler@cumberlink.com and follow her on Twitter at: @SeilerMadalyn

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Two months into Russias invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin convened an extraordinary conclave of allies and partners at the U.S. military base in Ramstein, Germany. They were there to establish a wartime coalition whose announced aim, at the time, was to protect Ukraine from further Russian aggression. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The participants were mostly members of the NATO alliance. They were joined by a dozen or so pro-U.S. nations. Among them was Israel, a country that began the war with the hope of remaining neutral but has been reluctantly, incrementally and inexorably drawn toward the American side. Israels presence at the conference signaled that it was now all in.

The question is, all in on what? Israel accepted the invitation assuming that it would be asked to play a small part in arming Ukraine with advanced weapons that would enable Kyiv to hold off and push back the invaders. But after the conference, Austin told journalists that the goal of the Ramstein alliance would be to weaken Russia in a way that would prevent it from using military force against its neighbors. In other words, to reduce Russia from a superpower to a more minor status. The Ramstein Group would be meeting once a month, moreover, a sign America is anticipating a long war.

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Russia replied by signaling that it wouldnt accept the sort of total defeat that the U.S. and its partners had in mind. Putin made it clear that Russia would, if necessary, use nuclear weapons to prevent such an outcome.

The government of Israel didnt tell the public in advance that it had decided to join a wartime alliance that in theory could lead to a nuclear war. And it has yet to react to the Russian threat. But going to Ramstein was a defining decision. There is no off-ramp.

Military alliances are new to Israel. In the 1991 Gulf War its efforts to join the U.S.-led coalition were rebuffed by Arab members. It isnt a NATO nation, which means that it has no mutual security guarantee. It also has no formal defense treaty with the U.S. Israel is a country accustomed to fighting neighborhood battles on its own. Signing up for a prolonged conflict against Russia in Ukraine, perhaps a wider war in Europe or even Armageddon isnt something Israel appears to have thought about deeply.

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Most of the Ramstein countries dont have Russian troops on their borders. Israel does, in Syria. In recent years, Israel and Russia have coordinated military efforts that allowed Israel to wage a shadow war against Iran and its proxies. An antagonized Russia will be much less likely to prevent Iran from supplying its proxy army in Lebanon or moving its own Islamic Republic army closer to Israels frontier. Its clear that ties between Russia and Israel are already fraying. On Monday, Israel denounced recent comments by Russias foreign minister saying he believed Hitler had Jewish roots.

As the war in Ukraine evolves, Jerusalem will do what Washington asks, up to clear red lines. No presently conceivable Israeli government would send large combat forces to fight in Ukraine. There is also little chance Israel will ship heavy military gear there. NATO countries have more than enough advanced weapons to go around, especially now that the U.S. is ramping up domestic arms production. Israel also will refrain from sharing its closely held military secrets with coalition allies (although there are very few that the U.S. isnt privy to).

What, then, does Israel have to offer? It is one of the worlds five leading cyber powers (the U.S., Russia, China and Britain are the others), and it has very advanced offensive and defensive military capabilities. Its intelligence units are highly skilled and battle-tested. It has some military technology that could come in handy. Israel also has a large pool of Russian and Ukrainian-speaking combat soldiers and reservists capable of training troops (outside of Ukraine) in their native languages. And, as it has already demonstrated in western Ukraine, it is good at setting up first-class field hospitals.

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What will Israel seek in return? It wants a longer and stronger nuclear agreement with Iran. It wants the U.S. to keep Irans Revolutionary Guards on its registry of terror organizations, along with Iranian proxies Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad. It wants the U.S. to supply Israel with certain munitions that will enable it to destroy nuclear targets in the Islamic Republic.

Israel will also want to fight Iran by fortifying and expanding the Abraham Accord countries. That means, first and foremost, helping to convince the Saudis to come off the fence. It also wants to prevent the opening of a U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem. That the Palestinian leadership both in Gaza and the West Bank are openly supporting Russia might add some weight to that effort.

But in the end, Israel didnt join the U.S.-led alliance to achieve these specific policy aims. Nor was its decision compelled by moral revulsion at the Russian way of war or a brotherly concern for the future of Europe.

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Instead, Israels overriding war aim is to maintain its relationship with America. For that it is risking strategic independence, tactical advantage over Iran and its hard-won national agency. No Israeli government has ever put its security so decisively in the hands of others.

Such a significant policy evolution should have been debated openly and acknowledged outright, rather than ambled into. But even if Israel had given it more thought, it would have arrived at the only plausible conclusion  that aligning itself with the U.S. during this crisis was the best of its bad options.

More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:



Putin Is Losing So Heres How Hell Make the War Worse: Andreas Kluth



Our Fear of Escalation in Ukraine Has Made It More Likely: Therese Raphael



The U.S. and Saudi Arabia Cant Remain at Odds Forever: Bobby Ghosh

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Zev Chafets is a journalist and author of 14 books. He was a senior aide to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and the founding managing editor of the Jerusalem Report Magazine.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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A shock wave went through the U.S. on Monday evening when Politico published what appeared to be a legitimate first draft of a Supreme Court ruling written by Justice Samuel Alito that would overturn Roe v. Wade entirely. It was a huge breach at the Supreme Court and a political earthquake as well. But for many women across America, it was a blow that hit much closer to home.

If Justice Alitos draft is adopted by a majority on the court, it would return the issue of abortion to the states; half of them would be expected to try to ban or severely restrict the procedure. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Sarah Green Carmichael spoke with Bloomberg News reporters Kelsey Butler and Ella Ceron and Harvard Medical School physician Aditi Nerurkar on Twitter Spaces to consider what this means for women and abortion rights. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Sarah Green Carmichael: Were you surprised by the release of the opinion or anything in it?

Ella Ceron: My family is from Mexico, and so seeing the way Mexico has decriminalized abortion last year and seeing the contrast with whats happening here in the United States did strike me personally. Im still trying to process that.

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Aditi Nerurkar: I am just so heavy-hearted about this news. Its devastating because abortions are often medically necessary. There are 32 million American women who will no longer have access to safe abortion. We know that the [World Health Organization] has said that around the world, a woman dies about every eight minutes because of an unsafe abortion. Im an internal medicine physician, and as someone who has seen the medical complications that can happen with unsafe abortion, what a blow [this is] for medical care for human rights and for women.

Green Carmichael: Ella, some of the work that you have done for Bloomberg has been about abortion deserts across the U.S. What is an abortion desert, and how much bigger are they likely to get if this draft ruling does become law?

Ceron: An abortion desert is, in very loose terms, if somebody has to travel a hundred miles or more to receive abortion care. Obviously the distance is a very basic way to look at this, because there are so many other factors, whether its taking time off work, paying for child care for the children that they already have while they travel, whether they have a car. For some people, 10 miles is really impossible, whereas for other people, a hundred miles, 300 miles is less of a burden.

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Green Carmichael: How much does abortion typically cost now? And what do you think is likely to change as a result of a ruling like this?

Kelsey Butler: Research that came out last month showed that the [cost of the] two most common abortion procedures  medication abortion, and a first trimester [procedure]  has jumped in the last few years. As of the latest data for medication abortion, it was $560. Thats up from $495 in 2017. And for first trimester abortion, its $575, up from $475. Thats just the cost of the procedure itself. Were not talking about the time that you have to take off work, or child care or travel.

Green Carmichael: Sometimes abortion restrictions depend on whether a womans life is in danger. What does it mean in practical terms to decide that a womans life is in danger, versus her health? Do you think that an exception for the life of the mother is sufficient?

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Nerurkar: Absolutely not. This is such a slippery slope because even that wording, what does it mean? Who makes that decision? It should be a womans right to choose, right?

Green Carmichael: Some large companies have said that they will cover the cost of travel expenses so that women who are in states where abortion will be banned can afford to get the health care they need by traveling. This is something that, Kelsey, you have written about for Bloomberg quite extensively. Can you talk a little bit about how this works? Would you have to tell your boss about it?

Butler: Some bigger companies like Apple and Levi Strauss are [handling] it through their insurance program, just like any other benefit. Lets say you had an ACL that needed to get repaired, and there was a specialist in another state who was the only person that could really help you. It would be a similar process.

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Then there are companies that do it in different ways. I spoke with a small startup based in New York called Alloy that was [handling] it out of their HR department. They were small enough that it made sense for them, but it wouldnt necessarily be scalable at a bigger company.

And then theres a different approach. Match, the dating app, has set up a partnership with a third party, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. They have a toll-free number where employees can call and Planned Parenthood will then arrange the travel and lodging. In all these circumstances, the companies are really focused on making sure that privacy is of the utmost importance.

Green Carmichael: Dr. Aditi, would this ruling affect miscarriage care? When I had a miscarriage, I needed the same [D&C] procedure that someone has when they have an abortion. And I dont know how that procedure will be restricted now, or if it will make miscarriage care more difficult to get.

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Nerurkar: Its really unclear what this means and what the ripple effects will be in the immediate term. Im thinking about ectopic pregnancies and also complications from unsafe abortions, such as uterine ruptures or septic shock. There are so many unknowns here, but I anticipate that those complications will rise from unsafe abortions simply because there will be more of them.

A D&C procedure, which is something that is routinely done for miscarriages and for many of other reasons, what will that be considered? There are tens of thousands of those done in the U.S. every day for medically necessary reasons.

Green Carmichael: Im curious to know what you think about abortion pills as a solution. I know the pills are only really functional until you are 10 weeks along. So theyre clearly not a solution for everybody. But is there a way in which they could maintain some level of access?

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Nerurkar: I dont know if solution is the right word. I dont consider oral pills necessarily a workaround for safe abortion. They can be a corollary or an adjunct in a case-by-case basis, but we need to make abortion available to all women who choose it.

Green Carmichael: When it was my own choice about how to deal with the miscarriage, they gave me the options of pills or the procedure. I looked into the risks and the side effects of both, and I chose the procedure because it was the best choice for me. Hopefully that is something that women will continue to be able to do.

The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates of any developed nation. We have no paid maternity leave mandated at the federal level. We have no universal child care, and child care is very unaffordable. And now this. How did we get here? How do we become a hostile environment for parents  a country hostile toward women? What would you like to see happen now, and what are you watching next?

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Butler: What Ill be really watching are the people who fall through the cracks. In this country, where your employer is located or the state that you live in determines whether you have access. And in doing that, there are a bunch of people who get left behind at this really crucial moment in their lives.

Ceron: We know that there are going to be a lot of protests because Roe v. Wade is really popular. There are so many polls that show that people want it to be upheld. They dont want abortion rights rolled back.

Nerurkar: What Ive been reflecting on is that the pandemic showcased this idea of bodily autonomy and personal freedom. Wearing a mask or not wearing a mask, getting vaccinated or not getting vaccinated. Why is this any different? Women should have that bodily autonomy. There should be a sense of personal freedom to make a choice. That is what enrages me.

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Green Carmichael: I will say that having recently been pregnant, I cant imagine what it would be like to have to go through an experience like that when I didnt want to. Giving birth is a complete full-body, full-mind, full-soul experience. I dont think that the sort of cavalier way in which adoption is sometimes mentioned as a solution is realistic or sensitive to what the reality of giving birth is. So yes, there is much more work to be done here. The fight now goes to the 50 states, and people who believe that women should have control of their bodies will continue to carry that fight forward.

More From Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:



Abortion Case Leak Shows the Supreme Court Is Broken: Noah Feldman



The Supreme Court Leaker Should Come Forward: Stephen L. Carter



A Defining Moment for the Roberts Court: Michael R. Bloomberg

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Bloomberg Opinion provides commentary on business, economics, politics, technology and markets.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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Calls for U.S. companies to perform what are known as civil rights audits grew in the wake of the protests that erupted across the U.S. in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. Theyve been promoted by advocates as a way to help corporations understand and address their role in creating or sustaining racial disparities. Theyve also been dismissed by JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Jamie Dimon for adding bureaucracy and BS, although his company later agreed to conduct a narrow analysis. Shareholders of Apple Inc. and Johnson & Johnson approved resolutions calling for audits at their annual meetings this spring, while Chevron Corp., AT&T Corp. and others also face shareholder votes on whether to follow suit.

1. What are civil rights audits?

Also known as racial equity audits, they are independent examinations of whether the company causes or perpetuates discrimination. Advocacy groups and investors who support such audits argue they are a way to help address ongoing systemic racism. For example, banks have been criticized for contributing to economic disparities by charging Black customers higher fees for checking accounts and issuing them fewer mortgages as a result of policies that disfavor minority communities. Thats different than, say, discriminatory actions driven by racism on the part of individual bank employees.

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2. What do they cover?

Some audits are very broad, while others focus only on specific parts of a business. They can go beyond standard topics such as hiring and promotions into areas including:

 Digital practices. Audits can examine things like the advertising tools used by social media platforms, and their impact in spreading targeted information and political messages to low-income groups. Some audits look at the algorithms companies use to see if they perpetuate biases against people of color. For instance, algorithms used by some hospitals to allocate health care to patients have been found to discriminate against Black people.

 Social justice pledges. JPMorgans audit will examine the $30 billion commitment it made in 2020 to advance racial equity, which included funding of affordable housing, increasing the number of mortgages it underwrites for Black and Latino households and philanthropy in minority communities. Citibank Inc. is conducting an audit that will focus on its $1 billion commitment to efforts to close the racial wealth gap in the U.S.

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 Labor practices. Amazon.com Inc., which had also opposed such reviews, in April 2022 announced that it was hiring former U.S. attorney General Loretta Lynch to lead one. Amazons will target its treatment of nearly 1 million hourly employees in the U.S. -- a workforce thats largely made up of members of minority communities.

3. Who else is doing them?

Companies from tech giants to Wall Street banks, from fast food chains to prison operators have been asked to undergo audits.

 Airbnb Inc. in 2016 became the first major U.S. corporation to conduct an audit, after what Brian Chesky, its co-founder and chief executive, called painful stories emerged from customers whose requests to book rooms were rejected because of their race.

 Two years later, Starbucks Corp. agreed to an audit after coming under fire for an incident where a store manager called the police on two Black patrons who were waiting for a business meeting.

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 Facebook Inc., now called Meta Platforms Inc., followed with an audit because of pressure to address issues relating to its content moderation.

 BlackRock Inc., the worlds largest money manager, and private prison operator CoreCivic Inc. were among those that agreed to do audits after shareholders asked them to. Investors had pressed BlackRock, whose Chief Larry Fink had said his firm needs to consider where racial disparity exists within its business, to examine the dearth of Black people in its upper ranks and how its voting on shareholder resolutions at other companies affects people of color.

4. What kind of pushback has there been?

Amazon and JPMorgan were among those that initially resisted calls for audits. They cited measures they have taken such as working with historically Black colleges and universities to recruit more graduates, along with taking steps to boost diversity, equity and inclusion across leadership. JPMorgan had also promised to channel billions of dollars into projects meant to help close the racial wealth divide. McDonalds Corp asked regulators to omit a shareholder proposal for a racial audit from the ballot at the companys 2022 annual meeting, citing pending lawsuits by Black franchisees and employees -- a request that was denied. Other companies including Home Depot Inc. will face votes at their upcoming annual meetings.

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5. Who performs the audits?

Companies generally hire law firms or civil rights experts such as Laura Murphy, a pioneer of the audits. Starbucks hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to conduct its review. Once the analysis is done, the auditors work with companies to publish reports with their findings and recommendations. Depending on the company and industry, an audit can take months or, in Facebooks case, two years. Audit results are in general made public, something Facebook initially resisted.

6. What kinds of recommendations do they make?

In addition to recommending things like training to promote diversity in the workforce and management, audits can include more specific suggestions.

 Facebook last year hired a former U.S. Department of Justice official under President Barack Obama to set up a team to oversee its civil rights policy.

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 Airbnb asked hosts to agree to a policy that they wouldnt discriminate against guests on its home-rental platform. The company said more than a million hosts declined to do so.

 Starbucks shut thousands of its stores to run anti-bias training after its audit.

7. What kind of impact do audits have?

In some cases, theres clear evidence of changes resulting from audit recommendations. When Facebook suspended Donald Trump after the January 6 riot, some saw the effect of its racial audit, which had criticized the company for what the auditors saw as its enabling of misinformation from his account. In the case of Airbnb, while racial justice advocates lauded the company for the strides it made with its audits, they have said that the company needs to extend its online anti-discrimination policies to the actual experiences of Black users.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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(Lee Powell/The Washington Post)

In HEART MOUNTAIN, Wyo.  When they are together, its not hard to see the Boy Scouts they were when they met seven decades ago, in the barbed-wire Japanese internment camp that sprawled over desolate fields. One was imprisoned here; one belonged to the only troop that agreed to a jamboree on the inside.

Norman Mineta went on to become a mayor, a Democratic congressman and a Cabinet secretary to two presidents. Alan K. Simpson went on to serve Wyoming as its Republican senator for 18 years. And they have returned to speak out against the racism that led to Heart Mountains opening 75 years ago this month.

On this day, they are goofing around after dinner on the front porch of one of Simpsons favorite haunts in Cody, where storefront signs once read No Japs Allowed.

They rib each other relentlessly. Simpson, almost a foot taller, bends down to plant a goodbye kiss on Minetas head. When they hug, Minetas face is squashed into Simpsons chest.

You need to shave, Mineta quips.

Simpson rubs his chin and grins.

Nearby, their wives shake their heads and roll their eyes. Theyve seen this show before. Its like theyre 12 years old again, says Deni Mineta. Look at the two of them.

The men, who are 85, take a cruise most years with their wives, but the trip they treasure most is this annual pilgrimage. Their personal story is a highlight for the former internees and their descendants, who visit and reflect on a particularly dark chapter in American history.



Former congressman Norman Mineta (D-Calif.) and former senator Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyo.) share a moment after dinner in Cody, Wyo., near the preserved site of the Heart Mountain internment camp. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

Leaving everything behind

Two months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt signed an order ordering all Japanese Americans away from the Pacific Coast.

Mineta and his family were among 120,000 who were relocated inland to one of 10 internment camps that opened amid the wartime hysteria. The majority were citizens, forced to leave behind their homes, jobs, belongings and crops. Families lost everything. Mineta remembers tears streaming down his fathers face as they left San Jose and headed first for a way station at the Santa Anita Racetrack, then to the Heart Mountain camp, 15 miles outside of Simpsons home town of Cody.

Simpson remembered how the rows of tar-paper barracks appeared almost overnight on a sagebrush flat. There was nothing near the camp but the railroad tracks that transported the internees. With more than 10,000 usually there, the camp dwarfed the population of Cody, then at just more than 2,500.



At the site of the camp where more than 14,000 people were confined, just a few old buildings remain. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

The townspeople in Cody were not thrilled, Simpson said. We didnt know who was in there except it must have been a pretty bad group with all that activity.

I remember the day we got there in November [1942], Mineta said. The wind was blowing, all this silt was hitting our faces, cold as blazes. . . . The restrooms were quite a ways away, so when it would get cold and either raining or the snow, you had to go to the bathroom at 11 or 12 at night and trudge through all that mud and muck and mire.

And then each of the units had one single globe in the middle of the room and a potbelly stove in the middle. My job was to get the coal from the bin and then bring it  and thats what kept us warm.

He was 11.



Detainees gather coal from a bin at the Heart Mountain camp. It was Minetas job to lug a basketful back to his unit each day so his family could stay warm. (Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation Okumoto Collection)

No schools had been built for the thousands of children who were among the internees, so to keep the children occupied, camp elders decided to form Boy Scout troops.

Long before internment, scouting had deep roots in the Japanese community. Immigrant parents viewed it as a very American tradition and admired the organizations values of good citizenship, loyalty and service. When Minetas family left their house for the train ride to the assembly center in Southern California, young Norman wore his Cub Scout uniform.

So Heart Mountain troop leaders wrote to troops in nearby towns, inviting them to participate in Boy Scout jamborees. All refused. They were afraid of the armed guards and uneasy about the unfamiliar faces inside.

It was a confusing time, Simpson said. As a young boy, You were sorting out your world when nobody was there to teach you what the hell was going on, but you knew it was mess.

But his troops leader, Glenn Livingston, was a scoutmaster ahead of his time, Simpson said. He told his young scouts that the boys behind the barbed-wire fence were just like them, and he was right: The Heart Mountain scouts, Simpson said, read the same comics and earned the same merit badges.

Even as a young kid, Simpson said: You knew these were Americans, especially when you met the Scouts. They didnt even know where Japan was.

By chance, he was matched up with Mineta, who remembers Simpson as a roly-poly kid with lots of hair.

Among their tasks that day was pitching a tent.



From left, Pete Simpson, Houston Simpson (no relation) and Ralph Gill with the senator-to-be during his Scouting days in about 1941, in Jackson, Wyo. (American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming)

Mineta, the youngest child of his family, in 1936 in California. (Mineta family)

There is some dispute between the two, as usual, as they recount what happened next. Mineta claimed that when it came time to build a small moat around the tent, Simpson suggested routing it so that it would flow toward the tent of another Scout  one known as a bully.

It was no skin off my nose, so I said Sure,  Mineta recalled. By chance it rained, and the moat worked perfectly to flood the kids tent.

Oh, he laughed, hee hee hee, haw haw haw, hee hee hee,  Mineta said. I had to say, Alan, stop laughing so we can get some rest. 

Said Simpson: He said I laughed hideously at the event. I dont recall any cackling, but it was fun.

They spent a day together. Then Simpson went back to a comfortable life as the son of a prominent family in Cody. Mineta stayed behind the barbed wire for a year.

Two roads converge

That might have been that, had it not been for a small news item that ran in the Cody Enterprise in 1971.

Like the thousands of other Japanese families, Mineta and his family had returned home after the war to rebuild their lives. Minetas family was among the fortunate: A friend had taken care of their property, so they had a home. But prejudice persisted, and his father struggled to restart his insurance business.



Mineta walks past a re-creation of a guard tower at the Heart Mountain camp. After his time there as a child, he went on to a long congressional career and served twice as a Cabinet secretary. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

Mineta got a business administration degree at the University of California at Berkeley, joined the Army and fought in Korea. In 1971, he was elected mayor of San Jose and became the first Japanese American to lead a major U.S. city.

Simpson, by then a young lawyer practicing in Cody, spotted an Associated Press story in the local paper about that election. Buried deep in the text was a mention that Mineta and his family had been interned at the Heart Mountain camp.

Simpson, realizing this was the same pesky kid, dashed off a note.

Dear Norm, congratulations on being elected mayor  I have been wondering what youve been up to all these years . . . Mineta recalled. He still complains, to this day, that I never responded to him.

Did he?

You know, I dont remember that I did  so I fall silent whenever hes talking about that, he said with a sheepish grin.

Three years later, Mineta was elected to Congress, and Simpson wrote again. This time, the newly minted congressman wrote back.

After Simpson was elected to the Senate from Wyoming in 1978, the two former Boy Scouts finally were reunited face-to-face  35 years after they met on the sagebrush flat.

Politically, they were opposites. Simpson is a Republican. Mineta is a Democrat.

Once, when Mineta signed on to support a gun control bill, Simpson called him up. He said, You know what gun control is in my state?  Mineta recalled. Its how steady you hold the gun. That argument didnt persuade Mineta, but it did make him laugh.

The two were in Congress at the same time for 16 years. Outsiders thought their bipartisan friendship was curious.

Mineta, again: One time this guy asked Alan, I dont understand. Youre a conservative Republican, and hes a liberal Democrat, so whats the big difference between you and Mineta? And Alan said, Well, I wear a 17 shoe and he wears 8. 

In 1995, when Simpson decided he would not run for reelection, Mineta was among the first people he called. The exchange was trademark Simpson.



At his home in Cody, Wyo., Simpson is surrounded by photos and mementos from his similarly long political career. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

He said, I want to talk to you, and I said, Why dont you come on over Wednesday at 2 p.m.,  Mineta said. And then he said, May I remind you that Im a U.S. senator, and you are a mere representative of the House? So I said, Okay you imperial so-and-so, Ill come over to your side. 

Perhaps their most memorable legislative collaboration came on the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, in which the government formally apologized to the Japanese American internees and created a $1.25 billion trust fund to provide reparations to those who were interned. Mineta and his colleagues, including Sens. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Spark M. Matsunaga (D-Hawaii), worked with many others for more than a decade to get the bill passed.

Simpson plays down his role in the bills passage, but Mineta insists his friend was a key supporter despite Simpsons opposition to the provision providing $20,000 payments to living internees. The cash payments, said Simpson on the Senate floor, would establish the wrong precedent, and, as importantly, take away from the sincerity of the apology.

I think that that somehow is unbecoming, he said. It is a troubling aspect to me.

In the same speech, however, Simpson recounted how his trip with the Boy Scouts into the Heart Mountain detention camp had put a new twist on his own wartime perception of Japanese Americans because we thought of them as something else  as aliens, we thought of them as spies, we thought of them as people who were behind wire because of what they were trying to do in our country.

Instead, he said, they were Boy Scouts from California, wearing the same merit badges, same Scout sashes, same clothing. . . . But in my mind you had to see it, you had to have it etched on the back of the rim of your eye, to understand that these people were put in an extraordinary situation where they lost their constitutional rights in the United States of America. They were not, as I say, aliens. They were U.S. citizens.

Still standing

At the site of the camp where more than 14,000 people were confined, just a few old buildings remain. They have been preserved by a nonprofit foundation as part of the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, which aims to remind visitors of the need for tolerance and upholding basic civil rights when protecting national security.



Weeds sway near one of the preserved camp buildings, which Simpson remembers as having appeared almost overnight after President Franklin D. Roosevelts 1942 internment order. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

Simpson and Mineta helped raise millions of dollars for the center, much of it by telling the story of their friendship. Mineta always tells people how much he treasures Simpsons humor and loyalty. Simpson always expresses his admiration for how Mineta moved on after Heart Mountain to do good, for refusing to give in to bitterness.

In an interview in Simpsons living room, he and Mineta reflected on their long bond.

It wasnt anything mystical, Simpson said. It was just two boys  just two curious, inquisitive kids  pesky, good-humored, full of fun, who met each other and who remembered  at least I remembered.

Said Mineta: He is a great friend all around. Even though hes a conservative Republican, and Im a liberal Democrat, were just the best of friends.

That makes them rare specimens of a nearly extinct species, as they well know.

People may like the aspects . . . of bipartisanship. . . . And certainly an Asian and a Caucasian, theres another blend, Simpson said. And maybe they pine for that, I dont know.

Up the hill from the center, an American flag flaps in the wind. At the flagpoles base sits a plaque with the names of 800 who were drafted or enlisted from Heart Mountain. It includes 15 internees who died fighting for the United States, two of whom were awarded the Medal of Honor.

This is not about the past, Mineta said at the centers opening in 2011. This is about the future . . . because history already has the ability to repeat itself, and what you are doing here is drawing that line in the sand, to say that never again will there be something like what happened here.



Simpson kisses Mineta, his friend of nearly 75 years, on the forehead during a late-July ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Heart Mountain camp. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

This summer, a record number of people made the pilgrimage, boarding yellow school buses that took them through fertile farmland. First-timers such as Mitch Homma, whose parents and grandparents were interned here, joined Bacon Sakatani, now in his 80s, who has made 30 trips to Heart Mountain since his confinement there as an eighth-grader. Raymond Uno, a judge, led 50 members of his family to see where he had been interned.

For many, the trips are a contemplation of family history that is both painful and prideful. John S. Toyama, who was born at Heart Mountain, said that one of the first times he returned to the camp as an adult, he cried.

It was very emotional, he said. Now, he is more at peace when he sees the mountain and wanders through the center.

There is good energy here, Toyama said, energies that he thinks helped the Japanese Americans interned at Heart Mountain survive.

Same old dust

The visitors also see the durability of the unlikely Boy Scout friendship as a powerful energy, a testament to resilience and mutual respect. When Mineta and Simpson arrive, they are greeted like favorite uncles and dear friends. Instead of handshakes, there are hugs and kisses and, among the younger members of the crowd, plenty of selfies.

Every year [the crowd] gets bigger, and Norm and I get smaller, Simpson jokes to the crowd. Thanks for keeping [Heart Mountain] alive.

Later that afternoon, Mineta grips a cane and climbs slowly up the stairs to a refurbished barracks like the one he lived in for a year. Internment was a bad memory, he had said in a previous interview. Its something you dont forget, but you dont let that become a chain around your neck.

Now, he looks out the window.

Same old dust is still here, he says while picking at dirt in the windowsill. His wife takes a picture.

Smile, she says.

Lee Powell in Heart Mountain, Wyo., contributed to this report.
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Rights group: 600 held without charges Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight 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 rarely used against Jews.

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 gun battles.

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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.

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.

 Associated Press

Video of shooting prompts investigation

Ethiopias state-appointed rights commission said on Monday that it was investigating a video showing a group of fighters in Ethiopian army fatigues abusing and shooting a boy they accused of being from the embattled Tigray region.

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The video, widely shared on social media since Friday, showed a group of men in Ethiopian army combat fatigues stoning, taunting and kicking a boy with a bloodied face, before shooting him in the stomach.

Badges on the chests of several fighters read Ethiopian Army. Reuters was unable to confirm their identity independently.

We are trying to gather information on the distressing incident, Daniel Bekele, the head of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) told Reuters in a text message.

Neither Ethiopias government spokesperson Legesse Tulu, nor military spokesman Colonel Getnet Adane, responded to requests for comment on the video.

In March, the EHRC said all sides involved in the conflict in northern Ethiopia had committed human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, which may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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Reuters was not able to verify the time and location where the video was filmed or the actions it showed. The boys fate was unclear.

 Reuters

Australian court considers hate-crime killing: 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.

British Virgin Islands roiled by premier's arrest: Activists in the British Virgin Islands on Monday protested a proposal to put the overseas British territory under control of the United Kingdom, days after the BVI premier was jailed in Miami on charges of conspiring to traffic drugs. That report came after BVI premier Andrew Fahie and the territory's director of ports were jailed following a sting by the Drug Enforcement Administration in a major embarrassment to the United Kingdom.

Covid cases increase in Shanghai: China's commercial capital of Shanghai was dealt a blow on Monday as authorities reported 58 new covid-19 cases outside quarantine areas while Beijing pressed on with testing millions of its people on a May Day holiday few were celebrating. Tough coronavirus measures in Shanghai have stirred rare public anger.

 From news services

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RIO DE JANEIRO  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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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SRINAGAR, India  Muslims across India marked Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday by offering prayers outside mosques, with the celebrations this year following a series of attacks against the religious minority during the month of Ramadan. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight We will not have the same kind of festivity this year, said Mohammad Habeeb ur Rehman, a civil engineer in Indias financial capital, Mumbai. This is the most painful Eid with the worst memories for Indian Muslims.

Anti-Muslim sentiment and attacks have surged across the country in the last month, including stone throwing between Hindu and Muslim groups during religious processions and subsequent demolitions by authorities of a number of properties belonging mostly to Muslims.

The community, which makes up 14% of Indias 1.4 billion population, is reeling from vilification by hard-line Hindu nationalists who have long espoused an anti-Muslim stance. Some leaders of Indias ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party have tacitly supported the violence, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has so far been silent about it.

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Eid al-Fitr is typically marked with communal prayers, celebratory gatherings around festive meals, and new clothes, but celebrations in India for the past two years have been marred by COVID-19 restrictions.

In the Indian-controlled portion of disputed Kashmir, the Muslim festival has been subdued for the past three years because of an unprecedented military lockdown after India stripped the regions semi-autonomy in 2019, followed by the pandemic. The region also saw a rise in violence during Ramadan, with at least 20 militants, two civilians and five police and soldiers killed.

As we prepare to celebrate Eid, a strong sense of collective loss jars at us, said Bashir Ahmed, a businessman in Srinagar.

A violent insurgency against Indian rule in the Muslim-majority region and New Delhis brutal response have raged for over three decades. Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict.

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In Indias capital, New Delhi, hundreds assembled in the Jama Masjid, one of the countrys largest mosques, to offer Eid prayers there for the first time in over two years due to pandemic restrictions. Families came together early Tuesday morning and many people shared hugs and wishes.

Mohammed Hamid, a software engineer, said he was grateful to be offering prayers at the mosque again.

Its a good feeling because there was a lockdown for the past two years. With the grace of God, we are able to offer Eid prayers here with the children and we are thankful, Hamid said.

The mood was cheerful in neighboring Bangladesh as millions traveled from cities to towns and villages over the weekend to celebrate Eid. Huge crowds gathered in Dhakas main Kamalapur Railway Station and bus terminals.

As in India, Eid celebrations in Bangladesh have been muted for the last two years due to the pandemic. This year, the government hasnt imposed restrictions, instead advising people to follow basic health protocols.

Khaleda Akter, a garment worker in Dhaka, said she is traveling to her village and is excited to celebrate with her parents.

I am very glad that this year we can travel without any trouble, she said.

___

AP journalists Rishi Lekhi in New Delhi and Julhas Alam in Dhaka, Bangladesh, contributed to this report.

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ZAKHO, Iraq  Iraqis in a northern town still traumatized by memories of the Islamic State group feared more violence Tuesday after hostilities between the military and a local militia erupted, people internally displaced by the fighting said. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight Tensions reached a fever pitch when Iraqs military launched an offensive in Sinjar district Sunday to clear out armed elements of the YBS, a local militia comprised largely of minority Yazidis.

The YBS has ties to the insurgent Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, a separatist movement banned in Turkey.

The heavy fighting prompted over 3,000 people, most of them Yazidis, to flee toward the Kurdish-run north. It wasnt clear if there were any dead or wounded in the fighting: Iraqi officials have released no figures and have not commented on casualties.

Fighting ceased Tuesday and the Iraqi army said it had re-established control of Sinjar. But the violence and subsequent displacement dealt a blow to Baghdads efforts to encourage more Yazidis to return to their ancestral homeland after years of war.

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An agreement was brokered by the United Nations in October 2020 between Baghdad and the Kurdish-run government to implement order in the area. Under that agreement, the federal police are the sole state authority.

The accord has not proven successful. Critics have said this is because it did not consult powerful local forces in Sinjar or even Yazidi leaders. Local residents, who also include Arab Sunnis, are also deeply divided.

Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir al-Shammari, deputy commander of Iraqs Joint Operations Command, told a news conference in Sinjar that Iraqi forces have imposed security and law and order and have opened all the roads in the district.

The goal of these operations was to impose the (rule of) law and security to secure a safe environment so that we can rebuild Sinjar and return the displaced.

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But Yazidis, many displaced now for a second time, are reluctant to return.

Most of the displaced fled north to the Kurdish-run region where they were distributed across different camps. Many first fled in 2014 after ISs brutal onslaught and returned in recent years to rebuild their homes.

The memories are still fresh in Sewes mind. His was among the dozens of families who made their way to the Chemishko camp in Zakho on Monday. He only gave The Associated Press his first name.

It is the second time that we escaped, he said. We dont know where to go, we dont have a place to go, and we dont know where we are going now.

The YBS was created in 2014 with assistance from the PKK. They proved instrumental in driving out IS elements from the area after the collapse of the Iraqi army. The YBS has since remained a powerful local force in the area, citing deep mistrust of the federal government forces deployed to protect the area.

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The Iraqi army said the aim of the offensive has been to reassert state authority in response to the YBS erecting checkpoints and preventing citizens from returning to their homes.

But most residents expect more violence.

When we went back to our home we found it was impossible to live there, said Rashid Barakat, now displaced in the Chemishko camp. The army was attacking (the YBS) and the (YBS) was hitting them back, and we were stuck in between.

___

Kullab reported from Baghdad. Associated Press journalist Ali Abdul-Hassan contributed from Sinjar.

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The Daily Journal received many awards recently in the 2022 Best Ad Contest held by the Missouri Press Association.

Daily Journal Advertising Sales Director Michelle Menley and Media Account Representative Travis Smith brought home individual recognition, and the staff as a whole was recognized for 12 different placements during the competition.

The best placement out of the contest was for the Happy 200th Birthday Missouri! for the celebratory special section, winning the Best of Show category under the Dailies section. The special section ran in August 2021 to celebrate Missouris bicentennial which included facts about the state, as well as a trivia contest online.

Winning Best of Show was the icing on the cake, explained Menley. We are all very proud of the work our entire team put into this special edition.

The paper also placed first under the Best Cover Design for a Special Section under the Dailies category for the Happy 200th Birthday Missouri! special section.

Smith brought home the Best Ad Smaller than a Full Page under the Dailies section with an ad featuring Arcadia Valley Soap Company. Under the Best Single House Ad section, the paper took first place under the Dailies section for the house ad advertising the Missouri bicentennial online trivia contest hosted by the Daily Journal.

The Daily Journal placed first under the Best Sponsored Content/Native Advertising category for the How to Choose  special section, the special section focused on what to look for and how to consider choosing different categories that can impact a persons life, including funeral homes, hearing aids, and more.

The newspaper placed second in categories for Best Full Page Ad for a McDonalds Christmas ad by Menley; Best Shared Signature Page for the Good Luck Raiders advertisement when the North County Raiders were taking on the Hannibal Pirates during the Class 4 Semifinals; Best Advertising Sales Tool for St. Francois Countys bicentennial advertisement; Best Multimedia Campaign, which was for Cozean Memorial Chapel; and Best Idea to Grow Revenue with the Stories of Honor (honoring veterans).

The only third place placement was under the Best Newspaper Promotion section for the special section celebrating local nurses. The only honorable mention placement was for the Faces of the Parkland special section that showcased businesses and people from around the area.

Im thrilled with the results and really proud of our team. Especially when you consider that we are competing with all daily newspapers in the state of Missouri regardless of their circulation size, said Menley.

President/Director of Sales Michael Distelhorst is excited with how well the team placed in the contest.

Its great to receive recognition from our peers. Winning 12 awards is outstanding. Our team represented our media group very well and Im very excited to share in their success. Congratulations to everyone at the Daily Journal.

Danielle Thurman is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be contacted at dthurman@dailyjournalonline.com or 573-518-3616.

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Its sales have started to stagnate. Costs are running out of control. It has had to write down the value of key investments, recording huge losses, and the share price has started to slide relentlessly. But, hey, it is lucky that the major shareholder, one Jeff Bezos, is famously such a relaxed, chilled guy. Otherwise Amazon, and its still relatively new chief executive, might expect to be feeling some real pressure.

Actually, that is not quite right. As it happens, with the possible exception of Elon Musk, Bezos is the most driven person on the planet. Nobody gets to be one of the worlds richest men without being demanding, perfectionist and intolerant of any form of failure. It is impossible to believe he is happy watching the steady decline of his empire since he handed over to Andy Jassy as chief executive in July last year. He remains the companys biggest shareholder and he is still relatively young. If Amazon does not start to improve soon, it cannot be long before he feels compelled to step back in and take charge again.

Jeff Bezos wont stand idly by if Amazon cant get back on track. Credit:AP

For more than two decades, the quarterly results from Amazon were always the same. No matter how extravagant the expectations of the Wall Street analysts were, it always relentlessly beat them. From a relatively simple online book retailer, Bezos turned it into a retail juggernaut, selling everything under the sun, locking us all into its Prime delivery service, expanding into devices such as the Kindle and Alexa, creating a web services division that dwarfed every rival, and pushing into television and film. From $US10 billion ($14.1 billion) in global sales in 2006, by 2021 that number had grown to close on $US500 billion. It was taking over the world.

Right now, however, Amazon appears to be stumbling. Figures released last week showed that overall revenue growth had slowed to just 7 per cent, the slowest rate since 2001 at the depths of the dotcom bust. It revealed its first quarterly loss since 2015 as costs, such as the amount it has to pay for fuel for its vans, and wages for its warehouse staff, soared during the quarter. And it took a big hit on its investments, especially the electric car manufacturer Rivian. The shares dropped 14 per cent after the figures were released and are down by 27 per cent so far this year.
The last time Kylie Minogue as Charlene Robinson set foot in Pin Oak Court, the famous Vermont South cul-de-sac that doubles as Neighbours fictional Ramsay Street, it was 1988, and the world was a vastly different place.

John Howard was toiling away in opposition, yet to become our second-longest-serving prime minister. The worlds first website was three years away, so there was no tweeting, Instagramming or pretending to know what the acronym NFT stands for. Neighbours was one of the most popular shows on Australian television.

Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue (Scott and Charlene) in their Neighbours heyday. Credit:Television

Much of that popularity came down to Minogue, who, alongside Jason Donovan, formed the shows most enduring couple, Scott and Charlene Robinson. She was the rough-around-the-edges mechanic, he was the handsome boy next door, and together they captured the nations fascination.

It didnt hurt that the onscreen couple had a real-life love affair which helped generate tremendous interest in both the show and their characters. The pinnacle of Scott-and-Charlene-mania arrived in 1987 when the pair tied the knot in a lavish ceremony.
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.
Its Health Week in the lead up to Treasurer Mark McGowans second state budget due next Thursday, with a $252 million ambulance ramping reform plan announced on Monday and a $223 million infrastructure plan announced on Tuesday.

Its recognition that after two years of pandemic politics the health system  always a potential achilles heel for any state government  has become a significant trouble spot for WA Labor.

Ambulances wait outside of the emergency department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola

It is the reset/clean up job that comes after shifting deputy premier Roger Cook out of the health portfolio at the end of last year, and after McGowan has declared mission accomplished on the soft landing for COVID.

The death of 7-year-old Aishwarya Aswath at the brand new and supposedly world class Perth Childrens Hospital, amid what can only be characterised as system-level neglect, shocked and outraged the public.
Washington: With the war in Ukraine in its third month, the CIA is taking a new approach to its core job of recruiting spies and soliciting secrets.

On Monday, the CIA published instructions for how Russians can covertly volunteer information using an encrypted conduit to the agencys website. The hope is to attract intelligence - and potentially gain more access to official Russian secrets - from disaffected people who have been trying to contact the CIA since the war began, officials said.

The Central Intelligence Agency. Credit:AP

To ensure the would-be informants are not caught by Russian state security, the CIA spelled out detailed Russian-language instructions in three social media posts on how to use the Tor internet browser, which lets users move online anonymously, as well as virtual private networks, or VPNs.

The steps will open a dedicated channel to the CIA that is more secure than navigating to the agency using an ordinary web browser or internet connection.
The Rhodes 101 gas station on West Columbia in Farmington was reportedly the scene of an attempted robbery last week.

According to Farmington Police Chief Rick Baker, at approximately 12:30 a.m. April 29 his department responded to the business for an attempted robbery no longer in progress.

The officer spoke with an employee who stated that a white male had been sitting in the business for a while, he said. He walked to the counter and passed an envelope to the employee.

"The employee read a note on the envelope that stated he needed to give him a determined amount of money, or he would take care of him.'"

Baker said the employee refused to give him the money and the suspect left.

Officers viewed the surveillance video and identified the subject, Kyle Christopher House, 25, from prior incidents.

The next day, the Bonne Terre Police Department located the man and transported him to Farmington for questioning. During questioning, House was charged with attempted robbery and is being held without bond at the St. Francois County Jail.

The court documents indicate he is being investigated for breaking into the Civic Center the same day. He has a felony conviction for tampering with a motor vehicle and is currently out on parole.

Mark Marberry is a reporter for the Farmington Press and Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3629, or at mmarberry@farmingtonpressonline.com

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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.
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 ERDCC in Bonne Terre for killing a couple while robbing them in their rural Jefferson County 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.

Deck 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.

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.

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%.

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

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DEAR ABBY: I am a 58-year-old, never-married woman with a 22-year blue-collar career. I own a home and will retire with benefits many people dream of.

I've recently ended a relationship with a man I've known since childhood. I truly love him. The problem is that he had been stealing from me. I confronted him several times, but finally had to involve the police. Now, he has flattened my tires and repeatedly dented my cars.

My question is this: Is there more than one right person for everyone? How long will it take me to recover from a broken heart, if ever? His vandalism and my huge financial loss keep me away from this whack job. How well do you really know anyone? -- DISILLUSIONED IN WASHINGTON

DEAR DISILLUSIONED: Inform the police that your ex-boyfriend is continuing to retaliate because you reported him. There is no timetable for healing from a broken heart, but take it from me, it DOES happen. I firmly believe there is more than one "right person" for everyone. You do not truly love HIM. What you love is the fantasy that he's the only right person for you.

We get to know the significant people in our lives -- both male and female -- by observing them over a long period of time and watching how they treat others. You should not keep your distance from this man only because of his vandalism and the money he has cost you, but also because he has anger problems he seems unable to control. Surely those character flaws showed themselves before he started acting out on you. Think back on the little things you may have chosen to ignore, and you may recognize that I'm right.

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I married as teenagers 40 years ago. Our children are adults, and most people consider us a perfect couple. My wife has had several affairs over the years, some she has admitted to and others I have stumbled across. For the most part, they have been physical only, with no emotional attachment. Twenty years ago she had a passionate affair with a younger man. It ended when he broke it off to be with someone else. I didn't know about it at the time.

A year ago, she found out he's single again and invited him back into her life. Now, she's openly seeing him. She's telling me they are "just friends" and she "needs his company because only he understands her." I believe if he had a better job and financial outlook, she would leave me in a minute.

I can't stand the thought of losing the love of my life, but I also can't keep living with her knowing I play second fiddle in her heart. She refuses counseling because she doesn't see this as a problem. Should I give her more time (a year already) or file for divorce? -- CONFUSED IN ILLINOIS

DEAR CONFUSED: You have given your wife enough time to come to her senses. You state that she refuses counseling and you believe she would leave you in a minute if he made more money. That means she is staying with you only because of the lifestyle you provide. I do think there should be some counseling -- for YOU. It will provide insight and emotional support as you contemplate divorce.

DEAR ABBY: Under what circumstances is it socially acceptable to read a stranger's tattoo? I often admire the beautiful artwork, and one can appreciate that with a quick glance. But nowadays, I often encounter people tattooed with a phrase, a quote or even a whole paragraph on their body. Is it rude to stop, stare and read the tattoo? Should I first ask permission? -- INTRIGUED IN ST. LOUIS, MO.

DEAR INTRIGUED: When in doubt, ALWAYS ask permission before ogling. If you don't, your admiration could be misconstrued, which could get you in trouble, depending upon where the tattoo is located.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a widow in a new relationship. I was molested for years by an older sibling. When my behavior became troublesome -- skipping school, becoming antisocial -- I was sent to a reform school for several years. The sibling was sent into the army.

When I was released from the school, I drifted into worse relationships and into the sex trade. I got out of that after six months. I've always felt like a "good girl," but the past haunts me. I used to talk about the abuse constantly. It was always in the back of my mind. It still pops up on a regular basis, but I have not told my new partner.

A friend once told me that people don't need to know everything about you, and I believe that. Some folks blamed me for the abuse, although it started before I was 8. Sometimes I feel I should tell my partner, as it does affect my behavior -- I have low self-esteem, etc. I've had counseling, but it didn't help me. When I confronted my abuser years later, he told me it was my problem.

Do I need to share this to be completely honest about who I am? I have never felt "normal." It's as if I'm carrying a dreaded secret. Any advice? -- GOOD GIRL IN WASHINGTON

DEAR GOOD GIRL: What you suffered as a child was not your fault. You needed counseling then, not blame. Because you didn't receive it at that time, it isn't surprising your problems followed you wherever you went.

Not knowing your partner, I cannot decide for you whether you should reveal your history to him. I can, however, strongly recommend that you contact the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). When you do, you will be talking with a trained counselor who can guide you. Nothing you confide will be a shock to that person, and you may be put in touch with help in your local area.

The RAINN website is rainn.org and its toll-free phone number is 800-656-4673. Please don't wait to reach out. Everything is confidential.

DEAR ABBY: My close friend, "Lizzy," broke up with her boyfriend six weeks ago. At first, she was very depressed about it, but she has gradually gotten over him. A few days ago, Lizzy's ex-boyfriend asked me out. I really wanted to say yes, but I decided to ask her first if it was OK. When I did, she flipped out and told me she wouldn't be my friend anymore if I did. I've known Lizzy for four years, and I don't want to lose her friendship.

A day later, I found out from another friend of mine that Lizzy was dating my twin brother. She never asked me if I was OK with that, let alone informed me that they had feelings for each other. Does this give me the right to date Lizzy's ex? -- BREAKING GIRL CODE IN ALABAMA

DEAR BREAKING: I think so. But don't do it without first clearing the air with her, because if things work out with your twin brother, you are likely to be seeing a lot of Lizzy in the future.

DEAR ABBY: A few months ago, I offered to help a longtime friend with some landscaping. The area to be landscaped is tiny. I was concerned a professional landscaper would overcharge her. She contacted a landscaper anyway -- not to hire him, but to pick his brain.

When he arrived, it was obvious he didn't want the job, and she didn't offer it to him. She took me up on my offer. She then procrastinated for a couple of months, during which time I got busy on other projects. But I carved out time for her, and we sat down to look at her project. She confessed she had no experience with landscaping and plant selection, and she needed my help with that, too.

After she pooh-poohed the most viable suggestions I offered, we proceeded to look at plants -- LOTS of plants -- none of which she liked. After a few frustrating hours, she mentioned she'd just plant what she had originally thought about planting. I told her if she did that, she did not need my help. She told me I needed to be more patient, and had she known I wouldn't help her she would have hired the landscaper after all. (It wasn't true. She never had any intention of hiring him.)

I told her she needed to be more decisive, and even though she had told me she needed my experience, she wasn't accepting of it. She also couldn't see that she had wasted hours of my time. We've barely spoken since. So, am I in the wrong here? -- GREEN THUMB IN TEXAS

DEAR GREEN THUMB: No, you are not in the wrong. No good deed goes unpunished. Consider yourself lucky that you have barely spoken since. And then do not broach the subject again unless you want to experience more frustration.

DEAR ABBY: I am the activities director at a nursing/rehabilitation home in Montana. My residents and I want you to know how much we enjoy your column. We read it every day and discuss what kind of advice we would give to your letter writers. Your column is a highlight of our afternoons.

We would also like to remind your readers that there are plenty of homes like ours, filled with people like us. We would appreciate and benefit from being acknowledged by our communities, not just during holidays, but all year long. These homes are full of your grandparents, parents and other family members and friends. Our community has always been loving and supportive toward us. We hope homes in other locations are as fortunate as we are.

Thank you for your column. We look forward to more! -- FAITHFUL RESIDENT, DEER LODGE, MT

DEAR RESIDENT: Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful letter. I'm pleased your residents enjoy support from the good citizens of your community; it says nice things about the folks in Montana. I know my column is discussed around many breakfast tables and water coolers because it's a sure-fire conversation generator. That's the reason it is popular in many nursing homes and rehab facilities.

I hope more readers will find time to visit the residents in these homes, not only for the joy it will bring to them, but also to avail yourselves of the wealth of experience these individuals have acquired during their long lifetimes. While visitors are plentiful during the holidays, they are very quiet at other times.

DEAR ABBY: My cousin "Scotty" invited my husband and me to see his new house. He made it clear, several times, that my sister and her husband, "Ian," are not invited because his wife doesn't like Ian. My sister and brother-in-law would have no problem if they never saw Scotty again, and I didn't intend for them to accompany us on this visit. However, every time I speak to Scotty, he reiterates not to bring my brother-in-law along.

I admit, Ian is a difficult guy to get to know, but I have known him for 40 years, and he really has a heart of gold. I think Scotty is being disrespectful to me by repeating that Ian isn't welcome. How can I resolve this in a way that won't result in not communicating with Scotty ever again? -- RELATIVE DRAMA IN FLORIDA

DEAR RELATIVE DRAMA: The next time Scotty starts on his rant about Ian, head him off by interrupting him and saying, "You have already told me that. You don't need to repeat it." Then change the subject.

DEAR ABBY: When my wife of nine months makes a dental or medical appointment, she gives her last name as her late husband's last name. He died 10 years ago. Should I be disappointed with my bride since, before we were married, she said she would adopt my last name? -- NEWLYWED IN FLORIDA

DEAR NEWLYWED: Why your bride would be hesitant to do this, I can't guess, but because it bothers you, discuss it with her before it festers. Informing health care professionals about a name change is fairly simple. All one has to do is inform the receptionist that a new name should be entered into the computer.

DEAR ABBY: My dear husband died suddenly last year. It's been difficult, but I am blessed to have good friends and close family. The hardest part, however, has been the four-plus months it took to decipher his online accounts. He left me few passwords, and many of his contacts were uncooperative, some even cruel. Why should it be impossible to pay someone else's bill? I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a log or written account of passwords and usernames. It could have saved countless hours of stressful negotiations. -- LESSON LEARNED IN MICHIGAN

DEAR LESSON LEARNED: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your husband. You are not the only spouse who has written about this very real problem. Sometimes the concept of a world without us in it can be difficult to comprehend, hence the hesitancy to share passwords. But death can come at any time, and, as in your husband's case, with little -- or no -- warning. Readers, it can spare your loved ones a world of unneeded stress to log those passwords and make sure your spouse, trustee or attorney can access them in case of emergency.

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my husband for 41 years, married for 30, but we lived together for five years before we tied the knot. I have just learned he has a son who is two months younger than our son. The mother is a woman he slept with while I was pregnant with our first child. She put the baby up for adoption, and the young man has just reached out to my daughter. My husband claims he didn't find out about the child until after he was relinquished, and he didn't believe the woman ever really gave birth.

I am devastated. I feel like my entire marriage to him has been a lie. He says after we were married 31 years ago, he never cheated on me, and I should move past it. What do you think I should do? -- UNABLE TO LET IT GO

DEAR UNABLE: You have my sympathy. I agree with your husband that you need to move past this, but that doesn't mean you should forget it. Solid marriages are based on trust, and yours has understandably been shattered.

If his behavior since your wedding has been as exemplary as he claims, you should be able to review his financial records and see where the marital assets have been going. He should also be willing to discuss this in the office of a licensed marriage and family therapist. If he is unwilling to do this, it is another red flag, and you should consider consulting a lawyer.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069

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Weber State Hosts Free Performance of Ballet Folclorico Guadalajara

May 03, 2022

OGDEN, Utah  After two years of virtual performances, Mexico en el Corazon is resuming international touring for Ballet Folclorico Guadalajara and Mariachi Femenil Estrella de Mexico, with a free performance for the community at Weber State Universitys Browning Center Austad Auditorium, June 8 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available online at weber.edu/browningpresents or by visiting Weber States Community Education Center (2605 Monroe Blvd., Ogden) or Rancho Markets (905 26th St., Ogden).

Mexico en el Corazon, which has been performing for seven years, is internationally recognized for preserving and spreading the traditions and dances of Mexico in venues throughout North America. This years tour includes stops in Las Vegas, Portland, Denver an d California.

Local venues provide support to make each performance free to the community. The Ogden stop is sponsored by the Ogden College Town Coalition, Latinos United Promoting Education and Civic Engagement (LUPEC), Rancho Markets Ogden, and Weber States College of Arts & Humanities Browning Presents!

Weber State is honored to host Guadalajaras Ballet Folklorico and Mariachi Femenil Estrella de Mexico for another stunning performance, said WSU President Brad Mortensen. At Weber State, we promote belonging, creativity, uniqueness and self-expression. We are excited to promote those qualities as Mexico en el Corazon shares its rich traditions and dances with our community.

The North American Institute for Mexican Advancement (NAIMA) sponsors Guadalajara's Ballet Folclorico and Mariachi Femenil Estrella de Mexico with the goal of building bridges between countries and improving the lives of the Mexican community across North America through educational, civic, social and economic development initiatives.

Luis Lopez, executive director for community education and outreach with WSU's Division of Online & Continuing Education, said that Ogden and the northern Utah community are sure to benefit from the world-renowned dance group and mariachi groups visit.

"All cultures win with this presentation," he said. "This event will resonate throughout our great community. It will elevate Hispanic cultural pride while helping other groups appreciate the best that Mexico has to offer."

Weber State is committed to building vibrant community relationships with a focus on equity and inclusion. As part of the visit, local talent will join the show, helping integrate the immigrant community.

Mexico en el Corazon will bring a rich cultural experience to those who attend, said Deborah Uman, dean of the Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities. Their talent and goals align perfectly with the vision of Browning Presents!

For more information and free tickets, visit weber.edu/browningpresents.

About Browning Presents!:

Browning Presents! is offered to the community through the generous support of the Browning Foundation. As an industrialist, Val A. Browning made his fortune in his familys business. His passion for arts and education, combined with a generous philanthropic spirit, contributed immensely to the cultural, social and economic development of Utah. To enhance cultural richness and performing arts education along the northern Wasatch Front, the program features public performances and educational residencies of artistic excellence in a diverse range of disciplines.



Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that it sampled and tested more than 32,000 deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD) between July 2021 and April 2022. Of the more than 32,000 deer sampled, 86 tested positive for CWD.

Those deer bring the total number of CWD cases found in the state to 292 since the first case in wild deer was found by MDC in early 2012. Including recent sampling efforts, MDC has collected more than 210,000 tissue samples for CWD testing since the disease was first detected.

Of deer tested this past season, MDC found CWD-positive deer in 18 counties: Adair (2), Barry (4), Cedar (2), Christian (2), Franklin (6), Howell (1), Jefferson (12), Linn (12), Macon (10), Oregon (6), Perry (2), Pulaski (1), Putnam (1), St. Clair (1), Ste. Genevieve (15), Stone (6), Taney (2), and Washington (1).

CWD-positive cases in Barry, Christian, Howell, and Washington counties marked the first detections of the disease in these counties.

More than 18,700 of the 32,000-plus deer tested were sampled as part of MDC mandatory CWD sampling efforts during the opening weekend of the November portion of the firearms deer season, Nov. 13 and 14. Mandatory sampling required hunters who harvested deer in any of the 34 MDC CWD Management Zone counties during that weekend to present their deer for CWD sampling.

Of the more than 32,000 deer sampled, about 3,000 were collected through MDCs partnerships with many landowners in localized areas where CWD has been found. MDC works with local landowners on a voluntary basis to remove deer through targeted culling after the close of regular deer seasons in immediate areas where CWD has been recently found.

These landowners are critical in slowing the spread of CWD by removing additional infected deer from the landscape and reducing deer numbers in targeted areas, said MDC Wildlife Health Program Supervisor Jasmine Batten. Participation by landowners is entirely voluntary, and all meat from deer that do not test positive for CWD is either returned to the landowner or donated to Share the Harvest.

Batten also thanked the hunters, taxidermists, and meat processors who helped with CWD sampling.

We are very grateful to the thousands of deer hunters who brought in their deer for CWD sampling, along with the 109 taxidermists and 34 meat processors across the state who collected and submitted more than 9,000 CWD samples, Batten said. These important partners provide critical surveillance data, give hunters additional opportunities to have their deer tested, and ensure that meat from deer harvested in CWD Management Zone counties is tested before venison donations are sent to food pantries.

CWD is a deadly illness in white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family, called cervids. CWD sampling involves cutting an incision across the throat of harvested deer to remove lymph nodes for testing. Tissue samples are sent to an independent lab for testing.

CWD has been found in Missouri and is slowly spreading. MDC is working with conservation partners to find cases of CWD and limit its spread. CWD remains relatively rare in the state at this time. Learn more about CWD from the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/cwd.

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On the afternoon of February 5, 2022, Premier Li Keqiang met with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, who came to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Li Keqiang said that China and Mongolia are good neighbors, good friends and good partners. China always views the China-Mongolia relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective. President Xi Jinping maintains frequent communication with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh. China will intensify high-level exchanges with Mongolia to enhance political mutual trust, deepen win-win cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination regarding international and regional affairs, and continuously push the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership to new development stages.

Li Keqiang pointed out that China attaches great importance to the cargo clearance in border ports, and will prioritize the smooth operation of the ports on both sides to help increase bilateral economic and trade cooperation. China will advance the progress of railway, highway, energy and other projects and carry out cooperation in the spirit of China-Mongolia friendship and in compliance with market principles and business rules. China will continue to support and help Mongolia within its capacity to combat the pandemic, and will enhance exchanges of personnel such as foreign students, so that China-Mongolia cooperation will create more benefits for the peoples of both countries.

Oyun-Erdene congratulated on China's successful hosting of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 as scheduled in a pandemic backdrop, and thanked China for supporting his country's combat against the pandemic. He said that he was delighted to first visit China after he took the Prime Minister's office. Mongolia will work with China to fight the pandemic and maintain the border ports' smooth operation. Mongolia will further align the two countries' development strategies, deepen cooperation in such fields as energy, mining, transportation infrastructure and desertification prevention and control, strengthen communication between young people, and bring bilateral relations to a new level.

After the meeting, both sides issued the Joint Statement Between the Governments of the People's Republic of China and the Mongolia.
Its 1963 in France, and Anne is an ambitious, 23-year-old college student who becomes pregnant. She doesnt want to be. Shes not ready to be a mother. But abortion isnt legal in the country and wont be for another 12 years. In the new film Happening, Anne must find a solution on her own, though that choice also means risking her life and freedom.

Happening is a based on a true story. It belongs to author Annie Ernaux, who published her account of the traumatic experience in 2001. Forty years after the fact, Ernauxs frank and honest memories of the unwanted pregnancy, the isolation, the fear and her determination struck a chord even though the procedure had then been legal in France for more than 25 years.

The film adaptation opens in North American theaters Friday with a renewed urgency around access to abortion. A report Monday night suggested the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion in the U.S. The leaked draft opinion would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

Writer-director Audrey Diwan said that she didnt make the film to give answers, but to ask questions. Though its technically a period piece, she was keenly aware that she was also making something that met the moment by putting the audience in the shoes of her working-class protagonist.

When I read the book, I had the feeling that it was a kind of intense thriller, Diwan said in an interview last week. I wanted the movie to be a physical experience  not a political manifesto, but a true cinematic experience.

She didnt want to the camera to show Anne. She wanted the camera to be Anne. And she needed an actor who could throw herself into the role physically and emotionally, who could convey a world of feelings with just a look and who would be an intellectual partner in the process. When French-Romanian actress Anamaria Vartolomei walked into the audition and dove into a candid conversation about the nudity that would be required, Diwan knew shed found someone special.

I thought, she has something in common with Anne, Diwan said. Theres a determination.

Determination might even be an understatement. When Vartolomei, now 23, got the script from her agent she told herself, This will be my part. I will let no other actor do it.

Still, she was grateful for the extra time that COVID-19 lockdowns provided. She studied the 60s and watched films that Diwan recommended, like the Dardennes Rosetta, Laszlo Nemes Son of Saul and Darren Aronofskys Black Swan, all of which helped inform various aspects of the character.

Much of Annes journey is a silent one  the word abortion isnt even uttered in the film (nor is it in the book). To help her actor, Diwan came up with some interior monologues, words and sentences that Vartolomei could repeat in her head that would help get her in the right mindset before filming particular scenes.

The further she goes, the more paranoid she becomes, Vartolomei said. Shes so afraid of being caught. Everything becomes more interior. She is a soldier and she has to lead an inner war and stay focused on her goal.

Then there are the several scenes in which Anne experiences massive pain. They get more intense as the story and pregnancy progress. To help bring Annes discomfort to light, Vartolomei used an earpiece with a tick-tock sound. Not only did it help her feel disoriented and irritated for the scenes, but it also became a sort of physical manifestation of time running out with this bomb growing inside her.

These scenes are no doubt harrowing, but Diwan trusts the audience to choose for themselves how much they want to watch and if they need a break while doing so.

Annie Ernaux, when she writes, she doesnt look away, so I cant look away, Diwan said. I wanted the film to feel immersive but I didnt want the audience to feel trapped.

The film was hard to get made and Diwans greatest fear was that it wouldnt be seen. She neednt have worried, though, since the day after Happening won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival from a jury that included Oscar-winning directors Bong Joon-ho and Chloe Zhao, she got word that it would be shown to audiences around the world.

Its been a breakout moment for Vartolomei, who has been working as an actor in France since she was 10. Happening has helped put her on another level, not just as an adult actor but as one with global potential. Shed like to do films in her native Romania and in Hollywood, too.

After the film won at Venice, Vartolomei signed with the powerful talent agency CAA and already there are some exciting things in the works that she cant yet talk about publicly. Shes a little anxious her English isnt strong enough yet, but shes working on it.

For the past several months, she and Diwan have been on a non-stop circuit with the film. And every screening invites new, interesting conversations, especially in countries where abortion rights are being challenged. Theyve heard intimate stories from women who have gone through the same thing as Anne and testimonies from both sexes whove said theyve reconsidered their stance on the issue after seeing the film.

Women can finally talk about it without fearing being understood and heard, Vartolomei said. Im happy and proud to be part of this change.
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Communications Assistant, Ankara, Turkey

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

Country: Turkey

City: Ankara

Office: UNDP Turkey

Closing date: Friday, 13 May 2022

Job Identification : 3457

Locations : Ankara, Turkey

Posting Date : 04/28/2022, 11:34 AM

Apply Before : 05/13/2022, 03:59 AM

Degree Level : Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : NB2

Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Effectiveness

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS

Contract Duration : 1 Year with Possibility for extension

Education & Work Experience : Bachelors Degree - 1 year(s) experience OR High School certificate- 4 year(s) experience

Other Criteria : Working experience in an international environment is an asset.

Required Languages : English - Turkish

Desired Languages : N/A

Vacancy Timeline

2 Weeks

Mobility required/no mobility

no mobility required

Job Description

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Communications Assistant is responsible for creating and crafting compelling digital content, with a particular focus on video and graphic design, which engages audiences in a dynamic, interactive and meaningful way and sparks conversations around issues related to UNDPs mandate. She/he will play a key role in producing content for UNDPs presence in Turkey, on a wide range of social media platforms, as well as helping guide wider digital editorial processes. S/he will also support the creation and coordination of social media strategies and campaigns, digital marketing, monitoring and analysis, and moderation of platforms, working under the direct supervision of the Communications Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities

Create compelling social media content for digital platforms (including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) in a timely manner while regularly coming up with ideas for engaging social media content and campaigns, working with relevant colleagues to assess feasibility.

Monitor and moderate social media channels, flagging risk and opportunities to deepen engagement.

Coordinate social media projects and campaigns as required, working closely with relevant communications colleagues, and other teams to develop joint digital initiatives.

Produce visuals, infographics and animated videos for digital campaigns.

Keep track of efforts and activities of other UN agencies and nonprofits as well as other portfolios/programmes/projects under CO in relevant subjects.

Support other teams in UNDP Turkey Country Office on their social media efforts and develop guidance documents and lead trainings when required.

Institutional Arrangement

The Communications Assistant directly reports to the Communications Officer.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Digital & Innovation - Digital Marketing: Knowledge of digital marketing methods and ability to apply them practically

Digital & Innovation - Social Media: Knowledge of social media and ability to advise the use of social media for development outcomes

Digital & Innovation - Story Telling: Ability to empathize with peoples perceptions, motivations, feelings and mental models and craft narratives to build an emotive argument for change accordingly. Ability to present data, insights or information in compelling ways to mobilize resources, talent or action. Ability to choose media and channels that is fit for purpose to reach specific target audiences.

Digital & Innovation - Tech Literacy: Ability to apply new digital tools or adapting their original use to create new insights, fresh perspectives or develop solutions. Understand the potential as well as the limitations of certain technological developments; being able to identify how technology can add value when its used as a ""means to an end".

General (across the functions) - Event Planning and Execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDPs overall brand and mandate.

Communications - Digital Asset Management: Ability to use digital asset management (DAM) systems to effectively store, share and organize digital assets such as images, videos and other media.

Communications - Graphic Design: Ability to communicate visually and create appealing UNDP graphic products.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

High School Degree

Bachelors Degree in Communications, Design, Public Relations, Social Sciences or a relevant field would be desired

Experience:

A minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience is required.

Alternatively, if in possession of Bachelors degree, 1 year of relevant experience would be required.

Working experience in an international environment is an asset.

Skills:

Strong English and Turkish language drafting skills are required.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Windows-based applications are required.

Advanced knowledge of Adobe CC Suite is required.

Languages:

Fluent in English and Turkish

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

Specific experience in print and digital design is an asset.

Specific experience in video shooting and editing is an asset.

Demonstrated photography skills is an asset.

Specific experience in design of communication and visibility materials in various forms is an asset.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Link to the organizations job posting: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1651177416145
One of the first assignments a fine art student at the University of Manitoba completes is a self-portrait. Its a straight-forward job, at least at first glance, but peel back the layers of it: these artists  still developing their approaches and only beginning to become the people and creators they want to become  are told to show their teachers and classmates not just what they look like, but who they are, while they themselves are still figuring it out.

One of the first assignments a fine art student at the University of Manitoba completes is a self-portrait. Its a straight-forward job, at least at first glance, but peel back the layers of it: these artists  still developing their approaches and only beginning to become the people and creators they want to become  are told to show their teachers and classmates not just what they look like, but who they are, while they themselves are still figuring it out.

Morgan Traa remembers hers. The graduating BFA honours student sort of shivers thinking about it. "I loathed my self-portrait," says Traa. "Not only are they going to look at me, but I have to look at me? Uhhh."

Four years later, Traa, 27, is standing in a room at the schools ARTLab, surrounded by her final pieces from school. Around the building, all of her classmates work is on display as part of the BFA Honours Graduating Exhibition, the end of a years-long road that felt much longer thanks to a certain unwanted guest who arrived in March 2020 and wont seem to leave us alone.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Fine arts grad Morgan Traa says her graduating exhibition isnt vastly different from her first assignment, a self-portrait. As an artist, no matter what you do, it always becomes a reflection of you.

Although most students created their final projects in the image of other people, of other things, of other places, and of abstract concepts they are still reckoning with, Traa doesnt think their last project is all that different from their first.

"I think this is also a self-portrait," she says. "As an artist, no matter what you do, it always becomes a reflection of you."

But for the last two years, no matter what those reflections illustrated and showcased, graduating students were unable to show their final work  the culmination of years of study and practice  in a gallery setting, owing to the pandemic. Instead, family and friends likely saw their paintings, digital installations, and ceramic work through a computer screen. It was still visual art, but the pixels couldnt quite capture it. Its hard to ask the artist what they intended to do when they cant even show their art the way they intended.

It hurt, say faculty members Holger Kalberg and Freya Olafson, who work with the graduating students on their final projects. For many students, the final exhibition was something theyd thought about endlessly since their first weeks on campus: its one of those landmark moments that caps off a university career.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Abby Gatbonton: There were times when it was absolutely, extremely tough, but we pulled through.

And what a career its been. In the best of times, students such as multi-disciplinary artist Abby Gatbonton, 23, would have had to face untold hurdles on the way to graduation day. But the last two years have been far from the easy times for Gatbonton and her fellow soon-to-be-alumni.

"Its been a long, long year," Gatbonton says as she walks through classmate Rachel Goossens exhibition. "There were times when it was absolutely, extremely tough, but we pulled through."

Last weekend, the school hosted an opening reception for the final exhibition, attended by nearly 300 people. It was a surreal experience, Gatbonton says. For half of their university careers, events such as that hadnt been possible. Until the exhibition started, students were still preparing for the possibility that theyd be the third consecutive graduating class to have their big week of showing their work to the public cancelled.

So when the exhibition actually happened, William Steele, 23, was floored, a feeling that hasnt dissipated in the days since, as strangers trickle in to see what he and his friends have made. "Its been touching and moving to have this type of support," he says in front of his final student work, a series of digital illustrations blending fantasy, religion, spirituality, nature, and queer ideology. "To see the support, and the eagerness of people after two years of not being able to see artwork, it really meant a lot to me."

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Rachel Goossens exhibit depicts scenes including the family cabin, a waterfall and the view from her window.

Not far away, Goossens aunt and uncle marvel at their nieces work: a series of prints that depict scenes such as the view from her window, the family cabin, and a waterfall, using a striking blend of colours, shapes, and textures across the gallery walls, almost like a visual puzzle. "Im just really proud of her ability to do what she has dreamed of doing," Paul Goossen says.

The aunt and uncle have logical questions, too. "So what happens with all of this work?" one asks of the piece entitled Sandy Bay. "Your house is not big enough for this one!"

As the students wander from room to room, a recent BFA honours graduate  whose final exhibition was disrupted by COVID  makes the rounds before approaching a few of the graduating students to compliment them on some great work. "Im a little sad because I wish we got to do this too," she said. "But Im so, so happy for you guys."

Whatever sadness and absence has defined the last two years of these students, the exhibition has done what its supposed to do: give the students a chance to reflect on their work, and on themselves, as they leave one world and enter another.

"Ive been so proud of us," says William Steele.

The exhibition continues until Wednesday at the ARTlab at 180 Dafoe Rd., at the U of M.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca

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FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP)  Actor Amber Heard suffered post-traumatic stress disorder from violence she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband Johnny Depp, including multiple acts of sexual assault, a psychologist testified Tuesday.

This combination of two separate photos shows divorced actors Johnny Depp, left, and Amber Heard in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., Tuesday May 3, 2022. Depp sued Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." (Jim Watson/Pool photos via AP)

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP)  Actor Amber Heard suffered post-traumatic stress disorder from violence she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband Johnny Depp, including multiple acts of sexual assault, a psychologist testified Tuesday.

The sexual assaults included being forced to perform oral sex and having Depp penetrate her with a liquor bottle, the psychologist, Dawn Hughes, told jurors at Depp's libel trial against Heard. He accuses her of falsely claiming in a newspaper op-ed piece that she was a victim of domestic violence.

Hughes' testimony contradicts that of a psychologist hired by Depp's lawyers, who said Heard was faking her symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and suffered from borderline and histrionic personality disorders. Hughes disputed that Heard suffers from any personality disorder.

Hughes was the first witness to take the stand on Heard's behalf after Depp's lawyers rested their case Tuesday morning.

Hughes said there is corroboration of many of the instances of abuse, including apologies and admissions made by Depp to Heard and admissions he made to friends in text messages about his bad behavior when he drinks. In some cases, Heard told her therapists about the abuse contemporaneously, Hughes said.

Depp has said he never physically attacked Heard, and that she was the aggressor who routinely hit him and threw things at him through the course of their relationship.

Hughes, in her testimony, said Heard acknowledged that she did at times push and shove Depp, call him names and insult his parenting.

But Hughes said there's a difference in the violence when a smaller person strikes at a larger person, and that Depp's violence was intimidating and threatened her safety, but Heard's violence did not have the same effect on Depp.

That's just physics; that's just proportional force, she said.

Much of the violence, Hughes said, stemmed from Depp's obsessive jealousy. He insisted she avoid nude scenes, if she worked at all, and accused her of affairs with actors Billy Bob Thornton and James Franco. If she did work on a film, Depp would call the director and others on set and say he had eyes there who would report to him if she fraternized improperly, Hughes said.

And Heard, who identifies as bisexual according to treatment notes introduced at trial, also faced scrutiny in her interactions with women. Hughes said Depp on one occasion manually penetrated Heard in anger after witnessing Heard's interactions with a woman.

Amber got accused of women hitting her, and she got accused of men hitting on her, Hughes said.

Heard blinked back tears, and her lips and chin quivered at times as Hughes described the abuse.

Hughes said she based her testimony on 29 hours of interviews with Heard, as well as interviews with her therapists and a review of court documents.

Earlier Tuesday, Depp's lawyers rested their case, and a judge rejected a motion from Heard's lawyers to dismiss the case. Heard's lawyers argued that Depp had failed to make his case as a matter of law and that no reasonable jury could find in his favor.

But the judge, Penney Azcarate, said the standard for dismissing a case at this point in the trial is exceedingly high, and that the case should be allowed to move forward if Depp has provided even a scintilla of evidence backing up his claims.

Depp and his lead lawyer, Benjamin Chew, patted each other on the back after the judge ruled the case can proceed.

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Chew argued that the jury has a wealth of evidence to conclude that Heard falsely accused Depp of abuse. In fact, he said, the evidence shows that Ms. Heard physically abused him. She's the abuser.

Heard's lawyer, J. Benjamin Rottenborn, said the evidence is clear over the last three weeks of testimony that Heard's allegations of abuse are truthful.

We havent gotten to put on our case yet, he said. This is all evidence that has come in while plaintiff controls the playing field.

Depp is suing Heard for $50 million in Fairfax County Circuit Court after Heard wrote a December 2018 op-ed piece in The Washington Post describing herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse. The article never mentions Depp by name, but Depps lawyers say he was defamed nevertheless because its a clear reference to abuse allegations Heard levied in 2016, in the midst of the couples divorce proceedings.

The judge on Tuesday did say she's reserving judgment on whether the article's headline in online editions should be part of the libel lawsuit because she said the evidence is unclear at this point whether Heard wrote the headline or is responsible for it. The online headline reads, "I spoke up against sexual violence  and faced our cultures wrath. That has to change."

Hughes will be cross-examined Wednesday, and Heard is expected to take the stand Wednesday as well.
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
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Russian forces Tuesday began storming the steel mill containing the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol, Ukrainian defenders said, just as scores of civilians evacuated from the bombed-out plant reached relative safety and told of days and nights filled with dread and despair from constant shelling.

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)

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Russian forces Tuesday began storming the steel mill containing the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol, Ukrainian defenders said, just as scores of civilians evacuated from the bombed-out plant reached relative safety and told of days and nights filled with dread and despair from constant shelling.

Osnat Lubrani, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said that thanks to the evacuation effort over the weekend, 101 people  including women, the elderly, and 17 children, the youngest 6 months old  were able to emerge from the bunkers under the Azovstal steelworks and see the daylight after two months.

One evacuee said she went to sleep at the plant every night afraid she wouldnt wake up.

You cant imagine how scary it is when you sit in the bomb shelter, in a damp and wet basement, and it is bouncing and shaking, 54-year-old Elina Tsybulchenko said upon arriving in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Mariupol, in a convoy of buses and ambulances.

She said if the shelter were hit by a bomb like the ones that left the huge craters she saw on the two occasions she ventured outside, all of us would be done.

Evacuees, a few of whom were in tears, made their way from the buses into a tent offering some of the comforts long denied them during their weeks underground, including hot food, diapers and connections to the outside world. Mothers fed small children. Some of the evacuees browsed racks of donated clothing, including new underwear.

The news for those left behind was more grim. Ukrainian commanders said Russian forces backed by tanks began storming the sprawling plant, which includes a maze of tunnels and bunkers spread out over 11 square kilometers (4 square miles).

Ukrainian pregnant woman Alyona, 20, holds her son Sergei, 1, as they wait for boarding during an evacuation of civilians in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, Saturday, Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Andriy Andriyenko)

How many Ukrainian fighters were holed up inside was unclear, but the Russians put the number at about 2,000 in recent weeks, and 500 were reported to be wounded. A few hundred civilians also remained there, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

Well do everything thats possible to repel the assault, but were calling for urgent measures to evacuate the civilians that remain inside the plant and to bring them out safely, Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of Ukraines Azov Regiment, said on the messaging app Telegram.

He added that throughout the night, the plant was hit with naval artillery fire and airstrikes. Two civilian women were killed and 10 civilians wounded, he said.

The U.N.s Lubrani expressed hope for further evacuations but said none had been worked out.

In his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that by storming the steel mill, Russian forces violated agreements for safe evacuations. He said the prior evacuations are not a victory yet, but its already a result. I believe theres still a chance to save other people."

In other battlefield developments, Russian troops shelled a chemical plant in the eastern city of Avdiivka, killing at least 10 people, Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said.

The Russians knew exactly where to aim  the workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home, Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. Another cynical crime by Russians on our land.

Explosions were also heard in Lviv, in western Ukraine, near the Polish border. The strikes damaged three power substations, knocking out electricity in parts of the city and disrupting the water supply, and wounded two people, the mayor said. Lviv has been a gateway for NATO-supplied weapons and a haven for those fleeing the fighting in the east.

Smoke rises after a Russian missile strike in Lviv, Ukraine, late Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Russian missile strikes targeted the city in western Ukraine on Tuesday, hitting electrical substations and disrupting power. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A rocket also struck an infrastructure facility in a mountainous area in Transcarpathia, a region in far western Ukraine that borders Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, authorities said. There was no immediate word of any casualties.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Russian aircraft and artillery hit hundreds of targets in the past day, including troop strongholds, command posts, artillery positions, fuel and ammunition depots and radar equipment.

Ukrainian authorities said the Russians also attacked at least a half-dozen railroad stations around the country.

The assault on the Azovstal steelworks began almost two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military not to storm the plant to finish off the defenders but to seal it off. The first  and so far only  civilians to be evacuated from the shattered plant got out during a brief cease-fire in an operation overseen by the U.N. and the Red Cross.

At a reception center in Zaporizhzhia, stretchers and wheelchairs were lined up, and children's shoes and toys awaited the convoy. Medical and psychological teams were on standby.

Some of the elderly evacuees appeared exhausted as they arrived. Some of the younger people, especially mothers comforting babies and other young children, appeared relieved.

Im very glad to be on Ukrainian soil, said a woman who gave only her first name, Anna, and arrived with two children, ages 1 and 9. We thought we wouldnt get out of there, frankly speaking.

A small group of women held up signs in English asking that fighters also be evacuated from the steel plant.

President Joe Biden speaks on security assistance to Ukraine during a visit to the Lockheed Martin Pike County Operations facility where they manufacture Javelin anti-tank missiles, Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The arrival of the evacuees was a rare piece of good news in the nearly 10-week conflict that has killed thousands, forced millions to flee the country, laid waste to towns and cities, and shifted the post-Cold War balance of power in Eastern Europe.

Over the past days, traveling with the evacuees, I have heard mothers, children and frail grandparents speak about the trauma of living day after day under unrelenting heavy shelling and the fear of death, and with extreme lack of water, food and sanitation, Lubrani said. They spoke of the hell they have experienced."

In addition to the 101 people evacuated from the steelworks, 58 joined the convoy in a town on the outskirts of Mariupol, Lubrani said. About 30 people who left the plant decided to stay behind in Mariupol to try to find out whether their loved ones were alive, Lubrani said. A total of 127 evacuees arrived in Zaporizhzhia, she said.

The Russian military said earlier that some of the evacuees chose to stay in areas held by pro-Moscow separatists.

Tsybulchenko rejected Russian allegations that the Ukrainian fighters wouldnt allow civilians to leave the plant. She said the Ukrainian military told civilians that they were free to go but would be risking their lives if they did so.

We understood clearly that under these murder weapons, we wouldnt survive, we wouldnt manage to go anywhere, she said.

Mariupol has come to symbolize the human misery inflicted by the war. The Russians two-month siege of the strategic southern port has trapped civilians with little or no food, water, medicine or heat, as Moscows forces pounded the city into rubble. The plant in particular has transfixed the outside world.

After failing to take Kyiv in the early weeks of the war, Russia withdrew from around the capital and announced that its chief objective was the capture of Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, known as the Donbas.

Mariupol lies in the region, and its fall 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 Donbas.

But so far, Russias troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains in the eastern offensive.

Ukraines resistance has been significantly bolstered by Western arms, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced 300 million pounds ($375 million) in new military aid, including radar, drones and armored vehicles.

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In a speech delivered remotely to Ukraines parliament, he pronounced the battle Ukraines finest hour, echoing the words of Winston Churchill during World War II.

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 said.

___

Associated Press journalists Inna Varenytsia and David Keyton in Kyiv, Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, 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
Airport traffic is once again taking off, according to new data from the Winnipeg Airports Authority.

Nick Hays, the new president and CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Airport traffic is once again taking off, according to new data from the Winnipeg Airports Authority.

March marked one of Winnipeg Richardson International Airports busiest months since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Over 187,900 people travelled through the space that month, representing nearly half  44 per cent  of all passengers visiting the airport in 2022s first quarter.

"The numbers we saw in the final month of the first quarter are extremely encouraging when it comes to our recovery," Nick Hays, the WAAs president and CEO, said in a news release.

On March 24, the airport saw more than 9,400 travellers  the most for a single day in over two years, according to the WAA.

This years first quarter traffic was up 314 per cent compared to last years. Still, its 38 per cent below pre-pandemic numbers for the same period. The WAA counted 428,994 passengers in January through March 2022.

"The increase in traffic shows that our community is ready to travel again," Hays said in a release.

Last year, 1.2 million passengers trekked through Winnipegs airport. It was a slight decrease from 2020 and a 75 per cent cut from 2019s 4.5 million travellers.

"(It will) take a few more years to recover, in terms of passenger volumes and take a few more years beyond that for us to work off all the extra debt we had to incur during the pandemic," Hays told the Free Press.

The WAA reported a consolidated revenue of $24.4 million for 2022s first quarter. Its pre-interest, depreciation and tax earnings were $7 million, compared to a flat result during 2021s first quarter.

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Last years total revenue was $75.1 million, a drop from the $139.8 million recorded in 2019. At the end of 2021, the WAA had $633 million in long-term debt.

The airports cargo sector continues to grow, according to the WAA. A total 1,120 cargo planes landed in Winnipeg this January through March.

The WAA is developing a $62-million multi-tenant air cargo logistics facility, which will be located by the current Air Canada cargo building on Sargent Avenue.

 with files from Martin Cash

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com
ATLANTA (AP)  The state of Georgia and local governments will give Rivian Automotive $1.5 billion of incentives to build a 7,500-job, $5 billion electric vehicle plant east of Atlanta, according to documents the company and state signed Monday.

FILE - Gov. Brian Kemp walks past a Rivian electric truck after announcing that electric truck maker Rivian Automotive will build a $5 billion battery and assembly plant east of Atlanta projected to employ 7,500 workers, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Atlanta. The state announced on Monday, May, 2, 2022, that it and local governments had agreed to offer Rivian $1.5 billion of incentives to build a 7,500-job, $5 billion electric vehicle plant. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

ATLANTA (AP)  The state of Georgia and local governments will give Rivian Automotive $1.5 billion of incentives to build a 7,500-job, $5 billion electric vehicle plant east of Atlanta, according to documents the company and state signed Monday.

Georgia Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said the size of the package reflects the size of the largest single industrial announcement in Georgia history, including a pledge that the company will reach the full investment and job targets by the end of 2028, with jobs paying an average of $56,000 a year, plus benefits. The state also hopes Rivian will anchor an entire electric vehicle industry.

Its absolutely appropriate because theyre creating more jobs, Wilson said.

It is, by far, the largest incentive package Georgia has ever offered to a company, It's also the largest incentive package any American state has ever given to an auto plant said Greg LeRoy, executive director Good Jobs First, a group skeptical of subsidies to private companies.

This is very significant, LeRoy said. Its the biggest auto assembly subsidy package in US history.

Rivian, based in Irvine, California, is a startup manufacturer of electric trucks and commercial delivery vans, challenging both established automakers like Ford and General Motors and electric vehicle leader Tesla. The company is already producing vehicles in Normal, Illinois. Rivian hopes to break ground as early as this summer and begin production in 2024, sprinting toward producing 400,000 vehicles a year in Georgia as electric vehicle makers try to gain market share.

The long-term economic partnership promises to deliver value to Rivian, the people of Georgia and their kids kids kids," the company said in a statement

FILE - Republican gubernatorial candidate for Georgia, former U.S. Sen. David Perdue steps off stage after speaking at a rally to oppose a proposed Rivian electric vehicle assembly plant Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Rutledge, Ga. The state announced on Monday, May, 2, 2022, that it and local governments had agreed to offer Rivian $1.5 billion of incentives to build a 7,500-job, $5 billion electric vehicle plant. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

The plant has been beset by fierce local opposition from residents who say development on the 2,000-acre (800-hectare) site will spoil their rural quality of life. The site, between Social Circle and Rutledge, is about 45 miles (70 kilometers) east of downtown Atlanta.

The state took over planning and zoning for the project after opponents overwhelmed Morgan County officials. Residents have voiced concerns about possible well-water contamination, light pollution and the disruption of wildlife and farmland. Wilson said a site plan and other documents released Monday show Rivian responding to those concerns, shifting the plant away from wetlands and agreeing to limit light pollution.

Opposition has become entangled in politics. Former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, who is challenging Kemp in the May 24 Republican primary, lines up with opponents.

Perdue has emphasized the role of liberal billionaire George Soros." Although Soros bought $2 billion worth of shares about the same time Rivian chose Georgia, he owns only 2% of Rivian. Theres no evidence Soros influenced the plant location.

Think about how many small businesses in Georgia could be helped for this kind of money, instead of padding George Soros pockets, Perdue said Monday. Kemp gave away the farm to a woke corporation for something the locals dont even want, and hardworking Georgians are left footing the bill.

Kemp, during a debate Sunday, reiterated his backing for Rivian.

I support 7,500 great-paying jobs going to rural Georgia, to an automobile manufacturing facility, Kemp said. Im going to always be for that.

Local governments have agreed to $700 million in property tax breaks, although Rivian plans to make more than $300 million in payments in lieu of taxes over 25 years beginning in 2023.

The state would spend $200 million to buy the site, grade it, build road improvements including a new Interstate 20 interchange and extend utilities. Georgia would spend $62.5 million to build a dedicated training center and a projected $27 million on providing job training.

Other major benefits include a $200 million income tax credit, at $5,250 per job over five years. If Rivian didn't owe that much state corporate income tax, Georgia would give personal income taxes collected from workers instead. Georgia also estimates sales tax exemptions will save Rivian $175 million on machinery and $105 million on construction materials.

Kia got more than $450 million in incentives for its plant in West Point, southwest of Atlanta. Georgia has promised SK Innovation $300 million in incentives for a $2.6 billion, 2,600-worker battery plant northeast of Atlanta.

Wilson said the state has strong protections to claw its money back if Rivian falls below 80% of promised investment or employment.

The state touts a $420 million annual payroll, as well as an analysis showing there will be 8,000 more jobs created elsewhere in the state with a total impact of more than $7 billion. But LeRoy said incentives will cost $200,000 per job, and state and local governments will never collect enough increased taxes to cover that.

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The state can never break even, LeRoy said. Theres no way that the average worker in this place is going to pay $200,000 more in state and local taxes.

Rivian currently plans two models for consumers: the R1T pickup with a base price of $67,500 and the R1S SUV, with a base price of $70,000.

Amazon, which owns 18% of Rivian, has ordered 100,000 delivery vans, launching the company into commercial vehicles.

Rivian is flush with cash following a $11.9 billion stock offering Nov. 10, allowing it to finance the new plant. But shares have fallen 70% since then as investors worry about production delays.

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Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.
The business community came out in force to support the efforts of Economic Development Winnipeg and its sales group called Yes! Winnipeg at its annual investor breakfast on Monday after committing to invest more than ever before.

The business community came out in force to support the efforts of Economic Development Winnipeg and its sales group called Yes! Winnipeg at its annual investor breakfast on Monday after committing to invest more than ever before.

Yes! Winnipeg was formed in 2010 with a mandate that it would beat the bushes both at home and around the world to uncover investment opportunities for the city.

The business community has seen the value in that, now, perhaps even more than in the past 12 years, by promising to invest $1 million per year for the next five years, almost 25 per cent more than had been the case in the previous five-year capital campaigns.

Ryan Kuffner, vice-president of sales and business development for Yes! Winnipeg, said last year they werent sure what to expect, but the organization raised $1 million in 2021 in the midst of a pandemic.

"In this city we cant rely on others, we have to do it ourselves," Kuffner said. "It was incredibly inspiring for us to see the way the private sector leadership stepped up. We raised more money than ever in the history of Yes! Winnipeg last year."

Dayna Spiring, EDWs chief executive officer, said that success shows "economic development is a team sport." She said her organization cant do its job without the support from government and the business community.

EDWs peers around the world would likely sympathize with Winnipeg when Spiring said, "It has not been the easiest winter or spring to sell the advantages of Winnipeg". But luckily for the community at large in addition to it being a team sport, economic development also requires relentless optimism.

Last year the organization played a role in securing investments from seven companies totalling $365 million in capital investment resulting in the creation of close to 1,300 direct jobs, including Maple Leaf Foods new pre-cooked bacon plant, another expansion at Price Industries and continuing growth at Precision ADM.

And those investments will go on to be indirectly responsible for the creation another 2,400 jobs.

Kuffner said there are a lot of leads in the pipeline including a few very large ones. He wouldnt disclose any details, but he and Spiring both noted the importance of the development of the CentrePort Rail Park which is especially configured for very large tenants.

The developer of that project, Focus Equities, will be responsible for the servicing of the lots in that 665-acre industrial park, but other than that there is a dearth of serviced industrial land in the city.

"We are encouraged by the Rail Park development," Spiring said. "But I cant tell you how frustrating it is for my team to go out and sell business in Winnipeg, and win, and to have the only difficult factor being where we physically put the investment when they come here."

But there is growing demand for industrial space across North America these days and Kuffner believes with increasing emphasis on ESG investing (environment, social considerations and governance) it puts Winnipeg in a sweet spot.

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Kuffner said more than ever investors are looking for jurisdictions where there is clean and renewable energy, where the talent pool is diversified and communities where they are not priced out like many larger centres in Canada.

"The stars are aligning for us," he said, noting Manitoba Hydros green energy, Winnipegs growing Indigenous community and the affordable real estate rates in the province.

"Thats why the industrial land piece is so important because if the stars come together in every other way but if we have no land to settle on, thats a challenge."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
The pandemic has spurred some companies to do away with the five-day work week.

The pandemic has spurred some companies to do away with the five-day work week.

J. Richard Partridges staff now work 4 1/2 days weekly. Soon, that number will drop to four.

"Im trying to give back time to our people," Partridge, the CEO of JRP Employee Benefit Solutions, said.

Majority of MB businesses returning to office: poll Click to Expand The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce polled 176 businesses on the future of work at the beginning of April. Over half of respondents  55 per cent  said theyd return to the office full-time. Two in five were following a hybrid model at the time, while six per cent whod worked in the office pre-pandemic were fully remote. Just seven per cent of businesses said they dont expect their employees to return to the office. Thirty-eight per cent said theyd continue a hybrid structure. A strong majority  70 per cent  checked no when asked if they feared losing staff over a return-to-work mandate.  Gabrielle Piche

Pre-pandemic, his staff would be in the office five days a week. Now, they work remotely and come to the office when they want  as long as its not Friday afternoon.

The 25 workers are off after noon on Friday. They still work eight-hour days during the week, including a one-hour lunch and two 15-minute breaks. There havent been pay cuts; instead, there have been bonuses, Partridge said.

"I feel like, with technology, we can do more in less time," Partridge said. "I think about what were doing today 50 years ago  I dont need five days to do what it once took full-time work to do."

The pandemic made Partridge reflect on how valuable time is, he said. The 41-year-old has two children and not many hours to pursue hobbies, such as learning to play the piano.

"You see how stressed-out people are, and you see the toll that social media and being plugged into the phone (takes) People are constantly working," Partridge said.

"Two days is not enough to relax and recharge anymore. If someone can take a Friday afternoon off to do their shopping, their laundry, to clean up the house, to actually fully enjoy Saturday and Sunday, I want them to have that."

Partridge piloted the 4 1/2-day work week last summer. Hell do the same with a four-day week this July.

Employees of the professional services company have a detailed schedule of what must be done hour by hour at work, and progress is continuously updated. The team members have virtual and in-person meetings to connect.

Partridge said he got complaints about micromanagement when the new system began, but people now like the certainty and lack of confusion, he added.

"Youre the captain of a ship; you need to know that that vessel is on course," he said.

Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press JRP Employee Solutions CEO J. Richard Partridge: Two days is not enough to relax and recharge

If anything, productivity has been better since shortening the work week, Partridge said. Its also been a draw for potential hires.

"I dont think that every business can do what weve done," he said. "I think that if youre in a certain business, this is just a difficult thing."

Acuity HR Solutions is also considering a four-day work week, according to president Brad Lutz.

The company has taken Fridays off in the summer months for the past four years. If a client needs help on Friday, someone will jump in.

Productivity is the same or better, Lutz said.

And, hes working with many clients who have transitioned to four-day work-week models.

"The four-day work week is definitely gaining traction," he said.

His office continues eight-hour days (with no salary cuts). Some places, including manufacturers, are opting for four 10-hour days, Lutz said.

The fourday work week is definitely gaining traction.  Brad Lutz

However, there are downsides to the longer shifts.

"If its a heavily physical environment, then there are going to be some safety concerns with respect to fatigue, and you could have some sprain/strain injuries," Lutz said.

White-collar jobs requiring significant focus could leave workers mentally taxed near the end of the day, he added.

Companies across Canada are piloting a four-day work week through 4 Day Week Global, a non-profit based in New Zealand.

Five Canadian businesses, including Fresh Squeezed Ideas and Blue Sky Philanthropy, began their six-month experiments around the beginning of April. Organizations who have signed on go through workshops and receive mentorship from others who have switched to four-day work weeks.

Companies performances are tracked and compared to their five-day work week productivity by Boston College, said Joe OConnor, 4 Day Week Globals CEO.

"Were hoping to recruit a much more sizable number of Canadian companies (in the future)," OConnor said.

Employees in the program keep their full pay, work 80 per cent of the time and maintain 100 per cent productivity, 4 Day Week Global touts.

I think the whole flexibility  working from home, managing your own hours when youre productive  is probably more important.  Brad Lutz

American businesses  such as crowdfunding platform Kickstarter  and companies overseas, including in the United Kingdom and Australia, are participating.

Lutz isnt convinced a four-day work week is best.

"I think the whole flexibility  working from home, managing your own hours when youre productive  is probably more important," he said.

Flex time is brought up more often with clients, Lutz said.

"Thats the changing role of an effective leader," he said. "Managers need to get away from managing, You need to be in your seat from this time till this time (and instead) manage somebodys outcomes."

Its a job seekers market, and now, its more common for workers to prioritize benefits such as paid time off and the option to work remotely over slightly more pay at an in-office job, Lutz said.

An easing of caution Attending a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce event now involves picking a sticker: red, yellow or green. Each colour indicates a comfort level. The blazing red is a reminder to keep distant, while yellow is an OK for elbow bumps and greens are ready to hug and handshake. The latter hue has been most popular lately, said Loren Remillard, the chambers president. Some people might even say, I dont need a sticker anymore, he said. click to read more Attending a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce event now involves picking a sticker: red, yellow or green. Each colour indicates a comfort level. The blazing red is a reminder to keep distant, while yellow is an OK for elbow bumps and greens are ready to hug and handshake. The latter hue has been most popular lately, said Loren Remillard, the chambers president. Some people might even say, I dont need a sticker anymore, he said. The uptick in green stickers mirrors the rise in businesses attending chamber events. An earlier pandemic-era luncheon might hold 200 attendees; more recent meetings see more than 300. Red and yellow stickers were abundant when the system was first introduced  to a much smaller crowd  over a year ago. The general feeling is were moving quickly into that endemic stage where were learning to live with (COVID-19), Remillard said. Rules around vaccination are largely not a main focus for companies, he said. Businesses now are really trying to make sure they have sufficient staff to get back up and running, he said. Im not hearing a lot of businesses talk about the vaccine mandate. Still, its hard to say, as its an internal issue for private businesses, Remillard said. Close

"There is a shortage of skilled, qualified people right now," he said. "If (employers) want to be able to attract and retain talent, theyre going to have to find a flexible work environment."

Lutz predicts there wont be a return to full-time office work for most companies.

Some places  including his  are planning to have one day a week where everyone is physically together. Its a time for team meetings, Lutz said.

"People have experienced less human connection over the last two years than they probably have perhaps before, and mental-health issues are coming into play," he said.

Tory McNally, director of human-resource services at Legacy Bowes, said her crew will come into the office in weeklong shifts.

The company is split into two  a recruitment side and a human-resources side  and one team per week will take the office. Legacy Bowes may add a third week into the rotation where people can volunteer to come in and mingle.

"I think well always have to be in a situation where we wont be all in the office at the same time," McNally said.

Legacy Bowes has grown during the pandemic, and there arent enough desks for workers anymore, McNally added.

"Its nice to just be able to keep that balance of having the socialization but then also having the quiet," she said of the schedule.

"Once that Pandoras box is opened, its never going to be put back."  Tory McNally

Many employers seem anxious to get their staff back in the office, but theres a resistance on the worker level, McNally said.

"Once that Pandoras box is opened, its never going to be put back," she said.

Many employers plan on phasing in workers throughout the summer months, according to Loren Remillard, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerces president and CEO.

"Were in a feeling-out period right now," he said.

Businesses expect to have remote and in-office procedures solidified for autumn, he said.

For some, working from home has never been an option.

"Its not like a transit driver can say, Im going to remote work today," Remillard said, adding companies are trying "as best they can" to recognize the changing workplace expectations.

Fifty-six per cent of respondents to a March poll by the Angus Reid Institute and CBC said theyd look for a new job if asked to return to the office full-time.

Another 23 per cent said theyd quit on the spot.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com
OTTAWA - The Conservative party says six leadership candidates have cleared the final hurdles to getting their names on the ballot, while three others who did not make the cut are pushing back.

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

OTTAWA - The Conservative party says six leadership candidates have cleared the final hurdles to getting their names on the ballot, while three others who did not make the cut are pushing back.

Pierre Poilievre, the bombastic Tory finance critic whose rallies have at times drawn thousands, and Jean Charest, the former Quebec premier who is appealing to more centrist Conservatives, are both candidates in the race to replace former leader Erin O'Toole.

So are Patrick Brown, the mayor of Brampton, Ont., who is promoting religious freedom and making targeted promises to ethnic communities, and Leslyn Lewis, the socially conservative rural Ontario MP.

Scott Aitchison, the Ontario MP pledging to end supply management, and Roman Baber, the Independent Ontario MPP turfed from the Progressive Conservative caucus for his opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns, also made the cut.

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 to be verified.

These six candidates will square off in an English leadership debate on May 11 in Edmonton, moderated by former political journalist Tom Clark.

The two-hour debate will focus on candidates, the party says, adding that the debate committee's mandate is to "educate, engage and energize Canadians" about the race.

The Conservatives will announce their new leader on Sept. 10.

Leona Alleslev, a former Ontario MP who joined the Conservatives in 2018 after crossing the floor from the Liberals, announced last week she was unable to raise the money needed in time.

British Columbia MP Marc Dalton, who like Alleslev had met an earlier registration deadline, also said he did not manage to secure the remaining amount of funding needed to get on the ballot.

Three others who had met the earlier threshold are questioning how and why the Conservative party did not verify their candidacies, while the party insists the decision had nothing to do with their political stances.

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Joseph Bourgault, a businessman from rural Saskatchewan who supported the truck convoy that took over downtown Ottawa earlier this year, said Monday on Twitter that his team had submitted more than $367,000. "We are seeking clarification," he wrote.

Joel Etienne, a former Conservative election candidate, said in a statement that his campaign is "preparing a formal protest" to the party after it had tried to submit the money and signatures required on Friday.

Grant Abraham, a consultant who ran as a candidate in Britains 2019 election, said in a statement that he is asking the Conservative party "for a detailed justification" of its choice to exclude him from the ballot, saying the money and signatures had been submitted.

However, the executive director of the Conservative Party of Canada said any prospective candidate who did not meet the requirements was informed of this fact and the reason why they did not meet the threshold.

"Final verification was based on the requirements set out under the rules, not any prospective candidates political beliefs, Wayne Benson said in a statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2022.
OTTAWA - A push from the Bloc Quebecois for the House of Commons to confirm the right to an abortion failed Tuesday, as Conservative MPs were warned against commenting on the U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that has thrown the issue back into the domestic spotlight.

Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen rises during Question Period, Wednesday, April 27, 2022 in Ottawa. Conservative caucus members have been instructed not to comment on a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion, suggesting the top court could overturn a 1973 decision that legalized abortion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - A push from the Bloc Quebecois for the House of Commons to confirm the right to an abortion failed Tuesday, as Conservative MPs were warned against commenting on the U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that has thrown the issue back into the domestic spotlight.

Canadian leaders are among the millions reacting to the news first reported Monday by Politico of a leaked draft opinion by the U.S. top court, suggesting it could overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion countrywide.

"The right to choose is a womans right and a womans right alone. Every woman in Canada has a right to a safe and legal abortion," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted Tuesday.

"Well never back down from protecting and promoting womens rights in Canada and around the world."

The draft decision south of the border also prompted Bloc Quebecois deputy House leader Christine Normandin to present a unanimous consent motion after question period confirming that a woman's body is hers alone, as is her decision to have an abortion for whatever reason.

When she did, some shouts of "no" echoed from the chamber, meaning the motion wasn't adopted. Normandin said afterwards she believed opposition came from the Conservative benches, as did the Liberals.

Earlier that day, Conservative MPs and senators were warned by the office of interim leader Candice Bergen to avoid making any comments on the draft opinion. The Canadian Press obtained a copy of the one-sentence memo.

It is not uncommon for the leader's office to ask MPs to refrain from commenting on certain issues. In this case, Bergen said in a statement, MPs were told to stay silent because it would be inappropriate to comment on a matter for the U.S. courts.

Abortion nonetheless remains a thorny political issue for the Conservatives. The party is in the middle of a leadership race in which anti-abortion groups are mobilizing to back candidates who oppose the procedure, including Campaign Life Coalition, which welcomed the draft U.S. ruling.

Many Tory MPs also oppose abortion and have brought forward different private member's bills over the years to try to tighten access.

The last time that happened was June 2021, when 81 out of the party's 119 MPs voted in favour of a proposed bill from Conservative Saskatchewan MP Cathay Wagantall to ban so-called sex-selective abortions that she said targeted girls.

That bill was defeated by the Liberals, NDP and Bloc, but among its supporters was Bergen, who was deputy leader at the time.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Tuesday that Tory leadership hopefuls were courting the "anti-choice" vote at a time when Canada needs to guard against any "backsliding" of abortion rights.

Ontario MP Leslyn Lewis, who is anti-abortion, is among those heavily favoured by social conservatives in the leadership contest. She is running a campaign that includes what she calls a "No Hidden Agenda" plank in her platform, which includes promises to ban sex-selective abortion and stop funding abortion services overseas.

A campaign spokesman on Tuesday said she wouldn't comment on the draft decision because it isnt final.

At least three Conservative leadership hopefuls did wade into the debate, with one warning against Tories once again finding themselves on the receiving end of attacks from the Liberals on the abortion issue.

"While this is a U.S. decision, in its wake it's important for leaders to commit to protecting women's rights," Patrick Brown, mayor of Brampton, Ont., said in a statement.

He went on to say the draft decision gives Trudeau's Liberal government  which brokered a deal with the federal NDP to stay in power until 2025  "a lifeline to extend their power far beyond 2025, by making Canadians afraid of Conservatives."

"Abortion in Canada should be safe, legal and, in my personal opinion, rare," Brown said, adding he would usher in policies that encourage adoption and support parental rights.

Rural Ontario MP Scott Aitchison released a video voicing his support for a woman's right to choose, saying any efforts to prohibit abortion access would hurt them and families as a whole.

"The vast majority of Canadians do not want this issue reopened."

Michelle Coates Mather, a spokeswoman for Jean Charest's campaign, said the former Quebec premier supports abortion rights and would never vote for a private member's bill promising to restrict access.

Roman Baber, the independent MPP from Ontario also in the running, said he supports "diversity of opinion" within the party, including on matters of conscience.

Pierre Poilievre said late Tuesday that a Poilievre government will not introduce or pass any laws restricting abortion.

Bergen pushed back Tuesday against criticisms about her party's stance on abortion. She said access to the procedure was not restricted when Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper was in power, and accused Trudeau of using the issue to divide Canadians.

In spite of her own support for the past sex-selective abortion bill, Bergen said "the Conservative party will not introduce legislation or reopen the abortion debate."

Abortion also became an issue for former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole during last year's election campaign. His platform included a pledge to protect the conscience rights of health-care workers from having to perform procedures they find objectionable.

During the election, the Liberals made a series of promises to improve abortion access in Canada, including regulating access under the Canada Health Act.

The mandate letter for Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos calls on him to reinforce compliance under the act, develop a sexual and reproductive health rights information portal and support youth-led grassroots organizations that respond to the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people.

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Health Canada said Tuesday that nearly $65,000 was deducted from federal health transfer money sent to New Brunswick in March because that province refuses to fund surgical abortions outside of hospitals. That month, spokesman Mark Johnson said around $6,500 was withheld from Ontario over patient charges for abortions at independent health facilities.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freelands office has been tasked with changing the country's Income Tax Act to revoke charitable status from anti-abortion groups, like crisis pregnancy centres.

Freeland's office has not yet responded to requests for comment.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Tuesday the Liberal government could take two major steps to protect abortion rights: increase federal health transfers to make sure the overall system is properly funded, and enforce the rules under the Canada Health Act.

The Liberals' most recent federal budget did not earmark any specific funding for abortion rights.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3, 2022.
A Winnipeg woman charged in the murder of man whose charred remains were found in Portage la Prairie after he was tortured and held captive for several days is expected to claim she was acting under duress, a judge was told Monday.

RUTH BONNEVILLE Police investigate at the scene of the homicide on Alfred Avenue. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press files)

A Winnipeg woman charged in the murder of man whose charred remains were found in Portage la Prairie after he was tortured and held captive for several days is expected to claim she was acting under duress, a judge was told Monday.

Chelsea OHanley, 26, is on trial charged with first-degree murder, indignity to human remains and accessory to murder after the fact.

Clockwise from top left): Jonathan Narvey, Bobbi Lynn Hall, Chelsea OHanley and Kyle Sinkovits were arrested for the killing of Reimer-Wiebe. (Supplied)

Gerhard Reimer-Wiebe, 27, was killed in a Winnipeg home in June 2020, before his body was burned and partially buried on the edge of a field.

In March, 31-year-old Kyle Evan Sinkovits and 27-year-old Jonathan Narvey pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, while co-accused Bobbi Lynn Hall, 28, pleaded guilty to accessory to murder after the fact. They are still awaiting sentencing.

Prosecutors allege OHanley  like her three co-accused  was living in the Alfred Avenue home where Reimer-Wiebe was tortured and killed and had pictures of his dead body on her cellphone. And it was OHanley, say prosecutors, who drove her three co-accused and Reimer-Wiebes body to Portage la Prairie in her Chevrolet Equinox.

"We understand duress is going to be a key legal issue for you to decide in this case," Crown attorney Mike Desautels told Queens Bench Justice Ken Champagne in an opening address Monday. "The Crown expects Ms. OHanley to testify and we expect she will tell you she was under duress by somebody or something. There may be an expert called to explain what was going on medically or psychologically in her mind."

Audio recordings of OHanleys phone conversations with Narvey, her then boyfriend, while he was in jail discussing pictures found on her phone, as well as security video footage showing the four accused buying snacks, gas and a lighter at a Circle K convenience store prior to burning Reimer-Wiebes body, will challenge OHanleys claim she was threatened with harm, Desautels said.

"Duress isnt about being pressured to do something, about getting your arm twisted, its about life-or-death threats to be killed, grievous bodily harm to you or your loved ones," Desautels said. "We are going to invite you to watch that Circle K video closely, because we say it says a lot about the state of mind and the actions of that woman in the moment around when she says she was under duress."

While OHanley was indicted for first-degree murder, Desautels said the Crown will be seeking a conviction for second-degree murder.

Gerhard Reimer-Wiebe (Supplied)

An agreed statement of facts was provided to court when Sinkovits, Narvey and Hall entered their guilty pleas. Court heard then all four accused were living or staying at an Alfred Avenue home in mid-June 2020, when Hall told Sinkovits (her boyfriend) and Narvey (a close friend) she had awakened in bed with Reimer-Wiebe and believed he had sexually assaulted her.

Sinkovits and Narvey held Reimer-Wiebe captive for at least three days, placing a dog collar and leash around his neck and tying him to a chair in the basement. The pair brought Reimer-Wiebe upstairs for food and water and returned him to the basement, where they repeatedly assaulted him before ultimately killing him.

An autopsy showed Reimer-Wiebe suffered an array of injuries, including a fractured tibia, lacerations to his back, a broken hand and major skull trauma.

Photos later found on a cellphone shared by Narvey and OHanley showed Narvey standing on Reimer-Wiebes body as it lay over tarps in the kitchen.

"I dont know a less crass way to describe it than a trophy picture of his body," Desautels said Monday.

According to the agreed statement of facts provided to court in March, sometime on June 19 or 20, 2020, Reimer-Wiebes body was wrapped in a tarp and placed in the trunk of OHanleys Equinox. With OHanley behind the wheel, the four accused drove 70 kilometres west to Portage la Prairie to dispose of Reimer-Wiebes body.

The group stopped at a gas bar, where they stocked up on snacks and filled a jerry can with gas, before heading to the home of one of Halls ex-boyfriends.

Once there, they drove onto an adjacent field, unloaded Reimer-Wiebes body and used the gas to set it on fire. After some time, the group moved the body to a treed area on the edge of the field and covered it with dirt.

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The group returned to Winnipeg where, according to the agreed statement of facts, they found the Alfred Avenue residence engulfed in flames.

Four days later, Halls ex-boyfriends father called RCMP to report he had found human remains on his property.

Reimer-Wiebes blood and DNA was found in the trunk of OHanleys car, Desautels told court Monday.

The trial is set for four weeks.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
Problems with the hot water at Thompson General Hospital persist, despite Health Minister Audrey Gordon telling the Manitoba legislature April 25 long-awaited parts had arrived and repairs would be completed last week.

Problems with the hot water at Thompson General Hospital persist, despite Health Minister Audrey Gordon telling the Manitoba legislature April 25 long-awaited parts had arrived and repairs would be completed last week.

Thats because there are two separate problems involving different systems and parts of the hospital, a spokesman for Northern Health said Monday.

While parts needed to repair problems in the emergency department have arrived, the piece of plumbing needed to fix the problem in the hospitals patient wards remains hung up somewhere in the supply chain, he said in an email.

On Monday, a patient at the hospital confirmed maintenance staff continue to haul five-gallon jugs of hot water to the wards.

"Its a lot of work and you feel bad for the people who have to haul the hot water around," said the patient, who asked not to be publicly identified.

The source, in their 50s, said the lack of hot running water has been an issue since being admitted Dec. 28. They have relied on sponge baths and used a dry "shower in a bag" before recently having a bath in a tub filled by maintenance workers.

"Its cutting into their work. They have much better things to do than haul hot water," the patient said. "Thats why we have pipes."

The problem is in the pipes, the Northern Health spokesman said: a busted mixing valve within the boiler room which supplies the patient wards.

Hospital maintenance staff have had to haul hot water to the wards since the problem arose in January  not mid-March, as the health region first reported, he said. Once the mixing valve and its related parts arrive, the repair will require a short water shutdown for the areas supplied by the line.

The hospital plans to use a plumbing contractor with on-site support staff to do the work, the spokesman said. In the mean time, the hospital will continue with its contingency plans.

The health minister issued a statement Monday acknowledging a problem remains with the hot water at the hospital but its not hindering its operations.

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"Our government has been assured by (Northern Health) that there are no operational concerns at Thompson General Hospital," the statement from Gordons office said. "Supply chain issues continue (to) delay the final part required to resolve the issue."

In the emergency department, meanwhile, the problem that had been a separate issue (hot water in cold water lines) has been fixed, the health region said.

The ER has small room-by-room mixing valves for hands-free sink faucets that were faulty and required replacement. The fourth and final valve was replaced Monday, and the required water temperatures were restored, he said.

An old pneumatic-controlled mixing valve in the hospitals energy centre that supplies the ER is about to expire and plans to replace it with a new digital system have been escalated to an "emergent" request, he said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
A Winnipeg care home where 56 residents died of COVID-19 early in the pandemic is battling another outbreak, sparking concerns about the level of service being provided at the facility.

A Winnipeg care home where 56 residents died of COVID-19 early in the pandemic is battling another outbreak, sparking concerns about the level of service being provided at the facility.

As of Sunday, 17 residents of Maples personal care home had active cases of COVID-19, while 10 staff members had also tested positive and were self-isolating at home.

"The residents are in good care, receive daily assessments and our staffing levels are good," according to an email sent to family members of residents by Leonora De Lino, resident care manager, on behalf of Rechelle Flores, Maples executive director.

De Lino also said 70 residents who were eligible have received their fourth dose of vaccine. "Thank you again for your ongoing patience, kindness and support."

On Monday, Rhian Brynjolson said she is worried because she has a vulnerable family member in their 70s at Maples, who they have been trying to move to another care home for more than a year.

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES As of Sunday, 17 residents of Maples personal care home had active cases of COVID-19, while 10 staff members had also tested positive and were self-isolating at home.

"He was there during the (second wave) outbreak and he contracted COVID," Brynjolson said.

"It was traumatic for him but I do think they have wonderful staff and they are doing a good job there. I want to know what the (Winnipeg Regional Health Authority) is doing to ensure there is adequate care there."

Eddie Calisto-Tavares echoed those thoughts Monday.

She lost her 88-year-old father, Manuel dos Santos de Sousa Calisto, at Maples during the second wave of the pandemic. She now leads a group of families pushing for changes in the long-term care system.

"It doesnt surprise me there is another outbreak there," Calisto-Tavares said. "Its low staffing  that continues to be a problem.

"And it is because it is all back to normal  but it isnt. We still have to do all the fundamentals, especially in vulnerable communities, and seniors are the most vulnerable population."

We still have to do all the fundamentals, especially in vulnerable communities, and seniors are the most vulnerable population.  Eddie CalistoTavares

The Maples was hit hard by an outbreak which lasted from Oct. 20, 2020, to Jan. 12, 2021. When paramedics were called at one point, they found seniors had died unnoticed in their beds.

By the time the outbreak was over, 157 residents had been infected and 56 of them had died, and 74 staff members were also infected.

It was so bad the province called for an external probe, with the review finding the home was poorly equipped to care for the extremely sick seniors because of severe staff shortages and lack of preparation.

A spokesman for Ontario-based Revera Inc., which owns the Maples, did not return a call for comment Monday.

Jan Legeros, executive director of the Long Term & Continuing Care Association of Manitoba, said its not just the Maples where vulnerable seniors are once again battling COVID-19.

"More than 50 per cent of the homes are in outbreak in the city alone  and it probably holds true across the province and the country," Legeros said.

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES By the time the outbreak was over, 157 residents had been infected and 56 of them had died, and 74 staff members were also infected.

"Thankfully, almost everybody is vaccinated. About 98 per cent of the residents are vaccinated and now we are just giving out the fourth dose. They are protected as they can be."

However, Legeros said, unfortunately not all sector staff are vaccinated.

"Revera and Extendicare have policy where all staff has to be vaccinated, but not all do," she said. "But all the homes are still screening.

"We are being told we have to learn to live with it, but COVID is still out there in very high numbers. People have to ensure they dont pass it to other vulnerable persons. People need to be thinking of others and not just themselves."

According to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, there are currently 17 senior residences in the city grappling with COVID outbreaks.

As well, there are outbreaks in various wards of Grace, Concordia, St. Boniface, Victoria General and Seven Oaks General hospitals, the Health Sciences Centre and Misericordia Health Centre. St. Amant has also declared an outbreak.

More than 50 per cent of the homes are in outbreak in the city alone  and it probably holds true across the province and the country.  Jan Legeros

WRHA spokeswoman Bobbi-Jo Stanley said it has staff who work to support sites when they have an outbreak, and there are processes in place to allow the transfer of staff from other WRHA facilities, if needed.

NDP MLA Mintu Sandhu, who represents the Maples constituency, said the province needs to step in now to help the area care home, because Manitobans will never forget the tragic deaths at occurred there.

"The PC government failed in their responsibility to protect seniors and they never held Revera accountable for lying about their lack of staffing," Sandhu said. "The province needs to intervene immediately to ensure every resident has dignified and adequate care."

Meanwhile, Sherry Heppner, Convalescent Home of Winnipeg development co-ordinator, said the facility is at the tail end of an outbreak which began April 17.

Heppner said the home had a total of 16 positive cases on the facilitys third floor, along with two staff members.

"Nearly half of those who tested positive were asymptomatic," she said. "The remainder had sore and raspy throats, coughs and runny noses  cold-like symptoms. Only one resident required oxygen."

Heppner said because the novel coronavirus didnt spread to other units in the building, Convalescent Home had reopened its main dining room Monday and hopes to welcome back general visitors on the weekend.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Just 13 per cent of eligible Manitobans have had their fourth shot of COVID-19 vaccine, as the province takes in a disproportionate supply of Novavax shots for those dead-set against mRNA doses.

Just 13 per cent of eligible Manitobans have had their fourth shot of COVID-19 vaccine, as the province takes in a disproportionate supply of Novavax shots for those dead-set against mRNA doses.

As of May 1, just 4,057 Manitobans aged 50 and older had their fourth shot; the province estimates 30,760 people in that age group are eligible, based on six months passing since their third shot.

That amounts to 0.8 per cent of the overall population aged 50 or older having a fourth dose, including those who dont yet qualify under the guideline to wait six months since the third dose.

Of those aged 80 and over, just 1.9 per cent have their fourth shot. Among those aged 70 and up, just 1.5 per cent are quadruple-vaccinated, amounting to one-fifth of the 12,221 people in that age range who are eligible for a fourth dose.

Meanwhile, Manitoba has received 10,250 doses of the Novavax shot from Ottawa. That amounts to 13 per cent of the national supply, despite Manitoba making up less than four per cent of the countrys population.

The Novavax shot uses classic vaccination technology, including a piece of protein that is also found on the edge of the novel coronavirus.

That protein is meant to train the body to produce an immune response, so it will combat the early onset of exposure to an actual virus particle, instead of the body only catching on after the coronavirus has wreaked havoc.

Canada has relied much more on mRNA technology, a vaccine type that has been decades in development but relatively new in wide-scale vaccine rollouts. That technology includes genetic code that prompts the body to produce a piece of protein, instead of including actual pieces in the syringe.

Some vaccine-hesitant people have claimed theyd be willing to get a Novavax shot, out of a belief it is significantly less risky, though a vast swath of virologists argue this isnt the case.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Star reported Alberta and Manitoba received roughly the same number of Novavax doses, despite Alberta having three times as many people.

A Manitoba government spokesman said the province ordered doses based on feedback from doctors.

"It was difficult to estimate demand for Novavax, and as such, Manitoba took a prudent approach to prevent over-stocking," the province wrote.

"As part of the decision-making process, Manitoba immunizers were surveyed and asked to estimate the demand they expected to see from their clients."

As of last week, nearly 80 doses of Novavax have been administered in Manitoba, but that doesnt include doctors offices, which made up the bulk of shots by the time the Novavax vaccine arrived in the province in mid-April, as Manitoba was ramping down super sites.

The Novavax shot requires two doses, and can be given as a followup to one or two mRNA shots, or as a two-shot series of the same Novavax vaccine. Under federal recommendations, those shots should be eight weeks apart for most people.

As for fourth doses, anyone over 70 is eligible, as well as Indigenous people over 50, and any residents of personal care homes and congregate living, such as assisted living. But the province recommends waiting six months after the third dose.

"Just over 60 per cent of personal care homes in the province will have provided second booster doses to residents by the week of May 16," the province wrote, with the rest lining up clinics through to July, to make the six-month mark in some homes.

The Long Term & Continuing Care Association of Manitoba said the shots are being administered inside of personal care homes, with the support of regional health authorities. Pharmacies that partner with care homes are also helping, similar to the annual flu-shot campaigns.

"I understand that things are well underway, and going very smoothly," said association head Jan Legeros.

Unlike at the start of the vaccination clinic, care home staff can get their shots alongside residents. Legeros said thats a huge help, as some staff dont speak English well and rely on public transit, making it a challenge to reach super sites or clinics.

"Often they would need help with their consent form, because they are just learning English, and they could be very intimidated going to a super site," she said.

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However, Legeros warned COVID-19 has become pervasive in congregate living situations. Some 20 of Winnipegs 38 personal care homes had COVID-19 outbreaks last week, she said.

"We are still seeing tragedy in long-term care," she said, noting vaccination has helped prevent death, but not in all cases.

"We still have significant concerns about COVID entering the personal care homes where we have our most vulnerable folks, with multiple physical and psychological problems. They are certainly the ones who could have the worst outcomes."

Legeros warned the public should not be complacent about COVID-19, urging people to reduce spread by keeping a distance and limiting case contacts.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Two months ago, when Russian tanks first rolled into Ukraine, every message from Washington or NATO about the invasion included a prominent passage saying what the western alliance would not do.

Opinion

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (Michael Probst / The Associated Press files)

Two months ago, when Russian tanks first rolled into Ukraine, every message from Washington or NATO about the invasion included a prominent passage saying what the western alliance would not do.

It would not send NATO troops to help Ukraine. It would give Ukraine some "defensive" weapons, but no "offensive" ones, e.g., anti-tank missiles, but no tanks. It would, in other words, allow Ukraine to lose, but only slowly. And under no circumstances would it do anything that gave Russia reason to fear that it might face military action by NATO.

How things have changed! In the past two weeks the United States has declared that some US$2 billion worth of state-of-the-art weapons are on the way to Ukraine, including "Switchblade" combat drones and self-propelled howitzers. Even Germany (which originally offered Ukraine nothing but 5,000 helmets) is sending modern anti-aircraft guns.

Rhetorically, the sky is the limit. In a press briefing at the Polish border last month after a quick visit to Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said, "We want to see Russia weakened to the point where it cant do things like invade Ukraine."

It wasnt even like Joe Bidens slip of the tongue last month about regime change in Moscow. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was also on the Kyiv trip, chimed in to back Austin up: "I think the secretary said it very well." The official U.S. goal is now to reduce Russia to a state so weak that it cannot credibly threaten Ukraine, and keep it there.

This presupposes, of course, that Russia has already suffered a decisive defeat at the hands of the Ukrainian army in the current war. It also implicitly assumes the devastating economic sanctions NATO and other countries have placed on Russia will continue after the war ends.

What has given them the confidence to move the goalposts so dramatically? Not the military situation, certainly. Ukraine has successfully seen off the initial Russian attack, which was a simultaneous offensive on far too many different fronts with inadequate numbers on each of them. But the war is far from over.

The initial Russian strategy could only have succeeded if Ukraine was what Russian President Vladimir Putin imagined it to be: a "fake" country with useless armed forces that would collapse at the first push. It wasnt like that at all, of course, and it was the Russians who turned out to have the Potemkin army.

So victory in the first round went to Ukraine almost by default, but the second round will be more difficult. The Russians are now mostly concentrated on a single front in eastern Ukraine, which allows their traditional, methodical tactics, depending on bigger numbers and superior firepower, to function as designed.

There is still a lot of political interference driven by Putins impatience  Russian troops withdrawn from the abandoned Kyiv front are being thrown back into combat in the east with no time to rest and regroup  but they are slowly gaining ground.

They will continue to advance for at least some weeks to come. There are more and better weapons on their way to the Ukrainians, but it will take time to match the weapons with crews and get them to the front. Its now unlikely, but Ukraine could still lose this war.

Excessive caution has given way to over-confidence, and Biden, Blinken and Austin could wind up having their own diplomatic version of the "Retreat from Moscow."

The rival scenario, in which the Ukrainians eventually stop the Russian advance and then drive them back, is more likely, but it would bring its own difficult and dangerous choices.

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If the Ukrainians start taking territory back, where do they stop? On the line where the war started, leaving Crimea and some of Donetsk and Luhansk provinces in Russias hands? That would make sense, but it would be hard to convince bitter and vengeful Ukrainians to stop short of their pre-2014 border.

It would also be hard to persuade the Washington crew to stop there at the moment, but they need to be persuaded. The alternative is a new Cold War with Russia that could extend even beyond this decade.

Far better to stop at the 2022 border, declare a unilateral ceasefire, and leave Putin to twist in the wind. The Russians would get rid of him eventually, and then you could end sanctions in return for reparations for Ukraine.

To reach that highly desirable outcome, the Ukrainians first have to win their war, which is not yet in the bag. And then their friends would have to convince them that stopping short of total victory is in their own long-term interest. Not an easy sell.

Gwynne Dyers new book is The Shortest History of War.
Nations opposed to Russias brutal war of attempted conquest against Ukraine must surely share Canadas frustration with the inability of the United Nations to act against Russian aggression. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly should find out if like-minded countries are interested in starting a new United Nations free of the Russian veto.

Nations opposed to Russias brutal war of attempted conquest against Ukraine must surely share Canadas frustration with the inability of the United Nations to act against Russian aggression. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly should find out if like-minded countries are interested in starting a new United Nations free of the Russian veto.

The countries that won the Second World War started the UN we have today as a means of making sure the planet would not again suffer another war like those that afflicted the world from 1914 to 1918 and again from 1939 to 1945. The Soviet Union, which played a huge role in defeating Nazi Germany, naturally qualified as a great power at the time and was granted a veto in UN security council decisions alongside Britain, France, China and the United States.

Post-Soviet Russia somehow inherited the Soviet veto from the ruins of the Soviet Union, though Russia today is a mere shadow of the old Soviet empire. Its population is shrinking, its economy is in rapid decline and its army cannot even defeat that of neighbouring Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

By shelling the Ukraine capital Kyiv last week during the visit of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Russia showed its contempt for the UN. It also ruled itself out of consideration as a contributor to world peace and collective security.

Attempts to reform the UN have run into many obstacles, one of which is the Russian veto. As long as UN rules treat Russia as a great power and a force for world peace  though it is neither  the United Nations cannot reform itself from within.

Peace-loving nations that want a world body able to preserve peace and security might, however, be able to start from scratch as did those of 1945 and erect a new body in which Russia would have a role befitting its actual position as a middle-rank trading nation and a chronic aggressor with imperial ambitions.

The watching world should not try to wait out President Vladimir Putin in the hope his death, retirement or replacement will put Russia on a peaceful path. Russians have not removed him from power during two months of fruitless and disastrous war against Ukraine. His ruling group, whatever their private views may be, are sticking with him.

Starting up a new world body to preserve peace and security will be difficult.

Starting up a new world body to preserve peace and security will be difficult. Faded empires such as Britain and France will try to defend ancient privileges. Emerging empires such as China and India will demand status matching their ambitions. Germany will feel it has sat long enough in the penalty box. But if the world is sufficiently disgusted with Russias conduct and with the current impotence of the UN, a basis for agreement may perhaps be found.

Perhaps its time for Mr. Trudeau and Ms. Joly to set a group of scholars and diplomats to work collecting design ideas for a new world peace and security body. They could invite conversations with like-minded governments about early steps that could be taken toward building a wide consensus on the need for a new body free of Russian obstruction.

Canada doesnt have to dominate the discussion and doesnt have to like everything about the result it achieves. But somebody should start the ball rolling, and no one is better placed than Canada to play that role. If Russia sees what is afoot, comes to its senses and ceases its aggression, that could also be a good result.
Western Canadas oldest newspaper was the setting Mayor Brian Bowman used to mark World Press Freedom Day, which highlights the importance of a free and independent press.

Western Canadas oldest newspaper was the setting Mayor Brian Bowman used to mark World Press Freedom Day, which highlights the importance of a free and independent press.

May 3 serves not just to support journalists but for governments and communities to reflect on the importance of press freedom, Bowman said in the atrium of the Free Press building Tuesday.

"On this World Press Freedom Day, in a world shadowed by war and persecution and disinformation, I believe its deeply important for the City of Winnipeg to honour the professionals who dedicate their lives to reporting the news and offering thoughtful commentary on the news," he said.

The Free Press was recognized with the citys community service award for 150 years of upholding those values Tuesday. The news organization faces an uphill battle, as freedom of expression and access to information are challenged around the world, Bowman said.

Mayor Brian Bowman presents Free Press co-owner Bob Silver with the citys community service award on Tuesday, World Press Freedom Day. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)

"Freedom of the press is under attack whenever (Russian President) Vladimir Putin or (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad sets out on a path of tyranny, the first deadly step is always the persecution of professional journalists  censorship, harassment, imprisonment, even murder."

Bowman also announced the city will rededicate the press room at city hall, first opened by mayor Stephen Juba in 1964, Bowman said.

Free Press co-owner Bob Silver, who accepted the award Tuesday, said he had never been prouder to oversee the operation of the largest independent newspaper in Canada.

"Through all of the issues around the pandemic, every single morning, the paper was delivered to the citizens of Winnipeg. Every single day, the citizens of Winnipeg were given information. Every single day, the citizens of Winnipeg had an act of normalcy in a time where nothing seemed normal," he said.

"Post-truth" was the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year in 2016, and that adjective has only become more ingrained in public consciousness in the years since.

Free Press Publisher, Bob Cox (from left), co-owner Bob Silver, Mayor Brian Bowman and editor Paul Samyn. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Fee Press)

The U.S. presidential election that same year brought in a new world leader quick to shut down accredited journalists as "fake news," while simultaneously, manipulated or fabricated content designed to mislead became easier to spread as social media became more advanced.

More recently, news stories coming out of Russia on the war in Ukraine were flagged as disinformation campaigns by Canadas Communications Security Establishment, in an effort to help weed out purposefully misleading content for Canadians.

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A statement Tuesday from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called out Russia and called on Canadians to advocate for journalists in the line of fire.

"As Russia continues its illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, we thank the reporters on the front lines who are risking their lives to deliver accurate information to the world," he said. "In the age of disinformation and misinformation, independent, fact-based reporting is vital."

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh referenced a new bill introduced last month that will require tech companies to compensate Canadian media outlets for using their news content as a chance for Canada to catch up to other areas in the world in improving access to news content.

"For the seven years that the Liberals have been in power, they have been outspoken about protecting our news media, but instead of taking action, they have chosen to protect the profits of the web giants  buying more advertising for their personal benefit," Singh said.

The World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders, ranked Canada 19th in the world in the ability for its citizens to access accurate unbiased news coverage in 2022. Just the year prior, Canada had been ranked 14th.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca
OTTAWAConservative MPs looked at their phones, their desks, anywhere but across the floor of the House of Commons on Tuesday as their opponents applauded in support of a womans right to have an abortion in Canada.

OTTAWAConservative MPs looked at their phones, their desks, anywhere but across the floor of the House of Commons on Tuesday as their opponents applauded in support of a womans right to have an abortion in Canada.

But most of those seeking to become the partys next leader felt they had no choice but to stare the political reignition of the abortion debate right in the face.

The differing responses inside the Commons and on the leadership campaign trail to news the U.S. is poised to roll back abortion rights speaks to the reality that there are as few issues as challenging for todays Conservatives.

For years, a sizable number of the partys members, often organized by anti-abortion groups, havent shied away from using their influence to shape everything from riding association boards to the outcomes of leadership races.

Anti-abortion group Campaign Life Coalition took pride in the fact it helped four anti-abortion candidates raise the money and get the signatures to qualify for the leadership race this time, although only one of them, Leslyn Lewis, has ultimately made it onto the ballot.

That organization and others also have a voice through the handful of Conservative MPs who seek to get the debate back into Parliament during every session, at committees or via private members bills that would regulate or criminalize some abortions.

Together, their efforts generate persistent concerns that a future Tory government would seek to restrict abortion in Canada, an allegation levelled against the Tories during nearly every election, despite the most recent Conservative government not having made a move during more than 10 years in power.

Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen made that point Tuesday in a statement on the partys abortion policy.

The only ones reopening this debate are the Liberals, and Justin Trudeau is once again using womens reproductive rights to wedge and divide Canadians, she said.

Her statement came hours after she instructed her own MPs to stay silent on the U.S. court decision in a terse one-sentence memo obtained by the Star.

Its not unusual for MPs to be told not to comment on international issues that dont have a direct link to Canada.

That the U.S. Supreme Court appears set to overturn the decision in the landmark Roe v. Wade case and related ones has no impact on Canadian jurisprudence, and efforts to criminalize abortion in Canada would require a completely different path than in the U.S.

But that didnt stop Liberal, NDP and Bloc Quebecois MPs from jumping immediately to defend access to abortion in Canada, with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland calling it a fundamental right.

Some Conservatives do agree.

Even though many looked away during applause for Freeland, Quebec MP Gerard Deltell banged his desk in support.

Deltell is backing leadership candidate Jean Charest, who as Quebec premier also called abortion a right. On Tuesday, he promised as prime minister hed never restrict it but would respect the rights of MPs to bring forward private members bills.

Alberta MP Michelle Rempel Garner disregarded the no-comment memo, telling her American stepdaughters she loves them and supports their rights.

I will always, and have always, fought for the same for the women I represent in Canada, she said.

Shes helping run Brampton Mayor Patrick Browns leadership campaign.

He, too, pledged to never change Canadas laws, but also to ensure women had access to other options including adoption.

Abortion in Canada should be safe, legal, and, in my personal opinion, rare, Browns statement said.

Expanding support for pregnant women is one of the hallmarks of Leslyn Lewiss no hidden agenda abortion platform, which she rolled out last week.

She had no direct comment on the U.S. news.

Lewis promises to criminalize what she calls coerced abortions, end funding for abortion programs overseas, increase funding for pregnancy centres and ban abortions carried out due to the sex of the fetus.

Saskatchewan MP Cathay Wagantall tried to introduce a bill to that effect in the last Parliament. It failed to pass, although 80 Conservatives  more than half of the caucus  voted in favour.

Among those against were leadership hopefuls and current MPs Scott Aitchison and Pierre Poilievre.

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Aitchison, who supports access to abortion rights, sounded the alarm Tuesday about the importation of divisive American discourse into the Canadian political landscape.

While there are intense and passionate convictions on either side of this debate, the vast majority of Canadians do not want this issue reopened, he said.

Poilievres campaign issued a statement late Tuesday, saying a government led by him would not introduce or pass any laws restricting abortion.

While Poilievre is the front-runner, anti-abortion groups are actively telling their supporters not to vote for him, despite his economic appeal, citing his progressive track record.

Leadership candidate and Ontario MPP Roman Baber said he doesnt think government has any role in how people start or grow families, but wrote that Ill respect the right of every Canadian to seek nomination, introduce legislation and vote freely on matters of conscience, regardless of their view on life.

Stephanie Levitz is an Ottawa-based reporter covering federal politics for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @StephanieLevitz
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Tuesday blasted a radical Supreme Court draft opinion that would throw out the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling t hat has stood for a half century. The court cautioned no final decision had been made, but Biden warned that other privacy rights including same-sex marriage and birth control are at risk if the justices follow through.

A crowd of people gather outside the Supreme Court, early Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in Washington. A draft opinion circulated among Supreme Court justices suggests that earlier this year a majority of them had thrown support behind overturning the 1973 case Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide, according to a report published Monday night in Politico. It's unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter. The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the draft Politico posted, which if verified marks a shocking revelation of the high court's secretive deliberation process, particularly before a case is formally decided. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Tuesday blasted a radical Supreme Court draft opinion that would throw out the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling t hat has stood for a half century. The court cautioned no final decision had been made, but Biden warned that other privacy rights including same-sex marriage and birth control are at risk if the justices follow through.

Chief Justice John Roberts said he had ordered an investigation into what he called the egregious breach of trust" in leaking the draft document, which was dated to February. Opinions often change in ways big and small in the drafting process, and a final ruling has not been expected until the end of the courts term in late June or early July.

Across the nation, Americans grappled with what might come next. The Democratic-controlled Congress and White House both vowed to try to blunt the impact of such a ruling, but their prospects looked dim.

A decision to overrule Roe would have sweeping ramifications, leading to abortion bans in roughly half the states, sparking new efforts in Democratic-leaning states to protect access to abortion, and potentially reshaping the contours of this years hotly contested midterm elections.

The draft was published by the news outlet Politico late Monday.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Biden said he hoped the draft wouldn't be finalized by justices, contending it reflects a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence" that threatens other basic rights like access to birth control and marriage.

If this decision holds, its really quite a radical decision," he added.

If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nations elected officials at all levels of government to protect a womans right to choose, Biden said. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.

Though past efforts have failed, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he intended to hold a vote.

This is as urgent and real as it gets, Schumer said on the Senate floor Tuesday. Every American is going to see on which side every senator stands.

Speaking at the EMILYs List political action committee conference Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris said the draft opinion showed womens rights in America are under attack."

Womens issues are Americas issues and democracies cannot be strong if the rights of women are under attack," she added. Let us fight with everything weve got.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and other Democrats, speak to reporters about a news report by Politico that a Supreme Court draft opinion suggests the justices could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Leaders in New York and California rolled out the welcome mat to their states for women seeking abortions, and other Democratic states moved to protect access to abortion in their laws.

The courts ruling would be most acutely felt by women who dont have the means or ability to travel from states that have or stand poised to pass stiff abortion restrictions or outright bans

Whatever the outcome, the Politico report late Monday represented an extremely rare breach of the courts secretive deliberation process, and on a case of surpassing importance.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, the draft opinion states. It was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the courts 6-3 conservative majority who was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

The document was labeled a 1st Draft of the Opinion of the Court in a case challenging Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks. The draft opinion in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services. It would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, it states, referencing the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey that affirmed Roes finding of a constitutional right to abortion services but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

The draft opinion strongly suggests that when the justices met in private shortly after arguments in the case on Dec. 1, at least five  all the conservatives except perhaps Chief Justice Roberts  voted to overrule Roe and Casey, and Alito was assigned the task of writing the court's majority opinion.

Votes and opinions in a case aren't final until a decision is announced or, in a change wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, posted on the court's website.

Politico said only that it received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

The report comes amid a legislative push to restrict abortion in several Republican-led states  Oklahoma being the most recent  even before the court issues its decision. Critics of those measures have said low-income and minority women will disproportionately bear the burden of the new restrictions.

The leak jumpstarted the intense political reverberations that the high courts ultimate decision was expected to have in the midterm election year. Already, politicians on both sides of the aisle were seizing on the report to fundraise and energize their supporters on both sides of the issue.

Democrats contended that several conservative justices misled senators about their feelings.

And Maine Republican Susan Collins, who supports abortion rights but was a pivotal GOP vote for the confirmations of Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, said if the draft reflects the final opinion of the court, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, told reporters on Capitol Hill that my confidence in the court has been rocked," and said her proposal with Collins to legislate abortion rights should be reinvigorated.

Polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In general, AP-NORC polling finds a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases. Few say abortion should be illegal in all cases.

Still, Americans have nuanced attitudes on the issue. In an AP-NORC poll conducted last June, 61% said abortion should be legal in most or all circumstances in the first trimester of a pregnancy. However, 65% said abortion should usually be illegal in the second trimester, and 80% said that about the third trimester, though many Americans believe that the procedure should be allowable under at least some circumstances even during the second or third trimesters.

Alito, in the draft, said the court can't predict how the public might react and shouldn't try. We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the publics reaction to our work, Alito wrote in the draft opinion, according to Politico.

Outside, the Supreme Court building, anti-abortion rights protesters carried signs that said Ignore Roe and In God We Trust while their pro-abortion-rights counterparts held placards declaring Bans off our Bodies and Impeach Kavanaugh." Crowds built as the day wore on.

Jessica Fendryk, 39, who drove an hour from Bel Air, Maryland, spoke of generations of demonstrators.

I cant believe how many women I have met that did this in their lifetime already. And so I feel like I owe it to them to be here because they already did this, she said. And now we have to be fighting for them all over again.

Outside Washington, the reaction among conservatives was muted, ranging from cautious celebration over the anticipated ruling to sharp criticism of the source of the leaked draft.

We will let the Supreme Court speak for itself and wait for the courts official opinion," Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said in a statement.

At Supreme Court arguments in December, all six conservative justices signaled that they would uphold the Mississippi law, and five asked questions that suggested that overruling Roe and Casey was a possibility.

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Only Roberts seemed prepared to take the smaller step of upholding the 15-week ban, though that, too, would be a significant weakening of abortion rights.

Until now, the court has allowed states to regulate but not ban abortion before the point of viability, around 24 weeks.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas. The Texas law banning it after six weeks has been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have protected access to abortion in state law.

___

Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Ashraf Khalil, Fatima Hussein and Farnoush Amiri in Washington and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
On Saturday, May 14, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum will oer its popular arts access program, Seasonal Saturday.

Seasonal Saturdays are fun-lled, inviting days offering $1 admission, free transportation, a themed art activity, artist-led programming, live music in the galleries and 30-minute tours related to MMAMs current exhibitions and the changing theme of each event.

This program is offered quarterly, or once per season.

We were overjoyed with the turnout for our winter Seasonal Saturday in March after a long pandemic break, said Heather Casper, curator of education. People were so excited and grateful for the opportunity to do something fun and dierent with their friends and family.

Over 77% of March attendees surveyed said that events like Seasonal Saturdays are very important to their social, mental and physical well-being.

March survey results also showed that attendees rated Seasonal Saturdays at 4.92/5 in achieving the events goal in making the arts more available to all people.

We have an awesome line-up of special activities for May 14, including our rst-ever food truck, Casper said.

Apothik Food Truck will be onsite from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. selling sinfully delicious food that can be eaten on the MMAMs riverwalk patio area.

Activities for Mays spring Seasonal Saturday will focus around the theme Feel the Rhythm and celebrate Sonja Petersons exhibition, What the Tradewinds Brought.

Peterson, a Minneapolis artist, will demonstrate her ne cut paper technique from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be live music in the galleries by jazz guitarist Liberty Kohn and bass player Lee Windsperger, from 11 a.m. to noon, and the clarinet ensemble, Winds of Winona, will perform in the gallery from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be an art-making project adaptable for all ages and abilities that will entail cutting and layering paper to create a luminescent paper scene.

For children of all ages, resident storytelling artist Laura Armstrong will lead three Super Awesome Storytimes at 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Additionally, there will be a special bingo gallery game available all day to play and earn a prize, and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will be onsite making music with kids.

Every hour, MMAM sta and tour guides will oer 30-minute tours to introduce participants to the exhibitions.

There will be a MMAM Highlights Tour focusing on select paintings in the American and European exhibitions, and to celebrate the theme of Feel the Rhythm, there will be a special tour called In the Groove that will explore the visual rhythm in select artworks on view at MMAM.

All tours will use assistive listening devices to allow participants to better hear their tour guide.

Project FINE will be onsite from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to oer interpretation for our Spanish and Hmong speaking participants.

For more information and for a detailed schedule of events, please visit mmam.org/seasonal-saturdays or call the museum at 507-474-6626.

MMAM is offering free rides to and from the museum with the Winona Transit Service Dial-a-Ride. Please call 507-454-6666 to schedule your ride.

Seasonal Saturdays are arts access program days with the goal of reducing intimidation and increasing comfortable access to ne arts for everyone.

MMAM developed Seasonal Saturdays in 2018 to change, expand and enrich the way we connect with our community in Winona.

Mark your calendars for the summer Seasonal Saturday on August 14 and the fall Seasonal Saturday on November 12.

Seasonal Saturdays are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Seasonal Saturdays are also supported by sponsors: WNB Financial, Winona Foundation, Winona Community Foundation, BNSF, media sponsor The Water Main, Minnesota Public Radio, Coca-Cola of Winona, and Doug Troke, Farmers Insurance.

The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is a nonprot art museum that engages visitors in meaningful visual art experiences through education and exhibitions that explore the ongoing and historic human relationship with water.

Located in Winona, the purpose-built museum is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and boasts six galleries, an educational and events space and a destination retail shop on its seven-acre riverside campus.

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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 EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita scale it uses to assess tornadoes. 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.
Juneau Countys centralized health provider wants to emphasize local care and more hands-on approaches to its patients.

Mile Bluff Medical Center CEO Dara Bartels, along with other organization officials, spoke at a community forum at The Lodge at Maustons Two Elk Event Center on April 28 to highlight the organizations commitment to localized health care and operations. Bartels, who has been in her position since December, discussed the wide variety of services Mile Bluff offers that emphasizes the importance of a closer relationship with patients and Juneau County communities.

It is probably the No. 1 importance when we look at our organization, Bartels said of the organizations localized nature. We can touch, feel and make changes quickly when our community needs us to instead of looking back into 300, 900 miles away to make that decision. Were able to be nimble and do what our community and patients need us to do.

Bartels added that Mile Bluffs providers are able to work independently and figure out patient care strategies quicker and with more attention to detail because of its status as a small, community-based health provider.

We try not to put too many constraints on them, said Bartels.

Another major announcement from Bartels is the future building of a new Mile Bluff facility in Mauston to replace the current one. Bartels said the new facility will be in the same location because of federal regulations regarding rural health care.

Bartels, along with Vice President/Chief Operations Officer (COO) Scott Kniprath, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Becca Oetzman, Chief Nursing Officer Rhonda Larson, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Angela Gatzke-Plamann, emphasized pride in their Wisconsin roots and contrasting personalities to create a balanced leadership structure that benefits Juneau County and its communities.

When youre a big organization and youre trying to manage something from 100 or 200 or 300 miles away, you dont understand what that smaller community has to offer, said Kniprath. When you have people that work here because they want to be here, they know what that community is about and they know how to tailor what they are doing to that community.

Kniprath acknowledged the wealth shift between smaller communities and large urban environments and added that Bartels will seek to create avenues of local financing for the organization, including doing business with local banks such as The Bank of Mauston.

The doctor-patient relationship can be preserved such that the doctor is really tasked with and has his/her focus on taking care of the individual patient right in front of them at that moment and theyre not worried about 100 different quality measures or all these other things that somebody from 400 miles away might be telling them they need to be doing, said Kniprath.

Mile Bluff Medical Center has five regional clinic locations and 12 total affiliated facilities. There are four clinics in Juneau County  Mauston, Necedah, New Lisbon and Elroy  along with one in Lake Delton in Sauk County. Phillips Pharmacy in Mauston and Raabes Pharmacy in New Lisbon are also affiliated with Mile Bluff, as well as two nursing and rehabilitation centers in the county and a retirement community.

Efforts to foster good relationships with community organizations, businesses, schools and individuals, as well as Mile Bluff employees, are crucial to the organizations local success, according to Bartels. She said she and her leadership team want to have hands-on negotiations with those parties to ensure high-quality health care and community engagement.

Bartels has been in health care for 22 years, including three years with Mile Bluff. She spent her time with the organization as the CFO under former CEO James OKeefe before taking over his position after his retirement on Dec. 1. Prior to her time with Mile Bluff, Bartels worked as an accountant for larger health corporations and said her desire to touch the community made those positions unsuitable for her.

It has been awfully exciting, Bartels said of her time as CEO. I have put my team in place and its allowed me to get out into the community and do the relationship building that is extremely important for our small organization.

She added that independence is a crucial portion of her strategy, as well as transparency regarding changes within the organization.
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.
Deb Baro, a registered nurse at Landmark Medical Center, is the center's very first recipient of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, administered by Patient care Technichian Tom Murgo at Landmark Medical Center in Dec. 2020.
In a picturesque town huddled between Pelican and Kampeska Lakes on the Big Sioux River, it's easy to see how one of Watertown's most famous residents and in-house oil painters found his inspiration in this small city in the US state of South Dakota. Lifelong Watertown resident, Terry Redlin, owned a cabin on Kampeska Lake, which served as a vision for some of his later artworks. He was best known for his wildlife paintings that included breathtaking prairie grassland scenery and realistic animal illustrations. The Terry Redlin Art Center, named after him, is a gift given to the community with his name forever engraved into Watertown's modern art history that will educate generations to come.

Geography And Climate Of Watertown

Aerial view of Watertown, South Dakota, during a summer sunset.

Watertown is a part of the state of South Dakota. It is located approximately 155 km north of Sioux Falls on the Big Sioux River, wedged between Pelican Lake to the southwest and Kampeska Lake to the northwest. Furthermore, it resides in a part of South Dakota known as the Great Plains and the plateau of the Coteau des Prairies that was formed from receding glaciers thousands of years ago. Watertown sits at an altitude of 528 meters and covers an area of 67.59 sq. km, of which 20.66 sq. km is covered by water, and 46.93 sq. km is occupied by land.

With dry and humid summers, Watertown experiences a hot-summer humid continental climate. Thus, there are four seasons in a year that sees cold, snowy, and windy winters and transitional and cloudy spring and autumn. Out of 365 days a year, Watertown collects some kinds of precipitation, including rain, sleet, hail, or snow, on 96.3 of those days. Watertown receives an average of 22.71 inches of rainfall a year and snowfall of 41.1 inches. July is the year's hottest month with a median temperature of 28.16 degrees Celsius, and January is the coldest with a median temperature of -16.5 degrees Celsius.

Brief History Of Watertown

A view of the historic downtown of Watertown, South Dakota. Editorial credit: Sabrina Janelle Gordon / Shutterstock.com

Watertown was settled in 1878 as part of the Winona and St. Peters Railroad extension, which goes by the name Union Pacific Railroad Company today. Watertown is named after Watertown, New York, where its founding brothers, John E. Kemp and Oscar P. Kemp, originated from. The earlier settlement of Kampeska was planned by the brothers and was established but later was decimated when grasshoppers destroyed Kampeskas crops in 1874. The brothers moved eastwards and established Watertown in October 1878. With the western expansion of the railroad from Minnesota through South Dakota, Watertown became a transportation hub in the 1880s and was incorporated in 1885.

The Population And Economy Of Watertown

Aerial view of Lake Kampeska near Watertown, South Dakota.

The city of Watertown lies in Codington county and is home to 22,655 inhabitants, making it the fifth-largest city in South Dakota, with Brookings and Aberdeen ahead of it. The median household income is $65,379, with a monthly gross rent of $760. Sadly, 14.6% of Watertown residents live below the poverty line. On the cost of living index, Watertown is 81.9, unlike the state of South Dakota, which is at 88.3. The average age of a Watertown resident is 37.8 years old, with females making up 50.5% and males making up 49.5%. Alas, spanning over 67.59 sq. km, Watertown has a population density of 475.3 per sq. km.

The unemployment rate sits at 3.5%, whereas the unemployment rate in the United States is 6.0%. Watertown's most significant economic driver is its manufacturing sector, accounting for 21.6% overall. Hoilen Inc. is Watertowns most significant employment contributor with 2,300 employees and generates $162.7 million in revenue. They are best known for their electrical manufacturing components such as semiconductors, specialty transformers, circuit boards, and electric signs. Other notable industries include retail trade (13.1%), healthcare and social assistance (9.1%), and accommodation and food service (8.6%).

Attractions Of Watertown

The Terry Redlin Art Center

The Terry Redlin Art Center started as an idea 25 years before it opened in 1997. Charles Redlin, the son of artist Terry Redlin, urged his father to keep his original oil paintings instead of selling them. But Charles didn't want the art for himself. Instead, he wanted to put them on display for all to see. Thus, this is how the Terry Redlin Art Center came to fruition. Today, the art center includes over 150 original pieces of Terry Redlin's oil paintings, including every artwork after 1985. The center also includes an amphitheater, a sketch room, an early art room that depicts his earlier style, the comfort of home cabins designed after his painting with the same name, and a conservation park that serves as living art. The Art Center offers free admission for all to come and enjoy Terry Redlin's paintings.

Bramble Park Zoo

The Bramble Zoo first opened its doors in 1912, encompasses an area of 15 acres, and has 500 animals representing 150 different species. Some notable exhibits are the Bird of Prey exhibit which has a raptor show, and Jaguar Junction, which houses black jaguars in a natural exhibit. Other animals include red kangaroos, gray wolves, and swift foxes, to name a few. In 2010, The Terry Redlin Environmental Center opened through the thoughtful donation of Charles Redlin and includes an aquarium.

Watertown is more than an oil painting, it houses thousands of residents who are proud to call these grasslands and lakes around them, home. It's a quiet prairie town that many had envisioned for a peaceful home but brought to life by the artistic capture of Terry Redlin. Come and walk in the many downtown parks or spend a day at the historic Bramble Zoo. Theres much to see and experience in this beautiful small city.
Cocoa is the dried and completely fermented fatty seed of the fruit of the small evergreen cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao) that is native to the Amazon rainforest. The word cocoa comes from the Spanish term cacao, which has in turn been derived from the Nahuatl term cacahuati. Cocoa is a valuable crop that was first cultivated in the equatorial region of South America approximately 5,300 years ago, and it is believed that the Mayan and the Aztec people were the first to grow the cocoa trees successfully. The cocoa trees are mainly grown in tropical zones about 20 to the north and south of the Equator, where favorable climatic conditions for the cultivation of cocoa trees are available. The cocoa beans serve as the main ingredients for making chocolates and many Mesoamerican foods. The following article discusses the top 10 cocoa-producing countries in the world.

1. Cote dIvoire  2,200,000 tons

Women from Ivory Coast work in the countryside for cocoa production. Editorial credit: BOULENGER Xavier / Shutterstock.com

Located in West Africa, Cote dIvoire is the biggest cocoa producer globally, producing about 2,200,000 tons of cocoa beans annually. Cote dIvoire accounts for about 38% of the total cocoa bean production in the world. It is to be noted that the national economy of Cote dIvoire is highly dependent on cocoa prices and a significant portion of the countrys export revenue comes from the export of cocoa beans.

2. Ghana  800,000 tons

A man is carrying a basket of harvested cocoa pods in Mankranso, Ghana. Editorial credit: Charles William Adofo / Shutterstock.com

The Republic of Ghana - another West African country, is the second-largest cocoa producer globally, producing about 800,000 tons of cocoa beans annually. Cocoa is the mainstay of the agricultural sector of Ghana, accounting for about one-third of the countrys export revenue. The favorable climatic conditions in Ghana have increased the cultivation of Ghanas cocoa crop by more than 20% in the previous growing season. It is to be noted that although Cote dIvoire is the largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans in the world, Ghana is also well-known for producing high-quality cocoa beans that command a premium price of Cocoa in the world market. The high-quality Cocoa in Ghana is mainly due to the countrys grading system that takes only top-quality cocoa beans from the farmers.

3. Indonesia  739,483 tons

Farmers in the remote areas of Gorontalo, Indonesia, are harvesting cocoa. Editorial credit: Zakariya AF / Shutterstock.com

The Southeast Asian nation of Indonesia is the third-largest producer of cocoa globally, producing about 739,483 tons of cocoa beans annually. The Cocoa bean is also one of Indonesias crucial agricultural export products, and in the past few years, this sector has witnessed massive growth. There are approximately 1.5 million hectares of cocoa plantations in Indonesia, and the island of Sulawesi alone accounts for more than 75% of the countrys total cocoa production. The United States, Malaysia, and Singapore are some of the most important destination countries for the cocoa beans of Indonesia.

4. Nigeria  340,163 tons

The next West African nation on this list is the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the world's fourth-largest cocoa producer, producing about 340,163 tons of cocoa beans annually. Cocoa is the country's leading agricultural export and serves as Nigeria's principal non-oil foreign exchange earner. However, after Nigeria started investing in the oil sector, the country's share in the world output of cocoa declined. Cocoa production in Nigeria accounted for only 0.3% of the country's total agricultural GDP in 2010.

5. Ecuador  327,903 tons

A farmer is carrying cocoa fruits in a wheelbarrow in Ayampe, Ecuador. Editorial credit: Alejo Miranda / Shutterstock.com

Situated in the northwestern portion of South America, the Republic of Ecuador is the fifth-largest cocoa producer globally, producing about 327,903 tons of cocoa beans annually. Over the years, cocoa production has played a highly significant role in the history and economy of Ecuador. The cocoa grown in Ecuador is unique, referred to as Arriba or Nacional, which is one of the most desired cocoa among the chocolate producers. Even though Ecuador accounts for only 4% of the world's cocoa production, it is responsible for over 70% of the world's production of fine aromatic cocoa.

6. Cameroon  290,000 tons

Situated in west-central Africa, the Republic of Cameroon is the sixth-largest cocoa producer globally, producing about 290,000 tons of cocoa beans annually. Cocoa production is a vital sector for rural communities, and more than 600,000 cocoa farmers all over Cameroon are involved in this sector.

7. Brazil  269,731 tons

Cacao tree with fruits planted on farm, Itacare, Bahia, Brazil.

Located in South America, Brazil - the worlds longest and seventh-largest country, is the seventh-largest producer of cocoa globally, producing about 269,731 tons of cocoa beans annually. Cocoa production is a significant part of the agricultural economy of Brazil. It is to be noted that in the early 1980s, approximately 430,000 tons of cocoa beans were produced by Brazil alone. However, the production has dipped drastically over the years, mainly due to declining prices and the spreading of a fungal disease named Witches Broom.

8. Sierra Leone  193,156 tons

Situated on West Africas southwestern coast, the Republic of Sierra Leone is the eighth-largest cocoa producer globally, producing about 193,156 tons of cocoa beans annually. Over the years, cocoa has been one of the most vital export products of Sierra Leone. To improve the living conditions of the local farmers and gain profits from this crucial industry, Sierra Leone opened its first cocoa processing factory that is expected to process up to 4,000 tonnes of cocoa beans annually. In 2019, about $33.2 million worth of cocoa beans were exported by Sierra Leone, which made it the worlds 17th largest cocoa bean exporter. A significant part of the countrys annual cocoa production is exported to the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Malaysia, and the United States.

9. Peru  160,289 tons

A photo of collecting and drying cocoa beans in Huayhuantillo village near Tingo Maria in Peru.

Located in the western portion of South America, the Republic of Peru is the ninth-largest cocoa producer globally, producing about 160,289 tons of cocoa beans annually. The Peruvian Amazon contains a wild genetic diversity of cocoa, and over 100,000 families across Peru earn their living through the cultivation and production of cocoa. Peru is also the worlds second-largest organic cocoa producer and ranks first globally in fair-trade organic cocoa production. Peru is considered one of the high-quality fine flavor cocoa producers globally, and the cocoa export in the country has witnessed considerable growth over the last few years.

10. Dominican Republic  77,681 tons

Occupying the eastern two-thirds of the Hispaniola Island in the Greater Antilles Archipelago, the Dominican Republic is the second-largest country in the Caribbean. It is also the tenth-largest cocoa producer globally, producing about 77, 681 tons of cocoa beans annually. According to the International Cocoa Organization, Dominican Republic serves as a principal source of organic beans and fine flavor cocoa, about 40% of which is exported to premium markets. There are about 150,000 hectares of land in the country that have been planted with cocoa trees. In addition to this, there are 36,236 registered farms in the country engaged in producing organic cocoa.

As of 2020, the total cocoa production globally is about 5,757,953 tons. Of this, 68.4% come from the African countries, 17.3% from the Americas, 13.5% from the Asian countries, and 0.8% from the countries in Oceania. Based on the above discussion, about 70% of the total cocoa production in the world comes from the four West African nations of Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Of these West African nations, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana are the two largest cocoa producers, accounting for over 60% of the worlds total cocoa production every year. However, a survey conducted by the University of Chicago found that about 1.48 million children are employed as laborers to cultivate cocoa beans and engage in hazardous work on cocoa farms. Several people have spoken out against this unfair use of child labor in cocoa production. Therefore many human rights organizations have come forward and requested consumers to buy chocolates from Fairtrade certified brands that do not use child laborers in the production of cocoa.
Students with covid can sit exams this summer provided they test negative on days three and four

Students who test positive for coronavirus will be able to sit their exams this summer if they can provide a negative test on days three and four.

This year is the first time that formal end of year examinations have taken place for college and secondary school students since 2019.

Throughout the pandemic GCSE and AS/A Level grades were decided via teacher-managed assessments that were externally set and marked, but delivered within a classroom environment under teacher supervision.

This summer exams will cover less material to reflect the reduced teaching time many students have experienced.

However there are concerns about the impact on young peoples learning after two years of covid measures and long periods of self-isolation.

In February Childrens Commissioner Professor Sally Holland said a major effort is needed to ensure that students have all the information, advice and support they need ahead of the exams.

She warned of a huge challenging facing schools and colleges despite the adjustments that have made been made to exams.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon Education Minister Jeremy Miles moved to reassure students, parents and teachers of the exam set-up this summer.

He said that discussions have taken place that would allow students who have tested positive for coronavirus to sit their exams provided they have a negative test on day and three four.

The WJEC exam board have also designed the timetable to schedule exams 10 days apart.

Mask wearing will also be recommended entering and leaving the exam hall and social distancing will be encouraged.

Mr Miles said: Throughout the pandemic Ive been struck by the resilience of our young people.

Dealing with the ups and downs of the pandemic has increased the pressure young people feel about exams, about qualifications and theres no doubt about that.

I want to reassure you that this years exams have been designed to be as fair as possible and to take into account the disruption that youve faced due to the pandemic.

We want to enable learners to take their exams well and safely. The Minister for health and I have agreed an exception for those who have recently tested positive but who feel well enough to sit their exam.

Learners who are due to sit an exam can start testing on day three and four of their isolation period. If both tests are negative and if they feel well enough, they may sit their exam from day four after the initial positive test.

WJEC have designed the exam timetable to schedule exams 10 days apart so that an individual learner who tests positive for COVID 19 will only miss one component of their qualification. WJEC will be publishing guidance imminently including on special considerations.

Its critical that we work together to enable young people to know their choices and to feel confident.

The education minister also outlined additional support for disadvantaged learners, with funding being made available to cover the cost of any exam appeals.

Free school meal data will also be shared with UCAS in a bid to widen access to university for disadvantaged young people during clearing.

Mr Miles added: The Welsh Government has asked local authorities and further education colleges to come together to ensure that the young people who they know are most in need are receiving bespoke personalised support to enable them to transition to the next steps.

We can be immensely proud of your efforts as learners and as staff over the last year. And as a government, we will continue to do all that we can to support you.
We are publishing here the report delivered by Evan Blake to the 2022 International May Day Online Rally held on May 1. Blake is a writer for the WSWS and the Coordinator of the Global Workers Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic. To view all speeches, visit wsws.org/mayday.

This is the third May Day where we meet under conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The official global death toll is approaching 6,260,000. Due to inadequate testing, reporting and data collection throughout much of the world, experts believe that the real death toll is three times this figure and now stands at 20 million worldwide.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the fight for socialism

The overwhelming majority of these deaths could have been prevented. The fundamental reason they were not is because world governments acting on behalf of their ruling classes consciously chose to subordinate public health to private profit and refused to coordinate internationally to stop the pandemic.

The pandemic profiteers have amassed trillions of dollars. This years Oxfam report notes that since the start of the pandemic, a new billionaire has been minted every 26 hours. The worlds 10 richest men have doubled their wealth as over 160 million people have been pushed into poverty.

Nothing has revealed more clearly that the capitalist system is at war with its populations.

Over the past year, the global death toll has more than doubled. These millions of deaths are all the more tragic because they took place after life-saving vaccines were first produced.

Private ownership of the pharmaceutical monopolies and the pursuit of vaccine nationalism have created a situation where today only 59 percent of the world population has received an initial vaccine series. Criminally, only 0.6 percent of all people in low income countries and only 1.5 percent of Africans have received a necessary booster shot.

In 2020 and 2021 global life expectancy dropped by a combined nearly two years. These were the first annual declines in this figure since the UN began tracking it in 1950.

On a per capita basis, Peru has been the hardest-hit country in the world. Two hundred thirty thousand Peruvians have died from COVID-19, or 1 out of every 143 people in the country.

Families wait in a line for a free meal in Lima, Peru, June 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In the United States, the center of world capitalism, 1.1 million people have been killed by the virus and life expectancy has declined by over two years.

In Russia, more than 1.2 million people have been killed by COVID, roughly four times the official figure and more than double the per capita death rate experienced in the US.

In India, 5.9 million people have succumbed to the virus, roughly 11 times higher than the official death toll.

Family members pray next to the burning pyre of a person who died of COVID-19, at a crematorium in Srinagar, India, May 25, 2021. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)

The eldest and most vulnerable have been the primary victims of the pandemic, but millions of working-age adults and tens of thousands of children have also perished worldwide.

A study published in February found that by the end of last October over 5.2 million children worldwide had lost a parent or primary caregiver to COVID-19. Every child impacted by these deaths has been deeply traumatized and faces a lifetime without these closest of their loved ones.

The 20 million avoidable deaths are the most tragic result of the pandemic. But hundreds of millions of people worldwide are now debilitated by Long COVID.

Numerous studies show that at least 10 percent of those infected with COVID go on to develop symptoms that linger for three months or more, with most suffering well over a year after their initial infection.

These symptoms can affect nearly every organ in the body, and COVID-19 infection has now been linked to an increased risk of all-cause mortality, as well as heart disease, brain damage, diabetes, kidney disease, a dysregulated immune system and more.

From the earliest stages of the pandemic, the International Committee of the Fourth International not only warned of the potentially catastrophic consequences of the uncontrolled spread of SARS-CoV-2. We also advanced a strategy to stop the pandemic. In a statement published on February 28, 2020, the World Socialist Web Site explained:

The response to the coronavirus cannot be coordinated on a nation by nation level. The virus does not respect borders or visa and immigration restrictions  The solution must be global. Scientists from all over the world must be allowed to share their research and technology, unencumbered by the national interests and geopolitical conflicts that serve only to delay the development of effective countermeasures to contain, cure and ultimately eradicate the coronavirus.

The statement called for the utilization of all public health measures to stop the pandemic, the conversion of the giant health care companies into public utilities, and the provision of direct financial support to all workers and small business people.

In numerous statements published over the course of 2020, we developed this program and demanded an end to the homicidal herd immunity strategy based on the forced reopening of schools and workplaces. This criminal policy, pioneered in Sweden, the US, the UK, Brazil, India, and other countries, led to the vast majority of deaths in the first year of the pandemic.

On August 20, 2021, the WSWS warned:

As long as the virus spreads it will continue to mutate into new, more infectious, lethal and vaccine-resistant variants that threaten all of humanity. Unless it is eradicated on a world scale, the embers of COVID-19 will continue to burn and create the conditions for the virus to flare up anew.

This statement clarified the strategy of elimination-eradication as the only means to stop the pandemic and save lives. We explained, Eradication entails the universal deployment of every weapon in the arsenal of measures to combat COVID-19, coordinated on a global scale, to stamp out the virus once and for all.

In August and October, we held webinars which brought together leading scientists from throughout the world to elaborate this strategy. These events were viewed by thousands of workers from over 100 countries.

The ICFI, its affiliated Socialist Equality Parties and groups, and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees helped organize a series of global school strikes called by British parent Lisa Diaz. We assisted workers throughout the world in forming rank-and-file committees to fight for the elimination strategy.

In late November, the WSWS initiated the Global Workers Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic, to expose the lies and misinformation that have facilitated the murderous pandemic policies throughout the world.

The Inquest has begun gathering testimony from workers, scientists and experts internationally, some of whom are shown here. Work on the Inquest continues, but the initial findings already give a sense of the massive social crime that has been committed worldwide.

Compilation of photos of some initial testimonies for the Global Workers' Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic (WSWS Media)

We have documented the cover-up of the science of airborne transmission and its corollary in the promotion of unscientific anti-masking policies. We have spoken with experts on the herd immunity policies implemented in Sweden, Brazil, the US and the UK, as well as scientists in Australia and other countries who have fought for elimination.

We have documented the real-life experiences of workers in different industries throughout the world, including nurses, autoworkers, musicians, doctors, educators, transit workers and more.

Underscoring how prescient the launching of the Inquest was, only four days later news broke that the highly infectious and vaccine-resistant Omicron variant was spreading rapidly throughout southern Africa.

Contrary to the lies of the politicians and media that Omicron is mild, global excess deaths reached roughly 40,000 per day in late January, the second-highest figure on record, and so far 3.3 million people have been killed globally in 2022.

During the Omicron surge, every country that had pursued a mitigationist approach fully embraced herd immunity, now based on the lie that COVID-19 is becoming endemic. In the process, they have systematically dismantled data surveillance and reporting, curtailed testing and scrapped all mitigation measures such as mask mandates.

The worlds ruling classes deliberately chose to abandon the fight against this novel infectious disease. Centuries of progress in human civilization, refracted through medical science and the development of public health, have been repudiated.

While the far-right has deliberately misled the public and denied the efficacy of vaccines, ostensibly liberal parties joined in the savage assault on public health. Even the most basic measures of isolation and quarantine, which date back to the Middle Ages, have been abandoned.

In response to these brutal policies, the class struggle intensified throughout the world. In January, in at least 15 cities across the US and in countries throughout Europe, students, teachers and parents took matters into their own hands and forced the closure of schools to stop viral transmission.

Map showing locations of schools strikes across the US, Canada and Europe during the peak of the Omicron BA.1 surge in January 2022 (WSWS Media)

The outbreak of the war in Ukraine in late February was then seized upon to stop all reporting on the pandemic and divert attention away from the cover-up of data and the ending of all public health measures.

While doing nothing to stop the surge of Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and now further subvariants, the imperialist powers and their media continuously denounce China for maintaining a Zero-COVID policy.

Contrary to the dystopian portrayals of Zero-COVID in the Western media, there remains immense popular support for this policy within the Chinese working class. The effectiveness of Chinas Zero-COVID policy is empirical proof that elimination remains the only viable strategy to stop the pandemic.

Graph showing the gradual decline in daily new cases in China following lock-downs (WSWS Media)

The fundamental limitation of Zero-COVID in China arises from the fact that the policy is confined to its national borders. If the public health measures implemented in China were adopted worldwide, and combined with the airborne mitigations pioneered by scientists outside of China, the pandemic could be ended worldwide in a matter of months.

The experience of China and the strategy outlined by the ICFI make clear that the vast majority of the 20 million lives lost over the past two years could have been saved.

The pandemic has revealed the utter indifference of the ruling elites to mass death. They have now plunged mankind into a catastrophic war that threatens to spiral out of control and lead to nuclear war. The brutality of the pandemic has psychologically prepared them to carry out a war that could lead to the very extermination of mankind.

Similarly, for decades the capitalists and their politicians have consciously allowed climate change to worsen year after year, threatening to cause mass extinctions and kill hundreds of millions of people worldwide in the coming decades. A study published Thursday found that climate change will greatly increase the danger of future spillover events that could cause further pandemics in the coming years.

All over the world, thousands of scientists have studied the pandemic, warned of its dangers and fought to change policy in order to save lives. We are deeply gratified by their work. These courageous and selfless efforts have been sabotaged by capitalist governments.

But there is another social force whose objective interests align with the principles of public health: the international working class. It is to this powerful and progressive class that scientists must turn.

In the course of the pandemic, a monumental crime has been committed, the crime of social murder. There will be an accounting for this, and those responsible will be held accountable.

Workers, young people, scientists and progressive layers of the middle class must draw the necessary conclusions from this experience. The pandemic has exposed the economic, political, social and moral bankruptcy of world capitalism, which must be overthrown.

We call upon everyone participating in todays May Day rally:

Take up the fight for global elimination! Until there is a global mass movement to end the pandemic, there will be wave after wave of mass infections and deaths, potentially for years to come.

Participate in the Global Workers Inquest! This must be expanded in every country and every section of the working class. While the ruling elites and the media declare the pandemic over, we must dig deeper and document all the crimes that have taken place and are deepening each day.

Above all, the most critical task is the building of a Trotskyist revolutionary leadership in the working class of every country, fighting to stop the drive to world war and to initiate a global fight against COVID-19 and for world socialist revolution.
Work at CNH? We want to hear from you: Tell us about the conditions at your plant and what workers are striking for. Workers identities will be kept confidential.

A worker on the line at the CNH plant in Racine, Wisconsin, in 2020 [Photo by CNH Industrial]

At noon Central Time Monday, over 1,000 workers at CNH Industrial, a global agricultural and construction equipment maker, walked out at plants in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, seeking to win back past concessions in wages, benefits and workplace conditions. The strike is the first at the plants in nearly two decades and comes after the previous six-year contract between CNH and the United Auto Workers union expired on April 30.

The walkout by workers at CNH, known for its Case IH and New Holland brands, is the latest demonstration of the growth of working class struggle internationally. On every continent, increasing numbers of workersincluding Caterpillar workers, oil workers, rail workers, nurses, teachers, garbage collectors, tea plantation workers and othersare launching strikes or demonstrations against the spiraling cost of living, low wages, unbearable working hours and the disastrous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the mood among workers shortly before the strike was announced, a CNH worker in Iowa told the WSWS, We knew what needed to be done. We were all just fed up. People in our Facebook group were saying were ready to walk now, why are we still here overstocking for them?

The company made clear its displeasure over the initiation of the strike, writing in a statement, 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.

As in the Deere strike last year, CNH workers are furious over the glaring contrast between their increasingly barebones income and the immense wealth hoarded by the companys executives and investors.

Earnings have soared over the past five years at CNH, as has executive compensation. Meanwhile, the company has kept workers on the line throughout the pandemic producing profits, while repeatedly raising its prices and gouging farmers. From 2017 to 2021, the companys net income increased from $651 million to $1.8 billion, a rise of 189 percent. CNHs CEO compensation, meanwhile, grew from $7.06 million to $21.8 million over the same period, more than tripling.

While workers at CNH are determined to achieve major improvements and reverse years of declining living standards, the UAW bureaucracy is working with a well-worn strategy to isolate the struggle and impose the companys terms.

To date, workers at CNH have been provided virtually no information about what either the UAW or the company are demanding in their supposed negotiations. Early Sunday morning, Local 180 in Racine announced an hour-by-hour extension of the previous contract and indicated a deal was near, stating, We are close but were not there yet.

On Monday, however, the UAW International wrote in a statement that it was calling a strike after the company failed to present an agreement that met member demands and needs, without spelling out precisely what it thinks those demands and needs are, or what the content of the companys proposal was.

The statement, a boilerplate press release filled with cynical lies and distortions, cited UAW President Ray Curry in declaring the almost one million UAW retirees and active members stand in solidarity with the striking workers at CNHi. All UAW members are united with UAW CNHi workers, Curry said.

The strike at CNH certainly has the enormous sympathy of workers who have heard about it at Deere, Caterpillar, the auto companies and elsewhere. But the last thing President Curry and the UAW want is an actual mass mobilization of workers in support of the strike.

The UAWs isolate-and-conquer strategy has been repeatedly deployed over the last year and a half. At strikes at Volvo Trucks and Deere last year, as well as a bitter contract struggle at auto parts maker Dana Inc., the UAW worked to keep its hundreds of thousands of members unaware of what was taking place, isolating the walkouts while starving workers on a measly $275 a week in strike pay.

In each case, Volvo, Dana and Deere workers had rebelled against UAW-endorsed tentative agreements, voting them down by 90 percent margins. The UAW apparatus feared above all else that these initial rebellions among workers would serve as a catalyst, triggering an uprising among workers more broadly and disrupting the unions long-term incestuous relations with the corporations.

Describing the growing discontent among workers over the UAWs information blackout, the CNH worker in Iowa said, People are pretty moody because nobody has been telling us anything. The UAW has been all hush-hush and secret about it. They keep us in the dark.

Whatever UAW officials may claim, there is no legitimate reason for the details of its talks between CNH and the UAW to be kept secret from rank-and-file workers. The information blackout is solely to the benefit of the company, not workers. As it stands, the workers are the only ones not privy to the discussions over a contract which could determine their pay and working conditions for more than half a decade, while CNH and UAW representatives are fully informed of what is being discussed.

In reality, the UAW bureaucracy is attempting to hide what it is discussing with the company because it is not engaged in negotiations between adversarial parties. Rather, the UAW is conducting conspiratorial talks with their corporate partners, with the company laying out what it considers acceptable and demanding that the UAW find a way to ratify it.



Now that the strike has begun, it is more urgent than ever for workers to begin organizing independently.

Rank-and-file committees, composed of the most militant and trusted workers, should be initiated in Racine and Burlington. Such committees will provide a means to share information and circumvent the news blackout imposed by the UAW and the company. No trust should be placed in any of the statements by UAW officials, who have shown time and again that they operate on behalf of management.

A central purpose of rank-and-file committees will be to draw up a list of non-negotiable demands based on what all workers require for a decent standard of living, such as the real elimination of the tier system, an immediate across-the-board 40 percent raise, the restoration of COLA and retiree health care, an end to endless mandatory overtime with no loss of pay, and more.

The CNH strike cannot be won so long as it is isolated to just Racine and Burlington. Workers should take the initiative and appeal to workers at non-union CNH factories to mobilize in support, as well as Deere, Caterpillar, the auto companies and other sections of the working class.

A worker at Deeres North American Parts Distribution Center in Milan, Illinois, expressed her strong solidarity with the strike, told the WSWS, I hope they stay out longer than we did and get everything they are asking for.

Despite the claims in the corporate press and by the UAW, many workers at Deere remain deeply dissatisfied with the outcome of the strike, she said. We didnt get a lot of what we asked for. CIPP [the Continuous Improvement Pay Plan, a pay-for-performance incentive scheme which encourages speed-up] is still not solved. We did get COLA back and insurance didnt change. But in reality we didnt get much at all.

Addressing herself to workers at CNH, she concluded, Dont let the union, company and social media force you to sign. Make sure to read between the lines because they will say anything to get you to vote yes. They threatened us with hiring [replacements], but they still cant keep people. I hope they stay strong because in the end its the workers who make the company run.

To speak with someone at the WSWS about organizing a rank-and-file committee, fill out the form below:
Yesterday evening, Politico published a leaked US Supreme Court draft opinion authored by Samuel Alito overturning the landmark abortion rights case Roe v. Wade and granting states the power to criminalize abortion. The existence of a draft opinion means a majority of the court has already voted on the outcome of the case and is merely finalizing the language.

We hold that Roemust be overruled, the draft opinion reads.

The decision is an assault on the democratic rights of the entire population, and particularly on tens of millions of working class women who will not be able to travel for necessary medical procedures. It raises the likelihood that the court will move to abolish gay marriage, move to further end the separation of church and state, and eviscerate a broad range of basic democratic and civil rights won through decades of social struggle.

The United States Supreme Court (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The decision (in a case named Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization) is an unlawful ruling by an illegitimate court and should be treated as such. All but one judge ruling with the majority was appointed by a president who lost the popular vote. Two of the Supreme Courts nine justices were appointed by George W. Bush, who lost the 2000 election outright (Alito and John Roberts). One justice, Clarence Thomas, is married to an organizer of the January 6 coup to overturn the Constitution, and three Justices (Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett) were appointed by Donald Trump, who led that coup attempt.

The decision overturning Roe v. Wade evidently received votes from five or six of the justices. It is not known whether Roberts will support the majority, write a concurring opinion, or dissent with the courts Democratic Party-appointed rump. His vote is not necessary to the majority.

The content of the decision is politically, legally and morally abhorrent.

The draft opinion calls Roe egregiously wrong and compares it to the 1896 decision Plessy v. Ferguson, which upheld racial segregation of railroad dining cars under the pseudo-legal separate but equal doctrine. In a footnote, Alitos decision claims that proponents of abortion are eugenicists who are motivated by a desire to suppress the size of the African American population.

The decision is an open attack on the population of the United States and is thoroughly imbued with the oligarchic principle. According to the Supreme Court, the interests of masses of people are of no consequence whatsoever:

We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the publics reaction to our work, the opinion states.

Elsewhere, the decision reads, It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives. In reality, 60 percent of Americans support abortion rights, the highest percentage in US history.

The Supreme Courts legal rationale is that because the word abortion was not mentioned in the Constitution, there can be no right to abortion. This paves the way for a massive and unprecedented assault on all democratic rights not explicitly enumerated in the Constitution. Other unenumerated rights include the right to vote, the right to travel, the right to privacy, and the right to the presumption of innocence.

The Supreme Court is also paving the way for overturning past decisions clarifying and establishing fundamental rights, the importance of which the framers could not have recognized in the society of the 1780s and 1790s. The decision states, For the first 185 years after the adoption of the Constitution, each state was permitted to address [abortion] in accordance with the views of its citizens. Then, in 1973, this Court decided Roe v. Wade.

By this token, very little stops todays court from reversing almost all of the decisions of the courts brief liberal period of the 1950s to early 1970s, culminating in Roe. This includes the right to a public defender (Gideon v. Wainwright), the right of arrestees to hear their constitutional rights read to them upon arrest (Miranda v. Arizona), the abolition of anti-miscegenation laws (Loving v. Virginia), and the ban on mandatory prayer in public schools (Engel v. Vitale).

The decision even opens the door to overturning the courts prior decision holding that the Equal Protection Clause applies not only to the actions of the federal government, but also to the governments of the states (Bolling v. Sharpe). In fact, the content of Alitos decision undermines his attempt to equate Roe v. Wade with Plessy v. Ferguson since the text of the Constitution makes no reference to barring racial segregation either.

Blame for the fact that the Supreme Court has come to be dominated by a gang of bigots and arch-reactionaries falls squarely at the feet of the Democratic Party. Democrats capitulated to Republicans when the latter stole the 2000 election and rubber-stamped it with the Supreme Courts illegitimate decision in Bush v. Gore, which de facto meant that the population does not have the right to vote for president.

For the last half century, the Democrats have refused to oppose the Republicans as the latter have legitimized all forms of backwardness and religious obscurantism.

Most recently, in 2017, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that Democrats would not defend the right to abortion for fear of alienating the far right. She said the issue would not be a litmus test for Democrats, adding:

I grew up Nancy DAlesandro, in Baltimore, Maryland; in Little Italy; in a very devout Catholic family; fiercely patriotic; proud of our town and heritage, and staunchly Democratic. Most of those peoplemy family, extended familyare not pro-choice. You think Im kicking them out of the Democratic Party?

The Democratic Party is as feckless in defending democratic rights as it is ruthless in prosecuting the interests of American imperialism.

The Supreme Court decision also explodes the lie that the US governments proxy war against Russia in Ukraine is being fought for the sake of democracy. Russias right-wing abortion laws allow legal abortions only in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, but even this reactionary standard is now more liberal than many American states inhabited by tens of millions of people.
An interview with the Socialist Equality Partys two candidates for the Senate for Queensland, Mike Head and John Davis, will be broadcast on 4ZZZ, Brisbanes community radio station tomorrow, Wednesday May 4, between 8 and 9 p.m. AEST.

Mike Head and John Davis, SEP candidates for the Senate for Queensland [WSWS Media]

The 15-minute interview with 4ZZZs Blair Martin covers a range of crucial issues, starting with the SEPs deregistration under the anti-democratic electoral laws jointly pushed through federal parliament last year by the Labor Party and the Liberal-National Coalition.

The interview deals with the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine and the danger of world war, the conditions facing young workers, and the need for a workers government to totally reorganise society along genuinely socialist and democratic lines.

The broadcast can be heard locally on 4ZZZ 102.1FM and globally on ZED DIGITAL.

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.
[Part One] [Part Two]

Alexei Yarotsky: Litsom k proshlomu [Facing the Past], Moscow 2018.

Alexei Yarotsky: Zolotaya Kolyma. Vospominaniia A. S. Yarotskogo o Kolyme v literaturnom kontektse [Golden Kolyma. The memoirs of A. S. Yarotsky about the Kolyma in their literary context], St. Petersburg: Nestor-Istoriia, 2021.

The old saying habeant sua fata libellibooks have their own fateapplies to the memoirs of Alexei Yarotsky. Yarotsky was a Soviet engineer who in the 1970s wrote his two-volume memoirs about his experience of the October Revolution, the Civil War and the Great Terror. The volumes were only published recently, in 2018 and 2021, respectively. Under conditions of the NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, which has been accompanied by an extraordinary onslaught of propaganda and historical falsification, these memoirs, remarkable under any circumstances, acquire additional significance.

One of the legacies of Stalinism and the Great Terror is that very few memoirs, and even fewer memoirs by ordinary people, exist of arguably the greatest social upheavals of the 20th centurythe October Revolution and the ensuing Civil War. Yarotskys memoirs are a rare exception. Having witnessed the October seizure of power by the working class in Petrograd and the subsequent Civil War in Ukraine, he was targeted in the Great Terror of the 1930s and spent many years of his life in a labor camp in Siberia.

Lenin and Trotsky at a celebration of the second anniversary of the October Revolution

Despite his own horrific experiences, Yarotsky wrote his memoirs as a socialist opponent of Stalinism who remained dedicated to the ideals of the October revolution. He also understood that his experiences were those of millions, and that it had fallen to the few conscious survivors of the terror like himself to preserve the historical memory about both these historic events and the Old Bolshevik leaders of the revolution, whom he had first known as rulers of the country and then as prisoners of the Stalinist labor camps.

The first part of his memoirs was published in 2018, under the title Facing the past (Litsom k proshlomu), by Tatiana Isaeva, the granddaughter of the Trotskyist literary critic Alexander Voronsky, and covers the period of 1917 through 1930.

Alexei Yarotsky was born in 1908 to a relatively well-off family of the Russian democratic intelligentsia in St. Petersburg. As a young boy, he experienced the February Revolution of 1917, including the famous demonstration on the Field of Mars for the martyrs of the revolution, and the seizure of power by the Bolsheviks in October (November 7 by the contemporary calendar) that year.

Like many familes from the intelligentsia, Yarotskys family was proletarianized in the course of the revolutionary upheaval. They moved to Ukraine shortly after the 1917 revolution, and they remained there for the entirety of the civil war. Here, the young Yarotsky witnessed the violent eruption of anti-Semitism during the Civil War, when up to 200,000 Ukrainian Jews were murdered, most of them by the Whites and various nationalist formations. He also witnessed how, for years, political power went back and forth between the Red Army, the White Army and the German occupation, and he witnessed as well the peasant uprisings under the leadership of the anarchist Nestor Makhno.

No territory was as bitterly fought over in the civil war as Ukraine, both because of its geostrategic significance and its complex socio-economic make-up. While the Donbass in the East of what is now Ukraine held the most important coal reserves of the former Russian Empire and was home to a large industrial working class, these workers were mostly ethnically Russian. The overwhelming majority of the Ukrainian-speaking population, by contrast, lived in the countryside and toiled as peasants.

The fight by the Bolsheviks to win the allegiance of the Ukrainian masses thus entailed both a correct political line on the question of nationalitiesincluding a recognition of their long-suppressed national strivingsand the granting of land to the peasants. Most parts of Ukraine changed their rulers many times during the civil warfrom the Reds to the Whites back to the Redswith anarchist uprisings also playing a disproportionate role in the civil war in this area.

A map of Ukraine from March-November 1918, when much of the territory was under the control of Germany and Austro-Hungary [Photo by Andrew Andersen]

As Yarotskys memoirs show movingly, however, the victory of the Red Army over the Whites and Ukrainian nationalists was achieved not only due to the nationality policy of the Bolsheviks and their granting of land to the peasants. A major factor in determining the outcome of the revolutionary war was the outbreak of revolution in Germany in November 1918. Up until then, German troops had been stationed in Ukraine, where they backed the dictatorship of the Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi as a counterweight to Bolshevism and the Red Army. The town that Yarotskys family lived in was also under German control, and the family was forced to house a German soldier. Yarotsky recalls the enormous impact of the news that soldiers and workers in Germany had formed councils, and that the Kaiser had fled. Rejecting the nationalist account of the civil war that was promoted by the Soviet bureaucracy by the 1970s, he writes,

It is fashionable here [in the Soviet Union of the 1970s] to write how, under the blows of the Red Army, the German occupiers fled the Ukraine. But I saw something quite different. [upon hearing of the revolution in Germany] a miracle happened, the voiceless, mute ranks [of German soldiers] suddenly began to speak, something broke under the steel helmets, noise and chatter went through the ranks. They read a telegram about the Kaisers abdication, about the armistice and the revolution in Germany. In three or four days the German army broke up, a soldiers council was created in the city, red bows appeared on the north-green uniforms, a rifle was already hanging on the shoulder with the butt up. The Germans were leaving. Herr Otto said to my mother:  Frau Yarotskaya, we will do the same at home now, that is a revolution. This was a tremendous victory for the ideas of the October Revolution: the Germans were leaving not as enemies, but as people ready for the revolutionary struggle.

These observations show not only the immense impact of events in Germany on the development of the Russian revolution; they also powerfully demonstrate that the perspective of world socialist revolution was not a mere slogan, but a viable political program that wielded immense influence and was a pole of attraction for the masses, from Soviet Russia and Ukraine to Germany.

The soldiers' council of the ship Prinzregent Luitpold, formed at the onset of the German revolution of 1918. (c) Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-J0908-0600-002 / CC-BY-SA 3.0

Yarotsky is full of admiration for the Leninist peoples commissars [Leninskie narkomy] of that period. In Ukraine, these included Christian Rakovsky, one of Leon Trotskys closest friends and allies, and several other future leaders of the Left Opposition. He joined the Communist youth organization, the Komsomol, and moved to Leningrad to study political economy and become an engineer.

His peers at the Polytechnical Institute, one of the Soviet Unions best economics institutions, were mostly veterans of the civil war who were much older and more politically experienced than him. Among them were many future outstanding economists, almost all of whom were later murdered in the Great Terror.

Yarotsky financed his study with the help of his older brother, then already a party member, as well as by working at a factory during the summer. He also experienced the immense social power of the working class. A major demonstration in the wake of the murder of the Old Bolshevik revolutionary Petr Voikov on June 7, 1927, by a White emigre in Warsaw, made a particularly deep impression on him:

At four o'clock in the afternoon the horns of all the factories in St. Petersburg and all the steam locomotives at all the stations blew, the gates opened, and immediately the entire working class of the Vyborg side came out to the demonstration. Blocking the entire width of the former Samsonovskii Prospekt, they went to the Finland Station, where a monument to Lenin now stands... I understood what this was, what power it [the working class] had and how unanimous these people were. (229-230)

Following the defeat of the Chinese revolution of 1925-27a result of the opportunist policies of the Stalinized Communist Internationalthe Stalinist faction expelled the leaders of the Left Opposition from the party in December 1927. Under the leadership of Leon Trotsky, the opposition had fought  and continued to fight after 1927against the nationalist and bureaucratic degeneration of the Bolshevik party. In one of the most striking passages in the book, Yarotsky acknowledges that for him, at the time, the ferocious political battles within the party were almost incomprehensible. Recalling his time as a student, he writes:

I came into a period of heated discussions, mostly with the Trotskyists at the time, but I had not yet reached that level of political development, I just didnt understand what they were arguing about. Now, I understand what they were arguing about, but then I did not. This entire aspect of life at the time passed me by, I was simply too young, and yet today it is clear that the debates at the time were to determine the entire course of our country for many decades to come. (p. 220)

His experience was no doubt shared by many workers and youth: In fact, one of the biggest crimes of the Stalinist bureaucracy was that it systematically suppressed the publication and circulation of documents by the opposition, as well as the articles Lenin had authored in his final struggle against the nascent bureaucracy and Stalin. As the Soviet historian Vadim Rogovin has shown, the increasingly bureaucratic regime made democratic discussion in the party all but impossible, creating immense confusion and anxiety even among the most advanced and dedicated members of the party within the working class and youth. While a ferocious campaign was waged in the pages of the Soviet press against Trotsky and the opposition as a whole, workers ran the risk of being expelled from the party if they were found reading any of the oppositions documents.

Leaders of the Left Opposition in 1927. Sitting: Serebriakov, Radek, Trotsky, Boguslavsky, Preobrazhensky. Standing: Rakovsky, Drobnis, Beloborodov, Sosnovsky.

Yarotsky graduated in 1930, in the middle of the drive for forced collectivization and the rapid industrialization of the first-five year plan. Like many of his generation, he was full of enthusiasm for the revolutionary advances in industrialization and determined to do whatever he could to help build the Soviet economy. However, the impact of collectivization and the emerging Stalin cult quickly disillusioned him politically.

His older brother had volunteered for one of the many battalions of youth that were sent into the countryside to enforce the collectivization of peasant households. These youth, idealistic communists who were convinced that they were fighting for the good of both the workers and peasants, were confronted with the horrifying reality created by the policy of forced collectivization.

Based on the program of building socialism in one country, and faced with enormous social pressures from wealthier layers of the peasantry that had prospered in the 1920s under the New Economic Policy, the Stalinist leadership made a sharp U-turn in 1928. It proclaimed the need for both a rapid industrialization of Soviet society and the mass collectivization of the tens of millions of private plots that peasants owned. Trotskys warnings that such policies, in the absence of a sufficiently high level of technological development of both agriculture and industry, could only lead to disaster, were quickly and tragically confirmed. The policy of forced collectivization plunged tens of millions of peasants into utter starvation, with the death toll estimated in the millions, and brought the Soviet countryside to the brink of civil war.

Yarotsky, who was told by his brother about the latters experiences in the countryside, became deeply disturbed by the brutality involved in collectivization and especially the mass death of children from hunger. He was also appalled by the Stalinization of public life and the Stalin cult.

Having spent four years of studying Marx, Plekhanov and Lenin, it was difficult to get used to the extremely simplified formulas: what is the nation, first, second, third. It was completely clear, you only had to remember it. But once you started thinking, nothing of this brilliant formula [by Stalin] remained. (p. 271).

Although he had been an enthusiastic member of the Komsomol throughout the 1920s, when Yarotsky was now invited to join the party, he decided against it, because he felt that he could not honestly join the party any more. This decision had far-reaching consequences. He was quickly expelled from the Komsomol and denounced as a class enemy, a dangerous designation.

In the midst of the beginning of a purge of economists and broader layers of the intelligentsia in the early 1930s, Yarotsky decided to leave Leningrad. Now married to Maria, the daughter of a railroad worker, he moved to Moscow, where he found a job as an engineer with the Peoples Commissariat of Transportation. It is also here that he would experience the Great Terror of the 1930s, the subject of the second volume of his memoirs.

To be continued
On Sunday, a week after the final round of the French presidential elections and the re-election of Emmanuel Macron, May Day marches took place across the country. Macron, the president of the rich, elected again by default, as in 2017, with millions voting for him only to keep neo-fascist candidate Marine Le Pen from being elected, sent large detachments of riot police to threaten and violently assault protesters.

It was an unmistakable signal that Macrons election night promises to turn to a new method and begin to listen to the people are a complete fraud. Pouring billions into the army amid the reckless NATO military escalation targeting Russia, he plans to cut pensions, make welfare recipients work for benefits, slash unemployment insurance and raise university tuitionall the while eliminating all health care measures against COVID-19. Workers broadly sense that a bitter confrontation between Macron and the working class is being prepared.

Riot policemen detain a demonstrator after clashes during a May Day demonstration march from Republique, Bastille to Nation, in Paris, France, Sunday, May 1, 2022. [AP Photo/Lewis Joly]

Thousands marched in cities across the country, with 16,000 marching in Marseille, and thousands marching in Lyon, Lille, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes and Rennes. There were violent clashes between protesters and security forces, in particular, in Nantes and Rennes, where police fired multiple stun grenades at protesters. Overall, hundreds of thousands of people marched, with the Interior Ministry claiming 106,000 people had attended protests.

Tens of thousands marched in Paris, many brandishing signs criticizing Macron and the danger of fascism. The protest march was repeatedly attacked by police and ultimately kettled on Nation Square as police allowed protesters to take the subway to leave. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, a sympathizer of the far-right Action francaise group, reported that his riot police had arrested 45 people at the protest and blamed unacceptable violence on protesters.

In reality, police as usual violently assaulted protesters. One widely viewed Tweet showed footage of riot police assaulting a defenseless young woman and fracturing her skull, while another woman standing next to her screamed: Shes not doing anything!

WSWS reporters intervened at the Paris protest and discussed with workers the call launched by the Parti de legalite socialiste(PES; Socialist Equality Party, France), the French section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, for a boycott of the Macron-Le Pen second round and the mobilization of the working class in an independent political movement against both Macron and Le Pen.

Many marchers in Paris had voted for Jean-Luc Melenchon, of the Unsubmissive France (LFI) party, in the first round of the election, hoping to obtain a more left-wing policy. While Melenchon carried the youth vote and the working class districts of major cities, he did not make any broader appeal to his voters to mobilize on May Day. Though he had 22 percent, or nearly 8 million voters, he is seeking electoral alliances with the discredited big business Socialist Party (PS) and stressing that he would be willing to work under Macron as prime minister.

WSWS reporters spoke with Georges, a Melenchon voter who said that despite some doubts, he still hoped Melenchon would impel progressive change. He could lead us into a brick wall, I dont disagree with you there. But the difference between him and the other parties, with Macron, is enormous, Georges said.

As WSWS reporters noted that Melenchon is a former PS senator and minister with close ties to the union bureaucracy, Georges replied that he thought Melenchon was in fact trying to channel social anger against Macron, but that workers could hopefully overcome that obstacle. Even he can be overwhelmed, because there is enormous anger. He is trying to push that into the usual channels, but it will not necessarily work. There are other possibilities, another, deeper change is needed. In any case, the liberation of the workers is the task of the workers themselves.

WSWS reporters also spoke to Romain, who said: I was not in agreement with all Melenchons ideas, but I thought it would be an opportunity for the left to make it to the second round. I voted Macron on the second round. Im not sure; I may regret it. I was not satisfied, anyway. Romain said that Melenchon is to the left of the policy of the Socialist Party and of the French Communist Party, who as I see it do not represent communist ideas that they should defend.

Romain said he generally agreed with the PESs call for a boycott and pointed to the obstacles facing a revolutionary movement in the working class. He noted that parties that the media promotes as leftlike LFI, the Stalinist PCF, or the Pabloite New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA)had refused to support the overwhelmingly popular yellow vest protests against social inequality that broke out against Macron in 2018.

Romain said, During the yellow vest movement, from the beginning, the media machine tried to discredit the movement. Even the left-wing parties, they did not take up the movement enthusiastically due to electoral calculations, they didnt think it would be popular. There, they should have said that they are on the side of the social movement, on the side of the workers, of people who struggle to get to the end of the month.

The WSWS also spoke to Christophe, a postman and yellow vest protester who had just left the Stalinist-linked General Confederation of Labor (CGT) union. Explaining that he had voted for Melenchon, he said: Macron and Le Pen can both go to hell.

Christophe added that he was worried about the NATO war drive against Russia and did not believe the claims of the French government or its NATO allies to be defending democracy or Ukraine against Russia. He said that the NATO powers are the biggest pirates in the world. If they are doing anything, it is for money and power.

Melenchon was at the Paris march and met PS Party Secretary Olivier Faure for a symbolic handshake as LFI and the PS negotiate a common position in the June legislative elections. We are only a few millimeters away from a deal between all of us, Melenchon said, stressing that LFI had guaranteed all its negotiating partnersincluding the PS, the PCF and the Greensthat they would get a parliamentary group in the National Assembly.

Melenchon is working desperately to keep these discredited pro-capitalist parties on life support. The Greens and the PCF had less than 5 percent, and the PS had less than 2 percent, in the presidential elections, and all face a complete wipe-out in the legislative elections. Melenchons response is not to seek to build a movement in the working class to bring down Macron, but to try to get enough seats in the National Assembly so that all of these parties can continue receiving the parliamentary group subsidies that are critical to financing their operations.

The PESs call for workers to boycott the Macron-Le Pen presidential election is aimed at steeling workers for the struggles to come, by rejecting and irreconcilably opposing both candidates. The election of Macron and his pursuit of an extreme-right program vindicates the position of the PES. Opposition in the working class to Macrons policies of war, mass infection with COVID-19 and draconian social austerity cannot be tied to the electoral maneuvers of Melenchon, his political satellites or to the PSwhich in power pursued an agenda virtually identical to that of Macron.

The decisive issue facing workers and youth is organizing action committees, independent of the nationally based union bureaucracies, to prepare opposition to Macrons policies and link it to the developing movement against war and austerity among workers internationally; and building the PES as the Trotskyist alternative to the pseudo-left parties of the affluent middle class such as LFI.
Over the weekend, Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House of Representatives and second in the line of presidential succession, traveled in secret to the war zone of Kiev, Ukraine and pledged a commitment by the United States to ensure victory against Russia.

Repeating the false premise that the United States involvement in the war with Russia is about helping Ukraine, an embattled ally, Pelosi told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done. She added, We stand with Ukraine until victory is won.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Rzeszow, Poland. (Credit: @SpeakerPelosi)

Democratic Representative Jason Crow, who accompanied Pelosi on her trip to Ukraine, was even more emphatic in asserting that the United States is a party to the war, declaring at a press conference in Poland, The United States of America is in this to win, and we will stand with Ukraine until victory is won.

Pelosis pledge, coming just one week after similar assurances by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, amounts to an unlimited commitment of treasure and blood to the pursuit of sweeping, open-ended war aims that threaten to draw the United States into what Biden called world war.

What does victory in Ukraine mean? In the span of just one week, Biden, Austin and leading members of the presidents political party have all given conflicting and irreconcilable answers as to what the United States is trying to achieve in Eastern Europe.

On one hand, Biden claimed that it is not true that the United States is engaged in a proxy war with Russia. On the other, Austin said at a press conference in Poland last week that the United States is seeking to weaken Russia. The New York Times has raised the prospect of bringing Russia to its knees, while former US Army Europe Commander Ben Hodges called for breaking the back of Russia.

To which of these goals is Pelosi committing the United States?

If one accepts Pelosis statements in the most limited and most literal sense, they mean that the United States will assist Ukraine in achieving its military aims in regard to Russia. But Ukraines own military goals, developed in close cooperation with US military planners, are sweeping.

On March 24, 2021, Zelensky signed a document pledging to implement measures to ensure the de-occupation and reintegration of the [Crimean] peninsula. This means that Ukraine is formally committed to the seizure of Crimea, territory that Russia claims as its own, through military means.

If Ukraine succeeds in breaking the Russian offensive in the Donbas, routs the attacking Russian forces, and pushes into Russian territory, would the United States be committed to support Ukraine in this fight?

In another scenario, what will the United States do if Russian forces continue their advance toward Western Ukraine, encircling pockets of the Ukrainian army and leading to its disintegration? What does Pelosis open-ended commitment to victory against Russia mean if Ukraine is threatened with strategic defeat?

Pelosis statement makes clear that, forced to choose between the prospect of reneging on its commitment and the deployment of troopsor even the use of nuclear weaponsthe United States will choose the latter.

Last week, Democratic Senator Chris Coons called for a conversation about sending US troops to fight against Russia in Ukraine.

Asked about Coonss statements, Senator Tim Kaine, Hillary Clintons running mate in 2016, merely called the measure prematureeffectively an admission that plans are already in the works. On Sunday, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger announced that he has introduced an Authorization for Use of Military Force that would allow Biden to deploy US troops in a full-scale war with Russia.

In the course of the Vietnam War, the United States was drawn into an ever more bloody and brutal war that followed the logic of the military commitments it had made.

The Pentagon Papers, first published in 1971, revealed that in the early 1960s, under President John F. Kennedy, American imperialism transformed its involvement in Vietnam, which had up to that point been called a limited-risk gamble into a broad commitment.

One of the most damning components of the Pentagon Papers was an internal Defense Department memo, drafted in 1965, that concluded that the main reason for US involvement was to uphold the United States commitment, the breach of which would lead to a humiliating U.S. defeat. The United States goals were ranked as follows:

70%  To avoid a humiliating U.S. defeat (to our reputation as a guarantor).

20%  To keep [South Vietnam] (and the adjacent) territory from Chinese hands.

10%  To permit the people [of South Vietnam] to enjoy a better, freer way of life.

NOT  To help a friend

A memo published as part of the Pentagon Papers

In pursuit of enforcing the global position of the United States in the post-war period, 58,220 American soldiers lost their lives, hundreds of thousands were physically and psychologically destroyed, and over 1 million Vietnamese men, women and children were killed.

The Pentagon Papers revealed the extent to which American foreign policy is made in secret. The public is presented with a set of facts and arguments that bear no relationship to the actual goals that are propelling the conflict. The aim of media discussion is not to allow the people to democratically control the conduct of foreign policy, but to condition public opinion to accept the outcome desired by the American state apparatus.

The stakes in the present war are vastly higher than they were in Vietnam. From its origins as a US proxy war aiming to bleed Russia white, the conflict over Ukraine is rapidly spiraling into a full-scale war between two nuclear-armed states.

Within the entire US political establishment, there is no serious attempt to explain what the war is about. There simply exists no opposition to a reckless and insane policy that threatens to end human civilization through the eruption of a nuclear third world war.

The real aims of US imperialism in the war against Russia were spelled out by WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North in his opening report to the May Day 2022 Online Rally, The NATO-Russia war and the tasks of the international working class:

Russia has become a target of US imperialism not because of the Putin regimes autocratic character, but because, first, its defense of the interests of the Russian capitalists collides with the drive of the United States for global hegemony, which is centered on its preparations for war with China; and, second, the vast expanse of Russian territory is the source of immensely valuable and strategically critical raw materials, metals and mineralsgold, platinum, palladium, zinc, bauxite, nickel, mercury, manganese, chromium, uranium, iron ore, cobalt and iridium, to name only a fewthat the United States is determined to bring under its control.

US officials are admitting with increasing candor that American imperialism wants to break the back of Russia and bring Russia to its knees. In pledging to wage war to complete victory, the United States is creating the conditions for catastrophe.

The social force that must be mobilized to stop the mad drive to world war is the working class. As North concluded his report, The international working class must declare war on imperialist war.

The May Day Rally, addressed by representatives of the International Committee of the Fourth International throughout the world, detailed the international socialist perspective upon which this struggle must be waged.
Former President Donald Trump, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)

A Manhattan, New York, grand jury impaneled last year to consider whether to recommend criminal charges against former President Donald Trump was discharged at the end of April without issuing an indictment. Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs decision to not request an extension of the grand jury means that Trump will not be facing any criminal charges related to his fraudulent business practices for the foreseeable future.



The ending of the grand jury does not directly affect the ongoing civil case against Trump led by Democratic New York Attorney General Leticia James. For failing to comply with a subpoena as part of that investigation, New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron held Trump in civil contempt last month, fining the ex-president $10,000 a day for failing to turn over documents requested by James office.



That Bragg allowed the grand jurys term to expire without requesting an extension is not surprising, given that the two lead prosecutors in the case, Carey R. Dunne and Mark F. Pomerantz, resigned in February, less than two months after Bragg took office. In his resignation letter, which Bragg tried to prevent from being released, Pomerantz wrote that he thought Trump was guilty of numerous felony violations and that he considered Braggs decision to cease presenting evidence to the grand jury and not bring charges against Trump a grave failure of justice.



Substantiating Braggs lack of enthusiasm in moving forward with the case, a report last week by the New York Times, which endorsed Bragg in the 2021 election, cited three witnesses who were considered central to the investigation yet who have not been called on to testify in front of the grand jury in months. The Times noted that the remaining prosecutors on the case have abandoned a war room that was used to prepare presentations for the grand jury earlier this year.



The investigation into Trump and the Trump Organization began over three years ago, following testimony given by former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen before Congress in March 2019. During that hearing, Cohen testified for over six hours on the various criminal aspects of the Trump business empire, from defrauding lenders and the Internal Revenue Service, to intimidating and threatening clients, critics and/or witnesses.



Bragg inherited the investigation from his Democratic predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr. Prior to leaving office, Vances office charged the Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization and Trump Payroll Corporation, Allen Weisselberg, with 15 felony counts, including conspiring to commit fraud and grand larceny. The litany of charges leveled was aimed at forcing Trumps accountant to turn states witness against his longtime employer. These efforts have apparently failed.



Several news outlets reported last week that another key prosecutor leading the investigation into Trump, Solomon Shinerock, is also no longer actively involved in the investigation but continues to work on the prosecution team against Weisselberg and the Trump Organization which are expected to go to trial later this year.



While the grand jury has expired, Braggs office maintains that the investigation into the Trump organization remains ongoing and that if new evidence emerged, he would consider impaneling a new grand jury.



Last month, Braggs office issued two subpoenas requesting information from a major financial institution and the Trump Organization, per the Times. In an interview with the leading Democratic Party press organ last month, Bragg said that the investigation remained a work in progress but that he did not have a timeline to provide on when an indictment would be forthcoming.



At this time, it is impossible to say for sure why Bragg decided not to move forward with the grand jury. While it is certainly a win for the 2024 Republican frontrunner, it does not mean that the whole US ruling class has resigned itself to a dictatorship under Trump. There could be procedural reasons why Bragg chose not to move forward.

It has been suggested that he thought he would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump intended to commit fraud without a star witness or smoking gun, given that Weisselberg has refused to flip on Trump. A civil case against Trump requires a lower standard of proof.



Citing people with knowledge of the situation, the Washington Post reported that Bragg was not keen on using Cohen, Trumps former lawyer, as a witness.



In an interview last week with the Daily Beast, Cohen said he provided thousands of documents to the Manhattan DAs office throughout the three-year investigation and sat down for multiple interviews, including while he was incarcerated. He said the documents, coupled with my testimony, would have been a valid basis for an indictment and charge.



Cohen explained that since charges are not forthcoming against his former boss, he would not be participating in a possible, yet unlikely, future grand jury against Trump, saying, Im not interested in any further investment of my time.



There is no doubt that Trump is guilty of numerous crimes related to his business empire. This includes artificially inflating his assets in order to secure more favorable loans, while at the same time maintaining a separate set of accounting books to claim poverty when filing taxes in order to reap generous tax benefits. These business practices, while illegal, are ordinary and routine among the financial aristocracy.



No doubt one of the numerous political considerations behind Braggs decision not to move forward against Trump includes the fact that there are plenty of fellow Democratic Party politicians guilty of the same crimes as Trump.



What Trump is also guilty of, but is not routine among the US ruling class, is organizing and launching a violent coup aimed at overturning the votes of some 81 million people and with it, the last vestiges of bourgeois democracy in the United States.

This more significant crime is something for which neither Trump, nor any of his high-level co-conspirators in the Republican Party, has been held to account for by the Democratic Party and the US justice system, nearly 16 months after the attack on the US Capitol.
Sri Lankan opposition parties, trade unions and big corporates are desperately making every effort to derail, diffuse and suppress the mass upsurge of the working people against the President Gotabhaya Rajapakse fearing that it threatens capitalist rule.

Mass opposition erupted in early April demanding the resignation of President Rajapakse and his government and defied attempts to use the police and military to suppress protests.

Now the working class has begun entering into struggle as a class. Millions of workers took part in a one-day general strike on April 28 despite roadblocks placed by the trade unions. Amid a groundswell of anger among workers, the unions have been compelled to call another one-day strike on May 6.

The mass protests have been fueled by the spiraling prices and shortages of basic foodstuffs, medicines and fuel as well as lengthy daily electricity cuts. As in every country, Sri Lanka is facing economic turmoil triggered by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake [Source: Anura Kumara Dissanayake Facebook]

Speaking to the media last Tuesday, opposition Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented his partys so-called proposals to solve the countrys crisis. He insisted that the economic crisis cannot be resolved without alleviating political instabilityin other words, a way must be found to suppress mass protests and strikes.

The JVP was supportive of the proposals made by the main parliamentary opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and other groups for the president and the government to step down to make way for a short-term interim government, a general election and the opportunity to build a stable government.

Dissanayake declared that these proposals appear to be fair solutions, but stopped short of committing the JVP to an interim government, noting those joining such a regime can break that agreement at any time.

Dissanayake offered a proposal only marginally different. After the resignation of the president and government, then we have to build some inter-parliamentary administration for a very short period of time and go to the polls very soon. He provided no explanation of how an inter-parliamentary administration would be formed, who would participate or indeed how it differed from an interim government.

However, the political purpose of the JVPs proposals is absolutely clearto suppress the protest movement. Like the SJB, it is to divert the anger of workers, youth and the poor into the dead-end of parliamentary elections on the basis of a false hope that a new combination of capitalist parties would alleviate the worsening social crisis.

The JVPs intervention has a particular significance. Unlike the SJBa right-wing breakaway from the equally right-wing United National Party (UNP)the JVP had its origins in the petty-bourgeois radical movement of Sinhala youth in the 1960s and 1970s and advocated the armed struggle based on a toxic mixture of Maoism, Castroism and Sinhala patriotism.

Having long ago abandoned its disastrous armed struggle and socialistic and Marxist pretensions, the JVP is now thrusting itself forward as the savior of the capitalist class and its rule.

Addressing the JVPs May Day rally on Sunday, Dissanayake shamelessly boasted that his party had kept President Chandrika Kumaratunga and her Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in power in 2001. In 2004, it had backed her decision as president to sack the UNP government. JVP leader boasted: We offered to support her at that time to ensure political stability in the country.

In 2001, a number of MPs deserted the Kumaratunga government to the opposition UNP to back its call for peace talks with the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The JVP, a virulent Sinhala chauvinist party, opposed any peace talks with the LTTE, demanded the continuation of the communal war and supported Kumaratunga administration from outside.

The JVP also backed Kumaratungas decision to sack the UNP government in 2004 in order to scuttle peace talks with the LTTE. It then entered into an electoral alliance with Kumaratunga to contest new general elections and joined her government, accepting four ministerial posts. Its ministers played a key role in imposing the IMFs pro-market dictates.

Dissanayake refers to the JVPs treacherous past, not to offer any way out of the current social crisis facing working people, but to convince the ruling class that his party is always ready to ensure political stability and save capitalist rule.

The JVP leader declared that the situation has changed. People did not accept the president or the government, he said. The instability would not be resolved by forming an interim government or all-party government. The only solution was to go to a general election.

The call for new elections is at odds with many of the protest slogans raised in the past month, including No to the curse of 74-year rule, Those who ruled the country for 74 years are responsible for the crisis today! and the 225 in the parliament are responsible for the crisis.

These slogans indicate a growing awareness that all of the parliamentary parties are responsible for the current crisis and that the entire bourgeois political establishment defends the interests of the rich at the expense of working peopleand has done so throughout the 74 years since formal independence in 1948.

The JVP, like the other establishment parties, is desperate to gag and divert this movement. Dissanayake maintains a guilty silence on what any new capitalist government formed after an election would do, as it would inevitably seek to impose even greater burdens on the population in line with the demands of the IMF.

The Rajapakse government has already sent a delegation to Washington for talks with the IMF for an emergency bail-out package and is now pushing for a full implementation of its dictates. This entails a huge assault on the living conditions of workers and the rural poor, through the slashing of jobs, wages, pensions and social subsidies, and the restructuring of state-owned enterprises as profit-making companies.

While the SJB and UNP have slammed the government for not going to the IMF sooner, the JVP and its leaders have said nothing, well aware that it will have devastating consequences for working people. Instead, the JVP seeks to divert blame for the economic crisis from the capitalist system, based on the private ownership of the means of production and the extraction of profit, onto the corruption and mismanagement of the Rajapakse government.

The cause for this crisis is the decisions taken by a gangster group, including Gotabhaya Rajapakse, in order to earn hundreds of thousands of money for their cronies, Dissanayake told parliament recently.

Undoubtedly the Rajapakse government, like all its predecessors, is mired in forms of corruption, but to blame the entire economic crisis on corruption is absurd. The JVP is promoting a fantasythat a new government will simply wave away the immense crisis of global capitalism and thus all the social ills facing working people.

The JVP and other opposition parties, supported by pseudo-left groups including the Frontline Socialist Party, are politically disarming the working people by restricting the protests to demanding Rajapakse resign and peddling the illusion that there is a solution to the social disaster within the capitalist system.

Dissanayake blustered last week that if Rajapakse did not resign, the JVP, its NPP (National Peoples Power, an electoral front of intellectuals and professionals), its trade unions and farmers organisation will hold a large number of agitations to force him out. All of its demonstrations, however, have the same aimto divert the masses into the dead-end of electoral politics.

The JVP trade unions are already limiting workers struggles to demanding an interim regime and elections. Last year the JVP unions were also in the forefront of selling out a series of struggles by sections of workers for better pay and conditions, thus strengthening the hand of the Rajapakse regime.

In opposition to the entire political establishment, including the JVP, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) has elaborated a program of action for workers and the poor to defend for their democratic and social rights. There are no solutions for working people within the capitalist system. The working class can defend its rights only by mobilising its independent political and industrial strength.

The SEP calls for the building of action committees by workers at every workplace, large estate and working-class neighbourhood, independent of the trade unions and the capitalist parties and their hangers-on.

We have elaborated a program to advance the fight by action committees to defend the democratic and social rights of working people.

We demand the immediate abolition of the executive presidency and the repeal of all repressive laws, including the emergency law, Essential Public Services Act and Prevention of Terrorism Act.

To end the present social disaster requires the complete reorganisation of the production and distribution of essential goods to meet the pressing needs of the majority, not the profits of the wealthy few. Nationalise the banks, big corporations and large estates under the democratic control of the working class. Repudiate all foreign debts.

Building action committees to fight for this program establishes the basis to fight for a workers and peasants government to implement socialist policies. In this struggle, workers in Sri Lanka need to unite with the international working class in a common fight against capitalism, which is the source of social inequality, the disaster of the COVID pandemic and imperialist war.

We urge workers and youth to join the SEP and fight for this program.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka will hold a demonstration in Gampaha, northeast of Colombo. Its main slogans will be Abolish the executive presidency, Defeat IMF austerity measures and Build workers action committees. Gampaha District is the second most populous in Sri Lanka.

The demonstration will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4 outside the Gampaha Railway Station. It follows recent strong demonstrations organised by the SEP in Colombo, Hatton and Jaffna.

The ongoing mass anti-government protests across Sri Lanka over lengthy daily power cuts, as well as shortages and skyrocketing cost of essentials, such as fuel, medicine, and cooking gas, have shaken the Rajapakse government. This social crisis has devastated the lives of workers, youth, farmers, fishermen, self-employed and small-scale business holders. Chanting Gota Go Home, demonstrators are demanding that the president and his Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna government resign.

The popular anti-government uprising advanced to a new stage on April 28 when millions of workers across all sectors participated in a one-day general strike calling for the resignation of Rajapakse and his government. An island-wide hartal (a strike coupled with a general stoppage of work, including small businesses) has been scheduled for May 6.

The SEP supports the main demand of the popular protest movementbringing down the Rajapakse governmentbut goes further in advancing an independent socialist perspective for the working class as the alternative to any future pro-IMF interim regime. This involves the mobilisation of the working class to overthrow capitalist rule and the establishment of a workers and peasants government based on socialist policies. The developing struggle of the Sri Lankan working class is part of the broader fight for socialism in South Asia and internationally.

The SEP/IYSSE urge all workers, youth, peasants and other oppressed layers to participate in the Gampaha demonstration and join the party to take forward this historic fight.
A groundbreaking study newly published in the journal Nature (Carlson, Albery et al., Climate change increases cross-species viral transmission risk) concludes that ongoing climate change will dramatically increase the potential for viruses that already exist among animal populations to be spread to humans, as has already happened with SARS-CoV-2, and others such as HIV and Ebola, collectively known as zoonotic (animal derived) disease spillovers.

This alarming finding is based on the development of a model by these researchers which projects how the warming of the planet will likely cause displacement in a sample of over 3,000 mammal species over the next 50 years, assuming a likely increase of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in average global temperature.

Geographically shifting ecozones will force animals, plants and other organisms to adjust their territorial distributions as the spatial limits of the habitats to which they are adapted are altered. This will involve the actual movement of individuals and/or the gradual adjustment of ranges as some populations die off and others, located in more favorable environments, are more successful.

These changes will not, due to a whole variety of factors (e.g., topography, latitude, rainfall patterns), simply displace existing ecozones intact. Rather, wholesale alterations will result in mixing and matching of varied environmental constituents, consequently bringing together species not previously in close proximity to each other and creating adaptive stresses which will likely favor some species over others, resulting in extinctions. Overall, the result will be a significant decrease in the stability of ecosystems.

As a result, the opportunity for viruses to spread not only between different, formerly dispersed populations of the same species but also between species, including to humans, will be increased.

An estimated 40,000 viruses exist that infect mammals. Of these, 10,000 are thought to have the potential to infect humans but are currently only found in animals. The model projects that climate change will result in approximately 300,000 first encounters between species not previously in contact. It is estimated that cross-species dispersal of viruses will occur on the order of 15,000 times, with over 4,000 of these among mammals alone, within the models timespan.

This map visualizes projected novel viral-sharing events near human population centers in equatorial Africa, south China, India and Southeast Asia in 2070. These will increasingly overlap with projected hotspots of cross-species viral transmission in wildlife. (Image courtesy of Colin Carlson/GUMC)

Furthermore, as new host species are infected, creating new selective environments for the viruses, it can be anticipated that novel variants will evolve, as we are currently experiencing with SARS-CoV-2. It must also be anticipated that viral exchanges between non-human species will also severely affect wild animal populations, resulting in their own unanticipated impacts.

Many factors influence whether any given interaction between species will result in effective viral transfer. The study does not project how many viruses will ultimately cause disease in humans, but the potential is significant. These findings augment earlier studies that examined how other forms of habitat disturbance and human incursion into existing wild areas will also increase the potential for animal to human viral transmission.

The effects will likely be especially pronounced, at least initially, in species-dense areas with high human population densities and significant economic inequality, such as tropical Africa and Asia, which experience massive numbers of climate migrants and thus a growing interface between animals and humans.

A co-author of the study, Gregory Albery, a disease ecologist at Georgetown University, told The Guardian that already occurring climate change is shaking ecosystems to their core, which means that significant animal to human viral transmission is already underway and likely to worsen.

In an interview with The Atlantic, another co-author of the study, Georgetown global-change biologist Colin Carlson, stated that the planetary network of viruses and wildlife is rewiring itself right now. He found the revelations so large and heavy to behold that even as we were writing them, we didnt want to.

Commenting on the study to The Guardian, Aaron Bernstein, interim director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at Harvard University, said, Vaccines, drugs and tests are essential but without major investments in primary pandemic prevention, namely habitat conservation, strictly regulating wildlife trade, and improved livestock biosecurity, as examples, we will find ourselves in a world where only the rich are able to endure ever more likely infectious disease outbreaks.

The outbreak of pandemic diseases has been projected for decades. Urgent warnings that preparations should be made in advance have been issued repeatedly, and largely ignored, with the interests of business having been taken as paramount. Responses to every new outbreak have been short-lived. When the peak of the crisis has passed or pretended to have passed, as is currently the case with COVID-19, resources are quickly redirected into more profitable undertakings for the capitalist class. As a result, the rapid mobilization which should be undertaken to stop the spread of a new disease early in its development is significantly hampered.

The anticipated scenario based on the new model is truly sobering, Carlson told The Atlantic. It predicts that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely only the beginning of repeated outbreaks of new diseases, some of which may reach pandemic proportions. Given the disastrous response to COVID-19 by most nations of the world, the consequences of which are still unfolding, the prospect of wave after wave of such catastrophes would devastate humanity, not to mention a good portion of other living things on earth. The rate of change is such that multiple deadly pandemics may occur simultaneously.

The effects of climate change extend well beyond the spread of zoonotic diseases. The wholesale disruption of ecosystems and consequent ecological instability will certainly result in widespread extinctions, possibly the earths sixth mass extinction, but, in contrast to the previous five, this will be anthropogenic in origin. The biological systems on which humans rely for food will be severely impacted, if not totally devastated.

The growing understanding of the processes driving the increasing appearance of zoonotic diseases provides another nail in the coffin of reactionary attempts to blame China for somehow being responsible for the spread of COVID-19.

Only a massive, globally coordinated and scientifically based mobilization of resources can stem this otherwise inevitable disaster. As has been demonstrated, capitalism is utterly incapable of and unwilling to mount the necessary effort. The only way forward is for the international working class to take power and implement a socialist reorganization of society.
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Abortion would become illegal in Louisiana almost immediately if the leaked draft of the U.S. Supreme Court opinion that would overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade decision guaranteeing women the right to an abortion stands when it is officially issued in June.

That's because a 2006 "trigger law" authored by former Democratic state Sen. Ben Nevers and signed by former Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco is set to go into effect under the scenario.

There are similar trigger laws in 22 other states, according to the pro-abortion rights Guttmacher Institute, which means Louisiana women would have to travel as far east as Florida, as far west as New Mexico and as far north as Illinois to have an abortion.

A crowd of people gather outside the Supreme Court, early Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in Washington D.C.

Louisiana's 2006 Act 467 prohibits abortion except when necessary to save the life of the mother. There would be no exceptions for rape and incest.

Nevers' "Human Life Protection Act" would become effective immediately if "a U.S. Supreme Court decision reverses, in whole or in part, Roe v. Wade, or an adoption of an amendment to the U. S. Constitution which, in whole or in part, restores to the state the authority to prohibit abortion."

More: Should Louisiana ban corporal punishment in schools? Lawmaker wants spanking stopped

Read this: High-ranking Louisiana State Police officers confirm coverup in Ronald Greene's death

Louisiana Right to Life celebrated the decision if it stands.

"With an abundance of public and private resources, Louisiana is ready to support women before and after birth," executive director Benjamin Clapper said. "Louisiana is ready to be abortion-free.

"If the Supreme Court decides to overturn Roe v. Wade, Louisiana is ready. In 2006, the Louisiana Legislature passed the Human Life Protection Act, which ensures that the state of Louisiana has the authority to prohibit abortion following the demise of Roe. Additionally, the Louisiana Love Life Amendment passed in 2020 protects our body of comprehensive pro-life laws disallowing state judges from 'finding' a right to abortion or the funding of abortion in the Louisiana Constitution."

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But others like Democratic New Orleans state Rep. Mandie Landry, one of the few Louisiana lawmakers who support abortion rights, tweeted: "I am so, so sorry for what will happen to women in our country. The amount of harm this will do to women in this country is indescribable."

A crowd of people gather outside the Supreme Court, Monday night, May 2, 2022 in Washington. A draft opinion circulated among Supreme Court justices suggests that earlier this year a majority of them had thrown support behind overturning the 1973 case Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide, according to a report published Monday night in Politico. It's unclear if the draft represents the court's final word on the matter. The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the draft Politico posted, which if verified marks a shocking revelation of the high court's secretive deliberation process, particularly before a case is formally decided.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Abortion will become illegal in Louisiana if Supreme Court opinion stands
FARMINGTON  Several events in the region on May 5 will mark National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.

The date was designated in a 2017 resolution by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines, R-Montana, and Jon Tester, D-Montana, in response to the murder of Hanna Harris, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe who disappeared in 2013 from Lame Deer, Montana, and to highlight other abductions and killings of Native American women in the United States.

Last year, President Joe Biden declared May 5 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day.

According to the FBI's National Crime Information Center, there were 5,295 Indigenous women and 4,276 Indigenous men reported missing in 2020 across the United States.

A participant in a walk and rally raising awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous people holds a sign on behalf of a missing woman on Nov. 13, 2021 in Berg Park in Farmington.

In Farmington, a call to attention of missing Indigenous people will be led by family members, advocates, and activists from the Party for Socialism and Liberation will gather at 4 p.m. at Berg Park.

The rally will honor the lives of those lost to the crisis and to stand with the families of Ashley Collins, Melanie James, Melissa Montoya and Ranelle Rose Bennett as they seek answers for their loved ones, according to a news release from the Law Offices of Darlene Gomez.

Gomez, a lawyer in Albuquerque, works on causes that promote missing and murdered Indigenous women and serves on the New Mexico Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force.

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Memorial Honor Walk on May 5, 2021 moves along U.S. Highway 64 in Shiprock.

The news release also highlights the case of Zachariah Juwaun Shorty, a 23-year-old Kirtland resident whose body was found on July 25, 2020 on a dirt path in a field west of the Nenahnezad Chapter house.

The FBI has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Shorty's death. Anyone with information is asked to call 505-889-1300 or visit tips.fbi.gov.

There will be a candlelight vigil to remember Shorty at 6 p.m. at the Kirtland-Fruitland Cemetery in Kirtland. The release states that a headstone will be placed at Shorty's grave before the vigil.

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'Bring Her Home': Documentary on MMIW set for broadcast on PBS

The "Navajo Nation Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives Tribunal" will take place on May 5 and May 6 in Window Rock, Arizona.

It will feature testimony and discussion with survivors, families, tribal leaders, experts and advocates and there will be screenings of the films, "Somebody's Daughter" and "Say Her Name."

The event will go from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock.

More: Navajo leadership among those who hail reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act

The New Mexico Indian Affairs Department posted on its Facebook page that the New Mexico Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force will release the formal response plan to address the crisis in the state.

The task force, along with the Indian Affairs Department and community partners will release the document during an event from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 5 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

Noel Lyn Smith covers the Navajo Nation for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4636 or by email at nsmith@daily-times.com.

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This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Events in Farmington, regionally on May 5 spotlight awareness for MMIW
Green giant: Room2 in Chiswick (Room2)

This Earth Day, lets celebrate the many eco-friendly hotels bursting onto the scene, from Scotland to Slovenia, Scandinavia to  ugh, Saudi. Yet I urge you to stay alert to the niggle that many hosts are simply savvier at using the right labels to position themselves greener. Beware performative sustainability, as a pal dubbed the next-generation of smart-talk, same-walk zeitgeist brands doing the bare minimum, yet manipulating their modest efforts into head-turning haloes.

The challenge is that the term ecologically-friendly is too loose. In these greenwash-riddled times, it's important to check in with what eco really stands for. As I previously mused in this article on playing hotel eco-detective, it derives from a German term coined by a 19th-century zookeeper, referencing the study of life. We need to verify exactly how a hotel is dramatically reducing water and energy use, actively boosting biodiversity and soil health, promoting accessibility and inclusivity, showing respect for Indigenous peoples, ensuring their supply chain consists of local products, services and purchases and minimising economic leakage. Whew. That's a lot to process.

Its especially hard to be eco in concrete jungles, so I was eager to visit Room2, which recently opened in Chiswick. The architecturally nondescript brick building in a genteel West London suburb may not have sparked love at first sight, but its pretty Arts & Crafts-inspired suites with Granby Workshop and Maiden Marbling details, plus fishing-net-upcycled carpets, is appealing. Powered by renewables, it declares itself the world's first fully net zero ho(me)tel  whatever that means. They deserve praise for showing how they do things more responsibly in terms of the causes of the climate emergency. Its hard not to roll eyes, though, when the receptionist says you are helping save the planet just by staying here or reading woolly website declarations such as The building runs on electricity only, meaning no fossil fuels are burnt to power the building. Guys, I hate to break it to you, but we might need to have a chat about how a lot of electricity is generated.

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Pretty in pastels: a double at room2 Chiswick (Room2 Chiswick)

If I were to manifest a mythical eco-city hotel, it would have a regenerative farm on the roof, tended by ex-offenders, where they grow everything for a vegan menu alongside carbon-sequestering super-plants and they host nature lessons for inner-city kids. That would be worthy of guests feeling like proper planet-saving activists, I reckon. At least Room2 is raising the bar with its technical talk. A hub in the lobby invites us to poke at interactive screens, Science Museum style, to better understand every facet of their creds. Geeking out on their ground-source heating and triple-glazing and insulation has the potential to prompt paradigm shifts when engaging with their hospitality. Shame about the fake living wall above (quite possibly the epitome of performative sustainability).

The challenge in the eco-hotel conversation is that city-based real estate will always struggle to rival off-grid, nature-positive, community-based-tourism bamboo huts, right?

We cant just fall for a nice picture of a leaf on websites

Ecotourism enthusiasts, lets keep lifting the lid to comprehend the true mechanics. Bamboo straws and organic shampoo in refillable bottles aint enough. We need to evaluate long-term carbon footprints of constructions, the social impact of all aspects of the operations, and question the integrity of ownership if decision-making doesnt involve all community stakeholders. We cant just fall for a nice picture of a leaf on websites.

Transparency is key. Hosts articulating the science behind their sustainability is a winning indicator. Poking around waste-processing anaerobic digesters, laundry-detergent dosification and fat-filtering kitchen plumbing opened my eyes to what makes Cayuga Collection hotels in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua eco. Their back-of-house tours reveal how much this management approach invests in the wellbeing of staff. A significant metric for sustainability is how much a hotel employs from the immediate community, how long staff have worked there and how ownership looked after their humans during the pandemic.

Aguas Claras, a property in the Cayuga Collection (Cayuga Collection)

What else to weigh up? How we are travelling, how green a destination is, who we are giving our money to. Slovenia is always a compelling destination for anyone seeking positive-impact properties. Theyve long been switched on to talking about energy use and emission control. Bohinj ECO Hotel has an adjoining water park Aquapark Bohinj, which acts as a giant heat-collecting energy station. For less leisure-centre vibes I prefer their new neighbouring sibling, Sunrose 7, for its aesthetics.

Bhutan, the worlds only carbon-negative country, models a laudable less-is-more approach to hosting visitors, care of careful tourism regulation. Protecting trees is mandated in their constitution, so you can hike away in their forests, knowing you're never a nuisance. Stand-out stays include Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, a dzong-inspired hotel in Neyphu Valley, and guesthouses bookable through MyBhutan.

The case for supporting upmarket eco-businesses is they can work wonders when it comes to paying it forward

Promoting high-cost low-impact tours could seem elitist and exclusive. The case for supporting upmarket eco-businesses is they can work wonders when it comes to paying it forward, thanks to a bigger-spending clientele. Grootbos is in South Africa is a saviour of flora and fauna species galore and a cultivator of precious entrepreneurial economic opportunities. Yes, SA has a coal-powered national grid, and we have to burn fossil fuels to get there. Once youre at this nature reserve drinking fine wines though, your good times do tremendous good. You know a hotel is one of the nice guys when its a member of the Long Run, a non-profit collection of conservation-dedicated lodges. Over in Zambia, brand new biophilic-designed Chisa Busanga Camp is an eco delight, yet way out of the budget of typical eco-warriors. At least sybarites enjoying a stay in one of Green Safari's solar-powered weaver-bird-nest lodges for responsible safaris is seriously helpful to local people and place.

For my next holiday, Im seeking friluftsliv in Norway. A pursuit of open-air living will include staying at simple, locally owned properties such as fjordside 29/2 Aurland. Heres to spending time in a country that tops league tables for ethics, equality and environmentalism, too. And as soon as the worlds first energy-positive hotel, Svart, finally opens, I'll figure out the greenest way to get to this innovative Arctic hangout at the foot of a glacier.

Vegan hotel Saorsa 1875 (Saorsa 1875)

Eco-seekers based in Blighty may deem straying beyond borders contradictory. So what constitutes greener accommodation close to home? Glamping on Knepps 3,500-acre estate in lowland Britain means ecotourism on this decommissioned dairy and arable farm from Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell funds their wilding endeavours.

What if you have a preference for traditional hotel style and service, and charming interiors? The vegan ways of Saorsa 1875 have me lusting after this animal-eschewing plant-based cutie in Perthshire. Knowing they're linked to less methane emissions (this greenhouse gas is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide) means theyre less guilty of cranking up the global-warming thermostat.

I love the idea of regenerative endeavours  take the Headwaters Eco Lodge on Lake Whakatipu in New Zealand which generates 105 per cent of energy they use. But its hard to justify the fuel combustion needed to get me there, hey? Best to aim for catching a train to Scotland or Slovenia for a truly eco escape...
With Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program currently under review, a group of nonprofit organizations are calling on the state to lower the amount of money people spend on utility bills, particularly in Black and Latinx communities.

The groups also want regulators to make the popular program available to renters.

The Sierra Club's Wisconsin Chapter hosted a press conference Tuesday highlighting personal stories of energy burden disparities.

While there is some access to Focus on Energy programs to assist low income residents, they are often inadequate  especially for renters, said Cassie Steiner spokeswoman for the Sierra Club.

Steiner shared the story of a senior in the 53206 zip code living on $900 per month. She keeps her thermostat so low that she is very cold, and only runs her air conditioning when it is very hot outside.

"She pays her bill every month," Steiner said. "Why in 2022 are these disparities still affecting us?"

Steiner shared another story of a financial planner who works in the 53212 zip code. Many of her clients have an average income of $2,200 to $2,400 per month and pay $200 to $250 per month for their energy bills. Trying to pay down debt to improve credit scores, so they can also purchase a house, is nearly impossible, the planner wrote.

Using the Sierra Club's energy burden calculator, in both cases the burden is 10%. That means 10% of their income is going to energy bills. The national average is 2.6%.

More: Wisconsin's moratorium on utility shut-offs ends April 15. Here's what to do if you need help with your bills.

More: We Energies, WPS want to increase rates by $60 to $72 a year for the average residential customer starting in 2023

Focus could include programs for lower income

Focus on Energy was created by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1999. The program works with eligible residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in exchange for technical assistance and

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financial incentives.

The purpose is to help Wisconsin residents and businesses control the states growing demand for electricity and natural gas, manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, and protect the environment.

Funded by the utilities, Focus has generated over $4 in benefits for each $1 invested.

Every four years, the program undergoes a reevaluation by the Public Service Commission to determine funding priorities and programs. The PSC is currently reviewing the program and will begin to look at how Focus on Energy can better serve lower income customers.

Speakers from Groundwork Milwaukee, Green Homeowners United, Blue Green Alliance and Great Waters Group also shared stories about people struggling because of their energy burden.

"I don't think that someone should have to determine if they should have to pay one bill or another," said Keviea Guiden with Groundwork Milwaukee. "Or determine if the dog or the baby eats. Folks are being put in compromising situations."

The non-profit groups are asking regulators to consider allowing renters in the Focus Program. They would also add programs to focus on low-income customers, high energy burden populations, utility debt forgiveness and carbon emission reductions.

There are three phases in the PSC review process. Phase II comments are from May 30-June 17, and Phase III are from Aug. 15-Sept. 2.

To provide a comment to the PSC, click sc.org/FocusOnEnergy.

Corrinne Hess can be reached at chess@gannett.com. Follow her @corrihess

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Focus on Energy weighs programs to better serve low income customers
Bucha, Ukraine

ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty People take cover from shelling in the city of Bucha, Ukraine, west of Kyiv, on March 4.

Iryna Abramova struggles at night with "bloody thoughts" of suicide and revenge.

During the day, she walks to a cemetery in Bucha, Ukraine, carrying cherry cough drops, cookies, toffee, chocolate and a cigarette to the grave of her husband, Oleh Abramov, who she says was shot and killed by Russian soldiers on March 5 in the early days of their invasion of her country.

That morning, Abramova told The New York Times in a story published Monday, she was still in her robe and slippers when a grenade came through the window of their home, detonated and ignited a fire that burned  until all that was left was a pile of charred rubble.

Four Russian paratroopers forced Abramov into the yard, his wife said. He was ordered to remove his jacket, a sweater and shirt so the troops could inspect for military tattoos, which Abramov didn't have because he never served.

"Guys, what are you doing?" Abramov asked the Russians as they took him past the gate and into the street, according to the Times.

Moments later, when the Russian commander returned, Abramova's father asked him, "Where is Oleh?"

"Oleh will not be coming," the commander said.

RELATED: Russia Fired on Lone Cyclist Whose Body and Bike Were Left for Weeks on Ukraine Street, Video Shows

Bucha, Ukraine

DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Ukraine

Abramova ran out of the house, which had filled with black smoke. "I looked to the left. Nothing. I look to the right. I see my husband on the ground," she told the Times. "I see lots of blood. I see part of his head is gone."

Abramov, whom she met 20 years ago and called "Sunshine," was dead.

She grabbed his hand and cried out his name. She held her cat and screamed at the soldiers, "Shoot me! Come on! Come on! Shoot me and the cat!"

"The Russians were sitting on the curb, drinking water from plastic bottles, just watching me," Abramova recalled. "They didn't say anything, they didn't show any emotion. They were like an audience at the theater."

Story continues

RELATED: How Children Are Coping in the Aftermath of Russia's Brutal Occupation of One Ukrainian City

The commander did put the gun to her chest but never pulled the trigger, Abramova said. "I do not kill women," he said, she told the Times.

She regrets that but told the paper that suicide was not an option. "It's a big thing to take your own life," she said, "and then I won't be able to meet my husband in heaven."

Stories of torture, rape and execution account for some of the evidence of alleged war crimes that has emerged from Bucha since Russian forces retreated in early April, ending their month-long occupation, which continues to be one of the most horrific chapters in Ukraine's ongoing war.

Children of Bucha

Rodrigo Abd/AP Photo

Russia has denied targeting civilians in its war with Ukraine and insisted the atrocities described in Bucha were faked.

Of pre-war Bucha's approximately 40,000 residents, only about 4,000 remain, the Times reports. Several hundred have died, including children, and the rest fled.

But Abramova can't leave. Her savings, which she kept at home in cash, burned. So have all her documents and other papers that could verify her identity.

Without them, she can't travel even if she wanted to.

RELATED: Ukrainian Coroner Describes Horror of Performing 10 Autopsies a Day on Mangled Bodies: 'Why Did You Die?'

"I used to say that I had the best family in the world. One husband. Three cats. And one dog," she told the Times this week. "It's hard to process."

Abramov's sweater and shirt still sit in the mud outside the pile of bricks that used to be their home. Her dog and two cats are buried somewhere under the debris.

"I look at this but I keep seeing my old house," she said. "It's like I've made a wrong turn into a parallel reality and there is another reality where my house and my husband still exist. And here in this reality I am alone."

Ukraine War

Chris McGrath/Getty A woman cries after not being able to board an evacuation train that departed on March 4 in Ukraine carrying women and children that fled fighting in Bucha and Irpin.

Abramova said she dreams of a nightly routine that was once mundane but is now a cherished, sweet and poignant memory.

"I'm in bed watching TV, and he's walking through the door, taking off his cap," she said, referring to her "Sunshine," who called her "Kitty."

"And then I hear: 'Kitty, I'm home,' " she said. " 'Where are you, Kitty?' "

Russia's attack on Ukraine continues after their forces launched a large-scale invasion on Feb. 24  the first major land conflict in Europe in decades.

Details of the fighting change by the day, but thousands of civilians have already been reported dead or wounded, including children, though the actual number of deaths is difficult to determine.

More than 5.5 million have fled the country as refugees  and half are children, according to the United Nations. Millions more have been displaced inside Ukraine.

The invasion, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, has drawn condemnation around the world and increasingly severe economic sanctions against Russia.

Body bags are seen by the morgue building on April 18, 2022 in Bucha, Ukraine. The Kyiv suburb was heavily damaged in fighting between invading Russian forces and Ukrainian troops weeks before.

Alexey Furman/Getty

With NATO forces amassed in the region, various countries are offering aid or military support to the resistance. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for peace talks  so far unsuccessful  while urging his country to fight back.

Putin insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the best security interests of his country. Zelenskyy vowed not to bend.

"Nobody is going to break us, we're strong, we're Ukrainians," he told the European Union in a speech in the early days of the fighting, adding, "Life will win over death. And light will win over darkness."

The Russian attack on Ukraine is an evolving story, with information changing quickly. Follow PEOPLE's complete coverage of the war here, including stories from citizens on the ground and ways to help.
Michael Bassick and Michael Laundons M2 MediaPost is teaming with Pillango Productions to launch a new state-of-the-art post-production facility in Pecs, Hungary. The 1600 square foot facility will service sound and picture for television, streaming, feature film and commercials in the busy Central European hub.

Pecs City Studios is already taking bookings and will have a full industry standard S4 AVID suite using Pro-Tools software for audio design, mixing, re-recording and editing, the principals said.

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Based in Beverly Hills, M2 MediaPost was founded by Bassick and Laundon who also have experience in film finance. The companys credits include Black Mass, Endless and Hacksaw Ridge.

Pillango Productions is a Hungarian sales agent and production company providing location, equipment rental and production services for feature films and commercials. Its goal is to bring productions to Hungary, especially to the city of Pecs.

Laundon said, We are thrilled to be going ahead with this facility, we are especially pleased to be strengthening our partnership with Pillango Productions, whilst supporting the Hungarian film industry. Our commitment to create this state of the art post production studio is an endorsement of the operational expertise and talent available in Hungary.

Pillango Productions CEO Zoltan Deak added,We are delighted to announce Pecs City Studios. Offering an alternative to Budapest, it highlights our commitment to investing in the local creative industry and will provide a wealth of opportunities for the city and its people. We are excited to work with some of the best professionals in the business to create amazing sound and pictures.

Story continues

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POV, the Emmy-winning PBS documentary series, has announced the acquisition of environmental thriller Delikado as part of its upcoming 35th season.

The film, which premiered April 29 at the Hot Docs Canadian Intl. Documentary Festival, is the directorial debut of award-winning journalist Karl Malakunas. Delikado is produced by two-time Emmy nominees Marty Syjuco and Michael Collins (POVs Almost Sunrise, Give Up Tomorrow), as well as Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala.

More from Variety

Delikado takes place in the Philippines on the island of Palawan, a Unesco World Heritage site with one of the oldest, largest and most diverse rainforests in the world. It is also the countrys last ecological frontier and one of the deadliest places for land defenders in the world, next to Brazil, the Congo and Colombia. The film follows three inspirational leaders  a charismatic lawyer, an ex-illegal logger and a fearless politician  as they work with indigenous communities trying to save their increasingly valuable natural resources from being plundered.

Delikado also offers an expose of President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs in the Philippines, which has claimed thousands of lives  showing it chiefly as a tool for Duterte and his allies to control the levers of economic and political power. These machinations will have an influence on voters in the next elections in the Philippines (set for May 9), both at a national level and in Palawan.

A land defender is killed every two days around the world as they strive to protect their local environments from being destroyed by politicians and powerful business figures, Malakunas said. In Delikado, we show the inspirational battles of three land defenders trying to stop an island paradise in the Philippines from being plundered. I cant imagine better partners and platforms than POV and PBS to bring the incredible stories of Delikados subjects  Bobby, Tata and Nieves  into homes across America.

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These activists illustrate, in no uncertain terms, the stakes of the battle for our environmental resources, said Chris White, executive producer of POV. I am grateful that this team of talented filmmakers are bringing these heroes to the public eye, with a clarion call for collective outrage and action.

Festival screenings for Delikado will continue throughout the spring, with timing ahead of the critical Filipino 2022 general election taking place in early May. The documentary will be featured as part of the upcoming Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, CAAMfest in San Francisco, the Human Rights Watch Festival in New York, and DocEdge in New Zealand, and will make its television debut as part of POVs 35th season on PBS this fall.

In collaboration with TIME Studios, exclusive Delikado content featuring Palawan land defender missions that didnt make the final cut will be highlighted in TIME Magazines print edition and online, as well as related panel events later in the year.

Delikado is a Thoughtful Robot, Narravi Films, ITVS and American Documentary/POV co-production in association with Naked Edge Films and Felt Films. The producers are Malakunas, Magsanoc-Alikpala, Collins and Syjuco. Collins and Syjucos previous projects premiered on POV, including Emmy-nominated Give Up Tomorrow and Almost Sunrise. Executive producers include Daniel J. Chalfen and Laura Nix as well as Sally Jo Fifer for ITVS, and Erika Dilday and Chris White for American Documentary/POV.

The Delikado deal was negotiated by White and Dilday for American Documentary/POV and Isaac Hager, Focus Media Law Group, for the filmmaking team.

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Visit to Dublin by Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Ms Marija Pejcinovic Buric

Press release

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Ms Marija Pejcinovic Buric today visited Dublin to meet the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney TD and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic OGorman TD ahead of Ireland assuming the Presidency of the Councils Committee of Ministers on 20 May. Separately, the Secretary General met with Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, and with Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD.

Speaking after his meeting with the Secretary General, Minister Coveney said:

While a lot has changed since Ireland last held the Council of Europes Presidency in 2000, our commitment to human rights remains as firm as ever. The Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine has brought the founding principle of the Council of Europe - "that the pursuit of peace based upon justice and international cooperation is vital for the preservation of human society and civilisation" - into sharp relief. Working with Secretary General Buric, our Presidency will ensure the Council of Europe plays its part in responding to the conflict, protecting the human rights of Ukrainians and other European citizens, while holding Russia to account.

Minister O'Gorman said:

"In the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, the role of the Council of Europe in the protection and promotion of human rights and democracy is more important than ever. The Councils recently launched Strategy for the Rights of the Child (20222027) reinforces our collective efforts to put children and young people at the centre of the Councils work. Our presidency will demonstrate Irelands strong record in defending human rights and our leadership in participatory democracy and hearing the voices of children and young people. At this critical time in European history, we must continue to promote the values of participatory democracy and protect our most vulnerable citizens."

Minister Byrne said:

As one of its ten founding members, Ireland has not forgotten the key role that membership of the Council of Europe played in shaping our path in Europe.

This year, as we prepare to mark our 50th anniversary as an EU member state, Ireland holds a seat on the UN Security Council and will now chair the Council of Europes Committee of Ministers. As a small country, we depend on the international rules-based order and the multilateral system. The Council of Europe sits at the heart of that system. At a time of crisis on our continent, we look forward to leading it in its vital work.

Following her meeting with Secretary General Buric, Minister McEntee said:

For over 70 years the Council of Europe has played a pivotal role in upholding the rule of law, promoting democracy and protecting the rights of the most vulnerable in Europe. In the context of the current humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, our democratic European neighbour, the values of the Council of Europe, and particularly the protection of the most vulnerable, are more important than ever.

"Today, Secretary Buric and I discussed domestic, sexual and gender based violence, including its increased prevalence during the Covid-19 pandemic and against the backdrop of appalling reports of the use of sexual violence against women and children as a war crime in Ukraine. As part of Irelands Presidency, I will chair a meeting of Council of Europe Justice Ministers in Dublin in September to explore ways to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms.

The Council of Europe is considered the continents leading human rights body organisation and is as the home of the European Court of Human Rights. Under the European Convention on Human Rights, its 46 member states, including Ukraine, the UK, and Turkey, as well as all of the EU27, are committed to protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

Ireland was one of the Council of Europes ten founding members and will be assuming the Presidency for a seventh time, having last held it in 2000. Over a six-month term, Ireland will support the work of the Council as it adjusts to the expulsion of the Russian Federation and strengthens support for Ukraine.

ENDS

Press Office

3 May 2022

Notes to editors Established in 1949, and headquartered in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe is the continents largest and oldest intergovernmental organisation.

Ireland was amongst the organisations ten founding members. Today, following the expulsion of the Russian Federation on 16 March, it comprises 46 member states, including the 27 member states of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Ukraine.

The organisation plays a leading role in the protection and promotion of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across Europe and beyond  notably through the European Court of Human Rights, which ensures the observance by member states of their obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Committee of Ministers is the principal intergovernmental decision-making body of the Council. Chaired on a rotating basis by member states over six month terms, Ireland has held the Presidency of the Committee on six previous occasions, most recently in 2000.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, will assume the Presidency for Ireland at the organisations annual meeting of Foreign Ministers on 20 May. Minister Coveney will represent Ireland as Chair of the Committee of Ministers until November.

Over the course of those six months, Ireland will chair more than a dozen meetings of the Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg, strengthening standards across a range of key areas, from media freedoms to the protection of human rights in conflict zones. Ireland will also host more than thirty Council of Europe conferences and seminars across Strasbourg, Dublin, Galway, Kerry and Cork.

Minister Coveney will join Secretary General Pejcinovic Buric who will address at the Institute for International and European Affairs on 10 May to preview Irelands Presidency, the full programme of which will be published on 20 May.

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Claudio Peri/Pool/Reuters

ROMESince the beginning of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Pope Francis has floated the idea that he wants to take a trip to Kyiv to try to broker a ceasefire. But now he says he would prefer to go to Moscow to try to talk some sense into Vladimir Putin, who he has not outwardly condemned in the now nearly three-month-old war and only did so lightly in a lengthy interview with an Italian newspaper.

I feel that before going to Kyiv, I must go to Moscow, he told Corriere Della Sera in an interview that ran Tuesday. But the meeting would not exactly be to condemn Putin, based on what he told the paper. He said that the real scandal of Putins war is NATO barking at Russias door, which he said caused the Kremlin to react badly and unleash the conflict.

Never mind that the 85-year-old pontiff is unable to walk after tearing a ligament in his knee (for which he says he will soon have surgery), or that Putin wont even answer his calls. Francis repeated comments he has made in general audiences and in other interviews that the war is nothing more than a giant opportunity for a trade in arms and that it is still ongoing because of the constant shuttling of weapons to Ukraine. He has spoken twice by phone to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but mostly to urge him not to fight back. He also went to the Russian embassy to the Holy See days after the invasion began to register his concerns about what was happening.

I dont know how to answerIm too far awaythe question of whether it is right to supply the Ukrainians, he told the paper. The clear thing is that weapons are being tested there. The Russians now know that tanks are of little use and are thinking of other things. This is why wars are waged: to test the weapons we have produced. Few people are fighting this trade, but more should be done.

Whether the Italian journalists didnt askor whether he didnt answer there was no mention about what would happen if Ukrainians were not fiercely fighting back, whether it would mean a full annexation of the entire country, millions of deaths, or empowering an already insatiably power-hungry Putin.

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Francis veered toward conspiracy theory as he blamed the international community for instigating the war. You cannot think that a free state can make war on another free state, he said. In Ukraine, it seems that it was others who created the conflict. I am pessimistic but we must do everything possible to stop the war. The pope then said that in a state visit to Rome by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, he was told the Russians have a plan, that everything will end on May 9 without giving any further explanation. May 9 is the day Russia celebrates its liberation and the end of World War II.

The one person Francis will not meet is Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox church, who the pope fears is becoming Putins altar boy. Francis said he spoke with him on the phone for 40 minutes on March 15. And I told him: I completely fail to understand this, he said. Brother, we are not state clerics; we cannot use the language of politics, but that of Jesus. We are pastors of the same holy people of God.

He said that 40 days ago he asked his secretary of state to start the process of organizing a visit to Moscow instead of Ukraine, but that Putin had not responded. I am not going to Kyiv for now, he said. I feel that I must not go. First I must go to Moscow. First I must meet Putin. But I am also a priest, what can I do? I do what I can. If Putin would only open the door.

News of the potential trip to Moscow put the Vatican press corps who travel with the pontiff on high alert, with many wondering if they would be arrested if they reported on discussions of the war if they were in Russia.

But even the pontiff concedes that a meeting in Moscow is a long shot. I fear that Putin cannot, and does not, want to have this meeting at this time, he said. But how can you not stop so much brutality?

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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an abortion bill Tuesday that is modeled after a controversial Texas law.

The bill, formally known as S.B. 1503, creates the "Oklahoma Heartbeat Act," which bans abortions after cardiac activity or a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which typically occurs around six weeks -- before a woman often knows she is pregnant.

There are exceptions when the mother's life is danger but not for rape or incest.

MORE: Kentucky legislature overrides governor's veto of 15-week abortion ban

The bill also allows any private citizen to sue someone who performs an abortion, intends to perform an abortion, or helps a woman get an abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. These citizens could be awarded at least $10,000 for every abortion performed.

A civil lawsuit, however, cannot be brought against a woman who receives an abortion. Additionally, someone who impregnated a woman through rape or incest would not be allowed to sue.

PHOTO: Dani Thayer, left, and Marina Lanae, right, both of Tulsa, Okla., hold pro-choice signs at the state Capitol, April 13, 2022, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

"I am proud to sign SB 1503, the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act into law," Stitt tweeted Tuesday after signing the bill. "I want Oklahoma to be the most pro-life state in the country because I represent all four million Oklahomans who overwhelmingly want to protect the unborn."

Oklahoma's bill is the second copycat of the Texas legislation after Idaho passed the first bill in March.

Because of the bill's emergency clause, it goes into immediate effect after being signed by the governor.

A few weeks ago, Stitt signed another abortion bill that would make it a felony to perform abortions except when the mother's life is in danger.

"We want Oklahoma to be the most pro-life state in the country," Stitt said at the time. "We want to outlaw abortion in the state of Oklahoma."

This bill doesn't go into effect until the summer and will likely be facing legal challenges.

MORE: Kentucky, Arizona move forward on 15-week abortion bans

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Abortion rights advocates said this is why Republicans in Oklahoma have been passing several abortion bills -- in the hopes that one sticks.

Several groups, including the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Center for Reproductive Rights and Oklahoma Call for Reproductive Justice, have already filed a joint lawsuit to block S.B. 1503.

"These abortion bans will push abortion access out of reach for many communities who already face often insurmountable barriers to health care, including Black and brown communities, low-income communities, and people who live in rural areas," Tamya Cox-Toure, co-chair of Oklahoma Call for Reproductive Justice, said in a statement. "These are the same communities who are most impacted by the maternal health crisis occurring in our country and in our state. The lawmakers who passed these bans do not care about access to healthcare, and we can't allow this law to take effect."

MORE: 2021 was pivotal year for abortion laws in America

The signing comes as several Republican-led states -- including Arizona, Kentucky and Wyoming -- have been passing abortion legislation ahead of a Supreme Court decision that could decide the future of Roe v. Wade.

The court is expected to hand down a decision about a 15-week ban in Mississippi in June. If the ban is declared constitutional, it could lead to Roe v. Wade being overturned or severely gutted.

Oklahoma governor signs 6-week abortion ban into law originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
In this Wednesday, March 4, 2020 file photo, abortion rights demonstrators rally outside the Supreme Court. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin File

Thirteen states have "trigger" laws that would ban nearly all abortions if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

A Texas law that bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy took effect last year.

The Supreme Court is due to consider a major abortion case that could upend Roe v. Wade.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

There are currently 13 US states with so-called trigger laws that would ban all or nearly all abortions if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion nationwide.

Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming all have post-Roe laws that would immediately take effect if Roe falls, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion rights organization that compiles data on reproductive health.

Roe v. Wade has been thrust into the national spotlight after a leak Monday of a Supreme Court draft opinion on a case considering the constitutionality of abortion suggested that it may be upended.

The opinion is not final and judges can still change their minds. The final decision is to be expected sometime in June.

The case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, concerns a Mississippi law that would ban nearly all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The Center for Reproductive Rights estimates that 34 states and five territories could cease to protect abortion rights if Roe is thrown out.

A Texas anti-abortion law, one of the most restrictive in the nation, took effect at the end of August. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the law on May 19, which bans abortions after six weeks  with no exception for rape or incest  despite many people being unaware they are pregnant at that time.

After 24 hours of the law being in place, the Supreme Court declined a request from abortion providers to block it. In a 5-4 vote, Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Samuel Alito, and Clarence Thomas overruled the dissenting votes cast by Justices John Roberts, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan.

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The court's majority argued in an unsigned opinion that the ruling was a technical one and not based on the substance of the law, which could still be legally challenged.

"In particular, this order is not based on any conclusion about the constitutionality of Texas's law, and in no way limits other procedurally proper challenges to the Texas law, including in Texas state courts," the justices wrote.

Legal experts have said the law already makes Roe moot in Texas. In June 2021, Abbott signed a trigger bill into law.

President Joe Biden on Thursday called the Supreme Court's decision "an unprecedented assault on a woman's constitutional rights under Roe v. Wade."

The Supreme Court's order has sparked a wave of Republican-led states looking toward similar restrictions that threaten access to abortion.

Oklahoma implemented a copy-cat Texas-style ban on abortion while Florida barred the procedure after 15 weeks from the prior law of 24 weeks.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Johnson

A coordinated effort to make South Dakota an attractive place for legal immigrants to live and work is gaining steam because of Ukraines war.

Motivated by the refugee crisis, a group of South Dakota business, education, social services and government leaders informally have named the project Freedoms Haven for New Americans Workforce.

Group leaders are not ready publicly to identify themselves, but are willing to share general plans and goals.

With tens of thousands of jobs open, and millions nationally, the leadership group recognizes that immigrants are an important part of South Dakotas future economic growth.

They also mostly wish our U.S. senators and our congressman would see how much damage the federal immigration system is doing to our economy. If only congressional leaders would emerge from their safe spaces to solve the problem, there could be progress, they believe.

But thats not likely to happen, even though real people are being harmed.

So, this high-level leadership group is seeking a way forward.

The loose-knit groups original goal was to Provide a safe, meaningful and comfortable life, even if it is temporary, in South Dakota for 5,000 to 10,000 Ukrainians (about 2,500 to 6,500 families) displaced by the war.

The effort was launched after President Joe Biden said the United States would accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. But the snails pace with which that federal program is moving, and its complexity, caused the group to broaden its mission.

Now the plan is to target legal immigrants from any country to apply for the open jobs in South Dakota.

But bringing immigrants to South Dakota is not easy and will be costly. For nearly the past month, Ukrainian refugees have been walking up to the U.S. border in Tijuana, Mexico, and being granted humanitarian parole visas. Several have made it to South Dakota.

But earlier this week, the Biden administration closed that border, telling refugees to apply through the Uniting for Ukraine program.

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While promoting it as a streamlined process, it appears to be another bureaucratic roadblock. According to the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service website, any new Ukrainian refugees first must have a U.S. sponsor who can transport them to initial housing, help them apply for such things as Social Security cards, ensure the beneficiarys health care and medical needs are met for the duration of the parole; (two years) and assist the beneficiary with accessing education, learning English, securing employment and enrolling children in school.

This increases the urgency behind South Dakotas effort.

Traditionally, Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota has been a leading organization in relocating refugees. But bringing that significant number of refugees or immigrants to the state is beyond its current capacity and would require broad support.

The planning group leading the effort has created detailed strategies broken into four broad categories. Those include identifying what might be needed by a new immigrant or refugee family; finding entities and relationships needed to provide that support; locating housing temporary and more permanent; and bringing together important players on the private side.

The ambitious plan seeks to pull together perhaps the most innovative and collaborative network of people, businesses and organizations ever assembled in the state. The problem, however, is that the leadership all have demanding, high-level jobs. They wont be doing the detail work.

Making an immigration plan work will require major financial support funneled toward an organization like Lutheran Social Services to give it staffing capabilities, or creating a new organization staffed adequately to coordinate the effort.

Already, some are saying there must be an easier way  perhaps we can just advertise that we are an immigrant-friendly state and let desired immigrants know we have plenty of jobs available. Most other states are advertising similarly and more effectively.

What would set us apart, however, is seeing this fledgling plan take flight. Lets identify places for immigrants and refugees to live and work, make it possible for them to attend school and learn English, and enable them to build a future.

Lets prove that we are a welcoming state of opportunity.

Brad Johnson is a Watertown journalist and businessman who is active in state and local affairs.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Business leaders in South Dakota could use immigrant workforce
Find election results from around the state after polls close at 7:30 p.m.

Former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley took part in a more contentious, second debate at the Columbus Metropolitan Club Wednesday.

While the two Democrats agreed on the faults of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, whom they are looking to unseat, the two also took swipes each other.

The tension followed an attack ad by Cranley, which compares Cincinnati's population growth to Dayton's decline over the past decade, asking "Who's the best Democrat to beat DeWine and lead Ohio's comeback? The mayor whose city is getting worse?"

Ohio governor race: Republicans try to unseat Mike DeWine, Democratic mayors face off

Whaley's campaign decried the ad as "self-serving attacks from a desperate millionaire, and she rallied other mayors  including the mayors of Columbus and Akron  to call for Cranley to take down the ad. Cranleys campaign has said they were attacking her leadership of Dayton, not the city.

As both highlighted their platforms, here were the key areas the candidates said stood out between them.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates John Cranley, left, and Nan Whaley, right, debate at the The Boat House at Confluence Park in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday.

Legalizing marijuana

Cranley has made marijuana legalization a centerpiece to his platform, saying it could provide revenue to fund other initiatives.

Happy 420 by the way, he said, a reference to marijuana slang.

Cranley defended his claims that his marijuana plan could guarantee 30,000 jobs that pay at least $60,000 and said he'd use the tax revenue, as well as money from JobsOhio, to create high speed Wi-Fi across the state and pay for other initiatives.

Ohio governor's race: John Cranley wants to pay for jobs with marijuana. Would that work?

Whaley said she would support legalizing marijuana but emphasized helping Black Ohioans disproportionately affected by the criminalization of the drug. She dismissed Cranleys plans.

I dont think its a  silver bullet, she said.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley speaks during a debate at The Boat House at Confluence Park in Columbus on Wednesday.

Dark money

Cranley and Whaley attacked the alleged corruption at the GOP-controlled Ohio Statehouse, focusing on the nuclear bailout bill at the center of a federal investigation into pay-to-play politics. House Bill 6, which DeWine signed into law, promised $1.3 billion for Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. and other utilities.

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FirstEnergy signed a deferred prosecution agreement in July in which it admitted bribing state officials, including former Ohio House speaker Larry Householder and former state utility regulator Sam Randazzo. Householder has pleaded not guilty and Randazzo, who resigned after the FBI searched his condo, has said he did nothing wrong. FirstEnergy admitted funneling millions of dollars through dark money groups to accomplish its political goals.

Whaley was pressed on her ties with a dark money group Ohio Progressive Collaborative. She defended her work, saying while FirstEnergy was trying to bribe politicians, her group was registering people to vote.

But the group has refused to disclose its donors, and she was asked why the group hasnt.

Thats not the law right now. When that happens, which I will fight for that to happen, the group will comply, she said, referring to laws requiring more transparency in campaign finance. But we cannot fight with one hand behind our back, when [Republicans are] trying to suppress voters and do other things.

Cranley, however, seized on that response.

"We have not received any income personally from a dark money group, and there has to be an accounting for that in order to beat DeWine," he said.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Cranley speaks during a debate at the The Boat House at Confluence Park in Columbus on Wednesday.

Abortion

Both candidates support giving women access to abortion services. But Cranley was pressed on the fact he used to be against abortion. Cranley said personal experiences with his wife changed his stance and promised to be a "pro-choice" governor.

But Whaley said consistency on the issue is important and highlighted how she hasnt changed on this.

Who's better positioned to beat DeWine?

DeWine has held elected office for more than four decades: local prosecutor, state lawmaker, lieutenant governor, U.S. representative, U.S. senator, attorney general and governor. He is an Ohio household name.

Cranley and Whaley are much less well-known but Whaley drew a distinction on why she might be better than her opponent.

Weve ran a moderate white man for the governor of Ohio  We have not tried something different, she said. We can try to do the same thing over and over again  or we can try something new and run a woman for governor. If Whaley wins the primary, she will be the first woman from a major party nominated for governor in Ohio history.

Cranley responded, to laughter in the crowd, that he had no control over his own gender and asked to be judged based on how he has led his city.

Other issues

On legislative redistricting, Whaley said shed support returning to the ballot box to remove politicians from the map drawing process. It comes amid a messy cycle in which Republican-drawn maps have been repeatedly rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Both candidates attacked DeWine for signing a bill allowing concealed carry without a permit or training. Police groups opposed the bill. Cranley even went as far as to accuse the GOP for being soft and for being the ones to actually defund the police.

As friends and former colleagues on the Ohio Mayors Alliance, Whaley and Cranley had been keeping the campaign civil without attack ads or personal jabs. Their first debate at Central State University last month focused largely on DeWine rather than each other.

Whaley and Cranley have each pitched themselves as the better candidate to take on DeWine. Whaley emphasizes how she led Dayton through tornadoes, a Ku Klux Klan rally and a mass shooting in the city's Oregon District in 2019. Cranley talks about population growth in Cincinnati spurred on by better policies for Black and LGBTQ residents.

DeWine has declined to debate his primary challengers: former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, farmer Joe Blystone and former state Rep. Ron Hood.

Early voting has already begun for the May 3 primary, which includes statewide, congressional and local races and issues. A second primary will be held for state House and Senate races at a later date.

Titus Wu and Jessie Balmert are reporters for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio governor race: Democrats John Cranley, Nan Whaley debate issues
Protesters, demonstrators and activists gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, a case about a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks, on December 01, 2021. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Supreme Court appears poised to overturn Roe v. Wade and reduce abortion access nationwide.

The erosion of reproductive rights has only happened in a handful of countries in the 21st century.

Experts warn a rollback in abortion access is indicative of backsliding democracy and creeping authoritarianism.

As the Supreme Court appears poised to overturn precedent in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, experts warn the rollback in abortion access is indicative of backsliding democracies.

"There is a trend to watch for in countries that have not necessarily successfully rolled it back, but are introducing legislation to roll it back," Rebecca Turkington, a University of Cambridge scholar, told The New York Times last year regarding abortion access. "[I]n that this is part of a broader crackdown on women's rights. And that goes hand in hand with creeping authoritarianism."

The US Supreme Court indicated in a draft opinion  according to reporting by Politico  that it may be preparing to similarly overturn abortion rights.

"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," Justice Alito wrote in the document, labeled as the "Opinion of the Court," Politico reported. "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

Few countries have eroded existing abortion access laws in the 21st century. Among them: Poland, Nicaragua, and the US. The changes in established law came at times of political turmoil, like that currently facing the United States.

In Nicaragua, President Daniel Ortega passed a total abortion ban in 2006 as part of an increasingly authoritarian platform. Poland's 2020 near-total abortion ban came at a moment after one of the country's top justices said the country was "moving fast" toward an authoritarian regime.

Poland's law is now one of the most restrictive bans on abortion in Europe and nine organizations have filed interventions with organizations like Amnesty International on behalf of women in the country.

"We don't necessarily always include reproductive freedom in that package of democracy," Anu Kumar, the head of Ipas, a global nonprofit for reproductive rights, told Foreign Policy. "But we should, because this is a place where authoritarian regimes often go, if not first, then pretty quickly afterward."

Read the original article on Business Insider
President Biden will travel to Alabama on Tuesday for a domestic trip focused on his response to Moscows war in Ukraine.

Well detail where hes heading and why this trip is different than his past domestic travels, plus how U.S. diplomats are resuming limited activities in Ukraine and why lawmakers and advocates are demanding answers from the Navy.

This is Defense & National Security, your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. For The Hill, Im Ellen Mitchell. Subscribe here.





Biden ventures to Trump country with Alabama trip

President Biden will travel to deep-red Alabama on Tuesday for an unusual domestic trip focused on his response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Bidens trip on Tuesday to a Lockheed Martin facility in Alabama marks a shift from his typical travel within the U.S., which has largely been focused on swing states where Democrats are in tough reelection campaigns and has consisted of him touting his domestic accomplishments.

Alabama is one of those states where Im not even sure the Republican wave has crested yet, said Charles Bullock, a political scientist at the University of Georgia. In Alabama, its still going full bore.

Where hes going: The Lockheed Martin facility is located in Troy in Pike County, which former President Trump won by double digits in 2020. Still, the surrounding area is heavily Black and leans Democratic; Biden defeated Trump by 50 points and more than 60 points in the nearby Bullock and Macon Counties, respectively.

He should get a friendly response in that area, Bullock said.

It will be Bidens first visit as president to Alabama, where his current approval rating is underwater by 32 percentage points, according to Morning Consult.

A different kind of trip: Alabama wont be the first red state that Biden has visited while in office  hes also stopped in Louisiana and Texas  but the visit stands out amid a flurry of other trips to help boost Democrats facing difficult reelections.

Story continues

Biden has stepped up his domestic travel with the midterms quickly approaching, but has been challenged with balancing touring the U.S. with focusing on the war in Ukraine. When he went to Europe at the end of March to meet with European leaders and Ukrainian refugees, Bidens domestic trips largely stopped for about a month.

And while Bidens recent domestic trips has spotlighted investments from the bipartisan infrastructure law while working to revive parts of his sweeping domestic climate and social spending proposal, Tuesdays trip will have a decidedly different focus: U.S. military assistance to Ukraine.

The intent: The Lockheed Martin facility manufactures weapons systems like the Javelin anti-tank missiles, which the U.S. has provided Ukraine.

Biden is expected to use the trip in part to push Congress to quickly approve the $33 billion he has requested in additional military, economic and humanitarian assistance to address Russias war in Ukraine.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said a goal of Bidens trip is to make the case in these remarks about how vital it is to move this legislation forward.

Biden on Tuesday will also argue it is important for Congress to quickly pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act, which aims to boost domestic manufacturing of semiconductors. Each Javelin missile requires more than 200 semiconductors to make, according to Psaki.

Read the full story here.





US diplomats resuming limited activities in Ukraine

The U.S. hopes to reopen its embassy in Kyiv if the situation permits, its charge daffaires said Monday from Ukraines capital city.

We listen to the security professionals, and when they tell us we can go back we will go back, the official, Kristina Kvien, said during a press conference.

A trial period: Kvien, who was visiting Kyiv on a day trip, said that diplomats would make day trips for the next week or two before coming back permanently.

We are thrilled to be back and will continue our efforts to do everything possible here on the ground to help Ukraine win this war.

Earlier: The U.S. evacuated its embassy personnel and shut down the building nearly two weeks before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Sunday and said the U.S. diplomats will initially make visits to Lviv this week with plans to return to Kyiv as soon as possible.

Read more here.





Navy aircraft carrier deaths spur calls for change

After seven deaths in a year among the crew of a single aircraft carrier, including three suicides in just more than a week, lawmakers and advocates are demanding answers from the Navy.

The USS George Washington, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered carrier, has been at the Newport News, Va., shipyard since 2017 for a midlife, multiyear refueling and complex overhaul.

Between last year and April, seven sailors assigned to it have died, four of them being apparent or confirmed suicides. After a CBS News report on the deaths, a spokesperson for the Navy told The Hill that there were three additional suicides before 2021  in November 2019, July 2020 and October 2020.

Rough working conditions: Sailors on the ship have spoken to outlets including Navy Times and NBC News about conditions aboard, with one saying they also attempted suicide, in large part due to working conditions.

The Navy for its part has acknowledged the issues on the aircraft carrier and says it is investigating the deaths.

A big distrust: But Chrystal Verrengia-Bushnell, the vice president of 22 Until None, a volunteer organization aimed at providing resources for active-duty service members and veterans, says her group has heard from sailors and their families about the harsh conditions on the George Washington and that some fear accessing the resources provided by the military because their commanders could find out.

Theres a big distrust there, Verrengia-Bushnell said. We get emails and messages daily on all three of our social media platforms and through email asking, Are there any  is there anybody that I could talk to you about my command wont find out?

Read the full story here.





ON TAP TOMORROW

President Biden will travel to Alabama to visit a Lockheed Martin facility that manufactures weapon systems such as Javelin anti-tank missiles, which the Biden-Harris Administration is providing Ukraine to effectively defend against the Russian invasion, according to the White House

United Kingdom Defense Staff Chief Adm. Tony Radakin will speak on Russia, Ukraine and the New World Order, as part of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council Summit at 6:30 a.m.

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on The Posture of the Department of the Air Force in Review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2023 and the Future Years Defense Program, with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond, at 9:30 a.m.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies will host a virtual discussion on The Spear and the Shield? Japans Defense Strategy Trajectory, with former Japanese Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera and former Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahisa Sato, at 10 a.m.

The Arms Control Association, the Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy, and the Princeton University Program on Science and Global Security will hold a virtual discussion on The Threat of Use of Nuclear Weapons and Russias War on Ukraine: Meeting the Legal and Political Challenge, at 11 a.m.

A Senate Armed Services subcommittee will hold a hearing on Artificial Intelligence Applications to Operations in Cyberspace, at 2:30 p.m.

The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on The VA Workforce: Assessing Ways to Bolster Recruitment and Retention, at 3:30 p.m.





White House: DHS disinformation board apolitical

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that a board on disinformation recently convened by the Department of Homeland Security will operate in a nonpartisan and apolitical manner.

The mandate is not to adjudicate what is true or false online or otherwise, Psaki told reporters during a briefing. It will operate in a nonpartisan and apolitical manner. Its basically meant to coordinate a lot of the ongoing work that is happening  and the focus is on disinformation and threats to the homeland.

Psaki said that the board would address disinformation related to threats such as violent extremism, human trafficking and malign foreign influence. She also noted  as she did last week  that the work of the board started under former President Trumps administration in 2020.

Republicans have attacked the board since its creation was disclosed last week, comparing the effort to the Ministry of Truth depicted in George Orwells dystopian novel 1984.

Read more from The Hills Morgan Chalfant.





WHAT WERE READING

On last thing

Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper says that former President Trump asked authorities if they could shoot protesters in the legs amid the demonstrations that filled the streets of Washington following the murder of George Floyd.

Cant you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something? Esper says Trump said.

Espers revelation from his new memoir A Sacred Oath  first seen by Axios  uncovers more details about their rocky relationship during the nationwide racial protests in 2020, as Esper publicly opposed Trumps threat to deploy active-duty troops.

Read more here.





Thats it for today. Check out The Hills Defense and National Security pages for the latest coverage. See you tomorrow!





VIEW THE FULL EDITION HERE

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Twitter/SFFDPIO)

A man was arrested after free climbing the 61-storey Salesforce Tower skyscraper in San Francisco.

Authorities say the man made it safely to the top of the 1,070 ft tall building in the California city where he was met by police officers and taken into custody.

Police say the alarm was raised at around 9.21am when the climber was spotted by passersby, and officers tried to have him safely come inside the building during his ascent.

The climb was condemned by the citys fire department on Twitter.

San Francisco Fire is on scene with other Public Safety Agencies at 415 Mission, Sales Force Tower for a reported climber climbing the 60 floor tower. This person is placing firefighters lives and the publics safety at risk. AVOID THE AREA and join us in condemning this action, San Francisco Fires public information officer tweeted.
NEW BEDFORD  The bouncer who allegedly punched former New Bedford resident and School Committee member Eric Pope, leading to his death in the hospital a week later, turned himself in to authorities last week, Philadelphia police report.

According to Corporal Jasmine Reilly, police spokesperson for the Philadelphia Office of Public Affairs, Kenneth Frye, 24, of Philadelphia, arrived at the Philadelphia Public Services Building with his attorney to turn himself in on Thursday about 2:20 p.m. Frye is being charged with one count of third-degree homicide, Reilly said. Police had sent word out on Wednesday that Frye was wanted in connection with Pope's death.

The charge of murder in the third degree, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly website, encompasses "All other kinds of murder" that do not fall under definitions of murder in the first or second degrees. According to legal resource Lawrina.com, Third-Degree murder is a charge that exists only in the states of Pennsylvania, Florida and Minnesota.

Former New Bedford School Committee member Eric Pope, 41, died Saturday, April 23, a week after being punched in the face outside of a sports bar in Philadelphia, PA by a bouncer there. At the time of his election in 2001, Pope, at the age of 21, was the youngest person to have served on the New Bedford School Committee.

According to Philadelphia police, on Saturday, April 16, at 12:50 a.m., Pope had just been escorted outside of the Tabu Lounge and Sports bar located on South 12th Street "for being intoxicated," when a bouncer, now identified as Frye, allegedly punched Pope outside, leading to his death. Pope was hospitalized and pronounced dead a week later on Saturday, April 23.

On the Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar website, an event calendar shows that on the night of April 16, two programs were scheduled to take place  one titled "TRANSCEND," scheduled from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., with a promotional graphic describing the event as "A trans and nonbinary artist showcase," and another titled "PRIMETIME," scheduled from 12 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., promoted as "a drag showcase."

Prior to the him being identified by police as Frye, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the bouncer who punched Pope worked for a private security company, Mainline Private Security, and was not an employee of Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar. Pope was widely known locally for being the youngest person ever to serve on the New Bedford School Committee at the time he was elected in 2001 at the age of 21. He served on the committee until 2010.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Philadelphia man charged with murder of New Bedford native Eric Pope
Lori Vallow Daybell during a hearing in 2020 (AP)

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty in the child murder case against Idaho cult mom Lori Vallow.

Ms Vallow and her husband Chad Daybell are accused of murdering two of her children, seven-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, along with his first wife, Tammy Daybell.

Prosecuting attorneys from the states Fremont County and Madison County have now filed motions seeking the death penalty if Ms Vallow is convicted of any of the counts of first degree murder and/or any of the counts of conspiracy to commit first degree murder.

Mr Daybell was already facing the death penalty as punishment if convicted in his own trial.

In a separate motion, prosecutors have asked that Ms Vallows trial be moved from October 2022 to January 2023. Both trials are expected to last 10 weeks and both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Ms Vallows case was initially postponed after a judge ruled her mentally incompetent to stand trial and ordered her to undergo treatment at a mental health facility. She has now been cleared to stand trial.

Joshua

The children disappeared in 2019 and investigators later found dead on Mr Daybells property in Idaho in 2020.

When investigators began to search for the children the couple disappeared and were found months later in Hawaii without the children. Authorities have not revealed the cause of death, but court documents stated that Tylees body had been partially burned.

Friends of the couple told police that the couple believed in a doomsday system of religious beliefs, and that people could become zombies if they were possessed by evil spirits.

Idaho prosecutors say the couple used their bizarre beliefs to justify or encourage the murders.

Chad Daybell (AP)

Tammy Daybell died in October 2019, with her obituary stating that it was from natural causes. But investigators became susopicious when the suspects got mrried just two weeks later.

Officials had Tammy Daybells body exhumed for an autopsy but have not revealed the casue of her death.
Was it amnesia? Dementia? Maybe short-term memory loss? Were the episodic events too insignificant to recall? Or did horrific events short circuit the brain and disallow those events to be imprinted. Which one, Ms. Greene?

We all forget things. I cant remember which clothes I wore to church two months ago. I dont know what I ate for breakfast April 1, nor do I recall the price of my last pair of tennis shoes.

On the other hand, some things we do remember. I recall my childrens weddings. I remember my wife usually beating me in H-O-R-S-E because she had mastered one shot I could not.

I especially remember horrific events like my second grade teacher telling us President Kennedy had been shot. I remember coming home from school in sixth grade and learning my brother had fallen in Vietnam, the worst memory of my youth. I remember being called to the school library with other teachers and learning of the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Terrible and tragic events are most usually remembered. Thats an unpleasant truth.

Memory has been in the news lately. This time it concerns Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and the events at Americas Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Greene has a problem. She wants to run for another term, but someone is challenging her right to do so.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) (C) listens to US President Joe Biden deliver the State of the Union address.

Americas Constitution states "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress  who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress  to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."

Greene is accused of engaging in insurrection and/or rebellion against Americas government.

You might remember Jan. 6, 2021. Idiots and traitors, deluding themselves to be patriots, attacked police, entered the Capitol Building, and tried to stop constitutional proceedings to announce Americas next president.

Ray Buursma

Greene was recently questioned concerning her actions involving this treasonous event. Time after time, Greene claimed her memory failed her. She couldnt recall. She couldnt remember. Again, and again, and again.

Story continues

You can find Greenes entire testimony online, but here are some snippets.

Questioner: Did you like a (social media) post that said its quicker, that a bullet to the head would be a quicker way to remove Nancy Pelosi from the role of speaker?

Greene: I have had many people manage my social media accounts over the years. I have no idea who liked that (post on her account).

Questioner: Are you testifying under oath it wasnt you?

Greene: I am testifying I have no idea who liked that comment.

Questioner: It could have been you?

Greene: Im telling you I do not know.

Im pretty sure I would remember whether or not I had given a thumbs up to a comment advocating for someone else to be assassinated. Wouldnt you?

Later in the hearing 

Questioner: (Y)ou think that Pelosi is a traitor to the country, right?

Greene: (Smiles and hesitates) Im not answering that question. Its speculation.

Questioner: You have said, Ms. Greene, that shes a traitor to this country.

Greene: No, I havent said that.

Questioner: OK. (Then speaking to a clerk) Show Exhibit 5, please.

Greene (immediately): Oh no, wait. Hold on, now. (Pause) I believed that by not securing the border, that that violates her oath of office. (Apparently Greene remembers better just before exhibits are about to display evidence contradicting her statements.)

Later in the hearing 

Questioner: Had you ever advocated for martial law to be imposed in a conversation with the chief of staff 

Greene: I dont recall.

Again, Im pretty sure I would remember advocating, or not advocating, for something so notable, so horrific, as declaring martial law in America. Wouldnt you?

More: Ray Buursma: Change the electoral process

More: Ray Buursma: Begin anew with power plant property

More: Ray Buursma: Reflections on the war against Ukraine

The coup de gras came from a text Greene sent to former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, on Jan 17. It reads: 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 

Im positive I would remember texting or not texting such a statement. Who wouldnt?

So, which is it? Amnesia? Dementia? Memory loss? PTSD? Or maybe, just maybe, Greenes memory failure is a strategy to avoid answering questions.

One last thought.

Deeply distressing, to me anyway, was Ms. Greenes decision to wear a cross (the symbol of Christianity) necklace during her testimony. Christian values are completely antithetical to the Jan. 6 insurrection. I cannot understand how any Christian could help orchestrate such an event, or support, condone or aid those who would.

 Community Columnist Ray Buursma is a resident of Holland. Contact him at writetoraybuursma@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ray Buursma: Congresswoman Greenes memory problems
Christine Baranski Met Gala Red Carpet 2022

Getty Images

Not everyone gets to celebrate their birthday at fashion's biggest event of the year, but Christine Baranski did just that. The actress turned 70 and spent her night walking the red carpet at the 2022 Met Gala, decked out in a tailored Thom Browne look that featured a tie and a matte black, sequined caped jacket.

RELATED: Everything to Know About the 2022 Met Gala

As fashion fans know, Thom Browne's fall 2022 runway show took place last Friday, leading many to believe that major celebrities would arrive at the 2022 Met Gala wearing the brand. That honor, of course, went to Baranski, who according to a press release, "had a private walkthrough of the new collection in advance of her Met Gala fitting, where she and Thom had an opportunity to speak to design, construction, and performance."

Baranksi's sharp-looking ensemble fit in well with the night's Gilded Glamour, white tie dress code  especially since it included a white pique corset  and, impressively, took over 250 hours to create. It also included sequins specially developed for The Gilded Age actress, which were made in Switzerland.

RELATED: The Best Met Gala Looks of All Time

"I'm hoping to see serious curated fashion on the carpet," the actress' stylist, Cristina Ehrlich, told InStyle via email. "It's all about elegance and glamour."

To add to that vibe, Baranski also wore elegant Fred Leighton jewels with her look.

Umm...can you say best birthday ever?
Allied Market Research

Surge in volume of enterprise data, technological advancements in big data & analytics solutions, and rise in importance of generating new revenue streams from data volumes drive the growth of the data monetization market. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many buyers preferred e-commerce platforms for shopping. This led to generation of massive amount of data. So, market players tapped on monetization opportunities.

Portland, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global data monetization market generated $2.1 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $15.4 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 22.1% from 2021 to 2030. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chain, regional landscape, and competitive scenario.

Surge in volume of enterprise data, technological advancements in big data & analytics solutions, and rise in importance of generating new revenue streams from data volumes drive the growth of the global data monetization market. However, privacy and security concerns restrain the market growth. On the other hand, rise in deployment among telecom service providers and an increase in awareness regarding potential benefits of data monetization create new opportunities in the coming years.

Download Report Sample (380 Pages PDF with Insights) at:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2712

Covid-19 Scenario:

Many government organizations and FinTech market players focused on generating revenue streams by monetizing the data as changes in work culture and adoption of cloud infrastructure led to the continuous rise in the volume of enterprise data. This factor positively impacted the data monetization market during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Moreover, many buyers preferred e-commerce platforms for shopping. This led to generation of a massive amount of data. So, market players tapped on monetization opportunities.

Story continues

Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the data monetization market:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/2712

The report offers detailed segmentation of the global data monetization market based on component, deployment type, enterprise size, industry vertical, and region.

Based on component, the software segment accounted for the highest share in 2020, contributing to more than two-thirds of the total share, and is projected to continue its lead position during the forecast period. However, the services segment is expected to witness the largest CAGR of 24.6% from 2021 to 2030.

Based on industry vertical, the IT & telecommunication segment contributed to the largest share of the global data monetization industry in 2020, and is expected to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. However, the retail & e-commerce segment is estimated to manifest the fastest CAGR of 27.0% from 2021 to 2030.

Based on region, North America held the highest share in 2020, accounting for more than one-third of the total share, and is projected to continue its dominant share by 2030. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to portray the largest CAGR of 25.6% during the forecast period.

Leading players of the global data monetization market analyzed in the research include Accenture, Adastra Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., SAP SE, VIAVI Solutions Inc., Monetize Solutions, Inc., Reltio, ALC, Optiva, Inc. (Redknee Solutions Inc.), and Mahindra ComViva.

Access AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) at:

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Avenue is a user-based library of global market report database, provides comprehensive reports pertaining to the world's largest emerging markets. It further offers e-access to all the available industry reports just in a jiffy. By offering core business insights on the varied industries, economies, and end users worldwide, Avenue ensures that the registered members get an easy as well as single gateway to their all-inclusive requirements.

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research , is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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NEW YORK - MAY 15: Actor Jerry Verdorn arrives at the 31st Annual Creative Craft Daytime Emmy Awards at the Marriott Marquis May 15, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)

Matthew Peyton/Getty

Jerry verDorn, known for his long-time starring role as Ross on the popular daytime TV series Guiding Light, has died at age 72, his family confirmed.

The actor, who starred as the patriarch of the show's central Marler family, died peacefully in his home on Sunday months after being diagnosed with cancer, according to an in memoriam page shared by his family.

In addition to starring in Guiding Light for over 25 years, verDorn also appeared in the beloved soap One Life to Live.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked those hoping to honor verDorn's memory with donations to the American Cancer Society, Autism Speaks, the Actors Fund, or another chosen charity. The actor himself raised thousands of dollars for the ACS and Autism Speaks over the course of his life, according to his family.

THE GUIDING LIGHT, from left: Elizabeth Keifer, Jerry verDorn, early 1990s, 1952-2009. ph: E.J. Carr/ CBS /Courtesy Everett Collection

Everett

RELATED: Guiding Light Fades to Black

Though verDorn star was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, acting was an early passion for the star, his family shared. According to his in memoriam, he spent multiple summers in theater programs before eventually flying across the pond to study his craft at an acting academy in London.

The star also received his undergraduate degree from what is now Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he met Bethea "Beth" Stewart, who he would go on to marry in June 1977. The pair first connected while acting together in a college theater production, his family said.

After tying the knot, the young couple made a big move to New York City, where verDorn was able to secure parts in a few stage productions. He got his chance to act on Broadway, playing the lead in matinees of George Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman while he was the understudy for George Grizzard.

RELATED: Stars We Have Lost This Year

It was in that understudy role that verDorn first received attention from CBS casting agents looking for the next star of Guiding Light, according to his family. After officially joining the cast in March 1979, verDorn would go on to garner four Daytime Emmy nominations (and two wins) before leaving the show in 2005.

Story continues

After leaving his main role on Guiding Light, verDorn joined the cast of One Life to Live in 2005, where he recreated the role of Clint Buchanan originally played by Clint Richie. Spending an incredible 34 years on daytime television, verDorn officially retired in 2013.

RELATED VIDEO: All My Children Star Mark LaMura Dies at 68

verDorn's retirement from soap operas coincided with the end of One Life to Live.

Later in life, according to his family, verDorn found joy in New York Times crossword puzzles, long walks with his dog, and being a "Papa" to his three grandchildren.

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.

verDorn is survived by his wife Beth; his sons and daughters-in-law Jake and Laura verDorn and Peter and Erin verDorn, and three young grandchildren.

"Jerry's colleagues, friends, and family appreciated his amazing wit and the generosity he always showed making those who knew him feel welcomed and respected," his in memoriam page said.
This photo taken Monday, April 25, 2022, by the Southern Nevada Water Authority shows the top of Lake Mead drinking water Intake No. 1 above the surface level of the Colorado River reservoir behind Hoover Dam. The intake is the uppermost of three in the deep, drought-stricken lake that provides Las Vegas with 90% of its drinking water supply. (Southern Nevada Water Authority via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A barrel containing human remains has been found at Lake Mead after a prolonged megadrought in the American West caused a historic decline in water level.

The barrel was discovered on Sunday afternoon near Hemenway Harbor at the reservoir on the Colorado River, close to the city of Las Vegas.

Boaters who found it alerted the National Park Service (NPS), according to USA Today, who said it contained skeletal remains. .

The Independent has contacted the NPS and the Las Vegas Police Department for comments. The Clark County coroners office is in the process of identifying the individual.

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.

Las Vegas police informed 8 News Now that the person was possibly killed in the 1980s due to items found in the barrel. Lt Spencer declined to discuss a cause of death and declined to describe the items found, saying the investigation is ongoing.

The New York Times reported that Lt Spencer said that the person died as a result of a homicide but did not elaborate.

A witness, Shawna Hollister, told the station: We were docking our boat to go home and heard a woman scream. My husband walked over and found the body. His shirt and belt were the only thing we could see over his decomposing bones.

#BREAKING: The body found in a barrel at Lake Mead may have been underwater for as long as four decades and more bodies are likely to appear as the lake recedes due to severe drought, Las Vegas Metro police tell the @8NewsNow I-Team. https://t.co/LhYkciIJDO #8NN  David Charns (@davidcharns) May 2, 2022

Police plan to reach out to experts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to analyse when the barrel started eroding.

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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.

The bathtub ring visible due to low water levels at Lake Mead (AFP via Getty Images)

Lake Mead reached its high-water mark in July 1983, at 1,225 feet (373.4 meters) above sea level. This past Friday, the level was 1,055 feet (321.6 meters)  around a third full.

Some of the steepest cliffs bordering the lake show 170 feet (51.8 meters) of white mineral bathtub ring.

Lake Mead, along with Lake Powell upstream, are the largest human-made reservoirs in the US and 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.

AP contributed to this article
Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama and former President Donald Trump are seen here in 2021. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The House January 6 committee want to hear from Republican Rep. Mo Brooks.

Brooks has made stunning claims about Trump's pressure campaign to overturn the election.

House lawmakers also wants to hear from Republican Reps. Andy Biggs and Ronny Jackson.

The House January 6 committee said on Monday it wants to hear from Republican Rep. Mo Brooks, who's made explosive claims that former President Donald Trump repeatedly pressured him to overturn the election after President Joe Biden took office.

Lawmakers on the panel also sent requests to Republican Reps. Andy Biggs and Ronny Jackson. The panel's requests for the Texas and Arizona lawmakers cover a wide range of subjects, including Biggs' reported efforts to receive a preemptive pardon from Trump for his activities on January 6 and the Oath Keepers' texts about protecting Jackson from Capitol rioters.

"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 Rep. Benny Thompson and Vice Chair Rep. Liz Cheney said in a joint statement announcing their request.

Jackson later blasted the committee as "illegitimate" and said he would not comply with their request.

"The Committee's witch hunt against me is nothing more than a coordinated attempt to do the media's work on taxpayers' dime," Jackson said in a statement. "Their attempt to drag out a manufactured narrative illustrates why the American people are sick of the media and this partisan Committee's use of January 6 as a political tool against conservatives they do not like."

Unlike the other two Republicans, Brooks has had a messy break with Trump. Their split occurred after Trump took the rare step of yanking his support for Brooks' Senate campaign, arguing the Brooks "went woke." Brooks responded with a blistering statement alleging that Trump repeatedly pressured him to try to unilaterally overturn the election.

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"He always brings up, 'We've got to rescind the election. We've got to take Joe Biden out and put me in now," Brooks told a local Alabama TV station shortly after Trump withdrew his support.

Members of the special panel investigating the insurrection have repeatedly stated that it is rare for a congressional committee to seek testimony from members of Congress, but they have defended their actions as necessary to understanding the full scope of what led up to and occurred during the insurrection.

Ali Alexander, the organizer of the "Stop the Steal" rally that preceded the riot, reportedly told the committee that Biggs, Brooks, and GOP Rep. Paul Gosar helped him plan the rally. A spokesman for Biggs has denied that the Arizona Republican met with Alexander or worked with him to plan part of the protest.

Jackson has previously denied any connection to the Oath Keepers, despite members of the far-right fringe group texting about his movements as the insurrection unfolded.

The January 6 committee claims Oath Keepers were texting about Rep. Ronny Jackson, a Republican from Texas, during the insurrection Screenshot/House Select Committee on January 6

One unidentified Oath Keeper texted during the riot, "Dr. Ronnie Jackson  on the move. Needs protection. If anyone inside cover him. He has critical data to protect."

Jackson, in his statement, said he does not know the people who texted about him.

"I do not know, nor did I have contact with, those who exchanged text messages about me on January 6," he said. "In fact, I was proud to help defend the House Floor from those who posed a threat to my colleagues."

Trump later denied to The Washington Post that he ever asked Brooks to reinstate him in office.

The panel is asking all three lawmakers to meet with them next week. Spokespeople for Brooks and Biggs did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Now that Spirit Airlines has rejected a bid by JetBlue, its ultra-low-cost rival Frontier is once again the prime contender to merge with the Florida-based carrier.

But if the two budget airlines join forces, how will fliers fare?

"If Spirit and Frontier go forward with the merger and its approved by the Department of Justice we will have a true coast to coast budget airline that will compete not only in smaller cities but importantly in many larger markets," says veteran travel industry analyst and consultant Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research Group.

For now, it will be business as usual for Spirit and Frontier, with each airline's board needing to agree to go forward and the Department of Justice has to approve the deal.

SPIRIT REJECTS JETBLUE FOR FRONTIER: Spirit Airlines rejects revised JetBlue offer, clearing way for Frontier merger

BEEN A WHILE SINCE YOU TRAVELED?: Here's a refresher on those basic economy plane tickets

"We won't really know the shape of a combined Spirit/Frontierwhat products it will keep, what products will it add, what routes it will fly  until the DOJ issues its final ruling," Harteveldt says. "So for the immediate future ... they will operate independently. They will continue to compete against one another. They'll do their own promotions. They won't be combining their frequent flier programs or anything like that."

But for passengers, questions remain. Would the newly combined carrier follow Spirit's lead, implementing WiFi for passengers, or Frontier's decision to not offer it? Will the airline keep Spirit's signature yellow planes, or choose Frontier's pictures of animals splashed across the fleet's tailfins as its logo?

Passengers check-in for flights with Spirit Airlines at O'Hare International Airport on April 6, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Will fares go up?

Two budget carriers joining forces could mean higher fares for passengers. But John Cox, a retired U.S. Airways captain, says it's doubtful Spirit and Frontier will give up their ultra-low-cost niche.

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"That's a business model that they've had from the beginning," he says. "I don't see that changing."

Harteveldt adds that "without the two airlines competing head to head as independent carriers, there's no question some degree of price competition would go away."

But their biggest ultra-low-cost rival, Allegiant, remains in the marketplace along with other budget carriers like Avelo, Sun Country and Breeze.

"Breeze, in particular, has a fairly substantial number of new airplanes that are scheduled for delivery in the next five years," says Harteveldt "so we'll just have to really see if those airlines will be large enough to help keep prices down."

INSIDE SCOOP ON BREEZE AIRWAYS: Small planes, cheap tickets but no help by phone

There could be more places to fly

A merger of Spirit and Frontier would create the fifth-largest U.S. carrier based on seat capacity, and the seventh-largest based on revenue.

The airlines' executives have previously said their combined carrier would not only keep low-cost tickets in place but that they'll be available on far more flights with the two carriers already identifying more than 300 new routes they can fly by blending their networks.

Eugene, Oregon, and Worcester, Massachusetts, are potential new destinations, Spirit and Frontier executives said, and they may also resume service to Washington Dulles Airport and Jackson, Mississippi.

"I would anticipate that with the hundreds of new airplanes the two airlines have on order, not only would they grow their domestic route network, but I would expect them to expand into Canada and potentially across the North Atlantic to Europe," Harteveldt says.

WHAT IT ALL MEANS: Frontier and Spirit airlines are merging

Will Spirit's culture win out, or Frontier's?

Every airline offers its own experience, and passengers often have a preference.

"Each airline in the country, whether ultra low cost or traditional has its own culture ... the way that they interact with the passengers and the way they conduct business," Cox says. "But they'll have to realistically set a new post-merger culture."

Still, the contrast between the largely no-frills carriers may be limited.

Frontier Airlines acquires Spirit. Two wrongs don't make a right.  Mark Whicker (@MWhicker03) February 7, 2022

"Frontier Airlines acquires Spirit. Two wrongs don't make a right," tweeted Mark Whicker @MWhicker03 on Feb. 7.

"I don't know that anyone will shed a tear if Spirit disappears," Harteveldt says. "Frontier has a slightly cuddlier image because of the various animals that are painted on the tailfins of the planes but it's not like Frontier is Pan Am. It's not an airline that is known for taking good care of its customers or that has been romanticized in movies and books or popular culture."

Still, "what do they borrow, what products do they keep," will depend on which carrier's culture is the surviving, dominant brand, he says.

And at least one potential passenger, referring to a tweet about Frontier was hopeful about the choices a merger with Spirit could bring.

"Looks like they will merge with spirit,'' wrote @ckurtzopks81. "Hope they can form a decent airline and new competitor.

Spirit has WiFi. Frontier doesn't. Will the merged airline offer it?

Spirit has installed Wi-Fi on more than half of its fleet, but Frontier doesn't offer it, saying that helps keep costs down for its passengers.

"Going forward, the merged carrier can only have one WiFi policy," Cox says. "There's a slightly higher likelihood they'll go ahead and bring WiFi into Frontier's airplanes. It's expensive to add but in our society, it's become sort of a mainstay and expectation."

A Frontier Airlines plane lands at Miami International Airport on June 16, 2021.

Would JetBlue be a better deal?

JetBlue may not be out of the running yet, Harteveldt says, adding that the carrier may appeal directly to some Spirit shareholders to get them to press the airline's board to reconsider its offer.

JetBlue has said that it competes directly with Spirit on fewer routes than Frontier, and that other major U.S. airlines are more likely to match JetBlues lowest fares than they are the prices charged by budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier. Harteveldt says that the Department of Justice might find those arguments compelling.

"If the DOJ believes or accepts ... a combined JetBlue/Spirit would actually have more impact on lowering fares on more routes that serve more travelers, that could sway the DOJ in favor of a JetBlue Spirit merger," he says.

And fliers could win out if JetBlue brings its popular customer experience to its new ultra low fare partner.

"Certainly JetBlue has a lot more creature comforts," Harteveldt says, noting that the airline offers more generous legroom, a premium cabinet option for longer flights, and free snacks, coffee and soft drinks.

A combined JetBlue/Spirit airline would also have roughly 10% of the industry's capacity, which might lead the new carrier to buy larger planes and fly new routes from the U.S. into Europe, South America or Asia.

"There are things I see happening with a potential JetBlue/Spirit merger that could be very compelling," Harteveldt says.

But in a letter to JetBlue's CEO, Spirit's Chairman of the Board Mac Gardner and CEO Edward M. Christie, III said that a potential merger was unlikely to be approved by Justice Department officials because of JetBlue's Northeast Alliance with American Airlines, which Spirit says is anti-competitive.

Harteveldt agreed that the alliance is a potential roadblock, even though JetBlue told Spirit it would be willing to give up take-off and landing slots and other assets to make both relationships work. "We'll have to see if that's enough," he says. "Clearly that wasn't enough to sway the Spirit board."

Ultimately, Cox says, there are always bumps in the passenger experience as two airlines becomes one, but the snarls will eventually be ironed out.

"It will have its successes and its challenge as it goes forward," he says of a potential Spirit and Frontier merger. "But in the end, five years from now, it will be a combined carrier and functioning well. Thats what history has shown us."

Contributing: Dawn Gilbertson, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spirit Airlines wants Frontier, not JetBlue. But how will fliers fare?
May 3NEW LONDON  Nurses and other staff at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital have rallied behind a co-worker who launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking to defray the cost of her relatives' relocation from war-torn Ukraine to western Massachusetts.

For Madalyn Izoita Circosta, a registered nurse who works on an L+M cardiac unit, the response has been life-affirming.

"GoFundMe signs are posted all over the hospital," she said last week as she carried a box full of donated household items from the unit. "They've collected three garbage bags of kids' clothing, toys, a stroller and a crib, gift cards to Walmart. ... I'll take anything."

Circosta said her dad, Victor Izoita, spent $11,000 on airfares alone to fly his cousin Vika Prilutska and Vika's three children  Karina, 12, Kamila, 10, and baby Kristina, 16 months  to the United States.

"My family's not rich," she added.

Circosta and her family are planning to bring as many as 10 more relatives to the states, some of them displaced by recent shelling in Odesa, Ukraine. Two relatives are en route, awaiting a flight out of Poland.

"We need to figure out where they can go," Circosta said. "They're leaving Ukraine, but we don't know if they're coming here or to be with other relatives in Missouri."

Vika's husband, Alex, a police officer, had to remain in Ukraine because of a government edict requiring adult males to stay and fight the Russians who invaded Ukraine in February. Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country since then. Thousands have traveled to America.

Circosta, 24, married Geoffrey Circosta in November, having taken the job at L+M 10 months ago. Her husband works at Electric Boat and the two commute to southeastern Connecticut from Enfield, which is on the western Massachusetts border. They grew up in Agawam, Mass.

Circosta said her relatives' "long journey" began with them huddling in a bunker in Ukraine until a supply truck could take them to Poland, where they were able to stay for four nights at no cost. They stayed in a gymnasium until Circosta's father could get them flights out. They flew to Mexico, crossed the U.S. border into California and flew to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.

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The family of four carried all their worldly possessions in two suitcases.

Circosta is the oldest of eight children, all born in the United States. She has never been to Ukraine. Her father, his four siblings and their mother immigrated from Ukraine in the 1990s in search of a better life. Her father met his wife in the United States.

Since their arrival, Circosta's cousins have taken to American ways, marveling at what they consider the "lap of luxury" in which Americans live, Circosta said.

To them, she said, shampoo is liquid gold.

A cellphone video captured Karina, the 12-year-old, struggling to release whipped cream from a can, then succeeding, joyfully spraying the cream into her mouth and passing the can around.

The kids can be "sobbing messes  they miss their friends," Circosta said. "Ukrainians have a different mentality. They don't talk about themselves and don't like being complimented. There's no such thing as boasting."

There's no asking for help either, she said.

Sometimes there's no need to.

To contribute to Madalyn Circosta's GoFundMe campaign, log on to https://gofundme/12f3f8ea

b.hallenbeck@theday.com
(Getty Images)

Nicki Minaj opened up about her wardrobe malfunction at this years Met Gala and why her dress kept slipping down.

The rapper discussed her look, which was designed by Burberrys Ricardo Tisci, with La La Anthony on the red carpet at the event in New York City on Monday evening.

For the occasion, Minaj wore a black ball gown with feathers, a large black belt, and leather pants. She completed the look with a baseball cap, while her face and body were covered with jewels.

According to Minaj, she struggled with one aspect of the dress, as she told Anthony that the strapless gown kept falling down because the bra within didnt fit properly.

The only unplanned thing about my look is that my boobs [are] popping out, she said. Because they made my cup size a little small.

Anthony joked that the dress was designed for Minaj before she had her son in September 2020. Minaj agreed with Anthonys comment and said: Enjoy these titties, because you wont ever see them again.

Aside from the wardrobe issue, Minaj expressed her support for Tisci and shared how much she loved the outfit he created for her, especially her hat.

Im here with my baby, Ricardo, she said. I love Ricardo, thats really my friend. So Im here supporting him, thats all. But I love the hat.

Im obsessed with the hat, she continued. I didnt wanna do the look if I couldnt do the hat. So, he let me wear the hat.

(Getty Images)

She also opened about the jewels bedazzling her body, acknowledging that they werent easy to put on and that she was honoured and grateful for Tisci and her makeup artist Pat McGrath and her team throughout the process.

You know I dont like to sit, Im so impatient, but everythings for Ricardo, she explained. [McGraths] whole team did such an amazing job, and I was honoured.

Minaj had previously rejected an invitation to the Met Gala last year, as she was not yet vaccinated and didnt want to get vaccinated solely for the event.

They want you to get vaccinated for the Met, she tweeted. If I get vaccinated it wont [be] for the Met. Itll be once I feel Ive done enough research. Im working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with two strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one.
Pro-choice and anti-abortion activists protest alongside each other during a demonstration outside of the Supreme Court on October 04, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Abortion was made legal across the US after a landmark legal ruling in 1973, often referred to as the Roe v Wade case.

However, a leaked document claims that the US Supreme Court - the nation's most senior legal body - is now in favour of overturning that right.

If that happens, abortion could instantly become illegal in 22 US states. A decision is expected in late June or early July.

What was Roe v Wade about?

In 1969, a 25-year-old single woman, Norma McCorvey under the pseudonym "Jane Roe", challenged the criminal abortion laws in Texas. The state forbade abortion as unconstitutional, except in cases where the mother's life was in danger.

Defending the anti-abortion law was Henry Wade - the district attorney for Dallas County - hence Roe v Wade.

Ms McCorvey was pregnant with her third child when she filed the case, and claimed that she had been raped. But the case was rejected and she was forced to give birth.

In 1973 her appeal made it to the US Supreme Court, where her case was heard alongside that of a 20-year-old Georgia woman, Sandra Bensing.

They argued that abortion laws in Texas and Georgia went against the US Constitution because they infringed a woman's right to privacy.

By a vote of seven to two, the court justices ruled that governments lacked the power to prohibit abortions.

They judged that a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy was protected by the US constitution.

How did the case change women's rights?

The case created the "trimester" system that:

gives American women an absolute right to an abortion in the first three months (trimester) of pregnancy

allows some government regulation in the second trimester of pregnancy

declares that states may restrict or ban abortions in the last trimester as the foetus nears the point where it could live outside the womb

Roe v Wade also established that in the final trimester, a woman can obtain an abortion despite any legal ban only if doctors certify it is necessary to save her life or health.

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What restrictions on abortion have been introduced since?

In the 49 years since Roe v Wade, anti-abortion campaigners have regained some lost ground.

In 1980 the US Supreme Court upheld a law that banned the use of federal funds for abortion except when necessary to save a woman's life.

Then in 1989 it approved more restrictions, including allowing states to prohibit abortions at state clinics or by state employees.

The biggest impact came from the top court's ruling in Planned Parenthood v Casey in 1992.

While upholding the Roe v Wade judgement, it also established that states can restrict abortions even in the first trimester for non-medical reasons.

The new laws must not place an "undue burden" on women seeking abortion services. However, it is the woman and not the authorities who have to prove that the regulations are damaging.

As a result many states now have restrictions in place such as requirements that young pregnant women involve their parents or a judge in their abortion decision. Others have introduced waiting periods between the time a woman first visits an abortion clinic and the actual procedure.

The result of these restrictions is that many women have to travel further to get an abortion, often across state borders, and pay more for them. According to the pro-choice movement, poor women are penalised most by these restrictions.

What's the current challenge to Roe v Wade?

The Supreme Court is considering a case which challenges Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks.

If the court rules in favour of Mississippi, it will effectively end the constitutional right to an abortion, and make abortion rights a decision for individual states once again.

There are nine judges on the Supreme Court, six of whom were appointed by Republican presidents.

A draft opinion from one of these - Judge Samuel Alito - has been leaked, and contains the comment that the Roe v Wade judgement is "egregiously wrong".

If the Supreme Court strikes down the 1973 ruling, then abortion could be banned in almost half of US states.
Barbara Edwards, whose grandson is in the U.S. armed forces, helped VFW Post 3282 in Port Orange package goodies that will be sent to sailors and Marines on the USS Harry S. Truman.

PORT ORANGE  U.S. Navy ship food tastes great when you are freshly deployed, but after a few months you start to lose interest in the chow and crave something different, no matter how small, said David Goodale, a U.S. Marine Corps Aviation veteran.

On Thursday, Goodale, 79, who was stationed aboard the USS Boxer for two years in 1964, and several members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3282 in Port Orange, packed M&Ms, fruit cups, chocolate, potato chips, beef jerky, cereal, and other goodies into several boxes. The boxes, 27 of them, were later shipped to sailors aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, stationed in the Mediterranean, said Tara Crossland, an auxiliary member of Post 3282.

Ship food 'not so terrific'

"These things will come in great," Goodale said of the packages. "When you first go out on a carrier, the food is terrific, but after you have been out there for about eight months all of a sudden it just isn't the same food. It's not so terrific anymore."

The sailors and Marines were deployed in December to the Mediterranean in support of Ukraine, but their six-month deployment was extended by another three months, said Chris Gates, a U.S. Navy veteran who is also commander of VFW Post 3282.

"These are care packages, a little love from the citizens of the United States to them," Gates said. "This is so they could eat a little bit from home."

Chris Gates, a U.S. Navy veteran and commander of VFW Post 3282 in Port Orange, checks out boxes of goodies that will be sent to sailors and Marines on the USS Harry S. Truman. The carrier is deployed in the Mediterranean in support of Ukraine, said Gates.

Goodale said he knows what it is like to get goodies from home, even if it was a small piece of candy he got in the mail from his girlfriend. The treats brighten the lives of sailors who have been out at sea for a long period of time, he said.

"These things are a godsend for sailors out at sea. You guard them with your life," Goodale said, laughing.

Of his service, Goodale recalled that sailors often traded goodies they received in the mail with their fellow shipmates.

"It's a morale booster," said Tim Deem, a U.S. Marine veteran of VFW Post 3282 in Port Orange. "Anything, no matter how small, even the mail, When the troops got the mail, everybody was happy."

Gates, who said he retired from the U.S. Navy in 2017, still has a friend deployed on the USS Harry S. Truman. After communicating with his friend, Gates said he learned that the sailors could use care packages from home.

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"(This) is to support our troops, the ones that are deployed, to remind them that they are always in our thoughts and prayers," Gates said. "It's important that we do it all the time, and continue to show to our active duty members that are deployed that we are always thinking about them."

Care packages a 'morale booster"

Marine veterans and brothers, Mike and Tim Deem, who also spent time on a ship during their service, said they were happy to send some cheer to the sailors even it was a bar of Jergens soap.

"Anything from home was exciting," said Mike Deem, 72, who did tours in Vietnam.

When he served, care packages were few and far between and sometimes all the Marines got were a worn copy of Playboy magazine, cigarettes and chewing tobacco, Mike Deem said.

"I got a box of goodies (here) that I wish I could have gotten when I was over there," Tim Deem said, carrying a box on Thursday.

In the box, Tim Deem had placed beef jerky, Pringles potato chips and other snacks.

"And some good old Vienna sausage," he added. "That never goes out of style."

Tim Deem said he is certain that the small packages of goodies will have the same impact on the sailors of the USS Harry S. Truman that he experienced when he served.

"It's a morale booster," he said. "Anything, no matter how small, even the mail. When the troops got the mail, everybody was happy."

To donate to Boxes for Troops, make your $25 check payable to Marine Corps League, Daytona #658, and send to VFW Post 3282, 5810 S. Williamson Blvd., Port Orange, FL 32128

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Port Orange veterans send goodies to sailors deployed on ship
HONG KONG, May 03, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The key issues that drive Hong Kongs shoppers to choose one grocery store over another have been revealed today, with the publication of the latest study in dunnhumbys international research programme  the Retailer Preference Index (RPI) Series.

Since 2018, dunnhumby  the global leader in customer data science  has published numerous RPI studies covering countries including Japan, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore. This latest study, which focuses specifically on Hong Kong, provides in-depth analysis of both the factors that influence shopper preference, and the markets best-performing grocery retailers.

Wellcome and PARKnSHOP are found at the top of the rankings for Hong Kong, driven primarily by market leading scores in terms of their Share of Wallet and Market Share. Emotional Connection, a secondary metric that helps to inform the overall rankings, evaluates how respondents feel about a markets retailers. Japanese retailer Donki is the clear leader in this area, with Wellcome and PARKnSHOP placing 10th and 11th respectively.

Hong Kongs highest ranked retailers in this inaugural study are Wellcome (1st), PARKnSHOP (2nd), HKTV Mall (3rd), Aeon, and 759 Store (joint 4th).

"Hong Kong has always been a fiercely competitive market for grocery retailers, and one in which customers have a wealth of choice about where they shop," says Margaret Siew, Regional Head of Business Development for dunnhumby APAC. "What the results of the RPI show is that when retailers go out of their way to craft a value proposition that really meets shopper needs, they typically enjoy much greater commercial success as well."

As well as exploring the markets top performers, the first RPI for Hong Kong also offers insight into five key "Preference Pillars"  overarching themes that customers say play the biggest role in helping them choose where to shop. In order of their influence on shopper preference, these Pillars are:

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Store Experience , which includes factors such as the speed of checkout and the cleanliness of the store environment.

Communication , which relates to issues of loyalty, inspiration, and the quality of a retailers digital tools.

Own/Private Label , where shoppers are looking for variety, price, and quality when it comes to a retailers own-brand goods.

Quality & Variety , which pertains to a retailers overall assortment. Ready to eat and organic foods play a key role here.

Price, which Hong Kongs shoppers define as a combination of everyday low pricing, as well as special discounts and offers.

While stores vary in their ability to meet shopper expectations in these areas, the leading banners perform comparatively well across all five  testament to the importance of a nuanced and consistent value proposition.

"It isnt enough for a retailer to be the best at one thing alone," continues Siew. "Hong Kongs shoppers have a very sophisticated view on what they want from their grocery experiences today, and retailers need to accommodate those needs in multiple areas. A strong  and well-rounded  offering goes a long way."

Elsewhere, the study shows that:

Online grocery penetration in Hong Kong remains significantly higher than in many markets, but lower than in neighbouring territories like Thailand and Singapore.

Hong Kongs pureplay retailers dominate online , with well over half of shoppers having purchased from HKTV Mall alone.

The regions loyalty cards dont seem to work as well as they should, creating little in the way of a connection between holders and stores.

The full report is available for download now at dunnhumby.com.

- ENDS -

About dunnhumby

dunnhumby is the global leader in Customer Data Science, empowering businesses everywhere to compete and thrive in the modern data-driven economy. We always put the Customer First.

Our mission: to enable businesses to grow and reimagine themselves by becoming advocates and champions for their Customers. With deep heritage and expertise in retail  one of the worlds most competitive markets, with a deluge of multi-dimensional data  dunnhumby today enables businesses all over the world, across industries, to be Customer First.

The dunnhumby Customer Data Science Platform is our unique mix of technology, software and consulting, enabling businesses to increase revenue and profits by delivering exceptional experiences for their Customers  in-store, offline and online. dunnhumby employs over 2,500 experts in offices throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas working for transformative, iconic brands such as Tesco, Coca-Cola, Meijer, Procter & Gamble and Raleys.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005066/en/

Contacts

Media Contact for dunnhumby

Helene Harang

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FILE  Clyde Isaac Kelly appears in Yakima County Superior Court Thursday, April 28, 2022, via Zoom. Kelly was arrested on suspicion of first-degree unlawful firearms possession after his father told police Kelly had brought a gun into their home. Kelly had pleaded guilty in February to second-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to time served.
Herrera Beutler, Newhouse went further than previously known in attempts to oust Trump, new book says
Think tossing Roe doesn't affect WA? Try again. State must protect abortion, other rights
Weather Alert

...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 8 AM PDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Overnight temperatures expected to drop into the low to mid 30s with sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 to 32 in the cold prone areas of these zones. * WHERE...In Washington, Kittitas Valley and Yakima Valley. In Oregon, Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon and Foothills of the Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon. * WHEN...From 2 AM to 8 AM PDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Sensitive plants and vegetation should be protected. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing. &&
What will WA sex ed law look like for Kennewick students? Overview offered this week
Amid all the ominous political news of this season, Democrats have kept their eyes fixed on a ray of hope: States were redrawing the lines that define congressional districts, and Democrats were making out well in the process. How Democrats are winning congressional redistricting fights was a CNN.com headline last month. Republicans built on their existing gerrymanders to try to expand their House advantage, but Democrats fired back even more powerfully with gerrymanders of their own, reports Vox.

But gerrymandering isnt going to save the Democrats. Not this year, and probably not this decade. It may not even do much to help them.

In part, thats because the new lines arent final. In Florida, Republican governor Ron DeSantis has persuaded the state senate to revise the borders in a special legislative session. If his new map prevails, the state will have four more Republican-leaning House seats than it does now.

But there are also trade-offs in redistricting that pose an especially acute problem for contemporary Democrats. Their voters have gotten more geographically concentrated over time; theyve shed rural voters while gaining city-dwellers. To maximize the number of House seats they can contest, they have to divide the voters in their urban strongholds among districts. Because the 2020 election left them with full control over redistricting in relatively few places, they have to use this tactic very aggressively where they can.

Nevada is a case in point. Three of the states four House districts tilt Republican. The Democrats, who control the governorship and both houses of the Legislature, took Democratic voters out of the district centered in Las Vegas and split them among two other seats. The result was a new map with three districts that voted for Joe Biden in 2020.

The danger for Democrats lies in the fact that all three of the redrawn districts voted for Biden narrowly. Rep. Dina Titus, the Democrat who holds the Las Vegas seat, would have been a lock for reelection under the old lines. Now a Republican wave, even a medium-sized one, could sweep the Democrats out of every seat in the state. Thats a real prospect in a state with a lot of working-class Hispanic voters, a group that has been moving toward the Republicans lately.

Keep in mind, too, that this wave would be measured against the parties showing in the 2020 presidential race. On average, Biden ran ahead of Democratic congressional candidates that year, winning over some voters who often back Republicans but couldnt abide Trump. Democrats cant count on those voters in 2022.

Republicans generally followed a different strategy in redistricting. With more district lines under their control, Republicans could afford to make it a higher priority to protect the seats where they already had an advantage. They werent as aggressive about maximizing the number of seats they could contest. Thats why news coverage played up Democrats surprising gains from redistricting.

But Republicans got both a short-term and a long-term benefit from their approach. This year, they can concentrate their efforts on a smaller number of winnable seats. And in future elections of this decade, when there might be a Democratic wave, more of the Republicans seats will be safe.

On April 20, the election-watchers at the Cook Political Report revised their ratings of eight House races. Each revision favored the Republicans. The two Nevada seats that got additional Democratic voters through redistricting had been judged to lean toward the Democrats. Now theyre toss-ups. Titus seat, which had not even been considered competitive in 2020, is now rated lean Democratic.

In a 1986 Supreme Court decision concerning district lines, Justice Sandra Day OConnor noted that an overambitious gerrymander can lead to disaster for the legislative majority: because it has created more seats in which it hopes to win relatively narrow victories, the same swing in overall voting strength will tend to cost the legislative majority more and more seats as the gerrymander becomes more ambitious.

Thirty-six years later, Democrats may learn that lesson the hard way.
The Hungarian embassy has moved back to Kiev, Peter Szijjarto, the foreign minister, said on Monday. Given the improving security situation in Kiev, Hungary, like other European Union countries, decided to transfer its embassy back to the Ukrainian capital from Lviv.

The necessary security arrangements have been put in place, and the embassy can now maintain close contact with Ukrainian government bodies and provide assistance to Hungarian or other EU citizens in need, he said on Facebook.



Szijjarto said he leaves Budapest for talks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan later in the day.
Hungary's lawmakers took their oaths on Monday at the start of the new parliamentary cycle.

The ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrat alliance has 135 seats in the 199-seat parliament, the Democratic Coalition has 15 seats, while Jobbik, Momentum and the Socialists have 10 each.



The radical Mi Hazank (Our Homeland) party, which passed the parliamentary threshold for the first time in 2022, garnered six mandates, as did Parbeszed.



The green LMP party has five seats. The German minority has one seat, and one lawmaker was expected to sit in the assembly as an independent. The new parliaments inaugural session was opened by President Janos Ader.



Lawmakers of the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) and Momentum parties left the session immediately after the oath-taking ceremony.



Momentum said on Facebook ahead of the session that its lawmakers had taken an alternative oath to serve the entire society rather than a small privileged elite.



Akos Hadhazy, who won a mandate as an independent, did not attend the ceremony, and since he did not take his oath, he is not entitled to exercise rights as a lawmaker.





MTI Photo: Szilard Koszticsak
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has been ranked the world's second busiest airport in March 2022 in terms of domestic and international flights handled, as per a study by Official Airline Guide (OAG), a global travel data provider. The GMR-run airport was ranked at the third spot as per OAG in February 2022 and trumped the Dubai International Airport (DXB) to gain a spot in the ranking.

United States' Atlanta airport was ranked as the busiest airport in the world and retained its top spot. "Whilst Atlanta retains its position as largest, Dubai is knocked out of second place this month (March) by Delhi which moves up from third place last month (February)," the OAG's report mentioned.

Also read: Mumbai International Airport to remain closed on May 10 for pre-monsoon maintenance

Interestingly, the Delhi airport was ranked on the 23rd place in March 2019 before the pandemic, and has jumped 21 spots to reach the position. In March this year, airports in Atlanta in the US, Delhi in India and Dubai in the UAE handled 4.42 million, 3.61 million and 3.55 million seats, it mentioned.

In a statement, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, Delhi Airport International Limited (DIAL), said, "COVID-19 pandemic had hit the world hard. Travel restrictions had badly affected the travel and tourism sectors for two consecutive years." But now, with the rise in the number of vaccinated people across the world, governments are easing travel restrictions and slowly opening up their borders, he said.

"India has last month opened its borders and allowed the entry of fully vaccinated international travellers into the country," he said.

These steps have largely helped the travel and tourism industry and given a much-needed boost to air travel, he said.
Qantas airline, the Australian flag carrier, has unveiled plans to start non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to cities, including New York and London. The airline plans to commence these non-stop flights 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 agency, as reported by IANS.

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.

Also read: SpiceJet turbulence incident: DGCA begins inspection of entire airline fleet

"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 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 May 2, 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.

(With inputs from IANS)

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SpiceJet's Mumbai-Durgapur plane ran into severe turbulence on May 1 leading to injuries to 17 people, two of whom were in ICU. Hence, India's aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that it is inspecting the entire SpiceJet aircraft fleet to avoid any further incidents.

The DGCA also took off the roster the flight's crew, aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) and in-charge of SpiceJet's maintenance control centre, pending a probe. At present, the aircraft that was involved in the incident on May 1 is grounded in Kolkata, the DGCA said. The rest of the SpiceJet aircraft fleet are in operation. SpiceJet has 91 aircraft in its fleet, according to its website.

On May 1, the Mumbai-Durgapur flight encountered severe turbulence during its descent phase, injuring 14 passengers and three cabin crew members, the DGCA said in a statement.

Also read: Udaipur airport closed on Eid al-Fitr without prior notice, all flights cancelled

"The DGCA has off-rostered the involved crew, the AME...And in-charge of the Maintenance Control Centre of SpiceJet pending investigation," it said. "The involved aircraft is at present grounded in Kolkata. As a regulatory measure, DGCA is carrying out inspection of SpiceJet aircraft across the fleet," it added.

Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "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."

The matter is being dealt with utmost seriousness and deftness, he said. "More details on the cause(s) will be shared once the investigation is completed," Scindia noted. There were 195 people, including two pilots and four cabin crew members, on board the Mumbai-Durgapur flight, the DGCA mentioned. The plane took off from the Mumbai airport at approximately 5:13 pm on Sunday (May 1), it said.

"During descent, the aircraft experienced severe turbulence and the vertical load factor varied from +2.64G and -1.36G. During this period, the autopilot got disengaged for two minutes and the crew manually flew the aircraft," it mentioned.

Also read: Elon Musk is welcomed, Tesla will get benefits if EVs are 'Make-in-India': Nitin Gadkari

The pilots reported to Durgapur ATC (air traffic controller) that a few passengers were injured due to turbulence and requested medical assistance after landing. The injuries to 14 passengers and three cabin crew members were related to head, spine, shoulder, forehead and facial injuries, the DGCA said, adding that at present three passengers were hospitalised.

Due to severe turbulence, the oxygen panels opened up and oxygen masks dropped in the plane, it said. "Damage has occurred to a few seat hand rest and overhead decorative panels. One cabin overhead bin (hatrack) lock was found broken," it mentioned.

"The galley items were seen strewn across on the floor. Same was the condition in the aisle. The airline after inspection positioned the aircraft in Kolkata," it said. The DGCA said it has instituted a multidisciplinary team to probe the severe turbulence incident.

DGCA chief Arun Kumar told PTI, "We have deputed a multidisciplinary team to carry out a regulatory investigation (into this incident)."

On May 2, SpiceJet spokesperson said, "Eleven passengers travelling on SpiceJet flight SG-945 from Mumbai to Durgapur on May 1, which encountered severe turbulence during descent which unfortunately resulted in injuries to a few passengers, were hospitalised."

Also read: Fuel prices reach sky high: Top 5 tips to increase your car's fuel efficiency

The spokesperson said it is providing all possible help to the injured. "The seat belt sign was on when the aircraft encountered turbulence. Multiple announcements were made by the pilots and the crew instructed passengers to remain seated and keep their seat belt fastened," the spokesperson mentioned.

Due to severe turbulence, injuries were caused to a few passengers, the spokesperson noted.

"Timely medical assistance was provided upon arrival," the spokesperson added. In March this year, SpiceJet was the third largest domestic airline in the country in terms of passenger market, according to DGCA data.

SpiceJet carried 10.21 lakh passengers on its domestic flights in March. IndiGo -- India's largest carrier -- carried 58.61 lakh passengers in March, a 54.8 percent share of the domestic market, the data mentioned.

(With inputs from PTI)

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New Delhi: The critically-acclaimed film of Aamir Khan, Sarfarosh, not only is loved by fans for his impeccable acting chops but is also hailed for its subject. As the film completes 23 long years today, filmmaker John Matthew Matthan in an interview with Bollywood Hungama recalled his journey during the making of this movie.

Revealing details about Sarfarosh, John Matthew Matthan said, The Censors were going to ban the film. They were not letting us release it. I went through hell. Just a few months before my films release, the then Prime Minister of India, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, went to Pakistan and a peace treaty was signed by the two countries. Hence, the entire Censor Board was against Sarfarosh as they felt that my film is going against the very concept of trying to be friendly with Pakistan. They were of the belief that those who felt that India can never be friendly with Pakistan are living in another world. I managed to release the film with great difficulty, that too after getting a lot of cuts.

"The Censor Board members wanted me to remove the word Pakistan and ISI from the film. My financiers and distributor were behind me and compelled me to accept the cuts. They insisted that I replace Pakistan with the words padosi mulk. I reasoned that Pakistan has been mentioned more than 40 times in the film. Hence, this would butcher my film and it was not acceptable to me. I was ready to go even to the Supreme Court. I cant tell you to what extent the Censor Board went to get my film chopped off and messed up. I stood my ground and I was lucky as I had produced the film myself. Aamir Khan fully supported me. I had informed him of my plans to knock on the doors of the Supreme Court. The Censors realized that I am not going to give up. The film was then released with the words Pakistan and ISI mentioned, " he quipped.

He also revealed that a lot of scenes showing violence were cut by the Censor Board eventually.

The 1999 release Sarfarosh featured Aamir Khan, Sonali Bendre, Naseeruddin Shah, and Mukesh Rishi in lead roles.
New Delhi: 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.
New Delhi: On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr 2022, Bollywood stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Rahul Dholakia among others thronged social media to wish their fans.

Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri and a host B-Town celebrities greeted fans on Twitter/Instagram, extending Eid 2022 wishes. Take a look at who said what on social media platforms:

T 4269 - Eid Mubarak !! pic.twitter.com/0YV8CRO69Z  Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) May 2, 2022

Tomorrow is #Eid. Hope the divisive political parties dont play the wrong tunes. #EidMubarak  rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) May 2, 2022

The Islamic holy month of Ramzan or Ramadan ends with Eid celebrations after a 30-day long fasting ritual of keeping Rozas. Muslims across the globe eagerly wait for Eid to celebrate the festival with much gusto and fervour.

Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-al-Fitr is being celebrated this year on May 3 in India. It is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast.

The day and date of Eid may vary depending on different time zones and moon sightings.

Eid Mubarak to all!
New Delhi: Worried about their children's health due to extreme heat, a large number of parents have asked the Delhi government to either revise the school timings or advance the summer holidays.

Several schools have already announced a reduction in outdoor activities in view of the sweltering heat coupled with the ongoing spike in the number of Covid cases, reported PTI. However, parents claim the school timings are not feasible for students to step out in this extreme heat.

The Haryana government had on Monday announced that due to the intense heatwave prevalent throughout the state, the timings of all schools -- government and private --will be from 7 am to 12 pm for Classes 1 to 12 with effect from May 4. However, no such measures have been announced in Delhi yet.

"On one side, the Centre advised not to go out in the sun, especially between 12 noon and 3 pm. But in Delhi, the timings of most of the schools are between 8 am-2 pm.

"Students reach home by 3 pm. That means during peak summer hours, students are out in the sun, which is really dangerous. We request the Delhi government to either revise the school timings like other states are doing or pre-pone summer holidays," said Aparajitha Gautam, President of the Delhi Parents Association.

Amid the intense heatwave across the country, the Centre had last week urged states and Union Territories to review their health facility preparedness for the availability of adequate quantities of essential medicines and necessary equipment while ensuring sufficient drinking water and continued functioning of cooling appliances in critical areas.

The Centre had also advised people to avoid getting out in the sun, especially between 12 noon and 3 pm, avoid strenuous activities when outside in the afternoon, avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, or drinks with large amounts of sugar, stating these may lead to loss of more body fluid or cause stomach cramps.

The Centre had also advised people to avoid high protein food and stale food and not leave children or pets in a parked vehicle. "During previous years, whenever the temperature used to rise, the schools used to pre-pone summer vacations but that is not an option this year considering schools have reopened after a long period due to COVID.

"However, the heat is extreme this year and at least the schools can revise the timings for children to be less exposed," said Nidhi Vaishnav, a parent. Another parent Sunil Joshi, said, "My child's school is offering flexibility in attendance but we don't want to restrict children from going to school again as they are just getting into the groove. So, revision of school timings is the best solution in this case".

A torrid heatwave has sent the mercury soaring across large swathes of the country with the temperature in Delhi rising up to 46 degrees Celsius. Delhi also recorded its second hottest April in 72 years with a monthly average maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius.

"Despite Covid cases rising in Delhi, I was sending both my kids to school because there has been a lot of learning loss already. "But how to cope with this heat. Kids are falling ill. The government should issue some advisory. At least the outdoor activities should be suspended," said Neeru, a mother of two school-going children.
If the US-based EV maker Tesla manufactures its electric vehicles in India then the company will also get benefits, says Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari. Addressing an event here, Gadkari said days are not very far when the prices of all-electric vehicles will be less than the cost of petrol vehicles in the country.

"Agar Tesla India me electric car manufacture Karega toh unka bhi fayda hoga (If Tesla manufactures its electric vehicles in India then they will also get benefits)," he said. Earlier on April 26, Gadkari had said, if Tesla is ready to manufacture its EVs in India then there is 'no problem,' but the company must not import cars from China.

"If Elon Musk (Tesla CEO) is ready to manufacture in India then there is no problem ... Come to India, start manufacturing, India is a large market, they can export from India," he had said at an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue.

Also read: Despite rising EV fire incidents, industry bound to grow: Transport Secretary

Last year, the heavy industries ministry had also asked Tesla to first start manufacturing its iconic electric vehicles in India before any tax concessions can be considered.

At present, cars imported as Completely Built Units (CBUs) attract customs duty ranging from 60-100 percent, depending on engine size and Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value less or above USD 40,000.

Last year, in a letter to the road ministry, the US firm stated that the effective import tariff of 110 percent on vehicles with customs value above USD 40,000 is "prohibitive" to zero-emission vehicles.

It had requested the government to standardise the tariff on electric cars to 40 percent, irrespective of the customs value, and withdraw the social welfare surcharge of 10 percent on electric cars.

Also read: In a relief to commuters, first class ticket prices to be reduced in Mumbai local train

It had stated that these changes would boost the development of the Indian EV ecosystem and the company will make significant direct investments in sales, service, and charging infrastructure; and significantly increase procurement from India for its global operations.

The company had argued that these proposals would not have any negative impact on the Indian automotive market as no Indian original equipment manufacturer currently produces a car (EV or Internal Combustion Engine) with an ex-factory price above USD 40,000 (around Rs 30.6 lakh), and only 1-2 percent of cars sold in India (EV or ICE) have ex-factory/customs value above USD 40,000.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Chandigarh govt's BIG announcement, vaccination not mandatory for kids to attend offline classes

Chandigarh administration abeyance its order of restricting unvaccinated children in the age group of 12 to 18 years from attending the classes in physical mode from May 4. That means,vaccination not mandatory for kids to attend offline classes in Chandigarh.
New Delhi: In a setback to India, French company Naval Group on Tuesday said that it is unable to participate in the Centre's P-75I project, under which six conventional submarines are to be domestically built for the Indian Navy, due to conditions mentioned in the request for proposal (RFP) related to air-independent propulsion (AIP) system.

Naval Group's announcement came a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Paris where he is scheduled to meet newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.

AIP system allows a conventional submarine to stay submerged in water at higher speeds for a longer period of time. In June last year, the Defence Ministry had cleared the P-75I project and subsequently, RFPs were issued to two shortlisted Indian companies -- private company Larsen and Toubro and state-run Mazagaon Docks Limited.

The two Indian companies (called strategic partners) have to tie up with one of the five shortlisted foreign companies -- ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany), Navantia (Spain) and Naval Group (France), Daewoo (South Korea) and Rosoboronexport (Russia) -- and then respond to the RFP, according to the Defence Ministry.

The Rs 43,000 crore contract will be awarded by the Defence Ministry following a detailed evaluation of the responses sent by the two strategic partners.

In a statement on Tuesday, Laurent Videau, Country and Managing Director, Naval Group India, said, "Due to certain conditions in the RFP, the two strategic partners could not forward the request to us and few other FOEMs (foreign original equipment manufacturers) and thus we have not been able to place an official bid for the project."

Naval Group has always been ready to offer the best in class and adapted solutions for the Indian Navy's P75I project, being fully in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat principle, he said.

"However, the present RFP requires that the fuel cell AIP (air-independent propulsion) be sea proven, which is not the case for us yet since the French Navy does not use such propulsion system," he mentioned. Nevertheless, Naval Group strengthens its existing commitments and looks forward to closer association with India, he said.

"Our focus and efforts are towards the continuation of our collaboration with Indian industry in realising the vision of Government of India by supporting Indian Navy for other future developments and projects (maintenance, high tech tools, indigenous AIP, incremental improvements in Scorpene designed submarine, heavyweight torpedoes, larger ships etc)," he mentioned.

India is one of the largest importers of arms globally. The Centre wants to reduce dependence on imported military platforms and has been boosting the domestic defence manufacturing.
Today was the second day of PM Narendra Modi's whirlwind trip to the three European nations - Germany, France and Denmark. The Prime Minister arrived in Denmark today. Just like his trip to Germany, the Prime Minister received a rousing welcome in Denmark too.

In today's DNA, Zee News Editor-In-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary makes an analysis of PM Narendra Modi's trip to Denmark.

The Prime Minister was accorded a special welcome by Denmark, with country's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen herself present at the airport to receive him. It is noteworthy that a head of state receiving her counterpart is not mandatory in Denmark. However, Mette Frederiksen broke the protocol to receive the PM Modi.

It was pretty evident from the visuals that Indians were eagerly waiting to receive PM Narendra Modi.

Just like Berlin, PM Modi received a rousing welcome at the Copenhagen airport too. The people at the airport welcomed PM Modi with drums and beats. PM Narendra Modi too greeted the people with a Namaskaram. He spent sometime at the spot and apparently had a light conversation with the people in the crowd.

A Letter of Intent was signed on smart water management, on green shipping, and an announcement was also made about the launch of ministerial energy dialogue between the two countries. The three outcomes are expected to strengthen the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

The two leaders also expressed their commitment to expedite the discussion and conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

There were also discussions on bilateral cooperation in the Arctic region adding that an important outcome was a joint declaration of intent on migration and mobility that would further strengthen our cooperation, including through expansion in trade and services.

Discussions also covered cooperation in renewable energy, especially offshore wind energy and green hydrogen, as well as skill development, health, shipping, water and the Arctic, among others.

Both the Prime Ministers reviewed progress of the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release.
New Delhi: With the sighting of the crescent moon on Monday (May 2, 2022), Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the people on Eid-ul-Fitr. He hoped that the auspicious occasion enhances the "spirit of togetherness and brotherhood" in the country.

Taking to his official Twitter account, the prime minister said, "May this auspicious occasion enhance the spirit of togetherness and brotherhood in our society. May everyone be blessed with good health and prosperity."

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.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

The festival is being celebrated in India on Tuesday following the Islamic holy month of Ramzan.

The month-long fasting observed by the people of the Muslim community during Ramzan came to an end after the sighting of the crescent moon on Monday evening. Ramzan, notably, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which involves rigorous fasting for about 30 days.

ALSO READ | Eid-ul-Fitr 2022: Best Eid Mubarak Wishes, Greetings, Messages, Photos, Quotes to Share with Your Loved Ones
Copenhagen: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (May 3) appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis, even as his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen hoped that India will use its influence over Russia to end the war.

Speaking to reporters here after bilateral talks, Modi said he discussed the Ukraine crisis and appealed for an "immediate ceasefire" in Ukraine.

"We appealed for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and return to dialogue and diplomacy for resolving the crisis," Modi said.

Speaking at the joint press meet with PM Frederiksen. @Statsmin https://t.co/3uGqLdLop7  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2022

Frederiksen hoped that India will influence Russia on Ukraine and asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to "stop this war and end the killings".

"My message is very clear that Putin has got to stop this war and to end the killings. I, of course, hope that India will influence Russia also in this discussion," she said.

On the way back to India, PM Modi will make a brief stopover in Paris for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. This, notably, will be the Prime Minister's first visit abroad in 2022.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Denmark capital Copenhagen on the second leg of his 3-day, 3-nation Europe tour. He will hold talks with Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and attend the second India-Nordic Summit.

He was received by Frederiksen at the airport as a special gesture, following which the two leaders went to her official residence at Marienborg. Soon after reaching Marienborg, PM Modi took a private tour of the residence and was accompanied by Frederiksen.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a private tour of the residence of Danish PM Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen; the Danish PM also accompanies him. (Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/KXmbPGZSEb  ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2022

After landing in Copenhagen PM Modi tweeted, Landed in Copenhagen. I am very grateful to PM Frederiksen for the warm welcome. This visit will go a long way in further cementing India-Denmark ties. This is the PM Modis first visit to Denmark, where he will take part in bilateral and multilateral engagements on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Landed in Copenhagen. I am very grateful to PM Frederiksen for the warm welcome. This visit will go a long way in further cementing India-Denmark ties. @Statsmin pic.twitter.com/0NOQG6X30I  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2022

The ministry of external affairs tweeted, PM @Statsmin Mette Frederiksen of Denmark receives PM @narendramodi at the Copenhagen airport. Heartwarming to see this special gesture from our Green Partner. Both leaders will now travel to Marienborg, the official residence of the PM of Denmark.

PM Modi will also meet Queen Margrethe II and attend the India-Denmark Business Roundtable and interact with the Indian community in Denmark. He will also personally meet leaders of the four Nordic nations on the sidelines of the summit.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Berlin today for the first leg of his three-day three-nation tour of Europe. The PMs first foreign visit this year will see him holding 25 meetings with eight world leaders, around 50 global business figures and hundreds of Indian diaspora members  all in a span of just 65 hours.

PM Modis tour of Germany, Denmark and France comes in the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis that has united much of Europe against Russia. And one of his most significant engagements will be in Copenhagen for the India-Nordic summit on May 4.

The PM is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Nordic states on the summit sidelines to review the progress in Indias bilateral relations with them.

The Nordic states of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland have reported increased trade with India in recent years, accompanied by a swelling Indian diaspora. Interestingly, Finland and Norway share borders with Russia and have lately witnessed increasing tensions with Moscow over the Ukraine war.

The first India-Nordic Summit was held in Stockholm in April 2018. The second summit was scheduled to take place in June 2021, but was postponed amid Covid fears. The significance of this event can be assessed from the fact that the United States is the only other country with which the Nordic countries have summit-level engagement.

The 2018 India-Nordic Summit reiterated the six countries commitment towards global security, economic growth, innovation and climate change. This years summit is expected to focus on post-pandemic economic recovery, innovation and technology, climate change and sustainable development, the evolving global security scenario and renewable energy.

The most important topic of discussion, however, will be the security situation in Europe, which has changed due to Russias invasion of Ukraine. That India enjoys good relations with Russia has forced many powerful countries to turn to PM Modi for help in halting the war.

Over the last few years, the Modi government has stepped up cooperation in hitherto unchartered territories. The Nordic states not just have immense untapped trade potential but also share values similar to India, such as freedom of speech, religion and media; free-market economy; and promotion of gender equality. These countries also rank higher up in innovation, clean energy, green technologies and education  areas that India can take lessons from.

The Nordic countries together have an economy of more than $1.6 trillion. The total bilateral trade between India and the Nordic states is worth $13 billion. That India is now the third largest global economy and fastest growing major economy also make it a lucrative destination for Nordic investment.

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Copenhagen: Asserting that India's role in damaging the climate is negligible, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Indians have had no role in harming the planet and the need of the hour is to promote 'lifestyle for environment'.

"The mindset of use and throw is negative for the planet. It is necessary to get out of consumption oriented approach and the need of the hour is to promote 'LIFE -- Lifestyle for Environment'. India's role in damaging the climate is negligible; Indians have had no role in damaging the planet," PM Modi said.

 Climate Action                ,            LIFE  Lifestyle for Environment        pic.twitter.com/KGm8hQ7gy9  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2022

Underlining that India had "no hand in exploiting our Mother Earth", PM Modi said, "we have taken on the challenge of saving her. By 2070, we have set a Net Zero target...India has been able to fulfil its climate action because, unlike others who put all the responsibility of saving the planet on multilateral organisations, we see it as a responsibility of each citizen to do their bit to save the world."

The Prime Minister further said global climate action does not appear to be succeeding as yet. The world appears to have stopped in its tracks but India has been delivering on its goals ahead of time because of the efforts of every single Indian, PM Modi said.

Denmark has been with India in the White Revolution, now it is becoming a strong partner in the country's green future, he added. "There are huge opportunities for the two countries in areas of electric mobility, green hydrogen, waste-to-wealth, sustainable urbanisation, green shipping, science, technology, innovation," PM Modi said.

PM Modi was also accorded a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora when he arrived in Denmark earlier in the day. In a video shared by news agency ANI, PM Modi could be seen dressed in grey Indian attire and trying to play dhol with one hand.

#WATCH | Denmark: Drum performances by Indian and Danish communities in Copenhagen. PM Modi tries his hand on a drum and meets members of the Indian community later. pic.twitter.com/CenY80C0Ta  ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2022

Addressing the Indian community settled in Denmark during his visit to the Nordic nation, PM Modi also asked each one of them to convince at least five of their non-Indian friends to visit India. The Prime Minister also urged the Indian diaspora in Denmark to work as 'Rashtradoot'.

PM Modi, who arrived in Copenhagen from Germany, was received by his Danish counterpart at the airport as a special gesture. He will visit France next.
Seoni: Two tribal men died after they were allegedly assaulted by a group of 15-20 people over suspicion of cow slaughter in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district, police said on Tuesday. Another person was injured in the incident, they said.

The complainant in the case and the opposition Congress in the BJP-ruled state have alleged the attackers belong to the Bajrang Dal.

Some 20 people have been booked in connection with the incident, which took place at Simaria under Kurai police station limits between 2:30 am and 3 am on Monday, including six on charges of murder, an official said.

After the incident, a group led by Congress legislator Arjun Singh Kakodia started a protest on the Jabalpur-Nagpur highway. The Seoni Superintendent of Police and other officials visited the protest site.

"Two tribal men have died. It was alleged a group of 15-20 people went to the victims' house, accused them of killing a cow and assaulted them. The two men died while being taken to hospital and another sustained minor injury. A post-mortem is yet to be conducted," Additional Superintendent of Police SK Maravi told PTI.

"A case of murder has been registered at the Kuarai police station and police teams are searching for the accused. Some of the accused are named (in the complaint) and others are unidentified. We have taken 2-3 suspects into custody. Some 12 kilograms of meat has been found in the victims' house," Maravi said.

The complainant Brajesh Batti, who was injured in the incident, said the mob was hitting Sampat Batti, a resident of Sagar, and Simaria resident Dhansa with sticks when he arrived at the spot, and he, too, was assaulted.

Congress MLA Kakodia, who has been sitting on a 'dharna' to protest the incident, claimed the attackers comprised Bajrang Dal members and called for a ban on the right-wing outfit. He said the kin of the victims should be given Rs 1 crore each as well as government jobs.

Meanwhile, the Congress has demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident and swift action against the culprits.

MP Congress president Kamal Nath tweeted, "I demand from the government that strict action be taken against the culprits by announcing a high-level inquiry into this incident. All possible help should be given to the families of the victims and arrangements for treatment of the injured man at government expense."

Nath said the kin of the deceased and local residents have claimed the Bajrang Dal was involved in the incident.

The former CM said NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data showed MP was number one among states in crimes against tribals.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (May 2, 2022) took an apparent dig at the Congress and said that now no PM will have to lament that he sends one rupee, but only 15 paise reaches the intended beneficiary.

Addressing the Indian community in Berlin during his three-day visit to Europe, PM Modi also said that before 2014, India was a work in progress, but over the past eight years the country has been making rapid strides in every sector.

"Woh kaunsa panja tha jo 85 paise ghis leta tha (which palm was it that used to take away 85 paise)," he said while attacking the Congress party.

During his hour-long address to the Indian diaspore, which was peppered with slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai, Modi hai toh mumkin hai and 2024, Modi Once More by the ecstatic crowd, the Prime Minister said that a new resurgent India had made up its mind to move forward with determination and urged the Indian diaspora to help the country take big strides globally.

More than 1600 members of the Indian community in Germany comprising students, researchers and professionals are said to have participated in the event.

PM @narendramodi interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Berlin. A thriving 200,000 strong Indian community in Germany cements the Indo-German friendship. pic.twitter.com/cRWrTdR3H1  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 2, 2022

He said that the young and aspirational India understood the need for political stability to achieve faster development and had ended three decades of instability by mere touch of a button.

This time of the 21st century is very important for India. Todays India has made up its mind, it is moving ahead with determination. When the country makes a resolve, then that country walks on new paths and shows it by achieving desired goals, PM Modi said.

India was rapidly working towards progress in every sector and achieving new landmarks on that journey, he said.

New India now does not think about a secure future, but is ready to take risks, ready to innovate and incubate. India, which had 200-400 start-ups around 2014, today is home to 68,000 start ups and dozens of unicorns  some of whom have already become deca-corns with 10 billion dollars valuation, the prime minister stated.

Delighted to interact with the Indian community in Berlin. https://t.co/alspwulUS4  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

He also urged the Indian diaspora to help him take the Indian story global.

I urge all of you to join me in making the local of India global. You can easily acquaint the people here with the diversity, strength and beauty of the local of India.

There was a time when registering a business was a hassle. Today it takes only 24 hours to register your company. This is restoring peoples confidence in governance, he said.

In an apparent reference to the removal of Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said the country was one, but had two Constitutions.

But, why did it take long to make it one (constitution). It took seven decades to ensure that the country had one constitution. We have implemented it now, he said.

(With agency inputs)
Allahabad: No Indian woman can share her husband with anyone else and stay sane in such a case, the Allahabad High Court has observed, dismissing an appeal for discharge of a polygamous man, accused of abetting suicide by his second wife.

Justice Rahul Chaturvedi made the observation while dismissing a Varanasi resident's appeal challenging the order of additional sessions judge there, rejecting his plea to discharge him in the abetment of suicide case.

No Indian woman can share her husband at any cost. They are literally possessive about their husbands, Justice Chaturvedi observed, dismissing the accused plea.

It would be the biggest jolt for any married woman that her husband is being shared by some other lady or he is going to marry some other lady. In such an awkward situation, it would be impossible to expect any sanity from them, the judge said.

The case pertains to Varanasi resident Sushil Kumar, who is facing a probe into the alleged suicide by his second wife who took the extreme step a day after lodging an FIR against him at a police station there on September 22, 2018.

The second wife whom Kumar had allegedly married without neither divorcing her first wife from whom he had two children nor apprising the "second wife" of his first marriage, killed herself after coming to know that her husband was going to marry a third woman.

In the FIR that the woman lodged before killing herself, she had also alleged that following her marriage with Kumar over 10 to 12 years ago, she had been facing all sorts of persecution and harassment by her in-laws.

Ruing the suicide by the woman, the court said, "Coming to know that her husband got married in a clandestine way with some other lady is more than sufficient reason to commit suicide.

Sushil Kumar, the husband seems to be the main culprit at least to be tried for the offence under section 306 of the IPC (abetment of suicide), the judge said, dismissing Kumar's appeal.

It is the deceased herself who lodged the FIR against all the revisionists (woman's husband and in-laws) for committing atrocities upon her and these charges could be tested only at the time of the trial and as such, no good ground for discharge exists," the judge added.

Kumar's second wife lodged an FIR against her husband and all his family members on September 22, 2018 under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 379 (stealing property), 494 (marrying despite having a living spouse), 504 (insulting deliberately) and 506 (threatening) of the IPC.

After going through the facts and material on record, the court said, It is clear that deceased lodged the present FIR against her husband and other in-laws for atrocities during her lifetime. Admittedly, the deceased was his second wife allegedly married in 2010 and she has got one son with the revisionist (Kumar).

The deceased came to know suddenly that her husband is going to marry a third woman on September 11, 2018 in Sarang Nath Temple and had applied for the registration of marriage, the court said.
Kolkata: On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at BJP, and said the current situation in the country is "not fine", thanks to the "politics of isolation".

Participating in the prayer for Eid-ul-Fitr held on a rain-drenched Red Road in Kolkata, Banerjee urged the people gathered there not to be scared but to be united for a better future. "The situation in the country is not fine. The policy of divide and rule and politics of isolation going on in the country are not correct. Do not be scared and keep on fighting," she said.

Around 14,000 people had gathered for the Eid prayer on Red Road. Addressing them, Banerjee assured them that "neither I nor my party nor my government will do anything which will make you sad".

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended his best wishes to the people on Eid-ul-Fitr. He hoped that the auspicious occasion enhances the "spirit of togetherness and brotherhood" in the country. Taking to his official Twitter account, the prime minister said, "May this auspicious occasion enhance the spirit of togetherness and brotherhood in our society. May everyone be blessed with good health and prosperity."

Also read: Eid-ul-Fitr 2022: Devotees offer prayers as India celebrates Eid, PM Modi extends greetings - in Pics

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.

(With ANI inputs)
Copenhagen: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Denmark as part of his three-nation Europe tour, was seen trying his hand at playing a dhol on Tuesday.

In a video shared by news agency ANI, PM Modi could be seen dressed in grey Indian attire and trying to play dhol with one hand. He was surrounded by members of the Indian diaspora who were seen performing to the beats of dhol.

#WATCH | Denmark: Drum performances by Indian and Danish communities in Copenhagen. PM Modi tries his hand on a drum and meets members of the Indian community later. pic.twitter.com/CenY80C0Ta  ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2022

PM Modi was also accorded a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora when he arrived in Denmark earlier in the day. PM Modi also addressed the Indian diaspora settled in Denmark during which he said that Indians have had no role in harming the planet and the need of the hour is to promote a 'lifestyle for the environment'.

The PM asked them to convince at least their five non-Indian friends to visit India.

Amid chants of 'Modi, Modi' and 'Modi hai to mumkin hai', in the auditorium with his Danish counterpart sitting in the front row, the prime minister also said that an Indian, wherever he goes in the world, contributes sincerely for 'karmabhoomi' (land of work), for that country.

The Prime Minister also appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and both sides to return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis, even as his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen hoped that India will use its influence over Russia to end the war.

PM Modi, who arrived in Copenhagen from Germany, was received by his Danish counterpart at the airport as a special gesture. He will visit France next.
Since Sadhguru began his journey in London on 21st March, the Save Soil Movement has garnered global interest and support, with major breakthroughs within the short period of time. It has seen overwhelming support from all quarters across the globe, including citizens, influencers, governments and international organizations.

- The movement has seen several nations, including 7 Caribbean nations, Azerbaijan and Romania signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Save Soil as a commitment to implement policies in that regard.

(A historic moment marked by the first #SaveSoil MOUs signed by the pearls of the ocean. Governments of Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia, and St Kitts & Nevis  may your commitment to soil revitalization be an inspiration to the rest of the world)

- Several hundreds of influencers, celebrities, sportsmen and scientists from across the world have come forward to speak up for our soil, and spread awareness about the looming issue.

- Ministers and Members of parliament of Italy, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, The Vatican, have expressed their complete support and commitment to saving soil.

(Martin Kovac, Slovakia's Deputy Minister of Agriculture Meets Sadhguru to Discuss #SaveSoil)

- The French governments 4 per thousand initiative to mitigate climate change and increase food security through soil regeneration has also signed an MoU.

The 4 per 1000: Soils for Food Security and Climate initiative signs MoU with #SaveSoil Movement

- The Commonwealth of Nations, as well as the European Union, European agriculture and several pan-European organizations have also come forward to speak about the issue, and support the Save Soil movement.



- International organizations that are leading ecological action, such as IUCN and UN agencies - UNCCD, World Food Program, UNEP have come forward to partner with the movement.

The millions of citizens across countries vocally participating through on-ground events and on social media is testimony to everyones willingness to address the issue, as Sadhguru speaks to all the nations at COP15, later this week.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is being brutally slammed for attending a nightclub party in Nepal. Gandhi, who was in Nepal to attend a friend's wedding, was seen spending some quality time at nightclub in Kathmandu. As soon as the video of Gandhi in club went viral, people started questioning him over a number of issues. Most people targeted Gandhi for "partying at a time when there are various crucial issues have to be worked upon, especially in the states ruled by the Congress party."

However, what surprised people was the mystery woman accompanying Rahul Gandhi. In the video, Rahul Gandhi is seen talking to this woman. People soon started making speculations on who this woman was, with some even claiming her to be a Chinese diplomat (claims remains unverified).

Many people draw the mystery woman's resemblance with China's Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, who is serving in Kathmandu since 2018.

First to make this claim was YRS Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vijayasai Reddy. "Video of Rahul Gandhi partying in a Nepal night club with Chinese diplomats is disturbing as China's honey traps are rising. Hou Yanqi, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal also spotted with him. Congress unnecessarily questions. Narendra Modi Ji's Europe trip while its own leader does this!" Reddy wrote in Tweet.

Video of @RahulGandhi partying in a Nepal night club with Chinese diplomats is disturbing as China's honey traps are rising. Hou Yanqi,Chinese Ambassador to Nepal also spotted with him.Congress unnecessarily questions @NarendraModi Ji's Europe trip while its own leader does this!  Vijayasai Reddy V (@VSReddy_MP) May 3, 2022

It's noteworthy that the identity of the woman is yet to be verified and there are certain counter-claims, that say that the person seen with Rahul Gandhi's was indeed NOT the Chiense diplomat.

Surjewala confirmed that Gandhi is at a wedding party in KTM. Some already declared RaGa is Hny'trapped :P

No-matter-what the resemblance to Hou Yanqi sounds spicy, it is still speculation. Trying advc face-recog tool but in absence of full-front face & bad quality r spoilers. pic.twitter.com/ID5G6RBkR9  The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) May 3, 2022

However, people, even those with verified handles, kept raising questions on Rahul Gandhi. "Is Rahul Gandhi partying with China's Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi in Kathmandu," a user with the name Rishi Bagree tweeted.

Is Rahul Gandhi partying with China's Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi in Kathmandu ???? pic.twitter.com/iuYf4eb6Y2  Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) May 3, 2022

Earlier, the BJP brutally slammed the Congress leader over his appearance in the club. "Rahul Gandhi was at a nightclub when Mumbai was under seize. He is at a nightclub at a time when his party is exploding. He is consistent," senior BJP leader Amit Malviya tweeted.

Rahul Gandhi was at a nightclub when Mumbai was under seize. He is at a nightclub at a time when his party is exploding. He is consistent. Interestingly, soon after the Congress refused to outsource their presidency, hit jobs have begun on their Prime Ministerial candidate... pic.twitter.com/dW9t07YkzC  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 3, 2022

"Colourful programme," BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh in a tweet in Hindi while sharing the video.

Shehzad Poonawala, a BJP spokesperson tweeted, "PM Modi visited Pashupatinath in Nepal. Rahul visits pub in Nepal." He said Gandhi preferred pub to people and prayers. "That's ok.. He can have his choices. Ram Sanskar vs Rome Sanskar."

Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala hit back, saying Gandhi was in Nepal for a private wedding and has not gone there uninvited. He also said it was not a crime to attend the wedding of a friend or a family member.

"Rahul Gandhi has not gone as an uninvited guest like Prime Minister Narendra Modi had gone to Pakistan to celebrate the birthday and cut cakes for the then Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif. Rahul Gandhi has gone to a friendly country Nepal to participate in a private marriage function of a friend. By chance, the friend also happens to be a journalist," he said.
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday appealed to all Hindus to play ''Hanuman Chalisa'' if they hear loudspeakers blaring out azan on Wednesday (May 4, 2022), according to ANI.

"I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, the 4th of May, if you hear the loudspeakers blaring the azan; in those very places, play the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers! That's when they will realise, the hindrance of these loudspeakers!" MNS chief Raj Thackeray said, according to ANI.

"I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, the 4th of May, if you hear the loudspeakers blaring the azan; in those very places, play the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers! That's when they will realise, the hindrance of these loudspeakers!" - MNS Chief Raj Thackeray pic.twitter.com/f4b8npo5e0  ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2022

The MNS leader also sought to remind his cousin and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray that years ago, Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray had stated that all loudspeakers need to be silenced.

I appeal to CM of Maharashtra that years ago, Shivsena Chief Hindu Hriday Samrat Shri Balasaheb Thackeray had stated that 'all loudspeakers need to silenced'...": MNS Chief Raj Thackeray  ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2022

The fresh appeal from the MNS chief came shortly after the Aurangabad police on Tuesday registered an offence against him over his "provocative" speech on loudspeakers atop mosques two days ago, while the Maharashtra DGP said appropriate legal action will be taken against him over the issue.

Sending out a blunt message to the MNS president over his May 3 deadline for the removal of loudspeakers from mosques, the ruling Shiv Sena said the state does not run on ultimatums and that the rule of law prevails here even as some MNS leaders warned they will hit the streets in case of further action against their leader.

The police in Aurangabad, located more than 350km from Mumbai in central Maharashtra, on Tuesday registered a case against Raj Thackeray, two days after he called for 'silencing' loudspeakers atop mosques from May 4, an official said.

The 53-year-old politician was booked under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 116 (abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment if offence be not committed) and 117 (abetting commission of offence by the public or by more than 10 persons) of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act, the official told reporters.

The Mumbai Police on Tuesday evening served a notice to Raj Thackeray under CrPC section 149 related to preventing cognizable offences. The Shivaji Park police station official said the notice has been served as a precautionary measure and it came after Raj Thackeray issued an open letter urging people to play the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers on Wednesday wherever they hear loudspeakers "blaring azan (Islamic prayer call)".

In the Aurangabad rally on May 1, the MNS chief had asked people to play the Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques from May 4 if loudspeakers there were not removed.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra DGP Rajnish Seth said the Aurangabad police commissioner will take appropriate legal action against Raj Thackeray over his speech against loudspeakers atop mosques. The Aurangabad CP is looking into the speech, he added.

He will take whatever legal action that is needed today itself, the DGP told reporters in Mumbai. Notices under section 149 of the CrPC (preventing cognizable offences) have been issued to over 13,000 people, Seth said.

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Seth and senior police officials reviewed the law-and-order situation in the state in the backdrop of the MNS chief's deadline for the removal of loudspeakers.

"The Maharashtra police are capable of handling any kind of law-and-order situation. SRPF and Home Guards have been deployed in the state," Seth said. The leaves of all police personnel have been cancelled, the DGP said.

In a related development, a court in western Maharashtra's Sangli district has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Raj Thackeray in connection with a 14-year-old case.
Sangli: In more trouble for Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, a court in Maharashtra's Sangli district has issued a non-bailable warrant against him in connection with a 14-year-old case.

In 2008, Thackeray was booked under sections 109 and 117 (abetment of offence) of IPC for allegedly making inflammatory speeches.

While issuing the non-bailable warrant on April 6, Judicial Magistrate, First Class at Shirala in Sangli district asked the Mumbai police commissioner to arrest the MNS chief and present him before the court.

The judge issued the warrant against Thackeray and another MNS leader Shirish Parkar through the Mumbai police commissioner and Kherwadi police station respectively as they failed to produce themselves before the court during the case proceeding, said assistant public prosecutor, Jyoti Patil.

She said the court has asked police to implement the warrant before June 8 and produce both the leaders before the court. In 2008, MNS workers had staged a protest in Shirala against the arrest of Thackeray in an agitation seeking priority for local youth in jobs.

A local MNS functionary claimed there was a government rule which states that political cases prior to 2012 should be withdrawn. However, this case is being raked up as Thackeray raised the issue of loudspeakers atop mosques, he added.

A case has also been registered against the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief and organisers of a public rally in Aurangabad over the formers speech during which he had reportedly asked his supporters to silence the loudspeakers atop mosques, according to news agency ANI.

The Aurangabad Police registered the case against the MNS chief after watching the viral videos of his speech.

Sharing more information, Maharashtra police chief Rajnish Seth said that the Aurangabad police commissioner will take appropriate legal action against Raj Thackeray over his speech against loudspeakers atop mosques.
Los Angeles: Actress Amber Heard fired her PR team and switched to a new firm after she reportedly became frustrated following a week of 'bad headlines' during the defamation trial brought by her ex-husband and actor Johnny Depp, a new report claimed.

According to dailymail.co.uk, Heard was being represented by Precision Strategies, which she suddenly ditched in favour of LA-based consulting firm Shane Communications. She made the move in apparent hopes that she might receive more favourable 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, reports dailymail.co.uk.

Another source told the newspaper that 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 - with his bodyguard on Thursday even describing in detail the wounds on the actor's face allegedly sustained during a confrontation with Heard.

The actor 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 counter-suing for $100 million, and after three weeks of sitting silently in the courtroom during Depp's testimony, she is preparing to start her fightback, 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. She had apparently donated only $1.3 million and much of that appeared to have come from her former boyfriend, billionaire Elon Musk.

According to Terence Dougherty, the chief operating officer of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the recipient of Amber's 'largesse' of $500,000, it 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 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.

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 never wanted cameras to be allowed in the courtroom at all, but Depp's team pushed for it, and won.

Depp has even accused his ex of defecating on their bed in an act of aggression.

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 10 am to 5 pm, and is set to conclude on May 19.
New Delhi: On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan spread festival cheer by waving at fans gathered outside their residence in the evening. The two stars extended Eid wishes personally to fans and interacted with them to celebrate together.

In videos shared by ANI, Salman Khan and SRK can be seen in their respective homes, waving at fans who had gathered outside their homes to catch a glimpse of them on this auspicious day. While Salman had greeted his fans from a balcony, Shah Rukh Khan had climbed on the security fences around his home and flaunted his ripped body as he addressed fans.

SRK even took a selfie with his fans, as they cheered on for him.

Watch the viral videos here:

#WATCH | Mumbai: Actor Shah Rukh Khan greets his fans who gathered outside his residence in large numbers to catch a glimpse of him on Eid. pic.twitter.com/lXONIOKGaE  ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2022

#WATCH | Mumbai: Actor Salman Khan greets his fans who gathered outside his residence to catch a glimpse of him on Eid. pic.twitter.com/JcSu4gi4zG  ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2022

Bollywood stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Rahul Dholakia among others also thronged social media to wish their fans.

The Islamic holy month of Ramzan or Ramadan ends with Eid celebrations after a 30-day long fasting ritual of keeping Rozas. Muslims across the globe eagerly wait for Eid to celebrate the festival with much gusto and fervour.

Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-al-Fitr is being celebrated this year on May 3 in India. It is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast.

The day and date of Eid may vary depending on different time zones and moon sightings.
New Delhi: Kajol and Ajay Devgn's darling daughter Nysa Devgn recently partied with Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jessia's daughter Mahikaa along with friend Orhan Awatramani. The inside party pictures flooded the internet and have now gone viral.

Nysa looks fab in a black co-ord set-a black crop top with leather pants while Mahikaa also wore black to the party. Their pictures with BFFs having fun were shared online and fans are loving it. Take a look here:

Nysa Devgan celebrated her 19th birthday on April 20 this year. The popular star kid has already many dedicated fan pages to her name.

Recently, Nysa was spotted at FDCI X Lakme Fashion Week 2022 and her pictures flooded social media. Ace designer Manish Malhotra took to Instagram and dropped a stunning photo of Nysa Devgn in his latest collection - Diffuse.

Nysa Devgn has been papped on several occasions with mom Kajol or dad Ajay Devgn and often stays away from the shutterbugs. The stunning teenager headed to Singapore for her higher education but is currently with fam jam in Mumbai.

She did her schooling at Mumbai's Dhirubhai Ambani International School and is enrolled in the United College of Southeast Asia in Singapore.
New Delhi: Banks, both public and private, will be shut in most regions of India on Tuesday, May 3, due to the Eid and Akshaya Tritiya bank holiday. There are a total of 11 bank holidays in May, two of which have already been used. The lenders will only have eight leaves left for the month because of todays bank holiday. The Reserve Bank of India, or RBI, has compiled a list of bank holidays for May, as it does for every other month. All public sector, private sector, foreign banks, cooperative banks, and regional banks' branches remain closed on the RBI's declared bank holidays.

The bank holidays are classified as 'Holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act,' 'Holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act and Real Time Gross Settlement Holiday,' and 'Banks' Closing of Accounts.' On April 1, one holiday is in effect due to 'Banks' Closing of Accounts,' when the bulk of banks across the country remain closed, while the 'Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act' category has the most holidays.

This leads us to question if today is a public holiday in Delhi, Mumbai, or other large cities. According to the RBI list, banks will be closed today in all of India excluding Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram on account of Bhagvan Shree Parshuram Jayanti/ Ramjan-Eid (Eid-UI-Fitr)/ Basava Jayanti/ Akshaya Tritiya. Because banks were closed on May 2 due to Ramjan Eid, there is no bank holiday in these two districts.

It is also important to note that bank holidays differ from location to location and are determined by the occasions in each area, as most bank holidays are established under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Banks in Kolkata, for example, will be closed on May 9 in honour of Ranbindranath Tagore's birthday, whereas there will be no bank holiday in other areas of the country.

Check the full list of bank holidays in May 2022:

May 2: Ramjan-Eid (Eid-UI-Fitr)  Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram

May 3: Bhagvan Shree Parshuram Jayanti/ Ramjan-Eid (Eid-UI-Fitr)/ Basava Jayanti/ Akshaya Tritiya  All over India except Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram

May 9: Birthday of Rabindranath Tagore  Kolkata

May 16: Buddha Purnima  Agartala, Belapur, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Jammu, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Raipur, Ranchi, Shimla, and Srinagar

Weekend Leaves

May 1: Sunday

May 8: Sunday

May 14: Second Saturday

May 15: Sunday

May 22: Sunday

May 28: Fourth Saturday

May 29: Sunday
New Delhi: Retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is considering to increase the existing salary limit for pension that has not been changed since September 2014.

As per reports, EPFO is considering to increase the existing salary limit for pension from Rs 15000 to Rs 21000. Purporedly, members of EPFO are in favor of the increase in pensionable salary. The last amendment on the cap of pensionable salary was made in 2014 wherein the government had raised the PF salary limit from Rs 6500 to Rs 15000. (Also read: Planning to buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya 2022? Check 5 best ways to invest in gold)

On one hand, while the new limit will bring more people under the ambit, it will also make a burden for the government. The matter is currently awaiting government's green signal. It has been reported that for the hiked PF salary limit, government will have to bear an expenditure of 6,750 crores.

As per the present rates of contribution, in case an existing EPS member (as on 01-09-2014) whose Pension contribution was paid erstwhile EPS wage ceiling of Rs 6500 contribution to contribution above Rs 15000 wage ceiling from 01-09-2014 he/she will have to give a fresh consent and an amount of 1.16% on wages above Rs 15000 will have to be contributed by him in pension Fund (A/C No 10) through the employer.
A 22-year-old Chattahoochee woman was killed in a Friday, April 29 traffic crash near where Dunn Road and U.S. 90 meet in Gadsden County just east of Chattahoochee.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports she was turning from northbound Dunn Road onto westbound U.S. 90 as a semi was eastbound on U.S. 90 and approaching Dunn.

The front of the semi and the left side of the sedan she was driving collided. The vehicles remained in contact after impact, traveling northeast across the westbound lane and onto the north grass shoulder of U.S. 90.

They came to rest on the north shoulder with the truck on top of the car.

The driver of the sedan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other driver, a 33-year-old Sneads man, was not injured.

The Florida Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Gadsden County EMS, the Chattahoochee Fire Department, the Sneads Fire Department, the Chattahoochee Police Department, and the Gadsden County Sheriffs Office.

Traffic was rerouted from the area for a time after the crash, which occurred around 11 a.m.
New Delhi: Before being able to access Instagram, users are now required to enter their date of birth. The shift comes more than eight months after Instagram declared its intention to make age verification essential on its site and began requiring users to enter their birthday information. The main goal of the upgrade is to limit access to children under the age of 13. Instagram will also be able to use a user's date of birth to better target advertisements to them.

Instagram displays a screen before enabling access to its material in order to collect the date of birth. It requires users to enter their date of birth and does not allow them to skip this step.

"Even if this account is for a business or a pet, you must provide your birthday before you can continue using Instagram," the screen prompt states. "This aids in the protection of our community's youth. Your birthday will also be used to further personalise your experience, including advertisements. It will not be shown in your public profile."

The new prompt has begun to appear for some Instagram users who have not yet entered their date of birth. Several of them have resorted to Twitter to express their displeasure with Instagram's decision to forcefully ask for their birth date.

In 2019, Instagram began asking for age verification as an optional feature. Last year, the site made it essential to give date of birth information and announced the rollout of prompts to let users to fill in the information while browsing their feed or publishing new content for their followers. Users who did not enter their details and missed the preceding prompts were able to access the Instagram app till today.

Of course, some underage users will be able to get around the limits by providing a fake birth date. Instagram, like Facebook, has an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system in place to accurately assess the age of its users.

"People wishing you a happy birthday, as well as the age written in such messages, such as 'Happy 21st Bday!' or 'Happy Quinceaera!' We also use the age you shared with us on Facebook to apply to our other apps where you've linked your accounts, and vice versa  for example, if you share your birthday with us on Facebook, we'll use it for your linked account on Instagram, and vice versa,"the social media behemoth explained its birthday detection technology on its website.

The latest update, which restricts access for kids, could eventually help Instagram redirect its youth following to a new app that we may see in the future. Meta would also be able to make more money by presenting customised ads to its users after learning their dates of birth.
Tokyo: Eight Chinese naval vessels, including an aircraft carrier, passed between islands in Japan`s southern Okinawa chain on Monday, Japan`s defence ministry said in a news release.

The ships, which included several destroyers, sailed between the main Okinawa island and Miyakojima, according to the ministry. Although there was no incursion into Japan`s territorial waters, helicopters on board the Liaoning carrier took off and landed, the ministry said.

China`s Defence Ministry did not answer calls seeking comment during a national holiday.

The U.S. 7th Fleet, part of the Navy`s Pacific force, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Taiwan`s Defence Ministry said it would monitor the movements of the carrier group, and described the situation as "normal."

It was the first time that a Chinese aircraft carrier was confirmed to have passed through the area since December last year, according to Japanese national broadcaster NHK.

Live TV
Beijing: A senior citizen was mistaken for dead at an elderly care centre in Shanghai and sent to a morgue where he was found alive, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the shocking incident that triggered a new wave of anguish in the locked-down city.

Videos circulating widely on Chinese social media showed two men, who appeared to be morgue workers, with a yellow body bag outside the Shanghai Xinchangzheng welfare hospital in Putuo district on Sunday. The men, in protective clothing, were seen unzipping the bag in front of an employee from the facility and insisting that the person is still alive, Hong-Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Monday.

The staff member then checks for signs of life and reseals the bag, against the protests of bystanders fearing the patient will suffocate.

According to the video, the staff member next returned to the centre to deliberate with two people in white hazmat suits before the elderly patient is seen being wheeled back into the facility.

The incident triggered a new wave of horror for many Shanghai residents, whose grief and anger are at boiling point after harsh citywide lockdowns in place since March 28 show no signs of easing.

The Shanghai local government has come under mounting criticism for its handling of the Omicron outbreak in the city of 26 million people. The city is under lockdown since March 1 triggering angry protests in many parts of the city.

Putuo's Civil Affairs Bureau has confirmed the mix-up and set up an investigation task force, pledging to severely punish those accountable, the Post report quoted state broadcaster CCTV.

The elderly patient has been hospitalised and is in a stable condition, the report said. The care centre, established in 1983 with capacity for more than 100 elderly people, has apologised.

Meanwhile, China recorded 6,074 new Covid-19 cases, including 384 symptomatic and 5,690 asymptomatic infections, the National Health Commission said on Tuesday. The new cases, however, were down from 7,822 a day earlier, of which 865 were symptomatic and 6,957 were asymptomatic.
New Delhi: Following a busy trip to Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will now travel to Denmark on Tuesday (May 3, 2022) as part of his three-nation Europe trip. In Copenhagen, he will have a bilateral meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during which the two leaders would review the progress in India's unique 'Green Strategic Partnership' with Denmark.

The prime minister is also scheduled to participate in the India-Denmark Business Roundtable as well as interact with the Indian community in the country.

Apart from the bilateral engagements with Denmark, PM Modi will also take participate in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit along with Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway where they will take stock of cooperation since the First India-Nordic Summit in 2018.

PM @narendramodi would be leaving from Berlin for Copenhagen this morning. Lets take a look at whats in store in the second leg of the visit. pic.twitter.com/cc9ubDwTcT  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 3, 2022

Earlier on Monday morning, PM Modi arrived in Berlin and met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The two leaders discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.

I had wide-ranging discussions with Chancellor Scholz. Todays talks covered trade, commerce, innovation, culture and people-to-people linkages. India and Germany are working together on several subjects. This partnership will benefit our entire planet. @Bundeskanzler pic.twitter.com/bNQWtESzmv  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

Prime Minister Modi was received by Chancellor Scholz in a ceremonial welcome at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin upon his arrival for talks. He was accorded the Guard of Honour at the forecourt of the Federal Chancellery in Berlin.

The two leaders thereafter met in a one-on-one format followed by delegation-level talks.

I would like to thank Chancellor Scholz for the ceremonial welcome in Berlin. @Bundeskanzler pic.twitter.com/kIzeA3YlkN  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

Later, Modi and Scholz co-chaired the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

WATCH | PM Modi in Germany: Colours of India displayed at Berlins Brandenburg Gate

This, notably, was Prime Minister Modi's first meeting with Scholz as German Chancellor, who assumed office in December 2021. It was Modi's fifth visit to Germany after becoming Prime Minister. He had earlier visited the European country in April 2018, July 2017, May 2017, and April 2015.

On May 4, during a brief stopover in Paris, he is slated to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was re-elected as French president last month.

(With agency inputs)
Jerusalem: 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." 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 relationships

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.


OZARKAn investigation into an officer-related fatal shooting late Monday afternoon in Dale County has been turned over to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), according to an ALEA news release.

SBI special agents took over the investigation at the request of the Dale County Sheriffs Office. The release notes that two sheriff deputies were involved in the incident.

The victim, who was fatally injured in the 4:55 p.m. incident, was identified as Samuel Ed Farnam Jr., 44, of Ozark. No officers were injured during the incident, according to the ALEA release.

In a news release from the Dale Countys Sheriffs Office, it was confirmed that the Ozark-Dale County E911 received a call concerning a rolling domestic incident with shots fired on U.S. Highway 231 South between Newton and Ozark. Dale County deputies intercepted the suspects vehicle as it entered the Ozark city limits and observed it strike the victims vehicle as they were approaching.

The release states that when deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, a pursuit ensued. The pursuit entered Ozark and the suspects vehicle began traveling north in the southbound lanes of U.S. 231. As the pursuit neared the intersection of Deese Road, a deputy performed a PIT maneuver disabling the suspects vehicle. At the conclusion of the pursuit, deputies discharged their weapons in order to apprehend the armed suspect.

No additional details about the incident were released, and the findings of the SBI investigation will be turned over to the Dale County Districts Attorney Office.
TROY  President Joe Biden on Tuesday credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant for doing lifesaving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine to stifle Russias invasion as he made a pitch for Congress to approve $33 billion so the U.S. can continue to hustle aid to the front lines.

Youre allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves, Biden told the workers, his podium flanked by Javelin missile launchers and shipping containers. And, quite frankly, theyre making fools of the Russian military in many instances.

The president toured the Lockheed Martin factory in Alabama and said Ukrainian parents are naming their children Javelin or Javelina because of the weapons successes.

Every worker in this facility and every American taxpayer is directly contributing to the case for freedom, Biden said.

The presidents visit also drew attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, 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 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.

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 Office of Management and Budget specialist on Pentagon budget strategy, war funding and procurement programs.

He added that Stingers and Javelins were where were seeing the most significant inventory issues and that 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.

Biden noted that each Javelin produced requires 200 computer chips, but semiconductors are in short supply and limiting the availability of everything from autos to kitchen appliances. Biden is urging that legislation be approved to fund the manufacturing of computer chips in the U.S., though that is a longer-term fix to immediate pressures that militaries, businesses and consumers face now.

The war will mean increased sales for some defense contractors, including Raytheon, which makes the Stinger missiles that 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.

Lockheed Martins facility in Troy has the capacity to manufacture about 2,100 Javelins per year. Bidens trip overlapped with his push for an additional $33 billion in security and economic assistance for Kyiv. 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.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday that Americas military readiness is not dependent on one system. He said that every time the Pentagon develops a package of weapons and systems to send to Ukraine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the department do an assessment on what the impact will be on readiness.

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.

The lightweight but lethal Javelin has helped the Ukrainians inflict major damage on Russias 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, which is based in Bethesda, Maryland, said in a statement.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv at the request of President Joe Biden.



Secretaries Blinken and Austin expressed their strong support for the Ukrainian government and for the Ukrainian people. Secretary Blinken described the meeting as an important moment to have face-to-face conversations in detail about the extraordinary support that weve provided: security, economic, humanitarian, as well as the massive pressure that weve been exerting on Russia, and then to talk in detail about how we carry that forward across all of those fronts.



Part of the United States commitment to Ukraine going forward involves the soon return of American diplomats to the country, including a new U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine.



Ukraine has had considerable success in its war against Russian aggression. At the same time, its also true that Russia continues to try to brutalize parts of the country, and the death and destruction that we continue to see is horrific, said Secretary Blinken. But Ukrainians are standing up, theyre standing strong, and theyre doing that with the support that we have coordinated from literally around the world.



Indeed, when it comes to Russias war aims, Russia is failing, Ukraine is succeeding, said Secretary Blinken.



Russia has sought as its principal aim to totally subjugate Ukraine  to take away its sovereignty, to take away its independence. That has failed. Its sought to assert the power of its military and its economy. We of course are seeing just the opposite  a military that is dramatically underperforming; an economy, as a result of sanctions, as a result of a mass exodus from Russia that is in shambles. And [the Russian government has] sought to divide the West and NATO; of course, were seeing exactly the opposite.



The bottom line is this, said Secretary Blinken: We dont know how the rest of this war will unfold, but we do know that a sovereign, independent Ukraine will be around a lot longer than [Russian President] Vladimir Putin is on the scene. And our support for Ukraine going forward will continue. It will continue until we see final success.
The Nevada Republican Party Convention held last weekend in Las Vegas had some surprising results, with neither of the front-runner candidates for governor or U.S. Senate winning their partys endorsement.

Joey Gilbert walked away with a 66% win for governor and Sam Brown received 80% support for Senate. Neither Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo nor former attorney general Adam Laxalt earned an endorsement.

Elko County Republican Party Chairman Lee Hoffman explained that the convention included voting on pre-primary endorsements  something that has been done in the past but not often. The rules called for separate votes that allowed for more than one candidate to win an endorsement.

In a lively, and sometimes contentious convention, Republican Party delegates from counties across Nevada rejected the recommendations of the State Party Nominating Committee by voting to endorse Joey Gilbert for Governor, instead of the front-runner Joe Lombardo. They also voted to endorse Sam Brown for U.S. Senate, Hoffman said. It looks like there is strong grassroots support for Gilbert and Brown. It will be up to the Republican primary voters to make the final decision.

In the gubernatorial race, Hoffman said only Lombardos name was put forward by the nominating committee. Supporters of Reno attorney Joey Gilbert objected, which led to more candidates being included. Support of more than 50% was required to earn an endorsement.

Lombardo received only 31.5%. North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee received 40% and venture capitalist Guy Nohra 49.2%, so none of them were endorsed.

Only Gilbert won an endorsement, with 68% of the vote.

Saturdays overwhelming victory left no doubt that the changes and solutions Ill bring as Governor resonate overwhelmingly with Nevadans: Nevada First, election integrity, law and order, medical freedom and privacy, 2nd Amendment protection, parental rights, securing our water supply, and fixing our worst-in-the-nation schools, Gilbert said in a statement. I will continue to work hard for all Nevadans and provide strong, courageous leadership.

In the race for Senate, both front-runner Laxalt and U.S. Army veteran Sam Brown were nominated. However, Laxalt received only 50% support and Brown 80%, so Brown was the only candidate to be officially endorsed by Republicans at the state convention.

Im grateful to be the only U.S. Senate candidate to receive the endorsement of the Nevada Republican Party, Brown said in a statement. Combined with Nevadas largest network of grassroots donors and volunteers, this endorsement makes it clear that Nevadans are ready for new conservative leadership and the Duty First movement.

Both Lombardo and Laxalt have been considered frontrunners in their races based on polling. Last week, Lombardo received an endorsement from former president Donald Trump.

Elko Republican Ralph Sacrison attended the convention and said he was pleased with the outcome.

I was shocked to see only Lombardo on the gubernatorial slate, he said. It did not come across as transparent.

But the process worked to bring the other candidates into the picture.

It was simply a rank and file rebellion against a very typical establishment star chamber, he said.

The Nevada convention results were not surprising to those familiar with Republican Party politics in the state, which has seen frequent disagreements.

You still have the tension between the establishment wing and the base wing, a University of Nevada, Las Vegas political science professor noted in an April 2014 Associated Press article titled Nevada GOP heads into convention torn at core.

A rift over support for presidential contender Ron Paul in 2008 led to the Nevada GOP party leader abruptly shutting down the state convention, the article noted. That was followed by more controversial candidates, including 2010 U.S. Senate nominee Sharron Angle.

This years conflicts have drawn less attention than in the past, however. As of late Monday afternoon, neither The Associated Press nor most major new outlets in the state had reported on the GOP endorsement results.

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Whenever we got banged up as kids my dad would dab some mercurochrome on our scrapes and send us on our way. It stained our skin for the better part of a week. Once, however, I stepped on a nail while running down a hill at a new house they were building across the street. Dad said this wound puncture looks too deep for the normal red antiseptic so we had better use some hydrogen peroxide.

Oh no, I thought, anything with the word hydrogen in it back in those days was linked to the cold war and bombs and I was honestly horrified to try this deadly concoction no matter what he said. When a suggested trip to the doctor was somehow injected into the mix, logic suddenly ruled and the evil liquid was taken down from the shelf. The situation was tempered greatly when he said (as he poured the peroxide), for every bubble you see a germ is being killed!

With a chemical formula of H2O2, hydrogen peroxide is a very active compound. It gives up that extra oxygen atom at the slightest jolt of incoming energy. In its pure form it is a very pale blue liquid but most people have never seen this because pure hydrogen peroxide is a very dangerous liquid. Remember seeing guys blast off with a Bell rocket belt back in the 1960s rising high above crowds in a blast of smoke? Hydrogen peroxide powered those gadgets. Five gallons of fuel for 21 seconds of flight time  not a lot of MPG!

Because hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer it is also a good antiseptic. You can buy 3% dilute solutions sold in brown plastic jugs anywhere. If the bottles were clear the ambient light let in would slowly decompose the active peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide is found in biological systems including the human body. One method honeybees use to achieve protection from parasites in their food systems is through their production of hydrogen peroxide from glucose oxidase. On the industrial side vast amounts are used to bleach printer paper intensely white, while smaller amounts are used with every scoop of laundry detergent going into a washing machine.

A commercially viable process to produce hydrogen peroxide directly from the environment has been of interest for many years. Efficient direct synthesis is difficult to achieve because the resultant is chemically active and the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen thermodynamically favors the production of only water. Systems for direct synthesis have been developed, most of which employ finely dispersed metal catalysts similar to those used for making the ammonia gas we covered last week. Now, a green process has been developed that claims to be cost effective by making not only hydrogen peroxide but hydrogen at the same time.

A paper published in last months Nature Communications by a team of researchers at Japans Kobe University, Binary Dopant Segregation Enables Hematite-based Heterostructures for Highly Efficient Solar H2O2 Synthesis suggested the process to do this may be just around the corner. The group, headed by Professor Tachikawa, found that by modifying the surface of a hematite photocatalyst, they could safely, cheaply and stably produce hydrogen peroxide as well as hydrogen to boot. Hematite is a common iron oxide compound found in rocks and soils.

Hydrogen production using the energy of sunlight has gained much attention lately as the world tries to move towards more carbon-neutral technologies. The old idea of burning hydrogen with oxygen in an internal combustion engine is an environmentalists dream because the exhaust from the tailpipe would only consist of pure water! So, if a process could be developed with a by-product used in the bleaching, health and food industries, i.e. hydrogen peroxide, and it could be generated at the same time as the hydrogen, the payback for the project would be enormous.

It turns out that a hematite crystal (Fe2O3) can absorb a wide range of visible light and in turn help split water molecules into the composite parts and thats good for hydrogen generation. But, the iron mineral on its own is not suitable for producing hydrogen peroxide because the energy equations are not favorable for such a reaction. In the new process however, the researchers found that by using electrodes doped with two different metal ions (tin and titanium) and sintering them together, a highly active composite oxide catalyst can be constructed.

The main problem that causes a conversion rate decline in all photocatalytic reactions such as these is that the electrons and holes produced by light recombine before they can react with the water molecules. Tachikawa has succeeded by creating 3D structures of hematite mesocrystals and placing them on a conductive glass substrate. These mesocrystals are porous structures consisting of nanoparticles that are three dimensionally aligned in a pre-arranged fashion yet only a few hundred nanometers thick.

Ideally, photocatalysts that use sunlight and water to produce hydrogen need to have a conversion rate of at least 10% for such a system to be adopted industrially. By making H2O2 as a by-product for sale on the shipping dock, this new process may help keep the factory lights on!

Gary Hanington is Professor Emeritus of physical science at Great Basin College and Vice President of Engineering at AHV. He can be reached at garyh@ahv.com or gary.hanington@gbcnv.edu.

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ELKO  Authorities spent a fifth day Monday searching southeastern Elko County for a 19-year-old California man who apparently wandered into the hills near Currie.

Aidan Clune is believed to have purchased fuel at a gas station in West Wendover on April 27 before traveling to Wells. His 2007 Nissan pickup was found along U.S. Highway 93 south of Wells.

Searchers include Elko and White Pine county sheriff departments, BLM rangers, Great Basin K-9 Search and Rescue, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, and the Civil Air Patrol.

They have followed Aidans tracks for over 10 air miles through the rough terrain, stated the Elko sheriffs office on Monday. It is unknown why Aidan left his vehicle and has traveled so far on foot.

Anyone who has seen Clune is asked to contact Elko Central Dispatch at 775-777-7300 or the Elko County Sheriffs Office at 775-738-3421.

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ELKO  A Carlin man found guilty of sexually assaulting a child nearly three decades ago  and whose case was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court  will be released from prison in June.

Troy D. Brown was 22 years old in 1994 when he raped a 9-year-old girl while her mother was at a tavern and her stepfather was working at a mine.

Original charges included attempted murder. The girl called her mother, who came home and found her covered in blood from the waist down, court documents said. The girl said the man who assaulted her was strangling her and she pretended to be dead until he left.

A Washoe County forensic scientist testified that DNA evidence indicated there was a 99.9% chance that Brown was the perpetrator. The victim, however, did not positively identify Brown as the assailant during his trial.

Brown was convicted of two counts of child sexual assault and sentenced in June 2004 to life in prison with the possibility of parole on both counts.

Supreme Court to review Carlin rape: DNA evidence helped convict Troy Don Brown in 1994 case ELKO  More than 14 years after he was convicted in Elko District Court of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl in Carlin, Troy Don Browns c

Brown appealed the conviction to the Nevada Supreme Court, which sent him back to district court for resentencing but he received the same punishment.

He appealed again, and in 2008 a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the DNA testimony was misleading.

The case was sent to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009. At the time, his original defense attorney David Lockie remembered it as being a very early DNA case in the county, and said that type of evidence was mistrusted in the court system at that time, according to Elko Daily Free Press files.

There was considerable doubt, in my opinion, as to whether Troy Don Brown perpetrated the crime or not, Lockie said. He always adamantly denied he had anything to do with the crime.

Browns case was believed to be the first criminal case from Elko County to be accepted and heard by the nations highest court.

U.S. Supreme Court rules in 1994 Carlin child rape ELKO  The U.S. Supreme Court Monday reversed a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that there was not enough evidence to convict a Carlin man

At the time, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto issued a statement saying Troy Brown should not have had this conviction overturned by the federal courts. The Nevada Attorney Generals office is dedicated to assuring that every case will be tried in keeping with the letter of the law. We are prepared to argue to the highest court of the land to keep this commitment.

The Supreme Court reversed the 9th Circuit decision and Brown remained in prison.

The Nevada Parole Boards fifth hearing for Brown was conducted in March, and he will be released from the Lovelock Correctional Center in June.



Felony and gross misdemeanor arrests:

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Vietnamese Consul General in Frankfurt am Main Le Quang Long speaks at the meeting with members of the Vietnam - Germany Innovation Network. (Photo: VNA)

The Consulate General of Vietnam in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, held a seminar with the Vietnam - Germany Innovation Network (VGInetwork).

Stressing the important role of Vietnamese intellectuals in Germany, Consul General Le Quang Long asked VGInetwork to practically contribute to the homelands priority areas such as green growth, renewable energy, and sustainable development.

VGInetwork Chairman Nguyen Xuan Thinh reported on the networks achievements and development vision, along with the encouraging outcomes of and potential for scientific - technological cooperation between Vietnam and Germany.

At the event, Assoc. Prof. and Dr. Do Thanh Trung, a founding member of the VGInetwork, shared Germanys experience in renewable energy development and energy transition and gave some opinions about the green growth process in Vietnam. He suggested a Vietnam - Germany energy hub be set up as part of VGInetwork to connect the two countries policymakers, enterprises, and institutes in actions towards a green and sustainable economy.

On April 30, the Vietnamese Literature and Arts Association in the Czech Republic held a special music show to celebrate the anniversary.

Emphasising the significance of the great victory in the 1975 spring, Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung said over the last 47 years, Vietnam has obtained enormous socio-economic attainments and its stature and prestige continually been consolidated, which is partly attributable to contributions by overseas Vietnamese, including those in the Czech Republic.

He said aside from continuing to intensively integrate into the local society, Vietnamese people in the Czech Republic have carried out many investment projects in the homeland along with charitable activities to assist the compatriots affected by natural disasters and epidemics.

The diplomat voiced his belief that the Vietnamese community in the European nation will maintain their solidarity, successfully integrate into the Czech society, and make more practical contributions to the homeland./.
Darnitsa pharmaceutical company (Kyiv), within the framework of cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the National Security and Defense Council, has registered and produced the drug Potassium Iodide-125-Darnitsa, designed to protect people from radiation, Dmytro Shymkiv, the chairman of the board of directors of Darnitsa Group, wrote about this on Facebook.

He said that the drug was created in accordance with the regulations for iodine prophylaxis in the event of a radiation accident.

In addition, Shymkiv said that last week Darnitsa donated 525,000 packages (5.25 million tablets) from the first batch of Potassium Iodide-125-Darnitsa to the public health center of the Ministry of Health for free. This will make it possible to carry out iodine prophylaxis if necessary for more than 5 million people.

Potassium iodide is used to protect the thyroid from radiation buildup. The risk of radiation damage to the thyroid gland can be reduced or even leveled with the timely appointment of iodine prophylaxis. The optimal effect of iodine prophylaxis is achieved with preventive intake of potassium iodide for 6 hours or less, as well as simultaneously with the intake of radioactive isotopes of iodine or entering the contaminated zone.
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) provided only UAH 170 million in the only one-year refinancing tender last week on Friday, April 29, compared to UAH 1.358 billion a week earlier, according to information on its website.

According to it, at the same time, the demand for the purchase of overnight NBU deposit certificates by banks remained record high for almost the entire week  60-62 banks purchased deposit certificates for UAH 185.3-187.8 billion.

Only on Friday, the demand for them dropped to UAH 168.1 billion.

The National Bank has not yet published data for Friday on the number of banks that formed the demand for both refinancing loans and the purchase of deposit certificates.

As reported, on April 16, the National Bank indicated that it would hold tenders for refinancing for up to a year once a week  every Friday instead of every day, as it was before.

It was clarified that, if necessary, the National Bank may announce tenders for the provision of refinancing loans on other days of the week.

The NBU, on the day Russia began the war against Ukraine on February 24, announced the refinancing of banks to maintain liquidity for up to a year with the possibility of prolongation for another year, while earlier their period was limited to 28 days.

The rate on refinancing loans is 11% per annum, while deposit certificates are placed at 9% per annum.

In total, since the beginning of the war, the National Bank has provided liquidity support for a period of a year for a total amount of just over UAH 72 billion, including UAH 42 billion in blank. At the same time, according to the NBU, the majority of blank loans were repaid ahead of schedule, and the debt on them decreased to less than UAH 9 billion.
In a traditional video message on Monday evening President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that "the free world has united so that no one justifies Nazism, kills children and destroys peaceful cities, as Russia does."

"Today, Russian troops have dealt another blow to Odesa. Hostel destroyed. A 14 year old boy was killed. They wounded a girl, 17 years old, she had a shrapnel wound. What is it? For what? How did these children threaten the Russian state? And a hostel. This is how they fight, that's all," he said.

According to the president, "in Lysychansk, Luhansk region, a gymnasium, which was more than 100 years old, burned down from Russian shelling. It withstood two world wars, but turned out to be a terrible threat to Russia.

"Some 220 Ukrainian children have been killed by Russian troops since February 24. Some 1,570 educational institutions were destroyed as a result of shelling. That is why the entire free world has united so that no one justifies Nazism, kills children, destroys peaceful cities, as Russia does," he said.
On Monday Russian occupiers kill one civilian in Donetsk region, eight more injured - head of Donetsk regional military administration

On May 2, Russian occupiers killed one civilian in Donetsk region, and eight more were injured, head of Donetsk Regional Military Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko said.

"Russia is killing civilians! On May 2, the Russians killed another civilian in Donbas - in Dibrova, in Lyman region. Another eight people were injured," Kyrylenko wrote in a telegram on Monday.

He noted that in Bakhmut, medical assistance was provided to four civilians wounded in Luhansk region.

"It was also possible to clarify the information regarding the deceased in Mariupol, but the exact number of victims in Mariupol and Volnovakha cannot be established. Every Russian will answer for his crimes," the head of regional military administration said.
Only 3 out of 14 evacuation buses with refugees from Mariupol, Donetsk region, reached the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government, the fate of the people who are in the remaining eleven buses is unknown, Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said.

"When we announced and the Russian side agreed to the evacuation that they would give us 90 buses, they determined three locations, but only 14 buses arrived at two locations, and only three of them reached Ukraine. We understand that eleven buses have disappeared somewhere, they were supposed to move towards Zaporizhia to the controlled part of our state, but they got lost somewhere. They get lost in these filtration centers, unfortunately, they [occupiers] take and abduct our residents, and today this is happening in our Ukrainian Mariupol," Boichenko said on the air of the telethon on Tuesday morning,

When asked how many such centers there are in Mariupol and around, he said that there are four, and that the occupiers are meticulously "filtering" Ukrainians traveling to the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government. "Residents have been waiting for a month, more than a month for this filtration. If you are somehow connected with the civil service, the municipal service, then you get two months, two weeks in prison, I dont know how they define it. Those who went through this prison, these torture, they are already testifying," the mayor of Mariupol said.

Boichenko also said that on Tuesday, 2,000 residents of Mariupol were expected to be evacuated from the occupied Berdiansk, Zaporizhia region, where they managed to get on their own. "They have been waiting for this evacuation for two weeks already, and we announced the beginning of this evacuation, but the enemy Russian troops are destroying our plans and do not give such an opportunity for our Ukrainians, our Mariupol residents to reach the controlled part of our state, to the city of Zaporizhia... Now the convoy is moving in the direction of Zaporizhia, this evacuation is still ongoing... We are waiting for it to happen," he said.

When asked how many civilians remained in Mariupol, Boichenko replied that more than 100,000, including at least 200 directly on the territory of the Azovstal plant. "There are still civilians at Azovstal, in our fortress, which is also being destroyed and they are also waiting to be evacuated. More than 200 people of the local population are still hiding in this territory. Also, our guys continue to defend Mariupol, to defend our state More than 100,000 people remain in the city, who are also waiting for evacuation," Boichenko said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, in his traditional video message on Monday, asked the question: "Will the Israeli ambassador stay in Moscow?" after the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov.

"Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation openly and unashamedly said that supposedly the greatest anti-Semites are among the Jews themselves. And that, allegedly, Hitler had Jewish blood. How could such a thing be said before the anniversary of the victory over Nazism? These words mean that Russia's top diplomat blames the Jewish people for the crimes of the Nazis. I have no words," Zelensky said.

"Of course, there is a big scandal in Israel today because of these words. But, nevertheless, no one hears Moscow's denials or justifications. They are silent there. And that means they agree with what their foreign minister said," Zelensky said.

"There is a question. Will the Israeli ambassador stay in Moscow? Knowing their new position. Or will relations with Russia remain as usual? Since all this is not an accident," the President said.
Hungary was warned by Russia in advance about the attack on Ukraine, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov said on the air of the telethon on Monday.

"Hungary, which openly declares its cooperation with Russia. Moreover, it was warned in advance by Putin that there would be an attack on our country," he said, answering a question about the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO and the possible influence of Hungary on this process.

"For some reason, they believed that they could take part of its territory. The country that behaved this way - let's see what the consequences will be after this war for this country," he said.
New Hope for the Assyrian Churches of Iraq and Syria

Qamishli, Syria -- "The land that was attacked a few years ago by the militants of the Islamic State, who wanted to eliminate Christians, today rejoices aloud. Our faith and our Cross have won". Father Karam Shamasha, a Chaldean priest from Mosul, thus expresses his emotion at the spectacle that he has seen happen in the cities of the Nineveh Plain. The sign of the miracle that provokes their joy is not the massive return of all the baptized who fled the region in recent years and emigrated abroad, nor the political affirmation of some Christian party, but the photos of the 126 boys and girls of the cities of Alqosh and Telskuf who received their first communion at the end of April.

With the arrival of spring and Easter time, the celebrations of the first communions of children, in which the sacramental mystery of the Church is called upon, are celebrated everywhere as a powerful sign of how grace has preserved the faith in the local Christian communities, in the years of conflict and convulsions that have disrupted the daily lives of many people both in Iraq and in Syria, and after the limitations imposed on liturgical celebrations by the arrival of the pandemic.

The celebrations of first communions, precisely in their simplicity of gesture lived in the daily life of the Church, release feelings of gratitude and confidence in the future that unite all the Churches of the East in the shared testimony of the grace of Christ that acts through the sacraments.

On April 29, in Baghdad, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Church, also administered First Communion to 16 boys and girls in the Church of Saint Elias. "The gift of the sacraments and the opportunity to participate in the divine mysteries - said the Patriarch on that occasion - represent the source of Christian life: Baptism gives the new birth in Christ, and the Eucharist - added the Iraqi Cardinal, citing Saint Ephrem the Syrian - is the food of hearts for eternal life."

On Sunday, May 1, 45 young Syrian Orthodox Christians received Holy Communion for the first time in the Qamishli church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Eucharistic liturgy was celebrated by Mor Maurice Amsih, Syrian Orthodox Bishop of Jazirah and the Euphrates: "These boys and girls are for us the hope of the future, they are the new lifeblood of the Church", commented Bishop Maurice to the local Christian station Suroyo TV.
The UK intends to provide another GBP300 million ($375 million) of military assistance to Ukraine, the office of the British Prime Minister has announced.

The new batch of aid will include electronic warfare equipment and a counter-battery radar system. London also offers to supply night vision devices, satellite navigation jamming tools, heavy unmanned aerial vehicles and armored vehicles.

Britain has previously delivered more than 5,000 anti-tank missiles and five air defense systems to Ukraine worth GBP200 million.

The report says that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson intends to address the Verkhovna Rada via video link on Tuesday, during which he will announce the provision of assistance.
The National Police of Ukraine launched an investigation in connection with the shelling by Russian invaders of ten settlements in Donetsk region over the past day.

"There are dead and wounded. At least 33 civilian objects were destroyed - residential buildings, children's health institutions, a school, and life support facilities. The enemy fired at the civilian population from aviation, Grad multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, heavy artillery, and cruise missiles," the National Police said in a statement.

Over the past day, Russian troops have hit such settlements as Mariupol, Lyman, Avdiyivka, Pokrovsk, Siversk, Sviatohirsk, Yarova, Novomykolaivka, Ocheretyno, Shevchenko.

The police opened criminal proceedings under Article 438 (violation of the laws and customs of war) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says that Germany supports Ukraine and "acts decisively."

"Our goal must be that Ukraine can defend its sovereignty, its freedom and its democracy. We support them in this. We are acting prudently and adapting to the current situation. And we are acting decisively," he tweeted.

As reported, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said last week that preparations had recently begun for the next EUR 150 million loan from Germany, which will help support Ukraine's macro-financial stability.

According to him, in the second half of April, Germany issued a EUR 150 million loan to support small and medium-sized businesses, an agreement on which was reached back in March 2020.

"Minister Christian Lindner also noted that they are considering providing us with military support in the amount of EUR 1 billion, but we expected from Germany no less financial support than that provided by the UK, Canada or the United States," Marchenko said.
Israel will receive for treatment part of the Ukrainian servicemen who were wounded as a result of the Russian aggression, - The Embassy

The issue of organizing treatment in Israeli hospitals of Ukrainian servicemen wounded by Russian armed aggression was the subject of a meeting between Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk and Israeli Health Minister Nitsan Horowitz. The Embassy of Ukraine in Israel reported this on Facebook.

During the conversation, the greatest attention was paid to the organization of treatment in Israeli hospitals of Ukrainian servicemen who were wounded as a result of Russian armed aggression. It has been agreed that the Israeli side will allocate an appropriate quota, - the statement reads.

The Ambassador also thanked the Israeli side for providing humanitarian assistance, including the deployment of the Kohav Meir field hospital in the Lviv region, which recently completed its work by receiving more than 6,000 Ukrainian patients.

In order to continue the supply of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including medicines, the Ministry of Health of the State of Israel will be provided with an updated list of needs of the medical sector of Ukraine. The parties also agreed to hold a telephone conversation shortly between the heads of the Ministries of Health of Ukraine and Israel, - the Embassy said.
Russian forces in Donbas in eastern Ukraine, where most of the fighting takes place, are suffering from poor command and control, low morale, and less than ideal logistics, a senior U.S. Department of Defense official said.

"We continue to see minimal, at best, progress by the Russians in the Donbas. They are not making the progress that they had scheduled to make and that progress is uneven and incremental," the official was quoted as saying in a material on the U.S. Department of Defense website on Monday.

The Russians have had some minor gains east of the Ukrainian cities of Izyum and Popasna, the official said, adding that that progress has been anemic.

"What we saw there in Popasna is not unlike what we've seen in other hamlets in the Donbas. [The Russians] will move in and then declare victory and then withdraw their troops only to let the Ukrainians take it back. So, there was a lot of back and forth over the last couple of days," the official said.

In addition, the Pentagon noted that Russian forces appear to be risk-averse and fearful of casualties in both air and ground warfare, the official said.

Ukrainian forces continue to hold Kharkiv against nearby Russian forces. The city continues to endure Russian air strikes, the official said.

"But the Ukrainians have been doing an able job over the last 24 to 48 hours of pushing the Russians further away. And they have managed to push the Russians out about 40 kilometers to the east of Kharkiv," the official said.

That's a good example of the stiff and formidable resistance Ukrainian forces are displaying, the official said.

It is noted that Mariupol continues to be subjected to Russian air strikes.

"We continue to see them using dumb bombs in Mariupol," the official said, referring to ordnance thats not precision-guided.

Regarding security assistance to Ukraine, more than 70 of 90 M-777 howitzers the U.S. planned to send are now in Ukrainian hands, along with over 140,000 155 mm rounds that these cannons use, which is about half of the projectiles planned for delivery, the official said.

Training on those weapons continues outside of Ukraine, the official added.

From the start of the invasion 68 days ago, the Russians have launched 2,125 missiles into Ukraine, the official mentioned.
The Russian military shelled the Hlukhiv community from mortars around noon, head of the Sumy military administration Dmytro Zhyvytsky said.

"Russia again committed a provocation on the border of Sumy region. At about 12 o'clock, the enemy opened fire from mortars on the territory of Hlukhiv community. Details later," he wrote on his Telegram channel on Tuesday.
Since 2014, by starting a war against Ukraine, Russia has been destroying freedom of speech in the temporarily occupied territories, effectively turning them into an "information ghetto," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says.

"The invasion of Russian troops into the territory of Ukraine on February 24 marked a new stage of brutal repression against independent journalism in Ukraine. In two months, Russian invaders killed more than twenty Ukrainian and foreign journalists. More than a hundred regional media in the temporarily occupied territories were forced to stop working due to threats, the destruction of editorial offices, the inability to work under conditions of temporary occupation," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on World Press Freedom Day.

The ministry recalled that a recent victim of Russian armed aggression was Radio Liberty journalist Vira Hyrych, who died in a residential building in the center of Kyiv as a result of a rocket attack.

"Russia committed this crime during a visit to Ukraine by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, which showed its true attitude towards international institutions and the basic principles of international law," the Foreign Ministry said.

Along with military aggression, Russia is waging an information war, the ministry said. The list of Russian crimes against the media in Ukraine includes the murders and abductions of journalists, shelling and seizure of television towers, hacker attacks on information resource sites.

Ukrainian cities occupied or surrounded by Russia are isolated from Ukrainian information space, Ukrainian broadcasting and the work of national Internet operators are blocked there.

In the occupied territories, Russia launches the broadcast of its propaganda channels, which are used for even greater information expansion, justifying the Russian invasion and inciting ethnic hatred.

"Ukraine, together with international partners, is coordinating efforts to combat Russian propaganda and disinformation. We are grateful to those countries that have stopped broadcasting Russian propaganda resources on their territories. We call on the international community to expand sanctions against Russian media that disseminate propaganda and disinformation. The media of the aggressor state should be cut off from the possibility of distorting the facts of Russia's war against Ukraine," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry also thanked Ukrainian and international journalists who, in difficult conditions, often risking their own lives, work in war zones to bring the truth about Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Albania for its support and assistance to Ukrainian refugees.

"Thank you for the fact that the people of Albania did not hesitate whom to support in this struggle. You have definitely taken the side of freedom and truth," he told the Albanian parliament on Tuesday, speaking via video link.

"Thank you for concrete steps, for defense assistance, for supporting sanctions against Russia, for taking care of our people and accepting our children, in particular in Durres," Zelensky said.

According to the president, "such an attitude towards Ukrainians in difficult times reminds me of Holy Mother Teresa, an Albanian whose life has become a symbol of humanism."

"She taught people that good can overcome evil and get closer to the holiness that people will remember from generation to generation," Zelensky said.
Rada supports appeal to House of Representatives, Senate of US Congress on recognition of Russia as state sponsor of terrorism

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has supported an appeal to the House of Representatives and the Senate of the U.S. Congress to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Some 344 MPs voted for relevant draft resolution No.7341, member of the Holos faction Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on his Telegram channel on Tuesday.

Ukrainian parliamentarians urged the House of Representatives and the Senate of the U.S. Congress to strengthen sanctions against Russia and the states cooperating with it and supporting its terrorist regime, in particular, sanctions provided for in accordance with the status of a state sponsor of terrorism.

The Verkhovna Rada insists on the need to impose sanctions against government and business circles, political parties of Russia that support the war against Ukraine.

The MPs of Ukraine also call for the recognition of illegal formations of the so-called "LPR" and "DPR" as terrorist organizations, as well as the Russian armed forces, in particular, given the atrocities that they have committed and are committing in Ukraine, which are accompanied by special cruelty, execution civilian population, mass rape of women, men and children, as well as the creation of deliberate conditions for a humanitarian disaster.

In addition, the Ukrainian parliament called on the House of Representatives and the Senate of the U.S. Congress to support all the proposed initiatives for the systematic and maximum provision of defense, sanctions, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine, which will help the state resist in the war against the aggressor state  Russia.

Earlier, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk said the recognition of Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism would strengthen international sanctions against it and consolidate the world around Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called on Albania to limit the arrival of Russian tourists.

"I ask you to close the ports for Russian ships and limit the arrival of Russian tourists, as you can never know who came to you. Maybe the killers who were in Bucha, maybe the executioners of Mariupol, or maybe those who are working to undermine your state," he told the Albanian parliament on Tuesday, speaking via video link.

"Now that the sixth sanctions package is being prepared in Europe, we should all insist that an oil embargo should be part of it, a real blocking of any schemes that Russia uses to deceive the world and circumvent sanctions," the president said.

Zelensky said Russian banks should be completely disconnected from the financial system. He also called for an end to trade relations, "because not today or tomorrow Russia can hit your market and want some political concessions from you."
As result of regular shelling by Russian occupants, at least nine people killed in Donetsk region

As a result of regular shelling by Russian invaders, at least nine civilians were killed in Donetsk region, head of the regional military administration Pavlo Kyrylenko has said.

"The consequences of the shelling and bombing have yet to be established, but at least three killed and two wounded, eight damaged houses are already known. As a result of the morning shelling of Vuhledar, three people were killed who were going to fetch drinking water. Three more civilians were killed as a result of the shelling of Lyman," he said in his Telegram channel.

The regional military administration's head said Russian aircraft had been bombing Avdiyivka since the morning, a residential area in the central part of the city was under attack, in the evenings at night the occupiers used Hailstones in the same direction.

According to him, on Tuesday Ocheretynska community was under enemy fire. Information about casualties and destruction is being clarified.
The UK will provide Ukraine with a new GBP 3 million aid package, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.

"I can announce today from the UK government a new package of support totalling GBP 300 million, including radars to pinpoint the artillery bombarding your cities, heavy lift drones to supply your forces, and thousands of night vision devices. We will carry on supplying Ukraine, alongside your other friends, with weapons, funding and humanitarian aid, until we have achieved our long-term goal, which must be so to fortify Ukraine that no-one will ever dare to attack you again," he said in an address to the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday.

Johnson also said Russia's war against Ukraine is a "conflict that has no moral ambiguities or no grey areas" and there is no doubt whose right is here.

"This is about the right of Ukrainians to protect themselves against Putin's violent and murderous aggression. It is about Ukraine's right to independence and national self-determination, against Putins deranged imperialist revanchism. It is about Ukrainian democracy against Putin's tyranny. It is about freedom versus oppression. It is about right versus wrong. It is about good versus evil. And that is why Ukraine must win. And when we look at the heroism of the Ukrainian people and the bravery of your leader Volodomyr Zelensky - we know that Ukraine will win. And we in the UK will do everything we can to restore a free sovereign and independent Ukraine," the British Prime Minister said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in address to the parliament, said the UK, together with Ukraine, is approaching an era where peace reigns.

The head of state said on October 8, 2020 that Ukraine and Great Britain became strategic partners, and in ten weeks of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the countries went from partners to friends and brothers.

"February 24, 2022 proved that our partnership is not on paper. Our partnership is on the battlefield. The battle for common ideals and a common future... These almost ten weeks have proved that it is not scary when an evil enemy is against you, if you have a good friend next to you such as Great Britain. And Boris Johnson. And these words are not flattery, not courtesy, this is reality," Zelensky said.

According to him, Ukraine and Great Britain are together every day for the sake of one moment, the first second of victory and the advent of an era of peace.

"We are together. Every day. We are in touch. Every day. If we do not have a conversation today, it means: we are busy with what we agreed on during the conversation yesterday. And so for about ten weeks for the sake of one moment. The first second of victory. And for the sake of one era. An era where peace reigns. In Ukraine, and therefore in Europe. I thank Great Britain, which, together with us, brings this moment and era closer. Which is ready to become the guarantor of our security," the president said.

Zelensky said his gratitude is not formal, since he is sure that the UK guarantees will not be formal either.

He thanked the UK and Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally for the supply of weapons and equipment, assistance to Ukrainian settlers, assistance in investigating the war crimes of the Russian army in Ukraine, the macro-financial assistance provided, the intention to participate in the post-war reconstruction of Kyiv and Kyiv region and the sanctions imposed against Russia.

The head of state also thanked Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, English musical groups and all the people for their support.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called on the Verkhovna Rada to observe the principles of wise rationalism and healthy nationalism in its work.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, he said that in recent days he has addressed the parliaments of many countries. "But I did not contact you. This is not neglect, but rather a great trust. You are here. You know perfectly well what is happening in our country and what to do. I believe that this has not changed in almost ten weeks. I will be happy if the following becomes obvious and indisputable for you," he said.

"You are MPs of the greatest power of our time. MPs of Ukraine. Key words are people and Ukraine. The agenda of the Verkhovna Rada is obvious. The key word is order. I think that there is no time for spam, quarrels and PR, everyone already knows you. Wise rationalism and healthy nationalism are important," the president said.

He called the parliament "part of the great Ukrainian army." "Your front is a legislative field where you must work for our people, our state, our victory. Like our army and the whole country. 24/7. Without days off, unnecessary emotions, empty slogans and separation," Zelensky said.

"Today we have one party  Ukraine; one faction  Ukraine. We have one mono-majority-Ukraine  the only, strong, independent. Everything that does not help it or God forbid is worse: harms, weakens or splits should be not in the minority. This should be left in the past," the president said.

According to him, "now the absence of a deputy justifies only two things: his work abroad or in the regions for the sake of the interests of Ukraine; or, his death for the sake of the interests of Ukraine. The other is of no interest to Ukraine. It does not need another. The other is following the Russian warship."

"Do not waste time on unnecessary laws, there are important priorities for the government," the president said. "Laws must be timely like Lend-Lease. Accurate as Bayraktar and Stugna. Benefit like Neptune. Glory as our army. And go down in history. Like the people of Ukraine!" Zelensky said.
Enemy currently conducting powerful assault on the territory of Azovstal, we call for immediate measures to evacuate civilians  Azov regiment

Two women were killed and about ten civilians were wounded as a result of enemy bombardment of Azovstal in Mariupol (Donetsk region), a powerful assault on the plant's territory is underway, civilians must be evacuated, the Azov regiment said.

"Today, on May 3, enemy naval artillery, cannon artillery worked all night on the territory of Azovstal plant, super-heavy air bombs were dropped. As a result of these criminal actions, two civilian women were killed, about ten civilians were injured of varying severity. As of now, a powerful assault is taking place territory of Azovstal, with the support of armored vehicles, tanks, with attempts to land troops, with the help of boats and a large number of infantry," the commander of Azov regiment, Captain Sviatoslav Palamar said in an urgent video statement published on the Telegram channel.

He said the military will do everything possible to repel the enemy assault, but called for immediate measures to evacuate the civilians who are on the territory of the plant to the territory controlled by Ukraine.
The UK government is sending 13 protective armoured vehicles to Ukraine, to safely evacuate people from the shelled areas in east of the country, the UK government has announced.

"The intentional targeting of innocent civilians is a war crime. This latest donation of armoured vehicles will help protect innocent Ukrainians attempting to flee Russian shelling and support Ukrainian officials carrying out vital work," Foreign Secretary of the UK Liz Truss said.

The steel-plated vehicles will be sent following a direct request from the Ukraine government for safe and resilient transport for civilians. They will also be used to transport officials from Ukrainian ministries to temporary command posts set up for government work and the rebuilding of key infrastructure, such as energy supplies, in besieged areas, the government said. The Ukrainian police and the National Guard will also utilise the fleet to rebuild vital railway lines in the east of Ukraine.

"The fleet is made up of highly specialised 4x4s that have been upgraded with armour to resist high velocity bullets, anti-personnel mines and improvised explosive devices  all tactics which have been used by Russian forces to slaughter civilians," the UK government said in the statement.

The vehicles, donated from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office's fleet, will start to arrive in the east of Ukraine in the coming days with UK government logistics teams working with partners on the ground to dispatch them as quickly as possible.

"That package includes 220 million to provide medical supplies and basic necessities on the ground, saving lives and protecting vulnerable people. This includes support through the UN, the Red Cross and NGOs, including the DEC and UK-Med," the UK government said in the statement.

The UK has also sent a rapid donation of food supplies following a request from the government, committed to donating up to 42 ambulances to help bring vital lifesaving care, and sent more than 5 million medical items to support lifesaving work in Ukraine. The UK has also been playing a lead role in supporting Ukraine militarily, committing to provide Stormer armoured vehicles, Air Defence Systems, 120 armoured vehicles, new anti-ship missiles, and over 5,000 anti-tank missiles, in addition to the Challenger 2 tanks provided to Poland to backfill those they are donating to Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine at second reading adopted bill No.7172-1, which provides for a ban on political parties whose programmatic goals are aimed at justifying, recognizing the lawful or denying the Russian armed aggression against Ukraine, as well as justifying the actions of pro-Russian militants in the temporarily occupied territories.

According to head of the Servant of the People political party Olena Shuliak, some 330 parliamentarians voted for the adoption of the relevant bill on Tuesday.

"The activities of pro-Russian parties will now be banned in Ukraine. The MPs supported the decision with 330 votes. Finally, we will stop tolerating the 'Russian world' in our political circle, which brings only destruction in Ukraine," Shuliak said in Telegram on Tuesday.

MPs Yaroslav Zhelezniak and Olha Sovhyria also announced the adoption by the Rada of a bill to ban pro-Russian parties in their Telegram channels.

Zhelezniak said that 17 MPs voted for this bill, who, before the start of the Russian invasion, were members of the faction of the Opposition Platform For Life party (the activity of the political force was banned by the National Security and Defense Council) in parliament.
Since the beginning of the war, Russian invaders have stolen a total of 400,000 tonnes of grain crops from four temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine  a third of the volumes stored in these territories, First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky said on the air of the Espresso TV channel on Tuesday.

According to him, this can deprive Ukrainians of food in the occupied regions and creates a threat of starvation for them.

"There were about 1.3 million tonnes of grain in the currently temporarily occupied territories. These are not some kind of strategic reserves, but what is needed to ensure daily food security, that is, food for Ukrainians living there, as well as sowing spring crops. And we confirm the facts of the takeoff of grain in each of the occupied regions: Zaporizhia, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson," Vysotsky emphasized.

According to him, the Russian occupiers took out about 100,000 tonnes of grain from each specified region.

"Such behavior is alarming. But a similar situation could happen with a new crop. As a result, there may be a physical shortage of food to feed Ukrainians in these territories, and this is a threat of hunger," the deputy minister summed up.

As reported, the stocks of basic food available in Ukraine are enough to feed its population for several years, in particular, sunflower oil stocks for Ukrainians will last almost 10 years. According to Minister of Agrarian Policy Mykola Solsky, Ukraine annually consumes 5-7 million tonnes of grain crops, while the country's granaries contain 20 million tonnes of grain from last season and 30 million tonnes of this season's harvest are expected.
Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said that Ukraine will continue to evacuate Mariupol and Azovstal.

"Finally safe. Today, 156 civilians, whom we evacuated on May 1 from Mariupol and the territory of Azovstal steel plant, have arrived in Zaporizhia," he said on his Telegram channel on Tuesday.

According to Yermak, "it was a difficult trip, the Russians held up the buses with checks, but now we have completed the operation to save people. I want to confirm that we continue to evacuate Mariupol and Azovstal. Ukraine is doing everything to take away our people and military."
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hoped for a much larger number of evacuees in the operation in Mariupol at Azovstal and calls on all parties to reach agreements as soon as possible on the continuation of such operations, reaffirming their readiness to continue participating in them, Head of the ICRC delegation in Ukraine Pascal Hundt said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"This complex operation has allowed civilians to leave Azovstal and the Mariupol area, though we had hoped that more people would have been able to join. Similar agreements between the parties are urgently required to alleviate the immense suffering of civilians trapped in hostilities," he said.

Hundt said that 50 buses and 15 ambulances moved from Zaporizhia to Mariupol in a convoy, but as a result of the operation, 130 to 150 people were evacuated from the occupied territories to Zaporizhia. The ICRC representative said due to the fact that they had no idea about the number of people they could help evacuate, they, after consulting with the Ukrainian government, decided to mobilize as many buses as possible.

According to him, about 100, possibly 101 civilians were taken directly from Azovstal.

The head of the ICRC delegation said the agreement concerned exclusively civilians, and there was no agreement between the parties on the military.

He found it difficult to estimate how many more civilians were left at Azovstal, since the ICRC representatives did not manage to go down inside all the buildings. An ICRC spokesman, in response to questions, admitted that the remaining civilians may have many reasons why they did not come out, including the fear of going outside after four weeks in the shelter.

"The ICRC has not forgotten the people who are still there, nor those in other areas affected by the hostilities or those in dire need of humanitarian relief, wherever they are. We will not spare any effort to reach them," Hundt said, adding that the ICRC is extremely concerned about today's data on the resumption of heavy shelling of Azovstal.

In response to a question about whether the occupants filtered the evacuees, the head of the delegation said that international law gives the parties the right to carry out security checks, but the ICRC was not involved in this process.

He confirmed that several people from the evacuees from Azovstal did not continue their trip to Zaporizhia, and this was their choice for one reason or another.

The ICRC representative said the convoy managed to take some more people during the movement in Zaporizhis. According to him, the number of applicants, for example, in Manhush and Berdiansk, was much larger, but this, unfortunately, was not part of the original agreement between the parties.

He also said the convoy included about a dozen sick and wounded civilians, but not in critical condition.

In general, Hundt described the operation as extremely delicate and complex, noting that it lasted five days and required constant negotiations between the parties, facilitated by the ICRC in coordination with the UN on all practical aspects.

The head of the ICRC delegation said the testimonies received from the evacuees were simply heartbreaking. Hundt said they believe that many more such operations are needed to alleviate the suffering of these people and this is an urgent appeal making today by them.
European leaders blasted Russia's decision to cut natural gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria as ``blackmail,'' saying the cutoff and the Kremlin's warning that it might cease shipments to other countries is a failed attempt to divide the West over its support for Ukraine.

Russia's move Wednesday to use its most essential export as leverage marked a dramatic escalation in the economic war of sanctions and countersanctions that has unfolded in parallel to the fighting on the battlefield.

The tactic against the two EU and NATO members could eventually force targeted nations to ration gas and deal another blow to economies suffering from rising prices. At the same time, it could deprive Russia of badly needed income to fund its war effort.

Poland has been a major gateway for the delivery of weapons to Ukraine and confirmed this week that it is sending the country tanks. Just hours before Russia's state energy giant Gazprom acted, Poland announced a new set of sanctions against the company and other Russian businesses and oligarchs.

Bulgaria, under a new liberal government that took office last fall, has cut many of its old ties to Moscow and likewise supported punitive measures against the Kremlin. It has also hosted Western fighter jets at a new NATO outpost on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast.

The gas cuts do not immediately put the two countries in any dire trouble. Poland, especially, has been working for many years to line up other suppliers, and the continent is heading into summer, making gas less essential for households.

Also, Russian gas deliveries to both Poland and Bulgaria were expected to end later this year anyway.

Still, the cutoff and the Kremlin warning that other countries could be next sent shivers of worry through the 27-nation European Union. Germany is the world's biggest buyer of Russian energy, and Italy is also a significant consumer, though they, too, have been taking steps to reduce their dependence on Moscow.

``It comes as no surprise that the Kremlin uses fossil fuels to try to blackmail us,'' said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. ``Today, the Kremlin failed once again in his attempt to sow division amongst member states. The era of Russian fossil fuel in Europe is coming to an end.''

Gazprom said it shut off the two countries because they refused to pay in rubles, as President Vladimir Putin has demanded of ``unfriendly`` nations. The Kremlin said other countries may be cut off if they don't agree to the payment arrangement.

European countries have balked at Russia's demand for rubles. Moscow has since proposed a system that it says satisfies its demand _ but that the Europeans say means they are still paying in either euros or dollars.

``Europe (and) Germany will make payments in euros and others may pay in dollars, and not in rubles,'' Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Wednesday. ``The conversion, once the payments have been made, is a matter for Gazprom. We have discussed this with the European Union. We will continue down this path.''

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told his country's parliament that he believes Poland's support for Ukraine _ and the new sanctions imposed by Warsaw on Tuesday _ were the real reasons behind the gas cutoff.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov called the suspension blackmail, adding: ``We will not succumb to such a racket.''

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia views gas as a weapon for political blackmail and ``sees a united Europe as a target.''

On the battlefield, fighting continued in the country's east along a largely static front line some 300 miles (480 kilometers) long.

Russia claimed its missiles hit a batch of weapons that the U.S. and European nations had delivered to Ukraine. One person was killed and at least two were injured when rockets hit a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv.

Western officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence findings, said Russia has made slow progress in the eastern Donbas region, with ``minor gains,'' including the capture of villages and small towns south of Izyum and on the outskirts of Rubizhne.

Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, conceded that Russia has made some progress in its advance on Rubizhne through its nearly constant bombardment, but that Ukrainian troops are fighting back and retreating only when there is nothing left to defend.

``There is no point in staying on territory that has been fired on so often that every meter is well known,'' he said.

Maxim, a Ukrainian tank commander in the Donbas who didn't give his last name, offered his rationale for why Ukrainian forces have been able to hold back the better-equipped Russian army: ``The strength is not in the tank; the strength is in the people.''

The Western officials said some Russian troops have been shifted from the gutted southern port city of Mariupol to other parts of the Donbas. But some remain in Mariupol to fight Ukrainian forces holed up at the Azovstal steel plant, the last stronghold in the city. About 1,000 civilians were said to be taking shelter there with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders.

``The situation is very difficult. There are huge problems with water, food,'' Serhii Volynskyi, commander of the marine unit inside the plant, said in a Facebook video message. He said hundreds of fighters and civilians were wounded and in need of medical help, and those inside included children, older people and disabled people.

In the Black Sea port city of Kherson, which Russian forces have occupied since early in the war, a series of explosions boomed late Wednesday near the television tower and at least temporarily knocked Russian channels off the air, Ukrainian and Russian news organizations reported.

Just across the border from the Donbas in Russia, an ammunition depot in the Belgorod region burned after several explosions were heard, the governor said. Blasts were also reported in Russia's Kursk region near the border, and authorities in Russia's Voronezh region said an air defense system shot down a drone.

Earlier this week, an oil storage facility in the Russian city of Bryansk was engulfed by fire.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak hinted at the country's involvement in the fires, saying in a Telegram post that ``karma (is) a harsh thing.''

With the help of Western arms, Ukrainian forces managed to thwart Russian forces' attempt to storm Kyiv. Moscow now says its focus is the capture of the Donbas, Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland.

A defiant Putin vowed Russia will achieve its military goals, telling parliament, ``All the tasks of the special military operation we are conducting in the Donbas and Ukraine, launched on Feb. 24, will be unconditionally fulfilled.''

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Germany's top court said Tuesday that it has rejected the appeal of a former member of Syria's secret police who was convicted last year of facilitating the torture of prisoners in his home country.

In a landmark ruling, a court in the western German city of Koblenz had convicted Eyad Al-Gharib of accessory to crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 4 1/2 years in prison.

The verdict, which was the first time that a court outside Syria ruled in a case alleging Syrian government officials committed crimes against humanity, was welcomed by human rights activists and victims of President Bashar Assad's repression.

Al-Gharib, 45, had appealed the sentence, noting that his testimony to German investigators provided significant evidence for the subsequent conviction of a second, more senior Syrian former official.

The Federal Court of Justice said it found no legal errors in the verdict or sentence imposed by the Koblenz court, meaning that the ruling cannot now be challenged.

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Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea and a delegation from Mercedes-Benz Egypt discussed in Cairo on Tuesday boosting the companys projects in the country.

In a meeting with the delegation, which was headed by Mercedes-Benz Egypt CEO Gerd Bitterlich, Gamea asserted that her ministry is keen on encouraging foreign investors operating in Egypt to expand their businesses, especially given the suitable investment environment in the country.

Egypt announced in January of this year that the country is set to manufacture its first electric vehicle in 2023.

Gamea asserted that the Egyptian market possesses all the potential for becoming a hub for car manufacturing in the Middle East and Africa.

She added that the government is keen on easing all obstacles facing investors.

For his part, Bitterlich asserted that Mercedes-Benz supports the goals of the Egyptian government in localising the car industry, adding that Egypt is a promising and pivotal market in the Middle East for manufacturing Mercedes-Benz cars.

Bitterlich said that Mercedes-Benz saw great growth in the Egyptian market during the past few years, citing as an example the companys logistics centre being built in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) on an area of 20,000 square metres.

Mercedes-Benz Egypt signed an agreement with the SCZone to establish this logistics centre in July 2021. The centre will include a warehouse for cars and spare parts as well as maintenance workshops.

The company has also increased the number of its agents in the Egyptian market to five authorised distributors, including 12 showrooms for sales and after-sale services.

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has issued pardons for 986 male and female prison inmates on the occasion of Eid El-Fitr, the Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday.

The Social Protection Sector at the ministry prepared the list of prisoners to be pardoned on Sinai Liberation Day and Eid El-Fitr in accordance with a presidential pardon decree issued by President El-Sisi in mid-April.

The Eid El-Fitr presidential pardon comes two weeks after the release of 3,273 prisoners by presidential decree on the occasion of Sinai Liberation Day.

Egyptian presidents traditionally issue pardons several times a year, usually on major national and religious holidays.

Last week, President El-Sisi ordered the reactivation of the presidential pardon committee that studies the possibility of releasing inmates imprisoned in non-terrorism-related crimes.

The committee was first formed in October 2016 and facilitated the release of hundreds of prisoners via presidential pardon at the time.

Last week, the prosecution also released 41 pretrial detainees, including many activists.

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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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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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Police in Armenia on Tuesday detained more than 200 anti-government protesters as opposition parties up pressure on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan over his handling of a territorial dispute with Azerbaijan.

Protests erupted in Yerevan on Sunday with the opposition demanding Pashinyan's resignation accusing him of plotting to cede to Baku all the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Demonstrations continued Monday and there were chaotic scenes on Tuesday in central Yerevan where police detained dozens of people as groups of protesters blocked traffic on all main streets.

The country's interior ministry said in a statement that "206 demonstrators were detained" in Yerevan and several provincial cities.

These are the worst protests since the elections last September, highlighting continued bitterness over Pashinyan's leadership during a war in 2020.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a decades-long dispute over Karabakh, Azerbaijan's Armenian-populated region.

The enclave was at the center of a six-week war in 2020 that claimed more than 6,500 lives before it ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement.

Opposition leader and parliament vice-speaker Ishkhan Saghatelyan said: "Pashinyan is a traitor and permanent street protests, which are mounting, will force him to resign."

He announced a protest rally for Tuesday evening in Yerevan's central Square of France where thousands rallied against Pashinyan on Sunday and Monday.

One of the protesters, 57-year-old blacksmith Sergei Hovhannisyan, said: "Nikol must go, he will go, because he is a symbol of defeat and Armenia has no future with such a leader.

"He is ready to give away Karabakh for which we have shed our blood," he told AFP.

Opposition parties accuse Pashinyan of plans to give away all of Karabakh to Azerbaijan after he told lawmakers last month that the "international community calls on Armenia to scale down demands on Karabakh".

Under the Moscow-brokered deal, Armenia ceded swathes of territory it had controlled for decades and Russia deployed some 2,000 peacekeepers to oversee the truce.

The pact was seen in Armenia as a national humiliation and sparked weeks of anti-government protests, leading Pashinyan to call snap parliamentary polls which his party, Civil Contract, won last September.

Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The ensuing conflicts claimed around 30,000 lives.

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Ghada Sabateen - a widow and mother of six children in her forties - was shot dead by Isreali soldiers at the eastern entrance of Husan village in Bethlehem governorate.

The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Tor Wennesland stated that Ms. Sabateen "did not pose any threat to the soldiers who killed her, calling for a 'comprehensive investigation into such acts."

In the village of Faqqua, Jenin district, Hanan khadour - a high school student - also died after being shot by Israeli soldiers.

Ghada and Hanan are two tragic examples of the bitter reality that women and girls are more vulnerable during wars and humanitarian crises, as is the case in Palestine where violence, suffering and needs are permanent features of their lives.

The United Nations Population Fund and Women's Affairs Center in Gaza issued a report to assess the needs of women and girls in the Gaza Strip following eleven days of military operations from 10th to 21st May 2021. The assessment indicated that 40 women and 23 girls lost their lives, while about 400 were injured and 10% of them are going to suffer from a prolonged disability 6 months after the injury.

The operations also resulted in 101 new widows, not to mention the displacement of more than 107,000 people, 8400 of whom are still displaced, more than half of them are women and girls.

The conflict also causes numerous psychological problems for women and girls, including anxiety, tension, nervousness, excessive irritability, intense fear, sleep disturbances, eating disorders, pessimism, sadness, frustration and many other psychological disorders.

Women bear the burden of taking care of children and families in an atmosphere of fear, terror, insecurity, threats to life, power cuts, water shortages, and lack of resources.

The stresses of occupation and conflict are direct factors that contribute to higher levels of violence within families, including gender-based violence, early and forced marriage, domestic and sexual violence, harassment, denial of equitable access to resources, and psychological abuse.

According to the results of the latest survey on violence issued by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics in 2019, about 29% of married or ever-married women have experienced at least once some form of violence (psychological, social, physical, sexual or economic) during their lifetime.

The most common form of violence is psychological violence, reaching up to 52%, while the prevalence of physical violence has reached 17%. For example, in 2021, mental health service providers reported an increase in cases of gender-based violence and violence against women and children and the situation worsened after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) works hard to guarantee and protect the safety, rights and dignity of women and girls everywhere, as efforts made to eliminate the causes of violence and respond to its consequences were insufficient.

According to the current data, only 1.4% of those exposed to violence sought help from a lawyer or specialist, and this is mainly due to the scarcity of essential care services and referral services available for survivors of gender-based violence. Even when those services are available, they are scattered and their quality varies from one area to another.

It is high time that the protection of women and girls, their needs, their empowerment and the guarantee of their human rights are at the heart of interventions by official bodies and local, regional and international partners.

The United Nations Population Fund calls on all states and parties to protect women and not tolerate their killing in all contexts and circumstances.

* The writer is the UNFPA Arab States Regional Director

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Russian President Vladimir Putin told French counterpart Emmanuel Macron Tuesday the West must stop supplying weapons to Ukraine and accused Kyiv of not taking talks to end the conflict seriously, the Kremlin said.

Accusing Ukrainian forces of committing war crimes and claiming the EU was "ignoring" them, Putin told Macron "the West could help stop these atrocities by putting relevant pressure on the Kyiv authorities, as well as halting the supply of weapons to Ukraine".

Putin also said Kyiv was not being consistent or ready for "serious work" on ending the conflict.

"The Russian side is still open to dialogue," the Russian leader told Macron, according to the Kremlin readout.

Macron for his part, according to the Kremlin, said global food security was under threat due to the Ukraine conflict.

Putin linked the situation to Western sanctions against Russia and "noted the importance of the unimpeded functioning of the global logistics and transport infrastructure", the Kremlin said.

Macron is one of the few Western leaders to speak to Putin since Moscow moved troops into Ukraine on February 24, spending hours on telephone calls trying to negotiate a resolution to the conflict.

The conflict has killed thousands of people and displaced more than 13 million, creating the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

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Germany's conservative opposition leader traveled to Kyiv on Tuesday for meetings with Ukrainian officials including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz made clear that he wouldn't be visiting Ukraine any time soon.

Scholz has traded barbs with Ukrainian officials in recent weeks because of Kyiv's refusal to invite Germany's head of state, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whom Ukraine accuses of cozying up to Russia during his time as foreign minister.

``It can't work that a country that provides so much military aid, so much financial aid ... you then say that the president can't come,'' Scholz told public broadcaster ZDF late Monday.

Ukraine's ambassador in Berlin, Andrij Melnyk, responded Tuesday by calling Scholz's refusal to visit ``not very statesmanlike.''

``This is about the most brutal war of extermination since the Nazi invasion of Ukraine, it's not kindergarten,'' he said.

German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who heads former Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Union bloc, visited the town of Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, to see the destruction caused by the Russian army.

Speaking to reporters against a backdrop of shelled buildings, Merz expressed his ``full admiration'' to the Ukrainian military for having halted the Russian advance at Irpin, and pledged to help the town rebuild.

German daily Bild reported that Merz later met for an hour with Zelenskyy at his presidential office. Merz's visit to Kyiv comes days before two German state elections in which his Christian Democratic Union is hoping to retain power.

The Union bloc joined Germany's three governing parties in a non-binding vote backing the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine last week.

German media report that the government is planning to approve further armaments for Ukraine soon, including large self-propelled howitzers.

Critics, particularly on the far-left and right, have argued against providing weapons to Ukraine, saying Germany risks being drawn into a conflict with Russia.

German authorities say they have recorded the arrival of some 400,000 refugees from Ukraine since the start of the war.

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A top European Union official is joining the leaders of four Balkan countries on a tour Tuesday of liquefied natural gas facilities being built in northern Greece to challenge Russia's energy dominance in the region.

Charles Michel, who heads the European Council, met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the leaders of Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and non-NATO member Serbia at the Greek port of Alexandroupolis.

An LNG import terminal near the port city is due to start operation next year.

``This is not just an energy project. It will change the energy map of Europe,'' Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said. ``The Balkans is a region of 65 million people, and we can do so much more.''

Russia last week cut off natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland over a demand to guarantee payment in rubles, in an escalating dispute triggered by the invasion of Ukraine.

The European Union is racing to secure alternative supplies, placing priority on global LNG imports from countries that include major producers like Algeria, Qatar, and the United States.

Also present at the meetings were North Macedonian Premier Dimitar Kovachevski and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

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More than 3,000 people died or went missing in the Mediterranean and Atlantic while trying to reach Europe last year -- double the toll from 2020, the United Nations said Friday.

A fresh report from the UN refugee agency demanded urgent action to combat surging deaths among refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants trying to reach Europe.

Last year, a total of 3,077 people were lost while trying to cross the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes to the continent, the report showed, up from 1,544 in 2020.

"Alarmingly, since the beginning of the year, an additional 478 people have also died or gone missing at sea," UNHCR spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo told reporters in Geneva.

The report showed that for 2021, 1,924 people were reported dead or missing on the Central and Western Mediterranean routes, while another 1,153 perished on the North African maritime route to the Canary Islands.

"Most of the sea crossings took place in packed, unseaworthy, inflatable boats, many of which capsized or were deflated leading to the loss of life," Mantoo said.

The sea journey from countries on the West African coast such as Mauritania and Senegal to the Canary Islands was particularly perilous, she said, pointing out that the crossing could take up to 10 days.

"Many boats drifted off course or otherwise went missing without a trace in these waters," she said.

The UNHCR report cautioned that land routes were also "highly dangerous".

"Even greater numbers may have died on journeys through the Sahara Desert and remote border areas, in detention centres, or while in the captivity of smugglers or traffickers," Mantoo said.

UNHCR warned that the Covid-19 pandemic and related border closures had complicated movement further and had forced many desperate refugees and migrants to turn to smugglers to make their perilous journeys.

The UN agency also cautioned that political instability and conflicts, as well as climate change, could increase such dangerous displacement going forward.

"UNHCR is appealing for support to help provide meaningful alternatives to these dangerous journeys and prevent people from becoming victims of traffickers," Mantoo said.

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Some 50,000 foreign workers are expected to return this month as Korea lifts travel restrictions, helping to ease labor shortages in small businesses, farming and fisheries.

The government last Friday decided to allow foreigners with work visas from 16 countries like the Philippines and Vietnam to enter the country on condition that they have been fully vaccinated. Arrival caps restricting them to 50 a day or 600 a week will also be lifted.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, around 50,000 foreign workers arrived every year, but their number dropped to about 7,000 per year in the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, all foreign workers will have to go into quarantine in a government-run facility for 10 days. Workers from five high-risk countries -- Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines and Uzbekistan -- must show a vaccination certificate and a negative COVID-19 test issued within 72 hours before boarding.

Workers from 11 other countries, which include Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, can enter the country unless they are tested positive for the virus but must get inoculated here.

In a survey by the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Businesses in September, 729 small manufacturers complained about difficulties caused by a labor shortage.


An official of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business said, "We've been inundated with phone calls from small business owners asking for foreign workers."

According to the Justice Ministry, E-9 non-professional employment visas that allow holders to work in farming or manufacturing were issued to 219,000 Cambodians, Nepalese and other foreigners as of February, down 58,000 from late 2019. The number of ethnic Koreans from China or central Asian countries nearly halved from about 226,000 to some 120,000 over the period.

Foreign workers who left during the coronavirus pandemic are unlikely to return soon even though Korea has lifted travel restrictions, leaving many small businesses here high and dry.

One 55-year-old farmer and his wife are working only with a Cambodian man and his wife on their cucumber farm with over 20 greenhouses in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. "I've failed to find any more foreign regular workers since two Vietnamese returned to their country last December."

This is also a problem for restaurants that typically rely on Korean-Chinese workers. The 59-year-old owner of a pork hock restaurant in Seoul complains that nobody has responded to a job opening notice he posted two months earlier, expecting the end of the pandemic.

The harder it is to find foreign workers, the higher the wages or bonuses are offered to them. "I've promised the Cambodians that I'll increase their October bonus from W1 million to W3 million to keep them from leaving," the cucumber farmer said (US$1=W1,267).

The shortage will likely remain unresolved for the time being. Tens of thousands of daily new COVID cases are still occurring in Korea and many other countries, and many international flights have not resumed yet.

An official with the Ministry of Employment and Labor said, "In 2019, about 4,000 E-9 visa holders arrived every month. We're trying to make sure that more will come this year."
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to send his Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi to president-elect Yoon Seok-youl's inauguration on May 10. The dispatch is a tentative conciliatory gesture after years of icy relations.

When he was foreign minister himself, Kishida attended former President Park Geun-hye's inauguration in 2013 as a special envoy of then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Last week, People Power Party lawmaker Chung Jin-suk met with Kishida for 25 minutes and delivered a personal invite from Yoon. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, a more pro-Korean politician, will also attend the inauguration.


The lifting of most coronavirus restrictions means big outdoor gatherings can resume after a two-year hiatus. Shopping malls, amusement parks, restaurants and theaters have started to attract large crowds again raising hopes of a recovery in private consumption.

Samsung invited around 2,000 users of the Galaxy S22 phone to Everland amusement park in Yongin south of Seoul last Saturday where they got to enjoy the rides and watched a performance. It was the first time in three years that Samsung hosted such a large event.

Family-oriented events in May are raising hopes of a brisk recovery in consumer spending. Lotte Department Store is holding an exhibition of British pop artist Jon Burgerman's works at its 32 branches until the end of this month, and 3.5 million people flocked to the retailer's stores last weekend.

Hyundai Department Store also started similar exhibitions and other events at its 24 branches nationwide, while Shinsegae's Starfield shopping malls held a big balloon event.

Christian Dior held a fashion show at Ewha Womans University last Saturday that drew around 600 people including celebrities and influencers.


Autoritatile romane au pierdut-o pe Elena Udrea prin puscariile din Bulgaria si emit un ordin european de ancheta
By Ayano Shimizu, KYODO NEWS - May 3, 2022 - 10:53 | Feature, All, Japan

A growing list of Japanese companies have opened the door for employees to work four days a week, instead of five, offering them more flexibility so they can improve their work-life balance to meet responsibilities at home or acquire new skills outside of their workplace.

While companies can benefit from introducing the compressed work schedule as it can help attract more talent or prevent employees from leaving, it remains to be seen whether the relatively new workstyle will gain traction in Japan.

Panasonic Holdings Corp. became the latest company to embrace the four-day workweek, with the industrial conglomerate saying last month it will give some of its employees the option of taking a third day off during the current fiscal year through March.

Panasonic's announcement came after the Japanese government stated in its annual economic policy guideline last year that it encourages firms to offer an optional four-day workweek, as it can benefit workers for various purposes, such as child rearing, taking care of elderly family members and volunteering.

Panasonic, which will introduce the scheme on an experimental basis, joins other firms, including conglomerate Hitachi Ltd., Mizuho Financial Group Inc. and Fast Retailing Co., the operator of the Uniqlo clothing chain, to accept the four-day workweek.

"It is our responsibility to ensure a work-life balance to our diverse workers," Panasonic President Yuki Kusumi told a press conference in January.

Hiromi Murata, a senior researcher at Recruit Works Institute, said, "Companies see the four-day workweek as a way to hold onto skilled employees as it takes time to hire someone new and raise them to the same level."

"There are many skilled workers, including mothers with small children, who cannot work five days a week. So firms can improve their chances of hiring someone with good qualifications if they implement the four-day workweek," she added.

As of last year, 8.5 percent of companies were giving employees more days off than under a five-day workweek, according to a survey conducted on over 4,000 companies by the labor ministry.

Among companies that have accepted the optional four-day workweek, pharmaceutical firm Shionogi & Co. began allowing workers to take a third day off in April in the hope that they will acquire new skills or develop a network of contacts through additional education or working a second job.

As the Osaka-based drugmaker aims to expand its business to health care services using digital platforms, it saw the four-day workweek as an opportunity for employees to obtain knowhow in the digital field, the company's public relations official said.

"We want workers to meet new people and experience things that they cannot at this company, and thus make use of them in their jobs here," the official said.

Shionogi, which has applied to the health ministry for approval for its COVID-19 drug, will give employees on a four-day workweek about 80 percent of their regular salary. But the firm allows workers to take a second job.

Meanwhile, Hitachi said in April it will allow employees to organize their work schedule flexibly, allowing them to take a four-day workweek, as long as they meet the necessary work hours per month.

In the new labor system to be introduced at a later time, Hitachi employees will receive the same level of salary even if they take a third day off.

Panasonic said last month it will decide on the specifics about the salary of workers on a four-day workweek before its launch.

"Companies that have so far accepted the system in Japan have done so in a way that won't cause a burden" on their finance, said Takuya Hoshino, a senior economist at the Dai-ichi Life Research Institute.

"The importance of meeting employees' hopes to work flexibly has increased as Japan's working population is expected to shrink in the future" due to the country's aging population, he said.

However, there are still doubts whether the new workstyle will gain popularity in Japan, where many companies only began offering two days off per week in the late 1980s.

A survey by job information provider Mynavi Corp. released in February found that 78.5 percent of workers between in their 20s and 50s said they did not want to take three days off if their pay was cut.

Furthermore, 60.1 percent of the 800 respondents said it was impossible to introduce a four-day week at their workplace. Their reasons varied from being understaffed or the workload being too great.

While Murata of Recruit Works Institute said the disadvantages of the four-day workweek include the difficulty of managing work shifts and the lack of communication among workers, she said that large firms that will embrace the work schedule could set an example.

"Whether the four-day workweek brings benefits varies depending on the industry or type of jobs that workers have. Japanese companies could implement the idea on a trial basis and see whether it works for them," Murata said.

"More firms may follow if they learn the benefits from those that have already utilized it," she said.
KYODO NEWS - May 3, 2022 - 13:09 | Feature, All, Japan, Coronavirus

Major Japanese travel agency H.I.S. Co. has decided to move into agriculture to diversify its revenue sources after a tough period in which the coronavirus pandemic dealt a heavy blow to the tourism sector.

H.I.S. Farmers Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of the travel firm, was set up in April to produce and sell fresh fruits and vegetables.

The company is not ignoring its core business, though, as it plans to incorporate tours at the farms to allow people to have a hands-on agricultural experience.

The company has started growing cherry tomatoes at a farm north of Tokyo in Hasuda, Saitama Prefecture, with the produce available for purchase via its website. The company plans on expanding its sales channels from May onward.

H.I.S. has also obtained a 5,000-square-meter property, including abandoned farmland, in Nichinan, Miyazaki Prefecture, to produce grapefruits. It plans to ship the products from the southwestern Japan area in 2025 after expanding the cultivation area.

It plans to work with local farmers to make processed goods using fruit juices it produces, the company said.

H.I.S. Farmers is planning on branching out across the country, including to the city of Yamagata, after its parent company and the northeastern Japanese city concluded a pact last year to revitalize the area through tourism and farming.

At each location, the H.I.S. unit will introduce farming experience tours to provide an in-person experience of cultivation and harvesting. It is considering offering its fresh produce at theme park Huis Ten Bosch, operated by the parent firm in Nagasaki Prefecture in southwestern Japan.

The travel agency was badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, incurring a net loss for the second consecutive business year ended October last year.

After soliciting new businesses within the company, it launched a team in 2020 to oversee a farming project.
By Wakako Jo, KYODO NEWS - May 3, 2022 - 18:43 | Feature, All, Japan, Coronavirus

Debate is emerging in Japan over how much longer people should wear masks to combat the coronavirus.

With the sixth domestic wave of infections on the wane, many are expressing signs of impatience as countries abroad abandon face-coverings in certain situations in line with expert advice.

Some Japanese experts are also advising an easing of restrictions, such as removing them when people are outdoors and practicing social-distancing. Deliberations on the issue appear to be gathering steam at the government's expert panel on COVID-19.

On April 20, Toshio Nakagawa, president of the Japan Medical Association, spoke up for the current policy at a press conference, saying, "I don't expect the day will come in Japan when people will remove their masks 'in a life with COVID-19'."

But frustration is brewing on the internet as the country enters its third year of life with mask use urged in public spaces. People on social media complain of "infections spreading even though nearly everyone has been wearing masks" and "feelings of desperation."

At a press conference on April 27, Nakagawa repeated his view that people should continue to wear masks as long as the fear of infection from COVID-19 remains. Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Shigeyuki Goto added that "wearing masks is extremely important."

However, Daishiro Yamagiwa, the minister for economic and fiscal policy, said during a television program on April 24, "I think masks are no longer necessary outdoors," adding that relaxing mask use in stages is a realistic prospect.

On the same program, Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai called for reviewing measures taken so far to prevent COVID-19, revealing that he has been publicly stressing that masks are unnecessary as long as enough distance is maintained between people.

Members of the government's expert panel mentioned the need for taking a clear stance on the question of when to lift the mask recommendation during its meeting on April 27.

"I have been saying that the time of either-or has gone," Shigeru Omi, head of the panel, told reporters following the meeting.

Saying the situation has moved on from a period of growing infections when people were uniformly advised to wear masks, Omi said the panel would discuss the question based on "rational standards."

Mask requirements are easing overseas. The United States has lifted a federal mask mandate, while the use of masks has become unnecessary in countries such as Britain and France.

In Japan, the number of daily new infections stood at 40,443 on April 26, and 51.8 percent of its population had been vaccinated for the third time by then, according to government data.

"Even under the current state of infections, there is no problem to remove masks outdoors, if enough distance is maintained between people in activities such as those in the park or out for walks," said Atsuo Hamada, specially appointed professor of infectious diseases at Tokyo Medical University.

As the risk of heatstroke increases with hotter weather, the question is not whether people should uniformly wear masks or remove them but "how to respond (to infections) depending on the situation," Hamada said.

As for the removal of masks in crowded indoor spaces, Hamada reckoned it is essential that more than 60 percent of people in Japan be vaccinated for the third time as in Europe.

"The government should show a roadmap toward easing the mask restriction gradually in four to five stages," he added.
Ho Chi Minh Citys apartment supply drops in Q1

Ho Chi Minh Citys apartment market saw supply decline in the first quarter.



According to a report by Savills Vietnam, the primary market supply was 4,050 units, a drop of 48 percent quarter-on-quarter and 18 percent year-on-year.

Supply of apartments in HCM Citys primary market in Q1 dropped by 18 percent year-on-year. (Photo: nld.com.vn)





There were no new projects.



Twenty apartment projects in the city temporarily stopped sales mostly to make price adjustments for the second quarter.



The number of transactions was 3,020, representing a 46 percent drop quarter-on-quarter, but a 45 percent rise year-on-year.



Apartments in suburban areas accounted for almost all of the transactions, a vast majority of them in Districts 9 and 12.



Grade C apartments accounted for 80 percent of transactions and led primary market supply with a 74 percent share. It was followed by grade B at 23 percent.



Grades A and B are seeing limited supply and high prices, and are having to compete with grade C apartments, whose quality standards are improving, according to the report.



Prices in the primary market moved up by 6 percent, with some projects beginning new phases increasing their prices by 10 percent.



Prices across all grades would continue to rise, the report said.



Those that halted sales to make price adjustments are expected to hike them by up to 15 percent due to past success.



Troy Griffiths, deputy general director of Savills Vietnam, said there is a supply shortage and new stock in Q1 was snapped up quickly with the absorption rate being 83 per cent.



While developers are having difficulty raising funds through issuance of bonds and bank loans, foreign investment in Q1 was worth nearly 2.7 billion USD, he said./.
Rescuers transfer a rescued person at the collapse site of a self-constructed residential building in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, May 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

CHANGSHA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- An eighth survivor has been pulled from the rubble 79 hours after a self-built residential building collapsed in central China's Hunan Province, according to Xinhua reporters at the scene.

The young woman was rescued at around 7:20 p.m. Monday, despite more than three days having passed since thedisaster.

The collapse took place at 12:24 p.m. on Friday, in Wangcheng District in the provincial capital Changsha. A total of 23 people are believed to have been trapped in the building, according to a preliminary investigation.

Liu Xiangfeng, a medical expert with the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, said that the victim rescued on Monday had had her lower limbs pinned down by falling debris, creating great difficulty for the rescue workers.

The emergency medical team used infusion tubes measuring about 3 meters long to deliver normal saline solution to her. They were also able to provide her with first-aid to stop bleeding and relieve pain before she was successfully brought out.

Rescuers work at the collapse site of a self-constructed residential building in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, May 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Rescuers are continuing their search for further survivors, despite the expiry of the 72-hour "golden period," and the rescue site remains brightly lit.

They have built cement structures to navigate the rubble safely and avoided the use of machinery in order to avoid creating vibrations. The on-site manual search process is being aided by life-detectors and search-and-rescue dogs. 
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)
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. 
A Chinese young man in Kenya is helping children from the Mathare slum stay in school through a feeding program via a Chinese non-governmental organization (NGO).

After visiting the second-largest slum in Kenya, Yimenghan Liu volunteered to help renovate schools and initiated the feeding program, Dream Building Service Association (DBSA).

This program led to doubled school attendance amongst the children. Now the program runs across six African countries.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




















BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Experts say that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has its foundation well established and is very much on track despite global challenges.

The BRI was proposed in 2013. Since then, over two-thirds of the world's countries have reached a consensus with China on cooperation under the BRI.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service












In today's China Explainer, let's look at how special-purpose bonds, an important propeller of China's 2022 fiscal policies, play a key role in stabilizing its economy and employment.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
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)



Chinese young engineers have worked hard and displayed professionalism in the construction of Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link, which 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.



KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (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.

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)



"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.

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)



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.
BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged youth in the aerospace sector to contribute more to China's realization of greater self-reliance in aerospace science and technology.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a Monday letter replying to a youth team working on space station construction at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

Xi extended greetings to all youth in the aerospace sector in the letter for China's coming Youth Day, which falls on May 4.

He recalled his exchanges with young researchers during a visit to the CASC nine years ago.

He said China's space industry has continuously made new advancements, including the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System satellites, Chang'e lunar probes, Tianwen-1 Mars probe, Xihe solar exploration satellite, as well as the Tiangong space station and its core module Tianhe.

A large number of young people in the sector have taken the lead and shouldered important responsibilities, demonstrating the enterprising spirit of Chinese youth of the new era, he added.

Making China stronger in the aerospace sector requires continuous efforts across generations, Xi underlined.

He encouraged youth in the sector to carry forward the spirit of "Two Bombs, One Satellite" (Two Bombs refers to the atomic bomb and the intercontinental ballistic missile, while One Satellite refers to the artificial satellite) and the spirit of China's manned space program, and to contribute more on the country's journey to explore space and to its realization of high-level self-reliance in aerospace science and technology through innovation.

Xi visited the China Academy of Space Technology under the CASC on May 4, 2013, and had a discussion with outstanding youth representatives from all sectors.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China, the youth team working on space station construction at the CASC wrote a letter to Xi, reporting on behalf of the company's 80,000 young people their work on promoting China's space sci-tech development over the past nine years, and expressing their firm resolve to strive to make the country stronger in the aerospace sector. 
OTTAWA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday announced a new federal investment in project funding for automaker Stellantis that will modernize assembly plants and increase the production of electric vehicles (EV).

According to a news release from the prime minister's office, the Canadian government is investing up to 529 million Canadian dollars (423 million U.S. dollars) into this project. The Province of Ontario is also supporting the project with an investment of up to 513 million Canadian dollars (410 million U.S. dollars).

"We're building a world-class Canadian auto industry for generations to come, an innovative economy, and a clean, strong future for everyone. This is what a healthy environment and a healthy economy looks like," Trudeau said.

"Ontario has everything it needs to be North America's auto manufacturing powerhouse once again," said Doug Ford, premier of Ontario, the province with the largest population in Canada.

The multi-billion dollar project from Stellantis will support plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario, implementing flexible vehicle platforms at both plants and increasing its production of EV.

Stellantis' investment will also support the creation of a state-of-the-art Battery Pack Testing Facility for North America at the Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) in Windsor, which will further secure Canada's position as a leader in EV innovation.

Activities at the ARDC are already underway, with an addition to the existing building to be complete by the end of 2023, according to the news release.

The Canadian government is putting in place a sales mandate that will ensure that 100 percent of new light-duty vehicle sales are zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035. Accelerating the ZEV target will support the country's commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the news release said. 
SANAA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- A ship carrying cooking gas is denied access to Yemen's blockaded Red Sea port of Hodeidah despite the ongoing truce between the country's warring sides, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported on Tuesday.

"The Saudi-led coalition has been holding the ship since April 27 despite that it was granted permission by the United Nations," the television said.

So far, several other fuel ships have arrived in Hodeidah port since the beginning of the truce, said the Houthi television, calling for accelerating the entry of other ships to ease a longtime fuel crisis in Houthi-held areas.

There was no comment yet from the coalition or the Yemeni government.

The two-month ceasefire agreement brokered by the United Nations between the Houthi militia and the coalition-backed Yemeni government entered into force on April 2.

The truce includes allowing the entry of 18 fuel ships into the Houthi-held port of Hodeidah and two commercial flights a week to and from the Houthi-controlled Sanaa airport, as well as lifting the siege and opening roads to allow humanitarian aid access to the government-held Taiz city.

The ceasefire was largely held but the warring sides in Yemen have yet to reach an agreement on resuming commercial flights in the Sanaa airport.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 4 million and pushed the population to the brink of starvation. 




BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Delivery services are in full swing in the Chinese capital of Beijing after restaurants in the city suspended eat-in and switched to delivery services from May 1 to 4 to reduce the risk of cross-infection amid the recent COVID-19 resurgence.

China is currently on the five-day Labor Day holiday starting on Saturday, which was expected to see high mobility.

Delivery companies in the city are encouraged to increase operational capacity to ensure the supply of daily necessities to local residents.

Eleme, one of China's major online food delivery platforms, has mobilized couriers to ensure 24-hour delivery.







Produced by Xinhua Global Service










MOSCOW, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Tuesday on retaliatory sanctions against individuals and entities in response to their "unfriendly actions" over the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The measures will be taken in retaliation to "the unfriendly actions of the United States, foreign states and international organizations ... which aimed at illegally depriving Russia, Russian citizens and Russian legal entities of property rights or restricting their property rights," and with the aim of "protecting the national interests of Russia," according to the decree.

The document prohibits fulfilling obligations with foreign individuals and entities under sanctions, concluding deals or carrying out transactions with them. Moreover, Russia will ban the export of raw materials and products from Russia to those it has sanctioned.

The decree does not provide any details of which individuals or entities may be affected by the measures. The Russian government was ordered to compile a list of individuals under sanctions within 10 days. 
Children take part in the Bay Area Science Festival Discover Day at Oracle Park in San Francisco, the United States, April 24, 2022. (Photo by Liu Yilin/Xinhua)

According to the CDC, adenovirus may be the cause of these reported cases, but other potential environmental and situational factors are still being investigated.



LOS ANGELES, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Several severe hepatitis cases in children reported in the United States have drawn great concern from health officials and parents, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ruled out COVID-19 as a factor in the those cases.

Nine severe hepatitis cases in children were reported in Alabama during October 2021 to February 2022, seven girls and two boys -- ranging in age from 1 month to 6 years old.

Those cases were the first that drew attention to the liver illnesses in children in the United States.

All of the nine children's whole blood specimens tested positive for adenovirus. None of them had a history of COVID-19 infection, nor had received a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a latest report of the CDC.

Before admission, some kids reported vomiting, diarrhea, and upper respiratory symptoms. Upon admission, some had scleral icterus, hepatomegaly, jaundice, and encephalopathy, according to the CDC.

Three of the kids suffered liver failure and two needed liver transplants. They have either recovered or are recovering.

All patients received negative test results for hepatitis viruses A, B, and C. Several other causes of pediatric hepatitis and infections were also ruled out including autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson disease, bacteremia, and urinary tract infections, according to the CDC.

Parents and children spend their weekend on Pennsylvania Ave in front the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 23, 2022. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

The CDC said adenovirus may be the cause of these reported cases, but other potential environmental and situational factors are still being investigated.

Roughly a dozen other cases are now being investigated in eight other states: one in Delaware, another in Louisiana, three in Illinois, two in North Carolina and four in Wisconsin, according to NBC News report.

The Tennessee Department of Health said that it has six cases. State health departments in Georgia and New York also said they are investigating "a handful" of potential cases.

The cluster of cases, along with recently identified possible cases in Europe, suggests that the adenovirus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology among children, according to the CDC.

Adenovirus type 41 is primarily spread via the fecal-oral route and predominantly affects the gut. It is a common cause of pediatric acute gastroenteritis typically with diarrhea, vomiting and fever, often accompanied by respiratory symptoms, said the CDC.

Adenovirus is recognized as a cause of hepatitis among immunocompromised children, and might be an "underrecognized" contributor to liver injury among healthy children, said the CDC.

The agency is monitoring the situation closely to understand the possible cause of illness and identify potential efforts to prevent or mitigate illness.

The World Health Organization has alerted physicians worldwide to be on the lookout for such unusual cases of hepatitis. 
Photo taken on Feb. 25, 2022 shows the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the document indicating that a majority of justices were poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

WASHINGTON, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Supreme Court will launch a probe into the leak of a draft opinion on abortion rights, a statement said on Tuesday.

Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the document indicating that a majority of justices were poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

Roberts reiterated the draft "does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case."

"To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed," he continued. "The work of the Court will not be affected in any way."

The leaked paper, published by Politico on Monday night, would effectively eliminate abortion protections at the federal level and hand authority over abortion access to the states.

U.S. President Joe Biden weighed in on the bombshell on Tuesday, saying he believes that "a woman's right to choose is fundamental."

"Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned," the Democrat argued.

Top congressional Republicans condemned the leak, describing it as a "clearly coordinated campaign to intimidate and obstruct the Justices of the United States Supreme Court."

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (C) walks through the halls of the U.S. Senate after swearing in for the Senate impeachment trial against President Donald Trump, in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 16, 2020. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

The majority opinion was authored by Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote that "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start."

"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," Alito stated. "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

According to the Politico scoop, Alito and four other conservative justices are part of the majority opinion, with Chief Justice Roberts' position to be determined.

Three liberal justices are reportedly working on one or more dissents.

Protesters of opposing sides gathered outside the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, holding posters while chanting slogans.

Capitol Police tweeted at noon that they temporarily closed roads around the area "out of an abundance of caution, in order to keep the public safe."

The draft opinion under scrutiny was in response to a case stemming from a 2018 Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case before its term ends in late June or early July.

Without Roe, abortion would immediately become illegal in at least 13 states across the United States, while Republican-led states are already moving to pass and enact restrictive laws. 
MAPUTO, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Mozambique has strengthened the health protocol against COVID-19 at its main border crossings with South Africa due to the recent rise in infections in the neighboring country, the health authorities announced Tuesday.

Health teams are positioned at the crossings to verify the results of COVID-19 tests and ensure compliance with the preventive measures among travelers entering Mozambique, said the Director of Health in Maputo Province Yolanda Santos who spoke to the press in Maputo, the Mozambican capital.

Health units also reinforced surveillance, aiming to identify and control any respiratory diseases, said the director, whose province holds the largest crossing point with South Africa -- Ressano Garcia.

Health Minister Armindo Tiago last week admitted the possibility of a considerable increase in COVID-19 cases in the country in the near future due to the deteriorated COVID situation in South Africa. Health authorities expect the new infections will be characterized by mild cases, given that 91.4 percent of the target population in the country have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Mozambique has 225,387 cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 2,201 deaths and 223,138 recoveries. It currently has 44 active cases of the novel coronavirus disease, and one hospitalized patient. 
People offer prayers on the first day of Eid al-Fitr in Karachi, southern Pakistan, on May 3, 2022. In Islamic countries, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan every year. The festival falls on Tuesday this year in Pakistan, with the government having announced four-day holidays for its celebration. (Str/Xinhua)

by Raheela Nazir

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (Xinhua) -- With a significant decline in the number of COVID-19 cases and restrictions being relaxed in Pakistan recently, there is a sense of optimism and normalcy in the country as Muslims gear up to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr festival, which is marked by mass social gatherings, binge shopping, and splendid feasts.

In Islamic countries, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan every year. The festival falls on Tuesday this year in Pakistan, with the government having announced four-day holidays for its celebration.

On Tuesday, people gathered in mosques and open air places across the South Asian country to kick off their celebrations with special congregational prayers in the morning, which were followed by feasts and fun-filled activities.

Muhammad Ali was on top of the world as he awaited the arrival of his train at a bustling railway station in eastern Rawalpindi district. He was paying the first visit to his hometown in more than two years to celebrate Eid with his loved ones.

"I am so ecstatic. I can't express how happy I am to be able to see my parents after such a long time because the government recently lifted all COVID-19 related restrictions after successfully containing the deadly virus, and vaccinating more than 80 percent of the eligible population," Ali, a government employee, told Xinhua.

He said his family will fully enjoy the joyous occasion of Eid.

"The hard time seems to be over, at least for now. The traditional ways of celebrating the big festivals in the country are coming back ... so I am looking forward to spending my Eid holidays with my family and friends, rather than worrying much about the health issues that have arisen as a result of COVID-19," Ali said.

Hina Pervaiz, a resident of the federal capital Islamabad, told Xinhua that the Eid occasion has become even more joyous this year as social activities resumed after being interrupted due to the pandemic.

Pervaiz said that she was unable to go outside and enjoy the ultimate delight of shopping and roaming around the decorated markets and streets on the special day because of the COVID-19 curbs in place previously.

"I remember I was not so satisfied when I ordered a new dress online for Eid last year since it was not precisely what I wanted. For me, the celebration isn't complete until I go to malls with my children and choose and try things on my own," she said while browsing dresses and shoes in a well-known brand store in Islamabad.

"It's a joyous occasion ... It's a blessing that we're able to enjoy the event in a safe environment ensured by our government," she added.

Apart from celebrating the festival and splurging, people in Pakistan maintain a philanthropic spirit on Eid al-Fitr, with many organizations and individuals participating in humanitarian activities.

Hassan Shahid, an Islamabad-based philanthropist who runs a charity organization, said that it is the responsibility of the people, especially affluent ones to take care of weaker sections of the society.

"On this Eid, our organization has distributed over 10,000 Eid special packages containing essential food items and gifts to the people in need ... Charity is a noble cause and the genuine spirit of Eid rests in empathy and sense of sharing with the unprivileged," Shahid told Xinhua. 

Children greet each other on the first day of Eid al-Fitr in Karachi, southern Pakistan, on May 3, 2022. In Islamic countries, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan every year. The festival falls on Tuesday this year in Pakistan, with the government having announced four-day holidays for its celebration. (Str/Xinhua)

A girl has her hand decorated with traditional henna designs on the first day of Eid al-Fitr in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on May 3, 2022. In Islamic countries, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan every year. The festival falls on Tuesday this year in Pakistan, with the government having announced four-day holidays for its celebration. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

A girl has her hand decorated with traditional henna designs on the first day of Eid al-Fitr in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on May 3, 2022. In Islamic countries, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan every year. The festival falls on Tuesday this year in Pakistan, with the government having announced four-day holidays for its celebration. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

A man holds balloons for children on the first day of Eid al-Fitr in Karachi, southern Pakistan, on May 3, 2022. In Islamic countries, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan every year. The festival falls on Tuesday this year in Pakistan, with the government having announced four-day holidays for its celebration. (Str/Xinhua)
ULAN BATOR, May 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of 49 forest and steppe fires have been reported across Mongolia so far this year, which have destroyed 889,993 hectares of forest and grassland, the country's National Emergency Management Agency said Tuesday.

The number of registered wildfires is up 31.4 percent compared with the same period last year, and the significant increase is mainly related to dry weather conditions and people's negligence, the emergency agency said.

As of Tuesday, Mongolian firefighters have been battling to extinguish a wildfire which broke out in the northern province of Bulgan on Monday afternoon, it added.

The emergency agency is warning the public not to make open fires or throw cigarette butts on the ground amid current dry conditions.

Mongolia's weather is usually dry and windy during the spring season. 
PHNOM PENH, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Tuesday met with 1,753 students who graduated the 2021 high school exit exam with Grade A, awarding each of them an iPad and 500 U.S. dollars.

Hun Sen said the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines has allowed the top scored students from across the nation to gather in capital Phnom Penh for the first time after a hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the kingdom in January 2020.

"Successful vaccinations have given us an opportunity to get together again," he said.

Cambodia launched a national vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in February 2021, with China being the key vaccine supplier providing Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines.

"So far, almost 15 million, or 93.7 percent of our (16 million) population have received at least one dose of vaccines," Hun Sen said.

Of them, 14.2 million, or 88.7 percent, have been fully vaccinated with two required shots, according to the health ministry.

Also, some 8.6 million, or 53.7 percent, have taken a third dose, and 1.75 million, or 11 percent, have got a fourth dose.

With its high vaccination rates, the kingdom has resumed all socioeconomic activities and reopened its borders to vaccinated travelers without quarantine since last November.

Cambodia reported three new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday and zero new fatalities, bringing its confirmed total cases to 136,257, including 3,056 deaths. 
HAVANA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Monday thanked the world for its support for the country in the fight against the U.S. blockade.

Rodriguez made the remarks in the International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba held in Havana, with the participation of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and around 1,000 activists from some 60 countries and regions.

Rodriguez thanked the participating delegates of 219 unions, political groups or civic organizations for their solidarity.

"Through your struggle, you encourage the creative, persistent and victorious resistance of the Cuban people in the midst of enormous difficulties," said the minister.

Rodriguez also denounced the intensification "to extreme levels" of the U.S.-led trade embargo against Cuba, which the Cuban government estimates has cost the Caribbean island over 150 billion U.S. dollars over the years.

The International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba began on Saturday and ended on Monday, following a two-year suspension due to COVID-19.

Organized by the Workers Central Union of Cuba and the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, the forum was first held in 1994. 
Islamabad: Police can arrest former Pakistan PM Imran Khan anytime. According to Pakistani media reports, a case has been registered against Imran Khan under sections of blasphemy and he can be arrested anytime. At the same time, Imran Khan's party (PTI) has described the case registered against the former PM as illegal, but there are reports that the current government can take strict action against Imran Khan. In fact, during the visit of Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia, slogans of 'chor-chor' and 'beggar-beggar' were raised in Madina Masjid, for which there has been a very strong reaction from Saudi Arabia and the use of Pak Masjid. Many Pakistanis have been sent back to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia on the charge of doing it for politics.

At the same time, Islamic clerics have also termed the sloganeering in Madina Masjid as nefarious. For which a case has been registered against more than 150 people including Imran Khan in Pakistan. Shahbaz Sharif's party PML-N says that at the behest of Imran Khan, such a lousy act has happened in the Pak Mosque, which has also affected the reputation of Saudi Arabia. Besides Imran Khan, an FIR has been registered against 150 people including Fawad Chaudhry, former deputy speaker of National Assembly Qasim Suri. The charges leveled against Imran Khan include the allegation of committing hooliganism and insulting Prophet Muhammad. This case has been registered by Faisalabad resident Naeem Bhatti, which states that, Imran Khan had sent more than 100 people to the holy Medina Mosque in Saudi Arabia to raise slogans against Shahbaz Sharif, who raised nefarious slogans inside the mosque.

of which an attempt was made to desecrate the mosque and insult the Prophet. After which the Pakistan Police has registered a case against Imran Khan under sections 295A, 295-A, 296 and 109, which are sections of blasphemy. At the same time, PTI leader and former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Monday filed a writ petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking to declare as "illegal" the cases registered against the party leadership under blasphemy laws. PTI leaders said that the incident was a spontaneous reaction and displayed public outrage, whereas, the government claims that the incident was planned and well-planned by the PTI leadership. At the same time, Assistant Registrar of the High Court Asad Khan confirmed that the petition has been received. PTI legal team Advocate Faisal Farid and Advocate Ali Bukhari have filed a petition on behalf of Fawad.

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JERUSALEM: Following Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement that Adolf Hitler may have had some Jewish blood and that the "most fervent" anti-Semites are Jews themselves, Israel summoned the Russian Ambassador.

In a tweet, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said, "Foreign Minister Lavrov's statements are both an unacceptable and offensive statement as well as a horrible historical blunder." "During the Holocaust, Jews did not commit suicide. The most heinous form of anti-Semitism is accusing Jews of being anti-Semitic." According to Russian Times news, Lapid stated that Israel wants an apology and that the Russian Ambassador has been summoned "for a tough chat."Other Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, were outraged by Lavrov's remarks, accusing Russia's top diplomat of exploiting the Holocaust "as a political tool."

Lavrov's statements were also condemned as incorrect and dangerous by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. Moscow has been silent on the issue. However, Lavrov admitted that one of the goals of Russia's military assault in Ukraine is to "denazify" the country in an interview with Italy's Mediaset news agency on Sunday.

Lavrov responded to a reporter's remark that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is Jewish by saying: "I could be mistaken, but I believe Hitler had Jewish ancestors. This is completely meaningless. The most fervent anti-Semites, according to wise Jewish people, are frequently Jews. As we like to say, every family has a black sheep." Earlier in the interview, the Minister mentioned the Azov Battalion in Ukraine, claiming that the fighters have "openly nationalist and Nazi ideas."

He claimed that seized Azov and other battalions have "Nazi emblems on their uniforms and swastika tattoos." They "openly read and promote 'Mein Kampf,'" Lavrov said, referring to Hitler's autobiographical manifesto.

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NAIROBI  The Kenyan government has imposed a month-long night curfew and security operations in Marsabit County, in the country's northwestern region, to boost security disarmament efforts in the face of escalating unrest.

The Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i also stated the dusk to dawn curfew will cover Komu Sub County in neighbouring Isiolo County and the Sololo district near the Kenya-Ethiopia border. "We've detected a link between the growth of guns in Marsabit and the instability in Komu, where illegal mining activities are taking place," he told journalists in Nairobi, Kenya's capital.

The curfew, which will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for 30 days with the option of an extension, will be implemented in concert with a disarmament exercise aimed at illegal guns and ammunition, said Matiang'i.

The government has mobilised enough personnel for the operation in the last week, according to the official, and they are already on the ground. Matiang'i said the operation could be continued until the illicit weapons wreaking havoc are removed, and he blamed the insecurity in the area on some leaders arming their clan militias.

Special forces are among those on the ground, according to him, to carry out the operation, which will also affect Komu sub-county, Merti in Isiolo, and areas of Sololo along the border.

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Today i.e. on May 3, the festival of Eid is being celebrated across the country. In such a situation, all the people are getting each other's hugs and congratulating each other. In many countries, eid was celebrated only yesterday (May 2) due to the sighting of the moon a day earlier. Now amidst all this, from common people to stars on social media, are congratulating each other by sharing pictures of their Eid celebrations. Yes, and former actress Sana Khan is included in the list.

She has also shared glimpses of the Eid celebration with the fans, which you can see. They are being liked very much. In fact, Sana Khan celebrated Eid with her husband Mufti Anas Sayeed in Medina, Saudi Arabia on May 2. You can see that in these pictures, there the couple also posed beautifully together and both of them looked in the best style. During this time, Sana is looking extremely beautiful wearing a blue coloured hijab, while her husband is giving the perfect pose in a white kurta.

Sharing the pictures, Sana wrote in the caption- "And I have a long conversation of love for "Madina Munawwarah" in my heart. Oh, God! Let the sun of our lives set in Medina. In fact, to click this image, special permission was taken to go to this place. Seeing these pictures, the fans have become crazy about Sana and are calling her good.''

Athiya Shetty started wedding preparations!"

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Kathmandu, May 3

Veteran cine star Bhuwan KC has joined the ruling Nepali Congress party just 10 days ahead of the Nepal local elections.

Along with him, actors Rabindra Khadka and Shweta Khadka also joined the party.

The party president, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, welcomed them to the party at an event held at his residence in Baluwatar in Kathmandu.

Earlier, it was reported that Bhuwan KC, one of the most controversial figures in the Nepali cinema industry, was running for the mayor of Kathmandu representing a small party led by advocate Swagat Nepal.

It was been learned that Maiti Nepal chairperson Anuradha Koirala had convinced the actors to join the party.
Kathmandu, April 12

The Ministry of Health and Population has informed that Nepals Covid-19 tally has reached 1,118,769 as of Monday afternoon.

The ministry said 26 new cases were confirmed in the country in the past 24 hours.

In this period, 2,866 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which returned 23 returned positive. Likewise, 1,212 underwent antigen tests for the virus, of which three tested positive.

Of total tests, 0.80 per cent of the PCR and 0.24 per cent of antigen samples returned positive, keeping the overall per-day positivity rate at 0.63 per cent.

As of today, there are 544 active cases across the country.

In the past 24 hours, 37 people have achieved recovery whereas the government says there were zero deaths recorded today.

Of the total cases so far, 966,111 people have achieved recovery. Likewise, 11,951 died, according to the ministry. The countrys recovery rate is 98.7 per cent and the death rate is 1.2 per cent.
Energy giant BP lost more than $25 billion dollars in earnings after it pulled business out of Russia in February, following Moscows invasion of Ukraine, the company reported in its 2022 first quarter results on Tuesday.

The company reported a first quarter headline loss of $20.4 billion this year, compared to a $2.3 billion profit in the first quarter of 2021. BP estimated that its pre-tax loss totaled $25.5 billion in the first quarter of 2022.

Russias war on Ukraine prompted many multinationals to pull out of the country. BP announced in late February it was exiting a 19.75 percent shareholder interest with Rosneft, an oil and petroleum company headquartered in Moscow.

CEO Bernard Looney said the Rosneft exit resulted in the material non-cash charges and headline loss that BP had predicted.

But it has not changed our strategy, our financial frame, or our expectations for shareholder distributions, Looney said in a Tuesday statement.

After the corporate exodus from Russia, other international companies have also reported earnings losses as a result.

Rival gas giant Shell also reported about a $5 billion loss in its first quarter earnings, after announcing it would shut down all operations and services in Russia in March.

Looney told CNBCs Squawk Box that BP was still in good shape and was committed to severing ties with Russia.

We have been very, very clear. We are announcing our intention to leave the country. We made that decision as I said very, very quickly, Looney told CNBC.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 02, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited ("Butterfield") (NYSE: NTB | BSX: NTB.BH) today announced the promotion of Michael Schrum to President and Group Chief Risk Officer. Craig Bridgewater has been promoted to Group Chief Financial Officer and joins the Executive Committee.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005787/en/

Michael Schrum, President and Group Chief Risk Officer, The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited (Photo: Business Wire)

Mr. Schrum, who has served as Group Chief Financial Officer since 2015 and an Executive Director since 2020, takes over from Sabeth Siddique, Group Chief Risk Officer, who is to leave Butterfield at the end of May and will continue to be available in an advisory capacity. Mr. Bridgewater, who has served as Group Head of Finance since 2019, assumes the role of Group Chief Financial Officer.

Michael Collins, Butterfields Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "I congratulate Craig and Michael on their new appointments. As industry professionals with extensive experience and service to Butterfield, their knowledge and oversight is valued as we continue to execute our strategy for long-term growth.

"I extend my thanks to Sabeth for his contributions and thought leadership. In addition to managing our credit exposure during pandemic-related uncertainties and economic contraction, the risk management enhancements he has made have been impactful and will continue to serve us well."

Mr. Schrum has more than 25 years of financial services experience in London, New York and Bermuda. He joined Butterfield from HSBC in Bermuda where he was Chief Financial Officer. He is a CFA Charterholder (CFA Institute) and a Fellow Chartered Accountant (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales).

Mr. Bridgewater was previously a Partner at KPMG where he spent 18 years working in both Bermuda and the US and has worked at Orbis Investment Management Limited and Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). He is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Bermuda and Canada.

Story continues

About Butterfield:

Butterfield is a full-service bank and wealth manager headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, providing services to clients from Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey, where our principal banking operations are located, and The Bahamas, Switzerland, Singapore and the United Kingdom, where we offer specialized financial services. Banking services comprise deposit, cash management and lending solutions for individual, business and institutional clients. Wealth management services are composed of trust, private banking, asset management and custody. In Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Guernsey, we offer both banking and wealth management. In The Bahamas, Singapore and Switzerland, we offer select wealth management services. In the UK, we offer residential property lending. In Jersey, we offer select banking and wealth management services. Butterfield is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: NTB) and the Bermuda Stock Exchange (symbol: NTB.BH). Further details on the Butterfield Group can be obtained from our website at: www.butterfieldgroup.com.

BF-All

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005787/en/

Contacts

Investor Relations Contact:

Noah Fields

Investor Relations

The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited

Phone : (441) 299 3816

E-mail : noah.fields@butterfieldgroup.com

Media Relations Contact:

Nicky Stevens

Group Strategic Marketing & Communications

The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited

Phone: (441) 299 1624

E-mail: nicky.stevens@butterfieldgroup.com
BW Energy Limited

2022 Annual General Meeting  Notice

Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of BW Energy Limited will be held at Washington Mall Phase 2, 4th Floor, Suite 400, 22 Church Street, HM 1189, Hamilton, HM EX, Bermuda, on 26 May 2022 at 09:00 a.m. (Bermuda time).

Please see the attached documents in relation to the Annual General Meeting:

Chairmans Letter Notice of the 2022 AGM Form of Proxy Recommendation from the Nomination Committee

For further information, please contact:

Knut R. Sthre, CFO, +47 91 11 78 76

ir@bwenergy.no

About BW Energy:

BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The main assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine Permit offshore Gabon and a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, both operated by the Company.

Total net 2P+2C reserves were 240 million barrels at the start of 2022.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

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BW Offshore

2022 Annual General Meeting  Notice

Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of BW Offshore Limited will be held at Washington Mall Phase 2, 4th Floor, Suite 400, 22 Church Street, HM 1189, Hamilton HM EX, Bermuda, on 26 May 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Bermuda time).

Please see the attached documents in relation to the Annual General Meeting:

Chairmans Letter Notice of the 2022 AGM Form of Proxy Recommendation from the Nomination Committee

For further information, please contact:

Stale Andreassen, CFO, +65 97 27 86 47

Anders S. Platou, Head of Corporate Finance & Strategy, +47 99 50 47 40

IR@bwoffshore.com or www.bwoffshore.com

About BW Offshore:

BW Offshore engineers innovative floating production solutions. The Company has a fleet of 12 FPSOs with potential and ambition to grow. By leveraging four decades of offshore operations and project execution, the Company creates tailored offshore energy solutions for evolving markets world-wide. BW Offshore has around 2,000 employees and is publicly listed on the Oslo stock exchange.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Attachments




System already in beta and driving data-driven results with key project across North American market

TORONTO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian real estate technology company Senara ("Company") today announced the completion of pre-seed funding, allowing the privately-held company to continue its North American expansion. The funding will also provide the Company with additional revenue to enhance existing AI capabilities within the platform.

Senara is a pre-construction lead-to-close system that empowers developers and their listing brokerages to sell smarter and faster, while spending less. The proprietary system uses AI to generate new higher quality homebuyer leads, appointments and firm sales, based on algorithms built from tens of millions of leads, appointments and purchase datapoints. Senara offers predictive analytics algorithms that can be layered into any brokerage CRM to perfect buyer journeys and reallocate ad spends across digital platforms. Benefits of Senara include lead generation, prospect nurturing, pipeline intelligence, and ultimately profitability. Additionally, Senara offers regional homebuyer insights gathered through its system.

"Senara accelerates the usage of real-time data to help developers and their brokerages sell faster and more intelligently, with greater profitably. Leveraging proprietary AI, Senara serves up the ideal homebuyer based on each project's unique attributes helping to expedite the sales process," said Reagan Zuzarte, CEO of Senara. "We are grateful for key investors and early partners whose trust and sales results have validated the market need for a robust preconstruction intelligence system."

Senara's key benefits include lead generation, prospect nurturing, pipeline intelligence, and ultimately profitability. (CNW Group/Senara)

Since the company's launch in 2021, Senara has been used in over 50 campaigns across North America, resulting in over $1B sold in new homes across Canada, Washington, Florida and Texas. Targeting high-rise projects, Senara has effectively partnered with Great Gulf/DREAM's Frank Gehry designed project Forma Toronto and Seattle's Graystone in partnership with Sotheby's Realogics, transforming their sales process with real-time data over the last two months.

"Senara is dramatically transforming the sales process, providing listing agents with significantly more qualified buyers thereby making their effort much more effective. The Senara team has worked in real estate for decades, and their platform operationalizes best practices and provides tech-forward learnings to an industry that is prime to be modernised," said Brad Henderson, Broker & Senior Member Cushman & Wakefield Global Data Centre Advisory Group and member of Senara's advisory board.

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"In a time of uncertainty for builders driven by changing homebuyer habits and different regional demand, Senara's North American customers have grasped the power of data to increase control of their pre-construction sales. We're very bullish on helping them read the market in a way they never have before," said Ford Shirriff, Chief Revenue Officer of Senara.

To learn more about Senara, book a demo, qualify to become a Senara Preferred Brokerage or sign up for exclusive first access to Regional Homebuyer Insights from across North America, visit www.senara.ai

ABOUT SENARA: Senara is a pre-construction lead-to-close system that empowers developers and their listing brokerages to sell smarter and faster, while spending less. Senara will shape the future of preconstruction sales, helping customers discover new data trails to profitability with a results driven platform which delivers in a beautifully uncomplicated way. www.senara.ai

Senara logo (CNW Group/Senara)

Cision

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SOURCE Senara
Premier CNS-Focused Research Facilities in Georgia Join the CenExel Centers of Excellence Clinical Research Site Network

Clinical research needs the best physicians

Principal Investigators at CenExel iResearch are experienced and dedicated

Salt Lake City, Utah, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CenExel announces the acquisition of iResearch (CenExel iResearch), a leading multi-specialty research site business with locations in Decatur, GA and Savannah, GA. CenExel iResearch has deep experience conducting Phase I-IV studies, having supported more than 200 clinical trials in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. The primary therapeutic areas served by CenExel iResearch include Psychiatry (Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia), Neurology (Alzheimers Disease, Dementia, Sleep), Vaccine, Womens Health, and Dermatology studies.

The acquisition of CenExel iResearch further strengthens CenExels leading central nervous system (CNS) trial capabilities in the Psychiatry and Neurology therapeutic areas, while also bolstering CenExel FCRs Dermatology expertise. CenExel iResearchs Decatur location in northeast Atlanta is also highly complementary to CenExel ACMR in west Atlanta, extending CenExels patient reach within one of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S., while CenExel iResearchs Savannah location further expands CenExel throughout Georgia.

CenExel iResearch operates in over 30,000 square feet of state-of-the-art clinical research space, including a 40-bed, 10,000 square foot inpatient unit in Atlanta. CenExel iResearch is led by co-founders Heather Beitz and Sara Castle, who serve as CEO and COO, respectively. Dr. Kimball Johnson serves as the organizations Medical Director, with 30+ years of experience, as part of the CenExel iResearch team of 10 principal investigators. Zach Mitchell serves as the organizations Director of Business Development, leading both sales and strategic operations, and will serve in a similar capacity with CenExel iResearch moving forward.

The CenExel Centers of Excellence clinical research site network now comprises 15 of the most proficient clinical research sites in the country, with special emphases on Psychiatry, Neurology, Pain, Vaccines/Immunology, Dermatology, Ethnic-Bridging, Sleep, and Clinical Pharmacology. Each of the CenExel research units has outstanding records of assisting pharmaceutical sponsors with protocol development, study design, and conducting Phase I-IV trials to develop new therapeutics for improved patient care.

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CenExel iResearch will benefit from the CenExel site networks fully integrated and collaborative processes, which include centralized budgeting, business development, contracting, standard operating procedures, rater training, and quality management, among other functions.

The CenExel iResearch team has a long track record of delivering outstanding patient recruitment, retention, and high-quality clinical data on behalf of patients and Sponsors alike, said Tom Wardle, CenExel CEO. We are thrilled to be partnering with Heather Beitz, Sara Castle, Dr. Johnson, and the entire CenExel iResearch team to further strengthen the CenExel network.

CenExel has an exceptional team of clinical trial and CNS-focused research experts, said Heather Beitz, CenExel iResearch CEO, and Sara Castle, CenExel iResearch COO. Were excited to leverage CenExels site network infrastructure to pursue future growth opportunities together and serve more patients throughout Georgia.

CenExel was formed in 2018, and since its formation, has strategically invested to support organic growth in its centers of excellence, while also pursuing acquisitions of state-of-the-art research centers across the U.S. The mission of CenExel is to work with trial Sponsors and Contract Research Organizations to drive efficiencies in clinical research, while reducing the costs and development timelines for innovative therapies to advance patient care.

Edgemont Partners acted as the exclusive sell-side financial advisor to iResearch in the transaction.

Media Contact: media@CenexelResearch.com

About CenExel

CenExel (www.CenExel.com) provides unparalleled medical and scientific support in the design and execution of clinical trials. Our therapeutic area focus, attention to detail, and auxiliary services assure quality, reliable results and help CenExel consistently achieve and exceed patient recruitment goals. CenExel Centers of Excellence have conducted thousands of studies, the variety and complexity of which have resulted in a vast depth of experience and insight for the Principal Investigators and research staff in each facility. The CenExel Centers of Excellence deliver the engagement, expertise, and results to ensure that their clients achieve their clinical research goals.

About Edgemont Partners

Now in its 21st year, Edgemont ranks among the most active and best-performing independent healthcare M&A and financial advisors in the U.S. Edgemont focuses on providing expert strategic advice and transaction execution to healthcare and life science services and software companies, bringing a steadfast commitment to clients, driven always to prioritize their best interests. Edgemonts principals have executed 185+ transactions with an aggregate value of $80+ billion.

For more information on Edgemont, contact Ben Hughes at +1 (646) 632-3967, or visit www.edgemont.com.

Attachment

CONTACT: David Blackmer CenExel Clinical Research 866-236-3935 media@cenexelresearch.com




Congenica

Congenica Appoints Dr. Tom Barber as Chief Scientific Officer

Cambridge, United Kingdom  3rd May 2022 - Congenica, a digital health company that enables precision medicine through its world-leading diagnostic decision support platform for genomic data, announces the appointment of Dr. Tom Barber as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Barber will lead the development and delivery of Congenicas scientific and clinical vision to become the global leader in genome annotation and clinical interpretation for screening, diagnosing and treating human disease.

Dr. Barber has more than twenty years of experience working in the health care industry with extensive leadership experience in Pharma, LifeSciences and Healthcare IT. Most recently he served as Chief Scientific Officer at LifeOmic, where he was responsible for preclinical and clinical research. Prior to that, Dr Barber established Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) at Eli Lilly to identify preclinical and clinical models for personalised medicine in oncology, diabetes, neuroscience, and cardiovascular disease. He then moved to Beckman Coulter, where he developed solutions for automated NGS sample preparation and assisted in the design and implementation of a strategic initiative aimed at developing a comprehensive sample-to-answer solution for research and clinical NGS.

On his appointment, Dr. Tom Barber commented: Congenica is a clear leader in the analysis of genomic information, and its rapid advancements, particularly in AI-powered analysis, are exciting. I look forward to helping further the companys mission to provide life-changing answers for patients and their families affected by genetic diseases, including cancer, throughout the world.

Andy Richards, Executive Chairman, Congenica, said: Tom has had an extensive and illustrious career in the genetic basis of inherited disease and cancer, which will support Congenica as we continue to advance our genomic analysis technology. We warmly welcome him to the team and look forward to utilising his US and international expertise.

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Ends

About Congenica

Congenica is a digital health company enabling the rapid analysis and interpretation of genomic data, empowering researchers and clinicians to provide life-changing answers that improve wellbeing and disease management. Congenicas world-leading software enables rapid genomic data analysis at scale and is the only product of its kind that has received the CE Mark under the In Vitro Diagnostics Directive.

A recognised leader in the genomic analysis of rare diseases and inherited cancer, Congenica is expanding its platform into new indications such as somatic cancer, next generation non- invasive preconception and pre-natal diagnosis and wellness, helping to deliver a future where clinical genomics is fully integrated into healthcare.

Based on pioneering research from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the UK NHS, Congenica has a global footprint supporting leading international laboratories, academic medical centres and biopharmaceutical companies and is the exclusive Clinical Decision Support partner for the NHS Genomic Medicine Service.

For more information visit www.congenica.com.

Contact details for editorial enquiries:

Becky Lamont, Marketing Communications Manager

Email: rebecca.lamont@congenica.com




Vast Resources PLC

Vast Resources plc / Ticker: VAST / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining

3 May 2022

Vast Resources plc

(Vast or the Company)

Corporate & Operational Update

Vast Resources plc, the AIM-listed mining company, is pleased to announce a group level income statement for Q1 2022 as well as provide an update on its producing Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine (Baita Plai) in Romania.

Highlights:

Group revenue increase of 236% in Q1 2022 compared to the previous quarter including contribution from Tajikistan

Increase quarter on quarter in tonnes milled of 24.2% and of Dry Metric Tonne production of 16.8%.

Mechanisation expected to substantially increase production of copper concentrate, commencing in June 2022

Increased production faces as the Antonio Skarn widens from 4 metres to in excess of 32 metres.

Additonal revenue streams planned from other metal sales such as Molybdenum.





Q1 2022 Group Revenue

The Company reports group level revenue for the period covering January 2022  March 2022 outlined in Figure 1 below. It should be noted that the timing of sales is matched to sales schedules, and not directly to production.

Q1 2022 Q4 2021 BAITA CONC GROSS REVENUES 620,368 970,465 OTHER PROJECT REVENUES 1,665,731 - TOTAL GROSS REVENUES 2,286,099 970,465

Figure 1

The Company would like to note that, like other AIM listed junior mining companies at a similar stage in the mining life cycle, it operates with limited financial resources however the Company is currently in the process of refinancing the Atlas bond facility (as announced on 26th April 2022) as it continues to arrange concentrate sales from Baita Plai. The Company is also looking to bring additional pipeline revenue opportunities to bear. The Company remains confident in its ability to keep the business adequately funded.

Q1 2022 Production Report

Baita Plai Mine has focussed on copper production in Q1 2022, and the production figures for the quarter are shown below in Figure 2. As can be seen, these show an increase quarter on quarter in tonnes milled of 24.2% and of Dry Metric Tonne production of 16.8%. It should be noted that the timing of sales is matched to sales schedules, and not directly to production.

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Dry Metric Tonne Wet Metric Tonne Metric Tonne Q1 2022 Q4 2021 Q1 2022 Q4 2021 Q1 2022 Q4 2021 Ore Mined - - - - 12,561 9,600 Milled (Ore Feed) - - - - 12,103 9,743 Cu Conc Produced 229 196 257 218 - - Cu Conc sold 234 376 263 415 - -

Figure 2

Mining during the quarter was to a significant extent in low grade ore as development of the ramp down to sub level 3 under level 18 continued, and which has now just intersected the Antonio skarn. As mining progresses from west to east on the Antonio skarn on sub level 2, the skarn widens from 4.0 metres to in excess of 32.0 metres. As the skarn widens, it allows for additional working faces to developed spaced 9.0 metres apart and a second drive has now begun in this wider portion.

Q2 2022 Production Outlook

The Q1 period preceded the progressive changes that were outlined in the Baita Plai Update announced on 31 January 2022 and, as indicated in that announcement, Q2 is planned to see a fundamental change in the way the underground mine operates. As per the initial start-up plan of the mine, a move to mechanised drilling and cleaning will take place. Mining activities are epxcted to see a significant tranformation with the implementation of two Mantis CMR4 Jumbo Drilling rigs and the Aramine miniLoader L130D with remote control capability.

The first Mantis is to be deployed on 17 level where initial mining in the start-up phase of the mine was abandoned due to safety concerns for mining personnel from in stope pillar failures. The Mantis will drill long holes (circa 15 - 25 metres) from above the orebody and be offset in the hanging wall. Progressive rings will be drilled and blasted allowing the ore to collapse into the stope below. Loading of the blasted ore will be conducted with a Aramine L130D fitted with a remote-control unit. This allows for the operator to be sited in safe, stable ground, alleviating the safety concerns raised initially.

The first Long Hole stopes on 17 level are expected to produce ore during June 2022. The area identified for the Long Hole stoping has been identified through sampling records from the main 17 level development, and historical sampling from the sub 17 level stopes. Higher grade zones have been identified from the sampling records which should translate into an improved feed grade to the plant.

The second Mantis will be deployed to advance the main belt incline to 19 level and ultimately 21 level. The increased rate of advance will allow for improved access to the Antonio skarn and simplify a number of mining related issues such as water reticulation, power infrastructure and ventilation. In addition, the development of the belt incline will provide the necessary drilling platform to enable to drill the Antonio skarn from below the 2020 resource drilling programme (18 level - 35 metres) down to 21 level.

With the two new Mantis drills and the transition to mechanise mining together with the implementation of long hole stope mining, significantly increased production output should be achieved, and then the focus will turn to the plant to increase its capacity in order to process more tonnes.

All the basic infrastructure for the mine is now in place and the Board believes that with the increase in production the mine will become a profitable asset, with many additional surrounding skarn deposits waiting to be exploited.

Furthermore, the presence of bismuth and molybdenum highlight the mines strategic value. The processing plant has undergone modifications with the introduction of a molybdenum flotation circuit. Final commissioning of the molybdenum circuit is expected to take place during Q2 2022.

The changes outlined above are forecast to result in substantially increased production of copper concentrate, commencing in June 2022, and are expected to be reflected in results from Q3 2022 onwards.

Resource Drilling

Resource drilling on the Antonio skarn will commence when the belt decline has advanced sufficiently to provide a drilling platform. The drilling will comprise 28 underground drillholes totalling 2,240 metres of drilling. The drilling will seek to delineate mineral resources on the Antonio skarn to a depth equivalent to a 21 level and will serve to corroborate historical drillholes on the skarn to this level.

The initial target for resource drilling is the Antonio North skarn on 18 level, which historically has had elevated molybdenum values. The Antonio North drilling programme comprises 29 underground drillholes totalling 1,149 metres of drilling. The area is immediately accessible for mining production pending the confirmation and delineation of suitable ore grades of predominantly copper and molybdenum.

Competent Person

The forward-looking technical views made in this announcement is based on information interpreted by Mr Craig Harvey, the Group Geologist for Vast and a full-time employee of the company. Mr Harvey is a Competent Person who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and of the Geological Society of South Africa, a Recognised Professional Organisation included in a list that is posted on the ASX website from time to time.

Mr Harvey has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'.

Important Notices

This announcement contains 'forward-looking statements' concerning the Company that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Generally, the words 'will', 'may', 'should', 'continue', 'believes', 'targets', 'plans', 'expects', 'aims', 'intends', 'anticipates' or similar expressions or negatives thereof identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the Company's ability to control or estimate precisely. The Company cannot give any assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any of the forward-looking statements set out herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.

**ENDS**

For further information, visit www.vastplc.com or please contact:

Vast Resources plc

Andrew Prelea (CEO)

Andrew Hall (CCO)



www.vastplc.com

+44 (0) 20 7846 0974 Beaumont Cornish  Financial & Nominated Advisor

Roland Cornish

James Biddle



www.beaumontcornish.com

+44 (0) 20 7628 3396 Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited  Joint Broker

Toby Gibbs / James Thomas (Corporate Advisory)



www.shorecapmarkets.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7408 4050 Axis Capital Markets Limited  Joint Broker

Kamran Hussain



www.axcap247.com

+44 (0) 20 3206 0320 St Brides Partners Limited

Susie Geliher / Charlotte Page www.stbridespartners.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7236 1177

ABOUT VAST RESOURCES PLC

Vast Resources plc is a United Kingdom AIM listed mining company with mines and projects in Romania and Zimbabwe.

In Romania, the Company is focused on the rapid advancement of high-quality projects by recommencing production at previously producing mines.

The Company's Romanian portfolio includes 100% interest in the producing Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine, located in the Apuseni Mountains, Transylvania, an area which hosts Romania's largest polymetallic mines. The mine has a JORC compliant Reserve & Resource Report which underpins the initial mine production life of approximately 3-4 years with an in-situ total mineral resource of 15,695 tonnes copper equivalent with a further 1.8M-3M tonnes exploration target. The Company is now working on confirming an enlarged exploration target of up to 5.8M tonnes.

The Company also owns the Manaila Polymetallic Mine in Romania, which was commissioned in 2015, currently on care and maintenance. The Company has been granted the Manaila Carlibaba Extended Exploitation Licence that will allow the Company to re-examine the exploitation of the mineral resources within the larger Manaila Carlibaba licence area.

In Zimbabwe, the Company is focused on the commencement of the joint venture mining agreement on the Community Diamond Concession, Chiadzwa, in the Marange Diamond Fields.

GLOSSARY

Dry Metric Tonnes Refers to the tonnage minus humidity to determine sales price Grade The relative quantity or percentage of ore mineral content in an orebody. Ore The naturally occurring material from which a mineral(s) can be extracted at a reasonable profit. Orebody A continuous well-defined mass of material to sufficient ore content to make extraction economically feasible. Skarn Lime-bearing siliceous rock produced by the metamorphic alteration of limestone or dolomite Wet Metric Tonnes Usually quoted in terms of production for shipping terms




EnWave Corporation

Goldencrops Grains

Products

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW | FSE:E4U) (EnWave, or the Company) announced today that it has signed a Technology Evaluation and License Option Agreement (the Agreement) with Goldencrops Corporation (Goldencrops), a Southeast Asian ingredient manufacturer, to evaluate the commercial use of the Companys Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) dehydration technology for the production of a variety of fruit, dairy and grain products.



Goldencrops will rent a 10kW REV machine for intensive product development at its manufacturing facility in Douliu City  an industrial hub for food production in the region. If commercially viable ingredients are developed under the Agreement, Goldencrops will then purchase REV machinery to commence commercial production at its Yunlin Science and Technology Plant.

Goldencrops is looking to leverage EnWaves proprietary REV dehydration technology to expand its dehydrated ingredient product offerings for domestic and international markets. Goldencrops currently operates large-scale dehydration, milling and packaging facilities for its product portfolio that includes a wide range of plant-based food and ingredient products, and REV technology will enhance its commercial ingredient processing capabilities.

The expansion of EnWaves global REV technology footprint into Southeast Asia further proves the significant value proposition for food producers seeking to launch new and innovative premium ingredient and snack food applications. EnWave has developed a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio with patents granted in numerous international markets and has licensed REV technology to more than fifty companies in twenty-one countries worldwide.

About Goldencrops

Goldencrops Corporation is a food manufacturer and exporter headquartered in Douliu City, Taiwan which specializes in snack, instant, grain, dairy and plant-based protein foods and ingredients. Under the Goldencrops, Sungift and Supervite brands, the company has been enhancing Taiwans competitiveness in the global food industry for over 35 years. Goldencrops has designed and developed customized formulas for years for numerous clients with well-known brands. With various quality certification and professional automated production lines, Goldencrops offers the most wide-ranged cereal processing production in Taiwan.

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Goldencrops has established excellent reputation in food industry. It has formed technology cooperation partnerships with numerous large local and international manufacturers and is focused on continuously improving its offering of high-value products. Goldencrops exports include Japan, United States, Mainland China, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

For more information on Goldencrops please visit www.goldencrops.com.tw

About EnWave

EnWave is a global leader in the innovation and application of vacuum microwave dehydration. From its headquarters in Vancouver, BC, EnWave has developed a robust intellectual property portfolio, perfected its Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) technology, and transformed an innovative idea into a proven, consistent, and scalable drying solution for the food, pharmaceutical and cannabis industries that vastly outperforms traditional drying methods in efficiency, capacity, product quality, and cost.



With more than forty-five royalty-generating partners spanning twenty countries and five continents, EnWaves licensed partners are creating profitable, never-before-seen snacks and ingredients, improving the quality and consistency of their existing offerings, running leaner and getting to market faster with the companys patented technology, licensed machinery, and expert guidance.

In addition, EnWave established a Limited Liability Corporation, NutraDried Food Company, LLC, to manufacture, market and sell REV-dried snack products within North America, including the popular Moon Cheese brand, and serve as a co-manufacturer for third parties.

EnWaves strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with food and cannabis producers who want to dry better, faster and more economical than freeze drying, rack drying and air drying, and enjoy the following benefits:

Food and ingredients companies can produce exciting new products, reach optimal moisture levels up to seven times faster, and improve product taste, texture, color and nutritional value.



Cannabis producers can dry four to six times faster, retain 20% more terpenes and 25% more cannabinoids, and achieve at least a 3-log reduction in crop-destroying microbes.



Learn more at EnWave.net.

EnWave Corporation

Mr. Brent Charleton, CFA

President and CEO

For further information:

Brent Charleton, CFA, President and CEO at +1 (778) 378-9616

E-mail: bcharleton@enwave.net



Dan Henriques, CPA, CA, CFO at +1 (604) 835-5212

E-mail: dhenriques@enwave.net

For media inquiries:

media@enwave.net



Safe Harbour for Forward-Looking Information Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking information based on managements expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures, and the expected synergies following the closing are forward-looking statements. All third-party claims referred to in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate. All third-party references to market information in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate as the Company did not conduct the original primary research. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. 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.

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.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b95f253f-8c8f-42d9-a28f-6c95ec576cbc




GRAPHICAL ANALYTICS PRIVATE LIMITED

Major data center colocation market players in Europe region include Zayo Group Holdings Inc., China Telecom Corporation Limited, CyrusOne Inc., Cyxtera Technologies Inc., Digital Realty Trust Inc., Equinix Inc. and NTT Communications Corporation.

Pune, India, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



As per a recent industry report put forward by Graphical Research, the Europe data center colocation market is forecast to register its name in the billion-dollar fraternity down the line of seven years, by exceeding a revenue of USD 25 billion by 2026.





Europe data center colocation market trends are bringing in an optimistic perspective, thanks to the growing adoption of on-demand internet services. Increased internet usage fueled by work-from-home tendencies will favor the deployment of data center servers across the region. Reportedly 80% of adults in the European Union (EU) accessed the internet every day in 2020.

Access sample pages of the report, Europe Data Center Colocation Market Forecasts 2026 in detail along with the table of contents (ToC) @

https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1490/sample

Because of the rising demand for internet services and assistance in the movement and storage of huge amounts of data at rapid speeds, data centers have become an indispensable need of the time.

Many individuals have tuned to the world of digital technologies for both commercial and personal purposes, such as internet banking, and video-on-demand, many other services. This has created a strong market for data center servers with huge information processing and storage capacity as well as robust memory power. China Telecom Corporation Limited, Zayo Group Holdings Inc., CyrusOne Inc., Digital Realty Trust Inc., Cyxtera Technologies Inc., NTT Communications Corporation, and Equinix Inc. are among the eminent data center colocation companies in Europe.

The three factors impacting industry trends are illustrated below:

IT & telecom industry drives growth

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As data colocation services are used to secure storage, servers, and different networking devices and assist businesses in renting critical IT infrastructure at reasonable costs, the growing data volume is pushing their demand. A strong IT and telecommunications network will fuel the expansion of the data center colocation market outlook over the next five years.

Large carrier neutral data centers in Italy include cutting-edge technologies and a diverse ecosystem, guaranteeing optimum connection and uptime to around 175 service providers. Similarly, because of its geographical proximity to Mediterranean Europe, Africa, and Northern Europe, the Iberian Peninsula has emerged as a critical node on the global connection map. As the proportion of businesses adopting colocation services for power, space, and cooling demands grows, Europe data center server market share will increase from IT & Telecom sector applications.

Role in automotive manufacturing

Todays large manufacturing facilities deploying advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies accumulate tremendous quantities of data. The presence of well-known automobile manufacturers across Europe, such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi AG embracing these hi-tech solutions for process automation. The need for automotive data storage will fuel the need for high-quality wholesale colocation services. The introduction of Industry 4.0 and digitalization will also result in an increase in data traffic, thereby driving demand for effective data center colocation services. Owing to the technological prowess of German automotive industry, the automotive manufacturing sector in Europe data center colocation market is expected to garner significant gains through 2026.

Request for customization of this report @

https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1490/customize-this-report

Growing adoption across SMEs

Wholesale colocation services are expensive, since small firms do not need a separate data center due to their limited data storage demands. This is where retail colocation plays a role. It supplies them with the required data center resources in a short period of time, resulting in a cost-effective data management solution. Colocation service providers in the European market supply organizations with the essential data storage services while ensuring scalability and security. To quote an example, Equinix Inc., a provider of data center colocation, operates 62 data centers throughout Europe and the Middle East.

COVID-19 led social distancing norms have transformed the spheres of education and work. With the rise of work-from-home and online learning needs, huge amount of data is utilized. Universities are using modern technology to enable flawless remote education as they are obliged to take extensive efforts to halt the spread of the virus at the same time ensure academic progress. For example, The German Rontgen Society (DRG) will extend its interactive digital learning platform in May 2020 to assist radiography students and professors in accessing course information and modules throughout the pandemic.

Browse Related Report:

North America Data Center Colocation Market Size By Type (Retail Colocation, Wholesale Colocation), By End-Use (SMEs, Large Enterprises), By Application (BFSI, Energy, Government & Defense, Healthcare, Manufacturing, IT & Telecom, Retail), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2020  2026

https://www.graphicalresearch.com/industry-insights/1523/north-america-data-center-colocation-market

Asia Pacific Data Center Colocation Market Size By Type (Retail Colocation, Wholesale Colocation), By End-Use (SMEs, Large Enterprises), By Application (BFSI, Energy, Government & Defense, Healthcare, Manufacturing, IT & Telecom, Retail), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2020  2026

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DEVILS LAKE - As winter storms hit the region and families seek to manage their farming efforts in the coming days and weeks, many farmers, farm laborers, agricultural professionals and family members are facing increased stresses linked with uncertain weather, inflation costs and other factors. The hours they must spend dealing with weather impacts, reviewing financial decisions and making farming decisions can be long, stressful and tiring.

Late winter weather has increased stress for ranchers and farmers.

The emotional and physical needs of those who are undergoing stress from such conditions in agriculture are sometimes forgotten during efforts to manage farming impacts from external events, says Sean Brotherson, NDSU Extension family science specialist. Individual farmers, ranchers and laborers may not consider their own needs or they may feel too occupied with other responsibilities to handle personal or family needs.

Brotherson adds that farmers and others working in agriculture sometimes try to be invulnerable to fatigue, stress, frustration and depression.

Perhaps the demand on their energies is so great they think they can muddle through, says Brotherson. However, farmers and other agricultural workers need help, encouragement and assistance in times of higher stress levels.

NDSU Extension has resources on its website designed to assist individuals, families and community professionals in managing stresses in agriculture. Search NDSU Extension farm stress and click on Managing Stress in your search results.

Similarly, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture offers a wide range of supportive resources to assist those dealing with livestock losses or other farming concerns, which can be accessed at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture website.

Farmers, their family members and other agricultural workers need to take care of themselves to have the emotional and physical resources to deal with stresses, says Brotherson.

NDSU Extension offers a few tips for addressing emotional and physical well-being:

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Get sufficient sleep.

Eat well-balanced, nutritious meals as much as possible. Avoid junk food or unhealthy snacks.

Set up and maintain a structured routine if possible.

Learn to say no without feeling guilty during times of demand. Conserve your energy for where it is most needed.

Take time for breaks to rest and renew your energy (5-10 minutes every hour).

Get up, stretch, walk or exercise briefly.

Realize when a situation or problem requires help from others. Be willing to engage some support.

Reach out and call on others for additional support if needed.

Be aware of your energy limits and stop when these limits have been reached.

Prioritize your time and attention. Planning five minutes now can save frustration later.

Know your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on your strengths and seek help for areas you need to grow.

Communicate with people who understand your tasks and challenges.

Practice optimism and humor. Laughter is a great source of stress relief.

See a healthcare provider and get a physical and mental health check-up.

Take time to process feelings of grief, loss or frustration due to stress.

Farmers and other professionals or their family members can use help from people not directly involved in agriculture, adds Brotherson. Family members or community members, including mental health workers, can provide needed support to farmers, ranchers and others in agriculture so they can make needed decisions and negotiate any tasks that need to be accomplished.

For critical tasks to get done in a time of stress, the load must be shared, says Brotherson. Farmers, ranchers and their families need to know that others are willing to stand with them and extend a hand of support or a listening ear.

This article originally appeared on Devils Lake Journal: Extending support for farmers, ranchers in times of stress
Foothills Exploration, Inc

LOS ANGELES, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Foothills Exploration, Inc. (OTC: FTXP), including its direct and indirect subsidiaries, ("Foothills," or the "Company"), an oil and gas exploration company focused on delivering the energy needs of today and tomorrow, is pleased to announce an operations update for Q1 2022.



Wind River Basin

On March 9, 2022, the Company acquired an additional 1,960 acres of State leases from the State of Wyoming, to provide additional potential drilling locations in the Wind River Basin. This acquisition brings the Companys total acreage in the Wind River Basin up to 20,847 acres. The importance of this lease acquisition is that we can expedite a drilling permit on State lands. The Company is still actively pursuing a JV partner and has had discussions with other local operators about sharing the cost of rig mobilization for its proposed drilling program.

Illinois Basin

The Company, through its direct subsidiary, Anaconda Energy, LLC, closed on the acquisition of two small oil and gas operators in the Illinois basin on December 28, 2021. The acquisition included all of the assets of the operating companies, including working interests held in certain oil and gas wells and leases and five percent (5%) overriding royalty interest in certain leases and wells. The acquisition also came with 20 oil wells, of which 9 can be worked over. During Q1 2022, the Company performed workover operations on three of the wells, which successful generated a 75% increase in production for total operations. The asset is on track to pay out within ten months.

In Q1 2022, the Companys Illinois Basin properties generated $247,712 in total gross revenues, with net revenues of $107,297 attributable to Anaconda and its subsidiaries.

Houser-Sears #4 Well

The Houser-Sears #4 well recompletion in the Aux Vases formation proved successful with the wells initial production coming in at around 33 barrels of oil per day (BOPD), which has stabilized at around 7 BOPD.

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Our Illinois operations are a perfect example of the type producing properties we look to acquire. The target acquisition is undervalued, underdeveloped and offers low-risk development with behind pipe potential and field wide optimization opportunities. This combination translates into consistent and predictable cash flow to add to our production base, said Kevin J. Sylla, the Companys Executive Chairman.

Future Development Opportunities  Illinois

Houser-Sears #6 Well

Anaconda Energy has a 50% working interest in the proposed well on the Houser-Sears leasehold. The parties plan to drill a new well to a proposed depth of 3,500 feet in the month of June. This infield drilling location is in a stacked-pay environment with the potential to produce from several pay zones. The primary objectives are the Aux Vases Sand (2,724), Upper McClosky Limestone (2,800) and McClosky Dolomites (2,840). The secondary objectives are the St. Louis Lime (3,150) and Salem Lime (3,308). The well is expected to pay back within 180 days of initial production.

Dundas Unical Prospect

The Company signed a participation agreement to participate in 50% of the rework operations of the Mark Heat #4 well. The objective is to frac the Aux Vases formation with the expectation of a 30 BOPD initial production. The rework operation is scheduled for the end of Q2 2022.

Utah Properties

The Company realized total revenues of $80,529 in January and February 2022 from its 21.7% non-operated working interest in two EOG-operated horizontal wells located in the Uintah Basin of Utah.

Oklahoma Project

The Company closed on the acquisition of six wells in Carter and Garvin counties in Oklahoma. Three of the six wells are currently producing and the other three are return to production candidates.

It is our belief that these Oklahoma assets will add value to our production portfolio on day one, said Alex M. Hemb, CEO of Anaconda Energy, LLC. The plan is to begin a workover and optimization program within the next 30 days, said Hemb. The Company has also identified several leases that meet its criteria for bolt-on acquisitions, continued Hemb.

Repurposing Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells

Our acquisition of these stripper wells is part of a bigger detailed plan to repurpose these wells at the end of their life into clean energy producers, said Sylla. Currently there are several pilot projects and emerging new technologies focused on repurposing oil and gas wells to accelerate the energy transition, continued Sylla.

The Companys New Energy Ventures division is currently in the research phase of its evaluation into the production of green energy by repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells into geothermal wells and also producing hydrogen from abandoned wellbores using emerging new technologies.

About the Company

Foothills Exploration, Inc. (FTXP or the Company), is an oil and gas exploration and development company focused on delivering the energy needs of today and tomorrow. The Companys strategy is to build a balanced portfolio of assets through two core initiatives. The first initiative is to generate high-impact oil and gas exploration projects. The second is to invest in hydrogen and geothermal projects for a low carbon future through its New Energy Ventures division by identifying areas where the Company can contribute to a viable, realistic, and balanced future energy mix. For additional information please visit the Companys website at www.foothillspetro.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions we made based on management's experience, perception of historical trends and technical analyses, current conditions, capital plans, drilling plans, production expectations, our ability to raise adequate additional capital, or enter into other financing arrangements to support our acquisition, development and drilling activities, anticipated future developments, and other factors believed to be appropriate and reasonable by management. When used in this release, words such as "will," possible, "potential," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "expect," "may," "should," "anticipate," "could," "plan," "predict," "project," "profile," "model," "strategy," "future" or their negatives or the statements that include these words or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning our future operating results and returns or our ability to acquire or develop proven or probable reserves, our ability to replace or increase reserves, increase production, or generate income or cash flows are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. While forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depend on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance, and financial condition to differ materially from our expectations. As a result, no assurance can be given that these assumptions are accurate or that any of these expectations will be achieved (in full or at all) or will prove to have been correct. We have had sporadic and limited revenue and our securities are subject to considerable risk. Investors are cautioned to review FTXPs filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risk and other factors that affect our business. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future development or otherwise, except as may be required by law. The Company intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Investor Contact

Christopher Jarvis

EVP of Finance

(800) 204-5510

ir@foothillspetro.com




ReportLinker

The Global Project Portfolio Management Market (henceforth referred to as the market studied) was valued at USD 4,908. 4 Million in 2021, and it is expected to reach USD 6,284. 3 Million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 4.

New York, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Project Portfolio Management Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272916/?utm_source=GNW

1% during the period 2022-2027 (henceforth referred to as the forecast period).



Key Highlights

Project portfolio management (PPM) is the centralized management of the organizations projects. While these projects may or may not be related to one another, they are managed centrally, which is called a portfolio, having a key benefit of overseeing and managing any competing resources. Project portfolio management is a strategy that evaluates potential projects by their potential successes and risks, then designates resources, staff, and timelines in an approach that maximizes organizational performance. It also includes high-level controls as well as monitoring for ensuring direct relation of ongoing projects to the businesss overall strategies and goals.

Implementing project portfolio management solutions provide various benefits to businesses. It provides alignment between organization objectives and projects; takes the personal bias out of project planning; makes decision-making easier around project conflicts; helps the project management office turn down projects that are not aligned with business priorities; emphasizes the importance of focusing on the long-term view; helps to build governance and oversight into the management of projects.

Market vendors provide various types of project portfolio management tools and solutions with a variety of features. The right fit of the tools is crucial with respect to the company requirements. These tools offer features such as easy access dashboards, project planning, requirements management, collaboration, task management, budget and issue management, and status tracking.

Project portfolio management implementation can be a complicated and difficult complicated process. Portfolio managers are required to overcome many challenges, from hiring new staff to training the team on new procedures as well as organizing and prioritizing existing projects and data.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the reliance on digital solutions has greatly increased and is anticipated to witness no retreat even in the post-pandemic era. It is evident that the enterprises intend to harness digital channels that could supplement and further strengthen their relationships with their customers.

Project portfolio management solutions helped to meet organization goals by managing a variety of projects remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Project collaborations such as virtual meeting and video conferencing, file sharing and synchronization, project status tracking, and reporting were the essential elements that were provided by the PPM solutions for efficient management of projects.



Key Market Trends



Recent Changes In Work Culture And Move Towards Remote Teams to Drive the Market



The future of work and work culture is embracing change, and the idea of the office has been gradually diminishing. While startups and new companies have generally supported the concept of constant change, large enterprises in the world are also forced to confront this same concept.

The office model has evolved, which is evident from companies such as Twitter, Facebook, Square, Shopify, and others announcing permanent work-from-home policies. Many other companies are likely to offer hybrid models. Communication has changed; even while in the office, the means of working with colleagues have shifted significantly over the last several years and been further accelerated into a largely digital approach owing to the COVID-19. This includes email, Slack, shared work project management tools such as workday, and more.

Virtual teamwork is increasingly getting popular. For instance, Harvard Business Review cited that in the survey of 1,700 knowledge workers, 79% reported working always or frequently in dispersed teams. As the popularity of virtual and distributed teams rises, multiple types of virtual teams have developed.

The new drive to accountability across industries affects multiple roles in the organization and usually requires collaboration and communication across geographically distributed offices and teams. Resources are limited, and managers are being held accountable for wisely utilizing them.

Moreover, stakeholders of organizations are increasingly asking for visibility on the value of their major projects and their service and support work. Business units that were once content with just approving a project charter and budget currently demand updates to plans and to see metrics that prove actual performance.



North America to Account for the Most Significant Share



North America is expected to have a significant revenue share compared to other regional markets. Due to the regions financial status, significant investments in cutting-edge technology and resources for effective project execution can be undertaken. Furthermore, the strong presence of several well-known project portfolio management solution providers in North America, such as Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, and Workfront, is likely to drive the markets growth in this area significantly.

North America is a considerably developed market, owing to several companies working on project portfolio management tools. Bulk data integration techniques and tools are most efficiently implemented to identify data synchronization patterns in critical end-users such as BFSI or government initiatives.

Companies are working on project portfolio management tools. The integration techniques and tools are currently most efficiently implemented to identify data synchronization patterns in critical end-users such as BFSI or government initiatives. North America is a considerably developed market.

The growing IT budgets in this region are also one of the significant key driving factors of the markets growth. According to the research, ITs future state indicates that the number of companies expecting budget increases will soar in 2022, and budget growth expectations have risen significantly higher than in previous years. Overall, 53% of businesses in North America. Among companies planning to boost tech spending in 2022, IT budgets are expected to grow by 26% (31% in North America vs. 21% in Europe) on average.

In 2022, the top factor driving companies to boost budgets is a high priority on IT projects (49%), indicating multi-year modernization efforts accelerated by remote work and a steady shift to cloud-based services have chipped away at legacy technology.



Competitive Landscape



The global Project Portfolio Management Market is fragmented, with a lot of major players vying for market share. The shift in the work environment has also led to increasing in the competition among the players.



July 2021 - Asana, Inc. announced its Asana app, which hosts 1400+ essential tools to boost productivity and collaboration. The Asana app can distribute teams drive meeting workflows, and collaborate effortlessly.

February 2021 - Atlassian acquired Chartio, a cloud-based visualization and analytics solution based in San Francisco and Blacksburg, Virginia. The acquisition will help new analytics and data visualization engines across their products, starting with the Jira family.



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

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__________________________

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Funding will support Pearson Works! Online, an employment platform for the Toronto Pearson airport community

TORONTO, May 3, 2022 /CNW/ - The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is receiving more than $1.6 million from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) to create Toronto Pearson's first ever airport-wide job portal called Pearson Works! Online. The funding comes from the ministry's Skills Development Fund.

Greater Toronto Airports Authority Logo (CNW Group/Greater Toronto Airports Authority)

Pearson Works! Online will support the recovery, reskilling and upskilling of the Toronto Pearson workforce, one of the country's most dynamic, multi-employer workplaces. This portal will connect more than 400 airport employers and the thousands of airport workers with job opportunities, training and supports while helping one of the hardest hit sectors of Ontario's economy.

Toronto Pearson is the anchor institution at the heart of the Airport Employment Zone, which pre-COVID was Canada's second largest employment cluster, employing more than 300,000 people.

"Over the past two years, the aviation sector workforce has demonstrated tremendous grit, innovation and resilience in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the impacts of COVID-19 on the airport, this funding will provide the foundation of our long-term vision for workforce recovery," says Deborah Flint, President and CEO of the GTAA. "This funding will create a work environment that allows employees to build on their dynamic skillset and access available job opportunities across the airport to further the good jobs the airport facilitates. We thank the Government of Ontario for this support."

"Everything our government is doing is to help people in Ontario get bigger paycheques so they can build better lives for themselves and their families," says Monte McNaughton, Ontario's Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. "As we rebuild Ontario's tourism sector, this program will help thousands of workers at Pearson get skills they need to advance their careers and earn more take-home pay."

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"This announcement is great news for workers at Pearson and for our community," said Deepak Anand, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development and MPP for Mississauga-Malton. "Our investment in Pearson Works! Online is part of our government's plan to ensure all workers have the tools to find meaningful work and create better jobs for everyone in Peel Region."

The Pearson Works! Online platform and its programs will be designed in partnership with members of the airport community, including labour groups such as the Toronto Airport Workers Council (TAWC), who represent airport workers and their largest unions. TAWC's knowledge of labour issues, mobilization and rapid workforce response will be key to understanding worker needs, designing programming, recruiting and measuring impact.

"When airport employers, workers, and government seek to prepare everyone at Pearson for a strong and safe recovery, beneficial projects such as this one become possible" said Steven Tufts, Spokesperson for TAWC. "TAWC believes that with this support, Pearson Works! Online will assist thousands of present and future airport workers looking to make all airport jobs part of long-lasting and meaningful careers. ."

To mark the announcement, MPP Anand visited Toronto Pearson to meet with the GTAA's Chief Human Resources Officer, Mark Carbonelli, as well as airport workers.

About the Greater Toronto Airports Authority

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority is the operator of Toronto  Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Canada's largest airport and a vital connector of people, businesses and goods. Toronto Pearson has been named "Best Large Airport in North America serving more than 40 million passengers" for five years in a row by Airports Council International (ACI), the global trade representative of the world's airports. In recognition of its Healthy Airport program, ACI has also awarded Toronto Pearson the "Best hygiene measures in North America" award for two years running, and Toronto Pearson was the first Canadian airport to receive ACI's global health accreditation for its response to COVID-19.

For more information, please visit Toronto Pearson on Twitter ( English and French ), Facebook or Instagram .

About the Toronto Airport Workers Council

The Toronto Airport Workers Council is the collective voice of Pearson's 50,000 workers and its largest unions. Since 2018, the GTAA and TAWC have collaborated in a joint initiative to consider best practices in addressing workplace issues at airports globally. As part of this work, the GTAA issued the first demographic survey of airport workers in North America. The survey report can be viewed here: https://www.torontopearson.com/en/corporate/who-we-are/workforce-survey.

Deepak Anand, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development and MPP for Mississauga-Malton joins Mark Carbonelli, Chief Human Resources Officer, GTAA at Toronto Pearson to announce funding for Pearson Works! Online. (CNW Group/Greater Toronto Airports Authority)

This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. (CNW Group/Greater Toronto Airports Authority)

SOURCE Greater Toronto Airports Authority

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2022/03/c4212.html
Allied Market Research

Benefits of ground penetrating radar (GPR) systems over traditional technologies and rise in concerns related to safety & protection of underground utilities drive the growth of the global ground penetrating radar market. North America held the highest share in 2020, accounting for nearly one-third of the total market share. Massive manufacturing interruptions across Europe and ban on export activities of Chinese parts restrained the growth during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Portland, OR, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global ground penetrating radar market generated $0.5 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $1.1 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 8.2% from 2021 to 2030. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chain, regional landscape, and competitive scenario.

Benefits of ground penetrating radar (GPR) systems over traditional technologies such as radiography, rise in concerns related to safety & protection of underground utilities, and demand for a wide range of applications such as transportation infrastructure, concrete investigation, disaster inspection, municipal inspection, geology & environment, and archaeology drive the growth of the global ground penetrating radar market. However, lack of skilled workforce for operating GPR equipment restraint the market growth. On the other hand, modernization of existing infrastructure presents opportunities in the next few years.

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COVID-19 Scenario:

Owing to lockdown restrictions imposed in many countries, there were interruptions in manufacturing activities. Moreover, disruptions in the supply chain led to shortage of raw materials. This factor also impacted manufacturing activities.

The demand for applications such as concrete investigation, transportation infrastructure, archaeology, and others reduced considerably due to stoppage of operations during the lockdown. However, the demand recovered post-lockdown.

Massive manufacturing interruptions across Europe and ban on export activities of Chinese parts restrained growth opportunities for the market during the pandemic.

Story continues

The report offers detailed segmentation of the global ground penetrating radar market based on component, offering, type, application, and region. Based on component, the control unit segment accounted for the largest share in 2020, contributing to nearly one-third of the total share. However, the antenna segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 9.9% from 2021 to 2030.

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Based on type, the handheld systems segment contributed to the highest share of the global ground penetrating radar market in 2020, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total market share, and is expected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. However, the cart-based systems segment is estimated to manifest the fastest CAGR of 9.9% from 2021 to 2030.

Based on region, North America held the highest share in 2020, accounting for nearly one-third of the total share. However, Asia-Pacific is estimated to portray the highest CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period.

Get Detailed COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Ground Penetrating Radar Market: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/7756?reqfor=covid

Leading players of the global ground penetrating radar market analyzed in the research include Chemring Group, Guideline Geo, Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., IDS Georadar, Hilti, Penetradar Corp., Leica Geosystems AG, Geoscanners, Radiodetection, and Utsi Electronics Ltd. These market players have incorporated several strategies including partnership, expansion, collaboration, joint ventures, and others to brace their stand in the industry.

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Math games, time with friends, and her mother. Thats how ShaeLynn Troutman, a seventh grader at East Arbor Charter Academy outside Ypsilanti, describes the reasons she stays after school twice a week for tutoring.

ShaeLynns grades fell during the pandemic as she  like many students across Michigan  struggled to engage with virtual lessons.

So her mother encouraged her to take advantage of the optional tutoring, paid for through federal COVID-19 relief funds for education. She has had more fun than she expected, and now she says shes well on her way to recovering that lost learning.

Class is way easier now thanks in part to tutoring, she said. I come in knowing more. My GPA, like, skyrocketed.

Well-developed tutoring programs represent a potential game-changer for ShaeLynn and students like her across Michigan who lost significant ground academically during the first year and a half of the pandemic. The need for recovery is especially great for students who spent much of last year learning online. These students are more likely to be people of color and come from economically disadvantaged families. Half of Black fourth-graders began the 2020-21 school year significantly below grade level on state benchmark math exams. By the end of the year, two-thirds were significantly behind.

But the limited scope of the efforts now under way, and a lack of statewide coordination, may hamper Michigans recovery effort. Of the $6 billion in federal COVID-19 relief money that Michigan has to spend on education, only a sliver is going to tutoring programs. And of the 818 Michigan districts that had submitted COVID-19 spending proposals in December, barely a quarter mentioned the word tutor, according to research by Chalkbeat Detroit, Bridge Michigan and the Detroit Free Press.

More: Without state leadership, Michigans patchwork tutoring programs struggle to address learning loss

More: Michigan is the 'worst state' for children with dyslexia, lawmaker says

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Through visits, interviews and surveys of 16 districts that are using some of their federal aid to create or expand tutoring programs, reporters found several examples of the benefits of tutoring programs in action, including higher benchmark exam scores and improved class participation. They also found examples of tutoring programs crimped by poor coordination, resource shortages and divergence from best practices.

While the effectiveness of tutoring has been well documented by education researchers, those studies assume that the programs in question use the best practices.

It is discouraging that Michigan schools arent consistently following the guidance, said Kim Dadisman, senior policy and research manager at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, a Massachusetts-based research center that published a recent report on the power of tutoring for students from low-income families.

It doesnt mean no child will benefit, Dadisman said, but it just wont be as effective.

The Michigan Department of Educations guidance on tutoring best practices includes making tutoring part of the school day; making it schoolwide; maintaining low student-to-teacher ratios; creating consistent relationships between students and tutors; using high-quality curriculum; ensuring tutors get ongoing support and training; and offering frequent tutoring sessions, which typically means three or more times per week.

Here are some of the patterns reporters observed in the new Michigan tutoring programs they explored:

Districts primarily provide tutoring in before- and after-school programs. Beecher Community Schools and Detroit Public Schools Community District are offering tutoring during the school day. Norway-Vulcan Area Schools has a retired teacher who comes in before school and stays through the first period to help middle and high school students.

Student-tutor ratios are often higher than recommended. Westwood Community School District based in Dearborn Heights is one district that has maintained small ratios.

After piloting an in-person and virtual summer tutoring program that served 126 students, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools is training an additional 130 employees so that the district can ramp up tutoring for this summer and continue the program into next school year, Chief Academic Officer Beth Rayl said.

While many districts across the state submitted spending proposals for tutoring programs that specified a tutoring vendor, districts interviewed or surveyed by reporters were often relying on their own personnel to lead these tutoring programs.

Several school leaders and tutors reported an increase in confidence among students who attend tutoring. They said students feel more comfortable answering questions in class.

District leaders say theyd like to continue their tutoring programs, but say theyll need increased state funding to do so once federal COVID-19 funds run out.

At East Arbor Academy, ShaeLynns school in Ypsilanti, Yanfei Clawson, a teacher for at-risk students, receives a stipend to stay after school twice a week and tutor small groups of students.

I can see the moment when kids really click, and they really understand it more than they did before the tutoring program, Clawson said.

But a lack of transportation keeps some students at the school from accessing tutoring.

East Arbor, like most charter schools, doesnt provide bus transportation, and parents would have to change their schedules to pick their children up from after-school tutoring.

Most of the kids who need it most  their parents opt out because of transportation, Principal Tanesha Newby said.

Staffing woes related to the pandemic have also hampered new tutoring programs in Michigan and nationwide. A tight labor market has made recruiting difficult, while educators already working in districts are often too exhausted to take on additional work.

Ecorse Public Schools, an urban district that borders Detroit, proposed to spend $5 million in federal COVID-19 funds on its tutoring program, making it one of the largest in the state. The program is staffed by the district's teachers and paraprofessionals, who are paid to run 11 tutoring sessions per year under an agreement between the district and its unions.

The program at Ecorses Ralph J. Bunche Academy, a K-3 school, is popular. On a typical day, roughly 100 of the schools 346 students stay after school for a hot meal in the cafeteria and an extra hour of instruction.

The benefits of the program are already apparent in the district's benchmark exam scores, which are showing the highest growth levels in four years, according to Principal Wendy Senkbeil.

Still, student-tutor ratios are sometimes so high that sessions resemble regular classrooms.

On a recent Thursday, students were divided into classrooms by grade level. In one classroom, 18 third graders were assigned to a single teacher, so Senkbeil stepped in as a tutor. The recommended group size for tutoring is one tutor to no more than four students, according to a report on the feasibility of sharply expanding tutoring services in American public schools.

Down the hall, a second grader wasnt getting that extra help as she struggled to follow a read-aloud story about a pet turtle. Other students, aided by tutors, were underlining evidence that backed up the storys main idea, but she didnt pick up her pencil. There were 16 students in this classroom and only two adults, and neither of them was nearby to help.

She raised her hand to ask a question, but said she forgot what shed had in mind. A few minutes later, she left the room for a bathroom break.

This student had struggled to follow months of virtual lessons and didnt learn anything while taking classes from home, according to her mother, Ashley Reyna. Now she reads on a kindergarten level and is struggling in school.

Im not sure tutoring is doing anything, Reyna said. But I want to help her, Im gonna keep trying.

Josha Talison, superintendent of Ecorse Public Schools, acknowledged that the programs tutor-to-pupil ratio was sometimes too high.

If we had to do it over, we would have negotiated with the teachers to stay every week, he said. You live and learn in the first year of any program.

In the Westwood Community School District, leaders have kept student-to-tutor ratios low in part by keeping the program small. Of the districts 1,400 students, 70 academically struggling students receive tutoring at a time.

The students meet three days a week for one hour either before or after school, with three to four students for each teacher for nine weeks, said Melanie Depray Learst, director of curriculum, instruction and accountability. Students who tested below their academic achievement targets were invited to attend tutoring.

The district is now in its second round of nine-week tutoring of 70 students, including 15 from the original group who elected to continue for this round. Teachers are seeing an increase in participation and proficiency in classroom activities and assessments, Learst said.

The school district will continue high-dosage tutoring in the fall after students complete assessments.

Learst said tutoring is helping students focus better during the school day, too.

Behavioral issues are down, she said, because they have a better sense of what's going on and how to do the material, versus shutting down and getting frustrated.

Koby Levin is a reporter for Chalkbeat Detroit covering K-12 schools and early childhood education. Contact Koby at klevin@chalkbeat.org. Isabel Lohman is an education reporter for Bridge Michigan. Contact Isabel at ilohman@bridgemi.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: ESSER funds provide growth in Michigan districts that launch tutoring
ReportLinker

The helicopter service market was valued at USD 18. 03 billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach USD 37. 50 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 12. 27% during the forecast period (2021-2027).

New York, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Helicopter Services Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecast (2022 - 2027)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272915/?utm_source=GNW



The helicopter services market is susceptible to global economic conditions and the subsequent impacts on capital investment and consumer spending levels. Economic downturns and global pandemics can lead to reduced investments, changes in government spending levels, reduced customers and suppliers access to credit, hamper consumer confidence, and increased buyers propensity for cheaper substitutes in specific applications. This was evident in the last two years when the world witnessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased economic constraints, reduced travel and tourism activities, and decreased industrial output. Consequently, the demand for helicopter services from the associated sectors has also declined.



The helicopter services market is expected to be resilient through the coming decade, due to the inherent diversity in the mission segments. While demand from some end-users is projected to decline, other end-users are expected to generate increasingly higher demand for helicopter services in the years to come. As the world emerges from the pandemic, several countries are setting up national development plans and taking measures to diversity the economies by focusing more on improving their tourism related revenues. As a result, high levels of growth are expected in the tourism and travel sector in the medium-long term.



The helicopter services industry has been witnessing a greater threat of substitution in some applications since the last decade. Drones are slowly substituting helicopters in various roles due to their cheaper cost of operation and reduction of risk to humans. Drones are now performing tasks like land surveys, inspections, aerial observation, monitoring, photography, and videography etc, quickly, and close to the ground, delivering high resolution data in short timeframe.



The development of large drones with advanced flight capabilities, coupled with the inability of the helicopter OEMs to eliminate existing technology limitations, may result in drone services continuing to substitute the helicopter services in several non-transport applications in the coming years. This might challenge the growth of the market during the forecast period.



Key Market Trends



Increasing Prevalence Of Disasters And The Growing Need For Rapid Emergency Response is Driving the Demand for Helicopter Services



With the global temperatures rising, the world is expected to witness an increasing occurrence of wildfires in the next twenty years, generating a more important requirement for search and rescue and aerial firefighting activities. Thus, end-users are expected to spend an increasingly higher amount of money on these services in the years to come. Also, climate change has influenced the prevalence of natural disasters over the years. The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are also increasing each year, which might increase the need for search and rescue helicopters in the coming future. On the other hand, as roads become more congested, the need for quicker aerial transport is expected to increase, increasing the spending on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, particularly in the developing countries in the years to come. After the advent of the pandemic, the investment in the healthcare domain has grown during the COVID-19 situation, which has also increased the usage and demand for the Air Ambulance Services for the emergency medical services. Helicopters can cater to these requirements as they can be operated without a paved runway and can take off and land at the nearest incident location, thereby reducing the response and travel times. These factors are driving the demand for helicopters for the aforementioned applications.



Increase In Demand For Air Ambulance Services



Air ambulance helicopters are equipped with the required medical equipment and accessories and have an onboard medical crew to provide initial emergency medical care to patients. Air ambulance offers advantages over conventional road ambulance services, as the former help mitigate the issue of prolonged travel durations and limited access to remote areas. The increasing number of accidents globally is one of the major factors driving the market growth. Each year around 1.35 million people die globally due to road accidents, according to the World Health Organization. The timely and effective emergency services given to such critical patients who are chronically ill can preserve their lives and significantly creates a broad scope for market growth. In addition, increasing demand for better emergency health care services, the shift in governmental focus towards enhancing the emergency care standards, and favorable reimbursement policies are some of the major factors driving the demand for air ambulance services across the world. North America and Europe are the regions with the largest number of air ambulance helicopters globally, as these regions generate significant demand for ambulance services each year. Growth in the adoption of emergency medical transport facilities and greater insurance coverage for such services drive the need for air ambulance services in these regions. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is expected to steady growth due to a growing number of multispecialty hospitals and the rising adoption of advanced healthcare infrastructure to create a healthcare system experience that is safer and less strenuous. Such factors are expected to drive the growth of the segment in the years to come.



Competitive Landscape



Some of the major players in the market are Babcock International, Air Methods Corporation, Abu Dhabi Aviation, Bristow Group Inc., PHI Group Inc., etc. Over the years, the aviation regulatory bodies have framed tough and rigid rules and laws for helicopter operators. As a result, the smooth growth trajectory of the market was thwarted by such regulatory bumps and restricted its expansion. However, to develop the general aviation sector, several governments are now devising supportive regulations to encourage both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter operations. This might result in an increased influx of new players in the market and the geographical expansion of existing players into newer markets. Players are focusing on shifting into new markets to gain an advantage over the untapped markets. Furthermore, the competition in the helicopter charter industry is growing, as the new players are focusing on entering and expanding their customer base in the helicopter charter market through strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. For instance, in May 2021, Directional Aviations OneSky Flight, parent of global private jet travel provider Flexjet, jet card provider Sentient Jet and on-demand charter providers PrivateFly and FXAIR announced that it has acquired the U.K.-based helicopter provider Halo Aviation. Such strategies are expected help the growth of the players in the years to come.



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272915/?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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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




IABC/Toronto invites Greater Toronto Area communications and marketing professionals to the sector's most prestigious awards ceremony, the OVATION Awards.

TORONTO, May 3, 2022 /CNW/ - The Toronto chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/Toronto) is thrilled to announce that, after two years of virtual events, the 37th annual OVATION Awards event will be held in-person at the Berkeley Fieldhouse on Thursday, June 16, from 6 to 9 PM.

Each year, IABC/Toronto celebrates the talent and creative brilliance of the Greater Toronto Area's (GTA's) marketing and communications community through the prestigious OVATION Awards. The awards recognize communications and marketing excellence across a broad range of disciplines, including corporate communications, public relations, media relations, advertising campaigns and more.

"The OVATION Awards ceremony is the event communications, PR and marketing pros wait for all year," said Mandy Gibson, IABC/Toronto President. "It's a great opportunity for industry professionals to support and celebrate the best work of our peers. We're looking forward to welcoming our community back safely to our first in-person awards in two years. The evening promises to be a chance to connect in a casual atmosphere, while getting a front-row seat to celebrating the best talent in the GTA."

This June 16, IABC/Toronto invites the GTA's marketing and communications professionals to celebrate the award winners whose work has been evaluated against the Global Standard of the Communications Profession using IABC's Seven-Point Scale of Excellence.

In addition to the award winners, IABC Canada's 61st Master Communicator (MC), Maliha Aqeel, PMP, SCMP, MC will be honoured at the event for this lifetime achievement. Aqeel is founder and CEO of the IDEAS Collective, a past-president of IABC/Toronto and has been nominated as Vice Chair for IABC's International Executive Board for 2022-2023.

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Join us!

IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards

Thursday June 16, 2022

6 to 9 PM

Berkeley Field House

311 Queens Street East

Admission

Ticket includes admission, two alcoholic beverages, hors d'oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages.

Individual tickets:

IABC member: $60 + HST

Non-member: $85 + HST

Group tickets (discounted rates)

5 tickets

10 tickets

Thank you to our sponsors

Health & well-being

The health and well-being of attendees remains IABC/Toronto's top priority. IABC/Toronto will follow all public health guidelines in place at the time of the event. Organizers are working closely with Berkeley Fieldhouse to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

About IABC/Toronto

Celebrating its 80-year anniversary, IABC/Toronto is the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. The chapter supports its community of business communication professionals with innovative thinking, shared best practices, in-depth learning and career guidance.

Follow IABC/Toronto on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for the latest information on programs, awards, professional development and networking opportunities.

Related Links

Cision is the exclusive distribution partner of IABC/Toronto

Join us at the IABC/Toronto Ovation Awards! (CNW Group/IABC/Toronto)

Join us at at the Berkeley Fieldhouse on Thursday, June 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. (CNW Group/IABC/Toronto)

Join us at the Berkeley Fieldhouse on Thursday, June 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. (CNW Group/IABC/Toronto)

See you at the Berkeley Fieldhouse on Thursday, June 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. (CNW Group/IABC/Toronto)

SOURCE IABC/Toronto

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2022/03/c3541.html
40th award recognizes the heroism of President Zelenskyy and the millions of Ukrainian citizens who have mounted an extraordinary defence of their country and the principles of freedom and democracy

Washington, DC --News Direct-- International Association of Political Consultants

The International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC) announced today that it is awarding the prestigious 2022 Democracy Medal to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy on behalf of the Ukrainian people.

The citation notes that this award is in recognition of their crucial fight for democracy against the violent attack on their country by the authoritarian aggression of the Russian government.

The medal is awarded annually by members of the IAPC, which is the global professional body representing election consultants, strategists, and pollsters. This is the second Democracy Medal being awarded to a President of Ukraine. The first was in 2005 to Viktor Yushchenko.

IAPC President Matt Klink said the timing of the medals awarding had been brought forward from late 2022, at the organizations annual conference, to show the strongest possible support for the valiant defence of Ukraine and of democratic values by President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine.

President Zelenskyy has rallied world attention to the brutal assault on a sovereign democratic nation with a popularly elected government by a dictatorship that is determined to strike at democracy itself, Klink said. Through appearances at the United Nations, the European Union, the U.S. Congress, the British, Canadian, Australian and other Parliaments, Zelenskyy has urged democratic countries to support Ukraines democratically elected governments effort to defend itself.

The world has had a savage reminder of why democracy is something we must protect and cherish. Without it, nations revert to the rule of the gun rather than the will of the people, Klink added.

IAPC Democracy Award Committee Chairperson, Feyi Akindoyeni said, This is the second year in a row that the Medal has been awarded to those standing up to the Putin autocracy. Last year we recognised the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny."

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We hope through our award to draw attention to the heroism of Mr Zelenskyy and the millions of Ukrainian citizens who have mounted an extraordinary defence of their country and the principles of freedom and democracy, Akindoyeni went on to say.

Klink concluded by saying, We join with all civilised nations in condemning the brute violence and illegality of the Russian state in prosecuting this unlawful and unprovoked invasion, noting this war is opposed by many Russian citizens. We condemn the alleged war crimes and urge their prosecution. We encourage further support by the global community of Ukraines stand against tyranny. We express our hope for a peaceful resolution that restores the sovereignty of Ukraine and respects its peoples right to live in a free and democratic country with a government of their own choosing.

Since 1982, IAPC has been a pioneer in awarding an organization or an individual who in the judgment of its membership has worked courageously to foster, promote and sustain the democratic process anywhere in the world through our Democracy Medal, the first international award of its kind.

This is the 40th time since 1982 that the Medal has been awarded. Recipients have included individual politicians and leaders, political organizations, and political movements that have contributed to free elections through their leadership and commitment to democratic ideals.

Past winners include Hong Kong Umbrella Movement founder Joshua Wong, the Women of Belarus, Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa, US Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Philippines President Corazon Aquino, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, and the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Established in 1968, The International Association of Political Consultants is committed to fostering democracy and the democratic process throughout the world. Members span a variety of political backgrounds and activities fostering the growing and diverse profession of political consulting as well as the practical aspects of democratic elections.

Contact Details

IAPC President

Matt Klink

+1 310-283-6267

matt@klinkcampaigns.com

IAPC Vice-President Communications

Marcel Wieder

+1 416-907-2126

marcel@aurorastrategy.com

Company Website

https://www.iapc.org

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/iapc-awards-2022-democracy-medal-to-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelenskyy-and-the-people-of-ukraine-973991929
IPSOS

Paris, May 3, 2022

Dear Fellow Shareholder,

Ipsos is engaged in a new and successful transformation to reinforce our worldwide leadership while strengthening our governance with the support of our shareholders. Our strong set of results (FY results 2021 and 2022 First Quarter results) clearly demonstrates we are creating value and delivering for our shareholders.

Our progress is now threatened by both:

An ill-conceived and unnecessary attempt by a small minority of shareholders to nominate a candidate to the Board of Directors, without any prior dialogue or attempt to engage in our standing nomination process; and

A fundamental misunderstanding from ISS of our governance and remuneration processes.

We strongly recommend you vote AGAINST Resolution A at the Combined General Meeting on May 17.

We strongly recommend you vote FOR items 12, 15, 16, 17, 20 at the Combined General Meeting on May 17.

Over the past 24 months, Ipsos has executed its strategy to partner more closely with its clients so they can act faster, smarter and bolder. The results are clear:

Our share price at a 20 years high above 45 euros and with strong consensus from analysts;

2021 revenue growth of 17.9%, and 10.4% compared with 2019;

Operating Margin at 12,9% in 2021, which has gained 300 basis points since two years and which is foreseen to remain above 12%;

A higher generation of Free Cash Flows, which has led to an historical low net debt and therefore provides the financial resources for: a more aggressive acquisition policy, an increased dividend at 1.15 euros per share, and an additional buyback programme (on top of the recurring one of 1% of capital per year in order to limit the dilution of our free share programme).



Alongside our demonstrated track record of performance, Ipsos has taken decisive steps to strengthen its governance processes, notably by separating the functions of Chairman and CEO.

Last September, the Board appointed Ben Page as Ipsoss Chief Executive Officer, effective November 15. Over the last 12 years, he had grown very successfully Ipsos in the UK and Ireland. Under his leadership, Ipsos has already built on its progress, and Mr. Page and his team are preparing a comprehensive discussion of managements strategy called Best People and Best Technologies for further growth and value creation at our Investor Day on June 14 (which you are of course invited to attend).

The Board has been renewed significantly over the course of the past five years, through a transparent process guaranteeing the appointment of the most qualified, independent board members. This process is run by a nomination committee, fully composed and chaired by independent directors.

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As a result, the majority of this years Board nominees have joined the Company over the past five years. That includes two new independent directors proposed for election to the Board this year - Pierre Barnabe and Virginie Calmels (who are bringing strong skills in media and technology and whose experiences are described in Appendix 1).

Our proposed Board is also well-balanced, in terms of gender (50%), skill sets, experience, diversity, nationalities (25% non-French) and meets the definition of independence in accordance with the AFEP-MEDEF code (the corporate governance code of reference for French publicly traded companies).

At 50%, our gender balance on the Board also serves a valuable purpose for our investors since that fact is a critical contributor to our inclusion in key CSR-related indices and rankings. We do not recommend going backwards, having a lower ratio and losing this quality and balance, with the inclusion of the proposed additional candidate, potentially leading to a 13-member Board and only 45% of women. Having 50% of women at our Board has been a key ESG initiatives at Ipsos among others which are described in Appendix 2.

Up until last week and their discussions with the minority shareholders, it is worth noting that no proxy advisor had raised any concerns about IPSOSs governance and about its directors or their independence. As a group, we are very committed to these values, and we are committed to the quality of our relationship with our shareholders.

Therefore, we would like to draw your attention to some of the proposed resolutions, and more specifically:

- Resolution A, shared by a small minority of shareholders to nominate a candidate to the Board of Directors: We strongly recommend you vote AGAINST.

The minority shareholders proposal would undermine the progress outlined above. The individual proposed for nomination has no demonstrated understanding of our company and sector, appears to have no prior experience as a corporate officer or executive of a listed company, and did not seek to be selected by the Boards open and transparent process, which seeks to select candidates on the basis of their skills and after meeting with them. Far from benefitting the company, this nomination would only destabilize the business and the progress we have made. It may also undermine our recently appointed new management and new CEO, at a time where the team is delivering good results and developing momentum in the marketplace that is also reflected in the stock price.

The minority shareholders approach has also been confrontational and not reflective of an investor wanting the best for all shareholders and the company: after sending their request without any notice, they rejected dialogue with Ipsos for two weeks. A meeting was finally held yesterday, May 2nd, where they refused to explain why they believed such an adversarial approach was appropriate, or how that would serve the companys interest.

- Say-on-pay resolutions (items 12, 15, 16, 17, 20).

We strongly recommend you vote FOR items 12, 15, 16, 17, 20 at the Combined General Meeting on May 17.

The compensation granted to the executive managers are among the lowest of the SBF120, and Mr. Truchots package to reflect the conclusion of his role as Chief Executive Officer was entirely consistent with the strict implementation of the compensation policy, approved by an overwhelming 94% of our shareholders last year  and supported by several proxy advisors.

Ipsos considers that the pay-out is objectively benchmarked and reflects full alignment with the performance of the company and shareholders interests.

All of our compensation decisions are taken by our Compensation Committee that is comprised of independent directors and an employee representative appointed by the Unions, which qualifies it under the AFEP-MEDEF code as 100% independent.

It is clear Ipsos is on the right path. Ipsos is creating value for all its shareholders. The fairness of the Resolution 12 about Mr Didier Truchot compensation is further supported by details given in Appendix 3.

We hope this letter provides clarification and reassurance about Ipsoss perspectives and current trajectory and are looking forward to sharing more about Ipsos on May 17th  in the meantime, do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions on any resolution or the preparation for the Annual General Shareholders Meeting.

Our Chairman of the Board, Our CEO and the Chair of our Nomination Committee, as well as our Investor Relations team are available for any conference calls.

Yours sincerely,

The Board of Directors

Appendices:

- Message of the Chairman dated 19 April about the two independent Directors proposed to the Shareholders - Ipsos ESG initiatives - Resolution 12: further explanations on Chairman and CEO compensation for 2021 - Composition of the Board as at February 1st, 2022

Appendix 1

Message of the Chairman of the Board in the Convening Notice dated 19 April 2022

about the two independent Directors proposed to the Shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

We are delighted to invite you to attend the Ipsos Combined General Shareholders Meeting to be held at 9:30 am (CET) on May 17, 2022 at Ipsos' registered office located 35 rue du Val de Marne in Paris (75013).

In 2021, as the covid-19 pandemic continued, your Company's revenues reached a record level of EUR 2,146.7 million and it recorded an organic growth of 17.9%. Operating profit continued to rise and debt fell sharply thanks to excellent free cash flow generation. This extremely solid performance is the result of the good Momentum started in mid-2018 with the launch of the T.U.P. (Total Understanding Project) transformation plan, which had received strong commitment from our employees. Today, it is reflected in the increased confidence of our clients thanks to the adapted and digital solutions that we have been able to make available to them rapidly.

2021 was also a year of managerial transition between the Chairman and CEO and founder of Ipsos, Mr. Didier Truchot, and the new CEO, Mr. Ben Page, whom our Board of Directors has chosen to appoint as of 15 November 2021. Ben Page has been with Ipsos since 2005, when the British research company MORI, specialized in social and public opinion research, was acquired by our Company. He was one of the main managers of the company. Under his leadership since 2009, Ipsos MORI has tripled its revenues and has become a major reference in its market. In 2021, Ipsos MORI accounted for nearly 20% of the group's revenues and more than 20% of its operating income.

The Board of Directors is convinced that information, when obtained, analyzed and communicated with rigor and clarity by our professionals, is the best ally of the decision makers we support. Their talent combined with the development of our technology platforms allows us to be confident in our ability to maintain profitable growth over the long term.

As you will see from the draft resolutions and information published on the Ipsos website, you will be asked to approve 35 resolutions this year, including 23 ordinary resolutions. These resolutions are presented in detail in the report of the Board of Directors to the General Shareholders Meeting.

We would also like to draw your attention to some of the proposed resolutions, and more specifically the ones concerning:

- The ratification of the co-optation by the Board of Directors of Mr. Ben Page, Chief Executive Officer, on October 4, 2021, as director (resolution 5);

- The ratification of the co-optation on January 12, 2022 and the appointment of Mr. Pierre Barnabe as an independent director (resolutions 6 and 7);

- The appointment of Mrs. Virginie Calmels as a new independent director (resolution 9) as from the date of the General Meeting.

We propose a new balanced composition of the Board of Directors with 12 members, which will include 50% independent directors as required by law, and 50% women. If we take into account the mandate of Mr. Patrick Artus, whom we have reclassified as "non-independent" this year solely because of his participation in our Board for more than 12 years, the proportion of external directors is 60%. With regard to the two new terms of office as independent directors submitted for approval at this Meeting, namely those of Virginie Calmels and Pierre Barnabe, we wish to emphasize the important contributions of these individuals.

Mrs. Virginie Calmels is President of CV Education, a higher education group specializing in the creative industries and digital marketing, which opened the first FUTURAe school in Boulogne-Billancourt in October 2020. 3 Virginie Calmels is a graduate of the Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Toulouse and the Insead and also holds a degree in accounting and finance and a diploma in public accounting and auditing. In addition to her significant expertise in financial management, Virginie Calmels has extensive knowledge of digital marketing and is therefore particularly sensitive to Ipsos' business. She therefore has all the skills required to be appointed as an independent director of the Company, as she is or has been an independent director of other listed companies in the TMT sector (Iliad, Assystem, Technicolor). She is also involved in charitable activities which are at the heart of Ipsos' ESG policy.

Mr. Pierre Barnabe is a recognized specialist in the technology world. He currently heads the Big Data and Cybersecurity division of Atos and will become CEO of Soitec on May 1. Previously, he was CEO of Alcatel-Lucent France and then Deputy CEO of Bull. He is ranked 16th in The Consulting Report's 50 Leaders in Cybersecurity (October 2021 ranking). Pierre Barnabe is Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Merite. He has been appointed Director of Inria (Institut National de l'Informatique et de l'Automatique) since 2020 and was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ensimag engineering school in June 2021. He has all the skills required to be appointed as an independent director of the Company and to contribute to the future technological choices of the Ipsos group. We hope these resolutions will meet with your approval. *** We hope you will find this letter helpful, and we would like to thank you for your interest in Ipsos and your backing for all our resolutions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions on any resolution or the preparation for the Annual General Shareholders Meeting. Yours sincerely,

Didier Truchot,

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Appendix 2

Ipsos ESG initiatives

Our ESG initiatives are described in details in the section 5.4.1 of our 2021 Annual/Universal Registration Document. Report.

In this context, our commitment to sustainable development has been continued and reinforced. Our 2021-2023 CSR roadmap, adopted in February 2021, reflects this commitment:

We have set ourselves a target of carbon neutrality by 2035 - five years ahead of the 2040 deadline set by the international community.

Our commitment to society is reflected in our commitment to ensuring that the diversity of our teams reflects the diversity of the societies in which we operate; we have continued to increase the proportion of women among our senior managers so that by 2021 we had 35% women and we are committed to reaching 40% by 2023.

Our key sustainability targets will continue to be set and monitored by the Board of Directors. Under the leadership of our new CEO Ben Page, Ipsos will continue to develop its roadmap around three pillars: People, Society and Planet.

The internal climate surveys carried out regularly demonstrate a higher level of commitment than that of other companies in the service sector and which has increased in recent years, which is explained by the pride of the teams in working in a company whose societal and environmental are recognized.

In terms of gender equality and from the point of view of the equity ratio (gap between the executive's salary and the median of employees, which is one of the lowest in the SBF120), Ipsos considers itself to be ahead.

Mrs. Laurence Stoclet, Deputy CEO and Group CFO, had also been invited on October 25, 2021 to speak publicly on these subjects, during a round table organized on the occasion of the publication of the Palmares de la feminisation of SBF120 companies Boards, sponsored by the Ministry for Equality between Women and Men, Diversity and Equal Opportunities.

It is therefore crucial to keep 50% women on our Board of Directors.

Another example of our ESG initiatives, Ipsos was the first market research and opinion polling company in the world, in 2008, to join the UN Global Compact and, since then, has been involved in numerous RES initiatives, including actions in favor of Refugees and, through its Foundation created in 2014, in favor of the education of underprivileged children.

In 2021, 92% of the paper used by Ipsos was recycled.

Appendix 3

Resolution 12: further explanations on Chairman and CEO compensation

for 2021

The Remuneration policy for the Chairman and CEO was described in section 13.1.2 of the 2020 Annual Report/2020 Universal Registration Document (URD) was submitted to the vote of the Shareholders under Resolution 10 at the AGM of May 27th, 2021:

All the major proxy agencies (Glass Lewis, ISS, Proxinvest) recommended to vote in favor of Resolution 10.

The Resolution 10 was consequently adopted at 94.2% at the AGM.

It is only logical for it to be considered as due to Mr Didier Truchot as this remuneration policy was very precise and transparent. In particular, about the reasons for the Indemnity in case of cessation of duties:

Extract from 2020 URD, section 13.1.2 Compensation of Chairman and CEO

13.1.2.7 Termination Benefits

In the event of the dismissal or termination as the Chairman and CEO, the latter would receive a payment equal to twice his gross compensation received in the calendar year prior to him leaving office. Payment is subject to the following performance condition: Revenue for one of the three years prior to the year of dismissal must be higher, at constant exchange rates, than that of the preceding year. This payment therefore presupposes a progression assessed over at least two financial years, meaning no payment in the event of proven failure by the executive in the last years of his term of office. For reference, this commitment was authorized by the General Shareholders Meeting, most recently upon reappointment of the Chairman and CEO at the General Shareholders Meeting of April 28, 2016 under the procedure for related-party agreements applicable by reference to former Article L. 225-42-1 of the French Commercial Code (now repealed). With the coming into force of the new Say on Pay regime at end-2019, termination benefits are no longer dealt with in this way and are now covered by the new regime.

The payment of the compensation is not ruled out in the event that the beneficiary retires in the near future. It should be noted that the Chairman and CEO does not have a supplementary pension scheme from Ipsos, or any other statutory or contractual severance payment, as he does not have an employment contract. It is thus justified and in the Companys best interests that the Ipsos founding executive who devoted almost all of his career to the companys expansion should be able to benefit from this payment.

13.1.2.8 Supplementary pension scheme

There is no supplementary pension scheme for the Chairman and CEO (or for the other Ipsos SA executive officers); more specifically, there is no top-hat pension scheme.

As a matter of fact, Mr Didier Truchot benefits from no defined contribution, complementary pension schemes, 401K, or other deferred schemes which are normally available to all employees and which are available to most CEOs of listed companies in France (where standard state pensions are a fraction of past compensation) or abroad where having specific pensions schemes are the rule for all Companies.

This is why this indemnity for end of service/duty, whatever was the circumstance or cause, was approved by the Shareholders. It is only fair according to the Board that Mr Didier Truchot receives it. It would be totally illogical and inconsistent not to reconfirm this approval.

In addition, the Board draws the attention of the Shareholders to the fact that the Board did not grant Mr Didier Truchot any Performance Free Shares related to the fiscal years 2020 and 2021. The standard remuneration policy for the CEO voted by the Shareholders includes a Performance Free Shares programme which is calling for an allocation of maximum 0,03% of capital (13.330 shares) per year, valued at approximately 400 keuros in 2021.

In relation with the fiscal years 2020 and 2021, Mr Didier Truchot did not get those Free Shares allocations.

Instead the Board decided to grant him the approved Indemnity for termination of duties as Chairman and CEO so that Mr Didier Truchot receives a fair compensation for the excellent performance of Ipsos in 2020 and in 2021.

Mr Didier Truchot, Chairman and CEO compensation (in 2021 : until 14 November 2021) 2020 2021 Average 2 years Amounts due Amounts due Fixed compensation 489,810 437,395 463,602 Annual variable compensation 168,300 345,975 257,138 Annual grant of Performance Shares 0 0 0 Indemnity for termination of duties (1) - 1,081,672 530,836 Compensation allocated for the term of office as Director on the Board 0 0 0 Benefits in kind 0 0 0 Pensions/ Defined contributions / 401 K / 0 0 0 Total 658,110 1,865,042 1,261,576

This indemnity for termination of duties represents less than 2 years of normal compensation as the calculation is based on cash compensation amounts received in 2020, at the time of pandemic, where there was no salary increase and on the contrary a cut of 20% of compensation for 3 months.

No other item was received or awarded (multi-annual variable compensation, benefits in kind, compensation for sitting on the Board, severance and/or non-compete payments, supplementary pension scheme).

In addition, the benchmark of CEO compensations shows that Mr Didier Truchot compensation for 2020 and 2021 is one of the lowest of SBF120 and Next 80. It is also clearly lower than the compensation of other CEOs of listed market research companies (in average over the two years, his compensation was 10 times lower than one of Ipsos US competitors and half of the one of a UK competitor).

In terms of ESG governance, it is to be noted that the Equity Ratio (difference between CEO package and the mean of all employees) is only at X15 and is one of the lowest in the market research industry worldwide and among all worldwide listed companies.

The Board of Directors

Appendix 4

Ipsos Board of Directors as at February 1st, 2022

Nom Gender Nationality Independent Director Appointment and Compensation Committee Audit Committee CSR Committee Didier Truchot  Chairman of the Board of Directors M French NO Ben Page  CEO M British NO Laurence Stoclet  Deputy CEO and Chief Financial Officer F French NO Jennifer Hubber  Chief Client Officer F British NO M Patrick Artus1 M French NO M Pierre Barnabe M French YES M Anne Marion-Bouchacourt F French YES CC Eliane Rouyer-Chevalier F French YES M Filippo Pietro Lo Franco M Italian YES CC Florence von Erb F French YES CC Andre Lewitcki  Employee representative M French - M Sylvie Mayou  Employee representative F French - M Independence Rate 50% 100 % 66.66 % 50 % Percentage of women 50%

Note 1:

Patrick Artus was reclassified from "independent director" to "non-independent" during 2021 because his term of office had exceeded 12 years; without this reclassification, the independence rate would have been 60%.

Directors representing employees, designated by the Unions (Force Ouvriere and CFE-CGC) are not included in the calculation of the Board's independence rate, in compliance with the article 8.3 of the AFEP-MEDEF Code to which Ipsos refers.

CC = Commitee Chairman / M = Member

ABOUT IPSOS

Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing over 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.

Our tagline "Game Changers" sums up our ambition to help our 5,000 customers move confidently through a rapidly changing world.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and Mid-60 indices and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com









Attachment




First-of-its-kind identity platform transforms SaaS management and identity governance with self-service solution

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The identity company Lumos announced its out-of-stealth launch with a total +$30m funding from Andreesen Horowitz, Neo, Lachy Groom, Google Cloud CISO Phil Venables, OpenAI CTO Greg Brockman, and many more. Lumos is on a mission to build the AppStore for companies, replacing an IT ticket with a self-service portal for employees to select the apps and permissions needed. The platform detects project, role, or employee changes and kicks off an access review process, removing licenses where applicable.

Lumos Co-Founders from L-R: Andrej Safundzic, Leo Mehr, Alan Flores-Lopez

Employees are using hundreds of SaaS apps to get their job done. But that convenience comes at a price. More apps plus more employees equals more security concerns for CISOs and more operational work for IT teams. With every app used by employees, the company inches closer to a disaster dubbed the 'APPocalypse' by Lumos co-founder Andrej Safundzic. The APPocalypse will bite companies in the SaaS: IT tickets, compliance breaches, unnecessarily high SaaS license costs, increased risks from compromised employee accounts, and insider threats.

The Lumos AppStore increases internal controls around access management while keeping workforce productivity high. By combining SaaS management and identity governance, IT and security teams can focus on strategic initiatives instead of dealing with operational headaches. The key to achieving that goal is self-service. Through self-service employees increase productivity, while making sure security is baked into the process.

"As the world has shifted from "bring your own device" to "bring your own app" and now "bring your own office" the challenge of shadow IT has only continued to compound. We're very excited to partner with the Lumos team as they build the tool that can bring light to this darkness," Peter Levine, General Partner at a16z.

Story continues

Full release.

About Lumos

Lumos is the first internal AppStore for companies. With Lumos, employees are more productive and your enterprise more compliant with self-service app requests, access reviews, and license management.

The result: employees go to their Company AppStore and ask for app and permission access. IT and security can control who can request which apps, perform access reviews and automate access creation. Lumos makes companies productive and compliant at the same time. Learn more: lumos.com .

Lumos Logo

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lumos-raises-30m-led-by-a16z-and-unveils-the-first-internal-appstore-for-companies-301537861.html

SOURCE Lumos
ReportLinker

The Mexico Plastic Packaging Market (henceforth referred to as the market studied) was valued at USD 7. 46 billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach USD 9. 12 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 3.

New York, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Mexico Plastic Packaging Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272888/?utm_source=GNW

40% during the period 2022-2027 (henceforth referred to as the forecast period).



Key Highlights

According to International Trade Administration, in 2021, packaging was the most significant driver of Mexicos plastics industry, accounting for 47% of market demand. Plastic packaging items used in the food and beverage industry are created locally. However, producers require specialized containers, pallets and totes, and bins with electrostatic discharged coatings used in the production and final packing of products. Thermoformed plastic packaging is also trendy. Many firms in this subsector compete to supply to the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, automobile, and medical device production industries.

There has been an increase in the packaging machinery in Mexico, indicating a positive outlook for the packaging market. According to Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), in 2021, Mexico was projected to increase packaging machinery and equipment imports by 15%, with a 9% increase from the United States, as part of the reactivation of the Mexican economy. The total imports of Mexicos packaging machinery increased from USD 390.35 million in 2019 to USD 402.02 million in 2020. ? Such an increase in machinery imports is expected to encourage plastic packaging firms in the country to increase production and market share and expand their customer base while meeting the demands of existing customers.

Paper-based packaging is being increasingly used for packaging dairy products. The most prevalent type of cardboard used for dairy products packaging is the whiteboard. It is suitable for frozen desserts, milk, or butter as it is coated with wax or plastic, making the paper heat-sealable. Also, because of its traditional manufacture and production of alcoholic beverages, Mexico is one of the most important markets for glass bottle packaging. Such alternative forms of packaging are restraining the plastic packaging market growth in the country.

The onset of the COVID-19 outbreak had been the largest proponent for industry demand during the five years to 2021. It is anticipated that amber plastic bottles may witness demand with the increasing production of cough syrups. As these bottles protect the product from photodamage, they are expected to be highly used by most pharmaceutical manufacturing companies.



Key Market Trends



Bottles to Drive the Plastic Industry in the Country



Plastic as a product is widely recognized in several regions, and there is a wide range of innovative, cost-effective, and ecological packaging options available in the market. As a result, key competitors, such as Amcor, have introduced new plastic product shapes to meet the need for bottles.

The beverage sectors market for plastic bottles is anticipated to witness rapid growth, owing to the never-ending demand for bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages. The need for bottled water is credited to the consumers propensity for specifically demanding high-quality drinking water, owing to the fear of diseases resulting from drinking polluted tap water and the ease of portability and convenience provided by bottled water.

The developing significance of modern packaging in the pharmaceutical industry has led the brands to utilize the potential of the characteristic plastic packaging to stand out from their competitors and increase profitability.? Apart from the essential condition of protecting the drug, the pack also needs to be appealing and distinct, sufficient to promote itself. Thus, the aesthetic appeal of plastic packaging has been a driving factor for its usage in pharmaceutical packaging.

According to the United Nations, Mexicos exports of beverages, spirits, and vinegar were USD 10.01 billion in 2021. Such a high export rate is expected to increase the demand for plastic bottles in the region. Plastic bottles are rugged and robust, and when dropped, they do not shatter into jagged fragments, safely handling the items and packaging. Because plastics are polymers (large molecules formed by joining several small molecules together), they have critical physical qualities, such as toughness and chemical resistance. Plastic bottles are resistant to leaks and bursts, preserving both the contents and the outside shipping containers.

To meet the demand of the customers, the companies are incorporating new features in their products so that they can expand their market share in the region. For example, INOACs standard bottles, mostly made of PET resin and PP resin, are available for culinary spices, dressings, alcohol, and beverages. INOAC provides standard bottles based on the contents with which they are to be filled.



Food Industry to Drive the Growth of the Market



The Mexican food industry is one of the major consumers of the plastic packaging market due to the increasing demand for easy-to-use and small packaging solutions, with the growing consumer demand for ready-to-eat types. ?

According to the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service, beef and veal meat production in Mexico experienced an overall increasing trend between 2010 and 2022. Production exceeded two million metric tons of carcass weight equivalent in recent years, increasing more than 16.3% over 2010. In 2021 the region produced 2,190 metric Ton of meat, increasing from 2020 production, i.e., 2,079 thousand metric tons. Such an increase in meat production may significantly drive the demand for plastic packaging for the studied market.

Furthermore, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Mexicos annual per capita food spending was USD 1,340 in 2018, and it is anticipated to reach about USD 1,743 in 2023. With the increase in per capita food spending, the demand for food packaging may also increase. Plastic packaging may withstand harsh environments and does not degrade in hot and cold temperatures, protecting the integrity of the food inside. It also safeguards products against moisture, oxygen, dust, light, and smells. Such properties may create the demand for the usage of plastic packaging for food.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader ), Mexican agri-food exports set a new high in 2021, with a total value of USD 44,442 million, the largest in 29 years. Exports increased by 12.44% compared to 2020, totaling USD 39,525 million.

In August 2021, According to the National Association of Chocolate Manufacture, Jalisco was home to 14% of the companies dedicated to producing sweets and chocolates, which generate 58% of national production. In the case of confectionery, the per capita consumption for this year is predicted to be 196 pounds or nearly four kilos. The per capita chocolate consumption is 750 grams nationally. However, certain people consume more chocolate per year, primarily during winter.

Due to the expansion of the food companies in the Mexican region, the demand for rigid plastic packaging may increase. Rigid plastics are the lightest and least expensive packaging material to carry. Users may also make designs as tiny as possible, allowing for shipping more products per shipping. Such benefits may allow the companies to adapt rigid plastic packaging.



Competitive Landscape



The market studied is fragmented, with players such as Amcor PLC, Berry Global Inc., and Sealed Air Corporation operating in the market. The plastic packaging market comprises several global and regional players vying for attention in a contested market space.



November 2021 - Aptar Group Inc. invested in the development of a new facility in Suzhou to optimize and integrate the companys existing operations at the new facility in the region.

May 2021 - Aptar Group Inc. developed and launched a fully recyclable, mono-material pump for the beauty and personal care industries, which is being used for products under the skincare brand Dermalogica and INUNE.



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272888/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




(Bloomberg) -- For all the furor about which way Elon Musk might tilt U.S. political discourse after getting the keys to Twitter Inc., his biggest challenges may emerge across the Pacific.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Asia, home to more than half the worlds population, is Twitters biggest growth opportunity and arguably a far thornier challenge. If the Tesla Inc. and SpaceX billionaire makes good on promises to scrap censorship, hell encounter a plethora of perplexing regulations, wielded by sometimes authoritarian governments, pushed to the limits by a horde of first-time internet users.

The numbers alone suggest Musks biggest headaches lie abroad. Twitters monetizable daily active users numbered 179 million internationally -- dwarfing the 38 million in the U.S. in 2021, according to its latest annual report.

As a public company, Twitter has repeatedly emphasized it must abide by local regulations. Once its a private concern controlled by the worlds richest man, Musk will personally shoulder responsibility for navigating that thicket -- and the fallout if he fails.

Asia has the potential to make or break the new Twitter, said JJ Rose, a contributor to Australias nonpartisan Lowy Institute think tank. It will depend on how he approaches it, if he can harness it for his free speech aims.

Representatives for Twitter and Musk didnt respond to requests for comment.

Read more: Elon Musks $44 Billion Claim on the Future of Free Speech

China

Twitter is officially banned in China, but the country will still demand a lot of Musks attention. Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos alluded to the potential conflicts in a tweet shortly after Musks deal, asking Did the Chinese government just gain a bit of leverage over the town square?

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An obvious point is that China is tremendously important for Tesla, the key source of Musks wealth. The billionaire will certainly face pressures -- implicit or explicit -- to fine-tune Twitters policies to please Beijing.

As the worlds biggest electric-vehicle market as well as a supplier of Tesla batteries, China is essential to the healthy growth of the centerpiece of Musks business empire. Tesla has also benefited from significant tax breaks in setting up his Shanghai Gigafactory -- its first overseas plant -- and been allowed to wholly own its local operations, a rarity for a U.S. firm.

A pressing issue is how Twitter handles Chinas efforts to spread propaganda globally on the platform. The company in 2020 instituted labels for government officials and state-affiliated media for publications like Xinhua and Global Times, and readers are reminded of this government-backing any time they like or retweet stories. Chinese media have called the practice intimidation and already begun to lobby the billionaire to roll it back.

One of the fiercest tests of Musks avowed commitment to expanding free speech on Twitter will lie in whether he withstands pressure from Beijing to whitewash criticisms and challenges of China on the platform, said Suzanne Nossel, CEO of non-profit advocacy group PEN America. Whatever incremental changes he makes on the platform in the name of free speech risk being subsumed beneath the weight of a heavy Chinese hand controlling what Musk has rightly dubbed a global public square.

Chen Weihua, a journalist at the China Daily, appealed directly to Musk with the argument that such labels suppress free speech and contradict Musks stated principles. The billionaire hasnt given a clear indication of how he would decide such matters.

By free speech, I simply mean that which matches the law, Musk wrote on Twitter. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law.

Bots are another matter. China has also used automated and anonymous accounts to distribute the governments messages, which prompted Twitter to remove more than 170,000 accounts in 2020 for spreading geopolitical narratives favorable to the Communist Party. Musk has pledged to defeat the spam bots or die trying! and sounds determined to keep taking on the fake accounts.

Beijing has shown a willingness to punish billionaires who dont comply with its wishes. Regulators have hammered the countrys tech giants and effectively banished Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. co-founder Jack Ma from public view.

There are incentives on offer beyond the electric-vehicle market. Musks SpaceX could certainly seek Chinese customers, while his Boring Co. may profit from lucrative infrastructure contracts in the country.

And what of Twitter itself? A slice of the Chinese population employs virtual private networks to evade Beijings control and use the service. Could Beijing also offer up access to its 1.4 billion people? Perhaps under the right terms. They would certainly not include free speech.

India

India is another high-stakes market for Twitter: there are half a billion internet users in the country and another half-billion getting online.

Twitter plays a role in Indias online discourse similar to that in the U.S.: the countrys political leaders use it to get their messages out, which are then relayed across TV and news networks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an early adopter and has 78 million followers on the service -- more than Twitter has registered users in the country.

But the New Delhi government has insisted on far more control than Washington has ever been able to exert. Tensions in the relationship spiked during farmer protests in the country in 2020 and 2021 as Twitter and the government clashed over what sort of speech would be tolerated on the platform.

When farmers groups demanded the repeal of certain laws they said favored corporate-run farms, they took to the streets and social media to make their case, including Twitter. Modis administration insisted the San Francisco-based company take down posts critical of its actions -- and Twitter at first refused to comply. Indian authorities then threatened to jail the companys executives, which prompted Twitter to permanently suspend more than 500 accounts and block access to hundreds more.

Twitter Yields, Blocks Access to Hundreds of India Accounts - Bloomberg

It was a direct example of how support for free speech can clash with government edicts and legal compliance. Later in 2021, New Delhi tightened its grip over social media such as Twitter and Facebook: The government insisted that companies identify specific individuals as grievance officers, who will be responsible for handling official removal requests and who could face prison terms for non-compliance. Twitter acceded, albeit after a delay.

Its not clear how Musk would reconcile his support for more free speech with such strict government controls.

Twitter should match the laws of the country, the owner-to-be said in an interview.

The issue is hardly limited to India. Nearby Sri Lanka restricted social media access in anticipation of protests in April, while Myanmars military junta last year disrupted internet access altogether in its push to quell opposition. Researchers found Twitter was the most-blocked social media platform globally with a total 12,379 hours of outages in 2021.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has become one of the fastest-growing internet markets, fueled by countries like Indonesia and India getting their vast populations online.

Southeast Asia Digital Economy to Reach $363 Billion by 2025

But developing markets come with their own set of issues. Meta Platforms Inc. names the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia as prominent sources of fake and duplicate accounts. Meta, whose Facebook and Instagram services face similar challenges to Twitters, has for years reported in its annual filings that roughly 11% of its worldwide users are duplicate accounts and another 5% are fake. As with China, Twitter will have its work cut out to eradicate synthetic users.

Freedom of expression also bumps up against local laws in this region. Singapore passed a contentious foreign interference law last year granting it powers to demand user information from social networks, in an effort to prevent outsiders from swaying domestic politics. Would that square with Musks ambition of free-wheeling expression?

Vietnam has posed similar challenges for online service providers like Facebook and Alphabet Inc.s Google, with a cybersecurity law effectively forcing a choice between upholding user privacy and adhering to local rules.

The question to be answered over the coming years is how far Musk will stick with his promises of freeing up Twitter -- not just in the U.S., but in the rest of the world.

Asia is not North America and it is not Europe, said the Lowy Institutes Rose. Musk has a globalist view and his business interests to date have tended to be fairly universal. But something like media requires a more nuanced approach when applied globally.

(Updates with free-speech advocates comment in the 11th paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
By Karin Strohecker and Sujata Rao

LONDON (Reuters) -Russia was set to swerve a debt default after overdue payments on two of its sovereign Eurobonds were sent to creditors, four sources told Reuters.

A source familiar with the payment process and speaking on condition of anonymity said on Tuesday the funds had been transferred to some bondholders the day before. Two creditors holding the bonds confirmed the money had shown up in their accounts.

A senior U.S. official confirmed on Monday that Moscow had made the payment without using reserves frozen in the United States, adding that the exact origin of the funds was unclear.

Russia last week made what appeared to be a late U-turn to avoid a default, announcing it had paid nearly $650 million it owed in coupons and principal to holders of the bonds, ahead of a grace period expiry on May 4.

Russia's $40 billion of international bonds have become the focus of a financial standoff between Western capitals, which have imposed sweeping sanctions over the country's invasion of Ukraine, and Moscow, which has introduced counter-measures.

This has complicated making payments on sovereign and corporate bonds, with several firms and state-owned entities, such as Russian Railways, failing to do so in time.

The latest payments were made after Russia's early-April attempt to transfer funds to international holders from its immobilised reserves. That was halted by U.S. authorities.

Moscow then transferred the amount due in roubles into onshore accounts, saying it considered its obligations fulfilled. However, foreign investors were unable to access the money due to Russian capital controls.

Given the terms specified payments must be made in U.S. dollars, the move was widely seen as constituting default.

'NOT SIGNIFICANT'

Russia's payments due on April 4 cover a bond that matured that day, as well as interest payments on one due in 2042.

It is now due to pay coupons on May 27 on a dollar-denominated bond issued in 2016, and a euro-denominated bond issued in 2021.

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That falls due after the May 25 expiry of a temporary licence issued by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which permits transactions related to Russian sovereign debt payments.

"The clear argument for this expiry being extended is that Russia has now accepted using assets not already frozen to make eurobond debt repayments, thus drawing down on its resources, which we think would be viewed positively by the U.S. Treasury," said Simon Waever, a strategist at Morgan Stanley.

"At the same time, the amounts are not significant when measured against the monthly FX inflows to Russia, largely due to the still ongoing energy exports," he told clients.

Waever estimates that $1.5 billion is due in payments on sovereign eurobonds by year-end and says Russia's decision to pay creditors in dollars implies it is keen to avoid default.

The U.S. Treasury has not commented on whether that deadline will be extended.

The 2022 bond rose on Friday by around 50 points after Moscow's announcement, Morgan Stanley said, while other Russian international bonds had added between 6-11 points.

Preparations for an auction to settle insurance taken against a Russian default were made last week even after news of the payments. The Credit Derivatives Determinations Committee met https://www.cdsdeterminationscommittees.org/cds/the-russian-federation-2 again on Tuesday and, after acknowledging the fresh reports of cash having reached some bondholders, said it "will defer publication of an Initial List of Deliverable Obligations".

The case, looking at whether Russia had defaulted, is still ongoing according to the committee's website.

(Reporting by Karin Strohecker and Sujata Rao in London, additional reporting by Marc Jones in London and Rodrigo Campos in New York; Editing by Huw Jones, Ed Osmond, Alexander Smith and Mark Heinrich)
Samsung signs deal with Dish for 5G radios, phones FILE PHOTO: A Dish Network satellite dish is shown on a residential home in Encinitas, California

By Supantha Mukherjee

(Reuters) - Samsung has signed a multi-year deal to sell equipment to Dish for its upcoming 5G network in the United States, one of the largest radio deals for the South Korean company since its major Verizon contract in 2020.

Samsung set itself up as a challenger to top telecoms equipment suppliers Nokia and Ericsson in the United States by winning a $6.6 billion deal with Verizon, and the contract with Dish further cements its position.

"This is a greater than a billion dollar agreement for Samsung Networks," Alok Shah, vice president at Samsung, told Reuters. "We will be delivering our first products to Dish later this year."

Dish already has Taiwan's Microelectronics Technology Inc (MTI) and Japan's Fujitsu as suppliers for 5G radios.

Dish is building a 5G network using latest technologies that promises to lower costs and bring in new services, and has tied up with companies ranging from Amazon and Intel to smaller ones such as Altiostar and Mavenir.

While Dish has not launched a commercial network yet, it has committed to regulators to cover 20% of the U.S. population by June, and at least 70% of the population by mid-2023.

"We have an objective to achieve 20% of population coverage by June and we are well on track to achieve that," Dish Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Bye said in an interview.

"We have beta users on our network for some time, testing our network ... we just have not declared commercial launch and you will see that in the coming weeks," he said.

Dish, which has been setting up network infrastructure in dozens of cities, has also faced supply chain issues that have hurt companies globally, including in the telecom industry.

Bye said supply chains had been tough for 12-18 months and the challenges were not going to go away in the next couple of months. But Dish has all the components to reach its June coverage target.

Dish is also testing its 5G network using Samsung Galaxy S22 phones and plans to continue using the phones throughout the network deployment process.

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"We are working with other device vendors and you can look at the Boost website and you will see clearly we have relationships with a lot of device vendors," Bye said.

Boost Mobile, a prepaid wireless phone brand owned by Dish, lists phones from Samsung, Motorola and Apple on its website https://www.boostmobile.com/phones.

(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm; Editing by Mark Potter)
Sharc International Systems Inc.

SHARC Energy Receives Purchase Order From California/Columbia Hydronics Corporation for first district WET system installation in the Pacific Northwest of the United States

SHARC Wastewater Energy Transfer ("WET") System

A rendering of a SHARC WET system.

the Video on First SHARC WET System installed in King County

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHARC International Systems Inc. (CSE: SHRC) (FSE: IWIA) (OTCQB: INTWF) ("SHARC Energy" or the Company), a world leader in energy transfer with wastewater, is pleased to announce that the Company has received a purchase order from California | Columbia Hydronics Corporation (CHC), a representative of SHARC products in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Northern California (north of San Luis Obispo/Kern/San Bernardino county lines) and Nevada. SHARC Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) system will be installed in the heart of Seattle, a few minutes from the Space Needle, showcasing the power of wastewater in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.

The project will be taking advantage of the King County Wastewater Heat Recovery Pilot Project program being pioneered by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division. The pilot program provides for no WET fees to be charged in exchange for the operational data of the WET systems for the first three years of operation. This pilot program is the first of its kind in North America. Seattle is the latest US city demonstrating global leadership in addressing climate action with innovative solutions to address the carbon emission reduction required to curb climate action.

Lynn Mueller, CEO of SHARC Energy

We are excited to have the first SHARC WET system installed in the pacific northwest of the USA and to support King County achieve its goal of recovering energy from the sewer. We anticipate the interest in SHARC technology will continue to grow as the global focus on reducing the use of fossil fuels is accelerated through policy and incentives. We would also like to thank the CHC team for this win and for supporting us to continue to grow the awareness of SHARC WET projects and its installation footprint in our key target markets.

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SHARC WET system is an engineer accepted low carbon and ecofriendly heating and cooling solution that cities and developers can utilize to promote a circular economy, decarbonize hot water and space heating, reduce the use of freshwater in cooling towers and reduce the ambient temperature of wastewater to acceptable levels for treatment and discharge. This WET equipment is able to exchange thermal energy from and into high volumes of wastewater with a minimal footprint, higher efficiency and superior filtration when compared to alternative WET equipment on the market.

This representative purchase order demonstrates the ability of our highly reputable network to generate opportunities for WET projects and the continued growth and expansion of SHARC technology across the United States. The SHARC WET system is installed in D.C Water Administrative Building in Washington, D.C. and the National Western Center, North Americas largest WET District Energy System in Denver, Colorado. SHARC Energys team along with its representatives are working on a growing list of WET projects at various stages of feasibility, design and planning across the country.

Brandon R. McCann, Sales Engineer at CHC Hydro

Truly passionate. Those are the two best words I can use to describe everyone on the team that helped make this technology a reality here in our back yard, Seattle, WA. SHARCs technology is second to none and we are confident this technology will be a catalyst for a greener future here in the Emerald City and beyond.

This WET project doesnt represent the only installation of SHARC technology in the Pacific Northwest either. SHARC Energys PIRANHA T15 WET System is being installed at 303 Battery, one of the first residential towers in the world to be certified as Zero Energy by the International Living Future Institute. The PIRANHA WET system is an electrical hot water system that extracts the thermal energy from a buildings wastewater and uses it to provide 100% of its hot water production at an average year-round efficiency of 400%. This means for every $1 of energy used to operate the system, it is able to generate $4 worth of output.

There are over 25 installations of SHARC and PIRANHA WET systems installed or in progress in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia.

About SHARC Energy

SHARC International Systems Inc. is a world leader in energy recovery from the wastewater we send down the drain every day. SHARC Energys systems recycle thermal energy from wastewater, generating one of the most energy efficient and economical systems for heating, cooling & hot water production for commercial, residential and industrial buildings.

SHARC Energy is publicly traded in Canada (CSE: SHRC), the United States (OTCQB: INTWF) and Germany (Frankfurt: IWIA) and you can find out more on our SEDAR profile.

Learn more about SHARC Energy: Website | Investor Page | LinkedIn | YouTube | PIRANHA Series | SHARC Series

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Lynn Mueller

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

For investor inquiries, please contact:

Hanspaul Pannu

Chief Financial Officer

SHARC Energy

Telephone: (604) 475-7710 ext. 4

Email: hanspaul.pannu@sharcenergy.com



For media inquiries, please contact:

Mike Tanyi

Director of Marketing and IT

SHARC Energy

Telephone: (604) 475-7710 ext.109

Email: mike.tanyi@sharcenergy.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified using words such as anticipate, plan, estimate, expect, may, will, intend, should, and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. SHARC Energys actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. SHARC Energy believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Companys expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c5dbeb79-8dac-4ec0-b0fb-47d1cb03a64d

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce945065-09ba-4351-ba51-85df01d42ac9




CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2022 / Southern Energy Corp. ("Southern" or the "Company") (SOU:TSXV) (AIM:SOUC), a U.S.-focused, growth-oriented oil and natural gas producer, announces that the Company has issued 187,500 new common shares in the Company ("Common Shares") to satisfy an exercise of warrants over Common Shares at an exercise price of CAD0.32 per Common Share.

Southern Energy Corp., Tuesday, May 3, 2022, Press release picture

Admission to Trading on AIM and Total Voting Rights

Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange plc for the admission to trading on AIM of the 187,500 new Common Shares, which is expected to occur at 8.00 a.m. on or around 6 May 2022 ("Admission"). On Admission, the new Common Shares will rank pari passu with the existing Common Shares.

On Admission, the issued share capital of the Company will be 78,513,733 Common Shares and this figure may be used by shareholders as a denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in or change to their interest in the Company. There are no Common Shares held in treasury and each Common Share entitles the holder to a single vote at general meetings of the Company. Accordingly, on Admission, the total number of voting rights in the Company will be 78,513,733.

Director Share Purchase

The Company also announces the following purchase of Company common shares by Bruce Beynon, a director of the Company. The notification below, made in accordance with the requirements of the EU Market Abuse Regulation, provides further detail on the transaction.

1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated a) Name Bruce Beynon 2. Reason for the notification a) Position/status Director b) Initial notification /Amendment Initial notification 3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name Southern Energy Corp. b) LEI 213800R25GL7J3EBJ698 4. Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Common shares in Southern Energy Corp. Identification code CA8428133059 b) Nature of the transaction Purchase of common shares on the open market c) Price(s) and volume(s) 50,000 common shares at a price of CAD0.8056 d) Aggregated information N/A e) Date of the transaction 28 April 2022 f) Place of the transaction Toronto Stock Exchange

For further information, please contact:

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Southern Energy Corp.

Ian Atkinson (President and CEO)

Calvin Yau (VP Finance and CFO)

+1 587 287 5401

+1 587 287 5402 Strand Hanson Limited - Nominated & Financial Adviser

James Spinney / James Bellman Hannam & Partners - Joint Broker

Sam Merlin / Ernest Bell Canaccord Genuity - Joint Broker

Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio

+44 (0) 20 7409 3494

+44 (0) 20 7907 8500

+44 (0) 20 7523 8000 Camarco

James Crothers, Billy Clegg, Daniel Sherwen

+44 (0) 20 3757 4980

About Southern Energy Corp.

Southern Energy Corp. is a natural gas exploration and production company. Southern has a primary focus on acquiring and developing conventional natural gas and light oil resources in the southeast Gulf States of Mississippi, Louisiana, and East Texas. Our management team has a long and successful history working together and have created significant shareholder value through accretive acquisitions, optimization of existing oil and natural gas fields and the utilization of re-development strategies utilizing horizontal drilling and multi-staged fracture completion techniques.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended).

SOURCE: Southern Energy Corp.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/699715/Southern-Energy-Corp-Announces-Exercise-of-Warrants-and-Director-Share-Purchase




Japanese gaming giant Square Enix announced Monday that it is selling three of its gaming studios to Sweden-based Embracer Group for US$300 million and will use the funds for new businesses in blockchain technology, artificial intelligence and the cloud.

See related article: Japans Square Enix reveals blockchain gaming ambitions for 2022

Fast facts

Square Enix sold Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montreal and Square Enix Montreal studios, which will give the Swedish publisher ownership to game titles such as Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Thief, Legacy of Kain and others.

The transaction enables the launch of new businesses by moving forward with investments in fields including blockchain, AI, and the cloud, Tokyo-based Square Enix said in an announcement.

Yosuke Matsuda, president of Square Enix, previously emphasized that incorporating blockchain technology can promote diversity and self-sustaining growth in gaming.

Devoted fans of video game franchises that date back to the 1980s and 90s have panned game developers that have announced business in blockchain technology, claiming they are neglecting traditional fans and causing potential harm to the environment.

Matsuda acknowledged that existing gamers are skeptical of ventures in blockchain, but remained upbeat on the technologys prospects for the future of gaming.

See related article: NFTs may be the next killer app for video games, but some traditional players object
As the president weighs broad student loan forgiveness, some Americans expressing frustration over a policy they see as unfair.

"While some may view this debt forgiveness as a slap in the face to people who were responsible and paid off their student loans, this is a bigger slap in the face to those Americans who never went to college," Will Bach, a financial advisor based in Ohio, told Yahoo Finance.

Research has shown that a college degree generally boosts an individual's earnings over their lifetime. And given that any broad-based forgiveness would cost tens of billions of dollars, all taxpayers  not just by those who have a college degree  would be contributing to the cost of cancellation.

"How can we honestly ask people who did not go to college to subsidize the lives of those who did decide to go to college?" Bach added. "To my knowledge, everyone with student loans voluntarily took them. Every instance of a student loan was a voluntary choice that person made."

Some right-leaning academics, including Andrew Gillen of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, argue that there are a variety of problems with cancelling student loan debt. These include the overall cost and the fact that forgiveness does not directly address the core issue of rising college costs.

Cancelling $10,000 or $50,000 across the board is "really badly targeted," Gillen said in an interview with Yahoo Finance.

"There there are people who are struggling to repay their debt, and we've got an existing set of solutions  and those solutions aren't working," he acknowledged, such as the massive failure of the income-driven repayment system. At the same time, he added, any broad-based forgiveness would be like saying that "a handful of people that are struggling here, [so] let's get rid of the debt for everybody."

An income cap on who qualified for any loan forgiveness would be a "no brainer," Gillen added, because it would help target the relief towards lower-income struggling debtors.

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Biden is reportedly considering capping forgiveness to those who earned less than $125,000 or $150,000 as individual filers the previous year, The Washington Post reported recently. For couples filing jointly, the cap would be around $250,000 or $300,000.

President Joe Biden during a meeting with Agency Inspectors General in the State Dining Room of The White House on Friday April 29, 2022. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

"The other thing that would also be a no-brainer is having different criteria for graduate loans than you do for undergraduate loans," Gillen said, "because we really do restrict how much you can borrow at the undergraduate level ... whereas at graduate level, because those students can borrow virtually without limit."

The proposal "is nothing more than a welfare program for the upper class," Bach said. "The people who have responsibly saved and paid for college will not benefit from this at all."

Bach, who worked as a police officer for five years after college, added that he took on student loans to pay for his MBA in finance and paid it off within a few years of graduating. He currently is a certified financial planner and financial adviser.

Critics ignore the privilege that allowed them to be debt-free: academic

Advocates pushed back against critics of Biden's plans to cancel debt.

I'm sorry we werent able to win cancel student debt sooner," Melissa Byrne, a political organizer and an activist pushing for student debt cancellation, told Yahoo Finance. "I'm sorry that political operatives in the '70s and the '80s caved to Ronald Reagan and let folks defund higher education. ... But I'm not sorry were about to hopefully get a win now."

Louise Seamster, a sociologist at the University of Iowa, told Yahoo Finance that the group pushing back against cancellation is not a large one and asked them to put themselves in student debtors' shoes.

"As a sociologist, my work involves teaching students to consider how their own experiences are shaped by larger forces," Seamster said in an email to Yahoo Finance. "As such, I would encourage people who have been lucky enough to pay down their debt to reflect on what factors allowed them to pay down their debt: maybe attending school when public education was actually affordable; the support of a partner or family; or graduating into a favorable economy."

She added that critics "might have made career choices that prioritized income, but I hope they think what our society would look like if everyone had made those same choices and who would be educating their children or providing them medical care."

Some studies have shown that women and people of color take on more debt to go to college compared to their white male peers. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) has repeatedly argued that student loan forgiveness is "a matter of racial and economic justice" given the disproportionate burden on borrowers of color.

"Canceling student debt is one of the most powerful ways to address racial and economic equity issues," a recent letter from prominent Democrats, including Pressley, asserted to the president. "The student loan system mirrors many of the inequalities that plague American society and widens the racial wealth gap. Black students in particular borrow more to attend college, borrow more often while they are in school, and have a harder time paying their debt off than their white peers."

U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 8, 2021. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Seamster added that if Americans still feel like cancellation of debt is unfair, "I invite them to join the movement for free college to make the same public higher education benefits available to all and make student debt itself unnecessary."

Bach said he doubted that forgiving debt would help the economy, and that it was an opportunity for Democrats to gain clout with voters.

"I don't think there is any evidence that this is going to help with the U.S. economy or student debt holders," he said. "This is simply a Hail Mary for President Biden who has just hit a 40% approval rating with the younger population."

The political benefit seems to be one thing both sides agree on: In a recent interview with Yahoo Finance, Pressley stated that "Democrats win when we deliver, and we have to deliver in ways that are impactful, tangible and transformative, like canceling student debt. This is good policy. And it is also good politics."

Aarthi is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. She can be reached at aarthi@yahoofinance.com. Follow her on Twitter @aarthiswami.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

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Sofitel Baru Calablanca Beach Resort;

Courtesy of Sofitel Baru Calablanca Beach Resort; Courtesy of

From now through the end of October, two Colombian properties  the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara and the Sofitel Baru Calablanca Beach Resort  are teaming up to give food-loving travelers a taste of what the South American nation has to offer with its "Caribbean flavors" package.

"The new four-day itinerary shines a bright light on Colombia's coastal cuisine and flavors, pairing a stay at Cartagena's iconic Sofitel Legend Santa Clara with two nights at the new Sofitel Baru Calablanca Beach Resort on Isla Baru," Nicolas Pesty, general manager of Sofitel Legend Santa Clara shared with Food & Wine.

The trip begins with a few nights at the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, housed in a former convent built in 1621 that subsequently became a charity hospital, prison, and medical school before transforming into the iconic hotel in 1995.

In Cartagena, guests will go on what Pesty calls a "culinary exploration," diving into the city's global and Caribbean influences with a multi-course dinner in the hotel's historic 1621 Restaurant, a 400-year-old dining room that recently underwent a revamp, along with a cocktail-making class to learn how to make the "Elixirs and potions" available at the hotel's new Botika Bar. Guests will also get the chance to take part in a Colombian rum and chocolate tasting to ensure they've seen it all.

"While the culinary options are certainly all incredible, it must be mentioned that it's the full scope of the senses that makes Cartagena so magical  from the colors to the music, the people, and the climate," Pesty adds.

Next, guests will head out on a 50-minute catamaran transfer to Baru, a far more modern but equally alluring accommodation that sets its sights squarely on its natural surroundings, creating an ideal two-for-one getaway unlike any other.

At Baru, guests who booked the package can expect dinner in Humo, a dinner-only robata concept. On the island, they'll also get to take part in a Colombian coffee tasting, a local cocktail-making class in Pergola, and a cooking class with the hotel's own Chef Patrice Guaus. The package includes all of the activities above, as well as two nights at Sofitel Legend Santa Clara in a superior room single or double room and two nights at the Sofitel Baru Calablanca Beach Resort in a superior room single or double. It begins at $2,480. Find more about the offer and booking instructions at sofitelbarucalablanca.com.
Polling shows that voters are unified on urgent need for action

DENVER, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Department of Interior announced today it intends to reduce the previously scheduled amount of water released from Lake Powell to California, Arizona, and Nevada. This necessary reduction equates to the amount of water used in approximately 1 million U.S. households for a year. Without these and other actions, water levels in Lake Powell are at risk of falling below the minimum amount needed to maintain the hydropower electrical grid at Glen Canyon Dam, which provides power to millions. Shrinking water levels in Lake Powell also mean drinking water supplies for communities downstream, including Page, Arizona, and specific chapters of Navajo Nation, could be cut off.

Walton Family Foundation logo

These decisions come in response to historically low water levels in the reservoir. A recent national poll found 73% of Americans are worried about climate change and water scarcity, while one-quarter of voters believe their state will not have enough water during their grandchildren's lifetimes (the next 100 years).

The Walton Family Foundation issued the following statement from Ted Kowalski, who leads the foundation's Colorado River initiative:

"We appreciate the Bureau of Reclamation running an inclusive process with the states, tribal nations and the environmental community. This is an important step but there's still so much more to do."

"In the face of climate change, we know that people are unified around natural infrastructure projects that help ecosystems conserve water resources. We also need to empower local communities to reduce water usage and support the switch to sustainable and regenerative farming and ranching methods."

"As we tackle these issues, it is critical that we deliberately include those most impacted by water shortages, such as the tribes and rural communities, when developing strategies. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity through the bipartisan infrastructure law that was just passed to develop climate resilient water solutions. We need everyone at the table for this work."

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About the Walton Family Foundation

The Walton Family Foundation is, at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders, Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas: improving K-12 education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in our home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta. To learn more, visit waltonfamilyfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walton-family-foundation-statement-plan-to-limit-water-releases-from-lake-powell-underscores-urgency-of-colorado-river-water-shortages-301538898.html

SOURCE Walton Family Foundation
Both the incoming and outgoing commanding officers of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division hailed the work done at the Navy base in King George County during a change-of-command ceremony on Friday.

The division bid farewell to Capt. Stephen Casey Plew, whos served since April 2019, and welcomed Capt. Philip Phil Mlynarski during an event along the Potomac River Test Range. There had been extreme winds along the test range last week, but conditions for Fridays event were absolutely awesome, Plew said.

The captain noted hes been stationed at several bases where the work done impacts the entire fleet.

Dahlgren is one of those places, Plew said a few days before the change of command. Everyone here knows the work they do has a direct impact and if they dont do it right, something bad happens. So thank you, from the bottom of this operators heart. I sleep better because you guys are here.

Less than a year after Plew assumed command, Navy bases across the country sent most of their workforce home because of COVID-19. Despite the lack of face-to-face interactions during the pandemic, Plew focused on NSWCDDs business portfolio.

Capt. Plew will leave a lasting legacy at Dahlgren, primarily in his pursuit of business rigor, said Dale Sisson Jr., NSWCDDs technical director. His direct efforts in bringing a detailed systems engineering mindset to bear on the business portfolio, including in contracts, the comptrollers office and in corporate operations, will have lasting positive effects.

Terri Gray, chief of staff at the Dahlgren division, noted that Plew instituted a solid framework for business processes, operations and project management.

As a result of his efforts, the NSWC Dahlgren Division team has delivered warfare systems to protect our nation and defeat our adversaries, Gray said.

Assuming the top military office at NSWCDD is Mlynarski, who had been serving as the AEGIS technical representative at Moorestown, New Jersey.

I am most excited to become a part of this premiere team, and as Im learning, one ofif not the highestperforming commands in the entire Navy, he said.
Last weekends virtual Germanna Heroes gala raised $1.7 million toward the community colleges goal of doubling its nurse training capacity in three years.

Kevin Dillard, CEO of LifeCare Medical Transport and a graduate of Germanna Community College, contributed $1 million to the expansion, which is needed to meet a critical nursing shortage.

Fredericksburg philanthropist Mary Jane ONeill donated $500,000 toward a new health sciences training facility in Stafford, details of which will be announced later this month, according to a press release from Germanna.

The colleges goal is to double the number of nurses and other health care professionals it trains to well over 400 a year.

Nursing, in particular, is in crisis across the country, said Eileen Dohmann, a vice president and chief nursing officer for Mary Washington Health Care, in the press release.

Dohmann said area hospitals are about 25 percent understaffed due to pandemic burnout and retirements. She said the shortage in the Fredericksburg area is poised to grow even worse in 2024, when a new VA Clinic, requiring a staff of 750, opens in Spotsylvania County.

Germanna has been working to meet this need by adding nurse training programs in the evenings and on weekends.

Saturdays virtual Germanna Heroes gala was sponsored by Joe and Linda Daniel, Adam and Rhonda Fried, Mary Washington Healthcare and Aric and Carol Ann Wagner, in addition to Dillard and ONeill.

The event honored the contributions of local nurses, EMTs and law enforcement personnel, who described the challenges they have faced during the pandemic and will face going forward.

Saturday night was a great success, said Bruce Davis, Germannas special assistant to the president for institutional advancement and head of the Germanna Educational Foundation. The stories of the local healthcare professionals and first responders of all types were inspirational.

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Fremont Police officers were contacted at about 12:45 a.m. May 1 in reference to an individual who appeared to be passed out in a parked vehicle.
Fremont Police officers responded to the 400 block of West 22nd Street at 9:38 p.m. April 30 in reference to a physical domestic disturbance.

An investigation determined the complaint to be valid with the incident resulting in an injury.

Ashley M. Lockhart, 31, of Fremont was arrested for third-degree domestic assault.

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The City of Fremont is observing Drinking Water Week by recognizing the hardworking people working around the clock to maintain the infrastructure necessary to deliver quality tap water to and from homes and businesses.

Drinking Water Week is an opportunity to recognize the amazing water professionals that work in Fremont and the vital role water plays in our daily lives, Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said in a news release. It is sometimes easy to take this resource for granted, but this week is to make sure we recognize all those that work behind the scenes to provide this critical service to our community. Fremont has often been rated the best-tasting water in Nebraska, and we appreciate all their efforts. Thank you!
Caitie Hays calls it a lovely play and hopes the public will come to see it.

Fremont High School is staging the tender drama, Dancing at Lughnasa.

Performances start at 7:30 p.m. May 6 and 7 in the Nell McPherson Theatre in the school, 1750 N. Lincoln Ave.

Hays is the theater director for the play about five sisters, who are in their late 20s and 30s, living in Ireland in the 1930s. The youngest has a son, born out of wedlock, who as an adult shares his memories of his relatives during the last summer before their family dynamics changed.

The show focuses on the five sisters and their relationships with each other. Their older brother has just returned from 25 years of mission work in Africa. Having contracted malaria while overseas, he is very ill.

At the same time, the boys father will return to see if he can win over the childs mother again.

We learn a lot about the background of all of these people and its a deep dive into family relationships and specifically the bond of sisters, Hays said. Its not a play that is action-packed or controversial or anything like that. Its just a really heart-warming story about family.

Sometimes, people think plays must be overly provocative or full of special effect to be interesting.

But I truly believe that all you need are really well-defined characters and thats what this play has, Hays said.

The play has eight cast members. Each actor has an understudy as well.

We learned our lesson in the COVID years that understudies are important, Hays said.

Hays notes the actors commitment to the show.

She believes actors probably would say this is the hardest play theyve ever staged.

To do a two-hour play and split the lines among only eight people means each actor is carrying a large portion of the show on their shoulders, she said.

Student actors have been working on blocking, memorization and character development since the second week in March.

Many of them have put in countless hours outside of rehearsal, Hays said. Its been really great to watch the dedication of these high school actors, who are currently acting far more mature than their age at this point. This is not easy material.

Hays said she read the play for one of her classes at Nebraska Wesleyan University. FHS math teacher and fellow Nebraska Wesleyan alum, Eric Kimberly, stage managed this show. Kimberly is assistant director of the FHS production.

We both had prior experience with the play and really loved it, Hays said. Because Eric and I love this show so much, we would never have picked to do this show unless we knew we had the kids to do it.

This felt like the right year and the right group of students to do it, she added. You dont entrust one of your favorite shows to just any group.

Cast members are: Josie Bell as Kate; Jacilyn Foster, Maggie; Presley Tworek, Agnes; Olivia Schumacher, Rose; Ava Woods, Chris; Peyton Styskal, Michael; Harley Boutard, Gerry; and Christian Madora, Father Jack.

Hays said Monday was a parents night and as of that morning, two state senators had committed to attending the performance: Lynne Walz of Fremont and Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, Democratic candidate for the states 1st Congressional District.

The theater director said students met several lawmakers when she took 10 of them to Lincoln for Theater Advocacy Day.

Hays invites area residents to attend the show.

Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Some other fees may apply with credit card purchases. Tickets may be purchased at the door. They also may be purchased online at fremont.booktix.com/.

Hays believes Fremont is supportive of the arts.

Im hoping to show our students that the community supports them just like they do every other event that the community really steps up for, Hays said. Ive seen how hard these students have worked and they feel the payoff when there are people in the seats.

Hays believes people will benefit by attending the show.

Its not going to make you cry, but it will make you feel, Hays said. It will make you laugh at times and, hopefully, bring you back to times with your siblings. Its just a really lovely experience and a lovely play.

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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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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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The Colorado Springs Fire Department will host two more meetings this week as a part of its town hall series "Living with Wildfire," the agency said in a release.

The series includes over 20 meetings between April and the end of summer guiding and informing residents about wildfires with a focus on how to prepare for wildfires and how to evacuate, the release said.

Meetings will be held Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Colorado Springs Masonic Center, 1150 Panorama Drive, according to the release.
Colorado's conservatives embraced news of a purported draft opinion suggesting Supreme Court justices have decided to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that legalized abortion in America, while Democrats responded with defiance, vowing to continue to fight.

I pray and am hopeful that these reports are true, and the Supreme Court does the right thing," U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn said in a statement. "The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was tragically wrong and has cost over 73 million unborn children their lives. I have always fought for the lives of the unborn and will never waver in my fight.

Lamborn, a Republican, cautiously eyed the reports, saying they may or may not be true and noting that drafts of opinions aren't final. He said overturning Roe v. Wade means the arena of the abortion debate will shift to the states  it doesn't mean that fight is over.

"Overturning Roe v. Wade would return the highly contentious issue of abortion back to the states for elected representatives to decide. It would not be decided by nine unelected judges," he said.

Democrats denounced the draft opinion, but they also hinted of some sense of acceptance that, absent federal protection for abortion, the fight is moving to the states.

While states like Texas, Florida, and Arizona are engaging in the unwelcome intrusion of government into deeply personal and religious decisions, Colorado remains a refuge where individual rights are respected and where any person has the ability to live, work, thrive, and raise a family on their own terms, Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. While this is extremely disappointing news, representing a radical shift in American life away from individual freedom, in Colorado we will continue to fight for and respect the right to make decisions about your own body and medical health.

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said if the draft, indeed, reflects the court's opinion, it "represents an attack on a fundamental constitutional right enshrined in law for half a century."

"And it would drag us into a past when women faced horrific risks to their lives because they lacked the freedom to make their own health care choices," he said, adding the American people "will have to fight to enshrine this fundamental right in our national and state laws.

Democratic legislators Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, Rep. Meg Froelich and Sen. Julie Gonzales, who authored legislation to guarantee the right to an abortion in Colorado, said they are "devastated, but not surprised" by the news.

"States across the country will continue to pass restrictive anti-abortion legislation or outright bans, making abortion nearly impossible for some and sending doctors to prison for providing abortion care," they said in a joint statement.

Polis last month signed the legislation guaranteeing the right to an abortion in Colorado statutes.

In doing so, Colorado became the second state this year to adopt a law protecting legal access to the procedure. In January, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a similar law.

So far, three states, plus the District of Columbia, have codified the right to an abortion throughout pregnancy, while 12 other states explicitly permit abortion prior to viability, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Meanwhile, 21 states have adopted statutes that could be used to restrict abortion. In 12 of those states, overturning Roe v. Wade would trigger an abortion ban.
Life just got better for a Ukrainian family from Kharkiv who fled the Russian invasion, endured a harrowing 136-hour journey to Mexico and finally landed in Broomfield with relatives last month.

The three generations of women, Zina Ryf and Oksana and Adelina Voskresenska, entered the U.S. with nothing but a few clothes, their cellphones and mementos small enough to fit in a tiny suitcase. But after weeks of uncertainty about their status here, things are looking up.

On Friday, 10-year-old Adelina came home with an accolade that delighted her mom, Oksana: Her classmates at Coyote Ridge Elementary nominated her as the Student of the Month for April for her perseverance, accountability, courage and kindness, and for her ability to adapt and smile despite her unfamiliar surroundings. Her great aunt and sponsor, Broomfield resident Olga Zaiss, said they are proud and grateful to the school, the teachers and the students who have welcomed the fifth grader.

In other positive news, after a story on the familys experience ran in The Denver Gazette and aired on 9News, Oksana was offered a job as store manager at Cowabunga Ice Cream, a locally owned shop in Lafayette. Oksana, who has a law degree from a university in Ukraine, is getting her driver's license and is working to finalize her Temporary Protected Status, which would provide her with a limited work permit.

It is unknown how many Ukrainians have settled in Colorado since the invasion began Feb. 24. Zina, Oksana and Adelina are among 3,331 Ukrainians who have crossed into the U.S. through the Southwest border, fleeing the Russian attacks with a grant of Humanitarian Parole. This stipulation means that they can live and work in the United States for up to two years but are not eligible for benefits a refugee would receive.

Immigrants like Zina, Oksana and Adelina who are here under Humanitarian Parole do not receive refugee status, which includes a pathway to citizenship, work authorization and access to safety net programs.

President Joe Biden last week announced a push to welcome Ukrainians fleeing their war-torn country. The program Uniting for Ukraine is so new that state immigration offices are waiting for the federal governments lead to figure out what they can do to help Ukrainian immigrants in their resettlement.
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is in a race to scale up its capacity for abortion services to more out-of-state patients as Colorado and the rest of the country brace for a potential U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing states to decide the parameters of abortion access.

On Monday night, Politico reported that the Supreme Court was internally circulating a draft ruling that would strike down Roe v. Wade and another landmark abortion decision. That ruling won't be finalized and delivered until this summer, but as written, it would immediately make most abortions illegal in more than a dozen states, with more likely to follow.

If that happens, Colorado would become "an island in the middle of an abortion desert," said Kristina Tocce, the vice president and medical director of Planned Parenthood of the Rockies. According to CNN, 13 states  including nearby North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Texas and Wyoming  have already passed laws that would automatically ban nearly all abortions should Roe be overturned.

Gov. Jared Polis, meanwhile, signed a law last month making abortion access in Colorado a basic right. Tocce said women from states with little to no access to the procedure would travel here above and beyond the current trend, should the Supreme Court's formally overturn Roe.

"We are going to see a massive influx of patients," Tocce said of the impact the draft ruling would have if it becomes final. Neighboring Kansas and New Mexico both offer abortion access, but both have fewer clinics than Colorado: According to NPR, Colorado has about 20 clinics, while New Mexico and Kansas have about five each.

It's already started

In the wake of Texas enacting strict abortion limitations last year, Denver's Planned Parenthood clinic  the largest in the region  saw a 520% increase in Texas patients seeking the procedure between Sept. 1 and mid-October. A brief from the University of Texas at Austin found that roughly 1,400 Texans left the state each month to get abortion care elsewhere.

"Texas is not small," Tocce said, "but it is going to be a very, relatively small piece in what were looking at nationwide, according to this draft of what were seeing."

She said Planned Parenthood of the Rockies  which covers Colorado, New Mexico and southern Nevada  has been working to increase its capacity for three years, from brick-and-mortar clinics to telehealth services. She said more programs and expansion efforts are underway, and the leaked draft will further spur rapid action in the coming weeks and months.

Dani Newsum, the director of strategic partnerships for Cobalt, which provides support for women traveling to receive abortion care, said coordination between funds like hers "is in full, full swing" to continue to facilitate care for those who want it. That work predates Monday night's news.

Like Tocce and others, Newsum said the draft ruling wasn't surprising and that women and families from outside of Colorado have been traveling here in increasing number of late. Nearly a third of the people who were financially supported by Cobalt last year came from Texas, she said, and nearly 10% more were from Wyoming.

But expansion thus far has not been enough to keep up with the number of people who will be affected should Roe be overturned, Tocce said.

Women and families in those states will have to fly or take lengthy road trips to get to clinics in Colorado or farther west, in New Mexico or Nevada. Wait times for care have increased in Denver, she said, both for traveling patients and for those who live in the area. Before the Texas law took effect last year, the average wait time for an abortion at a Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains clinic was roughly a week, a spokeswoman said. It's roughly doubled in the months since.

That ripple effect will be felt across the country, Tocce and Newsum said.

"We are ready to meet the demand," Newsum said, "but we have to be frank that the demand is going to increase pressure."

"It feels a little bit like a race," Tocce said. "How fast can we expand because no matter how fast it is, with what it looks like is coming, there are still going to be patients who are not going to be served and are going to be in situations that are not going to be optimal in terms of their health, and its a really hard place to be as a provider right now."
WASHINGTON (AP)  A draft opinion suggests the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide, according to a Politico report released Monday.

A decision to overrule Roe would lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states and could have huge ramifications for this year's elections. But it's unclear if the draft represents the courts final word on the matter  opinions often change in ways big and small in the drafting process.

Whatever the outcome, the Politico report represents an extremely rare breach of the courts secretive deliberation process, and on a case of surpassing importance.

Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, the draft opinion states. It was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the courts 6-3 conservative majority who was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

The document was labeled a 1st Draft of the Opinion of the Court in a case challenging Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks, a case known as Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

The court is expected to rule on the case before its term ends in late June or early July.

The draft opinion in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure.

We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, it states, referencing the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey that affirmed Roes finding of a constitutional right to abortion services but allowed states to place some constraints on the practice. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.

A Supreme Court spokeswoman said the court had no comment and The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the draft Politico posted, which dates from February.

Politico said only that it received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the courts proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.

The draft opinion strongly suggests that when the justices met in private shortly after arguments in the case on Dec. 1, at least five voted to overrule Roe and Casey, and Alito was assigned the task of writing the court's majority opinion.

Votes and opinions in a case aren't final until a decision is announced or, in a change wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, posted on the court's website.

The report comes amid a legislative push to restrict abortion in several Republican-led states  Oklahoma being the most recent  even before the court issues its decision. Critics of those measures have said low-income women will disproportionately bear the burden of the new restrictions.

The leak jumpstarted the intense political reverberations that the high courts ultimate decision was expected to have in the midterm election year. Already, politicians on both sides of the aisle were seizing on the report to fundraise and energize their supporters on either side of the hot-button issue.

An AP-NORC poll in December found that Democrats increasingly see protecting abortion rights as a high priority for the government.

Other polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of voters in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. In general, AP-NORC polling finds a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases.

Still, when asked about abortion policy generally, Americans have nuanced attitudes on the issue, and many dont think that abortion should be possible after the first trimester or that women should be able to obtain a legal abortion for any reason.

Alito, in the draft, said the court can't predict how the public might react and shouldn't try. We cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the publics reaction to our work, Alito wrote in the draft opinion, according to Politico.

People on both sides of the issue quickly gathered outside the Supreme Court waving signs and chanting on a balmy spring night, following the release of the Politico report.

Reaction was swift from elected officials in Congress and across the country.

In a joint statement from Congress' top two Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years  not just on women but on all Americans.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, said people seeking abortions could head to New York. For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms. Abortion will always be safe & accessible in New York, Hochul said in a tweet.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said in a statement, We will let the Supreme Court speak for itself and wait for the Courts official opinion. But local officials were praising the draft.

This puts the decision making back into the hands of the states, which is where it should have always been, said Mississippi state Rep. Becky Currie.

Congress could act, too, though a bill that would write Roe's protections into federal law stalled in the Senate after passing the House last year with only Democratic votes.

At Supreme Court arguments in December, all six conservative justices signaled that they would uphold the Mississippi law, and five asked questions that suggested that overruling Roe and Casey was a possibility.

Only Chief Justice John Roberts seemed prepared to take the smaller step of upholding the 15-week ban, though that too would be a significant weakening of abortion rights.

Until now, the court has allowed states to regulate but not ban abortion before the point of viability, around 24 weeks.

The court's three liberal justices seemed likely to be in dissent.

It's impossible to know what efforts are taking place behind the scenes to influence any justice's vote. If Roberts is inclined to allow Roe to survive, he need only pick off one other conservative vote to deprive the court of a majority to overrule the abortion landmark.

Twenty-six states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, according to the pro-abortion rights think tank the Guttmacher Institute. Of those, 22 states already have total or near-total bans on the books that are currently blocked by Roe, aside from Texas. The state's law banning it after six weeks has already been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court due to its unusual civil enforcement structure. Four more states are considered likely to quickly pass bans if Roe is overturned.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law.

This year, anticipating a decision overturning or gutting Roe, eight conservative states have already moved to restrict abortion rights. Oklahoma, for example, passed several bills in recent weeks, including one that goes into effect this summer making it a felony to perform an abortion. Like many anti-abortion bills passed in GOP-led states this year, it does not have exceptions for rape or incest, only to save the life of the mother.

Eight Democratic-leaning states protected or expanded access to the procedure, including California, which has passed legislation making the procedure less expensive and is considering other bills to make itself an abortion sanctuary if Roe is overturned.

The draft looked legitimate to some followers of the court. Veteran Supreme Court lawyer Neal Katyal, who worked as a clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer and therefore has been in a position to see drafts, wrote on Twitter: There are lots of signals the opinion is legit. The length and depth of analysis, would be very hard to fake. It says it is written by Alito and definitely sounds like him.

___

Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko in Washington and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
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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:
As demand for estate planning ramps up during pandemic, Mason Law and Planning Group seeks to help
Colorado snowmelt is on  and that's too soon, say water watchers
DES MOINES  The state of Iowa has agreed to an $8 million settlement with the family of a Quad Cities-area man who was injured and is in a wheelchair after being struck by the blade of a state snowplow in 2019, according to records. The state appeals board is scheduled to meet this afternoon to approve the settlement.

According to state records, on Jan. 23, 2019, the blade of a snowplow owned by the Iowa Department Transportation struck Terry Bunting, of Silvis, Ill., on Highway 67 in Scott County, causing serious injuries to Bunting.

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 payments will be made from the states primary road fund, according to state records.

The settlement has been approved by the Iowa Attorney Generals Office, and is on the agenda for this afternoons meeting of the Iowa State Appeals Board, which is comprised of the state auditor, treasurer and budget manager.

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Twenty-two years ago, Jim Eckoff of Meservey was canoeing on Lake Cherokee in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeast Minnesota.

After spending the day canoeing and walking through portages, Eckoff, his best friend, his son-in-law and his nephew came across an island on Lake Cherokee where they could camp. Exhausted from carrying their canoes and paddling miles throughout the day, they set up camp on the little island.

The next day, Eckoff was drinking coffee when his friend spotted a piece of trash under a bush. Litter being extremely rare in the Boundary Waters, he picked it up. He had found a bidding ticket, Wiemann's Meservey number on it. That meant the bidding number itself had to be at least 26 years old, as Gordy Wiemann moved to Clear Lake in 1996.

Gordy Wiemann and his father, Gary Wiemann, held auctions throughout North Iowa for years, holding charity auctions as well.

There were some frequent buyers at Wiemann Auction Service who kept the same number. Wiemann said each bidding number ticket cost him five cents, and they started giving people permanent numbers so they wouldn't waste tickets to save some money.

Eckoff had hoped bidding number 116 was one of those numbers, and they would be able to trace it back to the owner through Wiemann's memory. The ticket had traveled more than 400 miles to make its way into Eckoff's hands, and he brought it home.

When Eckoff got back from the trip, he told Wiemann's daughter he had found an old bidding ticket. Wiemann's daughter, Marcy Hyde, worked with Eckoff in Meservey at one point in time, and they were friends.

"He told me about it years ago but I had moved" said Hyde.

So the bidding number sat packed away from about August 2000 until April 2022. A few weeks ago, Eckoff uncovered the old bidding number in his things.

Eckoff was going into town shortly after rediscovering the bidding number, and decided to bring it to Hyde. Eckoff also brought a map to show Wiemann exactly where the bidding ticket had ended up.

On Good Friday this year, Hyde delivered the old bidding number to her father. It was a surprising reunion for Wiemann, who said he was amazed the number had stayed intact all these years.

"What are the odds of it being in the water and still being okay" Wiemann said. "How it got there I just don't know."

Wiemann was amazed the old ticket had come back to him, imagining how it had traveled all the way to the Canadian border. He knew it couldn't have been purposeful. He's never been to the Boundary Waters, and was amazed his work had ended up there.

Ultimately, Wiemann didn't remember who held that permanent number, but it brought back different memories.

The bidding number was written in his wife's handwriting. She died 15 years ago around Easter.

"He was a little choked up about it" Hyde said.

He was holding on to a memory. That small ticket, which traveled hundreds of miles and was decades old, brought Wiemann back to the times spent working with his father and spending time with his wife.

Rae Burnette is a GA and Crime & Courts Reporter at the Globe Gazette. You can reach her by phone at 641.421.0523 or at Rae.Burnette@GlobeGazette.com

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Vietnam Cultural House inaugurated in Veneto (Italy)

The Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association in the Veneto region, north Italy, has recently inaugurated the Vietnam Cultural House in Venice and handed over the project to Vietnamese students in Venice.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Renato Darsie, president of the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association in Veneto, highlighted the significance of the project which, in addition to the teaching of Vietnamese at Ca' Foscari University, helps contribute to promoting cooperation and cultural exchange between Italy and Vietnam.

Renato Darsie, president of the Italy - Vietnam Friendship Association in the Veneto region, granted the right to use the Vietnam Cultural House to a representative of Vietnamese students in Venice in the presence of Ambassador Duong Hai Hung. (Photo: VNA)





Renato expressed his hope that through the Vietnam Cultural House in Venice, cultural exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and Italy, or with the Veneto region, would be furthered in the near future.



Taking the floor, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung thanked the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association in Veneto for their efforts to set up such an important facility for Vietnamese people, especially students, in the locality.



The opening of the Vietnam Cultural House in Venice is an important event in the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Italy, contributing to enhancing cultural understanding between the two countries and building a bridge for the future of bilateral relations, he noted.



The Ambassador said he hopes that Vietnamese students will organize cultural events about Vietnam in the coming time to introduce to Italian friends, and at the same time to encourage young Vietnamese people to come and study in Italy.



Currently, approximately 50 Vietnamese students are following different training courses in Venice.
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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GREENSBORO  One person was hospitalized early Tuesday after a shooting in the 4000 block of McIntosh Street, Greensboro police said in a news release.

Officers responded to the shooting call at 4:08 a.m. and found the gunshot victim, who was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

Police did not release any other details, such as the victim's age and condition.

It's also unclear what may have led to the shooting.

Police ask anyone with information to call Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.
RALEIGH  North Carolina has improved this school year in the National Education Associations annual teacher salary report.

Last week, the NEA initially estimated that North Carolinas new average teacher salary was $53,644  dropping the state from 38th place last year to a projected ranking of 40th this school year.

But citing new data, NEA officials said Monday that the report will be revised to list an average salary at $54,863  moving North Carolina to 34th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Still, North Carolina is well below the estimated national average teacher salary of $66,397.

I think the NEAs questionable methodology raises legitimate doubts about North Carolinas teacher salary ranking, said Terry Stoops, a top official at the John Locke Foundation. The states salary report is a more accurate ranking. Im going to trust education officials in our education department before I trust the figure from a Washington, D.C.-based teacher union.

Teacher pay and the states ranking in NEAs annual salary report have been major political issues for decades. In North Carolina, the state pays the base salary for most teachers and this year added a new salary supplement for teachers in 95 of the states 100 counties. In addition, school districts often supplement the state pay.

The State Board of Education will consider a new model being developed by a committee that calls for paying teachers based on their performance as opposed to their years of experience. The state reached as high as 20th on the NEA list in 2001 but, following the recession, dropped to 47th in 2013.

The North Carolina Association of Educators, which is the states NEA affiliate, has for years lobbied for higher salaries for teachers and other school employees.

NEA officials said they used the best data they had last week when they reported the states new estimated average teacher salary at $53,644. But the NEA will still report a lower figure than the state. The NEA decided this year to only count base salary and supplemental pay and no longer include things such as bonuses and vacation pay.

NEA says the decision to no longer count bonus pay is consistent with the groups definition and the way that other states report their salary data. According to the NEA, North Carolina was the only state whose average teacher salary was lowered because of the change in methodology.

The NEA has opposed efforts to reform pay based on teacher performance and effectiveness, so its not surprising it would leave out bonus pay, Lauren Horsch, a spokeswoman for Republican Senate leader Phil Berger, said in a statement. This recalculation feels like a coordinated effort to rank states lower for not using the NEAs preferred pay scale.

The NEA used the new methodology to retroactively lower the states average salary and its ranking for the past two years. The newly calculated average salary of $53,458 for the 2020-21 school year put the state in 38th place. Under the old formula, the state had been estimated to be 33rd for last school year.

Also for the 2020-21 school year, the NEA ranked North Carolina 45th in starting teacher pay. The state was ranked 41st in per-pupil spending, coming in $3,308 lower per child for the national average.

House Democratic leader Rep. Robert Reives said theres no reason for the state to be in the bottom when it comes to per-pupil spending and teacher pay. He said that, at a minimum, North Carolina should be at the national average when it comes to supporting public schools.

Weve got the economic ability to be a top tier state when it comes to educational spending, Reives said.
WENTWORTH  For the fourth time since February 2021, an inmate at the Rockingham County Detention Facility has died after attempting suicide, officials reported Tuesday.

While performing routine inmate checks at around 12:50 a.m. Tuesday, detention officers found that an inmate had made an attempt to end his life, according to a sheriff's office news release.

Detention officers and emergency medical workers rendered medical aid, but the inmate died as a result of an "apparent self-inflicted injury,'' the release said.

The inmate, who was booked into the jail early Monday morning, was in his cell alone, the release said.

Sheriff Sam Page has requested that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation spearhead the probe into the death, a standard protocol. The sheriff's office will also conduct an internal investigation to determine whether any agency policies or procedures were violated.

While the sheriff's office said the inmate's next of kin had been notified, the office did not release the inmate's name, age, charges or manner in which he harmed himself.

April jail death

Another unnamed prisoner died at the jail from a medical emergency on the morning of April 22 while being booked into the detention center, sheriff's officials said in April.

A sheriffs spokesman said in April that the prisoner was going through the pre-booking process at the jail with a North Carolina probation/parole officer at about 11:30 a.m. that day when the prisoner became ill. No details about the prisoners symptoms or prior health history were available.

The probation/parole agent, as well as other staff from the detention center, rendered first aid, but the prisoner died, officials said. The sheriffs office referred all questions about the incident to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which is handling the case as a matter of standard protocol.

Three inmates under 30 died in February 2021

Three other inmates, all under age 30, died at the jail during February 2021 after attempting suicide, prompting Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page to pledge to step up suicide-risk training and possibly increase detention center staff.

The deaths of one woman and two men, all known heroin users at the time of their arrests, marked the first suicides at the 232-bed facility in more than a decade, officials said.

Rockingham County Sheriff's Office cited in Mecklenburg suicide lawsuit

Also in late April, Adrianna Blackwell of Rockingham County filed a federal complaint in Mecklenburg County alleging state correctional officials, as well as members of the sheriffs offices in Mecklenburg and Rockingham counties, failed to ensure the safety of her 17-year-old son.

He was found hanging by a bedsheet in his Mecklenburg juvenile cell on Nov. 21, 2020.

Ten days earlier, the youth, referred to at the time of his death by the N.C. Department of Public Safety as Desmond W., had been charged with first-degree murder in Rockingham County, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit refers to the late teen by the initials D.W.

Within the complaint are multiple allegations that the two sheriffs offices and officials within the N.C. Department of Public Safety violated the inmates constitutional rights.

Further, the complaint charges that the state, along with the Rockingham and Mecklenburg sheriffs offices, failed to adequately share the accumulating signs that Desmond W. was a suicide risk. If officials had done so, the youth would have been kept under a more restrictive suicide watch in the Mecklenburg jail, the lawsuit claims.

The Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office declined comment Monday, citing a pending legal matter.

The lawsuit was filed by attorneys Micheal Littlejohn of Charlotte and Abraham Rubert-Schewel of Durham.

Desmond W. left a suicide note, which he had written with a pencil he should not have been allowed to have, according to the lawsuit.

It read: tell my family Im sorry.

It was followed by an acronym: IICSARNKM, short for If I commit suicide at least a real n had killed me, a rap lyric the youth had been heard repeating two weeks before when he was first jailed in Rockingham County, the lawsuit claims.

The SBI had not responded to requests for comment at press time.

Contact Susie C. Spear at sspear@rockinghamnow.com, (336) 349-4331, ext. 6140 and follow @SpearSusie_RCN on Twitter. The Charlotte Observer contributed to this report.

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CHARLOTTE  When a mother and daughter boarded their plane to head home in 2019, they were greeted with their seating area covered in vomit, authorities said.

An argument between the flight attendant and passenger over who should be responsible to clean the vomit ended with the woman filing a lawsuit against Frontier Airlines.

Almost three years later, the lawsuit has been settled.

Rosetta Swinney of Durham filed a lawsuit in 2019 against Frontier Airlines after she and her 14-year-old daughter boarded a flight returning to Raleigh from Las Vegas, authorities said.

The womans attorney and Frontier Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Monday.

On April 19, 2019, the family boarded their return flight home. Once on board, Swinney said there was no room for her daughter to stow her carry-on bag under the seat in front of her so she attempted to place it into the overhead compartment, court documents obtained by McClatchy News show.

As she moved her bag into the compartment, the teen told her mother she felt and smelled a liquid on her hands and believed she had a strangers vomit on her hands, adding that the floor, seat pocket and seatback tray were covered in vomit, court documents state.

The mother notified a flight attendant who returned with Clorox wipes and gloves so the woman could clean their seats, stating it was not her job to clean. When Swinney refused to clean the area, the flight attendant reportedly told her she was not flying on Flight 2066 no matter what, according to authorities.

After the mother decided to move to two empty seats, a Frontier employee asked the family to leave the plane, according to court documents.

Swinney objected to leaving several times until officers asked all the other passengers to get off the plane because of one rude passenger over the planes intercom, authorities said.

After the woman finally deboarded the plane, court documents show she was handcuffed and arrested on a charge of trespassing, and her daughter was temporarily placed in the custody of Nevadas Child Protective Services.

Court documents included a statement issued by Frontier Airlines days following the incident saying that flight attendants apologized and immediately invited the mother and her teenage daughter to move to either end of the plane so that the seat area could be cleaned.

Frontiers statement said the mother was unsatisfied with the response and became disruptive and that as a result, flight attendants determined that the mother and daughter should be deplaned and accommodated on another flight.

Swinney said her family suffered severe mental anguish and emotional distress and that their reputations have been sullied following the incident, according to court documents.

The woman filed a complaint on Aug. 8, 2019, asking over $55 million in damages, court documents show. The woman sued the airline for defamation, negligence, gross negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

In January this year, the airline and family reached a settlement, court documents show, but did not specify in what amount.
Otis Campbell.

If how attitudes toward alcohol abuse and drunken driving have changed over the years, the fictional town drunk on The Andy Griffith Show might be as good a barometer as any.

Otis would stumble into the Mayberry jail and check himself into a cell as if it were a hotel room.

Hed sleep it off, clean himself up and often be served a hearty breakfast by Aunt Bee before resuming a few days of sobriety  until the next binge.

And it was funny.

Or at least we thought it was in a very different time and place.

We know better now. At least we should.

Alcohol addiction ruins lives and ends lives, especially when a drunken driver takes to the roads.

Consider the case of a 38-year-old Chattanooga, Tenn., police officer, Nicholas Galinger, who was struck and killed by a drunken driver while inspecting an overflowing manhole in February 2019.

The motorist, who fled the scene of the accident, received an 11-year prison sentence after being convicted of vehicular homicide by intoxication.

But that may have been little consolation to the two children, named Ethan and Hailey, Galinger left behind.

So a new law passed unanimously by both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly would do something more: It would require that drunken drivers pay child support if they kill the parent of a minor.

Named Ethan, Hailey, and Bentleys Law after minors who have lost their parents to intoxicated drivers, the law would assess the child-support payments until the surviving child turns 18. Judges would determine the amounts of the payments based on the needs and financial resources of the child.

The name Bentley in the law belongs to the grandchild of a Missouri grandmother who is advocating for a similar law in her state. Cecelia Williams conceived the idea for the bill after her son, his fiancee and the youngest of their children were killed by a drunken driver a year ago in April. Her son, Cordell Williams, left behind two older children  Bentley, then 4, and Mason, 2, whom their grandmother is now raising.

While awaiting the trial of the driver involved, Cecelia Williams discovered through her own research that the penalties for drunken driving in many states did not fit the crime.

So she wondered whether a longer-term punishment might give people one more thing to reflect on before taking the wheel of a car after drinking. She also thought about the tangible good it could do for children.

Theres some justice there, Williams told The New York Times. Families are going to get the compensation that they deserve and should have been able to still have from their parents. Were all more than willing to raise the children that are left behind, but the problem with that is not everyone is financially stable.

Williams is helping to push for comparable laws in 17 states.

One of them could be North Carolina, says Mark Hall, the Republican who sponsored the bill in the Tennessee House.

Hall told NPR Sunday: Ive had four other states thats reached out to me. North Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia  all of them have reached out to me, and they want the language of this law. So that tells me one thing ... that its doing what its supposed to do and that its building momentum and its getting the message out.

Hall compares the laws provisions to alimony and says he expects that in time it will be administered by formula, like a divorce settlement, where the payment is based on the income of the convicted drunk driver and the needs of the child.

As with any trendy new law that makes a good first impression, sometimes there may be unintended consequences. So lawmakers should invest the necessary due diligence if such a bill comes to the floor of the legislature in this state.

But a measure like Ethan, Hailey, and Bentleys Law could build on a hopeful trend here. Even as 2021 was the worst year ever for highway fatalities in North Carolina, with 1,755 people losing their lives in crashes, fatal accidents from alcohol declined by 11.5% from 2020, and from drugs by 8.3%.

As for Otis Campbell, we may well continue to see him tie one on, over and over, in ubiquitous black-and-white reruns, forever.

But you may remember: When the cast of Mayberry returned for a reunion special way back in 1986, they tossed the bottle  and got Otis an ice cream van.
The Helena Area Community Foundation will have its eighth annual Greater Helena Gives fundraising event Thursday and Friday, and a record number of 96 nonprofit organizations have signed up to benefit.

Greater Helena Gives is the foundation's annual 24-hour online giving campaign focused on raising money and drawing attention to the local nonprofit community.

The impact in this one 24-hour period is staggering for the nonprofits in our communities, said Emily Frazier, Helena Area Community Foundation executive director.

Thats 96 different missions, 96 visions of what our community could look like, and 96 different reasons to visit www.greaterhelenagives.org, Frazier said, adding its the largest number of nonprofits ever to register.

She said the foundation wants each of these local nonprofits to find the support they need to do their best work.

The event starts at 6 p.m. May 5 and continues to 6 p.m. May 6.

Organizers are hoping to bring in more than the $216,185 raised by 1,058 separate donations for 89 nonprofits last year, Frazier said. This year she hopes to get over 1,500 donors.

So far, in its first seven years it has raised $679,511, Frazier said. Of that, $375,895 has been raised in the last two years alone. It has grown from $40,000 for 54 nonprofits in 2015 to $216,185 for 89 nonprofits in 2021.

The Helena Area Community Foundation was started in late 1994 under the umbrella of the Montana Community Foundation, as the Lewis and Clark Community Foundation serving residents of Lewis and Clark County.

People can give directly to the nonprofit organization that they want to support or contribute to the Greater Helena Gives community fund that is shared by all the nonprofits.

Other events are planned throughout the week.

On Wednesday, the Blackfoot River Brewing Taproom is hosting the Helena Area Community Foundation to kick off Greater Helena Gives. Blackfoot will donate $1 for every beer sold that evening to be shared among the nonprofits participating in the event.

Frazier said there will be a donor lounge from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Opportunity Bank at 1400 Prospect Ave., where people can learn more about some of the nonprofits.

She said donations have gone up considerably the last couple of years. Prior to 2020 the event never broke $100,000.

Frazier said people were in lockdown due to COVID-19 during 2020, but were not frantic about it.

People were in a place where they wanted to help, she said.

Frazier said she is worried about collections this year, but is encouraged by the growing number of nonprofits participating.

Our hope is it will continue to grow, she said.

For more on the event, go to: https://www.greaterhelenagives.org/

Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021.

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The 50th anniversary of the Montana Constitution will be celebrated every Thursday in May at the Montana Historical Society.

All of the presentations are 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the historical society auditorium and will be live-streamed on the MTHS YouTube Channel. The programs also will be archived on the MTHS YouTube channel for viewing later.

The May 5 program Rewriting Montanas Constitution: How it Happened features retired journalist Chuck Johnson, who was a 23-year-old reporter covering the 1972 Constitutional Convention, fondly termed the ConCon.

Johnson will discuss how the changing political currents in the 1960s paved the way for the convention to succeed. Delegates sat alphabetically and worked across party lines to hammer out the new state charter, which has won praise from experts and remains in place today.

On May 12, join a panel discussion with Carol Juneau and Joyce Silverthorne, moderated by Mike Jetty, on Indian Education and the 1972 Montana Constitution. Delegates in 1972 included a unique constitutional mandate to teach about American Indians. This commitment was reaffirmed in 1999 with the passage of Indian Education for All.

Juneau, an enrolled member of the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes and the first president of the Blackfeet Community College from 1976 to 1983, is a retired legislator and educator. Silverthorne was director of the Office of Indian Education in D.C. from 2012-2016 and served as director of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes educational department from 1999 to 2008. Jetty is an Indian Education Specialist for the Montana Office of Public Instruction, and an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation.

The May 19 program Women and the 1972 Constitution is presented by Diane Sands. She will discuss the female delegates and how the League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women, and other womens organizations helped shape the new constitution and ensured its adoption.

Sands was director of the Montana Womens History Project from 1975-1990 and co-project director of the Montana Feminist Project from 1999-2004. She also served eight years in the Montana House of Representatives and is wrapping up eight years in the state Senate. In 2017 the Montana Historical Society board of trustees presented her with the Montana Heritage Guardian Award.

The May 26 program Before and After the Montana Constitution of 1972 is a panel discussion with Bob Brown and Dorothy Bradley, moderated by Evan Barrett. Brown and Bradley served in the state Legislature before and after the passage of the 1972 constitution and will discuss how its provisions surrounding the publics right to know and participate in governmental proceedings transformed Montana politics.

Bradley was elected to the Montana Legislature in 1971 and served for 16 years, and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1992.

Brown began his public service as a representative in 1970 and was president of the Montana senate, served as Montana Secretary of State, and was the Republican nominee for governor in 2004. He also was president of the Montana Historical Society board. Barrett is an award-winning producer of Montana history videos, columns and commentaries. He is a historian of the 1972 Constitutional Convention and an executive committee member of the Constitutional Convention Celebration Committee.

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With an acknowledgment that Montana no longer has a wildfire season, so much as a wildfire year, state and federal officials were told to expect higher-than-average fire activity over the next four months, though conditions arent expected to be as bad as 2021.

Generally, the state is again predicted to be warmer and drier, though not as severe as last year, said Steve Ippoliti, a forecaster with Northern Rockies Coordinating Council Predictive Services.

Ippoliti and others briefed Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday about the upcoming risks facing Montana from wildfire.

The last two months of cooler, wetter weather has helped the state catch up a bit on drought and snowpack. Thanks to recent precipitation, snow-water equivalents in the northwestern part of the state now look stronger than average, and even parts of southwestern Montana have made up significant ground.

However, the eastern side of the state will still most likely be hammered by drought, creating a strong risk for fires, Ippoliti said.

One of the major factors setting the stage for the next four months is if Montana sees an El Nino or La Nina weather pattern. If La Nina prevails, which is what models slightly favor, Ippoliti said that would mean a drier and warmer summer. How the weather turns out over the next several weeks will also determine snow-water equivalents going into the hotter months, Ippoliti said.

Given where we are today, its marginally better than last year, but youre still predicting an above-average year, Gianforte summarized. Ippoliti said that was correct.

While the governor received the briefing before the start of what was traditionally fire season, the experts gathered Monday agreed that thinking of wildfire as something that occurs between June and September is not correct.

We learned many valuable lessons from the 2021 fire season, one of them being we no longer think of wildfire in terms of a season, Gianforte said. Wildfire poses a threat to our communities year-round.

Gianforte pointed to one of the most destructive fires last year happening in December. Started by a downed powerline, the West Wind fire devastated the town of Denton. Fueled by dry conditions and high winds, the fire burned 25 homes, 18 secondary structures and six commercial buildings, according to the state Department of Natural Resources County Assist Team.

In an acknowledgment of wildfire being a continuous presence in the state, fire officials encouraged preparedness and prevention. About 80% of fires in Montana are human-caused.

While we cant control the weather, we can control what we do, Gianforte said, signing a declaration establishing May as Wildfire Awareness Month and calling on visitors and residents to do what they can to prevent fires.

Climate change has fueled more-intense fire seasons in Montana, in part because of drought. A 2016 report from the EPA found the state warmed about 2 degrees over the last century, leading to rising temperatures and drought that killed trees by drying out soil, which increased the risk of fires. On May 1, the National Interagency Fire Center issued its outlook for the summer. The report noted year-to-date acres burned across the country is 70% above the 10-year average.

Ippoliti also noted that the rest of the West is expecting a significant fire season, which will matter in Montana because of smoke blowing here and an increased demand on resources to fight fires.

Gianforte pointed to increasing the minimum base pay for firefighters in Montana as one of the ways the state has tried to make hiring wildland firefighters less challenging.

The pay increase will help us support, recruit and retain highly qualified firefighters, Gianforte said.

Sonya Germann, the administrator of the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's Forestry Division, said longer and more intense fire seasons across the West have created a resource scarcity problem.

The pay boost, Germann said, has helped the agency recruit this year. Everyone is struggling to fill firefighting positions, but this is hopefully going to give us the best shot at hiring some of these individuals, Germann said.

Matt Hall, fire protection bureau chief with DNRC, said his agency is hiring its workforce now and expects to be fully staffed by the second week of June. As fire years become longer and more intense, Hall said the demand on firefighters has hit record levels. Last year, the agency spent 50 days at the two highest preparedness levels and had a record number of days doing 24-hour staffing.

Bryce Rogers, the regional fire management officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, said his agency has about 59% of positions vacant, and while there are quite a few firefighters signing up for seasonal jobs, its still a challenge. Other agencies said they've moved once-seasonal positions to be year-round jobs.

In the briefing, Gianforte focused on managing forests through logging projects and human activities to help prevent fire starts. About 80% of fires in Montana are human-caused. The governor also pointed to his direction for DNRC to double the number of acres of treated forest last year, bringing the total to more than 25,000 acres.

We still have a lot of work to do, Gianforte said.   Forests that are actively managed are safer for firefighters and can help prevent catastrophic loss from wildfires.

The governor also called for more landscape-scale, long-term forest management contracts, and said the state has been leveraging Good Neighbor Authority more frequently, along with shared stewardship agreements and implementing the Montana Forest Action Plan.

We must expand the size, scope and longevity of those agreements and we can do that by replicating projects that are successful, Gianforte said.

Theresa Hanley, the acting state director for the Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas, said her agency has already done several prescribed burns and fuels projects this year.

We have an aggressive plan, Hanley said, adding that the agency hopes to treat 46,000 acres in its region, mostly in Montana, this year, as funding and the weather allows. About 75% of those projects are in the urban-wildland interface, she said.

Similar to the states approach last year, Gianforte said Montanas objective would be to aggressively attack every fire start.

Our goal is to keep the fires as small as possible and to get it contained and extinguished as quickly as possible, Gianforte said.   In Montana we do not and will not have a let-it-burn policy. That approach undermines the safety of our communities and threatens the health of our citizens and our forests.

Gianforte also pushed those around the table to take the same approach. Those at the briefing generally agreed.

Leanne Marten, the Region 1 Forester with the U.S. Forest Service, said while she understood the goal in trying to put out every fire that starts as quickly as possible, it might not always be an option.

When we have unwanted wildfires, we're going to have rapid initial attack to suppress those fires using every tool we have in our toolbox to do that, making the really tough decision sometimes on prioritization based on resource availability, weather, terrain and all of that. But definitely, for unwanted wildfires, you bet. We're going to be right there trying to do our best to keep them small and not let them grow.

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While a draft opinion leaked Monday indicates the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn the 50-year-old landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that guarantees the federal right to abortion, access to abortions in Montana will remain the same unless and until things change at the state level.

Montana has its own state Supreme Court opinion ensuring the access to pre-viability abortions  the 1999 Armstrong ruling. But thats being challenged right now in the state's highest court.

Unlike 13 other states, Montana does not have whats called a trigger ban, meaning there are not laws that kick in to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade falls in June when the U.S. Supreme Courts final opinion is expected. But proposals in the 2023 legislative session are likely to attempt to limit access to abortions even more than bills that became law last year.

In 2021, the Republican-majority Legislature passed four bills that change access to abortion in the state. However, following a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood of Montana, three of those laws are on hold while the legal challenge plays out.

The laws blocked for now would ban abortions after 20 weeks gestational age; require a woman to be informed of the option to view an ultrasound before an abortion; and require informed consent before a drug-induced abortion and block providing the medication through the mail.

There's a fourth law included in the lawsuit filed last August, to prohibit health insurance plans sold in the federal exchange in Montana from covering abortion care, but it's not part of the preliminary injunction.

When Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen asked the Montana state Supreme Court to overturn the preliminary injunction, he also asked the court to reverse its 23-year-old ruling in Armstrong. That ruling, authored by former Justice James Nelson, found that the privacy provisions in Montanas Constitution ensure women can access pre-viability abortions.

In his brief to the court earlier this year, Knudsen called the Armstrong ruling a deeply flawed tribute to unrestrained judicial activism.

Nowhere in Montanas constitutional text is there a right to elective abortion. Instead, the framers intentionally excluded abortion from the Constitution and left to the Legislature the prerogative to permit, prohibit or regulate it, Knudsen wrote.

But a group of delegates who crafted the states Constitution also filed a brief with the court, explaining that their intention was to ensure it would be left to the judiciary to determine what Montanas right to privacy entailed, as it did with Armstrong.

The delegates never intended the scope of these fundamental rights to be subject to the partisan, political vagaries of the legislative and executive branches. Instead, these rights exist beyond the reach of politics and therefore must be construed by our states only nonpartisan branch: the judiciary, the March brief from delegates Mae Nan Ellingson, Lyle Monroe and Bob Campbell and saff member Rick Applegate read.

The AG's office has filed their own brief disputing the delegates, with a brief reading in part "All the evidence at and around the convention points unequivocally in one directionthat abortion was not constitutionalized."

Nelson's opinion in the 1999 Armstrong v. Montana case confirmed the states Constitution, Article II Section 10, contained a right of privacy allowing a woman to seek a pre-viability abortion in consultation with her health care provider free from government oversight.

When you come to the right of individual privacy, the Montana Constitution is broad and protects privacy where the federal Constitution does not, Nelson said. The (Montana) court was very careful in Armstrong to render its decision on independent state grounds, based on the Montana Constitution, not the federal Constitution. It cannot be challenged in federal court. When a state court decision is based on state law, its pretty well bulletproof.

That may leave Montana as a legal island, Nelson said. Most surrounding states have older constitutions than Montanas 1972 edition, and lack specific rights to privacy. However, some Republicans in the state have also called for a re-write of the Constitution, specifically citing abortion as one of the reasons why.

I suspect we will see a full-on attempt in the next session of the Legislature to change the Montana Constitution to amend out that right of privacy, Nelson said. " ... (Kalispell Republican Rep.) Derek Skees has called the Montana Constitution a socialist rag that needs to be thrown out.

In an emailed statement Tuesday, Martha Fuller, the CEO and president of Planned Parenthood of Montana, made clear abortion is still legal in the state.

We are here to tell you: Abortion is legal and is still protected in Montana by both our state constitution and by legal precedent, Fuller said.

While Fuller said the leaked draft opinion confirms our worst fears, it was not unexpected.

While we have seen the writing on the wall for decades, it is no less devastating, and comes just as anti-abortion rights groups unveil their ultimate plan to ban abortion nationwide, Fuller said. She added Planned Parenthood has been preparing for every possible outcome in this case.

PPMTs health centers remain open, abortion is currently still legal, and we will continue to fight like hell to protect the right to access safe, legal abortion, Fuller said.

At the state Legislature, the GOP majority thats increased over the last several sessions has a party platform that says, We affirm our belief in traditional family values and support the preservation of innocent human life at every stage of life, in all circumstances, beginning at conception through natural death.

Pointing to that platform, state Rep. Sharon Greef, a Republican from Florence, said she expects to see bills brought in Montana next year similar to those in other GOP-led states, like Texas ban at six weeks.

I do think there will be bills, said Greef, who is not seeking re-election but has been a leader in bringing legislation to limit abortions. Greef also said she would expect legislators to try again if any of the bills under the preliminary injunction are struck down.

While Republicans have held a majority in the Legislature for a decade, theyve also had a Democrat in the governors office for much of that time who served as a veto block on any abortion legislation they passed. That was until 2021, when Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, who in part campaigned on limiting access to abortions, took office.

Greef said while there might be slightly less GOP support for abortion legislation that went farther than whats been proposed before, she still believes with a Republican majority and this being one of the planks in the platform, I still think Republicans will support any bill that can protect the most innocent.

Greef said she is looking to the U.S. Supreme Courts final opinion, which she hopes will overturn Roe v. Wade. Her connection to abortion legislation is personal, she said, with an adopted daughter who was born in January 1972, the year before Roe. Greef said her daughter was able to contact her birth mother, who told her she would have had an abortion if it was legal then. Greef said she hopes women who become pregnant but do not want a child would consider adoption.

You see what some people call a bunch of cells and then you see this beautiful woman that was saved because abortion was illegal, Greef said. To me, abortion is murder. Its no different than taking the life of an adult.

Other Republicans in the Legislature said leadership would meet soon to discuss possible legislation for the upcoming session. There arent any bill drafts in yet seeking to change access to abortion in the state, but its still early in the process.

Democrats, who are a minority in the Legislature, issued a statement Tuesday anticipating upcoming legislation from the other side of the aisle.

If this decision holds, Montanans right to access abortion care is under greater attack than ever before, read a statement from House Minority Leader Kim Abbott, of Helena, and Senate Minority Leader Jill Cohenour, from East Helena. It is clear that some politicians will not stop until they can control even the most intimate aspects of our private decision-making. Our states Constitutional right to privacy has never been more critical, and Montanas Democratic legislators will fight tooth and nail to defend it.

Across the aisle from Greef is Helena Democratic state Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell, who at a recent reproductive rights rally shared for the first time her story about getting an abortion when she was in her 20s.

It was 1981, post-Roe, but Dunwell lived in Louisiana and doctors there could not connect her with abortion services.

I dont know why, Dunwell said Tuesday. At that point in time it didnt dawn on me that maybe they were afraid of repercussions.

Dunwell eventually found a clinic in Beaumont, Texas, and made the three-hour roundtrip alone, driving herself. At the time she couldnt afford a motel or even to eat a meal out on the journey.

I dont want women to have to travel and have trouble accessing care and feeling so much alone, Dunwell said.

If the U.S. Supreme Court rules how the leaked draft opinion indicates, Dunwell said she worried women in states around Montana with trigger laws  Idaho, Wyoming and North and South Dakota  will be in similar situations to what she experienced. Or that Montana women would need to travel to Washington or Oregon if Armstrong falls here.

I think this will disenfranchise the lower-income folks who cant afford to find access through underground channels and it horrifies me to think that we could be going back to that, Dunwell said.

Dunwell said that she would look at bringing legislation to codify access to abortion in Montana, but acknowledged that Republicans are just a few seats shy in the Legislature from holding a super-majority and that passing anything like that was unlikely.

In a joint statement, GOP leadership in the Legislature said they were awaiting the courts final opinion.

The court must issue its ruling based solely on the text of the U.S. Constitution. We will wait for the courts official and final decision rather than comment on an improperly leaked draft. Roe v. Wade was wrong from the day it was issued and we hope and believe that Life will prevail, the statement from Senate President Mark Blasdel and House Majority Leader Sue Vinton said.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Gianforte said he was "outraged" by the leaked draft opinion. He also said he was "hopeful ... that Roe v. Wade will be put into the vault of history and that the American people and their elected representatives will be empowered once again."

Nelson said the Monday night leak of a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion was dumbfounding.

Im betting heads are rolling in the Supreme Court because of that, Nelson said. Panels of judges routinely propose ways to settle cases and circulate the drafts in search of support or improvement. The other judges may propose alternative arguments, or withhold support until some particular issue gets addressed to their satisfaction.

But the matter stays within the courthouse until the judges are ready to issue the final opinion, along with any final concurrences or dissents. If a justices clerk, or someone on the IT staff, or even a disgruntled justice leaked the draft, it indicates a huge breach of protocol and tradition.

Nelson said historically, Supreme Courts are defined by the chief justice of the time, as in the Burger Court led by Chief Justice Warren Burger when Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. Current Chief Justice John Roberts will likely have this decision become a major part of the Roberts Court.

I suspect hes concerned about his legacy, and this case will go down as a landmark bad decision of all time, Nelson said. Women will not stand for it. And if Republicans think they will gain any voters, theyre crazy. It shows he (Roberts) doesnt have much power to rein in runaway justices.

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Montana State Prison officials closed a wing of the facility last week due to staffing shortages, the Montana Department of Corrections confirmed Tuesday.

The department did not say how many inmates were affected by the closure of the prison's F unit. Spokesperson Alexandria Klapmeier said in an email it wasn't possible to answer some of the Montana State News Bureau's questions about the closure because providing detailed, operational information could pose a security risk to staff and inmates.

The closure comes just months after Montana State Prison Warden Jim Salmonsen reported to lawmakers a 20% hole in the 328 correctional officer workforce at any given time. Those shortages often mean cutting gym or yard time for inmates when staff can't step away from mandatory posts, officials told lawmakers in February.

"This action was undertaken to assist with staffing needs at the prison," Klapmeier said Tuesday. "Sharing the number of mandatory posts in any of our units presents a security risk, so the department declines to share that information."

Klapmeier said inmates who had been moved within the facility were placed in "appropriate housing."

The F unit that was closed also housed the prison's sex offender programming. Klapmeier said that programming is housed in a "different, appropriate area. No programming was shut down."

The corrections department has been working to beef up its recruitment and retention efforts for the state prison, a 1,600-bed facility for men outside of Deer Lodge. Officials over the last year told lawmakers they were working with the governor's budget office to bring wages up after years of losing correctional officers to county jail jobs, where pay has traditionally been higher.

In March, the department reached a new contract with correctional officers at MSP, providing a $2-per-hour raise for correctional officers at the state prison, and implementing changes to the employee grievance process, a suggestion that not all complaints with the rank-and-file centered on money.

Still, Klapmeier said Tuesday that voluntary and mandatory overtime shifts are in place at the prison while staffing needs are still acute at the facility.

"Beyond that, it poses a security risk for the DOC to share detailed operational information," she said.

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Montana wildlife managers say they have confirmed the presence of a grizzly bear in the North Moccasin Mountains near Lewistown -- the first documented grizzly in the range in recent years.

Bear tracks from the west side of the mountain range were reported to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks on April 29. An FWP grizzly bear management specialist visited the location on Saturday, April 30, and confirmed the 6 -inch-wide tracks were made by a grizzly bear, the agency announced Tuesday.

Having a grizzly bear in this area is not surprising after what weve seen the last few years in terms of bears moving further east into central Montana, FWP regional supervisor Gary Bertellotti said in a statement.

Grizzly populations in Montana have expanded since listing under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. Bears have moved into new areas including increasing sightings on the plains east of the Rocky Mountain Front.

This is the first confirmation of a grizzly in the North Moccasin Mountains in recent years, FWP said in a news release. Officials said they searched but were unable to determine the date of the last confirmed grizzly in the range. Last spring a grizzly bear was euthanized after killing cattle in the Big Snowy Mountains south of Lewistown.

After tracks confirmed the species of the bear in the North Moccasins, FWP notified neighboring property owners and worked to identify any potential conflicts. Hair collected along a riparian area nearby was later identified as belonging to a grizzly.

FWP said a trail camera photo of a grizzly bear was reportedly taken in the same mountain range in early April, but authorities have been unable to identify the owner.

The bear has not gotten into any conflicts, said FWP spokesperson Dave Hagengruber.

"(The) only evidence of the bears presence was the tracks reported by the landowner," he said. "Our bear specialist verified those tracks and found the hair tuft about 500 yards away from the tracks on a barbed wire fence."

FWP asks that bears or bear sign near residences or conflicts be reported to local bear specialists at the contact number found on FWPs website: https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/contact.

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

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One of the biggest surprises resulting from the Ukrainian conflict was the Biden Administrations proposal for the commodity program element in the 2023 Farm Bill.

The $33 billion White House request for aid to Ukraine included proposals to raise marketing loan prices for wheat and soybeans, as well as to raise a subsidy level for crop insurance.

The concepts apparently are not USDAs proposal for the Farm Bill debate, but a patch to change current agricultural economics, U.S. consumer prices, and the cost of global food aid programs.

The plan would only impact wheat and soybeans, with higher crop loan rates, and an encouragement to double crop soybeans next summer after the wheat crop is harvested. Eligible farmers could qualify for a $10 additional subsidy on their crop insurance premium based on that production practice.

It would be difficult to find any farmer to raise the flag on that plan.

Even though the current loan rate on wheat is $3.38 per bushel, and the proposal calls for a significant increase to $5.52 per bushel, the current price of wheat being traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange is $10.10 for July 2023 harvest delivery.

For soybeans, the current loan rate is $6.20 per bushel, the proposal calls for an increase to $8.68 per bushel, and currently the November 2023 harvest delivery price is $14.04.

With current grain prices in rare air, there are cobwebs forming where farmers apply for crop marketing loans at local Farm Service Agency offices. Granted the loan rates were established in 2018 when the current Farm Bill was approved by Congress, and current grain market dynamics were never on anyones radar.

But with those current grain market dynamics, would the USDA proposal encourage any additional acreage of wheat and soybeans, if that is the idea, or reduce the market price of wheat and soybeans to reduce consumer or food aid program cost?

The overall trend in U.S. planted crop acreage is steady to lower. Soybeans are projected by current USDA data to overtake corn acreage this year for only the third time ever. But with high prices for nearly all other crops, total planted acreage is not expected to increase even with current prices. Conservation programs, such as the Conservation reserve, Sodbuster, and Swampbuster have limited cropland expansion. And environmental and climate forces in Congress will not agree to tapping those programs for acreage.

Where will crop prices be in the foreseeable future? Economist Steve Nicholson of RaboResearch, the economic forecasting arm of global lender RaboBank, says, The fundamentals were in place indicating the next few years could be a boom time for grain. And now, weve thrown fuel on the fire with world events, he notes. Any economist predicting lower prices for grain in the foreseeable future is not talking very loudly, if at all.

If the White House proposal is designed lower prices of wheat and soybeans to benefit food aid programs, that is a non-starter to get the farm vote in 2024. There are alternatives that would have a lesser impact on Rural Route 4 farm family budgets.

Stu Ellis is an observer of the Central Illinois agriculture scene.

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DECATUR  Fran Lower and Rebekah Baker sit at opposite ends of the abortion topic.

However, the co-workers agreed when discussing the Supreme Court's opportunity to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Be informed, no matter what you choose, Lower said.

Baker is an anti-abortion advocate. She is aware of the 1973 case legalizing abortion in the United States. To overturn Roe v. Wade is just to return it to a clean slate, she said. Lets start with what we actually know.

She was used as a token, Lower said about the woman at the center of the infamous court case.

Although they disagree on abortion as a contraceptive option, the women did agree states should govern themselves. Its always better when the people have the power, Baker said. When someones lording over us, telling us how to live, I dont think thats effective.

Illinois is known as a safe haven for abortion care, and is expected to remain that way, no matter the Supreme Court's decision.

However, Dr. Amy Whitaker, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of Illinois, has been concerned about the ramifications of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade since last fall.

We have known it was coming since that time, she said. Its woken up the media and the country to what is coming.

Decaturs Planned Parenthood is located at 3021 N. Oakland Ave.

The Supreme Court case from several months ago exposed the judges who wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to Whitaker. It seems from the opinion that got leaked, they will be overturning Roe v. Wade, she said.

Planned Parenthood is expecting approximately half the states to implement restrictive abortion laws, if given the chance. According to Whitaker, patients in the states that ban or restrict access to abortion care will travel to Illinois and the other states.

Many obstacles to getting to the care they need are going to be put up, because their state legislatures have decided that they know better what those patients need to do, than the patients themselves, she said. In Illinois, were especially busy expanding access. We expect most, if not all, of the states that border Illinois to pass restrictive laws.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois are preparing for approximately five times the amount of women to arrive in Illinois for abortion services.

Although she knows she is fortunate to practice in Illinois, Whitaker remains concerned for the patients in surrounding states. While our doors are open, it is still best for them if they didnt have to come to Illinois, she said.

Catholics are traditionally opposed to abortion, and the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois continues to hold that view.

"Science is clear that at the moment of conception, a unique human being is present," said Andrew Hansen, spokesman. "Every human life is made in the image and likeness of God. We pray for our culture to embrace the greatest gift, the gift of life. This means supporting and empowering women to make life affirming choices and for everyone to recognize and defend the most innocent among us, the unborn."

A number of other Christian denominations agree.

"Our congregation and others like us are always interested in the nations view of the importance of children in our lives," said the Rev. Wayne Kent, pastor of First Christian Church in Decatur. "We work for the lives and welfare of all people, both the unborn and those caring for the little ones who come to us as gifts from God. All life is precious. Humans are made in Gods image, regardless of their size as an embryo or young children or aged adults."

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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Donnette Beckett "Together Decatur" Columnist and Food/Drink Reporter Together Decatur columnist and food and drink reporter for Lee Enterprises Central Illinois. Follow Donnette Beckett 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
Two local women, including one from Genoa City, have been charged in connection to the concealment of a body found in a conservation area near Richmond, just over the Illinois state line.

Theresa M. Stoen, 43, of Genoa City and Mikalah M. Stoen, 24, of Richmond, Illinois, have been arrested and charged in connection with felony criminal charges of concealment of a death/moving a body. The charges were filed in McHenry County, Illinois.

According to their criminal complaints, the two reportedly, concealed the death when they "knowingly moved the body of a dead person from its place of death, with the intent of concealing information regarding the place or manner of death of that person."

The two were in court on Monday, May 2 and have since been released on bonds.

A staff member from the McHenry County Conservation District Police Department responded to a conservation area in Richmond, Illinois, on Friday morning, April 29, where the deceased man was found, according to media reports.

The man was later identified as 32-year-old Alexander Oleston.

A representative of the family, Gina Gramly, said they are still awaiting toxicology results and couldnt say anything else about what happened.

She said the two women charged with dumping Olestons body had only known him a few weeks. The crime had nothing to do with him being on the sex offender registry.

"They murdered our son," said Oleston's father in a phone call to the Lake Geneva Regional News.

According to online Wisconsin Circuit Court records, Oleston was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child in 2012 in Walworth County. His previous address is listed as Elkhorn and Delavan.

According to his criminal complaint from 2012, Oleston reportedly had sexual contact with two girls both age 14 when he was 21 at an apartment in Delavan. While he was convicted of one count of second-degree sexual assault of a child, an additional sexual assault and child enticement charge were dismissed.

His most recent address was listed in Richmond, Illinois, at the Drake Motel, 8613 Highway 12.

Gramly said Oleston's death had nothing to do with the 2012 crime and said the focus should be on the two who are charged, not something that happened 10 years ago.

No apparent injuries were immediately discovered on the body during the investigation, which was done by the McHenry County Sheriff's Office, the Richmond Police Department, Richmond Town Fire Protection District as well as the McHenry County Coroners Office.

His cause of death is pending while the investigation is done by the McHenry County Coroners Office, according to media reports.

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New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 96F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.
HUDSON  Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute recently celebrated a new building that will enable students to continue their training when the weather isnt so cooperative.

In front of a crowd of elected officials, business leaders, educators and corporate partners, CCC&TI hosted the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Electrical Lineworker Training Center. The 7,500-square-foot building, located on Roy E. Coffey Drive in Hudson adjacent to CCC&TIs outdoor Electrical Lineworker pole yard, opened in 2021 but the ribbon cutting was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The facility features a large main room with four 33-foot poles, modern classrooms and faculty office space, with a goal of providing an indoor space for training in evenings and during inclement weather, as well as additional capacity to produce more graduates.

This facility is like none other in the Southeast United States, CCC&TI President Mark Poarch said. This facility will take weather out of the equation and move students through the program quickly and into the workforce. It allows us to have students in the building at the outdoor pole yard simultaneously so we can produce graduates in a shorter amount of time.

For energy providers, the program and the new building will help with filling essential technical positions.

(The program) is recognized as one of the top programs throughout the state, said Robin Nicholson, Duke Energy Government and Community Relations District Manager. Were very proud to be a part of that and to be standing here before you today to dedicate and have a ribbon cutting for such a great facility.

Caldwell Economic Development Commission Executive Director Deborah Murray described the project as part of Caldwell Countys overall strategy for new growth.

This expansion and dedication is more important for all of us in the future, Murray said. Now, more than ever, we will need and appreciate the folks who will train here and accommodate the next wave of success in Caldwell County.

The cost of the facility was $2 million, with funding from the Connect NC Bond from 2016 and additional financial support from Duke Energy, Blue Ridge Energies and the Cannon Foundation.

Students from 16 states have traveled to Hudson to enroll in the program, from as far away as California, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Wyoming and Pennsylvania. The current class includes students from Colorado, Nebraska, New Jersey and the Virgin Islands. Poarch said two students from Alaska are registered to attend this fall.

The 14-week Electrical Lineworker program prepares students for entry-level jobs as electrical line technicians. The cost for the program is approximately $1,140 with classes offered throughout the year.

The next Electrical Lineworker class at CCC&TI begins on June 4 and seats are still available. To reserve a seat in a future class, prospective students can call 828-726-2242 for information.
New playground equipment is on the wish list for students at Clyde Campbell Elementary School. To raise money for the equipment, students rounded up sponsorships and ran a mile on the schools track last week.

Students partnered with Clyde Campbells parent teacher organization to hold a Track Attack event, Clyde Campbell Elementary Academic Facilitator Tennille Baker said.

The school needs roughly $70,000 for a rock climbing area, a rope jungle gym and slides, Baker said. She said the Student Advisory Committee chose the playground items. The Student Advisory Committee is a group consisting of representatives from each grade, she said.

After running a mile on the outdoor track behind the school, the students enjoyed popsicles. Each grade level came in groups to view two race cars belonging to Baker and her husband. Baker said she brought the cars in hopes of showing the students they can be anything they put their minds to, especially if they work hard in school.

I want them to continue to do well in school, Baker said. Because if you do well in school, then theres nothing you cant achieve. Education is key.

Baker brought her new dragster and her husband Todd Bakers racing Trans-Am to the school. Students learned about the different types of fuel each car uses and the safety equipment the Bakers wear while racing. The students got to smell and dip their fingers in the fuel to see how cold it was. Tennille Baker explained the fuel has to be cold to make the cars go fast.

The kindergarteners were particularly excited about the cars. They said things like, Wow, these are so cool, and You really drive these, Mrs. Baker?

For more information, go to the Clyde Campbell Elementary School Parent Teacher Organizations Facebook page.

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HICKORY  Unique World Gifts invites the community to its 10th annual Friendraiser and celebration of its 30th anniversary on Thursday, May 5,from 5-8 p.m. at the store location on North Center Street in Viewmont.
For the 17th consecutive year, Hope College has been named one of West Michigans Best and Brightest Companies to Work For.

Hope is in the early round of 2022 winners announced by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR). The winning organizations represent industries as diverse as the automotive, construction, financial, healthcare, manufacturing and non-profit sectors. The next round of winners will be announced later this month, and an awards celebration will be held on Tuesday, July 12, at the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville.

With more than 20 years of experience conducting the Best and Brightest competitions, the NABR has identified numerous best human resource practices and provided benchmarking for companies that continue to be leaders in employment standards.

These 2022 winning organizations have stood out during unpredictable times and have proven they are an employer of choice. They continue to keep the needs of their employees first and provide perks that include, development, wellbeing, work-life balance, rewards and recognition. In addition, these winning companies offer a fantastic work culture and workplace environment that attracts and retains superior employees, said Jennifer Kluge, president and CEO of NABR and The Best and Brightest Program.

The winning companies were assessed by an independent research firm, which reviewed a number of key measures relative to other nationally recognized winners. The categories applicants were scored on include: Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions; Creative, Wellness and Wellbeing Solutions, Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention; Employee Education and Development; Recruitment and Selection; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Work-Life Blend; Community Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility; and Leadership, Strategy and Company Performance.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that lead to increased productivity and financial performance. This competition scores potential winners based on regional data of company performance and a set standard across the nation. This program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole. There are numerous regional celebrations throughout the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Houston, Milwaukee, San Diego, San Francisco, Miami, New York, Charlotte, Denver, Nashville, Pacific Northwest and nationally.
If brands want trust, they need to treat our data with care. Image: Shutterstock

Its up to companies and government agencies to rebuild lost trust and regain the publics confidence that our data is safely stored and our rights to privacy are being upheld  thats the message of this years Privacy Awareness Week.

In a webinar opening Privacy Awareness Week, Erin Turner, CEO of the Consumer Policy Research Centre, said recent loss of consumer trust has come in part from the harmful or negligent treatment of data.

This takes a few different forms such as increased unwanted marketing approaches  I think anyone with the mobile phone is increasingly getting those calls, Turner said.

This is especially happening as our data is sold on to other companies and to data brokers.

She also noted growing numbers of scams affecting Australians, with scammers using ill-gotten data to more accurately target ordinary people.

A survey last year noted this effect, finding that 60 per cent of Australians would lose trust in a brand if that brand was successfully used in a scam.

Then theres deliberately harmful practices, Turner said, like those from dating app Tinder which was caught charging older users more for paid services.

People provide a lot of very important and very sensitive information to a dating app when they sign up, she said.

What wasn't explicit is that that information was then being used to set different prices for the same service for different groups of customers.

When people experience something like this, that is going to impact their perception and trust of a company.

Government agencies likewise have to actively manage and use data in a way that is responsible and build trust with citizens who are often left with little choice but to use government services.

Efforts like the robodebt scheme have done little to ensure this sort of trust and confidence, given tax data was used in an illegal, misguided, and harmful attempt to recover supposed debt created by Centrelink recipients.

The automated debt recovery scheme affected some of Australias most vulnerable people and was eventually scrapped with the government issuing $721 million in refunds before privately settling a class action lawsuit against it.

Rebecca Skinner, CEO of Services Australia which runs social services like Centrelink and Medicare, told Mondays Privacy Awareness Week webinar that the scale of these systems means privacy and data governance are a constant consideration.

Services Australia takes its obligations around privacy very, very seriously, Skinner said.

Its a non-negotiable for us and it underpins everything that we do.

The agency handles pretty well every Australians data in one way or another  everyone in Australia is a customer of Medicare and thats one of the datasets that we hold.

Skinner described how the governments digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates were an example of privacy-focused product design.

It enabled citizens to choose whether they shared with the check-in app from a state, or choose to just continue with their embedded Medicare app, or choose whether they put it into wallets on Android and Apple phones, she said.

Around 20 million Australians in the end had one of those certificates on their phones.

The Office of the Australian Privacy Commission is holding webinars each day during Privacy Awareness Week.
An investment group run by Atlassian CEO and climate activist Mike Cannon-Brookes has taken an 11 per cent stake in AGL Energy as it looks to stop a planned demerger of the company and focus instead on fully transitioning into renewable energy sources.

AGL Energy is preparing to demerge and become two separate entities: energy retailer AGL Australia, and generator Accel Energy which would operate existing fossil fuel assets like coal-fired power stations.

In a letter to the AGL board, Cannon-Brookes called the demerger globally irresponsible noting the company is currently the single largest contributor to carbon emissions in Australia.

Under the demerger proposal, AGL Australia will continue to source a majority of its energy from Accel Energy, which today generates electricity with 50 per cent higher emissions intensity than the rest of the grid, he told the board.

We believe this exposure to coal-fired power generation is inconsistent with your proposal that AGL Australia will be a leader in sustainability.

Earlier this year, Cannon-Brookes unsuccessfully tried to stop the demerger through a full takeover bid by a consortium of investors that would have taken AGL private.

The board knocked back Cannon-Brookes initial offer of $7.50 per share and its second raised offer of $8.25 per share.

 @Grok_Ventures has acquired more than an 11% interest in @AGL - becoming the largest shareholder.



We will be voting against the upcoming, flawed demerger.



Why?



For more information, read below  and go to https://t.co/tZHXCQpmP9 #keepittogether



1/9  Mike Cannon-Brookes  (@mcannonbrookes) May 2, 2022

Now Grok Ventures, Cannon-Brookess investment group, has bought 56.7 million shares of AGL at $8.62 each  a $489 million purchase  and has made an equity swap deal with JP Morgan for a further 19.1 million shares.

All told Groks shares make up just over 11 per cent of AGL stock, turning the investment group into AGLs largest individual shareholder.

But its still not enough to single-handedly turn back the demerger vote since either 50 per cent of shareholders present at next months meeting, or 25 per cent of the total votes cast, have to vote against the demerger.

To drum up shareholder support for his position, Cannon-Brookes has created a campaign called Keep it Together Australia.

By not transitioning fast enough away from fossil fuels, the board has presided over AGLs value plummeting to the tune of almost 70 per cent in five years, he said in a statement, noting AGLs share price was $26.76 in late April 2017 and was down to $8.68 last week.

We intend to vote every AGL share we control at the relevant time against the demerger, and we call on fellow AGL shareholders to vote against the demerger to avoid further value destruction.

AGL shareholders vote on the demerger on 15 June.
KANNAPOLIS  Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has named its state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center the Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced Technology Center. Spalding, who is in her 14th year as president, was honored by the Rowan-Cabarrus board of trustees at an official unveiling ceremony Thursday, April 28, surrounded by college and community leaders, friends and her family.

The facility, located at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, is a technology training hub with equipment, classroom and lab space designed to meet industry needs for the next 50 years. Since the building opened in 2019, the college has welcomed local students pursuing degrees and certifications and formed partnerships with global companies to provide ongoing training programs for their employees.

Dr. Carol Spalding is a courageous, visionary leader unlike any I have ever met, and there is no one more deserving of this honor, said Rowan-Cabarrus Trustees Board Chair Carl Short Jr. This building would not exist without her optimistic, forward-thinking and strategic leadership. She is dedicated to supporting students, employees, and our entire region, and I look forward to continuing to work with her as she leads Rowan-Cabarrus to the next level.

The 55,000-square-foot Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced Technology Center offers training to prepare students for the high-tech, high-demand careers of today and tomorrow, with program areas such as engineering, mechatronics, robotics, computer-aided design, hydraulics and pneumatics. Students benefit from hands-on training with modern equipment that companies currently use in the workplace, preparing them for competitive jobs in advanced technology fields.

The building exists thanks to the support of Cabarrus County voters, who passed a bond referendum in 2014 to support the facility, as well as additional support from the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, a federal Economic Development Administration grant, and private funding raised through the Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation. The facility is located adjacent to the colleges biotechnology and nursing facility and was built on nearly 3 acres of land donated by David H. Murdock, chairman, CEO and president of Castle & Cooke, Inc., and founder of the North Carolina Research Campus.

Under Spaldings leadership, Rowan-Cabarrus worked alongside the city of Kannapolis and Castle & Cooke to facilitate the buildings construction. Spalding was named North Carolina Community College President of the Year in 2019 in honor of her accomplishments, and the State Board of Community Colleges also awarded the 2019 Distinguished Partner in Excellence Award to the college, the city of Kannapolis and Castle & Cooke in recognition of this unique collaboration.

The announcement continues the tradition of naming campus buildings after outstanding leaders who have contributed significantly to the growth and success of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced Technology Center joins the C. Merrill Hamilton Building and the Dr. Richard L. Brownell Building on North Campus in tribute to these influential presidents.

I am especially delighted that, of the many buildings that Rowan-Cabarrus owns, the board of trustees chose this building to carry my name, Spalding said. This building sends a clear message that Rowan-Cabarrus is committed to serving the regions economic development needs and is an important part of the future. I hope that, when people see the full name  Dr. Carol S. Spalding  on the Advanced Technology Center, they will see it as an intentional message meant to inspire and encourage women and girls to continue their education, perhaps in STEM, perhaps as an educator, or perhaps as a college president.

For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, visit www.rccc.edu or call 704-216-RCCC (7222).
GUEST OPINION: The time to get back to the office refrain is being heard around Australia, from small regional centres to our large capital cities. Policymakers, Lord Mayors, state and federal politicians have all added to the chorus in the interest of reinvigorating the economic well-being of our major cities, hollowed out by low occupancy rates and small business closures from the pandemic.

Not so fast is the collective refrain coming from most employees, however. In the past six months, as delta receded to the fast-moving omicron strain around the world, and Australian vaccination rates climbed above 90% nationally, study after study has shown an extreme reluctance for workers to return to the office, particularly in any sort of full time, pre-pandemic fashion.

According to a global survey of over 10,000 workers published last month by management consultancy Advanced Workplace Associates, only 3% of white-collar workers said they wanted to return to the office five days a week. Eighty-six per cent of that same survey group said they wanted to work from home at least two days a week, regardless of age group, with many also reporting they would rather quit their jobs than be forced back to the office full time.

Whats going on here? Many human resources pundits are convinced that employees feel their productivity and quality of life have improved so significantly by working from home that they are reluctant to go back to pre-pandemic work routines. Intuitively this makes sense, as employees are able to get more out of their work and home life as a result of the dramatic increase in flexibility in their day. Being chained to a desk at work five days a week is just not going to cut it moving forward and bosses with a tin ear to this state of affairs will only be encouraging workers to dust off their CVs.

Getting the Technology Right

Lets assume that, indeed, the 5-day-a-week office model is dead. What can employers do to get the balance right  to maximize employee productivity and well-being, while still accomplishing the goals of the organization?

The technology industry will have an important role to play here. As a leading global communications technology firm, we are starting to hear our customers talk about getting the right balance of technologies in place to make hybrid work a permanent feature of most workplaces.

When you dig down to the next layer to understand what IT directors and employers have on their minds, it has a lot to do with extending all the benefits of the office to the remote workforce and making their staff experience the same, regardless of where they are physically located. This may seem straightforward, but it is not. Getting the right balance of security, collaboration tools, cloud, storage, access controls, telecommunications and mobile enablement solutions in place is not easy, particularly as many employers are realising that one size does not fit all. An employee in finance or human resources, with access to sensitive financial data or employee pay records, may need completely different tools than a remote sales or marketing team member. Employers are also realising that they are dependent on a large number of external providers to help accomplish this  telecommunications providers, software vendors, systems integrators, cloud service providers, collaboration tools vendors, and the list goes on.

Add into this mix of uncertainty plans by the federal government to extend consumer and individual data rights legislation beyond the big banks, and its a fair conclusion to say weve never been in a position like this before. Soon, many employers might be contemplating new compliance mandates for their remote workforces as well.

As complex as this re-wiring of the Australian workforce might seem, the benefits to employers in improved employee loyalty and overall well-being should pay dividends for years to come. The impact of the pandemic on our workplace culture will continue to ripple for years to come, and forward-thinking companies are already hard at work giving employees the right technology tools to thrive in this new environment. Those employers that dont adapt, will get left behind.
CHARLESTON  The Coles Progressives have scheduled a protest Friday against the U.S. Supreme Court's draft opinion on overturning Roe v. Wade and the regional Catholic diocese has issued a statement calling for people to embrace the "gift of life."

The draft opinion also was discussed by Eastern Illinois University prelaw students and their professor, with questions about how feedback on the draft will influence the court's deliberations. Those were some of the initial reactions Tuesday as community members began processing news of a leaked draft opinion that suggests the court may overturn the 1973 case that legalized abortion nationwide.

Silver Damsen, one of the co-chairs of the Coles Progressives, said this community organization plans to hold a protest from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at Morton Park, along Lincoln Avenue/Illinois Route 16, in Charleston. She said they are still discussing and coordinating other actions to follow, including the possibilities of other protests and a letter writing campaign.

Damsen said she is concerned about the Supreme Court potentially rolling back a right that has been in place for U.S. women for nearly 50 years. She said Hungary has placed more restrictions on abortion access in recent years and seen at least one pregnant woman with medical problems die due to not being able to get this procedure.

"That is the kind of issue that is at stake," Damsen said. She added that overturning Roe v. Wade would force women to have unwanted pregnancies, impair the ability of low income women to go to school and work, and result in some women dying due to getting illegal abortions.

In regard to protests, many parishioners from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mattoon and other Catholic churches in the area have been active participants over the years in the March for Life held annually in Washington in protest of the practice and the legality of abortion. The Mattoon church referred march questions Tuesday to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Andrew Hansen, a spokesman for the diocese, responded that science is clear that at the moment of conception, a unique human being is present. He said every human life is made in the image and likeness of God.

"We pray for our culture to embrace the greatest gift, the gift of life," Hansen said. "This means supporting and empowering women to make life affirming choices and for everyone to recognize and defend the most innocent among us, the unborn.

Karen Swenson, professor and prelaw coordinator at Eastern, said she and her students were unable to discuss the draft opinion at length Tuesday in class because it was the day of their final exam, but they exchange a lot of emails about it the previous evening.

Swensen speculated that a clerk for one of the justices leaked the draft. Swensen said she understands why Roe V Wade supporters are outraged, but such outrage would not be enough to motivate her to leak such a document if she were a clerk. She said the clerk broke a confidentiality oath, and possibly the law, and may no longer be able to have a career in law.

The draft opinion could still be modified before the Supreme Court finishes its deliberations and these deliberations could be continued until the courts next term, Swensen said. The deliberations also might be delayed until incoming Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is seated, she said.

Swensen said such delays could allow time for the controversy over the leak to subside a little and possibly for some of the conservative justices to reassess the broad scope of the draft opinion. She said the feedback on the leaked draft could cause such a reassessment, anyway.

Will this cause them to dig in or will this cause them to reconsider, Swensen wondered.

Contact Rob Stroud at (217) 238-6861. Follow him on Twitter: @TheRobStroud

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Vilardo stated, Many of my students benefit from alternative seating arrangements. I have already had success with having a few yoga balls in my room. Several of my students are able to better focus on their schoolwork, and still be able to sit or bounce on a ball. I also have many students that prefer to sit by a wall on the floor, or in a corner away from other students. This has also helped them focus, and I have many more students finish and turn in work and projects from offering these. I would like to continue to offer them and provide more students with alternative seating arrangements.

Czerwonka states, For this project, my students will create paintings, drawings, models, or whatever their artistic minds desire that they will themselves sell online and in person. Each student will choose a charity or an organization with a mission that the individual student is passionate about. Whatever proceeds the students receive from their art they will donate to their chosen charity or organization. This will motivate students because they each love art, and they have their own niches to play on. This project will give them the liberty and freedom to create whatever they want, and they will be engaged because Buckeye students like to give back. It is a part of the culture instilled at Buckeye, and it runs through the students' veins. The kids will be ecstatic about creating art for a good cause. This project will help develop business skills as the student's learn how to navigate selling their art, and it will further enhance their socio-emotional learning by forcing them to look into charitable organizations with missions that they care about.
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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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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WASHINGTON  For student loan activists, last week began with hope as President Joe Biden gave his clearest indication that he was considering canceling federal debt rather than simply allowing borrowers to defer payments during the pandemic.

But that soon gave way to disappointment when Biden signaled days later that any debt relief would be much less than activists wanted. So Melissa Byrne, one of the organizers who has been leading the charge, got back to work.

First, she tweeted that activists need to ramp up their efforts, stay warm + fuzzy and fight until we win. (White House staff reads tweets, she explained.) Then she and her allies dove into their group chats as they considered ways to keep the pressure on.

We need to keep our eye on the prize," Byrne said.

The flurry of activity comes in a crucial stretch, with Biden saying he would make a decision in the coming weeks. After promising to address the issue during his campaign for president, he's now weighing how much federal student loan debt should be canceled and who should benefit.

Critics caution that forgiving debt might anger voters who already paid off their loans, and Republicans describe the idea as a political giveaway in a midterm election year. However, an expansive approach could buoy young people whom Democrats view as a central part of their coalition, allowing Biden to deliver concrete results when many of his proposals from the left remain stalled on Capitol Hill.

John Della Volpe, director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, said student loan forgiveness is "a cornerstone in the relationship between President Biden and young Americans.

Without young voters on board, we dont have a Democratic House, a Democratic Senate and a Democratic president," said Della Volpe, who worked as a consultant for Bidens campaign.

About 43 million Americans owe $1.6 trillion on their student loans, more than either credit cards or car payments. It's a growing problem for younger people, who have assumed more and more debt to finance their educations when public funding for colleges has declined.

And it's a challenge that Biden has personally experienced. While running for office, he told a student in New Hampshire that he ended up with a debt of over $280,000 to pay for college and graduate school for his three children.

I get it, he said.

In a recent poll of Americans under 30 years old conducted by the Harvard Kennedy School, 85% said the federal government should take some action on student loan debt.

However, opinions were split about the best path forward. Although 38% supported full cancellation, 21% wanted such a step to be taken for only those with the greatest financial needs. In addition, 27% wanted the government to help with repayment, but not debt cancellation.

Biden said last week he was still considering what to do.

Im in the process of taking a hard look at whether or not there will be additional debt forgiveness, he said. And Ill have an answer on that in the next couple of weeks.

It's possible that his idea will include means testing, which involves limiting by income who would see their debts forgiven.

He has talked in the past about how, you know, he doesnt believe that millionaires and billionaires, obviously, should benefit, or even people from the highest income, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. So thats certainly something he would be looking at.

During the campaign, when Biden was consolidating support in the Democratic primary, he pledged to immediately cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt per person. But he did not use his executive authority to do so once in office  whether he has such power remains the subject of debate in Washington  and Congress took no action on his promise, either.

Now Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is calling for $50,000 in debt to be canceled and some activists want all debt wiped out without exception.

Bidens pending decision comes as he struggles to make progress on other parts of his liberal agenda that could appeal to young people, such as tackling climate change by expanding clean energy.

We need to motivate voters and show them that Democrats are fighting for them," said Emma Lydon, who lobbies for the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. And this is a slam dunk way to do that."

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, mocked the idea by tweeting that desperate polls call for desperate measures. He added, Other bribe suggestions: Forgive auto loans? Forgive credit card debt? Forgive mortgages?"

Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster who worked with Bidens campaign, didnt see a downside to the inevitable criticism.

The voters who are going to grouse about this, we werent getting them anyway, she said.

However, the issue can still be controversial among Democrats, even evoking raw emotions at times.

We just had a fight about this in a focus group last night," Lake said.

An older woman who had paid off her debts didn't like the idea, while a middle-aged man with children was enthusiastic.

Byrne is trying to tip the scales as far as she can, and has plastered signs around downtown Washington with other activists.

President Biden: Not 10k, not 50k, no means-testing, said black letters on a hot pink background. Cancel student debt, ALL OF IT.

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OMAHA -- 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 3M's 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 news release.

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WAHOO  A jury worked into the night here Tuesday before finding a Malmo man guilty of first-degree murder for killing his 27-year-old fiancee at their home as her two children slept.

Kolton Barnes said what happened early July 15, 2020, was self-defense. That Kayla Matulka attacked him with a knife when he returned home from the bar.

The state said the killing was first-degree murder. That Barnes kicked his way into the house, just as he'd threatened to do in texts later deleted, after she told him their relationship was over and not to come home.

"She wanted out and he refused to accept that, and because of that Kayla Matulka is dead," Assistant Nebraska Attorney General Sandra Allen told the jury in closing arguments earlier Tuesday.

She said Matulka, who was found naked on the floor with a restraint system attached to one of her wrists, a black eye and purple, finger-shaped bruises on an elbow, was fighting for her life.

"He beat her, he strangled her and he stabbed her," Allen said.

Not once or twice, but 27 times.

"You cannot tell me you aren't thinking about what you are doing," she said. "That is premeditation."

Addressing the jury, Matt McDonald of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy said the state had to prove to them without hesitation that Barnes wasn't acting in self-defense.

"They have not done that. They haven't even come close," he said. "Based on the evidence there's a lot more than hesitation about what happened that night."

McDonald said Barnes admitted he tampered with evidence, one of the seven felony charges he faced, but argued the state overcharged the case, throwing the book at Barnes to see what would stick with the jury.

* Two counts of child abuse for leaving Matulka dead with her 6- and 11-year-old children alone to find her.

* A count of animal cruelty and use of a deadly weapon for stabbing his dog to death. (On the stand, Barnes said Matulka had done it.)

* And by alleging the murder was either premeditated or done in the perpetration of a sexual assault or attempted sex assault despite the pathologist saying there was no evidence of sexual assault.

McDonald said there was no evidence Barnes had been jealous or abusive to Matulka, he said. The state was trying to paint a picture of him "that doesn't exist."

He pointed to testimony of one of Barnes' ex-boyfriends who said Barnes, who had been diagnosed with mental illness, once tried to stab him and his dog.

"They're just hoping that you will say well she's dead, he must have done this and it had to happen this way that they're speculating about," the defense attorney said. "Isn't it much more likely that what Kolton said is the truth?"

Barnes said he went in the bedroom and saw his dog, Diesel, on the floor. Then, in the light of the TV, he saw Matulka coming at him with a knife in her hand. He said he put his hand up to block her and punched her three times and they struggled, falling to the floor with him on top of her, the knife in her chest.

"We're never going to know exactly what happened ... because Kolton told you he can't remember everything," McDonald said.

That doesn't mean he's lying, he said.

Allen said Barnes' story continued to evolve. First he said he had no idea what happened, that someone was setting him up. Then, for months, he said Matulka had killed herself, until it was clear two of the stab wounds came after she was dead.

Finally, at trial, he said for the first time that Matulka attacked him.

"What's happening is Mr. Barnes is receiving bits and pieces of information from the evidence, and what he's doing is he's taking that evidence and he's trying to conform a story to match that evidence. To try to get away with the murder of Kayla Matulka," she said. "That's what he's doing."

The jury of 11 men and one woman got the case for deliberations at 2:46 p.m. Tuesday and returned with guilty verdicts on all counts shortly after 7:30 p.m.

Sentencing is set for July.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A California appeals court ruled against an effort by San Francisco to ban four suspected drug dealers from a 50-square-block area in a city neighborhood rife with drug dealing and drug use.

The ruling issued Friday is part of a case that started in 2020 when San Francisco sued 28 alleged drug dealers who frequent the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods to try and clean up the area that has seen the citys largest number of overdose deaths. Then San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said the lawsuits, if approved in California Superior Court, would prevent the alleged dealers from entering that area of downtown.

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 is so broad, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday.

The citys first attempt to enforce the ban against four of the 28 alleged drug dealers was blocked last May by a state judge in San Francisco who 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.

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, Justice Marla Miller wrote in Fridays 3-0 ruling.

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 the San Francisco judge 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.

San Francisco City Attorney David Chius spokesperson, Jen Kwart, said Monday the office was disappointed by the ruling and had not decided whether to appeal.

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

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OMAHA -- Mutual of Omaha would acquire an additional downtown block as part of its new $443 million headquarters project, while the city of Omaha would purchase the parking garage thats part of the new skyscraper.

Those are just some of the new details spelled out in the development agreement between the city and Mutual that will go before the City Council later this month.

In addition to acquiring the block occupied by the downtown Omaha library, Mutual of Omaha plans to buy the block to the east to ensure space for future growth.

For its part, the city of Omaha would pay $99 million to buy the 2,200-space parking garage thats part of the project, charge the company to lease parking for its employees and make the parking spots available for other public uses outside the workday.

Similarly, the development agreement calls for the city to acquire and operate for public use the three parking garages on the current Mutual of Omaha campus in midtown.

The 138-page development agreement contractually sets out the rights and obligations of both Mutual and the city in the massive project  not the least of which is the requirement that the city develop a streetcar line linking downtown and midtown.

That provision underscores what Mutual has said since the new headquarters skyscraper was first announced: The streetcar is vital to making the finances of the project work for the Fortune 500 insurance company.

Having the streetcar run by Mutuals current midtown campus enhances the propertys redevelopment value, helping defray the cost of building the new high-rise downtown.

The streetcar really does enable the economics to work, Mutual of Omaha CEO James Blackledge said in a recent interview. This is a very expensive project. So we just want to help people understand that connection, and hopefully provide some encouragement to folks to continue to move that down the road here.

Mayor Jean Stothert in January pledged her support for the $306 million, 3-mile streetcar line, which was announced in conjunction with Mutuals plan to anchor its headquarters in downtowns corporate core by 2026.

Kevin Andersen, a deputy chief of staff to the mayor, said the citys participation in the agreements  including the purchase of the parking garages  will not only help promote construction of the new tower, but also will help spur other future growth in Omahas urban core.

We think not only supporting the Mutual development, but the transactions that take place within the agreements, also helps position the city to take advantage of growth opportunities downtown and around the midtown area, Andersen said.

Blackledge likewise called the projects and the agreements spelling them out a win-win for Mutual and the city.

When it opens in 2026, the new Mutual tower figures to reshape downtown Omaha. Its the first significant addition to downtown Omahas skyline in almost a generation. And there may never have been a bigger single infusion of workers into Omahas downtown core than the move of Mutuals workforce of 4,000.

Blackledge said the exact height of the Mutual building still has not yet been determined. Yet he continues to say it will be on the scale of the First National Bank Tower, Omahas tallest building.

Many aspects of the agreement publicly released in April have previously been disclosed, among them the $68 million in public tax-increment financing dollars that will help fund public improvements and other costs of the project.

Mutuals planned acquisition of the block to the east bounded by 13th, 14th, Douglas and Farnam is new. However, city officials have previously said the block  once part of Gene Leahy Mall  was slated to be redeveloped.

During the four-year construction period for Mutuals tower, the block would serve as a staging area for construction. Thats the same role it is now serving for the ongoing Gene Leahy Mall overhaul.

After the tower opens in 2026, Mutual expects to develop the block into a temporary public space pending future growth needs, Blackledge said.

Its not going to just sit there with dirt on it, he said.

If its found over time that Mutual will not need the block, the land will be sold back to the city to ensure it will be redeveloped.

The mayors office understood our need and was helpful in getting that into the agreement, Blackledge said.

While Mutuals initial interest in the block is for expanded office space, Andersen anticipates room for additional development on the property. Whatever is developed must be an aesthetic fit with the tower to the west and the park to the east.

We knew that the development of those two blocks had to be very carefully coordinated, Andersen said.

No sale price has yet been set for the block, which will be based on its current market value.

The agreement obligates the city to purchase from Mutual the 12-story parking garage thats part of the tower project. The $99 million sales price is based on $45,000 for each of the estimated 2,200 stalls, which Blackledge said is the cost per space to build the garage.

The city would be the owner and operator of the garage. The city would finance the purchase with bonds and pay them back over time with parking revenue from Mutual and other users.

Blackledge noted the shared use of the garage  by Mutual workers by day and other community uses at other times  fits with the recent urban core plan released by the Greater Omaha Chamber. That plan emphasizes shared parking as a way to maximize the density of both business and housing development.

Because the city will ultimately own the garage, it has the right to approve final plans for it.

The City of Omaha currently owns and operates six other parking garages, including Park 8, where it leases spots to Union Pacific for its workers. The city previously announced it intends to purchase a parking garage associated with a new development in Blackstone for $19 million.

Similarly, the agreement calls for the city to acquire two parking garages that Mutual owns at its current headquarters near 33rd and Dodge and as well as another it owns at Midtown Crossing. The $53 million price is based on $15,000 for each of 3,552 stalls. As with the downtown Mutual garage, the city would finance the purchase over time with bonds and would charge the public for use.

Once the streetcar is operating, Blackledge said, the midtown garages could become a park-and-ride option for people headed downtown for work or other events.

City officials express confidence in the viability of the parking garage purchases, which they say will aid the citys plans for redevelopment both downtown and in midtown.

The thing I stress is that we look at parking and mobility as a system rather than these stand-alone structures, Andersen said. As a system, were confident in the investment and what that means for the city in supporting these important (redevelopments).

City ownership of the midtown garages will not only facilitate the reuse of Mutuals existing campus, but also help spur other new development in the area, he said.

That is a very important aspect of this, and a really exciting opportunity for the city, he said.

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In 2016, a physician with Brown Universitys Warren Alpert Medical School had an idea for saving people in the throes of an opioid overdose by making a reversal drug readily available for bystanders to use.

The problem was having a place to put it. Eventually, the solution occurred to them: they could put it in a box on the walls where the AEDs and fire extinguishers are also hanging. Theyre all life-saving devices, after all.

As was noted in a Brown University press release, NaloxBoxes, i.e. a brand name for opioid rescue kits, enable anyone in the wrong place at the right time to save lives. NaloxBoxes have Narcan (the opioid overdose antidote) inside as well as instructions in Spanish and English.

In the years since, what started as an experiment in Rhode Island has begun to expand across the country  including Wisconsin. According to NaloxBox literature, more than 500 boxes have been installed nationwide.

Recent visitors to county-owned buildings in Racine County have probably noticed the NaloxBox in the public bathrooms.

According to Andrew Goetz, Racine County director of communications, the NaloxBox distribution was funded by the State Opioid Response Grant.

In a written statement, he said distribution began in October of 2021 with 13 boxes. To date in 2022, a total of 115 boxes were distributed countywide.

Boxes were distributed to the following locations:

Law enforcement agencies in Racine County: 68

Fire departments in Racine County: 1

County buildings: 37

The remaining 17 were distributed to other community locations.

Jonathan Delagrave, county executive, said the NaloxBoxes have the potential to make a life-saving difference for someone experiencing an opioid overdose ... The opioid epidemic has left deep scars on our community, and we must do whatever we can to help those struggling with opioid dependency.

NaloxBoxes

The NaloxBox website describes the boxes as having four injectable doses of Naloxone with printed instructions on how to use it.

The box also contains a CPR mask, allowing the person responding to the emergency to give rescue breaths until paramedics arrive.

The lid to the box is secured with Velcro, which allows the box to open easily with no latch to manipulate, no glass to break and no codes to type in.

Naloxone does not replace more advanced medical care. While it gets the reversal drug into the individual immediately, bystanders using it should call 911 immediately, especially in light of the fact one of the symptoms of an opioid overdose is the person stops breathing.

NaloxBoxes are constructed in partnership with Amos House, in Rhode Island, a nonprofit that works with those experiencing poverty, unemployment, and housing insecurity.

The NaloxBoxes are assembled by graduates of the organizations carpentry training program.

Opioids

According to State of Wisconsin data, there were 1,227 opioid overdose deaths in 2020 statewide and 1,237 in 2021; though, 2021s total is a preliminary count and may grow as more research is conducted. In Racine County, the state recorded 49 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020.

Wisconsin will receive additional funds to fight the opioid epidemic through multiple settlements with pharmaceutical companies. Wisconsin will receive over $400 million from settlements with opioid distributors (Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen) and Johnson & Johnson, according to information provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Payments from these two settlements should reach Wisconsin in the second quarter of 2022, according to WDHS, and are expected to continue over the next 18 years.

The payments from Johnson & Johnson will continue over nine years.

2021 Wisconsin Act 57 determined how the money would be distributed with 30% allocated to WDHS and 70% allocated to communities that joined this litigations.

Two other settlements are in process.

Listening Sessions The Wisconsin Department of Health Services held listening sessions in January, which were described as an effort to gather big-picture input from a broad range of stakeholders to inform our use of future opioid settlement funds. DHS indicated stakeholders want to see support for policy and systems change. The remainder of the feedback fell into one of these categories: Address root causes. Address the social determinants of health. Improve access to mental health services. Bolster family stability. Reduce people's exposure to trauma and the impact of trauma.

Address the social determinants of health. Improve access to mental health services. Bolster family stability. Reduce people's exposure to trauma and the impact of trauma. Prevent proactively. Provide evidence-based substance use prevention education, especially in K-12 schools, as well as in communities. Consider including voices of those with lived experience to reduce stigma in communities.

Provide evidence-based substance use prevention education, especially in K-12 schools, as well as in communities. Consider including voices of those with lived experience to reduce stigma in communities. Enhance harm reduction. Maintain and expand harm reduction strategies, including needle exchange, safe use sites, increased access and use of naloxone/NARCAN, and fentanyl test strips.

Maintain and expand harm reduction strategies, including needle exchange, safe use sites, increased access and use of naloxone/NARCAN, and fentanyl test strips. Expand treatment options. Increase the accessibility and availability of all forms of treatment that follow best practices. Ensure equity in the location and delivery of treatment options.

Increase the accessibility and availability of all forms of treatment that follow best practices. Ensure equity in the location and delivery of treatment options. Support recovery. Support individuals in recovery with targeted wraparound services. Provide direct support to families with a loved one with substance use disorder.

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Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 94F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
1. Yes. If inflation remains high and interest rates rise, the economy will be a major factor.

2. Yes. If the nation goes into a recession, it will be the issue on the minds of most voters.

3. No. Inflation will likely moderate by then; if so, the economy wont be a major issue.

4.No. All the turmoil involving Russia and Roe v. Wade will probably take center stage.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say how the economy will play with voters at this point.

Vote

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Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 93F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will become overcast later during the night. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
See which counties have the highest COVID-19 infection rates in Nebraska using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
KEARNEY  The Kearney Hub won second place for its digital online edition and brought home other awards in the Nebraska Press Associations annual Better Newspaper Contest.

The Hub competed against other community daily newspapers. The awards were announced Saturday at the conclusion of the two-day NPA convention at the new Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Kearneys Younes Hospitality Complex.

The NPA contest judges entries in both print and digital categories.

The Hubs awards were:

First Place Print

Newspaper Organized or Sponsored Event  Health Care Heroes, by Staff

Graham Tire Customer Appreciation banner  by Andrea Dzingle and Katie Simmons

Signature Page  Business Timeline (2 page spread), by Staff

Sports Feature Photo  Ready to Rodeo, by Lori Potter

Sports Page  By Buck Mahoney and Peter Holland Jr.

News Writing  Nursing facilitys closure hard to take in Ravenna, by Ashley Bebensee

Second Place Print

General Excellence  by Staff

In-depth Writing  Hemp Processing Picks Up, by Lori Potter

Public Notice and Its Promotion  by Scott Casper and Mike Konz

Editorial  by Mike Konz

Third Place Print

Classified Section  by Staff

Single Retail Advertising Idea, black and white, Andersen Wrecking Turn your crash into cash, by Andrea Dzingle and Katie Simmons

Opinion Page  by Mike Konz

Second Place Digital

Web Site  by Staff

Ad Video  Kearney Regional Medical Center employment seeker, by Katie Simmons

News Video  COVID-19 a year in review, by Staff

Best Digital Ad Idea  Crafty Dog reveal, by Andrea Dzingle and Katie Simmons

Third Place Digital

Ad Video  Health Care Heroes promo, by Scott Casper, Katie Simmons

News Video  Sonic Man, Sheldon Bartholomew skates at work to bring customer smiles, by Grace McDonald and Ana Salazar
Scott Bjerkos announced on May 2 that he is running for Vernon County Sheriff. Bjerkos has served in law enforcement for over 36 years, all with the Vernon County Sheriffs Department.

Bjerkos is a lifelong Vernon County resident, and currently serves the county as an investigator. As sheriff, Bjerkos will provide county citizens with excellent service and protection.

I am running for Vernon County Sheriff to provide the community with the best service possible, which is the service they deserve, said Bjerkos. As sheriff I will help the public understand how to not become a victim; this starts with protecting our kids, supporting the elderly, and providing the best protection possible in the war on drugs.

Bjerkos will bring experienced leadership and dedication to the role of Vernon County Sheriff. His expertise is in major crimes, and he has led the charge on several multi-jurisdictional investigations. He has worked undercover as a drug enforcement officer, on federal and state drug cases, and has solved multiple homicides. Bjerkos is the only member of Vernon County Law Enforcement to serve on the Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) team, which is Wisconsins statewide response to meth.

Bjerkos, running for Vernon County Sheriff as a Republican, will be on the ballot in Wisconsins primary election, on Aug. 9.

He is the third person to announce their candidacy to fill the position of Sheriff John Spears, who is retiring. The other candidates are Roy Torgerson and Janice Turben

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A 29-year-old La Crosse man is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on drug charges.

Lucas G. Stach was charged Monday in La Crosse County Circuit Court with a felony count of possession of narcotic drugs with intent to deliver and misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

According to the criminal complaint, police responded during the overnight hours of May 2 to a report of a man slumped over in the drivers seat of a running vehicle at the corner of 19th and Farnam streets in La Crosse. The complaint says Stach was asleep when police arrived but sat up when an officer said, law enforcement.

Police detected the odor of marijuana and asked Stach to step outside the vehicle. After the officer asked if there were any drugs in the vehicle, Stach reportedly admitted there was marijuana inside a bag in plain view.

Stach was placed under arrest for a felony warrant out of Minnesota. Police searched the vehicle and allegedly found 26 Xanax pills, one gram of heroin and 61.3 grams of marijuana.

Judge Scott Horne set cash bail at $5,000 for Stach, who also faces an extradition hold. He has a preliminary hearing set for May 11.

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Martha Cranley of Madison has been hired to serve as the new State Director of AARP Wisconsin and begins serving in her new position this week, according to AARPs Central Region Vice President Sam Wilson

A mission-driven leader, Martha has spent her career focused on removing barriers to success for Wisconsinites of all ages and abilities, Wilson said. She brings with her a creative, strategic, analytical, and solutions-oriented mindset coupled with years of experience in not-for-profit management, philanthropy, and government service.

Cranley comes to AARP Wisconsin  a national organization that has over 807,000 members in Wisconsin alone  after serving as the Vice President of Community Impact for the United Way of Dane County. In that role she led the strategic investment of $22 million in financial resources to achieve community level change in the areas of education, income, and health with a goal of improving family well-being throughout the county.

Im excited to be joining a state and national leader in civic engagement in a time when common ground is sorely needed, she said. AARP members come from all backgrounds and points of view to a shared vision of communities where we all can thrive. What goal could be better!

One of the reasons Cranley said she is excited to join AARP is that the organization advocates on issues that help people age with dignity and purpose. AARPs laser focus on lowering prescription drug costs, support for family caregivers, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and engaging voters to get more involved in elections, make our communities better for all of us.

During her tenure at United Way, Cranley also led the agencys work in ending family homelessness. In this capacity, she has chaired the Dane County Continuum of Care Board of Directors as well as the strategic planning for a new community plan to end homelessness. She was instrumental in the founding of two investment funds designed to increase the creation of affordable housing in Dane County.

Cranley is also the former director of the nationally recognized Kids Count project with Kids Forward, where she chaired the Annie E. Casey Kids Count Network Advisory Board, as well drew attention to the overall racial disparities in outcomes for people of color in Wisconsin and advocated for policy change.

In addition, she was the founding executive director of the Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers where she was instrumental in the creation of the independent living centers nationally-recognized peer review model.

She has been a Legislative Policy Advisor in both the State Senate and Assembly and has written and presented on the state budget process, public policy advocacy, and issues affecting low-income communities.

Cranley and her husband, Larry Martin, who is CEO of the State Bar of Wisconsin, have three children. She holds a Bachelors Degree in History from St. Norbert College in DePere.

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After a leaked draft of a majority opinion showed the U.S. Supreme Court intends to overturn the landmark abortion decision in Roe v. Wade, local politicians are reacting.

First reported on by Politico late Monday night, the decision by the court would ultimately strip the federal protections for abortion, leaving it in the hands of states to decide if abortion should be legal or not.

Wisconsin is one of eight trigger states with existing bans on abortion that have been null and void with the federal protection in place since the 1970s. But if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, the states 19th century law that made abortion a felony offense would be put back into place automatically. The law makes exceptions for instances where the mothers life is in danger, but not for things such as rape or incest.

Democrats are calling for immediate action to try and enshrine the powers of Roe v. Wade through legislation, both at state and federal levels.

The news also launches abortion to the top of the issues list for the upcoming midterm elections, including in the closely watched race for Wisconsins 3rd Congressional District.

Democratic candidate and state Sen. Brad Pfaff of Onalaska called on Gov. Tony Evers to call a special legislative session to take on the issue.

We need to do everything we can to make sure women in Wisconsin have uninterrupted access to reproductive health care. This will be a tough fight, but one step we can take right now is for the governor to call a special legislative session and fight like hell to protect a womans right to choose, Pfaff said in a statement.

Pfaff tweeted that if elected to Congress, he would not rest until we codify Roe as federal law.

Fellow Democratic congressional candidate and La Crosse Common Council member Mark Neumann similarly called for federal legislation to protect abortion rights. We can no longer depend only on the Supreme Court to protect reproductive healthcare freedom, Neumann said in a tweet.

I am deeply saddened by this report. Overturning Roe is an atrocious attack on our fundamental rights. Let me be clear: I will always fight to defend and protect our reproductive rights, Deb McGrath tweeted, a former CIA agent and Democratic candidate.

In a second tweet, McGrath said she was disappointed, furious and horrified of the possibility that abortion could become illegal.

We need legislators who will stand up for womens reproductive rights. If this opinion holds, an archaic Wisconsin law effectively banning all abortions will go into effect. Women across our state will lose access to fundamental health care, she said. We are in a crisis.

In a tweet, Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke said that while the courts opinion is a draft and not final, it is a dangerous turn to control womens health freedoms. Abortion is still legal in Wisconsin, but we have work to do. Its never been more important to elect pro-choice candidates. With you in this fight, she said, tagging Planned Parenthood.

Sitting Democrat Rep. Ron Kind, who is retiring after this term, said in a statement that there are larger implications to the courts decision.

This ruling would also potentially jeopardize many individual privacy protections against government intrusion in our personal lives that were strengthened by or stem from Roe and later rulings based upon Roe, like the right to get married, use contraception, decide how to educate our children and more, Kind said.

He said, Deeply personal health decisions should be made by a woman and her doctor  not the government.

Republicans have shifted the focus on the fact that the document was leaked, an unprecedented breach of the courts documents.

I respect the Supreme Courts decision making process and the leaking of this draft ruling jeopardizes that process. This is a clear attempt by the left to interject politics by bullying the Court and it is unacceptable on every level and a direct assault on our democracy, Derrick Van Orden of Prairie du Chien said in a statement.

It needs to be thoroughly investigated so that we can protect the rule of law and the sanctity of the Courts deliberations, he said.

On Tuesday, Chief Justice John Roberts announced there would be an investigation into the leak.

This is story was updated at 2:30 p.m. to include new comments from Rep. Ron Kind.

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La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke said he doesn't support the decision to overturn the federal protection on abortion rights, but that he would still need to enforce a state ban on abortions that would come.

This could be a reality if a draft opinion from the Supreme Court of the United States that was leaked to and reported by Politico late Monday evening is officially issued, ultimately striking down the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade which guarantees lawful abortions nationwide.

Undoing the country's federal protection of abortion rights would leave it up to states to decide, and in Wisconsin, it would mean a looming, 19th century ban on most abortions would again be in place  a law that would ultimately be enforced by local district attorneys.

"I don't agree with the outcome," Gruenke, a Democrat, told the Tribune in an email Tuesday.

"But unless the Legislature acts, I would have to enforce the law the same as any other law," he said.

The Wisconsin law, which was established in 1849 but has been unenforceable since the Roe decision in 1973, bans all abortions in the state except in an instance to save the life of the pregnant person. There are no exceptions in cases of rape or incest, a detail Gruenke said he especially disagrees with.

An amendment to the law that was made in 1985, after the Roe decision, specified that it was illegal to perform an abortion, not to necessarily have one in Wisconsin. This means medical professionals or others who perform an abortion would be the ones being charged, not the individuals receiving the abortion.

They would face penalties of up to six years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, under the law as it currently stands.

Wisconsin's 173-year-old law also defines an "unborn child" as a "human being from the time of conception until it is born alive."

This law is likely to be automatically triggered if Roe v. Wade is overturned, not needing any other action to again become valid in the state.

Gruenke said his office would still be able to use some discretion on a case-by-case basis to not charge someone when there are extenuating circumstances or use options such as offering plea agreements.

"But I don't think a blanket refusal to charge would be consistent with my oath to uphold the law or the executive branch function," Gruenke said.

He called on the state Legislature to "clarify" the law.

"I hope the Legislature would act to clarify if they want a total ban, a time period like it is under Roe now, or other exceptions," he said. "Because I think most people believe there should not be this complete ban on all abortions in every circumstance."

Wisconsin's Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul said on Tuesday that his office doesn't plan to enforce the law, saying the Wisconsin Department of Justice in-part doesn't have the resources to pursue the cases, but also because of the "importance of freedom at stake."

Kaul told the Wisconsin State Journal that he doesn't believe the ban should be enforced by any DA or law enforcement agency, and that the DOJ could provide legal guidance to local district attorneys and training information to law enforcement agencies.

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Cheryl Hancock is no longer executive director of Coulee Recovery Center.

The center issued a press release Monday saying that Hancock had "retired effective May 2," with Rita Von Haden taking over as the new executive director.

Hancock said Monday that she was planning to retire at the end of June but pushed the date ahead because of revelations that she posted Facebook entries under a pseudonym while president of the Holmen School Board. She is facing multiple calls to resign.

"With all that's going on, I decided to retire a little sooner than planned," Hancock said. "I'm going to take some time away from all my public life to reflect and look back."

Hancock said she had shared her intentions to resign with the Coulee Recovery Board prior to the controversy in Holmen and that Von Haden's promotion was the result of a normal search process.

Von Haden has been with the center since 2006 and was the assistant director/program manager until Monday. A press release issued Monday says: "The board has every confidence in Rita's ability to lead Coulee Recovery Center into the future. Rita has shown a true commitment to carrying out the mission of the Coulee Recovery Center and demonstrates a servant leadership necessary for the success of our clients and all those that work with CRC."

When asked if she planned to resign from the Holmen School Board, she replied that her status will be the subject of an upcoming board meeting.

The Holmen School Board has scheduled a special meeting Monday in closed session at 6 p.m. The only item on the agenda is "preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to ..."

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The national, nonprofit School Nutrition Association has named Stephanie Sheley, a cook at Holmen High School, the National Employee of the Year.

The award recognizes the valuable contribution of school nutrition employees, ones who exhibit a remarkable commitment to both their school meal program and the students they serve.

Sheley has been described as creative, always smiling and a good mentor. She has been instrumental in designing the schools premium grab-and-go salads. Offering everything from a chicken bacon ranch salad to a cranberry walnut blue cheese salad, shes raised the bar on typical school cafeteria menus.

The salad bar she designed for the high school rivals any restaurant in the area. Parents frequently tell school employees how much their students love it.

But Sheley is much more than just the person behind amazing salads. She has an infectious personality  her line is often the longest when she serves lunch because the kids want to see her. She makes it a point to learn their names and knows most of the 1,200 students, creating positive relationships with so many by doing little things to make them feel special.

When one of her students who uses a wheelchair comes to the cafeteria, he insists on going through Sheleys line so they can do a special little dance together.

Her supervisor says when a manager is absent, Sheley willingly fills that leadership role.

She also takes on extra projects around the cafeteria. She enjoys creating signage for special events and keeping the schools chalk board menus interesting with her artistic talents. She has painted two murals in two elementary schools within the School District of Holmen that were featured in the October 2019 edition of SN Magazine.

Stephanie Sheley works to make all who she encounters feel special through her words, smile and actions. We would all be fortunate to have someone like her in our kitchens and on our school nutrition teams, said Beth Wallace, SNA president.

For Sheley, the learning never stops. Even though the school kitchen has been short staffed, she has exceeded the required eight CEUs per year and has started to work toward her certification.

The Employee of the Year Award was created to recognize outstanding school nutrition employees who influence the quality of school meals through customer service, an interest in young people, cooperation, work attendance, creativity, participation in professional development and their willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Sheley was announced as the National Employee of the Year during a School Lunch Hero Day online awards ceremony on May 2. As a national award winner, Sheley will receive an all-expense paid trip to be recognized at SNAs Annual National Conference in Orlando in July.

The School Nutrition Association is a national, nonprofit professional organization representing 50,000 school nutrition professionals across the country.

For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.

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Western Technical College is hosting the event, Mental Health in a Changed World and Workplace from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, at the Lunda Center, 333 N. Seventh St., La Crosse.

The event will be presented by 2021 Miss Minnesota Elle Mark and Western Human Services instructor Keith Lease.

Mark is an honors graduate from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a bachelors degree in Public Health and Community Health Education. She travels the area promoting the 5 Healthy Habits of Emotion Well-Being on behalf of the Campaign to Change Direction. Her message encourages individuals to take mental health as seriously as physical health.

Lease is a respected instructor and mental health expert in the region. In this session, Lease will reinforce Marks message about emotional well-being and explore the employers role in supporting its workforce during what is being called a mental health crisis.

The event is open to the public. The cost to attend is $35 per person, which includes lunch.

To learn more information on Westerns programs or services, call 608.785.9200 or visit www.westerntc.edu.

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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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Chinas COVID-19 restrictions in major cities like Shanghai are hurting its economy.

Shanghai is entering its fourth week of lockdown. Emergency measures were put in place as the city deals with a rise in case numbers. Many smaller Chinese cities are also seeing similar measures put in place.

Factories have shut down, including the Shanghai production plant of electric carmaker Tesla. Before Shanghai was shut down, interest in electric cars was high  and rising.

The current restrictions have hurt both the production and purchasing of goods. The 25 million people living in Shanghai, for example, have only been able to buy food and other important daily goods because the restrictions.

Economic experts at the company Nomura say that 45 Chinese cities were recently under restrictions. The observers say the restrictions could lead to an economic recession.

Companies including the fast-food restaurant Taco Bell and the fashion brand Gucci are reporting major financial losses because of the lockdown.

Joey Wat is chief of Yum China. The company owns Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken. She said in a letter to investors that April sales were greatly affected by COVID controls. In response, the company simplified its offerings and promoted large food orders for locked-down communities, she said.

Jean-Marc Duplaix is the top financial officer at Kering, the company that owns Gucci and Saint Laurent. He said, It is very difficult to predict what will happen after the lockdown.

Helen de Tissot is the top financial officer at Pernod Ricard, a French alcohol company. Tissot said, Much will depend on how fast these restrictions can be lifted but the coming weeks may be difficult.

In a recent message, computer and phone-maker Apple said it may not be able to produce as much because of the restrictions.

In large Chinese cities, leaders are giving local people shopping vouchers and asking them to spend money.

In the Guangdong province, a new program started with the hope of increasing sales of electric vehicles. People can get about $1,200 to help with the purchase of electric vehicles. Tesla, however, was not included.

The city of Chongqing is offering residents money to trade in old cars for new ones.

Even with those new plans, economic observers at the bank Credit Suisse say the pandemic restrictions have started a downward trend.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by Reuters.

Write to us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page.

Words in This Story

taco  n. a Mexican food made from a piece of folded bread called a tortilla with meat and cheese fillings.

lockdown n. a closing of many places and businesses for safety reasons

voucher  n. a document that gives you the right to buy something

brand  n. a category of products made by a company that all have the same name

trend  n. a change of direction or change in outlook, such as a loss of business or a new idea

resident  n. a person who lives in a place
MONDAY, May 2, 2022 (American Heart Association News) -- 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 misuse  due in part to overprescription  resulted 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."

American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org.

By Laura Williamson, American Heart Association News

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
Wisconsins Democratic Attorney General said Tuesday he has no plans to enforce an abortion ban in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court votes to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision later this year.

Josh Kaul, who is seeking reelection this fall, said Tuesday that, because of the importance of the freedom at stake, but also because of the need to use our resources as efficiently as possible, the Wisconsin Department of Justice will not be using its resources to investigate or prosecute alleged violations of the states 19th-century abortion ban, which could take hold if Roe is overturned this summer. The state law, passed in 1849, has remained on the books but has been made unenforceable by Roe.

As long as Im attorney general, we will not be using any resources for those purposes, Kaul told the Wisconsin State Journal.

Wisconsin is one of nine states with an abortion ban law that predates Roe v. Wade, according to an analysis by the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.

Under Wisconsins more than 170-year-old abortion law, destroying the life of an unborn child would constitute a Class H felony, punishable by up to six years of combined prison time and extended supervision and a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The willful killing of an unborn quick child, which is generally described as a fetus that has developed to the stage that it moves within the womb of the mother, would be a Class E felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and five years of extended supervision. The law, passed in 1849, includes an exception for when a mothers life is in danger but not for rape or incest.

While most prosecutions for violating an abortion ban would likely be brought by district attorneys at the county level, Kaul said DOJ also has the authority to provide legal guidance to district attorneys and training to law enforcement agencies  though he didnt provide specifics on what that might entail.

I do not think that a ban on abortion should be enforced by any DA or law enforcement agency, both because it infringes on a fundamental freedom, but also because the resources of those agencies, and DOJ likewise, are much better used investigating things like violent crime or drug trafficking and should not be going towards trying to prosecute people for their involvement in abortions, he said.

Fond du Lac County District Attorney and Republican candidate for attorney general Eric Toney said in a statement Tuesday that abortion laws always should have been a state issue.

I am pro-life and I will enforce and defend the laws as passed by the Legislature and signed into law, Toney said. Josh Kaul has demonstrated he is nothing more than a politician seeking to defend the laws he agrees with and virtually ignore laws he disagrees with.

Fellow GOP attorney general candidate Adam Jarchow, a former state representative from Balsam Lake, said in an email that Kauls unwillingness to enforce the laws of Wisconsin should disqualify him from the job of Attorney General.

As a pro-life father of two, I will always support the right to life, Jarchow said.

Toney and Jarchow will meet in the Aug. 9 primary. The winner will go on to face Kaul in the Nov. 8 election.

As with other races on the ballot this November, Kaul said he expects that, if Roe v. Wade is overturned, reproductive freedom is going to become a central issue in the 2022 elections  in many different races including the (attorney general) race.

The (attorney generals) office will be one of the critical offices in determining how Wisconsin responds to any decision overturning Roe, Kaul said.

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Nearly USD120 million to be used to build 4 aircraft maintenance workshops at Long Thanh airport

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has recently submitted to the Ministry of Transport for appraisal and approval four investment projects on building and operating aircraft maintenance workshops at Long Thanh International Airport with a total investment of more than VND2.75 trillion (USD119.7 million ).



The facilities all meet the standards of the CAAV, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

An aircraft maintenance workshop - Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)





Each project is expected to be constructed within 24 months from the effective date of the project contract, and the estimated operation time is 25 years from the date of completion of the project.



Located 40km to the east of Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai province is expected to relieve overloading at the southern metropoliss Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which is currently the largest in Vietnam.



Covering more than 5,580 hectares, it will spread across six communes in Long Thanh district. Its construction has been divided into three phases.



In the first phase, a runway and one passenger terminal along with other supporting facilities will be built to serve 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo each year. This phase is scheduled to be completed in 2025.



The project started in 2021. Once fully completed by 2050, the airport will be able to handle 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Madison officials believe a rotted front beam covered by metal cladding 35 years ago likely caused a second-story balcony collapse that injured three revelers during the Mifflin Street Block Party on Saturday.

Officials dont believe anyone purposely hid rotten wood to avoid detection during a recent inspection.

The pillars and balcony of the duplex at 544 W. Mifflin St. were rebuilt in 1987, the same time new metal siding was applied to the structure, and its likely the wood beam was covered with metal cladding for aesthetic reasons at that time, city building inspector Matt Tucker said Monday.

Because the wood was covered, city inspectors doing exterior visual checks of buildings in advance of the annual block party would not have seen any deficiencies, Tucker said.

Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District, who represents the site, said its highly unlikely the city will pursue any prosecution for the collapse unless new information becomes available to Building Inspection.

But Verveer vowed to explore ways to do more thorough inspections, which currently are limited under a state law passed in 2018. Under the law, city staff are not allowed to do detailed inspections unless invited by tenants or owners.

Building Inspection has been doing detailed studies of the properties in the area, starting last year, Tucker said. The idea is to try and find un-permitted work that may be occurring during our annual walk, so we can require permits where such work is discovered.

External checks

On March 17, building inspectors did external visual checks of every porch and balcony of the aging houses in the 400 and 500 blocks of Mifflin Street and the surrounding area to ensure they were safe before Saturdays party, an event that is not sanctioned by the city but still draws thousands every year.

Inspectors found some issues at various properties, but none at 544 W. Mifflin St., which was built in 1929, Tucker said. The annual walk-around found mostly minor issues at other properties and all were resolved before the block party, he said.

Staff can spot a bowed or sagging balcony or porch, but would not have seen the wood rot in the beam because of the metal cladding, Tucker said. The cladding could have caused retention of moisture in the beam, he said.

Our ability to perform programmed inspections of areas is limited by state law, so our opportunities to discover faults or maintenance issues is equally limited, Tucker said. But even if staff could have inspected, the failure may have still happened, he said, adding that building codes for balconies cant be relied upon to ensure an overloaded porch is safe.

This once-a-year overloading is testing these balconies, he said. The tenant and property owner have some responsibility.

A scary collapse

About 11:30 a.m.  barely a half-hour into Saturdays festivities when more than 10,000 revelers eventually took to the streets  the roughly 60-square-foot, second-story balcony at 544 W. Mifflin St. collapsed sending about a dozen revelers plummeting 15 feet to the ground, city officials said.

The failure of the rotted beam at the front of the balcony created a slide effect for the balcony floor, which never detached from the house, causing some revelers to fall to the ground, Tucker said. Officials still dont know exactly what was happening on the porch at the moment of collapse, he said.

Three people were injured with two sent to UW Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. The status of a man taken to the hospital could not be confirmed but Verveer said a woman was released and actually returned to the event.

I cant overstate how scary this was, Verveer said. My greatest fear for this inevitable, unsanctioned event is a collapse of this sort.

The property is owned by 544 W. Mifflin Street LLC, city Assessors Office records show. A representative of the LLC could not be reached.

Birwood Property Management of Madison is listed as the owners agent, the records show, and its personnel responded immediately after the collapse on Saturday, Verveer said.

A person answering the phone at Birwood on Monday declined to identify herself and said the company was not giving out any information about the balcony collapse at this time. Birwood also did not respond to questions sent by email.

On Monday, the 500 block of the street was quiet with a makeshift set of 2-by-10 boards shoring up the pillars of the balcony at 544 W. Mifflin St. and the balcony floor now fully removed. The buildings tenants were not displaced because firefighters had fortified the pillars on Saturday.

With the temporary measures taken to stabilize the porch, cap the electric for the front porch light, and maintain legal exiting of the dwellings, we believe the building is safe, Tucker said. Permanent repairs are being ordered. Permits must be secured and construction inspected, similar to a repair project.

Madison Building Inspection is handling a continuing investigation. The Madison Fire and Police departments do not have ongoing investigations into the collapse, agency spokespersons said.

We are reviewing the facts and pictures, the history of the building from our records, and talking to staff that walked the area, Tucker said. We also plan to debrief with the Fire Department, to understand what they know. Its reasonable to consider this could be done this week, but we will use all the time we need to do a thorough review.

The Mifflin Street Block Party is a tradition dating back more than 50 years. The party started in 1969 as a "street dance," but it escalated into a three-day riot after police tried to stop it because residents didnt have a permit. The party has morphed throughout the decades into the giant, messy celebration that it is today.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the description of the first block party in 1969.

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As COVID-19 hospitalizations inch up again in Wisconsin and virus levels rise in Madison wastewater, health officials are urging people at high risk for severe complications from coronavirus infections to take antiviral drugs that were initially scarce but are now plentiful.

These are available throughout the state, Dr. Jon Meiman, a chief medical officer with the state Department of Health Services, said Tuesday of the drugs Paxlovid and Lagevrio, noting Paxlovid has been shown to reduce hospitalizations and deaths by up to 88%. Theres a lot of potential benefit there.

Supply of the oral antivirals, authorized in December to treat COVID-19 patients, initially was low. But with a recent boost, the state has now received 12,740 patient courses of Paxlovid and 2,888 courses of Lagevrio. However, as of Friday, only 23% of Paxlovid and 6% of Lagevrio courses had been dispensed to patients.

Patients at high risk for complications  such as those who are older or have compromised immune systems  should get tested for COVID-19 promptly if they develop symptoms, Meiman said. If they test positive, he said, they should talk with their doctors about whether to take the antivirals, which must be started within five days after symptoms begin.

Nearly 350 pharmacies in the state have one or both drugs. Sixteen pharmacies with adjoining clinics are involved in a related federal test-to-treat program.

As of Tuesday, 242 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state, down from 245 on Monday but up from 202 a week earlier and a recent low of 136 on April 19. Dane County had 24 COVID-19 hospitalizations, down from 33 a week earlier.

The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District had a major increase in coronavirus levels from April 24 to April 28, a departure from most recent reports in which the district had steady virus levels. As fewer people get tested for COVID-19 and more turn to home testing, for which results typically are not included in reported cases, health officials nationwide are increasingly looking at wastewater to gauge coronavirus trends.

Dane County has had a recent uptick in reported cases of COVID-19, joining four other counties in having medium COVID-19 community levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Barron and Rusk counties have high levels and the rest of the state is considered low.

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If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade and Wisconsin reverts to an 1849 state law banning abortions, providers might set up an abortion clinic just over the Illinois state line or clandestinely provide abortions using pills, a Madison doctor said Tuesday.

Dr. Douglas Laube, who does abortions at Planned Parenthood in Madison and is former chair of obstetrics and gynecology at UW-Madison, said he and other providers have talked about starting a new clinic in South Beloit or elsewhere in northern Illinois. Such a clinic would offer surgical and pill abortions so that we could still serve Wisconsins women.

Some doctors might also continue providing medical abortions with pills in Wisconsin, especially in Dane and Milwaukee counties, where district attorneys are not likely to enforce the 1849 ban, as state Attorney General Josh Kaul has said he wont.

My idea would be that there could be a handful of physicians who might provide medical abortion  clandestinely, obviously, Laube said. There might be a little strength in numbers.  Were really talking about Madison and Milwaukee.

The move would be a form of mild civil disobedience, he said.

In Wisconsin, elective surgical abortions are provided at Planned Parenthood clinics on Madisons East Side and in Milwaukee, and at Affiliated Medical Services in Milwaukee. Planned Parenthood also provides pill abortions in Sheboygan, and some hospitals perform abortions if the fetus has a lethal condition or the mothers life is at risk.

A leaked draft Supreme Court opinion, reported by Politico late Monday, suggests the court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 law legalizing abortion nationwide, in a ruling expected in late June or early July.

However, the draft may not be the courts final word. The case challenging Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks could instead merely uphold that ban, among other options. Wisconsin currently bans abortions after 20 weeks.

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, Wisconsins 1849 law banning all abortions except if the mothers life is in danger would take effect, though legal challenges would be expected.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin would stop providing abortions in the state unless it was determined that the 1849 law couldnt be enforced, said Mike Murray, the organizations vice president of public policy.

We would need to have some sort of clarification that the criminal abortion ban is actually not enforceable, to make sure that our health care providers would not be exposed to possible felony punishment under that law, Murray said. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin would not be providing abortion services until there is that clarification.

Even though Kaul and some district attorneys might not enforce the state ban, subsequent prosecutors could penalize abortion providers for previous actions, given Wisconsins six-year statute of limitations for felonies, Murray said.

He said the nearest Planned Parenthood clinics in Illinois that provide abortions are in Aurora and Waukegan, suburbs of Chicago.

Laube said Wisconsin women might travel to Minnesota and Illinois, where state laws would still allow abortions. To offer more convenient access than the Chicago area, he and other doctors have discussed setting up a clinic in South Beloit, independently or within Planned Parenthood.

Some Wisconsin women already travel three or four hours to get abortions in Madison, he said. South Beloit would add another hour.

Wisconsins 1849 law also could make it difficult for UW School of Medicine and Public Health gynecology residents to get abortion training as they do now at Planned Parenthood in Madison, Laube said. UW might need to send residents to the Chicago area for such training, he said.

UW Health spokesperson Emily Kumlien said the medical school will work to ensure continuity of the robust training opportunities we provide.

If the states abortion ban takes effect again, there will be more self-medicated abortions and some self-induced attempts using instruments that could cause injuries, Laube said.

Mostly there will be lots of unwanted pregnancies, he said. It will affect womens lives in ways that nobody but that woman really understands, in terms of having another child that wasnt planned and perhaps wasnt wanted.

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Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Michael Screnock set a $1 million cash bond Friday for two Baraboo men accused of sexually assaulting a child over more than year and making videos of the assaults.

Keith A. D. Whiting, 28, and Samuel R. Walter, 27, appeared in court Friday, each facing felony counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child and child exploitation. Walter was charged with exploitation as a party to a crime.

Screnock ordered the bond for each man separately with the conditions that they have no contact with anyone under the age of 18. A condition of Walters bail is that he also have no contact with Whiting.

Whiting, who also has a connection to a Merrimac address, turned himself into the courthouse April 21, according to the criminal complaint, after a warrant was issued April 14 for his arrest in connection to possession of child sexual abuse imagery. Walter was arrested on a warrant in the following days.

According to the criminal complaint against both Whiting and Walter:

A person in a personal craft along the Baraboo River called police after finding a duffel bag in the water near a bridge along Highway 113, slightly north of the Little Iowa public boat launch. The person opened the bag to find three laptops, roughly eight cell phones, external hard drives and other electronic storage devices, which prompted the call to the Baraboo Police Department.

Chief Mark Schauf met with the person, who said the bag was weighed down with brick or concrete and that it had to be dragged onto land.

Det. Erik Oakeson noted in the complaint that the bag did not seem to have much wear or any build up of sediment from the river, indicating it had been placed in the water recently. Police found there was also a smart watch in the bag. The watch was working, as well as a cell phone. Detectives found the passcodes for the devices were Walters birthday and that information on the watch showed it belonged to Whiting.

Officers were able to access data on SD cards pulled from a computer, which contained video files of Whiting and Walter engaging in various acts of sexual assault and grooming of a prepubescent child, beginning when the child was 12 years old, the complaint said.

Video files had dates spanning from February 2019 to January 2020. The men in the video were identified as Whiting and Walter while the child, who would have been 12 and 13 years old at the time the videos were taken, was also eventually identified.

Whiting had been charged in early April with four counts of child pornography possession after police received a cybertip that Whiting had used Snapchat, an app used to share videos and photos which disappear after seen, to share images of naked, prepubescent children. There were also files found of children being assaulted, which were connected to Whitings Discord account, an instant messaging service which uses individual servers for subscribers to share messages, according to the complaint.

Walter told police when questioned that he knew the childs age and that the videos were only for personal use and he never posted or shared them with anyone else, the complaint said. Walter said Whiting never shared any Discord channels with him or any content of other nude children or children being sexually assaulted, according to the complaint.

Both Walter and Whiting are scheduled to return to court June 20 for a preliminary hearing.

Follow Bridget on Twitter @cookebridget or contact her at 608-745-3513.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Abortion catapulted to the front of Wisconsins midterm races for governor and U.S. Senate on Tuesday in the wake of news that the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which would make nearly all abortions illegal in Wisconsin.

Democrats looked to capitalize on anger over the possibility. Republicans were joyful at the prospect that the nearly 50-year-old ruling could be overturned, while also expressing caution given that the court emphasized that no final decision had been made.

Its about time! Republican gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch tweeted on Monday.

Abortion rights were already expected to be a major dividing line issue in races for governor and U.S. Senate in Wisconsin. But if the justices follow through, it could serve to energize Democrats hoping to defeat Republican Sen. Ron Johnson and reelect Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Democrats need to act today, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a Senate candidate, tweeted. Barnes renewed his call on the Senate to abolish the filibuster to make it possible to pass laws protecting abortion rights. The other top candidates  Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson and state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski  made the same pleas.

Evers joined with 16 other governors in sending congressional leaders a letter urging them to enact abortion protections.

Johnson did not directly address the possibility of Roe being overturned, but instead said the leak of the draft ruling was an unprecedented breach. Johnson has previously voiced support for state control of abortion laws.

Wisconsin's law banning abortions passed in 1849. It was made unenforceable by Roe, but if that ruling is overturned the state law would be back in effect. That would make performing abortions in Wisconsin a crime punishable by up to six years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. There is an exception for when a mothers life is in danger, but not for rape or incest.

Evers' Republican challengers have called for Roe to be overturned and they do not support making exceptions in state law. Kleefisch, construction business co-owner Tim Michels and business owner Kevin Nicholson all said Monday they welcome Roe being overturned. State Rep. Timothy Ramthun has described himself as 100% pro-life without exceptions.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, who is also up for reelection, on Tuesday reiterated what he first said in December that if Roe were overturned, he would not investigate alleged violations of the state ban or prosecute anyone. But such prosecutions would most likely be brought by county district attorneys.

Kaul predicted a flurry of litigation over whether Wisconsins 1849 abortion ban would spring back to life." He said he wouldn't decide whether the state Justice Department would bring a legal challenge until after the Supreme Court rules.

Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action, has worked for years to ban abortions. She said no one should rejoice before the opinion is final.

Over the past decade, voter support in Wisconsin for keeping abortion legal has consistently been around 60% in polls by the Marquette University Law School.

___

Associated Press writer Todd Richmond contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This State Journal editorial ran on May 2, 1972:

One year ago, Madison sacrificed its meager passenger train service as the United States launched a last-ditch effort to bring back rail service.

The sacrifice hasnt been worth it so far.

Amtrak trimmed the number of trains from 547 to 243 on May 1, 1971, in hopes that by consolidation, the dwindling service could be revitalized. ...

It was our belief a year ago that Congress had not made a sufficient commitment to rail service when so many cities such as Madison were eliminated. Private management has not responded well to the government-financed efforts to improve service.

The urgent cries for vastly improved mass transportation have not quieted in the last year, but there is less enthusiasm today for the thought that rail transportation is the answer. ...

Washington still could firm up its commitment to making Amtrak work in the hopes that cities such as Madison, where once 44 different trains ran, will enjoy a rebirth of rail service.

But the confidence of those who see rail passenger service as a hope of tomorrow will not remain firm in the face of continual mismanagement and half-hearted government-railroad efforts.
Pharrell Williams is taking his Something in the Water festival away from Virginia Beach and headed north to Washington, D.C. on Juneteenth weekend. The Foundation Board of Directors at James Madison's Montpelier reverse and edit a previous decision to admit descendants of the enslaved from the property onto the board.

A small redemption of some of the broken promises is the approach St. Paul's Church in downtown Richmond is taking. The church was once the home of worship for the Confederacy and known as "the church of the Confederacy." This year, however, the church commissioned an artist to install 14 pieces across the church, similar to a church's stations of the cross, that depict the evolution of the church from that history to its present place in the community. Kelli and Michael Paul offer insight and background on all of these in this week's episode.
The vehicle that a missing eastern Idaho teen was last seen driving in 2018 was located Sunday in the Snake River, police said.

The 2009 gray Nissan Versa hatchback last driven by then 16-year-old Matthew Jedediah Jed Hall was located and removed from the Snake River just south of Johns Hole boat ramp in Idaho Falls, according to a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department.

Along with Idaho Falls police, the Bonneville County Sheriffs Office and Adventures with Purpose, a search and recovery dive team and a local towing company, assisted in removing the vehicle from the river. Police also verified the license plate number.

Human remains were found inside the vehicle, but police had not confirmed if the remains are those of Hall, according to the news release. The department is trying to identify the remains and process the vehicle. The Hall family was contacted.

Hall left his parents home on Jan. 22, 2018, according to a previous news release from the department. He took a 9mm handgun and various camping and survival gear, and he left a note saying that he intended to take his own life.

But the search for Hall, who would be 20 years old now, didnt end. His parents hired a private investigator in April 2020, and police continued to regularly review the case, according to the prior news release.

A spokesperson with the department said Monday that no additional information was available.

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The Middle Fork Outfitters Association (MFOA) wants the people of Idaho to know that we fully support Congressman Mike Simpsons bid for re-election in the 2022 Republican primary and general election.

In our view, Simpson has provided huge leadership in advocating for the balanced use and management of our natural resources in Idaho.

When its been crucial for Simpson to step up and lead, hes been there to stake out solutions.

Most recently, Congressman Simpson proposed the most ambitious plan to date to finally solve the decline of our salmon and steelhead. After the feds spent $17-plus billion on the problem, with nothing to show for it, Simpson recommended a region-wide plan to do something truly meaningful to save our fish from the current path to extinction.

The current path, as he has noted, is not acceptable to him, its totally not acceptable to us, and it shouldnt be acceptable to anyone.

Restoring Snake River salmon and steelhead runs would be a bonanza for our rural economies. Before the Lower Snake Dams were built, 50,000 adult Chinook used to return from the sea to the Middle Fork Salmon with millions more returning to the rest of the Snake and Salmon River basins in Idaho. With healthy fish runs restored, anglers would flock from throughout the region to fish for salmon and steelhead in Idaho  much like they do in Alaska today.

It would be a huge transformation. Our outfitting businesses would benefit. The local communities in Nez Perce, Idaho, Custer and Lemhi Counties would benefit. Future generations of locals and visitors alike will benefit. All if this will be done while making existing industries better.

Economic research shows that when we have a harvestable surplus of salmon and steelhead returning to Idaho, it results in a $30 million positive economic impact in our rural communities like Orofino, Kamiah, Kooskia, Grangeville, Riggins, Stanley, Mackay, Challis and Salmon, according to the Idaho Department of Labor. In 2019, when the fishing seasons were closed due to anemic numbers of salmon and steelhead returning to Idaho, it caused an $8 million negative economic hit, just in the hospitality sector of our economy.

Clearly, fishable populations of salmon and steelhead lead to jobs and economic benefits in Idaho. Lets not forget that the outfitting and guiding industry has a big value in our state$1.2 billion a year.

Congressman Simpson has led the charge to reduce burdensome regulations placed by the federal government on our industry. Hes done the same for our friends in the ranching, logging and mining industries. Recently, the Biden Administration signed a heavy-handed executive order mandating a new minimum wage and overtime rule for those businesses operating under federal contract, including special-use permit holders for extraction industries as well as outfitting and guiding. He quickly introduced legislation to remedy the situation and has been working tirelessly on our behalf since.

Congressman Simpson led the effort to introduce and pass the Great American Outdoors Act, legislation that permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund and makes a big first leap in funding the massive backlog of National Forest and Wilderness Area trail maintenance, a huge issue for us. Projects being funded through the Great American Outdoors Act include trail clearing and upkeep, National Forest access points, bridges, and river access points, to name a few.

Take any other important natural resource issue, Congressman Simpson has been there to provide important leadership. He and Senator Jon Tester from Montana put an end to 15 years of litigation blocking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from de-listing Rocky Mountain gray wolves, when the recovery goal had clearly been exceeded for years.

For us, its an easy choice to cast our vote for Congressman Simpson.

Dustin Aherin is the President of the Middle Fork Outfitters Association. He resides in Salmon and Lewiston.

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Robert Wayne Reynolds will finally stand trial in the 2017 death of Katherine White Likens.

Reynolds, 56, of 103 Maple St., Apt 1, Martinsville was indicted by a Martinsville grand jury on Monday on first degree murder. Reynolds had been declared mentally incompetent to stand trial and has been receiving psychological treatment since his arrest in the brutal death of Katherine White Likens, whose battered body was found in a wooded area in the city almost four years ago.

The indictment against Reynolds was part of 63 direct and 31 certified indictments handed down by the Martinsville Grand Jury on Monday.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt. It is the grand jurys determination that enough evidence exists to hold a trial.

Andre Douglas King, 52, of 109 Dunlap Alley, Martinsville, was indicted for murder in the first degree degree, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and convicted felon (non-violent) possession and transport firearm.

On the evening of June 27, Martinsville police officers responded to 1446 West Fayette St. (Maplewood Apartments) in reference to shots being fired and a man who had been shot, a Criminal Complaint states. Officers arrived and located the victim, Charles Brandon Coleman, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene, the report states. Throughout the investigation, security camera video was obtained from the property management.

Video from the property managements security camera showed an altercation between the victim and a man in a camouflage shirt that evening, the report states. During the altercation a firearm was discharged by the male in the camouflage shirt, striking the victim in the left arm and right chest area, the report states. The victim fled on foot into an open area of the complex, and the suspect gathered belongings from the area of the altercation, it states. The suspect chased the victim on foot to the rear of a apartment building, drew a handgun and fired again, striking the victim in the back, it states. On June 30, a cooperating witness positively identified King as the man in the video wearing the camouflage shirt. His criminal history reflects 15 prior felony convictions, the record shows.

Gregory Yuron Campbell, 48, of 2575 A.L. Philpott Hwy., Axton, was indicted for eluding police  endangerment and two counts of child abuse and neglect, for an offense that was alleged to have happened Dec. 4. On Dec. 4, the Criminal Complaint states, Officer S. Rogers conducted a traffic stop on a black jeep on Commonwealth Boulevard in Martinsville. The vehicle pulled into the parking lot of 240 Commonwealth Blvd., the report states, and then sped away.

The vehicle continued at a high rate of speed, even going into opposite lanes of traffic, as the office pursued with sirens. The vehicle finally came to a stop on Chestnut Knob Road, where it was discovered an 11-year-old and a 16-year-old were inside.

William Alonzo Vaughn, 61, of 157 Early Hairston Drive, Bassett, was indicted for assault and battery of law enforcement officer. On Dec. 31, an officer responded to Fas Mart on Brookdale Street in response to a subject drinking in public and causing issues in the store, the Criminal Complaint reads. He had an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and was cursing and yelling in the store. After the officer arrested him and while trying to put him in the patrol vehicle, Vaughn spat on him, the report reads.

Amanda Lynn Wolfe, 25, of 137 Old Mill Road, Ridgeway, was indicted for possess schedule I or II drug. On Dec. 5, the Criminal Complaint states, Officer S. Rogers conducted a traffic stop on a tan Buick for speeding. He asked the passengers information because she was not wearing a safety belt. She gave a name and date of birth which a DMV photo showed to be false, the complaint states. The accused subsequently admitted that she lied because she knew she was wanted, the complaint states; she had an outstanding warrant with the Henry County Sheriffs Office. The officer saw from his backseat camera that she removed an item from her bra and placed it inside a body cavity, the report states. She later voluntarily retrieved a jewelry bag containing a crystal residue from her body cavity and turned it over to a female police officer, the report states.

Brian Walter Martin, 36, of 1101 Cherry St., Martinsville, was indicted on eluding police- endangerment, for an offense that was alleged to happen June 18. He had been out on $5,000 secured bond, but the bond was revoked due to violating its conditions of the standard ones imposed by the Court, including no consumption of alcoholic beverages and good behavior. Records explain that on July 30, he appeared on a digital inmate visitation platform (a video call with an inmate) drinking an Ice House Ale and holding a bottle of liquor. In the same video, a man next to him brandished what appeared to be a firearm, the record, which includes screenshots of the video call, states.

Other indictments:

Joey Ray Brown, 46, of 3625 Greenhill Drive, Martinsville: convicted felon (non-violent) possession and transport. firearm, possess firearm while possess drugs and possess w/ intent to distribute controlled schedule I and II drug, from an offense that was alleged to have happened on July 12, 2021.

Emily Ann Church, 27, of 594 Grand Lake Dr., Ridgeway: possess schedule I or II drug, with alleged offense date Oct. 4.

Anthony Elijah Coles, 24, of 91 Saddleridge Road, Bassett: possess schedule I or II drug, with alleged offense date Nov. 16.

Cindy Lou Custer, 52, of 610 Wilson Ave., Martinsville: possess schedule I or II drug, with date of alleged offense Dec. 8, 2020.

Cheree Nicole Dalton, 31, of 1380 Trent Hill Drive, Bassett: forgery of a public record, with alleged offense date Aug. 28.

Daniel Anderson Davis, 26, of 319 Starling Ave., #6, Martinsville: convicted felon (non-violent) possession and transportation of firearm, for an offense that was alleged to have happened on July 21, 2019.

Christy Marie Flanigan, 31, of 926 Banks Road, Martinsville: possess schedule I or II drug, with date of alleged offense Feb. 15.

Richard Thomas Fowler, 41, of 1175 Tahoe Drive, Collinsville: possess schedule I or II drug, for an offense that was alleged to have happened July 16, 2020.

Angela Maria Gilley, 35, 27 Pine Ridge Lane, Bassett, malicious wounding  general, for an offense that was alleged to have happened Aug. 28.

Tracy Ray Hairston, 49, of 168 Lowland Drive, Martinsville: firearm  falsify consent form, with a date of alleged offense July 29.

Sara Mosby Hodge, 33, of 227 Stuart St., Martinsville: convicted felon possess/transport ammo and convicted felon possess/transport firearm, with alleged offense date Jan. 20.

Andre Marice Reynolds, 33, of 10 Moss Street, Apt. 7, Martinsville: possess schedule I or II drug, for alleged offense date of Nov. 6.

Daniel Carmen Salinas, 29, of 80 Dorothy Drive, Martinsville: possess schedule I or II drug for an offense that was alleged to have happened April 13, 2021.

Jordan Reese Thomas, 22, 10 Moss Street, Apt. 7, Martinsville, possess schedule I or II drug; date of arrest Feb. 1, for an offense that was alleged to have happened on Nov. 6.

Robert Lee Underwood, 51, of 803 Roy St., Martinsville: possess schedule I or II drug an offense that was alleged to have happened on May 7, 2021.

Ricky Dale Vaden, 46, of 379 Collins Road (Warren Correctional Institute) Manson, North Carolina and 649 Plantation Road, Axton, VA, 24054 (Rockingham County Jail), failure to appear for an offense that was alleged to have happened on May 28, 2013.

Shanta Elaine Walker, 50, of 713 Beechnut Ln., Martinsville: possess schedule I or II drug with alleged offense day May 16.

Eric Dwayne Wright, 41, of 549 Hobson Road, Axton: possess schedule I or II drug, with alleged offense date Nov. 7, 2019.

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Libyas legislature, the House of Representatives (HoR), has condemned Algeria for interference in its internal sovereign affairs after Algerian authorities threw their weight behind Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh as the countrys legitimate Prime Minister at the expense of the HoRs handpicked Fathi Bashagha.

Algerias actions deny the autonomy of our elected representatives, and threaten the internal unity of Libya itself, said in a statement Yusuf al-Agouri, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Al-Agouri added that Algerias explicit support for one half of the political divide in Libya is putting undue stress on the already strenuous process of political reconciliation following a lengthy and gruesome civil war.

The condemnation came after Algerias President received on April 24 Dbeibeh and voiced Algiers support amid wangle between head of the Government of National Unity (GNU) and Bashagha.

The HoR in February appointed the former Interior Minister as Premier to replace Dbeibeh whose mandate, the parliament said, came to an end on Dec. 24, the day of failed presidential elections. Dbeibeh has refused to quit power and has maintained control on government infrastructure at least in capital Tripoli. Aside from Algeria, Tunisia, also endorses Dbeibeh as the legitimate Prime Minister of the oil-rich country.

Plus, in a rare interview with pro-Turkish government new website Daily Sabah, former United Nations Special Envoy Jan Kubis also sided with Dbeibeh arguing that the GNU is the only government in Libya.

That is the government that was internationally recognized, that took part in many international events and meetings and that was endorsed and obliged to do something for the country at different conferences including the Paris conference, Kubis underlined.

All the participants at the Paris conference were very clear  a new government will come after elections in the country and will be the result of a legitimate process, Kubis highlighted.
The military junta in power for more than a year in Chad postponed on Sunday to a later unspecified date a reconciliation dialogue initially scheduled for May 10 before elections, while preliminary negotiations with the rebels drag on in Qatar.

NDjamena agreed to the postponement of the forum, which should lead to a handover of power to civilians, at the request of Qatar, which is mediating a pre-dialogue that has been stalled for a month and a half in Doha between the junta and the numerous rebel groups.

The Chadian Foreign Ministry did not give a new timetable and spoke of an agreement by the highest authorities of the transition to postpone the inclusive national dialogue to a later date to be decided after consultations with the relevant institutions and political actors.

On April 20, 2021, the army announced that President Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled Chad with an iron fist for more than 30 years, had been killed on the front lines against rebels.

On the same day, his son Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, a young 37-year-old general, was proclaimed transitional president by the army at the head of a junta of 15 generals.

This Transitional Military Council (TMC) immediately dissolved parliament, dismissed the government and abrogated the constitution. But it promised free and democratic elections after an 18-month transition, organized after an inclusive National Dialogue (DNI) with the political and armed opposition.
The family of Paul Rusesabagina, the imprisoned hero of Hotel Rwanda, announced Saturday that they are suing Kigali in the United States and demanding $400 million in compensation for his alleged kidnapping and torture.

Rusesabagina is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for terrorism after a trial described by his relatives as a sham riddled with irregularities.

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 unlawfully detained for the rest of his life, the family and his lawyers said in a statement.

Rusesabaginas family and lawyers, who are claiming a $400 million (380 million) loss, will hold a press conference in Washington on Wednesday.

The complaint specifically names the Rwandan government, President Paul Kagame and others, including the former justice minister and the head of the intelligence services.

Paul Rusesabagina was made famous by the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda, which tells the story of how this moderate Hutu who ran the Hotel Mille Collines in Kigali saved more than 1,000 people during the 1994 genocide.

An opponent for more than 20 years of Paul Kagame, whom he has accused of authoritarianism and stoking anti-Hutu sentiment, Rusesabagina has used his Hollywood fame to give his positions a worldwide audience.
At least ten people died in the collapse of a three-storey building in Lagos and many were injured, rescue services said Monday.

The building collapsed Sunday evening, said rescuers, who managed to extract 23 people from the rubble. The first floor of the building, located in the Ebute-Metta district, was used as a warehouse, while the second and third floors were residential, said Ibrahim Farinloye, of the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema).

We have recovered eight bodies and 23 people have been rescued with various degrees of injuries and have been treated in several health facilities, he said, adding that searches of the rubble for possible victims are continuing.

The building threatened to collapse, and occupants had been warned to evacuate.

Collapsed buildings are common in Nigeria, where architectural standards are often neglected.

In November, a skyscraper under construction in Lagos collapsed, killing 45 people working on the site.

Three people were also killed when a church collapsed in January in Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta.

According to a study by a South African researcher, 152 buildings have collapsed in Lagos since 2005.
DRC authorities are planning to increase national oil production and improve state revenues. In this connection, the Ministry of Hydrocarbons has announced that it will launch international tenders for sixteen oil blocks in July.

Despite opposition from civil society, which fears the impact of such a project on the forests of the Congo Basin, the government wants to move quickly. The Ministry of Hydrocarbons is targeting the worlds major oil groups and the names of the companies selected will be known in a few months. Some have already come forward, according to government sources.

The DRCs economic growth for the next three years is estimated at around 6.3% per year, according to the Medium-Term Budgetary Framework, a document that defines the public finance trajectory envisaged for the period from 2022 to 2024.

This growth would be driven mainly by the extractive industries. The Ministry of Hydrocarbons contributes about 10% to the national budget.
Security, humanitarian issues and good governance in Niger were at the center of discussions between visiting UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President Mohamed Bazoum.

During his first visit to Niger, the UN Secretary General made a point of welcoming Nigers democracy. I salute the democratic life in Niger. It represents an example for the region and the entire continent.

The UN chief, who underlined the challenges the army faces in its daily fight against terrorists, called for more support to the Sahel country. Looking at the remarkable performance of the Niger army, the international community must invest fully in strengthening the capacities of the Niger army.

Echoing him President, Mohamed Bazoum called for solidarity with Sahel countries, saying this solidarity is more than necessary, in view of the challenges we face: terrorism, violence, climate change, human distress

The United Nations will remain at the side of Niger to offer prospects to Nigers youth, including young girls, said the UN chief, underscoring that the country raises a lot of hope.

Antonio Guterres is expected to go this Tuesday to Ouallam, in the region of Tillabery, not far from the border with Mali, to meet representatives of over 12 thousand refugees from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. According to press reports, the situation in the three countries border region displaced some 126,000 people.

He will also visit the Almahaou force stationed there to fight terrorism along the Niger-Mali borders.

This trip should allow him to see the security and humanitarian situation in the region.

Guterres arrived in Niger Monday in the frame of a working tour that led him to Senegal over the weekend and that will also take him to Nigeria.
The Biogen Inc., headquarters, March 11, 2020, in Cambridge, Mass. Biogen is looking for a new CEO, less than a year after its launch of its Alzheimers drug Aduhelm largely fizzled. The company said Tuesday, May 3, 2022 that current CEO Michel Vounatsos will continue to lead the company until his successor is appointed. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne, file

Biogen will replace its CEO and largely abandon marketing of its controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm less than a year after the medication's launch triggered a backlash from experts, doctors and insurers.

CEO Michel Vounatsos will continue to lead the Biogen until a successor is found, the company announced Tuesday. Vounatsos joined the company in 2016 and was the chief architect of Biogen's strategy built around Aduhelm.

For now, Biogen said it is "substantially eliminating" spending on Aduhelm as part of a $1 billion dollar cost-saving plan designed to refocus the company's flagging biotech business.

The announcement represents a stark acknowledgement that the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company has failed to find a market for a drug that was expected to drive its business for years to come.

Aduhelm was the first new Alzheimer's drug introduction in nearly two decades. Initially priced at $56,000 a year, analysts predicted it would quickly become a blockbuster drug that would generate billions for Biogen.

But doctors have been hesitant to prescribe it, given weak evidence that the drug slows the progression of Alzheimer's. Insurers have blocked or restricted coverage over the drug's high price tag and uncertain benefit. Even the company's decision to slash the drug's price in half to $28,000 a yeardid little to improve uptake.

The biggest setback came last month when the federal government's Medicare health plan imposed strict limits on who can get the drug, wiping out most of its potential U.S. market. The vast majority of U.S. Alzheimer's patients are old enough to qualify for Medicare, which covers more than 60 million people, including those 65 and older.

The infused drug brought in just $2.8 million in sales in the first quarter, which ended March 31.

Biogen said Tuesday that it booked about $275 million in charges from Aduhelm inventory write-offs in the quarter, and it would essentially shutdown its sales and marketing infrastructure supporting the drug.

Aduhelm expenses dragged down the company's quarterly results and Biogen fell short of Wall Street projections, reporting adjusted net income of $535 million, or $3.62 per share. Analysts forecast earnings of $4.34 per share, according to FactSet.

Biogen executives said the restrictive Medicare decision essentially denied Aduhelm to most eligible U.S. patients. Last month the company announced it was pulling its marketing application for the drug in Europe.

Biogen will continue running a federally-mandated confirmatory trial designed to establish if the drug truly slows Alzheimer's.

The drugmaker's quarterly revenue fell 6% to $2.5 billion, pressured by lower sales of multiple sclerosis drugs in the U.S. due to cheaper, generic competition. The company also reported lower sales of its specialty drug Spinraza, which is used to treat a rare spinal disorder in children.

For the year, Biogen reaffirmed earnings guidance of between $14.25 and $16.00 per share.

Biogen executives said they will continue pursuing new Alzheimer's treatments including a drug similar to Aduhelm. Researchers are awaiting last-stage testing results for the drug in the fall. But the company also highlighted other drugs in its pipeline, including potential treatments for depression and schizophrenia.

Vounatsos departure was expected "given the many setbacks the company has faced," RBC Capital Markets analyst Brian Abrahams wrote Tuesday. The move and reorganization "will be well received over the long term, and give the company a fresh start in refocusing R&D priorities."

Shares of Biogen Inc. rose about 1%.

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Too many women are getting unnecessary mastectomies and other invasive procedures because of a knowledge gap about differences in cancer genes. A new study offers a path to closing the gap.

Nearly a decade ago, Angelina Jolie made famous that preventative mastectomies can help women with BRCA gene mutationschanges that alter gene function. These women may have more than four times higher than normal chances of getting breast cancer. Mutations in BRCA genes can also increase risks for ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.

Far fewer headlines covered the fact that around 40% of changes to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are a black box. Are these gene variants harmful, harmless, or somewhere in between? Scientists don't fully knowand that carries consequences.

"The evidence is that people with variants of uncertain significance are overtreated, because people just see it as a bit of a red flag and can't help thinking it must be important," said Amanda Spurdle, a cancer epidemiologist at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute near Brisbane, Australia.

A 2017 study found up to half of surgeons prescribed the same treatment whether a BRCA variant was uncertain or known to cause disease. Women with uncertain variants commonly underwent double mastectomies, a painful procedure with serious risks. Other cancer treatments, like ovary removals, may prevent people from having children. (People of all genders may be tested and treated for BRCA gene mutations.)

Even just receiving genetic test results indicating "variant of uncertain significance" can lead to anxiety in both patients and their clinicians.

Researchers have the tools to crack which variants are harmful or harmless. But they lack the raw materials, which are locked away in highly-protected databases of people's genomes and medical records.

Share the data recklessly, and depending on where they live, patients could risk losing their jobs, health insurance, civil liberties, and trust in healthcare. Scientists could run afoul of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other rules that carry serious penalties for infractions.

Keep the data completely private, and thousands of people may undergo difficult treatments, such as losing their breasts and ovaries, for no reasonor find out about their serious risk of cancer far too late.

Now, for the first time, researchers have used a data-sharing innovation called "federated analysis" to categorize 16 uncertain variants as benign or likely benign.

Patients with those variants may be able to skip invasive and irrevocable surgeries.

"Those women can let out a big sigh of relief and go on with their lives," said Melissa Cline, senior author on the paper and a University of California, Santa Cruz research scientist. Cline serves on the Steering Committee of the Global Alliance for Genomics & Health (GA4GH), the international genomic standards-setting organization.

A global solution commences over coffee

Several years ago, Cline co-founded the BRCA Exchange to share the latest findings on which variants cause harm, format the data using GA4GH standards so everyone can understand them, and share crucial information with patients and clinicians. GA4GH helped launch the Exchange as one of its Driver Projects, now championed by Spurdle and Cline.

But the team ran into a problem. Mystery variants often crop up in just a handful of individuals per dataset, or none at all. To confidently label a variant harmful or benign, researchers don't just need more datathey need to link up more databases, in order to better approximate the world's great genetic diversity.

"The global approach to variant interpretations is really important, because you may get information from one dataset that you wouldn't get from another," said Spurdle, who co-authored the new paper.

"So if you found a rare variant in, say, African Americans, but then you see it's extremely common in Outer Mongolia, that straightaway tells you it can't be causing higher risk of breast cancer or ovarian cancer," she said.

Yet many genomic studies overwhelmingly look at people with European ancestry, an imbalance compared to global populations.

In October 2018, BRCA Exchange leaders traveled to Basel, Switzerland, for the Plenary Meeting of GA4GH.

During a coffee break, one of Cline's collaborators spotted Yukihide Momozawa, an investigator at Japan's RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, and they started chatting. Did Momozawa know about the BRCA Exchange's database of variants? What kind of data could he share from his recent study of 7,051 Japanese women confirming several harmful variants for breast cancer?

That conversation over coffee sparked a collaboration to link up databases in order to better understand tricky variants.

But a major hurdle remained: Momozawa could not transfer the BioBank Japan data. Due to government privacy regulations, records of patient health, tumors, and genetics almost never left the RIKEN servers in the seaside city of Yokohama, south of Tokyo.

8,361 kilometers away in the redwood forests of California, Cline turned to a pioneering new approach: federated analysis.

Credit: Global Alliance for Genomics and Health

Bringing California code to Japanese data

With enormous potential to speed the rise of medical treatments tailored precisely to people's genes, federated analysis is a clever idea.

Instead of downloading health data to your own computer, or convincing institutions to pool their patient records in a central hubeach a political and ethical minefieldyou bring your code to the data.

"Data custodians rightly need to protect the data in their care and respect the consent and governance associated with that data," said Susan Fairley, GA4GH Chief Standards Officer. "Through a 'pipelines to the data' model, data custodians retain control over data use and access, while researchers can minimize time-consuming data transfers."

In California, Cline and her team assembled a "container"a virtual computational machine or "bot" that could visit Momozawa's data and run a series of tests. The bot relied on standard ways of describing health data, including the GA4GH Variant Call File Formats. The researchers shared their software on Dockstore, enabling researchers around the world to find and apply it using the Tool Registry Service (TRS).

To ensure their bot followed the rules while visiting RIKEN's data, the Santa Cruz team consulted with Adrian Thorogood, formerly the GA4GH Regulatory & Ethics Work Stream Manager.

"GA4GH frameworks like the Ethics Review and Recognition Policy are important for federated analysis, because it becomes a bit blurred who's doing the research and, thus, which institution's research ethics board should be overseeing it," said Thorogood, now a research and development specialist in law and ethics at the University of Luxembourg.

"The federated approach potentially simplifies trust for individuals," he added. "They know that there's only one copy of their data, maintained by an organization they've actually interacted with, rather than having to trust unknown institutions around the world."

Once filled with all the key components, the container docked in Yokohama.

"One important issue was to make sure the software behaved in our institute as it was developed to behave," said Momozawa.

His team ran the software on RIKEN servers and collaborated with the Santa Cruz group to fix a few problems. They also conducted crosschecks to show the analysis was sound.

"We were able to use tumor pathology data to replicate a table in one of Momo's earlier papers to verify that the software was working properly," said Cline, referring to Momozawa by nickname.

Next, the bot sent its findings another 7,140 kilometers to the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, near the skyscraper-lined banks of the Brisbane River.

"We received summary information," said Spurdle. "We wouldn't know what the patient ID numbers werewe just knew that there were, say, three people with one variant who'd had breast tumors and were 40 to 45 years old."

Spurdle and colleagues used a number of statistical tricks to comb through the summary data and find new evidence about whether or not a variant would cause cancer.

"Our collaboration yielded better interpretation of several variants, contributing to better personalized medicine," Momozawa said. That included the 16 variants of previously uncertain significance, now clearly labeled "benign" or "likely benign."

Finally, the knowledge journeyed back across the Pacific to Santa Cruz, where it was added to the BRCA Exchange database. Patients with those variants can now feel more confident about their true risks when deciding about surgeries and other procedures.

Sharing knowledge without sharing your data

Federated analysis is poised to help fill the genetic risk knowledge gapleading to fewer unnecessary medical treatments, and more patients discovering their danger in time.

And not just for breast cancer: the Canadian CanDIG and African, Canadian, and European CINECA projects use federation to build large networks of health data to help tackle heart conditions, infectious disease, and beyond.

Cline and Spurdle see great potential for federated analysis to open up knowledge in many locations, from diagnostic companies, to the ENIGMA Consortium for analysis of variants in breast-ovarian cancer genes, to stores of human samples in Europe locked away by GDPR data privacy laws.

"If we can get our friend Momo to do this, then maybe we could go to our friend, say, in Saudi Arabia who had a dataset they couldn't release," said Spurdle.

Because the bot the team developed uses the GA4GH Workflow Execution Service (WES), its software can communicate with different computing and cloud environments around the world.

To make this kind of technical knowhow for visiting data more widely available, GA4GH is actively building federated analysis tools into a regularly-updated Starter Kit for researchers.

"The work of Melissa Cline and collaborators is a great example of why global data sharing is so important. Information from around the world, when shared, can massively improve our capacity to interpret genomic variationto the benefit of everyone. It is to support this type of work that GA4GH creates standards and policies that will let researchers responsibly access information, including through federated analysis," said Fairley, the GA4GH CSO.

"Through initiatives to further integrate our standards and apply them to real-world problems, such as through the Federated Analysis Systems Project (FASP), we hope to support the development of the global, standardized infrastructure needed to see the full benefits of genomics for human health," added Fairley.

All told, it took a round-trip journey of 26,881 kilometers to arrive at an improved understanding of the genetics of breast cancer. Yet intimate details of bodies and lives stayed exactly where patients left them.

"For a number of collaborators, they cannot release protected data from their building, let alone their country. Federated analysis looks like a great route forward for allowing those scientists to share knowledge from their data," said Cline.

The research was published in Cell Genomics.

Explore further New responsible data sharing technique will enable better understanding of disease-causing genetic variants

More information: James Casaletto et al, Federated analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variation in a Japanese cohort, Cell Genomics (2022). James Casaletto et al, Federated analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variation in a Japanese cohort,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2022.100109 Allison W. Kurian et al, Gaps in Incorporating Germline Genetic Testing Into Treatment Decision-Making for Early-Stage Breast Cancer, Journal of Clinical Oncology (2017). DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2016.71.6480 Journal information: Journal of Clinical Oncology

Provided by Global Alliance for Genomics and Health
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Lea had no problems breastfeeding her newborn son when she took him to see an osteopath in Paris, who nonetheless recommended surgery to cut a "too thick" strip of tissue under his tongue.

She said the osteopath indicated that "we don't really know why, but it's always better to have it cut".

The procedure, which is used to treat a condition called "tongue tie" that can make breastfeeding painful, has exploded in popularity in recent years but doctors warn it is often unnecessary, backed by little research and being pushed by for-profit consultants without medical training.

Called a frenotomy, the simple procedure involves snipping the thin band of tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

France's National Academy of Medicine warned last month that this "aggressive and potentially dangerous procedure for newborns and infants" has seen a "spectacular increase" throughout the world.

A 2018 study found that the diagnosis of tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, had increased more than 10-fold in numerous countries in just a decade.

The increased awareness of the condition propelled a surge in procedures to fix ita report in Australia found that the number of frenotomies increased by 420 percent from 2006 to 2016.

The standard procedure, when there is a visible tight band, can be useful when tongue tie is clearly affecting a baby's ability to feed.

'Quick fix'

But Lyndsay Fraser, an ear, nose, and throat surgeon in Scotland, warned that there were "potentially significant risks" from a deeper dissection at the tongue's base to divide posterior tongue tie and that in her opinion it "has no evidence base and should not be routinely offered".

Fraser told AFP she believed its rising popularity has been driven by mothers finding information on the internet"often factually incorrect and driven by private industry"as well as "extreme pressure on mums to breastfeed" and "our inclination as a society to medicalise every difficult aspect of childcare rather than just providing support".

Many mothers are "disappointed to be told there is no tongue tie and therefore no 'quick fix' to the feeding issue," Fraser said.

"Many will see private practitioners who will then divide a tongue tie for a sum of money."

Virginie Rigourd, a paediatrician at a Paris hospital, said that osteopaths and breastfeeding counsellors had contributed to the rise in frenotomies.

The website of one French breastfeeding counsellor claims that not having a frenotomy "jeopardises breastfeeding and the health of both babies and mothers," offering a 100-euro ($105) training course on the subject.

"It's not something new, it's been going on several years now," Rigourd said. "It probably started in the United States and Canada and spread."

"There is a return to breastfeeding but there is also a lack of well-trained staff to inform mothers, so there are also increasing problems" like mothers finding breastfeeding painful, Rigourd added.

Lack of quality research

Cochrane, a British organisation that reviews medical research, found that existing research on the procedure had "serious methodological shortcomings".

"No study was able to report whether frenotomy led to long-term successful breastfeeding," Cochrane said.

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, a global organisation of doctors, last year lamented the "lack of high-quality evidence-based studies".

It said that "frenotomy can be an effective way to increase maternal comfort and breast milk transfer by the infant", but the decision to undertake the procedure "requires a high level of clinical skill, judgement and discernment".

The procedure, however, is still being offered to mothers without breastfeeding issues.

Lea turned down her osteopath's suggestion of a "preventative" frenotomy in 2018, but said she understood how other new parents might give in to the pressure.

"You want what's best for your childif someone tells you that having part of your child's tongue cut is best, even for no obvious reason, you go for it," she told AFP.

 2022 AFP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Self-monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy neither results in earlier detection of high blood pressure, nor helps with blood pressure control in those who are pregnant, suggest the results of two new papers based on research from the University of Oxford and King's College London (funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research).

The findings, published in two papers in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), come from the largest randomized controlled trials of blood pressure self-monitoring in pregnancy to date addressing those at risk of high blood pressure alongside those with pregnancy hypertension. These findings, which come from 15 maternity units around England, are applicable to routine antenatal care.

Dr. Katherine Tucker, lead author on the paper looking at early detection of high blood pressure and a Senior Researcher at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford says that "around one in ten people who are pregnant will have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. For around half of them this can develop into preeclampsia, a condition that puts both mother and baby at risk."

"We know that self-monitoring of blood pressure in the general population has been shown to improve the diagnosis and management of hypertension, however, prior to these studies, little was known about its usefulness in pregnancy."

Professor Lucy Chappell, Professor of Obstetrics at King's College London, says that they "set up the BUMP trials to find out if home blood pressure monitoring might help early identification of hypertension in pregnancy, or the control of blood pressure for those with pregnancy hypertension."

The BUMP1 trial identified those at higher risk of pre-eclampsiaaccording to medical guidelineswho were randomly assigned to either usual care or usual care plus self-monitoring of high blood pressure with telemonitoring using an app. BUMP2 focused on those who were pregnant with either existing high blood pressure or high blood pressure that appeared during pregnancy, and again assigned them to either usual care or usual care plus self-monitoring of high blood pressure with telemonitoring using an app.

Altogether over 3000 participants took part in the trials across 15 hospitals throughout England, making these the largest completed investigations into pregnancy-related blood-pressure self-monitoring to date."

Professor Richard McManus, practicing GP and Professor of Primary Care at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, says that "the studies had broad inclusion criteria, meaning we had good representation across different ethnicities and levels of social deprivation across England. While we found that self-monitoring made no difference to the timing of diagnosis or control of high blood pressure, it does appear to be safe and well tolerated."

"We found that over half of the women in the self-monitoring group of BUMP1 did record a raised blood pressure reading at homearound one month prior to their clinic diagnosis. While this was not reflected in the overall results, it provides a marker for the future direction of our research."

Professor Chappell said of the BUMP2 results: "We found that self-monitoring of blood pressure alongside telemonitoring did not lead to improved clinic-based blood pressure control in with hypertension during pregnancywhen compared with the NHS usual standard of care."

"Importantly neither trial found any problem with self-monitoring and there were high levels of acceptability. Further work will be needed to investigate if home readings can be used to support improvements in health outcomes for this group. In the meantime, women and pregnant people who wish to self-monitor can continue to do this and are advised to share their readings with their midwives/other clinicians. We would now like to consider how to develop the interventions further so that we can understand how we can improve health outcomes for women with pregnancy hypertension."

Explore further Treating milder forms of pre-existing high blood pressure during pregnancy improves some outcomes

More information: Katherine L. Tucker et al, Effect of Self-monitoring of Blood Pressure on Diagnosis of Hypertension During Higher-Risk Pregnancy, JAMA (2022). Katherine L. Tucker et al, Effect of Self-monitoring of Blood Pressure on Diagnosis of Hypertension During Higher-Risk Pregnancy,(2022). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2022.4712 Lucy C. Chappell et al, Effect of Self-monitoring of Blood Pressure on Blood Pressure Control in Pregnant Individuals With Chronic or Gestational Hypertension, JAMA (2022). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2022.4726 Journal information: Journal of the American Medical Association
Credit: Shutterstock

People with intellectual disability only have their disability noted by hospital staff in one in every five hospital admissions, our new study shows.

Recognizing someone has a disability is critical to their care. This finding helps explain why many people with intellectual disability do not get hospital care that best meets their needs.

Urgent action is needed to make our hospital system safe, effective and tailored to the needs of around 450,000 Australians living with intellectual disability.

A system of neglect

Our research looked at historical information from hospitals and disability services in New South Wales between 2005 to 2015 (the most recent accessible data).

We found 12,593 adults with intellectual disability who used disability services in this time. In total, these adults went to hospital 80,960 times from 2005 to 2015. But in only 19,261 of these visits did the hospital recognize the person had an intellectual disability.

Intellectual disability is broadly defined as a lifelong condition that affects intellectual skills, behavior and the ability to perform everyday tasks.

Intellectual disability exists across a spectrum. People with mild intellectual disability might engage in activities like full time work and sport. People with profound intellectual disability may not be able to communicate and require full time care.

Little has changed in the health care system to fix this issue since the data in our research was collected.

In 2008, Australia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which protects the right to the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability. But the reality for Australians living with intellectual disability is starkly different.

Right now, the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is looking into problems faced by people with disabilities.

Based mainly on evidence from people with intellectual disability on the autism spectrum, the commission found people with cognitive disabilities face neglect in the health system. They found people with disabilities experience higher costs, longer waiting lists, physically inaccessible services and complex medical forms.

A person with intellectual disability may experience delayed diagnosis and inefficiency because of communication difficulties. Health professionals may lack the skills to assess and manage medical conditions when intellectual disability is also present.

Poorer care ends lives sooner

Our previous research has shown gaps in preventative health care, mental health care and in life expectancy. People with intellectual disability die on average 26 years younger than the general population.

Most of this difference in life expectancy is not specifically related to the intellectual disability itself or its causes. Rather, it relates to lifelong health disadvantage, lack of access and failure to manage emerging health conditions.

Potentially avoidable deaths (from conditions that could have been prevented through individualized care or treatment, like viral pneumonia, asthma, or diabetes) are more than twice as likely in people with intellectual disability.

Though Australia has one of the best health care systems in the world, people with intellectual disability experience neglect within it.

Ahead of the upcoming national election, people with intellectual disability are calling out this "deadly discrimination."

How do we improve recognition?

To improve the recognition of intellectual disability when someone goes to hospital, we would like to see a national health disability indicator in the form of a code. When noted on their health records, this indicator would tell the health care system a patient has an intellectual disability (with the permission of that person), and they might need reasonable adjustments to be made.

This indicator would help make intellectual disability visible in hospitals, and ensure people get the best possible care.

An indicator of this kind is already used in the U.K. People with disabilities help set up their own indicators to make sure their needs are met.

Reasonable adjustments

Reasonable adjustments are things that need to be done to make health care accessible to a person with disability.

For people with intellectual disability, reasonable adjustments can include adjusting communication, providing extra time and support, and involving the person in choices and decisions. Research shows reasonable adjustments improve care.

In the U.K., all hospitals must make reasonable adjustments and the person with disability must be asked about what adjustments they need. Hospitals that do not make reasonable adjustments risk losing accreditation and funding.

In New South Wales, hospitals are meant to make reasonable adjustments for people with disability. However, our study suggests most of the time, when a person with intellectual disability goes to hospital, this does not happen because the hospital remains unaware of their needs.

Explore further Renewed call to address health gap for people with intellectual disability

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

What policy is the best approach for developing health systems in low- and middle-income countries?

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the University of New Mexico report that Universal Health Coverage (UHC), has come to dominate discussions around how best to reform low- and middle-income countries' (LMIC) health systems.

The researchers believe these findings are important because UHC reforms don't necessarily entail equal and equitable access to services for the entire population regardless of ability to pay, as is the case in other possible health system reforms such as National Health Services that provide care without insurance companies involved or copayments that block access.

The study examined the history of UHC and found its popularity stemmed from the concerted efforts of multiple institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Health Organization.

"The roots of UHC can be traced to policies enacted by international financial institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund during the latter half of the twentieth century that caused the debt of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to rise precipitously and public sector services to become underfunded," explains corresponding author Daniel Smithers, a fourth-year medical student at BUSM.

According to Smithers, these same institutions and others such as the World Health Organization (WHO) then advocated for UHC as a method for reforming the health systems of LMICs. Generally, UHC implies a financial reform in which health insurance is expanded in varying degrees to segments of a population and can entail the involvement of private for-profit corporations in the provision of health insurance.

Using both quantitative and qualitative analysis, the researchers found that UHC was mentioned in the health policy literature far more frequently than other health policy options that entail public funding and delivery of health services. When UHC was mentioned in a publication, more than 40 percent of the time the definition used by the authors was sufficiently vague that the definition could be open to misinterpretation or misunderstanding by less informed readers.

The study looked at not only whether UHC was defined in a paper, but also how it was defined. Greater than 40 percent of definitions mentioned finances with respect to UHC, and definitions focused almost entirely on individual-level financial issues. However, these discussions did not suggest that individuals should face no out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments, nor did they touch on other financial aspects of health system reforms such as global budgeting or socialization of health insurance. Over a quarter of definitions also discussed tiering of benefits which could entail differing benefits for the poor and non-poor.

"When a policy such as UHC predominates in the literature to this extent, it's very important to examine its history critically, how it's defined, and who's involved in pursuing it. Policy isn't crafted in a political, economic or social vacuum," added Smithers, who in June will start his internal medicine residency in Boston at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.

"There are many other organizations advocating for equitable health system reforms in LMICs beyond the dominant transnational organizations such as the World Bank and WHO," said senior author Howard Waitzkin, Ph.D., MD, a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of New Mexico. "The People's Health Movement, the Latin American Social Medicine Association (ALAMES), and Physicians for a National Health Program in the United States are organizations that advocate for alternative health system reforms such as Health Care for All, a single national health program in which access and services don't differ for any groups in a population. It's imperative that arguments for UHC not detract attention from these more fundamental and equitable ways to assure universal access to care."

These finding appear online in the journal Social Science & Medicine.

Explore further Most physicians paid by volume, despite push for quality and value

More information: Daniel Smithers et al, Universal health coverage as hegemonic health policy in low- and middle-income countries: A mixed-methods analysis, Social Science & Medicine (2022). Journal information: Social Science & Medicine Daniel Smithers et al, Universal health coverage as hegemonic health policy in low- and middle-income countries: A mixed-methods analysis,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114961
A scientist holds a silk-based knee implant in their fingers. Credit:  Orthox Ltd, 2022

For thousands of years, silk has been treasured for its qualities as a beautiful material for elegant garments. But scientists are harnessing the less obvious qualities of silk to develop versatile replacement parts for human eyes and knees.

The first word that comes to mind when you think of silk is probably not "strength," yet when it comes to toughness, pound-for-pound, smooth silk is stronger than steel. Few materials in the world match the flexible fiber produced by the silkworm.

"Silk has immense potential to be developed into materials that have the same functional properties as healthy tissue, without any of the downsides of traditional implants," said Dr. Nick Skaer, chief executive of the U.K.-based biomedical company Orthox. "I'm confident that very soonin the next few yearswe'll be seeing some very large clinical needs being met by this versatile fiber."

There are good reasons to turn silk into replacement parts for the human body. This "super-fiber" is hard-wearing, highly elastic, is permeable to oxygen and water, biocompatible (is not rejected by the body when transplanted), stable and versatile (it can be engineered into a solid, a mesh or a gel). It is also able to block infection and supports the regeneration of new tissue.

Weak at the knees

Dr. Skaer is part of FibroFix Cartilage, a research team focused on transforming silk into substitute knee cartilage. Clinical trials launch in Hungary and the U.K. later this year with the hope that the orthopedic implants will soon be available to European patients.

When knee cartilage is damaged, and people develop osteoarthritis (OA) they may be referred for knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty). The painful condition causes bones to rub together in the joints and reduces mobility. It's also a widespread issue, with Europeans facing a 45% chance of developing OA. The risk increases with age and weight. It's estimated to cost European countries over 7.2 billion and rising to treat OA every year.

Knee-replacement surgery has reasonably good results but it's expensive, painful and recovery is long. It's also complex and not easily corrected if something goes wrong. Silk-based implants offer a tantalizing solution to these drawbacks.

FibroFix is made entirely of silk protein (known as fibroin) which has almost identical mechanical properties to real cartilage. "It's strong, it's slippery like cartilage and it deforms when you put pressure on it," said Dr. Skaer.

Knee implants

Damaged cartilage is unable to repair itself easily and if left alone, a knee with cartilage damage will usually only get worse. The FibroFix researchers have developed a way to extract and purify fibrofin and mold it into a shape suitable to use as an implant.

This is inserted into the knee in a dry, compressed state. It quickly fills with fluid from surrounding tissue which plumps it up to form a cushion-like barrier between bones.

Critically, the porous material also supports tissue regeneration. The silk protein implant provides a scaffold for bone and connective tissue to grow on so that even slow-repairing cartilage begins to regenerate.

The implant's benefits are two-fold. "Once the implant is locked in place, you get the function of your missing cartilage back straight away, and you also get new natural tissue growing over time," said Dr. Skaer.

Tests show the implant surgical procedure is quick, post-operative pain is minimal and recovery is straightforward. Dr. Skaer hopes for positive results in the clinical trials. "We expect people to be on their feet soon after surgery and back to work fast, which will be a big win for everyone," he said.

Silky-looking

Live long enough and the day will come when you need glasses. "Presbyopia affects precisely 100% of the population over the age of 45," said Susana Marcos, professor of research at Spain's Institute of Optics (CSIC) and the SILK-EYE principal investigator.

The team working on SILK-EYEan EU-funded project head-quartered in Madrid's Spanish National Research Council have found a way to engineer the silk fibroin protein into a clear membrane that may one day be used to restore eyesight.

Presbyopia is the inability to focus on nearby objects. The condition is caused by hardening of the lens and gets progressively worse with age. The standard treatment here is to invest in a pair of glasses or contact lenses. There is no treatment to restore the lost functionality of the young lens.

The goal is to develop a silk-based implant that will replace the hardened lens in a simple surgical procedure. The new membrane will change shape as it's pulled by the eye muscles to focus on objects near and far.

"We're doing well with this project," said Prof. Marcos. "We've developed the silk membranes and fine-tuned the material so it has the properties we desire. It's transparent, elastic, easy to work with, has the right thickness and the right levels of permeability."

More work is required but the researchers have a clear target in mindProf. Marcos calls it the Holy Grail of ophthalmologyrestoring older eyes to the capability of their 20-year-old selves. "It's on the mind of everyone in this field," she said.

Silk-based corneal implants may also be used to replace vision-correction laser surgery.

"Laser surgery (such as LASIK) removes a part of the corneal tissue, so your cornea becomes thinner," said Marcos. "But surgery using silk would be additivewe'd be adding the implant to what is already there, and therefore preserving tissue."

Globally, millions of people become blind as a result of corneal injury. It is a major public health challenge. The SILK-EYE researchers are working on affordable, implants and corneal bandages to address the problem.

The team has already had success fixing silk membranes onto the corneal surface using a light-enabled technique called photobondinga technique that replaces the need for stitches.

There is a financial cost to silk lens and corneal implant treatments, but "We're hopeful that silk will be an affordable option for many people in Europe and around the world who are currently losing their sight from highly prevalent ocular conditions," said Prof. Marcos.

Explore further Spider silk can create lenses useful for biological imaging
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The century-old Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine against tuberculosis is one of the world's oldest and most widely used vaccines, used to immunize 100 million newborns every year. Given in countries with endemic TB, it has surprisingly been found to protect newborns and young infants against multiple bacterial and viral infections unrelated to TB. There's even some evidence that it can reduce severity of COVID-19.

What's special about BCG vaccine? How does it protect infants so broadly? It turns out little is known. To understand its mechanism of action, researchers at the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children's Hospital partnered with the Expanded Program on Immunization Consortium (EPIC), an international team studying early life immunization, to collect and comprehensively profile blood samples from newborns immunized with BCG, using a powerful "big data" approach.

Their study, published online May 3 in Cell Reports, found that the BCG vaccine induces specific changes in metabolites and lipids that correlate with innate immune system responses. The findings provide clues toward making other vaccines more effective in vulnerable populations with distinct immune systems, such as newborns.

Small babies, big data

First author Joann Diray Arce, Ph.D., and her colleagues began with blood samples from low-birthweight newborns in Guinea Bissau who were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial to receive BCG either at birth or after a delay of six weeks. Both groups had small blood samples taken at four weeks (after BCG was given to the first group, and before it was given to the second group).

Using metabolomics and lipidomics, the team comprehensively profiled the impact of BCG immunization on the newborns' blood plasma. They found that BCG vaccines given at birth changed metabolite and lipid profiles in newborns' blood plasma in a pattern distinct from those in the delayed-vaccine group. The changes correlated with changes in cytokine production, a key feature of innate immunity.

The researchers had parallel findings when they tested BCG in cord blood samples from a cohort of Boston newborns and samples from a separate NIH/NIAID-funded Human Immunology Project Consortium study of newborns in The Gambia and Papua New Guinea.

"We now have some lipid and metabolic biomarkers of vaccine protection that we can test and manipulate in mouse models," says Arce. "We studied three different BCG formulations and showed that they converge on similar pathways of interest. Reshaping of the metabolome by BCG may contribute to the molecular mechanisms of a newborn's immune response."

"A growing number of studies show that BCG vaccine protects against unrelated infections," says Ofer Levy, MD, Ph.D., director of the Precision Vaccines Program and the study's senior investigator. "It's critical that we learn from BCG to better understand how to protect newborns. BCG is an 'old school' vaccineit's made from a live, weakened germbut live vaccines like BCG seem to activate the immune system in a very different way in early life, providing broad protection against a range of bacterial and viral infections. There's much work ahead to better understand that and use that information to build better vaccines for infants."

Explore further Secrets of early life revealed from less than half a teaspoon of blood

More information: Joann Diray-Arce, Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine reprograms human neonatal lipid metabolism in vivo and in vitro, Cell Reports (2022). www.cell.com/cell-reports/full  2211-1247(22)00536-8 Journal information: Cell Reports Joann Diray-Arce, Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine reprograms human neonatal lipid metabolism in vivo and in vitro,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110772
The U.S. is experiencing a labor shortage that's partly fueled by a drop-off in immigration, which ground to a halt during the coronavirus pandemic. By some estimates, the U.S. now has an 2 million fewer immigrants than it would have if the pace had stayed the same. That's helped lead to a desperate scramble for workers in many sectors, from meatpacking to homebuilding. It's also contributing to supply shortages and price increases. Just 10 miles from the Rio Grande, Mike Helle's farm in Texas is so short of immigrants that he's replaced hundreds of acres of labor-intensive leafy greens with crops that can be harvested by machinery. He's also increased pay for his workers, who are almost exclusively immigrants.
TUESDAY, May 3, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- So-called "superspreaders" aren't necessarily carelessly mixing with throngs of people.

Instead, a new study finds, some people with COVID-19 infections shed the virus for just a few days, while others do so for up to nine days.

"Based on that finding, we predict that those people who are shedding virus for more than a week are going to be at much greater risk of transmission than someone who only has live virus detectable for a day or two," said study co-author Christopher Brooke, a microbiology professor at the University of Illinois.

Co-author Pamela Martinez stressed that "this is a very key finding."

Martinez, a microbiology and statistics professor, said, "We assume that superspreaders are less cautious or are in contact with more people. This shows that intrinsic infection dynamics also play an important role."

In the study, the researchers started taking daily nasal and saliva samples from 60 participants, aged 19 to 73, within 24 hours of a positive COVID-19 test. The patients were followed for up to 14 days.

Along with finding differences in how long infected people shed the virus, the study showed that viral genome loads that are detectable with PCR tests peaked much earlier in saliva samples than in nasal swabs.

This suggests "that saliva may serve as a superior sampling site for early detection of infection," according to the authors of the study published April 28 in the journal Nature Microbiology.

The investigators also found no significant links between people's symptoms and the course of infection. It's often assumed that patients with more symptoms are likely to be more infectious, but that may not always be true, Brooke said.

The implications of this finding may be limited because all of the participants were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, the researchers noted.

"Overall, this study helps explain why some people are more likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2 than others," Brooke said.

The study is the first to follow people with COVID-19 infections over time and to compare results from different methods of testing, according to the authors.

"We capture the most complete, high-resolution, quantitative picture of how SARS-CoV-2 replicates and sheds in people during natural infection. There are no other data like this," Brooke said.

More information

For more on COVID-19, go to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCE: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, news release, April 28, 2022

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One of the largest chunks of undeveloped land ever listed for sale in Missoula, 105 acres with 360-degree views in south Missoula, was recently purchased by a team with local ties who plan to build a residential development.

As of last week this is Missoulas biggest residential sale to ever close on the (Multiple Listing Service), said Leland Reed of Engel & Volkers Western Frontier in Missoula, who represented the buyers.

The land, which contains multiple parcels, is located at 5001 Hillview Way and contains only one house and a guesthouse. The rest of the property is mostly grasslands on a mix of flat and modestly hilly terrain.

Andrew Firman, part of the team of buyers, said he was "inspired by the landscape while attending the University of Montana. Firman teamed up with his brother Chris and a Denver-based real estate development company called Pando Holdings to close on the property in late April.

We are excited to be a part of the solution here in Missoula that addresses the critical housing shortage, said Lance Gutsch, one of the principals at Pando Holdings. Growing cities like Missoula exist all across the country where demand to live in a beautiful community outpaces the number of homes available.

Work is expected to begin in the fall of this year for a residential development with a variety of different housing types, Gutsch added.

We have assembled an incredible team of partners with strong roots in the Missoula business community to work with us on this residential development, as we review all of the possible options, Gutsch said. As soon as we have our plans finalized, we will be sharing those with the community.

Missoula is in the midst of a severe housing shortage compared to demand. Reed said that she believes interest in the property picked up once the pandemic hit and more people began looking to live in Montana from elsewhere in the country.

Real estate sales prices are private in Montana, but according the listing agents back when the property was first listed in 2017 for $16 million, the houses and land were owned by Sophie Craighead. Shes a philanthropist based in Wyoming who is the daughter of the late Charles W. Engelhard, Jr., a wealthy minerals industrialist. Sophie Craighead is married to ecologist Derek Craighead, who is the son of the late John Craighead, a Missoula conservation legend.

The land is surrounded by residential neighborhoods, schools, churches and is near the Mount Dean Stone public open space.

I really fell in love with this property, she said. You can see it all over from town if you just kind of look up at the hillside. Its this big, bare piece of land. So I studied it for a couple months. I knew this one was really special and magnificent.

So she reached out to a few of her buyer clients that she thought might have interest.

Closing a deal of that size took a lot of hard work on all sides, she noted.

And long story short, a lot of hard work and determination and collaboration, a lot of Zoom meetings, I got my buyers to come out here, she said. It was kind of a funny day when they came out here. I think it was 20 degrees, sideways snowing, tons of wind, so I was a little nervous when they came out herebut they fell in love with it as I knew they would.

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An exceedingly rare solution could finally lead to development of a subdivision that has languished for decades, according to Missoula County Senior Planner Tim Worley.

Missoula county commissioners at a Monday meeting discussed the possibility of vacating the current plat thats in place for Gleneagle Subdivision, an undeveloped subdivision in the Grant Creek area.

Vacating the plat  either fully or partially  could pave the way for new development possibilities in Gleneagle. That would be a major change for the development, where the lack of roads and utilities has stymied growth for approximately 40 years.

The obvious problem up there is theres no infrastructure, Worley said to the county commissioners Monday. Theres no water, sewer or roads.

Developer Ken Knie started an effort to develop Gleaneagle in 1982. The county took over the property in 1989. Then, in 1999, the county reconfigured the property into fewer larger tracts and worked with a developer to sell the land as 25 developable lots.

At the time of the reconfiguration, the county failed to issue a new plat and infrastructure bond, a stipulation that is typically required to ensure roads, sewer and water are made available to buyers.

That oversight led to a series of lawsuits over the Gleneagle development.

In 2017, Missoula County paid $2.265 million to a collection of 22 landowners because it violated state law by failing to require the bond.

Another landowner, Mark Denton, received $700,000 from the county in 2018. The county also agreed to take over Dentons 17 acres and pay taxes on the land.

Subsequently, in 2021, Missoula County sued its insurance company, States Self-Insurers Risk Retention Group, Inc., for failing to provide coverage to the county in the earlier suits. The case was dismissed without prejudice by Judge Dana L. Christensen on Sept. 29, 2021.

While the years of legal wrangling dragged on, no development took place in the subdivision itself.

But if the county is able to vacate the plat, that could breathe new life into the stunted development.

Vacation, Worley said, can solve some issues for a developer.

No developer has yet emerged, Worley stressed, but nearby landowners have repeatedly inquired about development opportunities in the area. Those inquiries prompted the discussion Monday about the possibility of fully or partially vacating the plat.

However, vacating a plat is a rare occurrence that could be challenging to pull off, Worley explained.

A landowner would have to submit an application for plat vacation, and there would need to be consensus among other landowners that the application is in the public interest.

Just getting everybody on the same page for something like a plat vacation would be, I think, very difficult, Worley said.

In his 19-year planning career, Worley said he has seen about two successful plat vacations.

But he also said vacating a plat is a very doable public process thats facilitated by state law.

Before that possibility could come before the county, a potential developer would likely need to seek legal and technical advice, said Worley. He said Gleneagle is currently in the pre-application phase of potentially vacating the plat.

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As Mental Health Awareness Month gets underway, the Missoula Crisis Intervention Team is rolling out a new form to help law enforcement officers and mental health professionals coordinate responses to people experiencing mental health issues.

The CIT debuted a new mental health referral form on April 18.

This goes above and beyond the form that we had been utilizing before, said CIT Program Manager Theresa Williams.

The form is available at facilities where law enforcement officers often hand off people experiencing mental health crises, including Western Montana Mental Health and Providence St. Patrick Hospital.

Mental health professionals provide the form to law enforcement at the time of a hand-off as a way to gather more information about the individual receiving medical care.

Its very important that they have that collateral information because we dont want to just go and take someones rights away, said Williams.

The form was created in response to the frequent quick release of people exhibiting signs of mental illness, Williams said, adding she believes a lack of consistent information across agencies has led people in these scenarios to be released before they are ready.

She said the form was created to address misinformation and miscommunication between law enforcement officers and mental health care providers.

We really want to make sure the officer and the mental health professional are communicating  so we can ensure a really solid outcome for the individual, Williams said.

In an effort to improve those lines of communication, Williams and her team developed a more comprehensive form to replace the 10 yes-or-no questions that law enforcement officers previously filled out when handing off a person with mental health concerns.

The new form asks law enforcement officers to list behaviors that were evident in the individual when the police were called, any delusions or hallucinations the person is experiencing, and information about medications the person may be taking.

Sgt. Ben Slater with the Missoula Police Department said the new form collects more qualitative and quantitative information from officers whenever they deem it necessary to take someone to a facility to receive mental health care.

The form was revamped to be able to better report to mental health professionals what was observed on scene, he said.

He said the prompts on the new form help law enforcement officers better communicate about mental illness.

The new form allows for more consistency with reporting, Slater added.

Previously, Slater said, the form contained very vague language.

He said the earlier version of the form didnt provide appropriate information to a mental health professional or other medical professional.

We as cops do really well with crimes, he said. Mental health involvement doesnt always have crime elements.

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The Missoula County Sheriff released the name of a 77-year-old bicyclist who died after being hit by a car on Monday afternoon.

Vincent Burrafato, of Missoula, was traveling northbound on the southbound sidewalk at the intersection of Orange Street and Third Street around 2 p.m. on Monday.

At this time, no criminal charges are being recommended in the case, according to the Missoula Police Department.

Law enforcement extends their condolences to family and friends impacted by this accident.

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Book submissions are now officially open for the 2022 Montana Book Festival, which will take place in Missoula from Sept. 15-18. This year will mark the festival's return to in-person events after two years of a solely digital presence.

Authors or publishers may submit their books to be reviewed by the festival reading committee, and selected authors will be invited to Missoula to present their work as part of a panel, reading or presentation. The festival welcomes suggestions of events and collaborations from the submitters.

Submissions are received through the organization's Submittable portal at montanabookfestival.submittable.com/submit. Authors with books published or soon-to-be published in 2022 will be given priority consideration, but all are welcome to apply.

The festival will be partnering with the Missoula Public Library to make use of its new building, but events will be happening all over downtown Missoula. Information about volunteering and tickets will be forthcoming this summer. Any questions can be directed to Festival Director John Samuel Brown at montanabookfestival@gmail.com.

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While a draft opinion leaked Monday indicates the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn the 50-year-old landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that guarantees the federal right to abortion, access to abortions in Montana will remain the same unless and until things change at the state level.

Montana has its own state Supreme Court opinion ensuring the access to pre-viability abortions  the 1999 Armstrong ruling. But thats being challenged right now in the state's highest court.

Unlike 13 other states, Montana does not have whats called a trigger ban, meaning there are not laws that kick in to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade falls in June when the U.S. Supreme Courts final opinion is expected. But proposals in the 2023 legislative session are likely to attempt to limit access to abortions even more than bills that became law last year.

In 2021, the Republican-majority Legislature passed four bills that change access to abortion in the state. However, following a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood of Montana, three of those laws are on hold while the legal challenge plays out.

The laws blocked for now would ban abortions after 20 weeks gestational age; require a woman to be informed of the option to view an ultrasound before an abortion; and require informed consent before a drug-induced abortion and block providing the medication through the mail.

There's a fourth law included in the lawsuit filed last August, to prohibit health insurance plans sold in the federal exchange in Montana from covering abortion care, but it's not part of the preliminary injunction.

When Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen asked the Montana state Supreme Court to overturn the preliminary injunction, he also asked the court to reverse its 23-year-old ruling in Armstrong. That ruling, authored by former Justice James Nelson, found that the privacy provisions in Montanas Constitution ensure women can access pre-viability abortions.

In his brief to the court earlier this year, Knudsen called the Armstrong ruling a deeply flawed tribute to unrestrained judicial activism.

Nowhere in Montanas constitutional text is there a right to elective abortion. Instead, the framers intentionally excluded abortion from the Constitution and left to the Legislature the prerogative to permit, prohibit or regulate it, Knudsen wrote.

But a group of delegates who crafted the states Constitution also filed a brief with the court, explaining that their intention was to ensure it would be left to the judiciary to determine what Montanas right to privacy entailed, as it did with Armstrong.

The delegates never intended the scope of these fundamental rights to be subject to the partisan, political vagaries of the legislative and executive branches. Instead, these rights exist beyond the reach of politics and therefore must be construed by our states only nonpartisan branch: the judiciary, the March brief from delegates Mae Nan Ellingson, Lyle Monroe and Bob Campbell and saff member Rick Applegate read.

The AG's office has filed their own brief disputing the delegates, with a brief reading in part "All the evidence at and around the convention points unequivocally in one directionthat abortion was not constitutionalized."

Nelson's opinion in the 1999 Armstrong v. Montana case confirmed the states Constitution, Article II Section 10, contained a right of privacy allowing a woman to seek a pre-viability abortion in consultation with her health care provider free from government oversight.

When you come to the right of individual privacy, the Montana Constitution is broad and protects privacy where the federal Constitution does not, Nelson said. The (Montana) court was very careful in Armstrong to render its decision on independent state grounds, based on the Montana Constitution, not the federal Constitution. It cannot be challenged in federal court. When a state court decision is based on state law, its pretty well bulletproof.

That may leave Montana as a legal island, Nelson said. Most surrounding states have older constitutions than Montanas 1972 edition, and lack specific rights to privacy. However, some Republicans in the state have also called for a re-write of the Constitution, specifically citing abortion as one of the reasons why.

I suspect we will see a full-on attempt in the next session of the Legislature to change the Montana Constitution to amend out that right of privacy, Nelson said. " ... (Kalispell Republican Rep.) Derek Skees has called the Montana Constitution a socialist rag that needs to be thrown out.

In an emailed statement Tuesday, Martha Fuller, the CEO and president of Planned Parenthood of Montana, made clear abortion is still legal in the state.

We are here to tell you: Abortion is legal and is still protected in Montana by both our state constitution and by legal precedent, Fuller said.

While Fuller said the leaked draft opinion confirms our worst fears, it was not unexpected.

While we have seen the writing on the wall for decades, it is no less devastating, and comes just as anti-abortion rights groups unveil their ultimate plan to ban abortion nationwide, Fuller said. She added Planned Parenthood has been preparing for every possible outcome in this case.

PPMTs health centers remain open, abortion is currently still legal, and we will continue to fight like hell to protect the right to access safe, legal abortion, Fuller said.

At the state Legislature, the GOP majority thats increased over the last several sessions has a party platform that says, We affirm our belief in traditional family values and support the preservation of innocent human life at every stage of life, in all circumstances, beginning at conception through natural death.

Pointing to that platform, state Rep. Sharon Greef, a Republican from Florence, said she expects to see bills brought in Montana next year similar to those in other GOP-led states, like Texas ban at six weeks.

I do think there will be bills, said Greef, who is not seeking re-election but has been a leader in bringing legislation to limit abortions. Greef also said she would expect legislators to try again if any of the bills under the preliminary injunction are struck down.

While Republicans have held a majority in the Legislature for a decade, theyve also had a Democrat in the governors office for much of that time who served as a veto block on any abortion legislation they passed. That was until 2021, when Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, who in part campaigned on limiting access to abortions, took office.

Greef said while there might be slightly less GOP support for abortion legislation that went farther than whats been proposed before, she still believes with a Republican majority and this being one of the planks in the platform, I still think Republicans will support any bill that can protect the most innocent.

Greef said she is looking to the U.S. Supreme Courts final opinion, which she hopes will overturn Roe v. Wade. Her connection to abortion legislation is personal, she said, with an adopted daughter who was born in January 1972, the year before Roe. Greef said her daughter was able to contact her birth mother, who told her she would have had an abortion if it was legal then. Greef said she hopes women who become pregnant but do not want a child would consider adoption.

You see what some people call a bunch of cells and then you see this beautiful woman that was saved because abortion was illegal, Greef said. To me, abortion is murder. Its no different than taking the life of an adult.

Other Republicans in the Legislature said leadership would meet soon to discuss possible legislation for the upcoming session. There arent any bill drafts in yet seeking to change access to abortion in the state, but its still early in the process.

Democrats, who are a minority in the Legislature, issued a statement Tuesday anticipating upcoming legislation from the other side of the aisle.

If this decision holds, Montanans right to access abortion care is under greater attack than ever before, read a statement from House Minority Leader Kim Abbott, of Helena, and Senate Minority Leader Jill Cohenour, from East Helena. It is clear that some politicians will not stop until they can control even the most intimate aspects of our private decision-making. Our states Constitutional right to privacy has never been more critical, and Montanas Democratic legislators will fight tooth and nail to defend it.

Across the aisle from Greef is Helena Democratic state Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell, who at a recent reproductive rights rally shared for the first time her story about getting an abortion when she was in her 20s.

It was 1981, post-Roe, but Dunwell lived in Louisiana and doctors there could not connect her with abortion services.

I dont know why, Dunwell said Tuesday. At that point in time it didnt dawn on me that maybe they were afraid of repercussions.

Dunwell eventually found a clinic in Beaumont, Texas, and made the three-hour roundtrip alone, driving herself. At the time she couldnt afford a motel or even to eat a meal out on the journey.

I dont want women to have to travel and have trouble accessing care and feeling so much alone, Dunwell said.

If the U.S. Supreme Court rules how the leaked draft opinion indicates, Dunwell said she worried women in states around Montana with trigger laws  Idaho, Wyoming and North and South Dakota  will be in similar situations to what she experienced. Or that Montana women would need to travel to Washington or Oregon if Armstrong falls here.

I think this will disenfranchise the lower-income folks who cant afford to find access through underground channels and it horrifies me to think that we could be going back to that, Dunwell said.

Dunwell said that she would look at bringing legislation to codify access to abortion in Montana, but acknowledged that Republicans are just a few seats shy in the Legislature from holding a super-majority and that passing anything like that was unlikely.

In a joint statement, GOP leadership in the Legislature said they were awaiting the courts final opinion.

The court must issue its ruling based solely on the text of the U.S. Constitution. We will wait for the courts official and final decision rather than comment on an improperly leaked draft. Roe v. Wade was wrong from the day it was issued and we hope and believe that Life will prevail, the statement from Senate President Mark Blasdel and House Majority Leader Sue Vinton said.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Gianforte said he was "outraged" by the leaked draft opinion. He also said he was "hopeful ... that Roe v. Wade will be put into the vault of history and that the American people and their elected representatives will be empowered once again."

Nelson said the Monday night leak of a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion was dumbfounding.

Im betting heads are rolling in the Supreme Court because of that, Nelson said. Panels of judges routinely propose ways to settle cases and circulate the drafts in search of support or improvement. The other judges may propose alternative arguments, or withhold support until some particular issue gets addressed to their satisfaction.

But the matter stays within the courthouse until the judges are ready to issue the final opinion, along with any final concurrences or dissents. If a justices clerk, or someone on the IT staff, or even a disgruntled justice leaked the draft, it indicates a huge breach of protocol and tradition.

Nelson said historically, Supreme Courts are defined by the chief justice of the time, as in the Burger Court led by Chief Justice Warren Burger when Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. Current Chief Justice John Roberts will likely have this decision become a major part of the Roberts Court.

I suspect hes concerned about his legacy, and this case will go down as a landmark bad decision of all time, Nelson said. Women will not stand for it. And if Republicans think they will gain any voters, theyre crazy. It shows he (Roberts) doesnt have much power to rein in runaway justices.

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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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Late last week, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to Montana State Hospital (MSH) in Warm Springs announcing the termination of their provider agreement due to the failure of the Hospital to meet health and safety standards, after four patients died in what investigators said were "preventable" deaths. This means that the State Hospital will lose $7 million annually in critical funding.

In many ways, this is personal. My mother worked in the lab as a medical technologist at the State Hospital. She was proud of the work she did, taking care of some of our state's most vulnerable people. She was a single mom, and was able to support my brothers on the union salary and benefits. Thirty years later, serving as the director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services DPHHS, I steered the department and the State Hospital through the first year of a global pandemic that pushed our public health care system to its limits  I know, better than almost anyone, how difficult a job it is.

But it is precisely for this reason that I am so bitterly angry that the current administration and the current Director of DPHHS have failed us. I know, better than almost anyone, that this crisis was avoidable.

CMS conducts routine reviews of health and safety standards at the State Hospital, issuing warnings when something falls short of those standards. It's the responsibility of leadership at DPHHS and MSH to address. During my tenure, CMS discovered that some of the mirrors that had hung in the State Hospital for decades posed a threat to our patients and staff, they issued a warning and we replaced every single one.

Because we responded to the CMS warnings, we never lost funding, and more importantly, patients stayed safe. That is how the process should work.

I know the politics of it all can feel frustrating, but this is a tragedy. Four people died. Our most vulnerable patients and their families aren't getting the care and the support they deserve. The staff aren't getting the pay or the safety protocols they deserve. We must meet this moment. We won't stop talking about this because our constituents' lives and livelihoods are at stake.

So I have some questions for Governor Gianforte and Director Meier:

Under your leadership, the State Hospital ignored established COVID protocols during the outbreak, pulled back the COVID differential funding that had previously succeeded at retaining staff, and refused to use the National Guard to do support work so the trained staff could deal with the medical and emotional needs of patients, leading to a "fast-moving staff exodus." You had money and solutions at your disposal to address these staffing shortages and you took no steps to address them. Why did you take no substantive steps to fix the staffing shortage?

You've had complete control for 15 months and counting now. Why are you still blaming the last administration instead of taking ownership of your mistakes?

If the State Hospital gets shut down, what will you say to the Montanans who will lose good paying jobs and to the Montanans who count on MSH as a last-resort provider of mental health care?

When county attorneys doubt a defendant's ability to participate and "fitness to proceed" in their own defense, they send them to the State Hospital for treatment. If MSH can no longer take these patients, county attorneys might be forced to drop these cases, putting our communities' safety at risk. What are you planning on doing to address this dire public safety concern?

You've handed a $2.2 million contract to a private out-of-state consulting firm. Is this an attempt to defund our public facilities?

This goes far beyond politics  this is truly a crisis of leadership

Montanans deserve well-funded facilities that everyone can access regardless of income; workers deserve good paying jobs; our families deserve a State Hospital that can provide mental health care during crises; our communities deserve the peace of mind knowing that our criminal justice system is addressing mental health.

The current administration has spent the last week blaming the State Hospital problems on their predecessors. They seem to forget that neither of the two Democratic administrations lost federal funding. This is a serious crisis that will affect nearly every corner of our state. It's irresponsible for the Gianforte administration to try to dodge blame. Take ownership of the problem. Work towards a solution that puts Montanans first.

It takes diligence to run the State Hospital. It is a hard job, but you ran for it. You asked Montanans to trust you to run our public facilities. So far, you have failed that trust. It's time to step up and do your job.

Sheila Hogan is the executive director of the Montana Democratic Party

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A man now is facing a felony charge after a standoff with public safety officers last week.

David Joseph Debski, 53, was charged with felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction, said Lt. Josiah Brown with the Morganton Department of Public Safety.

The charge came after officers were dispatched to a home on Rhyne Street in Morganton for a report of a suicidal subject shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday, Brown said.

Officers on scene learned Debski was armed and had barricaded himself inside a home, he said. Debski said he wanted to kill himself and any officers responding to the scene.

At one point, he threw a makeshift Molotov cocktail at officers through an open window, but it failed to ignite, Brown said. Officers could see Debski waving around a black-powder rifle, but to Browns knowledge, he didnt point it directly at any officers.

Debski refused to comply with commands initially, but one of the departments investigators who is a trained crisis negotiator eventually convinced him to surrender to police, Brown said.

No one was injured during the incident.

When Debski surrendered himself, he initially was transported to a medical facility for evaluation. He was arrested Friday, and now is being held at the Burke County Jail under a $5,000 secured bond.

Debski is a felon with previous convictions in North Carolina of second-degree kidnapping, second-degree burglary, possession of a schedule II controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to a records check on the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website.

His court date is set for May 23.

Brown said more charges are pending.

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

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Butte police reports

Felony assault

At around 11:15 p.m. Sunday, officers were called to the 3300 block of Hannibal to investigate a disturbance.

Shortly thereafter, Jason Elon Sample, 33, of Butte was arrested for felony partner or family member assault (strangulation). He allegedly choked a male relative.

Officers assist

Just after 8 p.m. Saturday, officers were in the 2000 block of Reynolds to assist Adult Probation & Parole in the arrest of Keith Adam Gallagher, 37, of Butte for felony parole violation.

Shoplifting coats

Blake Paul DeCou, 40, of Butte was arrested Saturday afternoon for the misdemeanor offenses of theft and violation of release condition.

DeCou allegedly took three coats and a T-shirt from Bob Ward & Sons and put the items in his backpack.

Gunshot on Jackson

At 3:15 a.m. Friday, residents on South Jackson Street called dispatch to report hearing a gunshot in the area. Officers arrived and one of the persons they questioned was Tyler Joseph Matous, 33, of Billings, who told officers he hadnt heard anything.

An hour later, officers were back because Matous was allegedly trying to force his way into a home and threw a handgun inside the house.

He was jailed for misdemeanor partner or family member assault and misdemeanor discharge of a firearm.

Parole violation

Late Friday afternoon, Tyrone Lee Risher, 38, homeless was arrested on Grizzly Trail by Probation & Parole for felony parole violation.

Cart of items

A man flagged a cop down near the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Elizabeth Warren Friday afternoon to report another man shoplifting at Walmart.

Ryan Christopher McConnell, 37, of Butte was caught in the Walmart parking lot with a cart full of alleged stolen items totaling $473.

McConnell, who reportedly has seven prior theft convictions, was jailed for the misdemeanor offenses of theft and possession of drug paraphernalia (syringes).

Highway Patrol DUIs

This past weekend, four people were jailed by the Montana Highway Patrol for driving under the influence (first offense). They are:

Mindy Marie Pennell, 40, of Buxton was arrested just after midnight Monday.

Christopher Sean Jackson, 55, of Butte was arrested around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. He was also jailed for misdemeanor driving with a suspended or revoked drivers license.

Welsey Adam Smith, 37, of Bozeman was arrested just after 10 p.m. Saturday.

Aaron Andrew Thomas, 26, of Anaheim, California was arrested late Saturday night. He was also cited for the misdemeanor offenses of failure to wear a seatbelt and operating without a current registration

Stolen Kia

At 9:30 a.m. Friday, a person living in the 3000 block of Meadowlark Lane reported their 2004 Kia Optima stolen. A short time later it was located when it was involved in an accident behind the Butte Plaza Mall.

Pistol gone

On Friday morning, someone broke into a car parked in the 2100 block of Oregon Avenue and took a pistol, three loaded magazines, a knife, Bluetooth speaker, and a necklace.

Not yet returned

It was reported early Friday afternoon that a person rented a 2020 Ford Escape from Hertz and had not returned it.

Tank taken

On Saturday morning, a propane tank was taken from a truck parked at the Comfort Inn, 2777 Harrison Ave.

Window broke

A rear passenger window was broken out Saturday afternoon in the 2300 block of Dakota Street.

Damage done

On Sunday afternoon, some used a BB or pellet gun to damage the back windows of pickup truck and a Saturn station wagon.

Car gone

A man living in the 1100 block of Hobson Avenue was getting ready to go to work and went out to start his silver 2015 Subaru Impreza early Monday morning. When he came back out, the car was gone.

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MUSCATINE  Muscatine County farmers are concerned about just how much rain their fields have been getting.

Typically in the Northeast region of Iowa, farmers aiming for a 95 to 100 percent yield potential start planting anywhere from April 12 to May 1, according to Iowa State Universitys (ISU) Department of Agronomy. They havent had much of a chance to plant this seasons corn and soybean crops because of rainy weather.

Its making people very nervous, ISU Extension Field Agronomist Virgil Schmitt said. Normally, we would have a lot more done than we do at this point. People are really antsy to get out there, and the weather for the most part is just not allowing that to happen.

Schmitt said farmers have to plant when the soil in their fields is in good condition. This includes having adequate moisture without being muddy or saturated and having a temperature of 50 degrees or higher.

Weve been pretty well stuck with soil being a bit too wet and soil temperatures in the upper 40s, which makes you real nervous because theres really not much that happens when the soil is that cold, he said.

Schmitt recently visited a field planted around two weeks ago.

I dug a couple of seeds up, and there was a little bit of a root about an eighth of an inch long sticking out, and that was it. That was all the progress that it had made in two weeks, and when things go that slowly, that really encourages seed rot and theres more of an opportunity for insects and other kinds of varmints to get in there and destroy the seed before it has a chance to establish a plant," he said.

Schmitt said farmers shouldn't lose hope. While planting after May 15 tends to result in a slow decline in yield on average, it can still manage to stay in the 90-95 percent range. Forecasts for the upcoming weeks are showing opportunities for planting.

Were looking at rain basically through (May 6), and then theres only a 30 percent chance of showers on (May 8), Schmitt explained. The 6-10 day outlook is showing above normal temperatures, which is good because itll get the soil warmed up. While were still going to get frequent rains, theres also going to be some small windows in there where people should be able to get out and have good soil conditions.

Schmitt said this extra rain could still be beneficial in the case of a potential drought. We do have a reserve of rain and that will help us withstand drier conditions later on, he said. (This rain) gives us a good buffer. On average, our soils hold 10-12 inches of water and during an entire season, a corn or soybean plant will use somewhere between 24-25 inches. So well still need to have good rainfall, but well only need to add about 10 inches instead of 20-some inches.

He encouraged farmers to stay safe while planting  to not take any shortcuts and to rest when needed. Theres no crop thats worth anybody being seriously injured or killed over.

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We Alexander Clark storytellers work hard at learning our facts and keeping them straight.

We cant tell Muscatines best Underground Railroad story without Judge Hastings, but Im afraid I got a fact or two wrong last week. And I ran into a shocker.

This much is true: A writ of habeas corpus was obtained from Hon. S.C. Hastings, then acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of this state, who released him.

The chief justiceand Muscatine resident 1837-1849did indeed free Jim White aka Jim Merry. On a technicality. He ruled the slave-catchers warrant had come from a court of concurrent jurisdiction, at Dubuque, and thus the first judge had already settled the matter. It was no profile in courage for the Hon. S.C. Hastings, but it could have gone the other way, and the young man did go free.

Jims first judge was Muscatines D.C. Cloud, a young justice of the peace. Later he helped found the Iowa Republican Party, served in the Legislature, and became our states first attorney general. Hes the man whose conscience I want to tell about.

So, what did I get wrong about Hastings?

First, I said he boarded at the Iowa House. Its a factoid Ive told for years. After submitting last weeks column, I went looking and could not find proof. I cant say now where I got my wrong idea. Sorry about that!

But worse, I fear Ive also told the wrong location for Jim Whites employment and arrest. I said the Iowa House but more likely it was the American House. James Borland was proprietor both places, yet apparently was at the latter by the time he hired Jim. All of which is to say the drama site is not a hotel parking lot today but rather the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust. Sorry!

I said Hastings founded a San Francisco law school which bore his name until it got changed in 2021. All true.

I did not mention various other things, such as that he was the first Iowan sent to the U.S. Congress or that he was the first chief justice of Californias Supreme Court. Readers versed in Iowa history might know his sister Sarah was married to Muscatine old settler Suel Foster, a renowned horticulturist and founder of the agricultural college thats now Iowa State University. And a brother, Dr. C.P. Hastings, practiced medicine here and was active in politics until his death in 1860.

Judge Hastings lived long and prospered (1814-1893). He left here as a Forty-Niner and made occasional visits back as a successful former Iowan. Over the decades the home-state newspapers informed readers about his California wealth and prestige and about his law college.

Front-page story in The New York Times (Oct. 27, 2021): Should This School Be Named for Him? The founder of the Hastings College of the Law masterminded the killings of hundreds of Native Americans. The school, tribal members and alumni disagree about what should be done now.

From Wikipedia: In 2020, after studying the matter for three years, a commission established by Hastings College confirmed that its founder had managed a forced labor camp, organized murderous Indian hunts, and otherwise participated actively in the genocide that killed most of the Native American population of Mendocino County, California.

Look it up. Read the rest for yourself. Twenty-first century reckoning. History reveals itself over time, Kent Sissel always says.

Muscatine man makes it big in genocide. Sorry! This isnt what I came here for.

I came to tell about young, newly-wed Alex Clark and what was surely his first positive experience of courts and judges and practice of the law.

D.C. Cloud was the oldest member of the Muscatine county bar when colleagues called upon him for a speech in June 1884.

I was not a member of the Muscatine bar when I first became acquainted with Mr. Clark. It was over 30 years ago, and he has always been an honest, upright man and full of ambition. I remember the time when the colored man had no rights which the white man was bound to respect; but this has changed, and to-day we see Mr. Clark admitted to the Muscatine bar, and I extend to him the right hand of fellowship and wish him success in his profession.

Hearers recognized the reference to the notorious Justice Taney of Dred Scott infamy. Cloud later wrote his recollections of the 1848 case in a letter to the editor of The Annals of Iowa.

March 2007: At Kents urging, I took the stage and read a version of the Jim White story at an Underground Railroad seminar hosted by the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the State Historical Society of Iowa. That day began a new chapter for me.

Next time: Judge Clouds dilemma.

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I just dont get this, I stammered, as I was speaking with West Liberty fire chief Kirt Sickels last week. This is a new one on me. People in Iowa towns love their fire departments.

How many stories do I personally have to illustrate the heroism of people who respond to help their neighbors, many times without pay? There was that time in Keota where the entire main street was in flames, the temperature was well below zero, ice was everywhere and there was a strong wind blowing. It didnt matter to the men and women of the five or so departments who responded to fight a losing battle to try to salvage what they could. Or, how about the time I was photographing a house fire before dawn in a subzero environment, got a little mist from the hoses, and lost the feeling in my hand? Why am I being such a crybaby about that? The firefighters there were standing right in the streams to the extent there was ice hanging off most of them.

There doesnt even really have to be a fire. In semi-rural Iowa firefighters tend to be the people mobilized for many types of emergencies. When there is an ice storm and power outage, they are the ones called to man heating stations or to check on the elderly to make sure they are OK. In Muscatine, they respond to waterborne emergencies in the Mississippi. Even removing the stories of heroism  how many people would respond favorably if told, You need to go into the blazing inferno without hesitation and try to get it under control?

Likewise, I have been to so many town celebrations in which the fire department is very prominently displayed in the parades. In Washington, one of the biggest events of the year is the firefighters pancake feast, which tends to bring out the entire town and results in about a 30-minute wait in line for pancakes (although this is fine because you find yourself visiting with many other people in line.) And, of course, there are the smaller towns with volunteer departments where the volunteers actually have to buy their own personal entry equipment. Check the prices on those sometime. They arent cheap.

As such, it is traditional in Iowa to be big fans of firefighters. In smaller communities, most people know everyone on the department. The existence of a fire department in most areas means a break on homeowners insurance. And, of course, there is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that if there is trouble, you can call 911 and someone is going to respond. In many areas that is not a given.

Today is International Firefighters Day, a worldwide day to recognize the people of the fire service for their dedication to public service and bravery in keeping the community safe. To that end, the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (NFFF) is asking communities to celebrate by lighting their homes up red. The day is a chance for people to show their thanks to people who run into places others are running out of.

Across the United States 141 firefighters have made the ultimate sacrifice, with 63 deaths attributed to COVID-19. About 64 percent of calls answered by firefighters are for emergency medical services. In Muscatine, we have had one firefighter death in the line of duty. Michael Kruse was a 27-year veteran of the Muscatine Fire Department who was killed while fighting a house fire on Sept. 14, 2002.

Personally, I am glad when I run across a truck that only just overturned onto its top, speaking with the occupant and hear her pleading to be removed as she cant feel her legs, and knowing I can call someone who knows how to rescue the person inside the vehicle without it tipping wrong and crushing her (this actually happened).

When thinking about all these good things the fire department does on a regular basis I have to ask  how much can a red light bulb possibly cost? Im sure they have them at most hardware stores. It seems like it is worth a few bucks to be able to salute fire departments for all they do.

Lets see if we cant light Muscatine up red to support those who are always available to make sure we are safe. I have to wonder if it is possible to change the lights of the Norbert Beckey Bridge to red.

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TOLEDO, Ohio (AP)  Republican Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday won his partys nomination for a second term in office and will face Democrat Nan Whaley this fall after he overcame conservative anger of his strict pandemic policies and notable rifts with former President Donald Trump.

Whaley, a former Dayton mayor, became the first woman in state history to receive a major partys backing for the governors office by defeating ex-Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley in a primary race that drew little attention.

DeWine fought off three far-right challengers in the GOP primary and will be a favorite again in November against Whaley, who has far less name recognition in a state that hasnt elected a Democratic governor since 2006.

Whaley thinks having a woman at the top of the ticket will be an advantage for Democrats this time, pointing out that the party has fared better with female voters in states that have nominated women for leadership roles.

She promised during the campaign to protect abortion rights, promote social justice and fight political corruption. She also wants the state to add a $15 minimum wage, universal preschool and better access to child care.

Ohio has elected just one Democrat to be governor in the past three decades. Since then, the state has shifted to the right, especially in recent years under Trumps hold.

The former president did not choose sides in the Republican contest for governor. Former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, who had hoped to win his endorsement, painted DeWine as a moderate whos out of step with Trump and governed like a blue-state liberal.

DeWine, who easily won the states top office four years ago, was careful to say hes still a supporter of Trumps but without fully embracing him. He also dismissed Trumps false claims of a stolen 2020 election.

The governor faced a revolt in some corners of Ohio after enraging the GOP faithful with aggressive stay-at-home mandates, business shutdowns and curfews during the pandemic.

But the four-way Republican primary played to DeWines advantage as voters upset with the governor split their support between Renacci and Joe Blystone, a farmer who jumped in the race early and built a following in rural Ohio, where he fared well in his first bid for office.

Many conservatives complained that DeWine's policies and actions during the pandemic ran counter to what they were hearing from Trump and GOP governors such as Floridas Ron DeSantis and South Dakotas Kristi Noem.

DeWine also lost the backing of some anti-abortion and conservative groups during the primary despite his longtime record of opposing abortion and calling himself the most pro-life governor in Ohio history.

In his first term, DeWine signed a bill banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected  at the time one of the most stringent restrictions in the nation. In the past year, he signed a stand your ground law and scored a major win when Intel announced it was investing $20 billion in two semiconductor factories near Columbus.

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

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Zapper has announced that their merchants will now be able to accept tap-on-phone payments.

After a successful pilot phase, we have rolled out new functionality available to all Zapper merchants, which enables them to accept physical card payments as well as mobile wallet payments, said Zapper CEO Brett White.

This includes Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, and Garmin Pay.

The consumer simply taps the physical card or mobile device on the merchants compatible Android smartphone.

Zapper said this new functionality gives merchants access to virtually all digital payments without the need for point of sale hardware.

Customers no longer have to download the Zapper app for merchants to accept payments through the Zapper platform.

The companys tap-on-phone product will be competing against similar services from traditional banks such as Nedbank and Absa.

The upgrade also supports PIN-on-glass functionality, which means buyers exceeding their verification limit can enter their PIN on the merchants Android smartphone.

Previously, our merchant app was primarily a tool for our merchants to get their payment confirmation feeds through a push notification, White explained.

The app also lets merchants generate QR codes and payment links.

Now, the app also turns the merchants phone into a point-of-sale device without the need for any additional peripheral hardware.

To begin accepting tap-on-phone payments, sellers can install the Zapper merchant app on an NFC-enabled Android 9.0 device (or newer).

Zapper assured that the security of its tap-on-phone offering meets the stringent requirements of physical point of sale devices.

Consumers will also benefit by not needing to hand over cards to the merchant, making it a safe and contactless payment experience.

MyBroadband asked Zapper what security measures it uses to ensure card information is transmitted securely.

The software responsible for capturing, submitting and processing payments has been lab-tested and approved by both MasterCard and Visa, the company said.

We also asked what steps Zapper took to ensure a rogue merchant doesnt record peoples bank card PINs.

Certain aspects of native device capability such as screen recording and screenshots have been disabled  blocking the operating system and third-party apps from recording anything happening on screen while the tap to pay function is running, Zapper said.

Now read: South African banks now come to you
For all the furor about which way Elon Musk might tilt U.S. political discourse after getting the keys to Twitter Inc., his biggest challenges may emerge across the Pacific.

Asia, home to more than half the worlds population, is Twitters biggest growth opportunity and arguably a far thornier challenge.

If the Tesla Inc. and SpaceX billionaire makes good on promises to scrap censorship, hell encounter a plethora of perplexing regulations, wielded by sometimes authoritarian governments, pushed to the limits by a horde of first-time internet users.

The numbers alone suggest Musks biggest headaches lie abroad. Twitters monetizable daily active users numbered 179 million internationally  dwarfing the 38 million in the U.S. in 2021, according to its latest annual report.

As a public company, Twitter has repeatedly emphasized it must abide by local regulations. Once its a private concern controlled by the worlds richest man, Musk will personally shoulder responsibility for navigating that thicket  and the fallout if he fails.

Asia has the potential to make or break the new Twitter, said JJ Rose, a contributor to Australias nonpartisan Lowy Institute think tank. It will depend on how he approaches it, if he can harness it for his free speech aims.

Representatives for Twitter and Musk didnt respond to requests for comment.

China

Twitter is officially banned in China, but the country will still demand a lot of Musks attention. Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos alluded to the potential conflicts in a tweet shortly after Musks deal, asking Did the Chinese government just gain a bit of leverage over the town square?

An obvious point is that China is tremendously important for Tesla, the key source of Musks wealth. The billionaire will certainly face pressures  implicit or explicit  to fine-tune Twitters policies to please Beijing.

As the worlds biggest electric-vehicle market as well as a supplier of Tesla batteries, China is essential to the healthy growth of the centerpiece of Musks business empire.

Tesla has also benefited from significant tax breaks in setting up his Shanghai Gigafactory  its first overseas plant  and been allowed to wholly own its local operations, a rarity for a U.S. firm.

A pressing issue is how Twitter handles Chinas efforts to spread propaganda globally on the platform.

The company in 2020 instituted labels for government officials and state-affiliated media for publications like Xinhua and Global Times, and readers are reminded of this government-backing any time they like or retweet stories.

Chinese media have called the practice intimidation and already begun to lobby the billionaire to roll it back.

One of the fiercest tests of Musks avowed commitment to expanding free speech on Twitter will lie in whether he withstands pressure from Beijing to whitewash criticisms and challenges of China on the platform, said Suzanne Nossel, CEO of non-profit advocacy group PEN America.

Whatever incremental changes he makes on the platform in the name of free speech risk being subsumed beneath the weight of a heavy Chinese hand controlling what Musk has rightly dubbed a global public square.

Elon Musk should remove my label. Also, when people want to like or RT my tweets, they are now reminded by Twitter that this is state affiliated media. This is totally discriminatory and suppression of free speech. Twitter must change such policy.  Chen Weihua  (@chenweihua) April 29, 2022

Chen Weihua, a journalist at the China Daily, appealed directly to Musk with the argument that such labels suppress free speech and contradict Musks stated principles. The billionaire hasnt given a clear indication of how he would decide such matters.

By free speech, I simply mean that which matches the law, Musk wrote on Twitter. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law.

Bots are another matter. China has also used automated and anonymous accounts to distribute the governments messages, which prompted Twitter to remove more than 170,000 accounts in 2020 for spreading geopolitical narratives favorable to the Communist Party.

Musk has pledged to defeat the spam bots or die trying! and sounds determined to keep taking on the fake accounts.

If our twitter bid succeeds, we will defeat the spam bots or die trying!  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 21, 2022

Beijing has shown a willingness to punish billionaires who dont comply with its wishes.

Regulators have hammered the countrys tech giants and effectively banished Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. co-founder Jack Ma from public view.

There are incentives on offer beyond the electric-vehicle market.

Musks SpaceX could certainly seek Chinese customers, while his Boring Co. may profit from lucrative infrastructure contracts in the country.

And what of Twitter itself? A slice of the Chinese population employs virtual private networks to evade Beijings control and use the service.

Could Beijing also offer up access to its 1.4 billion people? Perhaps under the right terms. They would certainly not include free speech.

India

India is another high-stakes market for Twitter: there are half a billion internet users in the country and another half-billion getting online.

Twitter plays a role in Indias online discourse similar to that in the U.S.: the countrys political leaders use it to get their messages out, which are then relayed across TV and news networks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an early adopter and has 78 million followers on the service  more than Twitter has registered users in the country.

But the New Delhi government has insisted on far more control than Washington has ever been able to exert.

Tensions in the relationship spiked during farmer protests in the country in 2020 and 2021 as Twitter and the government clashed over what sort of speech would be tolerated on the platform.

When farmers groups demanded the repeal of certain laws they said favored corporate-run farms, they took to the streets and social media to make their case, including Twitter.

Modis administration insisted the San Francisco-based company take down posts critical of its actions  and Twitter at first refused to comply.

Indian authorities then threatened to jail the companys executives, which prompted Twitter to permanently suspend more than 500 accounts and block access to hundreds more.

It was a direct example of how support for free speech can clash with government edicts and legal compliance.

Later in 2021, New Delhi tightened its grip over social media such as Twitter and Facebook: The government insisted that companies identify specific individuals as grievance officers, who will be responsible for handling official removal requests and who could face prison terms for non-compliance.

Twitter acceded, albeit after a delay.

Its not clear how Musk would reconcile his support for more free speech with such strict government controls.

Twitter should match the laws of the country, the owner-to-be said in an interview.

The issue is hardly limited to India. Nearby Sri Lanka restricted social media access in anticipation of protests in April, while Myanmars military junta last year disrupted internet access altogether in its push to quell opposition. Researchers found Twitter was the most-blocked social media platform globally with a total 12,379 hours of outages in 2021.

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

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has become one of the fastest-growing internet markets, fueled by countries like Indonesia and India getting their vast populations online.

But developing markets come with their own set of issues. Meta Platforms Inc. names the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia as prominent sources of fake and duplicate accounts.

Meta, whose Facebook and Instagram services face similar challenges to Twitters, has for years reported in its annual filings that roughly 11% of its worldwide users are duplicate accounts and another 5% are fake.

As with China, Twitter will have its work cut out to eradicate synthetic users.

Freedom of expression also bumps up against local laws in this region.

Singapore passed a contentious foreign interference law last year granting it powers to demand user information from social networks, in an effort to prevent outsiders from swaying domestic politics. Would that square with Musks ambition of free-wheeling expression?

Vietnam has posed similar challenges for online service providers like Facebook and Alphabet Inc.s Google, with a cybersecurity law effectively forcing a choice between upholding user privacy and adhering to local rules.

The question to be answered over the coming years is how far Musk will stick with his promises of freeing up Twitter  not just in the U.S., but in the rest of the world.

Asia is not North America and it is not Europe, said the Lowy Institutes Rose. Musk has a globalist view and his business interests to date have tended to be fairly universal. But something like media requires a more nuanced approach when applied globally.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Borys Johnson addressed the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and promised to continue to support Ukraine.

The virtual speech of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the Council was a kind of response to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, who in March delivered a historic speech in the House of Commons .

The Head of State also addressed the parliament. The British Prime Minister was virtually present at the speech of the Ukrainian leader. Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Boris Johnson and all the people of the United Kingdom for their help.

"Thank you for the words we hear. For the actions we see. For the support we feel. For the help we actually receive. For the victory that we will definitely win together! Said the President of Ukraine.

PHOTO: twitter.com/BorisJohnson

He also addressed the people's deputies who are part of the large Ukrainian army.

"Your front is a legislative field in which you must work for our people, for each of us, for our state and for our victory. Like our army, like the whole country. Work 24/7. No days off, no extra emotions, slogans, etc. Today we have one party with you, and this party is Ukraine. One faction is Ukraine. We have one majority - Ukraine. United, strong, independent, "said the President of Ukraine.



Read also: Armed forces of Ukraine destroyed two boats Russia - video

The Armed Forces have already destroyed more than 24,000 Russian occupiers - the General Staff
Editor's note: St. Helenans will vote June 7 on Measure G, which would end the direct election of mayors and require the City Council to select a mayor from within its own ranks. This article explores the history of St. Helena's city elections.

The act incorporating the town of St. Helena was approved by the state legislature on March 24, 1876.

The act stated in Section 3, The corporate powers and duties of said town shall be vested in and performed by a Board of Trustees consisting of five members. Any three of the said trustees shall constitute a quorum. The meeting of said Board of Trustees shall be at stated times and places established by ordinance; but special meetings may be called at any time by the President. Said Board of Trustees shall assemble on the first Monday after their election and shall take the oath of office and choose one of their number to act as President of the Board   The President served two years until the next town election.

The first election was held on April 10, 1876. Only male property tax payers who had paid a $3 poll tax could vote. The following men were elected to the Board of Trustees: David Cole, Henri A. Pellet, Daniel Hunt, William Simmons, and George Fountain; Treasurer and Collector  D. B. Carver; Marshal and Assessor  J. H. Allison.

The first meeting of the Board was held April 17, 1876, at which time Pellet was chosen as president, and Charles Gardner was appointed city clerk. N. M. Bonham was also appointed to the position of city attorney, and M. G. King as city engineer.

This method of choosing the mayor remained in place until a campaign in 1973 pushed for direct election. The proposal would take the choice of the mayor out of the hands of the council and place it with the people. There had been some infighting among council members in the past, which could be avoided if the voters chose the mayor, wrote the St. Helena Star.

The election was held on June 26, 1973. Out of 1,980 eligible voters, 847 voted (43%). Result: 427 voted no and 378 yes, so it failed.

St. Helena held elections for two trustees (council members), city clerk and city treasurer on March 2, 1976. Candidates were Alan Baldwin, Robert Mahorney, Rich Moreno, John Aquila and George Kovacevic. Winners Baldwin and Mahorney joined incumbents Lowell Smith, Greta Ericson and Mel Varrelman on the council. Ericson nominated Lowell Smith for President (now called mayor), which was carried. (Greta Ericson was the first woman councilperson, elected in 1974.) This was the last election of the mayor by the City Council members.

In July 1976, Councilman Mel Varrelman and Mayor Lowell Smith asked the council to put a measure on the ballot providing for St. Helenas mayor to be elected by the voters. On a 3-2 vote, the council declined Varrelmans proposal, so he began a petition to place the question on the Nov. 2, 1976 ballot. Voters could choose whether to have the mayor serve two or four years.

Mayor Smith submitted the petition to City Clerk Lynetta Denton in August 1976. Required were signatures of at least 10% of those who voted in the last election: 207 signatures at the time. The petition counted 348 signers. The City Council considered the matter at their Aug. 10 meeting and it was cleared for the Nov. 2 election.

Mayor Smith paid for a large ad in the St. Helena Star on Oct. 28, 1976. He wrote, The direct election of the mayor will allow all voters to participate in the selection of the citys chief fiscal officer  The mayor is charged with the responsibility for preparation of the yearly budget; reporting and advising on all financial matters, including the adoption of the tax rate for each ensuing year, collection of revenue and taxes, levy and collection of all assessments and all claims against the city  . The Direct Election of the mayor, who serves as the citys chief fiscal officer, is the most forthright and direct method of obtaining responsive administration of our tax dollars.

Smith urged a yes vote to directly elect the mayor to a four-year term. (Today, the fiscal duties of the mayor have been transferred to the finance director, who is April Mitts at present.)

Mel Varrelman also placed an ad stating, The direct election of the mayor has two advantages: 1. Backroom bargaining will no longer be a part of St. Helena politics. 2. During elections, there will be a sharper focus on the issues. Join me in voting yes on the direct election of the mayor and against backroom bargaining.

An editorial appearing in the St. Helena Star in 1976 noted, under the present method the council elects one of their own members, immediately after the city election every other year. He/she serves two years until the next municipal election, although councilmen are elected for four year terms. He can be re-elected by fellow councilmen for another two year term as mayor  A person elected to the council for the first time could be chosen mayor right away, but as a rule he has already been a councilman before becoming mayor.

The measure won with 1,492 yes votes to 248 no votes. On the question of the length of the term, voters said St. Helenas next mayor should be elected to a two-year term and councilmembers to four-year terms.

The election of March 7, 1978 saw the first direct vote for a two-year mayoral post. The candidates were Mayor Lowell Smith and Councilmen Mel Varrelman and Robert Mahorney. Smith won with 738 votes to Varrelmans 724 votes. Mahorney got 90 votes. Elected to four-year council terms were David Whiting (1,028) and Guy Kay (841). A two-year term was won by Dennis Sparks.

Measure G on the June 7, 2022 ballot proposes to change the selection of St. Helenas mayor back to the system that existed from 1876 to 1976.

The St. Helena City Council directed staff to return to council with a proposed ballot resolution on Jan. 25, 2022. It would allow the voters to decide whether they want the office of mayor to continue to be a directly elected office, or instead revert to having a City Council of five members, with the mayor appointed by the council as a whole. All the public comment was in favor of having the City Council select the mayor from their body.

The City Council adopted Resolution 2022-13 on Feb. 8 giving notice of the holding of a special election on June 7, 2022 to ask voters to adopt an ordinance amending Section 2.08.010 of the St. Helena municipal code to change the office of mayor from an elected office to an appointed office. This was approved unanimously by the council.

The St. Helena Star reported on March 16 that the City Council would meet the next day to write the argument in favor of Measure G. The council adopted their argument in favor of the measure on a 4-0 vote (Vice Mayor Paul Dohring was absent). No notice was given to the public about the March 18 deadline for submitting arguments for or against Measure G, therefore the City Council support is the only comment in the voter guide.

The argument in favor reads: A return to our historic system of appointing the mayor from among the elected city council members will eliminate the role of campaign contributions in choosing our mayor. Selecting the mayor by a vote of the city council will encourage the collaborative approach to governance we need to make progress in challenging times. Incorporating objective criteria into the council mayoral selection process also will promote consistency and stability in the mayoral position and help ensure that the chosen mayor has the required knowledge, experience and preparation to lead and inspire our council and community.

It is signed by Dohring and Councilmembers Eric Hall, Anna Chouteau and Lester Hardy.

The city attorneys impartial analysis of Measure G states, "following the certification of the election results for the November 8, 2022 election, the City Council would select one of its members to serve as mayor in accordance with the rules and procedures separately established by the City Council.

To date the rules and procedures have not been finished or made public.

Ballots will be mailed on May 9.

Mariam Hansen is research director of the St. Helena Historical Society.
Former Napa Police Sgt. Alfonso Ortiz, younger brother of Napa County Sheriff Oscar Ortiz, resigned from the department in July 2021 during an internal investigation into unspecified allegations, public records released by the city of Napa show.

In addition, at about the same time he resigned, his supervisors were also looking into an allegation he mishandled drugs and money that were seized during an arrest three months earlier, the records state.

Emails and memos published by the city describe an officers concern that suspected drugs and about $1,700 cash that were seized during the arrest of a suspect in April 2021 were not booked as evidence.

At the time he resigned, Ortiz was on administrative leave as a result of the earlier issue. He filed his resignation in July, documents say. His last day of employment was Aug. 2.

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Shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, Napa Police Chief Jennifer Gonzales released a statement saying a Napa Police lieutenant and Napa County sheriffs captain discovered drugs consistent with the April 15, 2021 arrest in the vacated office of Ortiz on Aug. 10, and then properly processed the evidence.

In December, an interim captain hired by Napa Police was tasked with tracking down the money missing from the April arrest and discovered that the seized cash had been returned to its owner on the same day, according to Gonzales.

The inquiry concluded that no criminal action had taken place, she wrote.

The investigation determined that the sergeant failed to book the evidence or to document the return of the cash, said Gonzales. No administrative action was taken because the employee had resigned prior to the completion of the investigation.

Gonzales email did not mention Alfonso Ortiz by name but listed July 15 as the date of the sergeants resignation notice and Aug. 2 as the effective date of his departure  matching the dates in Ortizs resignation notice to the city human resources department.

Reached by telephone Monday afternoon, Alfonso Ortiz said he was working and would be unavailable to speak until after the Registers deadline. He declined immediate comment and ended the call after being informed the inquiry was specifically about his departure from Napa Police Department and the records released by the city on Thursday and Friday.

Ortiz and his wife currently run Uvas Transportation, which gives wine tours in Napa and Sonoma counties.

At the time of his resignation, Ortiz was assigned to the Napa Special Investigations Bureau, a countywide, multi-agency drug task force. The purpose of the NSIB is to provide professional narcotics investigation and enforcement efforts dedicated to identifying, apprehending and prosecuting illegal narcotic and drug traffickers in Napa County, according to the Napa Police Department website.

The records newly released by the city of Napa include an incident report filed by Officer Andrew Oros. At about 3:40 a.m. April 15, 2021, the document states, Oros was patrolling in the area of First and Laurel streets in his squad car when he saw a truck he recognized.

Oros described stopping the truck driver for having a suspended license, then asking the man to step away from the vehicle. A search revealed suspected methamphetamine in the mans pocket, more meth and suspected heroin in the truck, and about $1,700 cash, according to the report.

NSIB Agent Ortiz responded and I provided the narcotics, cash, and cell phone to Sgt. Ortiz, wrote Oros, referring the case to the bureau for further investigation.

On July 30  just over two weeks after Alfonso Ortizs resignation letter  Oros told then Lt. Gary Pitkin he had not been able to find documentation that evidence he had seized and then released to Ortiz had ever been booked by him as evidence, Pitkin said in a memo to Napa Polices then-chief Sylvia Moir. (The letter also was sent to then-Captain Gonzales, who became police chief that August.)

After arresting the truck driver on April 15, 2021, Oros had another officer take the suspect to the Napa Police station and into an interview room, while he, Oros, placed the seized evidence into a sunglasses case and took it back to the station, according to Pitkins memo. At the station, Oros said, he released the evidence to Ortiz, including 1 to 1.5 ounces of suspected meth, by placing it on an investigations briefing table in the presence of a Napa officer and two NSIB members, the memo states.

Also seized were about 3.5 grams of heroin and a meth pipe, although Oros did not see those items, according to Pitkins letter.

Oros checked into the status of the evidence, but could not learn where any of the items were booked, Pitkin wrote.

Pitkin was approved to conduct an assessment of Oros information on Aug. 3, met with him on Aug. 4, and asked him to summarize his concerns.

Napa Police command staff subsequently found the drugs and booked them into evidence, according to emails Pitkin sent to outside agencies, but didnt find the estimated $1,700.

Over the next few months, Napa Police requested aid from several law enforcement agencies to help with a criminal investigation into the missing money. The police department made the requests for assistance, according to an email Pitkin sent the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office Sept. 30, because it didnt have the staffing to investigate the matter itself.

We simply do not have the capacity to conduct the criminal investigation ourselves, Pitkin wrote. As of next Friday, we will have 1 Captain and 1 Lieutenant Because the allegation concerns a former Sergeant, we at NPD would have a Lieutenant or Captain conduct the investigation which, given command staffing, is not an option, Pitkin wrote.

The department reportedly consulted with the California Department of Justice, but the DOJ declined to take the case and opined that the Napa County District Attorneys Office didnt have a conflict of interest, Pitkin wrote.

The DAs office, however, recused itself from the investigation because it has personnel assigned to NSIB, including the primary NSIB asset forfeiture detective, according to Pitkins email.

The Napa County Sheriffs Office also recused itself from the investigation because of Sheriff Oscar Ortizs relation to Alfonso Ortiz. Oscar Ortiz and his undersheriff, Cully Dodd, confirmed that hed recused his office from the case on Monday.

I have 100% confidence and trust in the City of Napa Police Department to do a fair, complete and thorough investigation, Sheriff Ortiz said later Monday. I continue to recuse myself.

And by Nov. 30, both the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Department and the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office had declined to assist in the investigation as well. Thats according to a subsequent request for help Pitkin sent to California Highway Patrol Capt. John Blencowe.

The CHP also didnt provide any investigative assistance, Blencowe said in an email on Monday.

Ortiz worked for NPD starting in 2005, and was promoted to sergeant in late 2017, according to a Napa Police Facebook post from that time. Hed worked assignments including narcotics, field training officer, DARE Officer and crisis negotiator, the Facebook post says.

Also in 2017, Ortiz and sheriffs deputy Jose Tijero were awarded the Enrique Camarena award by the Napa Elks Lodge, which indicates that both have demonstrated a passion against the evils of drug abuse in Napa County for years, according to past Register reporting.

Ortiz earned $151,180 in regular pay from the police department during 2020, and $307,149 in total pay and benefits, according to Transparent California.

A 2005 Register article about NPD adding more bilingual officers notes that Ortiz, a 1992 Vintage High School graduate, enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation. He served as a combat medical specialist in Haiti, Korea and the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, the article says, and returned after four years of service to serve as a correctional officer for Napa County.

The article goes on to say that, because he was raised in Napa, Ortiz has knowledge of hot spots for criminal activity in Napa, and an understanding of the problems of local youths.

Ortiz also grew up working alongside his father at Shafer Vineyards  his father, Alfonso Zamora-Ortiz, was vineyard manager and John Shafers first employee, according to a brochure dedicated to remembering Shafer after he died in 2019.

You can reach Edward Booth at 707-256-2213.

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The Napa County Farm Bureau turns 109-years-old on May 3, marking over a century of the agricultural organizations service to Napa Valleys farmers.

Created in 1913, the Napa County Farm Bureau was one of the first of its kind in California, and its founding allowed the organization to pursue a broader policy agenda separate from the UC-Cooperative Extension.

From there, the organization established professional divisions to represent its members at all levels of government, including the county Board of Supervisors, the courts, the state legislature, and the media.

Today, the bureau represents the interests of over 1,500 agricultural professionals in the Napa area.

The celebration of the 109th birthday of the Napa County Farm Bureau is a testament to the strength that the organization has had for decades serving Napa County, said Ryan Klobas, CEO of the group. For over 100 years, the Farm Bureau has led the advancement of the countys agricultural community and our community at large, [so] as we continue to embark on a dynamic new chapter, we are looking forward to creating even more meaningful successes for the community and continuing to professionally represent Napa Valley agriculture.

The Farm Bureau also recently elected a new president, board of directors and officers, so there is a sense of excitement at the organizations headquarters.

This is an important and exciting time for the Napa County Farm Bureau, said Peter Nissen, the bureaus newly elected president.

We intend to continue to build on that success by representing our vast membership and advocating on their behalf, [and] we have important issues coming up  [But] we have the right team in place to address those issues and continue to ensure that Napa Valley agriculture thrives."
With Napa County primary elections a month away, Sheriff Oscar Ortiz holds a significant fundraising lead over his opponent Jon Crawford, outraising him by about two to one this year.

Ortiz reported raising $103,540 and spending $77,589 so far this year, bringing his campaigns overall contributions to $212,668 and his expenses to $109,520.

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Crawford, the countys former undersheriff, reported raising $52,911 and spending $36,129 so far in 2022, bringing his overall contributions and expenditures to $123,482 and $46,083 respectively.

Ortiz, a former American Canyon police chief whom the Napa County Board of Supervisors appointed in June 2021 to replace the retiring John Robertson, is running for his first full four-year term as sheriff. Crawford, the undersheriff from 2018 to 2021, launched his candidacy for the countys top law enforcement job last May. He was fired by Robertson shortly after that announcement, and has said it was due to his candidacy.

Candidates for sheriff, the Board of Supervisors and other county positions last week released their most recent Form 460 papers, state-required forms that allow citizens to see who is contributing what sums of money to each campaign, as well as how campaign funds are spent. Candidates had until Thursday to file campaign financial disclosure papers for Jan. 1 through April 23, 2022.

Oscar Ortiz and Jon Crawford Napa County Sheriff Oscar Ortiz (left) and former Undersheriff Jon Crawford

Election hopefuls in Napa County are working under a $4,900 cap on what a contributor can give a candidate, a limit the Board of Supervisors passed last year.

Those making the maximum $4,900 contribution to Ortiz this year include Shafer Vineyards of St. Helena; Shafers namesake owner Doug Shafer; Caymus Vineyards of Rutherford; Charlie Wagner, owner of Mer Soleil Winery; Emmolo Wine Co. in Rutherford; Fortunate Son Wines LLC in St. Helena; Helen Woodbridge of Calistoga; One True Vine LLC in St. Helena; and Pat Woodbridge of St. Helena.

Among the other recent contributions to the Ortiz campaign are $1,000 from the National Auto Sport Association in American Canyon; $1,000 from the Peace Officers Research Association of California, based in Sacramento; $1,500 from the Oakland-based Northern California Carpenters Regional Council; $1,000 from Firefighters Local 1186; and gifts of $2,500 and $1,000 from state Sen. Bill Dodds 2026 campaign for California lieutenant governor.

Sheriff and former undersheriff make their cases for Napa Countys top law enforcement job Sheriff Oscar Ortiz and former Undersheriff Jon Crawford appeared in Tuesday's online forum ahead of the June 7 election.

Napa Valley winemakers figure prominently on Ortizs donor list for 2022. In addition to those who gave the sheriff the $4,900 maximum, Robert David Torres of Trinchero Family Estates provided $4,500 and others provided sums up to $2,500.

Unlike Ortiz, Crawford has not attracted any maximum contributions since Jan. 1. Donations to his campaign have topped out at $1,000 each, a sum provided by Dennis Dixon of Napa; Richard Grace of St. Helena; Tom and Kristi Carey of Napa; DeNova Homes Inc., based in Concord; Kevin Horowitz, a St. Helena contractor; Rick Robben Construction in Napa; Dr. Jeff and Ellen Politz of Napa; RMC Plumbing LLC in Napa; Greger Pacific of Napa; and Gary Rose, a Napa-based Realtor with Sothebys International.

Other recent donations to the Crawford campaign include $250 from Hudson & Luros, the law practice co-owned Napa Councilmember Mary Luros; $100 from retired Napa County Superior Judge Philip Champlin; and $150 from Tracy Krumpen, an aide to Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.

You can reach Howard Yune at 530-763-2266 or hyune@napanews.com

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California's population dropped for the second year in a row, but there's indication that the rate of decline may be slowing, the state's Department of Finance said on Monday.

California saw its total population drop by 117,552 residents, or 0.3%, in 2021, bringing the total to 39,185,605.

"The 0.3-percent decline represents a slowing compared to the 0.59-percent decline over the nine month period between the April 2020 Census date and the year's end," the state said in its annual population update.

The state said the decline was the result of aging baby boomers, federal policies restricting immigration, COVID-19 deaths and an increase in people leaving the state.

Of the state's 58 counties, 38 saw population declines, including four Bay Area counties. In the list of counties with the top 10 largest decreases, Plumas saw its population drop by 3.2%, Lassen 2.8 %, Butte 2.4%, Del Norte 1.4%, Napa 1%, San Mateo 0.9%, Marin 0.9%, and Shasta, San Francisco and Ventura all went down 0.8%.

The Central Valley and Inland Empire saw their populations grow, while every coastal county saw a dip except in three college towns  San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz  where students returned to dorms.

Only two counties saw population gains above 1%: Yolo jumped 1.8% due to students returning to the dorms at UC Davis, and San Benito bumped up 1.1% due to new housing being built.

At the height of the pandemic, there was a lot of talk about the so-called "California exodus"  the people who fled the high prices and fast pace of the Golden State for a more relaxed and affordable life in places like Bozeman, Montana, and Austin, Texas.

The latest data is revealing that indeed the state's population shrank. The San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley metro area saw the third-highest number of residents in the country packing up and moving between July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021, with a net migration loss of 128,870 people, U.S. Census Bureau data issued in March said.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The numbers suggest a major change is underway in California. It would take a Nostradamus to know if that change is real and long lasting or if those proclaiming it are merely overreacting to a pandemic-induced glitch.

We are in this new demographic era for California of very slow growth or maybe even negative growth, pronounces Hans Johnson, a demographer for the Public Policy Institute of California.

Here are the numbers, and some of the implications if those numbers represent a trend rather than merely a glitch spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many millions around the world to hunker down wherever they were:

U.S. Census figures show California lost 262,000 residents between July 1, 2020 and the same date last year. That represented a net loss of .06 percent in population.

The figures were even more striking for the states two best-known urban counties. Los Angeles County lost about 159,671 residents, or about 1 percent of its populace, while San Francisco fell by about 56,000 persons, or about 6 percent of its previous population.

Much of the movement away from those high-rent cities was to other parts of California, as the pandemic drove tens of thousands of white-collar employees to work from home  and allowed them to make that home anywhere they liked. As a result, many moved to more rural, greener areas, valuing lifestyle over office proximity.

Thats a drive the increased-density fanatics now running California housing policy ought to note well, for it shows that given the choice, most human beings will choose not to live stacked up in apartment buildings and condominiums.

The 2020-21 population loss comes after California suffered the shock of losing one seat in Congress this year, the result either of incomplete Census taking or slow growth outpaced by states like Texas, Florida, Arizona, Colorado and Oregon.

But is any of this permanent? If so, it calls for major change in housing, transportation and education policy. History suggests it wont be lasting. So do the latest employment figures.

Historically, slumps in California population growth are followed by big influxes, both from domestic and foreign immigration.

Most recently, in the early 1990s the supposed end of the Cold War spurred big job losses at defense contractors that had been central to the Southern California economy since World War II. A spate of military base closings later in that decade also cost California jobs.

As a result, population growth slowed to almost nothing for several years. But then came the 2000s and a big increase that saw population rocket from about 33 million to 39 million-plus.

Is the same kind of resurgence now in the offing? That probably depends on how soon people around the world come to accept the idea that the pandemic may be over and that Covid should instead be considered an endemic illness that will always be with us, but not usually in alarming numbers or intensity.

The latest job statistics indicate such a trend may be starting. During February, for example, California companies created 138,100 new jobs, or 20.4 percent of all new jobs nationwide. That was 60,300 more jobs than No. 2 Texas and 87,100 more than Florida. It was far above what might be suggested from Californias 11.5 percent share of the national population.

It also meant that California has regained more than 87.2 percent of jobs lost when countless businesses shuttered and furloughed their workers as the pandemic hit in March 2020.

The big job losses of that period eliminated most impetus for foreign workers to move here, as the state for the first time in decades found itself with a surplus of healthy workers. Thats over, with the new job figures indicating the state and its myriad newly created businesses should once again be a population magnet.

Of course, no one will know for sure until about a year from now, when figures from 2022 are compiled and published.

But the newest numbers suggest at least one thing: Folks like Johnson, trumpeting a continuing California decline, are most likely premature and will come to regret their remarks.

For no one ever got rich in the long term by betting against California.

Thomas D. Elias writes the syndicated California Focus column. Readers may reach him at tdelias@aol.com.
According to a tweet published by the Royal Australian Navy on May 3, 2022, Anzac Class Frigate HMAS Toowoomba is back in the water in Western Australia after completing the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Anzac class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (Picture source: RAN)

HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) is the seventh Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was laid down in 2002 by Tenix Defence and commissioned in 2005.

The Anzacs are based on Blohm + Voss' MEKO 200 PN (or Vasco da Gama-class) frigates, modified to meet Australian and New Zealand specifications and maximize the use of locally built equipment.

Each frigate has a 3,600-tonne (3,500-long-ton; 4,000-short-ton) full load displacement. The ships are 109 meters (358 ft) long at the waterline, and 118 meters (387 ft) long overall, with a beam of 14.8 meters (49 ft), and a full load draught of 4.35 meters (14.3 ft).

Maximum speed is 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph), and maximum range is over 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph). The standard ship's company of an Anzac consists of 22 officers and 141 sailors.

The main armament for the frigate is a 5-inch 54 caliber Mark 45 gun, supplemented by an eight-cell Mark 41 vertical launch system (for RIM-7 Sea Sparrow or RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles) and two 12.7-millimeter (0.50 in) machine guns.
Journalists were also injured as a result of police actions during Mondays disobedience actions by Resistance Movement, the head of the Police Patrol Guard Service obstructed the work of the journalist and cameraman of Mediahub.am news website, and even hit the cameraman. Armenian News-NEWS.am talked to those journalists.

Yerkir.am journalist Lia Sargsyan, who lost consciousness during a scuffle, told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the march had reached the Abovyan-Sayat Nova intersection when the police came and started operating without informing the protesters.

"Several buses of police immediately came and without announcing that they were launching an operation, formed a [human] wall, and started pushing the citizens blocking the road.

During the scuffle, I found myself between the police and the citizens. I was wearing a journalistic badge and I had a microphone in my hand. Moreover, they had noticed me. Its just curious why they did not inform in advance about the operation, so that the journalist could position herself. As a result of the incident, I found myself on the ground. I fainted, my hands were stepped on," she said.

Lia Sargsyan added that the claim that the police do not recognize a journalist who wears a badge and has a work tool is unacceptable.

In a conversation with Armenian News-NEWS.am, Nare Gnuni, a reporter of Mediahub.am news website, spoke about the actions by the head of the Patrol Guard Service (PGS) Sargis Hovhannisyan against their film crew. She said that they had been doing their job at the Baghramyan-Proshyan intersection since the morning, covering the actions when the citizens were closing off the streets.

"There was a scuffle, the police were apprehending the citizens by using disproportionate force. When we noticed that a citizen was being dragged to the ground, an ambulance was coming to help, and the head of the PGS was calmly watching, we decided to approach to find out what he was doing at that time there, and his opinion on what was happening," she said.

When Nare Gnuni approached, he tried to say hello, to which the head of the PGS responded, "Can't you see I'm talking on the phone," after which the journalist tried to leave, but Sargis Hovhannisyan hit the microphone at that moment.

"The cameraman had just kept the shot on him. His assistant approaches the camera, tries to push it aside with a thud. When we continue to record, as we have full authority to carry out our activities, the assistant approaches, hits our cameraman. When I try to approach the head of the PGS for the second time and ask if the actions of his assistant are justified, he says, We are doing well, I'm talking on the phone, you approach me to ask a question. The citizens, noticing that we were in a scuffle, approached to protect us, told the head of the PGS, You have a position, you should not speak loudly to journalists and citizens. He said, Im doing well, and tried to swear, but did not continue. Disproportionate force was used against the citizens, there are footage of it," said Nare Gnuni.

During today's civil disobedience actions, the police obstructed also the work of the journalists of the AntiFake.am news site, and hit one of them. AntiFake.am journalist Ishkhan Khosrovyan told details about today's actions.

"The police were obstructing the work of journalists, they were dragging. The masked policemen pushed and punched our other journalist, Davit. I was with a [journalists] badge, they saw that I was a journalist, but they hindered my work activities, dragged me, blocked in front of me, did not allow [me] to pass, to take videos," he said.

Ishkhan Khosrovyan also said that he did not know whether or not an internal investigation had been launched into the obstruction of their work.

"I do not particularly hope that the police will process this case," he said.
Shanghai subway shut down amid COVID-19 outbreak in city

Emir of Kuwait accepts PM and government's resignation

Macron urges Hungarian PM to agree to embargo on Russian oil imports

Borrell hopes for conclusion of agreement on EU oil embargo against Russia

Turkish Defense Minister urges Greece to solve bilateral problems through dialogue

Armenia has new head of mission to NATO

Iran considers Turkey's construction of dams unacceptable

Dollar, euro fall in Armenia

France ambassador: We support Armenia government efforts to establish peace in region

EU Delegation head urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to refrain from 'conspiratorial thoughts and plans'

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

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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

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Armenia appreciates the United States support for developing Armenias energy sector. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated this in his remarks at Mondays signing ceremonyin Washington, D.C.for a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation between the two countries, the US Department of State informed in a press release.

Dear Secretary Blinken, it is a great pleasure for me to be here. Thank you for your invitation and also for a very warm welcome. This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and during these years we have succeeded to build very strong relations based on common and shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

Now after the democratic Velvet Revolution of 2018, through joint efforts, we elevated the level of our collaboration, cooperation to Strategic Dialogue. And it is very significant that I am here also in scope of the capstone session of the Strategic Dialogue. And during this session, we focused on our democratic reforms, justice reforms, cooperation in banking sphere, looking ways of deepening cooperation in the sphere of defense, and of course prevention and fight against corruption, and many other areas. And we appreciate United States efforts to support our reforms.

Armenia also appreciate United States support for developing Armenias energy sector, and I was talking about  I was speaking also about exploring new areas, and here it will be honor for me to sign with you the Memorandum of Understanding on our civil nuclear cooperation.

And I also want to note that we value our partnership aimed at peace and stability in our region, and in this regard I want to highlight the important role the United States of America play as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which has a mandate from the international community to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

I also appreciate United States support through the Armenia-Turkish normalization process and United States strong stance on the recognition on the condemnation of the Armenian genocide and confirmation of this stance this year, too, Mirzoyan stated in his remarks.
When Jillian Robinson brought her 10-month-old son to Advocate Christ Medical Center because of a strange mark on his ear, doctors thought it was a bruise and assumed, that because she was Black, she had abused him, Robinson alleges in a lawsuit filed late last month.

The mark on Robinsons sons ear turned out to be a likely birthmark  not a bruise, according to the lawsuit, which was filed April 20 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

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Yet doctors at Advocate Christ in Oak Lawn involved the Department of Children and Family Services shortly after meeting Robinson last year, before they knew, for sure, what the mark was, the lawsuit alleges. They then performed medically unnecessary tests on her son, such as a head CT and bone scan to support their presumption of child abuse after making a DCFS report, the lawsuit alleges.

Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn on May 21, 2019. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

A DCFS caseworker told Robinson she might have to place her son in foster care, and ultimately required her and her son to live with her uncle for about a week after leaving the hospital, the lawsuit alleges.

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Advocate Christ and its staff made false assumptions about Ms. Robinson based on her race, according to the complaint. Based solely on those assumptions and before conducting a medical examination to confirm (Advocate Christ) and its staff jumped to the conclusion that the mark was an intentionally inflicted injury by Ms. Robinson and initiated complaint proceedings against her with DCFS.

Advocate Christ said in a statement Tuesday: Our top priority is to provide the safest, highest quality and equitable care to every patient. We take all concerns seriously and are thoroughly reviewing the complaint, which we just recently received. Two Advocate Christ doctors are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Robinson, 36, of Beverly, is being represented by the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and law firm Burke, Warren, MacKay, & Serritella P.C., on a pro bono basis. The Committee for Civil Rights is a nonprofit made up of civil rights lawyers and advocates who work on issues related to racial equity and economic opportunity.

Robinson first noticed the mark on her sons outer ear in late April of last year. She spoke with a nurse at the health center where her son normally receives care, and the nurse advised Robinson to take him to a clinic to be examined.

But because it was late in the day, Robinson took him to OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park. There, she was told that he looked fine and to leave the mark alone and they could go home, according to the lawsuit.

Later that week, however, Robinson noticed that the mark was not better, and the area around it seemed more irritated. She had a telehealth appointment with her sons usual pediatric center, and she was told to take him to a hospital, according to the lawsuit.

She went to Advocate Christ with her son on April 28, where doctors asked Robinson how her son had gotten the mark. She said she didnt know, and the doctors, at that point, performed a physical exam on her son and put in the medical record that the mark appeared to be a hematoma, which is a pool of blood that can form after an injury. They wrote that it was suspicious for a pinching of the ear, nonaccidental trauma, according to the lawsuit.

They then reported to DCFS a suspected case of child abuse by Ms. Robinson, according to the complaint. After involving DCFS, hospital staff sliced into the mark and attempted to drain it. The medical staff found no drainage, which would have been expected with a hematoma, the lawsuit alleges.

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Still, the baby was admitted to the hospital for a DCFS workup, according to the lawsuit.

During Robinsons time at the hospital, a staff member commented to her that the hospital treats Black families who bring in their children with bruises differently than white families that do the same, the lawsuit alleges. Robinson said staff members also commented on her sons curly hair and fair skin and asked about his father.

Ms. Robinson, who is darker skinned than her son, experienced these comments as not only racist and offensive but also as micro-aggressive challenges to her parentage of her child, the lawsuit alleges.

The day after Robinson brought her son to the hospital, a DCFS caseworker told her DCFS was implementing a safety plan for her child, in which he would either need to be placed with a different family member or put into foster care, according to the lawsuit. A pediatrician at the hospital also allegedly urged Robinson, at that point, to allow her son to be placed in foster care for a few days.

To say I was blindsided is an understatement, Robinson told the Tribune. I was made to feel like I was crazy. Everything that was being said to me was against rational, logical thought, from my point of view.

Robinson objected to the plan, and an ENT who had examined her son at the hospital said he supported her and would call DCFS about the matter as well. Later that day, DCFS put a modified safety plan in place allowing Robinson to stay with her son under the supervision of her uncle, according to the lawsuit.

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They stayed with him for about a week until the safety plan ended May 6.

The lawsuit alleges that Robinsons experience is part of a larger pattern of discrimination in health care and in child welfare services. The committee and Legal Aid Chicago also filed a complaint against the hospital and DCFS in October with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, said Beatriz Diaz-Pollack, senior counsel with the committee.

DCFS did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

It is unfortunately representative of systemic issues, Diaz-Pollack said. This is both a case where a Black mother and her son were individually harmed and were seeking redress for her in her individual capacity, but also based on what weve learned about biases in the health care system, this case has the potential to make a positive impact.

Robinson is seeking damages and an order requiring Advocate Christ to implement and require adherence to policies, procedures and trainings to prevent racially biased and/or racially motivated medical treatment and reporting to DCFS and other government agencies, among other things, according to the lawsuit.

How do you know a system is broken? How do you know things just arent right? How do you know an injustice has happened? Robinson said. In the moment, you dont really think those things. In the moment, you just panic. But once those moments passed and I had a moment to think, I knew I couldnt just let that stand.

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lschencker@chicagotribune.com
The oppositions protests have resumed Tuesday in Yerevan, citizens are blocking various streets in the Armenian capital, and in many cases, and the police try to remove the citizens from the roads by using brutal force.

The participants of these civil disobedience actions are chanting "Armenia without Turks," "Armenia without [PM] Nikol [Pashinyan]," and "Traitor, leave!"

On Komitas Avenue, the police special forces gave five minutes to the protesters to clear the avenue. Levon Kocharyan, the son of second President Robert Kocharyan, was also there. Five minutes later, the police started clearing the road by force and pushing, and the road was cleared.

But the actions of civil disobedience continue in other places. The police used force to apprehend the citizens on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue.

On Monday, 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 Armeniahad announced that on Tuesday they will block provincial roads as well.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that the opposition forces had set up tents on May 1 at France Square in downtown Yerevan after their rally and stayed there overnight. Ishkhan Saghatelyan had announced 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, the police have used a particular brutal force to control these acts of protests. As of 2pm Monday, about 250 people were taken to police stations. And there were attempts to apprehend several opposition MPs, too.
Reporters Without Borders has released its 2022 annual Press Freedom Index, which assesses the state of journalism in 180 countries. Armenia ranks 51st (63rd in 2021).

Despite a pluralistic environment, media in Armenia remains polarized. The country is facing an unprecedented level of disinformation and hate speech, especially regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The main sources of news in Armenia are social networks, which are accessed daily by two-thirds of the population. Since the Velvet Revolution of 2018, the media landscape has grown. Independent internet news sites are flourishing. However, most broadcast and print media outlets associated with major political and commercial interests continue to face editorial pressure.

The polarization of the media reflects the polarization of the political scene: most of the media are close to the post-2018 political leaders, while others remain loyal to the old oligarchs. Only a handful of media outlets demonstrate independence. Since 2020, two political topics have become particularly sensitive: the war in Nagorno-Karabakh and the fight against the pandemic. Some political groups are conducting disinformation operations and attacking journalists.

The sector's legal framework does not adequately protect freedom of the press and does not meet European standards. Recent reforms have not addressed the problems associated with disinformation and non-disclosure orders. On the contrary, the criminalization of libel, which has tripled in fines, poses a serious threat to journalists. Access to public information is restricted by the government - refusal to respond, delays, etc.

Most media outlets are controlled by people close to political movements or supported by influential public figures. Few media outlets have moved to paid subscription models, and the advertising market remains underdeveloped, limiting the financial independence of private media outlets. State media refrain from any criticism of the government. Implementation of a new legal framework guaranteeing transparency in media ownership has not yet begun.

Journalism as a profession is being humiliated and subjected to especially disturbing hate speech. Anti-media rhetoric from political elites that accuse journalists of corruption and of serving their adversaries creates an atmosphere of intolerance that hinders the work of journalists. They are constantly insulted, attacked and severely persecuted for slander, which reinforces self-censorship.

2021 has been a difficult year for the media and journalists due to the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, scheduled elections and the pandemic. An attack by a government minister on a journalist from an opposition publication, followed by months of investigation that resulted in the minister not being found guilty by a court, poses a serious obstacle to press freedom. In general, violence against journalists remains unpunished.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi criticized Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for his statements in an interview with Italian television.

Our country allows you to freely express your opinions, even if they are clearly false and erroneous. I think what Minister Lavrov said is wrong," he said.

As for the mention of Hitler and the fact that Hitler had Jewish blood, "that is really obscene, Mario Draghi told a press conference on Monday.

On May 1, on the air of the Rete-4 channel of the Mediaset television corporation, Lavrov outlined the main positions of Russia regarding what is happening in Ukraine, pointing out that the Ukrainian side, with the support of the United States, who single-handedly seek to resolve all issues, does not want to continue talks, and also pointed to unreliable information disseminated by the Western media, and explained a number of decisions of the Russian leadership.

Lavrov made another assertion when he was asked why Russia said it needed to denazify Ukraine if the countrys own president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 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 weve been hearing the wise Jewish people say that the biggest anti-Semites are the Jews themselves, he added.
The Police of Armenia continue Tuesday to apprehend the citizens who blocked various streets of the capital Yerevan.

Seventy citizens from various parts of Yerevan were taken to police stations, the police informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

They have been apprehended for failing to comply with the lawful requests by police officers.

As reported earlier, the oppositions protests have resumed Tuesday in Yerevan, citizens are blocking various streets in the Armenian capital, and in many cases, and the police try to remove these citizens from the roads by using brutal force.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that the opposition forces had set up tents on May 1 at France Square in downtown Yerevan after their rally 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 Armeniahad announced 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, the police have used a particular brutal force to control these acts of protests. As of 2pm Monday, about 250 people were taken to police stations. And there were attempts to apprehend several opposition MPs, too.
At Marshal Baghramyan Avenue of the capital Yerevan, the Armenia Police special forces apprehended the protesters who had blocked this road, including the son of second President Robert Kocharyan, Levon Kocharyan, who was taking part in the march of civil disobedience.

Levon Kocharyan told the participants of the march, "Dear people, our fight continues."

"He is the son of a national hero," said one of the protesters.

Subsequently, the police forcibly reopened Marshal Baghramyan Avenue.

The demonstrators chanting, "[PM] Nikol [Pashinyan], traitor" and "Shame [on you]!"

Later, Levon Kocharyan wrote on Facebook: "They have apprehended [me], are taking [me] to the Massiv [district police] department. Everything will be OK."

As reported earlier, the oppositions actions of civil disobedience have resumed Tuesday in Yerevan, citizens are blocking various streets in the Armenian capital, and the police are using force to reopen these streets and apprehending the citizens.
YEREVAN.  The U.S. Embassy to Armenia has welcomed Major General David Weishaar on his first visit to Yerevan since he was appointed The Adjutant General (TAG) of the State of Kansas.

Major General Weishaar, along with other leaders from the Kansas National Guard, will meet with senior officials from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the State Revenue Committee. He will visit the 12th Peacekeeping Brigade, the Military Hospital, the National Defense Research University, and the Military University.

The Republic of Armenia signed a bilateral affairs agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense and the State of Kansas in 2003 establishing the Kansas-Armenia State Partnership Program. Under the program, the Kansas National Guard works closely with the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Emergency Situations, and other governmental offices and agencies. Types of cooperation include military-to-military, military-to-civilian, and civilian-to-civilian events.

Since the beginning of the partnership in 2003, the Republic of Armenia and the State of Kansas have engaged in a number of military, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, business, medical, public health, educational, and humanitarian exchanges.

I am very proud of the robust partnership between the State of Kansas and the Government of Armenia over the last 20 years. With every exchange and collaboration, the relationship between Kansas and Armenia grows stronger. It is always an honor working alongside our Armenian friends allowing both sides to learn and grow with each other, Major General Weishaar said.
The citizens demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia have closed off the Sevan-Yerevan motorway.

As a result, numerous cars have amassed on this motorway.

The situation there is getting tense every so often.

The police have dispatched a lot of forces to this motorway.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that the oppositions actions of civil disobedience have resumed Tuesday, especially in Yerevan, and citizens are blocking various streets in the Armenian capital.

The participants of the opposition Resistance Movement have paralyzed a number of streets of Yerevan since early Tuesday morning, and the police are using force apprehend these protesters.

The opposition forces had set up tents on May 1 at France Square in downtown Yerevan after their rally 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 Armeniahad announced 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.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot promotes Chicagwa drinking water, with designs created by local artists, at an event at the historic Water Tower on May 3, 2022. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Move aside Aquafina, Evian, Mountain Valley and Fiji.

Chicago is introducing its own brand of water, Chicagwa, sourced from the expansive freshwater body that is Lake Michigan, and processed through the citys water treatment plants.

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In other words, Chicago tap water in a can.

A limited run of Chicagwa tap water will be packaged in cans featuring six colorful designs created by local artists, from a hot dog in a boat to a depiction of the Chicagos historic Water Tower, where the unusual branding campaign was unveiled Tuesday. The cans will be given away free at various events throughout the city this summer and at locations including Real Good Stuff, Wieners Circle and Mannys delicatessen.

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The idea is not so far-fetched. While brands like Evian and Fiji are sourced from a natural spring and an artesian aquifer, respectively, PepsiCos Aquafina and Coca-Colas Dasani are essentially purified tap water.

The citys latest marketing effort highlights Chicagos access to Lake Michigan  the fourth-largest freshwater lake in the world and an increasingly important asset as climate change exacerbates water shortages in other regions.

Last week, Los Angeles declared a water shortage emergency and imposed unprecedented usage restrictions amid a worsening drought.

Chicago taps into the second-largest Great Lake and abundant freshwater resource with two of the largest water treatment plants in the world  the Jardine plant near Navy Pier and the Sawyer plant in South Shore. The city produces 750 million gallons of water per day, sells its water to 120 suburbs and distributes it across Chicago through 12 pumping stations, according to Andrea Cheng, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Water Management.

The pro bono Chicagwa campaign was developed by Chicago agency Quality Meats Creative, and will also feature digital billboards across the city. The cans were produced by Great Central Brewing Co.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot holds a can promoting Chicagwa drinking water canned from tap water from Lake Michigan. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

While Lake Michigan is Chicagos greatest natural resource and a source of civic pride, packaging the drinking water as a way to market the city is not without its risks.

A 2018 Tribune analysis found that nearly 70% of Chicago homes that used a free city-supplied testing kit found dangerous lead in their drinking water, with nearly 3 in 10 testing above 5 parts per billion, the maximum allowed in bottled water by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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The primary cause of the lead contamination is the aging connections between many Chicago homes and citys water distribution system. Chicago required the use of lead service lines between street mains and homes until Congress banned the practice in 1986.

Were very aware that there are concerns about lead in drinking water, Cheng said Tuesday. And were working diligently with City Hall to create equitable plans that leverage new federal funding to remove the lead service lines that were installed until 1986.

Chicago has beefed up its marketing efforts this year, hoping to rebuild its battered brand as it seeks to recover from the pandemic.

The city, which welcomed nearly 61 million visitors in 2019, fell to 16 million in 2020 and was projected to attract just under 29 million last year, according to data provided by Choose Chicago, the citys official tourism arm.

The citys image as a crime capital has also flared up during the pandemic  fairly or unfairly  as Chicago saw upward of 800 homicides last year, the deadliest total since 1996, according to Chicago Police Department data and other sources.

In January, the city launched the Chicago Not in Chicago guerrilla campaign featuring video of a faux New York City bus tour highlighting the many ways Chicago has influenced the Big Apple. The campaign video tour, which was met with some derision, was supposed to travel next to London, but the planned sequel has yet to materialize.

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Whether the new Chicagwa campaign holds water remains to be seen.

rchannick@chicagotribune.com
YEREVAN.  Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is on a working visit in the United States, on Monday held a meeting with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The high dynamics of the development of Armenia-US relations was emphasized, and it was noted that since 2019 the cooperation has been raised to a new level of Strategic Dialogue. The sides expressed willingness to further strengthen the effective cooperation established in various fields, based on the common values of democracy, protection of human rights, rule of law, and the fight against corruption.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Victoria Nuland exchanged views on the issues of regional security and stability. The implementation process of the agreements reached between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Sochi and Brussels was discussed. They also touched upon the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), as well as the process of launching negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on a comprehensive peace agreement. In this context, the Foreign Minister of Armenia stressed the importance of resuming the work of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

The humanitarian issues resulting from the 44-day war were discussed, particularly, the immediate release and repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war, and the preservation of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories fallen under the Azerbaijani control.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the recent developments on the Armenia-Turkey normalization process.
Civil disobedience actions are carried out in Alaverdi, Aparan, Spitak, Masis, and Gyumri cities. 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 Armeniainformed about this a while ago.

In addition, the Yerevan-Sevan and Yerevan-Ararat motorways, as well as the M6 highway in Alaverdi are closed off.

According to Saghatelyan, these actions of protest will be stopped at 4pm, after which another rally of the opposition will kick off at 7pm at France Square in downtown Yerevan.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that the oppositions actions of civil disobedience have resumed Tuesday, especially in Yerevan, and citizens are blocking various streets in the Armenian capital.

The participants of the opposition Resistance Movement have paralyzed a number of streets of Yerevan since early Tuesday morning, and the police are using force apprehend these protesters.

The opposition forces had set up tents on May 1 at France Square in downtown Yerevan after their rally and stayed there overnight. Ishkhan Saghatelyan had announced 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 Authorities have repeatedly proposed a dialogue to the opposition. Apparently, the opposition, in fact, has nothing to say. Speaker Alen Simonyan of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia told reporters this Tuesday in the NA.

He noted that holding rallies is the job and right opposition; but if they allow aggression, it should not be treated well.

"Nevertheless, there is no serious internal political tension," Simonyan emphasized.

He stated that the incumbent Armenian authorities have said many times that they is ready to cooperate.

"But they [i.e., the opposition] refuse such meetings; maybe because they have nothing to say. When the opposition says that they took to the streets to save Karabakh [(Artsakh)], a question arises: How will they strengthen it? What do they suggest to do for it? And what did they do at the time?

If they say that [PM Nikol] Pashinyan should not negotiate, then a question arises: In that case, who should negotiate? If they say that [ex-President] Robert Kocharyan, Artur Vanetsyan [the leader of the "With Honor" Faction of the NA and chairman of the opposition Homeland Party] or someone else should negotiate, then another question arises: On what basis?" Alen Simonyan asked.
After the rebranding, Team Telecom Armenia appeared before the users in new colors and with a new brand.

More than 900,000 users of the company will be able to continue using the services to which they are accustomed. Director-General of the company Hayk Yesayan said in a talk with the journalists that the quality of the services will only grow in the future, moreover, new services and new technologies - exclusive not only for Armenia but also for the whole region - are planned to be introduced.

About a year and a half ago, Telecom Armenia purchased 100% of the shares of Beeline Armenia, which was the first telecom operator in Armenia. During an event celebrating the opening of the company's main service center on Northern Avenue, Yesayan said the rebranding, which required long and hard teamwork, is finally over and the company, which has become 100% Armenian, has been finally renamed to Team Telecom Armenia.

According to Yesayan, the company was initially planned to be called "Allnet" (the entire network). But then, the founders realized that the idea and spirit of the company would be better conveyed by "Team": it is both an abbreviation of Telecom Armenia, and a word, meaning "team" - both in English and in Armenian.

As Yesayan noted, Team Telecom Armenia currently offers the widest range of telecommunication services in Armenia: the services, which were used by Beeline clients, will be preserved, but a lot of new ones will be added to them. Thus, for example, the 25-gigabit network is already available and operating in a number of cities (Jermuk, Kajaran, Gndevaz), as well as in Davtashen and Arabkir regions of Yerevan, where over 55 000 users can already be connected to the network. Very soon it will also be available in the center of Yerevan, as well as in the towns of Metsamor and Hrazdan.

In response to a question of NEWS.am, Hayk Yesayan said the sphere of telecommunications in Armenia is highly developed compared not only to other countries of the region but even to the developed European countries. For instance, today internet is available almost everywhere in Armenia: both mobile and fixed internet, which hardly any other country can boast of.

However, there is a lot of work to be done in the corporate and B2B segments: according to Yesayan, Armenia still lags behind the developed countries in this sphere, but Team Telecom Armenia is planning to make up for the difference within 2-3 years.

Head of Commercial Projects Elina Drbashyan, who was in charge of the rebranding of the company, told the journalists that the colors for the new brand were not chosen by chance. The company designers studied current trends, as well as the telecom and IT market in order to choose colors that are uncommon for other brands and that precisely convey the spirit of Team Telecom Armenia. As a result, they chose calm, restrained blue, active red and gentle sky blue.

All 78 branches and sales and service offices are no longer yellow and black. What has changed, though, is not only the design of the interiors of these offices, but also the furnishings in them: the smartphones, headphones, and other devices being sold are no longer behind glass, but on open stands so that customers can touch them and try them in operation.

"We wanted visitors to feel comfortable, to feel free, because this brand is also about freedom," Drbashian said.
Lynn Nottages Intimate Apparel, a beautiful play about a young Black seamstress struggling to make her way in 1905 New York, had a memorable Chicago premiere at the Steppenwolf Theatre some 17 years ago. Over the years since, Nottages star has risen to the point where this year in New York, she had a play (Clydes), an operatic version of Intimate Apparel and a musical (MJ the Musical) running at the same time. A singular feat, even for a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

But Intimate Apparel, a piece as gentle as it is persistent and now on the boards at Northlight Theatre in Skokie after a two-year pandemic postponement, remains my favorite of her plays. There is something about the central metaphor  a woman who is adept at the delicate act of sewing undergarments and yet cannot find intimacy for herself  that works so well in the play, a drama that beautifully makes the point that the pervasive racism of the era seeps into every nook and cranny of the central characters life. Esther, who is humble, kind and profoundly vulnerable, remains Nottages most moving heroine.

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And this new production, directed by Tasia A. Jones, does her proud: Mildred Marie Langford offers up a richly empathetic and lived-in performance that deftly evokes the tragedy of low personal expectations and an even lower chance of realizing them.

The play also notes unhappiness elsewhere. One of Esthers clients, Mrs. Van Buren (Rebecca Spence), looks to Esther as intimate confessor for her own misery, yet the relationship is doomed by inequity. Esthers maternal landlady (Felicia P. Fields) offers up support and wisdom, but honed in the lousy ways of the world echoed by the younger Mayme (Rashada Dawan), who puts up with men for the money. And Esthers potential beau George (played by Yao Dogbe), a man from the Caribbean with whom she strikes a correspondence, proves unfaithful and cruel.

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Yao Dogbe, Rashada Dawan and Mildred Marie Langford in "Intimate Apparel" at Northlight Theatre. (Liz Lauren / HANDOUT)

The only truly intimate relationship occurs between Esther and an Orthodox Romanian fabric dealer named Mr. Marks (Sean Fortunato); the two bond over their love of fine fabric and the craft of the seamstress, but despite their warmth and mutual respect, the gulf between them rages too wide.

If youve never seen this play before, this production is well worth a look and Ill wager youll be greatly moved by the scenes between Langford and Fortunato. Theyre quite lovely, as is an especially important costume design from Raquel Adorno, capturing the handmade feel so crucial to the script.

Overall, the production is very solid: it could do to move faster and achieve more fluidity in places, better capturing the tension inherent in the writing. And while the set from Scott Yenner is beautifully wrought, it traps George in the same spot behind a scrim for much of the first act, leading to desirable opacity but also unnecessary physical repetition.

But this is Esthers play, as Langford clearly understands.

She does her proud.

Mildred Marie Langford and Rebecca Spence in "Intimate Apparel" at Northlight Theatre. (Liz Lauren / HANDOUT)

Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com

Review: Intimate Apparel

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When: Through May 15

Where: Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie

Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes

Tickets: $30-$89 at 847-673-6300 and northlight.org
Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of top news as of 03.05.22:

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Foreign Ministry spokesman Vahan Hunanyan said.

Ararat Mirzoyan is currently in the US on a working visit, where he will take part in a session of the Armenian-American strategic dialogue.

https://news.am/eng/news/699824.html

A bilateral meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will launch a strategic dialogue between the US and Armenia, said US State Department spokesman Ned Price during a press conference on Tuesday.

The Secretary of State is committed to further strengthening bilateral relations in line with our shared democratic values and continued cooperation on the reform agenda in Armenia, Ned Price said.

They also did sign a nuclear cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, paving the way for increased cooperation on civil nuclear matters as Armenia looks to diversify its energy supply.

Peaceful acts of civil disobedience have resumed in Yerevan early Tuesday morning, and a number of streets have been blocked again.

On Monday, the opposition began to carry out acts of civil obedience in Yerevan, and closed off a number of central streets and intersections in the Armenian capital.

The opposition forces had set up tents on May 1 at France Square in downtown Yerevan and stayed there overnight. Resistance Movement coordinator Ishkhan Saghatelyan had announced 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 used a particular brutal force to control these acts of protests. As of 2pm Monday, about 250 people were taken to police stations, including the son of second President Robert Kocharyan, Levon Kocharyan And there were attempts to apprehend several opposition MPs, too.

Also the citizens demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia have closed off the Sevan-Yerevan motorway.

As a result, numerous cars have amassed on this motorway.

Garo Paylan, the Armenian member of the Turkish parliament, is receiving many threats after submitting a bill recognizing the Armenian Genocide to the Turkish parliament.

Paylan told Diken news agency that the female leader of the Turkish nationalist Good Party, Meral Aksener, has targeted him to the Turkish nationalists on Twitter.

"Meral Aksener threw me on the table of wolves," said Garo Paylan, stressing that Aksener could simply have criticized his bill, but making him a target for nationalists is unacceptable.

A group of PACE deputies on the eve of the annual World Freedom Day on 3 May initiated a resolution of the Assembly on threats to the life and security of journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan. The initiative by Belgian MP Christophe Lacroix was supported by 37 PACE members from 24 countries.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is concerned about the increasing level of violence, intolerance and continuing threats against Azerbaijani journalists, bloggers and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan, reads the petition signed by the mentioned MPs.

Journalist and human rights activist, well-known LGBT activist Avaz Shikhmammadov was murdered in his home on 22 February, 2022. Numerous requests to protect his life were ignored by the law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan.

Ukrainian intelligence accused Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan of helping Russia evade Western sanctions.

According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, "Russia is negotiating with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan to re-export Russian products to international markets."

The supply is planned to be carried out under the guise of Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani products and exported to third countries. More than 200 companies have already been established in the territory of these countries.

Armenia creates favorable conditions for Russian companies to do business, primarily in the IT-sphere. Since the beginning of Russia's large-scale anger against Ukraine, some 85,000 Russian citizens and 113 IT companies have arrived in Armenia. Russian citizens have set up about 1,000 private enterprises and more than 250 "LLCs" on the territory of Armenia.
Four people, three in an SUV and a pedestrian crossing the street, were injured during a single shooting in the Loop around 1:35 a.m., according to Chicago police.

The downtown shooting came on the heels of a particularly violent weekend, which led to the cancellation of a performance of the musical Moulin Rouge, drew the ire of Mayor Lori Lightfoot and has hoteliers and restaurateurs who rely on the areas safety on edge.

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People walk near the Nederlander Theatre in the Loop on May 2, 2022, the day after a 27-year-old man and 55-year-old man were shot near the Chicago Theatre. As a result, the performance of "Moulin Rouge" was cancelled. According to the Chicago police, 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. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police were called to the 400 block of South Wells Street, near West Van Buren Street, for a report of a shooting that injured four people at 1:37 a.m. Two women and a man inside a blue Dodge Durango SUV had been stopped at a red light when two men standing nearby on the sidewalk opened fire, striking the three passengers.

They also shot a 26-year-old woman who had been crossing the street, police said. That woman was shot in the left leg; paramedics took her to Stroger Hospital in fair condition, officials said.

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The three people inside the Durango were a 28-year-old woman, a 31-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, according to police. All three were taken to Stroger Hospital, authorities said.

The 28-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to her left leg and she was listed in fair condition.

The 31-year-old woman suffered gunshot wounds to the legs and back and was listed in critical condition.

The man, 38, was listed in critical condition with a gunshot wound to his back.

No arrests had been made and detectives continue to investigate the shooting.

The shooting comes amid increased attention on violence in areas known to be frequented by tourists. Chicago police statistics have shown an uptick in gun violence that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, and that was marked by more crime spreading into traditionally safer parts of the city.

There were two particularly high-profile shootings downtown during the weekend, including one in which innocent bystanders were injured when shots were fired during a drug deal and a second shootout at a Gold Coast hotel that resulted in the death of an 18-year-old.

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.
Members of the University of Miami community gathered in the Shalala Student Center Ballroom Monday evening for the first in-person Lavender Celebration since 2019.

The event, which has been taking place at universities nationwide since 1995 and at the University of Miami since 2015, honors the achievements of graduates who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Among those graduates is Joseph Recker, who will cross the Universitys commencement stage next week with a bachelors degree in marine science and biology. As the Lavender Celebration undergraduate student speaker, Recker described his journey at the U since arriving four years ago from a small town in Illinois.

At the start of my freshman year, I wasnt out to my family or friends, Recker said. The University of Miami was one of the first places in my life that I saw LGBTQ+ people living their true and authentic lives.

Recker noted that coming out to his parents created a deep rift. But after several months of not speaking to their son, Reckers parents turned to the LGBTQ+ Student Center, where they received guidance and reassurance.

For that, I am eternally grateful to the center and its staff, Recker said. Throughout my time here at UM, the LGBTQ+ Student Center has served as a beacon of safety, encouragement, and empowerment for myself and countless other students on campus.

Reckerwho also received the Danny Gomez Legacy Award for his leadership as president of the Universitys student organization oSTEM, a member of the board of directors for Safe Schools South Florida, and an assistant to the festival director for Miami Beach Prideshared these parting words for his classmates: Embrace the unexpected, live your true colors, it does get better, and go Canes.

Brittney Davis, who graduates with a Ph.D. in community psychology, received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award and delivered the graduate student address. She is a member of the GradOUT student organization, served as the Universitys Miami Beach Pride 2021 co-chair, and is a recipient of the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship and the Aqua Foundation for Women scholarship.

Being a Cane has meant access to incredible institutional resources and incredibly special people, said Davis. The work we have been assigned as a community is weighty, and seeking and demanding freedom may not always feel freeing to us. But we must continue to make space in each of us to care for ourselves and to care for each otheras we have in this space.

The Outstanding Student Researcher Award went to Sergio Papa Ruark, whose research toward a masters degree in anthropology focuses on two-spirit people and gender diversity in indigenous cultures. Landon Coles, outgoing Student Government president and a graduating political science major, received the Lavender Community Partner Award for his advocacy of LGBTQ+ student concerns throughout his presidency, including moderating the Do Black Queer and Trans Lives Matter panel and fostering conversations on key issues with University leadership.

In his alumni address, Trae Williamson, who holds a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies and is president of the Williamson Cadillac-Buick-GMC car dealership, highlighted a quote by Walt Whitman that also appeared recently in an episode of the hit Apple TV series Ted Lasso.

The quote, Be curious, not judgmental, launched Williamson into a spirited plea for students to nurture the part of themselves that is driven by love, compassion, and creativity, not the part driven by fear. Where you put your focus is what will determine your reality, Williamson said.

Lavender Celebration, which also included performances by the student a cappella group BisCaydence, concluded with each graduate joining Gisela Vega, director of the LGBTQ Student Center; Patricia Whitely, senior vice president for student affairs; and Jeffrey Duerk, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, on stage to receive a rainbow-colored cord they will wear proudly with their commencement regalia next week.
EU ministers urged to revive stalled banking union

Ireland's Finance Minister and president of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe. Photo: AP

A plan to complete the EU's long-delayed banking union was put to bloc finance ministers on Tuesday, with hopes that Germany would drop its opposition.



Eurogroup chief Paschal Donohoe, Ireland's finance minister, asked his peers to consider the basic principles of an EU-wide deposit insurance scheme.



This, if enacted, would be the last of a series of measures to have taken effect since the 2008 financial crisis, designed to hand oversight of Europe's biggest lenders to the European Central Bank.



"After many years of intense discussions, we now know each other's viewpoints well and I made the case for compromise," Donohoe told reporters after the meeting of 27 ministers.



"I made the case for trying to move forward now. Obviously, I'm certainly not saying that our differences have been settled," he added.



If passed, the reform would be a major breakthrough in creating deeper European unity.



Northern nations like Germany have long been reluctant to embrace the scheme, fearing that they would end up on the hook to pay the bills for less financially prudent neighbours.



Heavily-indebted Italy is also expected to resist the reform as it would forbid the country's fragile banks from keeping themselves afloat by making big purchases of Italian government borrowing.



To break the deadlock, Donohoe will ask ministers on Tuesday to consider a two-phase path to the scheme that would stretch out over years.



Right now, European depositors are insured up to 100,000 euros, financed by the EU's national governments.



But many EU countries are seen as vulnerable to financial shocks like those suffered by Ireland, Spain or Greece during the Lehman Brothers crisis that began in 2008.



After formally hearing the plan on Tuesday, EU ministers are expected to haggle over the details at a meeting in June.



If given the go-ahead, the European Commission would draft a legal proposal by the end of the year that would also require the approval of the European Parliament.



"As in any negotiation, we can get there if we all keep our eyes on the big prize," said Paolo Gentiloni, the EU's economic affairs commissioner. (AFP)
Boston (Massachusetts) [US], May 3 (ANI/PRNewswire): Shift Media, a leading provider of all-in-one cloud based video solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ramu Potarazu as its new Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Shift's founder, Kai Pradel, will focus his efforts going forward on helping the company enhance and grow its product portfolio. Ramu brings extensive leadership and operational experience, having served in multiple Executive and Board member roles throughout his career. His leadership career began at INTELSAT, a global satellite communications company, where he spent 16 years and rose to become the President and COO. He then founded Vubiquity, which became the leader in multiplatform video services and analytics under his tenure. After the sale of Vubiquity, he was recruited to be the President and CEO of Binary Fountain, the world leader in delivering analytics for consumer and patient feedback management solutions, where he consistently increased shareholder value during his 7 plus year tenure. "Ramu stands out as a strategic, battle-tested leader with decades of experience growing both start-ups and billion-dollar publicly traded organizations, even in some of the most challenging economic times," said Jerry Dolinsky, Shift Media Chairman. "With his consistent record of driving long-term growth and shareholder value, Ramu is the right person to lead Shift Media into its next phase of growth." "Shift Media has a unique opportunity to become a leader in the cloud-based video space with its three distinct products," said Ramu. "Video is a growth story and it's exciting to join a company that has the potential for significant growth and market leadership for years to come. I look forward to leading the company's talented team as we work together to take Shift Media to the next level." Shift Media provides cloud-based solutions for the highest levels of video production. The company's suite of products includes the Shift platform for managing, reviewing, and sharing work-in-progress video content; Wiredrive for customized, branded pitch reels; and Screeners.com for previewing valuable pre-release content. For more than two decades, Shift Media's products have been used by the world's most recognizable studios and ad agencies to simplify complex video challenges. Of note, more than 75 per cent of 2021 Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards winners used Shift Media products. For more information, visit the company's "About Us" page. This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
New Delhi [India] May 3 (ANI/NewsVoir): Succeeding its record performance clocked in FY'22 both in tractor sales and production, India's No1 tractor exports brand Sonalika is now ready to take the market by storm in FY'23. Sonalika Tractors has recorded its highest ever April month overall tractor sales of 12,328 units. This is powered by the best ever April's domestic sales of 10,217 tractors, an increase of 43.5 per cent over the 7,122 domestic tractor sales recorded in April'21. With this, the company has beaten industry growth of est. 41 per cent even at such high growth levels and prepared a strong platform to achieve the extraordinary yet again during the new financial year. One of India's leading tractor manufacturers, Sonalika follows a unique approach of developing customised tractors that address all critical needs of farmers - be it related to farming or haulage. Ensuring farm prosperity across the world, the company has doubled its exports in the last two years and winning their trust across regions. The company continues to receive overwhelming response for its heavy duty range as it has been clocking over 1 lakh annual tractor sales every year over the past half a decade. Entering into the FY'23, Sonalika is fully prepared with new product launches lined up during the year and ensure superior services to its customers worldwide. Sharing his thoughts about the superior performance, Raman Mittal, Joint Managing Director, Sonalika Tractors, said, "It is invigorating to start the Q1 FY'23 with highest ever April month overall sales of 12,328 tractors with best ever April domestic sales. With staggering 43.5 per cent growth in domestic market, we have surpassed industry growth of est. 41 per cent even at such high growth levels and this has certainly set course for us in this year. I am thankful to our customers for this incremental trust level in our technologically advanced and customized tractors and our channel partners who remain committed with us to deliver better than the best across the world." He added, "Year after year, we have commanded the position of No1 tractor export brand from India and have doubled our export volumes in just two years. While overpowering challenges throughout FY'22, we continued to build up strong momentum and ensured to carry the same forward for a splendid performance in FY'23. With prevailing positive sentiments, bumper wheat harvest and likely normal monsoon, the market demand has gradually picked up momentum. Sonalika will leave no stone unturned in addressing farmers' crop and geography specific needs and speed up farm mechanisation for a prosperous future. Gearing up for FY'23, we will continue to follow our product offensive strategy that includes innovative new tractors as well as advanced technology upgrades." Sonalika Tractors, the No. 1 Exports brand from India and one of India's leading tractor manufacturers, has established its robust presence in the domestic as well as in over 130 countries with 13 lakh+ customers. Sonalika manufactures the widest heavy duty tractor range in 20-120 HP and 70+ implements at its Hoshiarpur facility in Punjab that caters to the varied needs of customers across the globe. The company has been clocking over 1 lakh tractor sales consistently over the last 5 years and recorded highest annual growth of 41.6 per cent in the domestic market which was significantly higher than overall industry growth of 26.7 per cent. Being a farmer-centric brand, the Govt. of India has chosen Sonalika as the only tractor brand to contribute for the inspirational project of Niti-Aayog to double the farmer's income in the country by 2022. No. 1 Exports Brand from India Sonalika is the No. 1 Exports brand from India and is proudly associated with 1.8 lakh customers in markets outside India, a true sign of acceptability of an Indian company across 130 countries. Having a 100 per cent presence across all European countries, Sonalika tractors are successfully operated by more than 25,000 satisfied customers in diversified European conditions. Sonalika has also set up a spare parts centre in Germany that caters to the regional requirements with an aim to provide better service and customer satisfaction. No. 1 Heavy Duty Customised Crop Solutions Sonalika tractor portfolio is customised as per the needs is equipped with efficient engines which give higher power output and remain affordable with low maintenance for better total cost of ownership and experience. Sonalika is the leading brand in more than 50 HP tractor segment and is strengthening its presence in more than 40HP segment to achieve the leadership position. As the farm mechanisation expert, Sonalika Agro Solutions offers a wide range of implements to address various stages of crop cycle ranging from land preparation to post harvesting operations including residue management. Sonalika has also forayed into Custom Hiring Centres, a platform that offers small and marginal farmers an access to advanced agri machinery on rent, thereby aims to increase farm output in a cost effective way. The company has introduced 'Agro Solutions' app for easy access of requisite machinery to farmers, thereby promoting farm mechanization in the country. The Hoshiarpur plant of Sonalika is the World's No. 1 vertically integrated tractor manufacturing plant that is designed to manufacture customised farm machinery as per the farmer's crop-specific applications. The facility is fully equipped to manufacture almost every element in-house which goes in the making of a tractor and is powered by robotic as well as automation to maintain highest quality standards in its product portfolio. Sonalika has bagged the 'Iconic Brand of the Year' award by The Economic Times three years in a row (2017-2019), and 'Global Innovations Leadership Award' by Agriculture Today in 2018 and 2019. Sonalika Vice Chairman, A S Mittal has been felicitated with the 'Business Leader of The Year 2018-2019' award by BTVi. 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 3 (ANI/NewsVoir): Now in its 19th edition, Asian Paints ColourNext is the voice of trend forecasting in the Indian subcontinent, known for its exemplary insights on colour and decor trends. By researching the socio-cultural trends of the year and its influences on colour, design and lifestyle, ColourNext 2022 announces the most anticipated Colour of the Year - Transcendent Pink (Shade code - Clematis Pink N, K048) As per ColourNext's research, in 2022 the mood is to take challenges in our stride and remain undeterred. This sentiment is echoed in the Asian Paints Colour of the Year, Transcendent Pink, which celebrates fascinating changes and powerful transitions. With inputs from experts from a range of disciplines across architecture, art, interiors, fashion, sociology and more, ColourNext puts together a comprehensive forecast of trends in colours, materials, textures and finishes for those who design for the subcontinent at large. ColourNext trends have a far-reaching influence and are one of the foremost colour and decor trends forecast since 2003. The Colour of the Year - Transcendent Pink, (Clematis Pink N), has a mature transitional quality, comparable to our ever-expanding consciousness/sensibilities. A combination of blue and red, this greyish purple represents a mind that has the ability to blend new knowledge and old wisdom to harness both. A colour that encourages us to believe, arise and create anew. While 2021 was a year of major changes and lessons, 2022 is the year for taking everything in our stride and marching on. A time to break free from stigma and stereotypes and grow like a sapling through the surface of the earth. In keeping with the larger mood for 2022, Wallpaper of the Year - Lotus and Stilts - not only embraces transition but celebrates it. Like birds that adapt to the changing seasons, like a lotus that blooms in the most unlikely places. The natural scenery of the Nal Sarovar Lake and its migratory birds, are translated into the gorgeous patterns of the wallpaper. Bring home the soft healing power of nature Lotus and Stilts from the Nilaya Nal Sarovar collection. Speaking on ColourNext 2022, Amit Syngle, MD & CEO, Asian Paints Limited said, "Once you free yourself from traditional mindsets and open up to a new outlook and way of life, it's incredibly life-changing. ColourNext 2022 is all about embracing the new and translating that into decor spaces. The four new trends We/Us, Hope You're Well, Artify, and Solo Commerce hint towards unlocking a different reality through acceptance, empathy, confidence, community, support et al. Transcendent Pink, is surely going to inspire us all to rise from the ashes of the normal we once knew, to explore a whole new kaleidoscope of life." For consumers to design and re-decorate their spaces in line with the latest trends and colours, for the first time, Asian Paints has curated their own collection of decor, furniture and furnishings in line with the theme of ColourNext 2022 Colour of the Year. This specially curated collection of products are available for view and purchase on ColourNext website's shop page- www.colournext.asianpaints.com/shop. 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, ColourNext, and Kids' World. Asian Paints manufactures a wide range of paints for Decorative and Industrial use for interior and exterior walls. Their portfolio also includes SmartCare range for waterproofing, WoodTech products for wood finishes and Adhesives range for all surfaces. 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 and offers a range of safe and supervised painting and interior design services. 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 3 (ANI/GPRC): Conga, the global leader in scalable revenue lifecycle management solutions, today announced its expansion plans in India with a significant increase in its research and development investment. Conga has plans to recruit 300 employees over the next two years across India. With more than 725 employees on board, Conga India plays a critical role in Conga's growth, as it houses over 40 per cent of the global workforce. The R&D funding is being enhanced by 30 per cent and India will continue to be the Innovation Hub for Conga. Many of the most significant innovations and product engineering decisions are run out of India, with 75 per cent of Conga's total engineering team working out of India. Conga acquired a legal tech start-up Contract Wrangler in India last year. "With the majority of the product development team being from India, it places India at the forefront of the company's most important decisions and innovations," said Noel Goggin, CEO and Culture Leader at Conga. "After the two SaaS pioneers Conga and Apttus merged in 2020 to form a single entity as Conga, the number of customers has risen to more than 11,000 worldwide. We are pleased to state that the R&D funding is being increased by 30 per cent." "The pandemic has changed the dynamics of digital transformation worldwide. It was an awakening for businesses and increasingly more enterprises realised the potential of digital and the speed to value advantage that it offered. The overwhelming need for digital transformation became an accelerator for Conga," he added. The ratio of female employees at Conga has increased from 24 per cent to 32 per cent currently. There are a several initiatives for more in-depth and flexible programs targeted at attracting and retaining employees. Conga India owns and leads the entire product lifecycle, and it has offices across Ahmedabad, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai. Commenting on the expansion plans Ashish Shah, General Manager of India at Conga, said, "We have focused on hiring fresh graduates from colleges and providing them training to make them ready for our needs. Over the past year, we hired 110 recent graduates, and we plan to hire a similar number over the next 12 months." Further, he added, "It's a unique situation for a company of our size to have 100 percent of the leadership with greater than three years of tenure at Conga India, out of which 50 percent is greater than five years." For more information on opportunities with Conga India, please visit: https://conga.com/careers Conga crushes complexity within an increasingly complex world. With our revenue lifecycle management solution, we transform your unique complexities for order configuration, execution, fulfilment, and contract renewal processes with a single critical insights data model that adapts to ever-changing business requirements and aligns the understanding and efforts of every team. Our approach is grounded in the Conga Way, a framework of entrepreneurial spirit and achieving together to champion our 11,000+ customers. We are committed to our customers and to removing complexity in an increasingly complex world. Our solutions quickly adapt to changing business models so you can normalize your revenue operations. This story is provided by GPRC. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GPRC)
EU represents largest export market for Vietnamese clams

The EU is currently the nations largest clam export market with Vietnamese clam exports to the bloc increasing sharply amid growing demand and stable production of this product group locally.



This comes as demand for clams in the EU market continues to grow to become one of the main groups of seafood traded and consumed in the bloc.

Vietnamese clams have risen to have the fourth largest seafood export value to the EU market.





Most notably, the past year has seen the export of shelled molluscs to the EU market skyrocket by 37% to US$87 million due to clam exports surging by 42% to reach US$78 million.



Clams have risen to have the fourth largest seafood export value to the EU market. Of this, clam exports to the three largest markets in the bloc, including Spain, Italy, and Portugal, have all soared by between 38% and 44%.



Nguyen Nhu Tiep, director of the Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Control Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, assessed that the international market demand for bivalve molluscs is currently at a very high level. However, currently the clam harvest in the Vietnamese market has yet to meet the orders from the EU.



According to a representative of Oxfam Organization in Vietnam, valid Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certificate is viewed as a passport to ensure the development of safe seafood and is a protective trademark for local seafood products.



Therefore, in order to exploit the potential of the export market, along with supporting businesses to effectively approach buyers, Oxfam in Vietnam and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) have conveyed messages related to the goal of sustainable clam market development, in line with MSC standards.



Currently, the EU makes up the largest export market for Vietnamese clams, accounting for more than 70% of the total export volume, followed by the United States, Singapore, and Japan. Products manufactured in accordance to MSC standards to ensure food hygiene and safety can easily penetrate into supermarkets, high-class restaurants, or for exports to demanding markets such as the EU and Japan.



According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), increasing market demand coupled with stable clam production represent supportive factors for Vietnamese bivalve mollusk exports to the EU. In addition, tax incentives from the EUVietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) also partly help to promote the export of Vietnamese bivalve mollusk products to the EU.



Through the efforts of competent agencies in developing the raw material area to ensure consistently high-quality standards from the import market, it is expected that Vietnamese clam exports to the EU market will continue to enjoy impressive growth in the near future.
Nikki Tran of Washington, holds up a sign with pictures of Supreme Court Justices Thomas, Kavanaugh, Alito, Coney Barrett, and Gorsuch, as demonstrators protest outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on May 3, 2022, in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

State and local politicians and stakeholders for abortion rights reacted quickly late Monday to news that a draft opinion reportedly had been circulated among justices on the U.S. Supreme Court that would overturn abortion rights secured in the landmark Roe v. Wade case.

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker immediately took to Twitter, writing, Hell no! In Illinois, we trust women. We cannot let their most profound and personal rights be violated.

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Later, Pritzker said, Let me be clear: this has always been the GOPs ultimate goal. For a party that claims to be about freedom, Republicans cant wait to deprive millions of women the right to choose. As long as Im governor, Illinois will stay a beacon for reproductive freedom. We wont go back.

Let me be clear: this has always been the GOPs ultimate goal. For a party that claims to be about freedom, Republicans can't wait to deprive millions of women the right to choose.



As long as Im governor, Illinois will stay a beacon for reproductive freedom.



We wont go back. https://t.co/hynnxSSADN  JB Pritzker (@JBPritzker) May 3, 2022

The draft opinion, obtained and published by Politico, reported a majority of justices supported reversing the 1973 case earlier this year. The leak of such a document itself would be a rarest of occurrences at the level of the nations highest court.

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Colleen Connell, the ACLU of Illinois executive director called it extremely rare and extraordinary for a draft Supreme Court decision to be leaked. If this decision is supported by five justices, the Court will permit limits on the ability of millions of Americans to make the most fundamental decisions about their lives  including whether or when to have a child, who to love and who to marry.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat, said on Twitter that this is not final and the far-right Supreme Court majority will not have the last word. The American people will.

Tonight, its important we get loud, organize and demand action from the Senate, Duckworth wrote. Retweet if you agree its time to protect Roe v. Wade NOW.

[ [Dont miss] If Roe v. Wade is overturned, whats the impact on Illinois and its residents? ]

Mayor Lori Lightfoot also took to social media to voice her displeasure.

What were seeing tonight on Roe v. Wade is a horrendous attack on our fundamental right to choose, and we will fight against it with everything weve got, Lightfoot tweeted. You have my word: I will do everything I can to guarantee your right to an abortion.

What we're seeing tonight on Roe v. Wade is a horrendous attack on our fundamental right to choose, and we will fight against it with everything we've got. You have my word: I will do everything I can to guarantee your right to an abortion.  Lori Lightfoot (@LoriLightfoot) May 3, 2022

Lightfoot extended her comments in a statement, saying Roe v. Wade was a landmark decision that has paved the way for women in need of reproductive care to access safe abortions for decades and importantly, decide for themselves the circumstances under which they chose to bear children. If this draft opinion becomes the law of the land, women and their families will suffer, needlessly.

Lightfoot goes on to say that the decision to reverse Roe v. Wade will establish a precedent for gutting the legal underpinnings used to protect against gender-based discrimination overall including womens rights, trans rights, immigrant rights, and of course, the right to same-sex and interracial marriage.

[ [Dont miss] Nearly 10,000 women traveled from out of state to have an abortion in Illinois in 2020  a 29% increase ]

Chicago will continue to be a haven for those seeking access to the full range of safe reproductive care, Lightfoot said. We will also continue to fight in Chicago to protect the right to choose and will not stop fighting to protect this right in our surrounding counties and states. Do not let this setback be a lasting defeat. "

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Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle also posted a statement on Twitter, emphasizing how this is especially devastating ... for the low income Black and Brown women who will be disproportionately impacted.

Amy Gehrke, the executive director of Illinois Right to Life, said she had just learned of the Politico report minutes before receiving a call from a Tribune reporter.

My initial reaction is that this is absolutely despicable and shows that abortion activists will stop at absolutely nothing to protect Roe v. Wade, Gehrke said.

A decision that has been incredibly harmful to women and has led to deaths of 10s of millions of pre-born babies since 1973, she said. I saw it on the news and instantly my phone started blowing up.

[ [Dont miss] Abortion in Illinois: From outlawed herbs to cutthroat politics ]

Gehrke also noted the preliminary nature of such a document, wondering how the situation would ultimately play out.

Democratic members of Congress from Chicago and the nearby suburbs blasted a decision as being shortsighted and ignoring womens rights.

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Lets be clear  Republicans stole two Supreme Court seats to make this happen. The party of small government wants to control womens bodies, Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley of Chicago wrote on Twitter. This is utterly shameful but we can stop it. The Senate MUST end the filibuster and codify Roe.

Lets be clearRepublicans stole two Supreme Court seats to make this happen. The party of small government wants to control womens bodies.



This is utterly shameful but we can stop it. The Senate MUST end the filibuster and codify Roe. https://t.co/9nzcwHZaiW  Mike Quigley (@RepMikeQuigley) May 3, 2022

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson, who is also head of the Illinois Democratic Party, said on Twitter that the leaked SCOTUS opinion on Roe v Wade will set womens rights back generations.

Black women & those living in rural areas will be worst impacted. We must codify the right to safe abortions, Kelly added.

U.S. Rep Sean Casten of Downers Grove said voters need to put pro-choice majorities in the House and Senate this November and we fix this, permanently.

Scream tonight. Cry tonight. Get angry tonight, he wrote on Twitter. And tomorrow, get to work.

[ [Dont miss] With Roe v. Wade at risk, Illinois abortion providers open center to help out-of-state patients with travel and other resources ]

Castens opponent in the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Marie Newman, said on Twitter: This is heartbreaking but it sure as hell is not going to stop me from fighting for womens rights everywhere. We will march. We will vote. We will never stop fighting.

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This is heartbreaking but it sure as hell is not going to stop me from fighting for womens rights everywhere.



We will march. We will vote. We will never stop fighting.  Marie Newman (@Marie4Congress) May 3, 2022

Republicans generally applauded the report that the Supreme Court might overturn Roe v. Wade, though by Tuesday afternoon Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, who is running in the GOP primary for governor, had noticeably not reacted either in favor or against the apparent decision.

One of his Republican opponents, businessman Gary Rabine, on Twitter slammed Irvin as a pro-choice, fake Republican and applauded the reported draft ruling.

I am unapologetically pro-life, and I welcome the courts reversal of this long-standing precedent, Rabine said in an emailed statement. We must, as a state and a country, do all we can to protect the rights of the unborn.

First-term Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of Oakland, however, praised a ruling knocking down Roe.

Our Justices need your prayers to stand up to the radical abortion industry and Defend Life! she wrote on Twitter. The unborn have no voice to speak for themselves, we march for them and tonight we must pray for them!

Our Justices need your prayers to stand up to the radical abortion industry and Defend Life!



The unborn have no voice to speak for themselves, we march for them and tonight we must pray for them!  Mary Miller (@Miller_Congress) May 3, 2022

Jesse Sullivan, a cryptocurrency venture capitalist from Petersburg who is running for the GOP nomination for governor, said on Twitter that when he heard the news about the draft ruling, we dropped to our knees and said a prayer as a family in gratitude for all the lives that will be saved.

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Sullivan also took the opportunity to blast the incumbent Democratic governor and declare that under Pritzker Illinois will be the abortion destination capital of the Midwest. Making this race a matter of life and death. We must put an end to late-term, partial birth abortions. We must put an end to taxpayer funded abortions. We must bring back parental notification for minors.

When we heard the incredible news tonight we dropped to our knees and said a prayer as a family in gratitude for all the lives that will be saved. And then we said the pledge of allegiance. The flag looks different after this ruling - it shines even brighter.   Jesse Sullivan (@JesseSullivanIL) May 3, 2022

It is believed such a Supreme Court decision would essentially revert the footing of abortion law in the country back to the state level. Many Republican-controlled states already have passed trigger laws that would outlaw abortion in the wake of any such high court choice.

In Illinois, state lawmakers in recent years have acted to protect abortion rights and make the procedure more accessible.

In December, Pritkzer signed a measure to repeal a requirement that abortion providers notify the parents of minors seeking the procedure. In 2019, Pritzker signed into law legislation that established the fundamental right of women to have an abortion, and stated that a fertilized egg, embryo or fetus does not have independent rights.

In signing the 2019 bill, Pritzker said it is a preventive measure that ensures that womens rights do not hinge on the fate of Roe v. Wade, or the whims of an increasingly conservative supreme court in Washington.

Tribune reporter Rick Pearson contributed.
Confidence among India's small businesses remains high with an overwhelming majority of the SME executives expecting improvement in the second quarter of 2022 on most of the parameters including sales, capacity utilisation and hiring, according to an industry survey report released on Tuesday. As per ASSOCHAM-Dun & Bradstreet Small Business Confidence Index (SBCI), small businesses expect a strong revival in export demands. The index, which measures the level of optimism of small and medium businesses on key business parameters such as sales, employment, prices, inventory and investment, stood at 87 in the second quarter of 2022. An index value above 50 signals an improvement or increase in the forthcoming quarter compared to the same quarter in the previous year. All indicators suggest a likely expansion in economic growth during Q2 2022. "As is clear from the latest IMF World Economic Outlook, the Indian economy is projected to be the fastest-growing amongst the leading economies of the world. Our survey amongst the SMEs' executives clearly points towards significant contributions from the small businesses" said ASSOCHAM Secretary General Deepak Sood. "An important highlight of our survey is that the small businesses have gathered enough confidence to add to their workforce," he said. One of the primary findings of the ASSOCHAM-D&B SBCI survey is that export demand is projected to increase. The percentage of the SMEs expecting an increase in their net sales and new export orders stood at 77 and 86, respectively, suggesting export-led demand growth in Q2 2022. On the other hand, 75 per cent of SMEs expect an increase in their domestic orders, the survey report said. The high level of optimism on export orders could be a result of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that India signed with the United Arab Emirates and the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement with Australia, as well as the prospects of similar agreements with the UK and Canada in 2022 and 2023, said Avinash Gupta, Managing Director, Dun & Bradstreet India. These agreements are expected to boost India's export of agricultural products, footwear, gem & jewellery, leather, and textiles. Supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine crisis has improved India's export prospects of iron ore, iron & steel products, and wheat, he said. In addition, businesses are increasingly looking for alternate suppliers to de-risk their operations since the outbreak of COVID-19. Cost competitiveness makes India an attractive destination for sourcing. These factors will lend to India's export momentum in Q2 2022, Gupta added. On improved prospects for sales, businesses see an increase in their average capacity utilisation rate to 63 per cent in Q2 2022, up from 57 per cent in Q1 2022. An overwhelming 77 per cent of SMEs expect an increase in their new fixed capital investment, which is indicative of optimism for future demand. As many as 76 per cent of SMEs expect an increase in their workforce, even as they have to deal with the price pressure. 80 per cent of the SMEs expect raw material prices to increase, whereas 75 per cent see an upward revision in their selling prices. (ANI)
However, on a month-on-month basis exports have declined. In March 2022 India's merchandise exports stood at USD 42.22 billion. It fell to USD 38.19 billion in April.

The value of non-petroleum exports in April 2022 was USD 30.46 billion, registering a growth of 12.32 per cent over non-petroleum exports of USD 27.12 billion in April 2021, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Petroleum products (113.21 per cent), Electronic goods (64.04 per cent) and Chemicals (26.71 per cent) led the way in high increase in exports during April 2022.

India's merchandise imports in April 2022 rose to USD 58.26 billion from USD 46.04 billion recorded in April 2021, posting year-on-year growth of 26.55 per cent.

The trade deficit in April 2022 widened to USD 20.07 billion from USD 15.29 billion recorded in the same month last year posting an increase of 31.23 per cent.

The value of non-petroleum imports was USD 38.75 billion in April 2022 with a positive growth of 9.87 per cent over non-petroleum imports of USD 35.27 billion in April 2021.

The value of non-oil, non-GJ (gold, silver & Precious metals) imports was USD 34.43 billion in April 2022 with a positive growth of 29.68 per cent over non-oil and non-GJ imports of USD 26.55 billion in April 2021.

Despite geo-political challenges, the engineering goods export has continued the growth momentum set in the last financial year. Exports of engineering items in value terms stayed above USD 9 billion in April 2022 and recorded 15 per cent year-on-year growth.

This clearly shows India is gradually moving towards becoming a manufacturing powerhouse in the world, EEPC India Chairman Mahesh Desai said.

"While the trade deals with UAE and Australia are expected to give a boost to the sector, the proposed free trade pacts with other countries like UK and Canada would further give impetus to exports from India," Desai said. (ANI)
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Bhubaneswar said on Tuesday it has frozen four accounts of Mahagram Payments Pvt Ltd, having deposits of Rs 6.57 crore, in an illegal digital lending case. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Bhubaneswar said it had received a series of complaints from victims and the Reserve Bank of India relating to illegal functioning of loan apps which are not registered as NBFC under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act. EOW took up investigation in respect of one such loan app "KOKO". This also has a sister/ related version called "JOJO". More than 1.5 lakh people have downloaded this app including many from Odisha. During the investigation, it is ascertained that these fake loan apps once downloaded in one's mobile Playstore, small amounts ranging from 3000-5000 is credited through link or through UPI to the customers' Bank account. Once the amount is credited to the customer's Bank account, within a week the customer is asked to repay the amount along with an excessive rate of interest, the Economic Offences Wing said in a statement. On denial to pay the high rate of interest, the concerned customer is humiliated in many ways. Obscene messages and indecent pictures along with abusive texts are sent to their WhatsApp number and as well as to their contact lists. During further investigation, it was ascertained that the victims who had downloaded KOKO loan App from the Playstore were credited small amounts from one company named Mahagram Payments Private Ltd which is not registered with RBI as an NBFC. The accused company through its recovery agents placed WhatsApp and live calls to the victims humiliating/ abusing them with foul language to return the money with upto 5 times rate of interest within a week. The accused company credited the said amount but collected the refunded amount from the victims through one of its customer firms namely IWT India, Gurugram. All the said transactions were made using many layers to avoid/confuse the police/ law enforcement agencies. In this regard, as the first step to prevent further extortion and illegal money lending by the said accused company and its customer IWT India, EOW has frozen an amount of Rs 6.57 crore in different account of accused company, the EOW said. "As this company/ App has used many complicated and technical layers/ routes in order to evade detection and confuse police, we are taking help of technical experts/ bank officials/ chartered accountant etc. Three special teams of EOW are working on this case in different states like Maharashtra, Bihar, UP and New Delhi. We are also in touch with Telangana/ Hyderabad police," the agency said. (ANI)
Celebrating his tradition of meeting his fans on Eid, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan struck his iconic pose for the thousands of his fans gathering outside his residence 'Mannat' in Mumbai. King Khan waved and posed for the fans gathered in front of his house where people were waiting to get a glimpse of their favorite star who has been playing larger-than-life characters in his films. Waiting for hours to see Shah Rukh climb up the gate and strike his iconic pose, his fans finally got their 'Eidi' in form of the actor making a special appearance for his ever-patient fans. Wishing his fans on Twitter, Shah Rukh wrote, "How lovely to meet you all on Eid.... May Allah bless you with love happiness and may the best of your past be the worst of your future. Eid Mubarak!!" The actor can be seen wearing a purple-shade t-shirt paired with light blue denim jeans, and classy black sunglasses, clicking a selfie with thousands of his loyal fans. SRK's tweet came after several celebrities like Kareena Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Dia Mirza and others, took to social media to wish their fans on the special occasion of Eid. Coming to the work front, Shah Rukh Khan will finally make his Bollywood comeback after 4 years with 'Pathaan' releasing on January 25, 2023. Other than this, SRK has also confirmed his next with Rajkumar Hirani titled 'Dunki' which is to be released on December 23, 2023. (ANI)
The I&B Minister met and interacted with several renowned representatives of the Kannada film industry.

Thakur, who has an affinity for film and cinema, had previously inaugurated the 52nd International Film Festival of India in Goa last year.

The I&B minister, in his inaugural address at the festival, said, "We aim to make India a powerhouse of content creation, especially regional cinema by scaling up regional festivals. We aim to make India the post production hub for the world, by leveraging the immense tech talent amongst our skilled youth. We aim to make India the hub for world cinema. A destination for flicksand festivals and the most favoured place for filmmakers and film lovers."

Prior to meeting the Kannada film industry representatives, Anurag Thakur, attended the closing ceremony of 'Khelo India University Games 2021,' along with Union Minister Amit Shah. (ANI)
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. --IANS ms/vd ( 359 Words) 2022-05-02-20:56:06 (IANS)
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.

--IANS sq/vd

( 110 Words)

2022-05-02-20:58:03 (IANS)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Lok Sabha MP Tejasvi Surya, and Bharatiya Janata Party National Secretary CT Ravi are among the dignitaries who welcomed the Union minister at HAL airport on his arrival in Bengaluru.

Union Home Minister is likely to discuss state cabinet expansion with the Chief Minister during his visit.

"Amit Shah is likely to visit Bengaluru on May 3 and I would try to use the opportunity to seek an audience to discuss cabinet expansion," Bommai said earlier.

Meanwhile, Minister of Cooperation Shah will inaugurate Nrupathunga University and NATGRID campus during his day-long engagement in various public events in Bengaluru.

The Home Minister is likely to start his day by paying tributes to Sri Basavanna on Basava Jayanthi at 10 am in the city's Basaveshwar Circle.

Then he will lay the foundation stone of Nrupathunga University, formerly called Government Science College.

The college was established by the erstwhile Mysore Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. From an undergraduate college, it started teaching postgraduate courses with a research programme and later received university status in 2020.

At the event, the Home Minister will participate in the e-inauguration of the forensic science laboratory in Bellari and later launch the E-Beat App.

At the noon, the Home Minister will inaugurate the Bengaluru NATGRID Campus in the city's Sathnur village.

At an event organized at 5.30 pm in Sree Kantheerava Outdoor Stadium, the Home Minister will participate in the closing ceremony of the Khelo India University Games-2021. (ANI)
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.

--IANS niv/pgh

( 253 Words)

2022-05-02-21:52:06 (IANS)
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. --IANS avr/arm ( 283 Words) 2022-05-02-22:19:00 (IANS)
No, youre not imagining those 10-foot-high insect clouds hovering near Lake Michigan, each teeming with thousands of mosquito look-alikes.

Chicago, weve got midges.

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They dont bite, they dont harm humans, and they emerge from lakes, streams and puddles every year like clockwork, but the cold gray spring of 2022 has spawned  wouldnt you know it?  a noticeable population surge.

Chicagoans report swallowing midges on lakeside runs, picking them off their window screens and driving with open car windows to air out the interlopers.

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I felt like I was in a plague, said Peggy Stenger, of the Printers Row neighborhood, who didnt realize she had parked in a midge swarm until her windshield was covered in insects.

A cloud of midges, dark-colored mosquito-sized insects, swarm May 2, 2022, near Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in Chicago. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Its unclear exactly why this is such a good year for midges, according to Allen Lawrance, an associate curator of entomology at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, who noted he was speaking from an office with a window screen covered in  you guessed it  midges. Midge populations can be affected by weather, climate, disease and predators.

This year were seeing a pretty big outbreak, Lawrance said.

Midges serve an important role in local ecosystems: Their arrival coincides with the peak of spring songbird migration and they provide food for a wide range of birds, including flycatchers, warblers, sparrows, blackbirds and vireos.

In one of the more spectacular midge-related phenomena of 2022, birders from the South Side to Evanston have seen swallows swarming by the hundreds to catch midges in midair.

It looked like a tornado of swallows, said Kat Jercich, a writer and editor who saw swallows feeding on midges at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary.

In a phone interview from his deck in Evanston, Josh Engel, a professional birding tour leader, said he could see a cloud of thousands of midges hovering even as he spoke. He estimated that hes seen millions over the last few days.

Its a really neat natural history phenomenon that we get to witness around here, he said.

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As for the seemingly infinite number of midges that covered railings at a Northwestern University parking lot during Engels recent visit: It was pretty cool to see  a little disturbing, but cool.

Theres a reason midges are found near the lake. Females lay eggs near water, and the larvae actually live on the bottoms of lakes, rivers  even puddles. Like butterflies, midges go through a complete metamorphosis, Lawrance said, emerging from a pupal phase before the adult flies away.

Swallows fly to catch the midges near Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary on May 2, 2022. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Midges can grow in saltwater and in areas with pollution and poor water quality. While they are seen mostly in summer in this region, there are some species that can fly in winter.

Theres even a species that lives in Antarctica  so theyre pretty hardy creatures, Lawrance said.

For midges, swarming in big clouds is actually a mating behavior; the males emerge a little earlier than the females and start to gather. Females fly into the swarms and mate with the males.

Midges only live about three to 11 days, and Lawrence expects that the current population surge will die down in about 10 days, with more midges arriving over the course of spring and summer.

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I cant necessarily say were going to see another emergence this big  I think the conditions are kind of right (at the moment), he said.

Jercich, a Rogers Park resident who birds and runs along the lake, has seen remarks about the midges on social media, many of them along the lines of Oh man, Im really eating bugs today.

People are definitely chatting about them  its the talk of the town, she said.

Its not ideal to run headlong into a cloud of insects with your mouth open, she said, but she is happy the birds have an abundant food source and grateful for a sign that winter is on the wane.

If the midges are here, can warmer temperatures be far behind?

nschoenberg@chicagotribune.com
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. --IANS niv/arm ( 272 Words) 2022-05-02-22:30:05 (IANS)
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. --IANS src/arm ( 337 Words) 2022-05-02-23:12:02 (IANS)
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. --IANS sc/pgh ( 578 Words) 2022-05-02-23:18:01 (IANS)
The security forces on Monday nabbed an associate of the proscribed terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba/The Resistance Front while he was trying to flee from a checkpoint in Rabitar village of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. "During joint Naka by Ganderbal Police along with Army's 24 Rashtriya Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force was laid at village Rabitar during checking a white Scorpio has been spotted coming from Dab Wakoora tried to take a u-turn and run away," said the police. The security forces nabbed the driver and searched the vehicle from which a huge quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered. While the forces were searching the vehicle, they resisted and tried to run away but the search party managed to get hold of him again 'tactfully'. "(Security forces) managed to halt the said Scorpio and the driver was taken off and was searched during search 10 ak live Rds were recovered from his possession, in the meantime said driver resisted and assaulted searching party, however searching party managed to hold him tactically, subsequently search of the car was made and 15 more AK live rds and an AK Mag were recovered from the dashboard of the Scorpio," police said. During the preliminary inquiry, the driver has been identified as Lateaf Ah Kambay, a resident of Wakura village in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. "He (driver) disclosed his association with banned terrorist organisation LeT/TRF," police said. A case has been registered in Ganderbal Police Station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A probe into the matter has begun. (ANI)
Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University on Monday said he will not allow Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to conduct a physical interaction with the students in the university premises after Telangana High Court asked him to take a decision on the matter. "Our decision not to allow Rahul Gandhi into University premises will be the same. He will not be allowed to conduct any face-to-face interaction with students. The decision taken earlier will be the same," VC Ravinder Yadav said. In the plea filed by some students seeking a direction to the Vice-Chancellor to accord permission for Rahul Gandhi's event, Telangana High Court asked the VC to consider the plea of students and take a decision. "The HC passed an order asking VC to consider the requisition filed by the Congress leaders... The administration has submitted an order from Osmania University stating that there can be a Law and Order problem since NGOS polls scheduled, PG and MBA exams are scheduled. Also, there is a resolution passed by varsity executive counsel in 2021 to not allow any political events inside the premises and that was the reason permission to Rahul Gandhi event was denied," said Advocate Karunakar Reddy, Counsel of Congress leader Manvata Roy. Earlier on Monday, Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy said that Rahul Gandhi will meet the members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) 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'. 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)
As the devotees across the country celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, President Ram Nath Kovind and a number of political leaders extended wishes on the occasion. Taking to Twitter, Rashtrapati Bhavan, on behalf of President Ram Nath Kovind, wished all "Eid Mubarak" and requested Indians to pledge to serve humanity. "Eid Mubarak to all countrymen, especially Muslim brothers and sisters! Celebrated after the holy month of Ramzan, this festival is a holy occasion to strengthen brotherhood and harmony in society. On this holy occasion, let us all take a pledge to serve humanity and improve the lives of the needy," Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted. While extending wishes on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said that the festival is the celebration of sincere devotion, charity and gratitude to the Almighty. "My heartiest greetings on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, Eid-Ul-Fitr is the celebration of sincere devotion, charity and gratitude to the Almighty. EidMubarak," he tweeted. Naidu further added that he hopes that the festival will strengthen the spirit of generosity and bring people closer to one another, binding them in friendship, brotherhood, love and mutual respect. "May the pious and noble ideals associated with EidUlFitr enrich our lives with peace, harmony and happiness." The BJP national president JP Nadda wished all on the Eid-ul-Fitr and prayed that the occasion brings with it happiness and prosperity. "Best wishes to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. May this occasion brings with it loads of happiness and prosperity in the lives of all our people," he tweeted. Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "Eid-ul-Fitr Mubarak with prayers for good health and well being of all." Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also took to Twitter to extend wishes, and said, "Happy Eid! May this joyous festival of Eid-ul-Fitr encourage brotherhood, harmony, social unity and peace in the society. Come, share happiness with all of us on this day, pray for happiness and prosperity for all." With the sighting of the crescent moon yesterday, 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. "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. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also wished all on Eid-ul-Fitr. "Greetings to you on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. May this festival sharing the message of righteousness, love and brotherhood and the sweetness of vermicelli bring lots of happiness in your life," she tweeted. Meanwhile, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had wished "Eid Mubarak!" yesterday, after the crescent moon was sighted. "May this auspicious festival usher in the spirit of love, and unite us all in the bond of brotherhood and harmony," he added. 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 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)
A case has been registered against an independent MLA Saryu Roy in the matter linked to his allegations against Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta of misusing COVID-19 funds. Ranchi Police informed that an FIR has been filed against Roy under Official Secrets Act and Section 409/379/411/120B and 420 of the IPC at Doranda Police Station on the complaint of the State Health Department. On April 13, Roy had written a letter to Chief Minister Hemant Soren demanding action against the Health Minister accusing him of illegally taking huge financial incentives in the form of a salary for 60 persons in the health minister's cell including himself, his personal assistant and other staff. Following these allegations, Gupta had sent a legal notice to Roy through his advocate demanding an unconditional apology within three days from the date of receipt of the notice, "or be ready to face legal consequences for tarnishing the image". In the legal notice, Gupta called the allegation "false and baseless news" and demanded an unconditional public apology. In response, Roy had issued a statement saying that the notice is not worth replying to. "Let him initiate legal proceedings against me," Roy said. Further, the health minister also announced not to take the incentive amount for this cell. "I am holding a constitutional position and having a public life is my duty. I have decided to cancel the incentive amount on moral grounds and distribute it among those who need it the most," Gupta had said. Jharkhand cabinet had approved the proposals regarding giving one-month extra salary to health department workers and corona warriors who had worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANI)
The Army on Monday launched an online show to provide a platform and exposure to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and also to inspire them. The Indian Army along with the team of Josh Talks has been motivating the youth to share their life experience in a short video that is uploaded to YouTube to encourage others. According to the Lt.Gen D P Panday, the General Officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army, there are many youngsters who have done extremely well, inspite of the circumstances and have fought different battles to emerge as achievers. "I thought it is very important for their stories to be heard across, not only in the country and the world, but also in Kashmir for the people to be inspired that while there is on the one side, the incorrect narratives is been run, yet these young men and women have broken the shackles to achieve what they've achieved for themselves, society, and the country," said D P Panday. The Lt General informed that many stories have been recorded and uploaded to the platform and have got over a million hits. One of the participants Wajahat Farooq, who was earlier a stone pelter, said "It is a platform where one can speak about what matters, talk about the achievements and tell their life story to the world." "We had never gotten such an opportunity to express and talk about our life, so we are thankful for the Chinar Corps, Indian Army for making us coordinate with them (Josh Talks), where we could speak about our matters," Farooq added. Another participant, Sajid Yousif, said the Josh Talks is the Indian version of TedX, where achievers were felicitated and people, who made India and Kashmir proud, came forward and spoke about their experiences. "The army has always been on the forefront to provide a platform to the Kashmiri youths. And it seems that the gap between them and the youth has been significantly reduced, as the Army keeps on supporting the youth," said Yousif. Rather Mehraj, who has been designated as the best Sarpanch of Jammu and Kashmir stated that it was because of the Army that he has become a role model today. He said, "The Army has supported me throughout; whenever I faced any difficulty as a Sarpanch." (ANI)
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn starrer 'Runway 34' created a stir among the 'pilot community' of the country, with the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) stating that the film is based on the unrealistic portrayal. The FIP Secretary Captain CS Randhawa on Tuesday issued a statement, slamming the film 'Runway 34'. "The profession of airline pilots has been unrealistically portrayed in the movie and may create apprehensions in the minds of fliers," Captain Randhawa said. "While we all enjoy being entertained and appreciate the artistic licence of a movie director, a thrilling tale should not be perceived as a true depiction of the extraordinary professionalism among airline pilots who fly thousands of flights every day responsibly and safely without incident and fanfare," FIP said in a statement. The federation rejected the claims of the film being based on a true incident. "It is reiterated that the character in the movie does not accurately represent our profession and that the industry has a zero-tolerance policy towards deviant behaviour and substance abuse. Our pilots are committed to abide by the highest standards of professionalism to honour the trust reposed in us by our employers, the aviation regulator and the public at large," the FIP statement read. Ajay Devgn, Rakul Preet Singh and Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Runway 34' is getting a good response from the audience. The film is claimed to be based on a real-life incident. But the federation said that it is not aware of the reality portrayed in the film. "There are more than eight thousand pilots in India who embody the highest possible standards of accountability, training and professionalism. The skills of every pilot are honed to a degree rarely seen in any industry. These standards are borne out every day, as pilots are entrusted with the lives of millions of passengers and expensive equipment around the world," the Federation of Indian Pilots said. 'Runway 34' is a story based on a flight from Doha to Kochi, that had crash-landed due to poor visibility in August 2015, killing several passengers. (ANI)
Speaking to the media here, Kumar expressed happiness that after two years of the COVID pandemic, a larger number of people were able to offer namaz on Eid.

"For two years, people could not come here due to COVID; I am glad that again on Eid, a large number of people have come here. May Bihar and the country move forward and the brotherhood stays," the Chief Minister said.

On April 22, the Janata Dal (United) leader attended an Iftar party organized at the residence of former Bihar CM and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Rabri Devi in Patna.

The Chief Minister's presence at the Iftar party came at a time when enough indications are there of a rift in the NDA government in Bihar after the RJD's victory in the Bochahan bypoll.

Nitish Kumar attended the Iftar party of RJD after a gap of five years. In 2017, Nitish left Bihar's Grand Alliance to become an ally of the BJP.

Throughout the loudspeaker row too, Nitish Kumar has maintained a clear stand that his government will "never indulge in such politics or interfere in any religion".

"Everyone's aware of our view, we never do any sort of interference in any religion," he had said. (ANI)
The Chicago Board of Education is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit by the former principal of Marine Leadership Academy, who was fired in November, near the end of a two-year investigation into sexual misconduct allegations at the Logan Square military school.

Erin Galfer  whom Chicago Public Schools officials said failed to report several instances of prohibited conduct between adults and students at Marine Leadership Academy  filed a suit in February against the Chicago Board of Education, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, CPS Inspector General Will Fletcher and CPS Title IX Officer Camie Pratt.

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In her suit, Galfer describes herself as a scapegoat for the boards widespread failure to protect CPS students from sexual predators and a victim of a CPS campaign of lies and deflection about its knowledge and culpability.

Galfer says she was fired without the opportunity to rebut the allegations against her, and she was portrayed in a false light. Her claims include defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

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Chicago's Marine Leadership Academy on May 2, 2022. The Chicago Board of Education is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Erin Galfer, former principal of the academy, who was fired near the end of an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations at the school. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

In their response to the suit, attorneys for the Board of Education on Friday denied most of Galfers allegations and asked a judge to rule in the boards favor and award it attorneys fees.

Galfers attorney, Jonathan Karmel, declined to comment Friday beyond whats in the suit. A CPS spokeswoman said the district does not comment on ongoing litigation.

A longtime CPS employee, Galfer said in her suit she became principal in 2015 of Marine Leadership Academy, which serves grades 7-12. Last summer she was promoted to deputy chief of the CPS Office of College and Career Success, and she became acting chief of that office in August 2021.

Weeks later, on Nov. 2, Galfer was called to a meeting with Maurice Swinney, who was CPS interim chief education officer at the time, and Lauren Clair-McClellan, then CPS acting chief talent officer, according to the suit. Swinney asked Galfer to resign or face other issues based on a forthcoming CPS inspector general report, but did not give any specific reason for the demand she resign, the suit stated. Galfer said she refused to resign.

In its Friday response to the suit, the board admitted the Nov. 2 meeting between Swinney, Clair-McClellan and Galfer took place, but disputed Galfers characterization of the conversation. The meeting was to discuss her employment options in light of several investigations involving Marine Leadership Academy, according to the filing. Swinney has since left CPS, while Clair-McClellan is the chief talent officer.

Galfer said in her suit she was told at a Nov. 5 meeting she was fired, but she was not provided any facts or a reason for (her) discharge.

A termination letter she received later that day informed her the CPS inspector general identified serious concerns about systemic failures by former Marine Leadership Academy (MLA) administrators, including you, to properly report, respond and take further action to prevent sexual misconduct, to remedy a toxic and unsafe school environment, and to properly train MLA employees and military personnel to report such allegations, according to the suit. A do not hire designation was placed on her file.

On Nov. 19, Martinez held a news conference outlining the misconduct allegations against multiple Marine Leadership staff members. In her suit, Galfer calls several of Martinezs news conference comments false, including one in which he said Galfer was fired because she was one of the employees who failed to report misconduct.

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In her suit, Galfer maintains that she reported all incidents of sexual misconduct at (Marine Leadership) she was aware of, and in accordance with the policies and protocols in place at the time. In its Friday response, the board denied that statement is true.

The inspector generals office released a summary of the Marine Leadership allegations on Nov. 19 and a report on Dec. 23 at the conclusion of its investigation. The OIG said the investigation began in April 2019 when it received complaints that two staff members had allegedly engaged in sexual abuse of students at the school. The OIG said it provided a list on April 4, 2019 to stakeholder departments within CPS of employees, including the principal, who were alleged to have known about the abuse and failed to report.

The OIG investigation in December said it substantiated allegations against 13 people, including three adults at Marine Leadership Academy found to have engaged in sexual misconduct and seven who were found to have failed to report potential misconduct in a timely manner or at all.

The former principal of Marine Leadership Academy in Chicago has sued the Chicago Board of Education. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Galfer wasnt named in either of the OIG reports, but the Marine Leadership principal is referred to as Subject F.

The inspector generals investigation found Subject F failed to report several instances of prohibited conduct. The December report continued: Subject F also contributed to a dysfunctional and divisive environment, which played a role in whether (Marine Leadership) staff members reported violations of CPS policies at all and how the reporting was handled (or mishandled).

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In one case, Subject F is accused of knowing, but not reporting, that a student changed clothes in a teachers classroom while they were alone and the door was closed. Subject F had warned this teacher about spending time alone with students in his classroom as early as 2017, the OIG said.

In another case, Subject F is accused of knowing about prohibited conduct for more than six months but only reporting it 15 minutes after a Department of Children and Family Services investigator made an unannounced visit to the school. In her suit, Galfer said these statements are false.

The inspector generals office also accused Subject F of violating the CPS volunteer policy by failing to ensure that an adult identified as Subject K had completed a fingerprinting and background check before he was allowed to engage with Marine Leadership students.

Subject K had numerous interactions with students alone and outside of school, including calling and texting students, taking students to meals, and going for walks with students, but was not found to have groomed any students, according to the OIG.

In her suit, Galfer said CPS previously investigated the background check claim and found she believed Subject K was properly cleared to be in the building for the 2019-2020 school year. Galfer said in her suit CPS determined on June 15, 2020 that no disciplinary action would be taken against her in that matter. In its Friday filing, the board confirmed it decided in June 2020 not to take formal disciplinary action against Galfer with regards to that incident.

Galfer said in her suit false statements by the boards high-ranking employees caused her severe emotional distress and destroyed her ability to secure employment both within and outside of CPS.

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She is seeking her job back, lost wages, mental and emotional damages, other damages and attorneys fees. She is requesting a jury trial. A case status report is due to the court on May 13.

tswartz@tribpub.com
The viral video of the former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in which he's seen at a nightclub in Kathmandu set off a political slugfest on Tuesday. While the BJP leaders grabbed the opportunity to hit out at Rahul Gandhi, Congress sharply reacted and said "it has still not become a crime in this country to attend a marriage celebration". "Rahul Gandhi went to a friendly country, Nepal, to participate in a marriage function of a friend who also happens to be a journalist. It has still not become a crime in this country to attend a marriage. Maybe after today, the BJP may decide (if) it is illegal to attend a marriage and a crime to have friends," said Randeep Singh Surjewala, the Congress media department head. The BJP, incidentally, took potshot at the Rahul Gandhi by referring to the "leadership crisis" in the Opposition outfit. Congress had been in an intense discussion with the poll strategist Prashant Kishor over revamping the organisation. However, Kishor opted out of the exercise. Woes for the Congress refuse to die down as the party's working president in the poll-bound Gujarat Hardik Patel on Monday removed the name of the organisation from his Twitter profile. The BJP leader and Bihar Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain took a jibe at the Wayanad MP, saying "he's busy in parties than running his own political party". "Nothing can stop Rahul Gandhi from doing parties. He is more involved in parties, rather than running his own party. We work for our political parties, but he attends parties," Hussain said. Rahul Gandhi, who is in Kathmandu, reportedly attended the wedding of a friend a day ago. Surjewala sought to counter the BJP, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi too had visited Lahore to attend a marriage function when Nawaz Sharif was the Prime Minister in 2015. "Rahul Gandhi has not gone to Nepal to cut Nawaz Sharif's cake, uninvited like PM Modi," said Surjewala. Meanwhile, Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore said that everyone attends private functions, so "what is wrong if Rahul Gandhi attends it?". Earlier, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had called Rahul Gandhi a "full-time tourist and a part-time politician, who is filled with hypocrisy", while reacting to the viral video. According to a report in Kathmandu Post, Rahul Gandhi had landed in Nepal's capital city on Monday afternoon. The daily cited Bhim Udas, former Nepali ambassador to Myanmar, as saying that he had extended an invitation to Rahul Gandhi to attend the wedding of his daughter. Udas's daughter Sumnima, a former CNN correspondent, is getting married to Nima Martin Sherpa, according to the Nepali publication. Kathmandu Post report said that in August 2018, Rahul Gandhi had visited Kathmandu on his way to Kailash Mansarovar. However, there is no independent authentication of the contents of the viral video. (ANI)
Addressing a press conference, Kotwal said, "I was very upset with the party I was working for. The society I come from. The Congress pretends to be within the tribal society."

Asserting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'development man', he said "Modi is a development man and the country could never get such a development-oriented man. He has travelled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and has made development in Gujarat's Umargam village to Ambaji."

"When Modi Saheb talked to me in 2007, he said that all the tribal brothers should have a house in the tribal area," he added.

He asserted that the BJP needs good men in politics and the ones who would stay and perform good deeds for society.

Kotwal had accused Congress of working by deceiving the Congress and refuted the allegations of the Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal that stated that Gujarat has a failed Education system. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday appealed to people to contribute to the humanitarian relief material to be sent to the people of Sri Lanka in their economic crisis situation. Earlier on Monday, 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 a severe economic crisis. 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. Taking to Twitter, Stalin had written, "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 had 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 had noted the state government can direct TN Chief Secretary to coordinate with the Centre for supplying the relief material. The EAM had 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)
A new study by scientists at the University of Utah explains how mom and dad's genes shape behaviour. Each parent has a unique influence on hormones and other chemical messengers that control mood and behaviour. The findings of the research were published in the journal 'Cell Reports'. Parenting is not the only way moms and dads impact the behaviour of their offspring. Genes matter, too. And although most of our genes are inherited in pairs, one copy from each parent, moms and dads exert their genetic influence in different ways. "We're really intrigued that there is this untapped area of biology that controls our decisions," said Christopher Gregg, PhD, principal investigator and associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology. A clearer picture of the genetic factors that shape behaviour is a crucial step toward developing better diagnoses and treatments for psychiatric disorders, he said. Gregg's research team reports that certain groups of cells in the brains of mice rely exclusively on the mother's copy of a gene that is needed to produce essential chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters. In those cells, the father's copy of the gene remains switched off. However, in a different organ, the adrenal gland, certain cells favour the father's copy of the same gene. There, the gene is involved in producing the stress hormone, adrenaline. After identifying this unexpected switch in parental control of a single gene, Gregg's team went on to demonstrate that it had consequences for behaviour found that each parent's gene affected sons and daughters differently: certain decisions in sons were controlled by their mother's gene, whereas fathers had control over some decision-making in daughters. Evolutionarily speaking, this form of genetic regulation may reflect different parental priorities, Gregg says. "Not everybody has the same sort of interests, outcomes, and selective effects," he explained. "Daughters need to rear litters. Sons often disperse and will go to new environments." Consequently, it may be in parents' interest to influence behaviour differently in their sons and daughters. "The revelation that maternal and paternal alleles of the same gene along the brain-adrenal axis could have disparate, or possibly even antagonistic, phenotypic consequences on behaviour is an intriguing observation," said the paper's first author, Paul Bonthuis, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Comparative Biosciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "The brain-adrenal axis is a very important part of mammalian biology that controls behaviour and affects stress, mood, metabolism and decision-making," Gregg explained. He said that this finding is a first step toward understanding how a parent's genes may affect more routine behaviours and related health conditions in people, from mental illnesses and addiction to cancer and Alzheimer's disease. (ANI)
Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his viral video, BJP MP Rajyavardhan Rathore on Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi of doing 'part-time politics'. The BJP MP also slammed the Congress government in Rajasthan calling it 'useless.' Speaking to ANI, Rathore said, "Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra do part-time politics. Rajasthan govt is useless. Do as many press conferences or give as many justifications about his (Rahul Gandhi) partying as you want, why is your govt not working on its responsibilities?" Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was seen in a viral video at a nightclub in Kathmandu. The viral video seemingly has a discotheque as its background with people around him seen consuming liquor. The viral video has come at a time when Congress is seen to be in deep leadership crisis, with the party's bid to onboard the poll strategist Prashant Kishor having failed. The BJP leader further said that the law and order situation is deteriorating in Rajasthan and a bad example is presented of appeasement. "Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is also the Home Minister of the state and police administration comes under him. Despite this, such a kind of appeasement is happening. In the Karauli incident, police have the information of the incident, but no steps were taken to maintain peace, and the Chief Minister is justifying the incident by saying that 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans were raised. Why did the Jodhpur incident happen?" he said. Further slamming the Congress Government in Rajasthan, Rathore alleged that 18 rapes happen in Rajasthan every day and the state is number one in the oppression of women. He further said that the only motive of Ashok Gehlot is to be in power. "He only wants to keep his chair safe and that's the only motive he has, then who will protect the citizens? Rajasthan government has failed completely. Congress will be wiped out and BJP is coming to power because they are serving the people," he added. Rathore's statements come in the backdrop of tensions in Rajasthan's Jodhpur following the imposition of Section 144 as clashes erupted after Eid prayers on Tuesday morning. Jodhpur district administration also suspended all mobile internet services in Jodhpur district from 1 am today as a precautionary measure. (ANI)
Mumbai Police seized loudspeakers from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) office and detained the party's Chandivali unit president Mahendra Bhanushali and others on Tuesday. The action has been done in the wake of the loudspeakers row that started when the MNS chief Raj Thackeray on April 12, gave an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government seeking the removal of loudspeakers from mosques by May 3, failing which, he warned, MNS workers will play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers. Meanwhile, Police registered a case against Raj Thackeray on Tuesday over his speech at a rally in Aurangabad hed on May 1. Amid the ongoing political row over the use of loudspeakers at mosques, Raj Thackeray had on Sunday 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. "Today is the first day of Maharashtra (Maharashtra Day). I will not listen from the fourth 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 a gathering at Sanskrutik Mandal Maidan in Aurangabad. He also announced that he will hold more rallies in Marathwada, Vidarbha and other cities as well. MNS general secretary Nayan Kadam on Tuesday slammed Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and said playing Hanuman Chalisa is not a crime. "Playing Hanuman Chalisa is not a crime. You should not arrest anyone on the bases of playing Hanuman Chalisa. What do you expect from them (the Maharashtra government)? This is not the Balasaheb Thackeray's government. They are the Pakistani government. If Hanuman Chalisa is a problem and you make an arrest on this, then you are the Pakistani government," Kadam told media persons. Asked what if the MNS chief is arrested, Kadam said, "This is the Pakistani government. If they come to arrest Raj Thackeray then we will show what we can do." Earlier on Tuesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ordered the Police not to wait for anyone's permission to maintain the law and order situation in the state. Thackeray held a meeting with Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil on Tuesday to review the law and order situation in the state considering the prevailing situation. Chief Minister ordered that Police should take all measures to maintain law and order and not wait for anyone's order. Thackeray further held a telephonic conversation with the Maharashtra DGP Rajnish Seth. (ANI)
Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday held a meeting with officials in Wayanad - the constituency represented by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi - to review the implementation of welfare works and schemes of the central government. "In the aspirational district of Wayanad today, chaired a meeting with officials to review the implementation of welfare works and schemes of Central Government," Irani said in a tweet. The Union Women and Child Development Minister also visited Varadoor Anganwadi Centre developed by a Central Government PSU as part of its CSR activities in Kaniyambetta Gram Panchayat of Wayanad district. She also spent time with children at Ponnada Anganwadi Centre in Kalpetta, Wayanad and interacted with tribal families of Maravayal and Ambalachal areas in Wayanad. Irani's visit to Wayanad comes when Rahul Gandhi visited Nepal to "attend a wedding". He was seen in a viral video at a nightclub in Nepal's capital Kathmandu. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders grabbed the opportunity to hit out at Rahul Gandhi, Congress sharply reacted and said "it has still not become a crime in this country to attend a marriage celebration". However, there is no independent authentication of the contents of the viral video. Irani and Rahul Gandhi have been political rivals in Amethi since 2014. She was pitted by the BJP against Rahul Gandhi in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls but was defeated by over one lakh votes. However, Irani emerged as a giant killer in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and defeated Rahul Gandhi in the Congress stronghold. Rahul Gandhi had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from two seats and won from Wayanad. Irani also posted a video on Twitter with the caption "For our friends in Wayanad..." which accused Congress and Rahul Gandhi of stalling development in Amethi. The video talked about several development initiatives in Amethi which began after the BJP came to the power at the Centre in 2014. (ANI)
Gujarat independent MLA Jignesh Mevani on Tuesday arrived in Ahmedabad after being in jail in Assam for nine days and alleged that he was incarcerated at the behest of the the Assam government's "political bosses in Delhi." He further said that the there will be a Gujarat Bandh on June 1 if the 22 exam papers leak is not probed, if cases lodged in Una (against Dalits), Vadgam, north Gujarat against those fighting are not withdrawn and strict action is not taken into the matter of drugs found at Mundra Port. He appreciated the judiciary for terming FIR filed against him for assaulting a policewoman as "frivolous". "Assam Govt-police's action is shameful. I was jailed for nine days, and suffered but didn't complain. Assam's judiciary called a spade a spade that FIR against me is frivolous. It was done at the behest of their political bosses in Delhi," Mevani told media persons. "There will be a Gujarat bandh on June 1 if the 22 exam papers leak is not probed, if cases lodged in Una (against Dalits), Vadgam, north Gujarat against those fighting are not withdrawn and strict action is not taken into the matter of drugs found at Mundra Port," he added. Gauhati High Court on Monday stayed observations made by the Barpeta district court against the Assam police in the bail order concerning Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani in the case related to assaulting a policewoman. The court, however, refused to stay the bail granted to the Independent MLA. While granting bail to Mevani, the Barpeta district court had on Friday pulled up the state police for filing a "false FIR" against the MLA. The court had noted that the case against the MLA for alleged assault on a policewoman was "manufactured". The district court had requested the Gauhati High Court to give directions to the Assam police to "reform itself" and to stop the state "from becoming a police state". Earlier this month, Mevani was remanded to five days of police custody by a local court in the Barpeta district in connection with an assault case. Mevani was re-arrested by Barpeta Police for allegedly assaulting a policewoman, soon after he was granted bail in the matter connected to his tweets about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Mevani was arrested by an Assam police team from Palanpur town in Gujarat over a couple of his tweets. The Assam state Congress unit had protested the arrest of the Gujarat legislator. Elected as an independent MLA, Mevani had extended his support to Congress in September 2019. (ANI)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday announced that the state government will provide Rs 1,500 per acre as financial assistance to farmers opting for the direct seeding of rice (DSR) technique in the coming paddy season. "To promote the DSR technology, our government has also decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per acre to the farmers who adopt this water-saving method of cultivating paddy," CM Mann said kick-starting the ambitious drive, Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR), which promotes the cultivation of paddy by using a lesser amount of water from his native village Satauj. Exhorting the farmers of his native village to go for this new technique of paddy sowing in a big way, the CM said that since the residents of Punjab have given a massive mandate to form the AAP government in the state and now it was our bounden duty to take path-breaking initiatives like DSR and several more for state's overall development and prosperity, for which people's wholehearted cooperation and support is immensely needed. Expressing concern over depleting groundwater, Mann said it is the need of the hour to motivate our farmers to switch over from traditional paddy transplantation to the advanced technology of DSR. "Moreover, it is high time to adopt an alternate technique for paddy cultivation thus saving the much scarce and precious natural resource water as almost half of the land being cultivated by the farmers and they could play a pivotal role in this regard," added Mann. Calling upon the farmers of Satauj, Mann said that they will have to set an example for the entire Punjab by sowing paddy with the DSR method on a maximum area of land. To encourage crop diversification in Punjab, the CM said that their government will provide MSP on alternative crops including maize, pulses and bajra and will sell the products. The CM also assured the farmers that during the tenure of their government, they will be getting superior quality fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides. To ease the power supply situation in the state, Bhagwant Mann said that there will be no problem with electricity supply as their government is going to resume mining of coal from Punjab's allotted mine in Jharkhand which was shut since 2015. He further pointed out that with an uninterrupted supply of coal, there will be a normal supply of power for agriculture, the domestic and industrial sector, as well. (ANI)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday appealed people to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers in the areas where azan is heard blaring from loudspeakers on May 4. "We had already conveyed to the government to remove the loudspeakers by May 4. However, the government stands very feeble on this issue. In our country, many are giving references of the Supreme Court order. Due to the loudspeakers being used under the name of religion, the elderly, the sick, children, students etc are definitely disturbed and keeping this issue in mind, the Supreme Court has taken a decision," said Thackeray in an open letter. As per this order, loudspeakers cannot be used from 10 pm to 6 am. Every religion can use the loudspeakers only for the duration of their festival days. It is not supposed to be used for 365 days. If you need to use the loudspeaker, permission has to be taken on a daily basis, said the MNS chief. "The loudspeakers are unauthorized. In fact, many of the masjids too are unauthorized. How is it possible that the government has given authorized permissions to unauthorized Masjids to use loudspeakers? And if permissions are being granted, then Hindu temples also need to be given permission to play the loudspeakers. Basically, this is not a religious issue but a social one. People of every religion of this country are exposed to noise pollution," he said. "If steps are taken to turn this social issue into a religious one, then we too can give a befitting reply. I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, the 4th of May if you hear the loudspeakers blaring with azan; in those very places, play the Hanuman Chalisa on the Loudspeakers! That's when they will realize, the hindrance of these loudspeakers!" Thackeray appealed. Earlier on Tuesday, Maharashtra Police registered a case against Thackeray over his speech at a rally held in Aurangabad on May 1. Police registered the case after seeing the viral videos of his public rally. Following this heavy police deployment has been made outside the MNS chief's Shivaji Park residence in Mumbai. "Today is the first day of Maharashtra (Maharashtra Day). I will not listen from the fourth 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 a gathering at Sanskrutik Mandal Maidan in Aurangabad. He also announced that he will hold more rallies in Marathwada, Vidarbha and other cities as well. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police seized loudspeakers from the MNS office and detained the party's Chandivali unit chief Mahendra Bhanushali and others on Tuesday. Notably, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday ordered the Police not to wait for anyone's permission to maintain the law and order situation in the state. Thackeray held a meeting with Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil on Tuesday to review the law and order situation in the state considering the prevailing situation. The Chief Minister ordered that Police should take all measures to maintain law and order and not wait for anyone's order. Thackeray further held a telephonic conversation with the Maharashtra DGP Rajnish Seth. The loudspeakers row started when the MNS chief on April 12, when gave an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government seeking the removal of loudspeakers from mosques within May 3, failing which, he warned, MNS workers will play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers. (ANI)
Nikki Tran of Washington, holds up a sign with pictures of Supreme Court Justices Thomas, Kavanaugh, Alito, Coney Barrett, and Gorsuch, as demonstrators protest outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on May 3, 2022, in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Well before news broke Monday night about the release of a draft opinion that suggests the U.S. Supreme Court could be preparing to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Illinois residents have been wondering what impact such an action would have on abortion rights in their state.

About half of U.S. states are already expected to ban abortion if Roe falls, according to the abortion-rights think tank Guttmacher Institute. Twenty-two states, largely in the South and Midwest, already have total or near-total bans on the books. Aside from Texas, all are now blocked in court because of Roe.

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Thirteen states have so-called trigger laws, which would immediately ban abortion if Roe is overturned and would presumably go into effect if the Supreme Court majority votes for the draft in late June or early July.

But Illinois is not one of them.

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Keeping in mind that the draft is not the final decision, here are answers to questions people are asking about a potential overturn of Roe  and its impact on Illinois.

If Roe v. Wade is overturned nationally, what does that mean for Illinois residents?

Abortion would not become illegal or restricted in Illinois. If Roe v. Wade were to be overturned or chipped away, the matter of reproductive rights would be decided by individual states.

Abortion rights have been firmly ensconced in Illinois law, which has some of the least-restrictive rules in the nation.

[ [Dont miss] Changing abortion rights: How Illinois' new law compares with what other states are doing ]

Can people from out of state come to Illinois for an abortion?

Each year, thousands of women cross state lines to have an abortion in Illinois, according to state data. That number could grow exponentially pending U.S. Supreme Court decisions and new laws in various states.

Nearly 10,000 women traveled from out of state to have an abortion in Illinois in 2020, a roughly 29% increase compared with the previous year, according to the most recent Illinois Department of Public Health data.

The number of women crossing state lines to come to Illinois for the procedure has risen every year since 2014.

Illinois abortion providers say they expect more women will be traveling here from other states for reproductive health care in the future.

[ [Dont miss] If Roe falls, Illinois abortion providers plan for influx of 20,000 to 30,000 more patients traveling here each year ]

As Illinois continues to break down barriers to health care, we will remain a needed haven in the Midwest, said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. We are planning for Illinois out-of-state numbers to continue to increase as long as other states are allowed to enact harmful and unconstitutional abortion bans and restrictions.

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Abortion clinics have opened near state boundary lines: An 18,000-square-foot Planned Parenthood facility opened in 2019 in Fairview Heights right by the Missouri border and another Planned Parenthood opened in May 2020 in Waukegan near the Wisconsin border.

[ [Dont miss] With abortion rights in jeopardy, minority women have most to lose ]

What are the laws in other Midwest states about abortion?

The Center for Reproductive Rights has identified 24 states that would potentially prohibit abortions if Roe is overturned. Most of those states are in the central and southern parts of the country.

The list includes several states that surround Illinois  Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kentucky and Ohio.

These states and territories are extremely vulnerable to the revival of old abortion bans or the enactment of new ones, and none of them has legal protections for abortion, the Center wrote in its conclusion for a project called What if Roe Fell where they analyzed constitutions, laws, regulations, court decisions and access to abortions.

The 24 states they identified include the 13 states with trigger laws  including Missouri and Kentucky  and states with laws that highly restrict abortion.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 39 Students and activists rally outside the DePaul University Loop campus on May 3, 2022, in reaction to the leaked draft decision from Supreme Court that showed their intention to overturn Roe v. Wade. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Like Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota have protections against abortion bans. The Center for Reproductive Rights found that Iowa and Minnesotas State Supreme Courts have recognized the right to abortion under the states constitution.

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While Iowa does have a six-week abortion ban, that ban cannot be enforced because it was ruled unconstitutional by the Polk County District Court.

In Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, abortion is not protected under state law, and current restrictions make access to abortion care difficult, the Center for Reproductive Rights found.

Whats been the reaction from state and local politicians?

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and dozens of other Illinois Democrats gathered at the James R. Thompson Center in the Loop early Tuesday to extol their efforts in recent years to ensure abortion remains legal and accessible in the state and to rally supporters for the potential fights ahead.

Reproductive rights and bodily autonomy are the most basic, fundamental human rights, said state Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, a Chicago Democrat. This is not a drill, this is not a test, nor a dress rehearsal.  This moment is the rallying cry and a defining time that draws a line in history.

[ [Dont miss] Potential end of Roe v. Wade becomes election-year call to action in Illinois for both sides of volatile abortion issue ]

Within minutes of Politicos report that it had obtained the draft decision, politicians took to social media to weigh in on the news.

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Pritzker, a Democrat: As long as Im governor, Illinois will stay a beacon for reproductive freedom. We wont go back.

Hell no! In Illinois, we trust women. We cannot let their most profound and personal rights be violated. https://t.co/ksvR0vkgw1  Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) May 3, 2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat: What were seeing tonight on Roe v. Wade is a horrendous attack on our fundamental right to choose, and we will fight against it with everything weve got.

What we're seeing tonight on Roe v. Wade is a horrendous attack on our fundamental right to choose, and we will fight against it with everything we've got. You have my word: I will do everything I can to guarantee your right to an abortion.  Lori Lightfoot (@LoriLightfoot) May 3, 2022

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, a downstate Republican: Our Justices need your prayers to stand up to the radical abortion industry and Defend Life!

Our Justices need your prayers to stand up to the radical abortion industry and Defend Life!



The unborn have no voice to speak for themselves, we march for them and tonight we must pray for them!  Mary Miller (@Miller_Congress) May 3, 2022

>>> Read more reaction here

Whats the history of abortion laws in Illinois?

Illinois passed its first abortion statute in 1827. The law intended to outlaw the widespread sale of abortion-inducing drugs.

[ [Dont miss] Q&A with Leslie J. Reagan: The history of abortion law in Illinois ]

In 1867, Illinois amended its 1827 law to criminalize attempted abortion by any means, at any point in pregnancy. When the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade ruled in 1973 that state laws restricting abortion were unconstitutional, it struck down Illinois 1867 law. Illinois state lawmakers in recent years have acted to protect abortion rights and make the procedure more accessible.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 14 Two factions appeared at Chicago Federal Plaza on Feb. 13, 1971. One group, left, rallied for support of legalized abortion and the other rallied against it. (Michael Budrys / Chicago Tribune)

Where is public sentiment on Roe v. Wade?

Only a minority of Americans want to overturn Roe vs. Wade. In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of those surveyed wanted the Supreme Court to leave the decision intact.

A more recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, released last June, said 57% of Americans believed abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Another 43% said it should be illegal in all or most cases.

When it comes to limitations on abortion, public opinion is more mixed. Support for the procedure is strongest when the pregnancy is in the first trimester, and declines after that.

Its worth remembering that three of the justices who appear poised to overturn Roe were appointed by former President Donald Trump, who did not win the popular vote when he was elected in 2016.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
The State Investigation Agency (SIA) in Jammu and Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against three Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists, including two operating from Pakistan with the investigation pointing out how Pakistani agencies have been brazenly misusing not only the travel on the basis of valid documents but also the Indian students going to Pakistan for higher studies. The painstakingly conducted investigation has resulted in the unearthing story of a father who escaped to Pakistan illegally and climbed the ladder of seniority in the terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen led by Syed Sallauddin and came to be the media advisor looking after the propaganda cell of the terror outfit. The investigation, which started on November 7, 2021 and conducted over the last about six months, assumes importance in the context of the government's strategy to identify Jammu and Kashmir residents who are hiding in Pakistan and coordinating terrorist and secessionist activities behind the scene from across the border. SIA filed chargesheet against three Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen terrorists - Asif Shabir Naik a resident of Kashtigarh in Doda, his father Shabir Hussain Naik alias Khalid Shabir currently operating from Pakistan and Safdar Hussain alias Ehsan of village Marmat of Doda who too is based in Pakistan. A Jammu and Kashmir Police release said that Asif Shabir Naik was intercepted in Srinagar airport while trying to escape back to Pakistan on the basis of intelligence inputs that he had been visiting Pakistan posing that he's a student studying there but was actually visiting terrorist and separatist training facilities. Asif Shabir Naik is in judicial custody after his arrest and the other two accused - the mastermind Shabir Hussain Naik and his associate Safdar Hussain hiding in Pakistan - have been challaned as absconders. The investigation revealed that Hizbul Mujahideen with the blessings of Pakistani agencies gave the cover of studentship to Asif but misused his stay in Pakistan to meet his father, a senior figure of the terrorist outfit, and also undergo training in sabotage and subversion. "Registered at Police Station JIC Jammu, the investigation revealed how Pakistani agencies have been brazenly and egregiously misusing not only the travel between the two countries on the basis of valid travel documents but also the Indian students going to Pakistan for higher studies," the release said. The forensics of phone devices of Asif showed that he had videographed army installations along the Baramulla Srinagar road. He had also photographed the access road to the airport and security features adjacent to it. While the visa on Asif's passport showed that he's a visitor, immigration records indicated he was a student. Interrogation of Asif in the context of digital evidence revealed that Pakistan had arranged his admission in International Islamic University in Islamabad in a mass communication programme as cover and simultaneously facilitated his internship in the media cell of HM run by his father. Investigation revealed that Asif had completely concealed that his father was in Pakistan and a senior figure of Hizbul Mujahideen and close to Syed Sallauddin, leader of the terror outfit. He had falsely mentioned that he was visiting Pakistan to meet a relative. The release said objective of Asif's admission, as a student in a mass media course in Pakistan, is suspected and he was to return to India as a respected journalist and clandestinely get embedded in the system and receive instructions from across in planning, coordinating and executing not only propaganda operations but separatist and even violent terrorist actions. But for the videos in his cell phone the latter part of the adversary agenda would not have surfaced. The accused Asif Shabir Naik stayed in Pakistan for almost three years along with Shabir Hussian Naik and Safdar Hussain in Hizbul Mujahideen camps. The major part of the investigation pertains to the territory of Pakistan. Even when it is comprehended that Pakistan authorities would not cooperate in assisting this legally mandated investigation, it was thought prudent and legally warranted to use the tool of Letter Rogatory and request the Pakistani court of law through the laid down channel seeking information of the activities of the accused Asif Shabir Naik while in Pakistan. Similar Letter Rogatory-related request have been initiated concerning Shabir Hussain Naik and Safdar Hussain hiding in Pakistan. (ANI)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take necessary initiatives to reduce the exorbitant hike in airfares in the domestic and international sector. "I write this letter to invite your kind attention to the substantial hike in airfares in all important domestic and international, which is adversely affecting a large number of our pravasis who travel to their home country in the vacation time. Besides, tourists have also started visiting after the decline in the incidence of Covid-19 pandemic. Kerala is very much affected and as a State with a substantial diaspora in many countries of the world and as an important tourist destination," Vijayan wrote in a letter to PM Modi. "One of the major key sectors affected by Covid-19 was the hospitality industry, including travel and tourism. Though this sector has been opened and has started functioning normally the new challenge which can be the reason for a setback to return to normalcy is the exorbitant airfares prevailing in both domestic and international sectors. Illustrative comparison of airfares in key international and domestic sectors clearly reveals this," he said. Vijayan, in his letter, also shared the pre-Covid fares and the present fares which show a massive hike. From Cochin to Delhi, the fares jumped from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000, from Cochin to Bombay the fare was Rs 3,000 and the current fare is Rs 9,500, it went up from Rs 6,500 to Rs 2,500 from Cochin to Chennai and from Cochin to Kolkata, it jumped from Rs 3500 to Rs 1000. Likewise in the international sector, the fare from Cochin to Dubai and Abu Dhabi was Rs 12,000 and now it jumped to Rs 40,000. From Cochin to London and New York, it doubled from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh and from Rs 65,000 to Rs 1,30,000 respectively. (ANI)
"BSF troops deployed on patrolling duty noticed a suspected person hiding near Majar, located adjacent to the Border fence on the India side in the area near Village - Jodhawala in Abohar Sector," stated the BSF.

"As soon as the individual was challenged by patrolling party, he managed to escape away on a bike parked along the Link Road. Further, during a thorough search of the area, two plastic bottles filled with heroin, wrapped in green coloured cloth/pouch were recovered near the border fence,", added the BSF release. (ANI)
The infant's father rushed him to the LBS Hospital hospital where he was declared brought dead, added the police.

The initial enquiry revealed that the mother of the child had gone outside her house leaving her three children one aged 4.5 years, one aged 2.5 years and the 8-month-old child in the room which was latched from outside, as per the police.

On her return, she did not find the youngest child in the room. On being searched the child was found drowned in the tank on the roof of the building.

The dead body of the child has been preserved in the mortuary for autopsy. (ANI)
Slamming the Congress-led Rajasthan government over the recent violence, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajyavardhan Rathore on Tuesday said Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot resorted to appeasement politics and adopted double standards. Strongly condemning the violence in Jodhpur, Rathore said, "The law and order situation in Rajasthan is completely bad. A dirty appeasement politics is being done there. The Chief Minister holds the Home Department portfolio. It means the police administration directly comes under his control. Despite that such appeasement is happening. "Violence took place in Karauli. There was previous information about it. But no steps were taken to prevent it. Gehlot sahib said Jai Shri Ram slogan was raised and DJ was played. But the SHO's report is that a completely peaceful Rath Yatra was going on. So this is total appeasement politics," said the BJP leader. Rathore alleged that Chief Minister Gehlot has adopted double standards. Section 144 was imposed. Ram Darbar was demolished. Rajasthan government issued a separate order that there will be no power cut inside the Muslim-dominated area. At that time Ram Navami was also going on. Why did you adopt this double standard?" Clashes broke out at the Jalori gate circle in Jodhpur, the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's home district, following Eid prayers. Police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the mob. This followed the tense atmosphere which prevailed here on Monday after stone-pelting between two groups over objections raised over the raising of a flag at Balmukand Bissa at the Jalori Gate intersection circle. After stone-pelting started, police tried to control the situation and disperse the crowd. Following the incidents, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to the people to maintain peace in the area. "I want to appeal to people to maintain peace. I've also instructed police to deal strictly with anti-social elements. Everyone should understand that we've to maintain brotherhood," Gehlot told ANI. Jodhpur district administration also suspended all mobile internet services in Jodhpur district from 1 am today, as a precautionary measure. According to an order issued by Jodhpur Divisional Commissioner Himanshu Gupta, all internet services have been suspended in Jodhpur beginning from 1 am till further notice. (ANI)
A case has been registered against six people, including a station house office (SHO) for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh's Lalitpur district. The matter has been registered under Pali police station, where the minor was lured by four youth and was taken to Bhopal on April 22 and allegedly raped her. The teenager somehow escaped and reached her home and went to the police to register a complaint where the station in-charge allegedly raped the teenager before handing her over to the Childline Welfare committee, the police said. When the teenager was questioned by the ChildLine officials, the victim narrated the whole incident, after which the ChildLine welfare committee reached out to the Lalitpur Superintendent of police about the crime. Following this, the SP immediately filed a case of gang-rape against six people including SHO Tilakdhari Saroj. Superintendent of Police (SP) Nikhil Pathak said that the SHO has been suspended and a team has been constituted for the arrest of all the accused. "One accused has been arrested and he is being interrogated. The SHO including the others accused is absconding. They will be arrested soon," added the SP. (ANI)
"The kind of incident that took place on Parshuram Jayanti, Akha Teej and Eid is shameful. We inspected the spots wherever the incident occurred and wherever the motorcycles were set ablaze. Patience is needed. There is no time for blame game now," said the Minister.

"More than 50 people have been arrested. If some negligence by the administration is found, strict action will be taken," added Yadav.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot held a high-level meeting on Tuesday over the violence in Jodhpur.

Clashes broke out at the Jalori gate circle in Jodhpur, the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's home district, following Eid prayers. Police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the mob.

This followed the tense atmosphere which prevailed here on Monday after stone-pelting between two groups over objections raised over the raising of a flag at Balmukand Bissa at the Jalori Gate intersection circle.

After stone-pelting started, police tried to control the situation and disperse the crowd. Following the incidents, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to the people to maintain peace in the area.

"I want to appeal to people to maintain peace. I've also instructed police to deal strictly with anti-social elements. Everyone should understand that we've to maintain brotherhood," Gehlot told ANI.

Jodhpur district administration also suspended all mobile internet services in Jodhpur district, as a precautionary measure.

According to an order issued by Jodhpur Divisional Commissioner Himanshu Gupta, all internet services have been suspended in Jodhpur beginning from 1 am till further notice. (ANI)
Ahead of the Gujarat assembly polls, the BJP central leadership asked the party ruled state government to speed up the completion of development projects for inauguration before the 'Model Code of Conduct' is enforced. The Gujarat assembly polls will be held at the end of year along with Himachal Pradesh. Sources in the party said that instruction came in the recent meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others with the Gujarat party leadership including the chief minister. It was learnt that the Gujarat BJP leadership has been asked to speed up the work of all the projects that are in the final stage of completion, and do an inspection of all the projects of public interest. "There is a direction to complete all the projects which are in the final stage of completion at the earliest so that it can be inaugurated by September or first week of October before announcement of assembly poll schedule by the Election Commission," a party leader said. The BJP central leadership has also asked the party ruled government to finalise a list of new projects for which foundation stone will be laid. "Several new developmental projects and welfare schemes will be announced in the run up to the assembly poll. The party-ruled state government has also been directed to complete the process for launching and lay the foundation stone also," a senior BJP leader said. The BJP, which has been in power for almost three decades in Gujarat, believes that the Election Commission will announce the poll date after mid October. Among the projects, one is a new 'greenfield' airport in Rajkot. In March, Rajkot District Collector Arun Mahesh Babu told IANS that the work on the new Greenfield airport at Hirasar is progressing at good pace and it will be inaugurated soon. "On the occasion of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav' we are planning to inaugurate the new airport in August subject to clearance from DGCA," Babu had said. On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi held a meeting with party leaders from Gujarat at his official residence here. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, state BJP president C.R. Patil, Gujarat Law Minister Rajendra Trivedi and others were present in the meeting. During his recent three-day visit to Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi dedicated a new dairy complex and potato processing plant at Diyodar, Banaskantha district, built at a cost of over Rs 600 crore. In Dahod, Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth around Rs 22,000 crore. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of various projects of the state government worth around Rs 550 crore. --IANS ssb/pgh ( 458 Words) 2022-05-03-19:08:03 (IANS)
The agitators gathered near Congress Bhavan near Race Course Road, raised slogans such as 'Amit Shah go back', 'Kannada virodhi Amit Shah' (anti-Kannada Amit Shah) and 'Amit Shah supporting corruption'.

The agitators alleged that ruling BJP is protecting those involved in PSI scandal. They also slammed that Amit Shah is talking about Hindi imposition.

Manohar, a Congress leader, stated that Amit Shah should make it public on how much share he gets from the corruption practised in the state by the ruling BJP leaders.

"The BJP is indulging in all departments and in all recruitment process... the genuine candidates who appeared in exams have been betrayed by the BJP. The people of the state won't forgive them," said G. Janardhan, another Congress leader.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are not condemning the corruption practised in the state. It seems the central leaders are taking their share," he said.

"Amit Shah is trying to impose Hindi language in Karnataka. He should understand that if he proposes to neglect Kannada language, the people will teach a good lesson," stated L. Jayasimha, a Youth Congress leader.

--IANS mka/uk/pgh

( 227 Words)

2022-05-03-19:41:01 (IANS)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reached out to disgruntled Gujarat Congress Committee working president Hardik Patel to sort out differences in the party unit ahead of state assembly polls, said sources. Party sources claim that Rahul Gandhi has himself sent a message to Hardik Patel asking him to continue in the party. He has also asked the party in charge and other leaders to reach out to Patel to sort out the differences. Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala has also confirmed that party leadership has spoken to Hardik Patel. "The details of that conversation can be shared only by state incharge Raghu Sharma," said Surjewala. However, When ANI contacted Raghu Sharma for a reaction on the development he was unavailable as he didn't respond to the calls. Angered by the lack of preference given to him by state leadership, Hardik on Monday removed "Congress" from his Twitter bio and a picture of the party symbol from his profile picture. A senior Congress leader told ANI that if Hardik leaves the party it will be a loss for Congress. 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. He recently lauded the BJP government for revoking Article 370 and the construction of Ram Mandir. He has issued a clarification that he is not upset with party leaders Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi but he is upset with the state leadership. "I am not upset with Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi. I am upset with the state leadership. Why am I upset? Elections are coming up and in such times work should be done together with honest and strong people. They should be given positions," he added. According to reports, Patel who rose to prominence in July 2015 by leading a Patidar reservation movement, is upset with the party leadership for a long time now. "He wanted to become president of the state Congress committee but he was only made the working president. Despite being appointed as the working president his opinion is not taken on major decisions by the state leadership," said sources. After his denial of joining the BJP, speculations are that he might join Aam Aadmi Party. The Gujarat Assembly elections are slated to be held this year. (ANI)
Defense attorneys for a man convicted of killing off-duty Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis were granted permission Tuesday to view internal investigative files of the Chicago Police Department on the matter.

Cook County prosecutors said in court Tuesday they did not object to the defenses effort to inspect the files, and Associate Judge James Linn signed off on the request. As for the defenses allegations about police withholding key information, prosecutors said they would respond at a later hearing.

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Alexander Villa. (Chicago Police Department)

In a filing last week, attorneys for Alexander Villa accused police of obscuring and manipulating evidence that could have supported Villas defense. Villa was one of three men accused in Lewis 2011 murder. He was convicted by a Cook County jury in 2019 but has not yet been sentenced.

In court Tuesday, Linn indicated he was eager to move the case forward, urging attorneys to remain optimistic that a motion for a new trial could still be argued later this month.

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This is killing me; Im working nonstop on this case, Jennifer Blagg, one of Villas attorneys, told Linn. I keep finding things. I keep finding things.

Im not sure what youre finding is as fascinating as ... Linn said from the bench, trailing off.

In response, Blagg pulled out a decade-old map created by the FBI showing that the alleged getaway drivers phone was not at the location of the shooting at the time of the shooting.

Never given to the prosecution, never given to the defense, she said. ... I think thats pretty earth-shattering.

Other details allegedly withheld include information that could have shown what Villa was texting his girlfriend at the time of the shooting.

Lewis slaying made headlines across the city in 2011. Graphic security video shows two masked gunmen charging into the M & M Quick Foods in the 1200 block of North Austin Boulevard and fatally shooting Lewis, who took cover behind the counter and returned fire. The officer, described as a gentle giant, had just gotten engaged a few days before he was killed.

Chicago Police investigate the scene on Dec. 30, 2011, at M & M Quick Foods on the 1200 block of North Austin Boulevard where off-duty officer Clifton Lewis was shot and killed the previous evening. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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.

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.

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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; the state appellate court eventually ruled that the confession should not go before a jury.

Clay is slated for a hearing this week to determine whether he should be released on bond awaiting trial.

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said that if the Bhumihars and the Yadavs become united in Bihar, no one has strength to defeat them. Addressing an event organised by the Bhuhar-Brahmin Ekta Manch (BBEM) in Bapu Sabhagar Patna on the occasion of Parshuram Jayanti, the younger son of Lalu Prasad said that he believes in walking together. "In the last MLC election for the 24 seats, we gave five tickets to Bhumihar candidates and three of them managed to win the election. It indicates that if you take initiative toward us for the betterment of society and state, we always support you. "The relations cannot sour or improve suddenly. We are not here to take your vote or do the politics of vote bank. We came here to win your trust," Tejashwi Yadav said. His statement assumes importance keeping in view that the Yadav community was almost "anti-Bhumihar" in Bihar during the governments of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. At that time, the slogan "Bhura Baal Saaf Karo", referring to the generally brownish hair of Bhumihar, was quite common. Citing present conditions, Tejashwi Yadav said: "At present, unemployment is at a massive level in all castes or communities. Bhumihar is a learned, intellectual and conscious community in Bihar. You are capable of removing unemployment and price rise from the state." Tejashwi said. About the 2020 Assembly election, he said that the Mahagathbandhan had obtained 1 crore 56 lakh votes, which was 44 per cent and it was just 12,000 votes less than the NDA's share. "They have stolen the mandate last time. I have promised to the people of Bihar that if I become the Chief Minister of Bihar, I would give 10 lakh jobs with my first signature," Tejashwi Yadav said. --IANS ajk/vd ( 307 Words) 2022-05-03-21:24:04 (IANS)
A group of Apple employees have, in an open letter, slammed the company's new policy that only allows for two days of working from home. Writing to the company's executive team, the group wrote that three fixed days in the office and the two days work from home "broken apart by an office day, is almost no flexibility at all". Forcing everyone to work from office is "a huge waste of time as well as both mental and physical resources", "does not recognise flexible work", and will create a "younger, whiter, more male-dominated, more neuro-normative, more able-bodied" workforce. While in-person offices had closed world over in the wake of Covid-19 spread, in March this year, Apple announced that corporate employees would be returning to the office, and need to be there two days a week at minimum by May 2. Starting May 23, the company will shift to a hybrid model with mandatory office days on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. CEO Tim Cook called in-person collaboration benefits "irreplaceable", the Engadget reported. The employees wrote that the hybrid working pilot "is only driven by fear. Fear of the future of work, fear of worker autonomy, fear of losing control". The letter also stated that Apple's siloed office structure makes it difficult to bump into colleagues, adding that remote tools like Slack are better for collaboration. Further, Apple's open-plan offices limit the concentration "required for creativity and... deep thought", they said. The employees said that the hybrid model is one of the most inefficient ways to enable everyone to be in one room. On the other hand, with everyone working "remotely", it was much easier to reach out to colleagues in other offices. "This enabled a kind of international collaboration that we didn't see before, where especially colleagues from 'far away' locations could finally contribute as well as people in our major offices and no longer felt like second-class participants in meetings". At the same time, the employees argued that they are not asking for everyone to be forced to work from home. Rather, they want employees to decide best arrangement for themselves. "Stop treating us like school kids who need to be told when to be where and what homework to do." --IANS rvt/vd ( 386 Words) 2022-05-03-19:36:07 (IANS)
Germany has made an advance commitment to provide 10 billion euros of new and additional developmental assistance in India until 2030 under the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Green and Sustainable Development Partnership signed between the two countries on Monday, MEA informed. Addressing a press briefing at the conclusion of the first leg of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Europe visit on Monday (local time), Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the JDI provides "a long term strategic perspective" to the development cooperation agenda between India and Germany. "I think this declaration of intent, imparts long term strategic perspective to our entire development cooperation agenda and as part of which Germany has agreed to make an advance commitment of 10 billion euros of new and additional developmental assistance until 2030," Kwatra said. The Foreign Secretary also highlighted the agreement signed between the two countries on collaboration on green hydrogen and renewables. "As part of our partnership in this space, a task force will work towards establishing a green hydrogen hub in India with the German support," the Foreign Secretary informed. A joint statement by PM Modi and German chancellor Scholz earlier in the day, talked about the green hydrogen partnership, saying, that the two countries would, "develop an Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap based on the inputs by the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force supported by the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF)," A total of nine agreements in multiple areas were signed between India and Germany on Monday on the occasion of the sixth India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). Prime Minister Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first day of his three-day Europe visit. PM Modi received a ceremonial guard of honour followed by a bilateral meeting with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. The one-on-one meeting was followed by the IGC, the plenary session of which was co-chaired by PM Modi and German chancellor Scholz. "The economy, ecology, trade, investment linkages, and green partnership, these were the central pillars on which the discussions focussed," Foreign Secretary Kwatra informed. "The two leaders also shared their respective perspectives on developments on different issues, developing all over the world. This included the knock-on effects of the Ukraine conflict, particularly in sectors like food, energy, fertilisers, edible oil, etherol," he said. 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)
Washington [US], May 3 (ANI/Sputnik): The Pentagon has denied that arms transfers to Ukraine have impacted America's military readiness amid concerns that the Pentagon's own stockpile of Javelin weapons might be dwindling. "We are comfortable that our readiness has not been impacted by the series of presidential drawdown authorities that we've executed," a senior US Defense Department official told reporters on Monday. The official also said that the US has delivered more than 5,000 of the 5,500 Javelin anti-tank weapons systems Washington has committed to Ukraine. However, despite the Pentagon's assurances, the Biden administration is looking at alternative plans in case there are shortages. "We're considering a range of options, if they're needed, to increase production capacity and improve production timelines of both... Javelins, as well as Stingers," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said later in the day. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden will visit a Lockheed Martin plant in Alabama that makes Javelins just as lawmakers and former officials are raising concerns about the US military stockpiles running low. Psaki said the plant Biden is visiting currently can produce up to 2,100 Javelins per year. However, the US has now distributed one-third of its available Javelin missiles, according to Senator Richard Blumenthal, who said it will take a year to ramp up to full production from the current annual purchasing level of 1,000 per year. He estimated that it could take up to 32 months to replenish the stocks. Raytheon, confirming this, said it will probably not be until 2023-2024 before they can fully replenish both Javelin and Stinger supplies. Psaki pointed out the domestic benefits of the program to arm Ukraine. "Each Javelin... missile requires more than 200 semiconductors to make. And boosting domestic chip manufacturing isn't just critical to making more in America or lowering prices, it's also a vital component of our national security," Psaki said on Monday. The Biden administration since Russia's military operation began has committed over USD 3.4 billion in security aid to Ukraine. Biden last week asked Congress for another USD 33 billion in aid for Kyiv, USD 20 billion of which would be allocated to security assistance. (ANI/Sputnik)
The US special envoy has said that the "Muslim world must champion the rights of Afghan women and girls", reported local media. The remarks of Rina Amiri, the US special envoy for Afghan women, girls and human rights, came after she co-hosted an Iftar dinner with the Chief of US Protocol Rufus Gifford and ambassadors from several Muslim-majority countries. Taking to Twitter, the US special envoy said, "Taliban policies denying girls and women education and jobs aren't seen in any other Muslim-majority country." She also highlighted the issue of the ban on girls' education in Afghanistan and called on the international community to push the Taliban to reopen schools. "Discussed challenges in Afghanistan with Nordic partners, including ban on girls return to schools and attacks targeting Hazaras. Agreed on importance of unity in pushing the Taliban to reopen schools and demanding protection of all Afghans, particularly ethnic and religious minorities," she tweeted. Notably, schools have remained closed for female students above grade six for more than eight months in Afghanistan. The women's rights activists expressed hope that the efforts made in support of schools reopening for girls will have an impact on the Taliban, reported ToloNews. "We are happy about any meetings and efforts made in support of reopening the schools for girls. The Islamic countries have a direct impact on the Taliban because they are citing their sources from Islam," the media outlet quoted Naveeda Khurasani, a female rights activist, as saying. "I hope the stance made regarding supporting Afghan women is sincere and causes an intense pressure on the group ruling Afghanistan," said another women's rights activist, Marriam Marouf. Meanwhile, the Taliban's Ministry of Education (MoE) said the group is close to a solution for reopening the school for girls. "When we ask the Minister (of Education), he told me the issue is close and a proper solution will be reached in the near future and that the girls will return to the school," said Aziz Ahmad Riyan, a spokesperson for the ministry, according to TOLOnews. The Taliban regime which took over Kabul in August last year has curtailed women's rights and freedoms, with women largely excluded from the workforce due to the economic crisis and restrictions. According to HRW, women and girls are blocked from accessing health care as well. Reports suggest that women and girls facing violence have no escape route. Allowing girls into schools and other educational institutes has been one of the main demands of the international community. The majority of countries have refused to formally recognize the Taliban amid worries over their treatment of girls and women and other human rights issues. (ANI)
The US Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade verdict that guaranteed the right to abortion for nearly a half-century and allow each state to decide whether to restrict or ban abortion, reported New York Times, citing a leaked draft opinion from February, published online on Monday night by Politico, the US-based media publication. According to the draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel A Alito Jr, a majority of the court voted to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade verdict. Further, Justice Alito called it had wrongly been decided and said the contentious issue, which has invoked political debates in the US for more than a generation, should be decided by politicians, not the courts. "We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives," Alito wrote in the document labelled as the "Opinion of the Court", according to the media outlet. In Casey versus planned parenthood case, the Supreme Court had affirmed the ruling in the Roe v. Wade case. prohibiting the states from banning abortions. "The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and Casey arrogated that authority. We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives," read the draft. Though the court's holding will not be final until it is published, likely in the next two months, the ruling according to the draft would lead to the end of federal constitutional protection of abortion rights and allow each state to decide whether to restrict or ban abortion, reported Politico, adding that it is not clear though if subsequent changes have been made to the draft It's unclear if there have been subsequent changes to the draft. Further, the ruling would be a seismic change in American law and politics, coming a few months ahead of the congressional midterm elections that will decide who controls power on Capitol Hill. Notably, several Republican-led state legislatures are moving to impose restrictions on women's access to abortion and court decision along the lines of the draft could spur political battles with abortion being a contentious issue for the two parties for a long, reported The New York Times. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the gathering at a theatre at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin sought the support for 'Vocal for Local' and Khadi, which was warmly received by the Indian community. Dr Pravin Patil, a resident of Munich, said, "We gift our German friends Khadi and make sure that the awareness increases as well as demands." He also mentioned how Khadi demand has increased manifold in Germany over all these years. "2024: Modi once more" echoed the theatre for long hours as the Indian diaspora showed their support for PM Modi. "...felt overwhelmed after hearing Prime Minister Modi's speech and we are happy to extend our support to our Prime Minister's concept of Vocal for Local", said Hardik Deora, a member of the Indian community in Berlin."We will spread the word amongst our colleagues in Germany and support our Prime Minister in every possible way," he added. Another community member said that "although they are living in a foreign land the patriotism is intact and the community feel proud to represent Indian culture in every possible way". I feel proud to be a Modi supporter, said another Indian in Berlin who attended the gathering at the theatre. PM Modi has addressed diaspora events in several countries he has visited and has always sought to establish a stronger connection between Indians living abroad and India's development journey. "In Germany, we have been listening to PM Modi's previous speeches in which he talks about welfare programmes. Now, hearing him live is a dream come true," said another Indian living in Germany. PM Modi's speech received jubilant reactions from the Indian community residing in Germany as a part of his three-day visit to three nations. The Indian PM arrived in Germany on Monday, where he took part in the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), along with German chancellor Olaf Scholz, which is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries. (ANI)
Pakistan's sinking economy needs fixing to undo the damage left behind by the "player-playboy-turned-Islamist in democrat's garb Imran Khan" at the end of his three-and-a-half-year long misrule, reported a think tank, Policy Research Group (POREG). As per an opinion piece written by James Crickton in POREG, the offer of aid worth USD 8 billion pledged by the Saudi Royal family during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to the country might give some breathing space to Pakistan but is not enough to revive the economy which is in the doldrums. Notably, the erstwhile Imran Khan-led government followed Pakistan's regular policy of using loans to ward off immediate troubles by scurrying around asking other countries for aid, however, it only harmed the economy further. The Imran Khan-led government doled out discretionary funds to the tune of Rs 142 billion through the ruling party's parliamentarians and the cumulative effect of its economic misgovernance was that public debt jumped to Pakistan Rupees (PKR) 42.8 trillion by this February, which is more than the liabilities, reported the think tank. Moreover, the fiscal deficit is projected to increase to 6.3 per cent of GDP, the Current Account Deficit is expected to widen to 4.4 per cent during the current fiscal. According to the World Bank, rising food and energy prices in Pakistan are expected to diminish the real purchasing power of households, disproportionally affecting the poor and vulnerable, that spend a larger share of their budget on these items. The gravity of the situation can be demonstrated by the fact that the world's second-largest Muslim country with a population of almost 227 million has diesel stocks that can last for just 18 days at the best. Pakistan Finance Minister under the Shehbaz Sharif administration, Miftah Ismail, held a round of exploratory package talks with the International Monetary Fund, following which, the fund agreed to send a team to Islamabad this month to discuss the revival of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). However, the long-standing structural challenges still remain that pose a risk to the country's sustained growth. Further, the domestic political uncertainty and policy reform slippages can lead to protracted macro-economic imbalances, according to the think tank. In the last three years, Pakistan's foreign debt increased at a pace of 90 per cent to PKR 15.1 trillion largely due to currency depreciation and building foreign currency reserves through borrowing. Increasing debt servicing obligation, the holy cow of defence even though security concerns are not with neighbours but over pampered terrorists and the failure to mop up taxes and levy additional revenues has widened the gap between expenditure and revenue in the country. According to the World Bank forecasts, the real GDP growth of Pakistan will moderate to 4.3 per cent in this fiscal and slow down to four per cent in the fiscal year 2023, and thus the economy needs fixing in the near, short and long term, according to the think tank. (ANI)
Tightening sanctions on Pakistan's compliance under GSP Plus, the European Union is proposing to add five new conventions to reinforce the social, labour, environmental and climate dimensions of the scheme, as the current framework expires at the end of 2023. Through a statement issued on April 21, 2022, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and commerce minister Naveed Qamar to get personally involved in this issue of 'national importance'. The country would lose an annual export value of around $3 billion if the government fails to ensure a GSP Plus extension for them beyond 2023, reported local media. The new Pakistan government under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has inherited a lymph economy and topping on the ice is the below-par performance of its industries. Somehow, the GSP plus facility granted for ten years (2014-23), allowed Pakistan duty-free access to over 66% of its exports to the European Union (EU), reported local media. However, EU is now proposing to add five new conventions to reinforce the social, labour, environmental and climate dimensions of the scheme, keeping in view the current framework that expires at the end of 2023. The additional conventions pertain to the rights of persons with disabilities, involvement of children in armed conflict, labour inspection, transnational organised crime, etc, reported European Times. The planned inclusion of fresh conventions is expected to weaken the already frail condition of Pakistani institutions in supporting human rights in the country. Pakistan's poor track record in fulfilling the original set of 27 conditions provides no hope either. The panic is also palpable in the frantic activities of various Pakistani missions abroad. As the next review is underway, Pak Embassies in Europe have already begun lobbying in host countries for the continuation of the scheme. The Pak Mission in Brussels was also seen working for reviving the exchange of parliamentary visits and parliamentary contacts. Islamabad is also trying to widen its outreach among individual European policymakers, reported European Times. Meanwhile, local NGOs, academics, trade unions and civil society groups in Pakistan continue to be critical of labour conditions including bonded labour, human trafficking, etc which point to the large gap in Pakistan's pledge to implement the core conventions and actual compliance. On the grounds of continued human rights abuses in Pakistan, a London-based media outlet hosted a program earlier, calling out for suspension of Pakistan's favoured GSP+ trading status with the European Commission which was approved by the EU parliament in April 2021. Pakistan's abysmal human rights record was inconsistent with its image makeover efforts with the European Union. With such contradiction in place, Pakistan's aim of easily securing another extension of GSP Plus for its exporters appears difficult to achieve, European Times reported. (ANI)
The Indian Americans are facing smear campaigns in the US amid allegations that they harbour extremists rooted in dual loyalty, which calls for condemnation from the Democrats and Republicans. Michael Rubin, writing in Washington Examiner, said that the charges of fascism and links to extremists against Indian Americans are tenuous, based not on substance but instead on multiple degrees of separation and insinuation. Anti-India gadfly Pieter Friedrich has accused the likes of former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D - Ill.), congressional candidate Rishi Kumar, Department of Homeland Security adviser Sonal Shah, and a host of local candidates of having links to Indian intelligence, political parties, or extremists. "Today, Hindus have become the new Catholics and Jews. Both Catholics and Jews were sidelined due to dual loyalty. In the run-up to the Iraq War, conspiracies spread that a desire to protect Israel rather than the US motivated Jews in the Bush administration to advocate war against Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Even the late Secretary of State Colin Powell often used such tactics to win interagency battles," said Rubin. Friedrich sets up websites smearing Indian American politicians. While dirty tricks are not infrequent in politics, what sets Friedrich's campaign apart is that ethnicity and religion rather than political position are the common link. He does not differentiate, for example, between Padma Kuppa, a Democrat and the first Indian immigrant and Hindu to hold a seat in the Michigan Legislature, and Niraj Antani, a conservative Ohio Republican, who was the youngest Hindu to be elected to a state senate. When the target is a staffer rather than an elected official, Friedrich sets up petitions demanding their firing. This was the case, for example, with Shah or former Ambassador Atul Keshap, reported Washington Examiner. In the heat of a campaign, some local party officials, including those of South Asian backgrounds, turn a blind eye to the slander if it gives their preferred candidate a leg up. This is a mistake and only legitimizes bigotry as a political weapon, said Rubin. It may also open the door for greater foreign interference. Friedrich is a nodal point for growing support for Sikh separatism in India, which appears to have its genesis in Pakistan. He has no clear and transparent source of income that explains the resources he brings to his campaigns against Indian American politicians. Despite the demonization with which some Democratic and Republican activists approach the other side, the cores of both parties, and even the most progressive and conservative activists, draw a line at religious bigotry. Politicians should not throw Hindus under the bus to avoid manufactured controversy. It is time Republicans and Democrats jointly condemn the slander. And they should not be alone. Catholics and Jews, who have, at times, also experienced cheap bigotry in political discourse, should stand behind them to ensure that the cost of such tactics is felt not by their targets but by their perpetrators, said Rubin. (ANI)
WMAQ-Channel 5 weekday morning news anchor Michelle Relerford and her husband, Chukwudi Okafor, sold their four-bedroom, 3,909-square-foot house in Orland Park for $830,000. (Bob Goldsborough)

WMAQ-Channel 5 weekday morning news anchor Michelle Relerford and her husband, Chukwudi Okafor, on March 10 sold their four-bedroom, 3,909-square-foot house in Orland Park for $830,000.

A Chicago native, Relerford has been with NBC 5 since 2011 and in 2020 moved up from weekend news anchor to weekday morning news anchor.

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In Orland Park, Relerford and her husband bought the house in the Sterling Ridge neighborhood in 2019 for $715,000. The house has 3-1/2 bathrooms, hardwood floors on the main level, a two-story entry, a family room with a gas log fireplace and a two-story ceiling, a first-floor office with French doors and a coffered ceiling, and a kitchen with white 42-inch cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and a center island with pendant lighting. The homes primary bedroom suite has a tray ceiling, two walk-in closets and a dual sink vanity.

The houses full finished basement has high ceilings, along with vinyl flooring and a full bathroom with a shower, while the house also has an attached 3.5-car garage, a large composite deck and a backyard ringed by an iron fence, all on a 0.32-acre lot.

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Relerford and her husband listed the house on Jan. 29 for $850,000 and went under contract to sell it in less than a week.

Relerford did not respond to a request for comment, while listing agents Sherry Landa and Amy Kite declined to comment.

The house had a $17,306 property tax bill in the 2020 tax year.

Goldsborough is a freelance writer.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday departed for Copenhagen in Denmark from Berlin to begin the second leg of his visit to the three European nations. Ahead of his departure, PM Modi thanked the German government for their hospitality during his "productive" visit. "My Germany visit has been a productive one. The talks with @Bundeskanzler Scholz were extensive and so were the Inter-Governmental Consultations. I got a great opportunity to interact with business and Indian community leaders. I thank the German Government for their hospitality," he tweeted. Meanwhile, PM Modi's visit to Denmark will provide India an opportunity to shape new elements of partnership in the field of skill development, shipping, agri-technology, and mobility, said Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Sunday. Notably, this will be the Prime Minister's first visit to Denmark, but his third summit-level interaction with his Danish counterpart. The discussions between both the leaders will focus on bilateral issues as well as issues of regional and global interest. PM Modi and Frederiksen will later also interact with the business leaders of both countries under the auspices of the India-Denmark Business forum. Kwatra further said that PM Modi would also pay a call on Danish Queen Margrethe II who would also host an official dinner for the Prime Minister. "Like in Germany, in Denmark too, the Prime Minister will interact with the members of the Indian diaspora during a community event," he added. The foreign secretary noted that the substance of the partnership with Denmark has many significant pillars that include a green-strategic partnership which is a model of cooperation that focuses on renewable energy, sustainability, and green growth. "There is also a joint action plan for five years essentially focusing on the specifics of this partnership besides the ongoing cooperation in the field of wind energy, water management, circular economy, shipping, and smart cities," he stated. Kwatra informed that on May 4, PM Modi will participate in the second India-Nordic summit with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway. However, prior to the start of the summit, PM Modi will also hold bilateral summit meetings with the leaders of Norway, Iceland, Finland and Sweden. Notably, India is the only country apart from the US with whom the Nordic countries have summit-level meetings. PM Modi will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday thanked the German government for the hospitality during his "productive" visit to the country. "My Germany visit has been a productive one. The talks with @Bundeskanzler Scholz were extensive and so were the Inter-Governmental Consultations. I got a great opportunity to interact with business and Indian community leaders. I thank the German Government for their hospitality," he tweeted. While leaving for the airport for his Denmark visit, PM Modi briefly met the members of the Indian community who had gathered at the hotel to bid him a farewell. Notably, PM Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit. He received a ceremonial guard of honour followed by a bilateral meeting with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. The one-on-one meeting was followed by the IGC, the plenary session of which was co-chaired by PM Modi and German chancellor Scholz. Addressing a press briefing on Monday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra informed that the economy, ecology, trade, investment linkages, and green partnership were the central pillars on which the discussions focussed. "The two leaders also shared their respective perspectives on developments on different issues, developing all over the world. This included the knock-on effects of the Ukraine conflict, particularly in sectors like food, energy, fertilisers, edible oil, etherol," he said. Moreover, Germany has made an advance commitment to provide 10 billion euros of new and additional developmental assistance in India until 2030 under the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Green and Sustainable Development Partnership signed between the two countries. PM Modi will visit Denmark today 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)
Flare-up of the Durand line disagreement has the potential to lead to a change of equations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is surprising that much before the Taliban-led regime in Kabul completes one year in office, Pakistan and its western neighbour Afghanistan are falling apart. In this context, Rajiv Dogra's examination of the border issue as the 'Durand's Curse' attains greater significance for analysts and policymakers, reported Asian Lite International. Former diplomat Rajiv Dogra's "Durand's Curse" is the first book written in the world on the Durand agreement which divided Pathans and has bedevilled the world ever since. Having served as Consul General of India in Karachi, Dogra possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Af-Pak region. "Today his book 'Durand's Curse: A Line Across the Pathan Heart,' first published in 2017, is regarded as one of the most authoritative books on the Pashtun and Afghan history and continuing border tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan," said a review by Dr Sakariya Kareem. That arbitrary line which Mortimer Durand drew in 1893 on a small piece of paper continues to bleed Afghanistan and hound the world. 'Durand's Curse' is the result of deep research. Fascinating details from long-buried archives of history reveal for the first time a tale of intrigue and deceit against Afghanistan. Bringing alive the wars, the tragedies and the Afghan anger against injustice in this heart-wrenching account of Afghanistan's misfortunes, Dogra has succeeded in presenting an absolutely riveting story of the Indian subcontinent's history. The book is a saga of British contradictions and flawed strategies in the second half of the nineteenth century and the so-called 'Great Game' that they played out in Afghanistan. They wanted secure borders ending at the frontier which could be defended against an attack by Russia. But they also needed to defend Punjab against raids by Pashtuns from the frontier, reported Asian Lite International. Dogra has written on a topic no British historian has ever bothered to address, exposing the treachery of the British in tricking the Amir into signing the ambiguous agreement. First, the British and then Pakistan had taken away territory that originally belonged to Afghanistan. But the divided Pathan families refuse to accept this division even now and for the last century and over, there has been a struggle to rub out the cursed line drawn across the sand. The existence of Pakistan is, according to Dogra, a result of a deliberate British plan, not just a result of the British divide and rule policy. He thinks Nehru betrayed the Pathans. He has a whole chapter on how some states such as India and Afghanistan don't do enough to hold on to their land. Pakistan was created as a strategic state for British access to Asia and the oil-rich Gulf States as they knew India would no longer act as a British pawn. This miscalculation has created a state which is the hub of all terror activities and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, reported Asian Lite International. The Durand Line passes through the present-day Pakistani provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (NWFP), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan. It also includes 10 provinces in Afghanistan. The book addresses one of the greatest humanitarian tragedies that has endured for over a century now. The illogical division of land as well as the division of people of one ethnicity into two separate countries, reported Asian Lite International. The resulting chaos is encapsulated in the line "Afghanistan today can be described as a strong nation but a weak state, while Pakistan is a strong state with no strong sense of nationhood". Disputed in the context of the struggle for the Pashtun homeland, the Durand Line has of late become the cause of heightened border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Despite Pakistani intelligence's assessment of likely hostility along the Pakistan-Afghanistan borders, there have been ceaseless attacks from the Afghanistan side, reported Asian Lite International. The attacks were so fierce and rattling that on April 17, Pakistan had to formally urge Kabul to secure the Pak-Afghan border region ensuring strict action against those responsible for terror activities, in the interest of peace and progress of the two `brotherly' countries'. Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) in Islamabad has categorically said that there has been a significant increase in border hostilities in the last few days. It further said that of late, elements of banned terrorist groups in the border areas, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have continued to attack Pakistan's border security posts. The Taliban, however, deny harbouring Pakistani militants but are also infuriated by a fence Islamabad is erecting along their 2,700-kilometre (1,600-mile) border known as the Durand line. On April 14, seven Pakistani Army soldiers were killed in the North Waziristan district by terrorists operating from Afghanistan. This is very unsettling for the Pakistan military establishment. The Taliban authorities warned Pakistan of serious consequences on April 16 after five children and a woman were killed in Afghanistan in rocket attacks launched by the Pakistani military in a pre-dawn assault along the border. (ANI)
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) urged the Shehbaz government to protect the rights of media personnel and journalists amid the rising human rights violations against media in Pakistan. In a joint statement issued on Monday, PFUJ president Shahzada Zulfiqar and secretary-general Nasir Zaidi underlined the importance of the freedom of the press, free speech and expression. "Freedom of the press is the hallmark of any developed and healthy society and it cannot be compromised," reported Dawn. This comes after Pakistan has been ranked the fifth most dangerous place for the practice of journalism, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). According to the media reports, 138 media persons in the country had lost their lives in the line of duty between 1990 and 2020. Expressing concern over the state of media freedom in Pakistan, the PFUJ said: "In at least nine cases, journalists were intimidated or silenced altogether, whether in the form of assault, enforced disappearances, murder or overt censorship." They termed the tenure of the PTI government terrible for the media, Dawn reported. In addition to that media persons were harassed by PTI activists and even women journalists and anchors were harassed and trolled by cabinet members, which cannot be seen in any civilised society, the statement said. Those who did not succumb to the government's pressure were punished financially which harmed media houses and media persons equally pushing the industry towards a financial bankruptcy. The government should immediately create an environment for freedom of the press initiating a dialogue with stakeholders to devise a strategy that could protect the freedom of the press in the country, the statement concluded. Pakistan remains among the top 10 countries where predators of attacks on journalists and media go unpunished. Besides fatal attacks, journalists face other categories of threats such as physical attacks, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, imprisonment, and torture. (ANI)
"Walking the talk PM @narendramodi and @Statsmin PM Mette Frederiksen at Marienborg. The bonhomie between the two leaders mirrors the close ties between India and Denmark," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a tweet.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Danish PM during the tour. "Conversations in Copenhagen aimed at boosting India-Denmark friendship. PM Frederiksen welcomed PM @narendramodi at Marienborg," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted.

This visit started to Denmark shortly after concluding his Berlin visit on Tuesday.

During his one-day Germany visit, PM Modi met with German chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021.

The one-on-one meeting between the two leaders was followed by the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), the plenary session of which was co-chaired by PM Modi and German chancellor Scholz.

Addressing a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the economy, ecology, trade, investment linkages, and green partnership between India and Germany were the central pillars on which the discussions focussed.

In a joint statement, Germany made an advance commitment to provide 10 billion euros of new and additional developmental assistance in India until 2030 under the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Green and Sustainable Development Partnership signed between the two countries. (ANI)
Social media is not a new battleground in Pakistan for political parties to unleash their hatred for each other. Earlier they used Twitter and now their verbal 'war' has shifted to TikTok in which the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) hashtag, "Imported hukoomat namanzoor" is trending. On TikTok, the hashtag "Imported hukoomat namanzoor" has reached a viewership of 933 million, whereas, on Twitter, the same hashtag crossed over 100 million in the last week of April, Dawn newspaper reported. TikTok is the world's largest video-sharing platform that has not been taken seriously by the mainstream political parties until PTI supporters took it by storm. After the hashtag went viral on TikTok, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz held a meeting with her close aide, MPA Sania Ashiq and the social media team of her party. PML-N tweeted, "A delegation of PML-N tiktokers met PMLN leader Maryam Nawaz at Jati Umra." Social media expert Muhammad Imran believes that the massive popularity gained by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari during his 'Awami March' rally in Islamabad and the overwhelming response on TikTok to the recent activities of Imran Khan have surprised their opponents, reported Dawn. "The PTI should be credited with making the PML-N and PPP shift their focus to social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter," Imran said, adding, "But these platforms have a higher degree of restrictions even on political activities, therefore TikTok is a good option to share anything and everything for the PPP and PTI," he said. He further added that on mainstream media, PPP's 'Awami March' got limited coverage while on TikTok, the hashtag #longmarch recorded 83.2 million views and #PPPlongmarch 32 million, as reported by Dawn. Taking to Twitter, PTI's social media team head, Arsalan Khalid expressed his surprise and said, "We were mainly focused on the urban class and some people shared some funny old videos that would further our party agenda, but it triggered enthusiasm among TikTokers, pushing the views to millions." He further said that it was an accidental discovery on TikTok and for that, his team cannot take too much credit. (ANI)
On 8 May 2021, the EU and Indian leaders' agreed to resume negotiations for a "balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial" trade agreement, and to launch separate negotiations on an investment protection agreement and another agreement on geographical indications.

They had agreed to link trade negotiations to finding "solutions to long-standing market access issues".

PM Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen held delegation-level talks in Copenhagen today to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries. They also discussed India-EU relations, Indo-Pacific, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

"Today we also discussed many regional and global issues including India-EU relations, Indo-Pacific and Ukraine. We hope that the negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement will be concluded at the earliest," PM Modi said while speaking at the joint press meet with PM Frederiksen.

The Prime Minister said that India and Denmark share values of democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. "Together we both have several complementary strengths."

"During the India-Denmark virtual summit in October 2020, we had termed our relations a Green Strategic Partnership. During our discussions today, we also reviewed the joint work plan of our Green Strategic Partnership," he said.

PM Modi on Tuesday reached the Danish capital for a one-day visit that will include several engagements including talks with leaders from Nordic countries.

This visit started in Denmark shortly after PM Modi's Berlin visit.

During his one-day Germany visit, PM Modi met with German chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. (ANI)
The Internet never disappoints when it comes to recognizing raw talent. Time and again, we've seen various talents across boundaries getting the fame and recognition they deserve. Interestingly, a new addition to this list is a man dressed as a joker from Karachi, Pakistan, who has won the hearts of people with his soulful singing, and not his magic tricks. This Karachi clown was spotted on the streets by a popular Pakistani YouTuber Ahmed Khan. On wondering what the 'joker' was upto, he went to have a little chat with him. When the man dressed as 'joker' said he was just trying to make children laugh and earn an honest living, Ahmed asked the clown if he had any tricks up his sleeves. Much to his surprise, the joker did not perform any magic trick but startled the YouTuber with his magical voice. He replied that he likes to sing and began singing soulful renditions, flexing his beautiful singing skills. Leaving the YouTuber in awe, the Karachi clown performed some soulful songs like 'Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin' by Sonu Nigam from Agneepath and Arijit Singh's 'Khamoshiyan.' When asked to sing a Pakistani song, he chose to perform Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's 'Zaroori Tha.' Intrigued by the soulful performances and his beautiful voice, the YouTuber was compelled to ask why the man had not been gone for any talent show yet. The man explained that he needed to make a living to feed his children, but the YouTuber urged him to follow his dreams and make use of his terrific singing skills. The man revealed his name as Arif Khan, and at the YouTuber's request, he shared his phone number, asking the viewers to reach out to the man and help him in getting some recognition. The video soon went viral online and garnered numerous views from people around the world. With loads of praises and applause received by the man, it certainly has the potential to turn into a story where a talent finally achieves the success it duly deserves. (ANI)
Earlier today, PM Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen held delegation-level talks in Copenhagen to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

He also took a private tour of the residence of his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Danish PM during the tour.

PM Modi on Tuesday reached the Danish capital for a one-day visit. This visit started to Denmark shortly after his Berlin visit on Tuesday.

During his one-day Germany visit, PM Modi met with German chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. (ANI)
"Delegation level talks led by PMs @narendramodi & @Statsmin Mette Frederiksen begin. Both sides to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership. Will also discuss our wide-ranging cooperation in areas of skill development, climate, renewable energy, Arctic, P2P ties, etc," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted.

PM Modi on Tuesday reached the Danish capital for a one-day visit that will include several engagements including talks with leaders from Nordic countries.

"Walking the talk PM @narendramodi and @Statsmin PM Mette Frederiksen at Marienborg. The bonhomie between the two leaders mirrors the close ties between India and Denmark," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a tweet.

This visit started to Denmark shortly after his Berlin visit on Tuesday.

During his one-day Germany visit, PM Modi met with German chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. (ANI)
A former guard at a juvenile detention center in St. Charles has been found guilty of prompting detainees to intimidate and attack each other, officials said.

Michael M. Klimek, 46, of Yorkville, was found guilty by a jury last week of official misconduct and aggravated battery in a public place, Kane County States Attorneys Office officials said in a news release.

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In January 2016, Klimek, a guard at Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles, facilitated and encouraged certain juvenile detainees to physically attack other juvenile detainees and stood idly by during the attacks, prosecutors said. He was acting in his official capacity when he engaged in the acts, officials said.

A youth who was beaten in the shower by two other detainees reported the incident to a therapist, who filed an incident report and launched an investigation, Kane County Assistant States Attorney Margaret OBrien said.

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The youths were able to enter the shower after Klimek unlocked the door for them, according to prosecutors.

Klimek, of the 100 block of Tuma Road, is due back in court on Aug. 8 for sentencing.

mejones@chicagotribune.com
"India's soft power and Odisha's treasure in the form of Pattachitra painting adorns the Denmark PM HE Frederiksen's residence. She gave a tour of her residence to Hon. PM @narendramodi ji and showed the painting gifted by PM Modi during her last India visit. Proud moment!" Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted.

The Prime Minister held one-to-one conversations and delegation-level talks with the Danish PM to boost the India-Denmark friendship. After the conclusion level talks, the two sides also signed seven agreements.

PM Modi's Denmark visit started shortly after concluding his Berlin visit on Tuesday.

During his one-day Germany visit, PM Modi met with German chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021.

The one-on-one meeting between the two leaders was followed by the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), the plenary session of which was co-chaired by PM Modi and German chancellor Scholz.

Addressing a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the economy, ecology, trade, investment linkages, and green partnership between India and Germany were the central pillars on which the discussions focussed.

In a joint statement, Germany made an advance commitment to provide 10 billion euros of new and additional developmental assistance in India until 2030 under the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Green and Sustainable Development Partnership signed between the two countries. (ANI)
Social media accounts of Chinese national, Hong Hao, who spoke against the country's slow economy and the effects of government policy on the technology industry, have been banned. Hong Hao, managing director and head of research at BOCOM International, a state-owned bank, posted about the huge outflow of the capital from the country and made bearish predictions about the Chinese stock market on social media, after which the Tencent's (TCEHY) WeChat banned his public account, CNN Business reported. "All content has been blocked. The user is banned from using the account," a notice posted on the WeChat account read. It further added that the account had "violated" the government's internet rules, without giving much detail about the rules that have been broken and also did not specify which post had led to the suspension. Not only WeChat, but the Weibo account has also frozen Hao's account, which had over 3 million followers. According to the publication, Hao's account now shows the message stating that the user. Hong's account on Weibo (WB), which had more than 3 million followers, has also been removed. A search by CNN Business for the account resulted in a message stating that the user "no longer exists." The covid lockdown has impacted Beijing's economy. According to the government survey data, released on Saturday, the activities across the manufacturing and the services slumping to their lowest level since February 2020, reported CNN. Beijing's zero Covid policy and the Russia-Ukraine crisis have triggered an unprecedented flight of the capital by foreign investors in recent months. Chinese currency recently falls to its lowest level in 17 months. On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the infrastructure spending spree to promote growth and the Communist Party's Politburo on Friday promised that specific measures will be taken to support the internet economy. Hong Hao is not the only one who expressed his concern over the country's economy, earlier, Shan Weijian, founder and chair of Hong Kong-based private equity firm PAG also criticized the government's policies that resulted in a "deep economic crisis", according to CNN citing Financial Times. In order to reduce the people's online anonymity, Weibo announced on Tuesday that it will start publishing the IP locations on their account pages and when they post comments, in a bid to combat "bad behaviour." In October, Tencent suspended over 1,400 WeChat accounts after the government launched a crackdown on internet posts that it deems are harmful to the economy. The last reports posted on his WeChat public account were titled: "Be wary of capital flight" and "What should Chinese ADRs worry about." ADRs are securities issued by Chinese firms listed in the United States, as reported by CNN. Hong Hao posted several posts regarding the foreign investors dumping the Chinese stocks and called attention to the most severe capital outflow since the pandemic began. He also blamed China's tech crackdown for being behind an epic sell-off in Chinese ADRs in March. On another note on March 21, Hong also predicted the Shanghai Composite would drop below 3,000 points, reported CNN. Last Monday, the Shanghai Composite fell below 3,000 for the first time in 21 months, as rising Covid-19 cases in Beijing sparked fears that the Chinese capital could join Shanghai and other major cities in lockdown. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday discussed the war in Ukraine with the Danish PM Mette Frederiksen during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between India and Denmark in Copenhagen. "We share many values. We are two democratic nations, we both believe in a rule-based international system. In times such as these, we need to build an even stronger bridge between us. As close partners, we also discussed the war in Ukraine," said Frederiksen. Talking about the Bucha killings, she stressed for an independent investigation. Hundreds of civilians were found dead on the streets in Bucha, beside their homes, and in mass graves. Ukraine has accused Russia of the massacre in Bucha. However, Russia has denied the allegations and claimed that it is Ukrainian propaganda. "We discussed the consequences of horrible crimes committed against civilians and the serious humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The reports on the killings of civilians in Bucha are deeply shocking. We have condemned these killings and we stress the need for an independent investigation," said the Danish PM. Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities. "Denmark and the entire European Union strongly condemn Russia's unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. My message is very clear, Russian President Vladimir Putin got to stop this war and end the killings. I, of course, hope that India will influence Russia in this discussion," added Frederiksen. Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia's military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised to help Ukraine with military aid to fight Russia. Welcoming PM Modi to Denmark, Frederiksen said that both countries share a strong relationship. "Thank You so much. First of all, once again, a very warm welcome to Denmark, His Excellency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I had a very productive meeting today. The relations between our two countries are very strong. PM Modi, I deeply appreciate this important meeting," said the Danish PM. PM Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen held delegation-level talks in Copenhagen today to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries. "Denmark and India are moving fast in transforming our Green Strategic Partnership into some concrete results. The Indian government has high ambitions for the green transition and for making India more independent of fossil fuels. I am very proud that Danish solutions play a key role in realizing these important ambitions. Today, we have agreed on a number of concrete steps on green energy, clean water and to counter the next global health crisis. Just to mention a few examples. Hopefully, the two of us will lead by example by showing that green growth and green tradition can go hand-in-hand. I am convinced that India and Denmark have huge untapped potential for trade and investment," added Frederiksen. Further, she also talked about Nordic Summit 2022, Frederiksen said, "I look forward to continuing the discussion between the two of us tomorrow also with our Nordic colleagues at the Indo-Nordic Summit 2022." During Denmark's visit, PM Modi will take part in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit along with 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. (ANI)
The signing of the agreements was witnessed by PM Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the nine agreements include letter of intent between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, GOI and the Ministry of Business, Industry and Financial Affairs of Denmark on Centre of Excellence in Green Shipping.

A Declaration of Intent (DoI) on Migration and Mobility was also signed.

Both sides also signed Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between the Ministry of Culture, GoI and Ministry of Culture of Denmark for the years 2022-2026.

The MEA said that the letter of intent (LoI) between Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Environment of Denmark was also signed between the two countries.

They also signed MoU on Cooperation in the field of Skill Development, Vocational Education and Entrepreneurship.

Agreements on Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Cooperation in the fields of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Launch of Energy Policy Dialogue at Ministerial level, were also inked.

Moreover, both sides also signed agreements on India to join as mission partner to ICARS (International Centre for Anti-Microbial Resistance Solution), and letter of intent between Invest India and Technical University of Denmark to facilitate start-up collaboration.

PM Modi on Tuesday reached the Danish capital for a one-day visit. This visit to Denmark started shortly after his Berlin visit.

During the delegation-level talks, the two prime ministers agreed to maintain regular high-level interactions in the run-up to the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2024 and agreed to commemorate it in a befitting manner. (ANI)
In order to negate charges of Uyghur genocide, China has enlisted vloggers - travel videos recorded by video bloggers- to whitewash Uyghur minorities' situation in Xinjiang. Bahram Sintash and Nuriman Abdureshid, writing in Radio Free Asia (RFA), said that China has enlisted young foreign social media influencers who produce short videos showing happy minorities in the far-western region as part of Beijing's massive propaganda effort to depict Uyghurs as content with and grateful for Chinese rule. The videos show "foreign travellers" interviewing people in factories in Xinjiang, with captions such as "Friends, it's a lie that there is a genocide of the Uyghurs." "Everything is normal here," and "Is there a single piece of evidence that there are more than 1 million people in concentration camps?" Business Insider reported in January that China's consulate general in New York signed a USD 300 million contract with US-based Vippi Media in New Jersey to create a social media campaign promoting positive messaging about China TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch as a lead-up to the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. Social media influencers were asked to produce content for their target audiences on Chinese culture, positive diplomatic relations between China and the US, and consulate general news, reported RFA. State-owned media outlets and local governments organize the pro-China campaign, paying vloggers to take trips, according to documents posted online and video producers familiar with the system. "What happens is you'll have a state media like CGTN or CRI or iChongqing or any number of organizations which are run by the Chinese government -- which are the Chinese government -- and what they will do is they will pay for the flights, pay for the accommodation, organize the trip, and liaise with the content creator and invite them to go on these trips," said YouTuber Winston Sterzel, who lived in Xinjiang. Minders working as translators or fixers are always present to make sure the content creators follow the script, he said. Vloggers, who post short videos on their personal websites or social media account on platforms like YouTube, say that local government officials arrange their travel and logging during trips they are hired for to make videos that put China in a good light, said Bahram and Nuriman. "They arrange our travel, and they pay for our lodging and food," said YouTuber Lee Barrett in a video he recorded. China's struggle to shape world opinion about Xinjiang will come into sharp focus this month, when UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet makes a long-awaited visit to China, including Xinjiang. Since 2017, about 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples are believed to have been incarcerated in a vast network of internment camps in Xinjiang. The US and a handful of European countries have labelled these practices genocide, while China has angrily rejected the criticism and maintains the camps are vocational training centres designed to combat religious extremism and terrorism. In fall 2021, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) government began an initiative to mobilize foreign students in China to praise "Xinjiang policy." The effort was part of the central government's larger plan to portray ethnic minorities in Xinjiang as happy and content, according to an article in Xinjiang Daily. Under the title "The people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are living happily and joyfully," the report cited a series of letters written by Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping in which he called on foreign students in July 2021 to increase their understanding of the "real China," so that their knowledge would inspire others to understand the country as well. The XUAR government in October 2021 sponsored a trip to Xinjiang for students from 16 countries, including Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Burundi, Uganda, Russia, Pakistan, Korea, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, the US and the UK, said Bahram and Nuriman. Meanwhile, since the start of 2018, authorities have prevented most international journalists from entering Xinjiang and forced foreigners living in the region to leave. YouTubers from the US and South Africa who lived in the Xinjiang or in mainland China for a decade or more said that while recent vlogs by foreigners "travelling" to Xinjiang appear to be simple and normal, government fixers are always on the other side of the camera, controlling what is said and recorded. Josh Summers, who ran a popular blog known as "Far West China" as well as a YouTube channel, moved to Xinjiang's capital Urumqi (Wulumuqi) in 2006 and lived both there and in Karamay (Kelamayi) until 2018. While in Urumqi (Wulumuqi), he wrote about and produced videos on Uyghur weddings, cuisine and Eid prayers at the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar. "A lot of these travellers that you're talking about, these people that are doing videos, the reality is they know nothing on Xinjiang," he said. "They pretend to, but they know nothing, whereas I lived there." Summers said he was detained and questioned by authorities. While they eventually let him go, they also told him and his family that they could no longer stay in China. American Matthew Tye and South African Winston Sterzel were also forced to leave China over videos they published after having lived in the country for more than 10 years. The pair, who became well known in China under the handles laowhy86 and Serpentza, told RFA that vloggers' videos, may appear to have been made freely, but they are fake and have another purpose altogether. (ANI)
President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China revealed that in a closed-door meeting with top-Communist Party of China (CPC) officials, they have made it clear that they know the dangers of the "Zero-COVID" policy and its impact on the economy but still will not change the line of forced zero-covid. While giving an interview to the Swiss newspaper, Neue Zurich (NZZ), Joerg Wuttke said that despite they know the dangers of the "zero-covid" policy, they will not change the line of forced zero-covid until the end of power struggles for the 20th Party Congress. He further said that for the past two years, the party leadership and the government have been making up the narrative that China has handled the pandemic much better than the Western countries but now that narrative is blowing up. The CPC's propaganda itself has made the Chinese very afraid of the Omicron variant. The authorities didn't propagate that the Omicron variant was milder, or that other countries had learned to live with the virus. The authorities also spent a year talking down about Western mRNA vaccines. So, the CCP has put itself in a dilemma. The leadership can't admit at the upcoming 20th Congress that there is another way to deal with Covid. They can't admit that the Europeans are already able to fly on vacation and go back to a normal life to a large extent. They also can't admit that it makes sense to use an mRNA vaccine in addition to the Chinese vaccine. (ANI)
India's geographic location, size, and military capabilities as the world's second-largest army, ranking fifth overall (ahead of France, Israel and South Korea), and a formidable presence in the Indian Ocean, make India an ideal strategic partner for the Quad. Rahul Mishra, PhD, is a senior lecturer at the Asia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya, where he heads the European Studies program and Peter Brian M Wang, currently attached with the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) writing in Asia Times said that while South Korea's inclusion would be valuable, it would still be insufficient to assist the Quad in effectively containing China. Sceptics have raised doubts about the Quad members' unity after India's decision to abstain from the UN resolution against Russia over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Despite repeated statements from Australia, Japan and the United States, particularly US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, that they understand India's concerns, new narratives are emerging with regard to India's partnership with the Quad members, with some even arguing for the possibility of a China-India-Russia entente to counter US influence. Of particular interest are rumours of Japan joining AUKUS- a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, (thus rendering the Quad obsolete) and one that projects South Korea as an alternative to India in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. While "JAKUS" rumours have been debunked, the South Korea narrative seems to be gathering traction, based on reports that it will attend the Quad Summit this month as an observer (which has since been denied) and in statements made by Major-General Jung Hae-il, president of Korea National Defense University, at this year's Raisina Dialogue, reported Asia Times. There are compelling arguments in favour of South Korea's inclusion in the Quad. The country's "burgeoning industrial-military complex" and "vibrant democracy" have been said to make it both an ideal partner and "a key player in the broad US-led effort at preserving a rules-based order in the region." It helps that Yoon Suk-yeol, the newly elected president, has reiterated South Korea's interest in deploying advanced US weaponry, especially the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. This argument has some merit - and what a valuable addition South Korea would be to the Quad (or Quad Plus, as the case may be) - but it is flawed on several counts. First, while the incoming South Korean administration led by President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has expressed an interest in pursuing a more assertive foreign and security policy, this is primarily in relation to North Korea. There is no indication that South Korea aims to take on China, as the Quad is supposed to do. South Korea and China have established strategic and cooperative partnerships. China remains South Korea's largest export market, representing 25 per cent of total exports in 2020. The two countries have bilateral trade agreements and are part of regional trade agreements like the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership (RCEP). China is also an important stakeholder in the Northeast Asia region, which remains South Korea's primary security area of concern. South Korea is mindful of the influence China exercises over North Korea, and would not likely join a forum that overtly seeks to balance China, as the Quad does. South Korea has been evasive in its stance on the South China Sea territorial dispute for a long time. It has even avoided a confrontational approach in responding to China's airspace and maritime incursions into its own territory. Second, while South Korea's inclusion would be valuable, it would still be insufficient to assist the Quad in effectively containing China. More important, despite already having one of the most powerful standing armies in the world and continuing to strengthen its power-projection capabilities, South Korea has shown little interest in maintaining a presence outside the Northeast Asian region, with overseas deployments confined to humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. This may yet change under the Yoon administration but seems unlikely for now. Third, joining the Quad would require it to align itself increasingly with Japan. That makes strategic sense, for South Korea and Japan share similar security concerns, that is, China and North Korea. Another critical aspect is that, even if South Korea does join the Quad, it will not be able to replace India. This is simply because India is far too important a strategic partner to lose. It gives the Quad a unified front to deal with the China threat. In terms of military capabilities, India is ranked fourth in the Indo-Pacific region according to the Lowy Asia Power 2021 Index, the next closest to the US other than China and Russia. India may disagree with Quad members on Russia, but unlike South Korea, its stand on China is clear and consistent, as seen by New Delhi's position on AUKUS. The Indo-Pacific region, if not the global politico-strategic landscape, exemplifies the level of complexity in contemporary international politics. The emergence of minilaterals such as the Quad and even AUKUS is purely to address the growing complications of this "multiplex world." It is upending the long-held belief that the enemy of my enemy must inevitably be my friend, said Mishra and Peter. (ANI)
Highlighting the investment opportunities in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday pitched India as the go-to destination for investment saying, those who don't invest in India will certainly miss out. "These days the term FOMO or 'fear of missing out' is gaining traction on social media. Looking at India's reforms and investment opportunities, I can say that those who don't invest in our nation will certainly miss out," said PM Modi at India-Denmark Business Forum in Copenhagen. This comes after PM Modi Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen held delegation-level talks that a range of regional and global issues. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said PM Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen held enriching conversations on ways to combine Denmark's skill and India's scale, especially in areas of clean energy. "PM Narendra Modi and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen participate in India-Denmark Business Forum with top business leaders from India and Denmark. Enriching conversations on ways to combine Denmark's skill & India's scale, especially in areas of clean energy and climate friendly technologies," the MEA said. Speaking during the business forum, PM Modi said there is great scope for investing in green technology. "Things like cold chains, shipping and ports also offer opportunities. India is working on PM-Gati Shakti for next generation Infra," said PM. "The business worlds of India and Denmark have often worked together in the past. The strengths of our nations complement each other," he added. PM Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen exchanged views on current regional and global developments including the conflict in Ukraine, India-EU trade negotiations and the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries. In a joint statement, the two Prime Ministers expressed their serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. They unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine. The two Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of India-EU Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen this partnership. The two leaders appreciated the progress in restart of negotiations on India- EU Trade, Investment and Geographical Indicators Agreements and called for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial approach and an early and simultaneous conclusion. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to the European nations of Germany, Denmark and France, shared a video that showed the enthusiasm among the Indian diaspora in Copenhagen. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) shared the video on Twitter and said, "The enthusiasm among the Indian community in Copenhagen is high!" PM Modi arrived in Copenhagen today to begin the second leg of his visit to the three European nations. After arriving in Copenhagen, he met his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen and discussed the war in Ukraine with the Danish PM Mette Frederiksen during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between India and Denmark. "We share many values. We are two democratic nations, we both believe in a rule-based international system. In times such as these, we need to build an even stronger bridge between us. As close partners, we also discussed the war in Ukraine," said Frederiksen. Talking about the Bucha killings, she stressed an independent investigation. Hundreds of civilians were found dead on the streets in Bucha, beside their homes, and in mass graves. Ukraine has accused Russia of the massacre in Bucha. However, Russia has denied the allegations and claimed that it is Ukrainian propaganda. "We discussed the consequences of horrible crimes committed against civilians and the serious humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The reports on the killings of civilians in Bucha are deeply shocking. We have condemned these killings and we stress the need for an independent investigation," said the Danish PM. Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities. Earlier, they held delegation-level talks in Copenhagen to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries. "Delegation level talks led by PMs @narendramodi & @Statsmin Mette Frederiksen begin. Both sides to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership. Will also discuss our wide-ranging cooperation in areas of skill development, climate, renewable energy, Arctic, P2P ties, etc," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted. He also took a private tour of the residence of his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Danish PM during the tour. PM Modi started his Denmark visit shortly after his Berlin visit on Tuesday. Before leaving Berlin, he shared a light moment with a child playing with hand signs, a hallmark of Modi's interactions with children. Earlier, he has been known to pull actor Akshay Kumar's son's ear. Not only this, he is fond of playing various musical instruments. During his one-day Germany visit, PM Modi met with German chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, in the Bhairahawa district of Nepal on Buddha Jayanti, sources said here. The visit of PM Modi to Nepal comes less than a month after his Nepali counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba visited India. "Prime Minister Modi will be coming to Nepal on May 16 on Buddha Jayanti but this time Lumbini only. Preparations are already underway," a source told ANI. Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is expected to be present at Lumbini during PM Modi's visit. "Only visit to Lumbini is on the agenda. There won't be bilateral talks or other engagements. The visit will be for less than a day," the source said. According to an official aware of the visit, PM Modi will be take part in a lamp-lighting ceremony at the Maya Devi Temple which also is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. PM Modi will fly to Kushinagar International Airport from Delhi and then take a chopper to Lumbini. This would be PM Modi's first visit to Nepal after his re-election in 2019. He had visited Nepal four times during his previous tenure. During the last visit to Nepal in May 2018, PM Modi had toured Janakpur and Muktinath, religious and cultural sites in Nepal. The Maya Devi temple is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Archaeological excavations have revealed that the structural ruins belong to the different phases of the temple's construction and restoration over the centuries. Emperor Asoka built a platform using the burnt bricks to safeguard the Marker Stone and the Nativity Tree under which Prince Siddhartha was born. The Maya Devi Temple was re-discovered in 1896 by General Khadga Shamsher and Dr. Anton Fuhrer. Keshar Shumsher excavated the mound of early Maya Devi Temple and reconstructed it in 1939. The present-day Maya Devi Temple was rebuilt in 2003 by Lumbini Development Trust. The structural ruins inside Maya Devi Temple are from 6th century BC to 15th century AD. It consists of 15 box chambers arranged in 5 rows in east-west and 3 rows in a north-south direction as well as a circumambulatory path surrounded by an outer wall. The archaeological excavation undertaken by the Department of Archaeology, Lumbini Development Trust and Durham University (UK) during 2010-2013 AD uncovered a timber shrine dating back to the 6th century BC. During the excavation a pre-Mauryan brick structure, each brick measuring 49x36x7 cm in size and 20kg in weight from underneath the present visible layers of ruins was also uncovered. (ANI)
An Elgin man who killed, dismembered and dumped his mother into Lake Michigan and a Chicago lagoon  an act that a judge said demonstrated irretrievable depravity  was sentenced Monday to 75 years in prison.

Before he was sentenced, Brian Peck, 60, repeated the story he told at his trial in February  that he killed Gail Peck, 76, in self-defense in 2017 after his mother attacked him with a knife in a bedroom in the Elgin townhouse where they lived.

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Peck admitted he cut up his mothers body and placed the remains in suitcases to dispose of them because he didnt think police would believe his self-defense story.

Pecks account did not get a sympathetic ear from Cook County Judge Joseph Cataldo.

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What kind of a human being could look at their mother  and dismember her body like that? Cataldo asked.

A jury listened to Peck testify for four hours, but only needed two hours of deliberations to find him guilty of first-degree murder, dismemberment and concealment of a homicide.

In victim statements given before sentencing, friends of Gail Peck remembered her as a lively person who enjoyed dining out and going to shows at the Drury Lane Theatre.

Sherry Orrcio, a friend of Gail Pecks, called Brian a horrible human.

How could you value your mother so cheaply, she asked.

In his statement before sentencing, Peck said, I loved my mother with all my heart and soul, and that he had moved in with her and paid all her bills after she started having financial problems. Peck also told the judge that he could still contribute to society, and said he had devised a long-range hybrid jet engine.

He also said he had devised a gravity bomb capable of creating small black holes. He said it was his greatest invention.

Peck had several prior convictions for domestic violence involving Gail Peck, who was a single mother and Peck her only child.

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The judge sentenced Peck to 50 years for the murder, and consecutive terms of 20 years and five years for the dismemberment and concealment charges.

Peck killed his mother in October 2017 and then reported to police she had gone missing while taking their dog for a walk. But in the days after her disappearance, a fisherman in Chicagos Lincoln Park lagoon hooked a suitcase containing the victims body parts, which led to the charges against Peck.

Evidence was presented at the trial that linked Peck to the suitcases and other items he purchased to dispose of the womans remains.

Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter for The Courier News.
Danish business leaders, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Copenhagen on Tuesday, expressed hope over investment prospects in India and growing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen met top business leaders from India and Denmark at India-Denmark Business Forum. After meeting PM Modi, Jens-Peter Saul, President and CEO of Ramboll Group, praised PM Modi's leadership in the area of green growth. "I think it's an ambitious leadership. I mean it's a fantastic nation, and a very big nation but with the scale comes a lot of problems. And therefore transformation towards a green future is one of the main tasks you can have on this planet," he said. Appreciating today's India-Denmark Business Forum, Saul foresees immense opportunities in collaborating with India on the Green Energy transition. "I think there is an opportunity, especially in collaboration and having that foresight to team up with a country like Denmark that has been working for 30 years on the Green Energy transition to see how we can combine the experience and knowledge," he said. Peter Foss, from the food quality analyzer company Foss, spoke on the positive impact of reforms undertaken by the Narendra Modi government in India. Answering a question on reforms in India in connection with food processing, he said it is very positive what is happening in India in this area. "Our small role is to assist in making sure that farmers get a transparent and fair payment and that we can assist in making sustainable food production in India for 1.4 billion people," he said. Lauding the reforms undertaken in India, Peter Foss said the reforms that are taking place are certainly supporting and making it likely that you will succeed in this transition. "And we are fortunate enough to have technology companies that can assist you in this process." "We had a very positive conference here. One thing that all Dans took away from this session was his (PM Modi's idea) fear of missing out. His advice to the Danish technology companies is 'don't miss out' on investing in India which has a great future for us," he added. Lastly, Foss stressed that there is a sense among the Danish business leaders that are looking forward to doing more business in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier today pitched India as the go-to destination for investment saying, those who don't invest in India will certainly miss out. "These days the term FOMO or 'fear of missing out' is gaining traction on social media. Looking at India's reforms and investment opportunities, I can say that those who don't invest in our nation will certainly miss out," said PM Modi at India-Denmark Business Forum. PM Modi Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen also held delegation-level talks on a range of regional and global issues. In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Modi, Danish PM said that Denmark and India are moving fast in transforming our Green Strategic Partnership into some concrete results. "The Indian government has high ambitions for the green transition and for making India more independent of fossil fuels.I am convinced that India and Denmark have huge untapped potential for trade and investment," she added. (ANI)
"The two Prime Ministers welcomed the concrete progress under the Green Strategic Partnership and reconfirmed their commitment to democratic values, rule of law and respect for human rights on which the Green Strategic Partnership is based," a joint statement read.

In particular, the prime ministers shared convergence of interest on the importance of climate action, green growth and the development of renewable energy sources.

"The two leaders agreed to further strengthen their cooperation within the renewable energy sector and welcomed the work on a comprehensive Energy Policy Dialogue in India and Denmark especially strengthening cooperation on cross-sectoral energy planning with a focus on green hydrogen, integration of renewable energy, energy storage and decarbonisation," the statement read.

PM Modi and Frederiksen also welcomed the initiative to continue research and development activities in the field of green hydrogen and cleaner fuels. The prime ministers listed the targeted areas with regard to green fuels for transport and industry, where there is no cost-effective alternative to fossil energy.

On Monday, Modi began his first foreign tour this year. The trip includes official visits to Germany, Denmark and France. The tour is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with key European countries in a number of important areas. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked the Indian diaspora in Denmark to work as "Rashtradoot" (representatives of the country) and urged them to invite their peers to India under the "Chalo India" banner. During the interaction with the Indian community in Copenhagen, PM Modi said, "You should inspire at least five of your friends to visit India...and people will say 'Chalo India'." PM Modi also talked about the 'LIFE' - Lifestyle for the environment to improve our planet and invited Danish "friends" to come to India to jointly find answers to the problems of the planet. "I talk about 'LIFE' - Lifestyle for the environment; we have to give up the consumption-oriented approach, use and throw is negative for the planet. Our consumption should be determined by our needs, not the size of our pocket," he said. "I want to tell our Danish friends to come to India to jointly find answers to the problems of the planet," he added. Talking about Digital India, PM Modi said India opened the gate to a major digital market and this is a "real story of New India". "When I had spoken of Digital India, some people had raised all kinds of questions. 'Digital, in India?' I'd like to say that 5-6 years back we were one of the most backward nations in terms of per capita data consumption. But today, the situation has changed," PM Modi said. "India consumes more mobile data than combined data consumed by several big nations. New users are not from cities but from far off villages. It hasn't only empowered villages and poor of India but also opened the gate to a major digital market. This is a real story of New India," he added. This interaction with the Indian community came after delegation-level talks between the two countries and PM Modi at India-Denmark Business Forum. PM Modi's Denmark visit started shortly after concluding his Berlin visit on Tuesday. During his visit, PM Modi also took a private tour of the residence of his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen. (ANI)
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday said that the green strategic partnership will bring Denmark and India closer and together. Addressing the members of the Indian community in the presence of PM Narendra Modi, Frederiksen said, "I truly hope and believe that this partnership (green strategic partnership) will bring us even closer and together." The Danish PM said that this partnership will bring green jobs and new opportunities for all the countries. She also said, "I would also like to say that two years ago, PM Modi and I agreed on a strategic partnership, first of its kind for both of our countries. it is very amazing for a small country like Denmark, that we are the first country to have a strategic partnership with great India and by joining hands and minds we aim to find new ways forward." Referring to the Ukraine crisis, Frederiksen said that India and Denmark should stand up for them. "Right now, of course, the war in Ukraine, reminds us that democratic nations like India and Denmark must stand up for the principles and for the values we believe in," she said. The Danish PM expressed her happiness over working with PM Modi and said, "First of all I would like to say it's a great pleasure to be here today with you. I am very honoured to work with you PM Modi in Denmark." "I think together today we show how strong ties we have-of friendship, of families. All this is not least because of all of you. Thank you to all Indians living in Denmark and working in Denmark, making a real positive contribution to Danish society. Thank you all of you!" she added. PM Modi's Denmark visit started shortly after concluding his Berlin visit on Tuesday. During his visit, PM Modi also took a private tour of the residence of his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Danish PM during the tour. (ANI)
Underlining India's role on the global stage in the area of green transition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India had no hand in exploiting our Mother Earth, but it has taken on the challenge of saving the planet. PM Modi, along with the Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, addressed and interacted with the Indian community at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen. More than 1000 members of the Indian community in Denmark consisting of students, researchers, professionals and business persons, participated in the event. The Prime Minister appreciated Prime Minister Frederiksen's warmth and respect for Indians and emphasized that both countries can work together in finding innovative solutions for green growth. He lauded the positive role played by the Indian community in Denmark. He highlighted India's economic potential and invited more India-Denmark collaborations. "India had no hand in exploiting our Mother Earth, but we have taken on the challenge of saving her. By 2070, we have set a Net Zero target," PM Modi said while addressing the Indian community with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen. "India is among the very few nations, who are following up on its climate targets," he added. India has vowed to achieve the target of Net-Zero by the year 2070 and reach its non-fossil energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030. During his address, PM Modi also urged his Danish friends to come to India to jointly find answers to the problems of the planet. When India first talked about Digital India, PM Modi said the world used to question the country's resolve. "When I had spoken of Digital India, some people had raised all kinds of questions. 'Digital, in India?' I'd like to say that 5-6 years back we were one of the most backward nations in terms of per capita data consumption. But today, the situation has changed," he said. The Prime Minister also counted the Indian government in the digital arena. "India consumes more mobile data than combined data consumed by several big nations. New users are not from cities but from far off villages. It hasn't only empowered villages and poor of India but also opened the gate to a major digital market. This is a real story of New India," he said. (ANI)
London [UK], May 3 (ANI/Sputnik): The United Kingdom will hand over 13 armored vehicles to Ukraine for safe evacuation of civilians, the UK Foreign Office said on Tuesday. "The UK is sending a fleet of 13 protective armoured vehicles to Ukraine, to safely evacuate people from the shelled areas in east of the country," the office said in a statement, adding that the vehicles will be sent at the request from Kiev. The specialized 4x4 vehicles are said to be capable of withstanding high velocity bullets, anti-personnel mines and improvised explosives devices. "The vehicles, donated from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office's fleet, will start to arrive in the east of Ukraine in the coming days with UK government logistics teams working with partners on the ground to dispatch them as quickly as possible," the statement read. On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces. More than 5.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine since then, while around 7.7 million people had been displaced within the country, according to the United Nations. (ANI/Sputnik)
Afghanistan's fastest-growing drug industry operates from desert outposts in plain view, a US media report said on Monday, weeks after the Taliban announced a ban on poppy cultivation. This comes as Afghanistan has been a global hub for opium production, estimated to supply 80 percent of the world's opiate users. According to The Washington Post, the meth industry is growing at record speed, stoking fears that the country could become a major supplier as demand rises globally. The US newspaper said that hundreds of meth labs have appeared in the country over the past six years. The report added that more are being built each month as the country's economic crisis forces Afghans to find new sources of income, the report said and added the vast majority of meth produced is for export. "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. According to the Post, though the Taliban inspect the market, they have not tried to shut it down. This is happening despite the ban issued by the Taliban issued on the growing, production and distribution of illicit drugs. Abdulwadood who works openly in the methamphetamine business said the only reason they are in this business is that there are no other jobs. "Of course, if the economy gets worse, more people will start producing shisha." "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 EU'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. (ANI)
Addressing a press briefing here after several high-level meetings between the two countries, Kwatra said, "PM Modi and the Danish PM held extensive discussions on the full range of bilateral cooperation as well as matters of global and regional interests."

"Prime Minister Modi's visit starts a new chapter in India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership and sets an ambitious agenda of cooperation which is mutually beneficial for both our countries, economies and societies," he added.

This comes after PM Modi and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen concluded delegation-level talks on Tuesday.

A joint statement noted that the Green Strategic Partnership, established during the Virtual Summit between the two Prime Ministers in September, 2020, has become a catalyst for enhanced cooperation between India and Denmark.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the concrete progress under the Green Strategic Partnership and reconfirmed their commitment to democratic values, rule of law and respect for human rights on which the Green Strategic Partnership is based.

They noted with satisfaction the progress made in various areas since the visit of Prime Minister Frederiksen to India in October 2021, especially in the sectors of renewable energy, health, shipping, and water.

The two Prime Ministers shared convergence of interest on the importance of climate action, green growth and energy diversification. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly participated with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, in the India-Denmark Business Forum at the Confederation of Danish Industry.

Addressing a press briefing here after several high-level meetings between the two countries, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, "At comprehensive CEOs' business roundtable meet. All issues-wind energy, manufacturing of green technologies in India with India-Denmark support, bringing together capabilities of both in solar energy, making conventional manufacturing processes more green, were discussed."

"I have no hesitation in saying that in the years to come, you will see good tendencies not only in trade but also progress in the Danish investment in India and extensive support in the field of technology," he said.

Kwatra said PM Modi's visit starts a new chapter in India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership and sets an ambitious agenda of cooperation that is mutually beneficial for both countries.

During the India-Denmark Business Forum, the Prime Minister emphasized the complementary skillsets of the two economies and invited Danish companies to take advantage of India's enormous opportunities in areas like green technologies, cold chains, waste to wealth, shipping and ports, among others.

He highlighted the business-friendly approach of India and exhorted business communities of both sides to explore collaboration opportunities.

Prime Minister Frederiksen highlighted the role of the business communities in forming a bridge between the two countries.

The event saw the participation of businesses from both countries in areas like Green Technology, Innovation and Digitization, Energy Independence and Renewable Energy, Water, Environment and Agriculture and Infrastructure, Transportation & Services. (ANI)
Saying that the talks held on the occasion of the India-Denmark business forum were good, a top Danish business executive on Tuesday said that the economic reforms underway in India are creating new opportunities and are paving the way for "big developments". The India-Denmark Business Forum was held with the attendance of top business leaders from India and Denmark, in the presence of Prime Miniter Narendra Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen. Answering a question on his opinion on economic reforms in India, Jorgen Mads Clausen, chairman of the board of directors at Danfoss said that in the past there were bureaucratic hindrances to major development initiatives which are no longer present. "I think these economic reforms in India is paving the way for big developments because, in the past, there were so many bureaucratic hindrances to big developments but it's getting better and better and there's a need for almost everything and so this is going to bode well for the future," Clausen said. Talking about the business forum, Clausen said, "We had a very good talk across the table, and there were many ideas that came up. There are a lot of opportunities when you speak to each other." "For instance... we were very impressed by talking about Indian bananas. India is the world's largest banana producer, but it's not sold in the European Union because of a lack of cold transport, and that's a huge opportunity for export out of India and we should do something about it," he added. Earlier, other business leaders expressed hope over investment prospects in India and growing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. After meeting PM Modi, Jens-Peter Saul, President and CEO of Ramboll Group, praised PM Modi's leadership in the area of green growth. "I think it's an ambitious leadership. I mean it's a fantastic nation and a very big nation but with the scale comes a lot of problems. And therefore transformation towards a green future is one of the main tasks you can have on this planet," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier today pitched India as the go-to destination for investment saying, those who don't invest in India will certainly miss out. "These days the term FOMO or 'fear of missing out' is gaining traction on social media. Looking at India's reforms and investment opportunities, I can say that those who don't invest in our nation will certainly miss out," said PM Modi at India-Denmark Business Forum. PM Modi Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen also held delegation-level talks on a range of regional and global issues. In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Modi, Danish PM said that Denmark and India are moving fast in transforming our Green Strategic Partnership into some concrete results. "The Indian government has high ambitions for the green transition and for making India more independent of fossil fuels. I am convinced that India and Denmark have huge untapped potential for trade and investment," she added. (ANI)
Students at a vocational school study practical electronics in Handan, Hebei province, in April. [Photo/Xinhua]

The newly revised Vocational Education Law is expected to improve the recognition and status of vocational education by stressing it is as equally important as regular education, said lawmakers and officials.

The law, which came into effect on May 1, will further integrate vocational education with regular education and facilitate vocational school students in pursuing a higher level of education and getting employment, they said. It is the first time the law has been revised since it was adopted in 1996.

Song Fang, an official with the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress's Legislative Affairs Commission, said implementation of the new law is of great significance to the high-quality development of vocational education, promoting employment and entrepreneurship, and cultivating more high-caliber technical professionals.

The law stipulates that vocational education should be further integrated with general education.

A credit and qualification transfer mechanism is expected to be built between the two forms of education, she said.

Different levels of vocational education will also be further integrated and students in higher vocational education will be eligible to apply for degrees once they meet the national requirement, she said.

To improve the status and attractiveness of vocational education, the law stressed that vocational education enjoys equal importance to regular education. It also asked government at different levels to increase funding of vocational education and strengthen the management of teachers and students to create a better learning environment, she said.

Vocational school graduates should also enjoy the same opportunity in getting higher levels of education, employment and career development as regular school graduates in the same level, Song said.

Zhang Tao, an official with the commission, said the revised law encouraged more participation from enterprises in vocational education to improve its quality.

Enterprises are encouraged to host vocational schools or cooperate with vocational schools through different ways, such as setting up trainee posts for vocational students, taking part in the compiling of vocational education textbooks, and training vocational teachers, he said.

Lin Yu, an official with the Ministry of Education, said the "equally important" provision in the new law has laid a solid foundation for the development of vocational education.

On the one hand, it is conducive to building consensus and improving recognition of the value of vocational education in the whole society. It can also spur more support and participation in vocational education and guide vocational schools to deepen reforms and pursue diverse development, he said.

The ministry will push for the integration of the curriculum, major setting and talent cultivation targets, and plans among different levels of vocational education, Lin said.

The ministry will accelerate implementing an independent enrollment exam for higher vocational education so higher vocational colleges and universities can enroll students, he said.

The ministry will also build a batch of high-quality vocational colleges offering bachelor degrees in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period to train high-caliber vocational talent, he added.

Wang Xiaojun, an official with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said the ministry will guide authorities to prevent discriminatory requirements for vocational school graduates.
After more than a hundred years of its supposed secular foundations, the institutionalised religious intolerance and racism in Turkey has continued to persist and has even accelerated in recent times, a report said. Ankara has been brainwashing its population with the 'Turkish Migration Routes' map, which since Turkish independence, has been used to decorate all primary school walls during the single-party Republican People's Party (CHP) period, International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) said in a report. This map was made in order to prove that the Turkish race migrated from Central Asia to the four corners of the world and carried civilization and that the tribes that founded the old civilizations in Anatolia were essentially Turks, the report said. Turkey has also been promoting and exporting this idea through professionally made Turkish serials of international standards which focus on that racist and Islamic conquest, the report further said, adding that, in an environment where the masses are conditioned in this way, religious intolerance is but natural the logical end product. Turkey is known to have a history of religious repression and mass massacres in the name of Islamization with the Armenian genocide that took place more than 100 years ago in 1915 being one of the most brutal examples. The genocide was the systematic destruction of the Armenian people during World War and was implemented primarily through mass murder of around one million Armenians during death marches to the Syrian Desert and forced Islamization of Armenian women and children, the report said. Though the genocide took place hundred years ago, the Armenians and Assyrians, who are very few in Turkey, continue their search for rights and justice till today. According to the report, even today, a child's freedom of religion, the right to participate, and the right of parents to raise their children according to their own philosophical or religious views are subject to systematic interference within the education system in Turkey. The Turkish government has also been trying to lay the groundwork to make religious education (Islamic Sunni) compulsory for children in the age group 4-6 years, the report said. In addition, the parents and students belonging to the atheists, deists and agnostics groups do not have the right to be exempted from compulsory Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge courses, the report further said. Those who criticize religion or belief in general, especially Islam, or certain interpretations of that religion or belief, are at risk of being prosecuted under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), the report added. Furthermore, the non-Muslim foundations in Turkey cannot elect their board of directors even today. Elections for the board of directors of these foundations have been prevented since 2013. As a result, the functioning of community foundations and the communities that benefit from them are paralyzed and weakened, the report said. Highlighting that there also exists a striking disparity in terms of resource allocation to different religions by the Turkish government, the report said that, most of the resources from the public budget are meant only for the Sunni Muslim community for religious services. Religious communities such as the Alevi community, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Armenian Patriarchate and the Protestant community are unable to provide even training to their religious officials because of a paucity of resources, the report added. The report went on to call on Ankara to take measures without delay in order to prevent religious violations by fulfilling the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) judgments and the Opinions of the Human Rights Committee in cases concerning freedom of religion or belief. (ANI)
Jennifer Gilbert, co-founder of the Gilbert Family Foundation, speaks during the launch of the $20 million Detroit Home Repair Fund that aims to help more than 1,000 Detroiters fix up their homes, through a network of nonprofits. The program is funded by the Gilbert Family Foundation, DTE Energy and ProMedica.

A new $20 million program aims to help more than 1,000 Detroiters access home repair resources, over three years, through a network of nonprofits.

The Detroit Home Repair Fund  financed by the Gilbert Family Foundation, DTE Energy and health care organization ProMedica  was created to address the living conditions in Detroiters' homes, officials said Tuesday during a news conference announcing the program. The result may be fixed roofs, stairs, windows, drywall and foundations.

"We are about to break a cycle that has trapped thousands of Detroit residents over the last two decades," said Laura Grannemann, executive director of the Gilbert Family Foundation. "Too many residents in the city of Detroit have faced a horrible decision: They either live in unsafe homes because they can't afford critical home repair resources or they leave their properties  many of which have been in their families for generations."

More: Detroits home repair crisis is even bigger than experts thought

More: New fund launches in effort to provide loans, support to minority contractors in Detroit

An estimated 37,630 Detroit households live in "inadequate" conditions, according to an October report from the University of Michigan's Detroit Metro Area Communities Study. That may include a home with exposed wiring or electrical issues, a broken furnace or no running water.

Residents with low and moderate incomes are more likely to live in poor housing conditions, according to the report. White Detroiters are half as likely to reside in these homes, compared with residents of color. And more renters live in inadequate homes than homeowners.

The report found that among the most frequent repair concerns Detroiters had: stopped up plumbing, pests, crumbling porch, unsafe trees, broken appliances, insufficient insulation and damaged roof.

The need for repairs funds in Detroit could be as high as $4 billion, Grannemann estimated.

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"Home repair is critical in stabilizing neighborhoods," Council President Mary Sheffield said. "It shuts off the pipeline to blight in our communities and with home ownership being the cornerstone of building wealth and stabilizing families, home repair creates and preserves generational wealth for Detroiters who have stayed and sustained our city."

Detroit homeowners with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty line  or a person making $27,180  who have applied for the city of Detroit's poverty tax exemption, better know as the HOPE program, are eligible to get assistance through the fund.

There is no minimum or maximum amount that will be spent on each home.

Grannemann said one of the goals is to simplify the process for trying to get home repair help. That includes soliciting bids from contractors, talking to residents about their needs and doing inspections.

The fund will first be available to community organizations working with DTE Energy's Energy Efficiency Assistance Program, including Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, the United Community Housing Coalition, Eastside Community Network, Matrix Human Services, CLEARCorps Detroit and EcoWorks. Those currently enrolled in DTE's program will "automatically be flagged for participation."

The Detroit Home Repair Fund has set out to address the more foundational and expensive issues  such as holes in a roof  that a homeowner needs to tackle before they can even make their home energy efficient, officials said Tuesday.

DTE's program makes upgrades to home appliances, furnaces, water heaters, windows and air sealing, Trevor Lauer, president and COO of DTE Electric, said.

"We're really going to be able to, as a group, more holistically address the issues that some of these customers have to go above and beyond normal energy efficiency," Lauer said.

Detroiter Loretta Powell signed up for DTE's program last year and received a water heater and furnace but she still needs repairs including windows and a new deck.

As Powell was volunteering with the nonprofit Eastside Community Network, making phone calls and going door-to-door to let people know about resources to avoid property tax foreclosure, she noticed how many homes "desperately" needed home repairs. At times, it was too dangerous to walk up broken stairs, she said.

"We need help," Powell said. "Detroit desperately needs home repair programs for our community because our homes need to be safe to live in."

Home repair was among the top concerns Detroiters raised when asked last year how they would like their city government to spend an influx of federal COVID-19 relief dollars. Researchers, residents and community organizations have said existing programs are difficult to tap into and don't address the breadth of repair needs in the city.

The biggest issue now, particularly with seniors, is addressing improvements in their homes, Mayor Mike Duggan said.

"(They've) got a hole in their roof, they've got a plumbing problem, there's wind blowing into the windows, they need some grants to be able to stay there because they don't want to leave. They love their homes," Duggan said.

Last fall, the city of Detroit launched program to replace 1,000 roofs for low-income seniors and homeowners with disabilities, funded by $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan dollars.

That work is expected to begin later this summer, Duggan said Tuesday.

Advocates at the time said that pot of funding was not nearly enough to address the wide scale of repair needs.

Daisy Jackson, vice president of the Field Street Block Club in Detroit's Islandview neighborhood, said residents are dealing with holes and leaks. They need new roofs and insulation.

Jackson said it's important for residents to have one place to get help for repair funding.

"You've got to jump through hoops to get the resources," Jackson said.

The fund operates on a first come first served basis. The repair work is slated to begin June or July. Those interested can call the Detroit Home Repair Fund at 313-306-2082 to see if they qualify and for more information.

Nushrat Rahman covers issues related to economic mobility for the Detroit Free Press and Bridge Detroit as a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/freepRFA.

Contact Nushrat: nrahman@freepress.com; 313-348-7558. Follow her on Twitter: @NushratR. Sign up for Bridge Detroit's newsletter. Become a Free Press subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: $20M fund to help Detroiters tap into home repair help
A man was booked Tuesday into the Minnehaha County Jail for a warrant involving sexual contact with a minor.

Brandon Asa Craig, 25, from Sioux Falls, is being held on a $250,000 bond after his arrest regarding allegations of sexual crimes involving minors.

The incident was reported on Feb. 9, when a 59-year-old man told police his now 12-year-old granddaughter had been sexually assaulted from summer 2019 through 2021, according to court documents.

More Argus911: Here's how South Dakota law defines sex crimes and categorizes offenders.

In a Child's Voice interview, the victim reported she was "molested" by Craig, during the time the suspect was dating the victim's mother.

Child's Voice in Sioux Falls is a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center, providing medical evaluations for victims of abuse and neglect, according to the center's website.

The victim told detectives Craig made her touch his genitals once or two times a week, and he touched hers, according to court documents.

Craig was booked into jail at about noon Tuesday, and hasn't had his initial court appearance scheduled. He's facing four counts of sexual contact with a minor under 16.

If he's found guilty of his charges, Craig could be sent to prison for up to 10 years and get a $25,000 fine.

Got a story idea from your community? Email reporter Alfonzo Galvan at agalvan@argusleader.com or follow him on Twitter @GalvanReports.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls man charged with sexual contact with minor, court docs state
Activist groups called on Twitter advertisers Tuesday to boycott the service if it opens the gates to abusive and misinformative posts with billionaire Elon Musk as its owner.

The Tesla chief's $44-billion deal to buy the global messaging platform must still get the backing of shareholders and regulators, but he has voiced enthusiasm for dialing back content moderation to a legal minimum and no longer banning people for using the platform to instigate real-world harm.

"Your brand risks association with a platform amplifying hate, extremism, health misinformation, and conspiracy theorists," said an open letter signed by more than two dozen groups including Media Matters, Access Now and Ultraviolet.

"Under Musk's management, Twitter risks becoming a cesspool of misinformation, with your brand attached."

The groups urged advertisers to require that Twitter maintain its content moderation policies as a non-negotiable term of doing business with the platform.

Twitter makes most of its revenue from ads, and that could be jeopardized by advertisers' reaction to content posted on the platform, the San Francisco-based tech firm said in a filing with US regulators.

Ad revenue at Twitter increased 16 percent to $1.2 billion in the recently ended quarter, while revenue from subscriptions and other means decreased to $94.4 million, the company said in the filing.

While Musk has not revealed nitty-gritty details of how he would run the business side of Twitter, he has expressed a preference for making money from subscriptions.

Analysts doubt that Twitter users would flock to pay for premium content or features such as retweeting posts when social media platforms such as Facebook are free of charge.

As of the end of March, an average 229 million people used Twitter daily, an increase of nearly 16 percent from the first three months of last year, Twitter said in the filing.

The user growth was driven in part by the war in Ukraine, with people using the service to find news and support, the company told regulators.

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"We believe that our long-term success depends on our ability to improve the health of the public conversation on Twitter," the company said in the filing.

Efforts toward that goal include fighting abuse, harassment, spam and "malicious automation," or when software instead of people manages accounts, Twitter told regulators.

Musk has said he would make fighting such automated "bots" at Twitter a priority.

Twitter estimated that false or spam accounts made up less than five percent of its daily active users in the first quarter of this year, the filing said.

gc/to
Heavily armed Al-Shabaab jihadists stormed an African Union (AU) base in Somalia on Tuesday, triggering a fierce firefight that caused casualties on both sides, military officials and witnesses said.

AU forces dispatched helicopter gunships after the pre-dawn car bomb and gun attack on a camp housing Burundian peacekeepers near Ceel Baraf, a village some 160 kilometres (100 miles) northeast of the capital Mogadishu, the sources said.

A high-ranking Burundian military officer told AFP that about 30 soldiers were killed and another 22 wounded, while a dozen were missing. There was no confirmation about the toll from Somali or AU officials.

"There was heavy fighting and casualties inflicted on both sides, but we don't have more details about this incident so far," local military commander Mohamed Ali told AFP by phone.

"They launched the attack with a car bomb blast before a heavy exchange of gunfire broke out," he added.

Al-Shabaab, which has been waging a deadly insurgency against Somalia's fragile central government for more than a decade, claimed responsibility for the assault.

It was the first such major attack on a peacekeeping base since the AU Transition Mission in Somalia ATMIS) replaced the previous AMISOM peacekeeping force on April 1.

There has been no comment from ATMIS or the central government on the attack, which comes with the country locked in a deep political crisis over delayed elections and facing the threat of famine.

The Burundian military source said about 400 Islamist fighters stormed the base after blowing up two car bombs. Burundian soldiers then retreated to a nearby hillside where they continued to fight, supported by drones and helicopters.

The jihadists said in a statement they had taken control of the camp and claimed to have killed 173 African Union soldiers.

Al-Shabaab also released a video showing bodies of what appeared to slain soldiers lying on the ground, according to the SITE Intelligence Group that monitors extremist organisations.

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The death toll claims and the video could not be independently verified.

- 'Blasts and machinegun fire' -

"Al-Shabaab gunmen stormed the camp early morning, there were heavy blasts and exchanges of machinegun fire. The Burundians vacated the camp and entered Ceel Baraf village before helicopters arrived providing aerial support," said one witness, local resident Weliyow Maalim.

"The helicopters fired missiles and heavy machineguns, we saw smoke rising over the camp but we don't know about the situation exactly," said another witness, Ahmed Adan.

In September 2015, at least 50 African Union troops were reported by Western military sources to have been killed when Al-Shabaab fighters overran a military base in Janale, southwest of Mogadishu.

In October 2011, Al-Shabaab claimed to have killed more than 70 Burundian peacekeepers in battle and laid out dozens of bodies in military uniform in one of their strongholds outside Mogadishu.

At the time the African Union said it had lost about 10 soldiers, and dismissed the militants' claims as a stunt.

ATMIS -- made up of troops from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda -- has the task of helping Somali forces take primary responsibility for security in the troubled Horn of Africa nation.

Under a UN resolution approving its creation, ATMIS is projected to gradually reduce staffing levels from nearly 20,000 soldiers, police and civilians to zero by the end of 2024.

Al-Shabaab fighters controlled the seaside capital Mogadishu until 2011 when they were driven out by AU troops.

But they still hold territory in the countryside and frequently attack civilian, military and government targets in Mogadishu and elsewhere.

The latest assault comes less than a week after parliament chose new speakers for the upper and lower houses -- a key step on the path towards a long-delayed presidential vote.

The drawn-out election process has been marred by deadly violence and a bitter power struggle between the president and prime minister.

Somalia's international partners have voiced fears the delays were distracting from its myriad problems including the fight against Al-Shabaab and widespread drought which has left millions facing hunger.

nur-txw/bp
By Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar

MOGADISHU (Reuters) -Al Qaeda-linked militants overran an African Union peacekeepers' camp in the centre of Somalia, a security source and the group said on Tuesday, in what appears to be one of the al Shabaab group's biggest attacks this year.

A resident said three civilians died in crossfire during the attack, while the number of African Union soldiers killed or captured was unclear.

The chairperson of the AU commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said he paid tribute to the Burundian peacekeepers who lost their lives, but did not say how many died.

Somalia is preparing to hold long-delayed presidential elections with political rivalries having split the security services, distracting them from the fight against the al Shabaab insurgency.

Somalia's presidency condemned the attack on the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) base near El Baraf, about 130 km (80 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu, and called for increased military support.

"The mujahideen launched a pre-dawn raid on an ATMIS military base in El Baraf," an al Shabaab statement said. "After a fierce firefight, the mujahideen managed to overrun the base and are now in complete control of the entire military base."

Al Shabaab has been fighting for years to topple the central government and implant its rule in the Horn of Africa country based on its strict interpretation of Islam's sharia law.

A video shared on social media appeared to show people looting a military base and equipment consistent with African Union forces. A fighter carrying the black flag of al Shabaab was seen standing on top of a burnt-out armoured personnel carrier within a military camp.

Another still photo appeared to show part of the bloodsoaked body of a soldier with "Burundi" written on his uniform.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify the authenticity of the images.

Mohamed Nur, a resident of El Baraf, said he saw two helicopters shooting as they whirred overhead.

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"We were awoken by huge blasts early in the morning. The blasts were at the African Union mission base. A heavy exchange of gunfire followed," he said.

Farah Hussein, a shopkeeper in El Baraf, said he also saw helicopters. "We heard some gunshots and sounds of weapons being fired from the helicopters," he said by phone.

"The ATMIS forces are also in the jungles pursuing the al Shabaab fighters. So far we know three civilians died and five others were injured in the fighting."

Local officials in the Shabelle region and the African Union mission did not respond to requests for comment on the attack. The African Union and its member states do not typically release information on casualties from an attack.

Al Shabaab frequently carries out bombings and gun attacks throughout Somalia. Last month it attacked the main airport in the capital.

It has previously overrun African Union bases. In 2016, al Shabaab said it had killed more than 100 Kenyan soldiers in El Adde near the border with Kenya. The Kenyan government has never revealed the number of casualties.

(Reporting by Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar; Writing by Hereward Holland and George Obulutsa; Editing by William Maclean and Mark Heinrich)
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
Actor Amber Heard attends her ex-husband Johnny Depp's defamation trial against her, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, U.S., April 28, 2022. Michael Reynolds/Pool via REUTERS

Amber Heard didn't believe Johnny Depp showed enough support after her nude photos were leaked in 2014.

Her feelings were recorded by a nurse who was treating her at the time.

Depp offered "emotional support" at first, the nurse's notes say.

Amber Heard told her nurse that her then-fiance Johnny Depp failed to provide enough support in the hours following a leak of more than 50 of her nude photos in 2014.

Prerecorded testimony from Heard's former nurse, Erin Falati, was shown to jurors on Tuesday morning in Depp's defamation case against Heard. Notes from Falati taken on September 22, 2014, hours after the leak the night before, depicts Heard as "agitated" and "screaming" in a highly anxious emotional state.

"[Heard] crying and states she got into verbal argument with fiance after RN departure," Falati, also known as Erin Boerum, wrote in her notes. "[Heard] states she feels fiance did not provide support."

Heard was among the victims of the 2014 hack of around a dozen female celebrities' iCloud hack, leading to the leak of personal photos. TMZ reported on the afternoon of September 21 that Heard's photos were leaked, among them a picture of herself nude with a message to Depp.

Falati was notified about the hack at 11 p.m. that day, she wrote in her notes, as Heard told her she was "experiencing [a] high level of anxiety."

When Falati arrived at Heard's home, the actress was crying and "hyperverbal," and the nurse guided her through relaxation techniques.

Depp was also present and offered support, Falati wrote.

"[Heard]'s finance offered emotional support," Falati wrote. [Herd] able to calm self and agreed to journal thoughts as coping mechanism."

Erin Falati, also known as Erin Boerum, a former nurse of actor Amber Heard, is seen in a previously recorded video of her deposition, at the Fairfax County Circuit Court during a defamation case by actor Johnny Depp against ex-wife Heard, in Fairfax, Virginia, U.S., May 2, 2022. Steve Helber/Pool via REUTERS

Heard took medication to treat her anxiety and went to bed. But around 1 a.m. on September 22, she was awake, Falati wrote, and had gotten into the "verbal argument" with Depp. Falati helped Heard "with deep breathing techniques, processing feelings and thoughts" and then gave her more medication to help her sleep, Falati wrote.

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"I remember a general sense of Ms. Heard being very upset her phone was hacked because there was very sensitive information in it, and I feel that she was having a difficult time calming after that," Falati said in the deposition played in the courtroom Tuesday.

Falati's testimony is for the trial over a lawsuit Depp brought against Heard in 2019. He alleged she defamed him when she described herself in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed as a victim of domestic violence  widely understood to be a reference to her marriage with Depp, which ended in 2016 around the same time she filed for a restraining order against him. Depp has denied being violent toward Heard and has alleged that she, in fact, physically and verbally abused him. Heard has denied the claims and filed a countersuit, alleging Depp abused her numerous times before and during their marriage.

Both parties have accused each other of being prone to violence while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Falati specialized in addiction treatment and worked with Heard in 2014 and 2015, also helping her with anxiety issues. Falati also worked with David Kipper, the doctor who treated Depp for his own drug addiction.

Depp previously brought a defamation lawsuit in the UK against The Sun, a British tabloid, over a claim that he was a "wife beater." At the 2020 trial, Heard testified that Depp blamed her for the nude photo leak.

"They went everywhere,'' she said. "Johnny blamed me for that. I was to blame."

Depp ultimately lost that case.

Read the original article on Insider
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."
Former American Airlines flight attendant Kimberly Goesling began her testimony Friday afternoon in her suit against the airline.

In a lawsuit filed January 2020, Goesling claimed she was retaliated against after reporting she was sexually assaulted by celebrity chef Mark Sargeant during a work trip to Germany. Goesling, of Fort Worth, previously worked for the airline for 30 years and retired this past December.

The trial began April 25 in Tarrant Countys 342nd Judicial District Court. The court must decide if the airline both harmed and wronged Goesling.

In her testimony Monday, Goesling recounted the effects the assault had on her and her eight-year relationship with former boyfriend Cory Hogan. Goesling said the relationship ended due to the strain of the assaults aftermath.

Goesling told the jury about how she had trouble sleeping following the alleged assault and couldnt share a bed with Hogan, instead choosing to sleep on the couch. In the weeks following the assault, Goesling said she was unable to answer questions Hogan asked about why she wasnt speaking or why she was sleeping on the couch. She still sleeps on the couch more often than she does her bed, she said.

Since the incident, Goesling said shes also had nightmares that repeat the attack and that she clenches her jaw so hard in her sleep shes cracked teeth and had to have them pulled. She said shes also experienced disordered eating habits. When shes approached from behind, Goesling now becomes defensive. She cant smell alcohol without shutting down, and loud noises trigger panic attacks.

Her lack of sleep resulted in a trip to the doctor for medication, where Goesling told the doctor the reason for her sleep loss was because of the assault.

Shauna Wright, an attorney with American Airlines, scrutinized notes from the doctor visit. The doctor had written down that Goesling told him she was almost assaulted and that Sargeant had tried to attack her. Goesling disputed the notes and told Wright she had told the doctor she was both attacked and assaulted without question, and that the doctor was the one who encouraged her to report the incident to her employer and the authorities.

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When she first filed the suit, Goesling had gone under the pseudonym Jane Doe and later revealed her identity. She said she revealed herself because she didnt like the person she became and that she was living under a shield.

At American, employees had to do modules on sexual harassment, Goesling said Monday. Goesling said the airline wasnt taking care of her, even though she knew the modules were in place because of situations like hers.

Goesling said what happened to her is a part of a broader picture of sexual assault and retaliation at American Airlines, and in June told the Star-Telegram others had come forward with similar experiences of having their stories brushed aside.

Both the defense and plaintiff anticipated closing arguments by Friday, though Judge Kimberly Fitzpatrick said she wouldnt close the case this week.
Laine Hardy returned to perform on a special reunion episode of "American Idol" that aired Monday, days after his arrest for allegedly bugging his ex-girlfriend's dorm room.

The episode, which was taped earlier this month and paid tribute to the show's 20th anniversary, opened with a duet between Hardy, who won the reality singing competition in 2019, and Laci Kaye Booth, who finished in the Top 5 that year.

The two sang "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty to rave reviews from judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

"I was slayed when you came on the stage, Laine," Perry said. "I was like, 'Who is this guy? Was he in 'A Star Is Born'?"

Richie said the singers "both sound amazing," and Bryan thanked them for continuing to be "part of the 'American Idol' family."

"I don't know any other television show that creates super stars like this one, and you guys are legit it," Perry added.

All 19 'American Idol' winners ranked: How does your favorite fare?

Laine Hardy returned to perform on a special reunion episode of "American Idol" that aired Monday, days after his arrest for allegedly bugging his ex-girlfriend's dorm room.

Other "American Idol" alumni who returned to perform are past winners Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard, Kris Allen and David Cook. Motivational speaker William Hung, whose unsuccessful Season 3 audition went viral, also returned, as did last year's finalists Willie Spence and Grace Kinstler.

On Friday, Hardy, 21, was arrested by the Louisiana State University Police Department after he was accused of bugging his ex-girlfriend's dorm room with a recording device.

He was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for violation of 15:1303  interception and disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communication. If found guilty, he could face a fine of up to $10,000 and or a prison sentence of two to 10 years.

According to the arrest warrant, a woman and her roommate found a recording device inside their dorm room on April 6. The following day, they reported the finding to LSU police. The woman told police she found the device, which looked like a phone charger, under her futon, the warrant stated.

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'American Idol' winner Laine Hardy arrested, accused of bugging ex-girlfriend's room

She told officers that she believed her ex-boyfriend, Hardy, had left the device in her room earlier because he appeared to know details about what was going on in her life even though she hadnt told him about them. Police said they later found evidence of secret recordings made over 10 days in February, the warrant said.

"The victim advised she immediately confronted him, to which he admitted to her that he left a 'bug' in her room but discarded it in his pond," a police affidavit said.

Hardy is a Louisiana native who lives in Livingston Parish. He is not an LSU student.

The "Idol" star confirmed there was a warrant for his arrest in a Facebook post Thursday, avoiding details but noting there was an incident of a "sensitive nature" that occurred on LSU's campus.

'American Idol': Katy Perry wants 'extra hour of therapy' after Noah Thompson covers her ex John Mayer

"Earlier today, I received a warrant due to allegations made against me and have been fully cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department," Hardy wrote. "I understand that my career has thrust me into the public spotlight, and I embrace that wholeheartedly as my entire world belongs to my music and my fans."

In a statement to USA TODAY, Hardy's attorney C Frank Holthaus said, "Mr. Hardy did receive a warrant for his arrest earlier today and has been and will continue to be completely cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department on this matter."

Hardy rose to fame after winning "American Idol" in 2019. It marked the end of a long road on the singing competition for the Livingston, Louisiana, native, who previously competed on the show in 2018 but was eliminated from the Top 50.

'American Idol' judges reveal they're 'heartbroken' over Kenedi Anderson, but optimistic for Top 14

Contributing: Naledi Ushe and Greg Hilburn

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'American Idol': Laine Hardy sings in episode aired days after arrest
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's central bank is pressing the country's commercial banks to meet deadlines on new payments systems that will make it easier and cheaper for customers to set up direct debits and to transfer money internationally.

In a speech on Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) head of payments policy Ellis Connolly said some major banks had recently indicated they would be unable to meet a commitment to launch a new PayTo system for direct debits by July.

"Given this, the Governor (Philip Lowe) has written to the CEOs of the relevant banks to seek assurance that they will be ready to launch PayTo by no later than April 2023," said Ellis.

The new systems are intended as an upgrade to the New Payments Platform (NPP), a major modernisation of Australia's real time payments system which the RBA has been leading since 2012.

There are now 107 financial institutions offering NPP payment services for almost 90 million customer accounts, including Australia's four major domestic banks. Over the past year, the NPP processed more than a billion transactions, worth more than A$1 trillion ($705 billion).

The RBA is also pressing banks to adopt a new international payments business service which will enable the Australian dollar leg of inbound cross-border payments to be processed by the NPP.

The system would allow additional data about the sender to be provided, making it easier for banks to meet their compliance obligations related to financial crime, said Ellis.

"The Reserve Bank expects the industry to remain committed to delivering the international payments business service in 2023," said Ellis.

International payments using the current system were too expensive, slow and opaque, said Ellis, and using the NPP would increase the speed and lower the cost of transactions.

($1 = 1.4188 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Wayne Cole; editing by Richard Pullin)
May 3QUITMAN  Authorities are seeking a suspect connected to the slaying of a 22-year-old woman this past weekend.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents and Brooks County sheriff's investigators have secured arrest warrants for Roberto Andablo Gaona, 31, in connection to the death of Yessica Baena Torres, 22, according to a GBI statement released Monday.

Gaona is charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, according to the GBI statement.

Before noon Sunday morning, May 1, Torres was found dead in a vehicle near the intersection of Troupville and Studstill roads in Brooks County, authorities said.

The Brooks County Sheriff's Office requested the GBI conduct the death investigation.

Torres and Gaona have an infant child together, according to the GBI.

The GBI medical examiner's office is conducting the autopsy on Torres.

Authorities said the investigation is active and ongoing.

Authorities encourage anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gaona or other information to contact the GBI Thomasville Office at (229) 225-4090 or the Brooks County Sheriff's Office at (229) 263-9323. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
NEW YORK  Michelin stars and James Beard Awards can launch a restaurant to fame and fortune, but a new sort of award will honor the kitchens and dining rooms for something much more important and enduring than the niceties of haute cuisine.

The "High Road Awards" are a chance to nominate a favorite restaurant for doing the right thing both on the plate and in the break room, but time is running out  the nominations close on Friday.

One Fair Wage, RAISE: High Road Restaurants, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and the Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment, Queens College have launched the first-ever New York High Road Restaurant Awards, to recognize the top restaurants that are raising wages and advancing equity and health and safety to recruit and retain staff during the so-called "Great Resignation."

Winners will be announced at an awards breakfast on May 17. New York State Assemblymember Jessica Gonzales-Rojas, the sponsor of legislation to end sub-minimum wages for tipped workers will be present to announce the awards and honor the winners.

Nominations for "High Road" restaurants are now open in the five categories:

Health and Safety Restaurant of the Year  Award given to the restaurant that has demonstrated the greatest commitment to worker health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Racial Equity Independent Restaurant of the Year  Award given to the restaurant that has demonstrated the greatest commitment to racial equity, especially upward mobility for workers of color and women of color in particular.

Gender Equity Independent Restaurant of the Year  Award given to the restaurant that has demonstrated the greatest commitment to gender equity, especially anti-sexual harassment policy and pay equity, particularly for women of color.

Livable Wage Small Business Restaurant of the Year  All nominated businesses under 50 employees that pay One Fair Wage - a full minimum wage to all employees with tips on top - receive recognition; one from each of several regions will be chosen for their commitment to the issue and has gone up and beyond both at the individual and at the restaurant level.

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Livable Wage Restaurant Advocate of the Year  Award given to the restaurant that has been most active in advocating for policies that raise wages for workers in the service sector.

"Hundreds of restaurants across New York are responding to the great resignation by raising wages, advancing racial and gender equity, and building an industry where workers, and their employers can thrive, explained Saru Jayaraman, President of One Fair Wage, a national nonprofit that advocates on behalf of restaurant workers earning the tipped subminimum wage. The New York High Road Restaurant Awards will honor the top employers and restaurants on the frontlines of building a new, better restaurant industry - and we look forward to celebrating them. We call on NY State Governor Hochul and the NY State Legislature to support them by creating a level playing field and passing legislation to end the subminimum wage for tipped restaurant workers statewide."



Nominations will be accepted through May 6, at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be announced at the awards breakfast on May 17.

Selection of the winners will be made by a committee of representatives from each of the sponsoring organizations. Award winners will receive a plaque and a grant of $1000. Runners-up will receive a plaque and a grant of $500.

New Awards Will Recognize NY Restaurants For What Isn't On The Menu originally appeared on the New Rochelle Patch
Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images

New data from Sen. Elizabeth Warren's office highlighted the effect of student-debt relief.

It found $10,000 in relief would erase debt for 32% of borrowers, and $50,000 would do so for 76%.

Also, $10,000 in relief  which Biden pledged  would erase debt for 2 million Black borrowers.

Any bit of student-loan relief will help borrowers  but new data found the more forgiveness, the better.

On Tuesday, an analysis prepared for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and obtained by Insider found that if President Joe Biden fulfills his campaign pledge to cancel $10,000 in student debt for every federal borrower, 32%, or 13 million, borrowers will see their debt balances turn to zero.

And with every $10,000 increment, the share of borrowers impacted will only increase  $30,000 in relief would zero out balances for 24 million borrowers, and $50,000 in relief  an amount Warren and many of her Democratic colleagues have pushed for  will wipe out total debt balances for 76% of borrowers, or 30 million total.

"Our findings bolster prior research showing that debt cancelation would free millions of borrowers from financial burdens, help close debt and wealth gaps between Black and white households, and eliminate runaway student loan balances for distressed borrowers," the analysis, prepared in part by Dr. Charlie Eaton at the University of California, Merced, wrote. "Higher levels of cancelation do more towards each of these ends. In sum, every dollar of student debt cancelation counts, but bigger is better for advancing racial equity and economic security."

The analysis also revealed how influential broad student-loan relief would be for minority borrowers. $10,000 in debt forgiveness would wipe out balances for 2 million Black borrowers, and $50,000 in relief would reduce the share of Black individuals with student debt from 24% to 6%, narrowing the Black-white gap.

Warren has long been a proponent for broad student-loan forgiveness, not only because she said it will stimulate the economy but also due to the impact it would have on closing the racial wealth gap in the country. This new data comes as Biden is inching closer toward making a decision on debt relief  he told reporters last week that while he is not considering $50,000 in forgiveness, a decision on canceling student debt will be made "in the next couple of weeks."

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The racial impact of student debt has also been a focus for other prominent lawmakers, like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. In a recent opinion piece with NAACP President Derrick Johnson, Schumer detailed how Black borrowers are more likely to take out student loans to begin with than their white counterparts, and while the median white borrower will owe just 6% of their student debt 20 years after entering college, the median Black borrower will still owe 95% of their debt over the same time period.

"This disparity is unacceptable," Schumer and Johnson wrote. "It is un-American. And at the current rate, it is entirely unsustainable."

It's unclear how exactly Biden plans to act on student debt, but reports have noted he is considering at least $10,000 in forgiveness that could likely be subject to income limits. Still, as the analysis noted, "every dollar of immediate debt cancelation counts, but bigger is better for racial equity and tackling wealth inequality."

Read the original article on Business Insider
France in the 1960s is famous for its symbols of liberation: Bardot, Foucault, student rebellion (under the pavement, the beach). Yet nearly half the country lived with the ongoing threat of unwanted pregnancy, a looming dystopian nightmare. Contraceptives were illegal, as was abortion. In late 1963, Annie Ernaux, the first in her family to attend college, was months away from graduating when she learned she was pregnant. Happening, published in France in 2000 and in English a year later, is a memoir of her race to abort without dying or landing in prison.

Audrey Diwans movie adaptation, which won the top prize at the 2021 Venice Film Festival and opens in U.S. theaters this week, relates young Annes experience while omitting many of the authors recollections and ruminations. But Diwans skillful interpretation couldnt be more effective at transmitting Ernauxs freshly urgent message in light of the ongoing rollback of womens rights: Prohibiting abortion puts women in mortal danger.

Since the 1970s, Ernaux has published roughly two dozen compact, arresting memoirs of her life as a girl and a woman. Her 2008 capstone, The Years, furthered her project of autosociobiography, channeling a collective historical consciousness from which she views her own inner life as inseparable. With a signature blend of raw precision and spare lyricism, shes turned a methodical lens on her adolescence, family relationships, illnesses and love affairs.

Author Annie Ernaux in France in March, 2000, the year her memoir "Happening" was published. (Frederic Reglain / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

In her memoirs, Ernaux plunges us headfirst into her experiences, particularizing her recollections with cultural, commercial and personal artifacts  news stories, groceries, snapshots  and distilling insights from her present perspective. As Diwan jettisons the latter two components of Happening, the narrative loses some of what makes Ernauxs work sui generis, but in so doing it takes on new universality. The result reminds viewers that this one specific happening, in all its peril and terror, stands in for millions of others.

At age 23, Anne is at the top of her class at her Normandy university. Her parents run a small-town cafe (the incomparable Sandrine Bonnaire plays Annes mother on-screen). But Anne is determined to teach and write. Finding herself pregnant, she embarks on an odyssey to obtain an abortion. Doctors and classmates are loath to discuss it for fear of prosecution. Annes lover makes clear that its her problem to deal with. Even in medical textbooks, information is scarce.

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Increasingly panicked, Anne is unable to concentrate on school. She makes an unsuccessful attempt with knitting needles at home. Finally, an acquaintance refers her to a Paris abortionist off a literal back alley, where she has the procedure at 12 weeks. Its costly and excruciating, with no medication or follow-up care. It takes three days for Anne to miscarry in the bathroom back at her dorm; then, she begins to hemorrhage. The on-call campus doctor sends her to the ER, where shes lucky the event is not ruled to be an abortion  and lucky to get out alive.

The abortion allowed the author  once she recovered  to finish school, start her career and have children when she was ready. Ernauxs first published book, the autobiographical novel Cleaned Out (1974), dealt with the incident as the ultimate step in her coming of age. She turned to memoir shortly thereafter, but she always felt compelled to recount her three-month ordeal in full; after 35 years, she set out to excavate it. Using her diary and still-vivid memories, she reconstructs the crisis, mentally and physically retracing her steps. At times, shes unsure shell be able to persist. Rather than include the adult narrator in the film, Diwan transfers Ernauxs anguish directly to viewers through a visceral identification with Anne.

Diwan, originally a novelist, co-wrote the policiers The Connection (2014) and The Stronghold (2020) and made her directorial debut with the domestic drama Losing It (2019). Ernaux advised her on Happening, giving notes on several drafts of the script. The films star, Anamaria Vartolomei, executes the role with laser-beam intensity. As Anne, she embodies alarm, agony and determination all at once in a performance Ernaux called overwhelmingly true and spot-on.

The camera work, intimate and unrelenting, moves us through her predicament with her. With Annes rising despair, her surroundings grow blurry, the ambient sound increasingly unintelligible. In the films press materials, Vartolomei reveals that for the climactic labor scene, Diwan put a metronomic device in the actors ear, then steadily turned up its volume. When Anne returns to class at the movies end, we share her overwhelming sense of deliverance.

What makes Ernauxs voice essential on the page  the textural immersion in her memories and the way she plumbs them for epiphanies  also makes it hard to bring her work to the screen. Diwan forgoes these aspects of the book but serves the authors intent by re-creating the emergency itself. It was important to the filmmaker that Happening not feel distractingly like a period movie; hence the paucity of contextual details.

By contrast, Ernaux recalls material specifics as integral to her experience: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a ubiquitous song by a closeted nun, a screening of Battleship Potemkin where she underwent contractions. These points of contact with the outside world formed tenuous toeholds for the young Ernaux, and they personalize her narrative in a way the film deliberately avoids.

Diwan also elides a piece of the story between the protagonists hospital stay and her exams, a tender telling of how Anne savored her reprieve with something like spiritual ecstasy. But including these moments would make it a different movie, perhaps one with slightly more time to spare. Although Diwan takes care not to shock for effect (in fact, omitting a few of the texts darkest passages), she prioritizes immediacy a choice Ernaux affirmed. The effect is a version of the story that calls in contemporary viewers, reminding us what the stakes are today, when women in a growing number of U.S. states are faced with enduring what Ernaux did almost 60 years ago.

An experience as common as abortion ought to be too mundane, so many years later, for dramatic storytelling. Regrettably, the abortion quest remains the engine of a reliably high-stakes narrative arc. Where a hero might journey into the future, a heroine journeys just to have one.

As a genre, abortion-quest films are almost always two-handers, enlisting a female friend or family member, whether the result is a grim tale of compromise (Never Rarely Sometimes Always, 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days, last years Lingui); an unlikely occasion for comedy (Grandma, Plan B, Unpregnant); or something in between (One Sings, the Other Doesnt). But amid all of the coat hangers, mustard baths and pennyroyal potions on-screen, "Happening" is most striking for Anne's isolation. As in Ernauxs life, the protagonist is on her own, a reality more common than movies let on.

In The Years, Ernaux alludes to later involvement with a Jane Collective-like clandestine network facilitating safe abortions. She writes of her participation in the movement to decriminalize the procedure: It was up to us to stop, for the very first time, thousands of years of blood-soaked deaths of women. Six decades later, the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to return us to those dark days. For many, Happening is brutally relevant  and may be well into the future.

Johnsons work has appeared in the Guardian, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Review of Books, the Believer and elsewhere. She lives in Los Angeles.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa. has introduced a bill that would establish Harriet Tubman Day as a federal holiday

A Philadelphia bookstore owner has launched a petition to honor Harriet Tubman with a federal holiday.

Jeannine Cook, 38, owner of Harrietts Bookshop, has collected more than 7,800 signatures on the petition, NBC News reports. Cooks passion for the American abolitionist began as a child when she read books about Tubmans life in her school library. In February 2020, she opened a book shop in Philadelphia named after Tubman where customers can buy titles by female authors.

Please consider telling your schools to join our letter writing campaign to make #HarriettTubmanDay the first federal holiday named for a woman. It was accepted into congress (HR 7013) and now it needs cosponsors. We plan to publish these letters as a book. So send us pics! pic.twitter.com/tgvfdv7O8L  Harrietts Bookshop (@harriettsbooks) March 13, 2022

Theres this whole lie that Black people dont read, that Black women didnt do everything that weve done. (Harriet Tubman) was somebody, even as a little girl, that I needed to see and know that these stories had real-life humans, real-life Black women, just like me, who were the reason that certain institutions crumbled. If you want to see Black women celebrated, then just go celebrate them and everybody else can get on board if they want, Cook said in a 2021 interview with TODAY.

She also reflected on the challenges of opening a bookstore amid the COVID pandemic.

It was just so unbelievable because of the sheer amount of time, energy, and money I had just put in. I also had no real resolve to get my resources back, so it was really painful and just kind of surreal, Cook said. When stuff like that happens, youre kind of asking yourself, or at least Im asking myself, What is this trying to tell me? What is the lesson in this?'

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Cook distributes blank postcards for patrons of her bookstore to write their representatives calling for a federal holiday honoring the famed political activist who led enslaved people to freedom. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) has responded to Cooks effort by introducing a bill in the House that would establish Harriet Tubman Day as a federal holiday.

This 1860-75 photo made available by the Library of Congress shows Harriet Tubman. (Harvey B. Lindsley/Library of Congress via AP)

Our federal holidays must be a mirror of the American experience while at the same time reflecting our countrys history and diversity, Boyle said in a statement, as reported by Axios.

Cook has reportedly spoken to several local members of Congress about making Tubman the first American woman honored with a federal holiday.

Its the multifacetedness of Harriet that I find so extraordinary, Cook said to NBC News. There were so many ways she, I believe, exemplifies how to take the worst of what society has offered and to transmutate {sic} that into an immense amount of power  not for yourself, but for the people around you.

In an interview with Axios, Cook said Tubman is one of those familiar people in history who didnt get their due when they were here. The Harriet Tubman federal holiday would come after Presidents Day.

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